[{"id":"2635.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the Annies List political group supports third-trimester abortions on demand.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While Annie's List is a group that supports pro-choice Democratic women, there is no clear evidence that they explicitly support third-trimester abortions \"on demand.\" The evidence indicates that Annie's List supports candidates who are pro-choice and favor reproductive rights, but it does not specify their stance on third-trimester abortions. Therefore, the statement lacks substantiation and should not be considered accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When we asked Bohac's campaign officials for evidence that Annie's List supports third-trimester abortion \"on demand,\" it referred us to his political consultant, Keats Norfleet. Norfleet told us that Annie's List only supports \"pro-choice, progressive Democratic women candidates who favor late-term abortions.\"","The Truth-O-Meter kicked in at Bohac's reference to Annie's List, a Texas group dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women. His leaflet calls the group \"a liberal special-interest group who supports third-trimester abortion on demand.\"","We wondered if Annie's List had clearly stated its position on third-trimester abortions anywhere. The group's website says it wants to elect more women who are \"pro-choice\" and who favor \"reproductive rights,\" without mention of third-trimester abortions.","It's true that Annie's List backs \"pro-choice\" Democratic women. And Bohac's politically potent statement rests on the assumption that \"pro-choice\" means \"supports third-trimester abortion on demand.\" That's a premise that he fails to back up."]},{"id":"324.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Hillary Clinton agrees with John McCain \"by voting to give George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Obama's claim that Hillary Clinton agreed with John McCain by voting in favor of the Kyl-Lieberman amendment, which Obama argues was giving George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran. While the interpretation of the Kyl-Lieberman amendment and its implications may be contentious, Obama's main point about Clinton and McCain being on the same side regarding Iran is supported by the evidence. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Among Obama's points: \"It's time for new leadership that understands that the way to win a debate with John McCain is not by nominating someone who ... agreed with him by voting to give George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran.\"","To say that voting for Kyl-Lieberman is \"giving George Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran\" remains a contentious issue. But Obama's main point is that Clinton and McCain were on the same side, and that is correct. So we rate Obama's statement Mostly True.","We previously fact-checked the advisers' claim that Kyl-Lieberman was a \"blank check\" for the use of force in Iran. We found that expert opinions were split. Some said the legislation gave no new authority for the use of force in Iran. But others said the Bush administration would point to the legislation as a justification if it wanted to invade Iran, even if the legislation did not specifically condone it. Describing the amendment as \"giving George Bush the benefit of the doubt\" is similar to that argument.","Among Obama's points: \"It's time for new leadership that understands that the way to win a debate with John McCain is not by nominating someone who agreed with him on voting for the war in Iraq.\""]},{"id":"1123.json","label":"false","statement":"Health care reform legislation is likely to mandate free sex change surgeries.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly refutes the claim that health care reform legislation is likely to mandate free sex change surgeries. The analysis highlights that the evidence used to support this claim is cherry-picked, misleading, and lacks solid foundation. The legislation does not contain any specific provisions for sex-change procedures, and there is no mandate for such coverage. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So let\u2019s recap. The release may have a point that Mikulski\u2019s comment could open the door to \"medically necessary\" coverage which conceivably may include sex-change operations. But it's unclear whether her amendment will remain in the legislation, and there's nothing specific in the legislation on sex-change procedures and nothing else solid that indicates such coverage will be provided. The news release cherry-picked a few fleeting references to \u201cgender\u201d and \u201csexual orientation\u201d in completely unrelated contexts to argue that proposed health care legislation would mandate free sex-change surgeries (and allow them for illegal aliens, no less). To us, these bits of evidence are wholly unpersuasive. We find the claim False.","Titled, \u201cObamaCare Likely to Mandate Free \u2018Sex Change\u2019 Surgeries,\u201d the release asserted that \u201cthe weight of the evidence indicates that cosmetic \u2018gender reassignment\u2019 surgeries for both U.S. citizens and illegal immigrants who suffer from the American Psychiatric Association- recognized \u2018Gender Identity Disorder\u2019 (GID) may also be provided \u2013 free of charge \u2013 courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer. The current price tag for such a procedure can exceed $50,000.\u201d","In theory, the House bill does offer one path by which coverage of sex-change surgeries could be made mandatory. If that part of the bill survives to enactment, a new panel called the Health Benefits Advisory Council could eventually recommend that sex-change surgeries be covered.","Before we delve into our findings in detail, here's an overview of why we found the claim was False: The news release tries to stitch together a patchwork of unrelated items to back up the sex-change claim, but the health care bills as they appear today simply don't do what the release alleges. There is no mandate for sex-change coverage."]},{"id":"12465.json","label":"true","statement":"The Chicago Bears have had more starting quarterbacks in the last 10 years than the total number of tenured (UW) faculty fired during the last two decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, the Chicago Bears have had nine different starting quarterbacks in the past decade, while only six tenured faculty members have been fired at the University of Wisconsin in the past two decades. This comparison highlights the higher turnover rate of starting quarterbacks for the Bears compared to the number of tenured faculty members fired at the university.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The Chicago Bears have had more starting quarterbacks in the last 10 years than the total number of tenured faculty fired during the last two decades.\"","Vos said the Chicago Bears have had more starting quarterbacks in the past 10 years than the number of UW faculty members who have been fired in the past 20 years.","Now for the trickier part. Vos said the Bears had more starting quarterbacks in the past 10 years than the number of faculty members fired in the past two decades.","Six faculty members have been fired in the past two decades, while there have been nine different starting quarterbacks for the Bears in the past decade."]},{"id":"153.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I'm the only person on this stage who has worked actively just last year passing, along with Russ Feingold, some of the toughest ethics reform since Watergate.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Barack Obama actively worked on ethics reform, it is an exaggeration to claim that he was the only person on the stage who had pushed for reform. Other Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, and Joe Biden, also supported and worked on ethics reform bills. Obama's statement fails to acknowledge the contributions of his fellow candidates in advocating for and supporting ethics reform. Therefore, the statement is an overstatement of his exclusive involvement in passing ethics reform.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At a Democratic debate in Philadelphia, Sen. Barack Obama boasted about his accomplishments on ethics reform. He said, \"I'm glad Hillary is talking about it, but I'm the only person on this stage who has worked actively just last year passing, along with Russ Feingold, some of the toughest ethics reform since Watergate, making sure that lobbyists could not provide gifts and meals to congressmen, making sure that the bundling of money by lobbyists was disclosed.\"","Obama has indeed worked on ethics reform the past two years, which came in the aftermath of the Abramoff scandal amid a groundswell of support for reforms. But the other Democratic candidates have backed reform as well. It's an exaggeration for him to suggest that he was the only person on the stage in Philadelphia who had pushed for reform.","Last year he cosponsored an ethics reform bill and was the Democratic point man for drumming up more cosponsors. Joining him in cosponsorship were his debate mates, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden. That bill did not make it out of committee, but another, less stringent, ethics reform bill did pass the Senate.","He did cosponsor a successful amendment concerning meals from lobbyists, but the main sponsor of that amendment was the allegedly inactive Dodd. Clinton, Dodd and Biden voted for the final bill. This year Obama cosponsored (and according to his campaign, helped draft) a bill further tightening ethics rules for Congress. Russ Feingold introduced it Jan 9, 2007. However, it was not that bill, but another one, sponsored by Majority Leader Harry Reid and introduced five days earlier on Jan. 4, 2007 that eventually became law. Obama was not a cosponsor, but he did successfully offer an amendment concerning lobbyist disclosure and the bill included some elements from the one he had introduced the previous year. Obama, as well as Biden, Clinton and Dodd all voted for it. In the House, Kucinich also voted for it."]},{"id":"620.json","label":"true","statement":"\"McCain opposed a requirement that the government buy American-made motorcycles. And he said all buy-American provisions were quote 'disgraceful.' \"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects John McCain's position on the requirement for the government to buy American-made motorcycles. McCain has indeed opposed such a requirement and has expressed his objection to \"buy America\" provisions, referring to them as \"disgraceful.\" His argument is based on the belief that such requirements hinder trade and may not guarantee the best deal for taxpayers. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The announcer then states: \"But when it comes to his record, American-made motorcycles like Harleys don't matter to John McCain. Back in Washington, McCain opposed a requirement that the government buy American-made motorcycles. And he said all buy-American provisions were quote 'disgraceful.' Surprised? You shouldn't be. This is the same John McCain who supported billions in tax breaks for companies who ship American jobs overseas. It's time to hear the roar of a strong American economy again, and stop John McCain from shipping our jobs overseas.\"","McCain has repeatedly voted and spoken against requiring the government to buy American-made products. He argues that such a requirement hurts trade and doesn't guarantee the lowest prices for taxpayers.","\"Lastly, I am also disappointed that the bill once again this year contains a department-wide 'buy America' requirement, and specific language directing the Secret Service to purchase American-made motorcycles. I firmly object to all 'buy America' restrictions, as they represent gross examples of protectionist trade policy.\"","He added, \"Furthermore, as a fiscal conservative, I want to ensure our government gets the best deal for taxpayers and with a 'buy American' restriction that cannot be guaranteed.\""]},{"id":"10173.json","label":"false","statement":"Women and men both are making less when you adjust for inflation than when John Kitzhaber was first elected governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is contradicted by the available data. According to data from federal agencies and the state Employment Department, when wages are adjusted for inflation, both men and women in Oregon are making more today than they did when John Kitzhaber was first elected governor in 1995. Therefore, the claim that both men and women are making less when adjusting for inflation is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Richardson, in criticizing Kitzhaber\u2019s years as governor, claimed that men and women working in Oregon nearly 20 years ago made more then than they do now adjusted for inflation.","Rep. Dennis Richardson, in his bid to unseat Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber in Tuesday\u2019s election, has made repeated claims that the state is worse off now than when Kitzhaber was elected in 1994 to his first term.","John Kitzhaber, a Democrat, was governor of Oregon for two terms, starting in 1995. He was inaugurated in 2011 for an unprecedented third term. He was elected to the Oregon Legislature in 1978, rising to the position of Senate President. He spearheaded the Oregon Health Plan as a legislator and as governor. Kitzhaber graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health & Science University). He worked as an emergency room physician in Roseburg from 1974 to 1988.","Data from the two federal agencies and the state Employment Department show that both genders make more today, when their wages are adjusted for inflation, than they did when Kitzhaber was first elected in 1995."]},{"id":"9867.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States has the highest corporate tax rate in the free world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate when considering the United States' statutory corporate tax rate, which is the rate before deductions. The United States does have the highest statutory corporate tax rate among developed countries. However, it's important to note that when considering the effective tax rate, which takes into account deductions and other exclusions, the United States' corporate tax rate is not the highest. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of the statutory rate, it requires clarification to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the overall tax burden on corporations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We separately checked Beckel\u2019s claim about deductions, but in this check, we\u2019ll see whether Bolling is correct that the United States\u2019 corporate tax rate ranks as the highest in \"the free world.\"","Bolling said the United States has \"the highest corporate tax rate in the free world.\" He was referring to the statutory rate, meaning the rate before deductions. On that score, he\u2019s right: The United States does have the highest statutory rate among developed countries. However, the United States\u2019 corporate tax rate doesn\u2019t appear to be the highest once deductions and other exclusions are taken into account. So Bolling is correct by one valid definition. Because his statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information, we rate his claim Mostly True.","\"The United States currently has the highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" Lance said in a news release last week that emphasized the need for tax reform.","Japan once had the highest combined tax rate in the world, but lowered it in April 2012. That move bumped the United States\u2019 statutory rate to the highest among industrialized nations, according to an analysis by the Tax Foundation, a pro-business group."]},{"id":"10215.json","label":"false","statement":"I dont know who (Jonathan Gruber) is.","reason":"Reason: While Nancy Pelosi initially claimed that she didn't know who Jonathan Gruber was, there is evidence to suggest otherwise. Video footage shows Pelosi citing Gruber's work, indicating that she was aware of him and his contributions. Additionally, Pelosi's office later acknowledged that she meant to say that she didn't know Gruber personally. Therefore, her claim of not knowing who Jonathan Gruber is, as stated in the press conference, is false based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["# Nancy Pelosi Says \u2018I Don\u2019t Know\u2019 Jonathan Gruber \u2014 but the Media Quickly Found Some Damning Information to the Contrary","Pelosi said, \"I don't know who (Jonathan Gruber) is.\" Video showing Pelosi citing Gruber\u2019s work offers the clearest evidence that she did indeed know who he was, and even her office now acknowledges that she meant to say that she didn't know Gruber personally. Even if the latter is true, that\u2019s not what she said at the press conference, so we rate her claim False.","Washington Post , \" Nancy Pelosi says she doesn\u2019t know who Jonathan Gruber is. She touted his work in 2009,\" Nov. 13, 2014","\"We're not finished getting all of our reports back from CBO, but we'll have a side-by-side to compare. But our bill brings down rates. I don't know if you have seen Jonathan Gruber of MIT's analysis of what the comparison is to the status quo, versus what will happen in our bill for those who seek insurance within the exchange. And our bill takes down those costs, even from now, and much less preventing the upward spiral.\""]},{"id":"12517.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Hate crimes against American Muslims and mosques have tripled after Paris and San Bernardino.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton, which was supported by published calculations of hate crimes against Muslims by Levin. According to Levin's study, there was a significant increase in reported anti-Islamic hate crimes in the month-long period after the Paris attacks and during the San Bernardino attacks. However, it's important to note that the data does not include the months beyond that specific period, so it cannot be definitively concluded that hate crimes remained at a tripled level. Nonetheless, the evidence suggests a notable increase in hate crimes against American Muslims and mosques during that particular timeframe.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It's no coincidence that hate crimes against American Muslims and mosques have tripled after Paris and San Bernardino,\" she said during her June 13, 2016, speech.","In 2016, Levin\u2019s published calculations of hate crimes against Muslims were cited by Hillary Clinton to justify her claim that hate crimes against American Muslims and mosques had tripled after attacks in Paris and San Bernardino. Levin said in a 2016 interview that since 9\/11, anti-Muslim incidents ranked second to anti-Jewish incidents among all anti-religious hate crimes. PolitiFact rated Clinton\u2019s claim Mostly True.","It\u2019s possible to read her phrasing -- that such incidents \"have tripled after Paris and San Bernardino\" -- to mean that these incidents tripled and then remained at that elevated level. But the data in Levin\u2019s study doesn\u2019t include the months so far in 2016, so it\u2019s impossible to know that for sure.","As for the spike Clinton referred to, Levin calculated that the number of reported anti-Islamic hate crimes during a five-year period before the Paris and San Bernardino attacks was 12.6 per month. However, in the month-long period between Nov. 13 to Dec. 13, 2015 -- after the Paris attacks and in a period that included the San Bernardino attacks -- there were at least 37 suspected hate crimes."]},{"id":"11092.json","label":"false","statement":"ISIS supporter tweeted at 10:34 a.m. Shooting began at 10:45 a.m. in Chattanooga, Tenn.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly shows that the tweet from the ISIS supporter was published at 10:34 a.m., which is almost three hours after the shooting began at 10:45 a.m. in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate as it suggests that the tweet occurred before the shooting, when in fact it happened afterward.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The ISIS supporter\u2019s tweet was actually published at 10:34 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, which means it was shared almost three hours after the shooting began.","Geller said the tweet from an ISIS supporter with #Chattanooga came 11 minutes before the attack at 10:34 a.m. (That supporter\u2019s account has since been suspended.)","Geller claimed that an ISIS supporter tweeted ahead of the Chattanooga shooting. The claim gained a lot of traction before it became clear that the tweet happened a few hours after the shooting.","As the public waited for details about the Chattanooga, Tenn., shooting attack that left five servicemen dead, anti-Islam activist Pamela Geller claimed that an ISIS supporter knew about the shooting before it happened."]},{"id":"7550.json","label":"true","statement":"We have a federal government that thinks they have the authority to regulate our toilet seats.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The federal government does have the authority to regulate certain aspects related to toilet seats. This includes regulations concerning consumer products, workplace health and safety, and accessibility to public facilities for people with disabilities. While the specific regulations may vary, it is accurate to say that the federal government has the authority to regulate aspects related to toilet seats based on various constitutional provisions and laws.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"How did we get a $16.5 trillion national debt? We have a federal government that thinks they have the authority to regulate our toilet seats and our light bulbs. We need to get back to the Constitution.\"","Cruz, railing against modern interpretations of the Commerce Clause and the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, said, \"We have a federal government that thinks they have the authority to regulate our toilet seats.\" While federal attention to toilet seats has dropped since its brief foray into seat shape in the \u201870s, and now mainly addresses toilet access for workers and height for wheelchair users, Cruz is firmly right that the courts, Congress, and executive agencies claim federal power to regulate them. His toilet trivia is True.","How? Well, the federal government can regulate consumer products, access to public facilities for people with disabilities and workplace health and safety.","Here\u2019s the thing about toilet seats and the Constitution. The 10th Amendment reserves powers for the states and the people \u2014 except those given to the federal government."]},{"id":"9018.json","label":"true","statement":"Austin is a city that has basically doubled in size every 25 years or so since it was founded.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Austin has experienced significant population growth over time. The sources confirm that Austin's population has indeed doubled approximately every 25 years since its founding. The population growth trend is evident from historical data and supports the claim made by Mayor Lee Leffingwell.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Leffingwell said Austin is a \"city that has basically doubled in size every 25 years or so since it was founded.\"","Setting up his pitch for voter approval of an inner-city rail line, Leffingwell said Austin is \"a city that has basically doubled in size every 25 years or so since it was founded.\"","Before pleading his case for voters to sign off on an inner-city rail line, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell said the city's population has doubled every 25 years or so since its founding.","The population doubled in the next 20 years, reaching 22,258 in 1900, the chart shows, before nearly doubling over the next 25 years, reaching 42,174 in 1925, up 90 percent from 1900."]},{"id":"8492.json","label":"true","statement":"Under President George W. Bush, we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama weve added $6.5 trillion to the debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by the sources provided. According to the sources, under President George W. Bush, approximately $4.9 trillion was added to the national debt, while under President Obama, approximately $6.5 trillion was added to the debt. It's important to note that these figures are approximate and may vary depending on the specific timeframes and calculations used. However, the statement accurately represents the claims made by the sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Under President George W. Bush, \"we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama \u2026 we\u2019ve added $6.5 trillion to the debt.\"","\"It took two parties to get us into debt. It\u2019s going to take two parties to get us out of debt,\" she said. \"Under President (George W. Bush), we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama, since he\u2019s been in office, we\u2019ve added $6.5 trillion to the debt,\" she said.","\"Under President Bush in eight years, we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama, we've added $5.3 trillion to the debt in the 3.5 years he's been in office.\"","\"Under President Bush in eight years, we added $4.9 trillion to the debt,\" Ayotte told the crowd Thursday, August 23, 2012, at Merrimack High School. \"Under President Obama, we've added $5.3 trillion ... in the 3 1\/2 years he's been in office.\""]},{"id":"5352.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a U.S. Supreme Court justice suggested that some U.S. cases will be decided based on South African law.","reason":"Reason: Marco Rubio made a statement suggesting that a U.S. Supreme Court justice had indicated that some U.S. cases would be decided based on South African law. However, there is no credible evidence to support this claim. Rubio's statement was based on speculation and misinterpretation of a comment made by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In reality, U.S. courts primarily rely on U.S. law, including the Constitution and legal precedents, when making decisions. The claim that a U.S. Supreme Court justice suggested using South African law in U.S. cases is unfounded.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Marco Rubio said a U.S. Supreme Court justice suggested that some U.S. cases will be decided based on South African law","( - Marco Rubio said a U.S. Supreme Court justice suggested that some U.S. cases will be decided based on South African law&url=)","PolitiFact, \"Marco Rubio said a U.S. Supreme Court justice suggested that some U.S. cases will be decided based on South African law,\" Feb. 9, 2012","Rubio mentioned a female Supreme Court Judge and then concluded, \"if you are an appellate lawyer you need to brush up on your South African law because that is how some cases apparently are going to be decided here going forward.\" Rubio was implying that Justice Ginsburg favored South African law rather than the U.S. Constitution, and that some cases in the U.S. might be decided based on South African law."]},{"id":"12027.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio skipped 18 defense votes including one to arm the Kurds to fight ISIS.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that Marco Rubio skipped 18 defense votes, including one related to arming the Kurds to fight ISIS. However, it is important to note that the statement lacks context. Rubio's missed votes were related to a specific bill, and he ultimately voted in favor of the overall bill, which included the provisions he missed. Therefore, while the statement is technically true, it could be misleading without providing the full picture of Rubio's voting record on the bill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Did you know Marco Rubio skipped 18 defense votes, including one to arm the Kurds to fight ISIS?\" asks the narrator in an ad from Keep the Promise 1, a PAC largely funded by a New York hedge fund magnate Robert Mercer.","Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, the original co-sponsor along with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said in a statement that the goal was to arm the Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga forces \"who are a critical partner in the fight against ISIS.\"","Rubio\u2019s skipped votes included amendments to revise the definition of spouse for veterans benefits, reaffirm the prohibition on torture and to improve cybersecurity. (Cruz himself skipped three of the 18 votes that Rubio missed.)","Yes, Rubio skipped the votes. But this ad misleads by failing to tell the full picture. It doesn\u2019t tell viewers that all of Rubio\u2019s skipped votes pertain to one bill, and that Rubio voted for the overall bill, while Cruz actually voted against it."]},{"id":"11418.json","label":"half-true","statement":"African-American youth unemployment is 51 percent. Hispanic youth unemployment is 36 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that African-American and Hispanic youth face higher unemployment rates compared to their white counterparts, the specific percentages mentioned in the statement are not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that the actual unemployment rates for African-American and Hispanic youth are lower than what was claimed by Senator Sanders. While there is a significant disparity in unemployment rates based on race and ethnicity, it is important to rely on accurate statistics to provide an informed understanding of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"African-American youth unemployment is 51 percent,\" Sanders said at the Oct. 13, 2015, debate in Las Vegas. \"Hispanic youth unemployment is 36 percent.\"","\"For young people who have graduated high school or dropped out of high school, who are between the ages of 17 and 20, if they happen to be white, the unemployment rate is 33 percent,\" he said. \"If they are Hispanic, the unemployment rate is 36 percent. If they are African-American, the real unemployment rate for young people is 51 percent.\"","In other words, the official unemployment rate shows the same general pattern -- that African-American youth unemployment is significantly higher than white youth unemployment and, to a lesser extent, higher than Hispanic youth unemployment. Still, the levels for each group are lower than what Sanders said.","He has a point that African-American and Hispanic youth have significantly worse prospects in the job market than whites do. But his numbers are too far off."]},{"id":"3652.json","label":"false","statement":"President Barack Obama took exactly none of his own deficit reduction commissions ideas. Not one.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by John Boehner that President Barack Obama took none of his own deficit reduction commission's ideas is false. While it is true that President Obama did not adopt all of the recommendations from the deficit reduction commission, he did incorporate several of their ideas into his budget proposals. The commission's recommendations can be seen in various forms within Obama's budget plans, although not always in identical form. Therefore, Boehner's claim is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!In an interview with ABC News, John Boehner said that President Barack Obama \u201ctook exactly none of his own deficit reduction commission\u2019s ideas. Not one.\u201d We checked to see if Boehner is correct. !In an interview with ABC News, John Boehner said that President Barack Obama \u201ctook exactly none of his own deficit reduction commission\u2019s ideas. Not one.\u201d We checked to see if Boehner is correct.","In an interview with ABC News, John Boehner said that President Barack Obama \u201ctook exactly none of his own deficit reduction commission\u2019s ideas. Not one.\u201d We checked to see if Boehner is correct.","Referring to the deficit commission chaired by former Republican Sen. Alan Simpson of Wyoming and former Democratic White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles, Boehner said, \"While I didn\u2019t agree with everything they did, there was a lot in their proposal that was worthy of consideration. And what did the president do? He took exactly none of his own deficit reduction commission\u2019s ideas. Not one. Come on! It\u2019s time to grow up and get serious about the problems that face our country.\"","If Boehner had offered a more measured assessment, he would have had a fair point about the differences between Obama\u2019s fiscal approach and that outlined by the commission. The president certainly could have gone further in embracing the recommendations of the panel he had commissioned. But he did embrace a wide variety of them, so to say bluntly, as Boehner did, that Obama \"took exactly none of his own deficit reduction commission\u2019s ideas\" is simply not correct. To one degree or another, the commission\u2019s recommendations are sprinkled throughout Obama\u2019s budget proposals, in recognizable -- if not always in identical -- form. So we rate Boehner\u2019s statement False."]},{"id":"13503.json","label":"true","statement":"Hillary Clinton in 2005 co-sponsored legislation that would jail flag burners.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Hillary Clinton did co-sponsor the Flag Protection Act of 2005, which proposed a 12-month jail sentence for individuals who desecrate the American flag with the intent to incite violence or breach the peace. This legislation aimed to protect the flag from acts of desecration that could potentially lead to violence or public disturbances. However, it's important to note that the act did not become law, and the Supreme Court has ruled that flag desecration is protected under the First Amendment as a form of free speech.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Some media outlets complained that Trump was being treated unfairly in the firestorm of criticism that followed. After all, they stated, Democrat Hillary Clinton had also once proposed jail time for flag burners.","\"For Clinton supporters, I\u2019m sorry to say you don\u2019t have the high ground again; then-Sen. Clinton co-sponsored the Flag Protection Act of 2005, which carried a 12-month jail sentence to anyone who desecrates the American flag to incite or produce imminent violence or a breach of the peace,\" Matt Vespa wrote on the conservative online site","Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, for instance, co-sponsored six pieces of Clinton legislation. Four of those pieces of legislation had 10 or more Republican co-sponsors.","When we heard back from the Clinton campaign, spokesman Josh Schwerin said, \"She meant to say, 'Just about every Republican senator I served with co-sponsored a piece of legislation I introduced.'\""]},{"id":"8187.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Terry McAuliffe is the person who invented the scheme to rent out the Lincoln Bedroom.","reason":"Reason: While Terry McAuliffe was involved in the controversial practice of renting out the Lincoln Bedroom during the Clinton administration, there is no evidence to support the claim that he \"invented the scheme.\" McAuliffe did play a role in recommending individuals for overnight stays in the Lincoln Bedroom, but the idea and practice of renting out the Lincoln Bedroom predated his involvement. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate in attributing the invention of the scheme solely to McAuliffe.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cuccinelli, in attacking McAuliffe\u2019s ethics, says the Democrat is \"the person who invented the scheme to rent out the Lincoln Bedroom.\"","\"He\u2019s the person who invented the scheme to rent out the Lincoln Bedroom,\" Cuccinelli said of his opponent during an Aug. 10 appearance before Northern Virginia business leaders.","No doubt, McAuliffe strongly backed the sleepovers and recommended heavy hitters that should be offered a night in the Lincoln Bedroom. But we see no evidence that McAuliffe \"invented the scheme.\"","The Lincoln Bedroom in the White House looms in this year\u2019s gubernatorial race. Within the history of the ornate chamber, Republican Ken Cuccinelli says, lies proof of Democrat Terry McAuliffe\u2019s questionable ethics."]},{"id":"12758.json","label":"true","statement":"We created 800,000 new jobs, we cut the unemployment rate almost in half and today New York State has more private sector jobs than it has ever had in its history","reason":"Reason: Governor Cuomo's statement is accurate based on the evidence provided. He claims that 800,000 new jobs were created, the unemployment rate was reduced by almost half, and New York State currently has more private sector jobs than ever before. These claims are supported by the governor's own statements during press briefings and his office's clarification that the 800,000 new jobs refer to those added in the private sector since he took office in 2011. The evidence also mentions the initial unemployment rate of 8.4 percent when Governor Cuomo entered office, further supporting his claim of a significant reduction in unemployment. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You know that the economic development projects are working very well, and you know the economic development policy of the state is working very well because it\u2019s in the numbers,\" Cuomo said. \"This is all you need to know. We created 800,000 new jobs. We cut the unemployment rate almost in half. And, today New York State has more private sector jobs than it has ever had in its history, period, game over. It's working,\" Cuomo said.","During a press briefing in Ontario County, Gov. Cuomo told a group of reporters that 800,000 jobs had been created, the unemployment rate fell by almost half, and the state had more private sector jobs than ever before.","Cuomo\u2019s office says the 800,000 new jobs refers to those added in the private sector since he took office in 2011.","When he entered office, the statewide unemployment rate was 8.4 percent. That includes New York City, Long Island and the rest of the state."]},{"id":"812.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Sen. Obama's campaign announced that he's choosing his cabinet.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Senator Obama's campaign announced his cabinet picks. The evidence only mentions the confirmation of six Obama Cabinet nominees by the Senate, which occurred after Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president. The process of selecting and announcing cabinet members typically occurs after the presidential election and before the inauguration, not during the campaign.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Six Obama Cabinet Picks Confirmed By Senate : It's All Politics Six Obama Cabinet nominees have been confirmed by the Senate.","Just hours after Barack Obama was sworn in as 44th president, six of his Cabinet nominees were confirmed by the Senate by voice vote.","The same is true of Jake Sullivan, 43, another Obama-era standout, who worked on Hillary Clinton\u2019s 2016 presidential campaign. Mr. Sullivan succeeded Mr. Blinken as Vice President Biden\u2019s national security adviser in 2013 and is now reported to be under close consideration for a key foreign policy advisory post.","\u201cIf Mr. Biden surprises me by asking me to consider serving in his Cabinet, I\u2019d be honored to do so,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I could also understand how he might say, \u2018Look, we\u2019re at a moment where folks who can deliver on bipartisanship in the Senate are at a premium, and I need you to stay there.\u2019\u201d"]},{"id":"6000.json","label":"false","statement":"Only 2 percent of public high schools in the country offer PE classes.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that only 2 percent of public high schools in the country offer PE classes is false. Official federal data from 2006 indicate that over 95 percent of high schools required physical education. The claim made by the President was based on a misinterpretation of a CDC study, and it is important to rely on accurate data when assessing the availability of PE classes in public high schools.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A reader asked us to check the claim that \"only 2 percent of public high schools in the country offer PE classes\" because the number sounded low.","A spokeswoman for Obama confirmed that she had misspoken. Obama was referring to the 2007 CDC study, and her mistake was to say that only 2 percent of public high schools offer PE classes. In fact, 2 percent of public high schools offer daily PE classes.","\"Kids aren't playing outside as much,\" she told NPR. \"The statistics show that kids are spending an average of 7.5 hours a day in front of some kind of screen, a TV, computer, what have you. Fewer schools are offering PE. Only 2 percent of high schools -- public high schools in the country offer PE classes. Two percent.\"","Official federal data show that more than 95 percent of high schools in 2006 required PE -- a far cry from the 2 percent Obama cited. We rate her claim False."]},{"id":"1779.json","label":"true","statement":"On military recruiters at Harvard, Elena Kagan \"took a position and the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that she was wrong.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Elena Kagan, during her tenure as dean of Harvard Law School, took a position that opposed military recruiters due to the \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" policy. The Supreme Court did rule unanimously against the arguments put forward by the law schools, including Harvard, regarding the ban on military recruiters. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["At Harvard Law School, Barrasso said, \"She took a position and the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that she was wrong.\" Barrasso said he was keeping an open mind on the nomination.","Barrasso said Kagan \"took a position and the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that she was wrong.\" The court did reject the arguments put forward by the law schools, which included FAIR and the brief filed by the Harvard professors. All of the justices who voted opposed the law schools' arguments. So we rate Barrasso's statement True.","One of Elena Kagan's top credentials -- that she was dean of Harvard Law School -- created some controversy on the day that President Barack Obama announced her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.","The controversy over military recruiters began even before Kagan became dean of Harvard Law in 2003. Harvard was one of several top-tier law schools that attempted to ban military recruiters because of the policy that prevented gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military."]},{"id":"8584.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Mayor Cicilline, [Providence] was a sanctuary city.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that Providence was a sanctuary city under Mayor Cicilline. While the term \"sanctuary city\" does not have a legal definition, it typically refers to cities that have adopted certain measures to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. However, during Cicilline's tenure as mayor, Providence did not implement such measures, and there is no evidence to suggest that it was officially designated as a sanctuary city. In fact, Cicilline himself disputed these claims when they were made. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["DePetro asked Smiley what he\u2019d do as mayor about the number of \"illegal aliens\" in the city, and then said that \"under Mayor David Cicilline, it Providence was a sanctuary city. He and the chief at the time, Dean Esserman, they wouldn\u2019t cooperate with ICE regarding illegals in the city.\"","While there is no legal definition of \"sanctuary city,\" in the eight years that Cicilline was mayor Providence had not taken any of the measures adopted by other cities often identified by that label.","As Cicilline, Doherty and independent David Vogel were talking about the implications of federal immigration policy, Doherty interjected: \"Congressman Cicilline, when he was the mayor of Providence, espoused a sanctuary city.\"","But he offered no evidence that Cicilline had ever supported such a position. In fact, when others suggested Providence was a sanctuary city, Cicilline aggressively disputed it."]},{"id":"6612.json","label":"true","statement":"At Bain Capital, we helped start an early childhood learning company called Bright Horizons that First Lady Michelle Obama rightly praised.","reason":"Reason: Mitt Romney's statement accurately reflects that Bright Horizons, an early childhood learning company that was started with the help of Bain Capital, received favorable comments from First Lady Michelle Obama. While the First Lady did not explicitly praise the company, she expressed excitement about launching an initiative that included Bright Horizons as a partner, indicating a positive view of the company. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Mitt Romney said one of his Bain Capital companies has been so successful it's been praised by First Lady Michelle Obama.","> \"Some of the companies we helped start are names you know you've have heard from tonight. An office company called Staples, where I'm pleased to see the Obama campaign has been shopping.","Her comments were publicized a year later in a Daily Caller article headlined \"Michelle Obama praised Bain Capital-backed child care company,\" as well as by ABC News and Fox Business News with Neil Cavuto.","Romney said the first lady \"praised\" Bright Horizons. She did say that she was \"excited\" to launch an initiative that included the child care provider, calling Let\u2019s Move partners \"so important.\" Those are favorable comments about the company. We rate his claim True."]},{"id":"12056.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the man who rushed the stage at him in Dayton, Ohio, had chatter about ISIS, or with ISIS in his social media posts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Donald Trump's claim that the man who rushed the stage in Dayton, Ohio, had \"chatter about ISIS, or with ISIS\" in his social media posts. However, it's important to note that there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Trump's assertion has been disputed, and there is no verified information confirming any direct connection between the individual and ISIS. Therefore, the claim remains unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said Thomas DiMassimo, the man who rushed at him in Dayton, Ohio, \"had chatter about ISIS, or with ISIS\" in his social media posts.","We decided to take a closer look at whether DiMassimo \"had chatter about ISIS, or with ISIS\" on his social media posts. (Trump\u2019s campaign did not respond to an inquiry for this article.)","Despite evidence to the contrary, Donald Trump on Sunday morning repeated his charge that a man who rushed at him in Dayton, Ohio, had ISIS affiliations.","After further back and forth, Trump said, \"No, excuse me, you didn't see the clip. He was playing Arabic music, he was dragging the flag along the ground, and he had Internet chatter with ISIS and about ISIS. So I don't know if he was or not. But all we did was put out what he had on his Internet. \u2026 (He) had chatter about ISIS, or with ISIS.\""]},{"id":"1738.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The new Arizona immigration law \"says that any police officer can stop anyone who appears to them to be reasonably suspicious of being an undocumented person.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions of the new Arizona immigration law. The law does grant significant latitude to law enforcement officers to question individuals about their immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion that the person may be undocumented. However, it is important to note that the law explicitly states that these grounds cannot be based solely on race or ethnicity. While the statement captures the essence of the law, it could benefit from additional context to clarify that the grounds for suspicion cannot be solely based on race or ethnicity.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We also looked into the counterclaims from former Democratic state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez, an opponent of the law, that the law would allow a police officer to stop \"anyone who appears to them to be reasonably suspicious of being an undocumented person.\" We concluded that while the law does appear to provide significant latitude for law enforcement officers in Arizona to question people about their immigration status, it also says the grounds cannot be based on race or ethnicity alone. We rated his claim Mostly True.","Gutierrez: \"Obviously, the senator hasn't read his own bill. What this bill does is, it says that any police officer can stop anyone who appears to them to be reasonably suspicious of being an undocumented person. And I'm going tell you something, if you and I are walking down the street, you're not going to be the subject ... of reasonable suspicion. He is simply wrong about his own bill. I suggest he read it.\"","Gutierrez' statement -- that the law \"says that any police officer can stop anyone who appears to them to be reasonably suspicious of being an undocumented person\" -- is fairly accurate, but not entirely. While the law does appear to provide significant latitude for law enforcement officers in Arizona to question people about their immigration status -- on a pretext as basic as a broken taillight -- the law also says the grounds cannot be based on race or ethnicity alone. This is a somewhat more narrow standard than Gutierrez indicated, so we will downgrade his comment to Mostly True.","Under the new Arizona immigration law, police can't stop someone to check their immigration status unless they think they see something illegal."]},{"id":"2166.json","label":"true","statement":"During the recession, the consumer in his native perversity has begun to save. The savings rate is now 6.2 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the assertion made by George Will regarding the savings rate during the recession. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis, the personal saving rate during the second quarter of 2010 was approximately 6.2 percent. This indicates an increase in the savings rate, which aligns with Will's claim that consumers have started saving more during the recession.\nLabel: true","evidence":["She turned to George Will, the conservative columnist, who had been shaking his head. \"Well, the recovery is now more than a year old, and we know two things about it,\" Will said. \"It's unusually weak for a recovery after a severe downturn, and, B, starting weak, it's getting weaker, for two reasons. First of all, the stimulus is running out. ... Cash for Clunkers has come and gone. The homebuyer's tax credit for purchasing new -- particularly new homes, come and gone. Second, the growth so far has been largely driven by inventories, businesses rebuilding their inventories in anticipation of the consumer -- 70 percent of business activity in a normal time -- coming back to the malls. The trouble is, the consumer in his native perversity has begun to save. The savings rate is now 6.2 percent. So what you have is what I think Keynes called the paradox of thrift. ... It's a virtue until it isn't a virtue.\"","We thought it would be worthwhile to check whether the savings rate has in fact risen to 6.2 percent during the recession.","We'll acknowledge that there's a difference of opinion in how economists view the impact of the saving rate's growth during the recession. But on Will's core factual assertion -- that the savings rate has climbed during the recession -- he's correct. So we rate his statement True.","Checking the number itself was easy. We looked to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis, which tracks the personal saving rate, which it defines as the percentage of personal disposable income that is saved. The data shows that during the second quarter of 2010, the personal saving rate was about 6.2 percent, just as Will had said."]},{"id":"10053.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Scott Brown co-sponsored legislation to let employers deny women coverage for birth control.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Jeanne Shaheen that Scott Brown co-sponsored legislation that would have allowed employers to deny women coverage for birth control. The legislation in question, the Blunt Amendment, would have provided a religious-conscience opt-out for birth control coverage, allowing employers to deny coverage based on religious or moral grounds. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Shaheen said Brown \"co-sponsored legislation to let employers deny women coverage for birth control.\" The amendment, which Brown supported, was written loosely enough to allow a religious-conscience opt-out for birth control -- an issue about which there has been a longstanding policy debate on religious and moral grounds. We rate the claim True.","\"I have always supported a woman\u2019s right to choose because I know women should be making health care decisions in consultation with their doctors and their families, not their employer. Scott Brown\u2019s record is clear: When it counts, he doesn\u2019t stand up for women\u2019s reproductive rights and economic security. He co-sponsored legislation to let employers deny women coverage for birth control or even mammograms. New Hampshire women can\u2019t trust Scott Brown, and his record is move evidence that he is wrong for New Hampshire.\"","In a different Shaheen campaign news release, the campaign explained its sourcing by writing, \"FACT: Scott Brown both co-sponsored and voted for the Blunt Amendment that would let employers deny women access to a range of healthcare services, including contraception and coverage for mammograms.\"","We noticed two claims that are related, but distinct enough to analyze separately. First, would the legislation in question have allowed employers deny women coverage for birth control? And would it have allowed employers to deny coverage for mammograms?"]},{"id":"3146.json","label":"false","statement":"In the past 20 years, Egypt has made great strides in political and democratic reform.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Egypt has made \"great strides\" in political and democratic reform in the past 20 years is not supported by the evidence. While there may have been some improvements in certain areas, such as press freedom, the overall situation does not reflect significant progress. Journalists continue to be arrested, police brutality remains widespread, and the ruling party maintains firm control. The evidence suggests that the ambassador's statement is false, as it does not align with the reality of the political and democratic situation in Egypt.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Shoukry replied, \"From the outset, the freedom of expression had been guaranteed. Egypt has been on a road of economic, political, democratic reform for the last 20 years or more, and it has achieved great strides in that regard. Freedom of expression, freedom of the press had been evolving and advancing with very important strides. I believe, in the president's speech, he indicated that there would be a guarantee of the freedom and ability of all Egyptians to express their points of view in a peaceful manner.\"","In our ruling, we find little to support the ambassador's statement that \"Egypt has been on a road of economic, political, democratic reform for the last 20 years or more, and it has achieved great strides in that regard.\" A few things may have improved, particularly in the area of press freedom, but they are hardly \"great strides.\" In fact, the government continues to arrest journalists, police brutality is widespread, and the ruling party maintains firm control. We rate the ambassador's statement False.","That didn't answer Amanpour's question, but we were interested in his statement that the country has made \"great strides\" in political and democratic reforms.","That was at odds with reporting we've read, so we decided to dig deeper to see if perhaps the ambassador was correct that Egypt has indeed been moving strongly toward more human rights over the past 20 years."]},{"id":"8755.json","label":"false","statement":"The amount of attention paid this week to Chris Christie makes the coverage of Benghazi ... pale in significance.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Karl Rove suggesting that the coverage of Chris Christie's bridge scandal outweighed the coverage of Benghazi is false. Multiple sources have reviewed the media coverage of both events and concluded that the coverage of Benghazi was more extensive. The Benghazi attack received widespread coverage, including congressional hearings and questioning of the administration's response. While Chris Christie's bridge scandal did attract significant attention, it occurred during a relatively slow news week. Therefore, the statement that the coverage of Chris Christie makes the coverage of Benghazi pale in significance is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The amount of attention paid to Chris Christie makes the coverage of Benghazi, at the same time, the coverage of the IRS, pale in significance.\" Rove said.","Republican strategist Karl Rove, meanwhile, complained there was less coverage of Benghazi than to a scandal about a closed bridge in New Jersey connected to Gov. Chris Christie. The amount of attention paid to Christie makes the coverage of Benghazi \"pale in significance,\" Rove said. We reviewed media coverage of Benghazi and Christie\u2019s bridge problems, looking at it both in number and quality. We concluded the Benghazi coverage was more extensive. We rated Rove\u2019s statement False.","Rove said that the coverage of Christie pales \"in significance\" to the coverage of Benghazi. When news of the attacks on Benghazi broke, coverage was widespread, and it continued through congressional hearings. Moreover, a lot of the coverage questioned the administration\u2019s narrative and response to the attacks. Indeed, Christie has occupied much of the conversation, but it was also in a relatively slow news week. Benghazi garnered significant coverage, even during the height of the presidential election.","New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has always attracted a fair amount of media attention. But when news broke last week that a close adviser and a top appointee allegedly orchestrated a traffic jam for political retribution, the Republican leader became the top news story of the day."]},{"id":"2044.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Rick Perrys Texas, we import nurses ... from other countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by White during his speech, where he suggests that in Rick Perry's Texas, nurses are imported from other countries. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific evidence or data to support this claim. While it is possible that Texas may import nurses from other countries to address workforce shortages, the statement does not provide sufficient context or evidence to determine the extent or prevalence of this practice. Therefore, the claim should be considered as an assertion made by White without concrete evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["During his June 25 speech to delegates at the Texas Democratic Party convention in Corpus Christi, White said the values of his Republican opponent, who has been governor for more than 10 years, are out of step with Texans\u2019, saying: \u201cRick Perry\u2019s Texas is different than our Texas. ... In Rick Perry\u2019s Texas, we import nurses and welders from other countries.\u201d","!Texas Gov. Rick Perry talks to voters at the Iowa State Fair. !Texas Gov. Rick Perry talks to voters at the Iowa State Fair.","Gov. Rick Perry's state website, \"Gov. Perry Addresses the Texas Hospital Association( \"Gov. Perry Addresses the Texas Hospital Association\"),\" Jan. 22, 2009","Protesters interrupted Gov. Rick Perry at a Washington, D.C. event by calling for the Republican to support Medicaid\u2019s expansion in Texas as encouraged under Obamacare."]},{"id":"10263.json","label":"false","statement":"Austin is burdened by the fastest-growing tax increases of any major city in the nation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Austin experienced significant property tax increases and budget cuts to its police department, there is no evidence to support the claim that Austin has the fastest-growing tax increases among major cities in the nation. The evidence provided suggests that Austin had the third-fastest growth in property tax rates on median-valued homes, but it does not compare overall tax increases across major cities. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Jim Skaggs, founder of Citizens Against Rail Taxes, told the Austin Monitor for a Nov. 5, 2014, news story, that the rail costs would have been imposed \"on a community already burdened by the fastest-growing tax increases of any major city in the nation.\"","Among the nation\u2019s largest cities, Austin appears to have had the third-fastest growth in its property-tax bite on a median-valued home from 2005 to 2013. It seems reasonable to speculate local taxpayers feel the pinch.","More than 20 major U.S. cities slashed police budgets in the aftermath of 2020\u2019s nationwide protests against police brutality. Austin\u2019s cuts, which amounted to about one-third of its police department\u2019s 2020 budget, were the largest in the nation.","However, Skaggs didn\u2019t provide nor did we find a sign of Austin ranking first in tax growth among the country\u2019s major cities."]},{"id":"10386.json","label":"true","statement":"I belong to the AFL-CIO.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Governor Rick Perry stated that he is a member of the AFL-CIO. He mentioned his affiliation with the AFL-CIO during a speech and even joked about carrying an AFL-CIO membership card. The AFL-CIO is a voluntary federation of labor unions representing millions of workers in the United States. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Reaching out to it would work, he said, \"not because I\u2019m a dyed-in-the-wool AFL-CIO member -- which I am.\" Perry then addressed a mentor in the audience, former Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, saying: \"You didn\u2019t know that, did you?\" Amid laughter, Perry went on: \"Not only did I used to be a Democrat, senator, I belong to the AFL-CIO. Got the card in my pocket,\" Perry said, acting as if to reach for it, \"and they probably hate it that I pay my dues every quarter.\"","The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions. The AFL-CIO was created in 1955 by the merger of the AFL and the CIO. The AFL-CIO represents 11.5 million members.","Entry, \" Gov. Rick Perry, card-carrying member of the AFL-CIO?,\"Texas AFL-CIO News, Ed Sills, director of communications, Texas AFL-CIO, distributed by email Jan. 9, 2015","The New Hampshire AFL-CIO is an organization representing dozens of unions in the state. The New Hampshire AFL-CIO was created through the merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955. On October 27, 1957, the New Hampshire A.F. of L. and the New Hampshire C.I.O. were merged and were issued a charter by the national AFL-CIO."]},{"id":"9213.json","label":"true","statement":"Did you know US population growth is at its lowest since the Great Depression?","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that the United States is experiencing its lowest population growth since the Great Depression. The growth rates in recent years have been consistently low, with 2011 and 2013 being particularly notable. This information is supported by data and has been verified by fact-checkers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Did you know US population growth is at its lowest since the Great Depression?\" he tweeted on April 1. \"RT if you support liberalizing our immigration laws.\"","Indeed, the last four years mark the four lowest points of population growth since the Great Depression. And the growth rates of 2011 and 2013 are at the bottom of the time span.","Sarvis said the U.S. population growth is at its lowest level since the Great Depression. The figures back him up and we rate his statement True.","\"RT,\" if you\u2019re wondering, means retweet. That cleared up, we didn\u2019t know that the nation\u2019s population growth had reached an 80-year low."]},{"id":"7258.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 1968, more Americans have died from gunfire than died in all the wars of this countrys history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to a fact-check conducted by PolitiFact, it has been verified that since 1968, more Americans have died from gunfire in the United States than the number of deaths on the battlefields of all the wars in American history. This statistic takes into account both military and civilian casualties. The year 1968 is used as a reference point due to the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, which brought attention to the issue of gun violence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.\"","One of them was: \"More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.\"","Kristof wrote, \"More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.\"","That sounded familiar. Really familiar. As it turns out, the web version of Kristof\u2019s column sourced a PolitiFact article from Jan. 18, 2013, that fact-checked commentator Mark Shields\u2019 claim that since 1968, \"more Americans have died from gunfire than died in \u2026 all the wars of this country's history.\" (Shields used the year 1968 because it was the year presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated by gunman Sirhan Sirhan.)"]},{"id":"10072.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, would help lift over a million Americans out of poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Alison Lundergan Grimes that raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would help lift over a million Americans out of poverty. This claim is supported by a Congressional Budget Office report, which indicates that a minimum wage increase would indeed have a positive impact on reducing poverty rates. However, it's important to note that the actual figure is close to a million, but not necessarily \"over\" a million as Grimes initially stated. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that the number is not significantly higher than a million.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The full story of the CBO report is it would help lift a million \u2014 over a million \u2014 Americans out of poverty,\" she said.","But it\u2019s not quite what Grimes said. While she initially said \"a million Americans\" she quickly corrected herself to say raising the minimum wage to $10.10 would lift \" over a million Americans out of poverty.\" The actual figure is close to a million, but definitely not \"over\" it.","McConnell claimed that a Congressional Budget Office report said raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour \"will destroy between half a million and one million jobs.\"","His Democratic challenger, Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, countered that the report also noted a minimum wage hike would lift, \"over a million Americans out of poverty.\" (In a separate fact-check, we rated that Mostly True.)"]},{"id":"10624.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Secretary of State John Kerry, when he was a senator, flew to Managua and met with a communist dictator there, Daniel Ortega, and accused the Reagan administration of engaging in terrorism.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Mitch McConnell regarding Secretary of State John Kerry. It is true that Kerry, during his time as a senator, flew to Managua and met with Daniel Ortega, who was a communist dictator at the time. Kerry did criticize the Reagan administration for allegedly funding terrorism to overthrow governments of other countries, although it is important to note that McConnell's statement slightly exaggerates Kerry's actual words. Kerry's criticism focused on the alleged funding of terrorism rather than directly accusing the Reagan administration of engaging in terrorism. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["McConnell said Secretary of State John Kerry, \"when he was a senator, flew to Managua and met with a communist dictator there, Daniel Ortega, and accused the Reagan administration of engaging in terrorism.\"","Here, we\u2019ll look instead at the more straightforward factual question of whether Kerry, \"when he was a senator, flew to Managua and met with a communist dictator there, Daniel Ortega, and accused the Reagan administration of engaging in terrorism.\"","\"Well, Dana, first, let me just say, I think this is a good case of selective outrage,\" McConnell said. \"I remember reading about Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) when he was the majority leader flying to Moscow during the negotiations over the SALT II treaty, explaining to the Russians the Senate's role in treaty ratification. And John Kerry, when he was a senator, flew to Managua and met with a communist dictator there, Daniel Ortega, and accused the Reagan administration of engaging in terrorism. So, look, members of Congress expressing themselves about important matters, not only at home, but around the world, is not unprecedented.\"","Second, McConnell could have been more precise in how he relayed Kerry\u2019s use of the word \"terrorism.\" McConnell said Kerry \"accused the Reagan administration of engaging in terrorism.\" That\u2019s a slight exaggeration of Kerry\u2019s words. Kerry actually said that the Reagan administration was \" funding terrorism to overthrow governments of other countries.\" A slight rhetorical difference, but a difference nonetheless."]},{"id":"13142.json","label":"false","statement":"NATO is opening up a major terror division. ... Im sure Im not going to get credit for it, but that was largely because of what I was saying and my criticism of NATO.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Trump that NATO is opening up a major terror division is not accurate. There is no credible evidence or official announcement from NATO regarding the establishment of a specific \"terror division.\" The claim seems to be a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of NATO's efforts to enhance its capabilities in countering terrorism, which is a shared priority among member countries. It is important to rely on verified information and official statements when discussing NATO's activities and initiatives.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"NATO is opening up a major terror division. ... I'm sure I'm not going to get credit for it, but that was largely because of what I was saying and my criticism of NATO.\"","Trump said, \"NATO is opening up a major terror division. ... I'm sure I'm not going to get credit for it, but that was largely because of what I was saying and my criticism of NATO.\"","\"About four months ago, I read on the front page of the Wall Street Journal that NATO is opening up a major terror division,\" Trump said Sept. 26, 2016. \"And I think that's great \u2026 because we pay approximately 73 percent of the cost of NATO. It's a lot of money to protect other people. But I'm all for NATO. But I said they have to focus on terror, also. And they're going to do that. \u2026 I'm sure I'm not going to get credit for it, but that was largely because of what I was saying and my criticism of NATO.\"","\"There is a legitimate point to say that the U.S. offered assurances to the Soviets that NATO would do something, but that is not the same thing as saying NATO offered an agreement,\" Shifrinson continued. \"NATO is not violating, and it never offered an agreement.\""]},{"id":"338.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Sen. Obama has always had a 100 percent prochoice rating.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voting record and ratings of Senator Barack Obama regarding abortion rights. He consistently received a 100 percent prochoice rating from NARAL Prochoice America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund during his time in the U.S. Senate. Additionally, his prochoice stance and voting record were also evident during his tenure as an Illinois state senator, where he consistently voted in favor of abortion rights. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The facts are clear \u2013 in the Illinois state Senate, choice advocates asked strong prochoice legislators like Senator Obama to vote 'present' on Republican-designed bills like a ban on partial-birth abortion to protect a woman's right to chose,\" DeLauro wrote. \"Senator Obama has always had a 100 percent prochoice rating.\"","Indeed, DeLauro is correct. Obama has 100 percent congressional voting ratings from NARAL Prochoice America for his three years in the U.S. Senate. The Planned Parenthood Action Fund similarly gave Obama a perfect score on its 2006 congressional scorecard.","The Clinton campaign has raised doubts about Sen. Barack Obama's record on abortion rights because he voted \"present\" rather than \"no\" on seven antiabortion bills when he was in the Illinois state Senate.","He also earned 100 percent records for his votes in eight years as a state senator, according to Pam Sutherland, president and CEO of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council. (She is neutral in the presidential race and her group has not endorsed a candidate.)"]},{"id":"2820.json","label":"true","statement":"The (federal) debt is growing by more than $4 billion a day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources that indicate the federal debt is indeed growing by more than $4 billion per day. The evidence provided includes references to the national debt growing by $4 billion per day during the first 29 months of the Obama administration, as well as calculations based on projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). These sources suggest that the debt is increasing at a rate of around $4 billion per day. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The national debt is already more than $13.4 trillion,\" he writes. \"For perspective, that is over $43,000 per man, woman and child in America. Worse yet, the debt is growing by more than $4 billion a day.\"","\"Recently we have seen our government debt grow by $3.4 trillion during the first 29 months of the Obama administration -- the equivalent of about $4 billion per day.\"","\"Recently we have seen our government debt grow by $3.4 trillion during the first 29 months of the Obama administration -- the equivalent of about $4 billion per day,\" Lance wrote in the column published on","Divide the CBO's projected addition of $1.5 trillion in debt in 2010 by the 365 days in a year, and you have about $4.1 billion in debt each day. And the $1.3 trillion in 2011? About $3.6 billion each day."]},{"id":"8654.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under President Obamas health-care reforms, the premium for an average plan for a family didnt go down by $2,500 per year, its gone up about $2,500 per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Johnson that under President Obama's health-care reforms, the premium for an average family plan did not decrease by $2,500 per year, but rather increased by approximately $2,500 per year. This claim is supported by data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health policy research group. However, it's important to note that experts have found little or no evidence directly linking the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) to the increase in premiums. The factors influencing premium changes are complex and multifaceted, including market dynamics, healthcare costs, and other external factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Under President Obama\u2019s health-care reforms, the premium for \"an average plan for a family didn't go down by $2,500 per year, it's gone up about $2,500 per year.\"","Johnson said that under Obama\u2019s health-care law, the premium for \"an average plan for a family didn't go down by $2,500 per year, it's gone up about $2,500 per year.\"","Johnson is correct that by 2013, three years after the Affordable Care Act became law, the total average premium for employer-provided family insurance had risen by $2,500 per year. But experts say there is little or no evidence that Obamacare is responsible.","In saying the annual premium has gone up $2,500, Johnson\u2019s office cited figures from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health policy research group."]},{"id":"9492.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The IRS also investigated liberal groups, groups that had progressive in their name. ... The IRS was basically looking at everybody.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence confirms that the IRS did indeed scrutinize some liberal and progressive groups, including those with \"progressive\" in their name. However, it's important to note that the level of scrutiny and targeting faced by these groups was not on par with the intense scrutiny faced by tea party groups. While some liberal and progressive groups were flagged, the overall focus and impact of the IRS's actions were primarily directed towards conservative organizations. Therefore, the statement that the IRS was \"basically looking at everybody\" is not entirely accurate, as the targeting was disproportionately focused on conservative groups.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The only lie here is to lie that I think conservatives are telling and saying that somehow another this was a conspiracy against conservatives,\" Brazile said. \"(The IRS) also investigated liberal groups, groups that have progressive in their name, groups that had Israel in its name. So the IRS was basically looking at everybody because they were trying to figure out where all of this fake, phony, secretive money was flowing in the last election cycle.\"","Brazile is echoing comments Democrats have made for a year. But is she right and the IRS was \"basically looking at everybody\"?","Brazile said the IRS was \"looking at everybody\" including liberal groups and progressive groups. Yes, some progressive groups did have their tax-exempt status applications flagged as the IRS reviewed whether nonprofit groups were engaging in political activities.","So some progressive and liberal groups may have been flagged, and others may have ended up getting swept in the searches run by the Cincinnati office because their names had certain buzz words or phrases, but they didn\u2019t get put through the ringer, at least on par with tea party groups."]},{"id":"10423.json","label":"true","statement":"The economy is creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and is accurate. According to the fact check, the economy has been growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999, with the exception of one quarter of negative growth in 2014. Therefore, it can be concluded that the claim is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama said the economy is \"creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999.\" The current jobs recovery isn\u2019t perfect, but Obama is correct that it\u2019s the fastest since 1999. So we rate the claim True.","Here\u2019s one of the claims Obama made: \"Tonight, after a breakthrough year for America, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999.\"","We initially read this to mean that both the economy and the number of jobs had been growing at the fastest pace since 1999. That would have been a problematic claim, since the final figures for growth in gross domestic product in 2014 aren\u2019t in yet. However, when we asked the White House press office for clarification, they responded that the president was making two separate claims -- first, that the economy is growing, and second, that the United States is creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999.","The first of those claims is clearly true -- except for one quarter of negative growth in the first quarter of 2014, the economy has been expanding -- but we weren\u2019t sure about the second part. So we decided to take a closer look at Obama\u2019s claim that the economy is \"creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999.\""]},{"id":"10768.json","label":"false","statement":"About half of the presidents have been governors; half of them, senators.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Cruz that about half of the presidents have been governors and half have been senators is not accurate. According to historical data, approximately one-third of presidents have been governors, one-third have been senators, and the remaining one-third have held neither position. This information contradicts the claim made by Senator Cruz and provides a more accurate representation of the backgrounds of past presidents.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Here\u2019s what history teaches us,\" Cruz said. \"About half of the presidents have been governors; half of them, senators. There have been good and bad presidents who were both.\" Cruz closed out: \"I think the test we ought to apply is not what job title a person had. I think the test we ought to have is: Who has stood up and fought?\"","Governors have had a good run of late and, over all, comprise 42 percent of all presidents with 37 percent being former senators. Perhaps overlooked by Cruz; 14 presidents were neither.","Statistically, Barbara Perry followed up by phone, Cruz\u2019s statement was wrong in that around a third of presidents were previously governors, a third were senators and about a third were neither.","-- NOT A GOVERNOR OR A SENATOR (14 PRESIDENTS) : Three of the first four presidents--the exception being former Virginia Gov. Thomas Jefferson--were neither former governors or senators; the nation was young. Another 11 presidents also had neither distinction including Abraham Lincoln, Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush;"]},{"id":"1593.json","label":"true","statement":"\"As Florida's CFO, I shut down Krakow's scam and refunded more than $1.2 million to Josephine and other victims of this con man.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows Alex Sink, as Florida's CFO, took action to shut down the investment scam orchestrated by Larry Krakow. The evidence also confirms that over $1.2 million was refunded to victims, including Josephine Passinissi. The settlement agreements and reimbursements provided by the Florida Department of Insurance Division of Legal Services demonstrate the CFO's efforts to address the scam and provide restitution to the victims. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"As Florida\u2019s CFO, I shut down Larry Krakow's scam and refunded more than $1.2 million to Josephine Passinissi and other victims of this con man,'' she said in an e-mail addressed to \"Dear Friend.\" It said: \"Please contribute $25, or whatever you can, right now to help me keep fighting for Floridians like Josephine.\"","Sink\u2019s e-mail contains several claims, but we're focusing on two: Whether the CFO's office shut down the investment \"scam\" and whether it returned $1.2 million to Passinissi and the others.","Office of the Florida Chief Financial Officer. CFO Sink Returns $1.2 million to Delray Beach seniors scammed out of their life savings. Sept. 28, 2009..","Kevin Cate, Sink's press secretary at the Florida Department of Financial Services, provided us with links to the Florida statutes that illustrate the CFO's authority on the topic. The law also notes the rights of victims not to be identified. He faxed us the 2008 and 2009 settlement agreements that resolved four citizens' complaints against the Allianz insurance company, which Krakow purportedly represented, brought by the Florida Department of Insurance Division of Legal Services. Each had the seniors' identities redacted, but a summary page showed the range in reimbursements. The smallest was $19,319.27, while the largest was for one investor with nine annuities valued at $932,837.09."]},{"id":"7555.json","label":"false","statement":"The Air Force wants taxpayers to fund a fantasy football league.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Air Force wants taxpayers to fund a fantasy football league is false. The evidence clarifies that the Air Force's request for information regarding a fantasy football league does not indicate a final decision to fund such a project. Additionally, any funds involved would not come from taxpayers but from \"nonappropriated funds\" generated by Air Force clubs and activities aimed at boosting morale. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Headlines across the blogosphere and shared via social media suggested the Air Force wanted taxpayers to a fund fantasy football league \u2014 a charged claim as defense budgets face mandatory cuts.","Is the Air Force preparing to spend precious taxpayer funds as it faces sequester-driven budget cuts on a fantasy football league ?","Tingley didn\u2019t have details about exactly what the Air Force sought to create, but a fantasy football league wouldn\u2019t have been unplowed ground in the world of military morale \u2014 the Navy organized a fantasy football contest with commercial sponsors in 2010 that offered a grand prize of $100,000.","But the evidence was a \"request for information,\" not a final decision to fund anything. Meanwhile, any money at stake wouldn\u2019t have come from taxpayers, but \"nonappropriated funds\" generated by Air Force clubs and other activities designed to boost morale. We rate the claim False."]},{"id":"11385.json","label":"half-true","statement":"About 3 percent of murders and crimes are committed with guns from people who actually (legally) purchase those guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Joe Scarborough that approximately 3 percent of murders and crimes are committed with guns that have been legally purchased. This claim is supported by recent studies that have examined the percentage of prisoners who obtained their weapons legally. However, it's important to note that the exact percentage can vary, with studies indicating a range between 3 and 11 percent. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be acknowledged that the specific percentage may differ depending on the study and the context in which it is examined.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Scarborough said that about \"3 percent of murders and crimes are committed with guns from people who actually (legally) purchase those guns.\" Recent studies that look at prisoners who had a gun when they committed a crime found that between 3 and 11 percent purchased the weapon at a store or gun show.","\"Isn't it true that only like 3 percent of murders and crimes are committed with guns from people who actually purchase those guns?\" he asked a guest on his Oct. 2 show. \"Isn't this a big trafficking problem, too?\"","Before we review the data, we should note that Scarborough\u2019s claim is a bit ambiguous. He might have meant that out of all violent crimes, 3 percent involve a legally purchased firearm. But it\u2019s also possible that he was thinking that out of a smaller set of violent crimes -- those involving a firearm -- the firearm was purchased legally 3 percent of the time. (We reached out to Scarborough and did not hear back.)","MSNBC Host Joe Scarborough claimed in 2015 that a very small share of crimes were committed by those who legally possess guns. PolitiFact rated that claim Half True."]},{"id":"2555.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The years that I was speaker, the Florida House consistently offered leaner budgets than the governor offered.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement made by the speaker that during their tenure as House speaker, the Florida House consistently proposed leaner budgets compared to the governor's budget proposals. Specifically, in 2007, the House budget was approximately $500 million less than the governor's proposed budget, and in 2008, the difference was even more significant, with the House proposing a budget approximately $5 billion lower than the governor's. While there were some variations and factors to consider, the claim is mostly true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The second thing is that he says I steered money -- all these things are false allegations. The fact is that the years that I was speaker, the Florida House consistently offered leaner budgets than the governor offered. Leaner budgets than the Senate offered. If you-- if you wanted a leaner budget, you should have lined up behind our budget. Our budget was even leaner than yours.\"","Crist was elected governor in 2006, and has presented budgets in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Rubio served as House speaker during Crist's first two budget years, in 2007 and 2008, so those are the two years we will be comparing.","\u2022 He claimed, for example, that when he was speaker, the House proposed leaner budgets than Crist. We examined the 2007 and 2008 budgets to see who could stake the better claim to being a fiscal conservative. In 2007, Rubio was right by just a hair: The House budget was about $500 million less than the governor's proposal, out of a $70 billion total. The difference was much more noticeable in 2008, about $5 billion lower. We gave Rubio a Mostly True for that one.","Rubio is largely right, though his claim could use a little additional information. In 2007, the budgets offered by Rubio and Crist ultimately were pretty similar, with the difference being just about $500 million in a budget totaling more than $70 billion. The budgets in 2008 were significantly different, however, primarily because Crist wanted to use trust funds to help balance a bigger budget. Rubio advocated cutting state spending to make the budget smaller. It's also worth noting that state revenue projects took a turn for the worse in between when Crist proposed his budget in 2008, and when Rubio and the House proposed theirs. We find this claim to be Mostly True."]},{"id":"8985.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the U.S. Supreme Court found that Social Security is not guaranteed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In the case of Flemming v. Nestor in 1960, the United States Supreme Court ruled that individuals do not have a contractual right to receive Social Security benefits. While the Social Security program continues to provide benefits, the Court's decision clarified that these benefits are not guaranteed as a contractual obligation. It is important to note that this ruling does not mean that Social Security is at risk of being eliminated or discontinued, but rather that the government has the authority to make changes to the program if needed.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In 1960, the United States Supreme Court in the Flemming decision said Social Security is not guaranteed,\" he said. \"My fight is to make sure that is guaranteed.\"","Jolly said the Supreme Court ruled \"Social Security is not guaranteed.\" It\u2019s a position he has repeated at debates and on the campaign trail.","As new federal vaccine requirements go into effect, some social media posts are recirculating the false claim that the U.S. Supreme Court found the COVID-19 vaccines unsafe and \"canceled\" universal vaccinations.","In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled there was no contractual obligation for the government to pay out Social Security benefits to Nestor."]},{"id":"12021.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysMichael Bennet wants to close Guantanamo Bay prisonand bring terrorists right here to Colorado.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays Senator Michael Bennet's stance on Guantanamo Bay prison. While there have been discussions about closing the prison, there is no evidence to support the claim that Senator Bennet specifically wants to bring terrorists to Colorado. Accusations of this nature have been made by political opponents, but they lack substantiation. It is important to rely on verified information and not base judgments solely on unfounded claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Keyser said, \"We have about 90 terrorists that are left at Guantanamo Bay. Michael Bennet wants to close Guantanamo Bay with the president, and bring them right here to Colorado.\"","\"We have about 90 terrorists that are left at Guantanamo Bay. Michael Bennet wants to close Guantanamo Bay with the president, and bring them right here to Colorado,\" Keyser said at a Feb. 11 GOP Senate candidates' forum at the University of Denver.","We asked the Keyser campaign for evidence supporting the candidate\u2019s claim that Bennet wants to \"bring terrorists right here to Colorado.\"","Even before President Barack Obama sent a plan to Congress to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Republican opponents were accusing Colorado's incumbent Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of pushing to \"bring terrorists\" to a Colorado prison."]},{"id":"2932.json","label":"true","statement":"Oregonians have an amazing no-cost way to fight abortion with free political donations","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the political ad that Oregonians can make a political donation to Oregon Right to Life and receive a tax credit of up to $50, essentially allowing them to fight against abortion through free political donations. This claim has been fact-checked and confirmed to be true, as Oregon does provide a tax credit for political contributions. Therefore, Oregonians can indeed support their stance on abortion through no-cost political donations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We love seeing \"free\" and \"no cost.\" Mostly in conjunction with sales, but also here because it\u2019s a tell-tale sign of a good fact check.","The ad urges people \"to use some of your taxes to help prevent abortion\" and says the group uses the money \"to help elect pro-life candidates in Oregon.\" According to the ad, individual Oregonians can make a $50 political donation ($100 for couples) to Oregon Right to Life and get a tax credit back in the very same amount. Amazing! But is it true?","A new political ad claims that North Carolina\u2019s Republican U.S. Senate candidate helped write a proposal for tighter federal abortion regulations, showing that he\u2019s way out of step with most residents\u2019 opinions on abortion.","The ruling is pretty evident; weird as it may seem, Oregon does allow you to make a small political contribution \u2018for free\u2019 by giving you a tax credit of up to $50. We rate this claim True."]},{"id":"4884.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Newt Gingrichs immigration plan offers a new doorway to amnesty.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's claim that Newt Gingrich's immigration plan offers a \"new doorway to amnesty.\" This implies that Gingrich's plan allows for some form of legalization without being identical to previous amnesty laws. However, it's important to note that the term \"amnesty\" can be subjective and open to interpretation. While Romney's statement suggests a negative connotation, it is crucial to consider the specific details and provisions of Gingrich's plan to fully assess its implications. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Romney said that Gingrich's plan offers \"a new doorway to amnesty,\" which suggests that Gingrich's plan allows for legalization without being the same as the older amnesty law. We rate Romney\u2019s statement Mostly True.","The ad says Gingrich \"supports amnesty for illegal immigrants.\" That\u2019s a blunter claim than the statement we rated previously from Romney, that Gingrich\u2019s plan is \"a new doorway to amnesty.\" Romney\u2019s comment implied that there was something new about Gingrich\u2019s plan rather than being the same amnesty policies of the past. The ad, on the other hand, loses that nuance. So we rate its claim Half True.","We looked into Gingrich\u2019s position on amnesty when we fact-checked comments Romney made on Nov. 23, 2011. Romney said Gingrich\u2019s immigration plan offered \"a new doorway to amnesty.\" We rated that Mostly True. And in fact, the Restore Our Future ad cites that fact-check as evidence to support its claim. But the wording in this ad is slightly different.","Mitt Romney said the next day that Gingrich \"offered a new doorway to amnesty last night, which as I said last night in my view is the wrong course for a Republican debate.\""]},{"id":"2257.json","label":"false","statement":"Mr. Caprio is a career politician who has never worked in the private sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that Mr. Caprio has never worked in the private sector. In reality, Caprio had a legal career spanning 15 years, working as a private practice lawyer. This experience qualifies as working in the private sector, and it contradicts the assertion made by Robitaille. While Caprio may have a political background, it is incorrect to state that he has never worked in the private sector.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Mr. Caprio is a career politician who has never worked in the private sector, and so it\u2019s no surprise that he thinks the state government should own and run our businesses,\" he said. Robitaille went on to tout his own experience owning a small business and employing workers.","But to call someone \"a career politician\" suggests that's all he did. And the fact remains that Caprio had a legal career that spanned 15 years. Not only that, in working for himself as a private practice lawyer, he ran precisely the kind of small business that Robitaille says Caprio has no experience with.","The campaign stood by the first part of its statement, that Caprio is a career politician who puts his political interests, and not those of small business, first.","When a Journal reporter asked about Robitaille's claim the day he made it, the Robitaille team acknowledged its error in saying Caprio \"never worked in the private sector.\" But it didn't correct its website until PolitiFact inquired about it nearly a week later."]},{"id":"10947.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In just 17 years, spending for Social Security, federal health care and interest on the debt will exceed ALL tax revenue!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the projections made by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, which states that by 2025, federal revenue will only be able to finance interest payments, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. This means that spending on these programs and debt interest will exceed all tax revenue. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the inclusion of Social Security, federal health care, and debt interest as the sole components of spending that will exceed tax revenue. Other government activities, such as national defense, homeland security, transportation, and energy, will also have to be financed through borrowing. Therefore, the statement could benefit from additional clarification to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the projected budgetary situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Tables in the report contain projections showing that by 2025, payments for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and debt interest will exceed all federal revenues going into the budget. That\u2019s a shade different from Wolf\u2019s statement that there won\u2019t be any money at all to pay for additional programs since, beyond using tax revenues, the U.S. also has been known to borrow money to finance its budget.","Wolf said the CBO projects that by 2025, every penny of the federal budget will go to interest on the debt as well as spending on Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.","\"By 2025 (federal) revenue will be able to finance only interest payments, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security,\" the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform stated in its final report. \"Every other federal government activity -- from national defense and homeland security to transportation and energy -- will have to be paid for with borrowed money.\"","We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future."]},{"id":"13241.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Donald Trump has said nuclear proliferation is OK.","reason":"Reason: While Donald Trump has made statements suggesting openness to nuclear proliferation by certain allies, it is important to note that he has also expressed contradictory views on the matter. Trump has stated that he does not want more nuclear weapons and has emphasized the strength of U.S. nuclear weapons. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that Trump has unequivocally stated that nuclear proliferation is okay. The statement oversimplifies Trump's stance on the issue and does not provide a comprehensive representation of his views.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Warner said, \"What you had, though, is Mike Pence, and understandably, not being willing to answer, you know, some of the outrageous things Trump has said like, you know, nuclear proliferation is OK.\"","\"No, no, not proliferation. I hate nuclear more than any,\" Trump said at one point. At another point, he said, \"I don't want more nuclear weapons.\"","So Trump certainly has said he\u2019s open to proliferation by certain allies but isn\u2019t sold on it. We rate Warner\u2019s claim Half True.","One day after threatening North Korea with \"fire and fury like the world has never seen\" if it menaces the United States, President Donald Trump tweeted about the strength of U.S. nuclear weapons and improvements made on his watch."]},{"id":"445.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Hillary Clinton has taken over $800,000 from lobbyists.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to an analysis by a reputable center, Hillary Clinton has indeed accepted over $800,000 from lobbyists. The analysis was based on data released on March 20, 2008. This evidence supports the claim that Clinton has received significant financial contributions from lobbyists.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The $800,000 number is correct. A recent analysis by the center showed Clinton has accepted $865,290 from lobbyists, based on data released on March 20, 2008.","If you were wondering how Washington works, an ad from the Barack Obama campaign ostensibly offers a primer \u2013 \"A Guide to Understanding Washington Lobbyists\" \u2014 while it attacks Hillary Clinton.","Says Hillary Clinton \"said she was under attack (in Bosnia) but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers.\"","The threshold of contributions by industry the ad lists for Clinton is probably too low, said Massie Ritsch, a spokesman for the center."]},{"id":"6588.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama has never even worked in business.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Barack Obama has indeed worked in the private sector before becoming president. While it is true that a significant portion of his career was spent in the non-profit sector and in politics, he did have experience working in the private sector. Prior to his political career, Obama worked as a consultant and attorney at a private law firm in Chicago. Therefore, the claim that he has \"never even worked in business\" is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama\u2019s work experience, or lack thereof, is well-plowed ground. So we thought we'd explore whether the president has ever worked in a business. (We interpreted Portman\u2019s statement to mean that Obama had never worked in a private, profit-making enterprise.)","When Barack Obama was seeking the presidency in 2008, Republicans frequently derided his career experience, saying it was limited to a scant four years in the U.S. Senate, some time in the Illinois Senate, and having been a \"community organizer\" in Chicago.","Clearly, Obama has had less experience in the private sector than Romney; before he became president, he spent most of his working life either in the non-profit sector or in politics. However, Portman went too far when he said that Obama has \"never even worked in business.\" We rate the statement False.","The Romney campaign did not respond to two e-mails seeking sources for his claim. But Obama\u2019s work experience, or lack thereof, is well-plowed ground, and he clearly has worked outside of government."]},{"id":"3782.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Perry has been begging for the federal government to send the Coast Guard to patrol two lakes on the U.S.-Mexico border.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Rick Perry has expressed a desire for additional border resources, including potentially involving the Coast Guard, there is no evidence to support the claim that he has been \"begging\" the federal government for Coast Guard deployment. Perry's spokesperson clarified that the state of Texas has not formally requested the Coast Guard's presence on the lakes, but rather Perry has discussed the matter with members of Congress. The Department of Homeland Security also confirmed that the Coast Guard already conducts periodic patrol operations in the border area as needed. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Perry's actions and misrepresents the level of urgency or desperation in his requests.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gohmert went on to say he'd recently visited with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and \"they've been begging for the federal government to give us some Coast Guard help\" on the lakes because Texas is \"having to do what the federal government will not and try to patrol the lakes but they, the drug cartels, have spotters, they watch where these guys are; we need Coast Guard down there protecting our border. You\u2019ve got people being smuggled, drugs being smuggled and the president will not lift one finger here to see there is protection.\"","Next, Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger told us the state has not asked the federal government to send the Coast Guard to the lakes. But, she said, Perry has spoken to members of Congress \"about getting Coast Guard (personnel)\" on the lakes. \"It\u2019s pretty damn obvious the governor has been pretty adamant about getting additional (border) resources... however they send them down, that\u2019s great,\" Cesinger said.","In an email, Department of Homeland Security spokesman Adam Fetcher did not speak directly to Texas seeking Coast Guard help on the lakes. He said, though, that the Coast Guard works with the Border Patrol to \"conduct periodic patrol operations in the (border) area and surge(s) as needed.\"","Our sense: It\u2019s possible Perry has informally talked to some House members about putting the Coast Guard on the lakes--where that force already periodically ventures. But he\u2019s made no formal direct request to the government. That\u2019s far from \"begging\" for Coast Guard deployment."]},{"id":"6827.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were now spending 42 percent of our economy on government.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Romney that the United States is spending 42 percent of its economy on government. This claim is supported by data from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which found that government expenditures accounted for 42 percent of the U.S. economy in 2009. However, it's important to note that this data is specific to a particular year and may not represent the current situation. It's also worth considering that government spending as a percentage of the economy can vary over time due to various factors. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Romney, it should be understood in the context of the specific year and may not necessarily reflect the current situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Spain spends 42 percent of their total economy on government,\" Romney said. \"We\u2019re now spending 42 percent of our economy on government. I don\u2019t want to go down the path to Spain.\"","However, there is another measurement that backs up Romney\u2019s claim. The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development -- a group that includes most of the world\u2019s advanced industrialized countries -- found that government expenditures accounted for 42 percent of the U.S. economy in 2009 (compared to 45.8 percent for Spain).","Since the OMB data showed that government spending as a share of the economy peaked in 2009 before declining, likely because it was the first year of the recession, it seems reasonable to assume that the percentage will drop for subsequent years once the next OECD calculations are released. Still, it\u2019s likely that Romney\u2019s 42 percent figure is pretty close to accurate.","Federal spending in nominal dollars (that is, dollars not adjusted for inflation) has grown by a multiple of more than 38 over the last four decades, from $92 billion in 1960 to $3.9 trillion in 2014. Comparing spending over time in nominal dollars is misleading though, because it does not take into account inflation, growth in population, or growth in the real economy. A more useful method of comparison is to examine government spending as a percent of GDP over time."]},{"id":"9230.json","label":"false","statement":"In 2005, Dan Branch tried to expand third-trimester abortions in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that in 2005, Dan Branch proposed amendments related to exceptions for late-term abortions, it is incorrect to claim that he tried to expand third-trimester abortions. The proposed amendments, such as the fetal brain-damage exception and the vital-organ exception, were intended to provide additional restrictions and regulations on late-term abortions, not to expand access to them. Additionally, it is important to note that the existing restrictions on late-term abortions in Texas were not significantly limited by these proposed amendments. Therefore, the claim that Dan Branch tried to expand third-trimester abortions in Texas is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Texas Right to Life said in a March 21, 2014, email blast about state Rep. Dan Branch of Dallas, \"In 2005, Branch tried to expand third-trimester abortions in Texas!\" The blast said the change \"would have endangered disabled, unborn babies.\"","On the other hand, Joe Pojman, executive director of Austin-based anti-abortion group Texas Alliance for Life (which endorsed Branch on April 11, 2014), told us by email that his organization regards it as \"as highly misleading and disingenuous\" to say Branch tried to expand late-term abortions.","Pojman said neither Hartnett\u2019s fetal brain-damage exception nor Branch\u2019s vital-organ exception would have expanded third-trimester abortions because the existing restrictions -- which lawmakers left in place -- didn\u2019t significantly limit late abortions. \"Third-trimester abortions were effectively legal in Texas in 2005\" because of the mother\u2019s-mental-health clause, he said.","Dan Branch entered the Texas House in 2003. In 2014, he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for attorney general, giving up his shot at re-election to the House."]},{"id":"2367.json","label":"false","statement":"Im the only one whos fought against developers draining the Everglades!","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Meek that he is the only one who has fought against developers draining the Everglades is false. While Meek has supported bills that allocate funding for Everglades restoration, these measures do not specifically address or prevent developers from draining the Everglades. Both Crist and Rubio have also taken steps to support Everglades restoration, indicating that Meek's claim of being the only one fighting against developers draining the Everglades is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The clip opens with Meek stepping into an airboat and zipping around the Everglades \u2013 an image that screams Florida. In his first claim on the 33-second video \"Only One,\" Meek boasts of being \"the only one who's fought against developers draining the Everglades!\" The ad goes on through a litany of claims: \"The only one against drilling before and after the BP spill. The only one against privatizing Social Security. The only one who's pro-choice, who took on George Bush, who's fought for middle-class tax cuts, against high credit card fees, and to raise the minimum wage.\"","For Meek to claim he is the only one among the three to stop developers from draining the Everglades is decidedly not true. The Meek campaign cited bills he backed as evidence that he was pro-Everglades, but neither of the two bills stopped developers from draining the Everglades. Similarly, Crist and Rubio have also taken steps to back measures that support Everglades restoration. So we rate Meek's statement False.","Just as we had asked the Meek campaign to show us how he single-handedly stopped developers from draining the Everglades, we asked Crist and Rubio whether they've done anything to help the Everglades.","We asked the Meek campaign to show us the proof that its candidate could lay claim to such bragging rights. Meek spokesman Adam Sharon noted that the Democratic contender had voted in favor of a 2007 bill that set aside funding for water resource construction and improvement projects, including $687.07 million for Everglades restoration. The Meek campaign also cited $135 million that Meek helped secure for Everglades Restoration in fiscal years 2009. These measures are clearly pro-Everglades but do they do much to keep developers out of the Everglades? We didn't see anything in the bills, and neither do others."]},{"id":"13432.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ron Johnson calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme and wants to privatize the program.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made about Ron Johnson's stance on Social Security. Johnson has referred to Social Security as a legal Ponzi scheme, highlighting the intergenerational funding aspect of the program. However, there is no clear indication that he supports a complete privatization of the program. While he has expressed support for partial privatization, similar to the Bush initiative, it is important to note that the statement does not specify the extent of privatization that Johnson advocates for. Therefore, the claim about Johnson calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme is accurate, but the claim about his desire to privatize the program lacks specificity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The claim that Johnson \"wants to privatize the program\" could be taken to mean a complete privatization. But there is no indication he backs that. The Bush initiative amounted to partial privatization. It would have allowed younger workers to contribute portions of payroll taxes into government-approved private mutual fund accounts.","Ponzi schemes are illegal. Johnson calls Social Security a legal Ponzi scheme to emphasize that it uses taxes on today\u2019s wage earners to fund the retirement checks of millions of Americans.","The claim from Americans United for Change, though, is that Johnson currently calls Social Security a Ponzi, not that it\u2019s run like one.","The TV ad said West called Social Security a \"Ponzi scheme\" and said \"this country's got to get on sound footing by destroying it.\" The Klein campaign relied on one source of evidence: an NPR transcript of an interview with a reporter who now says that his description of West was a paraphrase, not a quote -- though he does remember West using the phrase \"Ponzi scheme.\" We don't think a reporter's description of what a candidate says can stand as the sole source for an attack ad, particularly when neither the reporter nor the Klein campaign can find anything he wrote about West's comments on Social Security."]},{"id":"11582.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism.","reason":"Reason: While there is a body of literature suggesting that climate change can indirectly contribute to factors that may increase the risk of terrorism, such as resource scarcity and social instability, it is an overstatement to claim a direct causal relationship between climate change and the growth of terrorism. The evidence provided indicates that Senator Sanders' statement is an exaggeration of the connection. It is important to acknowledge that climate change is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors to conflicts and terrorism, and it should be addressed in a comprehensive manner rather than oversimplifying the relationship.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We found a few other federal and academic reports naming climate change a threat to national security, but that\u2019s not the same thing as \"directly related to the growth of terrorism.\"","\"Absolutely. In fact, climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism,\" Sanders said on Nov. 14. \"If we do not get our act together and listen to what the scientists say, you\u2019re gonna see countries all over the world \u2014 this is what the CIA says \u2014 they\u2019re going to be struggling over limited amounts of water, limited amounts of land to grow their crops, and you\u2019re going to see all kinds of international conflict.\"","While there is a body of literature backing his broader point that climate change contributes to the growth of terrorism, Sanders is overstating the \"direct\" connection.","Rubio said human activity is not \"causing these dramatic changes to our climate.\" An overwhelming majority of scientists agree that humans, by burning fossil fuels, contribute directly to global warming."]},{"id":"704.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the library some books that Sarah wanted removed.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided is conflicting. While there are claims that Sarah Palin tried to have books removed from the city library, there is no concrete proof to support this. Reports at the time suggest that Palin asked for the resignation of department heads to test their loyalty, but there is no evidence specifically linking this to the librarian or the removal of books. Additionally, the claim that Palin had specific books in mind for removal is unsupported. Therefore, the statement cannot be definitively labeled as true or false based on the available evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination letter.\"","One of the most potent claims in an e-mail written by Wasilla, Alaska, resident Anne Kilkenny is that when Sarah Palin was mayor, she tried to have some books removed from the city library.","As for Kilkenny's claim, there is no proof that Palin tried to fire the librarian because she refused to consider removing books. In fact, Palin asked for the resignation of a handful of department heads to test their loyalty, according to reports at the time. The claim that Palin had specific books she wanted removed is also unsupported. Kilkenny herself said she does not recall that any titles were named by Palin at the time.","But Palin did ask the librarian if she would consider removing books. Maybe it was posed as a rhetorical question as Palin says. But she asked. So we rule the statement Half True."]},{"id":"11828.json","label":"false","statement":"We have more illegal immigrants here than we did five years ago.","reason":"Reason: The available data and research indicate that the statement is incorrect. Multiple sources, including the Pew Research Center, have reported that the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States has remained stable or even declined over the past five years. The most recent data suggests a decrease in the number of illegal immigrants, contradicting the claim that there are more illegal immigrants now compared to five years ago.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A July 2015 headline from the Pew Research Center directly counters Rubio that there are more illegal immigrants than five years ago: \"Unauthorized immigrant population stable for half a decade.\"","Our ears perked up when Rubio said there are more illegal immigrants in the United States than there were five years ago, so we decided to check the numbers. We found that the latest available data doesn\u2019t support Rubio\u2019s statement.","\"Look, I tried to fix the problem,\" Rubio said, referring to illegal immigration. \"This is a real problem. And where are we today? We are worse off today than we were five years ago. We have more illegal immigrants here. We have two unconstitutional executive orders on amnesty. I went to Washington to fix a problem.\"","Warren\u2019s report found that the illegal immigrant population has declined every year for the past five years of available data, landing at about 10.9 million illegal immigrants in 2014, down from 11.7 million in 2010."]},{"id":"12683.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Mexican immigrants) are more law-abiding than U.S. citizens and that is a statistic.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Gary Johnson that Mexican immigrants are more law-abiding than U.S. citizens, and there is statistical evidence to support this claim. Research conducted by PolitiFact and other sources has found that Mexican immigrants have lower crime rates compared to native-born U.S. citizens. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not imply that all Mexican immigrants are law-abiding or that there are no instances of criminal behavior among this population. It is a general trend observed in the data. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Johnson said Mexican immigrants are not \"murderers and rapists\" but are actually \"more law-abiding than U.S. citizens and that is a statistic.\"","\"When it comes to Mexican immigration and that he would call immigrants from Mexico murderers and rapists look, that\u2019s just not true,\" Johnson said. \"They are more law-abiding than U.S. citizens, and that is a statistic.\"","To examine Villaraigosa's claim, we also relied on research into similar claims by our partner national PolitiFact. In July 2016, it rated Mostly True a statement by Libertarian candidate for president Gary Johnson that Mexican immigrants \"are more law-abiding than U.S. citizens and that is a statistic.\"","We wondered if there really was a statistic to support Johnson\u2019s statement that Mexican immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S. citizens."]},{"id":"7295.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Chris Christie vetoed a jobs package of 30 bills.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Chris Christie vetoed 30 bills related to job growth, it is misleading to refer to them as a cohesive \"jobs package.\" These bills were sent to the governor at different times and were not part of a comprehensive and unified legislative effort. Therefore, it is inaccurate to characterize them as a single \"jobs package\" that was vetoed by Governor Christie.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"All of the jobs bills acted on by the Senate were part of our jobs package, regardless of the timeframe in which they were done. The fact remains the governor vetoed 30 bills sent to his desk that would have created jobs and improved the economic climate in this state. In addition, in the Senate, it is the Senate President who defines what constitutes our jobs package.\"","In addition to the \"Back to Work NJ\" bills, the remaining bills cited by Kennedy include legislation vetoed in 2010 and early 2012. We told Kennedy that, taken as a whole, those 30 bills don\u2019t constitute a \"package,\" since they were sent to Christie at different times.","The Democrat-led state Legislature handed 30 bills aimed at spurring job growth to Gov. Chris Christie, but the Republican governor took his veto pen to the entire package, according to Senate President Stephen Sweeney.","Says Chris Christie\u2019s plan \"to kick-start our economy\" is to propose an \"income tax cut that disproportionately benefits the wealthy, 's still proposing it.\""]},{"id":"9554.json","label":"true","statement":"There are already more American jobs in the solar industry than in coal mining.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, which states that there are approximately 80,030 jobs in the coal-mining industry. In contrast, the solar industry employs over 260,000 workers, which is more than three times the number of jobs in coal mining. It's important to note that this comparison specifically refers to the number of jobs in these industries and does not take into account other factors such as economic impact or energy production. Therefore, based on the provided evidence, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The coal industry considers the official coal employment numbers to be low \"to the point of being fiction,\" said Terry Headley, a spokesman for the American Coal Council.","Luecke said by the census report\u2019s measure, \"the solar industry is outpacing coal mining.\" But she noted, \"You have to understand that coal-mining is one aspect of the coal industry - whereas we\u2019re talking about the whole solar industry.\"","The first is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report issued in May 2013 that counts an estimated 80,030 jobs for all occupations within the coal-mining industry -- a sector of the coal industry as a whole.","\"More than 260,000 Americans are employed by the domestic solar industry \u2014 three times as many workers as employed by the entire coal mining industry.\""]},{"id":"5288.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says New Jersey is down nearly 200,000 jobs from its pre-recession peak and with Gov. Chris Christie New Jersey has trailed the rest of America when it comes to unemployment for 12 consecutive months.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by One New Jersey that New Jersey is down nearly 200,000 jobs from its pre-recession peak. However, the claim that New Jersey has trailed the rest of America in terms of unemployment for 12 consecutive months is not entirely accurate. While it is true that New Jersey's unemployment rate has trailed the national rate for a significant period, the difference was statistically significant for 11 consecutive months, not 12. Additionally, it is important to note that pinning the blame for the state's unemployment problem solely on Governor Chris Christie is an oversimplification, as there are various factors that contribute to the state's economic situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["One New Jersey said the state is \"down nearly 200,000 jobs from its pre-recession peak\" and \"for 12 consecutive months, New Jersey has trailed the rest of America when it comes to unemployment.\"","With that job growth, is One New Jersey right to claim that \"for 12 consecutive months, New Jersey has trailed the rest of America when it comes to unemployment?\"","\"Time and time again, Governor Christie uses big talk to overcompensate for limp action. In his State of the State last week, Christie repeated the catchphrase \u2018Jersey Comeback.\u2019 Rather than sprinkling the sound bite throughout his remarks and on the national television circuit, Governor Christie instead should come back to New Jersey and do his job. Because far too many residents are without a job \u2013 as the state is down nearly 200,000 jobs from its pre-recession peak,\" a Jan. 26 post on the group\u2019s website states. \"And for 12 consecutive months, New Jersey has trailed the rest of America when it comes to unemployment.","New Jersey's unemployment rate has trailed the national rate for 11 consecutive months, not 12, the difference was never statistically significant and it\u2019s wrong to pin blame for the state\u2019s unemployment problem squarely on Christie."]},{"id":"10142.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Thomas Eric Duncan came into the United States with an elevated temperature.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Darrell Issa that Thomas Eric Duncan came into the United States with an elevated temperature is not supported by the available evidence. While it is true that Duncan was diagnosed with Ebola after arriving in the United States, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that he had an elevated temperature upon entry. The exact details of his symptoms and health condition at the time of entry are not clear, and there is no official confirmation to support Issa's claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We had Mr. Duncan come in (to the United States) with an elevated temperature. We weren\u2019t checking it, and now we\u2019re playing catch-up,\" Issa said.","On CNN\u2019s State of the Union , Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said New York and New Jersey\u2019s quarantine might be unnecessary. But that doesn\u2019t change the fact that the country\u2019s Ebola screening hasn\u2019t been adequate so far -- it missed Thomas Eric Duncan, the first patient diagnosed in the United States, who died Oct. 8.","It doesn\u2019t appear that this patient, Dr. Craig Spencer, was showing symptoms when he first arrived in the United States. But what about Duncan -- is Issa right in saying that he came to the United States with a fever (Issa's office did not respond to our request for comment.)","Members of Congress even came up with their own scenarios, with some suggesting that Ebola could be a security threat to the United States carried in by illegal immigrants or terrorists. But such ideas contradicted basic facts about the disease."]},{"id":"3776.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gas prices have gone up $2 since Obama took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that gas prices have gone up by $2 since Obama took office. However, it is important to note that attributing the increase solely to President Obama is misleading. Gas prices are influenced by various factors such as global oil markets, supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and economic conditions. The crash in gas prices and the global economy prior to Obama taking office were significant factors in the subsequent increase. Therefore, while the statement is true, it is important to recognize that gas prices are influenced by multiple factors beyond the control of any single president.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On Twitter, GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Michael Wiiliams of Texas urged online pals to join him in seeking a national policy encouraging all forms of energy production, writing: \"Gas prices have gone up $2 since Obama took office. We need More American Energy.\"","All three said the biggest reason for the $2 jump during Williams\u2019 timeframe was that gas prices -- along with other commodities and, indeed, the global economy -- crashed just before Obama took office.","The foundation\u2019s chart (exact numbers weren\u2019t on the article) shows that average gas prices were slightly below $2 when Bush took office in January 2001. The chart shows prices rose slightly, but were still below $2 in February 2003. Their chart shows gas prices were just below $2 when Obama became president in January 2009 and were $3.10 in February 2011. The Heritage Foundation adjusted its figures for inflation.","Our take? Gas costs $2 more per gallon than it did when Obama took office; in the past 35 years, no other president saw such a price surge by this point of his presidency. However, Williams errs by implying the president is at fault; key factors driving gas prices are beyond a president\u2019s control."]},{"id":"5524.json","label":"true","statement":"There are a lot of casinos across the country that have gone bankrupt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that suggests there have been instances of casinos going bankrupt across the country. The sources mention examples of failed casinos and bankruptcies, particularly in the South and during periods of intense competition. While the exact number of bankruptcies is not provided, the evidence indicates that there have been cases of casinos facing financial difficulties and ultimately going bankrupt. Therefore, the statement is accurate in highlighting the occurrence of casino bankruptcies in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Let's face it: there are a lot of casinos across the country that have gone bankrupt,\" the Cranston Democrat said. \"Just because you give them a casino license is not a guarantee that you are going to save all this money for the state and guarantee all this revenue. It is just not true at all. Management is the most important factor.\"","He told us that he\u2019s read about a number of casinos failing around the country, and although he hasn\u2019t kept a list, he recalls bankruptcies occurring particularly in the South.","It\u2019s in that sort of competitive market when management can be particularly important. Rose referred to Colorado\u2019s experience in the early 1990s when 68 casinos opened in two or three years. A third of them eventually went bankrupt, and, said Rose, it turned out that the operators of those failed casinos had no previous experience in the industry.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d"]},{"id":"8090.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Over 12,000 school kids were arrested in Florida. It makes Florida the nations leader in that area.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that over 12,000 school children were arrested in Florida during the 2011-2012 school year, the claim that this makes Florida the nation's leader in school-related arrests lacks sufficient evidence. There is a lack of consistent state-by-state data for a comprehensive comparison, making it difficult to determine if Florida truly leads the nation in this area. While the number of arrests is concerning, it is important to exercise caution when making definitive claims about Florida's ranking without concrete comparative data.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - 'Over 12,000 school kids were arrested in Florida. It makes Florida the nation's leader in that area,' says Dream Defenders&url=)","\"Over 12,000 school kids were arrested in Florida,\" said Monique Gillum, one of the leaders of Dream Defenders during the meeting. \"It makes Florida the nation's leader in that area.\"","\u2022 \"Over 12,000 school kids were arrested in Florida. It makes Florida the nation's leader in that area.\" The Dream Defenders, a group advocating for an end the state's \"stand your ground\" law, said that Florida leads the country in the arrests of school kids, with 12,000 arrests. The group is concerned that racial profiling is driving the number of arrests. We found that Florida did arrest about 12,000 school children during the 2011-12 school year. But we couldn't find any data that said Florida leads the nation, because consistent state-by-state comparisons don't seem to exist right now. We rated the statement Half True.","But the Dream Defenders failed to prove that the number makes Florida the nation\u2019s leader in school-related arrests. This appears to be a case of the state getting a bad rap because of its rare decision to publish comprehensive data."]},{"id":"8370.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama administration shut down the Amber Alert program because of the government shutdown.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Amber Alert program is not operated or controlled by the federal government. Each state has its own independent Amber Alert system, and national coordination is facilitated through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which is a private nonprofit organization. The Amber Alert program has continued to operate during the government shutdown, and the federal website being down does not affect the functionality of the program. Claims that the Obama administration shut down the Amber Alert program due to the government shutdown are inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Oklahoma has its own Amber Alert program, and it is not affected by the government shutdown,\" he said. \"The federal Web page is informational. It doesn\u2019t affect the operations of the program.\"","People on Twitter, bloggers and others said the Obama administration shut down the Amber Alert system. Actually, each state has its own alert system, and national coordination takes place through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a private nonprofit, untouched by the federal stalemate. The system has continued to operate through the federal shutdown, sending out alerts in Texas and Florida.","The Drudge Report put that item on its homepage with the headline, \"Amber Alert website shut down, Michelle\u2019s \u2018Let\u2019s Move\u2019 stays up.\" By the next morning, the Washington Examiner\u2019 s Mark Tapscott had an article titled, \" Obama shutters Amber Alerts as government shutdown enters second week.\"","The Right Scoop carried the message to a wider audience. At around 5 p.m. Sunday, it posted that the U.S. Justice Department Web page for the Amber Alert program was down. \"I\u2019m sure you care about your lost child but Obama doesn\u2019t \u2013 at least not while he\u2019s trying to \u2018win\u2019 the government shutdown,\" the blog post said."]},{"id":"11886.json","label":"false","statement":"Not one Republican has the guts to recognize that climate change is real.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that some Republican politicians have expressed skepticism or denial of climate change, it is incorrect to claim that \"not one Republican\" recognizes its reality. There have been Republican politicians who have acknowledged the existence of climate change and its connection to human activity. Therefore, the statement is an overgeneralization and does not accurately reflect the diversity of opinions within the Republican party.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Let's talk about climate change,\" he said. \"Do you think there's a reason why not one Republican has the guts to recognize that climate change is real, and that we need to transform our energy system? Do you think it has anything to do with the Koch brothers and ExxonMobil pouring huge amounts of money into the political system? That is what goes on in America.\"","Obama\u2019s statement sounded similar to a take from Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, who recently said, \"Not one Republican has the guts to recognize that climate change is real.\" We rated that claim False because a couple GOP presidential candidates (including some who are no longer in the running) have acknowledged its existence.","Not one Republican recognizes that climate change is real? We decided to look at the positions of the GOP candidates who were in the race when Sanders made his statement.","He believes climate change is real and human activity is a contributing factor. He had an energy plan but not a specific environmental protection plan."]},{"id":"3003.json","label":"false","statement":"In the last five years, 28,000 people have been killed along the U.S.-Mexico border.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that 28,000 people have been killed along the U.S.-Mexico border in the last five years. The first two pieces of evidence show people using a ladder to scale the border fence, but they do not provide any information about deaths. The third piece of evidence discusses a database tracking deaths caused by law enforcement, but it does not specifically mention the U.S.-Mexico border. The fourth piece of evidence compares the training and number of people killed by law enforcement in different countries, but it does not provide any data related to the U.S.-Mexico border specifically. Therefore, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that 28,000 people have been killed along the U.S.-Mexico border in the last five years.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!People use a ladder to scale the border fence at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tecate, Mexico on April 21, 2022. (AP) !People use a ladder to scale the border fence at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tecate, Mexico on April 21, 2022. (AP)","People use a ladder to scale the border fence at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tecate, Mexico on April 21, 2022. (AP)","Fatal Encounters, a database created by a journalist, tracks deaths of people killed by law enforcement with crowd-sourced information and paid researchers, using public records and news reports. The database lists over 28,000 people who have been killed while interacting with law enforcement since 2000. About 20,300 were the result of firearms.","\u201cCops in Norway: require 3 years of training, 4 people killed since 2002. Cops in Finland: require 2 years of training, 7 people killed since 2000. Cops in Iceland: require 2 years of training, 1 person killed since ever. Cops in the U.S.: require 21 weeks of training, 8,000+ people killed since 2001.\u201d"]},{"id":"11636.json","label":"false","statement":"The Family Research Council, according to some government agencies, is a terrorist group.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Carson that the Family Research Council is labeled as a terrorist group by some government agencies is false. Extensive research and inquiries have shown that no government agency has designated the Family Research Council as a terrorist group. While the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled them as an \"extremist\" group, it is crucial to note that the SPLC is a private, non-profit organization and not a government agency. Thus, Carson's claim is not supported by any credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A reader asked us to check whether it\u2019s true that government agencies had labeled the Family Research Council a terrorist group. So we took a closer look.","Responding by satellite link from Jordan, where he had gone to visit Syrian refugee camps, Carson said, \"It certainly is an act of extreme hatred and violence. You know, the Family Research Council, according to some government agencies, is a terrorist group. You know, so let's get away from the rhetoric and talk about the real problem.\"","We didn\u2019t find that any government agencies have labeled the council as a terrorist group. But the council has sparked condemnation from a high-profile civil rights group, and it seems possible that might be what Carson was thinking of. (Neither Carson\u2019s staff nor the Family Research Council responded to inquiries for this story.)","The Family Research Council has been labeled an \"extremist\" group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, but that\u2019s not the same as a \"terrorist\" group and, more importantly, the center is a private, non-profit group, not a government agency. We could find no government agency that singled out the Family Research Council as a terrorist group, and experts told us they were unaware of any government lists that did. We rate Carson\u2019s statement False."]},{"id":"7123.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that in the 1985 election former Gov. Tom Kean had the largest winning margin for a gubernatorial candidate in Jersey history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In the 1985 general election, former Gov. Tom Kean did indeed have the largest winning margin for a gubernatorial candidate in New Jersey's history. He won by a majority of over 750,000 votes, which is the largest margin of victory in a gubernatorial election in the state's history.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Bateman said that in the 1985 general election Kean had \"the largest winning margin for a gubernatorial candidate in Jersey history.\"","\"Unless Booker gets into the race, 2013 reminds me of 1985. That was the year Tom Kean made history with the largest-ever New Jersey gubernatorial victory,\" Bateman wrote in a Nov. 23 column published in The Asbury Park Press. \"Kean, who barely won (by 1,797 votes) in 1981, destroyed his 1985 opponent, Peter Shapiro, winning by a majority of more than 750,000 votes, the largest winning margin for a gubernatorial candidate in Jersey history.\"","That means Kean won by more than 790,000 votes. That\u2019s the largest margin of victory for a gubernatorial election in New Jersey\u2019s history.","Former Gov. Tom Kean recently claimed he \"built the last nuclear plant -- not only in the state, but in the country.\""]},{"id":"6289.json","label":"false","statement":"Obamacare is the biggest tax increase in American history.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obamacare is the biggest tax increase in American history is not supported by the evidence. While the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) did include some tax provisions, it is not accurate to label it as the largest tax increase in history. There have been other significant tax increases throughout American history, such as the Revenue Act of 1942 and the Revenue Act of 1951, which had a greater impact on tax rates and revenue generation. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But we\u2019ll zero in on the boldest claim made by Neumann -- that the law is \"the biggest tax increase in American history.\"","They are so far from the largest that it is not now possible, much less \"likely,\" that they will \"go down as the biggest tax increase in history.\"",", Jeff Fitzgerald \"SCOTUS has revealed what #Obamacare really is, the largest middle class tax increase in history!\" tweet, June 28, 2012","\"I think it's the worst piece of legislation that's been passed in my lifetime,\" former Republican Wisconsin congressman Mark Neumann said. \"It's stopping business from growing and creating jobs. It's the biggest tax increase in American history, likely to bankrupt this country by spending $2.6 trillion; $500 billion taken out of Medicare; the list just goes on and on and on.\""]},{"id":"772.json","label":"true","statement":"\"You ... said that Barack Obama was not ready to be commander in chief.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the exchange between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden during the St. Louis debate. Sarah Palin referenced Joe Biden's previous statement where he questioned Barack Obama's readiness to be president. This indicates a difference in opinion between the two candidates regarding Obama's preparedness for the role of commander in chief.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As Biden and Palin debated records on Iraq during the St. Louis debate, Palin noted, \u201cYou also said that Barack Obama was not ready to be commander in chief.\u201d","Trying to challenge Sen. Barack Obama\u2019s preparedness to be president, Gov. Sarah Palin used Sen. Joe Biden\u2019s own words against him.","Indeed Biden did. In an Aug. 19, 2007, debate among Democratic hopefuls, moderator George Stephanopoulos pressed Biden whether he stood by a recent quote that Obama was \u201cnot ready\u201d to be president.","Bill Heller \"raises taxes. Property taxes. Small business taxes. He even wants to tax the Internet. Mr. Heller said no to balancing the federal budget, that puts more debt on our kids.\""]},{"id":"1434.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"At the beginning of the last decade ... America had a budget surplus of over $200 billion. By the time I took office, we had a one-year deficit of over $1 trillion and projected deficits of $8 trillion over the next decade.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement accurately reflects the fiscal situation at the beginning of the last decade and the time he took office. At the start of the last decade, there was indeed a budget surplus of over $200 billion. However, by the time President Obama assumed office, there was a one-year deficit of over $1 trillion, which was primarily attributed to factors such as unpaid wars, tax cuts, and an expensive prescription drug program. The projected deficits of $8 trillion over the next decade were based on budget numbers published by the White House Office of Management and Budget. While there is some discrepancy in the projections between the Congressional Budget Office and the White House, economists generally do not dispute the methodology used by the White House. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"At the beginning of the last decade ... America had a budget surplus of over $200 billion,\" Obama said. \"By the time I took office, we had a one-year deficit of over $1 trillion and projected deficits of $8 trillion over the next decade. Most of this was the result of not paying for two wars, two tax cuts, and an expensive prescription drug program.\"","In the same report, the CBO projected a 10-year deficit of about $3.1 trillion. But Obama said $8 trillion, based on budget numbers published by the White House Office of Management and Budget shortly after Obama took office.","We've checked several claims to this effect in the last year, most recently one by Obama adviser David Axelrod. Indeed, we found that the government was enjoying a surplus of about $236 billion circa 2001. Later, when Obama took office, the Congressional Budget Office reported the deficit was over $1.2 trillion. A good chunk of the deficits racked up by the Bush administration came from tax cuts, the war in Iraq and actions that Bush and a Democratic Congress took to prop up the economy right before he left office.","So, Obama's overall point is correct that the government was enjoying a substantial surplus when Bush took office and had a big deficit when he departed; he's spot on about the surplus Bush began with. He's also correct about the deficit at the end of Bush's presidency, but there are two different ways to measure the 10-year projection when Bush left office. The CBO's estimate is $5 trillion lower than the White House numbers, though economists don't quibble with the White House methodology. So given that discussion, we'll take Obama down a notch to Mostly True."]},{"id":"1419.json","label":"true","statement":"Democratic presidents \"have been considerably more effective at creating private-sector jobs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and analysis. Fact-checking has shown that, when adjusted for the number of years served in office, job growth has been faster under Democratic presidents compared to Republican presidents. This finding is based on historical data and analysis that spans multiple administrations, including the comparison of job creation during the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations. Therefore, it can be concluded that Democratic presidents have been more effective at creating private-sector jobs based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In 2010, we checked a similar claim from Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who said that Democratic presidents \"have been considerably more effective at creating private-sector jobs.\" After crunching the numbers back to President Harry Truman, we found that jobs did indeed grow faster under Democratic presidents when adjusted for a president\u2019s years served in office. So we rated the claim True.","\"This chart goes back to 1992, the year that President Bill Clinton was elected,\" Maloney said. \"It shows that during his time there was very robust job creation in the private sector, and then during the Bush years it fell dramatically. This dark line is the job creation, going up during the Clinton years, falling dramatically under the George W. Bush administration. It also shows that Democrats have been considerably more effective at creating private-sector jobs.\"","The combination of private-sector jobs and public-sector jobs is a broader measurement of job creation than private-sector alone. But excluding government jobs would presumably hurt Democrats more than Republicans, given the two parties\u2019 historical stances toward the role of government. The fact that Democrats finished so far ahead despite taking government jobs off the table makes it a more impressive accomplishment.","\"Since 1961 \u2026 our private economy has produced 66 million private-sector jobs. So what's the jobs score? Republicans 24 million, Democrats 42 (million).\""]},{"id":"681.json","label":"true","statement":"Joe Biden \"voted against the first Gulf War. He opposed the surge. He wanted to partition Iraq.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Joe Biden's positions on the first Gulf War, the surge in Iraq, and his proposal to partition Iraq. Biden did vote against the first Gulf War resolution in 1991, opposed the surge in Iraq in 2007, and proposed a plan to partition Iraq into three autonomous provinces. These positions have been well-documented and are a matter of public record.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He has national security experience. But experience and judgment need to come together. He voted against the first Gulf War. He opposed the surge. He wanted to partition Iraq,\" Graham said in response to a statement about Biden's national security experience.","But what of his opposition to the first Gulf War? It turns out Biden, with the majority of Senate Democrats, did oppose a 1991 congressional resolution authorizing the use of force following Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.","As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden indeed opposed the troop buildup and called for separating Iraq into three autonomous provinces \u2014 Shiite, Sunni and Kurd. We've previously checked his Iraq policy in this story and in this ruling.","John McCain's campaign readily acknowledges Joe Biden's expertise in national security matters. But that isn't stopping McCain surrogates from questioning the Democratic vice presidential nominee's judgment, especially when it comes to Iraq policy."]},{"id":"827.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"One percent of the American people make over 21 percent of all the income in America. That wasnt the way before George Bush became president.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the significant income inequality in the United States, with the top 1% of the population earning over 21% of the total income. However, it is incorrect to attribute this trend solely to the presidency of George Bush. Income inequality has been a long-standing issue in the United States, and it has been influenced by various factors over time, including economic policies, globalization, and technological advancements. Therefore, it is misleading to suggest that this income distribution pattern solely emerged during George Bush's presidency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1800.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Military \"recruiting went on at Harvard every single day throughout the time (Kagan) was there.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Patrick Leahy that military recruiting went on at Harvard every single day throughout the time Elena Kagan was there is not entirely accurate. While there were limitations and challenges to military recruiting at Harvard during that period, it is not accurate to claim that recruiting was completely unhindered and occurred every single day. The evidence suggests that there were restrictions and a legal battle surrounding the extent of recruiting. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But Leahy exaggerated when he said \"recruiting went on at Harvard every single day throughout the time she (Kagan) was there.\" The comment suggests it was business as usual for military recruiters on the Harvard Law School campus. The letter from the student veterans association indicates that was not the case.","\u2022 Sen. Patrick Leahy defended Kagan's nomination against criticism about how she handled the military recruiters, particularly that her position was harmful to the military. Military \"recruiting went on at Harvard every single day throughout the time (Kagan) was there,\" Leahy said. We found that there were some limitations on recruiters, so we rated Leahy's statement Half True.","\"This is like in Shakespeare, sound and fury signifying nothing,\" Leahy said. \"The recruiters were always on the Harvard campus. She's shown her respect for the veterans there. She every year on Veterans Day, she had a dinner for all the veterans and their families who were there at Harvard. Recruiting went on at Harvard every single day throughout the time she was there. She was trying to follow Harvard's policy. She was also trying to make sure that students who wanted to go in the military could.\"","The limitations described in the letter indicate the organization was not equipped or able to make sure that recruiting went on at Harvard \"every single day.\" Leahy's comment also ignores some important context: namely, that there was a raging legal battle over the extent of the recruiting. And so we rule Leahy's comment Half True."]},{"id":"3806.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Paul Ryan budget proposal would privatize Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the government would retain some responsibilities in running Medicare under the Ryan proposal, the shift towards the private sector would be significant. Privatization does not necessarily mean complete elimination of government involvement, but in the context of Medicare, it refers to a substantial increase in the role of private insurance providers. The Ryan budget proposal would introduce a voucher-like system where beneficiaries would receive a fixed amount to purchase private insurance plans. This represents a significant shift from the current structure of Medicare. Therefore, it is accurate to say that the Ryan budget proposal would privatize Medicare, albeit to a certain degree.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We decided to check two claims in this ad. One, which we\u2019ll look at in a different item, is whether the Ryan plan would leave the country \"without Medicare.\" The second, which we\u2019ll investigate here, is whether the Ryan budget proposal would \"privatize Medicare.\"","It\u2019s true that under the Ryan proposal, the government will retain important duties in running Medicare. But \"privatization\" does not have to mean that the government has nothing further to do with the enterprise. Under longstanding definitions, privatization could take place without the government giving up its right to regulate a privately provided service, such as an electric utility. That said, we think it\u2019s fair to note that Medicare already provides some types of coverage through private insurance now, so the shift toward the private sector prompted by the Ryan plan would be more a question of degree than kind. On balance, we conclude that the idea that the Paul Ryan budget proposal would \"privatize Medicare\" is Mostly True.","Says Paul Ryan's budget relies on the same $700 billion in savings from Medicare that Mitt Romney and other Republicans have been attacking Democrats about.","In contrast, he said Republicans are headed the wrong direction on Medicare under the reform plan authored by Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee."]},{"id":"5857.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States imprisons more than any nation in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The United States does have the highest number of incarcerated individuals compared to any other nation. However, it is important to note that the comparison is not entirely straightforward due to the differences in population sizes between countries. While the U.S. has a larger prison population in absolute numbers, other nations may have a higher percentage of their population in prison. Therefore, while the U.S. has the highest number of prisoners, it may not have the highest incarceration rate when considering the percentage of the population. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Mister Speaker, the United States imprisons more than any nation in the world,\" the liberal Democrat from DeKalb County said one day in the House of Representatives. \"We currently incarcerate 2.3 million people. The incarceration rate is not fitting for a nation which is routinely touted as the greatest nation in the world.\"","PolitiFact Georgia examined a similar claim by Johnson before. The congressman claimed last year that the United States imprisons more than any nation in the world. PolitiFact Georgia found Johnson was likely correct that the U.S. has more people behind bars than any other country, but America does have one of the largest populations in the world, so it\u2019s not entirely an apples-to-apples comparison. Our research showed there are probably some nations with a higher percentage of people in prison, so we rated Johnson\u2019s claim Half True.","The United States has the highest percentage of people in its prisons of any nation that can be verified. From the most recent numbers we\u2019ve seen, the U.S. may have a higher percentage than one nation (Cuba) we thought had more of its people in prison.","Washington Post Fact Checker, \"Does the United States really have 5 percent of the world\u2019s population and one quarter of the world\u2019s prisoners?\" April 30, 2015"]},{"id":"10570.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"...Over 30 years, federal spending on education has grown by 375 percent, but test scores remain flat.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Brat in his Facebook post. Federal spending on education did increase by 375 percent over a 40-year period from 1970 to 2010. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some nuance. While the increase in per-student spending is significant, the claim that test scores remain flat is a bit oversimplified. The average NAEP scores for 17-year-olds have shown minimal improvement over the last 30 years. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between federal spending on education and test scores.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Five days later, Brat took to Facebook and posted his view in modern terms. \"Our own government statistics show that over 30 years, federal spending on education has grown by 375%, but test scores have remained flat,\" he wrote. \"That proves that just throwing more money at education is not the solution.\"","We wondered whether Brat\u2019s Facebook post is accurate, both in terms of the 30-year growth percentage for federal education funding and his characterization of test scores as \"flat.\"","We should note that when we queried Brat\u2019s office about the Feb. 16 Facebook post, spokesman Gottstein sent us a Feb. 11 news release in which the congressmen correctly said that the 375 increase in education spending took place over 40 years -- from 1970 to 2010. The public, however, doesn\u2019t have access to this detail. Brat\u2019s congressional website doesn\u2019t contain a copy of the release, but it does link to his Facebook post, which says \"over 30 years, federal spending on education has grown by 375 percent...\"","That said, the increase in per-student spending is still significant and Brat has valid point on the test results. Average NAEP scores for 17-year-olds have barely budged during the last 30 years of testing."]},{"id":"4811.json","label":"true","statement":"The American healthcare system burns 18 percent of our national GDP. Nobody else is close.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. In 2015, the United States spent 17.8 percent of its GDP on healthcare, which is significantly higher than the average of 10.6 percent spent by other high-income nations. Therefore, it is correct to say that the American healthcare system consumes a larger portion of the national GDP compared to other countries.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We\u2019re spending 18 percent of our GDP on health care while the average among industrialized countries is closer to 8 percent.\"","Gallagher said \"We\u2019re spending 18 percent of our GDP on health care while the average among industrialized countries is closer to 8 percent.\"","The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) tracks the nation\u2019s expenditures on health care over time. Those numbers show the U.S. spent 17.8 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare in 2015, the most recent year for which data is available.","The average high-income nation actually spent 10.6 percent of its GDP on health care in 2015 according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation."]},{"id":"5627.json","label":"true","statement":"Says you need a photo ID to purchase Sudafed in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In the evidence provided, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst stated that you need a photo ID to purchase Sudafed in Texas. This is supported by the exchange between Bill Hemmer and Rick Perry, where Perry confirms that a photo ID is required in Texas to buy Sudafed. It is important to note that this requirement may vary by state, but in the context of Texas, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Hemmer interjected: \"Well, you need a photo ID in New York to buy Sudafed.\" Chuckling, Perry replied: \"And I might add, in Texas too.\"","Photo IDs are always required to board a plane or purchase Sudafed, while public libraries simply don't require photo IDs at checkout. However, patrons of most libraries have to show a photo ID when applying for a library card, a factor that gives Dewhurst's statement an element of truth.","Advocating for a law that would require Texas voters to present photo IDs at the polls, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst told an interviewer this summer that \"you can't get on a plane without a photo ID, you can't buy Sudafed without a photo ID, you can't check out a library book without a photo ID . . . We need to protect the sanctity of our votes,\" he told a representative of Americans for Prosperity in a June 11 interview at the Republican State Convention in Dallas.","Our take: Dewhurst's claim confuses activities that are subject to uniform regulations in Texas--boarding a plane, purchasing Sudafed--with one that is subject to inconsistent, local rules."]},{"id":"4327.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says allowing the payroll tax holiday to expire would end up costing another estimated 900,000 jobs in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made that allowing the payroll tax holiday to expire would result in an estimated loss of 900,000 jobs in 2012. This claim is supported by the argument that extending the tax cut would provide stimulus through increased take-home pay, which would boost economic activity and lead to job creation. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on economic projections and estimates, and the actual impact on job numbers can vary depending on various factors and economic conditions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Allowing the payroll tax holiday to expire Dec. 31 is a terrible choice, he says in the letter, \"costing another estimated 900,000 jobs in 2012.\"","\"Extending that tax cut for another year would provide roughly $118 billion in stimulus through increases in employees\u2019 take-home pay, which would boost economic activity by an even greater $128 billion, Irons writes. \"Allowing this policy to expire would lower GDP by 0.8 percent in 2012, and would lead to roughly 972,000 fewer jobs.\"","Employers already are getting a tax holiday. They match the employee contribution, and under the last COVID-19 relief package, the CARES Act, their payments are on hold until the end of the year. They have two years to pay it back. They need to send Washington half by the end of 2021 and the other half by the end of 2022.","The economic argument Merkley makes is well known: that the extra $1,000 on average a family will have because of the payroll tax holiday will be spent. That means more money in circulation, which means more products produced and sold, which means more demand and more jobs. But is his claim correct about jobs connected to the payroll tax holiday?"]},{"id":"451.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Hillary Clinton supported NAFTA and permanent China trade. Pennsylvania lost thousands of jobs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Hillary Clinton supported NAFTA and permanent trade with China. However, it is important to note that the impact of these trade agreements on job losses in Pennsylvania is a complex issue. While studies have shown that trade deficits with China and the implementation of NAFTA have resulted in job losses, it is not accurate to solely attribute the job losses in Pennsylvania to Clinton's support for these trade agreements. Other factors, such as automation and technological advancements, also contribute to job displacement. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies the relationship between Clinton's support for trade agreements and job losses in Pennsylvania.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Over a picture of people standing in an unemployment line is this headline: \"Here's the Truth: Hillary Clinton supported NAFTA and permanent China trade. Pennsylvania lost thousands of jobs.\"","The debate comes amid a campaign initiated by AAM called \"China Cheats. Pennsylvania Loses.\" Alliance for American Manufacturing, a nonpartisan business-labor alliance, commissioned a study by the Economic Policy Institute that concluded that trade deficits with China have cost the United States 1.8-million jobs since 2001 (78,200 in Pennsylvania). Another study by EPI concluded Pennsylvania lost another 44,173 jobs between 1993 and 2004 due to NAFTA.","But while the Obama campaign mailer tries to make it seem as though the two Democratic candidates are far apart on trade issues, in substance they are not. It is true that Clinton has in the past verbally supported NAFTA and permanent trade with China. Yet it is also true that she has spoken forcefully about the need to reform NAFTA and to much more stringently enforce trade agreements with China. So we rate the claims in the mailer to be Half True.","In an attempt to draw distinctions where there are, in fact, very few, the Obama campaign sent around a mailer in Pennsylvania last week attacking Sen. Hillary Clinton on foreign trade."]},{"id":"975.json","label":"true","statement":"Obama's budget plan would take national debt up to about 80 percent of gross national product. ... Historically, it's been about 40 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Judd Gregg's claim that Obama's budget plan would increase the national debt to around 80 percent of gross national product (GNP), compared to the historical average of about 40 percent. This claim is supported by the analysis of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which projected that the debt held by the public would rise to 82 percent of GDP by 2019 under Obama's plan. It's important to note that these figures are specific to the time period and policies being discussed and may not reflect the current or future state of the national debt.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Gregg has repeated one statistic over and over to make his point: that Obama's budget plan would increase the national debt to 80 percent of gross domestic product.","\"Seventeen trillion dollars worth of debt at the end of 10 years, $11 trillion at the end of five years,\" Gregg said. \"This translates into a debt-to-GDP ratio which we have not seen in this country since the end of World War II when we were trying to pay off the war debt. Basically, you take national debt up to about 80 percent of gross national product. That's the public debt. Historically, it's been about 40 percent.\"","Gregg's numbers come from an analysis of the Obama budget by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which concluded that the national debt would grow by $9.3 trillion between 2010 and 2019 under Obama's plan. According to the CBO, the debt held by the public would rise, from 41 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2008 to 57 percent in 2009 and then to 82 percent of GDP by 2019. That comports with Gregg's statement.","Says \"how much money the government is collecting from terms of the gross domestic product\" is \"the lowest in 40, 50 years.\""]},{"id":"1486.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Barack Obama's \"initial response when we heard about the Christmas underwear bomber\" was to say that \"this was the act of an isolated extremist.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Dick Cheney regarding President Obama's initial response to the Christmas underwear bomber incident. Cheney argues that Obama hastily dismissed the incident as the act of an isolated extremist, while later evidence revealed the bomber's connection to a larger conspiracy and al-Qaida. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a conclusive verdict on the accuracy of Cheney's claim. It presents Cheney's perspective and raises questions about the initial assessment made by the Obama administration. Therefore, the statement should be considered as a claim made by Cheney rather than a definitive fact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Here we're focusing on whether Cheney was correct to say that Obama's \"initial response\" to the incident was that it \"was the act of an isolated extremist.\"","\"Well, my reference to the notion that the president was trying to avoid treating this as a war was in relation to his initial response when we heard about the Christmas underwear bomber up in Detroit, when he went out and said this was the act of an isolated extremist. No, it wasn't,\" Cheney said. \"And we found out over time, obviously -- and he eventually changed his assessment -- but that, in fact, this was an individual who'd been trained by al-Qaida, who'd been part of a larger conspiracy, and it was closer to being an act of war than it was the act of an isolated extremist. It's the mind-set that concerns me, John. I think it's very important to go back and keep in mind the distinction between handling these events as criminal acts, which was the way we did before 9\/11, and then looking at 9\/11 and saying, 'This is not a criminal act,' not when you destroy 16 acres of Manhattan, kill 3,000 Americans, blow a big hole in the Pentagon. That's an act of war.\"","On ABC's This Week , Cheney brought up Obama's initial reaction to the news of the bombing attempt. Cheney charged that the president had at first hastily dismissed the Christmas Day bomb attempt as an \"isolated\" incident with limited relevance for the broader fight against terrorism:","Granted, the White House official expressed uncertainty about whether the claim was true or not. Still, the exchange amounts to an acknowledgment that the White House was considering the possibility that Abdulmutallab was connected to al-Qaida a full two days before Obama made his statement. That would seem to contradict the notion that Obama wanted his listeners to believe that the Christmas Day bomber was simply an \"isolated extremist.\""]},{"id":"3197.json","label":"false","statement":"Twelve judges have thrown out legal challenges to the health care law because they rejected the notion that the health care law was unconstitutional.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While President Obama claimed that 12 judges had thrown out legal challenges to the health care law because they rejected the notion of its unconstitutionality, this claim has been fact-checked and found to be false. The judges did not dismiss the cases based on their rejection of the law's constitutionality, but rather on procedural grounds. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the reasons behind the judges' decisions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Back to Obama's statement, \"Keep in mind that we've had 12 judges said -- that just threw this case out -- the notion that the health care law was unconstitutional.\"","\"Well, I think the judge in Florida was wrong,\" Obama said. \"Keep in mind that we've had 12 judges said -- that just threw this case out -- the notion that the health care law was unconstitutional.\"","We disagree. Obama said the 12 judges dismissed the cases because they disagreed with the claim that the health care law was unconstitutional. They did not. They dismissed the cases because of procedural grounds. We find his claim False.","Ever since a federal judge in Florida ruled the health care law unconstitutional, the White House has portrayed the opinion as an outlier made by an activist judge. Many other judges have come to a different conclusion, the argument goes."]},{"id":"968.json","label":"true","statement":"Warren (Buffett) still does support me.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Warren Buffett still supports him. This claim is supported by evidence from Obama's own words during an interview where he mentioned Buffett's continued support. Additionally, Warren Buffett himself has publicly stated his support for Obama. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And Warren still does support me,\" Obama interjected. \"But I think that, understand, Warren's also a big player in the financial markets who's a major owner of Wells Fargo. And so he's got a perspective from the perspective of somebody who is part owner of a bank.\"","The Oracle of Omaha is still for Obama. So the president claimed on 60 Minutes , interrupting interviewer Steve Kroft to tout the continued support of Warren Buffett, the Omaha-based stock-picker extraordinaire.","\"I voted for Obama and I strongly support him, and I think he's the right guy,\" Buffett said early in the interview.","Gov. Sarah Palin \"got precisely zero support for her call for Alaska's Democratic Senator Mark Begich to resign because Ted Stevens' corruption conviction was overturned.\""]},{"id":"5922.json","label":"true","statement":"Says George LeMieux was one of two Republicans who voted for President Barack Obamas jobs bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. George LeMieux was indeed one of two Republicans who voted for President Barack Obama's jobs bill. The fact-check confirms that LeMieux's vote aligns with the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Narrator: \"George LeMieux was one of only two liberal Republicans who voted for Barack Obama\u2019s liberal jobs bill that failed to help our economy. \"","Mack\u2019s ad puts a lot of spin on the basic facts when it says, \"George LeMieux was one of only two liberal Republicans who voted for Barack Obama\u2019s liberal jobs bill that failed to help our economy. \" Certainly that \"liberal\" tag is what gives the ad its bite.","Here, we\u2019re simply checking whether LeMieux was one of two Republican senators who voted for a jobs bill supported by the president. That is the case. We rate that statement True.","We\u2019re going to take out the Mack campaign\u2019s \"liberal\" adjectives and focus on the facts of the matter: Was LeMieux one of two Republicans who voted for Obama's jobs bill?"]},{"id":"5813.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"About 230,000 people that were on unemployment when I took office are not on unemployment now.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Scott's claim that approximately 230,000 people who were receiving unemployment benefits when he took office are no longer on unemployment. This claim has been supported by data showing a drop of 216,684 individuals receiving unemployment benefits during his tenure. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the timeframe and other factors that may have contributed to the decrease in unemployment benefits recipients. Additionally, considering data from a broader timeframe reveals an even larger decrease in the number of people receiving unemployment benefits. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["What stuck out to us is his claim that 230,000 fewer people receive unemployment benefits than when he took office 15 months ago. That sounds like a drastic decrease, which Scott is taking credit for and in turn using as evidence that the state\u2019s economy is improving.","Scott\u2019s claim that 230,000 fewer people are receiving unemployment benefits than when he entered office is pretty close to the actual drop (216,684).","\"We\u2019re doing well. We\u2019re at a three-year low on our unemployment in this state... We generated around 100,000 net jobs so far, if you look at the federal numbers,\" he said in the April 18, 2012, interview with Orlando-based station WDBO. \"But if you look at the state numbers, about 230,000 people that were on unemployment when I took office are not on unemployment now.","In fact, if you started counting in 2010 instead of 2011 when Scott took office, even fewer people -- 300,770 -- are receiving unemployment benefits."]},{"id":"8428.json","label":"false","statement":"Local law enforcement . . . will have access to the [Obamacare] Data Hubs treasure trove of personal info.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses spending for law enforcement, the establishment of a reserve fund to hire new police officers, and the proposed JUSTICE Act, which includes funding for training and technology for law enforcement officers. However, there is no mention of local law enforcement having access to the Obamacare Data Hubs or any personal information. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In any case, there have been multiple other occasions when Johnson has backed spending for law enforcement, such as establishing a reserve fund to hire 100,000 new police officers nationwide to combat the crime wave and the proposed JUSTICE Act, which included $100 million in federal grants to assist law enforcement officers in training, and access to new technology for body-worn cameras. The measure also authorized $50 million to establish new funding for state and local law enforcement agencies to pay for costs related to training.","The bill he signed in 2019 banned local governments from having sanctuary policies. and required local jurisdictions to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. But many jurisdictions already cooperated in such a manner before the law. The future of the law is uncertain due to a pending ruling from a federal judge regarding its legality.","There is no official definition or list of sanctuary cities, and some cities or counties have pushed back on that label. There also isn't any uniform sanctuary policy. Broadly, jurisdictions are described as sanctuary cities when they have policies that restrict state or local police from assisting federal immigration officers; stop local or state officials from inquiring into a person's immigration status; or restrict information sharing between local or state law enforcement and federal authorities.","The Southern Poverty Law Center sued DeSantis on behalf of immigration advocates and the city of South Miami. The case went to trial in January, and U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom has not announced her ruling, although in December she struck down a part of the law that allowed local law enforcement to transport immigration detainees outside their own jurisdictions."]},{"id":"1391.json","label":"true","statement":"During his tenure as mayor, he saw Houstons crime rates drop to the lowest levels in more than 25 years.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that during his tenure as mayor, crime rates in Houston did indeed drop to the lowest levels in over 25 years. Statistics provided by the White campaign, generated by the Houston Police Department, show that the total crime rate in 2008 was the lowest in the 29 years of available data. It is important to note that while crime rates have been decreasing nationwide, White's claim specifically focuses on the crime rates in Houston during his time as mayor, which did reach a 25-year low. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Though White in his public statements has stopped short of claiming he reduced crime in the nation's fourth-largest city, his Web site biography notes that during his tenure as mayor, he \"saw Houston\u2019s crime rates drop to the lowest levels in more than 25 years.\"","Statistics provided by his campaign confirm that the crime rate overall hit a 25-year low during his administration. That measure includes three nonviolent property crimes (such as burglary) as well as four major violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault). The White campaign's numbers, which were generated by the Houston Police Department for the years 1980 through 2008, show that the city\u2019s 2008 total crime rate -- 6,080 offenses per 100,000 residents -- was the lowest of any of those years. In fact, 2006, 2007 and 2008 had the three lowest total crime rates in the 29 years of data offered by the campaign.","These days, few public officials can legitimately take credit for reducing crime locally. That's because crime rates have been trending down all across the country for years, in some cases to record lows. According to FBI data, the nation's total crime rate in 2008 was down 29 percent from 1983, 25 years earlier.","Summing up: Although experts debate the reasons for the downward trend in crime nationwide, White is right that the total crime rate in Houston hit a 25-year low during his time as mayor. We give him a True."]},{"id":"7233.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since the federal Violence Against Women Act was adopted in 1994, cases of domestic violence have fallen by 67 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Representative Gwen Moore and others that cases of domestic violence have fallen by 67 percent since the adoption of the federal Violence Against Women Act in 1994. This claim has been supported by official Justice Department data from 2010, which showed a 63 percent decrease at that time. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the timeframe and data source, there is strong evidence to suggest a significant decrease in domestic violence cases since the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Moore was among the lead writers of the letter, which declared that since the federal law was adopted in 1994, \"cases of domestic violence have fallen by 67 percent.\"","U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore said that since the Violence Against Women Act was adopted in 1994, \"cases of domestic violence have fallen by 67 percent.\"","We have previously looked at a similar assertion. In 2013, Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., cited a drop of 67 percent since passage. We found official Justice Department data from 2010 showing that it had fallen 63 percent by then, so we rated the statement Mostly True.","In the latest attempt to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, versions of the 67 percent decrease claim were also made by others: the White House, in a fact sheet; the left-leaning political advocacy group, in a TV ad; and a U.S. Justice Department official, in testimony to Congress."]},{"id":"1775.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says federal law enforcement officers cut off questioning of the Christmas Day underwear bomber by giving him a Miranda warning after 30 minutes of questioning.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Giuliani that federal law enforcement officers cut off questioning of the Christmas Day underwear bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, by giving him a Miranda warning after 30 minutes of questioning. However, it's important to note that this claim is not entirely accurate. The Supreme Court decision in New York vs. Quarles allows for a \"public safety exception\" that permits law enforcement officers to ask questions related to public safety before administering a Miranda warning. In the case of Abdulmutallab, it is widely reported that his pre-Miranda questioning lasted for approximately 50 minutes, not just 30 minutes. Therefore, while there was a Miranda warning given, the timing of it was within the parameters of the \"public safety exception.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It's worth noting that earlier in the conversation, Giuliani offered a similar, but slightly different characterization of Abdulmutallab's questioning, saying, \"to cut it off after 30 or 40 minutes like they did in Detroit on Christmas Day ... doesn't make much sense.\"","There is broad agreement that Abdulmutallab's pre-Miranda questioning was allowable under what is known as the \"public safety exception.\" The exception was outlined in the 1984 Supreme Court decision in New York vs. Quarles. The court ruled that law enforcement officers may \"ask questions reasonably prompted by a concern for the public safety\" before they administer a Miranda warning to a suspect in custody.","As an example of the risks, Giuliani cited the case of Abdulmutallab, the Christmas Day bombing suspect. \"Giving him a warning after -- after 30 minutes makes no sense,\" Giuliani said. \"It makes no sense to do that. So, sure, it may work sometimes; it may not work other times. It's not the best policy to follow. And so far, two in a row, we've gotten lucky. So let's not rely on luck. Let's rely on solid policy.\"","The government's questioning of two accused terrorists -- Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who is accused of trying to bomb an airliner on Christmas Day 2009 using explosives sewn into his underwear, and Faisal Shahzad, who is being held for the failed Times Square bombing on May 1, 2010 -- has prompted critics to say the Obama administration is too soft on the terrorists and overly concerned with their Miranda rights."]},{"id":"4649.json","label":"true","statement":"Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended.","reason":"Reason: Multiple studies and analyses, including those based on data from the U.S. census and the CDC, support the claim that nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. The Guttmacher Institute's study from 2011 also confirms this finding. Therefore, the statement is accurate and supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Perry and Ajello stated that nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Two studies based on data from the U.S. census and the CDC reported that the share of unintended pregnancies in the United States was 49 percent.","At the same time, we found an analysis by PolitiFact Rhode Island, which checked a similar claim by a R.I. state representative who said in 2011 that \"nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended.\" The representative received a True.","Under the new federal rules, insurers will have to expand coverage for preventive care, including birth control. The expanded coverage is clearly a significant development if, as Ajello and Perry wrote, \"nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended.\"","The Guttmacher Institute has produced two studies about unintended pregnancies in the United States. The most recent, \"Unintended pregnancy in the United States: incidence and disparities, 2006\u2019\u2019 published in August 2011, states that \"nearly half (49%) of pregnancies were unintended in 2006.\""]},{"id":"2032.json","label":"false","statement":"The top 1 percent pay over half of the entire revenue for this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While the top 1 percent of income earners in the United States do contribute a significant portion of the federal income tax revenue, they do not pay over half of the entire revenue for the country. Other taxes, such as payroll taxes, corporate taxes, and excise taxes, contribute to the overall revenue. It's important to consider the broader tax system and not solely focus on one specific tax when evaluating the contribution of different income groups.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We won't take sides in the argument over the best tax policy, but we do think it's worth checking his statistic that \"the top 1 percent pay over half of the entire revenue for this country.\"","Franks responded, \"No, the fact is, you know, when you're always talking about raising taxes on the rich, I think the top -- the rich now, the top 1 percent, pay over half of the entire revenue for this country. And you don't realize that if you destroy those who have capital, you absolutely devastate those that are trying to get jobs.\"","We wanted to look at Bush\u2019s comment about how much the wealthy pays in taxes. Does the top 1 percent pay nearly half the taxes in the country?","2. The federal income tax isn't the only tax levied by the federal government. It is the biggest when measured by revenue generated, but it doesn't even account for more than half of all federal tax revenue."]},{"id":"3195.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he never said he would keep education funding the same.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The first piece of evidence indicates that there were cuts to education funding, contradicting the claim that the person never said education funding would remain the same. The other evidence provided does not directly address the statement. Therefore, there is no basis to support the claim that the person never made a statement about keeping education funding unchanged.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I've heard nothing but that education funding wasn't going to be touched,\" said Florida Education Association spokesman Mark Pudlow. \"We all were wondering what kind of alchemy we were going to see. Of course, what we saw was tons of cuts to education.\"","Barack Obama says that what he'd said was you could keep your plan 'if it hasn\u2019t changed since the law passed'","( - Barack Obama says that what he'd said was you could keep your plan 'if it hasn\u2019t changed since the law passed'&url=)","Says \u201cTim Michels wants to defund public education \u2014 calling it \u2018the definition of insanity\u2019 to continue to fund public schools.\u201d"]},{"id":"689.json","label":"false","statement":"\"(Palin) supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that Sarah Palin supported Pat Buchanan for president in 2000 is false. The McCain campaign explicitly denied this allegation, stating that Governor Palin had never supported Buchanan. Additionally, a letter written by Palin in 1999 clearly indicates that she did not endorse Buchanan for the 2000 presidential race. Therefore, the statement is not supported by credible evidence and is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["One item caught our attention. The e-mail said Palin, Alaska's governor since 2006, \"supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.\"","We won't delve into the question of whether Buchanan really is a \"right-wing extremist.\" Those are the kinds of judgments voters can make for themselves. But the allegation that Palin was a Buchanan supporter might carry some weight, especially among Jewish voters, many of whom consider him to be anti-Israel. Wexler, in his charge, said Buchanan had \"a uniquely atrocious record on Israel,\" and the Anti-Defamation League calls Buchanan a \"racist, anti-Semite.\"","\"Governor Palin has never supported Pat Buchanan,\" the McCain campaign said on its \"Stop the Smears'' Web site, and called on Wexler to retract his comments.","But for our purposes, the question of 2000 is more important because that's what alleges in a widespread e-mail. The letter to the editor that Palin wrote back in 1999 seems pretty clear to us. Even back then she wanted to make it clear that Buchanan wasn't her choice for president in the 2000 race, which leaves us with nowhere to go but False."]},{"id":"6627.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Seven presidents before (Barack Obama) -- Republicans and Democrats -- tried to expand health care to all Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro that seven presidents before Barack Obama, from both Republican and Democratic parties, attempted to expand healthcare coverage to all Americans. While the exact number may be subject to interpretation, there is historical evidence to support the fact that multiple presidents made efforts to expand healthcare access. However, it's important to note that the level of success and the specific approaches taken by each president varied. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Seven presidents before Barack Obama -- Republicans and Democrats -- tried to expand health care to all Americans.\" San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro","\"Seven presidents before him -- Republicans and Democrats -- tried to expand health care to all Americans,\" Castro said. \"President Obama got it done.\"","Castro said that \"seven presidents before (Obama) -- Republicans and Democrats -- tried to expand health care to all Americans.\" It\u2019s a slam dunk getting to three or four presidents, and it\u2019s possible to reach seven presidents, but to do that requires a looser interpretation of expanding coverage \"to all Americans.\" On balance, we rate the statement Mostly True.","Let\u2019s start with the presidents who almost certainly fit Castro\u2019s definition of having \"tried to expand health care to all Americans.\""]},{"id":"5852.json","label":"false","statement":"If you put the $47 billion in revenue (raised over 10 years by the Buffett rule) into infrastructure you could create 611,000 infrastructure jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While Senator Sheldon Whitehouse claimed that $47 billion raised over 10 years by the Buffett rule tax on millionaires could generate 611,000 jobs, a closer analysis reveals that this claim is misleading. If the $47 billion were allocated solely to infrastructure projects, it would only create an average of 61,100 jobs per year, not 611,000. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the potential job creation impact of the proposed tax revenue.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sheldon Whitehouse said $47 billion raised over 10 years by passage of the Buffett rule tax on millionaires could generate 611,000 jobs","U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said $47 billion raised by the Buffett Rule could finance 611,000 jobs for people rebuilding the nation's infrastructure.","( - Sheldon Whitehouse said $47 billion raised over 10 years by passage of the Buffett rule tax on millionaires could generate 611,000 jobs&url=)","So if $4.7 billion were raised per year by enactment of the Buffett Rule, that would be, on average, 61,100 jobs for that year. If those people continued to work on those infrastructure projects over the 10-year period, that would still be only 61,100 new jobs, not 611,000."]},{"id":"599.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I have repeatedly said that many of the predatory loans that were made in the mortgage system did target African-American and Latino communities.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the acknowledgment that predatory loans were indeed targeted towards African-American and Latino communities within the mortgage system. This practice, known as predatory lending, disproportionately affected minority communities and contributed to the subprime mortgage crisis. The statement acknowledges the systemic discrimination and exploitation that occurred within the mortgage industry.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"10411.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Starting in December 2007, 1.4 million jobs were created in Texas. In that same period, the rest of the country lost 400,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Perry that from December 2007, Texas created 1.4 million jobs while the rest of the country lost 400,000 jobs. This claim has been fact-checked and found to be mostly true, with the figures aligning with household surveys conducted by the federal government. However, it's important to note that the exact numbers may vary slightly depending on the specific data source and time period analyzed. Overall, the statement provides an accurate representation of the job growth in Texas compared to the rest of the country during that period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Gov. Perry said that starting in December 2007, \"1.4 million jobs were created in Texas. In that same period, the rest of the country lost 400,000 jobs.\"","In his speech, Perry added accurately: \"The unemployment rate in Texas is significantly below the national average. And right here in Austin, Texas, it\u2019s below 4 percentage points.\" Then Perry said: \"In fact, if you look at the last seven years\u2026starting in December of 2007, you will see that 1.4 million jobs were created in Texas. In that same period, the rest of the country lost 400,000 jobs.\"","Later, in January 2015, we rated Mostly True Perry\u2019s statement that starting in December 2007, \"1.4 million jobs were created in Texas. In that same period, the rest of the country lost 400,000 jobs.\" His figures mostly held up according to household surveys by the federal government looking into civilian employment including self-employment, though at the time positions not yet recovered outside Texas totaled closer to 350,000, according to the latest available data when Perry spoke to lawmakers Jan. 22, 2015.","\"In the last seven years of my tenure, Texas created 1.5 million new jobs. As a matter of fact, without Texas, America would have lost 400,000 jobs.\""]},{"id":"1665.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The proposed education changes \"will not cut one teacher's pay.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the proposed education changes themselves do not explicitly cut teachers' pay, there is a possibility that teacher salaries could fluctuate under the new performance pay system compared to the current system. Additionally, there are concerns among school district administrators that the cost of implementing the changes might result in less funding available for teacher salaries. So, while the changes do not directly cut teachers' pay, there are potential indirect impacts on salaries that need to be considered.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To recap: In its attempt to promote SB 6 and HB 7189, the Florida Chamber of Commerce notes that the education reforms tying teacher pay increases to student performance will not \"cut one teacher's pay.\" The chamber is right that there's nothing in the education bills that cuts teachers' pay. But teacher salaries could fluctuate in the new performance pay system when compared with the system currently in place. And there is a fear among school district administrators that the cost to implement the SB 6\/HB 7189 changes might result in less money to be directed to teacher salaries. As such, we rate the Florida Chamber of Commerce statement Mostly True.","Teachers are dug in against the proposal, saying that the changes would punish good teachers, take decisions out of the hands of school districts and require local schools to either further cut budgets or raise taxes.","\"They have repeatedly threatened to defund public education and their budget is proof of their true intentions. The proposed House budget cuts hundreds of millions in funding for public education, including gutting teacher pay raises by 20% and slashing tens of millions in funding for early childhood education.\"","\"Tallahassee union lobbyists have been paid a fortune to bash anyone in their way, now backing a shadow group against rewarding our best teachers,\" the ad begins, with images of men in dark suits and sunglasses talking in the background. \"Fact is these reforms will not cut one teacher's pay or cut one retirement benefit.\""]},{"id":"8601.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Firearms homicides are down about 40 percent since Texas passed concealed-gun permit law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jerry Patterson that firearms homicides in Texas have decreased by approximately 40 percent since the passage of the concealed-gun permit law. This claim has been fact-checked and supported by evidence. It's important to note, however, that the decline in firearms homicides is part of a larger trend of decreasing violent crime in the United States and Texas since the 1990s. The reduction in firearms homicides cannot be solely attributed to the concealed-gun permit law but is influenced by various factors affecting crime rates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I stood alone in passing the Texas concealed-handgun law over the doomsday predictions of blood in the streets, \u2018Wild Wild West\u2019 and shootouts at every four-way stop,\" Patterson says, \"and of course none of that happened. Matter of fact, firearms homicides are down about 40 percent.\"","Running for lieutenant governor, Jerry Patterson claims in an online campaign video that not only did predictions of \"blood in the streets\" fail to come true, but firearms homicides fell 40 percent after a 1996 law allowed eligible Texans to get licenses to carry concealed handguns.","The U.S. and Texas declines in gun homicides are part of a larger trend -- U.S. violent crimes overall began falling significantly in the 1990s.","The U.S. and Texas declines in gun homicides are part of a dramatic drop in violent crime since the 1990s. Read our full fact-check for details on that and more on Patterson\u2019s claim."]},{"id":"8004.json","label":"false","statement":"Upwards of 90 percent of women seeking an abortion decide not to have an abortion after seeing an ultrasound.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"upwards of 90 percent of women seeking an abortion decide not to have an abortion after seeing an ultrasound\" is not supported by credible evidence or data. While there may be individual cases where women change their minds after seeing an ultrasound, there is no comprehensive national data or study that supports the claim of such a high percentage. The evidence provided indicates that the statement made by Rachel Campos-Duffy lacks substantiation and should be viewed with skepticism.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Campos-Duffy said \"upwards of 90 percent\" of women seeking an abortion decide not to have an abortion after seeing an ultrasound.","\"Now, it's true that once a father or a mother who are seeking an abortion see an ultrasound, it's true that upwards of 90 percent of them decide not to have an abortion. Our opposition may not like those results, but those are what people decide after they have all the facts in front of them.\"","But the council makes no claim and provides no evidence indicating that on a national level upwards of 90 percent of women seeking an abortion change their minds after seeing an ultrasound.","A couple of weeks before Walker signed the ultrasound requirement law in July 2013, conservative pundit Rachel Campos-Duffy, the wife of U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., said \"upwards of 90 percent\" of women seeking an abortion decide not to have an abortion after seeing an ultrasound."]},{"id":"256.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"If you got rid of the income tax today you'd have about as much revenue as we had 10 years ago.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ron Paul that if the income tax were eliminated, the government would have approximately the same level of funding as it did 10 years ago. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on an estimation and assumes that the elimination of the income tax would not significantly impact other sources of government revenue. While the statement is generally accurate, it should be understood that the actual impact of eliminating the income tax on overall government revenue is complex and subject to various factors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It made us wonder: Do today's tax collections, minus the income tax, really equal the tax collections of 10 years ago?","Ron Paul said in December 2007 that if the government stopped collecting income tax, we would have about the same level of funding that we did 10 years ago. \"And the size of government wasn't all that bad 10 years ago,\" concluded Paul, who advocates limited government.","Whether he makes up that 12 percent difference or not will have to wait for a Paul presidency. Meanwhile, we find his statement that ending the income tax would roll back revenues 10 years to be Mostly True.","The most recent detailed data available on income tax collected in the United States is for 2005. Besides income tax, the IRS collects corporate taxes, employment taxes, estate and gift taxes, and excise taxes."]},{"id":"12356.json","label":"false","statement":"Jason Kander supports [Obamas] plan to bring the remaining suspected terrorists to U.S. soil.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not explicitly state that Jason Kander supports President Obama's plan to bring suspected terrorists to U.S. soil. While there are mentions of Kander's position on Guantanamo Bay and his vote against a resolution to keep the facility open, it does not directly link him to supporting the transfer of suspected terrorists to U.S. soil. Without more specific evidence, it is not accurate to claim that Kander supports this plan.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The petition says, \"Jason Kander supports his plan to bring the remaining suspected terrorists to U.S. soil. Tell national Democrats and Jason Kander that bringing suspected terrorists to U.S. soil puts Missouri families at risk.\"","Blunt says Kander supports Obama\u2019s plan to bring the remaining prisoners at Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. Kander voted against a 2009 resolution in the Missouri legislature that called on Congress to keep the facility open. But that doesn\u2019t mean he supported Obama\u2019s plan to close the prison.","Blunt said Kander supports President Obama\u2019s plan to close Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. military prison in Cuba housing suspected terrorists, and transfer prisoners to mainland prisons. Blunt tweeted out a petition against the plan 11 times on his campaign account between April 18 and April 20.","Jason Kander campaign, Jason Kander\u2019s statement on the proposed plan to close Guantanamo Bay, February 23, 2016, accessed April 27, 2016"]},{"id":"5388.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Shelby County donated Im sorry, gave 44 schools to the city of Memphis.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in quoting Thomas's view that Shelby County \"gave\" 44 schools to the city of Memphis. However, it's important to note that no actual monetary exchange took place for these buildings. The transfer of the schools from Shelby County Schools to the special school district occurred without any direct cost to Memphis City Schools. So while the statement accurately reflects Thomas's perspective, it is crucial to understand that the transfer did not involve a financial donation or exchange.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Thomas\u2019s statement is worth quoting in full, because it captures the prevailing suburban view: \"I think it\u2019s funny over the past many years that Shelby County donated \u2013 I\u2019m sorry, gave \u2013 44 schools to the city of Memphis . . . when they annexed areas. And now all of a sudden when a municipality, when a city in the county wants to educate those children, we are going to say we are going to charge you but we were giving them to Memphis? Personally I think that stinks. I think it\u2019s unfair.\"","So did Shelby County in fact \"give\" 44 school buildings to Memphis City Schools? As the consultants note, exactly $0.00 in real dollars has exchanged hands for the buildings MCS took over during annexations.","Thomas and other advocates for the suburban municipalities cite feasibility studies from suburban school consultants Southern Educational Strategies. The studies say: \"Since the 1960\u2019s, at least 44 of these facilities, plus the furniture, fixtures, and equipment held in trust for the students were transferred by Shelby County Schools to the special school district at no direct cost to the Memphis City Schools.\"","But Martavius Jones, the former Memphis City Schools board president who helped lead the surrender of the system\u2019s charter last year, gave a preview of funding rhetoric likely to grow louder as the July 1, 2013, deadline for completing merger grows near. Given that more than 16 percent of the state\u2019s education money goes to schools in Memphis and Shelby County, how the issue plays out could have a ripple effect on systems across the state."]},{"id":"2076.json","label":"true","statement":"Have the suburbs been inundated with former residents of Atlanta housing projects? Absolutely not.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Barney Simms, the chief external affairs officer of the Atlanta Housing Authority, is supported by evidence. Both the AHA and Georgia State University's data indicate that the percentage of tenants moving out of the city and into the suburbs has been small. Therefore, it is accurate to say that the suburbs have not been inundated with former residents of Atlanta housing projects.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Have the suburbs been inundated with former residents of Atlanta housing projects? Absolutely not,\" said Barney Simms, the authority's chief external affairs officer.","The AHA built what's widely believed to be the first public housing complex in the nation, Techwood Homes in 1936. By the 1970s, many AHA developments developed reputations as high-crime areas. One apartment complex, East Lake Meadows, was so dangerous that residents called it \"Little Vietnam\" because of the constant shootings there. City leaders and police tried many efforts to improve public safety inside and around some of the projects. In one five-month stretch in 2007, five men were shot and killed in one AHA development, Bowen Homes.","Even if all 1,400 of those people moved to one of those counties, is it fair to say one of those places has been \"inundated\" with former AHA tenants? We don't think so. The data from the AHA and Georgia State both reach similar conclusions that the percentage of tenants moving out of the city has been small. Therefore, we rate Simms' statement as True.","\"It's easy because of the publicity that AHA has gotten to say, 'Oh, look! It's public housing from Atlanta moving into our neighborhoods,' \" she said."]},{"id":"5276.json","label":"true","statement":"In July 1996, Mitt Romney helped locate the missing teenage daughter of a partner at Bain Capital.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Mitt Romney did indeed help locate the missing teenage daughter of a partner at Bain Capital in July 1996. The story describes how Romney took immediate action, closing down the entire firm and mobilizing all 30 partners and employees to fly to New York to assist in the search. Romney set up a command center, hired a private detective firm, coordinated with the NYPD, and reached out to everyone Bain did business with in New York for help. The search efforts made the evening news, leading to a tip that ultimately led to the girl's rescue. The former business partner of Romney credits him with saving his daughter's life. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A number of readers recently have asked us to fact-check a story about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The story, currently circulating on email, Facebook, and blogs, says that Romney helped a colleague of his at Bain Capital locate his missing teenage daughter.","A TV ad by Mitt Romney features former business partner Robert Gay crediting Romney with helping reunite Gay with his daughter after she went missing.","\"In July 1996, the 14-year-old daughter of Robert Gay, a partner at Bain Capital, had disappeared,\" the story reads. \"She had attended a rave party in New York City and gotten high on ecstasy. Three days later, her distraught father had no idea where she was. Romney took immediate action. He closed down the entire firm and asked all 30 partners and employees to fly to New York to help find Gay\u2019s daughter. Romney set up a command center at the LaGuardia Marriott and hired a private detective firm to assist with the search. He established a toll-free number for tips, coordinating the effort with the NYPD, and went through his Rolodex and called everyone Bain did business with in New York and asked them to help find his friend\u2019s missing daughter. Romney\u2019s accountants at Price Waterhouse Cooper put up posters on street poles, while cashiers at a pharmacy owned by Bain put fliers in the bag of every shopper. Romney and the other Bain employees scoured every part of New York and talked with everyone they could \u2013 prostitutes, drug addicts \u2013 anyone.","\"That day, their hunt made the evening news, which featured photos of the girl and the Bain employees searching for her. As a result, a teenage boy phoned in, asked if there was a reward, and then hung up abruptly. The NYPD traced the call to a home in New Jersey, where they found the girl in the basement, shivering and experiencing withdrawal symptoms from a massive ecstasy dose. Doctors later said the girl might not have survived another day. Romney\u2019s former partner credits Mitt Romney with saving his daughter\u2019s life, saying, \u2018It was the most amazing thing, and I\u2019ll never forget this to the day I die.\u2019"]},{"id":"2011.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"There are mechanisms in place to shut down the Internet privately.\"","reason":"Reason: It is technically possible for large service providers to severely limit Internet connectivity, and there are formal and informal channels for network operators to communicate with each other during emergencies. However, the statement lacks clarity and context. While there are mechanisms in place for private entities to limit Internet connectivity, it is important to note that these actions would be limited to specific networks or service providers and would not result in a complete shutdown of the entire Internet. Additionally, any significant action to restrict Internet access would likely require coordination with government entities. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important details and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Napolitano claimed that \"there are mechanisms in place to shut down the Internet privately.\" The experts we spoke with told us that it is technically possible for large service providers to severely limit Internet connectivity. Moreover, there are both formal and informal channels for network operators who manage the Internet backbone to communicate with each other in times of emergencies.","Discussion about the bill came up on a June 28, 2010, segment of the Glenn Beck show, guest-hosted by Judge Andrew Napolitano, a Fox News contributor. Napolitano argued that the bill is a \"power grab\" by the government, and that private companies are more than capable of protecting themselves against cyber-attacks. \"There are mechanisms in place to shut down the Internet privately,\" said Napolitano.","Still, there was disagreement among our experts on how difficult it would be for ISPs to coordinate with one another and whether the government would have to get involved. It is clear, however, that the government would have to participate in order to shut down its own networks, and there is an argument to be made that \"shutting down the Internet\" might hurt the response to a cyber attack more than it would help. We rate this Half True.","We've gotten a lot of e-mails from readers asking us to weigh in on the claim that President Barack Obama may soon be able to use a \"kill switch\" to shut down and take over the Internet. The rumors, which are spreading like wildfire through the technology blogosphere, are tied to a bill currently pending in Congress that would allow the president to implement \"short-term emergency measures\" to protect the United States from a cyber attack."]},{"id":"3281.json","label":"true","statement":"If Wisconsins governor cuts perquisites as much as he plans to do, it would still leave (workers) better off than their private sector counterparts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided. The fact-check confirms that if the proposed cuts to perquisites, such as health and retirement benefits, are implemented as planned by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, public employees would still be better off than their private sector counterparts. While it is important to consider the total package of wages and benefits when comparing public and private sector compensation, the focus of the statement is specifically on the benefits side of the equation. The fact-check rates the statement as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["If Wisconsin's governor cuts perquisites as much as he plans to do, \"it would still leave (workers) better off than their private sector\" counterparts.","Will responded, \"Donna, what you call the grassroots is a tiny minority of this tiny minority of Wisconsin people who work for the government. Three hundred thousand public employees in Wisconsin went to work -- while the teachers were clutching their little signs that say it's all about the kids, they're abandoning their classrooms, lying to their supervisors, saying they were sick, and going off to protest in defense of perquisites, which if the governor cuts them as much as he plans to do, would still leave them better off than their private sector\" counterparts.","We decided to check Will's claim that perks or non-wage compensation such as health and retirement benefits) -- if cut as much as Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has proposed -- would still leave public employees \"better off\" than those in the private sector.","Now, we'd like to drop one big disclaimer into this whole analysis. Many experts contend that while state workers get better benefits, they get paid less than folks in the private sector. PolitiFact Wisconsin took a closer look at that issue here. The point is that it's important to consider an employee's total package of wages and benefits when comparing public and private sector compensation. But that's not the issue before us here. Will clearly stated that he was talking about just the benefits side of the equation. And with regard to the changes Walker has proposed -- requiring greater employee contributions to pension and health care -- Will is right that they would still leave public employees \"better off\" than those in the private sector. We rate Will's comment True."]},{"id":"9596.json","label":"false","statement":"74 percent of Republicans support the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 74 percent of Republicans support the Affordable Care Act is not accurate. Multiple fact-checking sources have found that this claim is not supported by survey data. While there may be some Republicans who support certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act, the overall level of support among Republicans is significantly lower than 74 percent. It is important to rely on accurate and reliable data when making claims about public opinion.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!On CNN's \"State of the Union,\" Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md., said that \u201c74 percent of Republicans support the Affordable Care Act.\u201d We checked to see if that's accurate. !On CNN's \"State of the Union,\" Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md., said that \u201c74 percent of Republicans support the Affordable Care Act.\u201d We checked to see if that's accurate.","Edwards said, \"I don't understand the politics (of the lawsuit), quite frankly. I mean, 74 percent of Republicans support the Affordable Care Act. And so they're suing against their own Republicans.\"","But Edwards didn\u2019t say that 74 percent of Republicans who signed up for coverage as a result of ACA said they were satisfied with the coverage they got. Instead, she said, \"74 percent of Republicans support the Affordable Care Act\" -- a much broader assertion, and one that\u2019s undercut by a host of survey data.","On CNN's \"State of the Union,\" Rep. Donna Edwards, D-Md., said that \u201c74 percent of Republicans support the Affordable Care Act.\u201d We checked to see if that's accurate."]},{"id":"13223.json","label":"false","statement":"Hillary Clinton supports unlimited abortion on demand up until the moment of birth, including partial-birth abortion, with taxpayer funding.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there may be differing opinions on Hillary Clinton's stance on abortion, it is misleading to claim that she supports \"unlimited abortion on demand up until the moment of birth, including partial-birth abortion, with taxpayer funding.\" Clinton has expressed support for abortion rights but has also stated that there should be reasonable restrictions, such as late-term limits with exceptions to protect the health of the woman. It is important to provide a more nuanced and accurate representation of her position on this issue.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For instance, the 7th-most-clicked fact check of the year concerned the Republican senator\u2019s claim that Democrat Hillary Clinton \"supports unlimited abortion on demand up until the moment of birth, including partial-birth abortion, with taxpayer funding.\"","Cruz replied that the \"right to life\" needs to be protected, adding: \"I can also tell you even on the question of the right to life that the views of Hillary Clinton on abortion are radical and extreme. Her views: She supports unlimited abortion on demand up until the moment of birth, including partial-birth abortion, with taxpayer funding.\"","Fact check, \"Fiorina\u2019s claim that Hillary Clinton supports abortion \u2018up until the moment\u2019 of birth,\" the Fact Checker, The Washington Post , April 1, 2016","However, she\u2019s said since 2000 that she\u2019d support a legislated late-term limit on abortion if it included an exception to protect the health of the woman--which the law against partial-birth abortions does not. She hasn't pitched for unlimited abortion on demand."]},{"id":"4687.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The STAR Ohio fund just received the highest possible credit rating one of these funds can receive.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The STAR Ohio fund did receive the highest possible credit rating, as claimed. However, it is important to note that this rating had already been in place for 16 years and did not improve under Mandel's tenure. While he can be credited for maintaining the rating, the statement implies that the fund recently achieved this rating, which is not accurate. Therefore, the statement is somewhat misleading and overstates the significance of the rating under Mandel's leadership.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The campaign email said the STAR Ohio fund \"just received the highest possible credit rating one of these funds can receive.\"","Mandel made a similar claim in an email to supporters last October, saying then that the fund \"just received the highest possible credit rating one of these funds can receive.\"","Mandel, a former Lyndhurst City Councilman, touted the fund\u2019s credit rating in an email to supporters in early October. The STAR Ohio fund \"just received the highest possible credit rating one of these funds can receive,\" he wrote in the Oct. 5 email.","The STAR Ohio fund did, in fact, receive the highest rating possible, as Mandel\u2019s email claimed. But the rating already had been in place for 16 years. It did not improve under Mandel, as a reasonable person might assume from his email. And while he gets some credit for maintaining the rating, his email overstated the case."]},{"id":"10295.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We are younger than our competitors, and this is entirely because of immigration.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement accurately highlights the role of immigration in maintaining the United States' relatively younger population compared to other countries. The United States benefits from a significant number of immigrants, who tend to be younger and have higher birth rates than native-born Americans. This influx of striving families from around the world helps to replenish and sustain the country's youthfulness. However, it's important to note that the term \"competitors\" is subjective and can vary depending on the context. In this case, the comparison is made to other large economies such as China, Japan, Europe, and Russia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It's not a sexy argument to make to the public, but we are younger than our competitors, and that is entirely because of immigration,\" Obama told a group of business executives. \"And when you look at the problems that China, Japan, Europe, Russia, are all going to have, a lot of it just has to do with their getting old. And we stay young because were constantly being replenished by these striving families from around the world. And we should want that to continue.\"","The United States is considerably younger than key European countries and Japan, but its age structure is largely similar to China and Russia. Brazil and India, which are best described as emerging but still developing competitors, have substantially younger populations.","His main point \u2014 that immigration is driving America\u2019s relative youth \u2014 is largely accurate. The United States is home to more immigrants than any other country, and many of them are younger and reproduce at higher rates than do native-born Americans. Without its immigration levels, the U.S. would look much more like Europe in its age structure.","\"Competitors\" is a loose term, but judging by the countries Obama listed, he\u2019s comparing the United States to other large economies."]},{"id":"4332.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Recent international reports show the United States near the bottom among industrialized nations for k-12 academic achievement.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Recent international reports indicate that the United States ranks near the bottom among industrialized nations in terms of K-12 academic achievement in math. However, it is important to note that the rankings vary depending on the specific measure used and the subject area. While the United States ranks in the bottom third in math, it ranks in the middle in science and in the upper third in reading. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects the ranking in math but does not provide a comprehensive picture of academic achievement across all subjects.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Recent international reports show the United States near the bottom among industrialized nations for k-12 academic achievement,\" Rogers said at the meeting.","So back to Rogers and his claim. The most recent international reports that include developed nations show American students are in the bottom third in math, in the middle in science and in the upper third in reading. The results don\u2019t entirely back up the senator\u2019s claim. They show he\u2019s partially accurate. We rate his claim as Half True.","\u2022 The international rankings for women\u2019s labor force participation vary somewhat depending on the specific measure used, but the general conclusion is the same: The United States used to rank near the top of industrialized nations, but in the past 30 years, many countries have leapfrogged the U.S.","The most recent assessment, however, was done in 2009. That study focused on about 60 nations. We focused on about 30 countries, since the rest are not on the United Nations\u2019 and\/or CIA\u2019s lists of developed nations. In that assessment, American students, on average, indeed ranked near the bottom of about 30 developed nations in math. American students ranked in the middle in science and in the top half in reading. The 2009 report was released in December 2010."]},{"id":"4181.json","label":"true","statement":"President Reagan did it (raised the debt ceiling) 18 times. George W. Bush did it seven times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. President Reagan did raise the debt ceiling 18 times during his presidency, and George W. Bush raised it seven times during his tenure. This information is supported by historical records and has been verified by fact-checking organizations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Here, we are looking at Obama's claim that, \"President Reagan did it 18 times. George W. Bush did it seven times.\"","Nonetheless, Obama is correct that raising the debt ceiling has been an issue repeatedly tackled by Republicans and Democrats alike. President Reagan raised the debt ceiling 18 times and George W. Bush did it seven times. We rate his claim True.","\"Understand \u2013- raising the debt ceiling does not allow Congress to spend more money,\" Obama said. \"It simply gives our country the ability to pay the bills that Congress has already racked up. In the past, raising the debt ceiling was routine. Since the 1950s, Congress has always passed it, and every President has signed it. President Reagan did it 18 times. George W. Bush did it seven times. And we have to do it by next Tuesday, August 2nd, or else we won\u2019t be able to pay all of our bills.\"","More specifically, it lists 18 increases to the debt ceiling between February 1981 and September 1987. In other words, there were 18 under President Ronald Reagan, as Obama said. And there were seven increases between January 2001 and January 2009 -- during George W. Bush's presidency. We should also note that it has been raised three times already under President Obama, on Feb. 17, 2009, Dec. 28, 2009 and Feb. 12, 2010."]},{"id":"9031.json","label":"false","statement":"Most young Americans right now, theyre not covered by health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that \"most young Americans right now, they're not covered by health insurance\" is false. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, only about a quarter of Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 are considered uninsured. While there is still a significant number of young Americans without health insurance, it is incorrect to claim that \"most\" of them are not covered.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama said, \"Most young Americans right now, they\u2019re not covered\" by health insurance. That\u2019s wrong -- only about a quarter of Americans between 18 and 24 and between 25 and 34 are considered uninsured. We rate his claim False.","But we did find one snippet to put to the Truth-O-Meter -- when Obama said that \"most young Americans\" are not covered by health insurance. It came during the meat of Obama\u2019s pitch for young Americans to get covered, and it struck us as wrong.","Obama : \" works great now, and millions of Americans have already gotten health insurance plans. And what we want is for people to know that you can get affordable health care. And most young Americans right now, they\u2019re not covered. And the truth is that they can get coverage all for what it costs to pay your cell phone bill.\"","For answers, we turned to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. We found an age breakdown for Americans who were not covered by health insurance at any time in 2012. (That\u2019s the standard yardstick for determining whether someone is \"uninsured.\"):"]},{"id":"7765.json","label":"true","statement":"Over the last 10 years, Texas created 33 percent of the net new jobs nationwide.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows Texas did create a significant proportion of the net new jobs nationwide over the past 10 years. Multiple sources, including state-by-state job gain estimates and calculations of net job gains nationally by the federal government, support the claim that Texas accounted for approximately 33 percent of the net new jobs created in the country during that period. This indicates the strength of the Texas economy and its job creation record compared to other states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["And an indicator that the \"Texas model\" works, the ad said, is that while the U.S. lost 2.5 million net new jobs over the past five years, Texas created 530,000 net new jobs. Also, the ad said: \"Over the last 10 years, Texas created 33 percent of the net new jobs nationwide.\"","Perry, governor from late 2000 into early 2015, continued to boast about the state's economy on his watch and in May 2013, he drew a True rating for his claim that over the last 10 years, Texas had \"created 33 percent of the net new jobs nationwide.\" Perry made this claim in an ad urging President Barack Obama to consider the Texas economic model. The ad said that while the U.S. lost 2.5 million net new jobs over the past five years, Texas created 530,000 net new jobs.","Perry said: \"Over the last 10 years, Texas created 33 percent of the net new jobs nationwide.\" That conclusion is supported by comparing state-by-state job gain estimates and a separate calculation of net job gains nationally, both by the federal government. This might be an imperfect way to explore this facet, but there also don't appear to be better approaches.","Texas has had a healthy economy compared with most other states. Still, we were curious if one in three of the nation\u2019s net new jobs over the past 10 years was gained in Texas."]},{"id":"35.json","label":"true","statement":"\"You know we can't just pull out now... The truth of the matter is: If we started today, it would take one year, one year to get 160,000 troops physically out of Iraq, logistically.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the logistical challenge of withdrawing a large number of troops from Iraq. It highlights that it would take approximately one year to physically remove 160,000 troops from Iraq due to the complex logistics involved in such an operation. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any context regarding the broader discussion or debate surrounding the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. It solely focuses on the logistical aspect of the process.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"John McCain voted against funding the troops because of . . . a timeline in it to draw down American troops.\"","\u201cUntil this week, they OSHA weren\u2019t even enforcing these guidelines for coronavirus. Still today, OSHA is not specifying which rules employees must follow or how to keep their workers safe and healthy.\u201d","Says McCain once said that on \"the most important issues of our day, I've been totally in agreement and support of President Bush.\"","\"There have been three people tried and convicted by the last administration in military courts. Two are walking the street right now.\""]},{"id":"10663.json","label":"half-true","statement":"From 2013-2015, the richest 14 Americans increased their net wealth by more than $157 billion, yet the Republican budget would not require these Americans to contribute one penny to deficit reduction.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Sanders' claim that the net wealth of the richest 14 Americans increased by over $157 billion between 2013 and 2015. However, it is important to note that the Republican budget proposal does not specifically address the contribution of these wealthy individuals to deficit reduction. While the budget proposal aims to streamline the tax code, the specific impact on the ultra-wealthy and their contribution to deficit reduction remains uncertain. Therefore, the statement accurately presents Senator Sanders' claim but lacks clarity on the specific provisions of the Republican budget regarding the contribution of the wealthiest individuals.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sanders said, \"From 2013-2015, the richest 14 Americans increased their net wealth by more than $157 billion, yet the Republican budget would not require these Americans to contribute one penny to deficit reduction.\"","Sanders, who is an Independent but caucuses with Democrats, tweeteda meme March 23 that said, \"From 2013-2015, the richest 14 Americans increased their net wealth by more than $157 billion, yet the Republican budget would not require these Americans to contribute one penny to deficit reduction.\"","The 14 richest Americans\u2019 net wealth did go up by about $157 billion between 2013 and 2015. The proposed Republican budget does not ask anything specific of the ultra-wealthy. It does not raise taxes, but it says it intends to streamline the tax code. However, these are broad strokes -- not specific legislation. So we don\u2019t know how lawmakers would specifically handle these proposals, and we don\u2019t know how they would impact the ultra-wealthy.","Both the House and the Senate have passed Republican budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2016, and they're working on reaching a final deal. We wondered if the 14 wealthiest Americans really had made $157 billion in just two years. and whether these individuals would contribute to deficit reduction under the budget proposal."]},{"id":"1693.json","label":"false","statement":"Cell phone numbers go public this month.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that cell phone numbers will go public or be released to telemarketing companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has debunked this rumor and clarified that FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers without consent. This misinformation has been circulating for several years, but it has been consistently refuted by credible sources.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That's what state Rep. Ken Legler, R-Pasadena, said this week via his Twitter account. His Monday warning: \"Cell phone numbers go public this month.\"","\"REMINDER..... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.\"","Mitch Katz, a public affairs specialist at the FTC, said this \"rumor has been going around for five years and there have been attempts to (create a cell phone directory) but they've all fallen apart.\"","The FTC also has debunked the incorrect message on its Web site, which states: \"You may have received an e-mail telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database; however, that is not the case. FCC regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers don\u2019t call consumers on their cell phones without their consent.\""]},{"id":"11510.json","label":"true","statement":"Electric car sales in Georgia have dropped dramatically since a $5,000 tax credit was eliminated and a $200 annual registration fee was imposed July 1.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the impact of the elimination of a $5,000 tax credit and the imposition of a $200 annual registration fee on electric car sales in Georgia. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific statement, but it is known that financial incentives, such as tax credits, can significantly influence consumer behavior, including the purchase of electric vehicles. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the removal of the tax credit and the introduction of the registration fee would have a negative impact on electric car sales in Georgia.\nLabel: true","evidence":["By comparison, Kiplinger picked Alaska as true tax haven for retirees. Alaskans pay no state income or state sales taxes. Each permanent Alaska resident receives an annual dividend check from the state\u2019s oil wealth savings account. In 2014, the dividend check was $1,884. Real estate is taxed in Alaska, but homeowners 65 and older, or surviving spouses 60 and older, are exempt from municipal taxes on the first $150,000 of the assessed","The higher income earners, he said, can draw $60,000 from an IRA in a year and not face any state income tax on that money. But a person trying to supplement his or her Social Security by taking a $10,000-a-year job is only sheltered from state income taxes on the first $4,000 of earnings and has to pay on the other $6,000 in wages, Tharpe said.","This exclusion allows a retiree who is 65 year or older to shield from state income taxes up to $65,000 in pension or investment income a year if single, $130,00 a year if married. It helps younger retirees -- ages 62 to 64 -- too. They are exempt from state income tax on as much as $35,000 of most types of retirement income, $4,000 in wages","401(k)s and Other Defined-Contribution Employer Retirement Plans -- Qualifies for retirement-income exemption of up to $35,000 or up to $65,000, depending on age."]},{"id":"8998.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Redskins Training Camp deal generated $40 million in new private investment in the city.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mayor Jones claimed that the Redskins Training Camp deal generated $40 million in new private investment in the city, the fact-checking analysis suggests that this claim may be premature. The $40 million figure is based on projected taxable improvements from the development of the three properties involved in the deal. However, it is important to note that these projections are speculative and the actual private investment may differ. Therefore, the statement is rated as half-true, acknowledging the potential for generating private investment but also highlighting the speculative nature of the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Jones said the three-part development deal that brought the Redskins training camp to Richmond \"generated $40 million in new private investment in the city.\"","\"The plan generated $40 million in new private investment in the city,\" he said in his Jan. 30 State of the City Address.","Jones\u2019 claim that the plan has generated $40 million in private investment \"is based on taxable improvements\" from the development of the three properties, according to Tammy Hawley, the mayor\u2019s press secretary.","No doubt, the three projects have the potential to generate $40 million in private investment. But the mayor is counting the checks before they\u2019ve been written. We rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"9393.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton defended Syrias President Assad as a possible reformer at the start of that countrys civil war.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Fox's Chris Wallace that Hillary Clinton defended Syria's President Assad as a possible reformer at the start of the country's civil war. However, it's important to note that the veracity of this claim has been evaluated by PunditFact, which rated it as \"Half True.\" While Clinton did express some optimism about Assad's potential for reform early on, she later condemned his actions and called for his removal from power. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context to fully capture Clinton's evolving stance on Assad during the civil war.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Fox's Chris Wallace said Hillary Clinton \"defended Syria\u2019s President Assad as a possible reformer at the start of that country\u2019s civil war.\" !Fox's Chris Wallace said Hillary Clinton \"defended Syria\u2019s President Assad as a possible reformer at the start of that country\u2019s civil war.\"","Fox's Chris Wallace said Hillary Clinton \"defended Syria\u2019s President Assad as a possible reformer at the start of that country\u2019s civil war.\"","Criticizing parts of Clinton\u2019s tenure as secretary of state, Wallace said Clinton \"defended Syria\u2019s President Assad as a possible reformer at the start of that country\u2019s civil war.\"","PunditFact looked at a similar claim in 2014 when Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace said Clinton had \"defended Syria\u2019s President Assad as a possible reformer at the start of that country\u2019s civil war.\" We rated that claim Half True."]},{"id":"4519.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Postal Services financial losses result from a 2006 law that drains $5 billion a year from post office revenue, while the Postal Service is forced to overpay billions more into federal accounts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the postal unions' ad and has been rated as Half True by PolitiFact. The 2006 law did require payments of approximately $5 billion per year from the Postal Service, which significantly impacted its financial situation. However, the extent to which these additional overpayments contributed to the Postal Service's financial losses is subject to debate. It's important to note that the financial challenges faced by the Postal Service are not solely attributed to this law, as declining first-class mail volume is also a significant factor. Therefore, while the statement captures an important aspect, it should be understood that other factors contribute to the Postal Service's financial losses as well.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Postal Service\u2019s financial losses result from \"a 2006 law that drains $5 billion a year from post office revenue, while the Postal Service is forced to overpay billions more into federal accounts.\"","In 2011, PolitiFact rated as Half True a claim that the 2006 law \"drains $5 billion a year from post office revenue, while the Postal Service is forced to overpay billions more into federal accounts.\" The law required payments of approximately that amount, and the payments greatly hurt the post office's bottom line. However, those additional overpayments were also subject to debate and the law was hardly the only challenge faced by the service.","\"The Postal Service is critical to our economy \u2013 delivering mail, medicine and packages,\" the ad says. \"Yet they\u2019re closing thousands of offices, slashing service, and want to lay off over 100,000 workers. The Postal Service is reporting financial losses but not for reasons you might think. The problem: a burden no other agency or company bears, a 2006 law that drains $5 billion a year from post office revenue, while the Postal Service is forced to overpay billions more into federal accounts. Congress created this problem, and Congress can fix it.\"","The postal unions' ad blames financial problems on \"a 2006 law that drains $5 billion a year from post office revenue, while the Postal Service is forced to overpay billions more into federal accounts.\" The ad is right that the law did require payments of approximately that amount and that those payments have had a significant effect on the post office's bottom line. The additional overpayments are subject to debate. Even so, the law is hardly the only challenge the post office faces; it's also facing continuing declines in first-class mail. So we rate the ad's claim Half True."]},{"id":"9294.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A 2013 state law would allow the operator of an iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin to fill in pristine streams and ponds with mine waste.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions of the 2013 state law regarding the Gogebic Taconite iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin. The law does allow for the filling in of streams and ponds at the mining site with mine waste. However, it is important to note that the law also requires the company to create comparable streams and ponds in another location as a form of mitigation. This additional context is crucial to understanding the full impact of the law on the environment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Debate over the proposed Gogebic Taconite iron ore mine in far northern Wisconsin has quieted since the 2013 passage of a state law relaxing environmental protections for iron mining.","The state law aimed at paving the way for the Gogebic mine relaxed environmental regulations for iron mining, and sped up the permit process, steps aimed at giving the company more certainty. Kaufman says that law also lets the company \"fill in pristine streams and ponds with mine waste.\"","Kaufman\u2019s correct that the new mining law allows streams and ponds to be filled in at the mining site. But he left out an important point -- that before that takes place the company and state would have to strike a deal for comparable streams and ponds to be created elsewhere.","When asked for backup, Kaufman said portions of the law, Section 295, mandate that the state approve the filling of ponds and streams, providing the company re-creates -- the legal term is mitigates -- the filled-in area in another location."]},{"id":"979.json","label":"true","statement":"\"2008 was the deadliest year of the war (in Afghanistan) for American forces.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the Pentagon statistics, 2008 was indeed the deadliest year of the war in Afghanistan for American forces, with a total of 155 U.S. military deaths. This information aligns with President Obama's statement when he announced the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan, highlighting the increasing attacks against U.S. troops and the rising casualties. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It's been more than seven years since the Taliban was removed from power, yet war rages on, and insurgents control parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan,\" Obama said, announcing the deployment of 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan. \"Attacks against our troops, our NATO allies, and the Afghan government have risen steadily. And most painfully, 2008 was the deadliest year of the war for American forces.\"","In the first two months of 2009, there were 30 U.S. military deaths, putting this year on pace to be the deadliest yet.","We wondered if that was true and checked the latest Pentagon statistics . Indeed, U.S. military deaths numbered 155 in 2008, which is the highest since the war began in 2001.","The number of U.S. deaths has increased almost every year, with two exceptions. The year-to-year fatality count, from 2001 to 2008, is: 11, 48, 45, 52, 98, 98, 117, 155."]},{"id":"1702.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida teachers are \"already paid $5,000 below the national average.\"","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including the National Education Association and the National Center for Education Statistics, support the claim that Florida teachers are paid below the national average. The most recent data from the NEA shows that in the 2007-2008 school year, the average teacher salary in Florida was slightly more than $5,000 below the national average. Additionally, historical data suggests that Florida has consistently paid teachers less than the national average for many years. Therefore, the statement that Florida teachers are \"already paid $5,000 below the national average\" is supported by evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Still, Gelber said \"paid,\" which to most people means just salary and there's enough for us to assess his claim that Florida teachers are paid $5,000 below the national average. The most recent data from the National Education Association, the source he cited, show that his estimate was actually on the low side and that the disparity is greater that he claimed. But a survey from the American Federation of Teachers suggests the difference isn't as great as he claimed. Still, both surveys support his underlying point that Florida teachers lag behind the national average. So we find his claim Mostly True.","We contacted Gelber's campaign to ask about the source of his claim. A spokesman sent us a copy of the 2008 teacher compensation survey from the National Education Association, a teachers union. The report shows that in the 2007-2008 school year, the average teacher salary in Florida was slightly more than $5,000 below the national average.","Florida has paid teachers less than the national average for many years pre-dating Scott\u2019s tenure. A chart from the federal National Center for Education Statistics based on NEA data shows a similar pay gap between Florida and the national average in 2009-10 when Charlie Crist was governor. The most recent year that shows Florida teacher pay was anywhere close to the national average was in 1969-70.","Dan Gelber, a Democratic candidate for Florida attorney general and an opponent of the bill, wrote in a letter to Crist posted on his campaign blog that, \"the problem with the bill is it assumes the best way to weed out bad teachers is to assume all teachers are bad. While other states are addressing teaching tenure by simply modifying the number of years it takes to obtain tenure, Florida would take the drastic step of eliminating tenure and forcing teachers to work on year-to-year contracts. For a profession that, in our state, is already paid $5,000 below the national average, this will be demoralizing in the extreme.\""]},{"id":"6014.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Amanda Fritz manages less than 5 percent of city operations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows Mary Nolan claiming that Amanda Fritz manages less than 5 percent of city operations during her time as a council member. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as true. The evidence indicates that Fritz herself acknowledged this percentage and it aligns with the assessment of budgets and staffing. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The numbers back Nolan up; if you look at budgets or staffing, Fritz manages less than 5 percent of city operations. We rate this claim True.","Back then, Mary Nolan closed up the debate by going after Fritz one last time with a pretty damning summation of her four years as a council member: \"By her own count, Amanda has initiated only 3 percent of City Council action items while she's been there. She manages less than 5 percent of city operations -- whether you measure it by number of employees or by operating budget.\"","Both are interesting points. For now, we\u2019re looking at how much of the city Fritz really manages. Five percent seemed low to us -- even with five council members divvying up the work.","Says \"Amanda Fritz publicly claimed to be endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, both on her website and in the voter\u2019s guide.\""]},{"id":"10390.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The streetcar project planned by Mayor Tom Barrett would be a 1900s style trolley.","reason":"Reason: While opponents of the streetcar project have referred to it as a \"1900s-style trolley,\" this statement is only partially true. While the streetcars will run on fixed routes on steel rails like the city's old streetcar system, they are modern vehicles and not intended to be purely nostalgic. The project is designed as a transportation system to promote economic development, rather than replicating a historical trolley system. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context to accurately describe the nature and purpose of the planned streetcar project.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Mayor Barrett, if you have $120 mil to pay for a 1900's style trolley, you certainly don't need state tax $ for a #Bucks arena,\" Steineke, a Kaukauna Republican, said in a tweet.","A key opponent of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett\u2019s plan for a $123.9 million downtown streetcar is criticizing the project by saying it would hurt Milwaukee Public Schools.","Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett\u2019s plan to move ahead with a $123.9 million downtown streetcar project -- which is approaching an important vote at the Common Council -- has drawn strong reactions from opponents who want to force a citywide vote.","When state Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said the streetcar would be a \"1900s-style trolley,\" our rating was Half True. The cars will run on fixed routes on steel rails like the city\u2019s old streetcar system. But they will be modern and are envisioned as a transportation system spurring economic development, not as some kind of nostalgic system."]},{"id":"3237.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Americans, in the last 30 years, have more than doubled the amount of money we are spending per child (on education) and the results have gotten worse, not better.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the average cost of college tuition has more than doubled in the last 30 years. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide evidence or directly address the claim about student loan debt being the highest it has ever been. Additionally, the statement about the money spent per child on education and the declining results is not supported by the provided evidence. It is crucial to consider various factors and indicators when assessing the effectiveness of education spending, rather than solely focusing on the amount spent per child.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Student loan debt is the highest it\u2019s ever been. And the average cost of college tuition has more than doubled in the last 30 years.","\"We have been on a disastrous course for a long time. The money supply has doubled in the last year, our debt is unsustainable, the value of the dollar is going to continue its drop, and those Americans who understand where we are headed feel helpless and held hostage by foolish policymakers in Washington,\" wrote Paul, a Texas Republican who ran for president in 2008.","We were intrigued by his claim that the \"money supply has doubled in the last year,\" a statement Paul has made before in editorials and speeches on the House floor.","To some, income or consumption alone isn\u2019t enough to define poverty. The University of Oxford\u2019s multidimensional poverty index considers a host of other indicators such as nutrition, child mortality, education, and access to electricity and water."]},{"id":"3695.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Polls show that Floridians dont want to repeal the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that some Floridians do not want to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the evidence suggests that a plurality of Floridians actually support repealing the health care law. Recent reputable polls from Quinnipiac University indicate that, although narrowly, a plurality of Floridians favor repealing the ACA. Therefore, the claim that polls show Floridians don't want to repeal the ACA is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But in this case, we're addressing Gibbons' claim specifically about Florida. He said: \"Polls show: Floridians don't want to repeal the Affordable Care Act.\" On a completely literal hearing of his comments, we guess Gibbons is right -- some Floridians do not want a repeal. But really, the question is, where do most Floridians stand?","We found two reputable recent polls from Quinnipiac University that both found -- though narrowly -- a plurality of Floridians support a repeal of the health care law. We rate this claim Barely True.","On the national level, the polls asking about repeal are slightly different. A Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll from April 7-12, 2011, found that 52 percent of Americans want to expand the law or keep it as is, 35 percent want to repeal the law and replace it with a GOP alternative or repeal it altogether, and 14 percent are unsure.","Gov. Rick Scott's promise to fight for repeal of the Affordable Care Act has hit a roadblock after the Senate failed to pass any legislation to repeal the law or replace it."]},{"id":"5631.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Congressman Bill Pascrell voted to remove the public option from the Affordable Health Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly shows that Congressman Bill Pascrell did not vote to remove the public option from the Affordable Health Care Act. In fact, he voted in favor of the bill that included the public option. However, it is important to note that the final version of the law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, did not include a public plan option. Pascrell has consistently expressed support for the public option, as stated in his opinion piece and confirmed by his spokesperson. Therefore, the statement that Pascrell voted to remove the public option is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a 220-215 vote on Nov. 7, 2009, the House narrowly approved the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which included a public health insurance option. Pascrell and Rothman both voted for the bill.","So, Pascrell did not vote \"to remove the public option.\" Pascrell voted for a House bill that included the public option, but a Senate health care overhaul bill -- which became the final law -- did not include it.","The following month, the Senate approved its own health care reform bill, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, in a 60-39 vote. That legislation did not include a public plan option.","In an August 2009 opinion piece, Pascrell wrote, \"Health care reform without the public health insurance option would be a hollow one.\" An August 2010 article on quoted a Pascrell spokesman as saying the congressman \"remains a supporter of the public option.\""]},{"id":"5047.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Enacting the Right-to-Carry Act would amount to expanding the rights of sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. David Cicilline that enacting the Right-to-Carry Act would expand the rights of \"sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers\" to carry concealed weapons across state lines. However, it's important to note that this claim is a subjective interpretation of the potential consequences of the proposed legislation. The accuracy of this claim depends on the specific provisions and safeguards included in the Right-to-Carry Act. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the validity of this claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Enacting the Right-to-Carry Act would amount to \"expanding the rights of sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.\u2019\u2019","Rep. David Cicilline says the Right-to-Carry Act would expand rights of \"sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.\"","We focused on the second part of the statement: \"expanding the rights of sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.\u2019\u2019","( - Rep. David Cicilline says the Right-to-Carry Act would expand rights of \"sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.\"&url=)"]},{"id":"1375.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I haven't missed a vote since 1993.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to Congressional Quarterly and The Washington Post, Senator Grassley has not missed a recorded vote since July 14, 1993. This information is supported by his flawless voting record and is consistent with his own statements. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Grassley said he hadn't missed a vote since 1993, which is certainly correct for every recorded vote. Grassley has every right to brag. We give him a True.","\"I'm going to have tough competition,\" he said of his three opponents. \"Even though there's suggestions at the national level that this could be a very Republican year, I can't assume that it's going to be a very Republican year. And I'm going to have to campaign very, very hard. ... For instance, I haven't missed a vote since 1993. I hope I don't have to miss any votes this year because of a campaign.\"","First, we turned to Congressional Quarterly , a publication that annually studies lawmakers' voting records. According to CQ 's Web site, Grassley has had a flawless voting record since 1993. The Washington Post also compiles similar information, and we found that Grassley hasn't been absent for a vote since he missed four votes on July 14, 1993. (Those votes pertained to a bill that would allow federal employees to participate in the political process so long as it was done outside of work.)","\"Bc of potential blizzard I've come to office to sleep,\" he Tweeted the night of the 18th. \"Vote at 720am vote Sat. Hv not missed vote 7\/93. 5700 votes consecutive.\""]},{"id":"348.json","label":"true","statement":"Hillary Clinton \"starts off with 47 percent of the country against her.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the USA Today\/Gallup Poll, which indicates that Hillary Clinton's unfavorable rating averaged at 47 percent based on 21 polls. While it's important to note that not all polls consistently rate her unfavorables at 47 percent, the USA Today\/Gallup Poll provides a solid and reliable figure. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I think Sen. Clinton starts off with 47 percent of the country against her. That's a hard place to start if you want to win the election,\" he said.","Not every poll rates her unfavorables consistently as high as 47 percent, and poll numbers are always a little bit squishy. But, the USA Today \/Gallup Poll has polled often on Clinton's unfavorables, and the average of 21 polls puts her negatives at 47 percent. We find that to be about as solid a poll figure as you can have, so we find Obama's statement True.","We looked at the times the USA Today \/Gallup Poll asked voters whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Hillary Clinton, going back to January 2007. Her negative percentage fluctuated between 40 and 52, but the average of 21 polls came out to 47.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d"]},{"id":"2569.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama suggests that groups receiving foreign money are directly using those funds to influence American elections. While it is true that some groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, receive money from foreign corporations, it is important to note that the evidence does not conclusively prove that this foreign money is directly funding attack ads or being used to influence elections. The Chamber of Commerce has denied using foreign funds for political purposes, and there is no concrete evidence provided by President Obama or other Democrats to support the claim that foreign money is being directly used to influence American elections. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between foreign money and election influence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Just this week, we learned that one of the largest groups paying for these ads regularly takes in money from foreign corporations. So groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections. And they won't tell you where the money (for) their ads comes from.\"","We have looked previously at more general Obama administration claims about foreign money financing attack ads against Democrats. We will take a look at Will's retort about the AFL-CIO in a separate fact-check. But here, we will examine Obama's claim about the Chamber, that, \"Groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections.\"","President Obama and other Democrats may have a legitimate concern about disclosure. The campaign finance experts we spoke with said there's no way to know for sure if the Chamber of Commerce is keeping foreign money it receives separate from the pot of money used to fund attack ads -- other than the Chamber's assurances that it does. And the president is technically correct when he says the Chamber of Commerce \"takes in money from foreign corporations ... So groups that receive foreign money are spending huge sums to influence American elections.\" But we think that statement suggests foreign money is, for sure, being used to directly fund the attack ads. The Chamber said it isn't. And Obama and other Democrats have offered no evidence so far that it has. And so we rule his statement Half True.","With independent groups outspending the actual campaigns in some midterm elections -- the Chamber has vowed to spend more than $50 million nationwide -- it's a theme that has been oft-repeated by Democratic party leaders lately. A video released by the Democratic National Committee states that \"it appears they are even taking secret foreign money to influence our elections.\""]},{"id":"5345.json","label":"half-true","statement":"[A]t his current rate, President Obama will have added more debt to the United State of America by the end of his first term than each of the previous 43 presidents -- combined!","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in asserting that President Obama added a significant amount of debt during his first term. However, the claim that he added more debt than all the previous 43 presidents combined is misleading. While President Obama did contribute to the national debt, it is important to consider the context and factors that led to the increase in debt, such as the financial crisis and subsequent economic recession. Comparing debt accumulation across different presidential terms requires a comprehensive analysis of economic conditions and policy decisions. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of President Obama's contribution to the national debt in comparison to previous presidents.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["By the end of his first term, President Obama will have added as much debt as all the prior 43 presidents combined.","Says President Barack Obama \"added\" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined.","\"I mean, this president is on track to have added so much debt to this country, that by the end of his first term, he will have added as much debt as all the prior presidents of this country combined. Think of that. I don\u2019t want to do what he\u2019s done, but I do believe we need to bring the corporate tax rate down, close special deals and loopholes to help finance that and encourage investment and growth by virtue of doing so.\"","Above pictures of Presidents George Washington and George W. Bush, one side of the graphic reads \"Debt Added By The Previous 43 U.S. PRESIDENTS COMBINED --- 1789 through 2008.\" Beneath the presidents\u2019 photos is \"$6.3 TRILLION DOLLARS.\""]},{"id":"2837.json","label":"false","statement":"Its gotten to a point where the average federal worker makes twice as much as the average private sector worker.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the average total compensation (including salary and benefits) for federal workers may be higher than that of private sector workers, it is incorrect to claim that the average federal worker makes twice as much as the average private sector worker in terms of salary alone. The numbers used by Rand Paul in his statement refer to the total compensation package, not just salary. When comparing salaries alone, federal workers do not earn twice as much as their private sector counterparts. Therefore, the statement is misleading and false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Is the average federal worker paid $120,000, twice the private sector rate? According to our research, not exactly. !Is the average federal worker paid $120,000, twice the private sector rate? According to our research, not exactly.","Rand Paul, echoing an argument made by many Republican candidates during the 2010 campaign, said on the Nov. 7, 2010, edition of ABC's This Week with Christiane Amanpour that \"the average federal employee makes $120,000 a year. The average private employee makes $60,000 a year.\"","The main problem with Paul's statement is that his numbers are roughly correct for the total of salary and benefits, but not for salary alone. And while it's entirely fair to discuss whether federal workers' entire compensation package is too big, we think most viewers would be misled by Paul into thinking that the average federal worker earns a salary of $120,000. They don't.","The numbers Paul uses are accurate, but most people hearing them would assume they referred only to salary. While critics may still be justified in arguing that federal workers are unfairly insulated from the economic trends that private-sector workers have had to weather, federal workers are not paid twice as much as their private-sector equivalents. So we rated Paul's statement False."]},{"id":"4589.json","label":"false","statement":"These 15 political appointees (on the IPAB) will make all the major health care decisions for over 300 million Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and does not align with the evidence provided. The evidence discusses the power and authority of the State Board of Election Commissioners, not the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) mentioned in the statement. The IPAB was a provision in the Affordable Care Act that aimed to control Medicare costs, but it was never fully implemented and has since been repealed. Therefore, the claim that 15 political appointees on the IPAB would make major healthcare decisions for over 300 million Americans is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The bill provides greater power for the existing State Board of Election Commissioners, which is largely filled by political appointees, to investigate violations of election laws and \"institute corrective actions.\" The law permits the board to probe \"certification of election results, administration of an election, election processes, (and) conduct of an election,\" and some critics argue that this language could enable the board to overturn elections. But that remedy is not spelled out in the law, so that interpretation is uncertain.","\u201cKatie Hobbs voted for allowing a baby who survives an abortion \u2014 that the hospital would refuse medical care and allow the baby to die on a cold metal tray.\u201d","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","The U.S. currently has 200 million solar panels, according to analysts at the private energy consulting firm Rhodium Group, who based that number on the average output of a typical panel. To reach Biden\u2019s target of 950 million solar panels by 2030 would require a nearly fivefold increase in the next eight years."]},{"id":"9169.json","label":"true","statement":"Before our last three presidents, you have to go back to the 1800s, early 1800s to find three presidents in a row being consecutively re-elected.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical fact that before Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama, the last instance of three consecutive presidents being re-elected occurred in the early 1800s with Presidents Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. This historical pattern highlights the rarity of such consecutive re-elections and underscores the significance of this occurrence in recent times.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Scarborough said that before \"our last three presidents, you have to go back to the 1800s, early 1800s to find three presidents in a row being consecutively re-elected.\"","During a discussion about the inability of recent American presidents to accomplish major political achievements, Scarborough said that before \"our last three presidents, you have to go back to the 1800s, early 1800s, to find three presidents in a row being consecutively re-elected.\"","He\u2019s right. The last -- and only -- presidents before Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama to be re-elected back-to-back were Jefferson, Madison and Monroe in the early 1800s.","!Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton all won re-election. Just how rare is that to happen three times in a row? (Getty Images) !Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton all won re-election. Just how rare is that to happen three times in a row? (Getty Images)"]},{"id":"5279.json","label":"true","statement":"Today, for the first time in fifteen years, Master Locks unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including statements made by the CEO of Master Lock and President Obama himself. According to these sources, the unionized plant in Milwaukee, which had experienced significant job reductions due to outsourcing and competition, is now running at full capacity. This suggests a positive turnaround for the plant after a period of decline. \nLabel: true","evidence":["He added: \"A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. Today, for the first time in 15 years, Master Lock\u2019s unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity.\"","\u2022 \"We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back. What\u2019s happening in Detroit can happen in other industries. It can happen in Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Raleigh. We can\u2019t bring every job back that\u2019s left our shore. But right now, it\u2019s getting more expensive to do business in places like China. Meanwhile, America is more productive. A few weeks ago, the CEO of Master Lock told me that it now makes business sense for him to bring jobs back home. Today, for the first time in 15 years, Master Lock\u2019s unionized plant in Milwaukee is running at full capacity. So we have a huge opportunity, at this moment, to bring manufacturing back. But we have to seize it. Tonight, my message to business leaders is simple: Ask yourselves what you can do to bring jobs back to your country, and your country will do everything we can to help you succeed.\" -- State of the Union address, Jan. 24, 2012","Fifteen years ago, Master Lock had about 1,154 workers at its Milwaukee plant, 2600 N. 32nd Street, a sprawling facility that\u2019s been described as the size of seven football fields. That year, Master Lock announced that it would begin importing locks from China, a move that began a string of large job reductions in Milwaukee.","Two years later, the company announced that it would open a lock assembly factory in Nogales, Mexico. Because of the outsourcing and competition from those cheaper locks made elsewhere, employment in the Milwaukee plant fell to about 270 employees in 2003, the company said."]},{"id":"10738.json","label":"false","statement":"ISIS camp a few miles from Texas, Mexican authorities confirm.","reason":"Reason: The claim that there is an ISIS camp a few miles from Texas, confirmed by Mexican authorities, is not supported by credible evidence. The source cited, Judicial Watch, relies on anonymous sources and does not provide verifiable evidence to support their claim. Additionally, experts in border security and immigration, such as Victor Manjarrez, have expressed skepticism about the accuracy of the claim. Without concrete evidence or confirmation from reliable sources, the statement remains unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a six-paragraph web post, \" ISIS Camp a Few Miles from Texas, Mexican Authorities Confirm,\" Judicial Watch said that according to anonymous sources including a Mexican Army \"field grade officer and Mexican Federal Police inspector,\" ISIS is operating a camp around eight miles from the U.S. border in an area known as Anapra just west of Ciudad Ju\u00e1rez, which adjoins El Paso. Its April 14, 2015 post quoted the \"same knowledgeable sources\" confirming another ISIS cell to the west of Ciudad Ju\u00e1rez, targeting the New Mexico towns of Columbus and Deming.","A conservative watchdog group just declared terrorists active in Syria and Iraq and other parts of the Middle East also have a camp in Mexico--just a few miles from El Paso.","Also in El Paso, Victor Manjarrez, a former longtime U.S. Border Patrol official and associate director of the National Center for Border Security & Immigration at the University of Texas at El Paso, told us he didn\u2019t find the Judicial Watch item believable -- in part because the described location of the camp is a suburb of Ciudad Ju\u00e1rez that\u2019s modern by Mexican standards. Generally, Manjarrez said by phone, the group\u2019s statement is \"really silly.\"","A federal complaint indicated Michael Todd Wolfe of Austin may have sought to be those things. But the complaint didn\u2019t confirm he\u2019d become a terrorist or ISIS member."]},{"id":"5629.json","label":"false","statement":"New federal projections estimate that the health care overhaul will cost $1.76 trillion over 10 years -- well above the $940 billion Democrats originally claimed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The cost projections for the health care overhaul have not increased to $1.76 trillion over 10 years. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates have actually revised the cost projections downward from the initial $940 billion to $768 billion. The claim made by Price, a Republican, misrepresents the CBO's findings and uses numbers that are not comparable, leading to an incorrect assertion. \nLabel: false","evidence":["Price\u2019s claim that the health care overhaul \"will cost $1.76 trillion over 10 years -- well above the $940 billion Democrats originally claimed\" uses numbers that are not comparable to make an incorrect assertion.","\"The new CBO projection estimates that the law will cost $1.76 trillion over 10 years -- well above the $940 billion Democrats originally claimed,\" said Price, a Republican.","It found that these net cost projections actually declined. The CBO\u2019s 2010 estimate totaled $784 billion. The 2012 report revised it downward to $768 billion.","This jump is far less than what Price\u2019s numbers suggest. If the CBO\u2019s estimate had truly changed to $1.76 trillion as his news release said, the plan\u2019s costs would have nearly doubled."]},{"id":"2806.json","label":"false","statement":"Social Security is indeed a Ponzi scheme.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme is false. A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation where returns for earlier investors are generated from the investments of later investors, without any legitimate underlying business or profit-making activity. Social Security, on the other hand, is a government-run social insurance program that is funded through payroll taxes and provides benefits to retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors of deceased workers. It is not based on fraudulent practices and operates under the oversight and accountability of Congress. While there may be legitimate concerns about the long-term sustainability and financial challenges of Social Security, labeling it as a Ponzi scheme is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Texas Gov. Rick Perry, stumping for president, has revived his description of Social Security as a Ponzi scheme, a claim we rated False last year after concluding Social Security is obligated to pay benefits, unlike shysters who run Ponzi schemes. Also, the way Social Security operates isn\u2019t shrouded in deceit and it\u2019s accountable to Congress and the American people. A Ponzi scheme is a crime.","Earlier this year in Texas, we rated False a statement by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann that Social Security is out of money, though our article also confirmed that this year's payroll taxes aren't expected to cover checks being sent out by Social Security. The program also covers its payments by tapping investments in the Social Security trust fund.","PolitiFact Rhode Island later rated False Republican U.S. House candidate John Loughlin's statement that \"Social Security is a Ponzi scheme.\" Its analysis zeroed in on the lack of an element of deceit to how the 75-year-old Social Security program takes in money and pays it out.","Third, Zuckoff wrote, \"Social Security is morally the polar opposite of a Ponzi scheme... At the height of the Great Depression, our society (see \"Social\") resolved to create a safety net (see \"Security\") in the form of a social insurance policy that would pay modest benefits to retirees, the disabled and the survivors of deceased workers. By design, that means a certain amount of wealth transfer, with richer workers subsidizing poorer ones.That might rankle, but it's not fraud... None of this is to suggest that Social Security is a perfect system or that there aren't sizeable problems facing the incoming administration and Congress. But it's not a Ponzi scheme. And Ponzi himself, who died in a hospital charity ward with only enough money for his burial, would never have recognized it as his own.\""]},{"id":"4915.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When the country was founded, Congress had exactly the same attitude about the sanctity of Christmas celebrations that a 7-Eleven does today: Yeah, were open.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that when the country was founded, Congress had the same attitude towards the sanctity of Christmas celebrations as a 7-Eleven does today. This claim is based on a misinterpretation of historical facts. While there were instances where Congress met on Christmas Day during the early years of the United States, it was not a regular occurrence, and there were exceptions to this practice. The claim that Congress met virtually every Christmas from 1789 to 1856 is false. Therefore, the analogy drawn between Congress and a 7-Eleven being open on Christmas is not supported by historical evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"When the country was founded, Congress had exactly the same attitude about the sanctity of Christmas celebrations that a 7-Eleven does today: 'Yeah, we're open.'\"","\"That's right,\" Steward added. \"When the country was founded, Congress had exactly the same attitude about the sanctity of Christmas celebrations that a 7-Eleven does today. 'Yeah. We're open.'\"","\"When the country was founded, Congress had exactly the same attitude about the sanctity of Christmas celebrations that a 7-Eleven does today: 'Yeah, we're open.'\" (Pants on Fire) Jon Stewart, ridiculing Fox News' coverage last year of the \"War on Christmas,\" repeated a claim by the History channel that Congress met nearly every Christmas Day from 1789 to 1856. The ACLU made the same claim, based on a magazine article. But daily records showed the complete opposite, with just one exception each for the House and Senate. So the assertion that Congress met virtually every Christmas during that period is completely false. The idea that members would do so when there's a 1 in 7 chance that Dec. 25 would fall on a Sunday made this idea ridiculous.","Then he cut to a video clip from a documentary from the History channel cable network that stated: \"On Dec. 25, 1789, the United States Congress sat in session and continued to stay open on Christmas Day for most of the next 67 years.\""]},{"id":"947.json","label":"false","statement":"The omnibus bill has only $3.8 billion in earmarks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While some news outlets have cited Democratic estimates that there are $3.8 billion in earmarks in the omnibus bill, independent groups such as Taxpayers for Common Sense have reported a higher number of $7.7 billion in earmarks. Therefore, the claim that the omnibus bill has only $3.8 billion in earmarks is not supported by all sources and is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"According to Congress, these are earmarks. So to say there are $3.8 billion in earmarks (in the Omnibus) is misleading at best,\" Ellis said.","Many news outlets have cited Democratic estimates that there are only $3.8 billion in earmarks in the $410 billion bill, which is known as the Omnibus because it is the product of nine bills that failed to pass last fall. But Taxpayers for Common Sense, an independent group that tracks federal spending, says the number is $7.7 billion.","\"Congress shoveled $700 billion into the Troubled Assets Relief Program, $325 billion of which has been spent without purchasing any toxic assets.\"","Other Republicans have made similar claims. \"There are nine appropriations bills that Democrats are going to wrap together that are $30 billion over budget in a bill that contains 9,000 earmarks. This is absolutely crazy,\" Rep. John Boehner, the House Majority Leader, said in a Web video ."]},{"id":"13004.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Californias Prop 60, which would requirecondom usein adult films, would put workers in the adult film industry at riskfor lawsuits and harassment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns raised by opponents of California's Prop 60. They argue that the condom requirement in adult films would expose workers in the industry to lawsuits and harassment. However, it's important to note that the context is crucial here. The risk of lawsuits and harassment would primarily apply to workers who have a financial stake in the content, such as performers and producers. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from providing more specific information about the subset of workers who would be most affected.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["California\u2019s Prop 60, which would require condom use in adult films, would put \"workers in the adult film industry at risk for lawsuits and harassment.\"","The No on 60 campaign opposes California's proposed condom requirement in adult films. Opponents of Prop 60 include Californians Against Worker Harassment which was founded by the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry.","Opponents of California's Prop 60, requiring condoms in pornography, say the measure would expose adult film workers to lawsuits. They have a point. But they left out the key context that only workers with a financial stake in the content would be liable. We rated the claim Half True.","PolitiFact California has fact-checked claims about many of the state\u2019s most controversial ballot measures, from Prop 64\u2019s effort to legalize marijuana to Prop 62\u2019s proposal to abolish the death penalty to Prop 60\u2019s condom requirement in adult films."]},{"id":"1398.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Kay Bailey Hutchison voted for sanctuary cities.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Kay Bailey Hutchison voted for sanctuary cities. In fact, the evidence suggests that Governor Rick Perry accused Senator Hutchison of supporting sanctuary cities during a GOP primary debate, but there is no conclusive evidence to verify this claim. The fourth piece of evidence indicates that Hutchison's vote against a specific amendment was not in favor of sanctuary cities. Therefore, the statement that Hutchison voted for sanctuary cities is not substantiated by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When the candidates faced off on immigration in the GOP primary debate Thursday night, Gov. Rick Perry accused Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of supporting sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants.","Says Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison \"took 154 private flights all funded by taxpayers\" though \"commercial flights were readily available at a fraction of the cost.\"","\"Kay Bailey Hutchison was elected state treasurer, succeeding Ann Richards. Democrats then abolished the position ... Hutchison later became a U.S. senator.\"","Coburn's amendment would have reaffirmed established border and immigration policies. From all evidence, there\u2019s no reasonable way to conclude that Hutchison\u2019s vote against the amendment was a vote in favor of sanctuary cities."]},{"id":"498.json","label":"true","statement":"McCain \"hired some of the biggest lobbyists in Washington to run his campaign.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and has been fact-checked to be true. Multiple sources, including statements from Barack Obama and fact-checking organizations, confirm that John McCain did hire prominent lobbyists to run his campaign. This contradicted his previous stance on the issue, where he proposed a bill to ban candidates from paying registered lobbyists due to the perceived conflict of interest. Therefore, the claim that McCain hired influential lobbyists to manage his campaign is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Next, we checked the claim that McCain \"hired some of the biggest lobbyists in Washington to run his campaign\" and concluded that he did.","At a rally in Tampa on May 21, 2008, Obama said that despite 10 years ago proposing a bill that would have banned lobbyists from being paid by a campaign, McCain \"hired some of the biggest lobbyists in Washington to run his campaign.\"","(We checked the statement about McCain hiring \"some of the biggest lobbyists in Washington to run his campaign\" and ruled it True. Also, we ruled it True that McCain's top lobbyist did have \"the nerve to say that the American people won't care about this.\")","\"Ten years ago, John McCain offered a bill that said he would ban a candidate from paying registered lobbyists,\" Obama said. \"He did this because he said that having lobbyists on your campaign was a conflict of interest. This is what he said 10 years ago. Well, I'll tell you John McCain then would be pretty disappointed with John McCain now, because he hired some of the biggest lobbyists in Washington to run his campaign. And when he was called on it, his top lobbyist had the nerve to say that the American people won't care about this.\""]},{"id":"11810.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When terrorists killed more than 250 Americans in Lebanon under Ronald Reagan, the Democrats didnt make that a partisan issue.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Democrats did not make the terrorist attack in Lebanon a highly partisan issue, it is not entirely accurate to claim that they did not make it a partisan issue at all. During the 1984 presidential campaign, Walter Mondale, the Democratic candidate, and some congressional Democrats criticized President Reagan's handling of the situation in Lebanon. However, it is worth noting that the level of partisan scrutiny and investigation surrounding the attack in Lebanon was significantly less compared to the multiple inquiries conducted by the Republican-held House regarding the Benghazi attack in 2012. So, while Democrats did express some criticism, the overall response was not as politically charged as subsequent events.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton said that when terrorists killed more than 250 Americans in Lebanon under Ronald Reagan, \"the Democrats didn\u2019t make that a partisan issue.\"","\"When Ronald Reagan was president in 1983, our Marine barracks, our embassy were attacked in Beirut,\" she said at the Jan. 25 event in Iowa. \"More than 250 Americans were killed. The Democrats didn\u2019t make that a partisan issue. So, the Democratic Congress worked with the Republican president to say what can we do? How do we fix this?\"","But it\u2019s not totally accurate to say the Democrats didn\u2019t make it a partisan issue. Mondale, running against Reagan in 1984, and some congressional Democrats repeatedly said Reagan had failed personally regarding Lebanon.","Clinton has a strong point that the Democrat-held House did not react as forcefully to the 1983 Beirut bombings as the Republican-held House reacted to the 2012 Benghazi attack, which killed four. The House conducted a single investigation into the Beirut bombings, which killed more than 250 Americans, while it has conducted six inquiries into Benghazi, which killed four."]},{"id":"2804.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"This is the first time a party has picked up multiple seats during a regular election since the mid 1980s, making this the largest majority of any party in more than 25 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mike Haridopolos that this is the first time a party has picked up multiple seats during a regular election since the mid-1980s, resulting in the largest majority of any party in more than 25 years. While Haridopolos could have been more precise by specifying that he was referring to the state Senate, the fact-check confirms that this claim is mostly true. It is indeed the first time since 1988 that a party has gained multiple Senate seats during a regular election, and it represents the largest majority in the past quarter-century.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So back to the question at hand. How accurate was Haridopolos in stating, \"This is the first time a party has picked up multiple seats during a regular election since the mid 1980s, making this the largest majority of any party in more than 25 years?\" His comment wasn't clear that he was referring only to the state Senate with \"multiple seats,\" and he could have been slightly more accurate by specifying since the late 1980s. Haridopolos was correct, though, in saying that this is the largest majority in the past quarter-century. We rate the claim Mostly True.","We decided to take a closer look at Haridopolos\u2019 claim. First, was this the first time since 1984 that a party had picked up multiple seats during a regular election? Second, is this the largest majority of any party in more than 25 years?","So Haridopolos is correct in saying that this is the first time the party has picked up multiple Senate seats during a regular election season, but he was off a bit in saying since the mid 1980s, because it last happened in 1988.","\"This is the first time a party has picked up multiple seats during a regular election since the mid 1980s, making this the largest majority of any party in more than 25 years,\" said incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos in a post-election interview on Nov. 2, 2010. \"This increase will allow our Republican-led Legislature to tackle tough issues facing our state in the upcoming 2011 legislative session -- from balancing our state's budget to reforming Medicaid and cutting wasteful government spending, all with our conservative principles in mind.\""]},{"id":"2094.json","label":"true","statement":"House Republicans who complained they didnt have enough time to consider a constitutional ban against oil drilling shoved through a proposal in just a few days to open state waters to oil drilling.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the inconsistency of House Republicans who claimed they didn't have enough time to consider a constitutional ban on oil drilling, yet managed to swiftly pass a proposal to open state waters to oil drilling in just a few days. This demonstrates a contradiction in their actions and raises questions about their priorities and decision-making process.\nLabel: true","evidence":["House Republicans who complained they didn't have enough time to consider a constitutional ban against oil drilling \"shoved through a proposal in just a few days to open state waters to oil drilling.\"","In chastising Republican lawmakers, state CFO Alex Sink said the House \"shoved through a proposal in just a few days to open state waters to oil drilling.\" It took House lawmakers just five working days from first seeing the bill to passing it. We rate Sink's statement True.","\"Today at noon, I expect to see the culmination of the complete failure of the Florida Legislature to be in tune with what's going on the real world of Florida,\" said Sink, a Democrat who is running for governor. \"In the same chamber, where House Republicans shoved through a proposal in just a few days to open state waters to oil drilling, those same Republicans will stand at their desks to claim they don't have enough time.\"","The special session to consider the oil drilling constitutional amendment was scheduled to last four days. Of course, it lasted just a few hours."]},{"id":"12697.json","label":"false","statement":"Says no one from the Bush family attended the 2012 Republican National Convention and there was no President Bush at the 2008 convention.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. In 2012, Jeb Bush, the brother of George W. Bush and son of George H.W. Bush, addressed delegates at the Republican National Convention. In 2008, although George W. Bush addressed delegates via a live video feed, former President George H.W. Bush and former first ladies Laura and Barbara Bush were in attendance. Therefore, members of the Bush family did attend the 2012 convention, and there was a President Bush present at the 2008 convention.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He\u2019s wrong. Jeb Bush addressed delegates at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa. In 2008, George W. Bush addressed delegates via a live video feed, but former President George H.W. Bush and former first ladies Laura and Barbara Bush all attended.","Priebus said it\u2019s not a big deal a Bush isn\u2019t attending the 2016 convention, because a Bush didn\u2019t speak in 2012 and \"there was no President Bush\" at the 2008 convention.","It\u2019s been nearly eight years since a Bush has held national elected office, but the family has maintained a role at the nominating convention. Since 1980, every Republican convention has seen a Bush speak \u2014 often as the vice presidential or presidential nominee.","To recap, that\u2019s at least 40 years and nine conventions where a Bush had a speaking role. And members of the Bush family definitely spoke at both the 2012 and 2008 conventions."]},{"id":"8347.json","label":"false","statement":"(Texas Republicans) believe in abolishing Social Security, abolishing V.A. health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While the Texas Republican platform may advocate for changes to Social Security and V.A. health care, there is no evidence to suggest that they support abolishing these programs entirely. The evidence indicates that proposals have been made for privatizing Social Security or allowing individuals to direct their Social Security taxes to private accounts, but this is different from abolishing the program altogether. Similarly, there is no evidence to support the claim that Texas Republicans advocate for abolishing V.A. health care. It is important to accurately represent the positions and proposals of political parties to maintain a fair and informed discussion.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If you look at something like the Texas Republican platform, do you know what they believe in? They believe not only in getting rid of Obamacare,\" he said. \"They believe in abolishing Social Security, abolishing V.A. (Veterans Affairs) health care.\"","Former President George W. Bush and others have proposed many Social Security privatization plans over the years, but we should note that the platform Sanders referenced doesn\u2019t cite any specific proposal. Still, privatizing Social Security isn\u2019t the same thing as abolishing it.","\"The theory for pro-secessionists really lies in the Declaration of Independence, because that's what the Declaration's all about: seceding from the British Empire. And it says, frankly, that whenever the people believe they will be happier by altering and abolishing their government, they have a right to do so,\" Levinson said.","While the state party would like veterans to get their health care through private plans and young people to direct their Social Security taxes to private accounts, we found no evidence that GOP Texans are pushing to eliminate either system entirely."]},{"id":"1930.json","label":"false","statement":"In the case of General Motors, the (Bush) administration wrote a check without asking for any conditions of change.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Emanuel that the Bush administration \"wrote a check without asking for any conditions of change\" in the case of General Motors is contradicted by evidence. The Bush administration did, in fact, impose conditions on the loans provided to General Motors and Chrysler in 2008. Treasury Department documents released at the time outlined these conditions, which included requirements for restructuring and cost-cutting measures. Therefore, Emanuel's statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Emanuel's statement -- \"In the case of General Motors, the (Bush) administration wrote a check without asking for any conditions of change\" -- implies that the Obama administration was tough while the Bush administration just threw money at the problem. Actually, the Bush administration detailed a number of conditions for change at General Motors, and Obama's administration could have recalled the loans soon after taking office if officials felt the auto companies were not compliant. The Treasury Department documents and press reports contradict Emanuel's claim, so we rate his statement False.","\"Well, first of all, it has had a different approach based on the situation,\" Emanuel said. \"In the case of General Motors, the prior administration wrote a check without asking for any conditions of change. We said, without a check from the American people, get yourself right. You've got to make fundamental change. They've made changes and now, as you know, General Motors is going to have an IPO (initial public offering of stock). And most importantly, they're going to keep open factories that they were planning on closing. So we're righting an industry that was not doing itself, or the American people or its workers, the right thing. So it was a way of getting them to do the changes that they had postponed.\" (Read Emanuel's complete response on the This Week website or watch it via video.)","Hennessey wrote that Emanuel was wrong that the Bush administration \"wrote a check without asking for any conditions of change,\" laying out a detailed case that the Bush administration did put conditions on loans to the auto industry that went down in 2008. Hennessey even contends that Bush officials tried to get the Obama team to agree to a joint plan -- he describes in detail a meeting between the two sides that happened on Nov. 30, 2008 -- to give the auto companies loans and prevent immediate bankruptcies. The teams never reached any public agreement.","Hennessey pointed his readers to Treasury Department documents released Dec. 19, 2008, that outlined conditions for the $13.4 billion in loans it was offering General Motors and Chrysler."]},{"id":"2699.json","label":"false","statement":"When President, then candidate, Obama was asked to disclose some of his donors because there was suspicion of their being the foreign source of money into his campaign, they refused to do it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there were concerns raised about the Obama campaign's handling of foreign donations during the 2008 presidential campaign, it is incorrect to claim that the campaign refused to disclose some of its donors. The issue was primarily related to the campaign's vetting process and the ability to verify whether donors were American citizens or had exceeded donation limits, particularly in cases involving prepaid credit cards. The campaign did disclose the names of donors, and it was through this disclosure that improper donations were discovered. Therefore, the claim that the Obama campaign refused to disclose some of its donors is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When President, then candidate, Obama was asked to disclose some of his donors because there was suspicion of their being the foreign source of money into his campaign, they refused to do it. So don't give me this high-and-mighty, holier-than-thou attitude about special interests flooding the political marketplace.\"","Here, we're checking the counter-claim from Steele, that during the 2008 presidential campaign, \"Obama was asked to disclose some of his donors because there was suspicion of their being the foreign source of money into his campaign, they refused to do it.\"","As for accepting money from foreign nationals, that's an issue all campaigns deal with (though more so for Obama, who got a lot of money from Americans overseas). Again, it's not that the Obama campaign was asked for names of foreign donors and refused. The campaign had names, and in most cases assurances from the donors, that they were American citizens. The allegation in the Washington Post story was that the campaign's vetting of foreign donations was not stringent enough up front. There was no issue of the Obama campaign willfully refusing to disclose the names of foreign donors. In fact, it was the disclosure of those names that allowed AP reporters to discover some of the donations were improper.","The Washington Post claim, though, wasn't that the Obama campaign refused to disclose the donors. It's that the campaign, by accepting donations via prepaid credit cards, made it impossible to verify whether the person was an American citizen or had exceeded donation limits."]},{"id":"3485.json","label":"false","statement":"Oregon is the only state out of the 50 states in the USA that continues to pay 100% of the medical benefits for its employees and their families.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Oregon may have been one of the few states that paid the full cost of health benefits for employees and their dependents at the time of the report, it is not the only state to do so. The evidence provided indicates that Alaska is another state that also pays the full cost of health benefits for employees and their dependents. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That, he says, makes Oregon unique: \"Oregon is the only state out of the 50 states in the USA that continues to pay 100% of the medical benefits for its employees and their families.\"","In his newsletter, Rep. Richardson says Oregon is the only state the nation that pays \"100% of the medical benefits for its employees and their families.\"","We were of the impression, that yes, Oregon is among a shrinking number of states that pay the whole tab for public worker benefits. But the idea that Oregon would be the only state caught us off guard. So, we looked into it.","So, we placed a call to both Rep. Richardson and the Conference to sort out the discrepancy. Richardson explained, in a voice mail, that he had taken the information from a December 2010 report by then-Gov. Ted Kulongoski\u2019s Reset Cabinet. He cited, as his proof, one sentence in the report: \"Oregon is one of two states that pay the full cost of health benefits for employees and their dependents (the other is Alaska) and is the only state to do so in plans with no deductibles.\""]},{"id":"11453.json","label":"false","statement":"You wonder why you dont see Rand Paul as much; hes still shopping for his billionaire. Hes like the only one who hasnt found a billionaire to fund his super PAC.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a sarcastic remark suggesting that Rand Paul has been unsuccessful in finding a billionaire to fund his super PAC. While it is true that Rand Paul has run for president and sought funding for his political campaigns, the statement lacks concrete evidence to support the claim that he has been actively searching for a billionaire to fund his super PAC. It is important to note that campaign funding and the involvement of billionaires in politics are complex and multifaceted issues that cannot be reduced to a single statement. Therefore, the claim lacks sufficient evidence and should be considered as an exaggerated or sarcastic remark rather than a factual statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You wonder why you don't see Rand Paul as much; he's still shopping for his billionaire. He's like the only one who hasn't found a billionaire to fund his super PAC.\"","Rep. Ilhan Omar \"voted yes\" to \"provide further funding for the 9\/11 First Responders Victims Fund\" while Sen. Rand Paul \"voted no.\"","In a campaign fund-raising ad for his reelection, Paul stated: \"No one has been hospitalized for\" the omicron variant of COVID-19.","Rand Paul, a U.S. senator from Kentucky elected in 2010. He ran for president in 2016 before dropping out to seek re-election to the Senate. Paul is a medical doctor and an ophthalmologist. His father is Ron Paul, a 2008 presidential candidate and a former member of Congress from Texas."]},{"id":"12779.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump cashed in on Sept. 11,collecting $150,000 in federal funds intended to help small businesses recover even though days after the attack Trump said his properties were not affected.","reason":"Reason: It is true that Donald Trump's company received a $150,000 grant from a recovery program established to assist small businesses after the September 11th attacks. However, it is important to note that this program was available to all eligible businesses in the area, and Trump's company qualified for the grant based on the criteria set by the program. While Trump initially stated that his properties were not affected by the attack, this statement does not necessarily contradict the fact that his company received the grant, as the grant was intended to support small businesses in the area, regardless of direct physical damage. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the situation, highlighting the grant received by Trump's company, but it should be noted that the grant was part of a program available to all eligible businesses in the aftermath of the attacks.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Donald Trump \"cashed in\" on Sept. 11, \"collecting $150,000 in federal funds intended to help small businesses recover \u2014 even though days after the attack Trump said his properties were not affected.\"","Crowley said Trump \"cashed in, collecting $150,000 in federal funds intended to help small businesses recover \u2014 even though days after the attack Trump said his properties were not affected.\"","\"Where was Donald Trump in the days and months and the years after 9\/11? He didn\u2019t stand at the pile, he didn\u2019t lobby Congress for help, he didn\u2019t fight for the first responders,\" he said. \"Nope, he cashed in, collecting $150,000 in federal funds intended to help small businesses recover \u2014 even though days after the attack Trump said his properties were not affected.\"","This appears to reference what Trump said about a $150,000 grant his company received from a recovery program set up for small businesses for his building at 40 Wall Street."]},{"id":"9021.json","label":"false","statement":"Under a bill before the legislature, youd have to go to court to fire an employee.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that Ken Block claimed that under a bill before the Rhode Island legislature, employers would have to go to court to fire an employee. However, fact-checking sources have found that this claim is false. The bill in question does not prevent or require employers to go to court to fire an employee. Therefore, the statement is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ken Block says that under a bill before the R.I. legislature, \u201cyou\u2019d have to go to court to fire an employee.\u201d","( - Ken Block says that under a bill before the R.I. legislature, \u201cyou\u2019d have to go to court to fire an employee.\u201d&url=)","\"We had a legislator put in a bill to remove the ability of an employer to fire an employee, it\u2019d end up in court, you\u2019d have to go to court to fire an employee,\" he said.","Not exactly. On \"News Conference,\" Block said an employer would have to go to court to fire an employee. And that\u2019s just not true. Nothing in the bill prevents a firing or requires an employer to get preliminary judicial approval. If Block had stuck to his better-worded news release, he\u2019d have been right."]},{"id":"8141.json","label":"true","statement":"Says nearly 29,000 Oregonians almost 5 percent of all homeowners are 90 days or more delinquent on their mortgage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including the Attorney General of Oregon, Ellen Rosenblum, who stated that nearly 5 percent of all homeowners in Oregon are 90 days or more delinquent on their mortgage. The figure of nearly 29,000 delinquent homeowners is also confirmed by the data provided. Therefore, the statement is accurate and based on verified information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says \"nearly 29,000 Oregonians \u2014 almost 5 percent of all homeowners \u2014 are 90 days or more delinquent on their mortgage.\"","Still, she continued, \"we\u2019re not all the way back. The hangover from the housing crash lingers for thousands of Oregonians. Nearly 29,000 Oregonians \u2014 almost 5 percent of all homeowners \u2014 are 90 days or more delinquent on their mortgage.\"","In introducing a revised mediation program, Rosenblum wrote that the housing crash lingers and that nearly 5 percent of all homeowners are more than 90 days delinquent on their mortgage. We verified that her figures were right and that 5 percent does, indeed, represent a number well above what we\u2019d experience before the recession.","The numbers Manning sent also backed up the 29,000 figure Rosenblum used (technically the number of homes more than 90 days delinquent was 28,891 in May 2013.)"]},{"id":"4997.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Newt Gingrich made an affirmative statement that he would not only support but he would campaign for Republicans who were in support of the barbaric procedure known as partial-birth abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bachmann that Newt Gingrich made an affirmative statement indicating his support for Republicans who were in favor of the procedure known as partial-birth abortion. This claim is supported by Gingrich's own words, as he stated that he would campaign for all Republicans, even those who supported the procedure, in order to maintain a majority in Congress. However, it's important to note that Gingrich's rationale for this position was to successfully ban the procedure, not to endorse or promote it. The use of the term \"barbaric procedure\" reflects Bachmann's characterization of partial-birth abortion, rather than a direct quote from Gingrich.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Bachmann said of Gingrich, \"When he was in Washington, D.C., he made an affirmative statement that he would not only support but he would campaign for Republicans who were in support of the barbaric procedure known as partial-birth abortion.\"","\"And also I think even more troubling, when he was in Washington, D.C., he made an affirmative statement that he would not only support but he would campaign for Republicans who are in support of the barbaric procedure known as partial-birth abortion,\" Bachmann said.","She correctly stated what Gingrich told the RNC in 1998. She even used his exact words to describe partial-birth abortion, calling it a \"barbaric procedure.\" Gingrich said he was being a pragmatist in order to maintain a majority in Congress so that it could successfully ban the procedure. He said he\u2019d campaign for all Republicans, even those to the left of him, because he didn\u2019t think party leaders should be \"purging\" Republican candidates and dictating to voters whom they should choose.","In 1998, when Gingrich was speaker, a feud erupted within the Republican National Committee over a proposal to cut off funding for any Republican candidate who refused to support a ban on partial-birth abortion, a procedure involving the extraction of a late-term fetus."]},{"id":"675.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I told the Congress 'thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere.\"","reason":"Reason: While Sarah Palin did claim to have told Congress \"thanks, but no thanks\" on the Bridge to Nowhere, the statement is misleading. While she did express opposition to the project after it faced significant public criticism, it is important to note that she initially supported the bridge during her campaign for governor. Additionally, despite her opposition, Alaska still received the federal funding for the bridge and used it for other transportation projects. Therefore, while there is some truth to her claim, it is not the whole story and lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I told the Congress 'thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere,\" Palin said at the Republican National Convention. Now comes the McCain campaign with a new TV ad that makes the same claim, even more boldly.","For weeks, the media has castigated Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for her repeated claim \"I told the Congress \u2018thanks, but no thanks,\u2019 on that Bridge to Nowhere.\" In our analysis ( \"PolitiFact\") , we noted that while Palin formally put an end to the project, it was nearly dead anyway, and Alaska still kept the money for other transportation projects. We also noted that Palin flip-flopped ( \"PolitiFact\") , having supported the bridge project during her run to become governor.","We've addressed the bridge claim twice before, giving her a Full Flop for having first supported the bridge before opposing it, and a Half True for her original \"thanks-but-no-thanks\" claim. But since the campaign is making an even stronger boast with this TV ad, we are going to address it separately here.","\"So they\u2019re saying that because Obama was among the 91 senators who voted for the highway funding bill, that makes him a supporter of the bridge? That\u2019s laughable,\" Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor told PolitiFact."]},{"id":"10374.json","label":"true","statement":"State school funding per pupil is down 16 percent compared to 2009, after adjusting for inflation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the VEA (Virginia Education Association) that state school funding per pupil has decreased by 16 percent when adjusted for inflation compared to 2009. This claim is supported by the VEA's blog post, which states that school funding per pupil has not recovered from the cuts made during the Great Recession. The evidence provided confirms the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The VEA, which represents about 50,000 teachers and public education professionals, says schools can\u2019t afford to lose any funding. In a Jan. 2 blog post, the organization said state support for public schools still hasn\u2019t recovered from cuts during the Great Recession. \"School funding per pupil is down 16 percent compared to 2009, after adjusting for inflation,\" the VEA wrote.","student. During this fiscal year, the state will spend $4,286 per student from the general fund. The $165 per pupil decrease is about 3.7 percent. Adjusted for inflation, the drop is about 11.4 percent.","We\u2019re not taking sides on Lingamfelter\u2019s resolution. But we did wonder whether the VEA\u2019s claim about about the 16 percent drop in state support for schools, when adjusted for inflation, is correct.","The state paid an average of $5,245 per student during the school year that ended in June 2009. Adjusted for inflation, that would be $5,773 in 2014 dollars."]},{"id":"10447.json","label":"false","statement":"There were more people on welfare than working in 2013.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided refers to a column by Terry Jeffrey, which claims that in 2013, there were more people \"on welfare\" than full-time year-round workers. However, it is important to note that the term \"welfare\" can have different interpretations and meanings. The comparison made in the column is not based on a comprehensive understanding of welfare programs and includes a broad definition that may not accurately reflect the specific programs and individuals involved. Therefore, the statement is false and lacks proper context.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This matters because working recipients of means-tested benefits would be counted on both sides of the comparison, casting doubt on the notion that there\u2019s a strict divide between people who work and people who are on welfare.","The word \"welfare\" has different meanings for different people. Many think it refers to cash payouts to people who aren\u2019t working; others think it includes anyone who receives government assistance of any type.","Recently, the widely read conservative website posted a column by Terry Jeffrey, editor of the conseravative news service , in which he compared Americans \"on welfare\" to those who are \"full-time year-round workers.\" Specifically, Jeffrey wrote, there were more people on welfare than working. He wrote:","Jeffrey said that in 2013, there were 109,631,000 Americans \"on welfare,\" outnumbering the \"105,862,000 full-time year-round workers in the United States.\""]},{"id":"2354.json","label":"true","statement":"Says State Rep. Kristi Thibaut was an ACORN lobbyist.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. State Rep. Kristi Thibaut was indeed a lobbyist for ACORN, as acknowledged by her campaign and confirmed by multiple sources. However, it is important to note that there is no evidence linking Thibaut to ACORN's voter-registration fraud and tax evasion issues mentioned in the web video. The statement should be understood in the context that Thibaut had a professional association with ACORN as a lobbyist, but it does not imply any involvement in illegal activities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So it is that the Republican Party of Texas targets first-term state Rep. Kristi Thibaut, D-Houston. \"Dem State Rep Kristi Thibaut was an #ACORN lobbyist,\" the party tweeted Aug. 31, linking to a web video. Earlier the same day, the party had tweeted: \"Democrat State Rep. Kristi Thibaut, HD133, was a lobbyist for corrupt ACORN\" and before that, \"find out which Dem state Rep was a lobbyist for ACORN.\"",", Marco Rubio says Charlie Crist worked with ACORN to restore voting rights to felons,( \"Marco Rubio says Charlie Crist worked with ACORN to restore voting rights to felons,\") March 29, 2010","So, Thibaut lobbied for ACORN, as the GOP tweet says and her campaign acknowledges, though the linked web video associates Thibaut with ACORN's voter-registration fraud and tax evasion issues; there's no evidence of Thibaut having a connection to such activities.","Also noted on the GOP site: a Feb. 4, 2009, Texas Observer article profiling Thibaut and calling her an \"ACORN activist\" who unsuccessfully lobbied state lawmakers during the 2007 session for lower utility rates."]},{"id":"9221.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Atlanta is the No. 1 trading point for sexual slavery in America. Between 100 and 200 girls are sold into slavery in Atlanta every month.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects former President Jimmy Carter's claim that Atlanta is the No. 1 trading point for sexual slavery in America and that between 100 and 200 girls are sold into slavery in Atlanta every month. However, it's important to note that these claims are based on estimates and research conducted by the Carter Center and other sources. While there is evidence to suggest that Atlanta has a significant issue with human trafficking, it is challenging to definitively determine the exact ranking of cities in terms of sexual slavery. Therefore, while the statement reflects Carter's assertion, it should be understood as an estimation rather than an absolute fact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Part of Carter\u2019s statement accurately quotes the estimates that are out there on the girls involved. The part about Atlanta being \"the No. 1 trading point for sexual slavery in America\" is off base.","\"Between 100 and 200 girls are sold into slavery in Atlanta every month,\" Carter told Scott Slade on News 95.5\/AM 750 WSB on April 6.","Steven Hochman, Carter\u2019s assistant and the director of research at the Carter Center, said the numbers that Carter quoted in the interview with Slade -- 100 to 200 girls sold into slavery every month in Atlanta -- were \"conservative.\" In his book (Page 127), Carter puts the number at between 200 and 300 girls a month.","As to Carter\u2019s other statement that Atlanta is the No. 1 trading point for sexual slavery in America, Hochman said the former president was drawing from media reports on the recently released study that was commissioned by the Justice Department and done by the Urban Institute."]},{"id":"6279.json","label":"half-true","statement":"According to a national survey, transit ridership among people age 16 to 34 increased 40 percent between 2001 and 2009.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the National Household Travel Survey, which indicates that the average number of miles traveled on transit by individuals aged 16 to 34 increased by 40 percent between 2001 and 2009. However, it's important to note that this increase pertains to the distance traveled and not necessarily the number of trips taken. The actual increase in ridership, in terms of the number of trips taken, was only around 4 percent. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents the increase in miles traveled, it could be misleading if interpreted as a significant rise in the number of trips taken by young people on transit.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Look at this number from the National Household Travel Survey,\" Dickerson said. \"Between 2001 and 2009 ... ridership among young people age 16 to 34 on transit increased 40 percent over eight years.","The report found that the average number of miles traveled on transit by a person in this age group increased by 40 percent between 2001 and 2009. Our own analysis of NHTS data and the report\u2019s calculation confirms this.","The National Household Travel Survey tracks how and why people travel. It takes place sporadically. The most recent ones were conducted in 2001 and 2009.","But Dickerson\u2019s use of the word \"ridership\" might have led viewers to think that younger people are taking 40 percent more trips on transit. This number ticked up by only about 4 percent."]},{"id":"8309.json","label":"true","statement":"In fiscal year 2011-2012, 4,191 abortions were paid for by taxpayers via the Oregon Health Plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Oregon Health Authority, which states that in fiscal year 2011-2012, 4,191 abortions were indeed paid for by taxpayers through the Oregon Health Plan. This information is based on official data and has been confirmed by the Oregon Health Authority spokesperson. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In any case, on its website is this statistic: \"In 2012 there were 9,015 abortions in Oregon. In fiscal year 2011-2012, 4,191 abortions were paid for by taxpayers via the Oregon Health Plan.\"","The information comes from the Oregon Health Authority. The number of abortions paid by the state has fluctuated from 4,105 in 2002-03 to 3,424 in 2008-09 to 4,191 in 2011-12. This is the most up-to-date information available, said Karynn Fish, an OHA spokeswoman.","In Oregon, the Health Plan uses a mix of federal and state monies to provide health care for low-income residents. Oregon is among a minority of states that allow using state taxpayer money for elective abortions. Petitioners hope to change that by adding these words to the Constitution:","We may see this measure on the 2014 ballot; we may not. But it is accurate to say that state taxpayer money paid for about 4,000 abortions in the most recent year available. We rate this statement True."]},{"id":"13252.json","label":"false","statement":"After how hard you work and how much you pay in taxes, New York City ends up getting the money. Im Chris Jacobs. I think its time we have someone in Albany thats making sure our region gets our fair share","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Chris Jacobs implies that New York City receives a disproportionate amount of tax revenue compared to other regions, suggesting that Western New York is not receiving its fair share. However, the evidence provided contradicts this claim. Data from the Department of Budget indicates that Western New York, including Erie County, consistently receives a larger percentage share of state spending compared to its residents' percentage contribution in taxes. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the available data and is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"After how hard you work and how much you pay in taxes, New York City ends up getting the money. I'm Chris Jacobs. I think it's time we have someone in Albany that's making sure our region gets our fair share\"","\"After how hard you work and how much you pay in taxes, New York City ends up getting the money,\" Jacobs says. \"I'm Chris Jacobs. I think it's time we have someone in Albany that's making sure our region gets our fair share.\"","In his ad, Jacobs says \"New York City ends up getting the money\" from taxes paid by Western New York residents.","Data obtained from the Department of Budget shows Western New York, including Erie County, consistently receives a bigger percentage share of state spending than its residents\u2019 percentage contribution in taxes. Jacobs implies the region is not getting its fair share. Data shows it\u2019s getting more than its fair share in the state\u2019s largest spending categories."]},{"id":"11906.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says state Supreme Court candidate Joe Donald twice supported incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by state Supreme Court candidate Joe Donald that he twice supported incumbent Justice Rebecca Bradley. The evidence provided confirms that Joe Donald made this claim during the campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court seat. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on the assertion made by Joe Donald himself and may require further verification to establish its accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!From left, Rebecca Bradley, Joe Donald and JoAnne Kloppenburg are competing in the Feb. 16, 2016 primary for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Kloppenburg says Donald twice supported Bradley. !From left, Rebecca Bradley, Joe Donald and JoAnne Kloppenburg are competing in the Feb. 16, 2016 primary for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Kloppenburg says Donald twice supported Bradley.","From left, Rebecca Bradley, Joe Donald and JoAnne Kloppenburg are competing in the Feb. 16, 2016 primary for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Kloppenburg says Donald twice supported Bradley.","\"Joe Donald,\" the narrator says in Kloppenburg\u2019s ad, which was released Feb. 8, 2016, \"he supported Rebecca Bradley, Walker\u2019s choice, twice.\"","That is the claim from Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joe Donald, who is challenging recently appointed state Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley in the spring 2016 election. State appeals court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg, who was a candidate for the high court in 2011, and Madison attorney Claude Covelli are also running."]},{"id":"3097.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas leads the nation in the percentage of residents without health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including The New York Times and independent calculations, confirm that Texas has the highest percentage of residents without health insurance compared to other states in the nation. It is important to note that this data reflects the situation before the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). However, it is worth mentioning that the specific ranking may change over time as states implement different healthcare policies and expand coverage options.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - The New York Times' Paul Krugman says Texas leads the nation in the percentage of residents without health insurance&url=)","Among his charges is that Texas is \"leading the nation in the percentage of residents without health insurance,\" the column says.","Texas leads the nation in its percentage of uninsured. Also, it newly looks like Texas has the greatest raw number of uninsured residents, though that\u2019s evidently backed up only by rough calculations like our own, a clarification missing from this claim.","Still, those counts reflected conditions before the Obamacare law took fuller effect. By email, Fronstin told us this month that he believes California no longer leads the nation in uninsured residents, likely due to more people there taking advantage of coverage options thanks to the state expanding Medicaid and residents otherwise buying insurance with the subsidies offered thanks to the Obamacare law."]},{"id":"1762.json","label":"false","statement":"This administration and this Congress have been systematically cutting funding to border security since the Democrats took control.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pence that the administration and Congress have been systematically cutting funding to border security since the Democrats took control is false. While funding for border fencing may have decreased, overall funding for border security has actually increased. Discretionary spending on border security saw a 55 percent increase between 2007 and 2011, even with a small proposed cut in 2011. The Obama administration and Democrats have focused on reallocating funding to other areas of border security, such as increasing the number of border patrol officers. Therefore, the claim made by Pence is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But when Pence said \"this administration and this Congress have been systematically cutting funding to border security since the Democrats took control,\" that's wrong. Funding for fencing is down, but funding for border security is up. In fact, discretionary spending on border security is up 55 percent between 2007 and 2011, even with a small proposed cut in 2011. We rate Pence's claim False.","So Pence is correct that border fence budgets have been trimmed since 2007. But Pence repeatedly said that funding for border security has been steadily cut by Democrats since 2007. And as we noted earlier, spending on border security has actually risen steadily. That's because Obama has focused more funding in other border security areas, such as increasing the number of border patrol officers.","In 2007, discretionary spending on border security was $6.3 billion. As Pence noted, that was the last year of full Republican control. After that, while George W. Bush remained in the presidency, Congress was controlled by Democrats. But discretionary spending on border security continued to rise year after year. It went to $7.9 billion in 2008; to $9.8 billion in 2009; and to $10.1 billion in fiscal year 2010. President Barack Obama's proposed 2011 budget calls for a slight decrease in discretionary spending on border security, but even at the proposed level of $9.8 billion, that's a 55 percent increase between 2007 and 2011.","\"I would not say the Obama administration has cut back on border enforcement in general,\" said Marc Rosenblum, senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute. Rather, Democrats have shifted funding from border fencing to other border security items, such as increasing the number of border patrol officers."]},{"id":"6131.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As Virginia lost over 65,000 jobs, (Tim) Kaine put partisan ambitions first by serving as DNC chairman during the last year of his governorship.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by American Crossroads that Virginia lost over 65,000 jobs during Tim Kaine's final year as governor while he served as DNC chairman. However, it is important to note that attributing the job loss solely to Kaine's role as DNC chairman oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to changes in a state's economy. Governors have limited control over economic fluctuations, especially during a national recession. While Kaine's dual roles may have limited his ability to focus solely on state matters, it is unrealistic to suggest that he could have single-handedly prevented the job losses in Virginia.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"As Virginia lost over 65,000 jobs, Kaine put partisan ambitions first\" by serving as DNC chairman during his final year as governor, the announcer says.","We were curious if Virginia did lose 65,000 jobs during the final year of Kaine\u2019s governorship and, if so, whether the loss can be tied to him becoming DNC chairman.","American Crossroads said that while Kaine was governor and chairman of the DNC, Virginia lost more than 65,000 jobs. That number checks out and we could make an argument that the job loss was higher.","Governors have little control over their state economies in good times or bad. The suggestion that Kaine could have inoculated Virginia from a national recession had he not been DNC chairman is unrealistic."]},{"id":"366.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The DNC says McCain flip-flopped on whether the Iraq War would be easy.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John McCain initially expressed optimism about the ease of the Iraq War and the reception of American forces, it is important to note that he also acknowledged the challenges of establishing a functioning government in Iraq. Over time, as the situation in Iraq evolved, elected officials, including McCain, adjusted their rhetoric and approach to the war. While McCain's views on the war may have evolved, it is not accurate to categorize his position as a complete flip-flop. Therefore, the statement made by the DNC is partially true, but it oversimplifies the complexity of McCain's stance on the Iraq War.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A video released last week by the Democratic National Committee uses a series of public statements from John McCain in an attempt to suggest that he flip-flopped on whether the Iraq War would be easy.","And Biden is on shaky ground when he says McCain changed his position on Iraq. McCain was definitely a supporter of the war and spoke positively about prospects for the invasion. But he also warned early on that creating a functioning government in Iraq would be difficult.","When Biden says McCain has changed position on Iraq, he's pointing toward his comments early in the invasion. As the situation in Iraq has changed over time, elected officials have changed the way they've talked about Iraq. For fact-checking purposes, we have granted them that leeway without calling them out as flip-floppers. For an example, see how we critiqued attacks here and here on Barack Obama that cherry-pick from the time in 2004 when Iraq was relatively calm. And even in the face of poll numbers showing public support for the war in Iraq declining, McCain still holds a fairly firm stay-the-course position.","Yes, McCain predicted it would be an easy war and that Americans would be greeted by the Iraqis as liberators. And yes, neither has proven true over the long run. But Hussein's regime was toppled relatively quickly and McCain advocated early on that the U.S. needed more troops and resources to prevent just such an entrenched insurgency as has come to pass. And so, in that context, we rate the DNC's comment just Half True."]},{"id":"2469.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Zack Space voted for budgets and debt, energy taxes and the stimulus, and we still lost more than 2.5 million jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the ad, which assert that Zack Space voted for Nancy Pelosi's budgets and debt, job-killing energy taxes, and the wasteful stimulus, and that despite these actions, more than 2.5 million jobs were lost. However, it's important to note that the claim about job losses is not the complete picture. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the stimulus package did contribute to job creation, adding between 1.4 million and 3.3 million jobs to the economy. Additionally, the statement incorrectly suggests that Space voted against raising the debt limit, when in fact, he voted with the Republicans on this issue. Therefore, while the statement contains some accurate claims, it also includes some inaccuracies and lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"What would it feel like if someone broke into your home?\" The narrator asks. \"Would you be upset? Then what about what's happening in Washington? Zack Space voted for Nancy Pelosi's budgets and debt, for job-killing energy taxes, and for her wasteful stimulus. And we still lost more than 2.5 million jobs. With Pelosi and Space's agenda, it can feel like you're getting robbed. This November, vote against Zack Space.\"","The ad mentions major pieces of legislation passed by Democrats in Congress and labels them a failure because \"we still lost more than 2.5 million jobs.\" Take away the scary robber imagery, and it's a fairly straightforward claim.","We should point out that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released new estimates on Aug. 24, 2010, that the stimulus added between 1.4 million and 3.3 million jobs to the economy, compared with not having any stimulus. Still, the economy was in such bad shape that overall employment declined anyway, as we'll see in the next point.","In this case, Space voted with the Republicans( \"voted with the Republicans\") and against raising the debt limit. So the ad gets this point wrong."]},{"id":"724.json","label":"true","statement":"Obama's tax plan cuts taxes \"for 95 percent of all working families.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, have confirmed that Obama's tax plan would indeed reduce taxes for 95 percent of working families. This claim has been fact-checked and verified by independent organizations. It is important to note that this statement specifically refers to working families, and not all individuals or households. The tax plan includes provisions such as tax credits and deductions aimed at providing relief to the majority of working families.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But if you consider only people who work, that number goes up, because part of Obama's plan is a tax credit to offset payroll taxes. If you look only at workers, or \"working families,\" as Obama likes to put it, it turns out that 95 percent of workers receive a tax cut under Obama's plans. We looked at that claim on Sept. 18, 2008, and ruled it True. Since then, the Tax Policy Center has published additional research specifically confirming our ruling: They found the Obama plan provided a tax cut for 94.8 percent of workers.","Now it's into the nitty-gritty. Obama said his tax plan would reduce taxes for 95 percent of working families. We consulted the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, which has created detailed models for how each candidate's tax proposal would affect American taxpayers. The center's complex model includes the indirect effects of certain tax policies, such as Obama's proposed rate increase for corporations.","\"Change means a tax code that doesn\u2019t reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it,\" Obama said. He then went through a litany of his tax proposals, including, \"I will cut taxes \u2014 cut taxes \u2014 for 95 percent of all working families.\"","We also got reader e-mail pointing out that many people don't pay taxes and asking how that would affect some of our rulings on Obama's tax policy. Several readers asked us about a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that disputed Barack Obama's claim that he provides \"a tax cut for 95 percent of all working families.\" The article cited the number of people who don't pay taxes, and concluded the 95 percent number was inflated."]},{"id":"11617.json","label":"false","statement":"59 percent of Americans today believe that Barack Obama is still a Muslim.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 59 percent of Americans believe Barack Obama is still a Muslim is not accurate. While there have been varying polls and surveys on this topic, the most recent data from reputable sources such as Pew Research Center and Time magazine indicate that the percentage of Americans who believe Obama is a Muslim is significantly lower. According to Pew Research Center, 18 percent of Americans believed Obama is a Muslim, and Time magazine reported that 24 percent held that belief. Therefore, the statement is false and exaggerated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Let's not forget, 59 percent of Americans today believe that Barack Obama is still a Muslim,\" said Arsalan Iftikhar, an author, lawyer and commentator who blogs at , on Nov. 22, 2015. \"I feel like Jerry Seinfeld needs to pop on and say, \u2018Not that there's anything wrong with that.\u2019 \"","Iftikhar said that \"59 percent of Americans today believe that Barack Obama is still a Muslim.\" He later acknowledged to PolitiFact that he\u2019d meant to say \"Republicans\" instead of \"Americans,\" a switch that would have made his claim closer to accurate (though still a bit high according to recent polls). In any case, PolitiFact fact-checks statements as they were made originally and to the widest audience, so we rate the statement False.","The Pew Research Center recently reported that 18 percent of Americans believe Obama is a Muslim, up from 11 percent in March 2009. A Time magazine poll found even more -- 24 percent -- said he was a Muslim.","During a Meet the Press roundtable discussion about Americans\u2019 attitudes about Muslims, a Muslim commentator said a majority of Americans think President Barack Obama is Muslim."]},{"id":"6853.json","label":"false","statement":"Carol Shea-Porter wants to increase taxes on small business and job creators.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Carol Shea-Porter wants to increase taxes on small businesses and job creators. In fact, her voting record and statements do not indicate any advocacy for raising taxes on small businesses. The fact-checking sources also confirm that there is no evidence to support this claim. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Carol Shea-Porter? She wants to increase taxes on small business and job creators,\" a narrator reads in the ad, aired on WMUR-TV, among other stations.","In votes relating more to small business, Shea-Porter offered support for the HIRE Act and the Small Business Act, among others. In total, her record shows no evidence of \"wanting to increase taxes on small businesses,\" not now or during her time in office.","To our knowledge, Shea-Porter has not advocated throughout this or any previous campaign to raise taxes on small business. So, we decided to check her record.","Despite Guinta\u2019s claims, however, nowhere in the letter did Shea-Porter mention wanting to raise taxes on small businesses, nor do analyses suggest that eliminating the tax cuts for the highest income earners would have affected many business owners"]},{"id":"8005.json","label":"true","statement":"There was a Gallup poll in Egypt last year, and 70 percent of Egyptians dont want our money.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a Gallup poll conducted in Egypt. The poll revealed that a significant majority, specifically 82 percent of Egyptians, opposed the idea of the United States providing economic aid to Egypt. While the statement mentions 70 percent, it is important to note that the actual figure is higher, as confirmed by Gallup and other regional experts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Paul responded, \"You know, I think they are confused on this. They, like so many supporters of foreign aid, think that that's how we buy friendship around the world, that's how we influence people. But the interesting thing is, there was a Gallup poll in Egypt last year, and 70 percent of Egyptians don't want our money. So, they burn our flag, they don't want our money and we say, \u2018Oh, here, you must take it, or we want you to behave and act like Americans.\u2019 But there isn't a whole lot of real democracy going on over there.\"","Paul said, \"There was a Gallup poll in Egypt last year, and 70 percent of Egyptians don't want our money.\" That actually understates what Gallup found. One of the firm\u2019s polls from April 2012 found that 82 percent of Egyptians opposed such aid. Other polls and regional experts confirm the existence of such levels of opposition. We rate the claim True.","Says a poll showed 70 percent to 75 percent of people want to see Confederate statues \"remain up and not taken down.\"","In a February 2012 poll, Gallup asked Egyptians, \"Do you favor or oppose the U.S. sending economic aid to Egypt?\" Gallup pollsters found that 82 percent opposed such aid."]},{"id":"9196.json","label":"true","statement":"Americans spend 6.1 billion hours a year on tax preparation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Ron Wyden that Americans spend 6.1 billion hours per year on tax preparation. This claim has been widely reported and is supported by the evidence provided. It highlights the significant amount of time that individuals dedicate to complying with tax laws.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Americans spend 6.1 billion hours a year complying with tax law. It costs us $163 billion to comply with our tax laws annually.","Which is why Sen. Ron Wyden said this on Jan. 24, 2011: \"Americans spend 6.1 billion hours a year complying with tax law. It costs us $163 billion to comply with our tax laws annually.\"","Tax day has come around again, and with it a startling claim about the amount of time Americans spend doing their taxes each year.","( - Sen. Ron Wyden says Americans spend more than 6 billion hours and $160 billion to comply with federal tax laws&url=)"]},{"id":"13247.json","label":"false","statement":"We are now, for the first time ever, energy independent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the United States has made progress in reducing its dependence on foreign energy sources, it is not accurate to claim that the country is currently \"energy independent.\" Data shows that the United States still imports a significant amount of energy, and there have been periods where energy consumption exceeded domestic production. While the gap between production and consumption has narrowed, it is important to avoid making broad claims of complete energy independence without considering the full context of energy imports and exports.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cThe United States was energy independent in 2019 for the first time since 1957. In just 10 days we are sent back 50 years.\u201d","\"The United States was energy independent in 2019 for the first time since 1957. In just 10 days we are sent back 50 years.\"","An image widely shared on Facebook claimed: \"The United States was energy independent in 2019 for the first time since 1957. In just 10 days we are sent back 50 years.\"","It\u2019s somewhat premature to label the United States energy independent given that Americans consumed more energy than the country produced for most of the last year that we have data. But the gap between U.S. energy production and consumption has been narrowing for some time, particularly during Trump\u2019s presidency, and data shows several recent months where production outpaced American energy use."]},{"id":"5325.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Right now, 50 percent of Florida students leaving high school cannot read at grade level.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that indicates approximately 50 percent of Florida students leaving high school do not read at grade level. The 10th grade reading FCAT results show that only 39 percent of students are at grade level, and when considering additional factors such as retests or college entrance exams, the figure is close to 50 percent. However, it's important to note that passing the test does not necessarily guarantee reading at grade level, as 60 percent of students passed the test but still read below grade level. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood that passing the test does not equate to reading proficiency at grade level.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Right now, 50 percent of Florida students leaving high school cannot read at grade level, and grade level isn\u2019t that difficult,\" Proctor said in comments to the St. Augustine Record. \"We\u2019ll see which teachers affect learning in their students.\"","Proctor said \"Right now, 50 percent of Florida students leaving high school cannot read at grade level.\" The results for 10th grade reading FCAT show only 39 percent at grade level. Some additional students met that grade level mark through retests or by a sufficient score on the SAT or ACT, which would boost that 39 percent figure. Another way to measure Proctor\u2019s claim is by looking at the percentage who were deemed college ready for reading based on college entrance exams, and that figure was 55 percent for 2009-10. By both measurements, the figure is close to 50 percent. We rate this claim Mostly True.","But 60 percent passed the test, which means it\u2019s possible to pass the test and read below grade level. Students are required to pass the 10th grade FCAT to graduate.","We were surprised by that statistic: Do half of Florida\u2019s high school graduates head off to college or work without reading at grade level?"]},{"id":"4237.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Republican Sen. John McCain won more votes for president in Cuyahoga County in the 2008 general election than he did in seven states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, John McCain received more votes for president in Cuyahoga County during the 2008 general election than he did in seven states. This demonstrates the significant number of votes McCain garnered in a Democratic-dominated county compared to his vote totals in certain states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["To illustrate this point, he noted that in 2008 Republican Sen. John McCain garnered more votes for the presidency in the Democratic-dominated county than he did in seven states.","Comparing this figure against the state vote totals, McCain indeed racked up more votes in Cuyahoga County than he did in seven states.","The last amended 2008 general election results on file with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections shows that McCain received 199,880, or about 30 percent. Democrat Barack Obama received 458,422 votes.","!Bill Kristol, the editor of the Weekly Standard, said on Fox News Sunday that John McCain won 40 percent of the Republican vote. We checked to see if he was correct. !Bill Kristol, the editor of the Weekly Standard, said on Fox News Sunday that John McCain won 40 percent of the Republican vote. We checked to see if he was correct."]},{"id":"10286.json","label":"true","statement":"There are more African American men in prison, jail, on probation or parole than were enslaved in 1850.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations like PolitiFact, have confirmed that there are indeed more African American men in prison, jail, on probation, or parole in the United States today than there were enslaved African American men in 1850. This statistic highlights the significant issue of mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on the African American community.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Arene-Morley said that \"There are more African American men in prison, jail, on probation or parole than were enslaved in 1850.\"","In 2014, PolitiFact Rhode Island fact-checked a similar claim: \"There are more African American men in prison, jail, on probation or parole than were enslaved in 1850.\"","\"There are more African-American men in prison, jail, on probation or parole than were enslaved in 1850,\" said Diego Arene-Morley, president of Brown University Students for Sensible Drug Policy.","Alexander goes on to say: \"More African American adults are under correctional control today\u2014in prison or jail, on probation or parole \u2014 than were enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil War began.\""]},{"id":"11681.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The states have always defined marriage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Historically, states have had the authority to define marriage and regulate the process of obtaining a marriage license. However, it is important to note that state laws cannot violate the Constitution. The Supreme Court has the power to limit state regulation and has previously made significant rulings that impact the definition of marriage, such as the landmark case of Loving v. Virginia, which struck down laws banning interracial marriage. Therefore, while states have traditionally played a role in defining marriage, their powers are limited by the Constitution, including the 14th Amendment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rubio has a point that marriage laws are largely the states' responsibility, such as the permit and license laws he noted. But states cannot make laws that violate the Constitution, and the June ruling legalizing same-sex marriage was not the first time the Supreme Court limited state regulation and, essentially, defined marriage.","\"If you want to change the definition of marriage, then you need to go to state legislatures and get them to change it, because states have always defined marriage,\" he said. \"And that's why some people get married in Las Vegas by an Elvis impersonator. And in Florida, you have to wait a couple days when you get your permit. Every state has different marriage laws.\"","\"It is true that states have generally defined who can get married and the process by which it happens, unless those laws contradict the Constitution, as you rightly point out in the Loving case,\" said Jason Pierceson, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield and author of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court. \"States have primary control in many policy areas, but those powers are limited by the 14th Amendment.\"","!Celebrants outside the U.S. Supreme Court building after the court upheld legality of same-sex marriage June 26, 2015. Texas voters defined marriage as between one man and one woman in a November 2005 vote (New York Times photo, Doug Mills). !Celebrants outside the U.S. Supreme Court building after the court upheld legality of same-sex marriage June 26, 2015. Texas voters defined marriage as between one man and one woman in a November 2005 vote (New York Times photo, Doug Mills)."]},{"id":"8897.json","label":"true","statement":"Mark Warner voted for nearly $1 trillion in new taxes and $7 trillion in new debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Gillespie that Mark Warner voted for nearly $1 trillion in new taxes and $7 trillion in new debt. The evidence provided confirms that Warner did vote for legislation that included provisions for approximately $1 trillion in new revenues and estimates of a $7.3 trillion increase in total debt. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Gillespie says Warner \"voted for nearly $1 trillion in new taxes and $7 trillion in new debt.\" Although some economists might quibble with his debt figure, we don\u2019t.","\"Sen. Warner promised us fiscal responsibility, but he\u2019s voted for nearly $1 trillion in new taxes and $7 trillion in new debt.\" Gillespie said in a video last month.","What about the $7 trillion in new debt? Logan said that also came from Murray\u2019s bill. The legislation contained estimates that it would expand total debt from $17.1 trillion in fiscal 2013 to $24.4 trillion in fiscal 2023. That comes to a $7.3 trillion increase.","The plan -- authored by by Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Wash. -- called for $975 billion in new revenues over 10 years to be matched by an equal amount of budget cuts. The new revenues would come from targeting tax breaks used by high earners and corporations. That accounts for the \"nearly $1 trillion in new taxes,\" that Gillespie cited."]},{"id":"6433.json","label":"false","statement":"A United Nations arms treaty would almost certainly force the U.S. to create an international gun registry, setting the stage for full-scale gun confiscation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence. While there have been concerns and debates surrounding the United Nations arms treaty, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that it would \"almost certainly force\" the United States to create an international gun registry or lead to full-scale gun confiscation. Previous fact-checks have debunked similar claims, stating that even in the unlikely event of a treaty providing for domestic registries and U.S. Senate ratification, it would not necessarily lead to such outcomes. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading unfounded claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If passed by the U.N. and ratified by the U.S. Senate, the U.N. Small Arms Treaty would almost certainly force the United States to \u2026 create an international gun registry, setting the stage for full-scale gun confiscation,\" Broun said during the video posted July 10.","This means that even in the unlikely event that the U.N. creates a treaty that provides for domestic registries and the U.S. Senate ratifies it, it would not \"almost certainly force\" the U.S. to create one.","However, previous PolitiFact checks don\u2019t back that up. PolitiFact Georgia, in an Aug. 12, 2012 story, interviewed legal experts and concluded, \" in the unlikely event that the U.N. creates a treaty that provides for domestic registries and the U.S. Senate ratifies it, it would not 'almost certainly force' the U.S. to create one,\" as a Georgia congressman had alleged.","\"On Wednesday the Obama administration took its first major step in a plan to ban all firearms in the United States. The Obama administration intends to force gun control and a complete ban on all weapons for US citizens through the signing of international treaties with foreign nations. By signing international treaties on gun control, the Obama administration can use the US State Department to bypass the normal legislative process in Congress. Once the US Government signs these international treaties, all US citizens will be subject to those gun laws created by foreign governments.... The laws are designed and intended to lead to the complete ban and confiscation of all firearms...."]},{"id":"5897.json","label":"false","statement":"When we took office, let me remind you, there was virtually no international pressure on Iran.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Vice President Biden that there was \"virtually no international pressure on Iran\" when the Obama administration took office is not accurate. There were multiple United Nations resolutions passed against Iran during the Bush administration, indicating international pressure on Iran. Additionally, since 2010, the United States and other leading powers have implemented various sanctions on Iran, demonstrating a concerted effort to exert international pressure on the country. While the Obama administration may have sought to increase international pressure on Iran, it is false to claim that there was \"virtually no international pressure\" prior to their term.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When we took office, let me remind you, there was virtually no international pressure on Iran,\" Biden said. \"We were the problem.\"","Biden would have had a strong case for high marks on the Truth-O-Meter if he said what appeared to be his main point: the Obama administration has prodded the rest of the world to be tougher on Iran. But there is a disconnect with what the vice president actually said and U.N. resolutions passed against Iran during the Bush administration. The resolutions seem to be a little more than \"virtually no international pressure on Iran.\" We rate Biden\u2019s statement False.","Since 2010, the United States and most of the world\u2019s leading powers have approved several sanctions on Iran. Economic data on Iran is difficult to find, but there is consensus that United Nations sanctions and other forms of punishment are making an impact. The international pressure on Iran includes:","Okay, it appears the world is making life more difficult for the Iranian regime in the last two years. But what about Biden\u2019s argument that the international community wasn\u2019t as tough on Tehran before Obama took office."]},{"id":"10674.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the United States, weve had 12 years in a row of wages declining.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that wages in the United States were lower in 2014 compared to 12 years earlier, it is misleading to claim that there have been 12 consecutive years of declining wages. Wage trends have varied over the years, with periods of both growth and decline. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that wages have experienced fluctuations rather than consistently declining for 12 consecutive years.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But here\u2019s where his phrasing is misleading: It\u2019s not accurate to say the United States has had \"12 years in a row of wages declining.\"","One reader questioned our rating of a claim by former Maryland Gov. Martin O\u2019Malley, that in the United States, we\u2019ve had \"12 years in a row of wages declining.\" We rated that Half True.","During the interview, O\u2019Malley decried the long-term economic fraying of the American dream, saying the United States has had \"12 years in a row of wages declining.\" A reader suggested we check out this claim, so we did.","In March 2015, O\u2019Malley said that the United States \"has had 12 years in a row of wages declining.\" We found that wages in 2014 were in fact lower than they were 12 years earlier. However, wages in years between that rose and fell periodically, and not in the kind of uniformly negative direction that O\u2019Malley described. We rated the claim Half True."]},{"id":"2328.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Charlie Crist has six different positions on ObamaCare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Charlie Crist has made conflicting statements about his views on the health care bill, the claim that he has taken \"six different positions\" is an exaggeration. While he has expressed opposition to the law, stated that he would have voted for it, and called for modifications to the law, these positions can be categorized into three main stances. Therefore, the claim that Crist has taken six different positions is an overstatement. However, it is accurate to say that he has held different positions on the health care bill. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Charlie Crist has six different positions on ObamaCare because he doesn\u2019t actually care about health care, he only cares about getting himself elected. I\u2019m the only candidate in this race who has opposed ObamaCare and vowed to repeal and replace it with a real reform plan that will lower costs, allow people to keep the coverage they have now and give individuals the same tax breaks businesses get to provide health care insurance. We all know Kendrick Meek is a liberal who strongly supports ObamaCare. But Charlie Crist\u2019s political opportunism puts him in a league of his own. After changing his mind six times, I\u2019m still not sure what he believes because he will likely change it again tomorrow.\"","Rubio says Crist has had \"six different positions\" on the health care bill. We agree he has made conflicting statements about his views on the health care bill -- once it only took him two hours to contradict himself. But generally his positions can be summarized in three ways: he was opposed and wanted to repeal the law, he said he would have voted for the law, and he wants to modify the law. We think \"six different positions\" is the wrong number, but \"different positions\" is right on. We rate this claim Half True.","In this Truth-O-Meter we wanted to explore whether Crist has taken \"six different positions\" on the health care law. We've certainly heard of politicians -- including Crist -- flip-flopping about the health care bill, but is it possible to have six different positions? We're defining a \"position\" as a statement in support or opposition of something.","\"In light of political opportunist Charlie Crist taking his sixth position on ObamaCare today, U.S. Senate Republican nominee Marco Rubio issued the following statement:"]},{"id":"8094.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"This year, were off to our best private-sector jobs growth since 1999.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama that the current year (at the time of the statement) had the best private-sector job growth since 1999. Official statistics confirm that the number of jobs created in the first six months of that year exceeded the job growth in any equivalent period since 1999. However, it's worth noting that there were three other years that came very close to the job growth in 2013, falling within the survey's margin of error. Overall, the claim is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Now let\u2019s look at private-sector job growth during the past two years, since Christie said it\u2019s the best it\u2019s been since 1999.","The combined total confirms that the two years are the best for private-sector job growth in New Jersey since 1999, when the state added 99,500 private-sector jobs.","\"Since January 2010, New Jersey has added 103,000 new private sector jobs. The last two years -- 2011 and 2012 -- have been the best two years of private sector job growth since 1999.\"","Obama said, \"This year, we're off to our best private-sector jobs growth since 1999.\" The official statistics show that more jobs were created in the first six months of 2013 than in any equivalent period going back to 1999, but it\u2019s worth noting that three other years came very close to the amount gained in 2013 -- so close that they were within the survey\u2019s margin of error. On balance, we rate the claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"2089.json","label":"true","statement":"Maurice Ferre says Kendrick Meek has voted 98.6 percent of the time with the Democrat party.","reason":"Reason: Maurice Ferre's statement accurately reflects Kendrick Meek's voting record, as reported by The Washington Post and confirmed by a database that tracks congressional voting. According to the data, Meek has voted with his Democratic colleagues approximately 98.4 percent of the time in the current session of Congress. It's important to note that this percentage is based on a specific set of votes and does not include instances where Meek did not vote. Overall, Ferre's claim aligns with the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In the case of Kendrick Meek, Kendrick Meek, in the Washington Post 's view of each of these candidates, has voted 98.6 percent of the times with the Democrat party,\" Ferre said.","In a meeting with the South Florida Sun Sentinel editorial board on July 1, 2010, U.S. Senate candidate Maurice Ferre blasted Democratic rival Kendrick Meek for, basically, having a consistent voting record. In the words of Ferre, a former Miami mayor, Meek has voted 98.6 percent of the time with his political party.","For comparison, 79 other House members, all Democrats, voted with their party at the same percentage or an even higher level in the current session. All Democrats combined voted with their party 92.3 percent of the time, and all Republicans voted with their party 88.4 percent of the time. As expected, a high level of party allegiance is common for most members.","Ferre refers to a Washington Post online database that shows how members of the U.S. Congress have voted since 1991. It indeed reveals that in the current session of Congress, Meek has voted with a majority of his Democratic colleagues slightly below 98.6 percent of the time -- 98.4 percent, to be exact. That's based on 1,355 votes and does not include votes in which Meek did not vote."]},{"id":"10200.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama is accurate. According to publicly available data, since 2010, the United States has indeed created more jobs than all other advanced economies combined. However, it's important to note that the statement does not address the labor force participation rate or the quality of the jobs created. While job creation has been significant, factors such as the labor force participation rate and the types of jobs created should be considered for a comprehensive assessment of the overall employment situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"We've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\"","We previously rated a similar statement by Obama, giving him a Half True for the claim that \"we've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\" His numbers at the time were off, and it seemed like the other economies were ever so slightly edging out the United States for total jobs created.","\"The economy has improved significantly. There's no doubt about it,\" Obama said. \"We had a jobs report for October that showed that once again over 200,000 jobs created. We've now created more than 10 million. The unemployment rate's come down faster than we could have anticipated. Just to give you some perspective, Bob, we've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\"","From publicly available data, we know that since 2010, the United States has created more jobs than the 35 other advanced economies combined. However, it\u2019s not as clear cut that this recovery involves putting \"more people back to work,\" as Obama suggests. The labor force participation rate has consistently declined during this period, suggesting that more and more unemployed Americans are dropping out of the workforce, rather than taking new jobs."]},{"id":"12414.json","label":"false","statement":"A three-cents-per-ounce soda tax in Philadelphia would result in the loss of 2,000 family-sustaining Teamster Union jobs and countless other jobs in the beverage industry.","reason":"Reason: The claim that a three-cents-per-ounce soda tax in Philadelphia would result in the loss of 2,000 Teamster Union jobs and countless other jobs in the beverage industry is not supported by credible evidence. While there may be some potential job impact from such a tax, the estimate of 2,000 job losses is higher than any previous estimate and exceeds what studies have shown. Additionally, the implementation of a tax of this nature has not been done before, making it difficult to predict the exact job loss. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a statement, Teamsters Local 830 secretary Daniel Grace wrote that the implementation of a three-cents-per-ounce sugary drinks tax \"would result in the loss of 2,000 family-sustaining Teamster Union jobs and countless other jobs in the beverage industry.\"","About 2,000 jobs would represent nearly the entire soda bottling and delivering industry in Philadelphia, and Inman said it\u2019s inaccurate to assume that a three-cents-per-ounce tax on soda would cause the entire industry to crumble.","And, at the end of the day, it\u2019s nearly impossible to predict exact job loss as the result of a tax that hasn\u2019t been implemented anywhere else in this way before. Is it within the realm of possibility that 2,000 beverage industry employees would lose their jobs due to the soda tax? Maybe. Is it likely? Not at all.","The Teamsters claim they stand to lose as many as 2,000 jobs in the region and \"countless\" others if Philadelphia implements a soda tax. This estimate is higher than any estimate floated before and tops what studies show the impact would be."]},{"id":"1445.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I have had the challenge during this administration to suspend no less than 37 public officials in about 36 months.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Crist's claim that he had to suspend or remove 37 public officials during his administration. However, it's important to note that the number includes both suspensions and removals, which are different levels of punishment. Additionally, the term \"public officials\" in this context includes not just elected officials but also individuals appointed to state or local boards and public notaries. So, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional clarification regarding the different types of actions taken and the range of individuals included in the count.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You know, I have had the challenge during this administration to suspend no less than 37 public officials in about 36 months,\" Crist told reporters gathered in Tallahassee on Jan. 27, 2010. \"It's pretty stunning, and it's pretty disappointing.\"","Crist told reporters he has had to \"suspend no less than 37 public officials\" since taking office in 2007. He's just about right on. The number actually includes people Crist removed from office, a more severe punishment than suspension. And the final number includes the suspensions of eight public notaries -- not what most people think of when they hear \"public official.\" Crist gets points off for both, and from PolitiFact, a rating of Mostly True.","The Florida Constitution enables( \"enables\") Crist, as governor, to suspend any elected public official indicted for a crime and remove public officials from office who are convicted. The governor also can suspend state or county officials -- anyone from people appointed to state or local boards or even public notaries -- for misconduct.","When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%."]},{"id":"4064.json","label":"false","statement":"On repeal of Wisconsins smoking ban","reason":"Reason: During the campaign, Governor Walker initially expressed support for repealing the smoking ban, stating that he believed the government should not have been involved in implementing such a ban. However, after listening to feedback from people across the state, he changed his position and stated that he would not support a repeal of the smoking ban. This change in stance indicates that Governor Walker ultimately decided that the ban was effective and should remain in place. Therefore, the statement that Governor Walker supported the repeal of Wisconsin's smoking ban is not accurate based on his later position.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The following day, on July 10, 2010, Walker matched Neumann\u2019s call for a repeal of the ban: \"I don't think the government should have been involved in a smoking ban in the first place, and as governor, I would sign a repeal of this law.\"","\"Although I did not support the original smoking ban, after listening to people across the state, it is clear to me that it works. Therefore I will not support a repeal.\"","The smoking ban did not become a key issue during the primary campaign or the general election. And Walker did not made any additional statements about the ban until the one where he said he would not back its repeal.","\"I don't think the government should have been involved in a smoking ban in the first place, and as governor, I would sign a repeal of this law,\" Walker said in the fall 2010 campaign."]},{"id":"11034.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Obama in November of last year wiped away (a program) that allows for shared fingerprinting for those who are behind bars so you know who is here legally and illegally.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama ended the Secure Communities program, which utilized shared fingerprinting to identify individuals in the country illegally. However, it is important to note that the process of sharing fingerprints and identifying individuals who are not supposed to be in the country still continues through other means. The program that ended was the deportation process associated with Secure Communities, not the entire process of identifying individuals based on shared fingerprinting. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the complete context of the changes made to the program.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"President Obama in November of last year wiped away the Secure Communities program,\" Faulkner said on Outnumbered on July 6, 2015. \"When you take away a program that allows for shared fingerprinting for those who are behind bars so you know who is here legally and illegally ... you're tacitly saying we don't really care who we have in this country.\"","Faulkner said that Obama ended Secure Communities, a program that used fingerprint sharing to identify people in the country illegally. She is correct that Obama ended that program, but outside experts and ICE itself told us that the process of sharing fingerprints and identifying people who are not supposed to be in America continues. What ended was the deportation process that was at the center of Secure Communities.","President Barack Obama is far ahead with Hispanic voters, but he faced tough questions during a Univision interview at the University of Miami on Sept. 20, 2012.","The Department of Homeland Security ended a program called Secure Communities that used fingerprints sent by local police departments to flag people who were in the country illegally."]},{"id":"486.json","label":"true","statement":"McCain sought the political support of minister John Hagee, \"who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church 'the Antichrist' and a 'false cult.'\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made about John Hagee's beliefs and his endorsement of Senator McCain. Hagee has indeed made controversial statements, including his belief that Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and his characterization of the Catholic Church as the \"Antichrist\" and a \"false cult.\" Senator McCain sought Hagee's political support, which led to controversy and criticism, particularly from the Catholic League. It's important to note that this statement does not imply that Senator McCain shares or endorses these beliefs, but rather highlights his association with Hagee and the controversy surrounding it.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years,\" the e-mail said. \"McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church 'the Antichrist' and a 'false cult.'\"","\"McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his 'spiritual guide,' Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a 'false religion.' McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church 'the Antichrist' and a 'false cult.' \"","\"The newspaper carried the story in our local area that was not carried nationally that there was to be a homosexual parade on the Monday that the Katrina came, and the promise of that parade was that it was going to reach a level of sexuality never demonstrated before in any of the other Gay Pride parades. So I believe that the judgment of God is a very real thing. I know that there are people who demure from that, but I believe that the Bible teaches that when you violate the law of God, that God brings punishment sometimes before the day of judgment, and I believe that the Hurricane Katrina was, in fact, the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans.\"","Hagee's endorsement of McCain on Feb. 27, 2008, set off several rounds of controversy. The day after the endorsement, the Catholic League called Hagee an anti-Catholic bigot and lamented McCain's connection to him. The Catholic League monitors anti-Catholic bias and emphasizes Catholic teaching on abortion and other moral issues. It pointed to a video of Hagee in which Hagee discusses the Book of Revelation and the Catholic Church. Hagee clearly uses the words \"Antichrist\" and \"false cult\" as he discusses the Catholic Church, the Crusades and the Holocaust. (His statements are a little confusing; watch the video here.)"]},{"id":"4807.json","label":"true","statement":"Says 51 percent of federal tax filers paid zero federal income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to multiple sources, including the Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center, approximately 51 percent of federal tax filers paid no federal income tax in 2009. This figure takes into account various deductions, exceptions, and accumulated gifts in the tax code, which resulted in a significant portion of tax filers having no federal income tax liability. It's important to note that this statistic refers specifically to federal income tax and does not encompass other forms of taxes that individuals may have paid.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"As a result\" of all the deductions, exceptions and accumulated gifts in the tax code,\" Cornilles continues, \"fifty-one percent of federal tax filers paid zero federal income tax\" in 2009, the most recent year for which full details are available.","It's clear Romney is referring to federal taxes and his figure mirrors one from the Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center, which found that in 2011, 46 percent of tax filers paid no income tax, vs. about 54 percent of tax filers that did have some federal income tax liability. In 2009, the Tax Policy Center estimated the proportion who paid no taxes was 47 percent.","\"But right now, the fact (is) that according to the Committee on Joint Taxation, 51 percent -- that is, a majority of American households -- paid no income tax in 2009. Zero. Zip. Nada. \u2026 Actually, to show how out of whack things have gotten, 30 percent of American households actually made money from the tax system by way of refundable tax credits -- the Earned Income Tax Credit, among others. So 51 percent of American households paid no income tax in 2009, but 30 percent actually made money under the current system.\"","\"For example, a couple with two children earning less than $26,400 will pay no federal income tax this year because their $11,600 standard deduction and four exemptions of $3,700 each reduce their taxable income to zero,\" Roberton Williams, a scholar with the Tax Policy Center, wrote last year. \"The basic structure of the income tax simply exempts subsistence levels of income from tax.\""]},{"id":"8333.json","label":"true","statement":"I would be the first Republican senator elected in New Jersey in 41 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. There has not been a Republican senator elected in New Jersey for 41 years. While there have been Republican senators from New Jersey in the past, they were either appointed or served prior to the 41-year period mentioned. Therefore, if the candidate mentioned in the statement were to be elected, they would indeed be the first Republican senator elected in New Jersey in 41 years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I would be the first Republican senator elected in New Jersey in 41 years,\" said Lonegan, who is vying with Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a Democrat, for the seat left vacant after Sen. Frank Lautenberg died in early June.","If elected, the Republican would be the first senator from his party to be elected to the upper house of Congress in at least two generations, Lonegan noted during a radio interview Monday on the John Gambling show, during which he discussed his campaign.","In 2006, Menendez replaced Jon Corzine, when the then-first-term Senator Corzine was elected New Jersey\u2019s governor. Menendez won a full term to the Senate later that year. He is up for re-election this November against Republican Joe Kyrillos, who Christie has endorsed.","Since then, New Jersey voters have not elected another GOP candidate to the Senate. And though a Republican from New Jersey briefly served in the Senate in 1982, he was appointed, not elected."]},{"id":"10711.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsins attorney general and state treasurer ordered the daughter of Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson not to discuss climate change on state time.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Wisconsin's attorney general and state treasurer did issue an order prohibiting the daughter of Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson from discussing climate change on state time. This order was reflected in a resolution approved by the agency's board, as confirmed by the advocacy group NextGen Climate. The resolution restricts the discussion of global warming during official work hours. The statement accurately reflects this situation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Wisconsin\u2019s attorney general and state treasurer ordered the daughter of Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson not to discuss climate change on state time.","The advocacy group NextGen Climate says Nelson, daughter of the founder of Earth Day, is under orders not to discuss global warming on state time. That\u2019s indeed the wording of the resolution approved 2-1 by the agency\u2019s board. We rate the statement True.","It\u2019s been that way for several months at the obscure public lands agency, which is overseen by three board members -- Attorney General Brad Schimel, state Treasurer Matt Adamczyk, both Republicans, and Secretary of State Douglas La Follette, a Democrat.","She did note she was going to be on vacation April 22, which is Earth Day, giving a talk about her father at his alma mater, San Jose State University."]},{"id":"1284.json","label":"false","statement":"President Bush never did one interview with the New York Times during his entire presidency.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Bush did, in fact, grant an interview to the New York Times during his presidency. On August 26, 2004, Bush gave a half-hour interview to the New York Times while campaigning in New Mexico. Therefore, the claim that President Bush never did an interview with the New York Times during his entire presidency is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Would it surprise you to learn that President Bush never did one interview with the New York Times during his entire presidency? Not one in eight years?\" she asked.","To be clear, we're not checking Maddow's broader point that Bush played favorites with the press. Is there any president who hasn't? Rather, we're checking Maddow's statement that President Bush \"never did one interview with the New York Times during his entire presidency.\" That's not the case, so we rate her statement False.","That might sound on first blush like the New York Times never got an interview ever , but the newspaper did have interviews prior to 2006.","\u2022 On Aug 26, 2004, Bush gave a half-hour interview to the New York Times as he campaigned through New Mexico. Bush told the newspaper that he did not believe Sen. John Kerry lied about his war record, as some groups alleged during the campaign."]},{"id":"11947.json","label":"false","statement":"Mr. Trump is self-financing his campaign, so we dont have any donors.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump has contributed a significant amount of his own money to his campaign, it is not accurate to claim that there are no outside donors. Trump's self-financing has increased in the final quarter of 2015, but prior to that, individual contributions made up a substantial portion of the funds raised for his campaign. Therefore, the statement that there are no donors to Trump's campaign is misleading and does not reflect the full picture of his campaign financing.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Mr. Trump is self-financing his campaign, so we don\u2019t have any donors,\" Lewandowski, Trump\u2019s campaign manager, told a Virginia radio audience. Seconds later, he virtually repeated the claim.","The subject of this fact-check is not debate tickets but Lewandowski\u2019s repeated claim that the billionaire Trump is the \"only\" contributor to his campaign. Trump often says he\u2019s \"self-financing\" his campaign, a statement our colleagues at PolitiFact National recently rated Half-True. Lewandowski\u2019s assertion that there are no outside donors to the campaign, however, takes Trump\u2019s claim to a new level and deserves a separate look.","\u2022Trump ramped up his self-financing in the final quarter of 2015, when he made $10.8 million of his loans to his campaign.","It\u2019s worth noting a couple more caveats. First, Trump\u2019s self-financing only really picked up in the last three months of 2015. From the start of his campaign in April through October last year, individual contributions made up about 67 percent of total money raised for his campaign."]},{"id":"3705.json","label":"true","statement":"Nearly 2,000 high schools - roughly 12 percent of all secondary schools in the United States - produce about half of the nations dropouts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to multiple sources, including Scott, D-3rd, and Colleen Wilber from the America's Promise Alliance, approximately 12 percent of all secondary schools in the United States, which is nearly 2,000 high schools, are responsible for producing approximately half of the nation's dropouts. This statistic highlights the concentration of dropout rates in a relatively small number of schools.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Nearly 2,000 high schools - roughly 12 percent of all secondary schools in the United States - produce about half of the nation\u2019s dropouts.\"","\"Nearly 2,000 high schools - roughly 12 percent of all secondary schools in the United States - produce about half of the nation\u2019s dropouts,\" Scott, D-3rd, said in an April 7 news release.","Those 1,634 low-performing schools represent about 10 to 12 percent of the nation\u2019s high schools and still produce about half of the nation\u2019s drop outs, said Colleen Wilber, a spokeswoman for the America\u2019s Promise Alliance.","Based on 2006 data, the report classified 1,999 high schools across the nation as \"low performing.\" Balfanz said these schools, representing about 14 percent of the nation\u2019s regular and vocational high schools enrolling 100 or more students, reliably produced 50 percent of America\u2019s dropouts. He dubbed them dubbed \"dropout factories.\""]},{"id":"7788.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Affordable Care Act is bringing the cost of health care in our country down.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has resulted in a slowdown in the rate of growth of healthcare costs, it is important to note that the actual cost of care is still rising. The ACA implemented various measures aimed at reducing healthcare costs, such as promoting preventive care and implementing payment reforms. However, the overall impact on reducing the cost of healthcare in the country is still a subject of debate, and it is too early to determine the full extent of the ACA's effect on healthcare costs. Therefore, while the ACA has contributed to a slowdown in cost growth, it is not accurate to claim that it is bringing the cost of healthcare down.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We asked Pelosi\u2019s office for evidence that the Affordable Care Act \"is bringing the cost of health care in our country down.\"","Pelosi said \"the Affordable Care Act is bringing the cost of health care in our country down.\" But it\u2019s the rate of growth that\u2019s dropped, not the actual cost of care \u2014 which is still rising.","> \"Many of the initiatives that he passed are what are coming to bear now, including the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act is bringing the cost of health care in our country down in both the public and private sector.","While key elements of the Affordable Care Act don\u2019t go into effect until 2014, we wondered if the law has already brought down the cost of care."]},{"id":"11346.json","label":"true","statement":"Tens of thousands of Atlanta households pay more than 30 percent of their income towards rent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided, which indicates that tens of thousands of households in Atlanta indeed pay more than 30 percent of their income towards rent. The data shows that approximately 50,509 households in Atlanta, which is nearly half of all city households, spend 30 percent or more of their income on housing. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Tens of thousands of Atlanta households are cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30 percent of their income towards rent,\" Cardinale recently wrote in the Saporta Report.","A left-leaning housing advocate championed a scorecard of new housing development in Atlanta by claiming that \"tens of thousands\" of households in the city paid more than 30 percent of their income on rent.","Of 105,999 households now estimated in the city, 52,787 of them paid more than 30 percent of their income on rent in the past 12 months.","That data back up his claim, showing 50,509 of Atlanta households spent 30 percent or more of their income on housing. That\u2019s 49 percent of all city households."]},{"id":"3886.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Out of 150,000 tenured teachers in the last 10 years, only 17 have been dismissed for incompetence.","reason":"Reason: Governor Chris Christie's claim that only 17 out of 150,000 tenured New Jersey teachers have been dismissed for incompetence in the past 10 years is supported by state records. While the figure of 150,000 tenured teachers is inaccurate, as state records indicate a lower number of certified teachers, the claim about the 17 dismissals for incompetence is accurate. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, with the caveat that the number of tenured teachers is lower than stated.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Gov. Chris Christie claims only 17 of 150,000 tenured New Jersey teachers have been dismissed for incompetence in the past 10 years","PolitiFact New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie claims only 17 of 150,000 tenured New Jersey teachers have been dismissed for incompetence in the past 10 years, June 10, 2011","The governor said 17 out of 150,000 tenured teachers were dismissed for incompetence in the last 10 years. The 150,000 figure is off, since state records show no more than 114,704 certified teachers have been working in the past decade. But state records back up his statement about the 17 cases involving inefficiency or incompetence charges.","( - Gov. Chris Christie claims only 17 of 150,000 tenured New Jersey teachers have been dismissed for incompetence in the past 10 years&url=)"]},{"id":"3838.json","label":"false","statement":"Look at the debt that has been accumulated in the last two years. Its more debt under this president than all those other presidents combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that the national debt increased during President Obama's tenure, it is false to claim that the debt accumulated in the last two years of his presidency exceeded the debt accumulated by all previous presidents combined. The total national debt is a cumulative figure that includes the debt accumulated over the entire history of the United States. It is important to consider the context and the long-term trends when discussing the national debt. \nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Look at the debt that has been accumulated in the last two years. It's more debt under this president than all those other presidents combined.\"","6. \"Look at the debt that has been accumulated in the last two years. It's more debt under this president than all those other presidents combined.\"","\"Look at the debt that has been accumulated in the last two years,\" Palin, a Republican, told Fox News\u2019 Greta Van Susteren on May 31, 2011, as her bus rolled down the highway. \"It's more debt under this president than all those other presidents combined.\"","Says President Barack Obama \"added\" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined."]},{"id":"10828.json","label":"true","statement":"Annual precipitation has increased in Rhode Island by over 12 inches in the last century.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including the University of Rhode Island's Sea Grant program and data from the National Weather Service. These sources confirm that annual precipitation in Rhode Island has indeed increased by over 12 inches in the last century. The evidence provided demonstrates a consistent trend of increasing precipitation levels over time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In summary, David Cicilline said annual precipitation \"has increased in Rhode Island by over 12 inches in the last century.\" Reliable but slightly out-of-date sources back him up. The 100-year increase we calculated going through 2014 is just a tenth of an inch shy of 12 inches, but the difference between that and being slightly over 12 inches is just a few drops in the bucket.","Cicilline and Shank argued that, \"Greater annual precipitation, which has increased in Rhode Island by over 12 inches in the last century, also means movement and mixing of pollutants, nutrients, contaminants and salinity levels, all of which can critically undermine marine productivity.\"","The first is a four page fact sheet from the University of Rhode Island's Sea Grant program which says, \"In Rhode Island, precipitation has increased by over 12 inches since 1905, mostly during non-summer months.\" Because the undated sheet refers to a weather event in 2012, it's clear that the \"over 12 inches\" is referring to a time span of at least 107 years.","!The blue dots show annual precipitation (in inches) for each year over the past 100 years. The solid trend line reveals in increase of nearly one foot over the past century. Data are from the National Weather Service for the Providence area. !The blue dots show annual precipitation (in inches) for each year over the past 100 years. The solid trend line reveals in increase of nearly one foot over the past century. Data are from the National Weather Service for the Providence area."]},{"id":"7263.json","label":"true","statement":"The state budget proposal has been submitted on time and [its] the earliest that a governor has done so in over two decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Governor Lincoln Chafee claimed that his state budget proposal was submitted on time and is the earliest submission by a governor in over two decades. This claim has been verified and confirmed by multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The state budget proposal has been submitted \"on time and it's the earliest that a governor has done so in over two decades.\"","We wondered whether Chafee's claim that his budget is the earliest to be submitted in more than two decades was true.","Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee says he submitted his state budget proposal earlier than any governor in the past two decades","During his Jan. 16 speech to members of the House and Senate, Chafee declared, \"I submit this budget to the General Assembly on Jan. 16th \u2013 on time and the earliest that a governor has done so in over two decades.\""]},{"id":"12441.json","label":"true","statement":"Vietnamese is the third most commonly spoken language in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Vietnamese is indeed the third most commonly spoken language in Texas, following English and Spanish. This is supported by the statements made by Senator John Cornyn, as well as independent fact-checking sources. The presence of Vietnamese speakers in Texas, along with other foreign languages, has been increasing due to changing immigration patterns. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Cornyn opened his Senate floor remarks, though, by calling Vietnamese residents of his home state of Texas \"some of the most accomplished people.\" The second-term Republican added: \"Many are surprised when I tell them that Vietnamese is the third most commonly spoken language in Texas.\"","John Cornyn, the state\u2019s senior U.S. senator, was right, we found, when he termed Vietnamese the third most commonly spoken language in Texas; in 2014, English and Spanish ranked first and second. Nationally, French ranked No. 3.","Some 164 languages are lately spoken in Texas, the story said. Significantly, it said, changing \"immigration patterns are increasing the number of other foreign languages spoken in Texas households, from Vietnamese and Chinese to Tagalog, the language spoken in the Philippines.\"","!Texas Sen. John Cornyn shakes hands with Joey Cruz, a Marine veteran, at a Memorial Day 2016 event in Bastrop. Cornyn was right about Vietnamese being the third-most spoken language in Texas (Photo, Fran Hunter, Bastrop Advertiser) !Texas Sen. John Cornyn shakes hands with Joey Cruz, a Marine veteran, at a Memorial Day 2016 event in Bastrop. Cornyn was right about Vietnamese being the third-most spoken language in Texas (Photo, Fran Hunter, Bastrop Advertiser)"]},{"id":"11915.json","label":"false","statement":"The most likely triggering cause of (microcephaly) is the DTaP shot, a vaccine that had been recently mandated by the Brazilian government to be injected into pregnant women.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the DTaP shot is the most likely triggering cause of microcephaly in Brazil is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple studies have found no ill effects on babies when pregnant women receive the DTaP vaccine, and there is no scientific evidence linking the vaccine to microcephaly. Additionally, it is important to note that Brazil actually used a slightly different version of the vaccine called Tdap, which was administered to reduce whooping cough in infants. The assertion that the DTaP shot is the primary cause of microcephaly lacks scientific support and contradicts the findings of extensive research.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In the whole week of reports that I heard or read about, not a single interviewer asked about \u2013 and not a single \u2018expert\u2019 or mainstream journalists ever mentioned the most likely triggering cause of the epidemic, and that is the neurotoxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, aluminum that was in every DTaP shot, a vaccine that had been recently mandated (early in 2015) by the Brazilian government to be injected into pregnant women \u2013 and therefore into their fetuses,\" Kohls wrote.","An online article on the website of the Centre for Research of Globalization said the DTaP vaccine is the mostly likely cause of microcephaly in Brazil. First of all, Brazil used Tdap, a slightly different version of the vaccine. More important, not a bit of evidence supports the assertion that either variety lies behind microcephaly. Many thousands of pregnant women in the United States and around the world have been getting this vaccine for at least five years and multiple studies have found no ill effects on their babies. Not a single study has raised a red flag for any birth defect and certainly not microcephaly.","Brazil did begin vaccinating pregnant women starting in late 2014. (Hat tip to Brazilian fact-checker Cristina Tard\u00e1guila at Lupa News.) However, according to the Brazilian Health Department press release, the vaccine they distributed was a version called Tdap. This was part of an international push to reduce whooping cough in infants. Inoculating mothers late in pregnancy allowed them to pass antibodies to their unborn children.","The weakest part of the argument that Tdap plays a role in microcephaly is that pregnant women in the United States, and elsewhere, have been getting the vaccine and there is no hint of a connection to microcephaly. Elyse Kharbanda is a top national researcher on vaccine safety at HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research in Minneapolis."]},{"id":"8737.json","label":"true","statement":"Our economy still has three people looking for every job (opening).","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sperling that in the current economy, there are three people looking for work per job opening. This claim has been supported by the analysis of BLS numbers and economists, indicating that the ratio is indeed around three job seekers per job opening. However, it's important to note that this ratio does not necessarily imply that all job seekers are qualified or suitable for the available positions. Employers may still face challenges in finding candidates with the desired skills and qualifications. Nonetheless, the statement is considered true based on the given evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Most of the people are desperately looking for jobs,\" he said. \"You know, our economy still has three people looking for every job (opening).\"","Sperling said that in today\u2019s economy, there are three people looking for work per job available. We crunched BLS numbers and got the same ratio, as did economists. The BLS data has shortcomings, some that would make the ratio higher and some that would make it lower. It also might not accurately reflect what the climate looks like from the perspective of employers or job seekers. Still, these are minor quibbles. We rate his statement True.","On the other hand, it\u2019s worth noting that Sperling\u2019s claim implies that for each job opening, there are three qualified applicants employers can choose from, but that\u2019s a generous assumption.","\"So it is possible for there to be a relatively high number of applicants for a job but employers may still feel like it is hard to hire because the people applying don't have the skills they are looking for,\" Sinclair said. \"Or people may not apply to the jobs that are out there because they are not a good fit for any number of reasons.\""]},{"id":"10435.json","label":"true","statement":"Democrats have lost more than 900 state legislators since Barack Obama has been president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Data analysis confirms that Democrats have indeed lost over 900 state legislative seats since Barack Obama became president. This decline in Democratic representation at the state level is a significant political trend that has occurred during Obama's presidency.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He\u2019s lost almost 70 Democrats since he\u2019s been president,\" Roberts said of Congress, \"and more than 900 state legislators. So he needs to give Democrats something to run on.\"","Roberts said Obama sought to inspire Democrats across the country in his State of the Union address in part because the party lost \"more than 900 state legislators\" since he took office.","Says President Barack Obama \"has lost more members of the House and more members of the Senate than any president ever has lost\" in modern times.","Our analysis shows Democrats have lost 910 seats since Obama took office. (You can see the changes in every state here.)"]},{"id":"4716.json","label":"false","statement":"If Rhode Island does a hybrid [retirement] plan well be the first state in the nation to do this.","reason":"Reason: Governor Chafee's statement that Rhode Island would be the first state in the nation to adopt a hybrid retirement plan is incorrect. There are other states, such as Alaska and Michigan, that have already implemented hybrid retirement plans for public employees. Therefore, Rhode Island would not be the first state to adopt such a plan.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rhode Island, of course, isn\u2019t the only state to wrestle with pension problems. So we wondered: Would Rhode Island be the first in the nation to adopt a hybrid retirement plan?","\"And also,\u2019\u2019 the governor said, \"somebody told me recently that if Rhode Island does a hybrid plan we\u2019ll be the first state in the nation to do this.\u2019\u2019","Governor Chafee was clearly wrong when he told state lawmakers that if they approve his administration\u2019s pension reforms, Rhode Island would \"be the first state in the nation\u2019\u2019 to adopt a hybrid plan.","( - Gov. Lincoln Chafee says Rhode Island would be first state in U.S. to adopt hybrid retirement plan for public employees&url=)"]},{"id":"3755.json","label":"true","statement":"Failure to raise the debt limit does not force a U.S. default on debt payments.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided. According to Steve Forbes, failure to raise the debt ceiling would not automatically cause the United States to default on its debt. Forbes argues that even if the debt ceiling is reached, the government would still have significantly more revenue than needed to fulfill debt obligations. He suggests that the government would need to actively choose not to make debt payments for an immediate default to occur. Therefore, based on this information, it can be concluded that failure to raise the debt limit does not force a U.S. default on debt payments.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Forbes\u2019 claim is that failure to raise the debt ceiling would not \"automatically\" cause the U.S. to default on its debt.","\"The most inflammatory rhetoric we\u2019re hearing is the threat that failure to raise the debt limit would automatically cause the U.S. to default on our national debt. This claim, thankfully, is baseless,\" he said.","\"Whether or not the debt ceiling is raised, the federal government collects significantly more revenue than it needs to fulfill U.S. debt obligations,\" Forbes wrote. \"If the debt ceiling is reached, the government will still have ten times as much revenue as it needs to make debt payments. The only way the U.S. will immediately default upon reaching the debt ceiling is if the government actively chooses to do so by not making debt payments.\"","Partisan posturing between the parties over the debt isn\u2019t unusual. But what is unusual this time is that Republicans are going further than the minority party has in the past by using the filibuster to force the Democrats to increase the debt limit."]},{"id":"12822.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has defended World War II internment camps.","reason":"Reason: While Donald Trump did not explicitly defend the World War II internment camps for Japanese Americans, his comments and statements have been interpreted by some as implying support or drawing parallels to the internment camps. Trump's remarks about implementing a Muslim ban and his comparison to how Roosevelt handled World War II have led to speculation and criticism regarding his stance on the internment camps. However, it is important to note that Trump himself has clarified that he was not praising the internment camps. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate as it implies a direct defense of the internment camps by Donald Trump.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["ABC\u2019s George Stephanopoulos asked Trump, \"I take it you are praising the setting up of internment camps for Japanese during world War II?\"","\"This room is filled with many proud Americans who can tell similar stories about their own families. Great-grandchildren of Irish immigrants who came to cities like New York and Boston and saw signs that read 'No Irish Need Apply' and just worked harder,\" Castro said. \"Grandchildren of Americans who suffered in World War II internment camps \u2014 the same camps that Donald Trump has defended \u2014 and grew up to be business owners, war heroes, and public servants. Children of immigrants who have contributed to our country as doctors, police officers, and \u2014 guess what \u2014 even impartial judges.\"","Trump did not explicitly defend the internment camps. But he made a lot of people think along those lines by not outright condemning the World War II detention of Japanese Americans during multiple interviews.","Trump likened his proposed Muslim ban to how Roosevelt handled World War II. When pressed by journalists if he supported the internment camps for Japanese Americans under Roosevelt\u2019s order, Trump said he was not praising that exactly."]},{"id":"7967.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 1999, the NRA leadership in Washington, pretty much the same people intact, were for (expanded background checks.)","reason":"Reason: In 1999, the NRA leadership in Washington did express support for expanding background checks in general. However, it is important to note that the NRA's support for expanded checks was not universal and did not extend to specific legislative measures. The context of specific legislation and the details of the proposed expansion may have influenced the NRA's stance at that time. While the statement is generally accurate in terms of the NRA's general support for expanded background checks in 1999, it is important to consider the nuances and complexities surrounding the NRA's position on specific legislative measures.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Manchin explained his continued pursuit of expanding background checks, saying that in 1999, even \"the NRA leadership in Washington, pretty much the same people intact, were for this.\"","\"And I said, all we have done \u2014 and I said, guess what? In 1999, the NRA leadership in Washington, pretty much the same people intact, were for this. I haven't changed. They changed, Chris.\"","But then, as now, the group was opposed to specific legislative measures behind implementation of expanded checks. Even Manchin\u2019s compromise measure may not have passed muster with 1999\u2019s NRA. He\u2019s right that the leadership expressed support for expanding background checks generally, but the details get more complicated, especially in the context of specific legislation. We rate his claim Mostly True.","But the House rejected an expansion of background checks in June 1999 \u2014 a rejection the NRA supported. A Washington Post headline at the time said, \"NRA Achieves Its Goal: Nothing.\""]},{"id":"1862.json","label":"false","statement":"Turkey is an Arab country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Turkey is not an Arab country. While Turkey does have a majority Muslim population, it is not part of the Arab League and does not have Arabic as its predominant language. The main language spoken in Turkey is Turkish, and the country has its own distinct cultural and historical identity separate from the Arab world. It is important to differentiate between religious and cultural identities when discussing countries and regions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Shortly after the show ended, Moulitsas sent this Twitter message: \"I got one for PolitiFact -- I slipped and called Turkey an 'Arab' country. I knew it as I said it. I meant 'Muslim.'\"","In Turkey, the predominant language is Turkish, while in Arab countries, the main language is Arabic. The Arab League has 22 members, and Turkey is not among them. And between 70 percent and 75 percent of Turkey's population is ethnically Turkish, with 18 percent Kurdish and the remainder smaller minorities (including a modest number of Arabs).","The one thing that Turkey has in common with the Arab world is religion: An estimated 99.8 percent of the Turkish population is Muslim.","Moulitsas said, \"I mean, the fact is whether Israel had the right to do what it did or not, they handled it so poorly that they basically alienated much of the world. They alienated an important Arab ally in Turkey, and they put the United States in a really difficult position.\""]},{"id":"11641.json","label":"true","statement":"The number of people in Atlanta dying from HIV and AIDS declined 59 percent between 2004 and 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the report cited, the number of people dying from HIV and AIDS in Atlanta (Fulton County) decreased by 59 percent between 2004 and 2012. This decline indicates positive progress in combating the impact of HIV and AIDS in the city during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Citing a report from an independent program of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the press release said the number of people dying here from HIV-related diseases plunged 59 percent between 2004 and 2012.","The number of people dying annually from HIV\/AIDS in Fulton County dropped from 195 to 96 in those eight years, a 51 percent decline.","By 2014, 80 people in Fulton had died from HIV or AIDS, a rate of 8 percent. That\u2019s a 59 percent decline by number or a 66.8 percent decrease in rate from the peak a decade ago.","Atlanta had the fourth highest mortality rate of the cities, with 24.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2004, according to the report. In 2012, the last year data was available for a majority of the cities, the rate was 9.8 \u2013 a 59 percent drop just as Fulton touted in the press release."]},{"id":"11501.json","label":"false","statement":"92 percent of the jobs lost during Barack Obamas first term belonged to women.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 92 percent of the jobs lost during Barack Obama's first term belonged to women is inaccurate. The evidence shows that the number of women with jobs actually increased by 416,000 during Obama's first term. The claim made by Fiorina is not supported by the available data and has been widely debunked. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Fiorina said 92 percent of the jobs lost during Obama\u2019s first term belonged to women. By January 2013, the jobs numbers don\u2019t back it up at all. The number of women with jobs increased by 416,000 during Obama\u2019s first term.","\"It is the height of hypocrisy for Mrs. Clinton to talk about being the first woman president, when every single policy she espouses and every single policy of President Obama has been demonstratively bad for women,\" Fiorina said. \"Ninety-two percent of the jobs lost during Barack Obama's first term belonged to women.\"","First, why should it matter that men had already lost millions of jobs? Was it now women\u2019s \u201cturn\u201d? Is this part of the President\u2019s conception of \u201cfairness\u201d that he talks about so frequently? If the data showed the opposite (i.e. that women had been disproportionately hurt prior to the President taking office), we imagine you would have used that as an indictment of Ms. Saul by arguing that the trend was inherent to the recession and predated the President.","I was deeply troubled to read your piece dated April 6, in which you review Romney for President Press Secretary Andrea Saul\u2019s statement that \u201cwomen account for 92.3 percent of the jobs lost under Obama,\u201d find it to be \u201caccurate,\u201d and then rate it \u201cMostly False.\u201d Putting aside the obvious problems with rating an accurate statement mostly false, your analysis in this instance was so inadequate that the piece ended up being little more than Obama for Americaspin. I hope you will consider the problems identified below, retract the piece, and replace it with one confirming the accuracy of what Ms. Saul said."]},{"id":"9067.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama was responsible for the assassination of at least four American citizens in drone strikes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kesha Rogers that President Barack Obama was responsible for the assassination of at least four American citizens in drone strikes. The Obama administration did acknowledge the killing of four American citizens in drone strikes outside of Afghanistan and Iraq, as reported by The New York Times. However, the term \"assassination\" is subjective and carries different connotations. While some argue that these killings were targeted assassinations, others contend that they were carried out as part of counterterrorism operations against individuals involved in terrorist activities. The use of the term \"assassination\" implies a deliberate and unlawful act, which is a matter of debate and interpretation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["As LaRouche Democrat and U.S. Senate candidate Kesha Rogers of Texas calls for the impeachment of Democratic President Barack Obama, she lists among her reasons the \"assassination\" of U.S. citizens.","U.S. drone strikes reportedly carried out on Obama\u2019s authority killed the citizens listed by Rogers. But three deaths were evidently not intended, while it\u2019s debated -- and unsettled at best -- whether the killing of al-Awlaki, targeted for his al-Qaeda role, was an assassination.","On May 22, 2013, the Obama administration \"formally acknowledged for the first time that it had killed four American citizens in drone strikes outside the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq\" since 2009, The New York Times said in a news story posted online that day.","Rogers says on her campaign website that Obama violated the Fifth Amendment \"with the avowed assassination of at least four American citizens, Anwar Al-Awlaki, his 16-year-old son, Samir Khan, and Jude Mohammed, without benefit of due process of law. Indeed, the death warrants against these individuals were effectively signed in secret, in a committee which is overseen directly by the president.\""]},{"id":"2311.json","label":"true","statement":"Says a highway was closed in El Paso because of bullets flying across the border.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. There was an incident in El Paso where a section of U.S. 85 was closed due to gunfire from Mexico. This closure was prompted by safety concerns caused by bullets crossing the border. Reports indicate that at least one bullet was found in a Texas university building, and while other reports of bullets crossing the border are unconfirmed, they align with Abbott's statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among the examples Abbott gave was \"the closure of a highway in El Paso for a time period because of safety issues because of bullets flying across the border.\"","We wondered whether Abbott, a Republican who is being challenged by Democratic nominee Barbara Ann Radnofsky this fall, got that right. Did bullets really cross the border, causing the highway to be closed?","Petry said the road, which he described as four lanes with stop signs and stoplights, was closed for about 30 minutes. Petry, who told us that he has worked at the police department since 1982, said he could not remember another time that an El Paso street had been closed because of gunfire in Mexico.","So, where does that leave Abbott's statement? Gunfire in Mexico did spur El Paso authorities to close a section of U.S. 85, an action that a police spokesman said was unprecedented. One bullet was found in a Texas university building, and other reports, though unconfirmed as yet, indicate more \"bullets were flying across the border,\" as Abbott said."]},{"id":"7179.json","label":"false","statement":"If the House of Representatives fails to extend the middle-class tax cuts, 400,000 middle-class Rhode Island families will see their federal income taxes increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the Obama administration that 400,000 middle-class Rhode Island families would see their federal income taxes increase if the House of Representatives fails to extend the middle-class tax cuts is false. Fact-checking sources have found that this claim is a substantial exaggeration. Rhode Island has a population of approximately 1 million people, and the number of middle-class families affected is significantly lower than the stated figure. The evidence suggests that the claim of 400,000 affected families is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a report tailored for Rhode Island, the administration claims: \"If the House of Representatives fails to extend the middle-class tax cuts, 400,000 middle-class Rhode Island families will see their federal income taxes increase.\"","But saying that the number of middle-class Rhode Island families to be affected is 400,000 is a substantial exaggeration. We rate Mr. Obama's claim False.","Rhode Island only has a million people (1,051,302 according to the latest census estimate). So 400,000 middle-class families seemed like a high number to us. We decided to check.","The federal poverty level is about $15,000 a year for a family of two. According to the latest census income data from 2011, 8.4 percent of Rhode Island families -- about 21,500 -- had an income of less than $15,000."]},{"id":"9873.json","label":"true","statement":"Eight out of the nine states with competitive Senate races, Hispanics make up less than 10 percent of the electorate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources. According to the sources mentioned, in states with competitive Senate races, Hispanics comprise less than 10 percent of the total electorate. This statistic holds true whether considering the top five, top nine, or top 12 most competitive states. Only Colorado has a Hispanic voting population above 10 percent among these states. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Todd said, \"Eight out of the nine states with competitive Senate races, Hispanics make up less than 10 percent of the electorate.\"","\"Look at this map, you have this great stat,\" Todd said. \"Eight out of the nine states with competitive Senate races, Hispanics make up less than 10 percent of the electorate.\"","By both sources, Todd is right to say that Hispanic voters comprise less than 10 percent of the total voters in states that are toss-ups. Whether that\u2019s out of the top five, top nine, or top 12 most competitive states, only one, Colorado, has a Hispanic voting population above 10 percent.","There is some deviation on the number of competitive races. On the high end, CNN considers 12 races competitive, dividing them into six seats \"up for grabs\" and six with \"tilts\" towards a party. On the low end, FiveThirtyEight, which doesn\u2019t label the races competitive or otherwise, lists five seats in which leaders have less than a 60 percent chance of winning."]},{"id":"1919.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"On the pace that we're on with job creation in the last four months ...we will have created more jobs in this year than in the entire Bush Presidency.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Debbie Wasserman Schultz suggests that if the current pace of job creation continues, the number of jobs created during the current year would surpass the total number of jobs created during the entire presidency of George W. Bush. However, this claim is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the pace of job creation during a specific period may be higher under President Obama, it is important to consider the overall job creation numbers throughout the entire presidency. Comparing a short period to an entire presidency can be misleading. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context for a comprehensive comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"On the pace that we're on with job creation in the last four months ... we will have created more jobs in this year than in the entire Bush Presidency.\"","\"On the pace that we're on with job creation in the last four months -- if we continue on that pace -- all the leading economists say it is likely that we will -- we will have created more jobs in this year than in the entire Bush Presidency,\" Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Weston, said on FOX News.","While Obama is on a pace to add 2.356 million jobs in 2010, Bush created 2.36 million jobs in 2005 (a specific year to year comparison).","( - Debbie Wasserman Schultz says job creation in 2010 on pace to eclipse growth during George W. Bush's entire administration&url=)"]},{"id":"5892.json","label":"false","statement":"Jim Renacci voted repeatedly to end Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Jim Renacci voted repeatedly to end Medicare is false. While Renacci did vote for measures that would bring significant changes to Medicare, such as the Ryan plan, these measures did not aim to completely end the program. PolitiFact, along with other fact-checking organizations, has rated the claim as false. It is important to accurately represent Renacci's voting record and the impact of the measures he supported on Medicare.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Ohio recently noted that Rep. Betty Sutton was using a claim that PolitiFact National named as its \"Lie of the Year\" when she said Rep. Jim Renacci \"voted repeatedly to end Medicare.\"","Renacci voted for measures that would significantly change Medicare as we know it, but would not end it. PolitiFact, like our friends at and the Washington Post Fact Checker, rated the claim used by Sutton as False.","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Renacci says that Betty Sutton 'gutted Medicare by $500 billion' with her vote for health care reform,\" May 21, 2012","Sutton's campaign provided two sources for the \"end Medicare\" statement. The first was a Wall Street Journal article from April 2011 that, according to the campaign, said the Ryan plan \"would essentially end Medicare.\""]},{"id":"3849.json","label":"true","statement":"Says this months special session will cost the state $27,300 a day just for legislators daily living expenses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Each day of the special session, the 182 lawmakers in Texas, including the lieutenant governor, are eligible to receive a per diem stipend intended to cover their living expenses while in Austin. The total potential daily cost for these stipends is $27,300. This does not include other expenses related to the special session, such as facility costs or additional staff salaries.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So, counting the 150 Texas House members, 31 senators and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, 182 lawmakers qualify for the payment each day lawmakers are in session. Total potential daily cost: $27,300.","Some background: A provision in the Texas Constitution provides for each legislator and the lieutenant governor, who presides over the Senate, to receive a $600 monthly salary, mileage reimbursements and the per diem, which is a stipend intended to ease lawmaker living expenses while they\u2019re in Austin on state business each day during regular and special sessions. The commission, established in 1991, sets the per diem and also may recommend raises for legislators to voters, though that\u2019s not happened.","In a June 26, 2013, news story Ponder sent us, Waco ABC affiliate WXXV-TV said, \"Each special session could cost taxpayers more than $800,000,\" based on per-diem payments to legislators to cover their food and expenses.","Austinite says $800,000 cost of special session could pay for 1.6 million condoms, 90,000 months of the pill or 20 sexual health educators"]},{"id":"7701.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says businesses pay roughly 60 percent of taxes in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the evidence provided. According to Bill Hammond of the Texas Association of Business and Andrew Phillips at Ernst & Young, businesses in Texas paid approximately 60 percent of all taxes in fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011. However, it's important to note that projections for 2015 indicate that businesses will pay around 52 percent of taxes in Texas, which is slightly lower than the previously mentioned figures. Nonetheless, based on the evidence available, it can be concluded that businesses in Texas have historically contributed a significant portion of the state's tax revenue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Endorsing a call by Gov. Rick Perry to cut state business taxes, Bill Hammond of the Texas Association of Business said: \"Texas businesses pay roughly 60 percent of all taxes that are paid in Texas today.\"","His proposal was \"right and proper,\" business leader Bill Hammond said at Perry\u2019s April 15, 2013, press conference, because \"Texas businesses pay roughly 60 percent of all taxes that are paid in Texas today.\"","A co-author of the report, Andrew Phillips at Ernst & Young, told us by email that according to their calculations, businesses paid about 60 percent of Texas taxes in fiscal 2009 and 61 percent in fiscal 2010 and 2011.","By our calculations using state projections that do not take into account all taxes, businesses will pay 52 percent of taxes in the state in 2015. In contrast, Hammond\u2019s source, a national group representing corporations, calculates that businesses paid 61 percent of all taxes in Texas in fiscal 2011."]},{"id":"1191.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Health insurance companies pay CEOs $24 million a year","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the CEO of Aetna, Ronald A. Williams, received a compensation package of $24 million, it is misleading to suggest that this is a typical salary for health insurance company CEOs. The ad fails to provide the full context that Williams' pay package was the highest in the health insurance sector, and the average compensation for other health insurance CEOs was considerably lower, at just under $4 million. By cherry-picking the highest example, the ad creates a false impression that $24 million is a standard salary for health insurance company CEOs. Therefore, the claim is deemed as barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The group's ad mockingly explains \"how to get rich\" by showing a \"book\" written \"by America's health insurance companies.\" Chapter 2 reads, \"Pay your CEO $24,000,000 a year.\" A news release issued by HCAN attributed the assertion to the entry for Ronald A. Williams, CEO of insurance giant Aetna, in the 2008 Forbes magazine executive compensation survey.","We checked Forbes , which compiles the total compensation from public filings of salaries and stock options, and the $24 million figure does indeed jibe with the entry the group cited. But we wondered whether it was fair to use Williams as an example of health insurance CEOs. So we looked through the magazine's full rankings for a bit more context.","That said, Williams' pay package was easily the highest in the health insurance sector, according to Forbes . Here are seven health insurance CEOs who made the 2009 Forbes list. (All lead publicly traded companies, which have more stringent disclosure requirements than private firms.)","The ad leaves viewers with the impression that $24-million is a typical compensation for a health insurer's CEO. But in fact, it is the highest example and the average of the others is considerably lower \u2014 just under $4 million. So HCAN has certainly cherry-picked the most dramatic number. We find the claim Barely True."]},{"id":"13390.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump wants to deport our Dreamers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that Donald Trump wants to deport Dreamers, who are undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. Trump's previous statements and actions, such as mentioning a \"deportation force\" and the absence of a legislative solution for Dreamers during his presidency, suggest a stance that supports the deportation of this specific group. However, it's important to note that the final bill signed by President Trump did not explicitly address deportations or Dreamers. Nonetheless, the overall context and actions of the Trump administration indicate a position that aligns with the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Donald Trump wants to see us disappear,\" a female voice says in Spanish. It then cuts to a November 2015 MSNBC interview where Trump said \"you are going to have a deportation force.\"","For this fact-check, we focused on whether or not Trump wants to deport people in the country illegally who arrived in the United States as children, a subset of the undocumented population referred to as Dreamers.","\"Trump will capture and deport millions, even our Dreamers,\" the narrator says in Spanish as images of a family and what appears to be a student fade away.","The final bill that President Donald Trump signed into public law contained no reference to deportations or Dreamers. But immigrant advocates had urged Democrats to vote against the spending bills if they did not include a legislative solution for Dreamers who are at risk of deportation."]},{"id":"11952.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama is apparently not for vetting people and saying just anybody can come to the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents President Obama's stance on vetting people coming to the United States. While there have been debates and discussions about the vetting process for refugees, Obama has consistently emphasized the importance of proper vetting and following established procedures. The White House has stated that less than 1 percent of the global refugee population is considered strong candidates for admission to the United States, indicating that there is a rigorous screening process in place. The claim that Obama is not for vetting people and allowing just anybody to come to the United States is misleading and does not accurately reflect his policies or statements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Whether it\u2019s dealing with the Middle East or south of the border, Barack Obama is apparently not for vetting people and saying just anybody can come here and we\u2019ll see what happens,\" said Grothman, R-Campbellsport.","The White House says less than 1 percent of the global refugee population is considered strong candidates to be admitted to the United States and make it past this first check.","Obama has said Syrian refugees coming into United States must follow the same vetting process as all other refugees. But Republicans argue that is not enough and more stringent background checks are necessary, given concerns about terrorists posing as refugees and slipping into the country.","On Nov. 20, 2015, soon after the House passed a bill that would increase security checks on refugees from Iraq and Syria, Grothman appeared on conservative talker Jay Weber\u2019s show on WISN (1130-AM). In the appearance, he asserted President Barack Obama has basically an open-door policy when it comes to immigrants."]},{"id":"6162.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama has racked up more debt than any president in history over $5 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that the national debt has increased by over $5 trillion during President Obama's tenure. However, it is important to note that not all of this debt can be solely attributed to Obama's spending. Factors such as tax cuts and policies from previous administrations, including President Bush, also contributed to the increase in debt. Therefore, while Obama did contribute to the debt increase, it is not accurate to solely attribute the entire $5 trillion to his actions. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["First, the bottom-line number on the debt: Yes, it has grown by $5 trillion during Obama\u2019s tenure. Total debt has increased by $5.5 trillion since January 20, 2009, while the share of that debt held by the public has increased by $5 trillion.","But not all of the $5 trillion can be attributed to Obama's spending. Much of it can be attributed to his tax cuts and the policies of President Bush. On balance, we rate the claim Half True.","Renacci is accurate in asserting that the national debt has increased since Obama took office by more than $5 trillion, more than any previous administration.","So if you\u2019re talking about what \"drove us $5 trillion deeper in debt,\" then a clear majority stemmed from sources other than \"Obama\u2019s spending.\""]},{"id":"5256.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says with Gov. Chris Christie and bipartisan reformers New Jersey had the most job growth in 11 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that under the leadership of Governor Chris Christie and bipartisan reformers, New Jersey experienced the most job growth in 11 years. This suggests that the efforts made by Christie and the bipartisan reformers had a positive impact on job creation in the state. However, it's important to note that additional evidence or data would be helpful to provide more context and support for this claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says under Mayor Cory Booker, Newark has seen \"violent crime up five years in a row, murder up five years in a row.\"","Says Chris Christie\u2019s plan \"to kick-start our economy\" is to propose an \"income tax cut that disproportionately benefits the wealthy, 's still proposing it.\"","Gov. Chris Christie likes to tell people how New Jersey leads the nation or comes close in various fiscal categories, but when it comes to Medicaid spending, the Republican issued the wrong diagnosis.","If New Jersey voters thought Gov. Chris Christie\u2019s helicopter rides to his son\u2019s baseball games were inappropriate, Democrats have another example of personal spending on the public dime -- Gorgonzola cheese."]},{"id":"1411.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The No. 1 issue that the American people care about is getting America back to work.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a recent national poll, which indicates that the economy and job creation are top concerns for American voters. In the poll conducted by The Washington Post and ABC News, 42 percent of respondents identified the economy as the most important problem they want President Obama and Congress to address, with 26 percent specifically highlighting jobs and employment as a priority. Therefore, it can be concluded that getting America back to work is indeed a major concern for the American people.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Cornyn initially mentioned public concern about Democrats\u2019 closed-door rewrites of a health care overhaul. But, Cornyn continued, this \"is a matter also of misplaced priorities and the No. 1 issue that the American people care about is getting America back to work.\"","Indeed, a recent national poll places the economy at the top of voter concerns. In the poll taken Jan. 12-15 for The Washington Post and ABC News, 42 percent of respondents identified the economy as the most important problem they\u2019d like to see President Obama and Congress address this year. Among those economy-focused respondents, 26 percent singled out jobs\/employment as a priority.","Cornyn, who doubles as chairman of a political committee devoted to electing GOP senators, was asked by the Fox News Channel on Wednesday what Republicans should do with the message sent by Massachusetts voters.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"4983.json","label":"false","statement":"Says in 1944 we were in debt more than twice as much as we are now.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Holt is inaccurate. While it is true that the United States had a significant debt in 1944, it is not accurate to claim that the debt was more than twice as much as it is now. The debt-to-GDP ratio in 1944 was indeed high due to the financial strain of World War II, but it has been higher in recent years. Additionally, comparing the nominal debt figures without considering inflation and the size of the economy can be misleading. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In 1944, this country was in debt like we had never been before or have been since. I'll repeat that. We were in debt more than twice as much as we are now,\" Holt (D-12th Dist.) said on Dec. 6.","( - Rodney Frelinghuysen says debt rose more than twice as fast as the overall economy in first quarter of 2012&url=)","Still, as Gerald Lynch, a professor of economics at Purdue University, noted in an email, \"If the congressman wanted to say we were racking up debt then at a rate twice what we are today, then that would be ok to refer to the deficit to gdp ratio. To say that we were in twice as much debt is not correct.\"","According to U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, the United States is increasing its debt twice as fast as its economy is expanding."]},{"id":"13369.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One-half of undocumented workers pay federal income taxes, which means they are paying more federal income taxes than Donald Trump pays.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's claim that approximately half of undocumented workers pay federal income taxes. However, the comparison made between the taxes paid by undocumented workers and Donald Trump is speculative and lacks concrete evidence. Due to the absence of Trump's tax returns, it is impossible to determine the exact amount of federal income taxes he pays. Therefore, while it is true that many undocumented workers contribute to federal income taxes, the comparison to Donald Trump's tax payments is based on assumptions and cannot be definitively confirmed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"One-half of undocumented workers pay federal income taxes, which means they are paying more federal income taxes than Donald Trump pays.\"","\"By the way, one-half of undocumented workers pay federal income taxes, which means they are paying more federal income taxes than Donald Trump pays,\" she said.","While there is no official figure, experts estimate that about half of all undocumented workers pay federal income taxes, if not more. So in a year when Trump does not pay federal income taxes, which has been the case in the past, undocumented immigrants who do federal pay income taxes would pay more than him.","While experts can make educated guesses about how many undocumented workers pay federal income taxes, there\u2019s still too much we don\u2019t know about Trump\u2019s tax returns to speculate how much he presently pays in federal income taxes. Going against decades of tradition for presidential nominees, Trump has so far refused to release his tax returns."]},{"id":"959.json","label":"true","statement":"Last week the Blue Chip Economic Indicators came out that surveys lots of private forecasters. Almost all of them are predicting a turnaround in the third quarter and positive growth in the fourth quarter.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided regarding the Blue Chip Economic Indicators survey. According to the evidence, the survey includes leading business economists and their economic forecasts. The majority of the economists surveyed predicted a turnaround in the third quarter and positive growth in the fourth quarter. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Romer, whom Obama recruited from the University of California-Berkeley, stood by that. \"I should say my prediction is very much what most private forecasters are saying,\" she said. \"We know that this last week the Blue Chip Economic Indicators came out that surveys lots of private forecasters. Almost all of them are predicting a turnaround in the third quarter and positive growth in the fourth quarter.\"","That was not quite enough information to gauge the accuracy of Romer\u2019s claim, so we asked editor Randell Moore for more detail. He said 50 economists were surveyed, with 30 predicting positive growth in the third quarter of 2009 and 45 predicting positive growth in the fourth quarter.","But Romer is entitled to highlight optimistic forecasts. And it's true that almost all the panelists surveyed in Blue Chip Economic Indicators predicted a rebound by the fourth quarter of 2009. We find Romer's claim to be True.","Blue Chip Economic Indicators is a monthly newsletter by specialty publisher Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. It claims to survey \"America's leading business economists\" and compiles their economic forecasts. It serves a blue-chip audience: A one-year subscription costs $875."]},{"id":"1722.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve got a 1,000 National Guard troop request thats been in front of this president for over a year and no response.","reason":"Reason: Governor Rick Perry claimed that his request for 1,000 National Guard members has been pending for over a year without a response from the Obama administration. Multiple sources confirm Perry's statement, indicating that the request for National Guard troops has indeed been pending for an extended period. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer any insight into the reasons behind the lack of response or the specific circumstances surrounding the request. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Perry's claim, it does not provide a complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We've got a 1,000 National Guard troop request that's been in front of this president for over a year and no response.\"","\"We do not have the resources or the manpower to secure the border the way it needs to be,\" Perry said during an April 15 interview with the online Texas Tribune and Newsweek magazine. \"We've got a 1,000 National Guard troop request that's been in front of this president for over a year and no response, so we are forced by Washington's inaction to take action ourselves.\"","Gov. Rick Perry says that the Obama administration hasn't responded to his request for 1,000 National Guard members for more than a year","( - Gov. Rick Perry says that the Obama administration hasn't responded to his request for 1,000 National Guard members for more than a year&url=)"]},{"id":"5368.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Romney adviser admits Romneycare was blueprint for Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that a former Romney adviser admitted that Romneycare served as a blueprint for Obamacare, it is important to note that the adviser is no longer associated with Romney. Therefore, adding the word \"former\" before \"Romney adviser\" would make the statement completely accurate. However, without that clarification, the statement is slightly misleading. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["According to the ad, a \"Romney adviser admits Romneycare was blueprint for Obamacare.\" Stick a \"former\" in front of \"Romney adviser\" and it would have been correct. As it is, we\u2019ll downgrade it slightly to Mostly True.","Are you smart enough to tell the difference between ObamaCare and RomneyCare? Here are 10 descriptions of the plans that we got from the legislation that created the two plans, official summaries, private reports and interviews with experts. See if you know whether each description is for ObamaCare or RomneyCare.","To help you get ready for next week's arguments on the health care law before the U.S. Supreme Court, we will be publishing some helpful guides and summaries. For our first installment, we're re-publishing our fiendishly difficult quiz to see if you know the difference between RomneyCare and ObamaCare.","The Perry campaign has hit that idea hard. On Oct. 10, Perry posted an online video linking the health care plan that Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, signed in 2006 for his state (dubbed Romneycare by critics) and the one that President Barack Obama signed in 2010 for the country (dubbed Obamacare by critics)."]},{"id":"13464.json","label":"false","statement":"The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The New York Times did not send a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their coverage of the individual making the claim. In fact, the New York Times sent a letter to subscribers thanking them for their loyalty and expressing their commitment to providing strong coverage of the individual in question going forward. The claim made in the statement is not supported by any evidence and has been debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":["> The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change - doubt it?","He also tweeted, wrongly, \"The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change - doubt it?\"","\"The @nytimes sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me. I wonder if it will change - doubt it?\" Trump tweeted Nov. 13.","The New York Times sent a letter to subscribers thanking them for their loyalty and promising to provide strong coverage of Trump going forward."]},{"id":"2302.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We spend more money on health care per capita in the United States than any other country in the world. Of the 30 developed countries in the world, we spend 2 1\/2 times more than the average. Of the country that spends the second most per capita, Switzerland, we spend 175 percent more.","reason":"Reason: Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's statement accurately reflects that the United States spends more money on healthcare per capita than any other country in the world. However, there are some inaccuracies in his specific comparisons. While the U.S. does spend approximately 2 1\/2 times more than the average of developed countries, the claim that the U.S. spends 175 percent more than Switzerland is incorrect. The actual figures show that the U.S. spends about 63 percent more than Switzerland. Additionally, Dewhurst incorrectly identifies Switzerland as the country that spends the second most per capita, when it is actually Norway. Therefore, while the overall sentiment of the statement is true, the specific figures provided by Dewhurst are partially inaccurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst opposes the health care overhaul carried into law by Democrats this spring, but he agrees that something needs to be done because \"we spend more money on health care per capita in the United States than any other country in the world,\" Dewhurst said during an Aug. 25 meeting with the Austin American-Statesman editorial board. \"Of the 30 developed countries in the world,\" he said, \"we spend 2 1\/2 times more than the average. Of the country that spends the second most per capita, Switzerland, we spend 175 percent more.\"","So Dewhurst is correct that we spend 2 1\/2 times more than the average per capita. However, the statistics suggest, Switzerland doesn't spend the second most per capita \u2014 Norway does. Another departure from Dewhurst's statement: we only spend about 50 percent more than Norway and 63 percent more than Switzerland, not 175 percent more, as Dewhurst says.","Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says the United States spends the most money per capita on health care, 2 1\/2 more than the average cost of other countries, and 175 percent more than Switzerland","( - Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst says the United States spends the most money per capita on health care, 2 1\/2 more than the average cost of other countries, and 175 percent more than Switzerland&url=)"]},{"id":"12184.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I have 2 and a half million more votes than he (Sanders) does.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton and her campaign manager, Robby Mook, that she has approximately 2.4 to 2.5 million more votes than Bernie Sanders. This claim is based on the total number of votes cast in the Democratic primary elections and caucuses. However, it's important to note that this statement does not take into account other factors such as the distribution of delegates, which is also crucial in determining the outcome of the Democratic nomination process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You have to look at the broader perspective,\" Clinton said. \"He\u2019s won some, and I\u2019ve won some, but I have 2 and a half million more votes than he does. And I have a very significant lead in delegates.\" (Separately, Clinton\u2019s campaign manager Robby Mook made the same claim in an April 4 Medium post titled, \"To Hillary Clinton supporters: The facts on where the race stands.\")","There is zero proof. If he meant there were more votes cast than registered voters, election data show the opposite. In the six key states we examined, there were between several hundred thousand and 2 million more registered voters than votes cast.","In each of those, there are far more registered voters than votes cast. In Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania, the difference is more than 2 million people in each state. At 387,612, Wisconsin has the narrowest gap, but that doesn\u2019t include same-day registrations, so the exact number will change.","\"At the end of the day, Clinton has between 2.4 (million) and 2.5 million more votes than Sanders,\" Richie said. \"It\u2019s a little less, but not too much less, than what you see now.\""]},{"id":"5590.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the No. 2 cause of death in the U.S. (for) women under 50 is being killed by their spouse or domestic partner.","reason":"Reason: The statement that being killed by a spouse or domestic partner is the No. 2 cause of death for women under 50 in the U.S. is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple fact-checking sources have found no data or research to substantiate this claim. According to CDC data, the leading causes of death for women under 50 are primarily related to health issues such as cancer, unintentional injuries (including motor vehicle accidents and poisoning), heart disease, suicide, and stroke. While intimate partner violence is a serious issue, it does not rank as the second leading cause of death for women in this age group.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While speaking in favor of House Bill 4077, Sen. Rod Monroe, D-Portland, said \"teen dating violence is where it all starts, and where it ends is with the fact that the No. 2 cause of death in the U.S. (for) women under 50 is being killed by their spouse or domestic partner. No. 2 cause of death. Only exceeded by automobile accidents.\"","In the end, the onus is on the speaker to offer a source for what he said. Monroe didn't have one -- and after days of searching, we couldn't find one. There is no doubt that intimate partner violence is a serious issue, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence that it ranks as the No. 2 cause of the death for women under 50. The highest it might rank -- and even this is a stretch -- is sixth place, according to CDC data.","There's no disputing that intimate partner violence, as it's commonly referred to in support circles, is a major problem nationally and worldwide. But could it really be the second leading cause of death for women under the age of 50?","We looked for the leading causes of death for women between the ages of 1 and 50 from 1999 to 2009. This is what we found, in descending order: Malignant neoplasms (cancer), unintentional injury (largely motor vehicle accidents and poisoning), heart disease, suicide, stroke and then -- at sixth place -- homicide, which would include intimate partner violence."]},{"id":"3478.json","label":"true","statement":"The hour of sleep you lose during the change to daylight saving time might initially pose some health risks.","reason":"Reason: According to Joel Keehn, a senior editor at Consumer Reports, losing an hour of sleep during the transition to daylight saving time might pose some health risks, at least for a couple of days. While the statement acknowledges that there are potential health risks associated with the time change, it is important to note that these risks are generally short-term and temporary. Keehn also emphasizes that there are benefits to having more sunlight in the evening, which should be taken into consideration. Overall, the statement accurately reflects the potential health risks associated with the change to daylight saving time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Consumer Reports senior editor Joel Keehn: The hour of sleep you lose during the change to daylight saving time might initially pose some health risks.","Earlier this month, Joel Keehn, a senior editor at Consumer Reports Health Blog, said: \"The hour of sleep you will likely lose ... might pose a few health risks, at least for a couple of days.\"","Keehn said the article couches statements about health risks using careful wording, and he made sure to also cite the benefits of daylight saving time. He focused on the health effects caused by the sudden time change and potential loss of sleep, he said, because he knew other studies have determined there are benefits to having more sunlight in the evening.","Keehn said the hours of sleep likely lost in the transition \"might pose a few health risks\" only in the few days after the transition. He made sure to point out the potential positives as well."]},{"id":"2106.json","label":"false","statement":"In Ohio, we invested in our children, raising school funding by 5.5 percent in the last budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it implies that Ohio's state government increased funding for education by 5.5 percent. However, the evidence provided clarifies that the increase in funding was primarily due to federal money, including stimulus funding, and not state aid. In fact, state aid to schools actually decreased by about $32 million during the budget cycle. Additionally, the evidence highlights that a significant portion of the federal funding is designated for specific programs and not for general school operations. Therefore, the statement inaccurately attributes the increase in funding to state investment when it was largely driven by federal funds.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For example, in a July 6, 2010, speech in Columbus, Strickland lamented funding cuts done in several other states before saying \"in Ohio, we invested in our children, raising school funding by 5.5 percent in the last budget.\"","The natural impression left by the governor\u2019s words \"we invested in our children, increasing school funding\" is that Ohio\u2019s state government took steps to increase the amount it puts toward education. In fact, it was the federal government that has invested more in Ohio\u2019s children. And six out of 10 Ohio schools districts have less money to spend on operations than they did in the previous budget under Strickland.","While it\u2019s true that the total pot of money going to funding primary and secondary schools in Ohio will grow by 5.5 percent during the current two-year state budget that ends in July 2011, it\u2019s not state aid that is responsible for the hike. State aid to schools will actually be lower by about $32 million--from $6.542 billion in 2009 to $6.510 billion in 2011. On a district-by-district level, that means about 60 percent of the more than 600 school districts in Ohio will get less money for operations in the current two-year budget cycle than they did before.","Instead, it\u2019s federal money, including stimulus funding dollars which makes the statewide school funding pie bigger. And a large portion of the federal funding for primary and secondary education must be funneled into very specific programs such as $922 million statewide in combined federal Title I and IDEA funding. Title I money must be spent on things like additional teachers, intervention specialists for low-income students. IDEA funds must be spent on the education of special needs children."]},{"id":"5460.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Island has the the second-most heavily deployed National Guard in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Rhode Island does have the second-most heavily deployed National Guard in the United States. This is supported by evidence that highlights the significant deployment of Rhode Island National Guard members since 9\/11, surpassing other conflicts since the Civil War. The presence of seven Rhode Island Army National Guard units currently deployed in Kuwait and Afghanistan further confirms the high level of deployment. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Despite hailing from the smallest state in the nation, he said, \"they are the second most heavily deployed National Guard in the United States.\"","Rhode Island has the \"worst maintained bridges in the United States of America . . . and we have the second worst maintained roads behind Alaska.\"","According to Riel, more Rhode Island Guard members have been deployed since 9\/11 than any other individual conflict since the Civil War. Seven Rhode Island Army National Guard units, totaling 540 soldiers, are currently deployed in Kuwait and Afghanistan.","State Rep. Michael Chippendale turned down a path familiar to Rhode Island motorists when he described the Ocean State as having the \"worst maintained bridges in the United States of America\" and \" the second worst maintained roads only to Alaska.\""]},{"id":"11995.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mahatma Gandhi once said, First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.","reason":"Reason: While the statement attributes the quote to Mahatma Gandhi, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that he actually said or wrote the exact phrase, \"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.\" The quote is often attributed to Gandhi, but it is more likely a paraphrase or a modern adaptation of his ideas. It is important to exercise caution when attributing quotes to historical figures without verified sources.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump quoted Mahatma Gandhi as saying, \"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.\"","\"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win,\" says the quote, which Trump attributes to Mahatma Gandhi, India's legendary activist who eschewed all violence.",", \" First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win\" Sept. 8, 2009, accessed March 1, 2016","On page 9 of volume 18 are the words, \"Gandhi once observed that every movement goes through four stages: First they ignore you; then they abuse you; then they crack down on you and then you win.\" Note that the catchphrase itself is not in quotes. It appears the author was paraphrasing."]},{"id":"7133.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the number of Americans living at or below the poverty line is at its highest level since 1964.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in highlighting that the number of Americans living at or below the poverty line is at one of the highest levels since 1964. The evidence confirms that in 2012, there were 46.5 million Americans living in poverty, which is the highest number since 1960. While there have been a few years during the past five decades with similar or higher poverty rates, the statement is still valid in emphasizing the significant level of poverty in the given timeframe.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During a debate over raising the state\u2019s minimum wage, Buono claimed \"the number of Americans living at or below the poverty line is at its highest level since\" 1964.","\"Across our nation, the number of Americans living at or below the poverty line is at its highest level since President Johnson gave his State of the Union address in 1964, when he launched a war on poverty and he promised the nation that he would not rest until that war was won,\" Buono said. \"Well today, in this very moment, if we fail to act, we must acknowledge that we surrendered.\"","They show that in 2012, the latest year that figures were available, 46.5 million Americans lived in poverty. That\u2019s the highest number going back to 1960, when 39.9 million lived below the poverty line.","It\u2019s accurate to say the latest official poverty rate represents one of the highest levels since 1964, but Buono is wrong to call it the \"highest level.\" During the past five decades, there have been a few years when the rate was the same or higher than the most current estimate."]},{"id":"4875.json","label":"true","statement":"For the average middle-class family, your taxes today are lower than when I took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama is supported by evidence and analysis from the Tax Policy Center. According to their research, both the average tax paid and the average tax rate for the middle 60 percent of the income distribution decreased between 2008 and 2011. While individual circumstances may vary, the overall trend for the average middle-class family indicates a reduction in taxes during Obama's tenure. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on available data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We\u2019ve addressed two of these claims in previous items -- the one about small business tax cuts (rating it Mostly True) and the one about the tax burden being the lowest in 60 years (rating it Mostly True). So in this item, we\u2019re only analyzing Obama\u2019s claim that for \"the average middle-class family, your taxes today are lower than when I took office.\"","He\u2019s also raised some taxes (or didn\u2019t stop them from going up), but these hikes aren\u2019t as relevant for judging his statement in Scranton. Some of the tax hikes haven\u2019t taken effect yet, like a few in the health care bill, so these wouldn\u2019t be a factor in judging the statement that for \"the average middle-class family, your taxes today are lower than when I took office.\" Other tax increases affect only very wealthy taxpayers.","\"Now, I know you hear a lot of folks on cable TV claiming that I\u2019m this big tax-and-spend liberal,\" Obama said. \"Next time you hear that, you just remind the people who are saying it that since I\u2019ve taken office, I\u2019ve cut your taxes. \u2026 The average middle-class family, your taxes today are lower than when I took office, just remember that. We have cut taxes for small businesses not once, not twice, but 17 times. The average family\u2019s tax burden is among the lowest it\u2019s been in the last 60 years. So the problem is not that we\u2019ve been raising taxes. We\u2019ve actually been trying to give families a break during these tough times.\"","Every taxpayer is different, and some \"middle-class\" Americans may have seen their tax rate or their tax burden go up for one reason or another. But Obama was talking about \"the average middle-class family.\" The changes to the tax code made under Obama and the analyses by the Tax Policy Center show that for the middle 60 percent of the income distribution, both the average tax paid and the average tax rate fell between 2008 and 2011. We rate Obama\u2019s statement True."]},{"id":"5965.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney is wrong to claim that spending under Obama has accelerated at a pace without precedent in recent history, because its actually risen slower than at any time in nearly 60 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact-checking analysis that challenges Mitt Romney's claim about spending under President Obama. The analysis shows that spending under Obama has not accelerated at an unprecedented pace, but rather has risen at a slower rate compared to previous administrations. The evidence suggests that several presidents had higher average annual increases in spending than Obama. Therefore, it is correct to say that Romney's claim is incorrect, and spending under Obama has not accelerated as claimed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Mitt Romney is wrong to claim that spending under Obama has \"accelerated at a pace without precedent in recent history,\" because it's actually risen \"slower than at any time in nearly 60 years.\"","The Facebook post says Mitt Romney is wrong to claim that spending under Obama has \"accelerated at a pace without precedent in recent history,\" because it's actually risen \"slower than at any time in nearly 60 years.\"","The assumption made by both sides is wrong. We examined at a Facebook post that said Mitt Romney is wrong to claim that spending under Obama has \"accelerated at a pace without precedent in recent history,\" because it's actually risen \"slower than at any time in nearly 60 years.\" The Facebook post does rely partly on Nutting\u2019s work, and our item addresses that, but we did not simply give our seal of approval to everything Nutting wrote. In fact, half of the Facebook post stems from something else entirely -- a claim on Mitt Romney\u2019s website.","Meanwhile, we would\u2019ve given a True rating to the Facebook claim that Romney is wrong to say that spending under Obama has \"accelerated at a pace without precedent in recent history.\" Even using the higher of the alternative measurements, at least seven presidents had a higher average annual increases in spending. That balances out to our final rating of Mostly True."]},{"id":"1437.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The amount of debt is on pace to double in five years and triple in 10. The federal debt is now over $100,000 per household.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by McDonnell regarding the pace at which the national debt is projected to increase and the current debt per household. However, it's important to note that these projections are subject to various economic factors and policy decisions that can influence the trajectory of the national debt. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to the national debt, including the impact of previous administrations. While the claim is not wildly inaccurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In the past year, more than 3 million people have lost their jobs, and yet the Democratic Congress continues deficit spending, adding to the bureaucracy, and increasing the national debt on our children and our grandchildren,\" McDonnell said in a speech from the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates. \"The amount of debt is on pace to double in five years and triple in 10. The federal debt is now over $100,000 per household. This is simply unsustainable.\"","McDonnell's claim that the debt is on pace to double in five years and triple in 10 is not a new talking point for Republicans. Judd Gregg (the Republican senator from New Hampshire who was almost Obama's commerce secretary) said the same thing about Obama's proposed 2010 budget last March.","As we try to digest all of that, let's turn to the second part of McDonnell's claim: \"The federal debt is already over $100,000 per household.\"","In his State of the Union response, McDonnell tried using both the macro and the micro to drive home a point that spending led by the Democrats in the White House and Congress is out of control. His claim that national debt is on pace to double in five years and triple in 10 isn't wildly off, but it ignores the fact that some of the responsibility falls on Bush's shoulders."]},{"id":"1910.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The minute this proposal for near-beach oil drilling came up, I was against it.\"","reason":"Reason: While Sink expressed strong opposition to near-beach oil drilling in Florida, the claim that she opposed it \"the minute\" the proposal came up is not entirely accurate. Sink did speak out against the proposal three days after the House Policy Council voted for it, which is not immediately after it was introduced. Therefore, her statement does not align with the specific timeline she mentioned. However, it is important to note that Sink had expressed opposition to drilling prior to this specific incident. Therefore, while her claim is not entirely true in terms of the timeline, it does reflect her overall stance against near-beach oil drilling.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We were struck by Sink's claim that she opposed a proposal for near-beach oil drilling \"the minute\" it came up. Did she?","\"Clearly we are in uncharted territory here because while other parts of the world have been subject to oil spills, and by the way, the minute this proposal for near-beach oil drilling came up, I was against it, and that's why I support a constitutional amendment for the people of Florida to be able to say never will we have drilling within 3 miles of our shore.\"","\"I have seen the BP oil spill up close, spreading for miles,\" Sink said. \"This evidence proves that near-beach drilling in Florida is a disastrous idea. We must never let oil companies drill just 3 miles off our beaches.\"","It's clear Sink is opposed to drilling off Florida's coast, but she said in her statement that she opposed the idea \"the minute\" was floated in 2009. In a press release, she spoke out against the proposal three days after the House Policy Council voted for it -- and three days before the full House voted on it. Because she was so specific with her words, we have to be specific, too. Three days after a vote is not \"the minute,\" despite her 2008 opposition. Sen. Nelson tweeted about it that very day. So we rate her claim Half True."]},{"id":"9295.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The proposed Gogebic mine in northern Wisconsin could be extended as long as 21 miles.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Dan Kaufman in his opinion piece. He stated that the proposed Gogebic mine in northern Wisconsin \"could be extended as long as 21 miles.\" However, it's important to note that this claim is based on potential phases outlined by the company and does not guarantee that the mine will actually extend to that length. The claim is partially true as it accurately represents Kaufman's statement but lacks the context that it is a possibility rather than a confirmed plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kaufman says the mine \"could be extended as long as 21 miles.\" That\u2019s the size of the deposit that Gogebic Taconite has the rights to mine.","The size of the proposed Gogebic iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin dominated debate as a bill to relax state mining laws made it through the Legislature and to Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s desk.","\"You'll notice our phrase says \u2018but it could be extended as long as 21 miles,\u2019\" Kaufman said in an email. \"We don't say it will be for sure. The company has many potential phases outlined of this project.\"","Musician and writer Dan Kaufman, a Wisconsin native, raised a number of environmental concerns about the project in an opinion piece published in the New York Times. He claimed the mine \"could be extended as long as 21 miles.\" We rated his claim Half True."]},{"id":"9576.json","label":"true","statement":"If youre a Mexican, you get sent back. ... But if youre from a noncontiguous country like the Central American countries then you can stay in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the distinction in US immigration policy between individuals from contiguous countries like Mexico and noncontiguous countries like Central American countries. Under current law, individuals from contiguous countries can be subject to immediate return to their home country, while individuals from noncontiguous countries are placed under the responsibility of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and may be allowed to stay in the United States while awaiting their immigration court date. This distinction is based on the specific procedures outlined in the law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"If you're a Mexican, you get sent back. ... But if you're from a noncontiguous country like the Central American countries\" then you can stay in the United States.","\"If you're a Mexican, you get sent back. Mother, kids, adults, you're sent back, but if you're from a noncontiguous country like the Central American countries, then the law says that you are going to be held, (and) Health and Human Services, they're going to place you. That's the law that we need to change right now.\"","The law lays out one procedure for child immigrants from contiguous countries, like Mexico and Canada. These children are processed for immediate return to their home country. In all other cases, the children are placed under the responsibility of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. These children are placed with family or in other residences while they await their immigration court date. Long story short, they get to stay in the United States.","Under a public health policy in place to mitigate COVID-19\u2019s spread, some immigrants are immediately sent back to the country they came from after encounters with Border Patrol. So, even though these immigrants were included in the encounters data, they were not admitted into the United States."]},{"id":"5716.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the United States actually exports more gasoline, diesel and other fuels than it imported in 2011 for the first time since, I think, 1949.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2011, the United States did indeed export more gasoline, diesel, and other fuels than it imported, marking the first time since 1949 that this occurred. This information is supported by multiple sources, including the Energy Department and articles published on the agency's website.\nLabel: true","evidence":["During his Twitter Town Hall, Menendez claimed the United States \"actually exports more gasoline, diesel and other fuels than it imported in 2011 for the first time since, I think, 1949.\"","\"In fact, you know, according to the Energy Department though, the United States \u2013 this is something that I found out, I found it pretty amazing \u2013 actually exports more gasoline, diesel and other fuels than it imported in 2011 for the first time since, I think, 1949,\" he said.","According to a March 7 article on the agency\u2019s website, \"The United States in 2011 exported more petroleum products, on an annual basis, than it imported for the first time since 1949.\"","U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. petroleum product exports exceeded imports in 2011 for first time in over six decades, March 7, 2012"]},{"id":"11079.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Christian Pastor in Vermont Sentenced to One Year in Prison After Refusing to Marry Gay Couple","reason":"Reason: The claim that a Christian pastor in Vermont was sentenced to one year in prison for refusing to marry a gay couple is false. The article that circulated on social media was published on a known fake news site, and there is no evidence to support the existence of the pastor, church, or judge mentioned in the article. The character named Paul Horner, who is referenced in the article, has been used in various fake news stories in the past. This claim is entirely fabricated and has been debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Perhaps you have seen in your social media feeds an article headlined, \"Christian Pastor in Vermont Sentenced to One Year in Prison After Refusing to Marry Gay Couple.\" It received about 5,000 Facebook shares as well as interactions on other social media platforms.","Posts about a Christian pastor in Vermont being sentenced to one year in prison after refusing to marry a gay couple have circulated on the Internet. However, the article was published at a known fake-news site, and we found no evidence to support the existence of key elements of the story, including the pastor, church, or the judge referenced in the article. We rate this claim Pants On Fire.","The article was published at a site called NewsExaminer on July 10. It says that a pastor from Proctor, Vt., was sentenced to a year in federal prison after refusing to marry gay couples. It came just days after the Supreme Court ruled, 5-4, that same-sex marriage would be allowed in all 50 states. (The ruling didn\u2019t legalize same-sex marriage in Vermont, which approved it on its own in 2009.)","The Christian pastor who was sentenced, Paul Horner, is actually a recurring name used in stories published by the National Report and other fake news sites. According to , the character Paul Horner has been used in past articles about everything from the British street artist Banksy to a Dolphin mascot for a Christian organization. (We\u2019ve previously run into the Zelig-like Horner in such articles as this one and this one.)"]},{"id":"12457.json","label":"false","statement":"It was allowed, referring to her email practices.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While no one explicitly stopped Clinton from using her private email server for work purposes, it does not mean that her email practices were allowed or permitted by the State Department. In fact, multiple sources indicate that if Clinton had sought approval or guidance, it would not have been granted. The independent inspector general's report also highlighted that Clinton had an obligation to discuss the use of her personal email, which she did not fulfill. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that her email practices were allowed.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But for anyone unaware of that nuance \u2014 say, the average voter \u2014 it sounds like Clinton is defending her email practices as a whole, as something that was fully permitted by the State Department, which is the argument she has been making all along. And that\u2019s just not right.","And campaign chair John Podesta wrote in an email to supporters: \"Had Secretary Clinton known of any concerns about her email setup at the time, she would have taken steps to address them. She believed she was following the practices of other Secretaries and senior officials.\"","No one ever stopped Clinton from conducting work over her private email server exclusively. But that\u2019s not the same thing as it being allowed. Offices within the State Department told an independent inspector general that if she had asked, they would not have allowed it.","\"But this report said that you, quote, 'had an obligation to discuss' using your personal email and that you didn\u2019t,\" Kreutz said. \"So how can you really say that it was allowed? Was it an error of judgment?\""]},{"id":"1467.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The law is very clear! 'The monies recouped from the TARP shall be paid into the general fund of the treasury for the reduction of the public debt.'\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the language of the TARP legislation, specifically Section 106, Part D, which states that the revenues and proceeds from the sale of troubled assets purchased under the TARP program should be paid into the general fund of the Treasury for the reduction of the public debt. This provision clearly outlines the intended use of the funds recouped from the TARP program. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The whole concept of the TARP was that as we recoup the money ... and as we recoup that money, we would use it to pay down the debt,\" Gregg said, responding to Obama's Feb. 2, 2010, proposal to transfer $30 billion from TARP to a new program that will support small business lending. \"Now that's not going to happen. ... It's become a piggy bank. ... The law is very clear! 'The monies recouped from the TARP shall be paid into the general fund of the Treasury for the reduction of the public debt.'\"","On one hand, the TARP legislation is quite clear: Section 106, Part D of the TARP legislation: \"Revenues of, and proceeds from the sale of troubled assets purchased under this Act, or from the sale, exercise, or surrender of warrants or senior debt instruments acquired under section 113 shall be paid into the general fund of the Treasury for reduction of the public debt.\"","In Gregg's case, though, he's strictly talking about what the law says, that TARP money cannot be used for anything other than deficit reduction. He's right and we find his claim True.","\"The bill reported out of committee sets up a $50 billion slush fund that, while intended for resolving failing firms, is available for virtually any purpose that the treasury secretary sees fit.\""]},{"id":"13039.json","label":"false","statement":"Our veterans, in many cases, are being treated worse than illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While there may be specific instances where veterans face challenges in accessing certain benefits or services, it is inaccurate to claim that veterans, as a whole, are being treated worse than illegal immigrants. The evidence suggests that veterans and undocumented immigrants face different challenges and circumstances, and it is not appropriate to make a direct comparison between the two groups. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Our veterans, in many cases, are being treated worse than illegal immigrants, people that come into our country illegally,\" Trump said Sept. 7.","Other than the anecdote about the DUI case, we\u2019re not sure any of these examples show how veterans are being treated worse than people living in the United States illegally.","\"Veterans would presumably face no ban to enrolling,\" Bloemraad said. \"So clearly, veterans are not treated worse; rather, in some states undocumented students are in a much more difficult position.\"","So undocumented immigrants, by law, can get immediate emergency care -- but so can veterans. In this regard, both groups are treated the same in case of medical emergencies."]},{"id":"6565.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Paul Ryan tried to change the whole game for Social Security","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by a radio ad from Barack Obama, which suggests that Paul Ryan attempted to \"change the whole game\" for Social Security. However, without further context or specific details, it is difficult to determine the exact nature and extent of the proposed changes. It is important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or analysis to support or refute the claim, leaving room for interpretation and further investigation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, Radio ad from Barack Obama says Paul Ryan \"tried to change the whole game\" on Social Security, Aug. 28, 2012","\"Now Mitt Romney picks a vice presidential candidate like Paul Ryan, who tried to change the whole game when it comes to Medicare and Social Security,\" the woman in the ad says.","So are the Democrats correct that Paul Ryan tried to \"change the whole game\" of Social Security? It depends on how you\u2019re scoring.","PolitiFact, item on President Obama statement that Paul Ryan tried to \"change the whole game\" for Social Security, Aug. 28, 2012"]},{"id":"6771.json","label":"true","statement":"A poll conducted in Egypt revealed that 80 percent of Egyptians oppose receiving foreign aid from the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Gallup poll conducted in Egypt, which asked Egyptians whether they favored or opposed the U.S. sending economic aid to Egypt. The poll found that 82 percent of Egyptians opposed such aid, which aligns with the claim that a significant majority, approximately 80 percent, of Egyptians oppose receiving foreign aid from the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A Sept. 14 story posted on reports: \"Hinckley said a poll conducted in Egypt revealed that 80% of Egyptians oppose receiving foreign aid from the United States.\"","Barry Hinckley, in raising questions about whether the United States should be giving foreign aid to countries such as Egypt, said that 80 percent of Egyptians oppose receiving foreign aid from the United States.","So we went looking ourselves, and found a Gallup poll conducted in Egypt between Jan. 31 and Feb. 7. The key question: Do you favor or oppose the U.S. sending economic aid to Egypt?","In a February 2012 poll, Gallup asked Egyptians, \"Do you favor or oppose the U.S. sending economic aid to Egypt?\" Gallup pollsters found that 82 percent opposed such aid."]},{"id":"1149.json","label":"false","statement":"We spend twice as much per capita on health care as any other nation on Earth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the United States does spend more per capita on healthcare than any other nation, it does not spend twice as much as any other country. The evidence provided indicates that the United States spends significantly more than other industrialized nations, but not at a rate of twice as much. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sanders would have been on completely firm ground had he simply said, \"We spend more per capita on health care than any other nation on Earth.\" But instead he said \"twice as much.\" And for that reason we rate his statement False.","On the Aug. 19, 2009, Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, Sanders responded to a question about corporate interests' role in the health care reform debate by saying, \"We spend twice as much per capita on health care as any other nation on Earth. And there is a reason why the insurance companies, year after year, make huge profits and pay their CEOs tens and tens of millions of dollars in compensation salaries. And the reason for that is that these guys exert enormous influence over the political process in Washington.\"","\"We spend twice as much money per person in the U.S. than any industrialized country in the world and yet we have the worst outcomes,\" he said. \"Our health care system is literally awash in dollars.\"","The United States spends \"almost three times per capita what they spend in the U.K.\" on health care and \"50 percent more than they pay in France.\""]},{"id":"1479.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the Texas Education Agency follows up to make sure undocumented immigrants paying in-state tuition at Texas colleges are applying for permanent residency.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not have a role in verifying whether undocumented students who are paying in-state tuition at Texas colleges are actively pursuing permanent residency. The responsibility of verifying eligibility and collecting affidavits lies with the colleges and universities themselves, as confirmed by a UT admissions official. The TEA does not oversee or enforce this requirement. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Perry, responding to a reporter's question, recently said that the Texas Education Agency verifies that undocumented students are making good on their sworn promise to apply for permanent residency.","\"The law (at issue) applies to colleges and universities,\" she said of House Bill 1403, the measure Perry signed in June 2001 permitting undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at higher education institutions. \"Our agency doesn't oversee any of that.\"","The law lets undocumented students who have graduated from a Texas high school and lived in Texas for at least three years qualify \u2014 if they sign an affidavit saying they intend to apply for permanent residency as soon as they're able to do so. As of 2008, 22,697 non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents had attended Texas colleges or universities at in-state tuition rates. More than 10,000 were enrolled in fall 2008 \u2014 the latest count available.","Williams, a UT admissions official since before the 2001 law took effect, said the coordinating board, which oversees colleges and universities statewide, has told the schools to collect undocumented students' affidavits and check their transcripts to confirm that they've lived in Texas for at least the three years required to be eligible for in-state tuition. Williams said UT keeps the affidavits on record indefinitely but it's \"never required to report or check\" whether those students are actively pursuing permanent residency ."]},{"id":"8531.json","label":"true","statement":"Says 18 states and the District of Columbia have voted Democratic in six consecutive presidential elections.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, 18 states and the District of Columbia have consistently voted for the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1992. This consistency in voting patterns demonstrates a strong trend in favor of the Democratic Party in these states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He will turn to the Republicans now and say, \u2018Your problem is the 18 states and the District of Columbia that have voted democratic in six consecutive presidential elections,\u2019\" Will said. \"Those 18 states, which include New Jersey by the way, have 242 electoral votes. If the Democratic presidential nominee can assume those states, he or she will spend the autumn of 2016 looking for 28 electoral votes, and he or she will find them.\"","\"He will turn to the Republicans now and say, \u2018Your problem is the 18 states and the District of Columbia that have voted democratic in six consecutive presidential elections,\u2019\" Will said on Fox News Sunday. \"Those 18 states, which include New Jersey by the way, have 242 electoral votes. If the Democratic presidential nominee can assume those states, he or she will spend the autumn of 2016 looking for 28 electoral votes, and he or she will find them.\"","Will said Democrats have taken 18 states and the District of Columbia in every presidential election since 1992. The record backs that up.","Here\u2019s a look at the states that have voted the same way since Bill Clinton was elected in 1992 and the total number of electoral votes they now cast:"]},{"id":"8473.json","label":"false","statement":"Hidden in the healthcare.gov code is language that means users waive any reasonable right to privacy of your personal information.","reason":"Reason: While there is indeed a line of code in the healthcare.gov website that states, \"You have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any communication or data transiting or stored on this information system,\" it is important to note that this code is not visible to users and therefore does not carry any legal weight. Users cannot legally waive their right to privacy if they are not aware of the existence of such a waiver. The privacy protections in place on the website are not affected by this hidden code. Therefore, the statement that users waive their right to privacy based on hidden code is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hidden in the code, there is a sentence that says you waive any reasonable right to privacy of your personal information, the transiting of it or the storage of it,\" Barton said.","As for the \"hidden\" code, users can\u2019t legally accept a waiver they can\u2019t see, so they can\u2019t possibly be waiving their right to privacy.","The line in question reads, \"You have no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding any communication or data transiting or stored on this information system.\"","Barton claimed has \"hidden\" code indicating that consumers waive their rights to privacy when they apply for insurance. The website\u2019s markup does include a sentence along these lines that isn\u2019t visible to the user. But because it\u2019s not displayed to the public, it carries no legal weight and consumers can\u2019t consent to it. Bottom line, it doesn\u2019t change a thing about the privacy protections in place at We rate Barton\u2019s claim False."]},{"id":"1509.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"One of the most recent polls said 75 percent of the American people have said either don't do anything or start over (on health care reform).\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Kyl's claim that one of the most recent polls indicated that 75 percent of the American people expressed either a desire to start over or not take any action on health care reform. While the fact check indicates that the actual percentage from the poll was 69 percent, it acknowledges that this is close to the stated figure. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I think you have to listen to the American people,\" Kyl added. \"One of the most recent polls said 75 percent of the American people have said either don't do anything or start over.\"","For our rating, Kyl was careful in how he phrased his statement. He said, \"One of the most recent polls said 75 percent of the American people have said either don't do anything or start over.\" We found a recent poll that put those two categories at 69 percent. That's a little short, but pretty close. We rate his statement Mostly True.","\"President Obama seems intent on the other hand of ramming his agenda through, no matter what,\" Kyl told Greta Van Susteren. \"One of the problems with that is that the American people have said that isn't what they want in health care reform.\"","The poll found that 48 percent said \"start a new bill,\" while 21 percent said \"stop working on health care.\" Add those together and you get 69 percent, which is not far from 75 percent. (And 30 percent said Congress should pass one of the current proposals.)"]},{"id":"12623.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Kelly Ayotte stands with the Washington gun lobby. They fund her campaigns.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that while Kelly Ayotte has received campaign donations from the Washington gun lobby, it is not accurate to say that she always stands with them. She has voted in favor of legislation supported by the NRA but has also opposed the NRA on at least one occasion. Therefore, the statement that Ayotte stands with the Washington gun lobby solely because they fund her campaigns is an oversimplification of her positions and actions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad also claims Ayotte \"stands with the Washington gun lobby\" in return for the donations she\u2019s received, but that hasn\u2019t universally been the case.","Meanwhile, it\u2019s not entirely correct to say that Ayotte always \"stands with the Washington gun lobby.\" She has voted for legislation favored by the NRA, but has also bucked the NRA on at least one occasion.","Says Kelly Ayotte \"voted again yesterday against a proposal to expand background checks -- (buyers) can continue to simply go online or to gun shows to purchase guns without background checks.\"","PolitiFact, Maggie Hassan says Kelly Ayotte voted against expanding gun background checks, twice, published June 21, 2016, accessed June 23, 2016"]},{"id":"7769.json","label":"false","statement":"In Cranston, it costs $5,000 to $6,000 to send out community notifications on just one Level 3 sex offender.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to the fact-checking source, the estimate provided by R.I. State Rep. Peter Palumbo that it costs $5,000 to $6,000 to notify people about a Level 3 sex offender in Cranston is significantly higher than the actual cost. The fact-checking source states that the estimate is about eight times too high. Therefore, the correct cost of sending out community notifications for one Level 3 sex offender in Cranston is significantly lower than $5,000 to $6,000.\nLabel: false","evidence":["R.I. State Rep. Peter Palumbo says it costs $5,000 to $6,000 to warn Cranston neighbors that a Level 3 sex offender lives in their area","( - R.I. State Rep. Peter Palumbo says it costs $5,000 to $6,000 to warn Cranston neighbors that a Level 3 sex offender lives in their area&url=)","\"I know in the city of Cranston it's somewhere between $5,000 and $6,000, I believe, per Level 3 registered offender,\" he said. \"That's what it's costing now to notify the people in the neighborhoods if we have a Level 3 sex offender in there.\" Level 3 offenders are regarded as most likely to get into trouble again.","So when Representative Palumbo said that it cost between $5,000 and $6,000 to notify people that a registered Level 3 sex offender has moved into a Cranston neighborhood, his estimate was about eight times too high."]},{"id":"5734.json","label":"half-true","statement":"While the countrys economy was battered, nine states with no income tax actually grew jobs from 2001 to 2010.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by DeCroce that nine states without an income tax experienced job growth from 2001 to 2010. However, it's important to note that this claim is not entirely conclusive. While it is true that some states without income taxes saw job growth during that period, it is not a definitive correlation between the absence of income tax and job growth. Other factors, such as industry composition, economic policies, and regional dynamics, can also influence job growth. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of the claim made, it should be understood that the relationship between income taxes and job growth is complex and not solely determined by the presence or absence of income tax.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["DeCroce said in an opinion column: \"While the country\u2019s economy was battered, nine states with no income tax actually grew jobs from 2001 to 2010.\"","\"While the country\u2019s economy was battered, nine states with no income tax actually grew jobs from 2001 to 2010. If states without an income tax added jobs during the Great Recession, imagine how many more jobs New Jersey can grow by reducing taxes during the recovery. The next job created could be yours,\" she said.","But New Hampshire and Tennessee actually lost jobs during the same time frame. And other states the report identified as having high personal income tax rates, such as Hawaii and Maryland, gained jobs from 2001 to 2010.","The nation lost more than two million jobs from 2001 to 2010, according to federal labor data. On average states without a personal income tax experienced job growth, but two of those states lost jobs. And the connection between income taxes and job growth is murky."]},{"id":"10798.json","label":"false","statement":"The United States is not building the aircraft, the long-range bombers, the additional aircraft carriers, the nuclear submarines.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly shows that the United States is indeed building various types of aircraft, including long-range bombers, additional aircraft carriers, and nuclear submarines. The U.S. Navy currently operates 11 aircraft carriers, has a new long-range strike bomber program underway, and possesses submarines capable of launching nuclear ballistic missiles. The evidence contradicts the claim made by Rubio, and it is evident that the United States is actively involved in the construction and development of these military assets.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rubio made a less accurate attack when he said the United States \"is not building the aircraft, the long-range bombers, the additional aircraft carriers, (or) the nuclear submarines.\" We rated that claim False.","However, the ships of 1917 were most definitely not the ships of today. The types of ships active in 1917 that are also active today -- such as cruisers and destroyers -- are now outfitted with far more advanced technology than they were during World War I. And today, the U.S. Navy has 11 aircraft carriers (plus the jets to launch from them), 31 amphibious ships, 14 submarines capable of launching nuclear ballistic missiles and four specialized submarines for launching cruise missiles \u2014 all categories of vessels that didn't even exist in 1916.","In October, the Air Force awarded a contract for the new bomber program, known as a long-range strike bomber. However, the bid is currently under protest by Boeing. The cost estimate is $21.4 billion for the engineering and manufacturing development phase and then $550 million per aircraft for the first 21 of 100. The 100 planes are expected to be done by the 2020s.","The aircraft \"were once intended to carry nuclear weapons,\" the article says, \"before the B-1 lost this role after the end of the Cold War. The pylons were then disabled as the aircraft was made compliant with New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) regulations.\""]},{"id":"2360.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I can put 10,000 people to work. Electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers -- by retrofitting all of the state buildings for energy independence or efficiency.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that retrofitting state buildings for energy independence or efficiency has the potential to create jobs, the statement is misleading in implying that all 10,000 workers would be new hires. Some of the positions would likely be filled by individuals who are already employed. The number of workers required for the retrofitting would depend on various factors, such as the time it takes for the companies to perform the work and the level of funding provided by the state government. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the complexity of the situation and does not provide a complete picture of the job creation potential.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["No one we spoke with disputed whether 10,000 people could be put to work by retrofitting state buildings. The research by agencies on this topic shows these positions would be new hires and people who would directly benefit from the work. By Barnes saying he could put \"10,000 people to work,\" we believe he gave the impression that all of these workers would be new hires. Some of those 10,000 would already be employed. The positions could be filled, but as Henson noted, the work will require some political will that will be necessary after the end of a potential Barnes administration.","Henson said 10,000 jobs could be created or retained through the plan, but \"not in one year.\" Henson said the number of workers necessary to do the work depends on how much time it takes for the companies to perform the retrofitting and the willingness of state government to fund the program.","One, by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, suggests the state can create up to 5,000 new jobs. About 6,000 people already employed would also see the benefits by working on retrofitting state buildings. The other is a 2008 study by the Political Economy Research Institute, which describes itself as an independent unit of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The report estimates about 20 jobs can be generated for each $1 million spent on energy-efficiency efforts.","Apparently, Barnes has joined the parade of people supporting the latest hot idea in government: performance contracting. It's the practice of hiring companies to retrofit a building to make it more energy-efficient, saving money on energy bill and water costs. The company typically gets a cut of the money from the energy savings. Many states and cities have entered into performance contracting with companies to produce energy savings. Georgians will vote on Nov. 2 whether to amend the state constitution to allow state agencies to enter into multiyear contracts with companies to improve energy efficiency in state buildings."]},{"id":"4485.json","label":"true","statement":"The city of Atlanta has either the highest or second-highest average water bills in the country.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the city of Atlanta has either the highest or second-highest average water bills in the country. Multiple sources, including research conducted by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Black and Veatch, confirm that Atlanta consistently ranks at the top in terms of water bill costs. While the exact ranking may vary depending on the specific study or category, the evidence consistently shows that Atlanta is among the cities with the highest water bills in the nation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We all know our water bills are the highest in the nation,\" said Smith, former chairwoman of the Utilities Committee. \"Or the second-highest.\"","Based on the research we\u2019ve seen, none of which has been disputed, Atlanta has the highest monthly bills in most categories. When it is not first, Atlanta is typically second.","New York City\u2019s Department of Environmental Protection conducted a study of water and sewer rates that found Atlanta had the highest average annual residential rates among 24 cities studied, as of March 2008 at nearly $1,500 -- or $125 a month. Atlanta -- by far -- also had the highest average commercial rates, at more than $16,000 a year.","Black and Veatch, an engineering, construction and consulting company, looked at residential bills for water and wastewater in 50 large cities for three amounts of use for 2009 and 2010: 3,750 gallons, 7,500 gallons and 15,000 gallons. Atlanta users paid the highest average monthly rates for 7,500 gallons and 15,000 gallons. The bills were $154.30 and $327.70, respectively. Atlanta was a close second to Seattle in the 3,750-gallon category."]},{"id":"13269.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In exchange for five minutes with Bill Clinton, the government of Qatar was going to give $1 million to the Clinton Foundation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mike Pence that the government of Qatar was going to give $1 million to the Clinton Foundation in exchange for a five-minute meeting with Bill Clinton. This claim is supported by Pence's statement and corroborated by an email that mentions Qatar's promise to present a check to Bill Clinton during the meeting. However, it's important to note that the meeting was intended to present the check, rather than the donation being contingent on the meeting itself. So while the statement accurately conveys the claim made by Pence, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Pence said, \"In exchange for five minutes with Bill Clinton, the government of Qatar was going to give $1 million to the Clinton Foundation.\"","\"The national media is ignoring an avalanche of real, hard evidence of corruption during the years of the Clinton administration. The New York Times just a few minutes ago posted a story about \u2014 in exchange for five minutes with Bill Clinton, the government of Qatar was going to give $1 million to the Clinton Foundation,\" Pence said Oct. 16, 2016.","So the government of Qatar was going to give the Clinton Foundation $1 million as part of a five-minute meeting, according to this email.","Pence said Qatar \"was going to\" make a $1 million donation in exchange for a five-minute meeting. But according to Desai\u2019s email, Qatar had promised the check for Bill Clinton\u2019s birthday the previous year. The meeting was to present the check."]},{"id":"1506.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Speaker Rubio supported gun restrictions that included background checks and waiting periods.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Marco Rubio did support gun restrictions that included background checks and waiting periods. This is supported by multiple sources, including a press release from Gov. Charlie Crist and a news article that quotes Rubio himself acknowledging his support for \"reasonable restrictions\" such as background checks and waiting periods. Additionally, Rubio's voting record and \"A\" rating from the NRA indicate his support for gun rights but also his previous support for these specific restrictions. \nLabel: true","evidence":["In a recent press release, Gov. Charlie Crist fired off 10 claims about his opponent, former House Speaker Marco Rubio. One statement questioned Rubio's commitment to gun rights: \"Speaker Rubio supported gun restrictions that included background checks and waiting periods.\"","Rubio's record on guns as a House member is clear -- he voted with major NRA priorities and got an \"A\" rating for each of his elections, at least until now. But Crist accurately claimed that Rubio supported laws that instituted waiting periods and background checks on gun owners. Crist's statement earns a True.","The Herald article profiled Rubio and his opponent and recounted their positions on key issues. It said, \"Rubio supports 'reasonable restrictions' including background checks and waiting periods.\" It quoted Rubio saying, \"However, I believe we should spend more time focusing on why people, especially children, are committing acts of violence.\"","A candidate's stance on gun issues can be critical in a Republican primary. Some gun rights groups oppose restrictions such as these. We thought the statement merited further research."]},{"id":"1791.json","label":"half-true","statement":"She (Kagan) took money from Goldman Sachs just like her boss, Obama.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Elena Kagan received a stipend of $10,000 for her services as a member of the advisory council for the Goldman Sachs Global Markets Institute, it is misleading to equate this with the claim that she \"took money from Goldman Sachs just like her boss, Obama.\" The statement implies a similarity between Kagan's receipt of a stipend and Obama's acceptance of campaign contributions from Goldman Sachs employees. These are two distinct forms of financial interaction. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context to make a valid comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 Savage also said that \"She took money from Goldman Sachs just like her boss, Obama.\" Our research showed Kagan was a member of the advisory council for the Goldman Sachs Global Markets Institute while she was dean at Harvard Law School. In 2008, according to financial disclosure forms filed with the Senate committee, she was paid a stipend of $10,000 for her services. We found that was very different from the campaign contributions that then candidate Barack Obama accepted from employees of Goldman Sachs. So we rated Savage's statement Half True.","But that's not what Savage said. He said Kagan took money from Goldman Sachs, and she did -- at least $10,000 in 2008.","The second part of Savage's claim -- the \"just like her boss, Obama\" part -- is a bit of a stretch, though.","But again, getting a check from Goldman Sachs for services rendered (as Kagan did, albeit a small one) is far different than accepting campaign contributions from the company's employees. By that measure, Obama's Republican opponent Sen. John McCain took money from Goldman Sachs too -- $230,000 in campaign contributions from its employees. So we find Savage's claim to be Half True."]},{"id":"9204.json","label":"false","statement":"Did you know that in 2013 over 50 percent of all babies born in Oregon were Hispanic?","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The claim that over 50 percent of all babies born in Oregon in 2013 were Hispanic is incorrect. The executive director of the Oregon School Boards Association acknowledged that the statistic was a result of data transposition and clarified that the claim should have been about the proportion of babies born to parents on Medicaid who were Hispanic, not the overall population. The corrected claim is that in 2013, for the first time, more than half of the babies born to parents on Medicaid in Oregon were Hispanic.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A meeting slide show included a \"fact\" that later showed up in the Oregon School Boards Association\u2019s April newsletter. \"Did you know that in 2013 over 50 percent of all babies born in Oregon were Hispanic?\" said the newsletter item, written by Betsy Miller-Jones, OSBA executive director.","The executive director of the Oregon School Boards Association, picking up on a statistic included in a slide show presented to educators and others at a conference in February, wrote in a newsletter that in 2013 \"more than 50 percent of all babies born in Oregon were Hispanic.\"","In an email, he told us that records for 2012 show that of the 45,059 babies born in Oregon that year, 8,521 -- or about 18.9 percent -- were Hispanic, according to official statistics.","\"Regretfully (Smith) told me that he inadvertently transposed the data,\" Gimbel wrote in an email. In a follow-up phone call, she said Smith explained that, in working late on a volunteer basis to put the slide show together, he simply neglected to include an important proviso. The claim, she wrote, should have read: \"In 2013 for the first time, more than half of the babies born to parents on Medicaid were Hispanic.\""]},{"id":"562.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama wants to \"unilaterally disarm our nation.\"","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Barack Obama wanted to \"unilaterally disarm our nation.\" The anonymous emails and YouTube videos mentioned in the evidence do not provide any substantial proof of such a claim. In fact, the evidence suggests that these claims are based on misinterpretations and false information. It is important to rely on reliable and verified sources when evaluating such claims, and in this case, the claim lacks credibility.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Anonymous e-mails claim that Sen. Barack Obama wants to \"unilaterally disarm our nation\" \u2014 and they say they have the video to prove it.","All the e-mails link to YouTube video that shows Barack Obama talking about his defense policies. The only problem is, Obama doesn't say in the video that he wants to disarm the United States.","One of the outlets that has promoted the Obama-wants-to-disarm-us argument is the conservative blog Macsmind. Macsmind linked on Feb. 27, 2008, to a YouTube video; several of the e-mails we received linked to the Macsmind post. Macsmind posted the commentary, \"Sen. McCain, you should grab this video and play it on every ad you can. This is absolutely shocking reprehensible. He plans to universally disarm our nation (sic). The question is for what, and more specifically 'for whom'.\"","An Austin-area U.S. House member maintains that President Barack Obama has dangerous desires for military installations. U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, opened his commentary in the March 10, 2016, Round Rock Leader: \"This is not a joke: the president wants to house illegal aliens on our nation\u2019s military installations.\""]},{"id":"2399.json","label":"false","statement":"Harry Reid has voted to give special tax breaks to illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Harry Reid has voted to give special tax breaks to illegal aliens has been thoroughly fact-checked and found to be false. Multiple sources have debunked this claim, stating that the cited votes were not aimed at illegal aliens but rather at individuals who were in the U.S. legally, even if they had previously been undocumented. Additionally, the votes in question did not constitute special tax breaks. Therefore, the statement is not supported by credible evidence and has been rated as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In this item, we'll focus on the part where the narrator says, \"Harry Reid -- he votes to give special tax breaks to illegal aliens....\" We'll check whether Reid voted \"to give illegals Social Security\" in a separate item( \"in a separate item\").","We\u2019ve rated one claim in an ad by Nevada Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle as False. That was a claim that( \"That was a claim that\") Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid voted \"go give special tax breaks to illegal aliens.\"","So, how persuasive are these four examples of Reid voting \"to give special tax breaks to illegal aliens\"? They didn't persuade us.","We'll agree that it's fair for Angle to paint Reid as something less than Draconian in his stance toward former illegal immigrants. However, we find little to support the charge that Reid voted to \"give special tax breaks to illegal aliens.\" Most of the Angle camp's cited votes were actually aimed at people in the U.S. legally (even though they may formerly have been illegal), and in at least two cases, we disagree that what was being voted on represented a \"special tax break\" at all. The combination of these concerns lead us to rate this claim False."]},{"id":"10865.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he was known as Veto Corleone for cutting spending as Florida governor.","reason":"Reason: Jeb Bush was indeed referred to as \"Veto Corleone\" during his time as governor of Florida due to his frequent use of the line-item veto to cut spending. This nickname was coined by John Thrasher, then speaker of the House in Florida. The use of the nickname suggests that Bush had a reputation for being fiscally conservative and actively reducing government spending through his veto power. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Jeb Bush, otherwise known as \"Veto Corleone\" in Florida, says he has the fiscal conservative track record to back up his nickname.","During a meeting with business leaders in Portsmouth, N.H., on May 20, 2015, Bush pointed out he was well-known for using the line-item veto at his disposal as governor.","Media reports said John Thrasher, then speaker of the House, dubbed Bush \"Veto Corleone\" after the fictional mafia don (spelled Vito Corleone) for his liberal use of the power. Thrasher, who is now president of Florida State University, confirmed to PolitiFact Florida that he coined the nickname, which seemed to be something of a friendly dig.","Says Donald Trump campaigned on not cutting Medicare and Social Security, but his nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, \"made his career on cutting Medicare and Medicaid.\""]},{"id":"10185.json","label":"true","statement":"The last time Republican U.S. Senate candidates beat more than two (incumbents) was 1980.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Republican National Committee spokesman, Sean Spicer. In 1980, Republicans successfully defeated 12 Democratic Senate incumbents, with nine incumbents losing in the general election and three losing in their primaries. Since then, Republicans have not been able to defeat more than two incumbents in a single election cycle. This information is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The last time we beat more than two (incumbents) was 1980,\" said Republican National Committee spokesman Sean Spicer on CNN\u2019s State of the Union on Nov. 2.","In 1980, Republicans took 12 Democrat Senate seats (nine incumbents lost in the general election, while three lost in their primaries.). Spicer is correct to say they haven\u2019t beat more than two incumbents since then.","Senate Democrats haven\u2019t had quite the same struggle against Republican incumbents in recent years. Since 1981, they\u2019ve beaten 37 incumbents total, compared to Republicans\u2019 12.","It\u2019s commonly understood that incumbent candidates have an advantage over their challengers for many reasons including visibility, accomplishments in the position, and being a high-quality candidate (why they were elected in the first place). But have Republican challengers really struggled so much to take Democratic seats?"]},{"id":"65.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I've cast a couple of 99-1 votes\" and been the lone dissenter.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the speaker, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, has indeed cast several votes where he was the lone dissenter, indicating a 99-1 voting outcome. Examples include his vote against the Teacher Liability Protection Amendment to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and his vote against the Volunteer Protection Act in 1997. These instances demonstrate that Thompson has been the sole dissenter on certain bills, amendments, and resolutions. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Although not every senator voted every time, meaning all votes weren't necessarily 99-1, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson was the lone dissenter on several popular bills, amendments and resolutions that asserted federal power over traditionally state functions, records show.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","Teacher Liability Protection Amendment to No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Passed, 98 to 1. Thompson voted no, May 9, 2001","In 1997, he was the lone \"nay\" vote against a bill called the Volunteer Protection Act, which exempted Good Samaritans from being sued. In 2000, he was the only senator who voted against a resolution \"encouraging local schools to insist on zero-tolerance policies towards violence and illegal drug use.\""]},{"id":"11300.json","label":"half-true","statement":"#GradInsurance debacle is a DIRECT result of #ObamaCare. #MIZZOU has to break the law to do the right thing.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that the \"#GradInsurance debacle\" is a direct result of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and that the University of Missouri (MIZZOU) has to break the law to address the issue. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act has had an impact on healthcare policies and insurance coverage, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entire \"debacle\" to Obamacare alone. The evidence suggests that the removal of benefits and the challenges faced by MIZZOU are influenced by multiple factors, including both state and federal laws. Therefore, the statement's claim of a direct cause-and-effect relationship between Obamacare and the situation at MIZZOU is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rowden tweeted: \"#GradInsurance debacle is a DIRECT result of #ObamaCare. #MIZZOU has to break the law to do the right thing.\"","\"#GradInsurance debacle is a DIRECT result of #ObamaCare. #MIZZOU has to break the law to do the right thing,\" Rowden tweeted Aug. 21.","So, it\u2019s not just the Affordable Care Act that caused the problem. But, the idea that the removal of benefits is a \"direct result of\" the Affordable Care Act isn\u2019t too far from reality.","If the Affordable Care Act were struck down and the state law were in place, he believes this same thing would happen again."]},{"id":"6564.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says President Obama has waived the work requirement for welfare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. President Obama did not waive the work requirement for welfare. The claim originated from a misinterpretation of a policy change that allowed states to apply for waivers to experiment with different approaches to welfare-to-work programs, as long as they could demonstrate better outcomes. The work requirement itself was not eliminated, and states still had to provide evidence of increased employment outcomes for welfare recipients. The assertion that President Obama waived the work requirement is false and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"This summer he showed us once again he believes in government handouts and dependency by waiving the work requirement for welfare,\" Santorum said Tuesday in a speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa. \"I helped write the welfare reform bill; we made the law crystal clear -- no president can waive the work requirement. But as with his refusal to enforce our immigration laws, President Obama rules like he is above the law.\"","Santorum falsely claims that Obama has waived welfare\u2019s work requirement entirely. The remark is inaccurate and it inflames old resentments about able-bodied adults sitting around collecting public assistance. Pants on Fire!","Santorum said that Obama \"showed us once again he believes in government handouts and dependency by waiving the work requirement for welfare.\"","Now Santorum is lending his voice to Mitt Romney\u2019s campaign message that President Barack Obama has gutted that reform and done away with rules from the 1996 law that require welfare recipients to eventually get a job."]},{"id":"9330.json","label":"true","statement":"Ninety-seven percent of the time. Thats how often Mark Warner votes with President Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Republican Party of Virginia that Senator Mark Warner votes with President Obama 97 percent of the time. This claim has been fact-checked and verified as true. The evidence confirms that Senator Warner has consistently aligned with President Obama's positions on various votes, both in the past year and since entering the Senate in 2009.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"97 percent of the time. That\u2019s how often Mark Warner votes with President Obama,\" a recent web video by the Republican Party of Virginia said.","The Republican Party of Virginia said Sen. Mark Warner voted with Obama 97 percent of the time, and we rated that True. Republican Scott Brown said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen\u2019s voted with him 99 percent of the time: Mostly True. In Arkansas, Rep. Tom Cotton said Sen. Mark Pryor voted with him 93 percent of the time. That got a Mostly True.","Warner, as it turns out, did vote with the president\u2019s wishes 97 of the time both last year and since entering the Senate in 2009. That\u2019s slightly higher than the average for all Democratic senators, who backed Obama when he clearly stated a position 96 percent of the time last year and 95.4 percent of the time since 2009.","The presidential support rating is by no means a wide measure of performance by Warner or any other member of Congress. The president staked out a position on only 28 percent of the Senate roll call votes since 2009 and more than half of those were to confirm presidential appointments. Senate Democrats, on the whole, have backed the president 95.4 percent of the time during Warner\u2019s term."]},{"id":"9402.json","label":"true","statement":"The numbers make it clear that Georgia voters are increasingly taking advantage of early voting opportunities.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Georgia voters are indeed increasingly utilizing early voting opportunities. The data shows a significant increase in early voting turnout in Georgia over the years. In the 2012 presidential election, 1.9 million early votes were cast, compared to approximately 420,000 in 2004 when early voting was first introduced. Additionally, the passage of legislation in 2010 allowing for seven weeks of in-person early voting without a reason further supports the claim that early voting has become more common in Georgia. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["To sum up, there\u2019s plenty of evidence that Georgia voters are taking advantage of the chance to cast their ballots early. In the 2012 presidential election, 1.9 million early votes were cast. That\u2019s up from about 420,000 in 2004, the first time Georgians could vote early in a presidential election.","Andra Gillespie, an associate professor of political science at Emory University, said looking at the presidential elections in 2004, 2008 and 2012 and the midterm elections for governor in 2006 and 2010, \"it\u2019s clear that early voting is now quite common.\"","The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation in 2003, allowing a one-week early-voting period, the Monday through Friday before Election Day. By the 2004 general election, when Republican George W. Bush defeated Democrat John Kerry for president, 13 percent of Georgia voters cast ballots early.","In 2010, the law was amended to in-person early voting for seven weeks without giving a reason. In 2011, early voting was reduced to 21 days, ending the Friday before the election and including at least one Saturday of early voting."]},{"id":"3870.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ocean Spray is moving its Bordentown processing facility to Pennsylvania largely because of costs associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes Ocean Spray's decision to move its Bordentown processing facility to Pennsylvania largely to the costs associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Ocean Spray itself stated that RGGI was not a factor in their decision. While rising energy rates can impact a business's ability to add jobs and expand, there is no evidence to support the claim that RGGI was a significant factor in Ocean Spray's relocation. Therefore, the statement is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As a former president and CEO of a small business, I can attest to the impact rising energy rates have on an employer\u2019s ability to add jobs and expand,\" she said in a May 9 news release. \"Just ask Ocean Spray, which last week announced it will be moving its Bordentown processing facility to Pennsylvania, in large measure due to the costs associated with RGGI.\"","Allen claimed that Ocean Spray was leaving Bordentown \"in large measure due to the costs associated with RGGI.\" Yet Ocean Spray said it did not consider RGGI and its impacts on the energy rate.","In early May, Ocean Spray announced plans to close its Bordentown facility, where the growers' co-op makes beverages, and relocate operations to the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania.","On May 9, Republicans held a news conference and issued a press release to call for an end to the state\u2019s involvement in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Under RGGI -- or \"Reggie\" as it\u2019s called -- energy companies buy allowances to comply with a cap on carbon dioxide emissions."]},{"id":"4544.json","label":"true","statement":"On running for the presidency in 2012","reason":"Reason: Governor Chris Christie repeatedly stated that he would not seek the presidency in 2012, as confirmed by multiple sources. Despite growing support and speculation, he consistently reaffirmed his decision not to run for president during that time. The evidence supports the statement that Governor Christie did not run for the presidency in 2012.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So after months of stating loudly that he\u2019s not running for president in 2012, Christie\u2019s lips moved again Oct. 4 \u2013 and the words spoken numerous times before about not seeking the presidency were true.","Well, that leaves out Gov. Chris Christie, who announced on Oct. 4 that he will not seek the presidency in 2012 \u2013 reaffirming the same statement he has made numerous times this year, despite a chorus of support that has grown all year for him to join the race.","Reflecting on the 2012 presidential campaign, Donald Trump blamed Mitt Romney\u2019s loss on his choice of a running mate: Paul Ryan.","Even after his suicide reference in February, Christie was spotted schmoozing with GOP financiers and criss-crossing the country to stump for others in the party. He also used those publicized and unpublicized trips \u2013 as well as various town hall meetings across New Jersey -- to remind people that he would not seek the presidency."]},{"id":"8955.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Island is almost dead last among Northeastern states in the length of time first-degree murderers must spend in prison before theyre eligible for parole.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Rhode Island does have one of the shortest lengths of time that first-degree murderers must spend in prison before becoming eligible for parole compared to other Northeastern states. This information suggests that Rhode Island ranks near the bottom in terms of the length of time served by first-degree murderers before parole eligibility.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rhode Island is \"almost dead last\" among Northeastern states in the length of time first-degree murderers must spend in prison before they\u2019re eligible for parole.","The Rhode Island Parole Board \"never received an objection from the attorney general\" to the parole of convicted murder Alfred Brissette.","Staffers spend much of their time helping constituents having problems with, say the Social Security Administration or the Veterans Administration. And they research issues, providing representatives with the information they need to decide how to vote.","Ann Coulter said Rhode Island was one of the first states to enact voter-identification laws. It isn\u2019t. At least a dozen states had such laws earlier, making Rhode Island closer to the middle of the pack."]},{"id":"1160.json","label":"false","statement":"\"All the really great programs in American history, Social Security, was done without Republicans. Medicare was done without Republican support until the last vote where they realized they had to get on board.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Social Security and Medicare were championed by Democrats, both bills received support from Republicans during the legislative process. Social Security, for example, had the backing of 81 Republicans in the House and 16 Republicans in the Senate. Similarly, Medicare received support from half of the Republicans on the Senate committee. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that these programs were passed without any Republican support.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"All the really great programs in American history, Social Security, was done without Republicans. Medicare was done without Republican support until the last vote where they realized they had to get on board,\" Dean said on the Aug. 25, 2009, episode of The Rachel Maddow Show . \"So a lot of the things that have been done that have helped seniors in particular have been done without Republican support at all and there's not going to be any political penalty. The only political penalty will be suffered is if we don't pass a bill and the Republicans know that. And that's why they're not interested in helping pass the bill.\"","Our recollection about the votes on Social Security and Medicare was a little rusty, and we wondered whether Dean was right that both bills passed with no Republican support.","So we find Dean is glossing over the details and exaggerating the partisan split. Both Social Security and Medicare were indeed championed by Democrats, but passed with the help of Republican votes. And while some GOP members waited until the last minute to support Medicare, it was backed by half the Republicans on the Senate committee. So we find Dean's statement False.","Nevertheless, on Aug. 8, 1935, the conference report \u2014 the final version of the bill that melds together changes made in the House and in the Senate \u2014 passed in the House 372-33, with 81 Republicans voting in support. The next day, the bill was passed in the Senate 77-6, with 16 Republicans supporting the legislation. So Social Security did pass with Republican support."]},{"id":"6344.json","label":"false","statement":"Diane Black voted to fund Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Diane Black has consistently opposed Obamacare and has voted multiple times to repeal and defund it. The claim that she voted to fund Obamacare is a distortion and deliberately misleading. While she may have voted on short-term spending measures that continued funding at current levels for all government programs, it does not equate to actively voting to fund Obamacare. The evidence clearly shows that Black has been a staunch opponent of the health-care reforms.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Diane Black voted to fund Obamacare, then she voted to repeal it. I guess she was for it before she was against it,\" Zelenik says in a radio ad.","Black was not even in Congress when the House gave final approval to the health-reform bill in March 2010. Yet Zelenik is \"leaving voters with the impression that Diane Black has actively voted to fund Obamacare,\" said Baker, who calls such a claim ridiculous.","But was Black really very specifically \"voting to fund Obamacare\" or was she voting to keep the government from shutting down? Black has strongly opposed the health-care laws and Zelenik\u2019s claim is a distortion designed to deliberately mislead voters about Black\u2019s record. We find it False.","The public record shows Rep. Black has voted more than two dozen times to repeal President Obama\u2019s health-care reforms and defund them. In claiming Black has actually voted to fund the health reforms, Zelenik and her aides point to Black\u2019s votes on short-term spending measures that continue funding at current levels for all government programs."]},{"id":"8021.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Hispanic population in Gwinnett and Henry counties has increased by 153 percent and 339 percent, respectively, since 2000 while Republican presidential candidates are getting a smaller percentage of the vote in those counties.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which shows that the Hispanic population in Gwinnett County has increased by approximately 153 percent and in Henry County by approximately 339 percent since 2000. It also highlights that Republican presidential candidates have received a smaller percentage of the vote in these counties during the same period. The evidence suggests a correlation between the increasing Hispanic population and a decline in Republican support in these areas. However, it's important to note that the statement does not establish a direct causal relationship between the two factors. Other variables and factors may also contribute to changes in voting patterns.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"If the GOP leaves nonwhite voters to the Democrats, then its margins in safe congressional districts and red states will dwindle \u2014 not overnight, but over years and decades,\" Rowe wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. \"For example, the Hispanic population in Georgia's Gwinnett County increased by 153 percent from 2000 to 2010 while the GOP's presidential vote in the county dropped to 54 percent in 2012 from 63.7 percent in 2000. In Henry County, south of Atlanta, the Hispanic population increased by 339 percent over the same decade. The GOP's presidential vote dropped to 51.2 percent in 2012 from 66.4 percent in 2000. Republicans ignore changes like these at their peril.\"","By 2010, Hispanics formed about a fifth of Gwinnett\u2019s population, up from about 11 percent in 2000. In Henry County, Hispanics made up just under 6 percent of the population in 2010, compared with 2 percent in 2000. But the voting-age population of Hispanics in each county was smaller, and many Hispanic adults weren\u2019t registered to vote.","The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in March 2011 that Henry County\u2019s Hispanic population had increased by 338 percent between 2000 and 2010, from 2,693 up to 11,813. Gwinnett\u2019s Hispanic population grew from 64,136 in 2000 to 162,035 in 2010, the AJC reported. That\u2019s an increase of nearly 153 percent.","Rove implies a correlation between the increase of Hispanic residents in Gwinnett and Henry and the performance of Republican presidential nominees in those counties, even though he doesn\u2019t draw a direct connection."]},{"id":"11314.json","label":"true","statement":"The marijuana that kids are smoking today is not the same as the marijuana that Jeb Bush smoked 40 years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence. Studies have shown that the potency of THC (the psychoactive component of marijuana) has increased over the years. The concentration of THC in seized marijuana has been found to be higher, with a growing fraction having a concentration of 9 percent or more. This increase in potency suggests that the marijuana available today is indeed different from what was commonly smoked 40 years ago. Therefore, Fiorina's statement is accurate in highlighting the change in marijuana potency over time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The marijuana that kids are smoking today is not the same as the marijuana that Jeb Bush smoked 40 years ago,\" Fiorina said.","Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul favored allowing states like Colorado do as they please. So did former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who explained his position by acknowledging his own use. \"So, 40 years ago, I smoked marijuana, and I admit it. I'm sure that other people might have done it and may not want to say it in front of 25 million people. My mom's not happy that I just did.\"","Fiorina said the marijuana kids smoke today is not what it was 40 years ago. Studies back that up. THC potency is up, with a growing fraction of seized marijuana having a concentration of 9 percent or more. There is some evidence that users smoke less when the pot is more potent, but that doesn\u2019t detract from Fiorina\u2019s main point.","\"There is the pervasive, false perception that marijuana is not dangerous,\" Dittrich wrote. \"Pot today is not the weed baby boomers were smoking.\""]},{"id":"763.json","label":"true","statement":"Barack Obama voted against born alive legislation in Illinois that was virtually identical to the federal law.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Barack Obama did vote against born alive legislation in Illinois that was similar to the federal law. The records from the Health and Human Services Committee show that Obama, along with other Democrats, voted against the legislation, while Republicans favored it. This vote indicates that Obama opposed a law that aimed to protect babies who were left to die after failed abortions. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But the National Right to Life Committee is correct that the 2003 version of the law did include a neutrality clause similar to the federal legislation, and Obama voted against it. We rule its claim True.","The federal born alive legislation has passed and was the law at the time of the 2003 vote. Here's what its neutrality clause states:","The records are from the Health and Human Services Committee. They show that on March 12, 2003, the committee voted unanimously to add a neutrality clause to the \"born alive\" bill. Then the committee voted down the bill on a 6-4 vote. All the Democrats on the committee, including Obama, voted against the legislation, while the Republicans favored it.","The group's ad shows a young woman, Gianna Jessen, looking directly at the camera and saying the following: \"Can you imagine not giving babies their basic human rights, no matter how they entered our world? My name's Gianna Jessen, born 31 years ago after a failed abortion. But if Barack Obama had his way, I wouldn't be here. Four times Barack Obama voted to oppose a law to protect babies left to die after failed abortions. Senator Obama, please support born alive infant protections. I'm living proof these babies have a right to live.\" View the ad here ."]},{"id":"5094.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has opened up no new trade relationships with other nations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Barack Obama did open up new trade relationships with other nations during his presidency. He supported and successfully pushed for the approval of three major trade deals with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama in October 2011. Additionally, the Obama administration finalized and signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade pact between 12 nations. These actions demonstrate the efforts made by President Obama to establish and expand trade relationships with other countries.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Congress moved on Oct. 12, 2011, to approve three major trade deals supported by President Barack Obama, easing restrictions via new agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.","Since we last updated this promise, the Obama administration finalized and signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the trade pact between 12 nations.","The irony of President Barack Obama, Nobel Prize winner and putative anti-war candidate, launching extensive airstrikes in Syria, quickly led to comparisons with his predecessor, President George W. Bush.","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Renacci says Obama has racked up more debt than any other president in history -- over $5 trillion,\" June 27, 2012"]},{"id":"1307.json","label":"true","statement":"\"History tells us that job growth always lags behind economic growth.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement that \"history tells us that job growth always lags behind economic growth\" is generally accurate. It is a recognized trend that job growth tends to follow economic growth with a certain time lag. This is due to various factors such as businesses taking time to adjust and expand their workforce in response to increased demand or economic recovery. While there may be exceptions and variations depending on specific circumstances, the statement aligns with the historical patterns observed in the relationship between job growth and economic growth.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"History tells us that job growth always lags behind economic growth,\" Obama said Nov. 6, 2009, in remarks in the White House Rose Garden.","Says that when President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rates to levels now proposed by Obama, the country experienced significant job growth.","Bottom line, President Obama is right when he cautions that employment has lagged behind economic recovery in the past. And so we rate his statement True.","If you \"already have health insurance through your job, or Medicare, or Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have.\""]},{"id":"828.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat.'\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Barack Obama did not describe Iran as a \"tiny\" country or claim that it doesn't pose a serious threat. This claim originated from a misinterpretation of Obama's statement comparing the threat posed by Iran to that of the Soviet Union. Obama clarified that he considered Iran to be a grave threat. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked the claim that Obama characterized Iran as \"tiny\" or insignificant.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Iran. Radical Islamic government. Known sponsors of terrorism,\" the announcer says in a somber tone. \"Developing nuclear capabilities to 'generate power' but threatening to eliminate Israel. Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat.' Terrorism, destroying Israel, those aren't 'serious threats'? Obama \u2013 dangerously unprepared to be president.\"","The campaign announced on Oct. 28, 2008, that it was launching an ad called \"Tiny\" that alleges that Barack Obama described Iran as a \"tiny\" country that is not a serious threat to the United States. The ad, which was initially released in August, repeats a claim McCain made in a speech in May.","Obama never said the threat from Iran was \u201ctiny\u201d or \u201cinsignificant,\u201d only that the threat was tiny in comparison to the threat once posed by the Soviet Union. And if the McCain campaign was unclear on that point, it should have been clear after Obama's comment in May that \"Iran is a grave threat.\" To continue to twist Obama's words, especially after that clarification, earns another False.","McCain twisted Obama's words when he claimed that Obama characterized the threat from Iran as tiny or insignificant. Obama never said that."]},{"id":"2019.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We spend three times more on entitlements and debt services than we do on defense.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sarah Palin that \"We spend three times more on entitlements and debt services than we do on defense\" is supported by evidence. Fact-checkers have verified that when combining mandatory programs and net interest, the ratio of spending on entitlements and debt services to defense is indeed close to three times. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a June 30, 2010, Facebook post, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin posted excerpts from a speech she gave in Norfolk, Va., primarily on national security. At one point, she said, \"We spend three times more on entitlements and debt services than we do on defense.\"","Despite these distinctions, we think it's reasonable for Palin to describe all security programs as \"defense\" and all mandatory programs as \"entitlements.\" In all, then, we rate this comment by Palin much more favorably than we do her other comment from the same speech. This one earns a rating of True.","\u201cBlack women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die (from maternal mortality) even when they have the insurance and the income.\u201d","If you add together mandatory programs and the net interest, then divide that by the amount spent on security programs, the ratio is 2.93 -- very close to the \"three times more\" that Palin cites."]},{"id":"10240.json","label":"false","statement":"In the 2014 elections, the American people overwhelmingly said we dont want Obamacare and we dont want amnesty.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cruz that \"the American people overwhelmingly said we don't want Obamacare and we don't want amnesty\" in the 2014 elections is not supported by the available evidence. While there were certainly debates and discussions surrounding these issues during the election, it is inaccurate to claim that the American people as a whole expressed overwhelming opposition to Obamacare and amnesty. The election results and polling data indicate a more nuanced and varied range of opinions on these topics. Therefore, the statement is not substantiated by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cruz said that in the 2014 elections, \"the American people overwhelmingly said we don't want Obamacare \u2026 and we don't want amnesty.\"","We wondered: Is there data to back up Cruz\u2019s contention that in the 2014 elections, \"the American people overwhelmingly said we don't want Obamacare \u2026 and we don't want amnesty\"?","\"You know, in elections that he liked, the president was fond of saying elections have consequences. Well, this last election there was no ambiguity. There were two issues that dominated this last election. Number one, Obamacare. And number two, amnesty. This was a referendum on amnesty. And the American people overwhelmingly said we don't want Obamacare. It's a disaster. It's hurting the American people. And we don't want amnesty. And I'm sorry to say the president is behaving in an unprecedented way. There is not in recent times any parallel for a president repudiated by the voters standing up and essentially telling the voters go jump in a lake, he's going to force his powers.\"","Either way, Cruz is wrong to say that the \"American people overwhelmingly\" opposed Obamacare on Election Day. At most, a small plurality opposed the law -- and maybe not even that."]},{"id":"9206.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Dan Patrick got caught not paying his taxes and pocketed his employees payroll taxes.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Dan Patrick got caught not paying his taxes is supported by evidence, as there were government liens filed against him for unpaid taxes in the 1980s. However, the claim that he \"pocketed\" his employees' payroll taxes lacks sufficient evidence and has not been confirmed. While it is true that employee payroll taxes went unpaid at times, there is no concrete proof that Patrick intentionally pocketed those funds. Therefore, the statement is partially true regarding unpaid taxes but lacks evidence to support the claim of pocketing employees' payroll taxes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Dewhurst\u2019s ad also said Patrick was caught not paying taxes and pocketed employees\u2019 payroll taxes. On April 28, we rated this claim Half True. Government agencies had filed liens against Patrick for unpaid taxes in the 1980s. But we saw no proof Patrick pocketed employees\u2019 payroll taxes.","In Dewhurst's video ad that came public April 16, 2014, the narrator said Patrick \"got caught not paying his taxes\" and \"pocketed his employees\u2019 payroll taxes.\" In the ad, those claims are prefaced by an excerpt from a lieutenant governor debate in which a reporter said Patrick had walked away from more than $800,000 in debts when he declared personal bankruptcy.","Patrick\u2019s bankruptcy filing has been covered before. But did he get caught not paying taxes and also pocket employee payroll taxes?","We see no confirmation, though, that Patrick \"pocketed\" employees\u2019 payroll taxes, though such taxes did go unpaid to the government at times."]},{"id":"10209.json","label":"true","statement":"Congress has 11 percent approval ratings, yet 96.4 percent of incumbent lawmakers were re-elected in 2014.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of multiple polls and analysis, which indicate that Congress had a low approval rating of around 11-14 percent in 2014. Additionally, it is true that a high percentage of incumbent lawmakers, approximately 95-96.4 percent, were re-elected during that same year. This suggests a discrepancy between public sentiment towards Congress and the re-election rates of incumbents. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A meme making its way around social media, sent to PolitiFact by a reader, captured the frustration many Americans felt. The meme said, \"11% approval ratings. 96.4% re-elected\" -- in other words, Congress has 11 percent approval ratings, yet 96.4 percent of incumbent lawmakers were re-elected in 2014. The text was superimposed over a photograph of the House chamber in the Capitol.","While the meme features a picture of the House chamber, the most common polling question refers to Congress generally, rather than the House specifically, so we looked at Congress\u2019 approval ratings overall. We found congressional approval scores from October 2014 from five different pollsters on the poll-archive website :","We found small differences in the actual percentages -- Congress had roughly a 14 percent approval rate, and the incumbent re-election rate may be as low as 95 percent -- but the point of the meme is solid. Voters hold Congress in low regard, yet they re-elect almost everyone. So we rate the claim True.","All of these percentages are exceedingly close to the meme\u2019s stated 96.4 percent, and they\u2019re a moving target due to late-called races. So we won\u2019t quibble."]},{"id":"3023.json","label":"false","statement":"Ohio has lost more population than every other state in the country except for two.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's official state counts for the Census 2010, Ohio did not lose population. In fact, it gained more people, although at a slower pace compared to many other states. While Ohio may have experienced slower population growth and faced challenges in comparison to other states, it did not lose population as the statement suggests.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I just read the other day that Ohio has lost more population than every other state in the country except for two,\" Kasich told reporters Dec. 14. \"So, people exiting the state, gosh, it\u2019s a terrible situation.\"","But even by earlier estimates and projections, Ohio did not lose population but gained more people, albeit at a much slower pace than most of the rest of the country.","Another concern is that while Ohio hasn\u2019t lost population, other states are gaining new residents faster. The most immediate consequence of that for the state is a loss of clout in Washington, where Ohio will lose two of its 18 congressional seats and have fewer electoral college votes for presidential elections due to the population trends.","According to the U.S. Census Bureau official state counts for the Census 2010, released on Dec. 21, only one state lost population from April 2000 to April 2010 and it wasn\u2019t Ohio \u2014 it was our neighbors to the north, Michigan."]},{"id":"2294.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gov. Rick Perry has overseen the highest Texas unemployment in 22 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the fact-checking conducted by PolitiFact Texas, it is true that during Governor Rick Perry's tenure, Texas experienced the highest unemployment rate in 22 years. However, it is important to note that the fact-check also clarified that Perry himself cannot be solely held responsible for the unemployment rate, as there are various factors that contribute to it. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the unemployment situation during Perry's tenure, it should be understood that attributing the entire responsibility to Perry alone would be an oversimplification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Texas Truth-O-Meter item, \"Back to Basics PAC says Gov. Rick Perry has overseen the highest unemployment in Texas in 22 years,\" August 28, 2010","The ad, paid for by Back to Basics, a pro-White PAC, claims Perry is scared to \"defend his miserable record.\" Among its charges: Perry, who's been governor for 10 years, \"has overseen the highest Texas unemployment in 22 years.\"","We checked a similar statement last year. Examining a political action committee's claim that Perry \"had overseen the highest Texas unemployment in 22 years,\" we said the 22-year claim was accurate, but Perry wasn\u2019t personally to blame: Half True.","Responding to Back to Basics' statement that the governor \"has overseen the highest Texas unemployment in 22 years,\" Catherine Frazier, a spokeswoman for Perry's campaign, told us that \"we are one of the few states that continues creating jobs and attracting renowned companies to relocate and expand within our borders.\""]},{"id":"6411.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Obama refuses to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that as a candidate, Obama identified Jerusalem as Israel's capital, as president, he has taken a more nuanced approach. The United States, under Obama's administration, has not formally recognized any state as having sovereignty over Jerusalem. However, both the State Department and the CIA acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel's capital, albeit with a footnote attached. Therefore, the statement that Obama refuses to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is misleading and does not accurately reflect the complexities of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Who shares your values?\" a narrator asks as an image of Obama appears. \"As president, Barack Obama has never visited Israel and refuses to recognize Jerusalem as its capital.\"","First among the statements answering its question \"Why is Barack Obama wrong for us?\" is that he \"refuses to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.\"","As a candidate, Obama identified Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital. But as president since then, he has shied away from making statements that could be perceived as taking sides in the ongoing peace process. That\u2019s not so much a refusal on his part but a continuation of the line taken before him by previous presidents. Formally, the United States does not recognize any state as having sovereignty over Jerusalem. Both the state department and CIA under his administration note Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital, with a footnote attached.","Formally, the United States does not recognize any state as having sovereignty over Jerusalem. Both the state department and CIA note that Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital, with a footnote attached, on their websites."]},{"id":"11577.json","label":"true","statement":"Says income tax rates under Eisenhower were as high as 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. During Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency, the top income tax rate did reach 90 percent. This information is supported by historical records and has been verified by fact-checking organizations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We haven\u2019t come up with an exact number yet, but it will not be as high as the number under Dwight D. Eisenhower, which was 90 percent,\" Sanders answered.","Was the top income tax rate under Eisenhower an astronomical 90 percent? We decided to check the ledgers on that figure.","PolitiFact, \"Mike Pence says Democrats want all of Bush tax cuts to expire( \"Mike Pence says Democrats want all of Bush tax cuts to expire\"),\" July 22, 2010","What\u2019s the highest income tax bracket ever put in place? In 1944-45, during World War II, couples making more than $200,000 faced an all-time high of 94 percent."]},{"id":"3622.json","label":"true","statement":"If we had the same staffing ratio (of officers to residents) as Seattle, wed have 300 more officers in our department.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources and evidence. According to the information provided, Portland currently has fewer officers compared to Seattle when considering the staffing ratio. The evidence suggests that if Portland had the same ratio of officers to residents as Seattle, there would be a need for approximately 300 more officers in the Portland Police Department. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the given evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["If we had the same staffing ratio (of officers to residents) as Seattle, we'd have 300 more officers in our department.\"","Yep. In a recent appearance at the City Club of Portland, Reese noted that if Portland \"had the same staffing ratio as Seattle, we'd have 300 more officers in our department.\"","Reese is right. We have about 25 percent fewer officers than we would need to match Seattle\u2019s ratio. That percent difference holds up when you consider just the number of patrol officers, too. (Seattle has some 550 patrol officers -- one for every 1,106 residents -- to Portland\u2019s 392 -- one for every 1,490 residents.)","So, how many officers does Portland actually have? Well, according to bureau spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson, we have 981 sworn officers in all -- about 300 fewer than we\u2019d need to hit Seattle\u2019s ratio."]},{"id":"13346.json","label":"true","statement":"Department of Veterans Affairs doctors are prohibited from recommending medical marijuana.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors are indeed prohibited from recommending medical marijuana to veterans. While veterans can seek medical marijuana on their own in states where it is legal, VA doctors are not allowed to provide recommendations or prescriptions for medical marijuana due to federal regulations. This restriction has prompted discussions and proposed amendments to the VA's budget bill to potentially change this policy, but as of now, VA doctors are prohibited from recommending medical marijuana.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"VA doctors are prohibited from recommending medical marijuana,\" the Oct. 14 ad\u2019s on-screen text reads, before urging a \"yes\" vote on recreational marijuana to help veterans.","We wondered if the ad\u2019s claim about U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doctors checked out, especially given the continued delays for health care at the Phoenix VA Health Care System.","Earlier this year, an amendment to the VA\u2019s budget bill would have allowed VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it\u2019s legal.","That\u2019s on the mark. Veterans can still seek medical marijuana on their own -- where it\u2019s legal -- and VA health care."]},{"id":"10936.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Florida is a model for successful pretrial release programs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided presents a mixed perspective on whether Florida can be considered a model for successful pretrial release programs. While there are indications that Florida has implemented some progressive measures, such as the presumption of release on nonmonetary conditions for most crimes, it is also noted that many counties in Florida still rely on a bond schedule for determining release conditions. Additionally, there is disagreement among experts regarding whether Florida's model can be considered truly progressive or regressive. Therefore, it is not accurate to definitively claim that Florida is a model for successful pretrial release programs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["However, we did want to unpack his more serious claim that Florida is a \"model for progressive change\" for its successful pretrial release programs. That wasn\u2019t meant to be a joke.","For virtually all crimes except capital offenses, Florida law says the presumption of release should be on nonmonetary conditions. Still, Burdeen said most counties rely on a bond schedule for crimes.","\"Florida\u2019s model for pretrial detention and release is a fair, equitable model,\" he said. \"I don\u2019t know that it\u2019s on the outer fringes of the avant garde in turning people loose from jail, and I rather doubt it, but I don\u2019t believe that it is regressive. It\u2019s just there and that\u2019s what it is.\"","\"Unfortunately, Florida uses money primarily, and that\u2019s the reason why we would hesitate to say what is happening in Florida is a model,\" Kennedy said. \"But you do have these programs.\""]},{"id":"5127.json","label":"false","statement":"Tampa is the strip club capital of the world.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including experts in the strip club industry, have debunked the claim that Tampa is the strip club capital of the world. The evidence suggests that Tampa does not hold this title, neither in terms of quantity nor quality of strip clubs. Other cities, such as Las Vegas and Manhattan, have a larger presence of strip clubs. Therefore, the statement that Tampa is the strip club capital of the world is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That said, while people might say Tampa is the strip club capital of the world, the evidence is bare. Experts say Tampa isn't even the strip club capital of Florida. We rate the statement False.","We couldn\u2019t resist fact-checking a state legislator from Fort Lauderdale, who said that it\u2019s okay if Miami gets casino gambling since Tampa is the \"strip club capital of the world.\" We found that Tampa doesn\u2019t merit the title, in either quantity or quality, according to those in the strip club industry.","\"People do not go to South Beach to see Mickey Mouse. They just don't,\" she said at the end of debate on her gambling bill Monday. \"They go there for different reasons. We have the strip club capital of the world in Tampa. I hate to say it out loud, but we do. We have not ruined our family-friendly image.\"","\"Manhattan has many more clubs than the Tampa area,\" said spokeswoman Angelina Spencer. \"And if you\u2019re going to talk about the true strip club capital of the world, it would be Las Vegas.\" Her association, a political and legal advocacy group for club owners based in Washington, keeps a census that includes 3,829 clubs nationwide, but it will not release numbers by locality."]},{"id":"10609.json","label":"false","statement":"I unsealed my records at Marquette University.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Governor Walker authorized Marquette University to provide limited information about his record, he did not actually \"unseal\" his college records in the way that the statement implies. The information provided by Marquette was not the complete and unfiltered records themselves, but rather a limited set of comments authorized by Governor Walker. Therefore, the claim that he \"unsealed\" his records at Marquette University is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Indeed, when Walker said in February 2015 at the Conservative Political Action Conference that he had \"unsealed\" his college records, we rated his claim False. He had authorized Marquette to issue the statements we noted, but he has not released his transcripts.","Let\u2019s start with a closer look at Walker\u2019s claim -- that he \"unsealed\" his records. First, it suggests he did something proactively -- the way presidential candidates often release their tax returns. Second, it clearly suggests the information involved is complete and unfiltered -- that is, the documents themselves.","\"This effectively unseals his records, which is what he said. It gives Marquette University authorization to provide information about his record.\"","But the limited comments Walker allowed Marquette to make about his record, of course, are far from any unsealing of the records themselves."]},{"id":"4515.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Texas wildfires are linked to climate change.","reason":"Reason: While some scientists and experts have suggested a potential connection between climate change and the severity or frequency of wildfires, it is important to note that attributing specific weather events, such as the Texas wildfires, solely to climate change is challenging. The evidence provided indicates that there are differing opinions among scientists, with some suggesting a potential link while acknowledging uncertainties. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to definitively state that the Texas wildfires are directly linked to climate change.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Is it possible to draw a link between a specific weather event, such as the drought in Texas and the wildfires, and global climate change? Our readers were curious, and so were we.","Rob Jackson, the director of the Duke Center on Global Change, acknowledges this backdrop of uncertainty. \"Can anyone say with certainty that this is climate-change related? Absolutely not,\" he said. But Jackson -- who went to college and taught in Texas and continues to visit frequently to see family -- suggested that the scale of the Texas wildfires is starting to change the minds of some scientists who have traditionally been hesitant to blame specific weather events on climate change.","Gulledge found it noteworthy that in a recent blog post, John Nielsen-Gammon -- the Texas state climatologist and a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University -- suggested a connection between the wildfires and climate change, even if it came with caveats and limitations.","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d"]},{"id":"6916.json","label":"false","statement":"if the Agreement goes into effect, the millions of Mexican citizens who will become eligible for Social Security benefits may have a far stronger claim to benefits and protection against cuts than U.S. citizens!","reason":"Reason: The statement is speculative and lacks evidence to support its claim. While it is true that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has facilitated increased cross-border movement between Mexico and the United States, there is no direct correlation between the agreement and the eligibility of Mexican citizens for Social Security benefits. Social Security benefits in the United States are primarily based on an individual's work history and contributions into the system, regardless of their nationality. Therefore, the claim that Mexican citizens would have a stronger claim to benefits and protection against cuts than U.S. citizens is unfounded.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The meme placed on Miller\u2019s Facebook page Aug. 16, 2015, shows what looks like a voter registration card issued by Mexico under this text: \"To vote in Mexico every eligible Mexican has to have a tamper-proof photo-ID card with a thumbprint and an embossed hologram.\" The meme goes on to say all citizens must enroll and show proof of birth or citizenship and must personally fetch their voting credential.","The U.S. government also allows Mexican citizens to use Border Crossing Cards to enter the country from Mexico \"by land, or by pleasure vessel or ferry.\"","Many of the entries from Mexico to the United States also are Americans coming back into the country, Massey said. Crossings have increased since the North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect in 1994, he said.","We checked information posted online by Mexico's government. To vote in Mexico, according to Mexico\u2019s National Electoral Institute, adult citizens must apply to the \"Electoral Roll\" by personally submitting an official form that includes their signature, fingerprint and photograph to a field office of the Federal Electoral Registry. There\u2019s an office in every electoral district. There are some exceptions, such as for citizens who physically can\u2019t go to the offices."]},{"id":"12784.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The approval of the United States was 20 points higher when (Hillary Clinton) left the secretary of states office than when she took it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the approval ratings for the United States increased during Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State, the claim that the approval was specifically 20 points higher when she left compared to when she took office is not entirely accurate. Various polls, including Pew, BBC, and Gallup, indicate that the median increase in approval ratings during her tenure was around 10 to 12 points. While there were instances where the increase exceeded 19 points, the overall average does not support the claim of a 20-point increase. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precision in the specific numerical value.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The approval of the United States was 20 points higher when (Hillary Clinton) left the secretary of state's office than when she took it.\"","Bill Clinton said, \"The approval of the United States was 20 points higher when (Hillary Clinton) left the secretary of state's office than when she took it.\"","He cited his wife as \"one of the reasons the approval of the United States was 20 points higher when she left the secretary of state's office than when she took it.\"","The approval ratings for the United States did go up on Hillary Clinton\u2019s watch, and the Pew poll found that in some countries they did go up by 19 points or more. Still, the median increase in the Pew polling was a more modest 10 points, and the increases in the BBC and Gallup polls were in the same ballpark -- 10 to 12 points. On balance, we rate Clinton\u2019s claim Half True."]},{"id":"97.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Bill Richardson is the only major Democratic candidate with a plan to withdraw all American troops from Iraq. All of the other major Democratic candidates support leaving American troops in Iraq indefinitely.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the distinction made by Bill Richardson regarding his position on withdrawing all American troops from Iraq compared to the other major Democratic candidates. Richardson claims to be the only major candidate who supports a complete withdrawal of troops, while the others have expressed the need for further information and have not explicitly advocated for an indefinite deployment. It is important to note that this evidence is specific to the time when it was provided and may not reflect the current positions of the candidates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We won't take any points off for Richardson's claim to be among the \"major\" candidates here, but we will lower his Truth-O-Meter rating because the other candidates have not said they want troops in Iraq indefinitely, as Richardson suggests. Instead, they have said they need the information a commander-in-chief gets to make a final decision on force levels in Iraq. It may be a fine distinction, but it's not the same thing as supporting an indefinite deployment.","Bill Richardson claims for himself a place among the top tier candidates (Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards) as he seeks to distinguish himself from the field on Iraq, saying he is alone among this group to want to withdraw all the troops.","The distinction is real. The others candidate want to leave residual forces in Iraq to be on hand for peacekeeping purposes or in case terrorists mount an offensive. Richardson says a small force will be ineffective, and all troops should come home.","Of those two rivals, Richardson's position is not significantly different from Kucinich on questions of withdrawal and timetables. Kucinich advocates a prompt withdrawal of U.S. troops to be replaced with international peace keepers. Biden, on the other hand, has proposed an elaborate plan for partitioning Iraq into self-governing regions with U.S. troops helping maintain order."]},{"id":"12294.json","label":"true","statement":"I earned more votes in the state of Wisconsin than Donald Trump did in New York.","reason":"Reason: The statement is factually accurate. Ted Cruz did receive more raw votes in the state of Wisconsin compared to the number of votes Donald Trump received in New York. While the margin was relatively small, with Cruz winning about 1.1 percent more votes in Wisconsin, the statement remains true based on the raw vote count.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Cruz said, \"I earned more votes in the state of Wisconsin than Donald Trump did in New York.\" This is certainly a glass-half-full way of looking at the results, but factually, Cruz is on target.","So Cruz did win more raw votes in Wisconsin (531,129) than Trump did in New York (524,932). It\u2019s a modest edge -- Cruz won about 1.1 percent more votes in Wisconsin than Trump did in New York -- but an edge nonetheless.","The discrepancy owes much to two factors: Wisconsin\u2019s turnout rate, which was two and a half times higher than New York\u2019s, and the Republicans\u2019 greater strength in purplish Wisconsin than in solidly blue New York.","Ted Cruz got whomped by Donald Trump in the New York primary. But in remarks in Borden, Ind., Cruz tried to take some solace by looking at the numbers a different way."]},{"id":"9464.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are 278 Republicans in Congress. (With Eric Cantors defeat), they are now all Christian and all white except for one black senator, who was appointed.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bill Maher that all Republicans in Congress, except for one black senator who was appointed, are Christian and white. However, it's important to note that this claim is not entirely accurate. While the majority of Republicans in Congress may identify as Christian and white, there are exceptions. There have been non-white and non-Christian Republicans who have held seats in Congress, and it is possible for new non-white, non-Christian Republicans to be elected in the future. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and does not provide a complete representation of the diversity within the Republican Party in Congress.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There are 278 Republicans in Congress. (With Eric Cantor's defeat), they are now all Christian and all white except for one black senator, who was appointed.\"","\"Now there are no non-Christian Republicans. This is an amazing fact,\" Maher said June 13. \"There are 278 Republicans in Congress. They are now all Christian and all white except for one black senator who was appointed. So this is an entirely Christian, white party.\"","Without Cantor, Maher said, the GOP in Congress is \"now all Christian and all white except for one black senator, who was appointed.\" Maher\u2019s show did not respond to a request for comment.","And as he leaves office, it\u2019s possible that new non-white, non-Christian Republicans could take seats in Congress. There are several possibilities:"]},{"id":"1889.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Gov. Crist's veto also clears the way for taxpayer funding of abortion in Florida.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that Gov. Crist's veto prevented the passage of a bill, it does not automatically mean that taxpayer funding for abortion is cleared in Florida. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the veto directly leads to taxpayer funding of abortion. The issue of taxpayer funding for abortion is complex and subject to various regulations and restrictions, both at the federal and state levels. It is important to consider the specific provisions and laws in place to accurately assess the impact on taxpayer funding for abortion.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed the bill, former Florida House Speaker and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio promptly released a statement that \"Gov. Crist\u2019s veto also clears the way for taxpayer funding of abortion in Florida.\"","Before signing off on the abortion language in the national health care bill, Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich, persuaded President Barack Obama to issue an executive order providing a way to ensure two checks go to insurers every month, so that abortion dollars and federal dollars are not commingled. And Stupak, who up until that point had been the champion of the abortion foes' position, declared, \"There will be no public funding for abortion in this legislation.\"","But the rhetoric on this issue can be tricky. For example, Florida House Republicans were right when they said in a press release after Crist's veto that \"Recent federal health care legislation gave states the opportunity to opt-out of federal provisions using tax dollars ... to subsidize insurance plans that fund elective abortions.\" Yes, the federal law would allow tax dollars to subsidize someone's policy even if the individual chose a plan that covers abortion. And so it would certainly be fair to say that many women who cannot currently afford health insurance will be given tax subsidies and many of them may choose plans that offer abortion services.","Abortion foes argue the federal rules are little more than an accounting trick, that if federal subsidies go to someone who chooses a plan that covers abortion, it's the same as taxpayer-funded abortion. But we think it's misleading to call it taxpayer-funded abortion when the law requires abortions be paid solely through a portion of the premiums (not tax dollars) paid by people who choose a plan that covers abortions."]},{"id":"3050.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she condemned violence at a campaign stop in Arizona in March.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Sarah Palin condemned violence during a campaign stop in Arizona in March. The evidence provided confirms that Palin made the statement during a campaign event while supporting Senator John McCain. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Palin said that back in March she condemned violence and said, \"We know violence isn't the answer. When we 'take up our arms', we're talking about our vote.\" We checked the transcript and found that was the case. We rate her statement True.","We found that Palin was referring to comments she made at a campaign stop with Sen. John McCain in Tuscon. Palin was supporting McCain, who was facing a primary challenge from J.D. Hayworth.","\"As I said while campaigning for others last March in Arizona during a very heated primary race, 'We know violence isn't the answer. When we \"take up our arms\", we're talking about our vote.' Yes, our debates are full of passion, but we settle our political differences respectfully at the ballot box \u2013 as we did just two months ago, and as our Republic enables us to do again in the next election, and the next,\" Palin said.","Sinema\u2019s campaign also pointed to an Arizona Republic March 2003 article about vigils in opposition to the Iraq war. Sinema told the newspaper that they wanted \"to respect and honor those who would be killed. We want those lives to not be sacrificed.\""]},{"id":"9440.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Iran in 1979, the extremists hijacked the broad-based popular revolution against the Shah and established a brutal theocracy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the consensus among experts that in Iran in 1979, extremists did indeed seize control and establish a brutal theocracy, following a broad-based popular revolution against the Shah. While there may be some debate over the specific terminology used, such as the word \"hijacked,\" the overall claim made by the statement aligns with expert analysis and historical understanding of the Iranian Revolution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For instance, Clinton writes that \"in Iran in 1979, the extremists hijacked the broad-based popular revolution against the Shah and established a brutal theocracy.\"","Clinton said that \"in Iran in 1979, the extremists hijacked the broad-based popular revolution against the Shah and established a brutal theocracy.\" She\u2019s generally correct, experts say, despite questions over whether \"hijacked\" is the right word and whether she used an overly broad time frame. We rate her claim Mostly True.","Stephen Kinzer, a Boston University professor and author of the book, Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America\u2019s Future , said Clinton is generally correct that \"the Iranian revolution was broad-based, and one faction later seized control, establishing a brutal theocracy.\"","Clinton \"is absolutely correct that the revolution of 1979 was a broad-based revolution against the Shah,\" said Mohsen M. Milani, executive director of the University of South Florida\u2019s World Center for Strategic and Diplomatic Studies. \"In fact, it was one of the most popular revolutions of the modern era.\""]},{"id":"585.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama \"voted against critical resources: no to individual body armor, no to helicopters, no to ammunition, no to aircraft.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the ad by the Republican National Committee (RNC) regarding Obama's vote against the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007. However, it's important to note that the ad and the statement are misleading in their implication that Obama opposed these resources in general. In reality, Obama's vote against the bill was based on his opposition to the broader funding strategy for the Iraq War. The ad fails to provide the necessary context and misrepresents Obama's stance on military resources. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When it came time to act, he voted against critical resources,\" the announcer says about Obama. \"No to individual body armor, no to helicopters, no to ammunition, no to aircraft. The bill Obama opposed even had funding for veterans' medical facilities and rehabilitation programs. And why did he say no? Obama chose Washington politics over the needs of our military.\"","Although the ad bases its claims on a kernel of truth \u2014 Obama did vote against the 2007 bill \u2014 the RNC gives the impression that Obama opposes body armor, helicopters, ammunition and aircraft generally. The RNC ad is misleading enough to merit a label of Barely True.","On the first question, yes, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 , which Obama voted against, included provisions for purchasing body armor, helicopters, ammunition and aircraft, and for funding veterans' medical facilities and rehabilitation programs.","On the heels of a McCain ad attacking Barack Obama for his 2007 vote against war funding, the Republican National Committee has ratcheted up the rhetoric with a radio ad that claims Obama voted against helicopers, ammunition and even body armor."]},{"id":"4086.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is responsible for over $14 trillion in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is solely responsible for over $14 trillion in debt is misleading and inaccurate. The national debt is a complex issue affected by various factors, including economic conditions, government spending decisions, and revenue generation. It is not appropriate to attribute the entire debt to one individual, as it is a result of collective actions and policies over a significant period of time. While Senator Brown may have supported certain spending bills, it is an oversimplification to assign sole responsibility for the entire national debt to him.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Politifact Ohio tripped over DeMint\u2019s line that Brown is responsible for the country\u2019s $14 trillion debt and decided to ask DeMint to explain Brown\u2019s culpability.","\"The race will pit a young conservative leader with the principles and determination to restore America\u2019s greatness against a liberal career politician who is responsible for near double-digit unemployment and over $14 trillion in debt,\" DeMint said in a statement.","Explaining his support of Mandel, DeMint heaped praise on Mandel while blasting Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, whose seat Mandel wants.","\"DeMint says many Republicans are responsible, too,\" Hoskins said. \"But Sherrod Brown has clearly contributed greatly to the problem. Has there ever been a spending bill that he didn\u2019t support?\""]},{"id":"13424.json","label":"false","statement":"Prior to Obamacare here in Wisconsin, 95 percent of Wisconsinites were covered by insurance. After Obamacare, 95 percent of Wisconsinites were covered by insurance. It hasnt had an impact.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided clearly shows that there has been a significant impact of Obamacare on insurance coverage in Wisconsin. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's data, the number of uninsured Wisconsinites dropped from around 9% to 5.7% after the implementation of Obamacare. This represents a substantial decrease in the uninsured rate, indicating that Obamacare did have an impact on insurance coverage in Wisconsin.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Prior to Obamacare here in Wisconsin, 95 percent of Wisconsinites were covered by insurance. After Obamacare, 95 percent of Wisconsinites were covered by insurance. It hasn\u2019t had an impact.\"","\"The fact of the matter is, prior to Obamacare here in Wisconsin, 95 percent of Wisconsinites were covered by insurance. After Obamacare, 95 percent of Wisconsinites were covered by insurance. It hasn\u2019t had an impact.\"","The U.S. Census Bureau gathers figures annually on insurance status and shows a significant drop in the number of Wisconsinites without insurance since Obamacare took effect.","After hovering between 9 percent and 9.4 percent uninsured from 2008 to 2013, Wisconsin dropped to 7.3 percent in 2014 and 5.7 percent in 2015, according to the Census Bureau\u2019s American Community Survey. That\u2019s a drop of nearly 40 percent from before Obamacare to after."]},{"id":"11707.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Secretary Clinton changes her position on (gun issues) every election year, it seems, having one position in 2000 and then campaigning against President Obama and saying we dont need federal standards.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by O'Malley that Secretary Clinton changes her position on gun issues every election year. There is evidence to support this claim, as Clinton's stance on certain gun control measures has evolved over time. However, it is important to note that the statement oversimplifies the issue by suggesting that Clinton consistently opposes federal standards and completely changes her position with each election. While there have been shifts in her rhetoric and specific policy proposals, Clinton has also expressed support for certain federal gun control measures in the past. Therefore, the statement should be understood with some nuance.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Secretary Clinton changes her position on (gun issues) every election year, it seems, having one position in 2000 and then campaigning against President Obama and saying we don't need federal standards.\"","O\u2019Malley \"Secretary Clinton changes her position on (gun issues) every election year, it seems, having one position in 2000 and then campaigning against President Obama and saying we don't need federal standards.\"","\"Secretary Clinton changes her position on this every election year, it seems, having one position in 2000 and then campaigning against President (Barack) Obama and saying we don't need federal standards,\" O\u2019Malley said at the Dec. 19, 2015, debate hosted by ABC News.","In sum, O\u2019Malley does have a point that Clinton\u2019s rhetoric and her position on a few specific gun control measures shifted from 2000 to 2008, and then from 2008 to 2015. But in her 2008 campaign, she was not really against all \"federal standards\" because she still called for some federal gun control measures, such as reinstating the assault weapons ban."]},{"id":"8335.json","label":"true","statement":"The highest paid employee of the State of Rhode Island is a basketball coach.","reason":"Reason: According to multiple sources, including Deadspin and fact-checkers, it is true that the highest-paid employee in the state of Rhode Island is the men's basketball coach at the University of Rhode Island. This information is supported by data and has been verified by credible sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The highest-paid employee in Rhode Island, according to Deadspin, is the men\u2019s basketball coach at the University of Rhode Island. We know that has been true in the past, but we decided to dig into the numbers to see whether it remains true.","The sports website Deadspin says the University of Rhode Island men\u2019s basketball coach is the highest paid state employee. It\u2019s a slam dunk. The judges rate the claim True.","\"We have a system now where in 40 states, the highest-paid public employee is the state university\u2019s head football or basketball coach.\"","Moran said that \"in 40 states, the highest-paid public employee is the state university\u2019s head football or basketball coach.\" The congressman is correct if we focus on the guaranteed total pay of coaches."]},{"id":"5914.json","label":"true","statement":"On support for gay marriage.","reason":"Reason: President Barack Obama publicly announced his support for gay marriage in a historic moment during an ABC News interview on May 9, 2012. This statement is supported by multiple sources, including news reports and the president's own words. It signifies a shift in his stance from previously supporting civil unions to endorsing full legal recognition of same-sex marriage. \nLabel: true","evidence":["!President Barack Obama announced his support for gay marriage in an ABC News interview today. !President Barack Obama announced his support for gay marriage in an ABC News interview today.","Watermark, a Central Florida gay and lesbian publication, endorsed Crist in the homestretch of the Republican primary citing his support for civil unions.","ABC broke into its daytime lineup May 9, 2012, to announce a historic shift: the president of the United States declaring his personal support for gay marriage.","Still, in a 2007 Democratic primary debate sponsored by a gay rights group and a gay-oriented cable TV channel, he spoke instead about his support for civil unions with \"all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage\" \u2014 but not for legal recognition of \"marriage\" between same-sex couples. It should be up to religious denominations to determine whether they wanted to recognize that as marriage or not, he said."]},{"id":"6989.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney just gave a speech a few weeks ago and said we should still have troops in Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's criticism of Mitt Romney during a debate, where Obama claimed that Romney had given a speech a few weeks prior suggesting that the United States should still have troops in Iraq. This criticism was made in the context of discussing foreign policy and the approach to the Middle East. However, it's important to note that the specific details of Romney's speech and his stance on troop presence in Iraq would require further examination to provide a comprehensive analysis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Obama criticized Romney for saying in a speech \"just a few weeks ago that you indicated that we should still have troops in Iraq.\"","\"Governor, here\u2019s one thing \u2026 I\u2019ve learned as commander in chief. You\u2019ve got to be clear, both to our allies and our enemies, about where you stand and what you mean,\" Obama said. \"Now, you just gave a speech a few weeks ago in which you said we should still have troops in Iraq. That is not a recipe for making sure that we are taking advantage of the opportunities and meeting the challenges of the Middle East.\"","President Barack Obama portrayed himself as seasoned on foreign policy and Mitt Romney as new to the world stage during his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention.","The Obama campaign says it is reasonable to say thousands of troops would still be in place had Romney has his way."]},{"id":"1469.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Barack Obama had 150 days in the U.S. Senate where he was able to vote quite often 'present.' \"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sarah Palin that Barack Obama had 150 days in the U.S. Senate where he frequently voted \"present\" is false. Fact-checking organizations have thoroughly examined Obama's voting record and found no instances of him voting \"present\" during his time in the U.S. Senate. This claim has been widely debunked, and experts in Senate procedure have confirmed that it is uncommon for senators to vote \"present\" unless they have a personal involvement in the matter. Therefore, the statement is factually incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"And without McCain, I mean Barack Obama had 150 days in the U.S. Senate where he was able to vote quite often present, not have to make decisions, being one of many, not having to manage. His executive position now in the White House is as, whether he likes it or not, a manager. He has to make tough decisions. He has to be willing to fire people, though you don't make any friends when you fire people, and I know that first-hand because I've had to do that. And you have to make tough decisions, and not dither on issues. You have to make quick decisions in many respects, and I think that President Obama, with all due respect, his lack of experience is really made manifest in the way that decisions are made in the White House today.\"","Palin's statement is incorrect in two ways. She initially appears to suggest that Obama had only 150 days of experience in the U.S. Senate, which is inaccurate. She then says he voted present many times, which also is not correct. He never voted present in the U.S. Senate. So we find her statement False.","We checked all of Obama's votes in the U.S. Senate and found not a single \"present\" vote. That's not surprising, given the way Senate procedure works.","\"It\u2019s very rare for a senator to vote 'present,' \" said U.S. Senate historian Donald A. Ritchie. \"That\u2019s usually only if they are somehow personally involved in something.\""]},{"id":"2421.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wisconsin is one of the highest taxed states in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Wisconsin does have relatively high taxes compared to other states, but it is not accurate to claim that it is \"one of the highest taxed states in the nation.\" While Wisconsin's tax burden is above average, there are several other states with higher tax rates. It's important to consider various tax categories, such as income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes, to get a comprehensive understanding of a state's overall tax burden. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context to accurately characterize Wisconsin's tax position compared to other states.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Wisconsin is one of the highest taxed states in the nation, and it is no coincidence that our jobs are disappearing,\" Walker\u2019s campaign website says. \"Runaway government spending, paid for with high taxes, has led to the worst state unemployment rate in a generation. In the last year, Wisconsin lost a record-setting 130,000 jobs, and employers continue to lay off workers by the thousands.","He backed up his claims with federal data showing Wisconsin has been among the top 10 states for the highest gas taxes in the nation for more than 30 years, even topping the chart in 1988.","!Gov. Scott Walker claimed that for decades Wisconsin has had one of the highest gas taxes in the nation. Is he right? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel file photo) !Gov. Scott Walker claimed that for decades Wisconsin has had one of the highest gas taxes in the nation. Is he right? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel file photo)","Walker claims that Wisconsin is \"one of the highest taxed states.\" His campaign rounds the numbers up to put the state closer to the top 10 and it relies on a researcher\u2019s prediction that is informed but speculative. The campaign also cherry-picks a study by a conservative group that finds business taxes are high, but it does not account for other data that show Wisconsin\u2019s business taxes are middle or low."]},{"id":"9527.json","label":"false","statement":"The 9-0 decision last week was the 13th time the Supreme Court voted 9-0 that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bob Goodlatte is inaccurate and misleading. While he claims that the Supreme Court has voted 9-0 on 13 occasions, stating that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority, a thorough review of the cases reveals that many of them did not involve issues of presidential authority. Additionally, several of the cases originated and were first litigated during the Bush administration, not under President Obama. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is misleading in its portrayal of the Supreme Court's decisions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Bob Goodlatte said, \"The 9-0 decision last week was the 13th time the Supreme Court voted 9-0 that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority.\" !Bob Goodlatte said, \"The 9-0 decision last week was the 13th time the Supreme Court voted 9-0 that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority.\"","Bob Goodlatte said, \"The 9-0 decision last week was the 13th time the Supreme Court voted 9-0 that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority.\"","Goodlatte said, the \"9-0 decision last week was the 13th time the Supreme Court has voted 9-0 that the president has exceeded his constitutional authority.\" A thorough review of the 13 cases found many instances where presidential authority was not at issue. Further, most of the cases originated under and were first litigated by the Bush administration.","Goodlatte claimed that the Supreme Court decision in National Labor Relations Board vs. Noel Canning was \"the 13th time the Supreme Court has voted 9-0 that the president has exceeded his constitutional authority.\""]},{"id":"6733.json","label":"false","statement":"Says if we do nothing and continue to let Obamacare siphon off that $700 billion dollars off the top of it, Medicare goes away in less than 10 years -- certain accounts of it -- and it just falls apart at the seams.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Jon Runyan suggests that if no action is taken to prevent the $700 billion in cuts from Medicare as a result of Obamacare, certain accounts of Medicare will disappear within a decade, leading to the program falling apart. However, this claim is misleading. The $700 billion reduction in Medicare spending under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) primarily comes from reducing overpayments to private insurance companies and providers, not from cutting benefits to Medicare recipients. The intention is to make Medicare more efficient, not to dismantle the program. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact of the cuts and misrepresents the long-term viability of Medicare.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Runyan said, \"if we do nothing and continue to let Obamacare siphon off that $700 billion dollars off the top of it, Medicare goes away in less than 10 years -- certain accounts of it -- and it just falls apart at the seams.\"","Runyan (R-3rd Dist.) said, \"for those of you that are still in the workforce and have the ability to manage for retirement, we have to have a serious discussion on how to preserve Medicare for the long haul because if we do nothing and continue to let Obamacare siphon off that $700 billion dollars off the top of it, Medicare goes away in less than 10 years -- certain accounts of it -- and it just falls apart at the seams.\"","Jon Runyan says if nothing is done to stop $700 billion in cuts from Medicare, some of the program\u2019s accounts will disappear in less than a decade","( - Jon Runyan says if nothing is done to stop $700 billion in cuts from Medicare, some of the program\u2019s accounts will disappear in less than a decade&url=)"]},{"id":"12679.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Sen. John McCain spent the July 4 weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan, selling F-16s and advanced weapons to the folks who harbored Osama bin Laden.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that Senator John McCain spent the July 4 weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan, selling F-16s and advanced weapons to those who harbored Osama bin Laden. It is important to rely on credible sources and evidence when making such claims, and in this case, there is no basis for the accusation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ward said McCain was in Pakistan during the Fourth of July weekend selling \"F-16s and advanced weapons\" to the folks who \"harbored Osama bin Laden.\"","Sen. John McCain's primary challenger accused him of selling military weapons to allies of Osama bin Laden, on the Fourth of July of all weekends.","But is Ward right that he carved out time to sell F-16 fighter jets, which are used for aerial attacks, and sophisticated weaponry to \"the folks who harbored Osama bin Laden\" in Pakistan?","\"We don't yet have evidence that top Pakistani military or civilian leaders knew of bin Laden's whereabouts or \u2018harbored\u2019 him, as it says in the graphic,\" he said."]},{"id":"8653.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John Cornyn has voted to increase the debt, raise taxes, bail out Wall Street banks and fund Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that John Cornyn has voted in favor of bailing out Wall Street banks. However, there is no direct evidence provided to support the claims that he has voted to increase the debt, raise taxes, or fund Obamacare. It is important to note that the evidence does mention Cornyn opposing Obamacare and occasionally spurning increases in the debt ceiling. Therefore, the statement is partially supported by the evidence provided, but it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support all the claims made.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We haven\u2019t decided yet whether we will endorse Steve Stockman, but we\u2019re glad he is running,\" Matt Hoskins, the group\u2019s leader, said in a statement. \"Texas deserves two conservative fighters in the Senate, not just one. John Cornyn has voted to increase the debt, raise taxes, bail out Wall Street banks and fund Obamacare. He\u2019s part of the problem in Washington and voters deserve an alternative.\"","UPDATED: Cornyn backed Wall Street bailout and law hiking taxes for many, but he's opposed Obamacare and occasionally spurned increases in debt ceiling","( - UPDATED: Cornyn backed Wall Street bailout and law hiking taxes for many, but he's opposed Obamacare and occasionally spurned increases in debt ceiling&url=)","Let\u2019s get the bailout, um, out of the way. On Oct. 1, 2008, Cornyn was on the prevailing \"aye\" side of the Senate when the body voted 74-25 in favor of a $700 billion package to rescue the financial markets, including Wall Street banks. He and fellow Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison both voted for the proposal."]},{"id":"12255.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Republican presidential candidate and Gov. John Kasich has spent 177 days out of state and used $350,000 in taxpayer money on his costly campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the Ohio Democratic Party's Facebook post, Governor John Kasich spent 177 days out of state during his presidential campaign and the estimated cost to taxpayers was $350,000. This suggests that taxpayer money was used to support his campaign activities while he was away from Ohio. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The Ohio Democratic Party posted a graphic on its Facebook page on April 8, 2016, to bolster its complaint. Kasich\u2019s \"costly campaign,\" the image says, entails 177 days spent out of state and a tab of $350,000 to taxpayers.","Says Gov. John Kasich implied that a portion of workers\u2019 compensation rebates to employers \"should be directed back to him in the form of campaign cash.\"","Kasich has poo-pooed any suggestions that he should drop out of the race before the Republican National Convention in July, which means the total taxpayer share from his campaign travel could continue to swell. (The average monthly spending from this fund in fiscal year 2016 is about $57,663. By comparison, $57,562 was the total spent in all of fiscal year 2014.)","John Kasich is the governor of Ohio. A Republican and a former congressman, he defeated Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland in 2010 and was reelected in 2014. He ran for president in 2016."]},{"id":"786.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama's plan calls for \"mandates and fines for small businesses.\"","reason":"Reason: Barack Obama's healthcare plan does not include mandates and fines specifically for small businesses. The plan does require employers who do not offer insurance to contribute to a national pool, but it exempts small businesses from this requirement. The definition of a small business is not provided in the plan, but it is clear that small businesses are not subject to mandates or fines. Therefore, the statement that Obama's plan calls for \"mandates and fines for small businesses\" is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama's plan says that employers who don't offer their employees insurance will be required to contribute to the national pool. Obama's plan exempts small businesses from contributing to the pool. The plan does not define what's a small business and what's not.","So even by a generous definition, Obama does not fine \"small businesses.\" Indeed, they are not even subject to the mandate. We rate McCain's claim False.","Obama's plan does not mandate coverage, except for children. Obama said often during the Democratic primary campaign that he did not include a mandate for adults so as not to penalize people with modest incomes. If there's a mandate on anyone to purchase health care, the mandate would be on parents, not small businesses.","McCain calls this a \"fine,\" but being required to contribute to a pool is not the same as paying a penalty for some wrongdoing."]},{"id":"11189.json","label":"true","statement":"African-American children are 500 percent more likely to die from asthma than white kids.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of multiple studies and reports. According to the data from reputable sources, including a 2014 study and a 2006 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, African-American children have significantly higher rates of asthma-related mortality compared to white children. The data shows that African-American children are approximately 500 percent more likely to die from asthma than white children. This disparity in asthma-related deaths is a concerning and well-documented issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among them was this figure: \"African-American children are 500 percent \u2014 500 percent \u2014 more likely to die from asthma than white kids.\" Clinton claimed that it hit particularly close to home, as it reminded her of her time in the early 1970s working for the Children\u2019s Defense Fund, a nonprofit advocacy group for poor and minority children.","One study from 2014 examines rates of childhood asthma in black and white children, with the most recent data from 2010. Despite making up a much smaller portion of the population, 106 black children died of asthma in 2010, compared to 68 white children. The corresponding rates of death for black and white children respectively are 8.6 per million and 1.2 per million \u2014 that means a black child is about 7.2 times more likely to die of asthma than a white child.","The report also notes that even though mortality rates from asthma have decreased since 1999 for children in general, no corresponding drop has been seen in the mortality rate of African-American children.","A 2006 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study on childhood asthma data from 1980 to 2005 confirms Clinton\u2019s claim almost verbatim: \"Compared with white children, black children have a 260 percent higher ED (Emergency Department) visit rate, a 250 percent higher hospitalization rate, and a 500 percent higher death rate from asthma.\" (Clinton\u2019s campaign confirmed that this was the source she had used.)"]},{"id":"10725.json","label":"false","statement":"U.S. police killed more people in just one month than the U.K.s did in over a century.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by reliable evidence. The initial claim made by Addicting Information that U.S. police killed more people in one month than the U.K. did in over a century was retracted by the author due to incomplete and inaccurate data. While there are significant differences in police-involved fatalities between the U.S. and the U.K., making a direct comparison based on incomplete information is misleading and does not provide an accurate assessment of the situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Addicting Information said that \"U.S. police killed more people in just one month than the U.K.\u2019s did in over a century.\"","Addicting Info, US Police Killed More People In Just One Month Than The UK\u2019s Did In Over A Century INFOGRAPHIC, April 4, 2015, no longer available","As the country learned about the shooting death of Walter Scott in North Charleston, S.C., a comparison between police in the United States and the United Kingdom began to spread across the Internet. The liberal website Addicting Info put up a graphic under the headline \"U.S. Police killed more people in just one month than the U.K.\u2019s did in over a century.\"","When we alerted Parker to the information we were finding, she retracted her original article and wrote another. Parker wrote that \"U.S. police killed more people in one month than the U.K.\u2019s did in an entire year.\" While the underlying numbers this time are still incomplete, that\u2019s more accurate."]},{"id":"6012.json","label":"true","statement":"The legislature was never given the opportunity to debate or vote on loaning $75 million to 38 Studios.","reason":"Reason: Multiple lawmakers and news stories confirm that the legislature was indeed not given the opportunity to debate or vote specifically on loaning $75 million to 38 Studios. While the legislature did approve a $125-million loan guarantee fund, the specific allocation of $75 million to 38 Studios was not explicitly disclosed during the voting process. This lack of transparency and information provided to the legislators supports the statement that they were not given the opportunity to debate or vote on the specific loan to 38 Studios.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Algiere and his fellow legislators from Westerly and Charlestown say the legislature was never given the opportunity to debate or vote on loaning $75 million to 38 Studios.","Her remark provoked a rebuttal letter the following day from Algiere, Walsh and three other Westerly and Charlestown lawmakers -- Representatives Samuel A. Azzinaro and Brian P. Kennedy, and Sen. Francis T. Maher. Together the Democrat and Republican lawmakers wrote: \"The legislature was never given the opportunity to debate or vote on loaning $75 million to 38 Studios.\"","While the legislature did overwhelmingly approve the $125-million loan guarantee fund, it\u2019s clear from news stories at the time and afterward, and from the tape of the debate, that rank-and-file legislators did not know when they voted that $75 million was meant for 38 Studios, even if some of their leaders did.","\"38 Studios was never mentioned on the floor as a subject or even a concept,\" said Watson, \"but I got up and railed against the legislation just as a generic principle because I feared there was something afoot. Programs that start out as $50 million and balloon to $125 million in a week\u2019s notice, well, there is something up. Someone was going to get it.\""]},{"id":"9479.json","label":"false","statement":"Says 11 soccer players on the U.S. Mens National Team are immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. None of the 11 soccer players on the U.S. Men's National Team mentioned in the tweet are immigrants. They are all natural-born citizens of the United States. The tweet and accompanying graphic by Pelosi incorrectly imply that these players are immigrants, which is not supported by any factual evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a tweet pushing immigration reform, Pelosi posted a picture of the U.S. Men\u2019s National Team missing 11 of its players and tweeted \"Immigrants help drive America's success, even in the World Cup! Look at what #USMNT would be without them.\" In this instance \"them\" means immigrants. But none of those 11 players are immigrants. Some aren\u2019t even the children of immigrants.","As you can see, the graphic shows 11 U.S. players with minuses next to their pictures and names. Pelosi\u2019s tweet reads that those 11 players are immigrants who would likely not be on the roster if they weren\u2019t allowed in the country.","Much has been made about the number of United States players who have dual citizenships, but is the U.S. World Cup team powered by immigrants?","So not only are none of these 11 individuals considered immigrants by the United States, they're all actually natural born citizens."]},{"id":"3889.json","label":"false","statement":"China owns about 29 percent of (the U.S.) debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement that China owns about 29 percent of the U.S. debt is false. The correct figure is significantly lower. As of the given evidence, China held approximately 7.7 percent of the U.S. public debt. The claim of 29 percent is misleading and inaccurate, as it overstates China's ownership of U.S. debt by a substantial margin.\nLabel: false","evidence":["West replied: \"Well, I think that that is one of the key things that we need to be talking about, when we look at the debt that we have and China owns about 29 percent of that debt.\"","The 29 percent figure that West mentioned on Fox is even higher than what Cain had cited, and we've already labeled that too high. The number West used is also wrong. Although on TV he left out only a couple words, those words matter because they make a big difference here. He could have explained that he was referring to foreign holders of U.S. debt -- but he didn't. So his statement makes it appear that China owns a much larger chunk of the federal debt than it does. We rate this claim False.","If we assume Eastwood\u2019s talking about what\u2019s been added to the entire federal debt since Obama took office \u2014 the amount that averages $4 billion a day \u2014 here\u2019s how much as of August China owns: 7.7 percent.","On Sept. 30, 2010, China held about 12.8 percent of the U.S. public debt. If we assume China got 12.8 percent of our interest payments, it would have received roughly $68.9 million per day during fiscal 2010."]},{"id":"5876.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Crime rises in communities with casinos.","reason":"Reason: The evidence regarding the relationship between casinos and crime is mixed and not conclusive. While some studies suggest an increase in crime in communities with casinos, other reports indicate a decrease or no significant change in crime rates. The overall consensus from the literature is that communities with casinos are generally as safe as those without. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to make a blanket statement that crime rises in communities with casinos, as the evidence does not support such a definitive claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["There is some research that shows crime does increase in communities with casinos. There are some reports, such as the AP investigation, that show a drop in crime in some communities with casinos. The anecdotal evidence from Hutchison suggests crime hasn\u2019t increased since Dover Downs opened.","Still, the commission concluded: \"Taken as a whole, the literature shows that communities with casinos are just as safe as communities that do not have casinos.\"","To say the least, the evidence is mixed. Crime has gone down in some areas with casinos. It has increased in others.","The study covered all 3,165 U.S. counties from 1977-1996. The study concluded that casinos increased all crimes except murder. Most offenses showed that the impact of casinos on crime began about three years after a casino opened. Eight percent of property crime and 10 percent of violent crime in counties with casinos was due to the presence of a casino, the study found."]},{"id":"3151.json","label":"true","statement":"Americans spend 6.1 billion hours a year complying with tax law. It costs us $163 billion to comply with our tax laws annually.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Ron Wyden and supported by various sources, including the National Taxpayer Advocate's office. According to these sources, Americans do spend approximately 6.1 billion hours each year complying with tax laws, and the estimated cost of this compliance is around $163 billion annually. These figures highlight the significant burden that tax compliance places on individuals and businesses in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Which is why Sen. Ron Wyden said this on Jan. 24, 2011: \"Americans spend 6.1 billion hours a year complying with tax law. It costs us $163 billion to comply with our tax laws annually.\"","( - Sen. Ron Wyden says Americans spend more than 6 billion hours and $160 billion to comply with federal tax laws&url=)","It also agreed with the cost. The Advocate\u2019s office \"estimates that the costs of complying with the individual and corporate income tax requirements for 2008 amounted to $163 billion \u2013 or a staggering 11 percent of aggregate income tax receipts.\"","\"U.S. taxpayers and businesses spend about 6.1 billion hours a year complying with the filing requirements of the Internal Revenue code and that figure does not include the millions of additional hours that taxpayers must spend when they are required to respond to IRS notices or audits,\" the NTA reported."]},{"id":"9318.json","label":"false","statement":"David Beckhams proposed soccer stadium at Miamis Port threatens the 207,000 jobs and $27 billion economic impact tied to the cargo and cruise industries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there may be concerns and opposition regarding David Beckham's proposed soccer stadium at Miami's Port, the claim that it directly threatens the 207,000 jobs and $27 billion economic impact tied to the cargo and cruise industries is false. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as false by PolitiFact Florida. It is important to consider the evidence and expert analysis that indicate the potential impact of the stadium on the existing industries before making such claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["David Beckham\u2019s proposed soccer stadium at Miami\u2019s Port \"threatens the 207,000 jobs and $27 billion economic impact tied to the cargo and cruise industries.\"","The ad said that David Beckham\u2019s proposed soccer stadium at Miami\u2019s port \"threatens the 207,000 jobs and $27 billion economic impact tied to the cargo and cruise industries.\"","PolitiFact Florida previously fact-checked an alliance ad that the port stadium proposal \"threatens the 207,000 jobs and $27 billion economic impact tied to the cargo and cruise industries\" and rated it False.","A full-page ad in the Miami Herald in April stated, \"A soccer stadium is being proposed at PortMiami. The Miami Seaport Alliance opposes any development that threatens the 207,000 jobs and $27 billion economic impact tied to the cargo and cruise industries. All jobs are important for the future of Miami, but we cannot risk full-time, well-paying PortMiami jobs like crane operators, truckers and cargo loaders, for a few, part-time concession jobs like peanut sellers and ticket takers.\""]},{"id":"4074.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that when President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rates to levels now proposed by Obama, the country experienced significant job growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of various analyses and economists' opinions. When President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rates to the levels now proposed by President Obama, the country did experience significant job growth. However, it is important to note that economists differ in their opinions on whether the tax increases directly caused the job growth or if other economic factors played a larger role. While some economists argue that the tax increases did not hinder job growth, others suggest that the current economic situation may be different and a tax hike could have a more damaging effect. Therefore, while there is a correlation between the tax increases and job growth, the extent to which they are causally related is still a matter of debate among economists.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When Obama says we saw job growth in the 1990s even as Clinton raised taxes, he's right. But to the extent that he's suggesting raising taxes created job growth -- as he appears to be when he says \"we should go with what works,\" he goes too far. We rate his claim Half True.","So where does this leave us? It is true that when Clinton raised the top marginal tax rate to 39.6 percent -- the same level Obama would like to return it to now -- the U.S. saw strong job growth in the ensuing years. But to the extent Obama is suggesting a cause and effect relationship between those two events -- and we think he certainly leaves that impression when he says we \"should go with what works\" -- that is dubious, according to the cross-section of economists we spoke to. There were many other economic factors that played a larger role in job growth, they said. However, most agree that the tax increases did not appear to hinder job growth, and that's significant given the dire warnings some Republicans have issued about Obama's plan to return the top tax rate to Clinton levels. Perhaps, as Foster argues, the situation is different enough now -- more precarious -- that a tax hike would have a more damaging effect. That's a matter for economists to debate.","Said Gus Faucher, director of macroeconomics with Moody's \"I think he (Obama) is making the point that higher tax rates, at least at the levels under President Clinton, are compatible with strong economic growth, and the evidence is clear on that.\"","While many Republicans have warned that President Barack Obama's plan to raise taxes on wealthy Americans would hurt the fragile economy, Obama fired back in a Twitter town hall on July 6, 2011, that he's only proposing to return the top tax rate to the level it was raised to under President Bill Clinton, when job growth subsequently soared."]},{"id":"9410.json","label":"false","statement":"Due to actions by President Barack Obama, the Burger King national headquarters announced this month that they will be pulling their franchises from our military bases.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were concerns about potential changes in compensation policies that could impact fast-food restaurants on military bases, there is no evidence to support the claim that Burger King announced they would be pulling their franchises from military bases due to actions by President Obama. In fact, the fact-checking investigation found that the claim was flat wrong. It's important to verify information before making such assertions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The email said that due to actions by Obama, \"the Burger King national headquarters announced this month that they will be pulling their franchises from our military bases.\" There is a legitimate question about whether compensation changes made by the administration could squeeze the profits of fast-food restaurants on Navy and Marine bases to the point where they feel the need to shutter their outlets.","A reader recently forwarded us an email that bore some bad news for military families. \"The Burger King national headquarters,\" the email said, \"announced this month that they will be pulling their franchises from our military bases.\"","When we looked into it, we found that the email -- despite some over-the-top anti-Obama rhetoric -- was referencing a real issue. However, its most eye-catching claim -- that Burger King had announced it will be pulling its outlets from military bases -- was flat wrong.","Burger King\u2019s plan to scurry across the Canadian border to avoid U.S. taxes could be seen as the corporate equivalent of flipping President Barack Obama the bird."]},{"id":"9851.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States had allies lined up for air strikes in Syria and then Obama pulled the rug out.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were some allies, such as France, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, who expressed support for air strikes in Syria, it is important to note that the level of support was not overwhelming. The statement lacks specific information about the number of allies and the extent of their commitment. Additionally, it is misleading to suggest that President Obama unilaterally \"pulled the rug out\" without considering the broader context. The decision to seek congressional approval and the subsequent diplomatic efforts to garner international support played a significant role in shaping the outcome. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and does not provide a complete picture of the events surrounding the potential air strikes in Syria.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It was a year ago this all started,\" King added. \"I remember being in the White House with (White House Chief of Staff) Denis McDonough talking about the importance of air attacks in Syria, and we had allies lined up and then the president pulled the rug out. And those allies are going to be very hard now to get back into a coalition.\"","A handful of allies \"lined up\" for air strikes. We counted France, Turkey and Saudi Arabia as countries that were supportive. Hardly an overwhelming show of hands, but King did not specify how many in his remarks.","Within a week of the attack, the administration was talking about launching air strikes at weapon depots and military command centers in Syria. To do so, Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry tried to garner support from the international community.","Sunday marked the one-year point from President Barack Obama\u2019s Aug. 31, 2013, Rose Garden address seeking congressional approval to conduct air strikes in Syria against Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime."]},{"id":"4638.json","label":"false","statement":"We saw the president of the United States engage American troops in a fourth conflict in a foreign land. This is historic.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that the president of the United States engaged American troops in a fourth conflict in a foreign land. The evidence provided indicates that President Trump did not initiate any new sustained armed conflicts or seek congressional authorization for the use of force in a new conflict. In fact, he took steps to withdraw troops from certain regions. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the available information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Several experts we spoke with brought up Carter as the clearest example contradicting Trump Jr.\u2019s claim. Carter did not formally declare war on another country or seek authorization to use force from Congress. Nor did Carter engage U.S. armed forces in a new sustained armed conflict with another foreign power.","Some members of foreign governments who are speaking out may be using the moment to push for concessions from the United States in future policy discussions, said Joshua Shifrinson, an associate professor of international relations at Boston University.","Trump didn\u2019t enter the U.S. into a fresh, sustained armed conflict with another state, or seek a new congressional authorization for use of force. He frequently criticized American involvement in the Middle East, and he took steps to withdraw U.S. troops from Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan before he left office.","But some members of parliament from governing parties have spoken up. Their criticism hasn\u2019t been targeted just at the United States. Some criticism has also been aimed at NATO and the West in general."]},{"id":"3943.json","label":"true","statement":"Says hes signed a pledge not to raise taxes four times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Roger Williams during a candidate forum where he stated that he has signed a pledge not to raise taxes four times. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or context regarding the accuracy or implications of signing such a pledge. The veracity of the pledge and its effectiveness in addressing economic issues is a separate matter that requires further analysis and evaluation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Evers said he would give $1.5 billion in state aid to school districts if he is elected. Walker says Evers would raise taxes to do all he is pledging to do. Evers, in a telephone interview, responded by saying: \"He is a liar. . . . I\u2019m planning to raise no taxes.\"","U.S. Senate hopeful Roger Williams stressed his opposition to higher taxes during a June 8 candidate forum presented by the Texas Tribune and KLRU-TV, saying: \"I've signed that pledge four times. The idea of raising taxes any time, but certainly at a time of economic slowdown, is nuts.\"","But has he been consistent over the years about putting his commitment not to raise taxes in the form of a pledge?","\u201cBlack women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die (from maternal mortality) even when they have the insurance and the income.\u201d"]},{"id":"8278.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Unemployment in Texas has risen over two percentage points with Rick Perry as governor.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that unemployment in Texas has indeed risen over two percentage points during Rick Perry's tenure as governor. The PolitiFact Texas Truth-O-Meter item and the Dallas Morning News article both indicate that Texas experienced high unemployment levels during that time. However, it's important to note that attributing the rise in unemployment solely to Rick Perry's actions or policies would be inaccurate. The evidence suggests that the increase in unemployment was influenced by broader economic factors, including the national economic downturn. Therefore, while the statement is true, it should be understood in the context of various contributing factors beyond Perry's control.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Texas Truth-O-Meter item, \"Back to Basics PAC says Gov. Rick Perry has overseen the highest unemployment in Texas in 22 years,\" August 28, 2010","Dallas Morning News, New ad: Rick Perry a \"coward\" for refusing to debate,( \"New ad: Rick Perry a \"coward\" for refusing to debate,\") Aug. 23, 2010","Texas unemployment, lately at its highest level in more than two decades, doubled while Perry was governor, as Romney says. But it\u2019s wrong to conclude this was Perry\u2019s fault, as the Romney camp does in saying \"on his watch.\"","There was a big increase in national unemployment rates after 2007, too, as the economy worsened. A fall 2010 Dallas Federal Reserve Bank analysis said that Texas\u2019 unemployment tracked the U.S. rate closely beginning in January 2007, though the state\u2019s rate was lower by an average of 1 percentage point."]},{"id":"3275.json","label":"false","statement":"A 2005 gay pride vote had nothing to do with discrimination.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. While some individuals may argue that the 2005 vote regarding a gay-themed book display in a public library was not discriminatory, the evidence suggests otherwise. It is stated that many parents were uncomfortable with the display, and the policy resulted in treating a group of people (the LGBTQ+ community) differently. Additionally, the statement made by Scott, who was involved in the vote, is disputed, as it is pointed out that the county does not recognize gay pride with a resolution or proclamation, unlike other groups. Therefore, the evidence supports the conclusion that the 2005 vote did involve discrimination.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Regarding the 2005 vote, many parents were uncomfortable with a gay-themed book display in a public library. Many people think the vote is good public policy. According to federal and state laws, the policy is not discrimination.","Asked about the apparent contradiction during the St. Petersburg Times -Bay News 9 debate on Feb. 8, 2011, Scott said the 2005 vote \"had nothing to do with discrimination. I oppose any kind of discrimination in any form.\"","Scott is trying to make a distinction between issues like housing or employment discrimination and support for gay pride events. He highlights his recent vote and says he wants to be a mayor who represents everyone.","But Scott is wrong in casting the 2005 issue as being just about \"spending public dollars\" and \"had nothing to do with discrimination.\" The county won't even recognize gay pride with a resolution or proclamation as it does for other groups. The policy does involve discrimination. A group of people is treated differently. They aren't treated differently because of individual merit. They're treated differently because they belong to that group."]},{"id":"7974.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Florida rubber-stamped phony horse racing.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there are claims made by the United Horsemen Florida group that Florida has allowed \"phony\" horse racing events despite a judge's order. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide conclusive proof or independent verification of these claims. The statement reflects the perspective of the United Horsemen Florida group, but it should be treated as an allegation rather than a proven fact until further evidence or investigation is presented.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!An ad by United Horsemen Florida decries Florida's gambling laws and \"phony horse racing.\" !An ad by United Horsemen Florida decries Florida's gambling laws and \"phony horse racing.\"","The United Florida Horsemen want state leaders to give \"phony\" horse racing the same boot they gave Internet cafes this year following a massive federal-state investigation. The group\u2019s ad derides Florida\u2019s loophole-laden gambling laws and chides state regulators for signing off on \"phony\" horse racing events in spite of a judge\u2019s order.","Says John Quincy Adams said, \"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.\"","\"At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is \u2018no reason to be alarmed!\u2019 \""]},{"id":"4532.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says she helped lead the launch of curbside recycling.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the individual mentioned in the statement played a role in improving and expanding curbside recycling in Portland, it is important to note that curbside recycling already existed in the city before her involvement. The word \"launch\" implies initiating the program, which is not entirely accurate. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context regarding the pre-existing curbside recycling system in Portland.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Nolan says she \"helped lead landmark improvements in \u2026 launching curbside recycling.\" We find this statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details. We rate the statement Half True.","That\u2019s a lot of landmark public deeds to absorb. So we\u2019ll focus on just one of her cited accomplishments: Did Nolan help lead the launch of curbside recycling?","Let\u2019s also remember that Portland had a curbside recycling system before Nolan. We know it was clumsy and disorganized and hardly resembled what we have today, but the word \"launch\" makes it sound as if she initiated curbside recycling.","\"As the head of the Bureau of Environmental Services and earlier as Director of Public Works Maintenance, she helped lead landmark improvements in protecting the Willamette River and environment, launching curbside recycling, repairing Portland roads and bridges, and managing public resources to save millions of dollars while bringing projects in on-time and on-budget.\""]},{"id":"5222.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have 25 million Americans out of work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Mitt Romney stated during a Republican presidential debate that \"we have 25 million Americans out of work,\" this claim is misleading. The fact-checking analysis indicates that about one-third of the mentioned 25 million Americans are actually working part-time. Therefore, the statement overstates the number of individuals who are completely unemployed. It is important to consider the full context and accurately represent the employment situation in the United States.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So Romney is a little high for the broader statistic -- 25 million as opposed to 23.8 million -- but he\u2019s in the ballpark. The question is whether it\u2019s fair to describe these roughly 25 million people as \"out of work.\"","During the Jan. 23, 2012, Republican presidential debate in Tampa, Fla., Mitt Romney said that \"we have 25 million Americans out of work.\" But he\u2019s not correct.","While the U-6 measurement is not the official gauge of unemployment in the United States, it\u2019s a valid statistic to consider in conjunction with others. However, Romney\u2019s use of the term \"out of work\" seems to be a stretch when about one-third of the \"25 million Americans out of work\" are actually working part-time. On balance, we rate the statement Half True.","What\u2019s left? This leaves 40.5 million Americans who are not in the labor force and are between the ages of 25 and 64. It\u2019s possible to argue that this number should be a bit higher -- college typically ends at age 22, not everyone goes to college, and healthy seniors today can usually work past 65 if they wish. But right off the top, Trump\u2019s claim significantly overstates the matter."]},{"id":"1315.json","label":"true","statement":"Guantanamo Bay detainees will get the H1N1 vaccine.","reason":"Reason: According to the provided evidence, it is true that detainees at Guantanamo Bay were offered the H1N1 vaccine. A spokeswoman for Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay confirmed that the detainees were considered to be at higher risk and, therefore, would be offered the vaccination. This decision was made to ensure the safe and humane care of the detainees and to maintain their health. However, it's important to note that this decision does not imply any prioritization of detainees over the general public, as the availability and distribution of vaccines can vary based on various factors.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"So you were hoping to get the H1N1 vaccine,\" he said. \"Well, if the vaccine hasn't reached a doctor's office near you, that might be because it's on its way to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. That's right. A military spokesman announced Gitmo detainees will receive the vaccine sometime this month. That's well before it's expected to be available to the public at large. Seems the Obama administration has its priorities straight. Doesn't it?\"","The Obama administration's handling of the H1N1 vaccine has given conservatives plenty to complain about. First, the government got behind schedule with its massive vaccination plans. And then came reports that the Pentagon was planning to vaccinate the detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.","\"Detainees at JTF Guantanamo are considered to be at higher risk and therefore they will be offered the H1N1 vaccination,\" she told CNN. \"JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees. As such, we must provide detainees the medical care necessary to maintain their health.\"","It all started on Oct. 30, when CNN ran a story quoting Maj. Diana R. Haynie, a spokeswoman for Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, who said the Pentagon would be offering the H1N1 vaccines to people held at the camp."]},{"id":"6306.json","label":"false","statement":"The Pasco County budget has doubled in the past three years.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Pasco County budget has doubled in the past three years is false. Multiple sources, including the county's longtime budget chief, have refuted this claim. Additionally, property tax collections have decreased in recent years, making it highly unlikely that the budget would have doubled. The statement lacks factual accuracy and is contradicted by available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Our budget has doubled in the past three years,\" she said, echoing a claim she made at a recent candidate forum. \"I think we need to prioritize spending.\"","O\u2019Connor: \"It\u2019s possible. I talked to Mr. Nurrenbrock (the county\u2019s longtime budget chief). You can double-check it with him. It has. In the past three years. It\u2019s now over $1 billion.\"","But O\u2019Connor\u2019s claim about a ballooning county budget is shocking \u2014 especially as property tax collections have shriveled in the past several years. The claim is also incorrect. O\u2019Connor\u2019s statement earns a False.","Need proof? Oakley, a Republican candidate for Pasco County commission, offers his time on the governing board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. His mailer makes a pair of specific claims about his experience with the agency\u2019s budget. It helps to quote at length:"]},{"id":"1698.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The fact is, in the past year we have had more tax cuts than almost any time in our nation's history.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cohen is partially accurate. While it is difficult to make direct comparisons, tax experts acknowledge that the past year did witness significant tax cuts, particularly with the implementation of the Making Work Pay tax credit. However, it is important to note that the inclusion of the AMT patch in the equation can be debated, as it continued previous policy rather than being a new tax cut. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it becomes less definitive when considering the exclusion of the AMT patch. Additionally, Cohen's use of qualifiers such as \"almost any time\" suggests that it is not the absolute largest tax cut in history, but one of the largest.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But back to Cohen's statement: \"The fact is, in the past year we have had more tax cuts than almost any time in our nation's history.\"","\"The fact is, in the past year we have had more tax cuts than almost any time in our nation's history,\" Cohen said in the April 15, 2010, tax story. \"It's something that people don't realize because of the false rhetoric that is spread throughout this Congress.\"","That may or may not be the largest one-year tax cut in American history -- it's hard to make direct comparisons -- but tax experts say it's at least in the conversation. And we note that Cohen hedged his claim some by saying there were more tax cuts in the past year than \"almost any time\" in our nation's history.","Cohen has added enough qualifiers to his statement to make it defensible. He limits the window to this past year, and the Making Work Pay tax credit did translate to a significant tax cut for most working people this year. But if you take the AMT patch out of Cohen's equation -- and we think it's wrong to lump that in with the new tax cuts in the stimulus because it simply continued previous policy -- the case for having more tax cuts than any other year in U.S. history becomes a bit shakier. Still, Cohen never said it was the biggest, only one of the biggest."]},{"id":"7139.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says a new state report confirms that red-light cameras lead to more accidents, more injuries and greater cost.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Doherty in the op-ed, which asserts that a new state report confirms that red-light cameras lead to more accidents, more injuries, and greater cost. However, it's important to note that the fact check indicates that the state Department of Transportation report does not definitively confirm this claim. While the report does show some decreases in certain types of crashes and costs of damages, the data collected is limited, and the report emphasizes the need for further analysis to determine the effectiveness of red-light cameras. Therefore, the claim made in the statement is not entirely supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an op-ed, Doherty claimed a new state report \"confirms\" that red-light cameras \"lead to more accidents, more injuries and greater cost.\"","The report from the state Department of Transportation, Doherty wrote, \"confirms\" that red-light cameras \"lead to more accidents, more injuries and greater cost.\"","Doherty claimed, \"There is little if any evidence that the use of red light cameras in New Jersey has reduced the number or severity of accidents at the intersections where they are used.\" A state DOT report showed some decreases in certain types of crashes and the costs of damages, but emphasized that the data collected through June 1, 2011 is too small to make definitive decisions about the cameras\u2019 effectiveness. We rate Doherty\u2019s statement True.","\"There is little if any evidence that the use of red light cameras in New Jersey has reduced the number or severity of accidents at the intersections where they are used.\""]},{"id":"2197.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have over 700,000 illegal immigrants in the state. Theyre costing us billions of dollars and theyre taking legal residents jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker regarding the presence of over 700,000 illegal immigrants in the state. However, the claim that they are costing billions of dollars and taking legal residents' jobs lacks sufficient evidence and context. While estimates from the Federation for American Immigration Reform suggest significant costs associated with education, health, and incarceration for illegal immigrants, it is important to note that these estimates are based on assumptions and Florida does not have precise data on the specific costs incurred due to illegal immigrants. Additionally, the claim about taking jobs from legal residents overlooks the complexity of the labor market and the overall economic impact of immigration. Therefore, the statement lacks complete substantiation and should be approached with caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We have over 700,000 illegal immigrants in the state. They're costing us billions of dollars and they're taking legal residents' jobs.\"","Scott also explained why he thinks illegal immigrants need to be shown the door. \"We have over 700,000 illegal immigrants in the state. They're costing us billions of dollars, and they're taking legal residents' jobs,\" he said.","To review, here's what we came up with: Scott is right on the 700,000 number, and he's not saying where his cost figures come from. On the question of taking jobs from legal residents, he's leaving out important details on the declining number of low-skill, low-wage residents affected and the overall economic benefits that result.","Scott's campaign didn't tell us what source they used, but PolitiFact has already looked at how much illegal immigrants are costing the state( \"costing the state\") of Florida. We know that the Federation for American Immigration Reform estimates the state spends $3.8 billion on education, health and incarceration for illegal immigrants . We determined that the widely quoted study assumed all foreign born inmates and most school children enrolled in English learning classes were illegal immigrants. But Florida does not keep track of what services it provides to illegal immigrants. In short, no one knows what Florida spends on illegal immigrants, so we can't rule on this one yet, though we're still searching for facts."]},{"id":"3504.json","label":"false","statement":"A third of all the young people in America are not in America today because of abortion, because one in three pregnancies end in abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rick Santorum that \"a third of all the young people in America are not in America today because of abortion, because one in three pregnancies end in abortion\" is not supported by credible evidence. The claim that one-third of all pregnancies end in abortion is an exaggeration and does not align with available data. Additionally, attributing the absence of young people in America solely to abortion is an oversimplification of demographic trends and disregards other factors such as migration, fertility rates, and education. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The Social Security system in my opinion is a flawed design, period,\" Santorum said in response to a question from a caller. \"But having said that, the design would work a lot better if we had stable demographic trends. The reason Social Security is in big trouble is we don\u2019t have enough workers to support the retirees. Well, a third of all the young people in America are not in America today because of abortion, because one in three pregnancies end in abortion.\"","Rick Santorum, a potential candidate for president in 2016, argues that the Republican Party is not offering enough for America\u2019s workers. The former senator from Pennsylvania said Republicans need to improve in reaching out to these voters on CBS\u2019s Face the Nation on April 5, 2015.","The U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics looked at the same question in a 2014 longitudinal study that followed young people to age 27. It found that by that age, 72 percent of respondents did not have bachelor's degrees.","We set out to determine the number of known pregnancies in 2003. We say \"known\" because some pregnancies end due to natural causes at a very early stage, often before the woman even realizes she is pregnant. CDC only offers statistics for fetal deaths beginning at a fetal age of 20 weeks, so that\u2019s the parameter we\u2019ll use in our calculations."]},{"id":"834.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Fidel (Castro) has made his preferences known in the campaign and had some very unkind things to say about me.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McCain is true. Fidel Castro did make his preferences known in the campaign and had unkind things to say about McCain. While Castro did not explicitly endorse a candidate, his statements and tone indicated a preference for Obama. This was evident in Castro's commentary where he criticized McCain and praised Obama. Therefore, McCain's statement accurately reflects the situation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I notice in the past couple of days that Fidel has made his preferences known in the campaign and had some very unkind things to say about me,\" McCain said. \"My feelings are hurt.\"","But back to McCain\u2019s statement. That Castro had \"unkind things to say\" about McCain is clear. Our issue is whether Castro \"made his preferences known in the campaign.\" Castro stops short of endorsing one candidate or the other. But we think the tone of Castro\u2019s statements leaves little doubt he prefers Obama. For whatever that\u2019s worth. We rule McCain\u2019s statement True.","Earlier this summer, we took a look at an e-mail from the Republican Party of Florida (which claimed it was a joke) that carried the headline, \"Fidel Castro endorses Obama,\" and included a doctored image of Castro holding a poster of Obama. Above Castro were the words, \"I love this guy!\" We ruled that one Pants on Fire .","How\u2019s this for unkind words? In an Oct. 11, 2008, commentary published in Cuban state newspapers, and translated by Granma Internacional, Castro says McCain \"cultivates his reputation as a belligerent man\" and \"was one of the worst students in his class at West Point.\""]},{"id":"2794.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that the federal gas tax has not been raised since 1993.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The federal gas tax has indeed not been raised since 1993. The evidence provided, including the PolitiFact Wisconsin ad and the U.S. Department of Transportation report, supports this claim. The federal gas tax rate has remained constant for nearly three decades, with no increases since 1993.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Wisconsin Ad \"Says Gov. Tony Evers \"tried to make us pay even more at the pump by hiking the gas tax,\" April 1, 2022.","\"We are number one in the country as far as our spending (COVID-19 relief) money on businesses as it relates to the percentage of federal funds that we receive.\"","U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, State motor-fuel tax trends in the 1990\u2019s: Why has the paces of rate increases declined?, August 1998.","He backed up his claims with federal data showing Wisconsin has been among the top 10 states for the highest gas taxes in the nation for more than 30 years, even topping the chart in 1988."]},{"id":"10482.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Millions of people have given up looking for work altogether.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence. While there may be some variation in the specific numbers depending on the definition used, there is data indicating that a significant number of people have indeed given up looking for work. The term \"millions\" is justified based on the existence of 2.26 million marginally attached workers, of which 740,000 are considered discouraged workers. While the exact number may vary depending on the specific definition used, it is clear that a substantial portion of the population has stopped actively seeking employment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We\u2019ve already fact checked a similar claim about median incomes being down ( we rated it True), but we wondered whether Bush is correct that \"millions of people have given up looking for work altogether.\"","\"Six years after the recession ended, median incomes are down, households are, on average, poorer, and millions of people have given up looking for work altogether,\" Bush told the Detroit Economic Club on Feb. 4, 2015.","Bush said that \"millions of people have given up looking for work altogether.\" There are two statistics that shed some light on this question; one meets Bush\u2019s \"millions\" threshold at 2.26 million and one does not. But despite some uncertainty over the definitions and the scope of the data, economists told PolitiFact that Bush is on reasonably safe ground in making this claim.","In December 2014, there were 2.26 million marginally attached workers, of which 740,000 were considered discouraged workers. So if you use the definition for \"marginally attached workers,\" then Bush is right that \"millions of people have given up looking for work altogether.\" If you use the more specific \"discouraged workers\" definition, the number doesn\u2019t reach into the \"millions.\""]},{"id":"12137.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Hillary Clinton, State Department officials were sending official thank-yous to people who gave to the Clinton Foundation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence presented does not support the claim that State Department officials were sending official thank-yous to people who donated to the Clinton Foundation. While there were interactions and coordination between State Department staff and the Clinton Foundation regarding speeches and acknowledgments, there is no evidence to suggest that these interactions involved sending official thank-yous to donors. The sources consulted indicate that the claim made by Norquist is unsupported and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Norquist said, \"We now know (that) officials were sending official thank-yous to people who gave to the Clinton Foundation. Letting them know \u2018wink, wink, nudge, nudge\u2019 that you didn\u2019t just give to the Clinton Foundation. Hillary Clinton, secretary of state, appreciates what you\u2019ve done.\"","We asked Norquist\u2019s spokesman John Kartch for the source behind the statement that State Department officials were sending thank-yous to people who gave to the Clinton Foundation. Kartch sent us a link to a page on the website of Judicial Watch, which describes itself as a conservative educational group.","Norquist said that State Department officials were sending official thank-yous to donors to the Clinton Foundation. We looked at the source documents he relied on and found nothing that supported his version of events. State Department staff did ask for lists of projects and partners in preparation for a speech Clinton was to give at a Clinton Global Initiative meeting.","\"State Department and Clinton Foundation staff worked together on how Mrs. Clinton could thank Foundation supporters for their commitments during a speech, which Mrs. Clinton did,\" Fitton said. \"Mrs. Clinton, as the result of work by her aides and a Clinton Foundation representative, provided an official thank you during her speech.\""]},{"id":"2201.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the United States is the only nation that affords citizenship to anyone born here, whether you are here legally or illegally.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While the United States does grant birthright citizenship, it is not the only country to do so. Several other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, also have birthright citizenship policies. Therefore, the claim that the United States is the only nation that grants citizenship to anyone born within its borders, regardless of their parents' immigration status, is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In Monday\u2019s conference call, organized by the Republican National Committee to generate heat over President Barack Obama's in-and-out visit to Texas, Carter went on to say the United States \"may be, or probably (is) the only nation in the world that has a provision where if you are born in our country, no matter whether you are here legally or illegally, you are still considered a United States citizen.\" Asked about his comment a moment later, Carter didn't hedge; he said he thinks it's correct that \"we are the only country in the world that affords citizenship\" to children born to parents illegally in the country when their child is born here.","PolitiFact Florida, \" Marco Rubio says U.S. admits 1 million immigrants a year, far more than any nation,\" Jun. 20, 2012","As researched by PolitiFact in 2009, Carter's initial statement (which he reaffirmed) that the United States is the only nation that provides citizenship to children born here regardless of their parents' immigration status is incorrect. Yet the RNC\u2019s Riggs quickly amended Carter\u2019s statement to say he means the United States is among a few industrial nations with such a provision; that's accurate.","Boysko\u2019s statement is different. She does not say \"guarantee.\" She says the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not \"have a paid family medical leave program in place.\" All other industrialized nations do have family leave programs in place, although some of those plans do not \"guarantee\" all workers are covered."]},{"id":"4125.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Planned Parenthood provides about 140 visits for prenatal care in each state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While Planned Parenthood does provide prenatal care, the claim that they offer about 140 visits for prenatal care in each state is inaccurate. The actual number of prenatal visits provided by Planned Parenthood is significantly higher, averaging around 800 visits per state. The initial figure of 140 visits was based on a misinterpretation of data, which led to an incorrect conclusion. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact New Jersey found that Doherty, a conservative, was right about prenatal care representing a small part of the services offered by Planned Parenthood, but he is wrong about there being about 140 visits in each state.","The senator said Planned Parenthood doesn\u2019t provide many prenatal visits, saying the figure was \"about 140 visits for each state in the entire country.\" That figure is way off, because Doherty was using the number of clients. The actual number would be more like 800 visits per state.","\"There's a lot of talk about prenatal care and the fact is that Planned Parenthood just does not provide many prenatal visits. It's about 140 visits for each state in the entire country,\" said Doherty, who represents Warren County and parts of Hunterdon County. \"So we\u2019re talking (about) an organization we\u2019re supposed to be sending people we care about to get top-notch care for prenatal visits and it turns out that they don\u2019t really see a lot of patients.\"","Doherty referred us to a fact sheet prepared by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., showing that 7,021 prenatal clients were served nationwide in 2009. Based on that figure, Doherty determined there were, on average, about 140 prenatal patients per state."]},{"id":"3619.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that in 41 states, government workers are better paid than the taxpayers who support them.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Daniels that government workers are better paid than the taxpayers who support them is not entirely accurate. While it is true that in 41 states, state and local government employees earned higher average pay and benefits than private workers in those states in 2009, this comparison does not take into account important factors such as education levels. When considering workers with college degrees, private-sector workers generally earned more than degreed state workers in all but four states. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the comparison and fails to acknowledge the nuances and differences in compensation based on education and other factors.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Daniels, a Republican presidential prospect, told PBS talk-show host Tavis Smiley March 28 that government workers are better off than others: \"There may have once been a time, Tavis, in the old days of patronage and so forth, where government workers were put upon and vulnerable, but that's a long time ago. Now, in 41 states out of 50, they are better paid than the taxpayers who support them. In the federal government they're almost twice as well paid. This doesn't even count the benefits and the almost complete job security they have.\"","To our inquiry, Daniels\u2019 office pointed us to a March 2 news article in USA TODAY. The story, citing figures obtained from the bureau, says state and local government employees in 41 states earned higher average pay and benefits than private workers in those states in 2009. The national average for the government workers was $57,775, $2,511 greater than private-sector counterparts.","As we closed out this review, we asked the Wisconsin economists if they\u2019d compared government to non-government workers in every state. By e-mail, Bender said the \"data for our study were such that we were uncomfortable reporting results for any but the largest 10 (states) or so because of sample sizes,\" but he guided us to a Feb. 25 New York Times \u2019 state-by-state comparison breaking out employees with and without college degrees. Based on median salaries, state workers lacking college degrees fared better than their counterparts in the private sector in 30 states. But private-sector workers with such degrees earned more than degreed state workers in all but four states.","Daniels\u2019 message, that government workers are better paid than those in the private sector, traces to an egregiously simplistic comparison, ignoring meaningful differences in the public and private sector workforces largely due to education. Factoring those in, many state and local government workers lag behind their private-sector counterparts. We rate his statement False."]},{"id":"8578.json","label":"half-true","statement":"500,000 people have signed up for #Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that 500,000 people have signed up for coverage through a federal or state marketplace, it is important to note that this number represents a decrease of 500,000, or 4 percent, from the previous year. Additionally, the statement does not provide the full context regarding the challenges and uncertainties surrounding Medicaid enrollment and the federal marketplace. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important details.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"This week we found out 500,000 people have signed up for #Obamacare,\" the chair of the Democratic National Committee said. \"It's good news, but we have more work to do.\"","The latest government figures show enrollment in the Affordable Care Act is slightly down from last year. Through Jan. 31, 2017, some 12.2 million people were signed up for coverage through a federal or state marketplace, which is a decrease of 500,000, or 4 percent, from the same point last year.","Wasserman Schultz said \"500,000 people have signed up for #Obamacare.\" The numbers add up if you count different parts of the law that work together to expand coverage, but it\u2019s a little simplistic. The fate of many of the Medicaid enrollees remains up in the air due to the problems with the federal marketplace. It\u2019s unclear whether those individuals will receive their benefits on time, and some are being asked to take additional steps to sign up. Her statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details. We rate her statement Half True.","New York just reported that \"more than 70 percent of those who have enrolled to date were uninsured at the time of application.\" But that mixes together those who signed up for Medicaid and those who bought private insurance."]},{"id":"2884.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"No family earns too much to qualify for Oregon Healthy Kids program.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While any family can technically qualify for the Oregon Healthy Kids program, it is important to note that the level of assistance provided is income-dependent. Families earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for free child health care, while those earning between 200 and 300 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidized health care on a sliding scale. Therefore, while there are income limits in place, the program does not exclude any family solely based on income. However, it would have been more accurate for the billboard to mention the income limits associated with the program.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Flying above pictures of healthy kids and their families and physicians is the sentence \"No family earns too much to qualify.\"","We decided to check in with Cathy Kaufmann, manager of the Healthy Kids Office, and see whether it\u2019s true that any family can qualify for the program.","Any family can get insurance through the Healthy Kids Connect program, Kaufmann explains, but some will pay more than others. Families earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level (about $44,000 a year for a family of four) qualify for free child health care. Families earning between 200 and 300 percent of the federal poverty level (about $66,000 for a family of four -- also Oregon\u2019s median income) qualify for subsidized health care on a sliding scale.","So, it seems, the billboard is factually accurate. Any family can qualify, whether they make $1 a year or $1 billion. That said, it seems to us Oregon Healthy Kids could have been more precise in their advertising: Families do have to meet certain income limits to qualify for assistance. We rate this claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"8022.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that in Curry County, if you make a 911 call youre likely to wait for an hour for a response.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Jeff Kruse that in Curry County, there can be significant delays in 911 response times, with potential waits of up to an hour. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on anecdotal evidence and does not provide a comprehensive breakdown of response times or a comparison to any established norm. While there may be instances where response times are indeed prolonged due to limited manpower, it is not a consistent or universal experience for all 911 calls in Curry County.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says that in Curry County, \"if you make a 911 call you\u2019re likely to wait for an hour for a response.\"","Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, dislikes the bill but voted for it, noting on the Senate floor that the situation is dire in Curry County. \"Currently if you make a 911 call you\u2019re likely to wait for an hour for a response. That\u2019s the reality,\" he said.","So, we don\u2019t have a breakdown of response times for 911 calls, which means we can\u2019t tell you how the hour wait compares with any sort of norm.","We checked in with Kruse. He said it was not his intent to convey that an hour wait is the norm in Curry County. \"It\u2019s not always the case, but potentially, it could be,\" he said. \"There are times when there\u2019s nobody on patrol. They just don\u2019t have the manpower.\""]},{"id":"2489.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When Tallahassee politicians and bureaucrats tried to run our schools, Ive stood up to them to protect local control.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Alex Sink's claim that she stood up to politicians and bureaucrats who attempted to exert control over local schools in Tallahassee. While there is some debate about the extent to which politicians and bureaucrats were involved in attempting to run local schools, Sink's opposition to Senate Bill 6, which aimed to implement new teacher standards statewide, demonstrates her commitment to protecting local control. However, it's important to note that Sink's opposition came after significant public protest and engagement from unions and educators. Therefore, while the claim is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context regarding the timing and extent of Sink's actions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a Sept. 17, 2010, TV ad, Sink says: \"Tallahassee politicians and bureaucrats have no business trying to run our local schools. When they've tried, I've stood up to them to protect local control. And I'll stand up to them again as a parent and as your governor.\"","One other question to raise about Sink's claim: Is it fair to say that politicians and bureaucrats tried to run our local schools? For Senate Bill 6, we will define \"bureaucrats\" as Florida Commissioner of Education Eric J. Smith. The department didn't propose the bill, though Smith was on record as supporting it by March 26.","So let's review: Sink's ad claims she \"stood up\" to politicians and bureaucrats \"to protect local control.\" Sink clearly opposed Senate Bill 6 -- proposed by politicians and supported by the Education Commissioner -- which would have led to new teacher standards in schools statewide. But she was late in her opposition -- a week after the Senate voted for it and weeks after unions and educators started their much publicized protest. Thousands of Floridians had weighed in by calling or e-mailing elected officials in Tallahassee by the time Sink spoke up. Sink has omitted important context here, but she did stand up. We rate her claim Mostly True.","In a press release on April 8 -- one day before the House vote -- Sink stated: \"It's clear that the people of Florida don't want Tallahassee politicians dictating a rigid, one-size-fits-all policy to our local school districts. Florida is a diverse state and every classroom is different. As a mother whose two children graduated from Florida's public schools, I strongly believe in preserving local control of local schools.\""]},{"id":"720.json","label":"true","statement":"John McCain said last year he didn't know of a solution to the mortgage crisis.","reason":"Reason: Based on the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that John McCain stated he didn't know of a solution to the mortgage crisis. This statement is supported by the context of an interview where McCain's remarks were evaluated, and it aligns with Obama's statement regarding McCain's lack of knowledge on the issue. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wanted to know if McCain said that he \"didn't know\" of a solution to the mortgage crisis, as Obama said, and to see if McCain's remarks were taken in context.","Let's stipulate that this interview does not showcase McCain at his best on issues of the economy and finance. But Obama's statement that McCain said he \"didn't know\" of a solution to the mortgage crisis appears to be accurate given the full context of the interview. We rate Obama's statement True.","Then a few minutes later Biden said: \"John McCain said as early as last December, quote \u2013 I'm paraphrasing \u2013 'I'm surprised about this subprime mortgage crisis.'\"","\"Last September, I stood up at Nasdaq and said it's time to realize that we are in this together \u2014 that there is no dividing line between Wall Street and Main Street \u2014 and warned of a growing loss of trust in our capital markets,\" Obama said. \"Months later, Sen. McCain told a newspaper that he'd love to give them a solution to the mortgage crisis, 'but' \u2014 he said \u2014 'I don't know one.'\""]},{"id":"2373.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Jeff Weems legal record is one of defending BP, Enron and just about every big oil company against the working man.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jeff Weems has represented energy companies such as BP and Enron in the past, the statement exaggerates his legal record by claiming that he has defended \"just about every big oil company\" against the working man. The evidence suggests that Weems has represented numerous energy companies, but it does not support the claim that he has defended every big oil company against the working man. It is important to accurately represent Weems' legal record without making broad generalizations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Jeff Weems' \"legal record is one of defending BP, Enron and just about every big oil company against the working man.\"","Porter consultant Corbin Casteel said in a July 28 press release: Weems \"claims to represent the \u2018working man,\u2019 yet his legal record is one of defending BP, Enron and just about every big oil company against the working man.\"","Weems, an oil and gas lawyer, has represented numerous energy companies including BP and Enron, the latter almost 20 years ago. However, Porter saying Weems has represented \"just about every big oil company\" is a stretch on Weems' actual legal record.","We wondered if it's accurate to cast Weems, who has practiced law since the early 1990s, as a defender of Big Oil--including BP, widely blamed for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, and Enron, the Houston-based energy company that collapsed in scandal."]},{"id":"9662.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A tax plan promoted by North Carolina Senate candidate Thom Tillis will overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the criticism made against Thom Tillis regarding his tax plan. Critics argue that Tillis' tax plan, which includes tax breaks for corporations and high-income individuals, disproportionately benefits the wealthy. They claim that while people in every income bracket may receive tax cuts, those in higher-income brackets receive larger cuts compared to those in lower brackets. This suggests that the tax plan favors the wealthy and does not provide equitable benefits for all income groups.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the North Carolina race for U.S. Senate, much of the debate has focused on Republican candidate Thom Tillis\u2019 actions as a state leader.","\"Thom Tillis thinks the wealthy, like the Koch brothers, deserve tax breaks, while teachers get a pay freeze,\" the ad says. \"Tillis thinks corporations like the ones owned by the Koch brothers should also get tax breaks, while seniors see their pensions taxed and pay more for prescription drugs. Thom Tillis: He may not be a Koch brother, but he certainly treats them like family.\"","Tillis and other Republicans also say the new law\u2019s reductions in corporate tax rates (down from 6.9 percent to 5 percent, and 3 percent if certain parameters are met) will bring business and jobs to North Carolina, which will benefit everyone and bring in more revenue over the long term.","Supporters of the tax plan most often point to the reduced income tax rate, which they say cuts taxes for people in every income bracket. That\u2019s true. However, people in higher-income brackets get bigger cuts than those in the lowest brackets."]},{"id":"212.json","label":"true","statement":"Romney said \"'No' to in-state tuition\" for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's position on in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. In 2004, Romney vetoed a bill that would have allowed undocumented immigrants who graduated from Massachusetts high schools to pay in-state tuition at state-run colleges and universities. He expressed concerns about creating incentives for illegal immigration while also expressing sympathy for the challenges faced by undocumented students. Therefore, it is correct to say that Romney opposed providing in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Romney is right that Huckabee supported the measure. But Huckabee is right when he said the illegal immigrants in his state wouldn't have gotten a better deal than legal residents.","Romney vetoed a bill in 2004 that would have allowed illegal immigrants who graduated from Massachusetts high schools to pay in-state tuition at state-run colleges and universities.","Not only is that UT tuition break the very highest that Romney could have cited among Texas public universities, it went to only 4 percent of the illegal immigrants who received in-state tuition rates last year.","\"I hate the idea of in any way making it more difficult for kids, even those who are illegal aliens, to afford college in our state,\" Romney said at the time. \"But equally, perhaps a little more than equally, I do not want to create an incentive to do something which is illegal.\""]},{"id":"4831.json","label":"false","statement":"President Obama plans to impose a tax of at least 23 percent on the Medicare prescription drug benefit for low-income beneficiaries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that President Obama plans to impose a tax of at least 23 percent on the Medicare prescription drug benefit for low-income beneficiaries is misleading. The \"tax\" referred to in the statement is actually a money-saving mandate proposed by the Obama administration. It involves pharmaceutical drug makers providing rebates to the government for prescription drugs sold to low-income Medicare beneficiaries. This proposal aims to capture drug discounts and generate savings for the Medicare program. It is not a tax imposed on low-income beneficiaries themselves. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the nature of the proposal and inaccurately portrays it as a direct tax on beneficiaries.\nLabel: false","evidence":["President Barack Obama plans to \"impose a tax of at least 23 percent on Medicare\u2019s prescription drug benefit for low-income beneficiaries,\" a group says.","Pete Sepp, the taxpayers\u2019 union spokesman, told us in an interview that the \"tax\" in the ad refers to what the Obama administration has pitched as a money-saving mandate that pharmaceutical drug makers rebate money to the government for prescription drugs sold to low-income Medicare beneficiaries employing the fairly new federal prescription-drug benefit. That benefit also is known as Medicare Part D, which was ushered into place when George W. Bush was president to help elderly Americans afford prescription drugs.","Then again, contrary to the ad's statement, there\u2019s no evidence low-income Medicare beneficiaries would pay a 23 percent \"tax.\" And all told, Obama's urged rebate remains that--money paid in return for a purchase or action\/opportunity. One would have to connect more dots to make it a tax. We rate the group\u2019s statement False.","Back to Medicare: The Health Affairs article says that while the federal government has been forbidden by law from negotiating drug prices in Part D, \"Democrats and a few Republicans have long looked for other ways to enable the program to capture drug discounts. The Obama plan proposes that manufacturers pay Medicare the same \u2018rebates\u2019 for brand-name and generic drugs that they already pay Medicaid for beneficiaries who receive the Medicare low-income subsidy. This option is estimated to save $135 billion over ten years.\""]},{"id":"6573.json","label":"false","statement":"A report just came out that if we continue with President Obamas policies, were looking at over 9 percent unemployment next year in the fourth quarter.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence. The evidence provided indicates that the economy under President Obama experienced significant improvement, with the creation of over 10 million jobs and a decrease in the unemployment rate. The claim of over 9 percent unemployment in the fourth quarter of the following year is not substantiated by any available data or credible sources. It is important to base statements on accurate and reliable information when discussing economic projections.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The economy has improved significantly. There's no doubt about it,\" Obama said. \"We had a jobs report for October that showed that once again over 200,000 jobs created. We've now created more than 10 million. The unemployment rate's come down faster than we could have anticipated. Just to give you some perspective, Bob, we've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\"","When PolitiFact Florida fact-checked Trump saying Obama was the first president \"in modern history not to have a single year of 3 percent growth,\" data for the third and fourth quarters of 2016 was not yet available.","But if the data is used to compare one quarter to the same quarter from a year ago, there were two periods during Obama\u2019s tenure in which growth exceeded 3 percent. Between the third quarters of 2009 and 2010, GDP growth was about 3.1 percent; and between the first quarters of 2014 and 2015, the economy grew by 3.3 percent, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.","According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the percentage change in GDP growth during the third and fourth quarters of the last year of Obama\u2019s final term was 3.5 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively, resulting in an average growth rate of 1.6 percent for 2016."]},{"id":"8872.json","label":"false","statement":"According to (Barack) Obamas newest unconstitutionally enacted law, health care professionals are now required to violate HIPAA privacy laws and submit medical data to the government, which is then used as justification for gun confiscation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Barack Obama enacted a law requiring health care professionals to violate HIPAA privacy laws and submit medical data to the government for the purpose of gun confiscation. The proposed rule mentioned in the evidence does not require doctors to submit detailed treatment records, but rather seeks to clarify existing regulations regarding the reporting of involuntary commitment data to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The statement misrepresents the proposed rule and falsely links it to gun confiscation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"According to (Barack) Obama\u2019s newest unconstitutionally enacted law, health care professionals are now required to violate HIPAA privacy laws and submit medical data to the government,\" which is \"then used as justification for gun confiscation.\"","The post we\u2019re checking said that, \"according to (Barack) Obama\u2019s newest unconstitutionally enacted law, health care professionals are now required to violate HIPAA privacy laws and submit medical data to the government,\" which is \"then used as justification for gun confiscation.\"","\"Just a few weeks ago,\" the post said, President Barack Obama \"quietly used executive action \u2014 one of his new favorite pastimes \u2014 that has got gun owners\u2019 feathers in a ruffle. According to Obama\u2019s newest unconstitutionally enacted law, health care professionals are now required to violate HIPAA privacy laws and submit medical data to the government. The illegally obtained data is then used as justification for gun confiscation by the federal government.\"","\"Health care professionals\" is misleading -- it\u2019s courts, boards and commissions, not doctors, who would be submitting to NICS. \"Are now\" is wrong because, as we noted, this is a proposal and is not in force yet. \"Required\" is wrong because state entities would be able to submit to NICS, but would not be required to do so. \"To violate HIPAA privacy laws\" is at best misleading because HIPAA already didn\u2019t block the transfer of this kind of data; the proposed rule simply makes that point extra clear. And \"to submit medical data to the government\" is misleading because only involuntary commitment data is sought by NICS, not detailed treatment records."]},{"id":"10940.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush happens to be where a majority of Republican voters areon giving legal status to illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a majority of Republican voters support providing legal status to undocumented immigrants. Polls have consistently shown that more than half of Republicans hold this view. However, it's important to note that Republican primary voters, who tend to have more conservative positions, may take a tougher stance on immigration compared to the broader Republican voter base. While Jeb Bush aligns with the majority of Republican voters on this issue, it is worth considering the nuances and variations within the Republican Party regarding immigration policy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Will said that a majority of Republicans support Bush\u2019s stance to craft a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants. Polls show that more than half of Republicans do hold that view. Republican positions have shifted over time and Republican primary voters might take a harder line than the typical Republican voter.","There is however the question of views among Republican primary voters who generally take a tougher position. One indication of where they stand comes from the 2014 election. According to exit polls reported by National Journal , 57 percent of Republican voters felt that undocumented immigrants should be deported, while just 38 percent favored legal status.","While Donald Trump and Jeb Bush have been arguing about immigration policy, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton says the competing Republican candidates actually hold the same views.","Legal status: Trump told CNN\u2019s Dana Bash that if elected his plan for illegal immigrants would be to \"get the bad ones out.\" But he also called for having immigrants leave and then come back legally: \"I would get people out, and I would have an expedited way of getting them back into the country, so they can be legal. Let them be legal. .... I love the idea of immigration, but it's got to be legal immigration.\" Here is the back-and-forth that followed about legal status:"]},{"id":"4590.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Massachusetts has less than 1 percent of our kids that are uninsured. You (Gov. Perry) have a million kids uninsured in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mitt Romney during a debate, comparing the percentage of uninsured children in Massachusetts and Texas. Romney stated that Massachusetts had less than 1 percent of uninsured kids, while Texas had a million uninsured kids. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide the exact figures or the specific time period being referred to. Additionally, the evidence suggests that Romney's comment may have been referring to the overall uninsured rate in Texas, rather than specifically focusing on children. Nevertheless, the statement accurately captures the essence of Romney's claim during the debate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We (Massachusetts) have less than 1 percent of our kids that are uninsured,\" Romney told Perry. \"You have a million kids uninsured in Texas. A million kids.\" Under the administration of George W. Bush, he continued, \"the percentage uninsured went down. Under your leadership, it's gone up.\"","When George W. Bush was governor of Texas, \"the percentage uninsured went down.\" Under his successor, Rick Perry, \"it's gone up.\"","We weren\u2019t sure whether Romney meant the uninsurance rate for Texans of all ages, or specifically for children. Romney didn\u2019t explicitly cite children in his comment, and when we contacted the campaign, they confirmed that he had meant uninsured Texans overall. However, the comment followed on the heels of discussion of uninsured children, so we think viewers would have reason to think Romney was talking about the uninsurance rate for kids only.","\"The continued decline in the number of uninsured Texas children \u2026 is the silver lining to a very cloudy uninsured rate for Texas adults,\" said a report from the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a liberal think tank in Austin."]},{"id":"9415.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Graduation and third-grade reading scores are up in the state since I took office.","reason":"Reason: Governor Scott Walker's statement is supported by evidence that shows both graduation rates and third-grade reading scores have increased in the state since he took office. The evidence indicates that there have been modest gains in test scores compared to the year before Walker assumed office in 2011. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the extent of the improvements or the factors contributing to them. Nonetheless, based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that there have been positive trends in graduation and third-grade reading scores during Governor Walker's tenure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"For all the hype and hysteria about education, they look at the fact that graduation and third-grade reading scores are up in the state since I took office,\" he told WISN-AM (1130) talk host Jay Weber on April 16, 2014. \"ACT scores continue to be some of the best in the country.\"","The numbers, in both cases, are up compared with the year before he took office, though the reading scores bounced around some.","!Gov. Scott Walker says proficiency is rising among third grade readers in Wisconsin schools. Test scores show modest gains now compared to the year before Walker took office in 2011. !Gov. Scott Walker says proficiency is rising among third grade readers in Wisconsin schools. Test scores show modest gains now compared to the year before Walker took office in 2011.","Gov. Scott Walker says proficiency is rising among third grade readers in Wisconsin schools. Test scores show modest gains now compared to the year before Walker took office in 2011."]},{"id":"4510.json","label":"true","statement":"At nearly 19 million people, the population of Florida is larger than all the earlier primary and caucus states combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Florida is indeed larger than the combined population of the earlier primary and caucus states, which include Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. Florida's population of nearly 19 million exceeds the total population of these states, supporting the claim made by Governor Scott.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"At nearly 19 million people, the population of Florida is larger than all the earlier primary and caucus states combined,\" he said.","Scott said \"the population of Florida is larger than all the earlier primary and caucus states combined.\" U.S. Census Bureau numbers bear him out. We rate his claim True.","So, Scott's right on. Florida's \"nearly 19 million people\" does eclipse the early states' nearly 12 million. (Now, that doesn't tell us who actually votes there \u2014 but he didn't say voters, so we won't quibble.)","As Scott made his plea, we wondered: Is the population of Florida larger than Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada combined?"]},{"id":"8991.json","label":"true","statement":"Crimea became part of Ukraine only in 1954. Crimea was historically part of Russia, and (Nikita) Khrushchev gave it to Ukraine in a gesture that mystified some people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical context of Crimea's transfer to Ukraine in 1954 by Nikita Khrushchev, who had Ukrainian roots. Prior to 1954, Crimea had been historically part of Russia. The transfer of Crimea to Ukraine has been a subject of debate and has mystified some people due to its geopolitical implications. Therefore, the statement is supported by historical evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Crimea became part of Ukraine only in 1954,\" he said. \"Crimea was historically part of Russia, and (Nikita) Khrushchev gave it to Ukraine in a gesture that mystified some people.\"","1954 : Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev transferred the Crimean Oblast to Ukraine. It\u2019s often reported that it was a gesture of goodwill from Khrushchev, who had Ukrainian roots.","First, some background. Crimea which had long been a part of Russia until it was handed over in 1954 by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Crimea, despite the presence of Russian military facilities and a majority-Russian populace, remained part of the newly independent Ukraine.","Ignatius said Crimea belonged to Russia until 1954, when Khrushchev gave the land to Ukraine, then a Soviet republic. Ignatius\u2019 history lesson explains why Russians remain so intertwined with Crimea and why some Americans are worried that Russians will try to annex the peninsula."]},{"id":"13217.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he has a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.","reason":"Reason: While the statement from Trump's campaign asserts that he has a fiduciary responsibility to pay no more tax than legally required, most experts disagree with this claim. Fiduciary responsibility typically pertains to obligations towards clients or beneficiaries, not personal tax obligations. Paying taxes is a civic duty, and individuals are expected to comply with the tax laws of their respective countries. Therefore, the assertion that Trump has a fiduciary responsibility to minimize his personal tax payments is not supported by expert consensus.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The statement from Trump\u2019s campaign said he has \"a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.\"","\"Mr. Trump is a highly skilled businessman who has a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required,\u2019 the statement said in part.","But does Trump have a \"fiduciary responsibility\" to pay as little as possible in personal income taxes? Most experts agreed that no such responsibility exists. (Trump\u2019s campaign did not respond to an inquiry for this article.)","\"I do not see how the taxes on his personal tax return would be relevant with respect to this particular fiduciary responsibility,\" Caplan said."]},{"id":"1812.json","label":"true","statement":"Rick Scott \"was forced to resign as the head of a company that pled guilty to massive amounts of systematic fraud, including 14 felonies, leading to a historic $1.7 billion fine.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the fact-checking sources. Rick Scott, the subject of the statement, was indeed forced to resign as the head of Columbia\/HCA, a company that pleaded guilty to 14 felony charges related to systematic fraud. The company paid a historic fine of $1.7 billion as a result. While the exact circumstances of Scott's resignation may be subject to interpretation, media accounts suggest that the company's board of directors faced pressure from shareholders to make changes. Overall, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We're going to be checking statements from both campaigns. We'll start with Sink's claim that Scott \"was forced to resign as the head of a company that pled guilty to massive amounts of systematic fraud, including 14 felonies, leading to a historic $1.7 billion fine.\"","Alex Sink, Scott\u2019s Democratic opponent in 2010, said that Scott \"was forced to resign as the head of a company that pled guilty to massive amounts of systematic fraud, including 14 felonies, leading to a historic $1.7 billion fine.\" We rated that claim True. (Sink, Florida\u2019s previous CFO, is now running for Congress in Pinellas County.)","In its claim, the Sink campaign says Scott \"was forced to resign as the head of a company that pled guilty to massive amounts of systematic fraud, including 14 felonies, leading to a historic $1.7 billion fine.\" Scott's former company, Columbia\/HCA, did plead guilty to 14 felony charges stemming from a massive federal fraud investigation, and Scott himself admits the company wound up paying $1.7 billion in fines. Whether Scott was forced to resign or not is something of an HR employment trick, but media accounts certainly suggest the company's board of directors was under pressure from shareholders to shake things up.","\"If Scott proposes the same accountability measures for Florida government that he used at Columbia\/HCA, we'll have to back up the paddy wagon to the front door of the Capitol,\" Sink spokeswoman Kyra Jennings said in a May 18, 2010, press release. \"Florida simply can't trust someone who was forced to resign as the head of a company that pled guilty to massive amounts of systematic fraud, including 14 felonies, leading to a historic $1.7 billion fine.\""]},{"id":"2767.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the federal government restricts how much salt we can put on our food.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses concerns about food shortages and government monitoring of the food supply chain, but it does not mention any restrictions on the amount of salt individuals can put on their food. Without additional evidence or context, it is not accurate to claim that the federal government restricts how much salt we can put on our food based on the information provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"They are trying to create a food shortage,\" the man in the video says. \"We have eight months to get our own food supply. We're probably going to be facing mass starvation.\"","A compilation of videos being shared on Facebook all claim that the federal government is telling farmers in the U.S. to destroy their crops, and threatening to withhold subsidies. Several users claim it\u2019s to artificially cause food shortages in the country.","\"USDA and the Food and Drug Administration are closely monitoring the food supply chain for any shortages in collaboration with industry and our federal and state partners,\" the department said. \"We are in regular contact with food manufacturers and grocery stores.\"","\"From my perspective, when the federal government sues Texas and sues Georgia, that\u2019s going in the wrong direction,\" West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, a Republican, told PolitiFact. \"The federal government should be supporting state efforts that are attempting to increase voter confidence.\""]},{"id":"12631.json","label":"true","statement":"Proposed NClaw for body camera footage gives police broad authority to keep video footage secret even from individuals who are filmed.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns raised by the ACLU regarding the proposed NC law for body camera footage. According to the ACLU, if the bill becomes law, it would grant police broad authority to keep video footage secret, even from individuals who are filmed. This would limit the ability of individuals who were filmed by the police to view the video and potentially undermine transparency and accountability in law enforcement. The statement aligns with the concerns expressed by the ACLU and the potential implications of the proposed law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Proposed NC law for body camera footage gives police \"broad authority to keep video footage secret \u2013 even from individuals who are filmed.\"","The ACLU said if the bill becomes law, police will have \"broad authority to keep video footage secret \u2013 even from individuals who are filmed.\"","Police can stop individuals who were filmed by police from viewing the video, using broad and sometimes vague reasoning. And even on appeal, judges have limited authority to overrule the police.","\"Giving law enforcement such broad authority to keep video footage secret \u2013 even from individuals who are filmed \u2013 will damage law enforcement\u2019s ability to build trust with the public and destroy any potential this technology had to make officers more accountable to the communities they serve,\" said ACLU attorney Susanna Birdsong in a news release."]},{"id":"500.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"It doesn't make sense \"historically\" to drop out because the 1968 race was still competitive when \"Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the 1968 Democratic primary was still ongoing in June and was competitive before the assassination of Robert Kennedy, it is important to note that the comparison made by Clinton is misleading. The context and circumstances of the 1968 race were significantly different from the 2008 race she was referring to. Clinton's statement implies that it is historically common for primary races to continue into June, but the 1968 race was exceptional due to the tragic assassination of Robert Kennedy. Therefore, while there is some historical accuracy in Clinton's statement, it is misleading and does not provide an accurate comparison between the two election years.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it,\" Clinton told the editorial board of the Argus Leader, a South Dakota newspaper, on May 23, 2008.","In this case, she mentions Robert Kennedy's attempt to win the Democratic nomination of 1968. His quest ended tragically when he was assassinated hours after winning the California primary on June 5, 1968.","So Clinton is right that the 1968 contest was still going on in June of that year, and it was still competitive. But she ignores important facts that make her comparison between that election year and this one inaccurate. We are not evaluating the question of whether Clinton should drop out of the race, but we find her historical argument that there's nothing unusual about a Democratic primary still being contested in June to be technically accurate but completely misleading. We rate this claim, like the last one, Barely True.","The race between Kennedy and McCarthy was tumultuous. Kennedy seemed to be outpacing McCarthy, but lost to him in Oregon on May 28. The California primary, set for June 4, was widely seen as a crucial turning point. Kennedy won the primary, but was assassinated shortly after midnight on June 5 by Sirhan Sirhan. Ultimately, Johnson's vice president, Hubert Humphrey, secured the nomination at a chaotic convention in Chicago that August, and then lost to Republican Richard Nixon."]},{"id":"3629.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he couldnt keep a 42-inch redfish he caught because of fishing rules.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which includes statements from the individual in question, Governor Rick Scott, acknowledging that he caught a 42-inch redfish but had to release it due to fishing rules. The rules mentioned are in place to protect the redfish population and prevent overfishing, particularly during their spawning period. Therefore, the claim is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["And that means Putnam was right when he said he couldn't keep his 42-inch redfish because state fishing rules prohibit it. We rate this claim True.","\"I caught a 40-inch redfish, and I caught 26 of them in all, and we took them back to a restaurant and cooked and ate them. It's great here,\" Scott told reporters after the fishing expedition off Panama City on April 20, 2011.( \"cott told reporters after the fishing expedition off Panama City April 20, 2011.\")","He responded a few minutes later. \"@KatieLSanders I caught one that was 42 inches but had to toss it back, because it was over the size limit.\" Later, he tweeted again, with a link to a photo: \"If they let me bring this one in( \"If they let me bring this one in\"), I could have won the Cabinet fishing tournament.\"","The rules are in place to prevent the overfishing of redfish. The maximum is in place specifically to protect spawning redfish."]},{"id":"13226.json","label":"true","statement":"Right now we are at 90 percent health insurance covered. Thats the highest weve ever been in our country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton that the current health insurance coverage in the United States is at 90 percent, which she states is the highest in the country's history. This claim is supported by data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which provides statistics on health insurance coverage. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not specify the exact time frame or year to which Clinton is referring. Nonetheless, based on the information provided, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"Right now we are at 90 percent health insurance covered. That's the highest we've ever been in our country.\"","She went on to say that the practical consequences of the law have been strong. \"Now we're at 90 percent health insurance coverage,\" she said. \"That's the highest we've ever been in our country.\"","The most widely cited data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, which tabulates statistics annually on what percentage of Americans are covered by health insurance. The most recent report came out in September 2016, covering the year 2015.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d"]},{"id":"6334.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says India gained jobs thanks to Romney.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that India gained jobs during Romney's tenure, it is important to provide more context. As governor of Massachusetts, Romney did not directly send jobs to India. However, the state had contracts with companies that had customer service call centers in India. Although this arrangement indirectly contributed to job growth in India, it is worth noting that Romney blocked a legislative effort to prevent such outsourcing. Therefore, while India did gain jobs during that time, it was not solely due to Romney's actions but rather as a result of the business contracts and policies in place.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"India, which also gained jobs thanks to Romney, an outsourcing pioneer. And Burma, where Romney had the uniforms made for the 2002 games.\"","The ad was apparently removed from YouTube because of copyright concerns, but we are checking its claims because they received so much coverage on cable news channels and the Web. Here we\u2019ll look at the claim that India \"gained jobs thanks to Romney.\" (We've previously examined the claim he was a \"pioneer\" of outsourcing.)","While Romney was governor, Massachusetts had contracts with companies that had customer service call centers in India. That\u2019s not the same as the state directly sending work overseas, but Romney blocked a legislative effort to stop it. And it's reasonable to conclude that India gained some jobs, at least while the Massachusetts arrangement was in effect.","\"Welcome to the Olympics,\" the voiceover says. \"There\u2019s Mitt Romney, who ran the Salt Lake City games, waving to China, home to a billion people. Thousands owe their jobs to Mitt Romney\u2019s companies."]},{"id":"13343.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ron Johnson has essentially done nothing to fight heroin addiction and opioid abuse.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. Senator Ron Johnson has taken actions related to combating heroin addiction and opioid abuse. While he may have voted against specific amendments that allocated funding for these issues, it does not mean he has \"essentially done nothing.\" It is important to consider the broader context of his actions and initiatives related to addressing the opioid crisis. Label: false","evidence":["\"Heroin addiction and opioid abuse are killing Wisconsin, and yet after six years in Washington, Sen. Ron Johnson has essentially done nothing.\"","So, let\u2019s check the claim in the radio ad: In the six years since Johnson took Feingold\u2019s seat in the 2010 election, has he \"essentially done nothing\" to fight heroin addiction and opioid abuse?","Feingold's campaign has pointed to Johnson's votes against two amendments \u2014 the first for $1.1 billion to combat heroin addiction, the second for $600 million in emergency funding to fight the opioid crisis.","More specifically, his campaign criticized Johnson for a no vote in June 2016 on a cloture motion (to limit debate). That motion was in regard to an amendment to a defense authorization bill that would have authorized $18 billion for various purposes, including $1.1 billion to fight heroin and opioid addiction. Johnson also voted no in March 2016 on a motion to \"waive all applicable budgetary discipline\" in order to make appropriations to fight the heroin and opioid problem, which the Feingold said would have provided $600 million."]},{"id":"3540.json","label":"true","statement":"Virginia was named best managed state, best state for business and best state toraise a child while I was governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including Forbes and PolitiFact, confirm that Virginia was indeed named the best-managed state, best state for business, and best state to raise a child during Tim Kaine's term as governor from 2006 to 2010. This recognition from various publications and organizations highlights the positive performance and achievements of Virginia under Kaine's leadership.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Virginia was named \"best managed state, best state for business and best state to raise a child\" while I was governor.","Kaine said Virginia was named the \"best-managed state, best state for business and best state in which to raise a child\" during his term from 2006 to 2010. (Virginia law bars governors from serving consecutive terms).","We\u2019ll stipulate that Forbes proclaimed Virginia the best state for business each year of Kaine\u2019s governorship, a fact we have previously noted. On April 7, 2011, we gave a True rating to Kaine\u2019s statement that during his governorship, various publications had named Virginia \"best managed state, best state for business and best state to raise a child.\"","PolitiFact Virginia, \"Tim Kaine says Virginia was named \"best managed state, best for business while he was governor,\" April 5, 2011."]},{"id":"9914.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. House candidate Carlos Curbelo supported raising flood insurance rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Carlos Curbelo supported raising flood insurance rates. In fact, Curbelo has expressed support for private companies providing flood insurance with the hope that competition would lead to lower rates. The Garcia campaign's argument that Curbelo's comments during debates indicate support for raising rates is a distortion of his position. Furthermore, Curbelo has not taken any votes on federal or state flood insurance, making it unlikely that he has actively supported raising rates. \nLabel: false","evidence":["Now U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Miami, says in a Sept. 5 Web ad that his Republican opponent Carlos Curbelo \"supported raising flood insurance rates.\"","The Garcia campaign says that if Curbelo supports private companies providing flood insurance, that means he supports higher rates. That\u2019s a huge distortion. Curbelo says he supports private companies and in hopes that competition will lower rates.","The Garcia campaign argues that Curbelo\u2019s comments during two GOP primary debates show he supports raising flood insurance rates. Curbelo\u2019s statements relate to federal and state bills about flood insurance -- we\u2019ll recap both pieces of legislation.","It\u2019s a stretch to imagine a candidate campaigning in Miami and the coastal Keys who would tell voters that he wants to raise their flood insurance bill -- and in reality, Curbelo hasn\u2019t done that. For starters, Curbelo hasn\u2019t taken a vote on federal or state flood insurance."]},{"id":"11876.json","label":"false","statement":"Says some Planned Parenthood chapters have been selling the body parts of aborted fetuses for profit.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"some Planned Parenthood chapters have been selling the body parts of aborted fetuses for profit\" is a claim made by many abortion opponents, but it is important to note that this claim is not supported by credible evidence. The assertion is based on selectively edited and misleading videos created by anti-abortion activists posing as officials from a fake biotech firm. Investigations into these allegations have found no evidence of illegal activities by Planned Parenthood. Multiple state and federal investigations have cleared Planned Parenthood of wrongdoing. Therefore, the claim lacks factual basis and should be regarded as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Considering the revelation that some Planned Parenthood chapters have been selling the body parts of aborted fetuses for profit, do you support or oppose a state investigation into the Planned Parenthood chapters in Virginia?\" he asked in an 11-question survey that was mailed to constituents and remains on his website.","O\u2019Bannon said \"some Planned Parenthood chapters have been selling the body parts of aborted fetuses for profit.\" As evidence, he points broadly to a series of secretly recorded videos in which anti-abortion advocates - posing undercover as officials of a fake biotech firm seeking to buy fetal tissue for research - met with Planned Parenthood officials.","O\u2019Bannon\u2019s statement that some Planned Parenthood chapters have been selling parts for profit - a claim made by many abortion opponents - is noteworthy because it accuses the organization of illegal acts. So we asked O\u2019Bannon, a neurologist, for proof.","Part of the video shows Deborah Nucatola, senior director of medical services at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, telling undercover activists that tissues can be obtained for fees in the $30 to $100 range. Activists against abortion rights point to this as proof that Planned Parenthood is \" selling the body parts of aborted children.\""]},{"id":"5704.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says unemployment tripled in Dane County due to Kathleen Falks tax policies","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the unemployment rate in Dane County tripled during Kathleen Falk's tenure as county executive, it is inaccurate to solely attribute this increase to her tax policies. As mentioned in the evidence, the increase in unemployment was not solely due to Falk's policies. Other factors, such as broader economic conditions and external influences, also played a role. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that the increase in unemployment was solely caused by Falk's tax policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an earlier item we found the Dane County unemployment rate -- though it was notably low among the state\u2019s counties -- tripled during her tenure, as the Republican Governors Association claimed. But it was not all due to her policies.","Democrat Kathleen Falk\u2019s rejoinder to criticism that unemployment tripled during her time as Dane County executive is that she helped create thousands of new jobs.","In the ad, the narrator notes the increase happened \"under her watch.\" A website the RGA PAC set up to accompany the ad makes a stronger cause-and-effect link: \"With Kathleen Falk\u2019s tax hikes, came higher unemployment, too.\"","\"Kathleen Falk is a longtime Madison politician,\" the narrator says as search results pop up. \"Huh.\" \"Backed by government employee unions. Oh boy.\""]},{"id":"6820.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Islands voter identification law was pushed by a black Democrat in the House, a black Democrat in the Senate. Thats a fact.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The evidence provided confirms that Rhode Island's voter identification law was indeed supported and pushed by black Democrats in both the House and the Senate. This information is supported by multiple sources and is not disputed.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rhode Island\u2019s voter identification law was pushed by \"a black Democrat in the House, a black Democrat in the Senate. That's a fact.\"","\"And who pushed it?,\" Coulter asked. \"A black Democrat in the House, a black Democrat in the Senate. That's a fact!\"","\"One of the first states in the union to pass voter ID bill was Rhode Island, 85 percent Democratic legislature,\" she said. \"And who pushed it? A black Democrat in the house, a black Democrat in the senate. That's a fact!\"","Ann Coulter said the voter-identification passed by the Rhode Island legislature was pushed by black senators and representatives. In fact, in both the House and the Senate, black legislators strongly supported the bill."]},{"id":"9574.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Alison Lundergan Grimes supports Obamacare, which cuts $700 billion from seniors Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Alison Lundergan Grimes supports Obamacare, which includes provisions that result in $700 billion in cuts to Medicare. However, it's important to note that these cuts are not direct reductions in benefits for seniors but rather reductions in the projected growth of Medicare spending over a period of time. The impact on seniors' Medicare benefits is a subject of debate and interpretation. Nonetheless, the statement correctly represents the claim made in the ad.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The truth? Grimes supports Obamacare, which cuts $700 billion from seniors\u2019 Medicare. That\u2019s how Obama and Grimes will pay for Obamacare,\" the ad says.","Back in 2012, we checked the claim that the health care law cuts $700 billion from Medicare more times than we can count. (For a sample, look here, here and here.) It\u2019s popped up again in this year\u2019s Senate race in Kentucky.","Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes recently accused incumbent Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of supporting a $6,000 per year increase in Medicare costs for beneficiaries -- another once-popular claim resurfacing. We\u2019ve rated that False.","Alison Lundergan Grimes is a Democrat challenging Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for his Senate seat in 2014. She currently serves as Kentucky's secretary of state."]},{"id":"372.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"We borrow money from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudis.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Hillary Clinton regarding the connection between borrowing money from China and buying oil from Saudi Arabia. While the link between China and Saudi Arabia may not be as direct as suggested, the statement highlights the broader issue of America's reliance on foreign oil and the need to borrow significant sums from foreign investors. It emphasizes the economic challenges and potential consequences of this dependence. However, it's important to note that the statement simplifies a complex economic relationship and should be understood as a rhetorical device rather than a literal description of the financial transactions involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Speaking to two of voters' biggest economic concerns, Sen. Hillary Clinton tried to link America's reliance on foreign oil with its need to borrow huge sums from foreign investors, saying, \"We borrow money from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudis. That is not a winning strategy for America.\" It's a great applause line with more than a kernel of truth, but the link between China and Saudi Arabia is not as direct as Clinton suggestions.","Clinton was trying to make the additional point that the U.S. relies on oil from politically volatile regions. It's clearly a stretch to say the same capital China injects into the economy when it buys Treasury securities somehow winds up in the Saudis' pockets.","So, this practice of selling bonds, effectively borrowing money from the foreign countries that buy the bonds, is what keeps capital pumping into the U.S. economy. When China buys those treasuries that makes it possible for other investors, like banks, to loan money to companies that want to buy oil. Energy firms benefit because there is more cash available --at lower borrowing costs-- to purchase crude from producing nations.","Clinton might have noted that Saudi Arabia also is a big investor in Treasury securities. That means some of the money we pay for crude oil circulates back to our economy when they buy Treasuries. It's all proof that what goes around, comes around."]},{"id":"280.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The church Barack Obama belongs to has a \"nonnegotiable commitment to Africa.\"","reason":"Reason: It is true that the church Barack Obama belonged to, Trinity United Church of Christ, has a stated \"nonnegotiable commitment to Africa\" on its website. However, it is important to note that this commitment does not imply any anti-American sentiment or political agenda. The church's commitment to Africa is rooted in its mission to promote social justice and support communities of African descent. There is no evidence to suggest that this commitment supersedes a commitment to America or is in any way detrimental to American interests. Therefore, the statement is accurate but should not be misconstrued as being anti-American.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["An anonymous chain e-mail warns its readers that the church Barack Obama belongs to has a \"nonnegotiable commitment to Africa.\" That is an accurate statement from the church's Web site. But the e-mail implies that that commitment is anti-American, which we find is not the case. (Read our story about the whole e-mail here .)","SUMMARY: An anonymous e-mail says Barack Obama belongs to a racist, anti-American church. We find that the church teaches black empowerment, not racism, and that it claims Africa as its ethnic heritage. We also find, yet again, that Obama isn't Muslim.","\u2022 Yes, Trinity preaches a Bible-based message of black self-reliance. Its motto is \"Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian.\" And the church does have a \"nonnegotiable commitment to Africa.\"","The e-mail is correct that the Web site espouses a \"nonnegotiable commitment to Africa,\" and a nonnegotiable commitment is pretty strong language. But the e-mail implies there's something politically sinister about this and that it somehow supersedes a commitment to America. We find no evidence for that contention. For these reasons, we rate the claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"8384.json","label":"false","statement":"Terry McAuliffe has threatened to shut down Virginias government if his budget plan isnt supported.","reason":"Reason: Terry McAuliffe's statement that he threatened to shut down Virginia's government if his budget plan isn't supported is not supported by the evidence provided. While McAuliffe did promise not to sign a state budget that does not allow for Medicaid expansion, this does not equate to a direct threat to shut down the government. The evidence does not indicate any explicit intention or action by McAuliffe to shut down the government if his budget plan is not supported. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cuccinelli says McAuliffe has threatened to shut down state government. He points to McAuliffe\u2019s repeated promise not to sign a state budget that does not allow for Medicaid expansion.","At a recent debate, Democrat Terry McAuliffe said GOP rival Ken Cuccinelli \"tried to shut down\" Virginia government in 2008 by introducing an unsuccessful budget amendment in the state senate that would have defunded Planned Parenthood. We rated McAuliffe\u2019s claim Pants on Fire.","\"The only one on this stage that almost had (a shut down) effected was Ken Cuccinelli, when he almost derailed the Virginia budget when he was trying to defund Planned Parenthood,\" McAuliffe said. \"So he\u2019s the only one on the stage that actually tried to shut down our government.\"","McAuliffe\u2019s campaign says an Associated Press story from that day justifies the claim that Cuccinelli \"tried to shut down\" state government through his amendment. The article said the budget \"was almost killed Wednesday in a partisan Senate duel.\" The story added, however, that the amendment was one of several issues that strained relations that day and kept the Senate in session almost eight hours before it narrowly approved its version of the budget. Even if the Senate had failed to pass its spending plan, the article noted, the state\u2019s complicated budget process would have remained alive."]},{"id":"13511.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Less than half of jobs at the Carrier manufacturing plant in Indiana are actually staying.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks clarity due to the different perspectives on the issue. If we consider the broader view, as mentioned in evidence 2, less than half (38 percent) of the 2,100 jobs that were initially at risk of being exported ended up staying. However, if we focus specifically on the Carrier plant, as mentioned in evidence 3, more than half of the jobs will stay in the United States. The deal negotiated by President Trump saved approximately 800 out of 1,400 jobs at the Carrier plant. Therefore, depending on the context, the statement can be both true and false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Did you actually read the Carrier letter?\" McGhee asked the panel. \"It started out saying \u2018we are pleased to inform you\u2019 and ended up talking about all the jobs that would still be shipped overseas. The numbers I'm looking at say less than half of them are actually staying.\"","Going by the broader view, McGhee is right that less than half (or 38 percent) of the 2,100 jobs in danger of being exported actually ended up staying.","If you just count the number of jobs at the Carrier plant, which is what Trump promised to save and what McGhee referenced on the show, then her claim is not accurate. In fact, more than half of the jobs will stay in the United States because the deal is keeping approximately 800 jobs out of 1,400 at the Carrier plant.","President Donald Trump often points to a deal he helped negotiate with a Carrier manufacturing plant in Indiana as proof that he's stopping companies from moving American jobs to Mexico."]},{"id":"4080.json","label":"true","statement":"Fifty-one percent -- that is, a majority of American households -- paid no income tax in 2009. Zero. Zip. Nada.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Committee on Joint Taxation, which reported that in 2009, 51 percent of American households paid no federal income tax. This means that these households had no tax liability for federal income taxes specifically. However, it's important to note that these households may still have paid other federal taxes, such as payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare. Therefore, while the statement is true regarding federal income tax liability, it does not imply that these households paid no taxes at all.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"But right now, the fact (is) that according to the Committee on Joint Taxation, 51 percent -- that is, a majority of American households -- paid no income tax in 2009. Zero. Zip. Nada. \u2026 Actually, to show how out of whack things have gotten, 30 percent of American households actually made money from the tax system by way of refundable tax credits -- the Earned Income Tax Credit, among others. So 51 percent of American households paid no income tax in 2009, but 30 percent actually made money under the current system.\"","Which leads us to another fact-check of ours. We fact-checked Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who said, \"Fifty-one percent -- that is, a majority of American households -- paid no income tax in 2009.\" We rated that True.","So where does this leave us? A full understanding of U.S. tax policy requires a lot of additional context that Cornyn didn\u2019t supply. Still, at PolitiFact, words matter, and on the specific point Cornyn was making -- that a majority of American households paid no income tax in 2009 -- he not only accurately cited a credible study but also took care to cite a specific year and to explain that he only meant to refer to federal income taxes. So we rate Cornyn\u2019s statement True.","Cornyn took care to refer to households that pay no \"income tax,\" rather than suggesting that they paid no taxes at all. Many Americans who pay no income tax pay other federal taxes, most notably the payroll tax, which funds Social Security and Medicare and is deducted from every working American\u2019s paycheck."]},{"id":"13103.json","label":"false","statement":"I never said that Muslims would be subject to profiling under his policies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. Donald Trump has made multiple statements suggesting security measures that specifically target Muslims, including proposals for profiling, mosque surveillance, and a ban on Muslims entering the United States. While he may not have explicitly used the term \"profiling\" in every instance, his comments and policy proposals clearly indicate a focus on targeting Muslims based on their religious affiliation. Therefore, the statement claiming that he never said Muslims would be subject to profiling under his policies is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On two occasions -- including once earlier in the same O\u2019Reilly interview -- a questioner asked him about his proposal to profile Muslims, and Trump did not object to that description. He has also repeatedly suggested other types of security policies that would specifically target Muslims, including mosque surveillance and an ban on Muslims entering the United States.","A more common pattern we found in Trump\u2019s past comments was to talk explicitly about the specific security measures he would consider for Muslims, but without using the word \"profiling.\"","Is it true that Trump didn\u2019t suggest profiling Muslims as a security measure? We checked Trump\u2019s past comments and concluded that he\u2019s correct only in the narrowest sense.","During an interview with Fox News\u2019 Bill O\u2019Reilly, Donald Trump pleaded innocence when asked whether he supports profiling Muslims as a way of preventing terrorism."]},{"id":"1748.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Members of Congress \"have not reduced their salaries ... since the Great Depression,\" meaning they've gone \"eight decades without a pay cut.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that members of Congress have not had a direct salary reduction since the Great Depression, it is misleading to claim that they have gone \"eight decades without a pay cut.\" In reality, congressional salaries have fluctuated over the years, sometimes exceeding the purchasing power of today's salaries and sometimes falling short. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and oversimplifies the complex history of congressional salaries. It is important to consider the fluctuations and adjustments that have occurred over time when assessing the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When millions of Americans are tightening their belts,\" she said, \"folks have the right to expect their elected officials to do the same. ... Members have not reduced their salaries for 77 years, since the Great Depression. I do not know anyone back in Arizona who has gone eight decades without a pay cut. Senators and representatives should be no different.\"","We thought it would be worth checking her comment that lawmakers \"have not reduced their salaries\" since 1933, which she says resulted in \"eight decades without a pay cut.\"","Kirkpatrick chose her year wisely: In the midst of the Great Depression, Congress voted to reduce its salaries twice. In 1932, lawmakers cut their pay from $10,000 to $9,000. A year later, they cut salaries from $9,000 to $8,500.","Factoring inflation into the equation doesn't disprove Kirkpatrick's statement that members of Congress \"have not reduced their salaries for 77 years.\" But it does make it hard for her to argue that lawmakers have gone \"eight decades without a pay cut.\" In reality, congressional salaries have zig-zagged quite a bit over the years, sometimes exceeding today's level of purchasing power and sometimes falling short. We're not shedding tears for the buying power of people who earn more than $170,000 a year. But the erratic way that Congress has raised its salaries means that the story is more complicated than Kirkpatrick portrays it. We rate her statement Half True."]},{"id":"3207.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today, American companies have nearly $2 trillion sitting on their balance sheets.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact amount may vary depending on how financial assets are categorized, it is supported by Federal Reserve statistics that show companies holding significantly more cash and liquid assets than in previous years. However, it is important to note that not all of this $2 trillion can be readily invested in business expansion, as a portion is needed for regular business expenses. Therefore, the statement may be slightly misleading in implying that the entire amount can be immediately invested. Nonetheless, the overall point that companies are holding a substantial amount of cash on their balance sheets is valid.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"So if I\u2019ve got one message, my message is now is the time to invest in America,\" Obama said. \"...Today, American companies have nearly $2 trillion sitting on their balance sheets. And I know that many of you have told me that you\u2019re waiting for demand to rise before you get off the sidelines and expand, and that with millions of Americans out of work, demand has risen more slowly than any of us would like.","\"If you break out financial assets by category, into say liquid and less liquid assets, you can pretty much create any number you want, because '$2 trillion sitting on their balance sheets' is imprecise,\" Thallam said. \"For instance, if you use checkable deposits, time and savings deposits and money market funds for both categories of business, you get $2.3 trillion.\"","Still, no matter how you slice the data, the Federal Reserve statistics show that companies are holding on to much more cash and liquid assets than they have in years past, so Obama's broader point is valid. It was also presented in general enough terms -- \"$2 trillion sitting on their balance sheets\" -- that it is defensible as an accurate figure. But to the extent Obama's statement implies companies could readily invest that entire amount of money, it is misleading. Less the amount needed to meet regular business expenses, the amount on the balance sheet that could be used to invest in business expansion (including hiring new workers) is actually much smaller. And so we knock Obama's statement down a notch to Mostly True.","More important, though, is that Obama's statement implies companies are sitting on a full $2 trillion that could be immediately invested in business expansion. And that's not right."]},{"id":"11388.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards was forced to concede that 86 percent of Planned Parenthoods revenue is from abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Cecile Richards, the CEO of Planned Parenthood, was forced to concede that 86 percent of Planned Parenthood's revenue is from abortion. In fact, during a U.S. House hearing, Richards did not make such a concession and even stated that a lower estimate for abortion revenues was \"too high.\" The 86 percent figure mentioned in the hearing was in reference to a specific statistic in Planned Parenthood's annual report, but it does not represent the percentage of revenue solely from abortion. Ignoring other sources of revenue, such as government funding and other health services, would lead to a misleading and inaccurate portrayal of Planned Parenthood's financial situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In her post, Loesch claimed that Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards was \"forced to concede that 86 percent of Planned Parenthood\u2019s revenue is from abortion.\"","At a U.S. House hearing, Richards said abortions are expensive compared to other health services offered by Planned Parenthood. But we found no evidence of her saying, or conceding, that 86 percent of revenue is from abortion. At one point in the same meeting, she said an even lower estimate for abortion revenues was \"too high.\"","Lummis asked Roberts about Planned Parenthood\u2019s 2013-14 annual report, which she said included statistics that abortions \"would have been over 86 percent of your non-government revenue.\"","The only possible way to get to 86 percent is to ignore those other sources of revenues, which account for more than 70 percent of everything Planned Parenthood takes in."]},{"id":"6442.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia spends fewer tourism advertising dollars than any other state in the South.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that Georgia spends fewer tourism advertising dollars than any other state in the South. It is backed by metrics such as per capita spending and spending as a percentage of the state budget. Georgia ranked last in terms of tourism advertising as a portion of the state budget, allocating only 0.014 percent of its general fund budget towards tourism advertising. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Stephens said that Georgia\u2019s state government spends fewer tourism advertising dollars than any other in the South. He was right in the metrics that matter most: per capita spending, and spending as a percentage of state budget.","\"We spend less dollars advertising than any other state in the South,\" Stephens said in an Aug. 6 article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about oversight of city tourism funds.","Georgia also ranked last on tourism advertising as a portion of the state budget. During fiscal year 2012, Georgia set aside 0.014 percent of its general fund budget toward tourism advertising.","Metro Atlanta cities may do little to ensure government dollars to promote tourism are doing their job, but that doesn\u2019t mean that the state should rein in spending, an elected official said recently."]},{"id":"2189.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama admits he is not a citizen.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obama admits he is not a citizen is false and has been thoroughly debunked. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion. Obama has consistently affirmed his U.S. citizenship, and his birth certificate has been verified as genuine. The quote provided in the evidence is taken out of context and manipulated to create a false narrative. It is important to rely on accurate information and credible sources when discussing matters of citizenship.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Obama admits he is not a citizen -- read before this is pulled,\" the e-mail says. \"Unbelievable!!!!!\" \"Why has he not been impeached?\" \"The amazing part of this travesty is Americans continue allowing themselves to be ruled by an illegal alien.\"","Truth does matter, but not to the makers of the Truth Matters video or to the creators of the \"Obama admits\" e-mail. We rate them both as Pants on Fire.","Claims that Barack Obama is not a U.S. citizen or that his birth certificate was forged have been thoroughly debunked for more than a decade.","The 11-minute video, which has been online since May 2, is titled \"Not Natural Born -- TRUTH MATTERS.\"( \"\"Not Natural Born -- TRUTH MATTERS,\"\") It starts with a 30-second clip of Obama speaking before a group of adults. It begins in mid-sentence: \" . . . that maybe I'm not an American citizen. Some people said he has a forged birth certificate. Well, first of all, it's true I'm not an American. I was not born in Hawaii. I wasn't born in the United States of America. I come from Kenya.\""]},{"id":"3645.json","label":"true","statement":"Foreign companies in the United States have a significantly higher unionization rate than other companies overall.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that foreign companies in the United States have a higher unionization rate compared to other companies overall. The first piece of evidence states that U.S. employees of foreign-owned companies have a higher rate of union membership than the U.S. workforce as a whole. This indicates that foreign companies tend to have a higher unionization rate. Therefore, based on the evidence provided, it can be concluded that foreign companies in the United States do indeed have a significantly higher unionization rate than other companies overall.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In sum, U.S. employees of foreign-owned companies have a higher rate of union membership than the U.S. workforce as a whole, and a much higher rate than workers in the private sector.","But Brown also asked Commerce Secretary Gary Locke what the department is doing to attract foreign investment to the United States. Foreign companies \"tend to invest in manufacturing\" and to spend money on research and development, Brown said.","A look at cross-national data shows that economic growth in the United States has indeed outpaced that of the other large, comparable economies, and experts agree that this rapid growth has been a factor in the United States\u2019 currently high inflation rate.","We wondered if, in fact, most American aid goes to private companies and nonprofits, which then run programs in foreign countries."]},{"id":"10406.json","label":"true","statement":"Federal officials declared that grant funds could be used only for Milwaukees streetcar project, meaning it isnt possible to redirect the money to other modes of public transportation or to our public schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that federal officials declared that grant funds for the Milwaukee streetcar project could only be used for that specific project and cannot be redirected to other modes of public transportation or public schools. This means that the funds are restricted and cannot be reallocated to other purposes.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When then-Milwaukee Ald. Joe Davis said the streetcar \"would actually take precious revenue away\" from the Milwaukee Public Schools, our rating was Mostly False. Here\u2019s why -- an explanation that applies to the recall group\u2019s claim as well:","\"Private philanthropy is just that \u2014 private,\" said Hale, the election administration expert at Auburn University. \"Private goals, agendas, and processes are not determined with public input, and are not subject to public scrutiny, or held accountable to the public in any way. And that's as it should be for private funds. That's the history of American philanthropy. But not for money spent on the machinery of democracy. Private funding in this arena is profoundly undemocratic, and elections should not be subject to the influence of private philanthropy.\"","In other words, those increased property tax dollars pay off the debt rather than going to the general funds of the city, Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Public Schools and other taxing bodies. Once the borrowing is paid off, the increased value of the land is added to the general tax rolls.","Tens of millions of tax dollars are being directed toward construction of a downtown-area streetcar line, which is now under way. But it is in the form of borrowing that can only be done for projects such as a streetcar. These are not funds that would otherwise be available for purposes such as police and schools."]},{"id":"12367.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Obamas deal allows Iran to produce a nuclear weapon.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was an agreement aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. It imposed strict limitations and monitoring on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. The deal was designed to ensure that Iran's nuclear program remained peaceful and subject to international scrutiny. It did not allow Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked claims suggesting otherwise.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Both Congressman Grayson and Congressman Murphy supported President Obama\u2019s disastrous deal, which allows Iran to produce a nuclear weapon,\" Beruff said in a May 5, 2016, news release.","Earlier this month, PolitiFact Florida issued a False rating when a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate said two Democratic opponents \"supported President Obama\u2019s disastrous deal, which allows Iran to produce a nuclear weapon.\"","Beruff said Obama\u2019s deal \"allows Iran to produce a nuclear weapon.\" He makes it sound as if the agreement formally blesses Iran\u2019s pursuit of nuclear weapons. But it doesn\u2019t.","Bradenton developer Carlos Beruff lobbed a bombshell against his Democratic opponents and the White House: President Barack Obama\u2019s deal with Iran actually allows that country to build a nuclear weapon."]},{"id":"4420.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thomas Jefferson expressed strong support for a balanced budget amendment in 1798.","reason":"Reason: While Thomas Jefferson did express a desire to limit the federal government's power of borrowing in a private letter in 1798, it is a stretch to conclude that he \"strongly supported\" a balanced budget amendment as we understand it today. The evidence provided suggests that Jefferson had concerns about the federal government's ability to borrow, but it does not provide explicit support for a balanced budget amendment. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration of Jefferson's position and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of \"strong support.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"This amendment isn\u2019t my idea. It\u2019s not even a new idea,\" Goodlatte said Sept. 3 in the Weekly Republican Address to the nation. \"Thomas Jefferson expressed strong support for it in 1798.\"","\"I don\u2019t think any politician, Jefferson or otherwise, at this point was presented with a balanced budget amendment as we understand that today,\" said J.C.A Stagg of the University of Virginia.","The congressman cites a 1798 letter Jefferson wrote to a friend saying he would like to see a constitutional amendment \"taking from the federal government the power of borrowing.\" This lends some credence to Goodlatte\u2019s claim, although it\u2019s a stretch to conclude that the private letter proves Jefferson \"strongly supported\" a balanced budget mandate.","So it wasn\u2019t surprising when U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th, invoked Jefferson\u2019s name in urging Congress to approve a balanced budget amendment and send it to states for ratification."]},{"id":"5466.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under President Obama, U.S. security funding for Israel is at an all-time high.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that under President Obama, U.S. security funding for Israel increased. The signing of the Israel Security Act and the additional funding of $70 million for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system demonstrate a commitment to strengthening security ties with Israel. These actions indicate that during Obama's presidency, U.S. security funding for Israel reached a significant level. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly state that the funding is at an all-time high, as historical data on security funding may be necessary to make such a claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The White House pointed us to several examples of how Obama is not distancing his administration from Israel. He and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have met nine times and spoken on the phone dozens of times. In July, Obama signed the Israel Security Act, a bill designed to increase security ties with the Jewish state, and boosted U.S. funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system by $70 million.","Barack Obama's voting record and public statements in steadfast support of Israel win him high marks from many Jewish groups and leaders.","Aaron David Miller, in a first-person piece for Foreign Policy magazine, wrote that when it comes to Israel, \"Obama really is different. Unlike (President Bill) Clinton and George W. Bush, Obama isn't in love with the idea of Israel. As a result, he has a harder time making allowances for Israeli behavior he doesn't like. Obama relates to the Jewish state not on a values continuum but through a national security and interest filter.\"","\"I think it\u2019s a world view. I think that President Obama\u2019s world view is not one in which Israel plays a special role -- Israel is a country like any other, it causes us too much trouble in the Middle East, and the time has come to distance ourselves,\" Pletka said, adding that most Americans don\u2019t share that view."]},{"id":"1687.json","label":"false","statement":"When the United States \"first created the federal income tax, frankly, nobody below a million dollars a year paid anything.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"nobody below a million dollars a year paid anything\" in federal income taxes when the United States first created the federal income tax is false. Historical data and analysis indicate that a significant portion of the population, estimated to be around 5 percent, who were not millionaires were subject to the federal income tax. While the exact number may vary due to deductions and other factors, it is clear that the statement is inaccurate and does not align with historical records.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a question-and-answer period following a speech to the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, the Georgia Republican said that when the United States \"first created the federal income tax, frankly, nobody below a million dollars a year paid anything.\"","But to us, it's not enough to make up for his ignoring several million Americans when he claimed that \"nobody below a million dollars a year paid anything\" in federal income taxes. Someone who earns $88,000 is far from a millionaire. So we rate his statement False.","Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez, \"Income Inequality in the United States, 1913-2002 (Table A4: Top fractiles income levels, excluding capital gains, in the United States, 1913-2002),\" November 2004","So that means that perhaps 5 percent of Americans weren't millionaires, and yet were subject to the federal income tax. That's equivalent to several million households among the 97 million people estimated by the Census to be living in the U.S. in 1913. That number could drop a bit once other deductions are factored in, such as interest paid on loans. But the number is probably pretty close to that."]},{"id":"1417.json","label":"false","statement":"We have over 300 state agencies. Forty-five of those agencies are related to health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to the available evidence, Texas does not have over 300 state agencies. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Texas State Library and Archives indicate that there are no more than 15 health-related agencies in the state, including the Health and Human Services Commission. This contradicts the claim that there are 45 health-related agencies alone. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We should start cutting across the board now in our state agencies,\" she said during the GOP gubernatorial debate Jan. 14. \"We have over 300 state agencies. Forty-five of those agencies are related to health care. I'm just wondering if we couldn't consolidate some of those state agencies.\"","Except for a section of the state ethics code relating to financial disclosure by public officials, it's difficult to find a strict definition or criteria for what constitutes a state agency in Texas. We decided to take the state's word for how many health-related government agencies it has: 15, including the five health and human services agencies traditionally associated with health care.","According to an appendix to the latest state budget and compilations by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Texas State Library and Archives, Texas has no more than 15 health-related agencies including the mammoth Health and Human Services Commission, which oversees smaller units.","Hutchison's campaign sent us a list of 50 councils, boards, committees and state departments, all characterized by Hutchison's camp as relating to health care in some capacity. The 50 were plucked from a list of more than 300 entities that the governor was making appointments to as of February 2008."]},{"id":"9687.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, missed 79 percent of veterans affairs committee hearings.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the fact-checking analysis, Rep. Bruce Braley did miss a significant portion of veterans affairs committee hearings, approximately 79 percent. This information is supported by evidence and has been rated as mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Attackers say U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, skipped an important Veterans Affairs Committee hearing to raise money for his campaign, but Braley says that\u2019s not true.","Now U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat running for Senate in Iowa, is getting bad press for missing a large number of committee hearings.","Braley \"skipped an astonishing 79 percent of veterans affairs committee hearings. He even skipped an important VA reform hearing to attend three fundraisers,\" the ad says.","We looked at whether Braley skipped 79 percent of veterans affairs committee hearings. We rated that Mostly True, because Braley did miss close to that amount."]},{"id":"7273.json","label":"true","statement":"Abraham Lincoln visited and some say even danced in (the Ohio Senate) chamber.","reason":"Reason: There are historical accounts and anecdotes suggesting that Abraham Lincoln visited and possibly danced in the Ohio Senate chamber. While there is no definitive evidence to confirm these claims, they are supported by historical records and Statehouse lore. Therefore, it is accurate to state that Abraham Lincoln visited and some say even danced in the Ohio Senate chamber.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"While the Ohio House of Representatives can boast that former President Abraham Lincoln spoke in the House Chamber,\" it says, \"legend has it that before he was president, Lincoln danced on the Senate floor. Some sources suggest that during Lincoln's 1859 visit to Columbus as a presidential candidate, he attended a Statehouse ball in which he shared a dance with the lovely Kate Chase, daughter of former Ohio Governor Salmon P. Chase, who would later serve in Lincoln's cabinet.\"","\"Lincoln, who visited and some say even danced in this chamber, appealed in his first inaugural address to 'the better angels of our nature,'\" he said. \"I echo that call for civility today. I believe we should seek to compromise on policy but never to compromise on principle, and you will always have my profound respect for acting on conviction \u2013 knowing that at times we might disagree.\"","It didn't take long to find supporting background, among the historical facts buried in the \"Chamber Tour\" portion of the Ohio Senate website:","\"As the story goes, the dance was cut short due to a jealous Mary Todd Lincoln. However, many, many years later, Statehouse lore suggests that the two may have tried to finish their dance. At the turn of the 20th century, former Ohio Senator and Governor Joseph B. Foraker heard waltz music blaring through the locked doors of the Senate Chamber while he was working in his Senate office late one night. When he looked through the chamber window, he saw a tall, slender man with a petite woman in a Victorian-age hoop skirt. Foraker identified the pair as Lincoln and Ms. Chase, but unfortunately, no one else was there to corroborate his story.\""]},{"id":"4428.json","label":"false","statement":"The premiums on Medicares prescription drug program have fallen almost every year since it began.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that Medicare Part B premiums have increased due to various factors, including the need to build a reserve to cover potential costs associated with the introduction of a new Alzheimer's drug and to compensate for the reduced increase in premiums from the previous year. The evidence does not support the claim that premiums on Medicare's prescription drug program have consistently fallen every year since its inception.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the days after the ad began airing, Manchin announced he would support only a slimmed-down version of the reconciliation bill, although his support for Medicare drug-price negotiations has remained steady.","For instance, Medicare policy experts said current general inflation has little, if anything, to do with the increase in premiums. CMS said the increase was needed to put away money in case Medicare starts paying for an Alzheimer\u2019s drug that could add tens of billions in costs in one year and to make up for congressional action last year that held down premiums.","In fact, half of the premium increase was due to making sure the program was ready in case Medicare next year decides to start covering Aduhelm, a new Alzheimer\u2019s drug priced at $56,000 per year, per patient. It\u2019s been estimated that total Medicare spending for the drug for one year alone would be nearly $29 billion, far more than any other drug.","Medicare Part B premiums, he said, reflect changes in the amount of health services delivered and a more expensive mix of drugs. \"Premiums are tracking spending, only a portion of which reflects prices,\" Ginsburg said. \"I can\u2019t see that the administration really had any discretion\" in setting the premium increase due to the need to build a reserve to pay for the Alzheimer\u2019s drug and make up for the reduced increase last year, he said."]},{"id":"6932.json","label":"true","statement":"When Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, he stood in front of a coal plant and pointed at it and said, This plant kills.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the events that occurred when Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts. Romney did stand in front of a coal plant and made the statement, \"This plant kills.\" This was in reference to the coal-burning Salem Harbor Power Station and his decision to shut it down. The statement is supported by multiple sources and is an accurate representation of Romney's actions and stance on the coal plant.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, he \"stood in front of a coal plant and pointed at it and said, \u2018This plant kills.\u2019\"","Obama said Romney has changed his tune about coal, claiming that in Massachusetts he \"stood in front of a coal plant and pointed at it and said, \u2018This plant kills.\u2019\"","\"Governor, when you were governor of Massachusetts, you stood in front of a coal plant and pointed at it and said, \u2018This plant kills,\u2019 and took great pride in shutting it down. And now suddenly you're a big champion of coal,\" Obama said.","Romney was the newly elected governor when a showdown erupted over the coal-burning Salem Harbor Power Station. Obama quoted Romney accurately when he said the governor entered the controversy by saying the plant \"kills people.\""]},{"id":"1839.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As the CEO of eBay, \"Whitman started a separate division that only sells porn.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Meg Whitman created a separate division at eBay to address the sale of adult material, it is misleading to claim that the division \"only sells porn.\" The division was established as an effort to regulate and restrict the sale of adult material to adults through registration and credit card verification. The statement fails to provide the necessary context and implies that Whitman actively promoted and exclusively focused on the sale of pornography, which is not accurate. Therefore, the statement is misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a web-only video ad, Steve Poizner essentially accused his opponent Meg Whitman of peddling smut. The ad says that as the CEO of eBay, \"Whitman started a separate division that only sells porn.\"","The video ad says that as the CEO of eBay, \"Whitman started a separate division that only sells porn.\" It's true that Whitman created a separate division for eBay that sells porn, but as we noted earlier, it wasn't a case of Whitman introducing a new product line, but rather making a good faith effort to limit those online auctions to adults. That's a big difference. It also renders the video's image of a teenage boy on a laptop ironic. Could Whitman have put her foot down and prohibited the auction of any adult material on eBay? Perhaps. But the way the issue is presented in this ad is awfully misleading. We rate it Half True.","\"When Meg Whitman joined eBay, the company sold everything, from guns to 'genuine' paintings by famous artists for five bucks to hardcore pornography. Whitman cleaned up the site. No more guns. No more fake paintings. But pornography? Whitman started a separate division that only sells porn. Under Whitman's leadership, the porn site became one of the largest on the Internet.\"","It's true that Whitman created a separate division for eBay that sells porn, but it wasn't a case of Whitman introducing a new product line. Rather, it was a good faith effort to limit the online auction of adult material to adults by requiring registration and credit card verification. That's a big difference. And we rated Poizner's claim Half True."]},{"id":"12230.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If the mayor were really serious about supporting Phillys schoolchildren and handling our citys looming fiscal crisis, he could begin by slashing the size of his own administration, which is already 45 percent larger than his predecessors and 40 percent more costly.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the mayor could address the issues of supporting schoolchildren and handling the city's fiscal crisis by reducing the size and cost of his own administration. The evidence provided indicates that the mayor's administration is indeed larger and more costly compared to his predecessor. While this may not directly address the specific issues mentioned, reducing the size and cost of the administration could potentially free up resources that could be allocated towards supporting schoolchildren and addressing the fiscal crisis. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive solution to the mentioned issues and other factors should also be considered in addressing them.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["If the mayor were really serious about supporting Philly's schoolchildren and handling our city's looming fiscal crisis, he could begin by slashing the size of his own administration, which is already 45 percent larger than his predecessor's and 40 percent more costly.","\"Pennsylvania has lost 35 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001\" and \"Harrisburg has lost 40 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001.\"","\"More people were killed by terrorists in 2015 than in any other year ever, after an 80 percent increase from 2014.\"","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush."]},{"id":"3274.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"75 percent of the jobs created in the state of Ohio are created in small business. They are not created by huge corporations and those who are very wealthy.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Batchelder that 75 percent of the jobs created in Ohio are created in small businesses is supported by the information provided. While specific data from the federal government or the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) was not available to verify the exact figure, researchers at the BLS confirmed that Batchelder's statement is essentially correct. They noted that the majority of employers in Ohio are classified as small businesses, and therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that a significant portion of job creation in the state comes from small businesses. However, it is important to consider additional factors such as the relative population size and job creation rankings to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Ohio's job market.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Seventy-five percent of the jobs created in the state of Ohio are created in small business. They are not created by huge corporations and those who are very wealthy,\" Batchelder said.","Benjamin Johnson of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services had data from the federal government on the most recent statewide breakdown, by county, of the total number of workers employed in Ohio, but could not provide specific information to verify Batchelder\u2019s claim that \"75 percent of the jobs created in the state of Ohio are created in small business.\"","And the BLS told us they didn\u2019t track that data, either. But researchers there made a point of saying they were sure Batchelder\u2019s statement was essentially correct. As one pointed out: 99 out of 100 employers are classified as small businesses, so saying 75 percent of all new jobs in Ohio are created by small businesses is hardly different than saying ALL businesses create ALL jobs.","When you hold steady for the relative population size of a state by looking at the new jobs created as a percentage of the state's workforce population, Ohio drops precipitously down the job creation ranks."]},{"id":"3780.json","label":"true","statement":"No other Northeastern state has passed a photo ID law","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that no other Northeastern state has passed a photo ID law. Both the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Pew Center on the States confirm that there are no other Northeastern states with such a requirement. Additionally, the information about Rhode Island's proposed law and the mention of North Carolina's law further support the claim that photo ID laws are not common in the Northeastern states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In opposing the bill, the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union stated in a news release, \"No other Northeastern state has passed a photo ID law.\"","\"As far as I know there is no Northeastern state that has photo ID as a requirement,\" agreed Sean Greene, manager of research for the Pew Center on the States, which tracks voter ID legislation.","Rhode Island\u2019s proposed law (passed by the Senate, but held for more study in the House) would go into effect in stages. Beginning in 2012, voters would have to show a college ID, driver\u2019s license, passport or other government issued card. IDs without a photo, such as a Social Security or Medicare card, would be accepted, but only until 2014.","The Tar Heel state\u2019s law would require voters to show a photo ID at the polls, but it gives voters several options for compliance."]},{"id":"3145.json","label":"false","statement":"Says government is a barrier to innovation and development.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement that the government is a barrier to innovation and development. The first two pieces of evidence mention a confidential agreement between Moderna and the U.S. government, but they do not provide any information about the government being a barrier to innovation. The third piece of evidence refers to a quote on the Department of Justice's website, but it does not establish a connection between the quote and the government being a barrier to innovation. The fourth piece of evidence mentions a \"new benefit\" that provides relief to Americans, but it does not provide any information about the government being a barrier to development. Therefore, the evidence does not support the statement made.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This is 153 pages of the confidential agreement between Moderna and the U.S. government and it goes back to 2015,\" Beck says.","The Conversation, \"Why Moderna won\u2019t share rights to the COVID-19 vaccine with the government that paid for its development,\" Nov. 18, 2021. Accessed Dec. 7, 2021.","Says a quote at the top of the redesigned website for the Department of Justice comes from a socialist who wanted to impose global common law.","The May 19 video says, \"Americans can get up to $50k in relief\" from a \"new benefit that just got released last week.\""]},{"id":"9659.json","label":"false","statement":"We have a 40 to 50 percent dropout rate in our inner-city schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Patrick regarding a 40 to 50 percent dropout rate in inner-city schools is not supported by accurate data. When asked to provide evidence to support his claim, Patrick failed to account for all the inner-city high schools in the state and relied on a subset of schools that did not have dropout rates as high as he stated. The official 2012 dropout rates for the schools he mentioned ranged from 5 percent to 27 percent, which is significantly lower than the claimed 40 to 50 percent. The higher percentages mentioned by Patrick were based on assumptions and not supported by accepted state and federal measurements. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and does not reflect the actual dropout rates in inner-city schools.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Addressing his party\u2019s June 2014 state convention, Patrick continued: \"I\u2019m going to go into Democratic strongholds and I\u2019m going to tell them about school choice and educational opportunities, because we have a 40 to 50 percent dropout rate in our inner-city schools, and that cannot stand, for those families and for our state.\"","Asked to back up his statement, Patrick failed to account for all the state\u2019s inner-city high schools and the handful of schools he singled out had official 2012 dropout rates of 5 percent to 27 percent, far short of 40 percent or more. His proclaimed figures depend on assuming schools hide dropouts by misrepresenting them as leaving for private school or for schooling outside Texas.","Summing up: By Patrick\u2019s approach, the dropout rates for his subset of 11 inner-city schools ranged from nearly 41 percent to 53 percent. By the accepted state and federal gauge, the rates ranged from 5 percent to 27 percent.","Asked how Patrick reached his percentages, Patrick\u2019s campaign manager, Logan Spence, said by email Patrick looked at graduation rates for selected high schools in the Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth school districts. Spence listed 11 high schools in those districts that he described as having graduation rates ranging from nearly 60 percent down to 47 percent, implying dropout rates of more than 40 percent to 53 percent. Spence said Patrick\u2019s numbers were based on raw data for the class of 2012 posted on TEA web pages for each school."]},{"id":"7592.json","label":"true","statement":"It is legal in Ohio to fire an employee or evict a tenant just for being gay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Currently, in Ohio, there are no statewide laws explicitly prohibiting employment or housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This means that it is legal to fire an employee or evict a tenant solely for being gay. While efforts have been made to pass legislation to provide legal protection against such discrimination, these efforts have not been successful thus far.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Did you know,\" the email asked, \"it is legal in Ohio to fire an employee or evict a tenant just for being gay?\"","On the Truth-O-Meter, the statement that it is legal in Ohio to fire an employee or evict a tenant for being gay rates as True.","Executive director Brian Rothenberg said the failure of state legislation prohibiting employment and housing discrimination left gay people without legal protection in those areas.","For a bogus claim that\u2019s been circulating at least 13 years, and for anyone who still spreads it, we\u2019ll break out the matches. Pants on Fire!"]},{"id":"10632.json","label":"true","statement":"Uber and other ride-share firms are not required to carry auto insurance under Georgia law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to Georgia law, there is no specific requirement for ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft to carry auto insurance related to their business activities. However, it's important to note that while the companies themselves may not be required to carry insurance, the independent contractors who drive for these services are still required to have personal insurance for their vehicles. Additionally, insurance companies are working on developing policy options that would allow individuals to add ride-share coverage to their private insurance, but as of now, these policies are not yet available in Georgia.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Under Georgia law, there is no requirement for these companies to carry insurance related to their business activities,\" Golick, the chairman of the House Non-Civil Judicial Committee who works in the private sector as a regional attorney for Allstate Insurance company, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.","Put simply, your personal auto insurance won\u2019t cover an incident when you\u2019re driving for Uber or Lyft, whether when picking folks up or tooling around looking for fares.","The independent contractors who drive their own cars for the services are of course required to have personal insurance for their vehicles.","At the same time, insurance companies are developing policy options that would allow individuals to add on ride-share coverage to their private insurance. Those policies are not yet available in Georgia."]},{"id":"11884.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton believes that all abortions should be legal, even on the due date of that unborn child.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Hillary Clinton does not believe that all abortions should be legal, even on the due date of the unborn child. She has expressed support for restrictions on late-term abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, and when the mother's life and health are in danger. This has been confirmed by fact-checking organizations such as PolitiFact, which rated the claim as false. It is important to accurately represent the positions of political figures to maintain an informed and truthful discussion.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Why doesn\u2019t the media ask Hillary Clinton why she believes that all abortions should be legal, even on the due date of that unborn child,\" he said during the Feb. 6 Republican debate in New Hampshire.","PolitiFact National rated False a claim that Clinton \"believes that all abortions should be legal, even on the due date of that unborn child.\" That ruling noted Clinton had said she supports restrictions on late-term abortions except in cases of rape, incest and when the mother\u2019s life and health are in danger--which wasn't the same thing as unequivocally supporting abortions \"even on the due date.\"","Clinton does not believe that all abortion should be legal. Instead, she\u2019s said she supports restrictions on late-term abortions except in cases of rape, incest and when the mother\u2019s life and health are in danger. That\u2019s not the same thing as unequivocally supporting abortions \"even on the due date\" of the child. Such an abortion would be a purely hypothetical scenario; doctors said such a procedure doesn't make sense medically.","Truth-O-Meter articles, \"Marco Rubio says Hillary Clinton supports abortions 'even on the due date,'\" PolitiFact, Feb. 10, 2016; \"Ohio Right to Life's faulty claims on Ted Strickland, abortion,\" PolitiFact Ohio, Aug. 12, 2016"]},{"id":"8707.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 2007 David Jolly has given almost $30,000 to keep Democrats in Congress!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in a campaign mailer by Kathleen Peters, stating that David Jolly has given nearly $30,000 to support Democrats in Congress. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as \"Mostly True\" by PolitiFact Florida. However, it's important to note that the mailer does not mention Jolly's contributions to Republicans, which were reportedly even higher. Therefore, while the statement is accurate, it lacks the full context of Jolly's political contributions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a mailer sent to voters, Peters\u2019 campaign declares, \"Since 2007, David Jolly has given almost $30,000 to keep Democrats in Congress!\" It then adds \"(But not a dime to Congressman Bill Young)\" before launching into a number of bullet points about how Jolly has supported his rival party.","PolitiFact Florida, \" David Jolly gave 'almost $30,000 to keep Democrats in Congress' as a lobbyist, Kathleen Peters says,\" Dec. 27, 2014","Peters very quickly brought up Jolly\u2019s past as a Washington lobbyist, pointing out he had \"given almost $30,000 to keep Democrats in Congress\" in a campaign mailer to voters. That was Mostly True, as Jolly had spent a few years working with multiple congressional politicians, but the flier doesn\u2019t mention he had given even more to Republicans.","Her mailer says, \"In the past three election cycles, Washington Lobbyist David Jolly has made nearly $30,000 in personal contributions to the campaigns of Democrats in Congress -- liberals who have forced Obamacare on America and have fought responsible Republican policies.\""]},{"id":"8497.json","label":"false","statement":"Passage of a referendum on an aquarium for Clearwater means NO future funding for our neighborhoods.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on speculation and lacks factual evidence. There is no proof that the approval of the referendum, which only authorizes the city to negotiate a lease for an aquarium, will result in no future funding for Clearwater neighborhoods. The claim is unfounded and relies on assumptions rather than concrete information. It is important to note that future funding decisions for neighborhoods and downtown improvements are not determined solely by the outcome of this referendum. Label: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Florida decided to fact-check the claim that if the referendum passes, there will be no future funding for Clearwater neighborhoods.","There is no proof that approval of Tuesday\u2019s referendum \u2014 which would only authorize the city to negotiate a lease and doesn\u2019t ensure construction of the aquarium \u2014 will mean no future funding for Clearwater neighborhoods. The opponents\u2019 statement is based on speculation, with no foundation in fact.","What about the aquarium\u2019s potential use of property taxes raised in the downtown CRA? Would that mean \"No future funding for our neighborhoods\"?","No one, including referendum opponents, has a crystal ball to predict what the city will spend in future years for neighborhood projects or for downtown improvements."]},{"id":"8499.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Health insurance is more expensive in Massachusetts than anywhere else in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Massachusetts does have higher health insurance premiums compared to most other states. While there may be some variations in specific measures, overall, the data supports the claim that health insurance in Massachusetts is more expensive than in many other states. However, it's important to note that there may be some states, like Alaska, that have higher premiums in certain cases. Therefore, while Massachusetts generally has higher costs, it is not accurate to say that it is the most expensive state for health insurance in every single measure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Massachusetts approach \"teaches some important lessons some states are not going to want to follow,\" Romney said. \"One lesson is health insurance is more expensive in Massachusetts than anywhere else in the country. Now, that\u2019s something that Texas and Minnesota and Montana are not going to necessarily want to adopt.\"","Romney said, \"health insurance is more expensive in Massachusetts than anywhere else in the country.\" The numbers show he\u2019s basically correct that Massachusetts does have higher premiums than almost every other state. On some measures, though, Alaska outranks Massachusetts. The statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information, so we rate it Mostly True.","On the Jan. 31, 2010, edition of ABC's This Week , host Barbara Walters asked Brown about his vote on the Massachusetts plan. \"Why isn't what's good for Massachusetts good for the whole country?\" she asked.","\u2022 Individual mandate to buy health insurance. Everyone in Massachusetts must purchase health insurance or else pay a penalty; the same goes for the Senate plan, though the penalty structures vary between the two."]},{"id":"12324.json","label":"true","statement":"In two years, Gov. McAuliffe has vetoed more bills that the previous three governors issued in each of their four-year terms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Governor McAuliffe has indeed vetoed more bills in his two-year term than the previous three governors did in each of their four-year terms. The records show that McAuliffe vetoed a total of 58 bills in the past two years, while the previous three governors issued fewer vetoes during their entire four-year terms. This information is supported by the legislative database and confirms the claim made by Cox, the House majority leader.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Cox said, \"In two years, Gov. McAuliffe has vetoed more bills than the previous three governors issued in each of their four-year terms.\" The record bears him out.","\"In two years, Gov. McAuliffe has vetoed more bills than the previous three governors issued in each of their four-year terms,\" Cox, the House majority leader, said during an April 20 floor speech when the General Assembly met to consider the Democratic governor\u2019s vetoes of bills that lawmakers passed this year.","The records show that McAuliffe vetoed 32 bills this year and 26 in 2015. That comes to 58 in the past two years. Here are the four-year totals of each of the three previous governors:","The two governors immediately beyond that threshold, Republicans Jim Gilmore and George Allen, issued 90 and 84 vetoes, respectively, during their four-year terms. The legislative database doesn\u2019t go back further."]},{"id":"349.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Everything I have said (on the campaign trail) has been factually accurate.\"","reason":"Reason: It is highly unlikely that everything said on the campaign trail by any candidate would be factually accurate. Political campaigns often involve a range of statements, claims, and promises, and it is common for candidates to make subjective statements, express opinions, or make promises that may not align with objective facts. It is important to critically evaluate the statements made by candidates and assess their accuracy based on available evidence and independent fact-checking.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1086.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Only about 6.8 percent of the (stimulus) money has actually been spent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Kyl that only about 6.8 percent of the stimulus money had been spent at the time. However, it's important to note that this figure was slightly outdated, as the actual amount spent by that time was around 7.7 percent. Nonetheless, the statement captures the general sentiment that a relatively small portion of the stimulus money had been utilized at that point. It is worth considering that the effectiveness and impact of the stimulus package should not solely be measured by the percentage of money spent, but also by the outcomes and results achieved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The reality is (the stimulus) hasn't helped yet,\" Kyl told Stephanopoulos. \"Only about 6.8 percent of the money has actually been spent.\"","As of July 3, $60.4 billion in stimulus money had been spent, according to the chart. If you divide this by the full stimulus amount of $787 billion, you get 7.7 percent \u2014 a bit higher than Kyl's 6.8 percent, but in the ballpark. It appears that Kyl was a few weeks out of date in his statistics. The figure spent by June 19 was 6.7 percent; in the subsequent two weeks of reported data, the government shelled out an additional $7.5 billion, boosting the percentage slightly.","One of the most common Republican attack lines against President Barack Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus package has been that the money isn't flowing to the nation's economy quickly enough. If the bill's supporters really wanted to help the economy quickly, the argument goes, they should have spent the stimulus money right away rather than using it on projects that will take more time to get up and running.","Despite touting the economic stimulus as a great triumph, \"The very same report, however, notes that unemployment will average 10 percent for the rest of the year.\""]},{"id":"13188.json","label":"false","statement":"10 cents on thedollar from the Clinton Foundation goes to charitable causes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that only 10 cents on the dollar from the Clinton Foundation goes to charitable causes is misleading. While it is true that a small fraction of the foundation's resources goes towards grants, the majority of its expenses are directed towards services provided directly by the foundation. The claim that only 15 percent of the money donated to the Clinton Foundation went to actual charitable causes is also inaccurate. The Federalist article cited in the evidence has been widely criticized for its flawed methodology and misrepresentation of the foundation's financial practices. It is important to consider multiple sources and reliable information when assessing the charitable activities of an organization.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Pence said 10 cents on every dollar from the Clinton Foundation goes to charitable causes. While it\u2019s true that the foundation gives away in grants a small fraction of its resources, about 87 percent of its expenses go toward services it provides directly.","But that doesn\u2019t mean everything else is overhead, people who monitor charities and their practices say, or that only 10 cents of every dollar went to a charitable cause.","\"The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation -- 99 percent pass-through. The Clinton Family Foundation pass-through is 15 percent. The Federalist reports only 15 percent of the money donated to the Clinton Family Foundation went to actual charitable causes. The bulk of the money donated to the Clinton Family Foundation went to travel, salaries, and benefits. Sixty percent of all the money raised went to other expenses. In other words, folks, 85 percent of every dollar donated to the Clinton Foundation ended up either with the Clintons or with their staff to pay for travel, salaries, and benefits. Fifteen cents of every dollar actually went to some charitable beneficiary.\"","The Federalist, \" In 2013, The Clinton Foundation Only Spent 10 Percent Of Its Budget On Charitable Grants,\" April 27, 2015"]},{"id":"8270.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Newark is now home to one-third of all commercial and multi-family development.","reason":"Reason: While Newark does account for a significant portion of residential and commercial real estate growth in terms of square footage, it only represents a small percentage when considering building permits and the value of new construction. Based on the available data, Newark's share of building permits and the value of new construction is much lower than one-third. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and should be categorized as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Newark is \"now home to one-third of all commercial and multi-family development,\" said Booker, whose challenger in the Oct. 16 special election is Republican Steve Lonegan, a former mayor of Bogota.","Data from a real estate development firm compiling statistics for Booker showed that in terms of square footage, Newark accounted for 35 percent \u2013 or a bit more than a third -- of the residential and commercial real estate growth last year in New Jersey. So he\u2019s right on that point. But in terms of building permits and value of new construction, Newark can claim just 3 percent of that total. Given that point, the ruling is Half True.","So based strictly on square footage, Booker is correct that Newark represents 30 percent of the real estate development going on statewide.","Editor\u2019s Note: On March 14, 2013, PolitiFact New Jersey rated asMostly True a statement by Newark Mayor Cory Booker that \"More than 30 percent of all commercial and multifamily development in the entire state is happening in Newark.\" We based that ruling on building permit and square footage data provided by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, a real-estate development firm that compiled numbers for the Booker administration and experts in the real-estate development industry. Booker, now a candidate in an Oct. 16 special election for the late Frank Lautenberg\u2019s U.S. Senate seat, made the claim again in a form e-mail campaign letter distributed last week. In reanalyzing the claim, we realized that our first ruling didn\u2019t take fully into account how Newark compares statewide in terms of building permits and value of new construction. This fact-check adds that analysis and consequently changes the ruling to Half True."]},{"id":"2299.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have 50 state lobbyists that just lobby the Legislature for money every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rick Scott that there are 50 state lobbyists in Florida who solely focus on lobbying the Legislature for money every year. The fact check confirms that there are indeed at least 50 state employees whose primary responsibility is to lobby the state Legislature. However, it is important to note that these lobbyists do more than just lobby for money, as they also advocate for policy and other matters. So while the statement is generally accurate, it lacks some nuance regarding the full scope of the lobbyists' responsibilities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We were intrigued by Scott's specific example of government excess -- his claim about the 50 state lobbyists who \"just lobby the Legislature for money every year.\"","Which brings us back to Scott's claim. In a national television interview, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott said that Florida has \"50 state lobbyists that just lobby the Legislature for money every year.\" There are more than 200 state employees registered as lobbyists in Tallahassee to advocate either for policy or money. And there are at least 50 of them whose primary job is work with the Legislature. But they do more than lobby just for money as Scott suggested. We rate his statement Mostly True.","\"No,\" replied Scott. \"We have a $70 billion budget. We're not going back and looking at how we spend everything. And for example, we have 50 state lobbyists that just lobby the Legislature for money every year. That's not what state governments ought to be doing.\"","Scott's number is credible. There are at least 50 state employees whose primary responsibility is to lobby the state Legislature. But Scott also said that they \"just lobby\" for money."]},{"id":"7472.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Atlanta, since 1994 when the Seven Deadly Sins (mandatory minimum sentences) took effect, the violent crime rate has dropped 62 percent.","reason":"Reason: It is true that in Atlanta, since the implementation of the \"Seven Deadly Sins\" mandatory minimum sentences in 1994, the violent crime rate has indeed dropped by 62 percent. This claim is supported by FBI data and has been acknowledged by experts. However, it is important to note that while there is a correlation between the implementation of mandatory minimum sentences and the decrease in crime rates, it is challenging to establish a direct causal relationship. Criminology and law experts suggest that multiple factors contribute to changes in crime rates, and it is difficult to attribute the entire decrease solely to mandatory minimum sentencing.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In Atlanta, since 1994 when the \u2018Seven Deadly Sins\u2019 (mandatory minimum sentences) took effect, the violent crime rate has dropped 62 percent.\"","\"In Atlanta, since 1994 when the \u2018Seven Deadly Sins\u2019 took effect, the violent crime rate has dropped 62 percent,\" Howard said last month in an article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.","FBI data support his claim. The violent crime rate from 1994 to 2010 did indeed drop 62 percent; and through 2011, the decrease in the violent crime rate was about 60 percent. On just the numbers, Howard is correct. But criminology and law experts say it is almost impossible to tie the decrease directly to this one issue of mandatory minimum sentencing.","The Fulton district attorney supports strict mandatory minimum sentencing. One of his arguments is the notable 62 percent decrease in violent crimes in the two decades since the sentences have been in place."]},{"id":"4521.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Because of Jim Whelan, the 1990s are the only decade since the 1920s when the population of Atlantic City actually went up.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jim Whelan that during his tenure as mayor of Atlantic City from 1990 to 2001, the city experienced population growth in the 1990s, which was the only decade since the 1920s when the population of Atlantic City increased. However, it's important to note that attributing this population growth solely to Jim Whelan is an oversimplification. Various factors contribute to population growth in a city, and it is likely influenced by a combination of economic, social, and demographic factors beyond the control of any single individual. While Whelan may have played a role in the city's growth, it is not accurate to attribute it solely to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a Sept. 15 debate against his Republican opponent, Assemblyman Vince Polistina, Whelan said the following about his record: \"John Adams told us years ago facts are stubborn things. Here are some facts. The 1990s are the only decade since the 1920s when the population of Atlantic City actually went up.\"","( - Former Atlantic City Mayor Jim Whelan says his record includes the first decade of population growth since the 1920s&url=)","So, Whelan is correct that his tenure included the only decade of population growth since the 1920s -- but how much did he have to do with that?","Seeking re-election to his State Senate seat, Whelan, a Democrat, has pointed to Atlantic City\u2019s population growth during the 1990s as one of his achievements as city mayor. Whelan served as mayor from 1990 to 2001."]},{"id":"6170.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says TriMets own analysis shows that YouthPass does not actually add to the transit agencys costs.","reason":"Reason: According to TriMet's own analysis, the implementation of the YouthPass program does not result in additional costs for the transit agency in terms of requiring more buses, MAX trips, additional routes, or drivers. However, it is important to note that the program does have an impact on TriMet's revenue as it foregoes potential fare money from students. While the program itself does not directly add to operating costs, it does have financial implications for the agency in terms of lost revenue. Therefore, the statement is accurate in terms of operating costs but lacks the additional information regarding the impact on revenue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In fact, TriMet's own analysis shows that YouthPass does not actually add to the transit agency's costs. No new buses, MAX trips, additional routes or drivers are needed to accommodate YouthPass riders,\" he said.","The YouthPass program is a big deal to Adams, who says transit access is critical to keeping teenagers in school and connected. In a statement released Tuesday, the mayor argued that providing passes for roughly 13,000 Portland Public Schools high school students doesn\u2019t add to the transit agency\u2019s operating costs.","The mayor\u2019s statement is accurate. But we think it needs additional information. Providing free student passes will not add to TriMet\u2019s operating costs in the form of more drivers or bus routes, but it will deprive the transit agency of revenue once provided by other public agencies.","But the analysis also shows that TriMet loses out on a potential $1.9 million in fare money from students in 2012-13. And that\u2019s based on a monthly pass price tag of $27, wrote TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch in an email. The price is scheduled to increase to $30 a month in September."]},{"id":"618.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"John McCain offers \"billions in tax breaks for oil and drug companies, but almost nothing for families like yours.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that John McCain offers \"billions in tax breaks for oil and drug companies, but almost nothing for families like yours.\" However, it's important to note that the fact check reveals some inaccuracies in both halves of the claim. While McCain does propose tax cuts for oil and drug companies as part of a broader corporate tax reduction, it is not accurate to say that he offers \"almost nothing\" for families. McCain does propose increasing the tax exemption for dependents, which would benefit families with children or other dependents. Therefore, the statement is rated as \"Barely True\" due to the inaccuracies in both parts of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In this instance, we'll look at whether McCain offers \"billions in tax breaks for oil and drug companies, but almost nothing for families like yours.\"","\"The lobbyists \u2013 running his low road campaign,\" the ad says. \"The money \u2013 billions in tax breaks for oil and drug companies, but almost nothing for families like yours.\"","His tax cuts for oil and drug companies, though, are part of an across-the-board reduction of corporate taxes that McCain says will make the United States more competitive with countries around the world. When we look at Obama's overall statement -- billions in tax breaks for oil and drug companies, but almost nothing for \"families like yours\" -- we find accuracy problems on both halves of the claim. (The tax breaks aren't just for oil and drug companies, and McCain does offer some tax breaks for families.) Putting the statements together like that only makes it worse, leading us to rate his statement Barely True.","\u2022 On McCain's tax breaks: In a television ad, Obama says that McCain offers \"billions in tax breaks for oil and drug companies, but almost nothing for families like yours.\" McCain's tax cuts for oil and drug companies, though, are part of an across-the-board reduction of corporate taxes that McCain says will make the United States more competitive with countries around the world. And McCain proposes increasing the tax exemption for dependents (usually children) from $3,500 to $7,000. So he does offer some tax cuts for families that include children or other dependents. We rate this statement Barely True."]},{"id":"13528.json","label":"true","statement":"We adopted the modern Social Security system at a time when the average person died before they were old enough to get Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gingrich is accurate. During the time when the modern Social Security system was adopted, the average life expectancy was indeed lower than the age at which individuals became eligible to receive Social Security benefits. The evidence provided confirms that the life expectancy for a person born in 1935 was under 62 years, while the eligibility age for Social Security benefits is between 65 and 67. This supports Gingrich's claim that the average person died before reaching the age to receive Social Security benefits.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Gingrich said, \"We adopted the modern Social Security system at a time when the average person died before they were old enough to get Social Security.\"","\"We adopted the modern Social Security system at a time when the average person died before they were old enough to get Social Security,\" he said during a Dec. 2 interview on \"The John Fredericks Show,\" broadcast in Virginia.","More than 3.5 million Floridians receive Social Security benefits, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration. To be eligible to receive full benefits, a person must be between 65 and 67 (depending on what year they were born), be disabled, be a survivor of a worker who died, or be a dependent of Social Security beneficiaries.","U.S. life expectancy for a person born in 1935 was just under 62 years, according to records from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, girls were expected to live to 64 and boys to 60."]},{"id":"5871.json","label":"true","statement":"We are coming up on our 40th anniversary of electing a Republican to the United States Senate. 1972 was the last time New Jersey sent a Republican to the United States Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Chris Christie's claim that New Jersey has not elected a Republican to the United States Senate since 1972. The evidence provided confirms that no Republican candidate has been elected to the Senate from New Jersey since that time. While there was a brief period when a Republican from New Jersey served in the Senate in 1982, it was through appointment rather than election. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Christie said: \"We are coming up on our 40th anniversary of electing a Republican to the United States Senate. 1972 was the last time New Jersey sent a Republican to the United States Senate.\"","\"We are coming up on our 40th anniversary of electing a Republican to the United States Senate. 1972 was the last time New Jersey sent a Republican to the United States Senate,\" Christie said in a May 4 speech at an event held by the libertarian Cato Institute.","That\u2019s because Richard Nixon was gearing up for a second term in the White House the last time New Jersey voters sent a GOP candidate to the U.S. Senate, according to Gov. Chris Christie.","Since then, New Jersey voters have not elected another GOP candidate to the Senate. And though a Republican from New Jersey briefly served in the Senate in 1982, he was appointed, not elected."]},{"id":"2116.json","label":"false","statement":"Attorney General Eric Holder is involved in the dismissal of the criminal charges against the New Black Panther Party for voter intimidation","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Fox News host Bill O'Reilly and other pundits have claimed that Attorney General Eric Holder was involved in the dismissal of criminal charges against the New Black Panther Party for voter intimidation, this assertion has been debunked. The reality is that the decision to dismiss the charges was made before Obama took office. The Department of Justice, under Holder's leadership, did pursue a civil case against the New Black Panther Party, but the criminal charges were not dropped by Holder or under his direction. Therefore, there is no evidence to support the claim that Holder was involved in the dismissal of the criminal charges.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If it were just about the Panthers, the story would be meaningless,\" O'Reilly wrote. \"But because Attorney General Eric Holder is involved in the dismissal of the criminal charges, the situation takes on some importance.\"","Fox News host Bill O\u2019Reilly argued in 2010 that Holder was to blame when criminal charges were not brought against the New Black Panther Party on voter intimidation. The reality is that criminal charges were ruled out before Obama took office. We rated O\u2019Reilly\u2019s statement False.","For several weeks, Fox News pundits have been hammering the Obama administration for its handling of the New Black Panther Party voter intimidation case.","In order to have violated the statute in question, the New Black Panther Party (which is not affiliated with the original Black Panther Party) would have had to \"direct a campaign of intimidation,\" and Perez noted that while the organization had posted a notice that 300 members of the party would be deployed at polling places on election day, the Philadelphia location where King Samir Shabazz was stationed was the only one where an incident occurred. Perez further noted that the group posted a message on its website -- prior to the civil action being filed -- which stated, \"Specifically, in the case of Philadelphia, the New Black Panther Party wishes to express that the actions of people purported to be members do not represent the official views of the New Black Panther Party and are not connected nor in keeping with our official position as a party.\""]},{"id":"13122.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Richmond, Va., theres more moving vans coming in than going out.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Census Bureau and the Weldon Cooper Center, which indicate that Richmond, Virginia, has been experiencing a net influx of people, with more individuals moving into the city than leaving. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the reasons behind this trend or the specific demographics of those moving in and out of the city. Additionally, the evidence suggests that population growth in Richmond is also influenced by factors such as births exceeding deaths. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it lacks some contextual details.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We were curious about the last of Berry\u2019s proclamations - that there are \"more moving vans coming in than going out\" of the city.","The Internal Revenue Service also tracks how many people are going into and coming out of counties and cities across the U.S., based on tax returns filed with the IRS each year.","Figures from the Census Bureau and the Weldon Cooper Center back Berry\u2019s claim that Richmond has been seeing more people moving into the city than leaving. Figures from the IRS come to a different conclusion, but there\u2019s a question over whether they are reliable when tracking Richmond\u2019s moving patterns.","Still, these figures include a rising population driven not just by people moving into Richmond but also births in the city. From April 2010 to mid-2015, there were 5,448 more births than deaths in the city; that accounted for about 40 percent of Richmond\u2019s population growth during that time."]},{"id":"4019.json","label":"false","statement":"Gov. Chris Christie owes the state money for amenities like extra Gorgonzola cheese for his staff on these trips.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a press release from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, which claimed that Governor Chris Christie owed the state money for \"extra Gorgonzola cheese for his staff on these trips.\" However, it is important to note that a Democratic spokesman later clarified that the statement was inaccurate. State regulations actually support reimbursement for meals, including the cost of amenities like Gorgonzola cheese, if they are within the guidelines. Therefore, there is no evidence to support the claim that Governor Christie owes the state money specifically for amenities like extra Gorgonzola cheese.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Previous public records requests have yielded a significant number of blacked out pages with redactions,\" according to the June 2 press release. \"However, these documents do show that the Governor continues to owe thousands of dollars to the state for his travel, as well as for amenities like extra Gorgonzola cheese for his staff on these trips.\"","The New Jersey Democratic State Committee said in a press release that Christie owed the state money for \"extra Gorgonzola cheese for his staff on these trips.\" A Democratic spokesman told us that statement was inaccurate, and state regulations support reimbursement for those meals.","If New Jersey voters thought Gov. Chris Christie\u2019s helicopter rides to his son\u2019s baseball games were inappropriate, Democrats have another example of personal spending on the public dime -- Gorgonzola cheese.","The only way to make New Jersey a more affordable place to live is to have government spend less money, according to Gov. Chris Christie."]},{"id":"6524.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Paul Ryans Medicare plan could raise future retirees costs more than $6,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Obama ad regarding Paul Ryan's Medicare plan. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests that the claim is based on a previous version of Ryan's plan, and not the current one. The exact impact on future retirees' costs under the current plan is uncertain due to a lack of specific details. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to clarify that it refers to a previous version of Ryan's plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At one point, the narrator says that \"experts say (Ryan\u2019s) voucher plan could raise future retirees\u2019 costs more than $6,000.\" An on-screen visual adds the text, \"Raise seniors\u2019 costs by $6,400 a year. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 4\/8\/11.\"","The Obama ad would have been more accurate if it had specified that it was referring to a previous Ryan plan for Medicare rather than the current one. We simply don\u2019t have enough details to know how much extra money seniors might have to pay under the current Ryan plan. Still, the Obama campaign gave itself some wiggle room by saying that the plan \"could\" raise out-of-pocket costs by more than $6,000. On balance, we rate the statement Mostly True.","The Obama ad would have been more accurate if it had specified that it was referring to a previous Ryan plan for Medicare rather than the current one. We simply don\u2019t have enough details to know how much extra money seniors might have to pay under the current Ryan plan. Still, the Obama campaign gave itself some wiggle room by saying that the plan \"could\" raise out-of-pocket costs by more than $6,000. On balance, we rate the statement Half True.","The difference between $12,500 (the out-of-pocket costs under the Ryan plan in 2022) and $6,150 (the out-of-pocket costs that year under traditional Medicare) is $6,350, which is very close to $6,400."]},{"id":"9845.json","label":"false","statement":"On tax inversions, the Wall Street Journalsurprisingly attacked this tax scheme.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided indicates that the Wall Street Journal did not attack tax inversions as a \"tax scheme.\" In fact, tax experts interpreted the Wall Street Journal's editorial as criticizing the U.S. corporate tax code and viewing the Burger King deal as a sensible response to a dysfunctional tax system. Therefore, the claim that the Wall Street Journal \"surprisingly attacked\" tax inversions is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!MSNBC \"Hardball\" host Chris Matthews argued that \"surprisingly,\" the Wall Street Journal attacked inversions. !MSNBC \"Hardball\" host Chris Matthews argued that \"surprisingly,\" the Wall Street Journal attacked inversions.","Matthews said the Wall Street Journal attacked a \"tax scheme\" known as inversion. We asked many tax experts to interpret the Wall Street Journal\u2019s editorial and not a single one agreed with Matthews. They said the newspaper was criticizing the U.S. corporate tax code and if anything, it cast the Burger King deal as a sensible response to a dysfunctional tax system.","As for where the Wall Street Journal stands on inversions, Gary McGill, director of the Fisher School of Accounting at the University of Florida, said the paper\u2019s view is clear.","Matthews said this was all a \"tax avoidance tactic.\" And he told his guest his antipathy for it was shared by a most unexpected party, the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal."]},{"id":"5365.json","label":"true","statement":"You may have driven the length of a football field in the five seconds it takes to check a text.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including the claim made by Representative Greg Walden. It is widely accepted that sending or reading a text takes an average of 4.6 seconds, during which time a vehicle traveling at 55 mph would cover the distance of a football field. This analogy is used to emphasize the significant danger and potential consequences of texting while driving.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Can you drive the length of a football field in the time it takes to check a text? &url=)","\"Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field, blindfolded. It's extraordinarily dangerous.\"","\"When you take your eyes off the road for up to, just to look at a text for five seconds, you may have covered the distance of a football field,\" Walden said while shooting a commercial for the campaign.","Walden didn\u2019t specify speed in his statement, but he hedged it to say that the driver may have covered the length of a football field while texting. We find his statement True. And the message remains: Don\u2019t text and drive."]},{"id":"9493.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Central Texas river water sent to downstream rice farmers in 2011 equaled about three years worth of Austins water use.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources and reports, including statements from Greg Meszaros, the utility's director, and an email from the authority confirming that the water sent to downstream rice farmers in 2011 was approximately three times the amount of water used by Austin in 2011, 2012, and 2013. This indicates that the volume of water released to rice farmers equaled about three years' worth of Austin's water use during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Central Texas river water sent to downstream rice farmers in 2011 equaled about three years\u2019 worth of Austin\u2019s water use.","Meszaros said billions of gallons of river water released to downstream rice farmers in 2011 equaled about three years worth of Austin\u2019s water use.","A May 27, 2014, news story said: \"Massive releases of water to rice farmers downstream that greatly reduced lake levels in 2011, the single driest year in Central Texas history, didn\u2019t help either.\" The story--by StateImpact Texas, a collaboration of KUT Austin and KUHF Houston--then quoted Greg Meszaros, the utility\u2019s director, as saying: \"Comparison-wise, about three years worth of Austin\u2019s water use\" was sent to rice farmers that year.","By email, Slusher said the reports show that in 2011, the latest year the authority sent water downstream to rice farmers, the provided water was three times the amount of water used by Austin in 2011, 2012 or 2013."]},{"id":"3768.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsin is one of the few states in the country that do not currently require a photographic identification to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, most states do not require a photographic identification to vote. Wisconsin is not one of the few states without a photo ID requirement; rather, it is part of a large group of states that do not mandate photo ID for voting. The evidence clearly contradicts the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But currently Wisconsin is in a very large group of states that do not require photo ID to vote -- not \"one of the few\" who do not. Most states do not ask or mandate photo ID.","As Wisconsin was on the verge of enacting a photo ID requirement for voting, Moulton said the state was one of only a few without one. But as senators prepared to cast their final vote, most states still do not require photo ID to vote.","The definitive source for up-to-date information on state-by-state requirements for voter identification is the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures\u2019 online guide, \"Voter Identification Requirements.\"","\"We are number one in the country as far as our spending (COVID-19 relief) money on businesses as it relates to the percentage of federal funds that we receive.\""]},{"id":"13126.json","label":"false","statement":"You will learn more about Donald Trump by going down to the Federal Elections to see the financial disclosure form than by looking at tax returns.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that one can learn more about him by reviewing his financial disclosure form than by looking at his tax returns is not supported by evidence. While the financial disclosure form provides some information about a candidate's financial interests, it lacks the comprehensive details and transparency that tax returns offer. Tax returns provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's financial situation, including sources of income, charitable contributions, and potential conflicts of interest. Trump's claim does not align with the general consensus that tax returns provide a more thorough understanding of an individual's financial affairs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said, \"You will learn more about Donald Trump by going down to the Federal Elections\" to see the financial disclosure form than by looking at his returns.","\"You will learn more about Donald Trump by going down to the Federal Elections\" to see the financial disclosure form than by looking at his returns, Trump said. (Trump has cited an ongoing audit by the Internal Revenue Service as a reason he isn\u2019t releasing the returns. Hillary Clinton has released her tax returns from 2000 to 2015.)","Pressed on his refusal to follow decades of precedent and release his tax returns, Donald Trump at the first presidential debate repeated his assertion that the 92-page financial disclosure form he filed to the Federal Election Commission provides a better picture of his finances than the tax returns would.","We found little evidence to support Trump\u2019s argument that the financial disclosure allows observers to \"learn more\" than they would from a tax form."]},{"id":"7850.json","label":"true","statement":"Cuyahoga County passed a program to guarantee a college savings account for every single child who enters kindergarten in this county -- the first county in the United States to do so.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ed FitzGerald that Cuyahoga County passed a program to guarantee a college savings account for every child entering kindergarten in the county. It also correctly states that this program is the first of its kind in the United States. The evidence provided confirms FitzGerald's statement, reinforcing the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Just last night, ladies and gentlemen,\" he said, \"we passed a program to guarantee a college savings account for every single child who enters kindergarten in this county -- the first county in the United States to do so. The first one.\"","FitzGerald said that the Cuyahoga County College Savings Account Program is the first county program in the nation \"to guarantee a college savings account for every single child who enters kindergarten.\"","FitzGerald specifically said Cuyahoga County's program guarantees a college savings account \"for every single child who enters kindergarten in this county.\"","( - Ed FitzGerald says Cuyahoga County\u2019s college savings program is the first to guarantee an account for every child entering kindergarten&url=)"]},{"id":"8828.json","label":"false","statement":"Over half of the young people in medical, dental and law schools are women.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While women have made significant progress in these fields, they do not constitute a majority of enrollees in medical, dental, or law schools. According to data from reputable sources, women make up approximately 46.7 percent of enrollees in medical schools and about 46.9 percent in dental schools. In law schools, the percentage of female enrollees is also below 50 percent. Therefore, the claim that over half of the young people in these fields are women is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I've seen the women in my family and how well they're doing,\" Paul said. \"My niece is in Cornell Vet School, and 85 percent of the people in vet school right now are women. Over half of the young people in medical school and dental school are women. Law school, the same way. I think women are doing very well, and I'm proud of how well we've come and how far we've come, and I think that some of the victimology and all this other stuff is trumped up.\"","Paul said more than half of the enrollees in medical, dentistry and law schools are female. While women are close to 50 percent of enrollees in all three fields, they\u2019re not a majority in any of them. And in both law and medicine, the trendlines for female enrollment have actually fallen in recent years. We rate Paul\u2019s statement False.","Let\u2019s start with medicine. In 2013, 83,472 individuals were enrolled in medical schools across the United States, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. About 38,950 were women, or 46.7 percent. That\u2019s close to half, but not quite.","Now let\u2019s move on to dental school. As it turns out, dentistry numbers are pretty similar to medical colleges. According to an American Dental Association education survey, there were 11,613 men in dental schools in 2010-11, and 10,240 women, or about 46.9 percent of enrollees."]},{"id":"4868.json","label":"true","statement":"Its legal to sign a recall petition (against Gov. Scott Walker) even if you have already signed another recall petition, but only one signature counts","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the legal provision regarding signing multiple recall petitions. In the case of the recall petition against Gov. Scott Walker, individuals are legally allowed to sign multiple recall petitions, but only one signature will be counted. This ensures that individuals have the freedom to express their support for multiple recall efforts if they choose to do so, but it prevents any duplication or manipulation of signatures in the final count.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Two days after the launch of a campaign to recall Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker from office, a conservative group claimed it uncovered dangers in the signature gathering process.","Due to \"a flaw in the security of the system (that) has been discovered,\" Media Trackers said in the article, \"there are no privacy protections for those who sign a recall petition.\"","Says signers of recall petitions against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are at risk because of newly \"discovered\" provisions in state law.","CNBC\u2019s Becky Quick put a question to Gov. Scott Walker after recall organizers claimed that after just 12 days they had more than half the signatures needed to force an election."]},{"id":"9586.json","label":"false","statement":"I co-sponsored the Rebuild America Jobs Act for transportation and infrastructure.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. There is no mention of Senator Merkley being a co-sponsor of the Rebuild America Jobs Act. While it is mentioned that he was a vocal supporter of the act, there is no evidence to suggest that he co-sponsored it. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the information provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Merkley did deliver a floor speech promoting the supposed benefits of the failed Rebuild America Jobs Act, but nowhere does his name appear as one of the proposal\u2019s 23 co-sponsors.","The senator\u2019s position piece, she said, should have read: \"I was a vocal supporter of the Rebuild America Jobs Act to do just that.\"","The 2011 Rebuild America Jobs Act \"would have cost the average American family $1,000 a year while making no significant impact to fix our infrastructure and roads.\"","\"Sen. Merkley was a vocal supporter of the Rebuild America Jobs Act,\" O\u2019Brien wrote. \"He advocated for it on the floor of the Senate, and was proud to support because it meant more middle-class jobs for Oregonians.\""]},{"id":"4128.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a new report proves the stimulus supported by N.J. Democrats cost $278,000 per job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses the projected impact of the stimulus package on the unemployment rate and job creation, but it does not provide any information about the cost per job. Therefore, there is no basis for the claim that the stimulus cost $278,000 per job. It is important to accurately represent the information provided and avoid making unsupported claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Without the stimulus, the unemployment rate was projected to top 9 percent in early 2010, the report states. With the stimulus, the unemployment rate would peak at just under 8 percent in 2009, according to the report.","The purpose of the study was to estimate the potential effects of a stimulus program on job creation. Romer and Bernstein estimated that the recovery package would create between 3 million and 4 million jobs by the end of 2010.","Says \"10 days after Hurricane Katrina, this chamber passed two separate bills amounting to $60 billion. It has been nearly two months since we had Superstorm Sandy, and nothing has passed.\"","\"The president went on a stimulus-fueled spending binge that stuck every American man, woman and child with a $50,000 share of this $16 trillion debt.\""]},{"id":"12001.json","label":"false","statement":"The wives of the 9\/11 hijackers knew exactly what was happening and went back to Saudi Arabia two days before the attacks to watch their husbands on television flying the planes.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the wives of the 9\/11 hijackers knew about the attacks in advance and returned to Saudi Arabia to watch them on television. This statement is a baseless conspiracy theory that has been widely debunked. The 9\/11 Commission Report and other investigations have provided detailed accounts of the planning and execution of the attacks, and there is no mention of such actions by the hijackers' wives. It is important to rely on factual information and avoid spreading unfounded claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In North Carolina, Trump told his supporters \"the people, the animals that did that, they sent their wives and their families back to Saudi Arabia. Most of them went back to Saudi Arabia. Those wives knew what their husbands were going to do.\"","\"When you had the World Trade Center go, people were put into planes that were friends, family, girlfriends, and they were put into planes and they were sent back, for the most part, to Saudi Arabia,\" Trump said. \"They knew what was going on. They went home and they wanted to watch their boyfriends on television.\"","The 9\/11 terrorists' friends, family, girlfriends in the United States \"were sent back for the most part to Saudi Arabia. They knew what was going on. They went home, and they wanted to watch their boyfriends on television.\"","Trump was clearer during the December 15 GOP debate in Las Vegas when he said that friends, family, girlfriends \"were put into planes and they were sent back, for the most part, to Saudi Arabia. They knew what was going on. They went home and they wanted to watch their boyfriends on television.\""]},{"id":"13531.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi said, Employers cutting hours is a good thing. It then gives that person time to pursue their dreams and passions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The viral image and accompanying quote attributed to Nancy Pelosi are deliberately misleading and taken out of context. Pelosi did not say that employers cutting hours is a good thing. In fact, she was discussing the launch of the Affordable Care Act and how it would provide Americans with the freedom to pursue different job opportunities without fear of losing their health insurance coverage. The quote in question is a misrepresentation of her actual statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A viral image quoted Pelosi as saying, \"Employers cutting hours is a good thing. It then gives that person time to pursue their dreams and passions.\"","Conservative group Turning Point USA attacked Pelosi in a Dec. 8, 2016, Facebook post that showed her face next to a quote that read, \"Employers cutting hours is a good thing. It then gives that person time to pursue their dreams and passions.\"","So there was a discussion about employers potentially cutting hours, but at no time did Pelosi call that a good thing. What she did say was that the launch of was a good thing for Americans, because they would no longer have to stay in a certain job just to keep their insurance coverage.","Just days after winning another term as House Democratic leader, U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California was the target of a viral image that deliberately \u2014 and falsely \u2014 made it appear she said losing work shifts was a good thing for Americans."]},{"id":"10678.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Florida has a law like (Indianas Religious Freedom Restoration Act).","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Florida has a law similar to the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) signed by Bill Clinton in 1993, it is important to note that the context and specifics of the laws may differ. The statement lacks clarity in specifying which version of the RFRA is being referred to and how closely it aligns with Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It is crucial to consider the specific provisions and implications of each law to determine the extent of their similarity. Without further details, it is difficult to make a definitive comparison between the two laws.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Bill Clinton signed a law \"very similar to,\" and Barack Obama voted for a law \"something like,\" Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.","That ruling led to federal legislation -- which, like the Indiana law, is called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act -- that Clinton signed into law in 1993.","Walker said Bill Clinton signed a federal law \"very similar to,\" and Obama voted for an Illinois law \"something like,\" Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.","Florida did pass its own version of the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. But the laws and the context for their passage are different."]},{"id":"13151.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Say photographs of Hillary Clinton at the debate show what could be an earpiece.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and fact-checkers have thoroughly examined the claim that photographs of Hillary Clinton at the debate show her wearing an earpiece, and they have found no evidence to support this claim. The original photograph and other enlargements of photographs taken at the debate do not show anything resembling an earpiece or a hearing aid. The assertion that the photographs suggest the presence of an earpiece is unfounded and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Internet claims suggested that a debate photograph of Clinton showed her wearing an earpiece. Neither the original photograph presented as evidence nor other enlargements of photographs taken at the debate show anything that looks like an earpiece or a hearing aid. Pants on Fire!","The Internet had lots of questions about the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Here\u2019s one of them: Was Clinton wearing an earpiece?","\"Has Hillary Been Caught Cheating (Again)?\" asked Charisma News, a Christian political website. \"Was Hillary Wired for Trump Debate?\" asked the conservative website World Net Daily. The U.K.-based Express website summarized, \"Did Hillary Clinton wear an earpiece to CHEAT the US debate? Conspiracy theory sweeps web.\"","!Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton took center stage at the first Democratic presidential debate. (Reuters) !Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton took center stage at the first Democratic presidential debate. (Reuters)"]},{"id":"298.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama \"remains silent\" and \"is never asked how he feels about his church honoring Farrakhan.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple sources have confirmed that Barack Obama did not remain silent and was indeed asked about his church honoring Louis Farrakhan. Both a campaign spokesperson and Obama himself explicitly stated that he did not agree with the award given to Farrakhan. This information was reported by various news outlets and is supported by credible sources. Therefore, the claim that Obama remained silent and was never asked about the issue is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["An attack e-mail says the church Barack Obama attends, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, gave a lifetime award to Louis Farrakhan, and that Obama \"remained silent\" and wasn't even asked about.","Cohen said in his column that he had asked the campaign about the award and received a response from a spokesperson saying Obama did not agree with the award. The blog \"Talking Points Memo\" said it too asked Obama about Farrakhan and received the statement from Obama rejecting the award. After the statement was released, it was reported in other news outlets as well. For these reasons, we find the e-mail's claims about Obama's response to the award to be False.","We checked out the award claim and found it to be Mostly True. A magazine closely related to the church gave Farrakhan an award for lifetime achievement. For more on this, see the statement here .","UPDATE: Barack Obama resigned from Trinity United Church of Christ on May 31, 2008, after church pastor Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. made controversial remarks about U.S. foreign policy and other matters. Obama said he intends to join another church after the election."]},{"id":"13187.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When Donald Trump spoke in Phoenix, he looked the audience in the eye and he said no, were building a wall and were deporting everybody. He said, quote, they will all be gone. They will all be gone. This is one of the ones where you can go to the tape on it and see what Donald Trump has said.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Donald Trump made a statement during a speech in Phoenix regarding building a wall and deporting individuals. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of Trump's remarks, and it does not capture any subsequent clarifications or changes in his stance on immigration. To fully understand Trump's position on this issue, it is necessary to consider his statements in their entirety and within the broader context of his immigration policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["There have been 10 years since 1977 when the base level has gone up by more than that, and in some years, the increase more than doubled Trump\u2019s.","\"No, no, I didn\u2019t say that. I said ( Weekly Standard editor) Bill Kristol is a loser,\" Trump replied, then took it back. \"I didn\u2019t say everybody. Many, but I didn\u2019t say everybody.\"","But the city fire department said capacity for the ballroom where Trump spoke in 2015 was 4,200 people. The doors were closed at 4,169 attendees, said Phoenix Fire Department spokeswoman Shelly Jamison.","\"I mean, no, there weren\u2019t 15,000 people who turned out in Phoenix to see Donald Trump,\" Maddow said on July 13, 2015. \"But there were a few thousand people. That was bigger than the other Republican candidates are getting, in terms of crowd size.\""]},{"id":"124.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"John Edwards never -- has ever from the beginning of his political career has never taken PAC money or the money of Washington lobbyists. Ever.\" -Joe Trippi, senior campaign adviser","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Joe Trippi, senior campaign adviser, is not entirely accurate. While it is true that John Edwards has not accepted money from Political Action Committees (PACs), there is evidence that he did receive $2,000 in PAC money in 2004. Additionally, while the campaign claims that Edwards does not take money from Washington lobbyists, it is clarified that this only refers to federal lobbyists, not lobbyists registered elsewhere. Therefore, the statement is not completely true, as there is evidence of PAC money and a distinction regarding lobbyists. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["SUMMARY: The campaign of Sen. John Edwards boasts that he has never taken money from Washington lobbyists, but lobbyists in other venues are welcome to contribute.","The Federal Election Commission and Ritsch both vouch for the claim this year that Edwards doesn't take money from Political Action Committees. But according to the Center for Responsive Politics, Edwards did get $2,000 in PAC money in 2004. Of course, out of a total of $33-million he raised that year, what's $2,000?","That distinction is an important one to Edwards. When his campaign says Edwards accepts no lobbyist money, they mean only federal lobbyists, not lobbyists registered elsewhere.","As Trippi told Chris Matthews: \"Trial lawyers, teachers, they may hire lobbyists. But they don't lobby. The lobbyists are the people who have to register as lobbyists.\" If the claim had been even a little less absolute, a little less ironclad, we would have seen it as 'True,' given the effort the campaign makes to weed out registered lobbyists. But the best we can do is meet Edwards half-way on this one. Half-True."]},{"id":"1606.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Hospitals, doctors, MRIs, surgeries and so forth are more extensively used and far more expensive in this country than they are in many other countries.''","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that hospitals, doctors, MRIs, and surgeries are more expensive in the United States compared to many other countries. However, the claim that they are more extensively used is not entirely accurate. While the United States does have higher rates of MRI exams and surgeries, the evidence suggests that fewer Americans are admitted to hospitals and spend less time in hospitals compared to the average country. Therefore, while the cost aspect is supported, the extent of usage is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Our health care costs are very, very high because we use a lot of health treatments. Hospitals, doctors, MRIs, surgeries and so forth are more extensively used and far more expensive in this country than they are in many other countries. It's not the insurance companies that are driving our health care cost up and up. The reason their premiums are going up is because doctor bills and hospital bills and usage and so forth is also going up.''","That's a lot to check -- hospitals, doctors, MRIs, surgeries --but we were game. We found that while Romney is correct in parts of the claim, he's wrong in others.","Let's start with hospitals. According to OECD data, Romney is correct about U.S. hospitals costing more, but wrong about them being more extensively used. As a percentage of the population, fewer Americans are admitted to hospitals, and spend less time in hospitals than the average country.","It's fairly well established that the United States spends more on health care than other economically developed countries, so high costs do not come as a surprise. Romney was right about MRIs, surgery, hospitals and doctors all costing more in the United States. Regarding quantity, he was also right about higher rates of MRI exams and surgery here, but wrong about hospital usage and doctor consultations. We're rating this Mostly True."]},{"id":"3072.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The refusal of many federal employees to fly coach costs taxpayers $146 million annually.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the refusal of many federal employees to fly coach results in a cost of $146 million annually for taxpayers. While the word \"refusal\" may be too strong, the GAO's methodology and analysis support the conclusion that unnecessary spending on premium-class flights by federal employees contributes to this significant cost. Although the full context and employee motives are not explicitly addressed, the $146 million figure is based on a credible methodology and is supported by a non-partisan group like the GAO. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The example that most piqued our interest was this one: \"The refusal of many federal employees to fly coach costs taxpayers $146 million annually.\"","\u2022 The GAO's methodology doesn't delve into the question of the employee's motives when seeking a premium-class flight, so we think '\"refusal\" is too strong a word for Newsmax to use when describring how the federal employees reacted to the idea of flying coach.","When we asked Riedl about this, he said that \"the point is that taxpayers paid for $146 million in largely unnecessary spending. Whether that accounts for 1 percent, 10 percent, or 50 percent of the total federal travel budget is irrelevant to that point.\"","We do think that knowing the full context might give readers a different impression, and we believe the word \"refusal\" oversteps. But in general, the $146 million number was determined by what appears to be a credible methodology, and by a group -- the GAO -- without a partisan axe to grind. On balance, we rate the statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"2436.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida spends more than $300 million a year just on children repeating pre-K through 3rd grade.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the information provided, Florida spends close to $271 million on education for students who repeat pre-K through 3rd grade. While the exact figure may not be precisely $300 million as stated, it is still in the same range. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Florida spends more than $300 million a year just on children repeating pre-K through 3rd grade,\u2019\u2019 Sink says on her campaign website.","PolitiFact, Alex Sink: Florida spends $300 million on remedial pre-K through third grade students( \"Alex Sink: Florida spends $300 million on remedial pre-K through third grade students\"), Sept. 21, 2010","Sink campaign spokeswoman Kyra Jennings said the $300 million figure was arrived at by multiplying the number that Florida spends per public school student ($7,000) by the approximate number of students from pre-K through third grade who were held back a grade.","So back to the claim. Does Florida spend $300 million on remedial education for students held back between pre-K through third grade. The report Sink\u2019s campaign cited was not the most recent, therefore their numbers are off by a couple of million. But, with the state spending close to $271 million in education for those children held back, we rate this claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"9721.json","label":"true","statement":"Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. advised citizens to point that barrel center mass and pull the trigger because 911 is not our best option.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Greater Wisconsin Committee ad that Sheriff David Clarke advised citizens to \"point that barrel center mass and pull the trigger\" because \"911 is not our best option.\" This advice was given by Sheriff Clarke, who has advocated for citizens to arm themselves for self-defense purposes, suggesting that relying solely on calling 911 may not always be effective due to potential delays in police response. It is important to note, however, that this advice is controversial and not universally supported.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Specifically, has Clarke advised citizens to \"point that barrel center mass and pull the trigger\" because \"911 is not our best option?\"","A Greater Wisconsin Committee ad said Sheriff David Clarke advised citizens to \"point that barrel center mass and pull the trigger\" because \"911 is not our best option.\"","The other Clarke quote in the ad -- \"point the barrel center mass and pull the trigger\" -- is in fact Clarke\u2019s advice to citizens. He says a 911 call isn\u2019t always possible and by itself isn\u2019t effective because of long wait times for police.","Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr., who urges citizens to arm themselves to ward off harm, offered his own memories."]},{"id":"3627.json","label":"false","statement":"Almost 37 percent of the total income from Planned Parenthood is from abortions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Representative Renuart claimed that almost 37 percent of Planned Parenthood's total income comes from abortions, this figure is not supported by credible evidence. The estimate was created by pro-life groups and is not based on official data released by Planned Parenthood. Furthermore, even if the estimate were accurate, it would still only represent a portion of Planned Parenthood's health center revenue, not its total income. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wanted to check out Renuart's bottom line -- that almost 37 percent of the total income from Planned Parenthood comes from abortions.","Renuart didn't make that distinction in his comments during the House committee meeting. He presented his figures and claimed that \"almost 37 percent of the total income from Planned Parenthood is from abortions.\"","\"In 2008, Planned Parenthood, they put out a report, and it showed that they did 305,000 abortions and the average cost was $450,\" Renuart said (about 47 minutes into this video( \"about 47 minutes into this video\")). \"Their total income for Planned Parenthood alone was $374 million, of that $137 million was actually for abortions. So that's almost 37 percent of the total income from Planned Parenthood is from abortions. And to me, it sounds like they don't want to lose business.\"","So abortion procedures could generate 37 percent of Planned Parenthood's health center revenue -- but mind you, that's an estimate created by pro-life groups because the organization doesn't release that figure. If true, that's still only 13 percent of the total revenue generated by Planned Parenthood."]},{"id":"4611.json","label":"true","statement":"Under Governor Almond the RI DMV had a program that allowed undocumented [people to] use their Personal Tax Identification Number . . . to apply [for] and receive a RI drivers license.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that during the administration of former Governor Lincoln Almond, the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) had a program that allowed undocumented individuals to use their Personal Tax Identification Number (PTIN) to apply for and receive a Rhode Island driver's license. This indicates that there was a policy in place that allowed undocumented people to utilize their PTIN for obtaining a driver's license during Governor Almond's tenure.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Under Governor Almond the RI DMV had a program that allowed undocumented people to use their Personal Tax Identification Number . . . to apply for and receive a RI driver\u2019s license.\"","Quiroa said that under the Almond administration the DMV allowed undocumented drivers to use their taxpayer identification number from the IRS to obtain a Rhode Island driver\u2019s license.","David A. Quiroa, president of the Guatemalan-American Alliance of Rhode Island, said in an Oct. 3 news release that during the administration of former Gov. Lincoln Almond, the state Division of Motor Vehicles \"had a program that allowed undocumented families . . . to apply for and receive a Rhode Island driver\u2019s license . . . \" (While Quiroa said \"families,\" we understood him to mean individuals.)","Governor Chafee said recently that he is considering changing the state requirements so that people who are living in the country illegally can use taxpayer identification numbers to qualify for a Rhode Island driver\u2019s license."]},{"id":"3168.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Illegal aliens cost the state of Rhode Island $400 million a year.","reason":"Reason: The claim that illegal aliens cost the state of Rhode Island $400 million a year has been fact-checked and debunked. PolitiFact Rhode Island ruled this claim as \"Pants on Fire,\" indicating that it is completely false. The evidence suggests that this figure is exaggerated and not supported by credible data or analysis. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing the impact of immigration on state budgets.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["During an appearance on the Jan. 6 Helen Glover Show on WHJJ radio, Gorman stated that \"illegal aliens cost the state of Rhode Island $400 million a year.\"","Thus, the inflammatory assertion that illegal immigrants drain the state of $400 million a year -- $400 for every man, woman and child in Rhode Island -- is ridiculously high.","PolitiFact Rhode Island addressed the issue in a fact-check in January of Gorman\u2019s claim that illegal immigration costs Rhode Island $400 million a year. (We ruled Gorman\u2019s claim Pants on Fire.)","Gorman used three numbers to conclude that Rhode Island pays $7.2 million a year to keep illegal immigrants in prison. He said there were about 200 illegal immigrants incarcerated, at an annual cost of $43,000 per prisoner."]},{"id":"3304.json","label":"true","statement":"Every (Wisconsin) legislator that votes for this bill will have to give up the same amount of pay as other state employees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Fitzgerald that every legislator who votes for the bill in Wisconsin will have to give up the same amount of pay as other state employees. This claim has been verified and rated as true by fact-checkers. The bill proposed by Governor Scott Walker aimed to require state employees, including elected officials, to pay more for health and pension benefits. Therefore, the legislators would indeed be subject to the same financial impact as other state employees under the bill.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You know, we are all in this together,\" Fitzgerald said. \"Every legislator that votes for this bill as well is going to do the same for themselves. We have to give up the same amount of pay.\"","In short, Fitzgerald said the legislators who will vote on Walker's bill would have to give up the same amount of pay. Aside from the collective bargaining issues, Walker's plan would make state employees pay more for health and pension benefits. And according to the bill, elected officials would take the same hits. We rate Fitzgerald's claim True.","Facing a budget shortfall, many legislators in Wisconsin have talked about the need for shared sacrifice to justify Gov. Scott Walker's plan to require state employees to pay more for health and pension benefits.","As for health benefits, the bill doesn't specifically mention the effect on elected officials. It simply talks about changes related to anyone participating in the state's \"group insurance board coverage.\" That includes elected officials, Lang said. So elected officials also would have to pay the same share for health care as all state employees covered by the health plan. (For details, see pages 29 and 30 of the Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis( \"Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis\"))."]},{"id":"1638.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Marco Rubio controlled funds that \"out of the $600,000 that were raised, only $4,000 went to candidates to try to improve their chances to be elected to office.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Crist regarding Marco Rubio's control of funds. While Rubio did raise approximately $600,000, it is true that only $4,000 of those funds went directly to political candidates. However, it's important to note that at least half of the funds were restricted and not permitted to be used for direct contributions to candidates. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the necessary context to provide a complete understanding of the campaign finance issues involved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 Crist charged that Marco Rubio controlled funds that \"out of the $600,000 that were raised, only $4,000 went to candidates to try to improve their chances to be elected to office.\" We rated that Half True. Rubio did raise about $600,000, but at least half of those funds were restricted so that direct contributions to candidates were forbidden. Read our full report for the details on the campaign finance issues.","Here, we're ruling on Crist's statement that \"out of the $600,000 that were raised, only $4,000 went to candidates to try to improve their chances to be elected to office.\" He's right about the $4,000. But he arrives at the $600,000 number by conflating two separate funds, one of which was not permitted to give to candidate campaigns. So we rate Crist's statement Half True.","\"In fact, out of the $600,000 that were raised, only $4,000 went to candidates to try to improve their chances to be elected to office. That's not what people want. They want people who are not there to enrich themselves but who are there to enrich the lives of their fellow Floridians.\"","Rubio, the former speaker of the Florida House, controlled two separate political committees, according to the report. In December 2002, Rubio created Floridians for Conservative Leadership, which raised $228,000 in donations. At the end of 2003, he created Floridians for Conservative Leadership in Government, which raised $386,000. Of those two committees, it's true that only $4,000 went to direct contributions to political candidates."]},{"id":"1690.json","label":"true","statement":"John Paul Stevens is the only Protestant on the U.S. Supreme Court.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. At the time of the evidence provided, John Paul Stevens was indeed the only Protestant justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. This information was confirmed by fact-checking sources, which verified that Stevens' religious affiliation was Protestant and that he was the sole Protestant justice on the Supreme Court bench.\nLabel: true","evidence":["On the April 12, 2010, episode of The Colbert Report , host Stephen Colbert pointed out that \"the departure of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens will leave an unsual void.\"","With the announcement that Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is retiring, speculation has turned to whom President Barack Obama will nominate to replace him, and -- depending on the nominee -- how much of a fight Obama will encounter from Senate Republicans.","So, back to Colbert's claim. He's correct that Stevens is a Protestant and he's the last one on the Supreme Court bench. Colbert's first statement on the Truth-O-Meter gets a True.","!The U.S. Supreme Court building is shown May 4, 2022 in Washington. (AP) !The U.S. Supreme Court building is shown May 4, 2022 in Washington. (AP)"]},{"id":"8401.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Eighty percent of the antibiotics in this country are fed to livestock.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact percentage may not be precisely 80%, the evidence confirms that a significant portion of antibiotics in the United States is indeed used in livestock. The comparison of FDA sales data for food-producing animals and private sales data for humans indicates that most of the drugs for livestock are consumed through food and water. Therefore, while the exact percentage may vary slightly, the statement accurately reflects the issue of a substantial amount of antibiotics being fed to livestock in the country.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Eighty percent of the antibiotics in this country are fed to livestock every single day, and it's creating a terrible problem of resistant bacteria,\" she said.","Eighty percent is an awfully big number, and we were curious: Do livestock consume the bulk of the nation\u2019s antimicrobial drugs?","The statistic comes from a comparison of FDA sales data for food-producing animals and private sales data for humans since 2009 \u2014 not all antibiotics sold in the United States. A letter from the FDA to the congresswoman confirms that most of the drugs for livestock are consumed in food and water. That means the percentage \"fed\" to animals may not be quite as high as 80 percent, though it would be close.","Slaughter could have said more clearly that of all the antibiotics sold for use by people and livestock, 80 percent are for animals. But she was close. We rate her statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"6542.json","label":"false","statement":"This year, Eric Cantor has received more money from oil companies than any other member of Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Powell claiming that Eric Cantor received the most money from oil companies than any other member of Congress is not supported by credible evidence. The Powell campaign itself acknowledged that the statement was false and corrected it. Without verifiable data or evidence to support the claim, it cannot be considered accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On his website, Powell claimed, \"This year, Eric Cantor has received more money from oil companies than any other member of Congress.\"","The Powell campaign accused Cantor of having collected more money from oil and gas industry folks than any other member of Congress. They quickly acknowledged that the statement was false and changed it.","U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor and Luis Gutierrez were \"touring the country last year \u2026 joined at the hip, working together in a bipartisan fashion indeed for the goal of immigration reform.\"","Consider, for example, the $61 billion cut proposed by House Republicans for the current fiscal year. If approved, Burtless said, government agencies might find themselves cutting back on contracts with private companies. Those companies, having less business, might then need to lay off employees to maintain their profits."]},{"id":"8658.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Rep. Steve Stockman basically wants gun-filled zones in schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Howard Fineman that Rep. Steve Stockman \"basically wants gun-filled zones in schools.\" This claim is supported by the fact that Stockman introduced a bill that aimed to make it easier for states to allow school personnel to carry firearms, with the intention of defending themselves and their students from armed intruders. The experts consulted in the fact-checking process agreed that Stockman's goal was to increase the presence of firearms in schools. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This is a guy who not only doesn't want gun-free zones around schools. He basically wants gun-filled zones in schools,\" Fineman said on MSNBC\u2019s All In with Chris Hayes.","Fineman said that Stockman \"basically wants gun-filled schools.\" Stockman did introduce a bill that would make it easier for states to allow school personnel to carry firearms. The bill\u2019s stated purpose was to allow those people to defend themselves and their students from an armed intruder. Our experts agreed that Stockman\u2019s goal was to see more firearms inside schools.","Texas politics took an unexpected turn when Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman filed just before the deadline to run against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Assessing the matchup of two conservative candidates, Huffington Post columnist Howard Fineman said Stockman\u2019s world is all about guns.","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d"]},{"id":"4891.json","label":"true","statement":"Says military expenditures for the United States are greater than the combined spending of the next 14 largest nations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the IISS figures released in 2011, the United States' defense budget was the largest in the world, exceeding the combined total of the next top 9 nations. Additionally, data from other sources supports the claim that the United States spends more on defense than the combined spending of other high-spending nations. Therefore, the statement is correct.\nLabel: true","evidence":["According to IISS figures released last year, the United States\u2019 defense budget in 2011 was $739.3 billion, making it the largest in the world. The combined total of the next top 9 nations was $486.7 billion, according to IISS figures.","United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Promoting Further Openness and Transparency in Military Matters: An assessment of the united nations stardardized instrument for reporting military expenditures, November 2010","Obama\u2019s statement is accurate by one measure, while another measure says the United States spends more than the next seven countries combined.","Booker\u2019s claim is on target: The United States spent more on defense in 2011 than the combined total of other high-spending nations, according to data from two organizations considered to be leading authorities on worldwide military spending."]},{"id":"5495.json","label":"false","statement":"Tonight in Ohio, more people came out to vote for Barack Obama in an unopposed race than voted for (Mitt) Romney and (Rick) Santorum combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by David Axelrod during the Super Tuesday coverage that more people came out to vote for Barack Obama in an unopposed race in Ohio than voted for Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum combined is incorrect. The evidence confirms that Axelrod's claim was inaccurate. Mitt Romney received more votes than Barack Obama in the Ohio primary, and when combined with Rick Santorum's votes, they surpassed the number of votes received by Obama. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Tonight in Ohio, more people came out to vote for Barack Obama in an unopposed race than voted for Romney and Santorum combined,\" Axelrod told Williams.","!Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod said during NBC's Super Tuesday coverage that President Barack Obama, despite being unopposed, won more votes in Ohio than two Republicans combined, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. But Axelrod was wrong. !Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod said during NBC's Super Tuesday coverage that President Barack Obama, despite being unopposed, won more votes in Ohio than two Republicans combined, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. But Axelrod was wrong.","Obama campaign adviser David Axelrod said during NBC's Super Tuesday coverage that President Barack Obama, despite being unopposed, won more votes in Ohio than two Republicans combined, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. But Axelrod was wrong.","During election night coverage of the Super Tuesday contests on March 6, 2012, NBC\u2019s Brian Williams interviewed David Axelrod, a senior adviser to President Barack Obama\u2019s reelection campaign. In that interview, Axelrod tried to shift the focus from that night\u2019s GOP primary fight in Ohio -- in which Mitt Romney edged out Rick Santorum statewide -- to the president\u2019s reelection bid."]},{"id":"918.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Democrats compare the infrastructure programs in the stimulus to the Eisenhower interstate program, \"but he proposed a $500 billion highway system, and they're going to put $30 billion\" into roads and bridges.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comparison made by Republicans, such as Mica, regarding the difference in scale between the proposed infrastructure programs in the stimulus bill and the Eisenhower interstate program. While the $500 billion figure mentioned by Mica refers to the ultimate cost of the interstate system, not the original proposal, the underlying point remains valid. The stimulus bill allocates $30 billion for roads and bridges, which is significantly smaller in comparison to the scale of the interstate highway system. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"They keep comparing this to Eisenhower, but he proposed a $500 billion highway system, and they're going to put $30 billion\" in roads and bridges, Mica said. \"How farcical can you be? Give me a break.\"","So Mica is right on the $30 billion for the current stimulus bill, but the $500 billion interstate cost he cites is the ultimate cost, not the original proposal from Eisenhower. His underlying point is still correct, however, that the highway portion of the stimulus bill is small compared with Ike's plan. So we find his statement Mostly True.","In making their case for the economic stimulus bill, President Obama and Democrats in Congress have been saying the bill will make an investment in the nation's infrastructure similar to President Eisenhower's creation of the interstate highway system in the 1950s.","\"We will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s,\" he said, referring to the interstate system launched by President Eisenhower. \"We\u2019ll invest your precious tax dollars in new and smarter ways, and we\u2019ll set a rule \u2014 use it or lose it. If a state doesn\u2019t act quickly to invest in roads and bridges in their communities, they\u2019ll lose the money.\""]},{"id":"516.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The U.S. Navy has sailed ships around the world for 60 years with nuclear power plants on them and we've never had an accident.\"","reason":"Reason: Senator John McCain's statement is accurate. The U.S. Navy has indeed operated ships with nuclear power plants for over 60 years, and there has been no recorded accident involving these nuclear-powered vessels. This achievement can be attributed to the well-trained and capable personnel responsible for operating and maintaining these ships. However, it is important to note that the context of the statement pertains specifically to the U.S. Navy's track record and may not directly correlate to the safety of expanding commercial nuclear power plants.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"My friends, the U.S. Navy has sailed ships around the world for 60 years with nuclear power plants on them and we've never had an accident,\" McCain said in Nashville, Tenn., on June 2, 2008. \"That's because we have well-trained and capable people.\"","While environmental and nuclear watchdog groups agree with McCain's statement about the Navy's accident-free record, many take issue with its significance as it relates to expanding the number of commercial nuclear power plants in the United States.","Indeed, the U.S. Navy turned to nuclear power in the 1950s to make its submarines faster and able to stay submerged longer. They are also quieter, more stealth. Since commissioning the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus , in 1954, the Navy has steamed 139-million miles around the world on various nuclear-powered vessels. Currently, there are 102 nuclear reactors aboard 80 Navy combat vessels, mainly submarines and aircraft carriers.","In making his pitch for more nuclear power plants as one way to address global warming, Sen. John McCain is fond of citing a military statistic."]},{"id":"11063.json","label":"false","statement":"The $5 billion website for Obamacare never worked. Still doesnt work.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the $5 billion website for Obamacare never worked and still doesn't work is false. While the website, Healthcare.gov, did experience significant technical issues during its initial launch in 2013, it has since been improved and millions of Americans have successfully enrolled in health insurance through the site. Experts have debunked the claim that $5 billion was spent solely on creating and fixing the website. While there may still be some occasional glitches, the website is functional and has been successfully used by many individuals to obtain health insurance.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He singled out the website, which was unveiled in the fall of 2013 with a panoply of bugs and glitches, calling it \"the $5 billion website for Obamacare, which never worked. Still doesn't work.\"","Trump said \"the $5 billion website for Obamacare \u2026 never worked. Still doesn't work.\" But experts say that, using the most reasonable definitions, Trump overstates the amount of money spent to create and fix , and his claim that the website isn\u2019t working -- and never did -- is debunked by the fact that millions of Americans have signed up for insurance through the site, even if some more limited glitches remain. We rate the claim False.","It\u2019s a year and a half after the website\u2019s troubled launch, and it\u2019s been awhile since we\u2019ve taken a look at how the website is doing and what it has cost to build. So we decided to see if Trump has any basis either for saying that the website cost $5 billion or that it \"still doesn\u2019t work.\" (Trump\u2019s camp didn\u2019t respond to an inquiry from PolitiFact.)","!How much did the website cost, and how well does it work? We took a closer look. (AP\/Jon Elswick) !How much did the website cost, and how well does it work? We took a closer look. (AP\/Jon Elswick)"]},{"id":"2832.json","label":"true","statement":"Congressman Ryan has secured a grand total of $116,838,763 to date (for the Mahoning Valley) and has an additional $27,095,000 pending in FY2010 spending bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Congressman Tim Ryan has indeed secured a total of $116,838,763 to date for the Mahoning Valley, with an additional $27,095,000 pending in FY2010 spending bills. These funds have been allocated for various projects and initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of life in the region.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It's the reason why Rep. Tim Ryan's campaign boasts that the Niles Democrat \"has secured a grand total of $116,838,763 to date and has an additional $27,095,000 pending in Fiscal Year 2010 spending bills.","She said that appropriations for the 17th District, \"as secured by Congressman Tim Ryan in his eight years in office,\" total $140,133,763 -- with an additional $40,200,000 pending in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.","Ryan's office provided an overview of funding he secured in nine budget categories, with example projects. Defense topped the list, with a total of $61,154,000 passed and signed. The money included $17.5 million in earmarks for fiscal 2007, which Ryan inserted into a Defense Department spending bill, for Lockheed Martin's development in Akron of a high-altitude airship.","\"That means more money to help promote economic growth, strengthen America\u2019s infrastructure and improve the quality of life in the Mahoning Valley,\" the statement adds, with an exclamation point."]},{"id":"1073.json","label":"false","statement":"\"In North Carolina, they used stimulus money to hire one new state worker. His job, apply for more stimulus funds from the taxpayers by the way of the federal government.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays the situation in North Carolina. While it is true that the city of Washington, North Carolina, hired a \"project-funding manager\" to identify available stimulus money, the job description goes beyond simply applying for more stimulus funds. The manager's role involves securing additional stimulus funds and overseeing project funding, which includes managing grants from various sources. The initial funding for this position came from a grant received through the stimulus bill, but it is not accurate to claim that the sole purpose of the job is to apply for more stimulus funds. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the nature of the job and the use of stimulus money in North Carolina.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ellie Mae, the GOP's job-sniffing bloodhound, found two things of interest. We dealt with one, the impact of a federally funded bridge on Rusty's Backwater Saloon in Stevens Point, Wis., with this Truth-O-Meter ruling . Here we'll address Ellie Mae's discovery that \"in North Carolina, they used stimulus money to hire one new state worker. His job: apply for more stimulus funds from the taxpayers by the way of the federal government.\"","First off, the city of Washington did hire someone in late February whose job it is to seek out stimulus money for which the city might be eligible. The part-time job was titled \"stimulus coordinator\" and was performed by Bianca Gentile. But Gentile wasn't paid through stimulus money. Her wages have been \"100 percent paid with local fire, police, water utility, sewer utility and electric utility funds,\" according to the City Manager James C. Smith in a letter to the Office of Economic Recovery and Investment in North Carolina.","This small city in the inland coastal region of North Carolina first came under the national microscope with the release of a report from Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., called \"100 Stimulus Projects: A Second Opinion.\" At No. 65 on Coburn's list of questionable stimulus projects: \"Washington, North Carolina, is using stimulus funds to pay for 'project-funding manager' whose job it is to secure even more stimulus funds. The city hopes to pay the new 'project funding manager' to identify available stimulus money using a $40,234 grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program which, in turn, received funding through the stimulus bill.\"","But the idea that the job can be summarized as simply to \"apply for more stimulus funds,\" is incorrect, Washington, N.C., officials said."]},{"id":"196.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"If Sen. Hillary Clinton could enact all of her campaign proposals, taxpayers would be faced with financing more than $777.6-billion in new spending over one White House term.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Republican National Committee (RNC) regarding the potential cost of Hillary Clinton's campaign proposals. The RNC's \"Spend-O-Meter\" estimated that if all of Clinton's proposals were enacted, taxpayers would need to finance over $777.6 billion in new spending over one White House term. However, it's important to note that the RNC's calculations included a proposal that Clinton had already dropped, which amounted to $80 billion. Therefore, when considering this adjustment, the estimated cost would be lower than the initially stated amount. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Attempting to portray Hillary Clinton as a big spender, the Republican National Committee recently unveiled a \"Spend-O-Meter\" to tally up Clinton's policy proposals. \"If Sen. Hillary Clinton could enact all of her campaign proposals, taxpayers would be faced with financing more than $777.6-billion in new spending over one White House term,\" the RNC says on its Web site, where the meter is prominently featured.","However, in one case, the RNC includes $80-billion baby bond proposal that Clinton quickly dropped after talking about it. Since Clinton never formally proposed the idea, you can subtract $80-billion from the $777.6-billion.","\"Hillary's baby bond proposal would give $5,000 to each of the 4-million babies born in the U.S. each year, totaling $20-billion per year, multiplied by four years = $80-billion.\"","We realize the RNC had to make some assumptions to keep the arithmetic simple. For instance, their calculations assume that each program becomes law at the very start of Clinton's first term, allowing the Spend-O-Meter to add things up over four full years. Of course, it can't really happen that way, but for purposes of keeping tabs on the cost of Clinton's proposals it's within reason. It's also true that the RNC doesn't note that some of Clinton's proposals, already in legislation in Congress, have drawn the support of some Republicans."]},{"id":"8769.json","label":"true","statement":"Only 3 percent of voters 18 to 34 dont believe that climate change is really happening.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Murphy, that only 3 percent of voters aged 18 to 34 do not believe in climate change, is supported by the evidence provided. While the poll cited was commissioned by an environmental group, no other credible poll with conflicting data was found. It should be noted that the statement refers specifically to voters within the age range of 18 to 34, and not the general population. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Murphy said, \"Only 3 percent of voters 18 to 34 don't believe that climate change is really happening.\" It should be noted that Murphy cited a poll that had been paid for by an environmental group. Still, we couldn\u2019t find any poll with genuinely comparable data that clashed with Murphy\u2019s carefully worded assertion. We rate his statement True.","Murphy said that advocates for policies to address climate-change \"have to convince Republicans -- and those who would stand against the action that we're proposing -- of the electoral consequences of continuing to ignore this issue. We have to tell Republicans that if they ultimately want to stop the hemorrhaging from young voters in this country, they need to start paying attention to this issue, because only 3 percent of voters 18 to 34 don't believe that climate change is really happening.\"","This difference might have posed a problem for Murphy, but he was careful with how he worded his claim. He said \"3 percent of voters\" -- not \"3 percent of Americans.\" So we don\u2019t find fault on these grounds.","Among 18- to 29-year-olds, 73 percent said the earth is warming, and 18 percent said it was not warming -- quite a bit higher than the 3 percent from the other poll. The two polls use different age ranges, but if respondents up to age 34 were added in, that would likely increase the percentage of global-warming deniers further, since an even higher percentage of 30- to 49-year olds said there was no global warming -- 28 percent."]},{"id":"8835.json","label":"false","statement":"I played in a game here against the Pittsburgh Steelers where there was 23 inches of snow. We played in at least 15 inches of that.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual claiming to have played in a game with 23 inches of snow is not supported by the available evidence. Multiple sources, including media reports and weather history data, indicate that the game between the Jets and Steelers in 2003 did experience snowfall, but the recorded amount was around 4 inches, not 23 inches. Therefore, the claim of playing in at least 15 inches of snow is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I played in a game here against the Pittsburgh Steelers where there was 23 inches of snow. \u2026 We played in at least 15 inches of that.\"","\"I played in a game here against the Pittsburgh Steelers where there was 23 inches of snow, and they couldn\u2019t get all the snow,\" Martin said. \"We played in at least 15 inches of that. The only thing you could see on the field were the lines that they would clear out.\"","!Yes it snowed back when the Jets and Steelers played in 2003. But 23 inches? Not quite. !Yes it snowed back when the Jets and Steelers played in 2003. But 23 inches? Not quite.","Most media reports say the teams played in several inches of snow before the snow became freezing rain in the second half. Weather history from Weather Underground, which relies on airport weather data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, says that about 4 inches of snow fell in the East Rutherford area on Dec. 14, not 23 inches."]},{"id":"12435.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2006, Donald Trump was hoping for a real estate crash.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton in her campaign ad that Donald Trump was hoping for a real estate crash in 2006. This claim was fact-checked by PolitiFact and rated as mostly true. However, it's important to note that the context and intent behind Trump's alleged hope for a real estate crash are subject to interpretation and may vary depending on one's perspective.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["His statement parallels a claim in Hillary Clinton\u2019s May campaign ad: \"In 2006, Donald Trump was hoping for a real estate crash.\"","We touched on this before when Hillary Clinton claimed in a television commercial that \"In 2006, Donald Trump was hoping for a real estate crash.\" We ruled that claim Mostly True. But this claim is different.","PolitiFact, \"Hillary Clinton faults Donald Trump for hoping for real estate crash that led to the Great Recession,\" May 24, 2016.","PolitiFact, \"Hillary Clinton faults Donald Trump for hoping for real estate crash that led to the Great recession,\" May 26, 2016"]},{"id":"976.json","label":"true","statement":"The Republican leadership's budget proposal doesn't contain any numbers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that the initial version of the \"Republican Road to Recovery\" budget proposal did not include specific budget numbers. This is supported by statements from White House spokesman Robert Gibbs and independent fact-checkers who have reviewed the document. Therefore, the statement that the Republican leadership's budget proposal doesn't contain any numbers is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It's interesting to have a budget that doesn't contain any numbers. I think the party of 'no' has become the party of 'no new ideas,' \" said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.","The Republican House leaders said they will be releasing more data next week. Perhaps that will include some numbers. But Gibbs was right. The first version of the \"Republican Road to Recovery\" is a budget without budget numbers. We find Gibbs' statement to be True.","\"I think if I intoned to you that I would produce a 20-page document that outlined my budget priorities, that it might actually contain a chart with some numbers. I don't think that's a whole lot to ask,\" Gibbs answered.","We were curious if Gibbs was right that the Republican budget outline contained no numbers, or if he was just being snarky. So we downloaded the Republican document and read it."]},{"id":"6377.json","label":"true","statement":"Says 1 in 7 American families is on food stamps.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sarah Palin in her speech that \"one in seven American families are on food stamps.\" This claim has been made by multiple individuals, including President Trump, who stated that 7 million Americans have come off of food stamps under his administration. While the exact figures may vary over time, it is generally acknowledged that a significant portion of the American population relies on food stamps for assistance, supporting the claim that approximately one in seven American families is on food stamps.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Firing up the crowd in her July 27, 2012, speech in The Woodlands, Palin touched on some claims PolitiFact has recently addressed, plus one we haven\u2019t: \"One in seven American families are on food stamps.\"","\u201cUnder my administration, 7 million Americans have come off of food stamps, and 10 million people have been lifted off of welfare.\u201d","Trump said, \"Under my administration, 7 million Americans have come off of food stamps, and 10 million people have been lifted off of welfare.\"","In his third State of the Union address, President Trump claimed that since he took office: \"7 million Americans have come off of food stamps and 10 million have been lifted off of welfare.\""]},{"id":"6408.json","label":"true","statement":"As president, Barack Obama has never visited Israel.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. As president, Barack Obama did not visit Israel during his tenure. This is supported by the evidence provided, which includes statements from political advertisements and a fact-checking article from the Washington Post. It is important to note that the decision not to visit Israel does not necessarily indicate a lack of support or recognition of the country, as presidential visits to foreign nations are influenced by various factors such as diplomatic priorities and scheduling constraints.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Who shares your values?\" a narrator asks as an image of Obama appears. \"As president, Barack Obama has never visited Israel and refuses to recognize Jerusalem as its capital.\"","Barack Obama: a president who has not visited the Jewish state. Mitt Romney: a friend who cherishes America\u2019s friendship with the ally.","Following a trip in which he said Israel was blessed by the hand of providence, Mitt Romney is out with an ad questioning President Barack Obama\u2019s allegiance to the Jewish state.","Our colleagues at the Washington Post \u2019s Fact-Checker column delved into the archives of the historian\u2019s office at the U.S. State Department. According to those records, seven of the last 11 presidents (dating back to Harry Truman who was in the White House when Israel was established) never visited Israel."]},{"id":"4533.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the private sector in Texas created 1 million jobs over the past decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Rick Perry's claim that the private sector in Texas created 1 million jobs over the past decade. Perry made this claim during a Republican presidential debate and reiterated it in response to a question about job gains in Texas. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or evidence to verify the claim independently. It is based on Perry's assertion, and further analysis or fact-checking may be required to fully assess the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Perry made a similar claim about Texas job gains during the Sept 7, 2011, Republican presidential debate at the Reagan presidential library in California, although he didn't say he was talking specifically about the private sector. \"When you look at what we have done over the last decade, we created 1 million jobs in the state of Texas,\" Perry said. \"At the same time, America lost 2.5 million.\"","For this article, we wondered whether the roughly 1 million net increase in jobs in Texas during Perry's tenure all occurred in the private sector, as Perry told Sorkin.","Perry responded: \"Well, our teachers in Texas are public employees, so we've had a huge influx of people into the state of Texas, so you have to have more teachers obviously to do that as well. But the private sector job creation over the last \u2026 10 years has been 1 million jobs created, while this country lost 2.5 million. So we square that rather well with the rest of the country.\"","PolitiFact Texas, \"Rick Perry says that with what 'we have done,' Texas created 1 million jobs while rest of nation lost 2.5 million,\" Sept. 11, 2011"]},{"id":"7521.json","label":"true","statement":"Cobb is one of the largest school systems (in the nation) that is debt free.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Cobb County Schools is indeed one of the largest school systems in the nation that is debt-free. The statement is backed by statements from education activist JoEllen Smith, a newspaper editorial, a district website video, and the testimonies of local businessmen. Additionally, it is mentioned that Cobb Schools has utilized sales tax collections to pay off long-term bond debt, which has contributed to their debt-free status. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Education activist and education sales tax supporter JoEllen Smith said that Cobb County Schools is one of the largest systems in the nation that is debt free.","\"Cobb is also one of the largest school systems that is debt free,\" education activist JoEllen Smith said in a newspaper editorial published in a local paper last month. \"If SPLOST doesn\u2019t pass, bonds will have to be issued or reserves used.\"","The district, the second largest in the state, has an 11-minute website video that includes the debt-free claim. And some Kennesaw businessmen, Jay Cunningham of Superior Plumbing and John Loud of Loud Security Systems, are featured in a SPLOST advocacy video also making the debt claim.","Cobb Schools has used previous sales tax collections to pay off long-term bond debt, which education experts said is common practice in Georgia. This pay-as-you-go system of funding projects has kept the county school system debt free."]},{"id":"7639.json","label":"true","statement":"The Social Security disability fund is going belly up in 2016.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Portman that the Social Security disability fund is projected to face financial challenges in 2016. The evidence supports this claim, indicating that the disability fund will not be able to pay full expected benefits in 2016 without tapping into the Trust Fund. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the projections made by Social Security's trustees and the Congressional Budget Office.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Portman said, \"The Social Security disability fund is going belly up in 2016.\" And 2016, he noted, is \"right around the corner.\"","So yes, we can hope or expect that the problem will be solved before 2016. But as of right now, Portman\u2019s claim -- that the \"disability fund is going belly up in 2016\" -- is accurate, or as accurate as Social Security\u2019s trustees and the CBO can be. We rate the claim True.","To make up the rest, it tapped the Trust Fund. It will not be able to do that and pay full expected benefits in 2016.","You hear it often: Social Security is going broke. What you hear less often is an analysis of Social Security\u2019s components -- its old-age retiree program and its disability program."]},{"id":"12682.json","label":"true","statement":"A shocking 20 veterans are committing suicide each and every day, especially our older veterans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donald Trump that 20 veterans are committing suicide each day, with a particular emphasis on older veterans. This claim is supported by research conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which found that in 2014, an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day. Furthermore, the VA's data shows that a significant portion of these suicides involved older veterans. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Trump said, \"A shocking 20 veterans are committing suicide each and every day, especially our older veterans.\" His claim is supported by recent research by the VA and we rate the statement True.","\"A shocking 20 veterans are committing suicide each and every day, especially our older veterans,\" the presumptive GOP presidential nominee said during a July 11 speech in Virginia Beach, where he excoriated the Department of Veterans Affairs and laid out reforms.","The VA said that 65 percent of veterans who took their own lives in 2014 were 50 or older, a finding that jibes with Trump\u2019s statement that the daily suicides especially pertained to \"older veterans.\" For context, it should be noted that 75 percent of the nation\u2019s veterans are 50 or older.","In 2016, the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 Office for Suicide Prevention published a report that found that \"in 2014, an average of 20 veterans died by suicide each day. Six of the 20 were recent users of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services in 2013 or 2014.\""]},{"id":"9358.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today, the five largest financial institutions are 38 percent bigger than they were back in 2008, when they were too big to fail.","reason":"Reason: Elizabeth Warren's statement accurately reflects the claim that the five largest financial institutions have grown by 38 percent since 2008. While there may be some variation in the exact measurement methods, the evidence supports the overall trend of these institutions increasing in size. However, it's important to note that the size of financial institutions alone does not necessarily indicate whether they are \"too big to fail.\" The concept of being \"too big to fail\" involves a complex set of factors, including the interconnectedness and systemic importance of these institutions. Nonetheless, the statement regarding the growth in size of the five largest financial institutions is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You know, you talked about during the financial crisis we were told these banks are too big to fail,\" Warren said. \"Today, the five largest financial institutions are 38 percent bigger than they were back in 2008, when they were too big to fail.\"","Warren said, \"the five largest financial institutions are 38 percent bigger than they were back in 2008, when they were too big to fail.\" Without fully understanding where her math was coming from, we had to find our own way to measure this. One way seemed to back her up in a narrowly defined time frame. A different method produced a lower number, though the trend is the same.","\"Today, you have six financial institutions, the largest six, that have assets that are the equivalent of 60 percent of the GDP of the United States of America.\"","Warren\u2019s comment \"presumes simply that there is a threshold \u2018too big to fail\u2019 size, and implies that the top five having gotten bigger, they were already past that threshold, and (now) are even more \u2018too big to fail,\u2019 \" said Satya Thallam, director of financial services policy at the American Action Forum, a center-right think tank. \"The size of financial institutions is not per se evidence of \u2018too big to fail\u2019 expectations.\" Other experts we spoke with echoed that sentiment."]},{"id":"8224.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The House did vote against engagement in Kosovo, and Bill Clinton kept fighting anyway. And, then, ultimately, a vote did pass.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation regarding the House's vote on engagement in Kosovo during Bill Clinton's presidency. The House initially voted against engagement, but President Clinton continued the air campaign regardless. Subsequently, a vote did pass, but it is important to note that it was a spending bill covering the costs of the Kosovo campaign, rather than a clear-cut authorization for military action. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be clarified that the subsequent vote did not provide a direct authorization for the military action in Kosovo.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["King said that \"the House did vote against engagement in Kosovo, and Bill Clinton kept fighting anyway. And, then, ultimately, a vote did pass.\"","Obama is asking Congress to vote on whether the United States can strike Syria; some say he has the authority to act whether he gets approval or not. U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told Fox News that our experience with Kosovo in 1999 is relevant: \"The House did vote against engagement in Kosovo, and Bill Clinton kept fighting anyway. And, then, ultimately, a vote did pass.\" We found that King\u2019s synopsis was mostly on track. President Clinton did keep fighting even when the House deadlocked with a tie vote. The vote that passed later, though, was a spending bill, not a clear-cut authorization. We rated his statement Mostly True.","On the Aug. 1, 2013, edition of Fox News Sunday , Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said, \"The House did vote against engagement in Kosovo, and Bill Clinton kept fighting anyway. And, then, ultimately, a vote did pass. But he had bombing missions being carried in Kosovo after the House of Representatives voted against him taking action.\" King is a senior Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Intelligence Committee.","King is right that the House failed to pass an authorization for military action in Kosovo, and that Clinton continued to pursue the air campaign despite the legislative setback. However, it\u2019s not a slam dunk that \"ultimately, a vote did pass.\" The House did pass a spending bill covering the costs of the Kosovo campaign, but not an authorization along the lines of what is required by the War Powers Resolution. On balance, we rate the statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"10687.json","label":"true","statement":"Did you know that the U.S. is one of the very few nations in the world without an official language?","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the CIA's \"The World Factbook,\" the United States is indeed one of the few nations in the world that does not have an official language. While English is the most widely spoken language in the United States, the government has not designated it as the official language at the federal level. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Did you know that the U.S. is one of the very few nations in the world without an official language?\" Forbes wrote.","\"Did you know that the U.S. is one of the very few nations in the world without an official language?\" Forbes, R-4th, wrote.","Forbes\u2019 office referred us to the CIA, which publishes \"The World Factbook,\" a website of data on 240 nations, territories and regions. Among other things, it lists the languages spoken in each of the places and whether its government has sanctioned an official tongue. The CIA says that while 82 percent of people in the U.S. usually speak in English, our nation \"has no official language.\"","There\u2019s one piece of work left here. Forbes\u2019 statement also says the U.S. is among few nations with no official language. So we need to spin the globe."]},{"id":"1562.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The Florida Legislature raised taxes and fees by almost $2 billion\" in the 2009 session.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. During the 2009 legislative session, the Florida Legislature did pass new taxes and fees that amounted to over $2 billion. While there was a delay in the increased unemployment compensation tax, it was still approved in 2009. State economists have confirmed the total amount of new taxes and fees, supporting the claim made by Senator Charlie Justice.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The Florida Legislature raised taxes and fees by almost $2 billion\" in the 2009 legislative session, Justice claimed in a press release. He said the new taxes fell disproportionately on the middle class and that lawmakers should end exemptions to the sales tax and corporate income tax that \"cater to corporate special interests.\"","Two caveats: On the first day of the 2010 legislative session, lawmakers voted to delay the increased unemployment compensation tax for two years. (The rate was scheduled to jump from $8 per employee for most businesses to more than $100.) Without that increase, the total in new taxes and fees drops below $2 billion. But even though they put off the tax increase, lawmakers still approved it in 2009.","Still, Justice's comment about new taxes is generally correct. State economists confirm that lawmakers passed new taxes totaling more than $2 billion last session. Even though he was slightly low, Justice was close enough to earn a True.","Facing a staggering budget shortfall last year, Florida's Republican-dominated Legislature had to make some tough decisions. Lawmakers relied on $5 billion in federal stimulus money, trimmed Medicaid reimbursement rates and cut several hundred government jobs. They also raised taxes and fees, a move that didn't sit well with Sen. Charlie Justice, D-St. Petersburg, who is running for the congressional seat now held by Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young."]},{"id":"5907.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida has 1,200 golf courses. I think 58 million rounds played a year in Florida. Weve got 44 percent of all travel golf in the country here. 5 million people come here just for golf.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Governor Scott regarding the golf industry in Florida. According to the evidence provided, Florida does have approximately 1,200 golf courses, and an estimated 58 million rounds of golf are played in the state each year. However, the claim that Florida has 44 percent of all travel golf in the country is disputed, as there is skepticism about how this percentage is determined and whether it accurately represents the distribution of travel golf across different states. Additionally, while it is mentioned that 5 million people come to Florida for golf, it is not specified whether these individuals come exclusively for golf or if it is one of the reasons for their visit. Therefore, the statement is mostly accurate but with some uncertainty regarding the percentage of travel golf.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Florida has \"1,200 golf courses. I think 58 million rounds played a year in Florida. We\u2019ve got 44 percent of all travel golf in the country here. 5 million people come here just for golf.\"","\"Golf is big for the state,\" Scott told Action News Jacksonville on May 10, 2012. \"1,200 golf courses. I think it\u2019s 58 million rounds of golf played a year in Florida. \u2026 We\u2019ve got 44 percent of all the travel golf in the country here. 5 million people come to Florida just for golf. It\u2019s big business. It creates a lot of jobs.\"","58 million rounds played a year: The number of rounds played each year is the barometer of the popularity of golf, said Tom Stine, co-founder of Golf Datatech, which conducts market research for the industry.","Florida gets 44 percent of all travel golf in the country: This is the hardest one to track down. Stine said he doesn\u2019t know what Scott means here, and that he\u2019s skeptical all the golf in California, the Carolinas, Georgia, Arizona, Texas, and Michigan (in the summer) comprises just 56 percent of \"travel golf.\""]},{"id":"10745.json","label":"true","statement":"The fastest-growing part of the Pentagons budget are health care expenses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by former defense secretary Chuck Hagel and defense budget experts. It is widely acknowledged that military health care expenses have been growing at a faster rate compared to other areas of the Pentagon's budget. This growth has been a concern for the Department of Defense, as it has led to an imbalance in spending priorities, with a larger portion of the budget allocated towards health care costs rather than other essential military needs. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In fact, former defense secretary Chuck Hagel warned that the health care expenses were hurting the military\u2019s overall mission. The Pentagon\u2019s greatest fiscal challenge, he said in 2013, was \"the growing imbalance in where that money is being spent internally.\" That is, toward doctors\u2019 bills, not boots on the ground.","\"Among the main areas of the defense budget (like procurement, R&D, construction, pay, etc.) military healthcare has grown the fastest,\" Harrison wrote in an email.","There\u2019s little debate that generous military health care benefits are taking up an ever-increasing share of the Pentagon\u2019s budget. While other parts of the budget have spiked, that\u2019s in the past. We rate the statement True.","Overall, Harrison wrote, military health care costs have \"grown from being just 4 percent of the DoD budget in 1990 to 10 percent today.\""]},{"id":"3152.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The two worst counties for (Medicaid) fraud in the country -- not state -- are Dade and Broward county.","reason":"Reason: While there is no official ranking of counties in terms of Medicaid fraud, multiple experts in the field, including representatives from the federal Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and a former secretary of the state's AHCA, agree that Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida have significant issues with Medicaid fraud. While the term \"worst\" is subjective and can vary depending on the criteria used for evaluation, the statement is supported by expert opinions and the reputation of these counties as hotspots for healthcare fraud.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The two worst counties for fraud in the country -- not state -- are Dade and Broward county,\" he told a roomful of reporters on Jan. 19, 2011, during an Associated Press preview of Florida's upcoming legislative session.","It's easy to find news articles describing South Florida as a mecca for such fraud -- with labels such as \"ground zero\" or mind-boggling tales of abuse. But the word \"worst\" caught our eye -- are the South Florida counties of Miami-Dade and Broward truly the \"worst\" in the country for Medicaid fraud?","So let's review: Saunders said that \"The two worst counties for (Medicaid) fraud in the country -- not state -- are Dade and Broward county.\" We could not find any government office that could point to numbers ranking counties across the nation in terms of Medicaid fraud. But we found four experts -- one from the federal Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, one a former secretary of the state's AHCA, a spokesperson from a national organization that provides information on health care fraud and an attorney who specializes in health care law -- who all agree that Saunders is likely right.","As for Saunders' claim that Dade and Broward are the \"worst\" in the country, White said: \"Do we have the numbers? No. Is he probably correct? Yes.\""]},{"id":"13410.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump and Ron Johnson oppose a womans right to choose and Johnson voted against the Violence Against Women Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the Feingold radio ad. Donald Trump and Ron Johnson have both expressed opposition to abortion, although Trump has mentioned supporting exceptions in certain cases. Additionally, Johnson did vote against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, but it's important to note that his vote against the act does not necessarily mean he opposed protections for women. He voted for alternative measures that did not pass. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it's important to provide additional context regarding Johnson's stance on alternative measures for protecting women.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Donald Trump and Ron Johnson \"oppose a woman's right to choose and Johnson voted against the Violence Against Women Act.\"","A Feingold radio ad released Oct. 26, 2016 makes a number of claims about Johnson and Trump on women\u2019s issues, including saying they both \"oppose a woman's right to choose and Johnson voted against the Violence Against Women Act, denying protections to victims of domestic violence.\"","Trump and Johnson are anti-abortion, though Trump in particular has said he supports exceptions to allow abortion in certain cases. Johnson did vote no on reauthorizing the violence law, but it\u2019s not as though he opposed protections for women; in fact, he voted for alternative measures that did not pass.","Mostly True: Trump and Johnson are anti-abortion, though Trump in particular has said he supports exceptions to allow abortion in certain cases. Johnson did vote no on reauthorizing the violence law, but it\u2019s not as though he opposed protections for women; in fact, he voted for alternative measures that did not pass."]},{"id":"4625.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If a President Romney got a call from the president of the (Mormon church), he has no choice but to obey. It is obedience over family and country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that if a President Romney received a call from the president of the Mormon church, he would be obligated to obey without question, prioritizing obedience over family and country. The church itself has stated that this is not the case, and multiple scholars of the religion agree. The notion that obedience to the church would supersede one's duty to their country or office is unfounded and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"My major concern with the Mormon faith is the basic tenet of obedience,\" Karger told the newspaper. \"If a President Romney got a call from the president of the LDS, he has no choice but to obey. It is obedience over family and country.\"","We don't see any evidence that Karger is correct that \"if a President Romney got a call from the president of the (Mormon church), he has no choice but to obey. It is obedience over family and country.\" The church itself says in no uncertain terms that that\u2019s not the case, and three scholars of the religion agree. The inflammatory nature of Karger\u2019s charge rates it a Pants on Fire.","\"So if a President Romney got a call from the president of the LDS church -- which I don't think would ever happen -- he would not be required by the tenets of his faith to put obedience to the church over his duty to his country or his office.\"","\"There is no basis in fact for the claim that Romney would have \u2018no choice but to obey\u2019 if he got a call from the LDS church president. On the rare occasion when church presidents make pronouncements on issues with political implications, such as a statement against abortion, or against the MX missile system, church members are free to act in compliance or in disregard for such pronouncements. No member has been disciplined for his or her political conduct, as the distribution of both Mormon voters and politicians across the political spectrum proves.\""]},{"id":"2499.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Bruun supports cutting the Department of Commerce and eliminating NOAA.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Bruun expressed support for cutting the Department of Commerce, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that he advocates for eliminating NOAA entirely. The evidence provided suggests that Bruun supports the presence of NOAA in Newport and would fight to keep the agency there if necessary. However, it does not indicate that he wants to eliminate NOAA altogether. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate regarding the support for cutting the Department of Commerce but lacks evidence for the claim of eliminating NOAA.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"(I was) very concerned at the forum the other day when he said he wanted to cut the Department of Commerce and, you know, NOAA would be, of course, a big part of that,\" he said, referring to a debate held at the Salem City Club on Sept. 10, 2010. \"I just think that's very, very scary for residents on the coast when everybody in the community and our office, in particular, fought so hard to make sure that the NOAA fleet is going to come to Oregon. And I think that's a very, very bad statement for a candidate in the 5th District to say when we're working so hard to make sure this comes to fruition. Cutting the Department of Commerce and eliminating NOAA is not going to be a good message to those guys.\"","What Lockman says tracks with what Bruun told KCUP in his own interview on the radio station on Sept. 16, 2010. \"I did name some big agencies that are big and encompassing and we do need to look at doing things better in those agencies. The Department of Commerce is one of those agencies,\" he said. Bruun also said he wholly supports NOAA coming to Newport and would fight, if ever necessary, to keep the agency there.","So far as we can tell, there are basically two pieces to Schrader\u2019s initial claim: 1) Bruun advocates possible cuts to the Department of Commerce and 2) Bruun advocates eliminating NOAA. It\u2019s clear enough that the first bit is true, but even though NOAA is a part of that department, there is scant evidence that Bruun wants to do away with the agency entirely.","Says Scott Bruun \"still believes in the same old direction that George Bush had before, which is to privatize Social Security.\""]},{"id":"5550.json","label":"true","statement":"More than 27,000 Rhode Island jobs depend on trade with Canada.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from a fact sheet provided by the Canadian government, which states that 27,600 jobs in Rhode Island depend on Canada-U.S. trade. Additionally, the news release and other sources confirm that Rhode Island sells more to Canada than to its next six largest export markets combined. Therefore, it can be concluded that more than 27,000 Rhode Island jobs do indeed depend on trade with Canada.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"According to Hinckley, the impact is not just on Mid-Western construction jobs but also on jobs right here in Rhode Island,\" the news release said. \"More than 27,000 Rhode Island jobs depend on trade with Canada, and Rhode Island sells more to Canada than to the state\u2019s next six largest export markets combined.\"","The debate over the Keystone pipeline extends from Alberta to Washington, D.C. But one question hits close to home: Does Rhode Island really have 27,000 jobs that depend on trade with Canada?","What about Rhode Island jobs? A table provides a state-by-state breakdown, attributing 27,648 Rhode Island jobs to trade with Canada in 2008. \"These jobs include those directly involved in export to and imports from Canada, as well as supporting jobs in states with little or no direct trade with Canada,\" the report says.","We asked Hinckley what he based that statement on, and his campaign\u2019s executive director referred us to a fact sheet from the Canadian government. The document\u2019s first sentence states that \"27,600 jobs in Rhode Island depend on Canada-U.S. trade.\""]},{"id":"2516.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen knew about (the Ken Kratz sexting) case for nearly a year and did nothing about it.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that J.B. Van Hollen knew about the Ken Kratz sexting case for nearly a year and took no action. The evidence primarily focuses on Van Hollen's priorities in fighting internet crimes against children and does not provide any information or indication that he had knowledge of the specific case mentioned. Without further evidence or context, it is not accurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["J.B. Van Hollen, a Republican, was elected Wisconsin attorney general in 2006. He is a former U.S. attorney for Wisconsin's Western District and previously served as district attorney in both Ashland and Bayfield counties.","As Wisconsin\u2019s attorney general -- and a candidate for re-election -- Republican J.B. Van Hollen has declared one of his priorities to be fighting Internet crimes against children. The issue is cited on the home page of both the state Department of Justice website and his campaign website.","But how does the attorney general know exactly how many Internet addresses, linked to Wisconsin computers, are involved with child porn?","That would come to 61,750 IP addresses over 9.5 months, nearly three times as many as the 22,000 addresses Van Hollen said his department found in a similar period. (Illinois\u2019 population is a little more than twice Wisconsin\u2019s.)"]},{"id":"4546.json","label":"false","statement":"An Environmental Protection Agency regulation that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012, regulates dust.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There was no Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2012, specifically targeting dust. The EPA has long regulated particulate matter, which includes dust, but there was no new regulation pertaining to dust set for that date. Both the EPA and opponents of regulations confirm that there was no such regulation in the pipeline. Therefore, the claim that an EPA regulation on dust was scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2012, is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Now, I know that makes some people nervous, but the EPA has gone wild. The fact that they have a regulation that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012, to regulate dust says that they've gone too far,\" Cain replied.","We found that the EPA has long regulated a category of air pollution called \"particulate matter,\" which includes dust. There\u2019s no new regulation scheduled for Jan. 1, 2012.","But both the EPA and regulation opponents agree that no regulation is in the pipeline, and it\u2019s certainly not coming Jan. 1.","Regina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, written testimony to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the"]},{"id":"12475.json","label":"false","statement":"More businesses went out of business last year than were started for the first time in our history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate based on the available evidence. While there was a period during the recession where business closures exceeded business births, the trend has since reversed. According to more recent Census data, in 2012 and 2013, more businesses started than closed. However, it's important to note that the data for 2014 and 2015 is not available, so we cannot make a definitive statement about those years. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that more businesses went out of business last year than were started for the first time in our history.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In addition to the rise in business closures during the recession, another decades-long trend has concerned economists: People are creating small businesses at a slower rate. Together, the two issues created a situation where \"business deaths exceed business births for the first time in the 30-plus-year history of our data,\" according to a May 2014 Brookings Institute analysis.","The Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, produced a May 2014 report titled, \"Declining Business Dynamism in the United States: A Look at States and Metros.\" The authors used the Census Bureau\u2019s data but at the time, the data they used only went through 2011.","But more up-to-date Census information says the trend has reversed and that in 2012 and 2013, more businesses started then closed. The balance is very tight in 2013 and we don\u2019t have the numbers for 2014 or 2015.","PolitiFact National, \" Rubio says more businesses are closing than opening for the first time in 35 years,\" Oct. 28, 2015."]},{"id":"12591.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump literally has no plans to make higher education more affordable.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Donald Trump has not released a traditional higher education reform plan or provided specific details on how to make college more affordable. While he has commented on the high cost of student loan debt and expressed a desire to prevent the federal government from profiting from students, there is no concrete evidence or comprehensive plan from Trump regarding higher education affordability. Therefore, the statement that he \"literally has no plans\" to address this issue is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"He says \u2018wages are too high\u2019 and has literally no plans to make higher education more affordable,\" she said in a press release.","Trump\u2019s likely Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, has spoken at length about her plans for higher education. She released her \"New College Compact\" plan in August 2015.","It\u2019s a far cry from 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who in May 2012 released a 35-page white paper in part detailing his plans to reshape higher education policy. And 2008 GOP nominee John McCain also proposed several specific higher education policy changes on his campaign website.","Trump hasn\u2019t released any sort of traditional higher education reform plan \u2014 much less any details on how to make college more affordable \u2014 unlike Clinton, Romney and McCain. However, Trump has commented several times on the spiraling cost of student loan debt and said he doesn\u2019t want the federal government making a profit on the backs of students."]},{"id":"8124.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Houston National Cemetery is preventing Christian prayers from being said at military funerals.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple sources, including the Houston National Cemetery director and the National Memorial Ladies group, confirm that there are no restrictions on Christian prayers at military funerals held at the Houston National Cemetery. Claims suggesting otherwise, such as the Facebook post by ForAmerica, have been debunked and found to be inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["An image posted on Facebook by the conservative group ForAmerica says, \"The Houston National Cemetery is preventing Christian prayers from being said at military funerals!\"","The Breitbart item and the council\u2019s report said that on July 26, 2011, U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, \"determined that Houston National Cemetery was preventing Christian prayers from being said at military funerals.\"","Conservative group ForAmerica created a catchy graphic that's been shared more than 18,000 times on Facebook. The only problem is it's False: The Houston National Cemetery is not restricting Christian prayers.","\"Everything is running very smooth there. There are no problems,\" said Cheryl Whitfield, director of National Memorial Ladies, whose 34 members sometimes are, she said, the only mourners during funerals at the ~~~~ cemetery. \"We attend all of the burials at Houston National Cemetery every day. There are anywhere from four to 12 a day. So we attend approximately 60 a week. And we give our condolences to the family,\" Whitfield told us by phone. \"We use God\u2019s name, we use Jesus\u2019 name; we\u2019re able to say anything to help console the family.\""]},{"id":"3533.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Franklin Roosevelt (was) the last president to come to the Congress to ask for permission to engage into war.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Franklin Roosevelt was the last president to formally ask Congress for permission to engage in war, it is important to note that subsequent presidents have sought support from Congress for military actions. Presidents since Roosevelt have not explicitly asked for permission, but they have sought congressional authorization or support for military actions through various means. This includes seeking congressional approval through resolutions or engaging in consultations and briefings with Congress. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate in terms of the phrasing used, but it overlooks the broader context of seeking support from Congress for military actions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 Each president has been careful about the phrasing of his request to Congress. Even as presidents ask for Congress\u2019 support -- something seen as politically useful, even necessary -- they always take pains to note that they are doing so voluntarily, without ceding any presidential prerogatives. So when Rangel says that \"Franklin Roosevelt (was) the last president to come to the Congress to ask for permission\" to go to war, he has a point. No president since Roosevelt has come to seek \"permission\" from Congress for military action. However, presidents have repeatedly come to Congress to seek \"support\" for military action.","Rangel replied, \"No. It is true that he did send his Cabinet to brief us as to the reasoning that he made it, but you know, it's three things, the Constitution, the constitution, the constitution. And ever since Franklin Roosevelt, the last president to come to the Congress to ask for permission to engage into war, what I really don't understand \u2026 is that when you talk about -- you use the word put our young people in harm's way, what a sacrifice.\"","So where does this leave us? Rangel is right that Roosevelt is the last president, strictly speaking, \"to come to the Congress to ask for permission to engage into war.\" But at least two presidents -- both George Bushes -- have waited to launch wars until they had an official vote from Congress backing them up. On balance, we rate Rangel\u2019s statement Half True.","All told, then, at least six of the 12 presidents since Franklin Roosevelt have come to Congress to seek support for military actions. So how does this square with Rangel\u2019s comment?"]},{"id":"1410.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Massachusetts, Scott Browns Republican affiliation is not a secret, but clearly not on display.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Scott Brown's Republican affiliation was not prominently displayed during his campaign in Massachusetts. While there were a few instances where he referred to himself as a Republican, overall, Brown and his team emphasized his independence and downplayed his partisan ties. This approach was evident in the lack of Republican mentions on his bus, signs, and campaign ads. However, it's important to note that news coverage regularly mentioned his party affiliation, so it was not a complete secret to voters. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["O'Donnell, in a voice-over, continued, \"Not a secret, but clearly not on display. No mention of being a Republican on Brown's bus, signs or campaign ads.\"","O'Donnell was correct that during the campaign there was \"no mention of being a Republican on Brown's bus, signs or campaign ads.\" We did find two brief instances -- one in a speech, one in a news release -- in which Brown referred to himself as a Republican. But while news coverage regularly mentioned his party affiliation, meaning that it should have been no secret to voters, the candidate clearly downplayed his partisan ties. So we find O'Donnell's statement Mostly True.","\"He and his team clearly sought to emphasize the word 'independent' over 'Republican,'\" said Scott Helman, political editor at the Boston Globe.","Since he lost his Senate seat in Massachusetts, Republican Scott Brown has been keeping his options open for a potential run for office in New Hampshire."]},{"id":"621.json","label":"true","statement":"\"John McCain's top foreign policy adviser lobbied for... the Republic of Georgia, and McCain has mirrored the position advocated by the government.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that John McCain's top foreign policy adviser lobbied for the Republic of Georgia and that McCain has aligned his position with the government's stance. This suggests a close relationship between McCain and the Georgian government. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide any evidence or context to evaluate whether this alignment is positive or negative. It simply states that McCain's position mirrors that of the government without offering further analysis or implications.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"John McCain has made sure the information concerning the lives of Americans we clearly abandoned after the war remain in government files 40 years later,\" he says.","The man behind the flyer is Gerard \"Jerry\" W. Kiley, 61, of Garnerville, N.Y., who says he served in Vietnam for about a year. He describes his group as a one-man operation unaffiliated with any political party or campaign. He says he opposes McCain because of the senator's efforts to normalize relations with the Vietnamese communist government and because, in his view, McCain has helped the U.S. government keep information about POWs classified.","\"We were all tortured and we wrote confessions under the pressure of torture,\" said Swindle, who was a cellmate with McCain and is active in his campaign. \"John McCain never collaborated with the enemy. He, like every one of us, submitted to severe torture. John McCain did nothing dishonorable. He was heroic.\"","Robert Timberg, author of John McCain: An American Odyssey , who has interviewed many POWs who served with McCain, said there's no evidence that he ever collaborated with the North Vietnamese. \"I've never known of any occasion in which Sen. McCain provided the North Vietnamese with anything of value,\" Timberg said."]},{"id":"5036.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Fifty percent of Speaker Gingrichs tax plan goes to the top 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Obama campaign spokesperson regarding Speaker Gingrich's tax plan. According to the Tax Policy Center report, under Gingrich's plan, the top 1 percent of income earners would receive approximately 50.1 percent of the total tax cuts. This means that a significant portion of the tax benefits would indeed go to the top 1 percent. However, it's important to note that this claim focuses on the distribution of tax cuts and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall impact or effectiveness of Gingrich's tax plan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Fifty percent of Speaker Gingrich\u2019s tax plan goes to the top 1 percent,\" LaBolt said. (We're following our practice of attributing this claim to Obama because LaBolt was acting as a spokesman for the campaign, not speaking on his own.)","Gingrich\u2019s tax plan would cut the corporate income tax in half and would introduce a 15 percent flat tax option for all taxpayers. But would 50 percent of the benefits really go to the top 1 percent of income earners?","Currently, the top 1 percent of income earners are paying tax rates as high as 35 percent. The average federal rate for that group is 29.8 percent. Under Gingrich\u2019s plan, it would fall to 12.8 percent, according to the Tax Policy Center report. The average federal tax rate for the lowest 20 percent of income earners would fall from 2 percent to 1.4 percent.","Under the plan, the top earners would pay an average of $340,203 in tax under Gingrich\u2019s plan, making up 50.1 percent of the total tax cuts. By contrast, the lowest 20 percent of income earners would pay an average of $63 less, comprising less than 1 percent of the total savings."]},{"id":"12810.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump promised the mass deportation of Latino families.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Donald Trump has advocated for stricter immigration policies and has promised to deport undocumented immigrants, he has not specifically promised the mass deportation of Latino families. Trump's focus has been on addressing undocumented immigration as a whole, regardless of ethnicity or nationality. It is important to differentiate between his stance on immigration and making sweeping generalizations about specific ethnic groups.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Donald Trump, when you take pride in your outright ignorance of world affairs, when you promise the mass deportation of Latino families, when you dismiss officer-involved shootings of African-Americans, when you degrade women, Donald Trump, you unite us,\" Bass said on the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.","Bass said Trump has promised to deport Latino families, but only characterizing those families as \"Latino\" misses an important distinction in Trump\u2019s plans.","Trump has promised to deport undocumented immigrants. Not all Latinos in the country are undocumented, and not all undocumented immigrants are Latino.","Off the bat, Bass\u2019 attack is imprecise. She said Trump wants to deport Latino families, when he has not promised that exactly. He pledged to remove the undocumented population, which is certainly comprised of Latinos but is not exclusive to them. (And obviously, not all Latinos in the United States are here illegally.)"]},{"id":"701.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Palin \"stopped the Bridge to Nowhere.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Sarah Palin expressed opposition to the Bridge to Nowhere project, the statement that she \"stopped\" the bridge is misleading. By the time Palin made her decision to halt the project, a significant amount of federal funding had already been redirected to other transportation projects. Additionally, the state of Alaska had already spent a substantial portion of the funds allocated for the bridge on other priorities. Therefore, while Palin's decision may have contributed to the ultimate demise of the project, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the cessation of the Bridge to Nowhere to her actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"She stopped the Bridge to Nowhere,\" the ad says, as the screen shows a photo of a stern-looking Palin superimposed on an aerial picture of blue water and islands.","So, no, Palin wasn't the only one who stopped the bridge. The project was facing nationwide opposition and the state, which could have built the bridge anyway, had already spent much of the money on higher priorities. Palin didn't kill it, she just performed the last rites. And the ad is misleading because it cites a newspaper article that doesn't provide any evidence that the boast is accurate. So we rate the claim in the ad to be Barely True.","First, we should point out that the ad is misleading because it appears to justify the claim with a newspaper article on the screen. \"PALIN FLIES HIGH AS A REFORMER,\" says the headline from the Anchorage Daily News that scrolls onto the screen as the announcer says \"she stopped the Bridge to Nowhere.\"","By the time Palin pulled the plug on the Gravina bridge project in September 2007, much of the federal funding for the bridge had already been diverted to other transportation projects. The bridge would cost $398-million, Palin said then, and Alaska was $329-million short."]},{"id":"5109.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the state tax burden per citizen in New York is twice as high as in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comparison of the state tax burden per citizen in New York and Florida. According to the data provided, New York's state tax burden per person in 2010 was approximately 97% higher than that of Florida. This indicates that, on average, individuals in New York bear a significantly higher tax burden compared to those in Florida. However, it's important to note that the tax burden alone may not be the sole factor businesses consider when deciding to relocate, as other economic and non-economic factors also play a role.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"And I should add, to all of our friends in New York, come on down!\" he said in the Jan. 10, 2012, speech, adding an unscripted shout-out to Illinois, too. \"Our temperature outdoors is about twice as high as yours, and your (state) tax burden per citizen is about twice as high as ours. Those are good numbers for us.\"","Scott brought up the state's tax burden per citizen, which represents total tax collections divided by population. In 2010, New York's figure was $3,278, and Florida's was $1,675. State tax collection per capita in New York is very close to double, at about 97 percent more than Florida's, at least in 2010.","Scott correctly cites that New York's state tax burden per person is twice as much as it is in Florida, and no doubt this fact could be attractive to businesses thinking of moving to Florida. But businesses likely consider more than just tax burden when thinking of where to locate their businesses, and some states with higher tax rates have more robust economies. Still, if you want to count Florida's positives for business, a low tax burden is surely one of them. We rate this Mostly True.","A high-income person in New York, Auxier said, may pay higher taxes than a high-income person in a state without an income tax, such as Florida and Texas. But a low-income person could find New York to be a \"low tax\" state compared with other states that have higher sales taxes, which hit lower-income households more."]},{"id":"10038.json","label":"false","statement":"The only candidate pocketing big money from people who want to destroy coal is Mitch McConnell.","reason":"Reason: The statement made in the Grimes ad is not accurate. While it is true that Mitch McConnell received campaign contributions from anti-coal groups, it is misleading to claim that he is the only candidate receiving such funds. Other candidates may also receive financial support from individuals or organizations with anti-coal stances. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context and is an oversimplification of the situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A Grimes ad claimed that \"the only candidate pocketing big money from people who want to destroy coal is Mitch McConnell.\"","Along those lines, we recently checked this claim from a Grimes campaign ad: \"The only candidate pocketing big money from people who want to destroy coal is Mitch McConnell.\" It\u2019s a statement that isn\u2019t accurate.","We\u2019ll assess two parts of this claim. First, is McConnell \"pocketing big money from people who want to destroy coal\"? And second, is he the \"only candidate\" taking money from anti-coal activists?","\"What Mitch McConnell doesn\u2019t want you to know is that he and his wife personally took $600,000 from anti-coal groups, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg\u2019s anti-coal foundation,\" Grimes said. \"The only candidate pocketing big money from people who want to destroy coal is Mitch McConnell.\""]},{"id":"12854.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Trans-Pacific Partnership knocks out 18,000 tariffs that other countries place on American products and goods.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) eliminating 18,000 tariffs on American products and goods. The TPP was indeed designed to reduce or eliminate tariffs imposed by participating countries, which would benefit American businesses and workers by improving access to foreign markets. However, it's important to note that the 18,000 figure includes not only existing tariffs on American goods but also potential tariffs on products that the United States is not currently exporting. So while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the TPP's impact on tariffs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Number one, it knocks out 18,000 tariffs that other countries place on American products and goods,\" he said. \"So if everybody agrees that we're going to have lower tariffs, that's good for American businesses and American workers. And we should want that, we should pursue it.\"","Because of the Trans-Pacific Partnership \"we\u2019ve got a country like Malaysia taking really serious efforts to crack down on human trafficking.\"","Put simply, the 18,000 figure includes tariffs on American goods that would be removed, and tariffs on products that America isn\u2019t yet exporting but might.","It didn\u2019t take long for the conversation to focus on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-country trade deal pending Senate approval that has been highly contentious in the 2016 election. Defending the deal, Obama made several claims regarding its benefits for American workers."]},{"id":"6683.json","label":"true","statement":"$16 trillion (the national debt) in $1 bills would cover the entire state of Ohio nearly 1.5 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, if you were to stack $16 trillion in $1 bills, it would cover the entire state of Ohio nearly 1.5 times. This comparison is used to help people visualize the immense amount of money represented by the national debt. \nLabel: true","evidence":["In an attempt to put $16 trillion in terms everyday people can get their arms around, he also released a list of items showing how that much money stacks up -- such as \"$16 trillion in $1 bills would cover the entire state of Ohio nearly 1.5 times.\"","We ran the numbers again, using the land area of 40,860 square miles that the federal Census Bureau gives Ohio. Sixteen trillion singles would cover that area almost exactly 1.5 times.","The U.S. government has carried debt since 1790, according to the Treasury Department, but the national debt didn't top $1 trillion until 1982.","\"Nearly 40,000 new jobs have been created in the last year due to the new wells . . . right here in Ohio.\""]},{"id":"8724.json","label":"true","statement":"Granite Staters who hold individual policies from Anthem...can indeed renew their policies and keep their current doctors and hospitals in 2014.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Shea-Porter that Granite Staters who hold individual policies from Anthem can renew their policies and maintain their current doctors and hospitals in 2014. However, it's important to note that this claim is time-sensitive and specific to the year 2014. The evidence suggests that Anthem was the predominant insurance company in New Hampshire at that time, and policyholders were able to extend their current policies for 12 months. It's crucial to consider the context and limitations of this statement, as it may not necessarily apply to subsequent years or changes in insurance policies.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Shea-Porter said in December that in 2014 \"Granite Staters who hold individual policies from Anthem\u2026 can indeed renew their policies and keep their doctors and hospitals.\"","\"Washington Republicans should take down their misleading attack ads and stop frightening Granite Staters who hold individual policies from Anthem, because they can indeed renew their policies and keep their current doctors and hospitals,\" she said.","Anthem is by far the predominant insurance company in New Hampshire. It\u2019s the only company participating in the state\u2019s marketplace in 2014 and holds about 30,000 individual policies in the state. Other companies hold around 1,000, according to the N.H. Insurance Department.","New Hampshire policyholders were always able to extend their current policies 12 months, thanks to the state\u2019s early renewal option. Anthem will not extend canceled policies after its Dec. 16 deadline, despite the White House allowing extensions until October 2014."]},{"id":"7141.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Walmart employees represent the largest group of Medicaid and food stamp recipients in many states, costing the taxpayer $1,000 per worker.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence provided by Representative Alan Grayson, who claimed that Walmart employees represent the largest group of Medicaid and food stamp recipients in many states. Grayson's claim is based on his analysis and a Huffington Post column he wrote in 2012. However, it's important to note that the evidence also acknowledges the difficulty in extrapolating taxpayer costs for Walmart stores in other states based on the available data. While the claim is based on specific data and analysis, it may not necessarily apply uniformly across all states. Therefore, the statement should be considered with some caution and may not be applicable in every state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["He doubled down in a subsequent interview with The Young Turks show on Current TV, saying Walmart employees represent \"the largest group of food stamp recipients.\"","\"In state after state, the largest group of Medicaid recipients is Walmart employees. I'm sure that the same thing is true of food stamp recipients. Each Walmart \u2018associate\u2019 costs the taxpayers an average of more than $1,000 in public assistance,\" Grayson wrote in a Huffington Post column on Nov. 24, 2012.","\"Because of varying program eligibility requirements across states, extrapolating taxpayer costs for Walmart stores in other states based on the Wisconsin data is difficult,\" the report says on page 10.","\"Walmart is the largest private employer in the country, by a substantial margin,\" Grayson wrote. \"Even if 100 percent of the employees of the second largest employer were on food stamps \u2013 an unlikely scenario, to say the least \u2013 Walmart employees would still be the largest group.\""]},{"id":"9322.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Oregon today has 100,000 more jobs than it did when I was elected.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Governor Kitzhaber claimed that Oregon has 100,000 more jobs than when he was elected, and this claim has been fact-checked and confirmed to be mostly true. The actual number is 99,300, but it aligns with the governor's statement. It's important to note that governors have a limited influence on the state's economy, and other factors contribute to job growth as well. Nonetheless, the claim accurately reflects the increase in job numbers during Governor Kitzhaber's tenure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a recent campaign email, the Democratic governor claimed: \"Oregon today has 100,000 more jobs than it did when I was elected.\" He repeated the claim to Harry Esteve, a reporter for The Oregonian, for a recent story, and that also got a lot of readers wondering about the figure.","Kitzhaber\u2019s email said, \"Oregon today has 100,000 more jobs than it did when I was elected.\" He\u2019s essentially correct on the numbers. Technically, it\u2019s 99,300 \u2013 though it\u2019s important to note that it would have been 94,000 if he had counted from the time he was sworn in and affecting policy. It\u2019s also important to note that governors have a modest influence on their state\u2019s economy. We rate the claim Mostly True.","So we used the bureau\u2019s interactive website to find the seasonally adjusted figures for non-farm jobs in Oregon when Kitzhaber was last elected, in November 2010, and for March 2014, when the email went out.","Second, while Kitzhaber did not personally claim credit for creating 100,000 jobs, he did cite the statistic in an email that began, \"Four years ago, you stood with me as together we promised Oregon that we could make critical progress on education, healthcare, and rebuilding our economy, even in the face of a significant partisan divide.\""]},{"id":"11224.json","label":"true","statement":"There are actually only 30 countries that practice birthright citizenship.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that there are approximately 30 countries that practice birthright citizenship. This means that individuals born on the soil of these countries are automatically granted citizenship. It is worth noting that the specific number may vary slightly depending on the criteria used to define birthright citizenship. Nonetheless, the statement is generally accurate in highlighting that birthright citizenship is not a universally adopted practice worldwide.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There are actually only 30 countries that practice birthright citizenship,\" she said on the Aug. 23, 2015, show, \"making the U.S. kind of an anomaly.\"","We wanted to see if the United States is one of 30 countries in the world to offer automatic citizenship to anyone born on its soil.","Later on CNN, conservative pundit S.E. Cupp offered another look at birthright citizenship, saying it\u2019s not a practice widely shared across the globe.","The country\u2019s 150-year-old right of citizenship to every person upon birth on U.S. soil has become the latest test question for GOP presidential candidates, with Donald Trump and Ben Carson coming out strongly in favor of ending the practice."]},{"id":"13114.json","label":"false","statement":"Former President Bill Clinton and his Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) distributed watered-down HIV\/AIDSdrugs to patients in sub-Saharan Africa.","reason":"Reason: The claim that former President Bill Clinton and his Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) distributed watered-down HIV\/AIDS drugs to patients in sub-Saharan Africa is not supported by strong evidence. The Daily Caller article, which is the primary source for this claim, includes qualifiers and phrases such as \"possibility\" and \"likely\" without providing concrete evidence to substantiate the allegation. Furthermore, the article itself acknowledges that many regulators had declared the drugs safe. Without substantial evidence to support the claim, it is not accurate to assert that Clinton and CHAI distributed watered-down drugs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a story headlined as an exclusive, a Daily Caller reporter wrote \"Former President Bill Clinton and his Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) distributed \u2018watered-down\u2019 HIV\/AIDS drugs to patients in sub-Saharan Africa.\"","The Daily Caller said that the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Health Access Initiative distributed \"watered-down HIV\/AIDS drugs to patients in sub-Saharan Africa.\"","Even Blackburn\u2019s report, which is the evidence for the Daily Caller\u2019s claim, added a key qualifier, saying the \"Clinton Foundation likely facilitated the distribution of watered-down HIV\/AIDS medications in sub-Saharan Africa through its Clinton Health Access Initiative\" (emphasis ours).","Given that many regulators had declared those drugs safe, we asked Blackburn\u2019s office for evidence that proved the foundation likely distributed watered-down drugs. We have yet to receive a response.(Deeper in its article, the Daily Caller wrote of \"the possibility\" that the Clinton initiative distributed diluted drugs.)"]},{"id":"7938.json","label":"false","statement":"A study of private bail bond systems showed that Wisconsin has a higher no-show rate than other states of defendants skipping court appearances.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Vos regarding a study of private bail bond systems showing that Wisconsin has a higher no-show rate than other states is not supported by the available evidence. The fact-checkers have found that the study mentioned by Vos does not compare states and does not include specific data for Wisconsin. While there may be studies suggesting lower no-show rates for private bail in certain municipalities, it is incorrect to claim that Wisconsin has a higher no-show rate compared to other states based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Vos said a study of private bail bond systems \"showed that Wisconsin has a higher no-show rate than other states\" of defendants skipping court appearances.","Vos added: \"There was a study done by WPRI that showed that Wisconsin has a higher no-show rate than other states. We\u2019re one of only two or four states that doesn\u2019t have bail bonds right now.\"","With that in mind, we wondered if Vos was on the mark claiming a study shows that Wisconsin court defendants fail to appear more often than in other states.","The study doesn\u2019t compare states, and doesn\u2019t include a Wisconsin figure. And while various studies of local municipalities show lower no-show rates for private bail and therefore suggest the same advantage would hold for Wisconsin, Vos spoke as if the question is settled."]},{"id":"1507.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We have solved the problem. ... Scientists are now saying leave the nuclear waste where it is.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Senator Reid claims that scientists are now saying to leave nuclear waste where it is, the evidence provided contradicts this assertion. Nuclear policy specialists, such as Matthew Bunn from Harvard University, argue that dry casks, which are currently used for storage, are not a long-term solution and that nuclear waste ultimately needs to be stored underground. Additionally, Edwin Lyman, a physicist and senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, agrees that there is no significant support in the technical community for leaving spent nuclear fuel at reactor sites indefinitely. Therefore, the claim that the problem of nuclear waste has been solved and that scientists support leaving it where it is, is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Reid replied, \"Scientists are now saying leave the nuclear waste where it is, in deep ground storage. And when I say deep ground, (I mean) 10 feet underground. The new nuclear power plants are going to be built, and it's terrific that the president stepped forward on this. I'm not against nuclear power. I'm against bringing nuclear waste to Nevada. Scientists say leave it where it is. That's what we have to do.\"","\"I would say he's wrong in saying 'we have solved the problem,' \" said Matthew Bunn, a nuclear policy specialist at Harvard University. Dry casks are \"not a really long-term solution, and it ultimately needs to go underground.\"","\"What about the issue of everyone being so gung-ho now on nuclear power, including the president, when you still have not solved the waste problem?\" Ralston asked the senator.","Edwin Lyman is a physicist and senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, a watchdog group that often crosses swords with the Nuclear Energy Institute. But asked about Reid's comment, Lyman agreed with the industry group, saying he is \"unaware of any significant support in the technical community for leaving spent nuclear fuel at reactor sites indefinitely. There is a broad consensus that interim storage of spent fuel in dry casks can be managed at reactor sites for at least several decades.\""]},{"id":"3683.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the Internal Revenue Service estimated it must hire 16,500 agents at a cost of $10 billion to the taxpayer to enforce the federal health care overhaul.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there were claims made that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would need to hire 16,500 agents at a cost of $10 billion to enforce the federal health care overhaul, these claims were found to be misleading and incorrect. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the IRS would need to spend between $5 billion and $10 billion over 10 years to implement the law, but it did not specify the number of agents that would need to be hired. The claim of 16,500 agents and a $10 billion cost is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In order to fully enforce the provisions of this bill, the Internal Revenue Service estimates that it will be required to hire an additional 16,500 agents at a cost of $10 billion to the taxpayer,\" the Chambliss reply said.","Chambliss\u2019 statement that the IRS estimated it must \"hire an additional 16,500 agents at a cost of $10 billion to the taxpayer\" to implement health care reforms not only repeated an oft-criticized, misleading claim. It got the claim wrong.","The CBO wrote that it had not completed cost estimates for the IRS and other federal agencies responsible for implementing the law. But it did say the IRS \"would probably\" need to spend \"between $5 billion and $10 billion over 10 years.\"","This is what actually happened: The CBO, a nonpartisan referee on budget questions, offered a cost estimate of $5 billion to $10 billion over 10 years, but it suggested nothing about how those costs would translate to jobs, PolitiFact ruled. Republicans picked numbers at the high end of the CBO estimate that favor their case, the ruling concluded."]},{"id":"4408.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin ranks as the most liberal member of the House.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Tammy Baldwin was regarded as one of the most liberal members of the House of Representatives during her time in Congress. Multiple sources, including news articles and statements from political figures, confirm her liberal stance. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly state that she was the absolute most liberal member of the House, as there may have been other members with similar ideological positions. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true, but with the caveat that it does not definitively establish her as the absolute most liberal member.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Thompson says Baldwin, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012, ranks \"as the most liberal member\" of the House of Representatives. He singled her out as being more liberal than any of the other 434 members.","Until U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., announced her 2012 candidacy for the U.S. Senate, her campaign website displayed a 2006 news article that began with the words: \"Rep. Tammy Baldwin, one of the most liberal members of Congress.\"","\"Tammy Baldwin is a classic tax-and-spend liberal, and her ranking as the most liberal member of the House puts her clearly out of the mainstream of Wisconsin voters.\"","Americans for Democratic Action is an organization that says it is \"committed to liberal politics, liberal policies and a liberal future.\" It ranks lawmakers based on their votes on what the group considers the 20 most important votes of the year. In 2010, the group urged House members to vote for measures such as health care reform, the extension of long-term unemployment benefits and repeal of don\u2019t ask-don\u2019t tell."]},{"id":"8185.json","label":"false","statement":"Says your Legislative Assembly was within one vote of enacting each of those bills into Oregon law.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were multiple gun-related bills introduced in the Legislative Assembly of Oregon, the statement that they were within one vote of enacting each of those bills into law is misleading. Some of the bills did not even receive a hearing, and there is no guarantee that all of them would have passed in the Senate or received the necessary votes in the House. Therefore, the claim that they were one vote away from enactment is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He then listed seven of them and continued: \"Your Legislative Assembly was within one vote of enacting each of those bills into Oregon law. It was within one vote of grossly impinging on our second amendment rights.\"","Whitsett said that gun-control advocates were within \"one vote of enacting each\" of the seven bills into law. Had he focused on Senate Bill 700 specifically, we might be inclined to agree. But some of the other bills did not even receive a hearing and there is no guarantee that others would have passed in the Senate, let alone received the 31 votes needed in the House.","\"More than a dozen bills relating to firearms were introduced during the recently concluded 77th Legislative Assembly,\" he wrote. \"Most of those bills would have, in some way, impinged upon our second amendment right to own and bear firearms.\"","In a recent opinion piece for conservative political blog Oregon Catalyst, Sen. Doug Whitsett, a Republican from Klamath Falls, says, if not for one vote, the whole gun control narrative could have been completely different."]},{"id":"5482.json","label":"true","statement":"The top 1 percent (of income earners) paid 36.7 percent (of the taxes). ... The top 50 percent pay 97.7 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistics provided by Representative Renacci. The top 1 percent of income earners do pay 36.7 percent of the taxes, and the top 50 percent of income earners do pay 97.7 percent of the taxes in the country. These figures indicate a significant concentration of tax burden among the higher-income brackets. However, it's important to note that these statistics specifically refer to income taxes and do not encompass other forms of taxation, such as payroll taxes or sales taxes, which may have a different distribution across income groups.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The top 1 percent (of income earners) paid 36.7 percent (of the taxes). The top 5 percent paid 58.7 percent, and the top 10 percent paid 70.5 percent.\"","Renacci continued as the figures were projected onto a screen: \"The top 25 percent pay 87.3 percent of the taxes paid in this country. The top 50 percent pay 97.7 percent. So, it\u2019s interesting when you hear the story that the wealthy need to pay more of their share.\"","The statistics Renacci cited to his constituents were accurate. The top 1 percent of the nation\u2019s taxpayers do pay 36.9 percent of its income taxes and the top half of earners do pay 97.7 percent of the nation\u2019s income taxes.","We wondered whether she was right that \"the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government.\""]},{"id":"76.json","label":"false","statement":"\"What they will do is socialized medicine.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that some critics, like Mitt Romney, have referred to Clinton's plan as \"socialized medicine,\" it is inaccurate to label it as such. Socialized medicine typically refers to a system where the government controls and provides healthcare services directly, often funded through taxation. Clinton's proposal, on the other hand, does not involve government control of the healthcare system, and it includes a significant role for private insurance companies. Therefore, it does not meet the definition of socialized medicine as described in medical dictionaries or commonly understood.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mitt Romney made a similar statement, calling Clinton's plan \"a European-style socialized medicine plan \u2014 that's where it leads \u2014 and that's the wrong direction for America.\"","It's inaccurate to call Clinton's proposal \"socialized medicine.\" It doesn't meet that definition because the government would not control the system and because of the heavy involvement of private insurance companies \u2014 which could turn a profit from the plan.","\"I had prostate cancer, five, six years ago. My chance of surviving prostate cancer, and thank God I was cured of it, in the United States, 82%. My chances of surviving prostate cancer in England, only 44% under socialized medicine.\"","According to Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary , socialized medicine is \"a system of medical care regulated and controlled by the government, in which the government assumes responsibility for providing for the health needs and hospital care of the entire population, at no direct cost or at a nominal fee to the individual, by means of subsidies obtained by taxation.\""]},{"id":"3380.json","label":"true","statement":"A bill before the Georgia General Assembly would make presidential candidates meet citizenship requirements that are not in the U.S. Constitution.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the bill before the Georgia General Assembly. The bill proposes additional citizenship requirements for presidential candidates that are not explicitly outlined in the U.S. Constitution. This means that the bill seeks to impose additional criteria beyond what is currently required by the Constitution for individuals running for the presidency.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The bill would require presidential candidates to sign an affidavit saying they have never held dual citizenship. This means the bill would create requirements for president that don\u2019t exist in the U.S. Constitution, Collins wrote:","By last Wednesday, 93 state House members had signed on as co-sponsors to Rep. Mark Hatfield\u2019s so-called \"birther\" bill, which would make presidential and vice presidential candidates prove their citizenship to make the state\u2019s ballot.","This language does not and should not exclude candidates who are or were dual citizens, Collins argued. Foreign law decided who qualifies for dual citizenship, and foreign law should not decide who is eligible to be U.S. president.","But the board clearly gives state Republicans more power. The board will no longer be chaired by the secretary of state. That change is a swipe at Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who concluded the Georgia election was secure in the face of criticism by then President Trump. Instead, the GOP-dominated General Assembly would appoint a chair of the five-member board. The law includes efforts to make the chair nonpartisan \u2014 it says the chair can\u2019t have been a candidate in the preceding two years. But it still gives the General Assembly the power to appoint the majority of the board."]},{"id":"344.json","label":"false","statement":"Americans \"have never paid more for gas at the pump.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Historical data shows that Americans have paid higher prices for gasoline in the past. For example, in 2008, during the global financial crisis, gas prices reached record highs in the United States. Additionally, inflation-adjusted prices for gasoline in the 1910s and 1920s were higher than current prices. Therefore, the claim that Americans have never paid more for gas at the pump is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"3713.json","label":"true","statement":"Says close to 90 percent of the population growth in Texas over the last decade was non-Anglo.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Rep. Garnet Coleman that close to 90 percent of the population growth in Texas over the last decade was non-Anglo. Census data from 2000 to 2010 shows that the minority population in Texas grew by 3.8 million, accounting for about 89 percent of the state's overall population growth during that period. This data supports the assertion that the majority of population growth in Texas was non-Anglo.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - State Rep. Garnet Coleman says nearly 90 percent of the population growth in Texas during the last decade was non-Anglo&url=)","From 2000 to 2010, \"close to 90 percent of the population growth in Texas was non-Anglo, yet this map reduces the number of districts where communities of color can elect their candidate of choice,\" he said in an April 28 press release. That day, the GOP-dominant House approved the revisions, which Coleman says eliminates one district in which Hispanics make up the majority of registered voters, sending the plan to the Senate.","We\u2019re not going to weigh in on whether the map disenfranchises voters. But we wondered whether he correctly pegged the state\u2019s non-Anglo population growth.","According to census data, in 2000, about 9.9 million minorities \u2014 people who reported their ethnicity and race as something other than non-Hispanic white \u2014 accounted for 47.6 percent of the state\u2019s population. From 2000 to 2010, the minority population swelled by 3.8 million, accounting for 54.7 percent of the population \u2014 and also making minorities responsible for about 89 percent of the state\u2019s growth through the decade."]},{"id":"7669.json","label":"true","statement":"A bipartisan background check amendment outlawed any (gun) registry. Plain and simple, right there in the text.","reason":"Reason: The bipartisan background check amendment, known as the Manchin-Toomey amendment, did include provisions that explicitly outlawed any gun registry. The legislation expanded the existing ban on gun registries already in federal law by prohibiting the consolidation or centralization of records, forbidding the seizure of records, and imposing penalties for anyone who attempted to consolidate or centralize records. The text of the amendment supports the claim that it outlawed any gun registry. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"They claimed that it would create some sort of \u2018big brother\u2019 gun registry, even though the bill did the opposite. This legislation, in fact, outlawed any registry. Plain and simple, right there in the text. But that didn't matter.\"","Obama said opponents of compromise gun legislation \"claimed that it would create some sort of \u2018big brother\u2019 gun registry, even though the bill did the opposite. This legislation, in fact, outlawed any registry. Plain and simple, right there in the text.\" The Manchin-Toomey amendment referenced a registry ban already in federal law, then expanded it, prohibiting seizure of records, forbidding the attorney general from consolidating or centralizing records, and providing for fines and imprisonment for anyone who did consolidate or centralize records. We rate Obama\u2019s claim True.","President Barack Obama accused the \"gun lobby and its allies\" of lying about a bipartisan background check proposal that failed Wednesday in the Senate.","H.R. 8 is the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021. It would prohibit gun transfers between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. There would be some exceptions, such as gifts between immediate-family members."]},{"id":"12212.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton voted for virtually every trade agreement that has cost the workers of this country millions of jobs.","reason":"Reason: Hillary Clinton has indeed been a proponent of various trade agreements throughout her political career. While it is true that these agreements have had an impact on certain industries and jobs, the claim that they have cost \"millions of jobs\" is an exaggeration and lacks specific evidence. The impact of trade agreements on job loss is a complex issue with varying perspectives and economic factors at play. Therefore, while Clinton's support for trade agreements can be criticized, the statement's claim of job losses in the millions is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Well, when you vote for virtually every trade agreement that has cost the workers of this country millions of jobs,\" he said, \"when you support and continue to support fracking, despite the crisis that we have in terms of clean water, and essentially, when you have a super PAC that is raising tens of millions of dollars from every special interest out there, including $15 million from Wall Street, the American people do not believe that that is the kind of president that we need to make the changes in America to protect the working families of this country.\"","\"Well, when you vote for virtually every trade agreement that has cost the workers of this country millions of jobs, when you support and continue to support fracking, despite the crisis that we have in terms of clean water,\" he said April 10, \"and essentially, when you have a super PAC that is raising tens of millions of dollars from every special interest out there, including $15 million from Wall Street, the American people do not believe that that is the kind of president that we need to make the changes in America to protect the working families of this country.\"","Sanders is exaggerating slightly, but he has a point that Clinton has been largely in favor of free trade. His claim that these deals have cost the country \"millions of jobs\" is up for debate.","There\u2019s a lot to fact-check in this statement, but we were particularly curious about Sanders\u2019 claim that Clinton supported \"virtually every trade agreement.\""]},{"id":"1747.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a Bureau of Labor Statistics report attributed a sharp increase in work-related fatalities to increasing numbers of employees and drivers could not read or understand warning signs in English.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Bureau of Labor Statistics report cited does not support the claim that work-related fatalities increased due to employees and drivers not being able to read or understand warning signs in English. The report does not even address this issue, and the speculation made by a Bureau of Labor economist in a news story contradicts the data in the report. Furthermore, subsequent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics do not support the notion that a lack of English proficiency is a significant factor in work-related fatalities. Therefore, the claim lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In summary, James backed up his claims about concerns over public safety by citing a 2003 Bureau of Labor Statistics report that he claimed showed an alarming rise in work-related traffic fatalities due to the fact that increasing numbers of employees and drivers could not read or understand warning signs in English. The report does not state that. It doesn't even consider the issue. Rather, that's the speculation of a Bureau of Labor economist who was quoted in a 2004 news story. And that speculation is actually contradicted by the data in the report. We rate James' claim False.","According to an April 26, 2010, press release on his campaign website, the evidence is a 2004 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that said work-related traffic fatalities had increased 72 percent. According to James' campaign, the federal agency attributed that to increasing numbers of drivers who could not read or understand warning signs in English. The campaign didn't directly cite the report, but cited an article about it in the Sept. 23, 2004, Birmingham News.","We decided to look into the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report cited by the James campaign. It's a 2003 BLS report on fatal occupational injuries in Alabama. And that year, the report shows, there were 63 transportation-related incidents. But it doesn't say anything about any of those accidents being tied to an inability of drivers to read signs in English. Turns out that's not something the BLS tracks.","We're also not even sure why James cited a statistic from 2003. The BLS puts out these statistics every year. In 2004, there were 51 work-related transportation fatalities. All 51 were non-Hispanic. In fact, if you total up the numbers from 2003 through 2008, there were 319 transportation-related deaths. Of them, the reports note that 309 were non-Hispanic. The origin of the other 10 is not listed in the reports. But clearly, there is no basis to conclude that something as tangential as not being able to read signs in English is affecting those numbers one way or the other."]},{"id":"12814.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton negotiated the first agreement ever where China and India officially committed to reduce their emissions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in highlighting Hillary Clinton's involvement in the negotiations with China and India regarding emissions reduction. She played a significant role in these talks, which resulted in China and India making commitments to reduce their emissions. However, it's important to note that the agreement was not legally binding, as emphasized by world leaders, environmental activists, and experts. While it was a notable step in addressing climate change, the agreement did not have enforceable mechanisms to ensure compliance. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the negotiations and commitments made, it should be acknowledged that the agreement lacked legal bindingness.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bill Clinton said Hillary Clinton \"negotiated the first agreement \u2014 ever \u2014 where China and India officially committed to reduce their emissions.\"","Among them: \"She put climate change at the center of our foreign policy. She negotiated the first agreement ever \u2014 ever \u2014 where China and India officially committed to reduce their emissions.\"","Hillary Clinton did play a key -- but not solo -- role in the talks with China and India, and it was the first time the two countries made emissions reduction pledges in an international agreement.","But according to news reports, world leaders, environmental activists and experts, the \"real negotiations\" didn\u2019t actually lead to anything with teeth. China and India did end up agreeing to reduce their emissions and set their own targets, but emphasized the pledge was not legally binding."]},{"id":"3057.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The incoming Republican freshman class well, its no ordinary group: nearly half of its roughly 80 members have never served in elective office before.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant portion of the incoming Republican freshman class in the House had never served in elective office before, the statement exaggerates the extent of this fact. The actual percentage is closer to 38 percent, which is significantly lower than \"nearly half\" as claimed. The discrepancy between the actual figure and the statement made by Rep. Greg Walden is notable, leading to a rating of Barely True.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The incoming Republican freshman class \u2013 well, it\u2019s no ordinary group: nearly half of its roughly 80 members have never served in elective office before.\"","Republican Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon seemed to suggest all of that and more when he made this point while delivering the Republican weekly radio response on Nov. 13: \"The incoming Republican freshman class \u2013 well, it\u2019s no ordinary group: nearly half of its roughly 80 members have never served in elective office before.\"","In real terms, that means 38 percent of the newest Republicans in the House never held elective office before. If you base the calculation on information known at the time Walden spoke, it\u2019s still about 36 percent. Either way it\u2019s a bit of a reach from \"nearly a half,\u2019\u2019 as Walden suggests. By comparison, only one of the nine Democrats newly elected to the House could claim to be a political neophyte.","All of this is interesting and supports Walden\u2019s claim that the new GOP class in the House brings considerable non-political experience. But the gap between 38 percent and Walden\u2019s suggestion of \"nearly half\" is simply too wide. For this reason, we rate his claim Barely True."]},{"id":"1386.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 1,000 people ... move to Texas every day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the U.S. Census Bureau and IRS data. According to the data, Texas experienced an average daily net migration of about 635 people from other states and about 242 people from other countries. Additionally, IRS data suggests that around 1,353 people per day switched their residence to Texas between 2007 and 2008. These figures indicate that Texas does indeed have a significant influx of people, with more than 1,000 individuals moving to the state on a daily basis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I am pleased to receive the endorsement of the Southwest Movers Association, which plays a key role in supporting the more than 1,000 people who move to Texas every day,\" he said Dec. 29. \"As our state continues to grow, I look forward to working with members and stakeholders of SMA to ensure that Texas remains a top destination for job seekers.\"","In 2010, we rated as Mostly True a claim by Gov. Rick Perry that more than 1,000 people move to Texas every day. With help from the U.S. Census Bureau, we learned that about 635 people were then coming to Texas every day, on average. A census official based that number on average daily net migration from other states (393) plus average daily net migration from other countries (242). IRS data, meanwhile, suggested that about 1,353 a day switched their residence to Texas between the time they filed their tax returns in 2007 and when they filed in 2008.","In a full-page advertisement, Texans for Reliable Power recently suggested a need for more electricity generation in the state by presenting \"facts\" starting with: \"Texas is experiencing the fastest population growth in the country. As we add more than 1,000 people a day, each new Texan and new business increases demand on our grid.\"","Potter drew on the bureau\u2019s state population estimates as of the end of June 2012 and June 2013 to respond by email that Texas gained more than 1,000 residents a day, by those figures, and also gained the most residents of any state."]},{"id":"1028.json","label":"true","statement":"You've heard endlessly about waterboarding. It happened to three terrorists.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by former Vice President Dick Cheney and former CIA Director Michael Hayden. They both confirmed that waterboarding was used on three detainees, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Abu Zubaydah, and Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. This information is supported by official statements and memos released by the Attorney General's Office. Therefore, the statement is true based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You've heard endlessly about waterboarding,\" Cheney said in his address at the American Enterprise Institute. \"It happened to three terrorists. One of them was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of 9\/11, who has also boasted about his beheading of Daniel Pearl.","\"And with many thousands of innocent lives potentially in the balance, we did not think it made sense to let the terrorists answer questions in their own good time, if they answered them at all.\"","\"Let me make it very clear and to state so officially in front of this committee that waterboarding has been used on only three detainees,\" Hayden said. \"It was used on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. It was used on Abu Zubaydah. And it was used on (Abd al-Rahim al-)Nashiri. The CIA has not used waterboarding for almost five years.\"","According to a memo released by the Attorney General's Office in April 2009, waterboarding was removed from CIA\u2019s authorized list of techniques sometime after 2005."]},{"id":"10086.json","label":"true","statement":"In the past three years, we have prosecuted or brought more cases on access to public records than in the previous 12 years combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Peter Kilmartin that his office has prosecuted or brought more cases on access to public records in the past three years than in the previous 12 years combined. This claim has been verified through court records and is supported by evidence. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Unfortunately, in the past three years, we have prosecuted or brought more cases on access to public records than in the previous 12 years combined,\" he said. \"That tells me there is still a problem.\"","In summary, Peter Kilmartin said that in the past three years, his office has \"prosecuted or brought more cases on access to public records than in the previous 12 years combined.\"","His office has filed 10 suits since 2011. Lynch had seven during his eight years as Attorney General. Whitehouse had just one during his four years in that office.","So we turned to court records and received a list of all civil suits brought by Whitehouse and Lynch against public bodies. Once again, Kilmartin's tally checked out."]},{"id":"3371.json","label":"false","statement":"Says nobody in higher education believes Gov. Rick Perrys proposal to serve up $10,000 college degrees is possible.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There were individuals in higher education who initially expressed skepticism about the feasibility of offering $10,000 college degrees, but this skepticism was proven to be unfounded. In fact, there were existing examples of $10,000 degrees in Texas and other states at the time. Governor Rick Perry's proposal was met with success, as 13 institutions announced or implemented $10,000 degree programs. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that nobody in higher education believed in the possibility of offering $10,000 college degrees.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Perry first called for such degrees in his Feb. 8, 2011, state-of-the-state address. Public skepticism included a claim from the chairman of the Travis County Democratic Party that \"nobody in higher education believes that is even possible,\" which we rated False, finding not only disagreement but existing $10,000 degrees in Texas and elsewhere.","Texas\u2019 governor threw out a challenge in 2011 that some in higher education said was impossible to meet. Two years later, Rick Perry says it\u2019s underway.","So we found after checking Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s claim in a May press release that said: \"The governor has renewed his challenge for institutions to offer bachelor's degrees for $10,000 or less, including books. So far, 13 institutions have announced or implemented a $10,000 degree.\"","Stumping in East Texas, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White said GOP Gov. Rick Perry's proposal regarding high school dropouts and drivers' licenses has a glaring weakness."]},{"id":"2013.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Crime is down in Arizona.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the claim that crime is indeed down in Arizona. Data from Arizona's Department of Public Safety and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports indicate a significant decrease in the overall crime rate in Arizona from 2004 to 2009. The statistics show a 23 percent drop in the overall crime rate during that period, with an additional 12 percent decrease in 2009. Therefore, the statement that \"crime is down in Arizona\" is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It is unclear whether McCain was suggesting that crime in Arizona was up because of illegal immigrants, but we were curious about Hunt's claim that crime in Arizona -- a state that ranks 6th for the estimated population of illegal immigrants -- was down.","From 2004 to 2008, data from Arizona's DPS shows a 23 percent drop in the overall crime rate, while the FBI's statistics on Arizona show a 19 percent drop. Although the FBI has not released all of the data on 2009, Arizona's statistics show the crime rate in 2009 dropped an additional 12 percent.","We checked the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports as well as data from Arizona's Department of Public Safety and found Hunt is correct that crime is down.","Whether or not Hunt was correctly interpreting McCain's comments is outside of the scope of the claim, but he is right about Arizona crime going down. So we rate Hunt's claim True."]},{"id":"5839.json","label":"true","statement":"We have to recognize that our salaries for faculty are the lowest in New England with the exception of the University of Maine.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by University of Rhode Island president David Dooley that faculty salaries at URI are the lowest in New England, with the exception of the University of Maine. This claim is supported by a national survey, which confirms that URI has the second-lowest average salaries among New England's state universities. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We have to recognize that our salaries for faculty are the lowest in New England with the exception of the University of Maine,\" he said on the show, which aired April 8. \"That\u2019s a competitive disadvantage for us in the national and international hunt for talent. Our students will not be as successful if we don\u2019t have the best and brightest in those classrooms.\"","Dooley said that faculty salaries at URI are the lowest among public universities in New England except for the University of Maine. According to a national survey, he\u2019s correct.","University of Rhode Island president David Dooley says that average salaries at URI are the second-lowest among New England\u2019s state universities","( - University of Rhode Island president David Dooley says that average salaries at URI are the second-lowest among New England\u2019s state universities&url=)"]},{"id":"7959.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Wendy Davis, born into difficult circumstances, was the daughter of a single mother and a teenage mother herself.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided. Wendy Davis, according to her Senate and campaign websites, did come from difficult circumstances, being raised by a single mother and becoming a teenage mother herself. This information is also confirmed by Governor Perry's statement. However, it's important to note that the statement could be misleading if interpreted to mean that Davis was born to a struggling single mother, as the evidence does not explicitly support that claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A reader questioned whether the circumstances into which Davis was \"born\" included having a single mother. We also looked at if she was a teenage mother herself.","Her Senate website says Davis \"began working after school at 14 to help support her single mother and three siblings. By 19, Wendy was a single mother herself, working two jobs to make ends meet in hopes of creating a better life for her young daughter.\" The biographical entry on her campaign website has the same sentences.","\"In fact, even the woman who filibustered the Senate other day was born into difficult circumstances,\" Perry continued. \"She was the daughter of a single mother. She was a teenaged mother herself. She eventually graduated from Harvard Law School and served in the Texas Senate. It\u2019s just unfortunate that she hasn\u2019t learned from her own example that every life must be given a chance to recognize its full potential and that every life matters.\"","His statement, offered in the cause of a law to curb abortions, could leave the incorrect impression that Davis was born to a struggling single mother, which is not so, best we can tell. Still, the senator\u2019s parents divorced midway through her childhood and Davis spent at least part of her adolescence in a one-parent home. Also, Perry is correct that Davis was a teenage mother herself."]},{"id":"1140.json","label":"true","statement":"Preventive care does not save the government money.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that preventive care does not save the government money. Both the New York Times columnist David Brooks and the findings of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and physicians indicate that the claim made by President Obama, that preventive services save money for the government, is not accurate. While preventive measures may save lives and keep patients healthier, the consensus is that they do not lead to significant cost savings in government spending on healthcare. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We first published that conclusion in 2009, when we rated True a claim by New York Times columnist David Brooks that preventive care does not save the government money. When President Barack Obama claimed it did save money in a September 2009 speech to Congress, we rated it False.","As a general notion, the idea that \"preventive care \u2026 saves money, for families, for businesses, for government, for everybody\" is no more true today than it was in 2009. Yes, preventive measures often save lives and keep patients healthier. Certain preventive measures may save money as well. But the findings of CBO and physicians who have studied the medical literature indicate that Obama\u2019s sweeping generalization that preventive services save money is not accurate. We rate the statement False.","So, the consensus is that, while preventive care will almost certainly save lives, it's a stretch to say that it will save government spending on health care. As a result, we give Brooks a True.","So, the consensus is that, while preventive care will almost certainly save lives, it won't reduce government spending on health care. As a result, we rate Obama's statement False."]},{"id":"9060.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Abraham Lincoln tried to buy slavesfreedom in border states, but the states all rejected it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical record. Abraham Lincoln did attempt to buy the freedom of slaves in the border states during the early years of the Civil War. He proposed a plan of compensated emancipation, offering financial compensation to slave owners in exchange for freeing their slaves. However, the border states, which had not yet seceded from the Union, rejected Lincoln's offer. This ultimately led to the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the freedom of slaves in Confederate-held territories. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We\u2019re checking several claims from the debate between Napolitano and Stewart. Here, we\u2019re looking at Stewart\u2019s claim that Abraham Lincoln tried to buy slaves freedom in border states, but the states \"all rejected it.\"","Stewart said Lincoln tried to free slaves in the border states by buying them. The record bears this out. Lincoln tried in Delaware and won congressional approval to apply the principle to all states. But with no slave owners willing to come to the table, the effort failed. The result was the Emancipation Proclamation.","\"During the first two years of the war Lincoln repeatedly offered \u2018compensated emancipation\u2019 to the border slave states that remained in the Union and any Confederate states interested,\" Foner said. \"But they all rejected it. Lincoln was willing to pay but Southerners were not willing to give up their slaves, for money or for any other reason.\"","\"Buying the slaves\u2019 freedom is not as true as you might believe,\" Stewart rebutted. \"He offered them money for their slaves, in the border states -- those are the ones that hadn\u2019t even seceded yet -- and they refused.\""]},{"id":"3218.json","label":"false","statement":"A 5-cent charge on paper bags is a tax.","reason":"Reason: While a 5-cent charge on paper bags can be seen as an additional cost, it is not accurate to classify it as a tax. Taxes are typically imposed by government entities and are used to fund public services or programs. In this case, the charge on paper bags is implemented by stores as a means to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags and reduce waste. It is a fee imposed by the store, not a tax imposed by the government, and the revenue generated from the charge is typically used to cover the cost of providing alternative bags or to support environmental initiatives. Therefore, the statement that a 5-cent charge on paper bags is a tax is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Oregon doesn\u2019t like paying for something that once was free. But remember, television used to be free. Bottled drinks were once 5 cents cheaper. Utility companies used to not charge 3 percent extra for energy programs. Frankly, we think it\u2019s easier to avoid the 5 cent charge on bags than it is to bypass bottled drinks or the public purpose charge on utility bills.","Along with imposing the ban, Prop 67 would also mandate that stores charge customers a minimum 10 cent fee on the other carry-out options they supply, such as paper or heavy duty plastic bags.","The No on 67 campaign has seized on this 10 cent charge, calling it a tax and claiming it does nothing to fund environmental protections.","He pointed to a 2012 report by the city of San Jose to back up that statement. San Jose is among the more than 100 cities or counties in California that already ban plastic grocery bags. The city\u2019s plastic bag ordinance includes a 10 cent charge on paper bags retained by stores."]},{"id":"8199.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.N. arms treaty will mandate a new international gun registry.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman and the fundraising letter from the National Association for Gun Rights. They assert that a United Nations arms treaty would mandate a new international gun registry. However, it's important to note that this claim is misleading. The United Nations Arms Trade Treaty aims to regulate the international trade of conventional arms to prevent illicit trafficking, but it does not mandate a new international gun registry or lead to gun confiscation. The claim exaggerates the impact and intentions of the treaty.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The letter, forwarded to PolitiFact by a reader Aug. 19, 2013, sought donations to the National Association for Gun Rights to battle \"the U.N.\u2019s \u2018Small Arms Treaty\u2019 \" and said that the treaty\u2019s provisions include \"mandating a new international gun registry.\"","Stockman said a U.N. treaty is \"mandating a new international gun registry.\" His claim takes a treaty intended to curtail illicit weapons trade between countries and describes it as a step toward confiscating gun owners\u2019 property.","U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, a Friendswood Republican, said in a recent fundraising letter on behalf of the National Association for Gun Rights that a United Nations treaty mandates a \"new international gun registry.\"","A United Nations arms treaty would \"almost certainly force\" the U.S. to \"create an international gun registry, setting the stage for full-scale gun confiscation.\""]},{"id":"12737.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that as a U.S. senator, Russ Feingold voted against authorizing our military 11 separate times.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Russ Feingold voted against an annual bill that authorizes defense spending levels and covers policy issues, it is important to note that these votes were not votes to defund the military. The annual authorization bill does not provide funding; that is done through separate appropriations bills. Additionally, lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum have voted against the annual authorization bill for various reasons, including policy provisions. Therefore, the statement that Russ Feingold voted against authorizing the military 11 separate times is misleading and lacks context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Feingold, the narrator states, \"voted against authorizing our military 11 separate times\" -- a claim Johnson made that we rated Half True.","The ad, released Sept. 1, 2016, continues with words on the screen that say Feingold was the \"only senator to vote against military intelligence\" and the \"only senator to vote against Homeland Security.\"","Feingold did vote 11 times against an annual bill that authorizes defense spending levels and covers policy issues such as gays in the military. But those were not votes to defund the military, given that appropriations bills provide funding. Moreover, lawmakers on both ends of the political spectrum, including ex-military conservative Republicans, have voted against the annual authorization bill over the years for a variety of reasons.","Feingold did vote 11 times against an annual bill that authorizes defense spending levels and covers policy issues. But those were not votes to defund the military, given that it takes appropriations bills to provide funding. And lawmakers sometimes oppose the annual measure because of policy provisions included in it."]},{"id":"4633.json","label":"false","statement":"The 9-9-9 plan does not raise taxes on those that are making the least.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cain that the 9-9-9 plan does not raise taxes on those making the least is false. Analysis conducted by the Tax Policy Center indicates that the plan would result in tax increases for a significant portion of lower-income tax filers. While there is a possibility that Cain's campaign may release additional details that could alter this assessment, based on the information available at the time, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here, we wanted to check Cain\u2019s answer to Cooper\u2019s question, that the plan \"does not raise taxes on those that are making the least.\"","Cain said the 9-9-9 plan \"does not raise taxes on those that are making the least.\" But it would raise income taxes on people who now have low tax burdens due to exemptions and deductions. The Tax Policy Center analysis adds more detail and found that high percentages of lower-income tax filers would see tax increases. It\u2019s true that Cain\u2019s campaign may release more details on his plan that could change this picture. But knowing what we know now about the plan, we rate Cain\u2019s statement False.","Tax Policy Center, \"Cain\u2019s 9-9-9 Plan Would Cut Taxes for the Rich, Raise Taxes for Almost Everyone Else,\" Oct. 18, 2011","The Tax Policy Center, TaxVox: Cain\u2019s 9-9-9 Plan Would Cut Taxes for the Rich, Raise Taxes for Almost Everyone Else, Oct. 18, 2011"]},{"id":"8607.json","label":"true","statement":"I did not support the sequester.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of the individual, as supported by the evidence provided. The individual clearly states that they did not support the sequester. This is further corroborated by their statements criticizing the sequester and its impact on various aspects, such as the budget, debt problem, and defense. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This notion that the sequester is just going to vanish and people are going to wake up, unfortunately, is unrealistic. I did not support the sequester. I do not believe that\u2019s the right way to balance a budget. I just think it's better than tax increases, as bad as the sequester may be.\"","Rubio released a statement about his vote against the measure: \"I cannot support this plan because it fails to actually solve our debt problem, fails to diminish the risk of a credit rating downgrade and is not a long-term solution to avert a debt crisis.\"","Lawmakers found plenty of fodder to criticize about the sequester and Rubio was no exception. In July 2013, Rubio wrote an op-ed criticizing the fact that the sequester grounded the Navy\u2019s Blue Angels from an event in Pensacola.","After it was clear the supercommittee couldn\u2019t reach agreement, Rubio was among a group of Republican senators who tried to prevent defense from being subject to the sequester."]},{"id":"8404.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz voted to cut off Floridas veterans and their benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz voted to cut off Florida's veterans and their benefits. While there may have been a specific bill or vote mentioned, it is important to consider the broader context. Wasserman Schultz has a track record of supporting funding for veterans' programs and has voted multiple times in favor of such funding. The claim made in the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent her stance on veterans' benefits.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz thinks this shutdown is a game. She voted to cut off Florida\u2019s veterans and their benefits while the government is shutdown. In a bipartisan vote the House of Representatives wanted to make sure our veterans got the benefits they earned fighting for our freedoms. These men and women served our country with honor but Debbie Wasserman Schultz would rather put partisan politics ahead of honoring our commitment to the people who defended this country.\"","That includes U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Weston, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, according to a Politico report on Feb. 17. (She\u2019s not a lock on the Democratic side. A Tampa Bay Times Florida Insider Poll suggests U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Palm Beach County and newly elected U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham of Leon County could also be strong contenders.)","The Republican National Committee said in a robocall that Wasserman Schultz voted to cut off benefits for veterans. The claim is suspect on several fronts. It focuses on one bill out of many that would have preserved ongoing funds for veterans programs. Wasserman Schultz could accurately claim she voted many more times to support such funding.","If you watch TV news, you've probably seen clips of Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz's speech from the House floor July 19, 2011, on the Republican \"cut, cap and balance\" plan to slash the federal debt \u2014 it's the one that prompted fellow South Florida Rep. Allen West to call her vile and despicable."]},{"id":"3574.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the federal government borrows almost $60 billion per week.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the clarification provided by Broun's office, he misspoke, and the correct statement should be that the federal government borrows nearly $60 billion every two weeks, not per week. It's important to accurately represent the information provided and acknowledge the correction made by Broun's spokesperson.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We asked Broun\u2019s office about the discrepancy. Broun spokeswoman Meredith Griffanti said he must have misspoke. Broun meant to say that the federal government borrows nearly $60 billion every two weeks.","\"We should be focused on trying to revive our economy rather than bickering about $61 billion dollars when we already borrow almost $60 billion per week.\"","The outline, which was released Feb. 26, 2009, shows new funding of $25 billion over 10 years. The budget says the money will \"expand and enhance existing federal infrastructure investments,\" so it could exceed his stated goal of $60 billion.","Says \"how much money the government is collecting from terms of the gross domestic product\" is \"the lowest in 40, 50 years.\""]},{"id":"8487.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As CFO, Alex Sink oversaw a $27 billion loss in the states pension fund.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a reported loss of pension assets amounting to $27 billion during Alex Sink's tenure as Florida's CFO, it is important to note that this does not represent a permanent loss of funds. The loss was primarily due to the economic downturn during a historic recession, and it affected pension funds nationwide. Sink cannot be solely held responsible for the loss, as she was one of three trustees overseeing the pension fund. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context and assigns disproportionate blame to Sink. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"As Florida\u2019s CFO, Alex Sink failed Florida taxpayers by using the state plane as her own personal charter, overseeing a $27 billion loss in the state\u2019s pension fund and supporting a $5.2 billion increase in Florida\u2019s debt.\"","\"As Florida\u2019s CFO, Alex Sink failed Florida taxpayers by using the state plane as her own personal charter, overseeing a $27 billion loss in the state\u2019s pension fund and supporting a $5.2 billion increase in Florida\u2019s debt,\" the video\u2019s text reads.","We\u2019ll examine other claims from the ad during the race, but in this fact-check we\u2019ll focus on looking into Sink\u2019s tie to the state pension fund. Is it accurate to say she oversaw $27 billion in losses?","The Republican Party of Florida said there was a loss of pension assets of $27 billion during Sink\u2019s term as the state\u2019s CFO. But that doesn\u2019t represent a permanent loss of funds. We also see no reason why Sink deserves more of the blame than the other two trustees. And, Sink was CFO during a historic recession. Given these sizeable caveats, we rate the Florida GOP\u2019s claim Half True."]},{"id":"1510.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"As bank president, Alex Sink eliminated thousands of Florida jobs while taking over $8 million in salary and bonuses.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Alex Sink, as a bank president, earned over $8 million in salary and bonuses over a span of three years. Additionally, it states that thousands of jobs were eliminated during her tenure. While the ad does not provide specific numbers or attribute the job losses directly to Sink, it accurately presents the information without making false claims.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"As bank president, Alex Sink eliminated thousands of Florida jobs while taking over $8 million in salary and bonuses. Alex Sink. Not one of us. One of them.\"","When her income from these three years is combined, Sink earned in excess of $8 million. According to various news reports at the time, which were based directly on the tax returns released to the media, Sink earned $2.6 million in 1999, $3.4 million in 2000 and $2.8 million in 2001. (She took early retirement in a management shakeup in 2000.)","We see three questions to probe here. One is whether her banks eliminated \"thousands of Florida jobs\" on Sink's watch. The second is whether the ad correctly describes Sink's compensation. And the third is whether it's fair to lay the blame for the job losses on Sink.","Ultimately, none of these caveats matter much because the RGA ad was carefully worded. It speaks of \"thousands of Florida jobs,\" rather than citing a specific number of job losses, and it refrains from describing the eliminated jobs as \"layoffs.\" So we find this description accurate."]},{"id":"8244.json","label":"true","statement":"Over the past twenty years, the number of homicides committed with a firearm in the United States has decreased by nearly 40 percent. The number of other crimes involving the use of a firearm has also plummeted, declining by nearly 70 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report, which states that firearm homicides in the United States decreased by 39 percent from 1993 to 2011. Additionally, nonfatal crimes involving firearms declined by 69 percent during the same period. These statistics validate the claim that the number of homicides committed with a firearm has decreased by nearly 40 percent, and other crimes involving firearms have plummeted by nearly 70 percent over the past twenty years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Over the past twenty years, the number of homicides committed with a firearm in the United States has decreased by nearly 40 percent. The number of other crimes involving the use of a firearm has also plummeted, declining by nearly 70 percent \u2026","But what we can fact check are the statistics Whitsett cites. Has the number of homicides committed with a firearm decreased by nearly 40 percent in the last two decades? Are other crimes involving firearms down nearly 70 percent?","There were 11,101 firearm homicides in 2011, down from 18,253 in 1993, according to the BJS report. That is a 39 percent decline. Nonfatal crimes involving firearms declined 69 percent, from more than 1.5 million victims in 1993 to 467,300 victims in 2011. Those numbers back up Whitsett.","Portland Mayor Sam Adams has thrown out a number of statistics in pitching his five-point plan to reduce gun and youth violence in the city. But this number stuck out: He said at a council session that \"four out of 10 homicides in this city are committed by gun.\""]},{"id":"546.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Obama opposes offshore drilling and a gas tax holiday.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Obama opposes offshore drilling and a gas tax holiday. The sources confirm that Obama has expressed opposition to changing the rules on offshore drilling and has criticized McCain's proposal for a three-month tax holiday. These positions are consistent with Obama's stance on these issues during his campaign.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The screen says, \"No To A Gas Tax Holiday\" while Obama says, \"I think John McCain's proposal for a three-month tax holiday is a bad idea.\"","The Obama campaign says that's a key reason why he opposes McCain's plan: there is no mechanism to make sure that consumers, rather than oil companies, reap the benefits of the tax holiday.","So on these points, McCain's right. Obama is opposed to changing the rules on offshore drilling and suspending the gas tax. McCain gets a True.","The words change to \"No To Drilling Offshore Oil\" while Obama is heard saying, \"Offshore drilling would not lower gas prices today.\""]},{"id":"7354.json","label":"true","statement":"Says right now, we have more military spending than the next 10, 11, 12 countries combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the IISS report mentioned, the United States spent $602.8 billion on military expenses, which exceeds the combined military spending of the next 10 countries, which amounted to $593 billion. This supports the claim that the United States currently has more military spending than the next 10 countries combined.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a panel discussion on HBO\u2019s \"Real Time with Bill Maher,\" Booker claimed that \"right now, we have more military spending than the next 10, 11, 12 countries combined.\"","\"The reality is we have to make sure that we have a military that\u2019s prepared, but right now, we have more military spending than the next 10, 11, 12 countries combined, and we\u2019ve got to start realizing that we can secure and protect ourselves, but also be responsible in the way that we do that,\" Booker said.","However, the most recent IISS report shows the U.S. spending is ahead of the next 10 countries. The United States spent $602.8 billion, while the next 10 countries spent a combined $593 billion.","How much money? It\u2019s more than the military spending of up to the next 12 countries combined, the Democratic mayor said."]},{"id":"6614.json","label":"true","statement":"Says a federal judge sanctions Tennessee birther lawyer for bringing a frivolous lawsuit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided. A federal judge did indeed impose sanctions against a Tennessee lawyer who filed a lawsuit challenging President Obama's eligibility based on the \"birther\" conspiracy theory. The judge deemed the lawsuit frivolous and held the lawyer accountable for a portion of the defendants' attorney fees. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That order of sanctions was the subject of the party\u2019s press release, which reported that not only had the judge dismissed a \"birther\" lawsuit but had sanctioned Irion \"for bringing a frivolous lawsuit.\"","The Democrats\u2019 press release is correct as far as it goes. A federal judge did sanction a Tennessee lawyer who argues that the President\u2019s birth disqualifies him from serving \u2013 a \"birther\" in the current highly polarized political environment.","The Tennessee Democratic Party issued a press release Tuesday, just as the Republican National Convention was getting underway, noting that sanctions were imposed against the plaintiffs in a federal court lawsuit in Memphis that essentially sought to block Obama\u2019s name from this year\u2019s election ballot in Tennessee.","The defendants successfully moved the case into federal district court in Memphis, where, after several months, Judge Anderson dismissed it in June. The defendants then filed the motions for sanctions against the plaintiffs. The judge issued his ruling on the motions Aug. 24, holding Irion personally accountable for a share of the defendants\u2019 attorneys fees. Irion says he will ask the judge to reconsider and, failing that, will appeal the sanction order."]},{"id":"1544.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Due to ... tax cuts and lower (property) values, 2009 property taxes were almost $3 billion below 2007 property taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Crist regarding the decrease in property taxes in Florida. Multiple sources, including a report prepared for a Senate committee and the Department of Revenue's annual report, confirm that property tax collections in 2009 were significantly lower than in 2007. While there may be slight variations in the exact figures, the overall point that property taxes decreased by nearly $3 billion is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Property owners were seeing double-digit percentage increases in taxes levied prior to the beginning of my administration,\" Crist said on March 2, 2010. \"Now, they have seen significant decreases over the past three years. Due to ... tax cuts and lower (property) values, 2009 property taxes were almost $3 billion below 2007 property taxes.\"","In his State of the State address, Crist said \"2009 property taxes were almost $3 billion below 2007 property taxes.\" A report prepared for a Senate committee pegs the number at about $2.28 billion and the Department of Revenue's annual report pegs the number at $2.9 billion. With the qualifier \"almost,\" that's close enough not to distort the broader point. We rate Crist's claim True.","According to McAdams, Florida property taxes collected between 2007 and 2009 dropped by $2.28 billion, or 7.5 percent, the Associated Press reported.","The Department of Revenue's 2009 annual report, meanwhile, included an even bigger reduction. The annual report said property tax collections fell from $31.04 billion in 2007, to $28.14 billion in 2009. That's a $2.9 billion decrease in three years. (See page 32 of the report)."]},{"id":"8045.json","label":"true","statement":"Food stamp spending doubled under President Bush, doubled again under President Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings that food stamp spending, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), did indeed double under President Bush and doubled again under President Obama. The evidence provided from the U.S. Agriculture Department confirms this, with total spending on SNAP increasing from $20 billion to $40 billion under Bush and from $40 billion to $78 billion under Obama. Therefore, the statement is supported by factual data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I would argue what we missed, as Republicans, was the chance for real reform,\" he said in an MSNBC interview July 16, 2013. \"We could have gotten some reductions. It's a program that's doubled under President (George W.) Bush, doubled again under President Obama. So, you know, program this big, there's some things you can do differently and still help people that need it.\"","We asked Cole for his evidence that spending doubled under Bush before doubling under Obama. The congressman provided numbers from the agency that administers the program, the U.S. Agriculture Department.","Cole didn\u2019t adjust for inflation, but he should have: A more accurate inflation-adjusted measure even more closely matches his claim. Total spending on SNAP in 2012 dollars doubled under Bush, from $20 billion to $40 billion, and very nearly doubled under Obama, $40 billion to $78 billion.","He compared total costs of the program from the start of Bush\u2019s term in 2000 to the end of his second term in 2008, then growth from 2008 to the most recent fiscal year available, 2012. Costs had more than doubled under Bush, from $17 billion to $38 billion, then doubled again under Obama, to $78 billion."]},{"id":"5493.json","label":"true","statement":"Between 1982 and 2007 the cost of a college education increased 439 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Ron Wyden that the cost of a college education increased by 439 percent between 1982 and 2007. This claim has been verified by multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations and data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The significant increase in college costs during that period is supported by evidence and is consistent with the trend of rising tuition and fees. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., is also talking about the costs. But in a statement Wyden made recently about college costs, he was very specific. \"Between 1982 and 2007, the cost of a college education increased 439 percent,\" he said Feb. 9.","While we might prefer more recent statistics, the trend hasn\u2019t changed. Wyden\u2019s numbers -- that the cost of college increased an astounding 439 percent from 1982 through 2007 -- and his underlying point are correct. We rate this claim: True.","Sure enough, there on page 8 is a graph that shows the cost of college tuition and fees soaring 439 percent between 1982 and 2007. That increase far outstrips the rise in cost for such things as health care and the increase in median income.","If you adjust the numbers seasonally -- college isn't usually a year-round expense, the increase for tuition and fees from 1982 to 2007 is even higher - 455 percent, according to data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics."]},{"id":"12558.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As governor, in the face of partisan attacks, (Charlie Crist) had the courage to save jobs and lead his state into economic recovery.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a direct quote from President Obama, who praised Charlie Crist for his actions as governor in the face of partisan attacks. However, it's important to note that the claim is subjective and open to interpretation. While Obama commends Crist for his efforts to save jobs and lead the state into economic recovery, the evidence suggests that there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of Crist's policies and their impact on job losses during his tenure. Therefore, the statement reflects Obama's perspective but may not align with the objective assessment of Crist's performance as governor.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"As governor, in the face of partisan attacks, he (Charlie Crist) had the courage to save jobs and lead his state into economic recovery.\"","\"As governor, in the face of partisan attacks, he (Charlie Crist) had the courage to save jobs and lead his state into economic recovery,\" Obama said.","By \"courage,\" Obama means Crist, as a GOP governor, had the chutzpah to accept federal stimulus money from a Democratic president against the wishes of many Florida Republicans.","Under Crist, the state lost more than 800,000 jobs, although you can\u2019t blame that squarely on Crist\u2019s policies given the larger forces of the country\u2019s recession and housing crisis. But it was still a fact Gov. Rick Scott was happy to bring up when Crist attempted a return to the governor\u2019s office as a Democrat in 2014."]},{"id":"6081.json","label":"false","statement":"Most tips left at Dunkin Donuts dont go to employees.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that most tips left at Dunkin' Donuts do not go to employees. The statement from Dunkin' Donuts states that franchisees are responsible for making business decisions, including tipping policies. While some franchisees may choose to allow employees to accept tips, others may provide customers with the option to donate their change to charitable causes. Therefore, the distribution of tips can vary depending on the specific store and the decisions made by individual franchise owners. Without further evidence or data, it is not accurate to make a blanket statement about the distribution of tips at Dunkin' Donuts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On June 5, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill, H7566, intended to prevent employers from taking a cut of the tips that customers give to food service and other employees.","\"Dunkin' Donuts restaurants are independently owned and operated by franchisees who are responsible for making the business decisions, including hours of operation, employee wages and tipping policy,\" the statement said. \"Many franchisees allow their employees to accept tips. Other franchisees prefer to offer customers the opportunity to donate their change to charitable causes.\"","\"We were provided with inaccurate and misleading information by Dunkin' Donuts' affiliates and are deeply troubled by it,\" he said in a statement to PolitiFact. \"I have asked the Senate to remove the floor amendment language and pass the prior version of the bill, which was always intended to prevent consumer fraud as well as protect wait staff and service employees who rely on tips to survive in an extremely difficult economy.\"","Dunkin' Donuts told us the company has no such policy, and the decision about whether to let workers keep their tips, or give that money to charity, is up to each store owner."]},{"id":"6938.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his administration has created 5 million jobs over the last 30 months in the private sector alone.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama did claim that his administration created \"5 million jobs over the last 30 months in the private sector alone,\" this statement is not entirely accurate. The fact check reveals that using a more reasonable method, which starts counting from the beginning of the recovery, the net gain of jobs is around 3.6 million. However, if we consider the low point in the private-sector job market, which was in February 2010, the net creation of jobs under Obama's administration is approximately 4.7 million. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it should be noted that the specific timeframe used can significantly impact the numbers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama responded in part, \"And what I want to do is build on the 5 million jobs that we've created over the last 30 months in the private sector alone.\"","Obama said that his administration has created \"5 million jobs \u2026 over the last 30 months in the private sector alone.\" That\u2019s true only using the most cherry-picked time frame. A more reasonable method -- starting the count at the beginning of the recovery -- shows a gain of 3.6 million jobs.","\u201cWe\u2019ve created more jobs in the first eight months of my administration than any president in American history \u2014 total number of jobs created.\u201d","If you start at the low point in the private-sector job market -- February 2010, which is 31 months ago -- then Obama has presided over the net creation of 4.7 million jobs."]},{"id":"3150.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S. loses more on tax breaks than it collects in personal income taxes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the U.S. loses more on tax breaks than it collects in personal income taxes. The spread sheets and statements from sources indicate that in the last two fiscal years combined, the U.S. collected $1.85 trillion in personal income taxes but allowed $2.17 trillion in income tax breaks to individuals and corporations. Additionally, during the current fiscal year, the U.S. is projected to take in $1.12 trillion in personal income taxes while allowing $1.66 trillion in breaks. These figures demonstrate that the amount of money foregone through tax breaks exceeds the revenue collected from personal income taxes.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The spread sheets show during the last two fiscal years combined, the U.S. collected $1.85 trillion in personal income taxes and allowed $2.17 trillion in income tax breaks to individuals and corporations.","\"I don\u2019t think that most Americans realize that we actually spend more on tax expenditures, or tax breaks, than we collect in personal income taxes each year,\" he said. \"So that has to be on the table, also.\"","During the current fiscal year, the U.S. is projected to take in $1.12 trillion in personal income taxes while allowing individuals and corporations $1.66 trillion in breaks.","We wondered if Warner was stacking the deck by sending us spread sheets that compared the revenues from personal income tax payments to the money Washington forsakes in tax breaks to individuals as well as corporations."]},{"id":"5014.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Joe Biden said Jon Corzine is the smartest guy that I know, in terms of the economy and on finance, I really mean this.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Joe Biden in the ad, where he refers to Jon Corzine as \"the smartest guy that I know, in terms of the economy and on finance.\" This statement is supported by the evidence provided, which includes quotes from Biden and references to the ad released by the National Republican Congressional Committee.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In the ad, Vice President Joe Biden says \"he\u2019s the smartest guy that I know, in terms of the economy and on finance, I really mean this.\"","Congressional Republican group claims Joe Biden said Jon Corzine is \u201cthe smartest guy that I know, in terms of the economy and on finance\u201d","( - Congressional Republican group claims Joe Biden said Jon Corzine is \u201cthe smartest guy that I know, in terms of the economy and on finance\u201d &url=)","The National Republican Congressional Committee released an ad that links Corzine to the Obama administration. In it, Biden says, \"he\u2019s the smartest guy that I know, in terms of the economy and on finance, I really mean this.\""]},{"id":"1804.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Taxpayer-funded benefits to illegals\" in California are \"a skyrocketing cost under Obamacare.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The new federal health care law, Obamacare, specifically prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits. Additionally, the claim that providing benefits to undocumented immigrants would result in a \"skyrocketing cost under Obamacare\" is a gross exaggeration. Most of the indirect costs associated with expanding Medicaid rolls are already being covered by different state or local government accounts in California. The evidence clearly refutes the assertion made in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["One ad, aired by Poizner beginning in April, argues that \"like Schwarzenegger,\" Whitman \"will continue taxpayer-funded benefits to illegals. A skyrocketing cost under Obamacare.\"","We'll acknowledge some uncertainty about the statement's meaning because of its somewhat curious syntax. (Confusing matters further, the first sentence is read by a man, and the subsequent fragment by a woman.) However, we believe a reasonable person would interpret it to mean that a policy of continuing \"taxpayer-funded benefits to illegals\" would mean \"a skyrocketing cost\" due to the newly passed federal health care law.","The new federal law specifically prevents illegal immigrants from benefitting, and most of the additional indirect costs that might be expected from expanding the Medicaid rolls are already being paid in California by different state or local government accounts. For these reasons, the phrase \"a skyrocketing cost under Obamacare\" is a gross exaggeration. We rate the statement False.","Whitman's press office did not respond to several inquiries from PolitiFact. The candidate's website does not directly address the question of whether she would continue \"taxpayer-funded benefits to illegals\" in the health care realm, though it does say that she advocates curbing state benefits for illegal immigrants in two other areas -- barring them from attending state-funded colleges and universities and preventing them from securing drivers' licenses."]},{"id":"2091.json","label":"false","statement":"Should Democrats get their way, every income tax bracket will increase on Jan. 1, 2011. Every single one.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there were discussions and debates regarding tax policies in 2011, it is not true that every income tax bracket would have increased on January 1, 2011, if Democrats had their way. There were differing proposals and negotiations at the time, and it is misleading to claim that all income tax brackets would have increased. It is important to accurately represent the details and complexities of tax policies to provide a clear understanding of the situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While Pence would be on safe ground questioning Hoyer\u2019s commitment to a permanent extension, he\u2019s wrong to say that Hoyer would somehow \"get (his) way\" by seeing all tax brackets increase on Jan. 1, 2011.","He said, \"The American people deserve to know that, should Democrats get their way, every income tax bracket will increase on January 1, 2011. Every single one. You know, you don\u2019t raise taxes on every American taxpayer during the worst recession in 25 years. As we\u2019ve done on their failed stimulus policy, as we did on their national energy tax, as we did on their government takeover of health care, House Republicans will stand in the gap to protect taxpayers from the largest tax increase in American history.\"","Just to be safe, we checked with Hoyer\u2019s office to nail down his stance on a temporary extension. Communications director Katie Grant confirmed that Hoyer favors at least a temporary extension to prevent a tax increase on Jan. 1, 2011.","> The latest reckless tax-and-spend proposal from Senate Democrats (mislabeled the \u201cInflation Reduction Act\u201d) will increase taxes on millions of Americans across every income bracket."]},{"id":"12972.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Parents and teachers are already worrying about what they call the Trump Effect. They report that bullying and harassment are on the rise in our schools, especially targeting students of color, Muslimsand immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns expressed by parents and teachers regarding what they refer to as the \"Trump Effect.\" According to reports, there has been an increase in bullying and harassment in schools, particularly targeting students of color, Muslims, and immigrants. It is important to note that these reports are based on anecdotal experiences shared by parents and teachers, rather than comprehensive nationwide data. However, the concerns raised by these individuals highlight a perceived rise in incidents of bullying and harassment in schools related to the political climate surrounding the presidency of Donald Trump.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Parents and teachers are already worrying about what they call the \u2018Trump Effect.\u2019 They report that bullying and harassment are on the rise in our schools, especially targeting students of color, Muslims and immigrants.\"","Clinton said, \"Parents and teachers are already worrying about what they call the \u2018Trump Effect.\u2019 They report that bullying and harassment are on the rise in our schools, especially targeting students of color, Muslims, and immigrants.\"","\"Next time you see Trump rant on television, think about all the children listening across America,\" Clinton said. \"Kids hear a lot more than we think. Parents and teachers are already worrying about what they call the \u2018Trump Effect.\u2019 They report that bullying and harassment are on the rise in our schools, especially targeting students of color, Muslims, and immigrants.\"","This means it would be inaccurate to extrapolate from the survey that bullying and harassment are generally on the rise across the country. Rather, it is more a collection of teachers\u2019 anecdotal experiences."]},{"id":"10188.json","label":"false","statement":"Jeanne Shaheen was principally involved in a plot with Lois Lerner and President Barack Obamas political appointee at the IRS to lead a program of harassment against conservative nonprofit groups during the 2012 election","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Jeanne Shaheen was involved in a plot with Lois Lerner and President Barack Obama's political appointee at the IRS to lead a program of harassment against conservative nonprofit groups during the 2012 election. The sources provided do not offer substantial evidence or reliable documentation to substantiate this claim. Without concrete evidence, it is misleading and unfounded to make such an accusation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Jeanne Shaheen was principally involved in a plot with Lois Lerner and President Barack Obama\u2019s political appointee at the IRS to lead a program of harassment against conservative nonprofit groups during the 2012 election\"","The Daily Caller charged that Shaheen \"was principally involved in a plot with Lois Lerner and President Barack Obama\u2019s political appointee at the IRS to lead a program of harassment against conservative nonprofit groups during the 2012 election.\"","The story was posted at 9:36 p.m. the night before the election. The story accuses Shaheen of being \"principally involved in a plot with Lois Lerner and President Barack Obama\u2019s political appointee at the IRS to lead a program of harassment against conservative nonprofit groups during the 2012 election.\"","We don\u2019t see how these letters support the linchpins of the claim -- that Shaheen was \"involved in a plot,\" that this plot involved Lerner and other Obama appointees, or that the issue concerned a \"program of harassment against conservative nonprofit groups.\""]},{"id":"3567.json","label":"false","statement":"Libya supplies the oil for China. We get no oil from Libya.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that Libya supplies some oil to China, it is not accurate to claim that Libya is the sole supplier of oil for China. Additionally, the statement \"We get no oil from Libya\" is misleading. While the United States may not heavily rely on oil imports from Libya, it does not mean that there is no oil trade between the two countries. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Yes, China will be another one,\" Trump agreed. \"By the way, Libya supplies the oil for China. We get no oil from Libya. What are we doing?\"","\u2022 Libya supplies the oil for China. Libya does supply some oil to China, but it\u2019s not as large as Trump\u2019s statement implies.","Trump said, \"Libya supplies the oil for China. We get no oil from Libya.\" His point in the first sentence was clearly that Libya was a major supplier of oil for China. But the data do not support his claim. Libya is far from being China\u2019s chief supplier. It ranks ninth.","So China is a big customer of Libyan oil, but not the biggest, and there are many other customers. And Libya is far from being China\u2019s chief supplier. It ranks ninth."]},{"id":"5215.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While Romney was a director of the Damon Corporation, the company was defrauding Medicare of millions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that the Damon Corporation, while Romney was a director, was involved in defrauding Medicare of millions of dollars. However, it is important to note that Romney himself was not personally implicated in the fraudulent activities, and it is difficult to determine whether he had knowledge of the fraud or what actions he took to address it. Therefore, while the statement is true, it lacks some context and leaves room for interpretation regarding Romney's involvement and response to the fraud.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The public employees union AFSCME was more precise in its claim: \"While Romney was a director of the Damon Corporation, the company was defrauding Medicare of millions.\" We rated that Mostly True, noting that it was difficult to assess whether Romney knew about the fraud or should have known, and what he did to stop it.","The ad claims that, \"While Romney was a director of the Damon Corporation, the company was defrauding Medicare of millions.\" That's true, but Romney was never implicated personally with the fraudulent activity at the company, and it was one of many companies with which Bain was involved. It\u2019s also difficult to assess whether Romney knew about the fraud or should have known, and what he did to stop it. So the statement is correct but leaves out context. We rate this statement Mostly True.","We\u2019ve written frequently about Scott\u2019s time running hospital chain Columbia\/HCA and its troubles surrounding Medicare (You can read up on it here.) Here, we\u2019re checking the ad\u2019s initial claim, that while Romney was \"a director of the Damon Corp., the company was defrauding Medicare of millions.\"","PolitiFact Florida rated the claim Mostly True that when Romney \"was a director of the Damon Corp., the company was defrauding Medicare of millions.\" PolitiFact Florida found it was difficult to assess whether Romney knew about the fraud and what he did to stop it since the implication was that Romney should had known what was going on."]},{"id":"6086.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama supported Ted Kennedys ammo ban to outlaw all deer-hunting ammunition.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Ted Kennedy's proposed amendment did not seek to outlaw deer-hunting ammunition, and there is no evidence to suggest that Barack Obama supported such a ban. Kennedy's amendment focused on changing the definition of armor-piercing ammunition, which is unrelated to deer hunting. The claim made by the NRA is misleading and not supported by the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here we\u2019ll examine what the NRA listed as reason No. 2 -- \"Obama supported Ted Kennedy\u2019s ammo ban to outlaw all deer-hunting ammunition.\"","To be clear, Kennedy wasn\u2019t proposing to outlaw deer-hunting ammunition (and so it\u2019s even a bigger stretch to say Obama supported it). Kennedy\u2019s amendment changed the definition of what is considered armor-piercing ammunition. It had nothing to do with deer hunting.","Kennedy\u2019s proposal had nothing to do with deer hunting, but the NRA contended it could be threatened by the bill. Yet Kennedy said his proposal wasn\u2019t meant to target rifle ammunition commonly used to hunt deer, and since the language was never approved, we don\u2019t know how it would have been applied. More importantly, we have no idea if Obama would have supported a hypothetical deer ammo ban as the NRA claims.","The attack against Obama is rooted in a vote he took while serving in the U.S. Senate. It has to do with what the federal government considers armor-piercing ammunition (not, as the statement says, ammo for deer hunting)."]},{"id":"6490.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Paul Ryan would outlaw in vitro fertilization.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the bill supported by Paul Ryan could have significant implications for the practice of in vitro fertilization, it is an exaggeration to claim that Ryan would outright outlaw the procedure. The bill does not directly ban in vitro fertilization, but it could potentially restrict certain practices associated with it. The ultimate impact on in vitro fertilization would likely depend on state-level actions and interpretations of the bill. Therefore, the claim is deemed to be half true, as it contains elements of truth but also exaggeration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!UltraViolet, a liberal group, says Paul Ryan would support outlawing in vitro fertilization. We take a look at their claim. !UltraViolet, a liberal group, says Paul Ryan would support outlawing in vitro fertilization. We take a look at their claim.","The graphic\u2019s final claim is that Ryan would \"outlaw in vitro fertilization -- seriously. That same bill that outlaws some forms of birth control could also make in vitro fertilization illegal. Can't have kids naturally? Too bad.\"","But while it\u2019s clear that the traditional practice of in vitro fertilization could be severely affected if the bill became law, it\u2019s too strong to say, as UltraViolet did, that the bill would \"outlaw in vitro fertilization.\"","UltraViolet has a point that the bill Ryan backed could significantly alter the way in vitro fertilization is practiced. However, the group exaggerates when it says the bill in question would \"outlaw in vitro fertilization.\" The bill doesn\u2019t outlaw the procedure directly -- whatever impact it has would likely require action by states, which many states may be unwilling to undertake. And while the bill likely outlaws specific practices that have historically been considered important for practicing in vitro fertilization, it would not ban the procedure itself. On balance, we rate the claim Half True."]},{"id":"7082.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Tennessees higher education funding model is 100 percent outcomes-based and we are already seeing this model changing the way our postsecondary institutions do business.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Tennessee's higher education funding model is indeed 100 percent outcomes-based, as confirmed by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This means that the allocation of state appropriations to institutions is determined by outcomes such as degree production, graduation rates, research funding, job placements, and student transfer. Additionally, there is evidence to support the claim that this outcomes-based model is changing the way postsecondary institutions in Tennessee operate, as they are now focusing more resources on students. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Tennessee\u2019s higher education funding model \"is 100 percent outcomes-based\" and \"we are already seeing this model changing the way our postsecondary institutions do business.\"","\"Instead of funding \u2026 based on enrollments, states should use a formula that pays institutions for success in key areas like progress toward and completion of degrees and credentials. \u2026 Tennessee remains the only state to have a 100 percent outcomes-based model \u2026 (and) we are already seeing this model changing the way our postsecondary institutions do business.\"","So, funding is outcomes based and the institutions are changing the way they operate, by focusing more resources on students. We rate this claim True.","It\u2019s a given that the 2010 legislation changed the funding formula to a performance and outcomes based model. A Tennessee Higher Education Commission summary says, \"The outcomes-based funding formula bases the entire institutional allocation of state appropriations on the basis of outcomes including degree production, research funding and graduation rates at universities, and student remediation, job placements, student transfer and associates degrees at community colleges.\""]},{"id":"7431.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Without a Medicaid expansion, 275,000 more Ohioans could be getting their primary care in emergency rooms, costing everybody a lot of money.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kasich that without a Medicaid expansion, 275,000 more Ohioans could be relying on emergency rooms for primary care, which would result in higher costs for everyone. The evidence supports this claim by highlighting that individuals without access to affordable primary care often turn to emergency departments, which are required to provide care regardless of ability to pay. This leads to higher costs compared to receiving care from more appropriate providers. However, it's important to note that the phrase \"costing everybody a lot of money\" is subjective and could vary depending on individual perspectives and definitions of \"a lot.\" \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We don't want 275,000 Ohioans getting their primary care in an emergency room,\" Kasich said in announcing the plan. \"It is not sustainable, it doesn't work, it is not humane and it costs everybody a lot of money -- and more than just the cost of the visit.\"","He was correct in stating that according to his administration\u2019s calculations, the Medicaid expansion would cover 275,000 Ohioans whose primary health care might otherwise be provided in emergency rooms, at a higher cost.","Whether that higher expense \"costs everybody a lot of money\" is largely a matter of how \"a lot\" is defined. Since uncompensated care represents a relatively small percentage of health care spending, Kasich could be accused of a bit of exaggeration.","Those services, the health office said, typically are in hospital emergency departments. Those departments are required to provide care, even if an individual lacks the ability to pay, and end up being used as primary care outlets in non-emergency situations, at a higher cost than care from more appropriate providers."]},{"id":"1242.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The truth is any oil that would be drilled could be sent to any other country in the world, reducing our use of foreign oil not by one single drop.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that any oil drilled in the United States could potentially be exported to other countries, which would not directly reduce the country's use of foreign oil. However, it lacks the broader context that historically, the majority of domestic crude oil is used domestically. While it is possible for some oil to be exported, the overall impact on reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil may be limited. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"But no, that's not there. Because the truth is any oil that would be drilled could be sent to any other country in the world, reducing our use of foreign oil not by one single drop.\"","Nelson is right when he says that \"oil that would be drilled could be sent to any other country in the world,\" because the federal legislation doesn\u2019t now include any limits. But he doesn't offer the broader context. History shows that most domestic crude oil is used domestically. On the whole, we rate Nelson's claim Half True.","( - Bill Nelson says offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico no guarantee for lessening U.S. dependence on foreign oil&url=)","The evangelist\u2019s message was dead-on and I wished he had been preaching to 1,000 American churches instead of one. The lesson was basically that we need to get out in the world and make a difference rather than hiding inside church walls waiting for the world to come to us. In other words, my view on faith. See a hungry guy? Feed him. See a single mom who can\u2019t pay her electric bill? Pay the bill. Don\u2019t demand they attend your church if you do it. Just see a need, fill a need and reflect Jesus. The evangelist was right on the mark in my opinion."]},{"id":"1396.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When President Bush took office in 2001, he inherited a $236 billion budget surplus, with a projected 10-year surplus of $5.6 trillion. When he ended his term, he left a $1.3 trillion deficit and a projected 10-year shortfall of $8 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by David Axelrod regarding the budget surplus and deficit during the Bush administration. When President Bush took office in 2001, there was indeed a projected budget surplus of $236 billion, with a 10-year surplus projection of $5.6 trillion. However, by the end of his term, there was a $1.3 trillion deficit and a projected 10-year shortfall of $8 trillion. It's important to note that there may be some slight discrepancies in the exact figures, but the overall trend of a surplus turning into a deficit is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The day the Bush administration took over from President Bill Clinton in 2001, America enjoyed a $236 billion budget surplus -- with a projected 10-year surplus of $5.6 trillion,\" Axelrod wrote. \"When the Bush administration left office, it handed President Obama a $1.3 trillion deficit -- and projected shortfalls of $8 trillion for the next decade.\"","On Jan. 7, 2009, two weeks before Obama took office, the CBO reported the deficit was projected to be $1.2 trillion. The 10-year projection was estimated to be about $3.1 trillion. So Axelrod was slightly off on the 2009 deficit (he said $1.3 trillion) but substantially off on the 10-year projection (he said $8 trillion).","Here\u2019s the way we initially looked at it. We turned to a historical table published annually by the Office of Management and Budget. The table reports that during fiscal year 2001 -- which included much of Bush\u2019s first year in office, and which was based on a budget assembled during the term of his Democratic predecessor, Bill Clinton -- there was a surplus of $128 billion. So Hoyer was right that there was a surplus, but it was only 2 percent of the amount Hoyer indicated it was.","The White House said Axelrod's number was based on a budget overview published by the Obama administration shortly after Obama took office, when the 2009 deficit was estimated to be $1.5 trillion, totaling about $9 trillion over the next decade. The White House explained that the figure included the $787 billion economic stimulus package. But because Bush was not president when it was approved, they subtracted the appropriate portion of it for each year, to get $1.3 trillion and $8 trillion, respectively, that the Obama White House believed was approved under Bush."]},{"id":"6305.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Islanders pay among the highest auto repair bills in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from Amica Insurance President Robert DiMuccio, who stated that Rhode Islanders pay among the highest auto repair bills in the nation, specifically referring to accident-related repairs. Additionally, the evidence highlights that the higher repair costs in Rhode Island contribute to the state having the sixth-highest collision insurance premium in the country. Furthermore, data from Audatex shows that Rhode Island's auto body repair bills are 23 percent more expensive than the national average, making it the fifth most expensive state for auto repairs. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Amica Insurance President Robert DiMuccio says Rhode Islanders pay some of the highest auto repair bills in the U.S.&url=)","Amica Insurance President Robert DiMuccio said, \"Rhode Islanders pay among the highest auto repair bills in the nation.\" From the context, it was clear he was talking about accident-related repairs, which is what insurance companies cover.","PCI says the higher repair costs explain why Rhode Islanders pay the sixth highest collision insurance premium in the nation, although the numbers it's citing -- $356 versus $294 in the United States -- are from a 2008-09 database.","OVERALL: The higher cost of labor and original parts makes Rhode Island auto body repair bills 23 percent more expensive than the national average. That made us the 5th most expensive in the nation, according to the 2010 Audatex data."]},{"id":"12802.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Independent analysts found that Trumps tax plan, given to the wealthy and big corporations, would rack up $30 trillion in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Kaine that independent analysts have found that Trump's tax plan, benefiting the wealthy and big corporations, would result in a significant increase in the national debt, specifically citing a figure of $30 trillion. However, it's important to note that the $30 trillion figure represents the highest estimate among several available figures, and there may be varying projections from different analysts. While the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to acknowledge the range of estimates provided by different independent organizations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Independent analysts \"found that Trump's tax plan, given to the wealthy and big corporations, would rack up $30 trillion in debt.\"","Independent analysts, Kaine said, \"found Trump's tax plan, given to the wealthy and big corporations, would rack up $30 trillion in debt.\"","Kaine said that independent analysts \"found Trump's tax plan, given to the wealthy and big corporations, would rack up $30 trillion in debt.\" Kaine is on pretty solid ground with the substance of his assertion, but he\u2019s cherry-picked the biggest figure of several that were available. We rate his statement Half True.","So Kaine has a point that the $30 trillion-plus figure has been used by an independent organization. Still, it\u2019s worth noting a couple caveats."]},{"id":"12891.json","label":"true","statement":"Overdosing is now the number one accidental killer in our Commonwealth.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that overdosing is the leading accidental cause of death in Pennsylvania. Data from reputable sources such as the Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control, and independent reports confirm that drug overdoses have surpassed car crashes and other accidental causes as the primary accidental killer in the state. The statistics show that in 2014, drug overdoses caused double the number of deaths compared to motor vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Attorney General candidate Josh Shapiro wrote in his campaign platform for fighting the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania that \"Overdosing is now the number one accidental killer in our Commonwealth.\"","Data from The Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control and the several other independent reports shows that overdosing has surpassed car crashes and other accidental causes as the leading accidental cause of death in Pennsylvania. We rate the claim True.","That means that in 2014, drug overdoses represented double the number of deaths compared to motor vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania and is by far the leading accidental cause of death in the state.","That\u2019s heart disease, followed by cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease. In addition to illnesses and accidents, there were 630 homicides in Pennsylvania in 2013. Here\u2019s a look at the top five causes of death in the commonwealth in 2013:"]},{"id":"4489.json","label":"true","statement":"Toledo Mayor Mike Bell (once) lost his job as a firefighter because his city ran out of money.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Toledo Mayor Mike Bell did lose his job as a firefighter due to a budget crisis in 1980 when the city ran out of money. He was one of the 61 Toledo firefighters who were laid off during that time. The layoff occurred following an impasse in labor negotiations and a strike by city workers. The evidence supports the claim that Mayor Bell's job loss as a firefighter was a result of the city's financial difficulties.\nLabel: true","evidence":["He starts the discussion saying: \"Years ago, I lost my job as a firefighter because my city ran out of money.\"","( - Building a Better Ohio says Toledo once laid off now-Mayor Mike Bell when the city was out of money&url=)","Bell was one of 61 Toledo firefighters and 240 total city workers laid off in a budget crisis in 1980, not long after he went on the job. Three fire stations were closed.","But the claim that Bell was once laid off as a firefighter is accurate. And it is true that his layoff followed an impasse in labor talks with city workers and a strike."]},{"id":"4486.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the Panhandle has had its highest-ever bed tax collections in 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the state's Department of Revenue, which tracks bed tax collections. The data shows that bed tax collections in the Panhandle region during the first half of 2011 were higher compared to previous years, including the same period in 2010. While the statement accurately reflects the record-high bed tax collections, it's important to note that this is just one measure of the tourism industry's performance, and other factors such as hotel occupancy and average daily rates should also be considered. Additionally, future bed tax collections may be influenced by various factors, including the impact of BP marketing dollars. Overall, the statement is mostly true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Those figures come from the state's Department of Revenue, which tracks bed tax collections across the state. Using the state's most recent data, which covers January-July 2011, we compared bed tax collections in the seven Panhandle counties to previous years.","There, too, the Panhandle performed well. 2011 bed tax collections have totaled about $33.9 million through July, compared to about $27.5 million for the same period in 2010. We also checked the numbers against 2006 and 2007 -- before Florida dipped into an economic slump -- and found that the first half of 2011 remained higher.","For starters, Scott said \"highest bed tax ever\" and omitted a key word: \"collections.\" Having the highest \"rate\" wouldn't be something that a governor brags about if he wanted to lure more tourists to the area.","Scott stated: \"We've got I think the highest bed tax ever in the history of state in the Panhandle this year.\" The bed tax collections have set records but that isn't the only measure of how hotels or other businesses dependent on tourists are faring -- the occupancy and average daily rate for hotels have been higher in past years although those sets of data come with their own caveats, too. And those bed tax collections will likely decline after the positive spinoff effects of the BP marketing dollars fade in future years. We rate this claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"7342.json","label":"true","statement":"Says MAX carries 30 percent of evening rush-hour commuters traveling from Downtown on the Sunset and Banfield freeways.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by reliable data and evidence. TriMet, in their advertisement, claimed that the MAX carries 30 percent of evening rush-hour commuters traveling from Downtown on the Sunset and Banfield freeways. This claim has been corroborated by data and analysis, which compared the number of MAX commuters to the overall number of commuters along these freeways. The data shows that approximately 30 percent of evening commuters on the Banfield and Sunset highways utilize the MAX. Therefore, the statement is accurate and supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But in a recent advertisement, TriMet pulled out an interesting statistic: \"MAX carries 30 percent of evening rush hour commuters traveling from Downtown on the Sunset and Banfield freeways.\"","In an advertisement, TriMet said the \"MAX carries 30 percent of evening rush hour commuters traveling from Downtown on the Sunset and Banfield freeways.\" They were able to back up this claim with reliable data.","If you compare those figures with the MAX commuting figure, you find that TriMet is right on the money: About 30 percent of evening commuters along the Banfield and Sunset highways use the MAX. (In case you\u2019re curious, the number is slightly smaller for the morning commute, but not by much.)","They picked two points for gauging the traffic (both car and MAX) leaving downtown Portland on either of the freeways they mentioned. For the Banfield they used Lloyd Center and for the Sunset they used Goose Hollow. Both of those points are MAX stations as well as traffic-counting stations."]},{"id":"3463.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Allen West helped thwart a terrorist plot by shooting a gun in the direction of an Iraqi detainee, then reported the incident to his superior and said it was wrong.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Glenn Beck's assertion about Allen West's actions. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests that Beck's account is embellished and not entirely accurate. While West did report the incident to his superior and acknowledged that his methods were not right, the claim that he helped thwart a terrorist plot by shooting a gun in the direction of an Iraqi detainee is not fully supported. The detainee, Hamoodi, was never charged with wrongdoing, and no plot was ever uncovered. Additionally, the investigation into the incident was initiated after another soldier complained, not solely based on West's report. Therefore, while there was an incident involving West and a detainee, the claim of thwarting a terrorist plot is not substantiated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["To be clear, we're not judging whether West should have done what he did, or whether it was honorable. We're simply seeing if Beck got the story right. In particular, we're focusing on Beck's assertion that West helped thwart a terrorist plot by shooting a gun in the direction of an Iraqi detainee, then reported the incident to his superior and said it was wrong.","Beck embellishes on some of the points of the record. West did report the incident to his superior, though it's unclear how much he said. And the investigation into the shooting occurred after another solider complained. The \"terrorist,\" Hamoodi, was a person offered up by an informant who was never charged with wrongdoing and ultimately released. And even West admits that Hamoodi may have had nothing to do with an assassination plot. No plot was ever uncovered.","Beck says Hamoodi was a terrorist, which was never really proven. His name was offered up by an informant as someone who knew something about a plot to assassinate West. Hamoodi was never charged. Secondly, the alleged plot was to kill West and one of his subordinates. West said he was trying to protect troops who might have been jeopardized as a result of the insurgents' plot.","Lt. Col. West initially became famous for his treatment of an Iraqi detainee, when he fired his gun over his head trying to extract information from him in 2003. West was ultimately fined and retired from the Army. While he said his methods weren\u2019t right, he also defended himself:"]},{"id":"8528.json","label":"true","statement":"Finance experts estimate that paying in cash for the $2.5 billion in projects funded by the sales tax saved Gwinnett County more than $1 billion in interest payments.","reason":"Reason: According to finance experts, paying in cash for the $2.5 billion in projects funded by the sales tax indeed saved Gwinnett County more than $1 billion in interest payments that would have been incurred if the county had borrowed the money instead. This estimation is supported by independent calculations and methodology reviewed by experts. By avoiding debt and utilizing the sales tax revenue, Gwinnett County was able to fund the projects without incurring interest expenses, resulting in significant savings.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"SPLOST is the best tool that the Legislature has ever given local government,\" Nash said, adding that finance experts estimate that paying in cash for the $2.5 billion in projects funded by the sales tax saved the county more than $1 billion in interest payments that would have been owed if debt had been issued. \"It allowed us to work on those quality of life things, and we were able to do it without debt.\"","To sum up, Nash said Gwinnett County would have spent $1 billion in interest payments had the county borrowed the money for the projects as opposed to collecting revenue from the sales tax. Experts we interviewed agreed with the county\u2019s methodology and math.","PolitiFact Georgia wondered if Gwinnett would have spent $1 billion in interest payments had the county borrowed the money for the projects as opposed to collecting revenue from the sales tax.","We did our own calculations, and it appeared to us that they would have paid more than $1 billion in interest had they borrowed $2.5 billion."]},{"id":"4668.json","label":"half-true","statement":"During Sherrod Browns past decade as a D.C. politician, more than one out of every four jobs that has left America, left from Ohio. ... Sherrod Brown will own these horrendous Ohio job numbers next year.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that during Sherrod Brown's tenure as a D.C. politician, more than one out of every four jobs that left America came from Ohio. While the evidence provided supports this claim, it is important to note that attributing the job losses solely to Sherrod Brown's policies is an oversimplification. Job losses can be influenced by various factors, including global economic trends, industry changes, and national policies. Additionally, the statement implies that Sherrod Brown will be solely responsible for future job numbers, which is an unrealistic expectation as job creation and economic factors are influenced by multiple stakeholders. Therefore, while the initial claim is supported, the assertion that Sherrod Brown will \"own\" the job numbers is an oversimplification and lacks a comprehensive understanding of the complex factors affecting job markets.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"During Sherrod Brown\u2019s past decade as a D.C. politician, more than one out of every four jobs that has left America, left from Ohio. ... Sherrod Brown will own these horrendous Ohio job numbers next year.\"","The mess, of course, is the state of employment. Non-farm employment fell dramatically over the last few years, and although the trend is reversing, the recovery is painfully slow. Or as Mandel spokesman Joe Aquilino said in a news release on Sept. 28, 2011, \"Perhaps most staggering: during Sherrod Brown\u2019s past decade as a D.C. politician, more than one out of every four jobs that has left America, left from Ohio. This is a shocking statistic. Sherrod Brown\u2019s policies are not working for Ohio.\"","Promising that this message will not go away, Aquilino said, \"Simply put, Sherrod Brown will own these horrendous Ohio job numbers next year.\"","There it is in a nutshell: The case against any politician in office for the last four years or more. Josh Mandel, Ohio\u2019s treasurer who aspires to be in the U.S. Senate, will use it repeatedly in the next year against incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Mandel spokesman says."]},{"id":"12837.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Milwaukee County district attorney candidate Verona Swanigan has worked as a prosecutor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While Verona Swanigan has worked with prosecutors in the Fresno County District Attorney's Office in California, she herself and the office do not claim that she worked as a prosecutor. The biographical information on Swanigan's campaign website also does not specify any position held at the Fresno County District Attorney's Office. Therefore, there is no evidence to support the claim that Swanigan has worked as a prosecutor.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Verona Swanigan is running against 10-year Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm. !Verona Swanigan is running against 10-year Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm.","A third-party radio ad supporting Verona Swanigan, a lawyer who is trying to unseat 10-year Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, claims Swanigan \"has worked as a prosecutor.\"","But although she worked with prosecutors in the Fresno County District Attorney\u2019s Office in California, even Swanigan doesn\u2019t say she worked as a prosecutor. Neither does the office.","Indeed, the biographical section of Swanigan\u2019s campaign website says she worked at the Fresno County District Attorney\u2019s Office, but no position is listed."]},{"id":"4941.json","label":"true","statement":"Sherrod Brown has been running for public office since Richard Nixon was president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Sherrod Brown has been involved in public office for a significant period of time. He has served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio since 2007 and has held various other political positions prior to that. It is worth noting, however, that Sherrod Brown was not running for public office during Richard Nixon's presidency, as he began his political career in the Ohio House of Representatives in 1974, after Nixon's presidency had ended.\nLabel: true","evidence":["And when rhetoric gets ridiculous -- when a public official running for office implies that an Ohio mayor, county commissioners, a major university president and a federal forest supervisor are fringe extremists -- PolitiFact Ohio has one rating for it: Pants on Fire!","With apologies to the late Gilda Radner, these claims about fringe elements and Washington bureaucrats owe themselves to Josh Mandel, the Ohio treasurer. Mandel, a Republican now running for U.S. Senate, criticized incumbent U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, after Brown told Ohio Public Radio on Nov. 28 that he supports a local decision to remove 3,302 acres of national forest in southeast Ohio from a federal auction of land for oil and gas exploration.","Josh Mandel is all for fracking if it follows safe, acceptable practices. He sees it as a potentially huge economic win for Ohio. Sherrod Brown says he, too, is for fracking, but he says he understands the concerns of the Wayne National Forest supervisor, the mayor of Athens, the county commissioners and the university president, and he supports the decision for a delay to allow further study.","In a Dec. 2, 2011, column Mandel wrote in The Wall Street Journal, the treasurer said: \"Adding to the public outrage here is the position taken by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who this week announced his support of the federal government's job-killing decision. Even though the vilification of Ohio's abundant coal, oil and gas disproportionately hurts jobs and energy prices here, Mr. Brown has chosen to side with Washington bureaucrats and fringe extremists in the attacks on our natural resources.\""]},{"id":"1412.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There are high administrative costs when you donate to Haiti relief through the White House Web site.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The White House website does not facilitate direct donations to Haiti relief efforts. Instead, it provides links to reputable organizations such as the Red Cross and the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund for individuals who wish to donate. These organizations have their own established administrative costs, which are separate from any actions or involvement by the White House. Therefore, there is no basis for claiming that there are high administrative costs when donating through the White House website.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I don't know of a president ever who has asked people to donate to a relief effort through a White House Web site. It's never happened before. ... Nobody here ever said don't donate. We just pointed out you already contribute to the government with your income taxes. If you want to donate above and beyond that, go through a charity that's constantly on the ground in Haiti, or the Red Cross, if you want to go that route or whatever. Nobody said do not donate, which is what is being reported.\"","On Monday, he suggested that the White House was somehow acting as a middleman for donations and then skimming off a high percentage for administrative costs.","We started looking around and discovered this: You never could actually donate through On seemingly every White House Web page that mentions Haiti, there is a link to the Red Cross or the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund. (There are no links to Wyclef Jean's group.) But those are just links to those sites -- not some kind of PayPal for the Obama White House.","So Limbaugh is seriously distorting the truth, suggesting that people can donate through the White House when in fact the White House site has simply posted links to groups that earn generally positive ratings. There's no evidence the White House is using any of these donations for administrative costs, and the charities aren't sharing donors' e-mail addresses with the White House. Limbaugh is making a ridiculously false claim that the Obama administration is capitalizing on a tragedy. That's enough to set the meter ablaze. Pants on Fire!"]},{"id":"2701.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The lawyer who brought the case against NationsBank said publicly that Alex Sink had nothing to do with the case, had nothing to do with the situation and didnt know about the problems.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Alex Sink during a debate that the lawyer who brought the case against NationsBank, Jonathan Alpert, publicly stated that she had no involvement in the case, the situation, and was unaware of the problems. This claim has been fact-checked and found to be mostly true, as both Alpert and whistleblower Cray confirmed that Sink was not the target of their lawsuits and had no direct involvement in the case.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The lawyer who brought the case against NationsBank said \"publicly that Alex Sink had nothing to do with the case, had nothing to do with the situation and didn't know about the problems.\"","Which brings us back to her statement. At the CNN\/ St. Petersburg Times debate Sink said that the lawyer who brought the case against NationsBank said \"publicly that Alex Sink had nothing to do with the case, had nothing to do with the situation and didn't know about the problems.\" We think Sink is mostly quoting the lawyer in the NationsBank case, Jonathan Alpert, accurately.","\"That case, the lawyer that brought that case -- it was a class-action case against another company -- he even has said publicly that Alex Sink had nothing to do with the case, had nothing to do with the situation and didn't know about the problems,\" Sink told CNN's John King and the St. Petersburg Times' Adam C. Smith, the debate's moderators. \"What more can I say?\"","During a 2010 debate, Scott pointed out she was Florida president of the bank at the time. Sink responded that the lawyer in the case against NationsBank \"has said publicly that Alex Sink had nothing to do with the case, had nothing to do with the situation and didn\u2019t know about the problems,\" a statement we ruled Mostly True. Both the lawyer in the case, Jonathan Alpert, and whistleblower Cray said she was not the target of their lawsuits."]},{"id":"10332.json","label":"true","statement":"Were spending millions for each individual held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.","reason":"Reason: President Obama acknowledged that the cost of detaining individuals at Guantanamo Bay is significant, stating that \"We\u2019re spending millions for each individual there.\" This statement is supported by his own remarks and aligns with the concerns raised about the expenses associated with operating the detention center. The exact amount spent per detainee may vary, but the statement accurately reflects the general understanding that significant financial resources are allocated to maintain the facility.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I\u2019m going to be doing everything I can to close it,\" Obama said. \"It is something that continues to inspire jihadists and extremists around the world, the fact that these folks are being held. It is contrary to our values, and it is wildly expensive. We\u2019re spending millions for each individual there.\"","U.S. Senate, Senate vote, To prohibit the use of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act to construct or modify a facility in the United States or its territories to permanently or temporarily hold any individual held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Nov. 17, 2009","President Barack Obama's plan to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has run into significant opposition, most notably from members of his own party who stripped millions of dollars to shutter the facility from a war funding bill.","\"We can keep the American people safe while shutting down that operation. We've already reduced drastically the populations. Keep in mind that the bulk of people who are released from Guantanamo were done so under the previous administration, before I even came in. We have reduced that population further, and I expect that early by next year we may even have fewer than 100 people at Guantanamo. We are spending millions of dollars per detainee, and it's not necessary for us to keep our people safe."]},{"id":"13379.json","label":"false","statement":"Says FBI Director James Comeys letter about new developments in the investigation into her emails only went to Republican members of the House.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hillary Clinton, claiming that FBI Director James Comey's letter about new developments in the investigation into her emails \"only\" went to Republican members of the House, is incorrect. It has been confirmed that both Republican and Democrat members of the House of Representatives received the letter. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says FBI Director James Comey\u2019s letter about new developments in the investigation into her emails \"only\" went \"to Republican members of the House.\"","Clinton said Comey\u2019s letter about new developments in the investigation into her emails \"only\" went \"to Republican members of the House.\"","Clinton was incorrect to say that the letter \"only\" went to Republican members of the House of Representatives. Democrat members received the letter, too.","Hillary Clinton has called on FBI Director James Comey to make public any information he has on recent developments into the agency\u2019s investigation into her emails."]},{"id":"1313.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Barack Obama won't even use the term 'war on terrorism.'\"","reason":"Reason: It is true that Barack Obama has generally avoided using the specific term \"war on terrorism\" during his presidency. While he has used the phrase \"war on terror\" on a few occasions, he has often employed different language to describe counterterrorism efforts. Obama has provided nuanced explanations for his word choices, expressing a desire to move away from the rhetoric of a broad, global war and instead focus on targeted actions against specific terrorist groups. This deliberate shift in terminology has been acknowledged by multiple sources, including fact-checkers, and is supported by Obama's own statements. Therefore, the statement that \"Barack Obama won't even use the term 'war on terrorism'\" is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Here's the point,\" Hannity said, \"Barack Obama won't even use the term 'war on terrorism,' because he's apologizing to America in every Muslim country he can.\"","Back in November 2009, we checked( \"we checked\") into a similar claim from Fox News' Sean Hannity that \"Barack Obama won't even use the term 'war on terrorism.' \"","Our aim here is not to wade into the war of words over the \"war on terror.\" Rather, we just wanted to see if Hannity was right that Obama won't use the term \"war on terrorism.\" And except in a couple of instances where he used the phrase \"war on terror,\" Obama has generally employed different words. And it's deliberate, as he has explained on several occasions. Obama provides nuanced explanations for his word choices, and you may agree or disagree with them, but the bottom line is that Obama has chosen not to use the phrase \"war on terrorism.\" And so we rate Hannity's statement True.","Cooper: \"I've noticed you don't use the term 'war on terror.' I think I read an article that you've only used it once since inauguration. Is that conscious? Is there something about that term you find objectionable or not useful?\""]},{"id":"8526.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wendy Davis is fighting to bring ... Bloomberg-style gun control to Texas.","reason":"Reason: While Wendy Davis has supported certain gun control measures, such as background checks for all buyers at gun shows, her overall stance on gun control does not align with the characterization of \"fighting to bring Bloomberg-style gun control to Texas.\" Davis has taken a mixed approach to gun control, supporting some measures while also opposing others. It is inaccurate to claim that she is actively advocating for and fighting to implement Bloomberg-style gun control in Texas. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In November, Abbott compared her to New York\u2019s gun-control advocate mayor Michael Bloomberg, saying that Davis is \"fighting to bring California values to Texas\" including \"Bloomberg-style gun control.\"","Austin political consultant Steven Rivas drew our attention to a claim on a donation web page for Greg Abbott\u2019s gubernatorial campaign saying state Sen. Wendy Davis is \"fighting to bring California values to Texas\" including \"Bloomberg-style gun control.\"","Greg Abbott got it partly right that Davis is \"fighting to bring ... Bloomberg-style gun control to Texas.\" Like Bloomberg, Davis (a Fort Worth state senator) supports background checks for all buyers at gun shows. She has opposed campus-carry measures, but voted to allow concealed weapons locked in vehicles while warning the author not to take it any farther. She has opposed letting the state tell cities or colleges they can\u2019t regulate guns on their property, but voted to let the state pursue injunctions against cities that overstep limitations currently in state law. She joined most of the Texas Senate in voting for three laws simplifying concealed-handgun permit applications. Davis has taken some actions Bloomberg might approve, and others he might not. However, she hasn\u2019t appeared to be \"fighting\" for tighter gun control if elected governor.","Davis has taken some actions Bloomberg might approve, and others he might not. However, she doesn\u2019t appear, so far, to be \"fighting\" for tighter gun control if elected governor. We rate Abbott\u2019s partly accurate statement as Half True."]},{"id":"5937.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he represents or has represented about half the San Antonio-rooted district in which he seeks election.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Rep. Lloyd Doggett's claim that he represents or has represented about half of the district in which he seeks election. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which states that Doggett's current constituents make up a significant portion of the district he is running in. However, it's important to note that the exact percentage may vary between 41 percent and 45 percent, as stated in the evidence. Overall, the statement aligns with the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["All told, then, it\u2019s evident that Doggett has represented 41 percent of the district he seeks to represent. It\u2019s also plausible that he\u2019s represented 45 percent. That\u2019s approaching half. We rate his claim Mostly True.","Doggett, who is not seeking re-election in his newly Republican-leaning 25th Congressional District, said that, in contrast, \"the district that I am running in for re-election to Congress is the district that has more of my current constituents than any other district in the state. I represent or have represented about half of the district; the other half is new.\"","Appearing with fellow Democrats seeking a new U.S. House seat, Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin defended his decision to run in the 35th Congressional District, which snakes from downtown San Antonio north into southeastern Travis County.","\"But I don't just represent Travis County,\" Doggett replied. \"I represent Lockhart and San Marcos and Kyle. And when you include the areas that I serve in Congress, it's just under half of this total district.\""]},{"id":"6823.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Senate opponent Tammy Baldwin supported a federal budget that spent trillions -- not billions, trillions -- more money than the Obama budget.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tammy Baldwin supported the budget proposed by the Progressive Caucus, which would have raised taxes by trillions more than the Obama budget, it is incorrect to claim that the caucus budget would have spent trillions more money than the Obama budget. In fact, the Progressive Caucus budget would have actually spent less money than the Obama budget. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the comparison between the two budgets and inaccurately portrays Baldwin's position.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In fact she is so liberal -- I don\u2019t know if people out there really know this -- she joined the Progressive Caucus, which introduced a budget that spent trillions -- not billions, trillions -- more money than the Obama budget.\"","Baldwin did back the proposal, which would have raised taxes by trillions more than the president. But the caucus plan would have actually spent less money than the Obama plan.","Thompson has said, in prepared statements before and after his radio interview, that the Progressive Caucus budget would have raised trillions more in taxes than Obama\u2019s budget. And our experts agreed the caucus budget would have collected $42 trillion in taxes over 10 years, some $5 trillion more than Obama\u2019s.","The fiscal 2012 budget proposed by the Progressive Caucus was what Thompson was referring to when he made his trillions more comment about Baldwin, Thompson campaign spokeswoman Lisa Boothe told us."]},{"id":"8438.json","label":"false","statement":"Says under President Barack Obama, the debt increased by 23 percent, which was less than under any president going back to Ronald Reagan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the claim suggests that under President Obama, the debt increased by 23 percent, which is lower than any president since Ronald Reagan, this assertion has been fact-checked and debunked. The actual increase in the national debt under President Obama was approximately 61 percent, which is higher than the claim suggests. When considering the size of the economy and each president's time in office, Obama's increase in the debt ranks higher than other presidents. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Colicchio tweeted that under President Barack Obama, the debt has increased by 23 percent, a smaller rise than under any president going back to Ronald Reagan. Using the same method as the tweet, the actual increase under Obama was much higher -- 61 percent -- leaving Obama in the middle of the pack of the five presidents. Adjusting for each president\u2019s time in office and the size of the economy actually puts Obama atop list of debt-creating presidents. We rate Colicchio\u2019s claim False.","Colicchio\u2019s claim is slightly different, and it comes almost two and a half years after Pelosi\u2019s, so we decided to take a new look. Did the debt increase by 23 percent under Obama, a lower rate than under any president going back to Ronald Reagan?","This sounded familiar -- in 2011, we fact-checked a claim by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that President Barack Obama \"increased the debt\" by 16 percent, compared to George W. Bush, who increased it by 115 percent. We gave that claim a Pants on Fire.","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Rep. Jim Renacci says that since President Obama took office, federal spending went up nearly 30 percent and the national debt increased by almost 50 percent,\" April 13, 2012"]},{"id":"13016.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Secure Communities Program and 287(g) immigration programs were programs that worked but were recklessly gutted by the Obama administration.","reason":"Reason: While the Secure Communities Program and 287(g) immigration programs have led to the removal of criminal immigrants, there are valid concerns and criticisms associated with these programs. The Obama administration did scale down their scope due to issues such as racial profiling, Fourth Amendment violations, and discriminatory practices. Additionally, the effectiveness of these programs is a matter of debate, as there were jurisdictions that did not cooperate and refused to comply with detainers. Therefore, characterizing these programs as \"programs that worked\" and claiming they were \"recklessly gutted\" by the Obama administration oversimplifies the complexities and controversies surrounding them.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We will restore the highly successful Secure Communities Program. Good program,\" Trump said in Phoenix on Aug. 31. \"We will expand and revitalize the popular 287(g) partnerships, which will help to identify hundreds of thousands of deportable aliens in local jails that we don't even know about. Both of these programs have been recklessly gutted by this administration. And those were programs that worked.\"","We wanted to take a closer look at the programs, whether Obama \"gutted them,\" and why there is disagreement on whether they worked.","The programs have led to the removal of criminal immigrants living illegally in the United States, and the Obama administration did scale down their scope. Yet the programs have been criticized for allowing officers to racially profile minorities, a federal judge found Fourth Amendment violations in one of them, and federal reviews have found discriminatory practices in the other.","One of the issues with Secure Communities was that while it was mandatory nationwide, more than 300 jurisdictions were not cooperating, said Randy Capps, director of research of U.S. programs at Migration Policy Institute. Many refused to comply with the detainers requested by ICE, he said."]},{"id":"10199.json","label":"true","statement":"I spent only $36.29 on my campaign for governor.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the candidate, Healey, claimed to have spent only $36.29 on his campaign for governor. He specifically mentioned this amount in an interview and explained that it included the cost of two postage stamps. However, it's important to note that this claim should be evaluated in the context of the evidence provided and may not reflect the complete financial picture of Healey's campaign.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The day after the election, Healey told Providence Journal columnist Edward Fitzpatrick that he spent just $36.29 on his campaign. He made a similar claim on WPRO, where morning host Gene Valicenti congratulated him on his strong showing.","Healey told us the amount jumps to $36.29 when you add the price of the only two purchases he made since his last financial report -- a pair of postage stamps.","Cruz suspended his campaign after losing to Trump in the Indiana primary on May 3. Campaign filings through the end of May show Cruz had spent $85.8 million to Trump\u2019s $63.3 million.","At first glance, the numbers show Trump spending more than his opponents. Filings with the Federal Elections Commission show Trump\u2019s campaign spending has topped $63.3 million through May, which are the most recent filings. Only one GOP candidate spent more throughout the campaign: Ted Cruz spent $85.8 million."]},{"id":"9491.json","label":"true","statement":"The number of terrorists out there has doubled.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Dick Cheney that the number of terrorists has doubled. This claim is supported by a report that states the number of fighters in terrorist groups has indeed doubled. However, it's important to note that this claim refers specifically to the number of individual fighters and not the number of terrorist groups. Therefore, the statement is true in the context of the number of terrorists, but it does not address the overall number of terrorist groups.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!Dick Cheney said that \"the number of terrorists out there\" has doubled and that President Barack Obama said when \"we got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved.\" !Dick Cheney said that \"the number of terrorists out there\" has doubled and that President Barack Obama said when \"we got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved.\"","Dick Cheney said that \"the number of terrorists out there\" has doubled and that President Barack Obama said when \"we got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved.\"","So, while the number of groups has increased 58 percent, the number of fighters in those groups has doubled, the report states. Here's a chart that shows the estimated increase:","Update (10:45 a.m. June 24) : We've updated this item to make more clear that Cheney was talking about the total number of terrorists, not the number of terrorist groups. Our rating remains True."]},{"id":"10292.json","label":"true","statement":"Unlike marijuana, medical cannabis oil cannot get you high.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Medical cannabis oil, specifically the type made from strains of marijuana high in CBD and low in THC, does not have a psychoactive component and cannot induce a \"high\" or intoxicating effect. While some forms of medical marijuana may contain higher levels of THC and produce psychoactive effects, the focus here is on medical cannabis oil, which is specifically formulated to have minimal THC content and is primarily used for its therapeutic properties without causing a high.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Cannabis oil is made from strains of marijuana already bred to be high in CBD and low in THC. For medical use, the oil is made with less than 3 percent THC and is orally ingested. Children\u2019s doses tend to be at 1 percent THC, or lower.","While there are non-euphoric strains of cannabis that are already being used as treatments for some conditions, it\u2019s not accurate to say that no form of medical marijuana will get you high. High-THC medical cannabis will still produce the same intoxicating effects as the street form of the drug will.","Products like cannabis oil are made from strains of marijuana already bred to be high in CBD and low in THC, although THC still is a part of the equation. Research shows that compound is what brings CBD into the brain.","\"We believe that the medical cannabis oil \u2013 very low in THC, that doesn\u2019t have a psychoactive component to it, cannot get you high \u2013 is a better approach for our citizens,\" Peake said in a press conference before a committee meeting last week."]},{"id":"2915.json","label":"false","statement":"In Florida, illegal immigration costs taxpayers nearly $4 billion (a year). This amounts to $700 for every household in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes the cost of illegal immigration in Florida to be nearly $4 billion per year, which would amount to $700 for every household in the state. The source cited, the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), has been criticized for using questionable methodology and estimates in their study. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has cautioned against putting precise dollar figures on the costs associated with illegal immigration due to the numerous unknown variables involved. Therefore, the claim lacks reliable evidence and is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In Florida, illegal immigration costs taxpayers nearly $4 billion. This amounts to $700 for every household in Florida,\" Buchanan said. \"Incredibly, some in Congress are still trying to pass a law to grant amnesty. The so-called DREAM Act would grant amnesty to as many as 2 million illegal immigrants. Amnesty rewards people who break our laws and encourages more illegal immigration.\"","Let's review. Buchanan said: \"In Florida, illegal immigration costs taxpayers nearly $4 billion (a year). This amounts to $700 for every household in Florida.\" He is mostly quoting accurately from a study performed by the group Federation for American Immigration Reform, though he doesn't cite FAIR in his comments. The FAIR study is highly suspect. It relies on estimate after estimate, and was conducted by a group that is hardly objective when it comes to analyzing the effects of illegal immigration. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office warned specifically against trying to put dollar figures on the costs associated with illegal immigrants because of the large number of unknown variables. We'd consider offering more leeway if Buchanan sourced his statement back to FAIR, so at least people could know the source and question it independently. But Buchanan makes his pronouncement sound like it's fact, when it's far from it. We rate this claim False.","FAIR estimated that the welfare of illegal immigration amounts to about $5.8 billion a year at the federal level and $2.9 billion a year at the state level (including school meals and child care programs).","FAIR\u2019s report said illegal immigration costs about $135 billion a year, and that immigrants who are here illegally contribute about $19 billion in taxes annually. That puts net costs at about $116 billion a year."]},{"id":"1822.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Last year, (Bill McCollum) spent more than $2.2 million dollars to produce and air campaign-style TV ads where you were featured in almost every frame.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Florida Democratic Party regarding Bill McCollum's spending on campaign-style TV ads. The evidence confirms that McCollum's office did spend just under $2.2 million for the ad, and McCollum was prominently featured in the majority of the frames. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So the Florida Democratic Party said that McCollum spent \"more than $2.2 million dollars to produce and air campaign-style TV ads\" and McCollum was \"featured in almost every frame.\" McCollum's office spent just under $2.2 million for the ad, but the ubiquity of the AG's mug checked out and so we rule this statement Mostly True.","\"Sadly for Florida, this fiscal recklessness is only the latest disturbing example in a long line of instances where your office wasted state funds to further your political ambitions or partisan ideology,\" Thurman wrote. \"Last year, you spent more than $2.2 million dollars to produce and air campaign-style TV ads where you were featured in almost every frame.\"","Bill McCollum voted four times to raise his own pay, by a total of $51,000, and earns a congressional pension worth more than $75,000 a year.","Thurman is referring to McCollum's 2009 cybersafety project that featured a TV ad warning viewers about the dangers of online sex predators. The 35-second public service message, which aired statewide over several weeks, struck some as bearing too much resemblance to a campaign ad."]},{"id":"3917.json","label":"true","statement":"We already have $23 billion worth of debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that the state debt in question is approximately $23 billion. While there may be additional components to the overall debt figure, the $23 billion represents the net tax-supported debt, which is a significant portion of the state's debt. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And on top of that, I don't want to increase the debt in the state. We already have $23 billion worth of debt, so those are things I thought about. But really, it was how do we get jobs going?\"","We mention all of this to explain that Scott is essentially short-handing the state's debt by describing it as $23 billion. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.","Kurt Wenner, TaxWatch vice president of tax research, echoed much of Watkins' analysis and agreed that $23 billion is probably the most accurate figure to use to describe the state debt.","Now, this doesn't mean Scott's figure is off from the get-go. That $28.2 billion figure includes $23.6 billion for \"net tax-supported debt\" and $4.6 billion for \"self-supporting debt.\""]},{"id":"4328.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that Wall Street hedge fund managers pay a lower tax rate than does a sheet metal worker in Parma or a school teacher in Cleveland.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Sherrod Brown that Wall Street hedge fund managers pay a lower tax rate compared to a typical sheet metal worker or a teacher. While specific tax rates may vary depending on individual circumstances, there is evidence to support the claim that certain tax loopholes and deductions available to high-income individuals, such as hedge fund managers, can result in a lower effective tax rate compared to middle-class workers like sheet metal workers or teachers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["For example, he said, \"They didn\u2019t close the tax loopholes for Wall Street hedge fund managers who pay a lower tax rate than does a sheet metal worker in Parma or a school teacher in Cleveland.\"","Sen. Sherrod Brown says Wall Street hedge fund managers pay a lower tax rate than a typical sheet metal worker or a teacher","( - Sen. Sherrod Brown says Wall Street hedge fund managers pay a lower tax rate than a typical sheet metal worker or a teacher&url=)","According to the most recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2010, the average salary for a sheet metal worker in the Cleveland area, spanning Elyria to Mentor, is $47,200."]},{"id":"6694.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On U.S.-Israeli relations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set the record straight he said, our two countries have exactly the same policy (and) our security cooperation is unprecedented.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that the United States and Israel have the same policy and unprecedented security cooperation. However, it is important to note that there have been instances where Netanyahu's stance on a two-state solution has been questioned and analyzed. While he has expressed support for a two-state solution in the past, there have been instances where his position appeared to waver. Therefore, while the statement regarding U.S.-Israeli relations is accurate, it does not address the complexities surrounding Netanyahu's stance on a two-state solution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Israel's ambassador to the United States said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not flip-flop on a two-state solution. (Getty) !Israel's ambassador to the United States said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not flip-flop on a two-state solution. (Getty)","Second, while Netanyahu waffled on the notion of a two-state solution in the run-up to the Israeli elections, the prime minister had been on record supporting a two-state strategy in November and the months before it.","Sunday shows fixed their spotlight on newly re-elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose campaign-season remarks shutting down a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict inflamed tensions with the White House.","Dermer\u2019s claim seems contrary to widespread analysis of Netanyahu\u2019s record, so we wanted to find out if Netanyahu\u2019s position had changed."]},{"id":"11959.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Malawi has just 300 doctors for 16 million people.","reason":"Reason: While there is some discrepancy in the exact number, it is generally accurate to say that Malawi has a relatively low number of doctors compared to its population. ActionAid UK initially stated that Malawi had 300 doctors for 16 million people, but a more recent estimate suggests that the number may be closer to 600. Nonetheless, both figures indicate a significant shortage of doctors in relation to the population size, highlighting the healthcare challenges faced by Malawi.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["ActionAid UK said that Malawi has 300 doctors to treat 16 million people. A current estimate puts that figure closer to 600.","ActionAid UK, an international anti-poverty group, drove home the point with a tweet that said \"Malawi has just 300 doctors for 16 million people\".","ActionAid UK, an international anti-poverty group, drove home the point with a tweet that said \"Malawi has just 300 doctors for 16 million people.\"!2016-02-18 14_00_32-ActionAid UK on Twitter_ _Agree we need to #maketaxfair in Malawi_ Sign and","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d"]},{"id":"1369.json","label":"false","statement":"A Medicaid provision added to the Senate health carereform bill \"is not a special deal for Nebraska.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Medicaid provision added to the Senate health care reform bill did include a special deal for Nebraska, commonly referred to as the \"Cornhusker Kickback.\" This provision exempted Nebraska from certain costs and obligations that other states would have to bear, effectively providing preferential treatment to Nebraska. This special deal was a result of negotiations to secure the pivotal vote of Senator Ben Nelson. Therefore, the statement that the provision is not a special deal for Nebraska is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u2022 Republican Sen. John McCain discussed the \"cornhusker kickback,\" a special deal for Nebraska in the Senate bill won by Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson. We explained that deal in our report on Nelson's statement, that a Medicaid provision added to the Senate health care reform bill \"is not a special deal for Nebraska.\" We rated Nelson's statement False.","It has been called the \"Omaha Stakes\" and the \"Cornhusker Kickback,\" but was a Medicaid provision added to the Senate health care bill a simple payoff to Nebraska to secure Sen. Ben Nelson's pivotal vote?","The provision added in the amendment will exempt Nebraska from that sunset, however, meaning that the federal government would forevermore pick up all of the expense of expanded eligibility to Medicaid in that state.","So to summarize, Nelson says the provision was meant as a \"marker\" to allow all states to fight what he believes is an unfair, unfunded mandate from the federal government. And maybe that's the effect the provision will have. Maybe it will open the door so that in the next seven years, other states will be able to change the law so that they can get the same deal as Nelson got for Nebraska. But for now, Nebraska is the only state in the bill that would get the deal. Other states may fight in the future, but Nelson has already won that battle for Nebraska. And unless or until all states get the same treatment, it is a special deal for Nebraska. We rule Nelson's statement False."]},{"id":"13283.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Warren Buffett has publicly said his secretary should not be paying a higher tax rate than him.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Warren Buffett has publicly expressed the belief that his secretary should not be paying a higher tax rate than him. This sentiment has been widely reported and confirmed by both Warren Buffett himself and his secretary. It highlights the issue of income inequality and the need for a fairer tax system. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Warren Buffett is the one who's gone out and said somebody like him should not be paying a lower tax rate than his secretary,\" Clinton said.","Middle-class families shouldn\u2019t pay higher taxes than millionaires and billionaires. That\u2019s pretty straightforward. It\u2019s hard to argue against that. Warren Buffett\u2019s secretary shouldn\u2019t pay a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett. There is no justification for it. It is wrong that in the United States of America, a teacher or a nurse or a construction worker who earns $50,000 should pay higher tax rates than somebody pulling in $50 million. Anybody who says we can\u2019t change the tax code to correct that, anyone who has signed some pledge to protect every single tax loophole so long as they live, they should be called out. They should have to defend that unfairness -- explain why somebody who's making $50 million a year in the financial markets should be paying 15 percent on their taxes, when a teacher making $50,000 a year is paying a higher rate.","Clinton said Buffett claimed to pay a smaller tax rate than his secretary. Buffett\u2019s secretary confirmed she pays a higher rate than her boss. Buffett said he pays about 16 percent in income taxes, while any employee making between $100,000 and $200,000 typically pays about 20 percent in taxes. We rate this claim True.","As a policy, we don't do Truth-O-Meter items on \"shoulds\" or \"shouldn'ts.\" Those are opinions, not facts. When Obama says that middle income earners shouldn't pay higher tax rates than the extremely wealthy, he is invoking the idea at the heart of the progressive U.S. income tax system, which has long charged higher rates the more that people earn. Obama said that changes to the tax code should include ways to make sure that the very wealthy don't escape paying higher rates."]},{"id":"9303.json","label":"true","statement":"With only 67 bills or so passed into law, 2013 was the least productive year in congressional history since weve been keeping record.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Joaquin Castro that 2013 was the least productive year in congressional history in terms of the number of bills passed into law. According to the evidence provided, only 67 bills or so were passed into law in 2013, which is a historically low number. This information is supported by the data from the U.S. House clerk's office, which provides detailed numerical recaps of congressional proceedings. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We\u2019ve gotten into congressional productivity before, rating True a May 2014 claim by Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, that with only 67 bills or so passed into law, \"2013 was the least productive year in congressional history since we\u2019ve been keeping record.\"","The office of the U.S. House clerk offers one-page detailed numerical recaps of each year\u2019s congressional proceedings dating back to 1947. And according to the latest tally available when we looked, 114 \"public bills\" were passed into law by the House and Senate from early January 2014 through Nov. 30, 2014. That was an improvement in that 73 measures made it into law from early January 2013 into early January 2014, according to another office tally.","We looked through Cruz\u2019s legislative history on Congressional Quarterly \u2019s database and found that since he became a senator in January 2013, he has been the main sponsor on 44 bills and a cosponsor on 187.","Of the bills Cruz has sponsored, only one has been signed into law. However, he has cosponsored two eventual laws, as well as many resolutions that passed but didn\u2019t have to go to Obama\u2019s desk (and don\u2019t carry the force of law)."]},{"id":"7509.json","label":"false","statement":"Georgia has the most lax gun laws in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Georgia has the most lax gun laws in the nation. The evidence discusses terrorists exploiting lax gun laws in the U.S., but it does not specifically mention Georgia or compare the gun laws of different states. To determine which state has the most lax gun laws, a comprehensive analysis of the gun laws across all states would be required. Without such analysis, it is not accurate to claim that Georgia has the most lax gun laws in the nation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Hassan\u2019s camp also directed us to a 2011 video featuring American-born al Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn in which he talked about lax gun laws in the U.S. and urged followers to take advantage of them.","Those two examples are enough to show that terrorists have advertised the U.S. gun laws, and \"it is something they think about internally,\" said Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a terrorism specialist at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.","As gun policy takes a central role in New Hampshire\u2019s U.S. Senate race, Democrat Maggie Hassan is warning that terrorists are trying to exploit federal laws to obtain firearms.","It\u2019s not surprising that Florida would be among the top states for the number of gun permits since it is now the third most populous state in the country. But does Florida lead the nation in gun permits and is that nearly double that of the second state, which is Texas? We were fired up to find the facts."]},{"id":"3649.json","label":"false","statement":"Says many states are floundering under crushing deficit spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the federal government is facing deficit spending, the claim that \"many states\" are also floundering under crushing deficit spending is not supported by the evidence provided. In fact, states are required to balance their budgets, which means they cannot engage in deficit spending like the federal government. While some states may face budget challenges, it is misleading to suggest that many states are experiencing crushing deficit spending.\nLabel: false","evidence":["What struck us in the two statements is Haridopolos' claim that governments at the state and federal level are \"floundering under crushing deficit spending.\" We know that the federal government is spending more money than it takes in, meaning it's borrowing money to keep the government running. But we wondered whether other states were in the same fiscal predicament.","Here's what Haridopolos said, in praising the framework of Florida's 2011-12 budget: \"While many states and the federal government are floundering under crushing deficit spending, we kept our promise that we would not raise taxes or fees during these difficult economic times.\" Haridopolos might have been trying to say that many states raised taxes to balance their budget, but we're sticking to his actual words.","Added Haridopolos: \"While many states and the federal government are floundering under crushing deficit spending, we kept our promise that we would not raise taxes or fees during these difficult economic times. For months, I've heard over and over again that we would never be able to get this done. Working as a team, the House and Senate reached these budget allocations on behalf of all Floridians.\"","\"States have a requirement to balance their operating budgets,\" said Snell, whose group says, like Shure\u2019s, that only Vermont is not required to pass balanced budgets."]},{"id":"6761.json","label":"true","statement":"The truth is, Planned Parenthood does not provide mammograms. Planned Parenthood refers women to mammography providers, serving as the middlewoman, if you will.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Planned Parenthood does not provide mammograms directly at their clinics. However, they do offer clinical breast exams and refer patients to mammography providers for further screening. While Planned Parenthood serves as a middleman in connecting women to mammography providers, they do not perform mammograms themselves.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In August 2015, PolitiFact rated Pants on Fire a claim by Jeb Bush that Planned Parenthood \"is not actually doing women\u2019s health issues.\" That story said Planned Parenthood \"offers contraception, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, prenatal services and cancer screenings, including breast exams,\" though not mammograms. In September 2012, PolitiFact Georgia rated True a claim that Planned Parenthood \"does not provide mammograms. Planned Parenthood refers women to mammography providers.\"","The most prevalent listed contraception service was \"reversible contraception\" for women (2.1 million services). The most common cancer screening was \"breast exams\/breast care\" (487,029 services). That story said that a Planned Parenthood spokeswoman said doctors and nurses at Planned Parenthood health centers provide clinical breast exams and refer patients to facilities with technicians for mammograms based on breast exams, age or family history; she said Planned Parenthood also refers women to breast specialists when a potential abnormality is found and follow-up tests are needed.","Mattox said there is no reason, though, that Planned Parenthood must serve as the referring agency. According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, there are more than 13,000 clinics nationwide that provide comprehensive health care for women and could at least provide referrals and, in some cases, the mammograms themselves.","In an effort to debunk defenders that Planned Parenthood provides essential women\u2019s health services in addition to abortions, an anti-abortion group claimed that none of the organization\u2019s clinics is licensed to provide mammograms."]},{"id":"5620.json","label":"true","statement":"More than half of the births in Texas are paid for by Medicaid.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including the Austin American-Statesman and fact-checking organizations. It has been found to be true that more than half of the births in Texas are paid for by Medicaid. This indicates that a significant portion of the population relies on Medicaid, the government insurance program for low-income individuals, to cover the costs of childbirth.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We can\u2019t judge the Democrats\u2019 prediction that more births will need to be paid for by Medicaid because of these turns. For this article, we wondered if indeed more than half of Texas births are currently covered by Medicaid, the government insurance program that mostly serves low-income mothers and children.","\"More than half of the births in Texas are paid for by Medicaid and, without this (women\u2019s) program, that percentage will undoubtedly increase,\" says the column posted on the Austin American-Statesman \u2019s website on March 5, 2012.","We previously found True a claim that more than half the state\u2019s births are paid for by Medicaid. For this story, we looked into whether Davis was correct about Medicaid-funded birth costs increasing more than $130 million in a year.","Per what Davis said, we looked into whether more than 150,000 women lost the only health care they had and whether the Texas actions drove up the number of births paid for through Medicaid."]},{"id":"1107.json","label":"false","statement":"President Barack Obama suggested on national TV that the Democratic health care bill will have government decide that a healthy, 100-year-old woman in need of a pacemaker should take a pain pill instead.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents President Barack Obama's remarks on national TV regarding the Democratic health care bill. While the evidence provided includes references to discussions on health care, there is no evidence to support the claim that President Obama suggested that a healthy, 100-year-old woman in need of a pacemaker should take a pain pill instead. Such a statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the content of the discussions or the intentions of the health care bill.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If we are being told that this week we have to make the decision as to whether or not the program we put forward will have government decide whether a 100-year-old woman who is in extraordinarily good health but needs a pacemaker ought to instead be told by the government that merely she should take a pain pill \u2014 as the president suggested on television not too long ago \u2014 then maybe we owe it to the American people to give ourselves sufficient time\u201d to study this legislation further.","Rep. Dan Lungren, a Republican from California, says President Barack Obama's health care plan is so mixed up that the government would tell 100-year-old ladies who need pacemakers to take pain pills instead.","In his address on health care to a joint session of Congress on Sept. 9, 2009, President Barack Obama suggested the health care bills in Congress are a bipartisan collaboration.","Not surprisingly then, one of the testiest exchanges at the health care summit on Feb. 25, 2010, came between President Barack Obama and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., over the issue of how the Democrats' health care plan would affect premiums."]},{"id":"2293.json","label":"true","statement":"Says most of Perrys chiefs of staff have been lobbyists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, it is confirmed that most of Governor Perry's chiefs of staff have indeed been lobbyists. The Texas Ethics Commission's database and information from former chiefs of staff themselves support this claim. It is important to note that three of the five chiefs of staff mentioned were lobbyists before being appointed as chiefs of staff by Governor Perry.\nLabel: true","evidence":["White was more specific in an ethics reform proposal he released in April: \"Five of seven Perry chiefs of staff have been lobbyists.\"","So we went down the roster of the governor's chiefs of staff and combed through the Texas Ethics Commission's online database of registered lobbyists, who are required to report their compensation and expenditures. But that list only dates back to 1998, so we reached out to the former chiefs of staff themselves.","\"Most of his chiefs of staff have been lobbyists,\" White said to a crowd of about 35 people in the North Texas town of Crowell on Aug. 14.","Far as we can tell, five have been registered as lobbyists, as White stated. Three of those \u2014 McKinney, Toomey and Sullivan \u2014 were lobbyists before Perry hired them as chief of staff."]},{"id":"9968.json","label":"false","statement":"Sen.Mark Begich cast the deciding vote in favor of President Obamas authority to issue executive amnesty to illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Senator Mark Begich cast the deciding vote in favor of President Obama's authority to issue executive amnesty to illegal aliens. The email and statements from Begich himself indicate that he does not support amnesty for illegal immigrants and has expressed opposition to the president using executive action for amnesty. There is no concrete evidence or specific vote mentioned that supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Yesterday Sen. Mark Begich cast the deciding vote in favor of President (Barack) Obama\u2019s authority to issue executive amnesty to illegal aliens,\" the email says. \"Yeah, I couldn\u2019t believe it either. Especially after he told Alaskans he was against executive amnesty.\"","Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, says he doesn\u2019t support amnesty for illegal immigrants -- but his opponent Republican Dan Sullivan says Begich cast a \"deciding vote\" that proves he does.","We searched news databases and couldn\u2019t find any Begich commentary on the Deferred Action program specifically. However, he has said he doesn\u2019t support the president using executive action to give illegal immigrants amnesty.","At a debate in Anchorage last month, Begich and Sullivan were asked if they would support the president taking executive action on giving amnesty to illegal immigrants, according to local publication News-Miner."]},{"id":"5866.json","label":"false","statement":"The U.S. economy is recovering slower than Europe","reason":"Reason: The provided evidence supports the opposite claim, stating that the U.S. economy is recovering at a faster pace than any other country in the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). The statements from Gaspard and the information from the Federal Reserve indicate that the U.S. economy's recovery is comparatively stronger. Therefore, the statement that the U.S. economy is recovering slower than Europe is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Inflation has been caused by the global economies shutting down all at once, reopening all at once. And \u2026 the U.S. economy is recovering at a far faster pace than any other country in the OECD.\"","Gaspard said that \"inflation has been caused by the global economies shutting down all at once, reopening all at once. And \u2026 the U.S. economy is recovering at a far faster pace than any other country in the OECD.\"","\"We all know that inflation has been caused by the global economies shutting down all at once, reopening all at once,\" Gaspard said. \"And the fact of the matter is \u2026 that the U.S. economy is recovering at a far faster pace than any other country in the OECD. That is an absolute fact.\" (The OECD is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, a group of 38 advanced, industrialized nations('s%2038%20members%20are,Norway%2C%20Poland%2C%20Portugal%2C%20Slovak).)","\"This page provides a current assessment of 'how bad' the 2007-2009 recession was relative to past recessions, and of how quickly the economy is recovering relative to past recoveries,\" the Fed explains on its site."]},{"id":"6582.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When President Obama took office, we were losing 700,000 jobs a month. Now weve had job growth, I think, for 24 consecutive months.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation when President Obama took office. The United States was indeed experiencing significant job losses, with approximately 700,000 jobs being lost each month. Furthermore, there has been a period of sustained job growth for approximately 24 consecutive months during President Obama's tenure. While there may be slight discrepancies in the exact numbers and duration, the overall claim is valid.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When President Obama took office, we were losing 700,000 jobs a month. Now we've had job growth, I think, for 24 consecutive months.\"","\"When President Obama took office, we were losing 700,000 jobs a month. Now we've had job growth, I think, for 24 consecutive months,\" he said.","In the debate, U.S. Rep. David Cicilline said: \"When President Obama took office, we were losing 700,000 jobs a month. Now we've had job growth, I think, for 24 consecutive months.\"","As for Cicilline\u2019s comment, he understated the job losses occurring when President Obama took office and, by the most commonly used measure, he overstated by two months the timespan of continued job growth. But his main point -- that there has been growth for nearly two years -- is sound."]},{"id":"2272.json","label":"false","statement":"This is not a mosque. Its a cultural center that has a prayer area.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the planned project in New York includes a mosque as part of the larger cultural center, it is inaccurate to claim that it is solely a mosque or that it is primarily intended as a mosque. The project is described as a Muslim community center that aims to serve the needs of the diverse New York community, with a designated prayer area included. Therefore, the statement that \"this is not a mosque, it's a cultural center that has a prayer area\" is misleading and does not accurately represent the nature of the project.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Hunt said the issue has been \"demagogued\" and added, \"This is not on ground zero. This is not a mosque. It's a cultural center that has a prayer area.\"","We agree with those who say it's imprecise to simply refer to the New York project as a mosque. As is clear from the organizers' comments and formal web pages, the big picture plans are for a $100 million, 15-story Muslim community center that would be open to New Yorkers of all faiths. But those comments and websites also make clear that the plans do include a \"mosque.\" It may be a \"small portion\" of the overall project, but it is a part. And so when Hunt said, \"This is not a mosque. It's a cultural center that has a prayer area,\" that's not accurate either. It's a cultural center that includes a mosque. And so we rate Hunt's comment False.","\"It will be a multi-floor community center open to all New Yorkers, much like a YMCA or Jewish Community Center (JCC) with a designated prayer space (mosque) in one area to serve the needs of the large existing community of American Muslims in the neighborhood.","Hunt's comment echoed Frank Rich who stated in an Aug. 21, 2010, New York Times op-ed( \"New York Times op-ed\") , \"It\u2019s not a mosque but an Islamic cultural center containing a prayer room.\""]},{"id":"7323.json","label":"true","statement":"Odds of winning the Monopoly Millionaire instant win game are 1 in 3.27.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the odds of winning the Monopoly Millionaire instant win game are 1 in 3.27. The overall odds of winning are explicitly stated on the game ticket itself, and the advertisement for the game also confirms this information. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["One of the scratch-off games he plays, Monopoly Millionaire, for example, lists the overall odds of winning as 1 in 3.27. There are 20 different ways to win on the $10 Monopoly Millionaire ticket, according to the printed advertisement.","For example, take a scratch-off game with odds of winning listed at 1 in 3.98, he said. In other words, for every 398 tickets sold, 100 are winners.","Detailed odds for every prize level in every Georgia Lottery game are available on the lottery website, a lottery spokeswoman told PolitiFact Georgia. The prize levels include a free ticket. The odds for each game that involves a drawing are also printed on the back of each game\u2019s play slip. The overall odds of winning a prize in instant games are printed on every game ticket. The odds include every prize level available in each game.","The Georgia Lottery explains it this way: There are multiple top-prize-winning tickets, as well as multiple prize levels (from free tickets to top cash prizes) available in all Georgia Lottery instant games. Players can win prizes, including cash or ticket prizes, in accordance with the rules of each instant game, said Tandi Reddick, the lottery\u2019s communications director."]},{"id":"13408.json","label":"true","statement":"Surveys show that many of our citizens think we devote a full quarter or even a third of our federal budget to foreign aid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the perception among many citizens that a significant portion of the federal budget is allocated to foreign aid. However, it is important to note that this perception does not align with the reality of the federal budget. In actuality, foreign aid constitutes a much smaller percentage of the federal budget, typically less than 1%. The discrepancy between perception and reality can be attributed to various factors, including media coverage and public misconceptions about government spending priorities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The word \"welfare\" has different meanings for different people. Many think it refers to cash payouts to people who aren\u2019t working; others think it includes anyone who receives government assistance of any type.","\"In 2013, according to the Census Bureau, there were 105,862,000 full-time year-round workers in the United States -- including 16,685,000 full-time government workers. These full-time workers were outnumbered by the 109,631,000 whom the Census Bureau says were getting benefits from means-tested federal programs -- e.g. welfare -- as of the fourth quarter of 2012.","With the $53 billion spent in Ukraine aid, the U.S. \u201ccould pay five SWAT members $80,000 each and have them at EVERY school front door.\u201d","This matters because it juices the numbers, effectively increasing the number of people on the welfare side of the comparison. Children and senior citizens can be counted as receiving means-tested benefits, but children cannot legally work, and many senior citizens may be retired or physically unable to work due to age."]},{"id":"4933.json","label":"false","statement":"Our federal government has lent $2 billion to the state-owned oil company of Brazil to allow them to explore for oil and gas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there was a proposed offer by the Export-Import Bank of the United States to provide up to $2 billion in financing to Petrobras, Brazil's national oil company, it is important to note that this offer was never finalized or executed. The Export-Import Bank only backed a $308 million loan made by a private bank to Petrobras. Therefore, the claim that the U.S. government lent $2 billion to the state-owned oil company of Brazil is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Our federal government has lent $2 billion to the state-owned oil company of Brazil to allow them to explore for oil and gas, and that shows how contradictory our energy policies are,\" Allen said.","All of the articles center on a tentative offer by the Export-Import Bank of the United States in April 2009 to provide up to $2 billion in financing to Petrobras, Brazil\u2019s national oil company.","So Ex-Im did not directly lend any money to Petrobras, let alone the $2 billion Allen claimed. All it did was back a $308 million loan that a private bank made to the Brazilian oil company.","Dan Allen also sent us an article that ran this August in The Hill, a publication that covers Congress. That story, however, never said a $2 billion loan had been made. It merely noted that \"Republicans railed against a 2009 proposed $2 billion commitment from the U.S. Import-Export Bank to the Brazilian oil company Petrobras.\""]},{"id":"10464.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ronald Reagan banned ownership of fully automatic rifles. He supported the assault weaspons ban.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Ronald Reagan did sign the Firearm Owners Protection Act in 1986, which prohibited the private sale and ownership of fully automatic rifles (machine guns) that were not already registered with the federal government. However, it is important to note that this law did not ban the ownership of fully automatic rifles altogether. It only restricted the sale and ownership of newly manufactured machine guns. Additionally, while Reagan did support certain gun control measures, including the assault weapons ban, it is not accurate to say that he outright banned ownership of fully automatic rifles.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"By the standards of today, Ronald Reagan was a traitor to the Second Amendment,\" Lopez said. The delegate added about Reagan, \"As president, he banned ownership of fully automatic rifles. He supported the assault weapons ban...\"","Eight years before this letter in the newspaper supporting the assault-weapons ban, Reagan, who was then president, signed into law the Firearm Owners Protection Act, which was supported by gun rights advocates. In addition to providing protections for gun owners, the act also banned ownership of any fully automatic rifles that were not already registered on the day the law was signed.","Lopez pointed out to us that in 1986, Reagan signed the Firearm Owners Protection Act(;c=99%7C). The bill provided a number of protections for gun owners. But it also barred the private sale and ownership of any fully automatic rifles -- machine guns -- that were not already registered with the federal government on the day Reagan signed the law.","Lopez errs in saying Reagan banned ownership of machine guns. Reagan, in 1986, signed a law that barred the private sale and ownership of machine guns that were not already registered on the day he signed the bill. The measure stopped new machine guns from entering the private marketplace, it did not ban the old ones."]},{"id":"10496.json","label":"false","statement":"Over 200 years ago, the United States had declared war on Islam, and Thomas Jefferson led the charge!","reason":"Reason: The claim that over 200 years ago, the United States declared war on Islam and that Thomas Jefferson led the charge is historically inaccurate. While the United States did engage in conflicts with various Barbary states in the early 19th century, these conflicts were not religious wars against Islam. The conflicts were primarily motivated by piracy and the protection of American merchant ships in the Mediterranean. Thomas Jefferson, as President, played a role in addressing these conflicts, but it is incorrect to portray them as a declaration of war against Islam. This claim is a misrepresentation of historical events.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The chain email said that \"over 200 years ago, the United States had declared war on Islam, and Thomas Jefferson led the charge!\"","\"Most Americans are unaware of the fact that over 200 years ago, the United States had declared war on Islam, and Thomas Jefferson led the charge!","Most Americans are unaware of the fact that over two hundred years ago, the United States had declared war on Islam, and Thomas Jefferson led the charge!","This excerpt offers a lot to chew over (and the full text includes even more), but for this fact-check we\u2019re going to focus on the opening claim -- that \"over 200 years ago, the United States had declared war on Islam, and Thomas Jefferson led the charge!\""]},{"id":"9059.json","label":"false","statement":"The United States has seen a net loss of people with health insurance because of Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Boehner that the United States has seen a net loss of people with health insurance because of Obamacare is based on flawed reasoning and inaccurate information. While it is true that some individuals had their insurance policies canceled, it is important to consider the broader context. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) aimed to expand access to healthcare and reduce the number of uninsured individuals. Numerous studies and analyses have shown that the implementation of the ACA resulted in a significant increase in the number of people with health insurance. Therefore, the claim that there has been a net loss of people with health insurance due to Obamacare is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Washington Post Fact Checker, \" Boehner\u2019s claim that Obamacare has resulted in a \u2018net loss\u2019 of people with health insurance,\" March 17, 2014","\"The Iranian parliament will get to say yes or no on this deal, and I think the United States Congress should have the exact same input into the process.\"","\"I believe that to be the case,\" Boehner said. \"When you look at the 6 million Americans who've lost their policies, and (government officials) claim 4.2 million who've signed up \u2014 I don't know how many have actually paid for it \u2014 that would indicate to me a net loss of people with health insurance. And I actually do believe that to be the case.\"","Boehner said the Affordable Care Act so far has caused \"a net loss of people with health insurance.\" Boehner's logic is based on reports that about 5 million had their insurance policies canceled while 4.2 million signed up for policies on the state and federal marketplaces. It's bad math for two reasons."]},{"id":"9136.json","label":"false","statement":"Glenn Hegar promised to eliminate the property tax.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or clear statement from Glenn Hegar promising to eliminate the property tax. While there may be claims made by individuals like Mike Collier, the fact-checking process did not find any direct promise from Hegar himself to eliminate property taxes. Additionally, Hegar's campaign website does not mention this promise, and his campaign manager stated that he was unaware of any such promise. Therefore, the statement that Glenn Hegar promised to eliminate the property tax is unsupported.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mike Collier of Houston said in a March 18, 2014, email blast, \"Glenn Hegar promised to eliminate the property tax,\" a step Collier said would trigger the state\u2019s \"most outrageous tax increase\" ever.","Stanford told us that by using the phrase \"Just do it,\" Hegar \"may not have said the words \u2018I promise,\u2019 but he explained how he would\" eliminate property taxes.","Glenn Hegar, a former Texas House member initially elected to the Senate in 2007, was elected Texas state comptroller in 2014. Hegar describes himself as a sixth-generation Texan who farms land that's been in his family since the 1800s. He is the former chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission.","As we embarked on this fact check, we noticed Hegar\u2019s campaign website doesn\u2019t discuss property taxes. We also asked for an interview with Hegar about any promise to wipe out property taxes; campaign manager David White told us by email that Hegar wasn\u2019t available on the couple days we inquired. White also said he was unaware of Hegar directly promising to eliminate property taxes."]},{"id":"5868.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney is proposing a tax cut that gives an average of $250,000 to every millionaire in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama and others that Mitt Romney's tax plans would provide an average tax cut of $250,000 to every millionaire in the country. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as true by the Truth-O-Meter. It is important to note that this statement refers specifically to the impact of Romney's tax plans on millionaires and does not address the potential effects on other income groups or the overall fairness of the tax proposal.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama made a similar claim in Columbus in May, asserting that Romney wanted \"a tax cut that gives an average of $250,000 to every millionaire in this country.\" On the Truth-O-Meter, that claim rated True.","Says Mitt Romney\u2019s tax plans would \"give an additional $250,000 tax cut to millionaires and billionaires\" while raising taxes on the middle class.","Mitt Romney is proposing a tax plan \"that would give millionaires another tax break and raises taxes on middle class families by up to $2,000 a year.\"","Says Chris Christie\u2019s plan \"to kick-start our economy\" is to propose an \"income tax cut that disproportionately benefits the wealthy, 's still proposing it.\""]},{"id":"3898.json","label":"true","statement":"The budget for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is only about 1 percent of the amount banks generate just from late fees and overdraft fees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The evidence provided does not directly address the budget of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). However, it is known that the CFPB's budget is funded by the Federal Reserve and is capped at a percentage of the Federal Reserve's operating expenses. In comparison, the amount generated by banks from late fees and overdraft fees is significantly higher than the CFPB's budget. Therefore, the statement correctly highlights the relatively small size of the CFPB's budget in comparison to the revenue generated by banks from fees.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden proposed to create a new agency within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to provide credit scores, rather than relying only on the three private agencies that currently track Americans' credit, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.","In advance of the hearing, Waters asked her staff to draw up a \"discussion draft\" of legislation to create a public credit reporting agency within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to provide credit scores in ways that do not have a discriminatory impact. She said her view is that \"creating a consumer-oriented public credit reporting agency would be a major upgrade\" over the current credit reporting system.","\"The changes included in the Governor's budget would increase net taxes by $1,020,728,000 ($464,824,000 in 2021-22 and $555,904,000 in 2022-23) and would increase net fees by $17,162,700 ($7,172,900 in 2021-22 and $9,989,800 in 2022-23).\"","\"Biden will create a new public credit reporting and scoring division within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to provide consumers with a government option that seeks to minimize racial disparities, for example by ensuring the algorithms used for credit scoring don\u2019t have a discriminatory impact, and by accepting non-traditional sources of data like rental history and utility bills to establish credit. \""]},{"id":"9718.json","label":"true","statement":"There has never been an alderman who has defeated an incumbent mayor in the history of this great city.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donovan that there has never been an alderman who has defeated an incumbent mayor in the history of the city. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which includes historical research into the early days of city government and the general fear among aldermen of taking on a sitting mayor. However, it is important to note that the statement is specific to the context of the city being referred to, which is not mentioned in the evidence. Therefore, the claim should be considered true within the given context.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"What we are proposing is monumental and also unprecedented,\" Donovan said. \"As a matter of fact to the best of my knowledge there has never been an alderman who has defeated an incumbent mayor in the history of this great city.\"","What makes the leap from alderman to mayor so tough? After all, there\u2019s only a couple hundred feet separating their second-floor offices in Milwaukee\u2019s 119-year-old City Hall downtown.","We took up Donovan\u2019s history challenge, looking back to the early days of city government, when aldermen received no salary and worked out of a church and above a livery stable.","There\u2019s also a general fear among alderman about taking on any sitting mayor, for fear of losing and suffering retribution in terms of help for their districts, Donovan said."]},{"id":"2068.json","label":"true","statement":"Sometime in the next decade, there will be more Latinos in the state of Texas than there are Anglos. That will happen sometime in the next five to eight to ten years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the prediction made by John King based on information from the San Antonio Express-News and the Texas State Data Center. According to the data center, it is anticipated that the number of Hispanics will exceed the number of Anglos in Texas at some point in the coming decade. The specific timeline for this shift may vary depending on factors such as migration rates. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that sometime in the next five to eight to ten years, there will be more Latinos in the state of Texas than there are Anglos.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Sometime in the next decade, there will be more Latinos in the state of Texas than there are Anglos,\" King said on the July 13 edition of \"John King, USA.\" \"That will happen sometime in the next five to eight to 10 years.\"","Meryl Conant, senior publicist for CNN Washington, told us King based his prediction on information from a San Antonio Express-News news article and the San Antonio-based Texas State Data Center, home to the state demographer, Dr. Lloyd Potter. We'd already contacted Potter, who told us the data center\u2019s population projections suggest various timelines for the state's Latinos to outnumber Anglos.","According to the data center, it \"is anticipated that the number of Hispanics will exceed the number of Anglos in the state at some point in the coming decade. This benchmark might be achieved a little sooner or a little later if migration is respectively more rapid or more slow than that utilized for this projection.\"","Texas State Data Center, \"Projected Racial and Ethnic Percent Change, Texas, 2000-2040,\" 2008 population projections (PowerPoint charts) and \"2008 Methodology for Texas Population Projections,\" February 2009 (received and accessed July 14 and 15, 2010)"]},{"id":"3825.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Democratic health care law added 12 years of solvency to Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Democratic health care law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, improved the financial outlook for Medicare and extended the solvency of Medicare Part A (which covers hospitalization) by 12 years, it is important to note that this claim is based on an older report. The latest estimate indicates that Medicare will have eight additional years of solvency, which is one-third less than the previous estimate. Therefore, while the Affordable Care Act did have a positive impact on Medicare's financial outlook, the specific claim of adding 12 years of solvency is outdated and no longer accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["To summarize, Wasserman Schultz said that the Democratic health care law \"added 12 years of solvency to Medicare.\" She\u2019s off on the number, citing an older, more optimistic report. The latest estimate indicates Medicare will only have eight additional years of solvency, one-third less than the previous estimate. But she\u2019s right that the Affordable Care Act improved the financial outlook for Medicare, and that Democrats have successfully passed legislation to reduce future spending for the program. So we rate her statement Half True.","We documented a slew of Mediscare ads against Democrats during the 2010 election cycle. But we were interested in the wonkier question of whether the health care law did indeed add 12 years of solvency to Medicare. Solvency in this case means the money flowing into Medicare covers 100 percent of the bills for patient care.","We started researching the issue, and at first, Wasserman Schultz seemed on solid ground. In August 2010, the Medicare Board of Trustees reported that the health care law did indeed add 12 years of solvency to Medicare Part A, the portion of Medicare that covers hospitalization. It also improved the financial outlook for Part B, which covers physicians\u2019 services and other care. The report specifically credited the Democratic health care law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed earlier that year.","U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Trustees Announce Solvency of Medicare Trust Fund Extended By 12 Years to 2029, Aug. 5, 2010"]},{"id":"3517.json","label":"true","statement":"The only segment in the beer market that is growing is the craft beer segment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including industry experts and representatives. According to these sources, the craft beer segment is the only segment in the beer market that is experiencing growth, especially in recent years. This growth is attributed to factors such as changing consumer preferences and the appeal of craft beer's higher quality and unique flavors. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The only segment in the beer market that is growing is the craft beer segment,\" the San Antonio Democrat said during a March 22 press conference about House Bill 660, which was left pending in a House committee.","Craft beer \"has really taken on a life of its own in the last four or five years,\" Schuhmacher said. \"And the beer industry itself has always grown\" until 2008, when the recession hit, he said. \"Ironically, craft beer, which is the highest-priced segment in the beer industry, continued to grow and indeed accelerate.\"","Texas has followed the nationwide trends tracked by the Brewers Association and the Beer Institute, said Rick Donley, president of the Texas Beer Alliance, which supports Villarreal\u2019s bill. \"The only thing that has a real growth to it right now is the craft beer segment,\" he said.","The sales trend in microbrews hasn\u2019t been lost on the big brewers. On March 28, Anheuser-Busch announced plans to buy Chicago craft beermaker Goose Island. \"Sales of these more expensive and more sophisticated craft beers are a tiny drop in the bucket compared to mass market beer sales, but they\u2019re growing faster than mainstream beers,\" according to a National Public radio story about the deal."]},{"id":"12348.json","label":"true","statement":"Says $15-an-hourproposal in Cleveland is the most aggressive minimum wage increase in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the head of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, who referred to the proposed $15 minimum wage in Cleveland as the \"most aggressive minimum wage increase in the country.\" This claim is further supported by the fact that Cleveland has the lowest starting point for minimum wage among municipalities considering or implementing a $15 minimum wage, and the proposed increase in Cleveland would be implemented immediately rather than gradually, as seen in most other cities. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the assessment of the proposed minimum wage increase in Cleveland.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A proposed $15 minimum wage in Cleveland is the \"most aggressive minimum wage increase in the country,\" according to the head of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, a chamber of commerce group.","\"We have serious concerns about a Cleveland-only wage hike that could put the city in a competitive disadvantage in the region and state,\" Roman said, according to the Plain Dealer. \"As proposed, the hike is the most aggressive minimum wage increase in the country.\"","USA Today, Biden says minimum wage increase probably not 'going to survive' as part of COVID-19 relief package, Feb. 6, 2021","It turns out that Cleveland, with a minimum wage of $8.10, is at the lowest starting point of any municipality that has passed or is considering a $15 hike. Also, the Cleveland proposal would increase the wage to $15 at once instead of building up gradually, as most other cities have done."]},{"id":"13372.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We are seeing kids who are healthier.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, as it reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton regarding the positive impact of Michelle Obama's work on nutrition and exercise. However, it is important to note that the evidence suggests improvements in the health of younger children, specifically those aged 11 and under, but not necessarily among older children. Therefore, while there have been positive trends in the health of some children, it is not a comprehensive statement that applies to all age groups.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"She has worked for healthier childhood for our kids here at home,\" Clinton said. \"Better nutrition, more exercise and we are seeing the results. We are seeing kids who are healthier.\"","Clinton said that \"we are seeing kids who are healthier.\" She said that in the context of First Lady Obama\u2019s work on nutrition and exercise, and her campaign staff drew our attention to obesity trends.","The latest government data show that the country has made headway among kids 11 and under, but not among older children.","The first lady has pushed for healthier eating habits, and there\u2019s encouraging news on that front. The government has the Healthy Eating Index. It measures what people eat against the federal dietary guidelines, as in, are we eating our fruits and vegetables, the right amount of whole grains, and so on. The higher the index, the better."]},{"id":"12681.json","label":"false","statement":"90% of rural women and 55% of all women are illiterate in Morocco.","reason":"Reason: The statement regarding the illiteracy rates of women in Morocco is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence does not mention anything about the literacy rates of women in Morocco, let alone specific percentages for rural women or women overall. Without credible evidence to support the claim, it cannot be verified or considered accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - More than 90% of women change their minds about having an abortion after seeing an ultrasound, Rachel Campos-Duffy says&url=)","Campos-Duffy said \"upwards of 90 percent\" of women seeking an abortion decide not to have an abortion after seeing an ultrasound.","Research indicates that some women seeking an abortion change their mind after having an ultrasound. But, while one anti-abortion organization claims a figure of nearly 90 percent for its ultrasound program among a certain group of women, there is no solid evidence to back Campos-Duffy\u2019s sweeping claim.","But the council makes no claim and provides no evidence indicating that on a national level upwards of 90 percent of women seeking an abortion change their minds after seeing an ultrasound."]},{"id":"7100.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Multnomah County Library system is the second busiest in the nation.","reason":"Reason: According to available statistics and industry surveys, the Multnomah County Library system is indeed considered the second busiest library system in the nation. This determination is based on the circulation of items, which refers to the total number of items issued by the library in a given year. With a circulation of 23,946,498, the Multnomah County Library system has consistently ranked as one of the busiest in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It\u2019s often said that the Multnomah County Library system is the nation\u2019s second busiest. The most recent available statistics from a survey used widely in the industry backs up the claim.","One of the most ubiquitous was the oft-repeated fact that the Multnomah County Library was the \"second busiest in the nation.\" Given that Portland doesn\u2019t even crack the 25 largest cities in the nation (by population), this fact has always struck us as pretty interesting.","Supporters of a new Multnomah County Library District say a new tax structure is necessary for keeping one of the nation\u2019s busiest libraries \"working for all of us.\" In a mailer, the Libraries Yes! Committee paints an already dim picture of the system.","The association doesn\u2019t track how \"busy\" a system is per se, but it does check the circulation -- or the total number of items issued in a given year. By that measure, the Multnomah County system is, indeed, the second busiest with 23,946,498."]},{"id":"10763.json","label":"true","statement":"Hillary Clintons State Department sent three comedians to India on the Make Chai, Not War tour.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Hillary Clinton's State Department did send three Indian-American comedians on a tour called \"Make Chai, Not War\" in India. This tour was part of a regular global cultural exchange program, as confirmed by former State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. The purpose of the tour was to promote cultural understanding and engagement between the United States and India.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton\u2019s State Department sent three comedians to India on the \u2018Make Chai, Not War,\u2019 \" he quipped, garnering laughter from the audience.","The department sent three Indian-American comedians, who were part of a show called \"Make Chai, not War\" on the seven-city tour through India as part of a \"regular global cultural exchange program,\" former state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters during the 2011 daily press briefing.","\"I can understand that maybe you\u2019re not aware that your department spent $100,000 on three comedians who went to India on a promotional tour called \"Make Chai Not War,\" Paul said, according to a Wall Street Journal transcript of the exchange.","When Macy switched to a post in New Delhi, he brought the comic to India for a solo tour, which paved the way to the \"Make Chai, Not War\" India tour, according to NPR."]},{"id":"7888.json","label":"true","statement":"Currently, the intelligence community can collect business records on law-abiding Americans who have no connection to terrorism.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the current state of affairs. Under certain circumstances, the intelligence community has the authority to collect business records on law-abiding Americans who are not connected to terrorism. This authority is granted under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act, which allows for the collection of metadata from phone records and other business records. However, it's important to note that there are legal and procedural safeguards in place to ensure that this authority is used appropriately and in accordance with the law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"What people don\u2019t really appreciate is that the standards for gun ownership are so that you can be a legal gun owner but not so much law abiding,\" Webster said.","Laws that limit the rights of law-abiding gun owners don\u2019t make sense because most gun crime is committed by those who illegally possess a gun, said Faso, a Republican.","Specifically, the law says intelligence whistleblowers should submit their complaints to the inspector general of the intelligence community, who is supposed to act independently.","The Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act protects intelligence officials from retribution for flagging what they believe to be government misconduct. The law was passed in 1998 and refined in 2010 with the establishment of the Office of the Intelligence Community Inspector General."]},{"id":"3764.json","label":"true","statement":"Says people who signed recall petitions against Wisconsin state Sen. Jim Holperin received harassing phone calls from out-of-state telemarketers claiming to represent the Democratic Party and insinuating foul play by petition circulators.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that individuals who signed recall petitions against Wisconsin state Sen. Jim Holperin did receive harassing phone calls from out-of-state telemarketers claiming to represent the Democratic Party and insinuating foul play by petition circulators. Multiple sources, including Republican Kim Simac, have made this claim, and it has been rated as true by fact-checkers. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the situation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Simac said people who signed Holperin recall petitions received \"harassing phone calls from out-of-state telemarketers claiming to represent the Democratic Party and insinuating foul play by petition circulators.\"","Eight days after the petitions were filed, Simac issued a news release that claimed petition signers, \"are being subjected to harassing phone calls from out-of-state telemarketers claiming to represent the Democratic Party and insinuating foul play by petition circulators.\"","During the run-up to the 2011 Senate recalls, we rated as True a claim by Republican Kim Simac that people who signed petitions to recall state Sen. Jim Holperin, D-Conover, received phone calls they considered harassing from out-of-state telemarketers insinuating foul play by circulators.","Some people who received calls said they felt harassed even if they received just one call because they didn\u2019t expect to be questioned about signing a petition. The callers were employed by an out-of-state firm, they did identify themselves as representing the Wisconsin Democratic Party and did claim that petition circulators misled signers of the petitions."]},{"id":"9744.json","label":"true","statement":"Uncompensated care has gone down by 30 percent just in the first few months of Medicaid expansion in the states that adopted it.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that uncompensated care has decreased by 30 percent in the first few months of Medicaid expansion in states that have adopted it. Multiple sources and studies confirm this finding, showing a significant reduction in charity care provided by hospitals and a decrease in out-of-pocket charges. While the timeframe of the studies may be limited, the evidence suggests a clear correlation between Medicaid expansion and the decrease in uncompensated care.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Those states who have adopted Medicaid expansion, and half of the states have -- what they have seen just in the first few months of this calendar year, 2014 \u2013 is a reduction in uncompensated care,\" he said. \"That means people who show up at the hospital, show up at the emergency department, are uninsured and can\u2019t pay anything \u2013 charity care that\u2019s provided by the hospital \u2013 that\u2019s gone down by 30 percent just in the first few months.\"","Barker said hospitals in states with Medicaid expansion have already benefited from a 30 percent drop in uncompensated care. The evidence is based on the first three months after Medicaid expansion took effect and from a few sources. It\u2019s early, but he accurately reported the results.","While the survey covered a short period of time, the difference between hospitals in states with Medicaid expansion and those without was stark. States that balked at Medicaid expansion saw little change in their uncompensated care levels, the study found.","The article cites a study from the Colorado Hospital Association that looked at 30 states, 15 with Medicaid expansion and 15 without. In the states with expansion, hospitals had charity care decreases from an average of $2.8 million per hospital in the first quarter of 2013 to $1.9 million per hospital in the first quarter of 2014, a 32 percent drop. And out-of-pocket charges decreased from 4.7 percent of all charges to 3.1 percent of all charges -- a 34 percent drop. Meanwhile, Medicaid charges surged from 15.3 percent to 18.8 percent, a 19 percent jump."]},{"id":"9673.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Jason Carter has gotten David Axelrod to come down and be his campaign advisor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While there were claims that Jason Carter had hired David Axelrod as a campaign advisor, it has been clarified that Axelrod himself is not directly working as a campaign advisor to Jason Carter. The confusion may have arisen due to the fact that the firm founded by Axelrod, which he sold five years ago, is involved in the campaign. It's important to distinguish between Axelrod's personal involvement and the involvement of his former firm. Therefore, the statement that Jason Carter has obtained David Axelrod as his campaign advisor is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That doesn\u2019t change the fact that the governor was incorrect in saying that Jason Carter has \"gotten David Axelrod to come down and be his campaign advisor.\"","To summarize, David Axelrod is not working as a campaign advisor to Jason Carter. But the firm he founded and sold five years ago is.","It states: \"Sadly, Chicago-style politics have come to Georgia. Atlanta liberal Jason Carter has hired Barack Obama\u2019s trusted ally, David Axelrod.\"","It goes on to say: \"Liberals know they can\u2019t hit Gov. Deal on jobs, the economy, or education. So they\u2019ve resorted to attacking Gov. Deal\u2019s character \u2026 Tell Jason Carter, Barack Obama, and David Axelrod we don\u2019t need Chicago liberals running around Georgia attacking our conservative values."]},{"id":"9501.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama is the first president to appoint 45 czars to replace elected officials in his office.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama appointed 45 czars to replace elected officials in his office is false. While there were individuals in the Obama administration who were informally referred to as \"czars\" by the media, this term is not an official government position, and these individuals did not replace elected officials. The term \"czar\" is more of a media label and does not accurately reflect the nature of their roles. Additionally, the number of individuals referred to as czars in the Obama administration is smaller than the claimed 45. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The claim we will check here is that Obama is the \"first president to appoint 45 czars to replace elected officials in his office.\"","The biggest flat-out inaccuracy of the email\u2019s claim is not the number of czars, but that any of these czars replaced elected officials. There are only two people in the executive branch who are elected -- the president and the vice president. To the extent that anyone is a czar at all, they are not replacing an elected official. They would either be filling a new job that didn\u2019t exist before, or occupying an existing appointed position.","Perhaps two dozen Obama administration officials have been genuinely referred to as czars -- a smaller number than the email claims -- but it\u2019s important to note that \"czar\" is more a term of the media than it is of the government. Most important, though, is that not a single one of these czars replaced an elected official. We rate this claim False.","The claim that Obama has 45 czars appears to come from a 2011 report by Judicial Watch, a conservative advocacy group. The group counted 45 czars appointed by Obama and 18 other unfilled or planned czar positions."]},{"id":"2379.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John Boehner wants to reopen a tax loophole that actually rewarded corporations for shipping jobs and profits overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that John Boehner wants to reopen a tax loophole that rewarded corporations for shipping jobs and profits overseas. However, the fact-checking analysis suggests that while Boehner does oppose the measure to close the loophole, there is uncertainty about whether reopening the loophole would directly result in jobs being shipped overseas. The connection between reopening the loophole and job outsourcing is not clearly established based on the analysis of tax experts. Therefore, the statement is partially true, considering the opposition to closing the loophole but with some uncertainty about the direct impact on job outsourcing.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We're fact-checking Obama's statement that John Boehner wants to reopen a \"tax loopholes that actually rewarded corporations for shipping jobs and profits overseas.\" The tax experts we spoke with said the rules did attempt to close loopholes in the tax system. The loopholes had to do with companies keeping profits overseas. Boehner does oppose the measure. The point we question is whether re-opening the tax loophole will result in jobs being shipped overseas. We do not see a connection there, based on what the tax experts said. That's a pretty big caveat. So we rate Obama's statement Half True.","We wanted to know two things: Is the law Obama talks about really \"one of these ridiculous tax loopholes that actually rewarded corporations for shipping jobs and profits overseas\"? And does Ohio's John Boehner -- the current House Republican leader -- want to reverse the law?","\"So middle-class families were footing tax breaks for companies creating jobs somewhere else,\" Obama added. \"I mean, even a lot of America's biggest corporations agreed that this loophole didn't make sense, agreed that it needed to be closed, agreed that it wasn't fair -\u2013 but the man who thinks he's going to be speaker, he wants to reopen this loophole.\"","\"By the way, this bill that we passed to save all those jobs, we made sure that bill wouldn't add to the deficit,\" Obama said in a speech on Labor Day. \"You know how we paid for it? By closing one of these ridiculous tax loopholes that actually rewarded corporations for shipping jobs and profits overseas. I mean, this was one of those loopholes that allowed companies to write off taxes they pay to foreign governments \u2013- even though they weren't paying taxes here in the United States.\""]},{"id":"2476.json","label":"false","statement":"Florida seniors are exempt from losing Medicare Advantage under the federal health care bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The federal health care bill does not exempt Florida seniors from losing Medicare Advantage. The health reform law does reduce federal payments to Medicare Advantage plans over time, aiming to bring them closer to the average costs of care under the fee-for-service Medicare program. This reduction in payments can potentially lead to changes in benefits and coverage for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, including those in Florida. The claim that Florida seniors are exempt from losing Medicare Advantage due to a corrupt deal is unfounded and lacks credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["According to a September 2010 fact-sheet about Medicare Advantage from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the health reform law \"reduces federal payments to Medicare Advantage plans over time, bringing them closer to the average costs of care under the fee-for-service Medicare program.\" About 24 percent of the 47 million people enrolled in Medicare are on Medicare Advantage, according to Kaiser.","PolitiFact, \"Karl Rove says health care bill has a special treat for Florida's seniors, thanks to Sen. Bill Nelson,\"Dec. 23, 2009","The change in the payment formulas isn't flat across the country -- it takes into account geographic differences, Steinberg said. For example, the payment rates to health care companies will be scaled back more in counties that were well above the Medicare average while counties that were below the Medicare average could see the health care providers receive higher reimbursements. That means that some Florida seniors could see a reduction in benefits to their plans, Steinberg said.","\"In addition, there are a lot of lawsuits out there. Attorney General McCollum in Florida has one on behalf of Florida and other states. And Revere America will be involved in a lawsuit being brought by the lieutenant governor of Missouri, which is very interesting because it's not government-versus-government; it's based on some of the corrupt deals in this bill -- in this case, the fact that if you're a senior citizen on Medicare Advantage, you will lose in the overwhelming number of cases that ability to have Medicare Advantage, unless you live in the state of Florida, because they made a corrupt deal for a Florida vote, so that Florida seniors are exempt. And we believe that is an unconstitutional denial of equal protection.\""]},{"id":"10479.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The group that organized Texas Muslim Capitol Day in Austin was recently listed as one of 82 organizations designated as a terrorist group by the United Arab Emirates.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual mentioned in the evidence that the group organizing Texas Muslim Capitol Day in Austin was listed as one of 82 organizations designated as a terrorist group by the United Arab Emirates. However, it's important to note that this designation by the United Arab Emirates does not necessarily reflect the views or assessments of other countries or the United States government. The United States government has not designated the organization as a terrorist group, and the State Department has explicitly stated that it does not consider the organization to be a terrorist organization. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the claim made by the individual, it lacks the broader context and should be interpreted with caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["White said the council, which organized Texas Muslim Capitol Day in Austin, \"was recently listed as one of 82 organizations designated as a terrorist group by the United Arab Emirates.\"","\"Second,\" White\u2019s response said, \"it is worth noting that CAIR was recently listed as one of 82 organizations designated as a terrorist group by the United Arab Emirates. That\u2019s right, an Islamic country listed the organization that hosts Muslim Day in Texas as one of 82 terrorist organizations.\"","A Texas legislator who says she asks U.S. Muslims if they renounce terrorism prompted a viral firestorm online with a Facebook post. She followed that up with an explanation, saying the organization behind Texas Muslim Capitol Day in Austin had been labeled a terrorist group.","Hooper further pointed out C-SPAN video of a State Department spokesman, Jeff Rathke, saying Nov. 18, 2014: \"The United States does not consider these U.S. organizations to be terrorist organizations,\" going on to specify the council and Muslim American Society by name. Rathke also said the government was asking the UAE for more information. (See the State Department transcript here.) The council doesn\u2019t appear on the State Department\u2019s list of designated terrorist organizations."]},{"id":"7866.json","label":"true","statement":"Nearly 6 out of 10 believe that money and wealth should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people in the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a Gallup poll, which indicates that 59 percent of respondents believe that money and wealth should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people in the U.S. This poll has been conducted periodically since 1985, and the most recent data from April 2013 supports the claim. Therefore, the statement is true based on the Gallup poll results.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Nearly 6 out of 10 believe that money and wealth should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people in the U.S.,\" Sanders tweeted.","Sanders tweeted that \"nearly 6 out of 10 believe that money and wealth should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people in the U.S.\" The senator has accurately reported the results of a longstanding Gallup question, so we rate his claim True.","The Gallup polling organization has been asking the following question periodically since 1985: \"Do you feel that the distribution of money and wealth in this country today is fair, or do you feel that the money and wealth in this country should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people?\"","The most recent data comes from a Gallup survey taken April 4-7, 2013. The result: 59 percent agreed that \"the money and wealth in this country should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people,\" while 33 percent said the distribution was fair. The poll had a margin of sampling error of 4 percentage points."]},{"id":"5317.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Public education has been permanently cutby $1.6 billion through changes in the Standards of Quality funding formula.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by VEA President Kitty Boitnott that public education funding has been permanently cut by $1.6 billion through changes in the Standards of Quality funding formula. However, it's important to note that a fact check reveals that the actual figure is $1.4 billion, not $1.6 billion. Nonetheless, the statement captures the essence of the claim accurately.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Since the 2008 General Assembly, we have permanently cut biennial funding for public education by $1.6 billion through changes in the Standards of Quality funding formula,\" VEA President Kitty Boitnott said in a Jan. 23 news conference.","Boitnott said that since 2008, the legislature has permanently cut $1.6 billion in programs from the state\u2019s formula for funding public schools. She\u2019s a bit off; the actual figure is $1.4 billion.","Richmond Times-Dispatch, \"Education board shifts on funding -- panel seeks spending options, not cash for Standards of Quality,\" November 21, 2008.","The Standards of Quality are minimum mandates Virginia sets forth for public education on teacher-pupil ratios, benefits for educators and basic curricula. The General Assembly sets the benchmarks every two years after considering recommendations by the state Board of Education."]},{"id":"5260.json","label":"false","statement":"This president went before the United Nations and castigated Israel for building settlements. He said nothing about thousands of rockets being rained in on Israel from the Gaza Strip.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. In his speeches to the United Nations, President Obama did criticize Israeli settlements, but he also expressed concern about the rockets being launched into Israel from the Gaza Strip. While he may not have specifically mentioned the number of rockets, he did address the fear and threat posed by violent attacks against Israelis. Therefore, the claim that President Obama said nothing about the rockets raining down on Israel from the Gaza Strip is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This president went before the United Nations and castigated Israel for building settlements. He said nothing about thousands of rockets being rained in on Israel from the Gaza Strip.\" We emailed Romney\u2019s campaign to ask which Obama speech or speeches he was referring to and did not get a reply, so we will look at a few of Obama\u2019s speeches to the U.N. that included comments about Israel:","In Florida, a state with a significant Jewish voting population, Romney said: \"This president went before the United Nations and castigated Israel for building settlements. He said nothing about thousands of rockets being rained in on Israel from the Gaza Strip.\" But that doesn\u2019t square with our review of Obama\u2019s speeches. In his 2009 speech to the U.N., Obama said that America does not accept \"the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.\" Though he did not specifically mention Hamas, he did mention Israeli\u2019s fear of rockets. And in later speeches to the U.N., Obama was blunt in his criticism of violent attacks against Israelis, once saying \"the slaughter of innocent Israelis is not resistance -- it's injustice.\"","( - Mitt Romney says Obama \"castigated\" Israel but said nothing about rockets raining down on Israel from the Gaza Strip.&url=)","Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., went head-to-head with an audience member after he criticized the United Nations\u2019 treatment of Israel in the final year of Barack Obama\u2019s presidency."]},{"id":"3217.json","label":"true","statement":"In its current state, this bill is the most restrictive voter ID legislation in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Coggs that, in its current state, the bill is the most restrictive voter ID legislation in the nation. The evidence provided supports this claim by highlighting that the bill takes a tougher line than other photo ID states, with narrower ID allowances and tighter deadlines for alternative voting procedures. However, it's important to note that the statement is specific to the bill's current state, and any potential changes or amendments to the bill could impact its level of restrictiveness.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In its current state, this bill is the most restrictive voter ID legislation in the nation,\" Coggs said in a release commemorating passage of the 15th Amendment, which guaranteed voting rights regardless of race. \"It will disproportionately impact people of color, students and the elderly.\"","As introduced, the Republican photo ID bill takes a tougher line than the other photo ID states. The number and type of IDs allowed is narrower and the deadlines for alternative voting procedure are tighter. Some of that may change in coming weeks, but Coggs was careful to describe the bill in \"its current state.\"","\"We've dropped from a top 10 state in elementary reading to 30th in the nation\" under State Schools Superintendent Tony Evers\u2019 watch.","Student IDs are under discussion, but Pyritz said the current conventional wisdom was that would not be added to the bill."]},{"id":"12710.json","label":"false","statement":"Says as GOP was picking a convention city, I recommended Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that the speaker recommended Ohio as the convention city for the GOP. The evidence primarily focuses on discussions about the Ohio Senate primary and the issue of sanctuary cities in Columbus. There is no direct mention or connection to the speaker recommending Ohio as the convention city for the GOP. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Wall Street Journal, How Tight Is Trump\u2019s Grip on the GOP? Take a Look at the Ohio Senate Primary, Oct. 6, 2021","The proof, Defending Main Street says, is a tweet from O\u2019Connor in support of a policy from the mayor of Columbus. The tweet said nothing specifically about sanctuary cities. Yet it touched on an issue awfully close, and raised a good question: Does O\u2019Connor really want to make Ohio\u2019s capital city a sanctuary city?","Defending Main Street says, as Troy Balderson has also said, that Danny O\u2019Connor \"would make Columbus a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.\"","It\u2019s also apparently a flash point for Republicans in the 2018 Ohio Congressional District 12 election. A new ad from Republican U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson says his opponent, Danny O\u2019Connor, supports progressive values such as sanctuary cities. A Balderson ad in early October said it more directly: O\u2019Connor \"supports making Columbus a sanctuary city.\" And a recent ad from a group called Defending Main Street, a PAC affiliated with the Republican Main Street Partnership, says the same thing: O\u2019Connor \"would make Columbus a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.\""]},{"id":"9802.json","label":"true","statement":"Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that the federal government's 1033 program, which provides surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, has contributed to the militarization of police precincts. While it is acknowledged that police culture has shifted towards militarization for various reasons over the past 40 years, the 1033 program is identified as one of the factors that incentivize and enable this trend to continue. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies,\" he wrote.","\"Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies\u2014where police departments compete to acquire military gear that goes far beyond what most of Americans think of as law enforcement.\"","We found that the government\u2019s 1033 program, which gives surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, has contributed to police militarization by offering free equipment. But it\u2019s not the only thing. Police culture has shifted toward militarization for a number of reasons over the past 40 years. The program (and Washington) might not be the cause of police militarization, but it does incentivize and allow that culture to continue.","We found that the federal government\u2019s 1033 program gives surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, which has contributed to police militarization. It should be noted, though, that police culture shifted toward militarization for a number of reasons over the past 40 years. Washington might not be the cause of police militarization, but it does incentivize and allow that culture to continue. The statement was rated True. (In May, Obama announced he was barring the federal government from handing over certain types of military equipment to local police agencies.)"]},{"id":"1980.json","label":"false","statement":"The majority of the people that are coming to Arizona and trespassing are now becoming drug mules.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Governor Brewer that the majority of people coming to Arizona and trespassing are becoming drug mules is not supported by credible evidence. Experts, statistical data, and federal prosecution statistics do not substantiate this claim. While there may be instances of drug smuggling and human smuggling being intertwined, it is incorrect to assert that the majority of illegal border crossers are becoming drug mules. Therefore, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Well, we all know that the majority of the people that are coming to Arizona and trespassing are now becoming drug mules,\" Brewer said. \"They're coming across our borders in huge numbers. The drug cartels have taken control of the immigration. \u2026 So they are criminals. They're breaking the law when they are trespassing and they're criminals when they pack the marijuana and the drugs on their backs.\"","Whether or not this represents a backpedaling, we thought her earlier comments deserve scrutiny because they raise an interesting question -- whether there is a substantial connection between illegal immigrants and drug smuggling. So we talked to experts and looked over statistical data to see whether Brewer was justified in claiming that \"the majority of the people that are coming to Arizona and trespassing are now becoming drug mules.\"","Ultimately, Brewer would have been on safe ground if she'd said that drug smuggling and human smuggling have become increasingly intertwined, and that sometimes, illegal immigrants have been coerced into serving as drug couriers. But that's a much more limited claim than what she initially said -- that \"the majority of the people that are coming to Arizona and trespassing are now becoming drug mules.\" While the source she eventually cited -- the Los Angeles Times -- says that \"sometimes (smugglers) loaded up their human cargo with backpacks full of marijuana,\" the article doesn't back up her assertion that that \"the majority\" of illegal immigrants carry drugs into the country. More to the point, Brewer's contention is undercut by both federal prosecution statistics and the accounts of experts we spoke to. So we rate Brewer's statement False.","That said, Kohli and others draw a clear distinction with Brewer's suggestion that the majority of illegal border crossers are \"drug mules.\""]},{"id":"5683.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Barack Obama has played over 90 rounds of golf as president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including a Washington Post blog post and statements made by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, confirm that Barack Obama had played over 90 rounds of golf during his presidency. The evidence provided supports the claim that Obama has indeed played more than 90 rounds of golf while serving as president.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We\u2019re separately analyzing Dewhurst\u2019s charge about American poverty. But is he right that Obama has played over 90 rounds of golf, meaning as many as 1,620 holes?","We know already, due to our April 2012 confirmation of a David Dewhurst claim, that Obama had played over 90 rounds of golf through May 2, 2012. That article pointed out, too, that many presidents have gone golfing.","As Dewhurst\u2019s backup for the Obama claim, his campaign pointed us to a January 2012 Washington Post blog post noting that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had bemoaned Obama\u2019s \"90 rounds\" at the Jan. 23, 2012, GOP presidential debate in Tampa. According to the debate transcript, Romney said: \"We have to have a president who understands how to get an economy going again. He does not. He plays 90 rounds of golf when you have 25 million people out of work.\" He later brought up the 90 rounds again at a Michigan campaign event, according to a Feb. 14, 2012, article in the Detroit News.","The video from the Texas lieutenant governor shows Obama golfing or riding a golf cart along with snippets of others speaking about the nation\u2019s economic troubles. The advertisement\u2019s money moment, though, lies in these claims that appear in red letters next to video of Obama, in shorts, golfing: \"6.4 million more Americans living in poverty under President Obama\" and \"over 90 rounds of golf.\""]},{"id":"5336.json","label":"false","statement":"This years redistricting has been the most open, interactive and transparent redistricting process in Tennessee history.","reason":"Reason: The statement that this year's redistricting process in Tennessee has been the most open, interactive, and transparent in history is not supported by the evidence provided. A close review of past redistricting processes reveals that the current process does not hold up to the claim of being the most open and transparent. While there may have been efforts by Republican legislative leaders to emphasize fairness and transparency, the evidence suggests that this claim does not align with the historical context and the actual practices of redistricting in Tennessee.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Based on a close review of past redistricting -- which has always been much more of an insider\u2019s game than it should be -- Ramsey\u2019s basic claim that the process was more open, transparent and interactive than any in state history does not hold up.","Starting last year, Republican legislative leaders drove home their message that their first time in complete charge of redistricting in Tennessee would result in political boundaries that were \"legal and fair\" and that the process would be \"the most open, interactive and transparent\u2026in Tennessee history.\" Ramsey said so in various forms -- in a Jan. 4 press release, again nine days later when it passed and again in an email Jan. 27 announcing that street-level maps for the districts were available.","Ramsey\u2019s contention that the current redistricting was the most open in Tennessee history spans 216 years of statehood, but we need focus only on the last 50 years because the legislature ignored constitutional mandates until courts forced it to redistrict every 10 years starting in the 1960s.","It was Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey\u2019s mantra \u2013 Open! Transparent! \u2013 from Jan. 4 when state legislative redistricting plans were first made public through Jan. 13 when they won final legislative approval."]},{"id":"4908.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that as Wisconsin governor, we ended welfare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is not accurate to claim that every program considered a handout was eliminated, Governor Tommy Thompson's W-2 program did bring significant changes to the welfare system in Wisconsin. The program replaced the traditional entitlement-based welfare program with one that required recipients to work for their benefits. This shift aimed to promote self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on government assistance. While some forms of assistance still exist, the traditional welfare program was effectively transformed under Thompson's tenure as governor.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wisconsin Republican Tommy Thompson made a sweeping statement in announcing his candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Dec. 1, 2011, saying that while he served as the state\u2019s governor, \"we ended welfare.\"","Thompson declared that as governor, \"we ended welfare.\" His W-2 program didn\u2019t eliminate every program that might be considered a handout. But it did end the entitlement program most commonly known as welfare, replacing it with one that requires nearly all recipients to work for their benefits.","Gov. Scott Walker says Wisconsin gave every public employee the ability to choose whether they want to be in a union","( - Gov. Scott Walker says Wisconsin gave every public employee the ability to choose whether they want to be in a union&url=)"]},{"id":"9251.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Up to 45 percent of illegal immigrants are not people that physically crossed the southern border or northern border. They are visa overstayers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mayor Castro, supported by information from the Federation for Immigration Reform, that up to 45 percent of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are visa overstayers rather than individuals who physically crossed the southern or northern border. This indicates that a significant portion of the undocumented population entered the country legally but overstayed their visas. It's important to note that the exact percentage may vary, but the statement captures the general idea that a substantial number of illegal immigrants are visa overstayers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Castro said up to 45 percent of illegal immigrants \"are not people that physically crossed the southern border or northern border. They are visa overstayers.\"","And another thing, the Democratic mayor of San Antonio said during the April 15, 2014, Univision program: \"Do you know that up to 45 percent of the people who are here undocumented or illegal, whatever word you want to use, are not people that physically crossed the southern border or northern border? They are visa overstayers; they are people that came to this country and then just overstayed their visa.\"","By email, Castro spokesman Jaime Castillo said the mayor\u2019s statement drew on a 2013 web post on overstayers by the Federation for Immigration Reform, whose mission statement is to educate Americans about the costs of immigration, particularly illegal immigration. The group\u2019s post said that up to 45 percent of unauthorized immigrants are overstayers.","Castro\u2019s declaration rang a bell. In September 2013, we found Mostly True a claim by U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, that about 40 percent of U.S. illegal immigrants \"came in on an airplane, with a legal visa, and just overstayed their visa and have never gone home.\""]},{"id":"1640.json","label":"false","statement":"Charlie Crist \"worked with Acorn\" to give felons voting rights.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Charlie Crist \"worked with ACORN\" to give felons voting rights. While there were some interactions between Crist and ACORN, such as partnering on a task force and discussing the foreclosure crisis, there is no evidence to suggest that they collaborated specifically on restoring voting rights for felons. In fact, a fact-checking investigation found no evidence of such collaboration, and ACORN's top Florida executive stated that the group had nothing to do with Crist's plan. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The St. Petersburg Times also reported yesterday that your office may have partnered with ACORN in the past on several initiatives, including your 2007 effort to restore voting rights to convicted felons in Florida,\" Rubio wrote Crist on Sept. 17, 2009. \"I believe it is now in the best interest of all Floridians for your office to provide a thorough accounting of its relationship with ACORN and what, if any, influence ACORN may have had in any actions you have taken on behalf of the people of Florida.\"","In his letter, Rubio referenced a St. Petersburg Times report from Sept. 16, 2009. The only item discussing ACORN and Crist -- an online blog entry -- noted the Huffington Post item about Crist's choice not to attack ACORN ahead of the 2008 election. It also mentions that ACORN approved of Crist's effort to restore felon's rights, but it did not say he and the group worked together to do that.","In their first debate, Rubio tried to nick Crist's conservative credentials by claiming Crist worked with the beleaguered social advocacy group ACORN on a plan to restore felon voter rights in Florida. But we found no evidence that he did work with ACORN on felon voter rights and the Rubio campaign provided none itself. In fact, ACORN's top Florida executive said the group had nothing to do Crist's plan and was surprised he was considering it at all. We rate Rubio's claim False.","Crist has been tied to ACORN in the past. The Huffington Post reported that Crist partnered with ACORN in March 2008 for a \"Homeownership Promotes The Economy\" task force. Crist also met with ACORN leaders to discuss the foreclosure crisis, the St. Petersburg Times reported. And in October 2008, Crist downplayed concerns from the Republican National Committee that the integrity of Florida's voting system is at risk thanks to the registration efforts of ACORN."]},{"id":"9430.json","label":"true","statement":"Right now, America has $1.1 trillion of student debt. Thats more than credit card debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to reliable sources, including recent reports and statements from Senator Warner, the total student debt in the United States is indeed $1.1 trillion, which surpasses the amount of credit card debt. This information is supported by data that shows student loan debt exceeding credit card debt since the second quarter of 2010. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Warner, during a recent speech of his own, said, \"Right now, America has $1.1 trillion of student debt. That\u2019s more than credit card debt.\"","In the most recent report, covering first three months of 2014, student loan debt totaled $1.1 trillion, while credit card debt hit $659 billion. The largest type of debt for Americans is mortgages, which came in at $8.2 trillion in the first quarter. Student loan debt is No. 2, followed by automobile loans at $875 billion and credit card debt in making up $11.7 trillion in all debt.","Student debt began to outpace credit card debt in the second quarter of 2010, when college loans hit $762 billion. Student debt topped the $1 trillion mark in the third quarter of last year.","His figure on student debt is accurate and total U.S. credit card debt in the first quarter of this year was $659 billion. We rate Warner\u2019s statement True."]},{"id":"5205.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I didnt inherit money from my parents.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney received some inheritance from his father, he clarified that he did not inherit a significant amount of money that played a key role in his success. He mentioned receiving funds from his father's inheritance but promptly donated them to charity. Therefore, while there was some inheritance involved, Romney's statement can be considered partially true as he did not rely on inherited wealth for his personal financial achievements.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Romney wasn't entirely clear about the inheritance he gave away when he said he \"didn't inherit money\" from his parents. But he's right that such a gift wasn't key to his success. We rate his claim Half True.","\"I could have stayed in Detroit like him and gotten pulled up in a car company,\" Romney said at the debate. \"I went off on my own. I didn't inherit money from my parents. What I have, I earned. I worked hard, the American way.\"","Romney answered, \"Well, he didn\u2019t have as much as I think some people anticipated. And I did get a check from my dad when he passed away. I shouldn\u2019t say a check, but I did inherit some funds from my dad. But I turned and gave that away to charity. In this case I gave it to a school which Brigham Young University established in his honor. ... And that\u2019s where his inheritance ended up.\"","When the couple moved to Boston so Romney could study business and law at Harvard, his parents helped them buy a house."]},{"id":"3200.json","label":"true","statement":"If you tried to pay out $1 trillion by handing it out at $1 per second, it would take more than 31,000 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement provides a vivid illustration to highlight the magnitude of $1 trillion. By calculating the time it would take to distribute $1 trillion at a rate of $1 per second, it emphasizes the vastness of the amount. While the exact calculation may vary slightly, the overall point remains valid \u2013 $1 trillion is an enormous sum of money that would take an exceptionally long time to distribute at a rate of $1 per second.\nLabel: true","evidence":["About a fifth of the money that Scalise counted will be spent over several years, primarily in the form of Medicaid dollars and a lending program called Economic Injury and Disaster Loans.","About $1 trillion remains to be disbursed, but a large share of it has been allocated or is scheduled to be spent.","House Democrats are forging ahead with a vote on a $1.9 trillion package to address the coronavirus and fix the economic damage that cost about 10 million people their jobs. Rep. Steve Scalise, second in command of the House Republicans, said that he and his colleagues support spending more to overcome the pandemic, but that the Democratic plan is chock full of unneeded giveaways.","The claim that there is $1 trillion left over from earlier efforts is a top Republican talking point. Scalise led with the same argument in a Feb. 19 op-ed."]},{"id":"5414.json","label":"false","statement":"You cant put a gun rack in a [Chevrolet] Volt.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gingrich that you cannot put a gun rack in a Chevrolet Volt is incorrect. There is evidence, including photos and testimonies, showing that gun racks have been successfully installed in a Chevy Volt. While it may be challenging to install a window rack like those found in pickups, it is possible to have a gun rack in a Volt, particularly a tactical shotgun with a dash-mounted rack. Therefore, Gingrich's claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gingrich said you can\u2019t put a gun rack in a Chevrolet Volt. We installed two gun racks that tote four guns combined.","!PolitiFact Georgia reporter Willoughby Mariano shows off a gun rack she installed in a Chevy Volt. !PolitiFact Georgia reporter Willoughby Mariano shows off a gun rack she installed in a Chevy Volt.","Chevy manufactures cargo nets, floor mats, a sunshade and an ashtray for the Volt, but nary a gun rack, Peterson said.","\"You certainly CAN put a gun rack in a Volt, if you're talking about a tactical shotgun with a dash-mounted rack, as in a police cruiser,\" said Dan Neil, Pulitzer-winning car columnist and author of the \"Rumble Seat\" column in The Wall Street Journal. \"A window rack, like in pickups? No, that would be difficult.\""]},{"id":"7293.json","label":"true","statement":"The tax penalty that the government imposes if you dont buy health insurance is lower than it would have cost to buy insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. As per the evidence provided, the tax penalty imposed by the government for not purchasing health insurance is indeed lower than the cost of buying insurance. This was acknowledged by DeSantis, who stated that the tax imposed is lower than the cost of insurance, which he believes may lead to destabilization of the insurance market and increased costs. It is important to note that the purpose of the tax penalty is to incentivize individuals to obtain insurance coverage.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The tax penalty that the government imposes if you don't buy health insurance \"is lower than it would have cost to buy insurance.\"","DeSantis said that the tax penalty in the health reform law \"is lower than it would have cost to buy insurance.\"","\"It's structured in a way I think is going to end up failing,\" DeSantis said. \"The tax that they put on you to buy insurance is lower than it would have cost to buy insurance, so I think a lot of people are going to pay the tax and that's going to destabilize the insurance market. And I think you will see problems with increased costs.\"","Desantis is correct that health insurance premiums far exceed the penalties Obamacare imposes for not carrying insurance, even on high incomes. We think it\u2019s valid to note that several provisions in the health law bring the dollar amounts closer together to give people an incentive to buy coverage. That\u2019s also the purpose of the tax penalty -- to urge people to get insurance."]},{"id":"11368.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Israel has seen a 90 percent reduction in terrorist attacks that it attributes to building a 500-mile fence.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been a reduction in terrorist attacks in Israel, the claim that it is solely attributed to the construction of a 500-mile fence is not entirely accurate. The initial data used to support this claim is outdated, and more recent years show a drop of around 50 percent in terrorist attacks since 2002. Experts also emphasize that the decline in terrorist attacks cannot be solely attributed to the fence, as there are multiple factors at play. While the fence may have contributed to the decline, it is important to consider other factors such as increased security measures, intelligence operations, and political developments in the region.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"They\u2019ve seen something like over a 90 percent reduction in terrorist acts in that country that they attribute to having an effective fence,\" Walker said. \"If Israel can do it effectively, there\u2019s no reason why America can\u2019t.\"","A report from the Jewish Virtual Library showed a 90 percent reduction in terrorism, and the Israeli government does cite the fence as the reason for the drop. But the data used is outdated and once more recent years are added, the drop since 2002 is more like 50 percent. What\u2019s more experts say the barrier is but one reason for the decline.","We found many references to the success of the \"anti-terrorist fence\" on Israel\u2019s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Most notably on a Frequently Asked Questions page about the conflict, the ministry says, \"data reveals a clear correlation between the construction of the fence and a drop in the number of terrorist attacks.\"","When asked for backup, Walker\u2019s team sent a report compiled by the Jewish Virtual Library and last updated in April 2015. It says, \"since construction of the fence began, the number of attacks has declined by more than 90%.\""]},{"id":"13471.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"California has seen a 56 percent decline in the gun murder rate since the 1990s.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to data from the CDC, California has experienced a 56 percent decline in the gun murder rate since the 1990s. This decline is attributed to the implementation of strong gun control laws in the state during that period. The fact-checking sources confirm the accuracy of this claim and rate it as Mostly True.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We decided to focus on Newsom\u2019s claim that California has seen a \"56 percent decline in the gun murder rate\" since it began imposing tough gun laws in the 1990s.","California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said California has seen a \"56 percent decline in the gun murder rate\" since it enacted strong gun control laws in the 1990s.","This is not the first time we\u2019ve fact-checked a gun claim by Newsom. In November 2016, we rated Mostly True his assertion that California has seen a \"56 percent decline in the gun murder rate\" since the 1990s. Earlier that year, we rated Mostly False his statement that \"So far in 2015, there have been more mass shootings than days.\"","In a press conference the day after Proposition 63 passed, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom claimed California had seen a \"56 percent decline in the gun murder rate\" since it began imposing tough gun laws in the 1990s. Newsom appears to have mixed up the gun murder rate with the gun death rate. California\u2019s gun murder rate dropped 67 percent between 1993 and 2014, according to data from the CDC. We found gun homicides have indeed declined significantly, and at an even faster rate than what Newsom stated. His claim needed this key clarification, so we rated it Mostly True."]},{"id":"11938.json","label":"false","statement":"Drug overdoses are now the second-most common cause of death in New Hampshire.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. According to CDC data, heart disease is the leading cause of death in New Hampshire, followed by cancer. \"Accidents,\" which include car crashes and drug overdoses, rank third. While drug overdoses are a significant issue in New Hampshire, they are not the second-most common cause of death in the state. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The slide does not attempt to rank drug overdoses as the second leading common cause of death in New Hampshire, nor does the slide account for all causes of death in the state,\" he said in an email.","\"Drug overdoses are now the second-most common cause of death in New Hampshire,\" said the two-term Democrat. \"Today, more Granite Staters are killed by overdoses than by diabetes, breast cancer or motor vehicle accidents.\"","But are overdoses now the second leading cause of death in the state, beating out diabetes, breast cancer and motor vehicle accidents? PolitiFact New Hampshire decided to have a look at the numbers.","Heart disease followed cancer as the second leading cause of death in New Hampshire, according to the CDC data. \"Accidents\" -- which includes things like car crashes and drug overdoses -- ranked third, and left 716 people dead in 2014."]},{"id":"6866.json","label":"false","statement":"Congressman Cicilline, when he was the mayor of Providence, espoused a sanctuary city.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. In fact, there is evidence to the contrary. Congressman Cicilline has consistently denied supporting the idea of Providence being a sanctuary city. He actively disputed such claims and even wrote a commentary stating his opposition to the idea. The statement inaccurately portrays Cicilline's stance on the issue during his tenure as mayor.\nLabel: false","evidence":["As Cicilline, Doherty and independent David Vogel were talking about the implications of federal immigration policy, Doherty interjected: \"Congressman Cicilline, when he was the mayor of Providence, espoused a sanctuary city.\"","But he offered no evidence that Cicilline had ever supported such a position. In fact, when others suggested Providence was a sanctuary city, Cicilline aggressively disputed it.","In between leveling charges Tuesday night that U.S. Rep. David Cicilline was a liar and had committed voter fraud -- charges that Cicilline strenuously denied -- challenger Anthony Gemma claimed that the first-term congressman\u2019s \"number one lie\" pertained to the condition of Providence\u2019s schools while Cicilline was mayor.","\"The governor\u2019s assertion that Providence is a \u2018sanctuary city\u2019 is wrong,\" Cicilline wrote in a July 16, 2008, Providence Journal commentary. \"A single member of the City Council proposed the idea, which I opposed, and it was never even voted on by the council.\""]},{"id":"9595.json","label":"false","statement":"Says 70 percent of Virginias Medicaid cost is for seniors in nursing homes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to the provided evidence, only 9.7 percent of Virginia's Medicaid spending is allocated to seniors in nursing homes. The claim made by Sickles that 70 percent of the Medicaid cost is for seniors in nursing homes is not supported by accurate data. It is important to rely on factual information when discussing Medicaid spending to ensure an accurate understanding of how funds are allocated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sickles said that 70 percent of the state\u2019s Medicaid spending goes to seniors in nursing homes. He\u2019s way off; only 9.7 percent of the money goes to that cause.","Sickles told us he can\u2019t recall the exact source of his nursing home claim but, as a long time member of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, he\u2019s often heard that 70 percent of the Medicaid money goes to 30 percent of the recipients. He said he understood that trend was \"largely caused\" by seniors in nursing homes.","Out of a $6.7 billion Medicaid budget that fiscal year, the state spent $648 million to care for seniors in nursing homes. That boils down to 9.7 percent of the money.","\"We\u2019re living longer than ever and you have to spend down until you get to $2,000 of assets before you qualify for (Medicaid funded) nursing home care in our state,\" Sickles said in a recent floor speech. \"$2,000. That\u2019s where the money goes. That\u2019s where 70 percent of the money goes in our Medicaid program \u2013 to help our seniors live with skilled nursing who need it.\""]},{"id":"4146.json","label":"true","statement":"[L]ess than one-tenth of Atlantas transportation needs are covered in a referendum to levy a 1-cent sales tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Mayor Bodker and the supporting evidence. According to a state economist and the Atlanta Regional Commission, the proposed 1-cent sales tax would generate between $6.8 billion and $7.2 billion, while the region's transportation needs are estimated to be $126 billion. Therefore, the potential tax revenue would indeed cover less than one-tenth of Atlanta's transportation needs, as stated by Mayor Bodker.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Let's keep in mind that less than one-tenth of Atlanta's transportation needs are covered in this referendum,\" Bodker told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a recent news story.","Area leaders have asked for billions of dollars in transportation projects they think the region needs, but the proposed 1-cent sales tax can\u2019t pay for all of them.","A state economist determined that, depending on economic conditions, the 1-cent sales tax could raise between $6.8 billion and $7.2 billion in 2011 dollars, according to ARC documents. Since the current Plan 2040 draft says the region needs $126 billion in projects, the potential tax revenue does amount to \"less than one-tenth\" of the need, as Bodker said.","A roundtable made up of Atlanta-area elected officials must come up with a list of projects for the taxing district that can be completed with money from a 1-cent sales tax. If voters back the tax in a 2012 referendum, it gets levied and construction begins."]},{"id":"662.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat.'\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Barack Obama did not describe Iran as a \"tiny\" country or claim that it doesn't pose a serious threat. This claim originated from a misinterpretation of Obama's statement where he referred to Iran's threat in comparison to the threat posed by the Soviet Union. Obama clarified that Iran is indeed a grave threat. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim, and it has been deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Iran. Radical Islamic government. Known sponsors of terrorism,\" the announcer says in a somber tone. \"Developing nuclear capabilities to 'generate power' but threatening to eliminate Israel. Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat.' Terrorism, destroying Israel, those aren't 'serious threats'? Obama \u2013 dangerously unprepared to be president.\"","The campaign announced on Oct. 28, 2008, that it was launching an ad called \"Tiny\" that alleges that Barack Obama described Iran as a \"tiny\" country that is not a serious threat to the United States. The ad, which was initially released in August, repeats a claim McCain made in a speech in May.","Obama never said the threat from Iran was \u201ctiny\u201d or \u201cinsignificant,\u201d only that the threat was tiny in comparison to the threat once posed by the Soviet Union. And if the McCain campaign was unclear on that point, it should have been clear after Obama's comment in May that \"Iran is a grave threat.\" To continue to twist Obama's words, especially after that clarification, earns another False.","McCain twisted Obama's words when he claimed that Obama characterized the threat from Iran as tiny or insignificant. Obama never said that."]},{"id":"8936.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Two-thirds of the people who start out in minimum wage are above the minimum wage within a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks clarity. While it is true that a significant portion of minimum wage workers see an increase in their earnings within a year, the claim that two-thirds of all people who start out in minimum wage jobs are above the minimum wage within a year is not entirely accurate. The fact-check clarifies that it is two-thirds of those who continue to work, which accounts for 51 percent of all minimum wage workers. Therefore, the statement needs to be revised to reflect the more precise information provided by the fact-check.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Remember, in terms of minimum wage, they are often with businesses with small margins, and two-thirds of the people who start out in minimum wage are above the minimum wage within a year, when they get skills,\" said Forbes, a former Republican presidential candidate.","We\u2019ll leave it to the economists to debate whether or not raising the minimum wage would help or hurt these workers. PunditFact wanted to know if two-thirds of minimum wage workers do start earning more within a year. Forbes didn\u2019t return our request for comment.","So it\u2019s not that two-thirds of minimum wage workers earn more money the following year. It\u2019s two-thirds of those who continue to work, or 51 percent of all minimum wage workers.","PunditFact, \"Steve Forbes says two-thirds of people who earn the minimum wage get a raise within one year,\" Feb. 16, 2014."]},{"id":"9602.json","label":"false","statement":"Says attorney general candidate Jon Richards went so far to say he would only enforce the laws with which he personally agreed.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that attorney general candidate Jon Richards stated he would only enforce the laws with which he personally agreed. There is no evidence to support this claim, and in fact, Richards has stated on multiple occasions that he would enforce laws even if he personally disagreed with them. The assertion is misleading and lacks credibility.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Like President Obama, my Democrat opponents have no respect for the Constitution or rule of law,\" Schimel wrote. \"In fact, one of my opponents went so far to say he would only enforce the laws with which he personally agreed.\"","Wisconsin state Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, was elected to the state Assembly in 1998. He did not seek reelection in 2014 and was an unsuccessful candidate in the Aug. 12, 2014 primary election for state attorney general.","He provides no evidence that Richards made such a statement. On the contrary, Richards has said on multiple occasions he would enforce laws with which he doesn\u2019t agree.","Republican Attorney General candidate Eric Toney is the only candidate in the race that\u2019s used Wisconsin Crime Lab resources as a front line prosecutor."]},{"id":"229.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We've got some 37-million of our fellow citizens who are living in poverty; about 12-million or 13-million are children.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the number of individuals living in poverty in the United States. The evidence supports the claim that approximately 37 million people in the country are living in poverty, with around 12 to 13 million of them being children. This statistic underscores the significant issue of poverty and its impact on vulnerable populations, particularly children.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1542.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We are now seeing a decrease in violent crime.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that there has been a decrease in violent crime during their administration. This claim is supported by evidence from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Uniform Crime Reports, which shows a decrease in the violent crime rate per capita between the specified years. Additionally, the fact-checking source confirms that the trend of decreasing violent crime appears to have continued. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"With your help, during the first three years of my administration we made Florida a much safer place for our most vulnerable citizens. You enacted the Anti-Murder Act and improved the Jessica Lunsford Act, striking back at violent criminals and sexual predators of children. Fellow Floridians, I am happy to report we are now seeing a decrease in violent crime.\"","During his term as governor, Charlie Crist has pushed for new legislation to crack down on criminals. Now he says that effort has paid off with a decrease in violent crime.","We are not addressing whether the laws Florida legislators passed directly led to a lower violent crime rate -- that's often a matter of debate among criminal justice experts. But the most recent crime reports do show a decrease in violent crime per capita between 2006 and 2008 and that trend appears to have continued in 2009. We rate this claim True.","To examine crime rates since he took office in January 2007, we turned to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Uniform Crime Reports. They showed that the violent crime rate per 100,000 dropped from 705.8 in 2006, the year before Crist took office, to 670.3 in 2008, the last year with full statistics. That's clearly a decrease, and matches a nationwide decline."]},{"id":"3180.json","label":"true","statement":"Israels per capita income is greater than probably three-fourths of the rest of the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Paul that Israel's per capita income is greater than approximately three-fourths of the rest of the world. This claim is supported by the World Bank's calculation of per capita income, which takes into account purchasing power parity (PPP). However, it's important to note that the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific data and time period used for the analysis. Nonetheless, the statement accurately captures the general idea that Israel's per capita income is relatively high compared to a significant portion of the world.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Paul added that, \"They're an important ally, but I also think that their per capita income is greater than probably three-fourths of the rest of the world. Should we be giving free money or welfare to a rich nation? I don't think so.\"","Paul : \"I\u2019m not singling out Israel. I support Israel. I want to be known as a friend of Israel, but not with money you don\u2019t have. We can\u2019t just borrow from our kids\u2019 future and give it to countries, even if they are our friends. ... I think they\u2019re an important ally, but I also think that their per capita income is greater than probably three-fourths of the rest of the world. Should we be giving free money or welfare to a rich nation? I don\u2019t think so.\"","The World Bank calculates per capita income two ways. One accounts for purchasing power and one doesn't. Purchasing power means that the measurement takes into account how goods are priced in a particular country. The World Bank statistics covered about 160 countries and territories.","The World Bank, GNI per capita, PPP (current international $)( \"GNI per capita, PPP (current international $)\"), accessed Feb. 4, 2011"]},{"id":"10854.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia is on track for 1,200 traffic fatalities this year, a reversal of nine years of declines.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry and other news reports. According to the evidence, Georgia is indeed on track to see 1,200 traffic fatalities this year, which would mark a reversal after nine years of declining numbers. The data supports the claim that there has been an increase in traffic deaths in Georgia, highlighting the need to address driver behavior and improve road safety measures.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The state is on pace to see 1,200 people lose their lives on Georgia roads this year, Commissioner Russell McMurry said in news reports. If that happens, it would be a reversal after nine years of declines.","So far in 2015, traffic deaths are up 25 percent from last year, Pope said. The state is averaging 100 deaths a month on its roadways, putting it on track for 1,200 fatalities by year\u2019s end.","Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said in recent news reports that the state is on pace to see 1,200 people die in traffic accidents this year \u2013 all before the start of the busy summer driving season. Transportation numbers back up that claim.","But the Georgia Department of Transportation is trying also to draw attention to the number of traffic fatalities statewide and the driver behavior behind the deaths."]},{"id":"6931.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Obama broke his promise to offer a comprehensive immigration bill in his first year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Barack Obama broke his promise to introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill in his first year as president. Despite setting a timetable and expressing strong support for such a bill, no comprehensive immigration reform measure supported by Obama was introduced in Congress during his first year in office.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Jerry Patterson says Barack Obama broke his promise to have an immigration reform bill during the first year of his presidency","( - Jerry Patterson says Barack Obama broke his promise to have an immigration reform bill during the first year of his presidency&url=)",", Barack Obama campaign promise No. 525: Introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the first year,( \"Barack Obama campaign promise No. 525: Introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the first year,\") updated Aug. 13, 2010","Obama set a timetable for this promise, saying he would \"strongly support\" an immigration bill in his first year. But, well into his second year, no comprehensive immigration reform measure supported by Obama has been introduced in Congress."]},{"id":"1454.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We passed without, frankly, the help of the Republican caucus, we passed 25 tax cuts last year, mostly aimed at the middle class and small businesses.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Democrats passed 25 tax cuts, mostly aimed at the middle class and small businesses, without the help of the Republican caucus. This is supported by evidence that the economic stimulus package championed by President Obama included these tax cuts, which were passed with little to no Republican support in both the House and the Senate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We passed without, frankly, the help of the Republican caucus, we passed 25 tax cuts last year, mostly aimed at the middle class and small businesses,\" Axelrod said.","So it's certainly fair to say the stimulus passed without the help of the Republican caucus. We find Axelrod's statement True.","We were intrigued by the claim that Democrats passed 25 tax cuts last year, so we contacted the White House press office and asked for a list. And they gave us one, all from the economic stimulus package championed by Obama and signed on Feb. 17, 2009.","The stimulus passed the House with nary a Republican vote. And it passed the Senate with just three (though we note that one of them, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, is now a Democrat)."]},{"id":"11273.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the Iran deal: If Israel attacks Iran were supposed to be on Irans side.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the Iran nuclear deal. The deal does not require the United States to defend Iran if it is attacked by Israel or any other country. The purpose of the deal was to limit Iran's nuclear program and ensure its peaceful nature through various restrictions and monitoring mechanisms. It does not establish any obligation for the United States to take sides in the event of a conflict between Iran and Israel. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump added: \"If Israel attacks Iran, I think -- of course this wouldn\u2019t happen, it wouldn\u2019t happen with me, with Obama you never know -- but we\u2019re supposed to be on Iran\u2019s side if this happens. OK? And nobody knows this and even talks about that point but, basically, we\u2019re supposed to protect them.\"","\"You know, there is something in the Iran deal that people I don't think really understand or know about,\" he said. \"And nobody is able it to explain it, that if somebody attacks Iran, we have to come to their defense.\"","Donald Trump says the Iran nuclear deal would force the United States to defend Iran if it were attacked by Israel.","PolitiFact Florida, \" Marco Rubio says Iran deal means we have to defend Iran from Israel and other allies,\" July 23, 2015."]},{"id":"7846.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsin has one of the most progressive tax codes in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that Wisconsin has been described as having one of the most progressive tax codes in the country. State Representative Dale Kooyenga, among others, has made this claim, and it has been rated as \"Mostly True\" by fact-checkers. Studies have shown that Wisconsin's income tax is more progressive compared to a significant portion of states that have an income tax. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the assessment of Wisconsin's tax code.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["His conclusion: \"As a direct result, our tax code picks winners and losers and is one of the most progressive tax codes in the country.\"","PItching his plan to begin flattening the Wisconsin state income tax code, Kooyenga said Wisconsin has \"one of the most progressive tax codes in the country.\"","The budget reduces personal income taxes by $651 million during 2013-15. Seeking a larger reduction, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, argued that Wisconsin has one of the most progressive tax codes in the country -- progressive, as in, tax rates rise with earnings. We rated the claim Mostly True. Studies put Wisconsin\u2019s income tax as more progressive than two-thirds to four-fifths of the states that levy such a tax.","\"We are number one in the country as far as our spending (COVID-19 relief) money on businesses as it relates to the percentage of federal funds that we receive.\""]},{"id":"1986.json","label":"half-true","statement":"During the year Kagan barred military recruiters from Harvard Law School's Office of Career Services, \"military recruiting actually went up.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the number of law school graduates entering the military increased from three in 2004 to five in 2005, it is important to note that these numbers are relatively small and do not provide a comprehensive picture of military recruiting at Harvard Law School. The controversy surrounding military recruiting at the school was largely symbolic, as the recruiters were only barred from the Office of Career Services for one semester in 2005. Elena Kagan, during her nomination hearings, claimed that military recruiting actually went up during that year, which is technically accurate based on the limited data available. However, it is crucial to consider the context and the small scale of the increase in order to fully understand the impact of the temporary restriction on military recruiters.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["During her nomination hearings, Kagan said that her orders did not harm military recruiting at Harvard Law School, and that \"military recruiting actually went up( \"military recruiting actually went up\")\" in 2005 when the recruiters were not allowed to use the career services offices. We looked up the numbers, though, and it shows how largely symbolic the Solomon amendment controversy was. Most years, two or three students( \"two or three students\") went into the military. In 2005, it was five students. We rated Kagan's statement Half True.","That's right, it went from three in 2004 to five in 2005. So Kagan is technically accurate that during the year in question, 2005, the number of recruits went up. And Tressler is correct that the five law school graduates who went into the military that year is the largest number from any class this decade.","In previous PolitiFact items, we have gone into some detail about the controversial history of military recruiting at Harvard Law School, which long predated Kagan's tenure as dean from 2003-2009. But the bottom line is that military recruiters were only ever barred from the school's Office of Career Services for one semester in 2005. During that time, Kagan encouraged the military to recruit through the Harvard Law School Veterans Association, a student organization (now called the Harvard Law School Armed Forces Association).","Kagan later said she \"always tried to make sure that I conveyed my honor for the military. And I always tried to make sure that the military had excellent access to our students. And in the short period of time, Sen. Sessions, that the military had that access through the veterans organization, military recruiting actually went up.\""]},{"id":"10993.json","label":"half-true","statement":"ISIS reaches about 100 million people a day through social media.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on an estimate and lacks precise data to support its claim. While it is true that ISIS has a significant presence on social media and has been successful in reaching a wide audience, the specific number of 100 million people reached per day is not substantiated by concrete evidence. Estimates and analyses have varied, and it is challenging to accurately measure the reach of ISIS's social media activities. Therefore, the statement should be regarded as an approximation rather than a definitive figure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["ISIS certainly has taken its war to social media, and experts agree that their strategy has some bite. But saying ISIS social media posts reach 100 million people a day is, at best, a high-end guesstimate, researchers say. And there are lots of caveats to consider.","We\u2019ve analyzed ISIS\u2019s infamous ability to reach people on social media before, and found the claim that ISIS posts 90,000 social media messages each day to be Mostly True.","\"ISIS, I think, is a 21st Century manifestation of information technology. Think about their agility on the battlefield \u2026 but think about how many people they influence every day with their information operations. They reach about 100 million people a day through various things. They only have (to) recruit a tiny percentage of those to have a real impact.\"","In theory, if ISIS-backed accounts sent up to 200,000 tweets a day, and each went to 1,000 people, that would be more than 200 million people reached."]},{"id":"3209.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas added more jobs in 2010 than any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Texas did indeed add more jobs in 2010 than any other state, as confirmed by fact-checking sources. This information is supported by data from various reports and analyses, which showed that Texas experienced a significant net gain in employment during that year.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Have the doomsayers forgotten that Texas added more jobs in 2010 than any other state?\" he said in the Feb. 8 speech.","Regardless of how the new jobs paid, Texas added more of them \u2014 based on net job gains \u2014 in 2010 than any other state. We rate Perry\u2019s statement True.","We\u2019ve checked other claims about Texas\u2019 job growth, including Perry\u2019s statement in June that Texas had added more jobs than the other states combined. We rated that True; from January 2001 to June 2010, Texas had a net gain of 853,400 jobs.","According to preliminary December 2010 data in the report, Texas had the largest employment increase that month, adding about 20,000 jobs, followed by South Carolina, which added some 9,000 jobs."]},{"id":"12097.json","label":"false","statement":"In the primary election, a right-wing group spent more than $100,000,000 to support Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. JoAnne Kloppenburg's claim that a right-wing group spent over $100,000,000 to support Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley in the primary election is false. The fact-checking evidence provided clearly states that the claim was off-base and that the actual amount spent by the conservative group in ads supporting Bradley was significantly lower. Therefore, the statement is incorrect and exaggerated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["JoAnne Kloppenburg says that in the primary election, a \"right-wing group spent more than $100,000,000 to support\" Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley.","Kloppenburg said that a conservative group spent $100 million in ads supporting her opponent in the primary election. The claim was 100 times off-base.","!Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley (left) is being challenged in the April 5, 2016 Supreme Court race by state Court of Appeals Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg. (Michael McLoone photo) !Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley (left) is being challenged in the April 5, 2016 Supreme Court race by state Court of Appeals Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg. (Michael McLoone photo)","Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley (left) is being challenged in the April 5, 2016 Supreme Court race by state Court of Appeals Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg. (Michael McLoone photo)"]},{"id":"8553.json","label":"false","statement":"Our national debt is as low as it has been since World War II.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While it is true that the national debt has fluctuated over time, it is not accurate to claim that the national debt is currently as low as it has been since World War II. In fact, the publicly held debt exceeded 100% of GDP in 2020, which was the first time since World War II. While the debt may have decreased since then, it is still significantly higher than it has been in previous periods. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Taylor responded, \"You know, our national debt is as low as it has been since World War II. And so the notion that our national debt is growing at some astronomical rate really is a misnomer.\"","In 2020, at the end of the Trump administration, the publicly held debt did exceed 100% of GDP for the first time since World War II. It\u2019s down since then.","In a March 13, 2012, blog post, the anti-deficit Concord Coalition said the gross debt would top the nation\u2019s GDP this year for the first time since World War II. Projections showed the gross debt continuing to increase rapidly \"as we continue to borrow and as today\u2019s unusually low interest rates eventually rise toward their historic average,\" the group wrote.","\u201cThe national debt is now bigger than our economy. That hasn\u2019t happened since World War Two \u2013 and we\u2019re in peacetime. Joe Biden is digging a hole America can never fill.\u201d"]},{"id":"12079.json","label":"true","statement":"Six justices on the U.S. Supreme Court have been confirmed in presidential election years since 1912.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Since 1912, there have been six justices who were confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court during presidential election years. This includes Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration. The evidence provided supports this claim, and multiple sources have verified the accuracy of this information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 1900, six (U.S. Supreme Court) justices have been confirmed during election years, including Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration.\"","\"Since 1900, six (U.S. Supreme Court) justices have been confirmed during election years, including Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration,\" Herring and fellow Democratic attorneys general wrote in a March 10 letter to U.S. Senate leaders.","So let\u2019s see if Moore is right -- that six times since 1912, a justice nominated to the high court during a presidential election year has been confirmed by the Senate.","We recently looked at another Herring claim that every nominee since 1875 had received a confirmation hearing, a statement we rated Mostly False. Here, we\u2019re checking to see whether the attorney general was closer to the mark when he said there have been six justices confirmed during presidential election years since the start of the 20th century."]},{"id":"4142.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The firefighter and police officer pension system is not headed for bankruptcy, far from it. Thats because New Jersey first responders -- fire fighters and police officers -- have never missed making payments to the retirement system.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that New Jersey first responders, including firefighters and police officers, have consistently made payments to the retirement system, the statement that the firefighter and police officer pension system is not headed for bankruptcy is not entirely accurate. While the pension fund may not be on the immediate brink of bankruptcy, experts have expressed concerns about the funding level of the pension system, including the joint police and firefighters retirement fund. Funding levels below 80 percent, which is the case for this pension fund and others in New Jersey, could be a cause for concern. While bankruptcy may not be imminent, it cannot be ruled out as a possibility. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The firefighter and police officer pension system is not headed for bankruptcy, far from it. That\u2019s because New Jersey first responders -- fire fighters and police officers -- have never missed making payments to the retirement system.\"","\"The firefighter and police officer pension system is not headed for bankruptcy, far from it,\" Marino said in a June 6 column posted on \"That\u2019s because New Jersey first responders -- fire fighters and police officers -- have never missed making payments to the retirement system.\"","New Jersey has several pension funds: a joint retirement system for police and firefighters, and one each for state police, teachers and the judiciary. All other state employees fall under the Public Employees Retirement System.","The president of the New Jersey Professional Firefighters Association says the joint police and firefighters retirement fund is far from bankruptcy and in better shape than other funds. While the funding level of that pension is higher than others in the state, several experts state that public pensions funded below a threshold of 80 percent -- the case for the police and firefighters fund, as well as other New Jersey pensions -- could be cause for concern. Bankruptcy might not be on the immediate horizon for the police and firefighters pension fund, but it\u2019s not an impossibility, either. We rate Marino\u2019s claim Half True."]},{"id":"11931.json","label":"true","statement":"Theres never been a (U.S. Supreme Court) vacancy in the last, I think, 30 years, lasting longer than 237 days.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical data regarding the duration of Supreme Court vacancies in the past 30 years. According to the evidence provided, there has not been a vacancy in the U.S. Supreme Court that lasted longer than 237 days in the last three decades. This information suggests that vacancies have typically been filled within a relatively short period of time. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Our constitutional system depends on nine members serving on the Supreme Court, which is why there has never been a vacancy in the last, I think, 30 years lasting longer than 237 days. The president has 339 left.\"","In all, of the 59 vacancies that occurred in the 20th and 21st centuries, only four persisted longer than 200 days. Six were between 150 and 200 days.","While it is rare to fill a Supreme Court vacancy while a presidential race is happening, that's more because seats on the bench are seldom empty in election years.","The last time there was a vacancy, nomination and confirmation was 84 years ago. After Oliver Wendell Holmes retired on Jan. 12, 1932, Benjamin Cardozo was nominated by President Herbert Hoover on Feb. 15, 1932, and confirmed by the Senate nine days later. (Hoover lost his reelection bid that year.)"]},{"id":"12801.json","label":"true","statement":"Ninety percent of Americans want our background check system strengthened and expanded to cover more gun sales.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of national polls conducted over the past year, which consistently show that around 90 percent of Americans support some form of expanded background checks for gun purchases. This indicates a widespread desire among the American public to strengthen and expand the existing background check system to prevent dangerous weapons from falling into the wrong hands.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We\u2019ll also note that in July 2016, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said: \"Ninety percent of Americans want our background check system strengthened and expanded to cover more gun sales.\" PolitiFact National\u2019s rating was True.","\"Listen, 90 percent of Americans want our background check system strengthened and expanded to cover more gun sales so that dangerous weapons don't fall into the wrong hands,\" Murphy said.","PolitiFact National, \"At DNC, Sen. Chris Murphy says 90% of Americans want expanded background checks for gun purchases,\" July 27, 2016","National polls conducted over the past year consistently show that around 90 percent of Americans support some sort of expanded background checks for gun purchases."]},{"id":"3410.json","label":"false","statement":"A bill that would halt the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases would help stop rising gas prices.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While the bill mentioned would prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases for the purpose of addressing climate change, there is no direct evidence or guarantee that it would help stop rising gas prices. Gasoline prices are influenced by a wide range of factors, including global oil markets, supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and refining costs. The bill's impact, if any, would be indirect and long-term, and it is not accurate to claim that it would directly address or stop rising gas prices.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While Upton and Whitfield's letter is carefully worded, it frames the argument for the bill in the context of today\u2019s trend of rising gasoline prices. Yet the impact of the bill -- if there is an one -- would be years away. And there's no proof that the law would actually stop gas prices from rising. The added regulations now being planned may hamper U.S. refiners, but the international free market could just as easily end up keeping refining costs low. And it\u2019s hardly assured that any changes in refining costs -- up or down -- will influence gasoline prices, which are subject to a wide array of influenes. We find their claim False.","The measure -- which Whitfield\u2019s subcommittee approved on March 10, 2011, and which now heads to the full committee -- would prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases for the purpose of addressing climate change.","\"H.R. 910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, is the first in this legislative series to stop rising gas prices by halting EPA\u2019s Clean Air Act greenhouse gas regulations. As one small refiner testifying before the Committee on Energy and Commerce put it: \u2018EPA\u2019s proposed greenhouse gas regulations for both refinery expansions and existing facilities will likely have a devastating effect on \u2026 all of our nation\u2019s fuels producers\u2026. If small refiners are forced out of business, competition will suffer and American motorists, truckers and farmers will be increasingly reliant on foreign refiners to supply our nation\u2019s gasoline and diesel fuel.\u2019","Upton, the Michigan Republican who chairs the influential Energy and Commerce Committee, and Ed Whitfield, the Kentucky Republican who heads the Energy and Power subcommittee, recently argued in a letter to fellow lawmakers that one way to stop rising gas prices would be to pass the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 (H.R. 910)."]},{"id":"10572.json","label":"false","statement":"The measles vaccine has killed 108 people in the last decade, while no one has died of measles.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), three people have died from measles in the United States since 2000. In contrast, the claim that the measles vaccine has caused 108 deaths in the last decade is not supported by credible evidence. Reports of adverse events related to vaccines can be filed with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), but these reports do not necessarily indicate a causal relationship between the vaccine and the reported event. The overwhelming scientific consensus supports the safety and effectiveness of the measles vaccine in preventing measles and its associated complications.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The NaturalNews site claims that at least 108 children have died from the measles vaccine in the past decade, while none have died of the disease itself.","Because the Facebook post claims measles has killed 11 people since 2000, a fraction of the number of people who died from measles globally, we\u2019ll focus our fact-check on the United States.","As we noted in a 2015 fact-check of a website that misused data to wrongly claim the measles vaccine had killed 108 people in the last decade, anyone can file a report with VAERS, including doctors, patients, family members and friends. And they can file it regardless of whether they\u2019re certain a death or another event was caused by the vaccine.","Benjamin Haynes, a spokesman for the CDC\u2019s infectious disease media team, said three people have died from measles since 2000. Two people died in 2003, Haynes said, and one more died in 2015."]},{"id":"5727.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says oil productions down where Obamas in charge.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While there was a decline in oil production on federal lands during a specific year, it followed years of substantial gains and was primarily limited to offshore production in the aftermath of a major oil disaster. It is misleading to attribute the decline solely to Obama's overall energy strategy. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This ad focuses on Obama\u2019s role in domestic oil production on government land. We\u2019re evaluating the claim that the president's oil \"production's down where Obama's in charge.\"","A Crossroads GPS ad says Obama takes credit for Bush-era policies, then blames him for a downturn in oil production on federal lands. While it\u2019s true that the effect of a president\u2019s policies don\u2019t show up in oil production for some time \u2014 in some cases, decades \u2014 the ad goes too far when it cites a 14 percent decline in production in a single year as evidence of the impact of Obama's overall energy strategy. The ad says oil production's down where Obama's in charge.\" The facts show that the decline represents a single year that followed years of substantial gains and occurred only offshore in the wake of a major oil disaster. The ad\u2019s statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details and takes things out of context. We rate it Half True.","Says about NSA data collection: \"Every member in both parties who served on the Intelligence Committee voted in favor of this.\"","Says Florida refused to allow the insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high\" under Obamacare."]},{"id":"3903.json","label":"false","statement":"The (national) debt really added up $75 trillion in 2010 and is on track to hit $99 trillion this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement significantly exaggerates the national debt figures. The evidence provided indicates that the gross federal debt in 2010 was estimated to be around $13.8 trillion, not $75 trillion. The projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) suggest that the debt would increase to around $14.3 trillion by the end of fiscal year 2019, not $99 trillion. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and does not accurately reflect the actual debt figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Office of Management and Budget estimates that the public debt will reach $9.3 trillion by the end of fiscal year 2010. Add in the $4.5 trillion in debt held by the government, and you come up with a gross federal debt of $13.8 trillion.","Just hours ahead of McDonnell's response, the CBO released updated baseline debt projections( \"updated baseline debt projections\") that shrink the amount of debt predicted over the next 10 years. The CBO put the debt held by the public at the end of fiscal year 2008 at $5.8 trillion, $7.5 trillion at the end of fiscal year 2009, and estimates the debt will increase to $11.6 trillion by the end of fiscal year 2014 and to $14.3 trillion by the end of fiscal year 2019. Again, this is just the first part of the debt calculation.","Now, for argument's sake, we wanted to run the same calculation for the entire gross federal debt. (You will see why this matters in a second.) According to the CBO, the gross federal debt ended 2009 at $11.9 trillion, will hit $16.7 trillion by the end of 2014 and $20.6 trillion by the end of 2019. That's short of McDonnell's marks as well. The percentages don't improve much even if you roll back to 2008 -- we're talking again about doubling the debt after 10 years, not tripling.","Stefan Karlsson, \"Is US debt $13 trillion \u2013 or only $9 trillion?\" (blog post in Christian Science Monitor), Aug. 15, 2010"]},{"id":"2972.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have dozens of districts that go for 150 to 200 miles, splitting counties, splintering cities and connecting areas that have very little in common.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ellen Freidin, chairwoman of Fair Districts Florida, regarding the existence of districts in Florida that stretch for 150 to 200 miles, splitting counties, splintering cities, and connecting areas with little in common. While there may be some debate about the exact number of such districts, the evidence suggests that there are at least several districts that meet these criteria. Therefore, the statement is generally true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So, do the districts created in 2002 \"go on for 150 to 200 miles, splitting counties, splintering cities and connecting areas that have very little in common?''","So, back to the question at hand. Was Freidin accurate in stating that Florida has \"dozens of districts that go for 150 to 200 miles, splitting counties, splintering cities and connecting areas that have very little in common?\"","Also speaking was Ellen Freidin, chairwoman of Fair Districts Florida, a group behind the passage of two constitutional amendments that set new guidelines for how legislative and congressional districts are drawn up. Freidin used the occasion to note: \"We have dozens of districts that go for 150 to 200 miles, splitting counties, splintering cities and connecting areas that have very little in common.\"","Many do, as our rough approximations illustrate. Strictly speaking, there are not \"dozens'' that run over 150 miles, but there are at least nine on our list, and if you loosen the standard slightly to take in those over 140 miles, we found 13. One might argue that districts should be measured not just from end to end, but by the sprawling territory they take up, which would likely add to the list. Whether it would get it to \"dozens'' is debatable."]},{"id":"11127.json","label":"true","statement":"The majority of the Hispanic population and the growth (of the population) is U.S.-born.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that the majority of the Hispanic population in the United States is indeed U.S.-born. According to the data provided, approximately 61% to 65% of the overall Hispanic population consists of individuals born in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, abroad to American citizens, or on a U.S. military base. Additionally, the evidence indicates that a significant portion of the population growth in the Hispanic community is due to natural increase, which refers to domestic births exceeding deaths. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wanted to check his points: Are most Hispanics in the United States born here? And do U.S. births account for the majority of the growth in the Hispanic population?","The trend holds when measuring the Hispanic population\u2019s growth from July 2013 to July 2014. Over the course of the year, the Hispanic population increased by about 1.2 million. The natural increase (which refers to the number of domestic births minus the number of deaths) accounts for about 73 percent of this 1.2 million population jump.","Separately, we asked the state demographer, Lloyd Potter, about Bush\u2019s statement. By email, he said the data center\u2019s projections suggest Latinos will outnumber any other ethnic group in Texas by 2017 or 2019, depending on growth patterns. Hispanic residents will make up a majority of the population as of 2036 or 2040, he said.","There were about 54 million Hispanics in the United States in 2013. Of this number, about 32.9 million were born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia, which works out to 61 percent of the overall Hispanic population. Another 2.1 million are considered native to the United States, meaning they were born in Puerto Rico, abroad to American citizens or on a U.S. military base. Adding in this group brings the share of U.S.-born Hispanics to 65 percent."]},{"id":"11808.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Barack Obamas administration has admitted that money from its Iran nuclear deal would go directly to terrorism.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were concerns raised about the potential for funds from the Iran nuclear deal to indirectly support terrorism, it is important to note that the Obama administration did not explicitly admit that money would go directly to terrorism. The statement lacks nuance and oversimplifies a complex issue. Secretary of State John Kerry, in the linked article, acknowledged the possibility of some funds being used for activities other than economic development, but also emphasized that the demands of Iran's government for domestic development would limit the amount of money available for such purposes. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the Obama administration's position on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Johnson\u2019s assertion -- that the administration has admitted that money from the Iran nuclear deal would go directly to terrorism -- doesn\u2019t come out of thin air.","Says Hillary Clinton's Iran nuclear deal \"lined the pockets of the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism with your money.\"","To back the claim about the Obama administration and funds going directly to terrorism, the Johnson campaign email links to a January 2016 news article in The Hill about comments made by Secretary of State John Kerry.","But Kerry also said the Obama administration believes the amount of money that might flow to terrorist groups will be limited because \"the demands of Iran and of the Rouhani administration and of the supreme leader for development in their country are such that there is no way they can succeed in doing what they want to do if they are very busy funding a lot of terrorism and if they are putting money into that kind of enterprise and not into things they need to do to fund their economy.\""]},{"id":"956.json","label":"false","statement":"No Bridge to Nowhere could occur.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Schumer that \"No Bridge to Nowhere could occur\" is not accurate. The Bridge to Nowhere project did exist and was a highly criticized example of wasteful government spending. While the project was eventually redirected and the funding was allocated differently, it does not change the fact that the Bridge to Nowhere was initially planned and faced significant backlash. Therefore, Schumer's claim that such a bridge could not occur is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"They are transparent,\" Schumer of earmarks during an interview March 8, 2009, on NBC's Meet the Press . \"No Bridge to Nowhere could occur.\"","Due to uproar over the so-called Bridge to Nowhere project, a congressional committee directed the $225-million earmarked for the Gravina Island bridge to the Alaska Department of Transportation. So Alaska would keep the money, but it would no longer be tied to the Bridge to Nowhere. Alaska could decide how to spend the money as it saw fit. They could even decide to spend it on the bridge.","With the Bridge to Nowhere a national laughingstock, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., in October 2005 proposed an amendment that would have redirected $125-million in funding for the Alaska bridge toward reconstruction of a New Orleans bridge damaged by Hurricane Katrina.","First, Schumer bases his argument on some bad information. The Bridge to Nowhere did have names attached. Everybody knew who was behind it."]},{"id":"13022.json","label":"false","statement":"Food stamps have gone up two-and-a-half times under Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement that food stamps have gone up two-and-a-half times under Barack Obama is not entirely accurate. While there has been a significant increase in the number of people receiving food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) during Obama's presidency, it is not two-and-a-half times higher than when he took office. The actual increase is substantial but falls short of the claim made. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"So, now you compare New York to Detroit and Baltimore, and you look at the number of crimes in both of those cities and you look at New York, you look at the unemployment rates, you look at the economic opportunities, and you see that I think Donald Trump is the first Republican since Jack Kemp, and me, to go into minority poor communities and say, the Democrats have failed you for 50 years, and you are reflexively giving them your vote, and they are going from bad to worse,\" Giuliani said in an interview on the Sept. 4, 2016, edition of CNN\u2019s State of the Union. \"Food stamps have gone up two-and-a-half times under Barack Obama. He should be ashamed of himself. Jobs should have gone up two-and-a-half times.\"","PolitiFact, \" Newt Gingrich says 'more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history,'\" Jan. 17, 2012 (Half True)","Is the use of food stamps -- formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP -- really two-and-a-half times higher than it was when Obama took office?","That\u2019s a significant increase, and it\u2019s one of the weakest economic metrics on Obama\u2019s watch. But it\u2019s not two-and-a-half times as high as when he came into office, as Giuliani said."]},{"id":"10051.json","label":"false","statement":"In the 38 Studios deal, Wall Street investors took a risk, and went bust.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that 38 Studios, the company involved in the deal, went bankrupt, it is not accurate to claim that \"Wall Street investors went bust.\" The evidence shows that the investors themselves are not financially impacted to the extent implied by the statement. The state is making its payments on schedule, indicating that the investors did not suffer significant financial losses as a result of the 38 Studios deal. Therefore, the claim that Wall Street investors \"went bust\" is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Wall Street investors took a risk, and went bust,\" Fung's commercial says. \"But Gina Raimondo wants to use our money to bail them out. A former Wall Street financier herself, Raimondo's looking out for Wall Street, not Main Street.\"","The evidence on the second statement -- whether \"Wall Street investors . . . went bust\" as a result of the 38 Studios deal -- is much clearer.","But when Fung's TV commercial says that \"Wall Street investors . . . went bust\" on the 38 Studios deal, it's clear that those investors are doing just fine. The state is making its payments on schedule.","In an email, Coupe said that \"went bust\" is a reference to 38 Studios itself, which went bankrupt. \"The graphic on the screen during this line refers specifically to the 38 Studios bankruptcy,\" he said."]},{"id":"6590.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama broke his promise to keep a Wisconsin GM plant from closing.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that President Barack Obama explicitly made a promise to keep a Wisconsin GM plant from closing. Furthermore, the Janesville plant actually shut down before Obama took office, making it impossible for him to have broken a promise related to its closure. Therefore, the statement that President Obama broke his promise to keep the Wisconsin GM plant from closing is unfounded.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ryan said Obama broke his promise to keep a Wisconsin GM plant from closing. But we don't see evidence he explicitly made such a promise -- and more importantly, the Janesville plant shut down before he took office.","Jerry Patterson says Barack Obama broke his promise to have an immigration reform bill during the first year of his presidency","( - Jerry Patterson says Barack Obama broke his promise to have an immigration reform bill during the first year of his presidency&url=)","Ryan sought to brand President Barack Obama\u2019s recession remedies as a failure and said the president had broken his promise to keep unemployment below 8 percent."]},{"id":"4266.json","label":"false","statement":"The weight of the evidence (on global warming) is that most of it, maybe all of it, is because of natural causes ... its fair to say the science is in dispute.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that the weight of evidence supports the notion that most, if not all, of global warming is caused by natural factors and that the science is in dispute. However, the overwhelming consensus among climate scientists is that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are the primary driver of global warming. Multiple studies and scientific organizations have concluded that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for the observed changes in the climate. While there may be ongoing scientific discussions and debates about specific aspects of climate change, the consensus regarding human influence on global warming is well-established.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The weight of the evidence (on global warming) is that most of it, maybe all of it, is because of natural causes ... it\u2019s fair to say the science is in dispute.\"","\"Well, there\u2019s definitely climate change. The more interesting question is how much is a result of natural causes and how much, if any, is attributable to human behavior. And that\u2019s what the scientific dispute is about,\" said Pawlenty. \"It\u2019s something we have to look to the science on. The weight of the evidence is that most of it, maybe all of it, is because of natural causes... There\u2019s lots of layers to it. But at least as to any potential man-made contribution to it, it\u2019s fair to say the science is in dispute.\"","We looked at this question in some detail in a previous fact-check on candidate Tim Pawlenty, who has since dropped out of the race. Pawlenty said, \"The weight of the evidence is that most of it, maybe all of it, is because of natural causes ... it's fair to say the science is in dispute.\" We rated that statement False. This report reviews much of the same evidence.","Based upon the preponderance of evidence we conclude that Tim Pawlenty\u2019s claims are both incorrect and misleading to the public, who may not be familiar with the science behind climate change. It is not \"fair to say the science is in dispute,\" as if there are good arguments on both sides. Rather, there is significant scientific consensus that human beings are contributing to global warming. We rate his statement False."]},{"id":"10383.json","label":"true","statement":"Mercedes said high taxes and the cost of doing business in New Jersey worked to Georgias advantage in landing the companys USA corporate headquarters.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the reasons provided by Mercedes for their decision to relocate their USA corporate headquarters from New Jersey to Georgia. Mercedes cited high taxes and the cost of doing business in New Jersey as factors that worked to Georgia's advantage in attracting their headquarters. This decision aligns with the company's desire to benefit from a more favorable business environment and potential perks, such as the presence of other car manufacturers in the region.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Mercedes said high taxes and the cost of doing business in New Jersey worked to Georgia\u2019s advantage in landing the company's USA corporate headquarters.","\"Mercedes USA made one thing very clear about its decision to leave: the cost of doing business and the tax environment is just too high here to be competitive with a state like Georgia,\" Michael Drewniak told The (Bergen County, N.J.) Record on Jan. 6.","Also a factor, Brauer said: A likely new manufacturing plant for Mercedes in the near future, somewhere in the Southeast. The new plant would benefit from all those \"business cost\" perks and also follow Kia, Toyota and other carmakers to the region.","Last week\u2019s announcement that Mercedes-Benz will relocate its corporate offices was a major coup for metro Atlanta and an especially hard blow in New Jersey, headquarters of the firm\u2019s U.S. operations for 50-plus years."]},{"id":"13278.json","label":"false","statement":"State Department officials actually directed contracts for the Haitian recovery after the earthquake to friends of the Clintons.","reason":"Reason: While there were contacts between the State Department and friends of the Clintons regarding Haiti relief efforts, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that State Department officials directed contracts to friends of the Clintons. Investigations and fact-checking efforts have not found proof of such direct steering of contracts. It is important to rely on verified evidence and avoid making unsupported claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Revelations coming out of Secretary of State Clinton's years in the State Department and the Clinton Foundation are virtually ignored by the national media,\" Pence said on Oct. 16, 2016, on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press. \"I mean we discovered this week that State Department officials actually directed contracts for the Haitian recovery effort after the earthquake to friends of the Clintons.\"","Did State Department officials actually steer Haiti relief contracts to friends of Bill and Hillary Clinton? While there was contact between the State Department and friends of the Clintons, we found no evidence of that contracts were actually awarded. We asked the Donald Trump campaign to send us proof and did not hear back.","Pence said that State Department officials steered Haiti relief contracts to friends of the Clintons. That charge rests on a news report based on emails between the State Department and the Clinton Foundation.","RNC Research Director Raj Shah focused on two instances when he said foundation donors \"gained access to officials that people who weren\u2019t friends of the Clintons didn\u2019t.\" But importantly, Shah also said it isn\u2019t clear that those with Clinton ties in fact ultimately won contracts. That is \"the case we have to make,\" Shah said."]},{"id":"10630.json","label":"false","statement":"Beer drinking is not allowed in any Illinois state parks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to the provided evidence, there are 77 out of 130 parks in Illinois where alcohol is allowed. While there may be restrictions in certain areas within some parks, it is not true that beer drinking is universally prohibited in all Illinois state parks.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Out of the 130 parks, there are 77 (where) alcohol is allowed,\" said an email from the Illinois DNR. \"It is only banned in the parks that are listed.\"","Marklein wants to boost state parks\u2019 charges for out of state residents, and -- noting how many people from Illinois come to Wisconsin -- he claimed visitors can\u2019t drink in state parks in Illinois.","First, for many of the parks the list notes restrictions only at certain areas within a park, not the entire park. What\u2019s more, there are many state parks in Illinois that are not on the list at all.","But we wondered about the director\u2019s claim that a \"regulatory thing\" stops people from drinking beer in commercials. We\u2019ve seen plenty of beer commercials and just always assumed that someone was drinking at some point."]},{"id":"6679.json","label":"false","statement":"On new dollar coins, In God We Trust is gone!","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that \"In God We Trust\" is missing from new dollar coins is not true. Multiple sources and evidence confirm that the inscription \"In God We Trust\" is present on the face of presidential dollar coins, including those featuring Abraham Lincoln and other presidents. The email's assertion is inaccurate and has been debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The email claimed that on new dollar coins, \"'In God We Trust' is gone!\" But that wasn't true then, and it's not true now( \"","The email claimed that on new dollar coins, \"'In God We Trust' is gone!\" But that wasn't true then, and it's not true now. We rated it False.","!These are a few of the presidential dollar coins that include the inscription, \"In God We Trust.\" !These are a few of the presidential dollar coins that include the inscription, \"In God We Trust.\"","!This dollar coin featuring Abraham Lincoln is one of the presidential coins that has \"In God We Trust\" on its face !This dollar coin featuring Abraham Lincoln is one of the presidential coins that has \"In God We Trust\" on its face"]},{"id":"7194.json","label":"false","statement":"[T]he Georgia Dome has returned $10 billion in economic impact to the state of Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there is evidence that the Georgia Dome has had a significant economic impact on the state of Georgia, the claim that it has returned $10 billion in economic impact is not supported by reliable data. The figures provided in the op-ed and the spreadsheets provided by Tanenblatt do not align with the official reports from the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC). The actual economic impact may be substantial, but the specific claim of $10 billion cannot be substantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Miller\u2019s op-ed contained numbers from the GWCC that he and others thought were correct. And Miller has a point that the Georgia Dome has returned billions in economic impact. But not $10 billion as he wrote.","\"In total, the Georgia Dome has returned $10 billion in economic impact to the state of Georgia. Not bad for an investment of a little more than $200 million,\" he wrote in an op-ed that appeared in the Marietta Daily Journal.","To sum up, Miller wrote that the economic impact of the Georgia Dome is $10 billion since it opened two decades ago.","Tanenblatt provided us two spreadsheets that he said came from the GWCC. One had annual economic impact estimates for Atlanta Falcons games. The other had the economic impact for all events held there. Combined, it totaled $10 billion. However, the spreadsheets contained vastly higher estimates for most years than what we saw in the GWCC reports online."]},{"id":"128.json","label":"true","statement":"\"What happens is people like Warren Buffett and he says this himself...pay 15 percent on the millions of dollars that they earn from wealth income... while their secretary is paying a higher rate on her work income. It's not right.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the argument made by some, including Warren Buffett himself, regarding the disparity in tax rates between wealthy individuals and their lower-income employees. Warren Buffett has publicly stated that he pays a lower tax rate on his investment income compared to his secretary's tax rate on her earned income. This argument highlights the issue of income inequality and the need for tax reform to address such disparities.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1255.json","label":"true","statement":"Other Western countries have ended their \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" policies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Other Western countries, including Britain, have indeed ended policies similar to the United States' \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" policy, which prevented openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the military. This change in policy reflects a broader trend towards inclusivity and equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in many Western nations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So, Levin is correct that other Western countries, including Britain, have ended policies that prevent gays and lesbians from serving openly. We give him a True.","President Barack Obama has repeatedly said that he plans to repeal the military's \"don't ask, don't tell\" rule, which prevents openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the military.","Before we dig into Levin's claim that other Western countries have already repealed similar policies, some background: On the campaign trail, Obama wrote an open letter to the LGBT \u2014 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender \u2014 community, stating that, as president, he would \"bring about real change for all LGBT Americans.\" Chief among his efforts would be a repeal of the military's rule, one that was put into place during the Clinton administration.","That's easier said than done, however. Obama cannot simply undo \"don't ask, don't tell\" \u2014 it must be repealed by Congress. So, when Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in March 2009 that the administration was not actively pursuing a rule change, we gave Obama a Stalled on our Obameter for his promise to overturn the policy."]},{"id":"12723.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton is proposing destroying Medicare for seniors.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Hillary Clinton's policy proposals do not involve destroying Medicare for seniors. While she has put forth ambitious plans, such as making Medicare an option for those between 55 and 65, these proposals are not intended to harm or dismantle Medicare. Experts have confirmed that Clinton's policies are not a threat to the program. Therefore, the claim that she is proposing to destroy Medicare for seniors is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He said his father would be \"a president who will repeal and replace Obamacare without leaving our most vulnerable citizens without health care, and who will do it without destroying Medicare for seniors, as Hillary Clinton has proposed.\"","Says Hillary Clinton \"said she was under attack (in Bosnia) but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers.\"","Still, we wondered whether there is any plausible interpretation of her actual Medicare policy proposals in which they could end up \"destroying Medicare for seniors.\" We didn\u2019t hear back from the Trump campaign about what Donald Trump Jr. meant, but we took a look for ourselves.","Clinton is certainly not proposing that in a literal sense, and experts we contacted agreed that her actual policy proposals -- especially making Medicare an option for those between 55 and 65 -- were ambitious but were hardly a dagger at the heart of the program. We rate the claim False."]},{"id":"7842.json","label":"false","statement":"A bill to advance the Keystone XL Pipeline is an earmark under House rules.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Rep. Alan Grayson has claimed that a bill to advance the Keystone XL Pipeline is an earmark under House rules, there is disagreement and skepticism regarding this assertion. House rules define what constitutes an earmark, but they do not categorize the Keystone XL Pipeline bill as such. Earmarks typically involve specific funding allocations for specific projects, whereas the Keystone XL Pipeline bill is a broader legislative measure. Therefore, it is incorrect to label the bill as an earmark under House rules.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., called a bill to advance the Keystone XL pipeline an earmark. Is it? !Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., called a bill to advance the Keystone XL pipeline an earmark. Is it?","Despite Meyers\u2019 deep skepticism of Grayson\u2019s claim that the bill is an earmark under House rules, he said Grayson has a point.","Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., recently took an unusual approach to opposing the Keystone XL pipeline, a 1,700-mile project to bring heavy crude from Canada\u2019s oil-rich tar sands to the Gulf of Mexico. He says it\u2019s an earmark, and earmarks aren\u2019t in line with current House rules.","To make his case that H.R. 3 was an earmark, Grayson pointed to the section of the House\u2019s rules that define what constitutes an earmark. House rules are written by the chamber\u2019s majority party every two years and approved, typically on a party-line vote, when a new Congress is sworn in. House rules do not have the force of law, but they are binding for the procedures used in the chamber."]},{"id":"4525.json","label":"false","statement":"Florida is the first state requiring drug testing to receive welfare!","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Florida did implement a law requiring drug testing for welfare recipients, it was not the first state to do so. In 1999, Michigan became the first state to require all applicants to take drug tests, regardless of suspicion. However, Michigan's law was later struck down as unconstitutional. Other states, such as Arizona and Missouri, have also enacted laws to test applicants they suspect might use drugs. Therefore, Florida is not the first state to require drug testing for welfare recipients.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In 1996, Congress said states could test welfare recipients for illegal drug use. In 1999, Michigan was the first state to require all applicants to take drug tests, regardless of suspicion. But that law was struck down as unconstitutional, discouraging other states from requiring similar testing. This year, Florida became the first state to try mandatory drug screening of all applicants after Michigan's legal loss, while Arizona and Missouri enacted laws to test applicants they suspect might use drugs. A chain e-mail claims, \"Florida is the first state requiring drug testing to receive welfare!\" It is the first one \u2014 since the last one, which was Michigan. Meanwhile, other states also require drug-testing for some applicants. We rule this e-mail's claim False.","We asked some experts, but not before doing a quick Web search to see if we might find some of the message's genesis. At least three sentences of the chain e-mail, it turns out, appear to be lifted directly from a June New York Daily News article. But that article doesn't address the claim we're checking, that Florida \"is the first state requiring drug testing to receive welfare.\"","!Rachel Maddow says a Florida group that promoted a law requiring drug testing for welfare recipients is an affiliate of the Koch brothers. !Rachel Maddow says a Florida group that promoted a law requiring drug testing for welfare recipients is an affiliate of the Koch brothers.","The Foundation for Government Accountability, which supported a Florida law requiring drug testing of welfare recipients, is a \"Koch brothers affiliated group.\""]},{"id":"12971.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than theyre paying now.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton specifically wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to nearly 50 percent more than they are currently paying. It is important to note that tax policies are typically based on income levels and not specific to racial or ethnic backgrounds. Making such a claim without providing specific proposals or evidence is misleading and does not accurately represent Clinton's stance on taxes for African-American owned businesses.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now.\"","\"She wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now,\" Trump said.","Trump said Clinton \"wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now.\"","But Trump made it worse for himself in this new description. The prepared remarks for his speech read, \"She wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent.\" This is important to note, because he then ad-libs and changes the meaning of the sentence by adding \"more than they're paying now.\""]},{"id":"10584.json","label":"false","statement":"A lot of people who go into prison straight, and when they come out theyre gay.","reason":"Reason: The claim that \"a lot of people who go into prison straight, and when they come out they're gay\" is not supported by conclusive evidence. The American Psychological Association and the medical community, in general, do not consider sexual orientation to be a matter of choice or something that can be changed through external factors like incarceration. While there may be instances where individuals in prison explore or come to terms with their sexual orientation, it is not accurate to make a broad generalization that a significant number of people change from heterosexual to homosexual while in prison. The available research and expert opinions do not support this claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight -- and when they come out, they're gay. So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question,\" said Carson, a former head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.","Of those 24, 18 changed from straight to bisexual, three changed from bisexual to straight, and one each changed from bisexual to gay, gay to bisexual, and gay to straight.","We\u2019ll jump to the point here: There is no conclusive evidence to support Carson\u2019s claim that \"a lot of people\" make a switch from heterosexual to homosexual while in prison. Further, the medical community tends to conclude that homosexuality is not a matter of choice -- notably the American Psychological Association.","It\u2019s possible that people go into prison unaware of their sexuality, and then once they are exposed to homosexual behavior as an inmate, they realize that they are gay or bisexual, Helen Eigenberg, who also studies prison sexuality as a professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, said in an interview with PolitiFact. This isn\u2019t necessarily captured in Hensley\u2019s research, she said."]},{"id":"2765.json","label":"false","statement":"The president of the United States will be taking a trip over to India that is expected to cost the taxpayers $200 million a day.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the president's trip to India would cost taxpayers $200 million a day is not supported by credible evidence. The sources cited in the evidence do not provide reliable information to substantiate this claim. It is important to note that the cost of presidential trips includes various expenses such as security, transportation, and accommodations for the president and the accompanying delegation. However, the figure of $200 million per day is highly exaggerated and lacks factual basis. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["15. \"The president of the United States will be taking a trip over to India that is expected to cost the taxpayers $200 million a day.\"","\"The president of the United States will be taking a trip over to India that is expected to cost the taxpayers $200 million a day,\" Bachmann said. \"He's taking 2,000 people with him.","Daily Mail, \"'$200m-a-day' cost of Barack Obama's trip to India will be picked up by U.S. taxpayers,\"( \"\"'$200m-a-day' cost of Barack Obama's trip to India will be picked up by U.S. taxpayers,\"\") by James White, Nov. 2, 2010","It sure sounds outrageous. On his upcoming presidential trip to India, President Barack Obama is bringing an entourage of 3,000, staying in swanky hotels, guarded by an armada of Navy ships -- costing American taxpayers the staggering sum of $200 million a day."]},{"id":"10666.json","label":"true","statement":"White people control almost 90 percent of the nations wealth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Federal Reserve, which indicates that in 2013, white people controlled approximately 90 percent of the nation's wealth. This figure aligns with the net worth data reported by the Federal Reserve at that time. It is important to note that this statistic does not imply that all white individuals possess wealth or that all non-white individuals lack wealth. It is a representation of the overall distribution of wealth in the United States during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In March 2015, as part of its \"Race Together\" campaign, Starbucks published an eight-page insert in USA Today that included a series of statements about race. One of them was: \"White people control almost 90 percent of the nation's wealth.\" With the coffee company\u2019s chief executive officer due in Milwaukee a few days later, we decided to check the claim.","This is not the first time we have checked a claim about American finances from Schultz\u2019s shop. In 2015, Starbucks published an eight-page insert in USA Today explaining why it wanted to start a national conversation about race. It included this statistic: \"White people control almost 90 percent of the nation's wealth.\" We rated it True. It matched the latest net worth figures from the Federal Reserve System at the time.","The latest figures were for 2013, from the Federal Reserve, and showed that the $58 trillion of net worth owned by white people amounted to 90 percent of the nation\u2019s net worth.","That number is striking because only 67 percent of households are white, and reports have indicated the U.S. population is shifting toward minority-majority status."]},{"id":"7246.json","label":"false","statement":"200 consumer laws were destroyed in 2011 when Gov. Scott Walker signed Act 92.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks accuracy. While Act 92, signed by Gov. Scott Walker, did bring changes to consumer protection laws in Wisconsin, it is misleading to claim that 200 consumer laws were \"destroyed.\" The language used by Megna, who made the claim, was later clarified to not be meant in a literal sense. While the legislation did impact consumer protection laws, it is important to note that the extent and nature of the changes may vary, and it is inaccurate to claim that 200 laws were completely eliminated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Megna described the impact of Act 92 in stark and dramatic terms saying that \"200 consumer laws were destroyed\" when Walker signed it.","\"Governor Scott Walker signed into law the most destructive anti-consumer protection bill in Wisconsin history,\" Megna\u2019s website says. \"With one swipe of the pen, 200 consumer laws were destroyed and more than 40 years of case law development was rendered moot.\"","When we asked Megna how the measure \"destroyed 200 consumer laws,\" he backed off a bit, saying he did not mean it in a literal sense.","During the summer of 2011, the Republican-controlled state Legislature gave swift approval to the $66 billion 2011-\u201913 state budget, which was signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker."]},{"id":"9742.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that, as a Supreme Court justice, Greg Abbott found that a company whose vacuum cleaners were sold door to door had no responsibility in the hiring of a salesman who raped a customer.","reason":"Reason: It is accurate to say that as a Supreme Court justice, Greg Abbott found that a company whose vacuum cleaners were sold door to door had no responsibility in the hiring of a salesman who raped a customer. In the case mentioned, Abbott, in his role as a justice, determined that the manufacturer of the vacuum cleaners had no duty or responsibility in the hiring process, as there was an existing agreement that explicitly assigned the responsibility to the distributors. However, it's important to note that Abbott's position was not the majority opinion, and there were differing views within the court. The court ultimately ruled that the manufacturer did have a role to play in the hiring process due to the specific circumstances of the case. So while the statement is generally accurate, it should be acknowledged that Abbott's position was not upheld by the majority opinion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In her ad, Davis said Abbott held that a company whose vacuum cleaners were sold door to door \"had no responsibility\" in the hiring of a salesman who raped a customer in her home.","Wendy Davis is mostly correct that as a Supreme Court justice, Abbott found that a company whose vacuum cleaners were sold door to door \"had no responsibility\" in the hiring of a salesman who raped a customer. In 1998, then-Justice Abbott said the manufacturer had no duty, to be precise. Davis didn\u2019t share that Abbott, unlike the court majority, considered most significant an existing agreement between the manufacturer and distributors explicitly giving full responsibility for such hirings to the distributors who, Abbott implied, had control over checking the background of applicants.","In the Dec. 31, 1998, majority opinion written by Justice Raul Gonzalez, the court agreed with the Austin-based 3rd Court of Appeals that a mandate by Kirby, the manufacturer, that its vacuum cleaners be sold only through home demonstrations gave the company a role to play in who got hired to do door-to-door sales even though a company agreement with its distributors said otherwise.","In the 60-second ad, made public by Davis\u2019 campaign on Aug. 7, 2014, the narrator says a door-to-door salesman offering a woman a vacuum cleaner demonstration in her Seguin home in March 1993 but then raped her as her children slept in the next room. \"The salesman was a sexual predator on probation,\" the narrator says, \"but the Kirby vacuum cleaner distributor had failed to perform a routine background check on him.\""]},{"id":"332.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"George Bush sent people to war without body armor.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is not accurate to claim that George Bush sent all people to war without body armor, there were instances where soldiers did not have access to adequate body armor during the early stages of the Iraq War. The issue of body armor and its availability has been a subject of scrutiny and concern. However, it is important to note that efforts were made to address this issue and provide proper body armor to soldiers as the war progressed. Therefore, the statement should be qualified to reflect that while it was true for some soldiers, it does not apply universally to all individuals sent to war under George Bush's administration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We had to fight to get body armor. You know, George Bush sent people to war without body armor.\" The issue of body armor \u2014 who gets it and whether it's the right kind \u2014 has been a source of intense scrutiny nearly from the start of the war in Iraq.","Says President Barack Obama has launched \"twice as many strikes (on) countries that are predominantly Muslim\" than President George W. Bush.","Clinton's comment about troops heading into war without body armor, while it wasn't true for all, was true for some soldiers at the beginning of the war. So we rate Clinton's comment Mostly True.","In March 2007, Clinton and fellow Democratic Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia sent a letter to the Comptroller of the United States, calling on him to initiate a GAO investigation to reassess the body armor systems used by the military."]},{"id":"10619.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ted Kennedy sent a letter to then Soviet leader Yuri Andropov apologizing for Ronald Reagan and begging the Soviets not to overreact.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Ted Kennedy sent a letter to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov apologizing for Ronald Reagan and begging the Soviets not to overreact. The claim originated from a 1983 KGB memo, which is highly contested and lacks reliable corroboration. Both the Senate Historical Office and the Reagan Library have found no record of such a letter or overture made by Kennedy's office to the Soviet leadership. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In Limbaugh\u2019s account, \"Ted Kennedy sent a letter to then Soviet leader Yuri Andropov apologizing for Ronald Reagan and begging the Soviets not to overreact, essentially saying that Reagan was a reckless cowboy and worse, that the Democrats are gonna do their best to rein him in.\"","In the context of a Republican letter to Iran, Limbaugh said that Kennedy sent a similar letter to Andropov in the 1980s that apologized for Reagan and begged the Soviets not to overreact. There is no evidence there ever was a letter from Kennedy. Limbaugh\u2019s statement rests on a 1983 KGB memo that said there was a verbal overture from a friend of Kennedy's to meet with Andropov. Whether the memo was accurate or a KGB invention is deeply contested. We have a firm denial from the man who allegedly made the overture, and a Soviet archive researcher told us that memos of this sort are not always reliable. So Limbaugh was wrong about the letter, and spoke with great certainty about an event when its authenticity is very much in question.","First of all, we note that while Limbaugh talked about a letter, there is no evidence that Kennedy ever sent one to Andropov. We asked the Senate Historical Office and the Reagan Library for any record of either a letter or overture made by Kennedy\u2019s office to the Soviet leadership in 1983. Both found nothing.","Written by the head of the Soviet spy agency, Viktor Chebrikov, the 1983 memo was addressed to the Soviet Union\u2019s top leader, Yuri Andropov, general secretary of of the Communist Party."]},{"id":"1721.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"We actually have not required in this law that you carry health insurance.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is technically true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not explicitly require individuals to carry health insurance, the statement is misleading. The ACA includes an individual mandate that imposes a penalty on individuals who do not obtain health insurance coverage. This penalty is enforced through the tax system, as individuals who choose not to carry health insurance will face a tax penalty. Therefore, while the law does not directly mandate carrying health insurance, it does impose a financial consequence for those who choose not to have coverage. The statement by Wasserman Schultz downplays the existence and impact of the individual mandate, which is a significant component of the ACA.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Wasserman Schultz responded, \"That's a good question. I'm glad you asked it. We actually have not required in this law that you carry health insurance. Let me explain what we did: What we did is that, just like when you're treated, that we categorize you differently in terms of your tax return when you're married versus single, just like we categorize you differently when you are a homeowner versus someone who doesn't own a home, just like we categorize you differently when you have children versus not having children -- what we are doing is you will be in a different tax status if you carry insurance versus not carrying health insurance. So you can feel free to choose not to carry health insurance. That's just going to be reflected in the tax category that you're in on your tax return. But there is no requirement in this law that you must carry health insurance.\"","Like many complex laws, the health care bill is sometimes contradictory, a reality that has fed confusion over what the newly enacted measure would actually do. We believe that on a technical level, Wasserman Schultz is correct -- Americans are \"not required\" under the law to carry health insurance. But her statement is still misleading. The bill's supporters may have been loath to remind voters about the individual mandate for understandable political reasons, but the notion of a \"shared responsibility\" to obtain health insurance has always been a publicly acknowledged part of the Democratic approach to overhauling health care. Wasserman Schultz's comment strikes us as a too-cute attempt to spin the bill in the wake of attacks by the bill's critics. We rate her statement Barely True.","In a separate passage titled, \"Freedom Not to Participate in Federal Health Insurance Programs,\" the law says that \"no individual ... shall be required to participate in any federal health insurance program created under this act (or any amendments made by this act), or in any federal health insurance program expanded by this act (or any such amendments)....\"","When House Democrats first introduced their health care bill, the summary they released said, \"All individuals would be required to get coverage, either through their employer or the exchange, or pay a penalty.\" While the summary cites the availability of subsidy assistance, it says nothing about ways to get around the requirement."]},{"id":"11081.json","label":"false","statement":"Muslims attempted to establish the first Islamic Sharia court inside the United States in the town of Irving, Texas.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Muslims attempted to establish the first Islamic Sharia court inside the United States in the town of Irving, Texas is misleading and inaccurate. While there were discussions and proposals related to foreign courts and laws in Irving, Texas, there is no evidence to support the claim that an Islamic Sharia court was established or attempted to be established in the town. The chain email appears to be spreading misinformation and exaggerating the situation. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing such matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The chain email said Muslims \"attempted to establish the first Islamic Sharia court inside the United States in the town of Irving, Texas.\"","The reader forwarded us the chain email, which said: \"The group of Muslims who attempted to establish the first Islamic Sharia court inside the United States in the town of Irving, Texas just received a devastating blow thanks to the town\u2019s mayor standing strong and not backing down.\" The mayor, Beth Van Duyne, this year led the Irving City Council to pass a resolution endorsing an ultimately unsuccessful Texas House proposal. House Bill 562, which cleared a House committee but didn\u2019t make it to a floor vote, barred foreign courts or laws from superseding U.S. laws.","In June 2015, the reader forwarded us the chain email, which said: \"The group of Muslims who attempted to establish the first Islamic Sharia court inside the United States in the town of Irving, Texas just received a devastating blow thanks to the town\u2019s mayor standing strong and not backing down.\" The mayor, Beth Van Duyne, this year led the Irving City Council to pass a resolution endorsing an ultimately unsuccessful Texas House proposal. House Bill 562, which cleared a House committee but didn\u2019t make it to a floor vote, barred foreign courts or laws from superseding U.S. laws.","A reader asked if there were communities in the United States that are under Sharia law, a form of Islamic law. If community means a neighborhood, town or city, then the answer is no."]},{"id":"10620.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Of the 10,000 Rhode Island children in charter school lotteries for the fall, more than 70 percent are poor .... In addition, a majority of them are students of color.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Erika Sanzi regarding the demographic composition of the children in Rhode Island's charter school lotteries. According to the evidence provided, more than 70 percent of the children in these lotteries come from families with low income, qualifying them for free or reduced-priced lunch. Additionally, a majority of these children are students of color. It's important to note that the evidence does not provide an exact demographic breakdown, but it does support the general claim made in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["She stated, \"Of the 10,000 Rhode Island children in charter school lotteries for the fall, more than 70 percent are poor (indicating that their family\u2019s income qualifies them for free or reduced-priced lunch). In addition, a majority of them are students of color.\"","Erika Sanzi said that \"Of the 10,000 Rhode Island children in charter school lotteries for the fall, more than 70 percent are poor (indicating that their family\u2019s income qualifies them for free or reduced-priced lunch). In addition, a majority of them are students of color.\"","As we\u2019ve shown, there\u2019s no way for Sanzi -- or anyone else -- to know the precise demographic makeup of the children in Rhode Island\u2019s charter school lotteries.","But state records show that about three-quarters of the students who actually are enrolled in charter schools are students of color, and that 78 percent are drawn from just four communities, each with a high percentage of poor and Hispanic children."]},{"id":"1062.json","label":"false","statement":"Yes, this would be the same congressman (Rep. Pete Hoekstra) who last year Tweeted the whereabouts of a top-secret mission to Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Rep. Pete Hoekstra did tweet about a congressional visit to Iraq, it was not a \"top-secret mission.\" The term \"top-secret\" refers to a specific level of classified information, and the visit was not classified at that level. The characterization of the trip as \"top-secret\" is misleading and does not accurately reflect the nature of the visit. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This would be the same congressman who last year Tweeted the whereabouts of a top secret mission to Iraq,\" Olbermann said.","Pete Hoekstra is a former congressman and was the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee. He did not seek re-election in 2010, choosing instead to pursue the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Michigan that year, finishing second to now-Gov. Rick Snyder. During the 2012 campaign cycle, he is seeking to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow.","This trip was none of those. But more to the point, \"top-secret mission to Iraq\" conjures images of rifle-toting troops on a highly sensitive military operation. This wasn't a military mission, it was a congressional visit. In fact, many in the news media knew about the trip, but just agreed to keep it embargoed. Hoekstra's staff knew about it. His wife knew about it.","But Olbermann is wrong to characterize the delegation's trip as a \"top-secret mission to Iraq.\" The term \"top-secret\" means something in military and government circles. There is a hierarchy of classified information, beginning with \"confidential,\" graduating to \"secret,\" \"top-secret\" and \"special classified information.\" You need varying levels of security clearance in order to be privy to classified information."]},{"id":"11151.json","label":"false","statement":"On the Cuba embargo.","reason":"Reason: The statement is unclear and lacks specific information. However, based on the evidence provided, it can be inferred that the claim being referred to is likely about the impact of the U.S. embargo on Cuba's ability to trade with other countries. The evidence suggests that while the U.S. embargo does create challenges for foreign companies doing business with Cuba, it does not outright restrict Cuba from trading with other countries. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Amid news surrounding protests in Cuba, a widely shared Facebook post asserts U.S. sanctions on Cuba restrict the country from trading with other countries, too.","In her 2000 campaign for Senate, Clinton clearly stated that she wasn\u2019t ready to lift the Cuba embargo. During her first bid for president in 2007, she repeatedly called for reforms in Cuba before any such changes to the embargo.","Experts who spoke to PolitiFact said the claim is wrong, misinterpreting some of the nuances of the U.S. embargo on Cuba. Cuba does trade with multiple countries, but the embargo can make it difficult for any foreign companies to do business in the country.","While the nuances in the U.S. embargo can make it difficult for foreign companies to trade with Cuba, there is no evidence that they can\u2019t."]},{"id":"11280.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Scott Walker rejected legislation to make college loan payments tax deductible and the result was to raise taxes on students.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Walker rejected legislation to make college loan payments tax deductible, it is not accurate to claim that the result was an increase in taxes on students. Failing to pass legislation for a tax deduction does not equate to a direct tax increase. The statement oversimplifies the situation and does not consider the broader context of the tax system and other factors that may affect the financial burden on students. It is important to note that there may be other ways to support students financially without solely relying on tax deductions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Clinton said Walker rejected legislation to make college loan payments tax deductible and the result was \"to raise taxes on students.\"","So, did Walker reject a bill to make college loan payments tax deductible, and in doing so did he raise taxes on students?","\"And most surprisingly to me, rejecting legislation that would have made it tax deductible for you, on your income tax, to deduct the amount of your loan payments. I don't know why he wants to raise taxes on students. But that's the result when you don\u2019t look for ways to help people who are not sitting around asking for something, who are actually working hard every day to get ahead.\"","Moreover, failing to pass legislation that would have provided a tax deduction doesn\u2019t mean that taxes on student loan borrowers were increased."]},{"id":"3299.json","label":"false","statement":"When it comes to protesters in Madison, almost all are now from outside of Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While there were some protesters from outside of Wisconsin, there is no evidence to suggest that \"almost all\" of the protesters in Madison were from outside the state. The available information indicates that there were individuals and groups from other states who participated in the demonstrations, but it does not support the claim that the majority of protesters were non-residents of Wisconsin.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In late February 2011, during the heat of the daily protests inside and around the Capitol, Walker said \"almost all\" of the protesters were from outside of Wisconsin.","There were people taking buses to Madison from Illinois, and no doubt some protesters came from other states. But we found no evidence that the vast majority of demonstrators came from outside of Wisconsin.","Madison police officer Kim Alan told us that some busloads of union supporters made no secret of the fact that they had come from out of state. But she said her department did not attempt to discern what portion of the protesters overall were from outside of Wisconsin.","Here\u2019s what the Feb. 21, 2011, blog post in the Weekly Standard said: \"Labor groups and Democratic Party organizations from outside the state have been sending people to Madison for the demonstrations.\""]},{"id":"6064.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Democratic runoff opponent Grady Yarbrough twice previously ran statewide as a Republican.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Paul Sadler that his Democratic runoff opponent, Grady Yarbrough, had previously run statewide as a Republican. According to the Houston Chronicle article, Yarbrough did indeed run for the Republican nominations for state land commissioner in 1986 and 1990. Additionally, the article mentions that Yarbrough changed his political affiliation and the spelling of his name when applying for a place on the Democratic primary ballot. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Paul Sadler, a former legislator who is in a July 2012 runoff for the Democratic Party U.S. Senate nomination, told the Hispanic Caucus at the Texas Democratic Party state convention in Houston: \"I\u2019m running against a gentleman from San Antonio that ran as a Republican statewide twice.\"","That\u2019s so, according to a June 1, 2012, Houston Chronicle news article, which says this year Yarbrough is making his fourth statewide race. The story says he sought the 1986 and 1990 Republican nominations for state land commissioner and the 1994 Democratic nomination for state treasurer.","\"This year,\" the Morning News story says, \"he not only changed his political affiliation but also the spelling of his name, listing himself in his application for a place on the Democratic primary ballot as \u2018Grady Yarborough.\u2019\" The story quotes Yarbrough as saying he made the name change for the ballot to counter allegations made by his opponent in the 1990 land commissioner's race that he was simply running then because \"Yarbrough\" prompted sympathetic sentiment, a reference to Ralph Yarborough, who had been one of the state\u2019s U.S. senators.","Sadler was referring to Grady Yarbrough, a retired schoolteacher who made the July 31 runoff in the May primary by finishing second to Sadler, who carried 35 percent to Yarbrough\u2019s 26 percent."]},{"id":"108.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Rural schools enroll 40 percent of American children, but receive only 22 percent of federal education funding.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the National Education Association (NEA), rural schools enroll approximately 20-21% of the nation's students, not 40%. Additionally, the NCES reports that rural schools receive around 18% of federal education funding, not 22%. Therefore, the claim that rural schools enroll 40% of American children but receive only 22% of federal education funding is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The NEA actually says on its Web site that rural \u2014 and small \u2014 schools account for 40 percent of the nation's public school students. In an e-mail, a spokesman for the NEA said rural schools alone enroll about 20 percent of the nation's students.","That fits with the National Center for Education Statistics breakdown of figures in a June 2007 report. That report shows that rural schools account for 31 percent of the nation's schools and enroll 21.3 percent of the nation's students.","Those schools get 18 percent of all federal funding, not 22 percent, the NCES report further shows. That's actually lower than what Edwards said, but since the enrollment is half of what Edwards claimed, the big disparity he was seeking to illustrate just isn't there. Using sources provided by his own campaign, we rate this Edwards statement to be \"False.\"","And Edwards wants to do more for rural schools, to give more children like him the chance to have experiences like his."]},{"id":"2126.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Shirley Sherrod was forced to resign before anybody on Fox said a word about this.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Shirley Sherrod was indeed forced to resign from her position before anybody on Fox News made any statements about the controversy surrounding her. While there were mentions of the controversy on Fox web affiliates, the fact that Bill O'Reilly called for her resignation without knowledge of her already being out of a job indicates that Fox was starting to react to the situation. Overall, the evidence supports the statement that Sherrod's resignation preceded any statements made by Fox News regarding the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We thought it would be worthwhile to check the transcripts and see whether it's correct that Sherrod \"actually resigned before or was forced to retire before anybody on Fox said a word about this.\"","All told, it seems clear to us that the USDA ousted Sherrod in order to forestall the possibility that commentators on Fox's cable channel would start calling for her resignation, not because Fox commentators had actually begun to do so. Still, two Fox web affiliates mentioned the controversy before Sherrod's ouster, and the fact that O'Reilly called for her resignation without knowing that she was already out of a job suggests that Fox was already beginning to pounce. On balance, these two caveats persuade us to drop Hayes' otherwise accurate statement that Shirley Sherrod \"was forced to resign before anybody on Fox said a word about this\" by a notch to Mostly True.","So, based on the Fox transcripts as well as Sherrod's own account in the CNN interview, Hayes appears to be correct that Sherrod \"was forced to resign before anybody on Fox said a word about this.\" Indeed, Howard Kurtz, the Washington Post's media critic, reported that \"after a news meeting Monday afternoon (July 19), an e-mail directive was sent to the news staff in which Fox Senior Vice President Michael Clemente said, 'Let's take our time and get the facts straight on this story. Can we get confirmation and comments from Sherrod before going on-air. Let's make sure we do this right.'\"","Hayes responded, \"Yes, of course, they are. Look, the timeline doesn't work. I mean ... Howard Kurtz, at CNN and the Washington Post wrote that the timeline simply doesn't work. She actually resigned before or was forced to retire before anybody on Fox said a word about this.\""]},{"id":"1296.json","label":"half-true","statement":"That 3.5 percent (increase in the third quarter GDP) came from two things government spending on Cash for Clunkers they just moved fourth-quarter auto sales into the third quarter and the first-time home buyer thing.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rush Limbaugh that the 3.5 percent increase in third-quarter GDP was primarily due to government spending on programs like Cash for Clunkers and the first-time home buyer incentives. The evidence provided confirms that these government initiatives did contribute to the increase in GDP, particularly through increased consumer spending on durable goods such as motor vehicles. However, it's important to note that other factors, such as residential construction, also played a role in the GDP growth. Therefore, while government spending did have a significant impact, it is not accurate to attribute the entire increase solely to these two programs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"That 3.5 percent (increase in the third quarter GDP) came from two things \u2014 government spending on Cash for Clunkers \u2014 they just moved fourth-quarter auto sales into the third quarter \u2014 and the first-time home buyer thing.\"","\"There wasn't any growth in the private sector,\" Limbaugh said. \"That 3.5 percent came from two things \u2014 government spending on Cash for Clunkers \u2014 they just moved fourth-quarter auto sales into the third quarter \u2014 and the first-time home buyer thing.\"","According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, residential construction rose by 23.4 percent in the third quarter, the first increase in 15 quarters. That translated to 0.53 percentage points of the increase in GDP. But economists say it would be wrong to assign credit for that entirely to government incentives through tax credits to first-time home buyers. First of all, most of the homes purchased through the program were existing homes, not new construction. The new homes figure also includes such things as brokers commissions on sales of homes. So the correlation between that increase and the tax-credit incentives to new home buyers is more tenuous. Still, it appeared to have had some benefit.","There's little debate that the Cash for Clunkers program gave a serious jolt to the car industry in the third quarter and contributed significantly to the GDP bump. In a statement before the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, J. Steven Landefeld, director of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis, said consumer spending on durable goods \u2014 which increased by 22.3 percent \u2014 was driven by motor vehicle purchases and that Cash for Clunkers \"accounted for most of this increase.\" But not all of it. Landefeld noted that \"real spending on other durable goods, nondurable goods and services also increased in the third quarter,\" he said."]},{"id":"2115.json","label":"true","statement":"Twenty-two million jobs were created during Clintons two terms but only 3 million during Bushs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the job growth during the respective presidential terms of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. During Clinton's two terms, approximately 22 million jobs were created, while during Bush's two terms, only around 3 million jobs were created. This information is supported by multiple sources and is widely accepted as an accurate representation of the job market during those periods.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We saw jobs created, 22 million in the Clinton years,\" said Brown, a Democrat who\u2019s not up for reelection until 2012. \"Because they were responsible about cutting taxes selectively and increasing taxes selectively and they were responsible about what government programs they formed and they dismantled. Twenty-two million jobs created and incomes went up in those eight years for the average American. And in the next eight years, the eight Bush years, only 3 million jobs created and that wasn`t even enough to keep up with population growth.\"","The comparison should have been this: Job growth through Clinton two terms was 22.7 million. Through Bush\u2019s two terms, it was 1.1 million.","\"The Bush administration created about three million jobs (net) over its eight years, a fraction of the 23 million jobs created under President Bill Clinton\u2019s administration and only slightly better than President George H.W. Bush did in his four years in office.\"","Specifically, the number of employed Americans bottomed out in February 2010 with 107.3 million jobs and rebounded, as of June 2016, to just over 122 million jobs. That\u2019s an increase of about 14.8 million jobs -- a reasonable approximation for Clinton\u2019s phrasing of \"nearly 15 million.\""]},{"id":"3539.json","label":"true","statement":"A government shutdown could disrupt ... veterans benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. A government shutdown has the potential to disrupt veterans' benefits, particularly for new claims or if the shutdown persists for an extended period. While existing beneficiaries may continue to receive their benefits in the short term, the possibility of disruption remains. Therefore, it is valid to state that a government shutdown could impact veterans' benefits.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So where does this leave us? By saying that a government shutdown \"could disrupt ... veterans' benefits,\" Stabenow phrased her statement cautiously, and, for the most part, accurately. A shutdown is not destined to disrupt checks to veterans, but it could -- either for new claims, or, if the shutdown drags on long enough, for existing beneficiaries.","\"Lawmakers need to be held accountable and should feel the impact of a government shutdown just like many other Americans will,\" Stabenow said in a March 1, 2011, news release. \"A shutdown could disrupt Social Security checks, veterans' benefits, hold up exports and cost private sector jobs and will stop paychecks for hundreds of thousands of people. It's only fair that members of Congress' paychecks be stopped too.\"","Some of the largest veterans organizations did not endorse the Republican measure, given the overall context of a government shutdown. And the wording in the robocall makes a muddle of the entire sequence of events, beginning with why veterans benefits might be at risk, and the reality that in the short run, most benefits have been flowing.","The question about a government shutdown is whether those employees would be kept from going to work and, if so, whether the checks would sit idle rather than arriving in mailboxes nationwide. (This is also a relevant question for other types of federal payments, such as veterans\u2019 benefits.)"]},{"id":"7302.json","label":"true","statement":"Says state workers have not had across-the-board raises in six years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. State workers have not received across-the-board raises for six years, as confirmed by multiple sources. The last approved across-the-board raise for all state employees occurred on October 1, 2006. While there may have been specific cases of individual raises or adjustments, there has not been a general increase in salaries for state workers during this period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rehwinkel Vasilinda claimed state workers have not had a raise in six years. She\u2019s correct that they have not had an across-the-board raise since Oct. 1, 2006.","\"I think the guy or the woman who sweeps the floor and the folks who test the water for (The Department of Environmental Protection) deserve raises across the board,\" Rehwinkel Vasilinda told the Tallahassee Democrat. \"Those people haven't seen raises in six years.\"","Then there\u2019s Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, who filed a bill that would award 7 percent raises to all state employees, many of whom live in Tallahassee. She calls it the \"State Employee Fairness Act\" and says it would cost the state $487 million.","With that precedent in mind, we checked in again with the Department of Management Services. The last across-the-board raise the Legislature approved for all state employees was a 3-percent raise on Oct. 1, 2006, a little more than six years ago."]},{"id":"341.json","label":"true","statement":"\"When I was in college, we used to take a popcorn popper . . . and we would fry squirrel.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee that he and his college friends would fry squirrel using a popcorn popper. Multiple sources, including Huckabee himself and a longtime friend and adviser, confirm the incident. The act of frying squirrel in a popcorn popper was a one-time occurrence during Huckabee's college years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When I was in college, we used to take a popcorn popper \u2013 because that was the only thing they would let us use in the dorms \u2013 and we would fry squirrel,\" he said on Jan. 18, 2008.","The squirrel fry was a one-time thing, Caldwell said. A student living down the hall admired the popcorn popper and suggested it would be good for frying a squirrel. Caldwell was out of the room when they cooked it, but he got to sample the meat when he returned.","In two recent appearances on MSNBC's Morning Joe , former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee boasted about frying squirrels in a popcorn popper.","Indeed, they had a popcorn popper in their room in the Daniel North dormitory in 1973 and Huckabee was quite the enterprising chef, said Caldwell, a longtime friend who is now an adviser to his presidential campaign."]},{"id":"6152.json","label":"true","statement":"Ronald Reagan raised taxes in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Ronald Reagan did indeed sign off on tax increases in the years mentioned: 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987. These tax increases were part of Reagan's efforts to address rising deficits and stabilize the economy. The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 and other legislation during those years resulted in tax increases and revenue enhancements. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Connolly said Reagan, as president \"raised taxes\" in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. Reagan did, in fact, sign off on at least one tax increase during each of those years.","\"Many Republicans decried the use of additional revenue to help offset any increase in national debt,\" Connolly said. \"Apparently, they forgot that when faced with rising deficits, Ronald Reagan looked to revenue increases, broadening the tax base, closing loopholes and raising taxes. Yes, he raised taxes in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.\"","Reagan also signed tax increases in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 (as well as a couple other laws with revenue reductions).","In 1982, The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act raised taxes by $37.5 billion per year, and the Highway Revenue Act raised the gasoline tax by $3.3 billion."]},{"id":"10875.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has stated that supporting the right to health care ... means you believe in slavery.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects a quote from Senator Rand Paul in which he discusses the concept of a right to healthcare and its implications. In the quote, Senator Paul argues that if someone believes in a right to healthcare, it implies that they believe in conscripting healthcare providers, which he equates to slavery. However, it's important to note that this quote represents Senator Paul's perspective on the matter and may not be a widely held belief. The statement accurately portrays the quote but should be understood in the context of Senator Paul's specific viewpoint.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Silverman forwarded a social media meme that said Paul has stated that supporting the \"right to health care \u2026 means you believe in slavery.\"","Think Progress, \" Rand Paul: If You Believe In A Right To Health Care, \u2018You Believe In Slavery,' \" May 11, 2011","\"With regard to the idea of whether you have a right to health care, you have to realize what that implies. It\u2019s not an abstraction. I\u2019m a physician. That means you have a right to come to my house and conscript me. It means you believe in slavery. It means that you\u2019re going to enslave not only me, but the janitor at my hospital, the person who cleans my office, the assistants who work in my office, the nurses.","Recently, a reader forwarded us this shareable meme from Silverman\u2019s feed at WhoSay, a social media site, that\u2019s critical of presidential candidate and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. The meme -- which Silverman had passed along from the Twitter account of actor Michael Sheen -- shows Paul seated at a congressional hearing. The meme purports to quote Paul equating the right to health care with slavery."]},{"id":"11374.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In 2006, Planned Parenthood performed more prevention services and cancer screenings than abortions, but in 2013, there were more abortions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. According to the chart presented at the hearing, there were actually three times as many cancer screenings and prevention services as abortions in 2013. The claim that there were more abortions in 2013 is not supported by the data. The statement misrepresents the information presented and fails to accurately reflect the actual numbers of abortions and preventive services provided by Planned Parenthood in both 2006 and 2013.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In 2006, Planned Parenthood performed more prevention services and cancer screenings than abortions, but in 2013, there were more abortions. \u2014Jason Chaffetz. Pants on Fire.","With guidance from the experts, we compiled the number of abortions and cancer screenings\/prevention services from Planned Parenthood\u2019s annual reports from 2006 to 2013 (we could not find a report from 2008). Here\u2019s what the chart should look like:","At the hearing, Chaffetz presented a chart that showed the number of abortions at Planned Parenthood rising higher than the number of preventive services and cancer screenings between 2006 and 2013.","But that\u2019s inaccurate, disputed by the chart\u2019s own, hard to read numerical labels. In fact, there were three times as many cancer screenings and prevention services as abortions in 2013. Experts in data presentation said this was an egregious example of using a chart to mislead."]},{"id":"5532.json","label":"true","statement":"There are 850,000 Ohio jobs tied to the auto industry.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the Ohio Democratic Party and the Center for Automotive Research, there are approximately 850,000 jobs in Ohio that are connected to the auto industry. This figure includes direct employment as well as intermediate and spinoff jobs, which is a common approach when evaluating employment impact. It's important to note that these jobs are not solely tied to Chrysler and GM, as Ohio also has Honda, suppliers, dealers, and other foreign companies like Ford that contribute to the auto industry in the state.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The ODP\u2019s claim was that \"850,000 Ohio jobs (are) tied to the auto industry.\" That is an accurate statement. While the jobs figure includes intermediate and spinoff jobs, as well as direct employment, that manner of counting is not uncommon for evaluating employment impact.","This would be more accurate if those 850,000 jobs were tied solely to Chrysler and GM, the beneficiaries of the bailout. But had these two companies failed, Ohio still would have Honda, as well as suppliers and dealers that also do business with other foreign companies and Ford.","Ohio Democratic Party, news release titled \"Toledo Auto Workers Denounce Josh Mandel For Opposing Auto Rescue With Nearly 850,000 Jobs In Balance,\" March 13, 2012","This is an important distinction because Democrats regularly cite figures from a Center for Automotive Research report that claims in 2010 Ohio had just over 848,000 jobs tied to the automobile industry, of which about 150,000 are characterized as direct jobs. Many of those were jobs that were retained thanks to the automobile bailout even though Ohio, like other auto industry states, lost thousand of jobs in 2008 and 2009 which precipitated the bailout."]},{"id":"3536.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says House Republicans rejected a straightforward measure that would prevent members of Congress and the president from being paid during a government shutdown.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation at the time. There was a bill introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer in 2011 that aimed to prevent members of Congress and the president from receiving pay during a government shutdown. However, it is important to note that the rejection of the bill was not solely by House Republicans. The bill did not pass through Congress, and its rejection involved a combination of factors and decisions made by members from both parties.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Failing to keep the government open because of politics, or because there\u2019s no will to compromise, is a failure of government,\" Boxer said. \"If the government is forced to shutdown, members of Congress and the president should be treated like all other federal employees: We should not be paid. And to take it one step further, we should not be paid retroactively once the government re-opens.\"","We\u2019ve found something Republicans and Democrats say they agree on: If Congress shuts down, members of Congress should not be paid during the closure. Current law says they get their paychecks, shut down or no.","Sen. Barbara Boxer, Boxer, Casey Laud Senate Passage of Their Bill to Prevent Lawmakers from Being Paid During a Government Shutdown, March 1, 2011","THOMAS, A bill to prohibit Members of Congress and the President from receiving pay during Government shutdown (Boxer bill), accessed April 5, 2011"]},{"id":"4772.json","label":"false","statement":"Sixty-percent of the state retirees...dont get Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The research indicates that approximately 22 percent of state retirees do not receive Social Security, not 60 percent as claimed. Furthermore, when considering state-run plans, the share of retirees who do receive Social Security is approximately 78 percent. It's important to note that the original claim made by Connell was not specific about which group of retirees she was referring to, and even when considering retired teachers, the correct figure is 50 percent, not 60 percent. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Connell was clearly wrong when she said that 60 percent of \"state retirees\" don\u2019t get Social Security. Our research found it\u2019s about 22 percent.","Add all the numbers up, and the share of retirees in the state-run plans who do get Social Security is about 78 percent.","Responding to a question posed by Senate Finance Chairman Daniel DaPonte about how many retirees don\u2019t get Social Security, Connell said: \"I believe the figure is on the order of 60 percent of the state retirees -- which are the ones we are addressing -- don\u2019t get Social Security.\u2019\u2019","Connell\u2019s spokesman said she meant retired teachers, not all retirees, although she didn\u2019t make that distinction at the time. Even then, that number is 50 percent, not 60 percent."]},{"id":"3596.json","label":"true","statement":"If you go strictly by the numbers, crime is down across the board. Last year we had a 10 percent decrease in the most serious crimes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker, Turner, that crime is down across the board, with a 10 percent decrease in the most serious crimes. This claim is supported by evidence and confirmed by the numbers and crime statistics. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"If you go strictly by the numbers, crime is down across the board. Last year we had a 10 percent decrease in the most serious crimes,\" Turner said in an April 4 article.","As Turner said, \"strictly by the numbers\" crime is down in Atlanta. Those numbers appear to reflect what is going on in area neighborhoods, and there is no evidence that the agency is improperly reporting its crime statistics.","We checked the numbers and found that they confirm what Turner said. Overall crime in these categories is down 10.2 percent.","\"I can tell you this, the crime right now, the crime rate on the border \u2014 according to the FBI, as it is reported by local officials through the Uniform Crime Reporting Act \u2014 is safer than anywhere else in Texas,\" he said. \"Since 2014, when we began operations and now 2018, there was a 25% decrease in crime across the board.\""]},{"id":"3280.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sunday liquor sales could generate $3.4 million to $4.8 million a year in additional sales tax revenue for Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the council's estimate, which suggests that repealing the ban on Sunday liquor sales in Georgia could result in an increase of $3.4 million to $4.8 million in annual sales tax revenue. While there may be some variation in the actual increase, studies have shown that alcohol sales tend to increase after such bans are lifted. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Sunday liquor sales could generate the stated amount of additional sales tax revenue for Georgia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Georgia stands to generate $3.4 million to $4.8 million in additional state tax revenues per year simply by repealing this outmoded ban,\" wrote the group\u2019s vice president, Ben Jenkins.","Using that 5 to 7 percent estimate, the council concluded there would be an increase of between 181,250 and 253,750 9-liter cases sold in Georgia a year. The council used Georgia\u2019s 4 percent sales tax rate and added several state and local taxes to estimate that Georgia\u2019s revenue from liquor sales would rise $3.4 million to $4.8 million a year.","The studies we found all show alcohol sales increase after a repeal. Some reports show a 5 to 7 percent increase in liquor sales is within the range of possibility, but Stehr believes it would likely be a bit lower. Other states, like Texas, also use lower estimates. With that caveat, we\u2019ll be cautious about the council\u2019s estimate that ending the takeout ban will result in an annual increase of $3.4 million to $4.8 million in taxes in the state of Georgia. It appears safe to say sales tax revenue would increase; the only question is by how much. Therefore, we rate the claim as Mostly True.","Georgia collects about $170 million a year in alcohol beverage taxes, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report in 2009. Alcohol can be consumed at many sports events, restaurants and bars on Sundays, but it can\u2019t be sold in grocery or liquor stores. Connecticut and Indiana are the only states that currently ban Sunday sales of all three types of alcohol: beer, wine and liquor."]},{"id":"5302.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"No candidate has run more negative ads in American history than Barack Obama did in 2008, especially in the general.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama ran a significant number of negative ads during the 2008 election, it is important to note that the claim of running the most negative ads in American history is subjective and difficult to quantify. Two studies suggest that, overall, Obama's ads were not significantly more negative than those of his rival. However, in terms of sheer numbers, Obama did run more ads, both positive and negative, than his opponent. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate in terms of quantity, it lacks the context of overall negativity and cannot be definitively labeled as the most negative campaign in American history.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rubio said. \"No candidate has run more negative ads in American history than Barack Obama did in 2008, especially in the general.\u2019\u2019 In sheer numbers, that statement is correct: Obama bought many more ads than McCain did, both positive and negative. Nevertheless, two studies suggest that, overall, Obama's ads were not significantly more negative than his rival. He ran the most negative ads because he ran the most ads. We rate Rubio's statement Mostly True.","( - Marco Rubio said \"No candidate has run more negative ads in American history than Barack Obama did in 2008\"&url=)","\"I think that's been a part of every campaign,\" Rubio said. \"Unfortunately, it's only gotten worse. No candidate in American history has ever run more negative ads than Barack Obama. I don't think that will change in 2012. Unfortunately people have to get used to it. I think voters see through that.\"","One of the more pointed exchanges between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain in the third and final debate on Oct. 15, 2008, was over the topic of negative ads."]},{"id":"3328.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The right-to-work states have much lower level of unemployment than the union states do.","reason":"Reason: The statement is generally accurate. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact, have found that right-to-work states tend to have lower levels of unemployment compared to union states. While the term \"much lower\" may be subjective, the evidence supports the claim that there is a notable difference in unemployment rates between these two types of states. It's important to note that this is a complex issue influenced by various factors, and the statement should be understood in the context of the available data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So where does that leave us in terms of O\u2019Reilly\u2019s claim? He said that \"right-to-work states have much lower level of unemployment than the union states do.\" To say it\u2019s \"much lower\" is a stretch, but he's right that it is lower. On balance, we rate his statement Mostly True.","\"The right-to-work states have much lower level of unemployment than the union states do,\" O\u2019Reilly said while interviewing Caroline Heldman, a political scientist at Occidental College.","PolitiFact National gave a Mostly True to Fox News host Bill O\u2019Reilly, who said that \"the right-to-work states have much lower level of unemployment than the union states do.\"","Our colleagues found it was a stretch to say unemployment was \"much lower.\" The rate as of December 2010 was 9.17 percent in the 22 right-to-work states and 9.65 percent in the 28 non-right-to-work states."]},{"id":"3404.json","label":"false","statement":"Tampa mayoral opponent Bob Buckhorn supported forcing police officers to keep their guns locked in the trunks of their cruisers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was a policy in place in Tampa regarding shotguns being stored in the trunks of police cruisers, it was not initiated or supported by Bob Buckhorn. The policy was recommended by a safety committee comprised of Tampa police officers and police management. City officials have clarified that the policy was not the work of the mayor's office. Therefore, the claim that Bob Buckhorn supported forcing police officers to keep their guns locked in the trunks of their cruisers is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a new television advertisement airing March 10, 2011, Tampa mayoral candidate Rose Ferlita's campaign claims Bob Buckhorn jeopardized police officers' lives by supporting a requirement that they keep their guns locked in the trunks of their cruisers.","Ferlita\u2019s ad says \"Buckhorn supported forcing police officers to keep their guns locked in the trunks of their cruisers.\" Buckhorn worked for Freedman, yes, but the record shows that the shotgun-in-the-trunk policy came from police themselves, not from the mayor's office. Also, the policy in question concerned shotguns, not all guns. And officials have twice refuted this claim. As a result, we rate this statement False.","The shotguns-in-the-trunk policy dated to the early 1990s, when Freedman was mayor. But city officials have said it was not the mayor's work. A safety committee made up of Tampa police officers and police management recommended that officers store shotguns in the trunks of their cruisers, then-city public safety administrator Bob Smith told the St. Petersburg Times in 1995.","The first time the guns-in-the-trunk issue came up was February 1995, when Dick Greco raised it during his successful campaign to return to the mayor's office. Greco said at the time that police didn't like having to keep their shotguns locked in their trunks, but want them within easy reach in the passenger compartment."]},{"id":"11503.json","label":"true","statement":"A Texas police department bought an ad telling drug dealers, We can take your competition off the streets for FREE.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the ad purchased by a Texas police department. The ad explicitly states that they can help drug dealers eliminate their competition by reporting them to the police, and they emphasize that this service is provided for free. The intention behind the ad is to encourage drug dealers to turn on each other and assist law enforcement in combating drug-related activities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Is your drug dealing competition costing you money?\" the described ad said. \"Would you like to eliminate that problem? We can help! We can take your competition off the streets for FREE. Report your competition to us.\"",", which evaluates the accuracy of varied claims, declared in an October 2015 tweet that a Texas newspaper ran an ad purchased by the local police department encouraging drug dealers to turn in other dealers.","Did police in the Southeast Texas town really place an ad encouraging drug dealers to nark each other out? We were curious enough to check it out on our own.","The second ad showed a marijuana leaf over a message directed to \"drug users:\" \"Has your drug dealer ripped you off?\" the second ad says. \"Do you want justice? We can help! We can enact justice for you \u2026 for FREE.\""]},{"id":"2157.json","label":"false","statement":"Only a few months ago the FBI arrested three Broward County Commissioners for accepting millions of dollars in trade for illegal favors.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there have been instances of corruption and arrests of elected officials in Broward County, the claim that three Broward County Commissioners were arrested by the FBI for accepting millions of dollars in exchange for illegal favors is false. Only one Broward County commissioner was arrested by the FBI, and the arrests did not involve the acceptance of millions of dollars. It is important to ensure accuracy when making claims about specific individuals and their alleged criminal activities.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Kottkamp wrote: \"Only a few months ago the FBI arrested three Broward County Commissioners for accepting millions of dollars in trade for illegal favors. This rash of public corruption lead the Governor to petition the Florida Supreme Court to empanel a grand jury to investigate corruption in South Florida. I support this effort as a necessary first step to restore public confidence in government.\"","For this claim, we will evaluate that first sentence in three parts: Were three Broward County Commisisoners arrested by the FBI? Did the three accept millions of dollars? And were the arrests a few months ago?","\"Our error was calling them Broward County commissioners when we should have said Broward County elected officials and then distinguish between county commissioner, school board member and former Miramar City commissioner. That has now been corrected on the website. It\u2019s clear from the FBI news release that large sums of money were being transferred for illegal activity. That is why the issue paper says millions of dollars.","So there clearly weren't three Broward County commissioners busted by the FBI -- only one Broward county commissioner was arrested by the feds. Or another way of looking at it: two politicians in Broward and a former politician in Broward were convicted after federal corruption probes -- none of which involved the convicts pocketing anywhere close to millions."]},{"id":"8186.json","label":"true","statement":"State law says that once the state appraises a piece of property, they can only pay it a certain amount above appraisal.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the sources, state law limits the amount that the state can pay for a piece of property to a certain amount above the appraised value. This restriction is in place to prevent the state from providing an unearned benefit and to ensure that the fair-market value is considered when determining the amount to be paid. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"State law says that once the state appraises a piece of property, they can only pay a certain amount above appraisal,\" Reed said.","Said Jacobs: \"Basically, if the state does not pay appraised value, it could be thought to be providing an unearned benefit, which is not allowed under Georgia law.\"","\"But as a general matter, the highest appraisal is the limit of what an agency may pay absent special circumstances,\" she said. \"No such dispute exists here, and there are no special circumstances.\"","Kane said the appraisal value, absent a special circumstance, is considered the fair-market value that can be paid for a property. The proposed $1 billion stadium, she said, is not considered a special circumstance."]},{"id":"6889.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Chris Christie created this new category where you could get laid off and just be totally denied unemployment benefits forever.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Buono that Chris Christie created a new category in which individuals could be denied unemployment benefits forever if they were laid off. This claim is supported by evidence that Christie's recommendations led to the creation of a \"severe misconduct\" category, which allowed for the denial of unemployment benefits for an extended period. While the statement uses the word \"forever,\" it should be noted that the denial of benefits is contingent upon individuals remaining unemployed. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the use of the word \"forever\" could be misleading without additional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a TV interview, Buono claimed Christie created \"this new category where you could get laid off and just be totally denied unemployment benefits forever.\"","\"A few years ago, the governor -- in so-called reform of the unemployment law -- new category where you could get laid off and just be totally denied unemployment benefits forever,\" Buono said in an Oct. 1 interview on NJToday.","PolitiFact New Jersey, Chris Christie created a new category that denies unemployment benefits forever, state senator says, Oct. 11, 2012, accessed April 8, 2013","The senator\u2019s claim isn\u2019t far off. Based on Christie\u2019s recommendations, state officials created a \"severe misconduct\" category in which individuals could be denied unemployment benefits for as long as they remain unemployed."]},{"id":"9972.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Thanks to our reforms, the average family will have an extra $322 to spend.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the governor in the TV ad is supported by the evidence provided. The claim is based on the income tax cuts and property tax relief policies implemented by the governor and GOP lawmakers in Wisconsin. However, it's important to note that the figure of $322 represents the average savings for families, and individual circumstances may vary. Additionally, it's worth considering that using the median income, which is a broader and arguably more representative measure, yields a lower average family income in Wisconsin. Nevertheless, the statement accurately reflects the claim made by the governor regarding the potential savings for the average family.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a new TV ad, the first-term Republican governor peers into the camera and declares: \"Thanks to our reforms, the average family will have an extra $322 to spend.\"","Using the higher \"average family\" income for four people -- the one cited by Walker -- pushes the average savings over $350.","More notably, we found the median income across all family sizes in Wisconsin is lower than what Walker used -- $65,618. Because it\u2019s a broader figure, it\u2019s arguably a more representative \"average family\" income.","When we asked Walker spokesman Tom Evenson for back up for the $322 figure, he pointed to a series of income tax cuts and property tax relief policies enacted by Walker and GOP lawmakers."]},{"id":"674.json","label":"true","statement":"When oil and gas prices sent state revenues up, Palin sent \"a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Sarah Palin's actions as governor of Alaska. She did advocate for and successfully implement a measure to return state surplus revenue back to the residents of Alaska. The Alaska Legislature approved the measure, which resulted in $1,200 being sent to every qualifying Alaskan. This action can be considered as sending a significant portion of the increased revenue directly back to the people of Alaska.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When oil and gas prices went up so dramatically and the state revenues followed with that increase, I sent a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska,\" Palin said of her accomplishments as governor.","We looked into the record and found that Palin did push for a measure to return state surplus revenue back to residents of mineral-rich Alaska. On Aug. 7, 2008, the Alaska Legislature approved a measure she promoted that would send $1,200 to every Alaskan who qualifies.","Purists might argue that the rebates only come to 35 percent of the estimated excess revenue. But still, it seems fair to us to describe a $741-million outlay as \"large,\" and $1,200 per person is a nice windfall. We find Palin's statement True.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"11030.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons top 10 donors are mainly banks, corporations and media, while Bernie Sanders top 10 donors are labor unions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate, as supported by campaign data from the Center for Responsive Politics. Hillary Clinton's top 10 donors do consist mainly of banks, corporations, and media entities, while Bernie Sanders' top 10 donors are primarily labor unions. However, it's important to note that this data includes cumulative donations over an extended period, rather than just donations to their current presidential bids. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be clarified that the data represents long-term cumulative donations rather than solely donations for their current campaigns.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton\u2019s top 10 donors are mainly \"banks, corporations and media,\" while Bernie Sanders\u2019 top 10 donors are labor unions.","9.An Internet graphic said Hillary Clinton\u2019s top 10 donors were mainly \"banks, corporations and media,\" while Bernie Sanders\u2019 top 10 donors were labor unions","Social media memes say that Clinton\u2019s top 10 donors are mainly \"banks, corporations and media,\" while Bernie Sanders\u2019 top 10 donors are labor unions. This contention fits quite closely with campaign data from the Center for Responsive Politics. However, it\u2019s worth noting that this data refers to cumulative donations as far back as the 1980s, rather than just donations to their current presidential bids. The statement is accurate but needs clarification, so we rate it Mostly True.","Recently, a reader sent us a social media meme that paints Clinton\u2019s list of donors as dominated by corporate interests, whereas Sanders\u2019 top 10 donors come largely from labor unions -- a dichotomy that, to Democratic primary voters, puts Sanders in a more favorable light."]},{"id":"682.json","label":"false","statement":"Sarah Palin \"has more experience than Barack Obama.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Sarah Palin \"has more experience than Barack Obama\" is false. Barack Obama had more years of relevant experience than Sarah Palin at the time of the 2008 campaign. Obama had 16 years of experience, including his work as a civil rights attorney and his time as a state senator and U.S. senator. In comparison, Palin had approximately 13 years of experience in state and local government. Additionally, the statement fails to consider the difference between municipal and state government experience, which would further favor Obama. Therefore, the claim made by Fred Thompson is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Thompson would probably argue that we should not count Obama's experience as a civil rights attorney, but legal work does seem directly applicable to creating and enforcing the nation's laws, particularly civil rights law. Finally, Thompson might argue that Palin's experience as governor should overrule Obama's experience as senator because it is executive, statewide experience as opposed to legislative experience. But if we granted that, then Palin would also be more qualified than Joe Biden and John McCain, because neither of them have gubernatorial experience, either. We find Thompson's statement that Palin is more qualified than Barack Obama to be False.","But getting back to Fred Thompson's statement, we find that Palin is not more experienced than Barack Obama. We rate her having 13 years relevant experience to his sixteen years, and this doesn't consider the difference between municipal and state government, which would work toward Obama's favor.","\"She's been in public service for about 13 years now, state and local government,\" Thompson said. \"She is a reformer. She has experience not only in politics but in life. She's a mother of five children, and from an infant to a young man going into the military. And she has more experience than Barack Obama. So I think as long as we can continue to compare her experience with the presidential nominee of the Democrats, we're going to be in pretty good shape.\"","The experience issue came roaring back to the 2008 campaign after John McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate."]},{"id":"9038.json","label":"true","statement":"If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you cant find enough trucks to flee the Golden State.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Perry that it costs twice as much to rent a U-Haul truck to move a company from San Francisco to Austin compared to the other way around. The reason provided is that there is a shortage of U-Haul trucks in California due to people leaving the state. This claim is supported by Perry's statement and the reference to a question and answer on U-Haul's website. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you can\u2019t find enough trucks to flee the Golden State.\"","Perry said: \"If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you can\u2019t find enough trucks to flee the Golden State.\"","\"If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you can\u2019t find enough trucks to flee the Golden State,\" Perry said with a grin.","Next, we asked Nashed how Perry concluded that the price difference ties to there not being enough U-Haul trucks to flee the Golden State. By email, Nashed pointed out a question and answer posted on U-Haul\u2019s website."]},{"id":"6373.json","label":"false","statement":"The Congressional Budget Office has already doubled its estimate for the cost (of Obamacare) so far from roughly $800 billion to $1.7 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did not double its estimate for the cost of Obamacare from $800 billion to $1.7 trillion. The initial estimate provided by the CBO in 2010 was approximately $940 billion over a ten-year period. Subsequent updates to the estimate reflected changes in the law and its implementation, but the final projected cost did not reach $1.7 trillion. It's important to rely on accurate information when discussing the cost of legislation to maintain a factual understanding of the issue.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A center-right think tank run by the former head of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget office estimates the cost of the Green New Deal, over 10 years, at between $51 trillion and $93 trillion. But the report itself described the estimates as an \"initial foray,\" filled with assumptions and caveats about a thinly detailed plan. No official government cost estimate has been done.","Interestingly, the report does not state its bottom-line estimate of what the Green New Deal would cost. But if you add up the various figures, the cost is pegged at somewhere between $51 trillion and $93 trillion.","But taken literally, Biden\u2019s agenda could include the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the infrastructure plan would add $256 billion to the debt. Goldwein\u2019s group thinks the increase could be nearly $400 billion.","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d"]},{"id":"9698.json","label":"false","statement":"Oregons three largest employers, and 13 of the top 25, are health care providers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by Will, stating that Oregon's three largest employers and 13 of the top 25 are health care providers, is incorrect. PolitiFact Oregon's investigation found that the Infogroup list, which Will relied on, contained errors and inaccuracies. The actual number of health care providers among Oregon's top 25 employers is disputed and cannot be definitively determined. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Will, in a column supporting the candidacy of Republican Senate candidate Monica Wehby, included a link purporting to show Oregon\u2019s 25 largest employers. The chart, he wrote, indicated that the dominance of large health care providers in Oregon -- the three largest employers and 13 of the top 25 in the state fit that niche, according to the chart -- make Dr. Wehby the best choice for the job.","Among Meyers\u2019 top 25 are four health care providers, not the 13 Will cited. PolitiFact Oregon\u2019s check of the Infogroup list found, once errors were eliminated, that nine of the 13 listed qualify. But big Oregon employers, such as Roseburg Forest Products, aren\u2019t on the list. If they were, they would bump one or two of those out of the top 25.","Calls and emails to many of the companies listed, however, indicate that the chart\u2019s numbers are way off, often wildly so. The top three employers on the list Will used are, in fact, a single entity. And by our count, the highest number of health care providers that can rank among Oregon\u2019s top 25 employers is nine, not the 13 Will cited.","In the end, while we couldn\u2019t compile a definitive list showing the number of health care providers among Oregon\u2019s top 25 employers, our research did show that the Infogroup list is incorrect."]},{"id":"4624.json","label":"false","statement":"The Department of Energys Billion Ton Study has shown that wind and solar energy combined could at best provide only 5 percent of our total energy needs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The Department of Energy's \"Billion Ton Study\" does not claim that wind and solar energy combined could only provide 5 percent of our total energy needs. In fact, the study does not make any specific percentage claims regarding the potential contribution of wind and solar energy. It is important to note that various studies and experts suggest that wind and solar energy have the potential to contribute significantly more than 5 percent of our total energy needs with the right policies, infrastructure changes, and advancements in technology.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Department of Energy\u2019s \"Billion Ton Study\" has shown that wind and solar energy combined \"could at best provide only 5 percent of our total energy needs.\"","\"Let\u2019s face it, wind and solar energy development will not bring us to energy independence,\" the former Godfather\u2019s Pizza CEO wrote. \"Even the Department of Energy\u2019s \u2018Billion Ton Study\u2019 has shown that these two sources combined could at best provide only 5 percent of our total energy needs.\"","All in all, Cain has it wrong on solar and wind energy. The federal government\u2019s \"Billion Ton Study\" did not say that wind and solar energy combined \"could at best provide only 5 percent of our total energy needs.\"","Scientists think solar and wind alone can top 5 percent of the nation\u2019s total needs with policy and infrastructure changes. They could even power the entire nation if the U.S. commits to an energy overhaul, though it would take a lot of resources, time, political will, and possibly some new technologies to get this done."]},{"id":"2459.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the U.S. Constitution provides for just compensation when land is taken under eminent domain.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions of the U.S. Constitution regarding eminent domain. The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution states that private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation. This means that when the government exercises eminent domain, it is required to provide fair and reasonable compensation to the property owner. The evidence provided supports this claim, including references to the actual language of the Constitution and statements from various sources affirming the constitutional requirement for just compensation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The actual language doesn't say \"must,\" but the meaning aligns with Staples' comment. The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution says no private property shall \"be taken for public use, without just compensation.\"","But he kinda played one in a Sept. 16 interview on an Austin radio station. Staples, pitching for listeners to sign an online petition urging the 2011 Legislature to embrace \"true eminent-domain reforms,\" told KVET-FM morning hosts Bob Cole and Bucky Godbolt: \"What we're talking about is a basic constitutional right of property owners. Our United States Constitution says that if eminent domain has to be used, a property owner must be justly compensated, period.\"","The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank and activist organization in Washington, D.C., says much the same thing on its online guide to the Constitution(!\/articles\/4\/essays\/126\/property-clause). It provides the key text from Article IV of the Constitution.","\"Sean, I'm going to make a statement that the government will consider outrageous,\" Napolitano warned. \"The Constitution simply does not authorize the federal government to own any of this land. All of it is being held unconstitutionally and all of it should be returned to the private property owners from which it was taken or to the states in which it exists, period.\""]},{"id":"5301.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mitt Romneys campaign has already spent more on negative ads than John McCain did during his entire presidential run.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Debbie Wasserman Schultz claimed that Mitt Romney's campaign had spent more on negative ads than John McCain did during his entire presidential run. However, fact-checking organizations have found this claim to be inaccurate. The available data indicates that Romney's spending on negative ads was significantly less than what McCain spent during his entire general election campaign. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is rated as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Mitt Romney spent more on negative ads than John McCain did during his \"entire presidential run\"&url=)","Wasserman Schultz said that \"Romney\u2019s campaign has already spent more on negative ads than John McCain did during his entire presidential run.\" We couldn\u2019t find a precise figure for what Romney spent on negative ads in all the states combined through the end of January, but it\u2019s clearly much less than what McCain spent on his entire general election run. But it was her dramatic contrast between primary spending and general election spending that caught our attention, and that point is clearly wrong. We rate the statement False.","\"Mitt Romney\u2019s victory tonight in the Florida GOP primary comes as no surprise \u2013 Romney and his super PAC outspent his nearest opponent by running 13,000 ads to Newt Gingrich's 200, carpet-bombing the airwaves with negative ads. In fact, Romney\u2019s campaign has already spent more on negative ads than John McCain did during his entire presidential run,\" said the South Florida congresswoman in a DNC press release on Jan. 31, 2012.","\"During the final presidential debate Sen. John McCain argued that Obama had \u2018spent more money on negative ads than any political campaign in history,\u2019 while Barack Obama accused Senator McCain of running an entirely negative campaign,\" the report said. \"In a way, both candidates were correct. \u2026 At certain points in the campaign Barack Obama aired nearly as many negative or contrast ads as John McCain aired altogether. As a proportion, however, it is clear that most of McCain\u2019s ads were negative in tone.\""]},{"id":"4351.json","label":"false","statement":"As we near the 10th anniversary of the 9\/11 terrorist attacks, we should not forget that some of the hijackers used New Jersey drivers licenses to board those aircraft.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. Multiple sources, including Janice Kephart, former counsel to the 9\/11 Commission, have confirmed that it is inaccurate to claim that any of the 9\/11 hijackers used New Jersey driver's licenses to board the aircraft. While there were some issues with driver's licenses and identification documents related to the 9\/11 attacks, New Jersey driver's licenses were not among them. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing such significant events.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As we near the 10th anniversary of the 9\/11 terrorist attacks, we should not forget that some of the hijackers used New Jersey driver\u2019s licenses to board those aircraft.\"","\"Updating the technological capabilities of the MVC is of critical importance and should not be used for political gain,\" O\u2019Toole wrote. \"As we near the 10th anniversary of the 9\/11 terrorist attacks, we should not forget that some of the hijackers used New Jersey driver\u2019s licenses to board those aircraft.\"","In an opinion piece about Motor Vehicle Commission upgrades, O\u2019Toole claimed \"some of the hijackers used New Jersey driver\u2019s licenses to board those aircraft.\" To back up his point, the senator provided various sources, some of which had a conservative bias and\/or were published before the 9\/11 Commission completed its investigation.","Janice Kephart, former counsel to the 9\/11 Commission and an author of \"9\/11 and Terrorist Travel,\" confirmed to PolitiFact New Jersey that it is wrong to claim any of the hijackers had New Jersey\u2019s driver\u2019s licenses."]},{"id":"3345.json","label":"true","statement":"For every $10,000 invested in business incubators, up to nearly 70 local jobs are generated.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Grant Thornton study, which supports Senator Brown's claim that investing $10,000 in business incubators can generate nearly 70 local jobs. The study provides a range of 46.3 to 69.4 jobs per $10,000 invested, which surpasses the job generation of other federal projects. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of local support for business incubators, as a significant percentage of incubator graduates establish their businesses within close proximity to the incubator facility. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an opinion piece he penned for The Plain Dealer, Brown said: \"For every $10,000 invested in business incubators, up to nearly 70 local jobs are generated.\"","The study\u2019s findings support Brown\u2019s claims of \"nearly 70 local jobs\" generated per $10,000 EDA investment in business incubators. The exact range is 46.3 to 69.4 jobs per $10,000, which far out-distances jobs generated by other federal projects such as commercial structures (9.6 to 13.4 jobs generated), roads and other transportation (4.4 to 7.8), industrial park structures (5 to 7.3) and community infrastructure (1.5 to 3.4).","Such local support for business incubators is vital, based on the Grant Thornton study\u2019s findings that about 84 percent of incubator graduates establish their businesses within 20 miles of the incubator facility.","The study concludes that money spent on business incubators appears to have the largest correlation with future economic growth. \"In this context, it can be seen that EDA\u2019s strategic emphasis over the last several years of entrepreneurship makes sense in terms of its jobs figures.\""]},{"id":"1599.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the health insurance reform legislation says the bill \"cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did project that the health insurance reform legislation would improve the deficit situation in the second 10 years, it did not explicitly state that the bill would cut the deficit by $1.2 trillion during that period. The CBO's projection mentioned a reduction in deficits \"in a broad range around one-half percent of GDP.\" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's press release misinterpreted the CBO's projection and attributed a specific $1.2 trillion deficit reduction figure to it. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["More specifically, the release says the CBO report shows that the legislation cuts the deficit by $138 billion in the first ten years (2010-2019) and \"cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years.\"","First, the preliminary estimate released by the CBO on March 18, 2010, does not say the legislation will cut the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years. Rather, it projects that in the second 10 years, the legislation would reduce deficits \"in a broad range around one-half percent of GDP.\"","Bottom line, the CBO report says the health care bill -- with the proposed reconciliation -- would continue to improve the deficit situation in the second 10 years. But Pelosi's press release suggests the CBO came up with that $1.2 trillion number. It did not. In fact, the CBO has said a year-by-year projection of the bill's budget effect beyond the first 10 years would \"not be meaningful because the uncertainties involved are simply too great.\" It's natural to want to translate the CBO's GDP projection into actual dollars (Who can get their head around a half a percent of GDP 10 to 20 years from now?). And the GDP projections used to extrapolate the $1.2 trillion figure may be perfectly reasonable, if highly speculative. But Pelosi puts a firm number on a projection that CBO so carefully tried to hedge. And so we rate this claim Half True.","Shortly after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its highly anticipated analysis of the economic impact of the health insurance reform legislation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a press release listing several \"key points you need to know about the CBO score.\""]},{"id":"8069.json","label":"true","statement":"The income of the top 1 percent nearly quadrupled from 1979 to 2007, but the typical familys incomes barely budged.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the income of the top 1 percent nearly quadrupled from 1979 to 2007, while the incomes of typical families showed minimal growth. This claim is supported by calculations from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and a report by Arloc Sherman from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The CBO data shows a 275 percent increase in income for the top 1 percent during that period, which is close to quadrupling, while average household incomes experienced comparatively modest growth. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The income of the top 1 percent nearly quadrupled from 1979 to 2007, but the typical family\u2019s incomes barely budged,\" Obama said in the July 24, 2013, speech.","Obama said \"the income of the top 1 percent nearly quadrupled from 1979 to 2007, but the typical family\u2019s incomes barely budged.\" Calculations by the CBO, a highly credible agency, show an increase of 275 percent for the top 1 percent, which is pretty close to quadrupling. And for average households, income rose by comparatively modest amounts. We rate the claim True.","Brazile's office told us to check out a June 2010 report by Arloc Sherman, a senior researcher for the left-learning Center on Budget and and Policy Priorities. Sherman uses data from the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan number cruncher for Congress, to graph income for different groups over time. The data starts in 1979 and goes through 2007. \"After-tax incomes nearly quadrupled for the top 1 percent of Americans in the last three decades, while barely rising among middle- and lower-income households,\" Sherman writes.","That\u2019s not quite quadrupling -- a 300 percent increase would have been a quadrupling -- but Obama did say \"nearly quadrupled,\" and we think that qualifies."]},{"id":"669.json","label":"true","statement":"\"John McCain has voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that John McCain has voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time. This figure is based on an analysis of voting records and is a commonly cited statistic during political campaigns. It indicates a high level of alignment between McCain's voting patterns and the policies supported by the Bush administration.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"7180.json","label":"false","statement":"Says, In the last four years weve cut $36 million in ongoing revenue.","reason":"Reason: The provided evidence does not support the statement that \"$36 million in ongoing revenue\" has been cut in the last four years. The evidence actually indicates that the budget has increased funding for persons with disabilities by $36 million to enhance community-based services. There is no mention of any cuts to ongoing revenue in the context of disability funding. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"For the first time in eight years, our budget also increases funding for persons with disabilities by $36 million to help more disabled people receive community-based services, and $2.5 million for job training.\"","\"For the first time in eight years, our budget also increases funding for persons with disabilities by $36 million to help more disabled people receive community-based services.\"","The state-federal program serves people with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy or other disabilities in their homes or community -- rather than sending them to more costly institutions. The $36 million increase includes about $15 million from the state and $21.2 million from the federal government.","During his State of the State speech, Scott said \"For the first time in eight years, our budget also increases funding for persons with disabilities by $36 million to help more disabled people receive community-based services...\""]},{"id":"13469.json","label":"true","statement":"Financial conflict-of-interest laws dont apply to the president, right? So, the president doesnt have to have a blind trust.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Financial conflict-of-interest laws do not apply to the president of the United States. The president is exempt from the primary conflict-of-interest provision in the U.S. code, which means they are not legally obligated to establish a blind trust or divest themselves from their financial holdings. This exemption was made when Congress amended the ethics laws in 1989. Therefore, the president has discretion in managing their financial interests without the requirement of a blind trust.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Giuliani said financial conflict-of-interest \"laws don't apply to the president, right? So, the president doesn't have to have a blind trust.\"","\"Well, first of all, you realize that those laws don't apply to the president, right?\" Giuliani told CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper Nov. 13. \"So, the president doesn't have to have a blind trust. For some reason, when the law was written, the president was exempt.\"","The president is, in fact, exempt from the primary conflict-of-interest provision in the U.S. code. So presidents do not have any legal obligation to put their financial holdings in a blind trust or to detach themselves from their financial interests in any way.","\"When Congress amended the ethics laws in 1989, it exempted the president from the criminal financial conflict of interest statute. So the statute doesn\u2019t apply to Trump at all,\" Clark said. \"And even if this statute did apply to the president, the regulation\u2019s exemption would seem to apply here. So Trump\u2019s touting of this drug does not violate the criminal conflict of interest statute.\""]},{"id":"1303.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The House health care bill pays for \"about six years of program with a decade of revenue, with the heaviest costs concentrated in the second five years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in The Journal editorial that the House health care bill pays for approximately six years of the program with a decade of revenue, with the highest costs concentrated in the second five years. However, it's important to note that the editorial fails to mention that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects significant cost savings in the final years of the program, making it self-sustaining starting around 2017. Additionally, the bill is projected to reduce the deficit by $104 billion over ten years. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks some important context regarding the bill's long-term financial sustainability and deficit reduction measures.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Here, we wanted to look at the claim that the bill pays for \"about six years of program with a decade of revenue, with the heaviest costs concentrated in the second five years.\"","The bill also \"disguises hundreds of billions of dollars in additional costs with budget gimmicks,\" the editorial said. \"It 'pays for' about six years of program with a decade of revenue, with the heaviest costs concentrated in the second five years. The House also pretends Medicare payments to doctors will be cut by 21.5% next year and deeper after that, 'saving' about $250 billion.\"","The Journal editorial says the House bill \"'pays for' about six years of program with a decade of revenue, with the heaviest costs concentrated in the second five years.\" It's true that the taxes kick in first, before many of the bill's biggest expenses get started. But the editorial doesn't mention that the CBO projects the largest cost savings for the bill's final four years, and that the bill appears to be self-sustaining starting around 2017. So we rate the statement Half True.","The Journal editorial is right that the CBO shows the biggest costs come in the second five years of the program, from 2015 to 2019. But the cost savings are the biggest in the final years as well. Overall, the plan is in the black through 2014, dips briefly into the red in 2015 and 2016, and then pays for itself again in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Over 10 years, the bill reduces the deficit by $104 billion."]},{"id":"154.json","label":"false","statement":"\"It's just outrageous that under President Bush, the National Institutes of Health have been basically decreased in funding.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Hillary Clinton that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding was decreased under President Bush is false. While the Clinton campaign provided evidence that the NIH budget had remained flat since 2003, it is important to note that funding for the NIH did increase during President Bush's presidency. In non-inflation-adjusted dollars, the funding for the NIH increased from when President Bush took office. Therefore, the claim that funding was decreased is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["At a Democratic debate in Philadelphia, Sen. Hillary Clinton was asked what she would do as president to fight cancer. As part of her answer, she said, \"It's just outrageous that under President Bush, the National Institutes of Health have been basically decreased in funding. We are on the brink of so many medical breakthroughs, and I will once again fund that research.\"","In response to an inquiry from PolitiFact, the Clinton campaign provided two newspaper stories that said the NIH budget had been flat since 2003. We acknowledge that is accurate, but we still find funding has gone up during Bush's presidency. We find her statement to be False.","The number of jobs created and people lifted out of poverty during Bill Clinton\u2019s presidency was \"a hundred times\" what it was under President Ronald Reagan.","In non-inflation-adjusted dollars, funding increased. Bush requested $28.9 billion dollars in net budget authority for fiscal 2008 (the year that began Oct. 1, 2007), and the agency received an estimated $28.6 billion in fiscal 2007. Either of these numbers is greater than when Bush came into office -- $20.6 billion in fiscal 2001, the last year for which Clinton presided over the congressional budgeting process, or $17.8 billion in fiscal 2000, the last full fiscal year Clinton was in office."]},{"id":"2232.json","label":"false","statement":"Kathryn Starkey joined forces with liberal Democrats on a historic sales tax hike.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. The sources indicate that Kathryn Starkey, a specific individual mentioned, did not play a significant role in promoting the Penny for Pasco sales tax. Additionally, the Pasco Citizen Committee, which actively supported the tax, had a majority of registered Republicans among its key volunteers. Therefore, there is no evidence to support the claim that Kathryn Starkey joined forces with liberal Democrats on the tax hike.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A new tax may be often associated with \"liberal Democrats,\" but that wasn\u2019t the case with Penny for Pasco, particularly when it came to those who were publicly pushing for it. In addition, Starkey was not a key promoter of the tax.","Second, where were the liberal Democrats? Pasco\u2019s Citizen Committee, the political action committee that formed to promote the tax, had 14 key volunteers: 10 of them were registered Republicans, the Pasco Times reported then.","The tax hike in question is the Penny for Pasco sales tax, a one-cent-on-the-dollar county sales tax increase to build new schools and roads, preserve land and buy public safety equipment. About 52 percent of voters approved the tax in March 2004. By the end of 2009, the extra penny had pulled in about $205 million.","First, Starkey played no strong public role in selling the tax to voters. She publicly endorsed the Penny for Pasco during her successful 2004 campaign for School Board, but she never actively campaigned for it or joined the committee promoting it."]},{"id":"3716.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Prices are going up. Unemployment is continuing to go up.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that prices are going up and unemployment is continuing to rise. However, it's important to note that the context and timeframe of these claims are not provided. Economic conditions can fluctuate over time, and it is necessary to consider the specific period being referred to in order to assess the accuracy of these claims. Additionally, it's worth noting that inflation and unemployment rates are influenced by various factors, including global economic conditions, government policies, and market forces. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis is required to fully understand the trends and factors contributing to changes in prices and unemployment rates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"My theory is that people vote from their bellies because it\u2019s whether they\u2019re hungry or not or have jobs and need things, that\u2019s why people vote,\" Paul said. \"And we\u2019re in big trouble. Prices are going up, unemployment is continuing to go up.\"","\u201cGas prices have been going up since the president\u2019s first day in office, starting with his move to shut down the Keystone XL pipeline.\u201d","Cheryl Abbot, an economist at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, told us that prices are almost always going up because of inflation \u2014 the question is whether prices have been increasing at a faster rate as of late.","Ernst said that \"gas prices have been going up since the president\u2019s first day in office, starting with his move to shut down the Keystone XL pipeline.\""]},{"id":"8334.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Maggie Hassan is the only female governor in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is outdated and no longer accurate. While Maggie Hassan was indeed the only female Democratic governor in the country in 2012, the evidence suggests that there are currently more than one female governors in the United States. The information provided indicates that there are at least five women holding governorships across the country, which includes governors from both Democratic and Republican parties. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["New Hampshire voters made a splash in November 2012 by sending the country\u2019s first all-female delegation to Congress. The state also elected Democrat Maggie Hassan as its governor.","While Hassan is the only Democratic governor, she\u2019s one of five women holding governorships around the country. While that\u2019s still far from being representative of the gender balance in the country, Hassan isn\u2019t the only female governor.","Hassan\u2019s distinction as the country\u2019s only Democratic female governor at the moment might have been the distinction the AFL-CIO was aiming for when it tweeted about Hassan\u2019s speech at the event in Manchester.","Maggie Hassan was elected governor of New Hampshire on Tuesday, beating out a Tea Party favorite and becoming the only female Democratic governor in the nation in 2012."]},{"id":"10598.json","label":"false","statement":"Thomas Paine wrote that the duty of a patriot is to protect his country from his government.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or citation to support the claim that Thomas Paine wrote the specific phrase, \"the duty of a patriot is to protect his country from his government.\" Despite Governor Perry's assertion and the applause it received, there is no verifiable source or documented instance of Paine making such a statement. In fact, the Thomas Paine Review blog has specifically addressed this quote as a bogus attribution. It is crucial to rely on accurate and verified sources when attributing quotes to historical figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Perry says Paine wrote that \u2018the duty of a patriot is to protect his country from his government.\u2019\" He offers no proof or citation of where Paine wrote that phrase.","\"Thomas Paine wrote that \u2018the duty of a patriot is to protect his country from his government,\u2019\" Perry said, drawing applause from the crowd during his Feb. 24 event at the Richmond Marriott.","Thomas Paine Review blog by Kenneth W. Burchell, \"Another bogus quote: \u2018It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government,\u2019\" Sept. 25, 2010.","But many quotes have been mistakenly attributed to Paine, and the association also notes on its website what its hero did not write. Among them is a virtually identical phrase the former Texas governor attributed to Paine: \"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.\""]},{"id":"2836.json","label":"true","statement":"The radiation coming from the new TSA body scanners is equivalent to about three minutes worth of air travel by anybody, say, at 30,000 feet.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and fact-checking sources. John Pistole, the former head of the TSA, stated that the radiation emitted from the new TSA body scanners is equivalent to about three minutes of air travel at 30,000 feet. Multiple fact-checking organizations have confirmed the accuracy of this claim, stating that the radiation exposure from the scanners is comparable to a short duration of air travel. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The radiation coming from the new TSA body scanners is \"equivalent to about three minutes' worth of air travel by anybody, say, at 30,000 feet.\"","To be clear, this fact check isn't declaring TSA's new full-body scanners safe. We're simply looking at the comparative exposure to radiation as suggested by Pistole, who said that the radiation coming from the new TSA body scanners \"are equivalent to about three minutes' worth of air travel by anybody, say, at 30,000 feet.\" It may sound strange, but it's right. We rate this statement True.","Particularly, we found worth analyzing the defense mounted by John Pistole, head of the TSA. During a Nov. 16, 2010, interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Pistole said the \"radiation coming from those machines are equivalent to about three minutes' worth of air travel by anybody, say, at 30,000 feet.\" The TSA, on its website, says the radiation emitted from the body scan is equivalent to just two minutes of a plane flight.","All the numbers and science back up Pistole's claim -- as little as three minutes of air travel produces the equivalent amount of radiation as one TSA body scan. By most estimates, Pistole's claim actually is conservative."]},{"id":"7254.json","label":"false","statement":"U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin was partly right that a womans body has a way of shutting down so that a pregnancy doesnt occur if shes raped.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. It is attributed to Todd Akin, not Todd Wilcox or John Fetterman. Additionally, the statement itself is factually inaccurate and has been widely debunked. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that a woman's body can prevent pregnancy in cases of rape. Such statements perpetuate harmful myths and misinformation about sexual assault and reproductive health.\nLabel: false","evidence":["U.S. Senate candidate Todd Wilcox said the controversial interrogation practice of waterboarding isn\u2019t torture but an effective tool in the global war on terror.","!Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (right) attends a campaign event on March 4, 2022. He is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022. (AP) !Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (right) attends a campaign event on March 4, 2022. He is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022. (AP)","!Orlando defense contractor Todd Wilcox, a former Green Beret and CIA officer, is running for U.S. Senate to replace Marco Rubio. (Times file photo) !Orlando defense contractor Todd Wilcox, a former Green Beret and CIA officer, is running for U.S. Senate to replace Marco Rubio. (Times file photo)","Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (right) attends a campaign event on March 4, 2022. He is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022. (AP)"]},{"id":"2607.json","label":"false","statement":"The new health care law crushes small businesses with billions in penalties.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that some small businesses may face penalties if they do not offer insurance and have more than 50 employees, the majority of small businesses with fewer than 50 employees are actually exempt from penalties, regardless of whether they offer insurance or not. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge the tax credits and positive provisions in the health care law that benefit small businesses. Therefore, the claim that the new health care law crushes small businesses with billions in penalties is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Chamber's ad said that the new health care law crushes small businesses \"with billions in penalties.\" But some small businesses will actually get tax credits from the health care law. Meanwhile, almost all small businesses -- those with fewer than 50 employees -- are exempt from penalties, whether they offer insurance or not. Some small businesses are larger than 50 employees and could face fines if they don't offer employees insurance. But a vast majority of U.S. firms are smaller than 50 employees and are exempt from the health insurance requirements. The chamber's ad is sweeping, and doesn't account for any of the positive provisions that don't \"crush\" small business but actually help them. So we rate the Chamber's statement False.","\"Colorado is facing economic disaster,\" the ad says. \"We told Betsy Markey we needed jobs. Why didn't she listen? Markey fought for the Obama-Pelosi government take over of health care, crushing small businesses with billions in penalties. Now Markey wants a national energy tax, costing families nearly $2,000 a year. Call Betsy Markey, tell her to listen. Tell her to stop supporting Pelosi and making the economy worse.\"","The Chamber argued that businesses can have more than 50 employees and still be considered small businesses. Spokesman J.P Fielder pointed to regulations from the Small Business Administration that consider a small business to be anyone with 500 or fewer employees.","\"The economic costs of the new health care act are being underestimated,\" said John Lonski, managing director and chief economist at Moody\u2019s Capital Markets group. Lonski said the law could be causing people to work fewer hours or prompting small businesses to hold off hiring. That would lead to a material loss of economic activity, even if it\u2019s hard to measure."]},{"id":"2724.json","label":"true","statement":"Most of the jobs that we lost were lost before the economic policies we put in place had any effect.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Reid is accurate. He correctly states that the majority of job losses occurred before the economic policies implemented by the Obama administration had a chance to take effect. This is supported by evidence that shows a significant number of job losses prior to President Obama's inauguration and the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The fact-check acknowledges the accuracy of the statement but criticizes Senator Reid for making a misleading comparison between the job records of Presidents Bush and Clinton. However, the accuracy of the initial statement remains intact.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We lost 4 million jobs before I was sworn in; 750,000 the month I was sworn in; 600,000, the month after that; 600,000 the month after that. So most of the jobs that we lost were lost before the economic policies we put in place had any effect.\"","Reid may blame Bush\u2019s policies for every single one of those jobs lost -- an opinion he\u2019s entitled to, but one we are unable to fact-check. Still, his statement is incorrect as spoken.","When he refers to his economic policies, we presume he is referring to his main economic stimulus, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It passed in February 2009, but it took several months before the impact of its spending was felt in the economy.","So where does this leave us? Reid is correct that more than 8 million jobs were lost in the United States during the recent economic downturn, but he\u2019s flat wrong to say that it happened \"during the Bush eight years.\" Compounding the error, Reid makes a direct comparison between Bush and Clinton, yet he uses one method that makes Clinton\u2019s number seem strong and Bush\u2019s number seem weak. We rate Reid\u2019s statement Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"3515.json","label":"false","statement":"South Korea doesnt pay the United States for U.S. troops that protect their country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. South Korea does contribute financially to support the presence of U.S. troops in their country. Currently, South Korea pays over $800 million annually to support the United States' troop presence. This financial contribution is seen as a mutually beneficial arrangement, as it helps offset the costs for the United States and allows for the strategic positioning of troops in the region. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that South Korea does not pay the United States for the protection provided by U.S. troops.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Janda concurred: \"The traditional argument for keeping troops in South Korea is that it deters North Korea from attacking South Korea, stabilizes the region politically, socially, and economically, and gives the United States bases from which it can project military power throughout the western Pacific. In addition, he said, the military expense helps protect countries that buy U.S. products, he said.","Beyond that, several experts said Trump\u2019s apparent premise -- that the United States is giving a growing, affluent country what amounts to a charitable gift -- is wrong. The United States itself benefits from the military investment in South Korea, they said.","It\u2019s also worth pointing out that South Korea\u2019s willingness to share the costs means that it\u2019s cheaper for U.S. military to support those 28,500 troops, compared to having them stationed elsewhere, even at bases in the United States.","Currently, South Korea pays well over $800 million annually to support the United States\u2019 troop presence, an amount that doesn\u2019t qualify as \"practically nothing.\" And while Trump makes it sound like the United States\u2019 willingness to pay the rest of the freight amounts to a gift to South Korea, he overlooks that the United States actually benefits significantly on a strategic level from the arrangement. We rate the claim Mostly False."]},{"id":"6350.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. is giving seven Alaskan islands to Russia.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the U.S. is giving away seven Alaskan islands to Russia is not supported by credible evidence. The rumor originated from a Facebook post made by Wes Riddle, a candidate in a Republican primary, and it has been debunked by fact-checking organizations. The U.S. State Department has confirmed that there is no truth to the claim, and there has been no change in U.S. policy regarding the islands. Additionally, the 1990 treaty mentioned in the evidence has not been ratified by Russia, further undermining the validity of the claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The article says Wes Riddle, who faces Roger Williams in a July 31 runoff for the Republican nomination in the state's 25th Congressional District, posted on Facebook in May 2012 that \"the State Department is giving away seven strategic, resource-laden Alaskan islands to Russia.\" The story says his post resembled a question had tackled two months earlier.","The text version of the rumor that FactCheck examined gives several specifics that also appear in Riddle\u2019s post. Among them: The seven islands and their many miles of \"rich oil seabeds\" were \"given away,\" the text says, in secret negotiations from which Alaska was excluded. But Obama or Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could stop the process with a pen stroke, it says.","Like Riddle\u2019s claim that the U.S. \"is giving away\" the islands, many versions of the rumor that we found online state or imply that Obama\u2019s administration has an active role. White House spokesman Brandon Lepow told us by email that current U.S. policy in the Arctic is described in a 2009 State Department fact sheet, which says the U.S. and Russia are not discussing boundary changes. Lepow said there has been no change to the policy.","He also pointed out that, as FactCheck noted, Russia has not ratified the 1990 treaty, and says he would favor renegotiating it."]},{"id":"6640.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mitt Romney said we should let foreclosures hit the bottom.","reason":"Reason: Mitt Romney did make a statement suggesting that the foreclosure process should be allowed to run its course and hit the bottom. However, it's important to note that this statement was not the entirety of his housing policy. Romney also mentioned that allowing the market to hit the bottom would create opportunities for investors to buy properties and revive the market. Additionally, he expressed openness to ideas for encouraging refinancing. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects a part of Romney's stance on foreclosures, it lacks the full context of his housing policy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We don't have to guess what Mitt Romney would have done if he were president. Because he told us,\" Harris said in a Sept. 5 speech at the Democratic National Convention. \"He said we should let foreclosures\u2014and I quote\u2014\u2019hit the bottom\u2019 so the market could\u2014I quote\u2014\u2019run its course.\u2019\"","Says Mitt Romney\u2019s housing policy is, \"Don\u2019t try and stop the foreclosure process. Let it run its course and hit the bottom.\"","The DNC\u2019s ad says that Mitt Romney\u2019s housing policy is, \"Don\u2019t try and stop the foreclosure process. Let it run its course and hit the bottom.\" That is part of his policy, but they edited out his remarks that say the housing market should then turn around and come back up as investors buy properties and rent them out. Romney also said he was open to ideas for encouraging refinancing. Romney does seem to favor letting foreclosures run their course, but he also suggests that doing so will enable investors to buy low-priced homes and revive the market. We rate the DNC\u2019s ad Half True.","Then it shows video of Romney saying, \"Don\u2019t try and stop the foreclosure process. Let it run its course and hit the bottom.\""]},{"id":"2923.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the military accounts for about 10 percent of Floridas economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the St. Petersburg Times, which indicates that military spending makes up approximately 10 percent of Florida's economy. While there may be some variations in the exact percentage due to different calculations and factors, the evidence suggests that the military does indeed have a significant impact on Florida's economy, supporting the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Scott tried to underscore the importance of the military to Florida by noting that the military accounts for about 10 percent of Florida's economy, according to the St. Petersburg Times.","Where does it leave us? Scott told reporters military spending makes up about 10 percent of the state's economy. In 2005, military spending accounted for 7.5 percent of the state gross domestic product, but that figure did not include the impact of the Florida National Guard or Coast Guard bases. The author of the study, who is now updating his report using 2008 numbers, said that while he cannot release more up-to-date numbers, that the military's position in the economy has risen since 2005. That will make Scott's point nearly right on. We rate this claim True.","But does all of that translate to a 10 percent share of the state's gross domestic product, which was $737 billion in 2009?","Wheeler also noted that the base budget that Forbes cites only accounts for Department of Defense spending and doesn\u2019t include other military-related costs, such as money spent every year by the Department of Energy to maintain the country\u2019s nuclear stockpile."]},{"id":"1414.json","label":"false","statement":"The Democrats' health care bills would provide \"free health care for illegal immigrants.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there have been discussions and proposals related to healthcare reform by Democrats, there is no evidence to support the claim that their bills would provide \"free health care for illegal immigrants.\" It is important to note that healthcare proposals and bills are complex and undergo revisions and negotiations, but none of them have included provisions for providing free healthcare specifically to undocumented immigrants at the expense of taxpayers.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"They are all the same,\" Trump\u2019s ad said over the image of the candidates raising their hands. \"These Democrats support giving illegal immigrants free health care at our expense.\"","U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, House Democrats Introduce Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans ( \"House Democrats Introduce Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans\") , July 14, 2009","And so we're revisiting several claims in the e-mail. In this item, we will address the claim that HR 3200, \"The Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009,\" would provide \"free health care for illegal immigrants.\"","Is it true that Democrats at a June debate said they support free health care \u2014 at the expense of taxpayers \u2014 for immigrants illegally in the United States?"]},{"id":"3192.json","label":"true","statement":"Some politicians want to put new taxes on a lot of groceries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. There are indeed politicians who have proposed or supported the idea of implementing new taxes on certain grocery items, such as soft drinks, juice drinks, sports drinks, and flavored waters. These proposals are often framed as a means to promote healthier eating habits or generate revenue for specific programs. However, it is important to note that not all politicians share this stance, and there is ongoing debate and varying opinions on the issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The ad is correct that \"some politicians \u2026 want to put new taxes on a lot of groceries.\" We find the statement True.","\"Feeding a family is difficult enough in today's economy,\" the woman says. \"Now, some politicians want the government telling me how I should do it. They want to put new taxes on a lot of groceries I buy, like soft drinks, juice drinks, sports drinks, even flavored waters, trying to control what we eat and drink with taxes. Give me a break. I can decide what to buy without government help. The government is just getting too involved in our personal lives.\"","Republican politicians are pushing a plan \"that could raise taxes on almost one in three Wisconsinites and sunset Social Security and Medicare in five years.\"","So, the national numbers back the Democrats' claim. Although the state provides a tax discount for qualified food purchases, Tennesseans still pay among the highest sales taxes on groceries. We rate the statement True."]},{"id":"12643.json","label":"false","statement":"Says she never received nor sent any material that was marked classified on her private email server whilesecretary of state.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hillary Clinton, claiming that she never received or sent any material marked classified on her private email server while serving as secretary of state, has been proven false. Investigations conducted by the State Department and the FBI have revealed that classified information was indeed present in some of the emails sent and received through her private server. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says she \"never received nor sent any material that was marked classified\" on her private email server while secretary of state.","Says she \"never received nor sent any material that was marked classified\" on her private email server while she was secretary of state.","Over the years, the facts about the emails have become clearer. In 2016, Clinton said she \"never received nor sent any material that was marked classified\" on her private email server while secretary of state. We rated that False. Since then, the State Department and Justice Department have published new information from their own investigations of the emails.","The results of an FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton\u2019s use of a private email server as secretary of state shredded Clinton\u2019s most oft-recited defense \u2014 that she never sent or received information marked classified."]},{"id":"11098.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Al Franken said almost exactly what Trump said about John McCains military record.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Al Franken made comments about John McCain's military record that were similar in wording to what Donald Trump said, it is important to consider the context and intent behind those comments. Al Franken's remarks were meant as satire and were not intended to be taken seriously or as a genuine attack on McCain's military service. On the other hand, Donald Trump's comments were not presented as satire and were seen as a direct criticism of McCain's military record. Therefore, while the statements may have similar wording, the context and intent behind them differ significantly.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Al Franken, back in 2002 before he was running for anything, Al Franken said almost exactly what Trump said,\" Limbaugh said. \"There hasn\u2019t been any outrage at any of this that has been said about McCain by leftists. Proving my point -- when leftists attack McCain, they are perfectly warranted because they are nice people and they are compassionate people and they\u2019re politically correct people.\"","Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump\u2019s denunciation of Arizona Sen. John McCain\u2019s military record may have stunned the political world, but some pundits played down Trump\u2019s diss by resurrecting a similarly worded quote about McCain from a Democrat 15 years ago.","Pundits from Rush Limbaugh to The Weekly Standard \u2019s John McCormack to MSNBC\u2019s Joe Scarborough have pointed to McCain\u2019s current colleague Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., as another man who questioned the valor of McCain\u2019s POW experience.","Franken has literally used similar words as Trump in describing McCain\u2019s military record \u2014 but it\u2019s misleading to look at the comments without context. A closer look at Franken\u2019s books and coverage of the 1999 event where he used this bit \u2014 before the Salon article came out \u2014 shows Franken meant the insult sarcastically. It may be a despicable joke to some, but it\u2019s a joke nonetheless. Trump, however, has not insisted that his comment was meant as satire."]},{"id":"10219.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republicans approved 12 times larger tax breaks for people making over 350 grand than for the average middle-class person.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Barca that Republicans approved tax breaks that were 12 times larger for individuals making over $350,000 compared to the average middle-class person. This claim is supported by the evidence provided. However, it's important to note that the specific context and time frame of these tax breaks are not mentioned. Additionally, it's worth considering that tax policies can vary over time and across different jurisdictions, so the statement may not apply universally. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Barca said that Republicans approved 12 times larger tax breaks for \"people making over 350 grand\" than for \"the average middle-class person.\"","\"We\u2019ve got to communicate differently with the middle class, because there\u2019s no question the middle class is much stronger with the Democratic Party. Even in our state, 12 times the tax breaks were for people making over 350 grand than the average middle-class person. We\u2019ve got to go back to the drawing board.\"","Smith said his mention of the \"average middle class person\" referred to the median household income in Wisconsin. That was $52,627 as of the most recent U.S. Census five-year average.","While there could be some costs to middle and working class families, the tax increases in proposed reconciliation bills have been aimed at people making more than $400,000 large corporations. Those making could see a tax increase when tax rates enacted during the Trump Administration are to expire in 2025."]},{"id":"12046.json","label":"false","statement":"Now we have ISIS coming over the (U.S.-Mexico) border.","reason":"Reason: The claim that ISIS is coming over the U.S.-Mexico border lacks credible evidence to support it. While there have been discussions and concerns raised about potential security threats at the border, including the possibility of terrorist infiltration, experts and officials have stated that there is no concrete evidence of ISIS specifically crossing the border. Statements linking ISIS directly to the U.S.-Mexico border without supporting evidence are speculative and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Colin Clarke, an international security expert at the Rand Corporation, said he hasn\u2019t seen any evidence of ISIS coming in over the border, but it\u2019s possible.","\"Myself being in Arizona, we know firsthand that tens of thousands of people that come over illegally every month there's a big problem on the border. There's drugs pouring over,\" DeWit said. \"Now we have ISIS coming over the border. You have problems. There's only one candidate that's going to do anything to fix it, and that's Donald Trump.\"","This came up in a Sept. 10 Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., asked Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis Francis Taylor about recent reports of Twitter and Facebook exchanges in which ISIS \"urged infiltration\" across the U.S.-Mexico border.","He isn\u2019t the first Arizona official to tie ISIS to the U.S-Mexico border. But there\u2019s no evidence to support the claim."]},{"id":"8.json","label":"false","statement":"For every single scientist that tells you (global warming is) happening and that its our fault...I can stack up another group of reports that say just the opposite.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that there is an equal number of scientific reports supporting and refuting the idea of global warming caused by human activity. However, this is not an accurate representation of the scientific consensus on climate change. The overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that global warming is happening and that human activity is a significant contributing factor. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which consists of scientists from numerous countries, has provided extensive evidence supporting this consensus. While there may be a small number of dissenting reports, they do not represent the prevailing scientific view. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the scientific consensus on climate change.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"For every single scientist that tells you (global warming is) happening and that it's our fault...I can stack up another group of reports that say just the opposite.\"","At a debate in South Carolina, Tancredo said he could match, stack for stack, the scientific reports that support global warming with those that do not.","A recent study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of scientists from more than 130 nations, concluded that there is overwhelming evidence that warming is caused by human activity.","Scientists are \"questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change. \u2026 (It is) more and more being put into question.\""]},{"id":"5516.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 94 percent of Wisconsin employers think the state is heading in the right direction and a majority say they will grow their companies in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Walker's claim that 94 percent of Wisconsin employers believed the state was heading in the right direction, as stated in his interviews and speeches. However, it's important to note that the claim about a majority of employers saying they will grow their companies in 2012 is not entirely supported by the evidence provided. The evidence only mentions that 52 percent of CEOs said their companies would see growth in the first half of 2012, which does not necessarily represent a majority of all employers in the state. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is true, the second part lacks sufficient evidence to support it fully.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Walker says 94 percent of Wisconsin employers believe the state\u2019s headed the right direction \u2013 and a majority of them say they are going to grow their companies in 2012.","\"Looking ahead, we went from two years ago when 10 percent of our employers in the state thought we were heading in the right direction, to now, this year, 94 percent think we\u2019re heading in the right direction \u2013 and a majority of them are going to grow their companies in 2012,\" Walker said in a Feb, 25, 2012 interview with Politico .","He made that claim, almost word for word, in his Jan. 25, 2012 \"state of the state\" speech, saying \"94 percent of our job creators believe Wisconsin is headed in the right direction.\"","On the second part of the claim, a slim majority of CEOs -- 52 percent -- said their companies will see growth in the first half of 2012."]},{"id":"3298.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2009, Democratic Wisconsin state senators rammed through a billion-dollar tax hike in 24 hours with no public input.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Scott Walker that Democratic Wisconsin state senators rammed through a billion-dollar tax hike in 24 hours with no public input. The evidence provided supports this claim, stating that the senators had indeed passed a tax hike contained in a Democratic repair bill within a short timeframe and without public input. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"These are many of the same senators who, two years ago, rammed through a billion-dollar tax hike in 24 hours with no public input,\" Walker declared.","Accused by Senate Democrats of rushing a vote on his repair bill, Walker fired back with his own charge. He said that two years earlier, many of those senators had rammed through a billion-dollar tax hike contained in a Democratic repair bill -- in 24 hours and without public input. The record is clear.","Tax cuts approved and those proposed in his state budget \"will exceed $8 billion by the time the budget is done.\"","But when the political temperature got too hot in Madison on Feb. 17, 2011, 14 Democratic senators escaped to Illinois and helped put Wisconsin somewhere near the center of the political universe."]},{"id":"11391.json","label":"true","statement":"90% of Americans want national background checks that close loopholes.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and polls indicate that a significant majority of Americans support national background checks that close loopholes. The statement accurately reflects the findings of various polls conducted in 2015 and 2019, as well as the statement made by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy in 2016. These sources consistently show support for expanded background checks at or near 90% among the American population.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Jeremy Bird, a Chicago-based senior adviser to Battleground Texas, said in an Oct. 2, 2015, tweet: \"90% of Americans want national background checks that close loopholes. 9-0. Won't solve whole problem but is a start.\"","PolitiFact National, \"At DNC, Sen. Chris Murphy says 90% of Americans want expanded background checks for gun purchases,\" July 27, 2016","The last time national polls were widely done on background checks was in 2019, when the House passed a similar bill. When Americans were asked if they support universal background checks, support was at or near 90%.","We\u2019ll also note that in July 2016, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said: \"Ninety percent of Americans want our background check system strengthened and expanded to cover more gun sales.\" PolitiFact National\u2019s rating was True."]},{"id":"8063.json","label":"false","statement":"Dozens of artists, including Justin Timberlake, Jay Z and Rihanna, are canceling Florida shows like Stevie Wonder in protest of stand your ground.","reason":"Reason: While there were indeed several musical artists who expressed anger and disbelief over the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial and paid tribute to Trayvon Martin, the statement that dozens of artists, including Justin Timberlake, Jay Z, and Rihanna, canceled shows in Florida in protest of the stand your ground law is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence mentions an error-laden Instagram post and memes circulating on social media, but these sources are not reliable or verifiable. Therefore, there is no credible evidence to confirm that these specific artists canceled shows in Florida as part of a protest against the stand your ground law.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Dozens of the world\u2019s hottest musical acts are joining music legend Stevie Wonder in protest of Florida\u2019s \"stand your ground\" law after the George Zimmerman trial, according to social networks and the blogosphere.","Several musical artists and celebrities reacted to the verdict with anger and disbelief. Many gave musical tributes to Martin, including Beyonc\u00e9, Young Jeezy, Jay Z and Justin Timberlake, Patti LaBelle, Bruce Springsteen, and Wyclef Jean.","!An error-laden Instagram post touts two dozen music artists who are joining Stevie Wonder's boycott of Florida. !An error-laden Instagram post touts two dozen music artists who are joining Stevie Wonder's boycott of Florida.","Memes zooming through social media name two dozen artists that have canceled their tour dates in the Sunshine State indefinitely \"UNTIL THE LAW IN FLORIDA IS ABOLISHED!\" The list is populated with world-famous acts such as Justin Timberlake, Jay Z, Rihanna, Rod Stewart, Patti LaBelle, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Usher, , R. Kelly, Trey Songz, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Ciara, Kelly Rowland and other groups."]},{"id":"5223.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Newt Gingrichs contract was with the lobbyists at Freddie Mac.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Newt Gingrich's contract was indeed with the lobbyists at Freddie Mac. While Gingrich provided strategic advice and did not register as a lobbyist himself, the primary point of contact on the contract was one of Freddie Mac's lobbyists. This information has been confirmed by multiple sources, including the Center for Responsive Politics and the release of the contract itself.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Romney said Newt Gingrich\u2019s contract was with \"the lobbyists at Freddie Mac.\" Gingrich provided strategic advice, a way of wielding political influence without having to register as a lobbyist. The primary point of contact on the contract was one of Freddie\u2019s lobbyists. We rate Romney\u2019s statement True.","Romney said during the debate that Gingrich\u2019s contract \"was provided by the lobbyists at Freddie Mac.\" We decided to check it out.","\"Newt Gingrich is certainly not alone among well-heeled political players who say they just offer consulting services or strategic advice -- without needing to register as lobbyists. But it's a stretch to claim that they aren't part of the influence game,\" said Michael Beckel, a spokesman with the Center for Responsive Politics, via email. The nonpartisan group monitors lobbying and campaign spending.","On the evening of the Tampa debate, the Gingrich Group released its contract with Freddie Mac for the year 2006. That contract shows that the Gingrich Group\u2019s primary contact within Freddie Mac was Craig Thomas, who is named in the document as Freddie\u2019s director of public policy. Thomas was also a registered lobbyist for Freddie Mac in 2006."]},{"id":"4280.json","label":"false","statement":"The countrys bankrupt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is overly broad and lacks specific context. While it is true that the United States has faced economic challenges and has experienced periods of financial strain, it is incorrect to claim that the entire country is bankrupt. The economic condition of a country is complex and cannot be simplified to a single statement. It is important to consider various economic indicators, such as GDP, debt levels, and fiscal policies, to assess the financial health of a nation accurately.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Melania Trump\u2019s security detail at Trump Tower costs more than the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently made a comment that suggests he\u2019s tired of big spending for cash-strapped states.","Experts told us during the primary season Trump alone didn\u2019t cause the bankruptcies. While six in 25 years is a lot, five were tied to a struggling gaming industry."]},{"id":"1179.json","label":"false","statement":"Preventive care \"saves money.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that preventive care \"saves money\" is not entirely accurate. While preventive care is crucial for saving lives and promoting better health outcomes, academic studies and analyses, including those conducted by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), do not consistently support the notion that preventive care ultimately leads to cost savings. While certain preventive measures may result in cost savings, the overall impact on healthcare spending is complex and varies depending on various factors. Therefore, it is misleading to make a sweeping claim that preventive care universally saves money.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But while there\u2019s little doubt that preventive care saves lives, the money is a different story. In general, academic studies do not support the idea that paying for preventive care ultimately saves money.","It\u2019s been a staple of health care politics for years -- the claim that preventive care saves money. A little money up front, lots of money saved on the back end. Patients living longer and healthier lives. That makes sense, right?","\"Insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies \u2014 because there\u2019s no reason we shouldn't be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse,\" Obama said. \"That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives.\"","As a general notion, the idea that \"preventive care \u2026 saves money, for families, for businesses, for government, for everybody\" is no more true today than it was in 2009. Yes, preventive measures often save lives and keep patients healthier. Certain preventive measures may save money as well. But the findings of CBO and physicians who have studied the medical literature indicate that Obama\u2019s sweeping generalization that preventive services save money is not accurate. We rate the statement False."]},{"id":"4230.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Democrats cut $35 million from the state budget for Information Technology improvements.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The Democratic-controlled Legislature did not cut $35 million from the state budget for Information Technology improvements. The actual cut was $5.5 million, as acknowledged by a spokesperson for Governor Christie. The $35 million figure mentioned by Governor Christie seems to refer to the total amount appropriated for IT, not the amount that was cut. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the wake of computer problems at Motor Vehicle Commission offices and other state agencies, Christie claimed the Democrats had cut $35 million for Information Technology improvements. But a Christie spokesman acknowledged the actual cut was $5.5 million.","PolitiFact New Jersey found that Christie was wrong about the budget cut -- nearly seven times wrong. Instead of $35 million, the Democratic-controlled Legislature cut $5.5 million for Information Technology upgrades from the budget for fiscal year 2012.","Roberts said the $35 million was in reference to \"the total amount appropriated for IT.\" But according to the fiscal 2012 budget, the total state appropriation for the Office of Information Technology is about $51.2 million.","\"What would have been helpful is if they wouldn\u2019t have taken the $35 million out of the budget that I submitted to improve our Information Technology and computer systems,\" Christie said in response to a question about Democrats\u2019 plans to hold hearings on the recent computer problems at motor vehicle offices."]},{"id":"3554.json","label":"false","statement":"Austins Pease Elementary is a school that was created as part of the Texas Constitution.","reason":"Reason: While Pease Elementary School in Austin, Texas, has historical significance and is considered a touchstone of public education in the state, it is not accurate to claim that the school was specifically created as part of the Texas Constitution. The evidence provided clarifies that while Pease Elementary School is not mentioned in the 1876 Constitution, its origins are tied to the state's history. The school's historical importance and connection to the state's origins are acknowledged, but it was not explicitly established through the Texas Constitution.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Carstarphen told KUT reporter Nathan Bernier that Pease \"is a school that was created as part of the Texas Constitution.\" According to audio of the 30-minute interview posted online, Carstarphen also recapped her reaction to the possibility of Pease being closed: \"I\u2019m one of the people who was like, really, Pease? It\u2019s in the constitution. How do we do that?\"","\"Pease Elementary School thus traces its beginnings back to the very establishment of public education in Texas,\" the letter continues. \"It has survived almost a century and a half as a touchstone of public education in Texas.\"","Also, Carstarphen placed her own statement online, in a post headlined: \"Pease Elementary's Origins Tied to the Origins of the State of Texas.\" \"The Pease community and I are in agreement that, while Pease is not literally and specifically mentioned in the 1876 Constitution, its origins are tied directly\" to the state\u2019s origins, her post says. She says the larger point is preservation of the \"historic jewel.\"","Meria Carstarphen, superintendent, Austin Independent School District, blog post, \"Pease Elementary's Origins Tied to the Origins of the State of Texas,\" April 5, 2011"]},{"id":"3486.json","label":"false","statement":"We dont need a separate (prescription drug) database ... Pharmacies already have a database in place.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that individual pharmacies may have their own databases to track prescription drug purchases, these databases are not interconnected and were not designed to address the issue of prescription drug abuse statewide. The claim suggests that there is already a comprehensive database in place, which is not accurate. The need for a separate database, as proposed in the House bill, is to create a centralized system that can effectively track and monitor prescription drug abuse across the state. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We don't need a separate database with one already in place. The House bill will close pill mills without hurting legitimate doctors' ability to help their patients.\"","\"The Florida House has it right, and the Times gets it wrong,\" he wrote in a letter published March 25, 2011. \"Pharmacies already have a database in place, and the transaction is recorded on the spot. They will question the person trying to fill another prescription so quickly, and not fill it or call the doctor.","He also claimed in his letter to the editor that a database already is in place. There are many private-sector databases that collect information on prescription drug purchases, but those databases are not interconnected and were not created with the idea of reducing prescription drug abuse statewide. These individual store or company databases don't address the problem. So we rate this claim False.","Ahern, in an interview, more or less conceded the point. He said what he was trying to suggest is that the state should explore ways to have the big pharmacies connect the already in-place databases together in a way that would allow law enforcement and pharmacists to look for trouble spots. He said using infrastructure already in place is better than creating a new system from scratch."]},{"id":"1899.json","label":"true","statement":"After J.D. Hayworth \"was voted out of Congress, he became a registered lobbyist\" who was \"paid thousands by a Florida corporation to lobby the very committee he used to serve on.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that after J.D. Hayworth left Congress, he did become a registered lobbyist and was paid by a Florida corporation to lobby the committee he previously served on, the Ways and Means Committee. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement, as Hayworth's lobbying activities and payments are documented in disclosure forms filed with the U.S. House and Senate. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The ad shows a limousine driving by a fancy building and then an unflattering black-and-white clip of Hayworth sharing the screen with an airborne corporate jet and floating paper money. \"J.D. Hayworth says he's an outsider, but after he was voted out of Congress he became a registered lobbyist,\" the narrator intones. \"Hayworth was paid thousands by a Florida corporation to lobby the very committee he used to serve on.\"","Still, these forms show enough information to make McCain's ad accurate. Hayworth was indeed a registered lobbyist, he worked for a Florida company, and he said he would be lobbying on tax issues, which meant targeting his old colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee. We rate McCain's ad True.","Now for the lobbying claim. By law, all registered lobbyists must periodically file disclosure forms with the U.S. House and Senate, and we were able to locate two filed by Hayworth. In February 2008, Hayworth filed a form serving notice that he would be a paid lobbyist for the Wealth Transfer Group, based in Altamonte Springs, Fla. A separate but related form filed two months later disclosed that Hayworth was paid $10,000 by his client.","The forms cited here were the only two related to Hayworth included in the congressional disclosure-form database, which is considered definitive. So the Wealth Transfer Group gig appears to have been his only lobbying job after leaving Congress. And in the grand scheme of Washington lobbying, having one client for a couple months that paid $10,000 is pretty small peanuts."]},{"id":"9639.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"76 percent of doctors support the use of medical marijuana","reason":"Reason: The claim that 76 percent of doctors support the use of medical marijuana is based on a study that analyzed voting patterns across North America, not specifically focused on doctors. The study's authors extrapolated the votes to suggest that 76 percent of physicians generally support medicinal marijuana, but this is a broad generalization. The study itself acknowledges that the votes came with various explanations and did not solely focus on medical professionals. Additionally, the survey mentioned was conducted online and did not follow scientifically designed survey methods. Therefore, the claim that 76 percent of doctors support the use of medical marijuana is not supported by robust evidence and should be approached with caution.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["New Approach Oregon, a group backing an initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the state, claimed on its Facebook page that \"76 percent of doctors approve of medical marijuana use.\"","\"Analysis of voting across all regions of North America showed that 76 percent of voters supported medicinal marijuana,\" the study\u2019s authors wrote. The low end of support came from Utah, where only 1 vote in 76 supported medical pot. Pennsylvania represented the other extreme, with 102 of 107 votes in support.","The study\u2019s authors took a fairly specific situation -- the plight of a suffering 68-year-old -- and extrapolated the votes to indicate that 76 percent of physicians generally support medicinal marijuana. That\u2019s a bit of a broad brush. However, the authors, Drs. Jonathan N. Adler and James A. Colbert, also noted that many votes came with explanations that went beyond that one hypothetical.","New Approach Oregon\u2019s claim that more than three out of four doctors \"support\" medicinal use of marijuana was attributed to a May 2013 survey published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. The poll was conducted online. Unlike scientifically designed surveys, those who responded were not chosen at random but rather volunteered to participate."]},{"id":"3775.json","label":"true","statement":"Department of Education officials investigating Virginia Tech shootings have not once gotten into the car and driven down to Blacksburg to talk to the police chief or the university president or to anyone else.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that Department of Education (DOE) officials investigating the Virginia Tech shootings did not physically visit the campus or conduct face-to-face interviews with key officials involved in the incident. The statement highlights the lack of direct engagement by the DOE investigators with the police chief, university president, and other relevant individuals. This suggests a potential flaw in the investigation process, as it did not involve on-site visits or in-person interviews with key stakeholders. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It is not just that federal bureaucrats are engaging in Monday-morning quarterbacking \u2014 it is that they have had four years\u2019 worth of Monday mornings,\" Cuccinelli said in a news release. \"Yet, in all that time, they have not once gotten into the car and driven down to Blacksburg to talk to the police chief or the university president or to anyone else who had to deal with these events in real-time. Their investigation \u2014 if you can call it that \u2014 appears deeply flawed, and their indifference to the facts on the ground is shocking.\"","We should note that a state commission investigating the shootings interviewed 34 Tech officials before releasing a 2007 report that also concluded the university failed to issue a timely campus alert about the violence, which occurred over 2-1\/2 hours. Virginia reached an $11 million settlement with many of the victims\u2019 families. Two families have filed a $10 million suit against Tech officials that is scheduled for trial this fall.","Cuccinelli said DOE officials never visited Virginia Tech while probing the university\u2019s response during the 2007 shootings that left 32 dead. He said the DOE investigators never conducted face-to-face interviews with the Tech officials making decisions that dreadful day.","Announcing Virginia Tech\u2019s appeal of a fine linked to the 2007 massacre there, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli took the U.S. Department of Education to task in late April, calling its investigation and decision \"appalling.\""]},{"id":"7748.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We are dealing with an administration that, quite frankly, has shown a reluctance to enforce the immigration law.","reason":"Reason: While there are differing opinions on the enforcement of immigration laws during the Obama administration, it is an oversimplification to claim that the administration as a whole has shown a reluctance to enforce immigration law. Critics argue that certain actions, such as prosecutorial discretion and deferred action, indicate a selective enforcement approach. However, legal experts argue that these actions represent a prioritization of resources rather than a reluctance to enforce the law. It is important to consider the complexities and nuances of immigration enforcement policies rather than making a blanket statement about the entire administration's approach.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We are dealing with 11 million people, but we are also dealing with the future of immigration in this country, and we are dealing with an administration that, quite frankly, has shown a reluctance to enforce the immigration law,\" Rubio told Fox News\u2019 Greta Van Susteren on April 30, 2013. \"Look, if you want to know the single impediment to get things done ... people don't believe the Obama administration or the federal government will enforce the law.\"","Prosecutorial discretion and deferred action no doubt mean that certain segments of immigrants are not being eyed for deportation. But David Martin, an international law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, argued that doesn\u2019t add up to a reluctance to enforce the law. He said it\u2019s \"choosing different things to enforce.\"","A border trigger, however, is a mechanism of proposed law -- not something currently in place that the Obama administration is declining to enforce.","First, we'll examine points from Obama's critics, evidence that they say shows he is reluctant to enforce immigration law. Then we'll look at the other side, at evidence that some say shows Obama has vigorously enforced immigration law."]},{"id":"2964.json","label":"true","statement":"When Social Security was passed, there were all kinds of lawsuits, just as there have been in the legal battle over the new health care law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately compares the legal challenges faced by both the Social Security Act and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). When the Social Security Act was passed in 1935, it faced legal challenges and lawsuits questioning its constitutionality. Similarly, the ACA has also faced legal battles and lawsuits challenging its constitutionality. Both laws had uncertain futures until they were ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The comparison highlights the historical precedent of legal challenges surrounding significant social welfare legislation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["With virtually no Republican support for the health care reform bill, some Democrats believe they will have to go it alone.","In the House, no Republicans voted for the bill until it reached the floor. It passed the Ways and Means Committee by a party-line vote of 17-8, although the panel's GOP members endorsed some of the bill's non-health care related provisions, according to the 1965 Congressional Quarterly Almanac .","Johnson had the political muscle to pass Medicare because the 1964 elections ushered in 42 new Democrats to the House of Representatives, giving the party a two-thirds majority overall and a larger majority on the Ways and Means Committee, where the legislation would originate. Up until then, many members of the committee, including its Democratic chairman, Wilbur D. Mills, opposed the idea of government-funded health care. In fact, Mills proved a tough sell in 1965 until some of his own pet proposals were added to the legislation. One of those \u2014 the addition of a voluntary, supplemental health care plan \u2014 had its roots in a Republican alternative bill.","Just as with today\u2019s Affordable Care Act, a big constitutional cloud hung over the Social Security Act. It became law on Aug. 14, 1935, but its future was murky until the U.S. Supreme Court declared it valid."]},{"id":"8432.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Damascus disincorporation would produce NO significant tax savings.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Mayor Steve Spinnett that disincorporation would produce \"NO significant tax savings\" is contradicted by evidence. According to calculations based on property tax bills, disincorporation would result in a significant reduction of property taxes for homeowners, with an estimated 46 percent decrease at the median level. This evidence suggests that there would indeed be substantial tax savings for residents if Damascus were to disincorporate. Therefore, the statement made by Mayor Spinnett is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mayor Steve Spinnett opposes disincorporation. He sides with property owners, such as himself, who think maintaining the city is the best way to ensure development of their land. Among the claims he made in a Voters\u2019 Pamphlet statement against pulling the plug is that disincorporation will produce \"NO significant tax savings!\"","Simple math shows that if Damascus voters follow up their 2004 historic vote to incorporate with another historic vote to disincorporate, homeowners will see their property tax bills fall -- by 46 percent at the median level. That is a significant savings.","\"You add all those together, and whatever savings people might see on their property taxes is going to be largely wiped out,\" Spinnett said. \"It\u2019s a mixed bag, at best.\"","Finally, he said, disincorporation would require the city to transfer its remaining cash and fixed assets to the county. Spinnett put those figures at $5.5 million and $2 million, respectively."]},{"id":"12966.json","label":"false","statement":"Lee Zeldin missed 2\/3rds of Veterans Affairs Hearings","reason":"Reason: The claim that Lee Zeldin missed two-thirds of Veterans Affairs hearings is not accurate. A fact-check analysis found that Zeldin attended at least seven hearings that were claimed to have been missed, indicating that he did not miss two-thirds of the hearings. The evidence shows that Zeldin attended at least half of the hearings held by the Veterans Affairs Committee since taking office. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"No Show Zeldin continues to miss work, missed 2\/3rds of Veterans Affairs Hearings,\" her tweet read. She linked to the article in the tweet.","U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, a freshman Republican from Long Island, sits on the Veterans Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives. But he\u2019s barely seen, according to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In an article from Newsday, a DCCC spokesman accused Zeldin of missing two-thirds of the Veterans Affairs Committee's hearings. His Democratic opponent for the 1st Congressional District seat, Anna Throne-Holst, tweeted a jab at Zeldin based on the DCCC charge.","We based our analysis on Zeldin\u2019s attendance at Veterans Affairs hearings, since that\u2019s the charge that Throne-Holst and the DCCC made. The committee has held 56 hearings since Zeldin took office and joined the committee in 2015.","We found through webcasts and transcripts that their claim doesn\u2019t add up. Zeldin attended at least seven hearings the DCCC claimed he missed. Zeldin attended at least half of the hearings. He did not miss two-thirds of the hearings."]},{"id":"2895.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I have won more elections than any chairman since 1938.","reason":"Reason: While Michael Steele claimed to have won more elections than any chairman since 1938, this statement is only partially true. If we consider the seat changes in the U.S. House during his tenure as RNC chairman, the Republican Party did experience significant gains in the 2010 midterm elections. However, when considering the actual number of wins, there have been other instances, such as in 1942, 1946, and 1994, where the Republican Party gained more seats in the House, as well as greater gains in the Senate in certain years. Therefore, while Steele's claim holds some truth regarding seat changes, it is not entirely accurate when considering the overall number of wins.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Steele defended his tenure as RNC chairman, saying, \"I have won more elections than any chairman since 1938. In fact, none of my predecessors have been able to put together the kind of combination of wins.\"","The battle for RNC chairman promises to heat up quickly in the coming month, so we decided to check Steele's talking point, that he has \"won more elections than any chairman since 1938.\"","If Steele decides to seek another term as chairman of the RNC, he can certainly boast about significant Republican gains in the midterm election. But when he said, \"I have won more elections than any chairman since 1938,\" that's only true if you were to consider just the seat changes -- as opposed to the actual number of wins -- in the U.S. House. Republicans also picked up seats in the Senate this year, but they gained more in 1942, 1946 and 1994; Republican gains in governor elections were greater in 1994; and GOP gains in state legislatures were greater in 1966. And so we rate Steele's claim Half True.","We e-mailed the RNC press office for backup, and they pointed us to a story in the Cook Political Report that characterized the Republicans' gain of 63 House seats in the 2010 midterm elections as \"the most seismic shift of House seats in a midterm election since 1938.\""]},{"id":"12793.json","label":"false","statement":"In Arizona, there are only one and a half (Border Patrol) agents per every 10 square miles.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Based on the evidence provided, the number of Border Patrol agents in Arizona is not one and a half per every 10 square miles. The calculations mentioned in the evidence show that there is actually one Border Patrol agent per every 23.77 square miles in Arizona, which translates to approximately 0.4 agents per every 10 square miles. Therefore, the statement significantly overestimates the number of agents per square mile in Arizona.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Arizona spans a total of 113,998 square miles and 4,795 agents for the two sectors along the Arizona-Mexico border. We did the math using square miles and found that there is actually one Border Patrol agent per every 23.77 square miles in Arizona. That comes out to .4 agents per every 10 square miles.","\"In Arizona, for example, there are only one and a half agents per every 10 square miles,\" Kelly Terry-Willis said July 18. \"This is unacceptable.\"","Based on our calculations, she actually overestimates the number of Border Patrol agents compared to square miles. But that\u2019s still misleading -- and leaves out important context.","In fiscal year 2015, the Tucson, Ariz., sector had 3,991 Border Patrol agents covering 262 linear miles of border. That\u2019s just over 15 agents per mile. The Yuma, Ariz., sector had 804 Border Patrol agents covering 126 linear miles of border. That\u2019s just over six agents per mile."]},{"id":"2593.json","label":"false","statement":"Loranne Ausleys a financial train wreck for taxpayers -- pushing gas taxes, property taxes, taxes on seniors.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that Loranne Ausley is a \"financial train wreck for taxpayers\" and is pushing for increased gas taxes, property taxes, and taxes on seniors is not supported by the evidence. Ausley did not push for increased property taxes during her time in the Florida House, and there is no evidence to suggest that she advocated for higher gas taxes or taxes on seniors. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This Washington liberal is raising taxes and wrecking our economy. Now, Pelosi has Loranne Ausley, the Tallahassee politician who wants total control ... of our money,\" a narrator says. \"Watch out, because Ausley's a financial train wreck for taxpayers -- pushing gas taxes, property taxes, taxes on seniors.","This fact check centers on Atwater's claim that \"Ausley's a financial train wreck for taxpayers -- pushing gas taxes, property taxes, taxes on seniors.\" First, we want to mention that Atwater's ad also claims that Ausley \"wants total control of our money.\" That's incendiary and far-reaching rhetoric that cannot be supported by examining Ausley's statements or voting history. You should ignore the line.","Like Ausley's ad attacking Atwater, we're fact-checking the whole of the three specific claims -- that Ausley, a former member of the Florida House, pushed gas taxes, property taxes and taxes as seniors.","Ausley didn't push for increased property taxes as a member of the state House. Instead, she voted against Republican proposals to cut property taxes."]},{"id":"11733.json","label":"false","statement":"Canadian-born Ted Cruz has had a double passport.","reason":"Reason: The evidence indicates that Ted Cruz, who was born in Canada, did have dual citizenship with both Canada and the United States. However, it is important to note that having dual citizenship does not equate to having a \"double passport.\" The term \"double passport\" is misleading and inaccurate. Cruz renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2014, as reported by the Dallas Morning News. Therefore, while Cruz did have dual citizenship at one point, the statement that he had a \"double passport\" is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For instance, while finding no validity to a claim that Canada-born Ted Cruz had a \"double passport,\" we learned there\u2019s no such document for anyone. Still, by virtue of Cruz\u2019s birth in Calgary, the mostly Texas-raised senator long had dual citizenship, meaning citizenship in Canada and the United States, though he renounced his Canadian distinction in 2014, the Dallas Morning News then reported.","!Donald Trump's claim that Ted Cruz has had a \"double passport\" rates False (Photo: Scott Eisen\/Getty Images). !Donald Trump's claim that Ted Cruz has had a \"double passport\" rates False (Photo: Scott Eisen\/Getty Images).","Meantime, when we asked Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler about Cruz ever having a \"double passport,\" Tyler replied that Cruz had \"never\" had a Canadian passport or, he said by email, applied for one.","Trump went on: \"I\u2019d hate to see something like that get in his way. But a lot of people are talking about it, and I know that even some states are looking at it very strongly, the fact that he was born in Canada and he has had a double passport.\""]},{"id":"1672.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Holly Turner failed to vote in five straight Republican primaries.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Holly Turner did not vote in five consecutive Republican primaries. It is stated that she did not vote in the primaries of 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. This information is supported by interviews and is consistent with her voting record during those years. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Workman has hammered Turner for being new to Austin and, of late, to partisan politics. In a TV ad that debuted April 3, the narrator says: \"Turner's record? She ... failed to vote in five straight Republican primaries.\"","So, interviews indicate that Turner voted in the GOP primaries of 2008 and 2010, but didn't vote in the primaries of 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006 \u2014 five in a row.","Holly Turner is a lawyer who grew up in Seguin and moved to the district from Fort Worth in July 2009.","Murphy initially said Turner voted in three consecutive GOP primaries from 2000 to 2004, in Comal County. He said he didn't know if she voted in 1998, when she was registered in Guadalupe County. He said that since she was born in May 1978, she wasn't eligible to vote in the 1996 primary."]},{"id":"3245.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The White House budget plan will bring domestic discretionary spending to its lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was president.","reason":"Reason: President Obama claimed that his proposed budget would reduce domestic discretionary spending to its lowest share of the economy since President Eisenhower. However, it is important to note that the term \"domestic discretionary spending\" is not explicitly used in the White House budget. The statement clarifies that Obama was referring to non-security discretionary spending, and the goal of reaching Eisenhower levels was set for 2015, not immediately. While the claim reflects the intention of reducing domestic spending, the specific comparison to Eisenhower's era requires additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Pressing the case for his proposed 2012 budget, President Barack Obama has repeatedly touted the claim that it would cut deeply into the deficit and bring annual domestic spending to its lowest share of the economy since President Dwight D. Eisenhower.","\"I\u2019ve called for a freeze on annual domestic spending over the next five years,\" Obama said. \"This freeze would cut the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade, bringing this kind of spending -- domestic discretionary spending -- to its lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was president. Let me repeat that. Because of our budget, this share of spending will be at its lowest level since Dwight Eisenhower was president. That level of spending is lower than it was under the last three administrations, and it will be lower than it was under Ronald Reagan.\"","Obama has used the phrase \"domestic spending\" or \"domestic discretionary spending\" when citing the statistic. But you won't find either term in the actual budget from the White House Office of Management and Budget. A spokeswoman in the Office of Management and Budget said Obama was talking about non-security discretionary spending. Furthermore, when Obama said it will \"bring\" domestic spending, as a percentage of GDP, to Eisenhower levels, he didn't mean next year, he meant by 2015.","The rhetoric flying back and forth about Obama's budget from Democrats and Republicans can be dizzying. There are so many ways to present budget figures. But with Republicans attacking Obama's budget as another spending bonanza, we thought it would be helpful to dig deeper into the president's claim about cutting domestic spending to Eisenhower levels."]},{"id":"11077.json","label":"false","statement":"The California governor says yes to poisoning more children with mercury and aluminum in vaccines.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that the California governor is intentionally poisoning children with mercury and aluminum in vaccines. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing and are regulated to ensure their safety and efficacy. The use of mercury in vaccines has been significantly reduced and is only present in trace amounts in some vaccines. Aluminum adjuvants used in vaccines have also been extensively studied and are considered safe. It is important to rely on scientific evidence and expert consensus when discussing vaccine safety rather than spreading misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"California Gov says yes to poisoning more children with mercury and aluminum in manditory sic vaccines,\" Carrey posted on Twitter on June 30.","!Jim Carrey's anti-vaccination Tweet posted after the California governor signed a bill requiring all public school children receive vaccinations all public school children receive vaccinations !Jim Carrey's anti-vaccination Tweet posted after the California governor signed a bill requiring all public school children receive vaccinations all public school children receive vaccinations","Jim Carrey's anti-vaccination Tweet posted after the California governor signed a bill requiring all public school children receive vaccinations all public school children receive vaccinations","\"The widespread presence in the human environment may underlie a number of (central nervous system) disorders,\" their paper concludes. \"The continued use of aluminum adjuvants in various vaccines for children, as well as the general public, may be of significant concern.\""]},{"id":"13109.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has outlined policies that read like a Kremlin wish list.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the source that Donald Trump has outlined policies that read like a Kremlin wish list. It highlights Trump's praise of Vladimir Putin's leadership, his statements regarding Ukraine and Crimea, his stance on NATO obligations, his encouragement of Russian espionage, and his suggestion of lifting sanctions against Russia. These positions and statements have raised concerns among some experts about their alignment with Russian interests. However, it's important to note that this claim is subjective and open to interpretation, as different experts may have varying opinions on the extent to which Trump's policies align with the Kremlin's wishes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For this fact-check, we were interested in whether Trump has outlined \"policies that read like a Kremlin wish list.\" We talked to Russia experts who signed the letter as well as those who didn't.","The claim that Trump's policies read like a Kremlin wish list \"has a lot more to do with Donald Trump's overall statements about Russia than it does with any concrete policies, and that's because Donald Trump doesn't really have many concrete policies,\" said Emma Ashford, a defense and foreign policy research fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute.","But Peter Feaver, a professor of political science and public policy at Duke University, said the claim that Trump's policies read like a Kremlin wish list is \"hyperbole to be sure, because it's looking at some of Trump's statements and not others.\"","\"On the campaign trail, Mr. Trump has repeatedly praised Vladimir Putin\u2019s authoritarian leadership, while outlining policies that read like a Kremlin wish list. He has claimed that Putin would never invade Ukraine, suggested permanently ceding Crimea to Russia, and placed conditions on upholding our obligation to protect our NATO allies. He even encouraged Russian espionage to interfere with our election, a tactic Putin has deployed across Central Asia and Europe to boost his preferred candidates. In addition, he has floated lifting sanctions against Russia, which would benefit both Putin and the Trump Organization.\""]},{"id":"6510.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Congressmen Paul Ryan and Todd Akin co-sponsored legislation to limit federal funding for abortion to victims of forcible rape.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Congressmen Paul Ryan and Todd Akin co-sponsored legislation that aimed to limit federal funding for abortion to victims of \"forcible rape.\" This legislation introduced the term \"forcible rape,\" implying a distinction from other types of rape. It is important to note that this language sparked significant controversy and criticism, as it raised concerns about the potential exclusion of victims of statutory rape, date rape, or other forms of non-consensual sexual acts that may not fit the narrow definition of \"forcible rape.\" The legislation did not ultimately become law, but the co-sponsorship by Ryan and Akin is a matter of record.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Ryan co-sponsored legislation with Akin to limit federal funding for abortion to victims of \u2018forcible rape\u2019 - as if there is any other kind of rape?\"","In a news release, Wisniewski claimed Ryan and Akin co-sponsored legislation \"to limit federal funding for abortion to victims of \u2018forcible rape.\u2019\"","Paul Ryan and Todd Akin co-sponsored bill limiting federal funding for abortions to victims of \u201cforcible rape,\u201d New Jersey Democratic leader says","( - Paul Ryan and Todd Akin co-sponsored bill limiting federal funding for abortions to victims of \u201cforcible rape,\u201d New Jersey Democratic leader says&url=)"]},{"id":"12369.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysHillary Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment. In fact, Clinton has repeatedly stated her support for the right to bear arms while advocating for stronger regulations to prevent gun violence. Multiple fact-checkers have found no instances of Clinton explicitly stating or suggesting that she wants to repeal or abolish the Second Amendment. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment,\" Trump said May 7 at a rally in Washington. \"Hillary Clinton wants to take your guns away, and she wants to abolish the Second Amendment.\"","We found no evidence of Clinton ever saying verbatim or suggesting explicitly that she wants to abolish the Second Amendment, and the bulk of Clinton\u2019s comments suggest the opposite. She has repeatedly said she wants to protect the right to bear arms while enacting measures to prevent gun violence.","When we last looked at the claim, we found no evidence that Clinton has ever said she wants to repeal or abolish the Second Amendment. She has called for stronger regulations, but continuously affirms her support for the right to bear arms.","The addition of the word essentially doesn\u2019t change the accuracy of this claim. We found no evidence of Clinton ever saying verbatim or suggesting explicitly she wants to abolish the Second Amendment. The bulk of her comments suggest the opposite: She wants to enact stricter gun control, but has no objection to responsible gun ownership."]},{"id":"11220.json","label":"true","statement":"Less than half of the poorest American households have a home Internet subscription.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Juli\u00e1n Castro that less than half of the poorest American households have a home internet subscription. This claim is supported by data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2013 American Community Survey, which indicates that approximately 48 percent of the nation's poorest quintile of households reported having a home internet connection. The evidence suggests that there is a correlation between income and home web access, highlighting the barriers faced by low-income households in accessing the internet.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Less than half of the poorest American households have a home internet subscription,\" Castro said, which poses barriers when most college applications and job openings are handled over the web. Castro went on to describe the agency\u2019s new ConnectHome project, which he said would accelerate broadband adoption, helping up to 200,000 children gain high-speed online access.","!Juli\u00e1n Castro, shown here at a Chicago event, recently declared that less than half of the poorest Americans have home Internet subscriptions (AP photo). !Juli\u00e1n Castro, shown here at a Chicago event, recently declared that less than half of the poorest Americans have home Internet subscriptions (AP photo).","About 48 percent of the nation\u2019s poorest quintile of households--the bottom 20 percent--reported a home Internet connection in 2013. Home web access correlates with income, it appears.","The council\u2019s analysis, a 10-page report titled \"Mapping the Digital Divide,\" said that according to the U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s 2013 American Community Survey, \"less than half of households headed by someone who did not graduate high school had a home Internet connection, compared to over 90 percent of households headed by a college graduate.\" The bureau says it annually conducts the survey to help Americans understand changes \"taking place in their communities.\""]},{"id":"8837.json","label":"true","statement":"During the past four years, average wages have barely budged.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that average wages have barely increased over the past four years. Multiple federal data sets support this claim, showing that average wages have risen by no more than 1.7 percent above inflation during that period. This translates to a small increase of about half a percentage point above inflation per year, which can be reasonably considered as \"barely budged.\" It's important to note that this statement specifically refers to average wages and not median wages, average family income, or household income.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Today, after four years of economic growth, corporate profits and stock prices have rarely been higher, and those at the top have never done better,\" Obama said. \"But average wages have barely budged. Inequality has deepened. Upward mobility has stalled. The cold, hard fact is that even in the midst of recovery, too many Americans are working more than ever just to get by - let alone get ahead. And too many still aren't working at all.\"","However, this raw wage data doesn\u2019t take into account inflation -- something economists like to consider when determining whether a wage \"barely budged.\"","Two federal data sets broadly agree: Over the most recent four-year period, the average wage has risen no more than 1.7 percent above inflation. That\u2019s a rising wage -- but by a small amount, about a half a percentage point above inflation per year. We think that\u2019s a reasonable definition for \"barely budged.\" So we rate Obama\u2019s claim True.","At PolitiFact, one of our core principles is \"words matter.\" So in this item, we will look at average wages -- not the median wage, and not the average (or median) family income or household income."]},{"id":"13475.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Donald Trump Protester Speaks Out: I Was Paid $3,500 To Protest Trumps Rally.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a fabricated article that has been widely debunked. The author of the article has admitted to making up the story and posting a fake ad on Craigslist. The intention was to mock the belief that protesters were being paid to attend Trump rallies. The article and the claim it makes about a protester being paid $3,500 are entirely false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["If such claims piqued your interest and you plugged \"paid protesters\" into Google at mid-day on Nov. 17, at the top of the list is this one: \"Donald Trump Protester Speaks Out: 'I Was Paid $3,500 To Protest Trump's Rally.' \"","A web posting headlined, \"Donald Trump Protester Speaks Out: 'I Was Paid $3,500 To Protest Trump's Rally,' \" ranks high on Google searches for the phrase \"paid protesters.\" But the article is 100 percent fabricated, as its author acknowledges. We rate it Pants on Fire.","\"His followers don\u2019t fact-check anything \u2014 they\u2019ll post everything, believe anything,\" Horner said. Referring to then-Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, Horner said, \"His campaign manager posted my story about a protester getting paid $3,500 as fact. Like, I made that up. I posted a fake ad on Craigslist.\" Here\u2019s a screenshot of Lewandowski\u2019s since-deleted tweet:","Asked by the Post \u2019s Caitlin Dewey why he posted the fake story, Horner responded, \"Just \u2019cause his supporters were under the belief that people were getting paid to protest at their rallies, and that\u2019s just insane. I\u2019ve gone to Trump protests \u2014 trust me, no one needs to get paid to protest Trump. I just wanted to make fun of that insane belief, but it took off. They actually believed it.\""]},{"id":"6347.json","label":"true","statement":"Says under federal law we do not have any limitation on the number of guns and bullets we can buy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Under federal law in the United States, there are no specific limitations on the number of guns and bullets that an individual can purchase. While some states, including New Jersey, have enacted their own restrictions on handgun sales, there is no federal law that imposes a nationwide limit on the number of firearms or ammunition that can be purchased.\nLabel: true","evidence":["At a July 24 news conference in Washington, D.C., Menendez pointed out how, under federal law, \"we do not have any limitation on the number of guns and bullets we can buy.\"","Following the mass shooting at a movie theater in Colorado, Menendez claimed at a news conference that \"we do not have any limitation on the number of guns and bullets we can buy.\"","We found that the senator's right that there is no federal law limiting the number of guns and bullets one can purchase at a given time. Three states, including New Jersey, have enacted their own restrictions on handgun sales.","\"The Senator was (and will continue) to talk about the need for federal laws that limit the number of bullets and the number of firearms a person can purchase,\" Menendez spokeswoman Tricia Enright said in an e-mail. \"He believes we need stronger laws nationally, not a patchwork of laws that vary in terms of strength state by state.\""]},{"id":"8273.json","label":"false","statement":"Studies have shown that voter fraud is non-existent in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement that studies have shown voter fraud to be non-existent in Texas is not accurate. While it is true that the number of voter fraud cases in Texas is relatively low, there have been documented instances of voter fraud in the state, as evidenced by the 18 convictions, no-contest pleas, or guilty pleas on voter fraud charges from 2002 through 2012. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that studies have proven voter fraud to be non-existent in Texas.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For example, \"Abbott advocates the use of voter ID laws, allegedly to stop voter fraud,\" the Dallas Democrat wrote. \"Studies have shown that voter fraud is non-existent in Texas.\"","She did not provide, nor did we find, studies showing such fraud to be non-existent. To the contrary, Abbott\u2019s records show 18 convictions, no-contest pleas or guilty pleas on voter fraud charges from 2002 through 2012. That\u2019s not a lot of fraud, by any means, but it still evidently occurred.","\"Non-existent\" is pretty strong; we don\u2019t have to look any farther than our own reporting to know that statement isn\u2019t entirely accurate. But how prevalent is voter fraud in Texas?","We looked at a claim from U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, in a 2013 opinion column about Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott. \"Abbott advocates the use of voter ID laws, allegedly to stop voter fraud,\" the Johnson wrote. \"Studies have shown that voter fraud is nonexistent in Texas.\" We couldn\u2019t find studies showing fraud to be nonexistent. To the contrary, Abbott\u2019s records show 18 convictions, no-contest pleas or guilty pleas on voter fraud charges from 2002 through 2012. That\u2019s not a lot of fraud, by any means, but it still evidently occurred. We rated her statement False."]},{"id":"2382.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Extending current tax rates would average more than $100,000 a year to millionaires and even billionaires.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Tax Policy Center, which indicates that extending the current tax rates would result in an average tax cut of over $100,000 per year for millionaires and billionaires. This information is supported by independent, nonpartisan analysis. However, it's important to note that the statement does not account for the fact that the proposal supported by the president would allow tax cuts to expire for some high-income individuals who are not millionaires. This additional context should be considered when evaluating the impact of the tax cuts. Overall, the statement is mostly true but lacks some nuance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We were interested in that $100,000 number -- that extending the expiring tax cuts would \"average more than $100,000 a year to millionaires and even billionaires.\"","Obama has been \"quite clear,\" Goolsbee said, \"that borrowing $700 billion to extend tax cuts that average more than $100,000 a year to millionaires and even billionaires is the least effective bang for the buck we have.\"","We also checked with the Tax Policy Center, an independent, nonpartisan think tank that generates economic projections similar to those of the JCT. The Tax Policy Center found that the average tax increase to millionaires and up would be $128,832. That's a bit higher than the JCT estimate, but for a complex economic analysis, it's fairly close. The center's numbers also supports Goolsbee's statement that extending the tax cuts would \"average more than $100,000 a year to millionaires and even billionaires.\"","So Goolsbee is correct that the expiring tax cuts are worth, on average, more than $100,000 for millionaires and billionaires. But the proposal the president supports would let tax cuts expire for some people who make high salaries but aren't millionaires, which Goolsbee didn't mention. So we deduct a tick from the Truth-O-Meter and rate his statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"90.json","label":"false","statement":"\"There are 300,000 babies born deformed every year in this country because of women who are alcoholics while they're carrying those children to term.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that there are 300,000 babies born with birth defects each year due to women who are alcoholics. The correct figure, as stated by the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, is that about 40,000 children are born each year with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, which includes a range of conditions beyond birth defects. The Surgeon General also provides a more specific estimate of alcohol-related birth defects, ranging from 2,100 to 8,300 cases per year. Therefore, the statement significantly exaggerates the number of babies affected by alcohol-related birth defects.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Biden said he wouldn't consider changing the drinking age from 21 to 18 because of the negative effects of alcohol. As evidence, he said 300,000 babies suffer birth defects each year because their mothers are alcoholics.","Problem is, that number is way off. The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome states that about 40,000 children are born each year suffering from Fetal Alchol Spectrum Disorders, which includes birth defects, but also conditions such as learning disabilities or poor motor skills. The group says that number is more than Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome and Muscular Dystrophy combined, but it's still quite a way from 300,000.","\"First, he said he would take all of our troops out in six months, and now he acknowledges it would take a year.\"","As for birth defects alone, the Surgeon General says that alcohol-related birth defects affect between .5 and 2 infants per 1,000 births. That comes to between about 2,100 and 8,300 cases a year, given current birth rates."]},{"id":"4839.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says were losing one voter every 13 minutes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows a statistic claiming that Oregon is losing one voter every 13 minutes. The evidence includes calculations based on the number of missing voters over a specific period of time, which aligns with the claim. However, it's important to note that this statistic needs context to fully understand its significance. Without considering the cyclical nature of voter registration and participation, the statistic may sound more alarming than it actually is. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true, but it should be interpreted with the understanding that this is a cyclical trend rather than a continuous decline.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["That statistic caught our eye. Could Oregon, which traditionally has high voter participation, really be hemorrhaging one voter every 13 minutes?","There were about 1,060 days separating Election Day 2008 and the end of September 2011. If you put that into the number of missing voters, you get about 113 fewer registered voters each day. Take the number of minutes in a day -- 1440 -- and divide it by 113 and you do, in fact, get 13 minutes.","That brings us to our ruling. Our Oregon said we\u2019ve lost about 119,000 since November 2008 -- one every 13 minutes -- and official figures back them up. The thing is, without the context that this is a pretty cyclical happening, that statistic sounds pretty dire. We think it needs context, so under PolitiFact rules, we\u2019ll give it a Mostly True.","The screen shows a graphic that says: \"Should Gov. Newsom be recalled?\" The graphic then reflected that 4,530,002 \"no\" votes had been counted \u2014 67.1% of the votes tallied by that point \u2014 and 2,225,915 \"yes\" votes had been counted, or 32.9%. In the bottom right corner of the graphic it says \"52% estimated vote,\" meaning that these totals only account for about half of all ballots cast in the race."]},{"id":"2085.json","label":"false","statement":"Today, we have two Vietnams, side by side, North and South, exchanging and working.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The division between North and South Vietnam ended in 1975 when North Vietnam conquered the South, resulting in the reunification of Vietnam under Communist rule. There is currently only one Vietnam, and the notion of two separate countries, North and South Vietnam, existing side by side is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Today, we have two Vietnams, side by side, North and South, exchanging and working,\" she said. \"We may not agree with all that North Vietnam is doing, but they are living in peace. I would look for a better human rights record for North Vietnam, but they are living side by side.\"","\"If there was any reason to raise a point of concern, it was probably because I misspoke and did not add the phrase, after my discussion of North and South Vietnam, that 'the nation was united as one,'\" she said in a statement issued the following day. \"However, my point is still accurate, and that is that the war between North and South Vietnam is similar to Afghanistan, in that those fighting against each other were Vietnamese and now the country lives as one Vietnam. However, it is South Vietnam that was consumed by North Vietnam and governed by the policies of North Vietnam.\"","Quick history lesson, compliments of the CIA World Factbook:Under the 1954 Geneva Accords, Vietnam was divided into the Communist North and anti-Communist South. The United States' military presence in South Vietnam grew during the 1960s in an attempt to bolster that government, but armed forces withdrew in following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnam conquered the south, reuniting the two countries under Communist rule.","Jackson Lee was four decades too late in her reference to two Vietnams. There's just one now, and just one way to rate her statement: False."]},{"id":"8871.json","label":"true","statement":"Florida shelled out more money for drug testing than it saved by denying welfare benefits to people who tested positive for drugs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Florida spent more money on drug testing than it saved by denying welfare benefits to individuals who tested positive for drugs. The data from The Miami Herald indicates that out of 4,086 welfare applicants tested, only 108 individuals (2.6%) failed the drug test. This suggests that the cost of conducting the drug tests outweighed the savings from denying benefits to those who tested positive. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Atlanta lawmaker said Florida spent more money for drug tests once its TANF law was implemented than it saved denying benefits to people who tested positive for drugs.","Let\u2019s start with Florida\u2019s drug-testing law. The law, which was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge Dec. 31, 2013, required people applying for welfare benefits to first pass a drug screening.","Georgia currently has a law on the books that mandates drug testing of applicants for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, or what most people think of as welfare. But it\u2019s been on hold because of legal battles over the constitutionality of a similar Florida law.","Orrock said she based her statement on a story in The Miami Herald about Florida\u2019s program, which operated for four months before it was halted due to legal challenges. The newspaper reported that 4,086 welfare applicants were subject to drug testing, and 108 people, or 2.6 percent, failed. An additional 40 people scheduled but canceled their tests."]},{"id":"6964.json","label":"true","statement":"Ive got a 94 percent career voting record in Congress while Bill Nelson has a 92 percent voting record.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker, Mack, during a debate against Senator Bill Nelson. Mack stated that he has a 94 percent career voting record in Congress, while Nelson has a 92 percent voting record. The available data supports these numbers, indicating that both Mack and Nelson have high voting participation rates throughout their respective careers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We will fact-check Mack\u2019s claim that he\u2019s got \"a 94 percent voting record\" for his career in Congress, while Bill Nelson has \"a 92 percent voting record.\"","Mack: \"As far as my voting record, Senator, you should be straight with people. I\u2019ve got a 94 percent voting record. You\u2019ve got a 92 percent voting record.\"","Mack said that his own career voting participation rate is 94 percent, while Nelson\u2019s is 92 percent. The available data supports those numbers.","In a debate against his Democratic opponent Sen. Bill Nelson on Oct. 17, 2012, Mack defended himself by saying that his career voting record was on par with Nelson\u2019s. Mack started in Congress in 2005, while Nelson served in the House between 1979 and 1990 and then joined the Senate in 2001."]},{"id":"12418.json","label":"true","statement":"When I was secretary of state, I had a very high approval rating.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. During Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State from January 2009 to February 2013, she did indeed have a high approval rating. Multiple sources confirm that her approval rating reached as high as 65 percent during that period. It is important to note that approval ratings can fluctuate over time and can vary depending on the source and methodology of the polls conducted. However, the evidence supports the claim that Clinton had a high approval rating during her time as Secretary of State.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"So I have a track record. And I'm going to remind people of that. Because it's not just rhetoric, for me,\" she said. \"When I was secretary of state, I had a very high approval rating, as you can go back and check. Because I was doing a job that people could see.\"","After another dip, it shot up to 65 percent in 2009 when she became secretary of state and stayed high for most of her tenure.","A story on the website for Ken Blackwell, a conservative activist and Ohio\u2019s former secretary of state, claimed in its headline that, \"President Joe Biden\u2019s 100-Day Approval Rating Is The Lowest In American History.\"","The latest NBC News poll shows that 54 percent of registered voters have a negative or somewhat negative opinion of Clinton. Trump scores a bit worse at 58 percent. Only 34 percent view Clinton positively. We wondered if her rating was really very high when she served as secretary of state from January 2009 through Feb. 1, 2013."]},{"id":"9108.json","label":"false","statement":"Kesha Rogers is not a Democrat.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Kesha Rogers is not a Democrat is false. Multiple sources, including the Texas Democratic Party chairman, have confirmed that Kesha Rogers is indeed a Democrat. Despite being described as a \"Lyndon LaRouche Democrat,\" she is a member of the Democratic Party and has sought the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate. The statement suggesting otherwise is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!We rated False a claim that Kesha Rogers, seeking the Democratic nod for U.S. Senate, isn't a Democrat (photo from Rogers' campaign). !We rated False a claim that Kesha Rogers, seeking the Democratic nod for U.S. Senate, isn't a Democrat (photo from Rogers' campaign).","Gilberto Hinojosa said in a Feb. 25, 2014, email blast, \"Kesha Rogers is one of the candidates on the ballot for U.S. senator in the Democratic primary -- but do not be fooled. Kesha Rogers is not a Democrat.\"","We rated False a claim that Kesha Rogers, seeking the Democratic nod for U.S. Senate, isn't a Democrat (photo from Rogers' campaign).","Kesha Rogers of Houston, whom we\u2019ve described as a Lyndon LaRouche Democrat, isn\u2019t even a Democrat, according to the chairman of the Texas Democratic Party."]},{"id":"2179.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Democrats are poised now to cause this largest tax increase in U.S. history.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sarah Palin that Democrats are poised to cause the largest tax increase in U.S. history is inaccurate and misleading. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, stating that it is not supported by the facts. The Democratic proposals at the time did not involve the largest tax increase in history, but rather focused on raising taxes for the wealthiest taxpayers. The statement has been rated as \"Pants on Fire\" by fact-checkers, indicating a significant distortion of the truth.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin answered questions about extending the Bush tax cuts. She said Democrats are \"poised now to cause this largest tax increase in U.S. history. It's a tax increase of $3.8 trillion over the next 10 years, and it will have an effect on every single American who pays an income tax.\"","Palin: \"Yeah. No, this is going to result in the largest tax increase in U.S. history. And again, it's idiotic. And my palm isn't large enough to have written all my notes down on what this tax increase will result in. Let me just go through a couple of things that I want people to be aware of, because, you know, the spin coming from Gibbs and the White House -- you're never going to get the truth out of their messaging. But Democrats are poised now to cause this largest tax increase in U.S. history. It's a tax increase of $3.8 trillion over the next 10 years, and it will have an effect on every single American who pays an income tax. Small businesses especially will be hit hardest. ...\"","Palin said, \"Democrats are poised now to cause this largest tax increase in U.S. history.\" She was asked about tax cuts for the top 2 percent. Either Palin is confused about the revenue numbers involved with extending the tax cuts, or she's willfully distorting the Democratic plans. We'll let you be the judge of that. Regardless, Wallace was very specific about asking her about tax increases for the top 2 percent. And that does not represent the largest tax increase in history. The unlikely outcome that she seems to be talking about -- that all of the Bush tax cuts will be repealed -- wouldn't be the largest tax increase in history either. Palin read the number on her hand correctly, but that's about all she got right. So we rate her statement Pants on Fire.","The problem is, she's distorting the Democrats' proposals. They plan to raise taxes on the wealthiest tax payers, and it would not result in the largest tax increase in U.S. history. We rated Palin's statement Pants on Fire; read our complete report for details."]},{"id":"8184.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says under Mayor Cory Booker, Newark has seen violent crime up five years in a row, murder up five years in a row.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Newark has experienced an increase in violent crime over the past five years, it is incorrect to claim that violent crime and murders have gone up \"five years in a row.\" There have been fluctuations in crime rates, including decreases in some years. Therefore, the claim that violent crime and murders have consistently risen every year under Mayor Cory Booker is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a radio interview, Lonegan claimed that under Booker, Newark has seen \"violent crime up five years in a row, murder up five years in a row.\"","\"He\u2019s had violent crime up five years in a row, murder up five years in a row. This is what he\u2019s done to Newark,\" Lonegan said. \"So he\u2019s done using Newark as a stepping stone. Now he wants to go to Washington, D.C. and do exactly the same thing to the country.\"","( - Cory Booker has overseen \u201cfive years in a row\u201d of increases in violent crime, murders in Newark, Steve Lonegan claims&url=)","That statement is accurate in the sense that overall violent crime has increased over the past five years. But violent crime and murders have not gone up \"five years in a row,\" since there were decreases in some years."]},{"id":"3989.json","label":"true","statement":"Seventy of Ohios 88 counties now have more than 25 percent of their residents eligible for emergency food.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data from the Ohio Department of Development, which shows that 70 out of Ohio's 88 counties have at least 25 percent of their residents living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, making them eligible for emergency food assistance. This indicates a significant level of poverty and food insecurity across a majority of the counties in Ohio.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Ohio Department of Development data shows that in 70 of the state's 88 counties, at least 25 percent of their citizens live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level -- and are therefore eligible for emergency food.","The level drops below 20 percent in only three counties -- Medina, Delaware and Warren -- but tops 45 percent in five: Adams, Meigs, Morgan, Pike and Vinton. In rural Morgan County, 51 percent of residents live below the self-sufficiency level.","That is generally considered to be about 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and is a ceiling for eligibility for food assistance programs.","But a June 2012 snapshot of Ohio\u2019s motor vehicle industry produced by the same agency estimates that at least 12 of Ohio\u2019s 88 counties have no motor vehicle industry employees: Adams, Athens, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Muskingum and Vinton counties. That would put motor vehicle industry workers in 76 of Ohio\u2019s 88 counties."]},{"id":"1975.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It was President Obama's \"inaction that caused over three weeks to go by before he even approved the governor's plan to protect our marsh.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a delay in approving the governor's plan to protect the marsh, attributing it solely to President Obama's \"inaction\" is misleading. The Army Corps of Engineers followed the standard protocol, which involved soliciting interagency comments, receiving a revised plan, and ultimately approving it on May 27. Additionally, BP agreed to cover the cost on June 3. Therefore, the delay cannot be solely attributed to President Obama's inaction, as there were other factors and processes involved. The statement oversimplifies the situation and fails to provide the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Tonight the president actually said that he won't tolerate inaction,\" Scalise said on Sean Hannity's show on Fox News shortly after the speech on June 15, 2010. \"Yet it was his inaction that caused over three weeks to go by before he even approved the governor's plan to protect our marsh and put up those sand barriers which covered 25 percent of the plan that was submitted by our local leaders.\"","Scalise said President Obama's \"inaction ... caused over three weeks to go by before he even approved the governor's plan.\" It's the word \"inaction\" here that is most troubling because it suggests nothing was going on when in fact something was happening to address Jindal's idea. Per protocol, the Corps solicited interagency comments, shared them with the state of Louisiana, received a revised plan, solicited comments on it and then approved the plan May 27. Within a week, the money was in place. The omission of this context leads us to rule Scalise's statement Half True.","But we think it's important to note that the Army Corps of Engineers approved Jindal's plan on May 27, two weeks and two days after he proposed it. And then it was June 3 when BP agreed to cover the cost.","According to Scalise spokesman Stephen Bell, Scalise was counting from May 11 to June 3, when BP agreed to pay, because the governor never planned to pay for the berms at the cost of the Louisiana taxpayers. According to that math, the time would be just over three weeks."]},{"id":"12389.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Chinese last year probably stole $360 billion inintellectual property from the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Newt Gingrich's claim that the Chinese likely stole $360 billion in intellectual property from the United States. This figure is based on estimates provided by William Evanina, the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, who stated that espionage through computer hacking costs the U.S. economy $400 billion annually, with the Chinese government believed to be responsible for 90% of those attacks. However, it is important to note that the $360 billion figure specifically refers to losses from cyber-hacking and does not encompass the entirety of intellectual property theft. Additionally, experts caution that estimating the exact amount of intellectual property stolen is challenging, and the actual number could potentially be higher.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When you hear, for example, that the Chinese last year probably stole $360 billion in intellectual property from the United States, I think being tough about that's a good thing,\" Gingrich said. \"I think conservatives can be for very tough-minded trade.\"","Evanina told reporters in November 2015 that, based on reports by nearly 140 companies, espionage via computer hacking costs the U.S. economy $400 billion a year, and that the Chinese government is believed to be behind 90 percent of those attacks. That works out to $360 billion. Gingrich spokesman Ross Worthington subsequently confirmed that Evanina\u2019s comments were the source of Gingrich\u2019s number on Fox News Sunday.","The first thing we should note, however, is that the $360 billion figure is only for losses from cyber-hacking \u2014 a limitation that Gingrich didn\u2019t specify.","The $360 billion figure is based on a federal estimate, though experts caution that the true number is impossible to know. It could actually be higher."]},{"id":"1056.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Some 500 detainees were released from Guantanamo during the Bush administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from government documents and reports. More than 500 detainees were indeed released or transferred from Guantanamo during the Bush administration. However, it's important to note that the term \"released\" can be misleading, as the majority of detainees were transferred to other countries and placed under various restrictions, rather than being immediately freed. The distinction between release and transfer is significant in understanding the context of the statement. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Indeed, government documents indicate more than 500 detainees were released or transferred from Guantanamo while George W. Bush was president. A White House executive order issued on the second day of Obama's presidency said, \" The federal government has moved more than 500 such detainees from Guant\u00e1namo, either by returning them to their home country or by releasing or transferring them to a third country.\"","Nine of the released detainees suspected to have launched new terrorist attacks were dead or in foreign government custody and all of them were released during Bush\u2019s administration, the Post reported.","Our only quibble with Hoyer is his use of the word \"released.\" That could be interpreted to mean that under Bush, 500-plus detainees left the center and were immediately freed. But the Pentagon says there is a difference between a release and a transfer to another country. The vast majority of detainees leave Gitmo under a transfer, which means they are transported to another country that places them under some type of restrictions. Some are incarcerated in those countries because of criminal charges, while others face monitoring or travel limitations.","Almost 10 years ago, the Director of National Intelligence, the Pentagon and other stakeholders tightened the criteria under which a released detainee was classified as \"confirmed\" or \"suspected,\" said Cully Stimson, who was involved in that process and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs during Bush's administration. He says the criteria are valid."]},{"id":"6164.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Mack Penny Plan for the federal budget would balance our budget by 2019 and continues to gain support.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made about the Mack Penny Plan in the mailer. It states that the plan would balance the federal budget by 2019 and highlights its growing support among lawmakers. However, it's important to note that the veracity of these claims has been evaluated and rated as \"Half True\" in a previous fact-check analysis. While the plan may have gained some support, the timeline for balancing the budget is subject to debate and depends on various factors. Therefore, the statement should be approached with some caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We\u2019ve looked at Mack\u2019s Penny Plan before when Mack said his plan \"would balance our budget by 2019\" and \"continues to gain support.\" We rated that claim Half True.You can read that check for a longer analysis of the Penny Plan, but we will include the highlights here.","\"The Mack Penny Plan is simple -- eliminate one penny out of every federal dollar spent,\" the mailer said. \"Doing this would balance our budget by 2019 and restore economic freedom by reducing spending and bringing fiscal discipline to Washington. The Penny Plan continues to gain support and now has 70 cosponsors in the House of Representatives, as well as support from key senators like Marco Rubio, Pat Toomey and Rand Paul. If Florida families can cut one penny, or more, out of every dollar in their budgets, so can Washington.\"","The mailer says the plan would balance the budget by 2019, while a Mack congressional staffer told us based on the latest figures it would do the trick by 2017.","A mailer Mack sent this year stated the plan would balance the budget by 2019, while a Mack congressional staffer told us based on the latest figures it would do the trick by 2017."]},{"id":"9387.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Florida has the most errors and exonerations from death row.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Florida has indeed exonerated 24 death row inmates, which is the highest number among all states. However, when considering a different resource, the National Registry of Exonerations, which uses different criteria and time periods, Florida had eight exonerations, fewer than Illinois, Louisiana, and Texas. While Florida has a significant number of exonerations, it is not unchallenged as having the highest number. Therefore, the claim is partially accurate but lacks the complete context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Florida has \"the most errors and exonerations from death row,\" ACLU of Florida executive director Howard Simon said in a press release.","\"Florida is the only state in the country where the vote of a simple majority of jurors can recommend that a person receive a sentence of death. This has contributed to our state\u2019s record of having the most errors and exonerations from death row.\"","According to a count by the Death Penalty Information Center, Florida has exonerated 24 death row inmates -- the most of any state in the nation. But another resource that uses a different definitions of \"exoneration\" and has a different time period -- the National Registry of Exonerations -- shows Florida had eight exonerations, fewer than Illinois, Louisiana and Texas. The ACLU's claim makes it seem like Florida is unchallenged for the most exonerations, but the data is actually murkier. So we rate this claim Half True.","The registry shows that Illinois had 18 death penalty exonerations while both Louisiana and Texas had 10, followed by Florida with 8."]},{"id":"10358.json","label":"false","statement":"A recent economic uptick appears to coincide with the expectation of a new Republican Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McConnell suggests a causal relationship between the expectation of a new Republican Congress and a recent economic uptick. However, the evidence provided indicates that this claim is false. Economic data shows that the recovery was already underway before the expectation of a GOP Senate solidified. Therefore, there is no basis to support the assertion that the economic uptick is directly linked to the expectation of a new Republican Congress.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McConnell said a recent economic uptick appears to \"coincide\" with \"the expectation of a new Republican Congress.\" Even leaving aside the question of causation, key statistics show that the economic recovery was under way well before September, which is our best estimate for when the \"expectation\" of a GOP Senate solidified. We rate the statement False.","\"After so many years of sluggish growth, we\u2019re finally starting to see some economic data that can provide a glimmer of hope. The uptick appears to coincide with the biggest political change of the Obama administration\u2019s long tenure in Washington: the expectation of a new Republican Congress.\"","\"After so many years of sluggish growth, we\u2019re finally starting to see some economic data that can provide a glimmer of hope,\" McConnell said. \"The uptick appears to coincide with the biggest political change of the Obama administration\u2019s long tenure in Washington: the expectation of a new Republican Congress.\"","McConnell stopped short of saying the Republican Senate takeover actually caused an economic improvement, though many media observers assumed that was what he was trying to imply. In the liberal New Republic , Brian Beutler joked, \"It absolutely does coincide with the expectation of a new Republican Congress. Relatedly, things that coincide are called \u2018coincidences.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"2028.json","label":"true","statement":"\"He (Kirk) did violate Pentagon rules, twice actually, for improperly mingling politics with his military service.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Giannoulias ad that Mark Kirk violated Pentagon rules by improperly mixing politics with his military service. The Pentagon confirmed that Kirk was counseled twice for such actions, and there is a memo from the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense expressing concerns about his partisan political activities during his military service. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Giannoulias ad states, \"He (Kirk) did violate Pentagon rules, twice actually, for improperly mingling politics with his military service.\" The Pentagon released a statement to AP saying that Kirk was twice \"counseled\" for mixing politics with military service. And we have a memo from the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense referring to \"concerns arising from his partisan political activities during his last two tours of active duty.\"","For this item we are going to do a Truth-O-Meter ruling on Giannoulias' claim that Kirk \"did violate Pentagon rules, twice actually, for improperly mingling politics with his military service.'' But before we get to that part of the ad, we're going to examine other quotes from Kirk that Giannoulias also uses in the ad.","Kirk has copped to misspeaking and being \"careless\" with facts about his military records. We'll discuss each of the misstatements cited in the Giannoulias ad briefly before delving more deeply into one of the most recent and controversial claims in the ad, that, \"He (Kirk) did violate Pentagon rules, twice actually, for improperly mingling politics with his military service.\"","According to AP coverage of a Kirk press conference published on June 30, 2010, \"As Kirk apologized (for some of his misstatements about his military record), however, he also acknowledged something his campaign had flatly denied just two weeks ago \u2014 that he was twice scolded by the Pentagon for improperly mingling politics with his military duties.\""]},{"id":"9019.json","label":"true","statement":"Oregon has never before tried to create a land-use plan for what it should look like for 50 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, Oregon has not previously attempted to create a land-use plan that looks ahead for a period of 50 years. While there may have been previous plans that looked beyond five years, they were not implemented, and the current effort to create a 50-year supply of urban and rural reserves is a new and unprecedented endeavor.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This reserves effort is a big deal,\" he told reporters on Feb. 28, 2014. \"We\u2019ve never tried this before -- beyond that five-, six-year cycle, what it should look like for 50 years.\"","The Oregon Legislature just waded into a years-long attempt by the Portland region to create a 50-year supply of urban and rural reserves. Lawmakers jumped in after the Court of Appeals found parts of the plan fatally flawed.","So while it\u2019s true that a plan was developed nearly 20 years ago that looked out far more than five years, that rocky iteration of Oregon\u2019s land-use history was never actually put into effect.","Clem, in touting the law, said \"we\u2019ve never tried this before,\" meaning no one has devised a land-use plan that looks out a half-century."]},{"id":"12578.json","label":"false","statement":"Doctors kill about 250,000 people a year in botched surgeries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks proper context. While medical errors and complications can occur, the claim that doctors kill about 250,000 people a year in botched surgeries is an oversimplification and exaggeration. The figure of 250,000 is an estimate that encompasses various types of medical errors, not solely botched surgeries. It includes a range of factors such as misdiagnosis, medication errors, and communication breakdowns. It's important to note that the vast majority of surgeries are successful and performed without complications. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays the situation and fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and safety measures within the medical field.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"That would be akin to me trying to transform the medical community after a botched surgery when I know nothing about the medical community. I'm not educated in it, I'm not trained in it. By the way, did you know that doctors kill about 250,000 people a year in botched surgeries?","2. More importantly, the 250,000 estimate was based on many types of medical errors, not just botched surgeries -- anything from bad doctors to communication breakdowns when patients are handed off from one department to another, to medicine dosage mistakes, diagnostic errors and more.","But that figure is an estimate. Moreover, no estimate was made in the study on the number of deaths due to botched surgeries.","In Georgia, it's \"illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place\" and \"punishable by up to a year in prison.\""]},{"id":"3055.json","label":"false","statement":"The White House branded the memorial service for the Tucson shootings with a Together We Thrive logo and slogan.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that the White House did not brand the memorial service for the Tucson shootings with the \"Together We Thrive\" logo and slogan. The slogan and logo were not created by the White House but were used by the University of Arizona for the memorial service. The T-shirts with the logo were distributed to attendees at the event, but this does not indicate direct involvement or branding by the White House. Michelle Malkin's claim that the White House was responsible for the branding is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The University of Arizona memorial service for the victims of the Tucson, Ariz. shootings was called \"Together We Thrive.\" But Michelle Malkin claimed the slogan was cooked up by the White House","In an opinion piece about the Jan. 12, 2011, memorial event, Malkin, a conservative pundit, accused the White House of \"branding\" the memorial service with the slogan, complete with its own logo.","The Drudge Report subsequently ran a headline atop its web page, \"Political Theme, T-Shirts at Memorial?\" It linked to an AP photo of \"Together We Thrive\" T-shirts draped over the back of chairs before the memorial service at McKale Memorial Center on the University of Arizona campus.","Malkin noted that all 13,000 people who attended the \"Together We Thrive\" event were given blue and white T-shirts with the logo."]},{"id":"836.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama \"changed the rules in Washington. Gone are the free gifts from lobbyists. Gone are the fancy airplane rides for nothing.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Obama did support and back the 2007 law that prohibited gifts from lobbyists and required senators to reimburse the full charter rate for corporate jet travel. However, it is important to note that senators were not flying for free before this law was enacted; they were required to pay the cost of a first-class ticket on a commercial airline for the same route. Additionally, while Obama did vote against certain legislation in 2006 that aimed to address issues like earmarks and lobbying, he also proposed tougher disclosure rules for earmark requests and the creation of an independent ethics office. Therefore, while Obama made efforts to change some rules related to lobbying and gifts, the statement should be clarified to accurately reflect the specific changes he advocated for and supported.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama's 30-minute infomercial made the claim again on October 29, 2008, quoting Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill. \"He's changed the rules in Washington,\" McCaskill said during the half hour campaign commercial that ran on major broadcast networks and cable channels. \"Gone are the free gifts from lobbyists. Gone are the fancy airplane rides for nothing. He did that.\"","And to be sure, Obama backed the 2007 law, which barred gifts from lobbyists and required that a senator flying on a corporate jet reimburse the plane's owner at the full charter rate. (Senators didn't previously fly free, as McCaskill claims, but rather were required to pay whatever a first class ticket on a commercial airline would have cost for the same route.)","But Obama was not pleased with what the Senate came up with and in March 2006 he was one of just three Democrats to vote against legislation, which ultimately passed 90-8, by then-GOP Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi that would have made it more difficult to add earmarks to spending bills, required members of Congress to wait two years after leaving public office to lobby their former colleagues and banned gifts from lobbyists.","Obama proposed setting tougher rules for the disclosure of earmark requests and creating an outside ethics office, staffed with independent monitors, to evaluate complaints against senators."]},{"id":"744.json","label":"false","statement":"\"President Eisenhower, on the night before the Normandy invasion...[wrote a] letter of resignation to the United States Army for the failure of the landings at Normandy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Eisenhower wrote two letters on the night before the Normandy invasion, one congratulating the military and Allies for their success and another taking responsibility for the failure, there is no evidence to support the claim that the second letter was a letter of resignation to the United States Army. The letter was prepared in case the mission failed, but it did not indicate a resignation from his position. The assertion that Eisenhower wrote a letter of resignation specifically for the failure of the landings at Normandy is not supported by historical evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"President Eisenhower, on the night before the Normandy invasion...wrote a letter of resignation to the United States Army for the failure of the landings at Normandy.\"","Then he said: \"But there's also the issue of responsibility. You've mentioned President Dwight David Eisenhower. President Eisenhower, on the night before the Normandy invasion, went into his room and he wrote out two letters. One of them was a letter congratulating the great members of the military and Allies that had conducted and succeeded in the greatest invasion in history, still to this day, and forever. And he wrote out another letter, and that was a letter of resignation to the United States Army for the failure of the landings at Normandy. Somehow, we've lost that accountability.\"","McCain was almost certainly referring to this note , which Eisenhower, then the U.S. Army general commanding the Normandy assault, prepared and stuck in his wallet on June 5, 1944, the day before the invasion in case the mission failed.","McCain ought not use it either \u2014 at least not as an example of prewritten resignation letter. Though Eisenhower did intend to take responsibility for the failure, that's quite different from preparing to resign his generalship. We find this anecdote to be False."]},{"id":"2136.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"25 percent of our economy is the financial sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"25 percent of our economy is the financial sector\" is not entirely accurate. Multiple calculations and expert opinions indicate that the percentage attributed to the financial sector is lower than the specified 25 percent. The inclusion of \"real estate, rental, and leasing\" in the equation, as well as the distinction between the private economy and the financial sector, can affect the calculation. The narrower definition of the financial sector consistently produces percentages that are significantly smaller than the 25 percent mentioned. While one calculation did reach 25 percent, it is not the most accurate representation. Therefore, the statement is considered barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"As someone's who concerned about the overall growth of the economy, the role of education, innovation, manufacturing, does it trouble you that 25 percent of our economy is the financial sector, which doesn't actually make anything besides money?\" Gregory asked.","Neither calculation reaches the 25 percent Gregory specified -- but the best estimation for the \"financial sector\" may be even lower.","Now let's get back to the specific statement we're rating -- that \"25 percent of our economy is the financial sector.\" We calculated the numbers 12 different ways, and only one reached Gregory's 25 percent threshold. Reaching that level requires including \"real estate, rental and leasing\" in the equation (which our experts said is not the best way to calculate it) and dividing by the private economy only (a distinction Gregory did not make). By contrast, the narrower definition of the financial sector that our experts favored consistently produced percentages one-third to one-half as big as Gregory suggested. Still, one of our calculations did reach 25 percent, which is enough to rate his statement Barely True.","On July 25, 2010, David Gregory, the host of NBC's Meet the Press , asked Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner if the relative size of the financial sector in the United States bothered him."]},{"id":"559.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama has \"reversed\" on his commitment \"to begin withdrawing American troops from Iraq immediately.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Barack Obama did not reverse his commitment to begin withdrawing American troops from Iraq immediately. In fact, one of his key campaign promises was to end the war in Iraq responsibly and bring the troops back home. After assuming office, President Obama followed through on this commitment and implemented a plan to withdraw American troops from Iraq, which resulted in the complete withdrawal of combat troops by the end of 2011. Therefore, there is no evidence to support the claim that Obama reversed his commitment on troop withdrawal from Iraq.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","Second, Hales says he\u2019s noticed more development in recent months -- pushing him to rethink whether a moratorium is necessary for spurring future growth. \"A full moratorium doesn't appear to be needed anymore,\" he said, but he would consider a partial one, particularly to support smaller businesses. \"There still may be some need.\"","We\u2019re ruling his change of heart a Half Flip. At one point, Hales called for a full moratorium on system development charges. Now, he\u2019s taking a wait-and-see approach with the idea that a partial, more-targeted moratorium might be necessary down the road.","We also checked with Ross Caron, the spokesman for Portland\u2019s Bureau of Development Services, who backed up Hales in part, noting that \"development has been more active this summer than it has been for the last few years,\" for both commercial and residential projects."]},{"id":"10422.json","label":"true","statement":"In President Barack Obamas 2015 State of the Union address, the words al-Qaida were never used, the first time those words have not been used in a State of the Union address since February 2001.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that in President Barack Obama's 2015 State of the Union address, the words \"al-Qaida\" were not used. This was the first time since February 2001 that those words were not mentioned in a State of the Union address. It is important to note that this statement pertains specifically to the 2015 address and does not make any claims about other State of the Union addresses or speeches by President Obama.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In President Barack Obama\u2019s 2015 State of the Union address, \"the words \u2018al-Qaida\u2019 were never used, the first time those words have not been used in a State of the Union address since February 2001.\"","Baier said, \"The words \u2018al-Qaida\u2019 were never used, the first time those words have not been used in a State of the Union address since February 2001.\"","\"The words \u2018al-Qaida\u2019 were never used,\" said host Bret Baier, \"the first time those words have not been used in a State of the Union address since February 2001.\"","!President Barack Obama delivers the 2015 State of the Union address. !President Barack Obama delivers the 2015 State of the Union address."]},{"id":"667.json","label":"true","statement":"McCain voted 19 times against a minimum-wage increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. John McCain did vote against raising the minimum wage on multiple occasions. While there were some procedural and non-direct votes related to the minimum wage, McCain's overall voting record shows opposition to Democratic attempts to increase the minimum wage. Therefore, the statement that McCain voted 19 times against a minimum-wage increase is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We combed through McCain's minimum wage votes and found that not all of 19 in opposition to increases were pure votes on the minimum wage, and some were procedural, as is the Senate's way. But McCain has voted repeatedly, 19 times, against Democratic attempts to raise the minimum wage.","Let's put an important caveat on this issue, however. McCain has often voted for minimum-wage increases. In 2007, he voted for passage of a bill that would have raised the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25, after it was packaged with business tax breaks designed to soften the blow of the wage increase.","Biden, however, never made any claim about McCain's votes for minimum-wage bills or his overall record. All he said was that McCain cast 19 votes against raising the minimum wage, and that's True.","Team Obama has been trolling through John McCain's voting record in the Senate, and this nugget landed in vice presidential candidate Joe Biden's Aug. 27, 2008, convention speech: \"He voted 19 times against the minimum wage for people who are struggling just to make it to the next day.\" (We'll give Biden a pass for skipping the word \"raising,\" which was in his prepared remarks.)"]},{"id":"1007.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sen. Arlen Specters party switch could end up giving Republicans the ability to filibuster judicial nominees at the Judiciary Committee level so that the nominees never get out of committee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concern raised by some that Sen. Arlen Specter's party switch could potentially give Republicans the ability to filibuster judicial nominees at the Judiciary Committee level, preventing them from advancing out of committee. This speculation is based on the idea that Specter's switch could affect the balance of power within the committee. However, it's important to note that this is a hypothetical scenario and the actual outcome would depend on various factors, including the specific dynamics within the committee and the actions taken by its members.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Sen. Arlen Specter's party switch could \"end up giving Republicans the ability to filibuster judicial nominees at the Judiciary Committee level so that the nominees never get out of committee.\"","\"The conventional wisdom was that Arlen Specter defecting to the Democrats put them close to a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate which would allow Obama to just skate through his agenda,\" Limbaugh said on his radio show May 1. \"And on most subjects, it appears to be true. However, Specter's defection may actually end up giving Republicans the ability to filibuster judicial nominees at the Judiciary Committee level so that the nominees never get out of committee. Now, these are big 'if's, but it's possible.\"","The letter states, \"The Judiciary Committee's traditional practice has been to report Supreme Court nominees to the Senate once the Committee has completed its consideration. This has been true even in cases where Supreme Court nominees were opposed by a majority of the Judiciary Committee. We both recognize and have every intention of following the practices and precedents of the Committee and the Senate when considering Supreme Court nominees.\"","Rush Limbaugh speculated recently that Sen. Arlen Specter's switch to the Democratic Party wouldn't necessarily be a boon to Democrats when it comes time for Supreme Court nominations."]},{"id":"4517.json","label":"true","statement":"Says only four Texas legislators voted against a law giving in-state tuition rates to certain illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: Governor Rick Perry's statement that only four Texas legislators voted against a law granting in-state tuition rates to certain illegal immigrants is accurate. Multiple sources, including news stories and fact-checks from PolitiFact Texas, confirm this claim. It is important to note that the statement refers specifically to the 2001 legislation and does not address any subsequent changes or developments related to this issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Under fire recently for his stance on giving in-state college tuition rates to illegal immigrants in Texas, Gov. Rick Perry stated that in 2001, only four Texas legislators voted against the measure.","We\u2019ve written other items about this law in recent days, so our interest was piqued. (We checked statements about whether Perry gave illegal immigrants in-state rates and the difference in dollars between in-state and out-of-state tuition.)","News stories, Dallas Morning News , \"Abbott says Texas law charging illegal immigrants in-state tuition had 'noble' goal but needs overhaul,\" Oct. 11, 2013; \"Bedford lawmaker wants to ban in-state tuition for unauthorized Texas immigrants,\" Nov. 17, 2016","Fact-checks and story, PolitiFact Texas, \"Perry says the TEA checks whether undocumented students are applying for permanent residency,\" Feb. 14, 2010; \"Rick Perry says only four Texas lawmakers opposed in-state tuition law for illegal immigrants,\" Sept. 28, 2011; \"Rick Perry says immigrant tuition law made sense in 2001 but he's got no position on repeal in 2015,\" April 15, 2015"]},{"id":"9669.json","label":"false","statement":"Oregon is the most trade-dependent state in the nation","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Oregon does have a significant reliance on trade, it is not the most trade-dependent state in the nation. According to a trade study released by the Portland Business Alliance, Oregon ranks seventh nationally in the share of exports in its economy. Additionally, the governor's campaign adviser clarified that the governor misspoke and meant to say that Oregon is \"one of\" the most trade-dependent states in the nation. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gov. John Kitzhaber, in a debate with Republican challenger Dennis Richardson, claimed that Oregon is \"the most trade-dependent state in the nation.\"","We called Christian Gaston, a policy adviser for the governor\u2019s campaign. He was sitting in the front row at the debate and said the claim caught his ear as well. In a subsequent email, Gaston said, \"The governor misspoke. He meant to say that Oregon is one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation.\"","A spokesman said Kitzhaber has previously said that Oregon \"is one of\" the most trade-dependent states in the U.S. If he had said that, we would have reached a different ruling.","A trade study released in 2010 by the Portland Business Alliance ranked Oregon seventh nationally in the share exports hold -- 12 percent -- of the state\u2019s economy. A more recent study prepared for the same group indicates that nearly 80,000 jobs in Oregon are directly tied to exporting goods and services, with one in four manufacturing jobs in the state being export-related."]},{"id":"8109.json","label":"true","statement":"In fact New Jersey is a donor state, we get 61 cents back on every dollar we send to Washington. And interestingly Kentucky gets $1.51 on every dollar they send to Washington.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Chris Christie that New Jersey is a donor state, receiving 61 cents back on every dollar it sends to Washington, while Kentucky receives $1.51 on every dollar it sends. This information is based on data from 2005, which shows the disparity in federal funding received by these states. It is worth noting that these figures may have changed over time, and more recent data would provide a more accurate representation of the current situation. However, based on the information available, the statement is factually correct.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Christie said, \"In fact New Jersey is a donor state, we get 61 cents back on every dollar we send to Washington,\" in response to Rand\u2019s claim that New Jersey has a \u2018gimme\u2019 attitude about federal spending. \"And interestingly Kentucky gets $1.51 on every dollar they send to Washington.\"","\"In fact New Jersey is a donor state, we get 61 cents back on every dollar we send to Washington,\" Christie said July 30 in response to Rand\u2019s claim that New Jersey has a \u2018gimme, gimme, gimme\u2019 attitude about federal spending. \"And interestingly Kentucky gets $1.51 on every dollar they send to Washington.\"","Christie\u2019s figures come from data for 2005, which shows that New Jersey received 61 cents and Kentucky received $1.51 for every dollar each state sent to Washington.","In 2005 -- the most recent year analyzed by the Tax Foundation -- the federal government gave New Jersey 61 cents for every dollar it took. That was the smallest return of any state."]},{"id":"12935.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton is proposing to print instant work permits for millions of illegal immigrants to come in and take everybodys jobs, including low-income African-Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton has proposed printing instant work permits for millions of illegal immigrants to come and take everyone's jobs, including low-income African-Americans. This assertion appears to be a misrepresentation or exaggeration of Clinton's immigration policies. It is important to fact-check and verify claims before making such sweeping statements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton is \"proposing to print instant work permits for millions of illegal immigrants to come in and take everybody's jobs, including low-income African-Americans.\"","\"Now she's proposing to print instant work permits for millions of illegal immigrants to come in and take everybody's jobs, including low-income African-Americans.\"","Trump says Clinton is \"proposing to print instant work permits for millions of illegal immigrants to come in and take everybody's jobs, including low-income African-Americans.\"","The green cards would be available to students who are already legally in the United States. And given their level of education and expertise, they would not be taking jobs of low-income Americans. Nor is the program aimed at millions of students."]},{"id":"2785.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One of the interesting things about the Recovery Act was most of the projects came in under budget, faster than expected, because theres just not a lot of work there.","reason":"Reason: President Obama stated that \"most of the projects\" funded by the Recovery Act came in under budget and were completed faster than expected due to the lack of available work. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a comprehensive analysis of all the projects funded by the Recovery Act. While there may have been instances where projects came in under budget and were completed faster, it cannot be generalized to the majority of projects. Without a more comprehensive evaluation, it is difficult to determine the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the Recovery Act projects.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"One of the interesting things about the Recovery Act was most of the projects came in under budget, faster than expected, because there's just not a lot of work there.\"","\"One of the interesting things about the Recovery Act was most of the projects came in under budget, faster than expected, because there's just not a lot of work there,\" Obama said in an interview on 60 Minutes on Nov. 7, 2010. \"I mean, there are construction crews all across the country that are dying for work. And companies that are willing to take a very small profit in order to get work done. And so for us to say now's the time for us to rebuild this country and equip ourselves for the 21st Century. That's something that could make a real difference.\"","We'll break this into two parts: whether most stimulus projects came in under budget, and whether they were faster than expected.","In the fall campaign, Republicans assailed the stimulus as wasteful spending, but now Obama is citing it as an example of efficiency. And so we decided to collaborate with our colleagues at ProPublica to see if Obama was right that \"most\" of the projects funded by the stimulus came in \"under budget\" and \"faster than expected.\""]},{"id":"11499.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2008, then-Sen. Barack Obama missed 60 or 70 percent of his votes. In 2004, John Kerry missed close to 60 to 70 percent and Bob Graham missed over 30 percent of his votes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voting records of then-Senators Barack Obama, John Kerry, and Bob Graham during their respective presidential campaigns. In 2008, Obama missed approximately 60 to 70 percent of his votes, while in 2004, Kerry missed close to 60 to 70 percent. Bob Graham missed over 30 percent of his votes during his presidential campaign in 2004. These figures have been verified by fact-checkers and are supported by voting records. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Back in 2004, one of my predecessors to the Senate by the name of Bob Graham, a Democrat, ran for president missing over 30 percent of his votes. I don't recall them calling for his resignation. \u2026 Later that year, in 2004, John Kerry ran for president missing close to 60 to 70 percent of his votes. In fact, the Sun Sentinel endorsed him. In 2008, Barack Obama missed 60 or 70 percent of his votes, and the same newspaper endorsed him again. So this is another example of the double standard that exists in this country between the mainstream media and the conservative movement.\"","Rubio said that Obama \"missed 60 or 70 percent of his votes,\" that Kerry missed \"close to 60 to 70 percent\" and that Graham missed \"over 30 percent of his votes\" when they were running for president. Those numbers check out, though Obama\u2019s and Kerry\u2019s numbers were over the course of an election year. Rubio is also correct that the newspaper didn\u2019t call for their resignations. Overall, we rate Rubio\u2019s statement True.","In 2004, Kerry missed 89.8 percent of votes. (His career rate is 7.7 percent.) That's somewhat higher than what Rubio said.","In 2008, Obama missed 137 out of 213 votes, or 64.3 percent of votes. (His career absentee rate is 24.2 percent.)"]},{"id":"3405.json","label":"false","statement":"Texans eat more catfish than residents of all other states combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Texans do consume a significant amount of catfish, it is not accurate to claim that they eat more catfish than residents of all other states combined. According to a 2005 study, Texans consumed nearly 109 million pounds of catfish per year, which is less than the combined consumption of residents in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Therefore, the claim that Texans eat more catfish than residents of all other states combined is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It seemed a tad(pole) fishy when state Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, recently said Texans eat more catfish than residents of other states, by a whopping margin. His Feb. 26 op-ed column in the Austin American-Statesman says: \"Texans love their catfish, batter-fried, blackened, or grilled. In fact, Texans eat more catfish than all the other states combined.\"","Not only do Texans not eat more catfish than the whole rest of the country, they ate less, per person, than residents in four other southern states as of 2005. Even by Texas bragging standards, Hegar\u2019s statement smacks as a memorable fish tale. We rate it False.","In an interview, institute spokesman Jeff McCord told us the institute commissioned a 2005 catfish consumption study concluding that Texans consume more catfish than residents of four other southern states combined.","The study concluded the residents of Texas then consumed nearly 109 million pounds of catfish a year. That\u2019s more than the residents of Alabama (30 million), Arkansas (18 million), Louisiana (28 million) and Mississippi (18 million) combined (94 million pounds)."]},{"id":"12278.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ted Cruz wanted to let in more Syrian refugees and give amnesty to illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The ad claims that Ted Cruz wanted to let in more Syrian refugees and give amnesty to illegal immigrants. While the use of the past tense in the ad implies that these were past positions held by Cruz, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not conclusively establish that Cruz explicitly supported these actions. The ad's claim is based on interpretation and subjective definitions of terms like \"amnesty.\" It is worth mentioning that immigration policies can be complex and nuanced, and different individuals may have varying interpretations of what constitutes amnesty or support for admitting more refugees. Therefore, the statement should be approached with caution and may not fully capture the complexity of Cruz's positions on these issues.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We found that the ad\u2019s clever use of the past tense -- in saying the Texas senator wanted to let in more Syrian refugees and give amnesty to illegal immigrants -- has some foundation.","\"We need to control our borders and stop letting in dangerous people. Trump will do that. And Ted Cruz? He wanted to let in more Syrian refugees and give amnesty to illegal immigrants. That won't protect my family. Donald Trump will.\"","Some consider amnesty to be anything less than deporting all illegal immigrants, while others think of amnesty as letting immigrants stay with no punishment or additional requirements.","A Cruz campaign spokesman told us that on immigration, the senator never backed amnesty and that on Syrian refugees, he never backed an increase in the numbers."]},{"id":"10365.json","label":"true","statement":"January through November 2014, the year so far, were the hottest first 11 months of any year recorded.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that January through November 2014 was the hottest first 11 months of any year recorded. This information is supported by various sources and has been widely reported in the media. It is important to note that this statement does not address the claim made by Steve Doocy regarding NASA scientists \"fudging the numbers\" to manipulate temperature data. That claim is unsubstantiated and lacks credible evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"That's the hottest year on record in the United States,\" Doocy said. \"At least until NASA scientists fudged the numbers to make 1998 the hottest year to overstate the extent of global warming. The 1930s were by far the hottest decade in the United States.\"","!Steve Doocy of \"Fox and Friends\" said 1934 was the hottest year on record and NASA scientists \"fudged the numbers\" to make it seem cooler. !Steve Doocy of \"Fox and Friends\" said 1934 was the hottest year on record and NASA scientists \"fudged the numbers\" to make it seem cooler.","Steve Doocy of \"Fox and Friends\" said 1934 was the hottest year on record and NASA scientists \"fudged the numbers\" to make it seem cooler.","Johnson\u2019s comments on WRJN-AM in Racine prompted stories in the national media, including Talking Points Memo , Slate and the Huffington Post , each of which referred to 2015 being the hottest year on record."]},{"id":"5037.json","label":"true","statement":"And, as of today, New Jersey state government has less employees than when Christie Whitman left office in 2001.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Chris Christie's claim that New Jersey state government has fewer employees now than when Christie Whitman left office in 2001. Multiple sources confirm Christie's assertion, including his own statements during interviews and speeches. It is important to note that Christie attributes this reduction in government employees to attrition rather than layoffs. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"New Jersey today has fewer employees in state government than it had when Christie Whitman left office in January of 2001, and I think that\u2019s good. And we did it without any layoffs. We did it through attrition.\"","At the Brookings Institution, Christie claimed: \"New Jersey today has fewer employees in state government than it had when Christie Whitman left office in January of 2001, and I think that\u2019s good. And we did it without any layoffs. We did it through attrition.\"","\"And, as of today, New Jersey state government has less employees than when Christie Whitman left office in 2001,\" Christie told hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. \"So, we\u2019ve made government smaller. We\u2019ve made it smarter. We\u2019ve made it less expensive for people. And we\u2019ve done that with a Democratic Legislature.\"","In a television interview, Christie claimed \"New Jersey state government has less employees than when Christie Whitman left office in 2001.\""]},{"id":"1654.json","label":"true","statement":"The Senate Republican education plan is an unfunded mandate for local school districts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources, including state Rep. Julio Robaina and Alex Sink, regarding the Senate Republican education plan being an unfunded mandate for local school districts. These sources argue that the bill would require school districts to implement new education initiatives without providing the necessary funding, which could result in penalties and loss of state funding for districts that fail to comply. The evidence supports the assertion that the plan creates an unfunded mandate for local school districts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In this item, we want to explore Sink's claim about who would pay to implement the new education initiatives, and whether or not the bill creates an \"unfunded mandate.\" We've heard others make a similar claim, including Duval County Schools superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals and Republican state Rep. Julio Robaina of Miami.","Thirteen Republican senators voted for the bill, which passed 31-26. The Senate had 57 districts in 1970. There are 63 districts today.","\"This is an UNFUNDED mandate,\" state Rep. Julio Robaina, R-Miami, said in a press release April 1, 2010. \"School districts will have to 'cobble-wobble together' the funding to put all the provisions into place or they will be PENALIZED and lose state funding.\"","\"These proposals are bad for our children and our state,\" Sink said. \"As a mother whose two children went to Florida public schools, I feel strongly that our local school districts should be the ones making these kinds of decisions for our students and teachers -- not politicians in Tallahassee. I also have a serious problem with placing even more unfunded mandates on our local school districts, as they are already facing significant budget concerns.\""]},{"id":"570.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama \"voted for and even sponsored amendments that were intended to kill the (immigration overhaul) legislation.\"","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources confirm that Senator John McCain accused President Obama of voting for and sponsoring amendments that were intended to kill the immigration overhaul legislation. This accusation was made during the 2008 election campaign and reiterated in subsequent speeches. However, it's important to note that without specific details about the amendments in question, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this claim. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the context and political motivations behind these statements, as they were made during a heated political campaign. Therefore, while the statement reflects McCain's accusation, further investigation is needed to determine the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I (helped draft the compromise bill) not just because I believe it was the right thing to do for Hispanic Americans. It was the right thing to do for all Americans,\" McCain said, adding Obama \"voted for and even sponsored amendments that were intended to kill the (immigration overhaul) legislation.\"","It turns out we actually looked at this issue before; McCain made a similar charge during the election of 2008 as evidence that Obama was willing to engage in partisanship when it suited his purposes. Back then, he said Obama \"voted for and even sponsored amendments that were intended to kill the (immigration overhaul) legislation.\"","\"I (helped draft the compromise bill) not just because I believed it was the right thing to do for Hispanic Americans. It was the right thing to do for all Americans,\" McCain said before the nation's largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. \"Sen. Obama declined to cast some of those tough votes. He voted for and even sponsored amendments that were intended to kill the legislation, amendments that Sen. Kennedy and I voted against.\"","McCain fired the latest salvo in a July 14 appearance before the National Council of La Raza convention in San Diego, charging Obama helped scuttle a bipartisan immigration bill last year by offering and supporting deal-breaking amendments that were intended to kill the legislation."]},{"id":"9812.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve seen highway fatalities actually decrease in Colorado since marijuana use was legalized.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some sources indicate a decrease in total highway fatalities in Colorado since the legalization of marijuana, it is important to note that this correlation does not necessarily imply causation. Other factors, such as improvements in vehicle safety and trauma medicine, could also contribute to the decrease in fatalities. Additionally, the evidence provided does not specifically address the impact of marijuana legalization on impaired driving and pedestrian fatalities. Therefore, while there may be a decrease in total highway fatalities, it is not accurate to solely attribute this decrease to the legalization of marijuana.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Addressing opposition predictions that driving accidents would spike in those states, he added, \"We've seen highway fatalities actually decrease in Colorado\" since recreational use of marijuana became legal there in January.","Over the past decade, he said -- or roughly the time that Colorado began loosening its marijuana laws -- total highway fatalities are down. Statistics bear that out, but the margin is slim and there are other factors such as improvements in vehicle safety and trauma medicine.","\"There could well be a big decrease in the number of pedestrian fatalities,\" Wilfong said. \"There\u2019s nothing in these figures to show that impaired driving has been reduced to any measurable degree.\"","Anthony Johnson, chief petitioner for Measure 91, which would legalize recreational marijuana use in Oregon, pointed to Colorado\u2019s brief seven-month experience with legal pot and noted that traffic fatalities have decreased there over that stretch."]},{"id":"4346.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gov. Rick Scott is trying to get a waiver under the federal health care law that would deny consumers in Florida the right to the $60 million in rebates they have from their own HMOs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Randolph that Governor Rick Scott is seeking a waiver under the federal health care law that would potentially deny consumers in Florida the right to $60 million in rebates from their own HMOs. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer conclusive proof of this claim. Further investigation and additional evidence would be needed to verify the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Randolph said Scott \"is trying to get a waiver under the federal health care law that would deny consumers in Florida the right to the $60 million in rebates they have from their own HMOs.\"","Randolph made a couple of claims in his response to Sharpton, but we wondered if he was correct to say that Scott is trying to get a waiver under the federal health care law that would deny consumers the right to $60 million in rebates from their own HMOs.","\"You've got a situation where Florida has the second-highest rate of uninsured,\" Randolph said. \"We have one, obviously the highest rates of senior per capita, and here you have a governor that is absolutely determined to use to put ideology above the health of their own citizens. In addition -- I'm sorry, in addition to the money you already talked about, he also is trying to get a waiver under the federal healthcare law that would deny consumers in Florida the right to the $60 million in rebates they have from their own HMOs.\"","Under the leadership of Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the state's Republican-dominated Legislature, Florida has rejected at least $19 million to implement parts of the controversial federal health care bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"9952.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Jason Carter actually opposed more funding for education in the Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Jason Carter opposed more funding for education while serving in the Senate. The evidence confirms that Carter voted against the current state budget that included increased funding for schools. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the reasons behind Carter's opposition to the funding and any potential alternative proposals he may have supported. Nonetheless, the statement is generally accurate in conveying Carter's voting record on education funding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Jason Carter promises to invest more in education. But Carter actually opposed more funding for education in the Senate,\" the ad states.","The GOP was careful in wording its latest ad to say Carter opposed more funding for education \"in the Senate.\" That statement needs that context but is largely on target.","In summary, the RGA ad claims that Carter \"actually opposed more funding for education.\" It would be accurate to say Carter voted against the current state budget that expanded money for schools.","Austerity cuts reflect the difference in what school systems qualify for and actually receive from the state under the education funding formula, the Quality Basic Education Act of 1985."]},{"id":"8640.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"About 2 percent of Americans get paid the minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly accurate. According to official statistics, approximately 2 percent of American workers are paid at or below the federal minimum wage. However, it's worth noting that the statement could have been more precise by specifying that it refers to American workers rather than the entire population. Nonetheless, the general point made by the statement, that workers earning the federal minimum wage represent a small percentage of the overall workforce, is supported by official data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["That exchange includes a bunch of different statistics, but here we\u2019ll be checking this one: \"About 2 percent of Americans get paid the minimum wage.\" We won\u2019t get into the question of what this means for minimum-wage policy here; for now, we\u2019ll just look at the numbers.","Portman said that \"about 2 percent of Americans get paid the minimum wage.\" He didn\u2019t word the statement with complete accuracy; he would have been better off saying that, according to official statistics, \"about 2 percent of American workers get paid at or below the federal minimum wage.\" Still, his number is close to accurate, and his general point -- that workers who are paid the federal minimum-wage represent a small percentage of the entire working population -- is backed up by official data. We rate his claim Mostly True.","\u2022 Portman referred to people who \"get paid the minimum wage.\" Actually, the numbers he cited refer to Americans who either get paid the minimum wage or get paid less than the minimum wage.","!Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said just 2 percent of Americans earn the minimum wage. Is that correct? !Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said just 2 percent of Americans earn the minimum wage. Is that correct?"]},{"id":"10673.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Affordable Care Act is a major reason why weve seen 50,000 fewer preventable patient deaths in hospitals.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's claim that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a major reason for the reduction of 50,000 preventable patient deaths in hospitals is accurate. The ACA implemented various initiatives and policies aimed at improving the quality of healthcare and patient safety, including efforts to reduce hospital readmission rates and prevent medical errors. These initiatives have indeed contributed to a significant decrease in preventable patient deaths. However, it's important to note that the reduction in preventable deaths is not solely attributed to the ACA, as other factors and healthcare improvements also played a role.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The work that we\u2019ve been able to do is already spurring the kinds of changes that we had hoped for,\" Obama said. \"It\u2019s helped reduce hospital readmission rates dramatically. It\u2019s a major reason why we\u2019ve seen 50,000 fewer preventable patient deaths in hospitals.\"","!When President Barack Obama marked the fifth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, he specifically touted advances in curbing preventable deaths in hospitals. Was his claim accurate? !When President Barack Obama marked the fifth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, he specifically touted advances in curbing preventable deaths in hospitals. Was his claim accurate?","When President Barack Obama marked the fifth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, he specifically touted advances in curbing preventable deaths in hospitals. Was his claim accurate?","\"The major reason for this is Obamacare,\" Varney said. \"New figures suggest that Obamacare will be much more expensive than we thought. It will cost $50,000 per enrollee in Obamacare over the next 10 years.\""]},{"id":"1499.json","label":"false","statement":"The current (agriculture) commissioner allowed tainted beef to be sent to school cafeterias.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement that the current agriculture commissioner allowed tainted beef to be sent to school cafeterias. While there was a nationwide recall of tainted beef in 2008, the evidence suggests that the agriculture commissioner at the time, Todd Staples, issued a press release giving clearance to school districts to comply with the recall and dispose of the affected meat. There is no clear indication that Staples allowed the tainted beef to be sent to school cafeterias. Additionally, the evidence suggests that state-level officials do not typically intervene in school district food purchases unless alerted to a recall. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the provided evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Responding to a question from the League of Women Voters of Texas, Friedman said: \"The current commissioner allowed tainted beef to be sent to school cafeterias.\"","The release doesn\u2019t say if or how Staples allowed the tainted beef get to Texas schools. But Friedman spokesman Jason Stanford said it shows \"this was allowed to happen on Staples\u2019 watch.\"","The candidate\u2019s campaign pointed us to a February 2008 press release issued by Staples giving clearance to school districts to comply with a nationwide recall of more than 765,000 pounds of tainted beef. The release states: \"Currently, 462 Texas school districts and other entities enrolled in the school breakfast and lunch programs have reported to have meat on hold and now can begin the disposal process.\"","Daniel said state officials such as the Texas agriculture commissioner don't determine which suppliers provide food either through federally purchased commodities, which account for 15 to 20 percent of the food in school meals nationwide, or local purchases from commercial suppliers, handled by school districts. Daniel said she didn't know of any instance of a state-level official intervening in school district food purchases unless they were alerted to a recall."]},{"id":"5300.json","label":"true","statement":"The national debt is equal to $48,700 for every American or $128,300 for every U.S. household. It is now equivalent to the size of our entire economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Forbes, stating that the national debt amounts to approximately $48,700 per person and $128,300 per household. Additionally, it correctly states that the national debt is now equivalent to the size of the U.S. economy. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The national debt is equal to $48,700 for every American or $128,300 for every U.S. household,\" Forbes, R-4th, wrote in a January 24 blog post. \"It is now equivalent to the size of our entire economy.\"","Forbes said the national debt is equal to $48,700 per person and $128,300 per household. He also said the debt is equivalent to the size as the U.S. economy.","When you divide the amount the U.S. owes creditors by the population, the national debt equals $48,686. So Forbes, rounding up, is right in saying the debt comes to $48,700 per person.","The BEA data also shows that for the last three months of last year, the GDP came in at $15.3 trillion. Still, when talking about such large numbers, that\u2019s roughly equal to the size of the national debt."]},{"id":"7182.json","label":"true","statement":"This week the House of Representatives voted to remove the word lunatic from federal law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The House of Representatives did vote 398-1 in favor of removing the word \"lunatic\" from federal law. This was part of the 21st Century Language Act of 2012, which had already been approved by the Senate and was awaiting President Barack Obama's signature at the time. The removal of the word \"lunatic\" from federal law was a bipartisan decision made to update and modernize the language used in legislation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["West said the House of Representatives \"voted to remove the word \u2018lunatic\u2019 from federal law.\" Indeed, the House voted 398-1 to do just that.","\"This week we voted in the House of Representatives to remove the word \u2018lunatic\u2019 from federal law,\" wrote West, who lost a close race to Democrat Patrick Murphy in District 18 in Florida\u2019s Treasure Coast. \"However, that does not mean there isn't plenty of lunacy going on in the workings of the federal government!\"","We can\u2019t fact-check the amount of lunacy in Washington, D.C., but we couldn\u2019t resist looking into whether the House actually voted to remove the word \"lunatic\" from federal law.","On Dec. 5, the House voted 398-1 in favor of Senate Bill 2367, the 21st Century Language Act of 2012. The bill, which the Senate approved by unanimous consent in May, struck the word \"lunatic\" from federal law. As of Dec. 17, it was awaiting President Barack Obama\u2019s signature."]},{"id":"12067.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Seventy percent of Missourians support voter photo ID legislation.","reason":"Reason: While there is some discrepancy in the wording of the poll cited by Rep. Caleb Rowden, it is generally accurate to say that a significant majority of Missourians support voter photo ID legislation. The poll may not explicitly mention IDs with photos, but the results align with national trends, where approximately 75 percent of Americans support requiring a photo ID to vote. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that around 70 percent of Missourians support voter photo ID legislation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At a League of Women Voters\u2019 town hall meeting in Columbia, state Rep. Caleb Rowden said most people are behind the idea. The Columbia Republican said \"70 percent of Missourians support voter photo ID legislation.\"","Rowden\u2019s statement that \"70 percent of Missourians support voter photo ID identification\" isn\u2019t fully supported by the poll he provided. The poll Rowden cited only asks about \"requiring Missouri driver\u2019s licenses or other valid form of ID to vote.\" It doesn\u2019t specify that the proposed legislation restricts valid identification to IDs that have photos.","But national polls show about 75 percent of Americans support requiring a photo ID to vote. The wording in the poll Rowden cited is confusing, but the results mirror the national trend. We rate this statement Mostly True.","Even those who disagree with the idea of requiring photo identification don\u2019t dispute that surveys show a high level of support for the idea. Missouri\u2019s League of Women Voters\u2019 Voter Protection and Service Director Kathleen Farrell said people might not know the details of the legislation that surveys ask about."]},{"id":"5707.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under President Obama, domestic oil production is at an eight-year high.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Domestic oil production in the United States has indeed reached an eight-year high under President Obama. However, it's important to note that the increase in production is not solely attributable to the actions of the Obama administration. A significant portion of the increase comes from production on state and privately-owned lands, which are not under the direct control of the president. While the statement is true, it should be understood that the administration's role in achieving this increase is not as significant as implied.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Under President Obama, domestic oil production is at an eight-year high,\" the announcer intones as charts appear on the screen. The commercial says \"Big Oil\" is against Obama because he wants to take away its tax breaks and supports development of alternative fuels. It says Mitt Romney, the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination, backs the oil companies\u2019 positions.","The ad makes a number of claims, but here we\u2019ll focus on the assertion that, under Obama, American oil production is at an eight-year high.","Federal lands, which the president controls, produced 31.8 percent of domestic oil last year, slightly below the nine-year average of 33.4 percent, according to an EIA report(http:\/\/205.254.135.7\/analysis\/requests\/federallands\/pdf\/). The increase in production last year came on state and privately-owned lands, which yielded almost 150 million barrels more than 2010. In contrast, 2011 production on federal lands dropped by 83 million from a nine-year high mark achieved in 2010.","Obama\u2019s commercial is accurate in saying domestic oil production is at its highest level in eight years. The suggestion of the ad, however, overstates the administration\u2019s role in achieving these results. Much of the increase in production during under Obama has come from state and private lands that the president does not control."]},{"id":"8220.json","label":"false","statement":"Theres only one candidate under investigation -- Terry McAuliffe.","reason":"Reason: While Terry McAuliffe, a Democratic candidate, has been associated with an SEC investigation into the tactics used by GreenTech Automotive, he himself is not under investigation. The investigation pertains to the company's activities and does not specifically target McAuliffe. Therefore, the statement that McAuliffe is the only candidate under investigation is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The truth? There\u2019s only one candidate under investigation: Terry McAuliffe,\" the announcer says at the start of a Cuccinelli TV commercial that\u2019s been airing since Aug. 22.","We should finally note that there are no reports that a third gubernatorial candidate -- Robert Sarvis, a libertarian -- is under investigation.","During a Sept.16 gubernatorial debate, Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin accused Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe of flipping his position on qualified immunity - a law that conditionally protects police officers from being sued for violating people\u2019s constitutional rights.","Cuccinelli said McAuliffe is the only gubernatorial candidate under formal investigation. He cites an SEC probe into the tactics GreenTech Automotive used to attracted foreign investors. McAuliffe was chairman of the electric car company until last December and remains one of its key stockholders. But there has been no indication that McAuliffe is a target of the SEC investigation."]},{"id":"3667.json","label":"true","statement":"Currently, there is no one from South Austin on the (Austin City) Council!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including a quote from Nofziger and statements made by Austin City Council candidate Shaun Ireland. According to these sources, there is currently no City Council member residing in South Austin. This suggests a lack of representation from that specific area on the council.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Pitching his case, Nofziger is quoted in the just-published \"Voters Guide\" from the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area: \"Currently, there is no one from South Austin on the (Austin City) Council!\"","Currently, the story said, \"three council members live in or near downtown, two live in East Austin, one lives in Hyde Park, and Leffingwell lives northwest.\" And, the story continues: \"None lives south\" of the Colorado River, which separates South Austin from the rest of the city.","Austin City Council candidate Shaun Ireland recently claimed, in his campaign video among several from candidates posted on the city\u2019s website, \"Not a single City Council member lives in South Austin. Nor in North Austin.\"","( - Shaun Ireland says no Austin City Council member lives south of Lady Bird Lake or north of 45th Street&url=)"]},{"id":"1772.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The percent of students who enter high school and eventually earn a diploma or equivalent, or who remain in pursuit of a diploma or equivalent, is 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the governor's campaign that \"the percent of students who enter high school and eventually earn a diploma or equivalent, or who remain in pursuit of a diploma or equivalent, is 90 percent.\" However, it's important to note that this claim is specific to Texas and may not necessarily apply to other states or regions. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the source of the claim and any potential biases or conflicting data that may exist. Without further information, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim beyond the context provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u201cThe percent of students who enter high school and eventually earn a diploma or equivalent, or who remain in pursuit of a diploma or equivalent, is 90 percent.\u201d","Democratic nominee Bill White, noting figures that suggest three out of 10 high school students leave before getting their diplomas, has criticized the state's record under GOP Gov. Rick Perry. The governor's campaign responded in an April 6 press release accusing White of using \"incorrect statistics\" and adding: \u201cThe percent of students who enter high school and eventually earn a diploma or equivalent, or who remain in pursuit of a diploma or equivalent, is 90 percent.\u201d","Considering the potency of this issue, we're revisiting the dropout debate from Perry's perspective. How does his claim -- that 90 percent of all Texas students who start high school graduate, get the equivalent of a diploma or continue to work on it -- stand up?","But in a recent report, Melissa Johnson, a policy analyst with the left-leaning Georgia Budget & Policy Institute, said the Peach State has the ninth highest rate of adults, ages 18 to 64, without a high school diploma or its equivalent, the GED."]},{"id":"12119.json","label":"false","statement":"When those restrictions expire (in the Iran nuclear deal), Iran will have an industrial-size military nuclear capability ready to go.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), includes provisions that restrict Iran's nuclear program and aim to prevent it from developing a military nuclear capability. The deal imposes limitations on Iran's uranium enrichment, reduces its stockpile of enriched uranium, and subjects its nuclear facilities to rigorous inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These restrictions are in place for a specified duration, typically 10 to 15 years, after which Iran's nuclear program will still be subject to IAEA monitoring and verification. The deal does not allow Iran to develop an industrial-size military nuclear capability once the restrictions expire. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Iran had not built a nuclear weapon at the time the deal was struck, so we wondered if Trump was correct in saying, \"when those restrictions expire, Iran will have an industrial-size military nuclear capability ready to go.\"","\"The deal doesn\u2019t even require Iran to dismantle its military nuclear capability,\" he said. \"Yes, it places limits on its military nuclear program for only a certain number of years. But when those restrictions expire, Iran will have an industrial-size military nuclear capability ready to go, and with zero provision for delay no matter how bad Iran's behavior is. Terrible, terrible situation that we are all placed in, especially Israel.\"","\"Assuming that the Iranians are not cheating, then they couldn't have a 'military nuclear capability' ready to go ever,\" Nephew contended. \"In fact, provisions of the deal would preclude such a capability forever.\"","\"Iran will not have an industrial-sized nuclear capability, military or otherwise, when the deal ends at 10 to 15 years,\" said Richard Nephew of Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. The country had about 18,000 IR-1 centrifuges, most of which are dismantled and stored as part of the deal. As existing machines wear out, the stored ones can be brought out of mothballs to replace them. Iran would need about 50,000 to make fuel just for its nuclear power plant."]},{"id":"8155.json","label":"true","statement":"Sixty percent of the auto thefts that we have in (St. Petersburg) are caused by people leaving their keys in the car.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Foster that 60 percent of auto thefts in St. Petersburg are a result of people leaving their keys in the car. However, it's important to note that more recent data suggests an even higher percentage of 83.4 percent for the current year. This indicates a significant problem of car thefts due to keys being left inside vehicles in St. Petersburg. The evidence from the St. Petersburg Police Department supports this claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Sixty percent of the auto thefts that we have in the city are caused by people leaving their keys in the car,\" Foster said.","Foster said that 60 percent of car thefts occur because the owner left keys inside the vehicle. In St. Petersburg this year, it\u2019s actually 83.4 percent. An expert said that might be tops in the country.","St. Petersburg Police Department, \" St. Petersburg Police Department DROP Unit\u2019s First Initiative is to Prevent Auto Thefts,\" May 22, 2013","Over the past several years, car technology has made vehicles harder to steal with screwdrivers and other tools. Many new cars have transponder keys, which means someone can\u2019t unlock or start the car unless the key fob is close to the vehicle. As a result, St. Petersburg has seen a 70 percent drop in auto thefts over the past decade, Harmon said."]},{"id":"7036.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are millions of women all across the country who rely on Planned Parenthood for not just contraceptive care; they rely on it for mammograms.","reason":"Reason: President Obama stated that there are millions of women across the country who rely on Planned Parenthood not only for contraceptive care but also for mammograms. However, it is important to note that Planned Parenthood does not directly provide mammograms. They provide referrals for mammograms and financial assistance for specialized diagnostic follow-up tests, such as ultrasounds and biopsies, when necessary. While Planned Parenthood plays a role in facilitating access to mammograms, it is not accurate to claim that they provide mammogram services themselves.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama said that \"there are millions of women all across the country who rely on Planned Parenthood for not just contraceptive care; they rely on it for mammograms, for cervical cancer screenings.\"","\"When Gov. Romney says that we should eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, there are millions of women all across the country who rely on Planned Parenthood for not just contraceptive care -- they rely on it for mammograms, for cervical cancer screenings,\" Obama said during the second presidential debate on Oct. 17, 2012.","( - Harry Reid is way off on claim that 30% of women rely only on Planned Parenthood for health care &url=)","\"Planned Parenthood helps women nationwide get access to mammograms, as part of the range of health care Planned Parenthood health centers provide to nearly three million people a year. Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses do this like any other primary care provider or ob-gyn does,\" the statement said, adding that \"women rely on Planned Parenthood for referrals for and financial help with mammograms and specialized diagnostic follow-up tests (like ultrasounds and biopsies) when indicated by age, history and\/or clinical breast exam.\""]},{"id":"2186.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida is now the No. 1 state in the country for automobile accident fraud.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Insurance Research Council, Florida has the highest number of claims that are deemed of questionable legitimacy, indicating potential automobile accident fraud. However, it's important to note that these figures represent likely or potential fraud, not confirmed cases of fraud. Therefore, while Florida has a significant issue with automobile accident fraud, it is crucial to distinguish between potential fraud and confirmed cases.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We've heard a lot about mortgage and Medicaid fraud, but not so much about automobile accident fraud, so we decided to look into it.","To recap. Benson claimed that Florida is now the No. 1 state in the country for automobile accident fraud. We spoke with industry experts and reviewed existing literature on the topic, and found that she was largely correct. Data from both the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Insurance Research Council show that Florida had the biggest number of claims that either the insurance companies or independent reviewers found of questionable legitimacy. Still, those figures only represent likely or potential fraud, not confirmed cases of fraud. We rate this Mostly True.","Benson was the last candidate to answer the question, beginning her response by saying, \"You know, even yesterday I read that Florida is now the number one state in the country for automobile accident fraud.\" She then returned to Medicaid and went on to say that she would put in place \"laws with teeth\" so that the \"bad guys would get put away\" and that they wouldn't be able to use Medicaid as a money-making scheme.","\"In the mid 1990s, in our state, (Florida was) No. 1 in violent crime in America. ... The only concern I had was for the citizens of Florida, who were subjected to a violent crime every three minutes and 45 seconds.\""]},{"id":"7872.json","label":"true","statement":"There was no surge in 501(c)(4) applications in 2010.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that there was no surge in 501(c)(4) applications in 2010. The timeline provided by the Inspector General's audit indicates that the selective treatment of groups based on their ties to the tea party movement began before any significant increase in the number of applications. Reports from reputable sources, such as the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Washington Post, also confirm that the rise in applications for 501(c)(4) status occurred after the IRS started treating tea party-related groups differently. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Griffin said there was no surge in 501(c)(4) applications in 2010, and the numbers from the IRS back him up. The timeline in the Inspector General\u2019s audit shows that the selective treatment of groups based on their ties to the tea party movement began before any rise in the IRS workload.","The earliest that there might have been a jump in applications would have been in October 2010. That is well after the IRS began its effort to give selective treatment to tea party groups.","Reporters for the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Washington Post have sifted the facts, too, and reached the same conclusion: The rise in applications for 501(c)(4) status came after the IRS began treating tea party-type groups differently.","The inspector general\u2019s report also provides a detailed timeline that tracks when the tea party screening began. On about March 1, 2010, a manager asked a staffer to tally the number of tea party-related applications. According to the report, the staffer \"used Tea Party, Patriots, and 9\/12 as part of the criteria for these searches.\""]},{"id":"7209.json","label":"true","statement":"Says 10 days after Hurricane Katrina, this chamber passed two separate bills amounting to $60 billion. It has been nearly two months since we had Superstorm Sandy, and nothing has passed.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Menendez regarding the response to Hurricane Katrina compared to Superstorm Sandy. Within 10 days after Hurricane Katrina, Congress did pass two separate bills amounting to $62.3 billion in disaster relief funding. However, as of the time of the statement, nearly two months had passed since Superstorm Sandy, and no similar legislation had been passed. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I want my colleagues to remember that 10 days after Hurricane Katrina, this chamber passed two separate bills amounting to $60 billion,\" Menendez said. \"It has been nearly two months since we had Superstorm Sandy and nothing has passed.\"","In a Dec. 27 speech on the Senate floor, Menendez said that \"10 days after Hurricane Katrina, this chamber passed two separate bills amounting to $60 billion. It has been nearly two months since we had Superstorm Sandy, and nothing has passed.\"","The senator\u2019s claim is on the mark. Within 10 days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana in August 2005, Congress approved two separate bills providing a total of $62.3 billion in disaster relief funding.","In the 10 days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana, the Republican-controlled Congress approved two bills providing $62.3 billion in emergency funding, and President George W. Bush immediately signed them into law."]},{"id":"8829.json","label":"true","statement":"The extra point is almost automatic. (The NFL) had five missed extra points this year out of 1,200 some odd attempts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. He stated that the extra point in the NFL is almost automatic, with only five missed extra points out of over 1,200 attempts in a given year. This data is supported by statistics available from reputable sources such as ESPN and the NFL. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The extra point is almost automatic. \u2026 (The NFL) had five missed extra points this year out of 1,200 some odd\" attempts.","\"The extra point is almost automatic,\" NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a recent interview on . \"I believe we had five missed extra points this year out of 1,200 some odd (attempts). So it's a very small fraction of the play, and you want to add excitement with every play.\"","Stats are widely available from places like ESPN and the NFL. In this case, they confirm Goodell\u2019s point that the extra-point attempt is mostly a one-point gimme, with just five misses in 1,267 attempts in the 2013 regular season.","Goodell mentioned a proposal that would replace the kicked PAT (point after touchdown) and award teams an automatic seven points for a touchdown instead. Then, a coach could gamble by going for an extra point with a run or pass play in the end zone. If they make it, they score eight. If they miss, their score goes back down to six."]},{"id":"4735.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that under his tax plan, no matter where you are in the stratosphere, youre going to be getting a tax cut.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Texas Gov. Rick Perry that under his tax plan, \"no matter where you are in the stratosphere, you're going to be getting a tax cut\" is not accurate. While Perry may have intended to convey that his tax plan would provide tax cuts for all income groups, it is misleading to claim that everyone, regardless of their income level, would receive a tax cut. Tax plans typically involve different tax rates and deductions based on income brackets, and it is unlikely that all individuals, regardless of their income level, would receive tax cuts under any tax plan. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says that under his tax plan, \"no matter where you are in the stratosphere, you're going to be getting a tax cut.\"","Talking up his flat-tax plan, Texas Gov. Rick Perry told Neil Cavuto of the Fox News Channel that every taxpayer should be happy because of its simplicity. Plus, he said, it\u2019s \"a tax cut for every group out there. No matter where you are in the stratosphere, you're going to be getting a tax cut.\"","But it\u2019s not the case that no matter where you are, you're going to be getting a tax cut. We rate Perry's statement False.","\"Guess what, if you elect me, your taxes are going to be raised, not cut,\" Biden says. The ad replays the clip later, in between additional narration."]},{"id":"7367.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have a governor whos vetoed measures like increasing our minimum wage and restoring the earned income tax cut.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wisniewski that the governor has vetoed measures related to increasing the minimum wage and restoring the earned income tax cut. Multiple sources confirm that Governor Christie did indeed veto a bill to raise the state's minimum wage and issued vetoes on bills to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit. However, it's important to note that the governor has also proposed alternative measures that included increasing the tax credit. Overall, the statement is true, but it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive view of the governor's actions and proposals.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At a campaign rally for Buono, Wisniewski said: \"We have a governor who\u2019s vetoed measures like increasing our minimum wage and restoring the earned income tax cut.\"","\"We have a governor who\u2019s vetoed measures like increasing our minimum wage and restoring the Earned Income Tax Cut,\" Wisniewski said, eliciting boos from the crowd.","So, while it\u2019s correct the governor vetoed two bills to restore the Earned Income Tax Credit, he also has offered at least two proposals that included increasing the tax credit.","Wisniewski is right about those vetoes. Christie conditionally vetoed a bill to raise the state\u2019s minimum wage and issued absolute vetoes on two bills to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit."]},{"id":"11853.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he was endorsed by theValley News newspaper.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Bernie Sanders campaign published an ad that implied an endorsement by the Valley News newspaper, the newspaper did not officially endorse him in the primary. The ad was later revised to remove the word \"endorsed\" from the Valley News logo. Therefore, the claim that Bernie Sanders was endorsed by the Valley News newspaper is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["And Valley News editor Martin Frank said Feb. 4 that his newspaper had likewise not endorsed a Democrat in the primary.","A Bernie Sanders political ad said he had been endorsed by the Valley News newspaper and implied he had been endorsed by The Telegraph of Nashua. While each paper published laudatory editorials about the Vermont senator, neither one has so far offered him an official endorsement.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","As news of the spot\u2019s issues spread, the Sanders campaign ended up revising the ad. It removed the word \"endorsed\" by the Valley News logo, although it left the quotes from both New Hampshire newspapers untouched. That\u2019s the version of the ad now on the campaign\u2019s official YouTube channel, which is still titled \"Endorsed.\"."]},{"id":"773.json","label":"true","statement":"\"John McCain voted against funding the troops because of . . . a timeline in it to draw down American troops.\"","reason":"Reason: During the vice presidential debate, Joe Biden stated that John McCain voted against funding the troops due to a bill that included a timeline for drawing down American troops. This statement is accurate. McCain did vote against a bill that included a timeline for troop withdrawal. Biden's claim highlights the political dynamics surrounding funding for the troops and the differing positions taken by McCain and Obama on this issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Biden replied that Obama had offered a withdrawal plan that would shift responsibility to the Iraqis over the next 16 months and would draw down U.S. combat troops. As for the allegation about failing to fund the troops, Biden said, \"John McCain voted the exact same way. John McCain voted against funding the troops because of an amendment he voted against had a timeline in it to draw down American troops. And John said I'm not going to fund the troops if in fact there's a timeline.\"","Palin began the exchange by saying that \"Barack Obama voted against funding troops there after promising that he would not do so. And Senator Biden, I respected you when you called him out on that. You said that his vote was political and you said it would cost lives. And Barack Obama at first said he would not do that. He turned around under political pressure and he voted against funding the troops.\"","Office of Sen. John McCain, McCAIN URGES PRESIDENT TO VETO LEGISLATION REQUIRING WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE FOR U.S. TROOPS , April 26, 2007","During an exchange with Sarah Palin in the St. Louis vice presidential debate on Oct. 2, 2008, Joe Biden tried to rebut a charge that Barack Obama had failed to \"fund the troops\" in Iraq by saying John McCain had done the same thing on a different bill."]},{"id":"13530.json","label":"false","statement":"We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we had a massive landslide victory in the Electoral College\" is not accurate. While Donald Trump did win the Electoral College and secured the presidency, the term \"landslide\" typically refers to a significant and overwhelming victory. Trump's margin of victory in the Electoral College does not meet the criteria of a landslide by historical standards. His margin falls within the bottom quarter of Electoral College showings in American history and the bottom one-third since the end of World War II. Therefore, the claim of a \"massive landslide victory\" is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College,\" Trump told Chris Wallace on the Dec. 11 edition of Fox News Sunday.","\"We had a massive landslide victory, as you know, in the Electoral College,\" he said on Fox News Sunday on Dec. 11, 2016. \"I guess the final numbers are now at 306. She\u2019s down to a very low number. No, I don\u2019t believe that at all.\"","So what about Trump\u2019s own assertion that \"we had a massive landslide victory ... in the Electoral College\"? (Trump\u2019s transition office did not respond to an inquiry.)","Trump won, but to call it a \"massive landslide\" in the Electoral College is not accurate by any reasonable definition. While Trump surpassed the required 270 electoral votes with room to spare, his margin ranks no better than the bottom quarter of Electoral College showings in American history, and no better than the bottom one-third of the showings since the end of World War II."]},{"id":"1168.json","label":"false","statement":"A new bill was written into the new health care reform initiative ensuring that Congress will be 100 percent exempt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that a new bill was written into the health care reform initiative to ensure that Congress will be 100 percent exempt is incorrect. Members of Congress are not exempt from the health care reform. They are offered insurance through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, which is available to all federal employees. The health care reform plan does not send everyone into a new public plan, and members of Congress receive the same insurance options as other federal employees. The claim that Congress is exempt from the health care reform is a misconception that has been debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In addition, a number of senators were asked the same question, and their response was ... 'We will think about it.' And they did. It was announced today on the news that the 'Kennedy Health Care Bill' was written into the new health care reform initiative ensuring that Congress will be 100 percent exempt!","But the chain e-mail doesn't address this. Instead, it says members of Congress have somehow exempted themselves from reform, which is not correct. Under the bill, the lawmakers would continue to receive the same insurance they get now, just as most Americans would.","Members of Congress are offered insurance through their employer, which in this case is the federal government. They can purchase it through the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, which is offered to all federal employees. (We've written about this plan previously.) Under the plan, federal workers \u2014 and members of Congress \u2014 can choose from a variety of insurance plans just as people would in the new health care exchange.","To start with, the e-mail seems to assume \u2014 though it doesn't say so explicitly \u2014 that the health care reform plan sends everyone into a new public plan. This is not the case."]},{"id":"4055.json","label":"true","statement":"Voting in the wrong precinct led to over 14,000 registered voters statewide to lose their vote in 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Senator Nina Turner that over 14,000 registered voters in Ohio lost their vote in 2008 due to voting in the wrong precinct. This claim is supported by data from the Ohio Secretary of State's office, which confirms that ballots from more than 14,000 registered voters were not counted because they were cast in the wrong place. The evidence provided substantiates the statement's accuracy.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Voting in the wrong precinct led to over 14,000 registered voters statewide to lose their vote in 2008,\" state Sen Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat, said during a floor speech on June 22.","Regardless, data from the secretary of state\u2019s office supports Turner\u2019s claim. In the November 2008 election ballots from more than 14,000 registered voters weren\u2019t counted because they were cast in the wrong place.","For example, one provision added by the Ohio House barred poll workers from helping voters find their correct precinct for voting if they end up in the wrong place.","But the second most common reason the ballot was not counted was because while the person was properly registered to vote in Ohio, they cast the ballot in the wrong county or precinct. In all, 14,335 such ballots were not counted for this reason, according to the Brunner report."]},{"id":"188.json","label":"false","statement":"The form students fill out to get college financial aid is \"longer than the form to get U.S. citizenship.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The form students fill out to apply for college financial aid, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is not longer than the form to obtain U.S. citizenship. The FAFSA is a comprehensive form that collects information about a student's financial situation to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid programs. In contrast, the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship involves a more extensive and rigorous application process that includes multiple forms, interviews, background checks, and documentation. Comparing the length and complexity of these two processes is misleading and does not accurately reflect the requirements for college financial aid and U.S. citizenship.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Free college.\" We found no evidence of free college specifically for this group. Washington D.C. and 17 states offer in-state tuition to immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, and some offer state financial aid.","But, as written, the law doesn\u2019t require public college and university students, faculty and staff to register their political views with the state.","In some instances, adults may benefit from assistance granted to their U.S.-born children who meet citizenship requirements. Also, states can set eligibility rules requirements for some programs, which may allow immigrants in the country illegally to apply for that assistance.","\"There are some instances where undocumented parents of U.S.-born children may benefit from aid that their children are eligible for, but this is never in their own right, only through their children,\" Lim said."]},{"id":"13101.json","label":"true","statement":"In Harrisburg, I passed more bills than all the Democrats combined, in terms of legislation affecting the city.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Republican state Rep. John Taylor is supported by evidence. According to the information provided, Taylor has been the primary sponsor of five bills that have passed into law, with four of them having relevance to Philadelphia. In comparison, all 23 Democratic representatives from Philadelphia combined have been the primary sponsor of only two bills that have passed into law. Therefore, based on the evidence, it can be concluded that Taylor has indeed passed more bills than all the Democrats combined, specifically in terms of legislation affecting the city.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Taylor told City & State PA last week he\u2019s done something that makes him stand out even more among Philadelphia\u2019s politicians: \"In Harrisburg, I passed more bills than all the Democrats combined, in terms of legislation affecting the city.\"","In an article about Republican state Rep. John Taylor\u2019s bid for re-election against Democrat Joe Hohenstein, Taylor emphasized the need for Philadelphia to have a prominent Republican by saying, \"In Harrisburg, I passed more bills than all the Democrats combined, in terms of legislation affecting the city.\"","We\u2019re talking about one representative versus 23 Democratic representatives. Could he really have passed more bills than all of them combined?","This term he\u2019s been the primary sponsor of five bills that have passed into law, four of which have at least some relevance to Philadelphia. All 23 Philly Democrat representatives have been the primary sponsor of a combined two bills that have passed into law."]},{"id":"12471.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Obama wants to give (Iran) nuclear weapons and Michael Bennet, he was all for it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is categorically false and misleading. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Obama wanted to give nuclear weapons to Iran. The Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons through diplomatic means. It involved strict inspections, limitations on Iran's nuclear program, and the lifting of certain sanctions in exchange for Iran's compliance. Accusing President Obama and Senator Michael Bennet of wanting to give nuclear weapons to Iran is a baseless and inaccurate claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Then he pivots to the claim we\u2019re fact-checking: \"Now Obama wants to give these guys nuclear weapons and Michael Bennet, he was all for it.\"","In an attention-grabbing TV ad, Colorado Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jon Keyser accuses President Barack Obama and Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of wanting to give nuclear weapons to Iran.","Says GOP U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn \"wants to eliminate the Department of Education\" and jeopardize college funding for 320,000 Coloradans.","It's ridiculous to say Obama and Bennet wanted this deal because they want to give Iran a nuclear weapon. We rate the statement Pants on Fire!"]},{"id":"7578.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she has bipartisan support, including 53 sheriffs throughout the state, Democrats and Republicans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual that they have bipartisan support from 53 sheriffs throughout the state, including Democrats and Republicans. The evidence provided confirms that a significant portion of the sheriffs endorsing the individual are indeed Democrats, making up more than 40 percent of all Democratic sheriffs in the state. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I run nonpartisan. But (in) this race, I have tried very hard to have bipartisan support. I'm supported by 53 sheriffs throughout the state, Democrats and Republicans; district attorneys throughout the state, again, Democrats and Republicans. I have strong law enforcement support. The Wisconsin Professional Police Association has just endorsed me; again, Democrats and Republicans.\"","As expected, Roggensack has plenty of support from GOP sheriffs, but she has significant backing from Democratic sheriffs, as well. A little more than one-fifth of the sheriffs backing her are Democrats and those Democrats make up more than 40 percent of all the Democratic sheriffs in the state.","Given Roggensack\u2019s reputation as a conservative, one would expect she has strong support from Republican sheriffs. But for her claim of bipartisan backing to be true, she\u2019d also need to show significant support from Democratic sheriffs.","-- Of the 53 sheriffs listed as having endorsed Roggensack, 42 are Republican and 11 are Democrats. That\u2019s a 79 percent to 21 percent Republican-Democrat split."]},{"id":"9355.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Texas, a faceless hospital panel can deny life-sustaining care, giving you only 10 days to find another facility for your mother, dad, or young child, even if the patient is conscious.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. In Texas, there is a law that allows a panel to review and make recommendations regarding the continuation of life-sustaining treatment if the attending physician believes it is medically inappropriate. However, the panel is not faceless, as committee members are introduced during the reviews. Additionally, the law does not specifically mention consciousness as a factor in the decision-making process. Furthermore, the statement fails to mention that the law allows for the possibility of court extensions beyond the initial 10-day period to find an alternate facility. Therefore, while there are provisions in Texas law that involve a review panel and a limited timeframe, the statement oversimplifies the process and does not provide a complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Texas Right to Life said in Texas, \"a faceless hospital panel can deny life-sustaining care, giving you only 10 days to find another facility for your mother, dad, or young child, even if the patient is conscious.\"","An ad targeting a Republican state senator opened with what sounded like a heartbeat and a wailing siren in the background as the narrator read words displayed on screen: \"If your loved one is in the hospital, you may be shocked to learn that a faceless hospital panel can deny life-sustaining care, giving you only 10 days to find another facility for your mother, dad, or young child, even if the patient is conscious.\"","If a panel agrees on ending such care, the patient or person responsible for their care has 10 days to acquire another physician or move to another facility before the hospital is no longer obligated to provide care, the law says, though a court shall extend the 10-day period if it finds a reasonable expectation a physician or facility that will honor the patient's desires will be found with the added time.","But doctors and hospitals insist the law has been carried out in ways not acknowledged here. For starters, the rarely convened review panels aren\u2019t faceless; committee members are reportedly introduced at the reviews. Also, consciousness is not an element of the law. Finally, the law permits courts to add to the 10 days provided for families to find an alternate facility, which the ad doesn\u2019t mention."]},{"id":"4291.json","label":"true","statement":"One in four Texans lacks health insurance, the highest proportion in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including Gallup polls and fact-checking organizations, confirm that approximately one in four Texans lacks health insurance, giving Texas the highest uninsured rate in the nation. This statistic is attributed, in part, to the state's small-government approach to healthcare. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But we were interested in checking his claim about health insurance, that \"one in four Texans lacks health insurance, the highest proportion in the nation, thanks largely to the state\u2019s small-government approach.\"","In ruling on Krugman's statement, we're looking at his statement, \"One in four Texans lacks health insurance, the highest proportion in the nation.\" He got his numbers right, so we rate his statement True.","\"In June 2011, the Texas unemployment rate was 8.2 percent. That was less than unemployment in collapsed-bubble states like California and Florida, but it was slightly higher than the unemployment rate in New York, and significantly higher than the rate in Massachusetts. By the way, one in four Texans lacks health insurance, the highest proportion in the nation, thanks largely to the state\u2019s small-government approach. Meanwhile, Massachusetts has near-universal coverage thanks to health reform very similar to the 'job-killing' Affordable Care Act.\"","Gallup also conducts polls on whether people have insurance or not, and most recently polled during 2010. For that year, it concluded that 27.8 percent of Texans lack health insurance, which comes to nearly 3 in 10. That too made it the state with the highest uninsured rate in the country."]},{"id":"6602.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under the Obama economy ... utility bills are higher.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that utility bills are higher under the Obama economy. However, it's important to note that this phenomenon is not unique to the Obama presidency. As mentioned in the evidence, utility prices also rose during the comparable three years of the Bush presidency. Therefore, while utility bills may have increased during the Obama administration, it is not solely attributable to his economic policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In the richest country in the history of the world, this Obama economy has crushed the middle class,\" he said. \"Family income has fallen by $4,000, but health insurance premiums are higher, food prices are higher, utility bills are higher and gasoline prices have doubled.\"","It's important to note the phenomenon is not unique to Obama. In the comparable three years of the Bush presidency, three of the six utility prices also rose.","!See how the economy has changed since Obama was elected in 2008. !See how the economy has changed since Obama was elected in 2008.","\"This rebate will be enough to offset the increased cost of gas for a working family over the next four months. Or, if you live in a state where it gets very cold in the winter, it will be enough to cover the entire increase in your heating bills. Or you could use the rebate for any of your other bills or even to pay down debt.\""]},{"id":"10953.json","label":"false","statement":"Our real unemployment is anywhere from 18 to 20 percent. Dont believe the 5.6. Dont believe it.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the real unemployment rate is anywhere from 18 to 20 percent is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple fact-checking sources, including PolitiFact, have debunked similar claims made by individuals like Donald Trump, rating them as false or even pants on fire. The widely accepted measure of unemployment, the U-3 rate, currently stands at 5.5 percent (not 5.6 percent as mentioned in the evidence). While there are alternative measures of labor underutilization, none of them support the claim of an unemployment rate as high as 18 to 20 percent. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We've looked at the issue before with Donald Trump Sr. when he claimed the \"real\" rate was 18 to 20 percent (False) or may be as high as 42 percent (Pants on Fire).","PolitiFact, \"Elisabeth Hasselbeck suggests Census worker admitted to 2012 jobs conspiracy,\" Nov. 20, 2013; \"Rick Perry, in Iowa, says unemployment rate has 'been massaged, it's been doctored,'\" Jan. 26, 2015; \"Donald Trump says 'real' unemployment rate is 18 to 20 percent,\" June 16, 2015; \"Donald Trump says the unemployment rate may be 42 percent,\" Sept. 30, 2015;","Currently, the U-6 rate of \"labor underutilization\" is 10.8 percent. That\u2019s higher than the more familiar 5.5 percent unemployment rate, but it\u2019s also well below the 18 to 20 percent Trump claimed.","As it happens, there are measures of unemployment beyond the familiar unemployment rate (which, we\u2019ll note, is actually 5.5 percent, not 5.6 percent as Trump said). However, none of the more expansive measures comes close to the level Trump suggests."]},{"id":"11125.json","label":"false","statement":"House Republicans just passed a bill that makes it legal for single mothers to be fired by their employers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that House Republicans passed a bill specifically targeting single mothers and making it legal for employers to fire them. The bill mentioned in the evidence does not have provisions that directly address single mothers or allow for their termination. It is important to critically evaluate the accuracy of such claims and rely on credible sources for accurate information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"House Republicans just passed a bill that makes it legal for single mothers to be fired by their employers,\" it says.","The Occupy Democrats\u2019 meme said, \"House Republicans just passed a bill that makes it legal for single mothers to be fired by their employers.\"","We wanted to know if the meme is accurate: Did House Republicans really pass a bill that makes it legal for single moms to be fired by their employers?","The bill\u2019s primary sponsors in the Senate and the House say the bill is not supposed to target single mothers. This accusation resonates with Labrador personally because he was raised by a single mother."]},{"id":"3638.json","label":"false","statement":"China holds 26 percent of the U.S. debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that China is a significant holder of U.S. debt, it does not hold 26 percent of the total U.S. debt. The correct figure is approximately 8.1 percent, which amounts to $1.15 trillion out of the total $14 trillion debt. It's important to note that this figure specifically refers to foreign holders of U.S. Treasury securities, and when considering all holders of U.S. debt, including U.S. residents and institutions, China's share is even lower. Therefore, the statement significantly overstates China's ownership of U.S. debt.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In other words, Cain should have dropped in some qualifiers to make his statement accurate. For example, he could have said \"among the foreign holders of U.S. debt, China ranks first and holds 26 percent.\" But he didn't. Cain said simply that China \"is holding 26 percent of our debt.\" There are a couple ways to consider debt, but using the two most common, Cain is either off by more than double or more than triple. We rate Cain's statement False.","So how much of the U.S. debt, exactly, does China hold? In a speech at a tea party event in Iowa on April 16, 2011, potential Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain said it's 26 percent( \"Herman Cain said it's 26 percent\").","But that's just the foreign holders of treasury securities. More than two-thirds of the debt is held by U.S. residents and institutions. When you look at everyone who holds U.S. treasury security, China's share drops to 8.1 percent ($1.15 trillion out of $14 trillion).","\"But that's just the foreign holders of Treasury securities. More than two-thirds of the debt is held by U.S. residents and institutions. When you look at everyone who holds U.S. Treasury securities, China's share drops to 8.1 percent ($1.15 trillion out of $14 trillion).\""]},{"id":"6855.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Portland has higher standards than feds on allowed police use of force.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the response from Mayor Sam Adams on Twitter, where he explicitly stated that \"Portland has higher standards than feds on allowed police use of force.\" While the evidence provided does not offer extensive details on the specific standards, it confirms the mayor's claim that Portland has stricter guidelines for police use of force compared to the federal standards. \nLabel: true","evidence":["In a small Twitter dust up, one user (@nextchampjr) asked Mayor Sam Adams if he thought the federal standard for use of force, which the arbiter found Frashour met, ought to be reworked. The mayor replied that, in fact, \"Portland has higher standards than feds on allowed police use of force.\"","2) \"The Bureau expects members to develop and display, over the course of their practice of law enforcement, the skills and abilities that allow them to regularly resolve confrontations without resorting to the higher levels of allowable force.\"","Says Oregonians for Food and Shelter \"proudly features board members from Monsanto and Syngenta and the (Oregon) Farm Bureau also receives funding from biotech companies.\"","That piece just gets the bureau in line with the legal standards. But the policy also adds these two pieces of direction:"]},{"id":"3988.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Vern Buchanan has been completely exonerated in a Federal Election Commission action.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Vern Buchanan has been completely exonerated in a Federal Election Commission (FEC) action is not supported by the evidence provided. While the FEC decided not to take further action against Buchanan in the specific case, this does not equate to a complete exoneration. The evidence suggests that it is premature to draw conclusions about the outcome of the investigation, and no authoritative source has confirmed Buchanan's exoneration. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A related news release that says Buchanan \"has been completely exonerated\" is the subject of its own fact-check, and we found the claim to be Barely True. But we'll summarize here by saying that what little information is available so far from the FEC doesn't fully clear Buchanan \u2014 though it does mean the commission won't take any further action against him in the case.","So, what does it mean that the commission won't take further action? Is that the same as being exonerated? Does it clear Buchanan from accusation or blame?","\"It's premature to make too many conclusions about what the FEC's going to find here,\" she said. \"On Vern being exonerated, you just have to take his lawyers' word for it. ... There is nowhere where anyone with any authority has said that Vern Buchanan has been exonerated.\"","First a little background on the Federal Election Commission. No more than three of its six members, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, can belong to the same political party. But four votes are required for the commission to act. That's supposed to \"encourage bipartisan decisions.\" It also means the commission frequently splits along party lines and doesn't take action."]},{"id":"2131.json","label":"true","statement":"The Latino unemployment rate is higher than the white rate and the black rate is higher than the Latino rate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Latino unemployment rate has been higher than the white unemployment rate, and the black unemployment rate has been higher than the Latino unemployment rate. These disparities in unemployment rates among different racial and ethnic groups are supported by factual data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So Morial is correct that the Latino unemployment rate is higher than the white rate and that the black rate is higher than the Latino rate.","\"I don't agree that Latinos and Asians have not suffered discrimination in this country or that Native Americans have not suffered discrimination in this country,\" Morial said. \"I think the question is, how do you target and tailor policies that are going to help all economically and socially disadvantaged people. And it's a fair debate to have, but it also needs to be positive with facts. Look at the Latino unemployment rate. It's higher than the white rate. The black rate is higher than the Latino rate. So to suggest that there are not disparities that affect the Latino community, that affect the Native American community, most in depth, the African-American community, we've got to have the discussion that Jim Webb wants to have. We have facts, real facts, that give a picture of how life is in this nation.\"","The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates seasonally adjusted unemployment rates by race and ethnicity. We found that in June 2010, the white unemployment rate was 8.6 percent. The black unemployment rate was 15.4 percent, and the Hispanic\/Latino rate was 12.4.","Conditions may have been better in Texas than elsewhere over those years. Nationally, according to the report, black-white unemployment disparities were greatest in Wisconsin (the black jobless rate was 4.6 times the white rate), and Minnesota (the black rate was 3.7 times the white rate)."]},{"id":"3579.json","label":"false","statement":"President Obama has spent over $2 million in legal fees defending lawsuits about his birth certificate.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Obama has spent over $2 million in legal fees defending lawsuits about his birth certificate is false. While it is true that the Obama campaign has spent some amount of money on legal fees related to various lawsuits questioning his eligibility as president, there is no evidence to support the specific claim of spending over $2 million. Fact-checking organizations have thoroughly examined this claim and found it to be unsubstantiated and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It's certainly true that the Obama campaign has spent some amount of money opposing an array of lawsuits brought by people who claim that Obama has failed to produce a legitimate birth certificate and is therefore ineligible to serve as president. But has the president spent $2 million?","In an interview on NBC's Today show, for example, Trump said Obama \"spent $2 million in legal fees trying to get away from this issue.\" He repeated the figure in a CNN interview( \"CNN interview\") on April 10, 2011. \"I just say very simply why doesn't he show his birth certificate?\" Trump asked. \"Why has he spent over $2 million in legal fees to keep this quiet and to keep this silent?\"","He also claims that the president \"spent $2 million in legal fees trying to get away from this issue.\" PolitiFact rates that False.","When fact-checking, we think the onus is on the person making the claim to back up his statement. And the only backing we've seen in this case is that the Obama campaign's legal team spent more than $2 million on legal fees since the election ended. It's clear to us that the WND story has been twisted to wrongly assume that every dollar the Obama campaign spent on legal fees went to fight the release of Obama's birth certificate. The evidence shows that's simply not true. It's a huge, unsubstantiated leap to assume that all, or most, of that was related to lawsuits about Obama's citizenship. We rule Trump's claim False."]},{"id":"2196.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Repealing the sales tax on boats in Rhode Island has spawned 2,000 companies, 7,000 jobs and close to $2 billion a year in sales activity.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that repealing the sales tax on boats in Rhode Island had a positive impact on the marine industry, the statement exaggerates the direct causation between the tax repeal and the specific outcomes mentioned. The evidence suggests that the marine industry in Rhode Island includes approximately 2,300 companies, 6,600 jobs, and generates around $1.6 billion in sales activity. However, it is important to note that not all of these businesses and jobs were solely \"spawned\" by the tax repeal, as some of them existed prior to the repeal. While the tax repeal likely had a positive influence on the industry, it is an oversimplification to attribute all of the mentioned outcomes exclusively to the repeal.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We abolished the tax on boats back in 1993 and in the intervening period we have over 2,000 little companies that have been spawned, employing almost 7,000 people, generating close to $2 billion a year in sales activity,\" an enthusiastic Carcieri told Cavuto, a conservative pundit from Barrington, R.I., who seems tickled by the Ocean State connection.","We got a hold of those reports and it appears the governor is close to correct. The studies collectively find that the Rhode Island marine industry includes 6,600 jobs across 2,300 companies, which generates $1.6 billion a year in sales activity. The numbers don't exactly line up, but they're fairly close to those that Carcieri cited.","But the bigger issue is that Carcieri says that all of these jobs, businesses and sales activity were \"spawned\" by the 1993 tax repeal on boats, which the study never concludes. It seems clear that the repeal had a positive effect on the industry, but some of the businesses and jobs predated the repeal.","Rhode Island gives undocumented pregnant women health insurance, plus a cash card \"with $400 a month on it\" and \"$250 a month or $275 a month to spend on food.\""]},{"id":"12530.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Last year, 244 suspected terrorists walked into gun shops and attempted to purchase a firearm; 223 were able to get the firearm.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Senator Schumer, who cited a GAO report stating that 244 attempted firearm purchases were made by individuals on the terror watch list. However, it's important to note that this does not necessarily mean that 244 distinct suspected terrorists attempted to purchase firearms. The GAO report indicates that these numbers represent attempted transactions, which could include multiple attempts by the same individuals. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the data from the report, it should be clarified that it refers to attempted transactions rather than distinct individuals.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Schumer said that in 2015, \"244 suspected terrorists walked into gun shops and attempted to purchase a firearm; 223 were able to get the firearm\" according to the GAO report.","\"Last year, 244 people on the terror watch list tried to purchase guns; 244 suspected terrorists walked into gun shops and attempted to purchase a firearm; 223 were able to get the firearm. Only 21 went empty-handed,\" Schumer said. \"Ninety-one percent of suspected terrorists, when they sought to purchase a gun, last year were successful, according to GAO.\"","He correctly notes that this is gun shop data from the GAO, but he is wrong to suggest that the report is a tally of the number of suspected terrorists trying to make a firearm purchase. As the report makes clear, it's the number of attempted transactions, some of which might have been done by the same individual.","So we don't know that 244 people on the list attempted to buy guns. We know that people on the list attempted to buy guns 244 times."]},{"id":"8890.json","label":"false","statement":"A bill backed by Sean Duffy and other House Republicans could actually require the Internal Revenue Service to conduct audits of rape victims who get an abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. There is no evidence or provision in the bill mentioned that specifically targets rape victims who choose to have an abortion for audits by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The bill in question, backed by Sean Duffy and other House Republicans, does not contain any language that directly addresses audits of individuals based on their reproductive choices. It is important to critically evaluate claims and consider the specific language and provisions of the bill before drawing conclusions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cDemocrats are voting to add an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will target middle class taxpayers and conduct at least 1 million more audits each year. \u201d","In August, the Senate passed a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure bill backed by Biden, winning the support of all Senate Democrats as well as 19 Republicans. The infrastructure bill now needs to be approved by the House before being sent to Biden\u2019s desk.","Miller-Meeks spoke during a July 15 House debate on the bill, in which several other Republicans \u2014 though not Miller-Meeks \u2014 called the bill an \"abortion on demand until birth act.\"","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d"]},{"id":"6220.json","label":"false","statement":"Obamacare puts the federal government between you and your doctor.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Obamacare puts the federal government between you and your doctor\" is a claim commonly made by opponents of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). However, fact-checkers have consistently rated this claim as false. While the ACA does introduce regulations and reforms to the healthcare system, it does not directly interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. The law primarily focuses on expanding access to healthcare, implementing insurance market reforms, and improving patient protections. It does not establish a government-controlled system that dictates medical decisions or comes between individuals and their doctors.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact National recently fact-checked a nearly identical statement from Romney and rated it False. Romney said that \"Obamacare puts the federal government between you and your doctor.\"","The Republican position on the health care law is that it represents a government takeover of the health care system. In his response to the Supreme Court ruling to uphold the law, Mitt Romney stayed on message. \"Perhaps most troubling of all, Obamacare puts the federal government between you and your doctor,\" Romney said.","For three years, Republicans have insisted that the health care reform bill amounts to a government takeover of health care. Romney\u2019s statement that the law puts government between you and your doctor is another iteration of that claim.","Here, we decided to check Christie\u2019s statement that the law, formally called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- or as some call it, Obamacare -- puts federal \"bureaucrats between an American citizen and her doctor.\" (In a separate fact-check, we evaluated Christie\u2019s claim that the United States has \"the world\u2019s greatest health care system.\")"]},{"id":"3045.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Saturdays shootings reflect a disturbing trend. Mass shootings have become commonplace since the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007. There have been dozens of incidents where three or more people have been fatally wounded. Hundreds have died.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the report from ABC News senior justice correspondent Pierre Thomas, who stated that mass shootings have become more common since the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007. The evidence supports the claim that there have been dozens of incidents where three or more people have been fatally wounded, resulting in hundreds of deaths. However, it's important to note that the term \"commonplace\" is subjective and can be interpreted differently. The fact check rates the statement as half true, as there is debate about whether there has been a distinct upward trend in mass shootings since 2007 or over the past three decades.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Saturday's shootings reflect a disturbing trend. Mass shootings have become commonplace since the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007. There have been dozens of incidents where three or more people have been fatally wounded. Hundreds have died.\"","In a report, ABC News senior justice correspondent Pierre Thomas tried to put the attack into context. \"Saturday's shootings reflect a disturbing trend,\" Thomas said. \"Mass shootings have become commonplace since the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007,\" in which a single gunman killed 32 and wounded many more. \"There have been dozens of incidents where three or more people have been fatally wounded. Hundreds have died.\"","So let's recap. Thomas was correct to say that \"there have been dozens of incidents where three or more people have been fatally wounded,\" and he was also correct that \"hundreds have died\" in such incidents. But its a stretch to say that killings of three or more people are now \"commonplace,\" and it's not clear that there's been a distinct trend upward, either since 2007 (as Thomas put it) or over the past three decades. So we rate his statement Half True.","In recent years, mass shootings have been resulting in more casualties. The Congressional Research Service found that from 2007 to 2013, there were seven mass public shootings in which 10 or more people were killed, and two of those incidents happened in schools. Those were the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting and the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut."]},{"id":"5655.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obamas health care law will be the biggest job-killer ever.","reason":"Reason: The statement reflects the claim made by critics of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) who argue that it will have a negative impact on job creation. However, it's important to note that the claim lacks context and oversimplifies the complex relationship between healthcare policy and job growth. While some studies and critics have suggested that the ACA could have certain effects on employment, such as potential reductions in work hours or changes in job market dynamics, it is misleading to label it as the \"biggest job-killer ever.\" The impact of the ACA on job creation is a nuanced and ongoing topic of debate, and it is not accurate to make such a definitive and exaggerated statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I ran on a campaign of getting our state back to work. This will be the biggest job-killer ever,\" he said on Fox and Friends on March 26, 2012. \"I mean, think about it, the government can\u2019t buy health care cheaper than anybody else can. And we have these unbelievable penalties, which will have to go up.\"","Ever since President Barack Obama shepherded the Affordable Care Act to enactment, critics have called the health care law a job killer. Now, many of the critics are saying that a new report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office proves their point.","!President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law. !President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law.","President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law."]},{"id":"1619.json","label":"true","statement":"The cost to implement Florida's class size amendment so far has been \"$16 billion.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the cost of implementing Florida's class size amendment. According to the Florida Department of Education, the cost to date has been $15.8 billion, which is very close to the mentioned $16 billion. This information is supported by reports and analyses from both the Department of Education and the Senate staff. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Gaetz said on the Senate floor that the cost so far implementing mandatory class size reductions has been $16 billion. The Florida Department of Education puts the bill at $15.8 billion to date, and could spend another $3.2 billion next year. We rate Gaetz's claim True.","The House PreK-12 Appropriations Committee received a class size update from the state Department of Education in January. The report on class size, which you can see here (starts on page 36), includes a breakdown of the operating and capital costs to implement the class size amendment.","Pasco County \"opened 22 new schools over six years to keep pace with growth in student population and implement the class size amendment.\"","Counting only the money that's already been allocated, the cost so far is $15.8 billion, according to the same report. A Senate staff analysis of Gaetz's bill includes the same $15.8 billion figure."]},{"id":"980.json","label":"false","statement":"Secretary Geithner has left the option on the table of abandoning the dollar for a multinational currency.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While there were comments made by Secretary Geithner that may have been interpreted as not dismissing the idea of a multinational currency, it is important to note that these comments were taken out of context. In the same context, Geithner unequivocally stated that he would denounce efforts to move towards a global currency. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that Geithner left the option on the table of abandoning the dollar for a multinational currency. The evidence suggests that Geithner and President Obama both provided assurances that they were not pursuing such a course of action.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bachmann's allegation that Geithner \"left the option on the table\" is based on comments he made at a question-and-answer session that day at the Council on Foreign Relations.","\"Yesterday, during a Financial Services Committee hearing, I asked Secretary Geithner if he would denounce efforts to move towards a global currency and he answered unequivocally that he would,\" Bachmann said in the March 25, 2009 news release . \"And President Obama gave the nation the same assurances. But just a day later, Secretary Geithner has left the option on the table. I want to know which it is.\"","It might have sounded to those who don't follow finance that Geithner declined to dismiss the idea of replacing the dollar with a multinational currency.","In a news release announcing the measure, Bachmann claimed Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner had said he was open to the idea of dropping the dollar."]},{"id":"10104.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker cut funding to local governments in Wisconsin, contributing to the second-largest increase in violent crime in the Midwest.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Walker reduced general-purpose shared revenue, which local governments use for various functions including law enforcement, there is no direct evidence linking these funding cuts to the increase in violent crime in Wisconsin. The statement lacks evidence to establish a causal relationship between the funding reductions and the rise in violent crime. While Wisconsin did experience a higher increase in violent crime compared to other Midwestern states, it is important to consider other factors that may have contributed to this increase. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient evidence to establish a direct connection between funding cuts and the increase in violent crime.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Burke said Walker cut funding to local governments in Wisconsin, contributing to the \"second-largest increase in violent crime\" in the Midwest.","\"And in fact, according to the latest FBI reports, we have seen an increase in violent crimes that's second in the Midwest. So, out of 10 Midwestern states, the second largest increase in violent crime. So, we are not doing enough.\"","Half True: Walker did significantly reduce general-purpose shared revenue, which local governments use to help pay for a variety of functions, including law enforcement. And the increase in Wisconsin\u2019s 2012 violent crime compared to the previous two years was higher than all but one other Midwestern state. But Burke didn\u2019t provide evidence that the shared revenue cuts significantly reduced funding for local law enforcement, nor evidence that funding reductions necessarily lead to an increase in violent crime.","But Burke doesn\u2019t provide evidence that the shared revenue cuts significantly reduced funding for local law enforcement, nor evidence that funding reductions necessarily lead to an increase in violent crime."]},{"id":"6457.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich spent a trillion of our tax dollars on a stimulus for failed companies here and jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim. While it is true that U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich voted for the stimulus bill known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, there is no credible information to suggest that the bill spent a trillion dollars specifically on failed companies and jobs overseas. The claim made in the statement oversimplifies the complex nature of the stimulus package and its intended goals. It is important to note that the effectiveness and impact of the stimulus bill are subjects of debate, but the statement's characterization of the spending is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Did a New Mexico Rep. spend $1 trillion in tax dollars on a stimulus for \"failed companies here and jobs overseas\"?","In the ad, titled \"Frustrating,\" a narrator says, \"The past few years have been frustrating and disappointing. Washington says the economy is better, but we sure don't see it. We're tightening our belts, but Washington is spending more and delivering less. Martin Heinrich told New Mexico he would fight unemployment, but he spent a trillion of our tax dollars on a stimulus for failed companies here and jobs overseas. So thousands of New Mexicans remain jobless, and unemployment got worse. Tell Martin Heinrich to stop the wasteful spending that's hurting our economy.\"","( - Did a New Mexico Rep. spend $1 trillion in tax dollars on a stimulus for \"failed companies here and jobs overseas\"?&url=)","It\u2019s correct that Heinrich voted for the stimulus bill known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. But did that bill spend \"a trillion of our tax dollars on a stimulus for failed companies here and jobs overseas\"? (We tried to reach the American Future Fund but the group did not return our inquiries.)"]},{"id":"1924.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Obama put a 10 percent tax on tanning.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. President Obama did sign the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law, which included a provision imposing a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services. This tax was implemented as a means to help fund the healthcare reform efforts outlined in the legislation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact, Snooki says Obama put a 10 percent tax on tanning( \"Snooki says Obama put a 10 percent tax on tanning\"), June 21, 2010","\"McCain would have never put a 10 percent tax on tanning,\" she said, adding, \"because he's pale, so he'd probably want to be tan.\"","\"I don't go tanning -tanning anymore because Obama put a 10 percent tax on tanning,\" Nicole \"Snooki\" Polizzi says after her boyfriend is shown spray-tanning her face. \"And I feel like he did that intentionally for us.\"","But let's get to the facts. Did President Barack Obama put a 10 percent tax on tanning? On March 23, 2010, Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka the health care bill) into law. And Chapter 49, SEC. 5000B makes this all very clear: \"There is hereby imposed on any indoor tanning service a tax equal to 10 percent of the amount paid for such service.\""]},{"id":"10697.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Just two weeks ago, Congressman Hurd quit his post on the House Committee on Small Business saying that he was unable to find the time to serve.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Congressman Will Hurd recently resigned from his post on the House Committee on Small Business. However, the reason provided in the statement, that he cited a lack of time to serve, is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not mention the specific reason for his resignation, so it is unclear why he made that decision. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate as it presents a speculative reason for Hurd's resignation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Pete Gallego, initially elected to the Texas House in 1990, won election to the U.S. House in November 2012. He lost his re-election bid in 2014. In July 2018, he ran in a special election to represent Texas Senate District 19.","Will Hurd, a former CIA officer, initially won election to represent the 23rd Congressional District of Texas in 2014. Hurd won re-election in 2016.","Says Will Hurd \"cosponsored a bill that would militarize our border and allow 200 miles of new roads to be built in the Big Bend region -- cutting up our beloved park.\"","Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy."]},{"id":"12062.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Susie Lee and her husband own 17 homes across the country and use their private jet to take vacations, and invest in companies like Walmart, Halliburton and GEO Group.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by the Culinary Workers Union and other sources regarding Susie Lee and her husband's ownership of multiple homes across the country and their investments in companies like Walmart, Halliburton, and GEO Group. However, it's important to note that while the union letter and other sources provide evidence of their substantial wealth, there may be some slight discrepancies or fudged details regarding the couple's airplane and specific investment details. Overall, the statement captures the main points accurately.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"She has never run for office, never taken a tough vote, and frankly, doesn\u2019t represent our values,\" Arguello-Kline wrote. \"She and her husband own 17 homes across the country and use their private jet to take vacations. She is an investor whose personal wealth comes from questionable investments in companies like Walmart, Halliburton and GEO Group (a for-profit prison company).\"","The Culinary Workers Union claims that Lee and her husband \"own 17 homes across the country,\" a \"private jet,\" and that she invests in Walmart, Haliburton and the for-profit prison company GEO Group.","Lee does indeed list several investments in companies generally seen as liberal kryptonite, including Halliburton, for-profit prison company GEO Group and Walmart.","There\u2019s no doubt that Lee and her husband are substantially well-off. The union letter is correct on many details about the Lee family\u2019s wealth, but it slightly fudged some of the particulars, like the couple\u2019s airplane and details in their investments."]},{"id":"8178.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he sued Obamas EPA seven times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Barry Smitherman, while campaigning for attorney general, claimed that he sued Obama's EPA seven times to protect Texas jobs and energy. Multiple sources confirm that Smitherman or the commission he served on at the time filed seven lawsuits against the EPA during the Obama administration. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Smitherman said he \"sued Obama\u2019s EPA seven times.\" In the seven EPA lawsuits -- all during the Obama administration -- that his spokesman identified, either Smitherman or the commission he served on at the time is named as a plaintiff.","\"Under Obama, we've lost over half a million manufacturing jobs,\" the narrator says. \"And for the first time, China is beating us. Seven times Obama could have stopped China's cheating. Seven times, he refused.\"","Campaigning for attorney general, Railroad Commission head Barry Smitherman uploaded a video to YouTube on Aug. 5, 2013, in which he said that he\u2019d \"sued Obama\u2019s EPA seven times to protect Texas jobs and energy for our families.\"","The Romney campaign posted a news release Sept. 17, 2012, explaining its reasoning. It says that under Obama, the U.S. Treasury Department has refused seven times to label China as a \"currency manipulator.\""]},{"id":"1866.json","label":"true","statement":"Californias credit rating is the worst in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. California does indeed have the lowest credit rating among all states in the United States. This is supported by the ratings given by the three major credit rating agencies: Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch. These agencies have consistently given California's general obligation bonds the lowest ratings compared to other states. The low credit rating reflects the state's financial challenges and fiscal instability.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It's no secret that Sacramento isn't working today. The partisanship is poisonous. Political posturing has replaced leadership. And the budget: It's always late, it's always in the red, and it's always wrong. Today the political breakdown in Sacramento is threatening jobs, our schools, and the state's credit rating, which is the worst in the country. Our state is in serious trouble, and the next governor must have the preparation, and the knowledge, and the know-how to get California working again.\"","The three biggest U.S. credit rating agencies -- Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch -- have all given California's G.O. bonds the lowest ratings of any state.","Brown was right about California having the lowest credit rating. Illinois' recent descent to California's level in Moody's ratings happened after Brown's post, so we are not counting that in our assessment. So we rate his statement True.","\"Hospitals, doctors, MRIs, surgeries and so forth are more extensively used and far more expensive in this country than they are in many other countries.''"]},{"id":"9798.json","label":"false","statement":"Because of President Barack Obamas failure to push job creation, the black unemployment rate in Ferguson, Mo., is three times higher than the white unemployment rate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence shows that the black unemployment rate in Ferguson, Missouri, is 1.9 times higher than the white unemployment rate, not three times higher. While it is true that there are racial disparities in unemployment rates, attributing this solely to President Obama's failure to push job creation oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to unemployment rates in a specific locality. It is important to consider a range of economic, social, and historical factors when analyzing unemployment disparities.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Because of President Barack Obama\u2019s failure to \"push job creation,\" the black unemployment rate in Ferguson, Mo., is three times higher than the white unemployment rate.","Dobbs said that because Obama failed to \"push job creation,\" the black unemployment rate in Ferguson is three times higher than the white unemployment rate.","Linking Obama\u2019s economic policy to the tensions in Ferguson, a town of 21,000, is a fairly significant charge. So we wanted to check Dobbs\u2019 claim that because of Obama\u2019s failure to \"push job creation,\" the black unemployment rate in Ferguson is three times higher than the white unemployment rate.","First and foremost, Dobbs\u2019 numbers are off. The most recent and best available statistics say the black unemployment rate is 1.9 times higher than the white unemployment rate in Ferguson (16 percent to 8.5 percent)."]},{"id":"11068.json","label":"half-true","statement":"134,000 (criminal) aliens have been released by the (Obama) administration in just the past two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that a significant number of aliens were released by the Obama administration, the claim fails to distinguish between different categories of releases. Some of the individuals released were convicted criminals who had completed their sentences but were still in custody pending deportation. Additionally, the claim does not specify the timeframe for these releases, making it difficult to determine if they occurred within the past two years as stated. Therefore, while there were releases of aliens, the statement lacks clarity and precision in its characterization of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If the over 134,000 aliens released by the administration in just the past two years follow the pattern of those aliens studied by the GAO (Government Accountability Office) in 2005, they will commit hundreds of thousands of more crimes, victimizing countless innocent Americans in crimes that could have been prevented.\"","Von Spakovsky said that the Obama administration had released about 134,000 criminal aliens. There are several flaws in this statement. About half of von Spakovsky\u2019s total, 66,000, involved convicted criminals who had completed their sentences but remained in custody pending deportation. For some large fraction of that group, perhaps as high as 45 percent, it was a court ruling that drove the release, not a decision by the administration.","\"In the year 2013, the Obama administration released 104,000 criminal illegal aliens. They released 196 murderers \u2013 people with homicide convictions, who are here illegally.\"","Cruz said: \"In the year 2013, the Obama administration released 104,000 criminal illegal aliens. They released 196 murderers \u2013 people with homicide convictions, who are here illegally.\""]},{"id":"5069.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the National Labor Relations Board told Boeing that it couldnt build a factory in South Carolina because South Carolina is a right-to-work state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) did not tell Boeing that it couldn't build a factory in South Carolina because it is a right-to-work state. The NLRB did, however, file a complaint against Boeing in 2011, alleging that the company had violated labor laws by opening a new production line in South Carolina as retaliation against unionized workers in Washington state. The complaint was eventually dropped after Boeing reached a settlement with the union. The NLRB's action was not based on South Carolina being a right-to-work state, but rather on the alleged violation of labor laws.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says the National Labor Relations Board told Boeing that it couldn\u2019t build a factory in South Carolina because South Carolina is a right-to-work state.","In the ad, Romney stands in front of workers on a factory floor and says that \"the National Labor Relations Board, now stacked with union stooges selected by the president, says to a free enterprise like Boeing, \u2018you can\u2019t build a factory in South Carolina because South Carolina is a right-to-work state.\u2019","The Romney ad claimed that the NLRB told Boeing that it \"can\u2019t build a factory in South Carolina because South Carolina is a right-to-work state.\"","Says \"President Obama and his National Labor Relations Board\" sued Boeing over its decision to open a plant in South Carolina."]},{"id":"7923.json","label":"true","statement":"Since Newtown, more people have died at the end of a gun than we have lost in Afghanistan.","reason":"Reason: Vice President Joe Biden's statement is supported by evidence. The data shows that since the Newtown shooting in December 2012, the number of gun-related fatalities in the United States has exceeded the number of American military personnel who lost their lives in the war in Afghanistan. This comparison highlights the significant impact of gun violence within the country. It is important to note that the statement specifically refers to the number of deaths and does not delve into the specific circumstances or causes of these fatalities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Vice President Joe Biden outlined those measures in a press conference Tuesday, emphasizing that President Barack Obama will still press for a new law. In making the case, Biden said, \"Since Newtown, more people have died at the end of a gun than we have lost in Afghanistan. Pretty astounding. Pretty astounding. And Iraq, as a matter of fact. Over 5,000. That's no way to run a country.\"","Biden said America has lost more people to guns since Newtown than it has in the war in Afghanistan. He is correct that more than twice as many people died in the past six months as did in 12 years of fighting. We rate his statement True.","FBI data from 2020 does show that more people died from injuries sustained from other people\u2019s fists, feet and hands than from rifles. But there\u2019s more you should know about that data before you use it to draw conclusions.","The numbers back up Biden\u2019s claim. In a span of half a year, there were more than 5,000 gun fatalities in the United States. In a dozen years, fewer than half that number of Americans died in the war in Afghanistan. Biden also referred to Iraq. Deaths there reached 4,422, according to the Pentagon. That\u2019s higher, but still less than fatalities due to firearms in America since mid December, 2012."]},{"id":"12094.json","label":"false","statement":"The Trump Winery near Charlottesville, Va. is the largest winery on the East Coast.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Donald Trump has claimed multiple times that Trump Winery is the largest winery on the East Coast, this claim is not supported by factual evidence. Neither the acreage of vines nor the production of wine at Trump Winery qualifies it as the largest winery on the East Coast. The website for Trump Winery itself does not make an unconditional claim of being the largest winery on the East Coast. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said that Trump Winery is the \"largest winery on the East Coast.\" It\u2019s not, regardless of whether you measure it by acreage of vines or the production of wine.","But the website never goes as far as Donald Trump did in making an unconditional claim that the winery is the largest on the East Coast. He\u2019s made that statement a number of times.","The Trump Winery website, citing the same 200-acre figure, also says it\u2019s the largest vineyard in the state. It additionally claims that it\u2019s the largest \"vinifera vineyard\" on the East Coast, referring to a species of grape.","During a news conference after victories in the Michigan and Mississippi primaries in early March, Donald Trump pointed to an array of products that bear his name, including bottles of Virginia-made wine from Trump Winery, just south of Charlottesville."]},{"id":"10444.json","label":"true","statement":"Only 18 percent of jobs are accessible by transit for metro Atlanta residents. 33 percent for those living in the city.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided, indicating that only 18 percent of jobs are accessible by transit for metro Atlanta residents, and the percentage increases to 33 percent for those living specifically in the city. This suggests that a significant portion of the population in Atlanta faces limited access to job opportunities via public transportation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["For instance, through the first half of the year, Milwaukee (population 600,000) has seen a 105 percent surge in its homicide rate and the rate is up by 33 percent or more in Baltimore (about 620,000 residents) and St. Louis (about 320,000)","A neighborhood association alerted Atlanta residents that the city\u2019s homicide rate is up for the year and has even reached a 50 percent increase.","Now it\u2019s also generating posts in online forums, where one neighborhood association alerted Atlanta residents that the city\u2019s murder rate was spiking and had even reached a 50 percent increase from a year ago.","Through July 11, the most recent date available, there have been 52 murders in the city. During the same time last year, there were 42 murders \u2013 a 24 percent increase."]},{"id":"691.json","label":"true","statement":"\"That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Governor Palin did put the luxury jet owned by the state of Alaska up for sale on eBay. However, it is important to note that the jet did not sell on eBay and was eventually sold to a businessman through an aircraft broker. Nonetheless, the act of listing the jet on eBay demonstrates Governor Palin's intention to sell the jet and her efforts to find a buyer through an unconventional platform.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for,\" Palin said. \"That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay.\"","It wasn't as wacky as it sounds. The state had sold smaller aircraft previously on eBay. (Alaska is a large, rural state, and state officials do use aircraft to get around. But typically they use smaller, more rugged planes than Murkowski's jet.)","But the jet's eBay listing did not prove effective, and the state never got its asking price. Instead, in 2007, the state turned to an aircraft broker, Turbo North Aviation. The jet was purchased that year by businessman Larry Reynolds, the owner of a sporting goods store and marine supply store in Valdez. Reynolds paid $2.1-million.","So it's true that Palin put the plane up for sale on eBay, but it didn't sell on eBay. That's not a huge point, but it is worth noting. We rate Palin's statement True."]},{"id":"3358.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thirty-five states have accepted high-speed intercity rail money.","reason":"Reason: It is true that 35 states, along with the District of Columbia, have accepted money for rail projects through the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program. However, it's important to note that not all of the funding is specifically allocated for high-speed or intercity rail projects. Some states have chosen not to use the funds for developing new high-speed rail lines, and three states have declined the funding altogether. While the statement is accurate in terms of the number of states that have accepted the money, it does not necessarily imply that all of the funding is dedicated to high-speed intercity rail projects.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Thirty-five states have accepted high-speed intercity rail money. Thirty-five,\" LaHood told a March 2, 2011, meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. \"There's a lot of enthusiasm and energy and very good plans around the country for high-speed, intercity rail. ... Just in the last two weeks, I probably received half a dozen or more letters from either governors or senators that are ready. They have their plans ready. If there is more money to be made available, they are ready to get in. America is ready for high-speed intercity rail. And the fact that 35 states have accepted the money is proof of it.\"","LaHood told transportation officials that \"35 states have accepted high-speed intercity rail money.\" It seems clear that 35 states, plus the District of Columbia, have so far been awarded money for rail projects through the 2009 federal stimulus or a subsequent federal grant. And yes, the program is called High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program.","But to say all of that money is directed for high-speed intercity rail stretches common logic. First it's really high-speed or intercity rail. Next, three of those 35 states have subsequently said no thanks. And several other states are taking the money, but not using it to develop new high-speed rail lines.","FRA, \"current list of High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail project funding( \"current list of High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail project funding\"),\" accessed March 4, 2011"]},{"id":"527.json","label":"true","statement":"John McCain opposed bankruptcy protections for families \"who were only in bankruptcy because of medical expenses they couldn't pay.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator John McCain's opposition to an amendment that would have provided bankruptcy protections for families who were in bankruptcy solely due to medical expenses they couldn't afford. McCain, along with other Republicans, voted against the amendment, which ultimately failed. This opposition suggests that McCain did not support bankruptcy protections specifically for families facing medical debt. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"John McCain has been part of the problem,\" Obama said. \"When he had the chance to help families avoid falling into debt, John McCain sided with the credit card companies. When he had the chance to protect teenagers and college students from deceptive credit card practices, he sided with the credit card companies. And when I fought against the credit card industry's bankruptcy bill that made it harder for working families to climb out of debt, he supported it \u2014 and he even opposed exempting families who were only in bankruptcy because of medical expenses they couldn't pay.\"","Trying to portray his opponent as insensitive to the plight of debt-laden Americans, Sen. Barack Obama used a June 11, 2008, speech to highlight Sen. John McCain's support for a 2005 law that made it more difficult for personal bankruptcy filers to escape debts that they could repay. Specifically, he noted McCain's opposition to an effort to exempt from the law individuals whose medical expenses pushed them into bankruptcy.","In fairness, McCain did not play a prominent role in this debate. And the vote on Kennedy's amendment was not an especially dramatic moment in the life of the bankruptcy law; there was more attention focused on high-profile votes on amendments to raise the minimum wage and to prevent violent protesters from escaping court-ordered fines or judgments by filing for bankruptcy protection.","One amendment offered by Kennedy would exempt debtors if their financial problems were caused by medical expenses. All 54 Republicans in the chamber, including McCain, voted against the measure, which was rejected 39-58. Obama joined 37 other Democrats and Vermont Independent James M. Jeffords in voting for it."]},{"id":"4641.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Even a 100 percent tax on millionaires would only fund four months of government operations, failing to seriously address budget deficits and debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Paul Ryan's hypothetical scenario, in which he argues that even if a 100% tax were imposed on individuals making over $1 million, it would only fund the government for about four months. This scenario highlights the limitations of relying solely on taxing the wealthy to address budget deficits and debt. However, it's important to note that this hypothetical scenario does not consider the practical feasibility or economic consequences of implementing such a tax policy. While it emphasizes the challenge of solely relying on taxing the wealthy, it simplifies a complex fiscal situation, and there are other factors to consider in addressing budget deficits and debt.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ryan spokesman Kevin Seifert told us his point was that raising income taxes on higher-income earners \"would not address the federal government\u2019s debt and deficits.\"","Critics said Ryan\u2019s quip falsely implied that some Democrat is actually proposing a 100% tax on millionaires to run the government.","Ryan conjures a hypothetical to make a point about the limits of taxation for budget savings, saying that that even a 100% tax on people making more than $1 million would run the government only for about four months.","But the House Budget Committee chairman is against slapping higher tax rates on millionaires -- the plan President Barack Obama and other Democrats are pushing in the name of tax fairness and deficit reduction. In early October, Senate Democrats backed the president\u2019s 5.6 percent surcharge on income over $1 million."]},{"id":"5436.json","label":"false","statement":"Claims Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she prefers the South African Constitution over the United States Constitution.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or reliable source indicating that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ever made a statement expressing a preference for the South African Constitution over the United States Constitution. The claim made by Santorum is unfounded and has been debunked by fact-checking organizations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"So she prefers the South African Constitution over the United States Constitution. A Supreme Court justice says we should be recommending to the world a South African view,\" Santorum told them.","Santorum claimed that Ginsburg said she \"prefers the South African Constitution over the United States Constitution.\" She never said that she did.","Santorum\u2019s example was U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is widely considered among the most liberal justices. He asked his audience of 3,000 whether they heard what she said the other day, and they erupted into boos and guffaws.","PolitiFact, \"Marco Rubio said a U.S. Supreme Court justice suggested that some U.S. cases will be decided based on South African law,\" Feb. 9, 2012"]},{"id":"1624.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Our national debt ... is on track to exceed the size of our entire economy ... in just two more years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concern that the national debt of the United States is projected to grow to a size that exceeds the country's GDP within the next two years. This projection is based on current trends and estimates, taking into account factors such as government spending, revenue, and economic growth. It highlights the need for fiscal responsibility and addressing the growing debt burden. However, it's important to note that projections can vary, and the exact timeline and magnitude of the debt surpassing the GDP may be subject to change based on various economic factors and policy decisions.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"697.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can. My opponent will raise them.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects John McCain's position on taxes, stating that he intends to keep taxes low and cut them where possible. However, the claim that his opponent, Barack Obama, will raise taxes is an oversimplification. While it is true that Obama planned to roll back the Bush administration's tax cuts for higher-income individuals, his tax plan also included tax cuts for low- and moderate-income families. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent Obama's tax plan. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We believe in a government that unleashes the creativity and initiative of Americans,\" McCain said. \"Government that doesn't make your choices for you, but works to make sure you have more choices to make for yourself. I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can. My opponent will raise them.\"","Given this analysis, McCain abbreviates Obama's plan too much. Obama's tax plan includes tax cuts for many. We rate McCain's statement that Obama will raise taxes to be Half True.","McCain is partially right that Obama will raise taxes. Obama intends to roll back the Bush administration's tax cuts on people with incomes of $250,000 for couples and $200,000 for singles. McCain, on the other hand, wants to leave the Bush tax cuts in place for all income levels.","\"The Obama plan would reduce taxes for low- and moderate-income families, but raise them significantly for high-bracket taxpayers,\" the report concluded. \"By 2012, middle-income taxpayers would see their after-tax income rise by about 5 percent, or nearly $2,200 annually. Those in the top 1 percent would face a $19,000 average tax increase \u2014 a 1.5 percent reduction in after-tax income.\""]},{"id":"8394.json","label":"true","statement":"A congressional laundry closed due to the partial government shutdown.","reason":"Reason: During the partial government shutdown, the congressional laundry, specifically ClassiCleaners located in the Longworth House Office Building, was indeed closed. This closure was a result of the shutdown, which affected various government services and facilities. Multiple sources confirm the closure of the congressional laundry during that time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I didn\u2019t want the government to shut down, I didn\u2019t get my laundry out\" of the congressional laundry before it shut down, Williams said. Doggett said he didn\u2019t know there was a congressional laundry.","The first-term Austin Republican told the Austin American-Statesman \u2019s Jonathan Tilove that he was running low on shirts because the congressional laundry was closed due to the federal shutdown that began Oct. 1. Another House member, Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, claimed he didn\u2019t know there was such a laundry.","Save for a few hours the first Thursday of October, the House\u2019s official cleaners was closed in connection with the partial government shutdown. We rate this claim as True.","Doggett spokeswoman Kelsey Crow agreed the basement laundry, which we identified as ClassiCleaners in the Longworth House Office Building, closed due to the shutdown."]},{"id":"7260.json","label":"true","statement":"Gross income tax receipts are exceeding the Administrations projections for this fiscal year prior to Sandy.","reason":"Reason: Governor Christie's statement is accurate. Gross income tax receipts in New Jersey for the fiscal year prior to Hurricane Sandy exceeded the administration's projections. This information is based on data from the Treasury, which showed growth in gross income tax receipts during the specified period. However, it's important to note that while gross income tax receipts exceeded projections, other revenue accounts did not perform as well, resulting in an overall shortfall for the state. \nLabel: true","evidence":["During his State of the State address last week, Christie said, \"Gross income tax receipts are exceeding the Administration\u2019s projections for this fiscal year prior to Sandy.\"","\"Gross income tax receipts are exceeding the Administration\u2019s projections for this fiscal year prior to Sandy,\" Christie said, citing other accomplishments such as job growth and increases in both consumer spending and industrial production.","New Jersey operates on a fiscal year that starts July 1 and ends June 30. Since Christie\u2019s comment references the current fiscal year and the months before Hurricane Sandy, which hit the state on Oct. 29, 2012, we\u2019re looking at gross income tax revenue for July through October, and comparing it with the same months in 2011.","Treasury data showed similar growth in gross income tax receipts, but other revenue accounts aren\u2019t doing as well, according to numbers from both the Treasury and OLS. Overall, New Jersey faces a shortfall of $425.9 million for the first six months of the fiscal year. Adding in money left over from last year, the total shortall is $549 million."]},{"id":"1590.json","label":"true","statement":"Because of a local version of Amendment 4, the taxpayers of St. Pete Beach have had to pay hundreds of thousands in legal bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The evidence provided supports the claim that the taxpayers of St. Pete Beach have incurred significant legal expenses due to the implementation of a local version of Amendment 4. The ad mentions the \"enormous costs, wasted tax dollars, endless litigation\" faced by the community as a result of approving the local version of Amendment 4. This suggests that the taxpayers have indeed had to pay hundreds of thousands in legal bills. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Some people wonder what Florida would be like if Amendment 4 passed, but the people of St. Pete Beach already have the answer. They adopted a local version of Amendment 4 in 2006,\" says the ad, with sweeping images of St. Pete Beach's shoreline and its famous pink hotel, the Don Cesar.","In an Internet advertisement, a political action committee called Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy claims that St. Pete Beach's local version of Amendment 4 has cost the 10,000-person community.","\"St. Pete Beach has become a victim of lost jobs, the enormous costs, wasted tax dollars, endless litigation and economic gridlock,\" the 2-minute, 15-second ad says. \"All because they approved a local version of Amendment 4.\"","That's a different storyline than what is envisioned under Amendment 4, where voters would act as a check on the decisions of local government. The amendment itself isn't designed to go around government the way the situation in St. Pete Beach played out. And it has nothing to do with citizens proposing amendments to the local comprehensive plan, like what has happened in St. Pete Beach."]},{"id":"1101.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Doctors, nurses, hospitals, even the pharmaceutical industry, (and) AARP say that health reform makes sense to do.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there is support for health care reform from various stakeholders in the industry, including doctors, nurses, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, and AARP. However, it's important to note that there may be differing opinions and disagreements among these groups regarding specific reform proposals. While there is general consensus that some form of health care reform is necessary, the level of support and agreement on the details may vary. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it's important to acknowledge that there may be nuances and differences of opinion within these stakeholder groups.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The default position is inertia,\" he said during his July 22, 2009, speech on health care when asked why he was so eager to pass health care reform before the end of the summer. \"Because doing something always creates some people who are unhappy... And the fact that we have made so much progress where we've got doctors, nurses, hospitals, even the pharmaceutical industry, AARP, saying that this makes sense to do, I think means that the stars are aligned and we need to take advantage of that.\"","Those are a lot of details to keep track of, so we've provided you with a handy guide here . But back to Obama's claim. He's correct that most in the health care industry support some sort of reform, but when we're talking about the overhauls that have been put to paper \u2014 specifically, the House and Senate bills \u2014 there is quite a bit of disagreement among hospitals, nurses, Medicare patients, doctors and the drug industry over which plan is best; industry support isn't as rock-solid as Obama would make it seem. As a result, we give him a Mostly True.","The leading pharmaceutical industry trade group, PhRMA, does not support the House bill, but says the Senate bill \"marks an important step toward achieving comprehensive health care reform.\" And the American Nurses Asssociation supports the House bill, but has no clear position on the Senate bill.","Obama was talking about some key industry endorsements he picked up for a health care overhaul. In early May, the hospitals, insurers and the drug industry pledged to save $2 trillion in health care spending over 10 years. That victory was followed by a July 8 announcement that hospitals would contribute $155 billion in Medicare and Medicaid savings to cover health care cost reform."]},{"id":"8325.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One out of four corporations doesnt pay a nickel in (federal income) taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that a study found that at least 55 of the largest corporations used various loopholes to pay zero federal income tax in 2020, the claim that one out of four corporations doesn't pay any federal income taxes is an outdated statistic from a 2008 study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO study did not differentiate between corporations that reported losses due to normal business operations and those that utilized tax code provisions to reduce their tax liability. It is important to consider that corporations can have legitimate reasons for reporting losses and that tax laws allow for carrying forward losses and accounting for necessary expenses. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate in the current context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pulled out a dramatic statistic during a Sept. 24, 2013, back-and-forth with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on CNN\u2019s Crossfire. \"One out of four corporations doesn't pay a nickel in taxes,\" Sanders said.","\u201cA new, independent study put out last week found that at least 55 of our largest corporations used various loopholes to pay zero federal income tax in 2020.\u201d","Biden said, \"A new, independent study put out last week found that at least 55 of our largest corporations used various loopholes to pay zero federal income tax in 2020.\"","Sanders said that one out of four corporations doesn\u2019t pay a nickel in taxes. The statement reflects a 2008 study from the Government Accountability Office. However, the GAO study did not distinguish between firms that had losses in the normal course of business and those that reported losses solely through the use of the tax code. Groups along the political spectrum give much weight to the costs of doing business that can lead to a bad year. There is wide agreement that losses in one year can be carried forward and that salaries are an unavoidable expense, to mention just two factors."]},{"id":"2786.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I had five of my citizens that were killed last week because of border security problems.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Perry mentioned the deaths of five U.S. citizens, it is important to note that these deaths occurred in Mexico, not within the United States. Therefore, attributing their deaths to border security problems in the U.S. is misleading. Governor Perry's statement lacks clarity and context, as he did not specify how securing the U.S. border would directly prevent incidents in Mexico. It is crucial to differentiate between border security issues within the U.S. and incidents that occur in foreign countries.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["St. Petersburg Times, Five U.S. citizens are killed in Mexico in a week,( \"Five U.S. citizens are killed in Mexico in a week,\") Nov. 4, 2010",", U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez: 6 citizens killed in region this week,( \"U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez: 6 citizens killed in region this week,\") Nov. 5, 2010","Perry responded: \"What I'm really comfortable with is Washington understanding that they're doing too much. I'd like for them to do their basic responsibilities like secure our border with Mexico. I had five of my citizens that were killed last week. I've asked two administrations to put the boots on the ground, to secure that border.\"","But Perry made his claim in the context of arguing for tougher border security in the U.S. without mentioning that his citizens, as he put it, were killed in a foreign country, not the U.S. Nor did he say how securing the border on the U.S. side would prevent shootings in Mexico."]},{"id":"10193.json","label":"false","statement":"Over 214,000 doctors opt out of Obamacare exchanges.","reason":"Reason: The statement that over 214,000 doctors have opted out of Obamacare exchanges is not supported by credible evidence. The claim is based on a survey that cannot be extrapolated to represent the entire country, and even the creators of the survey have acknowledged this limitation. Furthermore, the survey found that a significant portion of doctors who were not participating in marketplace plans were not doing so because they were never asked to, not because they were actively opting out. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A chain email claimed that more than 214,000 American doctors are \"opting-out of Obamacare exchange plans.\" That is based on a survey of a select group of doctors and even the makers of the survey said it can\u2019t be extrapolated for the entire country. Further, of the doctors responding to the survey, 42 percent said they weren\u2019t participating in marketplace plans because they were never asked to, not because they were \"opting out.\"","These are legitimate concerns, and there is reason to believe that some doctors are choosing not to contract with marketplace insurance plans. But there is no evidence to suggest the number is anywhere near 214,000.","The fact is, Obamacare does not just include the exchanges where people buy private insurance. The exchanges themselves are a small slice of the overall insurance business.","Meaning, even if this limited survey could be extrapolated to represent all doctors, not all of them are \"opting out\" of Obamacare. Many \u2014 almost half \u2014 weren\u2019t asked to participate in ACA marketplace policies."]},{"id":"3115.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The United States does have one of the highest statutory corporate tax rates among industrialized nations, currently at 39.1 percent. While effective corporate tax rates can vary due to various tax breaks and deductions, the statement specifically refers to the statutory rate. It's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall tax burden or competitiveness of the U.S. corporate tax system, but solely focuses on the statutory rate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The United States currently has the highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" Lance said in a news release last week that emphasized the need for tax reform.","It\u2019s accurate that, at 39.1 percent, the United States has the highest statutory corporate tax rate among industrialized nations. But with various tax breaks, U.S. effective corporate tax rates range anywhere from 23 percent to 34.9 percent, studies show.","We separately checked Beckel\u2019s claim about deductions, but in this check, we\u2019ll see whether Bolling is correct that the United States\u2019 corporate tax rate ranks as the highest in \"the free world.\"","Japan once had the highest combined tax rate in the world, but lowered it in April 2012. That move bumped the United States\u2019 statutory rate to the highest among industrialized nations, according to an analysis by the Tax Foundation, a pro-business group."]},{"id":"7478.json","label":"false","statement":"A legacy of taxing and borrowing crippled the economy we inherited two years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Scott that a \"legacy of taxing and borrowing crippled the economy\" is not supported by evidence. Experts and analysis indicate that fiscal matters such as taxing and borrowing were not significant factors in the poor state economy that Scott inherited. The primary causes were the real estate market, the national recession, and their impacts on key sectors like construction and tourism. Therefore, the claim is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wondered whether Scott was justified in saying that a \"legacy of taxing and borrowing \u2026 crippled the economy\" he inherited in 2010.","\"Our Florida Families First budget\" represents \"responsible stewardship of taxpayer money,\" Scott, a Republican, said in the address. \"Washington, D.C., could learn a few budget lessons from Florida. The contrast between our state and the nation\u2019s capital is remarkable. Now is not the time to turn back to the legacy of taxing and borrowing that crippled the economy we inherited two years ago. We must stay the course for economic growth and job creation.\"","We should note that we are analyzing this claim using the assumption that Scott is referring to the state\u2019s economy when he talks about the \"legacy of taxing and borrowing.\" His office confirmed that he was referring to Florida's economy as the one he \"inherited\" in January 2011, not the nation\u2019s. As evidence, they pointed us to statistics showing Florida's debt levels increased through 2010 but then declined.","Scott blamed a \"legacy of taxing and borrowing\" for the poor state economy he inherited. But the experts we contacted said that fiscal matters were a small factor, if at all. Real estate, the national recession, and their impacts on such key sectors as construction and tourism were the overwhelming causes. We rate Scott\u2019s claim False."]},{"id":"2022.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Law enforcement in the state of Arizona supports\" the state's new immigration law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer that law enforcement in the state of Arizona supports the state's new immigration law, Senate Bill 1070. This is supported by evidence that groups representing police officers, such as the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and the Arizona Police Association, have expressed support for the law. However, it's important to note that there are also individuals and organizations within law enforcement who may have differing opinions on the matter. Therefore, while there is support from some law enforcement groups, it is not accurate to claim that all law enforcement in the state of Arizona uniformly supports the law.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Appearing on Fox News with Greta Van Susteren, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer rejected President Barack Obama\u2019s claim that the White House had talked to police officers opposed to Arizona\u2019s controversial immigration law. She shook her head no and said, \u201cLaw enforcement in the state of Arizona supports Senate bill 1070,\u201d referring to the new law that directs police to question individuals if they reasonably suspect they are in the U.S. illegally.","\"It does not really \u2018mirror\u2019 federal law, which delegates enforcement power to federal immigration authorities, not state and local law enforcement,\" Johnson said.","Supporters include groups representing police officers, such as the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, and the Arizona Police Association, which describes itself as \u201can association of associations, not an association of individual members.\u201d Nonetheless, its website says that it \u201crepresents nearly 9,000 federal, state and local law officers in the state of Arizona.\u201d The governor\u2019s office notes that the two are the state\u2019s largest law enforcement groups.","One of the key questions to emerge has been what standard law enforcement officers would need to use before questioning individuals about their immigration status. This topic came up on the April 26 edition of the MSNBC program Hardball , in a three-way discussion between host Chris Matthews; Republican state Sen. John Huppenthal, a supporter of the new law; and former Democratic state Sen. Alfredo Gutierrez, an opponent of the law. Here is an excerpt from their conversation, edited for space:"]},{"id":"1852.json","label":"true","statement":"Charlie Crist \"bizarrely vetoed\" $9.7 million for a teaching hospital at the University of Florida \"despite having previously argued the budget request had merit.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation where Charlie Crist vetoed $9.7 million for a teaching hospital at the University of Florida, despite having previously supported the budget request. This decision by Crist has been described as a flip-flop and has been attributed to political motives or the state's weak economy. The evidence supports the claim made by Marco Rubio that Crist vetoed the funding despite acknowledging its merit earlier. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"For his latest astounding flip-flop, Charlie Crist on Friday vetoed nearly $9.7 million in state funding for a teaching hospital at the University of Florida despite having included the funding as part of his budget recommendation in January. As part of his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010-2011, Charlie Crist\u2019s office even wrote a justification for the budget request that can be read HERE. Yet, Crist bizarrely vetoed the funding despite having previously argued that the budget request had merit. Was this political payback for Republican leaders no longer supporting him? Is there anything else that could explain a seemingly inexplicable flip-flop?\"","Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio wants voters to see his independent opponent Gov. Charlie Crist as a repeat flip-flopper who vetoed a project out of political spite. In one of Rubio's most recent claims, posted to his campaign website June 2, 2010, he says that Crist \"bizarrely vetoed\" $9.7 million for a teaching hospital at the University of Florida \"despite having previously argued the budget request had merit.\"","There is no dispute that Crist vetoed $9,673,569 for Shands teaching hospital -- line item 185. The veto on May 28 was one of about $371 million in budget vetoes. So the only question is if he had \"previously argued the budget request had merit.\"","It's clear that Crist vetoed $9.7 million for Shands, though it had previously been in his budget. His campaign argues that Florida's weak economy led to the veto decision. We rate Rubio's claim as True."]},{"id":"8848.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama has gone from blaming George W. Bush to plagiarizing George W. Bush.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a misinterpretation of Marc Thiessen's comment. Thiessen did not claim that Obama plagiarized George W. Bush. Instead, he suggested that Obama adopted the theme of opportunity from Bush. The accusation of plagiarism implies a direct copying of someone else's work, which is not supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Thiessen said that Obama had gone from blaming George W. Bush to plagiarizing him. Thiessen himself says he didn\u2019t mean that Obama copied Bush; rather, that Obama took the theme of opportunity from Bush.","\"Since both you and President Bush are Republicans, I fear a return to the policies of those years should you win this election,\" said undecided voter Susan Katz. \"What is the biggest difference between you and George W. Bush, and how do you differentiate yourself from George W. Bush?\"","Even a year later, our fact-check on which president took more vacation -- George W. Bush or Barack Obama -- remains one of our most popular fact-checks with readers. Given the Obama\u2019s family\u2019s summer vacation in Martha\u2019s Vineyard, Mass., we thought it was time to look at the numbers again.","Marc Thiessen was the lead writer for President George W. Bush\u2019s 2007 State of the Union speech, and he said he found the similarities between the two speeches a bit eerie."]},{"id":"12872.json","label":"false","statement":"Donald Trump says all Mexicans are rapists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Donald Trump has made controversial statements about Mexicans, he did not explicitly say that \"all Mexicans are rapists.\" In his campaign announcement speech, Trump did mention that some Mexicans coming to the United States may be rapists and criminals, but he also acknowledged that many of them are good people. It is important to provide an accurate representation of Trump's statements to maintain factual integrity.\nLabel: false","evidence":["At one point, Tim Kaine, a Virginia senator, lit into Pence by saying, \"When Donald Trump says women should be punished, or Mexicans are rapists and criminals\u2026\"","Says Donald Trump, in his campaign announcement speech, \"also said, \u2018And many of them (Mexicans) are good people. You keep leaving that out of your quote.\"","No doubt, Trump has made controversial statements about the groups Kaine cited. But did Trump go as far as saying \"all Mexicans are rapists?\"","Pence has a point that there was more to Trump\u2019s comment than just that \"Mexicans are rapists and criminals,\" as Kaine said during the debate. In fact, we have previously taken Kaine to task for oversimplifying Trump\u2019s Trump Tower comment. In August, we gave Kaine a False for saying that Trump had said that \"all Mexicans are rapists.\""]},{"id":"1585.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this week that the Democrats have to pass their terrible health care bill so that the American people can actually find out what's in it.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi regarding the passage of the health care bill. In her statement, Pelosi did mention that the bill needed to be passed so that people could find out what is in it. However, it's important to note that this statement has been widely criticized and taken out of context. Critics argue that it implies a lack of transparency and due diligence in the legislative process. While the accuracy of the term \"terrible\" used to describe the bill is subjective, it is important to consider the broader context and differing perspectives on the health care legislation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Republican Party of Texas marveled \u2014 not in a good way \u2014 at an admission of sorts by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the long-stalled health care overhaul before Congress. According to an e-mail the GOP sent Friday, Pelosi said \u201cthe Democrats have to pass their terrible health care bill so that the American people can actually find out what's in it.\u201d","Yet there\u2019s heft to the GOP's claim that Pelosi said the legislation has to pass so people can find out what\u2019s in it.","Pelosi adds: \u201cBut we have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of controversy.\u201d","The Heritage Foundation, The Foundry (blog), \u201cVideo of the Week: \u201cWe have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it,\u201d( \"The Heritage Foundation blog\") March 10, 2010"]},{"id":"3417.json","label":"false","statement":"2008: Unions Spent $400 Million to Elect Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement that unions spent $400 million to elect Obama is false. While there were reports that liberal groups, including unions, aimed to raise $400 million for the 2008 election, the actual amount raised and spent by unions for Democratic candidates, including Obama, was significantly lower. Public disclosures indicate that unions reported $206.7 million in spending for all Democrats, not just Obama. The $400 million figure was a goal, not an actual amount achieved, and it included funds from non-union advocacy groups as well. Therefore, the claim that unions spent $400 million specifically to elect Obama is not supported by evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The RNC said the unions \"spent $400 million to elect Obama.\" We do want to acknowledge that independent publications have reported that number to be the case. But when we looked into the sources for that number, we found that it was the unions themselves discussing what they hoped to raise in the 2008 election. Furthermore, the reports said they wanted to raise $300 million, not $400 million, and it was a goal, not something they had yet achieved. When we looked at the public disclosures after the election, we found the unions reported $206.7 million in spending for all Democrats. It's clear that the unions raised additional money for get-out-the-vote activities, but we don't know how much more -- nor does the RNC. Finally, all that money went to support Obama and other Democrats, not just Obama alone. In short, we don't see the evidence to support that unions spent $400 million to elect Obama. So we rate the statement False.","In 2008, \"candidate Obama, he's not even president-elect, sends William Miller over to Iran to establish a back channel and let the Iranians know that should he win the election, they will have friendlier terms.\"","The ad cited Politico and the Wall Street Journal as its sources, so that\u2019s where we went first. Both reported in March 2008 that liberal groups said they hoped to raise $400 million to spend in 2008. About $300 million would come from unions, and the rest from non-union advocacy groups, including , ACORN and Emily\u2019s List.","There\u2019s no doubt that unions strongly supported Obama over Republican John McCain in the last election. But was it to the tune of $400 million? We decided to check it out."]},{"id":"1546.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Our graduation rate is the highest it's ever been.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence indicating that Florida's graduation rate has indeed reached its highest level in recent years. Multiple formulas and calculations, including the NGA calculation and the 1998 rubric, show an upward trend in the graduation rate. While there may be some variations in the specific numbers depending on the methodology used, the overall trend supports the claim that the graduation rate is at its highest level. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a specific timeframe for comparison, which could lead to different interpretations. Providing more clarity on the timeframe would enhance the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For the NGA calculation -- which is the figure trumpeted by Crist's office in December 2009 as the \"highest ever\" -- Florida's rate has increased from 69.7 percent in 2004-05 to 76.3 percent last year. Again, that topped the mercury level on the graduation rate thermometer.","Okay, enough about the methodology. On to the numbers! Under the 1998 rubric, Florida's graduation rate has steadily increased every year, except for a dip in 2005-06. It rose from 60.2 percent to 78.6 percent in 2008-09 -- the highest under that formula.","In his speech to lawmakers, Crist claimed the state's graduation rate is \"the highest it's ever been.\" And several formulas say that's true -- to varying degrees. But Joe Citizen doesn't think of \"ever\" as beginning in 2005, or even 1999. We understand that accurate statistics only go back so far, but Crist could have been more clear. We rate his statement Mostly True.","Dorn says the increased graduation rate corresponds closely with an increase in students who received a diploma even after failing the FCAT three times. Such students can replace their FCAT scores with SAT scores of 410 for reading and 370 for math. (The number of those degrees jumped from 569 in 2004-05 to 9,410 last year.) Without those degrees included, last year's rate falls to 71.2 percent. It's still the highest ever, Dorn says, \"by about a hair.\""]},{"id":"8739.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are many studies that indicate that the longer people get unemployment insurance, it provides some disincentive to work.","reason":"Reason: Senator Paul's statement accurately reflects his claim that there are many studies indicating that longer durations of unemployment insurance can create disincentives to work. This claim is supported by the statement from Burtless, who acknowledges that a significant majority of studies show a link between longer potential benefit durations and longer spells of unemployment. However, it's important to note that this does not mean that all individuals receiving unemployment insurance are disincentivized to work. The impact of unemployment insurance on individual behavior can vary, and other factors such as job availability and personal circumstances also play a role. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be interpreted with the understanding that individual experiences and circumstances can differ.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Paul said that \"there are many studies that indicate\" that the longer people get unemployment insurance, \"it provides some disincentive to work.\"","Here, we wanted to look at studies on unemployment insurance, and whether he\u2019s correct that \"there are many studies that indicate\" that the longer people get unemployment insurance, \"it provides some disincentive to work.\"","Appearing on the Jan. 5, 2014, edition of ABC\u2019s This Week, Paul said he was concerned \"that the longer you have it, that it provides some disincentive to work, and that there are many studies that indicate this. So, what I've been saying all along, we have to figure out how to create jobs and keep people from becoming long-term unemployed.\"","\"It is fair to say that there have been \u2018many studies\u2019 of the impact of longer unemployment insurance durations on unemployment, re-employment, and labor force participation, and it is fair to say that a sizeable majority of studies shows an impact that links longer potential benefit durations with longer spells of unemployment,\" Burtless said."]},{"id":"9040.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mary Burkes 2007-09 state budget had a tax hike of $1.8 billion -- costing every man, woman and child in the state an extra $310.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers, have debunked the claim that Mary Burke's 2007-2009 state budget included a tax hike of $1.8 billion, costing every person in the state $310. The claim made by the state GOP is not supported by credible evidence. It is important to rely on accurate information when evaluating the impact of specific budgetary decisions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Mary Burke's \"2007-'09 state budget had a tax hike of $1.8 billion -- costing every man, woman and child in the state an extra $310.\"","Mary Burke\u2019s \"2007-\u201909 state budget had a tax hike of $1.8 billion -- costing every man, woman and child in the state an extra $310.\" False.","The state GOP said \"Burke's 2007-'09 state budget had a tax hike of $1.8 billion -- costing every man, woman and child in the state an extra $310.\"","We were struck by the final statement -- that Burke \"says she\u2019s on the side of the middle class,\" but that \"Burke\u2019s 2007-'09 state budget had a tax hike of $1.8 billion -- costing every man, woman and child in the state an extra $310.\""]},{"id":"7824.json","label":"true","statement":"The proposed raises for the Norcross City Council would put it in line with other liked-sized communities.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the proposed raises for the Norcross City Council would indeed bring their salaries in line with other similarly sized communities. While there may be some variation when comparing individual cities, an overall assessment indicates that the council's salaries would be in the middle range compared to other communities of similar size. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["WXIA-TV recently did a story about the raises and criticism of the idea. The station reported that Mayor Bucky Johnson said the raises would bring Norcross in line with other liked-sized communities. Johnson told us a councilman made the initial claim.","To sum up, Norcross officials claimed the salary increases for its mayor and City Council would put them in line with other liked-sized communities. If you consider the average salaries for 10 similarly sized cities, Norcross officials would still make less than their counterparts. If you examine each of those cities separately, the Norcross officials would make more in some cases and less in other instances.","From what we\u2019ve reviewed, Norcross has a pretty good argument here. The council will be in the middle of other liked-sized communities concerning pay. We rate the claim True.","But only six of those cities have mayoral salaries that are higher than what Norcross passed. Just four of those cities have city council salaries that are more than what Norcross approved."]},{"id":"3505.json","label":"true","statement":"There has never been a death caused by a [commercial nuclear] reactor in the United States, even when Three Mile Island failed in the 1970s.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. There has never been a death caused by a commercial nuclear reactor in the United States, even during the incident at Three Mile Island in the 1970s. While there have been accidents and incidents at nuclear power plants, the safety measures and protocols in place have prevented any fatalities directly caused by the reactors themselves. It's important to note that this statement specifically refers to deaths caused by the reactors and does not encompass other potential indirect consequences or long-term effects of nuclear incidents.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There has never been a death caused by a commercial nuclear reactor in the United States, even when Three Mile Island failed in the 1970s.\"","Isakson\u2019s statement that \"there has never been a death caused by a reactor in the United States, even when Three Mile Island failed in the 1970s,\" reflects a prevailing view.","\"There has never been a death caused by a reactor in the United States, even when Three Mile Island failed in the 1970s,\" Isakson said in a video posted by his office.","Considering the history of incidents like Three Mile Island and the deadly Chernobyl disaster in the Ukraine, we decided to take a closer look at the history of commercial nuclear power plants, and see if, in fact, no one has ever been killed by commercial nuclear power in the United States."]},{"id":"1429.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"For the first time in history, my administration posts our White House visitors online.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement is generally accurate. The Obama administration did make significant efforts to increase transparency by releasing White House visitor logs and posting them online. While there was a gap in the release of visitor logs for the first nine months of Obama's presidency, the administration did implement a policy to release records of all visitors starting from September 15, 2009, with a delay of 90 to 120 days. However, it's important to note that there were exceptions for certain records that were deemed sensitive. Overall, the statement reflects the Obama administration's commitment to transparency regarding White House visitors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Getting back to Obama's statement, he said, \"For the first time in history, my administration posts our White House visitors online.\" He's right that the release was unprecedented -- there is no dispute that the Obama administration has released more information from the logs than any previous administration. But there is still a gap for roughly the first nine months that Obama was in office. And the administration has given itself a significant loophole with the exemption for sensitivity, especially given that there's already a substantial delay built into the release.","Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, CREW and Obama reach historic legal settlement - White House to post visitor records online( \"CREW and Obama reach historic legal settlement - White House to post visitor records online\"), Sept. 4, 2009","We've been looking into the question of White House visitor logs. It's true that the Obama administration is releasing more information on White House visitors than any previous administration and posting those details to the Web.","Starting Sept. 15, 2009, the White House said it would release records of all visitors, but the records would be released 90 to 120 days after the visits occurred. But the administration outlined a series of exceptions for records that would not be released:"]},{"id":"12887.json","label":"false","statement":"The climate hasnt warmed in quite a few years. That is proven scientifically.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the climate hasn't warmed in quite a few years is not supported by scientific evidence. Multiple studies and analyses from reputable scientific organizations, such as NASA and NOAA, have consistently shown that the Earth's climate has been warming over the past century, and this warming trend continues to the present day. While there may be short-term fluctuations and variations in temperature, the long-term trend clearly indicates global warming. It is important to rely on scientific consensus and peer-reviewed research when evaluating claims about climate change.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Moore said the whole theory of climate change is called into question because \"it has not warmed for the last 17 years.\"","PunditFact wanted to know if the Earth has not warmed for the last 17 years, and what it means if anything for the theory of climate change.","\"Basically, they're just saying weather these days,\" Moore said. \"They're saying the weather is climate change, but that's not true. Weather is just weather, like the cold weather we're getting this year. It has not warmed for the last 17 years. We know that for sure. And that brings into question the whole hypothesis.\"","( - No climate warming in quite a few years, Sen. Ron Johnson says -- but records were set in 2014, 2015&url=)"]},{"id":"6632.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Bruce Springsteen played in 1975 at Seton Hall University in South Orange at Walsh gym.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Bruce Springsteen did perform at Seton Hall University in South Orange at Walsh gym in 1975 as part of his \"Born to Run\" tour. Multiple sources confirm this information, including Governor Chris Christie himself and historical records of the concert.\nLabel: true","evidence":["His first show was \"at Seton Hall University in South Orange at Walsh gym\" in 1975, Christie told Fallon, before the two performed part of \"Thunder Road\" together.","Before performing part of \"Thunder Road\" with Fallon, Christie told the late-night host that his first Springsteen concert was \"at Seton Hall University in South Orange at Walsh gym\" in 1975.","It was December 1975 when Bruce Springsteen took his \"Born to Run\" tour to Walsh gym at Seton Hall University, kicking off the set with \"Thunder Road\" and \"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.\"","The governor\u2019s Springsteen concert history is correct. As part of Springsteen\u2019s \"Born to Run\" tour, the Boss performed 21 songs on Dec. 11, 1975 at Walsh gym at Seton Hall University."]},{"id":"9171.json","label":"false","statement":"A North Carolina study proves that probably over a million people voted twice in (the 2012) election.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there was a study conducted in North Carolina regarding voters who potentially voted in multiple states, the claim that \"probably over a million people voted twice\" is not supported by the study or any credible evidence. The study found that approximately 35,500 individuals may have voted in both North Carolina and another state, but it did not provide evidence of widespread voter fraud or support the claim of over a million double votes. Extrapolating such a large number from the study is misleading and unsupported.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Morris amplified on this claim in an op-ed that came out two days later. For this fact-check, we examine whether the report from the North Carolina Board of Elections proves that probably a million people voted twice in 2012.","\"And only 27 states pool that data. Texas, California, New York and Florida did not pool their data. So you're talking about probably over a million people that voted twice in this election. This is the first concrete evidence we've ever had of massive voter fraud. We\u2019ve talked about it ad nauseam. This proves it.\"","Morris said that the large number of North Carolina voters matched with records in other states was proof that over 1 million people voted twice in the 2012 election. While Morris admittedly was extrapolating from the North Carolina data, his conclusion is flawed on several fronts.","\"It's most important data I've read in a year,\" Morris said on Fox News\u2019 Hannity. \"The elections commissioner there, Kim Strach, did a study of those who voted in North Carolina who also voted in another state in 2012 and she found 35,500 people voted in North Carolina and voted in some other state."]},{"id":"2033.json","label":"false","statement":"Tarpon Springs takes its homeless to St. Petersburg.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Tarpon Springs takes all of its homeless individuals to St. Petersburg. The town of Tarpon Springs does not have a significant homeless problem, with only around 40 homeless people in total. The Police Department's homeless outreach officer confirms that while he does come across individuals who may need assistance, he primarily takes them to shelters, most of which are not located in St. Petersburg. The claim made by Curran is unsubstantiated and does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["What we're assessing is Curran's claim that Tarpon Springs takes all of its homeless to St. Petersburg. And we find no evidence to substantiate her blanket statement. We rate her statement False.","\"When he comes upon any homeless individual in Tarpon Springs who needs assistance, he brings them to St. Petersburg,\" she said. \"They send them all to St. Petersburg.\"","For one, Tarpon Springs doesn't have a big homeless problem. He said the town has about 40 homeless people. Total. As the Police Department's homeless outreach officer, he does come across people who might need help.","But no one is disputing what Yourgules claims now and what his records show. Four shelters confirmed his records. He takes the majority of the homeless people he finds to shelters, which mostly aren't in St. Petersburg."]},{"id":"9895.json","label":"true","statement":"More people are apprehended after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border a week than are born in Texas each week.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the evidence provided. In 2014, during an appearance on a radio program, it was stated that approximately 8,000 to 10,000 people were being apprehended each week after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. This number was compared to the weekly birth rate in Texas, implying that more people were being apprehended at the border than the number of births in the state. Therefore, based on the information available, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Texas, More people are apprehended after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border a week \"than are born in Texas each week,\" July 21, 2014","Footnote: This isn\u2019t the first time Patrick has made a claim like this. In 2014, he suggested that more people are apprehended after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border a week \"than are born in Texas each week.\" That was True (at the time).","Patrick said each week, more people are apprehended after entering the U.S. by illegally crossing the Mexico\/U.S. border than are born in Texas.","In a July 21, 2014, appearance on Laura Ingraham\u2019s radio program, Patrick, the 2014 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, said: \"Just two weeks ago, we apprehended almost 10,000 people crossing the border--in one week, Laura.\" After explanation about those numbers, Patrick continued, \"If we apprehend eight or nine thousand a week, that\u2019s more people than are born in Texas each week.\""]},{"id":"3801.json","label":"true","statement":"For more than 30 years after World War II, there was a steady reduction in U.S. debt as a percentage of gross domestic product.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that for more than 30 years after World War II, there was a steady reduction in U.S. debt as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). The data shows that between 1946 and 1949, the U.S. deficit declined from 7.2 percent of GDP to a surplus of 0.2 percent, indicating a significant reduction in debt. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not cover the entire period of more than 30 years after World War II. Nonetheless, the provided information supports the general trend of decreasing debt as a percentage of GDP during that time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The White House press office told us that the proof is in the numbers. They tracked the deficit as a percent of the entire economy, measured as the Gross Domestic Product.","You have to go back 63 years to the period between 1946 and 1949 to find a bigger four-year drop than what the country saw between 2009 and 2012. Right after World War II ended, the U.S. deficit stood at 7.2 percent of GDP. By 1949, America had a surplus of 0.2 percent. So that\u2019s a decline of 7.4 percentage points.","There is another option, which is to look at the relative size of the decline. So if the deficit went from 10.1 percent of GDP to 7 percent of GDP, that means the deficit dropped 30 percent. But when we did this going back to World War II, we saw some very strange results. Big deficit declines could look smaller in relative terms than small declines.","Paxton, a McKinney state senator, didn\u2019t call for a Texas-wide arms build-up, but he offered an analogy to war. \"Think about the greatest generation and World War II,\" Paxton said. \"At the beginning of World War II, we had a relatively small army ... smaller than Portugal\u2019s. And yet we put together a military that fought on two fronts against two great superpowers. In the midst of dire circumstances,\" Paxton said, adding: \"Texas has that same opportunity.\""]},{"id":"303.json","label":"true","statement":"\"While I was working on those streets watching those folks see their jobs shift overseas, you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that while Barack Obama was working in the community, witnessing job losses due to outsourcing, Hillary Clinton was serving as a corporate lawyer and sitting on the board of Wal-Mart. This is supported by evidence that Clinton was indeed a board member of Wal-Mart from 1986 to 1992, during which time she advocated for certain initiatives related to women in management and environmental programs. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"While I was working on those streets watching those folks see their jobs shift overseas, you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart,\" Obama said.","At the time, she worked as an attorney for the Rose Law Firm, which had many corporate clients such as Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods. Clinton specialized in patent infringement and intellectual property cases.","Obama is correct about Clinton's tenure on the Wal-Mart board of directors. She was appointed to the board in 1986 when her husband was the governor of Arkansas and she served until 1992. As a board member, Clinton pushed for more women in management and a better environmental program, according to a New York Times examination of her work on the board.","New York Times, As a Director, Clinton Moved Wal-Mart Board - But Only So Far,\" by Michael Barbaro, May 20, 2007"]},{"id":"4747.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States sends $300 billion -- half our trade deficit -- overseas for oil to unstable and unfriendly regimes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States spends a significant amount of money on oil imports, the statement inaccurately claims that the entire $300 billion is sent overseas to unstable and unfriendly regimes. The evidence suggests that a substantial portion of the oil imported by the United States comes from friendly nations such as Canada and Mexico. While there is some oil imported from unstable or unfriendly regimes, it does not account for the entirety of the $300 billion mentioned. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Every year we send $300 billion \u2013 half our trade deficit \u2013 overseas for oil to unstable and unfriendly regimes,\" Huntsman said in the Nov. 1, 2011, speech.","The Huntsman campaign cited U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data that show that the U.S. trade deficit in 2010 was just over $500 billion. And the gap is getting worse, deepening by $40 billion through August 2011.","Huntsman was a little more nuanced than some of his \"drill, baby, drill\" Republican colleagues, and correct in identifying, as others have before him, the high cost of American dependence on foreign oil. But much of the oil the U.S. imports is from friendly nations, including Canada and Mexico, rather than \"unstable and unfriendly regimes.\" We rate his statement Half True.","And, as Huntsman suggested, the U.S. imported $323 billion worth of energy-related petroleum products, including crude oil, in 2010, and had already spent $283 billion on the black gold overseas through August 2011."]},{"id":"2446.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We paid down the debt for four years -- paid down $600 billion on the national debt.","reason":"Reason: While President Clinton accurately stated that the United States paid down the debt for four years during his tenure, he did overestimate the amount that was paid down. The actual amount was $452 billion, which is still a significant reduction. However, it is important to note that the statement incorrectly claims that $600 billion was paid down on the national debt. The accurate figure is $452 billion. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["After a reader sent us a blog post from NewsBusters, a conservative website, we were inspired to check Clinton's claim that during his tenure the U.S. \"paid down the debt for four years -- paid down $600 billion on the national debt.\"","\"It took us four years to balance the budget. Then I gave you four surplus budgets for the first time in more than 70 years, paid $600 billion down on the national debt.\"","So using this measurement, Clinton is correct that \"we paid down the debt for four years,\" though he did overestimate the amount that was paid down when he said it was $600 billion. The actual amount was $452 billion -- which was equal to about 12 percent of the existing public debt in 1997.","\"It took us four years to balance the budget,\" Clinton told the crowd at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. \"Then I gave you four surplus budgets for the first time in more than 70 years, paid $600 billion down on the national debt.\""]},{"id":"3669.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A vast majority of the production in the United States comes from small independent oil and gas companies.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant portion of U.S. oil production comes from independent oil and gas companies, the statement exaggerates by claiming a \"vast majority.\" The evidence suggests that while these independent firms do contribute to U.S. oil production, they are not the sole or overwhelming majority. Additionally, it is worth noting that the term \"small\" can be subjective, as some of the companies categorized as \"independent\" may not necessarily be considered small by conventional standards. Therefore, while there is truth to the statement, it is an overstatement to claim a \"vast majority.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered whether \"small independent oil and gas companies\" actually account for \"a vast majority of the production in the United States.\"","The tax breaks, he said, \"go to small independent companies like we have in Oklahoma. Did you know a vast majority of the production in the United States comes from small independent oil and gas companies? And the new rigs that are \u2026 drilling right now in the United States, they are not the ExxonMobils of the world. They are the Devons, the Chesapeakes, and even smaller companies that are based in Oklahoma that are employing a lot of \u2026 Democrats (in) blue-collar jobs. And the president needs to understand that.\"","Ultimately, Boren makes a valid point that a majority of U.S. oil production comes not from the biggest multinational oil companies but from independent firms. Still, it\u2019s not a \"vast majority,\" as he said, and some of the firms in the \"independent\" category -- including the two he cited by name -- are hardly what most people would consider \"small.\" On balance, we rate Boren\u2019s statement Half True.","There\u2019s another factor to consider. Boren said he was referring to \"small independent oil and gas companies.\" The statistics above certainly include some of those smaller companies, but it also includes some that aren\u2019t so small."]},{"id":"6929.json","label":"half-true","statement":"An Army report stated Allen West performed illegal acts, merited court martial, faced 11 years in prison.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in Murphy's ad regarding Allen West's military record. The ad states that the final Army report indicated that West \"performed illegal acts, merited court martial, faced 11 years in prison.\" However, it's important to note that the fact-checking source rated this claim as \"Half True\" because the report did not explicitly state that West \"performed illegal acts.\" Instead, it found him guilty of three counts of aggravated assault, which is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. While the ad's statement captures the essence of the report, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more accurate representation of the findings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Murphy\u2019s ad included this sentence: \"The final Army report: West \u2018performed illegal acts, merited court martial, faced 11 years in prison.' \"","We looked whether the final Army report said West 'performed illegal acts, merited court martial, faced 11 years in prison.' We rated that Half True.","We are going to focus on the part of Murphy\u2019s ad that says, \"The final Army report: West \u2018performed illegal acts, merited court martial, faced 11 years in prison.\u2019 \"","\"You need the facts about Allen West in 2003,\" states the narrator, as a manila folder opens. \"West was criminally charged with violating the uniform code of military justice, found guilty of three counts of aggravated assault, and relieved of his command. The final Army report: West 'performed illegal acts, merited court martial, faced 11 years in prison.' Allen West. He just isn\u2019t who he says he is.\""]},{"id":"7350.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says each year approximately 30,000 people in the United States die as a result of gunfire, and about 80,000 people are wounded.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information cited from the Fall 2001 issue of the Harvard Health Policy Review. The article states that approximately 30,000 people in the United States die each year as a result of gunfire, with about 80,000 people being wounded. However, it's important to note that the data mentioned is over a decade old and may not reflect the most recent statistics. To provide a more accurate representation of the current situation, it would be beneficial to consult more up-to-date sources and research on gun violence in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"According to Harvard Health Policy Review, each year approximately 30,000 people in the United States die as a result of gunfire, and about 80,000 people are wounded,\" the former Ohio state legislator noted, applauding President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden for \"proactively taking the necessary steps to address this critical issue.\"","We soon found an article in the Fall 2001 issue of Harvard Health Policy Review, titled The Costs and Benefits of Reducing Gun Violence, that begins with the exact wording used by Beatty - \"Each year, approximately 30,000 people in the United States die as a result of gunfire and about 80,000 are wounded.\" But the date of that article gave us pause. The numbers it cited were more than a decade old. We wanted to find more recent numbers.","With more than 30,000 fatal traffic accidents in the United States each year, we suspect there must be at least a few in which victims might have survived had they not been wearing a seat belt.","\"When George Bush became president of the United States, 17 million people were in poverty. When he left, 30 million people were in poverty.\""]},{"id":"1656.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More people are driving under the influence of drugs than are driving under the influence of alcohol. A recent roadside survey showed that 16 percent of the people tested, tested positive for illicit or licit drugs. Thats significantly higher than alcohol.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kerlikowske that a recent roadside survey showed a higher percentage of people testing positive for drugs compared to alcohol. The survey indicated that 16 percent of the people tested were positive for drugs, which is indeed higher than the percentage of people testing positive for alcohol. However, it's important to note that the survey only reveals the presence of drugs in the system and does not provide a direct measure of impairment. Additionally, the statement does not consider the specific criteria used to determine impairment for both drugs and alcohol. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be understood that it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence of drug and alcohol impairment while driving.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"More people are driving under the influence of drugs than are driving under the influence of alcohol. A recent roadside survey showed that 16 percent of the people tested, tested positive for illicit or licit drugs. That's significantly higher than alcohol.\"","\"More people are driving under the influence of drugs than are driving under the influence of alcohol,\" Kerlikowske said. \"A recent roadside survey showed that 16 percent of the people tested, tested positive for illicit or licit drugs. That's significantly higher than alcohol.\"","If you look no further than the outcome of the survey he cites, Kerlikowske's comment are accurate. But the caveats listed above reduce our confidence that, as he puts it, \"more people are driving under the influence of drugs than are driving under the influence of alcohol.\"","There's reason to believe that not all of the 16 percent of drivers testing positive for drugs would have been \"under the influence of drugs.\" The survey only reveals who has some level of drugs in their system, and does not provide an accurate measure of who was impaired by drugs when they were surveyed. By the same token, it's quite possible that many more than 2.2 percent of the study participants were indeed \"driving under the influence of alcohol\" even if they weren't over the .08 legal threshold. Did these two percentages approach each other in the middle, thus undermining Kerlikowske's statement? Maybe -- or maybe he is right after all. Ultimately, the research isn't yet detailed enough to be sure. With this degree of uncertainty, we rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"11128.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton refuses to testify before Congress about the 2012 attack in Benghazi.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Hillary Clinton did testify before Congress about the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi. She appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 23, 2013, to provide testimony regarding the incident. This testimony is a matter of public record and has been widely reported on. Therefore, the claim that Clinton refuses to testify before Congress about the Benghazi attack is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A social media meme says that Clinton \"refuses to testify before Congress about what really happened at Benghazi where four Americans died.\"","In this article, we\u2019ll check one of those claims -- that Clinton \"refuses to testify before Congress about what really happened at Benghazi where four Americans died.\"","!Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies Jan. 23, 2013, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo\/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) !Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies Jan. 23, 2013, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo\/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)","Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testifies Jan. 23, 2013, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo\/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)"]},{"id":"3908.json","label":"false","statement":"Commerce Secretary nominee John Bryson appears to endorse world government.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on speculation and an article from the Daily Caller that suggests John Bryson, the nominee for commerce secretary at the time, \"appears to endorse world government.\" However, the evidence provided is flimsy and lacks substantial support. The article itself relies on unnamed Republican officials who claim that Bryson endorses world government, but it does not provide any concrete evidence or direct quotes to support this assertion. Without more substantial evidence, it is not accurate to claim that John Bryson endorses world government based on the information provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Daily Caller, \"Commerce nominee appears to endorse world government in video, Republicans say,\"( \"\"Commerce nominee appears to endorse world government in video, Republicans say,\"\") by John Rossomando, June 7, 2011","Supporting climate change policy is one thing, but is Barack Obama\u2019s nominee for commerce secretary, John Bryson, an advocate for world government?","The speculation originated in a June 7, 2011, story in the Daily Caller that ran under the headline: \"Commerce nominee appears to endorse world government in video, Republicans say.\"","That seems like pretty flimsy evidence on which to base speculation that Bryson \"appears to endorse world government.\" So we contacted Daily Caller reporter John Rossomando to find out who provided the video and made the claims. Rossomando wrote back that, \"it came from GOP officials on the Hill, of whom I am not a liberty to name.\""]},{"id":"13154.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rob Portman even voted to allow people on the terrorism watch list to buy guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that Rob Portman voted against a specific bill regarding background checks on all gun purchases, it is incorrect to claim that he voted to allow people on the terrorism watch list to buy guns. The ad distorts the facts by suggesting that Portman's vote directly enabled individuals on the watch list to purchase firearms, when in reality, people on the watch list were already able to buy guns before the votes in question. Portman himself has expressed support for preventing individuals on the watch list from purchasing weapons. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Portman's position and voting record.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But Sen. Rob Portman, Strickland\u2019s Republican opponent, \"is blocking commonsense laws to stop terrorists and criminals from getting guns. Sen. Portman said no to background checks on all purchases,\" the ad\u2019s soldier continues. \"He even voted to allow people on the terrorism watch list to buy guns.\"","The ad distorts facts on many levels. People on the terrorism watch list could already buy guns before the votes in question.","The week ahead of that vote, Portman told reporters in his weekly media conference call, \"I do believe that you should not be able to buy a weapon when you\u2019re on the (terrorist) watch list.\"","Says \"Rob Portman voted for the bipartisan bill to affirm climate change is real, humans significantly contribute to it and it needs to be addressed.\""]},{"id":"6269.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says federal debt doubled during the Bush administration.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the gross federal debt increased significantly during the Bush administration, it did not exactly double. The gross federal debt went from approximately $5.73 trillion at the beginning of Bush's term to around $10.63 trillion at the end of his term, representing an increase of about 85 percent. Adjusting for inflation, the increase in the gross federal debt was around 70 percent. Therefore, while the debt did increase substantially, it did not double as stated in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["When Bush\u2019s term started Jan. 20, 2001, the gross federal debt was $5.73 trillion. At the end of his term, Jan. 20, 2009, the gross federal debt was $10.63 trillion. This means that the debt just about doubled under Bush.","We see how Sadler reached his conclusion. In raw terms, both the public debt and gross federal debt more than doubled during the fiscal years corresponding to Bush\u2019s presidency. However, adjusting for inflation, gross debt increased 70 percent over those years, while public debt increased 88 percent. That\u2019s not quite doubling.","Emanuel didn't mention the Bush administration specifically, but that's what most people think of when they think of the last eight years. So we decided to check the national debt from when Bush took office to when he left.","Emanuel began by pointing out that the national debt increased significantly during the Bush administration, then he defended the need for a stimulus bill to help the economy."]},{"id":"4663.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our president has labeled Americans as soft.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Governor Perry claimed President Obama labeled Americans as soft. However, it's important to note that this claim is taken out of context. President Obama's comment about the country getting soft was made in the context of discussing the challenges faced by young people during the financial crisis and recession. It was not a direct label or characterization of Americans as a whole. Therefore, while Governor Perry's statement accurately reflects his claim, it lacks the necessary context and can be misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In the video, Perry also levels a charge against President Barack Obama, saying: \"The central issue facing Americans is a lack of jobs. There are 14 million Americans without work today. Our president has labeled Americans as soft. Well, I believe our people have toughed it out the best that they can, but they are looking for leadership and they are looking for optimism.\"","We'd heard the \"soft\" charge before. In an Oct. 14 speech unveiling his energy policy proposals, Perry said Obama \"has labeled Americans as soft.\" We rated that statement, which amped up a statement Obama had made about the country getting soft in the past, Half True.","Our sense is Perry took Obama's \"soft\" comment and amped it up for maximum effect. Saying the country had gotten soft in the past, as Obama did, is less immediate, personal and provocative than saying Americans are currently soft.","Obama's \"soft\" comment came about a minute into his response to Payne's question about whether the president shared his concern that younger Americans won't have as many opportunities as their parents did. \"Oh, absolutely,\" Obama began. \"And keep in mind that first of all, this is the worst financial crisis and recession that has existed in our lifetimes. I mean, you have to go back to the 1930s to see something like this, and so it's challenging for young people who are coming up in the midst of those kinds of circumstances.\""]},{"id":"9478.json","label":"false","statement":"ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi was released by Obama in 2009.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, was not released by President Obama in 2009. The Pentagon has confirmed that al-Baghdadi was held as a detainee by U.S. Forces-Iraq from early February 2004 until early December 2004, at which point he was released based on the recommendation of a Combined Review and Release Board. There is no record of al-Baghdadi being held at any other time. The claim that President Obama released al-Baghdadi in 2009 is a misinformation spread by republishing satire as genuine news.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A spam website republished satire as genuine news in an effort to spread misinformation about former President Barack Obama and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.","\"The head of this band of savages is a man named Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the new Osama Bin Laden,\" Pirro said. \"A man released by Obama in 2009, who started ISIS a year later. And when Baghdadi left Camp Bucca, where the worst of the worst were held in Iraq, he threatened his American jailers saying, \u2018I\u2019ll see you in New York.\u2019 \"","\"Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim Al Badry, also known as 'Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi' was held as a 'civilian internee' by U.S. Forces-Iraq from early February 2004 until early December 2004, when he was released,\" the Pentagon told us in a statement. \"He was held at Camp Bucca. A Combined Review and Release Board recommended 'unconditional release' of this detainee and he was released from U.S. custody shortly thereafter. We have no record of him being held at any other time.\"","\"Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim Al Badry, also known as \u2018Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi\u2019 was held as a \u2018civilian internee\u2019 by U.S. Forces-Iraq from early February 2004 until early December 2004, when he was released,\" the Pentagon said in a statement. \"He was held at Camp Bucca. A Combined Review and Release Board recommended \u2018unconditional release\u2019 of this detainee and he was released from U.S. custody shortly thereafter. We have no record of him being held at any other time.\""]},{"id":"7668.json","label":"true","statement":"The NRA used to support expanded background checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The National Rifle Association (NRA) did, at one point, express support for expanded background checks. Wayne LaPierre, the leader of the NRA, previously supported background checks for every sale at every gun show without any loopholes. However, it is important to note that the NRA's position has since changed, and they are now opposed to further expansion of background checks. Nonetheless, the statement correctly reflects the historical shift in the NRA's stance on this issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["At one point, Obama invoked his gun-policy adversary, the National Rifle Association. \"Even the NRA used to support expanded background checks,\" he said. \"The current leader of the NRA\" -- referring to Wayne LaPierre -- \"used to support these background checks.\"","Flanked by relatives of some of the slain children from Newtown, Conn., and assassination survivor Gabby Giffords, Obama emphasized how broadly Americans support expanded background checks for gun purchases.","But then, as now, the group was opposed to specific legislative measures behind implementation of expanded checks. Even Manchin\u2019s compromise measure may not have passed muster with 1999\u2019s NRA. He\u2019s right that the leadership expressed support for expanding background checks generally, but the details get more complicated, especially in the context of specific legislation. We rate his claim Mostly True.","In his Rose Garden comments, Obama said \"the NRA used to support expanded background checks.\" He\u2019s correct: In congressional testimony following the Columbine High School shooting, LaPierre called it \"reasonable\" to conduct a background check \"for every sale at every gun show. No loopholes anywhere for anyone.\" Subsequent statements by NRA officials acknowledge that the group\u2019s position has since changed to opposition to more background checks. So we rate Obama\u2019s statement True."]},{"id":"9647.json","label":"false","statement":"When the New Hampshire Legislature raised the gasoline tax, gas prices in the state were skyrocketing.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While gas prices in New Hampshire did experience an increase during the mentioned period, the term \"skyrocketing\" implies a significant and rapid rise, which is not supported by the evidence provided. The increase in gas prices during that time was around 6 percent, which does not meet the threshold of \"skyrocketing.\" Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact of the gas tax increase on already high gas prices in the state.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Club for Growth ad said the New Hampshire legislature raised the gasoline tax at a time when gas prices in the state were \"skyrocketing.\"","\"Across New Hampshire, taxes are going up, and families are hurting. With gas prices skyrocketing, the Legislature raised our gas tax. State budgets are growing by hundreds of millions. What\u2019s next, an income tax? One representative has taken the lead to say no -- Marilinda Garcia. She knows government has gotten too big. Conservative Marilinda Garcia is fighting for more freedom and less government. Thank Marilinda for opposing higher taxes and spending.\"","According to , a website that tracks gasoline prices in a wide range of states and cities, New Hampshire gasoline prices were $3.42 around Jan. 8 and rose to $3.61 around May 20. That\u2019s an increase of 6 percent -- rising, but not exactly \"skyrocketing.\"","New Hampshire voters are famously unenthusiastic about tax hikes, so it\u2019s no surprise that the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative group, is making hay of the state\u2019s recent gasoline tax hike in an ad that\u2019s intended to bolster a Republican congressional candidate."]},{"id":"2318.json","label":"true","statement":"Sharron Angle would eliminate the Department of Education.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Sharron Angle did express her intention to eliminate the Department of Education in multiple public forums, including interviews and campaign ads. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Regardless, on the issue raised by Reid's ad -- whether Sharron Angle \"would eliminate the Department of Education\" -- we found that yes, she did say she wanted to do so in several public forums. So we rate the Reid ad True.","The exchange quoted in the ad begins with the host asking Angle, \"Would you eliminate the Department of Education or simply cut it back?\" Angle replies, \"I would like to go through to the elimination.\"","She's expressed that position before, in a Mar. 22, 2010, interview( \"interview\") with the conservative website Nevada News & Views, when she said she would like to eliminate not just the Education Department but the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency as well.","In a television ad( \"television ad\") released Aug. 23, 2010, Reid's campaign says that Angle wants to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. The ad relies on a clip from an interview Angle did with radio station KNPR, the NPR affiliate in Nevada, on May 19, 2010, when she was running in the GOP primary."]},{"id":"3318.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"An illegal immigrant who gains admission at a public college takes class space away from students who are legal residents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in highlighting that when an illegal immigrant gains admission to a public college, it can potentially take class space away from legal residents. This is particularly true in cases where popular courses fill up quickly, and limited class space is a concern. However, it's important to note that the impact of illegal immigrants on class space availability can vary depending on the specific circumstances and resources of each college or university. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the larger context of immigration policies and the complexities surrounding access to education for undocumented individuals.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Starting this fall, no illegal immigrant will be allowed admission in any public school in the state that turns away qualified applicants, such as the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. That means no legal resident will be denied admission because an illegal immigrant has already filled his slot.","However, Balfour\u2019s statement does not acknowledge the fundamental problem, which is tight resources. Given the small number of \"undocumented\" students, it\u2019s safe to say that most of the time, legal residents are taking the slots away from one another.","Gainesville State and Georgia Gwinnett grant admission to every student who meets basic admission requirements. Since every qualified person can enroll, none of them, legal or illegal, can be shut out. Getting into the classes students want to take, though, can be another story.","Strictly speaking, Balfour\u2019s initial statement is correct. If a single illegal immigrant snags a spot in a popular course that fills up, legal residents can miss out."]},{"id":"2042.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether BPs $20 billion fund to compensate oil spill victims is a slush fund.","reason":"Reason: The term \"slush fund\" is subjective and can carry negative connotations. While some individuals, including Rep. Joe Barton and a caller on a radio show, referred to BP's $20 billion fund as a \"slush fund,\" it is important to note that this characterization is not accurate. The fund was established to compensate victims of the oil spill caused by BP, and it was not intended for any illicit or improper purposes. Additionally, Sharron Angle, after using the term \"slush fund,\" later acknowledged that it was incorrect. Therefore, it is misleading to label BP's compensation fund as a \"slush fund.\"\nLabel: false","evidence":["As you may recall, Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, used similar language last month. Apologizing to BP for what he called a \"shakedown,\" he also referred to the $20 billlion as a slush fund.","Sharron Angle, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Nevada, was a guest on a radio show recently when a caller expressed surprise that the government could pressure oil company BP to create a \"slush fund\" to pay claims.","\"My position is that the creation of this fund to compensate victims was an important first step -- BP caused this disaster and they should pay for it. But there are multiple parties at fault here and there should be a thorough investigation. We need to look into the actions (or inactions) of the Administration and why the regulatory agency in charge of oversight was asleep at the wheel while BP was cutting corners. Every party involved should be held fully accountable.\"","\"Having had some time to think about it, the caller and I shouldn\"t have used the term \u2018slush fund\"; that was incorrect,\" said the \"Statement from Sharron Angle.\""]},{"id":"1157.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Medicare has at least $80 billion worth of fraud a year. That's a full 20 percent of every dollar that's spent on Medicare goes to fraud.\"","reason":"Reason: While there is a significant concern about fraud in Medicare and Medicaid, the statement that \"Medicare has at least $80 billion worth of fraud a year. That's a full 20 percent of every dollar that's spent on Medicare goes to fraud\" is not entirely accurate. The exact extent of fraud in Medicare is uncertain, and there is a lack of reliable data to support the claim that it accounts for 20 percent of every dollar spent. Estimates vary, and while Senator Coburn's estimate is considered plausible by some experts, it is not supported by concrete evidence. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the current understanding of Medicare fraud.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The senator said, \"If you look at Medicare and Medicaid, both vital programs today, they're highly inefficient. People claim that they're efficient. Medicare has at least $80 billion worth of fraud a year. That's a full 20 percent of every dollar that's spent on Medicare goes to fraud. And Medicaid is not much better. We don't actually have the numbers because half the states aren't reporting their Medicaid fraud. So when you have programs that are designed to be defrauded, even though they're well-intended and they are helping people, we ought to think about how do we get better value for that money and less money going out the door. \"","In the meantime, Coburn's dollar figure \u2014 $80 billion in fraud \u2014 would be no more accurate if the NHCAA is right. The group says there's $68 billion in fraud in all health care expenditures \u2014 but Coburn's figure for Medicare alone is bigger than that.","Because of the uncertainty about how much Medicare fraud actually exists, we think Coburn oversteps when he states definitively that \"Medicare has at least $80 billion worth of fraud a year.\" Not only is there a statistical disagreement over how big the problem currently is, but all the key players also agree that there are simply no good data to rely on. Still, because Coburn's estimate is considered plausible by a leading academic in the field, we can't dismiss it as undeniably false. We rate Coburn's statement Half True.","Total Medicare outlays were $431 billion in 2007, or 19 percent of total national health care expenditures. If one assumes that fraud is equally prevalent in Medicare and other types of health care, that would make the Medicare share of the NHCAA's $68 billion fraud estimate $13 billion. And $13 billion in fraud divided by $431 billion in total Medicare outlays would be 3 percent of total Medicare expenditures \u2014 a far cry from Coburn's 20 percent. (A rate of 20 percent is \"possible, but I don't think it's very plausible,\" Saccoccio said.)"]},{"id":"1317.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There were more people at the Air and Space Museum than at a rally against the health care bills.","reason":"Reason: Based on the available evidence, it is accurate to say that there were more people at the Air and Space Museum on that particular day than at the rally against the health care bills. The National Air and Space Museum reported 9,771 visitors, while the exact number of attendees at the rally is not provided. However, it is important to note that the difference in numbers is relatively small, and without an official count for the rally, the comparison is based on estimates and methodology. Therefore, the statement is deemed half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A few days after the rally, Bob Beckel, a Democratic consultant and Fox News contributor, said Bachmann's estimate was inflated. \"Well, I was down at that thing,\" Beckel said on Hannity's Nov. 9 show. \"You said there were 20,000 people there. There were more people at the Air and Space Museum that day than were at the rally.\"","We wondered if Beckel was right, so we checked with the National Air and Space Museum. A spokeswoman told us there were 9,771 visitors that day.","Associated Press, \" Chanting 'Kill the bill,' thousands rally at Capitol to protest health care overhaul bill (,0,) ,\" Nov. 5, 2009","So, in the absence of an official count, we'll take McPhail's lead and give Allen's methodology some credence. That means the number of people attending the rally and visiting the Air and Space Museum was about the same. If he's right, it's by just a small margin. If he's wrong, it's also by a small margin. So we find Beckel's claim Half True."]},{"id":"6613.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Bruce Starr voted to throw 6,000 Oregonians off unemployment.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bruce Starr voted against a bill that would have extended unemployment benefits, it is misleading to claim that he voted to \"throw 6,000 Oregonians off unemployment.\" The bill in question would have temporarily allowed certain beneficiaries to turn down work, which could have resulted in some individuals being cycled off unemployment. However, it is important to note that the bill was not solely about extending benefits, but also included provisions that Starr and others may have had concerns about. Therefore, attributing the intention to actively kick people off unemployment solely to Starr's vote is an oversimplification of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Oregonians for Food and Shelter \"proudly features board members from Monsanto and Syngenta and the (Oregon) Farm Bureau also receives funding from biotech companies.\"","We called Sen. Starr to see why he voted the way he did on the legislation. He said he was more concerned about the change in policy that allowed (albeit temporarily) those on unemployment to turn down work.","The measure passed pretty overwhelmingly in the House with 47 members voting in favor. It was the same story in the Senate where 25 voted \"yes.\" Starr, however, was one of four who voted \"no.\"","Without the bill, it\u2019s clear, based on numbers from the Unemployment Department, that 6,000 people would have been cycled off unemployment. (In fact, that number is closer to 12,000 if you consider the full life of the extension.) That said, we think there\u2019s a difference between voting against an extension and actively voting to kick people off of something -- as the Democrats allege. Moreover, the bill wasn\u2019t a matter of a simple extension; it also temporarily allowed certain beneficiaries to turn down work."]},{"id":"10323.json","label":"true","statement":"My property taxes went down largely because my technical college portion went down 35.5% because of the money we put in at state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence, including Governor Walker's own tweet and the actions taken at the state level. The property taxes did decrease, specifically the technical college portion, by 35.5% due to the injection of additional state aid into the technical college system. The legislation signed by Governor Walker aimed to return surplus state funds to taxpayers, resulting in a reduction in property taxes. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a tweet, Walker said: \"My property taxes went down largely because my technical college portion went down 35.5% because of the money we put in at state.\"","\"My property taxes went down largely because my technical college portion went down 35.5% because of the money we put in at state,\" the governor tweeted Dec. 12, 2014 from his personal account.","So the biggest contributor to his lighter tax load, as he claimed, was the technical college portion. And it was, as he claimed, due to actions taken at the state level.","Almost all of that drop is directly attributable to state legislation pushed by Walker and other Republicans who sought to return surplus state funds to taxpayers. Walker signed Wisconsin Act 145 in March 2014, injecting additional state aid into the state\u2019s technical college system."]},{"id":"7398.json","label":"false","statement":"Lots of studies seem to indicate that minors find it very easy to get marijuana, easier than to get alcohol.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Edith H. Ajello, claiming that lots of studies indicate that minors find it easier to obtain marijuana than alcohol, is not supported by the most recent, credible, national studies. In fact, the available data suggests the opposite. According to these studies, teenagers report that it is easier to obtain alcohol compared to marijuana. Therefore, the claim made by Rep. Ajello is not accurate based on the current evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rep. Edith H. Ajello said, \"Lots of studies seem to indicate that minors find it very easy to get marijuana, easier than to get alcohol.\"","In a Feb. 6, 2013, Providence Journal story about her bill to legalize marijuana, Ajello said that after years of making marijuana illegal, \"Lots of studies seem to indicate that minors find it very easy to get marijuana, easier than to get alcohol.\"","But all the most recent, credible, national studies we found showed that teenagers report it\u2019s easier to get alcohol than marijuana.","* More than 78 percent of 10th graders said alcohol was fairly easy or very easy to get while just shy of 69 percent said the same of marijuana."]},{"id":"13318.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Russia has tremendous numbers of nuclear warheads 1,800, by the way where they expanded, and we didnt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Russia has increased its deployed strategic nuclear warheads from 1,537 to 1,796 between 2011 and 2016, it is important to note that this statistic only represents deployed warheads and does not account for the total stockpiles of both countries. Both Russia and the United States have approximately 4,500 nuclear warheads in their total stockpiles. Additionally, experts have stated that the recent increase in Russia's deployed weapons is temporary and not indicative of a long-term upward trend. Therefore, the statement that Russia has \"tremendous numbers of nuclear warheads\" and that the United States did not expand its arsenal is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive view of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump said Russia has \"tremendous numbers of nuclear warheads \u2014 1,800, by the way \u2014 where they expanded, and we didn't.\"","\"(Putin) has no respect for her,\" Trump said. \"He has no respect for our president. And I'll tell you what: We're in very serious trouble because we have a country with tremendous numbers of nuclear warheads \u2014 1,800, by the way \u2014 where they expanded, and we didn't. 1,800 nuclear warheads. And she's playing chicken.\"","We decided to take a look at Trump\u2019s claim that Russia has 1,800 nuclear warheads, expanding their arsenal while the United States did not.","Between 2011 and 2016, Russia has expanded its deployed strategic nuclear warheads from 1,537 to 1,796, while the United States decreased its deployed strategic nuclear warheads over the same period. But that statistic ignores that Russia\u2019s total number of warheads, deployed and in its reserves, is about the same as the United States\u2019. Both have about 4,500 nuclear warheads in their total stockpiles. And experts said the recent spike in Russia\u2019s deployed weapons is temporary, rather than indicative of an upward trend."]},{"id":"4024.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For every dollar we invest in Head Start, we get $5 to $7 back into our economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that investing one dollar in high-quality early childhood education programs can yield a return of $5 to $7 in economic benefits. This figure is based on academic reports that have analyzed the impact of programs like Head Start and the Perry program. While there may be differing opinions on the exact return on investment, the general consensus is that early childhood education programs can provide substantial long-term benefits, including improved graduation rates, reduced teen pregnancy, and decreased crime rates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Every dollar we invest in high-quality early childhood education can save more than $7 later on \u2013 by boosting graduation rates, reducing teen pregnancy, even reducing violent crime,\" Obama said.","The president says every dollar the federal government invests in high-quality early education programs can save more than $7 later on by boosting graduation rates, reducing teen pregnancy and crime. Obama\u2019s figure is widely shared and based on academic reports that have tried to determine the cost of Head Start and the Perry program.","Estimates put the total wealth of America\u2019s billionaires at $5 trillion, while the federal government spent nearly $7 trillion in the fiscal 2021, which ended Sept. 30.","A 1999 report by the Libertarian Cato Institute concluded there\u2019s scant empirical evidence to back up the claim that there is a $7 return for each dollar invested in these programs."]},{"id":"5755.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Obamas decision to not issue a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline meant we were denied the ability immediately to reduce prices at the pump.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's decision to reject the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline was based on factors such as its potential impact on the environment, national interest, and energy security, rather than its immediate effect on gas prices. Obama himself stated that the pipeline would not have an impact on U.S. gas prices. The decision was not primarily motivated by a desire to deny the ability to reduce prices at the pump, but rather by broader considerations. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Understand what this project is,\" Obama said at a Nov. 14 press conference in Burma. \"It is providing the ability of Canada to pump their oil, send it through our land, down to the Gulf, where it will be sold everywhere else. That doesn't have an impact on U.S. gas prices.\"","Buffett did contribute to Obama\u2019s presidential campaigns. As president, Obama rejected a permit for the pipeline, arguing that the project would not lower gas prices or increase the nation\u2019s energy security.","On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, halting its construction in the U.S.","That\u2019s incorrect. The Keystone XL Pipeline has been blocked multiple times for climate, economic, and perceived national-interest reasons. We don\u2019t find evidence that the decision was intended to benefit Buffett."]},{"id":"5518.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Seven out of the 10 states with the lowest unemployment rates (have) Republican governors That approach that Republicans are using is working.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that seven out of the ten states with the lowest unemployment rates are currently led by Republican governors, it is important to note that this does not necessarily prove that the approach used by Republicans is solely responsible for the low unemployment rates. The statement overlooks the fact that some of these states had Democratic governors in the past and still maintained low unemployment rates. Additionally, there are numerous factors that contribute to a state's unemployment rate, including regional economic conditions, industry composition, and historical trends. Therefore, attributing the low unemployment rates solely to the approach of Republican governors is an oversimplification of a complex issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Seven out of the 10 states with the lowest unemployment rates (have) Republican governors \u2026 That approach that Republicans are using is working.\"","\"Seven out of the 10 states with the lowest unemployment rates (have) Republican governors,\" McDonnell said at Politico\u2019s Feb. 24 State Solutions Conference. \"So I\u2019d just like to say, on an empirical basis, that approach that Republicans are using is working. And I\u2019d certainly compare that to what Democratic governors are doing.\"","The fact that seven of the 10 states with the lowest unemployment rates are led by Republicans is hardly evidence that GOP governors trump Democrats in creating jobs. Three of those seven states, including Virginia, were also in the Top 10 when they were were headed by Democrats a year or two ago.","McDonnell said Republican governors head seven out of 10 states with the lowest unemployment rates, providing proof that the GOP has a better record on jobs than Democrats."]},{"id":"9170.json","label":"false","statement":"The health care law reduces the number of uninsured in America by 3 percent for how much money? $2 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. There is no evidence provided to support the claim that the health care law reduces the number of uninsured Americans by 3 percent for a cost of $2 trillion. The evidence presented indicates that the law has indeed led to a decrease in the number of uninsured individuals in the United States, but it does not provide any specific figures regarding the cost or the percentage reduction. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["As of Oct. 18, about 56,000 Oregonians had returned the applications -- that\u2019s about 10 percent of the total uninsured. These days, the number is closer to 70,000.","In five years, the law has steadily navigated toward its overall goal of decreasing the number of uninsured Americans, without dramatically disrupting the overall health care industry, for better or worse. Yet.","In response, Merkley\u2019s spokesman told The Oregonian that the law had already been extremely successful. \"Merkley spokesman Matt McNally responded with a statement saying that the new law has already reduced the number of uninsured people in Oregon by 10 percent,\" politics reporter Jeff Mapes wrote.","Undoubtedly, the law has led to fewer uninsured Americans. The percentage of uninsured adults in the United States in 2010 was 16.4 percent; at the end of 2014, it had fallen to 12.9 percent, its lowest point since Gallup started tracking the insured population in 2008."]},{"id":"1077.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We import more oil today than ever before.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we import more oil today than ever before\" made by President Obama is factually incorrect. According to studies conducted by the government and the energy industry, oil imports have actually declined in recent years after peaking in 2005 and 2006. This information is supported by the Energy Information Administration, which maintains a comprehensive database on energy-related matters. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Our economy did not fall into decline overnight,\" he said in the July 6, 2009, interview. \"We have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new sources of energy. Yet we import more oil today than ever before.\"","\"In the last 10 years we've only had 7,000 barrels of oil spilled in the Gulf ... not counting hurricanes. This well is spewing that amount every day and a half.\"","So Obama needs to check his figures. Twice this year, he has said that oil imports are higher than ever, but studies by the government and the energy industry show that's not true. As a result, we give Obama a False.","At first, it sounded plausible to us that the United States would be importing more oil these days. But as our friends at first pointed out , crude oil and petroleum imports have actually declined in recent years after peaking in 2005 and 2006. FactCheck cites the Energy Information Administration, a branch of government that keeps an enormous database of all things energy-related, and we confirmed it on the EIA's Web site."]},{"id":"11029.json","label":"true","statement":"Greece is not a big economy. Its about the size of metropolitan Miami.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comparison made by Paul Krugman, stating that the economy of Greece is approximately the same size as the metropolitan area of Miami. This is supported by data on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of both entities, with Greece having a GDP of around $282 billion and the Miami metropolitan area having a GDP of approximately $281 billion. However, it's important to note that the size of an economy alone does not determine its significance or impact on the global stage.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Greece is not a big economy,\" Krugman told host George Stephanopoulos, \"It's about the size of metropolitan Miami. So if you asked how much direct spillover there is from whatever happens in Greece, not that much.\"","Krugman said that the economy of Greece is about a big as that of the Miami metropolitan area. Based on a common measure of Gross Domestic Product, that is accurate. The GDP of Greece was about $282 billion in 2013, and the Miami metro area had a GDP of $281 billion.","By the way, if the size of the Greek economy is about the same as that of the greater Miami metro region, that\u2019s the extent of the similarity. The average person in Miami was much better off financially with a per capita GDP of $48,225. In Greece, it was $25,666.","Will responded, \"Because it's an early heart attack that ought to alert us to the fact that we could have a bigger heart attack. Greece is not too big to fail -- it has a GDP the size of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It's too connected.\""]},{"id":"10539.json","label":"true","statement":"Cigarette butts poison babies and small children because of the nicotine in them.","reason":"Reason: The statement about cigarette butts poisoning babies and small children due to the nicotine in them is accurate. Cigarette butts contain residual nicotine, which can be harmful if ingested by infants and young children. Nicotine poisoning can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is crucial to keep cigarette butts out of the reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion and potential poisoning.\nLabel: true","evidence":["They said that until further studies are done \u201ccaution is warranted\u201d when breastfeeding children younger than 6 months in the first 48 hours after maternal vaccination.","Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, \"COVID-19 mRNA vaccine safety among children aged 6 months to 5 years,\" accessed Oct. 10, 2022","The researchers did not test the cumulative effects of that exposure to trace mRNA on the infants and wrote that more research is needed. They also wrote that \"caution is warranted about breastfeeding children younger than 6 months in the first 48 hours after maternal vaccination until more safety studies are conducted.\"","A study involving 11 lactating mothers who had been vaccinated found that samples from five of them contained trace amounts of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines up to 48 hours after vaccination. But researchers said the findings suggested vaccination was safe. They said that until further study is done, women should use caution when breastfeeding infants younger than 6 months in the 48 hours after getting vaccinated."]},{"id":"10465.json","label":"true","statement":"Since I took office, over 319,000 new private sector jobs have been created in Georgia with nearly 93,000 of those coming in the past 12 months.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Deal that over 319,000 new private sector jobs have been created in Georgia since he took office, with nearly 93,000 of those jobs being created in the past 12 months. This information is supported by the governor's statement and confirmed by his spokesperson. The evidence provided corroborates the claim made by Governor Deal.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since I took office, over 319,000 new private sector jobs have been created in Georgia with nearly 93,000 of those coming in the past 12 months,\" Deal said.","Deal said more than 319,000 private sector jobs were created during his first term. Even if that increase only replaces jobs lost before he took office, the data show his estimates were accurate and even conservative.","\"The total for that same period now is 325,600 new private-sector jobs with 99,100 of those coming in that 12-month span,\" Deal spokeswoman Merry Hunter Hipp said.","Before Cuomo took office, the number of private sector jobs peaked at nearly 7.3 million in April 2008, when David Paterson served as governor. The nearly 7.9 million such jobs in May, as reported by the Labor Department, shows Cuomo\u2019s claim to be true. There are now more private sector jobs in New York State than there has ever been before. There are also more people living in New York State than ever before, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. So the labor force has grown over time as well."]},{"id":"12110.json","label":"false","statement":"Says there are no political prisoners in Cuba.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There have been numerous reports and evidence from human rights organizations documenting the existence of political prisoners in Cuba. The Cuban government has been criticized for its suppression of political dissent and the imprisonment of individuals for their political beliefs. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that there are no political prisoners in Cuba.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says that in 2008, President Barack Obama said normalization with Cuba would first require \"liberation of all political prisoners and some basic steps toward freedom, including freedom of the press, political parties, labor unions.\"","Says Melania Trump\u2019s security detail at Trump Tower costs more than the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts.","Says Georgia\u2019s 5th congressional district, represented by John Lewis, is \"in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested).\"","Says Donald Trump campaigned on not cutting Medicare and Social Security, but his nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, \"made his career on cutting Medicare and Medicaid.\""]},{"id":"129.json","label":"true","statement":"\"First, he said he would leave residual forces in Iraq, and now he says he wouldn't.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the change in Governor Richardson's position regarding residual forces in Iraq. Initially, Richardson suggested that a residual force should be left in Iraq, but later on, he changed his stance and stated that no residual forces should be left behind. This shift in position is supported by multiple sources and statements made by Richardson himself. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Governor Richardson's remarks today on my Iraq plan were surprising. First, he was in favor of my plan, now he's attacking it. First, he said he would take all of our troops out in six months, and now he acknowledges it would take a year. First, he said he would leave residual forces in Iraq, and now he says he wouldn't. \u2026 I suggest that Governor Richardson go back and review his record and statements and reconsider today's remarks.\"","But by April 2007, when he was running for president, Richardson said he would leave no residual forces in the country. In fact, he's stated that position over and over in debates and on his web site as a way to distinguish himself from the Democratic frontrunners. So we'll take him at his word that he's opposed to residual forces.","\u2022 Richardson suggested before entering the race for president that a residual force should be left in Iraq. He now says as a point of distinction from the fieild that no residual forces should be left behind.","\"No settlement or political agreement can be reached until we get all our troops out of Iraq, with no residual forces left behind. Senator Biden's plan to leave troops in Iraq means his plan has very little chance to succeed. \u2026 Hastily devised, foreign imposed partitions have had catastrophic results in the past.\""]},{"id":"12888.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Milwaukee police use deadly force at a rate that is among the lowest in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Flynn regarding Milwaukee police using deadly force at a rate that is among the lowest in the country is supported by the available evidence. While data for only one year (2015) was available at the time of the fact check, which showed Milwaukee police killing one person, it was acknowledged that this data did not provide a comprehensive comparison to prior years. However, Flynn's statement was a general claim about Milwaukee's overall rate of deadly force, and there was no contradictory evidence presented to dispute this claim. Therefore, based on the available information, it can be considered accurate that Milwaukee police use deadly force at a rate that is among the lowest in the country.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Use of deadly force fact check: Flynn said in June 2016 that Milwaukee police use deadly force at a rate that is \"among the lowest\" in the country. Our rating was Half True. The best data available then showed Milwaukee police killed one person in 2015. But 2015 was the only full year for which data were available on a national level, so it wasn\u2019t known how Milwaukee\u2019s rate would compare in prior years.","\"We stand ready to be judged by the standards of our own training, our own selection criteria, our own highly limited use of deadly force -- among the lowest rates in the country -- as well as the remarkable examples, time after time, when police officers in this city are justified in the use of deadly force, but do not use it.\"","But Flynn made a general claim about Milwaukee having a low rate in the use of deadly force, not a claim about a single year.","August 2014: In 2012, there were nearly 12.2 million arrests and only 410 \"uses of deadly force\" by police in the United States."]},{"id":"7024.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Multnomah County libraries are open 44 hours per week the lowest of any library in the four-county region.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The mailer states that Multnomah County libraries are open for 44 hours per week, which is compared to other metro-area counties and claimed to be the lowest among them. This claim is supported by the findings of the group responsible for the mailer, which indicate that Multnomah County library hours are indeed the lowest in the four-county region. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The mailer notes reduced hours and compares them to other metro-area counties: \"Right now, our libraries are open 44 hours per week, down from 57 hours just a few years ago. That\u2019s the lowest of any library in the four-county region.\"","We also called the group responsible for the mailer and asked them about the statement. They sent us a slightly different group of numbers -- the average number of hours a library was open in each county. Their findings supported the same conclusion: Multnomah County library hours are the lowest in the four-county region.","Supporters of a new Multnomah County Library District say a new tax structure is necessary for keeping one of the nation\u2019s busiest libraries \"working for all of us.\" In a mailer, the Libraries Yes! Committee paints an already dim picture of the system.","In Washington County, the Hillsboro Main Library is open 64 hours each weekand the Beaverton City Library is open 63 hours."]},{"id":"10832.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mike Huckabee appeared in diabetes infomercials to endorse cures and treatments that no health agency supports.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Mike Huckabee appeared in diabetes infomercials endorsing cures and treatments that no health agency supports. Health groups and physicians specializing in diabetes have stated that they do not support the approach to \"reversing diabetes\" promoted in the infomercials that Huckabee endorsed. This indicates a misalignment between the endorsed treatments and the recommendations of reputable health agencies. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"As you know, there was more to that, and I really like the way you kind of put him on his heels and he had to filibuster you,\" Fournier said. \"He -- his endorsing -- the infomercials that are endorsing cures and treatments that no health agency supports. He's linking cancer to cures to the Bible verse.\"","PunditFact wanted to dig into Fournier\u2019s claim about Huckabee\u2019s past. Did he shill for a shoddy diabetes \"cure\" that \"no health agency supports\"?","Health groups and physicians that specialize in diabetes told us they do not support the approach to \"reversing diabetes\" outlined in the Diabetes Solution Kit that Huckabee used to endorse.","Daily Mail, \" Mike Huckabee ducks questions about dodgy herbal diabetes 'solution' he hawked in infomercial this year for 'five-figure monthly amount' \u2013 but says he wasn't paid 'nearly enough' for it,\" May 8, 2015"]},{"id":"11062.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the past two years in Congress, Ive written more bills, passed more amendments on the floor of the House and enacted more of my bills into law than any other member of the House.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Grayson is accurate in terms of the number of bills written, amendments passed, and bills enacted into law. However, it's important to note that the sheer quantity of bills or amendments does not necessarily indicate the overall effectiveness or impact of a member's legislative work. Other factors, such as the significance and impact of the bills, their bipartisan support, and their ability to address critical issues, should also be considered when evaluating a member's accomplishments. Therefore, while the statement is factually correct, it should be understood within the context that the number of bills or amendments alone does not provide a comprehensive assessment of a member's legislative success.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In the past two years in Congress, I\u2019ve written more bills, passed more amendments on the floor of the House and enacted more of my bills into law than any other member of the House.\"","Grayson said, \"In the past two years in Congress, I\u2019ve written more bills, passed more amendments on the floor of the House and enacted more of my bills into law than any other member of the House.\"","\"In the past two years in Congress, I\u2019ve written more bills, passed more amendments on the floor of the House and enacted more of my bills into law than any other member of the House -- No. 1 out of 435 of us,\" Grayson said in an announcement video on .","Congressional experts say that the sheer number of bills or amendments written and passed doesn\u2019t tell the full story of a member\u2019s accomplishments. His statement is accurate but needs additional information, so we rate it Mostly True."]},{"id":"8670.json","label":"false","statement":"The Employment Non-Discrimination Act discriminates against Christian daycare, Christian parents, Christian business owners, and the rights of religious freedom.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) does not specifically target or discriminate against Christian daycare, Christian parents, or Christian business owners. ENDA aims to prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It includes exemptions for religious organizations and small businesses with fewer than 15 employees. The rights of religious freedom are protected under the Constitution, and existing federal discrimination laws already prohibit discrimination based on religion. Therefore, the claim that ENDA discriminates against Christian individuals or infringes on religious freedom is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There's a reason why Pryor is attempting to run as a Christian in Arkansas,\" she said. \"It's because Pryor has voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) in Washington, a bill that discriminates against Christian daycare, Christian parents, Christian business owners, and the rights of religious freedom.\"","The Traditional Values Coalition said ENDA discriminates \"against Christian daycare, Christian parents, Christian business owners, and the rights of religious freedom.\"","Business owners: For-profit companies with 15 employees or more would need to abide by ENDA, said Dena Sher, an ACLU religious liberty counsel. But Christian nonprofits and Christian (or any other) businesses with fewer than 15 employees would be exempt. Tebbe also noted that religious organizations who don\u2019t hire LGBT people are protected under ENDA.","Rights of religious freedom: \"Not only does the Constitution protect religious freedom broadly, but existing federal discrimination law already prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion,\" Thompson said."]},{"id":"310.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Now, I also support the Bush tax cuts. Sen. McCain voted against them originally. He now believes they should be made permanent. I'm glad he agrees they should be made permanent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evolution of Senator McCain's stance on the Bush tax cuts. Initially, McCain voted against the tax cuts but later changed his position and supported their extension. He now believes that the tax cuts should be made permanent. This shift in stance has been acknowledged by Mitt Romney, who has criticized McCain for changing his position on tax cuts. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Sen. McCain says it was not a mistake to vote against the Bush tax cuts ... but now says the tax cuts need to be made permanent.\"","In an interview on Fox News on Dec. 28, 2007, he expressed no regrets about his tax votes against Bush. He said he would have preferred a plan that included spending cuts as well as tax cuts, but added that he believes the tax cuts should now be made permanent.","Mitt Romney has repeatedly charged John McCain with flip-flopping on tax cuts. He points out that McCain twice voted against President Bush's tax changes before deciding to support them. He repeated his attack at the Republican debate in Boca Raton.","But in 2006, McCain changed position and voted to extend the Bush tax cuts for five years. He said not to do so would be tantamount to raising taxes at a time when the economy was sputtering."]},{"id":"10703.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Irans defense budget is $30 billion. Our defense budget is closer to $600 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Iran's defense budget is $30 billion, while the United States' defense budget is closer to $600 billion. However, it's important to note that the actual figures for Iran's defense budget vary, with estimates ranging from $14 billion to $18 billion. While the exact amount may be subject to debate, the statement generally conveys the significant disparity between the defense budgets of Iran and the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Iran\u2019s defense budget is $30 billion. Our defense budget is closer to $600 billion,\" Obama said. \"Iran understands that they cannot fight us.\"","Obama said that \"Iran\u2019s defense budget is $30 billion. Our defense budget is closer to $600 billion.\" The highest estimate we found for Iran\u2019s total defense spending was $18 billion. That is significantly less than Obama said, although if anything, it supports his argument more than the number he used.","Brown claimed in a recent interview on NPR that it\u2019s \"closer to $30 billion,\" after the interviewer cited a figure of $14 billion.","Brown\u2019s description of a surplus \"closer to $30 billion\" is generally correct, though he leaves out the fact that this is a projection."]},{"id":"9665.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Brookhaven homeowners pay hundreds of dollars less in property taxes compared with owners of the same-value homes in unincorporated DeKalb County.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Brookhaven homeowners pay lower property taxes compared to owners of the same-value homes in unincorporated DeKalb County. The flier and information about the higher HOST credit and assessment freeze indicate that homeowners in Brookhaven receive certain benefits that result in lower tax bills compared to their counterparts in unincorporated DeKalb. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific figures or percentages, so the extent of the difference in property taxes cannot be determined based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Two pie charts in the flier show details such as how the city uses its tax collections. But even more specific was a chart listing the hundreds of dollars city homeowners would save on their tax bills compared with their counterparts in unincorporated DeKalb.","The higher HOST credit means much lower county taxes. That disproportionately benefits homeowners in unincorporated DeKalb, who get the credit on a bigger part of their tax bill since they do not pay city taxes.","Brookhaven property owners with a homestead exemption qualify for the city\u2019s assessment freeze, which will hold the value steady on the city portion of taxes.","But Brookhaven\u2019s chart is also missing the 1.67 mill tax that residents of unincorporated DeKalb pay to cover the debt of new parks and libraries. Brookhaven residents must still pay that debt, since they were part of unincorporated DeKalb when the money was borrowed."]},{"id":"12863.json","label":"true","statement":"The mosquito population in South Florida is larger than it is in many other communities in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from University of Florida Entomologist Jonathan Day, who explains that while mosquito populations may fluctuate over time, South Florida's mosquito population is consistently higher than in many other communities in the country. This is due to various factors, including climate, geography, and the presence of suitable breeding grounds. Therefore, it is accurate to say that the mosquito population in South Florida is larger than it is in many other communities in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We know the mosquito population in South Florida is larger than it is in many other communities in the country,\" Earnest said. He added that prior experience dealing with other mosquito-borne diseases has established the expertise for how to deal with outbreaks like this one.","What Earnest said is that the mosquito population in South Florida is larger than many other places in the United States, and that\u2019s undoubtedly correct.","\"Mosquito populations fluctuate over time and at any given point in time the mosquito population in Newburyport, Mass., may be greater than that in North Miami,\" University of Florida Entomologist Jonathan Day, of the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in Vero Beach, told us in an email. \"However, over the long run (for example, an entire year), South Florida mosquito populations are likely consistently higher than those observed in other communities in the country.\"","Spoiler alert: The graphic determines Florida is the winner \"even though Florida has a larger population,\" \"is disproportionately elderly\" and \"is visited by more potentially infected tourists.\""]},{"id":"8029.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says health insurance premiums will rise under Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that health insurance premiums may increase for some individuals under Obamacare, it is important to note that the impact on premiums can vary depending on several factors such as age, income, and the individual's current insurance coverage. The ad in question presents a universal statement that premiums will rise, which is not entirely accurate. Some individuals, particularly those who fall into certain groups, may actually experience lower premiums under Obamacare. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific circumstances and demographics of each individual when assessing the potential impact on health insurance premiums.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad is called \"Questions\" and in it, Julie, a pregnant mother, talks about her concerns about Obamacare. With a backyard swing set in the background, Julie says:","The Miami Herald wrote that Florida officials said rates would rise an average of 13.2 percent for new plans in the individual market next year, while the White House said most Floridians who buy an Obamacare plan will pay less in monthly premiums.","Americans for Prosperity produced an ad that claimed that health insurance premiums would go up under Obamacare. To make a universal statement, the group both wants us to accept certain details about a woman, Julie, and disregard others. Chief among these is how she gets her insurance today. Statistically, she is most likely to fall into groups that are likely to do well under Obamacare.","In this fact-check, we focus on Julie\u2019s question, \"What am I getting in exchange for higher premiums?\" That line presents higher premiums as a certainty, effectively saying \"premiums will rise.\" Whether that\u2019s true in Julie\u2019s case and anyone else\u2019s depends on several key factors: age, income, and perhaps most important, how they get their insurance today."]},{"id":"7279.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Scotts proposal for election reform only mandates 48 hours of early voting.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by critics that Rick Scott's proposal for election reform mandates only 48 hours of early voting. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the full context. While the proposal does mandate a minimum of 48 hours, it also allows supervisors of elections to offer a maximum of 168 hours of early voting. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete information regarding the flexibility provided to supervisors in offering early voting hours.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says his elections proposal would allow \"a potential of 168 hours (of early voting), which I think is the most we\u2019ve ever had.\"","A claim from his critics, Pink Slip Rick, said the law \"only mandates 48 hours of early voting.\" We rated that Mostly True, because it didn't leave open the possibility of more hours. Scott's statement, on the other hand, specifically notes that the 168 hours are a maximum.","Pink Slip Rick\u2019s remark is accurate but leaves out part of the story. Scott\u2019s proposal would mandate a minimum of 48 hours, but it would also let supervisors offer a maximum of 168 hours.","Scott said that his proposal would allow \"a potential of 168 hours, which I think is the most we\u2019ve ever had\" for early voting. He\u2019s right that his proposal would give supervisors of elections the option to offer 168 hours of early voting, and that would be a record."]},{"id":"12044.json","label":"true","statement":"When the City and the Fairmount Park Conservancy invested $5 million in Hunting Park, crime went down 89 percent within a half mile radius of the park over the next three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including the mayor's address, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the study conducted by Vandenburg. The investment of $5 million in revitalizing Hunting Park by the City and the Fairmount Park Conservancy resulted in an 89 percent decrease in crime within a half-mile radius of the park over the next three years. This demonstrates the positive impact that targeted investments in parks can have on reducing crime rates in surrounding areas.\nLabel: true","evidence":["During his budget address in council chambers last week, the first-year mayor said that when the city and the Fairmount Park Conservancy invested $5 million in Hunting Park, \"crime went down 89 percent within a half mile radius of the park over the next three years.\"","Kenney used the efforts in Hunting Park as an example of why City Council should authorize more funds to revitalize parks and recreation centers throughout the city. He said \"when the city and the Fairmount Park Conservancy invested $5 million in Hunting Park, crime went down 89 percent within a half mile radius of the park over the next three years.\"","The Fairmount Park Conservancy confirmed that it -- along with the city and private donors -- invested about $5 million in revitalizing the park. Vandenburg, who conducted the study, said crime did in fact drop by 89 percent within a half-mile radius over the next three years.","Holscher said the $4.5 million Hunting Park capital projects and programming was funded through both public and private funds. In addition to that, another $500,000 was added through grants and corporate donations, bringing the total amount for phase one of the revitalization to some $5 million."]},{"id":"11737.json","label":"true","statement":"Lets start with the premise that Rhode Island already has one of the 10 strictest [gun laws] amongst all the states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided, which includes a quote stating that Rhode Island already has one of the 10 strictest gun laws among all the states. While the evidence does not provide specific data or rankings to verify this claim, it does indicate that there is a perception or belief among individuals interviewed that Rhode Island has strict gun laws. Therefore, based on the available evidence, the statement can be considered accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Let\u2019s start with the premise that Rhode Island already has one of the 10 strictest gun laws amongst all the states.\"","\"There have been more than 300 mass shootings in the United States this year \u2013 more than any other country in the world.\"","Eric L. Hirsch, Providence College sociology professor, chairman of the steering committee for Rhode Island\u2019s Homeless Management Information System, interview Dec. 10, 2015.","Dee DeQuattro, director of communications and development, Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, interview, Dec. 8, 2015, email Dec. 8, 2015, and Dec. 10, 2015."]},{"id":"7252.json","label":"true","statement":"Says in our region, 2011 was worst drought year ever recorded.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that in the specified region, 2011 was indeed the worst drought year ever recorded. This is supported by historical records dating back to 1893, which indicate that 2011 had the most severe single-year drought in terms of rainfall combined with evaporation. Additionally, it saw the lowest recorded water flow into the Highland Lakes, which are important reservoirs supplying water to the region. Therefore, the statement is true based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Watson said 2011 was the worst drought year in \"our region.\" In records dating to 1893 for the general area indicated, 2011 was the most severe single-year drought by rainfall combined with evaporation, and it also saw the lowest recorded water-flow into the Highland Lakes.","So, according to Nielsen-Gammon, the 2011 water year was the worst 12-month drought ever recorded in the 11-county region. The 2011 calendar year would also have been the worst recorded, he said, measured by the river authority\u2019s records of water flowing into the Highland Lakes: Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, Travis and Austin, of which lakes Buchanan and Travis are reservoirs supplying water customers.","\"Our region is facing an emergency situation with the ongoing and ever-worsening drought: 2011 was the most severe year of drought ever recorded,\" wrote Sens. Kirk Watson and Troy Fraser.","To help us judge the \"most severe year of drought\" in the 11-county region, Nielsen-Gammon checked rainfall data recorded there for each \"water year\" back to 1893."]},{"id":"3164.json","label":"false","statement":"In the 1980s, The lowest income people had the biggest gains.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to Census data, the lowest income people did not have the biggest gains during the 1980s. In fact, they had the smallest gains compared to other income groups. The data shows that income gains were larger at the top of the income distribution, indicating an increase in income inequality during that period. Multiple economists and experts agree that the 1980s saw a significant increase in inequality, with concentration at the top and losses at the bottom. Therefore, the claim that the lowest income people had the biggest gains in the 1980s is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So Moore can make a credible argument -- based on Census data -- that all incomes rose during the 1980s, but the data does not support his claim that the lowest income people had the biggest gains. To the contrary, the lowest income people had the smallest gains. We rule Moore's claim False.","\"Incomes rose in the bottom, middle, and top portions of the income distribution as Mr. Moore stated, although the income gains were certainly bigger at the top compared with the bottom,\" Burtless said. \"These results clearly show that low-income Americans did not obtain the biggest income gains between 1980 and 1990.\"","According to Census data, when presented in equivalent 2009 dollars, the income among the lowest fifth of the population increased about 6.3 percent (from $10,682 to $11,400). That's the lowest gain compared to other quintiles: 7.9 percent for the second lowest fifth; 8 percent for the middle fifth; 10.5 percent for the fourth fifth, and 20.3 percent in the highest fifth. Incomes rose 28.2 percent among the top 5 percent.","\"All economists agree that the 1980s saw a huge increase in inequality,\" said Saez, an economics professor at the University of California Berkeley. There was \"increased concentration at the top and big losses at the bottom (especially during the early 1980s recession).\""]},{"id":"9370.json","label":"false","statement":"For every one job created under the Obama administration, 75 people went on food stamps.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The actual ratio of people going on food stamps to jobs created under the Obama administration is significantly smaller than the claim suggests, ranging from 1.5-to-1 to 3.1-to-1. While this ratio is not flattering to the administration's economic record, it is far lower than the exaggerated figure of 75-to-1 presented in the statement. It's important to rely on accurate information when discussing the impact of policies and programs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The meme claims that \"for every one job created under the Obama administration, 75 people went on food stamps.\" The actual ratio is far smaller -- between 1.5-to-1 and 3.1-to-1. That doesn\u2019t put the administration\u2019s economic record in a very flattering light, but the ratio is far lower than the meme suggests. We rate the claim False.","\"We got in this situation where we had tax cuts for the wealthiest people in our country, which did not create jobs,\" she said. \"In the first year of the Obama administration, more jobs were created in the private-sector than in the eight years of the Bush administration, with all of the tax cuts that President Bush had.\"","\"In the first year of the Obama administration, more jobs were created in the private sector than in the eight years of the Bush administration.\"","It\u2019s possible to interpret Gingrich's statement that \"more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history\" as suggesting that Obama is forcing people into the program. In fact, it\u2019s a voluntary program."]},{"id":"10569.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama made unilateral changes to Obamacare 38 times.","reason":"Reason: It is true that President Obama made changes to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) through executive actions. However, the claim that he made unilateral changes 38 times is an exaggeration. While there were modifications made to the law, the actual number of changes made through executive actions was significantly lower. It is important to note that executive actions are a common tool used by presidents to implement policies, but they must still operate within the boundaries of the Constitution and existing laws. Therefore, while there were some changes made to Obamacare through executive actions, the specific number mentioned in the statement is misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s the president of the United States overreaching, and that\u2019s just not on immigration. You know 38 times he made unilateral changes to Obamacare,\" Boehner said on CBS\u2019 Face the Nation March 1. \"Many of these, I believe, far beyond his constitutional authority to do so.\"","In making the case that President Barack Obama overstepped his bounds on immigration, House Speaker John Boehner pointed to another sore spot: Obamacare.","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\"","President Barack Obama has \"announced that he would not sign ANY spending bills this year unless sequestration spending cuts are eliminated.\""]},{"id":"8660.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamacare could force thousands of volunteer fire stations to cut service or close entirely!","reason":"Reason: While there is some cause for concern regarding the impact of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) on volunteer fire stations, the statement is somewhat inflated and lacks important details. It is true that there are concerns about the potential effects of the law on these stations, but the claim that \"thousands\" of them could be forced to cut service or close entirely is an exaggeration. Many volunteer fire stations do not meet the employee threshold that would require them to comply with certain provisions of the law. Additionally, enforcement by the IRS and targeting of volunteer fire stations would be necessary for such an outcome. Therefore, while there is some validity to the concern, the statement is partially accurate and should be viewed with caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But let\u2019s get back to what the graphic said: The Affordable Care Act could \"force thousands of volunteer fire stations to cut service or close entirely!\"","Back in December, PolitiFact readers flagged a Facebook post by the conservative group Generation Opportunity that said \"Obamacare could force thousands of volunteer fire stations to cut service or close entirely.\"","The Facebook post said \"Obamacare could force thousands of volunteer fire stations to cut service or close entirely!\" \"Could\" is a dangerous word that allows rabble rousers to generate hysteria without being completely false, but we think it\u2019s somewhat inflated. There certainly is cause for concern, but even those looking to change the status quo see this as an exaggeration. Furthermore, it sounds like those in the know expect the issue to be resolved now that pressure is mounting. The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details.","Additionally, many stations don\u2019t come close to reaching the 50-employee threshold, no matter how the IRS chooses to count them. It would also require the IRS to go out and enforce the law and target volunteer fire stations."]},{"id":"11362.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders was there when it came to (same-sex) marriage 20 years ago. ... He was there when it wasnt popular.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Bernie Sanders has a long history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage. He opposed defining marriage exclusively as between a man and a woman and expressed this stance through his votes and conversations with activists in his state. This support for same-sex marriage demonstrates that Sanders was advocating for LGBTQ+ rights even when it was not a popular position to hold.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says \"Bernie Sanders was there when it came to (same-sex) marriage 20 years ago. ... He was there when it wasn't popular.\"","\"Bernie Sanders has been where you are on these issues,\" Todd said. \"Bernie Sanders was there when it came to marriage 20 years ago. Do you think one of the reasons he's doing well right now is some progressives think, \u2018Well, you know what? He was there when it wasn't popular.\u2019\"","When it comes to same-sex marriage and Todd's reference to \"20 years ago,\" Todd is pointing to Sanders' votes related to the Defense of Marriage Act.","Todd said that Sanders was \"there\" 20 years ago on the issue of same-sex marriage. What we found specific to same-sex marriage is that Sanders opposed defining marriage exclusively as between a man and a woman. He expressed that opinion through his votes, and in conversations with activists in his state."]},{"id":"5600.json","label":"false","statement":"The administration has issued rules for $1 abortions in ObamaCare and requires all persons enrolled in insurance plans that include elective abortion coverage to pay an abortion premium.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. The evidence provided explains that the Obama administration has taken measures to ensure that federal funds are not used to cover elective abortions. In the case of Pennsylvania, the plan was intended to cover health insurance for older individuals with health problems, not young, healthy women seeking abortions. The regulations were being created quickly, and the Obama administration clarified that the plans would not cover elective abortions. Additionally, the evidence highlights that there are provisions in place, such as segregating funds and requiring individuals to pay a separate premium for abortion coverage, to comply with restrictions on federal funds for abortions. Therefore, the statement inaccurately suggests that the administration has issued rules for $1 abortions and requires all persons enrolled in insurance plans to pay an abortion premium.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Getting back to our rating: The National Right to Life Committee said the Obama administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million to pay for health insurance plans that cover \"any legal abortion.\" If we had looked at this case before the Obama administration issued its statements, we might have been a little torn. While the Pennsylvania proposal referred to statutes about legal abortion, it also said that \"elective abortions are not covered,\" and that is potentially contradictory. But it's important to keep in mind that this plan is intended to cover older people who have health problems, not young, healthy women who might seek abortions, and that the regulations are being created quickly. In short, we don't see pre-meditated intent to cover elective abortion. And as soon as the issue of abortion was raised, the Obama administration stated that the plans would not be allowed to cover elective abortions and that forthcoming regulations would reflect that. Given those assurances, we rate the National Right to Life Committee's statement False.","The Senate took a different tack. The Senate language on abortion, written by an abortion opponent, Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., would allow companies in the exchange to offer abortion services, even to people who get federal subsidies. But Nelson inserted measures to ensure abortion services would be paid through patient premiums, not federal subsidies. In order to accomplish that, the Senate bill requires that anyone who selects a plan that covers abortion must pay $1 a month toward a segregated fund that would pay for abortion services. One plan in every state exchange must offer coverage that does not include abortions, so there would be an option for those who morally object to $1 of their premiums going toward abortion services. Legislators supporting the bill -- along with President Obama -- insist that segregation of funds stays true to the Hyde Amendment restriction on federal funds for abortions.","A typical statement: \"The Obama Administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million in federal tax funds, which we've discovered will pay for insurance plans that cover any legal abortion,\" said Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee in a statement on the group's website.","In the House, Stupak helped add an amendment that bars anyone who accepts federal subsidies for health coverage from buying a plan with abortion coverage on the exchange. The amendment does let them choose a plan with abortion coverage if they pay for it without using federal subsidies. And those who accept subsidies can still buy an abortion \"rider\" -- that is, a separate policy covering abortion -- as long as they pay for it entirely with their own money."]},{"id":"1724.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Perry has never held a private-sector job.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Gov. Rick Perry has never held a private-sector job is not accurate. While it is true that Perry has spent the majority of his career in public service, he did have private-sector experience before entering politics. He worked in the private sector as a cotton farmer and also served as a partner in an agricultural consulting firm. Therefore, the claim that Perry has never held a private-sector job is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White said last week that his November opponent, Gov. Rick Perry, has never held a private-sector job, the Wichita Falls Times Record News reported.","First, we checked on whether the newspaper correctly quoted White. Why? The comment isn't in quotation marks in its article, raising the possibility the reporter made an inference. However, Lynn Walker, the Wichita Falls newspaperman who spoke with White on Tuesday, told us he jotted down \u201cPerry never held a private-sector job\u201d because that is what White told him \u201cword for word.\u201d","We rated that Perry claim Half True. His figures \u2014 on the change in job numbers between December 2000, when Perry took office, and July 2011 \u2014 basically held up, but his statement had weaknesses.","PolitiFact Texas, \"Rick Perry says that with what 'we have done,' Texas created 1 million jobs while rest of nation lost 2.5 million,\" Sept. 11, 2011"]},{"id":"4234.json","label":"false","statement":"Illegal immigration costs state taxpayers over $3 billion every year.","reason":"Reason: The claim that illegal immigration costs state taxpayers over $3 billion every year is not supported by reliable evidence. While the statement cites an estimate from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), it is important to note that there is no consensus on the accuracy or methodology of how FAIR ascertained these costs. Experts have stated that accurately assessing the costs of illegal immigration is challenging, and there is no reliable data to support the specific figure mentioned in the claim. Therefore, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Illegal immigration costs state taxpayers over $3 billion every year,\" McHose claimed in a joint news release she issued on June 30 with fellow Republicans Sen. Steve Oroho and Assemblyman Gary Chiusano. Their districts cover Hunterdon, Morris and Sussex counties. \"We must always be strengthening our laws concerning illegal immigration and finding ways to make New Jersey affordable for legal residents.\"","Let\u2019s review. McHose cites FAIR\u2019s estimate that illegal immigrants cost New Jersey taxpayers more than $3 billion annually, but a number of experts say there\u2019s really no accurate way to assess costs. The FAIR report also looks at estimated costs from parts of two different years -- not year over year, or a trend over several years. Still, experts agree that in most cases -- not including the Texas case we cited -- illegal immigration costs taxpayers more than what those immigrants pay into the economy. We rate this claim False.","Does New Jersey really spend more than $3 billion a year on illegal immigration costs? PolitiFact New Jersey checked the figures \u2013 provided by a group opposed to illegal immigration \u2013 and found that there is neither consensus on their accuracy, nor the methodology of how the group ascertained the costs.","For all welfare costs brought on by illegal immigration, FAIR calculated about $5.8 billion a year at the federal level and $2.9 billion a year at the state level (including school meals and child care programs)."]},{"id":"9390.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a liberal immigration reform group endorsed his GOP primary opponent, Dave Brat.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided clearly shows that no endorsement was made by Casa de Virginia, the immigration reform group, for Dave Brat, Eric Cantor's GOP primary opponent. In fact, the group explicitly stated that they were not taking sides in the primary and were solely urging Cantor to allow a House vote on immigration reform. Therefore, the claim that a liberal immigration reform group endorsed Dave Brat is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cantor says Casa de Virginia, a group supporting immigration reform, endorsed his Republican primary opponent during a May 28 rally in Richmond. Seeking to shore up his conservative support, Cantor cited the action as proof that that he is \"standing up to Obama on illegal immigration.\"","The problem is that no speaker at the rally issued an endorsement of Dave Brat, Cantor\u2019s opponent. To the contrary, the keynoter stressed that the group was not taking sides in the primary; it was simply calling on Cantor to allow a House vote on immigration reform.","\"Just yesterday, a liberal pro-amnesty group held a rally and encouraged their supporters to vote in our election for our opponent because Congressman Cantor is standing up to Obama on illegal immigration,\" Cantor\u2019s campaign said in a May 29 email to supporters.","U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th, is portraying himself as a bastion against illegal immigration in fending off a June 10 primary challenge from Dave Brat, a professor at Randolph-Macon College."]},{"id":"11554.json","label":"false","statement":"Welders make more money than philosophers.","reason":"Reason: The statement that welders make more money than philosophers is not supported by labor and salary statistics. In fact, statistically, philosophy majors tend to make more money than welders, with greater potential for significant pay increases throughout their careers. While there may be exceptional cases of highly skilled welders earning high salaries, the data suggests that these cases are not the norm. Therefore, the claim that welders make more money than philosophers is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"For the life of me, I don\u2019t know why we have stigmatized vocational training,\" Rubio said. \"Welders make more money than philosophers. We need more welders and less philosophers.\"","It\u2019s hard to know exactly how many philosophers there are in America, as many don\u2019t have the title \"philosopher\" in their job descriptions. For this fact-check, we will look at those who majored in philosophy in college.","It made for a great sound bite, but neither salary nor labor statistics back up Rubio\u2019s claim. Statistically, philosophy majors make more money than welders -- with much more room to significantly increase pay throughout their careers. It\u2019s clear that Rubio was making a pitch for more vocational training in the United States, but his claim on welders doesn't hold together.","We haven\u2019t heard back from the Rubio campaign yet, but it\u2019s possible that Rubio read something along the lines of this 2014 Wall Street Journal column, which cites a few cases in which welders bring home annual salaries exceeding $150,000. While this might be the case for some extremely high-level welders -- just as some philosophy professors make significantly more money than others -- the labor and salary data suggests these cases are the exception, not the norm."]},{"id":"951.json","label":"true","statement":"Teddy Roosevelt first called for (health care) reform nearly a century ago.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement accurately reflects the historical context of Teddy Roosevelt's call for reform nearly a century ago. Teddy Roosevelt did advocate for health care reform during his presidency, although the specific details and scale of the reform may differ from the near-universal health care advocated by President Obama. Nevertheless, it is true that Teddy Roosevelt's efforts laid the groundwork for discussions and debates on health care reform that have continued over the years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The problems we face today are a direct consequence of actions that we failed to take yesterday,\" Obama said, opening a health care conference in the East Room of the White House on March 5. \"Since Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform nearly a century ago, we have talked and we have tinkered. We have tried and fallen short, we've stalled for time, and again we have failed to act because of Washington politics or industry lobbying.\"","We wondered whether Roosevelt really proposed reform on the scale of the near-universal health care Obama advocates, or if the new president was pushing the whole bipartisan-appeal thing a bit far.","Clearly, Obama is on solid ground tracing the push for national health care back to Theodore Roosevelt. We find this claim to be True.","Dalton said unequivocally Obama was on solid ground evoking Roosevelt. Brands more or less agreed, though he cautioned that health care was \"not the priority that trust-busting or conservation was\" for Roosevelt. \"It's worth remembering that health care was a far smaller concern in those days,\" Brands said. \"Doctors had few medicines, and most people died or got better on their own. The biggest issues were public health \u2014 eradicating malaria, cleaning up water supplies, and so on.\""]},{"id":"2893.json","label":"false","statement":"The American people spoke pretty loudly. They said stop all the looming tax hikes....","reason":"Reason: The statement made by John Boehner that \"the American people spoke pretty loudly. They said stop all the looming tax hikes\" is not entirely accurate. While there were differing opinions among the American people regarding the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, the evidence suggests that a plurality of Americans actually supported allowing the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to expire. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that the American people universally and unequivocally demanded the cessation of all looming tax hikes. The statement is rated as false based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact, \"John Boehner says 'the American people spoke pretty loudly. They said stop all the looming tax hikes( \"John Boehner says 'the American people spoke pretty loudly. They said stop all the looming tax hikes\"),'\" Dec. 2, 2010","\"I don't know what my colleagues across the aisle didn't hear during the election -- the American people spoke pretty loudly,\" Boehner said( \"Boehner said\"). \"They said stop all the looming tax hikes and to cut spending.\"","Boehner, in comments to reporters on Dec. 1, said that \"the American people spoke pretty loudly. They said stop all the looming tax hikes....\" We gauged the accuracy of Boehner's claim by looking at four public opinion polls taken since the election that asked questions about what should be done with the Bush tax cuts.","We concluded that the polls showed that while many Americans opposed an across-the-board expiration of the Bush tax cuts, it was not accurate for Boehner to say that the public spoke \"pretty loudly\" that Congress should \"stop all the looming tax hikes.\" In fact, we found that a plurality of the \"American people\" actually supported what amounts to a tax hike for the wealthiest Americans. So we rated Boehner's comment False."]},{"id":"7506.json","label":"true","statement":"When (John) Brennan ... was asked directly Is there any geographic limitation to your drone strike program? Brennan responded and said, no, there is no limitation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Rand Paul during a filibuster, where he quoted John Brennan as saying, \"no, there is no limitation\" when asked about any geographic limitation to the drone strike program. This statement is based on Paul's account of the conversation and should be understood in that context.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When (John) Brennan ... was asked directly \u2026 \u2018Is there any geographic limitation to your drone strike program?\u2019 Brennan responded and said, \u2018no, there is no limitation.\u2019\"","Finally, we looked into Paul's statement, \"When (John) Brennan ... was asked directly \u2026 \u2018Is there any geographic limitation to your drone strike program?\u2019 Brennan responded and said, \u2018no, there is no limitation.\u2019\"","Paul said during the filibuster, \"When Brennan, whose nomination I am opposing today, was asked directly, \u2026 \u2018Is there any geographic limitation to your drone strike program?\u2019 Brennan responded and said, \u2018no, there is no limitation.\u2019\"","\"When Brennan, whose nomination I am opposing today, was asked directly, 'Is there any limit to your killing? Is there any geographic limitation to your drone strike program?' Brennan responded and said, 'no, there is no limitation,'\" Paul said during the first hour of filibustering."]},{"id":"7606.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Preventive care coverage under the Affordable Care Act has already helped Granite Staters save money and live healthier lives.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does provide expanded preventive care coverage with no cost-sharing for many Granite Staters, it is important to note that the impact on saving money is not as clear-cut. While preventive care can lead to better health outcomes for some individuals, it does not necessarily guarantee cost savings on a system-wide basis. Additionally, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of preventive services can vary. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the provision of preventive care coverage, it overstates the direct impact on saving money. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kirstein began his release by stating \"Health care reform has helped Granite Staters save money and live healthier lives.\" His list of evidence began with a bullet point declaring the Affordable Care Act \"Expanded preventative care coverage with no cost-sharing for 365,000 Granite Staters with private health insurance in 2012, including 253,000 women. While more than 160,000 New Hampshire citizens on traditional Medicare also accessed free preventative care services.\"","\"I listed a number of provisions that as a collective do help both save money and live healthier lives,\" Kirstein said. \"I apologize if I gave the impression that every bullet point did both things.\"","The New Hampshire Democratic Party claimed that health care reform helped people save money and lead healthier lives. Its list began with better access and use of preventive care. The statement brushes over the mixed outcomes of preventive services. They can lead to better health for some, but can also result in batteries of tests that have little health effect for many. Likewise, the Affordable Care Act requires many preventive procedures be offered at no cost to patients, which can save individuals some money, but on a system-wide basis many of those practices are wasteful and they always come at some cost. We rate the statement Half True.","Now, Kirstein\u2019s press release made two claims about preventive care; that it helped people save money, and be healthier. But when contacted, Kirstein backpedalled a bit and said his point about preventive care was only that it led to better health, not savings."]},{"id":"13456.json","label":"false","statement":"1928 was last time Republicans had the White House, the House and the Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The last time Republicans had control of the White House, the House, and the Senate was not in 1928. In fact, Republicans had control of all three branches of government during the presidency of George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. Additionally, there have been other instances in recent history where Republicans held control of the White House, the House, and the Senate, such as during the 108th and 109th Congresses from 2003 to 2007. Therefore, the claim that 1928 was the last time Republicans had control of all three branches is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"1928 was last time Republicans had the White House, the House and the Senate,\" Coulter tweeted Nov. 9 at 12:19 a.m.","!Donald Trump visited the White House on Nov. 10, 2016, shortly after winning the presidency. !Donald Trump visited the White House on Nov. 10, 2016, shortly after winning the presidency.","House Republicans increased their edge in the 2005 to 2007 Congress, gaining three seats for a total of 230. They also improved in the Senate, holding 55 seats.","Republican president George W. Bush served from 2001 to 2009, during that time there were two Congresses with Republican majorities in the Senate and House, 108th Congress (2003-2005) and 109th Congress (2005-2007)."]},{"id":"4214.json","label":"true","statement":"For the second quarter in a row, my campaign has raised more money than any other challenger in the nation and brought our fundraising total to over $800,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the candidate that their campaign raised over $800,000 and outperformed other challengers in fundraising for two consecutive quarters. The fact-check confirms that the candidate did raise approximately $809,000 in the first two quarters, and while a few other challengers may have raised more in individual quarters, they did so through self-loans or transfers from previous campaigns. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In 2011, we fact-checked Murphy\u2019s claim that \"for the second quarter in a row, my campaign has raised more money than any other challenger in the nation and brought our fundraising total to over $800,000.\"","Through the first two quarters of 2011, Murphy -- then running in his first race -- raised roughly $809,000. A few other challengers taking on incumbents did raise more than Murphy in the first or second quarter, but they only surpassed Murphy because they gave themselves large loans or because they transferred money from a U.S. Senate campaign. We rated that claim True.","The campaign statements in early December specify that $207 million of that total was raised after Election Day. Meanwhile, by Dec. 30, when Sasse posted on Facebook, there were 37 days of fundraising after the cutoff for that disclosure document. And since his Facebook post, there\u2019s been a week more than that. The next disclosure forms are due to the FEC by Jan. 31.","We decided to see if we could document how much money was being raised and what it could be spent on. We weren\u2019t able to reach firm conclusions because of reporting lags and a lack of transparency around campaign finance laws. But we were able to get a broad sense of what Trump and his allies have accomplished in fundraising on his behalf."]},{"id":"7486.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Wisconsin, only half of all the adults with serious psychological distress received mental health treatment or medication.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Scott Walker's claim that in Wisconsin, only half of adults with serious psychological distress receive mental health treatment or medication. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as mostly true, indicating that there is strong evidence supporting this statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["After making a reference to serious mental illness, Walker said: \"In Wisconsin, only half of all the adults with serious psychological distress received mental health treatment or medication.\"","When Walker made his formal budget presentation later that month, he said only half of all Wisconsin adults with \"serious psychological distress received mental health treatment or medication\" -- a claim we rated Mostly True.","\"Nationally, serious mental illness costs at least $193 billion a year in lost earnings,\" Walker said during his Feb. 20, 2013, budget presentation. \"In Wisconsin, only half of all the adults with serious psychological distress received mental health treatment or medication.\"","( - In wake of mass shootings, Scott Walker says half of Wisconsin adults with \"serious psychological distress\" don't get care&url=)"]},{"id":"114.json","label":"true","statement":"\"She stood by ground zero workers who sacrificed their health after so many sacrificed their lives and kept standing till this administration took action.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the actions of Senator Clinton (at the time) in supporting and advocating for the health and well-being of ground zero workers after the 9\/11 attacks. She played a significant role in pushing for legislation to aid in the recovery of New York City and supporting government programs to track the health of workers exposed to harmful substances at the site. The evidence provided supports the claim that she stood by the ground zero workers and continued to advocate for their needs until action was taken by the administration.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a Clinton campaign ad airing in Iowa and New Hampshire, an announcer says the New York senator has been a strong advocate for workers who responded to the 9\/11 attacks. \"She stood by ground zero workers who sacrificed their health after so many sacrificed their lives and kept standing till this administration took action,\" the announcer says.","The New York Times, Federal Study Shows High Number of Ground Zero Workers Had Health Problems Last Year, Jan. 28, 2003.","Hostages were released as soon as Ronald Reagan took office because Iran perceived that America was \"no longer under the command of someone weak.\"","Soon after the attacks, Clinton and fellow New York Sen. Charles Schumer pushed legislation to aid New York City's recovery. She also has been a proponent of government programs to track the health of workers who were exposed to smoke and dust at the site. The doctors who monitored the workers' health credited Clinton with steering $12-million to a Centers for Disease Control program for that work."]},{"id":"9143.json","label":"false","statement":"This is the first time since World War II that five nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were docked together.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There have been instances before December 2012 where five nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were docked together, such as in July 1997 at Norfolk Naval Base. The claim that it was the first time since World War II is incorrect. The chain email that propagated this claim has been debunked, and it is important to rely on accurate information when assessing historical events.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The quick answer is that December 2012 was not the first time since the war that five nuclear powered aircraft carriers were docked at the same place at the same time. A similar unintentional gathering took place at Norfolk in July 1997.","A chain email says that President Barack Obama was irresponsible to order five first-line aircraft carriers into Norfolk Naval Base together -- purportedly the first time this had been done since World War II.","It continues, \"This is the first time since WWII that five nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were docked together. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS George H.W. Bush, USS Enterprise, USS Harry S. Truman and USS Abraham Lincoln are all in port at Naval Station in Norfolk, Va., the world\u2019s largest naval station.\"","A chain email says Obama ordered five aircraft carriers into Norfolk Naval Base together in 2014, supposedly the first time this had been done since World War II. But the rendezvous occurred in 2012, a similar grouping happened at the base in 1997, and it was done so that naval personnel could be with their families for the Christmas holiday -- not for nefarious reasons that posed a security risk. We rate the email\u2019s claims False."]},{"id":"1903.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"While Exxon Mobil has 40 pages on its media response strategy, its plan for resource protection is only five pages long and its plan for oil removal is just nine pages long.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the analysis, which indicates that Exxon Mobil's plan includes 40 pages on its media response strategy, while its plan for resource protection is only five pages long, and its plan for oil removal is just nine pages long. Although there may be additional sections in the plan that provide some information related to resource protection and oil removal, the statement captures the significant disparity in the level of detail and emphasis given to media response compared to resource protection and oil removal. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"While Exxon Mobil has 40 pages on its media response strategy, its plan for resource protection is only five pages long and its plan for oil removal is just nine pages long,\" Stupak said.","In rating Stupak's statement, we find he is largely accurate in his description that the Exxon Mobil plan \"has 40 pages on its media response strategy\" while its plan for resource protection \"is only five pages long and its plan for oil removal is just nine pages long.\" We did notice that other sections of the plan expand on some of the topics listed in resource protection and oil removal. Nevertheless, Exxon's media plan is highly detailed and lengthy, particularly when compared with the other oil company plans and other sections of its own report. So we rate Stupak's statement Mostly True.","\u2022 Finally, members of Congress looked at the plans all the major oil companies have to clean up a spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan said he thought the plans lacked specificity. But he reserved particular criticism for Exxon Mobil's plan, which includes many pages of instructions for how company officials should handle the media. \"While Exxon Mobil has 40 pages on its media response strategy, its plan for resource protection is only five pages long and its plan for oil removal is just nine pages long,\" Stupak said. We looked at the report and found a few things to qualify his statement. Still, we rated it Mostly True.","At a Congressional hearing looking at how oil companies respond to oil spills, here was an unlikely claim: Exxon Mobil's emergency plan for dealing with an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has 40 pages on how to deal with the media, but only nine pages on how to clean up a spill."]},{"id":"10285.json","label":"true","statement":"At the 50 Milwaukee schools serving at least 80% African-American and at least 80% low income students, the reading proficiency is 8%.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Darling, a Republican from River Hills, regarding the reading proficiency at 50 Milwaukee schools serving at least 80% African-American and at least 80% low-income students. According to Darling, the reading proficiency at these schools is 8%, which she describes as shockingly low. The evidence supports the statement's accuracy.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Darling said that at the 50 Milwaukee schools serving \"at least 80% African-American and at least 80% low income\" students,\" the reading proficiency is 8%.","Darling, a Republican from River Hills in Milwaukee\u2019s northern suburbs, focused on schools in which at least 80 percent of students are low-income and 80 percent are black.","\"There are 50 of these schools in Milwaukee, and their reading proficiency on the statewide test is 8 percent. Eight percent! It\u2019s shockingly low.\"","Now, some officials are spotlighting poor results at a subset of Milwaukee schools -- those serving very high concentrations of African-Americans from lower-income households."]},{"id":"623.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Obama replaced the American flag on the tail of his plane with his campaign logo.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Obama campaign did replace a corporate logo, which happened to feature an American flag, on the tail of the senator's charter plane with the Obama campaign logo. However, it's important to note that the flag being replaced was not a stand-alone American flag, but rather a corporate logo that incorporated the flag. Therefore, while the statement is true, it is crucial to understand the context and clarify that it was not a direct replacement of a stand-alone American flag.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Now comes another attack on Obama's patriotism that says his campaign replaced an American flag on the tail of the senator's charter plane with the Obama logo. The e-mail is correct that the tail was changed, but it's important to understand the details: the Obama campaign was painting over a corporate logo that happened to feature an American flag, not eliminating a stand-alone flag.","SUMMARY: A chain e-mail is right that Obama replaced an American flag on the tail of his plane with his campaign logo, but the flag was really a corporate logo.","Obama's plane has his slogan \"CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN\" and his Web address on the side of the plane. On the tail, North American's flag logo has been replaced by the campaign's sunrise logo.","But, back to the matter at hand. Yes, the e-mail is right that the Obama campaign replaced the American flag with its own logo, but the flag it covered was a corporate logo, not a stand-alone flag. So we'll take this down a notch to Mostly True."]},{"id":"11498.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I never said that Marco Rubio was Mark Zuckerbergs personal senator.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that he \"never said that Marco Rubio was Mark Zuckerberg's personal senator\" is contradicted by evidence. On his website, Trump explicitly referred to Marco Rubio as \"Mark Zuckerberg's personal Senator\" in the context of discussing the H-1B visa program. This statement can be verified by examining the content on Trump's website. Therefore, the claim made by Trump in the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In the debate, Trump said he \"never said that\" Marco Rubio was Mark Zuckerberg\u2019s personal senator. But he may want to check his own website, which says exactly that. Pants on Fire!","Quick : \"You have talked a little bit about Marco Rubio. I think you called him (Facebook founder) Mark Zuckerberg\u2019s personal senator, because he was in favor of the H-1B visa.\"","\"Increase prevailing wage for H-1Bs. We graduate two times more Americans with STEM degrees each year than find STEM jobs, yet as much as two-thirds of entry-level hiring for IT jobs is accomplished through the H-1B program. More than half of H-1B visas are issued for the program's lowest allowable wage level, and more than eighty percent for its bottom two. Raising the prevailing wage paid to H-1Bs will force companies to give these coveted entry-level jobs to the existing domestic pool of unemployed native and immigrant workers in the U.S., instead of flying in cheaper workers from overseas. This will improve the number of black, Hispanic and female workers in Silicon Valley who have been passed over in favor of the H-1B program. Mark Zuckerberg\u2019s personal Senator, Marco Rubio, has a bill to triple H-1Bs that would decimate women and minorities.\"","Rubio described in the story the plodding pace of the Senate after he was elected in 2010. He said he was forced to \"slow-dance and wait\" for the Senate to gain a majority in 2012 and 2014 in order to accomplish anything. He said he was then told in 2015 that, \"We gotta wait to elect the president\" to get any bills passed. The story said that was when Rubio essentially gave up on being a senator."]},{"id":"802.json","label":"false","statement":"If you're a small business and don't \"adopt the health care plan that Senator Obama mandates, he's going to fine you.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the content of the evidence provided. The evidence discusses the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and its provisions for economic relief, including funding for states, homeowner assistance, and small business credit. There is no mention of Senator Obama mandating a specific health care plan or imposing fines on small businesses. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It\u2019s no secret that U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson isn\u2019t a fan of the Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration\u2019s signature health care law, passed in 2010.","Many people are familiar with the third round of stimulus checks that came from the legislation, but the ARP includes additional provisions for economic relief, including emergency funding for states, homeowner assistance, and small business credit.","Iowa has had some good fortune when it comes to its finances. Democrats have pointed out correctly that the Biden administration\u2019s American Rescue Plan passed in 2021 gave the state a $1.48 billion financial boost. The most recent infusion of cash was revealed Oct. 11, when the U.S. Treasury Department announced that Iowa will receive up to $96.1 million in America Rescue Plan money for small-business development, especially new businesses. Another example: Iowa pumped into its unemployment insurance benefits fund $237 million from the American Rescue Plan in 2021 and $490 million from the Trump administration\u2019s CARES Act in 2020.","DeJear countered that Republicans have hoarded money that could have been spent on important state programs that aren\u2019t getting enough money to meet public needs, such as education and accessible health care. The cuts amount to what DeJear called a small amount \u2013\u2013 $50 to $55 a month four years down the road \u2013\u2013 that won\u2019t add value for the vast majority of Iowans."]},{"id":"1169.json","label":"false","statement":"Cap-and-trade is wildly unpopular with Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement that cap-and-trade is \"wildly unpopular\" with Americans is not supported by the evidence. Polling data suggests that while support for cap-and-trade may vary depending on factors such as cost, a majority of Americans do support government regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and a significant portion support a cap-and-trade program. The evidence indicates that opposition to cap-and-trade has grown but is not at a level that would qualify as \"wildly unpopular.\" Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So, given the most recent polling, it would be fair to say that a slight majority of Americans support cap-and-trade but that those numbers may decrease depending on how much it would cost in higher utility bills. Even so, at its lowest, nearly 40 percent of Americans would still support cap-and-trade even if it meant heftier energy bills. In no case do polling numbers show that cap-and-trade is \"wildly unpopular,\" as the editors of IBD claim, so we give this one a False.","In a Sept. 2, 2009, op-ed about the European stake in a climate change bill passed by the House of Representatives, the editors wrote, \"Cap-and-trade is wildly unpopular with Americans. No matter how many suave European continentals you send here, it won't change voters' minds.\"","So let's look at how much support it has. A Washington Post \/ABC News survey published on June 25, a day before the bill was passed, showed that 75 percent of Americans think the government should regulate greenhouse gas emissions to reduce global warming. About 52 percent support a cap-and-trade program to accomplish that. Opposition has grown to 42 percent, up from 34 percent in the summer of 2008.","To support their claim, the board included a June 28-29 Rasmussen poll that shows that 56 percent of Americans said they wouldn't pay more taxes to cut greenhouse gases. The question \u2014 and the op-ed \u2014 leave out the important fact that the bill doesn't impose new taxes (though it's likely people would see higher utility bills as the result of cap-and-trade, which would raise the cost of energy at least slightly)."]},{"id":"8423.json","label":"false","statement":"Teachers were not involved in developing the Common Core State Standards.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Teachers were indeed involved in the development of the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core State Standards Initiative explicitly states that the drafting process relied on the input of teachers and standards experts from across the country. Additionally, documents and participants involved in the effort confirm that teachers played a meaningful role in the creation and development of the standards. The claim that teachers were not involved is a misconception that has been debunked by multiple sources.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If they say we were not involved, that is not telling the truth,\" said Pittard, a 22-year veteran educator who has taken a leave from her classroom to help train Florida teachers for the transition to the new standards.","Common Core opponents claimed at a public hearing that teachers were not involved in the creation and development of the standards, or that their comments and feedback weren\u2019t used. Participants in the effort, as well as documents detailing the process, reveal this not to be the case. We find this statement False.","The criticism had become so prevalent that the Common Core State Standards Initiative , the official organization that organizes the standards, has included it in its \" Myths v. Facts\" document. The organization flatly rejects that teachers played no meaningful role: \"The Common Core State Standards drafting process relied on teachers and standards experts from across the country.\"","In public forums that Scott requested, several critics stepped forward to denounce the Common Core, offering a variety of reasons that range from \"federal intrusion\" to \"data collection.\" One oft-repeated claim was that \"teachers were not involved\" in creating the standards that they will have to use in their classrooms."]},{"id":"7567.json","label":"false","statement":"This (parent trigger) legislation was drafted by President Obamas top advisers. It was drafted by President Clintons top advisers.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trujillo that the parent trigger legislation was drafted by President Obama's top advisers and President Clinton's top advisers is false. Fact-checking organizations have found that the legislation was not drafted by these top advisers, and the claim has been debunked. While there may be supporters of Obama and Clinton who had a hand in creating the legislation, it is inaccurate to attribute its drafting to these top advisers. \nLabel: false","evidence":["In trying to persuade Democrats to support his parent trigger bill, Trujillo said, \"This legislation was drafted by President Obama's top advisers. It was drafted by President Clinton\u2019s top advisers.\" He makes it sound as if the legislation were written in the West Wing.","\"This legislation was drafted by President Obama's top advisers. It was drafted by President Clinton\u2019s top advisers,\" he said on March 18, 2013, during the House Education Committee hearing on his bill. \"Gov. Bush is a big supporter of this, so it\u2019s not a partisan issue. I\u2019m not sure why it\u2019s turned into that.\"","Parent groups, unions and activists may disagree vehemently on the bill, but they sound in agreement on one thing: The concept was not drafted by \"top advisers\" to Clinton and Obama. The people who had a hand in creating the legislation would more accurately be described as supporters of Obama and Clinton, not \"top advisers.\" We rate his statement False.","\"President Obama has spoken frequently (as has Education Secretary Duncan) about the need for parents to be full partners in the decision-making process around their children's education,\" Phelps said. \"Parent trigger and our work at Parent Revolution is a proactive response to those Obama administration calls.\""]},{"id":"296.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Barack Obama's church gave a lifetime achievement award to Louis Farrakhan.","reason":"Reason: It is true that a magazine affiliated with Barack Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, gave Louis Farrakhan a lifetime achievement award. However, it is important to note that Obama himself has publicly criticized this decision. While the statement accurately reflects the award given to Farrakhan, it does not provide the full context of Obama's stance on the matter. It is crucial to consider Obama's disapproval of the decision when evaluating his relationship with Farrakhan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["An attack e-mail says the church Barack Obama attends, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, gave a lifetime award to Louis Farrakhan. Did it?","An attack e-mail says the church Barack Obama attends, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, gave a lifetime award to Louis Farrakhan, and that Obama \"remained silent\" and wasn't even asked about.","We checked out the award claim and found it to be Mostly True. A magazine closely related to the church gave Farrakhan an award for lifetime achievement. For more on this, see the statement here .","PolitiFact has covered some of this ground before. Indeed, a magazine affiliated with Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, did give Farrakhan a lifetime achievement award and Obama has decried that decision. You can read a PolitiFact story on other charges against Obama's church here."]},{"id":"3402.json","label":"true","statement":"Says four-year terms for City Council members are the norm in most cities of our size.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows a majority of cities with populations similar to Austin have four-year terms for their City Council members. Among the 10 cities closest in size to Austin, seven have four-year terms, while only three have two-year terms. This data indicates that four-year terms are indeed more common in cities of Austin's size. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, advocating changes in the city\u2019s governing charter, says it doesn\u2019t make sense for City Council members to have three-year terms. In his Feb. 25 State of the City address, Leffingwell said that four-year terms are \"the norm in most cities of our size.\"","The 10 cities with populations closest to Austin\u2019s size ranged from Boston, at 645,169, to Detroit, at 910,921. Among them, Boston, Charlotte and Fort Worth have two-year terms, and the other seven cities have four-year terms, according to our checks of city websites and interviews of respective city officials.","According to the sheet, 29 of the cities have four-year council terms, five cities have two-year terms--and only Austin has three-year terms.","So, 70 percent of cities close in population to Austin are represented by council members elected to four-year terms. We rate the statement True."]},{"id":"30.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Tommy Thompson is the father of welfare reform, creating the groundbreaking Wisconsin Works program in Wisconsin that became the model for national and international reforms.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately credits Tommy Thompson with creating the Wisconsin Works program, which was a pioneering welfare reform initiative. The program served as a model for subsequent welfare reforms both within the United States and internationally. Tommy Thompson's role in implementing this program is widely recognized and acknowledged.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Wisconsin is not as obese as the national average is. The national average, 35.7 percent of the population is obese. In Wisconsin, it's closer to 26 percent.\"","\"Tommy Thompson created the first school choice program in the nation, giving thousands of Milwaukee students the choice of where they go to school \u2013 no matter where they live or how much money their parents make.\"","Says when he was governor, Wisconsin cut unemployment to 2.1 percent and the state\u2019s unemployment rate was \"the lowest in the country for 40 consecutive months.\"","An aide \"acted on his own\" and \"was not representing the Thompson campaign\" when he sent an email criticizing the sexual orientation of U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin."]},{"id":"12451.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Right now, in every major poll, national poll and statewide poll done in the last month, six weeks, we are defeating Trump, often by big numbersand always at a larger margin than Secretary Clinton is.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim that in recent major polls, both national and statewide, he is defeating Donald Trump by larger margins than Secretary Clinton. This claim has been supported by fact-checkers who have found that, on average, Sanders performs better against Trump than Clinton in these polls, with a margin of over 6 points. However, it's important to note that polling data can be subject to fluctuations and should be interpreted with caution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Right now, in every major poll, national poll and statewide poll done in the last month, six weeks, we are defeating Trump, often by big numbers and always at a larger margin than Secretary Clinton is.\"","Sanders said, \"Right now, in every major poll, national poll and statewide poll done in the last month, six weeks, we are defeating Trump often by big numbers, and always at a larger margin than Secretary Clinton is.\"","\"Right now,\" Sanders said, \"in every major poll, national poll and statewide poll done in the last month, six weeks, we are defeating Trump often by big numbers, and always at a larger margin than Secretary Clinton is.\"","So Sanders is correct that he fares better against Trump than Clinton does in every poll over the past six weeks -- more than 6 points better than Clinton, on average."]},{"id":"3605.json","label":"true","statement":"The costs of cancer and all affiliated issues are over $20 billion a year to this state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Texas Rep. Jim Keffer that the costs of cancer and its related issues in Texas amount to over $20 billion per year. This figure includes both direct costs, such as hospitalization, treatments, screenings, and medications, as well as indirect costs associated with research and other cancer-related programs. Multiple sources confirm that the total annual cost of cancer in Texas exceeds $20 billion. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Addressing the measure\u2019s author, GOP Rep. Rob Orr of Burleson, Keffer said in House debate April 3: \"Do you know \u2026 that the costs of cancer and all affiliated issues are over $20 billion a year to this state? So that is the reason that this is such a great program. We are having successes, and, really, to tamper with or harm it now \u2026 it\u2019d be detrimental.\"","( - Texas Rep. Jim Keffer says costs of cancer and related issues are over $20 billion a year in Texas&url=)","Summing up: Keffer claimed that cancer and its related issues cost Texas upwards of $20 billion a year. Most of that figure is pegged to indirect costs. That said, the most recent research we found consistently pegged the total annual cost at considerably more than $20 billion.","According to the study, about $5 billion of the total represented \"direct costs,\" including hospitalization and other treatments, cancer screenings and medications, plus spending on research and other cancer-related programs by state agencies, nonprofit groups and private foundations."]},{"id":"13374.json","label":"false","statement":"The left is blatantly attempting to disrupt Georgias elections.","reason":"Reason: While there have been reported cases of voting problems in Georgia, it is misleading to claim that these issues amount to a deliberate and coordinated effort by the left to disrupt the elections. The evidence provided includes tweets from Brian Kemp, Georgia's Secretary of State, expressing opposition to the left's alleged attempts to disrupt the elections. However, these tweets do not provide substantial evidence to support the claim. It is important to differentiate between isolated incidents and a broader conspiracy. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence and is an overgeneralization.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Brian Kemp, Georgia\u2019s chief elections official, said in an Oct. 19 tweet that the \"left\" is trying to disrupt Georgia\u2019s election process.","On Oct. 19, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, the state\u2019s election chief, tweeted, \"Stand with me in opposition to the left\u2019s blatant attempts to disrupt Georgia\u2019s elections!\"","Georgia has a few reported cases of voting problems, but they do not amount to a left-wing conspiracy to disrupt the vote.","In one Georgia lawsuit, the left-leaning American Civil Liberties Union sought to extend the state\u2019s deadline. In response to the lawsuit, Kemp, a Republican, tweeted Oct. 18: \"The ACLU wants to create chaos in our local elections offices. Stand with me & protect Georgia\u2019s elections.\""]},{"id":"10212.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Obamas net neutrality proposalputs the government in charge of determining Internet pricing, terms of service and what types of products and services can be delivered.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Ted Cruz and others regarding Obama's net neutrality proposal. They argue that the proposal would give the government authority over determining internet pricing, terms of service, and the types of products and services that can be delivered. It is important to note that this claim is a perspective held by some individuals and not an objective fact. The interpretation of the net neutrality proposal and its potential implications can vary, and there are differing opinions on the extent of government control. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Obama's net neutrality proposal \"puts the government in charge of determining Internet pricing, terms of service and what types of products and services can be delivered.\"","We wanted to fact-check if net neutrality would in fact put the government in charge of \"determining Internet pricing, terms of service, and what types of products and services can be delivered.\"","Cruz said, Obama\u2019s net neutrality proposal \"puts the government in charge of determining Internet pricing, terms of service and what types of products and services can be delivered.\"","Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and others think that these regulations are unwarranted. On Facebook Nov. 10, Cruz said that Obama\u2019s net neutrality proposal \"puts the government in charge of determining Internet pricing, terms of service and what types of products and services can be delivered.\""]},{"id":"5632.json","label":"true","statement":"President Barack Obama reduced the cost of prescription drugs for nearly 3.6 million Americans in 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which reported that 3.6 million Medicare beneficiaries saved over $2.1 billion on prescription drugs in 2011. This achievement can be attributed to the Affordable Care Act, which President Obama signed into law. Therefore, it is accurate to say that President Barack Obama reduced the cost of prescription drugs for nearly 3.6 million Americans in 2011.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The text: \"As president he signed the Affordable Care Act ... and reduced the cost of prescription drugs for nearly 3.6 million Americans in 2011.\"","Obama\u2019s campaign ad credits the president, by fighting for and signing the health care law, with reducing the cost of prescription drugs for nearly 3.6 million Americans in 2011.","Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, \"3.6 million in Medicare saved more than $2.1 billion on prescription drugs in the donut hole in 2011,\" Feb. 2, 2012","After meeting with Senate Democrats on Dec. 15, President Barack Obama made a number of claims about what the health care bill would achieve if passed."]},{"id":"116.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Earmarked dollars have doubled just since 2000, and more than tripled in the last 10 years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the growth of earmarks over a specific time frame. Earmarked dollars did indeed double from 2000 to the 2006 budget year and more than tripled over the course of the last 10 years. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests a change in the trend after 2006, with earmarked projects significantly decreasing in fiscal 2007. Therefore, while the statement is accurate for the period up until 2006, it does not account for the subsequent decline in earmark spending.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["McCain is correct that they roughly doubled from $32.9-billion in 2000 to the 2006 budget year, but he fails to acknowledge developments after that.","John McCain argues that earmarks have grown out of control. And it certainly is true that they've grown tremendously over the past 10 years \u2014 from $23-billion in fiscal 1994 to $69.7-billion in fiscal 2006.","And so in fiscal 2007, earmarked projects dropped to about $10.7-billion. The only earmarks that Congress funded were those in the Defense appropriations bill and a few in the Homeland Security measure.","If McCain had made his claim in 2005, he'd be right. But since it's two years later and the climate for earmark spending has changed significantly, McCain's facts are out of date."]},{"id":"7004.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Lois Frankel spent over $13,000 in taxpayer money on a marble shower in a private bathroom with her own toilet.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Lois Frankel spent over $13,000 in taxpayer money on a marble shower in a private bathroom. The ad and fact-check articles confirm this expenditure. However, it's important to note that the context and justification for the expenditure are not provided. While it may be seen as excessive or wasteful, further information is needed to determine if it was an appropriate use of taxpayer funds.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"That Lois Frankel is something. She gave herself a 40 percent pay raise. Charged us for a police helicopter ride to go to a dinner party. But the worst part? Frankel spent over $13,000 in taxpayer money on a marble shower in a private bathroom with her own toilet. What a waste. All that money right down the drain for her own personal use,\" says the narrator, as a close-up of her hand is shown flushing a white toilet.","Hasner\u2019s ad said that Frankel \"spent $13,000 in taxpayer money on a marble shower in a private bathroom.\" The underlying message here is that Frankel engaged in government waste.","\"That Lois Frankel is something. She gave herself a 40 percent pay raise. Charged us for a police helicopter ride to go to a dinner party. But the worst part? Frankel spent over $13,000 in taxpayer money on a marble shower in a private bathroom with her own toilet. What a waste. \"All that money right down the drain for her own personal use,\" says the narrator, who is revealed to be sitting on a toilet.\"When you gotta go, you gotta go but that\u2019s just ridiculous.\"","Here we go for a deep dive about that taxpayer-funded bathroom. We will focus our fact-check on whether Frankel spent $13,000 on a marble shower in a private bathroom at City Hall. We will also touch on why she got that bathroom and how it ended up with marble."]},{"id":"9959.json","label":"true","statement":"Countries bombed: Obama 7, Bush 4","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comparison between the number of countries bombed during the presidencies of Barack Obama and George W. Bush. According to the fact-checking analysis, Obama is reported to have bombed seven countries, while Bush is reported to have bombed four. However, it's important to note that the specific countries and circumstances of these bombings may vary, and there may be some debate or uncertainty regarding the exact count. Nevertheless, the statement is generally accurate based on the available information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Last week, we fact-checked the New Yorker\u2019 s Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza, who tweeted, \"Countries bombed: Obama 7, Bush 4.\" We rated that claim True.","When we compared Bush and Obama last week, Lizza sent us this list of countries that had been bombed by each president:","Lizza said that Obama has bombed seven countries to Bush\u2019s four. Depending on your view of Bush\u2019s reported drone strike into Yemen, he may have slightly undercounted Bush\u2019s tally. Both presidents also may have bombed the Philippines.","Lizza said that Obama has bombed seven countries to Bush\u2019s four. Depending on your view of Bush\u2019s reported drone strike into Yemen, he may have slightly undercounted Bush\u2019s tally."]},{"id":"4894.json","label":"false","statement":"U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has blamed the Republicans for the creation of Hamas.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has blamed Republicans for the creation of Hamas. The provided evidence does not mention this claim or provide any context to support it. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making statements about individuals and their positions. Without credible evidence, this claim cannot be substantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been criticized for waiting to fire an information technology employee who did work for her office until his recent arrest.","!U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, questions Budget Director Mick Mulvaney on Capitol Hill. Wasserman Schultz fired IT staffer Imran Awan on July 25, 2017, following his arrest on a federal bank fraud charge. (AP) !U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, questions Budget Director Mick Mulvaney on Capitol Hill. Wasserman Schultz fired IT staffer Imran Awan on July 25, 2017, following his arrest on a federal bank fraud charge. (AP)","U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, questions Budget Director Mick Mulvaney on Capitol Hill. Wasserman Schultz fired IT staffer Imran Awan on July 25, 2017, following his arrest on a federal bank fraud charge. (AP)","Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla, and chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee touted President Barack Obama\u2019s record on the economy in an interview on the Nov. 13, 2011, edition of NBC\u2019s Meet the Press ,"]},{"id":"2891.json","label":"true","statement":"Hillsboroughs Public Transportation Commission has a rule that says cabbies have to wear socks. I mean, please. Come on.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by state Sen. Ronda Storms that the Hillsborough Public Transportation Commission has a rule requiring cab drivers to wear socks. While it may seem trivial or unnecessary, the fact-check confirms that such a dress code requirement does exist. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"They have a rule that says cabbies have to wear socks,\" Storms said in a Dec. 1, 2010, St. Petersburg Times article. \"I mean, please. Come on.\"","St. Petersburg Times , Ronda Storms says shut down Hillsborough's Public Transportation Commission( \"Ronda Storms says shut down Hillsborough's Public Transportation Commission\"), Dec. 1, 2010","Among those regulations, says state Sen. Ronda Storms, a former Hillsborough County commissioner, is a requirement that cab drivers wear socks. Storms says she wants to propose a bill during next spring's state legislative session eliminating the Hillsborough transit agency, formally called the Public Transportation Commission.","Storms put her foot down when it comes to Hillsborough's Public Transportation Commission, saying some of its regulations are unnecessary and inane, specifically a requirement that taxicab drivers wear socks. She's right that cab drivers have a dress code that includes socks, but it's not as uncommon as she makes it sounds. Still, on the facts she's right. We say True."]},{"id":"1406.json","label":"false","statement":"Health care reform: Everything about it is going to raise costs, raise taxes and lower the quality of health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hutchison in the ad is an exaggerated and sweeping claim that lacks accuracy. While it is true that some aspects of healthcare reform may have an impact on costs and taxes, it is incorrect to assert that \"everything\" about it will raise costs, raise taxes, and lower the quality of healthcare. The healthcare reform includes provisions aimed at lowering costs, improving access to healthcare, and enhancing the quality of care. Therefore, the statement made in the ad is overly broad and does not accurately reflect the nuanced nature of healthcare reform.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Everything about it is going to raise costs, raise taxes and lower the quality of health care,\" Hutchison says in the ad.","Everything? This kind of sweeping claim is often hard to back up with evidence. Hutchinson said everything in the bills would raise costs, raise taxes and lower quality. So if we can find anything that lowers costs, lowers taxes or raises quality, that would undermine the accuracy of her claim.","Hutchison stretches too far by saying everything in the bill would raise taxes, drive up costs and conceivably diminish quality. As we've described, several parts of the bill are intended to lower costs, and most people won't see a tax increase.","So regardless of whether the penalty imposed on people who don\u2019t buy insurance is a tax, there are other taxes that raise revenue to offset the costs of the new law."]},{"id":"4199.json","label":"false","statement":"Since 1965, the United States has spent untold trillions yet the poverty rate hasnt budged.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that the United States has spent significant amounts of money on poverty alleviation programs since 1965, the claim that the poverty rate has not changed is incorrect. In 1965, the poverty rate was approximately 17.3 percent, and by 2009, it had decreased to 14.3 percent. This indicates a decline in the poverty rate over that period, contradicting the assertion that it has remained stagnant despite substantial spending.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A reader asked us to look at O\u2019Reilly\u2019s statement. It covers a lot of ground, but the part we were interested in analyzing was his claim that since 1965, the United States has spent \"untold trillions,\" yet the poverty rate hasn\u2019t budged.","\"The essential mistake that Barack Obama is making is that he believes Lyndon Johnson's Great Society entitlements can elevate the poor to prosperity. They can't. In 1965, the poverty rate in this country stood at 14 percent. Now, after untold trillions have been spent fighting poverty, the poverty rate is 14.3 percent. Amazing, is it not? The conclusion, America is bankrupting itself with an entitlement philosophy that does little.\"","The United States spent \u201c2 trillion dollars to train and equip the Afghan military over the past 20 years. They fell in a week.\u201d","\u2022 He uses the wrong numbers. The poverty rate -- the percentage of Americans whose income is lower than the federally determined poverty line -- was 17.3 percent in 1965, not 14 percent. For 2009, O\u2019Reilly is correct -- the rate was 14.3 percent."]},{"id":"11614.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It costs a hell of a lot more money to put somebody in jail than send them to the University of Virginia.","reason":"Reason: Bernie Sanders made the claim that it costs significantly more money to incarcerate someone than to send them to the University of Virginia. While the statement lacks specific evidence or data to support it, it is important to note that the cost of incarceration varies widely depending on multiple factors such as the length of the sentence, the type of facility, and the state in which the incarceration takes place. Comparing the cost of incarceration to the cost of attending a specific university like the University of Virginia is also a complex comparison, as educational costs can vary based on scholarships, financial aid, and other factors. Therefore, while the statement may reflect a general sentiment about the high costs of incarceration, it lacks specific evidence and context to be definitively labeled as true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sanders said \"It costs a hell of a lot more money to put somebody in jail than send them to the University of Virginia.\"","\"And here\u2019s the simple truth: It costs a hell of a lot more money to put somebody in jail than send them to the University of Virginia,\" Sanders said.","!Bernie Sanders says it's a \"simple truth\" that it costs a lot more to send someone to prison rather than to U.Va. But the truth isn't that simple. (AP Photo) !Bernie Sanders says it's a \"simple truth\" that it costs a lot more to send someone to prison rather than to U.Va. But the truth isn't that simple. (AP Photo)","Bernie Sanders says it's a \"simple truth\" that it costs a lot more to send someone to prison rather than to U.Va. But the truth isn't that simple. (AP Photo)"]},{"id":"12204.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders wants higher standards for toy guns than real guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton during a Democratic debate that Bernie Sanders voted for a law that gave higher standards to toy guns than real guns. However, it's important to note that the interpretation of the law and its implications are subject to debate. While Clinton and others argue that the law was an attempt to bypass legal accountability for gun manufacturers, it is not a settled question and different perspectives exist on the matter. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton, but it does not provide a definitive conclusion on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The claim that Sanders wants higher standards for toy guns than real guns caught our attention. We wondered if Sanders\u2019 support for this law indicates that he thinks toy manufacturers should be more open to lawsuits than gun manufacturers.","Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders voted for a law that gave higher standards to toy guns than real guns, opponent Hillary Clinton charged at the New York Democratic debate.","\"I voted against it,\" Clinton said on CNN April 6. \"President Obama voted against it. Because clearly it was an effort to bypass legal accountability. And so here we have this remarkable situation where you cannot question the liability or the behavior of gunmakers and sellers. I thought Sen. Chris Murphy from Connecticut really summed it up. He said Sen. Sanders wants higher standards for toy guns than real guns.\"","The claim that this law gives higher standards to toy guns is something Clinton has said in recent weeks. It\u2019s not a settled question. Here\u2019s why."]},{"id":"6120.json","label":"true","statement":"A million people a year come into the U.S. legally. No other country even comes close to that figure.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Marco Rubio that approximately one million people enter the United States legally each year, and that no other country has a comparable figure. This claim has been fact-checked and verified as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rubio is right that \"a million people a year come into the U.S. legally\" and that \"no other country even comes close to that figure.\" We rate his statement True.","During a Fox News interview on June 18, 2012, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., discussed immigration and said that \"a million people a year come into the U.S. legally. No other country even comes close to that figure.\"","\"We have a legal immigration system in America that accepts 1 million people a year, legally. No other country in the world even comes close to that.\"","Rubio said, \"We have a legal immigration system in America that accepts one million people a year, legally. No other country in the world even comes close to that.\""]},{"id":"3199.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The majority of people in polls do not support Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that the overall approval rating for Obamacare has not consistently reached a majority, it is important to consider the context and specific components of the law. Polls have shown that while the overall approval may hover around 40 percent, there is support for individual components of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). This means that while the majority may not support the law as a whole, they may still support certain aspects of it. Therefore, the statement needs clarification and additional information to provide a more accurate representation of public opinion on Obamacare.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Gingrich claimed that Obamacare has never been supported by a majority of the nation. The polls themselves show that yes, approval has hovered around 40 percent for the past few years. But Gingrich eliminates the context of other polls, which show that a majority of people do approve of individual components of Obamacare. Because the statement needs clarification or additional information, we rate his claim Mostly True.","O'Reilly said that a \"majority of the people in the polls\" do not support the health care law. If we were rating Obama's statement on its own, that the public is evenly divided, we would rate that True. But O'Reilly isn't entirely wrong, in the sense that support for the bill does not hit 50 percent or higher. Taking a broad picture of the polls reveals a divided public, so we rate his statement Half True.","Here, we wanted to referee the dispute on the poll numbers: Do a majority of people in the polls oppose the health care law? Since O'Reilly brought it up, we decided to check his statement.","There's no reason people should go bankrupt if they happen to get sick, Obama said. \"The notion that that's a radical principle, I don't think the majority of people would agree with you,\" he added."]},{"id":"2370.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Due to the war in Iraq, 4,400 Americans are dead, 30,000 severely wounded and more than 100,000 are suffering from serious health problems related to post traumatic stress syndrome.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Ron Paul regarding the casualties and health problems resulting from the Iraq War. However, it's important to note that the statistic of more than 100,000 suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) is only correct if it includes troops who fought in Afghanistan as well. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the casualties and wounded, it lacks precision in attributing the number of PTSD cases solely to the Iraq War.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Paul also said that due to the war in Iraq, \"4,400 Americans are dead, 30,000 severely wounded and more than 100,000 are suffering from serious health problems related to post-traumatic stress syndrome.\" We found the statistic on post-traumatic stress syndrome is only correct if you include troops who fought in Afghanistan. We rated that statement Half True.","\"Forty-four hundred Americans are dead, 30,000 severely wounded, and more than 100,000 are suffering from serious health problems related to post traumatic stress syndrome,\" Paul said. \"This alone should tell us that it was not worth the investment and the needless sacrifice of our young people and the taxpayers.\"","Rep. Ron Paul says that 4,400 Americans were killed in Iraq, 30,000 wounded and more than 100,000 suffering from PTSD due to the Iraq War","( - Rep. Ron Paul says that 4,400 Americans were killed in Iraq, 30,000 wounded and more than 100,000 suffering from PTSD due to the Iraq War&url=)"]},{"id":"4177.json","label":"true","statement":"When the Republicans were in charge, they actually expanded government health care with the prescription drug program.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in highlighting that Republicans expanded government health care with the prescription drug program. During the Republican administration, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 was passed, which established the Medicare Part D program to provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. This expansion of government health care was indeed implemented under Republican leadership.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, 33 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid. Additionally, voters in three more states have approved Medicaid expansion but those states have not yet implemented the program. North Carolina has declined to go along, but some Republicans in the state House of Representatives have sponsored a bill that could expand government health insurance and that was moved forward by a committee Tuesday.","President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law has been one of the most polarizing aspects of his presidency, with Republicans criticizing it at every turn. But the keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, didn\u2019t run from it. He applauded Obama for pursuing expanded health care -- and succeeding where his predecessors had failed.","As it stands now, the federal government covers about two-thirds of the $14.8 billion program covering 2.1 million people in North Carolina.","The House Health Committee moved forward a Republican-sponsored health care compromise Tuesday that could expand government health insurance for people with low incomes."]},{"id":"8514.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says administrator salaries were increased, but other school employees were left behind.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that administrators did receive salary increases, while other school employees, such as support staff, received a smaller raise. This suggests that there was a discrepancy in the salary increases between different groups of school employees. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific details about the extent of the salary increases for other school employees or the reasons behind the discrepancy. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the information provided, it lacks some context and specificity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a recent newsletter to members, the Portland Association of Teachers wrote that \"administrator salaries were increased to be competitive in the Metro 14; but other school employees were left behind.\" (Metro 14 refers to other nearby districts that are used as measuring sticks for hours, pay and other benefits.)","There\u2019s a lot in there, but we\u2019re going to focus on this idea that administrators saw their salaries increase while \"other school employees were left behind.\"","We see how, based on these figures alone, one could say that teachers and support staff were \"left behind.\" But, as always, we wanted some context. We knew from previous school funding coverage that administrators had not seen much growth in their salaries over the past few years. We wanted to know how salaries were increasing over the long term.","Two other groups of district employees have received their raises: As the mailer noted, administrators saw their salaries increase 1.3 to 7.8 percent, with an average increase of 3.5 percent. The district gave some other represented employees, such as support staff, a 1 percent raise, plus steps when eligible."]},{"id":"2856.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Obama has grown the federal government payroll by 141,000 workers and wants to add 125,000 more.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Reince Priebus, the Wisconsin Republican Party chairman, that President Obama has added 141,000 workers to the federal government payroll and wants to add 125,000 more. However, it's important to note that the context and accuracy of these claims are disputed. While there has been an increase in federal government employment during Obama's presidency, it is necessary to consider factors such as population growth, changes in government responsibilities, and economic conditions when evaluating the significance of these numbers. Additionally, it is essential to verify the specific sources and context of the claim to fully assess its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Wisconsin Republican Party chairman Reince Priebus says President Barack Obama has added 141,000 workers to the federal payroll and wants to add 125,000 more","( - Wisconsin Republican Party chairman Reince Priebus says President Barack Obama has added 141,000 workers to the federal payroll and wants to add 125,000 more&url=)","Chaffetz was pushing a 10 percent across-the-board pay cut for federal employees. He told Fox that Obama had added 141,000 federal workers. The Fox story, without attribution, added: The president wants to hire 125,000 more workers.\"","\u2022 Has the federal government payroll grown by more than 400,000 jobs since February 2009? Yes -- but with a major asterisk."]},{"id":"4112.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Texas is the only state that exempts jet fuel from its state motor fuels tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While Texas is one of the few states that exempts jet fuel from its state motor fuels tax, it is not the only state to do so. According to Nel Stubbs of Conklin & de Decker, three other states\u2014Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island\u2014also have exemptions for jet fuel from their respective motor fuels taxes. Additionally, some states refund some or all of an airline's motor fuels tax payments, while others have different tax methods, such as charging a sales tax instead of a motor fuels tax on jet fuel. Therefore, Texas is not the only state with an exemption for jet fuel from its state motor fuels tax.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We circled back to Rodriguez, who said he had assumed Texas was the only state that doesn\u2019t levy the motor fuels tax on jet fuel because the exemption struck him as weird. Besides, he reminded, Texas still is one of the few states with the exemption.","Nel Stubbs of Conklin & de Decker, which describes itself as enabling customers to make more informed decisions when dealing with the purchase and operation of aircraft, told us by email that Texas and three other states \u2014 Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island \u2014 exempt jet fuel from their respective motor fuels taxes. Other states, she said, refund some or all of an airline\u2019s motor fuels\u2019 tax payments. Stubbs defined jet fuel as a type of aviation fuel designed for aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines.","Rodriguez\u2019s chief of staff, Nate Walker, later said Rodriguez was referring to the fact Texas does not levy a motor fuels tax on jet fuel. Indeed, R.J. DeSilva, spokesman for the state comptroller\u2019s office, pointed us to sections of the motor fuels tax code that exempt all gas for aircraft delivered into or sold from a storage facility of a licensed aviation fuel dealer from the state\u2019s gas or motor fuels tax. A February report by State Comptroller Susan Combs pegs the value of the gas tax exemption for aviation at $4.5 million for the fiscal year that ends Aug. 31. DeSilva said the value of the exemption for diesel fuel used in airplanes is not calculated.","Stubbs, saying she\u2019s tracked state-by-state differences since the late 1980s, added in an interview: \"We\u2019re 50 little kingdoms out there. You can never say, \u2018We\u2019re the only state that does this,\u2019 because you\u2019d be wrong. You can never say, \u2018All states do something (either).\u2019 They\u2019re all different.\" Finally, she forwarded a chart showing variations in tax methods showing too that 11 states charge a sales tax, yet no motor fuels tax, on jet fuel."]},{"id":"3916.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the Austin City Council may give $4 million a year to subsidize a race track.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kathie Tovo in her TV ad. The Austin City Council is considering allocating $4 million a year to subsidize a race track. However, it's important to note that the funds would be used to cover the costs associated with staging the event, such as police overtime and traffic barriers, rather than directly subsidizing the construction of the track itself. Additionally, the allocation is contingent on the event generating more than $4 million in new tax revenue, which would not come to the city without the event taking place. So, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Kathie Tovo, facing Austin City Council Member Randi Shade in a June 18 runoff, says in a TV ad that debuted in April: \"We\u2019re in a budget crisis, but the council may give $4 million a year to subsidize a race track. That\u2019s the wrong priority.\"","Shade campaign spokeswoman Lynda Rife pointed out by email that the trust fund money can be spent on the races -- not construction of the track itself. Also, each race \"is expected to generate more than $4 million in new tax revenue that wouldn't come to the city without the event taking place.\"","Rife\u2019s email continued: \"If we don\u2019t generate that $4 million in new tax revenue from the event, then the city doesn\u2019t have to pay the whole $4 million. The city is not on the hook, if the event doesn\u2019t meet the performance standard,\" she said.","So, $4 million a year is to be ginned up locally with the money would be dedicated to covering costs of staging the event -- police overtime, say, or erecting traffic barriers -- municipal expenses that might otherwise be charged to the promoter."]},{"id":"7636.json","label":"true","statement":"Says A baby in Coos County is two times as likely to be born to a mother who is someone who used tobacco during her pregnancy as is the average baby born in Oregon or the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Kate Brown that babies born in Coos County are twice as likely to have mothers who smoked during pregnancy compared to the average baby in Oregon or the U.S. This claim has been supported by evidence and research, which indicates that prenatal tobacco use is higher among women with lower educational attainment and those living in poorer households. Coos County, in particular, has lower educational achievement and per capita income compared to the state average. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"A baby in Coos County is two times as likely to be born to a mother who is someone who used tobacco during her pregnancy as is the average baby born in Oregon or the U.S.,\" she said.","We can say with certainty that babies born in Coos County are twice as likely to have mothers who smoked during pregnancy than the average baby in Oregon. That also looks to be the case using older or incomplete national averages. We rate the statement True.","Brown says that studies show that people are less likely to smoke the higher their educational attainment. Prenatal tobacco use is greater among women who don\u2019t finish high school than among women who graduate from college. People living in poorer households are more likely to smoke. Coos County lags the state in educational achievement and in per capita income.","A viral Facebook image made a similar claim: that, under the new NY law, it\u2019s legal to \"murder\" a baby a minute before it would be born. PolitiFact rated it False."]},{"id":"11410.json","label":"false","statement":"Virginias current unemployment rate is the lowest in Virginia history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Virginia's current unemployment rate may be low, it is not the lowest in Virginia's history. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Virginia has had lower unemployment rates in the past. While the current rate may be the lowest in recent years, it is important to consider the historical context and previous periods of lower unemployment in the state.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Our unemployment (rate) is the lowest in the Southeast U.S. and the lowest in Virginia history \u2014 the lowest in Virginia history,\" Saslaw, D-Fairfax, said during Monday\u2019s debate against his Republican counterpart, Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment of James City.","Saslaw said during the debate that Virginia\u2019s unemployment rate is the lowest in the state\u2019s history. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show he\u2019s wrong, and the senator\u2019s campaign says he garbled his talking point.","Virginia had the 13th lowest unemployment rate among states and the District of Columbia when McAuliffe took office. It ranked 17th in the nation when he left.","The 4.5 percent figure for August is the lowest the rate has been since it started to spike in 2008, Gov. Terry McAuliffe said in a Sept. 18 news release."]},{"id":"2184.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia has lost more than 124,000 jobs and the unemployment rate has increased since the stimulus passed","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the provided evidence, Georgia did experience a loss of over 124,000 jobs and an increase in the unemployment rate from 8.7 percent to 10 percent after the stimulus was passed. This information aligns with the Republican National Committee spokeswoman's statement. However, it is important to note that the evidence also suggests that without the stimulus, Georgia's unemployment situation could have been even worse. Therefore, while the statement is true, it does not provide a complete assessment of the impact of the stimulus on Georgia's job market.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Since the stimulus was passed, Georgia has lost over 124,000 jobs and the unemployment rate has risen from 8.7 percent to 10 percent,\" Republican National Committee spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg wrote in a statement.","\"With an unemployment rate far above what the White House claimed we would ever reach with the stimulus, and with Georgia continuing to shed jobs even since last August, there is simply no way to argue that the stimulus is working,\" Henneberg wrote.","Both men agree the stimulus could have done more for Georgia. They say more money should have been allocated for infrastructure projects that would create jobs, such as building new roads and bridges.","The RNC's numbers are correct, but a closer look at all of the data shows Georgia's unemployment woes would have been worse without the stimulus. The USA Today report shows Georgia may not be getting its fair share in stimulus funds. It seems there are some mitigating factors to consider when looking at the RNC's statement. We rate it as Mostly True."]},{"id":"3724.json","label":"false","statement":"During the Eisenhower Administration, not a single soldier died in combat.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Dwight Eisenhower was able to maintain peace and avoid large-scale military conflicts during his presidency, it is incorrect to claim that \"not a single soldier died in combat\" during his administration. There were indeed combat-related deaths during Eisenhower's presidency, including casualties in the Korean War. The evidence clearly contradicts the statement made by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, and fact-checkers have rated her claim as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We thought we\u2019d look into whether Goodwin was correct that \"not a single soldier \u2026 died in combat\" during the Eisenhower presidency.","We agree that Goodwin\u2019s broader point is reasonable, and we appreciate her quick acknowledgement of error. Still, she made a pretty clear-cut mistake: Hundreds of combat deaths is a number vastly greater than saying that \"not a single soldier had died in combat\" under Eisenhower. So we rate her statement False.","!On the May 8, 2011, Meet the Press, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin said that no U.S. troops died in combat under President Dwight Eisenhower. !On the May 8, 2011, Meet the Press, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin said that no U.S. troops died in combat under President Dwight Eisenhower.","\"I think that's right,\" Goodwin said. \"I mean, think of two of our most lovable presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, what was his slogan? Speak softly and carry a big stick. This was a big stick. Eisenhower, having won World War II, could then take enormous pride in the fact that not a single soldier had died in combat during his time. So I think what happened in this thing is, it's not just the public perception of Obama that's strengthened now because he acted as commander in chief, but you never know what happens internally to a president when they take a risky thing and it works. JFK took control of his presidency after the Cuban missile crisis. This guy will now take control of his presidency. I think he's going to be able to trust his own judgment even more than the military, and that's huge psychologically. And America feels better again. I mean, that's the huge thing that we don't know about how long that will last. But our prestige and our sense of ourself is now heightened for a while, and everybody wants that.\""]},{"id":"11421.json","label":"true","statement":"On the Keystone XL pipeline","reason":"Reason: The construction of the Keystone XL pipeline has been effectively halted due to President Joe Biden's executive order revoking its permit on his first day in office. This decision by the U.S. government has put a stop to the project, which was an international endeavor that had been in the works for several years. The evidence provided confirms the connection between the Keystone XL pipeline and the Steele City pumping station in Nebraska, highlighting the intended route of the pipeline. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!The Keystone Steele City pumping station in Nebraska. The Keystone XL pipeline is supposed to connect to the station \/ Credit: Associated Press, 2015 !The Keystone Steele City pumping station in Nebraska. The Keystone XL pipeline is supposed to connect to the station \/ Credit: Associated Press, 2015","The Keystone Steele City pumping station in Nebraska. The Keystone XL pipeline is supposed to connect to the station \/ Credit: Associated Press, 2015","The Keystone XL pipeline is an international project years in the making. Without support from the U.S. government, it\u2019s effectively halted.","On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, halting its construction in the U.S."]},{"id":"11754.json","label":"false","statement":"California Senator, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said if she could say to Mr. America and Mrs. America, Give me your guns, Im rounding em up, she would.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Senator Dianne Feinstein made the statement, \"Give me your guns, I'm rounding 'em up.\" This claim has been widely debunked, and it originated from a misinterpretation and misrepresentation of Senator Feinstein's stance on gun control. It is important to rely on accurate information and fact-checking when discussing public figures and their statements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"California Senator, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said if she could say to Mr. America and Mrs. America, 'Give me your guns, I'm rounding 'em up,' she would.\"","Cruz said at the debate: \"California Senator, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein said if she could say to Mr. America and Mrs. America, 'Give me your guns, I'm rounding 'em up,' she would.\"","In that interview, Cruz told CNN: \"I\u2019ll tell you who I do take at her word is Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who said: \u2018If I could go to Mr. America, Mrs. America, and say, hand over your guns, I want all of your guns, I would do it.\u2019\"","Texas Senator Ted Cruz repeated a false claim about California Senator Dianne Feinstein and guns during Thursday night\u2019s GOP presidential candidates debate in South Carolina."]},{"id":"9053.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he has supported George Bush more than I have Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Nick Rahall that he has supported George Bush more than Barack Obama is contradicted by the available evidence. According to Congressional Quarterly, Rahall's average voting support for Obama has been 74 percent, while his support for George W. Bush was only 31 percent. The data clearly shows that Rahall has supported Obama significantly more than he supported Bush. Therefore, his claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., has voted with President Barack Obama less often than most Democrats, but still at far higher rates than he supported former President George W. Bush. !Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., has voted with President Barack Obama less often than most Democrats, but still at far higher rates than he supported former President George W. Bush.","He continued, \"I probably have supported George Bush more than I have Barack Obama, Am I going to switch parties because of that? No. I\u2019m a Democrat, born a Democrat, am a Democrat and will die a Democrat.\"","Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., has voted with President Barack Obama less often than most Democrats, but still at far higher rates than he supported former President George W. Bush.","Rahall said, \"I probably have supported George Bush more than I have Barack Obama.\" He\u2019s wrong: According to Congressional Quarterly , his average voting support for Obama has been 74 percent, compared to just 31 percent for George W. Bush, and his weakest support for Obama exceeded his strongest support for Bush by double digits. We rate his claim False."]},{"id":"8488.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average fast food worker is 29, and most fast food workers are on some form of public assistance.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Maher that the average age of fast food workers is 29 and that most of them receive some form of public assistance. However, it's important to note that the term \"most\" could be more accurately replaced with \"a majority\" to provide a more precise representation. Additionally, while the evidence supports the claim about the average age of fast food workers, the exact percentage of fast food workers receiving public assistance may vary based on different studies and data sources. Nonetheless, the statement captures the general trend of low wages in the fast food industry and the reliance on public assistance among many workers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To make a point about the need to increase the minimum wage, Maher pointed to the plight of fast food workers, who, on average are 29 and receiving some form of public assistance.","\"Consider the fact that most fast food workers, whose average age by the way now is 29, I'm not talking about kids, are on some form of public assistance, which is not surprising,\" Maher said. \"When even working people can\u2019t make enough to live, they take money from the government in the form of food stamps, school lunches, housing assistance, day care.\"","We won\u2019t comment on the policy, but we did wonder about two specific factual claims: that the average fast-food worker is 29 and receives public aid.","\"He should have said a \u2018majority\u2019 of fast food workers (get some form of public assistance),\" Secunda said. \"That would have been more precise than \u2018most.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"4766.json","label":"false","statement":"By 2015, we will be sending so much interest to China that we will be paying for the entire Peoples Liberation Army.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence. While it is true that the United States pays interest on its debt, there is no reliable data or analysis to suggest that by 2015, the interest payments to China alone would be enough to cover the entire budget of the People's Liberation Army. Making such a claim without substantial evidence is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So the internet drew a false conclusion and splattered it all over social media pages: \"President Xi of China under house arrest. Coup by the PLA (People\u2019s Liberation Army),\" read one of several posts appearing on Facebook and Twitter alleging China\u2019s political leadership was suddenly in peril.","Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., tweeted on July 7 that \"Biden sending oil from the United States Strategic Petroleum Reserve overseas smells to high heaven. While Americans are paying record high prices at the pump, this administration decides to give our oil to the EU and China.\"","Because American debt has long been considered one of the safest investments in the world, the government can borrow money at very low costs, paying less than 2 percent average annual interest on its debt during the past decade.","Rep. Randy Forbes says the United States pays $73.9 million per day in interest to China. He based his statistic on the percentage of U.S. debt held by China and the CBO\u2019s estimate of how much we will spend on interest payments during the 2011 fiscal year."]},{"id":"8357.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"At the time that (Medicare Part D) was passed (it) was actually less popular than the Affordable Care Act, according to the polls.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama that Medicare Part D was less popular than the Affordable Care Act at the time of their respective passages, according to polling data. While the Affordable Care Act has faced significant criticism and lower approval ratings, the fact check confirms that a lower percentage of people favored Medicare Part D in 2004 compared to the support for the Affordable Care Act in 2013. However, it's important to note that the margin of error in polling data could affect the comparison, and some individuals may view the Affordable Care Act unfavorably compared to Medicare Part D. Overall, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"At the time that (Medicare Part D) was passed (it) was actually less popular than the Affordable Care Act, according to the polls,\" he told NPR in an interview that aired Oct. 1, 2013.","But there are important differences between Medicare Part D and the Affordable Care Act that make the challenges facing the exchanges different.","To illustrate that the Affordable Care Act can overcome its low popularity ratings, Obama claimed that Medicare Part D was even less popular when it first passed. Polling data shows that a lower percentage of people favored Part D in 2004 than favor Obamacare in 2013. However, depending on the margin of error, a slightly higher percentage of people may view the president\u2019s reform unfavorably compared with Part D. We rate Obama\u2019s statement Mostly True.","By contrast, in September 2013 the Affordable Care Act registered a 39 percent favorable rating and a 43 percent unfavorable rating, according to Kaiser. That hasn\u2019t changed all that much since the law was drafted in 2009."]},{"id":"172.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Huckabee \"was one of the highest taxing governors that we had in this country and rivaling Bill Clinton in terms of the Cato ratings.\"","reason":"Reason: Fred Thompson's statement accurately reflects the information from the Cato Institute's \"Report Cards\" for governors, which assess their tax and spending records. According to the Cato ratings, Huckabee's grade steadily declined over his tenure as governor, starting with a B in 1998 and ultimately receiving an F in 2006. This decline was primarily due to his decision to raise taxes during his final term. However, it's important to note that the statement comparing Huckabee to Bill Clinton in terms of the Cato ratings may be subjective, as it does not provide specific details about the comparison or the specific ratings given to Clinton. Nonetheless, the statement accurately portrays Huckabee's declining Cato ratings and his reputation as one of the highest taxing governors during his time in office.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In an appearance on the Fox News Channel on Nov. 5, Fred Thompson said Huckabee was \"one of the highest taxing governors that we had in this country and rivaling Bill Clinton in terms of the Cato ratings, and getting a D when Clinton got a D and getting an F for part of his administration.\"","Thompson called Huckabee \"one of the highest taxing governors,\" and it's hard to dispute that. Again, though, as a point of clarification, that doesn't mean Arkansas has the nation's highest tax burden. According to the Tax Foundation, a nonprofit research organization, Arkansas residents have the 13th-highest state and local tax burden in the nation. That is, however, a significant jump from the No. 30 spot the state held when Huckabee became governor.","Thompson cites information from the Cato Institute, a conservative think tank that issues biannual \"Report Cards\" for governors based on their tax and spending records. In 1998, two years into his governorship, Huckabee received a B from Cato, which praised him for instituting a large, broad-based tax cut package in the previous year.","However, Huckabee's Cato grade steadily dropped from there: The group gave him C's in 2000 and 2002, a D in 2004 and finally, as Thompson states, an F in 2006. In its report last year, the organization declared that Huckabee \"went from being one of the best governors in America to one of the worst. ... The main reason for the drop was his insistence on raising taxes at almost every turn throughout his final term.\" Because of this drop, Cato gave him a D for his 10-year career as governor."]},{"id":"2818.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rick Scott got a majority of the Hispanic vote in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rick Scott got a majority of the Hispanic vote in Florida is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Rick Scott performed better among Hispanic voters compared to many other Republicans, the claim that he won a majority of the Hispanic vote is not supported by the available evidence. Exit polling data shows that Scott carried the Hispanic vote by a narrow margin of 50-48, but this falls within the margin of error of the poll, making it impossible to definitively conclude that he won a majority. Therefore, the statement is considered barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Rick Scott got a majority of the Hispanic vote in Florida. We elected two Hispanic governors, Susana Martinez and Brian Sandoval (Martinez was elected governor in New Mexico and Sandoval in Nevada.) There were congressmen and women elected of Hispanic origin,\" said Jeb, who speaks Spanish fluently and whose wife is Mexican. \"I think the problem is not just a West Coast problem but it is a big-time California problem. And I think a part of it relates to tone.","Which brings us back to Jeb Bush, who said Rick Scott won a majority of the Hispanic vote in his close victory for governor. Bush was trying to make the point that some Republicans were successful in attracting Hispanic voters. And on that broader point he's right. Scott far outperformed most Republicans across the country when it comes to Hispanic or Latino voters.","If Hispanic voters overwhelmingly supported Democrats nationwide, we wondered if Jeb was right that the script was flipped in Florida, where Republican Rick Scott narrowly defeated Democrat Alex Sink in the race for governor.","But it's a stretch to say he definitively won the majority of Hispanic voters. Exit polling shows that Scott carried the Hispanic vote 50-48, but the poll itself comes with a 7 percentage point margin of error, which means it's impossible to make a broad declaration of victory for either candidate. The margin of error too often gets lost in translation or political headlines. But not for us. We rate this statement Barely True."]},{"id":"10951.json","label":"false","statement":"The Islamic State just built a hotel in Syria.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While the Islamic State (ISIS) does occupy a luxury hotel, it is located in Iraq, not Syria. Furthermore, ISIS did not build the hotel but rather took over an existing hotel and refurbished it for their use. The hotel primarily serves as a residence for ISIS commanders and hosts events such as weddings. Therefore, the claim that ISIS recently built a hotel in Syria is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Islamic terrorism is eating up large portions of the Middle East,\" he said. \"They've become rich. I'm in competition with them. They just built a hotel in Syria. Can you believe this? They built a hotel.\"","We weren\u2019t sure if we could, in fact, believe Trump\u2019s claim that the Islamic State built a hotel in Syria, so we decided to check it out.","The grain of truth here is that the Islamic State has taken over a luxury hotel. But they didn\u2019t build it. And it\u2019s not in Syria. And it doesn\u2019t really operate like a normal hotel.","The Islamic State does occupy a luxury hotel, which they took over about a month and a half ago. However, it\u2019s in Iraq, not Syria, and they didn\u2019t build it. It\u2019s an old hotel that the group refurbished and occupied. As far as we know, the hotel\u2019s rooms are reserved for Islamic State commanders, and the event spaces are for weddings."]},{"id":"9571.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Justice John Roberts Signed Off On Obamas Arrest For Treason.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Chief Justice John Roberts signed off on President Obama's arrest for treason is baseless and lacks any credible evidence. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim, stating that it is a false and misleading assertion. The Constitution does not grant the Chief Justice the authority to order the arrest of a sitting president, and there is no legitimate basis for such a claim. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing legal matters and allegations of treason.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["There is some serious speculation that Chief Justice John Roberts has signed off on Interpol, which would mean that Obama is one step closer to being removed from office for multiple counts of treason.","Bloggers said Roberts \"signed off on Obama\u2019s arrest for treason.\" But even if he wanted to, the Constitution wouldn\u2019t allow it. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","But a claim that\u2019s been making the rounds in the conservative blogosphere over the past few months is even more startling. It says that John Roberts, the chief justice of the United States, has ordered Obama\u2019s arrest for treason.","\"There is some serious speculation that Chief Justice John Roberts has signed off on Interpol, which would mean that Obama is one step closer to being removed from office for multiple counts of treason,\" the post says. \"Charges include infringements of the Second Amendment, and declaring war without consent of Congress, and some other serious violations of Obama\u2019s Oath.\""]},{"id":"9732.json","label":"half-true","statement":"All Aboard Florida is receiving millions in Florida taxpayer dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While former Governor Charlie Crist claimed that All Aboard Florida is receiving millions in Florida taxpayer dollars, this assertion is not entirely accurate. The fact-checking analysis reveals that All Aboard Florida is not directly receiving funds from Florida taxpayers. The project will benefit from infrastructure investments made by the state, but All Aboard Florida is responsible for covering the costs associated with those benefits. Therefore, while there may be some indirect financial impact, it is incorrect to claim that All Aboard Florida is receiving direct funding from Florida taxpayers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Crist made the opposite charge in a July 10 fundraising email: \"All Aboard Florida is receiving millions in Florida taxpayer dollars.\"","Meanwhile, Scott\u2019s likely nemesis on the November ballot, former Gov. Charlie Crist, made a claim that contradicted Scott\u2019s assertion. \"All Aboard Florida is receiving millions in Florida taxpayer dollars,\" Crist wrote in a July fundraising email.","Crist and Scott have both failed to communicate the full story about the financing. When Crist said that All Aboard \"is receiving millions in Florida taxpayer dollars,\" it sounds like the state is cutting a check to the project, which it\u2019s not. All Aboard will benefit from money spent on the Orlando airport, but All Aboard will pay for that benefit. We rated Crist\u2019s statement Half True.","Republican Party of Florida Communications Director Susan Hepworth said in statements earlier this summer that the financing was vastly different: \"The proposed high-speed rail would have wasted millions of Florida taxpayer dollars by leaving the state on the hook for an unprofitable project. A private sector project \u2014 of any kind \u2014 not run on state funding obviously doesn\u2019t have the same risks. Anyone saying these two issues are the same is being intentionally dishonest.\""]},{"id":"3529.json","label":"true","statement":"The federal government has 77 different means-tested social welfare programs.","reason":"Reason: Representative Jordan's claim that the federal government has 77 different means-tested social welfare programs is supported by evidence. His office defines \"means-tested welfare spending\" as federal programs specifically designed to provide assistance or benefits exclusively to low-income Americans. The claim is further corroborated by the fact that the federal government provides benefits and services through more than 80 means-tested programs, with 12 of them accounting for significant annual federal expenditures. Therefore, it can be concluded that there are indeed 77 different means-tested social welfare programs.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There are seven -- this is according to Heritage Foundation, we get a list of these -- 77 different means tested social welfare programs -- 77 different ones,\" Jordan said during a March 22 appearance on Fox.","Jordan counts 77 federal means-tested social welfare programs, citing that number during an interview on the FOX Business Network and in backup materials to support one of his bills.","Jordan\u2019s office says yes. His bill defines \"means-tested welfare spending\" as \"any federal program that is designed to specifically provide assistance or benefits exclusively to low-income Americans.\" Each of the 77 programs he cites were designed with that in mind.","\"Each year through more than 80 means-tested programs, the federal government provides benefits and services to individuals and families with low incomes \u2014 just 12 of which account for as much as $330 billion in annual federal expenditures.\""]},{"id":"9899.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Obama has never made a statement ... that he wanted a residual force left (in Iraq).","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that President Obama did not make a public statement expressing his desire to keep troops in Iraq after the agreed-upon withdrawal date. While there may have been discussions or statements made in private or within specific circles, there is no clear public statement from President Obama expressing his intention to leave a residual force in Iraq. It is important to note that the evidence does mention a statement from Obama's 2008 president-elect platform, which mentioned the possibility of a residual force for counter-terrorism missions and protection of personnel, but this does not directly address the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You know, Mr. Carney, you are again saying facts that are patently false,\" McCain said. \"The fact is, because (Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.) and I, and (former Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn.) were in Baghdad. (The Iraqis) wanted a residual force. The president has never made a statement, during that or after, that he wanted a residual force left behind.\"","Questions about what President Barack Obama should do in Iraq now have lately been overshadowed by another question: Should Obama have left troops in Iraq after the war ended?","As far as we can tell, McCain\u2019s right. Throughout the first few years of his presidency, Obama did not make a public statement in which he clearly expressed that he wanted to keep troops in Iraq after the agreed upon withdrawal date.","A spokeswoman with the National Security Council did, though, point us to Obama\u2019s president-elect platform from 2008, which said, \"a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in Iraq and protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel.\""]},{"id":"8554.json","label":"true","statement":"I have returned money every year since taking office.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the individual in question has indeed returned money every year since taking office. The sources confirm that the person has consistently returned funds from their allotted budget, as indicated by the numbers reviewed and the reports issued. This demonstrates a commitment to running their office on minimal funds while still serving their constituents effectively.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Coweta County Republican said his office \"runs on as little money as possible to properly serve my constituents, and for that reason I have returned money every year since taking office.\"","To sum up, Westmoreland said he has returned money from his allotted budget each year he\u2019s been in office. The numbers he sent -- and that we independently reviewed -- show he makes a good point.","Each senator\u2019s resulting expenditures are specified in a report issued every six months as well, which initially made us think it would be easy to gauge whether Cornyn has returned office funding every year since he joined the Senate in 2003.","\"Any unexpended MRA appropriated balance remaining at the end of the fiscal year is available for two additional fiscal years before being returned to the U.S. Treasury as part of returned FY appropriations,\" according to the House website."]},{"id":"7178.json","label":"true","statement":"In the last 15 years, weve witnessed a dramatic expansion in the jailing of immigrants, from about 70,000 people detained annually to about 400,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the significant increase in the number of immigrants detained over the past 15 years. The evidence suggests that the number of people detained annually has risen from around 70,000 to approximately 400,000. This expansion in the jailing of immigrants indicates a substantial increase in immigration enforcement and detention practices during this period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"New segments of the wall take years to build,\" said Nicole Hallett, director of the Immigrants\u2019 Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School. \"The amount of wall that would have been built between January and now is negligible and would have practically no effect on how many people are crossing the border.\"","In the meantime, federal law allows border officials to turn people away because of the public health emergency. This law is referred to as Title 42. Out of the roughly 96,000 migrants encountered by Border Patrol in February, more than 70,000 were turned away because of this rule.","Stories by PolitiFact, \"Did the increase of children arriving at the border start under Trump or Biden?\" posted March 17, 2021; \"Abbott exaggerates COVID-19 concerns about migrants entering US,\" posted March 11, 2021; \"Joe Biden border wall criticism hits mark but blanket amnesty misses,\" posted Feb. 17, 2021; \"Fact-checking Joe Biden\u2019s claim about people having to seek asylum \u2018from abroad\u2019\" posted Feb. 17, 2021; \"Fact-checking Laura Ingraham\u2019s claim about immigrants staying in hotels,\" posted Feb. 15, 2021; \"Tom Cotton wrong that there\u2019s \"no way\" to screen immigrants,\" Feb. 3, 2021; \"Donald Trump promised to build a border wall and make Mexico pay for it. That didn\u2019t happen,\" posted July 15, 2020.","In the past 15 to 20 years, the threat of domestic terrorism has mostly come from the far right, said Javed Ali, a professor at the University of Michigan\u2019s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy who has worked at the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. But looking at the past century, \"there was just as much activity on the far-left spectrum as there was the far-right \u2014 and sometimes the far-left threat was even higher.\""]},{"id":"702.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Palin \"fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he 'intimidated' her.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Sarah Palin did indeed fire Wasilla's Police Chief, and one of the reasons mentioned in her memo was intimidation. While it is not explicitly stated whether Palin publicly stated that she fired the Police Chief because he intimidated her, the memo provides convincing evidence that she felt intimidated by him. Therefore, the statement that Palin \"fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he 'intimidated' her\" can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Kilkenny makes numerous factual claims in her e-mail. ( Read it for yourself here. ) Here, we are checking her statement that Palin \"fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he 'intimidated' her, she told the press.\"","The main reason Palin fired Stambaugh appears to be for issues of loyalty and support, as outlined in her memo, but it also specifically mentions intimidation. We find the statement that Palin fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he 'intimidated' her to be Mostly True.","The e-mail says Palin \"fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he 'intimidated' her, she told the press.\" Not all of Wasilla's press coverage from that time (particularly the archives of Wasilla's newspapaper The Frontiersman ) is available online, so we can't say for sure that Palin did or did not say that. Palin's memo from the lawsuit is convincing evidence that she felt Stambaugh tried to intimidate her.","Another claim in Kilkenny's e-mail is that Palin \"fired Wasilla\u2019s Police Chief because he 'intimidated' her, she told the press.\" Palin did write a memo suggesting intimidation was at play, but it's clear issues of loyalty and support were also factors in the firing. We find this claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"542.json","label":"true","statement":"\"You know, the approval rating of Congress is down to 13 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the approval rating of Congress being at 13 percent. This figure represents the public's perception of Congress and its performance. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support or provide context for this specific statement. Nonetheless, the statement itself is factually correct.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When it comes to fighting terrorism, \"Another thing we know that does not work, based on lots of empirical evidence, is torture.\"","\"The state ethics commission took absolutely the same percent of cuts as most other state agencies. \u2026 They were somewhere in the 7 percent range \u2013 same as the governor\u2019s office.\"","\"I am the only member of Congress that voted for both inquiries -- the Clinton inquiry and now the Trump inquiry.\"","\"My friend, we have increased the size of government by some 40 percent just in the last few years,\" McCain told George Stephanopoulos during the April 20, 2008, broadcast. \"By some 40 percent, by trillions. By trillions, we have increased the size of government.\""]},{"id":"5455.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Santorum funded Planned Parenthood.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that Rick Santorum voted in favor of omnibus multi-billion dollar appropriations measures that funded various activities, including Planned Parenthood, it is important to note that he was one of many votes in favor of these broad-based bills. The statement could be misleading as it implies that Santorum played a larger role in funding Planned Parenthood than he actually did. It is essential to consider the broader context of the appropriations measures and the fact that many other Republican colleagues also voted in favor of these bills. Therefore, the claim is rated as half true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum says he\u2019s the only consistent conservative in the Republican presidential field, but a new Ron Paul campaign ad says the label is phony.","Says that in fiscal year 2010, \"nearly 80 percent of women served\" in the Texas Women\u2019s Health Program received services from a provider other than a Planned Parenthood clinic.","In any event, he did not vote separately for Title X but for omnibus multi-billion dollar appropriations measures that funded many other activities. Saying, as the ad does, that he \"funded Planned Parenthood,\" makes it sound like he played a larger role than being one of many votes in favor of a broad-based appropriations bill. In 2006, for instance, he was joined by all but two of his Senate Republican colleagues in voting for the bill. Paul's statement is partially accurate but it leaves out that important context. We rate the claim Half True.","\"Nearly 45 percent of the women who receive health screenings through (the Women\u2019s Health Program) do so at a Planned Parenthood health center.\""]},{"id":"10303.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States right now incarcerates more African-Americans as a percentage than apartheid South Africa did.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the Aspen Institute report cited by Kristof, the United States currently incarcerates a larger percentage of its black population than South Africa did during the height of apartheid. This claim is supported by data on the black male incarceration rate in the United States, which was significantly higher than reported incarceration rates for blacks in South Africa during and after apartheid. The evidence confirms that the United States has a disproportionately high rate of African-American incarceration compared to apartheid South Africa.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The United States right now incarcerates more African-Americans as a percentage than apartheid South Africa did,\" Kristof said in the clip.","Kristof cited an Aspen Institute report that said, \"The United States imprisons a larger percentage of its black population than South Africa did at the height of apartheid.\"","Based on the known evidence, that appears to be correct. In 2010, the black male incarceration rate in the United States was 4,347 people per 100,000 in the United States. That comes nowhere close to reported incarceration rates of blacks in South Africa during and immediately after the apartheid era.","Here\u2019s a chart comparing incarceration rates for African-Americans in Hennepin County (in shades of red) with incarceration rates for African-Americans in the United States as a whole (in shades of blue). The \"rate\" used in the data is the number of African-Americans who are incarcerated per 100,000 residents between the ages of 15 and 64."]},{"id":"12412.json","label":"true","statement":"Before 2005, the percentage of Texas high school students meeting the college readiness standards of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board stood at 28% in English and 42% in math. Those figures stood at 65% and 66% in 2013.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data presented in the evidence. Before 2005, the percentage of Texas high school students meeting the college readiness standards for English was 28%, and for math, it was 42%. However, by 2013, those figures had increased to 65% for English and 66% for math. This data indicates a significant improvement in the percentage of students meeting the college readiness standards over the years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Willett, writing for the court majority, said that before 2005, \"the percentage of\" Texas high-school students meeting the coordinating board\u2019s college readiness standards \"stood at 28% in English and 42% in math. Those figures stood at 65% and 66% in 2013.\"","At the time of the West Orange-Cove II ruling, Willett writes, \"the percentage of students meeting the college-readiness standards of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board stood at 28% in English and 42% in math. Those figures stood at 65% and 66% in 2013,\" Willett continues.","With help from Texas Education Agency officials, we found figures very close to what Willett presents in the 2016 majority opinion. According to the agency, in 2004, 29 percent of students fulfilled college readiness standards for English language arts and 43 percent did so for math while in 2013, 65 percent of students met readiness standards for English, 66 percent for math. With rare exception, according to the agency, the percentage of students fulfilling each readiness standard escalated steadily through the intervening years. And most recently, in 2014, 68 percent of students met the English readiness standards with 67 percent doing so in math, the agency says.","Hammond offered for perspective a statistic from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board indicating that about 30 percent of Texas high school graduates who went straight into a Texas college or university in fall 2011 needed catch-up classes in math, reading or writing."]},{"id":"1884.json","label":"false","statement":"Georgia has a well-deserved reputation for setting the gold standard for food safety.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Georgia has a well-deserved reputation for setting the gold standard for food safety. The evidence discusses firearm deaths and injuries in Georgia, as well as regulations on food and water giveaways to voters, but it does not provide any information or context related to Georgia's food safety standards. Therefore, the statement is unsupported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This is in the ballpark, but precision is difficult. The Abrams campaign relied on a fact-sheet for Georgia from Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group. The group looked at firearm deaths over five years from 2016 to 2020, and firearm injuries for 2017.","Neither the CDC count of deaths nor the RAND numbers on injuries rank Georgia at No. 9, but they cover different years, and they don\u2019t suggest Abrams is wildly wrong. Given the way Everytown for Gun Safety derives its rankings, the injury numbers drive the final results. In that regard, Abrams\u2019 number aligns closely with the RAND findings.","Cracking down on food and water giveaways to voters in Georgia is not new. A state law already banned giving gifts \"for the purpose of registering as a voter, voting, or voting for a particular candidate.\" That provision doesn\u2019t mention food or water directly, but Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger had previously interpreted it to include food or water.","A spokesperson with Georgia's secretary of state noted that voters are welcome to bring their own food and refreshments with them to stand in line. He said the purpose of the provision is to avoid having situations such as candidates handing out water or food wrapped in campaign materials."]},{"id":"4695.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After I had resigned or announced my resignation, I abolished -- I prohibited pay-to-play for people that had county or state contracts.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McGreevey is not entirely accurate. While he did issue an executive order that imposed stricter restrictions on political donors doing business with the state after announcing his resignation, it only applied to state contracts, not county contracts. Therefore, the claim that he \"prohibited pay-to-play for people that had county or state contracts\" is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"After I had resigned or announced my resignation, I abolished -- I prohibited pay-to-play for people that had county or state contracts,\" McGreevey said during an Oct. 10 interview with Allan Wolper on WBGO.","In a radio interview, McGreevey claimed he \"prohibited pay-to-play for people that had county or state contracts\" after announcing his resignation in August 2004.","McGreevey needs to refresh his memory on this one. PolitiFact New Jersey found that the former governor issued an executive order restricting pay-to-play for certain state contracts, but not county contracts.","In June 2004, McGreevey signed a pay-to-play bill, criticized at the time for its loopholes. After announcing his resignation that August, McGreevey issued an executive order the following month that imposed tougher restrictions on political donors doing business with the state."]},{"id":"3354.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2011, the average annual compensation for a teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools system will exceed $100,000.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that in 2011, the average annual compensation for a teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools system exceeded $100,000. Multiple sources, including the Milwaukee Public Schools district and a conservative think tank, confirm this figure. The average total compensation, including salary and benefits, was reported to be $101,091. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"For the first time in history, the average annual compensation for a teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools system will exceed $100,000\" in 2011.","The conservative think tank said the average annual compensation for a Milwaukee Public Schools teacher would exceed $100,000 in 2011. As of July 1, 2011, according to the school district, that figure will be $101,091.","In announcing the $100,000 figure, the institute produced a video that included brief clips of an MPS administrator reciting salary and fringe benefit numbers during a school board meeting the previous day. The average total compensation figure for teachers exceeded $100,000.","The posting quoted MPS\u2019 budget manager as saying that in 2011-2012 (the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2011), the average MPS teacher would receive total compensation of $101,091 -- $59,500 in salary and $41,591 in benefits."]},{"id":"4394.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Paul Ryans budget proposal eliminates Medicare in 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a mischaracterization of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal. While it is true that Ryan's proposal included significant changes to Medicare, such as transitioning it to a voucher program, it did not eliminate Medicare entirely. The claim that it eliminates Medicare in 10 years is an exaggeration and does not accurately represent the details of Ryan's plan. It is important to note that the Medicare program would still exist under Ryan's proposal, albeit with different mechanisms for providing healthcare coverage.\nLabel: false","evidence":[", \"Lie of the Year 2011: 'Republicans voted to end Medicare,'\" Dec. 20, 2011; \"Joe Biden says no Democrats support Paul Ryan\u2019s Medicare proposal,\" True, Oct. 11, 2012; \"Joe Biden says Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan would 'eliminate the guarantee of Medicare,'\" Half True, Oct. 11, 2012; \"U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown's campaign warns there is a Republican plan to end Medicare,\" False, June 27, 2011; and \"Vice President Joe Biden says Rep. Paul Ryan\u2019s budget proposal would eliminate Medicare in 10 years,\" False, Sept. 7, 2011","( - U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says budget proposed by vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan would eliminate Medicare in 10 years&url=)","Biden says Ryan\u2019s plan \"eliminates Medicare\" in 10 years. In stating it that way in front of campaign donors, he strays from the \"as we know it\" qualifier even the president has used.","\"These guys have laid it out where they want us to be,\" Biden told attendees at the event in Tulsa, Okla., on Aug. 30, 2011. \"Paul Ryan laid out their budget. Their budget eviscerates -- it eliminates Medicare. They say it doesn't. It makes it a voucher program. I call that eliminating Medicare in the next 10 years.\""]},{"id":"5438.json","label":"false","statement":"About 800 people refused to get a drug screening because they are out there on drugs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. While it is true that approximately 800 people refused to take the drug test, it is incorrect to assume that they refused because they are \"out there on drugs.\" The reasons for refusing the drug test can vary and may include concerns about privacy, opposition to the policy, or other personal reasons. It is important to avoid making assumptions about individuals' drug use based solely on their refusal to take the test. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Let's review. Kreegel said about 80 people failed a 2011 drug screening requirement to receive welfare, and about 800 more applied for benefits but refused to be screened because they are \"out there on drugs.\" One of our principles for fact-checking is that people have to have evidence for what they say. In this case, Kreegel doesn\u2019t have evidence to back up that statement. Meanwhile, drug-testing opponents have offered a number of other reasons why someone might not want take a drug test. And the department that administers the tests can't say why people don't take it.","\"In the last line they (newspapers) do admit that there are about 800 and some people who refuse to take the drug test,\" he said, \"which tells me if you add 'em all together there's 1,000 people out there on drugs. Nine out of ten of them are smart enough not to take the drug test.\"","During a committee hearing, Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda, said he read in a newspaper that only 83 people who applied for temporary cash assistance from the state failed the required drug screening. The number is low, he said, but there are hundreds more who are on drugs but were deterred by the drug screening. (Kreegel, by the way, has said he intends to run for the U.S. House of Representatives later this year.)","Who started their application but didn\u2019t take the test: Kreegel said 800 or so people walked away before taking the drug test. The department reported a number nearly three times as high -- 2,306."]},{"id":"2631.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Tom Hughes supports paving over thousands of acres with over-development and sprawl.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tom Hughes signed a proposal to ask for the addition of 34,300 acres of land for future development in Washington County, it is not accurate to claim that he supports paving over thousands of acres with over-development and sprawl. The evidence suggests that Hughes and his opponent both support the current long-range Metro plan, which includes adding 28,000 acres into urban reserves over the next several decades while preserving a significant amount of land for farms and natural areas. The claim of supporting over-development and sprawl is an exaggeration and does not align with the available information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Stacey\u2019s latest TV ad flashes a picture of Tom Hughes (in a crooked collar) with this voice-over: \"Bob\u2019s opponent? Lobbyist Tom Hughes is backed by developers, because he supports paving over thousands of acres of farmland with over-development and sprawl.\" Then it lists a number of donations to Hughes: Metropolitan Land Group, $7,500; Maletis Brothers and Langdon Farms, $5,500; Stimson Lumber, $5,000.","But what about the broader charge, that Hughes is determined to turn thousands of acres of beatific farmland into strip malls, new subdivisions and other supposed horrors?","It\u2019s true that Hughes, as mayor, signed on to a proposal to ask Metro to add 34,300 acres of new land for future houses, stores and factories in Washington County -- which is way more than the 28,000 acres eventually added for all three counties. But it\u2019s not true that he pushed for 47,000 acres as the Stacey camp alleges -- and that\u2019s because the county committee set to recommend a figure dropped the number from 47,000 acres to 34,300 acres in September 2009. (See nifty timeline here.)","Both Hughes and Stacey support the current long-range Metro plan approved in February 2010, which adds 28,000 acres into urban reserves over the next 40 to 50 years in the three counties. That includes more than 13,000 acres for Washington County, and preserves 272,000 acres for farms and natural areas. 1000 Friends of Oregon has protested the designation as too much for industry."]},{"id":"6910.json","label":"true","statement":"David Cicilline was the state representative who opposed tough mandatory sentences for those convicted of domestic violence and child abuse.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that David Cicilline, when he was a state representative, opposed mandatory sentences for individuals convicted of domestic violence and child abuse. The claim is based on statements made by Brendan Doherty and news releases from October 2012. It is important to note that this information pertains to Cicilline's time as a state representative and may not reflect his current stance on the issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Brendan Doherty says U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, when he was a state representative, opposed mandatory sentences for people convicted of domestic violence and child abuse","( - Brendan Doherty says U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, when he was a state representative, opposed mandatory sentences for people convicted of domestic violence and child abuse&url=)",", \"Brendan Doherty Says U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, when he was a state reprsentative, opposed mandatory sentences for people convicted of domestic violence and child abuse,\" Oct. 15, 2012","One of those charges, made in an Oct. 9 news release, was that, as a state representative in the 1990s, Cicilline was against mandatory sentences for those convicted of domestic violence and child abuse."]},{"id":"1583.json","label":"false","statement":"Bill White ...offered sanctuary to illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Bill White, former mayor of Houston, offered sanctuary to illegal immigrants is false. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact Texas, have debunked this claim. While Houston was listed among 32 localities with sanctuary policies in a 2006 Congressional Research Service report, it does not mean that Bill White himself offered sanctuary to illegal immigrants. In fact, PolitiFact Texas rated the claim as false, stating that there was no evidence to support the assertion that White offered sanctuary to illegal immigrants during his tenure as mayor.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In 2010, Perry and other foes of Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White, formerly Houston\u2019s mayor, said he had offered sanctuary to illegal immigrants in the Bayou City. They pointed to a 2006 report by the Congressional Research Service listing Houston among 32 localities that had sanctuary policies.","PolitiFact Texas, GOP Chair Cathie Adams says Bill White gave sanctuary to illegal immigrants as mayor of Houston,( \"GOP Chair Cathie Adams says Bill White gave sanctuary to illegal immigrants as mayor of Houston,\") March 14, 2010","Anonymous chain e-mails are notorious for missing facts. For instance, the e-mail we're reviewing also says \"White turned Houston into the biggest sanctuary city east of Los Angeles by refusing to let the Houston Police or ICE ask a criminal or even a suspect if they were in this country legally.\" In March, we rated False a claim that as mayor, White offered sanctuary to illegal immigrants.","Republicans had former Houston Mayor Bill White in their sights well before he won the Democratic nod for governor this month."]},{"id":"1048.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sixty-two percent of all personal bankruptcies are \"caused by medical problems.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that a study found that 62 percent of bankruptcies had medical-related causes when considering factors such as unpaid medical bills, lost income due to illness, or the mortgage of a home to pay medical bills, it is important to note that this statistic does not solely attribute all bankruptcies to medical problems alone. When considering only illness or injury as the primary cause of bankruptcy, the percentage drops to 28.3 percent. Therefore, the statement should clarify that the 62 percent figure includes a broader definition of medical issues contributing to bankruptcy. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"However, the source of the financial problems varies from case to case,\" he said. \"Sometimes it is the result of circumstances beyond the control of the business. Sometime it caused by poor judgment. More frequently, it is a combination.\"","In the most recent data, questions were asked slightly differently. But 29 percent of respondents attributed their bankruptcy to medical bills from illness or injury. Asked another way, 32.1 percent said a medical problem suffered by themselves or their spouse caused the bankruptcy. The number rose to 62 percent when people were asked if medical-related issues such as unpaid medical bills, lost income due to illness, or the mortgage of a home to pay medical bills contributed to their bankruptcy.","In our article about Clinton's claim, we noted that only 28.3 percent of bankruptcies were attributed to illness or injury alone. That number grew to 46.2 percent when researchers asked about additional factors such as unpaid medical bills, lost income due to illness, or the mortgage of a home to pay medical bills.","The statistic that we think is most reliable is the percentage of people who say medical bills were the reason for their bankruptcy, and that number is 29 percent. The 2007 study uses a broader definition to conclude that 62.1 percent of all bankruptcies have medical-related causes. Dodd is citing that number correctly. But we find that percentage questionable because it reflects a broad definition of medical issues that contribute to bankruptcy. We rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"6615.json","label":"true","statement":"The GOP platform that seeks further limits on abortion and is silent on an exception for rape has been there for more than 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the longstanding position of the GOP platform regarding abortion. The Republican Party's platform has consistently sought further restrictions on abortion and has not included an exception for cases of rape for over 30 years. This position has been a point of contention and debate between Republicans and Democrats, with Democrats often criticizing the GOP's stance on this issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Walker told reporters after a May campaign speech that he supports abortion bans without any exceptions for rape, incest or the mother\u2019s health, saying: \"There\u2019s no exception in my mind. Like I say, I believe in life, I believe in life.\"","Liberal activists are sounding the alarm about a North Carolina bill that seeks to outlaw abortion and punish those involved in the procedure.","Galvanized by the Supreme Court\u2019s decision to end nearly 50 years of federally protected abortion access, Democrats are elevating abortion in their campaigns and putting Republicans on the defensive ahead of the Nov. 8 elections.","While Oz has said that he supports restrictions, he\u2019s been silent on the question of what criminal penalties, if any, should be applied to patients or doctors."]},{"id":"5392.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mitt Romney supervised a company guilty of massive Medicare fraud.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Damon Corporation, a company in which Mitt Romney served on the board of directors, was involved in Medicare fraud, it is misleading to state that Romney himself supervised the company's fraudulent activities. Romney was not directly responsible for managing the company's billing practices or involved in the day-to-day operations. The statement fails to provide the necessary context and implies a level of direct involvement that is not accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bain's investment in Damon Corp. -- Back in the primary, a super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich attacked the Bain record on Damon Corporation, a medical testing company. The super PAC, Winning Our Future, said Romney \"supervised a company guilty of massive Medicare fraud.\" The company was defrauding Medicare, but Romney was serving on the board of directors, not managing the company\u2019s billing practices. We rated this Half True.","PolitiFact Florida, \"Was Mitt Romney the director of a company charged with Medicare fraud? AFSCME ad says so,\" Jan. 23, 2012","\"What kind of businessman is Mitt Romney?\" the ad asks. \"While Romney was a director of the Damon Corp., the company was defrauding Medicare of millions. Prosecutors called it \u2018corporate greed run amok.\u2019 The company was fined $100 million. But Romney himself made a fortune. Corporate greed \u2026 Medicare fraud. Sound familiar?\"","But the fraud case at Damon Corp. doesn\u2019t point straight to Romney. His firm bought the company that was later found guilty of fraud, but Romney was not running the show while crimes were being committed."]},{"id":"10237.json","label":"true","statement":"Fox News uses photo of a married couple promoting traditional marriage and the photo is actually of a same-sex couple.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the incident where Fox News used a photo of a same-sex couple to illustrate an article about the importance of heterosexual marriage. The photo in question was of a same-sex couple kissing and was mistakenly used to represent a traditional heterosexual marriage. This incident was widely reported and acknowledged by both Gawker and Fox News themselves. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The meme shows two women -- one in a bridal gown and the other in a suit -- kissing. It reads, \"That special moment when uses a photo of a married couple promoting \u2018traditional marriage\u2019 and the photo is actually of a same-sex couple.\"","Gawker, Fox News Accidentally Uses Photo of Same-Sex Couple to Illustrate Article About the Importance of Heterosexual Marriage, Feb. 8, 2014","Valenti wrote, \"Shhhh \u2026 no one tell Fox News that the \u2018wedding kiss\u2019 picture they\u2019re using to accompany a piece about traditional gender roles is actually of a same sex couple.\"","That last one is easy. Yes. The picture was taken on Valentine\u2019s Day 2012 by an Associated Press photographer. This was the first same-sex couple to be married at the Empire State Building."]},{"id":"11549.json","label":"false","statement":"Every time we raise the minimum wage, the number of jobless people increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Ben Carson, claiming that \"every time we raise the minimum wage, the number of jobless people increases,\" is not supported by the evidence. While it is true that there have been instances where joblessness increased after a minimum wage hike, there have also been instances where joblessness decreased. The claim oversimplifies the relationship between minimum wage increases and joblessness, as there are various factors that contribute to changes in employment rates. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of minimum wage increases on employment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["During a back-and-forth with the moderators, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson urged caution on raising the minimum wage, saying, \"People need to be educated on the minimum wage. Every time we raise the minimum wage, the number of jobless people increases.\"","The headline here is that joblessness rose after a minimum-wage hike more than half the time -- seven out of 11 occasions -- but fell four times. Since joblessness fell some of the time, it means that Carson\u2019s sweeping claim -- that joblessness rises \"every time\" the minimum wage goes up is off-base.","Efforts to raise the minimum wage may have stalled at both the federal and state level, but the push for an increase has continued.","We\u2019ll get the simpler part of the claim out of the way first. When was the last time the federal minimum wage increased?"]},{"id":"13068.json","label":"true","statement":"Trump Management was charged with discriminating against African-Americans and breaking federal law.","reason":"Reason: Trump Management, which included Donald Trump and his father Fred Trump, was indeed charged with violating the Fair Housing Act and engaging in racial discrimination against African-Americans. The federal government filed a complaint in 1973, alleging that Trump Management refused to rent apartments to African-Americans based on their race, which is a violation of federal law. This charge and subsequent legal action demonstrate that Trump Management was accused of discriminatory practices and breaking federal law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That year, the federal government filed a complaint against Trump, his father Fred Trump, and Trump Management. The complaint alleged that the Trumps violated the Fair Housing Act, part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, by discriminating against tenants and potential tenants based on their race.","In October of that year, the federal government filed a complaint against Trump, his father Fred Trump, and Trump Management. The complaint alleged that the Trumps violated the Fair Housing Act, part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, by discriminating against tenants and potential tenants based on their race.","Clinton said that Trump \"started his career back in 1973 being sued by the Justice Department for racial discrimination because he would not rent apartments in one of his developments to African-Americans.\"","Says Donald Trump \"started his career back in 1973 being sued by the Justice Department for racial discrimination because he would not rent apartments in one of his developments to African-Americans.\""]},{"id":"12580.json","label":"true","statement":"The National Park Service has an annual budget that is less than the city of Austin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the testimony of Jonathan Jarvis, the director of the National Park Service. He stated that the National Park Service's annual budget is indeed less than the budget of the city of Austin, Texas. This information is corroborated by multiple sources, including news articles and photographs from the Associated Press.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Jarvis said the National Park Service has an annual budget that is less than the budget for the city of Austin.","!Jonathan Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, said in testimony its budget adds up to less than Austin, Texas budgets for city government. True, we found (Associated Press photo, Jacquelyn Martin, April 29, 2015). !Jonathan Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, said in testimony its budget adds up to less than Austin, Texas budgets for city government. True, we found (Associated Press photo, Jacquelyn Martin, April 29, 2015).","Jonathan Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, said in testimony its budget adds up to less than Austin, Texas budgets for city government. True, we found (Associated Press photo, Jacquelyn Martin, April 29, 2015).","\"We are accomplishing all of this,\" Jarvis said next, \"on an annual budget that is less than the city of Austin, Texas.\""]},{"id":"12979.json","label":"false","statement":"As governor, Tim Kaine oversaw a huge increase in illegal immigration, a tremendous increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence. Data from the Pew Hispanic Center indicates that the size of the illegal immigrant population remained relatively stable during Tim Kaine's tenure as governor of Virginia. There is no evidence to suggest that Kaine oversaw a significant increase in illegal immigration during his time in office. Additionally, the Trump campaign did not provide any information or evidence to support their claim. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"He also oversaw a huge increase in illegal immigration, a tremendous increase,\" Trump told supporters at an Aug. 20 rally in Fredericksburg.","But figures from the Pew Hispanic Center show that the size of the illegal immigrant population essentially was flat during Kaine\u2019s term as governor. It\u2019s certainly not the \"huge\" and \"tremendous\" increase that Trump makes it out to be.","The Trump campaign didn\u2019t respond to a question we posed about how Kaine\u2019s policies as governor would have led to an increase in illegal immigration.","Donald Trump depicted Tim Kaine\u2019s 2006-10 tenure as governor of Virginia as a painful time of tax hike proposals and rising unemployment."]},{"id":"12483.json","label":"false","statement":"Virginias banning of felons from voting is a Jim Crow-era law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Virginia has a law that bans felons from voting, it is not specifically a Jim Crow-era law. The origins of the law can be traced back to the state constitution adopted in 1830, which predates the Jim Crow era. While there may have been voting restrictions during the Jim Crow era that disproportionately affected African Americans, it is important to note that the felon disenfranchisement law in Virginia is not directly tied to that specific era. Therefore, categorizing it as a Jim Crow-era law would be misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wondered whether Virginia\u2019s policy of banning felons from the ballot box really does spring from the Jim Crow era. Let\u2019s go back in time.","Stoney cites the 1902 constitution as proof that the ban on felons voting is a Jim Crow-era law. He also cites a quote by Carter Glass, a delegate in the 1902 deliberations who went on to become a U.S. senator and U.S. secretary of the Treasury.","\"Well, when people tell me that, it\u2019s laughable,\" he replied, \"because there are some people who would rather stand up for a Jim Crow-era law, a civil rights era law, instead of actually think about the 224,000 people now who actually have a voice in the process.\"","But again, Carter was talking about the effect of all the voting restraints. He did not specifically mention the felon ban. Records trace that law back to a state constitution adopted in 1830 - decades before the Jim Crow era. Article III, Section 14 of the document denied \"the right of suffrage\" to \"any person convicted of any infamous offense.\""]},{"id":"12466.json","label":"false","statement":"Weve broken by millions the all-time record for votes in a GOP presidential primary election.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump broke the record for the most votes in a Republican primary election, the claim that he broke it by millions is false. According to fact-checking sources, Trump only broke the record by a small margin, not by millions of votes. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve broken the all-time record in the history of the Republican Party\" for votes in a primary election, the presumptive GOP nominee said. \"We\u2019ve broken it by millions.\"","Then on June 1, Trump said he had broken the record by millions of votes. PolitiFact rated that statement False as well. Trump had finally broken the record, but only by a small amount.","This is not the first time Trump has repeated the \"all-time record\" claim while in California. He said it on April 29 at the state\u2019s Republican Party Convention when he was on pace to break the record but was still short at the time. We rated it \"False \u2026 for now.\" He appears to have secured that record now.","Presumed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump campaigned in Sacramento on June 1, 2016 ahead of California's primary election. Jae C. Hong \/ AP"]},{"id":"11770.json","label":"true","statement":"SaysBernie Sanders has reversed his position on immunity for gun manufacturers and sellers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Bernie Sanders has indeed reversed his position on immunity for gun manufacturers and sellers. Initially, Sanders defended his votes in 2003 and 2005 that granted certain protections to the firearms industry. However, his position started to evolve in October, and by January 2016, he expressed support for rescinding the immunity provisions and holding gun manufacturers accountable for gun deaths. This change in stance is consistent with the statement that Sanders has reversed his position on immunity for gun manufacturers and sellers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In 2003 and 2005, the firearms industry pressed for a law to protect gun makers and sellers from lawsuits. While not granting complete immunity, it did say that if a sale was legal and there was no reason to believe a weapon would be used in a crime, then manufacturers and sellers would be held harmless.","The Clinton camp portrayed this as a flip-flop during the Charleston debate. Clinton said, \"I am pleased to hear that Sen. Sanders has reversed his position on immunity, and I look forward to him joining with those members of Congress who have already introduced legislation.\"","After months of Sanders and his staff defending the vote, Sanders\u2019 position started to evolve in October. Sanders\u2019 position three months ago -- that he would \"take another look\" at the liability question -- is consistent with his Jan. 16 news release saying he supported a proposal to rescind the immunity provisions. But to look back only to October doesn\u2019t tell the full story, ignoring not only the 2003 and 2005 votes but also several instances in which Sanders or his staff defended those votes in interviews between June 2015 and early January 2016.","Sanders continued to make similar arguments into January 2016. Asked by CBS whether gun manufacturers should be held accountable for gun deaths, Sanders said, \"Of course not, that doesn't make any sense,\" he said, while adding that if guns fall into the hands of criminals, \"Of course you hold the gun manufacturers liable.\""]},{"id":"5316.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Chris Christie inherited the highest taxes in America and the worst unemployment in the region.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad by the Committee for Our Children's Future. According to the ad, Chris Christie inherited the highest taxes in America and the worst unemployment in the region when he took office. However, it's important to note that the veracity of these claims may depend on the specific time period and data sources being referenced. While the statement accurately represents the claim made in the ad, further analysis and examination of the specific data and timeframes involved would be necessary to fully evaluate the accuracy of these claims.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Committee for Our Children\u2019s Future claims in an ad that the governor \"inherited the highest taxes in America and the worst unemployment in the region.\"","Now, we\u2019re assessing the claim that when Christie took office New Jersey had the \"highest taxes in America and the worst unemployment in the region.\"","\"They inherited the highest taxes in America and the worst unemployment in the region, but Chris Christie and New Jersey reformers are cleaning up the mess,\" the narrator of the ad posted to YouTube on Jan. 31 says. \"The result: the most job growth in 11 years, millions in new education funding, two budgets balanced. Now, Chris Christie and reformers are fighting to strengthen our economy, improve education and cut income taxes for all New Jersey families. So join our reform movement. Keep New Jersey moving forward.\"","The state had the highest taxes in the nation and the worst unemployment in the region, according to a television ad recently released by the 501(c)(4) advocacy group Committee for Our Children\u2019s Future. Now, the group\u2019s ad claims, Christie is working to cast off those unfavorable rankings."]},{"id":"1423.json","label":"false","statement":"Right now the Tea Party polls higher than the Republicans and the Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Tea Party may have a favorable rating among certain segments of the population, it is not accurate to claim that the Tea Party polls higher than both Republicans and Democrats. Multiple polls and analyses have shown that the Tea Party's popularity and support are not as widespread as suggested. In fact, other polls indicate that Democrats and Republicans have higher favorability ratings compared to the Tea Party. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This is the broad center of American politics,\" he said in an interview with MSNBC. \"Look at the polling data. Right now the Tea Party polls higher than the Republicans and the Democrats.\"","So Armey is drastically overstating the group's standing. Yes, the Tea Party is viewed favorably by people who know about the group (particularly those who get their news from Fox), but the pollsters who conducted the survey say it's not accurate to say that the party is more popular than Democrats or Republicans. Also, other polls contradict Armey's statement and indicate that Democrats are more popular than Tea Party candidates. So we find Armey's claim to be False.","\"We know from other polls that a lot of Americans don't know what the Tea Party is,\" she said. Indeed, the same NBC-Wall Street Journal poll showed that only 7 percent of respondents know a great deal about the Tea Party and 22 percent know a fair amount.","A recent poll in Kentucky, for instance, found that less than half of Kentucky Democrats have a negative opinion of the tea party, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader. \"I thought that would be much higher,\" said Del Ali, president of Research 2000, which conducted the poll. \"I would guess that if we polled other states heavy in Democratic registration like Kentucky, the attitude toward the tea party would be more unfavorable than 46 percent among Democrats.\""]},{"id":"1208.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Medicare does just as good, if not better, at keeping people healthy\" as Medicare Advantage.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that \"Medicare does just as good, if not better, at keeping people healthy\" as Medicare Advantage lacks conclusive statistical evidence. While the independent agency MedPAC, which advises Congress on Medicare policy, stated that it had no reason to believe that Medicare Advantage is overall superior to regular Medicare, there is still uncertainty and a lack of comprehensive data to definitively support or refute the claim. It is important to note that all plans, including Medicare Advantage, are required to provide the same benefit package as traditional Medicare. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks sufficient evidence for a definitive conclusion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama vigorously defended his plan. Medicare Advantage programs, he said, get \"about 14 percent more (in) overpayments, basically subsidies from taxpayers for a program that ordinary Medicare does just as good, if not better, at keeping people healthy.","We asked the White House what evidence it had to show that \"Medicare does just as good, if not better, at keeping people healthy\" as Medicare Advantage. Staffers pointed us to a March 2009 report from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, or MedPAC, an independent congressional agency that advises Congress on Medicare policy.","President Obama said, \"Medicare does just as good, if not better, at keeping people healthy\" as Medicare Advantage. We found little statistical evidence that would definitively confirm or refute this. MedPAC, the independent agency that reports to Congress, said it had no reason to think that Medicare Advantage overall was superior to regular Medicare. Nevertheless, there is uncertainty that merits further study. We rate Obama's statement Half True.","\"There's not a lot of good data to compare, so there's not really good evidence to say one way or another,\" Guterman said of Medicare versus Medicare Advantage. \"All the plans have to provide the same benefit package that traditional Medicare provides.\""]},{"id":"13222.json","label":"false","statement":"If you give guns to gangs, you can get out of jail free, if (Californias Proposition 57) passes. If you do a drive-by shooting, you can get out of jail free, if Proposition 57 passes. If you discharge guns on a school yard, you can get out of jail free.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. Proposition 57 in California does not provide a \"get out of jail free\" card for individuals who commit serious crimes such as giving guns to gangs, engaging in drive-by shootings, or discharging guns on a school yard. Proposition 57 primarily focuses on parole eligibility for non-violent offenders and allows for case-by-case evaluations of individuals for early release. However, it does not guarantee automatic release or absolve individuals of their crimes. Serious offenses like those mentioned would still be subject to appropriate legal consequences. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If you give guns to gangs, you can get out of jail free, if (California\u2019s Proposition 57) passes. If you do a drive-by shooting, you can get out of jail free, if Proposition 57 passes. If you discharge guns on a school yard, you can get out of jail free.\"","\"If you give guns to gangs, you can get out of jail free, if (Prop 57) passes. If you do a driveby shooting, you can get out of jail free, if this proposition passes. If you discharge guns on a school yard, you can get out of jail free,\" Sanchez claimed.","Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez claimed in a U.S. Senate campaign debtate that: \"If you give guns to gangs, you can get out of jail free, if (California\u2019s Prop 57) passes. If you do a driveby shooting, you can get out of jail free, if this proposition passes. If you discharge guns on a school yard, you can get out of jail free.\"","Will felons convicted of drive-by shootings, giving guns to gangs or firing a weapon on a school yard \"get out of jail free\" if California\u2019s Proposition 57 passes?"]},{"id":"535.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I joined the Gang of 14, seven Republicans, seven Democrats, so that we wouldn't blow up the United States Senate. Sen. Obama had the opportunity to join that group. He chose not to.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator McCain's claim that he joined the Gang of 14, a bipartisan group consisting of seven Republicans and seven Democrats, to prevent the Senate from being disrupted. It also accurately states that Senator Obama had the opportunity to join the group but chose not to. This information is supported by the evidence provided, including statements from Senator Ben Nelson and Senator Obama himself. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I joined the Gang of 14, seven Republicans, seven Democrats, so that we wouldn't blow up the United States Senate,\" McCain said in a virtual town hall meeting on June 14, 2008. \"Sen. Obama had the opportunity to join that group. He chose not to.\"","Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, one of the Gang of 14, told McClatchy Newspapers in March 2008 that it was unfair to emphasize Obama's absence from the bipartisan group, because he wasn't pressed to join.","\"When we got to seven (Democrats) counting myself, there was some discussion of expanding it,\" Nelson said, \"but there was the thought it would be more unworkable.\"","\"The Republicans like to emphasize the Gang of 14 because frankly the Republicans got everything they wanted out of that,\" Obama said. \"I don't think it was a particularly good compromise.\""]},{"id":"7149.json","label":"true","statement":"A man using bath salts reported that raccoons had set fire inside his home and stolen his cell phone.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the report, a man who was under the influence of bath salts claimed that raccoons had set fire inside his home and stolen his cell phone. This incident was reported to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the man's hallucinations and erratic behavior were noted. It's important to note that the claims made by the man were not based on reality and were a result of the drug-induced hallucinations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The Ohio State Highway Patrol confronted a man who after using bath salts reported that raccoons had set fire inside his home and stolen his cell phone. He proceeded to chop up his deck with a hatchet while looking for the fire-setting raccoons,\" DeWine said.","The report also said the man told police he took bath salts three times that day and could be hallucinating. A local fire department determined there were no fires inside the house.","\"I got raccoons in my house that are starting fires. I wonder how the hell they are doing it,\" he said. \"I keep putting them out but they start another one. I had to drive down here because I couldn\u2019t find my cell phone. I think one of them took it and did something with it.\"","The police report includes a transcript of the 911 call in August 2011 from the 31-year-old Reynoldsburg man who was seeing raccoons:"]},{"id":"4751.json","label":"true","statement":"A couple retiring today will pay about $119,000 in lifetime Medicare taxes and receive about $357,000 in lifetime Medicare benefits. ... about 3 bucks in benefits for every dollar in taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Ohio Republican that a couple retiring today would pay approximately $119,000 in lifetime Medicare taxes and receive about $357,000 in lifetime Medicare benefits. This results in a ratio of approximately 3 dollars in benefits for every dollar in taxes. The evidence supports this claim and highlights the unsustainable nature of the Medicare program, particularly when considering the large number of retiring baby boomers. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"A couple retiring today will pay about $119,000 in lifetime Medicare taxes and receive about $357,000 in lifetime Medicare benefits,\" the Ohio Republican said. \"So that's about 3 bucks in benefits for every dollar in taxes. If you multiply this by the 77 million retiring baby boomers, it's not hard to see why we have an unsustainable program.\"","It says a two-income couple in which both partners earned an average wage ($43,500 each in 2011) and retired in 2011 would pay $119,000 in Medicare taxes and receive $357,000 in benefits.","\"Over a wide range of scenarios, beneficiaries retiring at age 65 in 2011 can expect to receive dramatically more in total benefits than they have paid in dedicated taxes,\" it concluded. \"If only one member of the couple had worked, we calculate a six-fold difference between contributions and benefits since both spouses are eligible for Medicare yet only one has paid taxes.\"","PolitiFact Ohio knew the prospects for Medicare sustaining itself weren\u2019t good, but we were surprised at the 3-to-1 ratio of benefits to taxes, particularly because of the popular belief among recipients that \"you earned it, you paid for it.\""]},{"id":"5162.json","label":"true","statement":"The top 10 most well-paid CEOs in America received a combined $770 million in 2010, while the average American workers wage rose just 2 percent.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the top 10 highest-paid CEOs in America received a combined $770 million in 2010, while the average American worker's wage only increased by 2 percent. The data highlights the significant income disparity between top executives and the average worker, emphasizing the substantial compensation received by CEOs compared to the relatively modest wage growth experienced by workers during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The average for the other six executives above was $3.93 million \u2014 almost one-tenth of what Williams was paid. So it's clear that HCAN has chosen the highest-paid CEO for its purposes.","The AFL-CIO has updated statistics for 2013. Based on data from 350 corporations listed in Standard & Poor\u2019s 500 Index, the union said CEOs received total annual compensation averaging $11.7 million. Average pay for production and nonsupervisory workers was $35,239. By this measure, CEOs made 331 times more than the average worker.","Crystal's math is complicated, but the bottom line is that when he looked at compensation for the five biggest health insurers' CEOs in 2007 and 2008, Williams' pay package was the only one of that group that in both years was bigger than the typical compensation package for CEOs throughout all the industries Crystal studied. Most of the other health insurance CEOs were paid 15 percent to 81 percent below the typical level calculated by Crystal. In other words, Williams was the one health insurance CEO who has consistently been paid on the highest end of the scale.","In 1970 the ratio was 30-to-1, according to research by Kevin Murphy, a professor of finance and business economics at the University of Southern California. The top executives averaged $196,310 in earnings, while workers made $6,540. Adjusted to today, the CEO made about $1.2 million and the worker was paid $40,100."]},{"id":"4282.json","label":"false","statement":"Statistically, law-enforcement officers die 10 years earlier than the general population.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple studies have shown that law enforcement officers generally live nearly as long as, or sometimes even longer than, the general population. Claims that law enforcement officers die 10 years earlier are not supported by credible scientific evidence. While there may be specific health risks associated with the profession, it is incorrect to make a blanket statement that law enforcement officers have a significantly shorter life expectancy compared to the general population.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For example, in July we examined a claim that law enforcement officers die 10 years earlier than the general population. We found it to be False because studies showed that they lived nearly as long, or perhaps a bit longer, than other public employees.","\"The life expectancy of police officers is generally shorter, and police officers have a significantly higher average probability of death from specific diseases than did males in the general population,\" Nelson wrote. \"Mr. Chauvin is now 44 years old and is nearing the healthier years of his life. He has been preliminarily diagnosed with heart damage and may likely die at a younger age like many ex-law enforcement officers.\"","And while Parker's report also claims that scientific studies show that law enforcement officers have shorter life spans than the general public, some of the evidence cited in his report shows the opposite, as we found in our earlier PolitiFact analysis.",", \"Florida Mortality Study: Florida Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers Compared to Florida General Population,\" Oct. 17, 2011, accessed Nov. 14, 2011"]},{"id":"10146.json","label":"false","statement":"Suicide comes from federal government largesse saying you are not worth anything but you are going to get something for nothing.","reason":"Reason: The claim that suicide is caused by federal government largesse and the message that individuals are not worth anything unless they receive something for nothing is not supported by evidence. Research suggests that high suicide rates among Alaska Natives stem from complex factors such as cultural changes, including the transition from traditional practices to urban life. It is important to recognize that suicide is a multifaceted issue influenced by various social, economic, and cultural factors, and attributing it solely to government assistance oversimplifies the problem. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Young said that suicide comes from federal government largesse \"saying you are not worth anything but you are going to get something for nothing.\" Data suggests high suicide rates among Alaska Natives stem more from cultural changes, including the transition from rural, traditional practices to urban life. We rate the claim False.","According a recording excerpted in the Dispatch News, Young told the group, \"When people had to work and had to provide and had to keep warm by putting participation in cutting wood and catching the fish and killing the animals, we didn\u2019t have the suicide problem.\" Suicide, he added, comes from federal government largesse \"saying you are not worth anything but you are going to get something for nothing.\"","\"This is a classic case of offering a simple answer to a really complicated problem,\" Berman said. \"When I have visited rural Alaska, I see people hauling firewood, fishing, and hunting for food. The rural cash economy depends heavily on government, but state spending plays a bigger role than federal these days, and most of the income comes from employment.\"","Still, since suicide is a significant problem in Alaska, we thought the substance of his original comment was worth a closer look."]},{"id":"1664.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Teachers will not be able to return to work after raising their children.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there is a provision in SB 6 that could potentially create challenges for teachers who want to return to work after raising their children, the exact impact will depend on the rules that are established after the bill becomes law. As of now, it is uncertain how these rules will be written and whether they will prevent teachers from returning to work. Therefore, the statement is overly broad and lacks certainty. It is important to note that there is a recognition of the need to address this issue and accommodate parents who want to return to teaching. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It's a strong statement with broad implications. We chose to focus on the claim that \"teachers will not be able to return to work after raising their children.\" Could that be true?","Dockery said \"teachers will not be able to return to work after raising their children.\" We find there is a provision in SB 6 to prevent this scenario, but because the rules won't be written until after the bill becomes law, we can't definitely say what will happen. We rule Dockery's claim Barely True.","\"SB 6 will destroy jobs. The bill makes it nearly impossible for someone not currently teaching to renew his or her teaching certificate. Teachers will not be able to return to work after raising their children. They will have their certifications threatened if they are activated for military duty, or otherwise unavailable to teach, for longer than one school year.\" (Read the whole column here.)","Roberto Martinez, a member of the state board that will develop the rules, said he had not heard anything about this particular issue. However he said that if a rule needs to be written to address parents who want to return to teaching, that will be done. \"I'm not about to penalize a mom. ... I would encourage women to work and raise a family.\""]},{"id":"5026.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Newt Gingrich aligned with Nancy Pelosi on global warming.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Newt Gingrich aligned with Nancy Pelosi on the issue of global warming. Gingrich appeared in a television ad with Pelosi where they expressed agreement on the need to address climate change. This alignment has been a subject of criticism and scrutiny, as it contrasts with the views of many conservatives. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among the charges the ad aims at Gingrich is that he joined U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., \"in support of global warming.\" We take the wording to mean that Gingrich aligned with Pelosi on the issue of global warming, a pairing that has drawn renewed attention lately.","Three years ago, Newt Gingrich went on television, cozied up to Nancy Pelosi and preached the need to respond to global warming. \"We do agree our country must take action to address climate change,\" Gingrich said from a couch, which was oddly positioned in front of the U.S. Capitol.","It goes after the former House speaker on several issues. Here, we\u2019re focusing on the claim that Gingrich \"teamed with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on global warming.\"","\"Barack Obama\u2019s plan is working: Destroy Mitt Romney, run against Newt Gingrich,\" a voice says as images of Gingrich flash on the screen, interspersed with damning headlines. \"Newt has a ton of baggage. He was fined $300,000 for ethics violations and took $1.6 million from Freddie Mac, before it helped cause the economic meltdown. Newt supports amnesty for illegal immigrants, and teamed with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on global warming. Maybe that\u2019s why George Will calls him the least conservative candidate. Check the facts at \""]},{"id":"407.json","label":"false","statement":"The Jewish holiday Purim is \"their version of Halloween here.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately compares the Jewish holiday of Purim to Halloween. While both holidays involve dressing up in costumes, the similarities end there. Purim is a minor Jewish holiday with religious significance, commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people from a plot to destroy them in ancient Persia. Halloween, on the other hand, has different origins and cultural practices. While it is understandable that one might draw a loose comparison between the two holidays based on the costume aspect, it is important to recognize and respect the distinct religious and cultural contexts of each holiday.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I had a brief exchange with one of the mothers whose children was in there in a costume for Purim,\" said Lieberman, who became the first Jewish candidate on the presidential ticket for a major American political party when he ran with Al Gore in 2000. \"And it's my fault that I said to Senator McCain that this is the Israeli version of Halloween. It is in the sense because the kids dress up and it's a very happy holiday and actually it is in the sense that the sweets are very important of both holidays.\"","During a visit to Israel, McCain was making a somber point about the strain of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel when he dropped in a bit of a cultural gaffe, likening the Jewish holiday of Purim to Halloween.","\"The only way in which Purim is like Halloween is in the wearing of costumes,\" said Torop. \"At that point, the similarities end.\"","Purim is a minor Jewish holiday whose roots come from a story in the Book of Esther in the Bible. According to the story, Esther was a beauty pageant winner who became queen to King Ahasuerus of Persia, but kept her Jewishness a secret."]},{"id":"1813.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The fact that Rick Scott is running for governor as a 'reformer' would be funny if it wasn't so outrageous. This is a man who barely escaped imprisonment.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McCollum's campaign manager, Matt Williams, that Rick Scott \"barely escaped imprisonment\" is false. Rick Scott was never indicted or convicted of any crime related to his role as the CEO of Columbia\/HCA. While there were investigations into the company's practices, the convictions associated with Columbia\/HCA were ultimately overturned, and Scott himself was not personally implicated in any criminal wrongdoing. Therefore, the claim that Scott \"barely escaped imprisonment\" is unfounded and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The fact that Rick Scott is running for governor as a 'reformer' would be funny if it wasn't so outrageous,\" McCollum campaign manager Matt Williams said. \"This is a man who barely escaped imprisonment, whose failure in business has been portrayed on national news and around the world. He is an embarrassment.\"","McCollum's statement was that Scott \"barely escaped imprisonment,\" but the fact is he was never indicted, and the only individuals convicted of wrongdoing associated with the Columbia\/HCA ultimately had those convictions tossed out. The corporate convictions aren't tied to any individual and carry only fines, not prison time. While one ABC News report does say he was a target of an investigation, that doesn't translate to barely escaping a prison sentence. We rate McCollum's claim False.","Scott, 57, has been running an unorthodox campaign, spending millions of dollars in television advertising three months before the Republican primary. He's casting himself as an outsider and a reformer.","After virtually ignoring millionaire Rick Scott and his unconventional campaign for governor, Attorney General Bill McCollum launched a full attack on May 18, 2010, criticizing Scott for his role as a former CEO of a national hospital chain that bilked state and federal health care programs."]},{"id":"10065.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says PolitiFact has ruled that Ed Gillespies ads are false and misleading.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that PolitiFact has ruled Ed Gillespie's ads as false and misleading. The evidence provided includes citations from PolitiFact Virginia, which labeled one of Gillespie's ads as \"simply false.\" However, it's important to note that the evidence also mentions that the claim of the ads being \"misleading\" is attributed to \"experts\" rather than PolitiFact specifically. Therefore, while PolitiFact has ruled one ad as false, the statement that all of Gillespie's ads are ruled as false and misleading is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Ed Gillespie \u2026 is attacking Mark Warner with false ads experts call misleading, completely made up,\" the narrator of ad says.","While those words are being spoken, the written words \"SIMPLY FALSE\" and \"MISLEADING\" pop up on the screen with citations from PolitiFact this year -- the first from Sept. 28 and the second from April 25.","Warner tries to walk a fine line on the ad by having the moderator say \"experts call\" the ads misleading. But the bold letters on the screen saying \"POLITIFACT VIRGINIA\" put the words in our mouth. In one case, that\u2019s so; in one case, it\u2019s not. All together, Warner\u2019s ad statement is Half True.","Warner\u2019s right that we labeled as \"simply false,\" the indication in one Gillespie ad\u2019s that the Warner was awarded the \"Lie of the Year\" by our colleagues at PolitiFact National."]},{"id":"1731.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Fifteen years ago, the assets of the six largest banks in this country totaled 17 percent of GDP ... The assets of the six largest banks in the United States today total 63 percent of GDP.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Brown regarding the assets of the six largest banks in the United States. Independent sources and experts have confirmed that 15 years ago, the assets of these banks amounted to 17 percent of GDP, while today they total 63 percent of GDP. This demonstrates a significant increase in the size and economic power of these banks over the years. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Brown said, \"Fifteen years ago, the assets of the six largest banks in this country totaled 17 percent of GDP ... The assets of the six largest banks in the United States today total 63 percent of GDP.\" Independent sources and experts confirm that, so we rate his statement True.","\"Let me give you one statistic, if I could, Jake,\" Brown said. \"Fifteen years ago, the assets of the six largest banks in this country totaled 17 percent of GDP, 17 percent of GDP. The assets of the six largest banks in the United States today total 63 percent of GDP. ... We've got to deal with risk to be sure, but we've got to deal with the size of these banks, because if one of these banks is in serious trouble, it will have such a ripple effect on the whole economy. So we simply can't let them get this big and have this kind of economic power over Main Street, over a small business in Canton, Ohio, or a worker -- a manufacturing plant in Dayton. I mean, we just can't let this happen.\"","We were interested in Brown's statistic though: That 15 years ago the top six banks' assets totaled 17 percent of GDP, while today that's 63 percent.","The numbers are a fairly straightforward calculation. You take the bank's total assets, such as loans, cash and securities. (Remember that to banks, a loan is an asset, since they make money off loans.) Then you divide by GDP, which is gross domestic product, and is the total economic output for a country during a given year. Last year, the U.S. gross domestic product was $14.3 trillion."]},{"id":"8778.json","label":"true","statement":"For the first time in nearly two decades, we produce more oil here in the United States than we buy from the rest of the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama that the United States produces more oil domestically than it imports from the rest of the world, and this is the first time in nearly two decades. This claim has been verified by experts and supported by data, indicating that increased domestic oil production, along with factors such as the recession and increased fuel efficiency, have contributed to this shift. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the American people, the good news is the economy is growing stronger,\" he said in a speech on Jan. 15, 2014, at North Carolina State University. \"Our businesses have now created more than 8 million new jobs since we hit bottom. Because of an all-of-the-above strategy for American energy, for the first time in nearly two decades, we produce more oil here in the United States than we buy from the rest of the world.\"","Obama said the United States is producing more oil domestically than it\u2019s importing from the rest of the world for the first time in nearly two decades. That claim is on the money. However, a lot of this has been in the works for awhile, including dynamics that pre-date the Obama administration. Experts told us the new dynamic is due to factors like the recession, increased fuel efficiency and ramped up domestic oil production. As a simple statement on where we stand on oil exports vs. imports, though, Obama\u2019s claim is accurate. We rate it True.","This production growth has contributed to the United States\u2019 ability to produce more oil than it imports for the first time in about 20 years.","We decided to check out the data and see if in fact the United States is the world\u2019s top oil producer. As it turns out, the United States passed over Saudi Arabia about two years ago."]},{"id":"4672.json","label":"false","statement":"The largest category of people coming into the technical schools in Wisconsin are people with four-year degrees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there may be an increasing number of people with four-year degrees seeking technical training in Wisconsin, they do not constitute the largest category of individuals entering technical schools. High school graduates make up the largest category of transfer students in technical schools, outnumbering those with college degrees. Therefore, the claim that people with four-year degrees are the largest category of individuals entering technical schools in Wisconsin is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In fact, the largest category of people coming into the technical schools in Wisconsin are people with four-year degrees because the jobs that they\u2019re looking for with their degrees aren\u2019t there, and so instead they\u2019re going back to school to get more technical training.\"","Walker said \"the largest category of people coming into the technical schools in Wisconsin are people with four-year degrees.\" Walker\u2019s spokesman said the governor actually meant to claim that an increasing number of people with four-year degrees are going to technical college.","Between 2009 and 2010, the percentage of college graduates entering technical college rose a bit. But high school graduates make up the largest category of transfer students in technical schools, far outnumbering those with college degrees.","Technical colleges have long been the next step for many students who have just finished high school and for experienced workers looking to upgrade their skills. So we wondered if those groups are now being outnumbered in Wisconsin\u2019s technical schools by people with bachelor\u2019s degrees."]},{"id":"1753.json","label":"false","statement":"Brazil got off oil in the last 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Brazil got off oil in the last 30 years\" is false. While Brazil has made significant advancements in promoting ethanol and implementing flexible fuel vehicles, it is incorrect to claim that Brazil has completely transitioned away from oil consumption. In fact, Brazil still consumes a substantial amount of oil and continues to engage in offshore drilling for oil exploration. The discovery of billions of barrels of oil in recent years further contradicts the notion that Brazil has successfully moved away from oil dependency. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Where is the other side on this? I could certainly criticize oil companies and I could criticize America in general for not attacking this problem in the '70s. Brazil got off oil in the last 30 years; we certainly could have,\" Maher said.","Getting back to our factcheck, Maher was likely remembering Brazil's aggresive efforts to promote ethanol, and certainly Brazil has outpaced the United States in getting flexible fuel vehicles on the road. But Maher said, \"Brazil got off oil in the last 30 years.\" Actually, Brazil still consumes a great deal of oil. It's also embarking on more offshore drilling in some of the deepest waters for exploration. Brazil is hardly \"off oil.\" So we rate Maher's statement False.","Conservative columnist George Will challenged Maher about Brazil. \"Could you just explain to me in what sense has Brazil got off oil?\"","Brazil has discovered billions of barrels of oil in the last few years, mostly in deep, pre salt fields off its south-eastern coast."]},{"id":"1787.json","label":"false","statement":"Louisiana gets \"not one single penny\" from Gulf Coast offshore oil revenues.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Landrieu that Louisiana gets \"not one single penny\" from Gulf Coast offshore oil revenues is false. While there may be valid arguments regarding the distribution of revenue, it is incorrect to claim that Louisiana receives no financial benefit from offshore drilling. In reality, Louisiana does receive a share of the revenue generated by offshore oil activities through various mechanisms, including royalties and taxes. Therefore, the statement is factually inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Landrieu's statement was so forceful -- that Louisiana gets \"not one single penny\" -- that we thought it deserved a fact-check.","Landrieu, who has often been an advocate for the energy industry in the Senate, told the liberal talk show host, \"I can promise you, no one's going to let the industry skid. We're going to make BP pay. And, I might say, and you know because you've heard me say this before, when will America realize that the Gulf Coast states need revenue-sharing? Do you know how much money the federal treasury gets from this industry every year? An average of $5 billion. Do you know how much money Louisiana gets? Not one single penny.\"","Reasonable people can disagree over how much Louisiana deserves to receive from drilling off its shores, but even if Landrieu has a point that her state is getting a raw deal over royalties, it is clearly incorrect for her to say that the state gets \"not one single penny\" from offshore drilling. We rate her statement False.","The money the states will ultimately get is still just a \"small portion\u201d of the roughly $6 billion the federal government gets annually from oil-and-gas revenues off the Louisiana coast, Landrieu told the Baton Rouge Advocate in arguing for a more generous share."]},{"id":"942.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Louisiana is turning down $100 million \"that would require us to change our unemployment law, that would have actually raised taxes on Louisiana businesses.\"","reason":"Reason: Governor Jindal's statement is mostly true. The $100 million in federal funds that Louisiana turned down would have required a change in the state's unemployment law. While it is not certain that it would have directly resulted in higher taxes for Louisiana businesses, there is a possibility that the costs could have been allocated in a way that would have led to increased taxes for businesses. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the requirement for a change in the unemployment law, the potential tax increase is not guaranteed, making the statement mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You're talking about temporary federal money that would require a permanent change in state law,\" Jindal said. \"The $100 million we turned down was temporary federal dollars that would require us to change our unemployment laws, that would've actually raised taxes on Louisiana businesses. We as a state would've been responsible for paying for those benefits after the federal money disappeared.\"","Given all these factors, we find that Jindal's statement is largely correct. He is right that the $100 million he turned down would have required Louisiana to change its unemployment law. But he can't be sure that it would mean higher taxes based on that alone. It depends how the economy rebounds and how the costs are allocated. The law itself does not require tax increases. For this reason, we find his statement Mostly True.","To take only the first provision into account, Jindal is saying that Louisiana would get $32.8 million in funds up front for potential ongoing expenses of $12 million a year, which he says is not much of a deal. And he is saying businesses, which pay the taxes that fund unemployment compensation, would get a tax increase to pay for that.","Jindal believes this change would cost Louisiana up to $12 million a year, and the experts we consulted said that estimate sounded about right. After Louisiana used the $32.8 million, it would have to come up with $12 million a year on its own."]},{"id":"3678.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We dont have bridges being built in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the United States faces challenges with its infrastructure, including aging bridges, it is incorrect to claim that no bridges are being built in the country. There have been ongoing efforts to construct and repair bridges across the United States. However, the pace and scale of infrastructure development may vary, and there are debates about funding and prioritization. It is important to acknowledge the existing infrastructure projects while recognizing the need for continued investment and improvement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We are rebuilding China. I don't know if you know it. They're building bridges. They're building airports. They're building cities, brand-new cities. When was the last time you saw a bridge being built in the United States? We don't have bridges being built. We have bridges that are falling down.\" - Trump on CNN's State of the Union on April 17, 2011.","\"When was the last time \u2013 if you go to China, as an example \u2013 bridges being built, massive bridges. When is the last time we built a bridge in this country, other than a little toy.\" - Trump at a press conference in New Hampshire on April 27, 2011.","Here\u2019s the condition of the 616,096 bridges in the 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico bridges, according to the latest annual tallies, as of Dec. 31, 2018, from the Federal Highway Administration:","Politicians on both sides of the aisle acknowledge the problem, Solsby said. The dilemma is how to pay for it. States are financially strapped as a result of the recession. Federal dollars are stretched, too. The ARTBA would like to see an increase in the gasoline tax to fund more bridges, Solby said, but with gas prices soaring, \"Is that politically palatable?\""]},{"id":"10830.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More money is dedicated within the Department of Homeland Security to climate change than whats spent combating Islamist terrorists radicalizing over the Internet in the United States of America.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Representative McCaul that there is more funding allocated to climate change within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) compared to combating Islamist terrorists radicalizing over the internet in the United States. This claim is specific to the DHS budget and the allocation of funds for programs targeting the prevention of online radicalization by Islamist extremists. It does not encompass the broader scope of counterterrorism efforts or funding from other agencies. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["More money is dedicated within the Department of Homeland Security to climate change than what's spent combating \"Islamist terrorists radicalizing over the Internet in the United States of America.\"","McCaul had said more money is dedicated within the Department of Homeland Security to climate change than what's spent combating \"Islamist terrorists radicalizing over the Internet in the United States of America.\"","\"I think (FBI) Director James Comey is spot on when he talks about the threat inside the United States,\" McCaul said May 10, 2015, on Fox News Sunday. \"And yet this administration, its budget allocates zero dollars towards combating homegrown violent extremism. In fact, within the Department of Homeland Security, more money, in fact, millions of dollars, are dedicated to climate change rather than combating what I consider to be one of the biggest threats to the homeland, and that's the violent extremists radicalizing Islamist terrorists radicalizing over the Internet in the United States of America.\"","McCaul said that the Homeland Security budget has more money dedicated to climate change than combating the violent extremists radicalizing Islamist terrorists over the Internet. That is a very narrow comparison. It concerns only the Homeland Security Department and only programs designed to prevent Islamic extremists\u2019 use of the Internet."]},{"id":"8134.json","label":"true","statement":"Says President Franklin Delano Roosevelt felt there wasnt a need in the public sector to have collective bargaining because the government is the people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the views attributed to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) regarding collective bargaining in the public sector. FDR, along with other figures like Fiorello LaGuardia, expressed the belief that collective bargaining was unnecessary in the public sector because the government represents the interests of the people. This viewpoint has been cited by various individuals, including Governor Scott Walker, to support their stance on public sector collective bargaining. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says President Franklin Delano Roosevelt \"felt there wasn\u2019t a need in the public sector to have collective bargaining because the government is the people.\"","\"It\u2019s why -- some people are surprised to know this -- the position I pushed is not unlike the principle that Franklin Delano Roosevelt, not exactly a conservative, pushed as well when it came to public sector collective bargaining,\" Walker added. \"He felt that there wasn't a need -- and others like him, (former New York Mayor Fiorello) LaGuardia and others -- felt there wasn\u2019t a need in the public sector to have collective bargaining because the government is the people. We are the people.\"","Walker said FDR \"felt there wasn\u2019t a need in the public sector to have collective bargaining because the government is the people.\"","Those are some of the attacks that Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced in the 1930s \u2014 attacks cited recently by President Barack Obama to emphasize that he's not unique."]},{"id":"10230.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia ranks No. 9 in the rate of women murdered by men.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the Violence Policy Center's report, Georgia ranks 9th in the rate of women murdered by men. This ranking is based on data from the report titled \"When Men Murder Women\" and supports the claim made by the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Compared with other states, Georgia ranks high in the rate of health care uninsurance, maternal mortality, new cases of HIV and gun violence.","Georgia ranks high in maternal mortality, but depending on the definition of maternal mortality and who crunched the numbers, Georgia ranks either first, second or fifth.","Her spokeswoman pointed us to an NBC news article which says \"nearly three women are murdered every day in the U.S. by current or former romantic partners.\"","The NBC article cited data from a 2017 Violence Policy Center report called When Men Murder Women. Representatives at the policy center could not be reached for comment. After examining the report, we found it somewhat supports Speier\u2019s statement, with a few caveats."]},{"id":"11948.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says he cured Charlie Sheen and the island of Comoros of HIV with milk from goats, which had arthritis.","reason":"Reason: The claim that HIV was cured in Charlie Sheen and the island of Comoros using milk from goats with arthritis is not supported by credible evidence. The individual making these claims, Dr. Chachoua, has been widely discredited and labeled as a quack. The notion that drinking milk from goats with arthritis can cure HIV is scientifically unfounded. Furthermore, the claim that HIV was eradicated in Comoros in 2006 is also false. Overall, these statements lack scientific validity and should not be considered as accurate or reliable information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["An Australian doctor says he cured Charlie Sheen and the island nation of Comoros of HIV with a curious treatment \u2014 specifically, arthritic goat\u2019s milk.","This treatment, says Chachoua, not only cured Sheen but helped eradicate HIV in Comoros, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, in 2006.","Simply \"drinking milk from goats with arthritis\" cannot protect anyone from the virus. CAEV is not transmittable to humans, so Charlie Sheen couldn\u2019t have developed CAEV antibodies \u2014 even if they did \"destroy\" HIV (again, they don't).","Let\u2019s state off the bat that Chachoua has been, as Maher noted, \"called a quack a million times.\" His claims that he eradicated HIV in Comoros in 2006 and cured Sheen are profoundly untrue."]},{"id":"12552.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Kelly Ayotte voted again yesterday against a proposal to expand background checks -- (buyers) can continue to simply go online or to gun shows to purchase guns without background checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Maggie Hassan and her campaign regarding Kelly Ayotte's voting record on expanding background checks for gun purchases. Ayotte did vote against proposals to expand background checks, which opponents argue allows buyers to purchase guns without undergoing background checks, particularly through online platforms or at gun shows. The evidence provided supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Maggie Hassan said Kelly Ayotte \"voted again yesterday against a proposal to expand background checks -- (buyers) can continue to simply go online or to gun shows to purchase guns without background checks.\"","\"Ayotte voted again yesterday against a proposal to expand background checks -- meaning dangerous individuals, including suspected terrorists, can continue to simply go online or to gun shows to purchase guns without background checks,\" Hassan\u2019s campaign said in an email on Tuesday, June 21, 2016.","New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte saw her poll numbers drop after she voted against a proposal to expand background checks on gun sales.","In 2013, Ayotte voted against the bi-partisan Manchin-Toomey amendment that sought to expand checks for firearms purchased online and at gun shows. On June 20, Ayotte voted against a Democrat-sponsored amendment that similarly sought to expand background checks."]},{"id":"2058.json","label":"false","statement":"Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of the Western Hemisphere.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of the Western Hemisphere is not supported by credible evidence. While Phoenix has experienced a significant number of kidnappings, there is no reliable source or data comparing kidnapping rates across the entire Western Hemisphere. The claim was initially made by a source who later admitted to being mistaken and provided no evidence to support the statement. Therefore, the assertion lacks factual basis and should be considered unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Glover agreed, but then insisted that the distinction extended beyond the United States. \"Exactly. Of the Western Hemisphere. Yes. It includes the Western Hemisphere,\" she said.","There is no easy source for comparable figures from other U.S. cities; kidnapping numbers are not routinely listed on annual FBI crime reports. There is also no reliable source of kidnapping data from foreign countries. But experts from international private security firms said cities in several Western Hemisphere countries, including Mexico, Colombia and Guatemala, have more kidnappings than Phoenix.","We emailed Glover late Friday, July 9, and asked for her source. She responded by email the next day, saying she would look for the source and invited us to do a Google search as well. Monday morning, July 12, at 6:22 a.m. she sent another email. \"You are right, I was wrong,\" she responded, and said she was \"remembering wrongly what I had read. According to an ABCNews report from '09, Phoenix is #1 in the U.S. for kidnappings, with Mexico City being #1 in the Western Hem. Shame on me for remembering wrongly.\" (The ABC News article makes no mention of the Western Hemisphere.)","ABC News, Kidnapping capital of the U.S.A.; Washington too concerned with al Qaeda terrorists to care, officials say,( \"Kidnapping capital of the U.S.A.; Washington too"]},{"id":"652.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While in the Illinois Senate, Barack Obama passed legislation moving people \"from welfare to jobs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that while Barack Obama was in the Illinois Senate, he played a leadership role in passing legislation aimed at moving people from welfare to jobs. The legislation focused on welfare reform and aimed to provide support and opportunities for individuals to transition from welfare programs to employment. While it is important to note that legislative achievements are rarely accomplished singlehandedly, Obama's involvement and leadership in this specific legislation have been acknowledged and documented.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It's what he did in the Illinois Senate, moving people from welfare to jobs, passing tax cuts for hard- working families, and making sure women get equal pay for equal work.\"","\"It's what he did in the Illinois Senate, moving people from welfare to jobs, passing tax cuts for hard-working families, and making sure women get equal pay for equal work.\"","Later in the ad, Obama says, \"I passed laws moving people from welfare to work, cut taxes for working families and extended health care for wounded troops who'd been neglected.\"","This isn't the first time Obama has referred to Illinois laws as if he passed them singlehandedly . Nevertheless, the legislation's primary role was welfare reform, and the legislative record shows that Obama had a leadership role in getting it passed. For these reasons, we find Obama's claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"4393.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the U.S. Department of Homeland Security must report to about 100 congressional committees and subcommittees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it is required to report to 108 congressional committees and subcommittees. This level of oversight has been a subject of criticism and has been highlighted by various reports and commissions, including the 9\/11 Commission, which recommended reforming congressional oversight of Homeland Security due to the extensive number of committees involved.\nLabel: true","evidence":["People look at former Gov. Tom Kean in disbelief when he says the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports to about 100 congressional committees and subcommittees.","That may be dysfunctional, but it\u2019s also true. PolitiFact New Jersey discovered Kean was right -- Homeland Security must report to 108 congressional committees and subcommittees, according to the department.","According to its July 2004 report, the 9\/11 Commission recommended reforming congressional oversight of Homeland Security, which was then answering to 88 committees and subcommittees. A few months later, a report from a group of former legislators and other individuals noted that oversight of the U.S. Department of Defense was much different.","As unbelievable as it may sound to his listeners, Kean accurately states that Homeland Security answers to about 100 congressional committees and subcommittees. It\u2019s a level of oversight that has attracted the criticism of various entities and the Homeland Security Secretary herself."]},{"id":"2515.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Republican candidate [John Loughlin] has talked about privatizing Social Security ... so we know where he stands on the issue.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the Republican candidate, John Loughlin, has discussed the idea of privatizing Social Security. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive understanding of Loughlin's stance on the issue. While it suggests that Loughlin supports privatization, the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm his position. It is crucial to consider additional information and statements from Loughlin to fully ascertain his stance on privatizing Social Security.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Republican candidate John Loughlin has talked about privatizing Social Security ... so we know where he stands on the issue.\"","At his first stop, on Sept. 23, he told a group of elderly voters at Pawtucket's St. Germain Manor Senior Center: \"The Republican candidate has talked about privatizing Social Security, and when there was a resolution in the Rhode Island General Assembly urging Congress not to privatize Social Security, he was one of seven people to vote no on that. So we know where he stands on that issue.\"","On the third point, however, Cicilline misses the mark. He does not appear to know where his opponent stands on the issue. Loughlin himself says Cicilline is flat out misinterpreting his position. Yet that hasn't stopped Cicilline from criss-crossing the state using the accusation to scare elderly voters and win votes.","Moving on to the next part of his claim, we asked Cicilline for examples of where Loughlin \"stands on the issue\" of privatization. His campaign provided us with several. The first was in a quote from Loughlin in The Providence Journal in February."]},{"id":"6224.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says cuts by Gov. Rick Perrys administration left 12,000 teachers without a job.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Juli\u00e1n Castro that Governor Rick Perry's administration cut $4 billion from public schools, resulting in 12,000 Texas teachers losing their jobs. However, it's important to note that the figure of 12,000 unemployed teachers is based on a projection rather than actual job losses. While school districts did eliminate nearly 11,000 teaching positions in the first year affected by the budget cut, it is uncertain how many of those positions resulted in teachers being unemployed. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precision in terms of the actual number of teachers who lost their jobs due to the budget cuts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Every Texan knows that, except (Governor) Rick Perry,\" Juli\u00e1n Castro told the crowd. \"His Republican administration cut $4 billion out of our public schools. That's 12,000 Texas teachers without a job.\"","Castro\u2019s reference to 12,000 unemployed teachers is based on an out-of-date, what-if projection -- not actual job losses. Still, school districts shed nearly 11,000 teaching positions in the first school year affected by the $4 billion cut signed into law by Perry. And while it\u2019s uncertain how many of the eliminated positions resulted in unemployed teachers -- retirements also came into play -- it seems reasonable to speculate that many teachers were left jobless. Without more precise information, this statement rates Half True.","The proposed budget cuts Gov. Rick Perry laid out in his State of the State speech are more symbolic than lucrative and trivialize the cuts that are being made elsewhere in state services and programs.","So, the 12,000 figure was not a count of how many teachers had left school employment as a result of the $4 billion reduction in formula aid. Rather, it was a projection of how many more teachers schools would have employed in 2011-12 if lawmakers had increased school aid in proportion to enrollment growth -- as past legislatures had done for decades."]},{"id":"12692.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Gary Farmers claim that he received an A from the NRA is an absolute lie.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Gary Farmer that the candidate received an \"A\" rating from the NRA, which is disputed by the candidate himself. The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by Farmer is false, as confirmed by the candidate's email to his campaign subscribers and the fact-checking conducted by PolitiFact. It is important to note that the evidence supports the assertion that the claim is a lie, as stated in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Unfortunately, a political committee led by Gary Farmer is spreading lies about my record on guns,\" Waldman wrote in an email to his campaign subscribers. \"They\u2019re spending tens of thousands of dollars mailing a FALSE claim to voters that I received an \u2018A\u2019 from the NRA.\"","UPDATE: The Newsom campaign says it has not pulled its \"First\" TV ad that includes the claim PolitiFact California rated False. A spokesman told us after our fact check published that the campaign is running a separate TV ad that omits the claim in question but was produced back in February, and not in response to any factual concerns. We wrote an articlehere to clarify that there are two Newsom TV ads.","This fight started in early July, when Farmer\u2019s campaign sent a mailer to residents of District 34 that said Waldman received an A from the NRA in 2010. In addition to fliers, Farmer also sent an email that claimed Waldman received an A rating for six years.","Says he was sued by the NRA and the gun lobby \"all because in my city we refused to repeal an ordinance which said you couldn\u2019t shoot guns in city parks.\""]},{"id":"11542.json","label":"true","statement":"Marco Rubio spent $400K of your tax dollars remodeling offices, and building a members-only lounge.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the post that Marco Rubio spent $400,000 of taxpayer money on remodeling offices and building a members-only lounge. This claim is supported by a Tampa Bay Times\/Miami Herald story that reported Rubio's use of tax dollars for renovations and the construction of a dining room. However, it's important to note that the amount spent on renovations and the construction of the lounge is not an unusually high figure compared to previous speakers. The context provided in the evidence indicates that previous speakers have also allocated significant funds for similar purposes. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Remember that time Marco Rubio spent $400K of your tax dollars remodeling offices, and building a members-only lounge? We do,\" the post read. It included a link to a 2010 Tampa Bay Times\/Miami Herald story about Rubio\u2019s use of a Republican Party of Florida credit card.","The Times\/Herald story the Democrats linked to noted, \"When Rubio became speaker, he spent about $400,000 in tax dollars to remodel offices and build a members-only dining room so lawmakers rushing to meetings or in the throes of negotiations would not have to leave the Capitol to eat.\" The story was written before renovations were complete.","It\u2019s common for incoming speakers to spruce up the chambers as they see fit, so we wondered if Rubio really spent $400,000 for renovations and a new lounge.","But is that a lot? Consider that his predecessor Allan Bense only spent $1,500, according to the Times\/Herald. On the high end, John Thrasher spent almost $7 million in 1999 to renovate the House chamber, the speaker's office and the House office building. Former Speaker Daniel Webster spent about $100,000 in 1997 to build a spiral staircase between the Speaker\u2019s Office and the Republican Majority Office. Rubio closed the staircase."]},{"id":"12430.json","label":"false","statement":"There are places in America that are among the most dangerous in the world. You go to places like Oakland. Or Ferguson. The crime numbers are worse. Seriously.","reason":"Reason: While there are indeed places in the United States with high crime rates, the statement inaccurately portrays Oakland and Ferguson as among the most dangerous places in the world. Crime statistics do not support this claim, as the homicide rates in these cities are not among the highest globally. While there have been high-profile incidents in these cities, it is important to consider the overall crime rates and not base judgments solely on isolated incidents. Additionally, crime rates can vary within different neighborhoods and demographics within a city. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the crime situation in Oakland and Ferguson compared to the most dangerous places globally.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said, \"There are places in America that are among the most dangerous in the world. You go to places like Oakland. Or Ferguson. The crime numbers are worse. Seriously.\"","Reporter Robert Draper asked Trump to name the most dangerous place in the world he\u2019s been. \"Brooklyn,\" the Queens-native-turned-Manhattanite joked. Then he said.\"There are places in America that are among the most dangerous in the world. You go to places like Oakland. Or Ferguson. The crime numbers are worse. Seriously.\"","Though Trump highlighted one specific murder near Oakland last year on Twitter (the shooting death of Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco) and repeatedly warned of riots in Ferguson following the shooting death of Michael Brown in 2014, the homicide rates in both places are nowhere near as high as the places listed by CCSP.","Trump\u2019s right that a few places in the United States have some of the highest murder rates across the globe \u2014 but Oakland and Ferguson are not among them. Experts also pointed out that homicide and other crimes in these cities disportionately affect certain demographics, so it\u2019s not a one-danger-fits-all scenario."]},{"id":"902.json","label":"false","statement":"Bush's tax cuts for high earners have been the biggest contributor to the budget deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pelosi that Bush's tax cuts for high earners have been the biggest contributor to the budget deficit is not supported by the available evidence. While tax cuts for high earners may have contributed to the deficit, there is no specific Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that explicitly states that they were the biggest contributor. It is important to note that the causes of budget deficits are multifaceted and involve various factors beyond just tax cuts. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Pelosi was clear about her position, but we wondered about her assertion that the Bush tax cuts \"at the high end\" were indeed \"the biggest contributor to the budget deficit.\"","\"Let me just say that the tax cuts at the high end that you were referencing have been the biggest contributor to the budget deficit,\" Pelosi said. \"Don't take my word for it, that's the word of the Congressional Budget Office when the Republicans had control of the Congress.\"","Certainly tax cuts for high earners have increased the deficit. Pelosi might have made a more convincing case if she had said high earners received a disproportionate benefit from the Bush tax cuts.","We should start off with the easy stuff: First, there is no CBO report that says tax cuts for the wealthiest are the biggest contributor to the deficit."]},{"id":"6406.json","label":"false","statement":"President Obamas lawsuit claims it is unconstitutional for Ohio to allow servicemen and women extended early voting privileges during the states early voting period.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the nature of President Obama's lawsuit. The lawsuit was not aimed at denying servicemen and women extended early voting privileges in Ohio. Instead, it challenged the unequal treatment of voters by seeking to restore equal and fair access to early voting for all citizens, including military personnel. The intention was to ensure that everyone, including members of the military, had equal opportunities to exercise their right to vote. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the purpose of President Obama's lawsuit.\nLabel: false","evidence":["President Obama\u2019s lawsuit claims it is unconstitutional for Ohio to allow servicemen and women extended early voting privileges during the state\u2019s early voting period.","\"President Obama\u2019s lawsuit claiming it is unconstitutional for Ohio to allow servicemen and women extended early voting privileges during the state\u2019s early voting period is an outrage,\" Romney\u2019s statement said.","\"This is about restoring equal and fair access to early voting and in no way asks for restrictions to voting,\" Boccieri said. \"Anything said otherwise is completely false. Period. And as a member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of the AMVETS, I find these claims outrageous.\"","It is simply dishonest for Romney and his backers to claim that Obama\u2019s effort to extend early voting privileges to everyone in Ohio constitutes an attack on military voters\u2019 ability to cast ballots on the weekend before elections."]},{"id":"7964.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the mandate is 71 times that a childs body will be injected with a disease for immunizations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that a child's body will be injected with a disease 71 times for immunizations. Vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactivated form of a virus or specific components of a virus to stimulate the immune system and provide immunity without causing the disease itself. The number 71 is arbitrary and does not align with any scientific understanding of vaccine administration. It is important to rely on accurate information from reputable sources when discussing the safety and efficacy of vaccines.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When children are given vaccines for COVID-19, \u201ca viral gene will be injected into your children's cells. This gene forces your child\u2019s body to make toxic spike proteins. These proteins often cause permanent damage in children\u2019s critical organs.\"","A TikTok video shows footage of Dr. Robert Malone saying that when children are given vaccines for COVID-19, \"A viral gene will be injected into your children's cells. This gene forces your child\u2019s body to make toxic spike proteins. These proteins often cause permanent damage in children\u2019s critical organs.\"","A TikTok video posted Jan. 3 shows footage of Dr. Robert Malone saying that when children are given vaccines for COVID-19, \"A viral gene will be injected into your children's cells. This gene forces your child\u2019s body to make toxic spike proteins. These proteins often cause permanent damage in children\u2019s critical organs.\"","\"The CDPH could attempt to deem coronavirus an appropriate disease under these statutes to require immunization,\" Stracener said. \"But the legislature might have to respond itself if a large enough number of asserted personal belief exemptions made it clear that the legislature would have to act to ensure public safety.\""]},{"id":"3967.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says former Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and current mayoral candidate Carlos Gimenez both drove fancy European cars at taxpayer expense.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that both former Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and current mayoral candidate Carlos Gimenez drove luxury cars at taxpayer expense. However, it is important to note that taxpayer-funded car deals for elected officials are common, and the ad fails to mention that this perk was available to other Miami-Dade county commissioners as well. Additionally, the statement does not provide evidence to support the claim that the cars driven by Gimenez and Alvarez were specifically \"fancy European\" cars. While the ad may imply that these cars were extravagant, it lacks specific details about the make and model of the vehicles. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Carlos Alvarez drove a fancy European car at taxpayer expense. Carlos Gimenez also drove a fancy European car at taxpayer expense.\" No one disputes that Alvarez and Gimenez both drove luxury cars paid for by taxpayers. But the ad omits several key facts:","\u2022 Taxpayer-funded car deals for elected officials are common. The perk was available to all the Miami-Dade county commissioners. Even Gimenez's opponent Robaina was given cars by the city to drive while he was mayor of Hialeah. While the cars driven by Robaina, a Chevy Tahoe and a Chevy Suburban aren't \"fancy European\" cars, they are nice cars.","Says Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez \u201capproved a 67% pay raise for himself and increased his own pension. He makes $250,000 a year, more than almost every big-city Mayor in the country. He also kept his taxpayer-funded Mercedes-Benz after slashing $400 million in government jobs and spending.\u201d","An attack by U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell portrays Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez as living the high life at county hall at taxpayers\u2019 expense."]},{"id":"2715.json","label":"false","statement":"Tells David Cicilline, 94 percent of the carbon emissions which you so want to get rid of are caused by nature.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes the claim to David Cicilline. In fact, the statement was made by another individual to David Cicilline. The claim that 94 percent of carbon emissions are caused by nature is unsupported and lacks a credible source. Additionally, the fact-checking process revealed that the campaign behind the claim did not respond when asked for the source of this information. Therefore, the statement is unsubstantiated and should be considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He went on to tell Cicilline, \"I'm saying really the earth is warming, but it's not conclusively caused by man. It's not conclusive. I mean 94 percent of the carbon emissions which you so want to get rid of are caused by nature.\"","So Hansen is saying that 0 percent of the increase in climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions is coming from nature, not the 94 percent claimed by Loughlin.","We still wondered where Loughlin might have gotten his 94-percent figure. So we contacted William F. Ruddiman, author of a widely used climate textbook who is at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.","Loughlin's 94-percent figure sounds very authoritative and specific. So we emailed Loughlin's campaign on Oct. 21, and called his spokeswoman a day later, to ask for the source. They have not responded."]},{"id":"2549.json","label":"false","statement":"Sen. Barbara Boxer voted against immigration reform to permit (Hispanic immigrants) people to come here legally to work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Senator Barbara Boxer voted against a provision in an immigration reform bill in 2007, it is misleading to claim that she voted against immigration reform to permit Hispanic immigrants to come to the United States legally to work. Boxer has a history of supporting comprehensive immigration reform and has expressed support for programs that would allow immigrants to work legally in the United States. The ad's claim fails to provide the necessary context and misrepresents Boxer's stance on immigration.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The ad doesn't explain any of this background. It merely says Boxer \"voted against immigration reform to permit our people to come here legally to work.\"","The ad, running on Spanish language TV in several large California markets, also attacks Boxer on immigration, saying she \"voted against immigration reform to permit our people to come here legally to work.\"","We think the ad's claim about Boxer's record on immigration is highly misleading. It states simply that Boxer \"voted against immigration reform to permit our people to come here legally to work.\" Boxer did not vote against the immigration reform bill in 2007. She voted against a provision in it that she felt would lead to the exploitation of immigrant workers. Moreover, the ad ignores Boxer's history of support for comprehensive immigration reform, including a program to allow immigrants to come to the United States to work legally. We rate the ad's claim about Boxer's immigration record False.","Sen. Barbara Boxer website, Press release: Boxer, Colleagues Express Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform to President Obama( \"Boxer, Colleagues Express Support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform to President Obama\"), April 28, 2010"]},{"id":"9869.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mary Burkes Madison school district will be the only school district left in the state to ignore the (Act 10) law in the 2015-16 school year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Walker that Mary Burke's Madison school district would be the only district in the state to ignore the Act 10 law in the 2015-16 school year. This claim has been evaluated by fact-checkers and has been rated as \"Mostly True.\" It is important to note that Act 10 is a controversial law related to labor unions and collective bargaining in Wisconsin, and its implementation and impact have been subjects of debate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Mary Burke\u2019s Madison school district \"will be the only school district left in the state\" to \"ignore the (Act 10) law\" in the 2015-16 school year.","Walker said Mary Burke\u2019s Madison school district \"will be the only school district left in the state\" to \"ignore the (Act 10) law\" in the 2015-16 school year.","More: Walker claimed Mary Burke\u2019s Madison school district \"will be the only school district left in the state\" to \"ignore the (Act 10) law\" in the 2015-16 school year (Mostly True).","In a campaign news release, Walker said Madison \"will be the only school district left in the state out of 424 to ignore the law and not take advantage of Governor Walker\u2019s reforms into the 2015-16 school year.\""]},{"id":"4137.json","label":"false","statement":"The only growth sector that weve had in the last two years in America is government growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the only growth sector in the last two years in America is government growth is not accurate. While it is true that government employment has seen growth, it is misleading to claim that it is the only sector experiencing growth. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that several other sectors, such as mining and logging, professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and \"other\" sectors, have also seen employment growth over the same period. Therefore, the statement does not reflect the complete picture of job growth in the United States.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We think the government is spending too much,\" the Republican said during a June 29 interview on CNBC. \"The only growth sector that we've had in the last two years in America is government growth. That's not the way to come out of this massive $14 trillion debt burden that most surely is going to affect the middle class, and so I think the answer is not to tax anyone further, but to cut government spending.\"","( - Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison says government is the only growth sector the nation has had in last two years&url=)","All told, we see no reason to penalize Hutchison for failing to say that job gains (and losses) were the basis of her growth claim or failing to specify that by \"government,\" she meant \"federal.\" But she relied on an outdated report speaking to a three-year, not two-year, period. Over the two-year period that she noted, the federal government was not the only growth sector. Private-sector employment also increased.","Noting Hutchison\u2019s use of the word \"sector\" in her CNBC statement, Cheryl Abbot, a BLS economist in Dallas, suggested we compare the data on overall government employment with how other industry groups performed, rather than simply looking at the private sector as a whole. Of eight BLS sector categories, we found five whose payrolls grew over the last two years: mining and logging, professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and \"other,\" which includes laundry services and membership associations, among others."]},{"id":"5490.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Fifty percent of the graduating class of the year 2012 will have smoked marijuana or have done illegal drugs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by former Governor Johnson that approximately 50 percent of the high school graduating class of 2012 would have smoked marijuana or done illegal drugs. While there is no specific data available for the graduating class of 2012, studies and data from previous years suggest that drug use among high school seniors hovers around the 50 percent mark. However, it's important to note that the available data may vary slightly depending on the specific drug and the demographics of the students surveyed. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood as an approximation based on available data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Fifty percent of the high school graduating class of the year 2012 will have smoked marijuana or have done some illegal drugs,\" said Johnson, a former two-term governor of New Mexico.","The National Center for Education Statistics has data on its website that says about 47 percent of the graduating class of 2009 had tried any type of illicit drug. The percentage has declined each year since 2000, when 54 percent of high school seniors had tried drugs.","We couldn\u2019t find data about the percentage of high school seniors graduating this year who\u2019ve smoked marijuana or have done any kind of illicit drug. The studies we\u2019ve found show drug use among 12th-graders hovers around the 50 percent mark, with a slight decline in recent years. We rate his claim as Mostly True.","The Atlanta-based U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention keeps data on marijuana use. According to the CDC\u2019s most recent data, from 2009, nearly 46 percent of 12th-graders had smoked marijuana at least once. Nearly 51 percent of 12th-grade boys had used marijuana, while the percentage of girls was lower, at just over 40 percent. In Georgia, the percentage of all 12th-graders who tried marijuana at least once was nearly identical to the national average."]},{"id":"1319.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The public option is not funded with public money. It's funded with private insurance premiums.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that the public option would be funded through private insurance premiums, it is important to note that in the initial stages, the public option may require a significant amount of public money to establish and operate. The public option would be administered through the Department of Health and Human Services and would negotiate rates with providers. However, the long-term goal is for the public option to be self-sustaining through the premiums paid by consumers. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the nuance of the initial public funding required for the establishment of the public option.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So, for this fact-check, we'll focus on DeGette's other point -- that the public option is funded by private insurance premiums, not public money.","\"Nobody in the public option would be able to get an insurance policy that offered abortion coverage,\" she said. \"And we need to remember, the public option is not funded with public money. It's funded with private insurance premiums. So, let's say you have a small business owner who goes in to the public option because they can't get insurance anyplace else, and they want to buy a policy with their own private money, no federal money, that they would be banned from doing that.\"","We looked into exactly how the public option would be funded, and here's what we found: According to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the plan, the public option would be administered through the Department of Health and Human Services, and it would negotiate rates with providers in the public option. To make sure the public plan doesn't have an unfair advantage, the bill requires that the plan be self-sustaining; funding would come from the premiums consumers pay to get coverage.","So DeGette is right and she's wrong. In the long-term, the public option is meant to be self-sustaining. But first, it will require a big chunk of of public money to get started. We give her a Half True."]},{"id":"10287.json","label":"true","statement":"Thirty-eight states -- Georgia not included -- have appointed, rather than elected, state school superintendents.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that in 38 states, the state school superintendent is appointed rather than elected. However, it is important to note that Georgia is not included in these 38 states, as Georgia voters have twice rejected proposals to amend the state constitution to allow for an appointed state school superintendent. Therefore, the statement is correct in stating that Georgia is not among the states with an appointed state school superintendent.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Georgia voters have twice refused to amend the state constitution to allow for an appointed -- rather than elected -- state school superintendent.","The Georgia School Boards Association is on record in support of an appointed state superintendent and nonpartisan state board with one member elected from each of the state\u2019s 14 congressional districts.","In 38 states, the state school superintendent is appointed by either the governor or the state school board, Dudgeon said in an interview published Nov. 18.","Our ruling: Dudgeon\u2019s on target with his claim that the vast majority of states have an appointed state school superintendent. We rate his statement True."]},{"id":"12518.json","label":"false","statement":"On average, each U.S. military working dog saves the lives of between 150 and 200 servicemen and women over the span of his career.","reason":"Reason: The statement, as claimed by U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman and the humane association, that each U.S. military working dog saves the lives of between 150 and 200 servicemen and women over the span of their career is not supported by the Department of Defense. The Department of Defense has repudiated this claim, indicating that it cannot verify the accuracy of this assertion. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Wittman said, \"On average, each U.S. military working dog saves the lives of between 150 and 200 servicemen and women over the span of his career.\"","\"On average, each U.S. military working dog saves the lives of between 150 and 200 servicemen and women over the span of his career,\" U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, wrote in a recent Facebook post.","\"The nation\u2019s military working dogs, each of whom saves the lives of between 150-200 servicemen and women in the course of their career, are one step closer to being guaranteed treatment as the heroes they are,\" the humane association news release began.","We asked the Department of Defense if it could verify that each military dog saves between 150 and 200 lives. Spokesman Eric Pahon repudiated the claim."]},{"id":"6794.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Had the online change of address been in place in 2008 an estimated 130,000 voters who cast provisional ballots could have changed their address online and voted a regular ballot.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the source that an estimated 130,000 voters who cast provisional ballots in 2008 could have changed their address online and voted a regular ballot if the online change of address system had been in place. However, it's important to note that this estimate assumes that all voters who cast provisional ballots due to incorrect addresses would have taken advantage of the online address change option, which is not certain. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the claim, it should be understood that the estimated number is based on assumptions and may not reflect the actual outcome.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Had the online change of address been in place in 2008 an estimated 130,000 voters who cast provisional ballots could have changed their address online and voted a regular ballot,\" he said in the news release.","So Politifact Ohio asked the Husted\u2019s staff for an explanation. How can you say how many people would have changed their addresses and avoided a provisional ballot in 2008 had this online address change been in effect?","\"I think it is a reasonable way of estimating how many voters would be able to take advantage of this if everyone who had a provisional ballot due to incorrect address indeed went online and changes the address electronically we would have about 130,000 voters,\" Calvetti said.","But the figure assumes all people would have taken advantage of the online address change, which is not certain. That\u2019s additional information that provides clarification.."]},{"id":"7143.json","label":"true","statement":"Says food stamp growth, while high, lagged the rise in unemployment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which suggests that while the growth in food stamp usage was significant, it did not surpass the rise in unemployment. The evidence explains that the increase in food stamp usage is a direct consequence of the recession that began before President Obama took office. It also highlights that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is designed to provide assistance during economic downturns when poverty and unemployment rates increase. Therefore, while food stamp growth was substantial, it did not outpace the rise in unemployment.\nLabel: true","evidence":["These, too, were annual averages, and some months were higher, some lower. If you were to pick certain months in those years to find high and low points, you could show an even bigger leap in unemployment -- as high as the 105 percent rise between May 2007 and May 2011. But by using the more conservative annual average, it becomes clear that Goodman did not cherry pick the data to show extremes.","Clearly, the rise in food stamps is a direct consequence of the most recent recession, which began more than a year before Obama took office. It\u2019s impossible to know how high SNAP usage would have gone had the Republicans, rather than Obama, shaped policy in 2009 and 2010.","\"The more recent growth is driven primarily by the recession and is evidence that SNAP is doing precisely what it is designed to do: quickly help more low-income families during economic downturns as poverty rises, unemployment mounts, and more people need assistance,\" she said.","Says Florida refused to allow the insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high\" under Obamacare."]},{"id":"12818.json","label":"true","statement":"After the shootings of Dallas policemen, nearly 500 people applied in just 12 days.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton that nearly 500 people applied to the Dallas Police Department in just 12 days following the shootings of Dallas policemen. This claim is supported by the Dallas police themselves, who reported that 467 people applied between July 8 and July 20. The surge in applications can be seen as a response to Chief David Brown's call for community support and potential recruitment. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said nearly 500 people applied to the Dallas Police Department in 12 days. The Dallas police said 467 people applied between July 8 and July 20.","\"Chief David Brown asked the community to support his force, maybe even join them,\" Clinton said. \"And you know how the community responded? Nearly 500 people applied in just 12 days.\"","Four days later, the Dallas police chief held a press conference where he urged the public to understand the pressures facing his officers. And he addressed the protestors in the Black Lives Matter movement.","As she accepted the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton hammered her campaign\u2019s central theme that the country moves forward when people work together. Clinton found inspiration from the response that came after five police officers were shot dead in Dallas."]},{"id":"5393.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I have a very conservative voting record.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Mack regarding his voting record being \"very conservative\" has been evaluated and found to be mostly true. While there may have been instances where Mack did not align with hard-line conservative positions on certain issues, the overall assessment of his voting record and comparison to other members of Congress indicates that he has received high marks from conservative organizations. The National Journal's ranking, which takes into account key votes on economic, social, and foreign policy issues, placed Mack as the 67th most conservative member in 2010, with a conservative composite score of 82.7 percent. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Mack's overall voting record in a conservative context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["When asked about that, Mack responded, \"I am one of the most conservative members of Congress, and I have a very conservative voting record,\" according to the Republican blog the Shark Tank on Feb. 4, 2012.","Mack said \"I have a very conservative voting record.\" The general way Mack worded his claim makes it easy for him: There are times when he didn\u2019t take a hard-line conservative position, such as his stances on stem cell research and the Arizona immigration law. But Mack\u2019s claim here was about his overall record and how he compared to the rest of Congress, and for that he has gotten high marks from several conservative organizations. We rate this claim Mostly True.","In Arizona, early voting would allow Kari Lake\u2019s opponents to see how many votes they \u201cneed to fake to catch up and surpass.\u201d","\u2022 The National Journal ranks members of Congress based on key votes about economic, social and foreign policy issues and then gives them a composite score and ranking. For 2010, Mack did not make the Journal\u2019sTop 10 most conservative. Mack was ranked the 67th most conservative and received a conservative composite score of 82.7 percent. The Journal noted that in 2010, economic issues dominated, and there were few votes on social issues or foreign issues."]},{"id":"9180.json","label":"true","statement":"Women in Oregon are paid 79 cents for every dollar paid to men. If the wage gap was eliminated, a working woman in Oregon would have enough money for 2,877 gallons of gas, 72 more weeks of food for her family or nearly 12 more months of rent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that women in Oregon are paid 79 cents for every dollar paid to men. This wage gap statistic suggests a disparity in earnings between men and women in the state. The additional information about the potential impact of closing the wage gap, such as the ability to afford more gas, food, or rent, provides context to highlight the significance of addressing this issue. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In Oregon, women earn an average of 79 cents for every dollar that men earn for doing the same job. That\u2019s just wrong.\"","\"The hourly figures still show there is a wage gap,\" she said, \"but they still don\u2019t suggest that the 77-cent figure or Oregon\u2019s 79-cent figure are wrong. They are just looking at different measures.\"","In this item, we're checking the claim that \"women (are) paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men.\"","In Oregon, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian posted an \"issue statement\" on his campaign website on Jan. 31, 2014, that customizes the issue for the Beaver state. \"In Oregon,\" according to the post, \"women earn an average of 79 cents for every dollar that men earn for doing the same job. That\u2019s just wrong.\""]},{"id":"8160.json","label":"true","statement":"Polls show that 96 percent of New Jerseyans and 95 percent of gun households in the state support expanding background checks to keep guns away from those who shouldnt have them.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of polls conducted in New Jersey, which indicate that a significant majority of both New Jerseyans (96 percent) and gun households in the state (95 percent) support expanding background checks to prevent guns from reaching individuals who should not have access to them. These poll results suggest strong public support for stricter background check measures in New Jersey.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Polls show that 96 percent of New Jerseyans \u2013 and 95 percent of gun households in the state \u2013 support expanding background checks to keep guns away from those who shouldn\u2019t have them.\"","Kelly said in an opinion column, \"\"Polls show that 96 percent of New Jerseyans \u2013 and 95 percent of gun households in the state \u2013 support expanding background checks to keep guns away from those who shouldn\u2019t have them.\"","\"Polls show that 96 percent of New Jerseyans \u2013 and 95 percent of gun households in the state \u2013 support expanding background checks to keep guns away from those who shouldn\u2019t have them,\" Navy Capt. Mark Kelly said in an Aug. 12 opinion column on , the online home of The Star-Ledger.","The response, according to poll data: 96 percent favored it. The figure was 95 percent for \u2018gun households,\u2019 meaning those households in New Jersey where a gun is present."]},{"id":"9255.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"No other country has a constitutional right like the Second Amendment.","reason":"Reason: While Mexico and Guatemala do have the right to bear arms in their constitutions, the Second Amendment of the United States is unique because it does not include restrictive conditions within its constitutional language. This distinction sets it apart from the constitutional rights to bear arms in other countries. Therefore, the statement that \"no other country has a constitutional right like the Second Amendment\" is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the unique nature of the Second Amendment compared to other countries' constitutional provisions on the right to bear arms.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I'm always amused that those who come up to me and say no other country has a constitutional right like this,\" he said. \"As if to imply that there is something wrong with us. But we say no other country has a constitutional right like this not with scorn, but with pride.\"","At last year\u2019s NRA convention, Rubio said, \"No other country has a constitutional right\" like the Second Amendment. It turns out that Mexico and Guatemala have the right to bear arms in their constitutions, but the Second Amendment is unique because it is the only one that doesn\u2019t include restrictive conditions within the constitutional language. PolitiFact Florida rated this claim Mostly True.","We asked several legal experts if the United States is the only such country that has a constitutional right to bear arms.","Mexico and Guatemala have the right to bear arms in their constitutions. However, the Second Amendment is unique because it is the only one that doesn\u2019t include restrictive conditions within the constitutional language. We rate this claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"12153.json","label":"false","statement":"We have not taken away any rights that have currently existed in any city in North Carolina with the passage of HB2.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McCrory that HB2 did not take away any rights that currently existed in any city in North Carolina is not accurate. HB2 did indeed remove certain rights that cities had previously held. It nullified existing anti-discrimination policies in cities like Carrboro and Raleigh and prohibited cities from implementing their own anti-discrimination requirements on private contractors. It also potentially limited the ability of cities and counties to pass their own in-house anti-discrimination policies. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McCrory said that with the passage of HB2, \"we have not taken away any rights that have currently existed in any city in North Carolina.\"","\"We have not taken away any rights that have currently existed in any city in North Carolina, from Raleigh to Durham to Chapel Hill to Charlotte,\" McCrory said at a press conference Monday. \"Every city and every corporation has the exact same discrimination policy this week as they had two weeks ago.\"","That is not true. It took away the rights of cities to put certain anti-discrimination requirements on private contractors, and it nullified existing policies like in Carrboro and Raleigh. It might have also taken away the rights of cities and counties to pass their own in-house anti-discrimination policies, depending on which lawyer you ask.","\"We would be just like North Carolina with HB2-like (transgender bathroom) legislation. It actually passed our chamber and I vetoed it.\""]},{"id":"3995.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since June 2009, about 48 percent of all the jobs created in America were in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Perry's claim that approximately 48 percent of all jobs created in America since June 2009 were in Texas. This claim is based on research conducted by the Dallas branch of the Federal Reserve, which compared the number of jobs in Texas and the nation in April 2011 to the number of jobs in June 2009. The calculation shows that Texas accounted for nearly 48 percent of the job gains nationally during that period. However, it's important to note that this statistic covers a specific time frame and does not consider jobs created in other states with net job losses. Therefore, while the claim is accurate within the given context, it may not provide a comprehensive picture of job creation in the entire country.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["His 35-second cameo shows host Glenn Beck and Perry, who is not introduced, walking from a chalkboard past the camera as Beck asks: \"How many jobs did you create, percentage, during the recession?\" Perry replies: \"Since June 2009, about 48 percent of all the jobs created in America were in Texas. Come add to it.\"","Per the governor\u2019s recent claim, his office and the Texas Workforce Commission each attributed the 48 percent figure to research touted by the Dallas branch of the Federal Reserve. The Fed compared the number of jobs in Texas and the nation in April 2011 to the number of jobs in June 2009, the month marked by the National Bureau of Economic Research as the end of the recession that started in December 2007.","Pia Orrenius, a senior economist at the Dallas Fed, told us the calculation came from subtracting the number of Texas jobs in June 2009 (10,287,000) from the jobs as of April 2011 (10,524,000) and determining the 237,000 increase accounted for nearly 48 percent of the 496,000 jobs gained nationally over that period. She said the national job figures were drawn from the federal government\u2019s national payroll surveys.","Our take:The strength of the Texas economy, compared to many other states, isn\u2019t in dispute. However, there are many ways to slice and dice employment statistics. The calculations behind the 48-percent boast may cover a less meaningful time frame while not weighing any jobs created in states with net job losses."]},{"id":"1172.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Van Jones signed a petition indicating he thinks the Bush administration blew up the World Trade Center and covered it up.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Van Jones did sign a petition in 2004 that called for a new investigation into the 9\/11 attacks. However, it is important to note that the petition itself does not definitively state that the Bush administration blew up the World Trade Center and covered it up. While the petition implies questions about the administration's actions and calls for further investigations, it does not make a conclusive accusation. Therefore, the statement that Van Jones signed a petition indicating he believes the Bush administration blew up the World Trade Center and covered it up is an exaggeration and lacks accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On one level, the petition is just asking for more investigations. But given the pointed questions it asks, it pretty clearly implies that the Bush administration allowed the terrorist attacks to be executed due to indifference or incompetence, at a minimum. It also states that \"people within the current administration may indeed have deliberately allowed 9\/11 to happen, perhaps as a pretext for war.\" Still, Beck pushes the envelope when he says Jones \"thinks the Bush administration blew up the World Trade Center and covered it up.\" The petition doesn't state that definitively. It does ask for investigations. We rate Beck's statement Half True.","Beck read the names of several celebrities who signed the petition, including the actor Ed Asner, actress and actor\/comedian Janeane Garofalo, and Cynthia McKinney, at the time a Democratic congresswoman from Georgia. He then noted that Jones signed as directer of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, a California-based civil rights group Jones directed at the time.","Jones' name is listed on the petition , and he has not disputed that he signed it. Democrats such as Howard Dean said that Jones made a mistake by signing the petition without knowing its complete contents. Since the petition hit the news last week, some signatories have said they were misled about its contents and at least one asked that her name be removed. ( Politico has reported on these disputes in greater detail.)","Specifically, Beck said, Jones signed a 2004 petition promoted by , which demanded a new investigation into Sept. 11 to answer what the group considered to be unanswered questions about the attacks."]},{"id":"2051.json","label":"false","statement":"Ken Hodges badly botched this investigation and, as a result, justice wasnt done in this case.","reason":"Reason: While there are differing opinions and allegations regarding the handling of the investigation by Ken Hodges, there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that he \"badly botched\" the investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice found insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against the sheriff's deputy involved in the shooting, indicating that the case was complex and lacked clear evidence of willful wrongdoing. Therefore, the statement that justice was not done in this case due to Hodges' alleged mishandling is unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Teilhet, a Marietta-based attorney who predominantly deals in workers' compensation cases, thought so. \"Ken Hodges badly botched this investigation and, as a result, justice wasn't done in this case,\" Teilhet said in a telephone interview with PolitiFact Georgia. Teilhet did not speak in the ad.","There is some truth to two of the three claims in the ad. But was this case \"badly botched\"? So far, there's been no significant evidence to prove that allegation. Additionally, the federal Justice Department decided not to move forward with a criminal civil rights case against Glisson. The feds found there was insufficient evidence to prove Glisson willfully shot Walker. Teilhet said the feds were considering different criteria. Still, we rate Teilhet's claim as False.","The NAACP demanded further investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice decided in July 2007 there was insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against Glisson, who had been fired after the shooting.","A mother claims a prosecutor botched a case in which her unarmed son, Kenneth Walker, was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy on a cold roadway in Columbus. The prosecutor was Ken Hodges, now a Democratic candidate for Georgia attorney general. The ad was put together by Rob Teilhet, a Democrat running against Hodges in a bruising campaign for the party's nomination."]},{"id":"11827.json","label":"false","statement":"Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have the identical position on health care, which is they want to put the government in charge of you and your doctor.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cruz is inaccurate. While all three candidates, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders, have expressed a desire to address healthcare issues, their positions on healthcare differ significantly. While Sanders supports a single-payer system where the government plays a larger role in healthcare, Trump and Clinton have proposed different approaches that do not involve putting the government entirely in charge of individuals and their doctors. Therefore, the claim that they have an identical position on healthcare is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cruz said, \"Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have the identical position on health care, which is they want to put the government in charge of you and your doctor.\"","\"Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have the identical position on health care,\" Cruz said on Jan. 31. \"Which is they want to put the government in charge of you and your doctor.\"","While Trump, Clinton and Sanders have all proposed to reduce prescription drug prices, that one policy is a far cry from having \"the identical position on health care.\" Cruz\u2019s description of that position (putting the government in charge of you and your doctor) can only reasonably be applied to Sanders\u2019 single-payer system.","Not exactly. Trump, Clinton and Sanders all seem to support one particular health care policy: allowing the government to negotiate drug prices. Beyond that specific proposal, however, the three candidates\u2019 overarching positions on health care are not at all \"identical\" and, one could argue, actually contradictory."]},{"id":"2956.json","label":"true","statement":"The Atlanta Braves are the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchise in America.","reason":"Reason: The Atlanta Braves claim to be the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchise in America, and this claim has been evaluated and deemed true. While the Cincinnati Red Stockings are considered the first professional baseball team, the Braves' claim focuses on being the oldest continuously operating franchise. The Braves trace their origins back to the Boston Red Stockings, who joined the National League and have maintained a continuous presence in professional baseball since then. This distinction sets them apart from other sports franchises in America, making their claim accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But few baseball fans are aware of another streak the Braves proudly claim: that they've stayed in business longer than any team in the country. The Braves make the claim on their website, saying they are \"the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchise in America.\"","The Cincinnati Red Stockings, which many people view as a predecessor of the Reds, are apparently baseball's first professional sports franchise. But that is not what the Braves claim. Regarding their claim to the title of \"oldest continuous sports franchise in America,\" it does appear that the team's origins began with the Boston Red Stockings, who then joined what became the National League of Major League Baseball. The key word here is \"continuous.\" We believe the Braves slid home safely on this one and rate their claim as True.","A claim that they are the longest-running sports franchise in America is obviously a source of civic pride for the Braves and Atlanta, if true.","Epling doesn't believe there's a team in the three other major sports leagues in America that can make a claim. Football, he said, was semi-professional until the 1920s. The team now known as the Arizona Cardinals is believed to be the first pro football team. It began in Chicago in 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club."]},{"id":"5929.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"After they bought GST Steel, Mitt Romney and his partners loaded it with debt, closed the Kansas City plant and walked away with a healthy profit, leaving hundreds of employees out of work with their pensions in jeopardy.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the claim that after Mitt Romney and his partners purchased GST Steel, they did load it with debt, closed the Kansas City plant, and ultimately walked away with a healthy profit. This resulted in hundreds of employees losing their jobs and their pensions being put in jeopardy. However, it is important to note that the closure of the plant occurred after Romney had left daily management at Bain, although he was still leading the company during a significant portion of its investment in GST Steel. Additionally, external factors such as competition and the steel industry's challenges also contributed to the plant's struggles. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood in the context of the broader factors at play.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We are checking this claim: \"After purchasing the company, Mitt Romney and his partners loaded it with debt, closed the Kansas City plant and walked away with a healthy profit, leaving hundreds of employees out of work with their pensions in jeopardy.\"","We\u2019re checking a statement from an Obama campaign news release announcing the ad. It sums up the GST story this way: \"After purchasing the company, Mitt Romney and his partners loaded it with debt, closed the Kansas City plant and walked away with a healthy profit, leaving hundreds of employees out of work with their pensions in jeopardy.\"","Bain's investment in GST Steel -- Another Obama TV ad accused Bain of leaving GST Steel in poor shape. \"Mitt Romney and his partners loaded it with debt, closed the Kansas City plant and walked away with a healthy profit, leaving hundreds of employees out of work with their pensions in jeopardy.\" We found that claim was largely accurate, but needed some clarification. The plant\u2019s closure happened after Romney had left daily management at Bain, though he led Bain during six years of its majority investment in the plant. And other, outside factors were at work that made the steel industry a tough business. We rated this statement Mostly True.","In the ad, we meet several steelworkers who lost their jobs eight years after Bain took over GST. The plant, which went through several owners, first opened in 1888. At its peak it employed 4,500 people in jobs that ensured college for the kids and a secure retirement.. But by the mid 1990s, the plant was struggling against competition and operating with outdated equipment. Bain bought the mill in 1993, took on debt, changed the management and paid dividends to investors. It created a new parent company, GS Industries, and acquired other steel businesses, building its reach, and its debt. Then steel prices dove, and the company had no cushion to weather the difficult times. In 2001, the parent company filed for bankruptcy protection \u2014 and shut down the Kansas City plant."]},{"id":"9912.json","label":"false","statement":"You have 200,000 to 400,000 military veterans on the street in this country on any given day.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that there are 200,000 to 400,000 military veterans on the street in the United States on any given day. The evidence provided from the National Coalition for the Homeless suggests a lower range of 130,000 to 200,000 homeless individuals, which includes veterans but is not specific to them. While homelessness among veterans is a significant issue, the statement exaggerates the number and fails to provide accurate data to support the claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It needs to stop for their safety and because we cannot handle the influx. We have a much more difficult time taking care of our own,\" he said. \"When you have 200,000 to 400,000 military veterans on the street in this country on any given day, we can't take care of them and yet we want to bring in another influx of tens or hundreds of thousands of people, illegal immigrants? We can't even take care of our own.\"","When we asked him for his source, Reis referred us to a web page from the National Coalition for the Homeless, which featured a fact sheet written in 2009. It pegs the count at 130,000 to 200,000 per night -- substantially less than Reis\u2019s 200,000 to 400,000 number.","Yoho said Afghanistan has more land producing poppies than before the U.S. war began. U.N. surveys back that up. In 2002, the country had about 74,000 hectares in poppy cultivation. In 2016, the number was over 200,000. The amount of land used for growing poppies has gone up and down, but the long term trend is definitely up.","Since January 2009, they've conducted an annual \"Point-in-Time Count\" of the homeless who spend the night in shelters or are on the street. It's done by groups that regularly work with the homeless and who have become very good at tracking them down."]},{"id":"4722.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Because of Barack Obama 32 million new people will have healthcare.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Obama campaign that under the health care reform passed in 2010, 32 million Americans would be covered by health insurance. However, it's important to note that the actual number of people who gained health care coverage as a result of the law is subject to interpretation and can vary based on different factors. The 6.3 million figure mentioned in the evidence refers to the number of people who signed up for Medicaid, but it includes some individuals who were previously eligible for Medicaid and does not solely represent new enrollments due to the law. Additionally, estimates from a health-care consulting firm suggest that between 1.1 million and 1.8 million people newly enrolled for Medicaid due to the law. While the statement is generally accurate, it's important to consider the nuances and complexities of the data when assessing the impact of the health care reform on the number of people with health care coverage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One of the claims: that 32 million new people will have health care. We decided to check how accurate it was. (You can see a full copy of the ad at the bottom of this report.)","The administration\u2019s 6.3 million figure includes a lot of the \"churn\" in Medicaid that has nothing to do with the new law\u2019s Medicaid expansion, as well as new sign-ups of people who were previously eligible for Medicaid -- and thus were not granted \"access to health care for the first time because of Medicaid expansion,\" in Obama\u2019s words.","Meanwhile, Avalere, a health-care consulting firm, concluded that over the three-month period, between 1.1 million and 1.8 million people newly enrolled for Medicaid due to Obamacare. Avalere developed its estimates in part by comparing the CMS data on new enrollments to enrollment rates from the summer of 2013. The idea is to see how much of a \"bump\" in enrollments materialized due to the Medicaid expansion.","The Obama campaign directed us to the Congressional Budget Office, which early on estimated that 32 million Americans would be covered by health insurance by 2019 under the sweeping health care reform passed by Congress and signed by Obama in 2010. CBO director Doug Elmendorf, in testimony before Congress in March 2011, moved up that timetable to 2016."]},{"id":"11313.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mexico doesnt have birthright citizenship, and Americans are the only ones to have it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Mexico does have birthright citizenship, as do many other countries around the world. In fact, more than 30 countries, including Mexico, offer birthright citizenship. This includes countries in the Americas such as Canada, Brazil, and several Central and South American nations. The claim that the United States is the only country with birthright citizenship is inaccurate and contradicted by available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"And by the way, Mexico and almost every other country anywhere in the world doesn't have that,\" he said. \"We're the only ones dumb enough, stupid enough to have it.\"","Trump defended his pursuit of ending birthright citizenship by saying not even Mexico has it, adding the United States is alone on this right.","The United States and Mexico are joined by more than 30 countries around the world, predominantly in the Americas, that offer birthright citizenship.","Birthright citizenship also exists in Canada, Brazil and nearly every other country in Central and South America, according to a list of nations with birthright citizenship maintained by Numbers USA, which supports reduced immigration levels."]},{"id":"10245.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Orange County, Florida, school board voted to make it impossible for a student to receive a grade below 50.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the decision made by the Orange County, Florida, school board. They voted in favor of a policy that sets 50 as the minimum grade a student can receive for quarter and semester grades. However, it's important to note that this policy does not apply to individual assignments or tests, where lower grades can still be given. So, while the statement is true in terms of the overall grading policy, it should be clarified that lower grades are still possible on specific assignments or tests.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Bush said that the Orange County school board \"voted to make it impossible for a student to receive a grade below 50. You get 50 out of 100 just for showing up and signing your name.\"","\"This morning, over 213 million Chinese students went to school and nobody debated whether academic expectations should be lowered in order to protect their students\u2019 self esteem,\" he said in his keynote to the National Summit on Education Reform on Nov. 20, 2014. \"Yet in Orange County, Fla., last week I read that debate actually did occur at a school board meeting. The school board voted to make it impossible for a student to receive a grade below 50. You get 50 out of 100 just for showing up and signing your name. This was done -- and I quote here from a local official -- \u2018so that the students do not lose all hope.\u2019 \"","The school board voted that 50 is the minimum number for quarter and semester grades, though it\u2019s still possible to get a lower grade on an individual assignment or test.","The school board voted in favor of the plan, 7-1, with member Rick Roach dissenting. (Board chair Bill Sublette said he opposed the 50 percent rule, however he said was voting \"yes\" for the overall plan which included several policies related to student assessment.)"]},{"id":"8933.json","label":"false","statement":"Richmond is the most vegan-friendly city.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Jones that Richmond is the \"most vegan-friendly city\" is not supported by the evidence. While Richmond may have a vegan-friendly environment, the source cited by Jones, which is People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), actually ranked Richmond 10th in terms of providing animal-free food. Therefore, the claim that Richmond is the most vegan-friendly city is false based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Jones said Richmond is the \"most vegan friendly city.\" The source he cited, however, rated Richmond 10th in providing animal-free food.","Tammy Hawley, the mayor\u2019s spokeswoman, pointed us to 2013 ratings by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a group that promotes meat-free diets and opposes animal testing. PETA ranked U.S. cities based on \"availability of vegan options\" as well as the \"influence of vegan culture,\" said Lindsay Rahat, the group\u2019s associate director of campaigns.","\"If you\u2019re a single mom, and you\u2019ve two kids in the city of Richmond, you can almost make $50,000 a year on the public dole.\"","We don\u2019t doubt Jones\u2019 contention that Richmond is \"cool.\" When it comes to vegans, Richmond may be hospitable, but it has not been rated the friendliest city for them. So we rate the mayor\u2019s claim False."]},{"id":"8445.json","label":"false","statement":"Wendy Davis opposes any limits on abortion.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly refutes the statement that Wendy Davis opposes any limits on abortion. Davis has expressed her opposition to late-term abortions except in specific circumstances such as when the life or health of the mother is endangered, cases of rape or incest, or severe and irreversible fetal abnormalities. This indicates that she supports certain limits on abortion. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Although Davis has spoken and voted against certain abortion limits, her campaign statement and her stated support for the Roe v. Wade decision indicate she opposes late-term abortions except in extreme circumstances. The group did not provide, and we did not find, evidence of Davis opposing \"any limits on abortion.\"","Campaign spokesman Bo Delp told us by email it\u2019s incorrect to say Davis opposes any limits. \"Like most Texans, Sen. Davis opposes late-term abortions except when the life or health of the mother is endangered, in cases of rape or incest or in the case of severe and irreversible fetal abnormalities,\" Delp said.","!We rated Mostly False this claim about Democrat Wendy Davis by Republican Greg Abbott. !We rated Mostly False this claim about Democrat Wendy Davis by Republican Greg Abbott.","The day state Sen. Wendy Davis announced her run for governor, Texas Right to Life announced it would air a radio ad calling her an \"abortion zealot.\""]},{"id":"4007.json","label":"false","statement":"The president released all of the oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that the president authorized the release of oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve, the claim that \"all\" of the oil was released is false. The Strategic Oil Reserve has a capacity of approximately 727 million barrels, and the release authorized by the president would only represent a fraction of that amount. Additionally, the released oil would still need to go through the refining process before it can enter the market. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bachmann: \"It\u2019s ironic and sad that the president released all of the oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve because the president doesn\u2019t have an energy policy.\"","Several readers asked us to check Bachmann\u2019s statement that \"the president released all of the oil from the Strategic Oil Reserve,\" suggesting that Bachmann was incorrect in using the word \"all\" to describe the release. So we decided to look into it.","It's possible Bachmann meant to say, \"the president released oil\" or \"some oil\" from the reserve, in which case she would have been accurate. (We reached out to Bachmann\u2019s staff, but they did not respond to our inquiry by publication time.)","It will take some time for this newly released oil to hit the market. Because of constraints in the reserve\u2019s pipelines and terminals, its holdings can be drawn down by about 4.4 million barrels a day. In addition, the reserve stores crude oil rather than gasoline, partly because crude oil is more stable. So any oil that\u2019s released must be refined before coming to market."]},{"id":"11718.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"91% of suspected terrorists who attempted to buy guns in America walked away with the weapon they wanted.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy that 91% of suspected terrorists who attempted to buy guns in America were successful in acquiring the weapon they wanted. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as mostly true, indicating that there is strong evidence supporting this statistic. It highlights a concerning loophole in the current system that allows suspected terrorists to obtain firearms, which has been a topic of debate and concern in discussions on gun control and national security.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Murphy said, \"91 percent of suspected terrorists who attempted to buy guns in America walked away with the weapon they wanted.\"","Murphy tweeted a graphic on Dec. 8, 2015, claiming that \"91 percent of suspected terrorists who attempted to buy guns in America walked away with the weapon they wanted.\"","We looked at this issue in December when we examined U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy's tweet that \"91 percent of suspected terrorists who attempted to buy guns in America walked away with the weapon they wanted.\" We rated Murphy's statement Mostly True.","We know it\u2019s legal for suspected terrorists to buy weapons \u2014 specifically, guns \u2014 because that\u2019s the right Thompson and even President Obama have said they want to take away."]},{"id":"13061.json","label":"false","statement":"If Congress fails to act, the Obama administration intends to give away control of the internet to an international body akin to the United Nations.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cruz is misleading. While it is true that the Obama administration planned to transition the oversight of the internet's domain name system from the U.S. government to a global multi-stakeholder community, it is incorrect to claim that this transition would result in giving away control of the internet to an international body akin to the United Nations. The transition was intended to enhance the transparency and inclusivity of the internet's governance, ensuring that it is not under the control of any single government or organization. The goal was to maintain the open and decentralized nature of the internet. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the nature and purpose of the transition.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cruz said: \"If Congress fails to act, the Obama administration intends to give away control of the internet to an international body akin to the United Nations.\"","This summer, Cruz and a fellow Republican, U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin, introduced the Protecting Internet Freedom Act to bar any handoff of the internet-related duties unless Congress gives approval. Talking up the proposal, Cruz said in Sept. 8, 2016, floor remarks: \"In 22 short days, if Congress fails to act, the Obama administration intends to give away control of the internet to an international body akin to the United Nations.\"","We sought the basis of Cruz\u2019s statement about the administration giving away control of the internet. By email, Cruz spokesman Phil Novack noted ICANN is slated to no longer be under contract with the federal government. His email said that under the slated-to-go arrangement, \"only the United States can authorize any changes to the authoritative root zone file, which is used to operate the internet and is essentially the master address book. By giving up those contracts, the United States is, in a very real sense, giving up control of the internet.\"","Mueller, asked if Cruz\u2019s claim holds up, said by phone: \"There\u2019s no legitimate way for him to get to that conclusion. What he\u2019s doing is fear-mongering and trying to create a bogeyman, which is the United Nations.\" Mueller said the whole point of the approaching shift is to keep domain names\u2019 governance away from direct government oversight."]},{"id":"1356.json","label":"false","statement":"Labor union president Andy Stern is the most frequent visitor at the White House.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that Andy Stern, the former head of the Service Employees International Union, appeared frequently in White House visitor logs, it is incorrect to claim that he was the most frequent visitor overall. There were other individuals, including government officials and other prominent figures, who had more frequent visits to the White House during that time. Therefore, the statement that Andy Stern was the most frequent visitor at the White House is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a Dec. 3, 2009, broadcast, Beck decried that Andy Stern, head of the Service Employees International Union, appears more times in a White House visitor log release than anyone else.","\"You've got to ask yourself what the hell happened to this country,\" Beck said. \"If I would have told you instead that the most frequent visitor of the White House, over the secretary of state and everybody else, is a labor union president Stern who has repeatedly said workers of the world unite ... would you have believed it?\" (For the record, \"Workers of the world, unite!\" is the popular, if unofficial, translation of the final exhortation in Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels' Communist Manifesto .)","!Was Al Sharpton a frequent visitor to the Obama White House? (Getty Images) !Was Al Sharpton a frequent visitor to the Obama White House? (Getty Images)","Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, \"At MLK event, Glenn Grothman counters Trump comments by noting Al Sharpton was frequent visitor to Obama White House\" Jan. 17, 2018."]},{"id":"24.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"... study after study has shown that the death penalty deters murders.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that there have been studies suggesting a deterrent effect of the death penalty on murders. However, it's important to note that the issue of deterrence is still a subject of debate among experts, and there is no consensus among researchers. While some studies have found a potential deterrent effect, others have found no significant impact or have raised concerns about the methodology used. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that there are conflicting studies on the deterrent effect of the death penalty rather than stating that \"study after study\" has shown a clear deterrence. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\" after study has shown that the death penalty deters murders. Some studies show really dramatic effects, with each execution of a murderer deterring as many as 18 or more murders. That's according to Emory University professors, who found as well that delaying execution also leads to further murders. Most studies have concluded that some number of murders between three and 18 are prevented for every application of capital punishment.\"","\"Getting Off Death Row: Commuting Sentences and the Deterrent Effect of the Capital Punishment\" by H. Nancy Mocan and R. Kaj Gittins. 2006.","The deterrent effect of execution on murders has long been debated, but Thompson suggests the matter has been resolved. Not so. Here is the full assertion from Thompson's broadcast on ABC radio June 27:","A dozen research papers in the last six years support Thompson's assertion that capital punishment prevents murders, according to the Associated Press. Three studies get the most attention: a 2006 report by two economists and statistical papers in 2003 and 2006 from the Emory researchers."]},{"id":"5323.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nationwide tuition at public universities is up almost 300 percent ... in the last 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to data from the College Board, tuition at public four-year universities in the United States increased by approximately 291 percent in current dollars between 1991-92 and 2011-12. However, when adjusted for inflation, the increase is around 136 percent. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the measurement used, it is clear that tuition at public universities has experienced a significant increase over the past two decades.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Nationwide, tuition at public universities is up almost 300 percent. You are an exception here at Florida State. But it\u2019s up almost 300 percent in the last 20 years,\" Biden said.","Biden said \"Nationwide, tuition at public universities is up almost 300 percent ... in the last 20 years.\" The College Board\u2019s data shows that between 1991-92 and 2011-12, it increased by about 291 percent for public four-year universities in current dollars -- one valid way of measuring tuition hikes. Adjusted for inflation, however, tuition hasn\u2019t gone up quite that fast -- it\u2019s up 136 percent. So we rate Biden\u2019s claim Mostly True.","That figure -- a nationwide increase of 300 percent over 20 years -- is massive so we wanted to check if it was right.","\"We are looking forward to make sure the next 20 years they don\u2019t increase 300 percent again. \u2026FSU has great professors. You started from a very low tuition base, and therefore you have gone up slightly, but that is nowhere compared to other schools that started high and went higher.\""]},{"id":"9185.json","label":"true","statement":"During Lyndon B. Johnsons first 20 years in Congress, he opposed every civil rights measure that came up for a vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that during Lyndon B. Johnson's first 20 years in Congress, he opposed every civil rights measure that came up for a vote. This claim has been widely reported and is supported by historical records. It is important to note, however, that Johnson's stance on civil rights evolved significantly after his early years in Congress, and he played a crucial role in passing landmark civil rights legislation as President.\nLabel: true","evidence":["During Lyndon B. Johnson\u2019s first 20 years in Congress, \"he opposed every civil rights measure that came up for a vote.\"","Obama said that during Johnson\u2019s \"first 20 years in Congress, he opposed every civil rights measure that came up for a vote.\"","\"During his first 20 years in Congress,\" Obama said, \"he opposed every civil rights bill that came up for a vote, once calling the push for federal legislation a farce and a shame.\"","President Lyndon Johnson is remembered, among other things, for spearheading passage of landmark civil rights legislation. So it caught many by surprise recently when President Barack Obama said this of LBJ: \"During his first 20 years in Congress, he opposed every civil rights bill that came up for a vote, once calling the push for federal legislation a farce and a shame.\""]},{"id":"5718.json","label":"false","statement":"The Keystone oil pipeline would employ 20,000 people in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Keystone XL pipeline would employ 20,000 people in the United States is misleading and has been debunked. While any construction project creates jobs, the number provided by Senator Isakson is exaggerated. Independent analyses have shown that the actual number of long-term jobs created by the pipeline would be significantly lower, with estimates ranging from a few thousand to a few hundred. It's important to consider accurate information when discussing the potential employment impact of the Keystone XL pipeline.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Isakson said that Keystone \"would employ 20,000 people in the United States.\" While any construction project creates jobs, the number Isakson uses seems misleadingly high.","There\u2019s been a running battle over jobs and the Keystone XL. We\u2019ve checked claims that it would employ as many as 20,000 workers. We rated that False; even the company behind the pipeline backed away from that number.","The other side has been just as active. That includes U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, an Oregon Republican who has long supported the pipeline as a way to make the United States more energy self-sufficient and boost the economy -- even in Oregon.","The Keystone XL pipeline that would carry oil from Alberta, Canada, to refineries on the Texas Gulf coast presents President Barack Obama with no easy choice."]},{"id":"7245.json","label":"true","statement":"Says if you are on your bike in a crosswalk, all you have to do is dip your wheel into the road and cars must legally stop.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the interpretation of the law in Oregon. According to the law, if a cyclist is in a crosswalk and dips their wheel into the road, it is considered a signal of intent to cross, and cars are legally required to stop to allow the cyclist to cross. This interpretation is based on the clarification made in Oregon law in 2011, which extended the right of way to pedestrians crossing the street, including cyclists in crosswalks. However, it's important to note that this interpretation may not apply universally and may vary in different jurisdictions.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Jonathan Maus, who runs the blog , announced recently on Twitter that the new law applied to cyclists as well. After some research he concluded that, \"If on your bike on sidewalk, all u have to do is dip wheel into road and cars must legally stop.\"","Maus tweeted that the new law meant a cyclist could dip a tire into a crosswalk and cars would legally have to stop to permit crossing. We checked the laws ourselves, spoke with a lawyer and the legislators involved and found that Maus is correct.","Legislators decided to make it clear in Oregon law that a pedestrian was crossing the street -- and that cars should safely stop -- when any part of the pedestrian moved into a crosswalk with an intent to cross. That rule became law in summer 2011.","Basically, cyclists can ride in a crosswalk so long as they\u2019re not moving faster than an ordinary walker. And yes, dipping a wheel into the crosswalk is enough for a person riding a bike to signal intent to cross."]},{"id":"2564.json","label":"false","statement":"Joe Garcia raised utility rates on families.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Joe Garcia raised utility rates on families is false. The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by Rivera is inaccurate. The votes taken by Garcia on utility rate increases were part of his role as a commissioner to review and determine if rate increases were warranted. Additionally, Joe Garcia himself stated that people paid less on utility bills in 2000 when he left the commission compared to 1994. Therefore, there is no basis to support the claim that Joe Garcia raised utility rates on families.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We were curious about Rivera's claims, and decided to focus on the one that, gasp, targets not just Florida taxpayers but Florida families! \"Joe Garcia raised utility rates on families.\"","To wrap it up, then, the Rivera claim is wildly off the mark -- on two counts. First, the evidence Rivera offers that Garcia \"raised utility rates\" is for a different vote on an accounting issue. Second, the next-day vote (the one Garcia missed) to pass on fuel cost to customers wasn't a rate hike -- though we acknowledge that to customers, it surely felt like one since the monthly bill went up. The ad is plainly not accurate given Garcia's consumer-friendly stands. In fact, it reminds us of the statement made by Average Joe in the Rivera ad (\"he lied to us\"). So we rate the claim False.","Romero Roses said Joe Garcia \"voted to raise our utility rates.\" He did take votes in favor of utility rate increases while serving on the Public Service Commission between 1994 and 2000. The role of commissioners is to review rate increases and determine if they are warranted and if so grant them.","Joe Garcia told PolitiFact that people paid less on utility bills in 2000 when he left the commission compared to 1994."]},{"id":"3279.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The firefighters, the policemen and others who supported (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker) in his election bid ... dont have to worry about their collective bargaining rights.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is accurate that the firefighters, policemen, and others who supported Governor Scott Walker in his election bid do not have to worry about their collective bargaining rights. These groups, including the police and fire unions, were exempted from the restrictions on collective bargaining proposed by Walker. However, it is important to note that not all unions supported Walker, and some statewide organizations endorsed his opponent. Therefore, it is incorrect to imply that all supporters of Walker were exempted from the restrictions. The statement should provide more context to accurately reflect the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The firefighters, the policemen and others who supported (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker) in his election bid ... don't have to worry about their collective bargaining rights.\"","Brazile implied that this was political payback, and we want to be clear that we\u2019re not checking Walker\u2019s motivations. We\u2019re looking only at whether \"the firefighters, the policemen and others who supported him in his election bid ... don't have to worry about their collective bargaining rights.\"","\"And, look, what we're talking about is that the governor has cherry-picked what public workers he will subject to this so-called removal of their collective bargaining rights,\" Brazile said. \"The firefighters, the policemen and others who supported him in his election bid, well, guess what? They don't have to worry about their collective bargaining rights.\"","Brazile said, \"The firefighters, the policemen and others who supported (Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker) in his election bid ... don't have to worry about their collective bargaining rights.\" It\u2019s true that Walker won the endorsement of Milwaukee police and firefighter organizations, and they won\u2019t lose collective bargaining rights if Walker\u2019s proposal succeeds. But not all unions supported Walker. In fact, the two significant statewide organizations endorsed his opponent, and they too would be exempt from restrictions on collective bargaining. Because the statement leaves out the fact that the police and fire unions broke ranks on whether or not to support Walker, we rate this statement Half True."]},{"id":"1857.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Two-thirds of the top-rated hospitals in Florida were our hospitals.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Scott that two-thirds of the top-rated hospitals in Florida were owned by Columbia\/HCA. This claim is supported by a study that rated 13 Florida hospitals among the top 100, with nine of those hospitals being Columbia\/HCA properties, which equates to 69 percent. However, it's important to note that the rankings may be questionable due to potential fraud-laden data used in the analysis. While the statement is factually correct, it should be considered in light of the potential concerns regarding the accuracy of the rankings.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Since this is a Florida campaign, we decided to check Scott's claim that two-thirds of the top-rated hospitals in Florida were owned by Columbia\/HCA.","In 1995, the same study rated 13 Florida hospitals among the Top 100. Nine of those hospitals were Columbia\/HCA properties, or 69 percent.","In his ad \"Truth,\" Scott certainly cites the Top 100 hospital report correctly when he says that two-thirds of the Florida hospitals to make the list were owned by Columbia\/HCA. But he glosses over the fact that those rankings could at least be questioned because fraud-laden data may have been used in the analysis to make the rating.","\"Of the 17 hospitals from Florida in the top 100, 12 are in one category: nonteaching hospitals of more than 250 beds. All are Columbia hospitals,\" the Modern Healthcare article says."]},{"id":"1545.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The lifespan of the average American is less than that of people in nations that spend far less (on health care). ... To put it bluntly, we spend more and die sooner.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that the average lifespan of Americans is lower compared to people in nations that spend less on healthcare. This is supported by evidence that shows countries with lower healthcare expenditures often have longer life expectancies. The statement highlights the disparity between healthcare spending and life expectancy in the United States, indicating that despite higher healthcare costs, Americans do not experience commensurate gains in life expectancy compared to countries with lower healthcare expenditures.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The lifespan of the average American is less than that of people in nations that spend far less\" on health care, Romney wrote, adding, \"To put it bluntly, we spend more and die sooner.\"","Whatever the reason, and however you measure it, Americans \"spend more and die sooner,\" as Romney so bluntly put it. We rate his statement True.","To take one extreme case, South Korea spends less than a quarter per capita of what the United States spends on health care -- yet its people, on average, live past 79 years of age, which is more than one full year longer than Americans do.","\"We have fallen behind other countries in tackling the root causes of mortality and disease,\" Mokdad said. \"We know, for example, that just reducing salt in people\u2019s diets can save more than 100,000 lives a year, but there is much more discussion in this country about health insurance, which would save, at best, about half as many people.\""]},{"id":"1465.json","label":"true","statement":"Some Republicans who voted against the stimulus \"have been all too happy to claim credit for Recovery Act projects and the jobs those projects have produced. They come to the ribbon cuttings.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings that some Republicans who voted against the stimulus bill have indeed claimed credit for the projects and jobs created by the Recovery Act. Multiple instances have been documented where lawmakers who opposed the stimulus bill later touted their involvement in projects funded by the bill and attended ribbon-cutting ceremonies. This behavior aligns with President Obama's assertion that some opponents of the stimulus bill have \"found a way to have their cake and vote against it, too.\"\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I have to point out, though, that some of the very same folks in Congress who opposed the Recovery Act -- and claim that it hasn\u2019t worked -- have been all too happy to claim credit for Recovery Act projects and the jobs those projects have produced. (Applause.) They come to the ribbon-cuttings and ... (laughter). They found a way to have their cake and vote against it, too. (Laughter.)\"","Let's return to Obama's claim. The president said that Republicans who voted against the stimulus \"have been all too happy to claim credit for Recovery Act projects and the jobs those projects have produced.\" We found at least two lawmakers -- Young and Davis -- who aggressively criticized the stimulus bill yet sent out a news release touting their own role in helping constituents benefit from the bill. In the meantime, Obama also said that some opponents of the stimulus have \"come to the ribbon cuttings\" for projects funded by the bill. Shuster, Gingrey and Burr clearly attended such ceremonies. To us, five clear cases are enough to validate the president's assertion that some stimulus opponents have \"found a way to have their cake and vote against it, too.\" We rate Obama's statement True.","\"There was an interesting headline in CNN today: 'Americans disapprove of stimulus, but like every policy in it.' And there was a poll that showed that if you broke it down into its component parts, 80 percent approved of the tax cuts, 80 percent approved of the infrastructure, 80 percent approved of the assistance to the unemployed. Well, that's what the Recovery Act was. And let's face it, some of you have been at the ribbon-cuttings for some of these important projects in your communities.\"","As it turns out, we found several cases in which lawmakers voted against the measure but later claimed credit for provisions or projects stemming from the stimulus bill."]},{"id":"10396.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Theres nothing in the [RhodeMap RI] plan that takes away local government control and local zoning control.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the RhodeMap RI plan, which does not contain provisions that directly remove local government control or local zoning control. However, it is important to note that critics of the plan have raised concerns about potential implications on local control due to the involvement of a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. While the plan itself does not explicitly compromise local zoning control, the statement does not address the potential influence or conditions associated with the HUD grant. Therefore, while the statement is technically accurate regarding the plan's language, it does not fully acknowledge the concerns raised by critics regarding the external factors involved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Addressing concerns about ceding municipal control, Flynn told EcoRI News, \"there\u2019s nothing in the plan that takes away local government control and local zoning control.\"","While we waited for a response, we read through the RhodeMap RI plan, and found nothing to indicate a threat to local control, suggesting Flynn\u2019s statement was accurate.","During meetings that sometimes descended into shouting matches, critics said that if RhodeMap RI were implemented, local cities and towns would be relinquishing control to the federal government on affordable housing and land-use issues because the plan was paid for, in part, by a $1.9 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant.","Technically, there is nothing in the plan\u2019s language that appears to compromise local zoning law or control. But his statement doesn\u2019t acknowledge the strings attached to the HUD grant."]},{"id":"8967.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than 80 percent of Georgians dont support legislation to ease gun restrictions in houses of worship, in bars and on campuses.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that most polling data indicates a majority of Georgians oppose firearms in houses of worship, bars, and on campuses, the statement that \"more than 80 percent\" of Georgians hold this view is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that the percentage of opposition does not consistently surpass the 80 percent mark. While the overall point that most Georgians oppose these gun restrictions is valid, the specific percentage mentioned in the statement is inflated and does not align with the available data.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["More than 80 percent of Georgians don\u2019t support legislation to ease gun restrictions in houses of worship, in bars and on campuses.","Most of the polling data we reviewed shows a majority of Georgians oppose firearms in houses of worship or on college campuses. But there\u2019s not much data that we saw that surpasses the 80 percent mark.","HB 875, written and co-sponsored by several Republican lawmakers, would lift restrictions on guns in houses of worship and bars, and allow school board members to arm themselves. It would no longer be a crime for licensed gun owners carrying a firearm on a college campus, where they are banned, under the legislation. Instead, the penalty would be a $100 fine.","Oliver\u2019s overall point that most Georgians oppose firearms in bars, on campus or in houses of worship is on the mark. But her specific percentage is too high, and she used the number to pursue a specific political point."]},{"id":"5968.json","label":"false","statement":"Says large majority of Republicans believe Obama is a Muslim and not U.S.-born.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that a large majority of Republicans believe Obama is a Muslim and not U.S.-born is false. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this assertion, and it is important to rely on accurate information rather than unsubstantiated claims or rumors. It is essential to base statements on reliable evidence and avoid perpetuating false narratives.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Regardless, there is no indication that a \"large majority\" of Republicans believe Obama is a Muslim or that he was born abroad. Hinojosa\u2019s statement rates False.","We asked Hinojosa, a lawyer and former Cameron County judge, for backup on his claim about the \"large majority\" of Republicans. He said he\u2019d seen \"numerous publications and blogs where that fact is mentioned.\" He provided no documentation.","Graham added that he did consider Obama to be a Christian today: \"Now, it's obvious that the president has renounced the Prophet Muhammad and he has renounced Islam and he has accepted Jesus Christ. That's what he says he has done. I cannot say that he hasn't. So I just have to believe the president is what he has said.\"","\"A large majority of the Republican Party believes that this man is a Muslim and was born in a foreign country, was not born in the United States,\" he said at the Central Texas Democratic Forum on April 24, 2012."]},{"id":"3516.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In three years we could find close to 50 million gallons per day through a toilet replacement program.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sally Bethea, the founding director of Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, regarding the potential water savings through a toilet replacement program. However, it's important to note that the actual amount of water savings could vary and may not necessarily reach the estimated 50 million gallons per day. While more conservative estimates still suggest significant water savings in the range of tens of millions of gallons per day, the exact outcome would depend on various factors such as the implementation of the program and the number of toilets replaced. Therefore, the statement is accurate in conveying the potential water savings but should be understood as an estimate rather than a definitive outcome.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In three years we could find close to 50 million gallons per day through a toilet replacement program,\" Sally Bethea, founding director of Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, said in a recent article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.","Therefore Bethea\u2019s fundamental point rings true. A New York-style program \"could\" save 50 million gallons per day. The amount could easily be much lower, but even more conservative estimates place the savings in the range of tens of millions of gallons per day.","To Bethea\u2019s credit, she used careful language. She said the region \"could\" save 50 million gallons per day, not that it \"would.\" And while saving nearly 50 million gallons of water per day appears unlikely in light of water district numbers, it isn\u2019t impossible.","Over three years, that effort switched about 1.3 million toilets and saved an estimated 70 million to 80 million gallons per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Under the privately managed program, which was heavily promoted to apartment building owners and plumbers, property owners received up to $240 per toilet to have them replaced by a licensed professional."]},{"id":"11446.json","label":"false","statement":"The Washington D.C.-area never has a recession.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Washington D.C. area, including the surrounding counties, has experienced economic stability and growth due to its proximity to the federal government, it is not accurate to claim that the region never experiences a recession. Like any other economy, the D.C. area is susceptible to economic downturns and has faced periods of recession in the past. Economic indicators and forecasting methods suggest that recessions are not solely determined by the region's economic characteristics but are influenced by broader national and global economic factors. Therefore, it is incorrect to assert that the Washington D.C. area is immune to recessions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"John, you\u2019re close to the Beltway. I don\u2019t have to tell you, it\u2019s the only economy in America that never has a recession,\" Huckabee said during a call-in interview on the show. \"Six out of the 10 richest counties in the United States surround Washington, D.C.\"","For the Beltway economy, we looked at Washington and 15 surrounding counties - an area on which analysts typically focus when measuring the economic health of the region.","Other forecasting metrics suggest a recession is not necessarily underway. Economist Claudia Sahm\u2019s \"Sahm Rule recession indicator\" has reliably projected recessions based on changes in the national unemployment rate, and it is far from the danger zone now, said Tara Sinclair, a George Washington University economist. Another predictive method, known as \"Smoothed U.S. Recession Probabilities,\" has been accurate historically and currently shows no recession.","At the same time, arguing over the technical definition of whether the U.S. is in a recession is a distraction, economists say."]},{"id":"6489.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Texas is 1st in business climate, 49th in education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Texas has been ranked first in business climate according to Site Selection magazine. However, the claim that Texas ranks 49th in education lacks supporting evidence. While Texas may often rank in the bottom half of states in terms of education spending and student achievement measures, there is no specific evidence provided to support the claim that it is specifically ranked 49th. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate regarding the business climate but lacks supporting evidence for the education ranking.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Site Selectio n magazine, November 2011: Texas was No. 1 in state business climate rankings. \"By most measures, including Site Selection's own Governor's Cup and Business Climate Rankings, Texas is the place to be for business and industry.\" To compile its list, the magazine polls business executives and considers factors such as facilities built and business tax climate.","In an Aug. 1, 2012, commentary, Morning News political writer Wayne Slater quoted Friedman as saying that Gov. Rick \"Perry has created a state that\u2019s first in business climate and 49th in education. What\u2019s wrong with that picture?\"","Truth-O-Meter article, \"Wendy Davis says Texas ranks 49th in what it is doing in per-pupil education spending,\" PolitiFact Texas, April 18, 2013","Friedman nailed the state\u2019s No. 1 business ranking. But his claim that Texas is 49th in education lacks supporting evidence. That said, Texas usually lands in the bottom half of the states, according to education spending and student achievement measures."]},{"id":"4821.json","label":"false","statement":"Community banks are being destroyed by Dodd-Frank.","reason":"Reason: The statement that community banks are being destroyed by Dodd-Frank is not supported by the evidence. While it is true that some community banks have faced challenges due to regulatory changes brought about by Dodd-Frank, overall, community banks have shown improvement in their health and performance. The reduction in fees paid to the FDIC as a result of Dodd-Frank has also benefited community banks. Therefore, the claim that Dodd-Frank is destroying community banks is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gingrich said that community banks \"are being destroyed by Dodd-Frank.\" But as a whole they are healthier than a year ago. No doubt the improvement in the economy has helped, but community banks also have benefited from a reduction in fees paid to the FDIC as a result of Dodd-Frank.","GOP hopeful Newt Gingrich offered himself as their defender when he spoke to supporters at campaign headquarters in Manchester, N.H. \"Community banks are 12 percent of the banks right now and 40 percent of the loans to small business,\" Gingrich said. \"And they are being destroyed by Dodd-Frank.\"","To say that this industry is being destroyed by Dodd-Frank is untrue and unlikely to be true in the future if regulators continue to respond to the concerns of small banks. We rate Gingrich's statement False.","\"The assessment rates was a big benefit,\" said Cole. Community banks have \"experienced 30 to 40 percent decreases in their assessments. For many community banks, Dodd-Frank has not been all that bad,\" he said."]},{"id":"4935.json","label":"false","statement":"In New York City, an entry level janitor gets paid twice as much as an entry level teacher.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While starting custodial engineers may earn more than starting teachers in New York City, the claim that an entry-level janitor gets paid twice as much as an entry-level teacher is inaccurate. When comparing entry-level unionized cleaners to entry-level unionized teachers, teachers earn 1.4 to 1.6 times more. It's important to note that a custodial engineer is a supervisory position, not an entry-level janitor. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the salary comparison between janitors and teachers in New York City.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We received a flurry of requests from readers that we fact-check the claim that in New York City, \"an entry level janitor gets paid twice as much as an entry level teacher.\"","In the Dec. 10, 2011, Republican debate in Iowa, Gingrich said, \"If you take one half of the New York janitors who unionized and paid more than the teachers -- an entry level janitor gets paid twice as much as an entry level teacher. You take half those janitors you could give -- you give lots of poor kids a work experience in the cafeteria, in the school library, in the front office and a lot of different things.\"","Starting custodial engineers do earn more than starting teachers, but not \"twice\" the amount. Meanwhile, a custodial engineer is a credentialed supervisory position, not an \"entry level janitor.\" When you compare apples to apples -- an entry-level unionized \"cleaner\" to an entry-level unionized teacher -- the teacher earns 1.4 to 1.6 times more. We rate the statement False.","!Newt Gingrich said that in New York, entry-level janitors earn twice the salary of entry-level teachers. !Newt Gingrich said that in New York, entry-level janitors earn twice the salary of entry-level teachers."]},{"id":"12010.json","label":"true","statement":"Theres no correlation between primary turnout and wins in the fall in the last 11 elections.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Brooks that there is no correlation between primary turnout and wins in the general election in the last 11 elections. The evidence provided supports this claim, showing that in the six elections where there were competitive primaries on both sides, the party with higher primary voter turnout only won the popular vote three times. This suggests that primary turnout alone is not a reliable indicator of success in the general election. However, it's important to note that other factors can still influence election outcomes, and primary turnout may have some indirect impact on the general election results.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There\u2019s no correlation between primary turnout and wins in the fall in the last 11 elections,\" Brooks said on Meet the Press on March 6.","There were competitive primaries on both sides in six out of the past 11 elections. In three of those six elections, the party that saw more votes in nomination contest also got more votes in the general.","Most experts we contacted agreed that this fall\u2019s turnout levels have a good shot at being higher than usual. That\u2019s partly extrapolated from a 2018 midterm turnout rate that was the highest since 1914, and unusually high levels of turnout in various special elections for Congress and other offices.","In the six elections where there were contests on both sides, the party with the higher primary voter turnout won the popular vote just three times. In 1976, 1992 and 2008, Democratic primary turnout surpassed that of the GOP nominating race, and the Democratic candidates won the general election."]},{"id":"9733.json","label":"false","statement":"Africa is spending the highest percentage of their GDP on education of any part of the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Africa does allocate a significant percentage of its government spending to education, it does not spend the highest percentage of its GDP on education compared to other regions or countries in the world. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, when looking at education spending as a percentage of government spending, Africa outperforms the OECD with 20 percent compared to 11 percent. However, when considering education spending as a percentage of GDP, developed nations tend to allocate a higher proportion of their GDP to education compared to Africa. Therefore, the claim that Africa spends the highest percentage of its GDP on education is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Face the Nation , Bloomberg said that Africa is spending \"the highest percentage of their GDP on education of any part of the world\" in the course of praising China\u2019s investment in Africa\u2019s growth.","\"African investment in education, among the highest in the world in terms of percentage of GDP, can barely keep up with the heavy demand for learning,\" French wrote, going on to cite Africa\u2019s recent gains in school enrollment across all levels of learning.","\"China has looked at it and said this is a place where because they are spending highest percentage of their GDP on education of any part of the world, although in all fairness it's starting small,\" he said. \"But you are going to create a middle class there that's going to want an awful lot of the products.\"","If you take education spending as a percentage of government spending, not GDP, Africa actually beats out the OECD, 20 percent to 11, according to the McKinsey Global Institute. But looking at 2008 figures -- as did all the reports we found that looked at education spending for continents -- Bloomberg\u2019s wrong. Africa\u2019s close, and their progress on education is impressive by other measures, but the world\u2019s developed nations spend proportionally more on education."]},{"id":"4023.json","label":"true","statement":"The top 1 percent of income earners pay 40 percent of all state income taxes, and those at the bottom pay little or nothing.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Doherty regarding the distribution of state income taxes in New Jersey. According to the information provided, the top 1 percent of income earners in the state pay approximately 40 percent of all state income taxes, while those at the bottom end of the income spectrum pay little or no income tax. This distribution is attributed to New Jersey's progressive income tax structure, which requires higher earners to contribute a larger share of their income in taxes. It's important to note that this statement specifically refers to state income taxes and does not encompass other types of taxes or the overall tax burden.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wondered whether she was right that \"the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government.\"","\"In 1976, New Jersey instituted a state income tax to provide sufficient funding for our public schools,\" Doherty wrote. \"After the income tax is collected, it is distributed to towns as school aid. New Jersey\u2019s income tax rate is very progressive. The top 1 percent of income earners pay 40 percent of all state income taxes, and those at the bottom pay little or nothing.\"","Bachmann responded, \"Well, remember, again, already the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government. So if you want to talk about fairness, the top 1 percent are paying 40 percent of all of the income.\"","Returning to Doherty\u2019s statement, let\u2019s review. The senator said the top 1 percent of income earners in New Jersey pay 40 percent of all state income taxes and those at the bottom pay little or nothing. The state Treasury Department and two conservative-leaning organizations back up that claim, noting that the Garden State\u2019s progressive income tax structure accounts for economic differences among residents by requiring those who earn more to pay more. A liberal-leaning organization notes that looking at all taxes, not just income tax, would show the impact of New Jersey\u2019s tax structure on its residents."]},{"id":"9573.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you look at the states where soccer is most popular, theyre overwhelmingly blue states, and the states where soccer is least popular are red states.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings that states where soccer is most popular tend to lean towards the Democratic Party (blue states), while states where soccer is least popular tend to lean towards the Republican Party (red states). Multiple sources and data analysis support this correlation. However, it's important to note that this does not imply a direct causation between political affiliation and soccer popularity. Other factors, such as demographics, cultural preferences, and historical trends, may contribute to this association.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"If you look at the states where soccer is most popular, they're overwhelmingly blue states, and the states where soccer is least popular are red states.\"","On CNN, Beinart said, \"if you look at the states where soccer is most popular, they\u2019re overwhelmingly blue states, and the states where soccer is least popular are red states.\"","\"If you look at the states where soccer is most popular, they\u2019re overwhelmingly blue states, and the states where soccer is least popular are red states,\" Beinart said. \"The only difference between the soccer coalition and the Obama coalition is that African-Americans right now are not such big soccer fans.\"","The top-seven \"soccer-enthused\" states, according to Estately, were all states President Barack Obama carried in 2012, including Maryland, New York, Washington and Massachusetts. Texas -- a particularly Hispanic state full of large urban centers -- and Utah -- America\u2019s youngest population -- were the only states Mitt Romney carried in 2012 to crack the top 13, ranking eighth and 10th, respectively. Regardless where you place the cutoff for \"the states where soccer is most popular,\" seven out of the top seven and 11 out of the top 13 voting Democrat gets close to Beinart\u2019s assertion that the most soccer-mad states are \"overwhelmingly blue states.\""]},{"id":"8230.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The number of African-American men in prison has increased fivefold since he left office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects former President Jimmy Carter's claim that the number of African-American men incarcerated has increased fivefold since he left office. However, it is important to note that the term \"prison\" should be replaced with \"incarcerated\" to provide a more accurate representation. Carter's count includes inmates in both prison and jail. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the context and further research to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue. Nonetheless, the statement aligns with Carter's claim regarding the significant increase in the number of African-American men in the criminal justice system since his presidency.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To sum up, Carter said in a speech that the number of African-American men in prison has increased fivefold since he left office in 1981. Carter would have been more accurate if he had said \"incarcerated\" instead of \"prison\" because his count included inmates in jail.","Carter\u2019s overall point is that the number of African-American men incarcerated has increased substantially since he left office. He\u2019s right about that. But you have to include some context to get the whole picture.","\"I think we all know how Dr. King would have reacted to having more than 835,000 African-American men in prison, five times as many as when I left office,\" Carter told the massive crowd on the National Mall.","Carter continued by saying about one-third of black men are \"destined to be in prison in their lifetimes,\" a statistic frequently cited in news reports. PolitiFact Georgia wondered whether the number of black men in prison had increased that much since Carter left the White House. We thought we\u2019d do some research, considering the speech was broadcast live and Carter\u2019s statistics have since been widely reported in various news outlets."]},{"id":"7072.json","label":"false","statement":"We have more hospitals that are childrens hospitals than any other state in the union. \u0090","reason":"Reason: The statement is unrelated to the evidence provided. The evidence discusses the distinction between COVID-19 hospitalizations and incidental cases, but it does not provide any information or context regarding the number of children's hospitals in any state. Therefore, the statement is unsupported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Data New York released in early January revealed this dichotomy most starkly. The state shifted its reporting on COVID-19 hospitalizations and asked hospitals to distinguish between people who are admitted specifically for the virus and those who came to the hospital for other reasons but had it. As of Jan. 17, about 42% of COVID-19-positive patients in New York hospitals did not list COVID-19 as the reason for admission, according to state data. Hospitals in other states have started doing it, too.","While the distinction of COVID-19 hospitalizations is important for the medical community to learn more about the state of the pandemic, it only goes so far.","Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County.","Many so-called incidental cases were caused or worsened by the virus in the first place, and whether patients are coming to hospitals with or for COVID-19, they\u2019re still being admitted in record numbers."]},{"id":"3134.json","label":"false","statement":"Mitchell International Airport is the the third busiest airport in the world and the number one busiest in the country.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Mitchell International Airport is the third busiest airport in the world and the busiest in the country. The evidence discusses the travel facilitation process for unaccompanied children and mentions other airports and highways but does not provide any information or data regarding the ranking or busyness of Mitchell International Airport. Without additional evidence or data, it is not accurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As a part of the unification process, our Office of Refugee Resettlement facilitates travel for children in its custody to their families or sponsors across the country. So, in recent weeks, unaccompanied children passed through the Westchester (N.Y.) airport, which I think is what you\u2019re referring to, en route to their final destination to be unified with their parents or a vetted sponsor.","As of 2016, for instance , Highway 401 near the Toronto Airport ran 18 lanes across. And, the Hong Kong-Macau Expressway, otherwise known as the G4, made headlines in October 2015 when a newly-installed checkpoint funneled 50 lanes -- yes, 50 lanes, to accommodate multiple toll booths-- into 20, causing an hours-long traffic jam.","As for the rest of the world, we found a wider freeway in Canada, and a reported 50-lane highway in China that makes the Katy look like a country road.","In the entry, the words \"Katy Freeway\" link to a web page sponsored by , \"Civil Engineer,\" presenting definitions including: \"Highway is defined as the main road intended for travel by the public between cities and towns. The Pan-American Highway is the longest international highway which connects many countries. It is nearly 48,000 kilometers long."]},{"id":"4979.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Obama administration catches and releases nonviolent illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by various sources, including politicians like Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz, that the Obama administration had a policy of catching and releasing nonviolent illegal immigrants. These claims were made in the context of criticizing the administration's immigration policies. However, it's important to note that the accuracy and context of these claims have been disputed. PolitiFact articles have examined similar claims and found them to be misleading or false. The issue of immigration and the handling of nonviolent illegal immigrants is complex, and it is recommended to consider multiple sources and expert analysis for a comprehensive understanding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Truth-O-Meter articles, \"Jeb Bush says, wrongly, Obama administration is not deporting criminals,\" PolitiFact Florida, Aug. 26, 2015; \"Lamar Smith claim about Obama's 'prison break' of illegal immigrants fails to acknowledge detainees had served criminal sentences and all releases weren't discretionary,\" PolitiFact Texas, June 10, 2014","We\u2019d already started reviewing a similar Perry claim. Stumping in New Hampshire with Maricopa County (Ariz.) Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Perry said at a New Hampshire diner Nov. 29, 2011, that \"the Obama administration has a catch-and-release policy where nonviolent illegal aliens are released into the general public,\" ABC News recapped.","The Texas Republican, who was visiting the Iowa State Fair, told reporters: \"The Obama administration is releasing violent criminal illegal aliens. In the year 2013, the Obama administration released 104,000 criminal illegal aliens. They released 196 murderers \u2013 people with homicide convictions, who are here illegally. That\u2019s what I find objectionable.\" A moment later, Cruz said that as president, he would secure the U.S. borders and \"stop releasing violent criminal illegal aliens.\"","\"In the year 2013, the Obama administration released 104,000 criminal illegal aliens. They released 196 murderers \u2013 people with homicide convictions, who are here illegally.\""]},{"id":"7199.json","label":"true","statement":"Individuals with mental illnesses die an average of 25 years earlier than those without a mental illness.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a major study and is supported by evidence provided by Terry Russell, a leader of NAMI Ohio. The study shows that individuals with mental illnesses have an average life expectancy that is 25 years shorter than those without mental illnesses. This significant difference in life expectancy is primarily attributed to preventable and treatable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and infections. Therefore, the statement is factual and supported by reliable sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Russell said that people with mental illnesses, on average, die 25 years earlier than those without a mental illness. He accurately cited findings of a major study on the issue. And in Ohio, the average is actually greater than 25 years.","\"The sad statistic that haunts us every day is that individuals with mental illnesses die an average of 25 years earlier than those without a mental illness,\" he said. \"Sixty percent of these premature deaths are the result of preventable and treatable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and infections.\"","( - NAMI Ohio leader Terry Russell says people with mental illnesses die 25 years earlier, on average, than those without&url=)","\u2022 Increases in funding for community, non-hospital treatment and mental health services for individuals involved with the criminal justice system, as well as maintaining funding for community mental health services block grants."]},{"id":"9523.json","label":"false","statement":"The government -- not the armed forces -- is stockpiling hundreds of millions of rounds of ammunition for domestic use.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that the government has a significant amount of ammunition on hand, the claim that they are stockpiling it specifically for domestic use is not supported by evidence. The available information indicates that the government's ammunition inventory is primarily used for training purposes. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the government's ammunition purchases have decreased, and the usage is roughly equal to the purchases, indicating that they are not actively stockpiling ammunition.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He adds, \"The government -- and not the armed forces -- is stockpiling hundreds of millions of rounds of ammunition for domestic use.\"","On his campaign website, U.S. House candidate James Buchal claims that the government \"is stockpiling hundreds of millions of rounds of ammunition for domestic use.\"","With inventories and purchases going down, and usage roughly equaling purchases, the government is clearly not \"stockpiling\" ammunition. And while Buchal is correct in his assertion that the government has \"hundreds of millions\" of rounds on hand, even he later acknowledged that \"in all likelihood,\" those rounds are being used for training purposes.","That may be on the low end of the figure that pops to mind when someone says \"hundreds of millions,\" but Buchal\u2019s claim is accurate on the amount of ammunition the government has on hand."]},{"id":"8892.json","label":"true","statement":"Six of Georgias counties have no lawyers at all.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the State Bar of Georgia's research, which revealed that there are indeed six counties in Georgia that do not have any lawyers. This information is supported by credible data and anecdotal evidence from local judges. The absence of lawyers in these counties can have significant implications for access to legal services, particularly for residents living in poverty. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The State Bar research revealed that there are no lawyers in six rural counties - Baker, Chattahoochee, Clay, Echols, Glasscock and Webster. In three of those counties, Baker, Clay and Echols, at least 30 percent of residents live in poverty, according to U.S. Census data.","Thompson said, \"Six of Georgia\u2019s counties have no lawyers at all.\" Credible data from the State Bar of Georgia and other information, including anecdotal evidence from local judges, support his statement.","The report showed the state with 28,883 active lawyers in 2011, including 20,027 or 69.3 percent, working in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties in metro Atlanta.","Follow-up research in August 2013 showed the number of lawyers in the state had grown to 29,973. But none of them had established a practice in those six lawyerless counties, said Michael L. Monahan, an attorney and pro bono director for the State Bar."]},{"id":"3953.json","label":"false","statement":"Do this research watch how much crime picks up if you take away [football].","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that removing funding from the police department would result in an increase in crime. While it is true that some cities have reduced police budgets, it is important to note that the relationship between police funding and crime rates is complex and multifaceted. Crime rates are influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic conditions, community programs, and law enforcement strategies. It is not accurate to make a direct causal claim that reducing police funding will automatically lead to an increase in crime. The impact of budget changes on crime rates requires thorough analysis and consideration of multiple factors. \nLabel: false","evidence":["San Diego Union Tribune, \"San Diego leaders calling for thorough analysis of shifting money, tasks away from Police Department,\" May 10, 2021","According to research compiled by Bloomberg CityLab, the 50 largest U.S. cities reduced their 2021 police budgets by 5.2% in aggregate, while average law enforcement spending as a share of direct expenditures in those cities remained stable.","The claim that \"there hasn\u2019t actually been any defunding,\" is not supported. Some municipal governments did take money away from police department operating budgets in the past year, though it\u2019s not yet clear how long those cuts will last, and some are reversing course.","Most of the influence any presidential administration has on crime statistics is indirect, based on their support for anti-crime measures and funding assistance, criminologists told PolitiFact."]},{"id":"11738.json","label":"false","statement":"The five Guantanamo detainees swapped for Bowe Bergdahl are back on the battlefield.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the five Guantanamo detainees swapped for Bowe Bergdahl are back on the battlefield is not supported by credible evidence. Independent experts have debunked this claim, and it has been rated as \"Pants on Fire\" by fact-checkers due to the lack of sourcing and questionable accuracy of the information. It is important to rely on verified and reputable sources when evaluating such claims, and the available evidence does not support the assertion that these detainees have returned to the battlefield.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A reader recently sent us a link to a rather startling claim -- that three of the five Guantanamo detainees released by the United States in late May in exchange for Taliban prisoner Bowe Bergdahl have now taken up arms for the Islamic State.","Bloggers said that \"three of five detainees swapped (for Bowe Bergdahl) are now ISIS leaders.\" The claim has nonexistent sourcing, has been published by sites with questionable track records for accuracy, and has been knocked down by independent experts. We rate it Pants on Fire.","Take, for example, Obama\u2019s controversial decision to exchange five Guantanamo detainees for Taliban prisoner Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in May 2014, Trump said to NBC Meet The Press host Chuck Todd.","In September 2014, we gave a Pants on Fire rating to a claim that \"Three of five detainees swapped (for Bergdahl) are now ISIS leaders.\" Has something changed since then?"]},{"id":"5239.json","label":"half-true","statement":"(After the auto bailout) General Motors is back on top as the worlds No. 1 automaker.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that General Motors is back on top as the world's No. 1 automaker after the auto bailout. However, it's important to note that this claim might be outdated or subject to change, as the automotive industry is highly competitive and rankings can fluctuate over time. It would be advisable to verify the most recent data to determine the current status of General Motors in relation to other automakers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We got the industry to retool and restructure,\" he said. \"Today, General Motors is back on top as the world\u2019s No. 1 automaker.\"","\"On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. In exchange for help, we demanded responsibility. We got workers and automakers to settle their differences. We got the industry to retool and restructure. Today, General Motors is back on top as the world\u2019s No. 1 automaker. Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. Ford is investing billions in U.S. plants and factories. And together, the entire industry added nearly 160,000 jobs. We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back.\"","Trump\u2019s emergency payments to farmers amount to about $28 billion. That\u2019s just over half the size of the $50 billion bailout of General Motors from the Bush and Obama administrations.","An attack on President Donald Trump\u2019s emergency aid to farmers to offset the impact of trade wars tries to put it in a bad light in contrast with President Barack Obama\u2019s bailout of General Motors."]},{"id":"11798.json","label":"false","statement":"Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican is not supported by credible evidence. While it is true that some Republicans have made this assertion, it has been widely debunked by fact-checkers. There is no concrete evidence to suggest that King was a member of the Republican Party. In fact, historical records indicate that King had a close relationship with Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson and actively campaigned for him. It is important to rely on accurate historical information rather than political talking points when discussing the political affiliations of historical figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!PolitiFact Tennessee found flaws in this billboard claim about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. !PolitiFact Tennessee found flaws in this billboard claim about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.","Our state partners have spotted a popular Republican talking point: the claim that Martin Luther King Jr. was a member of the GOP.","According to the King Online Encyclopedia, from Stanford University's Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute, King campaigned for Johnson and welcomed his win.","King Online Encyclopedia of Stanford University's Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute, Lyndon Baines Johnson entry, accessed Jan. 16, 2011"]},{"id":"1848.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When Roy Barnes was governor, \"Georgia created 235,000 jobs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that when Roy Barnes was governor, Georgia created 235,000 jobs. However, it's important to note that the ad fails to provide the full context. While it is true that job growth occurred during Barnes' tenure, it does not solely attribute the job creation to his policies. The ad overlooks the fact that the national recession during that period impacted job growth in Georgia as well. Therefore, while the statement is factually correct, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand the factors contributing to job creation during Barnes' governorship.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Roy Barnes will make Georgia work. Again. When he was governor, Georgia created 235,000 jobs. We can do it again. And more.\"","Georgians, the rest of the country is laughing at you, former Gov. Roy Barnes says. And that means corporations are reluctant to relocate here and give you jobs.","The ad, called \"Chalkboard,\" says that the number of jobs in this state rose from 1999 through 2003 while Barnes was governor, even though his term included a recession that ended nationally in November 2001. Georgia struggled to add jobs until 2003. The commercial puts it this way:","A TV ad for the Roy Barnes gubernatorial campaign harks back to a rosier time in Georgia history -- the last recession."]},{"id":"1752.json","label":"false","statement":"Alaskas Prince William Sound is pristine now.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While significant progress has been made in the restoration of Alaska's Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, it is not accurate to describe it as \"pristine\" at present. There are still areas where oil residue remains, and experts have confirmed that the environment continues to be adversely affected by the remaining oil. Therefore, the claim that Prince William Sound is pristine is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["And to prove his point, Limbaugh pointed to the restoration of Alaska's Prince William Sound, which was devastated by an oil spill from the Exxon Valdez 21 years ago.","We asked Short about Limbaugh's comment and he said that while it's fair to say most of Prince William Sound has recovered from the impact of the Exxon Valdez , \"there are some places where the oil continues to linger.\"","\"There are beaches where you can turn a shovel and still find oil,\" said Stan Jones, director of external affairs for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council.","That sounds encouraging. But it doesn't change the fact that, despite outward appearance, 21 years after the Exxon Valdez spill, Prince William Sound is not pristine. You may not be able to see it, but scientists and anyone willing to turn over rocks with a shovel attest to the fact that thousands of gallons of oil remain buried in some beaches, and the oil continues to adversely affect the environment. We rule Limbaugh's statement False."]},{"id":"8651.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The middle class can be defined to include those with income between roughly $20,000 and $60,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the definition of the middle class provided by the association, which defines it as including individuals with income between approximately $20,000 and $60,000. However, it's important to note that this definition might vary depending on the context and location. The fact check indicates that the upper end of $60,000 aligns well with Oregon income levels, but the lower end of $20,000 is considered dubious and might not be representative of a typical middle-class income. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it should be understood that the lower threshold of $20,000 might not be universally accepted as a standard for defining the middle class.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When it came to defining terms, the association said this: \"The middle class can be defined to include those with income between roughly $20,000 and $60,000.\"","The $60,000 figure sounded about right, despite Romney\u2019s and Obama\u2019s definitions, but $20,000 struck us as low. PolitiFact Oregon decided to check.","The association\u2019s upper end of $60,000 is much more solid, though, landing well above the median income level for all Oregon tax filers and roughly in the middle of Oregon income levels. We also need to allow for households with two wage-earners -- one with two people earning $20,000 each, for example, could more realistically be considered part of the middle class. Splitting the difference between a dubious low level and a sound high one, we rate the claim Half True.","We called D.J. Vogt, the business association\u2019s legislative director. He said the figures came from a chart in a recent state Office of Economic Analysis report showing the bulk of \"middle income\" wages for various occupations in Oregon falling between $20,000 and $60,000."]},{"id":"7005.json","label":"true","statement":"One industry in America has increased its employment base in the last four years by 176,000 people: the United States government.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the employment base of the United States government has increased by 176,000 people in the last four years. This indicates a growth in government employment during that period. However, it is important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of employment trends across all industries in the United States. It focuses solely on government employment and does not provide context or comparison to other industries. Therefore, while the statement is true regarding government employment, it does not provide a complete picture of overall employment trends in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\u201cOur economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last year, more jobs in one year than ever before in the history of the United States of America.\u201d","\"Our economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last year, more jobs in one year than ever before in the history of the United States of America,\" Biden said.","Biden said, \"Our economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last year, more jobs in one year than ever before in the history of the United States of America.\"","So the number of people employed and the number joining the labor force have both increased since the end of the last recession -- but, importantly, these gains haven\u2019t kept pace with the rise in population."]},{"id":"6685.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sierra Club sued him to stop oil and gas activity on Texas coast, but we won and the turtles are fine.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson was sued by the Sierra Club, the claim that they sued him to stop oil and gas activity on the Texas coast is not entirely accurate. The Sierra Club's lawsuit aimed to limit oil and gas production on Permanent School Fund lands, which falls under Patterson's responsibility. The outcome of the lawsuit resulted in Patterson becoming a defendant, and the government ultimately won the case. However, the evidence suggests that the lawsuit did not provide direct evidence of harm to the turtles. Despite ongoing oil and gas activity, the number of threatened and endangered sea turtles in Texas has been increasing. Therefore, the claim that the turtles are fine due to winning the lawsuit is not entirely supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said June 9, 2012: \"I have been sued by the Sierra Club. Sued me. They wanted to stop oil and gas exploration, production, on the Texas Gulf Coast,\" he said. \"We won. We\u2019re producing oil and gas, and the turtles are fine.\"","Still, he later joined the lawsuit, which the government won. And, despite ongoing oil and gas activity at the park in accord with the 1962 terms, Texas\u2019 threatened and endangered sea turtles are increasing in numbers.","\"It looks like Commissioner Patterson misspoke there,\" Suydam said. \"He intervened in the Sierra Club's lawsuit, and then became a defendant.\" Still, Suydam said, \"The sentiment is true. When the Sierra Club sues to stop oil and gas exploration, it is in effect suing to limit oil and gas production on Permanent School Fund lands,\" which is Patterson\u2019s responsibility.","In its 2002 lawsuit, the Sierra Club described ways that oil and gas operations could harm turtles, but included no measurement of harm occurring. We checked with the club\u2019s lead volunteer in the lawsuit, Pat Suter, who chairs the Corpus Christi chapter. She told us by phone, \"As far as I know, there has not been direct impact on the turtles that can be proved.\""]},{"id":"2809.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If the state turns down money for high-speed rail, it will kill nearly 10,000 permanent Wisconsin jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on the claim made by the Sierra Club that rejecting funding for high-speed rail in Wisconsin would result in the loss of nearly 10,000 permanent jobs. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided highlights the uncertainty and potential exaggeration surrounding this claim. The number of jobs is not directly tied to the project and is difficult to measure accurately. The analysis on which the claim is based relies on various assumptions, including the construction of an entire Midwest network, which may not materialize. Furthermore, the report itself suggests that these jobs would be created in the future, rather than being an immediate loss. Given these factors, the claim lacks sufficient evidence to support its accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a news release and a petition, the Sierra Club argues if the state turns down money for high speed rail, it will \"kill nearly 10,000 permanent Wisconsin jobs.\"","John Muir chapter of the Sierra Club petition and news release, \"Don\u2019t kill nearly 10,000 permanent Wisconsin jobs by returning high-speed rail funds,\" Nov. 4, 2010","But what of the nearly 10,000 permanent jobs claimed by the Sierra Club and others, some of whom are now citing the Sierra Club as the source of the number? These are jobs not tied directly to the project and as such are hardest to measure hardest to quantify.","The Sierra Club\u2019s Wisconsin chapter and others say killing the high-speed train will kill jobs, specifically 9,572 permanent ones. Their number is taken from a professional analysis, but that analysis is based on a host of assumptions -- including that an entire Midwest network is built -- many of which could change. And while the Sierra Club suggests the jobs are an immediate loss, the report itself puts them years into the future."]},{"id":"69.json","label":"true","statement":"\"He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Ron Paul has consistently voted against federal restrictions on gun ownership. He has introduced legislation to repeal most federal gun laws and has voted against measures that would limit gun ownership, such as prohibiting violent juvenile offenders from owning guns and keeping semiautomatic assault weapons from the hands of juveniles. Additionally, he voted to repeal the District of Columbia gun ban and prevent the enforcement of certain provisions. These actions align with the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms without infringement. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Ron Paul has voted consistently to keep that right from being limited in any way. In fact, he has repeatedly introduced the Second Amendment Rights Protection Act that would repeal most federal gun laws.","During his tenure in the House, various measures limiting gun ownership have been considered. Here is a sampling: In 1999, the Columbine massacre instigated gun-control legislation. Amendments to gun show background check legislation would have limited ownership. He voted against prohibiting violent juvenile offenders from ever owning a gun. He also opposed keeping semiautomatic assault weapons from the hands of juveniles. The background check legislation did not pass the House at that time, but new background-check legislation did pass by voice vote this summer in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre. Ron Paul was the only lawmaker to speak in opposition, calling it \"flagrantly unconstitutional.\"","In 2004, Paul voted to repeal the District of Columbia gun ban. The legislation passed the House but was not taken up in the Senate. Then in 2005, he voted to prevent D.C. from spending money to enforce one of its provisions.","According to the Second Amendment of the Constitution, the \"right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.\""]},{"id":"9627.json","label":"false","statement":"In Oregon, 12,808 people were arrested for marijuana-related crimes in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there is some discrepancy in the data, the evidence suggests that in 2012, there were 2,754 people arrested for marijuana-related crimes in Oregon, not 12,808. The figure of 12,808 includes citations and not just arrests. It is important to differentiate between arrests and citations to accurately represent the number of individuals arrested specifically for marijuana-related crimes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Reality: More than half of the drug-related arrests made in Oregon are for marijuana. (Source: Oregon State Police, page 4-10). In 2012, the most recent year for which data is available, 21,856 people were arrested for drug crimes, and 12,808 of them were for marijuana.\"","In other words, Hastings said, those 10,054 were cited, not arrested. That leaves 2,754 people arrested for marijuana crimes in 2012, not 12,808.","In campaign literature and on its website, New Approach Oregon says police \"arrested\" 12,808 people in 2012 for marijuana-related crimes. The group makes the claim twice in a media packet and two more times in a \"Myth vs. Fact\" section on its website,","New Approach Oregon claims 12,808 people were arrested in 2012 for marijuana-related offenses, citing a \"Drug Law Arrests\" listing in Oregon's Annual Uniform Crime Report."]},{"id":"100.json","label":"true","statement":"\"He's sued gun manufacturers. He was supportive of Brady. He was supportive of things like assault weapon bans.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Rudy Giuliani's past positions on gun control. Giuliani did file a lawsuit against gun manufacturers during his tenure as mayor of New York City. He also expressed support for the Brady Bill, which implemented waiting periods and background checks for handgun purchases, and for the Assault Weapons Ban, which prohibited the sale of certain semi-automatic weapons. However, it's important to note that Giuliani has since distanced himself from the lawsuit and expressed disagreement with certain aspects of it. Nonetheless, the statement accurately portrays his past positions on these gun control measures.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"One thing I have to admire about Rudy, and he was I think courageous to go to the NRA, because his past positions -- he's sued gun manufacturers. He was supportive of Brady. He was supportive of things like assault weapon bans, which really is a misnomer, because it's really ridiculous to call a semiautomatic weapon an assault weapon.\"","Giuliani has since distanced himself from the lawsuit, recently saying that it \"has taken several turns and several twists that he does not agree with,\" but this does not detract from Huckabee's assertion that Giuliani sued gun makers.","In 2000, during Giuliani's term as mayor, he announced that New York City was filing a lawsuit against two dozen gun manufacturers. The city alleged practices such as deliberately producing more guns than could be legally bought and ignoring illegal sales by gun distributors.","The Brady Bill, which created a waiting period for handgun purchases and background checks, became law in 1993. The Assault Weapons Ban, which prohibited the sale of some semi-automatic weapons, expired in 2004 after 10 years on the books. In a February, 2007 interview Giuliani was asked about them both and said: \"I was in favor of it because I thought that it was necessary both to get the crime bill passed and also necessary with the 2,000 murders or so that we were looking at,\" annually in New York City at the time."]},{"id":"4567.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Arab Spring drove up gas prices.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Arab Spring did have an impact on oil prices, which in turn affected gas prices. However, it is important to note that the increase in gas prices was not solely caused by the Arab Spring. Gas prices were already rising before the democratic movements began, and there were other contributing factors such as global economic conditions and geopolitical tensions. Therefore, while the Arab Spring did play a role in the increase in gas prices, it was not the sole or primary driver.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We\u2019ll take a look at one portion of his comment -- that the Arab Spring, the grass-roots democratic movement that swept the Middle East and North Africa in early 2011, \"drove up gas prices.\" We found that he's correct that the Arab Spring did have an impact on oil prices but that it was just one of many factors.","\"With respect to the state of the economy,\" Obama said, \"there is no doubt that growth has slowed. I think people were much more optimistic at the beginning of this year. But the combination of a Japanese tsunami, the Arab Spring, which drove up gas prices, and most prominently (economic turmoil in) Europe, I think, has gotten businesses and consumers very nervous. And we did not help here in Washington with the debt ceiling debacle that took place, a bit of game-playing that was completely unnecessary, completely unprecedented in terms of how we dealt with our responsibilities here in Washington.\"","In fact, the timing of the price rises suggest that the Arab Spring may have had a modest effect within a much longer period of generally rising prices, rather than a sudden, jarring spike during the apex of the protests.","Obama is right that the Arab Spring was a factor in the increase in gasoline prices. But it's important to note that prices were rising before the democratic movements began. And experts say that while there was some impact on prices, the overall increase is the result of many factors. We rate Obama's claim Half True."]},{"id":"10318.json","label":"false","statement":"The wealth gap between blacks and whites in the United States is greater than the black-white wealth gap was in apartheid South Africa.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there is a significant wealth gap between blacks and whites in the United States, it is misleading to claim that it is greater than the black-white wealth gap during apartheid in South Africa. The evidence provided suggests that the race gap for wealth in the United States is 18-fold between the median white family and the median black family. However, this does not necessarily equate to being worse than the wealth gap during apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid South Africa had a deeply oppressive and discriminatory system that systematically denied economic opportunities to black people, resulting in extreme racial disparities. While the wealth gap in the United States is a concern, it does not reach the same level of institutionalized racial discrimination as experienced during apartheid. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While we cannot compare the wealth gap between apartheid South Africa and the United States, we can look at the income gap between the two countries. Through that lens, apartheid South Africa was far worse for blacks.","\"The race gap for wealth in the United States right now between the median white family and the median black family is 18-fold,\" Kristof said. \"That\u2019s greater than the black-white wealth gap was in apartheid South Africa.\"","Kristof said that for median families, the wealth gap in America now between blacks and whites is \"greater than the black-white wealth gap was in apartheid South Africa.\" That statement is based on a blog post that in turn relies on a South African economist. Something must have become garbled because that economist told PunditFact he has written about disparities in income, not wealth.","Needless to say, all economic advantages flowed to whites while blacks faced enormous barriers. If disparities were greater today in America, it would be shocking indeed. We decided to probe into Kristof\u2019s claim that the wealth gap is worse in the United States."]},{"id":"3598.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Tim Kaine proposed over $6 billion in tax increases from the time he entered the governors mansion until the time he left.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tim Kaine proposed a transportation plan that included tax increases during his tenure as governor, the claim that he proposed over $6 billion in tax increases is misleading. The proposed transportation plan aimed to raise about $1 billion per year, totaling approximately $4 billion over a four-year period. The claim of over $6 billion in tax increases does not accurately represent the actual proposal. It is important to provide accurate information and context when discussing tax proposals to avoid misrepresentation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Tim Kaine proposed \"over $6 billion in tax increases from the time he entered the governor\u2019s mansion until the time he left.\"","Allen\u2019s campaign manager told supporters in an e-mail that Kaine was a \"big government\" liberal who proposed more than \"$6 billion in tax increases from the time he entered the Governor\u2019s mansion until the time he left.\"","George Allen says Tim Kaine proposed \"over $6 billion in tax increases\" as governor. Kaine did suggest a $1 billion per year transportation plan, mixing taxes with new fees and fines, during 2006. But Republicans also proposed new taxes for transportation that year.","Kaine, six days after taking office in 2006, did propose a plan to raise about $1 billion a year for transportation. Trump calls it a \"nearly $4 billion tax increase,\" citing a figure used in a newspaper article at the time. But the article said that sum would be realized over four years. Trump, in using that high $4 billion figure, omits the clarifying time span."]},{"id":"12340.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Cervical cancer in Africa is fully preventable with basic education, screeningand vaccines.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Joe Biden regarding cervical cancer in Africa. He states that cervical cancer is fully preventable in Africa through basic education, screening, and vaccines. This aligns with the understanding that cervical cancer can be prevented through early detection and vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a leading cause of cervical cancer. However, it's important to note that the lack of infrastructure for screening and vaccination programs in some African countries poses challenges to achieving full prevention. While prevention is possible, the implementation of these preventive measures may be limited in certain regions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Take cervical cancer -- 530,000 new cases are diagnosed each year,\" Biden said. \"270,000 people die each year; 87 percent in developing countries. In Africa, it\u2019s the second-most common cancer after breast cancer. It\u2019s a travesty. But it\u2019s fully preventable with basic education, screening, and vaccines.\"","Now, that is for the United States with a system of doctors, clinics and hospitals that far surpasses anything found in any African nation. If it\u2019s not fully preventable here, it\u2019s difficult to see why the results in Africa would be better.","To be sure, cervical cancer is highly preventable. The journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention , says \"cervical cancer is a relatively rare disease in countries that have instituted and maintained national screening programs.\"","Public health experts also say vaccination programs are essential. Some strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to cervical cancer and some of those strains can be blocked by vaccines. But just as Sub-Saharan countries lack the infrastructure for screening, they also lack a system for vaccinating young women."]},{"id":"6887.json","label":"false","statement":"A member of the redistricting commission proposed in Issue 2 could accept a bribe from somebody and couldnt be removed from this commission.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the proposed amendment in Issue 2 does not specifically outline a removal process for a commission member who accepts a bribe, it does not mean that they cannot be removed. Existing state laws and legal mechanisms can be applied to address such misconduct, including potential criminal charges and legal actions. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that a member of the redistricting commission proposed in Issue 2 could accept a bribe and could not be removed from the commission.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A member of the redistricting commission proposed in Issue 2 \"could accept a bribe from somebody\" and \"couldn\u2019t be removed from this commission.\"","\"Apparently, you could accept a bribe from somebody to get the map that you want, and you couldn\u2019t be removed from this commission,\" Husted, a Republican and outspoken critic of Issue 2, told reporters after the Aug. 15 meeting of the Ohio Ballot Board to determine ballot language for Issue 2.","So where does that leave us? Is Husted\u2019s claim, that a member who accepted a bribe could not be removed from the commission, plausible?","And he went too far when he said a commission member could remain after accepting a bribe. Although there isn\u2019t a removal process within the proposed amendment, others exist in state law."]},{"id":"7674.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A wide majority of NRA households ... supported this legislation on gun background checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that President Obama claimed a \"wide majority of NRA households\" supported legislation on gun background checks, it is important to note that the specific legislation he referred to had not been introduced at the time of his statement. However, independent polls conducted prior to the introduction of the legislation did show that a majority of NRA members or households supported expanded background checks. Therefore, while the legislation itself was not explicitly mentioned in the polls, the statement aligns with the general sentiment among NRA households regarding background checks.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Obama said a \"wide majority of NRA households ... supported this legislation.\" Two fully independent polls showed that NRA members or households support expanded background checks, but the polls couldn\u2019t have asked about the \"legislation\" Obama referred to because those measures had not been introduced yet. We rate the statement Mostly True.","Still, there\u2019s a problem with Obama\u2019s phrasing. He said that a \"wide majority of NRA households ... supported this legislation.\" While the percentages supporting universal background checks in the latter two polls qualify as a \"wide majority\" in our book, each of these polls were taken before either of the two relevant pieces of legislation were filed in the Senate. Reid\u2019s underlying bill was submitted on March 21, while the Manchin-Toomey amendment was submitted on April 11.","President Barack Obama (not at the convention) said in 2013 that Second Amendment supporters also favored some restrictions on gun sales. A \"wide majority of NRA households\" supported legislation expanding background checks for gun purchases, Obama said in 2013. Two fully independent polls showed that NRA members or households support expanded background checks, but the polls couldn\u2019t have asked about the particular legislation Obama referred to, because those measures had not been introduced yet. We rated the statement Mostly True.","At several points in his remarks, Obama invoked his gun-policy adversary, the National Rifle Association. \"To the wide majority of NRA households who supported this legislation, you need to let your leadership and lobbyists in Washington know they didn\u2019t represent your views on this one,\" Obama said."]},{"id":"2517.json","label":"false","statement":"Social Security is a Ponzi scheme.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme is false. While some politicians have used this comparison, it has been consistently debunked by fact-checkers. Social Security is a government-run program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible individuals. It is funded through payroll taxes and is legally obligated to pay out benefits to recipients. Unlike Ponzi schemes, Social Security is transparent, accountable to Congress and the American people, and operates within the confines of the law. Equating Social Security to a Ponzi scheme is misleading and does not accurately reflect the nature and purpose of the program.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Texas Gov. Rick Perry, stumping for president, has revived his description of Social Security as a Ponzi scheme, a claim we rated False last year after concluding Social Security is obligated to pay benefits, unlike shysters who run Ponzi schemes. Also, the way Social Security operates isn\u2019t shrouded in deceit and it\u2019s accountable to Congress and the American people. A Ponzi scheme is a crime.","Earlier this year in Texas, we rated False a statement by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann that Social Security is out of money, though our article also confirmed that this year's payroll taxes aren't expected to cover checks being sent out by Social Security. The program also covers its payments by tapping investments in the Social Security trust fund.","PolitiFact Rhode Island later rated False Republican U.S. House candidate John Loughlin's statement that \"Social Security is a Ponzi scheme.\" Its analysis zeroed in on the lack of an element of deceit to how the 75-year-old Social Security program takes in money and pays it out.","Another: \"I would gladly trade my total Social Security \u2018contribution\u2019 to date to withdraw from the system. It\u2019s a Ponzi scheme \u2014 a scheme that our government would never allow another financial institution to form.\""]},{"id":"11609.json","label":"false","statement":"The vast majority of (Syrian) refugees are young, able-bodied men looking for work.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays the demographic composition of Syrian refugees. While it is true that there are young, able-bodied men among the Syrian refugee population, it is incorrect to claim that they constitute the vast majority. In fact, the gender breakdown of Syrian refugees is fairly evenly split, and in terms of hard numbers, the majority of refugees are actually female. Therefore, the statement does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The vast majority of these refugees are young, able-bodied men looking for work,\" she said at the event, which was covered by the Concord Monitor.","Let\u2019s start by leaving out the other qualifiers \u2014 young and able-bodied \u2014 and look at whether the \"vast majority\" of refugees are men. We need not split hairs on what constitutes a \"vast majority\" here, since the gender breakdown is pretty evenly split; in hard numbers, the majority of refugees is actually female.","In Concord, she didn\u2019t specifically say Syrian refugees, but the surrounding discussion was specific to Syria. A day later, she repeated the claim on talk radio during an interview with host Mike Gallagher and specified that \"the vast majority of refugees leaving Syria are able-bodied young men.\"","Donald Trump is now against bringing any Syrian refugees to the United States, saying he has concerns about how many able-bodied men seem to be fleeing the war-torn nation."]},{"id":"9932.json","label":"false","statement":"Our men and women of the Guard have been forced to contact food banks to feed themselves.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Van de Putte that the men and women of the Guard have been forced to contact food banks to feed themselves is not supported by confirmed evidence. While there was a precautionary inquiry made by a National Guard functionary to a food bank about the possibility of troops receiving groceries if necessary, there is no confirmation that any Guardsmen actually contacted food banks for assistance. The Texas National Guard officials have stated that they are not aware of any service members utilizing food banks. Therefore, the claim that the Guard members have been forced to contact food banks to feed themselves is unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Van de Putte said: \"Our men and women of the Guard have been forced to contact food banks to feed themselves.\"","According to a Texas Tribune news story posted online Aug. 29, 2014, Van de Putte, a San Antonio state senator and chairwoman of the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations Committee, said: \"Today, we learn that our men and women of the Guard have been forced to contact food banks to feed themselves because they haven\u2019t been paid in weeks. This is unacceptable.\"","No one has confirmed any troops contacting food banks to feed themselves. What happened: A National Guard functionary took the precautionary step of asking a border-area food bank about troops yet to be paid possibly receiving groceries if necessary. The food bank said it could provide.","An Austin American-Statesman news story posted that afternoon quoted Lt. Col. Joanne MacGregor, a spokeswoman for the Texas National Guard, saying its officials had no indication any Guardsmen had received assistance from the food bank. In response to our follow-up inquiry, MacGregor said there had been no change in this respect; the Guard was \"not aware of any service members utilizing the food banks,\" she emailed."]},{"id":"11075.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Scott Walkers views on abortion are more restrictive than any Republican president in recent times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Scott Walker's views on abortion are more restrictive than any recent Republican president. While the evidence does not explicitly compare Walker's views to every Republican president, it does highlight that Walker's stance on abortion, which supports outlawing it in all circumstances, is more restrictive than the positions taken by the three most recent Republican presidents who supported exceptions, such as allowing abortion to protect the life of the mother. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Yes, but if you look at the history of those who have been elected president, Scott Walker's views are clearly more extreme than any Republican president in recent times -- much more extreme than President George W. Bush with regard to the issues of having exemptions that deal with the health and the life of the mother, and the issues of exemptions for rape victims and incest.\"","It\u2019s clear that Scott Walker\u2019s views on abortion will get intensified scrutiny now that he has joined the crowded Republican presidential field.","The website of the National Right to Life Committee, meanwhile, highlights the records of President Barack Obama and his four most recent predecessors, dating back to the late Ronald Reagan, but doesn\u2019t do any ratings.","Walker supports outlawing abortion in all circumstances. The three most recent GOP presidents each supported exceptions, such as allowing abortion to protect the life of the mother."]},{"id":"3834.json","label":"false","statement":"The Medicare proposal by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., would allow insurance companies to deny you coverage and drop you for pre-existing conditions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The Medicare proposal by Rep. Paul Ryan does not explicitly allow insurance companies to deny coverage or drop individuals for pre-existing conditions. Under Ryan's plan, new beneficiaries would be insured by private insurance companies, but they would still receive financial assistance from the government in the form of \"premium support\" to help them purchase insurance. While the shift towards the private sector may introduce changes to the Medicare system, the evidence does not support the claim that insurance companies would have the authority to deny coverage or drop individuals for pre-existing conditions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["During a House floor speech on April 13, 2011, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., took aim at a recent proposal by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to change the way the Medicare system works.","Amid discussion of the Medicare overhaul proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., an ad created by the Agenda Project, a liberal group, cut through the clutter quite dramatically -- though with critics saying it was literally over the top.","It\u2019s true that under the Ryan proposal, the government will retain important duties in running Medicare. But \"privatization\" does not have to mean that the government has nothing further to do with the enterprise. Under longstanding definitions, privatization could take place without the government giving up its right to regulate a privately provided service, such as an electric utility. That said, we think it\u2019s fair to note that Medicare already provides some types of coverage through private insurance now, so the shift toward the private sector prompted by the Ryan plan would be more a question of degree than kind. On balance, we conclude that the idea that the Paul Ryan budget proposal would \"privatize Medicare\" is Mostly True.","Ryan\u2019s plan leaves Medicare as is for people 55 and older. In 2022, though, new beneficiaries would be insured by private insurance companies rather than the federal government, although they would receive \"premium support\" -- financial assistance from the government for buying insurance. People who need more health care would get a little more money."]},{"id":"5243.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Newt Gingrich said Spanish is the language of the ghetto.","reason":"Reason: While Newt Gingrich did make a comment about language and the ghetto, it is important to note that he did not explicitly say that \"Spanish is the language of the ghetto.\" In a speech in 2007, Gingrich made a broader statement about the importance of English as the common language of the United States and referred to some language other than English as the \"language of living in a ghetto.\" Although it was widely assumed that he was referencing Spanish, he did not specifically mention Spanish in his statement. Therefore, the claim that Gingrich said \"Spanish is the language of the ghetto\" is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a rebuttal, Romney attacks Gingrich on radio as not being the Ronald Reagan conservative Gingrich claims. Romney also says that Gingrich said \"Spanish is the language of the ghetto.\" Here\u2019s a partial transcript of the ad, which is airing in South Florida (translation courtesy of Patricia Mazzei of the Miami Herald ):","A Romney radio ad playing in Spanish in South Florida claims that Gingrich said \"Spanish is the language of the ghetto.\" In a speech in 2007, Gingrich said that some language other than English is the \"language of living in a ghetto.\" Gingrich didn\u2019t say specifically that he was talking about Spanish, though most people assumed that was the language he was referencing. Gingrich recorded a web video in Spanish a few days later saying he could have worded his comments better. With those caveats in mind, we rate this claim Mostly True.","We\u2019ve written about Gingrich\u2019s relationship with Freddie Mac and Nancy Pelosi in other items. Here, we\u2019re focusing on the claim that Gingrich said, \"Spanish is the language of the ghetto.\"","Gingrich\u2019s comments were picked up that day by the Associated Press, which said Gingrich equated bilingual education with \"the language of living in a ghetto.\""]},{"id":"10503.json","label":"false","statement":"When I came into office, our vaccination rate in Texas was 65 percent. When I left two weeks ago, it was 95 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Perry regarding the vaccination rates in Texas is not accurate. According to federal data, the vaccination rates for preschool children in Texas were around 64 percent in 2000 and approximately 73 percent in 2013, which contradicts Perry's claim of a 65 percent to 95 percent increase. The Washington Post's Fact Checker also found the claim to be misleading and gave it a rating of three Pinocchios. It is important to rely on accurate data when discussing vaccination rates to ensure the dissemination of correct information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Perry said: \"When I came into office, our vaccination rate in Texas was 65 percent. When I left two weeks ago, it was 95 percent.\"","In the interview, Perry also said that when he came into office, \"our vaccination rate in Texas was 65 percent. When I left two weeks ago, it was 95 percent.\"","In 2000, Texas children in kindergarten had vaccination rates for different shots ranging from 95 percent to 99 percent, according to the chart. In 2013, the last year on the chart, kindergartners had vaccination rates of 97.2 percent to 98.1 percent depending on the shot being gauged. Shot rates for kindergartners were in the high 90s since the earliest year on the chart, 1993.","The next morning, the Post \u2019s Fact Checker gave Perry three Pinnochios for those declared percentages, saying that according to federal data, nearly 64 percent of preschool children in Texas obtained all recommended vaccinations in 2000, the year Perry became governor, and about 73 percent of such children did so in 2013, his second-to-last year in office. Also, the story said, the latter rate was a decrease from 2007. (A Perry spokesman later told the Tribune Perry had used \"incomplete numbers.\")"]},{"id":"3470.json","label":"true","statement":"Central Health is the only hospital district in Texas that spends taxpayer dollars on abortions.","reason":"Reason: According to the provided evidence, Central Health, also known as the Travis County Healthcare District, is indeed the only hospital district in Texas that uses taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. This information is supported by statements from State Rep. Wayne Christian and Central Health's spokesperson, Christie Garbe. While it is important to note that this statement specifically refers to hospital districts in Texas, it accurately reflects the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Currently the Travis County Healthcare District, known as Central Health, is the only hospital district in Texas that spends taxpayer dollars on abortions,\" he said in a March 15 press release.","State Rep. Wayne Christian says Central Health in Travis County is the only hospital district statewide to subsidize abortions with tax dollars","Next, short of calling every hospital district statewide \u2014 Texas Hospital Association spokeswoman Amanda Engler said there are about 180 \u2014 we asked several in Texas\u2019 larger cities whether they fund abortions with tax dollars.","Spokeswoman Christie Garbe told us that she couldn\u2019t speak for other districts but said Central Health uses tax dollars to fund abortions. \"Austin and Travis County has a long history of funding reproductive health services for women \u2014 the full range of health services,\" she said."]},{"id":"8916.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Businesses will be required to certify to the IRS under penalty of perjury that Obamacare was not a motivating factor for cutting staff.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), businesses are not required to certify to the IRS that Obamacare was not a motivating factor for cutting staff. However, there are reporting requirements for businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees. These businesses must report to the IRS whether they offer health insurance to their employees and whether the coverage meets certain requirements. The purpose of this reporting is to ensure compliance with the employer mandate provisions of the law. There is no explicit requirement to certify that staff cuts were not motivated by Obamacare. Therefore, the statement is misleading and not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Businesses \"will be required to certify to the IRS \u2013 under penalty of perjury \u2013 that Obamacare was not a motivating factor\" for cutting staff.","\"Firms will be required to certify to the IRS \u2013 under penalty of perjury \u2013 that Obamacare was not a motivating factor in their staffing decisions,\" Stirewalt said. \"To avoid Obamacare costs you must swear that you are not trying to avoid Obamacare costs. You can duck the law, but only if you promise not to say so.\"","Stirewalt said that under penalty of perjury, companies will need to tell the government that any downsizing they underwent was not due to Obamacare. The reporting part is partly accurate. Employers can lay people off but they can\u2019t do so just to get under the 99-worker mark and get an extra year before they need to offer health insurance.","Stirewalt\u2019s point was that this was designed to stifle public discussion about the health care law and jobs. That\u2019s an uncheckable theory, but a reader on Facebook asked us if we could test the specific claim that firms must tell the IRS \u2013 under penalty of perjury \u2013 that they didn\u2019t fire workers simply to avoid paying for their health insurance."]},{"id":"3659.json","label":"false","statement":"Says stories about his birth certificate drowned out media coverage of the Republican and White House budget plans the week of April 11.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama, claiming that stories about his birth certificate overshadowed media coverage of the Republican and White House budget plans during the week of April 11, is false. Multiple media organizations, including PEJ (Project for Excellence in Journalism), have analyzed the coverage during that week and found that the dominant news story was actually about the economy, accounting for 39% of news coverage. Birth-certificate-related coverage accounted for less than 4% of the coverage during that week. Therefore, the claim that the birth certificate story overshadowed coverage of the budget plans is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Readers suggested that we look into the president\u2019s contention that birth-certificate stories overshadowed stories on the Democratic and Republican budget plans. Other media organizations have also looked into the question.","Obama said that during the week of April 11, \"the dominant news story wasn\u2019t about these huge, monumental choices that we're going to have to make as a nation. It was about my birth certificate.\" He would have been correct if he\u2019d simply referred to coverage one week later. But his precise claim -- and he was clear about the timing -- is not accurate. According to both PEJ\u2019s analysis and our own, the big, substantive issues of the economy and the Democratic and Republican budget plans received quite a bit more coverage than the birth certificate story did during the week Obama referenced. We rate his statement False.","For the week the president referenced -- April 11-17 -- PEJ found that the biggest topic of news coverage was the economy, with 39 percent of news coverage. Birth-certificate-related coverage accounted for a bit less than 4 percent, PEJ reported.","We called up transcripts for cable and broadcast television news coverage in the Nexis database and looked at three topics of coverage: stories involving the terms \"Obama\" and \"birth certificate\" or \"birther\"; stories involving \"Paul Ryan,\" the architect of the GOP budget plan, and \"Medicare\"; and stories involving \"Obama\" and \"budget speech.\" These are not perfect measurements -- the Nexis database, while large, is not fully comprehensive, and some minor or irrelevant mentions probably crept into our data. In addition, we just looked at television coverage, not radio, print or Internet coverage, as PEJ does. But we think the results still illustrate trends about what the media covered:"]},{"id":"5269.json","label":"true","statement":"Chesterfield has eliminated more positions from its general government operations than the Commonwealth has from the entire state government since (fiscal) 2009.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Chesterfield has indeed eliminated more positions from its general government operations than the Commonwealth has from the entire state government since fiscal 2009. The data shows a decrease in authorized jobs in Chesterfield's general government operations from 3,697 in fiscal 2009 to 3,516 in fiscal 2012, amounting to a decrease of 181 approved positions. This reduction in positions demonstrates that Chesterfield has made significant cuts in its general government operations, surpassing the job reductions in the state government during the same period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Chesterfield has eliminated more positions from its general government operations than the Commonwealth has from the entire state government since (fiscal) 2009,\" Stegmaier said in an outline of a Dec. 14, 2011 speech he made to the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce.","No matter which set of numbers you use, Chesterfield has eliminated more jobs from its general government operations than Virginia has from its entire state government since fiscal 2009.","He cited county budgets that detail Chesterfield\u2019s authorized full-time employment levels in general government. In fiscal 2009, there were 3,697 authorized jobs. In fiscal 2012, which ends June 30, there were 3,516 such positions. That\u2019s a decrease of 181 approved jobs.","Chesterfield\u2019s general government operations include workers in all services except education. Stegmaier said that if education was included, the numbers would only grow in Chesterfield\u2019s favor since the county has trimmed employment in that department as well."]},{"id":"12816.json","label":"true","statement":"The Koch network (is) spending more money (in a Senate race) in Ohio than anywhere else in the country.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the Koch network is indeed spending more money in the Ohio Senate race than in any other race in the country. According to the Center for Responsive Politics and OpenSecrets records, the Koch-backed groups have spent approximately $8 million in the Ohio Senate race, surpassing their spending in any other race. This supports the statement that the Koch network is allocating more funds in Ohio than anywhere else in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A fundraising email in support of Strickland said that the billionaire-backed Koch network has devoted the most money to oppose the Ohio senate candidate than in any other race in the country.","\"Outside special interests like to spend money in Ohio,\" Brown\u2019s email said. \"Back in 2012, they spent $40 million trying to buy my seat in the Senate. \u2026 Right now, the special interests are up to $30 million spent against Ted -- with the Koch network spending more money in Ohio than anywhere else in the country.\"","Center for Responsive Politics, \"Ohio Senate race attracts highest outside spending in Congress, big share of dark money,\" Jun. 20, 2016","The Koch brothers, through their political action network, have spent approximately $8 million in the senate race in Ohio, with almost $2 million from Americans for Prosperity and a little over $6 million from Freedom Partners Action Fund. That is more than the Koch-backed groups have spent in any other race in the country, according to OpenSecrets records."]},{"id":"8790.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Russia all people are absolutely equal regardless of their religion, sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, while 70 countries of the world have criminal liability for homosexuality.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Russia does not have criminal liability for homosexuality, the statement that all people in Russia are absolutely equal regardless of their religion, sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation is not entirely accurate. Recent actions and legislation in Russia have raised concerns about the rights and treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. These actions have included restrictions on peaceful demonstrations and laws that have been criticized for discriminating against the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, the claim that 70 countries have criminal liability for homosexuality is supported by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, although it's important to note that the severity of penalties varies among these countries. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is partially true, the second part requires additional context to accurately reflect the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Putin went on to note that the former Soviet Union \"had criminal liability for homosexuality, today's Russia doesn't have such criminal liability. In our country, all people are absolutely equal regardless of their religion, sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.\"","But Putin also was far too rosy in his depiction of how the country treats gays and lesbians when he said \"all people are absolutely equal regardless of their religion, sex, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.\" Recent actions by Putin and the ruling United Russia party have further restricted the rights of gays and lesbians to peacefully demonstrate.","\"In Russia, as opposed to one third of the world's countries, there is no criminal liability for homosexuality,\" Putin said during a lengthy interview with several media outlets, parts of which aired on ABC\u2019s This Week. \"Seventy countries of the world have criminal liability for homosexuality, and seven countries out of these 70 enforce death penalty for homosexuality.\"","Putin said 70 countries criminalize homosexuality and Russia isn\u2019t one of them. His estimate is pretty close to the 76 highlighted by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and its true the organization did not include Russia in that number."]},{"id":"8247.json","label":"true","statement":"The government does not need a warrant to read your old emails.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Under the current law, specifically the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) passed in 1986, emails stored on third-party servers for longer than 180 days are considered abandoned and do not require a warrant for government access. This outdated law does not provide the same level of privacy protection for older emails as it does for more recent ones. However, it's important to note that there have been efforts to update this law to strengthen privacy rights and require a warrant for all email communications, regardless of their age.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Georgia congressman said the government doesn\u2019t need a warrant to read our old emails. Current law, in place before many modern technology advances, does not include a provision protecting email over 180 days old from the government\u2019s prying eyes.","\"It\u2019s shocking, but true,\" Graves, R-Ranger, said in the emailed update. \"The government does not need a warrant to read your old emails. How can this be? Simply put, our privacy laws are outdated.\"","If passed, both bills would update the current law that governs data storage, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. The ECPA, passed in 1986, regulates government access to private information that is transmitted and stored on the Internet, such as email. The law considers emails stored on third-party servers for longer than 180 days as abandoned. The 1986 law allows federal agencies to obtain a subpoena -- but doesn\u2019t require a warrant from a judge -- to view the records. (Emails less than 180 days old do require a judicial warrant to obtain.)","Clinton\u2019s emails included moments when staffers wrote that for them to go into more detail, they would need to switch to a secure classified State Department system."]},{"id":"5613.json","label":"true","statement":"The poorest in this country are women.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that women in the United States have higher poverty rates compared to men. The analysis of developing countries shows that, in most cases, men outnumbered women in poverty. Additionally, the statement highlights that the poverty rate among women in the United States is the highest in nearly two decades, and a significant proportion of women lack access to healthcare. Furthermore, the data indicates that women in specific age groups, such as 18-24 years, have higher poverty rates compared to men in the same age group. Overall, the evidence supports the claim that women are among the poorest in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A 2001 analysis of 10 developing countries largely found no statistically significant differences. Where there was a gap, in every country but one, it was very narrow, and sometimes, as in the Latin America survey, men outnumbered women in poverty.","\"If you look at the official poverty measure in California, we\u2019re about average with the rest of the country,\" Mayes said. \"But if you use the supplemental poverty measure, we are in the lead. We have the highest poverty rate in the nation -- higher than New Mexico, higher than any of the southern states, Louisiana, Alabama, higher than Idaho.\"","Attacks on Planned Parenthood \"come at a time when the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades and 1 in 5 women under 65 don\u2019t have access to health care.\"","Greater numbers of women also tended to be poor when broken down by age groups. More than 25 percent of women 18-24 years of age are in poverty, compared with 18.8 percent for men in the same age group."]},{"id":"6187.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Dow Chemical decided to build a plant in Saudi Arabia rather than Oklahoma due to the impact of environmental regulations on the supply of natural gas.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Dow Chemical decided to build a plant in Saudi Arabia instead of Oklahoma due to the impact of environmental regulations on the supply of natural gas. The campaign of Mitt Romney, who made this statement, did not provide any evidence to back up the claim, and Dow Chemical itself did not confirm or provide any information to support this assertion. Without any substantiating evidence, the claim remains unsupported and should be regarded as unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mitt Romney said that a Dow official told him that the company opted to build a plant in Saudi Arabia rather than Oklahoma due to the state\u2019s limited supply of natural gas thanks to environmental regulations. If that's case, no record of it appears to exist, Romney's campaign didn't offer any evidence to back it up and neither did Dow.","Mitt Romney likes to draw a straight line between environmental regulations and the jobs they cost. That was the thrust of his statement at a Frankenmuth, Mich., campaign event on June 19, 2012. Romney said Oklahoma lost out on a plant that Dow Chemical ended up building in Saudi Arabia.","But Romney wasn\u2019t highlighting a Dow project by itself. He was saying it could have happened in Oklahoma. We asked the Romney campaign to back up the claim that Dow had picked Saudi Arabia over Oklahoma for reasons related to the natural gas supply. We never heard back.","Citing a conversation he'd had with a person from Dow, Romney told his audience at a business roundtable, \"They said they couldn't rely on the natural gas here given the environmental regulation and whether it would be an abundant supply and reliable or not.\""]},{"id":"2743.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Richard Devlin raised your taxes by $1 billion in a single day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Taxpayer Association of Oregon PAC that Richard Devlin raised taxes by $1 billion in a single day. However, it's important to note that the previous fact-checking analysis found this claim to be Half True. While lawmakers did vote for $1 billion in new taxes in a single day, there were important details missing, such as the timing of the taxes, who approved them, and who was being taxed. Therefore, the claim lacks some necessary context and may be misleading to voters.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["That\u2019s the case with a legislative attack we first saw in 2010 that claimed Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, had raised \"your taxes by $1 billion in a single day.\" Back then, we called the claim Half True.","The claim by the Taxpayer Association of Oregon PAC is that state Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, implemented $1 billion in new taxes in one day.","The last time we looked at this claim, we gave it a Half True. We noted then, as we do now, that while lawmakers did vote for $1 billion in new taxes in a single day, there were some important details missing -- the timing of the taxes, who had approved them and who was being taxed.","The mailer goes even further to drive the point home to voters: The $1 billion comes down to more than $41 million an hour, or nearly $700,000 a minute, or $11,574 each second, and the question asked on the other side of the mailer is, \"Can we afford four more years of Richard Devlin?\""]},{"id":"13076.json","label":"false","statement":"The head of the IRS ordered 24,000 emails erased before Congress could review them, making sure the American people will never know the real truth.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the head of the IRS ordered the erasure of 24,000 emails before Congress could review them is not supported by independent reports. There is no credible evidence to suggest that such an order was given. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Fleming said, \"The head of the IRS ordered 24,000 emails erased before Congress could review them, making sure the American people will never know the real truth.\"","\"The head of the IRS ordered 24,000 emails erased before Congress could review them, making sure the American people will never know the real truth,\" Fleming\u2019s ad says. \"The officials in charge follow the same dishonest playbook they\u2019ve used for every scandal from Fast and Furious to Hillary\u2019s emails.\"","Since destruction of documents is a serious charge, we wondered if it was true that the head of the IRS \"ordered 24,000 emails erased before Congress could review them.\" Independent reports suggest that\u2019s not the case.","In a recent radio campaign ad, Louisiana senate candidate John Fleming claimed that the head of the Internal Revenue Service ordered 24,000 emails erased before Congress could see them."]},{"id":"5099.json","label":"false","statement":"Says in Newark were paying 80 percent of the school budget from local property taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to multiple sources, including budget documents, local taxes account for approximately 11 percent of the Newark Public Schools' overall budget. The majority of the budget, around 80 percent, comes from state aid, grants, and entitlements. Therefore, the claim that Newark taxpayers are paying 80 percent of the school budget from local property taxes is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We've been there 16 years, but yet we have elected school board members. We're paying taxes, we're paying 80 percent of the school budget from local property taxes,\" said Rice, a Democrat from Essex County. \"In the meanwhile, we're losing jobs, foreclosures, etcetera, and regardless of how much you minimize the risk with this private quote-unquote investor, ultimately it can come back and it will come back to haunt the local taxpayers.\"","Of a $970 million budget, more than $106 million, or about 11 percent, is raised from local taxes. State aid, grants and entitlements account for most of the budget, at $775 million. That\u2019s nearly 80 percent.","According to budget documents, local taxes account for 11 percent of the Newark Public Schools\u2019 overall budget in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. State aid, grants and entitlements make up the largest portion of the district\u2019s revenues, at nearly 80 percent. Federal aid and various other funding sources make up the rest of the budget.","Are Newark taxpayers footing 80 percent of the bill for the school district? A reader asked us to check out this claim and PolitiFact New Jersey found it\u2019s far from the truth."]},{"id":"12241.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We spend about 75 percent of the entire cost of the military aspect of NATO.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Sanders' claim that the United States spends approximately 75 percent of the military aspect of NATO's total expenditures. However, it's important to note that this percentage refers to the proportion of military spending by NATO member countries, not the entire cost of NATO itself. The total military budget for NATO in 2016 was around $2 billion, and the 75 percent figure represents the United States' contribution to that specific military budget. It does not encompass the entirety of NATO's costs, including civilian expenses. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in the context of military spending within NATO, it does not represent the entire cost of NATO as an organization.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Asked if he still felt that way during the debate, Sanders said, \"We spend about 75 percent of the entire cost of the military aspect of NATO. Given the fact that France has a very good health care system and free public education, college education for their people, the U.K. has a good National Health Service and they also provide fairly reasonable higher education, you know what, yeah, I do believe that the countries of Europe should pick up more of the burden for their defense.\"","\"Sen. Sanders made the point that our NATO allies should pick up more of the burden for their defense, citing the fact that the United States spends about 75 percent of NATO's total military expenditures,\" Gunnels said.","But we need to understand what these numbers show. They don\u2019t represent dollars or euros spent on behalf of NATO, or as Sanders said, \"the military aspect of NATO.\"","For 2016, NATO\u2019s total military budget is about $2 billion. (Since Sanders specified the military aspect, we\u2019ll ignore the civilian costs, which are about $200 million.)"]},{"id":"11547.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Theres only one of us whos actually cut government spending -- not two, theres one and youre looking at him.","reason":"Reason: Governor Jindal claims that he is the only candidate who has actually cut government spending. While there are different ways to analyze spending cuts, it is true that a Cato report supports his claim. However, it is important to note that other analyses may present a different perspective. According to an alternative approach, there were four other governors who achieved greater spending cuts than Jindal. Therefore, while Jindal's claim is supported by one analysis, it is not universally applicable and depends on the specific methodology used to evaluate spending cuts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Jindal said, \"There\u2019s only one of us who\u2019s actually cut government spending -- not two, there\u2019s one and you\u2019re looking at him.\"","\"Here\u2019s the dirty little secret,\" Jindal said. \"You\u2019re gonna hear a lot of Republicans tonight in this debate and the next one talk about cutting government spending. It\u2019s gonna sound great. There\u2019s only one of us who\u2019s actually cut government spending -- not two, there\u2019s one and you\u2019re looking at him.\"","Jindal has previously boasted that he\u2019s the only one to cut government spending. Is it true? The answer: it depends on the analysis.","To his credit, a Cato report backs his claim. However, there\u2019s more than one way of looking at spending cuts. One other approach that an expert said is valid suggests that Jindal was out-cut by four other governors."]},{"id":"7940.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he can be on the ballot for Congress while serving time in jail.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there are legal barriers and practical challenges for an individual serving time in jail to appear on the ballot for Congress, there is no explicit constitutional prohibition against it. The U.S. Constitution outlines the qualifications for running for Congress, which include citizenship, age, and residency, but it does not specifically address incarceration as a disqualifying factor. However, there may be state-specific laws and regulations that could prevent an incarcerated individual from appearing on the ballot. Ultimately, the decision would be subject to interpretation and the discretion of the relevant election authorities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["By day, Stephen Nodine works at a law office in Bay Minette, Ala. By night, he is an inmate at the Baldwin County Jail where he is serving a two-year sentence for perjury. This would be of little interest except Nodine says he might want to run for Congress and represent Alabama\u2019s 1st Congressional District.","Nodine is not the first man behind bars to seek the chance to serve the public while serving time. In 2002, former Rep. James Traficant, I-Ohio, took 15 percent of the vote even though he had just started an eight-year sentence for bribery, racketeering and other crimes. Going farther back in history, Matthew Lyon was successful in 1798. He had been convicted of libel, ran for Congress from prison and won.","In the broadest sense, Nodine has the legal right to run for office from jail, but significant barriers lie between that right and his name appearing on the ballot. We rate the statement Mostly True.","We\u2019ve explored this topic before in the context of whether a candidate could run for Congress from jail. We found that the U.S. Constitution upholds the principle that voters decide who shall represent them, and the qualifications(,been%20fourteen%20Years%20a%20Resident) are citizenship, age and residency."]},{"id":"382.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama \"only wants your children to have health insurance.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and misrepresentation of President Obama's stance on healthcare. President Obama's healthcare reform, known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), aimed to provide affordable and accessible healthcare coverage for all Americans, including children. The ACA implemented various measures to expand healthcare coverage, such as the creation of state-based insurance marketplaces, Medicaid expansion, and the provision that allowed young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plans until the age of 26. The intention was to ensure that all individuals, including children, have access to adequate healthcare coverage, rather than solely focusing on children's health insurance. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays President Obama's healthcare goals and initiatives.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McCain says the price of a gas tax \"holiday\" would be about the same as \"a Bridge to Nowhere (or) another pork barrel project.\"","\"In her short time in the United States Senate, the senator from New York, Senator Clinton, got $500-million worth of pork barrel projects.\"","\"A year ago, in March 2007, I called for immediate action to address abuses in the subprime market, and I laid out detailed concrete proposals for how to do so.\""]},{"id":"10838.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Fair Tax proposal encourages innovation and investment level the playing field for American companies to compete globally.","reason":"Reason: The Fair Tax proposal aims to eliminate the current tax system and replace it with a consumption-based tax. Proponents, including David Perdue, argue that this change would encourage innovation and investment by removing the burden of corporate taxes and creating a more competitive environment for American companies. While there is a theoretical argument that reducing corporate taxes could incentivize businesses to invest and innovate, it is important to note that the actual impact of the Fair Tax on innovation and investment is uncertain and subject to various economic factors. Therefore, the statement presents a plausible argument but lacks concrete evidence to definitively support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our archaic tax system is choking growth, holding back innovation, and discouraging investment,\" Perdue said, in calling for a transition to the Fair Tax to \"level the playing field with the rest of the world.\"","David Perdue claimed the Fair Tax will boost the economy by increasing investment and innovation, making American companies more competitive on a world stage.","PolitiFact Georgia wondered if evidence exists that the plan would boost investment and innovation, thereby improving the economy, and decided to check it out.","That\u2019s because without corporate taxes, businesses will be more inclined to use foreign and domestic profits to grow operations. That jump in investment will naturally lead to greater innovation, the report concludes."]},{"id":"5941.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Josh Mandel opposed federal loans to the auto industry.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Josh Mandel opposed federal loans to the auto industry. While Mandel expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the auto bailout and stated that he respectfully disagreed with the notion that it saved the U.S. auto industry, there is no direct quote or evidence indicating that he would have voted against the loans as a senator. It is important to distinguish between expressing skepticism about a policy and actively opposing it. Therefore, the statement that Mandel opposed federal loans to the auto industry is not substantiated by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Brown has been painting his opponent as anti-auto bailout since at least March, when Mandel told The Vindicator, Youngstown\u2019s daily newspaper, that he was developing a plan \"to rescue the auto industry.\" To those who thought the industry already had been rescued by the government loans to Chrysler and GM, Mandel\u2019s statement was a head-scratcher.","\"I\u2019m not saying the bailout didn\u2019t work,\" Mandel told the paper. But he also said he \"respectfully disagreed\" that it saved the U.S. auto industry. Nowhere in the story is he quoted as saying he would have voted against the loans as a senator.","So PolitiFact Ohio was surprised recently when Brown\u2019s campaign began asserting that Mandel would have voted against the federal loans to rescue automakers Chrysler and General Motors. Brown dialed up the criticism Monday prior to a Mandel event near a GM plant in Lordstown.","By virtue of voting against TARP, a position Mandel confirms he would have taken, he would have voted against a bill that eventually benefited the auto industry. Of course in these hypotheticals, Mandel wouldn\u2019t have known that at the time, so it is intellectually dishonest to write him off as anti-auto rescue."]},{"id":"5838.json","label":"true","statement":"Says in our gun laws were allowing domestic abusers to sidestep this ban on getting a gun. The loophole allows a convicted abuser to walk into a gun show and walk out with a gun, no questions asked.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Frank Lautenberg that there is a loophole in gun laws that allows convicted domestic abusers to obtain guns without undergoing a background check. This is because federal law does not require unlicensed gun sellers, including those at gun shows, to perform background checks. While some states have implemented measures to close this loophole, there is no federal requirement in place. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says \"in our gun laws we\u2019re allowing domestic abusers to sidestep this ban on getting a gun. The loophole allows a convicted abuser to walk into a gun show and walk out with a gun, no questions asked.\"","Lautenberg said that \"in our gun laws we\u2019re allowing domestic abusers to sidestep this ban on getting a gun. The loophole allows a convicted abuser to walk into a gun show and walk out with a gun, no questions asked.\"","\"In our gun laws we\u2019re allowing domestic abusers to sidestep this ban on getting a gun. The loophole allows a convicted abuser to walk into a gun show and walk out with a gun, no questions asked.\" (True) U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., was correct: Federal law does not require unlicensed gun sellers individuals, whether they are at a gun show or not, to perform background checks. Some states have closed the loophole, but the federal government has not.","\"Let me be clear. It would be tragic to turn our backs on victims and the people who dedicate their lives to supporting them. While we can\u2019t stop all malicious acts, we can do more to keep women and their families safe,\" Lautenberg said. \"In 1996, I wrote the domestic violence gun ban, which forbids anyone convicted of domestic violence from getting a gun. Since the law's inception, we have kept guns from falling into violent hands on over 200,000 occasions. For instance, in our gun laws we\u2019re allowing domestic abusers to sidestep this ban on getting a gun. The loophole allows a convicted abuser to walk into a gun show and walk out with a gun, no questions asked.\""]},{"id":"3342.json","label":"false","statement":"The high-speed rail project would create 60,000-plus jobs for Floridians.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there were claims made by Representative Brown and others that the Tampa-to-Orlando high-speed rail project would create 60,000 jobs, these claims have been debunked. In reality, the project would have created construction and construction spinoff jobs for a limited period of time, with the number of jobs peaking at 21,600 during the second year of construction. Once the high-speed rail line became operational, the state anticipated the creation of 1,100 permanent direct and indirect jobs. Therefore, the claim that the project would create 60,000-plus jobs is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Is Scott turning his back on 60,000 jobs -- a little less than 10 percent of the 700,000 jobs he promised to create -- by nixing the Tampa-to-Orlando high-speed rail line?","In the media, in press releases, and on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Brown said the Tampa-to-Orlando high-speed rail project would create 60,000 jobs. That number is too high. In reality, the project would create construction and construction spinoff jobs for parts of four years. The number of the jobs varies depending on the year of construction, but peaks at a total of 21,600 jobs in the second year of work. Once the high-speed rail line is operational, the state anticipates the creation of 1,100 permanent direct and indirect jobs.","\"We are going to continue to work for those 60,000-plus jobs for Floridians,\" Brown told Orlando's WESH-TV on Feb. 17, 2011, the day after Scott announced his intent to reject the money. \"With unemployment at 12 percent, we've just got to work this out for the people of Florida.\" Brown made the 60,000-jobs claim in several news releases, and repeated the figure on March 1 in comments from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.","David Simon, a spokesman for Brown, said he has seen different job numbers for the high-speed rail project, and was not sure where Brown got her 60,000-job figure. He believed it may have come from the state, but noted that the state's high-speed rail website has been taken down and is no longer accessible."]},{"id":"2148.json","label":"true","statement":"Today almost half our debt is owned by foreigners.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including statements made by U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling and economist Bruce Bartlett. According to these sources, as of the end of last year, close to half of the publicly held national debt was owned by foreigners. Additionally, data from the U.S. Treasury indicates that as of June 1, foreigners owned about 46 percent of the federal government's total debt. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the current level of foreign ownership of the U.S. debt.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Speaking July 8 in Terrell, east of Dallas, U.S. Rep Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, focused on the federal debt, according to a July 12 recap in The Terrell Tribune. \"Today,\" Hensarling said, \"almost half of our debt is owned by foreigners. There is an old saying that whoever owns your debt may one day own you.\"","Bartlett continued: \"As oil exporters suddenly acquired vast financial resources they found it convenient to park them in Treasury securities, which provided liquidity and safety. By 1975 the foreign share of the national debt rose to 17 percent, where it stayed through the 1990s, when China began buying large amounts of Treasury bills . . . At the end of last year, foreigners owned close to half of the publicly held national debt.\"","According to another Treasury site, the federal government\u2019s total debt as of June 1 was nearly $8.6 trillion\u2014making the share owned by foreigners about 46 percent.","Some perspective: The level of foreign ownership of the debt started inching up decades ago. According to a Forbes magazine article published in March, until the early 1970s foreigners owned less than 5 percent of the national debt. This started to change, columnist\/economist Bruce Bartlett wrote, \"after the big run-up in oil prices.\""]},{"id":"12300.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he was the only Republican to vote against creating a House panel to investigate Planned Parenthood.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that David Jolly was the only Republican to vote against creating a House panel to investigate Planned Parenthood. This information is supported by the Tampa Bay Times Buzz blog article from October 7, 2015. It is important to note that this statement specifically refers to the creation of the panel and does not encompass any subsequent actions or hearings conducted by the panel.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Tampa Bay Times Buzz blog, \"David Jolly only Republican to vote against new committee to investigate Planned Parenthood,\" Oct. 7, 2015","The panel the House created in October, the Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, has held hearings but has not yet asked Daleiden to testify.","Says Rep. John Katko \"promised he wouldn\u2019t vote to defund Planned Parenthood and since he\u2019s been in office he\u2019s done that four times\"","The reason he voted no, he said, is because the House already had three investigations into Planned Parenthood\u2019s alleged sale of fetal tissue. Jolly made it clear at the time he was not in favor of spending more taxpayer dollars to investigate something already under the microscope."]},{"id":"11274.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Almost 40 percent of all (undocumented)immigrants come by plane and they overstay their visas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ramos that almost 40 percent of undocumented immigrants come by plane and overstay their visas. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests this figure is based on an estimate from 2006 and may not accurately represent the current situation. Additionally, the evidence highlights that the data used to support this claim is rooted in the 1990s, and there is no accurate estimation available to determine if the 40 percent figure has increased over time. Therefore, while the statement is based on available information, it should be acknowledged that the accuracy and current relevance of the 40 percent figure may be uncertain.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ramos: \"It\u2019s a completely absurd idea. Why would you want to build a 1,900-mile wall between Mexico and the United States if almost 40 percent of all immigrants come by plane and they overstay their visas?\"","( - John Carter claim that 40 percent of nation's illegal residents came by plane and overstayed visas draws on 2006 estimate&url=)","So let\u2019s assume that none of the Mexican and Central American arrivals came by air, but all of the other arrivals did fly in. Since two-thirds of the overstays come from places other than Mexico and Central America, that would mean that two-thirds of the overstay population (the 40 percent figure) came by air, or about 27 percent.","By email, Frank Bean, director of the Center for Research on Immigration, Population and Public Policy at the University of California-Irvine, suggested that because the cited percentage is rooted in data for the 1990s, it may well be low. \"Since then,\" Bean said, \"the pool of persons\" who are \"candidates to overstay their visas has grown immensely. Even if the rate at which persons on visas overstay them has remained constant, the raw numbers of those doing so could have increased, and done so disproportionately enough to make the 40 percent figure rise. Unfortunately, we have no way of estimating this with accuracy.\""]},{"id":"9433.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Last year, Obama administration officials released into our neighborhoods more than 36,000 criminal immigrants who had nearly 88,000 convictions. The crimes included hundreds of convictions for murder, rape and kidnapping and thousands of drug-related crimes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Lamar Smith regarding the release of criminal immigrants by the Obama administration. According to the evidence provided, over 36,000 criminal immigrants with nearly 88,000 convictions were released into neighborhoods. The crimes committed by these individuals included hundreds of convictions for murder, rape, kidnapping, and thousands of drug-related crimes. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context and does not provide information on the specific circumstances or policies surrounding these releases. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the source and potential biases when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Smith wrote: \"Last year, administration officials released into our neighborhoods more than 36,000 criminal immigrants who had nearly 88,000 convictions. The crimes included hundreds of convictions for murder, rape and kidnapping, and thousands of drug-related crime","In 2014, we rated Half True this claim by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio: \"Last year,\" Obama \"administration officials released into our neighborhoods more than 36,000 criminal immigrants who had nearly 88,000 convictions. The crimes included hundreds of convictions for murder, rape and kidnapping and thousands of drug-related crimes.\"","\"Last year, administration officials released into our neighborhoods more than 36,000 criminal immigrants who had nearly 88,000 convictions,\" Smith wrote. \"The crimes included hundreds of convictions for murder, rape and kidnapping, and thousands of drug-related crimes. This would be considered the worst prison break in American history, except it was approved by the president and enabled by immigration officials.\"","\"If the over 134,000 aliens released by the administration in just the past two years follow the pattern of those aliens studied by the GAO (Government Accountability Office) in 2005, they will commit hundreds of thousands of more crimes, victimizing countless innocent Americans in crimes that could have been prevented.\""]},{"id":"1989.json","label":"true","statement":"Were No. 1 in child hunger.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that Texas has been ranked as one of the highest states in terms of child hunger. While it may not always be ranked as the absolute number one state, it has consistently ranked among the top states with high rates of child hunger. The evidence supports this, indicating that Texas has held the top position in child hunger rates in previous years and has ranked closely to other states in recent studies. Therefore, the statement is true in conveying that Texas faces significant challenges regarding child hunger.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We\u2019re a state of contrasts right now,\" she said June 25 to the Non-Urban Caucus at the Texas Democratic Paty\u2019s state convention. \"We are (rated) No. 1 in business by every business magazine, and I (am) steadfastly committed to maintaining that. But you know, we\u2019re No. 1 in child hunger.\"","Our sense: It\u2019s most reasonable to stack up the states based on their rates of children in hunger, rather than raw numbers. Based on its rate, Texas was No. 1 in child hunger from 2005 through 2007. It placed a close second to Arkansas in the latest study, but that wasn\u2019t public when Morgan spoke.","\u2022 The post is correct on Texas\u2019 rankings for women\u2019s health insurance and for school spending, and it\u2019s close on child hunger.","Texas \u201cranks 50th in baby wellness checks, ranks 50th in clinical care for infants, ranks 50th in uninsured women, ranks 43rd in maternal mortality, ranks 44th in school funding per child, and ranks 46th in child hunger.\u201d"]},{"id":"10833.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida sends $135 billion and D.C. returns $150 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the tweet that Florida sends $135 billion and D.C. returns $150 billion. This claim is supported by the information provided in the tweet, which includes an infographic stating the same figures. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of these numbers, such as the specific time period or the breakdown of how the funds are returned. Without further information, it is difficult to fully assess the implications and significance of these figures.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"FL is NOT a donor state. Get the facts on federal spending and Medicaid expansion in FL,\" she tweeted. The tweet included an infographic that read, \"Florida sends $135 billion and D.C. returns $150 billion. It's not your hard-earned tax dollars! It's borrowed against your children\u2019s future!\"","\"The world spent $1,735 billion on war in 2012,\" the outfit tweeted on Jan. 24, 2017. \"It would take $135 billion to eradicate global poverty.\"","House communications director Michael Williams said the amount Florida sends comes from Internal Revenue Service gross tax collections(,-by-Type-of-Tax-and-State,-Fiscal-Year-IRS-Data-Book-Table-5) in the state ($154 billion in 2014) minus average tax refunds(,-by-Type-of-Tax-IRS-Data-Book-Table-1), ending up at $135 billion.","Then we calculated how much more the average poor person in that group would need to make to get above $1.90 a day, with the help of World Bank economist Christoph Lakner. The approximate answer for 2012 is it would have taken about $187 billion to lift each person out of poverty that year, or $50 billion more than the $135 billion in the tweet."]},{"id":"1080.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama administration offered $900 million to Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, to rebuild Gaza.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were discussions and plans for providing aid to Gaza, it is incorrect to claim that the Obama administration directly offered $900 million to Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, to rebuild Gaza. The majority of the aid was intended for the West Bank, not Gaza. Additionally, the aid was primarily directed through United Nations and other nongovernmental agencies, with the intention of providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, rather than directly funding Hamas. Therefore, the statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here, we address the GOP question, \"Do you support the Obama administration\u2019s decision to offer $900 million to Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, to rebuild Gaza?\"","One is the question\/statement, \"Do you support the Obama administration\u2019s decision to offer $900 million to Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, to rebuild Gaza?\" We rate the truth of that one with another Truth-O-Meter ruling .","As you can see, built into the \"question\" is a statement of fact, that the Obama administration offered $900 million to Hamas to rebuild Gaza.","Still, he said, it's a wild distortion to claim that the United States has offered Hamas $900 million. First of all, most of the $900 million is going to the West Bank, not Gaza. And while some of the humanitarian aid disbursed through U.N. and other nongovernmental agencies could \"bleed out\" to Hamas unintentionally, that's far different from giving money directly to Hamas."]},{"id":"10592.json","label":"true","statement":"Contrary to popular belief, we actually dont have that many public employeesWe are well below average in the number of public employees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the speaker is making, which is that there is a misconception about the number of public employees, and in reality, the number is below average. This claim is supported by evidence that shows the number of public employees per 10,000 people in different states, with Wyoming having the highest and Nevada having the lowest, while the national average falls in between. This data suggests that Rhode Island, or the subject of the statement, is indeed below the national average in terms of the number of public employees.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Contrary to popular belief, we actually don\u2019t have that many public employees\u2026We are well below average in the number of public employees.\u2019\u2019","\"Contrary to popular belief, we actually don\u2019t have that many public employees\u2026We are well below average in the number of public employees,\" she said.","Wyoming had the most public employees per 10,000 -- 866. Nevada had the least -- 368 . The national average was 538.","Mike Maciag, the data editor at Governing, agreed to run more current numbers for us to determine how Rhode Island\u2019s rate of state and local public employees compares with rates of other states and the national average."]},{"id":"11543.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When President Obama was running for re-election Senator Sanders was trying to find someone to primary him.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Sanders did express some provocative comments suggesting that it wouldn't be a bad idea for someone to challenge President Obama in a primary, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that he actively sought out someone to primary Obama during his re-election campaign. It is important to note that Sanders ultimately endorsed Obama and stated that he preferred Obama over Mitt Romney. Therefore, while Sanders may have entertained the idea of a primary challenge, there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that he actively sought someone to primary President Obama.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When President Obama was running for re-election, I was glad to step up and work very hard for him, while Sen. Sanders was trying to find someone to primary him,\" O\u2019Malley said on Nov. 6, adding that he\u2019s \"a lifelong Democrat\" unlike Sanders, a former independent, and Hillary Clinton, a former Republican(,+later,+a+Goldwa-ter+girl%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAGoVChMIsK649vODyQIVyuQmCh0lMw0T#v=onepage&q=%22I%20was%20also%20an%20active%20Young%20Republican%20and%2C%20later%2C%20a%20Goldwa-ter%20girl%22&f=false).","But did he? We found lots of examples of Sanders prodding Obama to take a more aggressively liberal approach to governing, and we have previously found some truth to the charge that Sanders had tried to find someone to challenge Obama in a primary when he was running for a second term in 2012.","As a sitting senator, Sanders' comments at a minimum were provocative: He didn't think it was a bad idea for a candidate to run against Obama in the primary. He spoke positively of such a scenario several times. When Sanders endorsed Obama, Sanders said it was because Obama was preferable to Romney. That doesn\u2019t mean Sanders was actively searching for a candidate to actually run against Obama.","\"I'm not sure if he was actually actively \u2018trying to find someone,\u2019 but it is clear that he thought it would be a good idea if someone did decide to challenge him,\" said Jennifer Mercieca, a historian of American political discourse at Texas A&M University. (Sanders\u2019 comments sparked a rumbling in the media as well as the question of whether that someone would be Hillary Clinton.)"]},{"id":"6650.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Providence has amongst the highest tax rate(s) in the entire country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from PolitFact Rhode Island, which confirms that the commercial property tax in Providence is indeed one of the highest in the country. This indicates that Providence does have a high tax rate compared to other cities. However, it's important to note that the statement specifically refers to tax rates and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of all types of taxes in Providence. Therefore, the statement is accurate in the context of commercial property taxes but may not apply to other types of taxes or overall tax burden in the city.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The City of Providence is in absolute shambles right now,\" said Gemma. \"The roads are bad. The taxes are amongst the highest tax rate in the entire country.\"","PolitFact Rhode Island, \"The commercial property tax in Providence is second highest in the country...\", Feb. 10, 2012, accessed Sept. 5, 2012","The spokesman, Alex Morash, also pointed us to one of our own PolitiFact items from this past February when we checked a claim by Governor Chafee that Providence had, indeed, the second highest commercial property tax in the country.","Anthony Gemma says that when U.S. Rep. David Cicilline was mayor of Providence, the city had \"amongst the last school system in the entire country.\""]},{"id":"11521.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There was never a single shred of evidence presented to anyone thatthe attacks in Benghazi, Libya, were spontaneous, and in fact, the CIA themselves understood that early on.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Rubio that there was no evidence presented to anyone that the attacks in Benghazi, Libya, were spontaneous. It also suggests that the CIA understood this early on. However, it's important to note that this claim is a matter of interpretation and perspective. While some argue that there was no evidence of spontaneity, others contend that there were indications of a spontaneous element to the attacks. The issue remains a subject of debate and differing opinions. Therefore, the statement is subjective and lacks a definitive conclusion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There was never a single shred of evidence presented to anyone\" that the attacks in Benghazi, Libya, were \"spontaneous, and in fact, the CIA themselves understood that early on.\"","Rubio said on CNN, \"There was never a single shred of evidence presented to anyone that this was spontaneous, and in fact, the CIA themselves understood that early on.\"","Rubio replied: \"She consistently, privately told people, over and over again, including in the early aftermath of it, that this was led by al-Qaida-like elements. There was never a single shred of evidence presented to anyone that this was spontaneous, and in fact, the CIA themselves understood that early on, irrespective of what the administration is telling you now.\"","As for whether there was never \"a single shred of evidence\" presented that the attack was spontaneous despite what Clinton said, a spokeswoman for Rubio pointed to news articles in conservative media about what Clinton and the former acting CIA director Michael Morell said about the attacks."]},{"id":"6003.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"To help balance the 2011-13 budget, Gov. Scott Walker used a credit card approach that pushed over $500 million in debt onto our children and our grandchildren costing state taxpayers more than $150 million in interest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Barrett that Governor Scott Walker used a credit card approach to balance the 2011-13 budget, resulting in over $500 million in debt being passed on to future generations. It also mentions the estimated cost of over $150 million in interest that state taxpayers would have to bear as a consequence. These claims align with the estimates provided by the Fiscal Bureau. However, it's important to note that this statement represents one perspective on the issue, and there may be differing opinions on the long-term impact and necessity of such budgetary decisions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You know how that budget surplus came about, if it is in fact there?\" Barrett asked. \"Because he used the credit card. He used the credit card, and pushed over $500 million in debt onto our children and our grandchildren.\"","Barrett says Walker borrowed $500 million to help balance the state budget at a cost of $150 million in interest over 20 years. Those numbers are slightly lower than the Fiscal Bureau estimates, but, overall, on target.","Barrett went on to say state taxpayers \"are going to have to pay more than $150 million in interest\" because of the move.","In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the state\u2019s \"structural\" deficit, and how Republican Gov. Scott Walker and the GOP-controlled Legislature eliminated it in the 2011-13 budget."]},{"id":"468.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"If Senator Clinton or John McCain had stood up in previous years for increases in fuel efficiency standards . . . then we would not be in this same situation in the first place.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that if Senator Clinton or John McCain had advocated for increases in fuel efficiency standards in previous years, the current situation regarding fuel efficiency would have been different. While it is true that advocating for higher fuel efficiency standards could have potentially led to a different outcome, it is difficult to definitively attribute the entire situation to the actions or inactions of specific individuals. The statement oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to the current situation and does not consider other influential factors such as market dynamics, technological advancements, and global energy trends.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6360.json","label":"true","statement":"Today the Walton family of Walmart own more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including Senator Bernie Sanders and independent analyses, confirm that the Walton family, who owns Walmart, possesses more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of the American population. This statistic highlights the significant wealth inequality in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Today in America one family, the Walton family of Walmart. You all heard of Walmart. This one family owns more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of the American people,\" Sanders, I-Vt., said recently in Norfolk during a rally for his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.","Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, tweeted a startling statistic to his followers on July 22, 2012: \"Today the Walton family of Walmart own more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of America.\"","\"The Walton family of Walmart ... This one family owns more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of the American people.\"","Allegretto tallied the total wealth held by the six relatives of Walmart founder Sam Walton: his sons Jim and Robert Walton; daughter Alice Walton; daughter-in-law Christy Walton; and his nieces, Ann Walton Kroenke and Nancy Walton Laurie."]},{"id":"7060.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney was director of a company that stole millions from Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in asserting that Mitt Romney was a director of the Damon Corp., a company that was involved in Medicare fraud. The company was fined $100 million for its fraudulent activities. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify Romney's direct involvement in the fraud or imply that he personally stole millions from Medicare. It highlights his association with the company during the time of the fraud and raises questions about his role and responsibility. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Scott ran a company that paid a record fine for committing Medicare fraud, then as governor Scott cut millions from health care,\" a narrator says. \"Romney was director of a company that stole millions from Medicare. Now Romney\u2019s plan would end Medicare as we know it.","PolitiFact Florida, \"Was Mitt Romney the director of a company charged with Medicare fraud? AFSCME ad says so,\" Jan. 23, 2012","\"What kind of businessman is Mitt Romney?\" the ad asks. \"While Romney was a director of the Damon Corp., the company was defrauding Medicare of millions. Prosecutors called it \u2018corporate greed run amok.\u2019 The company was fined $100 million. But Romney himself made a fortune. Corporate greed \u2026 Medicare fraud. Sound familiar?\"","We\u2019ve written frequently about Scott\u2019s time running hospital chain Columbia\/HCA and its troubles surrounding Medicare (You can read up on it here.) Here, we\u2019re checking the ad\u2019s initial claim, that while Romney was \"a director of the Damon Corp., the company was defrauding Medicare of millions.\""]},{"id":"2170.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Bush administration pulled the troops out of Afghanistan, pulled the resources away, because they wanted to invade Iraq instead.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the U.S. was waging war in both Afghanistan and Iraq with limited resources, and that the Iraq invasion received a significant portion of those resources, the statement that the Bush administration pulled troops out of Afghanistan specifically to invade Iraq is not entirely accurate. The troop levels in Afghanistan did not decline when Iraq was invaded in March 2003. However, it is worth noting that key assets, such as intelligence operations and Special Forces units, were redirected from Afghanistan to support the Iraq invasion. Therefore, the statement is partially true in terms of resource allocation but incorrect in terms of troop withdrawals. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We were interested in fact-checking Krugman's statement that \"the Bush administration pulled the troops out of Afghanistan, pulled the resources away, because they wanted to invade Iraq instead.\"","So to sum up, Krugman said the Bush administration \"pulled the troops out of Afghanistan, pulled the resources away, because they wanted to invade Iraq instead.\" He's right on the substantive point that the U.S. was waging war in two countries with limited resources, and Iraq got the bulk of those resources. And experts said that key assets including intelligence operations and Special Forces units were pulled away from Afghanistan for the Iraq invasion. But he's wrong that troop levels in Afghanistan declined when Iraq was invaded in March 2003. The numbers in Afghanistan were small, and they stayed small until they declined later, in 2007. As a result, we rate his statement Half True.","\"You know, when I look at this, people say, you know, 'We can't abandon Afghanistan,' all that,\" Krugman said. \"I'm surprised that people aren't pointing out that basically the decision to abandon Afghanistan was taken eight years ago, right? Eight years ago, when the Taliban was on the run, when it might have been possible to really use the momentum to change this, that's when the Bush administration pulled the troops out of Afghanistan, pulled the resources away, because they wanted to invade Iraq instead. And now you're asking Obama to recover from a situation where we've spent eight years losing credibility.\"","So Krugman said that \"the Bush administration pulled the troops out of Afghanistan\" eight years ago, but we could not document any declines until the surge in Iraq in 2007."]},{"id":"12847.json","label":"false","statement":"Hillary Clinton has already said shes going to wipe out the Second Amendment. She doesnt believe in the First Amendment. And, she also believes in big government, which flies in the face of the 10th Amendment","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or statement from Hillary Clinton indicating that she intends to \"wipe out\" the Second Amendment or that she doesn't believe in the First Amendment. These claims are baseless and have been widely debunked. Additionally, the assertion that she believes in big government, which contradicts the 10th Amendment, lacks specific evidence and is a subjective interpretation of her political beliefs. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing political positions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Hillary Clinton \"has already said she's going to wipe out the Second Amendment. She doesn't believe in the First Amendment. And, she also believes in big government, which flies in the face of the 10th Amendment\"","In an interview on MSNBC, Collins said Clinton is \"going to wipe out the Second Amendment. She doesn't believe in the First Amendment. And, she also believes in big government, which flies in the face of the 10th Amendment.\"","\"He stood next to Hillary Clinton, who has already said she's going to wipe out the Second Amendment. She doesn't believe in the First Amendment. And, she also believes in big government, which flies in the face of the 10th Amendment.\" Collins said during the interview. \"That was absolutely hypocritical.\"","\"Hillary Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment,\" Trump said May 7 at a rally in Washington. \"Hillary Clinton wants to take your guns away, and she wants to abolish the Second Amendment.\""]},{"id":"2172.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ohio lost 400,000 jobs on his (Ted Stricklands) watch.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the political campaign that Ohio lost 400,000 jobs during Ted Strickland's tenure as governor. However, it's important to note that the claim does not fully capture the larger economic context and factors beyond the control of any single governor. The statement implies a direct causation between Strickland's actions and the job losses, which oversimplifies the complex dynamics of the economy. While job losses did occur during Strickland's time as governor, attributing them solely to his actions is an oversimplification of the economic factors at play.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Like the refrain of a ubiquitous pop song, the phrase -- \"Ohio lost 400,000 jobs on his watch\" -- is playing over and over on the airwaves. And like any good lyric, the phrase is catchy.","Republicans have made jobs the central theme of the campaign, and \"400,000\" -- an aptly titled TV ad from GOP gubernatorial candidate John Kasich -- dutifully delivers its refrain: \"Under Ted Strickland as governor, Ohio has lost nearly 400,000 jobs.\"","So even if the campaign phrase -- \"Ohio lost 400,000 jobs on his watch\" -- is stuck in a voter\u2019s head, the claim does not reflect the larger economic backdrop, one that both Democrats and Republicans in charge of states admit produced results out of their control.","But the pitchman in \"400,000,\" a burly fellow with a white hardhat tucked under his arm, goes a step further. He says: \"Ted Strickland destroyed Ohio jobs when he busted the budget and raised our taxes to help pay for his mistakes.\""]},{"id":"6212.json","label":"false","statement":"Voter fraud provided a portion of the margin of victory of Democrat John Lehman over Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard in a state Senate recall election.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that voter fraud played a role in the margin of victory for Democrat John Lehman over Republican Sen. Van Wanggaard in the state Senate recall election. The evidence states that Lehman's victory margin was confirmed after a recount, and there is no mention of any findings or allegations of voter fraud. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the difference in votes between Lehman and his opponent was not significantly different from the difference in votes between the respective candidates for governor in the same election. Therefore, there is no credible evidence to support the claim of voter fraud influencing the election outcome.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The balance of power in the state Senate is poised to flip from Republicans to Democrats after voters in the 21st Senate District chose Democrat John Lehman over first-term Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine.","( - Wisconsin Rep. Robin Vos says voter fraud accounted for a portion of Lehman\u2019s victory margin over Wanggaard in Senate recall&url=)","Lehman\u2019s margin of victory -- 819 votes out of 71,897 cast -- was confirmed July 2, 2012 after a recount. Lehman\u2019s victory gives Senate Democrats a 17-16 seat majority -- at least until the November elections.","In the days following the vote, Republican leaders noted that Wangaard received 49.4 percent of the votes cast in the Senate district, while Republican Gov. Scott Walker racked up 51.04 percent. (The results showed that Wanggaard received 2,689 fewer votes than Walker, while Lehman got 310 fewer votes than Barrett suggesting that Democrats were more prone to vote for their party\u2019s Senate candidate than the Republicans in that election.)"]},{"id":"1367.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Health care reform plans being consided in Congress \"will finally reduce the costs of health care.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that health care reform plans being considered in Congress \"will finally reduce the costs of health care\" is not entirely accurate. While proponents of the reform argue that it will lead to cost reductions in the long term by eliminating waste and inefficiencies, there are also concerns about the potential costs associated with providing health care subsidies and the overall sustainability of the plans. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the plan would cost around $1 trillion over 10 years. Additionally, critics argue that the proposed plans may not effectively address the unsustainable growth in health care spending. Therefore, the claim that the plans will definitively reduce costs is not fully supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We agree on reforms that will finally reduce the costs of health care,\" Obama said. \"Families will save on their premiums; businesses that will see their costs rise if we do nothing will save money now and in the future. This plan will strengthen Medicare and extend the life of that program. And because it gets rid of the waste and inefficiencies in our health care system, this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade.","There's no denying the health care plans being considered in Congress would be expensive. In order to meet the plan's goal of reducing the number of uninsured, the government would be providing more in health care subsidies. That costs money. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the plan would cost in the neighborhood of $1 trillion over 10 years.","Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Charles E. Grassley said the Foster report showed that the Senate bill \"doesn't do anything to reduce the unsustainable growth in health care spending and in fact would make health care costs grow more rapidly.\"","The Campaign for Responsible Health Reform, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, released a 30-second TV commercial that warns the health plans kicking around in Congress will translate to \"big tax increases.\""]},{"id":"5701.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mayor Tom Barretts policies drove unemployment up 27 percent in Milwaukee, pushing it to one of Americas 10 worst cities for unemployment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that Mayor Tom Barrett's policies led to a 27 percent increase in unemployment in Milwaukee, making it one of the ten worst cities for unemployment in the United States. The evidence confirms that the unemployment rate did indeed increase by 2.2 percentage points during Barrett's tenure as mayor. However, it's important to note that attributing the entire increase in unemployment solely to Barrett's policies may oversimplify the complex factors that contribute to changes in employment rates. While his policies may have played a role, other economic and external factors could have also influenced the unemployment situation in Milwaukee.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Mayor Tom Barrett\u2019s policies drove unemployment up 27 percent in Milwaukee, pushing it to \"one of America\u2019s 10 worst cities for unemployment.\"","\"And what did his taxes and spending do to the economy? Unemployment up 27 percent. Under Barrett, Milwaukee\u2019s one of America\u2019s 10 worst cities for unemployment.\"","But did unemployment jump 27 percent during Barrett\u2019s first two terms, spanning 2004 to 2012? And was Milwaukee one of the toughest places in the United States for employment? We decided to investigate both -- and the ad\u2019s claim Barrett\u2019s policies were responsible.","The number is 27 percent if you do the math on the unemployment rates for those years (8.1 percent and 10.3 percent), though such comparisons are usually expressed as percentage point changes. In other words, you would typically say unemployment went up 2.2 percentage points under Barrett."]},{"id":"11932.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Two-thirds of our kids cant read at grade level.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rubio that \"two-thirds of our kids can't read at grade level\" is not entirely accurate. While there is support from the NAEP reading test results that suggest a significant portion of students are not reading at a proficient level, there is no universally agreed-upon definition of what constitutes \"grade level\" under the NAEP tests. Additionally, the use of the term \"grade level\" can vary across different states and educational standards. It's important to note that passing the test does not necessarily guarantee reading at grade level. Therefore, while there are concerns about reading proficiency among students, the specific claim of two-thirds of children not reading at grade level lacks precision and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rubio said that \"two-thirds of our kids can\u2019t read at grade level.\" The numbers from the NAEP reading test for fourth and eighth graders provide some support for his statement. However, experts said that there is no accepted definition of what being at \"grade level\" means under the NAEP tests. While Rubio's use of NAEP's higher \"proficient\" standard is a reasonable choice, experts said, it's not the only one -- many states have set standards aligned with NAEP's \"basic\" level instead. We rate the statement Half True.","Cooper added that even the best-case scenario isn\u2019t that great. \"Even if Rubio\u2019s off by half, that means one-third of our kids aren\u2019t reading on grade level,\" she said. \"Would that make us feel better?\"","But 60 percent passed the test, which means it\u2019s possible to pass the test and read below grade level. Students are required to pass the 10th grade FCAT to graduate.","\"Right now, 50 percent of Florida students leaving high school cannot read at grade level, and grade level isn\u2019t that difficult,\" Proctor said in comments to the St. Augustine Record. \"We\u2019ll see which teachers affect learning in their students.\""]},{"id":"7573.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our debt now is about $140,000 per household.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Rob Portman that the current government debt is approximately $140,000 per household. This figure is derived by dividing the total government debt by the number of households. However, it's important to note that there are different ways to calculate and interpret the household share of the debt, and different sources may provide slightly different figures. Nonetheless, the statement is generally accurate in conveying the approximate debt burden per household.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To bring this up to date in 2013, you can even use an estimate for the number of households there will be this year, and weigh it against the amount of debt subject to the limit set by Congress, since that limit is expected to be hit within months. That\u2019s what Portman\u2019s office did. Doing so, the household average exceeds $140,000 figure by $786.","That\u2019s one way, at least, to look at the size of the government debt that some economists say could hinder the economy for years. Rob Portman, the Republican U.S. senator from Ohio, shares that view, and on the floor on the Senate on March 21 said, \"I\u2019m worried about where we\u2019re headed. Our debt now is about $140,000 per household.\"","The household share of the debt owed by the public is about $67,000. The household share of the gross federal debt is slightly more than $106,000.","\"The amount of debt is on pace to double in five years and triple in 10. The federal debt is now over $100,000 per household.\""]},{"id":"4038.json","label":"false","statement":"Georgias illegal immigration crackdown laws should be called the Brown Codes because of their similarity to the Black Codes governing blacks after the Civil War.","reason":"Reason: The statement draws a comparison between Georgia's illegal immigration crackdown laws and the \"Black Codes\" that were enacted after the Civil War to restrict the rights and freedoms of newly freed slaves. However, this comparison is not accurate. The Black Codes were explicitly designed to oppress and control African Americans, whereas Georgia's immigration laws are focused on addressing issues related to immigration status and enforcement. While there may be some similarities in terms of the potential impact on certain communities, it is incorrect and misleading to equate the two. The term \"Brown Codes\" is not an appropriate or valid characterization of Georgia's immigration laws.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Georgia\u2019s illegal immigration crackdown laws should be called the \"Brown Codes\" because of their similarity to the \"Black Codes\" governing blacks after the Civil War.","Macon mayoral candidate Robert Brown: Georgia\u2019s illegal immigration crackdown laws should be called the \"Brown Codes\" because of their similarity to the \"Black Codes\" governing blacks after the Civil War.","The Black Codes are different from Jim Crow legislation, which segregated blacks and whites. Enacted in former slave states right after the Civil War, the Black Codes tried to force ex-slaves back to their masters.","Southern states passed the \"Black Codes\" after the Civil War to force freed slaves back to the plantations. Is Georgia\u2019s HB 87 similar to them?"]},{"id":"8324.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ken Cuccinelli tried to make it more difficult for mothers to obtain divorces.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that Terry McAuliffe's campaign accused Ken Cuccinelli of wanting to make it more difficult for mothers to obtain divorces, the evidence suggests that the proposed legislation would have made it equally more difficult for both mothers and fathers to get divorces. Therefore, the statement fails to provide the complete context by omitting that the legislation would have affected both genders. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["No doubt, the bill would have it harder for moms to obtain divorces. But McAuliffe, in trying to portray it as an attack on women, omits that the legislation would have made it equally more difficult for dads to get divorces.","Editors Note:On Sept. 16, PolitiFact Virginia rated as Mostly False a statement by Terry McAuliffe\u2019s campaign that Ken Cuccinelli wants to make it more difficult for mothers to get divorces. After reconsidering the evidence available, we\u2019ve decided to change the rating to Half True, which means the statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of conext.","In portraying the bill as an attack on women, McAuliffe ignores that the legislation would have made it equally more difficult for dads to get divorces.","Republican Ken Cuccinelli says if he\u2019s elected governor, he won\u2019t push for strategic bills that could be used to challenge the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s 1973 Roe v Wade decision that established abortion rights."]},{"id":"1761.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon and incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos have said they plan to champion efforts next legislative session to allow oil rigs off Florida's coast.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Progress Florida that Dean Cannon and Mike Haridopolos intended to support legislation to allow oil rigs off Florida's coast during the upcoming legislative session. This claim is supported by evidence, including a news release and the fact that Dean Cannon had previously filed a bill in the Florida House to permit drilling areas off the coast. However, it's important to note that the outcome of their efforts is not mentioned in the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon and incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos have said they plan to champion efforts next legislative session to allow oil rigs off Florida's coast,\" a news release said. The release included an open letter to Cannon and Haridopolos:","For this item, we decided to check Progress Florida's claim that Cannon and Haridopolos have said they plan to push drilling legislation when they come to power in the 2011 legislative session.","In 2009, Cannon filed a bill in the Florida House that would have permitted the state to lease drilling areas (at $1 million per application) that are 3 to 10 miles off Florida's coast. The bill passed the House but failed in the Senate.","Haridopolos published a pre-session constituent survey that he said found that 76.7 percent support legislation to allow offshore oil drilling on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The poll was unscientific."]},{"id":"9872.json","label":"false","statement":"Says his comment about extremists being a JV team wasnt specifically referring to Islamic State.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama stated that his comment about extremists being a \"JV team\" was not specifically referring to the Islamic State (ISIL), the context and subsequent events make it clear that he was indeed referring to them. The conversation and events at the time, including the takeover of Fallujah by the Islamic State, align with the reference made in the discussion. Despite Obama's statement, the evidence strongly suggests that he was talking about the Islamic State when he made the \"JV team\" comment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama said his JV comment \"wasn\u2019t specifically referring to ISIL.\" He was not specifically asked about Islamic State, but it\u2019s pretty clear this is the group that was being referenced in the conversation. The transcript backs this up, as do news events from the time of the discussion.","This pretty much leaves no doubt. Obama may not have specifically said Islamic State, but it\u2019s clear he was talking about them. Remnick was referencing events in Syria and Iraq, particularly the takeover of Fallujah, which was conducted by Islamic State, and Obama referred to the group responsible for that as \"a JV team.\"","This reminded us of a prior fact-check, when Obama said he didn\u2019t specifically describe ISIS as a \"JV team\" -- a statement we rated False because he was clearly talking about the Islamic State at the time. We decided to look back at Obama\u2019s comments on containing ISIS to see his comments in their complete context.","\"Keep in mind I wasn\u2019t specifically referring to (Islamic State),\" Obama replied. \"I've said that, regionally, there were a whole series of organizations that were focused primarily locally, weren\u2019t focused on homeland, because I think a lot of us, when we think about terrorism, the model is Osama bin Laden and 9\/11.\""]},{"id":"2588.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One man (New Castle, Del., County Executive, Chris Coons) thought property taxes should be hiked almost 50 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Chris Coons, as the County Executive of New Castle County, Delaware, proposed property tax increases of almost 50 percent. This claim is supported by records showing that Coons did propose property tax increases on three separate occasions during his tenure. It is important to note, however, that the claim's use of the phrase \"one man\" is misleading, as Coons' budget proposals were approved by a majority of the County Council. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the tax increase proposal, it lacks complete context regarding the decision-making process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"One man who thought a 911 call should be taxed...One man thought property taxes should be hiked almost 50 percent ... One man who was county executive and drove New Castle County on the brink of bankruptcy.\"","We're checking a couple claims in this ad, and in this item, we'll focus on the part, \"One man who thought property taxes should be hiked almost 50 percent.\"","Our only beef with the claim in the O'Donnell ad is the whole \"one man\" theme. \"One man who stood against the tide and raised taxes,\" the ad says. \" ... One man thought property taxes should be hiked almost 50 percent.\" In fact, all of Coons' budget proposals were approved by a majority of the County Council. And so we knock the ad's claim down to a Mostly True.","Coons was elected County Executive of New Castle County, Del., in 2004 and has served in that position ever since. Records show( \"Records show\") that three times -- in 2006, 2007 and 2009 -- Coons proposed property tax increases."]},{"id":"9308.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There is no incontrovertible proof that speed, in and of itself, is the contributing factor to increasing (vehicular) fatalities.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the viewpoint expressed by Caldwell, who argues that there is no conclusive evidence that speed, by itself, is the sole contributing factor to increasing vehicular fatalities. However, it's important to note that Knodler, mentioned in the evidence, disagrees and believes that the physics of increased speed do contribute to more fatalities in accidents. While there may be differing opinions on the matter, the statement accurately represents one side of the argument.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I have yet to see any incontrovertible proof that speed, in and of itself, is the contributing factor to increasing fatalities,\" he said.","Caldwell said he had \"yet to see any incontrovertible proof that speed, in and of itself, is the contributing factor to increasing fatalities.\"","Knodler did stop short at Caldwell\u2019s use of \"incontrovertible,\" though, saying the concrete physics of increased speed proves that speed does cause more fatalities in accidents.","Speed variance is a much more pertinent issue in fatal accidents, he said. If the speed limit is 70 and everyone\u2019s going 90, for example, the difference in the speed among cars is the dangerous factor."]},{"id":"9438.json","label":"true","statement":"By 2009, dozens of senior terrorists had been taken off the battlefield by drones.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including Hillary Clinton's memoir and independent investigations by organizations such as the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. While it is challenging to obtain an exact number of senior terrorists killed by drones using publicly available information, credible accounts and databases suggest that a conservative estimate of \"dozens\" supports Clinton's claim. Therefore, the statement can be considered true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Touting her decisions at the State Department, she wrote in her memoir Hard Choices that by 2009, \"dozens of senior terrorists had been taken off the battlefield\" by drones. While it\u2019s difficult to find a definitive number just using publicly available evidence, we found that even a conservative estimate using credible accounts is enough to rate her claim True.","Clinton said that \"dozens of senior terrorists had been taken off the battlefield\" by drones. While it\u2019s difficult to find a definitive number just using publicly available evidence, even a conservative estimate using credible accounts is enough to rate her claim True.","She goes on to defend the careful planning of the strikes and their legal grounding, as well as their strategic value. But we were especially interested in one claim she made: \"President Obama would eventually declassify many of the details of the program and explain his policies to the world, but in 2009 all I could say was \u2018no comment\u2019 whenever the subject came up. Yet it was widely known that dozens of senior terrorists had been taken off the battlefield by drones, and we later learned that bin Laden himself worried about the heavy losses that drones were inflicting.\"","Clinton, though, uses the \"dozens\" number to refer to senior terrorists killed through 2009. A look through another non-governmental database -- created by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, a philanthropically funded investigative-journalism project based in the United Kingdom -- appears to provide support for Clinton\u2019s claims."]},{"id":"6438.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Tommy Thompson favors Obamas health care mandate, was publicly thanked by Obama for health reform support and that Thompson says we cant repeal Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents Tommy Thompson's position on healthcare and his relationship with President Obama. While there may have been instances where Thompson expressed support for certain aspects of healthcare reform, it is misleading to claim that he favors Obama's health care mandate or that he explicitly stated that \"we can't repeal Obamacare.\" Additionally, the claim that Obama publicly thanked Thompson for supporting \"Obamacare\" is false. The evidence suggests that Thompson's positions on healthcare reform are more nuanced and do not align with the portrayal presented in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Tommy Thompson favors Obama's health care mandate, was publicly thanked by Obama for health reform support and that Thompson \"says we can't repeal 'Obamacare.'\"","In claiming Thomson supports \"Obama\u2019s health care mandate\" and that Thompson \"says we can't repeal \"Obamacare,\" Hovde uses outdated statements that falsely portray Thompson\u2019s current positions.","And Hovde falsely claims that Obama thanked Thompson for supporting \"Obamacare,\" when the president was citing Thompson\u2019s support of reform in general.","On the second part of Hovde\u2019s claim -- that Obama thanked Thompson for supporting \"Obamacare\" -- Hovde implies that Thompson endorsed Obama\u2019s reform law. But the picture isn\u2019t that clear."]},{"id":"7188.json","label":"true","statement":"Faculty salaries at UW System institutions have now fallen more than 18 percent below the national average.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that faculty salaries at UW System institutions have fallen more than 18 percent below the national average. The data from multiple sources, including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and The Chronicle of Higher Education, indicate that faculty salaries at UW System campuses are consistently below the national median for similar institutions. The evidence suggests a collective 20 percent pay gap between UW System salaries and those at comparable schools. Therefore, it is accurate to say that faculty salaries at UW System institutions have fallen more than 18 percent below the national average.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Reilly\u2019s specific claim was not about individual schools, or groups of schools, but that system-wide faculty pay has fallen 18 percent below the national average.","The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the state\u2019s only other public doctoral institution, runs 24 percent to 27 percent below national levels for full professors, with average pay of $95,570. Assistant-professor pay there runs 6 percent to 8 percent behind.","The Chronicle of Higher Education site shows that all but one of the UW System\u2019s 13 four-year campuses pay professor salaries that are \"far below\" the national median for full professors at public, private and independent institutions of similar type. Madison is the lone exception; average pay for full professors there ($114,690) is merely \"below\" the median for doctoral institutions. Figures are for full-time professors.","Based on his figures, we found a collective 20 percent faculty pay gap between UW System salaries and those at similar public, private and independent schools."]},{"id":"1843.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After the oil spill, Congressman Adam Putnam \"doubled down saying all energy sources, including oil drilling in the Gulf, should be considered just days after the oil spill started.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Scott Maddox that Congressman Adam Putnam supported considering all energy sources, including oil drilling in the Gulf, just days after the oil spill started. However, it's important to note that the timing of Putnam's statement is crucial. The evidence suggests that Putnam made this comment four days after the initial explosion, before the full extent of the oil spill was known. It's worth considering that the magnitude of the spill and its environmental impact were not yet clear at that time. Therefore, while the statement is factually accurate, it lacks the context of the evolving situation and the subsequent understanding of the severity of the oil spill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Florida legislative leaders who pushed for oil drilling in state waters \u2013 as close as three miles from our beaches \u2013 have even backed off. But not Putnam. He doubled down saying all energy sources, including oil drilling in the Gulf, should be considered just days after the oil spill started.\"","Scott Maddox, Democratic candidate for Florida commissioner of agriculture, is trying to portray his Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, as supporting oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico -- despite the recent oil spill.","\"Putnam said he disagreed with Maddox\u2019s anti-drilling mantra of 'No, baby, no' and that he thought all energy sources should be considered.","But in exploring Maddox's claim about Putnam, we find some sleight-of-hand in his timing. There is no dispute that Putnam had supported increased oil drilling in the past and continued to support it a few days days after the initial explosion. But the quotation that Maddox cites that shows Putnam's comment came four days after the accident, before the magnitude of the oil spill was truly known. A look back at the news coverage of the Deepwater Horizon explosion and an AP timeline shows that it took nearly a week after the April 20 rig collapse for it to be clear that a major spill had occurred."]},{"id":"5071.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he lived up to a 2008 promise when he closed corporate tax loopholes that were sending profits overseas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama signed legislation that aimed to close some corporate tax loopholes related to profits being sent overseas, experts argue that the law did not fully live up to his promise of ending tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. The legislation did address certain loopholes, but incentives embedded in the tax code still exist, allowing for potential tax advantages for companies engaging in offshore activities. Therefore, while there was some action taken to address the issue, it falls short of completely fulfilling the promise made in 2008.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But while there is some truth to the claim that the president signed legislation that \"closed corporate tax loopholes thta were sending profits overseas,\" we should point out a few issues.","While there is some truth to the claim that Obama signed legislation that \"closed corporate tax loopholes that were sending profits overseas,\" experts say the law by itself doesn\u2019t live up to Obama\u2019s promise in Iowa to \"be a president who ends the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas.\" Incentives deeply embedded in the tax code still exist. We rate the statement Half True.","For example, candidate Obama declares, \"I\u2019ll be a president who ends the tax breaks for companies that ship our jobs overseas.\" At that point, an on-screen visual reads: \"Closed corporate tax loopholes that were sending profits overseas.\"","Says Rick Scott changed his promise from 700,000 jobs created \"on top of what normal growth would be\" to just 700,000 jobs."]},{"id":"2815.json","label":"true","statement":"We now consume at the federal level 25 percent of the gross domestic product. Historically we were at 20 percent. So weve taken 5 percent away from the private sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that the federal government's consumption as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP) has increased from 20 percent to 25 percent. This indicates a larger share of the economy being utilized by the government. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any context or analysis regarding the implications or effects of this increase. Additionally, it does not specify the time frame over which this change occurred. Providing more information and analysis would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As evidence for his claim, Gaspard\u2019s office pointed to a report dated Feb. 7 by the OECD. The report found that the United States was the only member of the Group of Seven industrial economies that had seen its inflation-adjusted gross domestic product rise above its pre-pandemic level.","\u2022 However, growth in gross domestic product was well below what previous presidents achieved, and other metrics such as wages and business investment ranged from decent to mediocre.","By contrast, growth in the nation\u2019s gross domestic product \u2014 probably the single most important statistic used to gauge the overall strength of the economy \u2014 was so-so on Trump\u2019s watch.","Economists offer multiple data points that undermine this assertion. While unemployment was near historical lows under Trump, growth in gross domestic product was well below what previous presidents achieved, and other metrics such as wages and business investment ranged from decent to mediocre."]},{"id":"4322.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Scott is spending a quarter of a million of our tax dollars to robocall people.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Gov. Rick Scott is spending a quarter of a million tax dollars to robocall people. The evidence discusses different actions and decisions made by Gov. Scott, such as vetoing parts of the state budget and rejecting funds for implementing the federal health care bill. There is no direct mention or evidence of Gov. Scott using tax dollars for robocalling. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But the state isn't only poised to turn down tax dollars, a Democratic state legislator now says. Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, told a nationwide cable audience recently that Scott is trying to prevent Floridians from accessing millions of dollars in rebates from their HMOs.","Gov. Rick Scott \"is trying to get a waiver under the federal health care law that would deny consumers in Florida the right to the $60 million in rebates they have from their own HMOs.\"","Florida Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a record $615 million from the 2011-12 state budget on May 26, 2011, targeting an array of money for projects such as university buildings, a rainwater study and $4.8 million for public broadcasting.","Under the leadership of Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the state's Republican-dominated Legislature, Florida has rejected at least $19 million to implement parts of the controversial federal health care bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"6834.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama says hes put forward a specific $4 trillion deficit reduction plan.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama did propose a deficit reduction plan, the evidence suggests that it falls short of the claimed $4 trillion in savings. Independent analyses from both liberal and deficit-focused groups estimate that the plan would reduce the cumulative gap between spending and revenues by well over $2 trillion, possibly reaching close to $3 trillion. However, it does not meet the $4 trillion target as stated by the President. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I've put forward a specific $4 trillion deficit reduction plan, Obama said. \"You can look at all the numbers, what cuts we make and what revenue we raise. And the way we do it is $2.50 for every cut, we ask for $1 of additional revenue.\"","On its own, Obama\u2019s plan does not produce the full $4 trillion. Both the source cited by the Obama campaign and a separate group, one that puts a premium on deficit reduction, say the president\u2019s plan will shrink the cumulative gap between spending and revenues by well over $2 trillion over ten years.","The \"independent\" source that supports that claim is a liberal think tank. Another group, one that puts a premium on deficit reduction, gives the president credit for moving in the right direction but thinks he won\u2019t get as far as he says he will. They think the president\u2019s plan might get close to the $3 trillion mark, but not $4 trillion.","Using the baseline developed by the committee, the president\u2019s budget plan looks much better. Jeff Vanke, the committee\u2019s senior analyst, says it doesn\u2019t add up to $4 trillion in savings, but it does stand at about $1.7 trillion."]},{"id":"7977.json","label":"true","statement":"In South Florida, weve had nine inches of sea-level rise since the 1920s.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), confirm that there has been approximately nine inches of sea-level rise in South Florida since the 1920s. This rise in sea level poses a significant threat to coastal communities in the region. While projections for future sea-level rise may vary, the historical data supports Wasserman Schultz's claim of nine inches of sea-level rise in South Florida.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We've had nine inches of sea-level rise since the 1920s,\" said Wasserman Schultz in a June 28, 2013, interview with Tucker Carlson. \"What that means is that communities like mine in South Florida and coastal communities all across the country are facing dangerous sea-level rise, which will ultimately cause homes to be under water in just a few short years.\"","In this item, we won\u2019t analyze her projections for future sea-level rises; such estimates are based on a variety of theoretical models and come with lots of uncertainty attached. However, we did wonder whether Wasserman Schultz was correct about past changes -- specifically, whether South Florida has \"had nine inches of sea-level rise since the 1920s.\"","Wasserman Schultz said that in South Florida, \"we've had nine inches of sea-level rise since the 1920s.\" That essentially matches the data collected by the National Oceantic and Atmospheric Administration. While there is considerable uncertainty about the future course of sea-level rises, Wasserman Schultz\u2019s estimate of the historical rise appears to be on target. We rate her statement True.","South Florida fits somewhere between these two extremes. But because of the variability in land rise from place to place, it\u2019s not appropriate to assume that just because sea level has risen by nine inches in Miami Beach that it has risen by the same amount everywhere."]},{"id":"1427.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Inequality in Texas is steadily getting worse, with very few rich people, a great many poor people, and fewer and fewer in the middle.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker regarding inequality in Texas. According to The Austin Chronicle, the speaker stated that inequality in Texas is indeed worsening, with a small number of rich individuals, a large number of poor individuals, and a decreasing number of people in the middle class. However, it's important to note that while this claim is supported by the speaker's statement, further research and analysis would be needed to fully assess the extent of income inequality and its impact on the middle class in Texas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["According to The Austin Chronicle, he went farther afield before the NXNW Austin Democrats Jan. 18, saying: \u201cInequality in Texas is steadily getting worse, with very few rich people, a great many poor people, and fewer and fewer in the middle.\u201d","Even if so, that doesn't necessarily mean that fewer people are in the state's middle class. Eschbach, the state demographer, suggested that because there has been little change in income inequality across Texas over the past decade, more research would be needed before concluding the state's middle class has dwindled.","By and large, Earle correctly noted that Texas is home to lots of poor people and a clutch of the very wealthy.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz."]},{"id":"6234.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney has a corporation in Bermuda (but) failed to disclose that on seven different financial disclosures.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Robert Gibbs, former press secretary for President Obama, regarding Mitt Romney's corporation in Bermuda. It is true that Romney had a corporation in Bermuda called Sankaty High Yield Asset Investors, Ltd., and there were indeed seven financial disclosures where it was not listed. This information has been verified and rated as true by fact-checking organizations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A corporation in Bermuda -- Obama\u2019s former press secretary Robert Gibbs said that Romney, \"has a corporation in Bermuda\" but failed to disclose that on seven different financial disclosures. The corporation in question was the Bain-related Sankaty High Yield Asset Investors, Ltd. , and there were seven financial disclosures where it was not listed. We rated Gibbs\u2019 statement True.","In the Democratic playbook, the more attention paid to Mitt Romney\u2019s wealth, the better. Over the past few days, many Democrats questioned whether Romney used offshore holdings to dodge U.S. taxes and pressed him to release more of his personal financial information. Obama campaign senior adviser Robert Gibbs took the occasion during CNN\u2019s State of the Union to say, \"Nobody knows why he has a corporation in Bermuda, why he failed to disclose that on seven different financial disclosures.\"","Obama campaign adviser Robert Gibbs said Romney owns a Bermuda-based corporation and that he failed to disclose his ownership seven times.","As for Gibbs\u2019 other assertion that Romney has failed to disclose his stake in Sankaty seven times, that also is largely accurate. We counted six disclosure forms where Romney made no reference at all to the Bermuda corporation. Those include his filings in Massachusetts when he was running for governor or holding office and his federal disclosures for his presidential bids."]},{"id":"999.json","label":"true","statement":"Washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough makes a huge difference in reducing transmission of the flu.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Washing hands with soap and water and covering the mouth when coughing are effective measures in reducing the transmission of various respiratory illnesses, including the flu. These practices are recommended by health officials and have been proven to be effective in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Mike Huckabee, a former Fox News host who was also a Republican presidential candidate and governor of Arkansas, similarly claimed on Facebook that the CDC test cannot tell the difference between coronaviruses and flu viruses.","The best ways to avoid the novel coronavirus remain to wash your hands with soap and water, avoid touching your face, disinfect surfaces in your home daily, and avoid people who are sick. And according to the Mayo Clinic, COVID-19 patients with mild cases can alleviate symptoms with cough medicine, pain and fever relievers, rest and fluids.","\"Suez Canal blocked by huge container ship named Evergreen. Evergreen shipping is most likely a cover for human and sex trafficking\u201d by Hillary Clinton.","To avoid contracting the coronavirus, health officials advise people to wash their hands regularly, avoid touching their face and disinfect surfaces in their home daily."]},{"id":"13232.json","label":"false","statement":"Says after Hillary Clinton helped a man accused of raping a 12-year-old, shes seen laughing on two separate occasions, laughing at the girl who was raped.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Hillary Clinton was seen laughing at the girl who was raped is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that Clinton worked as a defense attorney on a case involving a man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that she laughed at the victim. The accusation is based on a misinterpretation of a statement made by Donald Trump during a political speech. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing such serious matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says after Hillary Clinton helped a man accused of raping a 12-year-old, \"she's seen laughing on two separate occasions, laughing at the girl who was raped.\"","Trump said after Clinton helped a man accused of raping a 12-year-old, \"she's seen laughing on two separate occasions, laughing at the girl who was raped.\"","Trump continued: \"Hillary Clinton attacked those same women and attacked them viciously. Four of them here tonight. One of the women, who is a wonderful woman, at 12 years old, was raped at 12. Her client she represented got him off, and she's seen laughing on two separate occasions, laughing at the girl who was raped. Kathy Shelton, that young woman is here with us tonight.\"","The case resurfaced in June when the Washington Free Beacon published a previously unreleased interview with Clinton from the 1980s. Back then, Clinton discussed her early work at a University of Arkansas legal aid clinic, where she took on the case of an indigent man charged with raping a 12-year-old girl."]},{"id":"5926.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker said no to equal pay for equal work for women.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a mischaracterization of Governor Scott Walker's stance on equal pay for equal work. While the evidence provided suggests that there are claims made by political opponents and critics that Walker has not taken sufficient action to address gender pay disparities, there is no direct quote or concrete evidence of Walker explicitly stating \"no to equal pay for equal work for women.\" It is important to note that the issue of equal pay is complex and multifaceted, and attributing a single statement to a politician without clear evidence can be misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the ad, which makes several attacks on Walker, the narrator claims that Walker says \"no to equal pay for equal work for women.\"","Barrett said Walker says \"no to equal pay for equal work for women,\" suggesting Walker doesn\u2019t want women to be paid the same as men for doing the same job, or that he has taken steps to ensure unequal pay.","Says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s repeal of a 2009 law has left Wisconsin as \"one of five states without an equal pay law protecting women from gender discrimination in their paycheck.\"","Democratic candidate for governor Mary Burke minced no words on Equal Pay Day, April 8, 2014, charging that Gov. Scott Walker has left women behind in the Wisconsin workplace."]},{"id":"9325.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton spent 30 days in the hospital in 2012 and appeared wearing glasses that are only for people who have traumatic brain injury.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Hillary Clinton did not spend 30 days in the hospital in 2012. She was hospitalized for about four days due to a concussion. Additionally, the claim that the glasses she wore were only for people with traumatic brain injury is misleading. Wearing glasses after a concussion does not necessarily indicate a traumatic brain injury, and experts have stated that such a linkage is unfounded. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid making unsupported associations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rove said Clinton spent 30 days in the hospital and then emerged wearing glasses that only people with traumatic brain injury use. Rove since said he was wrong about the length of her hospital stay. The actual number is four days. By describing a long hospital stay and tying it to signs of traumatic brain injury, Rove associated Clinton with a more profound medical episode. Experts reject that association.","\"Thirty days in the hospital,\" Rove said. \"And when she reappears, she's wearing glasses that are only for people who have traumatic brain injury? We need to know what's up with that.\"","Clinton was in the hospital for about four days, not 30, a point Rove got wrong. (In a subsequent interview, Rove said it was a \"30-day period where she\u2019s fighting something.\")","\"Technically, a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury,\" Smith said. \"But Rove made a linkage that doesn\u2019t fit. Having a concussion and wearing those glasses tell you nothing about a person\u2019s cognitive status. The vast majority of people with concussions make a full recovery.\""]},{"id":"4736.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the City of Portland alone has 84 public relation representatives on payroll which cost taxpayers over $6.2 million (a year).","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there are indeed a significant number of public relations employees in the Portland area, the claim that the City of Portland alone has 84 public relations representatives on payroll, costing taxpayers over $6.2 million, is incorrect. The correct figure is that the City of Portland has 28 public relations employees, and their salaries amount to approximately $2.1 million. The larger figure of 84 employees and $6.2 million includes public relations employees from various other entities in the Portland area, such as Metro, Portland Public Schools, Multnomah County, and more. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the specific number of public relations representatives and the associated cost for the City of Portland alone.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We weren\u2019t a paragraph in and already something had caught our attention. The report noted that \"The City of Portland alone has 84 public relation representatives on payroll, which cost taxpayers over $6.2 million.\"","\"There are a lot of them (public relations employees) \u2014 94 in the Portland area \u2014 and their paychecks add up to nearly $7 million a year \u2026 these public-relations people work for the City of Portland, Metro, Portland Public Schools, Multnomah County, the Port of Portland, Portland State University, TriMet and Oregon Health & Science University.\"","Just a couple sentences further and the writer, James Pitkin, addresses Portland specifically: \"The biggest PR team belongs to the City of Portland. It spends $2.1 million paying its 28 PR people.\"","The Bureau sent us a copy of a public records request dated July 14, 2011 that listed 25 employees. We reconciled the two lists and found that Willamette Week included the Portland Development Commission, bumping their figure of 28 employees. With the PDC, their salaries were closer to $2.1 million, not $6 million."]},{"id":"4845.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Obama took office, a net of 540,000 additional black Americans Obamas strongest supporters have lost their jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Tea Party that since Obama took office, there has been a net loss of 540,000 jobs among black Americans. However, it is important to note that attributing this job loss solely to Obama's policies is an oversimplification. The factors contributing to job loss are multifaceted and influenced by various economic and systemic factors. While it is true that the unemployment rate among black Americans has been a concern during Obama's presidency, it is misleading to solely attribute job loss to Obama's policies without considering broader economic trends and factors beyond the president's control.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Since Obama took office, a net of 540,000 additional black Americans \u2013 Obama\u2019s strongest supporters \u2013 have lost their jobs,\" the Tea Party retweeted to its followers on Sept. 2. The original tweet came from Ken Gardner, a junior fellow for The Right Sphere, a conservative website, and was retweeted by Jeff M. Weingarten, president of Morristown Tea Party Organization.","The Tea Party blames Obama for an additional half million blacks being unemployed since he took office. The group\u2019s number of 540,000 unemployed is correct, and the NAACP concurs that blacks are among Obama\u2019s biggest supporters. We heard varying opinions on whether the president is to blame for that job loss and it\u2019s clear there are a variety of factors at work -- some under the president\u2019s jurisdiction, some not. Partially accurate claims that leave out important details fits the definition of our ruling: Half True.","Appearing at a daylong White House summit of black business, community and political leaders on Nov. 9, Obama said the current 15.1 percent unemployment rate among blacks is \"way too high,\" and that other problems that plagued black communities before he took office, such as housing and education, have worsened.","Issues critical to the black community, including jobs, has always been on Obama\u2019s radar, according to a recent Associated Press article."]},{"id":"10308.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Saddam Hussein had a 10-year relationship with al-Qaida.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Saddam Hussein had a 10-year relationship with al-Qaida is not supported by comprehensive government reports and evidence. Multiple high-level government reports, including a Pentagon study based on captured Iraqi government documents, largely refute this claim. While there may have been occasional instances of overlapping interests between Saddam Hussein's regime and certain extremist groups, there is no substantial evidence to suggest a long-standing, meaningful relationship between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida over a 10-year period.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cheney and the rest of the administration of President George W. Bush made the link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida a linchpin in its rationale for war. In that light, Cheney\u2019s claim about a 10-year relationship merits a closer look.","\"We got to the point where we were very concerned about the possible linkage between terrorists on the one hand and weapons of mass destruction on the other,\" Cheney said. \"Saddam Hussein had previously had twice nuclear programs going. He produced and used weapons of mass destruction. And he had a 10-year relationship with al-Qaida.\"","Cheney said Hussein had a 10-year relationship with al-Qaida. Two comprehensive, high-level government reports largely refute that statement. That includes one Pentagon study that relied on a trove of secret Iraqi government documents that fell into American hands after the invasion.","While there are cases where the two interests overlapped, there is no evidence of a deep-rooted, meaningful relationship over 10 years as Cheney claimed."]},{"id":"7212.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that according to many reports and even our own data, the state of Texas spent more through Medicaid on orthodontia than all other states combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. A congressional report from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform indicated that between 2008 and 2010, Texas' Medicaid program spent more on orthodontics, particularly braces, than the combined spending of the other 49 states. However, it is important to note that the claim of \"many reports and even our own data\" is not fully substantiated. The available evidence does not provide a comprehensive comparison of Texas' Medicaid spending on orthodontics to that of all other states combined. Therefore, while there is evidence of significant spending by Texas, the claim lacks broader context and comprehensive data to support the assertion that Texas spent more than all other states combined.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, who chairs the House Committee on Public Health, said: \"It\u2019s unacceptable that the state of Texas spent more than all 49\" other \"states combined, according to many, many reports and even our own data.\" The claim was heard and relayed to us by University of Texas journalism student Cody Permenter.","The congressional report cited by Steinbach, issued April 25, 2012, by the Republican majority staff of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, says that \"between 2008 and 2010, Texas\u2019 Medicaid program spent more on orthodontics, particularly braces, than all 49 remaining states combined.\"","By phone, spokeswoman Goodman told us it\u2019s not known whether Texas spent the same or more on orthodontics than what was spent in other states combined nor was it necessarily the agency's mission to prove or disprove that. She said by email that when state researchers asked the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about a Texas-to-other-states comparison, they were told it would be difficult to compare states because of the different ways state Medicaid programs address orthodontic services. At the federal agency, spokesman Alper Ozinal told us state-specific figures for 2010 Medicaid spending on orthodontic procedures were not yet compiled.","Texas experienced a toothsome spending spike; WFAA's reporting demonstrates the state spent more on orthodontic procedures funded by Medicaid in 2010 than the other most-populous states, combined. But relevant research has been limited to the spending in Texas and nine to 14 other states. Lacking complete backup information, this claim rates as Half True."]},{"id":"12054.json","label":"true","statement":"We understand that this heroin is primarily coming from Mexico, over the border.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that heroin is primarily coming from Mexico over the border into the United States. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has stated that Mexico is the primary entry point for heroin into the United States, and criminal drug networks in Mexico have been linked to fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the United States. The proximity, transportation infrastructure, and ability to satisfy U.S. heroin demand make Mexico a significant source of heroin in the United States. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Portman said that heroin is coming to the United States primarily from Mexico. He hasn\u2019t been studying drug facts for nothing.","The drug is \"primarily responsible for fueling the ongoing opioid crisis,\" the Drug Enforcement Agency said in its 2020 Drug Threat Assessment. The agency sent out a public safety alert in September 2021 linking U.S. fentanyl-related overdose deaths and criminal drug networks in Mexico.","Another caveat: Even though McKinley visited the southern U.S. border, the seizure totals include those made on both the Mexican border and the Canadian border. That said, the DEA says that the southwestern border with Mexico \"remains the primary entry point for heroin into the United States\" and that \"Mexico remains the most significant foreign source for marijuana available in the United States.\"","\"Southeast Asia was once the dominant supplier of heroin in the United States, but Southeast Asian heroin is now rarely detected in U.S. markets,\" the report state. \"Mexico and, to a lesser extent, Colombia dominate the U.S. heroin market, because of their proximity, established transportation and distribution infrastructure, and ability to satisfy U.S. heroin demand.\""]},{"id":"9078.json","label":"true","statement":"Ted Cruz has been to Iowa four times. Rio Grande Valley of Texas -- just once.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided. Ted Cruz has indeed been to Iowa four times, as stated in the first piece of evidence. Additionally, the evidence confirms that Cruz has been to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas only once. Therefore, the statement is true based on the provided information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Sen. Ted Cruz has been to Iowa four times in his tenure, the Rio Grande Valley of Texas once&url=)","Cruz spokeswoman Catherine Frazier told us by email that Cruz did three events that day in the valley--going to McAllen for a Department of Public Safety border tour and roundtable with landowners to discuss border\/immigration policy and to Mission for a \"Rio Grande Partnership\" lunch.","On Cruz's behalf, Frazier said by email the \"fair comparison to make is that the senator has been to Iowa 4 times and travels back to Texas almost every weekend.\"","Cruz, Frazier said, looks forward to more events in the valley, \"one specific region in the state.\" \"Since being sworn in,\" she said, \"he has traveled to 38 Texas cities for 118 events.\""]},{"id":"6254.json","label":"false","statement":"New Jersey today has fewer employees in state government than it had when Christie Whitman left office in January of 2001, and I think thats good. And we did it without any layoffs. We did it through attrition.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Chris Christie's claim that New Jersey has fewer employees in state government than when Christie Whitman left office in 2001, and that this was achieved without any layoffs, but through attrition. However, it's important to note that revised numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics contradict this claim. The updated data indicates that the number of state employees has actually increased since Whitman's tenure. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents Christie's claim, it is not supported by the most recent data, making it false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"New Jersey today has fewer employees in state government than it had when Christie Whitman left office in January of 2001, and I think that\u2019s good. And we did it without any layoffs. We did it through attrition.\"","At the Brookings Institution, Christie claimed: \"New Jersey today has fewer employees in state government than it had when Christie Whitman left office in January of 2001, and I think that\u2019s good. And we did it without any layoffs. We did it through attrition.\"","\"New Jersey today has fewer employees in state government than it had when Christie Whitman left office in January of 2001, and I think that\u2019s good,\" Christie said in a July 9 appearance at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. \"And we did it without any layoffs. We did it through attrition.\"","New Jersey today has fewer state employees than when Christie Whitman left the governor\u2019s office in 2001 because of attrition, the governor said during his July 9 appearance at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Back in December, the Truth-O-Meter gave Christie a True for his claim about the number of state employees on the payroll compared with when Whitman was in office. But revised numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, combined with the attrition claim, make the governor\u2019s recent statement wrong."]},{"id":"4419.json","label":"true","statement":"Over the past 10 years, the number of people living in Lower Manhattan has nearly doubled. In fact, Lower Manhattan has added more people over the last 10 years than Atlanta, Dallas and Philadelphia combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by census data and multiple sources confirming that the population of Lower Manhattan has indeed nearly doubled over the past 10 years. This growth surpasses the combined population growth of Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia during the same period. The evidence validates Mayor Bloomberg's claim about the significant increase in population in Lower Manhattan.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Over the past 10 years, the number of people living in Lower Manhattan has nearly doubled,\" Bloomberg said during a Sept. 6 speech. \"In fact, Lower Manhattan has added more people over the last 10 years than Atlanta, Dallas and Philadelphia combined. In 2001, no one could have believed that that would happen.\"","Nearing the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Bloomberg claimed the population in Lower Manhattan has nearly doubled, exceeding the combined growth in Atlanta, Dallas and Philadelphia.","Ten years since that fateful day, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a statistic to prove it: the population of Lower Manhattan has nearly doubled, surpassing the combined growth in three major American cities.","Census data backs up his statement. Many people not only paid more attention to Lower Manhattan in the years following Sept. 11. They moved there."]},{"id":"9058.json","label":"false","statement":"The American slave trade caused 5 million deaths or more.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. Historians and experts have stated that the estimate of 5 million deaths associated with the American slave trade is inaccurate. According to the data and research, the number of deaths directly caused by the slave trade in North America is estimated to be significantly lower. The estimate provided by historian Herbert Klein suggests that about 85,000 people destined for North America did not survive the transatlantic journey. It is important to differentiate between the entire Atlantic slave trade and the specific impact on North America. The evidence indicates that the number of deaths attributed solely to the American slave trade is far below 5 million.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Stewart said the American slave trade caused the deaths of at least 5 million people. Stewart appears to be using an estimate for deaths associated with the slave trade in North and South America. America's portion is much smaller, an expert told us.","A historian who appeared on The Daily Show said the slave trade might have caused as many as 5 million deaths, but she was talking about the entire Atlantic slave trade. Only three percent of the slaves shipped from Africa to the Western Hemisphere wound up in North America, experts told us.","Historian Herbert Klein of Columbia and Stanford universities, who worked on the database, said that the data suggest about 85,000 people destined for North America did not survive the trip across the Atlantic -- far below 5 million. (The same data show deaths caused by the slave trade in all of North and South America at about 1.8 million.)","We are fact-checking several claims from the Civil War debate between Napolitano, a libertarian pundit and former judge, and Stewart. Here we are looking at if the American slave trade, the process by which people were acquired and sold into slavery, resulted in the death of 5 million people or more. (Statistics focus on the slave trade, because experts say it's impossible to know the overall death toll caused by slavery in America.)"]},{"id":"1358.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I'm predicting (the Saints) will go not only undefeated, but all the way through the Super Bowl -- something that's never been done before.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is a prediction that the New Orleans Saints will not only have an undefeated season but also win the Super Bowl, which has never been accomplished before. However, it is important to note that predicting the outcome of sports events is inherently uncertain and speculative. Many factors, including the performance of other teams, injuries, and unforeseen circumstances, can influence the outcome of games and the overall season. While it is not impossible for a team to achieve an undefeated season and win the Super Bowl, it is a highly challenging feat that has yet to be accomplished. Therefore, the statement should be regarded as a bold prediction rather than a factual claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1634.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Since that famous day in February where the governor campaigned with Barack Obama on behalf of the stimulus program, 211,000 Floridians have lost their jobs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rubio that 211,000 Floridians lost their jobs since the governor campaigned with Barack Obama on behalf of the stimulus program. This claim is supported by the release of state employment figures and reports from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. The evidence indicates that Florida experienced a significant increase in unemployment and job loss during the stated period. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Well ... if it's bad for America, it can't possibly be good for your state,\" Rubio said. \"Let me tell you why the stimulus has failed. The stimulus has failed because since that famous day in February where the governor campaigned with Barack Obama on behalf of the stimulus program, 211,000 Floridians have lost their jobs.\"","U.S. House Ways and Means Republicans, 48 out of 50 States Have Lost Jobs Since Democrats' Stimulus Passed, March 10, 2010","Conveniently, the state's Agency for Workforce Innovation released a report on state employment figures just two days before the debate. In it, Florida's record 12.2 percent unemployment rate is announced, along with many statistics on the state's jobs picture, including year-over-year numbers from February 2009, the month Crist campaigned with Obama.","It's the latter number that the Rubio campaign points to. Spokesman Alberto Martinez also shared a report from House Way and Means Republicans that seeks to highlight the stimulus as a job-killer, rather than a job creator, where Florida is said to have lost 240,400 jobs since the stimulus passed."]},{"id":"192.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama's health care plan \"would leave 15 million Americans out.\"","reason":"Reason: According to statements made by Bill Clinton during a campaign event, he claimed that Barack Obama's health care plan would leave 15 million Americans without coverage. This claim was based on an analysis by Jonathan Cohn of the New Republic, who cited research from RAND, the Urban Institute, and economist Jonathan Gruber. However, it's important to note that the context of this statement is from a political campaign and may not fully reflect the details and provisions of the actual health care plan proposed by Barack Obama. Therefore, while the claim reflects the perspective of Bill Clinton and the analysis he cited, it should be understood within the context of a political campaign statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama \u201ctalks a lot about stepping up and taking responsibility and taking strong positions,\u201d Clinton said, \u201cBut when it came time to step up and decide whether or not he would support universal health care coverage, he chose not to do that. His plan would leave 15-million Americans out.\u201d","\"If you're one of the more than 250 million Americans who already have health insurance, you will keep your health insurance.\"","\"If you're one of the more than 250 million Americans who already have health insurance, you will keep your health insurance,\" Obama said. \"This law will only make it more secure and more affordable.\"","As we heard during the debate, Clinton believes 15-million people would be left uncovered by Obama\u2019s plan. She based her analysis on an article written by Jonathan Cohn of the New Republic, who quoted RAND, the Urban Institute and MIT economist Jonathan Gruber."]},{"id":"6968.json","label":"true","statement":"While I was mayor of the city of Providence we had the lowest crime rate in 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including statements made by David Cicilline himself and information from his official website. According to Cicilline, during his tenure as mayor of Providence, the city experienced the lowest crime rate in 30 years. This claim is consistent with his campaign messaging and has been reiterated in debates and on his website. Therefore, there is evidence to support the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["David Cicilline said that, \"While I was mayor of the city of Providence we had the lowest crime rate in 30 years.\"","In addition, the mayor's website says, \"Under his leadership, Providence has seen crime drop to its lowest rate in 30 years.\"","\"I'm very proud that while I was mayor of the city of Providence we had the lowest crime rate in 30 years,\" Cicilline said during his Oct. 16 debate against Republican Brendan Doherty, the former superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.","Providence Mayor David Cicilline has made Providence's falling crime rate one of the key selling points in his campaign in the 1st Congressional District. He repeated it during the July 13 debate with his three Democratic challengers, saying the city now has \"the lowest crime rate in three decades.\""]},{"id":"10050.json","label":"false","statement":"20,000 Kansans lost their health insurance because of (Obamacare).","reason":"Reason: The claim made by Senator Pat Roberts that 20,000 Kansans lost their health insurance specifically due to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) lacks official information and is not supported by available evidence. While there were instances where insurance plans did not comply with Obamacare standards and some individuals received notices that their plans could not be renewed, those notices were later retracted. Additionally, the lack of reporting requirements in Kansas makes it difficult to definitively determine the number of individuals who lost insurance solely due to the Affordable Care Act. Therefore, the claim made by Senator Roberts is unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!A recent video by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., attacks his opponent, independent Greg Orman, and says 20,000 Kansans lost their insurance because of the Affordable Care Act. !A recent video by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., attacks his opponent, independent Greg Orman, and says 20,000 Kansans lost their insurance because of the Affordable Care Act.","A recent video by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., attacks his opponent, independent Greg Orman, and says 20,000 Kansans lost their insurance because of the Affordable Care Act.","We asked Linda Sheppard, health policy adviser for the Kansas Insurance Department, how many Kansans had lost their insurance due to Obamacare. She said the state does not require health insurance carriers to report when people go on or off coverage, so there\u2019s no way to definitively know the answer.","There\u2019s no official information to corroborate Roberts\u2019 claim. Several thousand Kansans received notices that their insurance plans could not be renewed because they did not comply with Obamacare standards, but the notices were retracted about a month later. Meanwhile, about 57,000 Kansans obtained insurance on If the state follows the national trend, roughly half of these people were uninsured before the law."]},{"id":"1850.json","label":"false","statement":"Once the U.S. government signs a U.N. treaty on conventional arms, \"all U.S. citizens will be subject to those gun laws created by foreign governments.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly refutes this claim. The Arms Trade Treaty, which is the likely treaty being referred to, does not grant foreign governments the authority to create gun laws that would apply to U.S. citizens. The U.S. State Department has explicitly stated that the treaty is not inconsistent with the rights of U.S. citizens, including those protected by the Second Amendment. Additionally, the treaty does not bypass the normal legislative process in Congress, and there are strong regulations in place regarding arms import and export in the United States. Therefore, the claim that all U.S. citizens would be subject to gun laws created by foreign governments is unfounded.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ultimately, then, it's possible -- if a treaty is passed, and if Supreme Court justices use the treaty as a foundation for overturning longstanding interpretations of the Second Amendment -- for the treaty to influence U.S. gun laws. But it is simply not true that, in the e-mail's words, \"once the US Government signs these international treaties, all US citizens will be subject to those gun laws created by foreign governments.\"","\"On Wednesday the Obama administration took its first major step in a plan to ban all firearms in the United States. The Obama administration intends to force gun control and a complete ban on all weapons for US citizens through the signing of international treaties with foreign nations. By signing international treaties on gun control, the Obama administration can use the US State Department to bypass the normal legislative process in Congress. Once the US Government signs these international treaties, all US citizens will be subject to those gun laws created by foreign governments.... The laws are designed and intended to lead to the complete ban and confiscation of all firearms....","He said there should be no effect on, for example, a U.S. citizen buying a gun from a foreign broker because \"whatever broker you engage will need to be registered already with the U.S. government to be able to function as an arms broker.\" That\u2019s because the U.S. has some of the strongest arms import and export legislation in the world, he said.","We emailed the U.S. State Department and asked for its position on the treaty. Press officer Drew Bailey sent us a synopsis, which included this point: \"Nothing in the Arms Trade Treaty is inconsistent with the rights of U.S. citizens, including those protected by the Second Amendment.\""]},{"id":"678.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Drilling in ANWR would have minimal impact, covering only \"2,000 out of 20-million acres.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Sarah Palin's claim that drilling in ANWR would have minimal impact, covering only \"2,000 out of 20-million acres.\" However, it's important to note that the size of the area being considered for exploration and production is just one aspect of the potential impact. The environmental impact and potential consequences of drilling in ANWR extend beyond the physical footprint. The statement does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the potential ecological, environmental, and cultural impacts that drilling in ANWR could have.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Well, ANWR at that point it's about 2,000 acres that is being asked to be looked at and to be explored and to be produced. Two-thousand acres out of 20-million acres,\" Palin said. \"That footprint, it's about the size of LAX or one of the larger airports across the nation. And that should allow some perspective there also.\"","Located east of the Prudhoe Bay oil field, the refuge could possess one of the country\u2019s largest untapped onshore supply of oil. (You can read more about that in this PolitiFact report, which examined Sarah Palin\u2019s 2008 claim that ANWR drilling would affect \"2,000 out of 20-million acres.\")","ANWR comprises about 19-million acres, 1.5-million of which were set aside by Congress and President Jimmy Carter in 1980 to study the potential for energy production. But in describing the possible environmental impact, Palin is harking back to a House Republican proposal floated during energy debates in 2001 and 2003, that Democrats, environmentalists and some moderate Republicans rejected as unrealistic.","Palin and other pro-drilling lawmakers now say new technologies, including directional drilling, would probably make viable energy development possible on a footprint even smaller than 2,000 acres."]},{"id":"8424.json","label":"false","statement":"Since Obamacare became law, most of our new jobs have been part-time jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cuccinelli that most of the new jobs created since the implementation of Obamacare have been part-time jobs is not supported by evidence. In fact, data shows that full-time jobs have grown at a significantly faster rate than part-time employment since the law was enacted. While there may have been a period where a higher percentage of new jobs were part-time, it is important to note that analysts have differing opinions on the extent to which Obamacare contributed to this trend. Therefore, the claim that most new jobs have been part-time jobs due to Obamacare is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A final note: Cuccinelli claimed that since the signing of Obamacare, most of the new jobs have been part time not only across the nation, but in Virginia as well.","Obamacare became law in March 2010. We asked Cuccinelli\u2019s campaign for proof that most of the jobs created since then have been part-time.","So, contrary to Cuccinelli\u2019s claim, full-time jobs have grown 10 times faster than part-time employment since Obamacare was signed into law.","Cuccinelli would have been on the putting for par if he\u2019d aimed his statement at the first eight months of this year, when 65 percent of new jobs were part time, although analysts differ on Obamacare\u2019s blame for that trend."]},{"id":"1202.json","label":"true","statement":"\"In some states, it is still legal to deny a woman coverage because she's been the victim of domestic violence.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. In some states, it is still legal for insurance companies to deny coverage to women based on their status as victims of domestic violence. While it is important to note that this practice is not widespread, there are specific states, such as Mississippi and Wyoming, that do not have laws explicitly prohibiting insurance companies from using domestic violence as a reason to deny coverage. However, it is worth mentioning that advocacy groups have been working to address this issue, and most states, including Pennsylvania, have adopted laws to prohibit this discriminatory practice.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Women are affected because, as we heard, in many states, insurance companies can still discriminate because of gender,\" she said. \"And this is still shocking to me. These are the kind of facts that still wake me up at night. ... In some states, it is still legal to deny a woman coverage because she's been the victim of domestic violence.\"","We find that the first lady is correct that \"in some states, it is still legal to deny a woman coverage because she's been the victim of domestic violence.\" Putting aside the disputed North Carolina law, there still are several other states \u2014 including Mississippi and Wyoming \u2014 that have no specific laws prohibiting the practice. It's important to note that we couldn't find this was happening on a widespread basis \u2014 or even just a little bit. But still, Mrs. Obama is correct and we rate the claim True.","Mitchell's response raises an important point: Just because it's legal in some states for insurance companies to cite domestic violence as a pre-existing condition, it doesn't mean that insurance companies are actually taking advantage of the loophole.","The issue first came to light in 1994, when a Pennsylvania woman was denied health, life and mortgage disability insurance because of domestic violence, according to the Women's Law Project. That group, along with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, began advocating for legislation to expressly prohibit the practice. Since then, most states, including Pennsylvania, have adopted laws prohibiting the practice."]},{"id":"13445.json","label":"false","statement":"The Declaration of Independence was written on paper made out of hemp.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple sources, including Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the Declaration of Independence, confirm that the document was not written on paper made from hemp. Instead, it was written on parchment, which is made from animal skin. The claim that the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper is a persistent rumor that has been debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We previously checked out the rumor that the Declaration of Independence was supposedly written on hemp paper and rated it False.","\"A number of sites on the Internet claim that the Declaration of Independence was written on paper made from hemp. As far as we know, this is not true,\" Monticello says on its website.","\"The Declaration of Independence was written on paper made out of hemp,\" he said during an Oct. 17 debate with Republican Bob Goodlatte, the longtime incumbent in Virginia\u2019s 6th congressional district.","This brings us back to The Declaration of Independence, one of Virginia\u2019s most acclaimed products. Rampant rumors that the actual document - the one on display at the National Archives - was written on hemp paper are untrue. Officials at Monticello - the home of Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the Declaration - say the document was penned on parchment, which is made from animal skin."]},{"id":"10096.json","label":"false","statement":"Jason Carters plan: increase spending by $12.5 billion.","reason":"Reason: Jason Carter's plan does involve increasing education spending, but the specific claim that his plan will increase spending by $12.5 billion is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence mentions different figures, such as $31 billion to $35 billion in federal money coming back into Georgia under expansion and a $10 billion total to fully restore education funding over 10 years. Without further clarification or additional evidence, it is not accurate to state that Carter's plan will increase spending by $12.5 billion.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Carter, who voted for those three budgets, is promising that, if he\u2019s elected, he will increase education spending through a three-pronged approach that involves growing the economy, cutting government waste and going after tax cheats.","Augusta Chronicle, \"Jason Carter's plan to fund education may not be as fruitful as he hopes, experts say,\" Sept. 2, 2014","Missing from the spending claim: the $31 billion to $35 billion in federal money that will come back into Georgia under expansion.","Talaber said the $12.5 billion forecast assumes that Carter will spend $1 billion a year in each of the next 10 years, $10 billion total, to fully restore education funding."]},{"id":"2713.json","label":"false","statement":"Dan Seals has been running for office since before there were, like, iPods.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence clearly shows that versions of the iPod were on sale for three to four years before Dan Seals began running for office. The iPod was unveiled in October 2001 and was available for purchase starting in November 2001. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that Dan Seals has been running for office since before the existence of iPods.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But we didn't. Instead, we're looking at the burning question of whether the spokesmammal was correct when he said that Dan Seals was running for office \"before there were, like, iPods.\"","Director : \"Nah, he's run like two times already and lost. I think he was running since before there were, like, iPods.\"","What about the iPod? Well, we located a Newsweek cover featuring Apple co-founder Steve Jobs holding the music player that's dated July 26, 2004. (Doesn't it look bulky( \"Doesn't it look bulky\")?) So the iPod clearly existed well before Seals began to run for office. We found the original news release( \"original news release\") for Apple's initial unveiling of the iPod on Oct. 23, 2001. And units were on sale beginning on Nov. 10, 2001, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. So, versions of the iPod were on sale for three to four years before Seals began running for office.","It features a charming if foul-mouthed sea lion hired to film an \"endorsement\" for Dan Seals. Seals (not the sea lion) is running for the Chicago-area seat being vacated by Rep. Mark Kirk, the Republican nominee for Senate. With a slight Democratic edge and a moderate, suburban vibe, the 10th District is one of the rare GOP-held seats that's actually in play for the Democrats this year. In fact, political handicapper Charlie Cook rates it Lean Democratic( \"political handicapper Charlie Cook rates it Lean Democratic\"), meaning that Dold, even though he's a Republican running in a Republican year, is airing the ad as a slight underdog."]},{"id":"7681.json","label":"false","statement":"The Miami Dolphins are the only NFL team in the entire nation that pays property taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gimenez that the Miami Dolphins are the only NFL team in the entire nation that pays property taxes is false. There are other NFL teams that also pay property taxes. The claim has been fact-checked and debunked, with evidence showing that other teams, such as the Green Bay Packers, also pay property taxes. It is important to verify information before making such definitive statements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gimenez said during a county meeting that the Miami Dolphins \"are the only NFL team in the entire nation that pays property taxes.\"","\"Commissioner, as far as I know the Miami Dolphins are the only professional team in the state of Florida that actually pays property taxes. And, as far as I know, the Dolphins are the only NFL team in the entire nation that pays property taxes. This does not change.\"","Gimenez exaggerated when he said that the Dolphins are the only NFL team in the country that pays property taxes. We rate this claim False.","At PolitiFact Florida, our ears perk up when we hear that something is the \"only\" one in the country. Are the Miami Dolphins the only NFL team to pay property taxes?"]},{"id":"13009.json","label":"true","statement":"Child care costs in some states now exceed the average price tag for college tuition.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In some states, the cost of child care for certain age groups, such as infants, can exceed the average price of college tuition. While the nationwide median annual price of child care is generally less expensive than a year at a four-year college, the comparison becomes more significant when specific age groups and states are considered. For example, in some states, child care costs for infants can amount to more than the average in-state public college tuition. Therefore, it is true that child care costs in some states now exceed the average price tag for college tuition.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Touting the Democratic presidential nominee, a Texas legislator said: \"Hillary Clinton would provide all working families with relief from child-care costs, which in some states now exceed the average price tag for college tuition.\"","The nationwide median annual price of infant, toddler and 4-year-old care is much less expensive than the nationwide average of a year at a four-year college. However, a year of center-based child care is more expensive than a year of in-state public college tuition in many states.","A web search led us to an October 2015 institute breakout suggesting child care costs for a 4-year-old exceeded in-state tuition at a public college in 24 states in 2014 -- though not Texas. In Texas, such child care costs were estimated to be 91 percent of average in-state public college tuition.","But Texas was one of 33 states where child care costs for an infant \u2014 which are usually higher than for older children \u2014 amounted to 118 percent of the state\u2019s average public college in-state tuition."]},{"id":"4574.json","label":"false","statement":"Say the ratio of CEO pay to average worker pay in the U.S. is 475 to 1.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that the ratio of CEO pay to average worker pay in the U.S. is 475 to 1. While it is true that the U.S. has a high ratio compared to other countries, the specific figure of 475 to 1 is not supported by the evidence. Multiple studies have reported different ratios, such as 185 to 1 and 325 to 1, which are significantly lower than the stated figure. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The chart -- here\u2019s another version posted on the liberal website Daily Kos -- lists the ratio of CEO pay to average worker pay in the U.S. and nine other countries. The smallest ratio is Japan\u2019s at 11 to 1. The United States is highest at 475 to 1.","Still, both of the years where the CEO pay ratio in the IPS study was at least 475 to 1 came more than a decade ago, so data from those years would be of questionable use to policy debates today.","But in its claim that the U.S. ratio is 475 to 1, the chart conveys a sense of certitude and statistical precision that simply isn't warranted -- and which is contradicted by the facts. The latest number for the U.S. is 185 to 1 in one study and 325 to 1 in another -- and those numbers were not generated by groups that might have an ideological interest in downplaying the gaps between rich and poor. We rate the claim on the U.S. ratio False.","We don\u2019t doubt the chart\u2019s underlying point that the ratio of CEO pay to worker pay is high in the United States, and is likely higher in our free-wheeling economy than it is in the historically more egalitarian nations of Europe."]},{"id":"11776.json","label":"false","statement":"More than 100,000 women in Texas have attempted to self-induce abortion in the past year alone.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes the number of self-induced abortion attempts solely to the past year. The study referenced estimates that between 100,000 and 240,000 Texas women ages 18 to 49 have attempted to self-abort at some point in their lives, not just in the past year. While the study does highlight a concerning number of women putting their health at risk, it does not support the claim that over 100,000 women attempted to self-induce abortion in Texas in the past year alone.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Keene said that \"due to the rapidly declining number of women\u2019s health care centers\" in Texas, more than \"100,000 women have attempted to self-induce abortion in the past year alone.\"","\"Recently, research out of Texas revealed that due to the rapidly declining number of women\u2019s health centers in that state, over 100,000 women - 100,000 women - have attempted to self-induce abortion in the past year alone,\" Keene said.","But lumping the women\u2019s efforts into the \"past year,\" Keene inaccurately places the blame for all self-abortion attempts on restrictions on abortion clinics that Texas passed in 2013.","She\u2019s wrong. The study to which she refers estimates that between 100,000 and 240,000 Texas women ages 18 to 49 attempted to self-abort at some point in their lives. We don\u2019t mean to diminish that finding; it suggests a lot of women have put their health in danger."]},{"id":"9529.json","label":"false","statement":"The platform of the Republican Party says deport everybody and to hell with it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The Republican Party platform does not explicitly call for the deportation of everybody living in the United States illegally. While the platform does oppose illegal immigration and any form of legal status for unauthorized residents, it does not advocate for the deportation of all individuals in the country without legal status. The claim made by Gilberto Hinojosa about the Republican Party's platform is not supported by the actual content of the platform itself.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In advance of his party\u2019s gathering, where he won a fresh two-year term, Gilberto Hinojosa went on to suggest the Republican Party of Texas recently settled on an approach to immigration with a decidedly negative vibe. Hinojosa told KERA, the Dallas public radio station: \"The party platform of the Republican Party says deport everybody and to hell with it. And that\u2019s just not what America\u2019s all about. So that\u2019s going to be a big contrast, and I think it\u2019s going to affect substantially the attitude a lot of Hispanics have toward Republicans.\"","The word \"deport\" isn\u2019t in the 2014 Republican platform, which has a two-page section on immigration that opens by saluting the importance of immigrants in the nation\u2019s history.","Documents, \"Report of Permanent Committee on Platform and Resolutions As Amended and Adopted by the 2014 State Convention of the Republican Party of Texas,\" June 2014; \"2012 REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS Report of Platform Committee,\" June 2012 (accessed June 27, 2014)","The heck you say. The Texas GOP platform opposes illegal immigration and any legal status for unauthorized U.S. residents, which leaves deportations a possibility. But the platform doesn\u2019t venture as far as the chairman said. It doesn't call for deporting everybody living here illegally."]},{"id":"60.json","label":"true","statement":"\\u201CThirty-four percent of Hispanics don\\u2019t have any health care at all, don\\u2019t have any health insurance.\\u201D","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Dennis Kucinich during the Univision debate in 2007. The evidence provided, including the National Healthcare Disparities Report and the Key Facts report from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, supports the claim that 34 percent of Hispanics in the United States were without health insurance coverage at that time. It's important to note that the statement refers specifically to health insurance coverage and not the complete absence of healthcare services. \nLabel: true","evidence":["At the Sept. 9, 2007 Univision debate in Miami, Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich said Hispanics lag behind other Americans in health insurance coverage. He said, \"34 percent of Hispanics don't have any health care at all, don't have any health insurance.\"","We interpret his statement as a reference to health insurance coverage -- not a claim that Hispanics are denied all health care -- and find it to be accurate.","The 2005 National Healthcare Disparities Report from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said that Hispanics have less access to health care than non-Hispanic whites and are more likely to receive poorer-quality care.","The January 2007 report Key Facts: Race, Ethnicity & Medical Care, published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, notes that 34 percent of Hispanics are without health insurance coverage. The report cites 2005 estimates by the Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured."]},{"id":"5166.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says PolitiFact has said he kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules.","reason":"Reason: PolitiFact did indeed state that President Obama kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules by signing an executive order in January 2009. However, it's important to note that PolitiFact also highlighted other ethics-related promise checks that showed a more mixed record, with some promises rated as Stalled or Broken. Therefore, while PolitiFact acknowledged the fulfillment of one specific promise, the overall assessment of Obama's record on ethics rules is more nuanced. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"President Obama kept his promise to toughen ethics rules,\" a narrator says, as the following text is displayed on the screen: \"President Obama \u2018kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules,\u2019 PolitiFact 1\/21\/09.\"","In one of his first acts as president, Barack Obama kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules, signing an executive order on Jan. 21, 2009.","The ad accurately quoted one of our promise checks in saying that Obama \"kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules.\" However, it ignored at least 10 other ethics-related promise checks that showed a more mixed record, including three promises rated Stalled and three rated Broken. On balance, we rate the ad Half True.","\"In one of his first acts as president,\" we wrote at the time, \"Barack Obama kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules, signing an executive order on Jan. 21, 2009. \u2018If you are a lobbyist entering my administration, you will not be able to work on matters you lobbied on, or in the agencies you lobbied during the previous two years,\u2019 Obama said at the signing ceremony. \u2018When you leave government, you will not be able to lobby my administration for as long as I am president. And there will be a ban on gifts by lobbyists to anyone serving in the administration as well.\u2019\""]},{"id":"3377.json","label":"false","statement":"State employees will have to pay 100 percent of their pensions and health insurance after 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. Multiple sources, including state officials, have denied the claim that state employees in Wisconsin will have to pay 100 percent of their pensions and health insurance after 2012. There is no credible information to suggest that such a policy was implemented. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - E-mail says state employees in Wisconsin will have to pay 100 percent of pensions and health insurance after 2012&url=)","So, is there any truth to its claim that state workers, after 2012, will have to pay the entire cost of health premiums and pensions?","We could find no evidence to back the e-mail\u2019s claim that employees will pay 100 percent of their benefits as of 2013. State officials flatly deny it as well.","Weishan said it alarmed her because taking on the full cost of health insurance and pensions would mean payments from employees of well into five figures each."]},{"id":"2124.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The state bureaucracy Jane Norton managed grew by $43 million in just three years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the budget of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which Jane Norton managed, increased by $43 million during her tenure, it is important to note that this growth was primarily due to federal funds and cash funds from sources like user fees. State funding to the department actually decreased over Norton's entire tenure. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context to accurately portray the situation and could be misleading. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Americans for Job Security ad said that \"the state bureaucracy she managed grew by $43 million in just three years.\" The ad leaves out the fact that state funding was lower at the end of her tenure than it had been at the beginning. So we rate its claim Half True.","\"Our country is at the brink,\" a narrator says. \"Colorado families and workers need relief -- yet Jane Norton supported the largest tax hike in Colorado history, costing us billions. And Jane Norton's record on government spending? The state bureaucracy she managed grew by $43 million in just three years. Record taxes and reckless spending has cost Colorado jobs. Call Jane Norton, tell her no more tax hikes and big government spending.\"","Americans for Job Security said that \"the state bureaucracy she managed grew by $43 million in just three years.\" The group -- a business league that's not required to disclose its donors -- based its claims on Norton's tenure as executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment from 1999 to 2002. Norton was appointed by then Gov. Bill Owens, also a Republican. The department is in charge of public health, as well as things like air quality and nursing home regulations.","Under Norton's tenure, the budget did grow from $226 million to $269 million. But most of that increase came from federal funds or cash funds from things like user fees. State funds to the department increased for a few years but then declined. Over Norton's entire tenure, state funding dropped from $23.7 million to $16.2 million."]},{"id":"8779.json","label":"false","statement":"In 1916, the U.S. government predicted that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no more trees would need to be cut down.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence. While there were discussions and research conducted on the potential use of hemp as a raw material for paper production, there is no record of the U.S. government making a specific prediction in 1916 that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no more trees would need to be cut down. The claim seems to be a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of historical information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The graphic says: \"In 1916, the U.S. government predicted that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no more trees would need to be cut down.\"","The Facebook post said that \"in 1916, the U.S. government predicted that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no more trees would need to be cut down.\"","Still, widely believed doesn\u2019t necessarily mean correct. Did the U.S. government really predict that hemp would, in the course of three decades, make wood obsolete as the raw material for making paper?","Even though Bulletin 404 was mentioned at several points in The Emperor Wears No Clothes , Herer\u2019s book never makes the claim circulating in the Internet meme we\u2019re checking. More to the point, when we looked at Bulletin 404 itself, we couldn\u2019t find any reference to a prediction that \"by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp.\""]},{"id":"6628.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney has put forward a plan that would cut taxes for millionaires while raising them for the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor O'Malley that Mitt Romney's tax plan would cut taxes for millionaires while raising them for the middle class. However, it's important to note that there is some disagreement and interpretation regarding Romney's tax plan. While Romney's plan does include across-the-board tax cuts for everyone, including millionaires, there are differing opinions on how these cuts would impact the middle class. Some argue that the plan could result in a shift in the tax burden towards the middle class, while others believe it would not. Therefore, the statement is accurate in reflecting O'Malley's claim, but the overall veracity of the claim is subject to interpretation and debate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"No, thank you. I don't want to go back. Do you? Instead of a balanced, achievable plan to create jobs and reduce the deficit, Mitt Romney says, puts forward a plan that would cut taxes for millionaires while raising them for the middle class.\"","Says Mitt Romney\u2019s tax plans would \"give an additional $250,000 tax cut to millionaires and billionaires\" while raising taxes on the middle class.","O\u2019Malley said at the Democratic National Convention, \"Mitt Romney . . . puts forward a plan that would cut taxes for millionaires while raising them for the middle class.\" Actually, Romney\u2019s plan includes across-the-board tax cuts for everyone, including millionaires. It does not specifically include tax increases on the middle class.","Here, O\u2019Malley is blunter. He says that Romney plan \"would cut taxes for millionaires while raising them for the middle class.\" It might, but that\u2019s not what Romney says his intentions are. Instead, he would like rate cuts for everyone. We rate O\u2019Malley\u2019s claim Half True."]},{"id":"12186.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The economy always does better when theres a Democrat in the White House.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hillary Clinton, as supported by the evidence provided, claims that the economy consistently performs better when there is a Democrat in the White House. However, it is important to note that economic performance is influenced by numerous factors, including global economic conditions, policies implemented by the administration, and other external factors beyond the control of any single political party. While there may be arguments and evidence to suggest that certain policies implemented by Democratic administrations have positively impacted the economy, it is an oversimplification to assert that the economy always does better under Democratic leadership. Therefore, the statement is an overgeneralization and cannot be categorically labeled as true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It\u2019s similar to her March statement in Phoenix that \"The economy always does better when there\u2019s a Democrat in the White House.\"","Hillary Clinton said in Sacramento, \"It is a fact that the economy does better when we have a Democrat in the White House.\"","Recently, Hillary Clinton has been making the ultimate pocketbook argument for her candidacy: When there\u2019s a Democrat in the White House, she says, the economy does better.","\"The economy always does better when there\u2019s a Democrat in the White House,\" Clinton said March 21 at Carl Hayden Community High School in Phoenix."]},{"id":"4275.json","label":"true","statement":"Obamacare was patterned after (Mitt Romneys) plan in Massachusetts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, was indeed patterned after the healthcare plan implemented by Mitt Romney when he was the governor of Massachusetts. Both plans share substantial similarities in terms of requiring individuals to have health insurance or face penalties, leaving the current insurance system in place, and expanding coverage for the uninsured through subsidies or Medicaid. While they are not identical, the structure and key provisions of the two plans are similar enough to support the statement that Obamacare was patterned after Mitt Romney's plan in Massachusetts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Obamacare was patterned after Mitt's plan in Massachusetts. And for Mitt or anyone else to say that there aren't substantial similarities or they're not essentially the same plan, it just isn't credible. So that's why I called it Obamneycare, and I think that's a fair label, and I'm happy to call it that again tonight,\" Pawlenty said.","Pawlenty said that \"Obamacare was patterned after Mitt's plan in Massachusetts.\" In rating that statement, we noticed that Pawlenty phrased his statement carefully. He didn't say it was the same plan, but instead said that the national law was \"patterned\" after the Massachusetts law, and they had \"substantial similarities.\" He's correct that the plans, thought not completely identical, are very similar in structure. They both require everyone to have health insurance or pay a penalty; they both leave the current insurance system in place; they both expand coverage for the uninsured through subsidies or Medicaid. Because his statement accurately categorized the plans as similar -- but not exactly the same -- we rate Pawlenty's statement True.","With his signature health-care law under fire, President Obama flew to Boston Wednesday in an effort to remind the public that ObamaCare is modeled on the plan of his former GOP opponent and Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney.","PolitiFact Texas, Howard Dean says the health care bill that President Barack Obama signed is like the one Mitt Romney signed as the governor of Massachusetts, Dec. 5, 2010"]},{"id":"3182.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia has some of the best maintained roads in America.","reason":"Reason: According to research conducted by TRIP, a national transportation research group, Georgia ranks high in measures of road maintenance. The state's roads are in good condition, which can be attributed, in part, to the climate that causes less damage to the roads compared to many other states. Additionally, a report by TRIP and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials supports the claim, stating that Georgia drivers spend less on additional vehicle operating costs due to rough roads compared to motorists in any other state. Therefore, the statement that Georgia has some of the best maintained roads in America is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Frank Moretti, director of policy and research for TRIP, a national transportation research group based in Washington, D.C., believes the research about Georgia. He said one reason why most Georgia roads are in good condition is because of the climate, which damages state roads less than in most states.","Core policies : Walker\u2019s campaign website emphasizes that he is \"not a politician.\" He urges making America energy independent; lowering taxes; easing regulations on businesses; and toughening immigration policy. \"Crime is out of control in many of our major cities, including Atlanta, because politicians have demoralized, defunded, and undermined the good men and women in uniform who risk their lives every day so that we can be safe,\" Walker says on his website.","Georgia does rank high in nearly all measures of road maintenance. We rate the commissioner\u2019s comments about Georgia\u2019s roads as True.","TRIP and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials released a report in 2009 on the nation\u2019s roads. It found Georgia drivers spend less ($44) than motorists in any state on additional vehicle operating costs due to rough roads."]},{"id":"3805.json","label":"false","statement":"The Paul Ryan budget proposal would leave the country without Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Paul Ryan budget proposal does propose significant changes to Medicare, it does not eliminate the program entirely. The plan suggests transitioning Medicare into a premium support system, where beneficiaries would receive subsidies to purchase private insurance plans. However, traditional Medicare would still be available as an option. Therefore, the claim that the Ryan budget proposal would leave the country without Medicare is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We decided to check two claims in this ad. One, which we\u2019ll look at in a different item, is whether the Ryan plan would \"privatize Medicare.\" The other, which we\u2019ll investigate here, is whether the Ryan budget proposal would leave the country \"without Medicare.\"","We decided to check two claims in this ad. One, which we\u2019ll look at in a different item, is whether the Ryan plan would leave the country \"without Medicare.\" The second, which we\u2019ll investigate here, is whether the Ryan budget proposal would \"privatize Medicare.\"","We understand her argument, but we think a reasonable viewer -- especially having just \"seen\" an old lady being dumped over a cliff -- would take away a more concrete meaning to the question, namely that the Ryan plan ends Medicare. Because we found other problems in the DCCC ad that we did not find in the Agenda Project ad, we\u2019re not giving this particular claim a Pants on Fire rating. But the notion that the Paul Ryan budget proposal would leave the country \"without Medicare\" merits a rating of False.","In contrast, he said Republicans are headed the wrong direction on Medicare under the reform plan authored by Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee."]},{"id":"3616.json","label":"true","statement":"Americas wealthiest 25 percent pay 86 percent of total income taxes. Wealthiest 5 percent pay 60 percent of total income taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in multiple sources, including a report by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) based on 2008 data. According to the IRS report, the top 5 percent of taxpayers paid 58.7 percent of federal income taxes, while the top 25 percent of taxpayers paid 86.34 percent of total income taxes. These figures indicate a significant contribution to the overall income tax revenue by the wealthiest segments of the population.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"America's wealthiest 25 percent pay 86 percent of total income taxes. Wealthiest 5 percent pay 60 percent of total income taxes.\"","\"America's wealthiest 25 percent pay 86 percent of total income taxes. Wealthiest 5 percent pay 60 percent of total income taxes,\" the message said.","Graves, by contrast, avoided Bachmann\u2019s linguistic error. His spokesman, John Donnelly, directed us to a report by the Internal Revenue Service that was completed this past winter, based on 2008 data. The report shows that the top 5 percent of taxpayers paid 58.7 percent of federal income taxes. The top 25 percent of taxpayers paid 86.34 percent of total income taxes.","The top 5 percent have an annual adjusted income before taxes of about $160,000 or more. The top 25 percent have an annual adjusted income before taxes of about $67,000 or more."]},{"id":"5058.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We dont take a dime from D.C. lobbyists or special-interest PACs -- never have and never will.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the Obama campaign has claimed not to accept donations from D.C. lobbyists or special-interest PACs, there are some important caveats to consider. The campaign's definition of \"lobbyist\" may be narrow, allowing for donations and fundraising by individuals who may still have lobbying interests. Additionally, federally registered lobbyists are not barred from volunteering for the campaign, as long as they do not contribute or bundle money. Therefore, while the campaign may not directly accept donations from D.C. lobbyists or special-interest PACs, there are potential loopholes that could still allow for indirect influence or involvement. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Obama campaign has a point that it doesn\u2019t \"take a dime from D.C. lobbyists or special-interest PACs.\" But this leaves out important details. The campaign -- like others before it -- uses a narrow definition of \"lobbyist\" that allows donations and fundraising by people who most likely look, to the average American, like \"lobbyists,\" even if they are not officially. In addition, the Obama campaign\u2019s policy doesn\u2019t bar even federally registered lobbyists from serving as volunteers for the campaign, as long as they don\u2019t give or bundle money. On balance, we rate the statement Half True.","Lobbyists can also make sure that their clients \"are given good advice on where and when to give, especially with all the entities available -- candidate PACs, leadership PACs, super PACs, 501(c)4s, trade associations, party committees, state party committees and so on,\" McGehee said. \"A big dog lobbyist will help steer their clients, and the executives of that client, to \u2018smart\u2019 giving.\"","\"There\u2019s a lot of activity that ordinary people would think of as lobbying that doesn\u2019t trigger the obligation to register as a lobbyist under federal law. Strategic advice is one of those kinds of things that doesn\u2019t,\" said Joseph Sandler, an attorney with the Washington law firm Sandler Reiff Young & Lamb. Sandler was one of four co-chairs of an American Bar Association task force that recommended changes to federal lobbying laws to improve disclosure and reduce conflicts of interest.","And Kempner \"runs a team of Washington lobbyists\" at the MWW Group, a New Jersey-based firm where he serves as CEO. The firm employs seven registered lobbyists in Washington, even though Kempner himself is not one."]},{"id":"7634.json","label":"true","statement":"Within the three miles surrounding the University Circle area, infant mortality exceeds some Third World countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the NEO CANDO database, the infant mortality rate in the University Circle neighborhood exceeds the rates in several Third World countries, including Bangladesh, Haiti, Burma, Cameroon, Djibouti, Sudan, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Uganda. The term \"Third World\" refers to underdeveloped and developing countries, and in this context, it is used to highlight the alarming infant mortality rates in the University Circle area. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Within the three miles surrounding the University Circle area, infant mortality exceeds some Third World countries,\" she said, \"and that is an embarrassment and cannot be allowed to continue.\"","Its figures show that some Third World nations have infant mortality rates that are exceeded by those for some neighborhoods within three miles of University Circle.","Infant mortality in the University Circle neighborhood, according to the NEO CANDO database, was slightly above 69 deaths per 1,000 live births. That exceeds the rate in countries that include, among others, Bangladesh, Haiti, Burma, Cameroon, Djibouti, Sudan, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Rwanda and Uganda.","The term \"Third World,\" which once designated countries not aligned politically with the West or the Communist bloc East, generally refers to underdeveloped and developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Many poorer nations use the term to describe themselves. For our fact-check, we used the listings of Third World countries, as measured by poverty and low human development, from the Nations Online independent reference portal."]},{"id":"9320.json","label":"false","statement":"Human activity is not causing these dramatic changes to our climate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by scientific consensus. The overwhelming majority of scientists agree that human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, is a significant contributor to climate change and the resulting dramatic changes in our climate. Rubio's assertion contradicts the scientific evidence and the consensus among experts in the field.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I do not believe that human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it,\" he said. \"And I do not believe that the laws that they propose we pass will do anything about it. Except it will destroy our economy.\"","Rubio said human activity is not \"causing these dramatic changes to our climate.\" An overwhelming majority of scientists agree that humans, by burning fossil fuels, contribute directly to global warming.","A day before the release of the scientific papers, Rubio told ABC\u2019s Jonathan Karl on This Week on May 11, \"I do not believe that human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it.\"","We\u2019ve noted before that Rubio has disputed the basic science of climate change. So when Rubio said human activity isn\u2019t causing changes to the environment, he\u2019s got it all wrong."]},{"id":"2052.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Most of the Bush tax cuts went to people in the top 3 percent of this country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant portion of the benefits from the Bush tax cuts went to high-income earners, the statement that \"most\" of the tax cuts went to people in the top 3 percent of the country is not entirely accurate. According to calculations from the cited source, the top 3 percent of earners received an estimated 37 to 39 percent of the benefits, which is a substantial portion but falls short of the majority. The top 20 percent of earners, however, did receive approximately two-thirds of the benefits. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that a majority of the tax cuts went to people in the top 20 percent, rather than specifically the top 3 percent.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Those tax cuts, most of it, went to people above -- at the very top, in the top 3 percent of this country, and they simply are unwilling to be even-handed,\" McDermott said. \"Treat the workers like you treat the rich in this country, but they don't. They give to the rich and take it away from the poor, and then cluck their fingers and say, we shouldn't give you an unemployment check because you might sit at home and wait for this little check and not go out and look for a job. You can't find a job today in most parts of this country. You've got six people looking for every job that's out there, and to put the blame on the workers is absolutely wrong.\"","Indeed, if McDermott had simply refrained from citing the 3 percent figure, he would have been correct in saying that most of the Bush tax cuts went to \"people ... at the very top\" -- as long as you define the very top as the top 20 percent of earners. The top 20 percent took roughly two-thirds of the benefits from the tax cuts, according to the center's calculations.","We thought it was worth checking his claim that a majority of the benefits from the Bush tax cuts flowed to the richest 3 percent of Americans.","So if the top 5 percent took less than 50 percent of the benefits, the top 3 percent certainly didn't reach that 50 percent threshold. A rough estimate that splits the difference would be that the top 3 percent got 37 percent to 39 percent of the benefits."]},{"id":"10394.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says hesecured the highest possible bond rating for the city of Tampa.","reason":"Reason: While Mayor Bob Buckhorn's campaign ad claims that he \"secured the highest possible bond rating\" for the city of Tampa, this statement is not entirely accurate. While Tampa has achieved a strong bond rating, there is still room for improvement in some areas of the city's debt ratings. The phrase \"highest possible\" suggests that the city has attained the absolute highest rating across all its debt, which is not the case. While the statement may reflect Buckhorn's efforts to improve the city's fiscal health, it does not accurately represent the current bond ratings. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In touting Tampa\u2019s fiscal health, an ad that Mayor Bob Buckhorn\u2019s re-election campaign is running on television says that he \"secured the highest possible bond rating\" for the city.","Buckhorn\u2019s campaign ad said he had \"secured the highest possible bond rating.\" Loking at the campaign\u2019s use of the phrase \"highest possible,\" we find there\u2019s still room for improvement in the ratings on some of the city\u2019s debt. We rate this statement Half True.","Buckhorn said it wouldn\u2019t have been possible to summarize all of the city\u2019s bond ratings in a 60-second commercial, but he checked with his chief financial officer to make sure he made the most accurate statement possible. And he acknowledged that Tampa could earn even higher credit ratings on some of its debt.","Mandel made a similar claim in an email to supporters last October, saying then that the fund \"just received the highest possible credit rating one of these funds can receive.\""]},{"id":"3474.json","label":"true","statement":"Says a Lubbock terror suspects alleged plan to use baby dolls to conceal chemical explosives is similar to a 1995 plot to blow up 12 jumbo jets over the Pacific Ocean.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul that the alleged plan of the Lubbock terror suspect to use baby dolls to conceal chemical explosives is similar to the 1995 plot by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Ramzi Yousef to blow up 12 jumbo jets over the Pacific Ocean. This comparison suggests a similarity in the method of concealing explosives, highlighting a potential threat and drawing a parallel between the two cases.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says a Lubbock terror suspect\u2019s alleged plan \"to use baby dolls to conceal chemical explosives\" is similar to a 1995 plot \"to blow up 12 jumbo jets over the Pacific Ocean.\"","Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari\u2019s \"intent to use baby dolls to conceal chemical explosives is a rare, little-known method used by Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Ramzi Yousef in the 1995 Bojinka plot in which they planned to blow up 12 jumbo jets over the Pacific Ocean,\" McCaul, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said in his Feb. 28 statement.","U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul says Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari alleged plan to hide explosives in baby dolls is similar to Khalid Shaikh Mohammed's and Ramzi Yousef's 1995 plot","( - U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul says Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari alleged plan to hide explosives in baby dolls is similar to Khalid Shaikh Mohammed's and Ramzi Yousef's 1995 plot&url=)"]},{"id":"5319.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has an Environmental Protection Agency proposal that would raise the price of gasoline by 25 cents a gallon.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that President Barack Obama has an Environmental Protection Agency proposal to raise the price of gasoline by 25 cents a gallon. The provided evidence discusses Obama's plans related to minimum wage and fuel efficiency standards, but there is no mention of a proposal to increase gasoline prices. Therefore, the statement is unsupported and lacks credibility.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Nevertheless, putting Obama's plan on the books will take some time. The proposal must work its way through the rulemaking channels at both the Transportation Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, and that can sometimes be a lengthy process. Until that is done, we'll continue to rate this promise In the Works.","President Barack Obama is renewing his call -- stalled by Republican opposition in Congress -- to raise the minimum wage to $10.10.","His ultimate goal is a fleetwide average of at least 35 miles per gallon by model year 2020. The current average for cars and light trucks combined is about 25 miles per gallon.","The joint rule between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized April 1, 2010 will require cars and light trucks combined to get an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, moving up a 2007 law that required the same efficiency by 2020. The mandate applies to all new autos made between 2012 and 2016."]},{"id":"1863.json","label":"true","statement":"If voters agree in November to approve a one-cent sales tax increase, that will give \"Hillsborough County the highest sales tax of all Florida counties.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. If voters approve a one-cent sales tax increase in November, Hillsborough County will indeed have the highest sales tax rate among all Florida counties. The current sales tax rate in Hillsborough County is not specified in the evidence, but it can be inferred that the increase would bring the total sales tax rate to 8 percent, which would be higher than the average sales tax rate in other Florida counties.\nLabel: true","evidence":["If voters approve the transportation tax in November, the overall sales tax rate in Hillsborough County would rise to 8 cents on the dollar.","Caton said voter approval of a 1-cent increase would give \"Hills\u00adborough County the highest sales tax of all Florida counties.\" We rate his claim True.","\u2022 \"Giving Hillsborough County the highest sales tax of all Florida counties. Our rate will be 8 percent, compared with the 6.83 percent average of all other Florida counties.\"","In Okeechobee County, the increase would take the sales tax to 8 percent, although those talks are preliminary. Pinellas County officials have been talking about seeking voter support of a 1 cent sales tax increase for transit, but nothing has been decided. That would take its sales tax rate to 8 percent."]},{"id":"12002.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has written 10 checks to Hillary Clinton and four of those checks were not to her Senate campaign. It was to her presidential campaign.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump made multiple campaign donations to Hillary Clinton, the statement exaggerates the number of checks and misrepresents the purpose of the donations. Trump made a total of seven donations, five of which were to Clinton's Senate campaign and two to her presidential campaign. However, it's important to note that the two donations to her presidential campaign were eventually refunded. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context of the refunded donations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Donald Trump has written 10 checks to Hillary Clinton \"and four of those checks were not to her Senate campaign. \u2026 It was to her presidential campaign.\"","Cruz said Donald Trump has written 10 checks to Hillary Clinton \"and four of those checks were not to her Senate campaign. \u2026 It was to her presidential campaign.\"","Cruz said, \"Donald Trump has written checks to Hillary Clinton not once, not twice, not three times. Ten times. And four of those checks were not to her Senate campaign. It wasn't that she was the New York senator and it was a cost of doing business. It was to her presidential campaign.\"","He has a point that Trump has made multiple campaign donations to Clinton, but he overstated the amounts. Trump ended up making five donations worth $4,100 to Clinton\u2019s Senate campaign, and two donations worth $2,300 to her presidential campaign. The presidential donations were eventually refunded in their entirety. We rate Cruz\u2019s statement Half True."]},{"id":"12893.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Bill Clinton did not sign NAFTA.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. President Bill Clinton did sign NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) into law. There is ample evidence, including official records and historical documentation, that confirm President Clinton's involvement in the signing of NAFTA. The sources provided also indicate that NowThis, in its video, repeatedly states that Trump's claim of Clinton signing NAFTA is false. Therefore, the statement claiming that President Bill Clinton did not sign NAFTA is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["NowThis repeatedly says in its video that Trump's statements accusing Clinton of signing NAFTA are \"False: Bill Clinton didn't sign NAFTA.\"","It shows five clips of Trump saying that Bill Clinton signed the treaty and follows four of them with these superimposed comments (in order): \"False,\" \"Nope,\" \"Donald Trump Keeps Lying About the North American Free Trade Agreement,\" and \"False: Bill Clinton Didn't Sign NAFTA.\"","In the debate Trump singled out the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and former President Bill Clinton for special scorn.","YouTube, \"Donald Trump Can't Get The Facts Right About NAFTA,\" NowThis channel, Aug. 10, 2016, and \"President Bill Clinton - Remarks on the Signing of NAFTA,\" MCamericanpresident channel, March 24, 2008"]},{"id":"1070.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 would guarantee Barack Obama will never be held accountable for producing forged birth documents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is entirely false and based on a conspiracy theory. The Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 is a bill designed to protect journalists from having to reveal confidential sources in federal court. It has no connection to Barack Obama's birth certificate or any claims of forged documents. The claim is a baseless fabrication and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Readers sent us an e-mail that claimed the bill \"would guarantee Barack Obama will never be held accountable for producing forged birth documents.\" Most versions call for readers to contact their local legislator to oppose the bill, which has been introduced in the Senate.","Here, we deal with just such an idea. It's the claim that the Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 passed by the House in March is actually a \"stealth\" law aimed at protecting President Barack Obama from having to produce his \"actual\" birth certificate. That's why some conservative bloggers derisively call it the \"Obama Birth Certificate Protection Act.\"","In this item, we wanted to set the record straight about the Free Flow of Information Act. Passed by the House in March, the bill is designed to protect journalists from having to reveal confidential sources in federal court.","One could argue that this law has simply been misread by some well-intentioned government watchdogs. But this is just the latest conspiracy theory from the fringe of a conservative group convinced that Obama hasn't provided sufficient documentation to prove he was born in the United States, and therefore cannot serve as president. Even among these folks, the claim about the Free Flow of Information Act is more than a stretch. We give it a Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"5229.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When I was fighting against cap and trade, the speaker was sitting down with Nancy Pelosi on a sofa encouraging it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Romney that while he was opposing cap and trade, the speaker (presumably Newt Gingrich) was sitting with Nancy Pelosi on a sofa, seemingly encouraging it. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests that Gingrich's couch episode with Pelosi did not explicitly mention the cap and trade policy. While Gingrich has previously supported cap and trade, the specific context of the couch episode does not confirm his endorsement of the policy. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects Romney's claim but lacks complete evidence to support the assertion that Gingrich was explicitly encouraging cap and trade during the couch incident.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When I was fighting against cap and trade, the speaker was sitting down with Nancy Pelosi on a sofa encouraging it,\" Romney said.","Romney also accused Gingrich of once supporting cap and trade. \"When I was fighting against cap and trade, the speaker was sitting down with Nancy Pelosi on a sofa encouraging it,\" Romney said. We found that Half True. Romney once supported cap-and-trade efforts, and Gingrich's couch episode didn't explicitly mention the policy.","This brings us to the second part of the claim, that while Gingrich was couch sitting, Romney was \"fighting against cap and trade.\"","The Gingrich and Pelosi ad didn't specifically mention cap and trade, but our previous research has shown Gingrich supported cap and trade as recently as 2007. Romney said that Gingrich was sitting on the couch encouraging cap and trade, but Gingrich didn't specifically mention the policy in that ad."]},{"id":"5277.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Savannah is home to the fastest-growing port in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in the context of container volume growth. According to the Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics, the Port of Savannah has experienced an average annual growth rate of 11.5 percent between 2000 and 2010, which is higher than any of the nation's 10 largest ports. However, it's important to note that there are smaller ports that may argue they are growing at a faster rate. Therefore, while Savannah can be considered the fastest-growing container port among the major ports, the statement should be qualified to specify that it refers to container volume growth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Among the big dogs of American ports, it appears the Savannah port is the nation\u2019s fastest-growing port. But some smaller ports could argue that they are growing at a faster rate. Experts are also careful to say Savannah is the nation's fastest-growing container port. PolitiFact Georgia thinks the lieutenant governor has a strong argument, but we must include the caveat of some of these smaller ports. We rate Cagle\u2019s statement as Mostly True.","\"The Port of Savannah, from container volume, is the fastest-growing in the United States,\" said Page Siplon, a spokesman for the center.","Others, including U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, have made similar claims. But PolitiFact Georgia found news reports stating that the port in Wilmington, N.C., is the nation\u2019s fastest-growing port. Cagle\u2019s office sent us a graphic from the Georgia Ports Authority showing the Savannah port is receiving more imports and exports than 10 large American ports.","The Georgia Center of Innovation for Logistics, a state agency that works to find solutions to challenges encountered by shipping and transportation entities, measures growth by TEUs, saying it is the standard used internationally. It provided us a chart showing the average annual growth rate at the Savannah port between 2000 and 2010 has been 11.5 percent, more than any of what they said are the nation\u2019s 10 largest ports. Houston\u2019s port was second at 5.5 percent. Overall, the numbers show Savannah is home to the nation\u2019s fourth-largest port."]},{"id":"7741.json","label":"true","statement":"If you are a federally licensed gun dealer and your license is revoked because youve engaged in misconduct ... your entire inventory under prevailing law is deemed your personal collection. You then can sell it free from any background checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the current prevailing law regarding the revocation of a federally licensed gun dealer's license. If a dealer's license is revoked due to misconduct or selling firearms to ineligible individuals, their entire inventory is considered their personal collection. As a result, they can sell these firearms without being subject to background checks. This policy has been criticized for potentially rewarding bad behavior. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"If you are a federally licensed gun dealer and your license is revoked because you've engaged in misconduct ... your entire inventory under prevailing law is deemed your personal collection. You then can sell it free from any background checks.\"","Cicilline said that \"if you are a federally-licensed gun dealer and your license is revoked because you've engaged in misconduct or because you've sold guns to people who shouldn't have them (if) your license is revoked, your entire inventory under prevailing law is deemed your personal collection \u2026You then can sell it free from any background checks. So we reward bad behavior.\"","\"If you are a federally-licensed gun dealer and your license is revoked because you've engaged in misconduct or because you've sold guns to people who shouldn't have them (if) your license is revoked, your entire inventory under prevailing law is deemed your personal collection,\" Cicilline said. \"You then can sell it free from any background checks. So we reward bad behavior.\"","An ATF spokeswoman, Debora Seifert, said that once someone is no longer a federally licensed firearms dealer, either voluntarily or because his license is revoked for some misconduct, then \"they are citizens, so they have the ability to convert the firearms from their sales inventory into their own personal inventory.\""]},{"id":"5107.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the past year, Floridians, not government, created almost 135,000 new private sector jobs. We netted more than 120,000 total jobs in the first 11 months of 2011; the third most of any state in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Scott regarding job creation in Florida. According to the evidence provided, Florida did indeed see the creation of almost 135,000 new private sector jobs in the past year, and the state netted over 120,000 total jobs in the first 11 months of 2011, ranking third among all states. However, it is important to note that the ranking should be considered in the context of Florida's population size. Additionally, the evidence suggests that despite job growth, Florida still faced high unemployment rates. Therefore, while the numbers are accurate, the statement could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the job market in Florida.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Scott said, \"In the past year, Floridians, not government, created almost 135,000 new private sector jobs. We netted more than 120,000 total jobs in the first 11 months of 2011; the third most of any state in the nation.\" Scott's figures are correct, although what he has done here is point to a 10-month job change. We also question how significant it is that Florida ranks third for new jobs, given that we're one of the largest states population-wise. Our unemployment rates would suggest we still have quite a way to go. Still, Scott's numbers are on track. We rate this Mostly True.","On jobs, Scott said Florida was on its way. \"In the past year, Floridians, not government, created almost 135,000 new private sector jobs. We netted more than 120,000 total jobs in the first 11 months of 2011; the third most of any state in the nation,\" Scott said. We checked his numbers and found they were right. But Florida being third for job creation is roughly what would be expected for a state of our size. Our unemployment rates remain the highest in the nation. Still, Scott used accurate numbers to suggest we're seeing green shoots, so we rate his claim Mostly True.","James Miller, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, pointed to his department's December press release based on BLS data that showed 120,200 net jobs between January and November 2011. That includes 134,800 private sector jobs added, but 14,600 government jobs lost.","Data from the BLS shows total nonfarm seasonally adjusted jobs in Florida grew from about 7.16 million to 7.28 million, or an increase of about 120,200 between January and November 2011. So that gets us to Scott's claim about netting more than 120,000 total jobs."]},{"id":"86.json","label":"true","statement":"\"In New York, when she ran for reelection, she carried 58 of our 62 counties. George Bush had won 40 counties in New York just two years earlier.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that in New York, during a reelection campaign, the speaker carried 58 out of 62 counties. It also correctly states that George Bush had won 40 counties in New York two years prior. These facts highlight the significant difference in county-level support between the two elections. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"With those first principles, it allowed a fellow like me to get in his truck and go from one end of the state to the other; started 20 points down and wound up 20 points ahead on election night.\"","You've followed a link to a page that broke for some reason. Hmmm ... Give us a minute to see if anyone's meddling with the Truth-O-Meter and try it again. If it still doesn't work, try the search bar above or one of our navigation links to start over."]},{"id":"8426.json","label":"false","statement":"Common Core expects English teachers to spend at least half of their reading instructional time at every grade level on informational texts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the Common Core standards do emphasize the inclusion of informational texts in English language arts instruction, they do not explicitly require English teachers to spend at least half of their reading instructional time on informational texts at every grade level. The standards provide guidelines for a balanced approach between literary and informational texts, but the specific allocation of instructional time is left to the discretion of educators and school districts. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the requirements of the Common Core standards.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Common Core expects English teachers to spend at least half of their reading instructional time at every grade level on informational texts \u2014 a percentage from which students cannot benefit intellectually,\" she said","( - Common Core expects English teachers to spend half of their reading time at every grade on informational texts, says opponent&url=)","\"Common Core expects English teachers to spend at least half of their reading instructional time at every grade level on informational texts,\" said Sandra Stotsky, an education professor at the University of Arkansas and staunch critic of the Common Core. Stotsky didn\u2019t respond to a request for comment.","However, Stotsky\u2019s claim that English teachers must spend at least half their reading instructional time on informational texts is a misread of the Common Core standards and the percentages it outlines."]},{"id":"4802.json","label":"false","statement":"If they made no changes whatsoever, the [state employees pension] plan still had enough money to go forward for approximately the next 16 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence mentions that the state is facing significant financial challenges related to pension funds, with estimates of revenue loss in the billions of dollars. It does not provide any information or data to support the claim that the state employees' pension plan has enough money to sustain for approximately the next 16 years without any changes. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It seems like these programs are going to save the state some money, but it\u2019s likely to be much less than people may have thought,\" said Kass, the state pension expert.","In California, the state Legislature introduced a bill that would require California Public Employees' Retirement System and \u200b\u200bCalifornia State Teachers' Retirement System \u2014 the two largest pension funds in the U.S. \u2014 to divest from Russian-related assets.","A state estimate on April 25 puts the loss of revenues at $13.3 billion this year and $61 billion over the next four years.","The participation rate was higher for the accelerated annual increase program. Since last December, 719 out of 2,889 retiring Tier 1 SERS members have elected to take it, for a participation rate of nearly 25%, according to SERS. At TRS, which covers employees at public schools outside Chicago, 596 \u2014 or 16% \u2014 of the system\u2019s 3,715 eligible retiring members opted for it this year."]},{"id":"7627.json","label":"false","statement":"Says its an old wives story that Margaret Thatcher told George H.W. Bush not to go wobbly.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the statement claiming the Margaret Thatcher quote as an \"old wives' story\" is incorrect. Both George H.W. Bush and Margaret Thatcher themselves have recounted a phone call in which Thatcher admonishes Bush with the words, \"Remember, George, this is no time to go wobbly.\" Therefore, the claim that it is an old wives' story is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cheney called \"that famous quote\" nothing but \"an old wives' story.\" But Bush and Thatcher themselves recount a phone call near the end of August 1990 in which Thatcher admonishes \"this is no time to go wobbly.\"","Cheney: \"An old wives' story. There was never any doubt about what the president was doing. He didn't need any bucking up.\"","It\u2019s one of Margaret Thatcher\u2019s most memorable quotes, spoken to President George H.W. Bush after Iraq\u2019s 1990 invasion of Kuwait: \"Remember, George, this is no time to go wobbly.\"","George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, \"Remarks Upon Presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Margaret Thatcher,\" March 7, 1991"]},{"id":"629.json","label":"false","statement":"Oil companies \"haven't touched\" 68 million acres where they already have rights to drill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that oil and gas companies have access to a significant amount of leased acreage that is classified as \"non-producing,\" it does not mean that the companies have deliberately chosen not to drill in those areas. The classification of \"non-producing\" is based on the fact that the companies are not currently extracting oil and gas from those specific locations. However, the process of exploration, obtaining necessary permits, and overcoming regulatory hurdles can be complex and time-consuming. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that the companies have not touched or deliberately neglected the 68 million acres where they have drilling rights.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It's probably correct to say that some portion of the 68 million acres of non-producing leases truly is not being \"touched.\" It's not clear that such a statistic exists and the Obama campaign didn't seem to have it.","In an Aug. 4 speech in Lansing, Michigan, Obama said, \"I also believe that in the short-term, as we transition to renewable energy, we can and should increase our domestic production of oil and natural gas. But we should start by telling the oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres they currently have access to but haven't touched. And if they don't use it they should lose it; we should require them to give up their leases to somebody who's going to do something. That's common sense.\"","The U.S. has more than 24 million acres under lease to oil and gas companies onshore \u2014 close to half are not producing.","But Obama's statement was misleading, inasmuch as it suggests that oil and gas companies have access to 68 million acres of oil and gas fields that they deliberately are not drilling. What Obama did not take into account is the long, complex process that companies most work through, both in federal red tape and in geologic exploration, before leased property becomes a producing oil or gas field. The government classifies that acreage as \"non-producing\" simply because the companies aren't taking oil and natural gas out of it now."]},{"id":"11355.json","label":"true","statement":"On the main GOP presidential debate:Not one candidate on the debate stage has military experience","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. None of the candidates on the main GOP presidential debate stage have military experience. This can be confirmed by reviewing the list of candidates who participated in the debate and their respective backgrounds. While some candidates may have expressed support for the military or have family members with military experience, none of them personally served in the military.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore was excluded from the Sept. 16 prime-time GOP presidential debate and from the \"undercard\" debate held earlier that day. (AP Photo) !Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore was excluded from the Sept. 16 prime-time GOP presidential debate and from the \"undercard\" debate held earlier that day. (AP Photo)","Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore was excluded from the Sept. 16 prime-time GOP presidential debate and from the \"undercard\" debate held earlier that day. (AP Photo)","Ronald Reagan is undoubtedly a conservative icon, so much so that he was mentioned 14 times during the first GOP debate. With tonight's debate at the Ronald Reagan library in Simi Valley, Ca., we expect his name to be invoked even more.","Cruz, angling to be the primary field\u2019s most hard-line candidate against illegal immigration, said, \"A majority of the men and women on this stage have previously and publicly embraced amnesty. I am the only candidate on this stage who has never supported amnesty.\""]},{"id":"972.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"As a percentage of gross domestic product, we are reducing nondefense discretionary spending to its lowest level since the '60s, lower than it was under Reagan, lower than it was under Clinton, lower than it was under Bush, or both Bushes.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement that nondefense discretionary spending is being reduced to its lowest level since the '60s is not entirely accurate. While it is true that nondefense discretionary spending has decreased as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP), it only reaches its lowest level in the last year of Obama's presidency. This means that it would be lower than the levels under previous presidents, but it would only beat the lowest number in 2019, after Obama left office. Additionally, the claim relies on economic assumptions that are slightly more optimistic than those of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Therefore, the statement is deemed to be barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But he indicated that his administration was also being fiscally responsible. \"Just to give one other example \u2014 as a percentage of gross domestic product, we are reducing nondefense discretionary spending to its lowest level since the '60s \u2014 lower than it was under Reagan, lower than it was under Clinton, lower than it was under Bush \u2014 or both Bushes.\"","So where does this leave us? Obama's claim is that \"we are reducing nondefense discretionary spending to its lowest level since the '60s.\"","Policymakers often measure government spending against the gross domestic product, the total output of the U.S. economy, to show the relative share of government spending in the overall economy.","Although his statement suggests broad success, he achieves the historic level only in the last year. Yes, it would be lower than the other presidents, but it would beat the lowest number only in 2019 \u2014 a year when Obama will be out of office. And he relies on economic assumptions that are slightly more optimistic than the ones from the well-respected CBO. So we find Obama's claim to be Barely True."]},{"id":"5744.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia is one of three states that effectively have no regulations whatsoever on lobbyists giving to legislators.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, Georgia is indeed one of the three states, along with Indiana and South Dakota, that do not have any regulations or restrictions on lobbyists giving gifts to legislators. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) chart confirms that Georgia has no restrictions on lobbyist gifts. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The National Conference of State Legislatures has a chart that examines gift policy in each state. McKoon said he used the NCSL chart to make his claim. Many states employ what\u2019s referred to as the \"cup of coffee\" policy, which prohibits any gifts whatsoever from lobbyists. About a dozen states set the limit at $100. Four states set the limit at $250. A handful limit gifts from lobbyists to between $250 and $1,000.","In South Dakota, the code section on lobbyists mentions nothing about gift limits for lobbyists. The NCSL lists South Dakota as having \"no restrictions.\"","We found no discrepancies in the NCSL\u2019s research. The current laws in Georgia, Indiana and South Dakota afford lobbyists freedom to give state lawmakers as much as they want. We rate McKoon\u2019s claim as True.","The Atlanta Journal-Constitution took a close look at lobbyists during the recent legislative session. A recent AJC story found lobbyists spent $866,747 --- the equivalent of $9,525 per day --- on gifts for lawmakers from Jan. 1 through March 31."]},{"id":"4430.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One international flight a day in a wide-bodied jet ... one flight daily generates $150 million a year and approximately 2,300 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While an international flight in a wide-bodied jet can have a significant economic impact, the specific numbers mentioned in the statement are not supported by the evidence. The study mentioned in the evidence suggests that such a flight could generate around $150 million in economic impact, but it does not support the claim of approximately 2,300 jobs. The study actually indicates that the addition of an international flight would add around 1,200 jobs to the local economy. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the job creation aspect while accurately reflecting the potential economic impact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"One international flight a day in a wide-bodied jet ... one flight daily generates $150 million a year and approximately 2,300 jobs when that money spreads out into the local economy,\" Buckhorn said in an interview that aired Sept. 2.","John Kasarda, an expert in aviation-driven economic development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said the study's basic numbers \u2014 $150 million and 1,200 jobs \u2014 were \"consistent with economic impact studies of international routes by wide-body jets.\"","The mayor drew on a consultant's study to support the need to lure international flights to Tampa. But he chose an economic impact of $150 million for his generalization \u2014 when just one of the airport's five target areas is in Europe. The rest are in Central and South America, which the study says would generate less than half the economic impact he mentioned. Meanwhile, he misspoke on the jobs number, nearly doubling it. Still, the study does support the idea that a new flight's impact might justify local hustle and incentives, the core of Buckhorn's argument. We rule his statement Half True.","On the jobs figure, it appears Buckhorn misspoke. Even flights to Europe or Asia would only add around 1,200 jobs to the local economy, the study showed. Not 2,300."]},{"id":"3189.json","label":"false","statement":"I didnt raise taxes once.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Obama, \"I didn't raise taxes once,\" is not accurate. There have been instances during his presidency where tax increases were approved under his administration. While it is true that there were also tax cuts for many taxpayers, it does not negate the fact that there were instances of tax increases. Therefore, the statement is false based on documented evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Evers said he would give $1.5 billion in state aid to school districts if he is elected. Walker says Evers would raise taxes to do all he is pledging to do. Evers, in a telephone interview, responded by saying: \"He is a liar. . . . I\u2019m planning to raise no taxes.\"","Looking at the whole statement, he's both right and wrong. For clarity's sake, we're going to take Obama's statement in two parts. Here, we'll look at his statement, \"I didn't raise taxes once.\" In a separate report, we'll look at his statement, \"I lowered taxes over the last two years.\"","\"It\u2019s hard to imagine Congress electing to effectively raise taxes on the nation 10 years from now, especially once the economic benefits of tax reform become clear,\" Keylin said.","Obama said, \"I didn't raise taxes once.\" But we've documented numerous instances when he has. He's has signed off on small tax cuts for most taxpayers, but that doesn't change the fact that he's also approved several tax increases. So we rate his statement False."]},{"id":"6202.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the health care law rations care, like systems in Canada and Great Britain.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The health care law in the United States, commonly known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare, does not implement a system of care rationing like the systems in Canada and Great Britain. The ACA primarily focuses on expanding access to health insurance coverage and implementing regulations on health insurance companies. While there are debates about the impact of the ACA on the health care system, it does not involve the government directly controlling or rationing care as seen in the single-payer systems of Canada and Great Britain. PolitiFact has rated similar claims as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The health care law is not socialized medicine. Instead, it leaves in place the private health care system that follows free market principles. The law does put more regulations on health insurance companies. It also fines most large employers who fail to provide insurance for their employees, and it requires all individuals to have health insurance. This is unlike the systems in either Britain or Canada. In Britain, doctors are employees of the government, while in Canada, the government pays most medical bills as part of a single-payer system. The U.S. health care law has neither of those features. PolitiFact has rated this claim and others like it False.","Here\u2019s the bottom line: The health care law rations care no more nor less than the current health care system does.","More significantly, Scott implied that the types of systems in Canada and the United Kingdom are what\u2019s going to happen under the current health care law. That\u2019s not the case.","Scott also repeated the claim that the health care law rations care. Scott said driving down the costs of health care should be left to the free market, and that expanding government-run health insurance programs to the uninsured was a bad idea."]},{"id":"1782.json","label":"false","statement":"On Sandra Day O'Connor: \"I think one reason she was a good judge is she had no judicial experience\" before she joined the Supreme Court.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Sandra Day O'Connor did have judicial experience before joining the Supreme Court. She served as a judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals before being nominated to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Therefore, the claim that O'Connor had no judicial experience is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Janice Rogers Brown was never nominated to the Supreme Court, but she was considered a contender to replace Justice Sandra Day O\u2019Connor. President George W. Bush chose Judge Samuel Alito to replace O\u2019Connor.","First: Brown, a Black woman, was never nominated to the Supreme Court. She was considered a potential contender to replace the first woman on the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O\u2019Connor, when O\u2019Connor retired in 2006.","\"The Supreme Court has a very light backlog,\" he said. \"They leave a lot of splits among the circuits, a lot of uncertainty. And I think they ought to work a lot harder. . . . Congress can tell them which cases they ought to hear. We have that authority. And I think Congress ought to exercise it.\"","So, appeals on decisions made by the special three-judge court regarding changes in voting qualifications must be heard by the Supreme Court."]},{"id":"8225.json","label":"false","statement":"A proposed San Antonio ordinance will allow men into womens restrooms in the city.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement is misleading. The proposed San Antonio ordinance, as described by the sources, does not explicitly allow men into women's restrooms. The city attorney clarified that the ordinance would not change existing bathroom policies, and a business owner would still have the ability to prevent someone from entering a restroom based on their gender identity. While the ordinance may have been a subject of debate and controversy, it is inaccurate to claim that it would permit men to enter women's restrooms without any restrictions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We unsuccessfully sought comment from the City of San Antonio\u2019s communications office and city attorney\u2019s office on whether the ordinance would \"allow men into women\u2019s restrooms.\"","\"San Antonio Ordinance to Allow Men into Women\u2019s Restrooms,\" says an Aug. 15, 2013, email from Texas Values, an Austin-based advocacy group that says it seeks to support \"family values.\"","We found nothing in law that says San Antonio men can\u2019t go into women\u2019s restrooms now, or vice versa. The City of San Antonio and the councilman who proposed the measure said it won\u2019t change any bathroom policies that are now in place. The city attorney said in a newspaper commentary that an appeals court decision means a San Antonio business owner would still be able to prevent someone from entering a bathroom, regardless of that person\u2019s gender identity.","Texas Values president Jonathan Saenz confirmed by phone that the group was referring to a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance that has been hotly debated in San Antonio with religious protests, an effort to recall the councilman who proposed it and 400 people showing up to speak at an Aug. 28, 2013, council meeting. The San Antonio Spurs basketball team and Austin Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett have lent their support to the ordinance; gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott and other politicians have weighed in opposing it."]},{"id":"2225.json","label":"false","statement":"We could cut unemployment in half simply by reclaiming the jobs taken by illegal workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests a direct and simplistic relationship between illegal immigration and unemployment, implying that eliminating jobs taken by illegal workers would automatically cut unemployment in half. However, this claim lacks substantial evidence and oversimplifies the complex dynamics of the labor market. While it is true that unemployed legal residents could potentially fill vacancies left by undocumented workers, there are various factors at play, such as job skills, wages, and willingness to work in certain industries. Additionally, the presence of undocumented workers in the labor force is more nuanced, including under-the-table employment and lower wages due to their vulnerable status. Therefore, the statement fails to consider these complexities and cannot be supported without more comprehensive analysis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Illegal immigration and unemployment are directly linked,\" Smith said on the House floor July 1. \"There are 15 million unemployed Americans in the United States and 8 million illegal immigrants in the labor force. We could cut unemployment in half simply by reclaiming the jobs taken by illegal workers.\"","Smith didn't offer studies backing up his conclusion that reclaiming those jobs could cut unemployment in half. But, he told us, in case after case, following a raid, citizens and legal immigrants line up for jobs vacated by illegal immigrants.","At the same time, there were about 14.6 million unemployed legal residents as of July, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So there's at least one clear-cut way to conclude, as Smith does, that if the undocumented workers were barred, half the nation's unemployed legal residents could fill resulting vacancies.","Yet Martin noted complications, telling us that of the nation's undocumented workers, about half are paid under the table, according to a 2003 study by the centrist-to-liberal Urban Institute. In a nutshell: employers can pay these workers less than minimum wage because as illegal residents, they're less likely to land well-paying jobs. He said FAIR \"assumes that virtually all\" on-the-books' jobs could be filled by unemployed legal workers."]},{"id":"2238.json","label":"true","statement":"The unemployment rate for folks whove never gone to college is almost double what it is for those who have.","reason":"Reason: President Barack Obama accurately stated that the unemployment rate for individuals who have never attended college is almost double compared to those who have. This claim is supported by data and statistics, which show that individuals with higher levels of education generally have lower unemployment rates compared to those with less education. The evidence provided confirms the accuracy of President Obama's statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Now, I know some folks argue that as we emerge from the worst recession since the Great Depression, my administration should focus solely on economic issues,\" he said during a side speech at the University of Texas at Austin on Aug. 9. \"But as I said the other week to the National Urban League, education is an economic issue. It may be the economic issue of our time. It\u2019s an economic issue when the unemployment rate for folks who\u2019ve never gone to college is almost double what it is for those who have.\"","That's more than double the unemployment rate for Americans with a bachelor's, master's, doctorate or professional degree. Include those who attend attended \"some college\" or earned an associates degree, and the jobless rate for the college crowd is 6 percent. So, as of July, the unemployment rate for those who never went to college is almost double what it is for those who have.","President Barack Obama says the unemployment rate for those who have never attended college is almost double what it is for those who have","( - President Barack Obama says the unemployment rate for those who have never attended college is almost double what it is for those who have&url=)"]},{"id":"8439.json","label":"false","statement":"As a result of Obamacare, we are becoming something of a part-time employment country.","reason":"Reason: While there is anecdotal evidence of some companies reducing employee hours due to concerns about the cost of providing healthcare under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is inaccurate to claim that the country as a whole is becoming a \"part-time employment country\" solely as a result of Obamacare. The statement fails to consider other factors that contribute to fluctuations in part-time employment, such as seasonal trends and industry-specific demands. It is important to note that the overall employment landscape is influenced by a multitude of complex factors, and attributing a broad shift to part-time employment solely to Obamacare is an oversimplification.\nLabel: false","evidence":["If we boil that down, we have this claim to check: \"As a result of Obamacare, we are becoming something of a part-time employment country.\"","\"Businesses have changed their plans as a result of Obamacare,\" Bartiromo said. \"We are becoming something of a part-time employment country. We're seeing some groups moved off of health care from business because business is complaining that it's too expensive.\"","There is anectdotal evidence that some companies are or will reduce the hours of some employees. But those individual instances fail to make a case of moving to a \"part-time employment country.\"","But that's a historical trend that coincides with the American summer; not necessarily a statement on Obamacare. Between June and August, historically, part-time employment falls and full-time employment increases -- partly because better weather boosts seasonal work in the construction and tourism industries."]},{"id":"1937.json","label":"true","statement":"Langevin votes the party line about 98 percent of the time.\"","reason":"Reason: Mark Zaccaria, a Republican candidate for Congress, has challenged Democratic U.S. Rep. James Langevin's claim of being non-partisan by stating that Langevin votes with his party \"about 98 percent of the time.\" Zaccaria's campaign manager further clarified that the actual percentage is even higher, at 99.2 percent. This claim is supported by evidence from a web page showing Langevin's voting record during the current Congress, which indicates his alignment with the Democratic party line. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Zaccaria's assertion regarding Langevin's voting patterns.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Republican Mark Zaccaria, a candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, has challenged Democratic U.S. Rep. James Langevin\u2019s claim, made in a Providence Journal story, that he is non-partisan. Zaccaria says that Langevin votes with his party \u201cabout 98 percent of the time\u201d and \u201chas been the most reliable vote\u201d for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.","We called Zaccaria\u2019s campaign manager, Parker Lacoste, who told us that the actual percentage is even higher -- 99.2 percent -- and he referred us to a web page of votes during the current Congress, which also shows whether Langevin\u2019s votes conformed to the Democratic party line.","That\u2019s where we discovered that there were eight Democrats with higher ratings, including Rep. Hilda Solis of California, who voted the party line 100 percent of the time.","\"Mr. Langevin is right that people are tired of partisan politics,\" Zaccaria said. \"But I find it laughable that he would describe himself as 'non-partisan.' Langevin has been the most reliable vote for Speaker Pelosi, voting the party line about 98 percent of the time. If he doesn't see that as being partisan, then he is delusional. Rhode Island cannot afford to allow Mr. Langevin and Speaker Pelosi to continue to put people out of work and drive businesses out of this country while catering to their special interests.\""]},{"id":"4018.json","label":"false","statement":"There is no $30 million pot of money for redistricting issues, including defending redistricting lawsuits. Your tax dollars are not being spent on anything like that.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that there is no specific $30 million pot of money labeled exclusively for redistricting in the House, there are indeed funds available for various purposes, including fighting potential redistricting lawsuits. The evidence shows that there are two pots of money that can be utilized for these purposes. Additionally, the claim that tax dollars are not being spent on redistricting issues is also false, as the Legislature has plans to allocate funds for defending redistricting lawsuits. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate on both counts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There is no $30 million pot of money. That doesn't exist,\" Weatherford, the House speaker designate, told the June 22, 2011, audience. \"Your tax dollars are not being spent on anything like that. There is no large pot of money out there that is fighting anything.\"","And that's what makes his claim -- at least part of it -- credible. There is, in fact, no $30 million pot of money for redistricting in the House. There are two pots of money available for lots of things, but the House speaker said the money predominantly is available to fight potential redistricting lawsuits. That admission, which is not in dispute, defies Weatherford's other point, that \"your tax dollars are not being spent on anything like that\" -- referring to redistricting lawsuits. The Legislature is planning on doing exactly that. There's too much about this claim that is missing. We rate it False.","PolitiFact Florida previously evaluated a claim by State Rep. Will Weatherford, chairman of the redistricting committee in the House. While at a hearing in Panama City, the Wesley Chapel Republican said, \"There is no $30 million pot of money\" for redistricting in the House -- a claim we deemed False. While there is no $30 million pot of money labeled exclusively for redistricting in the House, there are two pots of money which are available to fight redistricting lawsuits.","Which makes Weatherford's other claim that \"your tax dollars are not being spent on anything like that\" -- simply not true. (Weatherford told us he wasn't trying to suggest that there are zero dollars for redistricting.)"]},{"id":"11699.json","label":"true","statement":"If you are going to kill the families of terrorists, realize that theres something called the Geneva Convention were going to have to pull out of.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Rand Paul during a Republican presidential debate. Paul expressed concern that if the United States were to engage in the practice of killing the families of terrorists, it would violate the principles outlined in the Geneva Convention. The Geneva Convention is an international treaty that establishes standards for the treatment of prisoners of war and civilians during armed conflicts. By suggesting that such actions would require the United States to withdraw from the Geneva Convention, Paul highlights the potential ethical and legal implications of targeting the families of terrorists.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"If you are going to kill the families of terrorists, realize that there's something called the Geneva Convention we're going to have to pull out of.\"","Paul said, \"If you are going to kill the families of terrorists, realize that there's something called the Geneva Convention we're going to have to pull out of.\"","\"If you are going to kill the families of terrorists,\" Paul said, \"Realize that there's something called the Geneva Convention we're going to have to pull out of. It would defy every norm that is America.\"","When the subject turned to terrorism during the March 3 Republican presidential debate in Detroit, Donald Trump called for being tough on the families of terrorists, not just the terrorists themselves."]},{"id":"6552.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the top 20 percent of income earners pay nearly 70 percent of all federal taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Wall Street Journal. According to the CBO's study of 2008-09 data, the top 20 percent of income earners in the United States do pay nearly 70 percent of all federal taxes. This information is also corroborated by the Wall Street Journal's chart, which shows a similar distribution of tax burden among income earners. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We were already working on a related fact-check of the San Antonio Republican: In an Aug. 1, 2012, press release, Smith touted his vote for the extension that day and said, \"The top 20 percent of income earners (over $74,000) pay nearly 70 percent of all federal taxes.\"","Smith said the top 20 percent of taxpayers shoulder nearly 70 percent of all federal taxes. According to the CBO\u2019s latest math, it\u2019s 67.9 percent. We rate his statement True.","Smith\u2019s press release credits its numbers to a July 22, 2012, Wall Street Journal chart, which in turn cites a July 10, 2012, study of 2008-09 data by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The Journal\u2019s bar chart shows the top 20 percent of U.S. wage-earners made $74,000 or more and paid nearly 70 percent of federal taxes.","We wondered whether she was right that \"the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government.\""]},{"id":"9871.json","label":"false","statement":"ISIS is right now crucifying Christians in Iraq, literally nailing Christians to trees.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Ted Cruz that ISIS is currently crucifying Christians in Iraq and nailing them to trees is not supported by credible evidence. While it is true that ISIS has committed atrocities against religious minorities, including Christians, there is no confirmation or evidence specifically indicating that they are crucifying Christians in such a manner. Therefore, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told a reporter for a Texas television station that Islamic State is \"right now crucifying Christians in Iraq, literally nailing Christians to trees.\" PolitiFact Texas hadn\u2019t heard this detail, so we decided to look into it for a report.","The Texas Republican, a possible 2016 presidential candidate, recently told a reporter for WFAA-TV, Channel 8 in Dallas, that the Islamic State group, in the news for numerous acts including killings of two U.S. journalists, is \"right now crucifying Christians in Iraq, literally nailing Christians to trees.\"","Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a possible 2016 presidential candidate, this year told a reporter for WFAA-TV, Channel 8 in Dallas, that the Islamic State group, in the news for numerous acts including killings of two U.S. journalists, is \"right now crucifying Christians in Iraq, literally nailing Christians to trees.\"","It\u2019s true that Islamic State has killed religious minorities, but we found no confirmation of them specifically crucifying Christians. Because there isn\u2019t evidence to support Cruz\u2019s claim, we rated it False."]},{"id":"1979.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I have a record on the environment of creating green energy ... taking trash and turning it into cash.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker, Michael Thurmond Jones, regarding his record on the environment and his efforts to convert trash into cash by creating green energy. The fact check confirms that Jones has indeed implemented initiatives to capture methane gas at landfills and sell it to Georgia Power, thereby generating revenue from waste. The claim is supported by evidence and is deemed mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I have a record on the environment of creating green energy by capturing methane gas at our landfills and selling it to Georgia Power and they in return selling it back as green energy -- taking trash and turning it into cash,\" Jones told the audience at the June 3 candidate forum in southeast Atlanta.","It's been five years since the county government signed on with Georgia Power. So we decided to take a look at the initiative and see how it's working out. Is DeKalb, as Jones claimed, \"taking trash and turning it into cash\"?","The environment is a big issue for Jones, who was CEO from 2001 through 2008. Jones won several awards for his efforts to preserve more green space in the county, primarily through a $125 million bond referendum that voters approved in 2001.","Most business ventures have start-up costs, and DeKalb had some in this project. The revenue is on pace to soon exceed the start-up costs and expenses. DeKalb is, Jones said, converting \"trash into cash.\" We rate this claim as Mostly True."]},{"id":"13003.json","label":"true","statement":"The Dallas Cowboys cant put a sticker on their helmets for the 5 police officers who were killed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Following the shooting deaths of five Dallas police officers in July 2016, the Dallas Cowboys wanted to honor the fallen officers by wearing a decal on their helmets. However, the NFL did not allow the team to do so. This decision by the NFL prevented the Dallas Cowboys from putting a sticker on their helmets to commemorate the officers who were killed.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a tweet, Woods said the \"Dallas Cowboys can\u2019t put a sticker on their helmets for the 5 police officers who were killed.\"","On Aug. 27, 2016, Woods tweeted: \"Kaepernick doesn\u2019t stand for the national anthem, Rams players can walk onto the field with their hands up for the \u2018hands up, don\u2019t shoot,\u2019 and other players can wear t-shirts saying I can\u2019t breathe. But the Dallas Cowboys can\u2019t put a sticker on their helmets for the 5 police officers who were killed. Way to go NFL\u2026.\"","News stories, Dallas Morning New s, \"'I'll never forget this, never as long as I live;' How Witten spearheaded the idea to honor families of fallen officers,\" July 30, 2016; \"NFL won't allow Cowboys to wear decal supporting Dallas police on their helmets,\" Aug. 10, 2016","And the decal? After the July 7, 2016, shooting deaths of five Dallas police officers, the Dallas Morning News reported, Cowboys officials led by tight end Jason Witten honored surviving family members at the Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, Calif., in part with players entering the field arm in arm with officers."]},{"id":"5831.json","label":"true","statement":"The fastest-rising expense in the U.S. Defense Department is health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including the Marietta Daily Journal and Defense Department figures. It is reported that health care costs have been the fastest-rising expense in the Defense Department over the past five years, and projections indicate that it will continue to be the fastest-rising cost in the next five years as well. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other military officials have also acknowledged that health care is the fastest-growing cost in the department's budget. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an April 11 speech to the Marietta Rotary Club, The Marietta Daily Journal paraphrased Chambliss as saying health care costs are the fastest-rising expense in the Defense Department.","Any way you slice the numbers, it appears the senator\u2019s claim is based on some solid numbers. Health care spending was the fastest-rising cost over the most recent five years, Defense Department figures show. It is also projected to be the fastest-rising cost over the next five years.","\"If I went around this room to every company represented here and I asked you what is the fastest-rising expense in your business over the last decade, I dare say 100 percent of you would say it\u2019s health care costs,\" Chambliss said. \"And it\u2019s exactly that way in the federal government, including TRICARE in the Department of Defense, which is taking away our ability to spend money on other quality-of-life issues and identify weapons systems to equip our men and women.\"","Multiple news accounts quote former Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other military officials as saying health care is the fastest-growing cost of the department budget. We saw nothing in that report that shows a larger increase in any department."]},{"id":"11826.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas is growing twice as fast as the rest of the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including the Census Bureau and the Texas state demographer. According to the data, Texas has experienced a population growth rate that is more than double the national average. This growth rate is consistent with the claim that Texas is growing twice as fast as the rest of the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Straus, shown shaking hands with people, also says: \"Texas is growing twice as fast as the rest of the country. This is a time for men and women who are ready to confront our challenges with humility and with purpose.\"","According to the Census breakdown, from April 2010 to July 2014, the U.S. population grew 3.3 percent. According to the data, Texas\u2019 population grew 7.2 percent, which breaks out, Embry noted, to Texas growing twice as fast as the nation.","We got out our calculator and found that from mid-2013 to mid-2014, Texas grew by 1.8 percent; that rate was more than double the 0.7 population growth in the rest of the country.","Before Bearse provided the group's back-up information, we had inquired about how fast Texas is growing to the Census Bureau and the Texas state demographer, Lloyd Potter."]},{"id":"10882.json","label":"true","statement":"A 50-50 public-private split for paying for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena would be much better -- in terms of the portion of the public financing -- than most of the other arena projects done around the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, regarding the public-private split for funding a new Milwaukee Bucks arena. According to fact-checking research, at least eight out of the 15 NBA arenas built since 1999 were financed with more than 50 percent public funding. Therefore, a 50-50 public-private split would indeed be better in terms of the portion of public financing compared to most other arena projects across the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Sheehy said a 50-50 public-private split for paying for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena would \"be much better in terms of the portion of the public financing than most of the other arena projects done around the country.\"","Public-private split: Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce argued that a 50-50 public-private split for paying for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena would \"be much better -- in terms of the portion of the public financing -- than most of the other arena projects done around the country.\"","\"If this comes out close to a 50-50 partnership, it will be much better -- in terms of the portion of the public financing -- than most of the other arena projects done around the country.\"","We looked at the 15 NBA arenas built around the country since 1999 and found at least eight of them were built with more than 50 percent public financing. We rated the claim True."]},{"id":"2976.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Right-to-work states have higher rates of income growth.","reason":"Reason: While there is some evidence suggesting that right-to-work states have experienced higher rates of income growth, it is important to note that this claim is not universally agreed upon. Experts have pointed out that factors such as business incentives, corporate tax rates, and other economic variables also play a significant role in income growth. Additionally, the influence of right-to-work laws on income growth may vary depending on the specific context and region. Therefore, while there may be a correlation between right-to-work status and income growth, it is not accurate to solely attribute higher rates of income growth to right-to-work laws.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We\u2019re going to set aside both in this item and focus on the very measurable claim that right-to-work states have \"higher rates of income growth.\"","\"From my perspective, I think that if you look at all of the data that has been collected,\" Vos said on WISN\u2019s \"Upfront with Mike Gousha,\" \"states that have non-forced, compulsory union membership when you want to work somewhere have higher rates of income growth, have higher rates of manufacturing -- actually, over time, have seen much greater increases in their standard of living.\"","Abdur Chowdhury, Marquette University: He said because factors such as business incentives and corporate tax rates are also involved, \"it would be a stretch to say\" right-to-work states had higher income growth because of right-to-work laws. With union representation less than 10 percent of private-sector employment nationally, he said, right to work \"is no longer as important as it used to be.\"","They agreed that income growth has been higher in right-to-work states. But there was no consensus on how important right-to-work status is in causing that growth, and many minimized its role."]},{"id":"2140.json","label":"true","statement":"There are more pain clinics in Broward County than there are McDonalds in Broward County.","reason":"Reason: According to the available evidence, it is true that there are more pain clinics in Broward County than there are McDonald's locations. The Broward Sheriff's Office reported 144 pain clinics in the county, while the best estimate for McDonald's locations ranged from 71 to 78. Therefore, the number of pain clinics exceeds the number of McDonald's locations in Broward County.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There are more pain clinics in Broward County than there are McDonald's in Broward County,\" he told the St. Petersburg Times editorial board July 26.","The proliferation of pain clinics in Florida has been a growing problem -- particularly in Broward County. Dave Aronberg, a state senator from Palm Beach County running in the Democratic primary for attorney general, has now quantified that problem by comparing it to the availability of Big Macs.","So how is Aronberg's math? A grand jury report put the number of pain clinics at 115 by late 2009. The Broward Sheriff's Office puts the number at 144 as of July 28. We found the state health department database too confusing to evaluate, and no one to answer our questions. The best number we could determine for McDonald's locations was 73 -- Aronberg's campaign put it at 78 while the New Times said 71. No matter which number you pick, the number of pain clinics in Broward is dozens higher than the number of McDonald's. We rate this claim True.","BSO spokesman Jim Leljedal told us that as of July 28, BSO lists 144 pain clinics in the entire county. But he warned \"sometimes it is hard to have an accurate count because these places come and go, they are thrown out of one storefront and move across the street.\""]},{"id":"9608.json","label":"false","statement":"Former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney are unable to visit Europe due to outstanding warrants.","reason":"Reason: The claim that former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney are unable to visit Europe due to outstanding warrants is false. There is no credible evidence or indication that either of them has outstanding warrants or is prohibited from visiting Europe for legal reasons. This claim appears to be a baseless rumor or misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A reader recently sent us a social media meme that captured this sentiment. It shows a photograph of the two men, with the caption, \"When I was growing up, I would never have believed that a former president and vice president of the United States would be unable to visit Europe due to outstanding warrants.\"","The meme on social media said that Bush and Cheney are \"unable to visit Europe due to outstanding warrants.\" The claim that there are \"outstanding warrants\" is flat wrong. And while it\u2019s theoretically possible for a national court to issue an arrest warrant against either man, as was done with Pinochet, there is no sign of that happening. We rate the claim False.","!Is it true that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have arrest warrants hanging over their heads? We took a look. !Is it true that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have arrest warrants hanging over their heads? We took a look.","Is it true that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have arrest warrants hanging over their heads? We took a look."]},{"id":"12358.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The market is making this decision. The market has driven down the cost of coal, so you have companies going bankrupt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton that the market is driving the decision and the decline of coal companies. The market forces, including the decrease in the cost of coal, have indeed contributed to the financial struggles and bankruptcies of several major coal companies. However, it's important to note that market forces are not the sole factor influencing the decline of the coal industry. Environmental regulations and the shift towards cleaner energy sources have also played a significant role. Therefore, while the market has had an impact, it is not the only factor responsible for the decline of coal companies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"The market is making this decision. The market has driven down the cost of coal, so you have companies going bankrupt.\"","\"But the market is making this decision,\" she said May 4. \"The market has driven down the cost of coal, so you have companies going bankrupt. So what I'm offering is a $30 billion plan to really revitalize coal country, to provide support for coal miners and their families, and I think that is the least the country owes these brave people.\"","Outside of market-altering events like the pandemic, prices of both fuels are driven primarily by the cost of crude oil(,often%20fluctuate%20during%20the%20year.&text=Because%20heating%20oil%20and%20diesel%20fuel%20are%20produced%20at%20the,on%20the%20diesel%20fuel%20market.), which is in turn driven by an array of world economic conditions that influence supply and demand.","Coal has historically been the country\u2019s primary electricity generator. But several major coal companies have gone bankrupt in recent years, including Arch Coal, Alpha Natural Resources and Peabody Energy. We decided to dig into the question of how much of that change is due solely to market forces, rather than environmental regulation."]},{"id":"13521.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Alison Alter has exploited a campaign finance loophole to obtain over $64,000 in public dollars to fund her campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sheri Gallo in a mailer to voters. According to the evidence provided, Alison Alter did receive campaign funds from the public, and there was a discrepancy regarding whether she exceeded the campaign finance limits. However, it's important to note that the term \"exploited\" implies intentional manipulation or wrongdoing, which is not explicitly supported by the evidence. The use of the term \"loophole\" suggests that Alter found a way to receive public funds without adhering to campaign finance limits, but the evidence does not provide sufficient details to confirm or refute this claim. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks complete context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Seeking re-election, Austin City Council Member Sheri Gallo says in a mailer to voters in West Austin\u2019s District 10 that challenger Alison Alter \"exploited a campaign loophole to obtain over $64,000 in public dollars to fund her campaign.\"","!Sheri Gallo said in this mailer that her runoff opponent, Alison Alter, exploited a loophole to draw campaign funds (spotted November 2016). !Sheri Gallo said in this mailer that her runoff opponent, Alison Alter, exploited a loophole to draw campaign funds (spotted November 2016).","Sheri Gallo said in this mailer that her runoff opponent, Alison Alter, exploited a loophole to draw campaign funds (spotted November 2016).","Alter\u2019s campaign finance reports filed before the general election indicated that she did, and the city clerk cut the check. But an additional Alter campaign finance filing posted Dec. 5, 2016 \u2014 after Gallo's mailer went out \u2014 show that Alter exceeded the limit. Either way, Gallo told us by email, a \"loophole\" in the city's rules allowed Alter to get the public aid without having to meet those campaign finance limits because Gallo didn\u2019t commit to the limits."]},{"id":"10035.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Thom Tillis has cut $500 million from public education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sen. Hagan that Thom Tillis has cut $500 million from public education. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on the reduction in state funding for K-12 education in North Carolina, which is approximately $500 million less than pre-recession levels. The statement does not provide further context regarding the specific actions or policies implemented by Thom Tillis that resulted in this reduction. Therefore, while the statement accurately conveys Sen. Hagan's claim, it lacks additional information to fully evaluate the accuracy and implications of the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sen. Hagan said Tillis \"has cut $500 million from public education and, you know what that means folks? That means fewer teachers in the classroom. That means larger classroom sizes and that means outdated textbooks if there\u2019s any textbooks at all.\"","Some other critics of Tillis\u2019 education record have noted that state funding for K-12 education in North Carolina is about $500 million less than pre-recession levels. In the 2013-14 school year, public school spending was about $7.9 billion. In 2008-2009, it was $8.4, when adjusted for inflation.","!North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan debated her Republican challenger, Thom Tillis, on Oct. 7, 2014. !North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan debated her Republican challenger, Thom Tillis, on Oct. 7, 2014.","7 million people the Congressional Budget Office says won't have health insurance coverage under the Senate health care bill \"don't exist.\""]},{"id":"12399.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Puerto Ricos $70 billion debt is unsustainable and it is unpayable. And the reason why it is unsustainable has everything to do with the greed of Wall Street vulture funds.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Sanders' claim that Puerto Rico's $70 billion debt is unsustainable and unpayable, and attributes the reason for its unsustainability to the greed of Wall Street vulture funds. However, it's important to note that the issue of Puerto Rico's debt is complex and multifaceted, involving a combination of factors such as economic mismanagement, fiscal policies, and the impact of vulture funds. While the role of vulture funds in exacerbating the debt crisis is a valid concern, it is not the sole reason for Puerto Rico's debt being unsustainable. Additional factors need to be considered for a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Puerto Rico\u2019s $70 billion debt is unsustainable and it is unpayable. And the reason why it is unsustainable has everything to do with the greed of Wall Street vulture funds.\"","Sanders said, \"Puerto Rico\u2019s $70 billion debt is unsustainable and it is unpayable. And the reason why it is unsustainable has everything to do with the greed of Wall Street vulture funds.\"","\"I think all of us understand and your government understands that Puerto Rico\u2019s $70 billion debt is unsustainable and it is unpayable,\" Sanders said May 16 at a town hall in San Juan. \"And the reason why it is unsustainable has everything to do with the greed of Wall Street vulture funds.\"","The most damning evidence for \"the greed of vulture funds\" is Wall Street\u2019s efforts to prevent Puerto Rico from digging itself out of the hole."]},{"id":"926.json","label":"true","statement":"The stimulus bill contains $20 million for the removal of small to medium-sized fish passage barriers and $25 million to rehabilitate off-roading trails for ATVs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the contents of the stimulus bill. The bill includes $20 million allocated for the removal of small to medium-sized fish passage barriers, which aims to improve fish migration in rivers and streams. Additionally, it includes $25 million designated for the rehabilitation of off-roading trails for ATVs, which contributes to recreational maintenance and job creation. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In legislation before the Senate this week, $20 million for the removal of small to medium-sized fish passage barriers or $25 million to rehabilitate off-roading trails for ATVs is not going to put this economy back on track,\" Pence said. \"And, it was exactly that kind of wasteful government spending that resulted in unanimous Republican opposition last week.\"","The Senate report on the bill, as of this writing, includes $20 million \"for the removal of small- to medium-sized fish passage barriers,\" which means clearing barriers in rivers and streams to allow fish migration. It's part of an overall $190 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for habitat restoration projects that \"accomplish ecological goals and provide employment opportunities in the local communities.\"","Nevertheless, $45 million for most people is serious money. When he made his remarks, Pence had his facts straight on what was in the legislation \u2014 $20 million for fish-barrier removal and $25 million for off-road trails. We rule his statement True.","Similarly, the $25 million for recreation maintenance, \"especially for rehabilitation of off-road vehicle routes,\" is part of an overall $135 million for the Bureau of Land Management, which includes funding for trail maintenance, remediation for environmental and public safety hazards on public lands, and habitat restoration. This passage also allows for modification for \"the goals of maximum job creation and most effective use of resources.\""]},{"id":"1645.json","label":"half-true","statement":"This week liberal Bill White faced an ethics complaint about more than $83,000 he failed to report to the state Ethics Commission.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that Bill White, a liberal politician, faced an ethics complaint regarding over $83,000 that he allegedly failed to report to the state Ethics Commission. However, it's important to note that there is a dispute regarding whether White actually failed to report the amount or if he properly accounted for it as deferred compensation. The evidence suggests that White's camp argued that he followed the appropriate reporting guidelines for deferred compensation, and the law does not explicitly specify how candidates should report such compensation. Therefore, while the ethics complaint was filed, the accuracy of the claim that White failed to report the amount is disputed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u201cThis week liberal Bill White faced an ethics complaint about more than $83,000 he failed to report to the state Ethics Commission.\u201d","A link to the \u201cLiberal Bill\u201d video went to reporters on Friday accompanied by this message: \u201cThis week liberal Bill White faced an ethics complaint about more than $83,000 he failed to report to the state Ethics Commission.\u201d","And it's misleading to conclude, as Perry's statement does, that White failed to report more than $83,000 to the commission. White's camp said he accounted for his deferred compensation as directed. The law doesn't specify if or how candidates should report deferred compensation.","Republican Party of Texas, ethics complaint( \"Complaint about Bill White\"), filed with Texas Ethics Commission by Cathie Adams, party chair, March 23, 2010"]},{"id":"14.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Senator McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts. Now he's for them.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the change in Senator McCain's position on the Bush tax cuts. Initially, McCain voted against the tax cuts, but later he expressed support for making them permanent. This shift in stance indicates that McCain has changed his position on the issue over time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Senator McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts. Now he's for them. He was opposed to ethanol. Now he's for it. He said he was opposed to overturning Roe v. Wade. Now he's for overturning Roe v. Wade,\" Romney said, adding: \"That suggests that he has learned from experience.\"","\"Now, I also support the Bush tax cuts. Sen. McCain voted against them originally. He now believes they should be made permanent. I'm glad he agrees they should be made permanent.\"","In 2003, the phased-in cuts of 2001 were accelerated but McCain again voted no, saying taxes shouldn't be cut in time of war. But in 2006, when the cuts were extended, McCain voted yes because he said opposing the extension of cuts already in place would amount to a tax increase.","\"Sen. McCain says it was not a mistake to vote against the Bush tax cuts ... but now says the tax cuts need to be made permanent.\""]},{"id":"12304.json","label":"false","statement":"ISIS is making millions of dollars a week selling Libyan oil.","reason":"Reason: Multiple experts and news reports have refuted the claim that ISIS is making millions of dollars a week selling Libyan oil. While ISIS has indeed attacked Libya's oil fields, their primary objective is to disrupt oil markets and prevent rival groups from profiting, rather than seizing, refining, and selling the oil themselves. Experts have stated that ISIS lacks the capability to operate Libya's complex oil refineries and that their activities in the oil fields are limited to episodic attacks. Therefore, the statement that ISIS is making millions of dollars a week selling Libyan oil is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Experts and news reports say ISIS has attacked Libya\u2019s oil fields in recent months, amid the country\u2019s instability. But they roundly reject Trump\u2019s claim that ISIS jihadists based in that country have been able to seize, refine and sell the oil for \"millions of dollars a week.\" Instead, they say, the terrorist group is focused on disrupting oil markets and preventing rivals from getting the oil in Libya.","Washington Post Fact Checker, \"Trump\u2019s false claim that the Islamic State is \u2018making a fortune\u2019 on Libyan oil,\" April 25, 2016","Experts and news articles say ISIS has attacked Libya\u2019s oil fields to disrupt oil markets and prevent rival groups from making a profit. But, they say, the group does not have the ability to operate the country\u2019s few and complex oil refineries.","The West Point-based Combating Terrorism Center also examined the ISIS\/Libyan oil question. In a March 17 report it stated: \"It is simply hard for the Islamic State to do much in (Libya\u2019s oil fields) beyond episodic attacks.\""]},{"id":"12965.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Congress, (Cresent Hardy) voted to defund DACA.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Cresent Hardy did vote for a version of a bill that included an amendment defunding DACA, he also voted against that specific amendment when it came up on the floor. Furthermore, he broke with the majority of his party to send the final bill, without the defunding amendment, to the president. Therefore, it is an oversimplification to claim that Hardy voted to defund DACA without providing the full context of his voting record on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At a recent press conference celebrating the fourth anniversary of President Barack Obama\u2019s signing of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, the state senator directly accused incumbent Republican Rep. Cresent Hardy of voting to defund the program.","So is Kihuen right to say that Hardy voted to get rid of DACA? The answer really depends on which vote is highlighted \u2014 the Republican technically voted for a version of the funding bill that included language defunding the program, but he voted against that amendment in particular and went against the majority of House Republicans to vote for the \"clean\" version of the legislation.","Says \"Joe Heck voted 10 times to defund Planned Parenthood ... and Heck opposes a woman's right to choose, even when her health is at risk.\"","Kihuen oversimplifies Hardy\u2019s record on DACA, which is more mixed than the claim lets on. Hardy did vote for a version of a bill that included an amendment defunding DACA. But Hardy also voted against that specific amendment when it came up on the floor, and he broke with the majority of his party to send the final bill to the president. There\u2019s some truth here, but Kihuen is gross oversimplifying the matter and taking things out of context."]},{"id":"11491.json","label":"true","statement":"After today, @GovJayNixon will have been overridden more times than all previous governors in #MO history #moleg","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Governor Jay Nixon has been overridden more times than any previous governor in Missouri history. This is supported by the information provided by Kinder's director of communications, as well as the Senate Legislative Library. The growing Republican majority in the legislature and the number of bills vetoed by Governor Nixon contribute to this record of overrides.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"After today, @GovJayNixon will have been overridden more times than all previous governors in #MO history #moleg,\" Kinder said in a tweet.","Kinder said Nixon has been overridden \"more times than all previous governors in Missouri history.\" Thanks to the growing Republican majority in the legislature and the number of bills Nixon vetoed, that is indeed correct.","It turns out Kinder is right. Not only is Nixon the most overridden governor in Missouri history, more of his vetoes have been overridden than those of all previous governors combined. (The chart below lists Missouri governors and the number of overrides of vetoed legislation. The chart does not include overrides of line item appropriations.)","We reached out to Kinder's director of communications, Jay Eastlick, who sent us a list of Missouri governors and the number of times they were overridden. He gathered the information from Anne Rottmann, an administrator at the the Senate Legislative Library."]},{"id":"1678.json","label":"true","statement":"\"President Obama himself attempted to filibuster Justice Alito, who now sits on the Supreme Court.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. President Obama did attempt to filibuster the nomination of Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. This is supported by records from the U.S. Senate, which show that Obama voted against cloture on the nomination. While it is worth noting that the filibuster attempt was unsuccessful and Justice Alito was ultimately confirmed, the statement accurately reflects the historical event.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama may have criticized the filibuster even as he joined it, but at the end of the day, he still joined it. Kyl said, \"President Obama himself attempted to filibuster Justice Alito, who now sits on the Supreme Court.\" We rate Kyl's statement True.","\"President Obama himself attempted to filibuster Justice Alito, who now sits on the Supreme Court,\" Kyl said. \"So if the president isn't going to take it off the table, I'm not going to take it off the table. But I think it can easily be avoided by appointing, frankly, the kind of person that Senator Schumer just mentioned, someone who is mainstream enough that with intellect and the application of good law can persuade colleagues to support his position or her position.\"","U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens announced his retirement last week, and while President Obama has not yet announced his nominee, U.S. senators are already discussing prospects of a filibuster.","U.S. Senate, On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture On The Nomination of Samuel A. Alito, Jr. of New Jersey, To Be An Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court )( \"On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture On The Nomination of Samuel A. Alito, Jr. of New Jersey, To Be An Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court )\"), Jan. 30, 2006"]},{"id":"10626.json","label":"true","statement":"Polling shows that nearly 74 percent of National Rifle Association members support requiring background checks for all gun sales.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and polls have consistently shown that a significant majority of National Rifle Association (NRA) members support requiring background checks for all gun sales. Specifically, polling data indicates that approximately 74 percent of NRA members are in favor of such measures. This demonstrates a notable level of support within the NRA membership for background checks. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Taylor said polling shows that nearly 74 percent of National Rifle Association members \"support requiring background checks for all gun sales.\"","In 2015, we rated as True a claim that polling showed nearly 74 percent of National Rifle Association members support requiring background checks for all gun sales. The statement was made by Wisconsin state Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee.","\"Not including background checks (of) all types of firearms, ignoring the public safety and the mental health needs of our state is downright irresponsible,\" said Taylor, who cast one of the no votes. \"Polling showed that even nearly 74 percent of NRA members support requiring background checks for all gun sales.\"","The poll found that 74 percent (to be precise, 73.7 percent) of NRA members supported requiring background checks for all gun sales. (The margin of error was seven points.)"]},{"id":"966.json","label":"true","statement":"Tens of billions of dollars (from taxpayer-funded bailouts) ... flowed straight through AIG into the coffers of foreign corporations and foreign banks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that a significant amount of money from taxpayer-funded bailouts of AIG did indeed flow to foreign corporations and foreign banks. This was a consequence of AIG's financial obligations, including contracts with foreign entities. While there may be debates about the merits of the bailout and the extent of the funds that went overseas, the statement itself is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And the other unreported story today is tens of billions of dollars that flowed straight through AIG into the coffers of foreign corporations and foreign banks,\" Pence said in an interview on MSNBC on March 17. \"You know, the American people are frustrated with this.\"","\"It\u2019s understandable that people would be mad that taxpayer dollars would go to a place that you might not want it to go, to foreign corporations,\" he said. \"(But) the only reason to give money to AIG was to close out its contracts. Some of those contracts are with foreign corporations.\"","There are reasoned arguments on both sides of whether Congress ought to have committed billions of taxpayer dollars to bailing out the troubled AIG. But the fact is, one of the consequences of infusing AIG with taxpayer cash to help it pay off its financial obligations was that tens of billions of that money went to foreign companies. We rule Pence's statement True.","In addition to the accuracy problems we just described, there\u2019s another weakness in Paul\u2019s assertion that $5 trillion went overseas. Whatever money was lent went to banks in the US that are owned by foreign banks, there is no way to know if any of those dollars went overseas, said John Makin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute."]},{"id":"1732.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Daniel Webster said he's out. Now he says he's in.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tagen on behalf of the campaign that Daniel Webster initially stated he would not run but later changed his decision and decided to run. This suggests a change in his position, which could raise questions about his consistency and reliability in delivering for the people of the district.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Daniel Webster said he's out. Now he says he's in,\" Tagen said in a statement on behalf of the campaign. \"If he flip-flopped on this, will he flip-flop on delivering for the people of our district?\"","Says President John F. Kennedy said, \u201cThere are people in Washington, D.C., in positions of power to whom the border is just a nuisance, and I think some of them believe that illegal immigration is a moral good. It is not.\u201d","We've already ruled on a claim from Webster's campaign announcement. In this item, we wanted to see if the Grayson retort that Webster already announced he wasn't running is accurate.","Webster told the Orlando Sentinel he originally opted against running because his family wasn't 100 percent behind the idea. Now they are."]},{"id":"1204.json","label":"true","statement":"\"FDR was called a socialist and a communist.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was indeed called a socialist and a communist during his presidency. This criticism primarily arose in the 1930s when FDR implemented various programs to address the Great Depression. Critics accused him of promoting socialist or communist policies, and some even suggested that his administration had been infiltrated by communists. The historical record supports the claim that FDR faced such accusations during his time in office.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"What's happened is that whenever a president tries to bring about significant changes, particularly during times of economic unease, then there is a certain segment of the population that gets very riled up,\" Obama said. \"FDR was called a socialist and a communist.\"","Indeed, Roosevelt was called a socialist or a communist many times. Most of that criticism came in the 1930s, when he was enacting programs intended to pull the country out of the Great Depression.","The president was accused of being \"a socialist, not a Democrat.\" His plan was described as \"undisguised state socialism.\" One critic, who controlled some powerful media outlets, suggested that communists had infiltrated the president's administration.","\u2022 \"Roosevelt is a socialist, not a Democrat,\" declared Republican Rep. Robert Rich of Pennsylvania during a debate on the House floor on July 23, 1935. That remark came after Republicans hinted they were considering a move to impeach Roosevelt, according to the New York Times ."]},{"id":"5676.json","label":"true","statement":"This is the only state in the country that bypassed the General Assembly to authorize [in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants].","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Rhode Island is indeed the only state in the country that bypassed the General Assembly to authorize in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. While legislation to extend in-state tuition to undocumented students had failed in the General Assembly every year since 2004, the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education took up the issue as a matter of policy and made the decision to grant eligibility for in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This is the only state in the country that bypassed the General Assembly to authorize this,\" Costa said during the March 26 show. \"There was a process that should have been done and the governor chose not to do it.\"","In a far-reaching decision last September, the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education voted to make undocumented immigrants eligible for in-state tuition at public colleges. The move was backed by Governor Chafee, but it came only after years of failed attempts to make the change through the General Assembly.","In Rhode Island, legislation to extend in-state tuition to undocumented students has failed in the General Assembly every year since 2004, but the Board of Governors took up the issue as a matter of policy.","First, some background. State Rep. Grace Diaz, D-Providence, has introduced bills in the General Assembly every year since 2004 to extend in-state tuition to undocumented students in good academic standing. But those bills never got far."]},{"id":"5063.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a new national poll shows the majority of the American people believe we should have a gold standard for U.S. currency.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were polls conducted on the gold standard, the claim that a new national poll shows a majority of the American people support it is incorrect. The polls cited by Paul's campaign were limited to likely Republican primary voters in three states, which does not represent the entire American population. The one national poll that addressed the question found only 44 percent in favor of a gold standard, which falls short of a majority. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the findings of the polls and is rated as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Paul also said that \"today there was a national poll that came out and they were talking about how many people supported the gold standard. How long has it been since they've taken a national poll on the gold standard? And guess what? The majority of the American people believe we should have a gold standard and not a paper standard\" for U.S. currency.","Paul says \"the majority of the American people believe we should have a gold standard and not a paper standard.\" But the polls his campaign cited to back up that claim surveyed likely Republican primary voters in three states -- not voters nationwide. The one national poll that addressed this question found 44 percent in favor of a gold standard, and that isn\u2019t a majority. On balance, we rate Paul\u2019s statement False.","So Paul is correct on the number -- but way off on the description. This was not a \"national poll\" that shows that a \"majority of the American people believe we should have a gold standard.\" Instead, it was three polls in three states, with respondents from only one party -- and even among this narrow sample, it only asked those who are active enough politically to be considered likely to participate in the upcoming primary. The survey was also commissioned by a group that supports the gold standard.","Jeff Bell, the policy director of American Principles in Action, told us that the Rasmussen poll does not show there\u2019s a national majority in favor of the gold standard."]},{"id":"6089.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Barack Obama is trying to slash funding for the Armed Pilots Program designed to prevent terror attacks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. President Obama did propose cutting the budget for the Armed Pilots Program, officially known as the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, in his FY 2013 budget proposal. The program was created after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as a last-line of defense in case of a terror attack. However, it's important to note that the proposal to cut the program's budget does not necessarily imply that President Obama was actively trying to undermine its purpose or prevent it from preventing terror attacks.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The NRA earned a True for its claim that Obama is \"trying to slash funding for the Armed Pilots Program designed to prevent terror attacks.\"","Today, we tackle the No. 6 reason why President Barack Obama is bad news for the Second Amendment: \"Obama is trying to slash funding for the Armed Pilots Program designed to prevent terror attacks.\"","The \"Armed Pilots Program\" is officially called the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, which was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It\u2019s pretty much what it sounds like.","The Armed Pilots Program was created post-Sept. 11, 2001, to serve as a last-line of defense in a terror attack. And Obama, in his FY 2013 budget proposal, did propose cutting the budget for the program in half."]},{"id":"10961.json","label":"false","statement":"Even our nuclear arsenal doesnt work. It came out recently they have equipment that is 30 years old. They dont know if it worked.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that the U.S. nuclear arsenal doesn't work and that the equipment is 30 years old is false. There is no credible evidence to support these claims. The U.S. nuclear arsenal is regularly maintained and updated to ensure its functionality and effectiveness. While some components may be older, they undergo rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure their reliability. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing matters as critical as the nation's nuclear capabilities.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Even our nuclear arsenal doesn't work. It came out recently they have equipment that is 30 years old. They don't know if it worked.\"","Trump said that \"even our nuclear arsenal doesn't work. It came out recently they have equipment that is 30 years old. They don't know if it worked.\"","This is not the first time Trump has sought to paint a picture of weak stewardship of the U.S. nuclear arsenal under Obama. As early as June 2015, Trump said, \"Even our nuclear arsenal doesn't work. It came out recently they have equipment that is 30 years old. They don't know if it worked.\" We rated that False.","\"Our enemies are getting stronger and stronger by the way, and we as a country are getting weaker,\" Trump said on June 16, 2015. \"Even our nuclear arsenal doesn't work. It came out recently they have equipment that is 30 years old. They don't know if it worked. \u2026 Boy, does that send signals to (Russian president Vladimir) Putin\" that \"they don't know what they're doing.\""]},{"id":"1114.json","label":"false","statement":"If you log into the governments Cash for Clunkers Web site (cars.gov) from your home computer, the government can seize all of your personal and private information, and track your computer activity.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that logging into the government's Cash for Clunkers website would allow the government to seize personal and private information or track computer activity. This claim originated from a segment on Glenn Beck's Fox News program where Kimberly Guilfoyle made unsubstantiated and exaggerated statements. It is important to rely on accurate information and not spread baseless claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["If you log into the government's Cash for Clunkers Web site () from your home computer, the government can \"seize all of your personal and private\" information, and track your computer activity.","On Glenn Beck's Fox News program, Guilfoyle claims government's Cash for Clunkers Web site would give government complete access to your home computer","On Glenn Beck's Fox News program on July 31, 2009, Fox anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle suggested that clicking on the government's Cash for Clunkers Web page () would give the government complete access to your home computer.","Said Guilfoyle: \"Could it be any more broad and frightening? Here you are trying to be a good citizen and make a charitable contribution, do something that's good \u2014 and guess what? They are jumping right inside you, seizing all of your personal and private (information) ... And it's absolutely legal, Glenn. They can do it.\""]},{"id":"4333.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says under our current sentencing laws, about 75 percent of all convicted felons in Oregon do not go to prison.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that under current sentencing laws in Oregon, a significant percentage of convicted felons do not go to prison. However, it's important to note that the exact percentage may vary and is subject to change based on various factors such as the specific offense committed, individual circumstances, and any changes in sentencing guidelines or policies. While the statement provides a general estimate, it's advisable to consult up-to-date data and official sources for the most accurate and specific information regarding the current state of sentencing laws and prison rates in Oregon.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Voting-rights legislation proposed by Democrats in Congress called H.R. 1 \u201cwould force states to restore the voting rights of convicted felons\u2014including violent felons convicted of murder or rape.\u201d","That fact-check noted that release implies a sudden casting open of the prison gates. But Evers had noted repeatedly the drop was a goal and achieving it would take time, through such things as changing sentencing guidelines, increasing funding for treatment-based probation and other policy-related adjustments. The idea was to reduce the number of people being housed in prisons over about a decade without immediately releasing any current inmates.","Meanwhile, the number of people who have been convicted of committing violent offenses is a large portion of the prison population \u2014 but largely because other offenses allow for shorter jail times.","Carter said that more than 70 percent of American adults have committed a crime that could lead to imprisonment. Based on a strictly technical reading of existing laws, the consensus among the legal experts we reached is that the number is reasonable. Way more than a majority of Americans have done something in their lives that runs afoul of some law that includes jail or prison time as a potential punishment."]},{"id":"1035.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sotomayor has had her rulings thrown out by the court a troubling four times.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Justice Sotomayor has had four of her rulings reversed by the Supreme Court, it is important to consider the context and scale of her overall record. Out of the hundreds of cases she has presided over, four reversals do not necessarily indicate a troubling or high rate of reversal. Legal experts note that the Supreme Court often reverses a significant number of cases it hears each year, and Sotomayor's record is not far off from other justices. Therefore, while the statement is technically true, it lacks the necessary context to support the implication of a problematic pattern. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Then there was this from the Libertarian National Committee: \" Sotomayor has had her rulings thrown out by the court a troubling four times.\" We learned pretty quickly that the veracity of this statement depends on a few variables.","There's also her time on the U.S. District Court between 1992 and 1998. One of her rulings, Tasini vs. New York Times, et al. , was reversed by the Supreme Court in 1997. That's how the Libertarian Party gets to its total of four reversed opinions.","Shortly after President Barack Obama announced Sonia Sotomayor as his pick for the Supreme Court, conservatives pulled this bit out of their arsenal: Sotomayor is not up to the job because some of her cases have been thrown out by the Supreme Court.","So the Libertarian Party is correct that Sotomayor was reversed four times: three at the appellate level and one at the district court level. But this is out of hundreds of potential cases. Furthermore, the Libertarian Party's implication that four cases represents a high rate of reversal just doesn't hold up. Her record is not far off from another well-known justice, Samuel Alito , nor is it at all unusual for the Supreme Court to reverse most of the cases it hears every year, according to legal experts we spoke to. We rate their statement Half True."]},{"id":"1047.json","label":"true","statement":"In the first round of repayments from financial institutions that received TARP money, the government has actually turned a profit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Barack Obama that in the first round of repayments from financial institutions that received TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) money, the government did turn a profit. This claim has been verified by fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact, which rated the statement as true. It's important to note that while the government may have turned a profit in the first round of repayments, the overall program's impact on taxpayers could still result in losses or gains depending on subsequent repayments and other factors.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact, Barack Obama: \"In the first round of repayments\" from financial institutions that received TARP money, \"the government has actually turned a profit.\", June 10, 2009","\"Several financial institutions are set to pay back $68 billion to taxpayers,\" he said. \"And while we know that we will not escape the worst financial crisis in decades without some losses to taxpayers, it's worth noting that in the first round of repayments from these companies the government has actually turned a profit.\"","As for Obama's claim, he is careful to note that the overall program could still cost taxpayers money, but he is correct to say the government turned a profit on the first round of repayments. We rate his statement True.","\"It's as if people thought money was handed out to banks,\" Hall said. \"It wasn't. And it drove us nuts. The government has turned a profit. It made money plus some.\""]},{"id":"6341.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he has seen Border Patrol signs near the Mexico border in English, Spanish and Chinese.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual that they have seen Border Patrol signs near the Texas-Mexico border in English, Spanish, and Chinese. This claim is supported by multiple sources, including the Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol and statements made during debates. The purpose of having signs in multiple languages is to effectively communicate with border crossers from different linguistic backgrounds. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!Rescue beacon signs arrayed in the brush country near the Texas-Mexico border are in English, Spanish and Chinese. (Source: Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol). !Rescue beacon signs arrayed in the brush country near the Texas-Mexico border are in English, Spanish and Chinese. (Source: Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol).","Rescue beacon signs arrayed in the brush country near the Texas-Mexico border are in English, Spanish and Chinese. (Source: Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol).","\"I\u2019ve seen the Border Patrol signs that are now in English, Spanish and Chinese,\" Dewhurst said in the debate with Ted Cruz, his opponent. Six days later, Dewhurst similarly referred to such signs in the pair\u2019s last debate before the July 31, 2012, primary runoff.","And, Milian said, the signs are in English, Spanish and Mandarin, which is the group of dialects most widely spoken in China. The point, Milian said, is to deliver the message in ways that border crossers can understand. He said Mandarin was chosen because immigrants from China are second to immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries among border-crossers apprehended by the Border Patrol."]},{"id":"4606.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Current projections indicate that Medicare will go bankrupt by 2017, while Social Security will bottom out by 2037.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the evidence provided, current projections indicate that the trust funds supporting Medicare are not expected to run dry by 2017. However, it is true that one of Medicare's funds is projected to be exhausted by that date. On the other hand, the evidence confirms that Social Security is projected to \"bottom out\" by 2037 when the trust funds are expected to be depleted. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the projected timeline for Social Security but is incorrect regarding Medicare's bankruptcy by 2017.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Samuelson said current projections show those programs will go bankrupt in 2017 and 2037, the dates when the \"trust funds\" that back them are slated to run dry. Those are the same years Cain cited.","But while it\u2019s fair for him to say that Social Security will \"bottom out\" by 2037, saying Medicare will go bankrupt by 2017 is a bit extreme. Only one of Medicare\u2019s funds is expected to be exhausted by that date, and Congress has never let it run dry. Lawmakers have bailed out the fund without fail for 40 years.","In 2009, midrange projections by the Social Security Board of Trustees said these trust funds combined will be exhausted in 2037, while the Disability Insurance fund will be gone by 2020. The outlook worsened this year. The Disability Insurance fund will be exhausted in 2018. Combined, their assets will be exhausted by 2036.","This is better than the 2009 projections, where trustees expected funds to dry up by 2017, according to midrange assumptions. That\u2019s the same date that Cain used."]},{"id":"1269.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The first installment of health care reform ... will raise the deficit by $250 billion.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The claim that the first installment of health care reform would raise the deficit by $250 billion refers to the Medicare plan proposed by Democrats, which did not have an offsetting funding source. This specific plan would indeed add to the deficit. However, it is important to note that this Medicare plan is not synonymous with the comprehensive health care reform package that was under discussion at the time. The comprehensive reform package, as evaluated by the Congressional Budget Office, was projected to reduce the federal deficit by $81 billion over 10 years. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the impact of the Medicare plan, it is misleading in its implication that the entire health care reform package would raise the deficit by $250 billion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In fact, this week, Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled to vote on the first installment of health care reform, which will violate the president\u2019s promise not to raise the deficit by one dime,\" Cornyn said. \"In fact, it will raise the deficit by $250 billion.\"","Cornyn is right that the Medicare plan would cost nearly $250 billion and that it would add to the deficit because Democrats have not found money to offset it. And we believe he has the license for a little hyperbole that allows him to characterize it as \"the first installment\" of health care reform. However, it's not the health care reform package that has been under such heated discussion for the past few months and he misleads people by suggesting that it is \u2014 and that the reform package would add $250 billion to the deficit. So we find his claim Half True.","Baucus' health plan proposes another Band-Aid through 2010, but a more permanent solution is now being discussed. This week, the Senate may vote on a plan to permanently fix the payment formula. Democrats and Republicans alike are in agreement that the current formula is unrealistic. The Democrats have proposed a fix that comes with a 10-year, $245 billion price tag. Democrats so far haven't proposed any way to pay for that, hence Cornyn's comment that it would add $250 billion to the federal deficit. And to the extent that paying Medicare doctors ought to be a part of any overall health care plan, he argues, this is the \"first installment\" of the Democrats' health care reform.","Emanuel is correct that the Congressional Budget Office looked at the version of the health care bill authored by Sen. Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who chairs the Finance Committee, and concluded that the bill would cost $829 billion over 10 years, but that offsetting funding for it would actually reduce the federal deficit by $81 billion."]},{"id":"9337.json","label":"false","statement":"Economic inequality in Multnomah County has a face -- and a name. It has 90,000 faces and names -- the number of county residents who are still unemployed, or underemployed, in the wake of the 2008 Wall Street crash.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that there are 90,000 county residents who are still unemployed or underemployed in Multnomah County as a result of the 2008 Wall Street crash. While there are indeed individuals who are unemployed or underemployed in the county, the evidence suggests that the actual number is considerably lower. Estimates from reliable sources indicate that the figure is closer to 68,600, which is significantly lower than the stated 90,000. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of economic inequality in Multnomah County.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Economic inequality in Multnomah County has a face -- and a name,\" according to one item. \"It has 90,000 faces and names -- the number of county residents who are still unemployed, or underemployed, in the wake of the 2008 Wall Street crash.\"","Jim Francesconi, now running for Multnomah County chair, says on his campaign website that 90,000 people in the county are either unemployed or underemployed in the wake of the 2008 Wall Street crash.","Clearly, that number isn\u2019t statistically valid, but if added to the 27,800 people who are unemployed in the county, we get 68,600 people who are either unemployed or underemployed in Multnomah County. That\u2019s considerably shy of the 90,000 figure on Francesconi\u2019s campaign website.","Taking that estimate and adding it to the number of unemployed in the county gives us a figure of 68,600 -- a lot, obviously, but far short of the 90,000 listed by Francesconi."]},{"id":"9821.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Greg Abbott was charged with overseeing the state cancer research fund. But he let his wealthiest donors take tens of millions of taxpayer dollars without proper oversight. They showered Abbott with gifts and free vacations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Wendy Davis in a TV ad regarding Greg Abbott's oversight of the state cancer research fund. It suggests that Abbott allowed his wealthiest donors to take taxpayer dollars without proper oversight and received gifts and free vacations from them. However, it's important to note that while Abbott was designated to oversee the fund, he did not personally attend the committee meetings, and his office cooperated with the investigation into potential wrongdoing. Furthermore, the local district attorney stated that committee members were not suspected of any wrongdoing. While there were instances of gifts given to Abbott's family by a major donor, it is not accurate to claim that all campaign donors connected to institute grants showered Abbott with gifts and vacations. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks some important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Davis said Abbott was \"charged with overseeing the state cancer research fund. But he let his wealthiest donors take tens of millions of taxpayer dollars without proper oversight. They showered Abbott with gifts and free vacations.\"","In the spot, a Fort Worth man identified as cancer survivor Manuel Alvarado says: \"When you\u2019re battling cancer, you pray for a cure. But Greg Abbott did his best to keep my prayers from being answered.\" Abbott, Alvarado says, \"was charged with overseeing the state cancer research fund. But he let his wealthiest donors take tens of millions of taxpayer dollars without proper oversight. They showered Abbott with gifts and free vacations and and they made off with money that was meant to find a cure.\"","So, was Abbott charged with overseeing the anti-cancer fund? Did he let campaign donors take tens of millions in taxpayer dollars? And did the donors shower him with gifts and vacations?","It\u2019s partly correct, as Wendy Davis said in a TV ad, that Abbott was \"charged with overseeing the state cancer research fund. But he let his wealthiest donors take tens of millions of taxpayer dollars without proper oversight. They showered Abbott with gifts and free vacations.\" Abbott was on a big committee created to oversee such awards. But he designated an aide to act in his stead, not once attending. Also unsaid: Abbott\u2019s office helped Travis County\u2019s investigation leading to a staff member\u2019s indictment. Also, the local district attorney said committee members weren\u2019t suspected of wrongdoing. Finally, a major Abbott donor gave three trips, valued at more than $250 each, to Abbott\u2019s family, but contrary to the ad\u2019s message, that isn\u2019t the same as all the campaign donors connected to institute grants showering Abbott with gifts and vacations."]},{"id":"4737.json","label":"true","statement":"Says over the last 48 years, every governor at the midterm of his first term or her first term has lost seats in the Legislature, with the exception of Jim McGreevey in 2003.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Chris Christie is accurate. Historical data supports the claim that, with the exception of Jim McGreevey in 2003, every governor of New Jersey over the last 48 years has lost seats in the state Legislature during the midterm of their first term. This pattern suggests a common trend in New Jersey politics.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Over the last 48 years, every governor at the midterm of his first term or her first term has lost seats in the Legislature, with the exception of Jim McGreevey in 2003, who was working off a newly gerrymandered map,\" Christie said Oct. 26 on WCBS 880 AM.","Christie said for more than 48 years, every governor of New Jersey has lost legislative seats at the midterm of his or her first term, with the exception of McGreevey in 2003.","Chris Christie says nearly every governor for more than 48 years has lost seats in the state Legislature during his or her first term","( - Chris Christie says nearly every governor for more than 48 years has lost seats in the state Legislature during his or her first term&url=)"]},{"id":"11912.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It has been 80 years since a Supreme Court vacancy was nominated and confirmed in an election year. There is a long tradition that you dont do this in an election year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Cruz that it has been 80 years since a Supreme Court vacancy was nominated and confirmed in an election year. However, the assertion that there is a \"long tradition\" against doing so in an election year is not entirely accurate. While it is true that it is rare for a president to nominate and have confirmed a Supreme Court justice in an election year, this is primarily due to the infrequency of Supreme Court vacancies rather than a longstanding tradition. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is true, the second part regarding a \"long tradition\" is misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It has been 80 years since a Supreme Court vacancy was nominated and confirmed in an election year. There is a long tradition that you don't do this in an election year.\"","\"It has been 80 years since a Supreme Court vacancy was nominated and confirmed in an election year,\" Cruz said. \"There is a long tradition that you don't do this in an election year.\"","Cruz said there\u2019s a long tradition stretching back 80 years of not nominating and confirming a Supreme Court justice in an election year.","Cruz is correct in that it\u2019s rare for a president to nominate and have confirmed a Supreme Court justice in an election year. But that\u2019s more because of the rarity of filling Supreme Court slots than some \"long tradition.\""]},{"id":"4262.json","label":"half-true","statement":"George LeMieux voted against the majority of Republicans and joined with Democrats to create a Task Force For Responsible Fiscal Action that looks strikingly similar to the Super Committee now being set up in Washington to justify massive tax hikes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by George LeMieux's opponents that he voted against the majority of Republicans and joined with Democrats to create a Task Force For Responsible Fiscal Action that resembles the Super Committee. However, it's important to note that the statement includes an opinionated assertion that the purpose of the Task Force is to justify massive tax hikes. This claim is not supported by the evidence provided and introduces a subjective interpretation of the Task Force's intentions. Therefore, the statement should be considered partially true, as it accurately presents the claim made by LeMieux's opponents but includes an unsubstantiated assertion about the Task Force's purpose.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"George LeMieux voted against the majority of Republicans and joined with Democrats to create a 'Task Force For Responsible Fiscal Action' that looks strikingly similar to the 'Super Committee' now being set up in Washington to justify massive tax hikes.\"","Hasner's team said, \"George LeMieux voted against the majority of Republicans and joined with Democrats to create a 'Task Force For Responsible Fiscal Action' that looks strikingly similar to the 'Super Committee' now being set up in Washington to justify massive tax hikes.\"","Consider us intrigued. In just part of a sentence \u2014 \"George LeMieux voted against the majority of Republicans and joined with Democrats to create a 'Task Force For Responsible Fiscal Action' that looks strikingly similar to the 'Super Committee' now being set up in Washington to justify massive tax hikes\" \u2014 we saw three issues worth a look.","\"After weeks of equivocation and avoidance of the debt crisis in Washington, Senator George LeMieux finally tweeted his displeasure in the closing hours of the debate. But while serving as Charlie Crist's handpicked U.S. Senator, George LeMieux voted against the majority of Republicans and joined with Democrats to create a 'Task Force For Responsible Fiscal Action' that looks strikingly similar to the 'Super Committee' now being set up in Washington to justify massive tax hikes.\""]},{"id":"10440.json","label":"true","statement":"Since Gov. Nathan Deal office in 2011, the states rainy day fund has grown by 643 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Governor Nathan Deal has indeed overseen significant growth in Georgia's rainy day fund since taking office in 2011. According to his own statements, the fund has grown by 226 percent in his first term and a further 643 percent in subsequent years. This growth in the rainy day fund reflects the state's efforts to improve its financial stability and preparedness for unforeseen circumstances.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In his 2013 State of the State address, the governor bragged that the rainy day fund had grown 226 percent since he took office in 2011.","The news this year, Deal said in his annual speech, is even better. The rainy day fund has grown a whopping 643 percent.","Since taking office in 2011, Gov. Nathan Deal has led Georgia to become the No. 1 state in the nation for business for six years in a row - a first in Georgia history - and helped create more than 750,000 private sector jobs. In the last six years, Georgia\u00e2\u0080\u0099s job growth has outpaced the national average while its population has jumped from 10th to 8th nationally.","His numbers add up. The rainy day fund has increased 643 percent since Fiscal Year 2010, the year before he took office."]},{"id":"6647.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama built this $16 trillion debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes the entire $16 trillion debt solely to President Barack Obama. While it is true that the national debt increased during Obama's presidency, it is important to note that the debt is accumulated over time and influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, legislation, and policies implemented by multiple administrations. It would be misleading to assign full responsibility for the entire debt to President Obama alone.\nLabel: false","evidence":["By saying Obama \"built this $16 trillion debt. He did build that,\" Ribble suggested Obama was responsible for the entire amount.","Ribble said: \"What the president did build, though -- and (Ryan) talked about this last night -- is he built this $16 trillion debt. He did build that.\"","Ribble said Obama \"built this $16 trillion debt.\" His spokeswoman said Ribble meant that the debt had reached that level because of Obama.","When the Treasury Department announced on Sept. 4 that the national debt had topped $16 trillion, the Associated Press reported, Barack Obama's GOP rivals \"used the grim-but-expected news to criticize the president for the government's fiscal performance over his 3 1\/2 years in office.\""]},{"id":"7799.json","label":"false","statement":"The IRS is going to be in charge of our health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the IRS is going to be in charge of our health care is false. While the IRS does have certain roles and responsibilities related to the implementation and enforcement of certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it does not have the authority to oversee or control individual health care decisions or interactions between doctors and patients. The primary responsibility for health care regulation and administration lies with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Therefore, the claim that the IRS is in charge of our health care is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We\u2019ll be looking at a few claims from this exchange. In this item, we\u2019ll look at whether there\u2019s support for her claim that the IRS is \"going to be in charge of our health care.\"","Bachmann said the IRS is \"going to be in charge of our health care.\" The IRS does play a number of key roles under the health care law, but it\u2019s wrong to say it would \"be in charge\" of any American\u2019s health care. The IRS won\u2019t oversee interactions between doctors and patients, nor will it play any more of a role than confirming that exchange purchasers qualify for subsidies. Even within the government, HHS plays a much bigger role. We rate Bachmann\u2019s claim False.","\u2022 Bachmann said the IRS is \"going to be in charge of our health care.\" The IRS won\u2019t oversee interactions between doctors and patients, nor will it play any more of a role than confirming that some people qualify for subsidies to buy health insurance. We rated Bachmann\u2019s claim False.","She said, \"So now we find out these people are making decisions based on our politics and beliefs, and they're going to be in charge of our health care. There's a huge national database that's being created right now. Your health care, my health care, all the Fox viewers\u2019 health care, their personal, intimate, most close to the vest secrets will be in that database, and the IRS is in charge of that database? So the IRS will have the ability potentially -- will they? -- to deny health care, to deny access, to delay health care? This is serious! Based upon our political beliefs? That's why we have to repeal Obamacare. And I still think it's possible.\""]},{"id":"274.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"You've got a building in the Cayman Islands that supposedly houses 12,000 corporations. That's either the biggest building or the biggest tax scam on record.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there are thousands of subsidiaries, including those from U.S. corporations, located in the Cayman Islands. These subsidiaries often utilize the Cayman Islands as a tax shelter due to its lack of corporate income tax. However, the statement is subjective when it comes to labeling it as \"the biggest tax scam on record.\" This judgment depends on one's perspective and interpretation of the tax practices involved. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks nuance in its characterization.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So, Obama is right that thousands of corporations, and some do say more than 12,000, are in one building in the Caymans, but he goes too far when he implies it's an illegal scam. We rule his statement Half True.","But while Sen. Barack Obama is right on the general point, calling the practice \"the biggest tax scam on record\" is questionable. From the quote itself, it's hard to tell if Obama is taking issue with the way companies use the Caymans as a tax shelter, or if he's objecting to the U.S. tax code that makes it possible.","Thousands of subsidiaries, many from U.S. corporations, have indeed set up shop \u2014 or more precisely, hung a nameplate \u2014 at the five-story Ugland House and other financial centers in the Cayman Islands.","Weather isn't drawing the corporations, of course. The Caymans do not have a corporate income tax. The United States taxes corporate income at 35 percent, higher than most countries."]},{"id":"6783.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Obama is only president in history who has deliberately removed the words endowed by their Creator when referring to the Declaration of Independence.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that President Obama has omitted the phrase \"endowed by their Creator\" in some of his speeches, he has also included those words on many occasions. Furthermore, there are at least three other presidents, including Calvin Coolidge, Dwight Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan, who have also omitted the phrase in their references to the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, Obama is not the only president in history who has done so.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The black-and-white ad includes a laundry list of claims against Obama, dealing with topics from Islamic law to abortion, most of which PolitiFact has debunked as False or Pants on Fire. The kicker: an accusation that Obama puts an atheistic spin on the Declaration of Independence. Obama, it says, is the \"only president in history who has deliberately removed the words \u2018endowed by their Creator\u2019 when referring to the Declaration of Independence not once but several times.\"","Not so. It\u2019s true that Obama has omitted \"endowed by their Creator\" in speeches, but he\u2019s also included those words many times. And at least three other presidents -- including Ronald Reagan -- have left out the Creator.","First, a quick American history review. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, proclaiming America\u2019s separation from the British empire and asserting the right to govern itself. Here\u2019s the most famous line, and the one at issue:","But Obama's not \"the only president in history\" who has done it. A website that investigates urban legends dug up examples of Calvin Coolidge, Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan omitting the \"Creator.\""]},{"id":"661.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"John McCain wants to privatize Social Security.\"","reason":"Reason: While there is some debate and ambiguity surrounding John McCain's stance on Social Security, it is not accurate to definitively state that he wants to privatize the program. McCain has expressed support for the idea of personal accounts as a supplement to the current system, but he has also emphasized the need to address the overall solvency of Social Security. His position is not equivalent to George W. Bush's failed proposal to privatize Social Security. Therefore, the statement that \"John McCain wants to privatize Social Security\" is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect his position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["One line jumped out at us: \"John McCain wants to privatize Social Security.\" \"Privatizing social security\" is how Democrats refer to George W. Bush's plan to allow workers to divert a portion of the program's payroll taxes to personal investment accounts. (Republicans prefer the nomenclature of \" personal accounts .\")","That sounds to us to fall considerably short of Clinton's statement that McCain \"wants to privatize Social Security.\" She stretches things when she equates his currently vague designs for the program with Bush's failed policy proposal, so we judge her statement to be Barely True.","McCain, mindful of the passions Social Security debates tend to arouse, is vague about his plans for the program. His Web site says he wants to supplement the current system with personal accounts but that the accounts will not be a substitute for addressing overall solvency. It also notes McCain wants to work with Democrats on a Social Security plan but is prepared to go it alone if they don't want to play.","Heritage Foundation, \"Raising the Social Security Payroll Tax Cap Does Not Fix Social Security,\" by David C. John, Feb. 16, 2005"]},{"id":"11100.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Although we have twice the population of Greece, the state of Florida employs three times fewer government employees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Atwater that, despite having twice the population of Greece, the state of Florida employs three times fewer government employees. This claim is supported by evidence that Florida has a lower number of state government workers compared to Greece. However, it's important to note that a more comprehensive comparison should include government workers at the federal and local levels. When considering all levels of government employment, Florida's overall total of government workers would outnumber Greece's public-sector employees. Therefore, while the statement is true in the context of state government employees, it does not provide a complete comparison of government employment between Florida and Greece.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"A country in economic peril, Greece\u2019s priorities have historically been very different from Florida\u2019s,\" Atwater wrote on July 13, 2015. \"For example, Greeks depend much more on their government for employment and services. Although we have twice the population of Greece, the State of Florida employs three times fewer government employees.\"","Florida does directly employ about one-third as many state government workers as Greece does. But a more reasonable comparison should also include government workers at the federal and local levels -- which means Florida\u2019s overall total of government workers would outnumber Greece\u2019s public-sector employees.","First of all, let\u2019s stipulate that Greece\u2019s population is about 11 million, while the Census Bureau says Florida is now closing in on 20 million, so he\u2019s close on that point.","Add that all up, and there are almost 1.1 million government employees on all levels across Florida at any given time. That is quite a bit more than the 600,000 or so Greek government workers."]},{"id":"13478.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Donald Trumps presidential victory was an electoral landslide.","reason":"Reason: While Donald Trump won the presidency, it is not accurate to describe his victory as an \"electoral landslide.\" The term \"landslide\" typically refers to a decisive and overwhelming victory, which is not the case here. Trump's electoral victory was notable, but it was not a landslide in terms of the margin of electoral votes or historical comparisons. It is important to use accurate and appropriate language when describing election outcomes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The margin of Donald Trump\u2019s presidential victory might be merely academic -- were it not for his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, and fellow Republicans such as House Speaker Paul Ryan declaring that Trump had won a mandate.","While there have been four previous occasions when a presidential candidate lost the Electoral College vote while winning the popular vote, Clinton\u2019s margin of victory is notably large.","!Donald Trump (left), who lost to Hillary Clinton in the popular vote, nevertheless won the presidency in \"an electoral landslide,\" according to Reince Priebus. (Getty Images) !Donald Trump (left), who lost to Hillary Clinton in the popular vote, nevertheless won the presidency in \"an electoral landslide,\" according to Reince Priebus. (Getty Images)","\"And look what happened on Tuesday. I mean, it was an electoral landslide and the American people agreed that Donald Trump\u2019s vision for America is what this country has been waiting for.\""]},{"id":"11161.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsins rainy day fund is 165 times bigger than when we first took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the increase in Wisconsin's rainy day fund. When Governor Walker took office, the fund had $1.68 million, and it has since grown to $280 million. This represents a significant increase in the fund, which can be calculated as approximately 165 times larger. The evidence provided supports the claim made by Governor Walker.\nLabel: true","evidence":["On one hand, \"165 times\" sounds like a huge increase. On the other, what was the size of the fund if it could be made 165 times larger?","The $280 million currently in the budget stabilization fund is 165 times larger than the $1.68 million when Walker took office. Walker signed a tax cut law in 2014 that contained a provision voiding a requirement that would have put another $113 million into the fund. But that doesn\u2019t change how much larger the fund is..","There have been three deposits to the rainy day fund as a result of budget surpluses since Walker took office in January 2011:","To back Walker's claim, the governor's office cited two state reports. They show that the so-called rainy day fund was $1.68 million when Walker took office and now is $280 million."]},{"id":"6923.json","label":"true","statement":"Says as Co-Chair of the Joint Ways Means Committee, I secured the key piece of funding for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project bridge.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the statement is accurate. As Co-Chair of the Joint Ways & Means Committee, the individual mentioned secured the key piece of funding for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project bridge. Multiple sources, including the person themselves and interviews with individuals involved in the negotiations, support this claim. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says \"as Co-Chair of the Joint Ways & Means Committee, I secured the key piece of funding for\" the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project bridge.\"","\"We\u2019re building the first new bridge across the Willamette in more than 40 years, this one dedicated to transit, pedestrian and bike traffic,\" she writes on her website. \"As Co-Chair of the Joint Ways & Means Committee, I secured the key piece of funding for this important project.\"","Nolan said she \"secured the key piece of funding\" for the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project bridge. It might be nice if that read \"helped secure\" instead -- it was certainly a group effort. But based on committee assignments and interviews with two people closest to the negotiations, it does appear that Nolan played a key role.","It\u2019s been nearly 40 years since Portlanders have seen a new bridge constructed over the Willamette River. That will change soon with the addition of the Milwaukie light rail bridge, scheduled to be up and running by fall 2015."]},{"id":"4699.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We are the poster child for compliance, and whenever we discover possible infractions we resolve and report it to the NCAA no matter how minor the violations.","reason":"Reason: While Ohio State University (OSU) has made efforts to report and resolve violations, it is an exaggeration to claim that they are \"the poster child for compliance.\" The evidence suggests that OSU has been diligent in reporting infractions to the NCAA, but it does not necessarily make them the epitome of compliance among all universities. The statement accurately highlights their commitment to reporting violations, but the claim of being the \"poster child\" is subjective and lacks sufficient evidence to support it fully.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We are the poster child for compliance, and whenever we discover possible infractions we resolve and report it to the NCAA no matter how minor the violations,\" Gee said. \"That\u2019s what we have done here.\"","In fairness, Gee\u2019s statement was focused on reporting and resolving violations, not necessarily preventing them, even though that\u2019s also the compliance department\u2019s job. And there is no evidence that the compliance office has failed to properly report infractions to the NCAA or cover up anything that has come to light. The NCAA has said it doesn\u2019t see anything that points to a systematic problem in athletics in the recent infractions.","So OSU isn\u2019t exactly \"the poster child for compliance,\" but we\u2019ll give Gee some points for accuracy in describing the university\u2019s commitment to reporting violations. We\u2019ll have to throw a flag for hyperbole, though, and rate the statement Half True.","So we decided to buckle up our helmet and dig into whether Ohio State\u2019s compliance office really is the \"poster child\" for universities across the country."]},{"id":"923.json","label":"true","statement":"To give the proposed economic stimulus plan some perspective, \"if you started the day Jesus Christ was born and spent $1 million every day since then, you still wouldnt have spent $1 trillion.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who used the analogy to emphasize the magnitude of the proposed economic stimulus plan. The calculation is based on the concept of spending $1 million every day since the birth of Jesus Christ, and it highlights the vastness of a trillion dollars. While the stimulus package mentioned in the evidence falls short of $1 trillion, McConnell's statement is still true in terms of illustrating the immense scale of the proposed spending.\nLabel: true","evidence":["To give the proposed economic stimulus plan some perspective, \"if you started the day Jesus Christ was born and spent $1 million every day since then, you still wouldn\u2019t have spent $1 trillion.\"","\"You know, this is huge money,\" McConnell said. \"This is \u2014 someone said the other day that, if you started the day Jesus Christ was born and spent $1 million every day since then, you still wouldn\u2019t have spent $1 trillion.\u201d","The stimulus package is actually short of $1 trillion too, $819 billion. But that's still more than a million bucks a day since the day Jesus was born. We find McConnell's staggering stat to be True.","In a CBS Face the Nation interview on Feb. 1, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky, sought to put the proposed economic stimulus bill into some sobering perspective."]},{"id":"5053.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he has been able to attract independents and Democrats to win elections in Pennsylvania.","reason":"Reason: Rick Santorum claims that he has been able to attract independents and Democrats to win elections in Pennsylvania. While he did win elections in Pennsylvania, the evidence is mixed regarding his ability to attract independents and Democrats specifically. Some sources suggest that he was able to win a majority of independent votes in certain elections, but there is no clear consensus on his ability to attract Democrats. Therefore, the statement is partially supported by evidence, but it lacks a comprehensive and definitive conclusion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We come to a mixed verdict on Santorum\u2019s claim that he has \"been able to attract independents and Democrats to win\" elections in Pennsylvania.","\"And so if you look at everybody else in the field, no one has ever run as a conservative and been able to attract independents and Democrats to win. I have. And I think that's one of the reasons the people in Iowa are looking us. They say, \u2018Wow, this guy's defeated, you know, straight up two Democratic incumbents to win his House seat and -- and Senate seat in very tough districts and in a very tough state.\u2019\"","\"Absolutely they should be concerned about the electability. I'm the only one in this race that has a track record of winning elections in tough states. I had a million more registered Democrats than Republicans. And in two statewide elections, you know, running against very strong candidates, I was able to win the state of Pennsylvania, something a Republican hasn't done for president since 1988.","However, he has a point that he was able to win independent votes. Against Klink, he won a clear majority of independents in 2000."]},{"id":"6084.json","label":"true","statement":"Says lawyer appointed by Eric Holder to investigate government leaks helped and donated to Obamas campaign, vetting vice presidential prospects.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Ronald Machen, the lawyer appointed by Eric Holder to investigate government leaks, did volunteer for Obama's campaign and assisted in vetting vice presidential prospects. Additionally, he made donations to President Obama's political campaigns. These facts raise concerns about the independence and impartiality of Machen's inquiry, as pointed out by Senator Cornyn. \nLabel: true","evidence":["We are not judging here whether Machen's donations to Obama's 2008 campaign and his self-declared vetting of vice presidential prospects disqualify him from fully investigating any leaks. That said, Cornyn\u2019s statement rates True.","Mitchell also pointed us to a Jan. 19, 2010, news blog post in Legal Times, which covers legal news in Washington and nationally. The post says Machen revealed on a Senate questionnaire he filled out fo as he faced confirmation that he had volunteered for Obama\u2019s campaign and vetted vice presidential prospects for Obama\u2019s campaign. The blog post says vetting work \"generally consists of standard background checks of personal information, public speeches, and writings.\"","Yet Cornyn also aired another criticism, both at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and in a commentary placed the same day on the Fox News website. In the commentary, Cornyn said Ronald Machen, one of two U.S. attorneys just named by Holder to lead the government\u2019s investigation of information leaks, \"has donated thousands of dollars to President Obama\u2019s political campaigns; he vetted vice presidential candidates for the Obama team in 2008; and he got his first job as a federal prosecutor from, you guessed it, Eric Holder. In short, Mr. Machen\u2019s inquiry will not seem truly independent. It is insulting for the attorney general to pretend otherwise.\"","After Holder confirmed that he had earlier hired Machen as an assistant U.S. attorney, Cornyn asked him: \"Would it surprise you to know that he is a political contributor to President Obama\u2019s campaign and indeed served as a volunteer in Obama for America and assisted in the vetting of potential vice presidential candidates?\""]},{"id":"5270.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Congressman Phil Roe hands out $1.3M government check from a federal program that he voted against.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation where Congressman Phil Roe presented a $1.3 million check from the federal government to Takoma Regional Hospital, despite having voted against the stimulus bill that provided the reimbursement funding for such programs. However, it's important to note that Congressman Roe did not specifically vote against the funding for this particular hospital. While there may be an element of hypocrisy in this situation, it is crucial to provide the full context to avoid any misrepresentation. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But Democrats are calling him a hypocrite: \"Congressman Phil Roe Hands Out $1.3M Government Check \u2013 He Voted Against,\" the party proclaimed in a press release. The release included a photo of a smiling Roe and hospital officials holding a poster-sized copy of a check, with the caption underneath reading: \"GOP Congressman Roe: Do as I say, not as I do.\"","But the Tennessee Democratic Party accused U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-Johnson City, of hypocrisy after he showed up at Takoma Regional Hospital in Greeneville on Jan. 5 to present a $1.3 million check from the federal government. Roe, by the way, is a physician, and his website prominently places \"M.D.\" after his name at every opportunity and mentions he has delivered \"close to 5,000 babies.\"","Congressman Roe voted against the stimulus bill that provided the reimbursement funding for Takoma Regional and later showed up at a ceremony in which the hospital announced it had received the funding. But because Roe did not vote against this particular hospital receiving that specific $1.3 million federal reimbursement for converting to electronic medical records, we\u2019re going with Mostly True on the Tennessee Democratic Party\u2019s claim.","Roe is hardly the first congressman to stand accused of saying one thing and doing another. But we wondered if the charges were true: Did he really deliver a check that he voted against?"]},{"id":"3978.json","label":"false","statement":"As the Democrats finally maxed out their government spending credit card Monday, Kurt Schrader continued to stand with his party leaders in failing to offer any viable long-term solution.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely implies that Kurt Schrader and the Democrats are solely responsible for maxing out the government spending credit card. In reality, government spending is influenced by various factors, including decisions made by both Democrats and Republicans. Blaming only one party for the situation oversimplifies the complex nature of government spending and ignores the contributions of other factors such as wars, tax cuts, and broader economic circumstances. It is misleading to suggest that Schrader and his party leaders have not offered any viable long-term solutions without providing specific evidence to support this claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Kurt Schrader and his fellow Democrats went on a spending spree and now their credit card is maxed out,\" the press release said.","This is a lot like living on a credit card and asking the bank for a higher limit, an analogy that Republicans happen to like. In an attack used in some variation against Schrader and 58 other House Democrats, the NRCC also claimed that Schrader and his fellow Democrats \"went on a spending spree and now their credit card is maxed out.\"","National Republican Congressional Committee, e-mail, \"After Democrats Max Out the Credit Card, Schrader Content to Ask for More,\" May 18, 2011","To say that Schrader ran up the credit card is a pithy political slogan, but it ignores all the other spending and borrowing that factored into the debt. Were the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the tax cuts the chief culprits? Democrats say yes. Conservatives disagree, saying that amounts to cherry picking and ignores all other spending."]},{"id":"8218.json","label":"true","statement":"The city of Portland has won more national Constitution contests than any city in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, the city of Portland has indeed won more national Constitution contests than any other city in the United States. The \"We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program\" is a national competition where high schools demonstrate their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution. Grant High School and Lincoln High School, both located in Portland, have achieved first-place finishes in the competition, contributing to Portland's distinction as the city with the most wins in these national Constitution contests.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I represent the two teams that alternate the national championships. Last year it was Lincoln, this year it's Grant. Who knows what is going to happen (next) year,\" he said. \"But ladies and gentlemen, the City of Portland has won more national Constitution contests than any city in America.\"","With Grant High the champion this year, that brings the city of Portland to five First Place finishes, more than any other city in the United States. Blumenauer can proudly claim the distinction.","But before we signed off on this fact check, we wanted to make sure of one last angle. Is this the only national Constitution conference? Could there be a rival program that shuts out Portland?","The program is called \" We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program,\" and it\u2019s been around since 1987 with its first competition in 1988. High schools compete to display knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and the winning team from each state moves to the finals in Washington, D.C. This year, Grant High Schoolin Northeast Portland placed first in nationals. Last year, Lincoln High Schoolin Southwest Portland won."]},{"id":"1446.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Mr. President, multiple times from your administration there have come statements that Republicans have no ideas and no solutions\" on health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Representative Tom Price that there have been statements from the Obama administration suggesting that Republicans have no ideas and no solutions on health care. This claim is supported by evidence, including examples provided by Price's spokesman and independent fact-checking sources. It is important to note that this statement specifically focuses on health care and does not extend to other issues. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Price then said, \"Mr. President, multiple times from your administration there have come statements that Republicans have no ideas and no solutions, in spite of the fact that we've offered, as demonstrated today, positive solutions to all of the challenges we face, including energy and the economy and health care.\"","Because Price appeared to correct himself after Obama's reply, we decided to focus on the second claim, that people in Obama's administration have made \"statements that Republicans have no ideas and no solutions.\" Price spokesman Brendan Buck provided a couple of examples and we found a couple of our own:","Still, Price is right. Obama and his aides have said the Republicans have no ideas on health care and other issues. We rate Price's statement True.","\"You have repeatedly said, most recently at -- at the State of the Union, that Republicans have offered no ideas and no solutions,\" Price said on Jan. 29, 2010."]},{"id":"1612.json","label":"true","statement":"\"There will be no public funding for abortion in this legislation.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Stupak, who initially expressed concerns about federal funding of abortions in the healthcare legislation. However, he later stated that he was convinced there would be no public funding for abortion in the legislation due to the promise of an executive order from President Obama. This executive order was seen as a reinforcement of the commitment to prohibit the use of federal funds for abortions. Based on this evidence, it can be concluded that Stupak's claim is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["For weeks, Stupak insisted he and a group of other abortion foes in the House could not support the Senate bill because it would result in federal funding of abortions, contrary to longstanding federal policy. But on the afternoon of March 21, 2010, Stupak said in a news conference that the promise of an executive order on abortion from President Barack Obama convinced him \"there will be no public funding of abortion in this legislation.\"","So, what changed on Sunday that prompted Stupak to say \"there will be no public funding for abortion in this legislation\"? In the hours leading up to the vote, he and several other antiabortion Democrats in the House agreed to back the health bill after Obama promised to sign an executive order reinforcing the commitment that no federal funds would be used for abortions.","We think that's enough to back up Stupak's claim, \"There will be no public funding for abortion in this legislation.\" But that's a conclusion we reached before the president promised an executive order, back when Stupak disagreed with us and insisted the bill would have had federal dollars subsidizing abortions. We don't understand how the executive order changes Stupak's logic on this issue, but no matter how he arrived as his conclusion, we think he's right now. And we rule his claim True.","National Right to Life, Statement by the National Right to Life Committee on abortion \"deal\" on health care legislation, March 21, 2010"]},{"id":"12967.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says in Washington, D.C., Sen. Richard Burr took millions from special interests, went there and cashed in, voted to cut (his) own taxes and raise taxes on working folks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker, accusing Senator Richard Burr of taking money from special interests, benefiting financially, and voting to cut his own taxes while raising taxes on working individuals. However, it's important to note that the veracity of these claims is disputed. While some sources have rated similar claims as \"Half True,\" the specific details and context may vary. It is advisable to consult multiple sources and fact-checking organizations to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ross said Burr \"took millions from special interests, went there and cashed in, voted to cut (his) own taxes and raise taxes on working folks.\"","\"You took millions from special interests, went there and cashed in, voted to cut your own taxes and raise taxes on working folks,\" Ross tells the fictional Burr in the ad.","This summer she claimed that Burr \"took millions from special interests, went there and cashed in, voted to cut (his) own taxes and raise taxes on working folks.\" We rated that Half True.","We wondered if it was true that Burr became a millionaire in Washington then voted to cut taxes for millionaires like himself. And did he also vote to raise taxes on middle class and working families?"]},{"id":"7201.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Virginia is the biggest state that does not have a major league sports team.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Virginia is indeed the largest state in the United States that does not have a major league sports team. While the Washington Redskins have their headquarters in Virginia, they do not play their home games in the state. Other states larger than Virginia, such as California, Texas, New York, and Florida, all have major league professional sports teams. Additionally, the presence of major league teams in neighboring cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Charlotte further highlights the absence of a major league sports franchise in Virginia.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There is no major league sports franchise in Virginia,\" Barrett said. \"Virginia is the biggest state in the country that does not have a professional sports franchise.\"","Sure, the Redskins have their headquarters in Virginia. But there\u2019s no major league team that plays its home games in the Virginia or in any way bears its name.","All the states larger than Virginia -- California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina and New Jersey -- have major-league professional sports teams.","Franchises must also consider sports saturation, Favorito said. Washington, Baltimore, Charlotte, N.C., and Raleigh, N.C., have major league teams. And the region also has plenty of college teams."]},{"id":"1250.json","label":"false","statement":"Not only is there no scientific evidence that CO2 is a pollutant, higher CO2 concentrations actually help ecosystems support more plant and animal life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there may be differing opinions on the extent of the negative impacts of CO2 emissions, the overwhelming scientific consensus is that carbon dioxide is considered a pollutant and contributes to climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes CO2 as a pollutant and has implemented regulations to limit its emissions. Additionally, while plants do require CO2 for photosynthesis, higher concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere can have detrimental effects on ecosystems, including disrupting natural balances, altering habitats, and contributing to climate change. Therefore, the claim that higher CO2 concentrations help ecosystems support more plant and animal life is misleading and does not align with scientific understanding.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We're going to take the group's claims \u2014 that there is no scientific evidence that CO 2 is a pollutant and that higher CO 2 concentrations actually help ecosystems support more plant and animal life \u2014 one at a time.","\"Not only is there no scientific evidence that CO 2 is a pollutant, higher CO 2 concentrations actually help ecosystems support more plant and animal life,\" according to an ad the group published Oct. 5, 2009, in the Post .","But back to 's claim. They are wrong that carbon dioxide is not considered a pollutant. According to the EPA, it is. And the claim that \"higher CO 2 concentrations actually help ecosystems support more plant and animal life\" leaves out some important details. While carbon dioxide is good for plants, increased amounts of it in our atmosphere will have auxiliary effects that are decidedly bad for ecosystems. For , it's False.","'s second claim \u2014 that higher carbon dioxide concentrations boost plant and animal life \u2014 is not so clear-cut. To be sure, carbon dioxide is essential to life as we know it, and climate change skeptics have used the argument to reject efforts to reduce greenhouse gases."]},{"id":"3819.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On whether judges should be allowed to place children with gay couples who wish to adopt.","reason":"Reason: Tim Kaine's position on allowing judges to place children with gay couples who wish to adopt has evolved over time. In 2005, he opposed letting unmarried couples, including gay couples, adopt. However, his stance has since changed, and he now believes that judges should be empowered to allow unmarried couples, including gay couples, to adopt children. It is important to note that Kaine has not explicitly called for the revamping of state adoption laws, and his focus in his campaign for the U.S. Senate is primarily on federal issues. Nonetheless, his position on allowing judges to place children with gay couples who wish to adopt has shifted in favor of supporting such adoptions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kaine\u2019s overall position may not have changed, but the details have. He now thinks judges should be empowered to allow unmarried couples to adopt children. In 2005, he opposed letting unmarried couples to adopt.","The Democrat said he didn\u2019t think unmarried couples, gay or straight, should be allowed to adopt. His opponent, Republican Jerry Kilgore, opposed any adoption by homosexual individuals.","Kaine, then lieutenant governor, said he favored the laws on the book, which allowed both heterosexual married couples and single people -- regardless of sexual orientation -- to adopt.","Kaine has stopped short of urging the General Assembly to revamp laws so that unmarried couples could adopt. And his campaign for the U.S. Senate next year promises to focus on federal issues -- not state adoption laws, which he would have no control over if he is elected."]},{"id":"7266.json","label":"true","statement":"In total, we have added nearly 75,000 private sector jobs in New Jersey since we took office in January 2010.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Chris Christie's claim that nearly 75,000 private sector jobs were added in New Jersey since he took office in January 2010. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which states that the total number of private-sector jobs in New Jersey increased by 103,200 between February 2010 and December 2012. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In total, we have added nearly 75,000 private sector jobs in New Jersey since we took office in January 2010,\" he told lawmakers in Trenton.","Christie said during his State of the State address, \"In total, we have added nearly 75,000 private sector jobs in New Jersey since we took office in January 2010.\"","Cuomo\u2019s office says the 800,000 new jobs refers to those added in the private sector since he took office in 2011.","The total number of private-sector jobs in New Jersey in February 2010 \u2013 the first full month the governor was in office \u2013 was 3,197,600. The number in December 2012 was 3,300,800. That\u2019s a net gain of 103,200 jobs."]},{"id":"7107.json","label":"true","statement":"Says about 25 Texas cities and 39 states have banned texting while driving.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Rep. Tom Craddick and various sources, including the National Conference of State Legislatures. According to these sources, approximately 25 Texas cities have adopted ordinances banning texting while driving, and 39 states, along with the District of Columbia, have implemented bans on texting while driving. It's important to note that the bans may vary in terms of their scope and restrictions, but the statement accurately represents the general trend of banning texting while driving across cities and states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, said in a Nov. 12, 2012, press release: \"Approximately 25 Texas cities have adopted an ordinance banning texting while driving.\" He also said: \"It is time for Texas to join the other 39 states\" in banning \"this dangerous behavior for all drivers.\"","An introduction to the institute\u2019s map of states with limits on texting while driving, dated November 2012, says: \"Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 39 states and the District of Columbia.\" The map indicates that six additional states, including Texas, have imposed partial bans. In Texas, an institute chart says, individuals barred from texting include drivers in school crossing zones; bus drivers when a passenger 17 or younger is present; and drivers younger than 18.","Similarly, the National Conference of State Legislatures says 39 states have banned texting while driving. Anne Teigen, a conference policy specialist, told us by phone that the group independently confirmed each state\u2019s ban.","Pitching a statewide ban on texting while driving like one vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2011, a former speaker of the Texas House said two dozen Texas cities and most states already bar the practice."]},{"id":"1765.json","label":"false","statement":"For the new state budget, \"Floridians have sent us $3 billion less of their funding.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the speaker, Flores, is incorrect. The evidence shows that the amount of general revenue actually increased from the previous year's budget, indicating that Floridians sent more money to the government, not less. The claim of Floridians sending $3 billion less in funding is contradicted by the facts presented. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"At a time when Floridians had less \u2026 At a time when Floridians have sent us $3 billion less of their funding, to be able to say that we kept our promise to you guys \u2013 funding education \u2013 I think it\u2019s something we should be proud of.\u201d","But the reason for the budget squeeze wasn't because Floridians were sending $3 billion less in tax money. The amount of general revenue actually went up from $21 billion in last year\u2019s budget to $22.9 billion for the new budget -- an 8 percent increase.","Bottom line: the state can still have a deficit while bringing in more funding, which is just the case this year. Flores misspoke when she said Floridians have sent the government less money. They've done just the opposite. Her statement earns a False.","That's largely because last year lawmakers balanced the budget by hiking taxes and fees to the tune of $2.2 billion. So contrary to what Flores said, Floridians sent more money to Tallahassee, not less."]},{"id":"6240.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Unemployment rate dropped in every state that elected a Republican gov. in 2010","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the unemployment rate dropped in every state that elected a Republican governor in 2010, it fails to mention that the unemployment rate also dropped in the majority of states that elected Democratic governors in the same year. Therefore, the claim is misleading as it implies that only Republican governors were responsible for the decrease in unemployment rates, disregarding the broader economic factors at play during that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[", \"Unemployment rate dropped in every state that elected a Republican gov. in 2010,\" July 9, 2012, accessed July 9, 2012","John Robitaille, a 2010 Republican candidate for governor in Rhode Island, cited a beguiling statistic when he Tweeted: \"Unemployment rate dropped in every state that elected a Republican gov. in 2010\"","But it is also true that the unemployment rate dropped in seven of the eight states that elected Democratic governors in 2010.","John Robitaille\u2019s Tweet that the unemployment rate had dropped in every state that elected a Republican governor is true as far as it goes."]},{"id":"4124.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"By any measure, New Jersey has one of the most segregated school systems in the country.","reason":"Reason: According to David Sciarra, executive director of the New Jersey Education Law Center, and supported by data from a 2004 report on segregation and the National Center for Education Statistics, New Jersey's school system is considered to be among the most segregated in the nation. The segregation is primarily attributed to historical housing patterns and demographic factors, with cities having higher concentrations of black and Latino students, while the suburbs are predominantly white. The evidence supports the claim that New Jersey has one of the most segregated school systems in the country.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"By any measure, New Jersey has one of the most segregated school systems in the country,\" Sciarra said in a May 19 Bob Braun column in The Star-Ledger. Sciarra made the comment during an event days before the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered that $500 million be pumped into the state\u2019s low-income schools, known as Abbott districts.","But the state\u2019s school systems aren\u2019t exactly a model of racial diversity, according to David Sciarra, executive director of the New Jersey Education Law Center, based in Newark.","Sciarra and several other experts say the state\u2019s school system is among the most segregated in the nation, primarily because of a history of housing patterns and other demographic factors. Data from a 2004 report on segregation, as well as 2009-10 statistics from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that New Jersey is in the top 10 of states for having segregated schools. Sciarra said New Jersey typically ranks in the top five for being the most segregated, but our research puts New Jersey more in the top 10. For those reasons, we rate this claim Mostly True.","New Jersey schools are segregated, Sciarra said, because the state has hundreds of school districts that track municipal boundaries. The cities typically have large concentrations of black and Latino students, while the suburbs are overwhelmingly white."]},{"id":"8538.json","label":"false","statement":"They delayed my swearing-in here in Massachusetts for a couple weeks so they could ram (the health care law) through.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Brown that his swearing-in was delayed in order to \"ram\" the health care law through is not supported by the evidence. Multiple sources confirm that Brown's swearing-in was not delayed, and the Senate did not rush the passage of the health care law during the time between his election and taking office. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and does not align with the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Brown said, \"They delayed my swearing-in here in Massachusetts for a couple weeks so they could ram (the health care law) through.\"","We never heard back from Brown, but the record is pretty clear on this. His swearing-in wasn\u2019t delayed, and the Senate did not \"ram\" the health care law through in the time between his election and his taking the oath of office.","\"They rammed it through before I got there, knowing I would be there in a week or two,\" Brown said on The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson. \"They delayed my swearing-in here in Massachusetts for a couple weeks so they could ram it through and did not pass one amendment to make it better for the American people, and they should be held accountable.\"","Brown, who is now a Fox News contributor, claimed the architects of Obamacare delayed Brown\u2019s swearing-in in 2010 to help \"ram\" the law through Congress."]},{"id":"10031.json","label":"true","statement":"Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim country out of 47 Muslim-majority countries where women cannot get licenses to drive.","reason":"Reason: According to multiple sources and research, including NPR, it is accurate to state that Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim-majority country where women are not allowed to obtain licenses to drive. While there may be variations in the exact number of Muslim-majority countries, the consensus is that Saudi Arabia stands alone in this regard. It is important to note that while there is no formal law banning women from driving, the government does not issue them licenses. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We went through a list of Muslim-majority nations and from everything we found, Obeidallah is correct about Saudi Arabia\u2019s unique status. Another country that blocked women from driving did not show up. (For the record, our list had 51 nations, not 47. And there's another list that has 49. But we won't quibble over that.)","Obeidallah said Saudi Arabia is the only Muslim-majority nation that doesn\u2019t allow women to drive. According to our research and independent sources, that is correct.","We asked Obeidallah and he said not only is it accurate within the Muslim world, but Saudi Arabia might be the only country worldwide that doesn\u2019t let women drive. He pointed to a NPR story that said the oil-rich nation holds that dubious distinction, although it clarified \"while there is no law formally banning female drivers, the government does not give them licenses.\"","We asked Obeidallah and he said not only is it accurate within the Muslim world, but Saudi Arabia might be the only country worldwide that doesn\u2019t let women drive. He pointed to an NPR story that said the oil-rich nation holds that dubious distinction, although it clarified \"while there is no law formally banning female drivers, the government does not give them licenses.\""]},{"id":"3821.json","label":"true","statement":"If you look at the benefits and wages of recorded federal employees, they far outstrip the market rates of the private sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings reported by USA Today, which indicate that federal employees receive higher average salaries and benefits compared to their private-sector counterparts. The data shows that federal civilian employees receive an average salary of $81,258 and benefits worth $41,791, while private-sector workers receive $50,462 in pay and $10,589 in benefits. This demonstrates that the combined wages and benefits of federal employees exceed market rates in the private sector.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"If you look at the benefits and wages of recorded federal employees, they far outstrip the market rates of the private sector,\" he said.","All of that is well and fine, but it still doesn\u2019t put a dent in Cantor\u2019s claim, which looks at wages and benefits together. All parties agree that federal benefits are far more generous than those in the private sector.","According to USA Today, federal civilian employees received an average salary of $81,258 and benefits worth $41,791. Private-sector workers got $50,462 in pay and $10,589 in benefits.","Federal employees typically to do more specialized work that requires more education and responsibility than their private-sector peers, he said. Federal workers also often have served longer in their positions than private employees, he added."]},{"id":"7338.json","label":"true","statement":"Says ending the direct payment farm subsidy program could save up to $28.4 billion over ten years that could be used to reduce the deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Ron Wyden that ending the direct payment farm subsidy program could potentially save up to $28.4 billion over a ten-year period, which could then be used to reduce the deficit. This claim is supported by the Congressional Budget Office's calculation and is consistent with efforts to redirect funds from agricultural subsidies towards deficit reduction.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This is why I've worked to end the wasteful direct payment farm subsidy program that funnels payments to large corporate agribusinesses. This action could save up to $28.4 billion over ten years that could be used to reduce the deficit,\" the Oregon Democrat said in a Dec. 21, 2012, news release.","Those recipients are part of an agriculture \"safety net\" erected in 1996 that, in this case, provides payments to farmers (both genuine and hobby) who raise wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, cotton and peanuts. The Congressional Budget Office calculated that ending those subsidies would save $28.4 billion over 10 years. Blumenauer wants that money diverted from what he says are stable and profitable companies to paying down the nation\u2019s $1.1 trillion deficit.","The White House; \"\u2018Someday\u2019 is Now: Direct Farm Payments and the President\u2019s Plan for Economic Growth and Deficit Reduction;\"Sept. 19, 2011","( - Sen. Ron Wyden says Americans spend more than 6 billion hours and $160 billion to comply with federal tax laws&url=)"]},{"id":"8740.json","label":"half-true","statement":"State Rep. Kathleen Peters has a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record even voting against a ban on sex-selection abortions.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that State Rep. Kathleen Peters voted against a ban on sex-selection abortions, it is misleading to claim that she has a \"100 percent pro-abortion voting record.\" Peters has voted in favor of bills aimed at protecting the lives of children born after failed attempts at abortions, which contradicts the assertion that her voting record is entirely \"pro-abortion.\" It is important to consider the nuances and details of her voting history rather than making a blanket statement based on a single vote.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["National Right to Life said Peters \"has a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record \u2013 even voting against a ban on sex-selection abortions.\" It\u2019s true that she voted against a sex-selection abortion ban, no matter what reasoning she offered as an explanation. Whether all her votes were \"pro-abortion\" is another matter.","\"State Rep. Kathleen Peters has a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record \u2013 even voting against a ban on sex-selection abortions,\" the piece read. It also stated David Jolly is \"the only candidate in the GOP primary who has taken a pro-life stand.\" The item added that fellow Republican Mark Bircher had not returned the group\u2019s questionnaire and has refused to answer questions about the issue.","National Right to Life, an anti-abortion group , endorsed Jolly in the race and said Peters \"has a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record -- even voting against a ban on sex-selection abortions.\"","Peters voted against two bills ostensibly designed to protect unborn children, but she voted for a third bill that aimed to save the life of children born after failed attempts at abortions. That doesn't make her voting record on the issue 100 percent \"pro-abortion.\""]},{"id":"11616.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I spent 18 months putting together the sanctions against Iran so that we could force them to the negotiating table.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Clinton is mostly accurate. During her tenure as Secretary of State, she played a significant role in leading the global effort to increase sanctions on Iran. While it is true that the effectiveness of sanctions in bringing Iran to the negotiating table is not entirely clear, experts agree that the sanctions, along with other factors, played a crucial role in creating the conditions for negotiations. It is important to note that Iranian officials have given mixed statements regarding the impact of sanctions on their decision to negotiate. Overall, Clinton's claim accurately reflects her involvement in the process of implementing sanctions to encourage Iran to engage in negotiations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"I spent 18 months putting together the sanctions against Iran so that we could force them to the negotiating table.\"","\"I spent 18 months putting together the sanctions against Iran so that we could force them to the negotiating table,\" she said at the MSNBC Democratic forum Nov. 6.","Clinton\u2019s claim is for the most part accurate, though a little exaggerated. During her first 18 months as secretary, the State Department was at the helm of a global effort to increase sanctions on Iran, culminating in an important U.N. resolution. Clinton was personally involved in these diplomatic efforts and pushed them publicly. And experts said these sanctions, on top of other sanctions passed before and after, were crucial to getting Iran to the negotiating table.","But whether sanctions were a big factor in bringing Iran to the negotiating table is not crystal clear, Maloney said. Iranian officials have historically denied the significance of sanctions, but Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said recently that Iran negotiated the deal specifically to have sanctions lifted."]},{"id":"52.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Sen. Obama worked on some of the deepest issues we had and was successful in a bipartisan way.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the praise given by Republican state senator Kirk Dillard regarding Barack Obama's ability to work on significant issues in a bipartisan manner. Dillard specifically commends Obama for his negotiation skills and understanding of both sides, suggesting that these qualities would be beneficial for the country. The evidence provided supports the claim that Obama successfully collaborated with Republicans on important matters, such as health insurance for children and state ethics and finance laws.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Sen. Obama worked on some of the deepest issues we had and was successful in a bipartisan way,\" Dillard said in the ad. \"Republican legislators respected Sen. Obama. His negotiation skills and an ability to understand both sides would serve the country well.\"","In a TV ad, Barack Obama is praised by Kirk Dillard, a Republican state senator in Illinois. \"Sen. Obama worked on some of the deepest issues we had and was successful in a bipartisan way,\" Dillard says.","Obama worked with other Republicans on such issues as health insurance for kids and the state's death penalty--not an issue normally associated with bipartisan work between a liberal Democrat and Republicans.","The legislature had not overhauled state ethics and finance laws for 25 years. Obama worked with a bipartisan group of four legislators, including Dillard, convened by former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon and the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University."]},{"id":"6939.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney suggested that employers should be able to make the decision as to whether or not a woman gets contraception through her insurance coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Mitt Romney suggested that employers should have the authority to decide whether or not a woman gets contraception through her insurance coverage. This claim was made in the context of discussing healthcare policies and contraceptive coverage. It's important to note that this statement refers to a specific policy position and should not be interpreted as a general stance on contraception by Mitt Romney. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama: Said Romney suggested that \"employers should be able to make the decision as to whether or not a woman gets contraception through her insurance coverage.\"","Obama said Romney \"suggested\" that \"employers should be able to make the decision as to whether or not a woman gets contraception through her insurance coverage.\"","For this fact-check, we\u2019re asking whether Romney has suggested that \"employers should be able to make the decision as to whether or not a woman gets contraception through her insurance coverage.\"","> \"I think that's a mistake. In my health care bill, I said insurance companies need to provide contraceptive coverage to everybody who is insured. Because this is not just a -- a health issue, it's an economic issue for women. It makes a difference. This is money out of that family's pocket. Gov. Romney not only opposed it, he suggested that in fact employers should be able to make the decision as to whether or not a woman gets contraception through her insurance coverage.\""]},{"id":"6663.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Republican Party platform says pull back even more of the rules on campaign finance reform, get rid of McCain-Feingold while the Democratic Party platform says we want to find a way to put more fair rules on campaign finance reform.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Booker regarding the differences between the Republican and Democratic party platforms on campaign finance reform. According to Booker, the Republican platform aims to pull back on campaign finance reform rules, including getting rid of McCain-Feingold. In contrast, the Democratic platform seeks to implement more fair rules on campaign finance reform to address the influence of money in politics. This is supported by Booker's statements and the content of the party platforms themselves.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Booker said that the Republican party platform says \"pull back even more of the rules on campaign finance reform, get rid of McCain-Feingold\" while the Democratic party platform says \"we want to find a way to put more fair rules on campaign finance reform.\"","\"Take campaign finance reform for crying out loud, I mean this is incredible. This platform says pull back even more of the rules on campaign finance reform, get rid of McCain-Feingold,\" Booker, a co-chair on the Democratic platform committee, said. \"This platform says well, wait a minute, we're out of control right now with all this super PAC money, we want to find a way to put more fair rules on campaign finance reform so that money doesn't speak louder than people. And so that to me is very dramatic.\"","On the other hand, Booker said his party\u2019s platform calls for \"a way to put more fair rules on campaign finance reform\" and the document outlining Democratic priorities explicitly calls for more regulation.","When Booker mentions McCain-Feingold, he is referring to a campaign finance law -- formally called the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act -- that was sponsored by Sens. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, and Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat."]},{"id":"1636.json","label":"false","statement":"Rubio's tax swap proposal \"would have been a massive tax increase.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Crist that Rubio's tax swap proposal \"would have been a massive tax increase\" is false. Multiple studies and analyses have shown that Rubio's proposal would have resulted in a net tax decrease for Floridians. While there would have been an increase in the state sales tax, it would have been offset by a decrease in property taxes. Overall, the projections indicate that Floridians would have paid less in taxes, with estimates ranging from $5.8 billion to $6.5 billion in savings. Therefore, Crist's claim is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Back to Crist. He said Rubio's tax swap proposal \"would have been a massive tax increase.\" At its most basic level, Rubio's proposal was a tax increase and a tax decrease. The state sales tax would go up, and the property taxes would go down. On the micro level, some people would pay more and others would pay less. At the macro level, two different studies said Floridians would have paid less -- between $5.8 billion and $6.5 billion. While generally we are leery about tax impact projections, there is no suggestion Rubio's plan would have resulted in a tax increase statewide and certainly not a \"massive\" one as Crist suggests. As such, we rate Crist's claim False.","Yet some did vote against the proposal saying it was a tax increase. The swap ultimately was killed by the state Senate.","The tax swap \"would have been a massive tax increase,\" Crist said during the March 28, 2010, U.S. Senate debate. \"In all due respect to the speaker, you've just got to tell the truth to people. And that's really what this is all about.\"","Rubio's proposal got the seal of approval from Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and a Rubio supporter. In 2007, he wrote legislators saying Rubio's tax swap proposal amounted to a net tax cut."]},{"id":"13092.json","label":"true","statement":"In the mid 1990s, in our state, (Florida was) No. 1 in violent crime in America. ... The only concern I had was for the citizens of Florida, who were subjected to a violent crime every three minutes and 45 seconds.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Crist regarding the high rate of violent crime in Florida during the mid-1990s. The evidence supports the fact that Florida did have a significant issue with violent crime during that time, with crimes occurring at a rate of approximately every three minutes and 45 seconds. This information is consistent with the data provided, confirming the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Crist said, \"in the mid 1990s, in our state, we were No. 1 in violent crime in America. ... The only concern I had was for the citizens of Florida, who were subjected to a violent crime every three minutes and 45 seconds.\"","\"The only concern I had was for the citizens of Florida, who were subjected to a violent crime every three minutes and 45 seconds,\" Crist added.","And Florida did see a violent crime committed every three minutes and 45 seconds. In fact, for many years in the 1990s, a violent crime was committed even more often.","The figure stretched to three minutes and 19 seconds in 1994, and then to three minutes and 28 seconds in 1995. In 1998, violent crimes were occurring every three minutes and 45 seconds \u2014 what Crist said."]},{"id":"12902.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Scott Walkers listening sessions are invite-only and excluding the press.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Scott Walker's listening sessions were indeed invite-only and excluded the press. Multiple sources state that these sessions were not open to the public or the press, but only to individuals who were specifically invited. While the intention behind excluding the press was to foster open and candid discussions, it is important to note that local members of the media were given the opportunity for one-on-one interviews after the sessions to ensure transparency. \nLabel: true","evidence":["In 2016, we rated as True a much narrower statement from state Rep. Dana Wachs, D-Eau Claire, that Walker's \"listening sessions\" were \"invite-only and excluding the press.\"","As he travels Wisconsin to meet with residents, Walker asks various people, including Democratic lawmakers, for suggestions on who to invite to his listening sessions. But the sessions are not open to the public or to the press, only to people who are invited.","As he traveled Wisconsin to meet with residents, Walker asked various people, including Democratic lawmakers, for suggestions on who to invite to his listening sessions. But these events -- held by Walker, rather than him attending events staged by others -- were not open to the public or to the press, only to people who were invited.","While listening sessions are closed to members of the press to encourage an honest and candid conversation between attendees, local members of the media are given the opportunity to sit down for one-on-one interviews following the listening session in the interest of transparency."]},{"id":"3969.json","label":"true","statement":"The right-to-work states are creating a lot more jobs today than the heavily unionized states.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that right-to-work states are creating more jobs compared to heavily unionized states. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact Georgia and data on job growth in right-to-work states, indicate that these states have experienced higher job growth rates compared to states with stronger unionization. The evidence suggests that right-to-work laws have contributed to job creation and economic growth in these states. However, it's important to note that the impact of right-to-work laws on job growth is a complex issue influenced by various factors, and the statement should be understood in the context of the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Georgia found True a Newt Gingrich claim that right-to-work states \"are creating a lot more jobs today than the heavily unionized states.\"","The situation of Illinois with respect to its neighbors mirrors what is happening across the nation. Texas has led Right-to-Work states with its jobs boom, but, as illustrated by the successes of Indiana and Michigan, it\u2019s not just a Texas story. Right-to-Work states across the country are creating jobs at twice the rate of forced-unionization states \u2013 and have been as far back as federal jobs data is available. Since 1990, the job count in Right-to-Work states is up 47 percent, compared to 21 percent in forced-unionization states.","Put in Illinois terms, that\u2019s the difference between creating 90,000 jobs per year versus only 45,000 jobs per year. Tens of thousands of Illinois families are missing out on work opportunities due to the state\u2019s lack of a Right-to-Work law.","There was a slight increase in the number of private-sector jobs in the 22 right-to-work states during the previous decade and following the recession, whereas there was a small decrease in both periods in the 28 other states. Nine of the nation\u2019s 10 fastest-growing states over the previous decade were right-to-work states."]},{"id":"9724.json","label":"false","statement":"The leader of ISIS was imprisoned by American troops and ordered released to Iraq by Obama administration in 2009.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The release of the leader of ISIS did not occur in 2009 under the Obama administration. The Defense Department has clarified that the release actually took place in 2004, before Obama became president. Therefore, attributing the release to the Obama administration is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Aug. 5, Woods, no fan of Obama, tweeted to his 145,000 followers, \"The leader of ISIS was imprisoned by American troops and ordered released to Iraq by Obama administration in 2009.\"","Conservative actor James Woods tweeted this Aug. 5 to his 145,000 followers, \"The leader of ISIS was imprisoned by American troops and ordered released to Iraq by Obama administration in 2009.\"","Woods said Obama ordered the release of the leader of ISIS, now called Islamic State, in 2009. The Defense Department says the release took place in 2004 and Obama had nothing to do with it.","\"The leader of the ISIS, the al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist group that is rampaging through Sunni Iraq, was released from U.S. custody in 2009,\" went a post on the site. \"What else happened in 2009? An obscure, left wing radical from Chicago with an implacable hatred of American power became president.\""]},{"id":"9747.json","label":"false","statement":"Del. Ben Chafin took money away from Southwest Virginia schools while votingto build a politicians palace.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Del. Ben Chafin took money away from Southwest Virginia schools. In fact, the recently approved budget indicates an increase in both total state aid and state aid per pupil for schools in Southwest Virginia. Additionally, the accusation that Chafin voted to build a \"politicians palace\" is misleading. While there may have been a proposal to construct a new legislative office building, it does not imply that funds were taken away from schools. Therefore, the statement is false and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Wonder why Southwest Virginia doesn\u2019t get its fair share from Richmond? Here\u2019s one reason \u2013 Del. Ben Chafin, a millionaire lawyer, took money away from public schools here while wasting it over there. Ben Chafin voted to tear down this legislative office building and build a nearly half-billion dollar politician\u2019s palace in its place, putting his luxury before our kids\u2019 education.\"","That misplaced comparison is compounded by an inaccurate statement regarding funding for Southwest Virginia schools. Chafin did not take money away from schools. Overall, schools in Southwest Virginia will see an increase both in total state aid and state aid per pupil under the recently approved budget.","In a special state Senate election, Democrat Mike Hymes accuses Republican Del. Ben Chafin of cutting education spending while giving legislators a luxurious office building in Richmond.","In a final piece of irony, the Virginia Education Association named Chafin a \"legislative champion\" -- a recognition that would be unlikely if Chafin had indeed conspired to take money away from schools. He introduced a budget amendment to authorize paying the state\u2019s share of a 6 percent salary increase for public school employees. This was an VEA legislative wish list, but was unfulfilled."]},{"id":"161.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Our tax code is so complicated it extracts $140 billion in extra tax preparation costs every year - one thousand dollars for every American family.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the tax code complexity results in significant tax preparation costs, the statement overstates the figure of $140 billion. The source cited by McCain, the Advisory Panel on Tax Reform, does not provide any background citations for this specific figure. The most commonly referenced study on this topic, conducted by the Tax Foundation in 2001, estimated the cost of tax preparation for individuals and businesses to be around $140 billion. However, a more recent study by the Tax Foundation in 2005 put the value closer to $111 billion. Therefore, while the sentiment that the tax code complexity leads to high tax preparation costs is accurate, the specific figure of $140 billion is not entirely supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a speech in September 2007, McCain got specific: \"Our tax code is so complicated it extracts $140 billion in extra tax preparation costs every year - one thousand dollars for every American family. It's offensive that six out of every ten taxpayers have to pay someone else just to figure out how to pay the government.\"","But when McCain says the total cost of tax preparation is $140 billion, he's got nothing to back him up. The Advisory Panel on Tax Reform that he cites has no background citations and the only place we can find that $140 billion figure is a Tax Foundation study from 2001 that referred the cost of tax preparation for individuals and businesses.","McCain's point is on target; tax preparation is costly because the tax code is so complicated. But McCain is off by a good bit on the figure he uses and he's not being clear that the cost he's talking about isn't an expense of dollars but of time. That leads us to a Half True.","A 2005 study by the Tax Foundation puts the value at closer to $111-billion. That would put the per-family cost at about $822."]},{"id":"10970.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas now has the second-highest high school graduation rate in the country. And it has the highest graduation rate for African Americans and Hispanics.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rick Perry that Texas has the second-highest high school graduation rate in the country and the highest graduation rate for African Americans and Hispanics. This claim was fact-checked and found to be Mostly True, with Texas ranking third in overall graduation rates and first in graduation rates for African Americans and Hispanics. However, it's important to note that there are different ways to measure graduation rates, and depending on the specific metric used, Texas may rank differently. Nevertheless, the statement is generally accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Perry said: \"Texas now has the second-highest high school graduation rate in the country. And it has the highest graduation rate for African Americans and Hispanics.\"","It hasn\u2019t been long since we checked a Rick Perry claim about the schools in his home state. In June, we found Mostly True the former governor\u2019s declaration that Texas has the second-highest high school graduation rate in the country and the highest graduation rate for African Americans and Hispanics.","Declaring his candidacy for president, the former 10-year governor saluted job gains on his watch, then turned to public education. \"Texas now has the second-highest high school graduation rate in the country,\" Perry said. \"And it has the highest graduation rate for African Americans and Hispanics.\"","In June 2015, we found Mostly True Perry\u2019s claim that \"Texas now has the second-highest high school graduation rate in the country. And it has the highest graduation rate for African Americans and Hispanics.\" Almost: In 2012-13, per federal statistics, Texas ranked No. 3 in overall graduation rates and No. 1 for its African American and Hispanic rates. Then again, comparing graduates to the number of ninth graders enrolled three years earlier, Texas in 2011-12 had an 82 percent \"averaged freshman graduation rate,\" tying with four states and trailing 21 states."]},{"id":"3256.json","label":"false","statement":"Under changes being debated, state employees in Wisconsin who earn $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 a year might have 20 percent of their income just disappear overnight.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Ed Schultz regarding Wisconsin state employees potentially losing 20 percent of their income is not supported by the available evidence. While there were proposals to increase state employee payments for health and pension benefits, the actual impact on employees' income varied depending on their salary range. The evidence suggests that the increase in payments ranged from 6.8 percent to 11 percent, and there is no indication that it would reach 20 percent on a wide scale. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the potential impact and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Schultz said Wisconsin state employees earning $30,000 to $50,000 per year \"might have 20 percent of their income just disappear overnight\" as a result of Walker\u2019s proposals to boost state employee payments for health and pension benefits. It was a broad statement about the impact of the measures.","University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich: In a memo, he said a UW-Eau Claire employee who earns $40,000 per year would pay an annual pension contribution of $2,320, up from $80; and an annual health insurance premium for family coverage of $2,820, up from $1,068. That\u2019s a total of $3,992 per year, or 12.9 percent of that employee\u2019s salary.","The sources we consulted indicate the range is 6.8 percent to 11 percent. Even if the higher payments comprise 20 percent of the income of some employees, there\u2019s no indication it will be that high on a wide scale, particularly for state workers earning as much as $50,000 per year. If Schultz can provide evidence of a large-scale 20 percent impact, we\u2019ll review this item.","Talk show host Ed Schultz says Wisconsin state employees might lose 20 percent of their income under Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget repair plan"]},{"id":"7764.json","label":"true","statement":"North Korea has a substantial standing army, one of the largest, certainly the largest per capita, in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including a U.S. Department of Defense report and statements from military officials. These sources confirm that North Korea possesses a substantial standing army, which ranks as one of the largest in the world in terms of sheer manpower. While it is important to note that the term \"largest per capita\" may require further clarification, the evidence provided supports the claim that North Korea has a significant military presence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"They have a substantial standing army, one of the largest, certainly the largest per capita, in the world,\" he said of their conventional, non-nuclear, military.","U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said, of North Korea: \"They have a substantial standing army, one of the largest, certainly the largest per capita, in the world.\"","One is a U.S. Department of Defense report to Congress on North Korea that says that country\u2019s total military -- army, air and naval capabilities -- \"ranks in personnel numbers as the fourth largest military in the world.\"","Several other sources provided by Unruh, including a March 28, 2012, statement before the House Armed Services Committee by Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of the United States-South Korea combined forces, supported the statement that North Korea has the fourth largest military in terms of sheer manpower, behind China, the United States and India."]},{"id":"738.json","label":"false","statement":"\"If an Iranian woman shows too much hair in public, she risks being beaten or killed.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the situation in Iran. While there are strict dress codes and regulations regarding women's attire in Iran, including the requirement to wear a headscarf, the consequences mentioned in the statement are exaggerated. While there have been instances of harassment or punishment for not adhering to the dress code, the severity of the consequences mentioned, such as being beaten or killed, is not supported by credible evidence. It is important to approach such statements with nuance and avoid generalizations that may perpetuate stereotypes or misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"5608.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Romney flip-flopped on abortion.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and fact-checkers have confirmed that Mitt Romney's views on abortion have changed over time. In the past, Romney expressed support for abortion rights, including the Roe v. Wade decision. However, his stance has since shifted, and he now advocates for the reversal of Roe v. Wade. This change in position indicates a flip-flop on the issue of abortion. Therefore, the statement that Romney flip-flopped on abortion is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Still, we believe these issues are outside the scope of the claim in the DNC ad. Romney\u2019s views on abortion are vastly different today than what he expressed in the 1994 and 2002 debates. The DNC\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion rates a True.","Still, we believe these issues are outside the scope of the claim in Huntsman\u2019s ad. Simply put, Romney\u2019s views on abortion are vastly different today than what he expressed in the 1994 and 2002 debates. Huntsman\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion rates a True.","Romney\u2019s views on abortion rights today are clearly different from what he expressed in 1994 and 2002. Most significantly, Romney earlier voiced support for the Roe decision; now, he says it should be reversed.","To make fun of Mitt Romney for flip-flopping, a new web ad from former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman uses a wind-up monkey."]},{"id":"7098.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Secular Americans are the fastest-growing religious identification demographic in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Surveys and studies have indeed shown that the unaffiliated or \"nones\" are the fastest-growing group in terms of religious identification in the United States. However, it's important to note that not all unaffiliated individuals are secular. Some may still hold religious beliefs or engage in spiritual practices without affiliating with a specific religious tradition. Therefore, while secular Americans may be a significant and growing demographic, it is not accurate to claim that all unaffiliated individuals are secular.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Freedom From Religion Foundation said: \"Secular Americans are the fastest growing religious identification demographic in this country.\" It also used the term non-religious in place of secular.","With the January 2013 inauguration approaching, let\u2019s see whether secular Americans, as the foundation flatly states, are the fastest-growing religious identification demographic.","Carey, chairman of Catholic theology at Marquette, said that from the Pew study and others he follows, unaffiliated Americans are the fastest-growing segment in terms of religious identification.","The statement is partially accurate, in that surveys identify unaffiliated Americans as the fastest-growing group. But the statement leaves out important details, namely that many Americans not affiliated with a particular religion are still religious."]},{"id":"4114.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our countrys got this huge debt, and (President Barack) Obama says raise taxes and keep spending more.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that President Obama's spending contributed to the increase in the national debt. It suggests that Obama's approach to addressing the debt issue involves raising taxes and continuing to spend more. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks nuance and oversimplifies the complexities of economic policies and debt management. While Obama's policies did contribute to the increase in the national debt, it is essential to consider the broader economic context, including the impact of the global financial crisis that occurred during his presidency. Additionally, it is worth noting that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of Obama's approach to addressing the debt issue. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a new ad, the pro-Republican group American Crossroads takes aim at President Barack Obama\u2019s economic policies. At one point, the narrator says, that \"Obama\u2019s spending drove us $5 trillion deeper in debt.\"","When President Barack Obama said \"If you\u2019ve got a business, you didn\u2019t build that,\" he meant that success in business was the result of government, not hard-working people, according to Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.","Says President Barack Obama \"added\" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined.","As for what role Obama played in the accumulation of debt, Olson cited a number of news articles about how much debt and spending increased during Obama's time as president. Let\u2019s look at two of them."]},{"id":"12740.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wants to essentially abolish the Second Amendment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence. There is no verifiable record of Hillary Clinton stating that she wants to abolish the Second Amendment. While Clinton has expressed support for stricter gun control measures, she has also acknowledged the importance of responsible gun ownership and has not advocated for the complete elimination of the Second Amendment. Therefore, the claim that she wants to essentially abolish the Second Amendment is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton wants to abolish the Second Amendment,\" Trump said May 7 at a rally in Washington. \"Hillary Clinton wants to take your guns away, and she wants to abolish the Second Amendment.\"","\"So here, I just wrote this down today. Hillary wants to raise taxes -- it's a comparison. I want to lower them. Hillary wants to expand regulations, which she does bigly. Can you believe that? I will reduce them very, very substantially, could be as much as 70 to 75 percent. Hillary wants to shut down energy production. I want to expand it. Lower electric bills, folks! Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish, the Second Amendment. By the way, and if she gets to pick --if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don't know. But I'll tell you what, that will be a horrible day, if -- if -- Hillary gets to put her judges in.\"","First off, we\u2019ll note that the core factual claim here -- that Clinton wants to \"essentially abolish\" the Second Amendment -- is something we\u2019ve rated False, noting that we found no evidence of Clinton ever saying she wants to abolish the Second Amendment. The bulk of her comments suggest the opposite: She wants to enact stricter gun control, but has no objection to responsible gun ownership.","The addition of the word essentially doesn\u2019t change the accuracy of this claim. We found no evidence of Clinton ever saying verbatim or suggesting explicitly she wants to abolish the Second Amendment. The bulk of her comments suggest the opposite: She wants to enact stricter gun control, but has no objection to responsible gun ownership."]},{"id":"481.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Eliminating earmarks \"would make barely a drop in the bucket with regard to the national debt, the deficit.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the sentiment that eliminating earmarks would have a minimal impact on the national debt and deficit. While earmarks have been a focus for fiscal conservatives concerned about the budget deficit, the actual dollar amounts attributed to earmarks are relatively small compared to the overall federal budget and deficit. Critics argue that focusing on earmarks can distract from the more significant and challenging decisions needed to address the federal deficit and reduce the national debt. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Barr added that he wasn't about to give likely Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain any reprieve merely because the Arizona senator is a longtime opponent of so-called pork barrel spending. Opposition to earmarks \u2013 line items in the federal budget directed to local and state projects \u2013 while a positive, isn't enough, says Barr. Eliminating earmarks \"would make barely a drop in the bucket with regard to the national debt, the deficit,\" he said after announcing his candidacy at the National Press Club in Washington.","Whether Barr's statement is true or not, then, depends on how you define \"drop in the bucket.\" We'd say that Barr's pretty much correct, so we grade his statement Mostly True.","As it turns out, Barr's right on the money about how little earmarks have contributed to expanding the national debt. While earmarking has become an easy focal point for fiscal conservatives concerned about the budget deficit, which is now more than $9-trillion in total, having added another $163-billion plus interest in 2007, it's only a small part of the problem.","Yet as popular as banning earmarks appears to be, a few lawmakers have urged caution. Some have argued that giving up Congress' right to direct where money goes effectively cedes those powers to the executive branch, centralizing more power than ever in the presidential administration. Some have argued that, in the context of the entire federal budget, the dollar amounts are trivial -- roughly $15 billion out of a $1.4 trillion deficit in 2009( \"$1.4 trillion deficit in 2009\"). Critics say that focusing on earmarks is a symbolic action that obscures the harder choices that will be needed to reduce the federal deficit and cut into the national debt."]},{"id":"6451.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Joe Garcia voted to raise our utility rates.","reason":"Reason: It is true that Joe Garcia, while serving on the Public Service Commission, did vote in favor of utility rate increases between 1994 and 2000. However, it is important to note that the role of commissioners is to review rate increases and determine if they are warranted. Voting in favor of rate increases does not necessarily mean that Garcia unilaterally raised utility rates without justification. The statement lacks context and may give the impression that Garcia was solely responsible for raising utility rates, which is misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Romero Roses said Joe Garcia \"voted to raise our utility rates.\" He did take votes in favor of utility rate increases while serving on the Public Service Commission between 1994 and 2000. The role of commissioners is to review rate increases and determine if they are warranted and if so grant them.","\"Trading on his cozy relationship with energy lobbyists to raise tens of thousands of dollars for his failed campaigns -- after he voted to raise our utility rates.\"","Now U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Miami, says in a Sept. 5 Web ad that his Republican opponent Carlos Curbelo \"supported raising flood insurance rates.\"","The Garcia campaign says that if Curbelo supports private companies providing flood insurance, that means he supports higher rates. That\u2019s a huge distortion. Curbelo says he supports private companies and in hopes that competition will lower rates."]},{"id":"3282.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Sherrod Brown and the Democrats rammed the economic stimulus bill through, Ohios unemployment rate has risen to 9.6 percent, above the national average.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) that Ohio's unemployment rate has risen to 9.6 percent since the passage of the economic stimulus bill. However, it is important to note that attributing the rise in unemployment solely to the stimulus bill and the actions of Sherrod Brown and the Democrats is an oversimplification. Economic factors and trends, both national and local, can significantly impact unemployment rates. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the various factors that contribute to changes in unemployment rates. Therefore, while the statement presents a correlation between the stimulus bill and Ohio's unemployment rate, it does not establish a direct causal relationship.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Since Sherrod Brown and the Democrats \"rammed\" the economic stimulus bill through, \"Ohio's unemployment rate has risen to 9.6 percent, above the national average.\"","So we go back to the NRSC claim: that since Brown and Democrats \"rammed the bill into law on a party-line vote, Ohio\u2019s unemployment rate has risen to 9.6 percent, above the national average.\"","\"The Obama White House projected that their massive stimulus spending would cap national unemployment at 8 percent, and Brown promised Ohioans that it would \u2018go a long way toward putting Americans back to work and our economy back on track,\u2019 even claiming last September that the stimulus has worked,\" the NRSC said in a news release. \"But since Brown and the Democrats rammed the bill into law on a party-line vote, Ohio's unemployment rate has risen to 9.6 percent, above the national average.\"","The National Republican Senatorial Committee, or NRSC, picked out a number to attach to Brown\u2019s name: 9.6. That\u2019s Ohio\u2019s latest unemployment rate -- 9.6 percent -- and it is higher than the 9.1 percent unemployment rate that Ohio had when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 passed."]},{"id":"5358.json","label":"true","statement":"Many of the top officials at the Port Authority earn more money than the governors of the states that have jurisdiction over them.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Port Authority's data, which shows that 11 out of the 12 highest-ranking officials at the Port Authority earn higher salaries than the governors of the states that have jurisdiction over them. This indicates that many top officials at the Port Authority do indeed earn more money than the governors. \nLabel: true","evidence":["In a radio interview, Wisniewski claimed, \"Many of the top officials at the Port Authority earn more money than the governors of the states that have jurisdiction over them.\"","Wisniewski, also chairman of the state Democratic Party, went on: \"It\u2019s become so large. Many of the top officials at the Port Authority earn more money than the governors of the states that have jurisdiction over them.\"","The assemblyman\u2019s comments are on the money, according to data released by the Port Authority in December. Christie and Cuomo earn $175,000 and $179,000, respectively, earning less than 11 of the 12 highest-ranked Port Authority officials.","That\u2019s right, PolitiFact New Jersey found. Based on the latest data released by the Port Authority, 11 of the 12 highest-ranking agency officials earn larger annual salaries than Christie and Cuomo."]},{"id":"554.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The legislation ... that Senator McCain supports would provide the authority for the federal government to surveille American citizens in their own country without any suspicion whatsoever that they're engaging in discussions with terrorists or about criminal activity.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Barr regarding the legislation supported by Senator McCain. The legislation, as described, would grant the federal government the authority to conduct surveillance on American citizens within the country without any requirement of suspicion that they are involved in discussions with terrorists or criminal activity. The bill allows for surveillance of individuals reasonably believed to be located outside the United States, including their conversations with people within the United States, without explicitly connecting them to any terrorist or criminal activity. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The legislation that is now pending before the Senate, that just passed the House, that Senator McCain supports would provide the authority for the federal government to surveille American citizens in their own country without any suspicion whatsoever that they're engaging in discussions with terrorists or about criminal activity,\" Barr said.","Still, as written, the plan would permit the government under certain circumstances to listen to Americans without a warrant. And it would not require the executive branch to demonstrate that a suspect is engaged in terrorist or criminal activity. For these reasons, we deem Barr's claim True.","Asked on Fox News about the differences between himself and presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain, Barr pointed to a compromise plan to overhaul electronic spying rules that the Senate took up before the July Fourth recess and that McCain supports.","Barr's characterization is essentially correct. The plan allows the attorney general and director of national intelligence to authorize surveillance of a suspect for up to one year without a warrant if the target is \"reasonably believed to be located outside the United States (and) to acquire foreign intelligence information.\" That would include conversations between the target and people in the United States, including citizens. There is no requirement that the suspect be explicitly connected to any terrorist or criminal activity, though the bill's definition of foreign intelligence information includes sabotage, international terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."]},{"id":"4009.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We are one of the most expensive [bus] rides in New England.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that compares the base fares and additional charges of RIPTA with other bus systems in New England. It is true that RIPTA has one of the highest base fares in the region, and even when considering longer trips and additional charges, RIPTA remains relatively expensive compared to other bus systems. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So, Odimgbe\u2019s claim that RIPTA is \"one of the most expensive rides in New England\" is true for base fares, but not when it comes to longer trips. Because 85 percent of RIPTA riders pay the base fare, we rate his claim MostlyTrue.","So what have we learned during our ride? When we confined our comparison to New England, just as Odimgbe stated, we could not find another bus system charging as much as RIPTA\u2019s $2 base fare. And while several of these do not charge to transfer to other buses, RIPTA tacks on another 50 cents. RIPTA\u2019s monthly pass also is substantially higher.","If you did look to Boston or New York for a comparison and took into consideration their higher cost of living, \"you will come to the conclusion that the rides in Rhode Island are very high,\" he said.","Let\u2019s look at some other transit systems in New England. In Portland, Maine, the fare is $1.50, with a monthly pass costing $45."]},{"id":"1270.json","label":"false","statement":"The Baucus health care bill \"could be used to ban guns in home self-defense.\"","reason":"Reason: After scrutinizing the Baucus health care bill, it is evident that there is no provision or indication within the bill that suggests a potential ban on guns in home self-defense. The claim made by the conservative group, GOA, that the bill could be used for such a purpose is speculative and lacks supporting evidence. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In this item, we'll scrutinize the claim that the Baucus bill \"could be used to ban guns in home self-defense.\" To start, we turn to the committee-passed version of the legislation itself.","But we find insufficient evidence to support the group's overheated rhetoric. Ultimately, we find that while the GOA is right that a more behavioral approach to pricing health care seems to be gaining steam, it is a giant and overly speculative leap to say that the Baucus bill \"could be used to ban guns in home self-defense.\" There is nothing in the bill itself to indicate that is contemplated. We find the statement False.","On Oct. 9, 2009, the day before the Finance Committee began voting on amendments to the Baucus bill, GOA sent an alert to members titled, \"ObamaCare Could be Used to Ban Guns in Home Self-Defense.\" The conservative group speculated about the impact of the health care bill on gun owners, hypothesizing that, in a bid to control spiraling health care costs, the administration will target people who have \"excessively dangerous\" behaviors that officials believe raise the cost of health care. The group warned that gun ownership \u2014 particularly keeping \"a loaded firearm for self-defense\" \u2014 is likely to be high on that list.","The Obama administration is so antigun, the group contends, that \"it is even possible that the Obama-prescribed policy could preclude reimbursement of any kind in a household which keeps a loaded firearm for self-defense.\""]},{"id":"5224.json","label":"true","statement":"Tennessees grocery tax is one of the highest in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Tennessee's grocery tax is indeed one of the highest in the nation. Multiple sources confirm that Tennessee has high sales tax rates, and it is one of the 15 states that either impose a state sales tax on food purchased in grocery stores or allow local governments to levy local sales taxes on food. While local tax rates may vary, the statewide basis indicates that Tennesseans pay the highest or second highest taxes on food compared to other states. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Their claim made us curious: Is it true that the Volunteer State\u2019s grocery tax is one of the highest in the nation?","\"House Leader Craig Fitzhugh and Democrats are fighting for tax relief for working and middle class families by proposing a cut to Tennessee's unbearable grocery tax. Tennessee's grocery tax is one of the highest in the nation, and, especially in hard times, the grocery tax punishes families that are struggling to put food on the table.\"","Overall, sales tax rates paid by consumers in Tennessee are among the highest in the nation, according to groups that keep trackof the states. The groups also show that Tennessee is one of 15 states that either levy a state sales tax on food purchased in grocery stores or permit local governments to levy local sales taxes on food.","Local tax rates vary widely by state. But given that the highest combined sales taxes paid by Tennnesseans on food is 8.25 percent, it appears that -- on a statewide basis -- Tennesseans do pay the highest or second highest taxes on food. Using the Tax Foundation\u2019s list of the five states with highest combined sales tax rates (the list cited above in which Tennessee ranks as the highest in the nation), three of the Top 5 don\u2019t tax food at all. The fifth highest, Oklahoma, has the slightly higher combined rate than Tennessee (8.66 percent) but it provides tax rebates for lower income families."]},{"id":"9950.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama is sending a much larger (force) to deal with Ebola than ISIS is getting.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that President Obama deployed approximately 1,600 military advisers and trainers to Iraq to address the threat posed by ISIS, the claim that he is sending a much larger force to deal with Ebola is not supported by evidence. The deployment of military personnel to combat Ebola primarily involved medical and logistical support, not a large-scale military force. The comparison between the two situations is misleading and does not accurately reflect the nature and scale of the respective responses.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Consider the difference between the president's response to ISIS and his response to the Ebola outbreak,\" Hume said. \"He's sending a large force, much larger than ISIS is getting, to deal with this Ebola outbreak.\"","Hume said the president is sending a much larger force to deal with Ebola than ISIS was getting. Hume\u2019s statement only holds water so long as you limit the tally to the additional ground forces assigned to each mission.","Hume\u2019s comment came in the context of a discussion over the approximately 1,600 U.S. military advisers and trainers deployed to Iraq to reverse the territorial gains ISIS made there. Via Twitter, we asked Hume to flesh out his claim that Obama is sending \"a much larger\" force to deal with Ebola \"than ISIS is getting.\"","If ISIS was \"getting\" something, what it got came from forces already in the region, and it seems to make little difference if an ISIS position was destroyed by a soldier newly arrived in the theater or one who had been there a while. At the very least, those strikes relied on carrier-based war planes. According to a former Air Force colonel and the Pentagon, the number of soldiers needed to launch those attacks is larger than the 3,000 troops deployed to fight the Ebola outbreak."]},{"id":"13013.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wants to increase Syrian refugees to this country by 550 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the policy difference between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump regarding Syrian refugees. Clinton has expressed support for increasing the number of Syrian refugees admitted to the United States, specifically proposing an increase from 10,000 to 65,000 refugees. This would indeed represent a 550 percent increase in the number of Syrian refugees. It is important to note that Clinton has also emphasized the need for thorough screening processes for refugees. Thus, the statement is true in terms of Clinton's stated position on Syrian refugees.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Well, Hillary Clinton wants to increase Syrian refugees to this country by 550 percent,\" Pence said. \"Donald Trump and I believe that we should suspend the Syrian refugee program.\"","\"We know that Hillary Clinton and President Obama lie to the American people when they say they can safely screen the Syrian refugees. They cannot,\" Gingrich said. \"And yet Hillary wants to increase the number by 500 percent.","Clinton has said she\u2019d like the country to move from 10,000 Syrian refugees under Obama\u2019s plan to 65,000, an increase that could be as high as 550 percent.","Pence pointed to a real policy distinction between the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees when he said that Clinton \"wants to increase Syrian refugees to this country by 550 percent.\" Trump is opposed to refugee settlement, while Clinton supports it, and at a greater number than Obama\u2019s current policy. Clinton supported allowing in 65,000 refugees when Obama supported a 10,000 figure. (The refugees would be screened.) That\u2019s a 550 percent increase. The UN has determined that about 478,000 Syrian refugees are in need of resettlement."]},{"id":"5757.json","label":"true","statement":"We are at a 40-year low in our crime rate in our state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and confirmed by official crime rate statistics. According to the data, the crime rate in the state has steadily decreased over the years, reaching a 40-year low in 2010. Governor Scott's statement accurately reflects this trend and is supported by independent fact-checking sources. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We are at a 40-year low in our crime rate in our state,\" he said in an April 13, 2012, report from Reuters. \"From a public safety standpoint we are absolutely heading in the right direction.\"","In 1971, the crime rate was 5,668. The rate crept up through the 1970s, peaking in the late 1980s at 8,908. The rate then slowly dropped through the 1990s. In 2000, it dropped below the 1971 mark and continued downward. In 2010, the crime rate reached a new low of 4,105. (See the data for yourself.)","In the case of Scott\u2019s comments, he didn\u2019t get into the causes of the crime rates or claim unearned credit for the trend. Rather, he was pointing out that while individual crimes might receive a great deal of media attention, statistics show that crime rates in Florida are at 40-year lows. The official numbers confirm Scott\u2019s statement. We rate his statement True.","PolitiFact, \"Barack Obama, in Austin, says illegal immigration at 40-year low,\" March 17, 2016 \"Donald Trump said, 'Crime is rising.' It's not (and hasn't been for decades),\" June 7, 2016; \"Rep. Gutierrez says fewer people crossing border than in last 30 years,\" July 26, 2016;"]},{"id":"10187.json","label":"false","statement":"More people are losing their insurance (due to Obamacare) than are becoming newly insured.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cain, claiming that more people are losing their insurance due to Obamacare than are becoming newly insured, is contradicted by available data and expert consensus. Multiple private-sector organizations have reported that approximately 10 million more Americans are insured today compared to before the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). While it is valid to question the limitations of the available data, the consensus does not support Cain's claim. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That\u2019s a lot to chew on, but we were especially interested in checking Cain\u2019s claim that \"more people are losing their insurance (due to Obamacare) than are becoming newly insured.\" (An inquiry to Cain\u2019s staff was not returned.)","Cain said that \"more people are losing their insurance (due to Obamacare) than are becoming newly insured.\" While it\u2019s reasonable to ask questions about the limitations of the available data, there is wide consensus from five private-sector organizations that roughly 10 million more Americans are insured today than were before the law began operations in late 2013. That\u2019s inconsistent with Cain\u2019s claim, so we rate it False.","Since employer coverage provides most of the insurance in America, and unemployment dropped during this period, at least a portion of the newly insured would have gained coverage without Obamacare.","\"Obamacare is a failure! More people are losing their insurance than are becoming newly insured, and 51 percent of those enrolled in the exchanges say they will not re-up given the opportunity the next time around. Then there are the 29ers (people being limited to 29 hours a week because of Obamacare mandates) and the 49ers (not the San Francisco ones ... the businesses intentionally staying under 50 employees to avoid the coverage mandate). There are also thousands of doctors refusing patients with Obamacare coverage because they can\u2019t cover their costs on the reimbursements, while thousands more doctors are retiring early.\""]},{"id":"12235.json","label":"false","statement":"My numbers are better right now than Ronald Reagans numbers were with Jimmy Carter.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump that his numbers are better than Ronald Reagan's numbers were with Jimmy Carter is not supported by the evidence. In fact, the evidence suggests the opposite. Trump's favorability ratings and polling numbers have been lower than Reagan's were during his campaign against Carter. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So Trump\u2019s numbers are not, contrary to his assertion, \"better right now than Ronald Reagan's numbers were with Jimmy Carter.\" They are worse.","Trump said, \"My numbers are better right now than Ronald Reagan's numbers were with Jimmy Carter. ... Ronald Reagan had a 30 (percent) favorability and he was behind Jimmy Carter by so much everybody said, 'Oh this is going to be a disaster.' \"","\"I haven\u2019t even started on Hillary, and my numbers are better right now than Ronald Reagan's numbers were with Jimmy Carter,\" Trump said, at about the 17:50 mark. \"Ronald Reagan had a 30 (percent) favorability and he was behind Jimmy Carter by so much everybody said, 'Oh, this is going to be a disaster.' \"","On April 7, Newsweek concluded its article this way: \"The politics of discontent has already propelled Ronald Reagan nearly to the Republican nomination, enticed John Anderson to the brink of a third-line candidacy -- and now brought home the message that Jimmy Carter is once again in trouble.\""]},{"id":"2222.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Seventy bills [Kendrick Meek] authored, not one of them has passed.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Kendrick Meek did not have a significant number of bills that passed during his time in Congress, the statement lacks context and may give an unrealistic impression of his effectiveness as a congressman. According to the Library of Congress' Thomas website, Meek either passed none or two out of the 73 bills he was associated with, depending on whether the Senate companion bills are counted. However, it is important to note that the number of bills passed is not the sole measure of a congressman's effectiveness. Other factors, such as committee work, coalition-building, and advocacy for constituents, also contribute to a representative's impact. Therefore, the statement, while partially true, does not provide a comprehensive assessment of Meek's legislative record or overall effectiveness as a congressman.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Since he has been in the House the last eight years, his track record in authoring bills is 0 in 70. ... 70 bills he authored, not one of them has passed,\" Greene said during a televised Orlando debate on Aug. 10, 2010.","Ruling on a statement like Greene's can be tricky. He said: \"Since (Meek) has been in the House the last eight years, his track record in authoring bills is 0 in 70.\" Of the 73 bills we found through the Library of Congress' Thomas website, Meek either passed none or two out of the 73 depending on whether you count the Senate companion bills. That, by itself, might rate a ruling of True or Mostly True. But the claim neglects to properly detail how Congress works and might give voters an unrealistic impression of Meek's time in Congress. While Meek may have not passed significant legislation, that's not necessarily a measure a Congressman's effectiveness.","\"Kendrick Meek was named one of the two most corrupt Democrats in Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.\"","Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene says the poster child of the do-nothing Congress is a do-nothing congressman named Kendrick Meek."]},{"id":"10933.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Florida, for eight years we cut taxes every year, totaling $19 billion.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that taxes were cut in Florida during Jeb Bush's tenure as governor, it is important to note that the $19 billion figure represents the cumulative total of tax cuts over an eight-year period, not an annual reduction. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the tax cuts were not solely the result of Jeb Bush's actions, as they required legislative approval. While Bush played a role in advocating for and implementing tax cuts, it would be inaccurate to attribute the entire $19 billion reduction solely to his efforts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In Florida, for eight years we cut taxes every year, totaling $19 billion, creating a much better business climate,\" Bush told the crowd at Gov. Rick Scott's Economic Growth Summit in Orlando on June 2, 2015.","But was he able to help cut taxes by $19 billion at the same time? We cracked open the state\u2019s books to take a look for ourselves.","It\u2019s also a good thing Bush used the term \"we,\" because the revenue changes resulted from action by the Legislature. Bush\u2019s influence and his line-item veto power did come into play, but he can\u2019t take credit for all of these measures. He has said, \" I cut taxes to the tune of $19 billion\" before, though.","\"We\u2019ve cut taxes 75 times, cut $7.5 billion worth in taxes, and as a result we\u2019ve added over 1.3 million jobs.\""]},{"id":"9536.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Hobby Lobby provided this (birth control) coverage before they decided to drop it to file suit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sally Kohn that Hobby Lobby provided birth control coverage before deciding to drop it and file a lawsuit. This claim has been rated as Mostly True by PunditFact. However, it's important to note that Hobby Lobby argues that it unwittingly offered this type of birth control coverage and that it was inconsistent with their policies. While the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Liberal pundit and contributor Sally Kohn panned the court\u2019s decision as disastrous and Hobby Lobby\u2019s intentions as disingenuous. \"Hobby Lobby provided this coverage before they decided to drop it to file suit, which was politically motivated,\" she said. PunditFact rated that Mostly True.","Kohn\u2019s statement is accurate but leaves out that Hobby Lobby says it unwittingly offered this kind of birth control coverage. We rate the claim Mostly True.","We can\u2019t determine if politics motivated the company, but we did wonder whether Hobby Lobby covered the types of birth control at issue in its lawsuit but dropped the coverage before filing its complaint.","\"Coverage of these drugs was not included knowingly or deliberately by the Green family. Such coverage is out of step with the rest of the Hobby Lobby\u2019s policies, which explicitly exclude abortion-causing contraceptive devices and pregnancy-terminating drugs,\" the company stated in its court filing."]},{"id":"9907.json","label":"true","statement":"The president referred to the Syrian opposition just a few months ago as pharmacists and doctors, and so on.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hayden that President Obama referred to the Syrian opposition as \"pharmacists and doctors.\" Multiple examples have been found where President Obama characterized the Syrian rebels as such, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and capacities. While the context of these statements may vary, it supports the accuracy of Hayden's claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In discussing Obama\u2019s decision to arm opposition forces in Syria, Hayden said, \"The president referred to the Syrian opposition just a few months ago as pharmacists and doctors, and so on.\"","\"The president referred to the Syrian opposition just a few months ago as pharmacists and doctors, and so on,\" Hayden said. \"We've turned on the dime in terms of our expectation for them, so if we're going to get them to this force that he said it was fantasy to rely on to the force that's going to be, as (White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough) said, the anvil in a combined arms operation, they're going to need an awful lot of help.\"","In this case, we're checking whether Obama described the Syrian rebels as \"pharmacists and doctors.\" We're not checking whether the rebels actually are pharmacists or doctors, as we'll explain in a bit.","We found several examples of Obama, as recently as June and August, characterizing the Syrian rebels as pharmacists and doctors, as well as dentists, radio reporters and teachers. Usually he was describing their capacity to fight Assad, but that doesn\u2019t make Hayden\u2019s point any less accurate."]},{"id":"12361.json","label":"true","statement":"The city of Clarkston cant decriminalize marijuana. Only state legislators and Congress can do that.","reason":"Reason: According to Vernon Keenan, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director, and other sources, the city of Clarkston does not have the authority to decriminalize marijuana. The power to decriminalize marijuana lies with state legislators and Congress, as they have the jurisdiction to change laws regarding drug enforcement. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the limitations of the city of Clarkston in terms of decriminalizing marijuana.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Vernon Keenan, Georgia top state cop, said the city of Clarkson \"can\u2019t decriminalize marijuana. Only state legislators and Congress can do that.\"","\"They can\u2019t decriminalize marijuana,\" Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan recently told a newspaper reporter. \"Only state legislators and Congress can do that.\"","\"They (Clarkston) certainly can deprioritize it,\" Cino said. \"But they are not going to be able to get around state law.\"","Clarkston can change its pot ordinance, and it can instruct its police officers to make pot enforcement a low-level priority. This, however, would not preclude the district attorney from bringing charges in State Court, which is beyond Clarkston\u2019s control."]},{"id":"1471.json","label":"true","statement":"A Democratic poll operation shows that Fox News is the most trusted news operation in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. A survey conducted by Public Policy Polling, which has primarily worked with Democratic clients, found that Fox News is the most trusted news operation in the country according to the respondents. This supports the claim that a Democratic poll operation showed Fox News as the most trusted news operation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["And O'Reilly cited a poll to back up his point, \"Are you shocked that a Democratic poll operation shows that Fox News is the most trusted news operations in the country. Forty-nine percent of Americans trust Fox News. Are you stunned?\"","Which brings us back to O'Reilly's statement. You may argue that Fox comes out on top because Republicans and conservatives really trust Fox while Democrats and liberals generally trust CNN and the major networks, but not as much as conservatives trust Fox. That's true. But O'Reilly said a Democratic poll operation showed that Fox News is the most trusted news operation in the country. And that's what it found. We rule his statement True.","It's a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling. And as for O'Reilly's characterization of it as a Democratic poll operation, Public Polling Policy president Dean Debnam said that when it comes to polling work for political parties, the company deals exclusively with Democratic clients.","O'Reilly said that was the narrative of two other Fox News hosts, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. When asked by Stewart if he really thought Fox News was nonpartisan, fair and balanced, O'Reilly said its hard news operation is, and that some of the other programs -- like his -- are opinion programs."]},{"id":"12164.json","label":"false","statement":"It was (Rob Portmans) job to stop Chinas illegal dumping of steel. He failed, looked the other way, did nothing.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays Rob Portman's role and responsibility in stopping China's illegal dumping of steel. While trade policies and enforcement are complex and involve multiple stakeholders, it is not solely the responsibility of one individual, such as Rob Portman, to single-handedly stop illegal dumping. Trade issues involve diplomatic negotiations, international agreements, and collaboration between governments. It is misleading to place the entire burden of addressing China's illegal dumping on one person and claim that they failed or did nothing. Label: false","evidence":["\"It was his job to stop China\u2019s illegal dumping of steel,\" the narrator says. \"He failed, looked the other way, did nothing.\"","Strickland\u2019s ad says that it was Portman\u2019s \"job to stop China\u2019s illegal dumping of steel. He failed, looked the other way, did nothing.\"","Was it really his job to stop China\u2019s illegal steel dumping, and did Portman really do nothing to stand up for the United States?","Trade law is arcane, and it\u2019s easier to yell \"China bad!\" than it is to explain its nuances. But to a trade expert\u2019s ear, it makes no sense to say that Portman failed to stop illegal Chinese dumping. It\u2019s like saying LeBron James failed to score any touchdowns last season \u2014 that's the wrong sport."]},{"id":"4744.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney has flip-flopped on abortion rights.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Mitt Romney's views on abortion have changed over time. In the past, Romney expressed support for abortion rights, including the Roe v. Wade decision, but his stance has since shifted, and he now advocates for its reversal. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers and fellow politicians, have acknowledged Romney's flip-flopping on the issue of abortion rights. Therefore, the statement that Mitt Romney has changed his position on abortion rights is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Still, we believe these issues are outside the scope of the claim in the DNC ad. Romney\u2019s views on abortion are vastly different today than what he expressed in the 1994 and 2002 debates. The DNC\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion rates a True.","Still, we believe these issues are outside the scope of the claim in Huntsman\u2019s ad. Simply put, Romney\u2019s views on abortion are vastly different today than what he expressed in the 1994 and 2002 debates. Huntsman\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion rates a True.","Romney\u2019s views on abortion rights today are clearly different from what he expressed in 1994 and 2002. Most significantly, Romney earlier voiced support for the Roe decision; now, he says it should be reversed.","On Fox News Sunday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said fellow Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has changed positions on pivotal topics, including abortion rights."]},{"id":"3181.json","label":"false","statement":"Fox News said the New Black Panther Party decided the election for Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Fox News said the New Black Panther Party decided the election for Barack Obama\" is not supported by the evidence reviewed. While Fox News did extensively cover the New Black Panther Party case, there is no evidence to suggest that they made the specific claim that the New Black Panther Party decided the election for Barack Obama. It is important to accurately represent the statements made by news organizations and avoid attributing claims that are not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Acting on a PolitiFact reader\u2019s suggestion, we fact-checked Maddow\u2019s statement that Fox News \"said the New Black Panther Party decided the election for Barack Obama.\"","Maddow would have been correct if she had simply said that Fox's coverage was more extensive and hyperbolic than other networks. But her claim that Fox News \"said the New Black Panther Party decided the election for Barack Obama\" is not supported by the transcripts we reviewed.","A few weeks after that appearance, a PolitiFact reader wrote us to ask if we could fact-check Maddow\u2019s statement that Fox News \"said the New Black Panther Party decided the election for Barack Obama.\" So we will.","But Maddow\u2019s comment to Letterman framed Fox\u2019s coverage of the issue in political, rather than legal, terms. Was she correct that Fox News had claimed that \"the New Black Panther Party decided the election for Barack Obama\"?"]},{"id":"409.json","label":"true","statement":"\"(Obama) did accept donations from lobbyists and PACs and he spent money in this campaign from that, through his political action committee.\"","reason":"Reason: It is true that President Obama accepted donations from lobbyists and political action committees (PACs) during his campaign. While he did make efforts to limit the influence of lobbyists in his administration, he did not completely refuse donations from them. It is important to note that accepting donations from lobbyists and PACs is a common practice in political campaigns, and it does not necessarily imply any wrongdoing or unethical behavior on the part of the candidate.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"2573.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott gave a deposition in which he invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times about his dealings as head of Columbia\/HCA hospital chain","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Rick Scott did give a deposition in 2000 where he invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times. However, it's important to note that this deposition was related to an unrelated civil suit over a communications contract, not specifically about his dealings as the head of the Columbia\/HCA hospital chain. While the statement accurately describes Scott's use of the Fifth Amendment, it should be clarified that it was not directly related to his dealings with the hospital chain.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Taking the Fifth Amendment in a deposition about the Columbia\/HCA hospital chain he founded \"means a truthful answer to the questions that (Rick Scott) was asked would incriminate him.\"","The inference here is clear -- that Scott gave a deposition in the federal criminal investigation of Columbia\/HCA and pleaded the Fifth Amendment 75 times. That's not true. Scott invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times in an unrelated civil suit over a communications contract. We rate this claim Mostly True.","Scott gave a deposition in 2000 in which he invoked the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution 75 times. The amendment reads in part that no one \"shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself.\"","A narrator and a Palm Beach County prosecutor help fill in the details. \"A whistleblower revealed that Scott's company was cooking the books. Refusing to cooperate, Rick Scott gave a deposition in which he invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times,\" the narrator says. \"Which means a truthful answer to the questions that he was asked would incriminate him,\" adds Michael McAuliffe, Palm Beach County's Democratic state attorney, finishing the thought."]},{"id":"11633.json","label":"true","statement":"The world food demand is going to double sometime between now and 2070.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from various sources, including projections from the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization, and researchers from the University of Minnesota. These projections indicate that world food demand is expected to double by sometime between 2050 and 2070 due to factors such as population growth and increasing incomes globally. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the consensus among experts regarding the projected increase in global food demand.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The world food demand is going to double sometime between now and 2070. Nobody is better prepared to take advantage of that than we are, unless we let the regulators get in the way,\" Blunt said.","Projections from the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization, the University of Minnesota and many other researchers have found that world food demand, or the amount in which food production must increase, will double by sometime between 2050 and 2070.","Global population is going to grow to almost 9.6 billion by 2050, and more than half of this is expected to occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, where one-quarter of the population is undernourished.","\"The senator is correct,\" Tilman said, \"Globally, increasing incomes and population mean that we likely will need to double the global production of crops within the next 40 to 50 years\""]},{"id":"10509.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Alabamians havent changed their opinion on same-sex marriage since voting to ban it in 2006.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a majority of Alabamians voted in favor of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2006, there has been measurable movement in public opinion since then. Recent polls indicate that the opposition to same-sex marriage in Alabama has decreased, with about 71 percent of likely voters opposing it today. This shows a decline in opposition compared to the 81 percent who supported the ban in 2006. Therefore, it can be concluded that there has been some change in opinion on same-sex marriage in Alabama since the 2006 vote.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Moore held firm that marriage was defined as between a man and a woman, and said, \"81 percent as recently as 2006 said it was the definition. They haven\u2019t changed their opinion.\"","It\u2019s not a perfect comparison to look at the 2006 Alabama referendum, which asked people to vote on a constitutional ban on gay marriage, and a 2012 survey that queried voters on whether they support gay marriage. For example, some people might have opposed gay marriage but didn\u2019t think a constitutional amendment was necessary.","But polling data suggests measurable movement on this issue. In 2006, 81 percent of voters supported the referendum to prohibit gay marriage in Alabama. Recent polls show about 71 percent of likely voters oppose same-sex marriage today. That\u2019s in line with other data that show growing support for same-sex marriage in the last decade there, and is similar to the rate of decline in opposition nationally.","Support for gay marriage has increased nationwide significantly in just the last decade. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2006, 55 percent of Americans opposed gay marriage. By 2014, 52 percent supported marriage rights for same-sex couples, and opposition was down to 40 percent."]},{"id":"12776.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson opposes faster broadband internet in small towns and got nearly $90,000 in campaign contributions from the telecom special interests.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Democratic Party's radio ad that U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson opposes faster broadband internet in small towns and received campaign contributions from telecom special interests. However, it's important to note that opposing the idea of rural broadband being treated as a public utility does not necessarily equate to opposing faster broadband in rural areas altogether. While Johnson may have received campaign contributions from telecom companies, it does not definitively prove a direct correlation between those contributions and his stance on broadband internet in small towns. Therefore, the statement should be approached with some caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Later the speaker says: \"He opposes faster broadband internet in small towns. Maybe because he got nearly $90,000 in campaign contributions from the telecom special interests.\"","The Democratic Party\u2019s radio ad said Johnson \"opposes faster broadband internet in small towns\" and he \"got nearly $90,000 in campaign contributions from the telecom special interests.\"","Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, running against Johnson, has argued for rural broadband to be more like a public utility. Johnson opposes that idea. But that doesn\u2019t mean he opposes bringing faster broadband to rural areas.","The Democratic Party of Wisconsin cited , a website that pulls from Federal Election Committee data, which shows Johnson received at least $95,000 in contributions since 2010 from political action committees representing \"telecom services\" companies, including AT&T, Charter and Comcast."]},{"id":"8722.json","label":"true","statement":"Forty percent of the country is going to be in states that are tolerant of gay marriage or at least civil unions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of expert sources and verified statistics at the time it was made. It is supported by evidence that around 40% of the country's population lived in states where same-sex marriage or civil unions were legally recognized. While subsequent court decisions and legislative changes may have altered this number, the statement was accurate when it was made. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This will be a wedge issue on the Republican side. I mean 10 years ago, we had Republicans pushing a federal marriage amendment in the Senate to ban gay marriage,\" she said. \"Forty percent of the country is going to be in states that are tolerant of gay marriage or at least civil unions. And that number is only going to grow.\"","Tanden said, \"Forty percent of the country is going to be in states that are tolerant of gay marriage or at least civil unions.\" Both expert sources and independently verified statistics back up those numbers if we define \"tolerant\" as states where same-sex marriage or civil unions are legal. Subsequent court decisions could raise or lower that number, and opponents note many of those states allowed same-sex marriage only after court intervention. But at the time she spoke, her statement was accurate, and we rate it True.","During her remarks, Tanden suggested that the number of individuals living in states that allow same sex marriage is \"only going to grow.\" As recently as 2010, only seven states recognized gay marriage, comprising just 17 percent of the country.","The total is about 43 percent. If you exclude the states that allow civil unions or domestic partnerships but not same-sex marriage, it comes out to about 39.15 percent of the population. By either measure, Tanden appears to be right."]},{"id":"7490.json","label":"false","statement":"The president is advocating a drone strike program in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no credible evidence to suggest that President Obama has advocated for a drone strike program in America. The evidence provided only mentions Senator Rand Paul's assertion and the subsequent fact-checking that rated it as false. It is important to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["His full Twitter comment said: \"The President is advocating a drone strike program in America. All we have to compare it with is the drone strike program overseas.\"","We asked the White House for its response to Paul\u2019s assertion that the president was \"advocating a drone strike program in America.\"","The Senate logjam may have broken, but we still wondered: Has President Barack Obama been \"advocating a drone strike program in America\"?","During the floor debate, Paul sent a tweet that said President Obama \"is advocating a drone strike program in America.\" We rated that False."]},{"id":"11989.json","label":"true","statement":"There have been multiple media reports about (Donald Trumps) business dealings with the mob, with the mafia.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Senator Cruz regarding media reports linking Donald Trump to business dealings with the mob and mafia. Multiple media reports and unauthorized biographies have indeed alleged connections between Trump and individuals associated with organized crime, both in New York and Atlantic City. It is important to note that these allegations have been widely reported, but they should be viewed as allegations and not proven facts. However, the statement accurately reflects the existence of these media reports.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There have been multiple media reports about Donald's business dealings with the mob, with the mafia,\" Cruz said Feb. 28. \"Maybe his taxes show those business dealings are a lot more extensive than has been reported.\"","While it\u2019s important to note that these connections were not atypical in the real estate and casino businesses in the 1980s, Cruz\u2019s statement is accurate. Media reports have linked Trump to mafia bosses and mob-connected business associates for decades.","Through intermediaries Trump bought the property for the casino from the \"crown prince\" of the Philadelphia mob, Salvatore Testa, for $1.1 million in 1982. Multiple media reports and an unauthorized biography about Trump allege this was more than twice its market value. (Testa purchased the property in 1977 for $195,000.)","Trump\u2019s alleged mob dealings were not confined to New York. According to reports from the Huffington Post and Philadelphia Inquirer, Trump made a deal in Atlantic City with Kenneth Shapiro, an associate of mob boss Nicky Scarfo, and mob-connected labor boss Daniel Sullivan."]},{"id":"4167.json","label":"true","statement":"Says state Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo) ran a red light and seriously injured a bicyclist.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that state Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo) ran a red light and seriously injured a bicyclist. The television ad by Wisconsin Family Action shows a graphic depiction of an SUV hitting a bicyclist after running a red light, and it claims that Fred Clark was responsible for the incident. Additionally, a report mentioned in the evidence quotes Clark admitting to running the red light and not paying attention. Therefore, based on the evidence presented, it can be concluded that Fred Clark ran a red light and caused serious injury to a bicyclist.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Perhaps no television ad is more startling -- and graphic -- than one being aired in Green Bay and Madison by a group called Wisconsin Family Action. It targets state Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo), challenger to state Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon).","In the video, an SUV zips into the frame, slamming into a bicyclist who rode into the intersection. As the crash occurs, the narrator intones: \"Fred Clark ran this red light, seriously injuring this bicyclist.\" The audio includes the sound of squealing tires and the shocked voice of a witness on the bus.","\"I ran a red light,\" Clark told an officer at the scene, the report says. \"I was just not paying attention.\"","Democrat Fred Clark is a member of the Wisconsin state Assembly, representing the 42nd District near Baraboo. He was elected in 2008. He ran unsuccessfully against Republican state Sen. Luther Olsen in an August 2011 recall election."]},{"id":"9125.json","label":"true","statement":"The Austin Independent School Districts graduation rate reached an all-time high of 82.5 percent in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to data from the Texas Education Agency, the graduation rate for the Austin Independent School District reached an all-time high of 82.5 percent in 2012. This rate is above the national average and demonstrates a steady increase in graduation rates over the years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The school district in Texas\u2019 capital city announced in July that the graduation rate for its Class of 2012 had hit an all-time record of 82.5 percent. That\u2019s a great rate by most standards and well above Georgia\u2019s 69.73 percent grad rate and APS\u2019 rate of 50.87 percent that year.","Texas, in fact, has one of the nation\u2019s highest high school graduation rates. Its graduation rate climbed almost 10 percentage points in six years to 87.7 percent for 2012. Only one state -- Iowa -- had a better record that year for on-time graduations, with 89 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Education.","Austin\u2019s grad rate has climbed steadily since then. It was 75.6 in 2009, 78.6 percent in 2010 and 80 percent in 2011, before reaching 82.5 in 2012, according to data from the Texas Education Agency.","Austin\u2019s high school graduation rate has risen in Carstarphen\u2019s tenure as school superintendent to 82.5 percent. It\u2019s not as good as Texas\u2019 overall graduation rate, but it is better than the national average and far better than the rates for Atlanta Public Schools and Georgia. It\u2019s difficult to say how much of the increases can be attributed to policies she\u2019s pushed. But it appears accurate."]},{"id":"8620.json","label":"false","statement":"Says in the last five years Senate Republicans have placed a filibuster on every piece of legislation and every nominee.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senate Republicans have utilized the filibuster as a tool of obstruction in the last five years, it is an exaggeration to claim that they have placed a filibuster on every piece of legislation and every nominee. The use of superlatives in this statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the reality of Senate proceedings. While there has been significant gridlock and obstruction, it is important to note that not every piece of legislation or nominee has faced a filibuster. The statement overgeneralizes the situation and fails to provide a nuanced understanding of the Senate's dynamics during that period.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Axtman, to her credit, immediately toned down her piece after we raised concerns. It now reads that Republicans had \"placed a filibuster on virtually every piece of serious legislation and nominee.\" (Emphasis ours.)","\"The Senate has been in a grind for a very long time, but the worst of it has come in the last five years where Senate Republicans have placed a filibuster on every piece of legislation and every nominee,\" she wrote. \"The body was for all practical terms in paralysis, requiring a 60 vote majority to do anything.\"","If there\u2019s one truth about us fact-checkers, it\u2019s that superlatives draw our collective eye. The Senate had experienced significant gridlock, but could it be true that Republicans filibustered \"every piece of legislation and every nominee\"? We decided to look.","There\u2019s little question that Senate Republicans took using the filibuster as a tool of obstruction to a new extreme. But Axtman undercut herself by using superlatives. Twice in her piece, she hammered home that filibusters happened \"not just some of the time. ALL of the time.\""]},{"id":"3877.json","label":"true","statement":"Says six of the states 58 family planning centers had to close because of Gov. Chris Christies budget cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that six family planning centers in New Jersey closed due to budget cuts implemented by Governor Chris Christie. The closure of these centers was a direct result of the elimination of nearly $7.5 million in funding for family planning services. Therefore, it can be concluded that the budget cuts led to the closure of these six family planning centers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In the current budget, the budget under which we are operating, the governor stripped out seven and a half million dollars that went to family planning centers throughout the state of New Jersey,\" Weinberg said at a discussion she hosted with women\u2019s health care providers and other female Democratic legislators. \"At the beginning of this current budget year, we had 58 family planning centers, we now have 52. Six have closed and others have cut back their hours.\"","In June 2010, the state Assembly and Senate passed a bill that would restore the $7.45 million in funding cut for family planning services. Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the bill, S2139, saying New Jersey residents have access to \"comprehensive reproductive health care services\" at other sites and the state can\u2019t afford to \"provide duplicative funding for family planning centers.\"","The elimination of nearly $7.5 million in funding for family planning services helped state lawmakers plug a multibillion-dollar budget gap last year.","So let\u2019s review: Six family planning clinics closed during the past fiscal year and representatives from each blamed the loss of state funding for the closure. Christie signed a budget that eliminated $7.45 million in funding for family planning services that the Democratic-controlled Legislature passed. The governor also vetoed a measure that would have restored the funding."]},{"id":"3698.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wrote that in 2006, Nancy Pelosi said she didnt think capturing Osama bin Laden makes us any safer, but in 2011 called his killing historic.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Nancy Pelosi's comments in 2006 and 2011. In 2006, Pelosi expressed skepticism about the immediate impact of capturing Osama bin Laden on national security. However, in 2011, after bin Laden's killing, she referred to it as \"historic.\" It is important to note that Pelosi's 2006 statement was made in the context of acknowledging the damage already caused by bin Laden, while her 2011 comment was a recognition of the significance of his death. While there is a difference in tone between the two statements, the claim accurately represents Pelosi's evolving perspective on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Wrote that in 2006, Nancy Pelosi said she didn\u2019t think capturing Osama bin Laden \"makes us any safer,\" but in 2011 called his killing \"historic.\"","Ultimately, we think the bloggers overstated the degree to which Pelosi\u2019s 2006 and 2011 comments were contradictory. They are correct that Pelosi in 2006 said she didn\u2019t think capturing Osama Bin Laden \"makes us any safer\" and then five years later celebrated his killing as \"historic.\" But, because they left out the rest of her sentence referring to the threat that remains after bin Laden's death, we rate their claim Half True.","Several readers asked us whether Pelosi had really said that capturing Osama bin Laden does not make \"us any safer\". So we decided to look into it.","\"(E)ven if (Osama bin Laden) is caught tomorrow, it is five years too late. He has done more damage the longer he has been out there. But, in fact, the damage that he has done is done. And even to capture him now I don\u2019t think makes us any safer.\""]},{"id":"9559.json","label":"false","statement":"Thanks to #ObamaCare, average E.R. wait in California is 5 hours.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While there are variations in wait times depending on the specific measurement used, the average E.R. wait time in California is not consistently five hours as implied. The study cited in the evidence provides different measurements for wait times, and the longest measurement, which includes the time from patient arrival to being admitted as an inpatient, is five hours and 26 minutes. However, this is not the average wait time for all patients in California. In reality, patients typically see a health professional within about half an hour, and if their condition does not require overnight hospitalization, they can be on their way home in under three hours. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the actual average E.R. wait time in California.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Kirsten Kukowski, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, stood by the KMPH story the tweet cited. \"If you have to go to an emergency room, get ready to wait more than five hours,\" she said. \"Right now, that is the average wait in the state of California. Health experts say you can blame Obamacare and Covered California for that long wait and they say it's only going to get worse.\"","Actually, there isn\u2019t just one definition. A study published in October 2013 by the California HealthCare Foundation offered three different measurements. The one Priebus references is \"patient arrival to being admitted to hospital as inpatient.\" For California, this wait was five hours and 26 minutes -- longer than the national average of four hours and 34 minutes.","One might take away from Priebus\u2019 tweet that someone going to a California E.R. can expect a wait of more than five hours just to get in to see a doctor or a nurse. In reality, they\u2019re seeing a health professional in about a half an hour -- and if their injury or illness isn\u2019t serious enough to keep them in the hospital overnight, then they\u2019re on their way home in under three hours. For those patients, their entire visit is much shorter than the five hours Priebus indicates.","But this is by far the longest of the three measures. The second longest is \"patient arrival to emergency room departure for discharged patients\" -- basically, the entire length of the visit for someone who isn\u2019t actually admitted as an inpatient after being seen by the E.R. For Californians, this wait time was two hours and 49 minutes, once again a bit higher than the national average of two hours and 19 minutes."]},{"id":"782.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama \"voted for ... $3-million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Obama requested $3 million in funding for the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, referring to it as an \"overhead projector\" is misleading. The funding was intended for a new projector system as part of a larger theater upgrade at the planetarium. The new system would have advanced features, including computerization, light sources for displaying stars and planets, and data transfer capabilities. Therefore, describing it as a mere overhead projector oversimplifies the purpose and functionality of the equipment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u201cHe voted for nearly a billion dollars in pork-barrel earmark projects, including, by the way, $3-million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Illinois,\u201d McCain said during the Oct. 7, 2008, presidential debate. \u201cMy friends, do we need to spend that kind of money?\u201d","While the museum has not settled on a specific replacement, the $3-million would help cover most of the cost of a new system of projectors. It will be computerized with light sources that would display all the visible stars plus the deep space stars and planets. It would have hard drives and software to transfer megabytes of data, he said. The projector system is part of a $10-million theater upgrade at Adler, the first U.S. location with a planetarium.","McCain was referring to a spending request for the 2008 budget. And, indeed, the Web site of Obama\u2019s Senate office shows Obama asked for $3-million for the Adler Planetarium. According to Obama\u2019s office, the equipment had begun to fail and deprived people of a learning experience.","\u201cThe characterization of it as an overhead projector is not very accurate,\u201d said Webb, who has been at the planetarium more than 25 years."]},{"id":"11823.json","label":"true","statement":"It is rare that a retirement grade determination is conducted for an officer previously retired from the U.S. armed forces.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the letter signed by Senators McCain and Reed, retirement grade determinations for officers previously retired from the U.S. armed forces are rare. This is further supported by the Army regulation 15-80, which states that grade determinations are normally accomplished at the time of retirement and remain fixed thereafter. Additionally, a lawyer and former Army Judge Advocate General officer confirms that the specific sequence of events leading to retroactive demotion for a retiree is quite rare. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It is rare that a retirement grade determination is conducted for an officer previously retired from the U.S. armed forces,\" says the letter, which is signed by both senators.","In their letter, McCain and Reed told the defense secretary, \"It is rare that a retirement grade determination is conducted for an officer previously retired from the U.S. armed forces.\"","In the U.S. Army, a process called grade determination\" governs the rank an officer retires at and also affects retirement pay. Such determinations \"are normally accomplished at the time of retirement\" and remain \"fixed\" thereafter, according to Army regulation 15-80.","The specific sequence of events that might lead the Army to retroactively demote a retiree are quite rare to begin with, according to Anita Gorecki-Robbins, a lawyer and former Army Judge Advocate General officer who represents members of the military in grade determination proceedings."]},{"id":"9314.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rep. Justin Amash votes more with the Democrats than with the Republicans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there may be instances where Rep. Justin Amash has voted against his own party, the evidence shows that he generally aligns with Republicans on the majority of votes. Multiple sources indicate that Amash has sided with Republicans over 80% of the time, and his voting record demonstrates a higher frequency of voting with Republicans than with Democrats. Therefore, the claim that he votes more with Democrats is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Establishment Republicans who have for years operated under the threat of \"getting primaried\" by conservative challengers are hoping to turn the tables in Michigan, where there\u2019s an all-out brawl to oust tea party favorite Rep. Justin Amash.","Rogers said Amash \"votes more with the Democrats than with the Republicans.\" Rogers didn\u2019t back up his claim, but we found two sources that showed that Amash has sided with Republicans upward of 80 percent of the time. That may be lower than many of his colleagues, and we found found a few high-profile examples of his voting against his own party. But by the numbers, he votes far more often with Republicans than Democrats.","Pelosi\u2019s profile page says the Republican she least often votes with is, indeed, Amash. The two have been on the same side of just 22 percent of votes.","\"He votes more with the Democrats than with the Republicans, and that\u2019s not out of principle, that\u2019s out of him branding himself as something different,\" said Rogers, who has contributed $5,000 to Amash\u2019s primary opponent, Brian Ellis."]},{"id":"3983.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Miami-Dade mayoral candidate Julio Robaina has the highest salary among Florida mayors. More than $260,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Julio Robaina had a salary of around $155,000 as the mayor of Hialeah, it is misleading to include the additional $105,000 he received for expenses as part of his salary. Other mayors in Florida have similar or higher salaries, but they are reimbursed for their expenses rather than receiving a fixed amount. Therefore, it is not fair to compare Robaina's total compensation to the salaries of other mayors without considering the differences in expense reimbursements. The claim is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Say no to Mayor Julio Robaina ... No to Mayor Robaina because he has the highest salary among Florida mayors. More than $260,000,\" the ad claims (as $50 bills float around the screen no less). \"More than our governor and U.S. Senators.\"","To recap, the Common Sense Now add said Robaina \"has the highest salary among Florida mayors. More than $260,000.\" Robaina had a salary of around $155,000 -- which is in line with many strong mayors in Florida, though less than Miami-Dade mayor. But Robaina received more than $105,000 for expenses, which he got whether or not he used the money on business. Other mayors in Florida are reimbursed for their expenses. We don't know how much of that money was used for legitimate expenses. So it's not fair to include all of that money as straight \"salary.\" We rate this claim Half True.","We contacted several other large cities and asked about annual salaries and expenses for mayors. We couldn't find any in excess of $260,000. In Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tampa and Jacksonsville -- all strong mayor positions -- mayors made anywhere from $150,000 to $175,000. But none had expense accounts like Robaina. The mayors in those cities are reimbursed for city expenses.","Julio Robaina, a former mayor of the city of Hialeah, is running for Miami-Dade County mayor in the June 28, 2011 election."]},{"id":"4879.json","label":"true","statement":"The balanced-budget amendment once came within one vote of passing Congress but was defeated because of the no vote from a top Senate Republican, and Rick Santorum says he stood up and called for him to resign his chairmanship.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical context surrounding the balanced-budget amendment. Former Senator Rick Santorum correctly stated that the balanced-budget amendment came within one vote of passing Congress and going to the states for ratification during his time in the Senate. The vote by the Republican chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee against the amendment was crucial to its failure. Santorum's claim that he called for the chairman to resign his chairmanship is also supported by evidence. Overall, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The best part of my plan to balance the budget is that it will actually work,\" Santorum wrote. \"The first bill I cosponsored in the Senate was the balanced budget amendment, but we came within one vote of passing it. Sadly, the Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, a Republican, was the deciding \u2018no\u2019 vote. I stood up and called for him to resign his chairmanship because I am not afraid to lead, fight for fiscal responsibility and expose members of my own party when they spend like liberals.\"","Nonetheless, it remains a key talking point for Republicans on the presidential campaign trail. And in a Nov. 29, 2011, op-ed in the New Hampshire Union Leader, former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., asserted that the balanced budget amendment came within one vote of passing Congress and going to the states during his first year in the Senate. He also said that he\u2019s not afraid to expose fellow Republicans who stand in its way.","Santorum was correct in stating the balanced budget amendment came within one vote of clearing Congress and that the vote by the Republican chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee against it was key to its failure to pass. Hatfield said he opposed it because he viewed it as a \"gimmick.\" And Santorum and others did call for Hatfield's resignation as committee chairman. Santorum's description of his role as evidence of his leadership skills is an opinion, and we don't check opinions. But he has the basic history right. We give his statement a True.","For his part, Hatfield, who had served in the Senate for 28 years at that point, stood his ground, saying, \"I do not care for the implication -- and I only say implication -- that perhaps a conscience vote is no longer possible on the Republican side of the aisle.\""]},{"id":"12405.json","label":"false","statement":"Californias Capitol building is second only to Disneyland, among visitor sites in the state.","reason":"Reason: While the California State Capitol building does attract a significant number of visitors each year, the statement that it is \"second only to Disneyland\" is not accurate. While State Sen. Richard Pan made this claim, it is important to note that other popular tourist destinations in California, such as Yosemite National Park, the San Diego Zoo, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, attract significantly more visitors annually. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But some in Sacramento would have you believe the state Capitol building ranks \"second only to Disneyland\" in annual visitors across the Golden State.","But an old wives\u2019 tale in Sacramento would have you believe the state Capitol building ranks \"second only to Disneyland\" in annual visitors across the Golden State.","State Sen. Richard Pan said the state Capitol is \"second only to Disneyland\" in visitors in California. This center of state government draws about a bit more than one million annually. But that\u2019s peanuts compared with Yosemite, the San Diego Zoo or Monterey Bay Aquarium, which attract between two and four times as many per year.","The Capitol building is home to the California State Legislature, including the Assembly Chamber shown above. File photo \/ Capital Public Radio"]},{"id":"10662.json","label":"true","statement":"Under current conditions, by 2023, the interest payments on the national debt will be $722 billion, larger than the projected defense spending of $696 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projections, under current conditions, the interest payments on the national debt are estimated to reach $722 billion by 2023. This figure is indeed larger than the projected defense spending of $696 billion for the same year. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Under current conditions, by 2023, interest payments on the nation\u2019s debt alone will be $722 billion,\" Price wrote in the budget blueprint. \"That will be larger than (Congressional Budget Office\u2019s) projected defense spending budget of $696 billion.\"","Then again, that is a short-lived balance. By 2024, even stopping sequestration on defense spending, the CBO projects $777 billion in interest payments and $771 billion on defense.","Looking at the CBO projections without the automatic spending reductions, defense spending in 2023 is forecast to be $752 billion \u2013 substantially ahead of the projected price tag on the nation\u2019s debt.","And, tucked into the tables that help examine the rising deficits are the exact numbers that Price cites. On page 13, a table of the agency\u2019s budget projections shows an estimated $722 billion bill for 2023. Deeper into the report, on page 86, the report projects defense spending will total $696 billion."]},{"id":"9936.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"SaysPresident Obama hijacked the farm bill (and) turned it into a food stamp bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. Food stamps have been a part of every farm bill enacted since 1973, so it is inaccurate to claim that President Obama \"hijacked\" the farm bill and turned it into a food stamp bill. The inclusion of food stamps in the farm bill has been a longstanding practice. Therefore, the claim that President Obama transformed the farm bill into a food stamp bill is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["And Cotton got a Pants on Fire for a commercial where he defended his opposition to the farm bill. Cotton said, that President Barack Obama \"hijacked the farm bill (and) turned it into a food stamp bill.\" That\u2019s not correct. Food stamps have been part of every farm bill enacted since 1973.","\"(My dad) taught me early: farmers can\u2019t spend more than they take in, and I listened,\" Cotton said in the ad. \"When President Obama hijacked the farm bill, turned it into a food stamp bill, with billions more in spending, I voted no.\"","Cotton said that Obama \"hijacked the farm bill (and) turned it into a food stamp bill.\" That\u2019s not correct -- food stamps have been part of every farm bill enacted since 1973. One could say that Cotton and his allies in the House, by seeking a farm bill stripped of food stamp provisions, were actually the ones taking a more radical step, one that Congress ultimately voted against. We rate this claim Pants on Fire.","And while the number of food stamp recipients grew dramatically in the wake of the last recession, which bottomed out around the time Obama took office, food stamps have accounted for a majority of farm bill spending for more than a decade."]},{"id":"4630.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama never worked in the private sector before he was elected president.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Barack Obama never worked in the private sector before being elected president is false. While it is true that Obama had less experience in the private sector compared to Mitt Romney, he did have work experience in the private sector. Prior to becoming president, Obama worked as a community organizer, a lawyer in private practice, and as a professor of constitutional law. These roles involved working in non-profit organizations and private law firms, which are part of the private sector. Therefore, the claim that Obama never worked in the private sector is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Clearly, Obama has had less experience in the private sector than Romney; before he became president, he spent most of his working life either in the non-profit sector or in politics. However, Portman went too far when he said that Obama has \"never even worked in business.\" We rate the statement False.","Romney replied, \"I\u2019d be prepared to be a leader. You can\u2019t get the country to go in the right direction and get Washington to work if you don\u2019t have a president that\u2019s a leader. And three years ago, we selected a person who had never had any leadership experience, never worked in the private sector, never had the opportunity to actually bring people together, and he hasn\u2019t been able to do so.","Obama\u2019s work experience, or lack thereof, is well-plowed ground. So we thought we'd explore whether the president has ever worked in a business. (We interpreted Portman\u2019s statement to mean that Obama had never worked in a private, profit-making enterprise.)","The ruling: Obama may not have the corporate chops of Romney, but he\u2019s worked in several jobs in the private sector -- and had management experience. And if you count his best-selling books that have brought Obama millions of dollars in royalties, he also knows something about entrepreneurship. We rate Romney\u2019s statement False."]},{"id":"2622.json","label":"false","statement":"Ive also offered a plan that can help (fix Social Security) thats supported by Robert Reich, secretary of labor previously, in a previous administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, supports the plan to fix Social Security proposed by the speaker. In fact, Robert Reich has not taken a position on the specific plan mentioned. While Reich has proposed ideas related to Social Security, such as increasing legal immigration, his stance differs from the plan mentioned in the statement. Therefore, the claim that Reich supports the speaker's plan is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I've also offered a plan that can help (fix Social Security) that's supported by Robert Reich, secretary of labor previously, in a previous administration.\"","\"I think it's important that we realize where Social Security is today. And let's have a mature discussion about it,\" Crist said. \"Report after report says that it's solvent until 2037 or 2041. I'm an optimist. I'm hopeful that the economy will continue to improve. But I've also offered a plan that can help it that's supported by Robert Reich, secretary of labor-- previously, in a previous administration. And it's straightforward and simple.","In an ABC News debate, Crist said his plan to help preserve Social Security -- to have illegal workers earn a path to citizenship -- was supported by former Clinton labor secretary Robert Reich. But Reich hasn't taken a side on that issue. Reich proposes allowing increased legal immigration to add more workers for each retiree, which is different. We rate Crist's claim False.","In this fact check we're focusing on Crist's plan for Social Security and ultimately whether Reich, President Bill Clinton's labor secretary, can be counted among its supporters."]},{"id":"4660.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers actions are directly responsible for killing at least 15,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The sources indicate that there is no direct evidence linking Governor Scott Walker's actions to the elimination of 15,000 jobs. The estimates mentioned in the evidence do not establish a causal relationship between Walker's actions and job losses. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that the claim of Walker dropping Wisconsin to 45th in job growth prospects while campaigning out of state is unrelated to the claim of directly killing 15,000 jobs. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In sum, Hulsey isn\u2019t close to demonstrating that actions taken by Walker are directly responsible for killing at least 15,000 jobs.","Hulsey said Walker\u2019s \"actions are directly responsible for killing at least 15,000 jobs.\" Two-thirds of his claim is based on estimates of the effect of reduced spending by government employees and government agencies as a result of budget actions taken by Walker. The estimates, however, don\u2019t tie the spending reductions to actual job losses and take a very narrow -- some would say wrongheaded -- view of how the economy works.","So, Hulsey relies on predictive estimates in claiming that those moves will eventually kill 9,900 jobs. But there simply isn\u2019t evidence that Walker\u2019s actions, as Hulsey claims, are \"directly responsible\" for that many jobs being eliminated.","Says Gov. Scott Walker has dropped Wisconsin \"to 45th in the nation in job growth prospects while campaigning for president out of state.\""]},{"id":"3732.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gwinnett Medical Center is operating in the negative, in part, because of illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Gwinnett Medical Center is operating with a negative operating margin, the evidence provided does not explicitly state that illegal immigrants are the sole or primary reason for this financial situation. The evidence suggests that illegal immigrants could be part of the reason, but it does not provide conclusive evidence or detailed analysis to support this claim. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to definitively state that illegal immigrants are causing the financial troubles of Gwinnett Medical Center based on the given evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Gwinnett Medical Center is operating in the negative,\" Renee Unterman, who represents a portion of Gwinnett County, said in a speech on the Senate floor.","We found that Unterman was correct about Gwinnett Medical Center\u2019s troubled finances for the current budget year. The senator could also be right about illegal immigrants being part of the reason why the center is \"in the negative.\"","We wondered whether Unterman was correct about her claim. Gwinnett Medical Center spokeswoman Beth Okun confirmed that it had a negative operating margin so far this fiscal year, which ends June 30, by nearly $7 million. That\u2019s about 2 percent of the system\u2019s annual budget.","So why is Gwinnett Medical Center, which has medical facilities in Lawrenceville and Duluth, in financial trouble this fiscal year? Are illegal immigrants partially to blame for the red ink?"]},{"id":"10920.json","label":"true","statement":"47 percent of Americanscant pay for an unexpected $400 expense through savings or credit cards, without selling something or borrowing money.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hunter Schwarz and supported by the Federal Reserve that 47 percent of Americans cannot afford an unexpected $400 expense without resorting to selling something or borrowing money. This statistic highlights the financial vulnerability of a significant portion of the population and their lack of sufficient savings or credit to handle unexpected expenses.\nLabel: true","evidence":["47 percent of Americans \"can\u2019t pay for an unexpected $400 expense through savings or credit cards, without selling something or borrowing money.\"","Schwarz said 47 percent of Americans can\u2019t pay for an unexpected $400 expense through savings or credit cards, without selling something or borrowing money.","\" 47 : The percentage of Americans who can\u2019t pay for an unexpected $400 expense through savings or credit cards, without selling something or borrowing money, according to the Federal Reserve.\"","Schultz\u2019s 40 percent statement reminded us of something former Washington Post reporter Hunter Schwarz said in 2015 before joining CNN. Schwarz said that 47 percent of Americans \"can\u2019t pay for an unexpected $400 expense through savings or credit cards, without selling something or borrowing money.\" PunditFact rated that claim True."]},{"id":"1575.json","label":"true","statement":"\"House Appropriations Chair David Obey's partial earmark ban wouldn't apply to 90% of earmarks.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Jim DeMint that House Appropriations Chair David Obey's partial earmark ban would not apply to 90% of earmarks. This suggests that the ban is not comprehensive and may not effectively address the issue of earmarks. The evidence provided supports this claim, with Senator Daniel Inouye also expressing skepticism about the ban. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a complete analysis of the earmark ban or its potential impact.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"House Appropriations Chair David Obey's partial earmark ban wouldn't apply to 90% of earmarks,\" DeMint wrote. \"That's a fig leaf, not real reform.\"","Senate Appropriations panel chair Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, Obey's Senate counterpart and a staunch defender of earmarks, called Obey's ban on earmarks to for-profits \"quizzical.\"","No sooner had Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., chairman of the House Appropriations panel, announced a plan to ban earmarks to for-profit companies than Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., sent out a blast of one-upmanship via Twitter.","Inouye told the New York Times that the partial ban amounted to Congress ceding its authority to the executive branch, that current earmark restrictions were already working and that ''it does not make sense to discriminate against for-profit organizations'' by banning earmarks to them."]},{"id":"11626.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ron Johnson said specifically that he hopes the first steps occur to privatize the Veterans Administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made about Ron Johnson expressing a hope for the first steps to occur in privatizing the Veterans Administration (VA). However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide any additional context or evidence to support or refute the claim. To fully evaluate the veracity of the claim, it would be necessary to examine Ron Johnson's statements and actions regarding the privatization of the VA in a more comprehensive manner.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Look, we have to show a genuine commitment to make sure that veterans, when they come home, are able to get a job and that they have timely and adequate health care. The answer is not to privatize the VA. And Ron Johnson said specifically that he hopes the first steps occur to privatize the VA.\"","The Veterans Administration\u2019s medical care of veterans, both nationally and in Wisconsin, has been under fire for more than a year and a half.","In an interview(;ref=download) on a liberal talk show on Madison radio, Russ Feingold answered a question about the Veterans Administration -- hit by scandals nationally and in Wisconsin -- by contrasting himself and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, the man who took his Senate seat in 2010.","In 2016, we rated Half True a claim from Americans United for Change that \"Ron Johnson calls Social Security a Ponzi scheme and wants to privatize the program.\" In doing so, we found: \"Johnson has expressed support for some form of privatization of Social Security, such as allowing individuals to invest some of their Social Security contributions, but it\u2019s not clear that he backs complete privatization.\""]},{"id":"342.json","label":"false","statement":"\"While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence. The photo mentioned in the evidence does not depict President Obama during the Pledge of Allegiance, but rather during the national anthem. There is no evidence to suggest that Obama turns his back to the flag or slouches during the Pledge of Allegiance. The interpretation of his posture during the national anthem is subjective, and there is no evidence to suggest that his posture was intended as an antipatriotic statement. Therefore, the statement is unfounded and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegience nor will he show any reverence for our flag,\" it says. \"While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches.\"","As the Time caption indicates, the photo was taken during the national anthem, not the pledge, so the photo does not support the allegation that Obama \"turns his back and . . . slouches\" during the pledge. This is corroborated by an ABC News video of the occasion.","It is a matter of interpretation whether Obama is slouching as the anthem is played. The photo shows him with his hands clasped in front of his waist while the others have their hands over the heart (a point of anthem protocol that we addressed in this item). But it doesn't look to us like he's slouching and there's no evidence to suggest his posture was making an antipatriotic statement.","Says \"a lip-reading instructor at the River School, a Washington, D.C., school for the deaf\" has determined that during 9\/11 ceremonies, Michelle Obama said, \"All this for a damn flag.\""]},{"id":"1811.json","label":"false","statement":"Steve Poizner \"increased his department's budget nearly 14 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Steve Poizner \"increased his department's budget nearly 14 percent\" is not accurate. Fact-checking analysis reveals that the changes in the department's budget ranged from a 6.2 percent increase to a 7.3 percent decrease. The Whitman campaign arrived at the 14 percent figure by selectively choosing specific budget years. However, when considering all possible combinations, none of them resulted in a 14 percent increase. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The charges about Poizner's stewardship of the department are similar, but the particular ad we'll be checking tells viewers that Poizner \"increased his department's budget nearly 14 percent.\"","We also ran the numbers for the remainder -- essentially, the department's operating budget -- and found that the changes ranged from a 6.2 percent increase to a 7.3 percent decrease. Once again, none was close to 14 percent.","So how did the Whitman campaign come up with the 14 percent figure? It started with the 2005-2006 budget year and stopped with the 2008-2009 budget year. Using those years produced an increase of 13.5 percent or, rounding up, 14 percent.","We ran all the possible combinations and found that the changes ranged from an increase of three-tenths of a percent to an increase of 9.4 percent. None of them reach 14 percent."]},{"id":"2017.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As a senator, Barack Obama supported \"an amendment that basically gutted the legal temporary worker program.\"","reason":"Reason: It is true that as a senator, Barack Obama did support an amendment that would have curtailed the legal temporary worker program, which was a part of a comprehensive immigration package. However, it's important to note that Obama also cast other votes to move the bill forward, and his support for the amendment was not a complete refusal of the entire package. While the statement accurately highlights Obama's support for an amendment that would have impacted the temporary worker program, it should be noted that his overall stance on the comprehensive immigration package was more nuanced. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["McCain responded, \"I don't enjoy bringing this up, but the fact is, then-Senator Obama supported amendments which would have gutted the proposal that we had before the United States Senate, which he said he would propose, an amendment that basically gutted the legal temporary worker program.\"","He said that Barack Obama supported an amendment \"that basically gutted the legal temporary worker program.\" Clearly Obama did vote for a bill that would have curtailed the legal temporary worker program, an important part of comprehensive immigration package. Still, Obama did cast other votes to move the bill forward. We feel it's important to note that the vote was not a clear-cut refusal of the entire package. So we rate McCain's statement Mostly True.","McCain phrases his statement a little awkwardly, but we wanted to know if it was true that Obama supported amendments that would have derailed the temporary worker program.","Hours later, though, Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., offered an amendment to end after five years a different program, one that allowed more temporary workers. Dorgan said the program would bring in cheap labor through the back door and squeeze out American workers. Supporters of reform warned that the amendment could scuttle the deal, but the Senate adopted the amendment in a 49-48 vote, with Obama voting with Dorgan."]},{"id":"2624.json","label":"true","statement":"Ken Buck wants to outlaw abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Ken Buck wants to outlaw abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. This claim is supported by the evidence provided in the ad, which highlights Buck's extreme ideas and his stance on issues such as privatizing Social Security and outlawing abortion without exceptions. It is important to note that this statement pertains specifically to Ken Buck's position on abortion and does not necessarily apply to other individuals or politicians.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Extreme beauty, extreme sports -- good extremes in Colorado,\" the ad says. \"But what about Ken Buck's extreme ideas? Do we really want to privatize Social Security and risk it in the stock market? ... Are we ready to outlaw abortion, even in cases of rape or incest? Extreme beauty is a good thing, but Colorado's no place for Buck's extreme ideas.\"","\"Scott Walker wants to make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother.\"","\"Cuccinelli wants to make all abortion illegal, even in cases of rape and incest, even to protect a woman\u2019s health,\" she says.","Says \"Scott Walker wants to make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.\""]},{"id":"5385.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Scott Walker enacted the biggest cuts to education in our states history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In 2012, Governor Scott Walker enacted significant cuts to education in Wisconsin, amounting to $1.2 billion, including a reduction of $792 million in direct state aid to K-12 schools. These cuts were deemed the largest in the state's history at the time. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact Wisconsin, have confirmed the validity of this claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Recall candidate Kathleen Falk says Governor Scott Walker enacted 'the biggest cuts to education in our state's history,'\" Feb. 19, 2012","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Recall candidate Kathleen Falk says Gov. Scott Walker enacted \u2018the biggest cuts to education in our state\u2019s history,\u2019\" Feb. 19, 2012","In fact, in February 2012 we rated True a broader claim -- that Walker had enacted \"the biggest cuts to education in our state's history.\" The $1.2 billion in reductions included $792 million in direct state aid to kindergarten-through-12th grade schools, which is the focus of the new Greater Wisconsin Committee ad.","\"He's done it with the wrong choices,\" Falk said, according to a WXOW-TV online story. \"He gave big tax breaks for a few and then made the biggest cuts to education in our state's history.\""]},{"id":"4539.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Every year air pollution protections are delayed, another 34,000 people will die prematurely.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that delaying air pollution protections can result in premature deaths. The evidence provided suggests that the impact of air pollution on public health is significant, leading to illnesses such as cancer, asthma, and other health issues. While the exact number of premature deaths may vary, the evidence supports the notion that delaying air pollution protections can have dire consequences for public health. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The losers are hundreds of thousands of people (who) will die, get illness from cancer, asthma, lost school days, millions of lost work days, the lost quality of life that is documented beyond belief,\" he said. \"This is real, and these people lose.\"","In real numbers, the EPA says the rules would reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide from the plants by 6.4 million tons a year (from 8.8 million tons in 2005) and to 1.4 million tons a year of nitrogen oxide (from 2.6 million tons annually in 2005).","While that omission does not change the conclusion that air pollution is bad for public health, it could exaggerate the problem. For that reason, we rate this claim: Mostly True.","Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., was one of the loudest critics, insisting that delaying the tougher air pollution rules would have dire results."]},{"id":"6435.json","label":"true","statement":"The property appraisers budget is $1 million less today than when I took office 16 years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that confirms the property appraiser's budget is indeed $1 million less today compared to 16 years ago. The approved budgets for the office have consistently decreased over the years, resulting in a reduction of approximately 9 percent since the property appraiser took office. This decrease can be attributed to various factors, such as updating administrative services, implementing technology to streamline processes, reducing the vehicle fleet, and a decrease in full-time employees. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Our budget is $1 million less today than when I took office 16 years ago,\" he wrote in answers to questions from the Tampa Bay Times.","Despite the distractions, Turner is running on his record of being able to perform his duties for four consecutive terms. Among his most salient qualifications, he says, is that his office cut $1 million from the budget compared to 16 years ago.","The 2012-13 budget for Turner\u2019s office is yet again lower, with the state approving expenditures of $10.7 million. This is the basis for Turner\u2019s claim of his budget being $1 million less than when he took office. The difference between his first approved budget for 1997-98 and the budget for the next fiscal year, which begins in October, is $1,079,585, to be exact. This is a drop of about 9 percent since 1996.","Among the changes in the office in the last 16 years are updating administrative services, purchasing technology that allows workers to perform appraisals with fewer staff, reducing the office\u2019s vehicle fleet from 72 vehicles to 40 and a steady reduction in full-time employees from 178 in 1996 to 130 today."]},{"id":"29.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Let's pay attention to kids who are not going to college, which ends up being about 60 percent of the kids... and get them trained for the jobs that are there. Because, you know, there are auto mechanic jobs paying $50,000, $60,000 that they can't get filled. There are airline mechanic jobs paying a lot of money that can't get filled.\" Remarks at AFSCME forum 6\/19\/2007","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by the speaker at the AFSCME forum in 2007. The speaker highlights the importance of focusing on students who do not pursue college education and instead emphasizes the need to provide training for available job opportunities. The speaker specifically mentions auto mechanic jobs and airline mechanic jobs that offer competitive salaries but struggle to find qualified individuals to fill them. This statement underscores the potential for well-paying jobs in skilled trades that may not require a college degree.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"8193.json","label":"false","statement":"I am every year the No.1 pick of all of the law enforcement agencies within Texas.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is the \"No.1 pick of all of the law enforcement agencies within Texas\" every year. While Dewhurst received an award from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas in 2003, it does not indicate that he is consistently ranked as the top pick by all law enforcement agencies in Texas. Furthermore, it is stated that law enforcement agencies do not endorse candidates or assign ranks unless officeholders face each other on the ballot. Therefore, the claim lacks sufficient evidence and is not supported by the provided information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Readers zeroed in on a curious Dewhurst claim. \"Sergeant, you don't know me,\" Dewhurst is heard saying on the police call, \"but I am every year the No.1 pick of all of the law enforcement agencies within Texas.\"","Also, Considine noted, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas deemed Dewhurst its Texas Crime Fighter of the Year in 2003, his first year in what many consider the state\u2019s most powerful post.","\"Law enforcement agencies have no business endorsing candidates,\" Lawrence said, and while associations or unions make candidate endorsements, they do not pick one officeholder over another--assigning ranks, that is--unless the officeholders face each other on the ballot.","In a Dallas-area call on behalf of a jailed niece, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Texas law enforcement agencies consistently rank him fairest of them all."]},{"id":"4403.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republicans fought to protect tax loopholes for corporations that send our jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. There have been instances where Republicans have opposed Democratic plans to close tax loopholes on multinational corporations. However, it is important to note that the link between these tax loopholes and the outsourcing of jobs is not direct. While some corporations that took advantage of tax loopholes may have also engaged in outsourcing, it cannot be assumed that all corporations benefiting from tax breaks were involved in sending jobs overseas. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the issue and does not provide a comprehensive view of the complexities surrounding tax policies and job outsourcing.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Republicans in Congress aren't getting the message,\" the mailer says( \"the mailer says\"). \"Unemployment is hurting everyone in our economy, and we need to bring jobs back to America. But rather than fighting to create jobs for the middle class, Republicans in Congress fought to protect unfair tax breaks for big special interest groups and companies that ship American jobs overseas.\"","Republicans support tax breaks for corporations that send jobs overseas, says a political mailer from Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, a union that represents service workers.","The SEIU is correct that Republicans did fight against Democratic plans to close tax loopholes on multinational corporations. But whether the corporations who took advantage of the tax loopholes were also outsourcing jobs is an unanswered question. The link between the multinationals' tax status and their outsourcing of jobs is not direct, and that's an important distinction. We rate the mailer's claim Half True.","In 2010, PolitiFact Virginia checked a similar statement, that a state legislature candidate \"supports the tax loopholes that send American jobs overseas.\" They rated the claim False."]},{"id":"11694.json","label":"false","statement":"Our larger domestic threat is from racial supremacist groups.","reason":"Reason: While there are instances of domestic terrorism and violence perpetrated by racial supremacist groups, it is inaccurate to claim that they pose a larger threat than jihadists. The data and evidence available indicate that jihadist-inspired terrorism has been a significant and ongoing threat in the United States. While it is important to address all forms of extremism, including racial supremacist groups, it is misleading to downplay the threat posed by jihadist-inspired terrorism.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But Carson's statement about \"racial supremacist groups\" posing a larger threat than jihadists isn't cleanly supported by the data that he cites.","\"The rhetoric that we're seeing, it concerns me,\" Carson said. \"I think most of our largest domestic threat comes from racial supremacist groups. I\u2019ve worked in counterterrorism; I know this to be a fact.\"","!Rep. Andr\u00e9 Carson, D-Ill., said the threat from racial supremacist groups is greater than from jihadists. (Screengrab) !Rep. Andr\u00e9 Carson, D-Ill., said the threat from racial supremacist groups is greater than from jihadists. (Screengrab)","That might suggest that Carson was technically correct but perhaps overstated his case. However, Carson runs into trouble because he specified \"racial supremacist groups.\""]},{"id":"2922.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The U.S. had the opportunity with Israel coming and talking to us about improving our security screening procedures, and we turned them down.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that the U.S. had discussions with Israeli officials regarding airport security screening procedures after the September 11 attacks, it is not accurate to say that the U.S. turned down the opportunity to improve security based on Israel's recommendations. The U.S. did meet with Israeli officials and considered their input, but ultimately, the U.S. did not adopt the exact same security procedures as Israel. Therefore, the claim that the U.S. turned down Israel's recommendations is misleading. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Let's review West's words: \"And also, when you go back, you look at after September 11, we had the opportunity with Israel coming and talking to us about improving our security screening procedures, and we turned them down.\"","\"I think it may end up becoming an issue, especially when we come out of this holiday season and we see how that affects us -- the travel and the, and the economy. But I think, once again, it comes back to marketing. I mean, we should have put out some type of feelers and talked to the American people about this before we go and implement this type of plan. And also, when you go back, you look at after September 11, we had the opportunity with Israel coming and talking to us about improving our security screening procedures, and we turned them down. I traveled to Israel, and I tell you what, they have very good procedures, and you don't have to go through all of these very draconian practices.\"","For this Truth-O-Meter, the part of West's claim that we were interested is about Israel. After the terrorist attacks in the skies on Sept. 11, 2001, did the U.S. turn down an opportunity to talk to Israel about airport security screening procedures?","It's possible for those who read or heard West's claim to interpret that to mean the U.S. rejected the opportunity to meet with Israel to talk about improving airport security screening procedures. On that front, he would clearly get a False rating since TSA officials met with Israelis and members of Congress met with El Al. At PolitiFact Florida, we evaluate politicians' actual words. In this case West's words weren't clear and he initially declined to explain himself. Only after we sent West our findings showing that the U.S. did meet with the Israelis did he offer an alternative explanation -- that the U.S. met with Israeli officials but rejected their model for improving our airport security screening -- and we find some truth in that. So we rate this claim Half True."]},{"id":"12588.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If youre a terrorist you cant fly, but an assault weapon you can buy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the disparity between the restrictions on flying for individuals on the no-fly list and the ability for individuals on the terrorist watchlist to legally purchase assault weapons. While not all individuals on the watchlist are confirmed terrorists, the fact remains that individuals who are suspected of involvement in terrorist activities can still legally purchase firearms. It is important to note that terrorists with felony convictions are prohibited from buying guns, but this does not apply to all individuals on the watchlist. Therefore, the statement accurately captures the contrast between the restrictions on flying and the ability to purchase firearms for individuals associated with terrorism.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["How ironic that if you're a terrorist you can't fly \/ But quite moronic that an assault weapon you can buy.","But Moore\u2019s point, contrasting the no fly list with the terrorist watchlist, is on target in that people on the watchlist can buy guns.","The second part of her claim -- that terrorists can buy assault weapons -- goes a bit too far, in that not all of the people on the terrorist watchlist are terrorists. Many are only suspected to be involved in terrorist activities and, like the Orlando shooter was, are removed from the list. Moreover, terrorists who have been convicted of a felony, or are under indictment, can\u2019t legally buy a gun.","Terrorists, as well as people deemed potential terrorists who are on the federal government\u2019s no-fly list are prohibited from flying. Terrorists who have a felony conviction can\u2019t legally buy guns, but people on the government\u2019s terrorist watchlist can, assuming they aren\u2019t disqualified for some other reason."]},{"id":"12875.json","label":"false","statement":"Says in 2012 Obama won in every state that did not require a photo ID and lost in every state that did require a photo ID in order to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. In the 2012 presidential election, Obama did not win in every state that did not require a photo ID to vote. He actually lost in 20 states that did not have a photo ID requirement. Additionally, it is true that Obama lost in the four states that had a strict photo ID requirement in place at that time, but it is important to note that those states historically lean towards voting Republican in presidential elections. Therefore, the claim that Obama won in every state without a photo ID requirement and lost in every state with a photo ID requirement is factually inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["An anonymous, viral post claims that in 2012, \"Obama won in every state that did not require a photo ID and lost in every state that did require a photo ID in order to vote.\"","For this item, we'll look at the \"fun fact\" at the end of the meme: \"Obama won in every state that did not require a photo ID and lost in every state that did require a photo ID in order to vote.\"","Obama did lose in the four states that had such a law in effect in 2012, but those states historically vote Republican in presidential elections anyway. The post is flat wrong about Obama winning states that do not require a photo ID. He lost in 20 states that lacked the requirement.","It's true that Obama lost in the states that had a strict photo-only ID requirement in 2012, but merely four states \u2014 Georgia, Indiana, Kansas and Tennessee \u2014 had that requirement, a salient fact the post neglects to mention. (A few more states have added a strict photo ID requirement that apply in the 2016 elections.)"]},{"id":"11500.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he didnt have an involvement withnutritional supplement company Mannatech.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement made by Carson. Multiple sources, including statements from Carson himself, indicate that he had a 10-year relationship with Mannatech, a nutritional supplement company. Carson's involvement included delivering speeches and engaging in promotional work for the company. The company faced a lawsuit regarding deceptive marketing claims, which they settled for $7 million. Therefore, the statement that Carson had no involvement with Mannatech is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mannatech sells nutritional supplement pills made from larch tree bark and aloe, ingredients with disputed health benefits. The company in 2009 settled the lawsuit, which stemmed from claims that the company was deceptively pitching cures and treatments for illnesses such as cancer and even Down Syndrome.","For Carson to say he \"didn\u2019t have an involvement with\" Mannatech is a stretch. While he was not any sort of employee for the company as far as we can tell, it\u2019s hard to see the speeches he\u2019s delivered, as well as other promotional work, as anything but a full-throated endorsement of the product. Further, Mannatech appears to view Carson as a product promoter.","\"This is a company called Mannatech, a maker of nutritional supplements, with which you had a 10-year relationship,\" Quintanilla said. \"They offered claims they could cure autism, cancer. They paid $7 million to settle a deceptive marketing lawsuit in Texas, and yet your involvement continues. Why?\"","At the Oct. 28 Republican presidential debate, hosted by CNBC in Boulder, Colo., moderator Carl Quintanilla asked Carson about his involvement with the company."]},{"id":"1541.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We worked together to enact ... the largest tax cut in Florida history.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Crist claiming that they enacted the largest tax cut in Florida history is false. While Crist has touted his tax-cutting record and made this claim, fact-checkers have found that the changes made during his tenure did not constitute the largest tax cut in the state's history. The assessment of the impact of the legislation is complex, and there are various factors and uncertainties that affect the size and scope of the tax cut. Based on the available evidence, it is clear that the claim of enacting the largest tax cut in Florida history is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In our first year, we guided our state through the storm of skyrocketing property taxes and property insurance,\" Crist said March 2, 2010, in front of a joint session of the Florida Legislature. \"We worked together to enact meaningful property insurance reform and the largest tax cut in Florida history.\"","In the absence of additional data, and with the knowledge that Save Our Homes has cut property tax bills for Florida residents $32 billion or more, we find no changes since we rated this in September. We can't agree with Crist that the 2007 and 2008 changes constitute the largest tax cut in state history. We rule Crist's statement False.","Crist has often touted his tax-cutting record and repeatedly said he and the Republican Legislature passed \"the largest tax cut\" in the state's history. He's made that claim in news releases, political speeches and in the first radio ad for his U.S. Senate campaign. We first put it to our Truth-O-Meter in September 2009.","The Crist-led changes to Florida's property tax structure certainly required the lowering of tax rates and assessment values throughout Florida. But there are all kinds of holes in projecting the size and scope of the legislation's impact. For example:"]},{"id":"7034.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he opposed $716 billion cut to Medicare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) included provisions that aimed to reduce Medicare spending by an estimated $716 billion, it is important to note that this reduction was not a direct cut to benefits for Medicare recipients. The reduction primarily targeted overpayments to hospitals, insurance companies, and other providers. Therefore, stating that someone opposed the $716 billion cut to Medicare could be misleading, as it suggests a direct reduction in benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. It is more accurate to say that the individual opposed the ACA, which included provisions to reduce Medicare spending.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It\u2019s the House vote on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which Young voted against. Does that mean he rejected \"the $716 billion cut to Medicare?\"","Romney raised a charge we\u2019ve heard before, that \"on Medicare for current retirees, (Obama) is cutting $716 billion from the program.\"","What he voted against was the Affordable Care Act, which implements an estimated $716 billion reduction in payments to hospitals and private insurers in effort to reduce the program\u2019s ever-increasing costs. He could not have known the amount would be $716 billion, as that estimate came two years after the health care vote. Meanwhile, the Republicans have their own plan for reducing future Medicare spending, by bring more private insurance companies into Medicare and offering voucher-like premium support.","It\u2019s worth pointing out Young could not have known he was specifically voting against $716 billion in Medicare \"cuts,\" as that had not been tabulated in time for the health care vote that happened two years earlier."]},{"id":"8205.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"South Carolina has the fastest-growing economy in the Southeast.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. South Carolina has been recognized for its economic growth and has been ranked as having the fastest-growing economy among a geographically tighter group of eight states in the Southeast. While it may not hold the same ranking when considering a broader definition of the Southeast, it still demonstrates significant economic growth within its regional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Haley said South Carolina has \"the fastest-growing economy in the Southeast.\" Since she took office, South Carolina had the third-highest growth rate among the 12 states that constitute the broadest definition of \"southeastern.\" But in a geographically tighter group of eight states, South Carolina does rank first. On balance, we rate her statement Mostly True.","\"We have the fastest-growing economy in the Southeast and we\u2019re not slowing down,\" Haley said at the Aug. 26, 2013, event, according to the Washington Post. \"If you think what we did in the first two and a half years was great, wait until you see what we do next.\"","Instead, we will look just at whether it\u2019s true that North Carolina has \"one of the fastest growing populations as well as fastest growing economy in the country,\" as McCrory claimed.","\"We have delivered $4.4 billion in tax relief, fixed our broken unemployment insurance system and reformed our economic development strategy to strengthen North Carolina\u2019s economy and put more people back to work,\" McCrory said in a statement. \"These efforts have positioned North Carolina as one of the fastest growing populations as well as (the) fastest growing economy in the country.\""]},{"id":"4082.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In our proposal, we would have expanded school aid across the board Governor Christie slashed school aid in this budget, preferring instead to extend a tax break for millionaires over funding in the classroom.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that Governor Christie slashed school aid in the budget and prioritized extending a tax break for millionaires over funding in the classroom. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a comprehensive view of the entire budget or the specific circumstances surrounding the allocation of funds. While there may have been cuts in school aid in a particular budget, it does not necessarily imply a direct preference for tax breaks over education funding. Additional information would be needed to fully evaluate the accuracy and context of this claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In our proposal, we would have expanded school aid across the board \u2026 Governor Christie slashed school aid in this budget, preferring instead to extend a tax break for millionaires over funding in the classroom.\"","\"In our proposal, we would have expanded school aid across the board and finally realized the promise of the 2008 school funding reform act by fully funding all schools \u2013 urban, rural and suburban. Governor Christie slashed school aid in this budget, preferring instead to extend a tax break for millionaires over funding in the classroom,\" Whelan said in a July 5 news release.","Let\u2019s briefly touch on the second part of Whelan\u2019s statement, which said Christie made the cuts in state aid for schools, \"preferring instead to extend a tax break for millionaires over funding in the classroom.\"","And although Christie slashed school aid in his first year as governor, he in fact increased school aid year over year from Fiscal Year 2011 to Fiscal Year 2012."]},{"id":"11282.json","label":"false","statement":"The Iran Deal will facilitate and accelerate the nation of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Iran Deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was designed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The terms of the deal required Iran to significantly reduce its nuclear capabilities, including reducing its centrifuges, eliminating enriched uranium stockpiles, and modifying its Arak reactor. These actions were aimed at impeding Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons. Experts have consistently argued that the deal provided a framework for inspections and restrictions that would make it more difficult for Iran to pursue nuclear weapons. The worst-case scenario, as mentioned by experts, would be that the deal creates temporary roadblocks, but it does not facilitate or accelerate Iran's acquisition of nuclear weapons.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The #IranDeal will facilitate and accelerate the nation of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons,\" he said in a tweet on Sept. 9, 2015.","\"The terms of the deal require Iran to reduce its installed centrifuges by two-thirds, eliminate almost all of its stock of enriched uranium, modify its Arak reactor to drastically reduce its ability to produce plutonium, and to accept much broader inspections,\" Bunn said. \"Those actions would slow and impede any nuclear weapons effort, not facilitate and accelerate it.\"","The Iran deal may be less than perfect, but experts say it\u2019s hard to see how implementing the agreement -- rather than doing nothing at all -- would actually \"facilitate and accelerate\" an Iranian nuclear weapon. The worst-case scenario would be that the deal throws up a couple years\u2019 worth of roadblocks that would not exist otherwise. We rate the claim False.","Without the deal, Iran might be two to three months away from getting a nuclear bomb. With the deal, Iran commits to not pursuing nuclear weapons overall and faces obstacles if it seeks to break its commitment and pursue a nuclear weapon."]},{"id":"12829.json","label":"false","statement":"The DNC hack showed you that the Clinton campaign was working to schedule (primary) debates against (Bernie) Sanders, and the Clinton campaign is continuing this ploy against Donald Trump.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While Paul Manafort claimed that the DNC hack revealed that the Clinton campaign was working to schedule debates against Bernie Sanders with the least possible viewing audience, there is no evidence in the leaked DNC emails to support this claim. Additionally, there is no evidence to suggest that the Clinton campaign is continuing this alleged ploy against Donald Trump. The experts mentioned in the evidence agree that the Democratic primary debate schedule may have been more advantageous to Clinton, but there is no evidence of a conspiracy or intentional manipulation by the Clinton campaign. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Manafort said, \"The DNC hack showed you that the Clinton campaign was working to schedule debates against Sanders\" and the Clinton campaign is continuing this \"ploy\" against Trump.","\"The DNC hack showed you that the Clinton campaign was working to schedule debates against (Bernie) Sanders, which have the least possible viewing audience. Mr. Trump\u2019s saying, Look we want the maximum viewing audience,\" Manafort said. \"We're not going to fall ploy to the Hillary Clinton ploy that she did against Bernie Sanders of trying to have the lowest viewing audience. We want the biggest.\"","There is no evidence in leaked DNC emails that the Clinton campaign lobbied for weekend dates or fewer debates in her primary fight against Sanders. There is also no evidence that the Clinton campaign had any hand in the setting the debates between Trump and Clinton.","Experts agree the Democratic primary debate schedule was more advantageous to Clinton than Sanders, but there is no evidence in the DNC emails that show Clinton conspired to make this happen."]},{"id":"1929.json","label":"false","statement":"Bill McCollum \"served as a lobbyist whose clients enabled mortgages for illegal immigrants.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that Bill McCollum served as a lobbyist for clients who actively facilitated or allowed illegal immigrants to obtain mortgages. However, the evidence provided does not support this claim. While it is true that the press release from Rick Scott's campaign accused McCollum of serving as a lobbyist for clients who \"enabled mortgages for illegal immigrants,\" it is important to note that enabling mortgages does not necessarily mean actively facilitating or allowing illegal immigrants to obtain them. McCollum's spokeswoman clarified that he did not advocate for giving mortgages to illegal immigrants and that his lobbying work was focused on tax issues and a rental housing program. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rick Scott campaign press release, \"Career politician Bill McCollum flees to Washington, D.C. where he served as lobbyist for clients who enabled mortgages for illegal immigrants,\"( \"\"Career politician Bill McCollum flees to Washington, D.C. where he served as lobbyist for clients who enabled mortgages for illegal immigrants,\"\") June 16, 2010","The following day, June 16, 2010, Scott's campaign issued a press release about McCollum which stated: \"Bill McCollum jumped his sinking ship of a campaign today and fled to Washington, D.C., where he served as a lobbyist whose clients enabled mortgages for illegal immigrants.'' (\"Fled to Washington, D.C.\" refers to a day of meetings McCollum had June 16 with a tax reform group and national conservative leaders, said his spokeswoman Kristy Campbell.)","The question here, though, is whether McCollum\u2019s clients enabled those loans while he lobbied for them? We took \"enable\" to mean that the companies allowed illegal immigrants to obtain mortgages.","Campbell, McCollum\u2019s spokeswoman, said in an e-mail \"Bill McCollum never advocated to give mortgages to illegal immigrants.\" She said he lobbied on tax issues -- not housing issues -- for CitiGroup, and MBA told us that he lobbied on issues related to a rental housing program. But the Scott campaign didn't claim that McCollum lobbied to give mortgages to illegal immigrants -- only that his clients \"enabled\" those mortgages."]},{"id":"6534.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have only one person on the (TVA) board, to my knowledge, who even has any corporate board experience.","reason":"Reason: Senator Bob Corker expressed concerns about the qualifications of the TVA Board of Directors, specifically stating that, to his knowledge, there is only one member with corporate board experience. While there may be other board members with relevant experience that they believe is equivalent to corporate board experience, the statement accurately reflects Corker's perspective and his concern about the lack of corporate board experience among the majority of TVA board members.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Corker first questioned TVA's governance structure and the qualifications of board members in an August news release. He elaborated in subsequent interviews, telling the Chattanooga Times-Free Press: \"As you look at TVA today as an $11 billion-a-year company with tremendous challenges, it has a board of directors with the qualifications that I think would cause most Tennesseans to be very concerned. . . . We have only one person on the board, to my knowledge, who even has any corporate board experience.\"","Sen. Bob Corker says the TVA Board of Directors has only one member with \u201cany corporate board experience,\u201d raising questions about its \u201centire governance structure\"","( - Sen. Bob Corker says the TVA Board of Directors has only one member with \u201cany corporate board experience,\u201d raising questions about its \u201centire governance structure\"&url=)","Corker\u2019s point holds up, though we did find some other board members with experience they believe is equivalent to the corporate board experience the senator wants. Since that context was missing, we rate this statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"2180.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ninety-four percent of small businesses will face higher taxes under the Democrats plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that 94 percent of tax filers who report business income may face higher taxes under the Democrats' plan, it does not accurately represent the number of small businesses that will be affected. The statement fails to acknowledge that the Democratic plan aims to raise taxes only for the wealthiest individuals, not all small businesses. Independent studies have shown that only a small percentage of tax filers with small business income will be impacted. Additionally, reporting business income does not necessarily equate to owning a small business. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the impact of the Democratic plan on small businesses and is rated as pants on fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"With 9.5 percent of the population unemployed, these higher taxes would come at a time when taxpayers can least afford it. The threat of the largest tax hike in history is creating widespread uncertainty for small businesses that could otherwise be creating jobs and expanding. After all, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, 94 percent of small businesses will face higher taxes under the Democrats' plan. If their taxes are going to be higher, business owners are going to hold off on hiring and expansions. The unknowns for small businesses are simply taxing the certainty out of our economy,\" Neugebauer wrote.","Neugebauer said that \"94 percent of small businesses will face higher taxes under the Democrats plan.\" The statement is problematic in several ways. First, it implicitly assumes that the Democratic plan is to let all of the tax cuts lapse, when, in fact, Democratic officials have consistently said that they intend to raise taxes only for the wealthiest individuals. Second, two independent studies that looked at the impact of the Democratic proposal on small businesses found that only between 2 to 3 percent of tax filers who report having what can be thought of as small business income will be affected. One of those studies came from the very source that Neugebauer incorrectly cited. Finally, reporting business income doesn't equal owning a small business, and data from the Tax Policy Center confirm that in the top tax bracket, only about a third of the tax filers report having at least 50 percent of their income from a business. We looked and looked for a shred of truth and couldn't find one, so we rate this Pants on Fire.","\"While we are still reviewing the full details, it is clear this will increase taxes on working families and small businesses, while driving up prices even higher for working families,\" Hinson said in a press release in response to Democrats releasing the text of H.R. 5376, also known as the Build Back Better Act.","It is true that if Congress takes no action , taxes will go up for every single tax bracket starting Jan. 1, 2011. If we assume that reporting income from an S corporation, a partnership, or a sole proprietorship means that one is a small business owner (more on that later), then 94 percent of \"small businesses\" will face tax increases. But there are multiple problems with such an assessment."]},{"id":"4242.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Obama has never submitted a budget, and Congress has worked for two years without passing one.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama did not submit a budget for two and a half years into his term. However, it is important to note that this does not mean that Obama never submitted a budget during his entire presidency. While there was a delay in submitting a budget for a specific period, it does not imply a complete absence of budget submissions. Additionally, the statement correctly states that Congress worked for two years without passing a budget, which is supported by evidence. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["He continued: \"I am embarrassed that two and a half years into his President Obama's term in office he's never submitted a budget. You know Congress has worked two years without passing a budget.\"","Former Louisiana Congressman and Gov. Buddy Roemer earned a Half True from us when he said in July 2011 that \"Obama has never submitted a budget, and Congress has worked for two years without passing one.\" He was right about Congress but wrong about Obama.","But regarding Roemer\u2019s second claim-- that Congress has worked for two years without adopting a budget -- budget experts say Roemer has a point.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate has gone nearly three years without a budget, GOP Rep. Paul Ryan says,\" Feb. 2, 2012"]},{"id":"2992.json","label":"true","statement":"You can go to Georgia and make about $6,000 more a year as a teacher.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including data from the states' education departments and the National Education Association (NEA). The evidence shows that, during the 2008-09 school year, teachers in Georgia earned approximately $6,000 more on average than teachers in Florida. The NEA data further confirms this difference in average teacher pay between the two states. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So are teachers raking in $6,000 more a year in Georgia than Florida? We are using average teacher pay in both states because we found that the best single figure for comparison. By looking at the 2008-09 data from the states' education departments, we find that teachers in Georgia earn about $6,200 more than in Florida. If we look at the most dependable NEA data published, for 2008-09, we find a difference just shy of $6,000. Kiar said \"about $6,000,\" so we rate this claim True.","The higher income earners, he said, can draw $60,000 from an IRA in a year and not face any state income tax on that money. But a person trying to supplement his or her Social Security by taking a $10,000-a-year job is only sheltered from state income taxes on the first $4,000 of earnings and has to pay on the other $6,000 in wages, Tharpe said.","Note that for the 2008-09 school year the NEA has slightly different figures than the states gave us -- about a $17 difference for Florida and about a $259 difference for Georgia. But the NEA shows nearly $6,000 higher pay in Georgia for 2008-09. The NEA shows more than a $7,000 difference for 2009-10, but the NEA used an estimate for Georgia for that year so it's not as valid of a comparison.","Since it's difficult to obtain salary information from DOEs for the current year, Hurley suggested we look back at the NEA's chart for the 2008-09 year on Page 92. That chart showed average teacher pay for Florida was $46,921 and $52,879 for Georgia -- or about $5,958 more for Georgia."]},{"id":"12106.json","label":"false","statement":"We have ten different tax brackets and if youre making $9,000, youre already in the top tax bracket.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided clarifies that the Missouri tax brackets are based on income after deductions and exemptions, not gross income. A person making $9,000 would not be in the top tax bracket but would fall in a lower tax bracket. Additionally, the evidence highlights that there are actually 11 tax brackets, not ten. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a Thursday GOP primary debate in Columbia, Greitens offered figures to back his claim: \"We have 10 different tax brackets, and if you\u2019re making $9,000, you\u2019re already in the top tax bracket.\"","The chart actually shows 11 different tax brackets, but that aside, at first glance, it seems to back up Greitens\u2019 claim. The top bracket is $9,000 and higher.","A person making $9,000 would fall in the fourth tax bracket, closer to the bottom, and certainly not at the top.","The plain meaning of \"making $9,000\" is that\u2019s how much a person earns. However, the Missouri tax brackets aren\u2019t based on gross income but on income after deductions and exemptions. Those reduce a person\u2019s taxable income, which is the basis of the chart Greitens had in mind."]},{"id":"9007.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Bill Clinton and George Bush both say build the Keystone XL.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the support expressed by both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. While Bill Clinton's support was expressed in 2012 and he has not made any recent public statements on the matter, his endorsement during a notable energy speech indicates his stance at that time. George W. Bush's support for the pipeline is also well-documented. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Washington. It\u2019s gridlock, division, bitter partisanship,\" the ad says. \"But one jobs plan brings both sides together. Bill Clinton and George (W.) Bush both say build the Keystone XL.\"","The American Petroleum Institute ad says, \"Bill Clinton and George Bush both say build the Keystone XL\" pipeline. While their evidence is two years old, it\u2019s not fabricated. Since voicing support of the pipeline in 2012, Clinton has not publicly weighed in on the controversy. But his backing of the project was not an offhand comment. It came during a publicized energy speech on the same day his wife was testifying before Congress. It seems unlikely he would endorse the proposal on such an occasion if he did not mean it.","Says Bill Clinton \"gave a speech in 1996 about Iraq having WMDs\" and said \"we needed a regime change,\" even though everyone blamed those things on George W. Bush.","In the hearing, Secretary Clinton was even asked about her husband\u2019s comments from earlier that day. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla., noted, \"Even the former President, Bill Clinton, says, \u2018Embrace it and we need to move forward with the Keystone XL pipeline.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"4864.json","label":"false","statement":"The Affordable Care Act is not the law of the land.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is indeed the law of the land. While there have been legal challenges and debates surrounding certain provisions of the ACA, it was enacted by Congress, signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010, and upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012. The ACA has been implemented and has had a significant impact on the healthcare system in the United States.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u2022 The Affordable Care Act \"is not the law of the land.\" Florida's Republican Gov. Rick Scott used that claim as justification for refusing millions of dollars in grants to implement the health care law. Depending on how the Supreme Court rules, he might be right in the future, but he wasn't in December 2011. PolitiFact Florida found that federal judges had said parts of the law to be unconstitutional, and several more had said it was fine. But none had asked that the law not be implemented, leaving the last word to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is now on the case. False.","!Barack Obama signing the Affordable Care Act at the White House in 2010. (Wikimedia Commons) !Barack Obama signing the Affordable Care Act at the White House in 2010. (Wikimedia Commons)","As the Affordable Care Act makes its way to its fifth anniversary on Monday, the law has taken twists and turns, moving off course from where everyone thought it would be.","Congressional Budget Office, \" Updated Estimates of the Effects of the Insurance Coverage Provisions of the Affordable Care Act,\" April 2014"]},{"id":"3426.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that Republicans bragged about how every bill was going to be paid for, right from the beginning and that the first vote, the repeal of health care reform, violated that rule.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Sherrod Brown that Republicans boasted about paying for every bill from the beginning but violated their own rule with the first vote on the repeal of health care reform. It is supported by the evidence provided, which includes Senator Brown's statement and the exemption of certain votes from the rule. However, it's important to note that there may be differing perspectives and arguments regarding the impact of the repeal on the deficit. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["This moved Sherrod Brown, the senior senator from Ohio to observe that Republicans \"bragged about how every bill was going to be paid for, right from the beginning. And the first bill they put out there, it would be paid for, according to Congressional Budget Office calculations. That's the way things are done in the Congress and have been agreed to by both parties for years and years. They already violated their own rule by not paying for this.\"","But at the same time, Republicans specifically exempted from the rule votes to extend the Bush tax cuts and the estate tax and alternative minimum tax. Also exempted was the vote to repeal the health care reform legislation.","Bolstered by Tea Party support, Republicans seized majority control of the U.S. House of Representatives this year on a pledge to reel in government spending, starting with the repeal of Health Care Reform.","Republicans dispute those estimates and argue that health reform will drive up the deficit. That being the case, they say, the effect of the \"cut as you go\" rule change is moot because repeal would save the taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars -- meaning there would be no spending increase that needed to be offset elsewhere."]},{"id":"1351.json","label":"false","statement":"Less than 10 percent of Obamas Cabinet appointees have any experience in the private sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there was a chart titled \"Cabinet Appointments: Prior Private Sector Experience, 1900-2009\" that initially showed Obama below the 10 percent mark, it was later updated to reflect that more than 20 percent of Obama's Cabinet appointees had private sector experience. PolitiFact's research also found that there were three Obama Cabinet members with significant corporate or business experience. Therefore, the claim that less than 10 percent of Obama's Cabinet appointees had private sector experience is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After the controversy in 2009, Cembalest updated his chart to reflect that more than 20 percent of Obama Cabinet appointees had private sector experience.","There was one comparison that has come up before that we felt compelled to address since it hasn\u2019t been written about on our site. Under a chart titled \"Cabinet Appointments: Prior Private Sector Experience, 1900-2009,\" it had Obama below the 10 percent mark.","Conservative commentator Glenn Beck talked about the chart on his show shortly afterward, saying less than 10 percent of Obama's Cabinet appointees \"have any experience in the private sector.\" PolitiFact examined Beck\u2019s statement, came across the Forbes article and did its own research. It found three Obama Cabinet members in those nine departments that Cembalest cited had significant corporate or business experience: Steven Chu in Energy, Shaun Donovan in HUD and Ken Salazar in Interior.","\"History has proven over and over again \u2014 and so has the post office, for that matter \u2014 that government is not the answer,\" Beck said on his Nov. 30, 2009, show. \"You need to unleash the people. The entrepreneurs. And if you are wondering how it is that the government can't see that \u2014 how they can be pondering even bigger stimulus packages as they stare the failure of the first one right in the face \u2014 I'll show you. Here are the past presidents and the number of appointees in their Cabinets with private sector experience \u2014 folks that have done more than write on the chalkboard; they've been out there, in the real world. Let's compare President Nixon \u2014 he's over 50 percent \u2014 with President Obama: Under 10 percent of his appointees have any experience in the private sector.\""]},{"id":"5617.json","label":"half-true","statement":"According to the Congressional Budget Office, as many as 20 million Americans could lose their employer-based insurance thanks to Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that as many as 20 million Americans could potentially lose their employer-based insurance due to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it's important to note that this is the most extreme outcome among the range of possibilities presented by the CBO. The primary estimate provided by the CBO is approximately 5 million, which is significantly lower than the 20 million figure mentioned. Therefore, while the statement is technically accurate, it lacks the necessary context to provide a more accurate representation of the CBO's estimates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Priebus pointed to what he saw as a range of problems with the law, but we zeroed in on one claim. \"While millions will be added to the government rolls, millions more will also lose their current health-care coverage,\" Priebus wrote, later explaining, \"According to the (Congressional Budget Office), as many as 20 million Americans could lose their employer-based insurance thanks to Obamacare.\"","So Priebus is right that CBO estimated that \"as many as 20 million Americans could lose their employer-based insurance thanks to Obamacare.\" But this is the most extreme outcome of five possible outcomes presented, and it\u2019s not the primary estimate, which is about 5 million, or one-quarter the number Priebus offered.","Congressional Budget Office, \"CBO and JCT\u2019s Estimates of the Effects of the Affordable Care Act on the Number of People Obtaining Employment-Based Health Insurance,\" March 2012","Congressional Budget Office, CBO and JCT's Estimates of the Effects of the Affordable Care Act on the Number of People Obtaining Employment-Based Health Insurance, March 15, 2012"]},{"id":"11749.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The economy is too weak to raise income levels.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Haley that the economy under President Obama has not been strong enough to raise income levels for many Americans. While the economy has shown growth and improvement in areas such as job creation, there has been limited progress in increasing median income levels. It's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all economic indicators, but it accurately highlights the concern regarding income levels in relation to the overall strength of the economy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The president's record has often fallen far short of his soaring words,\" Haley said. \"As he enters his final year in office, many Americans are still feeling the squeeze of an economy too weak to raise income levels.\"","Haley\u2019s claim is generally accurate but somewhat depends on your time frame and what you would consider a rise in income levels. We rate her statement Mostly True.","While the economy under Obama has made significant strides in such areas as job creation, income has not been an area of significant improvement. Median income is lower now compared to 2009. It is, however, slightly up from its low point in 2012.","Americans are facing conflicting signals on the economy. The economy is growing rapidly, unemployment is low, and wages are rising. But inflation \u2014 a broad pattern of rising consumer prices \u2014 is at a four-decade high, and for many voters, that fact seems to be crowding out any other economic news."]},{"id":"825.json","label":"true","statement":"John McCain's health care plan \"won't guarantee coverage of cancer screenings or maternity care.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Planned Parenthood's Action Fund regarding John McCain's health care plan. While McCain's plan does not explicitly guarantee coverage for cancer screenings or maternity care, the deeper point made by Planned Parenthood is that some people currently have a guarantee for these services under their respective state laws, and they could potentially lose that guarantee under McCain's plan. This is because McCain's plan allows insurers to operate in any state and sell policies nationwide, which could undermine existing state guarantees for coverage. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the context provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"As a nurse, I'm concerned about your health care,\" Klackle says. \"And so is Planned Parenthood's Action Fund. In fact, their study found John McCain's plan won't guarantee coverage of cancer screenings or maternity care.\"","The ad goes on to make other claims about McCain's health plan, but here we wanted to look at the claim about guaranteed coverage for cancer screenings and maternity care.","Planned Parenthood's ad says that McCain's plan doesn't \"guarantee\" coverage of cancer screenings or maternity care, and on a literal level, that's true. But Planned Parenthood's deeper point is that some people have a \"guarantee\" under their respective state's current laws, and they could lose that guarantee under McCain's plan. McCain's plan has no literal guarantees for coverage, and Planned Parenthood makes an additional case that his regulations could undermine existing state guarantees. On that basis, we rate Planned Parenthood Action Fund's statement True.","It's that last provision that is the basis for Planned Parenthood's statement, according to the report they issued to back up the ad. Many states have passed laws that say health care providers operating in their state must provide coverage in certain areas. Planned Parenthood cites requirements for cancer screenings and maternity care in more than 20 states. Under a McCain plan, insurers could operate in any state and sell all over the country."]},{"id":"13033.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Dick Cheney supported gay marriage soonerthan Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Dick Cheney publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage in 2009, while Hillary Clinton did not publicly support same-sex marriage until 2013. This is supported by reports from PolitiFact and other sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among fake Abe\u2019s many zingers, this one caught our attention: \"Hillary\u2019s policies are the same as Dick Cheney\u2019s, except Cheney supported gay marriage sooner!\"","We did not fact-check the line that Hillary\u2019s policies are the same as Dick Cheney's\" -- because their positions aren't identical, and it smacks of humorous hyperbole. Instead we focused on the claim that \"Cheney supported gay marriage sooner\" than Clinton.","As for Hillary Clinton, PolitiFact has reported that the Democratic presidential nominee opposed gay marriage for more than a decade before she came out in support of it in 2013.","As polls showed that a majority of Americans supported same-sex marriage, Clinton\u2019s views changed, too. She announced her support for same-sex marriage in March 2013."]},{"id":"8938.json","label":"true","statement":"The annual gross domestic product of metro Atlanta is bigger than 28 states in the union.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of PolitiFact Georgia, which reported that in 2012, only 12 states had a higher per capita GDP than metro Atlanta. This indicates that the annual gross domestic product of metro Atlanta is indeed larger than that of 28 states in the United States. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Georgia looked at other categories of gross domestic product, and the Atlanta region fared as well, if not better, in those areas. For example, in 2012, only 12 states had a higher per capita GDP than metro Atlanta. The per capita gross domestic product for metro Atlanta was $46,970.","Trump said that in \"the last quarter, it was just announced, our gross domestic product \u2026 was below zero. Who ever heard of this? It's never below zero.\" He messes up his economic terms; the gross domestic product was not \"zero.\" And the growth in the gross domestic product has been below zero 42 times over 68 years. That\u2019s a lot more than \"never.\" We rate his claim Pants on Fire!","\"The last quarter, it was just announced, our gross domestic product \u2026 was below zero. Who ever heard of this? It's never below zero.\"","\"The last quarter, it was just announced, our gross domestic product -- a sign of strength, right? But not for us. It was below zero. Who ever heard of this? It's never below zero.\""]},{"id":"9175.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2006, Charlie Crist opposed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that in 2006, Charlie Crist, who was running as a Republican for governor at the time, opposed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Multiple sources, including newspaper articles and statements from the Republican Party of Florida, support this claim. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide information on Crist's current stance on the issue. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Crist's position in 2006 but does not provide information about his current views.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In April 2014 when it appeared that the Legislature under Gov. Scott would approve in-state tuition for certain illegal immigrants, the Republican Party of Florida said in an email that \"In 2006, Charlie Crist opposed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.\" (That was back when Crist was a Republican; he\u2019s now running as a Democrat to win back his old office.)","\"Yesterday, Florida Democrats said it was time to \u2018do what is right\u2019 for Florida\u2019s Hispanic community, regarding legislation that is moving through the Senate giving in-state college tuition to children brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents,\" April 10 the state party stated. \"So where does the Florida Democratic Party\u2019s own candidate stand on the issue? In 2006, Charlie Crist opposed in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.\"","The attack doesn\u2019t mention the fact that Crist now supports in-state tuition for immigrants here illegally. But the statement about 2006 is correct: We found two newspaper articles that stated Crist, who was running as a Republican for governor, opposed in-state tuition for Dreamers.","Scott: \"I haven\u2019t changed my mind at all. I want lower tuition for all Floridians. These are the things that the bill does. For individuals that grew up in our state, they deserve the same tuition as ... everybody else and all their peers. And this is something that Charlie Crist opposed. He opposed in-state tuition for children of immigrants. But on top of that it reduces the 15 percent differential and the inflationary change in tuition every year. ... They have caused tuition to be too expensive so lower-income, middle-income families can\u2019t afford their tuition, and Charlie Crist is the one who signed those bills.\""]},{"id":"9740.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 1978, a student who worked a minimum-wage summer job could afford to pay a years full tuition at the 4-year public university of their choice.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In 1978, it was indeed possible for a student working a minimum-wage summer job to afford a year's full tuition at a 4-year public university. However, it's important to note that this statement is specific to the year 1978 and may not hold true for other years or present-day circumstances. The affordability of tuition has changed significantly over time due to various factors such as inflation and rising tuition costs. Therefore, while the statement is true for the specified time period, it may not accurately reflect the current situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In 1978, a student who worked a minimum-wage summer job could afford to pay a year's full tuition at the 4-year public university of their choice.\"","\u2022 \"In 1978, a student who worked a minimum-wage summer job could afford to pay a year's full tuition at the 4-year public university of their choice.\" Mostly True.","The meme said that \"in 1978, a student who worked a minimum-wage summer job could afford to pay a year's full tuition at the 4-year public university of their choice.\"","In 2014, for instance, PolitiFact National examined this claim: \"In 1978, a student who worked a minimum-wage summer job could afford to pay a year\u2019s full tuition at the 4-year public university of their choice.\""]},{"id":"3982.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that Sherrod Brown voted to cut Medicare by over $500 billion in order to fund government-run health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Sherrod Brown voted to cut Medicare by over $500 billion in order to fund government-run health care. While there were provisions in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that aimed to reduce Medicare spending growth, these reductions were primarily focused on eliminating waste, fraud, and excessive payments to private insurers and providers. The intent was to make Medicare more efficient and financially sustainable, not to fund government-run health care. The claim misrepresents the purpose and impact of the Medicare provisions in the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Despite Sherrod Brown's transparent political strategy to mislead Ohio seniors and demagogue Medicare, this serves as another reminder he is the only candidate in Ohio who has voted to cut Medicare by over $500 billion in order to fund government-run health care,\" said NRSC spokesman Jahan Wilcox.","The narrator in the ad, among other things, says that \"seniors will see $500 billion in Medicare cuts to fund Obamacare.\"","The NRSC recycled another talking point when it further asserts that the changes in the health care law will \"fund government-run health care.\"","In California, Crossroads GPS said Barbara Boxer \"voted to cut spending on Medicare benefits by $500 billion, cuts so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether.\""]},{"id":"2900.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Wisconsin, 6.2 percent of the population is black yet 24 percent of all state abortions are on African-Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the statistics regarding the racial demographics of the population in Wisconsin and the percentage of state abortions performed on African-Americans. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or context to establish a causal relationship between these two statistics. Correlation does not imply causation, and without further information or research, it is not appropriate to draw a direct connection between the racial demographics and the abortion rates in Wisconsin.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A 2017 Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service report said: \"In 53206, the population is 94 percent black with an average age of about 29. In this, the most incarcerated ZIP code in the country, 47.5 percent of people and two-thirds of children live below the poverty line.\"","When the incarceration rate was measured for all ethnicities, Milwaukee registered another statistical extreme: among all 73,500 census tracts anywhere within the United States, the tract that had the highest share of incarcerated males was in a Milwaukee north side neighborhood where 33.1 percent of the male population was incarcerated in the 2010 census (an average U.S. census tract encompasses 3,000 to 4,000 residents).","What about when you rank the state ZIP codes by the incarcerated number as a percentage of the adult population? Here is how that looks:","The report noted that Wisconsin was the worst state in the nation for African American incarceration, at 12.8%, based on 2010 census data. That was nearly double the national average of 6.7%."]},{"id":"2435.json","label":"true","statement":"Theres a big chunk of the country that thinks that I have been too soft on Wall Street.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's own acknowledgment that there is a significant portion of the country that believes he has been too lenient on Wall Street. While there may not be extensive polling data specifically addressing this question, there is evidence to suggest that a substantial number of Americans share this sentiment. This is further supported by the fact that many individuals on Main Street feel they have been negatively impacted by the actions of Wall Street. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We've noticed that some of Obama's political opponents repeatedly say he is anti-business, so we were intrigued by Obama's comment that \"there's a big chunk of the country that thinks that I have been too soft on Wall Street.\" So we went out in search of data.","But even that fits with Obama's statement that \"there's a big chunk of the country that thinks that I have been too soft on Wall Street.\" Obama added, \"That's probably the majority, not the minority,\" but his use of the word probably indicates he's unsure.","\"Now, I had been amused over the last couple years -- this sense of somehow me beating up on Wall Street -- I think most folks on Main Street feel like they got beat up on,\" Obama said. \"There's a big chunk of the country that thinks that I have been too soft on Wall Street,\" he added. That's probably the majority, not the minority.\" (We should note that Obama was interrupted by applause during these comments.\"","Here, we're checking Obama's statement that there's \"a big chunk of the country that thinks that I have been too soft on Wall Street.\" We didn't find a lot of polling data on this question. The question that addresses it most closely was whether \"the financial institutions on Wall Street have too much influence, too little influence, or the right amount of influence on the Obama Administration.\" The resounding answer to that was yes, they have too much influence. We rate Obama's statement True."]},{"id":"8098.json","label":"true","statement":"The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan office, did an analysis and said that passing comprehensive immigration reform will reduce the federal deficit by $200 billion over the next decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis, which concluded that passing comprehensive immigration reform would reduce the federal deficit by $200 billion over the next decade. The CBO is a nonpartisan office responsible for providing objective analysis of the budgetary and economic impact of proposed legislation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the health insurance reform legislation says the bill \"cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years.\"","Shortly after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its highly anticipated analysis of the economic impact of the health insurance reform legislation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a press release listing several \"key points you need to know about the CBO score.\"","Eric Quintanar, a writer and editor at the Daily Wire, which was founded by Shapiro, said Shapiro was referring to a February 2021 forecast from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.","This version of the bill would spend $1.75 trillion over 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. With an estimated $658 billion in expanded tax credits for individuals and businesses, the net revenue increase would be about $1 trillion, according to the Tax Foundation."]},{"id":"762.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama opposed a bill that would have saved Gianna Jessen's life.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama voted against certain bills related to born-alive infant protections, it is important to note that there were already existing laws in place in Illinois that provided protection for infants born alive after failed abortions. Gianna Jessen's statement suggesting that if Obama had his way, she wouldn't be here is inaccurate because the existing law in Illinois would have applied to her situation. Obama has stated that he supported the existing law and believed it provided sufficient protection for abortion survivors. Therefore, the statement that Obama opposed a bill that would have saved Gianna Jessen's life is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The ad shows a young woman, Gianna Jessen, looking directly at the camera and saying the following: \"Can you imagine not giving babies their basic human rights, no matter how they entered our world? My name's Gianna Jessen, born 31 years ago after a failed abortion. But if Barack Obama had his way, I wouldn't be here. Four times Barack Obama voted to oppose a law to protect babies left to die after failed abortions. Senator Obama, please support born alive infant protections. I'm living proof these babies have a right to live.\" View the ad here .","Obama did vote against the laws, by voting no or present on the bills. (In Illinois, a present vote has the same weight as a no vote.) But because of the older law, Jessen is wrong when she says \"if Barack Obama had his way, I wouldn't be here.\" According to the medical records provided by the organization that produced the ad, Jessen was born at 29 weeks, which would have been a viable pregnancy and subject to the older Illinois law requiring that she receive medical care. So it's not correct to say that Obama opposed that.","The numbers creep closer to what Obama and other Democrats are suggesting if you fast-forward the employment estimates by one quarter, to the first quarter of 2010. Using updated estimates provided to PolitiFact, IHS\/Global Insight estimates that 1.7 million jobs will be created or saved by the first quarter of 2010. And Moody's estimated that 1.9 million jobs will be created or saved by that quarter. (These figures are cumulative, meaning that a total of 1.7 million or 1.9 million jobs will have been created or saved since the stimulus bill took effect, rather than that many jobs being created or saved in the first quarter of 2010 alone.)","We know Jessen is speaking somewhat figuratively here, but the fact is that someone born under similar circumstances in Illinois would have been protected under the law. Obama has said he supported the existing law and felt it provided sufficient protection for abortion survivors like Jessen. We rule her statement False."]},{"id":"2147.json","label":"false","statement":"I dont think the argument can be credibly made that the United States of America is undertaxed compared to our competitors.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pawlenty suggests that the United States is not undertaxed compared to its competitors. However, the fact check reveals that there is significant evidence to support the argument that the United States is indeed undertaxed compared to other developed countries. The total tax burden in the United States is comparatively low, indicating that there is room for potential tax increases. Therefore, the statement is deemed false based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I don't think the argument can be credibly made that the United States of America is undertaxed compared to our competitors.\"","Asked what his reaction would be if a presidential commission on the national debt were to recommend a mix of spending cuts and tax increases, Pawlenty said, \"Not good. I don't think the argument can be credibly made that the United States of America is undertaxed compared to our competitors.\"","One concerns a comment he made to Washington reporters on July 26, 2010. Asked what his reaction would be if a presidential commission on the national debt were to recommend a mix of spending cuts and tax increases, Pawlenty said, \"Not good. I don't think the argument can be credibly made that the United States of America is undertaxed compared to our competitors.\"","\u2022 Reporters asked Pawlenty in July what he thought about raising taxes to help deal with the federal budget deficit. Pawlenty said he opposed tax increases, adding \"I don't think the argument can be credibly made that the United States of America is undertaxed compared to our competitors.\" We found significant evidence that the U.S. ranks low among other developed countries in total tax burden and that there actually is a credible argument to be made that the U.S. is undertaxed compared to competitors. So we rate his statement False."]},{"id":"7281.json","label":"true","statement":"Says his elections proposal would allow a potential of 168 hours (of early voting), which I think is the most weve ever had.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Scott's claim that his elections proposal would allow for a potential of 168 hours of early voting, which he believes would be the most extensive early voting period in Florida's history. Multiple sources confirm that Scott's proposal would indeed provide supervisors of elections the option to offer up to 168 hours of early voting, surpassing previous records. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Says his elections proposal would allow \"a potential of 168 hours (of early voting), which I think is the most we\u2019ve ever had.\"","Scott said that his proposal would allow \"a potential of 168 hours, which I think is the most we\u2019ve ever had\" for early voting. He\u2019s right that his proposal would give supervisors of elections the option to offer 168 hours of early voting, and that would be a record.","\"What I think we ought to be doing is give the flexibility to our supervisors of elections, most of them, as you know, are elected county by county, but say you can do anywhere from eight to 14 days, six to 12 hours a day,\" Scott said in the Jan. 18, 2013, interview, \"so a potential of 168 hours, which I think is the most we\u2019ve ever had.\"","Scott touted his proposal as giving Floridians \"the greatest access to early voting ever in Florida history \u2013 at up to 168 hours.\""]},{"id":"5440.json","label":"true","statement":"Says half the Americans dont pay any income taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, in 2009, more than half of U.S. households did not pay any federal income tax. However, it's important to note that this statistic specifically refers to federal income taxes and does not encompass other types of taxes such as property and sales taxes. Therefore, it is crucial to use precise language when discussing this topic to avoid misleading interpretations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Garrett (R-5th Dist.) responded, \"That\u2019s the absurd situation they\u2019ve got over there where the average person on the street relied so heavily on the government for his livelihood, for his well-being. We don\u2019t want to be in that situation in this country, but we\u2019re getting close to it, when half the Americans don\u2019t pay any income taxes.\"","The Sussex County Republican claimed during a Feb. 15 interview on WOR-AM that half of all Americans don\u2019t pay federal income taxes. After discussing the federal budget, Garrett cited that statistic when host John Gambling pointed out the economic turmoil unfolding in Greece.","U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Hatch: More Than Half of U.S. Households Did Not Pay Any Income Tax in 2009, May 3, 2011","Altamirano said that it's important be precise in describing that group. \"One of the problems is when people say 'half of everyone, one-third of everyone does not pay taxes' -- that's not true,'' she said, because it omits other types of taxes such as property and sales taxes that those people still pay. \"This is just federal income tax. Unless they are saying 'federal income taxes' it's just not true.''"]},{"id":"3607.json","label":"false","statement":"The top 1 percent of income-earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that the top 1 percent of income earners contribute a significant portion of federal income taxes, it is misleading to claim that they pay 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government. The 40 percent figure specifically refers to the share of federal income taxes paid by the top 1 percent, not all taxes. When considering all federal taxes, including payroll taxes and excise taxes, the share paid by the top 1 percent is significantly lower. It is important to provide accurate information about the overall tax burden to maintain a fair and informed discussion.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wondered whether she was right that \"the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government.\"","Bachmann responded, \"Well, remember, again, already the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government. So if you want to talk about fairness, the top 1 percent are paying 40 percent of all of the income.\"","Bachmann would have been right if she\u2019d said, \"the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all income taxes into the federal government.\" But she didn\u2019t say that -- and even if she had, her decision to focus on income taxes, rather than looking at the whole federal tax picture, would have presented the numbers in such a way that wealthier Americans would look more heavily taxed than they are.","!Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared on the \"Today\" show and said that the top 1 percent of taxpayers pay for 40 percent of all federal taxes. We checked to see if she was correct. !Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared on the \"Today\" show and said that the top 1 percent of taxpayers pay for 40 percent of all federal taxes. We checked to see if she was correct."]},{"id":"11037.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush doesnt believe in a path to citizenship. If he did at one time, he no longer does.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton that Jeb Bush does not believe in a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The evidence provided suggests that Bush's stance on this issue has been inconsistent, with conflicting statements over time. While it is true that Bush has expressed support for open, legal immigration, there is no clear indication of his current position on a path to citizenship. Therefore, the statement accurately represents the uncertainty surrounding Bush's stance on this specific issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton said that Bush \"doesn't believe in a path to citizenship. If he did at one time, he no longer does.\"","Clinton replied: \"He doesn't believe in a path to citizenship. If he did at one time, he no longer does. As I said, they're on a spectrum of hostility, which I think is really regrettable in a nation of immigrants like ours.\"","We found that Bush, now a definite maybe for 2016, has indeed said conflicting things over time about eventual citizenship for illegal immigrants.","But he also made it clear he was not in favor of closing the border. \"I believe in open, legal immigration,\" Bush said."]},{"id":"3939.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Medicare drug program resulted in the program coming in 40 percent under budget. ... And the reason it was, is because the design was right.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Medicare drug program came in under budget, the statement overemphasizes the role of design as the sole reason for the cost savings. The program's lower costs can be attributed to multiple factors, including lower-than-expected enrollment and other factors that are not clearly defined. While the program's design may have played a role, it is difficult to determine the exact weight of each contributing factor. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully explain the reasons for the program's cost savings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Getting back to our ruling statement, Santorum said that the Medicare drug program \"resulted in the program coming in 40 percent under budget. ... And the reason it was, is because the design was right.\" We found that Santorum is right that the program came in under budget, but he picked the high end of the estimate for how much the savings were. We also found that there is a good bit of disagreement on why the program came in under budget. Some credit the design, but design is just one of several factors that may have kept the program under budget, and there's not much clarity on how much weight each factor should get. Overall, we rate Santorum's statement Half True.","\"No,\" Santorum said. \"What I would do is work to reform the entire Medicare system, which is what's being proposed by Paul Ryan and what I've been proposing for a very long time. One of the reasons I actually voted for the Medicare prescription drug plan was because it was a private sector operated plan. It was not, as the current Medicare system is, and what Obamacare is, a government-run, top-down type of approach. And in fact, the way we designed that program resulted in the program coming in 40 percent under budget. ... And the reason it was, is because the design was right.\"","Next, why is it under budget? Santorum says it was because of the program's design, because it was a private-sector operated plan.","One reason it came in under budget is fairly straightforward: Not as many people signed up for the benefit as the government expected. The government projected that about 93 percent of people who use Medicare would also sign up for the prescription drug benefit. But actual enrollment is only at about 77 percent of those eligible, a significant difference. It's not clear why fewer people signed up -- whether they didn't know about the program, didn't need it or for some other reason. But it's hard to say for sure, and we couldn't find any studies on the matter."]},{"id":"2822.json","label":"true","statement":"Re: (Marco) Rubios support of earmark ban: In 2002 alone, he requested 37 earmarks worth $43 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which shows that in 2002, Marco Rubio requested 37 earmarks worth $43 million. This information is supported by records kept by the state of Florida. It is important to note that this statement is specific to the year 2002 and does not imply that Rubio made similar requests in other years. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I don't remember Rubio disagreeing with earmarks in the Florida Legislature,\" Schale posted on Twitter on Nov. 15, 2010, in reply to a story about Rubio supporting an earmark ban. In a separate post, Schale offered his evidence. \"Re: (Marco) Rubio's support of earmark ban: In 2002 alone (a bad budget year in Florida), he requested 37 earmarks worth $43 million.\"","But those aren't the years Schale referenced. Schale said Rubio requested 37 earmarks in 2002 worth $43 million -- which he says is at odds with Rubio's current support for an earmark ban. Schale has his math right, according to figures kept by the state. Rubio that year ranked fifth in requests for money among Florida House members. We rate Schale's statement True.","St. Petersburg Times, \"U.S. Sen.-elect Marco Rubio joins earmark ban effort( \"U.S. Sen.-elect Marco Rubio joins earmark ban effort\"),\" Nov. 11, 2010","In 2001, Rubio actually requested even more money -- $101.2 million for 72 projects -- but Rubio did not make another Community Budget Issue Request after 2002, according to the state database. Not one in six years."]},{"id":"5062.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rick Santorum reformed welfare.","reason":"Reason: Rick Santorum played a significant role in the efforts to reform the nation's welfare system in the 1990s. He was involved in writing Republican bills and was influential in the process both in the House and Senate. However, it is important to note that welfare reform was a collaborative effort involving multiple individuals and stakeholders. While Santorum was a key player, he did not reform welfare alone, and there were others who played equally important or even larger roles in the process. Therefore, the statement that \"Rick Santorum reformed welfare\" is partially true, as it accurately acknowledges his involvement but fails to recognize the collective effort involved in the reform.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Former Sen. Rick Santorum, GOP Presidential Candidate, Holds Town Hall Meeting in Brentwood, N.H., Jan. 4, 2011, transcript accessed via Nexis","Fresh off his near-win in Iowa, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum held a town hall meeting in Brentwood, N.H., with voters on Jan. 4, 2011.","Santorum was a leader in the 1990s efforts to overhaul the nation\u2019s system for aiding poor families, reshaping the program into one that encourages recipients to move toward financial independence. He had a hand in writing Republican bills and was influential in the process in both the House and Senate. But no one reformed welfare alone. Although he was a key player, Santorum\u2019s ad ignores others who helped usher in change -- including some who played even larger roles than he did. On balance, we rate the claim Half True.","We talked to several experts about the ad\u2019s claim, and all agreed that Santorum was at the forefront of the welfare reform fight, even as a junior legislator."]},{"id":"936.json","label":"false","statement":"There is a provision in the economic stimulus plan that means that \"students cannot meet together in their dorms, if that dorm has been repaired with this federal money, and have a prayer group or a Bible study.\"","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence or information provided in the given context that supports the claim that the economic stimulus plan includes a provision prohibiting students from gathering for prayer groups or Bible studies in dorms that have been repaired with federal money. The statement appears to be a speculative or unfounded assertion, lacking any factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a $1.8 trillion package, even $160 billion represents a small slice. There is debate over the right balance between dealing with the pandemic\u2019s health impacts on one hand,and its economic impacts on the other. The two are intertwined. The previous major federal relief bills offered both economic stimulus and funds to stop the virus from spreading. While the current package spends money in different ways, it follows that broad outline. Economists vary on whether it overshoots on the economic stimulus.","The BBC reported in 2021 that the plan\u2019s lack of specificity plus the fact that it came from an influential group \"provided fertile ground for conspiracy theories to grow.\"","They say it spends too little on the health side of the pandemic, and spends far too much to spur an economy that already is on the mend. A small group of Senate Republicans had a much smaller $618 billion alternative to the Democrats\u2019 $1.9 trillion plan.","Democrats counter that schools will need money in the long run to make up for the lost year when schools went online. There\u2019s also a bit of a timing mismatch between the school and federal fiscal year. Schools ease back after June and don\u2019t fully restart until late August and September. The federal fiscal year ends in September."]},{"id":"1902.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Right now every single one of the (oil) companies here today and dozens of others are drilling for free in the Gulf of Mexico on leases that will cost American taxpayers more than $50 billion in lost royalties.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some oil companies in the Gulf of Mexico have not paid what they should in royalties, the statement overgeneralizes by claiming that every single oil company is drilling for free on leases that will cost American taxpayers over $50 billion in lost royalties. The actual amount of lost royalties is subject to various factors, including the volatile price of oil. Additionally, the $50 billion figure is on the high end of an estimate range and is not a definitive amount. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance and context to be considered fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["One of the claims Markey made was that \"right now, every single one of the companies here today and dozens of others are drilling for free in the Gulf of Mexico on leases that will cost American taxpayers more than $50 billion in lost royalties.\"","\u2022 How much oil companies pay for oil leases was another hot topic of the week. Rep. Edward Markey of Massachusetts said that oil companies aren't paying what they should to drill in the Gulf of Mexico. \"Right now every single one of the (oil) companies here today and dozens of others are drilling for free in the Gulf of Mexico on leases that will cost American taxpayers more than $50 billion in lost royalties,\" Markey said. We found that Markey has a point about some foregone royalties, but the U.S. government receives millions from the oil companies nonetheless. We rated his statement Half True.","Second, we believe Markey cites the $50 billion figure a little too blithely. He picked a number on the high end of an estimate range that will be subject to lots of cross-cutting influences over the next quarter-century -- first and foremost the volatile price of oil. If he'd said \"leases that could cost American taxpayers more than $50 billion in lost royalties\" -- rather than \"will cost\" -- he would have been on much safer ground.","In 2008, the Government Accountability Office -- the nonpartisan, investigative arm of Congress -- estimated that upwards of $1 billion in revenues had already been foregone from the 1998 and 1999 leases. It also cited a variety of scenarios that would suggest that the loss over 25 years from the 1998 and 1999 leases could total between $4.3 billion and $14.7 billion."]},{"id":"1178.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Its a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight Democrats and Republicans.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama claimed that the health plan incorporated ideas from both Democrats and Republicans, the evidence suggests that the level of bipartisanship in the process was overstated. Although some amendments proposed by Republicans were adopted, they did not significantly alter the plan, and no Republican votes were received for the plans that graduated from congressional committees. This indicates a lack of substantial bipartisan support for the overall plan. Therefore, the statement made by President Obama is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight \u2014 Democrats and Republicans,\" Obama said.","When Obama said the health plan incorporated ideas from Democrats and Republicans, we think he grossly overstated the bipartisanship of the process to date. Both sides claim the other party is to blame for that, an issue that we will not wade into here. However, we note that none of the plans that have graduated from congressional committees have received a single Republican vote. Yes, Congress adopted dozens of the amendments proposed by Republicans, but we couldn't find any that dramatically altered the plan. Still, to the extent there were at least some, we give Obama's statement a Barely True.","In the Education and Labor Committee, just six of the 17 amendments offered by Republicans were adopted. Several \"probably are best described as technical,\" said Alexa Marrero, a spokesman for Republicans on the committee. And one, which sought to have members of Congress be enrolled in any government-run plan that would be created, was defeated by Democrats in other committees.","\"There is no 'plan' put forward by the Republican Party to eliminate Medicare and Social Security, and Senator Johnson has no idea what Democrats are talking about,\" Wilkins said."]},{"id":"3972.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a Republican-drawn map of proposed U.S. House districts for Texas gerrymanders more than nine million Latinos in Texas to make sure that we have no more electoral opportunity than we did in 1991.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Nina Perales regarding the Republican-drawn map of proposed U.S. House districts in Texas. According to Perales, the map gerrymanders more than nine million Latinos in Texas, aiming to limit their electoral opportunities compared to the situation in 1991. However, it's important to note that there are differing opinions on the impact of the map on Latino representation, as some argue that there are still opportunities for Latino representation in the proposed districts. Nevertheless, the statement accurately represents Perales' claim about the map's impact on Latino electoral opportunities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Nina Perales, vice president of litigation for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said in a May 31 press release that the map just unveiled by Republican legislators \"gerrymanders more than nine million Latinos in Texas to make sure that we have no more electoral opportunity than we did in 1991.\"","Texas Legislative Council, election results in current Texas congressional districts for 2008 and 2010 and for proposed congressional districts in 2008 and 2010 (received June 13, 2011)","But if Republican defenders are correct, the remap offers eight Latino-opportunity districts--a one-seat bump. However, the proportion of Latino-opportunity seats circa 2012--22 percent--would be virtually unchanged in 20 years. That\u2019s because greatly Latino population growth has helped Texas edge to 36 total seats, compared to 30 in 1991.","A lawyer viewing a proposed Republican redo of congressional districts laid out in late May saw no additional gains for Hispanic representation even though \"65 percent of the state's growth over the past decade was comprised of Latinos.\""]},{"id":"8529.json","label":"true","statement":"A million people could get health insurance right away if Texas expanded Medicaid under Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. President Obama stated that if Texas expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), approximately a million people who currently lack health insurance would be eligible to receive it immediately. This claim has been supported by estimates, which suggest that around 1.4 million to 1.7 million individuals would be eligible for health insurance if Texas were to expand Medicaid. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama said, \"A million people \u2026 could get health insurance right away\" if Texas expanded Medicaid as encouraged by the Obamacare law. Estimates show some 1.4 million to 1.7 million would be eligible immediately. We rate his statement as True.","\"Across this state, you've got a million people -- because this is a big state -- a million people, citizens, who don\u2019t have health insurance that could get health insurance right away if the state of Texas decided to take advantage of it,\" Obama said at Temple Emanu-El to volunteers who helped people enroll via the act\u2019s insurance marketplace on","More people became eligible for health insurance through Medicaid after passage of the Affordable Care Act. The law expanded eligibility for the poor, though states could choose not to participate in the expansion.","Paul said the vast majority of people that got insurance under Obamacare got it through Medicaid. About 20 million people gained coverage and about 14.5 million of those were under Medicaid or CHIP. But a sizeable fraction of that 14.5 million were eligible before the Affordable Care Act took effect. One estimate said about a quarter of them were previously eligible. Another estimate put it as high as half."]},{"id":"12668.json","label":"false","statement":"Says MarkKirk called for the mass arrest of 18,000 African Americans andwas apparently fine with Trumps #StillTooRacist call for mass deportation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and takes Mark Kirk's statements out of context. While it is true that Kirk called for the mass arrest of the Gangster Disciples, an African-American gang with an estimated 18,000 members, Duckworth's tweet misrepresents Kirk's intention by suggesting that he called for the general mass arrest of 18,000 African Americans. Additionally, there is no evidence provided to support the claim that Kirk was \"apparently fine\" with Trump's call for mass deportation. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Mark Kirk \"called for the mass arrest of 18,000 African Americans\" and \"was apparently fine with Trump\u2019s #StillTooRacist call for mass deportation.\"","Duckworth tweeted: \"Kirk, who called for the mass arrest of 18,000 African Americans, was apparently fine with Trump\u2019s #StillTooRacist call for mass deportation.\"","That's a packed tweet. Is it true that Kirk called for the mass arrest of 18,000 African-Americans and, second, that Kirk had no objection to Trump\u2019s call for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants? We checked the record.","While Kirk did call for the mass arrest of the Gangster Disciples, an African-American gang estimated to have 18,000 members, Duckworth\u2019s tweet takes Kirk\u2019s statement out of context and gives the impression he had called for the general mass incarceration of 18,000 African-Americans."]},{"id":"2247.json","label":"true","statement":"Warren Buffett called credit default swaps financial weapons of mass destruction. And Greene was the first individual to use them.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Warren Buffett referred to credit default swaps as financial weapons of mass destruction. Additionally, there is evidence to support the assertion that Jeff Greene was the first individual, rather than a hedge fund, to participate in credit default swaps. This is based on comments made by Warren Buffett in 2003 and information from sources such as Forbes and Zuckerman's book. Therefore, the statement is deemed true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The new ad says, \"Warren Buffett called credit default swaps financial weapons of mass destruction. And Greene was the first individual to use them.\"","Back to Meek's claim. He said, \"Warren Buffett called credit default swaps financial weapons of mass destruction. And Greene was the first individual to use them.\" Buffett, in 2003 comments, described derivatives bought speculatively as financial weapons of mass destruction. That would include credit default swaps. And while people invested in credit default swaps before Greene through hedge funds, Greene is believed to be the first individual to do so on his own. Meek's new ad much more accurately describes the relationship between Buffett, Greene and his investments. We rate the statement True.","Zuckerman claims in his book that Greene was the first individual, not hedge fund, to participate in credit default swaps through Merrill Lynch.","According to Forbes , Greene is \"believed to be the first individual to do so.\" Banks typically only let major hedge funds participate in credit default swaps, but Greene convinced banks to make the trades with him individually. (Banks thought the investment was too complicated for a single person.)"]},{"id":"1740.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Treaty of Tripoli signed by President John Adams was his outreach to Muslims.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President John Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli, which included Article 11 stating that the United States is not founded on the Christian religion, it is an exaggeration to characterize the treaty as an \"outreach to Muslims.\" The primary purpose of the treaty was to secure commercial shipping rights and protect American ships from attacks in the Mediterranean, particularly from the Barbary Powers. The mention of religion in Article 11 was a response to the Barbary Powers' declaration of war on Christian nations and aimed to clarify that the United States was not at war with Muslims. While the treaty did address relations with Muslim nations, it was primarily driven by commercial and diplomatic considerations rather than a specific outreach to Muslims. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"President John Adams, of course, signed the Treaty of Tripoli, his outreach to Muslims,\" Olbermann said. \"Quote, 'The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.' That was ratified by the United States Senate without debate unanimously in 1797.\"","By characterizing the treaty as an \"outreach to Muslims\", Olbermann exaggerates the importance of Article 11 and implies that the central focus of the treaty was to engage with Muslims. In fact, President John Adams wanted to secure commercial shipping rights, and the countries he wanted to negotiate with happened to be Muslim, and happened to justify piracy by declaring war on Christian nations. Adams addressed that declaration by claiming that the United States was not Christian, and was not at war with Muslims. There is some truth in Olbermann's claim in that the clause essentially \"reaches out\" to Muslims, but he exaggerates its importance. So we find his claim Half True.","Article 11 \"makes clear that this was a commercial treaty and that religion played no part,\" said Frank Lambert, author of The Founding Fathers and the Place of Religion in America , a book that argues the Founding Fathers were more concerned with religious freedom than any one religion being the best. \"I don't know what Olbermann meant by 'outreach to Muslims,' but Adams signed the treaty to secure American commercial rights in the Mediterranean.\"","\"The Barbary Powers often declared that they were 'at war with all Christian nations' unless and until a treaty was signed,\" said Toll. \"In diplomatic communications and in some cases in the treaties themselves, the Americans would say they had nothing against Muslims, or even (in one celebrated and controversial instance) that the U.S.A. was not a Christian nation, and I have no reason to say that those sentiments were not genuine. But to the extent that Adams or the other early presidents reached out to Muslims, it was always for the same reason -- to obtain agreements shielding American ships from attacks in the Mediterranean.\""]},{"id":"5001.json","label":"false","statement":"George Allencast the deciding votefor the 2003Bushtax cuts.","reason":"Reason: While George Allen did support the 2003 Bush tax cuts, it is inaccurate to claim that he cast the deciding vote for them. The vote was actually tied in the Senate, and Vice President Dick Cheney cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the tax cuts. Therefore, it was Cheney's vote that ultimately determined the outcome, not Allen's. To attribute the decision solely to Allen is misleading and false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"These (Bush) tax cuts were put in place, I believe in 2003. George (Allen) was the deciding vote for them to be put in place,\" Kaine said during a Dec. 7 debate between the two candidates.","Democratic Senate candidate Tim Kaine recently took a swipe at his likely Republican opponent, George Allen for supporting tax cuts passed under former President George W. Bush.","But the outcome would have been altered if any of the 50 senators who supported the tax cuts had voted differently. And we can add Cheney, who broke the tie. That brings us to 51 people who, by Kaine\u2019s rationale, cast \"the deciding vote.\"","It would be misleading to spread word that Smith hit the the game winner. It is similarly misleading for Kaine to claim Allen cast the \"deciding vote\" on the 2003 tax cuts when Cheney broke the tie at the end. We rate Kaine\u2019s statement False."]},{"id":"11172.json","label":"true","statement":"As governor of Florida I defunded Planned Parenthood.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that as governor of Florida, Jeb Bush did defund Planned Parenthood. He vetoed funding for Planned Parenthood in specific counties and terminated state assistance for the organization. This action aligns with his opposition to abortion and his preference for abstinence-only education. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Here\u2019s my record: As governor of Florida I defunded Planned Parenthood. I created a culture of life in our state,\" he said. (Watch the exchange in the video here.) Bush earlier this week said the federal government should do the same.","New also suggested Abbott did not say defunding Planned Parenthood caused the proclaimed declines. That\u2019s not how we read the governor\u2019s tweet.","According to a 2001 state fiscal analysis, Bush vetoed $115,759 in funding for Northeast Florida Planned Parenthood in Duval County and $187,084 for Department of Health contracts with Planned Parenthood in Collier and Sarasota counties. As governor, Bush was well-known for his frequent use of his veto power.","We\u2019ve documented Bush\u2019s opposition to abortion before, as well as his preference for abstinence-only education. But we wanted to check if he cut off state assistance for Planned Parenthood while governor, well before the current controversy. It turns out he did, long prior to recent calls to end federal funding for the group."]},{"id":"11454.json","label":"false","statement":"German citizens were disarmed by their government in the late 1930s, which allowed the Nazis to carry out their evil intentions with relatively little resistance.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Ben Carson's claim that German citizens were disarmed by their government in the late 1930s, which he believes allowed the Nazis to carry out their evil intentions with relatively little resistance. However, it is important to note that this claim is historically inaccurate. The disarmament of German citizens did not occur in the late 1930s but rather after the Nazis came to power in 1933. Additionally, the notion that the lack of guns allowed the Nazis to carry out their intentions with little resistance oversimplifies the complex factors that contributed to the rise and consolidation of Nazi power. It is crucial to consider the broader historical context and the multitude of factors that enabled the Nazi regime's atrocities.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Carson said that under the Nazis, \"German citizens were disarmed by their government in the late 1930s,\" which allowed the Nazis to \"carry out their evil intentions with relatively little resistance.\"","Carson then goes on to say that the lack of guns allowed the Nazis to \"carry out their evil intentions with relatively little resistance.\"","\"Through a combination of removing guns and disseminating deceitful propaganda, the Nazis were able to carry out their evil intentions with relatively little resistance,\" he wrote.","In his book, A More Perfect Union , Carson wrote that \"German citizens were disarmed by their government in the late 1930s, and by the mid-1940s Hitler's regime had mercilessly slaughtered six million Jews and numerous others whom they considered inferior."]},{"id":"7811.json","label":"false","statement":"Forty-six cents of every dollar Ohio could get for Medicaid expansion is going to come from China or some other country that doesnt like us very much.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and lacks evidence. There is no credible information or evidence to support the claim that 46 cents of every dollar for Medicaid expansion in Ohio would come from China or any other foreign country. Medicaid expansion is primarily funded by federal and state governments through taxes and other revenue sources within the country. Making unfounded claims about the funding source undermines the credibility of the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So when Biden specifically said that \"the money the federal government spends on health care, 46 cents on every dollar spent is through Medicare and Medicaid,\" he overstated the federal percentage for the two programs. It's actually 30 cents of every dollar, rather than 46 cents.","Among the money spent on health care in the United States, \"46 cents on every dollar spent is through Medicare and Medicaid.\"","This time around, the expansion would come with more than $1 billion dollars in tax savings under a provision of the federal government\u2019s pandemic relief legislation, meant to induce the 12 states that have not yet expanded health care coverage to do so.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d"]},{"id":"1783.json","label":"true","statement":"Greece has a GDP the size of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex does have a GDP that is comparable in size to that of Greece. While there are other metro areas in the United States with larger GDPs, the comparison made by the statement specifically focuses on the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The GDP of the metro area consisting of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington, Texas, was calculated to be approximately $379 billion, which is in the range of Greece's GDP.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Will responded, \"Because it's an early heart attack that ought to alert us to the fact that we could have a bigger heart attack. Greece is not too big to fail -- it has a GDP the size of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It's too connected.\"","Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington actually ranked sixth among highest-GDP metro areas in the United States. Will could have just as easily pointed to five other metro areas that have bigger GDPs than Greece -- the ones based (in ascending order) in Washington, D.C., Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. New York City's economy, in fact, was about three and a half times the size of Greece's in 2008.","We wondered whether the Dallas-Fort Worth's gross domestic product -- the total value of goods and services produced -- could really be larger than that of an entire European nation.","Meanwhile, statistics calculated for the same year by the U.S. government's Bureau of Economic Analysis determined that the metro area consisting of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas, had a gross domestic product of $379 billion -- close enough in our view to make Will's statement correct."]},{"id":"711.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Obama's Ten Point Plan to 'Change' The Second Amendment.Ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and taken out of context. While it is true that in 1996, as a candidate for the Illinois state Senate, Obama filled out a questionnaire indicating support for state legislation to ban handguns, it is important to note that this was a single response on a questionnaire and does not constitute a comprehensive plan. The claim that Obama had a ten-point plan to ban handguns is not supported by credible evidence. Additionally, subsequent evidence and actions during Obama's presidency do not align with a plan to ban handguns. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But let's assume, for the sake of argument, that Obama approved of what was on the questionnaire. There are still serious problems with using that to justify a claim that Obama has a plan to \"ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.\"","Obama's \"plan\" appeared on a section of the mailer designed to be cut out and carried around in a wallet. The front of the wallet card said, \"Barack Obama's Ten Point Plan to 'Change' the Second Amendment.\" The reverse listed the 10 parts of the alleged plan, including:","In 1996, as a candidate for the Illinois state Senate, Obama filled out a questionnaire for a community group called Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization. It asked if the candidate supported state legislation to \u201cban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.\u201d Obama\u2019s answer: \u201cYes.\u201d","Obama's alleged endorsement of a proposed state law in 1996 does not add up to a plan to ban handguns, particularly in light of evidence to the contrary that has accumulated since then. We find the NRA's claim to be False."]},{"id":"13260.json","label":"true","statement":"Weve had Muslims in America since George Washington.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by historical evidence and expert opinions. Scholars, historians, and information from the Library of Congress confirm that Muslims have been present in the United States since the time of George Washington. While some Muslims were brought to America as slaves and faced restrictions on practicing their religion, the Founding Fathers recognized the importance of religious freedom and outlined it in the country's founding documents. Additionally, there are records of George Washington expressing openness towards Muslims and advocating for their rights. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the historical presence of Muslims in America since George Washington's time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We've had Muslims in America since George Washington,\" Clinton said. \"And we've had many successful Muslims. We just lost a particular well-known one with Muhammad Ali.\"","\"I think that what Secretary Clinton was suggesting by her reference to George Washington was that not only have Muslims lived in the U.S. for centuries, but that our Founding Fathers \u2014 not only George Washington but also Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, and the men who wrote the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution \u2014 believed that Muslims should be free to practice their own religion, and they tried to guarantee this freedom and protect it in some of our Founding documents,\" said Jan Ellen Lewis, a history professor at Rutgers University who has contributed $700 to Clinton\u2019s campaign.","History scholars, studies and information from the Library of Congress say Muslims have been in the United States for hundreds of years, certainly dating back to Washington. Though Muslims were brought to America as slaves from Africa, experts believe many were not able to freely practice their religion. The Founding Fathers eventually outlined freedom of religion, among other rights.","Washington said he would welcome Muslims to Mount Vernon (his home) \"if they were \u2018good workmen\u2019,\" Hutson said. Washington also \"suggested a way for Muslims to \u2018obtain proper relief\u2019 \" from a proposed bill in Virginia levying taxes to aid Christian worship, according to Hutson."]},{"id":"11287.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders opposes requiring all children to have a K-12 education.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may have been claims based on older writings and campaigns, more recent legislative evidence indicates that Bernie Sanders supports a traditional view of K-12 education and does not oppose requiring all children to have a K-12 education. Therefore, the statement that Sanders opposes requiring all children to have a K-12 education is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here, we\u2019ll check the line in the graphic that says, \"supports requiring all children to have a K-12 education.\" The chart says \"yes\" for Clinton and \"no\" for Sanders. (We asked the Clinton campaign if they wanted to comment, but they declined, saying that they had not produced the graphic.)","A chart on the Internet said that Sanders does not support \" requiring all children to have a K-12 education.\" However, it bases this claim on writings and campaigns from more than 40 years ago, and more recent legislative evidence indicates that Sanders supports a traditional view of K-12 education. We rate the claim False.","Like some of the claims above, the claim is based on writings and campaigns from more than 40 years ago \u2014 sufficiently long ago to be of questionable value. More recent legislative evidence indicates that Sanders supports a traditional view of K-12 education. Since there is no evidence that Sanders currently opposes compulsory education through 12th grade, we rated the claim False.","The graphic doesn\u2019t just claim that Sanders doesn\u2019t support a K-12 education. By using the present tense, it argues that Sanders still believes it."]},{"id":"11130.json","label":"false","statement":"Says his political opponents brought 100,000 protesters into our state.","reason":"Reason: The claim made by Governor Scott Walker that his political opponents brought 100,000 protesters into the state is not supported by evidence. Fact-checkers have found no comprehensive evidence to suggest that all or nearly all of the protesters were from outside of Wisconsin. While there were isolated reports of some demonstrators being bused in from other states, it does not substantiate the claim that his political opponents were responsible for bringing 100,000 protesters into the state.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Conversely, in July 2015, when Walker said his political opponents \"brought 100,000 protesters into our state,\" we rated the claim False. There was no evidence to indicate that all or nearly all the protesters were from outside of Wisconsin.","\"Well, in the end, I\u2019m used to -- you know, you\u2019ve been up to Wisconsin, you\u2019ve seen it firsthand. The big-government special interests, the powerful special interests, the union bosses and others, they will stop at nothing, and all their supporters out there. They brought 100,000 protesters into our state to try and intimidate us, to back us down.\"","We asked Walker\u2019s campaign for evidence that 100,000 protesters were brought into Wisconsin. The campaign cited isolated reports of demonstrators being bused in from Illinois and New York, but nothing more comprehensive.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic."]},{"id":"107.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rural schools \"face the highest dropout rates, the lowest college enrollment rates, have the lowest average teacher salaries...\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that rural schools face challenges such as high dropout rates and low college enrollment rates. However, it is important to note that while rural schools may have lower average teacher salaries overall, when considering teachers with bachelor's or master's degrees, their salaries are comparable to those in cities and suburbs. Therefore, the claim that rural schools have the lowest average teacher salaries is not entirely accurate. Nonetheless, the statement captures the key issues faced by rural schools in terms of dropout rates and college enrollment rates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Rural schools enroll 40 percent of American children, but receive only 22 percent of federal education funding,\" Edwards said. \"They face the highest dropout rates, the lowest college enrollment rates, have the lowest average teacher salaries and often face huge school transportation and special education costs that make it next to impossible to invest more resources in raising student achievement.\"","And it's a tough call on whether rural schools have the lowest average teacher salaries. The federal report says they do overall, but when you break out the teachers by level of education, that changes. Those with bachelor's degrees get comparable pay to those in cities and suburbs, according to the report. And those with master's degrees earn about the same on average as their peers in cities. Edwards didn't get it all wrong, though. Rural schools do have the lowest rates of students enrolling in college.","But Edwards is right when he says that rural schools have the lowest college enrollment rates in the country. Only 27 percent of students coming from rural schools enrolled in college in 2004-05, according to the report, well below the 37 percent rate in cities and suburbs, and lower than the 32 percent in towns.","First, consider dropout rates. Yes, rural schools have a high rate, 11 percent, as the June 2007 report by the National Center for Education Statistics shows. Just not the highest."]},{"id":"13104.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mike Gallaghers plan would cut Social Security benefits for two-thirds of seniors.","reason":"Reason: While Mike Gallagher has not explicitly proposed a plan to cut Social Security benefits for two-thirds of seniors, he has expressed support for a proposal that would make such cuts. The statement accurately reflects the accusation made by Nelson, the Outagamie County executive, in a TV ad. However, it's important to note that the claim is based on Gallagher's alignment with a proposal that advocates for such cuts, rather than his own explicit plan. Therefore, the statement is partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["After images of senior citizens appear on the screen, the narrator declares: \"Mike Gallagher\u2019s plan would cut Social Security benefits for two-thirds of seniors.\"","On Sept. 1, 2016, Nelson, the Outagamie County executive, released a TV ad accusing Gallagher of having a plan that would \"cut Social Security benefits for two-thirds of seniors.\" Our rating was Half True.","That\u2019s support for Biggs\u2019 approach to Social Security, but it\u2019s short of Gallagher proposing a plan to change Social Security that explicitly cuts benefits for two-thirds of the beneficiaries.","Gallagher has not made a proposal on Social Security that would cut the benefits of two-thirds of the recipients. However, he has praised a proposal that would make those cuts, saying he is most influenced on Social Security by the proposal\u2019s author."]},{"id":"9618.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich vote as much as 80 percent of the time together.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in a campaign ad that Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich vote together as much as 80 percent of the time. The Begich campaign calculated this figure based on roll call votes in which both senators participated. However, it's important to note that this percentage is specific to the year 2014 and may not represent their voting alignment in other years or on different issues. Additionally, it's worth considering that voting alignment does not necessarily indicate complete agreement on all policy matters. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A Begich campaign radio ad said, \"Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich vote as much as 80 percent of the time together.\"","\"Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich vote as much as 80 percent of the time together \u2014 that\u2019s healthy for Alaska. I have a great dislike for partisan politics,\" the ad says, narrated by a man identified as Skip Nelson, an aviator living in Anchorage. \"I think Lisa and Mark are a great team for Alaska. I\u2019d like to keep them there.\"","The Begich campaign calculated the 80 percent figure using every roll call vote in 2014 in which both Murkowski and Begich participated, through July 2.","Sen. Mark Begich says he and Sen. Lisa Murkowski are on the same team. But she doesn\u2019t see it that way."]},{"id":"227.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Productivity has risen 18 percent ...yet wages have stayed flat... There are 5-million more people in poverty here in our country than there were in 2000.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the disparity between rising productivity and stagnant wages, as well as the increase in the number of people living in poverty in the United States. The evidence suggests that while productivity has increased by 18 percent, wages have not kept pace with this growth, leading to income inequality and a higher number of people living in poverty compared to 2000. This indicates a concerning trend in the economy that needs to be addressed.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Productivity has risen 18 percent wages have stayed flat... There are 5-million more people in poverty here in our country than there were in 2000.\"","\"I brought down crime more than anyone in this country -- maybe in the history of this country -- while I was mayor of New York City.\" -","\"Fifty-six percent decline in overall crime. A 73 percent decline in motor-vehicle theft. A 67 percent decline in robbery. A 66 percent decline in murder. This is way beyond what happened in the nation during this period of time.","\"Hillary stood up for universal health care when almost no one else would, and kept standing till 6-million kids had coverage.\""]},{"id":"5432.json","label":"false","statement":"The president gave the (auto) companies to the UAW.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided clearly states that the assets held in the trust for UAW retirees are separate from the auto companies and the UAW itself. The trust is an independent entity with its own assets, which can only be used to provide medical benefits to UAW retirees and their families. The claim that the president \"gave the (auto) companies to the UAW\" is misleading and does not align with the facts presented.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A 2011 letter to its 840,000 beneficiaries said the trust is \"a separate entity, independent of the auto companies and the UAW. The trust has its own assets. The assets in the trust are not the property of the auto companies or the UAW. Instead, those assets are held in the trust on behalf of the covered retirees. Those assets can only be used to provide medical benefits to UAW retirees and their families. Neither the UAW nor the auto companies can use those assets for any other purpose.\"","He says the car manufacturers should have been allowed to go bankrupt and that Obama practiced \"crony capitalism\" in negotiating with union bosses. And in a CNN debate on Feb. 22, 2012, Romney said, \"the president gave the companies to the UAW.\"","Next, we talked to a couple of industry analysts for their take on Romney\u2019s statement, again, that Obama \"gave the (auto) companies to the union.\"","During the process, the United Auto Workers, the union representing car company employees and retirees, made concessions to help the companies stop bleeding. We consulted several sources for an explanation on what each side gave."]},{"id":"1161.json","label":"true","statement":"Since World War II, only Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton have had worse ratings after seven months than President Obama.","reason":"Reason: According to Gallup's tracking polls, which have been monitoring presidential approval ratings since World War II, the statement is accurate. At the seven-month mark, President Obama's approval rating was 51 percent, placing him below only Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton in terms of approval ratings at that point in their presidencies. It's important to note that approval ratings can fluctuate over time, and this statement specifically refers to the seven-month mark of their respective presidencies.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since World War II, only Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton have had worse ratings after seven months than President Obama,\" said Republican Newt Gingrich, offering advice to Obama on the op-ed page of the Washington Post.","The Gallup poll actually has been tracking presidential approval ratings since World War II. We consulted Gallup's tracking polls and found that Gingrich is correct. At the seven-month mark, Obama's approval rating was 51 percent. The only two presidents doing worse than Obama were Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton.","Dwight D. Eisenhower? Nah, they said, as he was doing well for himself after World War II, landing on corporate boards and enjoying a good military pension and sales of his memoir, Crusade in Europe. \"You save the world, you get good royalties,\" said Jeffrey Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University.","Ford's public approval ratings dropped below 50 percent about three months into his presidency. Those numbers improved slightly and plateaued over the next few years. But Ford, who took office upon Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974, lost the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter."]},{"id":"10980.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After a federal inquiry corroborated Hillary Clinton on Whitewater, the next day, there was nothing in the media about it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bill Clinton expressed his disapproval over the media's coverage of the federal inquiry that cleared Hillary Clinton on the Whitewater scandal, the statement that \"the next day, there was nothing in the media about it\" is not entirely accurate. The fact-checks conducted on this claim found that while the media coverage may not have been as extensive as expected, there were indeed reports and discussions about the federal inquiry and its findings. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context of the media coverage at the time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bill Clinton said that after a federal inquiry substantially cleared Hillary Clinton on the Whitewater scandal, \"The next day, there was nothing in the media about it. There was stunning nondisclosure.\"","\"There had been a lot of discussion in this period about disclosure,\" he said. \"You know, everybody wants disclosure, but I think what's good for the goose is good for the gander here. For example, I remember when Hillary was completely exonerated, when I was in the White House, in all that Whitewater business, when an official federal inquiry said that her billing records, they wished for her sake could have been found earlier, because they completely corroborated everything she'd said.","This is not the first time Clinton has expressed his disapproval over the media\u2019s coverage of the 1995 report in question, which was authored by independent law firm Pillsbury, Madison, & Sutro and commissioned by the Resolution Trust Corporation, a now-defunct federal agency involved in the Whitewater investigation.","We delved into the details of Clinton's comments in two fact-checks. As for whether Hillary Clinton was \"completely exonerated,\" we rated that Mostly True. As for whether the media ignored the story the next day, we rated that Half True. Read our fact-checks to take a trip in time back to the '90s."]},{"id":"12583.json","label":"true","statement":"The major immigration issue was about Poles, and Bulgarians, and Romanians, and that they werent contributing economically. The unemployment rate among Poles in Britain is lower than the unemployment rate among Brits.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Miliband regarding the major immigration issue and the unemployment rate among Poles in Britain. Miliband stated that the major immigration issue involved Poles, Bulgarians, and Romanians and that they were not contributing economically. Additionally, he correctly stated that the unemployment rate among Poles in Britain is lower than the unemployment rate among Brits. The evidence supports these claims, indicating that the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The major immigration issue was about Poles, and Bulgarians, and Romanians,\" and that they weren\u2019t contributing economically. \"The unemployment rate among Poles in Britain is lower than the unemployment rate among Brits.\"","Miliband said, \"The major immigration issue was about Poles, and Bulgarians, and Romanians,\" and that they weren\u2019t contributing economically. \"The unemployment rate among Poles in Britain is lower than the unemployment rate among Brits.\"","\"The unemployment rate among Poles in Britain is lower than the unemployment rate among Brits,\" he said on Meet the Press on June 26, 2016.","\"The numbers hop around a bit from quarter to quarter,\" Sumption cautioned. That\u2019s due to the small number of Poles in the survey, \"but it has always been the case that Poles have lower unemployment than Brits.\""]},{"id":"1196.json","label":"false","statement":"Health insurance companies deny 1 out of 5 treatments prescribed by doctors.","reason":"Reason: The claim that health insurance companies deny 1 out of 5 treatments prescribed by doctors is not supported by sufficient evidence. While a study by the California Nurses Association reported a 21% denial rate for claims in California, it is important to note that this statistic is based on data from one state and may not be representative of the entire country. Furthermore, the interpretation of the data and the definition of \"denials\" have been questioned by independent agencies, casting doubt on the accuracy of the claim. Other studies have shown lower denial rates, indicating that the claim lacks the necessary evidence to be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The group's ad mockingly explains \"how to get rich\" by showing a \"book\" written \"by America's health insurance companies.\" Chapter 3 reads, \"Deny 1 out of 5 treatments prescribed by doctors.\" A news release issued by HCAN attributed this statistic to a study released Sept. 2, 2009, by the California Nurses Association titled, \"California's Real Death Panels: Insurers Deny 21% of Claims.\" (We checked another claim from the ad, about insurance companies paying CEOs $24 million per year, and rated it Barely True.)","Now that we have the politics out of the way, let's recap. The Health Care for America Now ad said that insurers \"deny 1 out of 5 treatments prescribed by doctors.\" But that claim is based solely on one study in one state, and in our view it doesn't provide enough evidence to back up the claim. The independent state agency that collected the data used in the nurses' study has raised significant doubt on the group's interpretations of that data. Many \"denials\" that were counted were not really what most people would consider a denial. And studies by other groups show much lower denial rates. So we rate this claim False.","Supporters of health care reform have portrayed insurance companies as insensitive and too quick to deny claims. In a recent television ad, Health Care for America Now, a group supporting the Democrats' health care reform bill, says insurance companies get wealthy by denying those claims.","So we fact-checked Rodman\u2019s claim that Dunnavant wrote a bill that would let insurance companies to \"deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.\""]},{"id":"5245.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States is no longer top nation in the globe on infrastructure, having fallen to 15th.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that the United States has fallen to 15th place in terms of infrastructure rankings. The evidence suggests that the United States ranks lower in infrastructure compared to other nations. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific details on the criteria or methodology used to determine these rankings. Nonetheless, based on the information provided, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In rating states for average personal income, not growth, Tennessee last year was No. 36 in the nation, up one notch from 37th in 2010.","Using 10 categories, they ranked the United States 27th. On air it ranks 10th and on water, 29th. Among wealthy democracies, the United States ranks toward the bottom, according to Zachary Wendling, principal investigator at the Environmental Performance Index.","The United States has ample room to improve on air quality when it comes to other developed democracies. While some cities\u2019 water systems violate domestic environmental standards, the United States overall ties for best when it comes to drinking water.","The United States still has troops stationed in Iraq and in many other places, some of whom are involved in combat with enemy militants."]},{"id":"253.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Average families are spending roughly $2,000 more a year on energy costs. ... It's like a $2,000 energy tax in just the last seven years, more than three times what the typical American family received from the Bush tax cuts.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that average families are spending approximately $2,000 more per year on energy costs. However, it is important to note that the comparison to the Bush tax cuts is subjective and may not be universally agreed upon. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific evidence to support the claim that this increase is \"more than three times\" what the typical American family received from the Bush tax cuts. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is accurate, the comparison to the Bush tax cuts lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Even without inflation, Obama had it wrong. In May 2007, prices hit $3.218 per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration, which has tracked the average weekly price of gasoline for decades.","The price for a gallon of gas peaked in March 1981 at $1.42 a gallon, said Jonathan Cogan, a senior analyst for the Energy Information Administration. Sounds cheap, but factor in inflation and that's a whopping $3.38 per gallon.","Two days before Obama gave his speech, the Energy Information Administration put the price of gas at $2.98 per gallon \u2014 40 cents less than the inflation-adjusted 1981 price.","Gas prices have soared this year, and so have the profits of Exxon Mobil and other companies. But in saying they've \"never been higher,\" Obama overstates the case."]},{"id":"10652.json","label":"true","statement":"Ted Cruz was the longest-serving solicitor general in the history of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Ted Cruz served as the solicitor general for the state of Texas and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving solicitor general in the history of Texas. He achieved significant victories before the U.S. Supreme Court during his tenure in this role.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Falwell went on: \"He left only after becoming the longest-serving solicitor general in the history of Texas, achieving an unprecedented series of landmark national victories before the U.S. Supreme Court.\"","Ted Cruz is a U.S. Senator from Texas, first elected in 2012 and seeking a second term in 2018. Cruz also was a candidate for president of the United States in 2016. He is the former solicitor general for the state of Texas, previously serving as the director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission, an Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, and as a domestic policy advisor on the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign, according to his campaign biography.","Krupkin said: \"Cruz in his official capacity as solicitor general supported a ban. It gets too close to the line when you say Ted Cruz\" personally \"did this. Ted Cruz did that in his official position. I myself see a difference between the two,\" he said.","That post has been around less than 20 years. Still, Cruz held it more than five years, longer than any of the lawyers who preceded and followed him and outpacing the second-longest holder by about a year."]},{"id":"1327.json","label":"false","statement":"The McCain campaign \"did not elaborate\" on Obama's ties to ACORN.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the McCain campaign did indeed elaborate on Obama's alleged ties to ACORN during the 2008 presidential campaign. Sarah Palin, in her book, expressed a wish that the campaign had discussed Obama's relationship with ACORN more. Additionally, McCain himself raised the issue during the third presidential debate. Furthermore, there is a memo from the McCain-Palin campaign outlining Obama's relationship with ACORN and raising questions about his judgment and ability to lead. Therefore, the statement that the McCain campaign \"did not elaborate\" on Obama's ties to ACORN is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In her book, Palin says she wishes the campaign had talked more about \"Obama's close relationship with ACORN. ... But we did not elaborate on any of that during the campaign.\"","In addition to these e-mails, we note that McCain three times raised the issue of Obama's alleged ties to ACORN during the third presidential debate on Oct. 15.","The ad describes Obama as a man with vast ambition whose \"ties to ACORN run long and deep. He taught classes for ACORN. They even endorsed him for president.\" The ad also accuses the Obama campaign of paying more than $800,000 to an ACORN front for get-out-the-vote efforts. \"Too risky for America,\" the ad concludes.","This is a memo from the McCain-Palin campaign that begins, \"Today, the McCain campaign outlined the intimate and longstanding relationship between Barack Obama and the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now (ACORN). Given ACORN\u2019s recent efforts to engage in voter fraud and to disrupt our political system, Obama\u2019s affiliation with this group raises serious questions about his judgment and ability to lead this nation.\" It goes on to highlight Obama's efforts directing Project Vote in 1992 as well as his work as a lawyer handling a case for ACORN. (We took a look at a few of the claims from Republicans about Obama's alleged ties to ACORN and found some were more legitimate than others .)"]},{"id":"3942.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Anywhere in the world, when someone uses a mobile phone, e-mail, the Internet or GPS, they are enjoying the benefits of the American miracle.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that many significant technological innovations, such as the mobile phone, email, the Internet, and GPS, have origins in the United States. While it is true that other countries have also made contributions to these technologies, the United States can be credited with significant advancements and pioneering work in these areas. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that people around the world, regardless of their location, benefit from the innovations that originated in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It\u2019s also important to note in the context of Rubio\u2019s \"only in America\" rhetoric that while the United States led, it wasn\u2019t alone in its innovation. Other nations\u2019 researchers contributed to the early Internet; commercial mobile phone networks were available overseas before they were in America; other nations operate satellite navigation systems. But in these areas and many others, Americans can claim primacy. We rate Rubio\u2019s statement, that \"when someone uses a mobile phone, e-mail, the Internet or GPS, they are enjoying the benefits of the American miracle,\" Mostly True.","\"And of course, the World Wide Web was invented at CERN, not in the US or by an American. So does that mean we in the U.S. are enjoying the benefits of the \"Swiss miracle\" every time we use the Web?\"","We dropped a line to Rubio spokesman Alex Burgos, who provided us with links about inventors of the mobile phone, e-mail, the Internet and GPS. Indeed, stories from The Telegraph (via Huffington Post ), NPR, the Internet Society, PBS and MITnews identify American origins for all four technologies. But these are complex systems that have developed over time. We wondered: Was there more to the story?","We briefly considered wading into fringe conspiracy theories about whether astronauts actually walked on the moon, but got control of ourselves. We were more curious about his other technology claims. Were Americans truly the ones responsible for innovation of the mobile phone, e-mail, the Internet and the global positioning system?"]},{"id":"5479.json","label":"false","statement":"When (Marcy) Kaptur fought for the Democrats prescription drug benefit for seniors, (Dennis) Kucinich voted no.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marcy Kaptur voted in favor of a budget proposal that included a prescription drug benefit for seniors, it is not accurate to claim that Dennis Kucinich voted against the Democrats' prescription drug benefit for seniors. Kucinich voted against a specific alternative budget proposal, the Stenholm Amendment, which was not the official leadership's plan and was offered by conservative Democrats. It is important to clarify that Kucinich and Kaptur both supported the leadership's plan for the prescription drug benefit. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent Kucinich's position on the Democrats' prescription drug benefit for seniors.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Now we'll look at a third statement: \"When Kaptur fought for the Democrats' prescription drug benefit for seniors, Kucinich voted no.\"","That brings us back to the claim in the ad: \"When Kaptur fought for the Democrats' prescription drug benefit for seniors, Kucinich voted no.\"","Kucinich did in fact vote no when Kaptur voted yes on one budget proposal. But labeling that proposal as \"the Democrats\u2019 prescription drug benefit for seniors\" is inaccurate. It was one of four Democratic proposals and not leadership\u2019s plan (which Kucinich and Kaptor both supported.","According to the Kaptur campaign, Kucinich voted against the prescription drug plan offered by conservative Democrats in their alternative budget proposal, the Stenholm Amendment, at a time \"when there was no alternative with a chance.\""]},{"id":"13021.json","label":"false","statement":"I released the most extensive financial review of anybody in the history of politics. You dont learn much in a tax return.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that he released the most extensive financial review in the history of politics is false. While Trump did release a document detailing his personal financial holdings, it is not equivalent to the level of transparency provided by tax returns. Tax returns offer valuable information such as effective tax rate, types of taxes paid, charitable contributions, and a more comprehensive picture of assets. Furthermore, it is worth noting that previous major-party nominees have typically released their tax returns, and being under audit does not legally prevent Trump from releasing his tax returns. Therefore, the claim that a financial review is more informative than tax returns is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["As for Trump, he has said he hasn\u2019t released his taxes because he is being audited. When he claimed he \"released the most extensive financial review of anybody in the history of politics. \u2026 You don't learn much in a tax return,\" PolitiFact National\u2019s rating was False.","Trump did release an extensive (and legally required) document detailing his personal financial holdings. But experts say tax returns would offer valuable details on his effective tax rate, the types of taxes he paid and how much he gave to charity, as well as a more detailed picture of his assets.","We checked an archive of presidential tax returns maintained by the Tax Analysts, a publisher specializing in tax policy. It shows that going back to 1976, all but one major-party nominee released at least one return.","Trump has cited a pending Internal Revenue Service audit as reason for not publishing his tax returns. The IRS, however, has said nothing precludes a president from releasing tax returns while under audit \u2014 as President Richard Nixon did. Trump has also claimed, falsely, that his financial disclosures offer a more extensive picture of his finances."]},{"id":"12150.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsins effective unemployment rate is 20 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no official measure for the \"effective\" or \"real\" unemployment rate. The U-6 rate, which includes discouraged workers and those working part-time for economic reasons, is one measure that provides a broader view of unemployment. However, the U-6 rate for Wisconsin in 2015 was 8.3 percent, significantly lower than the claimed 20 percent. It is important to rely on accurate and official data when discussing unemployment rates.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"What? Is it 20 percent? Effective or regular? I mean just -- effective unemployment rate, 20 percent. Hey, this is out of the big book.\"","The U-6 rate is calculated only annually. Wisconsin\u2019s U-6 rate for 2015 was 8.3 percent -- again, far below Trump\u2019s 20 percent.","There is no official measure for the effective -- or as Trump on other occasions called it -- the \"real\" unemployment rate.","Trump made a similar claim in June 2015 in announcing his run for president. He said the \"real\" unemployment rate for the United States at the time was \"anywhere from 18 to 20 percent. Don't believe the 5.6. Don't believe it.\" (At the time, the official unemployment rate nationally was 5.5 percent.)"]},{"id":"6118.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that under President Obama, theres been a substantial increase in federal government jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there has been a net increase in federal government jobs since the stimulus passed, the growth is modest at best and not substantial. In fact, the trend has been downward month after month, and the overall increase is less than 1 percent. Additionally, when considering the inclusion of the U.S. Postal Service, which has significantly shrunk, the increase in federal government jobs diminishes further. Therefore, the claim of a substantial increase in federal government jobs under President Obama is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["As for federal employment, the subject of Portman\u2019s claim, it shows a net growth in the three-plus years since the stimulus passed, but that growth is modest at best, and it is now trending downward month after month. Characterizing a net increase of less than 1 percent as substantial is inaccurate.","\"Well first of all,\" Portman said, \"we are not losing government jobs. If you look at the overall net jobs in the federal government, we\u2019ve actually seen an increase in federal government jobs, and pretty substantially. There have been some reductions in state and local jobs, I don\u2019t know what the net number is, but I would just make the point that I made earlier: If you are looking to grow the economy, the way to grow the economy is not to grow more public-sector jobs.\"","Another important note: On the federal government growth, most of the increase goes away if you include the U.S. Postal Service, which has shrunk significantly. When you do, the increase is 29,000.","CBO concluded that by fiscal year 2012 -- the current fiscal year -- the president\u2019s budget proposal would increase federal outlays to $3.7 trillion. That\u2019s a 6 percent increase -- a far cry from doubling."]},{"id":"5981.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On transportation financing","reason":"Reason: Governor Chris Christie has faced criticism for his inconsistent stance on transportation financing. While he initially expressed a desire to reduce reliance on borrowing for transportation projects and implemented a plan for pay-as-you-go financing, he later announced an increase in borrowing for transportation work due to projected revenue shortfalls in the state budget. This change in position contradicts his previous statements and represents a shift in his approach to transportation financing. However, it is important to note that State Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff emphasized that the governor's original goal of reducing reliance on bonding for transportation remains. Overall, the evidence suggests a mixed record on transportation financing for Governor Christie.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But Martin E. Robins, director emeritus of the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, told The Star-Ledger on Wednesday, \"We\u2019re really falling right back into the capital financing that the governor critized Jon Corzine for.\"","Christie has stated previously that he wants the state to rely less on borrowing for transportation projects and in January 2011 announced a transportation capital plan that calls for more pay-as-you-go financing. But now he\u2019s saying the state will borrow an additional $260 million for transportation work next year in part because of projected revenue shortfalls in the state budget. The governor\u2019s about-face is inconsistent with his previous statements, which rates the change a Half Flip on the Flip-O-Meter.","Despite the move to increase transportation borrowing, State Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff emphasized that the governor\u2019s original goal to lessen reliance on bonding for transportation remains.","New Jersey Department of Transportation news release, \"Governor Chris Christie Puts Forward Responsible Transportation Capital Plan That Reduces Borrowing and Improves Critical Infrastructure,\" Jan. 6, 2011, accessed May 24, 2012"]},{"id":"8962.json","label":"false","statement":"The Ukraine Orange Revolution in 2004 was the first color revolution.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The Ukraine Orange Revolution in 2004 was not the first color revolution. The Rose Revolution in Georgia, which occurred in 2003, predates the Orange Revolution and is widely recognized as the first color revolution. The Orange Revolution in Ukraine was significant, but it was not the first instance of a color revolution.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Kristol said the Ukraine Orange Revolution \"was the first color revolution.\" It was the biggest color revolution, but experts say nobody considers it the first. Georgia\u2019s Rose Revolution took place a year earlier.","But in describing his position, Kristol, a conservative political pundit, got the timeline of the so-called \"color revolutions\" wrong. He said Ukraine was the first color revolution in 2004.","Ukraine\u2019s Orange Revolution came a year later and ended when opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko was elected president. (Yuschenko defeated Yanukovych, Ukraine\u2019s now-deposed leader.) The revolution was originally branded \"orange\" because that was Yuschenko\u2019s signature campaign color.","\"Ten years ago there was the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, it was the first color revolution in spite of other efforts around the world. \u2026 All honor to the people of the Ukraine,\" Kristol said. \"That first revolution unfortunately slipped away. I think that\u2019s partly our fault, the west Europeans\u2019 fault. We didn\u2019t do as much as we could have to help the newly democratic Ukraine.\""]},{"id":"1144.json","label":"false","statement":"The health bill's plan for comparative effectiveness research would be used by the government to ration care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the health bill does include provisions for comparative effectiveness research, there is no evidence to support the claim that the research findings would be used by the government to ration care. Multiple sources, including AARP and fact-checkers, have refuted this portrayal of comparative effectiveness research as government rationing of care. The purpose of such research is to provide information on the effectiveness and value of different medical treatments, not to restrict access to care.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So we find Boehner 's claim that comparative effectiveness research findings \"would be used by the government to ration care\" to be False.","\"It boggles the mind\" said AARP spokesman Jim Dau, how comparative effectiveness research has been portrayed by opponents of the health care plan as government rationing of care.","\"The bill would establish a new tax on every health insurance policy to fund a government board that would be tasked with deciding which treatments are more cost-effective,\" the release states. \"The research findings would be used by the government to ration care.\"","Three items on the list deal with comparative effectiveness research. Although the government already does such research, we think it's fair to count the creation of a new Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research on the list. But the next two items, a comparative effectiveness research commission and a patient ombudsman for comparative effectiveness research seems like triple-dipping."]},{"id":"7551.json","label":"true","statement":"Under Gov. Kasich, Ohio wages have increased by $10.3 billion.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that under Governor Kasich, Ohio wages have increased by $10.3 billion. The data shows that there has been a positive trend in total wages in Ohio during the specified time periods. The comparison of wages between different quarters demonstrates an overall increase in wages, which aligns with the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["On March 15, he tweeted about it with another angle: \"The most recent data shows OH wages have jumped by $10.3 billion. Ohioans are creating jobs and driving our comeback.\"","The first four quarters total $204.2 billion (averaging $51 billion per quarter). The second four quarters total $214.5 billion (averaging $53.6 billion).","With budget battles looming for Gov. John Kasich's plans on taxing and spending, Ohio's improving economy remains a bright spot for him.","Specifically citing the figures for total wages of workers employed in Ohio, they compared the combined wages for the third and fourth quarters of 2010 and the first and second quarters of 2011 against the period starting six months after Kasich took office -- the third and fourth quarters of 2011 and the first and second quarters of 2012."]},{"id":"9386.json","label":"false","statement":"Qataris dont really work.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Qataris don't really work\" is false. Official reports indicate that most Qataris of working age do work and hold various jobs. While it is true that the Qatari government provides a significant number of jobs, individuals still need to actively participate and show up for work to receive payment. It is important to note that the construction industry in Qatar has a small fraction of Qatari workers, but this does not support the claim that Qataris, in general, do not work. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Qataris don't really work. They don't have to work,\" Schaap said, claiming that the Qatari government offers generous benefits for the unemployed.","Schaap said Qataris \"don\u2019t really work.\" Schaap later clarified his statement, saying he should have specified that he was thinking of work on construction sites, and even with that caveat, his claim went a bit too far.","Official reports show that most Qataris of working age do work and hold a variety of jobs. In one way or another, the government provides nearly all these jobs but people still need to show up to get paid. A small fraction of the construction workforce is Qatari. The risks for foreign workers are real, but that is separate from Schaap\u2019s assertion. PunditFact rated his statement False.","We rate statements based on what was said on air. In that regard, official reports show that most Qataris of working age do work and hold a variety of jobs. In one way or another, the government provides nearly all these jobs but people still need to show up to get paid. A small fraction of the construction workforce is Qatari. The risks for foreign workers are real, but that is separate from Schaap\u2019s assertion."]},{"id":"5887.json","label":"true","statement":"New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation and not by a little. They are the highest property taxes in the nation, more than double the national average.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings from the Tax Foundation and other sources, indicating that New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation. The evidence supports the claim that New Jersey's property taxes are more than double the national average. Multiple metrics, including taxes paid on homes, taxes paid as a percentage of income, and taxes paid as a percentage of home value, consistently show that New Jersey's property taxes are significantly higher than the national average. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["New Jersey has \"the highest property taxes in the nation and not by a little,\" Greenwald (D-Camden) said in an April 1 interview with Michael Aron on NJTV\u2019s \"On The Record.\" \"They are the highest property taxes in the nation, more than double the national average.\"","Greenwald said in a TV interview that New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, more than double the national average. He was referring to 2009 statistics from the Tax Foundation. Statistics from 2004 through 2008 show the state leads the nation in two of three key metrics, according to the Tax Foundation. New Jersey led in all three metrics in 2009. Greenwald\u2019s overall point is clear: when it comes to property taxes, New Jersey is king. We rate this statement True.","New Jersey having high property taxes isn\u2019t new. But are they more than double the national average? Greenwald\u2019s statement is largely on the money, PolitiFact New Jersey found.","When looking at all three Tax Foundation metrics for years 2004 through 2009, New Jersey\u2019s median property taxes paid on homes was more than triple the national average; more than double the national average for taxes paid as a percentage of income; and at least one and-a-half times the national average for taxes paid as a percentage of home value."]},{"id":"2872.json","label":"true","statement":"We were one of the first states in the U.S. to build sewers, to bring the treatment plant on line.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Rhode Island was indeed one of the first states in the United States to build sewers and bring a treatment plant online. The Providence Sewage Treatment system, which began operating in 1901, was described as the largest of its kind ever built at that time. This historical context confirms that Rhode Island was an early adopter of sewer infrastructure, making the statement true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Think about it,\" Narragansett Bay Commission public affairs manager Jamie Samons said. \"We were one of the first states in the U.S. to build sewers, to bring the treatment plant on line, and now we\u2019re tackling CSOs (combined sewer overflows). How lucky are we to know that we can flush reliably.\"","Truth be told, it\u2019s been awhile since we\u2019ve thought about that topic. But with World Toilet Day as our inspiration, we decided to give it some thought. So we set out to prove or disprove the claim that Rhode Island was \"one of the first states\" to build sewers and a sewage treatment plant.","So after reviewing the claim that Rhode Island was \"one of the first states\" with sewers and a sewage treatment plan -- a phrase that leaves plenty of wiggle room -- we rate Samons' statement True.","In 1901, the Providence Sewage Treatment system began operating, and the commission document says, \"The chemical precipitation plant, the third of its kind in the United States, was described as \u2018The largest of its type ever built.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"10761.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The recently passed transportation funding bill is a billion-dollar tax increase for Georgians.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Debbie Dooley that the recently passed transportation funding bill constitutes a billion-dollar tax increase for Georgians. However, it's important to note that the characterization of the bill as a tax increase may not be entirely accurate. While the bill may involve additional funding or fees, it may not necessarily result in a direct tax increase for all Georgians. The distinction between a tax and a fee is crucial in understanding the impact on taxpayers. Therefore, while the statement captures Dooley's claim, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the bill's implications.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Atlanta Tea Party Patriots co-founder Debbie Dooley's Tweet about the recently passed transportation funding bill !Atlanta Tea Party Patriots co-founder Debbie Dooley's Tweet about the recently passed transportation funding bill","\"GA Republicans just pulled a midnight run on taxpayers and passed a billion-dollar tax increase with a rushed vote giving only 2 hours,\" Dooley posted on March 31.","The distinction between a tax and a fee brings it down a notch, but we rate Dooley\u2019s statement about a \"billion dollar tax increase\" to be Mostly True.","\u2014 The Senate on Thursday passed a fiscal 2020 transportation spending bill , which includes an amendment that would block a $1.2 billion cut to transit funding."]},{"id":"2512.json","label":"false","statement":"Ron Klein sponsored an amendment that specifically allows price gouging.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Ron Klein sponsored an amendment that specifically allows price gouging is false. The video mentioned in the evidence misrepresents the nature of Klein's amendment, which was related to homeowners insurance and property damage, not gas prices. The interpretation that changing the wording from \"prohibit\" to \"discourage\" in the amendment allows price gouging is a stretch and not supported by the facts. The video's attempt to link Klein to gas prices and accuse him of allowing price gouging is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Let's review: the We Love USA PAC had a video on its website that stated \"Klein sponsored an amendment that specifically allows price gouging.\" Klein's amendment was to change the wording from \"prohibit\" price gouging to \"discourage.\" The PAC interprets \"discourage\" to mean \"specifically allows,\" which is a stretch. Further, the video suggests to the viewer that the amendment was about gas prices -- but the bill was about homeowners insurance and property damage. We rate this claim False.","The 1-minute, 16-second video focuses on gasoline prices. Near the start, text on the screen states, \"While the prices at the pump are skyrocketing, Ron Klein speaks strong...\" The video shows an undated clip of him apparently speaking on the House floor about giving the Federal Trade Commission \"the authority to crack down on the people who price gouge.\" Then the text says \"But Klein lies! ... Ron Klein sponsored an amendment that specifically allows price gouging.\"","We wanted to know, did Klein sponsor an amendment related to gas prices that \"specifically allows price gouging\"? In South Florida, with limited public transportation options, residents rely heavily on cars -- so gas prices matter to many voters. And in a region prone to gas shortages caused by hurricanes, we're sensitive to the issue of gouging.","It continues: \"Middle-class families and their increasingly tight budgets need relief. Not more lies and broken promises. Floridians are paying twice as much at the gas pump as when Ron Klein came to office in 2006... Every time we pump gas into our car or truck, we should remember that Ron Klein allows price gouging!\" In the background, Gwen Stefani's sultry voice can be heard singing the hit single \"Don't Speak\" by No Doubt."]},{"id":"10919.json","label":"true","statement":"We reduced the government workforce by 13,000, 11 percent, during my eight years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the government workforce was reduced by 13,000 employees, which accounts for an 11 percent decrease during their eight-year term. However, it's important to note that without additional context, such as the specific time period and the reasons behind the reduction, it is difficult to fully evaluate the impact and implications of this reduction. Nonetheless, the statement itself is factually accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We reduced the government workforce by 13,000, 11 percent, during my eight years,\" he said on June 2, 2015, at Gov. Rick Scott\u2019s Economic Growth Summit at Walt Disney World. He also touted high job-creation numbers during his term.","The federal workforce in 2016 was almost 64 percent white, almost 19 percent black, almost 9 percent Latino, and almost 6 percent Asian. Men account for 57.5 percent of the federal workforce while women account for 42.5 percent. (For the nation's workforce as a whole, men account for 53.2 percent of positions and women account for 46.8 percent.)","Just 6 percent of the federal workforce is under 30, a sign that working for Uncle Sam is not attractive to millennials.","Another problem facing the federal workforce, experts say, is demographic \u2014 the inexorable aging of the Baby Boom. Almost one-third of federal workers are in their 50s, and an additional 13 percent are 60 or over."]},{"id":"4081.json","label":"false","statement":"China owns more of our bonds than do Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While it is true that China holds a significant amount of U.S. government bonds, it is not accurate to claim that China owns more bonds than Americans. The majority of U.S. government bonds are held by American investors, including individuals, institutions, and the U.S. government itself. While China is a major holder of U.S. debt, it does not surpass the combined ownership of American entities. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"China owns more of our bonds than do Americans,\" Allen said in a July 2 interview with the NBC 29 television station in Charlottesville. \"That\u2019s not a good position to be in.\"","Allen said China owns more U.S. bonds than Americans. That statement is wrong on its face, but the Allen campaign offers a qualifier -- his spokesman said Allen\u2019s statement is a reference to regular American investors.","As an added defense, Allen\u2019s campaign said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke in February testified before Congress that he thinks China owns more than $2 trillion of U.S. government bonds. That still doesn\u2019t prove Allen\u2019s point.","But Bill Riggs, an Allen campaign spokesman, told us that when the former governor said China held more bonds than Americans, he was referring to debt held by ordinary American investors."]},{"id":"8518.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Chris Christie fired 6,000 teachers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there was a reduction in the number of teachers during Chris Christie's tenure as governor, the claim that he specifically fired 6,000 teachers is misleading. The actual number of teachers who were let go is closer to 4,500, and not all of them were fired. Some teachers retired or left their positions through natural attrition, and they were not necessarily replaced. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the number of teachers who were directly fired by Chris Christie.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Now, while 4,500 is less than 6,000, it\u2019s still a lot of teachers, and Schultz could claim that he was in the ballpark. Except we know that not all those teachers were fired.","Schultz said Christie firied 6,000 teachers. There are two problems with Schultz\u2019s claim. First, the number is closer to 4,500, and even the teachers\u2019 union would not say that all the people that held those jobs were fired. Some of them retired and were not replaced. The number of teachers declined but not necessarily through being fired or laid-off.","State law says tenured teachers cannot have their pay reduced or be fired except for inefficiency, incapacity, unbecoming conduct or other just cause, and then only after a hearing.","Says Chris Christie \"vetoed equal pay for women 3 times. He only let the bill pass once it became a damaging campaign issue.\""]},{"id":"10546.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Homeopathy, acupuncture and aromatherapy have been given elevated legitimacy under the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the Affordable Care Act does include provisions that acknowledge and provide some support for certain complementary and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, it does not explicitly endorse or legitimize homeopathy or aromatherapy. The impact of these provisions is also limited, and subsequent guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services has curbed their potential influence. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the inclusion of certain therapies under the Affordable Care Act, it overstates the level of legitimacy given to homeopathy and aromatherapy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"As my National Review colleague Kevin Williamson notes, \u2018Everybody wants to know what Scott Walker and Sarah Palin think about evolution, but almost nobody is asking what Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama think about homeopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy and the like.\u2019 Even though such remedies have been given elevated legitimacy under the Affordable Care Act.\"","The law does provide a leg up for alternative therapies (although it\u2019s unclear whether homeopathy and aromatherapy would ultimately benefit). In practice, though, it\u2019s important not to oversell the impact. Most of the provisions in question are modest, and the one with potentially the biggest impact has been curbed by a subsequent guidance from HHS.","Complementary and Alternative Medicine Law Blog, \" What is the future of Complementary and Alternative Medicine under the Affordable Care Act?\" accessed Feb. 24, 2015","Kaiser Family Foundation, Potential Impact of Texas vs U.S. Decision on Key Provisions of the Affordable Care Act, March 29, 2019"]},{"id":"7992.json","label":"true","statement":"Economic Development Commission Executive Director Keith Stokes sent me a letter and he said the taxpayers will never be on the hook for these bonds for 38 Studios.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rhode Island Representative Charlene Lima that she received a letter from Keith Stokes, the former Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Commission (RIEDC), stating that taxpayers would not be responsible for the bonds sold to 38 Studios. This claim is supported by multiple sources, including Lima herself and other reports. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide any evidence to confirm or refute the accuracy of the claim made by Keith Stokes in the letter. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When I was complaining to the former director, Keith Stokes, he sent me a letter and he said the taxpayers will never be on the hook for these bonds, for this money,\" Lima said. \"How was this properly vetted by these people if they were saying the taxpayers wouldn't be on the hook? And guess what. Today they ARE on the hook.\"","To sum up, Lima said she received a letter in 2010 from then-RIEDC official Keith Stokes in which he insisted that Rhode Islanders would not be on the hook for the 38 Studios bonds.","Rhode Island Rep. Charlene Lima said Economic Development Commission head promised in writing that taxpayers would never have to pay for the bonds sold to 38 Studios","One state representative who has argued against repayment is Charlene Lima, a Democrat from Cranston. She told the House on June 26 that, before the bonds were sold in November 2010, she had been promised by the executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Commission (RIEDC) that taxpayers would not have to foot the bill if the deal with 38 Studios didn't live up to its promise."]},{"id":"156.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The Alternative Minimum Tax...was created by Congress in 1969 to affect 155 wealthy Americans. Because it was never indexed for inflation, those original 155 taxpayers has increased to affect about 3.5-million in 2006.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical context and purpose of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). It was indeed created by Congress in 1969 to address the issue of 155 wealthy taxpayers who were able to avoid paying any taxes. Over time, due to the lack of inflation indexing, the number of taxpayers affected by the AMT increased to approximately 3.5 million in 2006. This expansion was a result of the AMT not being adjusted to keep up with inflation, leading to a broader impact on a larger number of taxpayers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The Alternative Minimum created by Congress in 1969 to affect 155 wealthy Americans. Because it was never indexed for inflation, those original 155 taxpayers has increased to affect about 3.5-million in 2006.\"","In 2006, 3.5-million taxpayers fell under the AMT, which equates to about 4 percent of American taxpayers, according to the Congressional Research Service. But that was with a special limit \u2014 \"a patch\" \u2014 imposed by Congress.","On Jan. 17, 1969, Treasury Secretary Joseph W. Barr told Congress that 155 taxpayers making $200,000 or more did not pay any taxes on their 1966 income.","That shook lawmakers into creating the alternative minimum tax in the Tax Reform Act of 1969. It was created as separate income tax system to ensure people did not use loopholes to avoid paying any taxes at all."]},{"id":"6066.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says we are overcharging students . . . to help pay for the health care law.","reason":"Reason: Senator Lamar Alexander claimed that students are being overcharged by $8.7 billion to help pay for the health care law. While it is true that the savings from ending private banking subsidies for student loans did contribute to funding the health care law, only 15 percent of those savings were allocated for health care purposes. Additionally, the health care law expanded the amount of revenue available to assist students financially. Therefore, while there is a connection between student loan savings and funding the health care law, the statement oversimplifies the situation and does not provide the full context of how the savings were allocated. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the Secretary of Education under the first President Bush, took to the Senate floor in May to claim, \"We are overcharging students . . . by $8.7 billion to pay for the health care law.\"","Alexander also made the case that the government is borrowing money at 2.8 percent and lending it to students at 6.8 percent in order to fund the health care program. That\u2019s the explanation for his saying the government is \"overcharging students.\" Alexander did not say whether there was \"overcharging\" when private banks were making student loans with the help of federal government subsidies.","Do the savings from ending the private banking subsidies for student loans help pay for the health care law? Yes, but only 15 percent of those savings is going to health care, and even with that, the bill actually expanded the amount of revenue available for assisting students financially. We rule Alexander\u2019s statement Half True.","The health care law that passed in 2010 and which most Republicans say they\u2019d like to scrap has hundreds of provisions, including new sources of revenue to pay for expanded coverage."]},{"id":"5777.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ellen Rosenblum has said over and over again that this is a job where 80 percent of the job is being the governments lawyer.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Dwight Holton that Ellen Rosenblum has repeatedly stated that 80 percent of the job of being the state's attorney general is being the government's lawyer. This claim has been acknowledged and evaluated by fact-checkers, who have found it to be partially true. While Rosenblum did make the statement, she has also made other statements about the job, indicating that it involves more than just being the government's lawyer. Therefore, the statement accurately represents Holton's claim, but it should be noted that it does not provide the full context of Rosenblum's views on the role of the attorney general.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Ellen Rosenblum \"has said over and over again that this is a job where 80 percent of the job is being the government\u2019s lawyer.\"","\"She has said over and over again that this is a job where 80 percent of the job is being the government\u2019s lawyer. I just don\u2019t believe that. This is the Oregon Department of Justice and I take that word justice very seriously,\" Holton said in a radio interview with 1190 KEX.","Certainly Rosenblum has deeper experience with state courts. She was a state judge for 22 years. We gave Holton a Half True for saying that Rosenblum said 80 percent of the attorney general\u2019s job is being the state\u2019s lawyer. She said it -- and even denied saying it -- but she said other things about the job, as well.","But the candidates, Ellen Rosenblum and Dwight Holton, have traded several barbs. Holton, for example, says that Rosenblum has repeatedly claimed that the job of being the state\u2019s top prosecutor is mostly being a government attorney, and not an advocate."]},{"id":"1711.json","label":"true","statement":"If the space-shuttle program is terminated, Russia and China will be the only nations ...with the capability to launch humans into space.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison that if the space shuttle program is terminated, Russia and China will be the only nations with the capability to launch humans into space. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, including a press release from Senator Hutchison herself. It is important to note that this claim refers specifically to the capability to launch humans into space, and does not encompass other aspects of space exploration or satellite launches.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"If the space-shuttle program is terminated, Russia and China will be the only nations the capability to launch humans into space.\"","\"We must close the gap in U.S. human space flight or face the reality that we will be totally dependent on Russia for access to space until the next generation of space vehicle is developed,\" Hutchison said in a March 3 press release. \"If the space shuttle program is terminated, Russia and China will be the only nations in the world with the capability to launch humans into space.\"","Where does that leave Hutchison's claim that if the shuttle program is shuttered, Russia and China will be the only nations capable of launching humans into space?","Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison says if the space shuttle program is retired, Russia and China will be the only countries capable of launching humans into space"]},{"id":"4619.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the reforms in state Issue 2 will save taxpayer dollars","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the reforms proposed in state Issue 2 have the potential to save taxpayer dollars. While the exact savings cannot be determined without examining each individual contract, the campaign ad from Building a Better Ohio highlights the potential savings in health care and pension benefits. It is important to note that the savings would vary depending on the current cost-sharing arrangements between communities and employees. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in highlighting the potential for taxpayer savings, the actual amount of savings would depend on specific circumstances at the local level.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So, clearly, the evidence suggests that taxpayer dollars -- perhaps millions -- will be saved if the health care and pension mandates in SB 5 become law. On that count, the statement in the Building a Better Ohio ad is accurate.","A key thrust of Issue 2 proponents is that public employees need to pay their fair share of the cost of health and pension benefits.","A campaign ad from Building a Better Ohio, an organization pushing for passage of Issue 2, focuses specifically on those two figures, and touts the savings they could yield.","Without examining each and every contract, it\u2019s impossible to know exactly where the savings will occur and how large the savings will be at the local level. For communities in which the employees already meet those thresholds, there won\u2019t be a savings. For others, the savings would vary depending on how much of the cost the communities pickup now with taxpayer dollars."]},{"id":"1326.json","label":"false","statement":"Says she couldn't take stimulus money because it required \"universal building codes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were concerns raised about the stimulus money requiring the adoption of universal building codes, the Department of Energy clarified that such codes were not mandatory for accepting the funds. The opposition to the funding by Sarah Palin and the claim that it required universal building codes do not align with the assurances provided by the Department of Energy. Ultimately, Palin accepted the majority of the stimulus money available to Alaska, vetoing only a small portion. Therefore, the statement that she couldn't take the stimulus money due to the requirement of universal building codes is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The documents clearly stated that acceptance of the funds required the adoption and enforcement of energy building codes,\" she wrote. \"Universal building codes -- in Alaska! A practical, libertarian haven full of independent Americans who did not desire 'help' from government busybodies. A state full of hardy pioneers who did not like taking orders from the feds telling us to change our laws. A state so geographically diverse that one-size-fits-all codes simply wouldn't work.\"","At PolitiFact, we looked at that claim in some detail back in early June after she said the money would require \"universal energy building codes for Alaska, kind of a one-size-fits-all building code that isn't going to work up there in Alaska.\"","The wording in the stimulus bill related to the weatherization money may have left room for Palin's concerns, but the letter from the Department of Energy made clear that universal building codes were not going to be forced upon state and local governments as a condition for accepting the federal money. Palin's opposition to the funding may give her license to claim she opposed the stimulus plan -- even though it was only a small portion of Alaska's funding -- but her reasoning doesn't jibe with the assurances from the Department of Energy. We rule her claim False.","But the Republican-controlled Alaska Legislature fought her on it, and she ultimately accepted all but 3 percent of the more than $900 million available to Alaska. The 3 percent that she vetoed was $28.6 million in federal stimulus money for weatherization and other projects to make new and existing homes and buildings more energy efficient. She claimed then, as she does again in her book, that the money had not just string but \"ropes\" attached to it that would require the state to adopt universal building codes."]},{"id":"3970.json","label":"true","statement":"Almost 10 percent of Canadians came to visit Florida last year ... (Canadians) buy 7.4 percent of our homes in the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided. According to Visit Florida, approximately 9 percent of Canada's total population visited Florida in 2010. Additionally, Canadians accounted for 36 percent of foreign sales in Florida in the same year. By multiplying the proportion of Florida home sales to foreign buyers (0.22) by Canada's share of international sales among foreign buyers (0.36), we can calculate that Canadians bought approximately 7.92 percent of homes in Florida. Therefore, the statement that almost 10 percent of Canadians visited Florida and they bought 7.4 percent of homes in the state is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The number of Canadians visiting Florida each year is collected by Visit Florida, the state's official tourism marketing corporation. Visit Florida bases its data on credit card information and statistics supplied the Canadian government. The agency found that about 3.05 million Canadians visited Florida in 2010. That's about 9 percent of the country's total population of about 34 million.","And Canadians are a big part of that distinction. They out-bought all international buyers in 2010, accounting for 36 percent of Florida's foreign sales in 2010. United Kingdom residents are the next-best buyers at 15 percent.","We wanted to find the percentage of Canadians who bought homes in Florida in 2010. So we multiplied 0.22 (portion of Florida home sales to foreign buyers in 2010) by 0.36 (Canada's share of international sales among foreign buyers) to get 0.0792. That's 7.92 percent.","The Department of Homeland Security releases annual reports on the number of foreign visitors who came to the U.S. legally, but stayed beyond the time period for which their admission had been authorized. These visitors are referred to as \"visa overstayers,\" although Canadians generally don\u2019t require a visa to visit the U.S. for a few months."]},{"id":"10027.json","label":"true","statement":"More women were killed by their husbands or boyfriends since Sept. 11 than all the Americans who were killed by 9\/11 or in Afghanistan and Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Gloria Steinem that more women were killed by their husbands or boyfriends since September 11th than the total number of Americans killed in the 9\/11 attacks and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This claim is supported by evidence and data on intimate partner violence. It highlights the significant issue of domestic violence and the need for attention and action to address this problem. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Steinem said that more women were killed by their husbands or boyfriends since Sept. 11 than \"all the Americans who were killed by 9\/11 or in Afghanistan and Iraq.\"","\"When we think of violence against women, for instance, we understandably think mainly of other countries, where the degree of violence is much higher,\" Steinem is quoted as saying in an Oct. 1, 2014, Associated Press story. \"But what is also true is that if you added up all the women who have been murdered by their husbands or boyfriends since 9\/11, and then you add up all the Americans who were killed by 9\/11 or in Afghanistan and Iraq, more women were killed by their husbands or boyfriends.\"","Since Sept. 11, 2001, more women have been killed by \"intimate partners\" -- the federal jargon for current or former spouses -- than all of the victims in Sept. 11 and the American victims in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that ensued.","So the total deaths from Sept. 11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is a maximum of 9,838. It\u2019s lower when we exclude non-American victims on Sept. 11."]},{"id":"2534.json","label":"false","statement":"In most Muslim countries, We cant have a church. Were not able to build synagogues. Its forbidden.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Graham is not accurate. While it is true that there are restrictions on religious freedom in some Muslim-majority countries, it is incorrect to claim that in most Muslim countries, building churches or synagogues is forbidden. The construction of churches and synagogues is allowed in many Muslim-majority countries, although there may be certain regulations and limitations in place. It is important to avoid making sweeping generalizations that do not accurately represent the diverse practices and policies across different countries.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We think Graham erred when he said that in most Muslim countries, \"We can't have a church. We're not able to build synagogues. It's forbidden.\" That's demonstrably false. The construction of churches is not forbidden in most Muslim countries, only Saudi Arabia. And so, on balance, we rate Graham's comment False.","\"I understand what the Muslims want to do in America,\" said Graham, president of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse. \"They want to build as many mosques and cultural centers as they possibly can so they can convert as many Americans as they can to Islam. I understand that...I understand what they're doing. And I just don't have the freedom to do this in most Muslim countries. We can't have a church. We're not able to build synagogues. It's forbidden.\"","\"For someone to say we are not allowed to build a church in a Muslim country, this is absolutely not right. You can Google this,\" Bahloul said.","While the facts about whether most Muslim countries allow churches or synagogues is pretty cut-and-dried, there is another facet to this claim. Graham was speaking in the context of Muslims building mosques in order to convert people to Islam in the United States. And so we think it's fair to also look at whether it's possible to build a church or synagogue in most Muslim countries with the aim of converting people. And on that point, Graham is on firmer ground."]},{"id":"10519.json","label":"false","statement":"Says award-winning Milwaukee Public Schools teacher Megan Sampson was laid off because Gov. Scott Walker cut state aid to education.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Megan Sampson, the Milwaukee Public Schools teacher, was laid off in June 2010, which was before Governor Scott Walker took office. The layoffs were a result of a budget shortfall within the city's school system, not due to any actions taken by Governor Walker. It is important to accurately attribute the reasons for the teacher's layoff and not misrepresent the actions of Governor Walker.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"An earlier version of this column incorrectly stated that teacher layoffs in Milwaukee in 2010 happened because Gov. Scott Walker \"cut state aid to education.\" The layoffs were made by the city\u2019s school system because of a budget shortfall, before Mr. Walker took office in 2011,\" the correction said.","Gov. Scott Walker brought the story of Megan Sampson, the first-year teacher who in 2010 lost her job in the Milwaukee Public Schools, back into the news.","Collins said Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s policies were to blame for Milwaukee Public Schools teacher Megan Sampson being laid off. But Sampson lost her job in June 2010, six months before Walker took office.","For years, Gov. Scott Walker has made high school English teacher Megan Sampson the face of Act 10 -- his signature bill that curtailed collective bargaining for most public employee unions."]},{"id":"2027.json","label":"half-true","statement":"At his fathers bank, Alexi made tens of millions in risky loans to convicted mobsters. Then, the bank collapsed.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that Alexi made tens of millions in risky loans to convicted mobsters at his father's bank, which eventually collapsed. This claim has been previously fact-checked by PolitiFact, and they rated a similar claim as \"Half True.\" While there may be some truth to the assertion that risky loans were made at the bank, the direct involvement and responsibility of Alexi in making these loans to convicted mobsters is not fully substantiated. Therefore, the statement should be approached with caution and may not provide a complete and accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["One last point. The ad says \"At his father's bank, Alexi made tens of millions in risky loans to convicted mobsters. Then, the bank collapsed.\"","\u2022 From a Kirk campaign ad, we looked into the claim that \"At his father's bank, Alexi made tens of millions in risky loans to convicted mobsters. Then, the bank collapsed.\"","In a Kirk campaign TV ad called \"Risky,\"(!) the announcer says, \"At his father's bank, Alexi made tens of millions in risky loans to convicted mobsters. Then, the bank collapsed.\"","Again, these accusations are nothing new. In June, PolitiFact looked into a Kirk ad that claimed, \"At his father's bank, Alexi made tens of millions in risky loans to convicted mobsters. Then, the bank collapsed.\" We rated that claim Half True. The loans-to-mobsters claim is slightly different this time around, but we think you'll get the gist of things if you read that previous PolitiFact item."]},{"id":"7604.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Paul Ryans budget keeps the Obamacare taxes and spending cuts that paid for Obamacare, but then cuts all of the benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the criticism made by some, including Governor Rick Scott and Rep. Paul Broun, regarding Paul Ryan's budget. They argue that Ryan's budget retains the taxes and spending cuts implemented by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) but eliminates the benefits associated with it. However, it's important to note that this statement represents a specific viewpoint and may not capture the full context or nuances of Ryan's budget proposal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Paul Ryan\u2019s budget \"keeps the Obamacare taxes and spending cuts that paid for Obamacare, but then cuts all of the benefits.\"","Scott said the House budget \"keeps the Obamacare taxes and spending cuts that paid for Obamacare, but then cuts all of the benefits.\"","In a March 25 radio interview, Scott directed much of his criticism at the author of the plan, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. \"He keeps all of the Obamacare taxes and spending cuts that paid for Obamacare, but then cuts all of the benefits,\" Scott said.","Ryan has had some criticism from the right -- including the Heritage Foundation and Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga. -- for keeping the $1 trillion that equates to Obamacare taxes in his budget."]},{"id":"10361.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Agriculture contributes $71 billion to Georgias economy annually, making it the states largest industry.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Georgia Farm Bureau that agriculture contributes $71 billion annually to Georgia's economy. It also correctly states that agriculture is the largest industry in the state. However, it's important to note that the economic impact of agriculture cannot be solely measured by the dollar amount it contributes. While it is a significant industry, the statement should be understood in the context that it represents the economic activity associated with agriculture rather than implying that the economy would suffer a proportional loss if the industry declined.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!The Georgia Farm Bureau claims agriculture contributes $71 billion into the state economy every year !The Georgia Farm Bureau claims agriculture contributes $71 billion into the state economy every year","A bullet point underneath is a bit more nuanced. \"Agriculture contributes more than $71.1 billion annually to Georgia's economy,\" it reads.","Agriculture is the largest single component in the state economy. But it requires another type of study to know its actual economic impact.","\"It describes how much activity is linked to an industry,\" he said. \"But it does not mean that if the agriculture industry declined by half, the economy would suffer a $35 or $36 billion loss.\""]},{"id":"2687.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Lloyd Doggett voted for the health care, stimulus and cap-and-trade bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voting record of Lloyd Doggett. He did vote in favor of the health care, stimulus, and cap-and-trade bills, as mentioned in the evidence provided. The ad highlights the contrasting positions between Doggett and Dr. Campbell on these issues, indicating that Doggett supported these bills while Dr. Campbell opposes them.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an ad posted online Oct. 19, the narrator compares Doggett and Campbell, an \"emergency room doctor.\" \"They disagree on ObamaCare: Doggett voted yes, Dr. Campbell says repeal. Stimulus spending: Doggett voted yes, Dr. Campbell says it's a waste of money. Cap and trade: Doggett voted yes, Campbell says job killer.\"","PolitiFact Texas, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett says he voted against the bank bailout,( \"U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett says he voted against the bank bailout,\") Oct. 7, 2010","We're not weighing in on whether the stimulus was a waste of money, or if cap and trade is a job killer. But since earlier this month we rated True Doggett's statement that he voted against \"big bank bailouts,\" we were curious whether Campbell accurately recapped his votes on other high-dollar issues.","We asked Campbell's campaign why it showed an image of foreclosure sign while describing Doggett's vote for the stimulus legislation. Mike Asmus, Campbell's campaign manager, told us \"the stimulus spending Lloyd Doggett has voted for has prolonged the narrative of economic malaise, running from joblessness to foreclosure and beyond.\""]},{"id":"13079.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether Barack Obama was born in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Barack Obama was not born in the United States is false. Multiple credible sources, including the state Health Department and independent newspapers, have verified Obama's birth in Hawaii. Furthermore, Donald Trump himself acknowledged in a speech that Obama was born in the United States. The claim that there are sufficient votes in the House to impeach Obama over his birthplace is unsubstantiated and lacks credibility. The overwhelming evidence confirms that Barack Obama was indeed born in the United States.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy,\" Trump said. \"I finished it. I finished it. You know what I mean. President Barack Obama was born in the United States. Period. Now we all want to get back to making America strong and great again.\"","\"Take a second and think about that,\" PolitiFact reported in 2009. \"In order to phony those notices up, it would have required the complicity of the state Health Department and two independent newspapers \u2014 on the off chance this unnamed child might want to one day be president of the United States.\"","Donald Trump, who led a years-long movement to prove President Barack Obama was born in Kenya and thus ineligible to be president, abandoned that position in a speech in Washington Sept. 16, 2016.","A Texas U.S. House member, Republican Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi, reportedly said over the weekend there are sufficient votes in the House to approve articles of impeachment against Barack Obama over where the Democratic president was born."]},{"id":"10428.json","label":"true","statement":"The merger of Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College will make GSU one of the largest universities in the nation, with more than 54,000 students.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the merger of Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College will indeed make GSU one of the largest universities in the nation, with an enrollment of more than 54,000 students. The email from the school's alumni association and the statement from Richard Vedder, director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, both confirm this. Additionally, the comparison to other universities with similar or larger student enrollments further supports the claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Our conclusion: The merger of Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College will make the state\u2019s largest university, as plans exist now. It also would make the combined university one of the largest in the nation.","But in a mass email to former students, the school\u2019s alumni association suggested the merger will put GSU in an even more exclusive class. With a student enrollment of more than 54,000, the consolidated university also will be one of the largest in the nation, the email said.","Richard Vedder, director of the not-for-profit Center for College Affordability and Productivity in Washington D.C., said he was confident that Georgia State will qualify as one of the nation\u2019s largest universities, once the merger is complete.","The website identified the largest 300 colleges and universities in the U.S, -- and only 17 of them had 50,000-plus students. Several of the highest-ranking schools were largely on-line, although Ohio State University and the University of Central Florida were high on the list with 56,387 students and 59,601 students, respectively."]},{"id":"6666.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama gives students the right to repay (federal) loans as a clear, fixed, low percentage of their income for up to 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the policy implemented by President Barack Obama. The law signed in March 2010 allows students to repay federal loans as a clear, fixed, low percentage of their income for up to 20 years. However, it's important to note that the repayment plan is slightly more complex than the statement suggests. While the percentage is generally 10% of income, borrowers are allowed to deduct 150% of the federal poverty threshold from their incomes before calculating the payment. This additional detail provides a more comprehensive understanding of the repayment plan. Overall, the statement is mostly true but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"And even more important,\" he told them, \"it gives students the right to repay those loans as a clear, fixed, low percentage of their income for up to 20 years.\"","We\u2019re not checking those implications, but rather his characterization of the policy itself: Did Obama give students \"the right to repay those loans as a clear, fixed, low percentage of their income for up to 20 years\"?","Clinton said the president gave students \"the right to repay (federal) loans as a clear, fixed, low percentage of their income for up to 20 years.\" That\u2019s a reasonable characterization of a law the president signed in March 2010 that goes into effect by early next year for newer borrowers. But Clinton\u2019s use of the word \"clear\" does oversimplify a somewhat more complicated reality that students will face an annually adjusted payment requiring paperwork on income and family size. We rate his claim Mostly True.","Now, while \"10 percent\" may seem to fit the bill for a clear, fixed, low portion of income, the repayment plan is actually a little more complicated than that \u2014 mostly in borrowers\u2019 favor. That\u2019s because the plan lets borrowers deduct 150 percent of the federal poverty threshold from their incomes before calculating the 10 percent payment."]},{"id":"10408.json","label":"true","statement":"America is No. 1one in oil and gas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and is accurate. The United States has been the world's largest oil producer since 2012 and has also been the largest natural gas producer for years. This information is backed by global oil and natural gas production statistics. Therefore, the statement that America is number one in oil and gas is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We believed we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet,\" he said during his Jan. 20 address. \"And today, America is number one in oil and gas. America is number one in wind power. Every three weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008.\"","Klobuchar responded by saying the project \"has merit\" but that the decision to build the pipeline should rest with President Barack Obama, not Congress. She said the debate has become a \"symbolic\" one that ignores America\u2019s healthy energy market.","A note: Natural gas liquids -- included in the oil production count -- are different from natural gas. Natural gas liquids are derivatives of petroleum (like kerosene) that are found in the same rocks as a natural gas deposit. Natural gas is methane that comes from the ground as a gas. It\u2019s the gas that comes out of a gas stove and heats buildings.","The latest global oil and natural gas production statistics back up Obama\u2019s claim. The United States has been the world\u2019s largest oil producer since 2012, and the largest natural gas producer for years. We rate his statement True."]},{"id":"11152.json","label":"false","statement":"Almost 95 percent of all (Planned Parenthood) pregnancy services were abortions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that a political action committee opposing abortion claimed that 94 percent of Planned Parenthood's \"pregnancy services\" were abortions, this statistic is misleading and cherry-picked. The majority of Planned Parenthood's work involves providing a wide range of reproductive health services, including contraception, STI testing, cancer screenings, and prenatal care. Planned Parenthood does not keep records on the number of pregnant women it refers to outside healthcare providers. Therefore, the claim that almost 95 percent of all Planned Parenthood pregnancy services were abortions is inaccurate and lacks proper context.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Almost 95 percent of all their pregnancy services were abortions,\" Smith said as she guest-hosted Mornings with Maria on July 28, 2015.","In a recent interview with GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, Fox Business reporter Smith said \"almost 95 percent of all their pregnancy services were abortions.\"","If referrals were included, the 95 percent figure would likely change, though we can't say by how much \u2014 and neither can Smith nor the Susan B. Anthony List.","That rates False. The cherry-picked statistic traces back to a political action committee that opposes abortion. By the group\u2019s measure, which considered only Planned Parenthood\u2019s reported abortions, prenatal care services and adoption referrals, abortions made up 94 percent of Planned Parenthood\u2019s \"pregnancy services.\" But the majority of Planned Parenthood\u2019s work does not focus on prenatal care, and the group does not keep records on how many pregnant women it refers to outside health care providers."]},{"id":"3085.json","label":"false","statement":"There was no panhandling when I left office.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual claiming that there was no panhandling when they left office is contradicted by multiple sources and evidence. While it is acknowledged that the extent of panhandling may have increased over time, there were still instances of panhandling in Tampa prior to their departure from office. Therefore, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This leads to an obvious question: Really? Was there NO panhandling in Tampa when Buckhorn left office after two terms in 2003?","He continued: \"There was no panhandling when I left office. Now we've seen it explode. We've seen an unwillingness on the part of some of the elected officials in our community to do anything about it.\"","\"When Mr. Buckhorn left office, we didn't have one of the highest unemployment rates in recent memory,\" said coalition spokeswoman Lesa Weikel. \"Yes, there probably was some panhandling going on, but obviously not to the extent that it is now.\"","So Buckhorn clarified his radio interview comment when PolitiFact Florida asked him about it. But that doesn't change his original claim: \"There was no panhandling when I left office.\" Several sources say that's just not true. There were plenty of people asking for spare change on Tampa's streets in 2003, though anecdotal evidence shows panhandling is up in Tampa now because of the bad economy and the ban in St. Petersburg. We rate Buckhorn's statement as False."]},{"id":"261.json","label":"true","statement":"\"There are 7,000 kids in New Hampshire who have health care because I helped to create the Children's Health Insurance Program.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hillary Clinton is accurate. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was indeed created in 1997, and it provides federal funding to states to promote health coverage for children. Clinton's claim that there are 7,000 kids in New Hampshire who have health care because she helped create CHIP is supported by evidence. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There are 7,000 kids in New Hampshire who have health care because I helped to create the Children's Health Insurance Program,\" Clinton said.","In a sharp exchange with John Edwards during a Jan. 5, 2008, debate in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton made the case that she has a well-established record of fighting for change. She pointed to her role in starting the State Children's Health Insurance Program, called SCHIP. The program, created in 1997, promotes health coverage for children by providing federal funding to states. The states then put up their own money and set rules to provide care for uninsured children.","Says the word \"Dhimmitude\" is on page 107 of the health care law and means \"Muslims are specifically exempted from the government mandate to purchase insurance.\"","In a previous campaign ad, Clinton claimed credit for SCHIP without any qualifiers, and we found that contention Half True, given the other people who had a hand in passing the legislation. (See that ruling here .) But in this case, she accurately said she helped to create SCHIP (as in she wasn't the only one), and she got the number right on how many children are enrolled in New Hampshire. For these reasons, we rate Clinton's statement True."]},{"id":"1083.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A new Rasmussen poll shows people \"oppose (Sotomayor's) confirmation. Only 37 percent support it.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Rasmussen poll cited by Senator Kyl indicates that only 37 percent of respondents support Judge Sotomayor's confirmation, it is important to note that this poll does not provide a comprehensive view of public opinion. The statement fails to acknowledge that other polls, such as the Gallup poll conducted around the same time, found that a majority of respondents (53 percent) actually favored Sotomayor's nomination. Therefore, relying solely on the Rasmussen poll could present a skewed perception of public opinion. It is crucial to consider multiple sources of data to gain a more accurate understanding of the overall sentiment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It's interesting that I just reviewed the Rasmussen poll, most recent poll about American public opinion about Judge Sotomayor. They oppose her confirmation. Only 37 percent support it,\" the Arizona Republican said during an appearance on This Week with George Stephanopolous.","Kyl specifically cited the Rasmussen poll, though, and he got the number who favored confirmation right. But his comment leaves the impression that a solid majority opposes Sotomayor's nomination. Sotomayor fans could use the same data to say that \"only\" 39 percent oppose her nomination. In fact, the polling data reads more like a tie, with a significant percentage of people not having a firm opinion. We rate Kyl's statement Half True.","And a Gallup poll, conducted after the Rasmussen poll but released the day after Kyl made his remarks, found that 53 percent favored Sotomayor's nomination, with 33 percent opposed and 13 percent having no opinion.","As a side note, the same poll showed that most respondents expected Sotomayor to be confirmed, with 58 percent saying it was \"very likely\" and another 26 percent saying it was \"somewhat likely.\""]},{"id":"4025.json","label":"true","statement":"Says states that passed anti-illegal-immigrant legislation also had few Hispanic legislators.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, states that have passed immigration enforcement measures, such as Arizona, Tennessee, and South Carolina, have a lower number of Hispanic legislators compared to Texas. The evidence confirms that Texas has 37 Hispanic legislators, comprising 20 percent of the state's total legislators, while some states with similar legislation have little to no Hispanic representation in their legislatures. This suggests a correlation between the presence of anti-illegal-immigrant legislation and the number of Hispanic legislators in those states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["According to a video pointed out by the Texas Democratic Party, Rebecca Forest, co-founder and past president of the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas, said June 11: \"If you really want to know why in Texas we don\u2019t get immigration legislation passed, it\u2019s because we have 37--36--Hispanic legislators in the Texas Legislature. All of the states that have passed legislation have a handful. And I mean literally, some of them have no Hispanic legislators, maybe 3 or 5. So that's part of our problem and we need to change those numbers. We need to do something about that.\"","In 2010, Arizona\u2019s legislature drew national attention with its new law requiring officers to attempt to determine the immigration status of any person involved in a lawful stop, detention or arrest when they reasonably suspect the person is an illegal immigrant. According to the NCSL\u2019s breakdown of 2010 state immigration measures, Tennessee and South Carolina also passed measures intended to encourage officers to check residents\u2019 immigration standing.","To check Forest\u2019s claim, we looked for states that have lately passed immigration enforcement measures and determined how many Latino legislators serve in the states. As Forest said, the Texas House and Senate include 37 Hispanic members, comprising 20 percent of the state\u2019s 181 legislators, according to a state-by-state count by the Denver-based National Conference of State Legislatures.","National Conference of State Legislatures, web pages, \"2011 Immigration-Related Laws, Bills and Resolutions in the States: Jan. 1\u2013March 31, 2011\", \"Enacted Immigrant Related Laws and Resolutions: January-June 2010\" and \"2011 State Legislators\" (accessed June 24 and June 29, 2011)"]},{"id":"7614.json","label":"false","statement":"Expanding Medicaid will worsen health care options for the most vulnerable among us in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Ted Cruz that expanding Medicaid will worsen healthcare options for the most vulnerable in Texas has been fact-checked and rated as false. Multiple studies have indicated that expanding Medicaid can actually improve healthcare access for low-income individuals and provide them with better options. While Senator Cruz's office maintains their stance based on concerns about people being crowded out of private insurance, the evidence does not support the claim that expanding Medicaid would worsen healthcare options for the most vulnerable in Texas.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Our friends who are saying they want health care do not realize that expanding Medicaid will worsen health care options for the most vulnerable among us in Texas,\" Cruz said at an event with Perry and others in the state capitol in Austin.","We recently checked a claim by Sen. Ted Cruz on expanding Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor. \"Our friends who are saying they want health care do not realize that expanding Medicaid will worsen health care options for the most vulnerable among us in Texas,\" Cruz said. We rated it False.","So where does this leave Cruz\u2019s claim that \"expanding Medicaid will worsen health care options for the most vulnerable\"? After we explained what our research uncovered, Cruz\u2019s office said he stands by his comments, saying that \"study after study indicates that people will be crowded out of private insurance and into Medicaid,\" where they will have a harder time finding a doctor who will take them.","Because Cruz\u2019s statement is far more sweeping than the evidence supporting it, we don\u2019t see a reason to change our initial rating. Cruz\u2019s statement that \"expanding Medicaid will worsen health care options\" remains False."]},{"id":"3923.json","label":"false","statement":"We have unemployment that rivals the Great Depression.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Priebus that \"we have unemployment that rivals the Great Depression\" is not accurate. While it is true that the United States experienced a significant economic downturn during the Great Recession, the unemployment rate did not reach the same levels as during the Great Depression. During the Great Depression, the unemployment rate peaked at around 25%, whereas during the Great Recession, it peaked at approximately 10%. While the Great Recession had a significant impact on employment, it is not accurate to claim that the level of unemployment was comparable to that of the Great Depression.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Meanwhile, we also looked at Priebus\u2019 claim that \"almost 45 percent of (the unemployed) have been out of work for six months,\" a number that \"rivals the Great Depression\"?","During a joint interview with his Democratic counterpart, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, Priebus said that we \"have unemployment that rivals the Great Depression.\" Later, he added, \"we have lost as--two and a half million jobs since Barack Obama's been president. And of that two and a half million jobs, almost 45 percent of those people have been out of work for six months. That number, that number rivals the Great Depression.\"","Recently, a number of Republicans have invoked the Great Depression when criticizing the economic record of the Obama Administration. PolitiFact national has checked two of them.","Sicilia sees some similarities between how the unemployment numbers have trended during the Great Depression and since 2009. He said the nation is more conservative now than it was during the Depression, so there is greater resistance to government spending increases to spur the economy and lower the unemployment rate."]},{"id":"597.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Sen. McCain would occupy Iraq indefinitely, against their wishes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Sen. McCain would occupy Iraq indefinitely, against their wishes\" is not supported by solid evidence. While there may have been differing opinions on the duration of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that McCain would have advocated for an indefinite occupation against the wishes of the Iraqi government. The available evidence does not support this claim, and it has been deemed false by fact-checkers.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom. And freedom means that when the Iraqi people and their prime minister ask us to make a plan to leave, we do. But Sen. McCain would occupy Iraq indefinitely, against their wishes.\"","It's noteworthy that McCain won't answer the question these days. We understand VoteVets' concern. But the group doesn't have enough ammunition for its claim that McCain \"would occupy Iraq indefinitely, against their wishes.\" The only solid evidence \u2014 stale as it may be, having come in 2004 \u2014 indicates otherwise. So we find the claim to be False.","That leaves us with the question of whether McCain really would leave forces in Iraq against the wishes of the Iraqi government.","A new television advertisement by a veterans group has harsh words for Sen. John McCain, saying he doesn't believe in freedom when it comes to Iraqis."]},{"id":"6769.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says scientists predict sometime in the future, an event that will kill somewhere between 80 and 90 million people.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John Sharp, the chancellor of the A&M System, made a statement suggesting that scientists predict an event in the future that could result in the death of 80 to 90 million people, it is important to note that there is not uniform agreement among scientists regarding this specific prediction. While there is consensus among scientists that future pandemics or catastrophic events could occur, the exact number of deaths would depend on various factors and cannot be accurately predicted with certainty. Therefore, the statement should be viewed with caution and not taken as an established scientific consensus.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sharp said scientists predict \"sometime in the future, an event that will kill \u2026 somewhere between 80 and 90 million people.\"","John Sharp, chancellor of the A&M System, said: \"There is going to be, sometime in the future, an event that will kill, according to scientists and with today\u2019s population, somewhere between 80 and 90 million people on this earth.\"","In a speech in Austin that day, system Chancellor John Sharp said the A&M center will be able to quickly make vaccines to respond to a looming threat: \"There is going to be, sometime in the future, an event that will kill, according to scientists and with today\u2019s population, somewhere between 80 and 90 million people on this earth.\"","Interviews and research articles persuaded us that scientists agree another pandemic is coming, though they say the number of deaths will depend on many variables -- early detection, coordinated response and luck, to name a few. That is, we did not find uniform agreement among scientists that 80 million to 90 million people would die."]},{"id":"11372.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 2008, U.S. crude oil output has increased by over 80 percent, an increase of over 4 million barrels a day. That is the fastest increase in U.S. history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Since 2008, U.S. crude oil output has indeed increased by over 80 percent, resulting in an increase of over 4 million barrels a day. This growth in oil production is the fastest increase in U.S. history. Factors such as high oil prices and advancements in extraction methods have contributed to this significant rise in crude oil output.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 2008, U.S. crude oil output has increased by over 80 percent, an increase of over 4 million barrels a day. That is the fastest increase in U.S. history,\" his plan read.","Bush said, \"Since 2008, U.S. crude oil output has increased by over 80 percent, an increase of over 4 million barrels a day. That is the fastest increase in U.S. history.\"","Has oil production really seen the fastest increase in the nation\u2019s history, topping 80 percent or higher since 2008? It sure has, reversing a decline that began back in 1986.","That\u2019s accurate, as high prices and new extraction methods have led to a significant increase in the amount of crude oil the country produces. Depending on how you calculate it, production has gone up 83 percent through July, or 88 percent if you use the current 2015 average. Production is currently dipping downward, but it\u2019s easily the fastest increase in a seven-year span in U.S. history."]},{"id":"11086.json","label":"true","statement":"The actual deportations from the interior of the country are way down under President Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows a significant decrease in interior deportations during President Obama's tenure. The data indicates that interior deportations have fallen between 40 and 60 percent during Obama's term compared to previous years. While the exact figures may vary depending on the definition of \"removals,\" it is clear that there has been a notable decline in deportations from the interior of the country under President Obama's administration.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The actual deportations from the interior of the country are way down (under Obama),\" Goodlatte, R-6th, said in an interviewon ABC News.","Are deportations from the interior \"way down\" under Obama? We asked Goodlatte, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, for the source of his statement.","In 2014, ICE saidit conducted 102,224 removals. It\u2019s not immediately clear from ICE\u2019s latest report whether that 2014 figure includes only formal removals mandated by an order, or whether it includes removals and returns. But either way you look at the figures, interior deportations have fallen between 40 and 60 percent during Obama\u2019s term.","Alex Nowrasteh, an immigration analyst at the libertarian Cato Institute, wrote in a January blog post, that while interior removals have fallen in recent years under Obama, they remain high compared to former President George W. Bush. Looking at the last six years of the former president\u2019s tenure, Nowrasteh said there were an average of 79,000 removed from the interior annually under Bush, compared with an average of 158,000 during the first six years of Obama\u2019s term."]},{"id":"3721.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says businesses already pay most of the taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that businesses already pay most of the taxes. However, it's important to note that the context of this claim is specific to the state of Texas and may not necessarily apply universally. The evidence provided suggests that businesses in Texas do pay a significant portion of taxes, but it also mentions other taxes, such as city and county property taxes, that businesses pay separately. Therefore, while the statement is true in the context of Texas, it may not hold true for every jurisdiction or region.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Hammond said, \"The point is that businesses in Texas do pay, by any measure, more taxes than individuals and homeowners pay in Texas. ... We obviously believe that the Ernst & Young study is more correct for the last few years.\"","But there are other taxes Texas businesses pay, including city and county property taxes that, like school property taxes, don\u2019t flow into state coffers.","Says he \"did the very best\" in a recent poll in Iowa matching up each of the major Republican presidential candidates against President Barack Obama.","Says that Mitt Romney, while he was in Arizona, said he believes the state\u2019s SB 1070 immigration law should be the model for national immigration laws."]},{"id":"2862.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since the Fed was created in 1913, the U.S. Dollar has lost 98% of its purchasing power.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by various sources that since the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913, the U.S. Dollar has lost approximately 98% of its purchasing power. This claim is often used to argue for the need to audit the Federal Reserve and criticize its monetary policies. However, it's important to note that the decline in purchasing power of the U.S. Dollar is influenced by various factors, including inflation, economic conditions, and global market dynamics. While the claim is generally accurate, it should be understood in the broader context of economic factors rather than solely attributing it to the actions of the Federal Reserve.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Fed, which was created and initially funded with taxpayer gold and monies by an Act of Congress, is opaque and operates in secrecy. It has done so since its inception in 1913,\" the letter reads. \"Since that time, the U.S. Dollar has lost 98% of its purchasing power. We believe that this alone is compelling reason enough to tear down the veil and audit the Fed. Chairman Bernanke's recent actions make the need for this audit all the more urgent.\"","PolitiFact Virginia fact-checked that Federal Reserve statement in November after the Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation included it in a letter to the state's congressional delegation calling for an audit of the Federal Reserve System. The letter states: \"The Fed, which was created and initially funded with taxpayer gold and monies by an Act of Congress, is opaque and operates in secrecy. It has done so since its inception in 1913. Since that time, the U.S. Dollar has lost 98% of its purchasing power.\"","\"The question is would he take $10,000 and put it in a box and keep it for 20 years, or would he take a couple of gold coins and put them in a box for 20 years,\" Paul said. \"Believe me \u2014 99 percent of the American people, they'll take the gold. They will not bet on the value of the dollar. The Federal Reserve has destroyed 98 percent of the value of the purchasing power of the dollar since 1913.\"","\"The current market gold price is nothing more than the equivalent of any other speculative commodity. Not unlike, say, silver, diamonds, platinum -- or for that matter, hog futures,\" Pfitzner said. \"So one could argue that the dollar has lost 98 percent of its power to purchase gold. So what? Irrelevant. And the Fed is not to blame. It does not control the price of gold.\""]},{"id":"5341.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Milwaukee blacks have 55 percent male unemployment, 60 percent truancy, a 50 percent graduation rate, the worst reading scores and lead in infant mortality.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains a mixture of accurate and inaccurate information. While it is true that black Milwaukee Public Schools students have a 60 percent truancy rate and Milwaukee has a higher black infant mortality rate compared to other U.S. cities, the statement misrepresents other statistics. The unemployment rate among black males in Milwaukee was 29.5 percent in 2010, not 55 percent. The graduation rate among black MPS students is nearly 60 percent, not 50 percent. Additionally, while Milwaukee does have lower reading scores compared to other cities, it is incorrect to claim that they have the worst reading scores in the nation. Therefore, the statement contains both accurate and inaccurate information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Fifty-five percent black male unemployment. Truancy rate of sixty percent -- sixty percent of students in the Milwaukee Public Schools system do not attend school regularly. They only graduate fifty percent of the students that do, and when they come out of there the diploma is not worth the paper that it's written on, and they probably can't even read it. We have the worst fourth- and eighth-grade reading scores in the nation. We lead in infant mortality rate and I could go on and on and on.\"","So is the Milwaukee area really as bleak as the sheriff paints it? We\u2019ll look at each of the five parts of Clarke\u2019s claim: Unemployment, truancy, graduation rate, reading scores and infant mortality.","Clarke was correct in two parts of his claim: Black Milwaukee Public Schools students have a 60 percent truancy rate and Milwaukee has one of the higher black infant mortality rates among U.S. cities.","Clarke was wrong in two parts. He overstated unemployment among black males in metro Milwaukee, which was 29.5 percent in 2010, and he understated the graduation rate among black MPS students; it is nearly 60 percent."]},{"id":"7192.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Texas economy is about 30 percent larger than Australias.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may have been a claim made by Larry Kilgore that the Texas economy is 30 percent larger than Australia's, multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim. The comparison was based on outdated and mismatched figures, and current data shows that Australia's GDP is actually about 12 percent larger than Texas'. Therefore, the statement that the Texas economy is about 30 percent larger than Australia's is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Kilgore said Texas\u2019 economy is 30 percent larger than Australia\u2019s, but that was based on mismatched, outdated figures. We rate his statement as False.","We decided to check that claim and a related one from Texas pro-secession candidate Larry Kilgore, who said the Texas economy is 30 percent larger than Australia\u2019s. That's False.","A New York Times story about the petition quoted pro-secession candidate Larry Kilgore of Arlington as saying Texas\u2019 economy was about 30 percent larger than Australia\u2019s. His statement, though, was based on outdated and mismatched numbers. An up-to-date comparison shows Australia\u2019s GDP is about 12 percent bigger than Texas\u2019, making Kilgore\u2019s statement False.","So although the numbers are both presented as current data on the website, and they show Texas\u2019 GDP to be 45 percent larger than Australia\u2019s, they appear to represent the Texas economy in 2006 and the Australian economy in 1998."]},{"id":"4319.json","label":"true","statement":"Hair stylists are required to undergo more government scrutiny than foreclosure consultants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Currently, there are no existing state regulations governing foreclosure consultants, while hair stylists are required to obtain licenses and adhere to various regulations. The bill proposed by Schaer aims to introduce regulations for foreclosure consultants, highlighting the disparity in government scrutiny between the two professions. However, it's worth noting that some activities performed by foreclosure consultants may fall under the state's Debt Adjuster Act, which requires licensing for debt adjusters who act as intermediaries between debtors and creditors. Nonetheless, the overall comparison between hair stylists and foreclosure consultants in terms of government scrutiny holds true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"New Jersey continues to be the \u2018Wild West\u2019 of foreclosure consulting,\" Schaer, one of the bill\u2019s sponsors, said in the press release. \"Hair stylists are required to undergo more government scrutiny than foreclosure consultants.\"","Schaer claimed hair stylists must \"undergo more government scrutiny than foreclosure consultants.\" He\u2019s right, because there are no existing state regulations governing foreclosure consultants. That term and the regulations would come from Schaer\u2019s bill.","PolitiFact New Jersey discovered that Schaer\u2019s claim was accurate. Hair stylists must receive a license and follow other regulations, while Schaer\u2019s bill would actually outline the first regulations for so-called \"foreclosure consultants.\"","But most of the foreclosure consultants\u2019 activities listed in the bill are covered by the state\u2019s Debt Adjuster Act, which requires \"debt adjusters\" to be licensed to act as intermediaries between a debtor and his creditors. In essence, debt adjusters can perform a type of foreclosure consulting, but they must be licensed -- just like hair stylists."]},{"id":"5595.json","label":"false","statement":"Ninety percent of the people who work in this country work for companies under 100 people, maybe even less than that.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Congressman Pascrell that \"Ninety percent of the people who work in this country work for companies under 100 people, maybe even less than that\" is not accurate. While small businesses do play a significant role in the U.S. economy, employing a substantial number of workers, the actual percentage of people working for companies with fewer than 100 employees is lower than 90%. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), around 47.5% of private-sector employees work for small businesses. Therefore, the statement overestimates the proportion of workers employed by small companies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a Feb. 23 debate with Congressman Steve Rothman, Pascrell claimed: \"Ninety percent of the people who work in this country work for companies under 100 people, maybe even less than that.\"","\"And what I am saying to you is that I have an obligation and a responsibility as a congressman to find ways to help small business,\" Pascrell told the crowd. \"Ninety percent of the people who work in this country work for companies under 100 people, maybe even less than that.\"","Small businesses are such an integral part of the U.S. economy that, at least according to one congressman, nearly all American workers have jobs at companies with fewer than 100 employees.","It\u2019s important to note that the SBA based its 16 percent number on total employment of about 116 million people. If you use the entire labor force, both employed and unemployed, the number drops to 11.8 percent."]},{"id":"57.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Thirty-four percent of Hispanics don't have any health care at all, don't have any health insurance.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Dennis Kucinich during a debate, stating that 34 percent of Hispanics lack health insurance coverage. This claim is supported by a report published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, which cites estimates from the Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. It's important to note that the statement refers specifically to health insurance coverage and not the complete absence of healthcare for Hispanics. \nLabel: true","evidence":["At the Sept. 9, 2007 Univision debate in Miami, Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich said Hispanics lag behind other Americans in health insurance coverage. He said, \"34 percent of Hispanics don't have any health care at all, don't have any health insurance.\"","We interpret his statement as a reference to health insurance coverage -- not a claim that Hispanics are denied all health care -- and find it to be accurate.","The January 2007 report Key Facts: Race, Ethnicity & Medical Care, published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, notes that 34 percent of Hispanics are without health insurance coverage. The report cites 2005 estimates by the Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.","\"Democrats are kind of falling over each other seeing who can raise taxes faster. It looks like they're going to raise taxes anywhere between 20 to 30 percent.\""]},{"id":"7404.json","label":"true","statement":"Says wrestling was a favorite sport of Abraham Lincoln.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that wrestling was indeed a favorite sport of Abraham Lincoln. There is documentation and historical accounts that highlight Lincoln's wrestling prowess, including his celebrated skills and recognition in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Additionally, the statement is further supported by a TV ad that depicts Lincoln's wrestling abilities. Therefore, the claim that wrestling was a favorite sport of Abraham Lincoln is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rumsfeld said wrestling was a favorite sport of Lincoln's. We found lots of documentation of his wrestling prowess, and it's a reasonable inference to assume he enjoyed it. We rate the claim True.","His wrestling skills were celebrated in a TV ad for Diet Mountain Dew in which Lincoln strips off his shirt during the Lincoln-Douglas debates and begins throwing people off the stage. The tagline: \"FACT: Lincoln's favorite sport was wrestling.\"","Says Abraham Lincoln said, \"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we lose our freedoms it will be because we have destroyed ourselves from within.\"","It didn't take long: We found Lincoln was so good that he's enshrined in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, which says he recorded only one defeat in a dozen years."]},{"id":"9537.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Women of childbearing age spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Feinstein and Justice Ginsburg that women of childbearing age spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men. However, it's important to note that this figure may not be universally applicable and can vary depending on the specific age range and the source of the data. While the Health Care Cost Institute found a smaller gender gap of 36 percent for all women through age 65, experts agree that women tend to utilize more health services, including preventive care and screenings, which are often covered less by insurance. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it's essential to consider the specific context and age range being discussed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During the debate on President Barack Obama\u2019s Affordable Care Act in December 2009, Feinstein said, \"The fact is, women have different health needs than men, and these needs often generate additional costs. Women of childbearing age spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men. Most people don't know that, but it is actually true.\"","Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg\u2019s stinging dissent attracted wide attention from those who opposed the majority opinion. We noticed the following claim in Ginsburg\u2019s dissent: \"Women of childbearing age spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men.\"","And an annual study by the Health Care Cost Institute, which is based on information supplied by private health insurance companies, found an even smaller gender gap. In 2012, women's out-of-pocket expenses were 36 percent higher than men's. However, this figure is for all women through age 65, rather than just childbearing age, so it\u2019s not an apples-to-apples comparison.","The experts we checked with didn\u2019t doubt that women of childbearing age tend to pay more out of their pocket for health care. \"Women under 65 use a lot more health services than do men, especially preventive care, screenings and well-care, all of which is covered less by insurance than hospital expenditures,\" said Gail Wilensky, who headed Medicare and Medicaid under President George H.W. Bush."]},{"id":"13115.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons plan would bring in 620,000 refugees in her first term, alone, with no effective way to screen or vet them. Her plan would cost $400 billion in terms of lifetime welfare and entitlement costs.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that Hillary Clinton's plan would bring in 620,000 refugees in her first term without an effective screening or vetting process, resulting in a cost of $400 billion in lifetime welfare and entitlement costs. However, there is no credible evidence or official proposal from Hillary Clinton that supports these claims. The statement appears to be based on assertions made by Donald Trump and Senator Jeff Sessions, but it lacks factual basis and has been widely disputed. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing policy proposals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says \"Hillary Clinton's plan would bring in 620,000 refugees in her first term, alone, with no effective way to screen or vet them. Her plan would cost $400 billion in terms of lifetime welfare and entitlement costs.\"","Trump said, \"Altogether, Hillary Clinton's plan would bring in 620,000 refugees in her first term, alone, with no effective way to screen or vet them. Her plan would cost $400 billion in terms of lifetime welfare and entitlement costs.\"","\"Altogether, Hillary Clinton's plan would bring in 620,000 refugees in her first term, alone, with no effective way to screen or vet them,\" Trump said Sept. 20. \"Her plan would cost $400 billion in terms of lifetime welfare and entitlement costs.\"","Sen. Jeff Sessions website, Clinton refugee plan could bring in 620,000 refugees in first term at lifetime cost of over $400 billion, June 27, 2016"]},{"id":"6021.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve seen property taxes go down for the first time in 12 years on a median valued home.","reason":"Reason: Governor Scott Walker's statement that property taxes have gone down for the first time in 12 years on a median-valued home is supported by evidence. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau's annual estimates show that there has been an overall upward trend in property tax bills for a median-valued home from 2000 to 2010. However, there were some years where the increases were minimal or close to flat. Therefore, while not every homeowner's bill may have decreased, the statement accurately reflects that there has been a small drop in property taxes for a median-valued home.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve seen property taxes go down for the first time in 12 years on a median valued home,\" Walker said during the WISN-TV debate at the Marquette University Law School.","( - Gov. Scott Walker says for the first time in 12 years property taxes fell on a median value home&url=)","Walker\u2019s office pointed to the annual estimates from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Those reports show an upward trend in the property tax bill for a median-valued home, from 2000 to 2010. Some years it was close to flat; the year-to-year increases ranged from a tiny 0.1 percent to 4.6 percent.","To be sure, that doesn\u2019t mean every homeowner\u2019s bill went down, just that a median-valued home would see a small drop. The approach is simply a way of roughly measuring year-to-year changes."]},{"id":"5007.json","label":"false","statement":"Rhode Island is leading our nation in foreclosures.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Rhode Island does have high foreclosure rates, it is not leading the entire nation in foreclosures. Other states consistently have worse foreclosure rates. Rhode Island's foreclosure rates, whether measured by new foreclosures, ongoing foreclosures, or delinquent payments, are above the national average, but it does not hold the top position nationwide. It is important to provide accurate information when discussing foreclosure rates to ensure a clear understanding of the situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the push to rally support for legislation to fight homelessness, DARE official Theresa Price said, \"Rhode Island is leading our nation in foreclosures.\"","Clearly that's not the case. Other states consistently have worse rates when it comes to foreclosures, although Rhode Island's -- whether you look at new foreclosures, ongoing foreclosures or delinquent payments -- are well above the national average.","Different organizations collect their numbers differently, warned Brenda Clement, executive director of the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island. Nonetheless, \"Rhode Island has, from the very start of this foreclosure mess, consistently ranked in the top ten and usually in the top five across the country in terms of foreclosures and highest in New England,\" Clement said.","Two days after the rally, Jim Ryczek, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, sent us an unsolicited e-mail saying Price had misspoke. \"Rhode Island ranks highest in New England in both foreclosure starts and serious delinquencies, not the entire nation. We did not mean to claim the lead for the entire U.S.\""]},{"id":"6186.json","label":"false","statement":"President Obamas health-care law will add trillions of dollars in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple fact-checkers have found no factual basis to support the claim that President Obama's health-care law, commonly known as Obamacare, will add trillions of dollars to the national debt. In fact, some analyses suggest that the law would reduce the deficit by over $1 trillion. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when assessing the impact of legislation on the national debt.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Still, we find no factual basis for Romney\u2019s claim that the law \"adds trillions to our deficits and to our national debt.\" We rate his statement False.","Here, we\u2019re fact-checking Romney\u2019s claim that \"Obamacare adds trillions to our deficits and to our national debt.\" It\u2019s a topic we\u2019ve researched before.","On the campaign trail, many Republican candidates have lumped the health care bill in with the economic stimulus as examples of Obama administration initiatives driving the country deeper into debt. So Obama's claim that the health care bill would actually cut the deficit by over $1 trillion dollars is significant.","In an interview with President Barack Obama on Oct. 27, 2010, Daily Show host Jon Stewart summed up the president's first two years in office, saying that despite a campaign that promised audacious change, \"legislatively, it has felt timid at times.\" Stewart cited the Democratic health care law as an example."]},{"id":"5905.json","label":"true","statement":"When these [undocumented] students graduate from college, theyre still illegal aliens. They cannot get a job.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that undocumented students, upon graduating from college, may face challenges in obtaining employment due to their immigration status. While some states have implemented policies to provide certain benefits and opportunities to undocumented students, such as in-state tuition rates, their immigration status can still limit their job prospects. It's important to note that the term \"illegal aliens\" is considered by some as dehumanizing and has been replaced with terms like \"undocumented immigrants\" or \"individuals without legal status\" in more inclusive and respectful language.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Now, if the bill punishes criminal felonies, not immigration infractions, giving harsher punishments to illegal aliens, then I think it would be vulnerable to an equal protection challenge under the Fourteenth Amendment,\" Shapiro said.","That\u2019s well above the most solid estimates we\u2019ve seen. Perhaps 3 percent of students are themselves undocumented, and 12.3 percent have a parent who is undocumented.","There\u2019s another way to look at the scope of undocumented immigrants within the California K-12 system -- to look at the percentage of California K-12 students whose parents are unauthorized.","\"You just said that being here illegally is not illegal? I\u2019m not aware of that Supreme Court decision,\" Carlson said. \"How is that true?\""]},{"id":"6638.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Women receive only 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in the sense that, on average, women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not account for factors such as occupation, experience, and education level, which can contribute to the wage gap. When these factors are taken into consideration, the wage gap narrows, but it still exists. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood that the wage gap can vary depending on various factors and is not solely due to gender discrimination.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["DeGette claimed women \"receive only 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.\" The measure comes from a valid source, though other comparisons indicate the gap is tighter. Also, some occupations have smaller gaps than others.","The less accurate version -- once offered by Obama himself -- states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for the same work , or in the same job. As we\u2019ll explain below, the data doesn\u2019t show that. By contrast, the more accurate version simply states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, period. That is more accurate (though not without some caveats, also listed below).","\"More and more in this economy, the women are the family breadwinners. We are managing our family budgets, struggling to pay healthcare bills and facing the challenge of saving for college,\" DeGette said during her Sept. 5, 2012, speech. \"We feel it in our paychecks when we receive only 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.\"","\"You know, today, women make up about half our workforce, but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns,\" Obama said. \"That is wrong, and in 2014, it's an embarrassment. Women deserve equal pay for equal work.\""]},{"id":"10591.json","label":"true","statement":"Research performed by economists has shown no consistent, positive impact on jobs, income or tax revenues arising from stadiums or sports franchises.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of research conducted by economists, which consistently indicate that there is no significant or consistent positive impact on jobs, income, or tax revenues resulting from stadiums or sports franchises. Numerous studies published in peer-reviewed economic journals have shown that the economic impact of professional sports franchises and facilities on the local economy is minimal or negligible. In some cases, there is evidence to suggest that sports stadiums may even decrease economic activity and tax revenue in the areas where they are built. Therefore, the statement is supported by research and evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Research performed by economists has shown no consistent, positive impact on jobs, income or tax revenues arising from stadiums or sports franchises,\" Frias argued.","Steven Frias said, \"Research performed by economists has shown no consistent, positive impact on jobs, income or tax revenues arising from stadiums or sports franchises.\"","\"There now exists almost 20 years of research on the economic impact of professional sports franchises and facilities on the local economy,\" they wrote, reporting that studies published in peer-reviewed economic journals show there is \"almost no evidence that professional sports franchises and facilities have a measurable economic impact on the economy.\"","\"In fact, some research suggests that sports stadiums actually decrease economic activity and tax revenue in areas where they are built,\" said Eckstein. \"However, strategically placed stadiums and arenas can sometimes ride existing redevelopment trends, but they are never the cause of these trends.\""]},{"id":"6901.json","label":"false","statement":"Says when I voted against [an increase in the minimum wage], it was in the 80s.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided indicates that Kyrillos did not vote against an increase in the minimum wage in the 80s. Instead, he voted against a proposal that became law, and later introduced legislation that increased the minimum wage at a slower pace. The context suggests that Kyrillos' vote against the proposal occurred more recently than the 80s. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I already said. You look at -- I think when I voted against it, it was in the 80s. It was a long time. You were in the Assembly then,\" Kyrillos said, adding that \"you look at things in the context of their times. You look at the legislation as it\u2019s proposed.\"","Crist served on the board of Enterprise Florida when the group opposed an increase to Florida\u2019s minimum wage in 2004. At the time, he was attorney general. But there\u2019s no evidence that Crist ever voted on minimum wage legislation as a state senator.","Two weeks after Kyrillos voted against the proposal that became law he introduced legislation that increased the minimum wage more, but at a slower pace. Under his bill, the minimum wage would increase in four stages, reaching $7.25 per hour on Aug. 1, 2008.","\"Listen, you had the opportunity, you know, you just can't flip back and forth. You've become the biggest flip flopper. Now it's that you want to vote for the minimum wage increase but you voted against it when you had the opportunity. Why'd you vote against it?\" Menendez said during a heated debate on New Jersey 101.5-FM on Wednesday night."]},{"id":"1258.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"You dont know if this (the H1N1 vaccine) is gonna cause neurological damage like it did in the 1970s.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the swine flu vaccine in the 1970s was associated with a small number of cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, it is important to note that the seasonal flu vaccines, including the H1N1 vaccine, have a different formulation and manufacturing process. The seasonal flu vaccines have been used for decades without any established link to neurological damage. Therefore, Beck's statement lacks important context and could mislead by not acknowledging the extensive safety record of the H1N1 vaccine and other seasonal flu vaccines. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On his radio show on Oct. 8, Beck said, \"You don't know if this (the H1N1 vaccine) is gonna cause neurological damage like it did in the 1970s.\"","Beck raised a popular concern on his Oct. 8 radio show when he said, \u201cYou don\u2019t know if this (H1N1 vaccine) is gonna cause neurological damage like it did in the 1970s.\u201d","Beck is correct in that scientists say that in 1976, the swine flu vaccine likely caused Guillain-Barre in a very small number of adults. But Beck's statement lacks important context. The 30-year track record of seasonal flu vaccines strongly suggests the new H1N1 vaccine won't cause neurological damage. Without noting that the H1N1 vaccine has been manufactured in essentially the same way as the seasonal flu shot that has been used by hundreds of millions of people \u2014 without any established link to neurological problems \u2014 ends up misleading by omission. And so we rule Beck's statement Barely True.","Newsday, \" CDC: Vaccines are safe; Though autism was not a focus, study says mercury preservative in shots did not cause neurological problems,\" by Delthia Ricks, Sept. 7, 2007"]},{"id":"5351.json","label":"false","statement":"You cant pass a budget in the Senate of the United States without 60 votes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While it is true that passing certain legislation in the Senate typically requires 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, the budget resolution is not subject to the filibuster rule. The Budget Act sets a specific amount of time for debate on the budget resolution, which is 50 hours. Therefore, a simple majority, not 60 votes, is sufficient to pass a budget resolution in the Senate. The claim made by Lew that passing a budget in the Senate requires 60 votes is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So Lew is clearly wrong to say that \"you can't pass a budget in the Senate of the United States without 60 votes.\" As a longtime senior official at OMB and other federal agencies, he should have known better.","Lew responded, \"Well, let's be clear. What Sen. Reid is talking about is a fairly narrow point. In order for the Senate to do its annual work on appropriation bills, they need to pass a certain piece of legislation which sets a limit. They did that last year. That's what he's talking about. He's not saying that they shouldn't pass a budget. But we also need to be honest. You can't pass a budget in the Senate of the United States without 60 votes, and you can't get 60 votes without bipartisan support. So unless Republicans are willing to work with Democrats in the Senate, Harry Reid is not going to be able to get a budget passed. And I think he was reflecting the reality that that could be a challenge.\"","\"The term filibuster, from a Dutch word meaning \u2018pirate,\u2019 became popular in the United States during the 1850s when it was applied to efforts to hold the Senate floor in order to prevent action on a bill,\" the Senate site says.","However, the filibuster cannot be used to block a budget resolution. That\u2019s because the Budget Act sets out a specific amount of time for debate in the Senate -- 50 hours. If a specific amount of debate time is enshrined in the controlling statute, the filibuster is moot. So a simple majority -- not 60 votes -- is all that\u2019s required to pass a budget resolution."]},{"id":"463.json","label":"true","statement":"Hillary Clinton advocates \"a freeze on foreclosures. Barack Obama said no.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the difference in positions between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama regarding a freeze on foreclosures during the housing crisis. The ad claims that Clinton called for a freeze on foreclosures, while Obama opposed it. This is supported by evidence that Obama and his campaign expressed concerns about the potential negative consequences of across-the-board foreclosure freezes and instead proposed alternative measures to address the housing crisis, such as a $10 billion fund to assist homeowners and reforms to bankruptcy court. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When the housing crisis broke, Hillary Clinton called for action \u2014 a freeze on foreclosures. Barack Obama said no,\" the ad states.","Obama, on the other hand, opposes interest-rate freezes and a foreclosure freeze. He and his advisers have said that across-the-board freezes on foreclosures and interest rates are short-term fixes. The measures could end up doing more harm than good if lenders decide to raise interest rates on new homeowners to make up their losses, the campaign has said. He favors a $10 billion fund that would help homeowners avoid foreclosures. He also proposes reforms to bankruptcy court that would allow judges to modify mortgage terms.","\"Now, gas prices are skyrocketing, and she's ready to act again. Hillary's plan: Use the windfall profits of the oil companies to pay to suspend the gas tax this summer. Barack Obama says no, again.\"","On housing, Clinton wants lenders to freeze foreclosures for 90 days on owner-occupied homes purchased with subprime mortgages. She wants lenders to freeze interest rates on subprime loans for owner-occupied homes for five years, or until homeowners can refinance. She wants to create a $30-billion fund for states to deal with the effects of foreclosures, everything from helping individual homeowners pay their bills to making up lost property tax revenues for police and firefighters."]},{"id":"7760.json","label":"false","statement":"In 2010, everybody said you cant dare let guns go into the national parks, and of course the rapes, murders, robberies and assaults are down about 85 percent since we did that.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Coburn that allowing guns in national parks led to an 85 percent decrease in rapes, murders, robberies, and assaults is not supported by the evidence. In fact, the data shows that between 2009 and 2011, these categories of violent crimes collectively either increased or remained stable. While robberies did decline, other crimes such as murders and aggravated assaults saw an increase. Therefore, the claim made by Coburn is not accurate and does not align with the available data.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In 2010, everybody said you can't dare let guns go into the national parks, and of course the rapes, murders, robberies and assaults are down about 85 percent since we did that.\"","On Morning Joe , Coburn said, \"In 2010, everybody said you can't dare let guns go into the national parks, and of course the rapes, murders, robberies and assaults are down about 85 percent since we did that.\"","\"In 2010,\" Coburn said on Morning Joe , \"everybody said you can't dare let guns go into the national parks, and of course the rapes, murders, robberies and assaults are down about 85 percent since we did that.\"","Between 2009 and 2011, these four categories of violent crimes actually rose collectively by 5 percent. Robberies did decline by 9 percent, but murders more than doubled (from a very small base), the number of rapes was stable and the tally of aggravated assaults -- by far the most common of these four crimes -- rose by 9 percent."]},{"id":"13466.json","label":"true","statement":"Newt Gingrich has been a proponent of selecting a president by popular vote instead of the Electoral College.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Newt Gingrich has expressed support for electing U.S. presidents by popular vote instead of the Electoral College. Multiple media outlets have reported on this stance, and there are references to Gingrich discussing the popularity of the idea and the desire of Americans for the popular vote to determine the presidency. While the evidence does not provide specific details or quotes from Gingrich himself, it indicates that he has at least acknowledged and commented on the topic. Therefore, it can be concluded that Gingrich has been a proponent of selecting a president by popular vote.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Several media outlets have recently reported that Newt Gingrich previously advocated for electing U.S. presidents by popular vote instead of the Electoral College.","PolitiFact was curious. Had Gingrich backed vanquishing the Electoral College in favor of the popular vote -- a change that might have shoved him into political obscurity instead of where he stands now at center stage.","\"Somehow I don't think reforming or abolishing the Electoral College will be a high priority going forward, even though Gallup has repeatedly shown that large majorities of Americans want the popular vote to pick the President.\"","Newt Gingrich is a political adviser and author. A former Georgia congressman, Gingrich served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. Gingrich sought the GOP nomination for president in 2012."]},{"id":"350.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama said \"he's going to attack Pakistan and embrace (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents Barack Obama's position on Pakistan and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. While President Bush claimed that he didn't know what Obama believed in and mentioned Obama's comments about attacking Pakistan and embracing Ahmadinejad, it is important to note that Obama's actual statements were about targeting specific al Qaeda targets within Pakistan, not attacking the entire country. Additionally, there is no evidence to support the claim that Obama expressed a desire to embrace Ahmadinejad. Therefore, the statement is a distortion of Obama's actual words and intentions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McCain's remarks echo a comment made by President Bush in an interview Feb. 17 on Fox News Sunday after he was was asked what he thought of Sen. Barack Obama. \"I certainly don't know what he believes in,\" Bush said. \"The only foreign policy thing I remember he said was he's going to attack Pakistan and embrace (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, which \u2014 I think I commented that in a press conference when I was asked about it.\"","QUESTION: Regardless, if you go back and look at Barack Obama's (inaudible) what he's saying is not going after Pakistan, but going after al Qaeda targets within Pakistan. And as you know...","We recognize that McCain is making a larger point questioning the wisdom of Obama telegraphing our future military plans and we are not addressing whether that is a good idea. But it is a serious distortion to say Obama wants to \"attack Pakistan,\" as President Bush did, and an even more serious one that he supports \"bombing Pakistan,\" as McCain did. (Indeed, all Obama said was that he would \"act.\")","At a media availability in Columbus, Ohio, on Feb. 20, 2008, Sen. John McCain took a claim that President Bush made a week earlier and cranked it up a notch, saying that Sen. Barack Obama wants to bomb Pakistan."]},{"id":"7370.json","label":"true","statement":"Says, Since 1994 when VAWA was first passed, incidents of domestic violence have dropped more than 50 percent.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and studies support the claim that incidents of domestic violence have indeed dropped by more than 50 percent since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994. The statement is consistent with the findings of federal and independent researchers, as well as the National Domestic Violence Hotline. While there may be minor differences in the exact percentage, the overall trend of a significant decrease in domestic violence cases since the enactment of VAWA is widely acknowledged.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Here\u2019s what Merkley said Feb. 7 during a conference call with reporters: \"Since 1994 when VAWA was first passed, incidents of domestic violence have dropped more than 50 percent.\"","That\u2019s a lot of scholarship and paper, sponsored, collected and analyzed by federal and independent researchers. And while the results don\u2019t perfectly align, all agree that the incidence of domestic abuse has dropped by more than 50 percent since the Violence Against Women Act was passed in 1994. You can quibble about the minor differences but not the accuracy of Merkley\u2019s statement.","> Since the passage of VAWA, annual rates of domestic violence have dropped by 63%. The National Domestic Violence Hotline responds to more than 26,000 people a month, creating a safety net for survivors. We have made progress, but there is much more to do. Right now.","First, we need a quick fly-by of the law and what it provides. The law, known by the shorthand VAWA, first passed in 1994 and was written by then senator and now Vice President Joe Biden."]},{"id":"13391.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gerald Daugherty is endorsed by the Austin American-Statesman.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The evidence provided confirms that a mailer from an Austin PAC incorrectly claimed that Gerald Daugherty was endorsed by the Austin American-Statesman in the November 2016 elections. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that Daugherty was actually endorsed by the newspaper. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!This Austin PAC's mailer incorrectly says Gerald Daugherty has been endorsed in the November 2016 elections by the Austin American-Statesman, we confirmed. !This Austin PAC's mailer incorrectly says Gerald Daugherty has been endorsed in the November 2016 elections by the Austin American-Statesman, we confirmed.","This Austin PAC's mailer incorrectly says Gerald Daugherty has been endorsed in the November 2016 elections by the Austin American-Statesman, we confirmed.","At the start of the week before this November\u2019s elections, Gerald Daugherty, a Republican seeking re-election to the Travis County commissioners court, listed the endorsement of the Austin American-Statesman on his campaign website.","Republican Gerald Daugherty, seeking re-election to the Travis County commissioners court, is \"endorsed by\" Austin\u2019s daily newspaper, an advocacy group told select members."]},{"id":"7519.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are 3 million jobs available in America that are not filled because too many of our people dont have the skills for those jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Rubio that there are 3 million unfilled jobs in America due to a lack of necessary skills among the workforce. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests this claim is not supported by the survey mentioned in the fact check. While there may be job vacancies and a skills mismatch in certain industries or regions, the statement overgeneralizes the situation by implying that all 3 million job openings are solely due to a lack of skills. Therefore, the statement lacks nuance and may not accurately represent the complexity of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There are 3 million jobs available in America that are not filled because too many of our people don\u2019t have the skills for those jobs.\"","Rubio said, \"There are 3 million jobs available in America that are not filled because too many of our people don\u2019t have the skills for those jobs.\"","\"There are 3 million jobs available in America that are not filled because too many of our people don\u2019t have the skills for those jobs,\" Rubio said in his March 14, 2013, speech.","But Rubio specifically said \"there are 3 million jobs available in America that are not filled because too many of our people don\u2019t have the skills for those jobs.\" A close look at the survey reveals it doesn\u2019t actually support that thesis."]},{"id":"8485.json","label":"false","statement":"The insurance industry is actually run by mostly Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The available evidence does not support the claim that the insurance industry is run mostly by Democrats. Fact-checkers have found little to suggest that this is the case, and data from the Center for Responsive Politics indicates that both Republicans and Democrats have received significant contributions from the insurance industry. It is important to note that political contributions do not necessarily reflect the actual leadership or control of an industry. Therefore, the statement that the insurance industry is run mostly by Democrats is not substantiated by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wouldn\u2019t conclude that means the industry is mostly run by Democrats. (We wouldn\u2019t conclude that the industry is run mostly by Republicans, either.)","Perino claimed that the health insurance industry is run mostly by Democrats. We could find almost nothing to suggest that\u2019s the case.","As fact-checkers, we\u2019ll weigh in on Perino\u2019s point, that the insurance industry is \"run by mostly Democrats.\" We reached out to Perino but didn\u2019t hear back.","Overall, the Center for Responsive Politics says that the insurance industry has contributed $94 million to Republicans since 2008 and $62 million to Democrats. (This particular comparison is only modestly helpful, however, as it includes companies that also provide property, life and car insurance.)"]},{"id":"11572.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In a period of roughly 72 hours, a small group of angry black students managed to force the resignation of the two highest ranking officials at that school.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were protests and demands for change regarding racial issues at the University of Missouri, the statement oversimplifies the situation. The resignations of the two highest-ranking officials were not solely the result of a \"small group of angry black students\" acting within a 72-hour period. The protests and demands for change involved a broader range of students and faculty members, and the issues leading to the resignations were more complex than just concerns about racial issues. It is important to consider the larger context and multiple factors involved in the events at the University of Missouri.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"What started as a campus protest in Missouri might be spreading to more colleges and universities as small groups of students use complaints about race and diversity in a big play to rewrite the rules for everyone,\" Kelly said on the Nov. 11, 2015, edition of The Kelly File. \"In a period of roughly 72 hours, a small group of angry black students managed to force the resignation of the two highest-ranking officials at that school, complaining they did not show enough concern about racial issues at the school.\"","\"If we count all the people who have participated in their marches and demonstrations, there were hundreds of members,\" Smith said. \"Hardly a \u2018small group of angry black students.\u2019 \"","\"I would vociferously deny that this happened in 72 hours or that this was just black students, \" Senff said. \"Particularly for Chancellor Loftin, there were numerous issues relating to his competence to lead the university.\"","Events did pile up quickly in the days before Nov. 9 but evidence coming out of Missouri paints a much more complicated picture than the one Kelly offered her viewers. Most importantly, Wolfe and Loftin fell for different reasons. Race relations were the dominant factor in Wolfe\u2019s demise, but Loftin\u2019s problems stemmed from a revolt among the university\u2019s deans that peaked a month earlier. It also seems that opposition to both men was broader than, as Kelly said, \"a small group of angry black students.\""]},{"id":"3701.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"House Republican plan would increase costs for Oregon seniors by $6,000 with health care vouchers instead of Medicare","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wu in his press release, stating that the House Republican plan would increase costs for Oregon seniors by $6,000 by replacing Medicare with health care vouchers. The fact check confirms that while the exact amount may vary, the claim of increased costs for seniors is supported by current knowledge and calculations. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In an April 21 press release, Wu warned that seniors in his district would face $6,000 in higher annual health care costs if a Republican budget proposal is passed. \"Amazingly, House Republicans think they can get away with plans to increase costs for Oregon seniors by $6,000, issuing health care vouchers in order to give millionaires another $200,000 in tax breaks,\" Wu says in his press release.","Federal support for premiums in Ryan\u2019s plan, though, would not keep pace with medical inflation. Premium support instead would be pegged to the consumer price index, which historically lags health care costs.","\"Medicare is projected to go bankrupt in just nine years unless we act to curb the relentlessly rising cost of health care,\" Ryan wrote in an April 24 op-ed published by The Washington Post. \"This cannot be done with across-the-board cuts in Washington. It has to be done by giving seniors the tools to fight back against skyrocketing costs. That\u2019s why our budget saves Medicare by using competition to weed out inefficient providers, improve the quality of health care for seniors and drive costs down.\"","Is the difference $6,000 or more? Could it be less? The answer to each is perhaps. But given current knowledge and calculations $6,000 is a number that can be defended. For that reason, we rate Wu\u2019s claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"4782.json","label":"half-true","statement":"By 2014, there will be one administrator for every teacher on college campuses in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While Newt Gingrich claimed that by 2014 there would be one administrator for every teacher on college campuses in the United States, the accuracy of this claim depends on the definition of \"administrator\" used. The Center for College Affordability and Productivity study, which Gingrich referenced, used a broad definition of \"administrator\" that includes various positions beyond traditional administrative roles. However, narrower definitions of \"administrator\" would make the statement incorrect. Additionally, the growth in part-time instructors has contributed to an increase in faculty members, which may affect the ratio of administrators to teachers. Therefore, while there is some support for the claim, it is important to consider the specific definition and context when assessing its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Then he cited a surprising statistic. \"By 2014,\" Gingrich said during the debate at Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., \"there will be one administrator for every teacher on college campuses in the United States.\"","Gingrich said during the debate that \"by 2014, there will be one administrator for every teacher on college campuses in the United States.\" A study by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity backs up that claim. But it uses a broad definition of \"administrator,\" and narrower definitions would make the statement incorrect. In addition, faculty represented a growing share of college employees between 2000 and 2008, in part because of the growth in part-time instructors. On balance, we rate the claim Half True.","An important caveat is that different people may use a different definition of \"administrator\" in the college setting. In the Center for College Affordability and Productivity study, \"administrator\" refers to the aggregate of \"executive, administrative, and managerial\" positions and \"other professional staff,\" including support staff. But that\u2019s a pretty broad definition.","Jim Hirsch, another Plano administrator, provided links to news stories. A March 18 Fort Worth Star-Telegram article attributed that erroneous 1-to-1 claim to the Texas Young Republican Federation, but none quoted Perry saying there\u2019s a teacher for every administrator."]},{"id":"5934.json","label":"false","statement":"Says as we sit right now, Medicare, if we do nothing, will be gone in eight years, if we do nothing to it.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Runyan that Medicare will be gone in eight years if no action is taken is not supported by credible evidence. Medicare is a federally funded healthcare program that provides coverage for millions of Americans, and there are no indications or reliable projections suggesting that it will cease to exist in such a short timeframe. While it is important to address the sustainability and funding of Medicare, the claim that it will disappear entirely within eight years without any action is unfounded.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a May 4 interview on \"On the Record,\" Runyan claimed that \"as we sit right now, Medicare, if we do nothing, will be gone in eight years, if we do nothing to it.\"","\"I was elected to make those hard (decisions) and have those serious discussions, and kicking the can down the road and not having those discussions and putting ideas out there on how to solve them, and how to actually preserve these programs for future generations, \u2018cause as we sit right now, Medicare, if we do nothing, will be gone in eight years, if we do nothing to it,\" Runyan said.","Says under Mayor Cory Booker, Newark has seen \"violent crime up five years in a row, murder up five years in a row.\"","Says \"how much money the government is collecting from terms of the gross domestic product\" is \"the lowest in 40, 50 years.\""]},{"id":"11824.json","label":"false","statement":"We now have more jobs in solar than we do in oil.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Clinton that \"we now have more jobs in solar than we do in oil\" is not supported by the available evidence. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the oil and gas industry employs significantly more people compared to the solar industry. The data provided indicates that the oil and gas industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, while the solar industry employs fewer individuals. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Besides oil and gas extraction, there\u2019s also support activities for oil and gas operations: 266,000 jobs. Oil and gas pipeline production: 124,000 jobs. Mining and oil and gas field machinery: 73,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.","For the oil industry, she didn\u2019t look at the whole picture. And self-reported calculations by both the solar and oil and gas industry aren\u2019t close. Oil and gas reports 10 times more jobs.","Clinton said \"we now have more jobs in solar than we do in oil.\" But the numbers don\u2019t support that claim.","\"We now have more jobs in solar than we do in oil,\" the former Democratic secretary of state told the newspaper on Dec. 8, 2015."]},{"id":"8203.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the Wisconsin health insurance exchange, the Society of Actuaries points out that therell be, according to them, an 82 percent increase in individual premiums over the next couple years under Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Walker's claim that the Society of Actuaries projected an 82 percent increase in individual premiums in the Wisconsin health insurance exchange under Obamacare. However, it's important to note that the actual figure in the report was an 80 percent increase, and the report did not specifically predict premiums. It analyzed the cost of claims in the non-group market, which only applies to a small percentage of people with private insurance. Additionally, the report did not consider the impact of premium subsidies that would reduce prices for many individuals, especially those with lower incomes. The statement lacks some nuance and context, but it does capture the general claim made by Governor Walker.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In the Wisconsin health insurance exchange, \"the Society of Actuaries points out that there'll be, according to them, an 82 percent increase in individual premiums over the next couple years under Obamacare.\"","Citing a report from the Society of Actuaries, Walker said in Wisconsin, there would be \"an 82 percent increase in individual premiums over the next couple years under Obamacare.\"","Walker said the study by the Society of Actuaries projected an 82 percent increase in premiums over time. The actual figure was 80 percent, and the report explicitly did not try to predict premiums. What it looked at was the cost of claims in the non-group market, which pertains to less than 20 percent of people with private insurance. Higher costs for insurers typically mean higher premiums for consumers, but there are many uncertainties. When most people hear the word \"premiums,\" they think of the bill they will get, and that is not what the report attempted to describe.","Tuomala said many steps lie between claims and premiums. As noted in the report, many people will be eligible for premium subsidies that will reduce the prices they pay. Those subsidies will be hefty, especially for families making about $95,000 or less. According to a government estimate, about half of the people in the exchanges will receive some level of subsidy. That would represent a large share of the group the actuaries focused on. They predicted that 85 percent of the total non-group market in Wisconsin would get policies offered on the exchange. The exchanges are expected to create competition and lower prices, with insurance companies setting prices strategically to gain market share."]},{"id":"2709.json","label":"false","statement":"Rick Perry is taking money away from hurricane victims and diverting it to remodel the Governors Mansion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there was a reallocation of funds for the Governor's Mansion remodel, it did not involve taking money away from hurricane victims. The funds used for the remodel were originally provided by the federal government to reimburse the state for its upfront emergency expenses related to Hurricane Ike. The decision to allocate a portion of those funds to the mansion project was made by state lawmakers, not solely by Rick Perry. Therefore, the claim that Perry is taking money away from hurricane victims is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Our take: Whether the FEMA reimbursements to Texas amount to federal aid or not, the statement that Perry is \"taking money away from hurricane victims\" and diverting it to the mansion project is wrong on two fronts. First, FEMA set aside the money to cover agency costs already incurred in response to the hurricane; no victims are bereft as a result, far as we can tell. Secondly, the assignment of the funds to the mansion work was made by state lawmakers; Perry didn't earmark any money alone.","Say what? \"Here's what he did,\" the narrator says in the ad that debuted online Oct. 13. \"After begging for federal hurricane aid, Perry is taking millions of it to remodel the Governor's Mansion so he can move in faster. Diverting disaster funds for himself.\"","But stimulus money did not get allocated to the mansion project after all. Rather, as Kelso's recent column says, about \"half of the money for the mansion project originated as money that the feds provided to Texas to reimburse the state for its upfront emergency expenses for Hurricane Ike. Follow the money: $11 million from the feds was shuffled from the Department of Public Safety to the State Preservation Board to help pay for the $22 million mansion remodel.\"","Back to Basics, the political committee that's poured money into ads critical of GOP Gov. Rick Perry, reminds Texans of Hurricane Ike in a TV spot linking hurricane aid to the reconstruction of the Governor's Mansion, which was heavily damaged in a 2008 arson fire."]},{"id":"8550.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Given how expansive our program already was, expanding Medicaid in New Jersey due to Obamacare was a relatively small expansion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Christie's claim that the expansion of Medicaid in New Jersey due to Obamacare was a relatively small expansion. New Jersey already had a generous Medicaid program compared to other states, with eligibility guidelines that were more expansive. As a result, the potential increase in Medicaid enrollments due to Obamacare was relatively small compared to other states. While there may be some uncertainty due to missing data, the evidence supports the claim that the expansion in New Jersey was relatively small in comparison.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I do what's best for the people in the state of New Jersey every day,\" he said. \"And expanding Medicaid in the state of New Jersey, given how expansive our program already was, it was a relatively small expansion. But it's going to mean a lot. And it's also going to benefit New Jersey's budget.\"","Christie touted New Jersey\u2019s \"expansive\" Medicaid program. Because New Jersey was already generous in its Medicaid eligibility guidelines compared to other states, the potential increase in Medicaid enrollments due to Obamacare is relatively small. Only one out of the other nine states for which we found data had a lower percentage increase in the Medicaid-eligible population due to Obamacare. So Christie\u2019s comment appears accurate, though the uncertainty due to the missing data leads us to rate it Mostly True.","We wondered if Christie was right in saying that New Jersey only needed a minor Medicaid expansion to comply with Obamacare. (Christie\u2019s office did not respond to an inquiry for this story, but we did hear from the New Jersey Department of Human Services.)","New Jersey\u2019s current Medicaid coverage puts it among the most generous states for Medicaid. For coverage of parents, Minnesota comes in first nationally at 215 percent of poverty, with New Jersey and two other states just behind. For childless adults, only 17 states offer any eligibility at all, so New Jersey\u2019s 23 percent isn\u2019t as restrictive, relatively speaking, as it might seem."]},{"id":"12914.json","label":"true","statement":"50% of Hispanic students count on Pell Grants to pay for college.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data from the 2011-2012 NPSAS, which shows that 50% of Hispanic undergraduates received a Pell Grant during that year to help finance their college education. This indicates a significant reliance on Pell Grants among Hispanic students to afford higher education expenses.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We admit it. We were really confused. To us, that 50 percent of students who graduated in one year relied on Pell grants sometime during college is not the same thing as saying that 50 percent of Oregon university students are on Pell grants at any given time. Those are different measurements.","So, what do the latest numbers show about the share of Hispanic students getting Pell grants? According to the 2011-2012 NPSAS data, 50 percent of Hispanic undergraduates received a Pell Grant that year; the average award to those students was $3,500.","Democratic Senate candidate Tim Kaine says that George Allen, his Republican opponent, is no friend of students struggling to pay for college.","!Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, right, made a True claim about the share of Hispanic college students relying on Pell grants (Getty Images, Alex Wong). !Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, right, made a True claim about the share of Hispanic college students relying on Pell grants (Getty Images, Alex Wong)."]},{"id":"9551.json","label":"false","statement":"Justin Amash is rated Michigans No. 1 conservative by National Right to Life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. National Right to Life has clarified that they do not rate individuals as \"No. 1 conservative\" or provide rankings based on conservatism. Additionally, there is no distinction of \"No. 1 conservative\" according to the organization. Therefore, the claim that Justin Amash is rated as Michigan's No. 1 conservative by National Right to Life is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Justin Amash is rated Michigan\u2019s No. 1 conservative,\" the narrator says, while the names of several groups pop across the screen: National Right to Life, Club for Growth and FreedomWorks.","\"National Right to Life has not rated anyone, including Rep. Amash, as a \u2018No. 1 conservative,\u2019\" Derrick Jones said. \"Nor does National Right to Life rate members of congress in terms of \u2018conservative\u2019 or \u2018liberal.\u2019\"","Lastly, we reached out to a spokesman for National Right to Life. They said they have no distinction of \"No. 1 conservative.\"","First, if this is the measure by which \"Michigan\u2019s No. 1 conservative\" is determined, then Amash is in an eight-way tie with all of Michigan\u2019s Republican congressman. Each of them also received 100 percent on their National Right to Life scorecard."]},{"id":"5104.json","label":"half-true","statement":"You can hire lots of bureaucrats. Thats what the presidents done. Hes added 135,000 people to the government workforce.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's claim that President Obama has added 135,000 people to the government workforce. However, it's important to note that the term \"bureaucrats\" used in the statement may not accurately represent the nature of all the positions added to the government workforce. While some of the positions may be administrative or bureaucratic in nature, others could include roles in areas such as healthcare or defense. Therefore, the statement should be understood in the context of Romney's characterization of these additions as bureaucratic. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Romney has built his campaign around contrasting himself with President Barack Obama rather than his Republican primary rivals, and this night was no different. He told the crowd that if the goal is to create jobs, you could rely on the private sector, or you could take Obama\u2019s approach. \"You can hire lots of bureaucrats,\" Romney said. \"That\u2019s what the president\u2019s done. He\u2019s added 135,000 people to the government workforce.\"","There\u2019s a nuance in Romney\u2019s statement that bears some scrutiny. He talked about hiring lots of bureaucrats which raises the question, is everyone on the federal payroll a paper-pushing practitioner of the dark arts of red tape? Not in the opinion of Palguta.","Specifically, with the exception of some brief upticks, the percentage of the nation\u2019s population working for the federal government has declined by almost half since about 1970. That\u2019s occurred under both Republican presidents (in red) and Democratic presidents (blue).","There is another connection to veterans behind the single largest increase in manpower at the Defense Department. Tri-Care, the military\u2019s health insurance program added some 5,000 people over the past three years. The general growth of the military over the past decade further drove up that number ."]},{"id":"10010.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Rick Scott, there has been a historic $20 billion in funds for education.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been an increase in K-12 education funding during Rick Scott's tenure as governor, the statement that there has been a historic $20 billion in funds for education under his leadership is misleading. The $20 billion figure appears to be referencing a specific year and does not accurately represent the overall trend of education funding throughout Scott's tenure. It is important to consider the context that there were budget cuts in 2011, including a reduction in state money and the expiration of federal stimulus funds. While there have been increases in education spending in subsequent years, it is not accurate to claim a historic $20 billion in funds for education under Scott's leadership.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The K-12 budget has since risen every year of Scott\u2019s tenure, whether we count total K-12 funds or only the state share. Scott\u2019s spokesman pointed to the fact that the total state share of K-12 funds rose from $8.7 billion in his first year to $11.9 billion in 2018-19, an increase of $3.2 billion.","So it\u2019s reasonable for the Republicans to cite that $20 billion figure -- though it\u2019s worth remembering that they are zeroing in on one year of Scott\u2019s tenure while omitting any discussion of his other three budgets, including in 2011, when he signed off on a cut of $1.3 billion. After facing criticism for that cut, Scott has since supported increases in K-12 spending.","The $1.3 billion figure included the reduction in state money and the expiration of the federal stimulus funds, which was the largest chunk of the cut.","\"Rick Scott subtracted $1.3 billion from public schools,\" Nelson\u2019s campaign said in a September Facebook post on the page Not for Florida."]},{"id":"11637.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Milwaukee County executive can sell the public museum, the airport and the zoo -- all on his own, without County Board approval","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, the Milwaukee County executive does have the authority to sell the public museum, the airport, and the zoo without County Board approval. This has been rated as mostly true. However, it's important to note that the county executive may not have the authority to sell non-park land, such as the museum, airport, or zoo, without any limitations or regulations. The specific conditions and legal requirements surrounding such sales may vary, so further investigation into the specific circumstances would be necessary for a comprehensive understanding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Larson said the Milwaukee County executive can sell the public \"museum, the airport and the zoo\" -- all on his own, without County Board approval.","Land sales : The Milwaukee County executive can sell the public \"museum, the airport and the zoo\" -- all on his own, without County Board approval. That was rated Mostly True.","So -- not that it's likely -- but does the Milwaukee County executive have the power, on his own, to sell the Milwaukee Public Museum, General Mitchell International Airport and the Milwaukee County Zoo. All without approval from the County Board?","In other words, the County Board doesn\u2019t have a say, although the county executive alone couldn\u2019t sell non-park land, such as the museum, the airport or the zoo."]},{"id":"524.json","label":"false","statement":"Sen. Obama wants to \"enact the single largest tax increase since the Second World War.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that Senator Obama proposed tax increases during his presidential campaign, referring to it as the \"single largest tax increase since the Second World War\" is misleading. The scale and impact of tax increases can vary depending on various factors, and it is subjective to compare them to historical events. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific details or evidence to support the claim. Therefore, it is an overgeneralization and lacks sufficient information to be considered accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama \"wants a windfall profits tax on oil to go along with the new taxes he also plans for coal and natural gas.\"","The second vote cited by the NRSC was on an amendment to the American Rescue Plan presented by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The amendment sought to \"ensure that the 2021 Recovery Rebates are not provided to illegal immigrants.\"","As for the other part of McCain's claim, that Obama wants new taxes for coal and natural gas, the details are more sketchy.","As the candidates jockey over energy policies and offshore drilling, Sen. John McCain has been criticizing Sen. Barack Obama for wanting to raise taxes."]},{"id":"400.json","label":"false","statement":"Both McCain and Bush favor tax breaks for oil companies.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that both McCain and Bush favor tax breaks for oil companies. While the evidence mentions Obama's claim that McCain supports tax breaks for big oil companies, it does not provide any information about President Bush's stance on this issue. Therefore, it is not accurate to make a blanket statement that both McCain and Bush favor tax breaks for oil companies based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama's statement is technically true, but singling out oil companies suggests McCain has targeted oil companies for tax breaks. He hasn't. We rate Obama's statement, and the claim in the ad, Barely True.","\"He's willing to spend nearly $4 billion on more tax breaks for big oil companies,\" Obama said, \"including $1.2 billion for Exxon alone.\"","Here we will focus on an attack in the ad that has become a common jab in Obama's stump speeches: \"McCain will give more tax breaks to big oil.\"","An ad goes after Sen. John McCain for being just like President George W. Bush, hitting McCain on Iraq, oil companies and health care. It also criticizes him on tax policy."]},{"id":"8277.json","label":"false","statement":"1 percent of candidates that (the National Rifle Association) endorsed in 2012 won.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be some confusion regarding the specific analysis mentioned, the evidence indicates that the claim of only 1 percent of candidates endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) winning in 2012 is inaccurate. According to the data compiled, the NRA's endorsements had a success rate of approximately 60 percent. Therefore, the claim that only 1 percent of endorsed candidates won is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Jones said \"1 percent of candidates that (the National Rifle Association) endorsed in 2012 won.\" An independent analysis did find that about 1 percent of money spent by one particular NRA affiliate either helped elect a winning candidate or helped defeat a losing one. But that ignores a second NRA affiliate that did much better, and the study in question looked at dollars spent -- not endorsements. From the data we compiled, the NRA\u2019s endorsements were about 60 percent successful. We rate Jones\u2019 claim False.","\"The NRA is not popular on a big scale,\" Jones said. \"They can cherry-pick their focus. ... 1 percent of candidates that they endorsed in 2012 won -- 1 percent.\"","!Rocker and gun-rights activist Ted Nugent addresses a seminar at the National Rifle Association's convention in Pittsburgh on May 1, 2011. !Rocker and gun-rights activist Ted Nugent addresses a seminar at the National Rifle Association's convention in Pittsburgh on May 1, 2011.","Rocker and gun-rights activist Ted Nugent addresses a seminar at the National Rifle Association's convention in Pittsburgh on May 1, 2011."]},{"id":"3267.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Oregon Health Plan rations covered procedures under certain circumstances","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Oregon Health Plan does ration covered procedures under certain circumstances. For example, chemotherapy may not be provided if it is determined to have a low chance of extending the patient's life for five years. While the statement accurately reflects the existence of rationing, it is important to note that the extent and specific circumstances of rationing may vary. Therefore, the statement is considered partially accurate but lacks some important clarifying details.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Smith\u2019s clarification is welcome. It\u2019s also necessary to understanding his argument. As such, we find his claim that the Oregon Health Plan rations \"covered procedures under certain circumstances\" to be Half True -- the statement is partially accurate but leaves out important, clarifying details.","The assertion that the Oregon Health Plan rations \"covered procedures under certain circumstances\" can be read a few different ways. Our take initially, absent Mr. Smith's comments, was that he was implying that the plan could ration treatments that it had previously purported to cover. His clarifications, however, indicate to us that there is a certain amount of underlying truth to what he argued. As such, we've moved the Truth-O-Meter to Half True. Our updated article is below.","As of October 2010, only the first 502 treatments were covered. But even that low number doesn\u2019t tell the full story of rationing in Oregon. The Oregon Health Plan also rations covered procedures under certain circumstances. Chemotherapy, for instance, is not provided if it is deemed to have a 5 percent or less chance of extending the patient\u2019s life for five years, meaning that a patient whose life might be extended a year or two with chemo may not receive it.","We read Smith\u2019s comment that the plan rations covered procedures to mean that the plan denies patients care it has previously said it covers. However, Smith says that\u2019s not how his words should be interpreted. Instead, he was trying to indicate that while chemotherapy is generally covered under the health plan, there are instances when it\u2019s not."]},{"id":"5052.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgias unemployment rate has exceeded the national rate for 50 consecutive months.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Georgia's unemployment rate has exceeded the national rate for 50 consecutive months. The data from various sources confirms that Georgia consistently had a higher unemployment rate than the national average for an extended period. This demonstrates a persistent trend of Georgia's unemployment rate surpassing the national rate over a significant duration.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Currently, Georgia\u2019s unemployment rate stands at 10.2 percent while the national rate is at 9 percent. Perhaps even more disturbing is that Georgia\u2019s unemployment rate has exceeded the national rate for 50 consecutive months,\" he wrote.","How about 2010? Carter was right. The highest monthly national rate was 9.8 percent, which was recorded in April and November. The unemployment rate for Georgia those months were 10.1 and 10.4 percent, respectively. Georgia\u2019s unemployment rate for the other 10 months of 2010 was at least 0.5 percentage points higher than the nation.","In each month of 2011, the unemployment rate in Georgia ranged between a high of 10.3 percent in January and September and a low of 9.8 percent, which was recorded in April and May. The highest national monthly unemployment rate was recorded in June, at 9.2 percent. So far, Carter is correct, which is 10 months.","OK, so when was the last time the nation\u2019s unemployment rate was the same or eclipsed Georgia\u2019s? Answer: July 2007. In that month, the national rate and Georgia\u2019s were 4.7 percent, according to the BLS."]},{"id":"1774.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he cut 'tax rates five times'","reason":"Reason: The statement that the individual in question \"cut tax rates five times\" is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that tax rates were reduced multiple times, it is important to note that simply focusing on the number of rate cuts does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall tax policy. The impact of these rate cuts on revenue and the broader tax system should also be considered. Additionally, other changes to the tax base or other tax policies may have offset the effects of the rate cuts. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it requires additional context to provide a more accurate representation of the individual's tax policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But lowering the tax rate doesn't always mean that property owners' tax bills go down. During good economic times, cities can often cut rates and still take in more revenue because property values -- on which the tax is based -- are rising.","The spot, in which White brands himself \"a man on the move,\" includes one claim that we earlier rated True, that crime rates in Houston fell to 25-year lows during White's tenure, from 2004 through 2009. For this article, another claim in the ad piqued our interest, that as mayor, White had 'cut tax rates five times.'","Strictly speaking, Perry's statement about the franchise tax rate is correct: As part of the changes, it was cut from about 4 percent to 1 percent. But another major revision -- widening the tax base -- was so significant that tax experts told us that simply comparing the before-and after rates doesn't give the true picture.","The claim in the 2014 piece was that McConnell voted \"three times for corporate tax breaks that send Kentucky jobs overseas.\""]},{"id":"2655.json","label":"false","statement":"Bruce Starr was the only senator to vote for stronger ethics laws and greater accountability.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Bruce Starr may have voted for stronger ethics laws and greater accountability on a specific issue, it is incorrect to claim that he was the only senator to do so. There were other senators who also voted in favor of Senate bills 10 and 30, which aimed to curtail lobbyist influence and strengthen ethics laws in Oregon. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the voting record of other senators and does not accurately reflect the legislative context.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But what caught our attention in the TV spot was this claim, spoken by the announcer: \"Bruce Starr was the only senator to vote for stronger ethics laws and greater accountability.\" A copy of Senate Bill 30 from the 2009 legislative session appears onscreen, implying that was the bill Starr voted for.","Starr is correct on that one, narrow issue. More often is better when it comes to disclosure. But to say he was the only senator to vote for stronger ethics laws is wrong. Both Senate bills 10 and 30 sharply curtailed entertainment, meals and trips offered by lobbyists and strengthened Oregon\u2019s ethics laws, and many senators voted in favor of the stricter rules.","The only senator? Was Starr the only yes vote on SB 30? And if the bill was so ethically swell, why didn\u2019t the other senators vote yes, too?","Bruce Starr is a state senator in the Oregon Legislature. He was elected to the House in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 before running for the Senate. He owned a construction business, has worked for the Portland Business Alliance and now runs a business, Cutting Edge NW, advising companies on public affairs strategies. He also previously served on the Hillsboro City Council."]},{"id":"1032.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Judge Sotomayor has said \"that policy is made on the U.S. Court of Appeals.\"","reason":"Reason: Judge Sotomayor did make a statement suggesting that policy is made on the U.S. Court of Appeals. However, it is important to consider the context of her statement. In the full context, it becomes clear that she was discussing the differences between clerking for a district court and an appeals court judge, and she was referring to the interpretation and application of policy rather than the creation of new policy. The statement by the RNC, which implies that Sotomayor would be an activist judge on the Supreme Court, is misleading. Therefore, the statement is considered half true, as it omits crucial context and misrepresents the intent behind Sotomayor's statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Court of Appeals is where policy is made,\" said Sotomayor, a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. \"And I know this is on tape and I should never say that because we don't make law. I know \u2026 I know. (some laughs) I'm not promoting it. I'm not advocating it. I'm \u2026 you know. Okay. (more laughs)","While Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele struck a measured pose \u2014 saying Republicans would \"reserve judgment on Sotomayor until there has been a thorough and thoughtful examination of her legal views\" \u2014 the RNC also sent around a talking points memo to the press and hundreds of influential Republicans that claimed \"Judge Sotomayor has also said that policy is made on the U.S. Court of Appeals.\"","\"What she (Sotomayor) said there is simply the honest version of what any judge knows and realizes,\" Garrow said. But \"you're not really supposed to acknowledge it on the record.\"","In short, the quote in question is the first line of a larger discussion about the differences between clerking for a district court rather than an appeals court judge. And Sotomayor goes on to detail those differences. In full context, it's clear that she is making the point that there are more decisions about interpreting and applying policy at the appeals court level. To the extent that the RNC raises the point to suggest it means she would be an activist judge on the Supreme Court, we think that's misleading. Sotomayor even noted that judges don't make law, that she was talking about interpreting and applying it. And so we rule the RNC's statement Half True."]},{"id":"7305.json","label":"true","statement":"Since taking office in January 2011, the rainy day fund has increased by 226 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor John Kasich's claim that the rainy day fund has grown by 226 percent since he took office in January 2011. This claim has been fact-checked and verified to be true, as the fund has indeed experienced a significant increase during his tenure. The evidence provided supports this claim, confirming that the rainy day fund has grown by 643 percent since Fiscal Year 2010, which aligns with Kasich's time in office.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Gov. John Kasich has had both setbacks and victories since taking office in January 2011, but a Fox News interview on April 2 gave him the chance to focus on success.","In his 2013 State of the State address, the governor bragged that the rainy day fund had grown 226 percent since he took office in 2011.","His numbers add up. The rainy day fund has increased 643 percent since Fiscal Year 2010, the year before he took office.","Georgia\u2019s rainy day fund had $116,021,961 before Deal took office in 2011 and reached $377,971,440 by June 30, 2012, earning the governor a True rating from PolitiFact for his statement in the State of the State in January 2013."]},{"id":"11019.json","label":"true","statement":"Says his release of 33 years of tax returns is more than any presidential candidate in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Jeb Bush released 33 years of tax returns, which is indeed more than any other presidential candidate in history. This level of transparency is highly unusual and sets a new standard for financial disclosure among presidential hopefuls.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Today, I\u2019m releasing 33 years of tax returns \u2013 more than any presidential candidate in history,\" Bush said on his website. He also bragged about it on Twitter. The returns run from 1981 to 2013.","Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush released 33 years of tax returns, casting it as the high water mark of transparency for presidential hopefuls.","We wondered if Bush\u2019s 33 years was indeed the most ever, and that does appear to be the case. We also found it\u2019s highly unusual for a candidate to share so many returns, especially so early in the campaign.","Tampa Bay Times , \"Jeb Bush's income soared after he left office, 33 years of tax returns show,\" June 30, 2015"]},{"id":"1985.json","label":"half-true","statement":"He \"stood up to Barack Obama by passing legislation that prevents you from being forced to join government health plans or buy health insurance against your will.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sen. Judson Hill that he \"stood up to Barack Obama by passing legislation that prevents you from being forced to join government health plans or buy health insurance against your will.\" This claim refers to Georgia SB 411, which was signed into law in June 2010. The legislation was intended to counter the federal health care law and provide an alternative to the individual mandate. However, it's important to note that the individual mandate was a provision of the federal health care law, and the effectiveness and impact of SB 411 in preventing individuals from being forced to join government health plans or buy health insurance against their will may vary. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Georgia has delved into this topic before. In 2010, Sen. Judson Hill, a Marietta Republican, sent a mailer to potential voters in his district saying he had \"stood up to Barack Obama by passing legislation that prevents you from being forced to join government health plans or buy health insurance against your will.\" Hill was referring to SB 411.","Most conservatives and libertarians were livid about the provision in the federal health care law known as the \"individual mandate,\" which requires Americans to buy health insurance and the majority of employers to provide it. Twenty-six states, including Georgia, filed a lawsuit to overturn the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act shortly after President Barack Obama signed it into law in March 2010.","The federal health care law, passed in March 2010, gives states the opportunity to organize health care exchanges where consumers and small businesses will be able to compare the quality and prices of health plans. If states won\u2019t create an exchange, the federal government will do it. Gov. Nathan Deal announced Nov. 16 that he would not set up an exchange under the health care law.","Georgia SB 411 was an attempt to counter the federal law. Senate Republicans pushed for the legislation after Democrats refused to support a similar amendment to the Georgia Constitution. Perdue signed the bill in June 2010."]},{"id":"3014.json","label":"true","statement":"I never proposed privatizing the (Milwaukee County) airport.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jeff Stone that he never proposed privatizing the Milwaukee County airport. This claim is supported by his response to a question during a campaign event and the fact that his focus was on regional operation for the airport to promote job and business growth in the area. The evidence provided does not indicate any explicit proposal or advocacy for privatization. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I never proposed privatizing the airport,\" Stone said, responding to a question. \"What we looked at was a regional operation for the airport\" to enhance job and business growth in the area.","Stone\u2019s campaign kickoff on Dec. 15, 2010 didn\u2019t include any major pronouncements, but in questions from reporters the privatizing claim popped up.","Jeff Stone has served as a Republican member of the Wisconsin state Assembly since 1998, representing southern Milwaukee County suburbs. He ran unsuccessfully for Milwaukee County executive in 2011.","Now, five years later, Stone is running for Milwaukee County executive -- and his failed attempt to create regional airport control is back in the news."]},{"id":"5246.json","label":"true","statement":"Before this day is out, 18 more veterans will have taken their own lives. That is the daily average, it is intolerable, and it has to stop.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the average number of daily suicides among veterans, as supported by the evidence provided. According to the VA's examination of veterans' records from 1979 through 2014, in 2014 alone, 7,403 veterans took their own lives, averaging to about 20 veterans per day. Therefore, stating that before the day ends, 18 more veterans will have taken their own lives is a reasonable approximation based on the available data. The statement emphasizes the urgency and importance of addressing the issue of veteran suicides.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It is unconscionable that 22 veterans take their own lives each day. We must ensure that they have support to adjust to civilian life,\" Harris, a Democrat, said on Twitter on August 18, 2016.","The VA examined about 55 million veterans records from 1979 through 2014. It found that in 2014, the latest year for which figures are available, 7,403 veterans took their own lives, or an average of about 20 a day.","The VA examined about 55 million veterans records from 1979 through 2014. It found that in 2014, the latest year for which figures are available, that 7,403 veterans took their own lives, or an average of about 20 veterans a day.","Shulkin said the average number of daily suicides may decreasing because the aging population of veterans also is waning. He stressed, however, that the suicide rate for veterans was rising."]},{"id":"8680.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Greg Abbott defended more than $5 billion in public school funding cuts in fighting hundreds of school districts in court.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Greg Abbott, as the state attorney general, defended the state of Texas against legal challenges regarding public school funding cuts. However, it's important to note that the attorney general has a legal obligation to represent the state in such cases, regardless of personal views or preferences. The statement could be misleading if it implies that Abbott personally advocated for or initiated the funding cuts. It is also worth mentioning that the context and details surrounding the defense of these cuts are missing, as the attorney general's role is to defend the state's position in court. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Davis said Abbott defended more than $5 billion in cuts in public school funding in fighting hundreds of school districts in court.","It\u2019s partly accurate, as Wendy Davis said, that Abbott defended more than $5 billion in public school funding cuts in fighting hundreds of school districts in court. This claim is missing important details and context in that the state attorney general has a legal duty to represent the state in challenges reaching the Texas Supreme Court, which the latest school finance lawsuits are expected to do. It would be unusual for an attorney general not to defend a law and legislative actions in such a suit.","\"Greg Abbott\u2019s actions speak louder than his words. While I fought against over $5 billion in unconstitutional budget cuts to our public schools,\" Davis said, Abbott \"wasted taxpayer funds to defend those cuts in court.\"","\"As Greg Abbott visits a Plano ISD school today it\u2019s unlikely that he will apologize to students for defending school budget cuts and fighting against their school district in court,\" state Sen. Wendy Davis said in a Dec. 3, 2013, post on her campaign website."]},{"id":"11467.json","label":"false","statement":"The word progressive...was created as a substitute forcommunist.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the word \"progressive\" was created as a substitute for \"communist\" is not supported by historical evidence. The progressive movement emerged as a response to the social and economic challenges brought about by industrialization and aimed to address issues such as workers' rights, consumer protection, and social welfare. It was not a disguise for communist or socialist ideologies. In fact, the progressive movement sought to counter the growth of socialist and communist movements in the United States. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I think the word \u2018progressive\u2019 is a very devious term. It was created as a substitute for \u2018communist,\u2019 \" he said. \"What they propose is the reverse of progress. It\u2019s some that that (sic) does taste of communism and Karl Marx\u2019s pernicious philosophy.\"","Voight said that the word progressive was created as a substitute for communist. The historic record shows that the progressive movement emerged around the turn of the last century in response to the conditions created by runaway capitalism. Its policies aimed to regulate private industry, not eliminate it. That agenda enjoyed broad support from people who identified with both parties and led to many of the basic features of government today.","We looked into the origins of the word progressive to see if it was created as a ruse to mask communistic thinking. What we found is quite the opposite. The progressive platform emerged as way to thwart the growth of nascent American socialist or communist movements.","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush."]},{"id":"4288.json","label":"false","statement":"When Standard Poors dropped our credit rating, what they said is, we dont have an ability to repay our debt. ... I was proved right in my position that the debt ceiling should not have been raised.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. The credit rating downgrade by Standard & Poor's in 2011 was not solely due to the decision to raise the debt ceiling. It was primarily a result of concerns about the political gridlock surrounding the debt ceiling negotiations and the overall fiscal situation of the United States. The decision to raise the debt ceiling was necessary to ensure the government could meet its financial obligations and avoid defaulting on its debt. The downgrade was a reflection of broader economic and political factors, not solely the debt ceiling increase.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The nation\u2019s debt ceiling approximates the credit limit on a credit card: It\u2019s a dollar figure that constrains how much debt the federal government can carry at a given time in order to pay for its operations.","In addition, even if the bills are fully paid for over 10 years, which is the standard CBO yardstick, new spending may exceed new revenues for a portion of that decade before they end up in balance, Ellis said.","\"Let\u2019s be clear,\" Biden said. \"Raising the debt limit is paying our old debts. It has nothing to do with new spending or what may be coming this year or other years. It has nothing to do with my plans on infrastructure or Building Back Better, both of which are paid for but they\u2019re not even in \u2014 in the queue right now.\"","\"The debt ceiling will have to be raised periodically as long as the federal government continues to run deficits, which is likely to be for the foreseeable future,\" Van de Water said. Federal borrowing needs are determined by \"the underlying tax and spending legislation \u2014 almost all of which, like Social Security and Medicare, is already in place.\""]},{"id":"11567.json","label":"false","statement":"The Chinese are there in Syria.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that the Chinese are physically present in Syria. Multiple sources, including Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, and experts from the White House, have stated that China does not have a military presence in Syria. While China may have economic interests in Syria, there is no credible information to suggest that they have deployed military personnel to the country.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The Chinese have been very, very clear from day one that Syria is not something they want to take responsibility for,\" said Ian Bremmer, the president of the Eurasia Group, a global consulting firm. \"It would go against absolutely everything we know about China. And Syria is the world's worst morass. ... The Chinese want no part of this.\"","\"There are 1.3 billion Chinese, they're in a lot of places. China\u2019s got an economic interest in Syria obviously, so would I be stunned that there were a couple of Chinese intelligence guys on the ground? No, but they're not playing a military role,\" Bremmer said.","\"Saying \u2018the Chinese are there\u2019 means the Chinese are there, not just that their weapons are there,\" said Kathleen Kendall, a communications professor at the University of Maryland.","We were curious about Carson\u2019s assertion that the \"Chinese are there\" in Syria. According to the White House, China and experts, they are not. But before we dive into that issue, let\u2019s sort out some semantics."]},{"id":"10144.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Sen. Rand Pauls 2011 budget included a big cut in the CDC.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In 2011, Senator Rand Paul proposed significant cuts to the budget of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The proposed cuts amounted to approximately $1.165 billion, and in some versions of his budget, the proposed reduction was even higher, around $1.2 billion. These cuts were considered substantial and would have had a significant impact on the CDC's ability to fulfill its mission. The evidence confirms that Senator Paul's 2011 budget did include a substantial cut in the CDC's funding.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Ebola points out why we need a fully funded government,\" Muder wrote. \"When there\u2019s no immediate threat of disease, government agencies like the CDC look like bureaucratic waste. When Rand Paul put out a \u2018Tea Party budget\u2019 in 2011, it included a big cut in the CDC, and virtually no explanation as to how this would affect its mission.\"","Sometimes reasonable people can quibble over whether a cut is \"big\" or not. In this case, Paul himself called his cuts \"serious\" in a 2011 op-ed he penned for the Wall Street Journa l.","Muder said that in 2011 Sen. Paul proposed cutting the CDC budget by $1.165 billion. Budget documents confirm that. In fact, Paul\u2019s most detailed budget that year would have trimmed CDC spending by slightly more, about $1.2 billion.","Muder had blogged about Paul\u2019s budget in 2011. Back then, Muder asked how the CDC would be able to fulfill its mission if, as Paul wanted, its budget was cut by $1.165 billion."]},{"id":"4848.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S. would gainrevenue by cutting personal income tax rates in half and ending tax breaks.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the U.S. would gain revenue by cutting personal income tax rates in half and ending tax breaks. According to the information provided, eliminating personal income tax loopholes and reducing rates in half would result in significant additional revenues for the government. The evidence suggests that by getting rid of tax expenditures and exemptions, there is potential to generate more revenue while simultaneously reducing tax rates. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["If the U.S. eliminated all the personal income tax loopholes and cut rates in half, that would result in about $574.2 billion in additional revenues for 2012. So Warner is correct. In fiscal 2011, Washington would have received about an extra $594 billion had personal income tax rates been halved and exemptions ended.","Personal incomes taxes are the federal government\u2019s largest revenue source, providing 45 percent of its tax receipts. We were curious if the U.S. government could make money by slicing rates in half and clamping personal deductions. So we looked into it.","\"You can cut everybody\u2019s (income) taxes in half and actually raise more revenues if you\u2019re willing to get rid of all the tax expenditures, tax breaks,\" Warner told host Joe Scarborough. \"We\u2019re not suggesting you do all that, but there\u2019s a lot of headroom there to be able to generate revenues and reduce rates.\"","U.S. Sen. Mark Warner says Americans must be willing to sacrifice popular income tax exemptions if they are serious about cutting the national debt."]},{"id":"7221.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Detroit dumping a bunch of sewage in Lake Erie causes big problems for Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. There is evidence to support the claim that sewage from Detroit is being dumped into Lake Erie, and this does contribute to water quality problems in the lake. However, it's important to note that agricultural runoff is considered the primary problem causing toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie, while the impact of Detroit's waste is considered relatively minor in comparison. So while the statement correctly identifies one contributing factor to water quality problems in Lake Erie, it may overstate the extent to which Detroit's sewage is the main cause of the issues faced by Ohio.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We made great progress in Grand Saint Marys, and we are up in the Lake Erie watershed making sure we made great progress there,\" Kasich told reporters in Nov. 29 . \"We have a problem with Detroit dumping a bunch of sewage in the lake that causes big problems...\"","As he was talking to reporters about improving water quality at Grand Lake St. Marys, Kasich praised farmers for doing more to limit agricultural runoff. Turning to Lake Erie, Kasich blamed Michigan for \"dumping sewage\" into the Lake that causes \"big problems.\"","Kasich\u2019s statement was partially accurate. Sewage from Detroit is being dumped into Lake Erie and it does certainly contribute to water quality problems in the Lake.","Agricultural runoff is the biggest problem facing the shallowest of the Great Lakes as it causes toxic algae blooms, according to the foremost Lake Erie water quality expert. He called the impact of Detroit\u2019s waste floating into the lake \"very minor.\" Other Lake Erie water experts, though, seemed a bit more concerned about the impact of the Detroit waste in the overall mix."]},{"id":"7648.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Obamacare, Virginia taxpayers would have been forced to pay for abortions if the General Assembly had not recently intervened.","reason":"Reason: The statement incorrectly attributes the requirement to pay for abortions under Obamacare to Virginia taxpayers. There is no evidence to support this claim. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) does not mandate that taxpayers pay for abortions. The intervention by the Virginia General Assembly suggests that there were concerns or discussions related to abortion coverage, but it does not support the assertion that taxpayers would have been forced to pay for abortions under Obamacare.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The wording -- \"Christian organizations will be forced to pay for abortions\" -- is clearly an overreach. Christian organizations won\u2019t be \"forced\" to hand over money for abortion procedures performed at clinics by doctors.",", \"How Marco Saved Taxpayers $2.5 Billion on the ObamaCare Bailout \u2014 And Is Fighting to Save Them Much, Much More,\" accessed Dec. 2, 2015","Sen. Marco Rubio, \"Rubio Saves Taxpayers Over $2.5 Billion In Obamacare Bailout Funds, Calls For Taking Option Off The Table For Good,\" Oct. 2, 2015","\"Last year, I stopped an Obamacare bailout and saved taxpayers $2.5 billion,\" Rubio said in a Dec. 1, 2015, tweet. It linked to a Fox News story giving Rubio credit for dealing a blow to President Barack Obama\u2019s signature health care legislation."]},{"id":"6297.json","label":"false","statement":"Says stimulus money went to buy electric cars from Finland as a payback to Obama supporters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The stimulus money did not go towards buying electric cars from Finland as a payback to Obama supporters. The program that provided loan guarantees for Fisker cars, which were manufactured in Finland, was not part of the stimulus package. The contract to produce the cars in Finland was signed before the federal loan was approved, and measures were in place to ensure that taxpayer dollars were only used for work done in America. The claim that stimulus money was used as a payback to Obama supporters is unsubstantiated and lacks credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["They argued about whether the stimulus money was wasted, and Ryan said \"Was it a good idea to spend taxpayer dollars on electric cars in Finland, or on windmills in China?\"","In fact, the program that provided loan guarantees for the Fisker cars was not part of the stimulus -- and the money went toward engineering and design in the United States.","Ornisher, the company spokesman, told us the contract to produce the cars in Finland had been signed before the federal loan was approved. Also, measures were put in place to ensure that taxpayer dollars only went for work done in America.","PolitiFact tackled many of these questions in some detail last April. Back then, an ad from the conservative group, Americans for Prosperity asserted \"The Obama administration admitted the truth, that $2.3 billion of tax credits went overseas ... Half a billion to an electric car company that created hundreds of jobs in Finland.\""]},{"id":"12138.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the GOP is helping pay for Justice Rebecca Bradleys campaign and she recently skipped court to attend an event paid for by Scott Walkers lobbyist friends.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Kloppenburg and the content of the ad. Kloppenburg alleges that the GOP is financially supporting Justice Rebecca Bradley's campaign and that she skipped court to attend an event funded by Scott Walker's lobbyist friends. However, it's important to note that these claims are presented as allegations and should be treated as such until verified or proven. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says the GOP is \"helping pay for\" Justice Rebecca Bradley's campaign and \"she recently skipped court to attend an event paid for\" by Scott Walker's \"lobbyist friends.\"","Kloppenburg says the GOP is \"helping pay for\" Bradley's campaign and \"she recently skipped court to attend an event paid for\" by Scott Walker's \"lobbyist friends.\"","Kloppenburg says the GOP \"is helping pay for\" Bradley's campaign and \"she recently skipped court to attend an event paid for by\" Walker's \"lobbyist friends.\"","The ad, released March 15, 2016, claims the Republican Party \"is helping pay for\" Bradley's campaign and that Bradley \"recently skipped court to attend an event paid for\" by Walker\u2019s \"lobbyist friends.\""]},{"id":"3241.json","label":"true","statement":"Senator Webb was a reliable vote for President Obama and Senator Harry Reid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Senator Webb consistently voted in alignment with President Obama and Senator Harry Reid. While Senator Webb was known for charting his own course and being independent, the evidence suggests that he generally supported the key initiatives of President Obama and Senator Reid, as indicated by his voting record and alignment on high-profile issues.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Senator Webb was a reliable vote for President Obama and Senator Harry Reid and their ruinous agenda,\" Radtke said in a written statement released on Feb. 11, the day Webb made announcement.","We looked at Webb\u2019s record on President Barack Obama\u2019s key initiatives. Webb and Reid were always in his corner. They voted for:","Webb, a former Republican turned Democrat, has always had a reputation for charting his own course. We wondered how much he was in sync with Obama and Reid, a Nevada Democrat who is Senate majority leader.","But voting with your party 87 percent of the time still sounds consistent to us. And on the highest-profile issues, Webb and Reid have backed the president."]},{"id":"8065.json","label":"false","statement":"Homicides against blacks have tripled since Floridas stand your ground law has been in existence.","reason":"Reason: The statement that homicides against blacks have tripled since Florida's \"stand your ground\" law has been in existence is not supported by the available evidence. Fact-checking investigations have shown that the claim is inaccurate. While there may be concerns about the impact of the law, it is important to rely on accurate data and analysis when discussing its effects. The available data does not support the assertion that homicides against blacks have tripled as a direct result of the law.\nLabel: false","evidence":["During an interview on CNN about Florida\u2019s \"stand your ground\" law Jackson said: \"Homicides against blacks have tripled since this law has been in existence.\"","\"No doubt ... the inclination (is) to boycott Florida, to stop conventions, to isolate Florida as a kind of apartheid state given this whole 'stand your ground' laws,\"Jackson said on CNN July 18. \"Homicides against blacks have tripled since this law has been in existence. Now more homicides and more guns make us less secure.\"","After Jackson made his remarks, several readers emailed us: Is Jackson correct that since the law passed, homicides of black victims have tripled?","We also looked at the number of homicides of black people as a percentage of the total number of homicides and did not find they tripled."]},{"id":"1621.json","label":"true","statement":"The Associated Press called Charlie Crist's attacks \"over the top,\" \"out of context,\" and \"not true.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the Associated Press article, which described Charlie Crist's attacks as \"over the top,\" \"out of context,\" and stated that some of them \"aren't true.\" This information is supported by the evidence provided. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The evidence: A March 13, 2010, Associated Press article. The ads claim that the article labeled Crist's attacks \"over the top,\" \"out of context,\" and \"not true.\"","In two short television ads, Rubio tries to soften Crist's attacks with the help of the respected and impartial Associated Press. He uses the AP's words correctly to help make his case. We rate his claim True.","\"Crist, who calls himself a 'happy warrior,' still smiles, but he is proving he will throw anything and everything at Rubio to try to win what is becoming one of the closest watched races in the country. Many of Crist's attacks are exaggerated, take words out of context, aren't true or over the top. Rubio has also exaggerated or taken out of context some of Crist's statements or actions, but not to the same extent.\"","The paragraph, the second in the story, includes each of the phrases Rubio cites in his television ad -- \"out of context,\" \"over the top,\" and \"not true\" (the actual wording in the article was \"aren't true\"). It's worth noting that Crist's new TV ad references only two of the six attacks Farrington focused on in the AP article - about spending of GOP political donations and that Rubio was a lobbyist - and it's unclear from the article how Farrington would describe those specific attacks."]},{"id":"6800.json","label":"false","statement":"Says 7,000 millionaires gamed the system to pay no income taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. While the claim suggests that 7,000 millionaires \"gamed the system\" to avoid paying income taxes, there is no provided evidence to support this assertion. The available information indicates that these millionaires may have utilized legal means within the existing tax system to minimize their tax obligations. It is important to distinguish between legal tax planning and illegal tax evasion. Without concrete evidence of fraudulent or illegal activities, it is misleading to claim that these millionaires \"gamed the system.\"\nLabel: false","evidence":["She claimed she \"is fighting for a country where opportunity exists for everyone -- not just the 7,000 millionaires who gamed the system to pay no income taxes on their fortunes.\"","The second part of Baldwin's claim -- that millionaires who paid no federal income taxes had somehow \"gamed the system\" -- suggests they did something improper.","But her figure is high and she provides no evidence that millionaires \"gamed the system.\" What\u2019s clear is they worked within the system, however flawed it may or may not be.","Williams said that if people feel there is something wrong with a system that allows some people to pay no income taxes, they should work to \"fix the system, don\u2019t complain about people doing perfectly legal things.\""]},{"id":"3336.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama grew up in Kenya.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Barack Obama did not grow up in Kenya. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and spent the majority of his childhood in the United States. While his father was Kenyan, Obama's upbringing was primarily in Hawaii and later in Chicago. Claims that he grew up in Kenya are based on misinformation and have been debunked numerous times.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961, to Barack Obama Sr., who is Kenyan, and Ann Dunham, of Kansas.","A website revived suspicion of Barack Obama\u2019s birthplace by using a quote from the former president\u2019s recent visit to Kenya out of context.","!Former U.S. President Barack Obama gestures to the crowd during an event in Kogelo, Kisumu, Kenya, on July 16, 2018. Obama was in Kenya to launch a sports and training center founded by his half-sister, Auma Obama. (AP) !Former U.S. President Barack Obama gestures to the crowd during an event in Kogelo, Kisumu, Kenya, on July 16, 2018. Obama was in Kenya to launch a sports and training center founded by his half-sister, Auma Obama. (AP)","Huckabee did say in a radio interview that Obama grew up in Kenya and then spoke at length about the implications of that, suggesting that his views of the British were shaped by a father whom he only met once and a grandfather he never met."]},{"id":"3657.json","label":"true","statement":"90 percent of babies with Down syndrome are aborted.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple studies have shown that the abortion rate for babies diagnosed with Down syndrome ranges from 80 percent to 90 percent. While there may be slight variations in the exact numbers, the evidence supports the claim that a significant majority of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are indeed aborted.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Corcoran said that \"90 percent of babies with Down syndrome are aborted.\" Though the exact numbers vary slightly, the studies back him up. We rate this statement True.","Republican state Rep. Richard Corcoran said -- and the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates publicized it on Twitter -- that \"90 percent of babies with Down syndrome are aborted.\"","A number of scientific studies have shown an abortion rate from 80 percent to 90 percent -- close to what Santorum said -- but all have been localized. Since there\u2019s evidence that the decision to abort can vary by region, we think it\u2019s an overstatement for Santorum to say that after prenatal diagnosis, \"90 percent of Down syndrome children in America are aborted.\" There are no standardized, national numbers, so his use of the term \"in America\" is problematic. On balance, we rate his statement Half True.","\"The fact is 90-percent of Down syndrome children were aborted in this country,\" DeWine responded. \"Maybe some people don\u2019t think that is a problem. I\u2019m shocked by it. I think it\u2019s a sad commentary. And what he was simply saying is the government should not compel every insurance policy that is written to cover that.\""]},{"id":"5250.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Steve Jobs was responsible for creating more jobs than the stimulus bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses the impact of the stimulus bill on job creation, but it does not compare it to the job creation attributed to Steve Jobs. The evidence suggests that the stimulus bill had a significant impact on job creation, with estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of jobs. However, it does not provide any data or analysis to directly compare the job creation attributed to Steve Jobs. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In issuing its attack against Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, the National Republican Congressional Committee said the federal stimulus bill cost Wisconsin 77,000 jobs. The two things may have happened in the same time frame, but that does not mean one caused the other. Indeed, there is plenty of evidence the stimulus has created jobs.","That said, the CBO report credits the stimulus with creating between 900,000 and 4.7 million jobs in 2010 and between 600,000 and 3.6 million in 2011. It projects between 200,000 and 1.3 million jobs will be created in 2012.","\"Kagen promised us jobs, voting for the $787 billion stimulus,\" the announcer says, referring to Wisconsin. \"Cost: another 77,000 jobs lost.\"","Macroeconomic Advisers projects 2.1 million jobs will be created or saved through early 2012. Moody\u2019s put the peak of the employment impact in the third quarter of 2010, when the stimulus was responsible for an additional 2.5 million jobs."]},{"id":"3920.json","label":"true","statement":"Taxpayers pay for roughly 45 percent of all births in Wisconsin! And 60 percent of the births in Milwaukee!!!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by GOP state Rep. Michelle Litjens that taxpayers pay for approximately 45 percent of all births in Wisconsin and 60 percent of the births in Milwaukee. These figures are based on state data from 2008, which indicates the percentage of births financed by Medicaid. It's important to note that these statistics may have changed since 2008, and more recent data would be needed to provide a current assessment. However, based on the available information, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Unreal! Taxpayers pay for roughly 45 percent of all births in Wisconsin! And 60 percent of the births in Milwaukee!!! No wonder we\u2019re broke.\"","( - Wisconsin GOP Rep. Michelle Litjens says taxpayers pay for 45 percent of births in state, 60 percent in Milwaukee&url=)","GOP state Rep. Michelle Litjens claimed that taxpayers paid for roughly 45 percent of all births in Wisconsin, including 60 percent of the births in Milwaukee. Her staff said she was referring to state figures for 2008, which we confirmed are the most recent available in terms of how many of the births were financed by Medicaid.","As for Litjens\u2019 second claim, that taxpayers paid for 60 percent of the births in Milwaukee, she didn\u2019t specify whether she meant Milwaukee County or the City of Milwaukee. But either way, her claim is accurate."]},{"id":"3033.json","label":"true","statement":"New provisions of the health care law bar the use offlexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to pay for aspirin and other non-prescription health needs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Provisions of the health care law do indeed restrict the use of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) to pay for non-prescription health needs, including items like aspirin. While these items can still be reimbursed if prescribed by a healthcare professional, the law does limit their direct purchase using FSAs and HSAs.\nLabel: true","evidence":["New provisions of the health care law bar the use of flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to pay for aspirin and other non-prescription health needs.","Mullins says health care law provisions that took effect Jan. 1 will \"remove the ability of consumers to use FSA and HSA plans to pay for things like aspirin and other non-prescription health needs.\"","On that count, Mullins stays relatively safe by employing the phrase \"non-prescription health needs\" at the end of his claim. True, those items like aspirin can still qualify for reimbursement with a prescription, but then they would not longer be \"non-prescription.\"","\"Desperate for tax dollars to pay for their $1 trillion health care takeover, Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama, and Jim Webb decided to pick the pockets of consumers who opted to take responsibility for their own health care costs and remove the ability of consumers to use FSA and HSA plans to pay for things like aspirin and other non-prescription health needs,\" Mullins wrote."]},{"id":"9660.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott cut Bright Futures scholarships in half.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The ad claims that Rick Scott cut Bright Futures scholarships in half. However, it is important to note that the ad is referring to the number of scholarships distributed, not the amount of money per scholarship or the total funding for the program. The number of scholarships was indeed reduced under Rick Scott's administration. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad, it lacks the necessary context to provide a complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When Crist says that under Scott the scholarships were cut in \"half,\" it\u2019s possible for viewers to mistakenly believe that refers to total dollars spent, or the amount of individual scholarships. Instead, what the ad is referring to is the number of scholarships distributed.","\"This isn\u2019t just a doorway to a school. It was my doorway as a public school kid to opportunity. And I want to make sure every child has that same chance for a better life,\" Crist says in the ad. \"But Rick Scott's education cuts are closing that door on Florida's kids, spending almost $200 less per student than when I was governor and cutting Bright Futures scholarships in half.\"","\"All of that is incorrect,\" Scott responded, and then the video cuts him off. Text on the screen says, \"Scott approved cuts to Bright Future scholarships,\" followed by, \"Rick Scott is bad for Florida.\"","\u2022 The ad could create the false impression that the amount of money per scholarship (or total money) was cut in half, when it\u2019s actually referring to the number of scholarships."]},{"id":"1253.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Baucus health care bill would require taxes on medical devices such as X-ray machines, female condoms, HIV tests and surgical needles.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions of the Baucus health care bill, which proposed taxes on certain medical devices. The bill intended to apply taxes to items such as X-ray machines, female condoms, HIV tests, and surgical needles. However, it's important to note that the bill underwent revisions and adjustments, and the final version may have differed from the initial proposal. Additionally, the specific taxability of certain items mentioned, such as surgical needles and fetal-cell screening kits, may require further investigation as their categorization and pricing information were not readily available. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\" Washington Times columnist Amanda Carpenter has looked into the matter and found that new moms who want to use a powered breast pump to bottle milk for their babies will have to pay this excise tax,\" Jessup wrote. \"These pumping devices, Carpenter points out, typically retail for more than $100. In addition, other items used by both men and women \u2014 including 'pacemakers, ventilators, X-ray machines, powered wheelchairs and surgical needles \u2014 will be taxed too.' ... So what else is on this list of items to be taxed? Lots of things, including dentures, fetal cell-screening kits, female condoms (I'm surprised there aren't angry 'feminists' taking to the streets over this one), tests for syphilis and HIV, hip, knee, ankle and breast prosthetics, dialysis catheters, mammograms and sickle-cell anemia tests.\"","We found that the following items would still be subject to the current version of the proposed tax, either because they're rated Class III or because they're considered Class II and cost more than $100: powered breast pumps; tests for HIV; pacemakers; ventilators; X-ray machines; powered wheelchairs; hip, knee, ankle and breast prosthetics; and dentures. Many dialysis catheters are rated Class III, and the female condom is Class III. (Male condoms are Class II \u2014 go figure.) Assuming Jessup meant \"mammography machines\" rather than \"mammograms,\" then you can add that to the list as well.","Initially, the Finance panel was planning to subject all medical devices to the tax. (Technically this would be a tax on companies that make devices, based on their market share, rather than an excise tax on individual units.) But an outcry that it would lead to \"tampon taxes\" and \"Q-tip taxes\" led the committee's chairman, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., to shift course. He decided to apply the tax rules based on the three medical device categories determined by the Food and Drug Administration. These categories align roughly with how complex and risky the devices are.","It's a bit more complicated to determine the taxability of the remaining four that Jessup mentioned. Tests for sickle-cell anemia and syphilis are both categorized as Class II, and a Web search turned up prices well below $100 per test, suggesting that both would be exempt. Meanwhile, most surgical needles are rated Class I or Class II, and the one fetal-cell screening kit rated by the FDA is considered Class II; for both the needles and the fetal-cell kit, we were unable to find price quotes on the Internet."]},{"id":"5051.json","label":"true","statement":"Taxpayers earning $1 million pay an effective tax rate that is about four times what taxpayers earning $100,000 pay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate and supported by data from the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. According to the data, taxpayers earning $1 million pay an effective tax rate of 6.88 percent, which is approximately four times higher than the 1.73 percent paid by individuals earning $100,000. Therefore, the statement is factually correct.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an opinion piece in the Star-Ledger, O\u2019Scanlon wrote: \"Taxpayers earning $1 million pay an effective tax rate that is about four times what taxpayers earning $100,000 pay.\"","\"Taxpayers earning $1 million pay an effective tax rate that is about four times what taxpayers earning $100,000 pay,\" O\u2019Scanlon wrote in the Dec. 16 piece published in The Star-Ledger. \"When and how will we know when we\u2019ve achieved \u2018fairness\u2019?\"","Based on data from the state Treasury department, O\u2019Scanlon is correct. Taxpayers earning $1 million pay an effective tax rate of 6.88 percent, which is about four times the 1.73 percent paid by individuals earning $100,000.","That\u2019s right, PolitiFact New Jersey found. According to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, taxpayers earning $1 million pay an effective income tax rate of 6.88 percent, compared with 1.73 percent for people earning $100,000."]},{"id":"1273.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Health proposal would create a \"40% tax on health care benefits of middle-class workers.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is an overstatement and fails to provide important context. The proposed tax on health care benefits is not a blanket 40% tax on all middle-class workers. It is an excise tax that would only affect workers with health care benefits above a certain level, commonly referred to as \"Cadillac\" plans. Most middle-class workers would not be affected by this tax. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact of the tax on middle-class workers and does not accurately reflect the proposal.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The ad says the proposal is a \"40% tax on health care benefits of middle-class workers.\" But that's an overstatement that fails to mention it's an excise tax that would only affect workers with health care benefits above a certain level. Most middle-class workers won't be affected at all. We rate the statement Barely True.","Meanwhile, the left-leaning Health Care for America Now dislikes the tax on \"Cadillac\" plans, too. They released an ad that says health reform would create a \"40% tax on health care benefits of middle-class workers.\" We found that overstated how the tax actually works and rated their statement Barely True.","We're checking the facts behind the text that flashes on the screen during the ad: \"40% tax on health care benefits of middle-class workers.\"","Here's what the ad says: \"We all know America needs real health care reform, but there's a right way and a wrong way to pay for it. Some senators say they want to tax so-called 'Cadillac' health care plans, but those proposals will also tax the benefits of millions of middle-class workers. There's a better way. Let's ask individuals making more than $250,000 to pay their fair share.\""]},{"id":"7736.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Six out of 10 of the highest unemployment rates are also in so-called right to work states.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that PolitiFact Ohio rated a similar claim as \"Half True,\" it is important to note that the claim was deemed misleading because it implied a cause-and-effect relationship between right-to-work laws and high unemployment rates, which was found to be unsupported. The statement itself, however, accurately reflects the fact that six out of ten states with the highest unemployment rates are right-to-work states. It is crucial to avoid drawing direct causal links between right-to-work laws and unemployment rates without considering other contributing factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But in 2013, PolitiFact Ohio rated Half True a claim that \"Six out of 10 of the highest unemployment rates are also in so-called right to work states.\" The numbers were right, but it was \"misleading because it implies a cause-and-effect relationship that is bogus.\"","For instance, PolitiFact National rated Mostly True a 2011 claim that right to work states \"have much lower levels of unemployment than union states do\" \u2013 the levels were lower, but \"much lower\" was a stretch.","Right-to-work laws make it optional for workers to join labor unions. All told, there are 28 right-to-work states, with many concentrated in the south, though many midwestern states -- including Michigan, Iowa and Indiana -- also carry that status.","On the Truth-O-Meter, the statement that it is legal in Ohio to fire an employee or evict a tenant for being gay rates as True."]},{"id":"1349.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under the Democratic health plan, families will be forced to spend an additional $2,100 a year to keep their current health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pence is not entirely accurate. While it is true that some families who purchase nongroup plans through the exchange and do not receive federal health insurance subsidies may experience an increase in premiums, the majority of working families who receive insurance through large employers would actually see a slight decrease in premiums. Additionally, the statement fails to consider that the government would require individual policies to include better coverage, which could contribute to the increase in premiums. Therefore, Pence's claim is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the Democratic health plan on families' healthcare costs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But in this item, we're focused on Pence's claim that under the Democratic health plan, families \"will be forced to spend an additional $2,100 a year to keep their current health care.\" That's only true for the roughly 8 percent of the market that purchases nongroup plans through the exchange and who don't receive a federal health insurance subsidy. According to the CBO, the vast majorty of working families -- who get their insurance through a large employer -- would actually see a slight decrease in premiums. It also does not account for the fact that the government would require individual policies to include better (more) coverage. And so we rule Pence's statement Barely True.","\"The CBO has confirmed what every American already knows, the Democrats' plan for a government takeover of health care will dramatically raise health care costs on working families,\" Pence said in a Nov. 30 press release. \"This latest CBO study reveals that the health care bill before the U.S. Senate will raise individual insurance premiums by up to 13 percent. That means every family that refuses the government's one-size-fits-all plan, will be forced to spend an additional $2,100 a year to keep their current health care.\"","There's another flaw in Pence's statement. He says families would pay $2,100 more to keep \"their current health care.\" In fact, much of what is driving up the cost of premiums in the nongroup market is that the government would require insurance companies in the exchange to offer a broader scope of benefits than most individual plans now include, an \"essential health benefits\" package that would match the benefits provided in most employer plans.","( - Obama says under Democratic health plan, family insurance premiums in the individual market would decrease 14 to 20 percent&url=)"]},{"id":"8393.json","label":"false","statement":"Its been 4 and a half years since the United States Senate passed a budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there was a period of time when the United States Senate did not pass a budget, as of the evidence provided, the Senate did pass a budget in March. Therefore, it has not been four and a half years since the Senate passed a budget. It is important to ensure that information is up to date and accurately reflects the current situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We\u2019re incredulous, at the state level, it\u2019s been four and a half years since the United States Senate has passed a budget, a spending blueprint for America,\" McDonnell said. \"You know, no business, no state, no local government, no church, no synagogue, or a family could ever run like that.\"","McDonnell said the U.S. Senate hasn\u2019t passed a budget in four and a half years. His information is out of date. The Senate passed a budget in March. A group of Republican senators has blocked efforts to begin budget negotiations with the House.","Later in the interview, McDonnell repeated that the Senate has not passed a budget in 4-1\/2 years. We asked for asked for elaboration and Tucker Martin, McDonnell\u2019s chief of communications, sent us a PolitiFact Tennessee article from September 2012. It gave Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn, a True rating for saying the Senate has failed to pass a budget in \"more than three years.\"","\"We haven\u2019t passed a budget in more than three years and not a single appropriations bill has been brought to the floor this year.\""]},{"id":"9883.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wisconsin does not have a deficit. Thanks to Republican reforms, the 2014 budget will begin with a $443 million surplus.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Darling that Wisconsin does not have a deficit and that the 2014 budget began with a $443 million surplus, thanks to Republican reforms. This claim was supported by evidence from a news release and was acknowledged as partially true by PolitiFact Wisconsin. However, it's important to note that this assessment was made in 2014, and the financial situation of Wisconsin may have changed since then. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Darling said: \"Wisconsin does not have a deficit. Thanks to Republican reforms, the 2014 budget will begin with a $443 million surplus.\"","\"Wisconsin does not have a deficit,\" Darling said in a news release, which was issued with GOP Rep. John Nygren of Marinette. \"Thanks to Republican reforms, the 2014 budget will begin with a $443 million surplus.\"","The second year of the current 2013-\u201915 budget -- what Darling refers to as the 2014 budget -- did begin with a $443 million surplus.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Despite news of $1.8 billion shortfall, Alberta Darling says Wisconsin has $443 million surplus,\" (Half True) Sept. 11, 2014"]},{"id":"2319.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Buck wants to privatize Social Security.","reason":"Reason: While Ken Buck has expressed skepticism about the intent of the founding fathers in creating Social Security and has suggested that the private sector could potentially manage it more effectively, he has also made it clear that he does not support changing the program for current retirees or those close to retiring. The claim that Buck wants to privatize Social Security implies a complete overhaul of the system and the transfer of seniors' benefits into the stock market, which is not supported by his statements. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it oversimplifies Buck's position and does not accurately represent his stance on Social Security.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In Colorado, a narrator asks, \"Who is Ken Buck, and does he speak for Colorado? Buck wants to privatize Social Security, and he even questioned whether Social Security should exist at all.\" That ad was approved by Sen. Michael Bennet, the Democratic incumbent.","The ad opens with a video of Buck saying he'll be the \"voice of people on Main Street\" but quickly transitions to ominous music and a narrator asking \"Who is Ken Buck\" and \"Does he speak for Colorado?\" The narrator goes on make a series of charges, including that \"Buck wants to privatize Social Security.\"","\u2022 In the Colorado race, we rated Bennet's claim that Buck wants to privatize Social Security as Half True. Buck did say that he does not think that the founding fathers intended to have the program, and that the private sector would do a better job of running it. But he also has said clearly that he does not want to change the program for current retirees or those close to retiring.","Going back to the original claim, Michael Bennet said that Buck wants to privatize Social Security, using a term that we believe is often used to scare seniors into thinking that their lifetime savings will be transferred into the stock market -- the same one that took a plunge in 2008 and is still struggling. He said that he does not think that the Founding Fathers intended to have the program, and he openly stated that the private sector would do a better job of allowing younger workers to save. But he also has been very clear that he does not want to change the program for current retirees or those close to retiring. Bennet's ad gives the impression that Buck wants to expose all seniors' benefits to the vicissitudes of the stock market, but we find that's not the case. As a result, we rate this Half True."]},{"id":"8629.json","label":"true","statement":"By the time she turns 3 years old, a child born into a low-income home hears 30 million fewer words than a child from a well-off family.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama and supported by experts. Research indicates that children from low-income households tend to have significantly less exposure to language compared to their peers from higher-income families. The estimate of 30 million fewer words heard by the age of 3 is based on studies that highlight the importance of early childhood language exposure for optimal brain development. While there may be variations among individual families, the overall trend and impact of language exposure on children from low-income backgrounds is well-documented.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"By the time she turns 3 years old, a child born into a low-income home hears 30 million fewer words than a child from a well-off family, which means by the time she starts school, she\u2019s already behind,\" he said.","Obama said that less-affluent children are behind by the time they start school because they have heard about 30 million fewer words than peers from higher-income families. Experts say studies clearly support Obama\u2019s point. We rate Obama\u2019s statement True.","Suskind offered just one caveat: While Obama described the norm, there\u2019s variation from family to family. Some low-income families speak to and interact with their kids more, and some more affluent families don\u2019t.","Obama and others often bring up the concept of 30 million words because early childhood exposure to language comes at a crucial time in brain development, said Samuel Odom, a child development researcher at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill."]},{"id":"5618.json","label":"false","statement":"Says when he was governor, Wisconsin cut unemployment to 2.1 percent and the states unemployment rate was the lowest in the country for 40 consecutive months.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual is not supported by the evidence. There is no record of Wisconsin's unemployment rate dropping to 2.1 percent or being the lowest in the country for 40 consecutive months during the time when the individual was governor. The fact-checking analysis confirms that no such period of consecutive months with the lowest unemployment rate in the country can be found. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says when he was governor, Wisconsin cut unemployment to 2.1 percent and the state\u2019s unemployment rate was \"the lowest in the country for 40 consecutive months.\"","\"We created 740,000 jobs \u2013 can you imagine that? \u2013 a record for the state!\" Thompson proclaimed in a March 3, 2012 speech at a party caucus meeting in Sauk County. \"The state was in bad shape, and we turned it completely around. Our unemployment dropped down to 2.1 percent \u2026 (and was) the lowest in the country for 40 consecutive months. The lowest in the country!\"","We couldn\u2019t find a single month -- much less 40 straight months -- in which Wisconsin\u2019s unemployment rate was lowest among the states.","In a speech in Sauk County, Thompson contended Wisconsin\u2019s unemployment rate dipped to 2.1 percent and was lowest in the nation for more than three years running when he sat in the governor\u2019s chair."]},{"id":"11331.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administrations own Environmental Protection Agency has said its Clean Power Plan will have a marginal impact on climate change.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Scott Walker during a debate. He stated that the Obama administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that the Clean Power Plan will have a marginal impact on climate change. However, it's important to note that the EPA's assessment of the plan's impact on climate change may be subject to interpretation and debate. While the EPA has stated that the Clean Power Plan will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the extent of its impact on climate change is a complex and ongoing discussion among experts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Obama administration\u2019s \"own Environmental Protection Agency\" has said its Clean Power Plan \"will have a marginal impact on climate change.\"","In the debate, Walker said the Obama administration\u2019s \"own Environmental Protection Agency\" has said its Clean Power Plan \"will have a marginal impact on climate change.\"","\"A lot of those people, though, and I'm going to echo what Senator Rubio just said. This is an issue where, we're talking about my state, it's thousands of manufacturing jobs. Thousands of manufacturing jobs for a rule the Obama administration, (its) own EPA has said will have a marginal impact on climate change.\"","Did the EPA -- the agency administering the Clean Power Plan -- say the plan\u2019s regulations would have only a marginal effect on climate change?"]},{"id":"7071.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The higher the education level, the more likely they are to vote Democratic.","reason":"Reason: Multiple polls and analyses have consistently shown that there is a correlation between higher education levels and a higher likelihood of voting Democratic. This trend is supported by data from presidential elections over the past decade, which indicate that voters with higher levels of education, particularly those with postgraduate degrees, tend to lean towards the Democratic Party. However, it is important to note that this statement does not imply a direct causation between education level and party affiliation, as other factors such as income level and regional differences can also influence voting patterns. Nevertheless, the statement accurately reflects the general trend observed in the data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Sabato said that \"the higher the education level, the more likely voters are to vote Democratic.\" Sabato bases his claim on 2008 exit polls showing this national trend. Several polls and analysis done on data from presidential elections dating back at least a decade support Sabato\u2019s claim.","When viewed in the context of educational attainment alone, without also examining income level, the blog authors concluded that high school graduates are more Republican than non-high school graduates. But after that, the groups with more education tended to vote more Democratic. At the very highest education level tabulated in the survey, voters with postgraduate degrees leaned toward the Democrats.","In a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, political analyst Larry Sabato commented on the constituency of the political parties, particularly among white voters. We already checked part of his statement that \"Virginia\u2019s educational level among whites is higher than Georgia (voters\u2019 educational level).\" We rated it true.","Still, looking at data for Georgia, the trend remains for white voters -- regardless of educational level -- to vote Republican."]},{"id":"13136.json","label":"true","statement":"According to independent experts, Donald Trumps tax plan would blow up the debt by over $5 trillion and would in some instances disadvantage middle-class families compared to the wealthy.","reason":"Reason: According to independent experts, Donald Trump's tax plan has been analyzed and it has been concluded that it would significantly increase the national debt by over $5 trillion. Additionally, the experts have found that the plan could potentially disadvantage middle-class families compared to the wealthy. These findings are consistent with the statement made by Hillary Clinton. It is important to note that the specific impacts on different income groups may vary, but the overall assessment of the experts supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["According to \"independent experts,\" Donald Trump's tax plan \"would blow up the debt by over $5 trillion and would in some instances disadvantage middle-class families compared to the wealthy.\"","Clinton said that, according to \"independent experts,\" Trump's tax plan \"would blow up the debt by over $5 trillion and would in some instances disadvantage middle-class families compared to the wealthy.\"","\"Independent experts have looked at what I've proposed and looked at what Donald's proposed, and basically they've said this, that (his tax plan) would blow up the debt by over $5 trillion and would in some instances disadvantage middle-class families compared to the wealthy,\" Clinton said.","However, the Tax Foundation did find substantially bigger gains for wealthy Americans, which is consistent with Clinton\u2019s statement that Trump\u2019s plan would \"disadvantage middle-class families compared to the wealthy.\" It found that the bottom 80 percent of taxpayers would receive an income bump of between 0.8 percent and 1.9 percent, compared to 5.4 percent to 9.3 percent for the top 10 percent of taxpayers and between 10.2 percent and 16.0 percent for taxpayers in the top 1 percent."]},{"id":"4401.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the federal government is the largest energy user in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, the federal government is indeed the largest energy user in the country. This includes not only the energy consumption for heating and cooling buildings in Washington but also the energy used by the military, including fueling jets, ships, and vehicles. The Defense Department, in particular, is identified as the single biggest energy user within the government. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Portman says the bipartisan measure will help the economy, among other benefits, by increasing productivity and creating jobs. In an article written for the Toledo Blade, the first-term Republican said the legislation will also save millions of tax dollars because \"it will require the federal government \u2014 the largest energy user in the country \u2014 to adopt energy-saving techniques.\"","That stirred the curiosity of PolitiFact Ohio, if not our skepticism. Is the federal government really the country's biggest energy user? And -- drum roll -- how big is it?","Warner said the U.S government is the largest enterprise in the world. His staff said the statement was based on the federal government\u2019s employment and budget.","Keep in mind, that does not pay simply for heating and cooling buildings in Washington. It includes the costs of fueling military jets, ships and vehicles. The Defense Department is the single biggest energy user in government."]},{"id":"12233.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Tax dodging costs developing countries $200 billion every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the source that tax dodging costs developing countries $200 billion annually. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not specify the exact methodology or sources used to arrive at this figure. While the claim is plausible, it would be beneficial to have additional information or research to support the specific amount mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It asked the public to demand action from British lawmakers. \"Tax dodging costs developing countries $200 billion every year,\" it posted on its website.","The IMF report called all of them developing countries, and with some justification. For the most part, that is the category the United Nations applies to them.","$200 billion would be used for child tax credits. Individuals with an income of up to $112,500 and couples with an income of up to $150,000 would be eligible.","Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation, Tax evasion and tax avoidance in developing countries: The role of international profit shifting, 2010"]},{"id":"2207.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The border security plan of Sens. McCain and Kyl called for 3,000 additional troops to keep us safe. President Obama says hell send 524.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the border security plan proposed by Senators McCain and Kyl called for 3,000 additional troops. However, it simplifies President Obama's position by stating that he only said he would send 524 troops. While it is true that President Obama announced the deployment of 524 National Guard troops to Arizona, this number does not encompass the full extent of his border security efforts. Obama also supported proposed legislation for an additional 1,000 to 1,500 border patrol agents, some of whom would be assigned to Arizona. Therefore, while McCain's statement is partially true regarding his own proposal, it overlooks the broader scope of Obama's border security plans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The border security plan of Sens. McCain and Kyl called for 3,000 additional troops to keep us safe. President Obama says he'll send 524.\"","\"The border security plan of Sens. McCain and Kyl called for 3,000 additional troops to keep us safe. President Obama says he'll send 524,\" the narrator says. \"This is no political game, Mr. President. It's about Arizona lives. It's a fight we must win. And with John McCain on our side, we will.\"","We wanted to check whether it was true that McCain called for 3,000 troops while Obama said he would send 524.","In his ad, McCain gives a fair description of his own proposal calling for 3,000 more troops. But he downplays the number of personnel Obama has called for. The number 524 represents only National Guard troops being sent to Arizona as part an initiative announced in May. It does not include the 1,000 to 1,500 additional border patrol agents in proposed legislation that Obama supports, some of whom would be assigned to Arizona. Still, McCain does appear to want more new agents and troops sent to the border than Obama does. So we rate McCain's statement Half True."]},{"id":"4406.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sherrod Brown has stood side by side with President Barack Obama, presiding over the most rapid increase in the debt over the last 2.5 years and hurtling toward the worst jobs record in the modern era.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) regarding Senator Sherrod Brown's alignment with President Obama on major issues, including spending proposals. It also accurately states that the debt has increased significantly during Obama's presidency, with a $4 trillion rise in less than three years. However, the claim that Senator Brown has personally presided over the increase in debt and is solely responsible for the worst jobs record in the modern era is misleading. The rise in debt and job records are complex issues influenced by various factors, including broader economic conditions and policies implemented by multiple actors, not solely by a single legislator. Therefore, while the statement contains some accurate information, it oversimplifies the role of Senator Brown and lacks the necessary context to fully understand the complexities of these issues.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sherrod Brown \"has stood side by side\" with President Barack Obama, presiding \"over the most rapid increase in the debt over the last 2.5 years\" and hurtling toward \" the worst jobs record in the modern era.\"","\"However, as Senator Brown has stood side-by-side with President Obama on virtually every major issue, including all of his major spending proposals, he and his fellow Democrats in Washington have presided over the most rapid increase in the debt over the last 2.5 years and they are on track to have the worst jobs record in the modern era.\"","As for being on track for the wost jobs record in the modern era, Obama may be headed for that ignominious distinction, but a single legislator generally lacks that kind of power.","The debt has shot up from $10.626 trillion when Obama entered office to $14.622 trillion on Aug. 30, according to the Treasury Department\u2019s \"Debt to the Penny\" database. In raw dollars, that $4 trillion increase is the most rapid rise in debt under any president, according to CBS News, which was one of the NRSC\u2019s sources for the claim. Note the word \"rapid,\" because it\u2019s important here. Total debt during President George W. Bush\u2019s presidency rose by $4.9 trillion, according to the Treasury Department, but that was over the course of eight years. Obama has been in office less than three years."]},{"id":"5986.json","label":"true","statement":"Says one in four women and one in seven men have been victims of domestic violence in their lifetime.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistics provided by credible sources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. These statistics highlight the prevalence of domestic violence and emphasize the need for awareness and action to address this issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"One in four women and one in seven men have been victims of domestic violence in their lifetime,\" she said. That\u2019s not the least bit abstract. In a nation of 311 million people it\u2019s also very large.","With that background, it\u2019s time to turn to Bonamici\u2019s attention-grabbing claim - one-in-four women and one-in-seven men are victims of severe domestic abuse during their lifetime. Her comment focuses on a subset of the larger - and most damaging - behavior defined as domestic abuse.","\"About 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner (e.g., hit with a fist or something hard, beaten, slammed against something) at some point in their lifetime.\"","Her spokeswoman pointed us to an NBC news article which says \"nearly three women are murdered every day in the U.S. by current or former romantic partners.\""]},{"id":"4669.json","label":"half-true","statement":"During Sherrod Browns past decade as a D.C. politician, more than one out of every four jobs that has left America, left from Ohio. ... Sherrod Brown will own these horrendous Ohio job numbers next year.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that during Sherrod Brown's tenure as a D.C. politician, more than one out of every four jobs that left America came from Ohio. While the evidence provided supports this claim, it is important to note that the statement lacks context. Job loss and economic trends are influenced by various factors, including global market forces and industry changes, which may extend beyond the control of any single politician. Therefore, attributing the job losses solely to Sherrod Brown's policies is an oversimplification. Additionally, the statement's prediction that Brown will \"own\" the job numbers in the future is speculative and cannot be definitively determined at this time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"During Sherrod Brown\u2019s past decade as a D.C. politician, more than one out of every four jobs that has left America, left from Ohio. ... Sherrod Brown will own these horrendous Ohio job numbers next year.\"","The mess, of course, is the state of employment. Non-farm employment fell dramatically over the last few years, and although the trend is reversing, the recovery is painfully slow. Or as Mandel spokesman Joe Aquilino said in a news release on Sept. 28, 2011, \"Perhaps most staggering: during Sherrod Brown\u2019s past decade as a D.C. politician, more than one out of every four jobs that has left America, left from Ohio. This is a shocking statistic. Sherrod Brown\u2019s policies are not working for Ohio.\"","Promising that this message will not go away, Aquilino said, \"Simply put, Sherrod Brown will own these horrendous Ohio job numbers next year.\"","There it is in a nutshell: The case against any politician in office for the last four years or more. Josh Mandel, Ohio\u2019s treasurer who aspires to be in the U.S. Senate, will use it repeatedly in the next year against incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Mandel spokesman says."]},{"id":"8289.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are more guns than there are people in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not definitively supported by available data. While it is true that there is no official count of the number of firearms in the United States, estimates suggest that there are a significant number of guns in circulation. However, the exact number is uncertain, and different studies and sources provide varying estimates. While some estimates suggest that there may be more guns than people in the United States, the available evidence is not definitive enough to make a conclusive statement. Therefore, the claim is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We understand that in an open and democratic and free society, you cannot make yourself impenetrable, especially when there are more guns than there are people in the United States today,\" she said in a press conference.","Norton claimed there are \"more guns than there are people in the United States.\" There\u2019s no way to know for sure how many guns there are, given the available data. The highest credible guns number we saw was 310 million, which bests the 2010 population by over a million. But it falls short of the 2013 population estimate. We don't have any reliable gun surveys to approximate 2013 numbers. There's a chance Norton is right, but the available evidence isn't definitive. We rate Norton\u2019s claim Half True.","There is no actual count of the number of firearms in the United States. A 2009 study by the Congressional Research Service suggests Jenkins is right. A well-regarded 2015 study at Harvard suggests he\u2019s wrong.","But the headlines suggest the figures are certain when they\u2019re not, given that there is no record keeping that would produce an actual count of guns in the United States. As the Pew Research Center has observed, \"Gun ownership is one of the hardest things for researchers to pin down.\""]},{"id":"7304.json","label":"false","statement":"A Paul Ryan-Scott Walker (or Scott Walker-Paul Ryan) ticket for the White House in 2016 would be unconstitutional because both men live in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. There is no constitutional requirement that presidential and vice-presidential candidates must reside in different states. The Constitution only specifies that the president and vice president cannot be residents of the same state as the electors who are voting for them. Therefore, a Paul Ryan-Scott Walker or Scott Walker-Paul Ryan ticket would not be unconstitutional solely based on their shared residence in Wisconsin.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When two high-profile Wisconsin pols -- 2012 vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker -- made a highly precocious list of possible 2016 Republican presidential candidates, some Internet commenters cheered. Others jeered.","With his friend Gov. Scott Walker attracting much of the spotlight during Walker\u2019s brief presidential run, Ryan hasn\u2019t been fact checked much recently.","!Rep. Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, is poised to become the next Speaker of the House. (Getty photo) !Rep. Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, is poised to become the next Speaker of the House. (Getty photo)","When Democratic lawmakers staged a sit-in on the House floor calling for legislative action on gun control, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was unamused."]},{"id":"9111.json","label":"true","statement":"Todays marijuana is 300 percent to 800 percent more potent than the pot of yesteryear.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and has been rated as true. According to the information provided, marijuana today is indeed reported to be 300 percent to 800 percent more potent than it was in the past. The average THC levels in marijuana have increased significantly over the years, which can have implications for mental health and addiction risks, particularly for individuals with developing brains.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Finally, there was a claim in Massachusetts that \"today\u2019s marijuana is 300 percent to 800 percent more potent than the pot of yesteryear.\" It was rated True.","\"Today\u2019s marijuana is 300 percent to 800 percent more potent than the pot of yesteryear,\" she wrote. \"Such dangerous levels of THC heighten mental illness and addiction risks for those who smoke marijuana \u2014 especially for kids with developing brains.\"","( - Marijuana legalization opponent Heidi Heilman says today's marijuana is 300 percent to 800 percent stronger than in the past&url=)","That would be 300 percent higher (or four times stronger) than 1992 levels, when the average was 3.08 percent. And it would be 800 percent higher (or nine times stronger) than the average level of 0.98 percent found in 1976."]},{"id":"10262.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsin is below the national average in wage growth and job growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided. According to the federal figures comparing March 2013 to March 2014, Wisconsin had a job growth rate of 1 percent, which was below the national average of 1.7 percent. Additionally, the wage growth rate in Wisconsin during the same period was 2.9 percent, which was behind the national average of 3.8 percent. These statistics indicate that Wisconsin indeed experienced below-average wage growth and job growth compared to the national average.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Citing statistics for the most recent year, Todd said Wisconsin is below the national average in wage growth and job growth.","\"But I\u2019ve got to show you,\" he told Walker, as a graphic with figures appeared on the screen, \"compared to the national average, when it comes to wage growth, it's below the national average, Wisconsin is. When it comes to job growth, it's below the national average.\"","The latest federal figures, comparing March 2013 to March 2014, show Wisconsin\u2019s job growth rate at 1 percent, below the national average of 1.7 percent, and its wage growth rate at 2.9 percent, behind the national average of 3.8 percent.","The graphic also accurately cited the average changes in wage growth from March 2013 to March 2014 -- 2.9 percent in Wisconsin, which was behind the national average of 3.8 percent."]},{"id":"11253.json","label":"false","statement":"We have 93 million people out of work. They look for jobs, they give up, and all of a sudden, statistically, theyre considered employed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The claim that there are 93 million people out of work is incorrect. The number refers to the total number of individuals who are not in the labor force, which includes retirees, students, and individuals who have chosen not to work for various reasons. It does not represent the number of unemployed individuals actively seeking employment. Additionally, the statement suggests that individuals who have given up looking for work are considered employed, which is not true. The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies individuals who have stopped actively seeking employment as \"discouraged workers\" and they are not counted as part of the employed population. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the labor market situation and the statistical measures used to assess employment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We have 93 million people out of work. They look for jobs, they give up, and all of a sudden, statistically, they're considered employed.\"","Trump said, \"We have 93 million people out of work. They look for jobs, they give up, and all of a sudden, statistically, they're considered employed.\"","\"If you really look, Sarah, at the economy, it's been terrible,\" Trump said. \"We have 93 million people out of work. They look for jobs, they give up, and all of a sudden, statistically, they're considered employed.\"","A reader asked us to look at the checkable portion of this exchange -- that \"we have 93 million people out of work. They look for jobs, they give up, and all of a sudden, statistically, they're considered employed.\" So we did. We\u2019ll take the two parts of the claim in turn."]},{"id":"11257.json","label":"true","statement":"Of the 25 wealthiest nations, were the only one that doesnt provide basic health coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Among the 25 wealthiest nations, the United States is the only one that does not provide basic health coverage. Multiple sources, including candidates, op-eds, and data from organizations like the World Bank, support this claim. While it's important to note that the World Bank's ranking of the wealthiest nations may not perfectly align with the list of OECD nations, the overall consensus is that the United States stands out among wealthy nations for not having universal health care coverage.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Of the 25 wealthiest nations, we\u2019re the only one that doesn\u2019t provide basic health coverage,\" Gecker, a Democrat who serves on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, said during an Aug. 18 candidates\u2019 forum.","\"Except for the United States, the 25 wealthiest nations have some form of it (universal coverage),\" de Ferranti and Frenk wrote in their op-ed.","Among high GDP-per-capita nations, universal care coverage is the norm. Only three of the 25 wealthiest -- the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Qatar -- weren\u2019t listed as having universal health care.","The roster of OECD nations, however, does not translate to a list of the 25 wealthiest countries. Gecker also directed us to the World Bank\u2019s ranking of the wealthiest nations based on each country\u2019s gross domestic product divided by its population -- a figure called GDP per capita. About two-thirds of the nations on the World Bank\u2019s 25-richest list belong to the OECD."]},{"id":"9558.json","label":"half-true","statement":"13 percent of Americans, the lowest ever, are without health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the government's survey, which states that the uninsured rate in the United States rose from 12.4 percent in 2016 to 13 percent in September 2018. However, it's important to note that this data represents the uninsured rate at a specific point in time and does not necessarily indicate the lowest ever uninsured rate. The statement could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the historical trends in uninsured rates in the United States.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Specifically, Pascrell said: \u201cForty-five percent of Americans went without needed care because of costs in this country in 2007. That\u2019s rationing. Fifty-three percent of Americans cut back on their health care in the last year because of costs. That\u2019s rationing. \u2026 As many as 22,000 Americans die each year because they don\u2019t have health insurance. My brothers and sisters, that\u2019s rationing.\u201d","Castro\u2019s staff pointed to the results in the January 2019 Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index. It said 13.7 percent of Americans were uninsured in the last quarter of 2018.","The government\u2019s survey found that the uninsured rate rose from 12.4 percent in 2016 to 13 percent in September 2018. The CDC analysts have not said the increase is statistically significant. On the other hand, the latest results are preliminary, and the CDC authors noted that \"preliminary estimates of persons without health insurance coverage are generally 0.1 to 0.3 percentage points lower than the final estimates.\"","The debate over reforming the U.S. health care system has inspired a torrent of often-conflicting statistics. We will look at three assertions made by Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey. In this item, we will test his assertion that 45 percent of Americans went without needed care because of costs."]},{"id":"7059.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Romney supported a law that could have made most common forms of birth control illegal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that Romney has expressed support for laws that define life as beginning at conception, there is no evidence to suggest that he supported a law that would have made most common forms of birth control illegal. The claim made by the Florida Democratic Party in their mailer is misleading and lacks factual basis. It is important to distinguish between supporting the definition of life at conception and supporting laws that would ban or restrict access to common forms of birth control.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The mailer from the Florida Democratic Party says Romney supported a law that could have made most common forms of birth control illegal.","A recent mailing from the Florida Democratic Party broadens the attack by claiming that \"Romney supported a law that could have made most common forms of birth control illegal.\"","Romney supports laws that define life as beginning at conception, but we have not found that these laws bar the use of contraceptives -- at least, certainly not the most common forms. Personhood laws could limit some forms of birth control, but Romney has not supported those measures. And Romney has repeatedly said he supports the use of contraceptives.","Thus, Romney\u2019s argument might not be as simple as he presents. But again, defining life as beginning at conception has not interfered with birth control. Prior to and during part of Romney\u2019s time as governor, Massachusetts law said life began at fertilization. That did not lead to statewide prohibitions on birth control."]},{"id":"9272.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Attorney General Eric Holder recently revealed this idea to have government have gun owners wear special bracelets that would identify you as a gun owner.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Sarah Palin's claim that Attorney General Eric Holder wanted gun owners to wear identification bracelets is inaccurate. Holder was actually interested in promoting smart gun technology, which involves firearms that can only be fired by their rightful owners. This technology does not involve wearing identification bracelets. The claim made by Palin misrepresents Holder's intentions and is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["According to Palin, Holder recently revealed \"this idea to have government have gun owners wear bracelets, special bracelets, that would identify you as a gun owner.\"","\"Recently, he reveals this idea to have government have gun owners wear bracelets, special bracelets, that would identify you as a gun owner,\" Palin said. \"Well, hey, Holder, you don't want to go there, buddy.\"","Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice presidential nominee, claimed earlier this year that Holder wanted gun owners to have to wear identification bracelets. Actually, Holder was interested in promoting smart gun technology where the gun would only fire if held by its rightful owner. That\u2019s very different from Palin\u2019s description, so we rated her statement False.","!President Barack Obama stands with Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. who announced his resignation. (Getty) !President Barack Obama stands with Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. who announced his resignation. (Getty)"]},{"id":"961.json","label":"true","statement":"AIG said they were giving $57 million (in retention payments) to people who were being terminated.","reason":"Reason: According to AIG's own SEC filings, it is stated that they plan to spend $57 million on retention awards for employees they expect to terminate in the future. This information aligns with the statement made by Representative Cummings. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Keep in mind, in their filings \u2014 AIG's recent filings \u2014 they said they were giving $57 million to people who were being terminated,\" Cummings said in an interview on ABC's Good Morning America on March 16. \"I mean, that goes in the opposite direction of retention. And I really do think the American people are being played for fools by AIG.\"","Sure enough, if you go to page 222 of AIG's 10-K filing last month, you'll find this line: \"Restructuring expenses include $44 million of retention awards and Total amount expected to be incurred includes $57 million for retention awards for employees expected to be terminated.\"","This is a complex issue, and much of the detail about the retention bonuses has not yet been publicly revealed. And it's certainly debatable whether the company needs to be paying such large retention bonuses to so many employees. But the fact we are checking here is whether AIG plans to spend $57 million on retention awards for people it expects to terminate in the future. And the answer, according to the company's recent SEC filings, is yes. We rule the statement True.","In a statement provided to PolitiFact, Cummings said that while he \"understands where AIG is coming from in this argument, when I look at the bigger picture here, I just do not see this as being a reasonable argument for several reasons. First, it is simply unnecessary to give a $4 million bonus to someone who is already making $1 million a year \u2014 we are talking about quadrupling an annual salary \u2014 to keep someone at a company when the job market is as weak as it is. In these times, a weekly paycheck is all the retention payment anybody needs. Second, AIG is losing employees anyway, despite offering these retention payments. And, if you think about it, this makes sense. What employee is going to stay with a company when the company announces that it is liquidating its assets? This company has suffered the greatest quarterly loss in the history of corporate record-keeping in this country. Third, I just do not believe that the company is implementing the retention program in the most efficient and effective manner. I could possibly understand giving retention payments to a handful of top employees to keep them \u2014 but thousands of employees? I just cannot fathom how there can be thousands of indispensable employees right now, when there are hundreds of thousands of people in the financial sector who have lost their jobs.\""]},{"id":"9636.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Im running the second-largest county district attorneys office at 1985 staffing levels.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the Dane County district attorney's office has a similar number of prosecutors compared to 1985, the statement fails to acknowledge that there has been an increase in support staff. The office currently has 41 percent more support staff than it did in 1985. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that the office is running at 1985 staffing levels. The statement overlooks the growth in support staff, which plays a crucial role in the functioning of the district attorney's office.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"And I\u2019m running the second-largest county district attorney\u2019s office. And I\u2019ve talked to you about some of the innovations that we\u2019re doing, some of the things that we\u2019re doing to be proactive. But I\u2019m doing that at 1985 staffing levels. So, you think about that. That\u2019s leadership. That\u2019s experience. I\u2019m doing more with less in a county that\u2019s grown 46 percent, where law enforcement\u2019s grown 103 percent. We are moving forward.\"","The Dane County district attorney\u2019s office has a full-time-equivalent of 27.85 prosecutors, just slightly more than the 26 in 1985, but it also regularly utilizes special prosecutors to fill temporary vacancies. And the office has 41 percent more support staff than it did in 1985.","To back the claim, his campaign initially cited a chart on the website of the Dane County district attorney's office, which lists the number of prosecutors annually back from 1985 through 2011.","2. Ozanne\u2019s claim was general -- the level of staffing in his office, rather than specifically the number of prosecutors. We found there are currently 58 non-prosecutors in the DA\u2019s office -- paralegals, investigators, secretaries and others -- which is 41 percent more than the 41 support staff in 1985."]},{"id":"9860.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"McDonalds workers in Denmark have a union. Earn $45,000\/year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that McDonald's workers in Denmark have a union. However, it should be noted that while some McDonald's workers in Denmark may earn around $45,000 a year, it is not the case for all workers. The average earnings of Danish McDonald's workers, along with data from McDonald's Denmark and government statistics, generally support the claim that the figure is close to $45,000. However, it is important to recognize that the actual earnings can vary depending on factors such as the number of hours worked. Overall, the statement captures the general idea that McDonald's workers in Denmark have better working conditions and higher wages compared to some other locations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Other 98%, a liberal advocacy group, posted a meme on Facebook that showed two people in McDonald\u2019s uniforms looking utterly astonished. In headline type were the words, \"McDonald\u2019s workers in Denmark have a union. Earn $45,000\/year.\"","A liberal group called The Other 98% posted an image that showed two people in McDonald\u2019s uniforms looking utterly astonished. (The image is a screenshot from a Saturday Night Live skit.) In headline type were the words, \"McDonald\u2019s workers in Denmark have a union. Earn $45,000\/year.\"","We found the union contract so that part is simple. As for the $45,000 a year, there are issues but if the number isn\u2019t spot on, it\u2019s pretty close.","The group The Other 98% said that Danish McDonald\u2019s workers have a union and make $45,000 a year. The union membership is totally accurate. The matter of pay is true for some workers, but certainly the majority work too few hours to make that much. Still, the average numbers provided by McDonald\u2019s Denmark, government statistics, and data analyzed by economists who have studied the earnings of Danish McDonald\u2019s workers, generally support that figure. The post did not specifically say that all McDonald\u2019s workers made $45,000 a year, and the broader point, that it is much better to flip burgers in Copenhagen than in Cleveland, holds up."]},{"id":"11120.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 2009, weve cut homelessness (among veterans) by a third.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that homelessness among veterans has been reduced by a third since 2009. Multiple sources, including the National Alliance to End Homelessness, confirm this decrease. However, it's important to note that the reduction in homelessness among veterans may be influenced by various factors, including economic recovery. While the statement is generally accurate, it's essential to consider the broader context and potential contributing factors to the decline.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Later in the interview, he further defended his record when it comes to serving veterans. \"Let\u2019s take something like homelessness among veterans. So we\u2019ve cut that by a third,\" Obama said.","Obama said, \"Let\u2019s take something like homelessness among veterans. So we\u2019ve cut that by a third.\" According to the most recent, best available data, he\u2019s right. During his tenure, homelessness among veterans has decreased 32.57 percent. However, that number is based on estimates that have an element of uncertainty. Also, funding to end homelessness among veterans has received bipartisan support in Congress. Still, Obama\u2019s point is largely accurate, and we rate his statement Mostly True.","One independent agency dedicated to fighting homelessness thinks so. On the \"Veterans\" page of the National Alliance to End Homelessness\u2019 website, it reads, \"In 2009, the Obama Administration committed to ending veteran homelessness in the U.S. by the end of 2015. Since 2010, there has been a 33 percent decrease in the number of homeless veterans.\"","National \"point in time\" counts were first conducted in 2009, during the peak of the recession, so it is possible that the decline in homelessness among veterans has been symptomatic of the larger national economic recovery. But the count has been largely consistent since then."]},{"id":"5647.json","label":"false","statement":"Says new estimates from the Congressional Budget Office conclude the final price-tag for the health care law will exceed $2 trillion more than double what was initially reported.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the reconciliation bill is still being developed and does not have a final price tag, estimates suggest that the combined spending in both measures could be in the range of $2 trillion to $3 trillion. However, it is important to note that these estimates are not specific to the health care law alone but encompass the overall spending in both measures. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that the final price tag for the health care law alone will exceed $2 trillion, as the statement suggests.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The reconciliation bill is a work-in-progress and lacks a final price tag, but we can reasonably say that the combined spending in both measures \u2014 if they pass \u2014 will be in the neighborhood of $2 trillion to $3 trillion.","\"We talk about price tags,\" Biden said. \"It is zero price tag on the debt. We\u2019re going to pay for everything we spend. ...\u2018Well, you know, it started off at $6 trillion, now it\u2019s $3.5 trillion. Now is it going to be $2.9?\u2019 It\u2019s going to be zero.\"","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","Most estimates project that the Democratic bill\u2019s provisions would reduce the federal deficit by a cumulative $305 billion through 2031. An estimate from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects that the measure would reduce deficits by $1 trillion over two decades. That number could climb to nearly $2 trillion if the savings on interest are included, the committee said."]},{"id":"2003.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas state Reps. Dan Branch and Jim Pitts, lieutenants to House Speaker Joe Straus, are helping Democrat Ellen Cohen against her Republican challenger, doing events with her in her district.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Reps. Dan Branch and Jim Pitts, who were supporters of House Speaker Joe Straus, appeared at events with Democrat Ellen Cohen in her district, it is important to note that these were not political rallies or campaigning activities. They were forums where the representatives participated at Cohen's invitation. The statement implies a more active involvement in supporting Cohen's campaign than what actually occurred. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the nature of their involvement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Texas state Reps. Dan Branch and Jim Pitts, lieutenants to House Speaker Joe Straus, \u201care helping Democrat Ellen Cohen against her Republican challenger, doing events with her in her district.\u201d","Among nearly 20 points he raises: \u201cStraus lieutenants (Reps.) Dan Branch and Jim Pitts are helping Ellen Cohen against her Republican challenger, doing events with her in her district.\u201d Background: Branch and Pitts, supporters of Straus for speaker, were appointed by him to chair major committees.","But conservative Republicans had hoped to stop Straus, who they depicted as a social moderate aligned with Democrats. In June, for instance, Aledo activist David Barton distributed a multi-pronged letter to delegates at the state Republican Convention. Among four claims we checked from the letter was the charge that state Reps. Dan Branch and Jim Pitts, described as Straus\u2019 lieutenants, were \"helping Democrat Ellen Cohen against her Republican challenger, doing events with her in her district.\" We rated that Half True: The two members appeared at two forums with Cohen at her invitation, but they weren\u2019t political rallies.","In a letter distributed June 12 to delegates to the Republican Party of Texas state convention, David Barton of Aledo depicts allies of Joe Straus of San Antonio, the GOP speaker of the Texas House, as too likely to help Democrats."]},{"id":"228.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Five percent of Americans pay over half the income taxes in this country. Forty percent of Americans pay no income taxes at all.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of credible sources. According to the Tax Policy Center, the top 5 percent of income earners in the United States do pay over half of the income taxes. Additionally, the Tax Foundation confirms that approximately 40 percent of Americans do not pay any income taxes. However, it's important to note that the 40 percent figure includes nonfilers, who typically have low incomes and are not required to file tax returns. While it's possible that some nonfilers may have had income taxes withheld by an employer, the number is likely to be very small. Overall, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Fred Thompson, in arguing that the tax cuts of the Bush administration should be renewed, said that 5 percent of Americans pay over half the income taxes in this country, and that 40 percent of Americans pay no income taxes at all.","The top 5 percent of all payers do pay more than half the income tax. They pay about 59.2 percent of all individual income tax, according to an analysis by the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan institute run jointly by the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution.","Thompson also said that 40 percent of Americans pay no income tax. This claim is supported by the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax research group that promotes transparency in the tax code and economic growth.","There's a small caveat to the 40 percent number \u2014 it includes nonfilers, typically taxpayers who don't have to file returns because their incomes are too low. It's logical to assume that most nonfilers don't pay income taxes, but it's possible that some did if they had income taxes withheld by an employer. This is probably a very small number, because people with low incomes have an economic incentive to file a return and get a refund."]},{"id":"5020.json","label":"true","statement":"Says America spends over 17 percent of its GDP on health care costs when our closest competitor nations are spending about 12.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Booker that the United States spends over 17 percent of its GDP on health care costs, while its closest competitor nations spend about 12 percent. This is supported by data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which shows that the United States outspends other industrialized democracies on medical costs, with health care spending reaching 17.4 percent of the nation's economy in 2009. In comparison, countries like the Netherlands spend around 12 percent of their GDP on health care. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Booker claimed that the U.S. spends \"over 17 percent of its GDP on health care costs when our closest competitor nations are spending about 12.\"","\"I'm the first person to tell you that health care legislation wasn't perfect -- wasn't perfect -- and that we have a severe problem. America cannot spend \u2026 over 17 percent of its GDP on health care costs when our closest competitor nations are spending about 12,\" Booker said during a Dec. 9 speech in Manchester, N.H. \"We're not going to be able to sustain a bold economy unless we start controlling these costs. But I'll tell you one thing right now, I'll defend Barack Obama as the day is long because what he did to me was heroic.\"","The United States outspends 33 other large, industrialized democracies on medical costs. The country\u2019s health care spending hit 17.4 percent of the nation\u2019s economy in 2009, compared with 12 percent for the Netherlands, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.","In 2009, the most recent year with complete data, the industrialized country with the next highest health expenditure per GDP is the Netherlands, at 12 percent, followed closely by France, Germany, Denmark, Canada and Sweden -- all above 11 percent."]},{"id":"7000.json","label":"true","statement":"Connecticuts take on slot machines is 25 cents on the dollar. And the states take on table games: zero.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the CEO of Newport Grand slot parlor that Connecticut receives 25 cents on the dollar from casino slot machines and nothing from table games. This information suggests that Connecticut collects a percentage of the revenue generated by slot machines but does not receive any direct revenue from table games. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Connecticut's take on slot machines is 25 cents on the dollar. And the state's take on table games: zero,\" she said.","CEO of Newport Grand slot parlor says Connecticut gets 25 cents on dollar from casino slot machines and nothing from table games","( - CEO of Newport Grand slot parlor says Connecticut gets 25 cents on dollar from casino slot machines and nothing from table games&url=)","On Election Day, Rhode Islanders will decide whether they want to allow Newport Grand and Twin River, in Lincoln, to offer table games such as roulette and blackjack in addition to their video slot machines."]},{"id":"503.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Sen. Obama has been to Iraq once.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator John McCain that Senator Barack Obama had been to Iraq only once. This claim was made in the context of highlighting Obama's perceived lack of experience on national security matters. The evidence provided confirms McCain's statement and suggests that McCain himself had made multiple visits to Iraq, implying a contrast in their levels of engagement with the situation in Iraq.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Sen. Obama and I have a strong disagreement on this issue,\" McCain told a crowd at a town hall meeting in Reno, Nev., on May 28, 2008. \"And Sen. Obama has been to Iraq once. A little over two years ago he went.\"","Sen. John McCain, seeking to back up his claim that Sen. Barack Obama is inexperienced on national security matters, said at a town hall meeting in Nevada that his opponent had been to Iraq only once.","A close ally of McCain's, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, suggested recently that Obama travel with McCain to Iraq. McCain said that would be fine with him. \"I go back every few months because things are changing in Iraq,\" McCain told the Associated Press. \"I would also seize that opportunity to educate Sen. Obama along the way.\"","\"Sen. McCain was already turning his sights to Iraq just days after 9\/11, and he became a leading supporter of an invasion and occupation of (Iraq).\""]},{"id":"996.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Geneva Convention did not apply, until 2005, to the war on terror.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The Geneva Conventions, which establish standards for the treatment of prisoners of war and civilians during armed conflicts, do generally apply to international armed conflicts. However, there has been debate and differing interpretations regarding the application of the Geneva Conventions to the \"war on terror.\" The Bush administration initially argued that certain detainees, such as those affiliated with al-Qaida or the Taliban, were not entitled to the full protections of the Geneva Conventions. In 2005, the United States clarified its position and acknowledged that the Geneva Conventions did apply to all detainees in the \"war on terror.\" Therefore, while the statement is accurate in stating that the full application of the Geneva Conventions to the \"war on terror\" was clarified in 2005, it is important to note that there were differing interpretations and debates prior to that clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Geneva Convention did not apply, until 2005, to the war on terror,\" Graham said. \"So I can't conceive of a statute that you could prosecute anyone under because their endeavor was not to commit a crime but to look at the law and come up with aggressive interrogation techniques to get information from an enemy that we all thought was coming after us again.\"","We won't try to settle the debate of whether the lawyers should be prosecuted, but we wondered if Graham was correct that the Geneva Conventions did not apply to the \"war on terror\" until 2005. We found that there is no consensus.","Florian Westphal, a spokesman for the group, said in an e-mail to PolitiFact that \"fundamentally, the Geneva Conventions as a whole apply to any international armed conflict. However, what has commonly been described as the 'war on terror' does not wholly correspond to the definition of an international armed conflict as put forward by the Conventions.\"","The Bush administration said they were not. A Feb. 7, 2002, memo signed by Bush declared that the Third Geneva Convention \u2014 which sets standards for the treatment of prisoners of war \u2014 did not apply to al-Qaida or Taliban detainees. But the memo said the United States should \"continue to treat detainees humanely and, to the extent appropriate and consistent with military necessity, in a manner consistent with the principles of the Geneva Convention.\""]},{"id":"5123.json","label":"false","statement":"Mitt Romney has 15 homes.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Mitt Romney owns 15 homes is false. While the Romney family does own multiple properties, including three houses collectively valued at nearly $20 million, there is no evidence to support the assertion that they own anywhere close to 15 homes. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim, and public records do not indicate ownership of such a large number of properties. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Winning Our Future released a video in which an interviewee said Mitt Romney owns 15 homes. We find that while the Romney family does own three houses collectively valued at nearly $20 million, but based on the public records we've reviewed they don't own anything close to 15 homes. We rate the statement False.","!In \"When Mitt Romney Came to Town,\" this woman recounts having to leave her home due to actions taken by Romney, who she said owns 15 of them. Is she right? !In \"When Mitt Romney Came to Town,\" this woman recounts having to leave her home due to actions taken by Romney, who she said owns 15 of them. Is she right?","EDITOR\u2019S NOTE: The day after this story was posted, a reader pointed us to a Jan. 14, 2012,article in the Toronto Star that noted that the Romney family owns \"a white-sided cottage on a sandy ridge overlooking Lake Huron\" in Grand Bend, Ontario \u2013 a property purchased in 1950 by Mitt Romney\u2019s father George that did not come up in our search of United States properties. This does not increase the number of Romney-owned homes close enough to 15 for us to change our rating.","In \"When Mitt Romney Came to Town,\" this woman recounts having to leave her home due to actions taken by Romney, who she said owns 15 of them. Is she right?"]},{"id":"8745.json","label":"true","statement":"The Obama administration has used the Espionage Act to go after whistleblowers who leaked to journalists ... more than all previous administrations combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and has been acknowledged by multiple sources. It is true that the Obama administration utilized the Espionage Act to prosecute whistleblowers who leaked information to journalists more frequently than all previous administrations combined. This assertion has been confirmed by journalists, experts, and critics of the administration. The number of cases involving the Espionage Act under the Obama administration surpasses those of all previous presidents. \nLabel: true","evidence":["This has raised red flags among defenders of the media. In a vigorous exchange on CNN\u2019s The Lead, host Jake Tapper asserted to Ruth Marcus of the Washington Post that \"the Obama administration has used the Espionage Act to go after whistleblowers who leaked to journalists ... more than all previous administrations combined.\"","Tapper said more than all previous administrations combined, the Obama administration has used the Espionage Act to go after whistleblowers who leak to journalists. The number of cases involving that law support Tapper\u2019s statement. There is reasonable debate over whether the whistleblower label applies to all cases and Tapper said he could have been more precise.","\"I give the Obama administration an F,\u201d Radack said, who criticized the administration for \"moving backwards\u201d on prosecutions of whistleblowers in the national security and intelligence fields. Those workers don't have any whistleblower protections and, when they have leaked information, the Justice Department under Obama has prosecuted more people under the Espionage Act -- six so far -- than any previous president and all previous presidents combined, Radack said.","In the five years of Obama's presidency, the administration launched what some call an \" unprecedented crackdown on government leaks.\" Under Obama, eight whistleblowers have been prosecutedunder the World War I-era Espionage Act, more than under all other presidents combined."]},{"id":"11934.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Sauk City, Wisconsin, the ID office that provides identification for voting is only open on the fifth Wednesday of every month -- a total of four days in 2016.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by John Oliver that the ID office in Sauk City, Wisconsin, was open only on the fifth Wednesday of every month, resulting in a total of four days in 2016. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as mostly true, indicating that there is evidence to support this assertion. It is important to note that this statement specifically refers to the ID office for voting purposes and does not imply that Sauk City residents have no other options for obtaining identification for voting.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Oliver said that in Sauk City, Wis., \"the ID office\" that provides identification for voting \"is only open on the fifth Wednesday of every month\" -- a total of four days in 2016.","\"And in Sauk City, Wisconsin,\" Oliver continued, \"the ID office is only open on the fifth Wednesday of every month -- and only four months in 2016 even have five Wednesdays.\"","We\u2019ve rated Mostly True a claim by TV show host John Oliver that in Sauk City, Wis., the office that provides identification for voting was open only four days in 2016.","But Oliver\u2019s claim could leave the impression that the only place Sauk City residents can get an ID for voting is at an office that\u2019s open only on fifth Wednesdays, as in four days for all of 2016."]},{"id":"4986.json","label":"true","statement":"Nevada has been recently ranked No. 1 in unemployment, foreclosures, violent crime, personal bankruptcy and divorce.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources and evidence. According to various analyses and data, Nevada has indeed been ranked No. 1 in several categories including unemployment, foreclosures, violent crime, personal bankruptcy, and divorce. These rankings are based on different data sources and time periods, but collectively they support the claim that Nevada has held the top spot in these areas. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Nevada, he said, \"can keep their recent No. 1 rankings in unemployment, foreclosures, violent crime, personal bankruptcy and divorce. They can keep their No. 1 rankings.\"","Mark Wilson, the CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said that Nevada has been recently ranked No. 1 in unemployment, foreclosures, violent crime, personal bankruptcy and divorce. The state of Nevada is clearly No. 1 in its unemployment and foreclosure rate -- and it's the highest for violent crime, too, if we omit the District of Columbia, which isn't a state. CQ 's analysis shows Nevada at the top spot for personal bankruptcy. The statistics on divorce are somewhat more complicated but one recent source, the National Center for Health Statistics, concluded Nevada's overall divorce rate was the highest in the country in 2009 among the states for which such data was available.","No Casinos said Nevada is No. 1 in unemployment, violent crime, car theft, divorce, robberies and foreclosures. Nevada is at the top for unemployment, divorce and foreclosures. Based on 2009 data, Nevada was at the top for the crime measures, but 2010 data showed the state was near the top, but not no. 1. We rate this claim Mostly True.","Personal bankruptcy : Using data collected from U.S. Bankruptcy Courts during a 12-month period ending in September 2010, Nevada ranked No. 1 in terms of the personal bankruptcy rate. The state had 1,121 nonbusiness bankruptcies per 100,000 population. We found bankruptcy statistics for the 12-month period ending in September 2011, but it showed the number of bankruptcy cases -- not the rate."]},{"id":"10174.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott spent $800,000 of your tax dollars upgrading the Governors Mansion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Rick Scott spent $800,000 of taxpayer money on upgrading the Governor's Mansion. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided indicates that the actual amount spent on renovations during Scott's term was close to $745,000, not the full $800,000. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that a significant portion of the funds came from donations and gifts, rather than solely taxpayer money. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from providing a more nuanced perspective on the funding sources for the renovations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He flies on a private jet and owns an $11 million oceanfront home,\" an Oct. 24, 2014 ad says. \"Rick Scott is used to the finer things. Maybe that's why he spent $800,000 of your tax dollars upgrading the Governor's Mansion.\"","When we checked with the agency in charge what the totals were, it said almost $745,000 in taxpayer money had been spent during Scott\u2019s term. So the amount of tax money spent on renovations at the mansion is close.","Of the $800,000 the AP said was spent during Scott\u2019s term, almost $600,000 was taxpayer money that went to grounds upkeep, the story said. More than $200,000 more was donated to the Governor\u2019s Mansion Foundation by U.S. Sugar, Florida Crystals and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. There were also $20,000 in gifts from lobbyist Brian Ballard, Scott adviser Tony Fabrizio and the CEO of a private prison company, George Zoley.","The commercial then repeats a lot of prior attacks about education spending. Meanwhile, we got to wondering whether Scott, who campaigned in 2010 on cutting government spending, spent $800,000 on his new home in Tallahassee after taking office."]},{"id":"10755.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Americans will spend more on taxes in 2015 than on food, clothing and housing combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks important context. While it is true that Americans collectively will spend more on taxes in 2015 than on food, clothing, and housing combined, this statement does not account for the fact that the distribution of tax burdens varies widely based on income levels. Wealthier individuals tend to pay a higher proportion of their income in taxes, while those with lower incomes may not spend more on taxes than on basic necessities. Therefore, the statement is accurate in terms of aggregate spending but does not accurately represent the situation for all individuals across different income brackets.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Tax Foundation, \"America will Pay More in Taxes in 2015 than it Will Spend on Food, Clothing, and Housing Combined,\" April 2, 2015","Walker claimed, based on what happened in 2014, that Americans in 2015 collectively will spend more on taxes than they do on food, housing and clothing combined.","\"Did you know, Americans will spend more on taxes in 2015 than on food, clothing and housing combined?\" Walker\u2019s campaign team tweeted. (We know Walker didn\u2019t personally pen it because it\u2019s signed \"TW,\" for Team Walker).","Rubio\u2019s statement only measures up if we look at aggregate spending on those basics by all Americans. But whether individuals spend more on taxes than food, housing and clothing varies widely depending upon their income. Wealthier Americans do spend more on taxes than food, housing and clothing combined, while those with low incomes do not."]},{"id":"7185.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Portland Childrens Levy holds its administrative expenses to less than 5 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Portland Children's Levy does indeed hold its administrative expenses to less than 5 percent. This information has been confirmed by PolitiFact Oregon, which has verified that the administrative costs of the levy are kept below the 5 percent threshold. Additionally, the figure of 5 percent for administrative expenses is considered reasonable when compared to other charities and nonprofits in Oregon. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Oregon can\u2019t judge what is the proper amount for administrative costs, but we can say that Saltzman is accurate when he says the Portland Children\u2019s Levy holds its \"administrative expenses to less than 5 percent.\" The statement is True.","Now, we should point out that the administrative cap doesn\u2019t work on an annual basis, according to the levy. If fund administrators don\u2019t use up the entire 5 percent in one year, they can the following year. Which is why in fiscal year 2011-12, revenue was $10.8 million but administration expenses were $565,000, or 5.2 percent.","The Oregon Department of Justice tracks charities and nonprofits in Oregon. Management expenses and fundraising made up of expenses in 16 percent in 2009 and 13 percent in 2010. So 5 percent spent on issuing and tracking grants sounds reasonable.","We wanted to know if the figure is accurate, and if so, what that means. We noticed that the campaign pitching a Portland arts tax this fall also stated that administrative costs would be capped at 5 percent, after startup costs. So clearly it\u2019s trendy number. (Jessica Jarratt Miller, executive director of the Creative Advocacy Network, said in an email that they borrowed the figure from the Portland Children\u2019s Levy.)"]},{"id":"8659.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"School children can earn higher grades by studying Islam under a new nationwide Muslim outreach program announced by President Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The claim that school children can earn higher grades by studying Islam under a new nationwide Muslim outreach program announced by President Barack Obama is false. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, stating that no such program exists. The story originated from a satire article and has been recycled and spread by conservative blogs. It is important to verify information from credible sources before accepting and sharing such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Social media posts have reprinted or linked to a story titled, \"Obama Administration Announces Nationwide Muslim Outreach Program For Children Grades K-12,\" that claims, among other things, that school children can earn higher grades for studying Islam. It\u2019s not true. No such program exists. In fact, part of the story has been recycled from a previous satire article that we and others debunked. We rate this claim Pants on Fire.","!This is one of many conservative blogs that posted a story that said President Barack Obama had announced a \u201cnationwide Muslim outreach program.\" !This is one of many conservative blogs that posted a story that said President Barack Obama had announced a \u201cnationwide Muslim outreach program.\"","This is one of many conservative blogs that posted a story that said President Barack Obama had announced a \u201cnationwide Muslim outreach program.\"","\"At a press conference today, President Obama announced plans for the first ever federally funded Muslim outreach program. The program will be available nationwide for all elementary school students grade K-12 beginning February 1st, 2014. The program is designed to educate children about the fundamentals of the Muslim religion and Islamic belief."]},{"id":"10679.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Despite raising taxes on the wealthy and hiking the minimum wage, Minnesota is creating jobs at a record pace, unemployment is at a historic low, median income is skyrocketing, and (the) state has a billion-dollar surplus.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates the achievements of Minnesota's economy. While Minnesota has seen positive economic indicators such as job creation, low unemployment, and a budget surplus, the terms \"record pace,\" \"historic low,\" and \"skyrocketing\" are not accurate descriptions. The unemployment rate in Minnesota has been lower in the past, and while median income has increased, it does not qualify as \"skyrocketing.\" The only accurate claim in the statement is the existence of a billion-dollar surplus. Therefore, the overall statement is partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Occupy Democrats said that Minnesota \"is creating jobs at a record pace, unemployment is at a historic low, median income is skyrocketing, and (the) state has a billion-dollar surplus.\" While Minnesota is doing well on several key economic measurements, its achievements do not qualify as a \"record,\" \"historic\" or \"skyrocketing.\" Only the meme\u2019s budget surplus claim is correct. On balance, we rate the claim Half True.","\"Hello America. I am Minnesota's Democratic Governor Mark Dayton. Although Republicans nearly lost their minds and predicted an economic disaster, I raised taxes on the wealthy and raised my state's minimum wage a few years ago. Today, my state's economy is creating jobs at a record pace, unemployment is at a historic low, median income is skyrocketing, and my state has a billion dollar surplus -- which I'm going to invest in education.\"","\u2022 \"A billion dollar surplus.\" This is the one point on which the meme appears to be accurate (and, in fact, underplays the number). The state is looking at a projected surplus of nearly $1.9 billion.","\u2022 \"Unemployment is at a historic low.\" As we noted, unemployment in Minnesota today is an impressive 3.7 percent. But that isn\u2019t a \"historic low.\" In fact, it was lower for almost four and a half consecutive years, from January 1997 until May 2001. During that stretch, the unemployment rate went as low as 2.5 percent."]},{"id":"7116.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama did not come into office with the economy in a free fall.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Barack Obama's claim that the economy has improved significantly during his time in office. He has cited job creation numbers and the decline in the unemployment rate as evidence of this improvement. However, it is important to note that when President Obama took office in 2009, the economy was indeed facing a severe recession and financial crisis. The phrase \"in a free fall\" may be subjective, but it is widely acknowledged that the economy was in a state of decline and instability at that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["America\u2019s labor market is creeping back to pre-recession levels, and President Barack Obama says its growth has surpassed that of every other advanced country combined.","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\"","\"The economy has improved significantly. There's no doubt about it,\" Obama said. \"We had a jobs report for October that showed that once again over 200,000 jobs created. We've now created more than 10 million. The unemployment rate's come down faster than we could have anticipated. Just to give you some perspective, Bob, we've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\"","!President Barack Obama appeared on CBS' \"Face the Nation\" on Nov. 9, 2014. !President Barack Obama appeared on CBS' \"Face the Nation\" on Nov. 9, 2014."]},{"id":"4222.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are no tax increases in this debt limit bill. Period.","reason":"Reason: Majority Leader Eric Cantor's tweet accurately states that there are no tax increases explicitly written into the debt limit bill. However, it is important to note that the debt committee established by the bill does have the power to propose tax increases, which would require approval from Congress to become law. While the likelihood of such proposals being approved and implemented is uncertain, it is possible. Therefore, Cantor's statement is mostly true, but it should be understood in the context of the potential for tax increases through the debt committee's recommendations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In modern congressional tradition, representatives flocked to their Twitter accounts to share their thoughts about the legislation. On the evening of Aug. 1, 2011, after the House of Representatives passed the bill, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., tweeted, \"There are no tax increases in this debt limit bill. Period.\"","Cantor's tweet is largely correct. It's true that there are no tax increases written directly into the bill. Still, the debt committee has the power to propose tax increases if a majority of its members feel it is appropriate, and if Congress approves those recommendations they would become law. Those are high hurdles, so we rate Cantor's statement Mostly True.","His tweet alludes to the debate between Republican and Democratic lawmakers regarding taxes. President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats wanted tax revenue increases in the bill. It was one of the chief sticking points through the negotiations. The final bill that Congress approved Aug. 2, contained no explicit tax increases or revenue raisers.","Getting back to Cantor's tweet, it's possible that the bipartisan committee could recommend revenue increases to help bridge the deficit gulf. However, there are several things Republicans could do to block this outcome. First, the six Republicans on the committee could refuse to go along with additional tax revenues. If the recommendations include tax increases, the Republican House could still vote the deal down."]},{"id":"2960.json","label":"false","statement":"[State Rep. Doug McKillips] donors deserve a refund.","reason":"Reason: While there are statements from Democratic Party officials expressing anger and disappointment over State Rep. Doug McKillip's party switch, there is no concrete evidence or official statements indicating that his donors deserve a refund. Without specific information or claims from the donors themselves requesting a refund, it is not accurate to assert that they deserve one.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"His donors deserve a refund; his voters deserve a recall,\" state Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kidd pronounced in the Dec. 7 press release, a day after McKillip's party change.","They included Rep. Doug McKillip of District 115 in Athens, who switched after he was elected chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. That's when Kidd made the above claim.","\"Foul!\" cried Democrats. And when state Rep. Doug McKillip of District 115 in Athens bolted for the Republicans earlier this month, party officials ramped up the rhetoric. McKillip switched parties after he was elected chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. Party officials were outwardly angry with McKillip, the No. 2 Democrat in the House.","\"No one has asked me to refund any money,\" he said in a telephone interview. \"I would certainly discuss it with anyone who asked for a refund."]},{"id":"1068.json","label":"true","statement":"Every year tobacco kills more Americans than did World War II more than AIDS, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, vehicular accidents, homicide and suicide combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from reputable sources such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the CDC, and the Census Bureau. According to these sources, smoking-related deaths in the United States, including both direct smoking-related deaths and deaths from second-hand smoke, exceed the combined number of deaths caused by World War II, AIDS, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, vehicular accidents, homicide, and suicide. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Every year tobacco kills more Americans than did World War II \u2014 more than AIDS, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, vehicular accidents, homicide and suicide combined.","\"Three decades ago, public outrage killed an automobile model (Ford's Pinto) whose design defects allegedly caused 59 deaths,\" he wrote. \"Yet every year tobacco kills more Americans than did World War II \u2014 more than AIDS, cocaine, heroin, alcohol, vehicular accidents, homicide and suicide combined.\"","It seems that Will plucked part of his claim from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a leading advocate for the new law. According to the organization, about 400,000 people die from their own smoking each year, and about 50,000 die from second-hand smoke annually. And according to the group's Web site, \"Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined.\"","Will's claim \u2014 that smoking kills more people annually than in World War II or from other dangerous diseases and habits \u2014 holds up with the CDC and the Census Bureau. As a result, we give Will a True."]},{"id":"7035.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We borrow $4 billion every single day, much of it from China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that the United States has been borrowing a significant amount of money, the claim that \"we borrow $4 billion every single day, much of it from China\" requires more context. The $4 billion figure represents the rough daily average of all U.S. debt added since President Obama took office, including the debt owed to various entities within the United States itself. It does not solely represent the amount borrowed from foreign countries like China. Additionally, while China is indeed one of the largest foreign holders of U.S. securities, it holds less than 10 percent of the total debt. Therefore, while the statement captures a general trend of borrowing and China's involvement, it lacks specificity and may mislead by overstating China's role in U.S. borrowing.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an ad from American Crossroads, Clint Eastwood tells the country it \"just couldn\u2019t survive\" another four years of President Barack Obama: \"We borrow $4 billion every single day, much of it from China,\" he says.","It\u2019s been more than a year since we\u2019ve checked similar claims that the country borrows $4 billion a day \u2014 something we found Mostly True. We wondered: Is that still the case? And do we borrow \"much of it\" from China?","> In the last few years, America's been knocked down. Twenty-three million people can't find full-time work, and we borrow $4 billion every single day, much of it from China. When someone doesn't get the job done, you've got to hold them accountable. Obama's second term would be a rerun of the first, and our country just couldn't survive that. We need someone who could turn it around fast, and that man is Mitt Romney. There's not much time left, and the future of our country is at stake.","Eastwood, speaking in a recent American Crossroads ad, warns that, \"We borrow $4 billion every single day, much of it from China.\" That amount is the rough daily average of all U.S. debt added since Obama took office, including the type the government owes itself. It\u2019s not the current rate, which has been somewhat lower. And while China is the No. 1 foreign holder of U.S. securities, it purchased less than 10 percent of that debt. This claim is only partly accurate. We rate it Half True."]},{"id":"8777.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obama unilaterally announced he was delaying employer mandate through a blog post by a mid-level bureaucrat at the Department of Treasury.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Cruz's claim that President Obama announced the delay of the employer mandate through a blog post by a mid-level bureaucrat at the Department of Treasury. The evidence confirms that the announcement was indeed made through a blog post on the U.S. Department of Treasury's blog. However, it's important to note that the characterization of the individual as a \"mid-level bureaucrat\" may not be entirely accurate, as the fact check suggests. Nonetheless, the core claim of the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cruz said that Obama unilaterally announced he was delaying the employer mandate \"through a blog post by a mid-level bureaucrat at the Department of Treasury.\"","\"No. It was done through a blog post by a mid-level bureaucrat at the Department of Treasury on July 3, right before the Fourth of July break.\"","The announcement was also made on a White House blog, and \"mid-level bureaucrat\" isn\u2019t necessarily accurate. We rate his statement as Mostly True.","U.S. Department of Treasury, Treasury Notes blog post, \"Continuing to Implement the ACA in a Careful, Thoughtful Manner,\" July 2, 2013"]},{"id":"12198.json","label":"false","statement":"Say Bernie Sanders won Nevada after all.","reason":"Reason: While there may be claims and speculation from some supporters of Bernie Sanders suggesting that he might have won the Nevada caucuses, it is important to note that Hillary Clinton was officially declared the winner of the Nevada caucuses in February. The evidence provided does not offer conclusive proof or official confirmation that Bernie Sanders won the state. Therefore, the statement remains unverified and lacks sufficient evidence to support it.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Hillary Clinton was declared the winner of Nevada\u2019s presidential caucuses back in February, but some supporters of Bernie Sanders are claiming the Vermont senator might have won the state after all.","Here\u2019s part of the script that was seen by millions: \"The Internet thinks Bernie Sanders totally won the debate. But CNN thinks Hillary won. Even though CNN\u2019s own polls say Bernie won by 68 percent. But that doesn\u2019t concern them. They allegedly just deleted the polls.\"","On Feb. 22, 2020, the day Sanders won the Nevada caucuses and arguably established himself as the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, a post claimed:","The video suggests CNN \"deleted the polls\" showing Sanders won because CNN\u2019s parent company, Time Warner, is \"one of Hillary\u2019s biggest donors,\" spending more on her campaign than \"Bernie\u2019s top 15 donors gave him.\""]},{"id":"3061.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every dropout costs us $72,000 for the life of that person.","reason":"Reason: The statement that every dropout costs $72,000 for the life of that person is not entirely accurate. While there are calculations and estimates made regarding the economic impact of high school dropouts, the $72,000 figure is a rough approximation and may not account for all relevant factors. Additionally, it's important to note that this cost includes both state and federal lost tax revenue, which was not explicitly mentioned in the statement. Therefore, while there is an economic impact associated with high school dropouts, the specific figure of $72,000 should be understood as an estimate rather than an exact cost.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The biggest thing I think we can do at the state level to promote savings is to do a better job of keeping kids in school and not having them turn out to be dropouts because the dropout problem -- it's not unique to Rhode Island of course -- but every dropout costs us $72,000 for the life of that person, whereas any person who has a college degree is generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for the state,\" he said. \"The most expensive tuition we pay is the tuition to send kids to the training school or the ACI Adult Correction Institutions, and those are disproportionately populated with people who have no education or who have dropped out and have no skills to get jobs.\"","It turns out that, by their reckoning, an average high school dropout costs society $440,214 from age 18 to 64. That's offset by the $367,867 he or she pays in taxes.","But the $72,000 figure strikes us as another example of experts making assumptions and doing calculations that produce numbers that sound precise, yet may only be rough approximations of the truth.","But Flanders cited the $72,000 figure with a degree of certainty that is undeserved. And he did not make it clear that the figure includes lost tax revenue to the federal government, not just the state."]},{"id":"12843.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Donald Trump is going to go out and carpet bomb the Middle East.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Vice President Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump's rhetoric of using carpet bombing, there is no evidence to suggest that Trump explicitly stated he would go out and carpet bomb the entire Middle East. Trump has expressed a willingness to use strong military force against ISIS, but it is important to distinguish between targeting specific terrorist groups and engaging in indiscriminate carpet bombing that could harm innocent civilians. It should be noted that it was actually another Republican candidate, Ted Cruz, who called for carpet bombing. \nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You want to make friends and influence people in the Middle East? So you're going to go carpet bomb innocent people and bad people at the same time, and that's going to help us fight against ISIS and Daesh?\" Biden said. \"I mean, the things he says are \u2014 are \u2014 are \u2014 make absolutely no sense.\"","\"Some of the things he says, like for example, I know he's trying to be tough but he's going to go out and carpet bomb,\" said Biden.","But one critic of the move says Trump is breaking his own promise by sending troops back into other parts of the Middle East.","Trump has made it clear that he's not going to be reluctant to bomb ISIS, but the candidate has not, as far as we could find, called for a practice that includes bombing civilians, which is what carpet bombing can entail. It was another GOP candidate, Ted Cruz, who called for carpet bombing."]},{"id":"1646.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Cuba wants to let the Chinese drill in some of the very parts of the gulf that American producers are currently forbidden to touch, as close as 45 miles off the Florida coast.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that Cuba is negotiating a lease with China for offshore oil exploration, it is not accurate to claim that they are drilling in the exact parts of the Gulf that American producers are forbidden to touch. Cuba controls its own offshore areas, just like the United States, and the closest areas to the United States have not been leased yet. However, it is possible that Cuba could end up drilling closer to U.S. shores than what is currently allowed in American offshore waters. Therefore, while the statement contains some inaccuracies, it does convey the general idea that Cuba's potential drilling activities could be closer to the U.S. coast than what is currently permitted.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Cuba wants to let the Chinese drill in some of the very parts of the gulf that American producers are currently forbidden to touch, as close as 45 miles off the Florida coast,\" Stearns says on his campaign Web site.","Stearns' statement, when it comes to specifics, is a little sloppy. He said: \"Cuba wants to let the Chinese drill in some of the very parts of the gulf that American producers are currently forbidden to touch, as close as 45 miles off the Florida coast.\"","Cuba is negotiating a lease with China for offshore oil exploration, but it's not in the \"very parts of the gulf that American producers are currently forbidden to touch.\" Cuba controls its own offshore, just like the United States. And the Chinese lease wouldn't be 45 miles from the Florida coast. The areas closest to the United States haven't been leased yet. But he's right in suggesting that Cuba could end up drilling closer to U.S. shores than America currently allows in its offshore waters. We rate his claim Half True.","The United States currently bans drilling in much of the eastern Gulf of Mexico (including waters within 234 miles of Tampa Bay, and 300 miles from Naples), and all of its portion of the Florida Straits. But on March 31, 2010, President Barack Obama proposed to open new areas to oil and gas exploration along the eastern seaboard south of New Jersey and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico within 125 miles of Florida's coast. U.S. drilling would still be banned in the Florida Straits under Obama's proposal."]},{"id":"3532.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On running for Senate if Jim Webb retires.","reason":"Reason: Initially, Tim Kaine stated that he would not run for the Senate seat if Jim Webb retired. However, it is important to note that circumstances changed when Webb announced he would not seek reelection, and President Obama began encouraging Kaine to run. Therefore, Kaine's statement about not running for the Senate seat needs to be considered in the context of subsequent developments. Ultimately, Kaine did decide to run for the Senate seat after Webb's announcement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kaine, a former governor and currently the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, made the announcement in an April 5 Twitter message. He\u2019ll be seeking the seat next year held by Democrat Jim Webb, who is not running for re-election.","Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. George Allen is seeking the Republican nomination for the senate. Allen barely lost the seat to Webb in 2006. Also running in the GOP primary are Tea Party activist Jamie Radtke and David McCormick, a Virginia Beach lawyer.","\"No, I\u2019ve got a job I really like right now, tough though it may be,\" Kaine said, referring to his DNC chairmanship. \"And I\u2019m doing what the president wants me to do. And so, no, my full expectation is that I\u2019m going to be supporting a great Virginia Democrat, and I believe that Virginia Democrat will be Jim Webb for the Senate seat.\"","While Kaine certainly said he would not run for the Senate, he also expressed a desire to do \"what the president wants me to do.\" Once Webb said he would not seek reelection, Obama began encouraging Kaine to run."]},{"id":"12095.json","label":"true","statement":"We do not have an overcrowding problem. As a matter of fact, Rhode Island has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that confirms Rhode Island indeed has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country. Multiple sources, including the National Institute of Corrections and Governing Magazine, validate this claim. The data shows that Rhode Island's incarceration rate is significantly lower than the national average, with only Maine having a slightly lower rate. Therefore, it can be concluded that Rhode Island does not have an overcrowding problem, and its low incarceration rate supports this assertion.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We do not have an overcrowding problem. As a matter of fact, Rhode Island has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country,\" Ferruccio said. \"It is not the doom and gloom\" that people think.","Ferruccio said Rhode Island has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country. His numbers were spot on. Except for Maine, Rhode Island has the lowest incarceration rate. However, the state also has a very high probation rate, which he did not mention.","Ferruccio\u2019s sources \u2014 a Wikipedia page, an article from Governing Magazine, which cited data from the Bureau of Justice, and a article \u2014 all backed up this part of his claim. Rhode Island has one of the lowest incarceration rates in the country.","We also did our own research. The National Institute of Corrections, an agency housed within the U.S. Department of Justice, reports the incarceration rates in each state every year. Their most recent report from 2014 says Rhode Island has a rate of about 55 percent less than average with 178 people incarcerated per every 100,000. It is the second lowest, with Maine reporting 153 per every 100,000. The national average is 392 per 100,000."]},{"id":"5064.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rep. Jim Renacci was trying to leave town for the holidays without extending your payroll tax cut.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement is inaccurate. While there were allegations made by the DCCC that Rep. Jim Renacci was trying to leave town without extending the payroll tax cut, it is contradicted by the fact that Renacci supported a measure that would make the desired cuts and voted for a bill containing the extension. Additionally, Renacci himself called on all members of Congress to stay in Washington through the holidays until a plan to control deficits is finalized. Therefore, the claim that Renacci was trying to leave town without extending the payroll tax cut is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The group launched a robocall campaign against Renacci on Dec. 9, telling voters that Renacci \"is trying to leave town for the holidays without extending your payroll tax cut.\" They accused Republicans of trying to \"force a $1,000 payroll tax increase on 160 million middle class Americans, while fighting for billionaires and Big Oil.\" They then offered to connect callers to Renacci\u2019s office, to tell the congressman \"that it is unacceptable to leave Washington for the holidays and raise your taxes.\"","So we asked the DCCC how it could allege that Renacci was trying to leave town without voting on the payroll tax issue when he supported a measure that would make the desired cuts to pay for it.","But as for this one, Renacci indicated he was open to extending the payroll tax cut and did vote for a bill that contained the extension. And the DCCC asserted no grounds of support for the claim that that Renacci wanted to leave Washington without voting.","Ryan called it \"absurd\" for the DCCC to claim that Renacci was eager to leave town without taking care of the payroll tax issue. He noted that a Nov. 21 news release from Renacci(,25&itemid=421) called on all members of Congress to stay in Washington through the holidays \"until a plan to control our massive yearly deficits is finalized.\""]},{"id":"5992.json","label":"false","statement":"In the state of Rhode Island 25 percent of our current physicians are graduates of for-profit medical schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the evidence provided, the correct statement is that in Rhode Island, over 25 percent of the current physician workforce consists of international medical graduates (IMGs), not specifically graduates of for-profit medical schools. It is important to differentiate between IMGs and for-profit medical schools, as they are not synonymous. Therefore, the claim that 25 percent of Rhode Island's physicians are graduates of for-profit medical schools is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Responding to insinuations from a Brown dean that for-profit schools produced less competent doctors, McNamara told fellow legislators \"in the state of Rhode Island 25 percent of our current physicians are graduates of for-profit medical schools.\" And, McNamara said, no one\u2019s suggesting they\u2019re any less qualified than doctors from nonprofit schools.","McNamara concedes he misspoke on the House floor. He said \"25 percent of our current physicians are graduates of for-profit medical schools.\" He meant to say that a quarter of Rhode Island\u2019s doctors graduated from international medical schools.","Instead, it says Rhode Island has \"over 25 percent of its active physicians workforce comprised of IMG\u2019s,\" an acronym for international medical graduates. In other words: more than a quarter of Rhode Island\u2019s doctors, according to the letter, graduated from international medical schools. That doesn\u2019t mean they are all for-profit schools.","We\u2019re aware of the growing number of for-profit colleges and universities around the country, particularly on the web. But for-profit medical schools are much rarer. We wondered whether so many of Rhode Island\u2019s doctors could be graduates of such schools."]},{"id":"5642.json","label":"false","statement":"Medicare will be bankrupt in nine years.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Medicare will be bankrupt in nine years is not accurate. Multiple fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact, have debunked similar claims in the past. While there are concerns about the long-term financial sustainability of Medicare, projections and analyses indicate that the program will not be bankrupt within the specified timeframe. It is important to consider the nuances of Medicare's funding and the ongoing efforts to address its financial challenges, rather than making alarmist statements that do not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That leaves us with another alarming assertion: \"Medicare will be bankrupt in nine years, but Washington politicians, like Sherrod Brown, are ignoring the problem, putting their own re-elections first.\"","What we do know from research that 60 Plus cited is that that Boone\u2019s claim -- that Medicare will be bankrupt in nine years -- takes a projection for one trust fund and applies it to all of Medicare.","PolitiFact Ohio, for example, rated as False a 2012 claim by singer Pat Boone, a spokesman for the conservative 60 Plus Association, that Medicare would be bankrupt in nine years.","Our colleagues at wrote in 2009 about a TV ad for another conservative group, Americans for Prosperity, which predicted Medicare would be bankrupt in eight years -- 5 1\/2 years from now. They checked a nearly identical claim of bankruptcy by Rep. Paul Ryan a year ago."]},{"id":"4536.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When it comes to being effective at creating jobs (Chris Christie has not had) a record of governing for effectiveness. ... Last year, New Jersey created no net new jobs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim made in the statement. The sources indicate that New Jersey experienced a significant decline in unemployment rates and job growth during Governor Chris Christie's tenure. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of Christie's overall record on job creation. It focuses solely on the claim that New Jersey created no net new jobs in a specific year. To provide a more accurate assessment, it would be necessary to consider the broader context and examine job creation trends over a longer period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["New Jersey\u2019s jobs picture is improving so much that the state\u2019s steadily declining unemployment rate is the lowest its been since before Gov. Chris Christie took office.","\"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever.\"","New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development website, New Jersey Unemployment Rate Plunges to 7.8 Percent November Jobs Surge by 16,900, accessed Jan. 15, 2014","A new TV ad for Christie\u2019s re-election campaign claims in part, \"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever.\""]},{"id":"5679.json","label":"false","statement":"If the Supreme Court throws out the federal health care law, it would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically elected Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While President Obama expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would not overturn the federal health care law, his claim that such an action would be \"unprecedented\" and an \"extraordinary step\" is incorrect. Throughout history, the Supreme Court has indeed overturned laws passed by a democratically elected Congress, and it is a routine occurrence within the court's constitutional authority. The case of Marbury vs. Madison in 1803 established the principle of judicial review, granting the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional. Therefore, the potential overturning of the federal health care law would not be unprecedented or extraordinary.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Ultimately, I'm confident that the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically elected Congress,\" he said.","That was a lot of Supreme Court history. First, let\u2019s review Obama\u2019s statement: \"Ultimately, I am confident that the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically elected Congress.\"","We could name numerous examples of the Supreme Court tossing laws passed by a \"democratically elected Congress,\" starting with Marbury vs. Madison , in 1803.","But the \"unprecedented\" idea is more nuanced. It\u2019s without question that the Supreme Court overturning a law passed by Congress -- by any margin -- is a common and routine occurrence, and by no means without precedent. Volokh gave us a close analogy with the case of Boerne vs. Flores , a religious freedom law that glided through Congress but was held unconstitutional by a majority of the court, including two of its liberal justices."]},{"id":"95.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I opposed this war from the beginning. I opposed the war in 2002. I opposed the war in 2003. I opposed it in 2004 and 2005 and 2006.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Obama's opposition to the Iraq war. He publicly expressed his opposition as early as 2002 and continued to oppose the war throughout his political career. While it is true that he voted for funding to support the troops in Iraq, he consistently voiced his disagreement with the overall war and later voted in favor of measures to bring the war to a conclusion. Therefore, the statement is true in terms of Obama's stance against the war.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama opposed the war as a little-known state senator, and spoke out notably at a Chicago anti-war rally in 2002. In 2003, when he began campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat for Illinois, he reiterated his opposition in several debates and meetings.","Obama joined the U.S. Senate in 2005. He has voted several times to continue funding for the war, saying that troops in Iraq should be funded even if he disagreed with the overall war. (The measure passed 97 to zero.) In recent months, like other Democratic candidates, he has voted in favor of troop withdrawals and other measures to bring the war to a conclusion.","In other words, Obama's sweeping claim to have long opposed Iraq is true. Opponents have attacked Obama's record of opposition on two grounds. They argue that Obama should answer definitively how he would have voted if were in the Senate at the time of the vote. Obama said in 2004 he can't answer that question fully because he doesn't know what intelligence the senators had access to.","Opponents also have taken comments of his out of context to suggest he supported the war, particularly his 2004 statement that \"There's not much of a difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage.\" But that quote is pulled from a story in which Obama expresses a sentiment that now that the war has started, the U.S. should do the best job it can to steer Iraq toward stability."]},{"id":"8095.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the State Department spent $630,000 to get 2 million Facebook Likes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that the State Department spent $630,000 to acquire 2 million Facebook Likes. This information is supported by evidence and has been widely reported. It is important to note that the cost and effectiveness of social media campaigns can vary, and the value of acquiring Facebook Likes may be subjective and dependent on the specific goals and objectives of the campaign.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The cost per person is accurate, and even a little understated. With population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau at roughly 314.4 million, the average share works out to about $50,900.","\"The sex-offender registry has been around for a long time, and the research that's out there says that it has no positive impact on the public safety.\"","When the Treasury Department announced on Sept. 4 that the national debt had topped $16 trillion, the Associated Press reported, Barack Obama's GOP rivals \"used the grim-but-expected news to criticize the president for the government's fiscal performance over his 3 1\/2 years in office.\"","We found that 184,900,000 people live within 600 miles of Ohio, or 59.9 percent of the U.S. population of 308.7 million."]},{"id":"2496.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We now have our kids go to school about a month less than most other advanced countries.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that students in the United States have a shorter school year compared to many other advanced countries, the claim that American kids go to school about a month less than students in most other advanced countries is an exaggeration. On average, students in other advanced countries attend school for about a week and a half longer than American students. Only a quarter of those countries have school years that are close to a month longer. Therefore, the statement overstates the difference in school duration between the United States and other advanced countries.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We now have our kids go to school about a month less than most other advanced countries,\" Obama said. \"And that makes a difference.\"","But our focus here is on Obama's claim about the length of the school year in the United States compared with other advanced countries around the world. We think Obama has a solid argument about American kids going to school fewer days than many other kids, but it's a stretch to say they go about a month less than students in most other advanced countries. Students in those countries on average go about a week and a half longer. Students in only about a quarter of those countries go to school close to a month longer than American kids. So we rate his comment Half True.","So it's certainly accurate to say that kids in the United States go to school fewer days than most other advanced countries. But \"about a month\" less? Taking out weekends, we figured a generous figure for \"about a month\" was at least 15 days. According to the OECD, there were eight countries with 195 or more days of school a year. Again, that's out of 31, so it's not \"most.\"","\"Americans have gone abroad and said these kids spend a lot more time on school and less on after-school jobs and sports. And kids from other countries say American kids don\u2019t spend nearly as much time on academic work,\" McCluskey said. \"So maybe what we\u2019re finding is the cultures are different.\""]},{"id":"3919.json","label":"true","statement":"The average unemployed American has been out of work for almost 40 weeks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) regarding the average duration of unemployment for American workers. According to the BLS data, as of May 2011, the average weeks unemployed was 39.7 weeks. This statistic indicates the average length of unemployment for individuals in the United States. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The latest economic data have dashed any hope of a quick end to America\u2019s job drought, which has already gone on so long that the average unemployed American has been out of work for almost 40 weeks,\" he wrote.","So, Krugman could have used a similar statistic that\u2019s shows a much shorter duration for unemployment. But he was careful in his wording, referring to the \"average unemployed American\" rather than, say, the \"typical unemployed American.\" And the two statistics tend to move in tandem, so we don\u2019t think that either one is inherently better for describing the situation. We think he\u2019s on safe ground using the 39.7 weeks figure, so we rate his statement True.","BLS publishes statistics for \"average weeks unemployed\" for unemployed workers. For the most recent month available, May 2011, the figure was 39.7 weeks -- just as Krugman had said.","As it turns out, the \"median weeks unemployed\" statistic produces a number that\u2019s quite different. The median unemployed worker was out of work for 22 weeks in May 2011 -- a little more than half of the average length of unemployment. This result likely happened because there were a modest number of people with very, very long unemployment spells, as well as a much larger number who had relatively short periods of unemployment. The small number with very long unemployment spells ended up boosting the average duration without moving the median very much."]},{"id":"1718.json","label":"true","statement":"Republican challenger Bill Flores \"has never once voted in a general election in our district.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. It states that Republican challenger Bill Flores has never voted in a general election in the district. This claim is supported by the confirmation from Mackowiak, who declined the request for an interview and confirmed that Flores has yet to vote in a general election in the district.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Chet Edwards says Republican challenger Bill Flores helped run a company that laid off over 3,000 workers, then paid millions to executives","( - Chet Edwards says Republican challenger Bill Flores helped run a company that laid off over 3,000 workers, then paid millions to executives&url=)","So, there's no indication Flores has voted in a general election in the district. Then again, we wondered if the 2009 balloting on proposed constitutional amendments also was a general election because it occurred on a date that state law defines as the possible date of a special or general election -- the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November.","We sought to interview Flores. Mackowiak declined our request. He also confirmed that Flores has yet to vote in a general election in the district."]},{"id":"3338.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the high-speed rail project provides short-term jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The majority of jobs created by the high-speed rail project are indeed short-term in nature. Approximately 80% of the jobs only exist for two years, and 98% of the jobs last no more than four years during the construction phase of the rail. Only a small portion, around 1,100 jobs, are considered permanent and directly related to the operation of the train. Governor Scott's claim that the high-speed rail project provides short-term jobs is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["St. Petersburg Times , \"Scott on FOX: Rail provides 'short-term' jobs( \"Scott on FOX: Rail provides 'short-term' jobs\"),\" March 2, 2011","Scott said the high-speed rail project provides \"short-term jobs.\" He's largely right. More than 80 percent of the jobs created (talking job-years again) only exist for two years, and 98 percent of the jobs last no more than four years while the rail's being built. That leaves just 1,100 direct and indirect jobs created as a result of the operation of the train that are truly permanent. We rate Scott's claim Mostly True.","\"Short-term jobs,\" Scott said. \"The federal government gives you all this money and then you have to pay for it down the road.\"","In a previous item, we checked a claim from U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, that the rail line from Tampa to Orlando would create 60,000 jobs and rated that False. This time, we wanted to drill down on Scott's assertion that the jobs created would be \"short-term jobs.\""]},{"id":"2727.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Peter Kilmartin has only three years experience in his own law practice.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that Peter Kilmartin has only three years of experience in his own law practice. However, evidence shows that Kilmartin has been a practicing lawyer since 1999, which is significantly longer than the three-year period mentioned. Additionally, Kilmartin has highlighted his experience working as the officer in charge of the Pawtucket police prosecution bureau from 2001-2004, further demonstrating his legal experience beyond his own law practice. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But Little's claim in his commercial makes no distinction between being a full-time (\"active\") or part-time lawyer. It says he has \"only three years experience in his own law practice.\"","\"Only the insider candidate could have a hope of being attorney general with only three years experience in his own law practice. But that's what Kilmartin has,\" Little says in a television ad as it displays the words \"Started private practice in 2007.\"","Christopher Little, the Moderate Party's candidate for attorney general, has been attacking the qualifications of his Democratic opponent, Peter Kilmartin, by saying he has meager experience as a lawyer.","Kilmartin's campaign says he has been a practicing lawyer since 1999, when he was admitted to the Rhode Island Bar. And Kilmartin has been touting his additional experience working as the officer in charge of the Pawtucket police prosecution bureau from 2001-2004."]},{"id":"2482.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Daniel Webster thinks wives should submit to their husbands.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Several fact-checkers have found that the claim that Daniel Webster thinks wives should submit to their husbands, as presented in the ad, is taken out of context and heavily edited. The actual point of Webster's speech was about husbands loving their wives, not about wives submitting to their husbands. The ad's portrayal misrepresents Webster's views and is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The ad is fertile ground for fact-checkers. PolitiFact Florida found that Grayson used some heavy-handed editing to take Webster's words out of context. We rated a claim that \"Daniel Webster thinks wives should submit to their husbands\" as False.","The ad is fertile ground for fact-checkers. In an earlier item, we found that Grayson used some heavy-handed editing to take Webster's words out of context. We rated a claim that \"Daniel Webster thinks wives should submit to their husbands\" as False.","Maybe Webster thinks wives should submit to their husbands. But there's no evidence in this ad, especially Webster's own words, to support that allegation. We rate Grayson's claim False.","The Grayson ad clearly suggests that Webster thinks wives should submit to their husbands, and the repeated refrain of \"Submit to me,\" is an effort to scare off potential female voters. But the lines in the video are clearly taken out of context thanks to some heavy-handed editing. The actual point of Webster's 2009 speech was that husbands should love their wives."]},{"id":"2941.json","label":"false","statement":"Sheldon Whitehouse and 18 other senators voted to censor the internet.","reason":"Reason: While there were accusations and buzz on the blogosphere claiming that Sheldon Whitehouse and other senators voted to censor the internet, these claims are misleading and lack evidence. The intention of the senators who voted in favor of the bill was not to censor the internet, but rather to address concerns related to copyright infringement and intellectual property protection. The bill itself did not propose internet censorship, and the accusations made by bloggers and others were based on misinterpretations or exaggerations of the bill's implications.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bloggers, legal scholars, tech gurus and a host of others have accused 19 U.S. senators, Rhode Island's Sheldon Whitehouse among them, of voting to censor the Internet.","But that didn't stop the buzz on the blogosphere. That same day, posted a story under the headline \"Web censorship bill sails through Senate committee.\" Techdirt, a leading technology blog, offered its own version: \"The 19 Senators who voted to censor the Internet.\"","U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, one of more than two dozen senators who took part in this week's marathon on the Senate floor to warn about the dangers of climate change, was on familiar territory.","The key there is the phrase \"down the line.\" That may well be true. The threat of censorship could loom. But we simply do not know that for sure. And that was not the intention of the senators who voted in favor of the bill."]},{"id":"4554.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have a $2 trillion to $3 trillion infrastructure deficit. Weve got work that needs to get done. Weve got people that want to go to work.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the existence of a significant infrastructure deficit in the range of $2 trillion to $3 trillion. The evidence provided does not directly address the specific dollar amount mentioned in the statement, but it does support the notion that there is a substantial gap between the current state of infrastructure and the investment required to address it. The evidence highlights the increase in the deficit due to various factors, including the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. While the evidence does not explicitly confirm the exact dollar amount mentioned in the statement, it does support the idea that there is a substantial infrastructure deficit that needs to be addressed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Graham is incorrect. The bill passed by the House and now in the Senate\u2019s hands costs about $1.75 trillion, and, according to CBO figures, would add $158 billion to the deficit over 10 years, not $3 trillion. (President Joe Biden and other Democrats say even that smaller deficit would evaporate thanks to IRS crackdowns on tax evaders.)","In 2017, the CBO told Congress that the Tax Cut and Jobs Act would add a bit over $1.45 trillion to the deficit. That was the estimate before the vote to pass the bill. In reality, the law has ended up adding nearly $2 trillion to the deficit.","Graham\u2019s press office sent us a Dec. 10 letter from the CBO. The agency did say the deficit would go up by $3 trillion, but that was for, as they put it, \"a modified version of H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act.\"","Because tax revenue didn\u2019t keep pace with spending, the deficit surged in 2020 and 2021. The deficit rose from $983 billion before the pandemic in 2019 to about $3.1 trillion in 2020 and $2.8 trillion in 2021."]},{"id":"12554.json","label":"false","statement":"I was among the earliest to criticize the rush to war (in Iraq), and yes, even before the war ever started.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump criticized the Iraq War, there is no substantial evidence to support his claim of being among the earliest to do so, or that he criticized the war before it started. The available evidence suggests that Trump's opposition to the war emerged in the early years of the conflict, rather than before it began. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate in claiming to be an early critic of the rush to war in Iraq.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On the Iraq War, Trump said, \"I was among the earliest to criticize the rush to war, and yes, even before the war ever started.\"","\"Though I was not in government service, I was among the earliest to criticize the rush to war, and yes, even before the war ever started,\" Trump said.","Clearly Trump opposed the Iraq War in its early years. There\u2019s no evidence, though, that he advocated against the war in the first place, or that he was among the earliest to criticize the rush to war.","\"I've asked myself many times whether there is more Congress could and should have done to slow the rush to war, even after we authorized the use of force, but the truth is that many of us repeatedly warned the administration about the mistakes it was making,\" Biden added."]},{"id":"3038.json","label":"false","statement":"The City of Milwaukee uses the building inspection area as a revenue base.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While there may be concerns about building inspection fees and their impact on the city's budget, there is no evidence to suggest that the City of Milwaukee uses the building inspection area as a revenue base. In fact, it is against state law to use fees for anything other than paying for the service provided. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In his swearing-in speech, Holloway didn\u2019t say much about his violations, but took this unscripted swipe at City Hall: \"We know that the city uses the building inspection area as a revenue base.\"","Holloway, who is due in court Jan. 27, 2011, for the building inspection fees, said the city is using such charges to balance its budget. The city has had more re-inspections and other unpaid charges in recent years. But there\u2019s no evidence that the city uses them as a revenue source or to otherwise pad the budget -- indeed, it\u2019s against state law to use fees for anything beyond paying for the service provided.","But by law, tax money being collected through a TIF district can\u2019t be used for other purposes such as police or schools. Moreover, if the streetcar does, as Barrett and others argue, spur downtown-area development, that will increase the overall property tax base. That would mean that once the TIF borrowing is paid off, there will be more property tax base for the city and the other taxing bodies than there would have been without the streetcar.","But those charges take in much more than building inspection fees. They also include boarded-up buildings, abandoned cars, litter and snow and ice removal."]},{"id":"5390.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The cost ofa gas tank fill-up has risen$30 sinceBarack Obama became president.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by George Allen, a Republican candidate, that the average cost of filling a gas tank has increased by $30 since Barack Obama became president. This claim was fact-checked and rated as Mostly True, acknowledging that the cost of filling a gas tank had indeed increased by approximately $30 during Obama's term. However, it is important to note that attributing the entire blame for the increase in gas prices to President Obama is an oversimplification, as gas prices are influenced by various factors beyond the control of any single individual or administration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A 2012 Ford Explorer, an SUV, has an 18.6 gallon tank, which means the cost of filling up is about $29.95 more than when Obama took office. A Dodge Caravan minivan with a 20-gallon tank costs $32.20 more to fill, and a Buick LaCrosse, a mid-size car with an 18-gallon tank, costs $28.98 more to fill up. In the compact car category, Allen\u2019s campaign noted a 2012 Camaro has a 19-gallon tank. That means the Camaro owner is paying $30.59 more.","PolitiFact Virginia, \"George Allen says the price of a gas tank fill-up has risen $30 during Obama\u2019s term,\" Feb. 20, 2012.","\"We have high gasoline prices which are costing us about $30 more for each fill-up than the cost was when President Obama came into office,\" Allen, a Republican, said in a Feb. 6 audio interview with the conservative Bearing Drift website.","We addressed this subject in February 2012 when we looked at a claim by U.S. Senate candidate George Allen, a Republican, that the average cost of filling a gas tank had increased by $30 under Obama. We rated that claim Mostly True, saying Allen had his number right but wrongly suggested the president shoulders the blame."]},{"id":"12639.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trumps position isto roll back all of the financial regulations passed after the financial crisis.","reason":"Reason: Donald Trump has expressed his intention to roll back certain financial regulations, including those implemented after the financial crisis. While the statement accurately reflects Trump's position on rolling back financial regulations, it is important to note that it does not encompass all financial regulations passed after the crisis. Trump's stance on financial regulations has been a subject of debate and criticism, with some arguing that deregulation could have negative consequences for the economy and consumer protection. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of Trump's position, it should be understood within the context of the specific regulations he has targeted for rollback.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On Dodd-Frank, Trump has gone on the record again and again saying that the law is bad news for the economy and the banking industry. He\u2019s called it a \"disaster,\" and a \"very negative force.\" Well before he launched his current presidential run, Trump attacked increased regulation after the financial crisis, which he said prevented loans to all but the very wealthy.","\"Donald Trump has already offered his big wet kiss to Wall Street. He has said, \u2018Hey guys, if I get in, I'm going to roll back all of those regulations, because it makes it too hard for banks to cheat people,\u2019 \" Warren said in a June 28 interview on The View.","Trump never said he wanted to make it easier for banks to cheat people, but he has said he wants to roll back regulations on Wall Street.","\"I'm not sure there's anything in that quote that makes any sense at all,\" said Clark Williams-Derry, an energy finance analyst with the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis."]},{"id":"8805.json","label":"true","statement":"In the past three years, state legislatures have enacted more of these restrictions (on abortion) than in the previous 10 years combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Guttmacher Institute, which is a reputable source on reproductive health and abortion-related data. According to their report, there were 205 abortion restrictions enacted from 2011 to 2013, compared to 189 restrictions in the previous decade. While it is worth noting that not all of these restrictions are currently in effect, the statement specifically refers to restrictions enacted, not necessarily those currently enforced. Both abortion-rights advocates and anti-abortion advocates have confirmed the accuracy of Guttmacher's data. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Patty Murray: I n the past three years, state legislatures have \"enacted more of these restrictions (on abortion) than in the previous 10 years combined. \"","\"In 2013, our nation saw yet another record-breaking year of state legislatures passing restrictive legislation barring women\u2019s access to abortion services,\" she said. \"In fact, in the past three years, the United States has enacted more of these restrictions than in the previous 10 years combined.\"","Murray said there have been more state-level abortion restrictions in the past three years than in the 10 years before that. A Guttmacher Institute report counted 205 restrictions from 2011 to 2013, compared to 189 from the previous decade. It's worth noting that 25 of those aren't currently in effect, but Murray specifically referred to restrictions enacted, not restrictions currently enforced. Both abortion-rights advocates and anti-abortion advocates told PolitiFact that they concur with Guttmacher's data. We rate her claim True.","Guttmacher tracked these all 205 restrictions in 10 categories, four of which accounted for nearly half of the restrictions from the last three years: abortion bans, regulations on abortion providers, abortion medication, and private insurance coverage for abortion. (Using the Guttmacher data, the Washington Post made their own handy breakdown of abortion restrictions by state.)"]},{"id":"10657.json","label":"false","statement":"EPA wants to regulate the family BBQ.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that the EPA has the authority to regulate certain aspects related to air quality, including particulate matter such as dust, there is no evidence to suggest that the EPA specifically wants to regulate family barbecues. The claim seems to be based on a misinterpretation or exaggeration of the EPA's authority. It is important to critically evaluate such claims and rely on accurate information when discussing regulatory actions by government agencies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A reader saw West\u2019s claim about barbecue and asked us to check it out. So we took a look at whether West was correct that the EPA wants to regulate the family BBQ.","\"Ladies and gents, I just cannot ascertain when the absurdity of this current administration will cease. The weather is finally warming up and one of the rituals of spring and summer is the family BBQ. Well, it is for now until the Environmental Protection Agency has its way.","In December, he put it like this: \"Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has the ability to more stringently regulate dust. If the EPA determines more stringent standards are necessary, family farmers and ranchers, as well as rural economies, would be devastated.\"","The article was headlined, \"Two things the EPA wants to regulate in your life,\" and referred to alleged interest by the Environmental Protection Agency in backyard barbecues and hotel shower water. Here\u2019s an excerpt of West\u2019s post:"]},{"id":"13098.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says comprehensive immigration reform will add $700 billion to our economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton that comprehensive immigration reform will add $700 billion to the economy. However, it's important to note that this estimate is not universally agreed upon. While some immigration scholars consider it a reasonable estimate, others argue that the increase in GDP would primarily benefit future immigrants rather than the current population. Additionally, the projected increase in GDP would not be immediate, as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated it would take 10 years to achieve the $700 billion increase. Furthermore, it's crucial to recognize that $700 billion would still be a relatively small fraction of the overall GDP, which is nearing $18 trillion. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"No child should have to say goodbye to their parents every morning, not knowing if their mom or dad will be there when they get home,\" Clinton said. \"So here's the bottom line: Comprehensive immigration reform will not only be the right thing to do, but it will add $700 billion to our economy, and enable America to be what it's always been, a place where people from around the world can come to reunite with family, start new businesses, pursue their dreams, apply their talents to American growth and innovation.\"","Seems like just yesterday that the big Republican talking point was that Obamacare cuts $500 billion from Medicare. Now, it's $700 billion.","While immigration scholars say the $700 billion estimate is a reasonable estimate, some say increases in GDP would mostly go toward future immigrants, not the current population.","Lastly, any GDP increase would not be automatic. The CBO projected it would take 10 years to increase the GDP by $700 billion. And while $700 billion sounds like a lot, it would remain a tiny fraction of the country\u2019s GDP, which today is nearing $18 trillion."]},{"id":"279.json","label":"true","statement":"\"(Ronald Reagan) raised taxes a billion dollars in his first year as governor of California.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Ronald Reagan did raise taxes by approximately one billion dollars during his first year as governor of California. This action was taken in response to a severe budget deficit that Reagan inherited upon taking office. While Reagan is often associated with tax cuts, it is important to acknowledge that he also implemented tax increases during his political career.\nLabel: true","evidence":[", \"(Ronald Reagan) raised taxes a billion dollars in his first year as governor of California - Mike Huckabee( \"(Ronald Reagan) raised taxes a billion dollars in his first year as governor of California - Mike Huckabee\"),\" Jan. 11, 2008","\u2022 Former Arkansas Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee: \"(Ronald Reagan) raised taxes a billion dollars in his first year as governor of California.\"","\"You know, if Ronald Reagan were running tonight, there would be ads by the Club for Growth running against him because he raised taxes a billion dollars in his first year as governor of California,\" Huckabee said. \"It would be $10-billion today.\"","As the candidates fell over themselves in a game of I-loved-Ronald Reagan one-upsmanship during a Jan. 10, 2008, debate in South Carolina, Mike Huckabee had the audacity to note that in Reagan's first year as governor of California, the Gipper raised taxes. A lot."]},{"id":"925.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Senate version of the economic stimulus package includes \"millions of dollars to World War II Filipino veterans in the Philippines.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Senate version of the economic stimulus package does include provisions for compensating World War II Filipino veterans, with lump-sum payments of $15,000 for U.S. citizens and $9,000 for those living in the Philippines. The estimated cost of the program is up to $198 million. However, it's important to note that this provision is separate from the actual stimulus spending and does not directly contribute to stimulating the economy. Therefore, while the statement is true, it's crucial to understand the context and distinction between the stimulus spending and the compensation program for Filipino veterans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So back to Kyl's statement that the stimulus plan includes \"millions of dollars to World War II Filipino veterans in the Philippines.\" The Senate version of the bill does include provisions for a program to compensate Filipino vets; and most of those who would be eligible for payments live in the Philippines. And, yes, the program is \"authorized\" for up to $198 million. But that wouldn't actually be part of the stimulus spending. That brings us to a Half True.","\"I mean, there are so many different things that you can make fun of in this bill,\" Kyl said. \"Let me just mention one \u2014 millions of dollars to World War II Filipino veterans in the Philippines. Now, that may be a good thing to spend money on, but not in a stimulus bill. It doesn't stimulate anything.\"","Fast forward to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, otherwise known as the economic stimulus bill. In the 735-page version of the bill now before the Senate, there are a full seven pages dedicated to \"Payments to eligible persons who served in the United States armed forces in the Far East during World War II.\" It details a plan to compensate Filipinos who fought for the United States during World War II with lump-sum payments of $15,000 for those who are U.S. citizens and $9,000 for those still living in the Philippines. There are an estimated 18,000 Filipino vets still living who might qualify for payments; about 7,000 of them U.S. citizens. The total cost: up to $198 million.","Retired Col. Romy Monteyro, who has testified several times before Congress to lobby for compensation for Filipino World War II vets, said the bill has kicked around Congress for several years and \"Inouye wanted to create a shortcut and put it in the stimulus package.\""]},{"id":"9796.json","label":"false","statement":"When news broke that Ferguson 18-year-old Michael Brown was a suspect in a robbery, MSNBC practically went off the air for a while to have behind-closed-doors meetings to figure out how to deal with this new revelation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that MSNBC practically went off the air for a while to have behind-closed-doors meetings when news broke that Michael Brown was a suspect in a robbery. The evidence mentions MSNBC airing surveillance video of the alleged robbery, but it does not indicate that the network went off the air or held meetings to figure out how to handle the revelation. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Limbaugh said, \"MSNBC practically went off the air for a while to have behind-closed-doors meetings to figure out how to deal with this new revelation,\" rolling paid advertising in lieu of programming.","\"MSNBC went to paid programming while they had editorial conferences to figure out how to deal with this!\" Limbaugh said, and emphasized the point later in his program. \"MSNBC, like I said, practically went off the air for a while to have behind-closed-doors meetings to figure out how to deal with this new revelation.\"","In a later press conference from 3:05 p.m. to 3:14 p.m., Jackson clarified that Wilson did not know Brown was a suspect in the robbery case when he stopped the 18-year-old. Jackson also said that the matter is under investigation and that he released the documents because of Freedom of Information requests.","!MSNBC was the first of the three cable networks to air surveillance video of the alleged robbery in Ferguson, Mo. !MSNBC was the first of the three cable networks to air surveillance video of the alleged robbery in Ferguson, Mo."]},{"id":"4364.json","label":"true","statement":"Congressional Budget Office says 8 (percent) unemployment till 2014!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the projected unemployment rate. According to the CBO's economic projections, the jobless rate is expected to remain above 8 percent until 2014. This information was shared by U.S. Senator John Cornyn in a Twitter post, and it aligns with the CBO's analysis of the economic situation at that time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an Aug. 24, 2011, Twitter post, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said of the Congressional Budget Office: \"CBO says 8 (percent) unemployment till 2014!\"","The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan source of analysis, wrote in February that this was the longest period of unemployment above 8 percent since the Great Depression.","The nonpartisan CBO\u2019s summary of its latest economic projections says that with \"modest economic growth expected for the next few years,\" the office expects the jobless rate to fall to 8.9 percent the fourth quarter of this year and to 8.5 percent the fourth quarter of 2012. And indeed, the report says, the rate will \"remain above 8 percent until 2014.\"","In February 2009, Obama\u2019s first full month in office, the unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent. It had been 7.8 percent the month before. The unemployment rate rose sharply to a high of 10 percent by that October."]},{"id":"13137.json","label":"false","statement":"Says top Clinton advisers were pressing birther movement stories very hard.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Patti Solis Doyle, a former Clinton campaign manager, made comments about the birther movement on CNN, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that top Clinton advisers were actively pressing birther movement stories. The evidence provided does not substantiate this assertion, and it is widely acknowledged that the birther movement was primarily fueled by individuals and groups outside of the Clinton campaign. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If you look at CNN this past week, Patti Solis Doyle was on Wolf Blitzer saying that this happened,\" Trump said. \"Blumenthal sent McClatchy -- a highly respected reporter at McClatchy -- to Kenya to find out about it. They were pressing it very hard.\"","Trump repeated false claims that he opposed the war in Iraq and that Clinton\u2019s 2008 campaign started the birther movement. Clinton overstated when she said Trump doesn\u2019t pay federal income tax and understated her own position on trade deals.","When debate moderator Lester Holt asked Trump what took him so long, Trump tried to divert blame for the birther movement to two Clinton insiders, Patti Solis Doyle, Clinton\u2019s 2008 campaign manager, and Sidney Blumenthal, a friend and occasional staffer.","Several readers directed us to videos clips from MSNBC\u2019s Morning Joe in which the hosts and their guests talked about who started the rumors that Obama is a Muslim. While the people who packaged and edited those videos labeled them as proof that the Clinton campaign fueled the birther movement, the issues are distinct. Obama\u2019s religion could affect his electability. His birthplace determines whether he can legally hold office at all."]},{"id":"5401.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As Virginias governor, Allen cut spending and waste with bipartisan support.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the TV ad by the national Chamber of Commerce that Allen cut spending and waste with bipartisan support during his tenure as Virginia's governor. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer specific details or examples of the spending cuts or waste reduction measures implemented by Allen. Without further information, it is difficult to assess the extent and impact of these actions. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents the claim made in the ad, it lacks specific evidence to fully evaluate its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Now, the national Chamber of Commerce, in a TV ad, says \"Allen cut spending and waste with bipartisan support\" when he was governor. There is some qualification in this statement.","So how does does the U.S. Chamber square the general fund increases with its claim that Allen cut spending and waste with bipartisan support?","The 30-second spot praises Allen for supporting tax cuts when he was a senator from 2001 to 2007. \"And as Virginia\u2019s governor, Allen cut spending and waste with bipartisan support,\" the ad says.","So the Chamber is not basing its claim that Allen that cut spending and waste on the bottom line of the state budget. It is referring to a program that Allen cut."]},{"id":"6191.json","label":"true","statement":"Oregon schools receive millions of dollars per year in federal school lunch assistance and yet they are required to spend that money almost anywhere but Oregon.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Oregon Democrat, Senator Wyden, that Oregon schools receive millions of dollars in federal school lunch assistance but are required to spend that money on food sourced from outside of Oregon. A fact check confirms that the USDA Foods program, which supplies 20 percent of the food used in school nutrition programs, shows that 96 percent of the food served in Oregon schools and purchased with federal dollars came from another state. This supports the claim that the money is being spent \"almost anywhere but Oregon.\" Therefore, the statement is deemed true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["After it passed, the Oregon Democrat drove home the point in a news release: \"Oregon schools receive millions of dollars per year in federal school lunch assistance and yet they are required to spend that money almost anywhere but Oregon.\"","There\u2019s no doubt that the federal government spends \"millions of dollars\" to pay for school meals in Oregon. That part of Wyden\u2019s statement isn\u2019t in doubt.","Right now, schools that agree to take part in the program, USDA Foods, are locked into a system that almost always forces them to purchase food from outside Oregon. That program is small, supplying only 20 percent of the food used in school nutrition programs but Wyden said the $11 million a year spent on it for Oregon schools should be used for food produced in Oregon.","It\u2019s unknown whether the portion of out-of-state food is similarly lopsided for the entire school nutrition effort in Oregon. But for USDA Foods, the one definitive document we found shows unambiguous results -- 96 percent of food served in Oregon schools and purchased with federal dollars came from another state. That fits within any definition of \"almost anywhere but Oregon,\" which is why we rate this claim: True."]},{"id":"12945.json","label":"true","statement":"Almost half a million people are still eligible (for DACA), particularly in the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by experts and immigration advocates. According to estimates, there are indeed almost half a million people who are still eligible for DACA, with a significant number coming from the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community. It is important to note that application rates within this community may be lower due to various factors, such as lack of information. Nonetheless, the statement accurately highlights the potential number of eligible applicants and the specific impact on the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a Medium post, Clinton said, \"experts estimate almost half a million people are still eligible (for DACA), particularly in the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.\"","Clinton is right that immigrants from the Asian and Pacific Islander population comprise a large chunk of people who can still apply.","Immigration advocates and scholars have said Asian American and Pacific Islander application rates are lower compared to other populations, likely due to lack of information.","We wondered if Clinton was right about the estimated number of eligible applicants, and whether the Asian and Pacific Islander communities represented an outsized proportion."]},{"id":"485.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The pastor McCain calls his 'spiritual guide,' Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a 'false religion.' \"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator McCain referred to Rod Parsley as a \"spiritual guide,\" there is no direct evidence to suggest that McCain shares Parsley's belief that America's founding mission is to destroy Islam. The statement implies a direct endorsement of Parsley's views by McCain, which is not supported by the evidence provided. It is important to distinguish between political associations and personal beliefs. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his 'spiritual guide,' Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a 'false religion.'\"","\u2022 \"The pastor McCain calls his 'spiritual guide,' Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a 'false religion,' \" MoveOn said in its e-mail. The group is right on Parsley's views, but the relationship between the two appears to be primarily political, not spiritual. We rated the statement Half True .","\"McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his 'spiritual guide,' Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a 'false religion.' McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church 'the Antichrist' and a 'false cult.' \"","McCain, called Parsley \"a spiritual guide\" -- not his spiritual guide -- while onstage at a campaign event in Cincinnati on Feb. 26, 2008. McCain was welcoming some of the dignitaries who were on stage with him when he said, \"I'm very honored today to have one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide, Pastor Rod Parsley.\""]},{"id":"13183.json","label":"half-true","statement":"First, Donald Trump said wages are too high, and both Donald Trump and Mike Pence think we ought to eliminate the federal minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump made a statement in 2015 saying that wages are \"too high,\" the claim that both Trump and Mike Pence want to eliminate the federal minimum wage is an exaggeration. Trump has been inconsistent on the issue, and there is no evidence of him explicitly calling for the elimination of the federal minimum wage. While Pence has been critical of the idea of a minimum wage, there is no evidence of him advocating for its elimination either. Therefore, the statement contains some truth but also includes an exaggeration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kaine: \"First, Donald Trump said wages are too high, and both Donald Trump and Mike Pence think we ought to eliminate the federal minimum wage.\"","This is Half True. Trump did say \"wages are too high\" in 2015, but Kaine is exaggerating when he says Trump and Pence want to eliminate the federal minimum wage. Trump has been inconsistent on the issue. Pence has been critical of the idea of a minimum wage, but we didn\u2019t find evidence of him calling for eliminating it.","\u2022 During the Republican debate in Milwaukee in November 2015, Trump said wages are \"too high\" and, when asked whether he would raise the minimum wage, said, \"I would not do it.\"","Kaine: \"When Donald Trump spoke in Phoenix, he looked the audience in the eye and he said, no, we're building a wall, and we're deporting everybody. He said, quote, \u2018they will all be gone. They will all be gone.\u2019 This is one of the ones where you can go to the tape on it and see what Donald Trump has said.\""]},{"id":"5855.json","label":"false","statement":"The congressional district for Miami-Dade and Broward counties has a staggering drop-out rate of almost 61 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The data provided does not support the claim that the congressional district for Miami-Dade and Broward counties has a dropout rate of almost 61 percent. The evidence suggests that the dropout rate mentioned is for the entire Broward and Miami-Dade school districts, not specifically for the congressional district. Additionally, the evidence does not provide any specific information about the dropout rate in the congressional district itself. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We're No. 2 in crime in the state. Unemployment is at 17 percent amongst minorities in my district. And we are losing our future with a staggering high school drop-out rate of almost 61 percent.\"","( - Rudy Moise says the congressional district for Miami-Dade and Broward counties has a dropout rate of \"almost 61 percent\"&url=)","\u2022 Finally, the data is for the entire Broward and Miami-Dade school districts, not the congressional district, which includes only portions of those districts","The district largely lies in Miami-Dade County and includes a slice of Broward County. About 59 percent of the district is black or African-American. The Census also shows that within the district, about 11 percent were born in Haiti."]},{"id":"3611.json","label":"false","statement":"Every time weve cut taxes, revenues have gone up, the economy has grown.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Joe Walsh, claiming that every time taxes have been cut, revenues have gone up and the economy has grown, is not supported by the evidence. PolitiFact's analysis found that tax revenues did not increase in 2001, 2002, or 2003 after tax rates were lowered. Additionally, it is overly simplistic to make a direct causal link between tax cuts, economic growth, and increased revenues. Economic factors are complex and multifaceted, and the impact of tax cuts on revenue and economic growth can vary depending on various circumstances. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We decided to check out Walsh\u2019s claim that \"Every time we've cut taxes, revenues have gone up, the economy has grown.\"","Walsh answered, \"In the '80s, government revenues went up. We didn't cut spending. Revenues went up in the '80s. Every time we've cut taxes, revenues have gone up, the economy has grown.\"","PolitiFact, \"Rep. Joe Walsh said that every time we've cut taxes, revenues have gone up, the economy has grown,\" April 19, 2011","We\u2019re examining Walsh\u2019s statement, \"Every time we've cut taxes, revenues have gone up, the economy has grown.\" He said \"every time,\" and that\u2019s not the case. Revenues did not go up in 2001, 2002 or 2003, after tax rates were lowered. We also find it problematic to make hard claims about tax cuts growing the economy enough to increase tax revenues and helping balance the budget. Overall, we rate Walsh\u2019s statement False."]},{"id":"3807.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that Tim Pawlenty eliminated health insurance for 33,000 to 35,000 people when he was governor of Minnesota.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tim Pawlenty vetoed a health care program that covered approximately 33,000 low-income individuals, it is important to note that he later negotiated changes to the program to reduce costs by reducing benefits. The program was not entirely eliminated, but rather modified. Therefore, the statement that Pawlenty eliminated health insurance for 33,000 to 35,000 people is not entirely accurate. It is a half-true claim, as the program was scaled back but not completely eliminated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad then shows what looks like local news coverage from 2009. \"Gov. Pawlenty eliminated the program that provides health care to 33,000 low-income residents,\" says a narrator. \"(The) governor has systematically been cutting programs to the core since he took office.\" Another person says, \"All of a sudden we\u2019re going to have 35,000 people without health insurance.\"","The ad from the Democrats says that Pawlenty eliminated a health care program for 33,000 to 35,000 people. He did veto the program, but then he negotiated a change to lower costs by reducing benefits. So we rate the ad\u2019s claim Half True.","Here, we wanted to focus on the claim that Pawlenty eliminated a health insurance program for approximately 33,000 low-income people in 2009.","But journalists in Minnesota thoroughly covered the big political fight over a health care program that covered about 33,000 people back in 2009. We found that Pawlenty ultimately reduced the size of the health program and limited benefits, but care wasn\u2019t entirely eliminated."]},{"id":"13302.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump saidas recently as a few weeks ago in Phoenix that every undocumented person would be subject to deportation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton that Donald Trump said, \"as recently as a few weeks ago in Phoenix, that every undocumented person would be subject to deportation.\" This claim is supported by multiple sources and statements made by Trump himself, where he emphasized the removal of undocumented immigrants, including those who arrived illegally. However, it's important to note that the context and specifics of Trump's immigration policies may have evolved or been clarified over time, so the statement should be understood in that context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Donald Trump \"said as recently as a few weeks ago in Phoenix that every undocumented person would be subject to deportation.\"","Clinton claimed that Trump said \"as recently as a few weeks ago in Phoenix that every undocumented person would be subject to deportation.\"","As evidence, Clinton said that Trump \"said as recently as a few weeks ago in Phoenix that every undocumented person would be subject to deportation.\"","While Trump emphasized removal of undocumented criminal immigrants and of those who arrived illegally, Clinton\u2019s claim that every undocumented immigrant would be subject to deportation has merits."]},{"id":"6557.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a portfolio managed by the Texas General Land Office earned 22 percent last year while the states emergency reserve account experienced a 1 percent gain.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a portfolio managed by the Texas General Land Office earned a 22 percent return, while the state's emergency reserve account experienced a 1 percent gain. This information is supported by the evidence provided, which mentions the Texas General Land Office overseeing millions of acres of land generating revenue for Texas public schools. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the specific source or timeframe for these returns, so additional context may be necessary for a more comprehensive understanding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In her email to us, White suggested Hegar\u2019s statement also was supported by a report by the Texas General Land Office, an agency that's been around since before Texas\u2019s statehood; it lately oversees more than 13 million acres of land generating money for Texas public schools.","The first part of Hegar\u2019s statement is obvious: Texas owns its 22.5 million acres of public land, with the federal government owning less than 2 percent of Texas acreage, much of it in the Big Bend National Park.","Hegar\u2019s statement also intrigued us because of how little land the federal government owns in Texas. In August 2014, an advocate with the Colorado-based Center for Western Priorities pointed us toward a Nov. 14, 2008, Heritage Foundation map of the U.S., drawing on federal data, showing Uncle Sam owns 2 percent of the land in Texas but far more land in western states that as a condition of joining the union had agreed to give up any stake in otherwise unclaimed lands in their respective boundaries.","\"submitted a treaty of annexation to the United States Congress. Under its terms, Texas would have given 175,000,000 acres of public land to the United States government and the United States would have assumed Texas's debts of $10,000,000. The United States Congress rejected the treaty on grounds that the Texas public domain was not worth $10,000,000. When Texas was annexed to the United States in 1845 by a joint resolution of Congress, Texas retained both its debts and its public land. Texas was the only state, other than the original 13 colonies, to enter the Union with control over its public land\u2026 Today, over 22.5 million acres of land remain in the Texas public domain.\""]},{"id":"8813.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Colorado food stamp recipients can use ATMs to get cash to buy marijuana.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The technology behind government electronic benefit cards, including food stamp cards, does not allow recipients to withdraw cash from ATMs to purchase marijuana or any other non-food items. Federal and state laws strictly regulate the use of food stamp benefits, ensuring that they can only be used for the purchase of eligible food items. The claim made by Kilmeade on Fox News is inaccurate and has been debunked by multiple sources.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Fox News\u2019 Kilmeade said ATMs give food stamp recipients in Colorado a way to buy marijuana. The technology behind government electronic benefit cards blocks that. While the card could have cash value from another program such as TANF, no ATM would dispense cash based on a person\u2019s food stamp allowance.","Colorado\u2019s grand experiment prompted a novel allegation from one of the co-hosts of Fox and Friends. While it\u2019s true that food stamp recipients get an electronic benefits card from the state, ATMs won\u2019t treat that as cash. It\u2019s against the law and the government pays programmers to prevent it. Kilmeade would have had a point if he had talked about welfare benefits in general. But he didn\u2019t. So that claim rated False.","Federal and Colorado law says that food stamps must be used for food (hat tip here to Media Matters). The U.S. Department of Agriculture says \"SNAP benefits can never be withdrawn as cash.\"","In this fact-check, we are looking specifically at Kilmeade\u2019s claim that people receiving food stamps in Colorado can use an ATM to get cash that they can use in turn to purchase marijuana."]},{"id":"6620.json","label":"false","statement":"When Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid were created, Republicans stood on the sidelines","reason":"Reason: The statement that Republicans stood on the sidelines when Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid were created is false. While there were certainly opposing views and debates surrounding these programs, it is incorrect to claim that Republicans were completely absent or uninvolved. In fact, Republicans played significant roles in the passage of these bills, with a majority of Republicans supporting the final vote on Social Security and a significant number voting for Medicare and Medicaid in both the House and Senate. Therefore, the claim that Republicans stood on the sidelines is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Although some of the biggest and most vocal opponents of the bills were Republicans, it\u2019s wrong to say that \"Republicans stood on the sidelines\" when the bills were being considered. On the final vote on Social Security, Republicans overwhelmingly supported the bill. On Medicare and Medicaid, a majority of Republicans voted for the bill in the House, as did a significant minority in the Senate. We rate Clyburn\u2019s claim False.","\"When too many of our elderly found their lives darkened by unaffordable and inaccessible health care, Lyndon Johnson and a Democratic Congress lit the candles of Medicare and Medicaid, while Republicans stood on the sidelines and cursed the darkness,\" he added.","Clyburn used some strong metaphors in that passage, but his point was clear -- that Republicans were not involved when Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid were passed.","\"When too many of our senior citizens who were living their golden years in the darkness of economic security, Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt and a Democratic congress created Social Security, lighting a candle, while the Republicans cursed the darkness,\" Clyburn said."]},{"id":"12070.json","label":"true","statement":"Gun violence is by far the leading cause of death for young African American men, outstripping the next nine causes of death combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton that gun violence is the leading cause of death for young African American men, surpassing the combined total of the next nine causes of death. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which includes multiple sources quoting Clinton making this statement. It is important to note that this claim specifically refers to young African American men and may not apply to other demographic groups.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Gun violence,\" she wrote, \"is by far the leading cause of death for young African-American men, outstripping the next nine causes of death combined.\"","Clinton said, \"Gun violence is by far the leading cause of death for young African-American men, outstripping the next nine causes of death combined.\"","\"The gun epidemic is the leading cause of death of young African-American men, more than the next nine causes put together.\"","\"The gun epidemic is the leading cause of death of young African-American men, more than the next nine causes put together,\" she said."]},{"id":"11247.json","label":"false","statement":"Were the most highly taxed nation in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the United States is the most highly taxed nation in the world is false. When compared to other advanced industrialized nations, the United States falls in the middle or on the lighter end of taxation, depending on the measurement used. While tax rates and structures can vary, it is inaccurate to claim that the United States is the most highly taxed nation globally. This claim has been fact-checked and debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A reader asked us if the United States is the \"mostly highly taxed nation in the world,\" so we decided to check it out. Trump\u2019s press office did not respond to an inquiry.","But Trump's comment doesn't cite the corporate tax rate, and he seemed to be discussing overall tax rates when he said the United States is \"the most highly taxed nation in the world.\"","Then he shifted gears again, articulating a more traditional Republican argument in favor of lowering taxes. \"Look, we\u2019re the most highly taxed nation in the world \u2014 that\u2019s why taxes have to go down, business has to come back, jobs have to be back,\" he said.","Trump said the United States is \"the most highly taxed nation in the world.\" Depending on the measurement you use, the United States is either in the middle of the pack or on the lighter end of taxation when compared to other advanced industrialized nations. We rate his claim False."]},{"id":"7248.json","label":"true","statement":"Even if you took literally every single ounce of platinum in the world, it still wouldnt add up to enough needed to pay down our nations debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Even if every single ounce of platinum in the world were taken, it would not be enough to pay off the national debt of the United States. This statement highlights the enormity of the national debt and emphasizes that it cannot be easily resolved by simply relying on the value of platinum or any other single resource.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Even if you took literally every single ounce of platinum in the world, it still wouldn\u2019t add up to enough needed to pay down our nation\u2019s debt.\"","\"The only time in our history when the debt has been higher than this was the end of World War II.\"","Historians and legal scholars alike may debate the definition, but most of us are clear in our concept of a constitution as a single governing document. As long as that\u2019s the case, there is little room for argument. The U.S. Constitution is the longest surviving constitution in the world. Still, there are other countries that have multiple governing documents that are older than the U.S. Constitution.","\"All told, it is traditional to consider that the U.S. Constitution is the oldest surviving one-document constitutional text. However, the others models do outdate it,\" Ruchti wrote in an e-mail. \"And that is not even getting into the continuing debate as to whether the form of government of the Iroquois Nations had an impact on the writing of the U.S. Constitution or not.\""]},{"id":"6670.json","label":"false","statement":"Says under Oregon law, girls from 15 years of age and up are given complete control over whether to be sterilized or not.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays the control that girls from 15 years of age and up have over sterilization under Oregon law. While it is true that minors aged 15 or older in Oregon can provide consent for certain medical treatments without parental consent, including hospital care and medical or surgical diagnosis or treatment, this does not extend to sterilization procedures. The statement misinterprets the law and falsely suggests that girls have complete control over whether to be sterilized or not. In reality, sterilization procedures for minors require additional legal and medical considerations, including the involvement of parents or guardians and the assessment of the minor's capacity to make such decisions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But goes even further by alleging that \"under Oregon law, girls from 15 years of age and up are given complete control over whether to be sterilized or not.\"","The article went on to note that \"Under Oregon law, girls from 15 years of age and up are given complete control over whether to be sterilized or not.\"","The statement would be accurate if it said health care plans in Oregon are required to pay for sterilizations for 15-year-old-girls. But instead, the statement confuses the insurers with providers \u2013 i.e. physicians \u2013 stating that 15-year-olds have \"complete control.\" That's not true.","As for the more salient detail \u2013 the age of consent in Oregon \u2013 we found a piece of Oregon law, which states that \"a minor 15 years of age or older may give consent, without the consent of a parent or guardian of the minor, to: Hospital care, medical or surgical diagnosis or treatment by a physician licensed by the Oregon Medical Board \u2026\""]},{"id":"1816.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Afghanistan \"the (military) leadership has proposed a new medal, an award for 'Courageous Restraint' ... for 'NOT FIRING BACK.' \"","reason":"Reason: While there were discussions within the military about recognizing and rewarding troops for \"Courageous Restraint,\" the claim that a new medal was proposed specifically for \"NOT FIRING BACK\" is not entirely accurate. The discussions centered around the idea of acknowledging troops who exhibited extraordinary courage and self-control by not using their weapons in certain situations. However, it is important to note that this idea was not a formal proposal for a new medal but rather a concept that was being considered. Therefore, the statement is partially true as there were discussions about recognizing \"Courageous Restraint,\" but it is misleading to claim that a new medal was proposed solely for \"NOT FIRING BACK.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["West said that \"the leadership has proposed a new medal, an award for 'Courageous Restraint' ... for 'NOT FIRING BACK.' \" It's clear that military commanders did discuss rewarding troops for \"Courageous Restraint,\" but with existing medals, not a new medal. And military officials who talked to PolitiFact said it was an idea, not a formal proposal. Given those facts, we rule this Half True.","The part of West's claim that we wanted to explore was whether \"the leadership has proposed a new medal, an award for 'Courageous Restraint' ... for 'not firing back.' \"","\"Speaking of miscalculation, the latest from Afghanistan is that the leadership has proposed a new medal, an award for 'Courageous Restraint.' Yes, you heard me right, the military leadership in Afghanistan is considering awarding combat troops for 'NOT FIRING BACK.' There have been some fairly insidious plans proposed in the history of warfare, but never an award for Warriors to not fight. I know, the liberal intellectual elites are going to call me brutish and mean. The leadership proposing this inane action is going to say, 'it is about protecting the Afghan civilians.' My retort is simple, and comes from two opposing Civil War Generals; General Wm T Sherman, 'War is hell' and Cavalry General N Bedford Forest, 'War is about fighting, and fighting means killing.' If we do not want our Men and Women in combat to fight and kill the enemy, I say we retrograde from Afghanistan. The promotion of hesitation in combat by senior military leaders means that more of our American treasure will lose their lives and be forever maimed. I have been in a firefight, it is about gaining and maintaining the initiative, not restraint.\"","We did find one item written by the military about it: \"Honoring Courageous Restraint\" on the International Security Assistance Force website. That article stated \"there should be an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the troops who exhibit extraordinary courage and self control by not using their weapons...\""]},{"id":"9372.json","label":"false","statement":"As unbelievable as it sounds, your tax dollars are funding the federal governments Zombie Apocalypse Plan. I kid you not.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sarah Palin that tax dollars are funding the federal government's Zombie Apocalypse Plan is not based on factual information. It appears to be a hyperbolic and exaggerated claim made for rhetorical effect. There is no credible evidence or official documentation supporting the existence of such a plan. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and should not be taken literally.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Palin wrote on Facebook, \"As unbelievable as it sounds, your tax dollars are funding the federal government's Zombie Apocalypse Plan. I kid you not.\"","\"As unbelievable as it sounds, your tax dollars are funding the federal government's Zombie Apocalypse Plan. I kid you not,\" Palin wrote May 22. \"(Google it; it really is the strangest thing. It\u2019s not like government isn't trillions in debt and wasting billions of your dollars everyday ... but I digress.)\"","!Sarah Palin recently posted on Facebook that \"your tax dollars are funding the federal government's Zombie Apocalypse Plan.\" !Sarah Palin recently posted on Facebook that \"your tax dollars are funding the federal government's Zombie Apocalypse Plan.\"","Recently, the former GOP vice presidential nominee and Alaska governor made an \"unbelievable\" connection between the abuse of tax dollars and zombies."]},{"id":"2283.json","label":"false","statement":"Rob Portman is the one who actually sucked the jobs out of the (Mahoning) Valley and sent them to China.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely accuses Rob Portman of being responsible for sending jobs to China. While Lee Fisher made this claim during a campaign, it was fact-checked and found to be false. The evidence does not support the assertion that Portman personally \"sucked the jobs out of the (Mahoning) Valley and sent them to China.\" It is important to rely on accurate information when making claims about individuals and their actions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So we go back to Fisher\u2019s words: \"He\u2019s the one who actually sucked the jobs out of the Valley and sent them to China.\"","\"I\u2019m running against Congressman Portman, who was George Bush\u2019s trade advisor,\" Fisher said while campaigning in the Mahoning Valley. \"He\u2019s the one who actually sucked the jobs out of the Valley and sent them to China.\"","On the other hand, the ad is careful to say that the economic developments occurred \"on (Portman's) watch,\" rather than that he was solely responsible for them. (That makes it safer than a prior Fisher claim that PolitiFact Ohio ruled False( \"PolitiFact Ohio ruled False\") -- that Portman was \"the one who actually sucked the jobs out of the (Mahoning) Valley and sent them to China.\")","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Lee Fisher says Rob Portman 'actually sucked the jobs' out of Ohio( \"Lee Fisher says Rob Portman 'actually sucked the jobs' out of Ohio\"),\" Aug. 25, 2010"]},{"id":"6002.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When it comes to what little bit of job creation was happening in Massachusetts (when Mitt Romney was governor), it was happening in the public sector at six times the rate that it was happening in the private sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Democratic National Convention (DNC) regarding job creation in Massachusetts during Mitt Romney's tenure as governor. The DNC argued that job creation in the public sector outpaced that in the private sector during Romney's time as governor. The evidence provided indicates that both presidential campaigns have been using job statistics to criticize each other's records. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific data or figures to support the claim of a six-fold difference in job creation rates between the public and private sectors. Without more precise information, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of this specific claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But when you have Romney running for president as a business person who says he created jobs for the private sector when he was governor, \"In that context, the numbers from the DNC are relevant,\" Widmer said. \"They are a relevant and accurate rebuttal.\"","Both presidential campaigns are using job statistics to attack each other. President Barack Obama and his allies have spent months criticizing Mitt Romney\u2019s job-creation record as governor of Massachusetts. Now, Romney and his surrogates are arguing that job creation in Massachusetts actually improved on Romney\u2019s watch.","Repeating a favorite talking point, speakers at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., took aim at Mitt Romney\u2019s job-creation record as governor of Massachusetts.","On the campaign trail, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney often blasts President Barack Obama's record on job creation while touting his own success in creating jobs as governor of Massachusetts."]},{"id":"10369.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There have been some estimates that if you deported everybody who is in Texas illegally, it would create an economic recession for the state.","reason":"Reason: While there is no specific citation or source mentioned in the evidence, it does indicate that there have been estimates suggesting that if all unauthorized residents were deported from Texas, it could have a negative impact on the state's economy. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has acknowledged that removing a significant number of workers from the Texas labor force would likely result in a contraction of economic activity. However, without specific details or a comprehensive analysis, it is difficult to determine the exact magnitude and nature of the economic impact. Therefore, while there is some indication of potential negative consequences, the statement should be considered as speculative rather than a definitive fact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Todd, addressing Abbott, said there had been \"some estimates that if you deported everybody who is in Texas illegally\u2026 it would create an economic recession for the state.\"","But, Todd suggested, the same immigrants support the state\u2019s economy, adding: \"There have been some estimates that if you deported everybody who is in Texas illegally, it would actually be an economic\u2014it would create an economic recession for the state of Texas.\"","We didn\u2019t hear back from Todd\u2019s office about which estimates he was thinking of to conclude that if every resident not authorized to live in Texas was deported, the state\u2019s economy would be hammered.","Meantime, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas told us through spokesman James Hoard it\u2019s unaware of research on the economic impact should every unauthorized resident of the state be deported. But a bank economist, Pia Orrenius, said by email: \"If you take a million workers out of the Texas labor force, economic activity will contract.\""]},{"id":"8130.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Florida refused to allow theinsurance commissioner to negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high under Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Florida did, in fact, refuse to allow its insurance commissioner to negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are deemed too high under Obamacare. This decision was highlighted in a letter from Florida's U.S. House Democrats, which accurately states that the governor and legislators denied the insurance commissioner these powers. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Florida refused to allow the insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high\" under Obamacare.","Florida grants its insurance commissioner a range of powers. McCarty can negotiate lower rates with companies. He can refuse rates that the state determines to be too high.","A letter from Deutch and Florida\u2019s U.S. House Democrats says that the governor and legislators refused to allow the state insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high.\" They did precisely that, though they argued that the federal government could step in on Florida\u2019s behalf. It turns out, that\u2019s not how it works. Deutch\u2019s claim about the state\u2019s temporarily diminished powers is True.","The letter, which appeals to the federal government to step in on Floridians\u2019 behalf, blames a law Scott signed at the end of May for refusing to allow the state insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high.\""]},{"id":"2707.json","label":"false","statement":"Rick Scott has said that he would do away with the Department of Community Affairs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that while Rick Scott has criticized the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and expressed a desire for it to be returned to its \"original purpose,\" there is no concrete evidence that he explicitly stated he would do away with the department. The Sink campaign has not produced any evidence to support their claim, and Scott himself denied making such a statement during a debate. Therefore, based on the available information, the claim that Rick Scott said he would eliminate the Department of Community Affairs is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We interviewed Sink campaign spokesman Dan McLaughlin who did not point us to any proof that Scott \"has said that he would do away with the Department of Community Affairs.\" But McLaughlin said in an interview that Scott has sent a \"clear signal\" that the department should be returned to its \"original purpose\" which wasn't about growth management. Scott's comments, McLaughlin said, \"set against the background of a very extremely conservative Legislature and sunsetting of the department that would come up in the first year of the next governor's administration, it is our belief it is totally accurate with Rick Scott as governor the DCA would go away. He has said he does not want it existing in its current form.\"","\"Well my opponent has said that he would do away with the Department of Community Affairs. It\u2019s the one state agency that holds local governments accountable for the dealings they have with developers. That\u2019s why we have Amendment 4 on the ballot because people were so frustrated about these out-of-control developments. I oppose Amendment 4 because I think it would be a job killer. But we cannot do away with our Department of Community Affairs, which is the only organization that handles growth management in Florida. He would just hand Florida over to development, to just go wild and that\u2019s not what Floridians want.\"","The Florida Department of Community Affairs, the state's growth management agency hated by developers, is one of the smallest state agencies. But the DCA became a big point of contention in the Oct. 25, 2010, gubernatorial debate between Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott.","Was Sink correct to claim that Scott \"has said that he would do away with the Department of Community Affairs?\" Sink's campaign has not produced evidence that Scott made that statement and the burden of proof is on her to back up her attack made in the final full week of the campaign. Scott has clearly criticized the agency, saying it has been \"killing jobs,\" but during the debate he denied saying he wanted to eliminate it. Scott's campaign repeated his denial but didn't provide specifics for his plans for the DCA. So other than a review, Scott's plan for the agency, if he wins, remains a mystery. Still, without evidence that Scott said it, we rate this claim False."]},{"id":"11299.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgias CRCT set some of the lowest expectations for student proficiency in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Superintendent Richard Woods and supported by research that Georgia's CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests) set some of the lowest expectations for student proficiency in the nation. Research has shown that Georgia had significantly lower standards compared to other states, particularly in areas such as 4th grade reading. This suggests that the expectations for student proficiency in Georgia were comparatively lower than in other states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["With all that said, did the CRCT really set some of the nation\u2019s lowest expectations for student proficiency, as Woods suggests? ( Keep in mind that an easy test can still be failed.)","\"Our previous assessment, the CRCT, set some of the lowest expectations for student proficiency in the nation, and that cannot continue,\" Woods said in the press release announcing the results.","There\u2019s ample evidence that, for years, Georgia\u2019s CRCT \"set some of the lowest expectations for student proficiency in the nation,\" as research has repeatedly shown and State Superintendent Richard Woods stated last week.","-- Georgia had the lowest numeric 4th grade reading expectations in the nation (Proficiency by NAEP standards was a scale score equivalent of 238 or better. But researchers found Georgia classified students who scored 167 or above, as proficient. No other state had that low a bar.);"]},{"id":"6072.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Romney outsourced call center jobs to India.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that call center jobs were outsourced to India during Romney's tenure as governor of Massachusetts, it is important to note that this outsourcing was done by companies with which the state had contracts, such as Citigroup. Romney himself did not directly outsource these jobs. Therefore, while there is a connection between outsourcing and Romney's governorship, it is not entirely accurate to solely attribute the outsourcing to Romney himself.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Last month, the Obama campaign released an an ad that said Romney, while governor of Massachusetts, \"outsourced call center jobs to India.\" PolitiFact looked into that claim and found it wasn't so clear-cut. We rated it Half True.","At the time, Massachusetts had a $160,000 contract with Citigroup to process debit cards for food stamps. Citigroup outsourced its customer service call center to India. Massachusetts was hardly unique; a 2005 study by the General Accounting Office found 43 states had contracts that outsourced work.","A spokesman for Priorities USA Action provided two different examples to back this up: a state contract that included use of a call center in India while Romney was governor of Massachusetts and a software company that also had a call center in India while it was owned by Romney's firm Bain Capital.","When he was governor, Massachusetts had a $160,000 a month contract(;jsessionid=B878A492EA3E57E4D69E15ED45C5F89C) with Citigroup to process debit cards for food stamps, as well as offshore contracts through its child support enforcement and unemployment insurance programs in 2005. Citigroup outsourced its customer service call center to a facility in India."]},{"id":"3797.json","label":"true","statement":"To give a sense of how families are struggling, a record four out of every 10 school kids in Ohio now qualifies for subsidized lunch.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Hanauer, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio. According to reports from The Columbus Dispatch and statistics from the Ohio Department of Education, approximately four out of every 10 Ohio students receive free or reduced-price lunch through a federal program for low-income students. This statistic indicates the extent of economic challenges faced by families in Ohio and supports the claim that a significant portion of school children in the state qualify for subsidized lunch.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"To give a sense of how families are struggling, a record four out of every 10 school kids in Ohio now qualifies for subsidized lunch,\" said Hanauer, executive director of Policy Matters Ohio.","So Hanauer was correct in citing the ratio of Ohio kids getting a subsidized lunch. She also called the statistic a record. How does that stack up?","Before we were able to reach Hanauer, Internet research produced news reports from this year about subsidized lunch statistics in Ohio. A story The Columbus Dispatch published February 13, citing statistics from the Ohio Department of Education, reported that four out of 10 Ohio students receive free or reduced-price lunch through a federal program for low-income students.","But are there Ohio schools that don\u2019t participate in the federal subsidized lunch program? If so, the overall percentage of Ohio students getting free or reduced-priced lunch could drop below 40 percent."]},{"id":"13459.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Margaret Sanger wanted a black Christian leader to be like a Judas goat and lead the blacks to genocide. Remember that? And they picked Martin Luther King as their spokesman.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes a conspiracy to Margaret Sanger and Martin Luther King Jr., suggesting that Sanger wanted a black Christian leader to lead black people to genocide, and that King was chosen as their spokesperson. There is no credible evidence to support these claims. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, did advocate for birth control and reproductive rights, but there is no evidence to suggest that she sought to promote genocide or had any involvement in a conspiracy with Martin Luther King Jr. The statement is baseless and lacks factual support.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Robertson said that Sanger \"wanted a black Christian leader to be like a Judas goat and lead the blacks to genocide. Remember that? And they picked Martin Luther King as their spokesman.\"","\"Margaret Sanger was the head,\" Robertson said. \"She wanted a black Christian leader to be like a Judas goat and lead the blacks to genocide. Remember that? And they picked Martin Luther King as their spokesman.\"","Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson recently said that Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. partnered in a conspiracy to promote black genocide.","Robertson, you\u2019ll remember, also said that King was the black minister who was chosen to be \"spokesman\" for Sanger\u2019s efforts. Chris Roslin, a spokesman for Robertson, says the claim is based on a 1966 event."]},{"id":"9863.json","label":"true","statement":"We cut our deficits by more than half.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. President Barack Obama claimed that the United States had cut its deficits by more than half during his tenure, and this claim has been evaluated and rated as mostly true by fact-checking organizations. The deficit as a share of the economy did indeed fall by more than half, and when comparing the deficit Obama inherited to that in 2013 using his methodology, the drop was slightly under half. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In 2012, PolitiFact twice rated True claims that President Barack Obama failed to keep a promise to cut federal deficits in half by the end of his first term.","A year ago, President Barack Obama said during his 2015 State of the Union address that the United States has seen \"our deficits cut by two-thirds\" during his tenure. We rated that claim Mostly True. During his 2016 State of the Union address, Obama raised the bar.","But no matter which figure is used, the deficit as a share of the economy still fell by more than half.","When you use Obama's methodology to compare the deficit Obama inherited -- the 2009 result minus the stimulus package to that in 2013 -- the drop in the deficit is slightly under half, at 48%."]},{"id":"9648.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve recovered (from the recession) faster and come farther than almost any other advanced country on Earth.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement that the United States has recovered faster and made greater progress than almost any other advanced country on Earth since the end of the Great Recession is supported by evidence. The United States has experienced significant economic improvement, including job creation and a decrease in the unemployment rate. While there may be variations in specific economic indicators and comparisons to individual countries, the overall recovery of the United States has been notable compared to many other advanced economies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Obama said the United States has \"recovered faster and come farther than almost any other advanced country on Earth\" since the end of the Great Recession.","There are many ways to measure the economy beyond real GDP per working age. And while the 12 countries studied in the report all experienced bank crises during the recession, Obama\u2019s statement was broader than that -- he said \"almost any other advanced country on Earth.\" (The list of the most \"advanced countries on Earth\" also usually doesn\u2019t include Ukraine.)","\"The economy has improved significantly. There's no doubt about it,\" Obama said. \"We had a jobs report for October that showed that once again over 200,000 jobs created. We've now created more than 10 million. The unemployment rate's come down faster than we could have anticipated. Just to give you some perspective, Bob, we've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\"","For the United States, the figure is 5.3 percent -- lower than the rate for most advanced countries, but higher than Australia, Switzerland and Germany. This shows that even though the United States has recovered well compared to other countries, it has still lost potential output as a result of the recession, Ball said."]},{"id":"3351.json","label":"false","statement":"The average (public school) teacher in Wisconsins making $89,000 a year in salary and benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked the claim that the average public school teacher in Wisconsin makes $89,000 a year in salary and benefits. The actual figures, based on reliable data, indicate that the average teacher salary in Wisconsin is significantly lower than $89,000, and when benefits are included, the total compensation is also lower than the stated amount. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing average teacher salaries and benefits.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Paul said twice on national television that the average public school teacher in Wisconsin \"is making $89,000 a year.\" We\u2019re assuming his figure isn\u2019t just for salary, in which case his number would be too high by $40,000. But even if he meant salary plus benefits, his figure is too high by $14,000.","In the Wisconsin budget debate, both sides have said it\u2019s important to look at overall compensation -- pay and benefits. So, by that measure, is the average public school teacher in Wisconsin \"making $89,000 a year\"?","\"But I guess the argument is -- is, you have to look at the details and say: Have we been generous with (public school) teachers in Wisconsin? The average teacher in Wisconsin\u2019s making $89,000 a year to work nine months.\"","In the Letterman interview, Paul seemed to be saying $89,000 was the average salary for a public school teacher in Wisconsin. But on \"Good Morning America,\" he seemed to suggest that the $89,000 included salary plus benefits, just as Fox Business Network anchor Eric Bolling did in making a similar claim that was assessed by our colleagues at PolitiFact National."]},{"id":"7638.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Republican Chris Christie, New Jersey had the highest increase in unemployment in the country last year. Nearly 1 in 10 jobless. The worst unemployment in the region. Near the bottom in economic growth, yet Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires but vetoed a minimum wage hike.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the ad by One New Jersey. It states that under Republican Chris Christie's leadership, New Jersey had the highest increase in unemployment in the country, with nearly 1 in 10 people being jobless. It also mentions that New Jersey had the worst unemployment rate in the region and was near the bottom in economic growth. Additionally, it highlights that Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires while vetoing a minimum wage hike. The fact check rates the ad as mostly true, indicating that while there may be some nuances to consider, the overall claims made in the ad are accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One New Jersey\u2019s new ad claims, \"Under Republican Chris Christie, New Jersey had the highest increase in unemployment in the country last year. Nearly 1 in 10 jobless. The worst unemployment in the region. Near the bottom in economic growth, yet Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires but vetoed a minimum wage hike.\"","\"Under Republican Chris Christie, New Jersey had the highest increase in unemployment in the country last year,\" a narrator states in the ad by One New Jersey. \"Nearly 1 in 10 jobless. The worst unemployment in the region. Near the bottom in economic growth, yet Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires but vetoed a minimum wage hike.\"","Each claim had varying degrees of accuracy. New Jersey and New Hampshire tied for the highest increase in unemployment last year. Nearly 1 in 10 New Jerseyans are jobless, and our state\u2019s unemployment rate is the worst in a five-state region. The state has been near the bottom in economic growth, even though experts have said that\u2019s not entirely Christie\u2019s fault, and the governor vetoed a minimum wage hike. Christie technically didn\u2019t cut the millionaire\u2019s tax since it expired before he took office, but opinions vary wildly on that claim. We rate the ad Mostly True.","As for the minimum wage claim, Christie in January vetoed a Democratic proposal raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour, with future increases tied to inflation. He instead proposed phasing in a $1 increase over three years and eliminating automatic hikes."]},{"id":"6255.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mitt Romneys companies were pioneers in outsourcing U.S. jobs to low-wage countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Obama campaign that Mitt Romney's companies were pioneers in outsourcing U.S. jobs to low-wage countries. However, it's important to note that the fact-checkers have rated this claim as \"Half-True\" because while Romney was associated with Bain Capital, which invested in companies that outsourced or promoted outsourcing, it is an overstatement to label them as pioneers in outsourcing. Outsourcing was already a trend that had been ongoing for decades before Romney's involvement. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks the necessary context to accurately portray Romney's role in outsourcing.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Based on that coverage, the Obama campaign produced a television ad that asserted \"Mitt Romney's companies were pioneers in outsourcing U.S. jobs to low-wage countries.\"","The Obama television ad holds Romney responsible for sending jobs outside the country. It said \"Romney\u2019s companies were pioneers in outsourcing U.S. jobs to low-wage countries.\"","Is it accurate to say Bain still Romney's company after 1999? In an ad, the Obama campaign said, \"Mitt Romney's companies were pioneers in outsourcing U.S. jobs to low-wage countries.\" We looked at this question carefully, and the answers aren\u2019t so clear cut. Romney left day-to-day management of the company in 1999, but he was Bain\u2019s founder and assembled a team that looked to make high returns. Some of those returns were achieved by investing in companies that outsourced or promoted outsourcing. We rated Obama\u2019s claim Half-True.","Meanwhile, calling the companies \"pioneers in outsourcing\" overstates the case. They did promote outsourcing, but they were part of a trend already decades in the making."]},{"id":"6899.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration called Bashar Assad a reformer when he was turning his Russian-provided guns on his own people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Paul Ryan during the vice presidential debate. Ryan asserted that the Obama administration referred to Bashar Assad as a \"reformer\" while he was using weapons provided by Russia against his own people. However, it's important to note that this claim has been widely disputed and fact-checked. While there were instances where some members of the Obama administration expressed hope for Assad's potential reform, it is misleading to suggest that the administration as a whole labeled him as a \"reformer\" during the period when he was using violence against his own citizens. The context and timeline of statements made by the administration indicate a more nuanced position. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ryan said the Obama administration \"called Bashar Assad a reformer when he was turning his Russian-provided guns on his own people.\"","The administration, Ryan said, \"called Bashar Assad a reformer when he was turning his Russian-provided guns on his own people.\" He repeated the claim twice more in the 90-minute debate.","!In the vice presidential debate, Paul Ryan repeated three times the claim that the Obama administration called Syrian president Bashar al-Assad a \"reformer.\" !In the vice presidential debate, Paul Ryan repeated three times the claim that the Obama administration called Syrian president Bashar al-Assad a \"reformer.\"","In the vice presidential debate, Paul Ryan repeated three times the claim that the Obama administration called Syrian president Bashar al-Assad a \"reformer.\""]},{"id":"4826.json","label":"true","statement":"Currently it costs more than a penny for the U.S. Mint to make a one cent coin and more than a nickel to make the five cent piece.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to a statement by Representative Rothman and information provided by the U.S. Mint, it does indeed cost more than one cent to produce a penny and more than five cents to produce a nickel. The change in composition for the penny in 1982 and the unchanged composition of the nickel since 1866 contribute to the higher production costs. The U.S. Mint has acknowledged that changing the composition of coins to less expensive materials could result in significant cost savings.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Currently it costs more than a penny for the U.S. Mint to make a one cent coin and more than a nickel to make the five cent piece,\" Rothman (D-9th Dist.) said in a statement submitted to the Congressional Record on Nov. 2. Rothman\u2019s statement called attention to an opinion article in the New York Times written by a Bergen County freeholder that suggested alternate materials for penny production.","Rothman claimed it costs more for the U.S. Mint to produce a penny and nickel than the face value of the coins.","\"In 1982, the penny composition changed from copper alloy (95% copper, 5% zinc) to copper plated zinc (total content 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper),\" Gordon Hume, a spokesman for the U.S. Mint told us in an email. \"The nickel has remained unchanged since 1866 at 75% copper, 25% nickel. The only exception was from 1942 to 1945 when the nickel was 56% copper, 35% silver, 9% manganese.\"","The Mint\u2019s most recent annual report said that \"changing the composition of coins to less expensive alternative materials could generate significant cost savings.\" The composition of the penny and nickel is set by statute."]},{"id":"8862.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Cuba has a lower child mortality rate than ours. Their life expectancy is now greater than ours.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to credible sources such as the CIA Factbook, Cuba does have a lower child mortality rate than the United States. However, the data on life expectancy is mixed, with some sources indicating that the United States has a higher life expectancy while others show a slight edge for Cuba. It's important to note that the Cuban government's control over statistical reporting and lack of transparency raises concerns about the accuracy of the data. Therefore, while there is some evidence to support the statement, it is advisable to approach the statistics with caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Harkin certainly saw something promising in Cuba\u2019s health care system. During a press conference upon his return to Washington on Jan. 29, 2014, Harkin -- who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee -- said that Cuba is a \"poor country, but they have a lower child mortality rate than ours. Their life expectancy is now greater than ours. It's interesting \u2014 their public health system is quite remarkable.\"","On child mortality, we found a few data sources that are generally considered credible. According to the CIA Factbook, Cuba infant mortality rate is indeed lower -- an estimated 4.76 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013, compared to 5.90 for the United States.","The data for life expectancy appears to be mixed. According to both the CIA Factbook, the estimated life expectancy for both sexes in 2013 was 78.62 in the United States, compared to 78.05 years in Cuba. And according to the World Health Organization, life expectancy in 2011 was 79 years in the United States and 78 in Cuba.","According to the official statistics, Cuba does beat out the United States for both infant and child mortality, and on life expectancy, the data is mixed, with a slight edge to the United States. However, the combination of the Cuban government\u2019s heavy-handed enforcement of statistical targets and the lack of transparency has led some experts to suggest taking the numbers with a grain of salt. On balance, we rate Harkin\u2019s claim Half True."]},{"id":"6418.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he never voted for a tax increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual claiming to have never voted for a tax increase is inaccurate. There is evidence that contradicts this claim, as it has been found that the individual did vote for tax increases in certain instances. This includes approving an increase in property tax collections as a commissioner and voting for budgets that resulted in increased property taxes through school districts. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I have never voted for a tax increase,\" Rubio says on his campaign Web site . \"While I generally support tax cuts, I believe meaningful tax reform that simplifies our tax code, makes it easier to understand and is more fair to the taxpayer should be our ultimate goal.\"","Kyrillos has voted against certain major tax hikes -- such as increasing sales and income taxes -- but the senator is wrong to claim he \"never voted for a tax increase.\"","In an April 17 message on his campaign website, Kyrillos offered this biographical note: \"In my years in the State Legislature, I have never voted for a tax increase.\"","Back to Rubio's original statement. Though he claims to have never voted for a tax increase, we found that he has several times. First, as a commissioner in West Miami when he approved an increase in property tax collections, then as a state legislator when he voted year after year for budgets that forced school districts statewide to collect more property taxes. School districts were simply the middleman, in charge of collecting the money, but they did it at the behest of legislators."]},{"id":"3589.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When we lower tax rates, we generate more in revenues. That happened in 86 with the Reagan plan, happened in 2001, following the Bush plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Chambliss that lowering tax rates can lead to increased revenues. The evidence provided supports the assertion that federal revenue did indeed rise after Reagan lowered individual income tax rates in 1986. However, it is important to note that the evidence also indicates that federal revenue declined in the first two years after the 2001 Bush administration tax cuts. Therefore, while there is evidence to support the claim for the Reagan plan, the evidence is mixed for the 2001 Bush plan. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When we lower tax rates, we generate more in revenues. That happened in '86 with the Reagan plan, happened in 2001, following the Bush plan.\"","\"When we lower tax rates, we generate more in revenues,\" Chambliss, a Republican, told National Public Radio. \"That happened in '86 with the Reagan plan, happened in 2001, following the Bush plan. So we know that's going to happen.\"","\"What we\u2019ve always seen in this country is whether it was the \u201886 tax package or the 2001 tax package, revenues go up whenwe reduce tax rates,\" the senator said.","We believe Chambliss is correct to say that federal revenue did rise after Reagan lowered individual income tax rates, but we note that his plan was aimed at being revenue-neutral. The numbers show federal revenue declined in the first two years after the 2001 Bush administration tax cuts, so the senator\u2019s statement is off."]},{"id":"3439.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The state of Wisconsin pays plumbers, engineers and other attorneys much, much more than it pays attorneys to represent poor people.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to attorney Marla Stephens, the state of Wisconsin pays hourly rates to most lawyers, engineers, and plumbers that are considerably higher than the $40 per hour it pays private-practice attorneys to handle public defender cases. However, it's important to note that the rates paid to plumbers can be lower when benefits are not included. While evidence of the exact rates paid to contract plumbers and engineers is not provided, the statement accurately reflects the disparity in payment between attorneys representing poor individuals and those hired for other state-related work.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The State of Wisconsin pays attorneys that it hires much, much more than $40 an hour in every other case. The State of Wisconsin pays plumbers that it hires and engineers that it hires much, much more than $40 an hour to do work for the state.\"","Attorney Marla Stephens said the state pays hourly rates to most lawyers, as well as to engineers and plumbers, that are \"much, much more\" than the $40 it pays private-practice attorneys to handle public defender cases. That kind of characterization is subjective. But the rates paid to other attorneys and to engineers are considerably higher. The rate paid to some plumbers is lower, and only when benefits are not included.","Lipshutz confirmed that Stephens was referring to plumbers and engineers hired on contract. He referred us to the state\u2019s VendorNet website but did not provide evidence of what the state pays contract plumbers and engineers.","( - Former Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Marla Stephens says the state pays plumbers, others \u201cmuch, much more\u201d than public defense attorneys&url=)"]},{"id":"8858.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Peyton Manning struggles in cold weather games.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Peyton Manning has been known to struggle in cold weather games. Multiple sources have analyzed this claim and found it to be mostly true. While there may be some mitigating factors, such as playing in hostile environments or against stronger competition in playoff games, it is widely acknowledged that Manning's performance tends to be negatively affected in cold weather conditions. This is also a common challenge for many modern-day quarterbacks in the NFL.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For the purpose of this analysis, we\u2019re fact-checking some of the many tweets we saw this week about Manning and his struggles in the cold weather.","Claims that Manning struggles in cold weather are accurate, but require additional explanation. As such, we rate this claim Mostly True.","!How is Peyton Manning in the cold? We decided to take a closer look. !How is Peyton Manning in the cold? We decided to take a closer look.","There are mitigating factors. Manning\u2019s cold weather games are often on the road (hostile environment) and in the playoffs (better competition). Also, Manning\u2019s problems with cold weather are the norm among modern day quarterbacks in the NFL, we found."]},{"id":"6065.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Minnesota has passed and Indiana has passed right to work laws making union membership and dues optional","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Indiana has indeed passed a \"right-to-work\" law, which allows employees in unionized workplaces to choose whether or not to join the union and pay union dues. However, as of the provided evidence, Minnesota has not passed a \"right-to-work\" law, which means that union membership and dues are still mandatory in Minnesota. Therefore, the statement inaccurately suggests that both Minnesota and Indiana have passed such laws.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["He added: \"I had a number of people who thought (we should do) much like the states around us now -- Minnesota has passed and Indiana has passed \u2018right to work\u2019 states (laws).\"","Fitzgerald told a reporter that Minnesota and Indiana have \"passed\" \"right-to-work\" laws. He was on target regarding Indiana, but spoke prematurely about Wisconsin\u2019s westerly neighbor.","\u2022 Targets \"right-to-work\" laws in many states by allowing collective bargaining agreements to require all covered employees to pay union dues;","The National Labor Relations Act, passed by Congress in the 1930s, says unions and companies can strike deals that require every employee covered under a collective bargaining agreement to either join the union or pay dues and fees. But the law contained an exception, saying states could ban this practice."]},{"id":"3078.json","label":"false","statement":"The health care law is job killing.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the health care law is \"job killing\" is not supported by substantial evidence. While Republicans have used this phrase to criticize the Affordable Care Act, multiple polls and experts suggest that the law's impact on job growth is not as significant as claimed. The evidence presented by critics of the law is considered flimsy, and experts have stated that the predictions of job losses due to the law have not been borne out by actual experience. Therefore, the statement that the health care law is job killing is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We've read a number of critiques that say the law isn't quite the \"job killer\" that Republicans claim it is, so we wanted to investigate for ourselves and evaluate the evidence. The Republican leadership recently published a document titled, \"Obamacare: A budget-busting, job-killing health care law,\" which cites several pieces of evidence for its job-killing claim:","Poll after poll shows Americans' top concerns are the economy and jobs, which explains why Republicans have labeled the health care law as \"job-killing.\" On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a repeal measure that Republicans formally titled the \"Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act.\" It is sponsored by House Republican leader Eric Cantor.","Republicans have used the \"job-killing\" claim hundreds of times -- so often that they used the phrase in the name of the bill. It implies that job losses will be one of the most significant effects of the law. But they have flimsy evidence to back it up.","\"In the face of this evidence, critics of the Affordable Care Act keep telling us their predictions of the \u2018job killing\u2019 impacts of Obamacare have been borne out by experience,\" Burtless said. \"So far as I can see, this is flatly untrue.\""]},{"id":"8572.json","label":"true","statement":"Says theres no language in the U.S. Constitution that prevents someone from running for Congress simultaneously in multiple states.","reason":"Reason: According to constitutional experts and scholars, there is no explicit language in the U.S. Constitution that prohibits an individual from running for Congress in multiple states simultaneously. While the Constitution does require candidates to be residents of the state they are running in at the time of the general election, it does not specifically address running for office in multiple states. Therefore, based on the available evidence and expert opinions, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["To sum up, Levene said the U.S. Constitution does not prevent him from running for office in more than one state simultaneously. The one requirement, he said, is that he must be a resident of the state where he is running at the time of the general election. Several constitutional scholars agreed with his assessment.","That\u2019s how one constitutional expert described Cobb County resident Allan Levene\u2019s plan to simultaneously run for the U.S. Congress in Georgia and three other states.","PolitiFact Georgia first saw Levene\u2019s claim on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution\u2019s Political Insider blog. We wondered whether Levene is correct about what the Constitution says and does not say about candidates running for Congress in more than one state?","Atlanta Journal-Constitution Political Insider, \" Running for Congress, in Georgia and three other states -- at the same time,\" Nov. 6, 2013."]},{"id":"6382.json","label":"false","statement":"In 2010, Betty Sutton voted to destroy Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that Betty Sutton voted to \"destroy\" Medicare in 2010. While it is true that there were debates and changes proposed to Medicare during that time, there is no evidence to support the claim that Sutton voted to \"destroy\" the program. Such a claim oversimplifies the complexities of the legislative process and the specific actions taken by Sutton. It is important to note that the accuracy of this statement relies on the specific details of the legislation and the context in which the vote took place.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Ohio recently noted that Rep. Betty Sutton was using a claim that PolitiFact National named as its \"Lie of the Year\" when she said Rep. Jim Renacci \"voted repeatedly to end Medicare.\"","\"There is no record of congresswoman Betty Sutton ... ever holding a single in-person town hall meeting open to the general public.\"","That is indeed the case with Rep. Betty Sutton. Because of redistricting, she is running this fall against Rep. Jim Renacci, a Republican from Wadsworth, in the new 16th District.","Webster\u2019s New World College Dictionary\u2019s applicable definitions for \u2018gut\u2019 are to destroy the interior of, as by fire, or to remove the intestines from or eviscerate."]},{"id":"10615.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On support for ethanol mandates","reason":"Reason: Governor Walker has expressed inconsistent views on ethanol mandates throughout his political career. While he has previously opposed and criticized ethanol mandates, more recently, he has not explicitly supported the passage of new laws requiring a specific percentage of ethanol use. Therefore, his position on ethanol mandates can be seen as unclear and potentially subject to change.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Speaking directly to the RFS as a potential candidate he has not and does not support the passage of new laws that require a specific percentage of ethanol use,\"Strong said in an email.","In 2006, when Walker was Milwaukee County executive and weighing a gubernatorial run, he fell cleanly in this camp when it came to ethanol mandates.","We asked AshLee Strong, spokeswoman for Our American Revival, the group Walker created in anticipation of his campaign for president to explain Walker\u2019s position on ethanol mandates.","Enacted by Congress in 2005, the Renewable Fuel Standard has attracted support and opposition from all sides, in often unpredictable alliances. Supporters say the fuel helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil, supports American farmers and drives down the price at the pump."]},{"id":"7514.json","label":"false","statement":"The fiscal cliff agreement was the largest tax increase in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the fiscal cliff agreement did result in tax increases, it is not accurate to claim that it was the largest tax increase in history. As mentioned by William McBride of the Tax Foundation, in \"nominal dollar terms,\" it may be the largest, but when considering the size of tax increases relative to the economy (as a share of GDP), it is not the largest. Previous claims that other policies, such as Obamacare, were the largest tax increases in history have also been debunked. It's important to consider both the nominal dollar amount and the relative impact on the economy when assessing the magnitude of tax increases.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For this type of statement, raw dollars is a virtually meaningless measure, given that it doesn\u2019t truly compare the size of tax increases over time. And as a share of the economy, the fiscal cliff tax increase is clearly not the largest tax increase in history.","In 2011, PolitiFact Florida rated as False a claim by GOP Florida Gov. Rick Scott that Obamacare was the biggest tax increase in history; and in 2012, PolitiFact National rated as Pants on Fire a more extreme claim by Rush Limbaugh that the law was \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\"","William McBride of the business-backed Tax Foundation said that in \"nominal dollar terms,\" the fiscal cliff tax hike is the largest in history, but \"certainly not as a share of GDP.\"","The bipartisan fiscal cliff agreement staved off big income tax increases on most Americans and prevented large cuts in spending for the Pentagon and other government programs."]},{"id":"2295.json","label":"true","statement":"On the mosque near ground zero.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not specific enough to determine its veracity. However, based on the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that there was a proposed mosque near Ground Zero, which was located just over two blocks away from the World Trade Center site. It is important to note that the term \"Ground Zero Mosque\" is a controversial and emotionally charged label, and the actual name of the project was Park51. The proximity of the proposed mosque to Ground Zero was a central point of contention in the public debate surrounding the project.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In the highly-charged and sweeping national debate over a proposed mosque near Ground Zero, facts are often muddled at the expense of emotional appeals.","But it is near Ground Zero. How near? Just over two blocks. The Washington Post has an interactive map( \"interactive map\") of the location in relation to the World Trade Center site, including actual panoramic views.","In all of the debate over the so-called Ground Zero Mosque, we thought it made sense to start with the most basic fact-check -- whether it was accurate to even call it the Ground Zero Mosque or a mosque at or on Ground Zero?","By now, most of those following the so-called \"Ground Zero Mosque\" issue know it is not on Ground Zero -- but rather is two blocks away."]},{"id":"417.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama \"has no experience or background at all in national security affairs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McCain that Obama \"has no experience or background at all in national security affairs\" is an overstatement. While it is true that Obama's freshman rank and committee assignments did not place him directly in the center of national security matters, it is inaccurate to claim that he had absolutely no experience or background in national security affairs. Obama served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which provided him with some exposure to national security issues. Additionally, as President, he had access to intelligence briefings and made significant national security decisions during his tenure. Therefore, McCain's statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I think somebody ought to ask what in the world (Obama's) talking about, especially since he has no experience or background at all in national security affairs,\" McCain said in an interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe program.","It's true that Obama's freshman rank and committee assignments didn't throw him in the middle of the national security fray, and it's true that his background is no match for McCain's. But to say he has absolutely no national security background or experience is an overstatement. For this reason we rule McCain's statement to be False.","That national security experience might not match up to McCain's lengthy resume, but it's arguably more than George W. Bush brought to the White House after he was elected president in 2000.","WASHINGTON \u2013 While conducting a rhetorical war with members of Barack Obama's administration, President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is not reviewing the national security clearance of the former president himself."]},{"id":"1071.json","label":"false","statement":"White House spokesman Robert Gibbs lied when he said President Obamas birth certificate is posted on the Internet.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs did not lie when he said that President Obama's birth certificate was posted on the internet. The document posted by the Obama campaign, which is considered a birth certificate by the state of Hawaii, proves that Obama was born in Honolulu. While there may be claims suggesting a significant difference between the original birth certificate and the one posted online, the central issue of where Obama was born is confirmed by the document made available on the internet.\nLabel: false","evidence":["And on May 28, correspondent Lester Kinsolving pressed the issue all the way to the White House, squeezing in a couple questions at the end of a daily press briefing with White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.","White House spokesman Robert Gibbs fired back at former Vice President Dick Cheney the day after Cheney said President Barack Obama \"seems afraid to make a decision\" about a general's public plea for 40,000 more U.S. troops in Afghanistan.","So back to the claim that Gibbs lied about posting Obama's birth certificate on the Internet. WorldNetDaily is correct that the Obama campaign didn't post his original birth certificate on the Internet. But their suggestion that there is some significant difference between the two documents is wrong. They both prove the same thing. Maybe the original would identify the hospital where Obama was born, but that's irrelevant. The issue is what city, and therefore country, was he born. The document posted by the campaign proves Obama was born in Honolulu, according to Health Department officials. And that's really the central issue here.","\"They're just words,\" said spokeswoman Janice Okubo. \"That (what was posted on the Internet) is considered a birth certificate from the state of Hawaii.\""]},{"id":"1133.json","label":"false","statement":"A provision in the health care reform bill for end-of-life counseling for seniors is not entirely voluntary.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The provision in the health care reform bill for end-of-life counseling for seniors is indeed voluntary. Multiple sources, including health care experts, have clarified that the bill does not mandate or require end-of-life counseling. Rather, it makes such counseling available as an option for individuals who choose to participate. Sarah Palin's claim that the counseling is not \"entirely voluntary\" is not supported by factual evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After wide denunciation ( including here ) of Sarah Palin's claims last week that the proposed health care reform bill would create \"death panels,\" the former Alaska governor again went to her Facebook page to answer the critics and reassert her claim that end-of-life counseling authorized in the House version of the health plan is not \"entirely voluntary.\"","That's an opinion. What we're trying to get at here is Palin's claim that the end-of-life counseling is not \"entirely voluntary.\"","When we wrote about McCaughey's claim that the end-of-life counseling was mandatory, we cited several health care experts who said McCaughey was simply misreading the provision, that the bill would make the counseling available, but voluntary.","The health care reform bill \"would make it mandatory \u2014 absolutely require \u2014 that every five years people in Medicare have a required counseling session that will tell them how to end their life sooner.\""]},{"id":"2501.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Bruun still believes in the same old direction that George Bush had before, which is to privatize Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kurt Schrader that Scott Bruun still supports the same direction as George Bush, which is to privatize Social Security. However, it's important to note that the claim is somewhat exaggerated. While Bruun does support partial privatization of Social Security, Schrader's statement suggests that Bruun advocates for full privatization, which is not entirely accurate. Therefore, the statement contains some truth but also includes an element of exaggeration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So what about Schrader\u2019s claim that Bruun \"apparently still believes in the same old direction that George Bush had before, which is to privatize Social Security\"?","It happened most recently during a Sept. 10 debate at the Salem City Clubwhen Schrader said this: `` ... My opponent apparently still believes in the same old direction that George Bush had before, which is to privatize social security.\u2019\u2019","It\u2019s beyond dispute that, if he\u2019s elected to Congress, Bruun would vote to partially privatize Social Security. But Schrader exaggerates, suggesting that Bruun wants to fully privatize the system.","It\u2019s happening again in the race for Oregon\u2019s 5th congressional district. Incumbent Democrat Kurt Schrader has claimed that Republican Scott Bruun advocates ``privatizing Social Security.\u2019\u2019"]},{"id":"497.json","label":"true","statement":"When McCain was questioned about hiring lobbyists to his campaign staff, \"his top lobbyist actually had the nerve to say, 'The American people won't care about this.' \"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that when questioned about hiring lobbyists to his campaign staff, John McCain's top lobbyist stated that the American people wouldn't care about it. This claim is supported by Obama's own words during a speech where he criticized McCain's campaign for hiring lobbyists despite McCain's previous stance against such practices. The fact-checking source confirms the accuracy of Obama's statement. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And when called on it,\" Obama said, \"his top lobbyist actually had the nerve to say, 'The American people won't care about this.' I think the American people do care about it.\"","Lastly, we checked Obama's claim that with regard to lobbyist ties in the McCain campaign, \"his top lobbyist had the nerve to say that the American people won't care about this.\"","\"Ten years ago, John McCain offered a bill that said he would ban a candidate from paying registered lobbyists,\" Obama said. \"He did this because he said that having lobbyists on your campaign was a conflict of interest. This is what he said 10 years ago. Well, I'll tell you John McCain then would be pretty disappointed with John McCain now, because he hired some of the biggest lobbyists in Washington to run his campaign. And when he was called on it, his top lobbyist had the nerve to say that the American people won't care about this.\"","Sure sounds like Black was saying he doesn't think the American people care about this issue. We rate Obama's statement True."]},{"id":"6151.json","label":"true","statement":"Three of our cities are among the top five worst cities in the U.S. for asthma.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Alexander's claim that three cities in Tennessee are among the top five worst cities in the United States for asthma. This claim is based on the 2012 Asthma Capitals rankings released by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a reputable organization focused on asthma and allergies. It's important to note that the statement does not imply that dirty air is the sole factor contributing to the high asthma rankings, but rather highlights the specific ranking of Tennessee cities in terms of asthma challenges.\nLabel: true","evidence":["At a Congressional field hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reforms Committee in Murfreesboro, Alexander also claimed that one result of \"dirty air\" is that, in Tennessee, \"three of our cities are among the top five worst cities in the U.S. for asthma.\"","Alexander\u2019s office said he was referring to the 2012 Asthma Capitals rankings released in May by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The AAFA describes itself as a non-profit founded in 1953 that \"is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world.\"","Alexander wasn\u2019t saying dirty air was the only reason Tennessee cities rank high on a list showing the most challenging cities in the country for asthma, just that the nation\u2019s 17th-largest state placed three of its cities in the top five of those rankings.","Bongino's original Feb. 5 segment on Fox News included a graphic that claimed to show the \"Top Ten Most Unhealthy U.S. Cities.\""]},{"id":"3624.json","label":"false","statement":"For every 33 pregnant women that walk into a Planned Parenthood clinic, 32 receive an abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Jean Schmidt that 32 out of every 33 pregnant women who visit Planned Parenthood clinics receive an abortion is false. This claim has been fact-checked by PolitiFact Ohio and ruled as false. It fails to consider that women who visit Planned Parenthood clinics may seek a variety of services, not solely abortion-related. Additionally, the claim oversimplifies the diverse range of services provided by Planned Parenthood, which includes reproductive healthcare, contraception, STD testing, cancer screenings, and more. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing the services offered by Planned Parenthood.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"For every 33 pregnant women that walk into a Planned Parenthood clinic, 32 receive an abortion,\" Rep. Jean Schmidt, a Cincinnati-area Republican, said in a speech in the House of Representatives.","Schmidt\u2019s claim also overlooks that pregnant women who \"walk into\" a clinic could be there for any reason, not just for pregnancy-related services.","(In 2011, PolitiFact Ohio ruled False on a claimthat 32 of every 33 pregnant women who visit Planned Parenthood get abortions. That same year, PolitiFact Florida ruled False on a claim that abortion services are \"well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does\".)","PolitiFact Ohio, \" Rep. Jean Schmidt says 32 of every 33 pregnant women who visit Planned Parenthood get abortions,\" April 21, 2011"]},{"id":"3993.json","label":"true","statement":"Virginia spends $400,000 on abstinence programs while losing $2.5 million in federal funds due to Gov. Bob McDonnells political agenda.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia and the evidence provided. The state of Virginia did spend approximately $400,000 on abstinence-only programs, and it missed out on around $2.5 million in federal funding for comprehensive sex education programs due to the political agenda of Governor Bob McDonnell. The decision not to apply for the comprehensive sex education grant resulted in the state declining a significant amount of funding. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Among the claims: \"$400,000 -- approximate cost to Virginians to fund ineffective abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. $2.5 million -- federal funding for comprehensive sex education programs Virginia lost due to McDonnell\u2019s political agenda.\"","A video by NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia said that abstinence-only programs pursued under McDonnell have cost the state about $400,000. Meanwhile, the group says the state missed out on about $2.5 million in federal funding for comprehensive sex education.","NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia recently unveiled a video that uses a montage of numbers to criticize Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell\u2019s stance on funding for sex education programs.","It\u2019s true the state spent about $400,000 for a federal abstinence-only grant. And it\u2019s true that the McDonnell administration did not apply for a comprehensive sex education grant that would have sent almost $2.6 million to Virginia during fiscal year 2010 and 2011. Because Virginia is now ineligible to apply for the comprehensive grant through 2014, the state will wind up declining a much greater amount of money than NARAL claimed."]},{"id":"8460.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nearly 6 in 10 uninsured Americanscan get health insurance for what may be the equivalent of your cell phone bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that nearly 6 in 10 uninsured Americans can obtain health insurance for less than $100 per month through the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. However, it's important to note that health insurance costs can vary based on factors such as age, location, and specific coverage options. While the monthly premium may be comparable to a cell phone bill, it's crucial to consider additional costs such as co-pays and deductibles that policyholders may incur when receiving healthcare services. Therefore, the statement should be understood in the context of overall healthcare expenses and not solely as a direct comparison to a cell phone bill.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Nearly 6 in 10 uninsured Americans \"can get health insurance for what may be the equivalent of your cell phone bill.\"","\"One study shows that through new options created by the Affordable Care Act, nearly 6 in 10 uninsured Americans will find that they can get covered for less than $100 a month. Think about that. Through the marketplaces you can get health insurance for what may be the equivalent of your cell phone bill. Or your cable bill. And that\u2019s a good deal.\"","U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, \" Nearly 6 in 10 uninsured Americans Can Pay Less Than $100 Per Month for Coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace,\" Sept. 17, 2013","Still, health insurance isn't the same thing as a cell phone bill. It's insurance, so people who get sick will face additional costs in the form of co-pays and deductibles. Policyholders who get sick could be shelling out thousands of dollars each year for health care, much more than any cell phone bill."]},{"id":"7878.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Democratic Party created the Ku Klux Klan.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was founded during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War, it is incorrect to assert that the Democratic Party created the KKK. The KKK was indeed founded by former Confederate soldiers, but it is important to note that the political landscape and ideologies of parties have evolved significantly since then. The Democratic Party of today is not the same as the Democratic Party of the Reconstruction era. It is misleading and inaccurate to attribute the creation of the KKK to the modern Democratic Party.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"To say that the Ku Klux Klan was started by the Democratic Party -- it\u2019s not the Democratic party of today,\" Martinez said. \"(From the) 1930s until today, you think of the Democratic Party being considered the party of the disenfranchised.\"","State Sen. Stephen Martin was recently asked to weigh in on controversial comments by GOP Lieutenant Governor candidate E.W. Jackson that denounced the Ku Klux Klan, Planned Parenthood and the Democratic Party in the same breath.","President Donald Trump has faced criticism for normalizing white nationalists but some conservative bloggers are trying to flip the script, shooing the Ku Klux Klan out of the \"Big Tent\" and into liberal territory.","\"Just so you know,\" the post goes on, \"the Ku Klux Klan\u2019s original purpose was to oppose the Republican Party\u2019s policies intended to establish economic and political equality for blacks (sic) folks after the Civil War.\""]},{"id":"2527.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Roy Blunt secretly inserts language to benefit tobacco giant Philip Morris into a national security bill while Blunts girlfriend and son are lobbyists for the cigarette company, and just days earlier, 26 Philip Morris executives wrote checks to Blunt totaling $23,000.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Roy Blunt secretly inserted language into a national security bill to benefit tobacco giant Philip Morris, while his girlfriend and son were lobbyists for the company, and Philip Morris executives made campaign contributions to Blunt. The evidence suggests a potential conflict of interest and raises concerns about the influence of campaign contributions on legislative actions. However, it is important to note that this claim is based on the information provided and may require further investigation for a complete assessment of its accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Roy Blunt \"secretly inserts language to benefit tobacco giant Philip Morris\" into a national security bill while \"Blunt's girlfriend and son are lobbyists for the cigarette company, and just days earlier, 26 Philip Morris executives wrote checks to Blunt totaling $23,000.\"","\"A critical national security bill is up for a vote. Just hours before, Roy Blunt secretly inserts language to benefit tobacco giant Philip Morris. Blunt's girlfriend and son are lobbyists for the cigarette company, and just days earlier, 26 Philip Morris executives wrote checks to Blunt totaling $23,000.\"","Now, to the contested part, whether Blunt secretly inserted language in a national security bill( \"national security bill\") to benefit tobacco giant Philip Morris.","Commonsense Ten ad accuses Roy Blunt of secretly adding provision to benefit tobacco giant Philip Morris while girlfriend and son lobbied for the company"]},{"id":"12508.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Donald Trump mocked someone with a disability.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and eyewitness accounts confirm that Donald Trump did indeed mock a disabled person during a campaign rally. The incident involved him mimicking the physical movements and gestures of a reporter with a disability. This action was widely criticized by disabled individuals, advocates, and the general public as disrespectful and offensive. The evidence supports the statement that Donald Trump mocked someone with a disability.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When I saw Donald Trump mock somebody with a disability, it showed me his soul, it showed me his heart. And I didn\u2019t like what I saw,\" the father, Chris Glaros, adds.","\"When I saw Donald Trump mock a disabled person, I was just shocked,\" Lauren Glaros says in the ad, produced by Priorities USA Action.","New York Daily News , \"Reporter Serge Kovaleski, whom Donald Trump says he\u2019s never seen before, spent the day with the billionaire while covering his 1989 airline launch for the Daily News,\" November 27, 2015","In an ad from Priorities USA Action, parents of a disabled child said Trump \"mocked\" a disabled reporter at a campaign rally. Trump did mimic the man\u2019s oddly angled right hand while flailing his arms and shouting in a strange voice. Disabled people and advocates said the candidate clearly was mocking him."]},{"id":"1312.json","label":"true","statement":"\"President Obama campaigned on a promise to put reproductive health care at the center of his reform plan.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama campaigned on a promise to prioritize reproductive health care in his reform plan. Multiple sources confirm this, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which specifically mentioned Obama's commitment in their alert to members. Fact-checkers have also verified the accuracy of this claim, stating that Obama's words and speeches align with the statement made by Planned Parenthood. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an alert to members on Nov. 9, 2009, Planned Parenthood Action Fund said, \"President Obama campaigned on a promise to put reproductive health care at the center of his reform plan.\"","Still, Planned Parenthood is correct that Obama campaigned on a promise that he would put reproductive health care at the center of his reform plan.\" After all, he was speaking to . . . Planned Parenthood. So we find the group's claim to be True.","The words Obama used in that speech mirror those in the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's recent alert even more closely than they did Boehner's formulation. So it's certainly correct, as the group says, that Obama \"campaigned on a promise to put reproductive health care at the center of his reform plan.\"","With abortion now a key issue in the debate over health care reform, abortion rights supporters are highlighting President Barack Obama's promise about the issue during the presidential campaign."]},{"id":"9691.json","label":"true","statement":"The House of Representatives has never sued a sitting president in all of U.S. history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. While there have been numerous legal disputes and lawsuits involving individual lawmakers or groups of lawmakers against sitting presidents, the House of Representatives as a whole has never filed a lawsuit against a sitting president in the history of the United States. This distinction is important, as it specifically refers to the collective action of the House of Representatives as an institution.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wondered whether Pelosi is correct that \"the House of Representatives has never sued a sitting president in all of U.S. history.\"","\"Boehner is planning a vote to sue the president,\" Pelosi wrote. \"The House of Representatives has never sued a sitting president in all of U.S. history. And if they do it, impeachment may very well be the next step.\"","Pelosi said \"the House of Representatives has never sued a sitting president in all of U.S. history.\" We did find a long record of skirmishing between the legislative and executive branches over the limits of each branch\u2019s power, including at least 14 suits over the past four decades filed by individual lawmakers or groups of lawmakers. But Pelosi said \"the House of Representatives,\" and in her narrowly crafted claim, she\u2019s right. We rate her statement True.","\u2022 Roughly one of every four presidents in U.S. history, either during or after their presidency, have faced subpoenas from Congress or testified in a court case."]},{"id":"1809.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"California Republican gubernatorial hopeful Meg Whitman \"contributed to, and campaigned, for\" Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer.","reason":"Reason: While Meg Whitman did contribute to and support Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer's reelection campaign by making donations and signing a group letter, it is not clear that her actions can be classified as \"campaigning\" in the traditional sense. The evidence suggests that Whitman's support for Boxer was not extensive enough to be considered active campaigning. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be noted that the level of involvement falls short of what one might typically associate with campaigning.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u2022 A Poizner ad argued that Whitman \"contributed to, and campaigned, for\" Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer -- a serious failing to those in the GOP primary electorate, who view the liberal Boxer as an ideological nemesis. We found that she definitely donated to Boxer and also signed a group letter supporting her reelection, but we downgraded the claim slightly because it was not clear to us that what she did constitutes what a reasonable person might call \"campaigning.\" So we rated Poizner's claim Mostly True.","Meg Whitman is the former CEO of eBay and the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nominee in California. Largely self-financing her campaign, Whitman lost the general election to then-Attorney General Jerry Brown.","The two main Republicans are Meg Whitman, the former CEO of the online auction site eBay, and Steve Poizner, a fellow Silicon Valley entrepreneur who was later elected to the statewide office of insurance commissioner.","When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%."]},{"id":"4939.json","label":"true","statement":"Says with Jon Corzine, its the first time, I think, in history where a former Senator has been subpoenaed to testify before his former colleagues.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that Jon Corzine, a former Senator, was subpoenaed to testify before his former colleagues, which is indeed a rare occurrence in history. This claim is supported by statements made by Pat Roberts, a Republican Senator from Kansas, during a Fox Business News interview. It is important to note that while this is a significant event, the statement does not provide any further context or historical examples to compare the rarity of this occurrence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says with Jon Corzine, \"it's the first time, I think, in history where a former Senator has been subpoenaed to testify before his former colleagues.\"","\"It's the first time, I think, in history where a former senator has been subpoenaed to testify before his former colleagues,\" Roberts, a Republican from Kansas, said in an interview on Fox Business News on Dec. 6, when the Senate committee voted to compel Corzine to testify.","Following the committee\u2019s vote on Dec. 6 to force Corzine to appear before a Senate panel, Roberts said in a Fox Business News interview that \"it's the first time, I think, in history where a former senator has been subpoenaed to testify before his former colleagues.\"","( - Pat Roberts claims Jon Corzine is the first former Senator to be \u201csubpoenaed to testify before his former colleagues.\"&url=)"]},{"id":"12341.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump brings in hundreds of foreign workers to replace Americans.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump attempted to hire hundreds of foreign workers at his Mar-a-Lago resort, it is important to note that these workers were not necessarily replacing American workers. The intention behind hiring foreign workers was to fill temporary positions that locals allegedly couldn't or didn't want to do. Therefore, the statement that Donald Trump brings in hundreds of foreign workers to replace Americans is misleading and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Donald Trump went to Ground Zero two days after the 9\/11 attacks with hundreds of workers who he paid out of pocket to help identify victims.","Text attached to a photo of Donald Trump near Ground Zero in 2001 says two days after the attacks he hired hundreds of workers, who he paid out of his own pocket, to help and identify victims.","The bottom line: Trump did try to hire hundreds of foreign workers at his Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach, although it\u2019s unclear just how many actually took jobs. The workers also weren\u2019t necessarily replacing Americans, but filled temporary jobs locals allegedly couldn\u2019t do or didn\u2019t want.","The post, which displays a photo of Trump near Ground Zero, says, \"2 days following the attacks on 9\/11 Donald Trump was at ground zero with hundreds of workers that he paid out of his own pocket to help find and identify the victims. This was many years before he would even think of running for president. He\u2019s been supporting the America he loves for decades, but you will never see these kinds of stories in the liberal media.\""]},{"id":"4508.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A construction worker whos making $50 or $60 grand a year shouldnt be paying higher tax rates than the guy whos making $50 million a year. And thats how its working right now.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that a construction worker earning $50,000 or $60,000 a year should not be paying higher tax rates than someone earning $50 million a year. However, it's important to note that the accuracy of this claim is disputed. While President Obama argues that there are loopholes and tax breaks that benefit the wealthy, resulting in a disparity in tax rates, the extent of this disparity and its prevalence among construction workers specifically is difficult to determine. The statement captures the President's perspective on tax fairness but lacks comprehensive evidence to support its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"A construction worker who\u2019s making $50 or $60 grand a year shouldn\u2019t be paying higher tax rates than the guy who\u2019s making $50 million a year. And that\u2019s how it\u2019s working right now.\"","During the speech, Obama said that \"a construction worker who\u2019s making $50 or $60 grand a year shouldn\u2019t be paying higher tax rates than the guy who\u2019s making $50 million a year. And that\u2019s how it\u2019s working right now. Because they get all these loopholes and tax breaks that you don\u2019t get.\"","Middle-class families shouldn\u2019t pay higher taxes than millionaires and billionaires. That\u2019s pretty straightforward. It\u2019s hard to argue against that. Warren Buffett\u2019s secretary shouldn\u2019t pay a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett. There is no justification for it. It is wrong that in the United States of America, a teacher or a nurse or a construction worker who earns $50,000 should pay higher tax rates than somebody pulling in $50 million. Anybody who says we can\u2019t change the tax code to correct that, anyone who has signed some pledge to protect every single tax loophole so long as they live, they should be called out. They should have to defend that unfairness -- explain why somebody who's making $50 million a year in the financial markets should be paying 15 percent on their taxes, when a teacher making $50,000 a year is paying a higher rate.","Obama has made a sweeping statement that it\u2019s common, even typical, for a $50,000-a-year construction worker to pay a higher tax rate than someone earning $50 million a year. The reality is that it\u2019s hard to know for sure."]},{"id":"4992.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Traditionally, presidential candidates release their tax returns . . . Mitt Romney still wont.","reason":"Reason: Traditionally, presidential candidates have indeed released their tax returns as a way to provide transparency and allow the public to assess their financial interests and potential conflicts of interest. However, Mitt Romney, during his presidential campaign, initially faced criticism for not releasing his tax returns promptly. Eventually, he did release some of his tax records, but the timing and extent of the release were subjects of ongoing debate and scrutiny. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the tradition of tax return releases by presidential candidates and highlights Mitt Romney's delay in doing so.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So, do presidential candidates really have a tradition of releasing their tax returns? And has Mitt Romney refused to do so?","Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, under pressure to release his tax records, now says he'll do it in April 2012 \u2014 when taxes are due.","President Barack Obama\u2019s campaign intends to keep the pressure on Mitt Romney to release more of his tax returns. The campaign released a Web ad Wednesday hammering that point and asking, \"When will he release his tax returns?\"","Our colleagues at looked at this and found that since 1980, only two general election candidates have revealed just two years of tax returns. One was Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in 2008 and the other is Mitt Romney (at least so far during this campaign)."]},{"id":"6233.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he never supported federal health care individual mandate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is inconsistency in Tommy Thompson's stance on the individual mandate. While he did express support for a mandate in the past, there are also instances where he has opposed it. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that he never supported the federal health care individual mandate. The evidence indicates that Thompson's position on this issue has evolved over time.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Among conservatives, a hated provision of federal health care reform is the \"individual mandate,\" which requires Americans (with some exceptions) to buy health insurance.","But while he is now an opponent of the health care reform law and its mandate requiring most Americans to buy health insurance, Thompson said in 2006 he supported a mandate and in 2007 said a mandate is \"all right.\"","Tommy Thompson campaign, \"Can\u2019t back down from something (i.e. the individual mandate) that you never supported, Canter. \" tweet, June 13, 2012","The former governor and U.S. health and human services secretary has made statements for and against the health care reform legislation that eventually became law. That led us to rate Half True a claim by the national Club for Growth, a conservative group, that Thompson supported \"Obamacare.\""]},{"id":"3401.json","label":"true","statement":"Just 400 Americans -- 400 -- have more wealth than half of all Americans combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Michael Moore that 400 Americans possess more wealth than half of all Americans combined. This claim is supported by the comparison of the combined net worth of the Forbes 400 wealthiest Americans, which was $1.5 trillion in 2007, to the combined net worth of the poorer 50 percent of American households, which was $1.6 trillion. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Now let\u2019s see if what he asserts -- that 400 Americans \"have more wealth than half of all Americans combined\" -- is true.","\"Right now, this afternoon, just 400 Americans -- 400 -- have more wealth than half of all Americans combined,\" Moore avowed to tens of (*\/Article_2011-03-05-Wisconsin%20Budget%20Unions%20Protest\/id-a3c8c14d8a2b49258a00f2912c45640f)thousands(*\/Article_2011-03-05-Wisconsin%20Budget%20Unions%20Protest\/id-a3c8c14d8a2b49258a00f2912c45640f) of protesters.","The second part of Moore\u2019s claim -- that the net worth of half of all Americans is less than that of the Forbes 400 -- is more complicated.","Johnson wrote that in 2007, the combined net worth of the 400 wealthiest Americans, as measured by Forbes magazine, was $1.5 trillion; and the combined net worth of the poorer 50 percent of American households was $1.6 trillion."]},{"id":"11525.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wisconsins Government Accountability Board ignored their duties and did not regularly audit voters to remove felons for a span of 16 elections.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Scott Walker that the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) did not regularly audit voters to remove felons for a span of 16 elections. However, it's important to note that the \"Half True\" rating suggests that while there may have been some issues with the GAB's auditing process, the statement might lack some context or exaggerate the extent of the problem. Additional information would be needed to fully evaluate the accuracy and significance of the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Wisconsin\u2019s Government Accountability Board \"ignored their duties and did not regularly audit\" voters to remove felons \"for a span of 16 elections.","Walker said the state Government Accountability Board \"ignored their duties and did not regularly audit\" voters to remove felons \"for a span of 16 elections.\"","Scott Walker: Wisconsin\u2019s Government Accountability Board \"ignored their duties and did not regularly audit\" voters to remove felons \"for a span of 16 elections. Half True.","\"GAB ignored their duties & did not regularly audit the voter rolls to remove all felons - for a span of 16 elections. #ReformGAB\""]},{"id":"11071.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Florida had five sanctuary cities while Jeb Bush was governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Florida had five sanctuary cities while Jeb Bush was governor is false. While there is no official legal definition of a sanctuary city, it generally refers to places where local law enforcement is not required to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. However, a federal report from 2006, during Jeb Bush's tenure as governor, did not name any Florida cities as sanctuary cities. Additionally, the evidence supporting the claim of five sanctuary cities in Florida is virtually nonexistent, with city officials expressing confusion about their cities being included on such a list. Therefore, the statement is factually incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Donald Trump criticized GOP primary rival Jeb Bush\u2019s stance on immigration, implying the former governor allowed parts of Florida to shield illegal immigrants from federal laws while Bush was in office.","\"The polls just came out, and I'm tied with Jeb Bush. And I said, oh, that's too bad, how can I be tied with this guy? He's terrible. He's terrible. He's weak on immigration,\" Trump said during a speech in Phoenix on July 11, 2015. \"You know, the sanctuary cities, do you know he had five of them in Florida while he was governor? Can you believe this? I didn't know that.\"","More specifically, Trump said at a July 11 political rally in Phoenix that Florida had five sanctuary cities while Jeb Bush was governor. There\u2019s no legal definition of a sanctuary city, and therefore no official classification but it generally refers to places where local law enforcement officers aren\u2019t required to alert federal authorities to residents who may be in the country illegally. A federal report from 2006, when Bush was governor, didn\u2019t name any Florida cities. We found one list on the Internet that claimed five Florida locations as current sanctuary cities, but the supporting evidence was virtually nonexistent. City officials told us they weren\u2019t sure why their cities were on the list. We rated Trump\u2019s statement False.","Miami Herald , \"Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio oppose \u2018sanctuary cities\u2019 -- but some consider Miami to be one,\" July 13, 2015"]},{"id":"4477.json","label":"true","statement":"In 1976, the first year that Pell Grants were fully funded, a full Pell Grant paid 72 percent of the cost of attendance at a typical four-year public college. Today, a full Pell Grant covers just 34 percent of those costs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. In 1976, when Pell Grants were fully funded, a full Pell Grant covered 72 percent of the cost of attendance at a typical four-year public college. However, today, a full Pell Grant only covers 34 percent of those costs. This demonstrates a significant decrease in the purchasing power of Pell Grants over the years, as the cost of college education has risen. The evidence supports the claim that the coverage provided by Pell Grants has decreased, making it more challenging for students to afford college.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In 1976, the first year that Pell Grants were fully funded, a full Pell Grant paid 72 percent of the cost of attendance at a typical four-year public college. Today, a full Pell Grant covers just 34 percent of those costs. Still, this vital assistance can often mean the difference between being able to attend college or not. With many families in Rhode Island and the country still struggling in this economy, we should be looking for ways to strengthen Pell Grants, not weaken them.\"","\"In fiscal year 1976, the first year that the Pell Grant program was fully funded at its authorized level, the maximum Pell Grant was $1,400 and covered 72 percent of the cost of attendance at a typical four-year public college,\" the document said.","( - Sen. Whitehouse says full Pell Grants cover only 34 percent of public college costs, down from 72 percent in 1976&url=)","\"Despite regular increases in funding and grant levels, the purchasing power of the Pell Grant has decreased over the past 30 years as the price of college has risen. In the 2009-10 school year, the maximum Pell Grant covered 36 percent of the cost of attendance at a typical four-year public college.\""]},{"id":"13303.json","label":"true","statement":"We have 17 intelligence agencies, civilian and military, who have all concluded that these espionage attacks, these cyberattacks, come from the highest levels of the Kremlin, and they are designed to influence our election.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton regarding the consensus among 17 intelligence agencies, both civilian and military, that the cyberattacks during the election originated from the highest levels of the Kremlin and were intended to influence the election. This claim has been supported by a joint statement released by the Director of National Intelligence, representing the 17 federal intelligence agencies, which confirmed Russia's involvement in the hacks and their intention to interfere with the election.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"We have 17 intelligence agencies, civilian and military, who have all concluded that these espionage attacks, these cyberattacks, come from the highest levels of the Kremlin, and they are designed to influence our election.\"","\"We have 17 intelligence agencies, civilian and military, who have all concluded that these espionage attacks, these cyberattacks, come from the highest levels of the Kremlin, and they are designed to influence our election,\" Clinton said. \"I find that deeply disturbing.\"","Back in October 2016, we rated this statement by then-candidate Hillary Clinton as True: \"We have 17 intelligence agencies, civilian and military, who have all concluded that these espionage attacks, these cyberattacks, come from the highest levels of the Kremlin, and they are designed to influence our election.\"","We don\u2019t know how many separate investigations into the attacks they were. But the Director of National Intelligence, which speaks for the country\u2019s 17 federal intelligence agencies, released a joint statement saying the intelligence community at large is confident that Russia is behind recent hacks into political organizations\u2019 emails. The statement sourced the attacks to the highest levels of the Russian government and said they are designed to interfere with the current election."]},{"id":"11057.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Were destroying more businesses in the United States now than are being created for the first time in our history.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Carly Fiorina that more businesses are being destroyed in the United States than are being created, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Business Dynamics Statistics. However, it's important to note that the data does not definitively prove that this is the first time in the history of the United States that such a trend has occurred. While the data suggests a decline in business creation and an increase in closures, it does not provide a comprehensive historical perspective. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Fiorina, but it should be noted that the historical context is not definitively established.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In fact, we're destroying more businesses in the United States now than are being created for the first time in our history,\" she said.","Fiorina said, \"In fact, we're destroying more businesses in the United States now than are being created for the first time in our history.\"","PolitiFact has looked at this claim before, and when we asked Fiorina\u2019s campaign where they found their statistic, they pointed to the same source -- the U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s Business Dynamics Statistics data. Fiorina is accurate to say that more business firms are closing than are opening, but the data can\u2019t say for sure whether this is the first time that\u2019s happened in the 239-year history of the United States.","The Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank, produced a May 2014 report titled, \"Declining Business Dynamism in the United States: A Look at States and Metros.\" The authors used the Census Bureau\u2019s data but at the time, the data they used only went through 2011."]},{"id":"6965.json","label":"true","statement":"Says fewer than 30 percent of Texas college students graduate in four years and only 58 percent graduate within six years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rick Perry regarding the graduation rates of Texas college students. According to the state's higher education oversight agency, less than 30 percent of Texas college students graduate within four years, and only 58 percent graduate within six years. This information has been reported by credible sources and is supported by data. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Rick Perry says less than 30 percent of Texas college students graduate in four years, only 58 percent in six years","( - Rick Perry says less than 30 percent of Texas college students graduate in four years, only 58 percent in six years&url=)","Perry said fewer than 30 percent of Texas college students graduate in four years and only 58 percent graduate within six years. That information is drawn from the state\u2019s higher education oversight agency. We rate the claim as True.","\"Less than 30 percent of our students graduate in four years; only 58 percent of our students have their degrees in six years,\" Perry said, according to an Oct. 2, 2012, Dallas Morning News news story. \"That is a system that can and must be improved.\""]},{"id":"6630.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney told university students in Ohio that to start a business, they should borrow money if you have to from your parents.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Juli\u00e1n Castro that Mitt Romney advised Ohio students to borrow money from their parents if necessary to start a business. This claim has been verified by multiple sources, including news articles and Castro's own speech at the Democratic National Convention. Mitt Romney's statement suggesting that students borrow money from their parents to start a business has been widely reported and is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Castro told his fellow Democrats that Romney urged students at an Ohio university that if they have to, they should borrow money from their parents to start a business. Romney, in fact, said that. Castro\u2019s claim rates True.","( - Juli\u00e1n Castro says Mitt Romney advised Ohio students to start a business by borrowing from parents, if they have to&url=)","\"Mitt Romney, quite simply, doesn\u2019t get it,\" the San Antonio mayor said in his Sept. 4, 2012, keynote at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. \"A few months ago, he visited a university in Ohio and gave the students there a little entrepreneurial advice. \u2018Start a business,\u2019 he said. \"But how? \u2018Borrow money if you have to from your parents.\u2019","News article, \"Mitt to students wanting to start their own business: Borrow $ from your parents,\" The (New York) Daily News , April 28, 2012"]},{"id":"9138.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rick Scott wants to take us back to the days of insurance companies denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Charlie Crist during the 2014 gubernatorial race. Crist accused Rick Scott of wanting to return to a time when insurance companies could deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. This claim was rated as \"Mostly True\" by PolitiFact Florida. However, it's important to note that this statement represents a political accusation and may not necessarily reflect Rick Scott's actual intentions or policy positions. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Crist said in a video, \"Rick Scott wants to take us back to the days of insurance companies denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.\"","\"The truth is Rick Scott wants to take us back to the days of insurance companies denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, where women are charged more than men, and lifetime caps limit care, even for kids with cancer.\"","When Scott faced Democrat Charlie Crist in the 2014 gubernatorial race, Crist said that \"Rick Scott wants to take us back to the days of insurance companies denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.\" PolitiFact Florida rated Crist\u2019s charge Mostly True.","The Sept. 5 tweet said, \"Nearly 7 million Floridians have pre-existing conditions \u2014 but Rick Scott and Florida Republicans wants to take away their health care coverage by ending the Affordable Care Act.\" (The grammatically incorrect \"wants\" is in the original.)"]},{"id":"5011.json","label":"true","statement":"Newt Gingrich teamed with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on global warming.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in various sources that Newt Gingrich collaborated with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on the issue of global warming. There is evidence to support this claim, as Gingrich appeared in a television commercial with Pelosi to promote action on climate change. However, it's important to note that the extent and nature of Gingrich's collaboration with Pelosi and Gore on this issue may vary, and further context would be needed to fully understand the nature of their partnership.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It goes after the former House speaker on several issues. Here, we\u2019re focusing on the claim that Gingrich \"teamed with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on global warming.\"","A similar claim is also being heard in a television ad placed in Florida and Iowa this month by another super PAC, Restore Our Future, which is staffed and funded by supporters of Mitt Romney. The ad attacks Gingrich over \"a ton of baggage\" and includes the statement that Gingrich \"teamed with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on global warming.\"","\"Barack Obama\u2019s plan is working: Destroy Mitt Romney, run against Newt Gingrich,\" a voice says as images of Gingrich flash on the screen, interspersed with damning headlines. \"Newt has a ton of baggage. He was fined $300,000 for ethics violations and took $1.6 million from Freddie Mac, before it helped cause the economic meltdown. Newt supports amnesty for illegal immigrants, and teamed with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on global warming. Maybe that\u2019s why George Will calls him the least conservative candidate. Check the facts at \"","Among the charges the ad aims at Gingrich is that he joined U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., \"in support of global warming.\" We take the wording to mean that Gingrich aligned with Pelosi on the issue of global warming, a pairing that has drawn renewed attention lately."]},{"id":"591.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama \"shunned the opportunity to talk to soldiers to thank them for their service.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obama shunned the opportunity to talk to soldiers and thank them for their service has been debunked. The military directly contradicted this allegation, stating that there is no evidence to support the claim that Obama ignored soldiers waiting to shake his hand. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Afterward, Obama went to the Clamshell, a recreation tent, so photographers could take pictures of him playing basketball, the e-mail says. \"He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to thank them for their service,\" the author wrote.","But because the military directly and unequivocally contradicted the most damaging allegations at issue \u2014 that Obama shunned troops on various occasions, including on his way to a photo opportunity on the basketball court \u2014 we rule this claim False.","\"The Clintons now charge the Secret Service $10,000 monthly rent for the use of (a) Secret Service residence and that rent is just about equal to their mortgage payment.\"","What happened, according to the author \u2014 who is reportedly a Utah Army National Guard intelligence officer \u2014 is that Obama went straight from his plane to a bulletproof vehicle, then to a meeting with a general, ignoring a line of soldiers waiting to shake his hand."]},{"id":"2419.json","label":"false","statement":"Do you know that we have pipes carrying natural gas in this country that are made of wood? Im not joking.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no convincing evidence to support the claim that there are pipes carrying natural gas in the United States that are made of wood. While there may have been historical instances of wooden pipes being used for gas distribution, modern infrastructure and safety regulations require the use of more durable and secure materials such as steel or plastic for gas pipelines. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Do you know that we have pipes carrying natural gas in this country that are made of wood? I'm not joking.\"","\"That fireball ticks me off, because we spent $787 billion dollars on a stimulus program when Obama got into office,\" Maher said. \"Now, why couldn't he have said, 'Look, there's a lot of people out of work in this country, and our infrastructure is crumbling and needs repair. Let's just take all that money and put those two thoughts together. Let's have those people who are out of work repair the infrastructure.' Right? What happened to all that money? Why didn't they fix that? An entire town blew up. Do you know that we have pipes carrying natural gas in this country that are made of wood? I'm not joking.\"","Referring to the Sept. 9, 2010, natural gas explosion in San Bruno, Calif., that killed four and destroyed almost 40 houses, the comedian and social commentator said, \"That fireball ticks me off, because we spent $787 billion dollars on a stimulus program when Obama got into office. Now, why couldn't he have said, 'Look, there's a lot of people out of work in this country, and our infrastructure is crumbling and needs repair. Let's just take all that money and put those two thoughts together. Let's have those people who are out of work repair the infrastructure.' Right? What happened to all that money? Why didn't they fix that? An entire town blew up. Do you know that we have pipes carrying natural gas in this country that are made of wood? I'm not joking.\"","He may not have been joking, but we failed to find convincing evidence that wood pipes carry natural gas in the U.S. today."]},{"id":"6635.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Republicans Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan support massive cuts in Social Security for future generations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Vice President Joe Biden during a rally that Republicans, specifically Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, support massive cuts in Social Security for future generations. However, it's important to note that this claim is a political assertion and may not necessarily reflect the specific policy positions of Romney and Ryan. The accuracy of this claim would depend on the specific proposals and positions put forth by Romney and Ryan regarding Social Security reform.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But wait. That House GOP budget plan, authored by Mitt Romney\u2019s running mate, Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan, did not touch on the Social Security reform ideas contained in Ryan\u2019s earlier \"Roadmap for America\u2019s Future.\"","\"Ladies and gentlemen, it\u2019s just that simple. We are for Medicare, they are for voucher care. It\u2019s basic,\" the veep said at a Sept. 2, 2012 rally. \"They are for massive cuts in Social Security for future generations.\"","PolitiFact, Radio ad from Barack Obama says Paul Ryan \"tried to change the whole game\" on Social Security, Aug. 28, 2012","Biden was previously critical of Social Security and Medicare proposals by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and Ryan, his running mate in 2012."]},{"id":"4685.json","label":"true","statement":"On using Gov. Scott Walkers collective-bargaining limits to help balance the city of Milwaukee budget","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett, utilized Gov. Scott Walker's collective-bargaining limits to help balance the city's budget. By taking advantage of a key provision in Walker's bill, Barrett was able to save millions on health insurance costs and achieve budgetary balance without having to negotiate with city unions. This demonstrates how the collective-bargaining limits imposed by Walker's bill were utilized by Barrett to address the city's budgetary challenges.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - On using Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s collective-bargaining limits to help balance the city of Milwaukee budget, Barrett walked a fine line&url=)","Eight months later, the Democratic mayor took advantage of a key plank in Walker\u2019s bill to help save millions on health insurance costs and balance the city budget without having to negotiate with city unions. In the past, the city would have had to negotiate such a change.","If Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker isn\u2019t trying to strip most collective bargaining rights from public employees, then why do workers keep pouring into Madison by the thousands to demonstrate against him?","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin AFL-CIO says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget repair bill would take away all rights in the workplace for public employees,\"Feb. 17, 2011"]},{"id":"2539.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Daniel Webster is an advocate for a group that teaches that mothers should not work outside the home.","reason":"Reason: While there are indications that the group associated with Daniel Webster, as mentioned in the evidence, may hold the belief that mothers should not work outside the home, there is no explicit teaching or requirement found on the group's website to support this claim. Additionally, it is worth noting that Webster has employed mothers in senior positions and there is no evidence that he personally opposes mothers working outside the home. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and is rated as barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The one we'll check now is the claim that \"Webster is an advocate for a group that teaches that mothers should not work outside the home.\"","What about the notion that the institute \"teaches that mothers should not work outside the home\"? We see strong indications that that's the case, but we'll also mention some notable caveats.","We looked through the institute's website and found hints that the group doesn't expect mothers to work outside the home, but we couldn't find an explicit teaching on that point.","So where does this leave us? An institute director and some of the teaching materials give strong hints that mothers are expected to be at home, but we don't find anything explicitly requiring mothers to forgo work in order to stay home. But even if that is the group's belief, Webster has employed several mothers in senior positions, and colleagues have said he didn't push his beliefs in the Legislature. That contradicts the impression given in the ad that Webster is personally opposed to mothers working outside the home. So we rate the ad's claim Barely True."]},{"id":"4380.json","label":"true","statement":"Says New Jerseys public school students have the best Advanced Placement scores in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the New Jersey Education Association's website and PolitiFact New Jersey, which both cite data indicating that New Jersey's public school students have the highest average Advanced Placement (AP) scores in the nation. AP exams are college-level tests, and achieving high scores indicates a strong performance by students. It's important to note that this claim specifically refers to AP scores and does not encompass other aspects of education or academic achievement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"New Jersey's public school students have the best Advanced Placement scores in the nation,\" a page on the New Jersey Education Association\u2019s website says, citing 2010 data.","PolitiFact New Jersey compared the average AP test scores for students across the nation and found New Jersey\u2019s public school students rank first.","Advanced Placement, or AP, exams are college-level tests scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. Three is considered a passing grade -- and is the minimum score most colleges require for a student to receive credit for the exam.","Truth-O-Meter article, \"Rick Perry says Texas has second-best high school graduation rate, No. 1 rate for minorities,\" PolitiFact Texas, June 19, 2015"]},{"id":"7349.json","label":"false","statement":"This is the first time since Roe was decided in 1973 that a court has granted personhood status to the preborn.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Dan Becker, the president of Georgia Right to Life, is not accurate. While the Alabama Supreme Court case mentioned may have granted personhood status to the preborn in a specific context, it is not the first time since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 that a court has made such a ruling. There have been previous cases in other states where courts have recognized the legal status of a fetus in specific circumstances, such as criminal child neglect and wrongful death cases. However, there is no general ruling or consensus that grants personhood status to the preborn in all circumstances. Constitutional and reproductive law experts confirm this. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So was Georgia Right to Life President Dan Becker correct in saying that an Alabama Supreme Court case last month was \"the first time since Roe was decided in 1973 that a court has granted personhood status to the preborn\"? Not really.","\"This is the first time since Roe (v. Wade) was decided in 1973 that a court has granted personhood status to the preborn,\" Dan Becker, the president of Georgia Right to Life, said in a news release a few days after the Jan. 11 ruling. \"I am greatly encouraged that Georgia, which has proven to be pro-life, will now grant the same protection to our innocent children.\"","There have been other cases in other states in the 40 years since Roe v. Wade in which courts have decided that a fetus could be a child. Those cases dealt with specific statutes, including criminal child neglect and wrongful death, which were similar to the Alabama case involving a chemical endangerment statute. But there is no general ruling saying a fetus is a person or granting personhood status to the preborn in all circumstances, according to constitutional and reproductive law experts.","U.S. Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade opinion, decided Jan. 22, 1973, accessed via Cornell University Law School website, Jan. 26, 2011"]},{"id":"2695.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Republican candidates in Oregon are advocating violence against gays.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Republican candidates in Oregon are advocating violence against gays. The statement is based on an email from Basic Rights Oregon that misrepresents an article from Willamette Week. The article reports on the alleged extreme anti-gay views of an advisor to Oregon Senate Republicans, but it does not provide evidence of Republican candidates advocating violence against gays. It is important to accurately represent the information and avoid making broad generalizations about all Republican candidates in Oregon.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Even if Woods does believe in the death penalty for gays and even if he was an adviser to the Senate Republicans, Basic Rights Oregon asserted that Republican candidates are \"blatantly anti-gay -- even advocating violence.\"","As a basis for their claim, Basic Right Oregon points to the Willamette Week article, which reported on \"an advisor to Oregon Senate Republicans\" and his alleged extreme anti-gay views. A quick Google search, and we had before us the article with the perfectly provocative headline \"Republican Pollster In Oregon Says Slaves \u2018Well-Treated\u2019; Advocates Death for Gays.\"","\"It\u2019s hard to believe. But there it was in bold print in \u2018Willamette Week\u2019: an advisor to Oregon Senate Republicans \u2018advocates death for gays.\u2019 \"","Blackmun concedes that the e-mail could have done with a bit of editing. It would have been fairer, she said, had the e-mail read something to the effect of \"it\u2019s shocking that an adviser to candidates in Oregon would be so blatantly anti-gay.\""]},{"id":"1933.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"We only have 2 percent of the oil reserves in the world, and we consume 25 percent of the world's oil on a daily basis.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Ed Markey that the United States has 2 percent of the world's oil reserves and consumes 25 percent of the world's oil on a daily basis. The evidence confirms that the U.S. does indeed have approximately 2 percent of the world's oil reserves, and while the exact consumption percentage may vary slightly, it has been close to 25 percent in previous years. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has focused attention on the nation's energy portfolio. In an appearance on the June 20, 2010, edition of NBC's Meet the Press , Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said, \"We only have 2 percent of the oil reserves in the world, and we consume 25 percent of the world's oil on a daily basis. That is nonsustainable.\"","For U.S. oil reserves, we turned to EIA's \"World Liquid Fuels Analysis to 2030.\" A table in this report showed that, as of Jan. 1, 2009, the U.S. has 21.3 billion barrels of oil reserves. That's about 1.6 percent of the world total which, rounded up, would be 2 percent, as Markey said. (For the curious, that ranks the U.S. 12th in the world in reserves, with the top five being, in order, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait.)","All told, Markey would have been better off using Obama's formulation -- that the U.S. consumes \"more than 20 percent\" of the world's oil. But he's still close. We rate his statement Mostly True.","That's a bit lower than Markey's 25 percent. But we'll add that in 2006 and 2007, the U.S. share of world consumption was 24 percent, which is just a hair under the number Markey cited."]},{"id":"7683.json","label":"false","statement":"Says al Qaeda has camps with the drug cartels in Mexico.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that al Qaeda has established camps in Mexico, particularly in collaboration with drug cartels. Multiple sources, including the FBI and experts on terrorism, have stated that there is no information or intelligence to suggest such a connection. Additionally, it would be counterproductive for drug cartels to allow al Qaeda to operate in their territories, as it would draw the attention and military response of the United States. Therefore, the statement is unsupported and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["However, there appears to be no evidence of al Qaeda now having camps in Mexico, with the drug cartels or otherwise.","We perused Mueller\u2019s March 8, 2005 testimony to a House subcommittee, downloaded via Nexis, seeing no mention of al Qaeda camps in Mexico or links to Mexican drug cartels.","By phone, FBI spokeswoman Kathy Wright told us she was unaware of any FBI statements specific to al Qaeda having camps in Mexico with the drug cartels. Also, she said, \"it\u2019s not our practice to release information like that.\"","Gartenstein-Ross offered, too, that it would be foolish for the drug cartels to let al Qaeda establish camps in their bailiwicks. The cartels, he said, \"are out to make money. Right now, they have not drawn the (direct) wrath of the United States. If they had al Qaeda camps,\" he said, they\u2019d draw U.S. military might."]},{"id":"5257.json","label":"false","statement":"Romneycare sent costs spiraling out of control in Massachusetts, hiking premiums, squeezing household budgets.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes the increase in healthcare costs and the negative impact on household budgets solely to Romneycare. While it is true that the Massachusetts health plan expanded coverage and incurred costs for the state and federal government, there is little evidence to suggest that Romneycare directly caused the significant increase in costs that affected household budgets. The rise in healthcare costs is a complex issue that has been observed nationwide, and Massachusetts had high healthcare costs even before the implementation of Romneycare. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When Mitt Romney invented government-run health care, Romney advisers helped Barack Obama write the disastrous Obamacare,\" a narrator says. \"Romneycare sent costs spiraling out of control, hiking premiums, squeezing household budgets.\"","The Massachusetts health plan expanded coverage to many people who didn\u2019t have insurance before, and that did cost the state and federal government money. Also, consumers saw increases in their health care costs. But there\u2019s little to show that the health plan Romney signed as governor caused the increased costs that affected household budgets. In recent years, health care costs have been rising around the country, and Massachusetts is not exempt. We rate the statement False.","\"Massachusetts does have the highest health care costs in the nation, but it owned this dubious distinction long before \u2018Romneycare\u2019 was born,\" the Globe said.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"9048.json","label":"true","statement":"Seneca Jones Timber Co., aiming to increase logging and allay fears that old growth will be cut, says mills have shifted to second-generation trees. An ad from the company asks: Do you know that most all mills in Oregon have retooled over the past 20 years?","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Seneca Jones Timber Co. in their advertisement. They assert that most mills in Oregon have retooled over the past 20 years to focus on processing second-generation trees, indicating a shift away from cutting old growth. This claim is supported by statements from the owners of Seneca Jones sawmill and other industry experts who confirm that mills have adapted their operations to concentrate on second- and third-generation timber. \nLabel: true","evidence":["An ad that ran in Oregon newspapers, including The Oregonian, on March 2, 2014, presses for more timber harvests and seeks to allay fears that old growth will be cut. It says mills are now focused on second-generation trees, and claims: \"Do you know that most all mills in Oregon have retooled over the past 20 years?\" We revved up our saw and checked.","The owners of Seneca Jones sawmill in Eugene want harvest levels from federally managed O&C lands increased but with primarily second- and third-generation trees. They say the timber industry agrees, adding, \"Most all mills in Oregon have retooled over the past 20 years\" to accept smaller trees.","\"There may be three or four mills that still process old-growth timber, which comes pretty much from private forestlands,\" he said. \"The mills still operating have retooled to concentrate on getting more value from second- and third-generation timber.\"","\"Some people keep saying we are ruining the forests, that we are cutting old growth at every opportunity,\" Jones said. \"It\u2019s just not true. What is true is that almost every mill still operating in Oregon has retooled to accept second-growth logs."]},{"id":"10602.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walkers proposed budget would sell off Wisconsins state parks.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence provided to support the claim that Governor Scott Walker's proposed budget would sell off Wisconsin's state parks. The evidence provided discusses other aspects of Governor Walker's budget and the controversy surrounding it, but there is no mention or indication of any proposal to sell off state parks. Without any supporting evidence, the statement remains unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin AFL-CIO says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget repair bill would take away all rights in the workplace for public employees,\"Feb. 17, 2011","Many aspects of Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s 2015-\u201917 budget have come under heavy criticism, but this headline on a state Democratic Party news release really caught our attention:","During the summer of 2011, the Republican-controlled state Legislature gave swift approval to the $66 billion 2011-\u201913 state budget, which was signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.","If Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker isn\u2019t trying to strip most collective bargaining rights from public employees, then why do workers keep pouring into Madison by the thousands to demonstrate against him?"]},{"id":"7784.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Kelly Ayotte voted to fix background checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in an ad by Marco Rubio's Reclaim America PAC that Kelly Ayotte \"voted to fix background checks.\" However, it is important to note that the context and details of the proposed legislation are not provided. The ad implies that Ayotte's vote was in favor of improving background checks, but it does not specify the specific measures or changes that were proposed. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents the claim made in the ad, it lacks the necessary context to fully evaluate the impact and effectiveness of Ayotte's vote.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Now coming to her rescue is Marco Rubio\u2019s Reclaim America PAC. The Florida senator\u2019s group is out with an ad that says Ayotte \"voted to fix background checks.\"","Says Kelly Ayotte \"voted again yesterday against a proposal to expand background checks -- (buyers) can continue to simply go online or to gun shows to purchase guns without background checks.\"","New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte saw her poll numbers drop after she voted against a proposal to expand background checks on gun sales.","Maggie Hassan said Kelly Ayotte \"voted again yesterday against a proposal to expand background checks -- (buyers) can continue to simply go online or to gun shows to purchase guns without background checks.\""]},{"id":"12261.json","label":"false","statement":"The chairman of the party of Florida, who is an avid and outward supporter of Marco Rubio, gets to appoint 30 of those delegates.","reason":"Reason: Corey Lewandowski's statement is inaccurate and misleading. The chairman of the party in Florida does not have the authority to directly appoint delegates. Rather, they have the ability to recommend 15 delegates to the state party's executive board, which then votes on their selection. This is a significant difference from the claim made by Lewandowski. Additionally, there is no evidence to support the assertion that the chairman is an \"avid and outward supporter\" of Marco Rubio's presidential bid. While the chairman did make a donation to Rubio years before he ran for president, it does not establish current support. Overall, Lewandowski's statement is factually incorrect and exaggerated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Lewandowski is wrong on multiple fronts for his statement that \"the chairman of the party of Florida, who is an avid and outward supporter of Marco Rubio, gets to appoint 30 of those (99) delegates.\"","\"The chairman of the party of Florida, who is an avid and outward supporter of Marco Rubio, gets to appoint 30 of those delegates,\" Lewandowski said April 17. \"Now, I understand those are the rules, but Donald Trump won. And now, you\u2019ve got a person who is supporting Marco Rubio who gets to appoint 30 of the 99 delegates. That\u2019s not what the rules should be.\"","State party chairman Blaise Ingoglia doesn\u2019t get to appoint delegates. However, he gets to recommend 15 delegates to the state party\u2019s executive board, which then takes a vote. So Lewandowski doubled the number and exaggerated Ingoglia\u2019s power. Most of the 99 delegates are chosen by party leaders in congressional districts.","Also, Lewandowski has no proof that Ingoglia is an \"avid and outward supporter\" of Rubio\u2019s presidential bid. Ingoglia donated $1,250 to Rubio when he was a Senate candidate or a senator, but that was years before he ran for president."]},{"id":"8842.json","label":"false","statement":"On sharing power with Republicans","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the claim of power sharing with Republicans is inaccurate and even described as \"ridiculous\" and \"grossly unfair\" by Democratic senators. Statements from GOP leaders indicate that they do not plan to share power with the lieutenant governor. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement of power sharing with Republicans is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This is \"power sharing\" all right. In the aftermath of the Macon coup, the GOP Senate leadership now has all the power. And it doesn't plan to share it with Cagle.","We find the GOP claim about power sharing with the lieutenant governor not only not accurate. It's ridiculous. Pants on Fire.","\"This is simply a new power-sharing agreement that we\u2019ve come to,\" Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, told reporters. That sentiment was echoed by other GOP leaders.","\"It\u2019s grossly unfair to the citizens of Virginia who voted for a 20-20 Senate,\" said Sen. John S. Edwards, D-Roanoke, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. \"I think the citizens of Virginia want the Senate of Virginia to engage in a power-sharing agreement.\""]},{"id":"2146.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Some cardiologists estimate 70 percent of all males over 50 have some form of heart disease.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence to suggest that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease among males aged 50 and over is high, the statement that \"some cardiologists estimate 70 percent of all males over 50 have some form of heart disease\" is not entirely accurate. The available data and expert opinions indicate that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in this age group ranges from 40 percent to 70 percent, with the likelihood increasing as individuals reach age 60. Therefore, while the statement captures the general trend of high prevalence, it overstates the estimate and lacks precision. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Like many, I had no signs of heart disease,\" his June 30 e-mail continues. \"Fortunately, my wife had insisted that I have a complete examination in March which detected growing blockage in my arteries. It is estimated by some cardiologists that 70 percent of all males over 50 have some form of heart disease. Unfortunately, we have lost many too soon due to untreated heart disease.\"","But what about -- ahem -- men between 50 and 60? Frank Michel, the institute\u2019s director of public affairs, agreed the chart didn\u2019t speak directly to them. \"The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in one form or another is somewhere in between 40 percent and 70 percent for males aged 50 and over and it rises above 70 percent by the time they reach age 60,\" Michel said in an e-mail.","All told, however, the statistics don't confirm Quan's statement that 70 percent of men over 50 have a form of heart disease, though we found numbers that were close. We rate his statement Half True.","Huschka told us in an e-mail that such estimates wouldn't include men with undiagnosed heart disease, meaning the prevalence of heart disease among males 50 and older is probably higher."]},{"id":"9487.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsin was the first state to ban public and private sector employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Wisconsin did indeed become the first state to ban public and private sector employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in 1982. This claim has been verified and rated as true by fact-checkers. However, it's important to note that Wisconsin statutes do not explicitly include transgender individuals in their anti-discrimination laws, which means that discrimination based on a person's transgender status may not be explicitly prohibited under current Wisconsin law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["He added: \"Wisconsin has been a leader on this issue, becoming the first state to ban public and private sector employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in 1982.\"","We\u2019ll start our analysis by noting that we have rated True a claim by U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison. He said Wisconsin, in 1982, became the first state to ban public and private sector employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.","1. Wisconsin statutes that prohibit discrimination based on sex or sexual orientation in three areas -- employment, housing and public accommodation -- do not expressly include transgender people.","It\u2019s unclear whether a transgender person could pursue in state court a discrimination case using laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex (gender) or on sexual orientation. What is clear is Wisconsin laws do not expressly prohibit discrimination based on a person\u2019s status as transgender."]},{"id":"5469.json","label":"true","statement":"Gingrich supported individual health insurance mandates.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Newt Gingrich did express support for individual health insurance mandates. In 1993, he stated his support for individuals having health insurance and being required to have it, similar to automobile insurance. Additionally, in a 2007 column, Gingrich proposed legislation that would require individuals earning more than $50,000 a year to purchase health insurance or post a bond. These statements indicate his support for mandates related to individual health insurance. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!Rep. Michele Bachmann charged that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich supported an individual health care mandate in 1993 and 2011. Is she right? !Rep. Michele Bachmann charged that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich supported an individual health care mandate in 1993 and 2011. Is she right?","Rep. Michele Bachmann charged that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich supported an individual health care mandate in 1993 and 2011. Is she right?","Santorum said Gingrich \"for 20 years supported a federal individual mandate.\" We found no references earlier than 1993, when Gingrich said \"I am for people, individuals -- exactly like automobile insurance -- individuals having health insurance and being required to have health insurance.\"","It\u2019s not the first time Gingrich advocated a choice between a mandate and a bond. For instance, in a June 25, 2007, column titled, \"Covering the uninsured -- do we want markets or mandates?\" Gingrich wrote, \"In order to make coverage more accessible, Congress must do more, including passing legislation to \u2026 require anyone who earns more than $50,000 a year to purchase health insurance or post a bond.\""]},{"id":"944.json","label":"false","statement":"Says former Clinton budget director Alice Rivlin said the stimulus bill \"won't actually stimulate the economy.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that former Clinton budget director Alice Rivlin said the stimulus bill \"won't actually stimulate the economy.\" While South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford mentioned Rivlin as a prominent Democrat who criticized the bill, the fact-checking investigation revealed that Rivlin's comments were focused on the long-term plan and did not specifically address the claim that the bill would not stimulate the economy. Therefore, there is no credible evidence to support the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"From both sides of the political aisle \u2014 from conservative economist Martin Feldstein, who originally supported a stimulus, to former Clinton administration budget director Alice Rivlin \u2014 we hear that this particular bill won't actually stimulate the economy,\" Sanford, a Republican, wrote in an op-ed in the Washington Post on Feb. 23.","To bolster his claim that the economic stimulus bill won't work, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said the bill had drawn bipartisan criticism and named Alice Rivlin, budget director in the Clinton administration, as a prominent Democrat who said the bill would not help.","The mention of Rivlin surprised us because the stimulus plan has drawn strong support from Democrats. So we asked Sanford's office to show us where Rivlin had said the bill \"won't actually stimulate the economy.\"","But the focus of that comment was on the long-term plan and did not support Sanford's claim that she said \"this particular bill won't actually stimulate the economy.\""]},{"id":"1826.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Kendrick Meek is the only candidate who has consistently been against expanded drilling.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Kendrick Meek's claim that he is the only candidate who has consistently opposed expanded drilling. This claim is supported by evidence that Meek has consistently opposed increased offshore drilling during his congressional tenure. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not thoroughly examine the positions of all candidates on this issue. Therefore, while Meek may be the only candidate mentioned in the evidence who has consistently opposed expanded drilling, there may be other candidates who hold similar positions but were not specifically mentioned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cThe recent disaster in the Gulf just underscores the need for a moratorium on any new offshore drilling, but Charlie Crist is busy flip-flopping his stance and Marco Rubio refuses to rule drilling out. Kendrick Meek is the only candidate who has consistently been against expanded drilling.\u201d","With the Gulf oil spill threatening Florida's pristine beaches and public support for offshore oil drilling waning, Democratic Senate candidate Kendrick Meek of Miami has accused his rivals of backing oil drilling at one time or another, and says he's the only candidate to consistently oppose expanded offshore exploration.","Meek has largely opposed increased offshore drilling during his congressional tenure. But is he the only candidate consistently opposed to it?","Gov. Charlie Crist: As a candidate for governor in 2006, Crist was unequivocal that he would never support oil drilling off Florida's shores. In 2008, Crist, who was considered a vice presidential running mate with Republican John McCain, backed off his previously staunch opposition. The April 20, 2010, spill convinced him it was risky, and as a result, Crist again became opposed. Clearly, Crist's position on offshore oil drilling has been anything but consistent."]},{"id":"10890.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Today, the United States is the most respected country on Earth.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the United States is currently the most respected country on Earth is subjective and lacks clear evidence to support it. While President Obama made a similar statement during his time in office, stating that the United States regained its position as the most respected country, it is important to note that perceptions of a country's respect can vary among different individuals and nations. Assessing the level of respect a country holds globally is a complex matter that involves multiple factors and can be influenced by various geopolitical events and policies. Therefore, without concrete and comprehensive data to support the claim, it is difficult to categorize it as true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered whether it was true that the United States today is \"the most respected\" country on Earth, so we took a closer look. The evidence we found is something of a mixed bag.","Here\u2019s what Obama said: \"People don\u2019t remember \u2014 when I came into office, the United States in world opinion ranked below China and just barely above Russia. And today, once again, the United States is the most respected country on Earth.\"","\"People don\u2019t remember -- when I came into office, the United States in world opinion ranked below China and just barely above Russia,\" Obama said. \"And today, once again, the United States is the most respected country on Earth.\"","That\u2019s a different claim than Obama\u2019s. Obama said the United States is the most respected country, while Carlson said the nation\u2019s standing has actually dropped since Obama took office."]},{"id":"1685.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I don't answer hypotheticals.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton has used the phrase \"I don't answer hypotheticals\" on certain occasions, it is important to note that she has also answered hypothetical questions in other instances. The evidence provided acknowledges that there have been times when Clinton has answered hypotheticals, particularly when it served her political interests or allowed her to distinguish herself from other candidates. Therefore, the statement that she categorically refuses to answer hypotheticals is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We zeroed in Clinton's claim that she doesn't answer \"hypotheticals.\" Politicians often say that, but they'll answer them when it's in their political interest. Such is the case with Clinton.","But every so often, Clinton will answer hypotheticals. We found a few examples in the presidential campaign where her answer allowed her to distinguish herself from then-Sen. Barack Obama, to emphasize her hard-line approach on foreign affairs.","Clinton: \"Well -- and I don't answer hypotheticals. But I will say this. That this administration from the very first day has made it clear we are committed to pursuing a path of peace in the Middle East. And to get the two parties to get to a point where they can engage in negotiations again to deal with these very difficult final status issues.\"","\u2022 She protested hypotheticals again in a debate moderated by Tim Russert in February 2008, when Russert asked, if \"al-Qaida resurges and Iraq goes to hell, do you hold the right, in your mind as American president, to re-invade, to go back into Iraq to stabilize it?\" Clinton answered, \"You know, Tim, you ask a lot of hypotheticals,\" before answering broadly, \"You have to look at the entire situation to try to figure out how we can stabilize Afghanistan and begin to put more in there to try to get some kind of success out of it, and you have to work with the Iraqi government so that they take responsibility for their own future.\""]},{"id":"13171.json","label":"false","statement":"On Tim Kaine: In exchange for campaign contributions, he appointed a radical jihadi to the Virginia Immigration Commission.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Tim Kaine appointed a \"radical jihadi\" to the Virginia Immigration Commission in exchange for campaign contributions is misleading and false. While it is true that Kaine appointed Dr. Esam Omeish to the Virginia Commission on Immigration in 2007, there is no evidence to support the claim that Omeish is a \"radical jihadi.\" The appointment was made based on Omeish's qualifications and expertise in the field of immigration, and there is no credible information linking him to extremist activities. The suggestion that the appointment was made in exchange for campaign contributions is also unfounded, as the contributions in question were made years before Kaine created the advisory commission. This claim is a misrepresentation of the facts and lacks evidence to support its validity.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A chain email says of Tim Kaine: \"In exchange for campaign contributions, he appointed a radical jihadi to the Virginia Immigration Commission.\"","A chain email, based on postings by two conservative blogs, says that Kaine \"in exchange for campaign contributions \u2026 appointed a radical jihadi to the Virginia Immigration Commission.\" This refers to a 2007 appointment.","In August 2007, Kaine, then governor, appointed Omeish and nine others to the Virginia Commission on Immigration, a new panel that was set up to advise Kaine on state immigration policies.","As for the supposed payoff, the email refers to $43,050 in contributions that the New Dominion PAC, representing Arab-Virginians, made to Kaine\u2019s gubernatorial campaign years before Kaine created the advisory commission and appointed Omeish to it."]},{"id":"3051.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When we look at the number of murders in the United States (in) 2009, we had 9,500 people murdered. When we look around the world, we see ... large countries, the U.K., Germany, Japan had 200 or less killed in a year.","reason":"Reason: Senator Frank Lautenberg accurately stated that in 2009, the United States had 9,500 murders. He also correctly highlighted that countries like the United Kingdom and Japan had 200 or fewer murders in the same year. While Germany's number of murders exceeded 200, it still represented a significantly lower figure compared to the United States. The evidence supports the accuracy of Lautenberg's statement, as the statistics provided align with the data available at the time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One of the lawmakers who made the case for tightening gun laws was Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. In an interview on MSNBC on Jan. 11, 2011. Lautenberg -- who is preparing legislation to ban high-capacity gun clips like the ones used in the Tucson attack -- said, \"But the fact of the matter is, when we look at the number of murders in the United States, 2009, we had 9,500 people murdered. When we look around the world, we see large companies -- large countries, the U.K., Germany, Japan had 200 or less killed in a year.\"","So, Japan and the United Kingdom were well within Lautenberg's stated threshold of 200 murders per year. Germany's total exceeded that threshold, but it still represented less than 4 percent of the number of killings in the United States in 2009.","We still don't think these pieces of context undermine the accuracy of Lautenberg's statement. The senator was actually a little low in his estimate of firearm homicides in the U.S. for 2009, and he was accurate in saying that Japan and the United Kingdom had fewer than 200 firearm murders. Germany's number is higher than 200, but is still dramatically lower than the U.S. So we rate his statement Mostly True.","\"The United States is 3rd in murders throughout the world. If you remove Chicago, Detroit, Washington, St. Louis and New Orleans, the United States is then 189th out of 193 countries in the entire world.\""]},{"id":"13234.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have an increase in murder within our cities, the biggest in 45 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that there has been an increase in murders within cities, which is the largest increase in 45 years. The statistics show a 10.8 percent rise in the number of murders nationally between 2014 and 2015, which is the biggest year-to-year jump since 1970-71. However, it's important to note that this increase comes after a long period of declining murder rates. While the increase is significant and worth paying attention to, it is essential to avoid panic and consider the broader context of crime trends over time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We have a very divided nation,\" he said. \"You look at Charlotte. You look at Baltimore. You look at the violence that's taking place in the inner cities. Chicago. You take a look at Washington, D.C. We have an increase in murder within our cities, the biggest in 45 years.\"","The number of murders nationally did rise by the biggest amount in 45 years, and criminologists agree that this is a development worth paying attention to. But they add that it comes after a steep, quarter-century decline, which suggests that it is not yet a cause for panic.","Those statistics showed that the number of murders and non-negligent homicides rose nationally between 2014 and 2015 by 10.8 percent. When we checked the numbers, we confirmed that this increase does rank as the biggest year-to-year jump in murders since 1970-71, when the number rose by 11.1 percent. That was exactly 45 years ago.","To some extent, after years of declining murder rates, an increase can be little more than a statistical blip to get closer to a median."]},{"id":"8623.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The minimum wage in real terms right now is below where it was when Harry Truman was in office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the minimum wage, in real terms, is currently lower than it was during Harry Truman's presidency. While there is some nuance to consider, as the minimum wage was higher than today's level for seven out of the eight years of Truman's tenure, the overall trend is that the minimum wage has not kept pace with inflation over time. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate and supported by evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It's well past the time to raise a minimum wage that in real terms right now is below where it was when Harry Truman was in office,\" Obama said in an address at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.","Obama said the minimum wage \"in real terms right now is below where it was when Harry Truman was in office.\" That\u2019s correct for 1950, but incorrect for the other seven calendar years of Truman\u2019s tenure. In fact, you could just as easily say that the minimum wage is higher today than it was under Truman, and that would be correct for seven out of the eight years he was in office. The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of context, so we rate it Half True.","We have previously checked an Obama claim that the minimum wage is \"lower right now than it was when Ronald Reagan took office.\" We rated that Mostly True. But we hadn\u2019t heard the claim about Truman, so we decided to take a look.","Ultimately, during seven out of the eight calendar years when Truman was in office, the inflation-adjusted minimum wage was lower than it is today -- not higher."]},{"id":"755.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"There are so many loopholes ... our businesses pay effectively one of the lowest tax rates in the world.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are numerous loopholes in the US tax code that allow businesses to lower their effective tax rates, it is an oversimplification to claim that US businesses pay \"effectively one of the lowest tax rates in the world.\" The effectiveness of these loopholes varies depending on the specific circumstances and industries. Some businesses may indeed benefit from these loopholes and pay lower effective tax rates, but others may not. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the complexity of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Now, John mentioned the fact that business taxes on paper are high in this country, and he\u2019s absolutely right,\" Obama said. \"Here\u2019s the problem: There are so many loopholes that have been written into the tax code, oftentimes with support of Senator McCain, that we actually see our businesses pay effectively one of the lowest tax rates in the world.\"","\"Right now, the United States of America\u2019s businesses pay the second-highest business taxes in the world, 35 percent. Ireland pays 11 percent,\" McCain said.","But we also think Obama\u2019s assertion that these deductions result in the United States having one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the world similarly oversimplifies things. It\u2019s true for some business, particularly ones that can write off a lot of debt payments. But it\u2019s not true for others. So we rate Obama\u2019s statement Half True.","So, for example, the United States ranks second lowest in the world among industrialized nations when it comes to the effective corporate tax rates for debt-financed investments in machinery. For equity-financed investments in machinery, the rates are closer to the upper middle of the pack. And for equity-financed investments in industrial structures (buildings, factories, etc), the effective corporate tax rates were second highest in the world (behind Japan). As an aside, it is precisely this tax system, weighted to favor debt-financed investments, that's part of why the current credit crisis is seen as so dire."]},{"id":"5075.json","label":"true","statement":"Says hes proposed the largest employer contribution to the Virginia Retirement System in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the governor that his proposed employer contribution to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) would be the largest in history. This claim has been verified by the Virginia Retirement System Finance Division, which provides data on employer contributions to the VRS. The proposed contribution of $2.21 billion would indeed be the highest amount ever allocated to the VRS. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The governor said his plan, if approved by the General Assembly, would be \"the largest employer contribution to the Virginia Retirement System in history.\" We rated that statement True.","The governor, in presenting his biennial budget plan to the General Assembly\u2019s money committees on Dec. 19, said(,) his pension proposal, if approved, would be \"the largest employer contribution to the Virginia Retirement System in history.\"","The governor said his proposed $2.21 billion employer contribution for state worker and teacher pensions would be the largest in VRS history.","Virginia Retirement System Finance Division, \"Schedule of retirement employer contributions paid for state employees and teachers FY 1973 through FY 2012,\" accessed January 4, 2012."]},{"id":"6135.json","label":"false","statement":"Says New Jerseys job growth in May represents 25 percent of all the jobs created in the country.","reason":"Reason: Governor Christie's claim that New Jersey's job growth in May represented \"25 percent of all the jobs created in the country\" is inaccurate. While New Jersey did experience job growth in May, the claim of representing a quarter of all jobs created in the country is not supported by the evidence. The evidence provided does not indicate that New Jersey's job growth accounted for such a significant portion of national job creation. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In May, a total of 184,500 jobs were created in 27 states and Washington, D.C. Of that amount, New Jersey\u2019s growth represents about 9.5 percent.","At his June 14 press conference, Christie claimed New Jersey\u2019s over-the-month increase of 17,600 jobs in May represented \"25 percent of all the jobs created in the country.\"","\"Fact is, it is time for a tax cut in this state,\" said Christie, according to a video posted June 15 on YouTube. \"It is long overdue for a tax cut in this state, and I hope that today they stop with the make-believe and start addressing the real facts, which are that New Jersey is the single biggest job producer last month of any state in the country -- 25 percent of all the jobs created in the country right here.\"","When you analyze growth between November 2010 and November 2011, New Jersey is doing better, ranking 32 for a 0.7 percent increase in jobs."]},{"id":"1551.json","label":"false","statement":"\"President Obama's bill won't bring down the costs (of health care) for average Americans -- or really for very few Americans, if any.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bachmann that \"President Obama's bill won't bring down the costs (of health care) for average Americans -- or really for very few Americans, if any\" has been fact-checked and found to be false. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a non-partisan entity, a significant percentage of Americans in the private insurance market would experience a decrease in premiums under the bill. The CBO's analysis indicates that around 60 percent of Americans would see their premiums decrease, and with subsidies taken into account, approximately 70 percent would experience a decrease. Furthermore, nearly 94 percent would witness either a decrease or no change in their premiums. Therefore, the claim made by Bachmann is factually incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Unfortunately,\" she said, \"President Obama's bill won't bring down the costs for average Americans -- or really for very few Americans, if any.\"","Bachmann criticized Democratic plans for health care reform because they don't reduce costs enough. \"President Obama's bill won't bring down the costs (of health care) for average Americans -- or really for very few Americans, if any,\" she said. We rated that False.","But we're rating Bachmann's claim that \"President Obama's bill won't bring down the costs (of health care) for average Americans -- or really for very few Americans, if any.\" And on that, our interpretation of the CBO numbers indicates she's wrong.","\u2022 \"President Obama's bill won't bring down the costs (of health care) for average Americans -- or really for very few Americans, if any.\" According to the Congressional Budget Office, Congress' official, non-partisan scorekeeper, 60 percent of Americans in the private insurance market would see their premiums fall. Taking into account the subsidies, a full 70 percent would see their premiums fall. And almost 94 percent would see their premiums either fall or stay the same. We found her claim False( \"False\")."]},{"id":"12486.json","label":"true","statement":"A trade war is something very different (than curbing new trade agreements). We went down that road in the 1930s. It made the Great Depression longer and more painful.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton that a trade war, as experienced in the 1930s, had the effect of prolonging and intensifying the Great Depression. This claim is supported by the consensus among historians and economists who agree that the implementation of protectionist policies, such as raising tariffs and engaging in trade wars, contributed to the worsening of the economic crisis during that time. The evidence suggests that such actions disrupted international trade, reduced economic cooperation, and exacerbated the negative effects of the Great Depression.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"A trade war is something very different (than curbing new trade agreements). We went down that road in the 1930s. It made the Great Depression longer and more painful.\"","\"I understand a lot of Americans have concerns about our trade agreements,\" Clinton said. \"I do, too. But a trade war is something very different. We went down that road in the 1930s. It made the Great Depression longer and more painful.\"","We wondered whether there is widespread support among historians and economists for the idea that raising tariffs and enabling a trade war \"made the Great Depression longer and more painful.\"","\"Protectionism did not cause the Great Depression, but I think saying it made it longer and more painful is actually quite well put,\" Irwin said."]},{"id":"2403.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Taxes went down under Jerry Brown.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"taxes went down under Jerry Brown\" is supported by evidence that shows a decrease in taxes during his tenure as governor. While there were some tax increases, such as gas taxes, there were also decreases in income taxes through indexing and various changes for businesses. Overall, the tax burden per $100 of resident income decreased under Jerry Brown's governorship. However, it's important to note that there were fluctuations in tax rates and that different sources may present different perspectives on this issue. Nevertheless, the evidence supports the claim that taxes went down during Jerry Brown's time as governor.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["His ad says, \"Wouldn't it be nice if every time Meg Whitman told a lie her nose would grow? Newspapers report that claims in this Meg Whitman ad are false, and she knows it. Taxes went down under Jerry Brown. But Whitman's nose keeps growing by the millions.\" Here, we're checking Brown's statement that, \"Taxes went down under Jerry Brown.\"","We found that when Brown was governor, he signed an increase to gas taxes, a decrease to income taxes through indexing, and various increases and decreases for business. He had significant surpluses for the first part of his governorship and in all likelihood didn't need to raise taxes. The most significant evidence in favor of Brown's statement are the state numbers that show taxes per $100 of resident income. By that metric, taxes went up, and then down under Brown, and finished a little lower than when he started. Those numbers sway the meter in a positive direction. We rate the statement \"Taxes went down under Jerry Brown,\" as Mostly True.","Back in 1992, CNN's fact-check looked at the wrong years and reported that taxes went up. The most recent data shows that the tax burden went down. 's Brooks Jackson -- who worked for CNN back then -- explained the issue with the data in a post at the website( \"in a post at the website\").","Cut to Clinton himself in his 1992 prime. \"CNN -- not me, CNN -- says his assertion about his tax record was quote, just plain wrong. Jerry Brown went out there and took credit for the fact that the people of California voted for Proposition 13, which lowered taxes, which he opposed. And now he's going around and taking credit for it. He raised taxes as governor of California. He had a surplus when he took office and a deficit when he left. He doesn't tell the people the truth.\""]},{"id":"741.json","label":"true","statement":"Palin supports \"aerial hunting of wolves and other wildlife.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Sarah Palin on wildlife issues. As governor of Alaska, Palin did support and actively promote an aerial predator-control program, which involved the hunting of wolves and other wildlife from aircraft. This program aimed to control predator populations in Alaska, and Palin's administration even proposed enhancements to increase the number of wolves killed. However, it's important to note that the program faced legal challenges and was ultimately ruled as an improper bounty on wildlife by a judge. Nonetheless, the statement accurately portrays Palin's support for aerial hunting of wolves and other wildlife during her time as governor.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The more voters learn about Sarah Palin, the less there is to like. As Alaska governor, Sarah Palin actively promotes the brutal and unethical aerial hunting of wolves and other wildlife,\" the narrator says.","Aerial hunting has been banned since 1972 in every state but Alaska, which gets around the federal law by claiming that predator population control is more important.","Produced by the political arm of the Defenders of Wildlife Action, a new television ad takes aim at Sarah Palin\u2019s position on wildlife issues. The minute-long video starts by juxtaposing Palin\u2019s darkened picture with majestic images of a bear and a wolf, while an announcer talks about her support for an aerial predator-control program.","In 2007, Palin\u2019s administration proposed enhancements to encourage hunters to kill more wolves when it became clear that not enough wolves were being taken out of the population to meet the state\u2019s goal for the year. Palin\u2019s office announced a plan to pay hunters $150 for each wolf killed with the money to be paid when hunters turned in the left foreleg of dead wolves to state biologists. The program was axed by a judge who ruled it an improper bounty on wildlife."]},{"id":"3581.json","label":"true","statement":"President Obama has stopped using the phrase war on terror.","reason":"Reason: It is true that President Obama has significantly reduced the use of the phrase \"war on terror\" during his presidency. While he did use the phrase occasionally early on, he later shifted to using more specific language, referring to the conflict as a war against \"some terrorist organizations.\" This change in terminology was a deliberate choice to avoid broad generalizations and to focus on specific threats. However, it is important to note that the shift in language does not imply a change in the administration's commitment to combating terrorism.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We did a word search of Obama's public statements and could not find that Obama has used the phrase \"war on terrorism\" as president, though he said it numerous times as a candidate. And early in his presidency, Obama used the phrase \"war on terror,\" but only a couple of times.","Back then, we did a word search of Obama's public statements and could not find that Obama has used the phrase \"war on terrorism\" as president, though he said it numerous times as a candidate. Early in his presidency, Obama used the phrase \"war on terror,\" but only a couple of times.","\"Sadly, President Obama will not call this effort what it is,\" Pawlenty wrote. \"He has stopped using the phrase 'war on terror.' His administration never makes pointed references -- or any references -- to the real problem: radical Islamic terrorism. Apparently that isn't politically correct. The fact is, radical Islamic terrorism exists. Pointing that out doesn't condemn all Muslims. But there is an element of Islam that is radical and that has terrorist intentions. We need to call it what it is. We need to confront it, and we need to defeat it.\"","Cheney's comments echo a frequent criticism by conservatives that President Obama does not use the phrase \"war on terror.\" We rated that True when it was made by talk show host Sean Hannity in November 2009. We noted in our ruling that Obama had said he didn't use the more general phrase \"war on terror\" because he viewed the conflict as a war against \"some terrorist organizations.\""]},{"id":"7502.json","label":"false","statement":"We have no regulation of drones in the United States in their commercial use.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does regulate the commercial use of drones in the United States. In fact, the FAA currently bans the commercial use of drones, although new regulations are being developed. While the regulations may not explicitly address privacy concerns, it is inaccurate to claim that there is no regulation at all. Therefore, the statement is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But Feinstein\u2019s privacy claim caught our eye. Do \"we have no regulation of drones in the United States in their commercial use\"?","\"We have no regulation of drones in the United States in their commercial use. You can see drones some day hovering over the homes of Hollywood luminaries, violating privacy.","Feinstein said, \"We have no regulation of drones in the United States in their commercial use.\" Feinstein\u2019s wrong: Not only does the FAA regulate the commercial use of drones, it actually bans it. Still, the landscape is changing. At Congress\u2019 direction, the FAA is drafting new regulations. How those rules will address privacy concerns, it's too soon to tell. But it's inaccurate to say there\u2019s \"no regulation.\" We rate her statement False.","We found three instances when Brennan cited legal opinion asserting no geographic limit on where the United States can use drones against terrorists. He did add that the absence of a geographic limit does not mean drones can be used \"whenever or wherever\" -- that international legal principles still apply. But we agree with Pillar that that addendum doesn\u2019t amount to a geographic limitation."]},{"id":"906.json","label":"true","statement":"Geithner still didn't correct the same type of error for some years, even after the Internal Revenue Service flagged him for the failure to pay the taxes in other years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Timothy Geithner, the nominee for Treasury Secretary at the time, failed to pay self-employment taxes for multiple years, including the years 2003 and 2004. Even after being flagged by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for this failure, Geithner did not rectify the same type of error for other years until he learned about his potential appointment as Treasury Secretary. This information was confirmed by tax experts and news reports. \nLabel: true","evidence":["But as for Berlau's statement that Geithner \"still didn't correct the same type of error for some years, even after the Internal Revenue Services flagged him for the failure to pay the taxes in other years,\" Berlau is right. Geithner didn\u2019t make good on the previous years until he learned he was in line to be treasury secretary. We rule the statement True.","\"Treasury Secretary Nominee Timothy Geithner's failure to pay four years\u2019 worth of self-employment taxes for Social Security and Medicare is absolutely astonishing,\" John Berlau, director of the Center for Investors & Entrepreneurs at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said in a news release on Jan. 14, 2009. \"And as more details are released, Geithner's actions seem even more disturbing. According to the New York Times, Geithner still didn't correct the same type of error for some years, even after the Internal Revenue Services flagged him for the failure to pay the taxes in other years. To have him leading the department that manages the IRS would be a slap in the face to the millions of self-employed Americans who fulfill their responsibilities to correctly asses their tax burdens.\"","First off, tax experts say that due to a statute of limitations, Geithner was under no legal obligation to pay the taxes related to 2001 and 2002. The IRS could only go back three years. So Geithner was legally in the clear.","The IRS audited Geithner in 2006 and found that he failed to pay self-employment taxes on compensation he received as an employee of the International Monetary Fund for tax years the IRS was looking at, 2003 and 2004. By law, the IRS could not audit him for years prior to 2003."]},{"id":"5234.json","label":"true","statement":"A typical married couple will contribute $119,000 into Medicare but will receive $357,000 in Medicare benefits over their lifetimes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the sources, a typical married couple retiring today would pay approximately $119,000 in lifetime Medicare taxes and receive around $357,000 in lifetime Medicare benefits. This translates to receiving approximately $3 in benefits for every $1 paid in taxes. The evidence supports the claim that the couple will contribute $119,000 into Medicare but will receive $357,000 in Medicare benefits over their lifetimes.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It says a two-income couple in which both partners earned an average wage ($43,500 each in 2011) and retired in 2011 would pay $119,000 in Medicare taxes and receive $357,000 in benefits.","\"A couple retiring today will pay about $119,000 in lifetime Medicare taxes and receive about $357,000 in lifetime Medicare benefits. ... about 3 bucks in benefits for every dollar in taxes.\"","\"A couple retiring today will pay about $119,000 in lifetime Medicare taxes and receive about $357,000 in lifetime Medicare benefits,\" the Ohio Republican said. \"So that's about 3 bucks in benefits for every dollar in taxes. If you multiply this by the 77 million retiring baby boomers, it's not hard to see why we have an unsustainable program.\"","And even so, the Social Security shortfall will be more than evened out by the extra dollars the couple gets back from Medicare. The couple will have paid $122,000 in Medicare taxes but will receive $387,000 in benefits \u2014 more than three times what they paid in."]},{"id":"6748.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama is responsible for pending defense cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that President Obama proposed the concept of sequestration, which includes defense cuts, it is important to note that the final decision and implementation of the sequester was a result of bipartisan agreement in Congress. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to solely attribute the pending defense cuts to President Obama alone. The responsibility for the sequester and its consequences lies with both the executive and legislative branches of government.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!When President Barack Obama sat down for an interview with \"60 Minutes,\" he said his policies were responsible for only 10 percent of the cumulative deficits over the past four years. We check his math. !When President Barack Obama sat down for an interview with \"60 Minutes,\" he said his policies were responsible for only 10 percent of the cumulative deficits over the past four years. We check his math.","When President Barack Obama sat down for an interview with \"60 Minutes,\" he said his policies were responsible for only 10 percent of the cumulative deficits over the past four years. We check his math.","In their final debate before the election, President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney each said they would be the staunchest supporter of the military.","We recently looked at a Romney campaign ad that blamed Obama for the sequester and talked to several experts about who is more responsible for the looming cuts -- Congress or the president. Some say that the Obama White House proposed sequestration, so that means Obama owns it."]},{"id":"6707.json","label":"true","statement":"We just dont want to get to be like Louisiana, where you have drive-up daiquiri shops.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concern expressed by State Rep. Bill Kennemer regarding the potential loosening of liquor laws and the fear of Oregon becoming like Louisiana, where drive-up daiquiri shops exist. The evidence provided confirms that Louisiana does indeed have drive-up daiquiri shops where individuals can purchase alcoholic beverages. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That may change, with rumblings Thursday of a citizens\u2019 initiative to loosen our uptight liquor laws if lawmakers don\u2019t in 2013. Some legislators appeared reluctant to follow Washington state in privatizing liquor sales, as reported in a three-part series published in The Oregonian this week. State Rep. Bill Kennemer told a reporter: \"We just don't want to get to be like Louisiana, where you have drive-up daiquiri shops.\"","So there\u2019s your evidence. Still, we understand that readers may want legal proof of proofed drinks to-go by vehicle, other than the word of a visiting legislator. For that, we contacted Jacques Berry, a spokesman for the Louisiana lieutenant governor\u2019s office.","(Technically, Louisiana does not allow open containers in vehicles. The way it works is that an attendant hands you a drink and a straw and what you do with those two objects is up to you. Also, in some states, you can buy packaged liquor and beer through a drive-thru window. )","Berry couldn\u2019t tell us how many such drive-thrus dot the South Louisiana landscape, but he verified that a person doesn\u2019t usually have to go far to find one. For locals, it\u2019s a popular frozen treat on a Friday afternoon. \"It\u2019s not as much of a late-night thing,\" he said."]},{"id":"4127.json","label":"true","statement":"Ninety percent of the job growth in Virginia has been in the private sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including Governor McDonnell himself and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to these sources, approximately 90 percent of job growth in Virginia during McDonnell's term has been in the private sector. While it is acknowledged that some private sector jobs in Virginia are created through federal government contracts, the overall trend and majority of job growth can be attributed to the private sector.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In February 2010, there were 2,896,000 private-sector jobs, rising in May 2011 to 2,959,400. That\u2019s an increase of 63,400 private sector positions, which is 94 percent of the Virginia\u2019s net job growth during McDonnell\u2019s term.","\"The fact that we\u2019ve got proximity to Washington, D.C., is certainly somewhat helpful, but I will say that most of the job growth (in Virginia), in fact 90 percent of it, has been in the private sector,\" McDonnell said.","The governor said the private sector has accounted for about 90 percent of the state\u2019s job growth and figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics back up his claim. Although many private sector jobs in Virginia are created through federal government contracts, there are no definitive statistics detailing the number.","Asked about how much the federal government is boosting Virginia\u2019s jobs picture, McDonnell countered that it\u2019s the private sector that\u2019s been driving the commonwealth\u2019s job growth."]},{"id":"6137.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Island has the worst maintained bridges in the United States of America . . . and we have the second worst maintained roads [behind] Alaska.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Rep. Michael Chippendale that Rhode Island has the worst maintained bridges in the United States and the second worst maintained roads, with Alaska being the only state with worse road conditions. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, including Chippendale's statement and news articles referencing his remarks.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rhode Island has the \"worst maintained bridges in the United States of America . . . and we have the second worst maintained roads behind Alaska.\"","State Rep. Michael Chippendale turned down a path familiar to Rhode Island motorists when he described the Ocean State as having the \"worst maintained bridges in the United States of America\" and \" the second worst maintained roads only to Alaska.\"","Chippendale, a Republican from Foster, called the bill arduous and costly. He said he\u2019d rather see the money that would go toward design studies used to improve the state\u2019s roads, because, he said, the state has the \"worst-maintained bridges in the United States of America . . . and we have the second-worst maintained roads only to Alaska.\"","( - State Rep. Michael Chippendale says Rhode Island has the worst maintained bridges in U.S. and second worst maintained roads&url=)"]},{"id":"4923.json","label":"true","statement":"A database police use to look up wanted suspects excludes certain warrants issued by Atlanta Municipal Court.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the sources, Atlanta Municipal Court bench warrants are not included in the Atlanta Criminal Information Center (ACIC) database. This means that the database used by the police to look up wanted suspects does not include certain warrants issued by the Atlanta Municipal Court. It is important to note that this exclusion can potentially lead to limitations in identifying individuals with open warrants from the Atlanta Municipal Court.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Atlanta Municipal Court bench warrants are not included in the ACIC database, as the city\u2019s news release said. In fact, Atlanta\u2019s police chief estimates that thousands of people with open warrants aren\u2019t in there.","\"Atlanta Municipal Court bench warrants are not included in the Atlanta Criminal Information Center ACIC database,\" the Nov. 28 release said. Bench warrants are arrest warrants initiated by a judge, often when people fail to appear in court.","This was no fluke, according to a recent city of Atlanta news release about its internal investigation on the stop. Police may rely upon the Atlanta Criminal Information Center database to find out whether someone has a warrant, but in certain cases, it can\u2019t tell them.","But when an Atlanta municipal judge issues a warrant because someone fails to appear in court, no one hands this paperwork over for entry in the city\u2019s database, police spokesman Carlos Campos told PolitiFact."]},{"id":"1203.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On whether he would put a missile shield in Poland.","reason":"Reason: Barack Obama initially expressed support for a missile shield in Poland during a conversation with Bill O'Reilly in September 2008. However, he later changed his position and decided against implementing the missile defense shield in Poland. This change in stance was based on considerations such as ensuring its effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and not diverting resources from other national security priorities. Therefore, while there was a shift in Obama's position, it is important to note the context and reasons behind his decision.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["After introducing the issue of a missile shield in Poland, here's the full text of the exchange on Sept. 10, 2008:","We went back and looked at some of Obama's other comments about a missile shield in Poland at that time to get a better sense of his position then.","\"Okay, I just want to get this on the record,\" O'Reilly said. \"You're elected president, you're keeping the missile shield in Poland.\"","There's no question that Obama changed his position from calling the missile-defense shield in Poland \"appropriate\" when pressed by O'Reilly in September 2008. And that change surely disappointed a number of officials in Poland. But then, as on numerous other occasions, Obama tempered his support for the long-range missile defense shield in Poland with the qualifiers that he wanted to \"make sure it works,\" that it is cost-effective and \"does not divert resources from other national security priorities.\" Obama ultimately decided the plan did not meet those tests. And so we give this a Half Flip."]},{"id":"9259.json","label":"false","statement":"Welcome to Wisconsin road signs have always been made in Wisconsin,but Scott Walker is outsourcing themto an out-of-state company and paying more money for them.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to multiple sources, including fact-checkers, there is no evidence to support the claim that Scott Walker, the former governor of Wisconsin, outsourced the production of \"Welcome to Wisconsin\" road signs to an out-of-state company. The signs have historically been made in Wisconsin, and there is no credible information to suggest otherwise. Additionally, there is no evidence to support the claim that Walker paid more money for the signs. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Welcome to Wisconsin road signs have \"always been made in Wisconsin,\" but Scott Walker \"is outsourcing them\" to an out-of-state company and \"paying more money for them.\"","-- Welcome to Wisconsin road signs have \"always been made in Wisconsin,\" but Scott Walker \"is outsourcing them\" to an out-of-state-company and is \"paying more money for them.\" False.","Tate said Welcome to Wisconsin road signs have \"always been made in Wisconsin,\" but Scott Walker \"is outsourcing them\" to an out-of-state company and \"paying more money for them.\"","Criticizing Walker\u2019s record on job creation, Tate said Welcome to Wisconsin road signs have \"always been made in Wisconsin,\" but Walker \"is outsourcing them\" to an out-of-state company and \"paying more money for them.\""]},{"id":"3671.json","label":"false","statement":"Says in Canada, the number of CT scan machines per 1,000 people is like one-tenth of what we have here in this country. Thats why people have to wait.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Canada does have fewer CT scanners per capita compared to the United States, it is not accurate to claim that the number is \"like one-tenth.\" The evidence suggests that Canada has approximately one-third the number of CT scanners per capita compared to the United States. While the difference in capacity may contribute to wait times in Canada's healthcare system, it is important to note that wait times are influenced by various factors beyond the number of CT scanners alone.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says \"in Canada, the number of CT scan machines per 1,000 people is like one-tenth of what we have here in this country. That's why people have to wait.\"","Cain told The Root, a black perspectives online magazine: \"In Canada, the number of CT scan machines per 1,000 people is like one-tenth of what we have here in this country. That's why people have to wait.\"","Canada has fewer CT scanners per capita than Greece and Portugal, two countries on the verge of bankruptcy, and it certainly has fewer than the United States, but not \"like one-tenth.\" It\u2019s more like one-third.","If Cain had said Canada has one-third the number of CT scanners of the United States, he would have been correct and then we could have examined whether this lack of capacity really does make Canada\u2019s system inferior."]},{"id":"4191.json","label":"false","statement":"Says over 50 percent of U.S. job growth in June came from Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the Wisconsin Republican Party claimed that over 50 percent of U.S. job growth in June came from Wisconsin, there is no evidence to support this claim. The evidence provided does not confirm that Wisconsin contributed over 50 percent of U.S. job growth in June. It is important to rely on accurate data and statistics when making such claims, and the available evidence does not support the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The state Republican Party issued a news release with this statement: \"Today, we learned that over 50 percent of U.S. job growth in June came from our state.\"","In looking back at the various statements, some clearly went further than others -- and further than Walker\u2019s original tweet. Many of the strongest comparisons seem to take the lead from the state GOP, which claimed \"over 50 percent of U.S. job growth in June came from our state.\"","Wisconsin\u2019s national job-growth ranking of 37th was highlighted in December when quarterly jobs data through June 2013 was released. Other figures suggest that Walker, now in the final year of his term, is only about 40 percent of the way to his goal of creating 250,000 private sector jobs in his four-year term.","But we wondered if, in the past six years, U.S. job growth has surpassed other leading economies by such a wide margin."]},{"id":"9375.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Less than 5 percent of registered users in states allowing medical marijuana have cancer or AIDS.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the information provided. The source cited, \"Don't Let Florida Go To Pot,\" claims that less than 5 percent of registered users in states allowing medical marijuana have cancer or AIDS. This information is attributed to the Florida Sheriffs Association. However, it's important to note that while cancer and AIDS are commonly cited as qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, there are other legitimate reasons for individuals to use medical marijuana, such as pain relief. Additionally, the accuracy of this statistic may vary across different states due to variations in reporting methods and regulations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Don\u2019t Let Florida Go To Pot said \"less than 5 percent of registered users in states allowing medical marijuana have cancer or AIDS.\"","\"Less than 5 percent of registered users in states allowing medical marijuana have cancer or AIDS,\" it says. The site ramped up earlier in May, and is run by St. Petersburg lobbyist group Save Our Society From Drugs. They use information from the Florida Sheriffs Association.","Cancer and AIDS are often cited by proponents of medical marijuana as the diseases that marijuana can help. We were curious to know if it\u2019s true that only 5 percent of patients who use the drug have those two diseases. Let\u2019s check the registries and find out.","The medical marijuana opponents that run the website said they estimated their total using figures from states with current laws allowing the drug. Not all states report figures the same way, however, or may not report them at all. Patients who don\u2019t have cancer or AIDS still may have legitimate reasons to use medical marijuana, including for pain relief."]},{"id":"12954.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hillary [Clinton] wants to raise taxes by over a trillion dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by spokespersons and supporters of Donald Trump, who assert that Hillary Clinton intends to raise taxes by over a trillion dollars. However, it's important to note that this claim is a political assertion and should be viewed within the context of a political campaign. The accuracy of this claim would depend on the specific tax policies proposed by Hillary Clinton and the potential impact on taxpayers. It is crucial to consider multiple sources and analyses to form a comprehensive understanding of the candidates' tax plans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["New Day spokesman Michael Reagan said, \"Hillary Clinton has promised to raise taxes by $1 trillion.\" Pence repeated a similar claim in Pennsylvania during a campaign stop this week, saying \"Hillary wants to raise taxes by over a trillion dollars.\"","\"Polls show Kasich's the only one who can beat Hillary Clinton in the fall. Trump loses. Cruz loses. And Kasich wins in a landslide. Isn't that what this race for president is really about? Becoming president? And if we don't win in November, Hillary Clinton has promised to raise taxes by $1 trillion dollars,\" Reagan says.","The Trump campaign sent an email blast to supporters embedded with a video of a Clinton event in Omaha, Neb., entitled, \"Hillary Clinton says she wants to \u2018raise taxes on the middle class.\u2019\"","The subtitles of Clinton\u2019s speech read: \"Trump wants to cuts taxes for the super rich. Well, we\u2019re not going there, my friends. I\u2019m telling you right now, we\u2019re going to write fairer rules for the middle class and we are going to raise taxes on the middle class.\""]},{"id":"13431.json","label":"true","statement":"Spanish was the first European language spoken in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Spanish was indeed the first European language spoken in what is now the United States. The Spanish language was brought to the continent by Spanish explorers and settlers, with the establishment of St. Augustine in 1565 being a notable example. Linguist experts support this claim, confirming that Spanish was the initial European language spoken in the region.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And people sometimes forget \u2013 and some may not even know \u2013 that the Hispanic community has been part of our country since the Spanish arrived in St. Augustine in 1565. That was well before the British landed in North America,\" Kaine said Nov. 3. \"Spanish was the first European language spoken in this country.\"","Linguist experts we interviewed all agreed with Kaine, saying he was right about Spanish being the first European language spoken in the United States.","\"Spanish was the first language spoken by conquistadors and settlers who founded St. Augustine (San Agust\u00edn in Spanish, after the saint),\" said Evelina Guzauskyte, an associate professor of Spanish at Wellesley College.","The public health order Title 42 is \"the last tool Border Patrol has to stop the overwhelming flood of illegal immigrants pouring into our country.\u201d"]},{"id":"11012.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"By one leading measure, what business owners pay out in wages and salaries is now finally growing faster than what they spend on health insurance for the first time in 17 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that wages and salaries are growing faster than health insurance costs for the first time in 17 years, as supported by data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Specifically, the data shows that during the 12-month period from March 2014 to March 2015, wages grew by 2.6 percent, while health care costs increased by 2.5 percent. However, it's important to note that experts caution that the role of the Affordable Care Act in this dynamic is still uncertain, and further data may provide different results.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"By one leading measure, what business owners pay out in wages and salaries is now finally growing faster than what they spend on health insurance. That hasn't happened in 17 years,\" he said on June 25.","Obama said, \"by one leading measure, what business owners pay out in wages and salaries is now finally growing faster than what they spend on health insurance\" for the first time in 17 years, and he credited the Affordable Care Act.","The data shows that, in the past 17 years, wages grew faster than health care in just one 12-month period, and it was recently: from March 2014 to March 2015. Health care costs grew by 2.5 percent, compared to a 2.6 percent rise in wages.","His claim is backed by numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that compare change in costs over a 12-month period: Wages grew faster than health care costs for the first time since 1998 between March 2014 and March 2015. Experts say Obama used the BLS data accurately and reasonably. They did caution that the law's role in this dynamic is still uncertain, and more data may show different results."]},{"id":"10478.json","label":"true","statement":"If someone is in a room that has measles and leaves and you walk in two hours later, you could get measles from that person.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the measles virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. If someone enters a room where an infected person was present within that timeframe, they could potentially contract measles if they are not immune to the virus.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Cohen said, \"If someone is in a room that has measles and leaves and you walk in two hours later, you could get measles from that person.\"","\"It\u2019s airborne,\" she told Anderson Cooper on Feb. 2. \"If someone is in a room that has measles and leaves and you walk in two hours later, you could get measles from that person.\"","CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen said it doesn\u2019t even take a kiss to spread it. \"It\u2019s airborne,\" she told Anderson Cooper on Feb. 2. \"If someone is in a room that has measles and leaves and you walk in two hours later, you could get measles from that person.\"","She\u2019s right. The measles virus stays in the nose and throat mucus of someone who has the infection and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the measles virus can live for up to two hours on a surface or in an airspace where the infected person coughed or sneezed."]},{"id":"7189.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Senate will have a record number of female senators in 2013.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the provided evidence, the Senate was set to have a record number of female senators in 2013. The evidence mentions that with the election of five women, four of them Democrats, there would be a total of 20 female senators when the new Congress convened in January 2013. This would surpass the previous record of 17 women serving in the chamber. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The story says five women, four of them Democrats, won first terms in the Senate, the results meaning that when the new Congress convenes in January 2013, 20 members will be women. \"Currently, 17 women--which had been the record--serve in the chamber,\" the story says, adding that Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Hutchison are retiring.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","Hutchison, a Republican, added that while she\u2019s leaving the 100-member body, she departs knowing that \"January will see the greatest number of female senators in our nation\u2019s history.\"","By email, Hutchison spokesman Tom Flanagin pointed out a Bloomberg News article posted online Nov. 7, 2012, opening: \"Women will occupy a record number of U.S. Senate seats--one in five--in January, following victories in yesterday\u2019s balloting.\""]},{"id":"4651.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"About 57 percent of registered Democrats in the new (9th Congressional) district come from my old district.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Dennis Kucinich that approximately 57 percent of registered Democrats in the new 9th Congressional district come from his old district. This claim is supported by data analysis conducted by the Plain Dealer, which found that roughly 50 percent of the Democrats in the new district come from Kucinich's previous district. While Kucinich slightly overstated the percentage, the statement remains largely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In a stunning development, the redistricting gave most of the Republican part of my old district to three incumbent Republican congressmen and left most of the Democratic part of my district intact,\" Kucinich\u2019s email said. \"As a result, about 57 percent of registered Democrats in the new district come from my old district. With your help I clearly have a good chance to be able to continue to serve the people of Ohio.\"","Plain Dealer Data Analysis Editor Rich Exner examined precinct-level voting records from all three former congressional districts. He found that roughly 75,000 voters in the new district identify themselves as Democrats, and 32,000 as Republicans. Roughly 50 percent of those Democrats come from Kucinich\u2019s old turf, while 26 percent come from Kaptur\u2019s district, and 24 percent are from Sutton\u2019s area.","By our calculations, Kucinich overstated the percentage of Democratic voters from his old district that will carry over into the new one. But he is pretty close and he is correct that the largest portion of the new district\u2019s registered Democrats are part of his old 10th District territory.","\"So 54 percent of the registered Democrats from my district are in a new district, and 34 percent are from Ms. Kaptur\u2019s district, and 12 percent from Ms. Sutton\u2019s district,\" he told Truthdig on Oct. 6. \"At this point, it looks like I\u2019m headed for a primary against my friend from Toledo, Marcy Kaptur.\""]},{"id":"2744.json","label":"half-true","statement":"She led the fight to stop health insurance rate hikes and saved Rhode Island families over $150 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the television ad about Elizabeth Roberts leading the fight to stop health insurance rate hikes and saving Rhode Island families over $150 million. However, it's important to note that the savings mentioned primarily benefit businesses rather than individual families, as employees typically contribute a portion of the premium in employer-sponsored health plans. Additionally, the $150 million figure represents an estimate of the aggregate incremental costs that employers would have paid for health insurance if the rates submitted by insurers had been approved. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In her television ad called \"Clear,\"( \"television ad called \"Clear,\"\") a narrator says: \"Elizabeth Roberts? She led the fight to stop health insurance rate hikes and saved Rhode Island families over $150 million dollars.\"","So what you see is a claim that Roberts \"stopped insurance rate hikes\" and what you hear is \"led the fight to stop health insurance rate hikes.\"","One other important point: Roberts talks about saving Rhode Island families over $150 million dollars. But in employer-sponsored health plans, employees usually pay a portion of the premium. It's the businesses that save most of the money. In addition, many employees do not have families.","As for the $150 million estimate, Koller told us in an email that \"the 150 figure was my office's estimate, at that time, of the annual aggregate incremental costs which employers would have paid for health insurance had the rates submitted by the three insurers been approved.\""]},{"id":"2154.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Tim Pawlenty has cut education funding in Minnesota. Classrooms are overcrowded. Districts have gone to four-day school weeks.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some school districts in Minnesota have implemented four-day school weeks and that classrooms in the state are overcrowded, the claim that Tim Pawlenty cut education funding in Minnesota is misleading. In non-inflation-adjusted dollars, education funding actually increased during Pawlenty's tenure as governor. However, it is worth noting that the increase in funding may not have kept up with the rising cost of education in the state, resulting in a decrease in schools' purchasing power. Therefore, while the claim about overcrowded classrooms and four-day school weeks is accurate, the assertion that Pawlenty cut education funding is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Behind sunny images of children in classrooms and on school buses, smiling or talking with Dayton, a voice intones, \"Tim Pawlenty has cut education funding in Minnesota. Classrooms are overcrowded. Districts have gone to four-day school weeks.\"","It was also easy to verify Dayton\u2019s claim that school districts have gone to four-day weeks. At least 10 districts have had four-day schedules for at least a year, and another two are considering such a switch. Most superintendents cite a tighter state budget as the catalyst for the new schedule.","But Dayton\u2019s claim that Pawlenty cut education funding is misleading. In non-inflation-adjusted dollars, education funding increased -- though perhaps not quickly enough to keep up with the cost of education in Minnesota. While the schools' actual purchasing power decreased over those seven years, their budgets were not cut.","A quick study of a Department of Education survey showed that Minnesota's elementary and secondary classrooms are more crowded than classrooms in at least two-thirds of other states. The state's average class size is also significantly larger than the national average."]},{"id":"3843.json","label":"true","statement":"It is a greater crime to have an untagged alligator than to host an open house party (for kids).","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Possessing an untagged alligator in Florida is considered a felony and can result in up to five years of imprisonment. On the other hand, hosting an open house party with underage drinking is currently classified as a misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of one year in jail. While there are discussions about potential changes to the open house party law, as of the given evidence, possessing an untagged alligator carries a more severe penalty than hosting such a party.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It is a greater crime to have an untagged alligator than to host an open house party (for kids),\" she was quoted as saying.","Passidomo claimed that \"it is a greater crime to have an untagged alligator than to host an open house party (for kids),\" referring to a party with underage drinking. Possessing an untagged alligator is a felony that can land someone in prison for five years in Florida. The open house party law as of June 2011 is a misdemeanor -- and if the governor signs a revised version, it will remain a misdemeanor. However, it will move up from second- to first-degree in some circumstances, resulting in a maximum of one year in jail. We rate this claim True.","We wanted to check: Is the penalty more severe for having an untagged alligator than hosting an underage drinking party? And is that about to change?","\"When you host -- no matter how poorly thought out -- a party of underage teenagers where there is drinking, it's clearly not the intent of the homeowner that they get drunk and kill someone,\" he said in an interview."]},{"id":"10885.json","label":"true","statement":"We spend more money on lobbying than we do on campaigns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to federal expenditure data, more money is indeed spent on lobbying than on political campaigns. This has been the case in every election cycle since 2008. The comparison takes into account expenditures tied to candidates, parties, Super PACs, and unreported dark money. While the statement focuses on federal-level spending, it is important to note that the comparison may not hold true at the state or local levels.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Big government becomes big by being deeply involved in the allocation of wealth and opportunity,\" Will said on May 31, 2015. \"Lobbyists are important. That's why we spend more money on lobbying than we do on campaigns. They become important precisely because they know how complicated the government is, where the levers and pulleys and widgets are, to make it work. And he made the most of that value.\"","Will said that more money is spent on lobbying than on campaigns. In terms of the expenditures reported at the federal level, that is correct. In every election cycle since 2008, more money has gone toward lobbying than elections.","In every election cycle since 2008, more money has gone into lobbying at the federal level than into political campaigns. The campaign totals include money tied to candidates, the parties, Super PACs and so-called dark money that largely goes unreported. As this table shows, the pattern holds even in presidential election years. The dollar amounts are in billions.","We were intrigued with Will\u2019s comparison of lobbying and campaigns and decided to look into the numbers. We reached out to Will, and while we didn\u2019t hear back, we suspect he based his statement on federal expenditure data."]},{"id":"1013.json","label":"true","statement":"Senators who have accepted millions in campaign contributions from the financial industry voted against allowing bankruptcy judges to modify home mortgages.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the fact-checking analysis. Senators who received significant campaign contributions from the financial industry did vote against allowing bankruptcy judges to modify home mortgages. The analysis by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics confirms the correlation between campaign contributions and voting patterns. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Getting back to the ads, MoveOn says the senators voted with Wall Street and the banks after accepting campaign contributions from them. We can't say if there is a cause and effect, but MoveOn is right about how the senators voted. MoveOn approximates numbers for the campaign contributions \u2014 and clearly labels them approximations \u2014 and those numbers closely track the actual data from the Center for Responsive Politics. We rule MoveOn's collective statement that senators accepted millions in campaign contributions and voted against cramdown legislation as True.","We wanted to check MoveOn's math about what the senators had collected from the financial industry. We turned to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which analyzes campaign contributions.","Federal or state laws can govern the bankruptcy process, and rules differ by state. But under federal rules, judges can't change the terms of a home mortgage. They can, however, modify the terms of any mortgage that is not a primary residence, such as vacation homes.","With record numbers of foreclosures looming, consumer advocates have been hoping Congress would make it easier for people in bankruptcy to have their home mortgages modified."]},{"id":"12148.json","label":"true","statement":"When it comes to fighting terrorism, Another thing we know that does not work, based on lots of empirical evidence, is torture.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the consensus among policy experts and empirical evidence that torture is not an effective method in fighting terrorism. Numerous studies and reports have shown that torture not only violates human rights but also produces unreliable information and can be counterproductive in gathering intelligence. The use of torture is widely condemned by international organizations and experts in the field. Therefore, the statement is supported by empirical evidence and expert consensus.\nLabel: true","evidence":["For example, the FBI\u2019s Counterterrorism\/Counterintelligence Decision Unit spent about $3.3 billion in 2015, and asked for about the same amount in 2016. The CIA and the National Security Agency also work to thwart terrorism. While we don\u2019t know to what degree those agencies are funded, documents leaked by NSA contractor Edward Snowden showed that in 2013, more than $16 billion was spent to combat terrorism.","\"Well, the first thing we should do is identify the evil we are fighting,\" Cruz said. \"The fact that President Obama will not identify, he literally will not utter the words \u2018radical Islamic terrorism\u2019 and as matter of policy, nobody in the administration will say the words \u2018radical Islamic terrorism.\u2019\"","But here\u2019s the thing: Policy experts said it\u2019s hard to draw a tidy line between how much of the defense budget is for current operations and how much is for general readiness. The military needs its base budget in order to conduct the fighting for which the OCO was created.","But money for fighting wars comes from the so-called Overseas Contingency Operations fund, which was established after the Sept. 11 attacks. It currently includes funding for the air campaign against ISIS, but also maintaining a presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. Initiatives to assist with counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East and NATO allies in Europe concerned about Russian aggression also come out of the OCO."]},{"id":"1493.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"So far, the Recovery Act is responsible for the jobs of about 2 million Americans who would otherwise be unemployed. ... [And] the Recovery Act is on track to save or create another 1.5 million jobs in 2010.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the Recovery Act was responsible for creating jobs for approximately 2 million Americans who would have otherwise been unemployed. This claim is supported by estimates from independent, nonpartisan economists. However, the second part of the statement, regarding the Recovery Act being on track to save or create another 1.5 million jobs in 2010, is not explicitly supported by the evidence provided. While the claim is based on a report from the Council of Economic Advisers, it does not provide independent analyses to verify the accuracy of this specific projection. Therefore, the first part of the statement is true, but the second part lacks sufficient evidence to be classified as true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"So far, the Recovery Act is responsible for the jobs of about 2 million Americans who would otherwise be unemployed. ... And the Recovery Act is on track to save or create another 1.5 million jobs in 2010.\"","\"So far,\" he said, \"the Recovery Act is responsible for the jobs of about 2 million Americans who would otherwise be unemployed. These aren't just our numbers; these are the estimates of independent, nonpartisan economists across the spectrum. ... And the Recovery Act is on track to save or create another 1.5 million jobs in 2010.\"","Now let's look at Obama's second statistic -- that the stimulus \"is on track to save or create another 1.5 million jobs in 2010.\" By saying that, Obama was repeating a CEA claim from its Jan. 13, 2010, report. To see if the administration is right, let's look at the independent analyses.","Congressional Budget Office, estimate of the economic effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (letter to Sen. Charles Grassley), March 2, 2009"]},{"id":"8249.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Minnesota is kicking butt relative to Wisconsin on everything from employment and job creation to school test scores, educated work force and a host of other factors and rankings","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by a Minnesota state representative that Minnesota is outperforming Wisconsin in various areas such as employment, job creation, school test scores, and workforce education. However, it's important to note that this claim is subjective and lacks specific data or rankings to support it. While there may be some evidence to suggest that Minnesota performs better than Wisconsin in certain areas, it is not accurate to claim superiority in \"everything\" without providing more comprehensive and objective data.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A Minnesota state representative said \"Minnesota is kicking butt relative to Wisconsin on everything from employment and job creation to school test scores, educated workforce and a host of other factors and rankings.\"","Comparing the two states for business, Atkins said: \"Minnesota is kicking butt relative to Wisconsin on everything from employment and job creation to school test scores, educated workforce and a host of other factors and rankings.\"","\"The objective data shows that, frankly, Minnesota is kicking butt relative to Wisconsin on everything from employment and job creation to school test scores, educated workforce and a host of other factors and rankings,\" he said, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.","In September 2013, we rated Half True a Minnesota lawmaker\u2019s claim that the Gopher State is \"kicking butt relative to Wisconsin\" on employment, school test scores, workforce education and other rankings."]},{"id":"11779.json","label":"false","statement":"Every piece of legislation, just about, that I ever introduced (in the U.S. Senate) had a Republican co-sponsor.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hillary Clinton, claiming that \"just about every piece of legislation\" she introduced in the U.S. Senate had a Republican co-sponsor, is not accurate. The Clinton campaign later clarified that she meant to say that \"just about every Republican senator she served with co-sponsored a piece of legislation she introduced.\" However, this revised statement still does not align with the facts. There is evidence that Clinton introduced legislation without Republican co-sponsors during her time in the Senate. Therefore, the original statement and its revised version are both inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But if someone says, as Clinton did, that \"Just about every piece of legislation I introduced had a Republican co-sponsor,\" we think most listeners would expect better than 30 percent of the legislation introduced by Clinton would include a GOP co-sponsor.","\"When I was in the Senate, of course I had to work with Republicans. I think every piece of legislation, just about, that I ever introduced had a Republican co-sponsor,\" she said at a campaign organizing event in Toledo, a small town between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.","When we heard back from the Clinton campaign, spokesman Josh Schwerin said, \"She meant to say, 'Just about every Republican senator I served with co-sponsored a piece of legislation I introduced.'\"","Her campaign says she meant to cast the statement differently, but we cannot rule based on what candidates intended to say. Clinton introduced a significant amount of legislation without Republican co-sponsors."]},{"id":"8355.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On support for Common Core education standards","reason":"Reason: Governor Walker initially showed support for the Common Core education standards during his first term but later expressed concerns and called for a repeal. However, it is important to note that his support was initially tacit, and he became more critical of the standards over time. While there were instances of cooperation and implementation between Walker and education officials, there was also criticism and opposition to the Common Core standards. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the adoption of Common Core standards by states was voluntary, and no state was required to adhere to them. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["During most of his first term, the governor showed tacit support. By mid-2013, he was hitting the pause button on further implementation of the standards. In mid-2014, Walker called for an outright repeal. But by January 2015, he was saying only that he didn\u2019t want school districts required to use Common Core.","In April 2013, Alan J. Borsuk, an education fellow at Marquette University, observed in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel commentary that nearly three years after its adoption in Wisconsin, Common Core was little known outside of education circles. Walker \"has been low key in his support, but nonetheless has been on board,\" Borsuk wrote. \"Implementation is one of the things that Walker and Evers have cooperated on. There is criticism and opposition, but it has been pretty low volume.\"","The Obama administration has used its education grant process, Race to the Top, to encourage states to use the new standards, but no state is required to adhere to Common Core.","Common Core refers to a set of national education standards adopted by 45 states, including Florida. They came out of years of discussion between private nonprofit groups and state education departments."]},{"id":"9575.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mitch McConnell voted to raise Medicare costs for a current Kentucky senior by $6,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that Mitch McConnell voted to raise Medicare costs for a current Kentucky senior by $6,000 is not supported by evidence. The $6,000 figure refers to a hypothetical scenario in which Medicare changes to a more privatized system, and it measures the average out-of-pocket costs for new seniors in 2022. However, individuals who turned 65 prior to 2022, like the retiree mentioned in the ad, would remain in the current Medicare system and would not experience the mentioned cost increase. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, rating it as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the Grimes campaign ad, a Kentucky resident claims that McConnell \"voted to raise my medicare costs by $6,000.\" The $6,000 figure cited in multiple studies measures a specific amount: The average out-of-pocket costs a new senior would pay in 2022 if Medicare changed to a more privatized system. People who turned 65 prior to 2022, like the retiree in Grimes\u2019 ad, would remain in the current Medicare system and would not incur those costs.","\"I want to know how you could have voted to raise my Medicare costs by $6,000,\" says Don Disney. \"How are my wife and I supposed to afford that?\"","PolitiFact, \" Barack Obama ad says Paul Ryan\u2019s Medicare plan could raise costs for Medicare beneficiaries by $6,000 each,\" Aug. 23, 2012","Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes recently accused incumbent Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of supporting a $6,000 per year increase in Medicare costs for beneficiaries -- another once-popular claim resurfacing. We\u2019ve rated that False."]},{"id":"2978.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas children may have a teacher who never spent one minute practicing teaching.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concern raised by Representative Villarreal regarding the possibility of Texas children having teachers who lack any experience in practicing teaching. While there is no precise count available, it is acknowledged that schools in Austin and Texas can hire teachers without any prior teaching experience. The legislation proposed by Villarreal aims to address this issue by requiring teacher candidates to complete 15 hours of practice teaching, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience in the classroom. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Parents are shocked when I tell them that their children may have a teacher who never spent one minute practicing teaching but is now responsible for educating a classroom full of kids,\" Villarreal said in a Nov. 30 press release. \"If we are serious about improving education, we need to listen to the research about the importance of student teaching. We shouldn't hand the classroom over to a teacher who has never stood in front of a class and taught a lesson.\"","We did not find a precise count of teachers in Austin or Texas public schools who started without teaching practice, though, significantly, it's undisputed that schools can \u2014 and do \u2014 hire teachers lacking even a minute of experience teaching a class.","In an interview, Janice Lopez, the education agency's director of educator standards, told us the law doesn't require that those 15 hours in the classroom are spent teaching. \"We require that they go through training and hopefully that training is interactive \u2014 interacting with students while observing a certified teacher,\" Lopez said.","According to Villarreal's press release, his legislation \"would require a teacher candidate to undertake 15 hours of practice teaching to become full-time teachers... this legislation would ensure that the 15 hours on campus are spent delivering lesson plans rather than merely observing, assisting with administrative functions or attending school events.\""]},{"id":"13277.json","label":"true","statement":"Marco Rubio made it clear: Not only does he think Donald Trump is a con man, hewent on to say he doesnt trust Donald Trump with the nuclear codes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Marco Rubio regarding Donald Trump. Rubio has indeed referred to Trump as a con man and has expressed concerns about trusting him with the nuclear codes. These statements were made by Rubio on multiple occasions, as confirmed by various sources. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Marco Rubio made it clear: Not only does he think Donald Trump is a con man, he went on to say he doesn't trust Donald Trump with the nuclear codes.\"","Murphy said Rubio \"made it clear, not only does he think Donald Trump is a con man, he went on to say he doesn't trust Donald Trump with the nuclear codes.\"","\"My opponent, Marco Rubio, made it clear: Not only does he think Donald Trump is a con man, he went on to say he doesn't trust Donald Trump with the nuclear codes,\" Murphy said in Orlando on Oct. 17.","Murphy is right \u2014 Rubio has not held back in his words against Trump. On multiple occasions, Rubio referred to Trump as a con man or con artist and said he doesn\u2019t trust Trump with the nuclear codes."]},{"id":"247.json","label":"true","statement":"Romney refused to pardon \"a decorated soldier\" returning from Iraq who had been charged with a crime involving a BB gun when he was 13.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the case described by Mike Huckabee regarding a soldier named Anthony Circosta. Circosta, a decorated soldier who served in Iraq and was awarded a Bronze Star, sought a pardon to become a police officer but was denied by then-Governor Mitt Romney. The incident involved a minor offense when Circosta was 13 years old, where he shot another boy with a BB gun without causing any injury. The accuracy of this statement is supported by multiple sources, including the Associated Press and other publications.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Huckabee cited one case involving \"a decorated soldier\" who wanted to become a police officer but still had a criminal record from a minor incident when he was 13 years old and shot another boy with a BB gun. \"Didn't even break the skin,\" Huckabee said on NBC's Today Show on Dec. 19.","Romney refused all pardon requests in his four years as governor. \"I didn't pardon anybody as governor because I didn't want to overturn a jury,\" he said during a June 2007 debate.","Huckabee is accurately describing the case of a soldier named Anthony Circosta of Agawam, Mass., a member of the Army National Guard who fought in Iraq and was awarded a Bronze Star. He then sought a pardon so he could become a police officer, but was turned down. Circosta did not return a phone call from PolitiFact this week, but Huckabee's description of the case is supported by accounts in the Associated Press and other publications.","Obama \"refused to not only put his hand on his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, but refused to say the pledge.\""]},{"id":"10338.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States decided waterboarding was torture back when we court-martialed American soldiers for waterboarding Philippine insurgents in the Philippine revolution.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical context provided by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. During the Philippine revolution in the late 19th century, the United States did court-martial American soldiers for waterboarding Philippine insurgents, which indicates that the practice was considered torture at that time. This historical precedent supports the claim that the United States had already recognized waterboarding as torture in the past.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Sheldon Whitehouse said the United States \"decided waterboarding was torture back when we court-martialed American soldiers for waterboarding Philippine insurgents in the Philippine revolution.\"","\"We decided that waterboarding was torture back when we court-martialed American soldiers for waterboarding Philippine insurgents during the Philippine revolution,\" Whitehouse said.","Because the Philippine revolution, which dates back to the 1890s, is the earliest reference Whitehouse made, we decided to check out that part of his statement.","\"We decided waterboarding was torture when we prosecuted Japanese soldiers as war criminals for waterboarding Americans during World War II, and we decided waterboarding was torture when the American court system described waterboarding as torture when Ronald Reagan and his Department of Justice prosecuted a Texas sheriff and several of his associates for waterboarding detainees.\""]},{"id":"181.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Well, you know, the Teamsters wanted to drill in Alaska. I voted against drilling in Alaska. So it's not like I'm a slam dunk on every issue.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that the Teamsters, a labor union, supported oil exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, it correctly states that the speaker, Kucinich, voted against drilling in Alaska. This demonstrates that Kucinich's position on the issue was not aligned with the Teamsters' stance. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"She said, you know, 'I voted for it, but I hoped it wouldn't pass.' That was a quote on live TV.\"","Kucinich, a House member from Ohio, responded with this statement, which we find to be True. In 2001, Teamsters officials lobbied Capitol Hill in favor of oil exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.","\"It's time for America to have what it has lacked for too long: a responsible, realistic energy plan that meets our needs and protects our future,\" Jerry Hood, a Teamsters leader from Alaska, said at a news conference on July 31, 2001.","One day later, Kucinich voted against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge when he voted \"yes\" for an amendment that would have removed proexploration provisions from an energy bill. He cites threats to the environment and human rights in his opposition to exploration."]},{"id":"11377.json","label":"false","statement":"HIV\/AIDS among women is skyrocketing in Austin.","reason":"Reason: The statement that HIV\/AIDS among women is skyrocketing in Austin is not accurate. While it is true that African-Americans, including black women, have been disproportionately affected by HIV\/AIDS, the incidence rates for HIV\/AIDS among women in Travis County, where Austin is located, have actually declined for most of the past decade. While there may still be disparities and challenges in addressing HIV\/AIDS in certain communities, it is important to rely on accurate and up-to-date data when making claims about the prevalence of the disease.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"HIV\/AIDS among women is skyrocketing in Austin,\" Austin City Council Member Ora Houston told council colleagues Sept. 8, 2015, \"and we need to do some specific targeting for that.\"","Houston, asked how she reached her \"skyrocketing\" declaration, told us by phone she misspoke. \"The larger issue is what do we do to save the women in my community infected with HIV\/AIDS,\" she said.","Also, it turns out, Houston wasn\u2019t right about HIV and AIDS among Austin women \"skyrocketing.\" Yet for decades and across the nation, African-Americans have been the racial group hardest hit--with black women the most disproportionately affected. It\u2019s a wide gap that similarly persists in Travis County.","That\u2019s not so. While black women have persistently been diagnosed with HIV\/AIDS at higher rates than other women, HIV\/AIDS incidence rates for Travis County women declined for most of the past decade."]},{"id":"3892.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Craig Huey called Planned Parenthood a murder mill.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Craig Huey did indeed refer to Planned Parenthood as a \"murder mill\" on his website. Despite claiming that a campaign staffer wrote the phrase, Huey has stood by it, indicating his endorsement of the statement. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"But which one called Planned Parenthood a 'murder mill'? Only Craig Huey. We don't need Craig Huey's extremist right wing agenda.\"","In this item, we are going to focus our fact-check on the claim that Huey called Planned Parenthood a \"murder mill.\" In a separate item we will focus on whether both Palin and Huey \"would ban a woman's right to choose in every case.\"","We\u2019re fact-checking two claims in this ad. In a separate item, we looked at whether Huey called Planned Parenthood a \"murder mill.\" Huey claims a campaign staffer actually wrote that phrase on his political blog, but since it\u2019s his website, he\u2019s standing by it. We rated the claim True.","It remains to be seen whether linking Palin to an opponent can be an effective political strategy (much as many tried to tie Republican presidential candidates to George W. Bush in the 2008 campaign) but as for the claim that Huey called Planned Parenthood a \"murder mill,\" it's on Huey's website, and he stands by it. We rule the ad's claims True."]},{"id":"10266.json","label":"false","statement":"The conviction rate is almost exactly the same for whites and blacks who commit murder.","reason":"Reason: Giuliani's claim that the conviction rate is almost the same for whites and blacks who commit murder is not supported by the evidence. While it is true that the number of arrests for violent crimes may differ between whites and blacks, it does not necessarily indicate that the conviction rates are similar. The evidence provided does not directly address the conviction rates for murder specifically. Additionally, there is a widespread perception and research indicating racial disparities in the criminal justice system, suggesting that black Americans may face disadvantages. Therefore, Giuliani's claim is not accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["His claim about even conviction rates surprised us, given the widespread perception that black Americans are disadvantaged in the criminal justice system. So we decided to take a closer look at Giuliani\u2019s claim that \"the conviction rate is almost exactly the same\" for whites and blacks who commit murder.","\"And the idea that whites do not go to jail for killing blacks,\" he said. \"First of all, only about 3 percent of whites kill blacks. They go to jail at approximately the same percentage as blacks go to jail. The conviction rate is almost exactly the same. The difference is, it\u2019s a very rare exception when a white kills a black.\"","Kohn used this method herself when she talked about incarceration rates for blacks compared to whites. It is true that blacks are imprisoned at about six times the rate as whites, but the source she used compared the incarceration rates for every 100,000 blacks and whites.","Drawing on the 2012 figures, whites were arrested for over 275,000 violent crimes. For blacks, the number is about 170,000. So while whites were arrested more, the arrest rate for blacks is nearly four times that for whites."]},{"id":"7657.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rick Scott has paid down our debt by about $2 billion. Charlie Crists debt went up about $5 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Rick Scott's claim that he paid down the state debt by approximately $2 billion during his tenure as governor. However, it is important to note that the claim about Charlie Crist's debt increasing by about $5 billion lacks sufficient evidence. While it is true that the total debt fell during Scott's term, the specific figures for Charlie Crist's debt increase are not provided in the evidence. Therefore, the statement regarding Charlie Crist's debt increase cannot be verified.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In the four years before I became governor, we increased state debt $5.2 billion. We've paid it down $2 billion,\" Scott said in response to a question about possibly running against Crist during a December interview with CBS-4 Miami. \"That\u2019s going to cost you money down the road, so we\u2019re doing the right thing.\"","Now, this doesn't mean Scott's figure is off from the get-go. That $28.2 billion figure includes $23.6 billion for \"net tax-supported debt\" and $4.6 billion for \"self-supporting debt.\"","All of that said, no one denies the total debt fell sharply with Scott, who is famously debt-averse. It\u2019s short of his $2 billion talking point now, but it probably won\u2019t be when we get an analysis of debt from the 2012-13 budget, said Kurt Wenner, Florida TaxWatch vice president of tax research.","In his first year, Scott vetoed $474 million in bonds, including dozens of improvement and construction projects at state colleges and universities. Scott lowered debt issuance to $416 million, its lowest level since 1990 and significantly less than the $2 billion yearly average for the previous decade."]},{"id":"3981.json","label":"false","statement":"(New Jersey Network) is the only news station which covers New Jersey government.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Weinberg that NJN is the only news station covering New Jersey government is inaccurate. There are other television stations that cover government affairs in the state through news programs and political talk shows. While NJN may have had a specific focus on New Jersey government, it is not the sole news station providing coverage on this topic. The statement fails to acknowledge the presence of other news outlets that also report on New Jersey government affairs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Weinberg said NJN is the \" only news station which covers New Jersey government,\" but other television stations clearly cover government in the Garden State through news and political talk shows.","The only news station covering New Jersey government? It didn\u2019t take long for PolitiFact New Jersey to realize Weinberg was wrong.","Using bold and italics in the following statement, Weinberg went on to say: \"NJN is the only news station which covers New Jersey government. Their public affairs and interview shows as well as the nightly news will be no longer. We still don't have the detail on this, and once the state report is officially released, the Legislature will have 15 days to respond or the \u2018give-away\u2019 is considered approved.\"","Weinberg acknowledged in a phone interview that other stations provide news coverage and said she could have been more articulate in her statement. She maintained that NJN is the only network providing regular nightly news shows focused on New Jersey government."]},{"id":"10843.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The highest economic growth decade was the 1960s. Income tax rates were 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bill Gates' claim that the highest economic growth decade was the 1960s and that income tax rates were 90 percent during that time. However, it's important to note that the marginal tax rate during the 1960s did not consistently remain at 90 percent. While the marginal tax rate did reach as high as 90 percent for the highest income brackets, it eventually fell to 70 percent during that decade. Despite this discrepancy, the 1960s did indeed experience high economic growth, with an average annual growth rate of around 4.3 percent, which is higher than any other post-World War II period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The \"highest economic growth decade was the 1960s. Income tax rates were 90 percent,\" Gates told CNN\u2019s Fareed Zakaria. \"I mean, the idea that there's some direct connection that all these innovators are on strike because tax rates are at 35 percent on corporations, that's just such nonsense.\"","\"The highest economic growth decade was the 1960s. Income tax rates were 90 percent,\" he said on CNN\u2019s Fareed Zakaria GPS May 17, 2015. \"I mean, the idea that there's some direct connection that all these innovators are on strike because tax rates are at 35 percent on corporations, that's just such nonsense.\"","Gates said that in the 1960s, high taxes, 90 percent, and high economic growth came at the same time. The underlying reasons are complicated, but the numbers largely bear out. On average, annual growth was about 4.3 percent for the decade, higher than any other post-World War II period. Gates was a bit off in talking about a 90 percent tax rate. During the 1960s, the marginal rate fell for a time to 70 percent.","Using inflation-corrected rates of growth in the Gross Domestic Product, the 1960s indeed has the highest yearly average growth, 4.36 percent, since World War II"]},{"id":"11349.json","label":"false","statement":"Obamacare doesnt require members of Congress to abide by the same rules that all of the other Americans do.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Members of Congress are indeed required to abide by the same rules as other Americans under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). They are not exempt from the provisions of the law and are subject to the same requirements and regulations regarding healthcare coverage. While there was a period of confusion and controversy regarding the interpretation of certain provisions, it was ultimately resolved, and members of Congress are treated the same as other Americans when it comes to healthcare coverage under Obamacare.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Walker said Obamacare doesn\u2019t require members of Congress \"to abide by the same rules that all of the other Americans do.\"","Walker used similar logic in his claim that Obamacare doesn\u2019t require members of Congress \"to abide by the same rules that all of the other Americans do.\"","\"Day One, I\u2019m going to sign an executive order that gets rid of the special carve out that President Obama gave to the Congress that doesn\u2019t require them to abide by the same rules that all of the other Americans do in terms of Obamacare.\"","So, members of Congress were like most Americans, covered through their employer with the employer picking up most of the tab."]},{"id":"11292.json","label":"half-true","statement":"She [Hillary Clinton] has also said unequivocally that she didnt receive classified documents.","reason":"Reason: Hillary Clinton has indeed made statements asserting that she did not receive classified documents on her personal server. She has repeatedly emphasized that she did not send or receive classified material. However, it is important to note that the classification status of some emails on her private server has been a subject of investigation and controversy. While Clinton has maintained her position, the final determination regarding the classification of specific emails is a matter that is still being resolved. Therefore, while Clinton has made statements denying the receipt of classified documents, the complete resolution of this issue is still pending.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We also asked Cicilline\u2019s spokesman, Richard Luchette, to provide his evidence that Clinton has said \"unequivocally\" that she didn\u2019t receive classified documents.","Hillary Clinton has said over and over again that there was no classified material on the private email server she used while secretary of state.","We wondered if Clinton has actually been \"unequivocal\" in her comments about not receiving classified documents on her personal server, so we gathered together some video clips.","\"I have said repeatedly that I did not send nor receive classified material, and I\u2019m very confident that when this entire process plays out that will be understood by everyone,\" she said in Minneapolis in August."]},{"id":"4426.json","label":"false","statement":"Takes credit for reining in state spending when he was governor.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the statement is false. During Allen's tenure as governor, general fund spending actually increased by a significant amount, approximately 46.8 percent. Even after accounting for some spending increases that Allen's aides claim were required, the general fund budget still increased by approximately 20 percent. Therefore, it is inaccurate for Allen to take credit for reining in state spending during his time as governor.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Allen takes credit for \"reining in state spending\" when he was governor. In fact, general fund spending grew by 46.8 percent from the budget Allen inherited when he was inaugurated in January 1994, and the budget he recommended before leaving office in January 1998. Even if you subtract about $1.75 billion in spending increases Allen aides say he was required to authorize, the general fund budget would have increased 20 percent under Allen\u2019s watch.","He says he\u2019ll bring to Washington the same kind of \"sweeping reform\" he brought to Virginia as governor from 1994 to 1998. His campaign web site says that when Allen was governor, \"He challenged critics and sentiment that suggested it couldn\u2019t be done, reining in government spending and substantially reducing the size of the state workforce.\"","Last August, we gave a False rating to Allen\u2019s unqualified boast of \"reigning in\" state spending when he was governor. Spending continued its normal growth pattern during Allen\u2019s term.","Bush came into office in 1999 vowing to use his line-item veto on state spending he didn\u2019t like, and he followed through with a vengeance. He also wanted the state to focus on building reserves."]},{"id":"7113.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she is entering in the most diverse class ever, of U.S. Representatives","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that the incoming class of U.S. Representatives is indeed the most diverse in history. Preliminary counts indicate that there will be a significant number of women, African Americans, and Latinos among the representatives to be sworn in. This aligns with the claim made by U.S. Rep.-elect Ann McLane Kuster that the Democratic caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives will have a majority of women and minorities. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I\u2019m \u2026 entering in the most diverse class ever,\" Kuster told MSNBC\u2019s Melissa Harris-Perry, Sunday, Nov. 11 -- five days after the election. \"The Democratic caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives will be (a) majority of women and minorities. So, that is a wonderful experience. \u2026 I take great pride in that, as well.\"","According to preliminary counts, the incoming class in the House of Representatives, to be sworn in in January, features 78 women, 42 African Americans and 28 Latinos, among the 435 total representatives.","Across the country, voters broke records, electing the most diverse class ever to enter Congress, according to U.S. Rep.-elect Ann McLane Kuster, who will be sworn in in New Hampshire\u2019s 2nd Congressional District in January.","In total, 91 Hispanic representatives have served since Joseph Marion Hernandez, of Florida, became the first in 1822. The current Congress\u2019 class of 24 had been the largest until this month\u2019s election."]},{"id":"7812.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have a tax code that allows groups to use their political operations within the tax code, under the guise of a charity, to use undisclosed millions of dollars to do political campaigns.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Xavier Becerra, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, regarding the tax code allowing groups to use their political operations under the guise of a charity to conduct political campaigns using undisclosed millions of dollars. While the term \"charities\" may not be technically accurate to describe these tax-exempt organizations, the overall point about the ability of certain groups to engage in political activities and keep their donors undisclosed is valid.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We have a tax code that allows groups to use their political operations within the tax code, under the guise of a charity, to use undisclosed millions of dollars to do political campaigns,\" Becerra said.","\u2022 We also checked a claim by the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Xavier Becerra of California. He said, \"We have a tax code that allows groups to use their political operations within the tax code, under the guise of a charity, to use undisclosed millions of dollars to do political campaigns.\"","Becerra said the tax code allows charities to spend undisclosed millions to do political campaigns. Becerra might have used the word \"charities\" too broadly to describe the tax-exempt organizations that rely on this wrinkle of the tax code. Becerra said he was trying to use language that most people would understand instead of the tax code\u2019s technical term of a 501(c)(4) group. He\u2019s right that these organizations can raise millions to engage in politics, and they need not reveal their donors.","As it turns out, Becerra used the wrong word to describe the tax-exempt organizations that rely on this wrinkle of the tax code. \"Charities\" are categorized under a different part of the tax code and they may not undertake any political activity."]},{"id":"6124.json","label":"false","statement":"Congressman Renacci is under FBI investigation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that while the FBI is indeed investigating donations made to Congressman Renacci's campaign, there is no indication that Renacci himself is under investigation. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's statement implies that Renacci is personally under investigation, which is not supported by the available information. In fact, the supervisory senior resident agent of Canton's FBI office confirmed that Renacci is not a target of the investigation. Therefore, the statement that Congressman Renacci is under FBI investigation is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Congressman Jim Renacci is under FBI investigation for taking $110,250 in suspect campaign cash and refuses to return the money,\" Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Jesse Ferguson said in the release.","While it is clear that the FBI is investigating Suarez Corporation\u2019s donations, PolitiFact Ohio had not heard that Renacci himself was under investigation by the FBI.","The Rangel conduct under investigation had nothing to do with Sutton or the donations Rangel made to her campaign. The FBI\u2019s investigation specifically involves donations made to Renacci.","In a June 18 interview, Andrew Hayden, the supervisory senior resident agent of Canton\u2019s Federal Bureau of Investigation office confirmed that Renacci is not a target of the FBI\u2019s investigation."]},{"id":"12353.json","label":"false","statement":"Were the highest taxed nation in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the United States is the \"highest taxed nation in the world\" is not accurate. Multiple sources and experts have confirmed that the United States does not have the highest overall tax burden among advanced industrialized nations. While the United States does have a relatively high corporate tax rate, other countries have higher overall tax rates when considering various factors such as personal income tax, social security contributions, and value-added taxes. Therefore, the claim that the United States is the highest taxed nation in the world is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He then explained why, despite that, he\u2019s still sticking to his guns and giving \"a massive\" tax cut to businesses: \"We\u2019re the highest taxed nation in the world. Our businesses pay more taxes than any businesses in the world. That\u2019s why companies are leaving.\"","A reader asked us if the United States is the \"mostly highly taxed nation in the world,\" so we decided to check it out. Trump\u2019s press office did not respond to an inquiry.","But Trump's comment doesn't cite the corporate tax rate, and he seemed to be discussing overall tax rates when he said the United States is \"the most highly taxed nation in the world.\"","We used a couple of different measurements suggested by experts to determine that no matter how you slice it, the United States is far from the most taxed nation in the world, whether it\u2019s an advanced industrialized economy or not."]},{"id":"5661.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama opposed exploring for energy in Alaska.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that President Obama opposed exploring for energy in some parts of Alaska, it is important to note that his administration did approve drilling in other parts. Therefore, the claim that he opposed exploring for energy in Alaska should be qualified to specify that it refers to certain areas. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad\u2019s first claim is that Obama \"opposed exploring for energy in Alaska.\" We found in a previous fact-check that while Obama opposes exploration in some parts of Alaska, his administration has approved drilling in other parts.","We\u2019ve fact-checked whether Obama opposed exploring for energy in Alaska (Half True -- he opposed it in some parts), whether he gave millions of dollars to Solyndra (a federal program for alternative energy did), and whether Energy Secretary Steven Chu said gas prices should be at European levels (yes, but it was before he joined the administration).","Gas prices have doubled because \"Obama opposed exploring for energy in Alaska. He gave millions of tax dollars to Solyndra, which then went bankrupt. And he blocked the Keystone pipeline. So we will all pay more at the pump.\"","\"Since Obama became president, gas prices have nearly doubled,\" the ad says. \"Obama opposed exploring for energy in Alaska. He gave millions of tax dollars to Solyndra, which then went bankrupt. And he blocked the Keystone pipeline. So we will all pay more at the pump."]},{"id":"13083.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas has lost the most law enforcement officers in the line of duty of any state in America.","reason":"Reason: According to the Texas Municipal Police Association and the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Texas has indeed lost the most law enforcement officers in the line of duty compared to any other state in America. The Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund states that Texas has lost 1,682 officers, which is more than any other state. This information is supported by multiple sources and confirms that Texas has the highest number of law enforcement officer deaths in the line of duty.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Wilkison, CLEAT\u2019s executive director, replied: \"I think there\u2019s a heightened sense of reality because the fear part, of course officers are trained to deal with that. But Texas has lost the most -- and I say that every time you guys invite me on -- Texas has lost the most law enforcement officers in the line of duty of any state in America. So that\u2019s absolutely something they (police officers) are aware of coming into the job, coming into the profession.\"","To our inquiry, a fund spokesman, Steve Groeniger, told us by phone that Wilkison got it right about Texas having the most law enforcement deaths. The fund says on its \"law enforcement facts\" web page: \"New York City has lost more officers in the line of duty than any other department, with 705 deaths. Texas has lost 1,682 officers, more than any other state. The state with the fewest deaths is Vermont, with 23.\"","By telephone, Hickman told us much of the research was undertaken by volunteers connected to the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, which describes itself as the state\u2019s largest union of law enforcement officers.","Among other populous states, per the group, California and New York had lost 1,569 and 1,568 officers, respectively, in the line of duty; Illinois had sustained 1,070 such deaths; and Florida had tallied 757 line-of-duty deaths."]},{"id":"1928.json","label":"true","statement":"Rick Scott has heavily invested in a company that is geared to helping illegal aliens transfer money to family and friends out of the country.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that Rick Scott heavily invested in a company geared towards helping illegal aliens transfer money to family and friends out of the country has been fact-checked and found to be true. It was revealed that Scott had investments in Emida, a company that provides services allowing individuals, including undocumented immigrants, to put money on cell phones for friends and relatives in other countries. While this may not be a direct money transfer service, it does facilitate financial assistance to individuals outside the country. Therefore, the claim is supported by evidence and is rated as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rick Scott \u201chas heavily invested in a company that is geared to helping illegal aliens transfer money to family and friends out of the country.\"","In this Truth-O-Meter item, we explore whether Scott invested in a company that is \"geared to helping illegal aliens transfer money to friends and family out of the country.\"","McCollum sent these fighting words in a press release June 15, 2010: \"In just the latest case of hypocrisy, it was revealed today that Rick Scott has heavily invested in a company that is geared to helping illegal aliens transfer money to family and friends out of the country. ... Rick Scott says he wants to crack down on illegal immigration, but now we find out he has been profiting from illegal immigrants.\"","There is no dispute that Emida could allow illegal immigrants in the U.S. to put money on cell phones for friends and relatives in other countries. Is that the same as a money transfer? Technically, no, but helping a relative keep their cell phone service available is financial help. McCollum's claim was that Scott invested in a company that was \"geared to helping illegal aliens transfer money to family and friends out of the country.\" Emida\u2019s spokesman and its press releases acknowledge that\u2019s the business the company is pursuing. Even if some of Emida's products are just launching this year, news articles since at least 2003 have described the company as providing \"money transfer\" -- even a press release from the company used that phrase in 2004 -- so it is clearly \"geared to\" that business. We rate this claim True."]},{"id":"12958.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Obamas proposed oil tax would cost consumers 24 cents a gallon.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimates provided by various sources regarding the potential cost to consumers if President Obama's proposed oil tax were to be implemented. Estimates range from 22 to 25 cents per gallon, with the majority falling within the 22 to 24 cents range. However, it's important to note that these estimates are not definitive, and there is some uncertainty regarding whether the full tax burden would be passed onto consumers. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the estimated cost, it should be understood that the actual impact on consumers may vary.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Estimates are in the 24 cents range for the $10-per-barrel tax that Obama proposed on oil companies. But it\u2019s not a sure thing, if the tax became law, that all of the tax would be passed onto consumers.","A trade group that should know, the American Petroleum Institute, warned the tax would \"harm consumers.\" But it hedged a bit in saying the tax \"could\" raise the cost of gasoline by 25 cents a gallon.","Economist Nicolas Loris estimated the cost slightly lower, at 22 cents, the Huffington Post said 22 to 24 cents, and the Washington Post said 24 cents. Politico and Forbes said about 25 cents.","One note: The federal government currently imposes a tax of 18.4 cents per gallon of gasoline. But that\u2019s a direct tax on gas, not on the oil companies."]},{"id":"4144.json","label":"true","statement":"Says state Senate recall challenger Sandy Pasch voted to cut school aid by nearly $300 million.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Sandy Pasch, the state Senate recall challenger, did vote to cut school aid by nearly $300 million. The Club for Growth Wisconsin ad accurately portrays Pasch's voting record on this matter. It is important to note that this statement focuses solely on Pasch's voting history and does not provide additional context or information about the reasons behind the vote or the impact of the cut on schools.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Club for Growth Wisconsin ad says Senate recall candidate Sandy Pasch voted to cut school aid by $300 million&url=)","So, Club for Growth Wisconsin is correct in saying Pasch voted to cut school aid nearly $300 million. But is that whole story?","Club for Growth, which advocates for \"limited government and minimal taxation,\" mostly branded Pasch as a tax-and-spender in the ad. But at one point, the female narrator says Pasch voted to \"to cut school aid by nearly $300 million.\"","In sum, Club for Growth Wisconsin claimed that Pasch voted to cut nearly $300 million in aid to schools. The record shows the claim was on the mark."]},{"id":"8373.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says her actions as Wisconsin commerce secretary brought the state 84,000 more Wisconsin jobs than we have today.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mary Burke's claim that her actions as Wisconsin commerce secretary resulted in the state having 84,000 more jobs than it currently does. However, it is important to note that the fact-checking analysis found that Burke overstated the credit that she and the Doyle administration deserved for the job growth. While the numerical part of the statement is accurate, the claim that her actions alone brought about the job increase is not entirely supported by the evidence. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context regarding the extent of Burke's influence on job growth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Indeed, when Burke cited her work as commerce secretary and said in October 2013 that when she left the job in 2007, Wisconsin had 84,000 more jobs than it does today, we rated her statement Half True. The numerical part was on target, but Burke overstated the credit that she and Doyle deserved.","Part of Burke\u2019s claim is that her actions as Commerce secretary and those of the Doyle administration explain why employment was higher then than now.","\"After Trek, I spent a few years as Wisconsin\u2019s Commerce secretary, focused every day on creating jobs,\" Burke said in a video on Oct. 7, 2013. \"We reopened the mill in Park Falls, brought Uline to Kenosha and helped entrepreneurs and new businesses start up and grow.\"","The Wisconsin GOP said: \"The only time over the last 25 years when the state\u2019s unemployment rate exceeded the U.S. average\" was when Burke was state commerce secretary."]},{"id":"1673.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says she introduced a ban on \"dirty dancing.\"","reason":"Reason: It is true that State Sen. Frederica Wilson introduced a ban on \"dirty dancing\" as a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board. However, it's important to note that the ban specifically applied to school activities and not the entire community. The ban was implemented in 1997 and aimed to promote a safe learning environment during student dance performances and productions. While the term \"dirty dancing ban\" may be a colloquial way to refer to the policy, it's worth mentioning that the official name of the ban was \"Guideline 25B: Student dance performances and\/or productions: Procedures for promoting and maintaining a safe learning environment.\"\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Here is what she says on her campaign Web site: \"As a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board, Senator Wilson introduced reading labs and an African-American history curriculum into our schools, as well as a dirty-dancing ban in our community.\"","State Sen. Frederica Wilson, a Miami Gardens Democrat running for the congressional seat now held by Kendrick Meek, is making an unusual boast about her accomplishments as a school board member: She says she introduced a ban on \"dirty dancing.\"","Clearly Wilson introduced the dirty dancing ban approved by the school board in 1997 and we don't doubt that school activities now have less forward-thrusting of the pelvic bone. But her claim that the ban would apply \"in our community\" is a little misleading. Some people might think her ban applied to the entire county, not just the schools. So we rate this claim Mostly True.","Rather than calling it a \"dirty dancing ban,\" it was known as \"Guideline 25B: Student dance performances and\/or productions: Procedures for promoting and maintaining a safe learning environment.\""]},{"id":"11070.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sen. Rubios (tax plan) would cut taxes for households making around $3 million a year by almost $240,000, which is way more than three times the earnings of a typical family.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton regarding Senator Rubio's tax plan. According to an analysis of a plan similar to Rubio's, households making around $3.3 million a year would receive a tax cut of nearly $240,000, which is significantly more than three times the earnings of a typical family. While there may be minor discrepancies in the specific details, the overall assertion that Rubio's tax plan benefits high-income households disproportionately is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Sen. Rubio\u2019s (tax plan) would cut taxes for households making around $3 million a year by almost $240,000, which is way more than three times the earnings of a typical family.\"","Clinton said that Rubio\u2019s tax plan \"would cut taxes for households making around $3 million a year by almost $240,000, which is way more than three times the earnings of a typical family.\"","Clinton singled out Rubio\u2019s proposed tax plan: \"Another priority must be reforming our tax code. Now, we hear Republican candidates talk a lot about tax reform. But take a good look at their plans. Sen. Rubio's would cut taxes for households making around $3 million a year by almost $240,000, which is way more than three times the earnings of a typical family.\"","It is possible to take issue with the statement in some ways. The source of her claim uses an earlier version of Rubio\u2019s plan in its analysis, and she said $3 million when she should have said $3.3 million. But the thrust of her statement is sound. An analysis of a plan extremely similar to the one put forth by Rubio would cut taxes for those making $3.3 million and more by nearly $240,000, which is more than three times the U.S. median household income of $53,046. We rate her statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"8085.json","label":"true","statement":"More than 72 percent of children in the African-American community are born out of wedlock.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistic that more than 72 percent of children in the African-American community are born out of wedlock. This statistic is concerning and highlights a significant issue within the community. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not solely apply to the African-American community, as out-of-wedlock births occur in other racial and ethnic groups as well. It is crucial to approach this issue with sensitivity and address the underlying factors that contribute to this trend.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In 1964, according to federal health statistics, 24.6 percent of births to non-whites were considered \"illegitimate,\" the term used for out-of-wedlock births at the time.","The percentage of black children born without a father in the home has risen from 7 percent in 1964 to 73 percent today, due to changes from President Lyndon Johnson\u2019s Great Society.","We wanted to know if the meme\u2019s numbers were right: Did the percentage of black children born without a father in the home rise from 7 percent before the Great Society to 73 percent today, and was it due to Johnson and the Great Society?","Superimposed on Johnson\u2019s image is the following text: \"Black children born without a father in the home rate pre-LBJ's 'Great Society' welfare system in 1964: 7 percent. Black children born without a father in the home rate post-LBJ's 'Great Society' 2014 = 73 percent. Hey, liberals, how's your 'Great Society' working out for the black family?\""]},{"id":"2325.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On bringing casino gambling and other gaming to Georgia","reason":"Reason: Governor Deal expressed an open-minded stance towards considering casino gambling and other forms of gaming in Georgia during a forum on tourism. However, it is important to note that the statement does not indicate his personal support for such measures. In fact, his spokesperson clarified that Governor Deal personally opposes casino gambling and believes that it is not the most effective means of job creation. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the governor's openness to discussing the topic, it does not capture his personal stance against casino gambling.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["During a forum on tourism in Savannah, Deal said the state should keep an \"open mind\" about casino gambling and other types of gaming.","The Georgia Family Council put together a fact sheet that said crime will increase if any form of casino-style gambling is allowed. PolitiFact Georgia thought it would be interesting to see if the council was gambling with the facts with its claim.","\"How do you feel about gaming, whether it was horse racing, casinos, whatever, in Georgia?\" Dixon asked. \"And if you\u2018re in favor of it, what do you think will be the process, how do you feel the process would go generally?\"","Later, Deal spokesman Brian Robinson told The Associated Press: \"He Deal personally opposes casino gambling,\" and \"Nathan does not believe gambling is the best way to create jobs.\""]},{"id":"4571.json","label":"false","statement":"The reality is that we have roughly 15,000 undocumented immigrants living in the state...","reason":"Reason: The statement that there are roughly 15,000 undocumented immigrants living in the state is based on outdated data. Current estimates suggest that the number of undocumented immigrants in Rhode Island is approximately twice that amount. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the current situation regarding the population of undocumented immigrants in the state.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The reality is that we have roughly 15,000 undocumented immigrants living in the state, and they\u2019re here and they\u2019re not going anywhere,\" he said. \"And so I think as a state we have to ask ourselves, do we make engineers, scientists and innovators out of them? Or do we deny them a college education . . . ?\u2019\u2019","To recap, the statement by Professor Elorza that Rhode Island has about 15,000 undocumented immigrants in Rhode Island is based on 11-year-old data and current estimates put the number at about twice that many.","The decision by the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education to allow undocumented immigrants to be eligible for in-state tuition at the state\u2019s public colleges and university made for lively debate on a recent Channel 10 \"News Conference.\"","The difference between the number of immigrants who are living in the country legally and the total number of immigrants reported in the Current Population Survey produces the estimated number surveyed who are \"unauthorized immigrants.\u2019\u2019"]},{"id":"7106.json","label":"true","statement":"Mitt Romney received exactly zero votes in at least 12 Cuyahoga County precincts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources and reports confirm that Mitt Romney received no votes in at least 12 precincts in Cuyahoga County during the election. Further analysis and statistical data support the feasibility and credibility of this claim. It is important to note that this does not imply any wrongdoing or irregularities, but rather reflects the voting patterns and demographics of those specific precincts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Mitt Romney received exactly zero votes in at least 12 Cuyahoga County precincts,\" one email said. Others made similar claims, citing 9 or 21 or some other number of precincts, depending on the source.","The table shows that Romney received no votes in 17 precincts in Cleveland. Romney also was shut out in one precinct in East Cleveland. That's 18 total precincts in Cuyahoga County where Romney received no votes.","CBS News took note of the shutout precincts in Cuyahoga County while reporting that Romney also received no votes in 59 voting divisions in Philadelphia.","The claim that Mitt Romney received no votes in more than a dozen precincts in Cleveland may seem amazing. But voting history, registration, demographics and statistical analysis say it is both feasible and credible. The Board of Elections says it is actually understated."]},{"id":"7443.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Kewpie burgers are delicious. An Ohio institution. And theyll cost less thanks to John Kasichs tax cut.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Ohio Republican Party that Kewpee burgers would cost less under Governor John Kasich's proposed tax cut. The evidence provided confirms that the Ohio Republican Party made this statement and supports the claim that the tax cut would result in a reduction in the cost of Kewpee burgers. However, it's important to note that the statement's subjective assertion that Kewpee burgers are delicious and an Ohio institution is not verifiable and is based on personal opinion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Ohio Republican Party tweeted its own comment: \"Kewpie burgers are delicious. An Ohio institution. And they'll cost less thanks to John Kasich's tax cut.\"","The Ohio Republican Party says Kewpee burgers would be even more of a bargain under Gov. John Kasich's proposed sales tax cut","It is accurate to say that a delicious burger eaten at the iconic Kewpee in Lima would cost 2 cents less under Kasich's tax proposal, leaving all other factors unchanged. Someone eating two burgers a week would save enough in 10 months to buy another burger.","( - The Ohio Republican Party says Kewpee burgers would be even more of a bargain under Gov. John Kasich's proposed sales tax cut&url=)"]},{"id":"8118.json","label":"true","statement":"This year, the overwhelming majority of new jobs are part time.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the statistics provided, 77 percent of the increase in jobs between December 2012 and July 2013 consisted of part-time jobs. While it's important to consider longer time frames and the fact that many part-time jobs are taken by individuals who prefer to work part-time, the specific claim made by Senator Susan Collins is supported by the data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In the past, most new jobs were full time, but, this year, the overwhelming majority of new jobs are part time,\" Collins said. \"Under this troubling trend, more workers will find their hours and their earnings reduced. Jobs will be lost. This is especially disturbing as our country is still battling high unemployment.\"","Collins said, \"This year, the overwhelming majority of new jobs are part time.\" The statistics show that 77 percent of the increase in jobs between December 2012 and July 2013 consisted of part-time jobs. It\u2019s worth noting that longer time frames show the opposite pattern, and that most of the part-time jobs being created are being taken by people who actually want to work part time. Still, on the numbers, Collins is right, and we rate her claim True.","With five months still to go until year\u2019s end, the U.S. is running at about 1.6 million new jobs above that projection, with perhaps more to come. Whether all 1.6 million of those excess jobs created resulted from the American Rescue Plan is open to debate, but even if they all did, it\u2019s well short of 10 million.","!Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said that most jobs created this year have been part-time positions. Is she correct? !Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said that most jobs created this year have been part-time positions. Is she correct?"]},{"id":"11522.json","label":"false","statement":"Says his plan would cut taxes without increasing the deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. Multiple sources, including economic advisers and analyses from organizations like the Tax Foundation, have concluded that Donald Trump's tax plan would indeed result in a significant reduction in tax revenue, leading to an increase in the deficit. The Tax Foundation estimated that Trump's plan would reduce revenues by $10.14 trillion. Therefore, it is not plausible to claim that his plan would cut taxes without increasing the deficit.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Harwood : \"You talked about your tax plan. You say that it would not increase the deficit because you'd cut taxes $10 trillion, and the economy...\"","Harwood : \"I talked to economic advisers who have served presidents of both parties. They said that you have as much chance of cutting taxes that much without increasing the deficit as you would of flying away from that podium by flapping your arms around.\"","In asking the question, Harwood brought up the billionaire\u2019s proposal to cut taxes without adding to the deficit \u2014 a goal, Harwood said, that\u2019s nigh impossible. Trump agreed with the characterization but dodged the plausibility question. Here\u2019s a part of the exchange:","Trump\u2019s plan, according to the free market-oriented Tax Foundation, would cut taxes by almost $12 trillion and also lead to an 11 percent higher GDP. With this projected growth, Trump\u2019s plan would still reduce revenues by $10.14 trillion."]},{"id":"2914.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The senior senator from Arizona (John McCain) said he couldnt support repealing dont ask, dont tell because of the economy.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator John McCain mentioned the poor economy as a reason for not supporting the repeal of \"don't ask, don't tell,\" it is important to clarify the context. McCain's statement was not suggesting that repealing the policy would directly harm the economy. Rather, he prioritized the economic issues over addressing the policy at that time. Senator Reid's statement, implying that McCain argued against repealing \"don't ask, don't tell\" due to its impact on the economy, misrepresents McCain's position. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of McCain's stance.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"And his latest trick, he said yesterday that he opposed repealing 'don't ask, don't tell,' a proposal that would be a great stride forward for both equality and military readiness ... because of the economy,\" said Reid, whose quote was picked up in Politico. \"I repeat, the senior senator from Arizona said he couldn't support repealing 'don't ask, don't tell' because of the economy.\"","It's true that McCain listed the poor economy as a reason he would not support \"don't ask, don't tell,\" but only in the context of the economy needing to be a higher priority for the Senate. When Reid claimed, \"the senior senator from Arizona said he couldn't support repealing 'don't ask, don't tell' because of the economy,\" the implication seems to be that McCain was making an argument that \"don't ask, don't tell\" would harm the economy. Especially when Reid added, \"I have no idea what he's talking about, and no one else does either.\" The policy's impact on the economy would be a confusing argument. But in context, McCain's reference to the economy was quite clearly ranking other priorities against it. We rule Reid's statement Half True.","McCain offered variations of that position during the campaign, at times sounding more firm in his support of the \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" policy.","John McCain was a U.S. senator from Arizona, a post he held from 1987 to his death in 2018. He previously served two terms in the U.S. House. He was the Republican nominee for president in 2008. McCain was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and spent his career in the military, as his father did. He was a combat pilot in Vietnam who was shot down and spent 5 1\/2 years as a prisoner of war. He was born in 1936 in Panama."]},{"id":"10182.json","label":"true","statement":"We have the third-lowest minimum wage of developed countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, the United States does have the third-lowest minimum wage among developed countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). While the U.S. minimum wage may not be low in absolute terms, when compared relative to the median wage, it ranks as one of the lowest among developed nations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"No-one should work full-time in this country \u2026 and live in poverty,\" he said. \"We have the third-lowest minimum wage of countries in the OECD, of developed countries.\"","Although the U.S. minimum wage is not that low in terms of U.S. dollars, it is third-lowest in a more meaningful comparison relative to the median wage. ( Here\u2019s a good graphic from the Department of Labor showing how the U.S. stacks up against other developed nations.)","David Cicilline said that the United States has the third-lowest minimum wage among countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.",", \"Minimum wage as % of median wage: How the U.S. compares to other developed nations,\" U.S. Department of Labor, accessed Oct. 30, 2014"]},{"id":"12378.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Big rooftop solars plan forces Nevada families who dont have solar panels to pay higher power bills to subsidize rooftop solar.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the provided evidence that \"big rooftop solar's plan forces Nevada families who don\u2019t have solar panels to pay higher power bills to subsidize rooftop solar.\" However, it is important to note that this claim is made by a specific group backed by NV Energy, the state's electric service monopoly. The statement presents one perspective on the issue, and it is essential to consider other viewpoints and gather more information to form a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Big rooftop solar's plan forces Nevada families who don\u2019t have solar panels to pay higher power bills to subsidize rooftop solar.\"","\"Big rooftop solar's plan forces Nevada families who don\u2019t have solar panels to pay higher power bills to subsidize rooftop solar,\" it warns.","A pro-NV Energy backed group is running ads claiming that \"Nevada families who don\u2019t have solar panels to pay higher power bills to subsidize rooftop solar.\"","Solar Energy Fairness (which is backed by NV Energy, the state\u2019s electric service monopoly) is airing an ad throughout Nevada with a narrator warning that \"big rooftop solar\" is trying to trick consumers into supporting a \"government-mandated subsidy with no limits.\""]},{"id":"1185.json","label":"true","statement":"As a candidate, President Obama declared that everyone deserves access to reproductive health care that includes abortion, and vowed that this 'right' would be at the heart of his health care reform plan if elected president.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by House Republican Leader John Boehner that, as a candidate, President Obama declared that everyone deserves access to reproductive health care that includes abortion, and vowed that this 'right' would be at the heart of his health care reform plan if elected president. This claim has been supported by evidence and confirmed by the Obama campaign. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"During his quest for the presidency, now-President Obama declared that everyone deserves access to reproductive health care that includes abortion, and vowed that this 'right' would be at the heart of his health care reform plan if elected president,\" Boehner wrote in the Sept. 10, 2009, message.","The group's claim is virtually identical to one made in September by House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, who said in a statement that, \"during his quest for the presidency, now-President Obama declared that everyone deserves access to reproductive health care that includes abortion, and vowed that this 'right' would be at the heart of his health care reform plan if elected president.\"","So back to Boehner's claim. He said that candidate Obama \"declared that everyone deserves access to reproductive health care that includes abortion, and vowed that this 'right' would be at the heart of his health care reform plan if elected president.\" The record shows that Obama did indeed make those statements. His message to the abortion rights group may have been deliberately fuzzy, but it's clear what he meant \u2014 and it was confirmed by the campaign to the Tribune reporter. We find Boehner's claim to be True.","We'll take a separate look at the three parts of Boehner's sentence. Did candidate Obama say that everyone deserves access to reproductive health care? Did he say that such issues are at the heart of his health care reform plan? And did his definition of \"reproductive health\" care include abortion?"]},{"id":"13097.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ann Kirkpatrick walked out on constituents when questioned on the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Ann Kirkpatrick did walk out of a one-on-one event at a grocery store in Holbrook when protesters urged her to make it more of a public forum. However, it fails to mention that Kirkpatrick later returned to Holbrook for a town hall meeting on health care, indicating that she did engage with constituents on the issue. While the ad presents a one-sided view by omitting this information, it is accurate that Kirkpatrick walked out of the initial event when questioned about the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Kirkpatrick betrayed Arizona on Obamacare, walking out on constituents when questioned about it,\" the ad, which was published Sept. 6, says, showing Kirkpatrick walking out of an Aug. 6, 2009, meeting in Holbrook, Ariz.","\"Kirkpatrick returned to Holbrook weeks after she walked out of a one-on-one \u2018Chat with Ann\u2019 event at a local grocery store. Protesters had urged her to make it more of a public forum and called her a \u2018nitwit\u2019 as she left.\"","The ad fails to mention that Kirkpatrick went back to Holbrook for a town hall meeting on health care a month later.","While Kirkpatrick did walk out of the Holbrook grocery store, the ad fails to mention the protesters -- and that she returned for a health care town hall a month later."]},{"id":"2280.json","label":"true","statement":"Kendrick Meek claims hes the only candidate who saidSonia Sotomayor will make an excellent Supreme Court justice.","reason":"Reason: Kendrick Meek's claim is supported by evidence. Multiple sources confirm that Meek publicly supported Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. He attended events in Miami and Orlando where he expressed his belief that she is an outstanding candidate for the Supreme Court. Fact-checkers have also verified Meek's statement and found it to be true, particularly when compared to the other major candidates in the race. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I will be the only candidate, ladies and gentlemen, that stood in there with Justice Sotomayor,\" said Meek, surrounded by his family and supporters. \"When she was up for her nomination, I stood up and said she was the right selection and she will make an excellent Supreme Court justice.\"","Kendrick Meek -- Meek joined Puerto Rican leaders in Miami on June 1 to support Sotomayor's nomination to the country's highest court. On June 2, he attended a similar event in Orlando. \"She is an outstanding candidate for the Supreme Court,\" Meek said in Orlando. There is no record of him wavering from that position.","In his primary victory speech, Meek said that he is the only candidate who publicly supported Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Compared to Crist and Rubio, the two other major candidates, Meek is right. We rate his statement True.","President Barack Obama nominated Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court on May 26, 2009. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Aug. 6, 2009. Here's what the three major candidates said about Sotomayor that summer."]},{"id":"6160.json","label":"true","statement":"The states unemployment rate is fifth-highest in the country, a full point above the nationwide rate and higher than all of our...neighboring states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which indicates that in May, New Jersey had the fifth-highest unemployment rate among all 50 states. The data also shows that New Jersey's unemployment rate was one percentage point higher than the national average during that period. Additionally, the evidence confirms that New Jersey's unemployment rate was higher than that of its neighboring states. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The state's unemployment rate is fifth-highest in the country, a full point above the nationwide rate and higher than all of our...neighboring states.\"","In a speech on the State Senate floor, Sarlo claimed: \"The state's unemployment rate is fifth-highest in the country, a full point above the nationwide rate and higher than all of our...neighboring states.\"","\"The state's unemployment rate is fifth-highest in the country, a full point above the nationwide rate and higher than all of our...neighboring states,\" Sarlo, chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, said during a speech on the State Senate floor.","With an unemployment rate of 9.2 percent in May, New Jersey had the fifth-highest rate among the 50 states, according to seasonally adjusted data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. New Jersey\u2019s unemployment rate also was one percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.2 percent in May, according to the bureau."]},{"id":"12709.json","label":"false","statement":"There are about 350,000 people who succeed in crossing our borders illegally each year.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sessions that approximately 350,000 people successfully cross the borders illegally each year is contradicted by the evidence provided. The Department of Homeland Security states that apprehension numbers do not necessarily represent the number of individuals crossing the borders, and other sources indicate that the number of illegal entries is either staying the same or decreasing. The data from the border patrol's apprehensions in fiscal year 2015 also supports the evidence that the number of successful border crossings is not as high as claimed. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["And when it comes to illegal immigration, \"there are about 350,000 people who succeed in crossing our borders illegally each year,\" Sessions said in his speech.","Also apprehension numbers do not necessarily represent number of people crossing borders, since they track events, not individuals, according to Department of Homeland Security. The number of immigrants illegally in the country is staying the same or getting smaller. We rate Sessions\u2019 statement False.","Other sources point to apprehension levels hovering around Sessions\u2019 350,000 estimates, though they also find such numbers to be in decline.","The most common way federal officials track illegal entry is border apprehensions. In fiscal year 2015, the border patrol had 337,117 apprehensions nationwide, a decline from previous fiscal year and a significant drop from peaks in 2000. But those numbers represent people who are unsuccessful in crossing the border. Sessions said the opposite."]},{"id":"5427.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsin is called the Badger State because our ancestors came here with the hopes of living the American dream by mining.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical connection between Wisconsin being called the Badger State and the mining activities of early settlers. While the number of miners who lived like badgers might have been relatively small, the dwelling habits of some miners contributed to the state's nickname. The state symbols and imagery, including a yeoman with a pick and mining tools, further support the association between mining and the Badger State. Therefore, it is correct to say that Wisconsin is called the Badger State because early settlers came with the hopes of living the American dream through mining.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Because we're called the Badgers not because the animals are abundant here, but because we got nicknamed the Badgers because, back before we were a state, our ancestors came here with the hopes of living the American dream by mining. We should be able to do it again here in Wisconsin in 2012 and beyond.\"","Walker said Wisconsin is called the Badger State because \"our ancestors came here with the hopes of living the American dream by mining.\" At least one scholar suggests that the number of miners who lived like badgers was relatively small. But he and other authorities agree that the dwelling habits of at least some of the miners are what gave Wisconsin its nickname.","\"If there's any state in America that should be able to\" adopt a mining bill that balances job creation and environmental safety, \"it should be the Badger State,\" Walker said.","As for mining\u2019s connection to the badger, Werwie cited the state symbols section of the 2011-2012 Wisconsin Blue Book. It says that images on the state flag include a \"yeoman (usually considered a miner) with a pick,\" a mining pick and shovel, and 13 lead ingots that represent \"mineral wealth,\" as well as a badger."]},{"id":"8415.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Unemployment in the city of St. Petersburg is below the state average.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the available data, St. Petersburg's unemployment rate is slightly better than the state average. While the exact figures may vary and the most recent data may not be available due to the government shutdown, the information we have suggests that St. Petersburg's unemployment rate is below the state average. However, it's important to note that the numbers may not be the most accurate or up-to-date, and further analysis may be needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the city's economy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We've added 5,000 new residents to the city of St. Petersburg,\" Foster said. \"Unemployment in the city of St. Petersburg is below the state average.\"","St. Petersburg\u2019s unemployment rate is a little bit better than the state average, according to the most recent data we have from the state and federal government. It\u2019s been the case for most of the year. Is it substantially better? No. And experts cautioned that the numbers we have are not the best. Still, they\u2019re the best we have. We rate this statement Mostly True.","Candidates for St. Petersburg mayor painted two very different portraits of the city\u2019s economy during the recent Tampa Bay Times \/Bay News 9 mayoral debate.","The BLS did not release unemployment data for metro areas and cities as scheduled on Oct. 2 due to the government shutdown. The bureau\u2019s most recent, public estimate for St. Petersburg\u2019s unemployment rate is for July 2013, when the (unadjusted) rate was 7.4 percent. That\u2019s even with Florida\u2019s unadjusted rate for July and larger than its adjusted rate."]},{"id":"1628.json","label":"true","statement":"\"On the day that (the Republican) state leader resigned in disgrace, a Shred-It' truck rolled up to Republican headquarters.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson that on the day the state party chairman resigned, a \"Shred-It\" truck was present at the Republican headquarters. This claim has been verified and rated as true by fact-checkers. The presence of the truck suggests the possibility of document destruction, which aligns with Grayson's assertion. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Dunmire is not running as a Republican, because the Republican Party of Florida smells worse than a rotting carcass,\" he said. \"The stench reaches all the way to the Georgia state line. For goodness' sake, on the day that their state leader resigned in disgrace, a 'Shred-It' truck rolled up to Republican headquarters.\"","In mocking Republicans and his new Tea Party challenger, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson said that on the day the state party chairman resigned, \"a 'Shred-It' truck rolled up to Republican headquarters.\" It did. We rate his statement True.","So we settled on Grayson's accusation that on the day former Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer resigned, a \"Shred-It\" truck was spotted at the party headquarters.","\"It was a quiet and somber day outside the Republican Party of Florida headquarters, the only noise was traffic, and the sound of a paper shredding truck."]},{"id":"7357.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Texas ranks first in executions among the states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, Texas has indeed carried out the highest number of executions among all the states. From 1977 through early February 2012, Texas executed 492 prisoners, which is significantly higher than any other state. This data supports the claim that Texas ranks first in executions.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Come check out a state that ranks first in the number of executions, first in the number of uninsured, first in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and first in the amount of toxic chemicals released into water,\" the Feb. 6, 2013, editorial says.","Dieter also said Oklahoma has bested Texas in executions compared to the state\u2019s population. A center chart indicates that through Aug. 2, 2011, Oklahoma had a rate of 0.26 executions per 10,000 residents. The Texas rate was nearly 0.19, which was higher than rates for any of the other states.","Playing off of Texas Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s pitch in a radio ad for California businesses to check out Texas, a Sacramento Bee editorial published Feb. 6, 2013, mocks the Lone Star State by saying: \"Come check out a state that ranks first in the number of executions, first in the number of uninsured\" \u2014 and so on.","From 1977 through early February 2012, Texas executed 492 prisoners, the center says. No other state came close. Virginia ranked a distant second, with 110 executions, Oklahoma fell third with 102."]},{"id":"466.json","label":"true","statement":"Tax rates were significantly higher \"in the '40s, the '50s, and the '60s.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Tax rates were indeed significantly higher in the '40s, '50s, and '60s compared to today. During that period, the top marginal tax rates ranged from 70 percent to 91 percent for the highest income earners. This information is supported by historical tax records and analysis. It's important to note that the tax code has undergone significant changes since then, with the introduction of various deductions, credits, and adjustments. However, in terms of the top marginal tax rates, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton: \"Well, so why don't we go back to what we had in the '50s and the '60s then? Go back to 70 percent...\"","The 1963 rates are higher than today's rates. It's true that the tax code is substantially different today, with many credits and rules that didn't exist then. But on the question of income tax rates, we find that Hillary Clinton has her history right. We rate her statement True.","Before we go further, let\u2019s review what the marginal tax rate means. It\u2019s the tax rate that\u2019s applied to the last dollar earned. The U.S. tax system is based on brackets. The top marginal tax rate applies to the highest bracket. Income is taxed at higher rates as more is earned.","Today, tax rates range from 10 percent for lower incomes to 35 percent for the highest incomes. (See a chart of tax rates over time from the Tax Foundation here .)"]},{"id":"12422.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says North Carolina Rep. Renee Ellmers was the only Republican to vote against an amendment to prioritize the deportation of sexual criminals who are illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that North Carolina Rep. Renee Ellmers was the only Republican to vote against an amendment that aimed to prioritize the deportation of sexual criminals who are undocumented immigrants. However, it is important to note that the amendment also included other categories such as individuals convicted of domestic violence or less serious, misdemeanor sexual crimes. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that undocumented immigrants who commit felonies, including serious sexual crimes like rape, were already given top priority for deportation prior to the amendment. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Holding said Ellmers was the only Republican to vote against \"an amendment to prioritize the deportation of sexual criminals who are illegal immigrants.\"","\"We had an amendment to prioritize the deportation of sexual criminals who are illegal immigrants,\" Holding said. \"Mrs. Ellmers was the only Republican to vote against that amendment.\"","However, the amendment in question did more than just prioritize the deportation of dangerous sexual criminals. It also would\u2019ve prioritized people convicted of domestic violence or less serious, misdemeanor sexual crimes.","And even though Holding brought up sexual criminals, the amendment would have changed nothing for the most egregious offenders. Undocumented immigrants who commit felonies \u2013 including serious sexual crimes like rape \u2013 were already given top priority for deportation."]},{"id":"421.json","label":"true","statement":"\"John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. John McCain did vote against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1983 when he was a congressman. However, it's important to note that McCain later acknowledged his mistake and publicly expressed regret for his vote. He recognized the importance of honoring Dr. King and eventually supported a state holiday in Arizona. McCain's position on this issue evolved over time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Now he says his position has 'evolved,' yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws,\" the e-mail states.","In 1983, McCain voted against making Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday. He was on the losing end of a 338 to 90 vote in the House of Representatives.","It's true that as a congressman in 1983, McCain voted against making Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday. He was on the losing end of a 338 to 90 vote in the House of Representatives.","\"We can be slow as well to give greatness its due, a mistake I myself made long ago when I voted against a federal holiday in memory of Dr. King. I was wrong,\" he said, to loud reaction from the crowd. \"I was wrong, and eventually realized it in time to give full support \u2014 full support \u2014 for a state holiday in my home state of Arizona. I'd remind you that we can all be a little late sometimes in doing the right thing, and Dr. King understood this about his fellow Americans.\""]},{"id":"12587.json","label":"true","statement":"Risk analysts listed Donald Trump, a Donald Trump presidency, as one of the top threats facing the global economy, ahead of terrorism.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton that risk analysts have listed a Donald Trump presidency as one of the top threats facing the global economy, ranking it higher than terrorism. The Economist Intelligence Unit, a reputable firm, has indeed ranked the possibility of Trump's election as the third-greatest global risk in its rankings. This ranking has consistently grown since March, and it is higher than the risk rating for Islamic terrorism on their list. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"Risk analysts listed Donald Trump, a Donald Trump presidency, as one of the top threats facing the global economy, ahead of terrorism.\"","\"Risk analysts listed Donald Trump, a Donald Trump presidency, as one of the top threats facing the global economy, ahead of terrorism,\" Clinton said during the speech on June 27, 2016.","We don\u2019t take a position on whether Trump actually is one of the top threats facing the global economy. But we thought we\u2019d check to see whether Clinton has solid evidence that professional risk analysts have made that argument.","The analysts at one firm, the Economist Intelligence Unit, have declared the possibility of Trump\u2019s election to be the third-greatest global risk in its current rankings, a risk level that has only grown since the firm began including Trump in its rankings in March. And Clinton has accurately noted that the risk factor given to a Trump presidency is higher than the rating for Islamic terrorism on the firm\u2019s list."]},{"id":"2943.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2007, the top 1 percent of all income earners in the United States made 23.5 percent of all income, which is more than the entire bottom 50 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of multiple studies, including one by economist Emmanuel Saez, which indicate that in 2007, the top 1 percent of income earners in the United States made approximately 23.5 percent of all income. These studies also confirm that this share of income exceeds the combined income of the entire bottom 50 percent of earners. Therefore, the statement is supported by credible evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["To keep matters simple, we'll stick to checking Sanders' claim that \"the top 1 percent of all income earners in the United States made 23.5 percent of all income,\" which is \"more than the entire bottom 50 percent . \"","\"Mr. President, in the year 2007, the top 1 percent of all income earners in the United States made 23.5 percent of all income,\" Sanders said. \"The top 1 percent earned 23.5 percent of all income--more than the entire bottom 50 percent. That is apparently not enough. The percentage of income going to the top 1 percent has nearly tripled since the 1970s. In the mid-1970s, the top 1 percent earned about 8 percent of all income. In the 1980s, that figure jumped to 14 percent. In the late 1990s, that 1 percent earned about 19 percent.\"","So, we're left with three studies that vary slightly but which all point in the same general direction -- showing the top 1 percent earning between 21.4 and 23.5 percent of the national income in 2007. The studies also show that this share exceeds what the entire bottom 50 percent of the United States earns. So we rate Sanders' statement True.","When we asked Sanders' office for a source, they pointed us to a study( \"study\") dated Aug. 5, 2009 by University of California (Berkeley) economist Emmanuel Saez, \"Striking it Richer: The Evolution of Top Incomes in the United States (update with 2007 estimates).\" We looked at the paper and found this line: The top 1 percent \"has gone through enormous fluctuations along the course of the twentieth century, from about 18 percent (of income) before WWI, to a peak to almost 24 percent in the late 1920s, to only about 9 percent during the 1960s-1970s, and back to almost 23.5 percent by 2007.\" An accompanying chart( \"accompanying chart\") confirmed the 23.5 percent figure for 2007."]},{"id":"651.json","label":"true","statement":"\"More than 12,500 service men and women have been discharged on the basis of sexual orientation since the \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" policy was implemented, at a cost of over $360 million. Many of those forced out had special skills in high demand, such as translators, engineers, and pilots.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the impact of the \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" policy on the military. Over 12,500 service members were discharged due to their sexual orientation, resulting in a significant loss of talent and expertise in various fields, including translators, engineers, and pilots. The estimated cost of these discharges exceeded $360 million. This policy prevented qualified individuals from serving openly and contributed to a loss of valuable skills within the military.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Gov. Tony Evers \"wanted to increase your taxes by $1 billion just for heating your homes. Instead, Republicans cut your taxes by more than $2 billion.\"","Tim Michels\u2019 parents\u2019 foundation, which he was a trustee of until 2019, gave $20,000 to the Veritas Society, a digital marketing company that tracks the locations of women entering and leaving abortion clinics to send them targeted anti-abortion ads.","Another case on this point is Trump v. Thompson, in which Trump argued that the Jan. 6 committee had no right to demand records related to that day\u2019s events.","Other presidents have faced subpoenas in civil or criminal cases, rather than from Congress. For instance, Bill Clinton had to answer questions about a sexual harrassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones, after the Supreme Court ruled that his status as president did not shield him from questioning in the case."]},{"id":"10765.json","label":"true","statement":"Of the 13 (Bill) Clinton speeches that fetched $500,000 or more, only two occurred during the years his wife was not secretary of state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Peter Schweizer in his book \"Clinton Cash\" and is supported by evidence. According to Schweizer, out of the 13 speeches made by Bill Clinton that earned $500,000 or more, only two occurred during the years when his wife was not serving as Secretary of State. This information has been reported by multiple sources and has not been disputed.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Schweizer said, \"Of the 13 (Bill) Clinton speeches that fetched $500,000 or more, only two occurred during the years his wife was not secretary of state.\"","We aren\u2019t going to dig into the truthfulness of Schweizer\u2019s overall thesis here. But we are interested in Bill Clinton\u2019s speaking fees while Hillary Clinton was at the State Department. His book says,\"Of the 13 Clinton speeches that fetched $500,000 or more, only two occurred during the years his wife was not secretary of state,\" according to the New York Times , which has an advance copy.","This is accurate. The source of the claim is the 2015 book \"Clinton Cash\" by author and political consultant Peter Schweizer. During an April 2015 interview about the book on Fox News Sunday, he said something that caught our eye: \"Of the 13 (Bill) Clinton speeches that fetched $500,000 or more, only two occurred during the years his wife was not secretary of state.\"","\"You have an interesting point that I want to put up on the screen that seems to demonstrate exactly the point you're making,\" Wallace said. \"Between 2001 and 2012, Bill Clinton made 13 speeches, 13, for which he was paid $500,000 or more. Eleven of those 13 speeches were at least eight years after he left the presidency while his wife was secretary of state.\""]},{"id":"7492.json","label":"true","statement":"In 32 other states and Washington D.C., they [voters] can avoid the wait by voting before Election Day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that in 32 states and Washington D.C., voters have the option to vote before Election Day. This can be done through early in-person voting, where voters can cast their ballots at designated polling locations before the official Election Day. It's important to note that the specific details and availability of early voting may vary by state, so it's advisable for voters to check their state's election guidelines for more information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The coronavirus pandemic has raised concerns about voters\u2019 safety as they wait in crowded polling places on Election Day \u2014 some may choose not to show up at all. Because of this, some states have encouraged the use of mail voting. (Five states had already run virtually all-mail elections: Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.)","In 34 states and Washington, D.C., voters can use \"no excuse\" absentee voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Under no-excuse absentee voting, the voter does not need to attest that they will be out of the jurisdiction on Election Day, or that they cannot get to the polls because of an illness or disability.","Currently, 20 states and Washington, D.C., offer same-day voter registration. It is offered in a mix of red, blue and battleground states.","In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring counties to send all active registered voters a mail-in ballot about a month before the Nov. 3 election, joining the all-mail election states plus Vermont and Washington D.C. Other states are allowing voters to request those ballots, either online or by mail."]},{"id":"12114.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas has a higher incarceration rate than Russia or Iran.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to available data, Texas does have a higher incarceration rate than both Russia and Iran. Texas is listed with the fifth-highest incarceration rate, while Russia and Iran have lower rates, ranking 44th and 68th, respectively. However, it's important to note that comparing incarceration rates across different countries can be complex due to variations in reporting methods and data reliability. While the available data supports the claim, it's worth considering the potential limitations and nuances in making direct comparisons between these countries.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a campaign mailer, Gina Hinojosa of Austin brought up incarceration. \"Texas has a higher incarceration rate than Russia or Iran. It\u2019s time to reverse course,\" Hinojosa said.","We\u2019re familiar with incarceration rates. In August 2015, PolitiFact Virginia found Mostly True a claim the U.S. has the world\u2019s highest incarceration rate -- meaning the greatest share of the population behind bars. In March 2016, we rated Mostly True a claim that Texas has a higher incarceration rate than Russia or Iran.","Texas is listed with the fifth-highest incarceration rate, of 1,063 per 100,000 in population. Russia has the 44th-highest rate, at 475 per 100,000; Iran is listed with the 68th-highest, at 284.","Still, this assumes the figures for Iran and Russia are on the up and up and perfectly comparable to the Texas counts\u2014and we\u2019re not sure about that."]},{"id":"2439.json","label":"false","statement":"Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was never sentenced to stoning.","reason":"Reason: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed in an interview that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was never sentenced to stoning. However, this claim contradicts the official court document that explicitly states she was sentenced to stoning for the crime of adultery. The document provides details of the charges, the evidence, and the legal basis for the sentence. Therefore, Ahmadinejad's statement is not accurate, and there is clear evidence that Ashtiani was indeed sentenced to stoning.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Asked about his thoughts on stoning in light of the international uproar over the case of an Iranian woman who reportedly received the sentence for adultery, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed the case as pure western media propaganda. In fact, he said on ABC's This Week( \"ABC's This Week\") that Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, 43, was never actually sentenced to stoning in the first place.","It reads, in part, \"In this case, Ms. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, born in 1968, from and resident of Oskou, daughter of Asghar, is accused of adultery with strangers. In consideration of the file contents, the complaint of her children from her murdered husband, the late Ebrahim Qaderzadeh, the police report, and the express confessions of the aforementioned during all preliminary investigations and cross seems that the main motive of the aforementioned for murdering her husband in complicity with one of the strangers -\u2013 this charge against her is being examined by another court of the province \u2013- was her illicit relations with strangers and strong moral corruption. Other indications and adminicles all point to the committing of the said adultery offence and have led to the achievement of knowledge by the majority. Therefore, invoking Articles 63, 83 and 105 of the Islamic Penal Code, the majority of court members sentence Ms. Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, daughter of Asghar, to stoning for adultery (repeatedly with strangers). This sentence may be appealed before the Supreme Court within 20 days of its notification.\" (An adminicle is something that contributes to proving a point.)","\"First, what I want to say is that Miss Mohammadi was never sentenced to stoning,\" Ahmadinejad told This Week host Christiane Amanpour in an interviewed aired on Sept. 19, 2010. \"This was news that was produced and incorrect, and regretably, U.S. media affected -- was infected by U.S. politicians to make a piece of news out of it.\"","But was Ahmadinejad correct that the issue of stoning in this case was pure fabrication, that Ashtiani \"was never sentenced to stoning\"?"]},{"id":"1247.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"During the Reagan administration, \"Millions of people were thrown out of work.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While Michael Moore claimed in his movie that millions of people were thrown out of work during the Reagan era, the evidence shows that employment rates actually improved during that time. When considering all types of employment and factoring in population growth, employment ratios grew by 2 percentage points over Reagan's eight years. While there were declines in manufacturing jobs, the slack was largely picked up by a surge in service industry jobs. Therefore, the claim that millions of people were thrown out of work during the Reagan administration is not supported by the data and is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The other point of context needed here is that Moore never specified manufacturing jobs when he said millions of people were thrown out of work. When you consider all types of employment, the picture is less dour.","( - Michael Moore claims in his movie, 'Capitalism,' that during the Reagan era, millions were thrown out of work &url=)","We found that employment rates actually improved during the Reagan years. Factoring in population growth, employment ratios grew by 2 percentage points over Reagan's eight years. Failing to note that while saying that millions of people were thrown out of work struck us as misleading. So we rated this claim Barely True.","We should note that much of the slack in declining manufacturing jobs was more than picked up by a surge in service industry jobs, a trend that Moore highlights in the movie as well. Many would note that these service industry jobs generally pay lower than manufacturing jobs. Nonetheless, employment rates improved during the Reagan years. Factoring in for population growth, employment ratios grew by 2 percentage points over Reagan's eight years. And failing to note that while saying that millions of people were thrown out of work is misleading. We rate this claim Barely True."]},{"id":"11920.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Donald Trump supported impeachment of President (George W.) Bush.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Donald Trump expressed support for the impeachment of President George W. Bush in a 2008 interview with CNN. In the interview, when asked about impeachment, Trump responded with \"absolutely.\" This indicates his support for the impeachment of President Bush.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!Donald Trump, seen here at the second GOP debate, said President George W. Bush failed to heed CIA warnings of the 9\/11 attacks. (AP) !Donald Trump, seen here at the second GOP debate, said President George W. Bush failed to heed CIA warnings of the 9\/11 attacks. (AP)","Donald Trump, seen here at the second GOP debate, said President George W. Bush failed to heed CIA warnings of the 9\/11 attacks. (AP)","Recently, Trump has backed away from his previous support for impeachment, saying \"it\u2019s past time\" for that action. Still, the ad said he supported impeachment in the past, not that he supports it today.","An ad by the super PAC Our Principles said Trump supported the impeachment of Bush. The evidence was in the ad itself, a video from an interview Trump gave to CNN in 2008. In that interview, Trump was asked if impeachment would have been a wonderful thing and he said \"absolutely.\""]},{"id":"6142.json","label":"false","statement":"My opponent, in 2008, had contributions investigated by the federal government.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Renacci regarding his opponent's contributions being investigated by the federal government is misleading. Upon clarification from Renacci's campaign, it is evident that he misspoke and meant to refer to a donor, not contributions. The donor in question was under investigation, not the contributions themselves. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and misrepresents the situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Regardless, the claim on the Truth-O-Meter is Renacci\u2019s statement to the town hall audience that \"my opponent, in 2008, had contributions investigated by the federal government.\"","Renacci was queried about the controversy at a June 14 town hall meeting in Rocky River. He responded with an attack against Sutton: \"My opponent, in 2008, had contributions investigated by the federal government.\"","PolitiFact Ohio wasn\u2019t aware that the federal government had investigated political contributions that Sutton received, so we asked Renacci\u2019s campaign to explain his assertion.","\"When he said \u2018contributions\u2019 under investigation in reference to Sutton, what he clearly meant to say was \u2018donor\u2019 under federal investigation,\" said an email from Slepian. \"As you know, Jim has issued numerous statements to the press (including The Plain Dealer) that one of Sutton\u2019s donors was under investigation for two years and that he is following the same course she took by waiting for the outcome of the investigation before deciding whether or not to return the donations. That is what he was trying to communicate.\""]},{"id":"10744.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In recent polling in battleground states, a majority of the people said Hillary Clinton is untrustworthy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that in recent polling in some battleground states, a majority of people viewed Hillary Clinton as untrustworthy. Specifically, the statement mentions Colorado and Virginia, where the polling data showed that over 50 percent of respondents considered Clinton untrustworthy. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive picture of all battleground states, and the polling results varied across different states. In Ohio, for example, the polling data indicated a nearly even split between those who considered Clinton honest and trustworthy versus those who did not. Therefore, while the statement is true for some battleground states, it does not reflect the sentiment in all of them.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Priebus said that in recent polling in battleground states, a \"majority of the people\" said Hillary Clinton \"is untrustworthy,\" and he went on to cite Colorado, Virginia, Iowa and Florida.","Priebus: I don't think so. I mean, she has kind of portrayed this air of inevitability. I think if you look at the facts of the case -- which is where I really would like to stay as chairman of the party -- you know, if you look at the facts of the scandal that surrounds her, you look at the facts of the recent polling -- where a majority of people in battleground states say that she is untrustworthy -- when you look at the fact she has 100 percent name recognition --","In five of the states -- Colorado, Virginia, Iowa and Florida and Pennsylvania -- more people said Clinton is not honest and trustworthy than said she is. However, the percentage reached a majority -- over 50 percent -- in only Colorado and Virginia. Meanwhile, by 47 percent to 46 percent, people polled in Ohio said Clinton is honest and trustworthy.","After Schieffer interjected, Priebus singled out Colorado, Virginia, Iowa, Florida. However, as we\u2019ll see, the polling he relies on also surveys two other battleground states."]},{"id":"4021.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that as a gubernatorial candidate, Chris Christie promised no school cuts.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Governor Chris Christie himself, confirm that Christie made a promise not to cut school aid while he was a candidate for governor. This statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney says when Gov. Chris Christie was a gubernatorial candidate, he promised \u201cno school cuts\u201d&url=)","However, Christie himself recently said he promised not to cut school aid while he was a candidate. We can\u2019t argue with that.","\"The governor, who as a candidate promised no school cuts, was well aware that his draconian cuts to education were illegal,\" said Sweeney (D-Gloucester) in a May 24 press release following the New Jersey Supreme Court\u2019s latest ruling on school funding. The court said the state had to send $500 million in additional funding to 31 urban school districts known as Abbott districts.","Says that in the 1985 election former Gov. Tom Kean had \"the largest winning margin for a gubernatorial candidate in Jersey history.\""]},{"id":"5594.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Despite President Barack Obamas promise to cut healthcare costs, the average cost of a family policy is up $1,300.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that the average cost of a family policy has increased by $1,300 despite President Obama's promise to cut healthcare costs. However, it's important to note that this increase in cost is not solely attributable to President Obama's healthcare policies. The rise in healthcare costs is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including market dynamics, insurance company practices, and the overall healthcare system. While the statement highlights a real increase in costs, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to this rise.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Barack Obama promised to cut health care costs,\" the ad says. After airing a clip of Obama saying, \"We will bring down premiums by $2,500 for the typical family,\" the ad continues: \"But it didn't happen. Six in 10 americans are seeing their premiums rise. The average cost of a family policy is up $1,300. And a key part of Obama's health care takeover will cost $100 billion more than promised. Higher costs for patients, higher costs for taxpayers. Another broken promise for Obama.\"","But is the RNC on safe ground when it blames Obama for \"the average cost of a family policy\" rising by $1,300?","When Johnson said premiums didn\u2019t go down, he was referring to a promise made by candidate Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign. Obama pledged to sign a health care bill into law that would \"cut the cost of a typical family's premium by up to $2,500 a year.\"","Still, when watching the ad, it\u2019s easy for a viewer to assume that the average family is shelling out $1,300 more -- but that\u2019s not the case. It\u2019s only about one-tenth of that, at least directly."]},{"id":"2558.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Texas Department of Agriculture seeks to purchase up to 300,000 promotional stress balls.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the Texas Department of Agriculture is indeed seeking to purchase up to 300,000 stress relievers, which include stress balls in the shape of grapes, dumbbells, and books. These stress relievers are intended for promotional purposes. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Gilbert, ever prowling for issues, recently trumpeted that the Texas Department of Agriculture is looking at buying thousands of stress balls -- squeezable toys. He said in a Sept. 24 press release: \"Make no mistake, Texans love their balls: footballs, baseballs, basketballs, and soccer balls. But 300,000 stress balls? It seems a little extreme, but that's the quantity of grape, barbell, and book-shaped polyurethane stress balls the Texas Department of Agriculture could be spending taxpayer dollars on...\"","The package shows the department was seeking bids to provide up to 300,000 stress \"relievers,\" which we're guessing are not balls because they're not round.","We followed up with Black, asking if it's accurate to conclude that up to 300,000 of the stress relievers are being purchased. We also wondered why the purchase was being made. Black said he'd limit his comment to his e-mailed statement.","The package says a second set of stress relievers, each one called \"Dumbbell,\" would be imprinted \"Texans Bring It\" and \"Exercise\" and be five inches high by 1.8 inches in diameter. A third stress reliever would be imprinted \"Book\" and \"Texans Bring It,\" according to the bid package, while other promotional items would include pencils, buttons and bumperstickers."]},{"id":"1045.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he didnt call Dr. George Tiller a baby killer, as liberal groups charge, but was merely reporting what some prolifers branded him.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly shows that Bill O'Reilly did refer to Dr. George Tiller as a \"baby killer\" without consistently attributing it to others. While O'Reilly claimed that he was reporting what \"some prolifers branded him,\" the transcripts indicate that he repeatedly used the term without proper attribution. Therefore, the statement that O'Reilly didn't call Dr. George Tiller a baby killer, but was merely reporting what some prolifers branded him, is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says he didn't call Dr. George Tiller a baby killer, as liberal groups charge, but was merely reporting what \"some prolifers branded him.\"","These instances and others we reviewed clearly show that O'Reilly was not reporting the views of others, but was expressing his own views on the doctor. O'Reilly said in his column that \"Some prolifers branded\" Tiller a baby killer, \"and I reported it,\" as if he were reporting the views of others. But the transcripts show O'Reilly repeatedly referred to Tiller as a baby killer without attribution. So we find his statement that liberal groups are targeting him for his reporting of what others said to be False.","\"Even though I reported on the doctor honestly, the loons asserted that my analysis of him was 'hateful,'\" O'Reilly wrote. \"Chief of among the complaints was the doctor's nickname, 'Tiller the baby killer.' Some prolifers branded him with that, and I reported it. So did hundreds of other news sources.\"","Most of the time, O'Reilly would simply refer to the Tiller as \"Tiller the baby killer\" or as \"Dr. George Tiller, known as Tiller the baby killer\" without attributing it to anyone. We found four times when O'Reilly said that \"some\" called him Tiller the baby killer. We did not find any instance where O'Reilly named an individual or a particular antiabortion group that referred to Tiller that way."]},{"id":"3028.json","label":"false","statement":"In preparing a rules package for the 112th Congress, the GOP had no discussions with Democrats.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the final rules package for the 112th Congress was written by Republicans alone, it is false to claim that there were no discussions with Democrats during the process. Greg Walden, a Republican, reached out to Democrats during the transition effort, and several media accounts documented these interactions. While the Democratic input may have been advisory and not directly incorporated into the final package, it is incorrect to state that there were no discussions or input from Democrats. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As the 112th Congress begins,\" the statement said, \"the 'new' House Republicans are starting off by returning to their old ways. Their rules package shows that while they made promises to the American people that they would govern differently and cut the deficit, they are already failing to live up to their pledge. ... Already they have shut Democrats out of the process in developing the rules package:","After the GOP won the majority on Nov. 2, 2010, party leaders appointed Greg Walden, R-Ore., to head the transition effort, which played a role in preparing the new rules package. Several media accounts documented that Walden reached out to Democrats during this process, and these stories named names.","Hoyer is correct that transition team wrote the draft rules package rather than the final one, which had some modest differences. He\u2019s also right that the final rules package -- which includes many provisions that Democrats oppose -- was written by Republicans alone. That is the way the process has worked in the House for as long as anyone can remember. But we believe Hoyer significantly overstepped when he said that there was \"zero\" Democratic input in the process. The Democratic input may have been only advisory, but GOP leaders did reach out to several Democrats for conversations on the rules package draft \u2013 something the Republicans were under no obligation to do. So we rate Hoyer's statement False.","Hoyer's camp counters that these Democrats were part of the transition process rather than the rules-writing process. In a technical sense that's true, but a major part of the transition effort was to write a draft of the rules package."]},{"id":"8326.json","label":"false","statement":"UPS left 15,000 employees spouses without health insurance and told them to, go on an exchange with no employer subsidy.","reason":"Reason: While UPS did make changes to its policy regarding insuring spouses of employees, it is incorrect to claim that they left 15,000 employees' spouses without health insurance and instructed them to go on an exchange with no employer subsidy. The change in policy affected an estimated 15,000 spouses, but they were not left without coverage. UPS estimated that these spouses may have to take their employer's coverage instead. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate in suggesting that the spouses were left without health insurance or forced to rely solely on exchanges without employer subsidies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cruz said that by dropping spousal health insurance for 15,000 employees, UPS left employees\u2019 spouses \"without health insurance\" and told them to, \"go on an exchange with no employer subsidy.\"","Cruz said: \"Just a few weeks ago, UPS sent a letter to some 15,000 employees saying, \u2018We are dropping spousal health insurance because of Obamacare.\u2019 That is 15,000 UPS employees who had insurance for their husbands and wives, and suddenly those husbands and wives are left without health insurance and being told, \u2018Go on an exchange with no employer subsidy.\u2019 \"","So UPS did change its policy on insuring spouses of employees, a change that will affect an estimated 15,000 people. But Cruz is wrong that the UPS spouses would be \"without health insurance\" and would have to \"go on an exchange with no employer subsidy.\"","\u2022 The company estimates that of the 77,000 UPS employees who are enrolled in UPS health insurance, about 33,000 currently have spouses enrolled in the plan. Of those, the company estimates that 15,000 current UPS spousal enrollees may have to take their employer\u2019s coverage -- roughly one in five of all enrollees."]},{"id":"10456.json","label":"true","statement":"GEORGIA ROADWAY FATALITIES THIS YEAR: 59 PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reports the number of roadway fatalities in Georgia for the current year as 59. However, it is important to note that this number may change as the year progresses, and it does not provide any context or comparison to previous years. Additionally, it is a general reminder to drive safely rather than providing specific information or analysis about the causes or trends of roadway fatalities in Georgia.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an effort to counter that, the DOT has partnered with the Governor\u2019s Office on Highway Safety and the state Department of Public Safety to launch the Drive Alert, Arrive Alive campaign.","DOT data shows that roadway deaths in the state have declined slightly year over year -- going from 1,503 in 2008 to 1,147 last year, despite there being nearly a half-million more vehicles on the road.","If previous trends continue, Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Cobb, Georgia\u2019s most populous counties, will likely end the year with the highest percentages of roadway deaths.","By the end of 2015, more than 1,300 people will have died on Georgia roads. One of out evey four fatalities resulted from drunken driving."]},{"id":"4268.json","label":"true","statement":"Says GOP recall challenger Kim Simac was delinquent paying her property taxes eight of the last nine years.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the statement is accurate. The Greater Wisconsin Committee targeted Kim Simac, a GOP recall challenger, for having delinquent property taxes in eight of the last nine years. The ad specifically highlights Simac's failure to pay property taxes on her co-owned home on a horse ranch. Therefore, the statement is supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Greater Wisconsin Committee went after recall challenger Kim Simac for having delinquent property taxes in eight of the last nine years.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Greater Wisconsin Political Fund says recall candidate Kim Simac was delinquent paying property taxes eight of the last nine years,\" Aug. 12, 2011","( - Greater Wisconsin Political Fund says recall candidate Kim Simac was delinquent paying property taxes eight of the last nine years&url=)","That ad says Simac, who has campaigned for a property tax freeze, had no credibility on the topic of taxes given her personal record. In addition to other taxes, the ad focused on property tax payments on the home Simac co-owns on the 22-acre horse ranch, saying she was \"was delinquent paying her property taxes eight of the last nine years.\""]},{"id":"810.json","label":"true","statement":"Medicare spends \"$15-billion a year on subsidies to insurance companies.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Barack Obama that Medicare spends $15 billion a year on subsidies to insurance companies. This claim has been fact-checked and verified as true. The subsidies referred to are related to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program, where the government provides additional payments to private insurers. While there may be differing interpretations of whether these payments are necessary or effective, the statement itself is factually accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We spend $15-billion a year on subsidies to insurance companies,\" Sen. Barack Obama said. \"It doesn\u2019t \u2013 under the Medicare plan \u2013 it doesn\u2019t help seniors get any better. It\u2019s not improving our health care system. It\u2019s just a giveaway.\"","\"We spend $15 billion a year on subsidies to insurance companies,\" Obama said at a debate on Oct. 15, 2008. \"It doesn\"t \u2014 under the Medicare plan \u2014 it doesn\"t help seniors get any better. It\"s not improving our health care system. It\"s just a giveaway.\"","It's Obama's interpretation when he calls the added payments for MA programs insurance company \"subsidies\" or \"giveaways.\" But Obama is on solid ground when he estimates that the government spends about $15-billion a year extra on the private MA program than on traditional Medicare, particularly as we move forward in coming years. And so we rate his statement True.","\"We right now give $15-billion every year as subsidies to private insurers under the Medicare system,\" Obama said. \"Doesn\u2019t work any better through the private insurers. They just skim off $15-billion. That was a giveaway and part of the reason is because lobbyists are able to shape how Medicare works.\""]},{"id":"6228.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says while state leaders have cut funding for our schools and other basic priorities, the amount of money the state is projected to give away through tax breaks increased by a whopping $3.4 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Our Oregon that, despite cuts in education and other programs, the state is projected to increase the amount of money given away through tax breaks by $3.4 billion. This indicates a prioritization of tax breaks over funding for essential services. However, it's important to note that the increase in tax breaks may not solely be a result of new giveaways, and other budgets may not have necessarily shrunk but failed to keep up with growth. Providing this additional context helps to understand the full picture of the state's financial situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Even while state leaders have cut funding for our schools and other basic priorities, the amount of money the state is projected to give away through tax breaks increased by a whopping $3.4 billion.\"","Here\u2019s what the newsletter says: \"The reason for this crisis is simple: As a state, we're not funding our schools at even an adequate level. And it's not that we don't have the resources, it's that we're choosing to give away the money through an ever-increasing list of tax breaks and loopholes.","Our Oregon said in a newsletter that the state is projected to give away $3.4 billion more in tax breaks this biennium than the last, even as lawmakers make cuts in education and other programs. Education budgets have definitely seen service cuts -- though the actual state education budget has grown. Our Oregon\u2019s math is right, but we think it\u2019s important context that the increase isn\u2019t all a result of legislators passing new giveaways and that other budgets haven\u2019t shrunk so much as failed to keep up with growth.","\"Why did Scott Walker cut school funding more per student than any governor in America? Where did the money go? To Scott Walker's friends. Walker gave his corporate friends half a billion dollars in tax breaks and giveaways.\""]},{"id":"3385.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I delivered to you a budget that ... cuts taxes by $2 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Scott that his budget includes tax cuts amounting to $2 billion. However, it's important to note that the fact check indicates that the actual number is slightly lower, around 15 percent less, according to estimates from the governor's own budget office. While the claim is generally true, it could benefit from acknowledging the discrepancy in the estimated amount of tax cuts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I delivered to you a budget that ... cuts taxes by $2 billion,\" Scott told legislators on the first day of its 60-day legislative session.","Scott said his budget cuts taxes by $2 billion. But really, the number is about 15 percent high, based on the estimates of his own budget office. We rate this claim Mostly True.","Although Wisconsin Republicans passed a two-year budget that included $2 billion in tax cuts, they were quick to pounce on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers when he signed the measure in July.","Says Gov. Tony Evers \"wanted to increase your taxes by $1 billion just for heating your homes. Instead, Republicans cut your taxes by more than $2 billion.\""]},{"id":"3020.json","label":"false","statement":"The Democratic majority led the 111th Congress to spend more money in two years than the first 100 congresses before them combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McCarthy is incorrect. While it is true that the 111th Congress added a significant amount of debt, it is inaccurate to claim that they spent more money in two years than the first 100 congresses combined. Fact-checking organizations have examined this claim and found it to be false. The comparison made by McCarthy is misleading, as it does not account for inflation, population growth, and the changing economic landscape over time. The statement is not supported by credible evidence and has been debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The portion of McCarthy's comment that caught our eye was where he said that \"the Democratic majority led the 111th Congress to spend more money in two years than the first 100 congresses before them combined.\"","\"I was not present for the votes because my son had surgery last week, and I came home to be with him and my family,\" said McCarthy, who will be the House Majority Whip in the new Congress. \"If I had been in D.C., I would have voted against all of the bills mentioned in your reader's letter. While there were a number of positive things in each of the bills, the tipping point was the spending. The Democratic majority led the 111th Congress to spend more money in two years than the first 100 congresses before them combined. Washington has lost touch and spent too much time focusing on the wrong issues. Americans need jobs, not more debt, and next year the new majority will be focused on just that.\"",", \"111th Congress Added More Debt Than First 100 Congresses Combined: $10,429 Per Person in U.S.( \"111th Congress Added More Debt Than First 100 Congresses Combined: $10,429 Per Person in U.S.\"),\" Dec. 27, 2010","So what about McCarthy's statement? It's similar to Cantor's comment to Jon Stewart, but it's not exactly the same. Whereas Cantor used as his comparison point \"the last 200 years,\" McCarthy used \"the first 100 congresses.\" Although his phrasing could be read to mean the 100 congresses prior to the 111th Congress, we're giving him the benefit of the doubt that he meant the first 100 congresses in history. That means counting only from the 1st Congress to the 100th Congress -- a period that ended 22 years ago, in January 1989. But he's wrong by either measure."]},{"id":"6714.json","label":"false","statement":"The reason 29 states no longer have a death tax is that the tax damaged their economic competitiveness.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. While it is true that 29 states no longer have an estate tax, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that the reason for eliminating the tax in those states was due to its negative impact on economic competitiveness. The campaign website and the revised statement from Mannix acknowledge the lack of evidence to support this claim. Therefore, it is misleading to assert that the reason for eliminating the estate tax in these states was solely based on concerns over economic competitiveness.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here\u2019s how the argument ends: \"In 2001, all 50 states had some form of a death tax. The reason 29 states no longer have such a tax is that the tax damaged their economic competitiveness.\"","The \"Yes on 84\" campaign website has a page dedicated to \"7 Reasons to Eliminate\" the tax. Reason No. 6 is that the estate tax \"weakens us \u2014 Oregon is one of only three states west of the Mississippi with a death tax.\" Estate tax haters say the tax discourages investment in Oregon because there are 29 other states where they can go to accumulate wealth and die, free from worry that the state will hit their heirs with a bill.","So let\u2019s return to the \"reasons\" page, which Mannix has by now changed, in light of PolitiFact Oregon\u2019s query: \"In 2001, all 50 states had some form of a death tax. Since then, 31 states have done away with such a tax.\" Mannix acknowledged that the campaign lacked the evidence to make the assertion that concerns over economic competitiveness had prompted the mass departure after 2001.","A key argument of the Yes on 84 campaign is to claim that Oregon is at an economic disadvantage because of our estate tax. Saying that more than half of states got rid of their estate tax laws because they feared being at an economic disadvantage drives home the point that Oregon could be dumb for not doing the same."]},{"id":"12687.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysHillary Clinton took 13 hours to send help to Americans under fire during the terrorist attack in Benghazi.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State at the time, did not have the direct responsibility to send troops or provide immediate assistance during the Benghazi attack. The military chain of command, not Clinton, was responsible for making decisions regarding military response. The Defense Department did attempt to send help, but due to logistical challenges and the timeline of events, they were unable to reach Benghazi before the tragic deaths occurred. Therefore, attributing a specific time frame of 13 hours to Clinton's actions is inaccurate and does not reflect the complexities of the situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We don't need a president that took 13 hours to send help to Americans under fire and after four brave Americans fell said \u2018what difference, at this point, does it make.\u2019 Anyone who did that, anyone who said that, should be disqualified from ever being commander in chief of the armed forces,\" Pence said.","The attack on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi began at 9:40 p.m., Benghazi time. It took until after 10 a.m. the next morning for the last plane evacuating Americans to leave Benghazi \u2014 the time from the initial attack to the final evacuation is Pence\u2019s \"13 hours.\" (For a more detailed timeline, see this document issued by the House\u2019s select committee on Benghazi or our fact-check of a claim about delays in the military\u2019s response.)","In fact, it wasn\u2019t Clinton\u2019s responsibility to send troops to the scene \u2014 the military chain of command took that responsibility. The Defense Department attempted to send help to the scene, but was unable to reach Benghazi before the deaths occurred.","Pence rattled off a series of reasons Hillary Clinton was not fit for the presidency. One of them caught our attention, a claim about Benghazi, the Libyan city where a 2012 terrorist attack left four Americans dead."]},{"id":"10554.json","label":"true","statement":"Thirty U.S. cities have Triple A baseball teams and virtually everyone of them [is] playing in government owned ballparks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by James Skeffington, president of the Boston Red Sox, that the majority of Triple A baseball teams in the United States play in government-owned ballparks. Research confirms that 27 out of the 30 stadiums where these teams play are indeed owned by a city, county, or other government entity. This indicates a common practice of cities and towns using government-owned ballparks as a means to attract and retain Triple A teams.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You know, there\u2019s only 30 cities that have Triple A teams in the United States, in major league baseball. And virtually every one of them is playing in government owned ballparks,\" Skeffington said.","He went on to say that such arrangements were a way for cities and towns to induce the owners of those Triple A teams to play there.","Our research found that 27 of the 30 stadiums those teams play in are owned by a city, county or other government entity, as seen in Reno.","AAA Ballpark Data, information sheet on AAA baseball teams and their ballparks, provided by James Skeffington, president of the Boston Red Sox, Feb. 24, 2015"]},{"id":"11144.json","label":"false","statement":"Under President Barack Obama, income levels and unemployment numbers are worse now than just about ever for African-Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that some economic indicators for African-Americans did not improve significantly during President Obama's tenure, it is incorrect to claim that income levels and unemployment numbers were worse than ever. In fact, some key statistics, such as overall unemployment rates and poverty rates, improved during that time. It is important to consider the broader historical context and acknowledge that economic progress is influenced by various factors beyond the control of any single president.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wondered whether Trump was right that under Obama, income levels and unemployment numbers \"are worse now than just about ever\" for African Americans.","Trump said that under Obama, income levels and unemployment numbers \"are worse now than just about ever\" for African-Americans. Some key statistics for African-Americans, such as unemployment, improved significantly during Obama\u2019s tenure. The ones that stagnated or worsened under Obama are still relatively positive compared to recent history.","\"I think that he has set a very low bar, and I think it's a shame for the African-American people. And by the way, he has done nothing for African-Americans. You look at what's gone on with their income levels. You look at what's gone on with their youth. I thought that he would be a great cheerleader for this country. I thought he'd do a fabulous job for the African-American citizens of this country. He has done nothing. They are worse now than just about ever. ... They have problems now in terms of unemployment numbers. Look at their unemployment numbers. \u2026 Here you have a black president who's done very poorly for the African-Americans of this country.\"","We looked at historical data trends for four specific measurements for African-Americans: Overall unemployment rates, youth unemployment rates (since Trump mentioned \"youth\"), poverty rates, and median income. We\u2019ll take these one by one."]},{"id":"4133.json","label":"true","statement":"I did not vote to spend money to fight that (Amendment 6 redistricting) lawsuit.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Senator Hays did not vote to allocate funds specifically for fighting the Amendment 6 redistricting lawsuit. The fact-check verifies that there was no vote for line-item money for the lawsuit initially filed by members of Congress. Therefore, Senator Hays' statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\u2022 \"No I did not vote to spend money to fight that lawsuit\" -- referring to a lawsuit challenging Amendment 6.","In one item, we checked Hays' assertion that he \"did not vote to spend money to fight that lawsuit.\" In another, we checked Hays' statement that tax dollars are not being used to fight the lawsuit. In this fact-check, we're seeing if Hays is right to say that \"the Florida Legislature has not filed a lawsuit to fight Amendments 5 and 6.\"","\"No I did not vote to spend money to fight that lawsuit. The disappointing part of this whole thing, folks, is the misinformation that is out there. The Florida Legislature has not filed a lawsuit to fight Amendments 5 and 6. The Amendment 6 lawsuit was filed by one Republican congressman and one Democratic congresswoman. The Florida House chose to go, and what's the term? An intervenor? ... in seeking clarification. The Florida House intervened. But your tax dollars are not being used to sue you, the people who voted the 63 percent. Believe me. I don't know where you got your information but it's incorrect. So no I did not vote to waste that money.\"","So, Hays was correct to say \"I did not vote to spend money to fight that lawsuit.\" There was no vote for line-item money for the lawsuit initially filed by the members of Congress and now also being fought by the state House -- but not the state Senate. We rate this claim True."]},{"id":"2309.json","label":"half-true","statement":"McDonalds in England only sells organic milk and free-range eggs, which provides more nutritious offerings than in the U.S.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that McDonald's in England uses only free-range eggs, the statement that they only sell organic milk and that this results in more nutritious offerings compared to McDonald's in the U.S. is not entirely accurate. While the use of free-range eggs may be seen as a positive factor in terms of animal welfare, it does not necessarily guarantee that the overall nutritional quality of the food is significantly different. The claim oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to the nutritional value of fast food offerings. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Now, I'll give you -- I'll give you one brand, like McDonald's. McDonald's, in England, has had its best three years ever, profitability. It only sells organic milk, free range eggs. You know, it's got an incredible standard of beef. And their ethics is really ... moving. But that's nothing like the one in the States. And the only distinguishing part is the public and what they expect.\"","Oliver doesn't explicitly argue the U.K. McDonald's restaurants offer more nutritious food, but given Amanpour's question -- and the topic of the segment -- we think many people would be left with that impression. So is it true that the organic milk and free-range eggs mean healthier food than in the U.S.?","Oliver was on the mark when he noted that in the U.K., McDonald's uses only free-range eggs, while they are not used in the U.S. But when Oliver said McDonald's in England is \"nothing like\" the U.S. one, he implies the policies in England translate to substantially more nutritional food offerings. While the U.K. policies have drawn praise from animal rights groups, experts say it's a stretch to say they translate to better nutrition. And so we rule Oliver's claim Half True.","Part of the allure of McDonald's is its uniformity, that a Big Mac in New York will be the same as one in London. And so we wondered if Oliver was right that McDonald's restaurants in England really \"only sell organic milk\" and \"free range eggs,\" and that, by implication, they are dramatically different and more healthy than McDonald's restaurants in the United States."]},{"id":"1220.json","label":"false","statement":"White House Political Director Patrick Gaspard once served as the \"right-hand man\" for Bertha Lewis, who heads up ACORN.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Patrick Gaspard, the former White House Political Director, served as the \"right-hand man\" for Bertha Lewis, who heads up ACORN, is not supported by credible evidence. While there were allegations and speculation about Gaspard's connections to ACORN, these claims have been widely debunked. There is no concrete evidence to suggest that Gaspard held such a position or had a direct role within ACORN. It is important to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unverified claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The White House political director is a fellow by the name of Patrick Gaspard,\" said host Steve Doocy. \"And he apparently has been in bed with ACORN and, in fact, Bertha Lewis, who heads up ACORN. He, Mr. Gaspard, was her right-hand man.","Beck and others repeat claim that White House Political Director Patrick Gaspard was once the political director for Bertha Lewis, chief organizer of ACORN","( - Beck and others repeat claim that White House Political Director Patrick Gaspard was once the political director for Bertha Lewis, chief organizer of ACORN&url=)","\"And now questions are being raised about a top White House adviser's connections to the group,\" Hannity said on his Sept. 28 show. \"Now the director of the White House Office of Political Affairs, Patrick Gaspard, is said to be closely affiliated with ACORN and, according to the American Spectator, he previously worked as the political director for none other than Bertha Lewis, who is now the chief organizer of ACORN."]},{"id":"2071.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We dont get a lot of calls from this White House I have, frankly, never had a call from them.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the Republican governor claiming that he doesn't receive calls from the White House has been fact-checked and rated as \"Pants on Fire.\" The White House provided evidence of calls made to the governor and his participation in a recent conference call involving the White House. Therefore, the claim is not accurate and has been debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"We don\"t get a lot of calls from this White House,\" he said in a July 13 TV interview. Asked about his relations with the Democrat\"s administration, the Republican governor said: \"I have, frankly, never had a call from them.\" We rated that Pants on Fire after the White House gave examples of calls to the governor and Perry's schedule of state events, which doesn't show everything he does, listed a recent conference call involving the White House.","> To the scientists and researchers who worked tirelessly to make this possible \u2014 thank you. We owe you an awful lot.","\u2022 A former White House physician who has never been Biden\u2019s physician \u2014 and is now a Republican member of Congress \u2014 has called for Biden\u2019s resignation, saying he has declined cognitively.","The White House erred in its first attempt at framing its record on vaccines. While coronavirus vaccines were often hard for ordinary Americans to get, they did exist and were being administered."]},{"id":"2985.json","label":"true","statement":"Earmarks requested in a federal spending bill included $277,000 for potato pest management in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that there was indeed an earmark request for potato pest management in Wisconsin, with a requested amount of $277,000. The request was made by U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, as indicated in the database. The evidence supports the statement that the earmarks included funding specifically allocated for potato pest management in Wisconsin.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wondered why McCain said the potato pest management request was for $277,000, while the database he cited and Obey put the figure at $300,000. McCain\u2019s office didn\u2019t reply to our question. However, a \"working database\" of 2011 earmarks maintained by U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), indicates the request was reduced to $277,000 before being put into the bill that was ultimately abandoned.","Citing a database, the Arizona senator said an earmark request had been made for $277,000 for potato pest management in Wisconsin. The database shows the request was made by Obey, the outgoing congressman. He doesn\u2019t dispute it. (But it\u2019s entirely possible his office considers us a pest on this issue.)","Our check of the database found that an earmark request for $300,000 for potato pest management in Wisconsin was made by U.S. Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wausau).","But even if spending were only one reason Republicans took control of the U.S. House, would an outgoing Democratic congressman -- just weeks after his party got clobbered -- make a special federal funding request for potato pests in Wisconsin?"]},{"id":"4286.json","label":"false","statement":"Credit agency says Rep. Gibbs recklessly caused downgrade, higher interest rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) claimed that a credit agency said Rep. Gibbs caused the downgrade and higher interest rates, fact-checking organizations have found this claim to be false. The DCCC's assertion was not supported by credible evidence, and it was debunked by multiple sources. Therefore, the statement is not true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, email and news release, \"Credit agency says Rep. Gibbs recklessly caused downgrade, higher interest rates,\" Aug. 10, 2011","The DCCC issued a statement headlined, \"Credit agency says Rep. Gibbs recklessly caused downgrade, higher interest rates.\" It said that \"the downgrade of America\u2019s credit rating and the expected higher interest rates that come with it are thanks to Rep. Bob Gibbs recklessly protecting tax breaks for multi-millionaires and tax subsidies for Big Oil.\"","The DCCC cited half a dozen sources to back up its assertion that \"the Gibbs-Boehner downgrade of American credit could raise interest rates for consumers.\"","The DCCC\u2019s statement specifically claims that S&P blamed Gibbs for \"recklessly\" causing the downgrade and raising interest rates. That simply is not accurate, which on the Truth-O-Meter makes it False."]},{"id":"775.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We're building a nearly $40-billion natural gas pipeline, which is North America's largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Palin is inaccurate. While it is true that Alaska has been working on building a natural gas pipeline for several decades, the claim that the pipeline is currently being built and is the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in North America is false. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which was completed in 1977, remains the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in Alaska's history. The proposed natural gas pipeline, while significant, does not surpass the scale and cost of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Even in my own energy-producing state we have billions of barrels of oil and hundreds of trillions of cubic feet of clean, green natural gas. And we're building a nearly $40-billion natural gas pipeline \u2014 which is North America's largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever \u2014 to flow those sources of energy into hungry markets.\"","It certainly would be something to boast about if Alaska had started building a natural gas pipeline under Palin. The state has been trying to get a pipeline built from its natural gas-rich North Slope for some three decades.","Palin was certainly wrong that the pipeline would be the \"most expensive infrastructure project ever.\" What we suspect she meant to say \u2014 and has said repeatedly in the past \u2014 is that it would be the most expensive privately funded infrastructure project ever.","But she's probably wrong on that count, too. We talked to several experts in pipelines and large-scale engineering projects, who said the only private infrastructure project on the scale of Palin's proposed pipeline was the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, an oil pipeline also from the North Slope that is often referred to as the Alaska Pipeline. The Alaska Pipeline was completed in 1977 at a cost of $8-billion. In 2007 dollars that would be just over $27-billion, edging out Palin's proposed natural gas pipeline."]},{"id":"590.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I have little doubt that we've moved into recession at this point.\"","reason":"Reason: While President Obama expressed his belief that the country had moved into a recession, there is room for doubt regarding the technical definition of a recession. The National Bureau of Economic Research had not made an official ruling on the matter at the time. Additionally, the statement overlooks the fact that recessions are typically characterized by negative economic growth, whereas GDP actually rose slightly in the first quarter of that year. Therefore, while the President's statement reflects his personal belief, it does not align with the technical nuances and indicators typically used to define a recession.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Obama may well have little doubt that we're in a recession. But it's difficult to conceive that his economic advisers, who surely have a handle on the technical nuances at work, had not informed him that there's room for plenty of doubt about that. So we rule his statement Barely True.","Because the National Bureau of Economic Research has not ruled on the matter, we can't say for sure that Obama was wrong. But he implied that there is little doubt that we're in a recession, when in fact there is ample room for doubt. Remember, recessions typically include negative growth, and GDP actually rose slightly in the first quarter of this year.","Bottom line: \"It's unknowable at this point whether what we're going through is a recession,\" said Chad Stone, chief economist at the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C. \"My opinion is that the formal definition of whether we're in a recession or not is less important than the fact that we have had a significant economic downturn.\"","Aides said it was his most definitive judgment to date on the state of the economy. He made the point to support his call for a new economic stimulus package."]},{"id":"58.json","label":"true","statement":"\"About 40 percent of Hispanic homeowners have subprime mortgages.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, which indicates that approximately 40 percent of Hispanic homeowners have subprime mortgages. This statistic highlights the disproportionate impact of the subprime lending crisis on Hispanic homeowners compared to non-Hispanic white homeowners. The data supports the claim made by Clinton during the Univision debate in 2007.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The most recent statistics compiled by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, cited in recent reports about the subprime lending crisis, say 40 percent of Hispanic homeowners have subprime mortgages. By comparison, 52 percent of black homeowners have subprime mortgages while only 19 percent of non-Hispanic whites do.","At a Univision debate in Miami on Sept. 9, 2007, Clinton was asked about the federal government's role in solving the mortgage crisis. She replied that the problem was particularly serious for Hispanics because \"about 40 percent of Hispanic homeowners have subprime mortgages.\" Government numbers indicate that's an accurate statement.","Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data, cited by Center for Responsible Lending, Losing Ground: Foreclosures in the Subprime Market and Their Cost to Homeowners","Cover Florida \"is available to any Floridian, offering basic coverage for about $150 a month, instead of the typical $600 a month.\""]},{"id":"13455.json","label":"true","statement":"I was the first member of Congress to contribute to Donald Trump.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that U.S. Representative Lamar Smith was the first sitting member of Congress to contribute to Donald Trump's campaign. While there was another member of Congress, Paul Mitchell, who made an earlier in-kind donation to Trump's campaign, Smith's claim specifically refers to monetary contributions. Therefore, based on the evidence, it can be confirmed that Smith was indeed the first member of Congress to contribute financially to Donald Trump's campaign.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Smith went on: \"When I learned I was the first member of Congress to contribute to Donald Trump, I didn't know whether to smile or frown. Now I realize that few actions have given me as much satisfaction. The walk-on quarterback has won the Super Bowl!\"","The center\u2019s Daniel Auble said by email that for candidate committees and leadership PACs, Smith was the first sitting member of Congress to contribute to Trump\u2019s bid. But in 2017, Smith will be sworn in with a new member of Congress who gave even earlier to Trump. Paul Mitchell, a Michigan Republican, made a $292 in-kind donation to Trump\u2019s campaign in February 2016, Auble said.","!U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, pauses with Donald Trump. We found accurate Smith's claim he was the first member of Congress to donate to Trump's campaign (photo received by email from Jordan Berry, consultant to Smith's campaign, Nov. 11, 2016). !U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, pauses with Donald Trump. We found accurate Smith's claim he was the first member of Congress to donate to Trump's campaign (photo received by email from Jordan Berry, consultant to Smith's campaign, Nov. 11, 2016).","U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, pauses with Donald Trump. We found accurate Smith's claim he was the first member of Congress to donate to Trump's campaign (photo received by email from Jordan Berry, consultant to Smith's campaign, Nov. 11, 2016)."]},{"id":"920.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The House Democrats' so-called 'stimulus' has been stuffed with an astonishing $335 million to fund prevention programs of sexually transmitted diseases.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the House version of the stimulus bill included $335 million to fund prevention programs for sexually transmitted diseases. However, it's important to note that the funding also includes prevention programs for HIV\/AIDS, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis, which are not exclusively transmitted sexually. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the funding allocation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A version of the news release circulating in Florida, for example, begins, \"Rep. Alan Grayson (FL-08) and Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) are set to cast their vote today on a so-called 'stimulus' package, which has shattered the trillion dollar mark. The question is: Will Alan Grayson and Suzanne Kosmas still support the massive spending bill now that it has become public that the House Democrats' so-called 'stimulus' has been stuffed with an astonishing $335 million to fund prevention programs of sexually transmitted diseases?\"","We're not going to wade into the debate over whether the spending is appropriate for an economic stimulus bill. We're only ruling on whether there is $335 million in the House version of the bill for STD prevention programs. We note that while the proposed $335 million in the House bill includes prevention programs for STDs, it also includes prevention programs HIV\/AIDS, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis prevention programs, which are not always transmitted sexually. So we find the claim Mostly True.","On the day of the the House vote, the National Republican Congressional Committee circulated a news release in the districts of 29 freshman House Democrats, chastising them for supporting a massive spending plan that the NRCC said includes $335 million for sexually transmitted disease prevention programs.","We note that while the NRCC news release specifically calls out House Democrats for the STD spending, the Senate version of the bill also includes it \u2014 in fact, slightly more. A portion of the stimulus plan approved by the Senate Appropriations committee on Jan. 27 states that \"not less than $400,000,000 shall be transferred to the CDC for an additional amount for the screening and prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases, including HIV.\""]},{"id":"1820.json","label":"true","statement":"In Hawaii, \"they don't have a history of throwing incumbents out of office.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical trend in Hawaii, where incumbents have a strong track record of being re-elected. According to the evidence provided, no incumbent has ever lost a November congressional election in Hawaii. While it's important to note that this trend is not unique to Hawaii and incumbents generally have an advantage in elections nationwide, the statement specifically focuses on the historical context of Hawaii's elections and accurately portrays the pattern of incumbency in the state.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Back to the statement by RNC Chairman Steele. He said Hawaiians don't have a history of throwing incumbents out of office and said that Djou's election to Congress in May means Republicans have a good shot of keeping the seat in November. While we're not in the business of predicting the outcome of House races, no incumbent has ever lost a November congressional election in Hawaii. We rate Steele's claim True.","Since Hawaii wasn't incorporated as a state until 1959, there isn't a lot of history to examine. And since Hawaii has just four members of Congress (two senators and two members of the U.S. House), there are relatively few elections to scour.","It's an obvious fact that incumbents have an easier road to re-election than challengers. Since 1964, no less than 85 percent of incumbents have been returned to the U.S. House, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Since 1998, incumbents' re-election rate has hovered between 94 and 98 percent in the House. The numbers in the Senate are a little lower -- between 79 and 96 percent in elections since 1998.","In the 2nd District, Patsy Mink, Daniel Akaka and Ed Case all resigned or retired in order to run for another office. Mink was eventually re-elected to the U.S. House and died in office."]},{"id":"9917.json","label":"half-true","statement":"New Hampshire has lost more jobs to China than any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. New Hampshire did rank first among the 50 states in terms of the estimated percentage of jobs lost to China, based on a study. However, it's important to note that this refers to the percentage of jobs lost as a proportion of the state's workforce, not the actual number of jobs lost. The ad's language, which focuses on the number of jobs lost, is not entirely accurate. Therefore, while New Hampshire did experience a significant percentage of job loss to China, it is not accurate to claim that it lost more jobs than any other state in absolute terms.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"New Hampshire has lost more jobs to China than any other state,\" the narrator says. Accompanying the narration was a visual that said, \"NH has lost more jobs to China than any other state.\"","New Hampshire Union Leader , \" NH has lost more jobs to China than any other state, 2.94% of total workforce,\" Aug. 30, 2012","First, the ad did not note that this was an estimate, rather than a hard number of actual jobs lost to China. Second, the estimate was that New Hampshire lost the biggest percentage of its workforce -- not most jobs -- to China.","So what did the study find? It found that New Hampshire ranked first among the 50 states in the estimated number jobs lost to China -- as a percentage of the state workforce. That\u2019s similar to, but not the same as, the ad\u2019s language. The ad talked about the number of jobs, not jobs as a percentage of the workforce."]},{"id":"8204.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Because of Gov. Scott Walkers budgeting, a greater percentage of general fund tax dollars is going to pay off debt than ever before in our history.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Vinehout that, due to Governor Scott Walker's budgeting decisions, a higher percentage of general fund tax dollars is being allocated towards paying off debt than at any point in history. However, it's important to note that without specific data or statistics, it is difficult to independently verify the claim. To fully assess the accuracy of the statement, a thorough analysis of the state's budget and historical data on debt payments would be required.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Because of Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budgeting, a greater percentage of general fund tax dollars is \"going to pay off debt than ever before in our history.\"","Vinehout said that because of Walker\u2019s budgeting, a greater percentage of general tax dollars is \"going to pay off debt than ever before in our history.\"","Walker\u2019s 2013-\u201915 budget, she added, \"pays that price in a greater percent of tax dollars going to pay off debt than ever before in our history.\"","Is Vinehout right that because Walker pushed principal payments on the state\u2019s debt into future years, a higher percentage of general tax dollars is going to debt payments than ever before?"]},{"id":"10012.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When I took office, the deficit was nearly 10 percent of our economy. Today, its approaching 3 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that when he took office, the deficit was nearly 10 percent of the economy, and it has since decreased to approaching 3 percent. However, it is important to note that the deficit reaching nearly 10 percent of GDP was not solely due to President Obama's actions but was also influenced by factors such as the recession and the stimulus bill that he championed. The statement lacks the nuance of acknowledging that the deficit increase in Obama's first year was partly a result of the recession-fighting stimulus bill. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the factors contributing to the deficit levels during Obama's presidency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["That casts some doubt about the accuracy of how Obama framed the issue. Obama said, \"When I took office,\" which suggests that he inherited his predecessor\u2019s deficit at nearly 10 percent of GDP and should get the credit for reducing it. The reality is that if Obama is going to claim some credit for reducing the deficit, he should also take some responsibility for pushing the deficit up to nearly 10 percent of GDP in his first fiscal year in office. Part of the reason the deficit was relatively high was because of the recession-fighting stimulus bill, which Obama championed.","\"It would have been better for him to say, \u2018In my first year in office, the deficit was nearly 10 percent of GDP,\u2019 \" said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense.","Actually, the deficit reached 10 percent of the economy several months after Obama took office, not on his first day. Obama is laying the blame for the high deficit-to-GDP ratio entirely on Bush, when the figure covers time in office for both presidents. In reality, the numbers are more nuanced than he lets on, and his formulation oversimplifies the factors that played into these trends, some of which he had control over and some of which he didn\u2019t.","First, it's important to note that the deficit swelled in 2009 (hence the steady drop). In 2008, the deficit was $458 billion, or 3.1 percent of GDP. Those deficits are smaller than the ones the country is facing today. The 2009 fiscal year represented a huge jump in the deficit, partly because of the massive stimulus program to jumpstart the cratering economy."]},{"id":"3736.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker literally invented a $3.6 billion deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Governor Scott Walker \"literally invented\" a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is false. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact Wisconsin, have established that the $3.6 billion deficit estimate was a reasonable figure. Assertions that the deficit was fabricated lack evidence and have been debunked. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing budget deficits and fiscal matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is a bogus figure,\" Feb. 25, 2011","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin state Rep. Mark Pocan says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is a \u2018bogus figure,\u2019\" Feb. 25, 2011","Moore said Walker was cutting funding for schools, Medicaid, birth control and public transportation, but providing \"$200 million worth of tax breaks -- and (he) just literally invented a $3.6 billion budget deficit.\"","Moore said Walker \"literally invented\" a $3.6 billion state budget deficit. We\u2019ve previously established that the figure is a reasonable estimate. Moore offers no new evidence to the contrary. We rate her claim False."]},{"id":"6063.json","label":"false","statement":"Virginia is home to more veterans per capita than any state in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Virginia does have a significant veteran population, it is not home to more veterans per capita than any other state in America. In 2011, Virginia was ranked as the third state with the most veterans per capita, not the first. Therefore, the claim that Virginia has the highest number of veterans per capita is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Memorial Day, he addressed 2,000 at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. His speech, on the cost of freedom, included the claim that Virginia \"is home to more veterans per capita than any state in America.\"","Addressing a crowd of teachers and public employees at a Sept. 16 rally at the Capitol in Charleston, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., touted a number of things his home state can be proud of.","McDonnell\u2019s office acknowledges the governor erred on Memorial Day when he said Virginia has the most veterans per capita of any state. Virginia was No. 4 in 2010 and moved up to No. 3 in 2011.","\"I'm from a little state, most patriotic state in the nation,\" Manchin told the crowd. \"More veterans per capita, fought in more wars, shed more blood, lost more lives ... than any state. On top of that we've done all the heavy lifting. We mined the coal that made the steel that built the guns and ships, built the factories, built the middle class that gave you the quality of life you have today.\""]},{"id":"7332.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ohio is doing better right now than the national average on all the (economic) numbers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Ohio may be performing better than the national average on certain economic indicators, it is not accurate to claim that Ohio is doing better than the national average on \"all\" economic numbers. For example, Ohio ranked 33rd in per capita personal income in 2011, below the national average. While unemployment and job creation may be positive indicators for Ohio, it is important to consider a broader range of economic factors to make a comprehensive assessment. Therefore, the claim that Ohio is doing better than the national average on all economic numbers is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s pretty straightforward: Ohio is doing better right now than the national average on all the numbers \u2014 but better just isn\u2019t good enough,\" he said.","Ohio also ranked 33rd in 2011 in per capita personal income, at $37,836, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. That was below the national average of $41,560.","Faber's point about Ohio doing better than average is backed up by what experts have told PolitiFact Ohio are key figures -- unemployment and job creation -- and they are the ones he cited.","Faber\u2019s statement is partially accurate. But even allowing for political hyperbole, a statement that \"all\" of Ohio\u2019s economic numbers are outpacing averages for the nation omits or overlooks important information."]},{"id":"8074.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our businesses have created nearly twice as many jobs in this recovery as they had at the same point in the last recovery, when there was no Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama is partially accurate. He claimed that businesses had created nearly twice as many jobs in the current recovery compared to the same point in the previous recovery when there was no Obamacare. While this claim is true based on the specific time frame mentioned, it is important to note that other metrics and time frames may show different results. When considering the total number of jobs created during the recoveries, the Bush administration actually generated slightly more jobs than the Obama administration. Therefore, while the statement is accurate within the specified time frame, it does not provide a comprehensive comparison of job growth between the two recoveries.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Referring to his Republican critics, Obama said in the July 24, 2013, speech, \"They\u2019ll bring up Obamacare -- this is tried and true -- despite the fact that our businesses have created nearly twice as many jobs in this recovery as businesses had at the same point in the last recovery, when there was no Obamacare.\"","Obama said, \"Our businesses have created nearly twice as many jobs in this recovery as they had at the same point in the last recovery, when there was no Obamacare.\" Obama\u2019s carefully worded claim uses the most advantageous time frame to measure job growth. Other metrics show that the job recovery he has presided over has been similar to, or even weaker than, the job recovery under Bush. So we rate the claim Half True.","If you start counting private and government jobs from the low point in employment, the Bush recovery generated slightly more than 7 million total jobs, which actually exceeds the 6.58 million jobs created in the Obama recovery.","If you count from the low point in private-sector jobs instead, the Bush recovery produced 6.35 million private-sector jobs in the first 41 months, compared to 7.20 million in the first 41 months of Obama\u2019s recovery."]},{"id":"5498.json","label":"false","statement":"Today, you cant rely on (the retirement fund for public employees), its not funded.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided shows that the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) is a substantial retirement system that covers a large number of active public employees, retirees, and others. It has significant actuarial assets and provides retirement, disability, and death benefits to state and local government employees in Wisconsin. While the financial health of pension funds can vary, there is no evidence presented to suggest that the WRS is not funded or that it cannot be relied upon. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Wisconsin Retirement System provides retirement, disability and death benefits not only to all state employees, but to nearly all local government employees in Wisconsin. With some $85 billion in what are known as actuarial assets, it covers more than 256,000 active public employees, including teachers and municipal employees, plus 154,000 retirees and others who are no longer active employees.","In California, the state Legislature introduced a bill that would require California Public Employees' Retirement System and \u200b\u200bCalifornia State Teachers' Retirement System \u2014 the two largest pension funds in the U.S. \u2014 to divest from Russian-related assets.","Before Act 10, the state, as well as the local governments participating in the state retirement system, had agreed to make almost of the contributions that employees were required to make toward their pensions. In other words, often as a result of union bargaining, the employers were making the employer contributions to the pension fund and nearly all of the employee contributions, as well.","In New York, for example, the state comptroller announced that the public pension fund\u2019s holdings in Russian-based entities, which totaled $110 million, would be divested in a \"prudent manner and time frame.\""]},{"id":"11049.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his average federal tax rate was 36 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the average federal tax rate of the individual in question was 36 percent. However, it is important to note that the calculation of an average tax rate can vary depending on factors such as income sources and deductions. Additionally, the claim should be evaluated in the context of the individual's specific financial situation and the time period in question. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the claim, further analysis is needed to determine the accuracy and relevance of the average federal tax rate of 36 percent.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our calculation of the average effective tax rate Gov. Bush paid over 33 years takes into account his complete federal tax burden, which we believe any calculation of effective tax rate should aim to do,\" said Allie Brandenburger, a spokeswoman for Bush\u2019s campaign. \"The 36 percent rate addresses all federal taxes, and presents the clearest and most accurate picture of Gov. Bush\u2019s effective tax paid.\"","It\u2019s no secret that Paul favors smaller government and less taxation. His campaign website says that as president, he would support a constitutional amendment to abolish the income tax. If that can\u2019t be done, however, the web page says, another way to bring the income tax rate to 0 percent would be to restrain federal spending \"by enforcing the Constitution\u2019s strict limits on the federal government\u2019s power.\"","Bush arrived at that 36 percent average by weighting his income -- so higher income and tax rate years counted more than the years when he earned far less -- including four years when he paid nothing in taxes and therefore had a zero tax rate. In fact, Bush didn\u2019t start paying a rate of 36 percent or higher until he left office in 2007.","Whether 36 percent was his average rate depends on a few factors, including what we should count as income to determine the rate."]},{"id":"10281.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Barack Obama said over 20 times he did not have the legal authority to act as he did on immigration.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Michael McCaul that President Obama stated multiple times that he did not have the legal authority to take certain actions on immigration. This claim has been fact-checked by PolitiFact Texas, which confirmed that President Obama made statements on multiple occasions suggesting that he lacked the authority to implement certain immigration measures. However, it's important to note that the context of these statements and the specific actions being referred to should be taken into account. While President Obama expressed limitations on his authority in certain instances, it does not necessarily encompass all actions related to immigration. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["McCaul said Obama \"said over 20 times he did not have the legal authority to\" act as he did on immigration.","It\u2019s one thing for Obama to attempt revisionist history. But is McCaul right that the president previously forswore his authority to act \u2013 and more than 20 times?","Truth-O-Meter article, \"Michael McCaul says Obama said 'over 20 times' he lacked authority to act alone on immigration,\" PolitiFact Texas, Dec. 5, 2014","\"22 times Barack Obama said he did not have the authority to implement this type of\" anti-deportation \"measure. And then the day after he signed this into law, he said, quote, \u2018I just changed the law.\u2019\""]},{"id":"12222.json","label":"false","statement":"Floridas regulations on the payday lending industry are stronger than almost any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Murphy claiming that Florida's regulations on the payday lending industry are stronger than almost any other state is not supported by the evidence. Multiple consumer groups, independent researchers, and experts have raised criticisms of Florida's payday lending law, and there is no evidence to suggest that it is stronger than the regulations in most other states. While there may be certain aspects of Florida's law that are better than some other states, it cannot be generalized as being stronger overall.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The regulations on the (payday lending) industry are some of the strongest here in Florida, stronger than almost any other state,\" Murphy said in a conference callwith reporters April 6.","We will fact-check Murphy\u2019s claim that Florida\u2019s payday lending law is \"stronger than almost any other state.\" We found that consumer groups, independent researchers at Pew Charitable Trusts and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have raised multiple criticisms of Florida\u2019s law. No expert we interviewed consider Florida\u2019s law to be \"stronger than almost any other state.\"","There are ways in which Florida\u2019s payday law is better than some other states, but there is not evidence that it\u2019s stronger than almost any other state.","\"One can\u2019t say across the board Florida is a state that has somehow reined in payday lenders in comparison with other states,\" said Auburn University professor James Barth who wrote a paper on payday lending."]},{"id":"5144.json","label":"true","statement":"Federal law prohibits the growing of industrial hemp in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Under the Controlled Substances Act, federal law prohibits the cultivation of industrial hemp in the United States. While there have been efforts at the state level to legalize and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp, it remains illegal at the federal level. This has led to a situation where businesses in Oregon and other states have to import hemp products from countries like Canada, where its cultivation is legal.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We know that industrial hemp has been an issue in the Oregon Legislature. Didn\u2019t the Senate pass something allowing farmers to grow hemp for food, health care products and clothing?","In response to a viewer question about marijuana, Democrat Suzanne Bonamici said: \"Industrial hemp is something that right now is used in products and people with businesses right here in Oregon have to buy it from Canada because there\u2019s a federal law that says it can\u2019t be grown.\"","The Controlled Substances Act is a federal law that was enacted in 1971. Under the law, marijuana is categorized as a \"Schedule I\" drug, defined as having \"no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.\"","\"Over the past twenty years, the number of homicides committed with a firearm in the United States has decreased by nearly 40 percent. The number of other crimes involving the use of a firearm has also plummeted, declining by nearly 70 percent.\""]},{"id":"2712.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Many of the companies bankrolling the ad campaign against Amendment 4 are recipients of a congressional bailout, in the form of humongous tax refunds earlier this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that some companies funding the ad campaign against Amendment 4 received tax refunds, it is misleading to label these refunds as a \"congressional bailout.\" The term \"bailout\" typically refers to financial assistance provided by the government to prevent the collapse of a company or industry. In this case, the tax refunds received by these companies may have been legal deductions or credits, but they do not constitute a bailout in the traditional sense. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the nature of the tax refunds and misrepresents them as a congressional bailout.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["First, what we can confirm: Some companies bankrolling the ad campaign against Amendment 4 are recipients of a congressional bailout in the form of tax refunds.","This e-mail purported to lift the veil on just whose cash had been flowing to \"Vote No on 4.\" The biggest donor, it said, was the Florida Association of Realtors, followed by big home builders. Then came this claim, in all its bolded and underlined glory: \" Here\u2019s the killer: Many of the companies bankrolling the ad campaign against Amendment 4 are recipients of a congressional bailout , in the form of humongous tax refunds earlier this year.\" It later added: \"So, when you see all those dire-sounding, fright-filled TV commercials, remember whose paying for them. You are.\"","We got to work with a few key questions: Did companies actually get a \"bailout\" in the form of \"humongous tax refunds\"? And did evidence about a handful of home builders support the claim that \" many of the companies\" behind \"Vote No on 4\" got a bailout?","E-mail forwards are a notoriously unreliable form of campaign rhetoric, so with a big choice looming Nov. 2, we decided to run the \"humongous tax refunds\" claim through the Truth-O-Meter."]},{"id":"7187.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I have the experience as Senate Budget Chair of cutting $4.5 billion in spending -- to close the deficit while protecting education and health care.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barbara Buono served as Senate Budget Chair and was involved in budget cutting efforts, it is misleading to claim sole responsibility for cutting $4.5 billion in spending. Budget decisions are typically made through a collaborative process involving multiple stakeholders, including the governor. Additionally, the claim that education and health care were protected while cutting the budget overlooks the significant role played by $2 billion in federal stimulus money, which helped preserve funding for these areas. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context and overstates Buono's individual role in the budget-cutting process.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Buono claimed, \"I have the experience as Senate Budget Chair of cutting $4.5 billion in spending -- to close the deficit while protecting education and health care.\"","\"I have the experience as Senate Budget Chair of cutting $4.5 billion in spending -- to close the deficit while protecting education and health care,\" Buono said in her gubernatorial announcement ad on YouTube.","Buono also claimed she protected education and health care while cutting the budget. But it was actually $2 billion in federal stimulus money Corzine included in his fiscal year 2010 budget that protected both. Keevey noted that $1.1 billion of the stimulus went to school aid appropriations. Without it, school aid would have dropped $900 million.","While it\u2019s true that Buono\u2019s chairmanship gave her experience in budget cutting, she alone isn\u2019t responsible for cutting $4.5 billion. It was a team effort. And the last word on cuts, funding and balanced budgets belongs to the governor. For those reasons, we rate her statement Half True."]},{"id":"2845.json","label":"true","statement":"Over the course of one four-year term, it costs taxpayers more than $1 million simply to operate the governors mansion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Sen. Bob Wirch that it costs Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 million over a four-year term to operate the governor's mansion. This claim is based on budget and expenditure figures, which indicate that the operating costs do exceed $1 million over four years. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Over the course of one four-year term,\" Wirch claimed in a news release Nov. 15, 2010, \"it costs taxpayers more than $1 million simply to operate.\"","State Sen. Bob Wirch says it costs Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 million over four-tear term to run the governor's mansion","( - State Sen. Bob Wirch says it costs Wisconsin taxpayers more than $1 million over four-tear term to run the governor's mansion&url=)","In calling on Governor-elect Scott Walker to save taxpayer dollars, state Sen. Bob Wirch said selling or leasing the governor\u2019s mansion would enable the state to cut more than $1 million over four years on the cost of operating the mansion. Based on the latest budget and expenditure figures, the operating costs do exceed $1 million over four years."]},{"id":"5130.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 2011, (Debbie) Wasserman Schultz missed 62 congressional votes one of the worst records of any member of Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Karen Harrington that Debbie Wasserman Schultz missed 62 congressional votes in 2011. However, the statement's characterization of Wasserman Schultz having \"one of the worst records of any member of Congress\" is subjective and open to interpretation. While Wasserman Schultz's voting record does rank fairly high in terms of missed votes, she is not the worst in the state of Florida and has a better voting record than some other members of the Florida delegation. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to definitively classify Wasserman Schultz's record as \"one of the worst.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We fact-checked a charge from Republican Karen Harrington that Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the head of the Democratic National Committee, has missed a lot of votes. Harrington said, \"In 2011, (Debbie) Wasserman Schultz missed 62 congressional votes \u2014 one of the worst records of any member of Congress.\"","( - Karen Harrington says Debbie Wasserman Schultz \"missed 62 congressional votes\u2014 one of the worst records of any member of Congress\u201d&url=)","Harrington said Wasserman Schultz is \"more concerned with headlining fundraisers for President (Barack) Obama and the DNC than she is with fulfilling the responsibilities owed to her constituents,\" adding, \"In 2011, Wasserman Schultz missed 62 congressional votes \u2014 one of the worst records of a member of Congress.\"","Harrington said, \"In 2011, Wasserman Schultz missed 62 congressional votes \u2014 one of the worst records of any member of Congress.\" She\u2019s right that Wasserman Schultz missed 62 votes. That means Wasserman Schultz is No. 45 among members who have missed votes, out of 435 sitting members, a fairly high ranking. On the other hand, she's not even the worst in the state and has a better voting record than four other members of the Florida delegation. So the record is mixed on whether she is \"one of the worst.\" We rate the statement Half True."]},{"id":"2053.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"$120,000 will be spent by taxpayers on Charlie Crists political photo-op special session.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Senator Rubio claimed that taxpayers would spend $120,000 on Charlie Crist's special session, and this claim has been rated as mostly true. While the exact cost of the special session is difficult to determine, using conservative estimates and average costs from previous sessions, it is reasonable to conclude that the session would cost taxpayers at least $120,000. Therefore, the statement aligns with the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rubio wrote in a July 9 press release, \"$120,000 will be spent by taxpayers on Charlie Crist's political photo-op special session.\"","When Crist announced the special session, Rubio pounced and accused him of creating a $120,000-taxpayer funded photo op for a four-day special session. Rubio was being conservative with his numbers, using the low-end of $30,000 for four days. We're going with actual average of $46,544 from three recent sessions, and adding a fudge factor for all those imprecise costs that nobody in Tallahassee seems able to pin down. Let's call it a minimum of $50,000 a day, and $200,000 if this session lasts four days. Rubio went with a logical but conservative estimate, so we rate this claim Mostly True.","Clearly, Crist will get news coverage including photo-ops out of the special session -- as will legislative leaders from both parties. But does Rubio have the dollar figure right?","On July 8, 2010, Gov. Charlie Crist called for a special session July 20-23 for legislators to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to ban oil drilling near Florida's coasts."]},{"id":"8765.json","label":"false","statement":"Seventy percent of the people living in abject poverty are women.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence states that in Texas, 23 percent of women were living in poverty, which is significantly lower than the claimed 70 percent. Additionally, the evidence mentions that in 10 out of 17 countries, the proportion of men in poverty is equal to or slightly higher than women, contradicting the statement's claim. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We clicked online to the Kaiser information and came up with a chart indicating that in 2011-12, 23 percent of Texas women were living in poverty, tying the state with California and Arizona for the fourth-highest rate nationally. According to the chart (see below), 24 percent of women in Hawaii were living in poverty; 26 percent of women in Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico; and 27 percent in Mississippi.","!Carly Fiorina discussed the number of women living in poverty on ABC's \"This Week.\" (File) !Carly Fiorina discussed the number of women living in poverty on ABC's \"This Week.\" (File)","Furthermore, the number of women it classifies as living in extreme poverty (with incomes less than half of the federal poverty level) checked in at 6.3 percent, the highest rate over the 22 years the measurement has been taken.","\"In 10 out of 17 countries, the proportion of men in poverty is actually on a par with or slightly higher than women,\" Chant wrote in 2008. \"Women are nowhere near the level of 70 percent of people in income poverty as popularly expounded.\""]},{"id":"5293.json","label":"false","statement":"Heres something that people never talk about with coach Schiano: Rutgers had the best graduation rate of any Division I football program in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there may have been claims made about Rutgers having the best graduation rate in Division I football, the evidence suggests otherwise. The available data and fact-checking sources indicate that Rutgers did not have the best graduation rate in Division I football during Coach Schiano's tenure. It is important to rely on accurate information and verify claims before making such statements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Here's something that people never talk about with coach Schiano: Rutgers had the best graduation rate of any Division I football program in America.\"","There\u2019s a reason people don\u2019t talk about Rutgers\u2019 football team earning the top graduation rate in its division: it never did.","\"Here's something that people never talk about with coach Schiano: Rutgers had the best graduation rate of any Division I football program in America. Now, when all you see is scandal all over college football, in 11 years you never saw it touch Rutgers. Not once,\" Christie said on New Jersey 101.5\u2019s \"Ask the Governor\" program. \"And he graduated his kids from college, so those kids if they went on to the NFL like some of the folks who have gone on to the NFL and done really well, great. But the majority of them don't and for the majority who don't, he got them out of Rutgers with a Rutgers degree and I tell you, I bet you the parents of those kids love Greg Schiano because those kids now have a future because they have a college degree from a great university like Rutgers.\"","The Scarlet Knights ranked at the top of their conference, but not the top of their division for graduation rates in the most recent data. During Schiano\u2019s tenure, the team never had the best graduation rate in the division. By another measure of academic performance, Rutgers football topped its division, but, according to a NCAA spokeswoman, graduation is not included in that calculation."]},{"id":"8367.json","label":"false","statement":"Nobodys addicted to marijuana.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, it is incorrect to claim that nobody is addicted to marijuana. Multiple sources, including medical professionals and government-funded organizations like the National Institute on Drug Abuse, acknowledge that marijuana can be addictive. Research suggests that approximately 9 percent of users become addicted, with a higher risk for those who start using at a young age or use it daily. It is important to recognize that addiction can vary among individuals, and some people may be more vulnerable to developing a dependence on marijuana.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rothschild said people who smoke marijuana daily over a long period of time are the ones most susceptible to dependence on marijuana versus intermittent smokers who may occasionally smoke pot at a party. \"I\u2019d say none of those people are addicted.\"","\"In order to feel normal, they have to have the drug,\" Rothschild said. \"Not everyone who smokes becomes addicted, but it\u2019s erroneous to say it doesn\u2019t happen.\"","\"Not everyone who uses it becomes addicted,\" said Norton, but some are more vulnerable, including people with mental disorders, adolescents and young adults.","It\u2019s also described as an addictive substance by the government-funded National Institute on Drug Abuse, which writes: \"Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among daily users (to 25-50 percent).\""]},{"id":"3251.json","label":"true","statement":"The federal government can cut all of the non-military discretionary spending and not balance the budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the argument made by Paul that even if all non-military discretionary spending is eliminated, it would not be sufficient to balance the budget. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which shows that even after subtracting all non-security discretionary spending, the government would still face significant expenditures that exceed the projected income. Therefore, cutting non-military discretionary spending alone would not be enough to achieve a balanced budget.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The problem is that things are out of control, and unless you accept that you can have federal government doing less things, like unless you accept the philosophic principle that education should be handled by the states and localities, they don't know where to cut,\" Paul said. \"Or unless you accept the principle that military spending will have to be cut. They don't have enough money to cut. They can cut all of the non-military discretionary spending and not balance the budget.\"","He is making a dramatic point that even if Congress were to eliminate every non-military program except for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid (which are considered mandatory rather than discretionary), it still wouldn\u2019t be enough to balance the budget.","We reviewed the latest budget figures and found that Paul is correct. If you subtract out every last penny of non-security discretionary spending and simply add together security spending, mandatory programs and interest, the government is still projected to face expenditures of $3.309 trillion for fiscal year 2011. That\u2019s a full $1.14 trillion more than the $2.17 trillion in taxes and other income the government is expecting to collect for 2011.","Members of Congress are actively working to cut the federal budget and bring down spending. But they\u2019re steering clear of the politically difficult, big-ticket items such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, interest on the debt and national defense."]},{"id":"613.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Spending increases, not tax cuts, are the major cause of the federal budget deficit.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that spending increases, rather than tax cuts, are the major cause of the federal budget deficit. According to the analysis of Congressional Budget Office data, higher government spending has contributed to the majority of the gap between government revenue and expenditure. While tax cuts also play a role, their impact is comparatively smaller. It's important to note that the specific percentages may vary over different fiscal years, but overall, the evidence supports the claim that spending increases have a larger impact on the federal budget deficit.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Until the rebates temporarily changed the equation, spending increases did cause the majority of the deficit. But tax cuts aren't blameless, either. We find McCain's claim to be Mostly True.","Faced with new projections showing a $482-billion federal budget deficit for 2009, Sen. John McCain tried to pin the blame on spending increases.","McCain is right when he argues that higher government spending caused most of the current gap between what the government collects and what it spends, according to an analysis of Congressional Budget Office data. But it's the federal budget, so it's not quite that simple.","Their nitty-gritty calculation requires the quadratic equation, but the bottom line is McCain is right. For fiscal year 2007, 58 percent of the legislatively caused deterioration came from spending and 42 percent came from tax cuts. This year, taxes make up 52 percent of the change, because of those tax-rebate checks. But that's a temporary blip. In 2009, according to the projections, tax cuts' share of the blame will drop to 44 percent while spending's portion will rise to 56 percent."]},{"id":"9794.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Keene, N.H., requested a military-grade armored personnel truck, citing their annual Pumpkin Festival as a possible target for terrorists.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the city of Keene, New Hampshire, requested a military-grade armored personnel truck and cited their annual Pumpkin Festival as a potential target for terrorists in their application. This claim is supported by evidence from the mayor of Keene and the fact-checking assessment that rates the claim as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This has happened on such a scale that it\u2019s enabled small towns like Keene, N.H., to apply for a BearCat, a military-grade armored personnel truck, which they needed because, as their application argued, \u2018the terrorism threat is far-reaching and often unforeseen,\u2019 and cited as a possible target their annual Pumpkin Festival.\"","Oliver said the Keene Police Department cited its annual Pumpkin Festival as a potential target for terrorism when it applied for grant money to buy an armored personnel truck.","Keene\u2019s mayor says the city had a variety of reasons for seeking the BearCat, but Oliver was correct to state that the city cited the Pumpkin Festival as a possible target for terrorists. We rate Oliver\u2019s claim True.","The 1033 program is not the only way local agencies obtain such equipment \u2014 they can purchase it on their own or through grants from federal agencies. The town of Keene, N.H., home to about 30,000 people, accepted a federal grant in 2012 to purchase an armored truck. Comedian John Oliver later poked fun of the town\u2019s application request, which mentioned the annual pumpkin festival as a potential terrorism target."]},{"id":"2075.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Russ Feingold voted against the law that protected our lakes and was the only Great Lakes senator to vote no.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Russ Feingold voted against a bill that included a permanent ban on drilling in the Great Lakes, the statement fails to provide the full context. Feingold did support one of the temporary bans and has a long record of advocating for the environmental protection of the Great Lakes. Additionally, the ad's claim that Feingold was the only Great Lakes senator to vote against the 2005 bill is misleading, as it excludes New York from the list of Great Lakes states. Overall, the statement oversimplifies Feingold's voting record and does not accurately represent the complexities of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Twenty-eight years in politics and Russ Feingold\u2019s stuck in the mud,\" the narrator says. \"Feingold started his campaign slinging mud at Ron Johnson. Ron Johnson opposes drilling in the Great Lakes, and Russ Feingold knows it. Drilling is already illegal in the Great Lakes, and Feingold knows that too. Because he voted against the law that protected our lakes. That\u2019s right. Feingold was the only Great Lakes senator to vote no. Feingold played politics. Partisan politician Russ Feingold. Stuck in the mud.\"","\u2022 There wasn't just one law that curbed drilling in the Great Lakes. The ad says that Russ Feingold \"voted against the law that protected our lakes.\" That makes it sound like there was one law that accomplished that purpose, and that Feingold missed his chance to support it. That's incorrect. There were actually four, one of which was permanent -- the one cited in the ad -- and three of which were temporary. All did essentially the same thing.","So let's sum up. Feingold did vote against a bill that included the permanent ban on Great Lakes drilling, and also voted against two of the bills with temporary bans, though for reasons unrelated to the drilling ban provision. As a result, Johnson has some justification for saying that Feingold \"voted against the law that protected our lakes.\" But the ad ignores that Feingold supported one of the temporary bans, and that he has a long record of protecting the environmental quality of the Great Lakes, including championing at least one bill that dealt directly with drilling. Meanwhile, we don't buy the campaign's rationale for excluding New York from the list of Great Lakes states. That fundamentally undercuts the ad's claim that Feingold was the only Great Lakes senator to vote against the 2005 bill. On balance, we rate the ad Barely True.","So Feingold actually voted for one temporary ban and voted against three (two of them temporary, one permanent). All were buried in much broader bills, and his camp says he opposed those bills despite the drilling ban provision, not because of it. At the same time, even though he only batted one for four, Feingold has a right to say that in one case, he voted for a \"law that protected our lakes.\""]},{"id":"4145.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the new Dodd-Frank financial law requires a 20 percent down payment to buy a house.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The Dodd-Frank Act does not mandate a 20 percent down payment to buy a house. While the law does include provisions related to mortgage lending and risk retention by banks, there is no requirement for a specific down payment percentage. Gingrich's claim misrepresents the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, and multiple sources, including real estate experts and fact-checkers, have confirmed that his statement is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich recently used this tactic in discussing housing and the new law to regulate the financial industry known as the Dodd-Frank Act. In a June 13, 2011, appearance in Concord, N.H., Gingrich said that Dodd-Frank \"establishes a mandatory 20 percent down payment to buy a house. So at a time when housing prices have dropped worse than the Great Depression, we\u2019re now going to have a law that guarantees there\u2019s no housing market for a generation?\" Gingrich said this was just one of many reasons to scrap Dodd-Frank entirely.","Gingrich is not correct that the law mandates a 20 percent down payment. There is no such requirement. The only element of the law that even comes close to that is a provision that requires banks to hold on to 5 percent of the value of their mortgages so they will retain a stake in mortgages. There's also been a proposal by regulators to waive that requirement for highly rated mortgages, which would include those with a 20 percent down payment. But that proposal has stalled and that's a long way from what Gingrich said, that 20 percent down payments are required.","\"It's totally incorrect to say that Dodd-Frank came up with the 20 percent down payment standard,\" said Ken Harney, a real estate columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group. \"It just could not be further from the truth. So whoever says that is just misinformed.\"","But the new law gave regulators the option to cut lenders some slack so they could sell 100 percent of certain mortgages if they were less risky. That provision is the source of Gingrich\u2019s statement about a mandatory 20 percent down payment. But we find he is not characterizing the law accurately."]},{"id":"822.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama has consistently voted against tougher penalties for criminals.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama consistently voted against tougher penalties for criminals is false. A thorough examination of Obama's record reveals that he has taken various positions on criminal justice issues, including supporting some tougher penalties for certain crimes. While there may be specific instances where Obama voted against certain penalties, it is inaccurate to claim that he consistently voted against tougher penalties for criminals. It is important to consider the entirety of Obama's record rather than selectively focusing on specific votes to make such a sweeping statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Barack Obama has consistently voted against tougher penalties for criminals \u2014 including major offenses \u2014 allowing criminals to remain on the streets,\" the mailer states.","In each case, the RPOF has taken selective votes or positions to prop up sensational headlines that are belied by a fuller examination of Obama's record. Similarly, the claim that Obama has \" consistently voted against tougher penalties for criminals\" \u2014 when weighed against the entirety of Obama's record \u2014 is untrue. We rule the ad\u2019s claim False.","\u2022 Against tougher penalties for street gangs. \"Obama voted against making gang members eligible for the death penalty if they kill someone to help their gang.\"","\u2022 Against tough penalties for drug-related crimes. \"Obama is against tougher penalties on crack-cocaine users and would use taxpayers dollars to provide addicts with hypodermic needles.\""]},{"id":"12560.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"For the amount of money Hillary Clinton would like to spend on refugees, we could rebuild every inner city in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that \"For the amount of money Hillary Clinton would like to spend on refugees, we could rebuild every inner city in America\" lacks supporting evidence and has been rated as \"Pants on Fire\" by fact-checkers. The Trump campaign did not provide any specific numbers or data to support this claim. Furthermore, the cost of resettling refugees is significantly lower than the cost of rebuilding every inner city in America. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and lacks credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["This summer, Trump said \"for the amount of money Hillary Clinton would like to spend on refugees, we could rebuild every inner city in America.\" We rated that claim Pants on Fire.","\"Hillary also wants to spend hundreds of billions to resettle Middle Eastern refugees in the United States, on top of the current record level of immigration,\" Trump said. \"For the amount of money Hillary Clinton would like to spend on refugees, we could rebuild every inner city in America.\"","Trump said that Clinton wants to spend hundreds of billions on refugees and for that money, \"we could rebuild every inner city in America.\" Trump\u2019s campaign provided no supporting numbers.","We asked the Trump campaign where he got those spending numbers and did not hear back. But as you\u2019ll see, whatever number Clinton could conceivably spend resettling refugees come nowhere near what it would cost to rebuild America\u2019s urban centers."]},{"id":"3438.json","label":"true","statement":"Florida is one of only three states that require licenses for commercial interior designers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Florida is indeed one of only three states, along with Nevada and Louisiana, that require licenses for commercial interior designers. This requirement is supported by a \"practice act\" in Florida, which mandates that commercial interior designers obtain licenses through a combination of education, experience, and passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam. The licensing process includes biennial renewal fees and continuing education requirements. While there is ongoing debate about the necessity and severity of these licensing requirements, the fact remains that Florida is one of the few states that enforce such regulations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Douglas said that \"Florida is one of only three states that requires licenses for commercial interior designers. Both the pro- and anti-licensing camps agree that only Florida, Nevada and Louisiana require licenses to practice commercial interior design, and a court upheld the Florida law earlier this month. The state Legislature is trying to remove some of the restrictions on these licenses, but it has not happened yet. So we rate this statement True.","\"Florida is one of only three states that require licenses for commercial interior designers,\" Douglas told the committee. \"The argument will be it\u2019s a public safety and health issue. \u2026 If you\u2019re in an office building with a lot of cubicles, the aisle ways need to be a certain width, you know, you can\u2019t block the fire exits. Well, there\u2019s other people in place -- fire marshals, other types of inspectors -- that will take care of that.","Florida has a \"practice act\" that mandates commercial interior designers have licenses. To attain one in Florida, an aspiring designer must achieve six years of education and experience and pass all three portions of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam. There is a $125 biennial renewal fee, and continuing education is also required.","Douglas focused his complaints on state licenses, particularly those for interior designers. The state issues licenses for many professions, but the interior design license is a hot debate. Proponents say it takes a certified design professional to ensure a commercial space is fit for human needs. Opponents, like the NFIB, argue it should not take several years of experience, education and exams to do the job, and Florida\u2019s law is too severe."]},{"id":"1558.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Nobody has been talking about it (Medicaid fraud), focused on it, or paying attention to it.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sink that \"Nobody has been talking about it (Medicaid fraud), focused on it, or paying attention to it\" is false. There is evidence to suggest that people have been discussing and paying attention to Medicaid fraud. The Attorney General's office in Florida, for example, had a team of people examining Medicaid claims and investigating fraud. Additionally, there have been efforts by the state of Florida to crack down on Medicaid fraud, as highlighted in a 2006 Associated Press article. Therefore, Sink's claim does not accurately reflect the attention and efforts dedicated to addressing Medicaid fraud.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For this item, we'll zero in on Sink's statement that \"Nobody has been talking about it (Medicaid fraud), focused on it, or paying attention to it.\"","At PolitiFact Florida, we always say words matter. In this case, Sink said, \"Nobody has been talking about (Medicaid fraud), focused on it, or paying attention to it.\" While the outcomes may not be to her liking, people are paying attention. For that, we rate her claim False.","\"That Medicaid thing is just glaring,\" Sink said in a March 4, 2010, interview with the St. Petersburg Times\/Miami Herald. \"And ... this is nothing new, this is not a new problem. Nobody has been talking about it, focused on it, or paying attention to it. It goes on and on and on. Very frustrating.\"","Levine said in his office he had anywhere between 50 and 100 people examining Medicaid claims, in addition to the 200 or so investigating fraud in the attorney general's office. The problem, he said, is the system -- which pays out the claims before regulators have a chance to look at the charges. As he talked, he kept referring back to a 2006 Associated Press article to help make his point. Its title, \"Florida's Efforts to Crack Down on Medicaid Fraud Paying Off.\""]},{"id":"4036.json","label":"false","statement":"Rick Scott has destroyed over 100,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rick Scott has destroyed over 100,000 jobs is not supported by the available evidence. While Democrats have made claims suggesting that Scott has destroyed over 100,000 jobs, the evidence provided does not substantiate this assertion. In fact, according to survey estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state of Florida has actually added a net total of 76,800 jobs since January. While it is possible that Scott's policies may have had an impact on employment in the state, the evidence does not support the claim that he has destroyed over 100,000 jobs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Then there\u2019s the argument from Democrats, who claim that Scott \"has destroyed over 100,000 jobs,\" as Democratic Party chairman Rod Smith put it in an e-mail to supporters last week.","Florida Democratic Party, \"Rick Scott Can Fire All The Staff He Wants But Shake-Up Wont Bring Back 100,000 Jobs,\" June 21, 2011","Some of the more than 100,000 faceless state workers that Florida Gov. Rick Scott has targeted as ways to slash government spending are standing up and pushing back.","It's entirely possible that when the dust settles, Scott \u2014 who advocates cutting government jobs to encourage job-creation in the private sector \u2014 will have hurt employment in the state by 100,000. But this evidence doesn't prove that. And that's not even what Democrats charged \u2014 they said he has already destroyed 100,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the best evidence we do have, survey estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, show the state has actually added 76,800 net jobs since January."]},{"id":"736.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Grateful insurance company executives and their lobbyists\" from Bermuda gave McCain $50,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of fact-checkers, who confirmed that John McCain received $50,000 in contributions from individuals connected to Bermuda-based companies, including insurance company executives and their lobbyists. This information is supported by independent documentation and has been rated as true by fact-checking sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Bermuda. It\u2019s more than just a vacation destination for John McCain,\" the ad says over jaunty, Caribbean-style steel drum music. \"McCain went to Bermuda, and while he was there pledged to protect tax breaks for American corporations that hide their profits offshore. And grateful insurance company executives and their lobbyists who benefit from the tax scheme gave McCain $50,000.\"","It seems likely that the Obama campaign's numbers undercounted contributions from lobbyists connected to Bermuda-based insurance companies. We were able to independently document another $8,150 in contributions to McCain.","The ad states that McCain got $50,000 from people connected to Bermuda-based companies, and we find this accurately portrays the contributions received. We rated this statement True.","The ad states that McCain got $50,000 from people connected to Bermuda-based companies, and we find this accurately portrays the contributions received. We rate Obama's statement True."]},{"id":"12259.json","label":"half-true","statement":"90 percent of fires in Arizona are human-caused.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks specificity. While it is accurate that 90 percent of fires in Arizona are human-caused when considering only state and private land, it does not hold true when including federally-managed land. When all lands (state, private, and federal) are taken into account, the percentage of human-caused fires in Arizona is 61 percent. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate as it does not specify the scope of land being referred to.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Fires \"in Arizona\" includes federally-managed land, in addition to state and private land. And the percentage of human-caused fires on all those lands combined isn\u2019t 90 percent, it\u2019s 61 percent.","Ducey said that \"90 percent of fires in Arizona are human-caused.\" Ducey\u2019s claim is correct when referencing only state and private land. But he wasn\u2019t that specific.","In 2015, 352 out of 404 fires, more than 87 percent, were human-caused. Of the 304 fires reported this year, 296, more than 97 percent, were human-caused.","All that coordination means we do have a total for the entire state for human-caused fires. According to the Southwest Coordination Center, for the entire state of Arizona -- state, private and federal land -- 61 percent of fires in 2015 were caused by humans, and 39 percent of fires were caused by lightning."]},{"id":"4342.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Texas gained 21,000 doctors due to tort reform.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Texas Gov. Rick Perry that Texas gained 21,000 doctors due to tort reform is false. The actual increase in the number of doctors in Texas is around 13,000, and this growth can be attributed to factors such as population growth rather than tort reform alone. The claim made by Gov. Perry exaggerates the impact of tort reform on the influx of doctors in Texas.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Texas Gov. Rick Perry says tort reform brought 21,000 doctors to Texas. !Texas Gov. Rick Perry says tort reform brought 21,000 doctors to Texas.","But Perry also boasted that rural counties were getting specialists in obstetrics and gynecology that they never had before. The reality here is murkier. A report from the Texas Alliance for Patient Access says 14 counties (of 254 total) gained an ob-gyn. We looked at one community along the Rio Grande, Starr County, and found that yes, four years after tort reform, they got one. But the situation has flipped back and forth, and as of May 2011, Starr County had no ob-gyn specialist.","Perry said Texas has 21,000 more doctors thanks to tort reform. That\u2019s flat out wrong. Texas has only about 13,000 more doctors in the state and the historic trends suggest that population growth was the driving factor. We rate his statement False.","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d"]},{"id":"13118.json","label":"true","statement":"Most private sector jobs in the history of Buffalo exist in Buffalo today","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by data from federal and state labor departments, which confirm that there are currently more private sector jobs in Buffalo than at any other time since at least 1990. This indicates significant growth and a positive trend in job creation in the city. The completion of the $750 million facility mentioned in the evidence further supports the claim that the private sector is investing in Buffalo, contributing to the increase in job opportunities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["During Cuomo\u2019s remarks in Buffalo, he said the \"most private sector jobs in the history of Buffalo exist in Buffalo today.\"","Data from the federal and state labor departments back up his claim. There are more private sector jobs in Buffalo today than any other time dating back to at least 1990.","\"We created 800,000 new jobs, we cut the unemployment rate almost in half and today New York State has more private sector jobs than it has ever had in its history\"","He cited completion of the $750 million facility as a milestone in the state\u2019s Buffalo Billion economic development initiative, which he said \"is working because the private sector believes in Buffalo again.\""]},{"id":"3759.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Ohio Democratic Party has raised $1.1 million since the November election. A very small percentage of that has come from organized labor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Ohio Democratic Party has raised $1.1 million since the November election. It is also supported by evidence that shows unions contributed less than 7 percent of the total amount raised. While the term \"very small percentage\" is subjective, the evidence suggests that the contribution from organized labor is relatively low compared to the overall fundraising amount.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Over the course of the last six months, for instance, the Ohio Democratic Party has raised $1.1 million since the November election. A very small percentage of that has come from organized labor.\"","Campaign figures support his claim that that his party has raised $1.1 million since November. Unions contributed a bit under 7 percent of the total, which allows Redfern -- generously speaking -- to claim the it\u2019s a \"very small percentage\" of what it raised so far.","Party spokesman Seth Bringman said the money was raised this calendar year; that after the November election, fundraising didn\u2019t get underway in earnest until after the December holidays.","The GOP chairman produced a spread sheet for us that showed $8.2 million in contributions from labor groups to 2010 Democratic candidates \u2013 including those running for the Ohio General Assembly and statewide offices \u2014 and to state and county Democratic parties. Bringman estimated that together the state party, statewide candidates, General Assembly candidates and county parties raised about $50 million in the 2010. The would mean union donations accounted for about 16 percent."]},{"id":"9605.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Providence graduation rates are up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows an increase in graduation rates in Providence. According to a report from the Providence Public School Department, graduation rates have risen by nearly 6 percentage points since Taveras took office. This indicates that there has been progress in improving graduation rates in Providence under Taveras' leadership.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We ruled Mostly True on Taveras\u2019 claim that \"Providence graduation rates are up.\" In fact, graduation rates have risen nearly 6 percentage points since Taveras took office.","We know that schools in Providence and the state\u2019s other urban communities have higher dropout rates than schools in wealthier communities. We wondered whether graduation rates in Providence had actually gone up -- and, if so, how much Taveras had to do with it.","The Taveras campaign directed us to the Providence Public School Department\u2019s report on 2013 Graduation Rates. Based on data from the Rhode Island Department of Education, the report, issued on May 18, 2014, lists graduation rates for the past five graduating classes.","Acknowledging the stagnant low rates at Mount Pleasant, and Central\u2019s low (but improving) graduation rates, \"we have work to do in the district,\" she said."]},{"id":"12998.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Alex Jones said that the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre were child actors and no one was actually killed there.","reason":"Reason: Alex Jones, the founder of InfoWars, has indeed made the claim that the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre were child actors and that the tragedy did not actually result in any deaths. This claim has been widely debunked and is considered a baseless conspiracy theory. The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's condemnation of Alex Jones for making such a false and deeply offensive claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said Jones \"said that the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre were child actors and no one was actually killed there.\"","Jones, Clinton declared Aug. 25, 2016, \"even said, and this really just is so disgusting, he even said the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre were child actors and no one was actually killed there. I don\u2019t know what happens in somebody\u2019s mind or how dark their heart must be to say things like that.\"","Lawsuits in the news remind us of our fact-check of a 2016 claim that Austin conspiracy theorist Alex Jones once said the 20-plus victims of a tragic massacre at a Connecticut school were child actors and that no one was killed there.","The story of the lawsuits led us to remember that in August 2016, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton brought up Jones and InfoWars and declared that Jones had \"even said, and this really just is so disgusting, he even said the victims of the Sandy Hook massacre were child actors and no one was actually killed there. I don\u2019t know what happens in somebody\u2019s mind or how dark their heart must be to say things like that.\""]},{"id":"164.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I've got the most international experience here.\"","reason":"Reason: While Governor Bill Richardson did have significant foreign policy experience, including serving as U.N. ambassador, it is not accurate for him to claim that he had the most international experience among all the candidates. Other candidates, such as Joe Biden, had extensive foreign policy experience as well. Therefore, Richardson's statement is an exaggeration and cannot be considered entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At a Democratic debate in Philadelphia on Oct. 30, Gov. Bill Richardson tried some global one-upsmanship. \"I've got the most international experience here,\" he said.","That message is a central plank in his campaign. He not only has executive experience running the state of New Mexico and 15 years in Congress, he's got foreign policy experience. (Our in-depth look at the candidates' experience can be found in our story here.)","So it's a stretch for Richardson to claim he's No. 1. We recognize he has lots of foreign policy experience, but given his brief time as U.N. ambassador and Biden's significant experience, we find Richardson's statement to be Half True.","Whether this stage of negotiations is a result of Richardson's skills as a diplomat, or if officials like U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill are more responsible, goes beyond the scope of our question. But this experience definitely gives him some foreign policy cred."]},{"id":"11984.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas is home to millions of Latinas, but the state has never elected a Latina to Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Despite having a significant population of Latinas in Texas, the state has never elected a Latina to Congress. This is supported by the evidence provided, which confirms that Texas has historically sent 17 Hispanic men to Congress but has not elected any Latinas to serve in Congress.\nLabel: true","evidence":["EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock said: \"Texas is home to millions of Latinas, but the state has never elected a Latina to Congress.\"","Of late, more than 5 million Latinas live in Texas, whose voters have historically sent 17 Hispanic men to Congress including one to the Senate--but no Latinas.","To get a sense of Latina Texans, we reached out to the Office of the Texas State Demographer, which by email provided us with a few different data sets.","--The first Latino elected to the House from Texas was Henry B. Gonz\u00e1lez of San Antonio, who served from 1961 into early 1999. With 37 years in the House, he also was the longest-serving Hispanic member of Congress."]},{"id":"551.json","label":"true","statement":"\"He won't even support his colleague's ... motion to censure the Bush administration for systemic repeated illegal wiretaps.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Ralph Nader's claim that Barack Obama did not support his colleague's motion to censure the Bush administration for illegal wiretaps. This claim is supported by evidence that Obama did not co-sponsor Russ Feingold's resolution and did not clarify his position on the censure proposal. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He won't even support his colleague Sen. Russ Feingold's motion to censure the Bush administration for systemic repeated illegal wiretaps,\" Nader said in a June 18 interview on the radio program Democracy Now! \"He \u2014 you know, he's letting the corporate-dominated city of Washington, the corporations who actually rule us now in Washington, determine his agenda. And that does not augur well.\"","Feingold's proposal was to \"condemn Bush's unlawful authorization of wiretaps of Americans within the United States without obtaining the court orders required by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.\"","The Obama campaign did not respond to requests to clarify his position on this censure proposal. His past comments and his decision not to co-sponsor Feingold's resolution lead us to conclude Nader was correct in saying Obama does not support it. We find Nader's claim to be True.","Longtime consumer advocate and independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader, seeking to attract voters to the left of Sen. Barack Obama, tweaked the Democratic candidate for his unwillingness to censure President Bush."]},{"id":"4088.json","label":"true","statement":"There are actually half a million fewer government employees now than there were when (President Barack) Obama took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that there were approximately half a million fewer government employees when President Obama left office compared to when he took office. This information is supported by data and can be verified. It is important to note, however, that this statement alone does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall impact of President Obama's policies on government employment or the economy as a whole.\nLabel: true","evidence":["He wrote, \"Everybody knows that President (Barack) Obama tried to stimulate the economy with a huge increase in government spending, and that it didn\u2019t work. But what everyone knows is wrong. Think about it: Where are the big public works projects? Where are the armies of government workers? There are actually half a million fewer government employees now than there were when Mr. Obama took office.\"","!We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\" !We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\"","We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\"","To determine how different the economy was under Obama, you have to have a sense of what it was like before he became president. So we did exactly the same calculations for the four-year period immediately before he took office \u2013 December 2004 to December 2008, under President George W. Bush."]},{"id":"12043.json","label":"false","statement":"The Clean Power Plan is something that Sen. Sanders has said he would delay implementing.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Senator Sanders has said he would delay implementing the Clean Power Plan. In fact, Sanders has advocated for more ambitious action on climate change and has supported the Clean Power Plan in both words and actions. Multiple searches and investigations have found no statements from Sanders suggesting a desire to delay the implementation of the plan. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and unfounded.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The Clean Power Plan is something that Sen. Sanders has said he would delay implementing, which makes absolutely no sense,\" Clinton said.","Sanders advocates for more ambitious action on climate change, which some experts argue could delay the plan. But Sanders himself has never said what Clinton is suggesting, and he has supported the Clean Power Act in words and action.","We searched Google, LexisNexis and CQ for comments Sanders has made on the plan and found no evidence that Sanders has said he wants to delay the implementation.","But Sanders himself did not say he would delay implementation. In reality, he wants a more ambitious plan (and has released one) and has supported Obama\u2019s plan from the get-go."]},{"id":"905.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The biggest job of the surgeon general is to translate health care and health care needs into plain English.","reason":"Reason: While communication is an important aspect of the surgeon general's role, it is not accurate to claim that it is the biggest or sole responsibility of the position. The surgeon general is primarily responsible for leading public health initiatives, providing expertise and guidance on health matters, and addressing public health concerns. While translating health care and health care needs into plain English is a valuable skill, it is just one aspect of the broader responsibilities of the surgeon general. It is important to recognize the multifaceted nature of the role, which includes medical, administrative, and leadership skills.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think he's a great appointment,\" Dean told host Chris Matthews. \"I'll tell you why he's a great appointment. The biggest job of the surgeon general is to translate health care and health care needs into plain English that people can understand, ordinary people can understand. That's what Sanjay Gupta has been doing for a living for quite a while.\"","But being doctor to the nation has traditionally involved more than just advising it on health issues \u2014 you have to check up on it first. Surgeon general is a public health position, not a public affairs position. Communication may be the \"biggest part of the job\" in a sense, but many other medical and administrative skills are required.","Gupta is known primarily for his work as a TV reporter, though he's clearly identified as a medical doctor. A number of commentators have attacked Gupta's health care reporting for criticizing Michael Moore's film Sicko in a segment on CNN. A blogger at Gawker joked that Gupta must have beat out Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Some advocates of the Commissioned Corps, a team of federal health workers led by the surgeon general, say the job should go to someone who rose through the ranks.","\"The administration raises revenue for nationalized health care through a series of new taxes, including a light switch tax that would cost every American household $3,128 a year.\""]},{"id":"6394.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Measure 11 is one of the most significant reasons for decrease in violent crime.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made that Measure 11 is considered one of the most significant reasons for the decrease in violent crime. However, it's important to note that this claim acknowledges the existence of other causes and does not attribute the entire decrease solely to Measure 11. The impact of Measure 11 on the decrease in violent crime is not definitively determined, as there are other factors to consider, such as changing demographics and potential effects of higher incarceration rates or increased prison building. Therefore, while Measure 11 may have played a role, it is not the sole or exclusive reason for the decrease in violent crime.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Now for the ruling. Doell says that Measure 11 is \"one of the most significant reasons\" for the decrease in the violent crime rate. That \"one of\" language is important. It acknowledges the existence of other causes. We also agree that Measure 11 made a difference, though it\u2019s unclear whether it was because of the higher incarceration rates or the greater prison building to prevent early releases, as Prins suggests. That and the fact that Oregon\u2019s drop was part of a national trend caused in large measure by changing demographics are needed clarifications to the statement.","\"The voters were tired of the high violent crime rate in Oregon and violent criminals receiving short sentences so they put a high priority on violent crimes. And while Oregon\u2019s violent crime rate increased nearly 700% from 1960 until 1985, then basically plateaued through 1995, the violent crime rate has decreased more than 50% since then. We believe one of the most significant reasons for this decrease is Measure 11.\"","Biden\u2019s claim of a 15% decrease is supported by the change in the rate of violent crime; the decline in the total number of crimes was less than 15%.","The 700 percent figure caught our attention -- but so did this whole concept that Measure 11 was so instrumental in such a dramatic shift away from higher crime rates. We couldn\u2019t help but check it out."]},{"id":"10617.json","label":"true","statement":"The proposed transportation tax plan revokes a tax-credit for consumers electric cars while the state retains similar credits for similar vehicles for businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The proposed transportation tax plan in Georgia does indeed revoke a tax credit for consumers' electric cars while retaining similar credits for similar vehicles used by businesses. This discrepancy in tax credits for electric vehicles between consumers and businesses is a notable feature of the legislation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The proposed transportation tax plan revokes a tax-credit for consumers\u2019 electric cars while the state retains similar credits for similar vehicles for businesses.","One alert reader reached out on Twitter, remembering a claim in a story earlier this year and wondering if the House version still revokes a tax-credit for consumers\u2019 electric cars, while leaving a similar break in place for businesses.","So that means the current legislation does revoke a tax break available for consumers\u2019 alternative-fuel vehicles, while leaving alone a similar credit for business use.","But the question here is whether, today, Georgia\u2019s transportation legislation eliminates a popular consumer tax credit while retaining a similar break for businesses."]},{"id":"11174.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A majority of the candidates on this stage have supported amnesty ... I have never supported amnesty.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Ted Cruz, claiming that a majority of the candidates on the stage have supported amnesty while he has never supported it, is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that Cruz has consistently opposed amnesty for undocumented immigrants. However, it's important to note that the term \"amnesty\" can be subjective and interpreted differently by different individuals. Nonetheless, based on the context provided, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["6. Ted Cruz : \"A majority of the candidates on this stage have supported amnesty ... I have never supported amnesty.\" Mostly True.","Cruz said at a Republican debate, \"A majority of the candidates on this stage have supported amnesty,\" adding, \"I have never supported amnesty.\"","\"A majority of the men and women on this stage have previously and publicly embraced amnesty. I am the only candidate on this stage who has never supported amnesty.\"","\"A majority of the candidates on this stage have supported amnesty,\" he said. \"I have never supported amnesty, and I led the fight against Chuck Schumer\u2019s gang of eight amnesty legislation in the Senate.\" (Schumer is U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.)"]},{"id":"1180.json","label":"true","statement":"The claim ... that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens ... is a lie, plain and simple.","reason":"Reason: President Obama explicitly stated that the claim of setting up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens is a \"lie, plain and simple.\" This statement is supported by the fact-checking analysis, which concludes that there is no evidence to suggest the existence of such death panels. The claim was widely debunked and considered false. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects President Obama's position on the matter.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Some of people\u2019s concerns (about the health care legislation) have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost,\" Obama told lawmakers and a national television audience on Sept. 9, 2009. \"The best example is the claim, made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but by prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Now, such a charge would be laughable if it weren\u2019t so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple.\"","Nothing has emerged to suggest to us that the death panels claim is any more true today than it was when Palin first floated it. We still rate it as Pants on Fire today. In our book, that counts as a \"lie, plain and simple.\" So we find Obama's claim True.","But that's not what Palin said. She said that the Democratic plan will ration care and \"my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care.\" Palin's statement sounds more like a science fiction movie ( Soylent Green , anyone?) than part of an actual bill before Congress. We rate her statement Pants on Fire!","In his address to a joint session of Congress, President Barack Obama brought up the most explosive charge to emerge in the health care debate: the specter of \"death panels.\""]},{"id":"7339.json","label":"false","statement":"One-third of the gasoline is purchased by out-of-state people in Virginia","reason":"Reason: The claim that one-third of the gasoline purchased in Virginia is bought by out-of-state individuals is not supported by credible evidence. The available data indicates that there is no specific statistic on the percentage of gas purchased in Virginia by out-of-state drivers. The claim made by Saslaw, the senate minority leader, has been challenged by the McDonnell administration and House Speaker William Howell, who cite a memo from the Virginia Department of Transportation suggesting that the portion of gasoline purchased by out-of-state drivers is only about 9 percent. Therefore, the statement that one-third of the gasoline is purchased by out-of-state people in Virginia is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There\u2019s no reason for us to put the whole burden on Virginia when one-third of the gasoline is purchased by out-of-state people and now we\u2019re going to give them a free ride,\" he said on Jan. 9.","There\u2019s a good reason none of his possible sources pan out: the statistic does not exist. Virginia taxes gasoline sales at the wholesale level, not at the pumps. So there\u2019s no data on the percentage of gas purchased in Virginia by out-of-state drivers.","Saslaw, the senate minority leader, said one-third of the gasoline bought in Virginia is purchased by out-of-state motorists. He cited the statistic as a reason he and many other Democrats oppose the governor\u2019s plan to raise money for roads by ending the state gas tax and increasing the sales tax. Saslaw said the plan would diminish Virginia\u2019s ability to tax out-of-state drivers for using its roads and transfer that burden to Virginians.","Republicans have been trying debunk Saslaw\u2019s claim. The McDonnell administration and House Speaker William Howell, R-Stafford, have been circulating a memo from the Virginia Department of Transportation that suggests the portion of gasoline purchased by out-of-state drivers is only about 9 percent."]},{"id":"6871.json","label":"true","statement":"The federal tax code has loopholes that are giving incentives for companies that are shipping jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position expressed by President Obama and Vice President Biden regarding the existence of tax code provisions that provide incentives for companies to ship jobs overseas. These provisions are seen as loopholes because they allow companies to exploit certain tax advantages in order to benefit from outsourcing. However, it's important to note that the term \"loopholes\" is subjective and can be debated, as some of these provisions may have been intentionally designed to create incentives or promote specific economic activities. Nonetheless, the overall claim that there are tax code provisions incentivizing offshoring is supported.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I also want to close those loopholes that are giving incentives for companies that are shipping jobs overseas,\" Obama said. \"I want to provide tax breaks for companies that are investing here in the United States.\"","\"When it comes to our tax code, Gov. Romney and I both agree that our corporate tax rate is too high, so I want to lower it, particularly for manufacturing, taking it down to 25 percent. But I also want to close those loopholes that are giving incentives for companies that are shipping jobs overseas. I want to provide tax breaks for companies that are investing here in the United States.\"","However, it may be incorrect to call the tax provisions cited in the report \"loopholes,\" since many of them are deliberate attempts by the government to set incentives through the tax code and may on their own be broadly popular.","\u2022 However, Biden\u2019s term \u201cloopholes\u201d may not be apt, since many of the relevant provisions are deliberate attempts to set incentives through the tax code and may be broadly popular."]},{"id":"9452.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The typical Wisconsin worker makes $5,000 less each year than our neighbors in Minnesota under Gov. Scott Walkers policies.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Burke that the typical Wisconsin worker earns $5,000 less annually compared to their counterparts in Minnesota under Governor Scott Walker's policies. This claim is supported by evidence that highlights the difference in job growth and economic recovery between the two states. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all factors contributing to the wage difference and should be interpreted in the context of broader economic factors and policies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Burke told delegates at the state Democratic convention that \"the typical Wisconsin worker makes $5,000 less each year than our neighbors in Minnesota\" under Walker\u2019s policies.","Walker said his \"Act 10 reforms have saved the taxpayers some $3 billion\" (Mostly True). Burke claimed \"the typical Wisconsin worker makes $5,000 less each year than our neighbors in Minnesota\" (Mostly True).","She added: \"But the people of Wisconsin, we know Scott Walker. He promised us 250,000 new jobs. But what did we get? We\u2019re 9th out of 10 midwestern states in job growth -- ninth out of 10! And the typical Wisconsin worker makes $5,000 less each year than our neighbors in Minnesota.\"","Democrats ripping jobs gains under Republican Gov. Scott Walker often point to the post-recession progress in Minnesota, where the jobs recovery has outpaced that of Wisconsin."]},{"id":"9441.json","label":"true","statement":"FIFA pressured Brazil into passing a so-called Budweiser bill, allowing beer sales in soccer stadiums.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by John Oliver on his show, Last Week Tonight, that FIFA pressured Brazil into passing a law known as the \"Budweiser bill\" to allow beer sales in soccer stadiums. This change in legislation was influenced by FIFA's sponsorship with Budweiser and their interest in profiting from beer sales during the World Cup. The evidence provided confirms the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The amazing thing is here FIFA won. They successfully pressured Brazil into passing a so-called Budweiser bill, allowing beer sales in soccer stadiums,\" Oliver said. \"And at this point you can either be horrified by that or relieved that FIFA was not also sponsored by cocaine and chainsaws.\"","\"The amazing thing is here FIFA won. They successfully pressured Brazil into passing a so-called Budweiser bill, allowing beer sales in soccer stadiums,\" Oliver said June 8 on his HBO show Last Week Tonight. \"And at this point you can either be horrified by that or relieved that FIFA was not also sponsored by cocaine and chainsaws.\"","As deaths from violence at soccer matches mounted, the Brazilian government passed a law in 2003 that banned alcohol sales at stadiums. But FIFA is sponsored by Budweiser and interested in profits from beer sales, so the prohibition had to go (but only for the World Cup).","Faced with mounting deaths at soccer matches, the Brazilian government passed a law in 2003 that banned alcohol sales at stadiums. But FIFA is sponsored by Budweiser and interested in profits from beer sales, so the prohibition had to go for the World Cup."]},{"id":"6817.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The income tax that started at 2 percent under Governor Byrne is now 9 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the income tax rate in New Jersey has increased from its initial rate of 2 percent, stating that the income tax \"started at 2 percent under Governor Byrne and is now 9 percent\" is misleading. The income tax rate in New Jersey varies based on income brackets, and not all brackets are subject to a 9 percent rate. In fact, there are income levels that are charged a rate of less than 2 percent. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies New Jersey's current income tax system and does not accurately represent the range of tax rates that exist.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Christie said 35 years ago New Jersey also didn\u2019t have an income tax, but then \"Governor Brendan Byrne, a Democrat, said if you just give me a small income tax, just a little one, I will lower your property taxes, for the people who have the highest property taxes in America back in 1977. So 35 years later, what have we got? We still have the highest property taxes in America and the income tax that started at 2 percent under Governor Byrne is now 9 percent -- 9 percent.","( - Chris Christie says state income tax jumped from 2 percent when it was first enacted to 9 percent now&url=)","Every other income bracket is subject to a rate lower than 9 percent, with some income levels charged a rate of less than 2 percent.","So for Christie to suggest the income tax, in general, jumped from 2 percent to 9 percent is misleading. That\u2019s true for one income level, but the statement oversimplifies New Jersey\u2019s current income tax system."]},{"id":"3938.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has put (up) a stop sign against oil drilling, against any kind of exploration offshore or in Alaska.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays President Obama's stance on oil drilling and exploration. While the Obama administration did implement stricter regulations and oversight following the BP oil spill, they did not completely halt oil drilling or exploration offshore or in Alaska. The administration continued to approve shallow-water and deep-water wells after the moratorium was lifted. While the pace of approvals may not have been as fast as some desired, it does not support the claim that Obama has put a complete stop to oil drilling and exploration. Additionally, the shortage of drilling in Alaska predates Obama's presidency. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama \"has put (up) a stop sign \u2026 against oil drilling, against any kind of exploration offshore or in Alaska.\"","Santorum said that Obama \"has put (up) a stop sign \u2026 against oil drilling, against any kind of exploration offshore or in Alaska, and that is depressing. We need to drill. We need to create energy jobs.\"","We agree. It\u2019s true that the Obama Administration pulled back the reins after the BP spill. But the administration has continued approving shallow-water wells, and it began to approve deep-water wells again after the moratorium was lifted six months ago. Just because the pace isn\u2019t as fast as some would like doesn\u2019t mean that Obama \"has put (up) a stop sign \u2026 against oil drilling, against any kind of exploration offshore or in Alaska.\" At most, it would be a yellow light, and Santorum\u2019s claim -- referring to curbs on \"any kind\" of exploration -- is over-broad. So we rate Santorum\u2019s claim False.","A chart from BOEMRE confirms that no new offshore wells have been drilled in Alaska since Obama took office. However, only one such well has been drilled in the past dozen years, including eight years when a Republican, George W. Bush was president. So the shortage of drilling in Alaska is not exclusively an Obama-related problem."]},{"id":"7489.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush flip-flop-flip(ped) on immigration.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and statements from various individuals, including Debbie Wasserman Schultz, have accused Jeb Bush of flip-flopping on immigration. The term \"flip-flop-flip\" suggests a change in stance or position on the issue of immigration. While the evidence provided does not explicitly detail the specific instances or positions that constitute the flip-flop-flip, it does support the claim that Jeb Bush has changed his stance on immigration over time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["There\u2019s no doubt, though, that the Jeb Bush in the book had a different opinion from the Jeb Bush on the book tour. We rate the flip-flop-flip claim True.","Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- admittedly a bit player in this story but for her tweet -- said Bush has made a \"flip-flop-flip\" on immigration.","Washington Post , \"Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton accuse each other of flip-flopping on immigration - and they're both right,\" July 7, 2015","\"@JebBush a flip-flop-flip on immigration? Wow. I fashioned you more of a baseball player than a gymnast. My bad. #notsurprisedatall,\" Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz quipped in a tweet on March 5, 2013."]},{"id":"13274.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio opposes immigration reform. Worse, Rubio supports Donald Trump. His plan would deport 800,000 children, destroying families.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Murphy in the ad, but it lacks some nuance. While it is true that Marco Rubio initially supported comprehensive immigration reform in 2013 but later shifted his stance to a piecemeal approach with a focus on border security first, it is misleading to say that he opposes immigration reform entirely. Additionally, the claim that Rubio supports Donald Trump's plan to deport 800,000 children requires further explanation, as it does not provide sufficient context or evidence to support the assertion. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks clarity and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I worked with President (Barack) Obama on this topic while Sen. Rubio changed position,\" Murphy said in a Spanish-language ad Oct. 10. \"Now he opposes immigration reform. Worse, Rubio supports Donald Trump. His plan would deport 800,000 children, destroying families.\"","\"Marco Rubio is following his party bosses, like Rick Scott, with his plan to raise taxes on Florida's working families, retirees and veterans.\"","Murphy is pushing Rubio's position too far when he says Rubio opposes immigration reform. After a comprehensive bill with a path to citizenship failed in 2013, Rubio called for a piecemeal approach with border security first. He still wants to change immigration laws, but he believes it is politically impractical to do it in one swoop.","Murphy\u2019s ad makes it sound like Rubio is against any changes to the immigration laws, but that\u2019s misleading. Rubio supports a different approach than the one he initially backed in 2013. The threat of 800,000 deportations under Trump also requires further explanation."]},{"id":"3435.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 1980, over 145 incidents have been documented of suction entrapment in swimming pools and spas, including 36 deaths of children.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, which states that since 1980, there have been over 145 documented incidents of suction entrapment in swimming pools and spas, resulting in the deaths of 36 children. This claim has been verified by additional sources and is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 1980, over 145 incidents have been documented of suction entrapment in swimming pools and spas, including 36 deaths of children,\" according to her Feb. 16 press release.","A Democratic leader in the Texas Senate, Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, led us to research her statement from a February press releasethat since 1980, \"over 145 incidents have been documented of suction entrapment in swimming pools and spas, including 36 deaths of children.\" Her back-up information didn\u2019t entirely prove the claim. But we concluded from additional sources that the statement is True.","State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte says there have been more than 145 incidents of pool drain entrapments since 1980, resulting in the deaths of 36 children","( - State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte says there have been more than 145 incidents of pool drain entrapments since 1980, resulting in the deaths of 36 children&url=)"]},{"id":"5591.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The RESTORE Act started as an effort to dedicate as much BP fine money as possible towards Gulf Coast restoration but now could steer money to places like the Great Lakes and West Coast.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Rubio's claim that the RESTORE Act, which aims to allocate BP fine money towards Gulf Coast restoration, has the potential to direct some funds to areas like the Great Lakes and West Coast. While the fines themselves are primarily intended for the Gulf Coast, a portion of the interest from those fines could be allocated to an ocean endowment that would benefit coastal regions nationwide, including the Great Lakes and West Coast. Therefore, while the majority of the funds would still go to the Gulf Coast, there is a possibility of some money being directed to other areas. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"What started as a genuine bipartisan effort to dedicate as much BP fine money as possible towards Gulf Coast restoration has now turned into a raw deal that increases taxes, creates a new environmental bureaucracy, and could steer money to places like the Great Lakes and West Coast that had nothing to do with the oil spill,\" Rubio said.","Rubio said the RESTORE Act started as an \"effort to dedicate as much BP fine money as possible towards Gulf Coast restoration\" but now \"could steer money to places like the Great Lakes and West Coast.\" It's not the fine money itself that could go to other bodies of water, but interest from the fines. Half the interest could go to an ocean endowment for coastal regions nationwide, including the Great Lakes and West Coast. The bulk of the fines themselves will still go to the Gulf Coast. The small amount was set aside to attract votes from non-Gulf senators.","As the title suggests, the endowment is a national program with money available for coastal areas including -- you guessed it -- the Great Lakes and West Coast among other places.","Publicly, Rubio was quiet about the provision to protect other bodies of water for months, though we are rating him here on the truthfulness of his words, not the timing of his protest. Some money from the RESTORE Act could go to the Great Lakes and the West Coast, but the bulk of the money -- particularly the fines themselves -- would still go to the Gulf Coast. We rate his claim Half True."]},{"id":"2597.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia lawmakers balanced the budget without raising taxes on residents.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Georgia lawmakers were able to balance the budget without raising taxes on residents. The sources mention statements from politicians and discussions about budget processes and programs, indicating that alternative measures were taken to address budgetary needs without resorting to tax increases. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all budgetary decisions and factors involved. Therefore, while the statement is supported by the evidence provided, it should be understood within the context of the information available.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Perdue was able to help us balance the budget without raising taxes on the residents of Georgia,\" Cagle said, according to the Times-Georgian newspaper in Carrollton.","There are some things you just don't do if you want to be considered a conservative politician. Raising taxes is at the top of the list.","The short answer is that while Handel was able to help balance the county budget without raising taxes, her specific claim ignores some critical facts about the Fulton County budget process.","The third argument concerns the Homeowner's Tax Relief Grant program. The state program gave Georgia homeowners between $200 and $300 to offset their property taxes, which cost the state about $428 million a year, about 2 percent of Georgia's budget. The Legislature didn't continue the program this year. Leaders in Georgia's 159 counties, beset by their own budget problems, said they could not cover the costs either. State lawmakers did not include the grant during this year's legislative session for the fiscal year that began July 1."]},{"id":"4464.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that three of these five Republicans -- Ben Westlund, Rob Patridge, Max Williams, Lane Shetterly, Lynn Lundquist -- later became Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that three of the mentioned Republicans, Ben Westlund, Max Williams, and Lane Shetterly, later became Democrats. According to registration records, these individuals remain registered Republicans. While there may be disagreements or differences in their political positions, it is incorrect to assert that they switched party affiliations. The claim is false based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You had folks like Ben Westlund, Rob Patridge, Max Williams, Lane Shetterly, Lynn Lundquist all get elected. All of them were opposed to the (social-conservative) portion of the \u2018platform.' And guess what? They ended up folding like a lawn chair on the fiscal battles as well. Heck three of them ended up becoming Democrats later.\"","The same goes for Patridge, who serves on the staff of Oregon\u2019s only Republican U.S. representative and is running for district attorney in Jackson County; Williams, who oversees the state Department of Corrections; and Shetterly, a former director of the Department of Land Conservation and Development who now practices law. All three served in the Oregon House, as Republicans.","But we have to call this one out, if only to set the party record straight. Shetterly and Williams may not be Republicans in Coyote\u2019s eyes, but according to registration records, they remain Republican voters. He could have called them RINOs, Republican in name only, but he chose to call them Democrats -- for him a more derogatory term. We rate the claim False, knowing full well that others would rate this anywhere from True to a Pants on Fire, depending on their political views.","So, what gives? Piccolo owned up to using \"a little blog short hand.\" (PolitiFact Oregon can\u2019t resist pointing this out as a lesson in always checking what you read, especially on the Internet.) He said he is much more careful about language in official blog posts than comments -- but he stands by his assertion that Westlund, Williams and Shetterly are really Democrats."]},{"id":"41.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The crime decline in the United States would be fairly small if it wasn't for the crime decline in New York City.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Giuliani that the crime decline in the United States would be fairly small without the crime decline in New York City is not supported by evidence. While New York City did experience significant declines in crime during Giuliani's tenure as mayor, it is inaccurate to attribute the majority of the national crime decline to the improvements in New York City alone. Crime rates across the country have shown significant declines during various periods, and attributing the overall decline solely to one city is an oversimplification of the complex factors that contribute to crime trends.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"But even as you look back on it, the crime decline in the United States would be fairly small if it wasn't for the crime decline in New York City.\"","In this statement, Giuliani simply tries to say too much. His assertion that the national decline in crime \"would be fairly small\" if not for the improvements in New York just isn't true.","\"Fifty-six percent decline in overall crime. A 73 percent decline in motor-vehicle theft. A 67 percent decline in robbery. A 66 percent decline in murder. This is way beyond what happened in the nation during this period of time.","\"I brought down crime more than anyone in this country -- maybe in the history of this country -- while I was mayor of New York City.\" -"]},{"id":"7929.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Proposed cuts in the House farm bill mean 2 million less people on food stamps, 210,000 children will not receive school lunches or breakfasts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Rep. Barbara Lee regarding the potential impact of the proposed cuts in the House farm bill. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis supports the reduction in food stamp rolls, estimating a decrease of 1.8 million people. However, there is some uncertainty regarding the exact number of children who would no longer qualify for school meals. While the CBO estimates that about 210,000 children may lose automatic eligibility, it is possible that some of them could still qualify by applying separately. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be noted that not all 210,000 children would necessarily be completely excluded from receiving school lunches or breakfasts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One claim about what the cuts would do to families came earlier in the week from Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif. In an interview on MSNBC, Lee said the cuts would mean \"2 million less people on food stamps. 210,000 children will not receive school lunches or breakfasts.\"","Lee said that cuts in the House farm bill would leave 2 million people without food stamps and remove 210,000 children from the school breakfast and lunch program. Ultimately, both numbers go back to the Congressional Budget Office, which is generally seen as impartial. The CBO analysis largely supports the food stamp rolls reduction, but there is more uncertainty regarding school meal subsidies. She is off a little bit on the 2 million number; it's actually 1.8 million. And, with school lunches, it's uncertain that all 210,000 would no longer qualify. It's possible some might still be able to receive free or reduced cost lunches by applying separately. We rate the statement Mostly True.","In an analysis of the latest bill, the CBO estimated that reducing the food stamp rolls would mean that about 210,000 children would lose automatic eligibility for the school meals program. However, they might still qualify; they would need to apply separately. So to say that all 210,000 would no longer be able to participate goes beyond the CBO analysis.","In some states, there is a direct connection between food stamps, which go to a household, and free and reduced-price school meals, which go to the children. Basically, in those states, if a family gets food stamps, the children automatically qualify for a break on the price of breakfast and lunch at school."]},{"id":"7968.json","label":"true","statement":"If it is enacted, the Senate immigration bill is going to make the Border Patrol bigger than the FBI -- you could put one agent every 250 feet.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bill Maher is accurate. If the Senate immigration bill is enacted, it would indeed increase the size of the Border Patrol to a level where there would be approximately one agent every 250 feet. The Border Patrol would double in size to around 37,716 agents, which is larger than the number of employees in the FBI. Multiple sources have confirmed the accuracy of this claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Maher said that if it is enacted, the Senate immigration bill is \"going to make the border patrol bigger than the FBI -- you could put one agent every 250 feet.\" He\u2019s right on the first claim and on target with the second. In all, we rate his statement True.","Bill Maher says the immigration bill will \"make the Border Patrol bigger than the FBI -- you could put one agent every 250 feet\"","\u2022 Comedian Bill Maher said during his June show that an amendment to the Senate bill is \"going to make the Border Patrol bigger than the FBI -- you could put one agent every 250 feet.\" The Border Patrol would double to 37,716 which while the FBI had 35,629 employees in 2012. We rated this claim True.","If the bill is enacted as is, Maher said during a roundtable segment of his June 21, 2013, show, it is \"going to make the Border Patrol bigger than the FBI -- you could put one agent every 250 feet. There'll be over 40,000 agents. It's four times more than any of the Republicans were asking for in their wildest dreams. It's like, to get Republican senators to vote for something now, you have to get to crazy.\""]},{"id":"11384.json","label":"false","statement":"Glen Sturtevant is against smaller class sizes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Glen Sturtevant is against smaller class sizes. The mailer and the sources cited do not provide any concrete evidence or statements from Sturtevant indicating his opposition to smaller class sizes. In fact, Sturtevant himself has stated that he supports smaller class sizes. Therefore, the claim that Sturtevant is against smaller class sizes is not substantiated by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Glen Sturtevant Has the Wrong Priorities For Our Schools,\" the mailer says. Underneath, a red box with white capital letters provides the kicker: \"AGAINST SMALLER CLASS SIZES.\"","What they show is that Sturtevant opposed the budget because it did not contain a 2 percent raise for teachers. Sturtevant did not mention class sizes in laying out his objection to the spending plan. He tells us he supports smaller class sizes.","The Richmond school budget is a 262-page document. Sturtevant\u2019s vote against the budget does not entitle Gecker to determine which of its countless line items Sturtevant opposed. There\u2019s a burden on Gecker to prove that Sturtevant \"is against smaller class sizes,\" and he comes up empty.","But a Times-Dispatch article Gecker cites to prove his claim provides no evidence Sturtevant opposes smaller classes, nor does a video of the meeting at which Sturtevant cast his vote."]},{"id":"719.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I have never asked for a single earmark, pork barrel project for my state of Arizona.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by John McCain claiming that he has never requested any earmarks or pork barrel projects for his state of Arizona is not accurate. There is evidence that contradicts this claim, including instances where McCain co-sponsored legislation requesting funds for specific projects in Arizona. For example, he co-sponsored legislation in 2006 that requested $10 million for an academic center at the University of Arizona and in 2003, he won authorization to purchase property for a buffer zone around Luke Air Force Base. These examples demonstrate that McCain has indeed sought earmarks for his state, contradicting his statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cI have never asked for a single earmark, pork barrel project for my state of Arizona. Sen. Obama has asked for $932-million dollars in earmarks, literally $1-million for every day that he\u2019s been in Congress.\u201d","\"I have never asked for a single earmark, pork barrel project for my state of Arizona. Sen. Obama has asked for $932-million dollars in earmarks, literally $1-million for every day that he's been in Congress.\" We examined the claim he's making about Barack Obama's record in another item here. In this one, we'll look at what McCain is boasting about himself. It echoes a point McCain made in a mailer being distributed in Florida in which McCain claims to have \"never sought a single dollar\" in pork barrel funding.","The latest instance comes in remarks McCain made at a rally in Tampa on Sept. 16. McCain said: \"I have never asked for a single earmark, pork-barrel project for my state of Arizona. Sen. Obama has asked for $932-million in earmarks, literally one million dollars for every day that he's been in Congress.\" McCain had made nearly the identical claim just a week ago in mailer that is now circulating in Florida. \"Obama has requested $1-million in pork barrel spending for every working day he has been in the Senate,\" it says, while \"John McCain has never sought a single dollar.\"","It's just not true. As PolitiFact writer John Frank pointed out earlier this year, McCain in 2006 co-sponsored legislation that asked for $10-million for an academic center at the University of Arizona to honor the late Supreme Court chief justice William Rehnquist. In 2003, Frank noted, McCain won authorization to buy property to create a buffer zone around Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and in 1992, McCain asked the Environmental Protection Agency to provide $5-million toward a wastewater project in Nogales, Ariz."]},{"id":"8343.json","label":"true","statement":"Photo ID is not required for those who vote by mail.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In many states, including those that have strict voter ID laws, photo ID is not required for individuals who vote by mail or through absentee ballots. While voter ID laws may apply to in-person voting, the requirements for mail-in voting often differ. It's important to note that the specific requirements for voting by mail can vary by state, so it is essential to consult the laws and regulations of the respective state in question.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A Facebook post by Haley suggested that no ID is required to vote in America. Although some states do not require voters to present ID to vote, most do.","\"While we recognize that some states do have voter ID laws, the vast majority of Americans are not required to abide by strict voter ID laws,\" he said. \"Strict voter ID is only required in 11 states, covering 18% of the U.S. population.\"","Recent national polls show broad support for voter identification. A Monmouth University poll from June of 810 adults showed that 91% of Republicans, 62% of Democrats and 87% of non-affiliated voters support requiring photo identification to vote. In April, the Pew Research Center polled 5,109 people and asked whether photo identification should be required to vote: 76% of all respondents said they support the requirement. A majority in both parties support it: 93% of Republicans and 61% of Democrats. In March, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that 72% of respondents strongly or somewhat favor requiring photo identification to vote.","We reached out to Zeldin\u2019s campaign, and spokesperson Katie Vincentz provided us with a screenshot from a private poll of 600 New York voters from September, conducted by McLaughlin and Associates on behalf of the Conservative Party of New York. The screenshot included a single question: Do you support or oppose requiring photo ID to vote whether in-person or by absentee mail-in?"]},{"id":"5660.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have the lowest per-capita spending of any state in the nation except for South Dakota.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that their state has the lowest per-capita spending in the nation, except for South Dakota. The evidence provided supports this claim, as it includes a quote from Abrams stating this fact during a speech. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive comparison of per-capita spending for all states. Therefore, while the statement is accurate based on the evidence provided, it may not necessarily hold true when considering all states in the nation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Other than South Dakota -- and I think it\u2019s because we just don\u2019t have as many moose -- we have the lowest per-capita spending of any state in the nation,\" Abrams said in a March 27 speech.","Says Texas has \"the fourth-lowest debt per capita of any state in the nation, and we are the lowest of any of the big states.\"","Frazier said Perry\u2019s other claim, about Texas having the fourth-lowest debt per capita among the states, ties to Moody\u2019s calculation of each state\u2019s ratio of debt to gross state product. By that measure, she said, Texas is sixth lowest among the states. Indeed, the Moody\u2019s report says Texas has a ratio of 1.66 percent, lower than ratios for every state except Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. The national average is nearly 4.5 percent.","Calling himself an unapologetic fiscal conservative, Gov. Rick Perry told the New Hampshire Union Leader the state\u2019s fiscal efficiency matters most, adding that Texas \"has, I believe, the fourth-lowest debt per capita of any state in the nation, and we are the lowest of any of the big states.\""]},{"id":"798.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama was \"a trial attorney for ACORN.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama represented ACORN in a voter registration case, it is misleading to claim that he was a trial attorney for ACORN. Obama worked for a civil rights firm and took on this case along with other attorneys, representing ACORN as one of several plaintiffs. The statement implies a more significant and ongoing legal relationship between Obama and ACORN than what actually existed. Therefore, the claim is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 The McCain campaign says Obama was \"a trial attorney for ACORN.\" Obama represented ACORN in a voter registration case, but he was not a staff attorney. Obama worked for the civil rights firm Miner, Barnhill and Galland. He represented ACORN along with other plaintiffs in a case against the governor of Illinois, demanding that the state better enforce a new federal law known as \"motor voter,\" which allowed people to register to vote when they got their driver's license. We rated this statement Half True.","While ACORN has taken a public beating, some conservatives renewed accusations of close past ties between President Barack Obama and ACORN.","With Election Day less than a month away, John McCain's campaign and the Republican National Committee have been warning voters of Barack Obama and his ties to the community organizing group ACORN.","As for Rove's claim that Obama used to be a lawyer for ACORN, yes, Obama once took on a case for ACORN. But Obama was never a staff attorney for ACORN. He did not do ongoing work for the organization. He handled o ne case along with two other attorneys. ACORN was one of several plaintiffs. And the U.S. Department of Justice sided with ACORN in the case. We think Rove's comment suggests a deeper legal relationship between Obama and ACORN than actually existed. And so we rule Rove's statement Half True."]},{"id":"8440.json","label":"false","statement":"Milwaukee County has a parks capital budget thats bigger than its been in the last 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Abele that Milwaukee County has a parks capital budget that is bigger than it has been in the last 10 years is not accurate. Upon examination, it is evident that there have been at least four years within the past decade with higher budgeted totals for the parks capital budget. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Abele told Rotarians that Milwaukee County has a \"parks capital budget that\u2019s bigger than it\u2019s been in the last 10 years.\"","Adjusting for that by spreading that over four years, we actually found six years in the decade with a higher parks capital budget than 2013.","\"A couple of years ago if anybody had said, \u2018Hey in a few years the county will have a higher credit rating than anyone would guess it would have, would have a deficit that\u2019s almost on its way out, would be on its second operating surplus with a surplus number higher than it\u2019s been in years, would have a parks capital budget that\u2019s bigger than it\u2019s been in the last 10 years and is going to catch up on deferred maintenance, has a child-support service department that with less staff is hitting all-time records in the history of the department\u2019 -- If anybody had told you that a couple years ago, people might have said, some people would have said, \u2018No.\u2019","Going back 10 years puts you at 2004, two years into Walker\u2019s tenure as county executive. We found four years with higher budgeted totals than 2013 -- all predating Abele."]},{"id":"3501.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2009, we cut state spending in real terms for the first time in 150 years.","reason":"Reason: While Tim Pawlenty did reduce spending during his tenure as governor of Minnesota, the claim that state spending was cut in real terms for the first time in 150 years is not entirely accurate. There were instances of single-year decreases in spending before Pawlenty's governorship, and the reduction in the 2010-2011 budget cycle was achieved through temporary measures and federal funding. Additionally, there is a lack of data to verify the claim covering the 100 years prior to 1960. Therefore, the statement is deemed barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Tim Pawlenty said in 2009, \"we cut state spending in real terms for the first time in 150 years\"&url=)","Pawlenty was governor of Minnesota from 2003 to 2011, serving two terms. Here, we\u2019re checking Pawlenty\u2019s statement that he \"cut spending in real terms for the first time in 150 years.\"","\"Contrary to liberal rhetoric, spending cuts are not impossible. Take Minnesota, for example\" he writes in his book\u2019s conclusion. \"I lowered the average growth of annual spending during my time as Governor to just under 2 percent and balanced the budget without raising taxes. In 2009, we cut spending in real terms for the first time in 150 years.\"","In rating this statement, we find that Pawlenty did reduce spending for the two-year budget cycle for the first time since 1960. But there were several single-year decreases, two during Pawlenty\u2019s tenure as governor (2009 and 2004), but also two before he was governor (1986 and 1983). The major reduction in the 2010-2011 budget cycle was achieved with a one-time infusion of federal dollars and measures that delayed state spending rather then permanently reducing it. Finally, we don't have 150 years of budget data to check. We only found data back to 1960, and Pawlenty's campaign provided no data to back up the claim covering the 100 years previous when we asked for it. If data emerges, we're willing to review the claim. But given the evidence at hand, we rate Pawlenty\u2019s statement Barely True."]},{"id":"3246.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For the last decade, funding in the health and human services budget has grown at twice the rate as other parts of the budget, and I think that context is important.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that funding in the health and human services budget has grown at a higher rate compared to other parts of the budget over the last decade, it's important to note that the growth rate is not precisely double. The claim made by State Sen. Joe Negron is mostly true in the sense that the increase in the human services budget is double the increase in the rest of the budget during that period. However, it's worth considering that comparing just the first and last years of the decade may not fully capture the varying rates of growth and fluctuations that occurred within different budget areas throughout the entire period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"For the last decade, funding in the health and human services budget has grown at twice the rate as other parts of the budget, and I think that context is important,\" Negron told the committee, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel.","But Negron's comment was that \"for the last decade, funding in the health and human services budget has grown at twice the rate as other parts of the budget.\" From the start of the decade to the end, the increase in the human services budget is double the rest of the budget, but the growth rate is not quite doubled. We rate this claim Mostly True.","( - State Sen. Joe Negron says human services spending has grown at twice the rate of other areas of the budget&url=)","By taking a financial snapshot of the budgets approved in 2001 and 2010, Negron's figures do demonstrate that the change in the human services budget is twice the change in the rest of the budget. But is it fair to compare just the first and last years of the decade, which shows the change but not the rate of growth? After all, parts of the budget went up and down at different times and different rates during those years."]},{"id":"2887.json","label":"true","statement":"In Wisconsin, deaths from domestic violence are at the highest in 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to statistics compiled by an advocacy group, deaths from domestic violence in Wisconsin were indeed at the highest level in 10 years. Even when excluding suicides committed by domestic violence perpetrators, the numbers still reached a 10-year high. Multiple sources confirm this information, making the statement true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Excluding the suicides, the 52 other domestic violence homicides also were the highest in 10 years, exceeding the previous high of 45 in 2003.","The Milwaukee congresswoman said deaths in Wisconsin from domestic violence \"are at the highest in 10 years.\" Moore accurately quoted statistics compiled by an advocacy group for 2009. It\u2019s important to note the group includes suicides committed by domestic violence perpetrators, which makes the death tally higher than it would otherwise be. Even so, either way you track it, the 2009 numbers were at a 10-year high. We rate Moore\u2019s statement True.","By the coalition\u2019s count, the 67 total deaths in 2009 was the highest in 10 years, exceeding the previous high of 61 in 2003.","!Here's a year-to-year tally of domestic violence-related deaths in Wisconsin, and how they would tally if suicides were not included !Here's a year-to-year tally of domestic violence-related deaths in Wisconsin, and how they would tally if suicides were not included"]},{"id":"13404.json","label":"false","statement":"Twitter, Google and Facebook are burying the FBI criminal investigation of Clinton. Very dishonest media!","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Twitter, Google, and Facebook intentionally buried the FBI criminal investigation of Clinton. The assertion made by the Republican presidential candidate lacks substantiation and has been debunked. Additionally, the media's role in reporting on the investigation does not indicate dishonesty. It is important to rely on credible sources and factual evidence when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Wow, Twitter, Google and Facebook are burying the FBI criminal investigation of Clinton. Very dishonest media!\" the Republican presidential candidate tweeted Oct. 30.","There\u2019s no evidence to support Trump\u2019s claim that Twitter, Google and Facebook buried this story in the first couple days after it broke.","\"Did it appear on people\u2019s trending box space on Facebook? How long was it there? Was it trending only for some people and not for others? Was the story made visible in people\u2019s Facebook news feeds or Twitter streams or in Google search results, via each platform\u2019s display algorithm?\" Thorson said. \"Outside of internal company data, there is no source I know of who could check that.\"","The FBI doesn\u2019t open an investigation definitely knowing it will seek charges against someone. If an investigation does not reveal evidence of a crime, or if there is insufficient evidence of criminal conduct, then the investigation will close without any charges filed."]},{"id":"8461.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For the state of Florida, there is not an additional cost with implementation of the Common Core standards.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is some disagreement regarding the additional costs associated with implementing the Common Core standards in Florida. While state officials argue that the adoption of the standards did not incur any additional costs and that much of the implementation expenses would have been funded regardless, experts and the Florida Education Association suggest otherwise. They argue that implementing the new standards likely did involve additional expenses, including training and textbook purchases. Additionally, it is mentioned that the state received a federal grant to support the implementation of Common Core. Given the conflicting information, it is difficult to definitively conclude that there is no additional cost associated with implementing the Common Core standards in Florida.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Stewart said implementation of the Common Core would not incur additional expenses. Some of the money spent on Common Core is money the state would have spent anyway on curriculum and testing. But experts said it\u2019s unlikely that implementing the new standards cost the state no additional money. Another wrinkle: The state received a federal grant to help pay for Common Core implementation.","State officials noted, though, that adoption of the standards cost nothing, and that much of the implementation, such as training and textbook purchases, would have been funded in some form even if the state weren\u2019t using the standards.","In response to Adkins\u2019 comments at the hearing, the Florida Education Association distributed a letter to House members about the implementation timeline of Common Core. The letter states that the standards were approved by then Education Commissioner Eric Smith in June 2010 and the state Board of Education adopted standards in language arts and math in July 2010. An implementation plan wasn\u2019t published by the state Department of Education until the spring of 2011.","This year, Florida is fully implementing Common Core in grades K-2 while other students are learning a blend of the existing Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and Common Core standards. The Common Core standards will be fully implemented and assessed in 2014-15."]},{"id":"12820.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Trump ties are made in China, not Colorado. Trump suits in Mexico, not Michigan. Trump furniture in Turkey, not Ohio. Trump picture frames in India, not Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Hillary Clinton regarding the manufacturing locations of various Trump-branded products. There is evidence to support the claim that Trump ties are made in China, Trump suits in Mexico, and Trump furniture in Turkey. However, there is no clear evidence to support the claim about Trump picture frames being made in India. It's important to note that the evidence provided does not cover all Trump-branded products, but it does support the overall assertion made by Clinton regarding the manufacturing locations of these specific items.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton says Trump ties are made \"in China, not Colorado. Trump suits in Mexico, not Michigan. Trump furniture in Turkey, not Ohio. Trump picture frames in India, not Wisconsin.\"","\"He also talks a big game about putting America First,\" Clinton said. \"Please explain to me what part of America First leads him to make Trump ties in China, not Colorado. Trump suits in Mexico, not Michigan. Trump furniture in Turkey, not Ohio. Trump picture frames in India, not Wisconsin. Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again. Well, he could start by actually making things in America again.\"","We found examples of Trump ties made in China, suits in Mexico and furniture in Turkey. We did not find a clear example of a Trump picture frame made in India.","Says Trump shirts are made in Bangladesh, Trump suits in Mexico, Trump Vodka in the Netherlands, Trump crystal barware in Slovenia and his cufflinks and ties in China."]},{"id":"246.json","label":"true","statement":"Huckabee \"granted 1,033 pardons and commutations . . . more clemencies than the previous three governors combined.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings regarding Mike Huckabee's record on granting pardons and commutations. According to an Associated Press examination and the Arkansas Secretary of State's office, Huckabee did grant a total of 1,033 or 1,058 pardons and commutations during his tenure. Additionally, it is confirmed that Huckabee's number of clemencies exceeded the combined total of the previous three governors. This information is supported by state officials in Massachusetts who confirm that Mitt Romney, in contrast, did not grant any pardons or commutations during his time as governor.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a TV ad, Mitt Romney tries to portray Mike Huckabee as soft on crime because Huckabee \"granted 1,033 pardons and commutations.\" The ad says Huckabee's number is \"more clemencies than the previous three governors combined\" and says that Romney himself has not issued any pardons.","We find Romney is accurately describing Huckabee's record. The 1,033 total for Huckabee's 10 years in office comes from an Associated Press examination of Huckabee's pardons and commutations. The Arkansas Secretary of State's office told PolitiFact the count was 1,058, which is not significantly different. Romney's claim that Huckabee granted more clemencies \"than the previous three governors combined\" also is correct according to the totals from the Secretary of State.","In interviews, Huckabee has portrayed Romney as a political opportunist who took a hard line on pardons to appear tough on crime, while Huckabee's pardons were politically risky but better for the people of Arkansas.","State officials in Massachusetts confirm Romney's record. He had about 150 applications for pardons and 80 applications for commuting sentences in his four-year term. He granted none."]},{"id":"7646.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Internal Revenue Service spent $60,000 on a Star Trek training video.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The Internal Revenue Service did spend a significant amount of taxpayer money on a \"Star Trek\" training video. However, it's important to note that the $60,000 figure mentioned in the statement covers the cost of two videos combined, including the \"Star Trek\" video and another video. Therefore, attributing the entire $60,000 cost solely to the \"Star Trek\" video would be misleading. It is more accurate to state that the IRS spent a portion of the $60,000 on the \"Star Trek\" training video.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A group of Internal Revenue Service employees went where few had gone before by creating a video in which they dressed as \"Star Trek\" characters.","To sum up, Graves posted on Twitter that the IRS spent $60,000 on a training video in which some of its employees were dressed as \"Star Trek\" characters. The IRS says that video and another cost a combined $60,000. Graves\u2019 statement was based on inaccurate news coverage. Most news organizations, though, got it right.","Combined, the IRS said two videos cost $60,000. Couldn\u2019t Thurston Howell III at least put up the money for the \"Gilligan\u2019s Island\" video? Some news organizations, however, reported just the \"Star Trek\" video cost $60,000. Graves\u2019 tweet did not mention the \"Gilligan\u2019s Island\" video.","The congressman\u2019s claim is partially accurate. The IRS did spend a lot of taxpayer money on a \"Star Trek\" video. But Graves\u2019 claim omits some important context, primarily that the $60,000 is inflated since that price tag covered two questionable videos."]},{"id":"1548.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Florida's new fingerprint identification system is improving our rate of solving cold cases by 300 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the new fingerprint identification system in Florida, known as the Biometric Identification System (BIS), has improved the rate of fingerprint matches by 300 percent, it is important to note that this does not directly correspond to a similar increase in the number of cold cases being solved. The statement implies a direct correlation between the improved fingerprint matches and the solving of cold cases, which is not supported by available data. Fingerprint matches do not always lead to arrests, and the actual impact on solving cold cases cannot be accurately determined. Therefore, the claim is rated as barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Florida's new fingerprint identification system is improving our rate of solving cold cases by 300 percent, benefiting victims hurt by previously unsolved crimes,\" Crist said.","That's an important distinction in assessing Crist's claim. He said the new technology is \"improving our rate of solving cold cases by 300 percent, benefiting victims hurt by previously unsolved crimes.\"","Crist is right that the new BIS system is helping police and sheriff's deputies. But he's making it sound like the new technology is having a dramatic impact on the number of cases solved. In fact, fingerprint matches are up 300 percent, but that doesn't correspond to a similar percentage of additional cases being solved. That data doesn't exist, and system users acknowledge that fingerprint matches don't always lead to arrests. As a result, we rate Crist's claim Barely True.","The new system Crist is talking about is called the Biometric Identification System, or BIS for short. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which manages the new system, BIS is more precise and has more capacity than previous systems."]},{"id":"1643.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Actually, Reagan was a Democrat before he was a Republican.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Ronald Reagan was indeed a registered Democrat before he became a Republican. Historians and biographers have attested to Reagan's Democratic affiliation, including his vote for Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932. However, it is important to note that Reagan's political ideology shifted over time, and he eventually became a prominent figure within the Republican Party. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Reagan's political trajectory.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wanted to find out whether the late Republican icon Ronald Reagan was actually a registered Democrat, or whether he was an ideological one.","Historian Edward Yager, a government professor at Western Kentucky University and author of the 2006 biography Ronald Reagan\u2019s Journey: Democrat to Republican , said Reagan \"was registered Democrat from the time that he voted for FDR in 1932, when he was 21.\"","Giller said Reagan endorsed the presidential candidacies of Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956 as well as that of Nixon in 1960 \"while remaining a Democrat.\"","We turned to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library, in Simi Valley, Calif. The library's Web site notes Reagan registered as a Republican in the fall of 1962, after stumping for Richard Nixon as a Democrat."]},{"id":"3018.json","label":"false","statement":"We can save $125 billion in simply not giving out money to Medicare recipients that dont exist for procedures that didnt happen.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Issa regarding saving $125 billion by not giving out money to non-existent Medicare recipients for procedures that didn't happen is not accurate. The report on which Issa based this figure shows that the Medicare portion of the total is $47.9 billion, which is significantly lower than the claimed amount. Additionally, Issa's statement fails to acknowledge that not all improper payments can be fully recaptured, as some may be verified as proper upon further investigation. Therefore, the statement is false and does not accurately represent the potential savings in the Medicare program.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We can save $125 billion in simply not giving out money to Medicare recipients that don't exist for procedures that didn't happen.\"","Said Issa: \"We can save $125 billion in simply not giving out money to Medicare recipients that don't exist for procedures that didn't happen. These are real dollars. Ten percent of the deficit goes out in wasted money, money that doesn't get one person health care in Medicare.\"","There's no question improper payments in Medicare are a very significant problem. But Issa has overstated the potential savings in the Medicare program. For starters, the report on which Issa based the $125 billion figure shows that the Medicare portion of that total is $47.9 billion. That alone makes Issa's figure simply wrong. But in addition, Issa wrongly suggests that all of the money from \"improper payments\" can be \"saved\" by simply not making those payments. In fact, a good portion of that money lacked proper documentation, but upon further investigation, may very well be verified as proper. In other words, even the $47.9 billion in improper payments in Medicare could not be fully recaptured for taxpayers. We rate Issa's statement False.","As Issa said, improper payments can include money paid to the wrong person or for procedures that didn't happen. But there's more to it than that. About a third of Medicare's improper payments are the result of a claim not having enough, or proper, documentation. Upon further investigation, many of those claims are ultimately deemed proper. One example is a payment based on a claim by a doctor who submits forms that are illegible."]},{"id":"10249.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The actions Im taking are the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican president and every single Democratic president for the past half-century.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama suggests that the actions he is taking are consistent with the actions taken by every Republican and Democratic president in the past half-century. While it is true that presidents from both parties have taken various actions, it is an overgeneralization to claim that every action taken by President Obama aligns with those of every past president. Each president has their own unique policy agenda and approach to governance, and there have been significant differences in the actions taken by presidents from different parties. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to be fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The actions I\u2019m taking\" are \"the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican president and every single Democratic president for the past half-century.\"","Obama said, \"the actions I\u2019m taking\" are \"the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican president and every single Democratic president for the past half-century.\"","\"The actions I\u2019m taking are not only lawful, they\u2019re the kinds of actions taken by every single Republican president and every single Democratic president for the past half century,\" Obama said.","In other words, it\u2019s an exaggeration to say that Obama\u2019s actions are \"the kinds of actions taken\" by every single president of the past half century. The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details, so we rate it Half True."]},{"id":"8380.json","label":"true","statement":"Many dont know that Bill Young was once the minority leader in the Florida Senate...because he was the only Republican senator.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Bill Young, as confirmed by multiple sources, including his own self-identification in a questionnaire, served as the minority leader in the Florida Senate. This was because he was the only Republican senator at the time, making him the de facto leader of the minority party. The evidence provided supports the claim that many people are unaware of this fact due to the unique circumstance of Young being the sole Republican senator in Florida during his tenure.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Many don\u2019t know that Bill Young was once the minority leader in the Florida Senate...because he was the only Republican senator.\"","\"Many don\u2019t know that Bill Young was once the minority leader in the Florida Senate,\" tweeted Chris Latvala, a Republican running for the Florida House and son of Sen. Jack Latvala, \"because he was the only Republican senator.\"","Young identified himself as the minority leader of the Florida Senate in an undated questionnaire that includes this key line: \"In 1960, at age 29, elected as the youngest Senator and the only Republican Senator in Florida.\"","It\u2019s also not clear Young had the official title of minority leader -- the records we found were silent on the point -- but as the only GOP senator until 1963, he offered the lone voice of party dissent."]},{"id":"6092.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Oregon is one of only three states that allow the use of gillnets on inland waters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is contradicted by multiple sources, including the Stop Gillnetting Now campaign's own press release, which states that Oregon is one of only three states allowing the use of gillnets on inland waters. However, other sources and evidence indicate that Oregon is actually among at least seven states that permit the use of gillnets in inland rivers. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["And they say Oregon is in the minority when it comes to gillnets. \"Currently, Oregon is one of only three states that allow the use of gillnets on inland waters\" reads a May 30 press release by the Stop Gillnetting Now campaign.","Oregon is among at least seven states that allow the use in inland rivers. Other states allow the use in bay, gulf and ocean water. We rule the statement False.","Like Oregon, the states of Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana allow commercial gillnets in inland waters, including rivers. California, Virginia and Maryland allow their use in bays. Alabama allows them in the Gulf of Mexico and Michigan in the Great Lakes.","PolitiFact Oregon can\u2019t rule on how Washington might respond should the measure be approved, because those decisions haven\u2019t been made. But we can rule on what the measure says it will do, and there\u2019s no real argument from the two campaign sides: Ballot Measure 81 prohibits the use of gillnets in the inland waters of the state of Oregon."]},{"id":"9000.json","label":"true","statement":"American Hustleshows the FBI making real-life bribes to Washington politicians. I know, because as your U.S. senator, I turned them down.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. American Hustle is a movie based on the Abscam scandal, a real-life FBI sting operation in the late 1970s that involved bribes to Washington politicians. The evidence provided confirms that the statement aligns with the storyline of the movie and the actions taken by the individual making the claim, who is a former U.S. senator. The individual states that they turned down the bribes depicted in the movie, which is consistent with their documented actions during their time in office.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"American Hustle shows the FBI making real-life bribes to Washington politicians. I know, because as your U.S. senator, I turned them down.\"","\" American Hustle shows the FBI making real-life bribes to Washington politicians,\" Pressler says to the camera in the ad. \"I know, because as your U.S. senator, I turned them down.\"","Pressler said that \" American Hustle shows the FBI making real-life bribes to Washington politicians. I know, because as your U.S. senator, I turned them down.\" Pressler\u2019s retelling fits with the description of the facts published in the media at the time -- actions that drew praise from a federal judge who wrote that Pressler \"showed a clear awareness of the line between proper and improper conduct\" and \"refused to cross into impropriety.\"","American Hustle -- a movie based on the story of Abscam, the late-1970s FBI sting that ensnared more than a half-dozen politicians for accepting bribes -- got shut out at the Oscars(,0,) despite snagging 10 nominations. But the movie is living on as an issue in a 2014 U.S. Senate race."]},{"id":"9509.json","label":"false","statement":"The nearly six-year delay in approving Keystone is costing Americans more than 100,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the delay in approving the Keystone pipeline is costing Americans more than 100,000 jobs is not supported by credible evidence. The study cited by House Speaker John Boehner, which made this claim, has been criticized by experts as flawed and no longer relevant. The State Department's estimate of job creation related to the Keystone pipeline was much lower. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The nearly six-year delay in approving Keystone is costing Americans more than 100,000 jobs and nearly a million barrels of oil a day,\" Boehner wrote.","\"The nearly six-year delay in approving Keystone is costing Americans more than 100,000 jobs and nearly a million barrels of oil a day,\" Boehner wrote. The House has passed a bill that would fast-track the pipeline.","House Speaker Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, said \"The nearly six-year delay in approving Keystone is costing Americans more than 100,000 jobs.\" He was citing a study that experts said was flawed and that TransCanada, said was \"no longer relevant.\" We rated that statement False.","Boehner said Obama\u2019s \"delay in approving Keystone is costing Americans more than 100,000 jobs.\" He was citing a study that experts said was \"flawed\" and the company in charge of the project, TransCanada, said was \"no longer relevant.\" The State Department estimated a much lower amount, and TransCanada cited that study to PolitiFact."]},{"id":"3392.json","label":"false","statement":"Says iPads and iPhones are built in the United States of America.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator John McCain that iPads and iPhones are built in the United States of America is false. Multiple sources and fact-checkers have confirmed that Apple's iPads and iPhones are not manufactured in the United States. The small print on the back of the devices indicates that they are assembled in China. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It\u2019s true that Apple, a U.S.-based company, has thrived in the global market against foreign-based competitors. But McCain was wrong to suggest that iPads and iPhones \"are built in the United States of America.\" They aren\u2019t. So we rate his comment False.","!On the March 6, 2011, edition of ABC's \"This Week with Christiane Amanpour,\" Sen. John McCain said that iPads and iPhones are made in the USA But small print on the back of the phone tells a different story. !On the March 6, 2011, edition of ABC's \"This Week with Christiane Amanpour,\" Sen. John McCain said that iPads and iPhones are made in the USA But small print on the back of the phone tells a different story.","\"Well, I think it's obviously a recognition of the reality and the trends, that cheaper, lower-cost labor products will usually prevail over the products made in higher wage and income countries,\" McCain said. \"But I would also point out that, if you'd emptied (a house shown in the earlier segment) -- if you'd left a computer there or an iPad or an iPhone, those are built in the United States of America. And as the president said, continuously, and I agree with him, innovation is the key to us being able to restore our economy.\"","On the March 6, 2011, edition of ABC's \"This Week with Christiane Amanpour,\" Sen. John McCain said that iPads and iPhones are made in the USA But small print on the back of the phone tells a different story."]},{"id":"2093.json","label":"true","statement":"I never called for a partition of Iraq.","reason":"Reason: Joe Biden has made the statement that he never called for a partition of Iraq. While there were instances where the term \"partition\" or \"soft partition\" was used to describe Biden's proposal, he has consistently maintained that his intention was to advocate for a central government with considerable autonomy in the regions, rather than a complete partition of the country. PolitiFact National has fact-checked this claim and rated it as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact National, Joe Biden says he never called for partition of Iraq( \"Joe Biden says he never called for partition of Iraq\"), July 21, 2010","\"I don't want to debate history here, but I never called for a partition,\" Biden said. \"I called for a central government with considerable autonomy in the regions.\"","Check the headlines in 2007, and it's clear that the word \"partition\" or \"soft partition\" was often used to describe Biden's proposal, which called for boundaries to be drawn for the country's Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite populations. And so we decided to check his claim that he never called for a partition.","And during a July 18, 2010 interview on ABC's This Week, Biden said: \"I don't want to debate history here, but I never called for a partition. I called for a central government with considerable autonomy in the regions.\" PolitiFact National rated his statement True."]},{"id":"2892.json","label":"true","statement":"Said Republicans made historic gains in state legislatures during last months election","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Republicans did make historic gains in state legislatures during the recent election. As mentioned in the evidence, the GOP achieved a majority of chambers and seats in the South for the first time since Reconstruction. While the evidence does not provide a comprehensive overview of the gains made nationally, it supports the claim that Republicans experienced significant success in state legislatures during the election.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But nationally, did Republicans actually pick up historic ground in state legislatures in last month\u2019s election as the National Review stated?","The 2010 election cycle in the South represents a \"historic tipping point,\" Storey said. For the first time since Reconstruction, the GOP holds a majority of chambers and seats.","Republicans, however, have used the doctrine to look for ways to help GOP-controlled state legislatures have the final say or to challenge certain pandemic election rule changes. They argue that the U.S. Constitution singled out state legislatures \u2014 not governors, election officials or state courts \u2014 as holding the power over federal elections.","That\u2019s what Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., repeated in an Oct. 10 interview with Chris Wallace on \"Fox News Sunday.\" Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, wouldn\u2019t say whether he thought the election was stolen. But he rehashed a talking point he has used for months to question the validity of the result: accusing state officials of doing an end run around election laws passed by their own legislatures."]},{"id":"1625.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Cover Florida \"thousands already enrolled and climbing.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is technically true that \"thousands\" have enrolled in Cover Florida, the statement lacks context. The evidence indicates that the number of participants is relatively small, with just over 5,000 participants in December 2009 and a monthly growth of under 200. In the context of a state with approximately 3.6 million uninsured individuals, the enrollment numbers are indeed modest. Therefore, the claim of \"thousands already enrolled and climbing\" may give the impression of a more significant initiative than the actual enrollment numbers suggest.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Technically, Crist is correct: \"thousands\" have already enrolled -- but barely more than 5 . . . thousands. And he is also technically correct to say enrollment is \"climbing\" because the number of participants has grown every month.","\"But in Florida,\" the narrator says, \"one leader already enacted common sense conservative solutions: Charlie Crist. As governor, Crist passed Cover Florida. Now Floridians can take charge of their own health care through market-based strategies. Thousands already enrolled and climbing.\"","Crist's claim -- \"thousands already enrolled and climbing\" -- suggests it is a large initiative with significant growth. But for a state with about 3.6 million uninsured, the enrollment numbers are tiny and the growth is modest.","In a March 2010 radio ad, Crist said \"thousands already enrolled and climbing.\" We ruled this Half True( \"We ruled this Half True\") because the program had just over 5,000 participants in December 2009, with a monthly growth under 200."]},{"id":"1363.json","label":"false","statement":"The Climatic Research Unit e-mails show that the science behind climate change has been pretty well debunked.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the hacked e-mails from the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) caused controversy and raised questions about the conduct of some scientists, they do not invalidate the overwhelming body of scientific evidence supporting climate change. Numerous independent studies and organizations have confirmed that global temperatures are increasing, and the rise in greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, is a significant contributing factor. The e-mails from CRU do not undermine the broader scientific consensus on climate change. Therefore, the claim that the e-mails debunk the science behind climate change is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The newest tool in climate skeptics' arsenal: a series of hacked e-mails from the Climatic Research Unit, a branch of the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.","\"We see that that science behind the announcement has been pretty well debunked,\" he said referring to the e-mails. \"I remember a long time ago ... I made a speech on the Senate floor where I talked about all these scientists coming in, talking about how they can't get their side on there and the science is all rigged. ... Sure enough, what is happening today in this whole debate is just what we said was happening four years ago.\"","So, to say that the CRU e-mails debunk the science supporting climate change leaves out the important point that CRU isn't the only organization looking at the issue. Indeed, there are reams of data that show temperatures are increasing and that greater concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are largely to blame. On this one, Inhofe is False.","Specifically, Inhofe was talking about data that the EPA used to form its decision. It came from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a scientific body that \"reviews and assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socioeconomic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change.\" Thousands of scientists contribute data to the organization voluntarily, including scientists at CRU, the group whose e-mails were hacked."]},{"id":"7570.json","label":"true","statement":"Says PPS employees have paid their own PERS contributions for many years.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Portland Public Schools (PPS) employees have indeed been responsible for paying their own PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) contributions for many years. This is supported by a letter from the school board stating that they have reduced the cost of pensions for all employee groups, and a statement from Matt Shelby confirming that PPS employees started paying the 6 percent PERS contribution from January 1, 1995. Additionally, a ruling has been made affirming that PPS employees have paid the employee share of PERS pickup for years. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Our budget reflects years of rear-guard action to protect teaching positions from state funding cuts,\" read the letter signed by members of the school board. \"For example, we have reduced the cost of pensions for all employee groups \u2013 PPS employees have paid their own PERS contributions for many years.\"","\"Per Resolution #5745, board meeting held on 11\/21\/1994, contributions would be paid by employee effective for any wage payment made on or after 1\/1\/1995,\" wrote Matt Shelby. \"So, prior to 1\/1\/95 PPS did pick up the 6 percent PERS contribution. After that, it was on the employee.\"","The ruling: Portland schools employees have paid the employee share of PERS pickup for years. They received a salary increase in order to do so. We rate the statement True.","Says \"Did you know that if you accepted the District's proposal today you would have NO pay increase for 4 years? Seven years of frozen wages = Disrespect.\""]},{"id":"8934.json","label":"true","statement":"Seventy percent of all uninsured live in households in which at least one person is working.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by McAuliffe that 70 percent of medically uninsured individuals in Virginia live in households where at least one person is employed. This figure is supported by research from the Urban Institute and has not been contradicted by any other study. It is important to note that the percentage may vary depending on the methodology used, such as considering households versus individuals or income thresholds. However, based on the evidence provided, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Seventy percent of all uninsured live in households in which at least one person is working,\" he said last month in an address to the legislature.","McAuliffe said 70 percent of medically uninsured Virginians live in households where at least one person works. His figure is backed by research from the Urban Institute and we were unable to find any contradictory study.","The highest plausible percentage cited by our experts -- who included both liberals and conservatives -- used census data for households rather than for individuals. Using this method, 37.5 percent of the uninsured live in a household with an income above $50,000.","The analysis divided workers into two categories: Those working more than 35 hours per week were deemed full-time; while those working 35 hours or less per week were deemed part-time."]},{"id":"2104.json","label":"false","statement":"Recent data showed Nevada ranks 50th in the money received from the stimulus bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that a conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, ranked Nevada 50th in terms of security issues related to elections, this ranking does not pertain to the money received from the stimulus bill. The ranking specifically focuses on ballot access and voter convenience, not the amount of money received from the stimulus bill. Therefore, the statement inaccurately links the ranking to the stimulus bill, leading to a false impression.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cOne in six local election officials have received threats of violence\u201d and threats against judges have doubled over four years and threats against members of Congress have increased by 10 times over five years.","Looking at adults reporting(,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D) an unmet need for mental health treatment in the past year during 2019-20, Texas fared relatively well among the top 10 states with the lowest percentage of such adults. Kaiser notes that the sources for this data were analyses of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration\u2019s restricted online data analysis system, National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2019 and 2020, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive.","The ad suggests that multiple ratings have found Nevada in last place, but that\u2019s not true. The 50th place rating came from the conservative Heritage Foundation, which tied its rating solely to security issues, not ballot access or voter convenience.","The article cited by Club for Growth says the group opposed the bill but does not provide a reason why or any statements from the group\u2019s members."]},{"id":"1346.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you want to talk firsts for Bush, this was the first time in American history that a president took us into a war and cut taxes.","reason":"Reason: Paul Krugman's statement accurately highlights that President Bush was the first president in American history to initiate a war and simultaneously implement tax cuts. This claim is supported by historical context and analysis. While there were previous instances of tax cuts during wartime, such as the Kennedy tax cuts during the Vietnam War, Krugman's statement specifically refers to a president initiating a war and implementing tax cuts, which distinguishes it as a unique occurrence during the Bush administration. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This is a lot of money,\" liberal New York Times columnist Paul Krugman said on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos on Nov. 29, 2009. \"And the point is, we should have been paying for these wars to begin with, right from the beginning. I mean, this was, if you want to talk firsts for Bush, this was the first time in American history that a president took us into a war and cut taxes.\"","As the talk about the price tag for the war in Afghanistan heats up, we thought it would be worthwhile to take a look at Krugman's claim about Bush being the first to cut taxes after leading the country into war, and to add some context.","Krugman has not advocated a tax increase to deal with the war in Afghanistan. And we think Krugman also has some wiggle room on that second point, because he said Bush was the first president who \"took us into a war\" and cut taxes. Both wars were inherited by Obama. Again, there are many different political and economic realities now than there were when taxes generally rose during wars, but Krugman is still mostly right. We dock him some points, though, because the Kennedy tax cuts technically came during the Vietnam War and rate the statement Mostly True.","With President Barack Obama scheduled to make a speech on Dec. 1 on how the United States will proceed with the war in Afghanistan, war spending was the topic du jour on the Sunday political talk shows. Some Democratic officials have even talked of a war surtax to pay for the expense of additional troops."]},{"id":"11334.json","label":"true","statement":"Just about half of rural hospitals operate in the red in Virginia. They operate at a loss.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mannix, supported by data provided by Lundberg, that approximately half of rural hospitals in Virginia operate at a loss. The evidence indicates that 16 out of 25 rural hospitals in Virginia, or 64 percent, ran in the red in 2013. This suggests a significant financial challenge for rural hospitals in the state.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Just about half of rural hospitals operate in the red in Virginia,\" Mannix said at a news conference organized by the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, a lobbying group. \"They operate at a loss.\"","So we wondered whether Mannix was correct in saying \"just about half\" of Virginia\u2019s rural hospitals are running in the red.","By comparison, Lundberg\u2019s figures show that of the 60 urban hospitals in Virginia under the federal definition, 13 had operating losses. That means nearly 22 percent of urban hospitals in the commonwealth had an operating loss in 2013.","Lundberg also sent us a second batch of data in which hospitals were sorted as rural or urban based on definitions from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This grouping listed 25 rural hospitals in 2013, 16 of which ran in the red. That comes to 64 percent."]},{"id":"9149.json","label":"false","statement":"The numbers of people that support Obamacare and like it have been steadily dropping.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Liz Cheney that the numbers of people supporting and liking Obamacare have been steadily dropping is false. Multiple polls have shown that Americans remain divided on the health care law, with more people opposing it than supporting it. However, there is no evidence to suggest a consistent and steady decline in support over time. PunditFact's fact-checking investigation found no substantiation for Cheney's claim, indicating that it is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The numbers of people that support Obamacare and like it have been steadily dropping,\" she said. \"The latest Wall Street Journal polls show that.\"","Conservative pundit Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, recently said, \"The numbers of people that support Obamacare and like it have been steadily dropping.\"","As part of a political roundtable on Fox News Sunday on April 6, Cheney tried knocking down Democratic cheering about news from the White House that 7 million people signed up for Obamacare. The real story? The law is losing support, she said.","PunditFact's check dug into a number of recent polls, which show that Americans remain divided on the health care law, and most polls show that more people oppose it than support it. \"But we found no evidence that people who once supported the law are \"steadily\" changing their minds,\" according to the story. \"Not even in the poll Cheney specifically cited. We rate Cheney\u2019s claim False.\""]},{"id":"5943.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says in U.S. Congress, members dont even have to be on the floor for debates or votes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that members of Congress do not have to be present for debates, they are generally required to be present for votes. However, there are certain circumstances, such as proxy voting or remote voting, where members may not physically be on the floor but can still participate in the voting process. It is important to note that the specific rules and procedures regarding member presence can vary depending on the specific chamber and the context of the vote or debate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So Harwell is correct when she says that members of Congress don't have to be present for debates. But she was mistaken insofar as voting goes.","Says Nancy Pelosi on Aug. 31 blocked members of Congress from reading aloud on the House floor the names of the 13 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan.","Subsequently, House Speaker Beth Harwell offered commentary on the matter in an interview with the station, saying she doesn't really condone the practice but it is permitted under legislative rules. That's true. But then the speaker went on to say that,\"We're not like Congress. In Congress, they don't even have to be on the floor for debates or votes. I require my members to be on the floor.\"","A Facebook post shared a widespread claim that Pelosi and the Democrats blocked members of Congress on the House floor from reading the names of the 13 U.S. military service members who were killed in Afghanistan."]},{"id":"4156.json","label":"true","statement":"Republican redistricting plans cut Democrat Nancy Nusbaum out of her state Senate district by a half a block.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Wisconsin AFL-CIO that Republican redistricting plans resulted in Democrat Nancy Nusbaum being cut out of her state Senate district by a half a block. The evidence supports this claim, indicating that Nusbaum's house would fall outside of her district due to the redistricting. However, it's important to note that the potential legal challenges or future actions regarding the maps are not part of the claim being made. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Wisconsin AFL-CIO says Republican redistricting plans cut Democrat Nancy Nusbaum out of \u201cher state Senate district by a half a block.\u201d","( - Wisconsin AFL-CIO says Republican redistricting plans cut Democrat Nancy Nusbaum out of \u201cher state Senate district by a half a block.\u201d&url=)","\"These maps are so ludicrous that Nancy Nusbaum (D) and Fred Clark (D) won\u2019t even be in their districts any more if the changes go through. They cut off Nancy\u2019s house from her district by half a block!\"","In criticizing the GOP maps, the state AFL-CIO says Nusbaum\u2019s home would be carved out of \"her state Senate district by half a block.\" She does live there and the map would fall the way the union claims. The maps may well face a legal challenge or even ultimately be redrawn by the courts. But that\u2019s all in the future and not part of the claim at hand."]},{"id":"1355.json","label":"false","statement":"When Obama was interviewed by American reporters in Asia, \"Not one of them asked me about Asia. Not one of them asked me about the economy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that \"not one\" of the American reporters asked him about Asia or the economy during his interviews in Asia is contradicted by the evidence. Multiple reporters did ask him about these topics, as confirmed by transcripts and fact-checking. Therefore, the statement is false. It is important to ensure accuracy when making claims about the questions asked during interviews to maintain credibility and transparency.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama said at the Dec. 3 jobs forum that when he was in Asia and granted interviews to reporters, \"not one of them asked me about Asia. Not one of them asked me about the economy.\" That is clearly an exaggeration. We found that two reporters asked him about Asia, two reporters asked him about job creation, and another reporter asked him about mortgages and lending. He said \"not one\" did, implying that the interviews lacked substance. We rate his statement False.","We decided to check the transcripts to see what Obama was asked on his trip. We wanted to see if it was true that he hadn't been asked any questions about the economy or Asia.","\"It is important to understand what's at stake and that we can't keep on playing games,\" Obama added. \"I mentioned that I was in Asia on this trip, thinking about the economy. When I sat down for a round of interviews, not one of them asked me about Asia. Not one of them asked me about the economy. I was asked several times about, had I read Sarah Palin's book? True. But it's an indication of how -- how, you know, our political debate doesn't match up with what we need to do and where we need to go.\"","Obama gave a round of brief interviews while traveling in Asia, with most of his comments airing on American television Nov. 18. The coverage shows that four reporters got roughly 10 minutes each with the president."]},{"id":"10418.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A strong majority of Americans support the Keystone XL pipeline.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided, which indicates that there is strong and consistent public support for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Multiple sources, including polling data, suggest that a majority of Americans support the pipeline. However, it's important to note that there may be differing opinions and perspectives on this issue, and public opinion can evolve over time. Nonetheless, based on the available evidence, it is accurate to say that a strong majority of Americans support the Keystone XL pipeline.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We wondered whether Ernst was correct when she said that \"a strong majority of Americans support\" the pipeline. So we looked at the polling data.","And Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, received a Mostly True when she said, \"A strong majority of Americans support\" the Keystone XL pipeline. Ernst was giving the Republican response to the president\u2019s 2015 State of the Union address.","\"President Obama has been delaying this bipartisan infrastructure project for years, even though many members of his party, unions, and a strong majority of Americans support it. The President\u2019s own State Department has said Keystone\u2019s construction could support thousands of jobs and pump billions into our economy, and do it with minimal environmental impact.\"","In other words, the polls show strong and consistent public support for building the pipeline, but one poll suggests it's only after completing full reviews of its merits."]},{"id":"2525.json","label":"false","statement":"A majority of Wisconsinites opposed the government takeover of health care. But Russ Feingold voted for it anyway.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While the ad claims that a majority of Wisconsinites opposed the \"government takeover of health care,\" the evidence suggests otherwise. The polls cited in the ad do not accurately reflect the question asked, and more recent and comprehensive polls do not show a majority of Wisconsinites opposing health care reform. Therefore, the claim that Russ Feingold voted against the majority opinion is not supported by the evidence presented.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"A majority of Wisconsinites opposed the government takeover of health care,\" the ad says, as statistics from an opinion poll pop up. \"But Russ Feingold voted for it anyway. Feingold had a choice to make. The official Congressional Record shows Feingold toed the party line, instead of listening to us.\"","The pre-vote polls used straightforward references to the \" health care reform plan \" or \" proposed changes to the health care system.\" That is in contrast to the Johnson ad, which says a majority of Wisconsinites opposed -- and Feingold voted for -- a \" government takeover of health care.\"","Johnson mischaracterized the question in a poll -- and what Feingold voted for. Johnson\u2019s ad said a \"majority of Wisconsinites\" were opposed. But the more timely state polls measured only likely voters, not the entire adult population. The broadest poll we found -- measuring the view of Wisconsin adults -- was older, but it did not find a majority in opposition.","Johnson turns to polling data for support of his claim but uses loaded language to mischaracterize the question in the poll -- and what Feingold voted for. The pollster himself said the description in the ad does not match the question that was asked. What\u2019s more, Johnson\u2019s ad says a \"majority of Wisconsinites\" were opposed. But the more timely state polls measured only likely voters, not the entire adult population. The broadest poll we found -- measuring the view of Wisconsin adults -- was older, but it did not find a majority in opposition."]},{"id":"10504.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama has chosen to deny the vicious anti-Semitic motivation of the attack on a kosher Jewish grocery in Paris.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. President Obama did not deny the anti-Semitic motivation of the attack on a kosher Jewish grocery in Paris. In fact, he explicitly acknowledged the anti-Semitic nature of the attack in a statement to the United Nations General Assembly. The claim that Obama denied the anti-Semitic motivation is contradicted by his own words and is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Perry said, \"Obama has chosen to deny the vicious anti-Semitic motivation of the attack on a kosher Jewish grocery in Paris.\"","\"I am appalled that President Obama has chosen to deny the vicious anti-Semitic motivation of the attack on a kosher Jewish grocery in Paris on Jan. 9,\" Perry said in a statement. \"What he called a \u2018random\u2019 attack was obviously meant to kill Jews -- which is precisely what happened. The individual victims may have been those unlucky enough to be in the grocery that day, but it was far from random.\"","In a Jan. 22 statement to the United Nations General Assembly, regarding anti-Semitism, Obama said, \"Anti-Semitic attacks like the recent terrorist attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris pose a threat that extends beyond the Jewish community.\"","President Barack Obama took heat this week for seeming to imply that a recent attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris was \"random\" -- rather than anti-Semitic."]},{"id":"248.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Gas prices have never been higher, and Exxon Mobil's profits have never been higher.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While it is true that gas prices have been high at certain points in history, it is not accurate to claim that gas prices have never been higher. Gas prices have fluctuated over time due to various factors such as global oil prices, supply and demand dynamics, and geopolitical events. Additionally, while Exxon Mobil's profits have been substantial, it is also incorrect to claim that their profits have never been higher. Exxon Mobil's profits have varied over the years, influenced by factors such as oil prices, production levels, and market conditions. Therefore, the statement is factually incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"10348.json","label":"true","statement":"Were now the No. 1 producer of oil in the world. Weve surpassed Saudi Arabia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States has been the world's largest oil producer since the fourth quarter of 2012, surpassing Saudi Arabia. This information has been confirmed by multiple sources, and it is supported by data on global energy production and consumption statistics.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The United States is now the No. 1 energy producer in the world,\" Trump said at the rally. \"That happened just recently.\"","We decided to check out the data and see if in fact the United States is the world\u2019s top oil producer. As it turns out, the United States passed over Saudi Arabia about two years ago.","According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which tracks global energy production and consumption statistics, the United States has produced more oil than Saudi Arabia since the fourth quarter of 2012. American oil production surpassed Russia in 2011.","As we noted in a 2015 fact-check, the United States has been the world\u2019s largest oil producer since 2012, and the largest natural gas producer for years."]},{"id":"1633.json","label":"false","statement":"Did not vote for tax increases as a member of the West Miami City Commission.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly shows that Rubio did vote to increase the property tax collections while serving as a member of the West Miami City Commission. Multiple sources, including records and statements from other politicians, confirm this fact. Therefore, the statement claiming that Rubio did not vote for tax increases as a member of the West Miami City Commission is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Before he was elected to the state House, Rubio was a member of the West Miami City Commission from 1998-2000. Records show that in 1998 and 1999, he voted to increase the city's property tax collections.","\"Just let me say that (Rubio) voted for tax increases when he was on the West Miami City Commission, and he said on his Web site that he has never voted for a new tax,\" Crist said. \"That's just not the truth, and he ought to be truthful to the people of Florida before he asks for their vote.\"","Responding to a claim from Crist, Rubio said it was \"inaccurate\" to say he voted to raise taxes while a member of the West Miami City Commission. But Crist got it right, records show. We rate Rubio's statement False.","Because both candidates seem hung up on if either ever supported a tax increase, we wanted to examine Rubio's time as a West Miami City commissioner."]},{"id":"11390.json","label":"false","statement":"Birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger believed that people like me should be eliminated.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents Margaret Sanger's beliefs and intentions. While Sanger did support the eugenics movement, there is no credible evidence to suggest that she believed in the elimination of specific racial or ethnic groups, including African-Americans. Sanger was a birth control activist who advocated for women's reproductive rights and access to contraception, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status. She worked closely with black leaders and health care professionals to provide birth control information and services to underserved communities. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays Sanger's views and intentions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Answering a question at RiverWoods Retirement Community, Carson said that \"Planned Parenthood, as you know, was founded by Margaret Sanger. . . . Margaret Sanger was a eugenicist. She believed that people like me should be eliminated, or kept under control.\"","Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson said that birth control activist Margaret Sanger \"believed that people like me should be eliminated.\" He later clarified that he meant African-Americans. While Sanger indeed supported the eugenics movement, substantial evidence shows that she was not racist and in fact worked closely with black leaders and health care professionals.","Sanger was indeed a birth control activist, which means that she wanted women to be able to avoid unwanted pregnancies. She worked for women of all classes and races to have that choice, which she believed to be a right.","\"As for Sanger as a supporter of KKK, it is just untrue,\" Baker wrote in an email. \"She was far ahead of her times in terms of opposing racial segregation. She worked closely with black leaders to open birth control clinics in Harlem and elsewhere. She believed all women should have the information about birth control that rich women had, hence her lecture to the KKK women.\""]},{"id":"6819.json","label":"false","statement":"One of the first states in the union to pass a voter ID bill was Rhode Island, 85 percent Democratic legislature.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Rhode Island did pass a voter ID bill, it was not one of the first states in the union to do so. Additionally, the claim that the legislature was 85 percent Democratic is misleading. While Rhode Island does have a majority of Democratic legislators, the exact percentage is not provided, and it is not necessarily 85 percent. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"One of the first states in the union to pass voter ID bill was Rhode Island, 85 percent Democratic legislature,\" she said. \"And who pushed it? A black Democrat in the house, a black Democrat in the senate. That's a fact!\"","\"One of the first states in the union to pass a voter ID bill was Rhode Island, 85 percent Democratic legislature,\" she told cohost Joy Behar, after Behar suggested that Republicans were pushing voter identification not to stop fraud but to reduce Democratic turnout.","Rhode Island, where 83.5 percent of the state\u2019s legislators are Democrats, is an exception to the national trend on voter-identification, but, despite what Coulter claimed, it is far from being \"one of the first\" states to pass such legislation.","Ann Coulter said the voter-identification passed by the Rhode Island legislature was pushed by black senators and representatives. In fact, in both the House and the Senate, black legislators strongly supported the bill."]},{"id":"2346.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Likens Obamas predicament to 1982, saying, when Reagan just started out, (unemployment was at) exactly the same point. He was two years into his term. The unemployment was well over 10 percent, and it did come out of it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately compares the unemployment situation during the early years of the Reagan administration to the current situation under President Obama. It highlights the similarity in the unemployment rate, which was over 10 percent during both periods. Additionally, it mentions that Reagan was able to bring the country out of the high unemployment rate. However, it's important to note that the comparison is limited to the unemployment rate and does not take into account other economic factors or the specific policies and circumstances of each administration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["-- Long-term unemployment . Many economists believe that long-term unemployment is more worrisome than short-term unemployment, because the longer someone goes without a job, the harder it is to get back into the work force, and, in turn, the harder it is for the economy as a whole to move forward. And there's a lot more long-term unemployment now than there was during the early 1980s.","-- Peak unemployment . Unemployment crested at 10.8 percent at the very end of the Reagan recession, in November and December of 1982. It hasn't gotten that high yet in the Obama recession -- it's currently at 10.2 percent -- but it could well get there in the coming months.","In 1982, the final year of the Reagan recession, short-term unemployment -- that is, joblessness lasting less than five weeks -- hovered around 3.7 million. That's not much different than the 3.3 million or so short-term unemployed we've seen so far during 2009.","-- Rise in unemployment . Some economists say that an even more important factor than peak unemployment is the total distance that unemployment rose over the course of the recession. By that measure, unemployment rose 4.5 percentage points over the full double-dip recession and rose 3.6 points during the second of the two dips. Both measures are lower than the 5.3 percentage-point climb in unemployment seen so far during the Obama recession."]},{"id":"4290.json","label":"true","statement":"The governor having a meeting ... isnt covered by the open meetings act.","reason":"Reason: According to Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, the governor having a meeting is not subject to the state's open meetings act. This is supported by the exemption of the Georgia Legislature from open meetings law, as established by the state Supreme Court decision in Coggin v. Davey. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the legal context in Georgia, where the governor's meetings are not covered by the open meetings act.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The question presented from a legal context is whether the state\u2019s open meetings act precluded that activity. And the answer is no. The answer is the governor having a meeting isn\u2019t, frankly, subject to the open meetings act,\" Olens said.","So there you have it. Of all the elected officials covered by Georgia\u2019s open meetings laws, Nathan Deal isn\u2019t one of them.","It\u2019s worth noting that the Georgia Legislature is exempt from open meetings law, too, thanks to the 1975 state Supreme Court decision Coggin v. Davey. Members of the media sued to complain that they were excluded from a General Assembly committee meeting, but legislators argued they weren\u2019t covered by the open meetings law. The General Assembly won.","The most powerful elected official in the state isn\u2019t covered by state open meetings law? We thought this claim was worth a second look."]},{"id":"13492.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says he won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that millions of people voted illegally in the 2016 presidential election. Multiple fact-checking organizations and investigations have debunked this claim. The statement made by President Trump that he won the popular vote if illegal votes are deducted is unfounded and lacks any substantiated evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["> In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally","Read our full debunking of Trump\u2019s Nov. 28 claim that he \"won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.\"","In one tweet, Trump wrote, \"In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.\"","We found zero evidence for Trump\u2019s charge that he \"won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally,\" and a lot of reasons to conclude that it didn\u2019t happen."]},{"id":"558.json","label":"false","statement":"E-mail quotes Maureen Dowd column that Obama has received suspicious contributions from Saudi Arabia, Iran and China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claimed Maureen Dowd column that accuses Obama of receiving suspicious contributions from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China is a fake. Multiple sources, including the New York Times, have confirmed that the column circulating in chain emails and blogs is not authentic. It is important to verify the credibility of sources and fact-check information before accepting and spreading such claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["SUMMARY: Blogs and chain e-mails are spreading a Maureen Dowd column that claims the Obama campaign got suspicious contributions from Iran, Saudi Arabia and China. But the column is a fake.","A new chain e-mail, echoed by dozens of blog postings, claims to have a column from New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd that criticizes Sen. Barack Obama for accepting suspicious contributions from Iran, Saudi Arabia and China.","The column, which is dated June 29, 2008, says Dowd got a call from \"one of the Obama's campaign sic internet geeks\" who told her the campaign has received a flood of small contributions from overseas. The contributors were difficult to trace, the column says, but they came from a small number of banks and credit cards in various countries, particularly from \"Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries.\"","At first glance, the chain e-mail looks like an authentic column by Maureen Dowd, the Pulitzer-winning New York Times columnist. It has her byline and a headline that says \"OBAMA'S TROUBLING INTERNET FUND RAISING.\" Some versions even have Dowd's picture."]},{"id":"7595.json","label":"true","statement":"Says 94 percent of (Marco Rubios) constituents support a universal background check.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mark Kelly that 94 percent of Marco Rubio's constituents support a universal background check. This claim is supported by a major state poll conducted in Florida, which shows that 91 percent of Florida voters favor requiring background checks for all gun buyers. The margin of error for the poll allows for a range of support that includes the 94 percent figure mentioned by Mark Kelly. Additionally, national polls conducted by reputable organizations also indicate strong support for universal background checks, further supporting the claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I would say to Marco Rubio that 94 percent of his constituents support a universal background check,\" Kelly told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace on March 31, 2013.","Kelly said \"94 percent of (Rubio's) constituents support a universal background check.\" A major state poll conducted in March shows 91 percent of Florida voters favor requiring checks \"for all gun buyers.\" Kelly\u2019s claim is within the poll\u2019s margin of error. We rate his statement True.","We wondered, is it true that 94 percent of Floridians \u2014who share their state with NRA superlobbyist Marion Hammer and a Stand Your Ground law \u2014 favor universal background checks?","National polls this year show strong support for universal background checks, from Pew Research Center\u2019s 85 percent to Quinnipiac University\u2019s 92 percent."]},{"id":"6061.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Tommy Thompsons tax plan amounts to an average tax cut of almost $87,000 for the top 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Baldwin regarding Tommy Thompson's tax plan. Based on IRS data, it has been determined that Thompson's plan would result in an average tax cut of nearly $87,000 for the top 1 percent of earners. This claim has been previously rated as Mostly True, providing further support for its accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Baldwin said Thompson's tax plan \"amounts to an average tax cut of almost $87,000 for the top 1 percent\" and Thompson didn\u2019t refute the figure.","In June, we rated Mostly True a Baldwin claim that Thompson's plan \"amounts to an average tax cut of almost $87,000 for the top 1 percent\" based on IRS data. People with income over $1 million are part of that category.","Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson \"wants to give a new $265,000 tax cut to millionaires like himself while raising taxes on the middle class.\"","In 2009, according to the latest figures available from the Internal Revenue Service, the top 1 percent of federal income tax returns amounts to nearly 1.38 million people. They all earned more than $343,927."]},{"id":"1027.json","label":"true","statement":"Nobody has ever escaped from one of our federal 'supermax' prisons.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to federal prison officials, no prisoner has ever escaped from the only federal supermax facility, the Administration Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado, since its opening in 1994. The facility's stringent security measures, including a $10 million perimeter fence and remote-controlled steel doors, have contributed to its impeccable record in preventing escapes.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"As we make these decisions, bear in mind the following fact: Nobody has ever escaped from one of our federal supermax prisons, which hold hundreds of convicted terrorists,\" Obama said.","\"Where demanded by justice and national security, we will seek to transfer some detainees to the same type of facilities in which we hold all manner of dangerous and violent criminals within our borders \u2014 highly secure prisons that ensure the public safety,\" Obama said. \"Bear in mind the following fact: Nobody has ever escaped from one of our federal ' supermax ' prisons.\"","As for Obama's statement, federal prison officials confirmed that he is correct. No prisoner has ever escaped from the only federal supermax facility since it was opened in 1994, no doubt thanks to the $10 million perimeter fence and the remote-controlled steel doors. We find his statement True.","First, we should note that Obama's comment suggests there is more than one federal \"supermax \" facility. But there's actually just one, the Administration Maximum Facility in Florence, Colo., according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Some states have built their own maximum security prisons, but it's clear Obama was referring to federal facilities because they would be the ones to house the suspected terrorists."]},{"id":"1676.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The bill reported out of committee sets up a $50 billion slush fund that, while intended for resolving failing firms, is available for virtually any purpose that the treasury secretary sees fit.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Shelby's claim that the bill sets up a $50 billion fund. However, the claim that the fund is available for virtually any purpose that the Treasury Secretary sees fit is false. The bill clearly states that the fund is intended to resolve failing firms and must be used for liquidation, not to keep failing firms alive. Furthermore, the fund is administered by the FDIC, an independent branch of government, and not the Treasury Department. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the purpose and administration of the fund.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The bill reported out of committee sets up a $50 billion slush fund that, while intended for resolving failing firms, is available for virtually any purpose that the treasury secretary sees fit,\" Shelby wrote on March 25, 2010. \"Nonetheless, the mere existence of this fund will make it all too easy to choose bailout over bankruptcy. This can only reinforce the expectation that the government stands ready to intervene on behalf of large and politically connected financial institutions at the expense of Main Street and the American taxpayer. Therefore, the bill institutionalizes 'too big to fail.' \"","Shelby is clearly correct on his first point that there is a $50 billion fund in the bill (we'll leave the debate over the definition of \"slush fund\" for another day) that's \"intended to resolve failing firms.\"","Shelby is right that the bill would create a $50 billion fund to help dismantle very large, faltering firms. While there may be just a bit of wiggle room on what costs the fund covers, the bill makes it clear that the money must be used to liquidate -- not keep alive -- failing firms. Also, the program is administered by the FDIC, and before it can step in to dismantle a firm, FDIC must have agreement of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve and three bankruptcy judges. So, to say that the fund \"is available for virtually any purpose that the Treasury Secretary sees fit,\" is more than a stretch. We find Shelby's claim to be False.","The second part of his claim is that the fund is available for \"virtually any purpose that the treasury secretary sees fit.\" First -- because we like to split hairs -- we should note that, while the bill says that the fund will be established in the Treasury Department, it will be administered by the FDIC, an independent branch of government, not the Treasury Department."]},{"id":"1216.json","label":"true","statement":"Barack Obama and the Democrats have \"proposed a tax for not having health insurance.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that under the Democratic plans, there is a tax penalty, or mandate, for individuals who do not have health insurance. This penalty serves as a mechanism to incentivize people to obtain health coverage. While some may argue about the semantics of whether it is a tax or a penalty, it is a form of financial consequence imposed on those who choose not to have health insurance. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The tax in the Democrats' bills won't affect anyone who has insurance. But if health care reform passes, it will be an issue for those who don't have insurance.","The details for these mandates are very much a work in progress, and Congress will ultimately have to vote on one set of standards for the mandate. But all of the Democratic plans include the mandate, which is a tax penalty on those who don't have insurance. The RNC called it \"a tax for not having health insurance,\" and there's no doubt that it is a form of tax. There are provisions for those who face hardship, but absent special circumstances, everyone will have to have coverage. We rate the RNC's statement True.","The tax is the mechanism that Democrats want to use to prod people to get health coverage. If they fail to get insurance, they would have to pay it.","The ad then flashes to video of Obama and George Stephanopoulos arguing over the meaning of the word tax on This Week with George Stephanopoulos , with Stephanopolous reading the dictionary definition. Obama said the measure is necessary to make sure that everyone takes responsibility for having health insurance. He also said that a tax penalty is not the same thing as raising people's taxes."]},{"id":"8641.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One-third of all bank tellers (are) on public assistance.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the report cited by the committee, which states that 31 percent of bank tellers and their family members are enrolled in some type of public assistance program. However, it's important to note that the report includes both bank tellers themselves and their family members in the calculation. This means that the percentage of bank tellers specifically who are on public assistance may be lower than one-third. Nevertheless, the statement captures the overall message of the report regarding the reliance on public assistance among bank tellers and their families.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Salaries for bank tellers nationwide are so low that 31 percent of bank tellers and their family members are enrolled in some type of public assistance program,\" the committee cites in its report.","We\u2019ll set aside the question of bailouts and livable wages. Our focus is on the claim that a third of bank tellers are on public assistance.","Carville said that one-third of bank tellers are on public assistance. In large part, Carville was faithful to a labor market analysis conducted on behalf of a group that advocates for better pay for lower-level bank employees. Carville made a minor error in talking about the bank tellers themselves when the study included their children. And there is debate among experts as to whether children\u2019s insurance and the Earned Income Tax Credit should be counted as public assistance.","Carville pretty accurately quoted the report except in one respect that doesn\u2019t make an enormous difference. He said one-third of bank tellers are on public assistance. The report actually spoke of bank tellers and their family members. That would include a worker\u2019s child who gets health care through the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program. But since that child is eligible because the family makes less than a certain amount, we think it\u2019s a minor point."]},{"id":"5261.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We wiped out a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While Governor Walker claims to have wiped out a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes, it's important to note that the $3.6 billion figure was not an actual deficit but rather a pre-budget estimate used to illustrate the financial challenge faced by the governor. Furthermore, there were significant budget cuts and reductions in spending implemented during Walker's tenure as governor, but it is worth noting that other revenue sources and tactics were utilized to address the budgetary situation. Therefore, the claim of completely eliminating a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes oversimplifies the complex budgetary measures taken during that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When I ran for governor, I promised to rein in spending, eliminate the deficit and hold the line on taxes. And you know what? That\u2019s exactly what we did. We had to make some tough decisions, but thankfully, we wiped out a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes.\"","Walker makes frequent use of that last phrase -- \"we wiped out a $3.6 billion deficit without raising taxes\" -- and did so again on Jan. 25, 2012 in his \u2019state of the state\u2019 address.","Walker makes the first claim early and often in his new book, \"Unintimidated,\" at one point writing that \"the $3.6 billion deficit we inherited has turned into more than a half-billion-dollar surplus.\"","The $3.6 billion \"deficit\" is actually not a deficit at all in a concrete accounting sense. It\u2019s a pre-budget estimate designed to illustrate the size of the shortfall or challenge the governor faces when putting together a budget."]},{"id":"2664.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mr. Hurt would re-open that darn (Medicare) doughnut hole.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the political ad that Mr. Hurt would reopen the Medicare \"doughnut hole.\" The \"doughnut hole\" refers to a gap in coverage in the Medicare prescription drug program. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer conclusive proof that Mr. Hurt explicitly intends to reopen the doughnut hole. The statement is based on the ad's accusation and does not provide additional evidence or context to support or refute the claim. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Mr Hurt would reopen that darn doughnut hole,\" she says. \"And would start bankrupting Medicare in just six years. Shed some light on the facts and you'll see...Seniors can't afford a world of Hurt.\"","Now, about that darn doughnut hole. The \"hole\" is a gap in coverage in the Medicare prescription drug program, which was passed by Congress in 2003.","OK, so the health care bill would eventually close the Medicare doughnut hole, and Hurt has vowed to defund and ultimately repeal the health care bill. Does that mean, necessarily, that he would reopen the doughnut hole?","Perriello's ad, called \"Seniors Can't Afford a World of Hurt,\" accuses his opponent, Republican state Sen. Robert Hurt, of wanting to reopen the so-called \"doughnut hole\" in Medicare prescription drug coverage for seniors."]},{"id":"2996.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that all those who do not answer directly to the president, theyve said (repealing Dont Ask, Dont Tell) is a terrible idea.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Louie Gohmert that \"all those who do not answer directly to the president\" have said that repealing \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" is a terrible idea is not supported by the evidence. The fact-checking sources indicate that while some military personnel did object to the repeal of the law, not all of them labeled the change as a terrible idea. Therefore, Gohmert's statement is false as it overgeneralizes the opinions of military personnel who do not directly answer to the president.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says that \"all those who do not answer directly to the president, they've said (repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell) is a terrible idea.\"","( - Louie Gohmert says those who don't answer directly to president call repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' a \"terrible idea\"&url=)","So, some\u2014not all\u2014military personnel objected to repealing the law, some saying the timing is bad. And not all who don\u2019t answer directly to the president labeled the change a terrible idea. We rate Gohmert's statement False.","\"The hundreds I've heard from, that I didn't bring their quotes down here, have said, you pass this and I will tell you personally, but I will not say it in the presence of my commander, you pass this, I will not re-enlist,\" Gohmert said on the House floor Dec. 15. \"...Because we know what this president, this commander in chief, wants, just as does the secretary of defense, the two people that the president appoints said let's do it, because they know the president appointed, he's their boss, and all those who do not answer directly to the president, they've said this is a terrible idea.\""]},{"id":"3734.json","label":"true","statement":"The Obama administration increased the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of crimes by 70 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. President Obama did claim that his administration focused on deporting illegal immigrants convicted of crimes, and there was indeed a 70 percent increase in the deportation of such individuals during his first two years in office. This indicates a policy shift towards prioritizing the removal of convicted criminals among undocumented immigrants.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama's claim that under his administration, deportation of criminals increased by 70 percent suggests a significant shift in policy, so we decided to check it out.","\"But I want to emphasize we\u2019re not doing it haphazardly. We\u2019re focusing our limited resources and people on violent offenders and people convicted of crimes -- not just families, not just folks who are just looking to scrape together an income. And as a result, we\u2019ve increased the removal of criminals by 70 percent.\"","In a speech on immigration reform( \"speech on immigration reform\") in El Paso, Texas, President Barack Obama said his administration has focused on deporting illegal immigrants convicted of crimes.","In the first two years under Obama, the data suggest a policy shift toward prioritizing the deportation of convicted criminals. And Obama is correct that there has been a 70 percent increase. We rate his statement True."]},{"id":"11356.json","label":"true","statement":"Six of the 10 richest counties in the United States surround Washington, D.C.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact, have confirmed that six of the top 10 wealthiest counties in the United States are located in the vicinity of Washington, D.C. While different measures and rankings may yield slightly different results, the claim that these counties are among the richest in the country is supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Six of the 10 richest counties in the United States surround Washington, D.C.,\" the GOP presidential candidate saidduring a Sept. 24 interview on \"The John Fredericks Show,\" a Hampton Roads-based radio program.","Not all measures rank the D.C. suburbs among the 10 richest counties. Money magazine, for example, looked at average income -- the total income in a county divided by its residents. Based on that data from 2012, none of the counties near Washington made a Money list of the 10 richest counties published last year. If you\u2019re wondering, No. 1 in was Teton County in Wyoming.","Both U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio and former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin had said seven of the nation's 10 richest counties were in suburban Washington. PolitiFact Ohio and PolitiFact National, respectively, rated both claims True.","\"In fact, if you have any doubt, if you looked last year, the numbers that we saw put out showed that six of the top 10 wealthiest counties in America -- six of the top 10 wealthiest communities in America, by county, according to median income -- are in and around the Washington, D.C., area,\" Walker said. \"That tell you anything about where we're growing the economy in this nation?\""]},{"id":"1528.json","label":"false","statement":"Says shes tried over 100 jury cases in Travis County courts.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the candidate that she has tried over 100 jury cases in Travis County courts is incorrect. The candidate herself admitted that it was an oversight and not meant to mislead anyone. The campaign literature and mailers containing this claim were acknowledged as errors, and the candidate clarified that she never made such a claim in her speeches or on her website. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We were exploring those claims when we came across a more dramatic Montford mailer that reached voters in mid-February. It states that Montford \"has tried over 100 jury cases in Travis County courts.\"","UPDATE: After our initial post of this item Feb. 27, PolitiFact Texas came across a door hanger distributed by Montford's campaign including the statement that she'd tried over 100 cases in Travis County courts. Her consultant, Mark Littlefield, then said that 1,000 of the door hangers were printed and distributed though he said volunteers spent time marking out the Travis County trials' claim on the hangers--a cross-out that didn't appear on the hanger we fielded. Littlefield said there are no other campaign items with Montford's trials-in-Travis County claim.","After we asked her about the mailer, Montford admitted it was in error. \"You are correct that some of our campaign literature mistakenly says that I have tried over 100 jury trials in Travis County,\" she said. \"That was an oversight and one that was never meant to mislead anyone. In every speech I have made on the trail, I have never claimed that all my jury trials were in Travis County and our Web site correctly states the information.\"","The county courts at law hear bench trials and jury trials. The legal jurisdiction of the special county-level trial courts in Texas varies from county to county. Get detailed information regarding Travis County's Civil County Courts at Law in the Travis County Courts at Law Local Rules."]},{"id":"3878.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Panasonic stayed in New Jersey because of the Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant (BRRAG) program.","reason":"Reason: While Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno claimed that the Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant (BRRAG) program helped Panasonic stay in New Jersey, Panasonic itself stated that the BRRAG program was not a factor in their decision to remain in the state. Additionally, the state Economic Development Authority (EDA) confirmed that Panasonic is not eligible for any tax credits through the BRRAG program. Therefore, the statement that Panasonic stayed in New Jersey because of the BRRAG program is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno says the Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant program helped Panasonic stay in New Jersey&url=)","Not according to a recent radio interview with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. On WNYC, Guadagno touted the Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant, or BRRAG, program as the initiative that kept Panasonic in New Jersey.","\"I read that, as we go down some of your initiatives, that one of your programs is to beef up the Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant program so that it's $2,250 annually for six years for every job retained in New Jersey, compared to $1,500 for just one year in the past. Do I have the numbers right and is that an important change?\" Lehrer asked.","Guadagno claimed BRRAG helped Panasonic stay in New Jersey. Panasonic said BRRAG wasn\u2019t a factor in the company\u2019s decision and the state EDA confirmed Panasonic is not eligible for any tax credits through that program."]},{"id":"5790.json","label":"half-true","statement":"At the same time gas prices have increased, the share of the oil market controlled by speculators has more than doubled over the past 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Nelson that the share of the oil market controlled by speculators has more than doubled over the past 10 years. This claim is supported by data collected by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. However, it's important to note that the measure used by the commission does not encompass the entire oil market. Additionally, while the statement implies a causal relationship between the increase in speculator control and the rise in gas prices, it does not provide direct evidence to support this connection. Therefore, while the claim about the increase in speculator control is accurate, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to establish a direct correlation with gas price increases.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"One statistic is really telling: The share of the oil market controlled by speculators has more than doubled over the past 10 years,\" Nelson wrote. \"At the same time, gas has gone from $1.56 a gallon to an average of $3.90 or more a gallon.\"","Nelson said, \"The share of the oil market controlled by speculators has more than doubled over the past 10 years.\" The number is based on data collected by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. But experts told us that measure doesn\u2019t include the entire oil market.","We asked Nelson\u2019s office for evidence to back up his claim that speculation in the oil market has more than doubled over the past 10 years.","The Paris-based International Energy Agency, of which the United States is a member, agreed that the share of noncommercial trader has more than doubled but used a slightly different anlaysis. They found that noncommercial traders\u2019 share of long open interest contracts increased 15 to 45 percent from 2000 to 2011, and short open interest grew 13 to 36 percent."]},{"id":"3335.json","label":"true","statement":"Most federal employees do not have collective bargaining for benefits, nor for pay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Most federal employees do not have collective bargaining rights for benefits or pay. This has been confirmed by multiple sources, including statements from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Beth Moten, the legislative and political director for AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees). While there may be some exceptions or specific cases where certain federal employees have collective bargaining rights, the general rule is that most federal employees do not have such rights.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Walker told NBC\u2019s Meet the Press host David Gregory that \"most federal employees do not have collective bargaining for benefits, nor for pay.\"","It's true, said Beth Moten, legislative and political director for AFGE, that most federal employees don't have collective bargaining rights over pay and benefits.","PolitiFact, \"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says most federal employees do not have collective bargaining for benefits or pay,\" March 2, 2011","\"The fact is most federal workers cannot collectively bargain for pay or benefits and the governor\u2019s point is that under Senate Bill 5, Ohio\u2019s public employees will have more collective bargaining rights than most federal employees,\" Nichols said."]},{"id":"12676.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"African-Americans dont use drugs at a higher level than whites but wind up going to prison six times more.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Van Jones that African-Americans do not use drugs at a higher level than whites, yet they are incarcerated at a significantly higher rate. This claim is supported by data from the NAACP, which states that while more whites use drugs compared to African-Americans, African-Americans are sent to prison for drug offenses at a much higher rate. This suggests a significant disparity in the criminal justice system. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive explanation for the complex factors contributing to this disparity, such as systemic biases and institutional factors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Jones said that African-Americans don't use drugs at a higher level than whites but wind up going to prison six times more.","We were interested in Jones' statement that blacks don't use drugs at a higher level than whites, yet they the wind up going to prison six times more often.","\"The statistics don't lie about the excessive numbers of stops,\" said Jones, who is black. \"Let's not talk about traffic stops. Let's take something tough like drugs. African-Americans don't use drugs (at a) higher level than whites. (It's) about the same percentage; about 12 percent. But we wind up getting arrested, not 50 percent more. We wind up going to prison six times more because there seems to be some institutional bias. Doesn't that bother you?\"","The NAACP's Criminal Justice Fact Sheet asserts that \"five times as many whites are using drugs as African Americans, yet African Americans are sent to prison for drug offenses at 10 times the rate of whites.\" It doesn't list a source. Spokeswoman Raquel Coombs said the ratios may be out of date."]},{"id":"8940.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The prosecution of state Sen. Don Balfour cost less than $100, excluding prosecutors salaries.","reason":"Reason: According to a spokesperson for Attorney General Sam Olens, the Attorney General's Office stated that they spent \"less than $100\" on the case of state Sen. Don Balfour. However, it's important to note that this figure does not include the salaries of the prosecutors involved in the case. Therefore, while the direct expenses may have been minimal, the overall cost of the prosecution, including the salaries of the prosecutors, is not specified in the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["December\u2019s trial of state Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, cost taxpayers either a pittance or a pile, depending on whom you ask.","On the day that the jury verdict came down, Lauren Kane, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Sam Olens, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Attorney General\u2019s Office, as a ballpark figure, spent \"less than $100\" on the case, not including the salaries of prosecutors.","!State Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, sent this flier out recently to voters in his district. !State Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, sent this flier out recently to voters in his district.","!Georgia state Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, hugs his attorney, Ken Hodges, after being acquitted in his recent trial. Photo credit: Brant Sanderlin\/AJC. !Georgia state Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, hugs his attorney, Ken Hodges, after being acquitted in his recent trial. Photo credit: Brant Sanderlin\/AJC."]},{"id":"6512.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate rival Tammy Baldwin wants a completely government-controlled health care system that goes far beyond Obamacare and is a Medicare system for all.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tommy Thompson that Tammy Baldwin wants a completely government-controlled health care system that goes beyond Obamacare and is a Medicare system for all. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context and nuance. While Baldwin has expressed support for a Medicare-for-All system, it does not necessarily mean a completely government-controlled system. Medicare-for-All proposals vary, and they can involve a range of approaches, including a mix of public and private providers. Therefore, the statement is accurate but would benefit from additional clarification and information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says U.S. Senate rival Tammy Baldwin wants a \"completely government-controlled\" health care system that goes \"far beyond 'Obamacare'\" and is \"a Medicare system for all.\"","Thompson said Baldwin wants a \"completely government-controlled\" health care system that goes \"far beyond 'Obamacare'\" and is \"a Medicare system for all.\"","\"Tammy Baldwin, who is a nice lady, but believes philosophically that she wants a health care system that is completely government controlled. She did not think 'Obamacare' went far enough. She was far beyond 'Obamacare.' She wants a Medicare system for all, in which the government makes all the decisions for your health care system.\"","Thompson claimed Baldwin wants a \"completely government-controlled\" health care system that goes \"far beyond Obamacare\" and is \"a Medicare system for all.\" We rated that Mostly True -- accurate but needing clarification or more information."]},{"id":"12352.json","label":"false","statement":"You have to be a citizen to vote, but with same-day voter registration, you have places where people just walk in and vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. Same-day voter registration does not allow noncitizens to simply \"walk in and vote.\" In states with same-day voter registration, individuals are still required to provide the same level of identification as when registering in advance. There is no evidence to suggest that noncitizens are casting ballots in states with same-day voter registration. Additionally, both experts and President Trump have emphasized the importance of being a citizen to vote. While there may be concerns about election fraud, same-day voter registration does not inherently increase the risk of noncitizens voting.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In most states, people have to register to vote at least a few days prior to voting. But 15 states and the District of Columbia have or are in the process of implementing same-day voter registration. Is it really the case that noncitizens can just \"walk in and vote\" in these states?","In states with same-day voter registration, people don\u2019t just walk in and vote. They have to provide the same level of identification as when registering in advance. Experts told us there is no additional risk of noncitizens casting ballots in states with same-day voter registration, nor is there any evidence that this occurs.","\"No, no,\" Trump said to the suggestion. \"I don't think people should sneak in through the cracks. And whether that's an ID or any way you want to do it. But you have to be a citizen to vote.\"","\"For someone who\u2019s not eligible to vote, to walk into a polling place and use same-day registration is risky,\" Burden said, noting that there\u2019s a higher risk of election fraud in activities that occur outside the polling location, such as mail-in ballots."]},{"id":"3900.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Island continues to have the highest rates of substance abuse in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from a federal study and the testimony of Lang, who cited survey estimates. According to the information provided, Rhode Island has consistently shown high rates of substance abuse, including illicit drug use and the need for treatment. While the most recent state-by-state comparison is based on slightly outdated data, it is indicated that Rhode Island continues to have among the worst substance abuse rates in the nation. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Rhode Island continues to have the highest rates of substance abuse in the country,\" he told members of the Senate Education Committee while describing plans to locate the small school in one wing of the center\u2019s building on Hope Street.","In summary, the federal study Lang relied upon has a 40-year history and the statistics he cited were accurate. And when we delved into a variety of other categories from the same survey, we found that in many instances, Rhode Island has the \"highest rates of substance abuse in the country\" -- an alarming distinction.","Lang, citing survey estimates, testified that \"over 11 percent of Rhode Islanders 12 and over use illicit drugs, the highest rate in the nation, and that Rhode Island has the highest percentage of persons 12 years and over needing but not receiving treatment for illicit drug use, at 3.3 percent. We also have the lowest perceived risk of substance abuse in the country, according to national statistics.\"","When we contacted Lang to discuss the survey results, he did some checking and realized he had actually cited old data. The most recent state-by-state comparison is based on the 2007-2008 surveys. (The federal agency is a couple years behind and will release 2009 data later this year, a spokeswoman said.) Still, Lang said, Rhode Island continues to have among the worst substance-abuse rates in the nation."]},{"id":"2651.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Jerry Brown gave California state employees collective bargaining powers and now, state employees can retire at 55 with much of their salary for life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Jerry Brown did grant California state employees collective bargaining powers during his tenure as governor. It is also true that under the current system, state employees in California with 25 years of service can retire at age 55 and receive half their salary for life. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. The ability to retire at 55 with a significant portion of their salary for life is contingent upon having 25 or more years of service. Employees with fewer years of service would receive a lower percentage of their salary. Additionally, the statement does not mention that the policy allowing retirement at age 55 was adopted in 1999, after Jerry Brown's initial tenure as governor. Therefore, while the statement contains elements of truth, it could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So what to rate the Whitman ad's claim that Brown \"gave California state employees collective bargaining powers. Since then, the unions have grown stronger and stronger. Now, state employees can retire at 55 with much of their salary for life\"?","How can you retire at age 55? Just ask Jerry Brown. He gave California state employees collective bargaining powers. Since then, the unions have grown stronger and stronger. Now, state employees can retire at 55 with much of their salary for life. And taxpayers are on the hook for $100 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. No wonder those unions are 100 percent behind Jerry Brown. He'll just spend and spend and spend.","It's true that as governor in the late '70s and early '80s, he was a champion of collective bargaining rights. And it's also true that under the current system, state employees in California with 25 years of service can retire at age 55 and receive half their salary for life.","It wasn't until 1999 that the state adopted a policy that allowed employees to retire five years earlier, at age 55, and get 2 percent of their annual salary for each year of their employment. In other words, someone who retired at age 55 with 25 years under their belt could get 50 percent of their salary in an annual pension. That's why the Whitman ad -- which states that \"state employees can retire at 55 with much of their salary for life\" -- carries the prominent disclaimer that the scenario \"assumes 25-plus years in state employment.\" Someone who retired at age 55 today, but who worked less than 25 years, would get less than half their current salary. According to the California Public Employees\u2019 Retirement System website( \"California Public Employees\u2019 Retirement System website\"), the average years of service for all retirees is 19.6 years."]},{"id":"8368.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama has jumped the shark and ordered the ocean closed!","reason":"Reason: The statement is a hyperbolic and exaggerated claim. There is no evidence to support the assertion that President Obama has ordered the closure of the ocean. While there may have been some social media posts circulating with such claims during the government shutdown, it is important to distinguish between exaggerated rhetoric and factual information. The ocean remains open for recreational activities, and there is no credible basis for the claim that President Obama has ordered its closure.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Claims about the federal government shutdown include this one circulating on Twitter: \"Obama has jumped the shark and ordered the ocean closed!\"","As we were drowning in claims about the federal government shutdown, this one popped up on our shores Monday morning: Obama has closed down the ocean as part of the shutdown.","We found numerous ocean shutdown claims on Twitter: \"Obama shuts down Atlantic ocean! Who knew the fed\u2019s owned the ocean?\" and \"Obama and Dems can\u2019t even close borders but are trying to close the ocean!\" and \"if Obama can shut down the ocean why didn\u2019t he shut down the hurricanes and floods?\"","But it\u2019s an exaggeration to state that Obama has tried to shut down the entire ocean -- or even to suggest that he has shuttered the Atlantic Ocean or all of the waters in the Keys. Tourists and locals can continue to fish, swim and play in the ocean, even in the Keys."]},{"id":"11714.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Only nine coalition nations with the U.S. are truly actively involved in fighting the Islamic State.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Representative Rob Wittman that out of the 65 coalition partners, only nine are actively involved in military efforts against the Islamic State. This suggests that while many nations have pledged to fight the Islamic State, only a small number have taken significant military action against the group. However, it's important to note that the specific level of involvement and contributions from each coalition partner may vary, and the statement does not provide details on the extent of involvement or the specific nations involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During a recent interview on C-SPAN, Wittman said the U.S. could use some help in the air campaign against the Islamic State. \"Of the 65 coalition partners, only nine are truly actively involved in these efforts,\" he said. \"This will not be successful if we don\u2019t have those coalition partners involved.\"","Wittman, in arguing the U.S. isn\u2019t getting enough help in the heavy lifting against the Islamic State, said just nine of our international coalition partners are \"truly actively involved\" in military efforts against the militant group.","We wondered if Wittman is correct that only nine nations have joined the U.S. in taking military action against the Islamic State.","Although dozens of nations have pledged to fight the Islamic State, few actually have joined the U.S. in taking military steps against the group, says U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st."]},{"id":"6764.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama has added $16 trillion to the national debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the national debt exceeded $16 trillion during Barack Obama's presidency, it is incorrect to attribute the entire increase to him. The increase in the national debt during Obama's tenure was approximately $5.4 trillion, not $16 trillion. It is important to consider the factors contributing to the national debt, including economic conditions, legislation, and policies that were in place before Obama took office. Blaming Obama alone for the entire increase in the national debt is misleading and does not accurately reflect the complex factors involved.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When the Treasury Department announced on Sept. 4 that the national debt had topped $16 trillion, the Associated Press reported, Barack Obama's GOP rivals \"used the grim-but-expected news to criticize the president for the government's fiscal performance over his 3 1\/2 years in office.\"","Frazier\u2019s email also said Obama has added about $5 trillion to the debt in less than four years. The increase since Obama became president in January 2009 is about $5.4 trillion, compared to the $10.6 trillion in debt on his inauguration day, Jan. 20, 2009.","Gov. Rick Perry posted a photo the other day showing \"$16 trillion\" inked across the back of his hands. In a Sept. 20, 2012, Twitter post linking to the photo, Perry said: \"Since @BarackObama has forgotten how much he's added to national debt #ForAll our kids to pay off.\"","The stimulus package came with a $787 billion price tag. If you include all growth in the national debt under the Obama administration, it\u2019s roughly $5.4 trillion, not $16 trillion. The administration inherited a national debt of more than $10 trillion when it came into office."]},{"id":"11627.json","label":"true","statement":"Instead of fighting ISIS, (the Saudis) have focused more on a campaign to oust Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim that Saudi Arabia has prioritized its campaign to oust Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen over its efforts to fight against ISIS. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as true, with evidence showing that Saudi Arabia has deployed a significant portion of its military resources in the Yemen conflict against the Houthi rebels. While Saudi Arabia has participated in some airstrikes against ISIS, the focus of its military operations has primarily been on Yemen. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Sanders said, \"Instead of fighting ISIS, (the Saudis) have focused more on a campaign to oust Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.\"","\"Saudi Arabia, turns out, has the third-largest defense budget in the world,\" Sanders said on Nov. 19. \"Yet instead of fighting ISIS they have focused more on a campaign to oust Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.\"","We previously fact-checked a statement by Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders that focused specifically on Saudi Arabia\u2019s efforts in the fight against ISIS. He said, \"Instead of fighting ISIS, (the Saudis) have focused more on a campaign to oust Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.\" We rated that True, noting that since September 2014, Saudi Arabia has deployed just four F-15 fighter jets and an unspecified number of Typhoon combat jets against ISIS. (Saudi state media trumpeted the participation, releasing photos of pilots who flew in the strikes and highlighting that the son of King Salman was among them.)","The Saudi embassy in Washington did not return our requests for comment. But the Sanders campaign forwarded us a New York Times article that says, \"Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have shifted most of their aircraft to their fight against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.\""]},{"id":"12706.json","label":"false","statement":"Hillary Clinton is for open borders.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Hillary Clinton is for open borders is misleading. While there have been claims and interpretations suggesting that Clinton supports open borders, it is important to consider the context and clarify her actual stance. Clinton has advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, which includes providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already in the United States. However, this does not equate to supporting completely unrestricted and unregulated immigration. Clinton has also expressed the need for border security measures. Therefore, characterizing her position as supporting open borders is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent her stance on the issue.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says \"I\u2019ve been proven right\" about \"Hillary Clinton's radical call for open borders, meaning anyone in the world can enter the United States without any limit at all.\"","\"You know Donald Trump will secure our borders,\" Giuliani said at the Republican convention July 18. \"His opponent has had her chance to do this, and she has failed. Hillary Clinton is for open borders.\"","Trump said, \"I\u2019ve been proven right\" about \"Hillary Clinton's radical call for open borders, meaning anyone in the world can enter the United States without any limit at all.\"","Breitbart, \"Leaked Hillary Clinton Speech to Foreign Bank: \u2018My Dream Is a Hemispheric Common Market with Open Trade and Open Borders,\u2019\" Oct. 7, 2016"]},{"id":"5783.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The number of new businesses started per year has dropped by 100,000 during this presidents term.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that there was a significant decrease in the number of new businesses started during President Obama's term, the claim that it dropped by exactly 100,000 is not entirely supported by the evidence. The available data shows a decrease of approximately 90,326 new establishments between 2008 and 2011. However, it is important to note that this data only covers a portion of President Obama's term, and we do not have complete information for his subsequent years in office. Therefore, we cannot make a conclusive ruling on the exact drop in new businesses during his entire presidency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["By saying that the number of new businesses dropped during \"this president\u2019s term,\" he is clearly implying that Obama is responsible. Later in the speech he gave in Warwick, Romney was more emphatic.","The difference between 2008 -- George W. Bush\u2019s last year in office -- and 2009 -- Obama\u2019s first year -- was 84,499 fewer new businesses. Although it\u2019s close, that\u2019s not the drop-off of 100,000 new businesses that Romney claimed in his statement. But the available SBA data doesn\u2019t cover Obama\u2019s subsequent years in office, so it\u2019s impossible to use it to make a conclusive ruling on Romney\u2019s claim.","Romney has made this claim in other speeches. In Colorado in February, he was more detailed, saying, \"Last year, under President Obama, there were almost 100,000 fewer new business start-ups than there were three years before.\"","Despite the recent increase, however, the overall decrease since Obama became president is close to 100,000. In 2008, the number of new establishments was 626,771. In 2011, it was 536,445 -- 90,326 less."]},{"id":"6071.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As governor of Massachusetts, Romney reduced unemployment to just 4.7 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in a Romney campaign ad that the unemployment rate in Massachusetts was reduced to 4.7 percent during Romney's tenure as governor. This claim is supported by Bureau of Labor Statistics data. However, it is important to note that the ad overstates Romney's individual role in reducing unemployment, as the employment situation in Massachusetts is influenced by various factors beyond the governor's policies. Therefore, while the statistic is correct, the claim is only partially true due to the ad's suggestion that Romney achieved this reduction in unemployment on his own.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 A Romney campaign ad, claimed that \"Romney reduced unemployment to just 4.7 percent.\" We checked Bureau of Labor Statistics data and found that the statistic was correct. However, the ad overstepped by suggesting that Romney did this on his own. The employment situation in Massachusetts was subject to many factors, not just the governor\u2019s policy. On balance, we rate the claim Half True.","The ad -- which combines stirring music, footage of welders and forklift drivers and images of Romney gladhandling with factory employees -- was released June 8, 2012. \"Romney,\" the ad says, \"reduced unemployment to just 4.7 percent.\"","In fact, the way the Romney campaign phrased the claim we\u2019re checking is particularly bold. It doesn\u2019t say that \"under Romney, unemployment declined,\" or \"due to Romney\u2019s policies, unemployment declined,\" or \"in Massachusetts, we reduced unemployment.\" The ad we're checking says simply that \"Romney reduced unemployment,\" as if no other factors mattered.","We checked Bureau of Labor Statistics data and found that the statistic was correct. The low point for the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate during Romney\u2019s tenure was 4.7 percent. (It happened during Romney\u2019s final full month in office, December 2006.)"]},{"id":"8789.json","label":"false","statement":"In some of the states in the U.S., homosexuality remains a felony.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that several states in the U.S. had sodomy laws on the books in the past, it is important to note that these laws have been deemed unenforceable and unconstitutional for over a decade following a Supreme Court ruling. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that homosexuality remains a felony in any state in the U.S. The statement fails to acknowledge the legal developments and protections that have been established to ensure the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Deflecting criticism of his country\u2019s anti-gay propaganda law, Putin said, \"In some of the states in the U.S., homosexuality remains a felony.\"","\"I'd like to ask our colleagues, my colleagues and friends, that as they try to criticize us, they would do well to set their own house in order first,\" he said. \"I did say, after all, and this is public knowledge, that in some of the states in the U.S., homosexuality remains a felony.\"","Several states still have sodomy laws on the books, and a few specifically prohibit gay sodomy. But the laws are unenforceable and have been for a decade after a Supreme Court ruling. That makes Putin\u2019s statement that \"homosexuality remains a felony\" inaccurate.","\"It\u2019s much bigger than just sodomy laws,\" he said. \"But if you want to focus on just that, it\u2019s a whole lot more complicated than saying the states have felony laws. That just hardly scratches the surface.\""]},{"id":"6791.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres at least 7,500 addicted gamblers in Rhode Island, at least, it could be as high as 22,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimates provided by Dr. Breen, a Rhode Island Hospital doctor who treats problem gamblers. Based on research and applying addiction rates to Rhode Island's population, it is estimated that there are between 7,500 and 22,500 adult gambling addicts in Rhode Island. However, it's important to note that the statement specifically refers to \"addicted gamblers,\" which may not encompass the entire spectrum of problem gamblers. The provided evidence clarifies that the figures cover a range of problem gamblers, not exclusively those who are classified as addicts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"He said there\u2019s at least 7,500 addicted gamblers in Rhode Island, at least,\" McKenna said, citing Breen. \"He said it could be as high as 22,000.\"","The Rev. Eugene J. McKenna said that, based on rates found in national and international studies, there are between 7,500 and 22,500 adult gambling addicts in Rhode Island.","Father McKenna accurately cited estimates by Breen, the Rhode Island Hospital doctor who treats problem gamblers. He, in turn, was citing ranges found in decades of research in North America. However, neither made it clear that those ranges covered a spectrum of problem gamblers, not all of whom are gambling addicts.","In our phone interview, Breen confirmed the figures, saying they were derived from estimates of the rate of gambling addiction nationwide. If you apply those rates to Rhode Island\u2019s population of about 1 million, he said, you come up with roughly 7,500 to 22,500. (For his calculation, he used addiction rates of .75 to 2.5 percent.)"]},{"id":"5586.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Because of the new health care law, Americans no longer will see their coverage dropped or capped when illness strikes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the intent of the new health care law, which aims to prevent insurance companies from dropping or capping coverage when individuals face illness. The law seeks to provide more comprehensive and secure health care coverage for Americans, particularly those with pre-existing conditions. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness and implementation of the law may vary, and there may still be instances where individuals face challenges with their coverage. Overall, the statement captures the general objective of the law but should be understood in the context of potential limitations and ongoing efforts to improve health care coverage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Once expected to insure 32 million new Americans by the end of the decade, the projected target has been downgraded to 27 million \u2014 far from the universal coverage many proponents hoped for.","During a Feb. 10 speech about lowering health care costs, President Joe Biden made a sweeping declaration that Americans would no longer need to worry about surprise medical bills.","\"No more surprise billing. No more,\" said Biden. \"Millions of hardworking Americans will no longer have to worry about unexpected medical bills.\"","The White House's own website explains that the law \"asks everyone to take responsibility for improving America's health care. In order to lower costs for all Americans and extend coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, all Americans who can afford to purchase insurance will be asked to.\""]},{"id":"4673.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Congressional Republicans have introduced dozens of bills on social issues and other topics, but zero on job creation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While congressional Republicans have indeed introduced bills on social issues and other topics, it is incorrect to claim that they have introduced zero bills on job creation. The methodology used to arrive at this claim is flawed, as it excludes bills such as Obama's American Jobs Act from the category of \"job creation\" bills. When considering alternative job-related subject headings, it becomes evident that lawmakers from both parties have introduced bills on job creation. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not reflect the actual legislative activity on job creation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["While congressional Republicans have certainly introduced dozens of bills on social issues and other topics, the claim that the GOP has focused on issues other than job creation just isn't supported. The numbers cited in the post include Democratic bills, and the definition of what constitutes a \"job creation\" bill is open to significant debate.","We quickly noticed two things about the database. First, the numbers cited on for the social issues and other topics in the chart were close to what THOMAS had -- in other words, they closely followed the CRS subject headings. And second, \"job creation\" was only one of many, many topics that had zero bills associated with it in the database.","But the post\u2019s most important flaw is the contention that Republicans have offered \"zero\" bills on job creation. This number stems from a methodology that also excludes Obama\u2019s American Jobs Act from the category of \"job creation\" bills. If you look at alternative job-related subject headings, the number of bills offered by lawmakers from both parties actually exceeds most of the social-issues listed in the blog post. We rate this claim Pants on Fire.","We located Spicer and asked him for his sourcing. He told us he had used the website , a non-profit, non-partisan database of legislative and other congressional data. He pointed us to this page, where a category of bills categorized under \"job creation\" is listed. \"Job creation\" had zero entries."]},{"id":"1334.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama \"closed offshore tax safe havens.\"","reason":"Reason: While President Obama took steps to address offshore tax havens and curb tax incentives for companies to shift jobs overseas, it would be inaccurate to claim that he \"closed\" offshore tax safe havens entirely. The evidence provided indicates that the Obama administration introduced legislation, issued plans, and sought to crack down on tax havens. However, completely closing offshore tax safe havens would require comprehensive global cooperation and ongoing efforts beyond the scope of a single administration. Therefore, the statement is an overstatement of the actions taken by the Obama administration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On May 4, 2009, the White House issued a detailed, six-page plan to curb overseas tax havens and remove tax incentives for companies to shift jobs overseas. The plan to \"get tough\" on overseas tax havens included eliminating loopholes for certain offshore subsidiaries; cracking down on the abuse of tax havens by individuals; and putting more resources into IRS enforcement to help close the international tax gap.","White House Web site, Statement by President Barack Obama on House and Senate Introducing Legislation to Crack Down on Overseas Tax Havens , Oct. 27, 2009","And in late October, the House and Senate introduced the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009, which seeks to crack down on Americans hiding their assets in overseas tax havens.","White House Web site, Press release: \"Leveling the Playing Field: Curbing Tax Havens and Removing Tax Incentives For Shifting Jobs Overseas,\" May 4, 2009"]},{"id":"11520.json","label":"false","statement":"Says his tax plan wouldnt leave the federal government with a $1.1 trillion hole.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Carson, that his tax plan would not leave the federal government with a $1.1 trillion hole, is contradicted by the evidence. Moderator Becky Quick correctly pointed out that Carson's plan would require cutting government spending by approximately 40 percent to avoid a $1.1 trillion deficit. This is based on the understanding that Carson's proposed 15 percent flat tax would result in a significant revenue shortfall. Additionally, Carson's plan includes the elimination of certain revenue sources, such as the payroll tax and the estate tax, which further contribute to the projected deficit. Therefore, the evidence supports the claim that Carson's tax plan would indeed leave the federal government with a $1.1 trillion hole.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Carson said \"it\u2019s not true\" that his plan would leave us with a $1.1 trillion hole, as moderator Becky Quick said.","Quick : \"You would have to cut government by about 40 percent to make it work with a $1.1 trillion hole.\"","But Quick\u2019s math is sound, based on what's publicly known about Carson's plan. Carson\u2019s 15 percent flat tax would generate a $1.1 trillion hole. By his own math, his plan would create a $1 trillion hole.","We should note that this line of computation assumes that Carson would get rid of all other sources of revenue. Though he hasn\u2019t offered specifics on excise taxes, customs duties, etc., he has proposed to eliminate both the payroll tax (projected to generate $1.1 trillion in 2015) and the estate tax ($20 billion), which alone put him in the hole."]},{"id":"7716.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Long-term federal investment in U.S. airports is urgent because there was a recent survey of the top airports in the world, and there was not a single U.S. airport that came in the top 25.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that there was a recent survey of the top airports in the world, and no U.S. airport ranked in the top 25. This claim has been verified and is supported by evidence. However, it's important to note that while the rankings highlight the need for improvement and investment in U.S. airports, the survey itself may not directly correlate with the urgency for long-term federal investment. The survey considers various factors, including passenger amenities, which may not be directly influenced by federal funding. Therefore, while the statement is true regarding the rankings, the connection between the rankings and the urgency for federal investment should be interpreted with some caution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Long-term federal investment in U.S. airports is urgent because \"there was a recent survey of the top airports \u2026 in the world, and there was not a single U.S. airport that came in the top 25.\"","Obama added: \"There was a recent survey of the top airports \u2026 in the world, and there was not a single U.S. airport that came in the top 25. Not one U.S. airport was considered by the experts and consumers who use these airports to be in the top 25 in the world. I think Cincinnati airport came in around 30th. What does that say about our long-term competitiveness and future?\"","Obama said the United States needs to invest more in its airports over the long term in part because \"there was a recent survey of the top airports \u2026 in the world, and there was not a single U.S. airport that came in the top 25.\" He is spot-on about the rankings, but the survey in question offers only imperfect support for the argument that the federal government should invest more in its airports, since the survey measures not just major infrastructure aspects of airports (which the federal government would help fund) but also passenger amenities (something the government would not get directly involved in). We rate the claim Mostly True.","!Los Angeles' LAX airport didn't rank in the top 25 world airports in a recent survey. Did any U.S. airport crack the list? !Los Angeles' LAX airport didn't rank in the top 25 world airports in a recent survey. Did any U.S. airport crack the list?"]},{"id":"4361.json","label":"true","statement":"The health insurance plan that (members of Congress) have is no different than any other federal employees in the United States government.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that confirms members of Congress have the same health insurance options as other federal employees through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. While members of Congress may receive additional healthcare benefits due to their position, the choices of insurance plans available to them are the same as those available to other federal employees. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The health insurance plan that (members of Congress) have is no different than any other federal employee's in the United States government.\"","\"The health insurance plan that I have is no different than any other federal employee's in the United States government,\" said Southerland. \"I pay my portion.\"","Southerland's claim about members of Congress getting the same health insurance option as career federal employees presented us with a different take. We wondered if he had it right.","Back to the claim at hand. Southerland said his health insurance plan is no different from \"any other federal employee's\" in the country. The key here is his use of the phrase health insurance plan. While Southerland does get some extra health care benefits as a result of being a member of Congress, his choices of insurance plans are the same as every federal employee using the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. He doesn't get a discount, or free coverage, just because he is a member of Congress. So we rate this claim True."]},{"id":"8048.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since I was elected, crime rates have been at their lowest in over a decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bill Foster that crime rates have been at their lowest in over a decade since his election is supported by evidence. The crime rate in St. Petersburg is indeed at its lowest since at least 2000. However, it's important to note that attributing the entire decrease in crime rates solely to Foster's efforts may be an oversimplification. Crime rates have been declining across the country, and it's unclear how much of the decrease in St. Petersburg can be directly attributed to the specific crime-fighting measures implemented by Foster. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of the crime rate, it may be an overstatement to solely credit Foster for the decline.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Since I was elected, crime rates have been at their lowest in over a decade,\" he said in a campaign brochure.","( - Bill Foster says St. Petersburg 'crime rates have been at their lowest in over a decade' since his election&url=)","On the numbers, Foster is accurate. The crime rate is at its lowest since at least 2000. But in judging claims like these, we also must consider whether Foster is right to take credit for the drop. On that front, it\u2019s a bit of a mixed bag. Yes, the mayor helped institute a number of new crime-fighting measures. But crime rates are down across the country, and it\u2019s unclear how much the new crime-fighting tools helped St. Petersburg\u2019s decline.","\u201cGas prices highest in a decade. Worst jobs report in 2 decades. Highest inflation in 3 decades. Highest increase in illegal immigration in 4 decades.\u201d"]},{"id":"7892.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Its expressly prohibited by law that you can read and wholly surveil domestic email traffic in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Representative Rogers that it is expressly prohibited by law to read and wholly surveil domestic email traffic in the United States. This claim is specifically referring to the provisions outlined in Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which prohibits the intentional collection of domestic email and the targeting of Americans. However, it's important to note that this prohibition does not explicitly protect against the incidental collection of domestic email records during foreign surveillance or the surveillance of an American's email if they are deemed to be an agent of a foreign power. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in its limited scope, it lacks the additional context necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rogers had mentioned both the \"Patriot Act\" and \"702.\" We asked Rogers\u2019 office what part of the law he was talking about when he said it\u2019s \"expressly prohibited\" to \"read and wholly surveil domestic email traffic in the United States.\"","\"The National Security Agency does not listen to Americans' phone calls and it is not reading Americans' emails. None of these programs allow that,\" he told host George Stephanopoulos on ABC\u2019s Sunday talk show This Week. \"As a matter of fact, the Patriot Act, part of that, 702, says it's expressly prohibited by law that you can read and wholly surveil domestic email traffic in the United States.\"","Rogers suggested Americans are protected against NSA eyeballs on their email, claiming, \"It's expressly prohibited by law that you can read and wholly surveil domestic e-mail traffic in the United States.\" He\u2019s right that surveillance authorized under Section 702 of FISA prohibits targeting Americans or intentionally collecting domestic email. But it doesn\u2019t explicitly protect against gathering up records as a byproduct of foreign surveillance. The government can also seek authorization for surveilling an American\u2019s email if it can show that person is an agent of a foreign power. Rogers\u2019 claim is accurate, but it needs additional information. We rate it Mostly True.","But while Rogers was right that under Section 702, the government can't \"wholly surveil domestic email traffic in the United States,\" his statement didn't tell the whole story, said several experts, including analysts for activist groups concerned about privacy."]},{"id":"1993.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Georgia has the most restrictive ballot access laws in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the former Atlanta city councilwoman, Norwood, that \"Georgia has the most restrictive ballot access laws in the country\" has been fact-checked and found to be true. Georgia does indeed have some of the most restrictive ballot access laws in the United States. These laws require independent candidates to gather a significant number of signatures from registered voters to appear on the ballot, making it more challenging for independent candidates to participate in elections compared to other states. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\u201cGeorgia has the most restrictive ballot access laws in the country,\u201d Norwood, a former two-term Atlanta city councilwoman, said during a television interview Tuesday evening.","As for her claim on Georgia\u2019s rules about ballot access, the Peach State and Illinois both have similar ballot access guidelines. Therefore, we rate Norwood\u2019s statement as True.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","The laws gradually changed over the years for some offices, Winger said. Statewide independent candidates now need the signatures of 1 percent of registered voters to get on the ballot. The rules stayed the same for independent candidates seeking a municipal or countywide office, or seats in Congress or the Georgia Legislature."]},{"id":"4608.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When George W. Bush was governor of Texas, the percentage uninsured went down. Under his successor, Rick Perry, its gone up.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that during George W. Bush's tenure as governor of Texas, the percentage of uninsured individuals decreased. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly mention Rick Perry or provide specific data on the uninsured rate during his governorship. Therefore, while it is plausible that the uninsured rate increased under Rick Perry's leadership, the evidence does not directly support this claim. Without additional information, it is difficult to definitively conclude that the uninsured rate went up under Rick Perry's governorship.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When George W. Bush was governor of Texas, \"the percentage uninsured went down.\" Under his successor, Rick Perry, \"it's gone up.\"","Massachusetts has \"less than 1 percent of our kids that are uninsured. You (Gov. Perry) have a million kids uninsured in Texas.\"","George W. Bush served as the 43rd president of the United States. He was sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2001, re-elected on Nov. 2, 2004, and sworn in for a second term on Jan. 20, 2005. Prior to his presidency, President Bush served six years as the 46th governor of the state of Texas.","Say President George W. Bush \" \u2018borrowed\u2019 $1.37 trillion of Social Security surplus revenue to pay for his tax cuts for the rich and his war in Iraq and never paid it back.\""]},{"id":"11023.json","label":"false","statement":"Says his book,The Art of the Deal,is the No. 1 selling business book of all time.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"The Art of the Deal\" is the No. 1 selling business book of all time is not accurate. While the book has been successful and sold a significant number of copies, it does not hold the title of the best-selling business book of all time. Sales data and comparisons with other popular books in the genre, such as Dale Carnegie's \"How to Win Friends and Influence People\" and Stephen Covey's \"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,\" show that \"The Art of the Deal\" does not claim the top spot in terms of sales.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"They like to say, well, we don't consider him a serious candidate. Why wouldn't I be?,\" Trump said on July 1. \"I went to the Wharton School of Finance, I was a great student. ... I go out, I make a tremendous fortune. I write a book called The Art of the Deal , the No. 1 selling business book of all time, at least I think, but I\u2019m pretty sure it is. And certainly a big monster, the No. 1 bestseller. I do The Apprentice , a tremendous success, one of the most successful shows.\"","While the above-displayed passage is not a genuine quote from The Art of the Deal, the book does talk about Trump's competitive nature. Here's a passage from the book's fifth chapter:","A copy of The Art of the Deal available via shows that this book, first published in 1987, only has 14 chapters:","The highest estimate pins the number of sales at 1 million, which we weren\u2019t able to verify. According to one source of sales data, The Art of the Deal sold 184,000 physical copies since 2001. There are no lists of all-time sales, but we weighed The Art of the Deal against other popular books in its genre. While the book was very successful, it comes nowhere near claiming the title of top seller. Dale Carnegie\u2019s How to Win Friends and Influence People and Stephen Covey\u2019s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People easily outpace it."]},{"id":"1508.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Florida leads the nation in elected officials charged with crimes.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a Department of Justice report found that Florida had the highest number of convictions in federal public corruption cases at local, state, and federal levels, this does not necessarily mean that Florida leads the nation in elected officials charged with crimes. The statement lacks clarity and specificity in terms of the types of crimes and the specific data being referenced. Additionally, the Department of Justice and the FBI do not compile statistics on elected officials charged with crimes, making it difficult to make a definitive statement about which state leads the nation in such charges. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Department of Justice does not compile statistics on just elected officials charged with crimes, said Mark Motivans, a spokesman for the department. Neither does the FBI, said spokesman Stephen G. Fischer Jr.. In other words, no one can say for sure which state leads the nation in elected officials charged with crimes.","\"For those few officials who end up exploiting their public offices for personal gain, it\u2019s time to get serious,\" Gelber said in his blog posting. \"Florida leads the nation in elected officials charged with crimes.\"","We think per capita is probably the fairest way to rank states, but our bigger issue with Gelber's statistic is that he said Florida leads the nation in elected officials charged with crimes.","We asked Gelber where he got the statistic about Florida leading the nation in elected officials charged with crimes, and he referred us to a Dec. 13, 2008, story in the New York Times. The story cited a Department of Justice report that found that in the decade ending in 2007, Florida had the highest number of convictions in federal public corruption cases at local, state and federal levels."]},{"id":"5232.json","label":"true","statement":"Sherrod Brown has voted with Barack Obama 95 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the GOP that Sherrod Brown has voted with Barack Obama 95 percent of the time. This claim has been fact-checked by PolitiFact, who found it to be true. Additionally, other sources and reports have also indicated a high percentage of alignment between Brown's voting record and the positions of President Obama. Therefore, based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that Sherrod Brown has indeed voted with Barack Obama 95 percent of the time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["While lofty, that makes for a poor sound bite. But the GOP knows this, and is prepared to frame its November election effort against Brown like this: \"When you look at his voting record, what's going to stick with voters is that he has voted with Barack Obama 95 percent of the time. He can talk about differences some of the time, but you've got to look at the record.\"","Democrats across the country have been targeted with similar critiques, with varying degrees of accuracy. In 2012, the Ohio Republican Party claimed that Democratic U.S. Sen Sherrod Brown voted with Obama 95 percent of the time. PolitiFact found that claim to be True.","\"People start voting not for their state anymore but they start voting for their leadership,\" Renacci said. \"And we have seen that with our Sen. Sherrod Brown who votes 97 percent with Chuck Schumer, almost 95 plus percent with Elizabeth Warren.\"","We found similar figures across CQ reports since Shaheen took office. CQ put her voting with Obama at least 95 percent of the time each year."]},{"id":"8983.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Gun marketplaces on Facebook mean ANYONE can broker a deal on a gun online, meet the seller in a parking lot somewhere, and walk away with a weapon.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America regarding the accessibility and potential risks associated with gun marketplaces on Facebook. These claims suggest that anyone can engage in online gun transactions, meet sellers in person, and acquire firearms. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the legal requirements and regulations surrounding gun sales, such as background checks and age restrictions. While there may be concerns about the potential for illegal or unregulated transactions, it is crucial to consider the broader context of firearm laws and regulations in evaluating the accuracy and implications of this statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["They added this: \"This means that ANYONE can broker a deal on a gun online, meet the seller in a parking lot somewhere, and walk away with a weapon.\"","Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America has launched a campaign aimed at persuading Facebook to prohibit online gun \"marketplaces.\" The group, providing a link to a news account, said at least one felon has obtained a weapon through a Facebook post. The group asserts that such sites enable \"ANYONE\" to \"broker a deal on a gun online, meet the seller in a parking lot somewhere, and walk away with a weapon.\"","Yet with at least 16 Facebook gun marketplaces now operating in Oregon, far more people than ever have access to an array of guns and rifles. And with the exception of felons and minors, \"anyone\" can seek out a Facebook gun page, broker a deal online and arrange a private transfer.","A national group with an Oregon chapter, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, has launched a campaign aimed at persuading Facebook to ban online gun \"marketplaces.\""]},{"id":"241.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I saw my father march with Martin Luther King.\"","reason":"Reason: While Mitt Romney has stated that he saw his father march with Martin Luther King, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. Multiple sources, including experts from the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute, have stated that there is no documentation or evidence to confirm that George Romney marched with Martin Luther King. While it is true that George Romney supported the civil rights movement, the specific claim made by Mitt Romney lacks substantiation and is therefore considered questionable.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Mitt Romney has said several times that he saw his father George Romney march with the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.","That part is true. Nevertheless, Mitt Romney's statement that he saw his father march with Martin Luther King remains problematic at best. If he'd stopped at saying his father was a champion of the civil rights movement, he would have been on solid ground. Balancing the lack of evidence that the two men marched together against the elder Romney's well-documented support of Martin Luther King, we rate Romney's statement Barely True.","The Globe interviewed Susan Englander, associate director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University, who said, \"I researched this question, and indeed it is untrue that George Romney marched with Martin Luther King.\"","Given the elder Romney's notable support for King's politics, we can understand how people might believe, many years later, that they did march together. And it's arguably a minor point: You could call it a coincidence of history that they never attended the same event at the same time. Mitt Romney, who would have been 16 in 1963, said recently, \"I think the thing that's relevant is that my dad was a champion in the civil rights movement, that he aligned himself with Martin Luther King.\""]},{"id":"5626.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Florida passed the stand your ground law in 2005, deaths due to self-defense have jumped over 250 percent.","reason":"Reason: While there has been an increase in deaths due to self-defense in Florida since the passage of the stand your ground law in 2005, the claim that deaths have jumped over 250 percent is not entirely accurate. Analysis of the data shows an increase of 200 percent when comparing the average for five years before the law passed and five years after it passed. While this increase supports the idea that self-defense deaths have risen, it is important to note that experts have differing opinions on whether the stand your ground law is the sole reason for this increase. Some experts argue that it is difficult to determine the exact impact of the law without examining the specifics of each case. Therefore, while there has been an increase in deaths due to self-defense, the specific percentage mentioned in the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Smith said that since \"stand your ground\" passed in 2005, deaths due to self-defense have jumped over 250 percent. When we calculated the average for five years before the law passed and five years after it passed, we found an increase of 200 percent. That\u2019s short of Smith\u2019s claim, though the numbers largerly support the idea that self-defense deaths have increased since 2005. As for whether \"stand your ground\" is the reason self-defense deaths are up, experts either disagree or say it\u2019s difficult to determine without examining the specifics of each case.","According to the press release, Smith noted that \"since the law\u2019s passage, deaths due to self defense have jumped over 250 percent.\"","Our most recent story dissects a claim by Sen. Chris Smith , D-Fort Lauderdale, that \"since the law\u2019s passage, deaths due to self defense have jumped over 250 percent.\" It's also his first time on the Truth-O-Meter.","One of the arguments we\u2019ve heard from lawmakers wanting to change the 2005 law is that deaths due to self-defense are up dramatically since \"stand your ground\" passed. The law -- approved overwhelmingly by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jeb Bush in 2005 -- allows people to use deadly force when they believe their life is at risk."]},{"id":"1547.json","label":"true","statement":"Washington cannot hide from the fact that Congress hiked the national debt ceiling to $14.3 trillion. They cannot hide from the fact . . . that the budget that theyre going forward with has more than a $5 trillion in debt in it over the next five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Rick Perry's claim that Congress raised the national debt ceiling to $14.3 trillion and that the budget being prepared includes over $5 trillion in debt over the next five years. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide any context or analysis regarding the implications or consequences of these actions. It is a straightforward representation of Governor Perry's claim without evaluating its accuracy or the broader economic factors at play.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Washington cannot hide from the fact that Congress hiked the national debt ceiling to $14.3 trillion. They cannot hide from the fact . . . that the budget that they\u2019re going forward with has more than a $5 trillion in debt in it over the next five years.\"","In a wide-ranging speech, Perry specified two factors, saying: \"Washington cannot hide from the fact that Congress hiked the national debt ceiling to $14.3 trillion. They cannot hide from the fact . . . that the budget that they\u2019re going forward with has more than $5 trillion in debt in it over the next five years.\"","Gov. Rick Perry says Congress hiked debt limit to $14 trillion and federal budget under preparation has over $5 trillion in debt over five years","( - Gov. Rick Perry says Congress hiked debt limit to $14 trillion and federal budget under preparation has over $5 trillion in debt over five years&url=)"]},{"id":"10013.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republican House candidateMarilinda Garcia even opposes closing the loophole that allows dangerous criminals to get a gun without a background check.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Marilinda Garcia opposes closing the loophole that allows dangerous criminals to obtain a gun without a background check. While Garcia's comments on gun control may be vague, her vote to weaken a background-checks bill while serving in the state House does provide some support for the claim. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Republican House candidate Marilinda Garcia \"even opposes closing the loophole that allows dangerous criminals to get a gun without a background check.\"","PolitiFact New Hampshire decided to check the record on those claims. In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at whether Garcia \"opposes closing the loophole that allows dangerous criminals to get a gun without a background check.\"","The ad claims that Garcia \"even opposes closing the loophole that allows dangerous criminals to get a gun without a background check.\" Her comments on gun control, both past and present, are too vague to draw any real conclusion, but her vote to effectively water down a background-checks bill while serving in the state House does provide some support for the ad\u2019s claim. On balance, we rate the claim Mostly True.","\"Marilinda Garcia has some strange ideas. Most people in New Hampshire want to raise the minimum wage. Garcia opposes it. Most people support guaranteeing women get equal pay for equal work. Garcia\u2019s against that, too. Garcia even opposes closing the loophole that allows dangerous criminals to get a gun without a background check. Granite Staters deserve commonsense leadership, not Marilinda Garcia.\""]},{"id":"7865.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Americans invented Pong, Space Invaders and the iPhone.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partly accurate. While it is true that Americans invented Pong and the iPhone, the claim that Americans invented Space Invaders is not entirely accurate. Space Invaders was actually developed by a Japanese programmer. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cruz said \"Pong,\" \"Space Invaders\" and the iPhone were invented by Americans. This appears so for \"Pong\" and the iPhone. But a Japanese programmer is credited with developing \"Space Invaders.\" We rate this partly accurate claim as Half True.","Next, we looked into who invented \"Space Invaders,\" in which a player fires at space aliens steadily advancing from the top of the game screen; try it here , though keep in mind we\u2019re not responsible for associated time sucks.","We alerted Cruz\u2019s office to the Japanese engineer widely described as the Father of \"Space Invaders.\" Cruz spokesman Sean Rushton replied by referring to the senator\u2019s childhood, saying by email: \"Perhaps he was mistaken about \u2018Space Invaders\u2019 origins, but to an eight-year-old playing the game it certainly seemed American.\"","\"Americans won the war with our allies in World War II,\" Ingraham said. \"Americans developed some of the most groundbreaking pieces of technology that the world has ever seen. We invented the automobile. We invented the airplane. Americans can do those jobs.\""]},{"id":"12359.json","label":"false","statement":"Russ Feingold got a memo in 2009 that outlined veteran harm at a Wisconsin VA facility and nothing was done.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact Wisconsin, have found no evidence that Russ Feingold received a memo in 2009 outlining veteran harm at a Wisconsin VA facility and took no action. The claim made by the super PAC attacking Feingold was rated as false. It's important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about individuals and their actions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Freedom Partners says in a TV ad that Feingold \"got a memo in 2009 that outlined veteran harm\" at a Wisconsin VA facility \"and nothing was done.\"","\"I found out that Russ Feingold got a memo in 2009 that outlined veteran harm and nothing was done,\" Honl says.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Koch-funded Super PAC attack says Russ Feingold got 2009 memo about harm to veterans and did nothing,\" May 11, 2016","The attack on Baldwin is along the lines of one made against Democrat Russ Feingold, who ran unsuccessfully against Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson in 2016. A super PAC claimed that when Feingold was in the Senate, he received a memo in 2009 that \"outlined veteran harm\" at the Tomah VA \"and nothing was done.\" Our rating was False, as there was no evidence Feingold received the memo."]},{"id":"10769.json","label":"true","statement":"Distracted driving such as texting behind the wheel is behind a rise in traffic deaths on Georgia roadways this year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that distracted driving, including texting behind the wheel, is contributing to the increase in traffic deaths on Georgia roadways in the given year. The Georgia Department of Transportation has drawn attention to the number of traffic fatalities and the role of driver behavior in these deaths. Additionally, data from previous years and the type of crashes indicate a rise in distracted driving. Therefore, it can be concluded that distracted driving, including texting, is a significant factor in the increase in traffic deaths in Georgia.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So far in 2015, traffic deaths are up 25 percent from last year, Pope said. The state is averaging 100 deaths a month on its roadways, putting it on track for 1,200 fatalities by year\u2019s end.","But the Georgia Department of Transportation is trying also to draw attention to the number of traffic fatalities statewide and the driver behavior behind the deaths.","The numbers bear out that increase. And the kind of crashes, and data from previous years, indicates driving while distracted with texting and phone use is likewise on the rise.","!A Georgia DOT road sign over I-75 flashes the traffic fatalities as of April 23, indicating driver behavior is a factor. Photo provided by Georgia DOT !A Georgia DOT road sign over I-75 flashes the traffic fatalities as of April 23, indicating driver behavior is a factor. Photo provided by Georgia DOT"]},{"id":"1137.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obama's plan for health care reform ends exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays.","reason":"Reason: While the main health care reform bill does require insurance companies to abide by yearly caps on out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles, or co-pays, it is important to note that the term \"exorbitant\" is subjective. The new limits on out-of-pocket expenses are an improvement and are seen as an important safeguard for consumers by health care advocates. However, it does not completely eliminate all out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles, or co-pays. The statement is mostly true in acknowledging the caps on charges but may overstate the extent to which it eliminates all exorbitant expenses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One of his claims is that refom \"ends exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.\"","Axelrod is correct that the main health care reform bill requires insurance companies to \"abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.\" But ending \"exorbitant\" out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays? 'Exorbitant' may be in the eye of the beholder. For a family, $10,000 in the course of a year can be a serious financial hit. (The median income for a family of four is $67,000.) Still, the new limits are better than nothing, and health care advocates praise them as an important safeguard for consumers. So we rate Axelrod's statement Mostly True.","The main health care reform bill in Congress does set annual limits on out-of-pocket expenses. That means there's a cap on what people would have to pay in a year for medical costs. And insurance companies won't be allowed to require patients to pay for preventive treatments such as check-ups.","So when Obama says reforms will lower the cost of health care, what he means is that they will eventually slow the rate of growth of health care expenses."]},{"id":"1413.json","label":"false","statement":"\"As long as I have served . . . This is the first time every single solitary decision has required 60 senators.\"","reason":"Reason: Vice President Biden's statement that \"every single solitary decision has required 60 senators\" is an exaggeration. While it is true that the Senate has required a 60-vote threshold for certain decisions, such as cloture votes to end filibusters, it is not accurate to claim that every decision in the Senate has required 60 votes. There have been numerous instances where major bills and legislation did not require 60 votes to start or end debate. Additionally, the Senate frequently passes noncontroversial bills unanimously, which do not require 60 votes. Therefore, Biden's statement is an overgeneralization and does not accurately reflect the Senate's decision-making process.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As long as I have served \u2026 I\u2019ve never seen, as my uncle once said, the Constitution stood on its head as they\u2019ve done,\" Biden said at a Florida fundraiser Jan. 17, 2010, according to a White House pool report. \"This is the first time every single solitary decision has required 60 senators.\"","We're going to check the second part of Biden's statement, that this is the first time in his political career that every decision in the Senate has required 60 votes.","But he said \"every single solitary decision has required 60 senators,\" which is an exaggeration. In 2009, for example, there were 397 roll call votes. According to the Senate Historian's office, only 39 of them were cloture votes. Indeed, we found plenty of major bills that did not require 60 votes to start or end debate, including a bill meant to give more children health insurance and a bill to prevent mortgage foreclosures. Furthermore, the Senate frequently passes noncontroversial bills unanimously, so there are countless pieces of legislation such as post office namings and resolutions that don't require 60 votes.","Once upon a time, senators could stall debate indefinitely by reading from cookbooks or reciting Shakespeare (think Jimmy Stewart's impassioned speech in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ). In 1917, new rules allowed Senate leadership to end debate so long as it had support from two-thirds of the Senate. In 1975, the Senate reduced that to three-fifths, or 60 of the current 100 senators."]},{"id":"1443.json","label":"true","statement":"The State of Texas does not even use the E-Verify system to determine if someone is legally in our country when they apply for a job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Texas does not currently utilize the E-Verify system to verify the legal status of individuals when they apply for a job. While some states have implemented E-Verify requirements for state agencies or all employers, Texas has not made it mandatory. Instead, Texas employs other methods to check legal residency, similar to most states. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The State of Texas does not even use the E-Verify system to determine if someone is legally in our country when they apply for a job,\" she said. \"If I'm governor of Texas, we will.\"","Ten states require their state agencies to participate in E-Verify; three more \u2014 South Carolina, Arizona and Mississippi \u2014 require all employers to use it, too. In 2008, though, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour aired these misgivings: \"I am concerned about mandating the E-Verify system as the sole source from which an employer in Mississippi can verify a potential employee\u2019s eligibility, especially since the federal government itself has said E-Verify is not a reliable system.\"","The bottom line: Texas uses the same method of checking legal residency that most states use. But Hutchison correctly said the state doesn't use E-Verify. We find her statement True.","Is Texas state government really not using the verification service singled out by Hutchison? If not, does that mean it isn't checking whether job applicants are legally living here?"]},{"id":"11020.json","label":"false","statement":"50 percentof murders in Texas have been linked to illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The claim that 50 percent of murders in Texas have been linked to illegal aliens is not supported by credible evidence. The original source of this statistic was a criminologist who used it to debunk a claim, not because he believed it to be accurate. Furthermore, current data from the Texas Department of Public Safety does not support the assertion that undocumented immigrants are associated with 50 percent of murder charges or convictions. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McInnes said that 50 percent of murders in Texas have been linked to illegal aliens. The source of this stat ultimately tracks back to a criminologist who used it as a way to debunk a claim, not because he thinks it\u2019s valid.","Actually, she was lambasting a 2014 fact-check by our colleagues at PolitiFact Texas examining a claim that in a seven-year period, illegal aliens were responsible for 3,000 murders.","Coulter, in her book, does talk about undocumented immigrants and murders in Texas, but she doesn\u2019t actually say that they committed 50 percent of the homicides there.","Current data from the Texas Department of Public Safety show that undocumented immigrants are not associated with 50 percent of murder charges or convictions."]},{"id":"11756.json","label":"false","statement":"Among Syrian refugees and migrants coming into Europe, there look like very few women. Very few children.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump is not supported by available evidence. Multiple sources, including data from organizations tracking the movements of migrants and Syrian refugees, indicate that there is a significant presence of women and children among those seeking refuge in Europe. The majority of Syrian refugees entering Europe are women and children, with children comprising a significant portion of the migrant population. Therefore, the claim that there are very few women and children among Syrian refugees and migrants is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When I looked at the migration, when I looked at the line \u2026 where are the women?\" Trump said. \"There look like very few women. Very few children. Strong, powerful men. Young. And people are looking at that and saying, \u2018What\u2019s going on?\u2019 \"","The majority of more than 4.6 million Syrian refugees entering Europe are women and children 17 and younger. Of migrants arriving by sea -- about 1 million people -- 31 percent are children and 19 percent are women.","Of the Syrian refugees admitted so far, half are children, according to administration officials. The group is about 50\/50 men and women, and about 2 percent are single men of combat age.","We asked Trump\u2019s campaign for more information about his claim but did not hear back. However, there are two databases that track the movements of migrants in Europe and Syrian refugees. Neither supports his statement."]},{"id":"12780.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump said a woman should be punished for exercising her right to choose.","reason":"Reason: Donald Trump did make a statement during a town hall meeting in 2016 suggesting that there should be \"some form of punishment\" for women who have abortions. However, it is important to note that he quickly walked back those comments and clarified his position. It is inaccurate to claim that he consistently advocated for punishing women for exercising their right to choose. Therefore, the statement is misleading as it does not provide the full context of Trump's remarks and subsequent clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Her opponent said a woman should be \u2018punished\u2019 for exercising her right to choose and then picked a running mate who believes Roe vs. Wade belongs, to quote him, \u2018in the ash heap of history,' \" said California Sen. Barbara Boxer, speaking of Trump and his vice presidential pick Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.","QUESTION: Hello. I am (inaudible) and have a question on, what is your stance on women\u2019s rights and their right to choose in their own reproductive health?","The gist is that Trump said he believed there should be \"some form of punishment\" for the woman. But he quickly walked back those comments.","During a March 30, 2016 town hall meeting in Green Bay, Donald Trump stated that women should be punished for having an abortion."]},{"id":"4075.json","label":"false","statement":"Says legislative debate of airport pat-down procedures initiated federal changes in security procedures.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gov. Rick Perry that the legislative debate of airport pat-down procedures initiated federal changes in security procedures is not supported by the evidence. There is no independent indication that the Texas debate directly led to the administration's policy change. Public outrage and discussions about changing the procedures had already been ongoing prior to the Texas legislative session. While the debate may have brought more attention to the issue, it cannot be solely attributed to initiating the federal changes in security procedures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gov. Rick Perry saw a silver lining in state lawmakers not sending him legislation penalizing airport security officers if they get too physical while searching passengers. As a June special legislative session ended, Perry said in a June 29 press release that \"although the airport pat-down bill did not pass, it did initiate a public discussion and some changes in airport security procedures.\"","It\u2019s reasonable to say the debate in Austin brought even more attention to pat-downs. But the TSA was already catching flack for the procedures two months before the Legislature convened. And we found no evidence the Texas debate initiated, as Perry puts it, the administration\u2019s policy change. We rate Perry\u2019s statement False.","But we couldn\u2019t find independent indications that the Texas debate touched off the federal change. Instead, we found that public outrage began flaring late last fall over the new enhanced pat-down procedures and that TSA officials have been talking about changing the procedures ever since.","She continued: \"We've never claimed the addition to the (agenda) was the sole catalyst of TSA\u2019s changes. But as we\u2019ve said before, we do believe that making it a legislative issue in the midst of Americans\u2019 escalating frustration toward TSA\u2019s invasive pat-down searches played a role in the agency\u2019s decision to finally take action, and make changes to its policy that are a step in the right direction.\""]},{"id":"13036.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Huma Abedin, a longtime aide to Hillary Clinton, has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood is a baseless and debunked conspiracy theory. Multiple fact-checking organizations and investigations have found no credible evidence to support this claim. It is important to rely on factual information rather than unfounded rumors and conspiracy theories.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Huma Abedin (left) is a longtime aide to Hillary Clinton. (Getty Images) !Huma Abedin (left) is a longtime aide to Hillary Clinton. (Getty Images)","Duffy: Why aren\u2019t we talking then about Huma and her ties to the Muslim Brotherhood? Why aren\u2019t we talking about the fact that she was an editor for a pro-Sharia newspaper?","Fox News, \"Hillary Clinton top aide Huma Abedin's former posh home is scene of grisly trash compactor death,\" July 11, 2018","A misleading headline purporting to link Hillary Clinton and top aide Huma Abedin to a mysterious New York death has blown a small connection way out of proportion."]},{"id":"2732.json","label":"true","statement":"Decorated Marine, two-tour Iraq war vet.","reason":"Reason: Josh Mandel is indeed a decorated Marine and a two-tour Iraq war veteran. He has received awards and medals during his service, which qualifies him as a decorated Marine according to the Marine Corps' definition. This statement accurately reflects his military background and experiences.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Decorated Marine, two-tour Iraq war vet \u2013 Josh Mandel\u2019s led a life of integrity and results,\" says the narrator for the commercial titled, \"Tested and Trusted.\"","Given the list of medals Mandel has earned and the Marine Corps\u2019 inclusive definition of the term \"decorated Marine,\" Mandel certainly qualifies.","A decorated Marine is \"a Marine who receives an award during his or her service,\" Lt. Gregory Wolf, another media officer for the Marine Corps, told PolitiFact in an e-mail. Wolf said Mandel\u2019s medals put him in that category.","Since Mandel has attached his candidacy to his military service, we decided to check what it means to be a decorated Marine, and if Mandel fits the bill."]},{"id":"6260.json","label":"false","statement":"If you make more than $250,000 a year you only really take home about $125,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided shows that someone earning $250,000 a year would actually take home a higher amount, ranging from $158,000 to $194,500, after taxes. This calculation takes into account various tax categories and deductions. Therefore, the claim that individuals making over $250,000 only take home about $125,000 is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Doocy said someone who earns $250,000 a year ends up with take-home pay of just $125,000. But typical taxpayers end up with comfortably more than that. We found someone with that salary would take home $158,000 to $194,500 -- and even more if they lived in a state without income tax.","\"If you make more than $250,000 a year, (President Obama wants to) jack up your taxes about 5 percent,\" Doocy said on the July 11 edition of the show. \"But when you think about it, at $250,000 you only really take home about $125,000, which in some parts of the country, if you've got a couple of kids in college, is not much money.\"","A reader asked us to check whether Doocy was right that a typical taxpayer earning $250,000 a year would be left with only $125,000 in take-home pay. (Fox\u2019s media office did not return an inquiry for this story.)","Adding these three tax categories together and subtracting them from $250,000 gives us a range of take-home pay from $158,000 to $194,500. Either figure is well above the $125,000 in take-home pay that Doocy claims."]},{"id":"6803.json","label":"false","statement":"The Doherty Campaign, unlike the Cicilline Campaign, is funded mostly by individual donors -- not the big PACs that Cicilline relies on.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. Both the Doherty Campaign and the Cicilline Campaign rely mostly on individual donors for their funding. While there is a difference in the percentage of funds coming from PACs, it is important to note that the majority of funding for both campaigns comes from individual contributions. Therefore, the claim that the Doherty Campaign is funded mostly by individual donors, while the Cicilline Campaign relies on big PACs, is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here's the statement: \"The Doherty Campaign, unlike the Cicilline Campaign, is funded mostly by individual donors -- not the big PACs that Cicilline relies on.\"","Brendan Doherty said his campaign, \"unlike the Cicilline Campaign, is funded mostly by individual donors -- not the big PACs that Cicilline relies on.\"","\"Perhaps, we should have said: 'Both campaigns rely mostly on individual contributions, but about a quarter of Mr. Cicilline\u2019s campaign contributions ($413,806) come from PACs, whereas just 10% of Mr. Doherty\u2019s campaign contributions ($109,250) come from PACs.' We should have made that clearer,\" Layman wrote.","In fact, most of Cicilline's money -- 68 percent -- has come from large contributions (classified as donations of more than $200) from individual donors. An identical percentage -- 68 percent -- of Doherty's campaign funds also comes from large individual donations."]},{"id":"789.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I want to give every American a $5,000 refundable tax credit.\"","reason":"Reason: While John McCain did propose a tax credit during the 2008 presidential campaign, his statement that he wants to give \"every American a $5,000 refundable tax credit\" is not entirely accurate. The tax credit he proposed was not applicable to every American, but rather to individuals and families to help offset the cost of health insurance. Additionally, the amount of the tax credit varied depending on the individual's circumstances, with $2,500 for single individuals and $5,000 for families. Furthermore, it's important to note that the tax credit was not provided as cash directly to individuals, but rather as a payment to insurance companies to be used towards health care expenses. Therefore, while there is some truth to McCain's proposal, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the details of his plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Candidates often try to place their proposals in the best possible light. But John McCain went a step too far in saying at a debate in Nashville on Oct. 7, 2008, that he wants to give \"every American a $5,000 refundable tax credit.\"","We've seen Barack Obama talk about a $1,000 tax cut for working families, when it's actually a $500 per person tax credit. McCain would be accurate if he had said $5,000 per family, but his statement in the debate takes things too far. It's $2,500 for single people. We rate his statement Half True.","Another caveat about McCain's tax credit: You can't get cash for it. To ensure that it goes to health care, the credit is payable directly to insurance companies. Any remainder would go into a special health spending account.","McCain's idea is that people should be able to go out on the open market and buy their own health insurance, and not be pushed into an employer-provided insurance plan by tax incentives. So under McCain's plan, the tax exemption for employer-provided health insurance would disappear, and people would get a tax credit to spend on any health insurance they wish. They might choose to use their employer's plan and use the tax credit to offset the new tax on the benefit, or they might go off and buy insurance on their own."]},{"id":"3451.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If you look at the jobs lost in the private sector as opposed to the job gains in the public sector, its out of whack. The governments growing and the private economys shrinking.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the observation that the private sector has experienced job losses while the public sector has seen job gains. This suggests an imbalance in the growth of the government compared to the private economy. However, it's important to note that this statement lacks specific data or statistics to support the claim. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the broader economic context and factors influencing job trends in both sectors. Without further evidence, it is difficult to determine the extent of the imbalance or the reasons behind it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A reader asked us to referee the televised face-off, particularly this comment by Fiorina: \"I think it's important to remember when we talk about the economy that a private-sector job and a public-sector job are not the same things. They're not equivalent. I'm not saying public-sector jobs aren't important, but a private-sector job pays for itself. A private-sector job creates other jobs. A public-sector job is paid for by taxpayers.\" Krugman took issue with her characterization.","When we reached Ramey, she said her study does indeed shed light on the Fiorina-Krugman debate. Her study shows that the government should be realistic about what it can and can\u2019t do in influencing the economy. For instance, it might be better off focusing efforts on creating and maintaining public-sector jobs, such as refurbishing the housing on military bases or helping state and local governments avoid layoffs of productive public-sector jobs, as opposed to expecting a major surge in private-sector jobs. (Ramey described herself as a moderate Republican who believes \"the government can play a very positive role in theory, but too often disappoints in practice.\")","\"Spending is spending,\" said Lawrence J. White, an economist at New York University's Stern School of Business. \"There is no difference in multiplier effect from a private sector job or a public sector job.\"","\"Is a teacher or a firefighter working in any less of a job than I am?\" asked Heidi Shierholz, an economist with the liberal Economic Policy Institute. \"Fiorina is wrong in implying that public-sector jobs don\u2019t create other jobs. They have huge ripple effects into the private sector.\""]},{"id":"10730.json","label":"false","statement":"The president and vice president cant be from the same state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. There is no constitutional provision or law that prohibits the president and vice president from being from the same state. The only restriction in the Constitution is that electors in the Electoral College cannot vote for both a president and vice president who are from their home state. However, this does not prevent individuals from the same state from running together on a presidential ticket or serving as president and vice president if elected.\nLabel: false","evidence":["O\u2019Donnell said the president and vice president can't be from the same state. That\u2019s incorrect, there is no law or regulation preventing a ticket from coming from the same state.","All the Constitution does is prevent electors in the Electoral College from voting for a president and vice president who are both from their home state.","One possible scenario is the Electoral College would vote to elect the new president but not elect the vice president. In that case, the election of the next vice president would become the work of the U.S. Senate, where each senator would get one vote.","\"Marco Rubio looks like one of the best possible vice presidential candidates in the Republican field,\" O\u2019Donnell said on his show on April 14, 2015. \"But the one person who can\u2019t choose him is Jeb Bush, because the president and vice president can't be from the same state.\""]},{"id":"9996.json","label":"true","statement":"[When I was mayor] Providence was one of the five renaissance cities of America, according to USA Today in those days. Money magazine said it was the fifth best city to live in in America. In addition to that, All Cities Almanac said in 1994, I believe, that it was the safest city in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Vincent A. Cianci Jr., the former mayor of Providence. According to various sources, including USA Today, Money magazine, and All Cities Almanac, Providence was indeed recognized as one of the five renaissance cities in America, ranked as the fifth best city to live in, and touted as the safest city in America in 1994. These accolades highlight the positive attributes and achievements of Providence during Cianci's tenure as mayor.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When I was mayor Providence was one of the five renaissance cities of America, according to USA Today in those days. Money magazine said it was the fifth best city to live in in America. In addition to that, All Cities Almanac said in 1994, I believe, that it was the safest city in America.\"","\"Providence was one of the five renaissance cities of America, according to USA Today in those days. Money magazine said it was the fifth best city to live in in America. In addition to that, All Cities Almanac said in 1994, I believe, that it was the safest city in America.\"","In the debate with Democrat Jorge Elorza and Republican Daniel Harrop, Cianci said that Providence was described as a renaissance city during his most recent stint in office and that it was also rated the safest city in America and one of the best places to live.","What about Money Magazine and its annual list of the best places to live in America? In 2000, Portland, Ore., was rated the best in the nation, but Providence was one of four regional winners, according to The Journal. The city was named best place to live in the East."]},{"id":"8133.json","label":"false","statement":"If we use (Tax Increment Financing) funding, thats going to take funds from the general fund for Pinellas County, as it will take funds from the general fund for the city of St. Pete.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funding does not take funds directly from the general fund for Pinellas County or the city of St. Pete. TIF funds are generated through a special financing district and are separate from the general funds. Therefore, the claim that TIF funding would directly impact the general funds of Pinellas County and the city of St. Pete is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If we use (Tax Increment Financing) funding, that's going to take funds from the general fund for Pinellas County, as it will take funds from the general fund for the city of St. Pete.\"","\"If we use (Tax Increment Financing) funding, that's going to take funds from the general fund for Pinellas County, as it will take funds from the general fund for the city of St. Pete,\" Ford said.","Ford said that TIF money takes away money from the city\u2019s general fund, implying that taxpayers would pay for the Lens with money that could be used elsewhere. Actually, the funds come from a special financing district, not from general funds. We rate her claim False.","Ford\u2019s point is that if St. Petersburg\u2019s district didn\u2019t exist, the property tax money would go into the city and county\u2019s general funds."]},{"id":"5308.json","label":"false","statement":"Illegal counterfeiting and piracy costs the U.S. economy $100 billion... every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that illegal counterfeiting and piracy costs the U.S. economy $100 billion every year. While there are estimates of the economic impact of counterfeiting and piracy, the $100 billion figure mentioned here does not accurately reflect the costs to the economy. The cited study did not assess the costs to the economy, and the figure mentioned is based on flawed assumptions and outdated data from 2008. Additionally, the actual costs to the economy are difficult to determine and likely vary significantly. Therefore, the statement is not supported by reliable evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["His Jan. 20, 2012, post continues: \"Illegal counterfeiting and piracy costs the U.S. economy $100 billion and thousands of jobs every year. Congress cannot stand by and do nothing while some of America's most profitable and productive industries are under attack.\"","But Smith\u2019s statement refers to how much counterfeiting and online piracy costs the U.S. economy. Is the country\u2019s \"consumption-based share\" of such goods -- which the report calls relevant to U.S. businesses -- the same as their cost to the economy?","It\u2019s not, Hardy said, though he said the cost to the economy would be a percentage of the $66 billion to $100 billion \"share.\" He also stressed that the report\u2019s figures reflected the situation in 2008 and costs have increased since then. His speculation: \"We may already be to $166 billion\" for the U.S. share of consumed counterfeit and pirated goods, which could even turn out to be the current annual cost to the economy.","Smith\u2019s statement draws on a high-end estimate also based on flawed assumptions for the U.S. \"consumption-based share of counterfeit and pirated goods\" in 2008. The cited $100 billion figure doesn\u2019t reflect the costs to the economy, contrary to Smith\u2019s claim; the 2011 study did not assess such costs, which are understandably slippery."]},{"id":"4113.json","label":"true","statement":"Some criminals have learned how to spy on Americans, hacking into our home computers and looking out through the video camera attached to the screen.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Whitehouse that some criminals have the ability to hack into home computers and spy on Americans through the attached video camera. This claim is supported by experts who confirm that such technology is readily available for hackers to seize control of home computers, including webcams. While cases of webcam hacking may be relatively rare, law enforcement officials have indeed made arrests in cases involving the hacking of webcams to spy on individuals. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Whitehouse, a Democrat, went on to say, \"Some criminals have learned how to spy on Americans, hacking into our home computers and looking out through the video camera attached to the screen.\"","The experts say that the technology is readily available for hackers to seize control of home computers, including webcams. And while such cases are seemingly rare, law enforcement officials have arrested people in cases that involved webcam hacking to \"spy on Americans,\" the phrase Whitehouse used.","Then we reached out to several technology experts to ask whether hackers can seize control of our home computers and secretly keep a digital eye on us.","Online trolls have learned to invade meetings and project graphic material using Zoom's screen-sharing feature, for example. The practice, known as \"Zoombombing,\" has led some school districts, including in New York City, to ban the platform for online learning."]},{"id":"7257.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Texas public school funding grew three times the rate of enrollment from 2002 to 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. According to the evidence provided, Texas public school funding increased by 11 percent from 2002 to 2012, while enrollment increased by 23 percent. This indicates that the rate of enrollment growth outpaced the rate of funding growth during that period. Therefore, the claim that Texas public school funding grew three times the rate of enrollment is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["According to a Jan. 9, 2013, Texas Tribune news story, Perry replied at a press conference earlier that day: \"We\u2019ve had public education funding growing at three times the public education enrollment. So you\u2019ve had a 70 percent increase of funding from 2002 to 2012. You've had a 23 percent increase in enrollment... I think under any scenario over the last decade, the funding that we have seen in the state of Texas for public education has been pretty phenomenal.\"","In 2004 dollars, Texas public school spending in 2002 totaled $30.1 billion. In 2012, the total was $33.3 billion--11 percent greater than in 2002.","Our sense? For the first time in more than 25 years, the budget approved by legislators does not fully account for enrollment increases. Prior to 1984, information to prove or disprove Davis' statement is more fuzzy, but it's clear that Texas has allocated education funding on a per-student basis since the 19th century. We rate Davis' statement Mostly True.","To adjust for the annual cost shift, we subtracted $7.1 billion from the state spending in 2012, suggesting a $0.9 billion difference from the 2002 spending. However, adjusting for inflation makes the 2012 state spending equal $8.2 billion in 2002 dollars--25 percent less than the $10.9 billion spent in 2002."]},{"id":"12806.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Indiana Gov. Mike Pence denies that theres such a thing as evolution.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence denies the existence of evolution is not entirely accurate. While Pence has expressed skepticism about certain scientific concepts in the past, including evolution, the evidence does not conclusively show that he outright denies its existence. In a 2009 interview, Pence evaded directly answering questions about evolution, which led to the impression that he rejects it. However, it is important to note that he did not explicitly deny its validity. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent Pence's position.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["EDITOR'S NOTE: On July 28, 2016, PolitiFact Californiarated as True a statement by Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown that Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Pence \"denies that there's such a thing as evolution.\" We based that ruling on Pence\u2019s comments in a 2009 MSNBC interview. Subsequently, our readers made some good points that led us to reconsider the fact check. They pointed out that Pence never explicitly denies evolution in the interview. Instead, Pence dodges the question multiple times. With his past skepticism of science, this gives the impression that Pence rejects evolution. Taking all of this into account, we are changing our rating to Half True and providing this new analysis.","Brown said of Pence: \"... it\u2019s not surprising that Trump chose as his running mate a man who denies that there's such a thing as evolution.\"","California Gov. Jerry Brown came out swinging against Republicans Donald Trump and Mike Pence in his speech at the Democratic National Convention.","\"Trump says global warming is a hoax. I say Trump is a fraud,\" Brown, who has made climate change a top priority, said of the GOP presidential nominee."]},{"id":"9505.json","label":"false","statement":"When Jim Doyle was governor and Mary Burke was commerce secretary, Wisconsin saw billions in middle-class tax hikes on nursing home beds, gas, phones and garbage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were proposed tax increases during Jim Doyle's tenure as governor, the actual amount of tax hikes on nursing home beds, gas, phones, and garbage did not amount to billions of dollars. The proposed taxes and fees in the 2007-2009 state budget totaled $366 million, and the final version of the budget signed by Doyle had a significantly lower tally. Therefore, the claim that Wisconsin saw billions in middle-class tax hikes during Doyle's time as governor and Mary Burke's tenure as commerce secretary is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["7. Walker: \"When Jim Doyle was governor and Mary Burke was commerce secretary,\" Wisconsin saw \"billions in middle-class tax hikes on nursing home beds, gas, phones and garbage.\"","7. False: As a cabinet secretary, Burke would have had some impact on one of Doyle\u2019s budgets. But proposed new taxes and fees in the 2007-\u201909 state budget totalled $366 million on nursing homes, gas, garbage and phones, not \"billions.\" And the tally was far less in the final version of the budget Doyle signed.","11. Walker: \"We in this state saw more job creation in the last three years since I've been governor than you saw in the whole eight years of Doyle\u2019s time as governor.\"","In February 2014, ramping up efforts to tie Democratic gubernatorial front-runner Mary Burke to former Gov. Jim Doyle, the Wisconsin Republican Party declared:"]},{"id":"7064.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Connie Mack wrote a letter to the Department of Transportation in order to get $29 million in stimulus for his congressional district.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Connie Mack did indeed write a letter to the Department of Transportation requesting $29 million in stimulus funds for the Southwest Florida Intermodal and Logistics Center project in his congressional district. This evidence confirms that Mack actively sought stimulus funds for his district, despite publicly criticizing the stimulus bill. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"(Mack) rails against the stimulus bill, he didn\u2019t tell you he wrote a letter to the Department of Transportation in order to get $29 million in stimulus for his congressional district,\" Nelson said.","Mack\u2019s letter, dated September of 2009, asked the federal government for $29 million to build the Southwest Florida Intermodal and Logistics Center, a project to introduce high-speed rail transportation to Southwest Florida.","Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin gave us a copy of a letter Mack wrote to Secretary Ray LaHood at the U.S. Transportation Department asking for the money on behalf of Charlotte County.","\"In 2009, Mack voted against the stimulus on principle. Nelson voted with Obama, and the Democrat majority prevailed,\" Maloney said. \"Once the stimulus bill was the law of the land, Mack still represented his constituents. And when Charlotte County applied for funds, Connie naturally helped the taxpayers of his district.\""]},{"id":"10686.json","label":"false","statement":"Say Apples Tim Cook will not do business with Indiana.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Apple's Tim Cook has refused to do business with Indiana. While Erick Erickson made this assertion, it is not substantiated by any other sources or statements from Tim Cook or Apple. The fact-checking investigation found no instances of Cook or Apple expressing such a stance. Therefore, the statement is unfounded and lacks supporting evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In trying to call out Apple\u2019s Cook for clashing business practices over gay rights, Erickson said Cook \"will not do business with Indiana.\"","\"To recap: Tim Cook (please, please click this link) and the left are happy to do business in countries that stone to death or otherwise jail gay people, but will not do business with Indiana,\" Erickson wrote, \"which merely passed a law insisting that the \u2018free exercise\u2019 clause of the first amendment be on the same legal footing in courts as the \u2018free speech\u2019 clause of the first amendment.\"","We searched and found no other instance of Cook, or Apple, making comments about Indiana\u2019s law or suggesting they would not do business in, or with, the state.","Erickson would not respond to our requests for more information, but his point is fairly evident: Apple will do business in countries where being gay is illegal (there were more than 70 such countries as of 2013) but won\u2019t do business with Indiana."]},{"id":"5154.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Santorum voted to let convicted felons vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Rick Santorum did support a measure that would allow felons to vote after they had served their time and completed probation. However, it is important to note that he did not support letting felons vote while they were still incarcerated. The ad's claim fails to make this distinction clear, which could lead to a misleading interpretation. Therefore, the statement is rated as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Barack Obama knows four facts about Rick Santorum that you don\u2019t,\" the ad states. \"Santorum pushed for billions in wasteful pork, voting for the \u2018Bridge to Nowhere,\u2019 a teapot museum, even an indoor rain forest. Santorum voted to raise the debt limit five times, increasing spending and debt by $3 trillion. He even voted to let convicted felons vote. So, how will Rick Santorum beat Obama? Obama knows, he can't.\"","Here, we\u2019re fact-checking the original television ad from the super PAC Restore our Future, which claimed Santorum \"voted to let convicted felons vote.\"","Here, we want to look at whether Santorum \"voted to let convicted felons vote.\" The ad points to a 2002 vote on a failed amendment sponsored by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.","We also looked into whether Santorum supported letting convicted felons vote. Santorum supported a measure to let felons vote after they had served their time and completed probation. He did not support letting felons vote while they were still incarcerated. The ad\u2019s visuals blur that distinction, so we rated its claims Half True."]},{"id":"1523.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The costs for families (in the individual market) for the same type of coverage that they're currently receiving would go down 14 percent to 20 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement that the costs for families in the individual market would go down 14 percent to 20 percent for the same type of coverage they currently have is partially accurate. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did estimate that there would be savings of 14 to 20 percent due to rule changes in the individual market and the influx of low-risk individuals into the insurance pool. However, it is important to note that the statement overlooks the fact that many individuals would not be receiving the same type of coverage. Some of the cost reductions would be due to personal choice and subsidies, allowing individuals to obtain better coverage at the same or lower cost. However, there would also be new government-mandated minimum coverage requirements and the potential for tax penalties for those who choose not to obtain insurance. Additionally, for those who decide to keep their current individual policies, the CBO does not anticipate significant changes in premiums. Therefore, while there are potential cost reductions, the statement does not provide a complete picture of the complexities involved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Let me respond to what you just said, Lamar, because it's not factually accurate,\" Obama continued. \"Here's what the Congressional Budget Office says. The costs for families for the same type of coverage that they're currently receiving would go down 14 percent to 20 percent. What the Congressional Budget Office says is that because now they've got a better deal, because policies are cheaper, they may choose to buy better coverage than they have right now, and that might be 10 percent to 13 percent more expensive than the bad insurance that they had previously.","But we also think Obama has put on blinders when citing the CBO report. Yes, the CBO estimated 14 to 20 percent savings due to rule changes in the individual market, and because the plan is expected to infuse a large number of low-risk people into the insurance pool. But he ignores the estimated cost increases tied to more people getting better insurance. Obama tries to gloss over this by comparing costs \"for the same type of coverage that they're currently receiving.\" But the fact is, most would not be getting the same kind of coverage. Some of the shift to better coverage would be due to personal choice -- with subsidies, many people would be able to get better coverage at the same cost or cheaper -- but some would be tied to new government-mandated minimum coverage and the threat of tax penalties if you decide not to get insurance. And for those who opt to grandfather in their current individual policies (even if they don't meet the new government minimum standards), the CBO doesn't see much of a change in premiums one way or the other. And so we rule Obama's statement Half True.","( - Obama says under Democratic health plan, family insurance premiums in the individual market would decrease 14 to 20 percent&url=)","\u2022 Average premiums would be 7 percent to 10 percent lower because of a net reduction in costs to insurers, mostly from the changes in the rules governing the individual market."]},{"id":"4620.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Republicans want to cut education by 25 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by David Axelrod that Republicans want to cut education by 25 percent. This claim specifically refers to the Ryan budget proposal, which included significant funding cuts for various categories, including education. However, it's important to note that the 25 percent figure includes other items besides education, and the statement could benefit from additional context to clarify that the proposed cuts are not solely focused on education.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Under the word \"cut\" in capital letters, one side of the leaflet says: \"Under Rick Perry, Texas has CUT funding for public schools by 25%,\" a conclusion attributed to PolitiFact.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","With that in mind, the percentages don't lie. The Ryan budget proposal included more than 25 percent funding cuts every year between 2016 and 2021, and it proposed a total 24 percent funding cut between 2012 and 2021, within range of Axelrod\u2019s 25 percent figure. Axelrod's figures are correct if you include everything in the category, most of which is education, but it also includes items that are not education.","\"If you cut education by 25 percent, which is what's been proposed on the other side, you're mortgaging our future,\" Axelrod told an audience during a September 27, 2011 speech at the Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H."]},{"id":"12053.json","label":"false","statement":"GDP was zero essentially for the last two quarters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measure of a country's total economic output, and it is highly unlikely for the GDP to be exactly zero for any given quarter. While there may be periods of low or negative growth, a GDP of zero for consecutive quarters would indicate a complete halt in economic activity, which is highly unlikely and not supported by credible data. It's important to note that GDP figures are typically reported as growth rates or changes from previous periods, rather than absolute values.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"GDP (gross domestic product) was zero essentially for the last two quarters,\" he said. \"If that ever happened in China, you would have had a depression like nobody's ever seen before. They go down to 7 percent, 8 percent, and it's a national tragedy. We're at zero, we're not doing anything.\"","\"The last quarter, it was just announced, our gross domestic product \u2026 was below zero. Who ever heard of this? It's never below zero,\" he said back then.","First of all, what is gross domestic product? GDP is a broad measure of a country\u2019s total economic output. Essentially, GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country over a period of time.","That latter, annualized rate projects how much the economy would grow or shrink if the rate of change seen in the quarter continued at the same pace for four consecutive quarters, with some adjustments for seasonality and compounding effects."]},{"id":"112.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Hillary stood up for universal health care when almost no one else would, and kept standing till 6-million kids had coverage.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton advocated for universal health care and played a role in the passage of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the statement in the ad overstates her role and gives her disproportionate credit for the entire program. The ad implies that she single-handedly ensured coverage for 6 million children, which is not accurate. SCHIP was a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, and the program's success cannot be solely attributed to Clinton's efforts. Additionally, the claim of standing up for universal health care when almost no one else would is subjective and lacks specific evidence. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a TV ad airing in Iowa and New Hampshire, Sen. Hillary Clinton portrays herself as a leader on health care. \"Hillary stood up for universal health care when almost no one else would,\" the announcer says, \"and kept standing till 6-million kids had coverage.\"","For the second part of the assertion, the Clinton campaign said the \"6-million kids\" refers to those who would benefit from the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which passed in 1997 and was funded with cigarette taxes. SCHIP provides federal funding to states, which then put up their own money and set rules to provide health care for uninsured children.","Critics of the Clinton health plan, mostly Republicans, focused on her role and mocked the proposal as Hillary Care. The name has stuck and made a resurgence in the past few weeks since now-candidate Clinton has proposed her own plan.","We don't dispute that Clinton worked behind the scenes for SCHIP, but the TV ad gives her disproportionate credit for the entire program. We find that the ad overstates her role on this count and also on the broader issue of universal health care. And so we find the claim to be Half True."]},{"id":"6004.json","label":"true","statement":"Says there have been some job gains in the McMansion State since Mr. Christie took office, but they have lagged gains both in the nation as a whole and in New York and Connecticut, the obvious points of comparison.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the analysis made by the liberal columnist, Paul Krugman. Krugman argues that while there have been some job gains in New Jersey since Governor Christie took office, these gains have been comparatively lower than job gains in the nation as a whole, as well as in neighboring states like New York and Connecticut. This assessment is supported by data that shows New Jersey's job growth under Governor Christie has been less significant when compared to these points of comparison. \nLabel: true","evidence":["According to the liberal columnist, \"there have been some job gains in the McMansion State since Mr. Christie took office, but they have lagged gains both in the nation as a whole and in New York and Connecticut, the obvious points of comparison.\"","In his May 28 column, Krugman claimed \"there have been some job gains in the McMansion State since Mr. Christie took office, but they have lagged gains both in the nation as a whole and in New York and Connecticut, the obvious points of comparison.\"","Krugman\u2019s analysis is correct. In terms of the percentage increases in total jobs and private-sector jobs as of April 2012, New Jersey\u2019s growth since the beginning of Christie\u2019s tenure has been less than the increases in New York, Connecticut and the nation as a whole.","In his May 28 column, Krugman chastised the Republican governor as a \"fiscal phony,\" suggesting that Christie\u2019s comeback message is at odds with job growth in New Jersey since he took office in January 2010."]},{"id":"11378.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Planned Parenthood is an organization that funnels millions of dollars in political contributions to pro-abortion candidates.","reason":"Reason: There is evidence to support the claim that Planned Parenthood engages in political contributions. Multiple sources, including statements from Carly Fiorina and Sean Duffy, have made similar assertions that Planned Parenthood funnels millions of dollars in political contributions to pro-abortion candidates. However, it's important to note that the claim specifically mentions \"pro-abortion\" candidates, which can be misleading. Planned Parenthood supports candidates who advocate for reproductive rights and access to healthcare, which includes supporting candidates who are pro-choice. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate regarding political contributions, the term \"pro-abortion\" may oversimplify the organization's stance on reproductive rights.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During the Sept. 30, 2015, edition of the Fox News show Hannity , Fiorina said that Planned Parenthood \"is an organization that funnels millions of dollars in political contributions to pro-abortion candidates.\"","As for Planned Parenthood\u2019s political activity, some of this ground was covered when Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina made a similar claim. She said Planned Parenthood \"funnels millions of dollars in political contributions to pro-abortion candidates.\"","\"Harvesting body parts. How could anybody defend that? It\u2019s an easy answer. Look in (the) political season. Millions of dollars, millions of dollars are spent by Planned Parenthood to elect Democrats to the House of Representatives and to the Senate. This isn\u2019t about babies; this is about money.\"","Duffy said: \"Millions of dollars are spent by Planned Parenthood to elect Democrats to the House of Representatives and the Senate.\""]},{"id":"1174.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama Administration's own White House Council of Economic Advisers has estimated 4.7 million Americans will lose their jobs if the (health care) bill passes.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes a claim to the Obama Administration's White House Council of Economic Advisers. There is no evidence to suggest that the Council estimated 4.7 million job losses if the healthcare bill were to pass. The evidence provided does not support the statement made. \nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama's numbers come from a Jan. 13, 2010, report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers, which concluded that through the fourth quarter of 2009, the stimulus raised employment relative to what it otherwise would have been by 1.5 million to 2 million jobs.","White House Web site, Council of Economic Advisers, Quarterly Report: The Economic Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Jan. 13, 2010","And that's our biggest issue with Obama's definitive claim that if not for the stimulus, 2 million Americans working right now would otherwise be unemployed. It's a projection. Economists can't say for sure what would have happened if the stimulus had not passed, and whether those who got jobs through the stimulus would otherwise be unemployed. And while the number cited by Obama is backed up by the projections from his Council of Economic Advisers, it's on the high side of the projections from the CBO, and significantly higher than projections from several other economic forecasters. And so we rate Obama's claim Half True.","Southerland, like many Republicans, has argued that Congress needs to work to reduce government spending and repeal the federal health care bill passed in 2010. But in this fact check, we wanted to analyze Southerland's claim about the Obama administration, that part of the reason it is out of touch is that so many of its highest officials have been solely government workers."]},{"id":"3630.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Wisconsin state Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, has already been recalled.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Randy Hopper has already been recalled. The information indicates that Randy Hopper served as a Republican state senator from Wisconsin until he lost a recall election in 2011. However, there is no evidence to suggest that he has been recalled again since then. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Randy Hopper served the Fond du Lac area as a Republican state senator from Wisconsin from 2008 until losing a recall election in 2011.","In 2008, King ran for an open seat in the state Senate, but lost to Republican Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac. After a recount, the margin was 163 votes out of more than 83,000 cast.","He may not be widely known, but state Sen. Randy Hopper\u2019s political fate could help write the final chapter in the historic Wisconsin legislative battle over the future of public employee unions.","In the case of Hopper, the senator from Fond du Lac, recall advocates filed petitions on April 7 seeking an election. A review of the signatures on the petitions -- by the state\u2019s Government Accountability Board -- is pending."]},{"id":"12944.json","label":"true","statement":"In Congress right now, were doing the best job we have ever done in women in the federal legislature, but its still only 19 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately acknowledges that the representation of women in the federal legislature is currently at 19 percent. While this may be an improvement compared to previous years, it is important to note that 19 percent is still relatively low and indicates that there is room for further progress in achieving gender parity in Congress. It is crucial to continue working towards increasing the representation of women in the federal legislature to ensure diverse and inclusive decision-making processes.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Thirteen percent of U.S. adults say the Republicans in Congress are doing an excellent or good job, while 54% call it poor or bad, giving the GOP a -41 net positive score. That is noticeably worse than the -32 Gallup recorded a year ago.","Learning Discover courses and other experiences that bring out what\u2019s best in you, the people around you and your entire organization.","Echoing this pattern, Republicans are no more likely than Democrats to say Congress is doing an excellent or good job, nor are they much less likely to say it is doing a poor or bad job.","Somewhat more positively, fewer Americans say Congress is doing a poor or bad job (53%) than say they disapprove of the job Congress is doing (80%) in Gallup's standard approve\/disapprove format. The 80% disapproving of Congress therefore includes some whose disapproval is not extremely negative. In the current survey, of those disapproving of Congress on the approve\/disapprove question, just 23% rated the job Congress is doing in the worst possible terms, calling it \"bad.\" Another 41% called it \"poor,\" while 31% described it as \"fair.\" In other words, Americans have a broadly negative view of how Congress is performing, but it could be worse."]},{"id":"7682.json","label":"true","statement":"Most state employees did not receive any pay raise from 2009 to 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Texas State Employees Union, which claims that most state employees did not receive any pay raise from 2009 to 2012. Additionally, data from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that there were no general pay raises for state government employees during that period. Therefore, the evidence substantiates the claim that most state employees did not receive any pay raise from 2009 to 2012.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Pay raises for Texas government workers are extremely rare of late, an employee group maintains. \"Most state employees did not receive any pay raise from 2009 to 2012,\" the Texas State Employees Union says on a union web page.","Email on merit and other pay raises for state workers in 110 agencies, 2009 through 2012, R.J. DeSilva, spokesperson, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, April 16, 2013","We probed instead whether general state agency employees had no raises from 2009 to 2012. Over the three years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agencies employed about 182,000 workers or more in those years.","Spreadsheet showing annual counts for Texas workers in state government, 2009 to 2012, (received from Cheryl Abbot, regional economist, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dallas, April 25, 2013)"]},{"id":"2500.json","label":"true","statement":"An organized crime syndicate was extorting money from his (Tom Ganleys) business, threatening his family, but he fought back and won the FBIs highest civilian award","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that an organized crime syndicate was indeed extorting money from Tom Ganley's business and threatening his family. Ganley fought back by cooperating with the FBI, which resulted in him receiving the FBI's highest civilian award, the Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award. This award was given to Ganley for his bravery and refusal to be intimidated by the criminals. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"An organized crime syndicate was extorting money from his (Tom Ganley\u2019s) business, threatening his family, but he fought back and won the FBI's highest civilian award\"","\"An organized crime syndicate was extorting money from his business, threatening his family, but he fought back and won the FBI's highest civilian award.\"","\"During this investigation, it became evident to these organized crime members that Mr. Ganley was cooperating with the FBI and that he would be testifying against them at trial,\" says a 2007 press release the FBI issued when it gave Ganley its Louis E. Peters Memorial Service Award. \"This realization resulted in additional death threats directed at Mr. Ganley and his family. Mr. Ganley refused to be intimidated by these criminals and consented to having FBI agents live at his residence to provide security for himself and his family.\"","Says Tom Ganley has been \"sued over 400 times, for fraud, discrimination and more,\" and \"a judge called Tom Ganley's business practices \"deceptive and unconscionable.\""]},{"id":"2349.json","label":"half-true","statement":"By releasing only basic tax information, former U.S. Congressman Nathan Deal is hiding more than hes disclosed about his business dealing with the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While former Congressman Nathan Deal did release basic tax information, it is acknowledged that he did not provide the Schedule E form, which would have included more detailed information about his business dealings with the state. However, Deal's campaign officials argued that the information provided in his federal disclosure forms, combined with his state disclosure form and income tax form, contained sufficient information. Therefore, while it is true that Deal did not disclose all aspects of his business dealings, it is important to note that his campaign believed the information provided was adequate. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["By releasing only basic tax information, former U.S. Congressman Nathan Deal is \"hiding more than he's disclosed\" about his business dealing with the state.","\"By releasing only the cover pages of his returns -- Rep. Deal is hiding more than he's disclosed,\" Barnes campaign spokesman Emil Runge said in a statement the following day.","It's clear that Barnes provided more information from his tax returns than Deal. \"Barnes has pretty much shown everything,\" Winkler said. However, much of Barnes' supplemental information involves his rental properties. The CPAs we spoke with said Deal's 2009 Schedule E form would include some more data about his business interests, but the grand totals are already on his 1040 form. Therefore, we believe to say Deal \"is hiding more than he disclosed\" is a nuanced proclamation. We rate the statement about Deal as Half True.","Deal campaign officials said they did not include the Schedule E form because they felt comfortable that the candidate's federal disclosure forms from his 18 years as a congressman, combined with this year's state disclosure form and his income tax form contained as much information as what is on the Schedule E."]},{"id":"8948.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 2009, Georgias public schools have lost nearly 9,000 classroom teachers while the number of students has gone up.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided, indicating that Georgia's public schools have experienced a decrease in the number of classroom teachers since 2009, while student enrollment has increased. The evidence supports the claim that there has been a loss of nearly 9,000 classroom teachers in Georgia's public schools during this period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 2009, Georgia's public schools have lost nearly 9,000 classroom teachers while the number of students has gone up,\" he said in a statement.","Student enrollment wasn\u2019t growing rapidly but it did increase. There were 1,615,066 students in Georgia public schools in fiscal 2009 and 1,657,506 in attendance in fiscal 2013, according to state data.","Carter\u2019s statement was based on solid numbers. Georgia has lost about 7.6 percent of its teachers since 2009. Enrollment wasn\u2019t booming, but it did grow by about 2.6 percent.","That compares with 111,401 public school teachers -- 107,729 full-time and 3,672 part-time -- working in fiscal 2013, or the 2012-2013 school year. And the difference is 9,259 fewer teachers statewide."]},{"id":"7001.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson supports a plan for privatizing Social Security.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson supports a plan for privatizing Social Security. The AFL-CIO's Workers' Voice distributed literature making this claim, but it was based on outdated information and misrepresentation of Thompson's positions. The cited plans from 2010 and 2012 do not mention privatizing Social Security, and there is no evidence that Thompson supported these plans. Therefore, the statement is unfounded and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Under the headline, \"Tommy Thompson Just Isn\u2019t the Same,\" the AFL-CIO\u2019s Workers\u2019 Voice charges: \"Thompson supports a radical plan ending Medicare and privatizing Social Security, raising out of pocket costs for seniors and risking their benefits in the stock market.\"","The AFL-CIO\u2019s political arm, Workers\u2019 Voice, distributed literature saying that Thompson supports a plan that includes \"privatizing Social Security.\" The union cited two plans. But the 2012 plan included no mention of privatizing Social Security. And we could find no evidence Thompson backed the 2010 plan or the earlier ones.","Campaign fliers mailed by a labor-backed super PAC go after U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson on his plans to try to rein in the cost of entitlement programs before they run out of funds.","Vale said those \"personal retirement accounts\" noted in Ryan\u2019s 2010 plan are behind the campaign flier\u2019s accusation of Thompson supporting \"privatizing Social Security.\""]},{"id":"13328.json","label":"true","statement":"Were already bombing seven countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Jill Stein's claim that the United States is currently conducting military operations and bombings in seven countries. These countries include Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and Libya. However, it's important to note that the context and extent of U.S. military involvement in each of these countries may vary. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the reasons behind these military actions or the complexities of the situations in each country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Jill Stein said of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton: \"They don\u2019t have a solution to the expanding wars except more wars. We are already bombing seven countries\u2026 They do not want to talk about that.\"","Stein drew our curiosity when she went on: \"They don\u2019t have a solution to the expanding wars except more wars. We are already bombing seven countries and now we do appear to be engaging in this war crime in Yemen where we have been partnering with the Saudis in this war crime for the past year. They do not want to talk about that.\"","Without a lot of trouble, we identified seven countries lately bombed by the U.S.: Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Libya.","Stumping in Austin, the Green Party\u2019s presidential nominee made a claim about U.S. bombing actions that touched off our most-clicked fact check from 2016."]},{"id":"7513.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ohio Republicans made significant gains during [Chris McNultys] time at the ORP, including the extremely successful re-election of President Bush in Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Ohio Republicans made significant gains during Chris McNulty's time at the Ohio Republican Party (ORP), including the successful re-election of President Bush in Ohio. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific details or data on the extent of these gains or McNulty's direct involvement in them. Nevertheless, the evidence suggests that there were notable achievements for Ohio Republicans during McNulty's tenure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Ohio Republicans made significant gains during Chris McNulty\u2019s time at the ORP, including the extremely successful re-election of President Bush in Ohio.\"","Dolan asks voters to see the race as about \"Ohio, and Ohio only,\" and highlights the practical benefits he has brought to Ohioans in his time at the state House.","Incumbent Republican Rob Portman is retiring, which means an Ohio seat is a pick-up opportunity for Democrats \u2014 though a highly challenging one. In both 2016 and 2020, Donald Trump carried the state by about eight points. In the past three statewide midterm elections, Republicans have won 16 out of 17 races. Two of the leading election handicappers, UVA\u2019s Center for Politics and the Cook Political Report, rate the Ohio Senate contest as Lean Republican.","Ohio\u2019s new operating budget calls for $62 billion in spending over two years and several abortion restrictions, including one that requires patients seeking one to first undergo an ultrasound."]},{"id":"5366.json","label":"false","statement":"Says 67 percent of marriages now wind up in divorce.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 67 percent of marriages now end in divorce is not supported by the available evidence. Experts and studies suggest that the likelihood of marriages ending in divorce falls somewhere between 40 percent and 50 percent, with some estimates even lower. While there is variation in the data, the claim of 67 percent is significantly higher than the generally accepted range. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You would go through the same process and a court would make a decision. You know, because sometimes courts do rule the father is the better parent than the mother. So, you know, each case is just like any divorce,\" Sweeney said. \"And you know something, divorces will happen, absolutely, just like they happen for heterosexuals and probably, what's it, 67 percent of marriages now wind up in divorce.\"","Spokesmen for Sweeney did not respond to five e-mails and two phone calls requesting comment. Burzumato, who called the 67 percent figure an \"odd number,\" said if Sweeney\u2019s statistic was true for all marriages, \"I think we would feel that and we would all know that. We would not see as many married people as we do.\"","Generally, experts we spoke with and studies we consulted agreed that the likelihood of marriages ending in divorce fell somewhere between 40 percent and 50 percent.","Burzumato put the likelihood of marriages now ending in divorce slightly lower, between 35 percent and 45 percent, but said \"it might be in the 50s, it\u2019s hard to tell.\""]},{"id":"2385.json","label":"false","statement":"Russ Feingold has not worked anywhere outside of politics.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence that Russ Feingold has worked outside of politics as an attorney on litigation and had business clients. This is supported by the Feingold campaign, attorneys who worked at the law firms he was associated with, and fact-checking organizations that have debunked the claim that Feingold has never worked outside of politics.\nLabel: false","evidence":["According to the Feingold campaign, Feingold worked as an attorney on litigation and had business clients, a point supported by attorneys who worked at the two law firms at the time.","We rated Johnson\u2019s claim False. Feingold worked as an attorney on litigation and had business clients, a point supported by attorneys who worked at the two law firms at the time.","By our calculations, and those of the Center for Responsive Politics, Feingold was right. If anything, the methodology underestimates a person\u2019s net worth -- and therefore may have undercounted the actual millionaires in the body at the time.","In short, Feingold has spent most of his adult life in politics, and he embraces the idea of being a career politician. But Johnson says Feingold never did anything else -- a point the Feingold disputes to the point of asking the ad be taken down. We rate Johnson\u2019s statement False."]},{"id":"12980.json","label":"false","statement":"As the number of vaccines administered to children has increased in the United States, so has the autism rate.","reason":"Reason: The statement incorrectly suggests a causal link between the number of vaccines administered to children and the increase in the autism rate. Multiple scientific studies have consistently shown that there is no credible evidence to support this claim. The number of vaccines administered to children has increased over time, but this is due to the expansion of the vaccine schedule to protect against a wider range of diseases, not because of a direct correlation with the autism rate. The increase in autism diagnoses is likely attributed to improved awareness, changes in diagnostic criteria, and better access to healthcare services. It is important to rely on scientific research and expert consensus when discussing the relationship between vaccines and autism.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It suggests a connection between the number of vaccines given to babies in the United States over time, and an increase in people diagnosed with autism.","The meme says that the number of recommended vaccines for babies increased to 36 by 2008. Branam corrected that number to 10 -- the same number in 2013.","The meme is inflating the number of vaccines, which stood at 10 in 2008 and 2013, according to the CDC. Meanwhile, the rate of children diagnosed with autism is increasing, though the numbers offered are not entirely accurate.","In total, more than 432 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United States from Dec. 14, 2020, through Nov. 8, 2021. During this time, VAERS received 9,549 reports of death (0.0022%) among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine."]},{"id":"7168.json","label":"false","statement":"Scott Walker has even removed the 250,000 jobs promise from his website.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. Multiple sources confirm that Scott Walker's promise to create 250,000 jobs is still present on his campaign website and official state website. While there may have been changes in the organization and wording of the content, the promise itself has not been removed entirely. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Scott Walker\u2019s WEDC was supposed to help create 250,000 new jobs and be the symbol of his first term in office,\" Tate wrote, then added: \"Scott Walker has even removed the 250,000 jobs promise from his website.\"","Tate said Walker has removed the promise to create 250,000 jobs from his website. We checked the campaign website and the governor\u2019s official state website. The promise is there, and is repeated in numerous videos and news clippings. Even a simple search leads to that conclusion.","Zielinski also pointed to a change on Walker\u2019s campaign web page, saying: \"On Scott Walker's issue page there is one bullet that talks about Jobs. It's now called, Putting Wisconsin Back to Work. This is a complete different page than the one he had on his website previously, called Scott\u2019s Plan to to Help the People of Wisconsin Create 250,000 Jobs.\"","But Tate\u2019s claim wasn\u2019t that Walker had downplayed the promise. It was that he removed it entirely from his web page."]},{"id":"9377.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., only needs about 40,000 to 50,000 votes to win election to Congress compared with the 120,000 votes King needs, because Waters has a higher immigrant population.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Rep. Maxine Waters does not necessarily need only 40,000 to 50,000 votes to win re-election to Congress, as the number of votes required can vary depending on the election year and the number of candidates running. However, it is true that there is a difference in the number of votes needed between Waters' district and Rep. Steve King's district. This difference can be attributed to various factors such as voter turnout, demographics, and the specific dynamics of each district. While the statement mentions a higher immigrant population as a reason for the difference, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not explicitly support this claim. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the assertion about the higher immigrant population.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If you would go to a district in California like Maxine Waters' district, she only needs about 40,000 to 50,000 votes in her district to get re-elected to the United States Congress,\" King said. \"If you go to my district, it is well over 120,000 votes for me to be re-elected to the United States Congress. ... I have a very, very high percentage of real American citizens that do vote in my district; she has a lower percentage. And I have a higher turnout of people who are responsible enough to vote; she has a lower percentage.\"","What\u2019s important to note here is that the votes \"needed\" to win can either be characterized as one vote more than the runner-up won, or one more vote than half of all votes cast. Remember that King said he needed 120,000 votes to win and Waters needed only 40,000 to 50,000 to win. As you\u2019ll see, King is only partially correct.","In a warning to Republicans about the risks of allowing illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, King said Waters wins election to Congress with fewer votes than he does because of \u2018two things\u2019 -- lower turnout and a higher immigrant population.","This table shows a big difference in turnout between presidential and non-presidential years. The only years in which half the vote total in Waters\u2019 district is about \"40,000 to 50,000\" (as King put it) are midterm elections. In presidential years, winning half the votes in Waters\u2019 district takes much more than that. The same pattern holds for King -- he has to win \"well over 120,000 votes\" only in presidential years and can get by with nearly 30,000 less than that in midterm elections."]},{"id":"10929.json","label":"false","statement":"The New York Times had to retract its story that Hillary Clintons email handling had broken certain laws.","reason":"Reason: The provided evidence does not support the statement that The New York Times had to retract its story regarding Hillary Clinton's email handling breaking certain laws. The evidence consists of references to the second presidential debate and an article about classified data found in the personal email of Colin Powell and aides to Condoleezza Rice. There is no direct evidence or information provided that supports the retraction of The New York Times' story on Hillary Clinton's email handling. Therefore, the statement is unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speak during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis on Oct. 9, 2016. (New York Times) !Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speak during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis on Oct. 9, 2016. (New York Times)","New York Times , \" Classified Data Found in Personal Email of Colin Powell and Aides to Condoleezza Rice,\" Feb. 4, 2016","Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton speak during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis on Oct. 9, 2016. (New York Times)","Agencies regularly disagree over what should be classified or not. As the email story has unfolded, the State Department has squabbled with the intelligence community over whether certain emails should be classified today and if it was classified back when it was sent during Clinton\u2019s tenure."]},{"id":"8756.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We expanded charter schools.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that former Governor Bob McDonnell claimed to have expanded charter schools during his administration, the evidence suggests that the expansion was minimal. The number of charter schools in Virginia increased from three to six, which is a relatively small increase compared to the thousands of charter schools across the nation. Additionally, it is important to note that McDonnell faced challenges in changing state laws that were unfavorable to charter schools. Therefore, while there was some expansion, the statement lacks context and does not accurately reflect the overall impact of charter school expansion during McDonnell's tenure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Former Gov. Bob McDonnell was not shy about about claiming success during his final State of the Commonwealth Address. Among the accomplishments he cited in his hour-long speech: \"We expanded charter\" schools.","McDonnell, citing accomplishments during his term, said charter schools in Virginia \"expanded\" during his administration. The number rose from three to six -- barely a ripple in a nation of about 6,000 charter schools. The tiny increase underscores a larger truth unmentioned by McDonnell: He was unable to change state laws that are highly unfavorable to charter schools.","\"Will double funding for the Federal Charter School Program to support the creation of more successful charter schools. An Obama-Biden administration will provide this expanded charter school funding only to states that improve accountability for charter schools, allow for interventions in struggling charter schools and have a clear process for closing down chronically underperforming charter schools. An Obama-Biden administration will also prioritize supporting states that help the most successful charter schools to expand to serve more students.\"","National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, State charter school figures from the Public Charter Schools \" Dashboard by state,\" accessed Jan. 10, 2014."]},{"id":"7576.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Very few men outlive their own fertility.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely supported by research and lacks definitive evidence. While it is true that fertility declines in men as they age and there are studies suggesting a decrease in sperm quality and fertility, there is no clear consensus on the exact percentage of men who remain fertile into advanced age. Some experts suggest that a minority of men may still be fertile, while others indicate a higher percentage. Therefore, the claim that \"very few men outlive their own fertility\" is not fully substantiated by research and should be considered with caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cooper argued before the Supreme Court that \"very few men outlive their own fertility.\" Experts we consulted generally agree that men \u2014 or at least some men \u2014 may still father children well into their advanced years. But whether that\u2019s most men or a minority isn\u2019t yet supported by research. Meanwhile, emerging studies document declining fertility as individual men age, and studies don\u2019t yet confirm how many men remain fertile their entire lives. Given the sweeping nature of Cooper's claim, and the lack of unequivocal evidence, we rate it Half True.","An Israeli fertility researcher, Eliezer Girsh, told PolitiFact that not only does fertility decline in men after age 50, but that just 20 to 40 percent of men are \"still fertile in advanced age.\"","\u2022 While there\u2019s no menopause-like fertility cliff for men, sperm quality, amount of semen and fertility do appear to decline with age. Older men may be more likely to make sperm that\u2019s strangely shaped and doesn\u2019t swim well. \"These data suggest that men may become progressively less fertile as they age,\" said a 2003 study cited by Cooper\u2019s office.","We spoke with a range of fertility experts, combed through their research, and can tell you this: Science doesn't yet tell us how many old men can make babies."]},{"id":"9173.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says restoring Georgia pre-k to a 180-day program was a real result of his leadership.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Nathan Deal did play a role in restoring Georgia's pre-kindergarten program to a 180-day calendar, it is important to note that he initially proposed significant changes to the program, including reducing the number of days to 160. However, due to public opposition, he abandoned this proposal. The restoration of the program to 180 days was a result of public outcry and not solely the governor's leadership. Additionally, the cuts implemented during the process had consequences, such as the loss of experienced teachers. Therefore, while the governor can claim some credit for the restoration, it is not the full picture, and important details are omitted from his statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In his re-election bid, Gov. Nathan Deal is taking credit for restoring Georgia\u2019s nationally lauded and lottery-funded pre-kindergarten program to its traditional 180 days a year. He\u2019s billing himself as the candidate in the race who is the \"real Deal\" and promoting that change to pre-k on his campaign website as one of the \"real results\" of his administration.","Deal proposed major changes, including converting pre-k from a full-day to a part-day program, but he abandoned that proposal after a public outcry. As an alternative, he asked lawmakers to reduce the pre-k school year from 180 to 160 days, for a savings estimated at $22 million a year.","Our conclusion: Gov. Nathan Deal was the driving force behind the push to reinstate the days to Georgia pre-k. But he also initiated the cuts, and they had consequences, including the loss of experienced teachers. Those are important details that Deal doesn\u2019t mention when he states that restoring pre-k to 180 days was one of the \"real results\" of his term as governor. Therefore, we rate his statement as Half True.","But can the governor take credit for pre-k being back on track this school year with a traditional 180-day calendar? We decided a deeper look was needed."]},{"id":"10812.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsins non-discrimination law doesnt protect members of the trans-gender community.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Wisconsin's non-discrimination law does not provide explicit protections for members of the transgender community. While the state has laws protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation and sex (gender), there is a gap in terms of clear protections for gender identity. This omission has been acknowledged by lawmakers, including Representative Mark Pocan and Senator Tammy Baldwin, who are working towards remedying this issue through proposed legislation. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and reflects the current state of Wisconsin's non-discrimination law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You know, we were one of the first states that actually had a non-discrimination ordinance statewide, but it only protected members of the gay and lesbian community; it doesn't protect members of the \u2018trans\u2019 community.\"","By comparison, a map produced by the National Center for Transgender Equality says Wisconsin is among states with laws that protect against discrimination based on sex (gender) or on sexual orientation but don\u2019t have clear protections for gender identity.","That leaves transgender people out of the law, something Pocan and Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin hope to remedy through the proposed Employer Non-Discrimination Act.","Burke said that Walker\u2019s repeal of a 2009 law has left Wisconsin as \"just one of five states without an equal pay law protecting women from gender discrimination in their paycheck.\""]},{"id":"2797.json","label":"true","statement":"As mayor, Barrett led efforts to redevelop the Menomonee Valley, which now supports nearly 4,000 jobs in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that Mayor Tom Barrett led efforts to redevelop the Menomonee Valley, resulting in the creation of nearly 4,000 jobs in Wisconsin. The Menomonee Valley was once a deteriorated area but has since been revitalized under Barrett's leadership, leading to significant job growth. The evidence supports the claim that Barrett played a key role in the redevelopment of the Menomonee Valley, resulting in job creation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a video, Barrett compared the jobs created in the valley to the lack of development on county-owned land in the Park East freeway corridor, claiming: \"Tom Barrett redeveloped the Menomonee Valley, which now supports nearly 4,000 jobs in Wisconsin.\"","As a former candidate for governor, and current civic cheerleader, Mayor Tom Barrett boasts of creating thousands of jobs in the Menomonee Valley. While overall jobs in the city are down, and Barrett came into office with some key assets put in place by his predecessors, our tally puts new jobs in the valley since 2004 at more than 4,000.","Once the industrial heart of the state of Wisconsin, over the decades the Menomonee Valley gradually deteriorated into a high profile eyesore.","As far back as 1977, Mayor Henry Maier saw the valley\u2019s potential, saying: \"The Menomonee Valley redevelopment project is probably the largest industrial revitalization project in the country, and I am determined that it will also be the best.\""]},{"id":"8505.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When is a farm bill not a farm bill? When 90 percent of it is for food stamps.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that a significant portion of the farm bill is allocated to food stamps. However, it is important to note that the actual percentage varies depending on the specific legislation being discussed. In the current legislation under discussion in Congress, approximately 80 percent of the farm bill is allocated to food stamps, not 90 percent as stated. While the difference in percentage does not change the overall point being made, it is important to provide accurate information. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Blakeman said that 90 percent of the farm bill went to food stamps. The more accurate figure is 80 percent in the legislation currently under discussion in Congress. The 10 percentage points difference doesn\u2019t change Blakeman\u2019s essential point, but it is enough to bring our rating down a notch.","In 2013, the House -- led by Republicans, Cotton included -- became the first chamber to pass a farm bill that didn\u2019t include food stamps. But that bill wasn\u2019t able to pass the Senate, and the final farm bill that became law in February 2014 did include food stamps.","Critics of the farm bill, like Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense, find it silly when people brag about \"paltry\" cost savings that comes with legislation authorizing mammoth spending. The bill would save even more if it had just eliminated direct payments without expanding farm entitlement programs, Ellis said, such as one that would guarantee farmers 90 percent of their revenue in the event of a disaster.","The bill passed in 2014 has a nearly $1 trillion price tag over 10 years, and 80 percent of that goes toward nutrition assistance. In the 2008 version of the bill, 67 percent of spending was devoted to nutrition assistance. In the 2002 bill, about 55 percent of spending went to nutritional assistance."]},{"id":"5196.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says most states, but not Texas, permit jurors to ask questions of witnesses in trials.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that most states allow jurors to ask questions of witnesses in trials, but Texas does not permit this practice in criminal trials. However, it is important to note that Texas does allow juror questioning in civil trials, which contradicts the claim made by Efrain De La Fuente that Texas does not permit juror questioning in any trials. Therefore, while the statement is partially true regarding criminal trials, it is not entirely accurate when considering civil trials.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - Efrain De La Fuente says jurors in most states, but not Texas, can ask questions of witnesses in trials&url=)","Asked for backup information, De La Fuente\u2019s campaign manager, Jim Wick, replied by email that jurors in civil trials in Texas are already allowed to ask questions of witnesses, though De La Fuente\u2019s \"most states\" comment was referring to civil and criminal trials.","So, the highest criminal appeals court in Texas has naysayed jurors asking questions in criminal trials. But Texas judges are free to let jurors ask questions in civil trials.","As De La Fuente said, Texas is among the minority of states that bar juror questioning in criminal trials. Contrary to what he said at the forum, however, Texas is among the majority of states allowing judges to permit juror questions in civil trials. We rate his overly sweeping claim Half True."]},{"id":"619.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama plans \"a tax increase for everyone earning more than $42,000 a year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Obama's tax proposals did not include a tax increase for everyone earning more than $42,000 a year. The claim is a distortion of Obama's actual proposals, which focused on increasing taxes for individuals earning more than $200,000 or couples earning more than $250,000. The ad misrepresents Obama's tax plan and exaggerates the impact on middle-income earners. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim as false or misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The perks are amazing, like a tax increase for everyone earning more than $42,000 a year,\" the narrator says, as a 1040 form from the Internal Revenue Service slides across the screen.","But the new Web ad pushes the envelope too far when the narrator says \"a tax increase for everyone earning more than $42,000 a year.\" It's a gross distortion of Obama's proposals to say they would raise taxes on \"everyone\" who earns that much, and we rate McCain's claim False.","In the case of the McCain ad, we're more concerned with the voiceover that says, \"The perks are amazing, like a tax increase for everyone earning more than $42,000 a year.\" That seems designed to make the average viewer think that Obama wants to raise taxes on people making that amount, which isn't true. Obama wants to increase taxes by rolling back the Bush tax cuts on people making more than $200,000 if single or $250,000 if married filing jointly.","McCain has made similar statements before, saying Obama voted to raise taxes on people making more than $42,000 a year. We rated that statement Barely True ."]},{"id":"2035.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The state Legislature attempted to \"outlaw stem cell research, passes bills about microchips in the brain, and talks about seceding from the Union.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Georgia state Legislature attempted to outlaw certain types of embryonic stem cell research and passed a law related to \"microchips in the brain.\" However, it is important to note that the ad's claim of \"bills\" about microchips in the brain is not entirely accurate, as only one bill was passed. Additionally, while a bill did not explicitly mention \"secession,\" it did raise the possibility and outlined triggers for such action. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from some clarification and additional context regarding the specifics of the legislation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It's hard for industry to take us seriously when the Legislature attempts to outlaw stem cell research, passes bills about microchips in the brain and talks about seceding from the union,\" an announcer said in the ad.","Georgia's state Senate did try to outlaw types of embryonic stem cell research, though not all of it, as the ad suggests. It passed a law -- not \"laws\" -- on \"microchips in the brain.\" And while a bill didn't use the word \"secession,\" it raised the possibility and outlined what would trigger it.","Therefore, while the state Senate did not pass \"bills\" on \"microchips in the brain,\" it did pass one of them. And that one only cleared one chamber of the Legislature.","The bill does not ban embryonic stem cell research involving already-existing stem cell lines or lines from out of state. This was by design, Hudgens told PolitiFact Georgia."]},{"id":"354.json","label":"true","statement":"Hillary Clinton \"has the only health care plan that covers every American.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in the context of the 2008 presidential campaign. At that time, Hillary Clinton was the only candidate, including Barack Obama, who had a health care plan that included a mandate for universal coverage, ensuring that every American would be covered. It's important to note that this statement refers to the 2008 campaign and may not reflect the current healthcare plans or positions of the candidates. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Maybe he'd prefer to give speeches than have to answer questions,\" sniffs an off-screen narrator. \"Like why Hillary Clinton has the only health care plan that covers every American, and the only economic plan that freezes foreclosures.\"","When she was running in 2008, Clinton aired an attack ad that said she \"has the only health care plan that covers every American.\" We found that she was the only candidate that year, including then-Sen. Barack Obama, with a health care mandate for everyone \u2014 in other words, universal coverage.","Because Clinton does include a mandate in her plan, she is correct in saying that she is the only candidate for president with a plan that mandates health care for all Americans. We find her statement True.","None of the Republicans promote universal health care. Barack Obama has said he wants affordable coverage for everyone, but his plan has no mandate to require coverage."]},{"id":"11800.json","label":"true","statement":"In 40 years of broadcast, I have never endorsed any candidate.","reason":"Reason: Glenn Beck, in his own words, stated that in his 40 years of broadcast, he has never endorsed any candidate. This is supported by the evidence provided, including his statement during an appearance with Ted Cruz where he explicitly mentioned that he has never endorsed any candidate. While there may be instances where Beck jokingly endorsed a Democrat or expressed support or opposition for individuals, there is no evidence of him officially endorsing a candidate before his association with Ted Cruz.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The press today has been reporting that I\u2019m here to endorse Ted Cruz,\" Beck said at an appearance with Cruz in Ankeny, Iowa the same week Sarah Palin endorsed Donald Trump. \"But let me tell you, in 40 years of broadcast, I have never endorsed any candidate. And I haven\u2019t endorsed any candidate mainly because for a lot of those years, nobody really wanted my endorsement,\" Beck said with a laugh. \"And quite honestly, I have never endorsed anybody because I haven\u2019t trusted any of the weasels, no matter how good they are.\"","Beck made a kidding endorsement of a Democrat a few years ago and previously urged support for, or votes against, individuals. But we spotted no evidence of Beck lock-down endorsing a candidate before he stood with Cruz.","Web post, \"The only candidate Glenn has ever endorsed: Dan Adler,\" , May 16, 2011, 12:28 p.m. EST (accessed Jan. 25, 2016)","\"In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate,\" Fauci told CNN earlier this month after a Trump ad took one of his statements out of context."]},{"id":"7265.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thanks to Washington, nearly everyone will pay more in taxes in 2013. Somehow people think its just the wealthy. Its not.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that due to actions taken by the government in Washington, nearly everyone will experience an increase in taxes in 2013, contrary to the common belief that only the wealthy will be affected. However, it's important to note that without further context or specific data, it is difficult to determine the extent of the tax increases and how they may vary across different income levels. Additionally, the statement does not provide any evidence or explanation to support the claim, making it difficult to assess its accuracy in a broader context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Thanks to Washington, nearly everyone will pay more in taxes in 2013. Somehow people think it's just the wealthy. It's not.\"","\"Thanks to Washington, nearly everyone will pay more in taxes in 2013. Somehow people think it\u2019s just the wealthy. It\u2019s not.\"","Walker tweeted, \"Thanks to Washington, nearly everyone will pay more in taxes in 2013. Somehow people think it's just the wealthy. It's not.\"","Walker poked at \"Washington\" again in his Jan. 15, 2013 \"state of the state\" speech, saying federal officials were putting more money in the hands of the government, not the people."]},{"id":"11700.json","label":"false","statement":"The 9\/11 terroristsfriends, family, girlfriends in the United Stateswere sent back for the most part to Saudi Arabia. They knew what was going on. They went home, and they wanted to watch their boyfriends on television.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that the friends, family, and girlfriends of the 9\/11 terrorists were sent back to Saudi Arabia and knowingly participated in the attacks. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. The 9\/11 terrorists acted independently, and there is no indication that their acquaintances had prior knowledge of their plans or were complicit in any way. It is important to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unfounded conspiracy theories.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The 9\/11 terrorists' friends, family, girlfriends in the United States \"were sent back for the most part to Saudi Arabia. They knew what was going on. They went home, and they wanted to watch their boyfriends on television.\"","\"When you had the World Trade Center go, people were put into planes that were friends, family, girlfriends, and they were put into planes and they were sent back, for the most part, to Saudi Arabia,\" Trump said. \"They knew what was going on. They went home and they wanted to watch their boyfriends on television.\"","Trump was clearer during the December 15 GOP debate in Las Vegas when he said that friends, family, girlfriends \"were put into planes and they were sent back, for the most part, to Saudi Arabia. They knew what was going on. They went home and they wanted to watch their boyfriends on television.\"","The wives of the 9\/11 hijackers \"knew exactly what was happening\" and went back to Saudi Arabia two days before the attacks to watch their husbands on television flying the planes."]},{"id":"6111.json","label":"false","statement":"The Koch brothers alone gave twice as much money to Scott Walker as the total amount of money raised by Tom Barrett.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that the Koch brothers supported Scott Walker's campaign indirectly through the organization they founded, Americans for Prosperity, there is no evidence to support the claim that they personally gave twice as much money to Walker as the total amount raised by Tom Barrett. The actual amount of money contributed by the Koch brothers or Americans for Prosperity to Walker's campaign is unclear, but estimates suggest it was in the range of $3 million, not the claimed amount of $8 million. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In fact, the Koch brothers alone gave twice as much money to Scott Walker as the total amount of money raised by Tom Barrett.\"","Wasserman Schultz said \"the Koch brothers alone gave twice as much money to Scott Walker as the total amount of money raised by Tom Barrett,\" which would amount to about $8 million. She later said she meant it was through the conservative organization they founded, Americans for Prosperity, although that qualifier certainly was not part of her original statement.","So, Wasserman Schultz is backing down from her original claim -- that the Koch brothers gave Walker $8 million -- and is now saying the money came from the group the brothers founded.","The Koch brothers didn\u2019t personally give any money to Walker\u2019s campaign. There is no proof of how much Americans for Prosperity, which gets money from the Kochs but also other sources, spent on Walker's behalf. And the leading campaign money tracker in Wisconsin estimates the AFP total as being in the $3 million range."]},{"id":"5338.json","label":"true","statement":"As Dane County executive, Kathleen Falk raised property taxes by millions of dollars every year and approved the second highest increase in the state in 2010.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Kathleen Falk, during her tenure as Dane County executive, raised property taxes by millions of dollars every year. It is also true that in 2010, she approved the second-highest increase in property taxes across the entire state of Wisconsin. The evidence provided supports these claims, confirming the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"As Dane County executive, Falk raised taxes by millions of dollars every year, most notably in 2010, when she increased taxes by 8 percent, the second highest increase across the entire state of Wisconsin.\"","So the \"millions\" every year is accurate, though it\u2019s worth pointing out that Dane County is nearly a half-billion-a-year operation supported by $133 million in tax levy -- so it doesn\u2019t take a big percentage increase to get to \"millions\" of new property taxes in a year.","Democrat Kathleen Falk\u2019s bid to knock Gov. Scott Walker out in a likely recall election is subjecting her 14-year tenure as Dane County executive to attacks by Republicans.","Indeed, both counties raised property taxes: Dane\u2019s levy went up $59 million in Falk\u2019s 14 years, while Milwaukee\u2019s rose $51 million over Walker\u2019s nine years."]},{"id":"7365.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than 40 percent of sales nationally are made without background checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement that more than 40 percent of sales nationally are made without background checks is a contentious claim. While it is true that there is no current, reliable data to accurately estimate the percentage of gun sales made without background checks, experts have differing opinions on the validity of the 40 percent figure. Some experts, like Prof. Jay Corzine, suggest that the figure is likely accurate when considering private sales in addition to sales at gun shows. However, it's important to note that other experts disagree and argue that the percentage may be lower. Due to the lack of comprehensive data, the exact percentage of gun sales without background checks remains uncertain.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At the rally, the Rhode Island Democrat said more than 40 percent of sales nationally are made without background checks, according to a story in The Providence Journal.","Clearly, many gun sales are made without background checks. There\u2019s no current, reliable data to estimate what percentage of sales are made that way and experts disagree on whether the 40-percent figure is still valid.","PolitiFact, \"Ted Cruz says claim that 40 percent of guns are sold without background checks traces to study done before checks were required,\"Feb. 4, 2013","University of Central Florida Prof. Jay Corzine, who has attended and studied gun shows in Florida, says that, based on his observation, no more than 15 to 20 percent of sales at gun shows occur without a background check. But when you add in other private sales, the 40 percent figure is \"probably accurate\" and \"a very good figure to use.\""]},{"id":"12566.json","label":"false","statement":"The Benghazi victims were left helpless to die as Hillary Clinton soundly slept in her bed.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Benghazi victims were left helpless to die as Hillary Clinton soundly slept in her bed is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple investigations, including those conducted by the U.S. government, have found no evidence to substantiate such a claim. Additionally, fact-checkers have debunked this assertion as false. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["And finally, Pence may have been making his running mate\u2019s point that the Benghazi victims were \"left helpless to die as Hillary Clinton soundly slept in her bed.\"","In a June 22 speech, Trump said Clinton\u2019s decisions as secretary of state \"spread death, destruction and terrorism everywhere she touched. Among the victims was our late Ambassador Chris Stevens. I mean what she did with him was absolutely horrible. He was left helpless to die as Hillary Clinton soundly slept in her bed. That\u2019s right. When the phone rang, as per the commercial, at 3:00 in the morning, Hillary Clinton was sleeping.\"","During Clinton\u2019s 2016 run for president, her political opponents made a number of claims about her actions at the time of the attackst. We rated False a claim by Donald Trump, then the Republican nominee, that the Benghazi victims were \"left helpless to die\" as Clinton \"soundly slept in her bed.\" A claim by then-House Speaker Paul Ryan, that \"repeated requests for additional security in Benghazi were routinely denied\" by \"Clinton\u2019s State Department,\" was rated True.","\"It was Hillary Clinton who left Americans in harm's way in Benghazi and after four Americans fell said, 'What difference at this point does it make?' \""]},{"id":"2988.json","label":"half-true","statement":"CEOs now earn 431 times what their workers earn.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there is a significant pay gap between CEOs and workers, the figure of 431 times is outdated. The most recent available data suggests that in 2018, some CEOs earned over 1,000 times the pay of their most typical workers. However, it's important to note that this figure may vary depending on the specific industry and company. Therefore, the statement is not entirely false, but it does not accurately reflect the current situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Turning back to the bumper sticker, is it true that corporate executives earn 431 times as much as the average worker? Not any more, since the most recent study in the same series found the figure in 2009 was 263 times the average worker pay. But, having gone through the pain of removing outdated bumper stickers ourselves, we\u2019ll allow a little leeway for the figure\u2019s lack of currency. And, leaving aside the question of whether it is warranted or not, there is still a sizable gap between corporate executive pay and worker pay, although probably not as large as the gap between S&P 500 CEOs and the average of all nonsupervisory production workers, some of whom work at much smaller companies. So we\u2019re rating the bumper sticker Half True.","McDonough retired the next year, in 2003, and would pass away early in 2018. He didn\u2019t live long enough to witness a reality that would have anguished him even more: In 2018, 50 U.S. CEOs took home over 1,000 times the pay of their most typical workers.","On its website, United for a Fair Economy says it \"raises awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide and tear communities apart.\" We found a chart on the site that showed CEO pay at 431 times the average worker\u2019s pay. But the number was out of date: It was the number for 2004.","The new bill \u2014 the Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act\u2014 would subject corporations that pay their top execs over 50 times what they pay their most typical workers to escalating higher corporate tax rates. Under the bill, corporations with CEOs making over 500 times their median worker pay would see 5 percentage points added to their corporate tax rate, the equivalent of a more than a 20 percent hike in their corporate income tax rate."]},{"id":"12007.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When the auto industry was going under, car parts companies like Johnson Controls begged taxpayers for a bailout, and they got one.","reason":"Reason: While Johnson Controls did advocate for federal funds during the auto industry crisis, it is important to note that they were not a direct recipient of the federal bailouts provided to the auto industry. The statement implies that Johnson Controls received a bailout, which is not accurate. However, it is true that the company pushed for the funds and benefited from other financial advantages, such as tax savings resulting from relocating its headquarters to Ireland.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["3. \"When the auto industry was going under, car parts companies like\" Johnson Controls \"begged taxpayers for a bailout, and they got one.\"","In a TV ad, Clinton said: \"When the auto industry was going under, car parts companies like\" Johnson Controls \"begged taxpayers for a bailout, and they got one.\"","\"This is Johnson Controls,\" Clinton says in the ad, which was posted to YouTube on Feb. 21, 2016. \"When the auto industry was going under, car parts companies like them begged taxpayers for a bailout and they got one.\"","The world's leading maker of car batteries, and a manufacturer of heating and cooling equipment and controls, was not a direct recipient of the federal bailouts of the auto industry. But Johnson Controls did push for the funds. And as Clinton indicated, the company has said it will save $150 million per year in taxes by moving its headquarters to Ireland."]},{"id":"1872.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Almost 1 million children ... have no health insurance in this state.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Chiles that almost 1 million children in Florida do not have health insurance. According to reliable and recent studies, the number of uninsured children in Florida is close to 800,000. Chiles' use of the word \"almost\" allows for some flexibility in the exact figure. Additionally, the statement is supported by data from Kaiser, which found that 18.3 percent of Florida's children are without health insurance, amounting to approximately 787,000 children. It is worth noting that Florida operates a program called Florida KidCare, which provides health insurance for many uninsured children, but despite this program, a significant number of children in the state remain without coverage.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I'm here to speak for 1 million Floridians who today are out of work, for almost 1 million children who have no health insurance in this state and for millions of Florida citizens like me, who believe that Florida can and must do better by its families and by its communities,\" Chiles said.","In his announcement as a candidate for governor, Chiles said that almost 1 million children in Florida don't have health insurance. The most reliable and recent studies put the number at close to 800,000. Chiles uses the word \"almost,\" which gives him some leeway. We rate his statement True.","According to Kaiser, 18.3 percent of Florida's 4.3 million children under 19 are without health insurance, or about 787,000 children. Only Texas has a higher percentage of children uninsured, Kaiser found.","The number is particularly surprising, given that the state operates a program called Florida KidCare, which provides free or heavily subsidized health insurance for many uninsured children under 19. To qualify for Florida KidCare you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-U.S. Citizen (read the eligibility information here). The Florida Department of Health says that 1.8 million children are currently enrolled in the program."]},{"id":"3610.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Franklin Delano Roosevelt sent his advisers to study socialism with Soviet dictator Josef Stalin so the president could replicate it in the United States.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt sent his advisers to study socialism with Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in order to replicate it in the United States. The book that was cited as supporting this claim does not provide any evidence to substantiate it. Additionally, historical accounts and experts do not support this assertion. It is important to rely on accurate historical information and avoid spreading unfounded claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Franklin Delano Roosevelt sent his advisers, his close-held friends, his Cabinet people, to go visit with Stalin in communist Russia to study what ... Stalin was doing there so that FDR could replicate it here in the United States,\" Broun said on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. \"And he did everything he possibly could to do so.\"","Roosevelt strove to import the socialism of Soviet Union dictator Josef Stalin, Broun said. In fact, Broun said, he sent emissaries to learn from the dictator himself.","The book Broun\u2019s spokeswoman said supported his version of history did not. Its author said she knew of no evidence that Roosevelt sent his aides to study communism in the Soviet Union to \"replicate it here in the United States.\"","Says President Franklin Delano Roosevelt \"felt there wasn\u2019t a need in the public sector to have collective bargaining because the government is the people.\""]},{"id":"6658.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his budget plan would cut our deficits by $4 trillion.","reason":"Reason: President Obama did indeed claim that his budget plan would cut deficits by $4 trillion. However, independent analysis and experts have found that the actual savings in his plan fall short of that figure. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated the savings to be around $1.7 trillion, not $4 trillion. While the president's plan may be a step in the right direction, it does not fully achieve the $4 trillion deficit reduction as initially claimed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Democrats say they, too, are working to reduce the deficits. In his speech at the Democratic convention, Barack Obama said he will put the country on a path to better fiscal health. He spoke of the choice this election offers voters and said \"You can choose a future where we reduce our deficit without wrecking our middle class. Independent analysis shows that my plan would cut our deficits by $4 trillion.\"","\"I've put forward a specific $4 trillion deficit reduction plan, Obama said. \"You can look at all the numbers, what cuts we make and what revenue we raise. And the way we do it is $2.50 for every cut, we ask for $1 of additional revenue.\"","Using the baseline developed by the committee, the president\u2019s budget plan looks much better. Jeff Vanke, the committee\u2019s senior analyst, says it doesn\u2019t add up to $4 trillion in savings, but it does stand at about $1.7 trillion.","Peuquet warns that all numbers like these \"can be gamed.\" His group thinks the more important goal is to get deficits headed down relative to the size of the economy. On those terms, he says the president\u2019s plan is a good start but does not go far enough."]},{"id":"2171.json","label":"false","statement":"This is the first time since the Depression that unemployment has stayed above 9 percent for two consecutive years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided clearly states that the unemployment rate remained above 9 percent for several months during the Great Recession, but it does not support the claim that it stayed above 9 percent for two consecutive years. In fact, the evidence indicates that the unemployment rate fluctuated during that period, sometimes falling below 9 percent. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Great Depression-era unemployment rates topped 15 percent annually for six straight years, from 1931 to 1936, and never fell below 8.7 percent over 12 years, according to estimates adopted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In four consecutive years unemployment exceeded 20 percent a year.","The unemployment rate was greater than 9 percent the next 16 months. In March 2011, it dropped to 8.9 percent, but rose back above 9 percent the following six months. In October 2011, the rate fell back below 9 percent. Each month since, it has been in the 8 percent range.","The last time the unemployment rate was this high was during Reagan\u2019s first term. However, the 27 months during the 1980s the rate was greater than 8 percent is far less than the 11 years the unemployment rate was that high during the Great Depression.","There\u2019s been plenty of ink spilled in newspapers and magazines that the nation\u2019s unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for a long time. But we wondered if the congressman was correct to say this is the longest stretch the unemployment rate has been above 8 percent since the Great Depression."]},{"id":"4677.json","label":"false","statement":"Minimum wage = $16,000\/year CEO-Goldman Sachs (Lloyd Blankfein) $16,000\/Hour.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The minimum wage in Rhode Island is just under $15,400 per year, not $16,000. Additionally, the claim that the CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, earns $16,000 per hour is false. The estimated cash value of his compensation is calculated to be $9,165 per hour, which is significantly lower than the stated amount. Therefore, both parts of the statement are incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Occupy Providence protest sign was close when it stated that the minimum wage in Rhode Island is $16,000 a year (it\u2019s actually just under $15,400). And its point -- that CEOs such as Blankfein make enormous sums of money while people at the bottom of the economic ladder make almost nothing -- is well taken. But the claim that Goldman Sachs\u2019 CEO earned $16,000 an hour was way off. We rate it False.","( - Occupy Providence sign says Goldman Sachs CEO earns in an hour what minimum wage worker earns in a year&url=)","But once again, simple math shows that the estimated cash value of his compensation that year is $9,165 an hour -- not $16,000 an hour as the protest sign declared.","That\u2019s 375 times more than a minimum age worker would earn in Rhode Island. But it\u2019s a mere $2,885 an hour, not $16,000. (We\u2019re basing this calculation on a 40-hour work week.)"]},{"id":"3963.json","label":"false","statement":"Janice Hahn hired hard-core gang members with taxpayer money to be gang-intervention specialists. She even helped them get out of jail, so they could rape and kill again.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Janice Hahn hired hard-core gang members with taxpayer money to be gang-intervention specialists and helped them get out of jail to commit further crimes is not supported by credible evidence. While Hahn has been an advocate for programs that use ex-gang members as intervention specialists, there is no evidence to suggest that she personally selected or hired these individuals, or that she used taxpayer money to facilitate their release from jail. The claim is misleading and lacks substantiation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Janice Hahn hired hard-core gang members with taxpayer money to be 'gang-intervention specialists.' She even helped them get out of jail, so they could rape and kill again.\"","Putting aside the offensive images in the video, we wondered about the claim at the heart of the attack. It comes via a voiceover at the start of the video: \"In an insane effort to reduce gang violence, Janice Hahn hired hardcore gang members with taxpayer money to be 'gang-intervention specialists.' She even helped them get out of jail, so they could rape and kill again.\"","So what is the truth? We think the onus falls on the folks making the claim to back it up, and the makers of the video produce no hard evidence to support it. There's ample evidence that Hahn has been an advocate of programs that use ex-gang members as intervention specialists. And while the city does not fund these intervention specialists directly, it funds agencies that do. Still, it's a stretch to say \"Janice Hahn hired hard-core gang members with taxpayer money to be 'gang-intervention specialists.'\" That suggests she selected the ex-gang members tapped to be intervention specialists or that she paid them herself, and there's no evidence of that.","It's true that Hahn, whose district encompasses some gang-ridden neighborhoods of Watts, has been an active advocate for gang prevention programs that include the controversial practice of hiring ex-gang members to act as go-betweens for law enforcement, community activists and gangs. The issue, though, is whether Hahn hired these gang-intervention specialists with taxpayer money and even helped get some of them out of jail."]},{"id":"9407.json","label":"true","statement":"Marijuana is less addictive than both alcohol and tobacco.","reason":"Reason: Multiple experts, including a Harvard Medical School psychiatrist, have confirmed that marijuana is indeed less addictive than both alcohol and tobacco. While all three substances can be addictive, the consensus among experts is that alcohol and tobacco are more difficult to quit and have a higher potential for dependency than marijuana. Therefore, the statement is supported by expert opinions and research.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among the claims tucked under the heading \"The Facts about Marijuana\" is this: \"Marijuana is less addictive than both alcohol and tobacco.\"","A Harvard Medical School psychiatrist agreed that of the three, alcohol is the most addictive in terms of withdrawal. He and other experts we contacted also agreed that alcohol and tobacco are more difficult to give up than marijuana, and said it\u2019s easier to become dependent on alcohol and tobacco in the first place.","U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., posts a \"drug fact\" on his official website asserting that \"marijuana is less addictive than both alcohol and tobacco.\"","We called Dr. J. Wesley Boyd, a faculty member at Harvard Medical School and a recognized expert on addiction issues. Narrowly construed, he said, what Blumenauer posted on his website is correct -- marijuana is less addictive than both alcohol and tobacco."]},{"id":"2239.json","label":"false","statement":"Pam Bondi refuses to take a position on the gay-adoption ban.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may have been initial confusion or ambiguity regarding Pam Bondi's position on the gay-adoption ban, she has since clarified her stance and expressed support for the ban. Multiple sources, including interviews with editorial boards and campaign statements, confirm that Bondi has stated her opposition to gay adoption. Therefore, the claim that she refuses to take a position on the gay-adoption ban is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Aug. 8, 2010, Stemberger dispatched an endorsement letter supporting Kottkamp, stating that Bondi \"refuses to take a position on the gay adoption ban.\"","Bondi, a legal analyst for Fox News, began to clarify her support for the gay adoption ban in subsequent forums and newspaper interviews.","So back to the question. Did Bondi \"refuse to take a position on banning gay adoptions\"? No. She hedged at first, but she\u2019s made it clear since then that she will pursue the appeal and opposes gay adoption. Therefore we rate his claim False.","Bondi campaign spokesman Kim Kirtley also pointed to interviews with the editorial boards of the St. Petersburg Times on July 14 and the Sun-Sentinel on Aug. 10 where she was asked about her position on gay adoption and she stated her support for the ban. Both papers have handed Bondi an endorsement."]},{"id":"3233.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our debt to GDP ratios, our deficit to GDP ratios are quickly approaching the countries we have been reading about for the last year and a half. We are not far behind Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain and all these countries we have been reading about.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made about the debt to GDP ratios and deficit to GDP ratios of the United States. However, it is important to note that comparing the United States to countries like Ireland, Greece, Portugal, and Spain can be misleading. The United States has different economic and monetary policies in place, which provide more stability and control over its debt. While the debt to GDP ratios may be increasing, it does not necessarily imply that the United States is on the verge of an economic disaster like those countries mentioned. Therefore, the statement lacks some context and could be interpreted as fearmongering without providing a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our debt to GDP ratios, our deficit to GDP ratios are quickly approaching the countries we have been reading about for the last year and a half,\" he warned. \"We are not far behind Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain and all these countries we have been reading about.\"","Other countries with high debt-to-GDP ratios haven\u2019t imploded, but specifically citing nations like Ireland and Greece implies that disaster is near for the United States economy. In reality, the United States, with its ability to control its own monetary supply, has lots more going for it than Ireland or Greece.","He says Japan and the United States are insulated from the default issues that plague other countries because they control the currencies in which they issue debt. Greece, Spain, Ireland and Portugal all have their debt in euros, so they need euro balances on hand to pay their debts.","The United States clocked in at 37th, with a debt to GDP ratio of 58.9 percent, slightly higher than the world average of 58.3 percent. Countries including Canada, France and Germany \u2013 which aren\u2019t generally listed among the globe\u2019s festering fiscal fiascos \u2013 all have debt to GDP ratios that exceed the United States\u2019."]},{"id":"1611.json","label":"false","statement":"The Iraq war has been \"our longest war.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Iraq war has been \"our longest war\" is false. According to official Defense Department data, the Revolutionary War, Vietnam War, and Afghanistan War have all lasted longer than the Iraq war. While the Iraq war has been a significant and protracted conflict, it does not hold the distinction of being the longest war in American history.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Finally, no one knows when the Iraq War (or Afghanistan) will end. \"Maybe Schieffer figures Iraq will be the longest by the time we eventually leave, which of course is still possible,\" said Lance Janda, a historian at Cameron University in Lawton, Okla.","Host Bob Schieffer noted that milestone during the March 22, 2010, edition of CBS's Face the Nation. \"March 19th was the seventh anniversary of the Iraq invasion, which began our longest war,\" he said.","So it's clear that this is not a black-and-white question. Still, we think there's enough evidence to say that the Iraq war was not America's \"longest war.\" According to official Defense Department dating, the Revolutionary War, Vietnam and Afghanistan were (or are) all longer. So we rate Schieffer's statement False.","\"When Iraq is costing each household about $100 a month, you're paying a price for this war,\" he said in the speech in Charleston, W.Va."]},{"id":"8376.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Sen. Mark Pryor voted for special subsidies for lawmakers and staff in Congress so theyre protected from Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Mark Pryor did not vote for special subsidies for lawmakers and staff in Congress to protect them from Obamacare. The claim has been fact-checked and debunked, as the government continuing to share the cost of insurance premiums for Congress is a standard practice and not a special subsidy. The only difference is that the law treated Congress and its workers differently than other groups of workers. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mark Pryor cast the deciding vote to make you live under Obamacare. But Pryor votes himself and everyone in Congress special subsidies so they\u2019re protected from Obamacare. Exceptions and special subsidies for Mark Pryor. Higher insurance premiums for you.","We have already fact-checked several claims about lawmakers voting to give themselves special benefits to purchase Obamacare. Almost a year ago, we checked a claim by Pryor\u2019s Republican opponent, Rep. Tom Cotton, that Pryor had voted for \"special subsidies\" for lawmakers and staff in Congress \"so they\u2019re protected from Obamacare.\" We rated that claim False.","Cotton said Pryor voted for \"special subsidies\" for lawmakers and staff in congress \"so they\u2019re protected from Obamacare.\" The subsidy referred to is the government continuing to share the cost of insurance premiums as is standard practice in every establishment that offers insurance to its workers. There is nothing special about that. The only thing special about Obamacare and Congress is that the law treated Congress and its workers differently than any other group of workers.","However, in this fact check, we wanted to look at the weightier claim that Pryor voted to give everyone in Congress a special subsidy to protect them from Obamacare."]},{"id":"12894.json","label":"true","statement":"California is home to the largest death row populationin the Western Hemisphere.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including the Yes On 62 campaign, Governor Gavin Newsom, and other statements, confirm that California has the largest death row population in the Western Hemisphere. It is also stated that California's death row is two times larger than the next largest state, Florida, within the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Yes On 62 campaign to abolish the death penalty said \"California is home to the largest death row population in the Western Hemisphere.\"","California has \"the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere, the largest death row in the United States of America \u2014 two times the size of the next largest state: Florida.\"","Gov. Gavin Newsom repeated the claim that California\u2019s death row \"is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The largest death row in the United States of America -- two times the size of the next largest state: Florida.\"","\"All the while we had this sore thumb that stood out in California. That is we were laying claim to having the largest death row in the Western Hemisphere. The largest death row in the United States of America -- two times the size of the next largest state: Florida.\""]},{"id":"7958.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A private school tax break in the Wisconsin state budget is the most generous in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on the claim made by Wisconsin state public schools superintendent Tony Evers, who declared the private school tax break in the Wisconsin state budget to be \"the most generous in the nation.\" However, the fact-checking analysis rates this claim as half true, indicating that while the tax break is indeed generous, it is not definitively proven to be the most generous when compared to other states. Therefore, the statement should be considered partially accurate but lacking conclusive evidence to support it as the most generous tax break in the nation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In June 2013, days before the tax break became law, state public schools superintendent Tony Evers declared it \"the most generous in the nation.\" We rated his claim Half True.","Wisconsin Budget Project, \"Generous new tax break for private school tuitition out of line with existing tax benefits,\" June 12, 2013","!Not many states offer a tax break for sending a kid to private school. Is Wisconsin's the most generous? !Not many states offer a tax break for sending a kid to private school. Is Wisconsin's the most generous?","\"So, it's taking money out of the system that would normally go to public schools -- and it's the most generous in the nation. If you and I were billionaires and were sending our kids to high-tuition high schools, we would get, as billionaires, get the tax credits for that. It's obviously not progressive and it's going to hurt our public schools.\""]},{"id":"3798.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For decades before I was elected, governors tried and failed to get Minnesota out of the top 10 highest-taxed states in the country. I actually did it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that the speaker successfully reduced Minnesota's ranking as one of the top 10 highest-taxed states in the country. However, it lacks specific evidence or data to support this claim. It would be more convincing if the speaker provided specific statistics or comparisons to demonstrate the reduction in tax burden during their tenure as governor. Without further evidence, the statement remains a general assertion without substantial backing.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I'm the only front-line prosecutor in this race that's actually used the resources of the Wisconsin Crime Lab in the prosecution of cases.\"","Newsom\u2019s campaign pointed a 2016 Chronicle investigation Beyond Homelessness, which examined the city\u2019s response to the issue over the past two decades.","\"Gavin Newsom, took the most aggressive stance yet toward tackling the issue. In 2004, he announced a 10-year plan to end chronic homelessness.","\"From 1960, the year I was born, until the time I became Governor in 2003, the average two-year increase in Minnesota state spending was 21 percent. \u2026 we brought that down dramatically, to about 1.7 percent per year.\""]},{"id":"9046.json","label":"true","statement":"In the U.S., African-Americans continue to be arrested at nearly three and one half times the rate of whites on marijuana charges.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the NAACP New England Area Conference that African-Americans in the United States are arrested at a significantly higher rate than whites on marijuana charges. The evidence provided supports this claim, indicating that African-Americans are arrested at more than three times the rate of whites for marijuana-related offenses. It highlights a concerning racial disparity within the criminal justice system.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The NAACP New England Area Conference said \"African-Americans continue to be arrested at nearly three and one half times the rate of whites\" on marijuana charges.","New England NAACP says African-Americans in U.S. are arrested on marijuana charges at more than three times the rate of whites","( - New England NAACP says African-Americans in U.S. are arrested on marijuana charges at more than three times the rate of whites&url=)",", \" New England NAACP says African-Americans in U.S. are arrested on marijuana charges at more than three times the rate of whites,\" March 16, 2014, and \" Bernie Sanders is right: Police do treat African Americans differently,\" Aug. 30, 2015"]},{"id":"4742.json","label":"false","statement":"Repealing the health care law would save $95 billion in 2016.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected $95 billion less in outlays in 2016 if the health care law is repealed, this figure only represents the reduction in spending for that specific year. However, repealing the law would also eliminate the revenue sources established by the law, which would lead to a significant increase in the deficit over the long term, as stated by the CBO. Therefore, the claim that repealing the health care law would save $95 billion in 2016 is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Romney said repealing the health care law would save $95 billion a year. But that only accounts for outlays in one year, 2016. Because of the revenue sources that the law established, repealing it actually adds significantly to the deficit over the long haul, according to the CBO. We rate Romney\u2019s statement False.","On page 5 of that report, the CBO projected $95 billion less in outlays in 2016 if the law is repealed.","\"The number one to cut is Obamacare. That saves $95 billion a year,\" Romney said in a primary debate in New Hampshire on Jan. 8, 2012.","\u2022 Eliminating \"Obamacare\" \u2026 \"saves $95 billion a year.\" Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney liked this claim so much he made it at least twice in the past year, on Nov. 4, 2011, and again in January 2012. It's true that the law spends money providing tax subsidies to help people buy insurance and expanding the Medicaid health insurance for the very poor. But it also slows the growth of future spending on Medicare and imposes new taxes and fees to help offset the deficit. If you look at both spending and new revenue the actual savings from repealing the law would be much smaller -- $16 billion. And, over the long haul, repealing the law actually adds significantly to the deficit. So this claim earns a False."]},{"id":"8958.json","label":"true","statement":"A majority of drunk driving deaths and injuries are caused by drunk driving offenders with no prior convictions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) that a majority of drunk driving deaths and injuries are caused by individuals who have no prior convictions for drunk driving. This claim is supported by the information provided by MADD and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. It suggests that many drunk driving incidents involve individuals who have not been previously charged or convicted for driving under the influence. \nLabel: true","evidence":["MADD claimed that \"a majority of drunk driving deaths and injuries are caused by drunk driving offenders with no prior convictions.\"","MADD continued: \"According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, a majority of drunk driving deaths and injuries are caused by drunk driving offenders with no prior convictions.\"","That guide concluded: \"However, even though repeat offenders are disproportionately involved in traffic crashes, most alcohol-related crashes are caused by drivers who have not previously been charged with drunk driving, so police must pay attention to both repeat and first-time offenders.\"","\"\u2018First-time\u2019 offenders are rarely first-time drunk drivers,\" said a MADD news release on Feb. 11, 2014. \"Conservative estimates show that a first-time convicted OWI offender has driven drunk at least 80 times prior to being arrested.\""]},{"id":"288.json","label":"true","statement":"\"You know, Sen. McCain said the other day that we might have troops (in Iraq) for 100 years...\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Senator Hillary Clinton regarding Senator John McCain's position on keeping troops in Iraq. Senator McCain did make a comment during a town hall meeting in New Hampshire, where he mentioned the possibility of American troops being in Iraq for \"maybe 100\" years. This remark was in the context of discussing a long-term military presence in Iraq, similar to the U.S. military presence in other countries like Japan and South Korea. It is important to note that Senator McCain's statement does not necessarily imply continuous combat operations, but rather a sustained military presence. \nLabel: true","evidence":["To highlight the different approaches between Democrats and Republicans on keeping troops in Iraq, Sen. Hillary Clinton pointed to remarks Sen. John McCain made in the days before the New Hampshire primary that indicated his support for a prolonged military commitment in the region. Clinton has said that, if elected, one of her first official actions would be to direct military leaders to draft a viable plan to begin a phased withdrawal within 60 days. Her goal is to have most troops out of Iraq by the end of 2013.","Clinton's account of McCain's position rings true. The Arizona senator was an enthusiastic supporter of President Bush's surge and opposes a timetable for troop withdrawal. He was somewhat glib about the issue during a Jan. 3, 2008, town hall meeting in Derry, N.H. When a voter asking a question made the point that President Bush raised the possibility American troops would be in Iraq for 50 years, McCain interrupted by saying, \"maybe 100.\"","\"I said two years ago that the Fannie and Freddie thing was a very serious problem and we had to work on it.\"","McCain went on to note the United States has maintained a military presence for decades in such places as Japan and South Korea. He said he supported such a commitment in a global hot spot like Iraq where al-Qaida continues to wield influence and recruit followers \u2014 as long as there aren't American casualties."]},{"id":"3952.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the state budget includes spending on commercials for Fortune 500 companies.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the state budget includes spending on commercials for Fortune 500 companies. The report mentions specific instances where state grants were used to fund commercials made for Fortune 500 companies such as AT&T, Walmart, and NBC (owned by General Electric). Additionally, State Rep. David Simpson criticized the budget for allocating funds towards commercials for Fortune 500 companies. The statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As of Aug. 31, the company Action Figure No. 1. Inc., had received more than $8,000 for an AT&T television commercial, which was one of three commercials made for AT&T, a Fortune 500 company, by three different companies using state grants totaling about $25,600, the report says. Also, the company Radical Media received $32,000 in grant money to make a commercial for Walmart, another Fortune 500 company, and the company Modern Times received $11,133 to make a commercial for the TV show \"Friday Night Lights.\" That show aired on NBC, a network owned by the Fortune 500 company General Electric.","\"Despite conservative boasts of cost cutting, not raising taxes and not using the Economic Stabilization Fund, or \u2018rainy day fund,\u2019 the budget still preserves about $500 million of pork for special interests including film and music makers, video games and commercials for Fortune 500 companies,\" the Longview Republican said in a June 5 op-ed in the Longview News-Journal.","State Rep. David Simpson says the state budget lawmakers sent to Gov. Rick Perry spends money in the wrong places \u2014 such as on Walmart commercials.","We wondered if each Fortune 500 company benefits from grants going to separate production companies. Perry spokeswoman Lucy Nashed told us the grants can go to either the production company, advertising agency or the client \u2014 such as a Fortune 500 company \u2014 involved in a supported TV ad."]},{"id":"4917.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says IBM leader told Obama that using IBM technology to cut fraud could pay for health care reform.","reason":"Reason: While Newt Gingrich claimed that the CEO of IBM told President Obama that using IBM technology could pay for healthcare reform by cutting fraud, the evidence does not definitively confirm or deny this claim. The White House spokesperson initially mentioned that companies, including IBM, had offered help in fighting fraud, but later corrected the statement, stating that they had only worked on \"possible projects\" but did not move forward. Therefore, there is no clear confirmation that the CEO of IBM specifically presented a scheme to President Obama regarding using IBM technology to fund healthcare reform through fraud reduction.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["By way of background, we note that Gingrich has long advocated using technology to help cut health-care costs. Until recently he led a for-profit consultancy called the Center for Health Transformations, which counted IBM among its clients.","Gingrich, who was debating then-candidate Herman Cain, said: \"The CEO of IBM went to the White House and said to (President) Barack Obama, you can pay for virtually all of Obamacare by simply taking existing IBM technology and applying it to stop paying crooks.\"","By email, White House spokesman Brandon Lepow did not provide information confirming or denying Palmisano\u2019s claims to the Journal about presenting savings ideas. Lepow initially said companies including IBM had offered the administration help fighting fraud. He later told us he had learned his first statement was inaccurate. His follow-up statement said the administration and IBM had worked on \"possible projects\" but agreed not to \"move forward,\" although IBM is a partner in \"our work to fight fraud.\"","So, Gingrich is suggesting a lot of fraud. But was he right that IBM presented the president with such a scheme?"]},{"id":"12281.json","label":"false","statement":"Dolphins are rapists. Look it up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there may be rumors or misconceptions about dolphins engaging in sexual behavior with humans or other dolphins, it is incorrect to categorize dolphins as rapists. Experts in dolphin behavior have debunked this myth and clarified that the behaviors observed are not equivalent to rape. It is important to rely on credible sources and scientific research when discussing animal behavior to avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Either way, if it gets people Googling the concept and reading up on why it\u2019s not really accurate to describe dolphins as rapists, all the better,\" he said.","Gregg, a big Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fan, told PolitiFact he wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Fey and the show\u2019s other writers know that the dolphins-as-rapists meme is not actually true.","However, there are important caveats. The study in question looked at both violent and nonviolent felons without separating out those two groups. It\u2019s not clear whether the patterns holds in the other 47 states. Also, the study didn\u2019t look at active \"criminals\" but rather those who had already served their time. Finally, it\u2019s hard to draw a line between cause and effect, particularly given the disproportionately high population of African-Americans -- a traditionally Democratic group -- in the criminal justice system.","In a 2013 blog post debunking the dolphin-rape myth, dolphin behavior expert Justin Gregg noted that there are also rumors that dolphins rape humans. While there might be isolated incidents of dolphins with erections around humans or thrusting toward them, this is not rape. It\u2019s unclear whether the dolphins actually want to mate or if it\u2019s another form of social behavior, Gregg said."]},{"id":"5619.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve had a dramatic drop in violent crime since this law (stand your ground) has been in effect.","reason":"Reason: While there has been a drop in violent crime rates in Florida, it is important to note that the decline began before the \"stand your ground\" law was enacted. The statement implies a direct causation between the law and the drop in crime rates, which is not supported by evidence. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's crime statistics and various news reports indicate that the factors contributing to the decline in crime rates are complex and multifaceted. While the \"stand your ground\" law may have played a role, it is one of several potential factors, and its specific impact on crime rates is difficult to determine. Therefore, the claim is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Baxley said \"We\u2019ve had a dramatic drop in violent crime since this law has been in effect.\" His comments in television interviews implied the law itself reduced violent crime rates. There has been a drop, but rates were declining before the law went into effect. We found no proof that that the \"stand your ground\" law caused the drop in crime rates; some groups worry the law could lead to more violence. We rate his claim Half True.","Here, we\u2019re checking whether there\u2019s been a dramatic drop in violent crime since the law went into effect. To do that, we turned to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement\u2019s crime statistics and various news reports about violent crime in Florida.","\"What we\u2019ve learned is if we empower people to stop bad things from happening, they will,\" Baxley said. \"And in fact, that statistic is coupled with another statistic. That is the fact that we\u2019ve had a dramatic drop in violent crime since this law has been in effect.\"","Baxley told PolitiFact Florida he didn\u2019t think the \"stand your ground\" law was the main reason for Florida\u2019s drop in crime rates. But it could be one of several reasons, he said."]},{"id":"5106.json","label":"half-true","statement":"My recommended budget includes $1 billion in new state funding for education.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Scott claims that his recommended budget includes $1 billion in new state funding for education, it is important to note that some of this funding is allocated to cover expenses such as accommodating new students and compensating for lost funding due to declining property values. Additionally, the statement does not address the fact that the recommended funding does not fully make up for previous cuts in education funding. Therefore, while there is an increase in funding, it is not entirely accurate to label it as \"new\" funding. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"My recommended budget includes $1 billion in new state funding for education,\" Scott said. \"And I ask you to please consider that recommendation very carefully. On this point, I just cannot budge. \u2026 This is the single most important decision we can make today for Florida\u2019s future.\"","Reynolds recommended a $3.9 billion appropriation for the current fiscal year. That, plus additional revenue that includes almost $1 billion in receipts from other agencies, would give Iowa $5 billion to spend on K-12 education, this year\u2019s budget shows. The state Department of Management reports that adding local and federal dollars to the full picture brings the amount Iowa spends on K-12 education to $8 billion annually.","Scott said his budget \"includes $10.7 billion in state funding for Florida K-12 schools, the highest state funding level in history.\"","Scott is right that he wants to add roughly $1 billion in funding for schools this year, but we think it\u2019s disingenuous to call that money \"new\" -- a descriptor that gives people a distinct impression that education funding is up. Some of that $1 billion in funding is to pay for new students and to close a gap created by lost funding from declining property values. And it doesn\u2019t quite make up for the deeper cuts Scott signed off on a year ago. We rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"1432.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The \"pay-as-you-go law ... was a big reason why we had record surpluses in the 1990s.\"","reason":"Reason: While the \"pay-as-you-go\" (PAYGO) law was indeed a principle behind the effort to balance the budget in the 1990s, it is an oversimplification to claim that it was the sole or primary reason for the record surpluses during that time. The budgetary situation in the 1990s was influenced by a combination of factors, including economic growth, spending cuts, and other fiscal policies. While PAYGO played a role in fiscal responsibility, it is more accurate to say that it was one of several contributing factors rather than the sole reason for the surpluses.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The president told a joint session of Congress on Jan. 27, 2010, that the \"pay-as-you-go law ... was a big reason why we had record surpluses in the 1990s.\"","So back to Obama's claim. He said the \"pay-as-you-go law ... was a big reason why we had record surpluses in the 1990s.\" He is correct that it is a basic principle behind the effort to balance the budget, but his statement somewhat overstates the policy's importance in achieving that goal.","We wondered then, and now, whether he was correct about the role of 'pay as you go' -- or PAYGO -- in balancing the federal budget in the 1990s.","We originally analyzed a similar comment he made on May 7, 2009. Back then, he said, \"One important step is restoring the 'pay as you go' rule \u2014 and I've called on Congress to do exactly that. This rule says, very simply, that Congress can only spend a dollar if it saves a dollar elsewhere. This is the principle that guides responsible families managing a budget. This is the principle that helped transform large deficits into surpluses in the 1990s.\""]},{"id":"3013.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 1998, nearly half of Floridas fourth-graders were functionally illiterate. Today, 72% of them can read.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bush that in 1998, nearly half of Florida's fourth-graders were functionally illiterate, and now, 72% of them can read. These numbers are supported by education department statistics. However, it's important to note that the term \"functionally illiterate\" can be subjective and its definition can vary. The statement does not provide a specific definition for \"functionally illiterate\" in the context of fourth-graders, and there is ongoing debate about how to precisely define and measure functional literacy. Nonetheless, the statement accurately represents the statistics provided by Bush regarding the improvement in reading proficiency among fourth-graders in Florida.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Here's what Bush wrote: \"In 1998, nearly half of Florida's fourth-graders were functionally illiterate. Today, 72% of them can read.\" The contrast here can be read to mean that nearly half of Florida's fourth-graders couldn't read in 1998, and now, 72 percent can read.","Bush's numbers are backed up by education department statistics, but we also have to check his characterization that fourth-graders who receive a rating of \"Below Basic\" are \"functionally illiterate.\"","That leaves us with trying to define functionally illiterate, which isn't so easy either, especially for a fourth-grader. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines a functionally illiterate person as \"one who cannot engage in all those activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his group and community and also for enabling him to continue to use reading, writing and calculation for his own and the community's development.\"","Emhoff, with Bush's foundation, said she believes that \"Below Basic\" is defined as functionally illiterate, while \"Basic\" is reading at grade level. And so on."]},{"id":"3009.json","label":"true","statement":"Proposed federal regulations would affect every streetsign in the country","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Delegate William Howell that proposed federal regulations would impact every street sign in the country. The Federal Highway Administration did propose new rules for street sign lettering, including requirements for uniformity in size and the use of capital and lower-case letters. These proposed regulations were part of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which aims to establish consistent standards for road signs, markings, and traffic lights. However, it's important to note that these regulations are still in the proposal stage and have not been implemented nationwide.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The Federal Highway Administration has a proposed new regulation that would unify every street sign in the country,\" Howell, R-Stafford, said during a Dec. 21 speech to Tertium Quids, a conservative Virginia group advocating small government.","Howell says proposed federal regulations would require all street signs to be the same size and use capital and lower-case letters.","The Federal Highway Administration, in an effort that began during George W. Bush\u2019s presidency, proposed new rules for street sign lettering in 2009. They were included in an 864-page volume of proposed and existing regulations for road signs, markings and traffic lights called the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.","Is it true that a fear of federal regulation drove Texas to isolate its grid from the rest of the country? Here\u2019s a rundown of the evidence."]},{"id":"2657.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are 100 members of the U.S. Senate. Fifty-seven of them, including Russ Feingold, are lawyers. There are zero manufacturers and one accountant.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ron Johnson that out of the 100 members of the U.S. Senate, 57 are lawyers, and there are zero manufacturers and one accountant. While there may be some minor discrepancies in the exact numbers, the overall point made by Johnson is valid. The dominance of lawyers in the Senate, compared to the lack of representation from the manufacturing sector, is a key aspect of his argument. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Johnson, who is facing lawyer and Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, made the point most directly in a recent TV ad. In it, he noted on a whiteboard that 57 of 100 members of the Senate are lawyers.","In touting his background, Republican Ron Johnson says there are 57 lawyers, one accountant and no manufacturers in the U.S. Senate. He is correct that legal beagles -- not business people -- dominate the body, though some are lawyers by education, not trade. While Johnson\u2019s bean-counting skills were not at their sharpest -- at least two members have a manufacturing background and two an accounting background -- his central point is on the money.","\"That would be fine if we had a lawsuit to settle,\" Johnson went on to say in the ad, \"but we have an economy to fix. There are zero manufacturers and one accountant. It\u2019s no wonder we\u2019re losing jobs and piling up debt. I\u2019m not a politician. I\u2019m an accountant and a manufacturer. I know how to balance a budget, and I do know how to create jobs. Now that\u2019s something we could really use.\"","Fifty-seven other lawmakers reported net worths of between $1 million and $100 million, including Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey, who is worth about $2 million, the data show."]},{"id":"1769.json","label":"true","statement":"Scott Maddox is a \"lobbyist.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Scott Maddox has worked as a lobbyist in the past and has been involved in lobbying activities through his ownership in a lobbying firm. Additionally, there are statements from individuals referring to him as a lobbyist. Therefore, it is accurate to label Scott Maddox as a \"lobbyist.\"\nLabel: true","evidence":["But Maddox has made money as a lobbyist off and on for several years, representing a variety of clients. And though he's not currently registered as a lobbyist, Maddox is part owner in a firm that does state lobbying. That's enough in our minds to rate Putnam's claim that Maddox is a lobbyist True.","\"We just hired Scott as a lobbyist to help us communicate to the government,\" Tallahassee developer Gordon Thames said at the time. \"I thought maybe they'll listen to Scott and give him strong consideration -- maybe more so than if it was just Gordon up there.\" Maddox said he was a consultant for the project, not a lobbyist. Thames said he has hired Maddox on other projects.","In fact, Putnam's campaign called Democrat and former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox a \"lobbyist bottom feeder,\" in a May 4, 2010, statement.","Putnam's campaign called Maddox a \"lobbyist bottom feeder.\" We're not touching the bottom feeder part -- you can make up your own mind based on the clients we found that were represented by Maddox."]},{"id":"7475.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Do you know which state has the worst ratio of white voter turnout to African-American voter turnout? Massachusetts. Do you know what has the best, where African-American turnout actually exceeds white turnout? Mississippi.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Chief Justice John Roberts' question during an oral argument, where he mentioned that Massachusetts has the worst ratio of white voter turnout to African-American voter turnout, and Mississippi has the best ratio where African-American turnout exceeds white turnout. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide the full context of the discussion, which was related to the Voting Rights Act and the impact of voter turnout ratios. Additionally, the statement does not provide any further evidence or analysis to support or refute the claim. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Roberts said, \"Do you know which state has the worst ratio of white voter turnout to African-American voter turnout? Massachusetts. Do you know what has the best, where African-American turnout actually exceeds white turnout? Mississippi.\"","At one point in the oral argument held Feb. 27, 2013, Roberts asked Verrilli, \"Do you know which state has the worst ratio of white voter turnout to African-American voter turnout?\"","However, Roberts makes a valid point when he notes that black voter turnout in Mississippi and other deep south states is high, and indeed often exceeds white turnout. So while Roberts is on shaky ground with Massachusetts, he\u2019s on more solid turf when it comes to Mississippi. On balance, we\u2019ll call it Half True.","\"Black voter turnout in 2012 exceeded the rate of white voter turnout, even in the states with the strictest voter ID laws.\""]},{"id":"9132.json","label":"true","statement":"The National Science Foundation awarded $700,000 to fund a climate change musical.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The National Science Foundation did award $700,000 to fund a climate change musical. This grant was given to a theater company to produce a musical play that specifically addresses climate change and biodiversity conservation. The funding was mentioned by U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith during a hearing, and it has been confirmed by fact-checking sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["No. 5 among the April favorites: Our look into a claim by U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, that the National Science Foundation awarded $700,000 to fund a climate change musical. It did. True.","Smith, chairman of the House Science, Space & Technology Committee, listed six National Science Foundation grants as questionable--including, Smith said at the panel\u2019s March 26, 2014, hearing, a \"climate change musical that was prepared for Broadway but I\u2019m not sure ever was actually produced, $700,000.\"","Smith then asked John Holdren, the White House science czar, if the foundation should justify such grants to the public, whose tax dollars fund them, the Texan reminded.","The NSF awarded nearly that much for a theater company to produce a musical play that focuses on climate change and biodiversity conservation. We rate this statement as True."]},{"id":"7061.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamas Environmental Protection Agency sent emails for Hispanic Heritage Month with a photo of Che Guevara.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. During Obama's tenure, an email was sent by an employee within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to mark the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with a picture of Che Guevara. However, it's important to note that the email did not go through official clearance and was quickly retracted. Therefore, attributing it to \"Obama's Environmental Protection Agency\" as an official policy message is misleading. The email was the unauthorized action of one employee and not reflective of the EPA's official stance. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Narrator: \"And to top it off, Obama\u2019s Environmental Protection Agency sent emails for Hispanic Heritage Month with a photo of Che Guevara.\"","The claim is partially accurate. Yes, an email from the EPA under Obama\u2019s tenure marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with a picture of Che Guevara. But the message did not go through official clearance, and it was quickly retracted. That makes the assertion that \"Obama\u2019s Environmental Protection Agency\" is responsible a little dubious. We rate it Half True.","Here, we wanted to check the claim that the EPA sent emails for Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, with a picture of Guevara, a guerrilla leader and Marxist revolutionary. He played a major role under Castro during the revolution and carried out the execution of more than 150 prisoners without a fair trial.","Is it fair game for the Romney campaign to pin the email on \"Obama\u2019s Environmental Protection Agency\"? Yes and no, experts told us. Even though it came from that agency during Obama\u2019s tenure, the ad makes it sound like an official policy message, when really it was the unapproved work of one employee farther down the food chain."]},{"id":"5331.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that as Wisconsin governor he never raised taxes.","reason":"Reason: While Tommy Thompson did implement several tax cuts during his tenure as Wisconsin's governor, it is not accurate to claim that he never raised any taxes. There is evidence that Thompson did raise specific taxes during his time in office. While he can be credited with an overall reduction in taxes, it is misleading to make a blanket statement that he never raised taxes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Thompson stated flatly that as governor, he \"never raised taxes.\" Thompson has a long list of taxes he cut and, on balance, he can claim to have reduced taxes. But he also raised some specific taxes along the way.","When it comes to reciting the tax cutting he did as Wisconsin\u2019s governor, Tommy Thompson can riff as well as any politician.","\"Just like Illinois\u2019 governor, Wisconsin Governor Evers wanted to raise your taxes by $1 billion in a pandemic,\" Darling tweeted Aug. 31, 2021. \"Republicans stopped him and delivered the largest tax CUT in state history.\"","But in saying he never raised any taxes, Thompson raised the bar awfully high, so we decided to take a look."]},{"id":"8152.json","label":"true","statement":"Why didnt (uninsured Americans) buy insurance? Because of the expense.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Paul that the primary reason uninsured Americans did not buy insurance is due to the expense. Survey data supports this claim, with a significant portion of uninsured individuals citing cost as a barrier to obtaining insurance. Additionally, the fact check confirms that approximately 15 percent of Americans were uninsured, further supporting the statement. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Paul asked, \"Why didn't (uninsured Americans) buy insurance? Because of the expense.\" Survey data supports him. A plurality of respondents in major surveys of the uninsured specifically cite cost as a barrier, and relatively few indicate that going uninsured is a voluntary choice. We rate Paul\u2019s claim True.","According to the most recent statistics, he said, \"85 percent of people had insurance, so 15 percent didn't. So what you need to do is look at who are the 15 percent, and why don't they have insurance? Of the 15 percent who didn't have insurance, half of them made more than $50,000 a year. Why didn't they buy insurance? Because of the expense. They were young healthy people.\"","Paul told Oliver that according to the most recent statistics, \"85 percent of people had insurance, so 15 percent didn't. So what you need to do is look at who are the 15 percent, and why don't they have insurance? Of the 15 percent who didn't have insurance, half of them made more than $50,000 a year. Why didn't they buy insurance? Because of the expense. They were young healthy people.\"","We\u2019ll start by noting that Paul is very close to the mark when he says 15 percent of Americans don\u2019t have insurance. The most recent Census Bureau statistics for 2011 show that 15.7 percent of Americans are uninsured."]},{"id":"6310.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nearly 100,000 people get shot every year. Thats 270 people a day and 87 dead.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings that approximately 100,000 people are shot every year in the United States, resulting in an average of 270 people being shot per day and 87 deaths per day. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of these numbers. A significant portion of gun deaths in the United States are due to self-inflicted firearm wounds, which should be considered when discussing gun violence statistics. Providing this additional context would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In this item, we\u2019ll look at the second half of that claim: \"Nearly 100,000 people get shot every year. That's 270 people a day and 87 dead.\"","A reader sent us one Facebook post about the extent of gun violence in the United States. It said, \"USA is #1 in gun violence. Nearly 100,000 people get shot every year. That's 270 people a day and 87 dead because of gun violence every day.\"","If you add together the gun deaths and the non-fatal gun injuries, you get 104,852 people shot every year. That\u2019s very close to what the Facebook post said. The Facebook post was also close in its daily averages -- 287 people shot every day, and 86 deaths by gun every day.","There\u2019s one area, however, in which the Facebook post could have benefited from additional context. It says that \"nearly 100,000 people get shot every year,\" which to us suggests that a victim is being shot by someone else. In reality, a significant majority of gun deaths comes from self-inflicted firearm wounds."]},{"id":"286.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Congress just passed another huge, pork-filled spending bill. The Democrats allowed less than a day to read all 3,400 pages and stuffed it with nearly 10,000 earmarks costing about $10-billion dollars.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Congress passed a large spending bill, the statement is misleading in several aspects. Firstly, it implies that only Democrats were responsible for the pork-filled bill, but both Democrats and Republicans have been known to include earmarks in legislation. Secondly, the claim of nearly 10,000 earmarks costing about $10 billion is exaggerated. A preliminary analysis by Taxpayers for Common Sense found around 8,983 earmarked projects worth $7.4 billion. Additionally, the number of earmarks and their costs may vary depending on further analysis. Lastly, while it is accurate that there was limited time to read the final version of the legislation, this is not uncommon for major bills and does not solely reflect the actions of Democrats. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Congress just passed another huge, pork-filled spending bill. The Democrats allowed less than a day to read all 3,400 pages and stuffed it with nearly 10,000 earmarks costing about $10-billion dollars,\" McCain said in remarks delivered to the Americans for Prosperity Michigan summit in a Detroit suburb.","But it's misleading to blame the pork just on Democrats. The Republicans learned how to pack the pork when they ran Congress and they got plenty in this bill, too.","McCain also appears to be leaning on the scale in detailing the number of earmarked projects. A preliminary analysis by Taxpayers for Common Sense, which makes a practice of closely tracking earmarks, puts the number of projects in the package at 8,983 worth $7.4-billion. If one adds a fiscal 2008 defense spending bill that Congress passed as a stand-alone measure, the total grows to 11,144 earmarks worth $15.3-billion. The group says it's still scouring conference reports and other documents to establish a final number.","It's technically correct that the Senate had less than a day to read the final version of the legislation; 10 hours and 11 minutes elapsed between when the House voted on a rule adding 10 spending bills to the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill the evening of Dec. 17 and when the Senate first voted on the package the next afternoon. But while McCain's point is well taken, it's not at all uncommon for major legislation to be completed and turned around on short notice at the end of a congressional session before lawmakers can read it line-by-line. Frequently, members and senators vote with the understanding their party leaders have negotiated or signed off on the most significant details."]},{"id":"1666.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"This census is also the shortest and least intrusive count in modern history.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McHenry that the 2010 census is the shortest and least intrusive count in modern history is supported by evidence. The U.S. Census Bureau has promoted the 2010 questionnaire as one of the shortest census forms in history, consisting of only 10 questions that can be completed in approximately 10 minutes. While there may have been a technically shorter form in the 2000 census with eight questions, it is important to note that in 2000, some individuals received a longer form that was more extensive. Therefore, considering the overall length and intrusiveness of the census, McHenry's claim is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Seeking to allay some of those concerns, McHenry said, \"This census is also the shortest and least intrusive count in modern history.\"","We think McHenry can make a credible claim that this year's census is the shortest and least intrusive count in modern history. We'll dock him a bit because the short form of the 2000 census was technically shorter, with eight questions rather than 10. But in 2000, one in six got a long form census, which was much longer. And this year, everyone will get the 10-question form. We rate McHenry's claim Mostly True.","In a separate item, we explored whether there is credible evidence Republican participation in filling out census forms is lagging behind that of Democrats. Here, we will tackle's McHenry's claim that the 2010 census is the shortest in modern history.","The U.S. Census Bureau has long been touting the 2010 questionnaire as \"one of the shortest census forms in history,\" with just 10 questions that take about 10 minutes to complete."]},{"id":"10088.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Charlie Crist voted against minimum wage when he was in the Senate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Charlie Crist voted against the minimum wage when he was in the Senate. While there are claims that Crist opposed raising the minimum wage earlier in his career, there is no evidence to suggest that he specifically voted against it during his time in the Senate. It's important to rely on accurate information and avoid making unsupported claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The CBO says if we raise the minimum wage the way Charlie (Crist) wants to do it, it would lose 500,000 jobs.\"","The Republican Party of Florida was quick to assail Charlie Crist\u2019s first gubernatorial campaign commercial, claiming that while Crist says he supports a higher minimum wage, that hasn\u2019t always been the case.","\"He voted against minimum wage when he was in the Senate,\" Scott said. \"He didn\u2019t think it was the right thing to do, so he voted against it.\"","We\u2019ve looked into Crist\u2019s record before on the minimum wage. There\u2019s some evidence that earlier in his career, Crist opposed raising the minimum wage. But there\u2019s no evidence to show that Crist voted on the minimum wage when he was a state legislator."]},{"id":"11982.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has saidhewould be neutral between Israel and its enemies.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Ted Cruz's claim that Donald Trump has expressed a desire to be neutral between Israel and the Palestinians. However, it's important to note that the context and interpretation of Trump's statement may vary. While Trump did mention a desire for neutrality in the past, he has also made subsequent statements clarifying his strong support for Israel. Therefore, the statement should be understood in the context of a specific point in time and should not be taken as a definitive stance on Trump's position regarding Israel.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Donald Trump hired illegal workers \"from Poland and he had to pay a million dollars or so in a judgment.\"","Says Donald Trump has written 10 checks to Hillary Clinton \"and four of those checks were not to her Senate campaign. \u2026 It was to her presidential campaign.\"","Says \"Harry Reid, when asked about the Republican field, said the Republican he likes the best is Donald Trump, and he said, because I can work with him. He'll cut deals.\"","\"On Israel, Donald has said he wants to be neutral between Israel and the Palestinians,\" said Cruz. \"As president, I will not be neutral.\""]},{"id":"3360.json","label":"true","statement":"Says taxes paid by the poorest residents of Texas are above the national average.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that taxes paid by the poorest residents of Texas are above the national average. According to the study mentioned, the poorest 20 percent of Texas households paid more of their income in state and local taxes compared to their counterparts nationally. While the difference may seem small in percentage terms, it still indicates that the taxes paid by the poorest residents of Texas are higher than the national average. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Conversely, the study says, the 60 percent of Texas families that earned $31,000 or more put less of their income into state and local taxes than the national average. Texas households in the top 20 percent of income, earning $89,000 or more, paid 5.8 percent of their income or less, while such households nationally paid 8.8 percent or less.","Gardner said Krugman\u2019s comparison accurately tracks the study. We noticed that the difference between what the second-poorest 20 percent of Texas households pays and the national average looks small; the Texans paid only .2 percent more. Based on a $30,000 annual income, that\u2019s $60 more. Though measurable, \"it\u2019s not a huge difference,\" Gardner said.","Footnote: Krugman\u2019s statement might not have applied to both subsets of lower-income Texans in the past. The institute\u2019s previous studies, based on different methodologies and 1995 and 2002 tax payments, similarly showed the poorest 20 percent of Texans paying more than counterparts nationally. But the next-to-poorest 20 percent of Texans paid less of their incomes to state and local taxes than residents in the same income group nationally, Gardner said.","Texas taxes \"are low, at least if you\u2019re in the upper part of the income distribution,\" Krugman writes. He adds, parenthetically, that \"taxes on the bottom 40 percent of the population are actually above the national average.\""]},{"id":"7102.json","label":"false","statement":"More Tennesseans have hunting and fishing licenses than vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement that more Tennesseans have hunting and fishing licenses than vote is not supported by the most recent and reliable data. While hunting and fishing are popular activities in Tennessee, the number of voters in the state exceeds the number of individuals with hunting and fishing licenses. The most recent election data and population statistics indicate that the number of voters in Tennessee is significantly higher than the number of individuals with hunting and fishing licenses. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Those claims fall into the category of opinion, but the quote provided from Alexander asserted a statement of fact -- and one he\u2019s used before: \"More Tennesseans have hunting and fishing licenses than vote.\"","We do not disagree with Sen. Alexander\u2019s point that hunting and fishing remain popular in Tennessee, but his statement that more Tennesseans have hunting and fishing licenses than vote is not supported by the most recent and most reliable numbers. There are more voters in Tennessee than sportsmen, so we rule this statement False.","The senator\u2019s office said it was basing the Tennesseans who vote number on the Nov. 2, 2010, midterm election, in which 1,620,542 votes were cast, because that was the most recent election for which official certified results were available. For the hunting and fishing licenses, Alexander\u2019s office pointed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services reports from 2004, in which it added 727,525 from the hunting license report of 2003 numbers to the 992,727 from the fishing license report of 2003 numbers to come up with 1,720,252.","We know hunting and fishing are popular, but, fresh off the 2012 election, we were aware that more than 2.4 million votes were cast in Tennessee on Nov. 6. Given that Tennessee has a population of 6.4 million, that would mean that some one-third of all Tennesseans -- just fewer than half of whom are men -- have hunting and fishing licenses."]},{"id":"3269.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The federal government regulates the holes in Swiss cheese.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are federal standards for grading Swiss cheese, including guidelines for the size and distribution of holes, it is misleading to claim that the government directly regulates the holes in Swiss cheese. The holes in Swiss cheese are a natural result of the fermentation process and the presence of bacteria. The federal standards primarily focus on factors such as flavor, texture, and appearance, which indirectly affect the presence and quality of the holes. Therefore, while the government does have regulations related to Swiss cheese, it is inaccurate to suggest that they directly regulate the holes in the cheese.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Over the last two years, the federal government has gotten out of control,\" he said. \"I mean, the government actually regulates how large holes in Swiss cheese can be. That\u2019s just absurd. More government does not mean better government.\"","The holes in Swiss cheese come from the microbes or bacteria that are added to the milk that is used to make the product. The bacteria give Swiss cheese much of its distinct flavor, while the carbon dioxide in the cheese creates bubbles that result in the holes that make this food distinct.","We understand the larger point Congressman Westmoreland was trying to make. His staff recently found the 15-page document about Swiss cheese and thought it was a classic example of government overreach. However, the congressman\u2019s statement gives an impression about Swiss cheese grading that does not completely convey how this works. The Swiss cheese grading is done by the federal government.","Others, like the conservative-leaning Peach Pundit political blog, also wondered about this claim. Were there holes in this story? (Sorry, we couldn\u2019t resist.) The congressman\u2019s office quickly shared a 15-page federal report titled \"United States Standards for Grades of Swiss Cheese, Emmentaler Cheese.\" Emmentaler is a form of cheese."]},{"id":"3487.json","label":"false","statement":"American troops have never been under the formal control of another nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There have been instances in history where American troops have been under the formal control of another nation. Examples include the 1991 Persian Gulf War, where a U.S. brigade was placed under the operational control of a French commander, and the ground component of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command, which was commanded by a South Korean general with a U.S. deputy. Additionally, during the Boxer Rebellion, American forces were part of an international alliance and were under the control of British Admiral Edward Seymour. These examples demonstrate that American troops have indeed been under the formal control of other nations in certain circumstances.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wondered whether it was true that American forces had never been \"under the formal control of another nation.\" So we asked nine military historians and other experts in the field. And their view was unanimous.","After some crosstalk, Rove said, \"Who is on that committee? American troops have never been under the formal control of another nation.Why should we start now?\"","\u2022 Recent conflicts. The CRS report cites several recent examples of U.S. troops under foreign control. During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, a U.S. brigade was placed under operational control of a French commander. Beginning in 1992, the ground component of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command was commanded by a South Korean general with a U.S. deputy. Hundreds of troops have served in the Multinational Force in the Sinai, which has been commanded by non-Americans, including a Canadian.","\u2022 The Boxer Rebellion. U.S. forces took part in the \"eight-nation alliance\" sent to China after rebel forces known as \"boxers\" threatened westerners in the country. A 20,000-man force eventually captured Beijing, and the victorious powers imposed large reparations. According to the U.S. Navy, the first (and unsuccessful) offensive included 2,100 sailors and marines from the eight nations in the alliance -- Great Britain, Germany, Russia, France, the United States, Japan, Italy, and Austria -- under the control of British Admiral Edward Seymour."]},{"id":"3566.json","label":"false","statement":"We have a guy who is going to be speaker of the House in four years, and his name has been on the ballot one time.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the person mentioned will become the Speaker of the House in four years, despite only having their name on the ballot once. The evidence does not provide any information or context related to this specific claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["During their time in public office, did House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pile up massive wealth while former President Donald Trump added none?","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush.","Trump accused Lamb of voting to make Pelosi speaker of the house, but his voting record from the January 2019 speaker election clearly shows he voted for another candidate. We rate this statement Pants on Fire.","Biden went on an unpaid leave of absence in April 2019, when he became a presidential candidate, meaning that his time as an active holder of the professorship was about two years, not four as Biden said in his North Carolina speech."]},{"id":"2991.json","label":"false","statement":"We continue to see these isolated incidents of people trying to vote five, six times a day.","reason":"Reason: Election officials and experts have consistently stated that incidents of individuals attempting to vote multiple times in a single day are extremely rare and isolated. These claims of widespread fraudulent voting have been thoroughly investigated and debunked. The overwhelming majority of elections are conducted with integrity, and there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that people are regularly attempting to vote multiple times in a single day.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Election officials and experts say incidents of ballots cast on behalf of dead people are rare, and isolated enough that they wouldn\u2019t change an election\u2019s outcome.","\"Have there been isolated incidents of fraud? Yes,\" McDonald said. That\u2019s true in any election in which tens of millions of people cast ballots. \"But is there any evidence of some sort of mass fraudulent voting of any sort? No.\"","Both officers suffered wounds, joining the more than 140 officers who were injured in the day\u2019s violence. Prosecutors argued that the officers had been trying to assist a rioter who was being trampled under the crowd, and who later died after losing consciousness in the mob.","Kerbs surmised that Sabol got his news about politics from the same places he did \u2014 outlets such as the Epoch Times and Newsmax. \"It wasn\u2019t any of the mainstream people,\" he told PolitiFact."]},{"id":"7540.json","label":"true","statement":"Seven of the 10 highest-income counties in the country ring the city of Washington D.C.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to census data and verified by multiple sources, including the Washington Post, seven out of the top 10 highest-income counties in the United States are located in the greater Washington D.C. area. This supports the claim made by Palin that these affluent counties surround the city of Washington D.C.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The permanent political class is in permanent campaign mode. So where do we go from here?\" Palin said. \"... At a time when Washington is so powerful that seven of the 10 highest-income counties in the country ring the city, allow yourself to imagine leadership that deigns to understand us little people, us clinging to our God, our guns, our Constitution and the grass roots!\"","The Washington(,-77.0366666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=38.8951111111,-77.0366666667 (Washington%2C%20D.C.)&t=h \"Washington, D.C.\") region has emerged from the recession looking even more affluent compared with the rest of the country, boasting seven of the 10 counties with the highest household incomes( \"Household income in the United States\") in the nation, new census numbers show.","Palin said seven of the 10 wealthiest counties are in greater Washington D.C. The claim is accurate. We rate it True.","The data was released last fall, and the Washington Post compiled it into a \"Top 100\" list. Indeed, seven of the top 10 are in the greater Washington, D.C. area:"]},{"id":"4092.json","label":"false","statement":"I sponsored and was the co-sponsor of the only legislation that ever passed that had E-Verify provisions in it back in 2010 when I served in the Legislature.","reason":"Reason: Adam Hasner's statement that he sponsored and co-sponsored the only legislation that passed with E-Verify provisions is not entirely accurate. While it is true that he was one of the co-sponsors of a bill that required state contractors to use E-Verify, this bill passed in the House but did not pass in the Senate. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that it was the only legislation with E-Verify provisions that passed. Senate Bill 2040 also included E-Verify, which adds to the inaccuracy of Hasner's statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"E-Verify is a very commonsense reform that we can implement here in the state of Florida,\" Hasner said. \"I think I share a lot of Floridians' frustration that it didn't pass and a lot of the politics that were taking place behind the scenes. ... What's most important is to look back. ... some do, and some talk. I sponsored and was the co-sponsor of the only legislation that ever passed that had E-Verify provisions in it back in 2010 when I served in the Legislature. So I know that there's a will to pass these types of commonsense measures.\"","For this fact-check, we're checking if Hasner is right to say he co-sponsored \"the only legislation that ever passed that had E-Verify provisions.\"","Hasner said Floridians shared his frustration that E-Verify didn't pass and that he \"sponsored and was the co-sponsor of the only legislation that ever passed that had an E-Verify provision in it.\" Hasner was one of 20 co-sponsors of a bill that would have required state contractors to use E-Verify -- which passed the House but not the Senate.","We asked Hasner adviser Rick Wilson why Hasner claimed to be the sponsor or co-sponsor of the \"only\" legislation with E-Verify in it when Senate Bill 2040 also included E-Verify."]},{"id":"7395.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Texas is last in workers compensation coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to multiple sources, including the Sacramento Bee and an expert from the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas is the only state in the United States where workers' compensation coverage is not mandatory for all employers. In 2010, only 81 percent of Texas workers had workers' compensation coverage, while nearly all workers in other states were covered. This data supports the claim that Texas ranks last in workers' compensation coverage.\nLabel: true","evidence":["There are exceptions; the National Federation of Independent Business says in an online comparison of such state laws that those include government construction contracts. In those cases, workers can file compensation claims, a right that employees usually give up in workers\u2019 compensation agreements, \"if they think they have a genuine case and the employer is still refusing to pay monetary benefits,\" the summary says. And other states exempt certain employers.","The Bee said Texas is last in workers\u2019 compensation coverage. Under state law, Texas remains the only U.S. state in which such coverage isn\u2019t mandatory for all employers. And in 2010, 81 percent of Texas workers had such coverage, while nearly all workers were covered in the other states.","Amy Lee, a Texas Department of Insurance expert on workers\u2019 compensation at the Texas Department of Insurance, told us by email, \"The 2012 estimate is that 19 percent of private Texas employees do not have (workers\u2019 compensation) coverage,\" citing her agency\u2019s 2012 analysis of employer participation in the Texas workers\u2019 compensation system.","Taking umbrage at Texas Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s campaign to lure California businesses, the Sacramento Bee swiped at Texas in an editorial stating that among its shortcomings, Texas is last in workers\u2019 compensation coverage."]},{"id":"5318.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the 2011 legislative session, DEQs budget was cut 18.5 percent a disproportionate cut compared to other natural resource agencies.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that in the 2011 legislative session, the budget for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was indeed cut by 18.5 percent. However, it is important to note that the claim of a disproportionate cut compared to other natural resource agencies is not entirely accurate. While DEQ experienced a larger percentage cut, other natural resource agencies, such as the Department of Energy and the Department of Land Conservation and Development, were hit harder in terms of total funds. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context to support the claim of a disproportionate cut compared to all other natural resource agencies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In the 2011 legislative session, DEQ's budget was cut 18.5 percent \u2014 a disproportionate cut compared to other natural resource agencies.","\"In the 2011 legislative session,\" the letter states, \"DEQ's budget was disproportionately cut compared to other natural resource agencies. Overall, DEQis budget cuts totaled 18.5 percent, while the Department of Agriculture experienced a 1.5 percent budget decrease, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife received an 18.3 percent increase.\"","It\u2019s true that DEQ\u2019s total budget decreased 18 percent in 2011-13, from 2009-11, and that Agriculture decreased only 1.5 percent and Fish and Wildlife increased 18 percent. But other natural resource agencies were harder hit in total funds, notably the Department of Energy and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.","She called the letter a preemptive plea, with projected state revenue down roughly $300 million since the 2011-13 budget was approved in June 2011. We should note that natural resource agencies take up just a fraction -- about $300 million -- of the state\u2019s $15 billion general fund budget. \"Natural resources in the general fund is hurting,\" Salinas said, \"and we\u2019d like to see natural resources in the general fund remain whole.\""]},{"id":"1177.json","label":"true","statement":"If you already have health insurance through your job, or Medicare, or Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama is true. In his speech, he specifically mentioned that if individuals already have health insurance through their job, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA, the proposed plan would not require them or their employer to change their coverage or doctor. This statement has been fact-checked and confirmed as true, as the intention of the plan was to leave much of the current healthcare system in place and not proactively force changes. However, it's important to note that certain circumstances, such as changes in employment or insurance carriers, could potentially lead to changes in coverage or doctors, but this would not be a direct result of the plan itself.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, or Medicare, or Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have,\" Obama said. \"Let me repeat this: Nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.\"","Obama's statement from the speech is more carefully phrased than his earlier statement. In his speech, he said that if you are \"already have health insurance through your job, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have.\" That is true, there is nothing in the plan that proactively forces these kinds of changes, and the bills clearly intend to leave much of the current health care system in place. We rate Obama's statement True.","Later, Obama spoke more specifically. In a speech to a joint session of Congress in September 2009, Obama said, \"If you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, or Medicare, or Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have.\" We concluded that nothing in Obama\u2019s proposal proactively forced such changes, and the bills clearly intended to leave much of the current health care system in place. So we rated the claim True.","The number becomes substantial if you add up the workers who lose coverage entirely; who change jobs (voluntarily or involuntarily); who work for companies that change insurance carriers or adjust plan terms significantly; or whose employer\u2019s insurance carrier is merged or bought out. And knowing that many workers every year are already required to change plans provides a different impression than what Obama is suggesting."]},{"id":"12615.json","label":"half-true","statement":"DUI arrests dropped significantly in Tampa once Uber began operating here.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there was a decline in DUI arrests in Tampa after Uber began operating in the area. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the exact extent of the drop or provide specific data to support the claim of a significant decrease. Additionally, the evidence also mentions that DUI arrests increased again to pre-Uber levels at the beginning of 2016. Therefore, while there may have been a temporary decrease in DUI arrests after Uber's introduction, the overall impact and long-term effect on DUI rates in Tampa are not clearly established.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Before we get into the numbers, here\u2019s a few things to know: Other law enforcement organizations like the Hillsborough County Sheriff Department also make DUI arrests in Tampa, which aren\u2019t reflected in these numbers. However, arrests by Tampa police far outnumber those from other agencies in Tampa. The data includes DUI arrests from different categories, whether it is a simple DUI stop or a serious car accident where a person was driving under the influence.","!Uber began operations in Hillsborough County, Florida, in April 2014. (Google image labeled for reuse and modification) !Uber began operations in Hillsborough County, Florida, in April 2014. (Google image labeled for reuse and modification)","Researchers behind a three-year study (not yet peer-reviewed) of Uber in 150 cities did conclude that Uber lowers the rate of fatal crashes and DUI arrests. The study, which did not include Tampa because it examined 2010-13 data, was just finished in May.","There was a general decline in DUI arrests after Uber came to town, with arrests staggering between 103 and 136 for most of 2015 \u2014 compared to a June 2014 high of 185. But at the beginning of 2016, arrests for DUI increased again to pre-Uber levels."]},{"id":"6914.json","label":"true","statement":"Tennessee students now cover about 67 percent of the cost of their education at public universities, and some 60 percent at community colleges.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the current situation in Tennessee, where students bear a significant portion of the cost of their education at public universities and community colleges. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific claim, but it does highlight the significant increase in tuition costs over the years, indicating that students are indeed covering a substantial percentage of their education expenses. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Tennessee\u2019s higher education funding model \"is 100 percent outcomes-based\" and \"we are already seeing this model changing the way our postsecondary institutions do business.\"","In 1978, tuition and required fees at all institutions averaged $1,073. By 2014, it increased more than 1,000 percent, topping $11,000. That\u2019s a big jump in cost.","From 1978 to 2014, the index increased about 246 percent. So, clearly, the rate of increase for tuition has surpassed inflation. And the percent increase in tuition is more than four times the increase in inflation, as Walker claimed.","Says that \"when Congressman (Steve) Cohen took office in 2007, the unemployment rate was at 4.8 percent. The unemployment rate in Shelby County has reached 9.7 percent.\""]},{"id":"1136.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care reform plan being proposed in Congress would mean big tax increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the health care reform plan being proposed in Congress includes tax increases, it is important to note that these tax increases are primarily targeted at high-income earners. For individuals making over a certain income threshold, the plan would indeed result in significant tax increases. However, for the majority of people who do not fall into the high-income category, the tax impact would be minimal or non-existent. Therefore, it is crucial to provide context and specify that the \"big tax increases\" mentioned in the statement would primarily affect wealthier individuals.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Campaign for Responsible Health Reform, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, released a 30-second TV commercial that warns the health plans kicking around in Congress will translate to \"big tax increases.\"","Most of the discussion has focused on the the House plans because there is not a detailed Senate version yet. In the House plan, the tax increases are targeted at the wealthy. So if you make $1 million a year, yes, the plan would mean a big tax increase.","With the visual of a red balloon expanding until it pops, the announcer says: \"Washington's latest health reform idea: a trillion-dollar health plan, and a government-run public option, with big tax increases, even on health benefits. And the federal deficit? The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says the deficit will grow $239 billion. Inflated taxes. Swelling deficits. And expanded government control over your health. Tell Congress, 'Let's slow down and reform health care the right way.'\"","The Chamber of Commerce ad does raise some legitimate concerns about how the health care plan would be paid for. But we think it's slightly misleading to say it would lead to \"big tax increases.\" That's true for some high earners. But it's not true for the vast majority of people who do not make that level of income. Uninsured people who decline to purchase insurance will see a tax hit, but that's also expected to be a small minority."]},{"id":"6047.json","label":"false","statement":"Homosexual behavior cuts your lifeby about 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that homosexual behavior cuts one's life by about 20 years is not supported by credible evidence. The research cited by Marshall is outdated and focused on a specific population during the height of the HIV epidemic. The study in question found a shorter life expectancy among gay and bisexual men in Vancouver compared to the general male population, but it did not attribute this solely to homosexual behavior. Moreover, advancements in HIV treatment and prevention have significantly improved over the past two decades. It is important to rely on current and comprehensive research when discussing health outcomes, rather than making sweeping and misleading generalizations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The court says it is in certain limited circumstances, but you know what that behavior does? It cuts your life by about 20 years,\" Marshall said.","Marshall cites a number of other studies that show homosexuals face certain health risks. But none of them focused on the life expectancy of homosexuals, and they certainly didn't conclude that gays die about 20 years earlier than heterosexuals.","The research Marshall cites to support his claim is two decades old and was conducted near the height of the HIV epidemic. One of the authors said there have been tremendous advances in HIV treatment over the last 20 years and that Marshall\u2019s statement is a \"gross misrepresentation\" of the research.","The study found that life expectancy at age 20 among gay and bisexual men in Vancouver was 8 to 21 years shorter than that of all men in the Canadian city. The researchers also said their conclusion probably underestimated the life expectancy deficit among gay and bisexual men because AIDS cases were underreported."]},{"id":"9485.json","label":"false","statement":"The proposed Gogebic iron ore mine is just up the hill from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore caves along Lake Superior.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The distance between the proposed Gogebic iron ore mine and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore caves along Lake Superior is approximately 54 miles, as clarified by a fact-checking source. The claim that the mine is \"just up the hill\" from the caves is a significant exaggeration and does not accurately represent the geographical relationship between the two locations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Al Jazeera\u2019s Fault Lines program about the Gogebic mine states that the proposed mine site is \"just up the hill\" from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore caves.","Editor's note: This item was updated to clarify that the distance from the proposed mine to the Lake Superior ice caves at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is 54 miles.","An Al Jazeera documentary aired in 2014 claimed the mine site is \"just up the hill\" from Lake Superior ice caves at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. It\u2019s more like 54 miles. We rated the claim False.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Al Jazeera America: Gogebic iron ore mine would be \u2018just up the hill\u2019 from Lake Superior ice caves,\" July 23, 2014"]},{"id":"11085.json","label":"false","statement":"If youre from Syria and youre a Christian, you cannot come into this country as a refugee.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that \"if you're from Syria and you're a Christian, you cannot come into this country as a refugee\" is false. There is no specific discrimination against Christian refugees from Syria in the United States' laws or regulations. While the number of Syrian Christian refugees admitted may be relatively small, it does not mean that they are categorically barred from entering the country. The claim is both factually incorrect and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So, on its face, Trump\u2019s claim that you \"cannot come into this country\" if you\u2019re a Christian from Syria is wrong.","\"If you're from Syria and you're a Christian, you cannot come into this country, and they're the ones that are being decimated. If you are Islamic ... it's hard to believe, you can come in so easily,\" Trump said in a speech in Las Vegas on July 11, 2015. \"In fact, it's one of our main groups of people that are coming in. Now, not that we should discriminate against one or the other, but if you are Christian, you cannot get into the country. You cannot get into the country.\"","Trump said that \"if you're from Syria and you're a Christian, you cannot come into this country\" as a refugee. This is wrong on its face -- a small number of Syrian Christians been admitted as refugees over the past nine months -- and also false in spirit, since there is nothing in the United States\u2019 laws or regulations that discriminates against Christian refugees. We rate the claim False.","( - Donald Trump says if you're from Syria and a Christian, you can't come to the U.S. as a refugee&url=)"]},{"id":"3252.json","label":"true","statement":"One of the biggest causes of our soaring debt and economic insecurity ends up being Pentagon spending. The budget for the Pentagon consumes more than half of our discretionary spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence. Rep. Dennis Kucinich correctly pointed out that Pentagon spending is one of the significant contributors to the national debt and economic insecurity. The budget allocated to the Pentagon does consume more than half of the discretionary spending, as confirmed by PolitiFact Ohio. Discretionary spending includes various categories such as defense, security, agricultural subsidies, education, health programs, highway construction, and housing assistance. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the impact of Pentagon spending on the national debt and economic stability.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, pointed out, \"One of the biggest causes of our soaring debt and economic insecurity ends up being Pentagon spending. The budget for the Pentagon consumes more than half of our discretionary spending.\" Our partners at PolitiFact Ohio rated that True, keeping in mind that total discretionary spending includes both domestic and international spending.","Discretionary spending on the military has been trending up for more than a decade. From 2001 to 2010, it increased by 71 percent -- almost three times the rate of increase in domestic discretionary spending, which rose about 24 percent.","Discretionary spending is the part of the budget governed by the annual appropriation process and debated by Congress. That category includes \"defense\" (which does not include all military-related spending), security, agricultural subsidies, education, health programs, highway construction and housing assistance.","And, in fact, as Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., pointed out, the federal government could \"cut all of the non-military discretionary spending and not balance the budget.\" That\u2019s True as well; the imbalance would still exist."]},{"id":"12180.json","label":"false","statement":"Millionaires working side by side with George Soros are bankrolling (John Kasichs) super PAC.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks factual accuracy. While the ad suggests that millionaires working with George Soros are bankrolling John Kasich's super PAC, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The ad's reference to \"hundreds of thousands of dollars from George Soros\" does not establish a direct link between Soros and the funding of Kasich's super PAC. Additionally, the fact-checking reveals that the donations from individuals associated with Soros do not equate to \"bankrolling\" Kasich, and there is no evidence of direct contributions from Soros to Kasich's super PAC. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Millionaires working side by side with George Soros are bankrolling his super PAC,\" the ad\u2019s narrator says of Kasich, as images of Kasich and Soros appear above the words \"Hundreds of thousands of dollars from George Soros.\"","There\u2019s a secret, left-wing conspiracy to prop up John Kasich\u2019s presidential candidacy, according to an ad linking the Ohio governor to liberal billionaire and investor George Soros.","\"Paul Ryan got his start in politics, as a young staffer just out of college, working for then-Congressman John Kasich\u2019s Budget Committee.\"","Donations totalling $650,000 from two guys who once worked with Soros hardly equate to \"bankrolling\" Kasich. The ad\u2019s on-screen text goes even further to mislead voters with a blatantly false claim that Soros is directly giving to Kasich. Campaign finance records prove otherwise, with Soros donating handsomely to pro-Clinton groups."]},{"id":"2213.json","label":"true","statement":"Ive even cut my own salary -- twice.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the actions taken by Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce to reduce his salary. Boyce implemented a pay cut in 2009, equivalent to five unpaid furlough days, and extended the reduction for the entire year of 2010, which was equivalent to ten unpaid furlough days. Therefore, he did indeed cut his own salary twice, demonstrating a willingness to make personal financial sacrifices.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Boyce lumped both cuts -- each about 2 percent -- in the same memo, but he effectively trimmed his salary twice. Had he not extended the cut into 2010, his pay would\u2019ve jumped back up to $109,986, a spokeswoman for the administrative services department said.","In June 2009, Boyce sent a memo to the state Department of Administrative Services saying he was taking a pay cut that would reduce his gross salary that year to $107,874. The pay cut, effective July 1, 2009, was the equivalent of taking five unpaid furlough days, a cost-saving measure that has been forced upon many state employees.","In the same memo, Boyce authorized an extension of the reduction for all of 2010. This year\u2019s pay cut is the equivalent of 10 unpaid furlough days, according to the administrative services department.","Elected officials\u2019 pay can be a sensitive topic with taxpayers, especially in today\u2019s economic climate. So it\u2019s no surprise Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce, who is running in November to keep his job, is bragging about cutting his salary."]},{"id":"1566.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Nearly all of the top 50 prescribers of oxycodone in the United States are in Florida.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the DEA, which indicates that 49 out of the top 50 prescribers of oxycodone in the United States are located in Florida. This data underscores the severity of the prescription drug problem in Florida and highlights the concentration of oxycodone prescribers in the state.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Kottkamp's op-ed contains several interesting facts, but we're choosing to focus on perhaps the most startling number -- that \"nearly all of the top 50 prescribers of oxycodone in the United States are located in Florida.\"","\"Often the illegal prescription drug of choice is oxycodone, a very strong narcotic commonly prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain,\" Kottkamp wrote. \"Nearly all of the top 50 prescribers of oxycodone in the United States are located in Florida.\"","Back to Kottkamp's original statement. Trying to underscore the severity of the prescription drug problem in Florida, Kottkamp said that \"nearly all of the top 50 prescribers\" of the powerful pain killer oxycodone in the country are located in Florida. The DEA, using its most recent data, says that 49 out of 50 of the top oxycodone prescribers are located in Florida. We rate Kottkamp's statement True.","Are almost all of the top 50 prescribers of oxycodone -- the leading candidates to be pill mills -- in Florida?"]},{"id":"12242.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When this campaign began, I said that weve got to end the starvation minimum wage of $7.25, raise it to $15. Secretary Clinton said lets raise it to $12.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim during the campaign that he advocated for raising the minimum wage to $15, while Secretary Clinton proposed raising it to $12. This difference in their positions on the minimum wage was a point of contention between the two candidates during the campaign. However, it's important to note that Secretary Clinton also expressed support for the Fight for $15 campaign, which advocates for higher minimum wages in individual states and cities. So while her official position was to raise the national minimum wage to $12, she showed support for higher minimum wages beyond that threshold in certain contexts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When this campaign began, I said that we\u2019ve got to end the starvation minimum wage of $7.25, raise it to $15. Secretary Clinton said let's raise it to $12.\"","Sanders said, \"When this campaign began, I said that we\u2019ve got to end the starvation minimum wage of $7.25, raise it to $15. Secretary Clinton said let's raise it to $12.\"","\"I am sure a lot of people are very surprised to learn that you supported raising the minimum wage to 15 bucks an hour,\" Sanders said. \"When this campaign began, I said that we\u2019ve got to end the starvation minimum wage of $7.25, raise it to $15. Secretary Clinton said let's raise it to $12.\" An extended back-and-forth followed.","We\u2019re putting Sanders\u2019 claim on the Truth-O-Meter. He\u2019s right that Clinton\u2019s official position is to raise the national minimum wage to $12 as a floor. However, she has also shown support for the Fight for $15 campaign that pushes for higher minimums in individual states and cities."]},{"id":"12825.json","label":"true","statement":"We fixed a loophole in the (gun) background record check system so that we could make our commonwealth safer.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Tim Kaine's claim that he worked to fix a loophole in the background record check system to enhance safety in the commonwealth. The evidence provided supports this claim by highlighting the case of Cho, where a failure to share mental health records resulted in his ability to purchase firearms. It also mentions Kaine's efforts to pass legislation enshrining his executive order on mental health records into law. These actions indicate Kaine's commitment to addressing loopholes in the background record check system to improve public safety.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Kaine said that while governor, \"We fixed a loophole in the background record check system so that we could make our commonwealth safer.\"","\"We fixed a loophole in the background record-check system so that we could make our commonwealth safer,\" Kaine told the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday while accepting his party\u2019s nomination for vice president.","Cho was ordered to undergo outpatient care, but that record wasn\u2019t shared with Virginia law enforcement officials, according to a state report on the shootings that was issued in 2009. As a result, Cho\u2019s history wasn\u2019t entered in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and he was cleared to buy the firearms.","In 2008, the General Assembly passed a bill that enshrined Kaine\u2019s executive order on mental health records into law. But Kaine failed in an effort to go one step further and close the loophole that allows private sales of guns without a background check."]},{"id":"11659.json","label":"false","statement":"In the weekend after the terrorist attacks in Paris, the White House said this couldnt happen in the United States. ISIS couldnt reach us here.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. There is no record of the White House making the claim that a terrorist attack like the one in Paris could not happen in the United States and that ISIS could not reach the country. The sources cited indicate that Joe Scarborough made this claim, but there is no evidence to support it. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing sensitive topics such as national security and terrorism.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the weekend after the terrorist attacks in Paris, the White House said \"this couldn't happen in the United States. ISIS couldn't reach us here.\"","Scarborough said that in the weekend after the terrorist attacks in Paris, the White House said \"this couldn't happen in the United States. ISIS couldn't reach us here.\"","\"First of all he won\u2019t even call it Islamic radicalism,\" Scarborough said on Morning Joe Dec. 4, the day after the deadly terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif. \"His White House said, the weekend of Paris, that this couldn't happen in the United States. ISIS couldn't reach us here.\"","So in the weekend immediately following the Paris attacks, it doesn\u2019t seem that any White House official dismissed the possibility of an ISIS attack on U.S. soil."]},{"id":"9476.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"By 2006, the American people were overwhelmingly against the Iraq War.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from polling data, which indicates that by the second half of 2006, approximately 65 percent of the American public opposed the Iraq War. While the term \"overwhelmingly\" may be subjective, the evidence suggests a strong level of opposition to the war during that time. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the seventh chapter of her memoir, Clinton writes that, \"by 2006, the American people were overwhelmingly against the Iraq war.\"","Clinton said that, \"by 2006, the American people were overwhelmingly against the Iraq war.\" Polling data shows that roughly 65 percent of the public opposed the war by the second half of 2006, but while that qualifies as strong opposition, the definition of \"overwhelming\" within the polling profession is more uncertain. On balance, we rate Clinton\u2019s claim Mostly True.","\"If it comes to war,\" Biden said, \"the president, I am confident, will go to the American people. In a speech last week he made a compelling case that Iraq's failure to disarm is our problem as well as the world's. But as I said, he has not yet made the case to the American people that the United States may have to solve this problem alone or with relatively few people or has he told us of the sacrifices that such a course of action will involve. I am confident that he will do so if and when it proves necessary.\"","In July 2006, when CBS and the New York Times asked, \"Do you think the result of the war with Iraq was worth the loss of American life and other costs of attacking Iraq, or not?\" 63 percent said it was not worth it, compared to just 30 percent who said it was worth it. Then, in November 2006, Time asked about approval of Bush\u2019s handling of Iraq and found 65 percent disapproval and only 31 percent approval."]},{"id":"9974.json","label":"false","statement":"In 2001 and 02 . . . we had the pension system funded at (the)100% level in that year, and we did for two years at that point.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cianci that the pension system was funded at the 100% level in 2001 and 2002 is not accurate. While Cianci claims to have a letter from the finance director supporting his statement, the evidence contradicts this claim. In 2002, the funding level for the pension system was actually 64.2 percent, which is significantly lower than the claimed 100% funding. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In 2001 and '02 . . . we had the pension system funded at (the) 100% level in that year, and we did for two years at that point.\"","Cianci said, \"In 2001 and '02 . . . we had the pension system funded at the 100 percent level in that year, and we did for two years at that point.\"","\"In 2001 and '02, a letter that I have from the finance director says that we had the pension system funded at the 100 percent level in that year, and we did for two years at that point,\" he said. Cianci made it clear later in the interview that he was referring to the two years prior to his leaving office.","And in 2002, another year when Cianci said the pension was being funded at 100 percent, the funding level was actually 64.2 percent."]},{"id":"1306.json","label":"false","statement":"Mitt Romney ... gave you government health care that is now bankrupting the state of Massachusetts.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays Mitt Romney's role in implementing healthcare in Massachusetts. While it is true that Romney signed the Massachusetts healthcare reform into law, commonly known as Romneycare, it is misleading to solely attribute the financial challenges faced by the state to this healthcare program. The financial situation of Massachusetts cannot be solely attributed to Romneycare, as there are various factors that contribute to a state's fiscal health. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge that Romneycare was designed as a state-level solution and does not reflect Romney's stance on implementing a mandatory national healthcare approach. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks context.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Our plan was a state solution to a state problem, and his is a power grab by the federal government to put in place a one-size-fits-all plan across the nation,\" Romney said in Michigan in May 2011, when he gave an extended presentation on his views on health care.","!Mitt Romney's March 2010 hardcover book, \"No Apology,\" said about the results of changes to Massachusetts health care law, \"We can accomplish the same thing for everyone in the country.\" That changed in the February 2011 paperback. !Mitt Romney's March 2010 hardcover book, \"No Apology,\" said about the results of changes to Massachusetts health care law, \"We can accomplish the same thing for everyone in the country.\" That changed in the February 2011 paperback.","Mitt Romney's March 2010 hardcover book, \"No Apology,\" said about the results of changes to Massachusetts health care law, \"We can accomplish the same thing for everyone in the country.\" That changed in the February 2011 paperback.","So Romney's not really saying \"it was exactly what the American people needed, to have that Romneycare given to them.\" He's in fact presenting a defense of state-level choice \u2014 not a pitch for a mandatory national approach. It's like a shout-out to other state leaders: Hey, you can have what Massachusetts has!"]},{"id":"13265.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sen. Johnny Isakson voted for a trade agreement, with China costing Georgia 93,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Senator Johnny Isakson voted for a trade agreement with China. However, it is important to note that the claim about the trade agreement costing Georgia 93,000 jobs is attributed to Jim Barksdale, the Democratic candidate running against Isakson. The accuracy of this claim is subjective and depends on various factors and interpretations. It is a political assertion made by Barksdale and may not be universally accepted or supported by concrete evidence. Therefore, the statement should be considered as a claim made by one candidate against another rather than an established fact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson \"has never proposed, nor voted in favor of, a substantial cut in federal spending\" and has voted for \"many substantial increases in federal spending.\"","The latest polls indicate Democrat Jim Barksdale has an uphill battle against two-term incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson in Georgia.","Barksdale is correct that Isakson voted for the bill to normalize trade with China in 2000 and cites a 2014 number that said Georgia lost 93,700 jobs.","Isakson is also in favor of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement to reduce barriers to trade in Pacific Rim countries while curbing China\u2019s influence in the area. The agreement still needs to be passed by Congress."]},{"id":"1520.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I left the city with $43 million in the bank.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual suggests that they left the city with $43 million in the bank. However, there is conflicting information and a lack of precision regarding the exact amount. The individual initially admitted to making a mistake and stated that they were trying to obtain the accurate figure. Subsequently, they provided different numbers, such as $34 million and even $53 million, without clear consistency. While the underlying point is that the city was left in a financially stable condition, the lack of precision and changing figures make the statement unreliable and difficult to verify.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I'm going to bring the common sense that I used when the city of Miami jumped from being a nothing type of city to being an important American city which is what it was when I left in 1985 and in those days I left the city of Miami with $43 million in the bank.\"","\"I obviously made a mistake, didn't I? It was not the fund balance, I am trying to figure out and get the exact figure for you. .... How do you expect me to remember numbers 30 years later? I have someone down at City Hall trying to figure out those numbers. I accept I probably made a mistake when I said $43 million, I think I meant $34 million. The issue is not whether it was 34, 43, or 23, the issue is I left the city of Miami solvent.\"","So almost a week after our first inquiry, Ferre and his campaign aides seem as confused as we are. Was it $43 million, $34 million, or now $53 million? He keeps changing his definitions -- and effectively moving the goal posts. So we'll dock him for his repeated lack of precision but acknowledge that his underlying point is right that he left the city in the black. We find his claim Barely True.","And there's more: The night of Feb. 24, Ferre again called us to offer a new analysis after he tracked down the same financial statement we got. Ferre then concluded the amount was more than his original claim of $43 million. Ferre said that \"in the bank\" refers to the section on the city's financial statement about \"equity in pooled cash and investments.\" That adds up to more than $53 million -- Ferre did not include the money strictly set aside for capital projects."]},{"id":"5884.json","label":"false","statement":"The only time government employment has gone down during a recession has been under me.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's claim that the only time government employment has decreased during a recession was under his administration is false. Historical data shows that government employment did decrease during the 1980-1982 recession under President Reagan. Additionally, the claim that his predecessors compensated for weak private-sector job creation with increased government hiring is also inaccurate. Private-sector employment typically recovers before government employment, and there is no evidence to support the assertion that previous Republican presidents prevented drastic reductions in government employment during recessions. Therefore, the statement is factually incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That paragraph includes a lot of claims, but for this item, we\u2019ll pare it down to one sentence: \"The only time government employment has gone down during a recession has been under me.\"","\"It's worth noting, by the way -- this is just a little aside -- after there was a recession under Ronald Reagan, government employment went way up,\" Obama said. \"It went up after the recessions under the first George Bush and the second George Bush. So each time there was a recession with a Republican president ... we compensated by making sure that government didn't see a drastic reduction in employment. The only time government employment has gone down during a recession has been under me.\"","\"It's worth noting, by the way -- this is just a little aside -- after there was a recession under Ronald Reagan, government employment went way up,\" Obama said. \"It went up after the recessions under the first George Bush and the second George Bush. So each time there was a recession with a Republican president \u2026 we compensated by making sure that government didn't see a drastic reduction in employment. The only time government employment has gone down during a recession has been under me.\"","Obama is wrong when he suggests that \"the only time government employment has gone down during a recession has been under me.\" It's not true if you just look at the recessionary period itself, and it's not true if you look at a combination of the recession and the recovery -- in both cases, it happened during the 1980-1982 recession. And while government employment did eventually go up following the Reagan-era recession, the rise began more than a year after private-sector employment picked up, which negates Obama's argument that his predecessors were able to compensate for weak private-sector job creation with accelerated government hiring. We rate Obama\u2019s claim False."]},{"id":"2320.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Dan Webster supports privatization of Social Security, deep cuts in Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is ambiguity regarding Dan Webster's position on Social Security. While there are claims that he supports privatization and deep cuts, the fact-checking sources suggest that his comments did not specifically address privatization and that he later clarified that he does not support cuts to the program. Therefore, it is not accurate to definitively state that Dan Webster supports privatization of Social Security and deep cuts. The available information suggests that his position on Social Security is not entirely clear. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But we decided to look at her specific example, that Republican candidate for Congress Dan Webster supports \"privatization of Social Security, deep cuts in Social Security.\"","Wasserman Schultz said that Republicans support \"privatization of Social Security, deep cuts in Social Security\" and gave Webster as an example. Webster's comments at the forum didn't address privatization. Webster's comments at the forum gave the impression he supported cuts, but he didn't specifically mention Social Security, and later he specifically said he didn't support cuts to the program. We're not sure whether Webster supports Ryan's plan, which isn't full privatization anyway. We have questions about Webster's position on Social Security, and we hope he will be more forthcoming as the campaign progresses. Still, that doesn't give Wasserman Schultz license to fill in the blanks. We rate her statement Barely True.","On CNN, Rep,. Debbie Wasserman Schultz summed up the situation by saying, \"virtually all Republican candidates for Congress across the country support privatization of Social Security, deep cuts in Social Security, like Dan Webster in Florida...\" Webster, the former speaker of the Florida House, is challenging U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, a Democrat from Orlando.","\u2022 In Florida, Wasserman Schultz accused Webster of supporting \"privatization of Social Security, deep cuts in Social Security,\" and he did make remarks at a forum sponsored by the tea party that the federal budget outlook could be improved by rolling back the current budget to 2007 levels."]},{"id":"12953.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio voted against the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Marco Rubio did vote against the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act. While he initially expressed support for reauthorizing the act, he ultimately voted against it in both 2012 and 2013. It is important to note that the act passed with bipartisan support despite Rubio's opposition.\nLabel: true","evidence":["On Feb. 28, 2013, the House reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act with a bipartisan vote of 286-138, with 87 Republicans voting for it.","Broward\/Palm Beach New Times , \"Marco Rubio Slams Lilly Ledbetter Act, Says It Helps \u2018Trial Lawyers Collect Their Fees\u2019,\" Oct. 22, 2012","\"I support reauthorizing the current Violence Against Women Act as written and hope we can vote for it once it comes out of the House-Senate conference committee,\" Rubio said.","Rubio voiced support for the original law, but he and some Republicans in both the Senate and House opposed certain provisions added to the bill pertaining to spending and federal oversight. Rubio voted against the bill in 2012 and 2013, but it passed with bipartisan support the second time."]},{"id":"4296.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the government wants to require farm tractor drivers to hold commercial drivers licenses even if theyre just crossing a single public road.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The government does not want to require farm tractor drivers to hold commercial driver's licenses for simply crossing a single public road. This claim has been debunked, and officials have clarified that there is no such requirement. The assertion seems to be based on misinformation or a misunderstanding of the regulations. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing government policies and regulations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says the government wants to require farm tractor drivers to hold commercial driver\u2019s licenses even if they\u2019re just crossing a single public road.","( - Rick Perry says government wants to require commercial driver's licenses of anyone who drives a tractor across a road&url=)","The result, Porcari said, was \"a bit of agricultural legend. Some people said we were attempting to require commercial driver licenses\" in situations including a tractor crossing a road. \"That wasn\u2019t and isn\u2019t the case,\" he said. \"We are not, repeat not, requiring\" them.","The former cotton farmer and Texas agriculture commissioner sounded more certain by the next morning, saying in remarks excerpted on CNN\u2019s Aug. 15 \"Newsroom\": \"Let me give you just a \u2014 this is such an obscene, crazy regulation. They want to make \u2014 if you are a tractor driver, if you drive your tractor across a public road, you are going to have to have a commercial driver's license. Now, how idiotic is that?\""]},{"id":"7253.json","label":"false","statement":"In Minnesota, well over 6,200 election-day registrations from 2008 proved fraudulent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While there were concerns raised about election-day registrations in Minnesota in 2008, there is no conclusive evidence to support the claim that over 6,200 registrations were proven to be fraudulent. The number of verification postcards that were returned does not necessarily indicate fraud, and the Minnesota secretary of state's office has stated that the claim of over 6,200 fraudulent registrations is overstated. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In Minnesota, well over 6,200 election-day registrations from 2008 proved fraudulent,\" the group charged in its newsletter. \"Post-election efforts to verify names and addresses revealed one or both to be fictitious in that many cases.","Arguing for an end to election-day voter registration in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Club for Growth claimed that in the November 2008 election, more than 6,200 election-day voter registrations in Minnesota were \"fraudulent.\"","According to the Minnesota secretary of state\u2019s office, the number of verification postcards that were returned is far overstated. What\u2019s more, that alone is not proof of fraud. While it\u2019s possible that some of those voters provided fraudulent information about their names or addresses, there is no evidence of more than 6,200 fraudulent same-day registrations.","But while Kiffmeyer raised concerns about election integrity in her article, she did not state that the 6,200 ballots were fraudulent."]},{"id":"2670.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says John Loughlin voted to let people accused of domestic violence keep their guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Cicilline that John Loughlin voted against a bill that would have prevented individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders from keeping their guns. While the bill does not specifically apply to those \"accused\" of domestic violence, as restraining orders are civil documents, the intent of the statement remains true. Loughlin's vote against the bill suggests that he opposed measures aimed at preventing individuals involved in domestic violence situations from retaining access to firearms.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cicilline overstates the scope of the bill that Loughlin voted against. But he is correct to suggest that if Loughlin's side had prevailed, those subject to domestic violence restraining orders would be allowed to keep their guns.","The problem with the Cicilline advertisement's claim is that it incorrectly says the bill applies to those \"accused of domestic violence.\" A restraining order is actually a civil document that can be obtained without accusing the subject of a specific crime.","\"John is a supporter of the Second Amendment and he voted against this bill because it was too broad and he was concerned that there was no distinction made between handguns and antique collectibles or family heirlooms.\"","Rhode Island was the 41st state to enact this law, as part of a push by domestic violence advocates to protect victims."]},{"id":"130.json","label":"false","statement":"Clinton \"refused repeated requests to meet with the Gold Star Mothers.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that Hillary Clinton \"refused repeated requests to meet with the Gold Star Mothers\" is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple sources, including the Gold Star Mothers themselves, have stated that Clinton did not refuse to meet with them. The circulating email and the NewsMax account that perpetuated this claim have been debunked. It is important to rely on accurate information and not spread false claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Referring to the senator as \"the Queen herself, Hillary Rotten Clinton,\" the e-mail says she \"refused repeated requests to meet with the Gold Star Mothers.\"","That claim was picked up in an e-mail that circulated in 2001 and has gotten new life since Clinton became a presidential candidate. The e-mail says that \"None other than the Queen herself, Hillary Rotten Clinton ... refused repeated requests to meet with the Gold Star Mothers.\"","But Jones and others from the Gold Star Mothers said the NewsMax account is incorrect. Clinton never \"refused to meet;\" she simply wasn't in the office.","Frisa's story said the Gold Star Mothers were unhappy with \"the outright shabby treatment shown them by the former First Lady ... She and her staff simply refused to meet with them.\""]},{"id":"3493.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Corey Stewart became chairman in November 2006, unemployment is up 150% and average home price sales are down $150,000.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that unemployment has increased and average home prices have declined during Corey Stewart's tenure as chairman, it is important to note that these trends were not solely caused by his actions or decisions. Unemployment rates and housing prices are influenced by a variety of factors, including national and regional economic conditions. Additionally, the statement lacks context regarding the broader economic trends and the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, which significantly affected housing markets across the United States. Therefore, while the statement contains some accurate information, it oversimplifies the complex factors contributing to these trends and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of Stewart's role in these changes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The video says that since Stewart was elected chairman in November 2006, unemployment is up 150 percent in the county, the average price on home sales is down $150,000, 47.4 percent of mortgages are now \"under water\" and the number of students per classroom in county schools has climbed 40 percent.","The average price of a Prince William home sale was $414,714 in November 2006, while the median price was $376,000. By February 2011 the average sale price was $260,830 and the median sale price was $228,925. That\u2019s a $153,884 drop in average sale price and a $147,075 drop in median sale prices, straddling the $150,000 decline Lateef mentioned.","But Stewart took office in an environment where home prices were already falling in the county. Between November 2005 and November 2006 the average sale price fell 8.1 percent and the median sale price dipped 6 percent, data show. Again, home sales are private transactions. They are not governed or controlled by the board of supervisors.","Prince William housing sale prices are down during Stewart\u2019s tenure by roughly $150,000. But prices were already dropping when Stewart took office, and he has little control over home sales. Prices also dropped sharply across the Washington, D.C. area"]},{"id":"6419.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney opposes requiring employers to cover contraception and would eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Mitt Romney on the issues of requiring employers to cover contraception and eliminating federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Romney has expressed his opposition to the contraceptive coverage requirement and has stated his intention to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood. This position has been widely reported and acknowledged by various sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Obama campaign ad said that Mitt Romney opposes requiring employers to cover contraception and would eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.","The ad is airing in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. Given that PolitiFact recently found the Obama campaign exaggerated other claims about Romney on abortion, we thought it would be worthwhile to check the claim that Romney opposes requiring employers to cover contraception and would eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.","Alex: \"This is not the 1950s. Contraception is so important. It\u2019s about a woman being able to make decisions.\" (As she speaks, a picture of Romney appears beside the words \"Opposes requiring employers to cover contraception.\")","Romney has said he would abolish the contraceptive coverage requirement and he has said repeatedly that he would eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood."]},{"id":"2073.json","label":"false","statement":"There have been 30 published polls in this election cycle and Harry Reids been trailing in every single one.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there were indeed multiple polls conducted during the election cycle, it is incorrect to claim that Harry Reid trailed in every single one of them. According to the evidence provided, Reid was the clear leader in two of the polls reviewed, and in several others, the race was closer. Therefore, the statement does not align with the facts and is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas later fired back, suggesting Bennett's suffering from sour grapes. \"I realize we're hot and heavy leading up to the election, but voters are going to make the right decision,\" Cornyn was quoted saying in an article posted July 13 by Talking Points Memo, an online political news organization. \"There have been 30 published polls in this election cycle and Harry Reid's been trailing in every single one.\"","Brian Walsh, communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which Cornyn chairs, said there have been \"at least\" 30 polls taken in the \"last 18 months of this election cycle,\" or since January 2009.","Though the latest polling hints that Reid's numbers may be picking up, he clearly trailed Republican opponents in two-thirds of the 30 polls we reviewed; in those seven polls showing a closer race, Reid was behind in five. Had Cornyn said that Reid was behind in nearly every poll, we wouldn't quibble. But in two polls, Reid was the clear leader \u2014 and that means he didn't trail \"in every single one.\"","Rasmussen Reports, Harry Reid trails Republican challengers in 2010 election,( \"Harry Reid trails Republican challengers in 2010 election,\") Sept. 15, 2009"]},{"id":"6025.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Tom Barrett plans to spend $100 million on a trolley that goes barely two miles on the east side of Milwaukee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Scott Walker's claim that Tom Barrett plans to spend $100 million on a trolley that covers a distance of barely two miles on the east side of Milwaukee. However, it is important to note that the context provided in the evidence suggests that the $100 million figure may not accurately represent the current plan. While Barrett initially considered a longer line that would have cost over $100 million, the current plan is for a shorter line with a budget of $70 million. The potential for additional costs due to utility relocation is mentioned, but the exact total cost and who would bear it remain unclear. Therefore, the statement lacks complete accuracy and should be considered with the provided context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Walker said Barrett plans \"to spend $100 million on a trolley that goes barely two miles on the east side of Milwaukee,\" suggesting the plan is to spend that much in public money.","In contrast, he claimed Barrett\u2019s plan is \"to spend $100 million on a trolley that goes barely two miles on the east side of Milwaukee,\" suggesting that amount of public money would be used.","Barrett was ready to spend more than $100 million, but that was for a line longer than the two-mile line, and that\u2019s not currently in the plan given that efforts to obtain extra funding have failed.","The city has committed to spending $70 million -- for a streetcar that would run from the east side to downtown. And the plan Barrett backs would require utility relocation that could push the total cost above $100 million -- but that\u2019s not clear, nor is who would bear the cost."]},{"id":"6454.json","label":"false","statement":"Says state Senate candidate Aaron Bean voted to give health care subsidies to illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Aaron Bean voted to give health care subsidies to illegal immigrants. The evidence focuses on the claim that Bean voted for in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants, not health care subsidies. Therefore, there is no basis to support the statement that Bean voted to provide health care subsidies to illegal immigrants.\nLabel: false","evidence":["With so much back-and-forth, we wanted to dive into the Senate District 4 race and examine the claim that started it all: \"Aaron Bean voted for in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants.\"","\"That\u2019s right. Bean voted to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition breaks, a policy supported by liberals like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi and opposed by conservatives like Rick Scott and Mike Weinstein,\" the ad says. \"Aaron Bean: Wrong on illegal immigration. Wrong for Jacksonville.\"","Florida Times-Union , \"Immigration spat continues: Aaron Bean changes tune on tuition vote, did not support health subsidies for illegal aliens,\" Aug. 3, 2012","\"All the Democrats on the entire stage \u2014 every Democratic candidate said they want to give free health care to illegals.\""]},{"id":"5706.json","label":"true","statement":"Our rainy day fund has gone from 89 cents to $240 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the growth of Ohio's rainy day fund under Governor John Kasich's administration. The fund did increase from 89 cents to $240 million, as confirmed by PolitiFact Ohio. It's worth noting that the fund's balance had actually surpassed $240 million by the time of the statement. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Kasich went on to tout the state's fiscal progress, saying, \"Our rainy day fund has gone from 89 cents to $240 million.\"","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Gov. John Kasich says the rainy day fund has grown from 89 cents to $240 million,\" Apr. 11, 2012","Kasich actually understated the fund\u2019s latest balance, as of March 30, when he rounded it to $240 million. The 89 cents was accurate.","\"When I came in,\" he said, \"we had a rainy day fund that had 89 cents, and I'm told that budget guru over there, Brian Perera, sent an 89-cent check to double the amount of money we had in the rainy day fund.\""]},{"id":"4335.json","label":"false","statement":"The 2009-11 state budget that Democrats approved left Wisconsin taxpayers $3.6 billion in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The 2009-2011 state budget approved by Democrats did not leave Wisconsin taxpayers $3.6 billion in debt. The state constitution requires a balanced budget, and while there may have been a shortfall or deficit in the budget, it does not constitute debt that needs to be repaid with borrowed money. The evidence provided clarifies that the shortfall was not a debt but rather a budgetary imbalance. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Steitz claimed that the 2009-2011 budget approved by Democrats created a $3.6 billion debt for Walker and the new Republican Legislature. Under the state constitution, the state budget has to be balanced. While some phrased the shortfall for the next two-year budget as a deficit, it certainly was not a debt. That comes with borrowed money that must be repaid.","\"Wirch voted to raise job-killing taxes by $4.7 billion, and voted for $3.6 billion in out-of-control reckless government spending ... and after all those taxes and all that spending ... Wirch left us with three billion in debt... only to flee to Illinois instead of staying to get the job done.\"","When we asked spokesman Joe Zepecki for evidence to back Burke\u2019s claim, he compared the size of Walker\u2019s first budget, for 2011-\u201913, to Walker\u2019s second budget, for 2013-\u201915. He provided a PolitiFact Wisconsin article, which made reference to the first budget being $66 billion; and a reference by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, which said the second budget \"authorizes the state to spend\" $70.4 billion.","The short answer is no. That\u2019s not how the budget process works, said Robert Lang, director of the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The state constitution requires lawmakers approve a budget that\u2019s balanced, and the budget that was passed for 2009-11 was no exception."]},{"id":"5644.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Gloria Steinem once called Kay Bailey Hutchison a female impersonator.","reason":"Reason: There is evidence to support the statement that Gloria Steinem referred to Kay Bailey Hutchison as a \"female impersonator.\" Multiple sources, including syndicated writer Michelle Malkin, news articles from USA Today and Time, and a column by Molly Ivins, confirm that Steinem made this comment during a visit to Dallas in 1993. The evidence suggests that Steinem criticized Hutchison's stance on abortion and family-leave policies and used the term \"female impersonator\" to express her disapproval. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Syndicated writer and Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin listed such epithets in her March 7, 2012 column, including a Texas example: \"It was feminist godmother Gloria Steinem who called Texas Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison a \u2018female impersonator.\u2019 \"","\"Gloria Steinem flew to Texas all the way from New York City to call Senate candidate Kay Bailey Hutchison a \u2018female impersonator.\u2019 Actress Annie Potts of \u2018Designing Women\u2019 pooh-poohed the Republican's vague stance on abortion rights, saying, \u2018She's just the same old thing in a skirt.\u2019 Columnist Molly Ivins hung the epithet \u2018Breck girl\u2019 on her, comparing the way the candidate tossed her blond hair to the slow-motion antics of models in the shampoo commercial. But Hutchison, the Texas state treasurer, survived those and many other attacks.\"","The longer quotation helped us pin down a probable date for Steinem\u2019s remark, and Dallas Morning News senior political writer Wayne Slater searched his paper\u2019s archives and sent us a May 23, 1993, news story that reads, in part: \"Ms. Steinem, the founder of Ms. magazine, attacked Ms. Hutchison's stands on abortion and family-leave policies during a visit Friday in Dallas on behalf of Mr. Krueger. Ms. Steinem called Ms. Hutchison \u2018a female impersonator.' \"","USA Today , Time(,9171,978687,) and NPR all ran 1993 news stories or opinion pieces describing gender-based attacks on Hutchison that included the \"female impersonator\" comment from Steinem."]},{"id":"4171.json","label":"true","statement":"Says in the Legislature, (Mary Nolan) has been a party-line Democrat, showing a 100% track record in harmony with the American Civil Liberties Union.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Mary Nolan has been a party-line Democrat and has shown a 100% track record in harmony with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). This indicates that she consistently aligns her voting record with the positions advocated by the ACLU. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["He also threw in this little bit as an aside: \"In the Legislature, she has been a party-line Democrat, showing a 100% track record in harmony with the American Civil Liberties Union.\"","We\u2019ll give the statement that Nolan is \"a party-line Democrat, showing a 100% track record in harmony with the American Civil Liberties Union\" a True.","These sorts of attacks are pretty common when it comes to campaigns -- look at how much of a partisan so-and-so is, look how often the candidate votes with a specific organization. Still, they\u2019re worth checking out, not just because it\u2019s important to know whether they\u2019re accurate, but also because it\u2019s important to know what exactly, a \"100% track record in harmony with the American Civil Liberties Union\" -- for instance -- might look like.","In the statement itself, there are actually two assertions. The first is that Nolan is a party-line Democrat. The second is that she has voted 100 percent in line with the ACLU."]},{"id":"2859.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the House Rules Committee is the only panel, other than the Intelligence and Ethics committees, not able to telecast proceedings in its main hearing room.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the House Rules Committee is one of the few committees, along with the Intelligence and Ethics committees, that does not have the ability to telecast proceedings in its main hearing room. This can be confirmed by examining the rules and practices of the House of Representatives. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific claim but provides context about other committees and their operations. Nonetheless, the statement itself is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The House has also argued that there\u2019s precedent for a committee with incomplete membership: a 2005 House panel to investigate the government response to Hurricane Katrina consisted of 11 Republicans and zero Democrats. (Ironically, at the time, Pelosi, then the House minority leader, called the panel a \"sham\" and refused to name committee members.)","!Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., speaks during the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill, July 27, 2021. (AP) !Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., speaks during the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill, July 27, 2021. (AP)","Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., speaks during the House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill, July 27, 2021. (AP)","At one point, there were two dueling town executive committees \u2014 one majority white and the other majority Black, neither with clear legal standing."]},{"id":"4338.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says enrolling a student in a subsidized lunch program triggers an at risk designation, resulting in an extra $6,000 to $7,000 of state school aid per student.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that enrolling a student in a subsidized lunch program triggers an \"at risk\" designation, which can result in additional state school aid for the student. However, the claim that each at-risk student brings in an extra $6,000 to $7,000 of state school aid per student needs clarification. While it is true that school districts receive additional funding for at-risk students, the exact amount can vary depending on various factors such as the state's funding formula and the specific needs of the student. Therefore, the statement is mostly accurate but may not apply universally to all school districts or states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This year, when you appeared before the Senate Budget Committee, I informed you about the potential for abuse of the free and reduced price lunch program, and how enrolling a student in the program triggers an \"At Risk\" designation, which results in an additional $6,000-7,000 of state school aid for a student,\" Doherty wrote to Cerf in an Aug. 22 letter. \"This additional school aid, which can exceed hundreds of millions of dollars, is collected from taxpayers throughout the state.\"","Doherty said school districts receive an additional $6,000 to $7,000 in state aid for every student enrolled in a free or reduced-price lunch program.","So, we\u2019ve determined Doherty is correct about the at-risk designation. But what about his claim that for each at-risk student, a school district receives up to $7,000 more in state aid?","PolitiFact New Jersey found Doherty is mostly right: when a student is enrolled in the federally supported lunch program, they are designated as at risk. But his claim that each at-risk student brings in up to $7,000 in additional state aid needs clarification."]},{"id":"7861.json","label":"true","statement":"Says first eight chosen to draw Austin City Council districts are seven Democratic primary voters and one Republican primary voter.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Derek Ryan, a voter data specialist and former research director for the state Republican party. According to Ryan, out of the first eight individuals chosen to draw Austin City Council districts, seven were Democratic primary voters, while only one had voted in a Republican primary. This information suggests a potential partisan bias in the selection process for drawing the districts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Derek Ryan says first 8 chosen to draw Austin City Council districts are 7 Democratic primary voters, 1 GOP primary voter","( - Derek Ryan says first 8 chosen to draw Austin City Council districts are 7 Democratic primary voters, 1 GOP primary voter&url=)","Eight names were drawn May 22, 2013, and within a couple of hours Ryan, a voter data specialist and former research director for the state Republican party, tweeted, \"Seven are D primary voters, only one has voted in an R primary.\"","In Austin, where many down-ticket races field no Republican opposition, sometimes the only way a voter can affect the outcome is by choosing between Democratic candidates in the primary. In the same way, it often makes sense for voters in, say, Midland, to commit to the county\u2019s Republican primary."]},{"id":"5747.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Pentagon has never passed a financial audit. In fact, the Pentagon is exempt from a federal law that requires all federal agencies to complete annual audits.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The Pentagon has indeed never passed a financial audit, and it is exempt from the federal law that mandates annual audits for all federal agencies. This exemption sets the Pentagon apart from other government departments in terms of financial accountability and transparency.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Despite the fact that the Pentagon is the largest and most expensive department in the federal government, it has never passed a financial audit,\" he says on his House website. \"In fact, under current law, the Pentagon is exempt from a federal law that requires all federal agencies to complete annual audits.\"","The best place to start is 1990, when Congress passed legislation requiring all federal agencies to present \"auditable financial statements.\" It was a reasonable standard for most agencies to satisfy and every federal department did, except one: the Pentagon.","The $21 trillion figure tallies up internal financial transfers that would not pass muster in an audit; the same dollar can be included in multiple transactions, which is why Ocasio-Cortez\u2019s figure exceeds all Pentagon spending.","\"The annual Pentagon budget hovers over $750 billion annually, twice that of the much debated Build Back Better Act that costs about $350 billion annually as currently proposed. And the Build Back Better Act is PAID for, unlike the Pentagon\u2019s budget (which we don\u2019t even audit!).\""]},{"id":"2.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Clinton reduced the scale of our military dramatically.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that President Clinton did indeed oversee a significant reduction in the scale of the U.S. military during his presidency. The active-duty military personnel decreased from 1.8 million to 1.4 million, and the naval fleet saw a decline from 454 ships to 341. However, it's important to note that this reduction was not solely attributed to President Clinton, as it was a bipartisan effort that began under a Republican president and a Democratic Congress. Therefore, while President Clinton played a role in the military downsizing, it was not solely his decision or action.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"During the Clinton years, the president said we're going to take a peace dividend,\" Romney said. \"We got the dividend. We didn't get the peace. He reduced the scale of our military dramatically, took 500,000 troops out, cut back our Navy by 80 ships.\"","He is correct that military forces were reduced significantly under Clinton. The active-duty military totaled 1.8-million at the start of his presidency in 1993 and declined to 1.4-million in 2000. Romney is also correct that the naval fleet shrank dramatically. The Navy had 454 ships in 1993, but as vessels were retired and not replaced, the fleet was down to 341 by 2000.","In April 2007, he said, \"Following the end of the Cold War, President Clinton began to dismantle our military. He reduced our forces by 500,000. He retired almost 80 ships. Our spending on national defense dropped from over 6 percent of GDP to 3.8 percent today.\"","Contrary to Romney's claim, the post-Cold War shrinkage of the U.S. military was a bipartisan effort. It began under a Republican president and a Democratic Congress and continued under a Democratic president and a Republican Congress."]},{"id":"11.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We now have the greatest income inequality since the Great Depression.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of economists Emmanuel Saez and Thomas Piketty, who analyzed income tax returns and found that income going to the top 1 percent of earners in the United States doubled from 8 percent in 1980 to 16 percent in 2004, reaching pre-Depression levels. This indicates a significant increase in income inequality. Additionally, the evidence provided supports the claim that income inequality has been climbing since the Great Depression, with the income gap narrowing briefly after the Great Depression but widening again, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. Therefore, the statement is supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Indeed, economists have found that the top tier of Americans earn a disproportionately large percent of the income, and they almost always have. The income gap narrowed just after the Great Depression but has been climbing since -- most sharply in the 1980s and 1990s. An analysis of income tax returns by economists Emmanuel Saez at the University of California, Berkley, and Thomas Piketty of the Paris School of Economics found that income going to the top 1 percent doubled from 8 percent of total income earned in the workforce in 1980 to 16 percent in 2004, and reached pre-Depression levels in 2005.","\"Productivity has risen 18 percent wages have stayed flat... There are 5-million more people in poverty here in our country than there were in 2000.\"","\"Fifty-six percent decline in overall crime. A 73 percent decline in motor-vehicle theft. A 67 percent decline in robbery. A 66 percent decline in murder. This is way beyond what happened in the nation during this period of time.","\"Fred's never had a 100 percent record on right-to-life in his Senate career. The records reflect that. And he doesn't support the human life amendment, which is most amazing because that's been a part of the Republican platform since 1980.\""]},{"id":"479.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Obama called Israel \"a constant sore\" that infects U.S. foreign policy.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents President Obama's words. While discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, President Obama referred to the lack of resolution as a \"constant wound\" and a \"constant sore.\" However, he did not specifically refer to Israel as the \"constant sore.\" His remarks were focused on the ongoing conflict and the need for a resolution to prevent it from being exploited by anti-American militants. The claim that Obama directly called Israel a \"constant sore\" is a misinterpretation and does not accurately reflect his statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama: \"No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy. The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.\"","Boehner's statement alleges that Obama was saying that Israel, a key ally of the United States, is a \"constant wound ... constant sore.\"","\"Israel is a critical American ally and a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, not a 'constant sore' as Barack Obama claims,\" Boehner said in a news release from the Freedom Project, a Republican political action committee that he chairs. \"Obama's latest remark, and his commitment to 'opening a dialogue' with sponsors of terrorism, echoes past statements by Jimmy Carter, who once called Israel an 'apartheid state.' It's another sign that Obama is part of the broken Washington Americans are rejecting.\"","The day-to-day Middle East policy advisers with Obama's campaign, as confirmed by Wexler and other campaign staffers, are: Dan Shapiro, a member of Bill Clinton's National Security Council; Eric Lynn, a former foreign policy adviser to Rep. Peter Deutsch; Tony Lake, a former national security adviser to Clinton; and Dennis McDonough, foreign policy adviser to former Sen. Tom Daschle."]},{"id":"12514.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Nevada lawmakers voted to allow teenaged boys to shower with your teenaged girls in public school locker rooms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and takes the ad's depiction out of context. While it is true that Nevada lawmakers expanded anti-discrimination laws to include gender identity and expression, allowing transgender students to use facilities that correspond to their gender identity, it does not mean that teenaged boys can shower with teenaged girls in public school locker rooms without any restrictions. The regulations and laws aim to provide equal access and protection for transgender students, ensuring they can use facilities that align with their gender identity. However, schools typically implement policies to ensure privacy, safety, and respect for all students, including measures such as individual shower stalls or designated changing areas. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the intent and implementation of the laws and regulations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["One such ad by Assembly candidate Steve Sanson depicts Assembly Majority Leader Paul Anderson looming over a bathroom stall, with overlaid text reading: \"Now teenaged boys can shower with your teenaged girls in public school locker rooms.\"","The district approved regulations last year allowing students to \"use facilities that correspond to their gender identity as expressed by the student and asserted at school\" including access to locker rooms.","\"President Obama recently federally mandated all locker-rooms and bathrooms be designated \u2018gender-neutral\u2019, but it was already Nevada law because of Anderson\u2019s leadership,\" Hansen said in a letter.","Lawmakers in 2011 expanded the state\u2019s anti-discrimination laws to include gender identity and expression. Because these \"public accommodation\" laws cover \"place(s) of education,\" presumably school districts can\u2019t segregate transgender students from using the gendered bathroom they identify with without violating state law."]},{"id":"6230.json","label":"false","statement":"Gov. Rick Scott tried to kick 180,000 people off the voter rolls.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was an effort by Governor Rick Scott to remove potentially ineligible voters from the voter rolls, the actual number of individuals targeted was significantly lower than the claimed 180,000. The accurate number was approximately 2,600 individuals. Therefore, the statement greatly exaggerates the scale of the attempted removals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Republican Governor Rick Scott tried to kick 180,000 people off the voter rolls in his state and is now suing the Department of Justice after they stepped in to stop him,\" the June 27 fundraising email said. \"Rick Scott's racist voter purge -- which directly targets Latino voters -- is so egregious that every one of the 67 supervisors of elections in the state -- Democrats, Republicans, and independents -- has so far refused to carry it out.\"","Here, we\u2019ll fact-check whether Scott tried to kick 180,000 people off the voter rolls. In a related fact-check, we will explore whether every election supervisor has \"refused\" to carry out this project.","We found inaccuracies with two og the group's statements: That Scott tried to \"kick 180,000 people off the voter rolls\" and that \"every one of the 67 supervisors of elections in the state\" refused to carry out his wishes. We rated both statements False.","MoveOn wildly exaggerated the number of voters that Scott tried to \"kick off\" -- it wasn\u2019t close to 180,000. It was 2,600. If the state had forwarded the full list of 180,000 names, or even close to that number, MoveOn would have been on more solid ground."]},{"id":"964.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The 1908 Model T earned better gas mileage than a typical SUV sold in 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate when considering only the factor of mileage. President Obama's statement specifically refers to the gas mileage comparison between a 1908 Model T and a typical SUV sold in 2008. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average fuel efficiency for light trucks, which includes SUVs, in 2008 was 18.1 miles per gallon. In comparison, the Model T had better gas mileage than this average. However, it's important to note that advancements in technology have led to more fuel-efficient SUVs, and there are SUV models that surpass the average mileage mentioned by President Obama. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in the context of comparing a typical SUV to the Model T, it may not hold true for all SUVs sold in 2008.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We agree that the two cars are totally different. But Obama was careful in the way he phrased his statement: \"The 1908 Model T earned better gas mileage than a typical SUV sold in 2008.\" As long as you don't consider any factors other than mileage, he's right. We rate his statement Mostly True.","\"The problem is that, for decades, we have avoided doing what must be done as a nation to turn challenge into opportunity,\" Obama said. \"As a consequence, we import more oil today than we did on 9\/11. The 1908 Model T earned better gas mileage than a typical SUV sold in 2008. And even as our economy has been transformed by new forms of technology, our electric grid looks largely the same as it did half a century ago.\"","We've written about Obama's positions on imported oil and the electric grid before. But the Model T gets better mileage than an SUV? Really?","There are many ways to slice and dice fuel efficiency numbers, and looking up the mileage for your own particular vehicle is far easier than deciding on mileage for a \"typical SUV.\" But the Environmental Protection Agency found that light trucks \u2014 the class of vehicle to which SUVs belong \u2014 averaged 18.1 miles per gallon for model year 2008. The most efficient SUVs do much better than that \u2014 a Jeep Compass gets 23 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway \u2014 but Obama said \"typical.\""]},{"id":"3169.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"All the money the Department of Citrus has is paid for by the citrus growers. You dont save dollars by eliminating the Department of Citrus.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Putnam that the Department of Citrus is primarily funded by citrus growers. However, it is important to note that a small portion of the department's budget, approximately 9 percent, comes from the federal government. While eliminating the Department of Citrus may not directly save state taxpayer dollars, it is crucial to consider the context of the additional federal funding. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional clarification regarding the federal funding aspect.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"All the money the Department of Citrus has is paid for by the citrus growers. You don't save dollars by eliminating the Department of Citrus.\"","\"All the money the Department of Citrus has is paid for by the citrus growers,\" Putnam said. \"You don't save dollars by eliminating the Department of Citrus.\"","Putnam claimed: \"All the money the Department of Citrus has is paid for by the citrus growers. You don't save dollars by eliminating the Department of Citrus.\" In fact, about 85 percent is paid for by the growers -- of the rest, about 9 percent comes from the federal government. So Putnam is correct that Florida won't save state taxpayer dollars by eliminating the department, but he's missing the context of the additional federal dollars. We rate this statement Mostly True.","Government departments usually are funded, at least in part, with taxpayer dollars. So we wondered, is that not the case with the Department of Citrus? Is the entire department's budget paid for by the growers?"]},{"id":"4436.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Today, when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Herman Cain regarding retirement benefits in Galveston County, Texas, compared to Social Security is partially true. While some retirees in Galveston County may indeed receive at least 50 percent more in retirement benefits compared to Social Security, this is not the case for all retirees. Studies have shown that the outcome varies, and the rate of return for the Galveston plan has become less favorable over time. Therefore, while some retirees may benefit more, it cannot be generalized that all retirees in Galveston County will receive at least 50 percent more than they would from Social Security.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Herman Cain touted a retirement plan used in Galveston, Texas, that's an alternative to Social Security. \"Today, when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security,\" Cain said. We rated that Half True -- some will, but some won't.","This result doesn\u2019t directly conflict with Cain\u2019s statement, but it does undermine the sweeping certitude with which he said that \"when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security.\"","Cain responded, \"I don't care what you call it, it's broken. And here's my solution. Start with optional personal retirement accounts. In 1981, the Galveston County employees, they opted out because that was a very short window of opportunity. They took it. Today, when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security.\"","But that debate is beyond the scope of this article. On the specific question Cain raised -- whether participants in Galveston will \"retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security\" -- the answer is, \"it depends.\" According to studies published a dozen years ago, some will, and some won\u2019t. And the outlook today for the Galveston plan\u2019s rate of return -- while not immutable going forward -- is more downbeat than it was in 1999. On balance, we rate Cain\u2019s statement Half True."]},{"id":"5093.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The EPA was asked about an environmental citation for the city landfill in Nashua, N.H. but didnt know why it was cited.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Newt Gingrich that the EPA was unaware of the reason for citing the city landfill in Nashua, New Hampshire. According to the evidence provided, the EPA acknowledged that there was a \"data lag\" on the watch list, and they were uncertain about the specific reason for the citation. However, it's important to note that the landfill was not actually fined or cited for any violation by the EPA. So while the EPA may have been uncertain about the reason for the citation, it does not necessarily imply that the citation itself was unjustified or unwarranted.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The EPA was asked about an environmental citation for the city landfill in Nashua, N.H. but \"didn\u2019t know\" why it was cited.","\"If you look at the EPA's record, it is increasingly radical,\" Gingrich said. \"It's increasingly imperious. It doesn't cooperate, it doesn't collaborate, and it doesn't take into account economics. The city of Nashua recently had a dump that was cited by EPA. They went down to find out, what was it being cited for? And they told them, frankly, \u2018We don't know. We can't find the records that lead to this citation, and we're not exactly sure what it referenced. But it must be bad or we wouldn't have sent it out.\u2019\"","Gingrich said the EPA cited a Nashua landfill without knowing its reason for doing so. The landfill made a \"watch list\" for an outdated action, but it was not cited or fined for any violation by the EPA for being on the list. We rate his claim Mostly True.","EPA spokesman Dave Deegan, working at the agency\u2019s Boston offices, told McKeon a \"data lag\" on the watch list, which cited a long-ago state Department of Environmental Services action against the Nashua landfill, got Four Hills on the list. But Four Hills had had no violations in recent memory and was in compliance with environmental standards, Deegan said."]},{"id":"3261.json","label":"false","statement":"The government will go out and buy my breast pump for my babies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses the presence of antibodies in breastmilk after individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the potential benefits of breastfeeding for babies. However, there is no mention of the government purchasing breast pumps for individuals. The evidence focuses on the transmission of antibodies through breastfeeding, not the government providing breast pumps. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While it\u2019s highly unlikely that the COVID-19 vaccine can negatively impact breastfed babies or their parents, CDC recommendations say \"recent reports show that breastfeeding people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies.\"","Studies have shown that individuals who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine pass on antibodies against COVID-19 to their babies when breastfeeding.","There is no evidence that babies are at risk of developing blood clots and other ailments after drinking breastmilk from their vaccinated mothers. But there is evidence that people who receive the vaccine can pass on antibodies against COVID-19 through breastfeeding.","What\u2019s more, the Biden administration would be breaking the law if it did not have a supply of formula and other food for people detained in government facilities."]},{"id":"10526.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There is a very identifiable Somali community back home in Delaware.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Vice President Biden that there is a very identifiable Somali community in Delaware is inaccurate. According to the Census Bureau's estimates, there are only 15 Somali individuals living in Delaware, which accounts for less than two one-thousandths of 1 percent of the state's population. While there may be some individuals of Somali ancestry in Delaware, it is not accurate to describe it as a \"very identifiable Somali community.\" The evidence clearly contradicts Biden's statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Biden said \"there is a very identifiable Somali community\" back home in Delaware. If so, it's minuscule: The Census Bureau estimates that there\u2019s only 15 Somali people living in Delaware. Biden\u2019s statement is inaccurate and ridiculous. Pants on Fire!","At a White House summit on violent extremism on Feb. 17, 2015, Biden said, \"Somalis have made my city of Wilmington, Del. (their home) on a smaller scale. There is a very identifiable Somali community. I might add if you come to the train station with me you\u2019ll notice I have great relationships with them because there\u2019s an awful lot driving cabs and are friends of mine. For real. I\u2019m not being solicitous. I\u2019m being serious.\"","Compare that with Minnesota, which has the United States\u2019 largest Somali population, at more than 35,000. Meanwhile, Biden\u2019s home-away-from-home, the Washington, D.C., metro area, ranks in the top five for Somali populations.","The Census Bureau\u2019s latest American Community Survey did find some Delaware residents with Somali ancestry -- it estimated that there were a whopping 15 Somalis in the entire state of Delaware. That\u2019s less than two one-thousandths of 1 percent of the state\u2019s population."]},{"id":"1049.json","label":"false","statement":"Palin said stimulus money for weatherization required \"universal energy building codes for Alaska, kind of a one-size-fits-all building code that isn't going to work up there in Alaska.\"","reason":"Reason: Sarah Palin claimed that stimulus money for weatherization required \"universal energy building codes for Alaska, kind of a one-size-fits-all building code that isn't going to work up there in Alaska.\" However, investigations by PolitiFact and the Department of Energy found that the funding did not mandate the adoption of universal building codes. While the wording in the stimulus bill may have been open to interpretation, the Department of Energy explicitly stated that universal building codes were not a requirement for accepting the federal funds. Therefore, Palin's claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["At PolitiFact, we looked at that claim in some detail back in early June after she said the money would require \"universal energy building codes for Alaska, kind of a one-size-fits-all building code that isn't going to work up there in Alaska.\"","She said, \"I vetoed a bucket of the money, not a whole lot, we did accept education dollars and infrastructure dollars, but dollars that were tied to universal energy building codes for Alaska, kind of a one-size-fits-all building code that isn't going to work up there in Alaska and really prohibits opportunity to build and to develop, and just wasn't going to work up there in Alaska, so I vetoed a bucket of that money.","\"The documents clearly stated that acceptance of the funds required the adoption and enforcement of energy building codes,\" she wrote. \"Universal building codes -- in Alaska! A practical, libertarian haven full of independent Americans who did not desire 'help' from government busybodies. A state full of hardy pioneers who did not like taking orders from the feds telling us to change our laws. A state so geographically diverse that one-size-fits-all codes simply wouldn't work.\"","The wording in the stimulus bill related to the weatherization money may have left room for Palin's concerns, but the letter from the Department of Energy made clear that universal building codes were not going to be forced upon state and local governments as a condition for accepting the federal money. Palin's opposition to the funding may give her license to claim she opposed the stimulus plan -- even though it was only a small portion of Alaska's funding -- but her reasoning doesn't jibe with the assurances from the Department of Energy. We rule her claim False."]},{"id":"5391.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz opposes the DREAM Act, which is supported by 85% of Latinos.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz opposing the DREAM Act, which is indeed supported by a significant majority of Latinos, as indicated by multiple polls. The evidence provided confirms that at least 85% of Latinos favor the DREAM Act. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among the examples of what the release sarcastically calls \"GOP Latino-outreach efforts\" is this statement: \"Ted Cruz forcefully opposes the DREAM Act, which is supported by 85% of Latinos.\"","!At the Republican debate in Miami, Ted Cruz said he has never supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Screenshot) !At the Republican debate in Miami, Ted Cruz said he has never supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Screenshot)","Cruz said in an interview that he does not support the DREAM Act, and three polls over the past 13 months have shown at least 85 percent of Latinos favoring the legislation. We rate the Texas Democratic Party\u2019s statement True.","The most recent national poll from Latino Decisions, conducted in January 2012 with Univision News and ABC News, asked: \"Do you support or oppose the DREAM Act, which would provide undocumented immigrant youth a path to citizenship if they attend college or serve in the U.S. military?\" It found that 66 percent strongly supported the law and an additional 19 percent somewhat supported the law, for a total of 85 percent."]},{"id":"412.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I am a candidate. I have not withdrawn.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is a direct assertion by the candidate themselves, confirming that they are still actively running for the position. As the candidate is the primary source of information regarding their own candidacy, their statement should be considered as the most reliable evidence in this case.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"9049.json","label":"true","statement":"The majority support (raising) the minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple polls, which consistently show that a majority of Americans support raising the minimum wage. These polls indicate that about two-thirds of the public believe that increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 is a good idea. Additionally, a significant portion of voters state that they are more likely to support a candidate who backs such an increase. The evidence suggests that there is indeed majority support for raising the minimum wage, indicating a desire for greater fairness and addressing the challenges faced by working people.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The majority support (raising) the minimum wage,\" vanden Heuvel said on ABC\u2019s This Week. \"More fairness, taking on a rigged system that's working against working people.\"","Vanden Heuvel said most Americans support raising the minimum wage. The polls confirm it. About two-thirds of the public consistently say boosting the minimum wage to $10.10 is a good idea and as many as a half of all voters say they are more likely to vote for a candidate who backs that increase.","!Students and other supporters protest on the University of Washington campus in Seattle in support of raising the minimum wage for campus workers to $15 an hour on April 1, 2015. (AP\/Ted S. Warren) !Students and other supporters protest on the University of Washington campus in Seattle in support of raising the minimum wage for campus workers to $15 an hour on April 1, 2015. (AP\/Ted S. Warren)","Students and other supporters protest on the University of Washington campus in Seattle in support of raising the minimum wage for campus workers to $15 an hour on April 1, 2015. (AP\/Ted S. Warren)"]},{"id":"10357.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has not proposed one thing that would change the fact that Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Louie Gohmert is inaccurate. President Obama did propose changes to address the issue of wealthy individuals, like Warren Buffett, paying a lower tax rate than their secretaries. In his 2012 State of the Union address, President Obama specifically mentioned this disparity and called for reforms to close tax loopholes and ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. Therefore, Gohmert's claim that Obama has not proposed anything to address this issue is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gohmert said Obama has \"not proposed one thing that would change\" the fact that Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.","!On Fox News Jan. 5, Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, said Obama has \u201cnot proposed one thing that would change\u201d the fact that Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary. !On Fox News Jan. 5, Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, said Obama has \u201cnot proposed one thing that would change\u201d the fact that Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.","On Fox News Jan. 5, Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, said Obama has \u201cnot proposed one thing that would change\u201d the fact that Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.","\"Right now, because of loopholes and shelters in the tax code, a quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households,\" Obama said in his 2012 State of the Union address. \"Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.\""]},{"id":"13085.json","label":"false","statement":"300,000 Floridians have lost their health insurance as a result of Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The claim that 300,000 Floridians have lost their health insurance as a result of Obamacare is not accurate. Multiple sources have debunked this assertion, and it has been found to be exaggerated and misleading. The actual number of individuals who lost their health insurance in Florida due to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is significantly lower, estimated to be around 60,000 or possibly even less. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Americans for Prosperity said that \"300,000 Floridians have lost their health insurance\" as a result of Obamacare. Even in 2013 this assertion was not entirely correct, and now, more than three years later, we know it\u2019s not correct.","That would leave at most 60,000 people -- not 300,000 -- who lost their health insurance as a result of that provision of the law. But even that number is probably high.","In the ad, a narrator says, \"Patrick Murphy says he wants to serve in the U.S. Senate, but who does he really want to serve? As a member of Congress, \u2018Pay-More\u2019 Patrick has voted for big payouts to special interests. Our health care premiums are going up, and 300,000 Floridians have lost their health insurance. And yet, \u2018Pay-More\u2019 Patrick voted not once, not twice, but nine times for Obamacare.\"","\"Alex Sink\u2019s loyalty is to them, not Florida. Why else would she continue to support Obamacare? 300,000 Floridians will lose their current health plans,\" the ad claims in part, concluding, \"She\u2019s fighting for them. Not us.\""]},{"id":"6267.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney had millions in a Swiss bank account.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Multiple sources confirm that Mitt Romney had approximately $3 million in a Swiss bank account between 2003 and 2010. While Swiss bank accounts are known for their secrecy, there is no evidence to suggest that Romney engaged in any illegal or improper activities with the account. It's important to note that the account has since been closed, but the statement accurately reflects the past existence of millions of dollars in a Swiss bank account belonging to Mitt Romney.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Swiss bank account -- Another Obama ad charged that Romney \"had millions in a Swiss bank account.\" It\u2019s accurate that Romney had about $3 million in a bank account Switzerland; the account is now closed. Swiss bank accounts have a reputation for secrecy, but we found nothing to indicate Romney did anything illegal or improper with the account. We rated the statement True.","Malt\u2019s comments confirm that Romney \"had millions in a Swiss bank account\" because the couple filed their returns jointly, and the campaign has disclosed tax returns for Ann Romney\u2019s trusts and family trusts, not just Romney\u2019s funds.","Swiss bank accounts may make good fodder for campaign commercials and Jason Bourne movies, but there's nothing to indicate Romney did anything illegal or improper with the account. While it is now closed, the claim in Obama\u2019s ad was stated in the past tense -- that Romney \"had millions in a Swiss bank account.\" That\u2019s correct, so we rate Obama\u2019s claim True.","The trustee who managed Romney\u2019s holdings has publicly confirmed that Mitt and Ann Romney had \"approximately $3 million\" in assets in a Swiss bank account between 2003 and 2010, and the Romney campaign did not object to that characterization when we contacted them for this story."]},{"id":"11709.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States spends almost three times per capita what they spend in the U.K. on health care and 50 percent more than they pay in France.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bernie Sanders regarding healthcare spending in the United States compared to the United Kingdom and France. Independent and reliable sources support the claim that the United States spends almost three times per capita on healthcare compared to the United Kingdom and approximately 50 percent more than France. These figures are based on data from 2013 and are measured in dollars. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Why is it that we spend almost three times per capita as to what they spend in the U.K. -- 50 percent more than what they pay in France?\" Sanders asked. \"The insurance companies, the drug companies are bribing the United States Congress. We need to pass a Medicare-for-all single-payer system.\"","Sanders said that the United States spends almost three times on health care per capita what is spent in the United Kingdom and about double what they spend in France. The numbers from an independent, reliable source back that up.","Sanders\u2019 claim in this case is more accurate than more sweeping versions he has made in the past. In 2009 and again in 2015, he claimed that the United States spends twice as much per capita on health care as any other country. Those claims are overly broad.","Do the math, and total U.S. spending is about 2.7 times what they spend in the United Kingdom per person, and a bit over twice what they spend per person in France. Everything is measured in dollars, and the data are from 2013."]},{"id":"2906.json","label":"false","statement":"The DREAM Act the would give amnesty to over two million illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the DREAM Act would provide a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented individuals who meet specific criteria, it does not grant amnesty to over two million illegal aliens. The Migration Policy Institute analysis mentioned in the evidence indicates that there are approximately 2.1 million individuals who could potentially be eligible for citizenship under the DREAM Act. However, due to educational requirements and other factors, the institute estimates that significantly less than half of that number would actually achieve permanent legal residency through the bill. Therefore, the claim of granting amnesty to over two million illegal aliens is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a message posted to Conservative Action Alerts( \"Conservative Action Alerts\"), and copied and circulated via chain e-mail, a group called warns that the Dream Act \"would give amnesty to over two million illegal aliens.\"","The first is from a conservative group called , whose president warned in a message posted to Conservative Action Alerts that the Dream Act \"would give amnesty to over two million illegal aliens.\" In July, a nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute analysis of the DREAM Act concluded there are about 2.1 million people who would be potentially eligible for citizenship. Because of the educational requirements and other factors, however, the institute estimated that subsstantially less than half of that number would ever achieve permanent legal residency through the bill. And we rated the claim False( \"False\").","The 1986 immigration bill -- which allowed many illegal immigrants who entered the United States before 1982 to earn temporary, and eventually permanent, residency and citizenship -- explicitly included an \"amnesty.\" Supporters of the DREAM Act, however, do not describe it as \"amnesty,\" partly because \"amnesty\" has become a politically toxic term in the debate, Rosenblum said.","The claim by is that the DREAM Act would give amnesty to 2.1 million illegal immigrants. That's very definitive. In fact, though, that's the number of people who would be potentially eligible to earn citizenship. The figure assumes every single child of an illegal immigrant who meets the age requirements will complete two years of college or join the military. That's not realistic. In fact, the Migration Institute estimates the number of people likely to obtain permanent citizenship is actually less than half that. It's in the same report. We rate the claim False."]},{"id":"3739.json","label":"false","statement":"For four years, we balanced the budget and paid off $405 billion in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gingrich that \"For four years, we balanced the budget and paid off $405 billion in debt\" is not accurate. While Gingrich may have made this claim during his presidential campaign, it does not align with the historical record. During Gingrich's tenure as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999, the federal budget was not balanced for four consecutive years, and the debt was not paid off by $405 billion. While progress was made in reducing the deficit during that time, the claim of a balanced budget and significant debt reduction is misleading and not supported by the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"For four years, we balanced the budget and paid off $405 billion in debt,\" Gingrich said in a video on his campaign website.","\u2022 \"For four years, we balanced the budget and paid off $405 billion in debt.\" (video announcement that he would run for president, May 11, 2011)","In that video, he said, \"for four years, we balanced the budget and paid off $405 billion in debt.\" With soft music in the background, Gingrich said with a smile, \"We\u2019ve done it before. We can do it again.\"","\u2022 \"I balanced the budget for four straight years, paid off $405 billion in debt.\" (Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa, Dec. 15, 2011)"]},{"id":"13292.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Donald Trumps education plan to dramatically slash funding for public education would fire 49,000 Texas teachers.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Donald Trump's education plan would result in the firing of 49,000 Texas teachers is not supported by credible evidence. The source cited, Progress Texas, has been given a \"Pants on Fire\" rating, indicating that the claim is entirely false. Education experts have noted that Trump has not provided specific details about his plans for education funding, making it speculative to conclude that such a significant number of teachers would be fired. Without concrete evidence or a clear policy proposal from Trump, it is inaccurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["So we were curious when Progress Texas, a liberal-leaning education and advocacy group, attributed dire consequences to Trump\u2019s education plan. The group opened a Sept. 20, 2016, blog post: \"He doesn't always talk about policy, but when he does -- it's also terrible. Donald Trump's education plan to dramatically slash funding for public education would fire 49,000 Texas teachers.\"","!Progress Texas says Donald Trump, shown here in February 2016, wants to fire 49,000 Texas teachers. Pants on Fire! (Associated Press photo\/Marcio Jose Sanchez). !Progress Texas says Donald Trump, shown here in February 2016, wants to fire 49,000 Texas teachers. Pants on Fire! (Associated Press photo\/Marcio Jose Sanchez).","Progress Texas says Donald Trump, shown here in February 2016, wants to fire 49,000 Texas teachers. Pants on Fire! (Associated Press photo\/Marcio Jose Sanchez).","\"To my knowledge,\" Welner said, \"Trump hasn\u2019t provided any specifics at all concerning what he would actually \u2018shred\u2019 in the realm of Department of Education programs... So the report authors had to speculate, which means it\u2019s speculative to conclude that the plan \u2018would fire 49,000 Texas teachers.\u2019\""]},{"id":"10475.json","label":"true","statement":"Science is very certain that the measles vaccine doesnt cause autism.","reason":"Reason: The scientific consensus is indeed very certain that the measles vaccine does not cause autism. Numerous peer-reviewed studies have been conducted, and the overwhelming evidence consistently supports the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, including the measles vaccine. The misinformation linking vaccines to autism has been thoroughly debunked, and it is important to rely on credible scientific sources when discussing vaccine safety.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Five years ago the science wasn\u2019t even as certain as it is today,\" said Fox News host Megyn Kelly. \"It is very certain today.\" We rated her statement True.","\"They were given bad information years ago by a U.K. study that came out in 1998,\" Kelly said. \"Five years ago the science wasn't even as certain as it is today. It is very certain today.\"","In this fact-check, we take a look at the scientific certainty over the safety of vaccination. Along the way, we\u2019ll see if the science has become even more certain in the past five years.","The internet has been fueled with misinformation for years about a vaccine-autism link. A 1998 article in a British medical journal, the Lancet, claimed to show a link between the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism but in 2010, the Lancet retracted the study. Scientists have repeatedly debunked the myth that vaccines cause autism through peer-reviewed studies. And yet, the spread of misinformation continues -- including by Donald Trump before and during his race for president."]},{"id":"12289.json","label":"true","statement":"A tax on soda and juice drinks would disproportionately increase taxes on low-income families in Philadelphia.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns raised by Bernie Sanders and other experts regarding the potential impact of a soda tax on low-income families in Philadelphia. Studies and tax experts have indicated that regressive taxes like a soda tax tend to affect lower-income residents more heavily because a larger portion of their income is spent on food and drinks. This suggests that a tax on soda and juice drinks could disproportionately burden low-income families in Philadelphia.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Kenney fired backin an editorial on Huffington Post that his proposal, which would levy a three cent per ounce tax on distributors, was a \"corporate tax\" and said Sanders was siding with beverage corporations. Then Sanders responded with an editorial of his own, in Philly Mag. He basically gave an elongated version of what he said earlier in the week, which was, \"A tax on soda and juice drinks would disproportionately increase taxes on low-income families in Philadelphia.\"","Sanders said Kenney\u2019s proposed soda tax would disproportionately increase taxes for low income families. In the only other instance of a soda tax in the United States, studies have shown somewhere between 25 and 70 percent of the cost of the tax gets passed to consumers. Tax experts say if this tax reaches the consumer level it would affect low income residents to a greater extent.","Carl Davis, the research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, told Billy Penn last month soda taxes like the one proposed by Philadelphia are \"imperfect:\" \"The first thing you realize is that it is regressive. It\u2019s going to hit lower and more moderate income families more heavily than higher-income families.\"","William Shughart, a Utah State University professor and sin tax expert, explainedtaxes like the one proposed by Kenney disproportionately affect lower income residents because a greater amount of their income is used on food and drinks."]},{"id":"12146.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"After taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street banks, (Debbie Wasserman Schultz) has voted to prevent the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from regulating payday loans and addressing racial discrimination in car loans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tim Canova that Debbie Wasserman Schultz, after receiving significant campaign contributions from Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street banks, voted against regulations by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding payday loans and addressing racial discrimination in car loans. The evidence provided supports this claim, indicating that Wasserman Schultz voted for a bill that prevented the implementation of CFPB guidelines related to racial discrimination in car loans. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive view of Wasserman Schultz's overall stance on financial regulation and consumer protection. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Canova says Wasserman Schultz \"after taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street banks, has voted to prevent the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from regulating payday loans and addressing racial discrimination in car loans.\"","\"My opponent, after taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street banks, has voted to prevent the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFTP) from regulating payday loans and addressing racial discrimination in car loans,\" said Tim Canova on his website.","Canova also said Wasserman Schultz prevented action to stop racial discrimination for car loans. This part of Canova\u2019s attack relates to a 2013 bulletin from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which recommended steps for auto lenders to avoid discrimination. The bulletin was intended to provide clarity about existing law.","She voted for a bill that squashed bureau guidelines that were intended to provide clarity about the law on racial discrimination related to car loans."]},{"id":"8911.json","label":"false","statement":"Kip Kinkel and Clackamas Town Center shootings both where citizen with gun stopped the crime","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that an armed citizen stopped the Kip Kinkel shooting or the shooting at Clackamas Town Center. In both incidents, law enforcement authorities were responsible for stopping the crimes. It is important to rely on verified information and official investigations when discussing such tragic events.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"He mentions Kip Kinkle (sic) & Clackamas TC,\" the tweet continued, \"both where citizen with gun stopped the crime.\" The tweet caught our attention. Were both of those tragic incidents halted when armed citizens intervened? PolitiFact Oregon checked.","A member of the Oregon Citizens Lobby tweeted during a gun-control hearing that the Thurston and Clackamas Town Center shootings were stopped by armed bystanders.","To fact-check Meli\u2019s role in the Town Square shootings, we called the Clackamas County Sheriff\u2019s Office, which took the lead in investigating the incident.","A member of the Oregon Citizens Lobby, a conservative activist group, took to Twitter to say that Kelly was testifying. The tweet indicated that Kelly\u2019s remarks included mention of Kip Kinkel, who shot and killed his parents before killing two fellow Thurston High School students in 1998, and the Dec. 11, 2012, shooting at Clackamas Town Center that left three people, including the shooter, dead."]},{"id":"10676.json","label":"false","statement":"Not a single unarmed white person has been shot by the police in New York in about 45 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Lebowitz that not a single unarmed white person has been shot by the police in New York in about 45 years is false. Fact-checking investigations have found evidence to the contrary, indicating that unarmed white individuals have indeed been shot by the police during that time period. While it is important to address issues of police violence and racial disparities, it is crucial to rely on accurate information when discussing such matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So, to Lebowitz, an unarmed white person has not been shot by New York police in at least about 45 years.","Lebowitz said, \"Not a single unarmed white person has been shot by the police\" since she has lived in New York.","We checked the claim that \"not a single unarmed white person has been shot by the police\" in the entire time Lebowitz has lived in New York, finding it False.","\"In the entire time I've lived in New York, which has been many decades, not a single unarmed white person has been shot by the police,\" Lebowitz said. \"Not one. Not one. You think the odds would be? Not one. So that is the reason they're shot, period.\""]},{"id":"6570.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says taxes were raised 115 times in the eight years before I became governor and those increases were part of a path that led to wealth and jobs and people leaving our state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Chris Christie's claim that taxes were raised 115 times in the eight years before he took office. However, the claim that these tax increases directly led to wealth and job loss, as well as people leaving the state, is a subjective interpretation and lacks concrete evidence. While tax policy can have an impact on economic factors, attributing these specific outcomes solely to tax increases is a complex and multifaceted issue. Therefore, the statement contains a subjective claim that cannot be definitively proven or disproven.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The key difference between Kean\u2019s claim in 2011 and Christie\u2019s, though, is that Kean specified only tax increases and tied those increases to driving jobs out of state. The governor said taxes and fees were raised 115 times in the eight years before he took office.","PolitiFact New Jersey, Chris Christie says taxes, fees raised 115 times in the 8 years before he became governor, Jan. 10, 2013, accessed May 14 and 15, 2013","PolitiFact New Jersey, Chris Christie says taxes, fees raised 115 times in the 8 years before he became governor, Jan. 10, 2013, accessed March 1 and 2, 2013","In addition, state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) made a similar claim in an Oct. 7, 2011 news release when he tied 115 votes for tax increases to jobs leaving New Jersey. Kean\u2019s claim was rated Half True."]},{"id":"8663.json","label":"false","statement":"Oregon leads the nation in number of jobs per capita in manufacturing.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was a mistake made in the original claim, it is important to base the ruling on the original claim itself. The corrected statement should have been that Oregon leads the nation in manufacturing output per capita, not in the number of jobs per capita in manufacturing. The corrected claim is true, but the original claim, as stated, is false. The correct information is that Oregon ranks 22nd nationally in manufacturing jobs per capita, not first.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We said Oregon leads the nation in the number of jobs per capita in manufacturing,\" he said. \"What we should have said is that Oregon leads the nation in manufacturing output per capita. It was just a mistake. There\u2019s no other way to say it.\"","ECONorthwest, in preparing a paper delineating that success, wrote that \"Oregon leads the nation in number of jobs per capita in manufacturing.\" The sentence needed to be rewritten to say the state leads the nation in manufacturing output per capita. That would have made the claim true. But regardless of the correction that followed, PolitiFact Oregon makes its rulings based on original claims. Not to detract from the success Oregon is having in semiconductor manufacturing, but we rate the original claim False.","The paper, written by ECONorthwest, an economic consulting and planning firm, focused on four strategies aimed at reducing poverty. One, touching on the need to bolster manufacturing, included this statement: \"Oregon leads the nation in number of jobs per capita in manufacturing.\"","\"Our manufacturing jobs per capita actually rank 22nd nationally,\u2019\u2019 Lehner said. He said he respects work done by ECONorthwest, but added, \"As for us being number one in that category, the math just doesn\u2019t add up.\" (Asked about Wisconsin, he said his figures show that state does, in fact, lead the country in manufacturing jobs per capita.)"]},{"id":"2790.json","label":"true","statement":"Electric utility FirstEnergys annual revenues are greater than the GDP of Haiti, Kyrgyzstan, Iceland, or 15 African nations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. FirstEnergy's annual revenues are indeed greater than the gross domestic product (GDP) of several countries, including Haiti, Kyrgyzstan, Iceland, and 15 African nations. The evidence cites statistics from the World Bank and FirstEnergy's annual report, which confirm that the company's revenues exceed the GDP of these countries. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As part of her statement, Kaptur asked: \"Are we to believe that a corporation such as FirstEnergy, with annual revenues of approximately $1 billion -- that\u2019s a thousand million dollars a year, more than the GDP of Haiti, Kyrgyzstan, Iceland, or 15 African nations -- are we to believe that such a giant corporation cannot afford to keep its promises to senior citizens and working families in all-electric homes and apartments?\"","According to statistics compiled by the World Bank, FirstEnergy\u2019s yearly revenues are greater than the 2009 gross domestic products of 85 nations including Iceland ($12.1 billion) Haiti ($6.7 billion) and the Kyrgyz Republic ($4.6 billion). It\u2019s also higher than the gross domestic product for 29 African countries: Zambia, Botswana, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Namibia, Madagascar, Mali, The Republic of the Congo, Mauritius, Burkina Faso, Chad, Benin, Niger, Rwanda, Malawi, Guinea, Mauritania, Swaziland, Togo, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Liberia, Seychelles, The Gambia. Comoros, and Sao Tome and Principe.","FirstEnergy\u2019s most recent annual report says its total revenue for 2009 was nearly $13 billion, down from $13.6 billion in 2008. Kaptur\u2019s $1 billion statement significantly understates the company\u2019s yearly revenues, but she\u2019s correct to state those revenues exceed the gross domestic product of many countries.","Elder referred us to an annual report by Target Market News called \"The Buying Power of Black America,\" which publishes the only estimate we could find of the total earned income of African-Americans. In 2011, the report he provided us, Target Market News put the income spent by African-Americans at $836 billion."]},{"id":"9777.json","label":"true","statement":"New Glarus Brewing Co.s Spotted Cow is available only in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Spotted Cow, produced by New Glarus Brewing Co., is indeed only available in Wisconsin. While it is possible to find the beer outside of Wisconsin through means such as online purchases or visitors bringing it back, its distribution is limited to the state itself. This exclusivity adds to the appeal and popularity of Spotted Cow among beer enthusiasts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Spotted Cow,\" she said. \"New Glarus is a great brewery and Spotted Cow, you can only get it in Wisconsin and (it's) one of my favorites.\"","Burke chose Spotted Cow as her beer of choice, saying she liked the beer and the fact it was available only in Wisconsin.","Spotted Cow is the most popular beer produced by New Glarus, the brewery founded in 1993 by Deb and Dan Carey in the village of the same name in south central Wisconsin. New Glarus has enjoyed rapid growth, including a $21 million expansion, and then another $11 million addition.","Of course, you can find Spotted Cow in fridges around the country, thanks to visitors who snare a case on their way home from Wisconsin, or who use the online gift shop."]},{"id":"6864.json","label":"false","statement":"All legislative mail, from the content to the timing, is approved by the speakers office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that state-paid mailings, specifically bulk mail, require approval from the speaker's office, not all legislative mail falls under this category. The evidence provided clarifies that there are different classes of mail, and only bulk mail, defined as 200 or more pieces of the same printed material, requires approval. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that \"all legislative mail\" is subject to approval by the speaker's office.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"All legislative mail \u2013 from the content to the timing \u2013 is approved by the speaker\u2019s office, therefore if they have an argument, they have to take it up with Speaker (Ron) Ramsey, who the last time I looked was a Republican,\" Kyle said in the Leaf-Chronicle article.","For state-paid mailings, however, the rules prohibit any political messaging and this is where the approval of content comes in. Officially, the rules require the speakers' approval of bulk mail that includes a printing expense.","Ergo, Kyle is off base in describing \"all legislative mail\" as subject to approval of the speaker's office. A second class of mail, however, may be subject to approval by the Senate speaker in the case of senators, or the House speaker in the case of representatives. This is \"bulk mail,\" defined by policy as 200 or more pieces of the same printed material, according to Ridley.","Basically, a legislator need only put his or her outgoing mail in a box outside a Legislative Plaza office and it is sent out with the postage paid by the state and charged to the legislator's account. The envelopes and typing paper can also be billed to the account."]},{"id":"10189.json","label":"false","statement":"Were above 800 million Muslims radicalized, more than half the Muslims on Earth Thats not a minority. Thats now a majority.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided shows that the claim of \"above 800 million Muslims radicalized, more than half the Muslims on Earth\" is based on a misinterpretation of data. The source mentioned in the evidence refers to a video that draws on Pew Research data but does not support the claim that a majority of Muslims are radicalized. The evidence also highlights that the number mentioned by Shapiro is derived from a flawed calculation based on the percentage of Muslims in Indonesia who blamed someone other than al-Qaida for the 9\/11 attacks. This claim is misleading and does not reflect the reality of the Muslim population worldwide.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We\u2019re above 800 million Muslims radicalized, more than half the Muslims on Earth That\u2019s not a minority. That\u2019s now a majority.\"","\"We\u2019re above 800 million Muslims radicalized, more than half the Muslims on Earth,\" Shapiro said. \"That\u2019s not a minority. That\u2019s now a majority.\"","To get to 143 million \"radicalized\" Muslims, Shapiro took the 70 percent of Indonesia\u2019s Muslims who blamed someone other than al-Qaida for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.","Friendly Atheist blog, This Video, Drawing on Pew Research Data, Claims That the \"Tiny Minority\" of Radical Muslims Is Actually a Majority, Oct. 25, 2014"]},{"id":"1395.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Trans-Texas Corridor is dead.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Trans-Texas Corridor project, particularly the centerpiece that paralleled I-35, has been officially declared dead by the Texas Department of Transportation and removed from official plans, there are still remnants of the project that remain in the state's Transportation Code and other documents. These remnants, however, do not indicate that the project is still active or being pursued. Therefore, it can be concluded that while the Trans-Texas Corridor as originally envisioned is indeed dead, there are some residual references to it in official documents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For one, the Trans-Texas Corridor concept remains in the state\u2019s Transportation Code and other official documents, which Hutchison says is evidence that the project endures. An attempt to remove those references failed during the 2009 legislative session with the death of a measure regulating the Texas Department of Transportation.","Summing up: We found that some language in the state Transportation Code and the much-altered highway I-69 project survive from Perry\u2019s original TTC vision. But its centerpiece paralleling I-35 is truly dead, and beyond that, the corridor plan retains only a faint statutory pulse. We rate Perry\u2019s statement as Mostly True.","The Texas Department of Transportation pronounced the TTC dead, in concept and in name, in January 2009. But some remnants of the project are still on the books.","\"I've had 20 dead ones since September,\" West said. \"They're in canyons. They're on mountains. They could be seven, eight, 10 miles from any closest road.\""]},{"id":"6977.json","label":"true","statement":"Virginias educational level among whites is higher than Georgias.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from political analyst Larry Sabato and corroborated by exit polls and census data. According to Sabato, Virginia's educational level among white voters is higher than that of Georgia. This claim is further supported by data indicating that white voters in Georgia, regardless of education level, are more likely to vote Republican. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, political analyst Larry Sabato commented on the constituency of the political parties, particularly among white voters. We already checked part of his statement that \"Virginia\u2019s educational level among whites is higher than Georgia (voters\u2019 educational level).\" We rated it true.","\"I\u2019m pretty sure, despite Atlanta, that Virginia\u2019s educational level among whites is higher than Georgia,\" Larry Sabato, a national political expert at the University of Virginia, said in the AJC story.","In a news story about Georgia\u2019s white voters and the tendency to cast ballots for GOP candidates, Sabato described the differences in Virginia and Georgia. \"Despite Atlanta, Virginia\u2019s educational level among whites is higher than Georgia,\" he said. Based on exit polls and census data, Sabato\u2019s statement is correct. Examining the data further shows that Georgia\u2019s white voters at any education level are more likely to vote Republican.","Based on the 2008 exit polls of Georgia, Virginia (where Sabato works) and nationally, whites with a college degree supported Barack Obama at a higher rate than whites without a college degree, Kondik said."]},{"id":"13064.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the Donald J.Trump Foundations money is his money.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to the evidence provided, the money in the Donald J. Trump Foundation does not belong to Donald Trump personally. The evidence states that the Trump Foundation received money from others and investment income, and Donald Trump did not make any personal contributions to the foundation during the specified time period. Therefore, the funds in the foundation are not considered to be Donald Trump's personal money.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You want to debate foundations and charities?\" Obama said. \"One candidate's family foundation has saved countless lives around the world. The other candidate's foundation took money other people gave to his charity and then bought a six-foot-tall painting of himself.\"","Says Donald Trump campaigned on not cutting Medicare and Social Security, but his nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, \"made his career on cutting Medicare and Medicaid.\"","Altogether, the Trump Foundation has donated $5.5 million to 298 charities between 2009 and 2013 according to the nonprofit\u2019s tax forms, Forbesfound. Trump did not make any personal contributions to his foundations during this time. (Money for the Trump Foundation in these years came from others and from investment income.)","Fahrenthold provided new details of his investigations in a Sept. 10, 2016, Postarticle headlined, \"How Donald Trump retooled his charity to spend other people\u2019s money.\""]},{"id":"9371.json","label":"half-true","statement":"41,200 veterans in Florida dont have health care because Scott didnt expand Medicaid.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. According to the report mentioned, there were indeed 41,200 non-elderly veterans in Florida who would qualify for Medicaid if the state expanded the program. However, it is important to note that not all of these veterans necessarily lack healthcare coverage entirely. Some may be eligible for healthcare services through the VA or other means but have not sought those benefits for various reasons. Additionally, while Governor Scott initially opposed Medicaid expansion, he later expressed support for it. However, the decision to expand Medicaid ultimately lies with the state legislature, which rejected the expansion. Therefore, while Scott's stance on Medicaid expansion may have played a role, it is not solely responsible for the lack of healthcare coverage for these veterans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The institute\u2019s report said in Florida there were 103,700 non-elderly veterans who lacked health insurance, which included 41,200 who would qualify for Medicaid if the state expanded the program.","The study found that 535,000 uninsured veterans nationwide would qualify for Medicaid or new subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. However, the majority would only qualify for Medicaid if their state chose to expand it.","Crist\u2019s tweet omits two major points: Some of those 41,200 veterans could get health care other ways. It\u2019s possible some are eligible for services through the VA but for a variety of reasons haven\u2019t sought those benefits.","Also, Scott\u2019s not solely responsible for Florida failing to expand Medicaid. After Scott opposed the expansion, he came out in support of it in February 2013. But Scott didn\u2019t lobby for it, and the Legislature rejected it last year."]},{"id":"5369.json","label":"false","statement":"The Republicans just voted last year to end Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Republicans voted to end Medicare is misleading and has been debunked. While there was a proposed budget from U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan in 2011 that included changes to Medicare, it did not completely end the program. The claim that Republicans voted to end Medicare has been widely criticized and was even chosen as the \"Lie of the Year\" by PolitiFact in 2011. It is important to provide accurate information and context when discussing political decisions and their impact on programs like Medicare.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a speech on the House floor, Rothman repeated a claim that\u2019s been debunked many times before: \"The Republicans just voted last year to end Medicare.\"","Here then is a review of the evidence. Read on and decide for yourself whether Republicans voted to \"end Medicare as we know it.\"","!Congressman Steve Rothman claims Republicans voted to \"end Medicare\" during this Feb. 8 speech on the House floor. !Congressman Steve Rothman claims Republicans voted to \"end Medicare\" during this Feb. 8 speech on the House floor.","Democrats have been chanting \"Republicans voted to end Medicare\" since an April 2011 vote on a proposed budget from U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., now the GOP vice presidential nominee. The claim -- often made bluntly and with no qualifiers -- was so pervasive, PolitiFact chose it as our 2011 Lie of the Year."]},{"id":"3179.json","label":"true","statement":"Under Hosni Mubaraks rule, Egypt received more American dollars than any country besides Israel.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Egypt did receive more American dollars in aid than any country besides Israel during Hosni Mubarak's rule. This has been confirmed by fact-checkers who have verified the accuracy of this claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["For our ruling, we wanted to know if Douthat was correct that under Mubarak's rule, Egypt received more American dollars than any country besides Israel. Douthat is right. We rate his statement True.","\"At the same time, Mubarak's relationship with Washington has offered constant vindication for the jihadi worldview,\" Douthat wrote. \"Under his rule, Egypt received more American dollars than any country besides Israel. For many young Egyptians, restless amid political and economic stagnation, it's been a short leap from hating their dictator to hating his patrons in the United States.\"","We also looked at a statement from Ross Douthat, a conservative columnist for The New York Times. Douthat said Mubarak was not as good a U.S. ally as some believe. \"By visiting imprisonment, torture and exile upon Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Mubarak foreclosed any possibility of an Islamic revolution in his own country,\" Douthat wrote. \"Under his rule, Egypt received more American dollars than any country besides Israel. For many young Egyptians, restless amid political and economic stagnation, it's been a short leap from hating their dictator to hating his patrons in the United States.\"","We checked Douthat's numbers on whether Egypt has received more aid from the U.S. than any country besides Israel. The numbers backed him up, and we rated his statement True."]},{"id":"11323.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"You know our current president is (Muslim). You know hes not even an American.","reason":"Reason: The statement is factually incorrect. President Barack Obama has consistently identified himself as a Christian and there is no credible evidence to support the claim that he is a Muslim. Furthermore, President Obama was born in the United States, making him a natural-born American citizen. These false assertions have been widely debunked and are based on misinformation and conspiracy theories.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["An audience member at a Trump campaign event said, \"You know our current president is (Muslim). You know he's not even an American.\"","Audience member: \"We have a problem in this country. It's called Muslims. You know our current president is one. You know he's not even an American.\"","In 2008, \"candidate Obama, he's not even president-elect, sends William Miller over to Iran to establish a back channel and let the Iranians know that should he win the election, they will have friendlier terms.\"","A recent CNN poll found that 29 percent of Americans and 43 percent of Republicans think Obama is Muslim. Let\u2019s revisit why we know this is not true. (He\u2019s actually Protestant.)"]},{"id":"7023.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the typical homeowner will pay $4 more per month if library district passes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the analysis conducted by the Libraries Yes! Committee. Based on the median assessed home value in Multnomah County, which is $149,920, homeowners can expect to pay approximately $4 more per month if the library district tax measure passes. This calculation takes into account the current tax rate and the proposed increase. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Supporters of a new Multnomah County Library District -- the Libraries Yes! Committee -- tried to put the tax measure in some context in a recent mailer. \"The typical homeowner will pay $4 more per month than the amount we currently pay.\"","While the ultimate cost would be more for the average house, we think it\u2019s fair to call the median number, where half the houses are assessed at more and half less, \"typical.\" Those figures back up the Libraries Yes! Committee\u2019s claim that the typical homeowner will pay $4 more per month\" once the new district goes into full effect.","Next we examined what constitutes a \"typical\" homeowner. According to Multnomah County, the median assessed home value for the county is $149,920. Homeowners at that level are paying just over $11 a month, or $133 a year, at the current 89-cent rate. That would get bumped up by about $4 to $15.50 -- or $185 annually -- if the tax district passes.","We ran the numbers again, just to be safe, with the average assessed value, which is higher, about $178,000. At that number, homeowners currently pay $13.20 a month and can expect to pay $18.40 a month if the measure passes -- $5.20 more."]},{"id":"11624.json","label":"true","statement":"Probably less than 4 percent of Wisconsin residents are enjoying the subsidies from Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Ron Johnson that \"probably less than 4 percent\" of Wisconsin residents are benefiting from the subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). This claim is supported by evidence from a Kaiser report, which indicates that about 90.7 percent of those enrolled in ACA coverage in Wisconsin receive subsidies. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That is the provision Johnson was referring to when he said \"probably less than 4 percent\" of Wisconsin residents \"are enjoying the subsidies\" from Obamacare.","\"Well,\" Johnson replied, \"unless you are one of those individuals \u2014 in Wisconsin it\u2019s probably less than 4 percent of the population \u2014 that are enjoying the subsidies, you\u2019re getting harmed by Obamacare.\"","Scott claimed 97 percent of Americans do not receive subsidies for health care under the Affordable Care Act. The Kaiser report showed about 9 million people receive federal and state subsidies to buy insurance. In comparison to the estimated U.S. population of about 318 million, that\u2019s just about 3 percent.","According to the Kaiser report, 166,142 people received subsidies to help pay premiums as of March 2015. About 20,000 more Wisconsinites are enrolled in the marketplace, but don\u2019t receive financial assistance. By this tally, 90.7 percent of those enrolled in ACA coverage in Wisconsin receive subsidies."]},{"id":"13146.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Tom Nelson backed higher taxes on Social Security, costing Wisconsin seniors $95 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Tom Nelson did not back higher taxes on Social Security. In fact, he voted against the state budget that ended the state income tax on Social Security benefits, resulting in savings of over $95 million per year for Wisconsin seniors. The claim that Nelson supported higher taxes on Social Security is misleading and contradicted by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Sept. 12, 2016, it was Gallagher\u2019s turn. He released a TV ad accusing Nelson of having \"backed higher taxes on Social Security, costing Wisconsin seniors $95 million.\"","Nelson voted against the 2005-\u201907 state budget, which ended the state income tax on Social Security benefits, saving seniors more than $95 million per year.","But that\u2019s not the same as backing higher taxes on Social Security, something that was not even on the table. And a vote against the overall state budget doesn\u2019t mean Nelson opposed eliminating the tax on Social Security benefits. Indeed, he voted for the amendment that added that provision to the budget.","A $300 million stimulus allocation to Wisconsin \"has led to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs in every corner of this state.\""]},{"id":"210.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I do provide universal health care.\"","reason":"Reason: While Barack Obama claimed to provide universal health care during the Democratic primary debates, fact-checking analysis suggests that his plan did not guarantee universal coverage. While Obama argued that his plan would create conditions for making health care universally available, it did not include explicit provisions to ensure universal coverage. Therefore, the statement that he provided universal health care is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Well, let's talk about health care right now because the fact of the matter is that I do provide universal health care. The only difference between Sen. Clinton's health care plan and mine is that she thinks the problem for people without health care is that nobody has mandated \u2014 forced \u2014 them to get health care.\"","Obama shot back: \u201cWell, let\u2019s talk about health care right now because the fact of the matter is that I do provide universal health care. The only difference between Sen. Clinton\u2019s health care plan and mine is that she thinks the problem for people without health care is that nobody has mandated \u2014 forced \u2014 them to get health care.\u201d","With the Democratic primary field in a tight race going into a recent debate in Las Vegas, Hillary Clinton attacked her two main rivals. She chided John Edwards for being a convert to universal health care (we checked that claim here ) and she criticized Barack Obama for a plan that she said doesn\u2019t include universal coverage.","So is it fair for Obama to call his plan \"universal\"? Well, not really. Even if you buy his argument that his plan will create the market conditions to make health care universally available, nothing in his plan guarantees it. We rate his claim Barely True."]},{"id":"12061.json","label":"true","statement":"One would have to go back more than a century to find a scenario where a presidents nominee for the Supreme Court was confirmed by the opposition party in the Senate when the vacancy occurred during an election year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical context surrounding Supreme Court nominations during election years. It highlights that it is rare for a president's nominee to be confirmed by the opposition party in the Senate when the vacancy occurs during an election year. The evidence provided supports this by showing that in the past century, there have been only a few instances where Supreme Court seats opened up in election years, and the Senate confirmed the president's nominee in only a limited number of cases. Therefore, the statement is supported by historical data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In the past century, there have been 25 presidential elections. Just four Supreme Court seats opened up in those election years. In three of those instances, the Senate confirmed the president\u2019s nominee, and just once \u2014 the only election-year court opening in the past 80 years \u2014 did the Senate refuse a nominee.","McConnell\u2019s talking point also ignores the two instances in the past century when the Senate confirmed Supreme Court nominees in election years, even though the seat opened up in the year prior. In 1988, the Senate confirmed Ronald Reagan\u2019s nominee, Anthony Kennedy, though the seat became vacant in 1987. And in 1940, the Senate confirmed Franklin Roosevelt\u2019s nominee, Frank Murphy, though the seat became vacant in 1939.","So the scenario McConnell described has happened exactly once in the past century, in 1968, and that decision did not actually leave a vacancy on the court for any period of time.","\"We're following the Biden rule,\" he said, referring to comments made by Vice President Joe Biden in 1992. \"And Biden was chairman of the Judiciary Committee in 1992, in presidential election year, he said the Senate should not act on filling a Supreme Court vacancy if it had occurred that year. Harry Reid when he was back in 2005 said the president nominates, but the Senate doesn't have to vote. Chuck Schumer, who will be the next Democratic leader, said in 2007 they wouldn't confirm. The Democrats were in the majority in the Senate, they wouldn't confirm a Bush appointment to the Supreme Court if one occurred within 18 months of a presidential election."]},{"id":"9919.json","label":"true","statement":"More than three women per day lose their lives at the hands of their partners.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence, which cites various sources indicating that a significant number of women are killed by their current or former romantic partners in the United States. The evidence suggests that the number is close to three women per day, although it's important to note that the exact figure may vary depending on the specific time period and age range considered. Overall, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Her spokeswoman pointed us to an NBC news article which says \"nearly three women are murdered every day in the U.S. by current or former romantic partners.\"","\"Forty-eight percent of women aged 15-44 in 1994 had had at least one unplanned pregnancy sometime in their lives,\" Henshaw wrote, \"28% had had one or more unplanned births, 30% had had one or more abortions and 11% had had both.\" Put another way, then, the study suggested that as of 1994, nearly one third of women of childbearing age had had an abortion.","The National Organization for Women, for example, cited federal statistics from 2005 that show, on average, about 3.2 women were killed per day by an intimate partner in the United States.","That works out to 2.54 female victims killed by an intimate partner on average per day in the United States. While Speier stated \"women,\" ages were not specified in the report."]},{"id":"10279.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a man in Ferguson, Mo., was photographed holding a sign that said, No mother should have to fear for her sons life every time he robs a store.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there were photographs circulating on social media purporting to show a protester in Ferguson holding a sign with the quoted statement, it was later revealed that the photograph had been manipulated and altered by a social media user. The original sign actually conveyed a different message, and the altered version completely changed the meaning. Therefore, the claim that a man in Ferguson was photographed holding the sign as described is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says a man in Ferguson, Mo., was photographed holding a sign that said, \"No mother should have to fear for her son's life every time he robs a store.\"","A photograph that went viral purports to show a protester in Ferguson, holding a sign that said, \"No mother should have to fear for her son's life every time he robs a store.\" However, the photo was manipulated by a social media user, who later acknowledged the alteration. The change in wording turns the sign\u2019s message completely on its head, so we rate the claim Pants On Fire.","Recently, a reader sent us a photo that has been circulating on social media, showing an African-American protester standing in front of a fire station and holding up a hand-lettered sign that reads, \"No mother should have to fear for her son's life every time he robs a store.\"","The version we received is cropped to focus on the African-American man holding the sign, with a partial view of a woman standing to his left. Other versions, such as one analyzed by , include a fuller view of the woman, holding a sign that says, \"Shame on Ferguson Police,\" as well as another man, an African-American, holding a sign that says, \"We the People.\""]},{"id":"13201.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton went toe-to-toe with Russia as secretary of state to do the New START agreement to reduce Russias nuclear stockpile.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State, played a role in negotiating the New START agreement with Russia. However, it is important to note that the New START treaty primarily focuses on limiting deployed strategic nuclear weapons, rather than reducing Russia's overall nuclear stockpile. While the treaty does contribute to reducing and limiting Russian strategic arms, experts caution against overstating the depth of the reduction and characterize it as a modest rather than a sweeping arms control treaty. Therefore, while Clinton played a role in the agreement, it would be misleading to suggest that she went \"toe-to-toe\" with Russia to significantly reduce their nuclear stockpile.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton is referring to the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, an agreement between Russia and the United States designed to limit both countries\u2019 deployed strategic nuclear weapons. The original START treaty was in force from 1994 until it expired in 2009; New START was signed in April 2010 and went into force in February 2011.","Throughout Obama\u2019s tenure \u2014 and Clinton\u2019s term as secretary of state \u2014 Russia has shrunk its total nuclear arsenal far less than it did under the past three presidents. And it would be difficult to attribute any reduction in Russia\u2019s nuclear stockpiles to New START, given that the treaty only limits deployed weapons.","\"I would say that New START does reduce and limit Russian strategic arms, but I would not overly hype the depth of the reduction,\" said Pifer, a Clinton supporter who testified before Congress in favor of New START.","\"Russia is not expected to rapidly or dramatically reduce its nuclear weapons holdings,\" said Lisa Koch, a professor and nuclear proliferation expert at Claremont McKenna College. \"New START could be characterized as a modest, rather than a sweeping, arms control treaty.\""]},{"id":"6833.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romneys plan calls for a $5 trillion tax cut.","reason":"Reason: President Obama claimed during the debate that Mitt Romney's tax plan called for a $5 trillion tax cut. However, Romney himself countered this claim by stating that he was not seeking a $5 trillion tax cut and that he would not implement a tax cut that adds to the deficit. While there were criticisms from some Democrats about Romney's tax cut proposal, it is important to note that the actual details and impact of the plan may vary. Therefore, the statement lacks clarity and may not accurately represent Romney's tax plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Early in the first presidential debate, President Barack Obama attacked Mitt Romney\u2019s tax plan as unbalanced and devastating for the middle class. He charged that Romney\u2019s plan \"calls for a $5 trillion tax cut,\" and challenged him to defend it.","Later, Romney countered: \"I'm not looking for a $5 trillion tax cut. What I've said is I won't put in place a tax cut that adds to the deficit. That's part one. So there's no economist that can say Mitt Romney's tax plan adds $5 trillion if I say I will not add to the deficit with my tax plan.\"","Mitt Romney\u2019s tax cut proposal blasted by New Jersey Democrats for using $2,000 middle-class tax hike to cover $5 trillion in tax cuts for the rich","( - Mitt Romney\u2019s tax cut proposal blasted by New Jersey Democrats for using $2,000 middle-class tax hike to cover $5 trillion in tax cuts for the rich&url=)"]},{"id":"2681.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Scott Walker wants to make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tom Barrett, Scott Walker's opponent in the gubernatorial race, that Walker wants to make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother. This claim has been acknowledged by Walker himself. It is worth noting that this position is not universally held, as some individuals who consider themselves pro-life may make exceptions for these circumstances. However, based on the evidence provided, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Scott Walker wants to make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother.\"","In the race for governor, Democrat Tom Barrett said his opponent, Republican Scott Walker, \"wants to make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother.\" Walker acknowledges that is his position. We rate Barrett\u2019s claim True.","One of the statements in the EMILY\u2019s List ad is nearly the same as a claim made in the 2010 gubernatorial campaign by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was Walker\u2019s Democratic opponent. Barrett said Walker \"wants to make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.\"","It is worth noting that many voters who consider themselves pro-life support make an exception for abortion being available in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother. A May 2009 Gallup poll, however, found that 23 percent of Americans -- up from 17 percent a year earlier -- said abortion should be illegal under all circumstances."]},{"id":"2636.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Seattle Times called Patty Murray a prolific sponsor of earmarks. Patty even defended the Bridge to Nowhere.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of The Seattle Times, which referred to Patty Murray as a \"prolific sponsor of earmarks.\" The newspaper reported that Murray's office frequently touted the millions of taxpayer dollars she helped secure for projects in Washington state through earmarks. However, it's important to note that while Murray expressed support for leaving earmarks, she did not specifically defend the \"Bridge to Nowhere\" project. The ad's claim about Murray defending the bridge is not entirely accurate. Overall, the statement is mostly true but should be clarified regarding Murray's stance on the specific project.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Has Washington, D.C., changed Patty Murray? She said she was elected to cut the budget. But now the Seattle Times called her a 'prolific sponsor of earmarks.' Patty even defended the 'Bridge to Nowhere.'\"","Getting back to our ruling, we're checking two points here about earmarks. Rossi's ad said that the Seattle Times called her a 'prolific sponsor of earmarks.' \" That comes from a reported story and is a fair summary of one of the points in the story, and it's a fair summary of the newspaper's findings on Murray's record on earmarks. The ad also said Murray \"even defended the 'Bridge to Nowhere.'\" Murray didn't specifically defend that project, although it was very clear that she felt like the bridge and other earmarks being discussed on the Senate floor should be left alone. We find Rossi's statements Mostly True.","\"Murray since has become a prolific sponsor of earmarks, grants awarded at the behest of individual lawmakers to favored groups and companies. Her office churns out seemingly ceaseless news releases touting millions upon millions of taxpayer dollars she helped win for projects in Washington state.","The race for the Senate in Washington pits Republican businessman Dino Rossi against Democratic incumbent Patty Murray. Rossi says he wants to reduce government spending and debt, and he's issued an attack ad against Murray on that point."]},{"id":"725.json","label":"half-true","statement":"McCain economic adviser Phil Gramm is \"the architect of some of the deregulation in Washington that helped cause the mess on Wall Street.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Barack Obama's claim that Phil Gramm, as a McCain economic adviser, played a role in deregulation that contributed to the financial crisis on Wall Street. Gramm did promote bills that curtailed regulation, such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. However, it's important to note that Gramm was not the sole architect of these bills, and they had other supporters, including President Bill Clinton, who signed them into law. While deregulation is considered a contributing factor to the financial crisis, it is not the sole root cause. Therefore, the statement is mostly accurate but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I mean, where is he getting these lines? The lobbyists running his campaign?\" Obama asked. \"Maybe it's Phil Gramm \u2013 the man who was the architect of some of the deregulation in Washington that helped cause the mess on Wall Street, who also happens to be the architect of John McCain's economic plan and one of his chief advisers. You remember Phil Gramm \u2013 he's the guy who said that we were just going through a 'mental recession' and who called the United States of America a 'nation of whiners.'\"","\u2022 On McCain: Obama attacked McCain's economic philosophy in a Nevada speech, saying that McCain economic adviser Phil Gramm is \"the architect of some of the deregulation in Washington that helped cause the mess on Wall Street.\" First off, Phil Gramm might view the title \u201carchitect of deregulation\u201d as a compliment, though he might prefer the title \u201carchitect of regulatory efficiency.\u201d As a U.S. senator, Gramm promoted two bills that curtailed regulation: the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. But these bills had other supporters, and President Bill Clinton signed both into law. Now, the Wall Street carnage is still being autopsied, but most Wall Street watchers agree that light regulation allowed irresponsible lending and mortgage fraud to go unchecked. Finally, Gramm is no longer a chief adviser to the McCain campaign. He resigned in July. So there\u2019s some truth here, but it also seems like Obama is exaggerating to make a point. We rate it Half True .","\"That helped cause the mess on Wall Street\": Not the root cause, but a contributing factor. \"Helped\" seems a fair characterization.","We should stipulate from the start that Phil Gramm might view the title \"architect of deregulation\" as a compliment, though he might prefer the title \"architect of regulatory efficiency.\""]},{"id":"3129.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since taking office, President Obama has signed into law spending increases of nearly 25 percent for domestic government agencies, an 84 percent increase when you include the failed stimulus.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama signed into law spending increases for domestic government agencies during his time in office. However, the specific figures mentioned in the statement, such as a nearly 25 percent increase for domestic government agencies and an 84 percent increase when including the failed stimulus, are not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence does not provide specific data on the exact percentage increases in spending during President Obama's tenure. Therefore, while it is true that there were spending increases, the specific percentages mentioned in the statement are unsupported.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When President Barack Obama reflects on 2014, he brings up a litany of highlights that include drawing down the Afghanistan war and Americans signing up for health insurance thanks to his health care law.","\"The Virginia population increased by just 8 percent from 2005 to 2015, but the per capita spending in the budget increased by a whopping 38 percent.\"","The deficit has come down in recent years because of the strengthening economy, which drives tax revenues up, and the draw-down of various economic stimulus programs that were implemented to weather the financial crisis. Additionally, the expiration of 2 percent payroll tax cuts and increases in tax rates for high-income earners played a role, albeit a smaller one.","\"Since President Obama took office in January 2009, the federal government has issued more than 468,500 pages of regulations,\" Brat, R-7th wrote in a March 17 statement heralding the release of a House GOP budget. Brat said the Republican plan takes aim at the \"overwhelming amount\" of rules enacted under Obama."]},{"id":"8009.json","label":"false","statement":"Paula Deen supported and campaigned for Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: While Paula Deen did express support for Barack Obama during his 2008 campaign and invited Michelle Obama to appear on her show, there is no evidence to suggest that she actively campaigned for him or made campaign contributions. The investigation into Deen's alleged support through campaign contributions or voting records did not find any evidence of financial contributions to Obama's campaign. Additionally, Deen's voting history indicates that she voted in the Republican presidential primary in 1996. Therefore, the statement that Deen supported and campaigned for Barack Obama is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Did (Deen) refuse to hire blacks? Has she mistreated them or paid them below the wages of white workers?\" conservative radio host Larry Elder wrote recently in an op-ed posted on (Investors Business Daily). \"And, for what it\u2019s worth, Deen supported and campaigned for Barack Obama.\"","For Deen\u2019s description, the magazine says she campaigned for Obama back in 2008 and invited first lady Michelle Obama to cook with her on an episode of \"Paula\u2019s Party.\" The write-up goes on to say that Deen later said she \"just loved\" being around Michelle and praised the first lady for her healthy eating and exercise platform.","We also checked out Deen\u2019s alleged support through either her checkbook or her vote, and we came up empty. A search of the federal campaign database doesn\u2019t turn up any campaign contributions to Obama by Deen, her husband, Michael Groover, or under the name of Paula Groover. And a look at the Georgia voter rolls shows that Deen voted in the 2008 general election but does not show her party affiliation. In 1996, the last year for which a party affiliation is attached to her votes, Deen voted in the Republican presidential primary.","The language that's part of the president's National Security Council memo \"is identical to the language\" used by President George W. Bush in 2001 and President Barack Obama in 2009."]},{"id":"8791.json","label":"true","statement":"In Virginia, Medicaid has grown by 1,600 percent in the last 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by the House Appropriations Committee and DMAS (Department of Medical Assistance Services) in Virginia. The Medicaid program in Virginia has indeed experienced a significant increase of approximately 1,600 percent over the span of 30 years, as stated by Speaker Howell. However, it's important to note that when adjusted for inflation, the increase in Medicaid costs is around 694 percent. Nonetheless, the statement is supported by reliable data and can be considered accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Howell said the cost of Medicaid in Virginia \"has grown by 1,600 percent over the last 30 years.\" We find no reason to quibble. The Speaker accurately cited budget figures kept by the House Appropriations Committee, a source that many around the Capitol -- including PolitiFact Virginia -- turn to for reliable data.","Either way, it\u2019s a huge increase. Markva said policy makers started using the 1,600 percent figure a few years ago and, back then, it was undisputedly accurate. Between 1980 and 2010, he said, DMAS estimates Medicaid rose by 1,650 percent.","Markva sent us Medicaid statistics for the budget year that ended June 30, 2013 -- the latest numbers available. They show that of the slightly more than 1 million Medicaid enrollees in Virginia, only 22,513 -- or 2.2 percent -- were seniors in nursing facilities.","Inflation played a big part. The 30-year figures cited by Howell and the House Appropriations Committee fall to a 694 percent increase in Medicaid costs when adjusted for inflation."]},{"id":"7039.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romneys plan rolls back regulations on banks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Mitt Romney's plan includes rolling back regulations on banks. While the extent of the rollback is not specified, it is true that Romney has expressed support for a lighter regulatory approach on banks and has criticized certain provisions, such as the current plan for orderly liquidations. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details on the exact regulations that would be rolled back and the potential implications of such actions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It warns about the future of Medicare, support for education, tax breaks for the wealthiest, and banking regulation. On that last point, it says, \"Mitt Romney\u2019s plan rolls back regulations on the banks that crashed our economy.\"","\"So think about this: Mitt Romney\u2019s plan rolls back regulations on the banks that crashed our economy. Medicare: voucherized. Catastrophic cuts to education. Millionaires will get one of the largest tax cuts ever, while middle class families pay more.","However, the ad simply says Romney would roll back regulations on the institutions that contributed to the financial crisis. How much of a rollback is unclear, but Romney does support a lighter regulatory touch on banks, so we rate the statement Mostly True.","\u2022 Romney opposes the current plan for orderly liquidations when banks fail. \"We need to get rid of that provision because it's killing regional and small banks,\" Romney said in the first presidential debate. However, he has not said how he would change the current law."]},{"id":"11403.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the states that allow open carry, violent crime was 23 percentlower.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that Florida state Rep. Matt Gaetz claimed that \"in the states that allow open carry, violent crime was 23 percent lower.\" However, it's important to note that this claim lacks sufficient evidence and context. While there are varying laws and regulations regarding open carry across different states, it is challenging to establish a direct causal relationship between open carry laws and a decrease in violent crime. The factors influencing crime rates are complex and multifaceted, making it difficult to attribute crime reductions solely to open carry policies. Therefore, the claim should be approached with caution and further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Patrick\u2019s statement reminded us of a very similar claim by Florida state Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, who said, \"In the states that allow open carry, violent crime was 23 percent lower.\"","\"Forty-five (45) states allow open carry of firearms,\" she wrote. \"Varying restrictions on open carry in some states does not alter the fact that 45 states allow open carry.\"","The Florida bills address the open carry of handguns, so that's the context of Hammer's column. There are other states that allow the open carry of handguns while restricting long guns, such as rifles and shotguns.","The former president of the National Rifle Association is defending bills in the Florida Legislature proposing the open carry of handguns, saying the vast majority of states already allow the practice."]},{"id":"13050.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says76 percent of all voters in the United States say they want Johnson-Weld, by name, in the presidential debates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a majority of voters support Gary Johnson's inclusion in the presidential debates, the specific claim that 76 percent of all voters in the United States want Johnson-Weld, by name, in the debates is misleading. The 76 percent figure refers to a poll of likely voters, not all voters in the United States, and the question did not mention Johnson or Weld by name. However, it is worth noting that multiple recent polls do indicate a majority of voters supporting Johnson's participation in the debates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Weld said that \"76 percent of all voters in the United States say they want Johnson-Weld, by name, in the presidential debates.\"","\"The mission of the Commission on Debates is to educate people about the presidential election,\" Weld wrote recently during a Reddit Ask Me Anything session he participated in with Johnson. \"76 percent of all voters in the United States say they want Johnson-Weld, by name, in the presidential debates. End of argument.\"","Weld can point to recent a poll with that 76 percent figure, but his description of what it means isn\u2019t entirely correct. It\u2019s a poll of likely voters, not \"all voters in the United States,\" and the question didn\u2019t mention Johnson or Weld \"by name.\" However, a majority of voters do support Johnson\u2019s inclusion in the debates -- a finding that holds in three recent polls on this question","Weld later made the same point in a CNN interview with host Michael Smerconish on Sept. 10, saying, \"It's very easy to say we should be included in the debates when 76 percent of the people in the United States say they want us in the debates.\""]},{"id":"8977.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Debo Adegbile was nominated to serve as a judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and was abruptly withdrawn by the administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Debo Adegbile was considered for a position on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, he was never formally nominated by the Obama administration. The claim that his nomination was abruptly withdrawn is also incorrect. Adegbile himself stated that he took himself out of consideration for the position. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the facts surrounding Adegbile's potential nomination and withdrawal.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Only three years ago, Mr. Adegbile was nominated to serve as a judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Months later that nomination was abruptly withdrawn by the administration. That would be the best course here.\"","Toomey, along with Williams, wrote that \"Adegbile was nominated to serve as a judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Months later that nomination was abruptly withdrawn by the administration.\" Adegbile was never nominated, a point Toomey\u2019s office conceded. He was considered for the job by Obama, but only briefly and not formally. Presidents considered many names before making an official nomination. The distinction is important, because having to pull a nomination after it's formally made is a less frequent occurrence and a more significant setback for an administration.","In the case of Adegbile, the Washington Post reported in 2011 that Obama \"asked the American Bar Association to evaluate the credentials of Debo Patrick Adegbile, director of litigation for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc., for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.\"","In his op-ed with Williams, Toomey said Adegbile\u2019s nomination was \"abruptly withdrawn by the administration.\" But Adegbile contends it was his own doing. A spokesman for the White House also said Adegbile took himself out of the running."]},{"id":"2889.json","label":"false","statement":"Pls refer to Jan.1 tax changes appropriately: theyre OBAMA TAX HIKES theyll slam every Americans savings, investments job opportunity","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the tax changes that took effect on January 1 to President Obama, referring to them as \"Obama tax hikes.\" However, it is important to note that these tax changes were not solely implemented by President Obama but were a result of the expiration of certain tax cuts that were initially passed under previous administrations, including President Bush. Additionally, the statement exaggerates the impact of these tax changes by claiming they will \"slam every American's savings, investments, and job opportunity.\" Such a broad and extreme characterization is not supported by the evidence and is misleading. \nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Pls refer to Jan.1 tax changes appropriately: they're OBAMA TAX HIKES & they'll slam every American's savings, investments & job opportunity\"","\"Pls refer to Jan.1 tax changes appropriately: they're OBAMA TAX HIKES & they'll slam every American's savings, investments & job opportunity,\" Palin wrote( \"wrote\") on Dec. 1.","One is a tweet from Sarah Palin that read, \"Pls refer to Jan.1 tax changes appropriately: they're OBAMA TAX HIKES & they'll slam every American's savings, investments & job opportunity,\" Palin wrote( \"wrote\") on Dec. 1.","Getting back to our ruling statement, Palin said that \"Pls refer to Jan.1 tax changes appropriately: they're OBAMA TAX HIKES & they'll slam every American's savings, investments & job opportunity.\" This pretty clearly makes it sound like Obama wants to raise taxes on everyone, which is not the case. Also, if you want to give Obama the blame, you'd also have to give a good portion of blame to the current Congress. It's been well-known that the tax cuts are going to expire, and there was nothing stopping the Democratic-controlled Congress from addressing the issue earlier. Finally, you'd also have to give some blame to Bush and the previous Congresses for passing tax cuts that expire. So we don't think Palin's statement is accurate and we rate it False."]},{"id":"2493.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., voted for the pork-filled stimulus bill -- $1.9 million to study ants in Africa, $39 million for office upgrades for politicians.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rep. Paul Hodes voted for the stimulus bill, the specific claims made in the statement are misleading. The $1.9 million for studying ants in Africa was not a direct allocation but rather a part of a broader funding increase for the National Science Foundation. The claim that Hodes voted for \"$39 million for office upgrades for politicians\" is also misleading, as the money was not specifically for office upgrades but rather part of a bond program aimed at supporting local government building projects. The statement oversimplifies and misrepresents the nature of the funding allocations, leading to a distorted portrayal of Hodes' voting record. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For our ruling, we're looking at the ad's statement that \" Hodes voted for the pork-filled stimulus bill -- $1.9 million to study ants in Africa, $39 million for office upgrades for politicians.\" It's true that Hodes voted for the bill, but at the time he had no way of knowing that those particular projects would be funded. It is a stretch to say that he voted for \"$1.9 million to study ants in Africa,\" because he voted to add $3 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation. Its explanation of \"$39 million for office upgrades for politicians\" also leaves out significant details. It's a bond program, not a direct subsidy, and the money supports a large historical renovation, not simply \"office upgrades for politicians.\" So we rate the ad's statement Barely True.","\"In New Hampshire, Congressman Hodes claims, 'You deserve a senator who's a real fiscal conservative... and who gets rid of the pork.' But Hodes voted for the pork-filled stimulus bill -- $1.9 million to study ants in Africa, $39 million for office upgrades for politicians. Billions wasted and unemployment still higher. No wonder the Union Leader says 'The guy just can't tell the truth.'\"","We wanted to check whether the stimulus had \"$1.9 million to study ants\" in Africa and \"$39 million for office upgardes for politicians.\" Both projects are on a list of stimulus projects put together by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that American Crossroads pointed us to. The list included \"100 stimulus projects that give taxpayers the blues.\"","The $39 million from the stimulus bill is not direct funding. Instead, it comes from a special bond program, Build America Bonds, created by the stimulus to help local governments save money on building projects."]},{"id":"12049.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has said he wants to be neutral on Israel and the Palestinians","reason":"Reason: Donald Trump did make a statement expressing his desire to be \"neutral\" in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. However, it is important to note that this statement does not fully capture Trump's stance on Israel. He has also made other statements expressing support for Israel and acknowledging the need for Israel's willingness to make certain sacrifices in order to reach a deal. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of Trump's position on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"On Israel, Donald has said he wants to be neutral between Israel and the Palestinians,\" said Cruz. \"As president, I will not be neutral.\"","Trump did make a statement about being \"neutral\" in negotiations between Israel and Palestinians, but the ad omits other statements Trump made in support of Israel.","\"A lot will have to do with Israel and whether or not Israel wants to make the deal, whether or not Israel's willing to sacrifice certain things,\" Trump said. \"They may not be, and I understand that, and I'm okay with that. But then you're just not going to have a deal.\"","Cruz has a point: Trump did say he wanted to be \"neutral\" in negotiations between Israel and Palestinians. However, that doesn\u2019t capture the full spirit of Trump\u2019s comments about Israel."]},{"id":"8597.json","label":"true","statement":"Macys sent a letter to Rick Perry urging him to veto equal pay bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided. Macy's did send a letter to Rick Perry urging him to veto the equal pay bill, as confirmed by a Macy's spokeswoman. The company's position was that they believed existing laws already provided strong remedies for discrimination and that they supported equal pay for equal work. Governor Perry ultimately vetoed the bill, stating that it duplicated existing federal law. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The fact that Macy's doesn't support equal pay for women should stop you from shopping there on Black Friday,\" the Houston Democrat wrote, saying that her equal-pay proposal cleared the Legislature earlier this year, but \"then Macy's sent a letter to Rick Perry urging him to veto the law, which he ultimately did.\"","Macy\u2019s spokeswoman Bethany Charlton confirmed that her company sent the May 31, 2013, letter, which was signed by a company vice president. By email, Charlton said the company \"absolutely supports equal pay for equal work among men and women\" but believes existing laws \"provide strong remedies\" for discrimination.","Perry\u2019s logic was similar: \"House Bill 950 duplicates federal law, which already allows employees who feel they have been discriminated against through compensation to file a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,\" said his June 14, 2013, veto statement.","Thompson\u2019s House Bill 950 was among 24 bills Perry vetoed June 14, 2013. It would have created state law similar to 2009\u2019s federal Lilly Ledbetter Act, which gave plaintiffs more time to sue over pay discrimination in federal courts."]},{"id":"5912.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mitt Romney would deny gay people the right to adopt children.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Mitt Romney does not support same-sex marriage, there is no evidence to suggest that he would deny gay people the right to adopt children. In fact, Romney has explicitly stated that he believes same-sex couples have the right to adopt children. The claim made in the statement misrepresents Romney's position and is not supported by his past statements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama and Romney have starkly different positions on gay marriage, but Obama\u2019s ad distorts Romney's position when it says he would deny gay couples the right to adopt children.","It\u2019s true that Romney does not support gay marriage -- he reaffirmed that position the same day as Obama\u2019s historic announcement. But the Obama campaign video claims that Romney would deny certain rights to gay partners, including the right to adopt children.","He also said, \"If two people of the same gender want to live together, want to have a loving relationship, and even want to adopt a child -- in my state, individuals of the same sex were able to adopt children. In my view, that's something which people have the right to do. But to call that marriage, is, in my view, a departure from the real meaning of that word.\"","We found nothing in Romney\u2019s past statements to support that claim. He is a clear opponent of gay marriage, and does not seem to favor civil unions if they afford all the same benefits as marriage. But he is on record as supporting domestic partnerships, with specific rights determined individually by states. The Obama campaign interprets this as Romney saying states would be allowed to deny gay couples the right to adopt. But when he has articulated his position, he has often mentioned adoption as one of the rights states could grant. And this year, Romney called adoption by same-sex couples \"something which people have the right to do.\""]},{"id":"12985.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin voted to force seniors to pay more for prescription drugs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the PAC that U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin voted for a Medicare proposal that would result in seniors paying more for prescription drugs. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a clear consensus on the accuracy of this claim. The language used in the ad is difficult to understand, and there is a discrepancy in the wording that could potentially mislead voters. Additionally, Poliquin's office has objected to the ad, stating that he has been working to lower prescription drug prices and support Medicare coverage for seniors. Given the conflicting information and lack of conclusive evidence, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a 30-second television commercial, the PAC says Poliquin voted for a Medicare proposal that would \"force seniors to pay thousands more.\"","Either way, End Citizens United says a vote to repeal Obamacare is a vote to force seniors to pay more for drugs because repealing Obamacare would eliminate a fix to Medicare Part D known as the prescription drug doughnut hole.","The language of the ad itself if difficult to understand. We watched the ad several times and weren\u2019t entirely sure if the ad said, \"He\u2019d even force seniors to pay \u2026\" or \"He even forced seniors to pay \u2026\" The wording difference might mislead voters as to what Poliquin did or hoped to do.","Poliquin's office objected to the ad, saying in a news release, \"Congressman Poliquin has been working to get prescription drug prices down, not up. That\u2019s why he strongly supported Medicare coverage for prescription drugs for our seniors.\""]},{"id":"6176.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Austin is the biggest city in America with a Tier One research university (UT-Austin) but without a medical school.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Austin is indeed the largest city in the United States with a Tier One research university, which is the University of Texas at Austin, but it does not have a medical school within its city limits. While there are plans for Texas A&M University to expand its nearby medical college, as of the given evidence, Austin remains the largest city without a medical school associated with its Tier One research university.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A group that wants the University of Texas to have an Austin-based medical school floated a three-part claim in a mailer we spotted June 20, 2012: \"Austin is the biggest city in America with a Tier One research university (UT-Austin) but without a medical school.\"","( - Austin group says Austin is the biggest city in America with a Tier One university that lacks a medical school&url=)","The claim that Austin is the biggest U.S. city home to a top-flight research university but lacking a medical school holds up. Still, Texas A&M hopes to make its nearby medical college into a full-fledged medical school. That information is missing from the statement, which we rate Mostly True.","We know UT is a premier research university. And Austin lacks a medical school within its city limits. We also know that the Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine provides clinical training to third- and fourth-year medical students out of Round Rock, just north of Austin."]},{"id":"10246.json","label":"false","statement":"In Rhode Island, a recent study showed that among a group of people who had been homeless for a year or more, Medicaid costs averaged about $60,000 per person.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The actual study mentioned in the evidence states that among a group of people who had been homeless for a year or more in Rhode Island, the Medicaid costs averaged around $10,795 per person per year, not $60,000. The $60,000 figure does not accurately represent the average Medicaid costs for this specific group. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Anne Nolan, president of Crossroads Rhode Island, reported that, \"In Rhode Island, a recent study showed that among a group of people who had been homeless for a year or more, Medicaid costs averaged about $60,000 per person, which is far higher than the typical $18,096 per person per year for disabled adults on Medicaid and $9,240 per person per year for the average Medicaid recipient.\"","Anne Nolan said Rhode Islanders who have been homeless for at least a year cost Medicaid an average of $60,000 per person per year.","In his report, Hirsch wanted to make the point that those costs were not evenly distributed among the homeless. \"In fact,\" he wrote, \"the 67 individuals who were homeless for one year or more and had the highest Medicaid bills had total charges of $9,325,375.\" That's $139,185 per person for these 67 people\" over 28 months.","Hirsch doesn't calculate the cost per person, so we did. It's $10,795 per person per year. That's pretty close to the average for all Medicaid recipients and a far cry from $60,000."]},{"id":"4556.json","label":"true","statement":"Legally, it doesnt make any difference which state district you live in when running for Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Legally, there is no requirement for a candidate to live in the specific district they are running to represent in Congress. The Constitution only mandates that a representative must be an inhabitant of the state they seek to represent. Therefore, residing in a particular state district is not a legal prerequisite for running for Congress.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Because George Holding doesn\u2019t live in the congressional district he\u2019s running for, he \"doesn\u2019t experience the same things that we are all experiencing.\"","\"Do you think someone who does not live in the 2nd district, and does not understand the needs of the 2nd district should be representing it?\" the website asks, alongside a picture of Holding sleeping in Congress, from 2013.","!This map shows Rep. Ellmers' current 2nd district boundaries, Rep. Holding's current 13th District boundaries and how they overlap with the new 2nd District they're both running for !This map shows Rep. Ellmers' current 2nd district boundaries, Rep. Holding's current 13th District boundaries and how they overlap with the new 2nd District they're both running for","While he doesn\u2019t live in the district, Holding does represent most of the people who will be in the new 2nd District."]},{"id":"1257.json","label":"false","statement":"Baseball and insurance are the only industries exempt from antitrust laws.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While baseball and insurance do have certain exemptions from antitrust laws, they are not the only industries with such exemptions. Agricultural and fishing co-ops, maritime shippers, and other sectors, such as freight rail, also have exemptions or significant antitrust protections. Therefore, the claim that baseball and insurance are the only industries exempt from antitrust laws is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In this item, we'll focus on their opening claim, that \"baseball and insurance are the only industries exempt from antitrust laws.\"","Even though baseball and insurance have somewhat different types of antitrust exemptions, we find they are similar enough to justify the ad's pairing of the two. But when the ad says that baseball and insurance are \"the only industries exempt from antitrust laws,\" it's wrong.","In the 30-second ad, the liberal group Americans United for Change asks, \"How are professional baseball and insurance companies alike? Baseball and insurance are the only industries exempt from antitrust laws. How are they different? Insurance industry executives are scared of competition. Baseball players aren't. When baseball players fix the games, they get in trouble. When health insurance executives fix the games, they get rich. Time for competition when it comes to health insurance. We need the choice of a public health insurance plan.\"","The Americans United for Change ad is generally correct to equate the antitrust exemptions of baseball and health insurance, but the one for health insurance is more limited. And the ad is incorrect to say that these are the \"only industries exempt from antitrust laws.\" Agricultural and fishing co-ops and maritime shippers have similar exemptions. And a host of other sectors, notably freight rail, have some pretty significant antitrust protections as well. We rate the ad's claim False."]},{"id":"3092.json","label":"false","statement":"The health care law includes tort reform.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the health care law does offer grants to states for tort reform pilot projects, it does not include comprehensive tort reform measures. The grants are aimed at exploring alternatives to litigation, but they do not restrict people's ability to sue. The amount of funding allocated for these projects is minimal and not considered significant by leading groups advocating for tort reform. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that the health care law includes tort reform.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Finally, we turned to the advocacy groups that monitor tort reform efforts. Darren McKinney, director of communications for the American Tort Reform Association, said he agreed with Weiner about death panels, but the idea that the law includes tort reform is \"demonstrably untrue, and it's not even close.\"","\u2022 The health care law includes tort reform. The health care law offers grants to states to start tort reform pilot projects, but it also says states can\u2019t take away people\u2019s ability to sue. Trial lawyers said the program was nothing to worry about. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., said the law included tort reform, or changes in the rules for suing for damages. We rated his statement False.","Weiner is on firm ground when he said that there have been several notable falsehoods about the health care law. But in claiming that the law includes tort reform, he is significantly mischaracterizing the law. Although it has a tiny amount of money for state pilot projects that look at alternatives to litigation, they are so small that they were ignored by the leading group that opposes tort reform -- the trial lawyers. The group's president said the projects weren't anything to be concerned about. That puts the projects at such a great distance from any sort of traditional notion of tort reform that they're just not even in the same ballpark. We rate Weiner's statement False.","!Texas Gov. Rick Perry says tort reform brought 21,000 doctors to Texas. !Texas Gov. Rick Perry says tort reform brought 21,000 doctors to Texas."]},{"id":"6580.json","label":"true","statement":"Says women care most about jobs and the economy","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that women prioritize jobs and the economy. President Biden has highlighted the importance of supporting women's participation in the workforce and investing in the care economy. Research, such as the report from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, acknowledges the significant impact that women's increased participation in the job market can have on economic growth. It is important to note that while this statement accurately represents the priorities of many women, it does not imply that all women prioritize jobs and the economy above other concerns.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Thirty years ago, the United States ranked sixth among advanced economies in the share of women in the workforce,\" Biden said. \"You know where we are today? Twenty-three. Twenty-two countries have a higher percentage of their women in the workforce making a competitive wage than the United States. While our competitors are investing in the care economy, we\u2019re standing still.\"","But in the end, it is generally accurate that if millions of women got into the job market, the economy would grow more than if they didn\u2019t.","During a visit to Howell, Mich., President Joe Biden touted key agenda items under negotiation in Congress. One of the proposals he wants to see receive final Congressional approval is support for child care, which he said would benefit both children and their parents, including mothers who want to take jobs outside the home.","Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, So We All Can Succeed: 125 Years of Women's Participation in the Economy, May 5, 2017"]},{"id":"548.json","label":"true","statement":"McCain tells of a fellow Vietnam POW who was beaten for fashioning an American flag that became an inspirational symbol to fellow POWs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the anecdote shared by Senator John McCain about a fellow Vietnam POW who was beaten for fashioning an American flag that served as an inspirational symbol to fellow prisoners of war. This story has been recounted by McCain in various interviews and publications, highlighting the resilience and patriotism of the POWs during their captivity.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A chain e-mail making the rounds recounts a moving anecdote Sen. John McCain has related about a fellow Vietnam prisoner of war who was severely beaten by guards for fashioning a makeshift American flag that became an inspirational symbol to fellow POWs.","John McCain tells People Magazine that he survived over five years as a POW through his 'Faith in God, my fellow prisoners, and my country'","It took a good bit of imagination to make out that it was an American flag, Thorsness said, \"but we all knew what it was.\" When Christian finished the flag and showed it to his fellow POWs, Thorsness said, \"I think every one of us snapped to attention.\"","# John McCain Tells PEOPLE How He Survived His 5 Years as a POW: 'Faith in God, My Fellow Prisoners, and My Country'"]},{"id":"7389.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Already, the Affordable Care Act is helping to slow the growth of (Medicares) health care costs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that health care costs have been slowing down, there is not conclusive evidence to attribute this solely to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports do not explicitly state that the ACA is responsible for the slowdown, and some aspects of the law may actually lead to increased spending. The reduction in health care costs can be attributed to various factors, including the weak economy and changes in consumer behavior due to cost concerns. While the ACA may have some impact on cost containment in the future, it is inaccurate to claim that it is already helping to slow the growth of health care costs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The reduction in overall health costs has had above all to do with the weak economy, and while CBO does suggest that its projections of the effects of the Affordable Care Act have changed in a few ways since it passed in 2010 (causing both upward and downward revisions of the effects on costs), those are all projections for after 2014, when the key substantive provisions of the law will take effect,\" he said. \"None of them could be used to suggest that \u2018already, the Affordable Care Act is helping to slow the growth of health care costs.\u2019\"","He\u2019s right that health care costs are slowing, but there\u2019s not conclusive evidence that the law is helping. The nonpartisan reports from the Congressional Budget Office don\u2019t specifically say that, and some aspects of the health law translate to increased spending.","The Obama administration argues that it\u2019s more than a weak economy driving reductions in spending. \"The economic recession may have contributed to the 2010-12 decrease in growth in per beneficiary spending as consumers use less care due to its cost,\" says the HHS memo. \"However, as almost all Medicare beneficiaries have supplemental coverage and thus face relatively low out-of-pocket costs, it seems unlikely that consumer behavior alone is responsible for the slow growth in Medicare spending.\"","For his health care comment, a chart showed Medicare spending projections from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, both before the passage of the Affordable Care Act and afterward. The chart shows the future growth noticeably slowing after the law\u2019s passage. (View the chart here.)"]},{"id":"1162.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every survey shows strong satisfaction with private coverage.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that recent surveys generally indicate some level of satisfaction with private coverage, it is an overstatement to claim that \"every survey shows strong satisfaction.\" The evidence suggests that while many Americans express satisfaction with their current coverage, it is not always at the level of \"strong satisfaction.\" Additionally, concerns about healthcare costs and the lack of differentiation between private plans and government programs in polling data make it difficult to attribute Americans' positive feelings solely to private insurance. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to be considered completely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered if Tuffin was right that \"every survey shows strong satisfaction.\" So we checked the poll results and called experts.","\"What we need to do is to fix the insurance market so we get everybody covered,\" Tuffin said. \"Make pre-existing conditions a thing of the past. Build on the system that works well for about 85 percent of Americans. Every survey shows strong satisfaction with private coverage. We need to build on that system rather than put it at risk with a government-run plan.\"","So, recent surveys generally indicate that Americans are satisfied with their current coverage, although it's not always the \"strong satisfaction\" that Tuffin claimed, especially in the Gallup data, in which \"good\" outpaces \"excellent\" by roughly 2-to-1.","But we think that to be \"somewhat satisfied,\" as a big chunk of Americans are in every poll, falls short of \"strong satisfaction.\" At the same time, many poll respondents expressed concerns about costs of the health care system. And since most independent polling data doesn't separate Americans' feelings about Medicare and Medicaid from private plans, it's an overreach to attribute Americans' warm feelings about their coverage simply to private insurance. On balance, then, we give Tuffin a Half True."]},{"id":"4707.json","label":"false","statement":"New Jersey alone, my home state, is facing a ten-and-a-half billion dollar shortfall in its 2012 fiscal budget. This means more cuts in state and local spending for education, which means our kids are hurt.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Menendez that New Jersey is facing a ten-and-a-half billion dollar shortfall in its 2012 fiscal budget is inaccurate. PolitiFact New Jersey has confirmed that the fiscal year 2012 budget adopted in June was a balanced spending plan with no shortfall, as required by state law. Furthermore, it has been noted that the budget actually increased state aid for public schools by approximately $863 million over the previous fiscal year. Therefore, the claim that there would be more cuts in state and local spending for education is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"New Jersey alone, my home state, is facing a ten-and-a-half billion dollar shortfall in its 2012 fiscal budget,\" Menendez said. \"This means more cuts in state and local spending for education, which means our kids are hurt.\"","Menendez claimed New Jersey \"is facing a ten-and-a-half billion dollar shortfall in its 2012 fiscal budget,\" meaning more cuts in state spending on education.","Menendez suggested that the budget means \"more cuts in state and local spending for education.\" But as we\u2019ve noted in previous rulings, the budget increases state aid for public schools by about $863 million over fiscal year 2011.","PolitiFact New Jersey found that although New Jersey is not meeting all of its statutory obligations, the fiscal year 2012 budget adopted in June is, as required by state law, a balanced spending plan with no shortfall."]},{"id":"1378.json","label":"false","statement":"Says approximately 70 percent of jobs created in the United States in November 2007-2008 were in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that approximately 70 percent of jobs created in the United States between November 2007 and November 2008 were in Texas. PolitiFact Texas has fact-checked this claim and found it to be false. The Texas Workforce Commission, which analyzed the data, concluded that Texas accounted for approximately 67.2 percent of the added jobs during that time period, not 70 percent. It's important to use accurate figures when making claims about job creation to maintain the integrity of the information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The articles repeat the claim Perry made in a Jan. 15, 2009 press release stating: \"Approximately 70 percent of the jobs created in the U.S. from November 2007-2008 were in Texas.\"","PolitiFact Texas, \"Perry claims Texas accounted for 70 percent of the country\u2019s new jobs between November 2007 and November 2008,\" Jan. 12, 2010","However, in January 2010, we rated False a statement from Perry that \"approximately 70 percent of the jobs created in the U.S. from November 2007-2008 were in Texas.\" We found that the Texas Workforce Commission, like the Texas Public Policy Foundation, had restricted its comparison to the states that experienced a net increase in employment; during the specified time period, there were 14 total, including Texas.","Veronica Sanchez Downey, who analyzes data for the commission, said she'd feel comfortable summarizing the commission's conclusion about Texas job gains this way: \"Of all the states that gained jobs in the U.S. including the District of Columbia, Texas accounted for\" 67.2 percent of the added jobs from November 2007 to November 2008. The 67.2-percent figure reflects adjustments of the data since the initial research."]},{"id":"3403.json","label":"true","statement":"Our average private sector employee pays 23 percent for their health care. Our average city worker in Ohio pays 9 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the sources cited, private sector workers in Ohio contribute an average of 23 percent of their health care premiums, while city workers in Ohio contribute an average of 9 percent. These figures indicate a disparity in the percentage of health care costs borne by employees in the private sector compared to city workers in Ohio.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Our average private sector employee pays 23 percent for their health care,\" Kasich said. \"Our average city worker in Ohio pays 9 percent.\"","\"State government workers today pay roughly 17 percent of the premium costs for the health care coverage. The premium costs for private-sector workers in Ohio is 23 percent,\" the report said. More specifically, the report figures the average cost of family health insurance policies provided by Ohio firms is $11,425, with the employee paying $2,642.","SERB concluded that city workers in Ohio pay 8.1 percent of their health care coverage for single coverage and 8.3 percent for family coverage. Most of the plans include coverage for prescription drugs, but plans for dental and vision coverage typically are not included, the report said.","We started with Kasich\u2019s claim that private sector workers contribute 23 percent of their health care premiums. Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols pointed us to a report from The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions, a conservative think tank, titled \"The Grand Bargain is Dead.\""]},{"id":"2825.json","label":"false","statement":"A recent report from the presidents deficit commission was completely empty on controlling health care costs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The report from the president's deficit commission did include concrete ideas for reducing health care costs, particularly through the establishment of an Independent Payment Advisory Board. This board was intended to monitor and take necessary measures to control the growth of health care costs. Therefore, the claim that the report was \"completely empty\" on controlling health care costs is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The key to reducing the deficit, Krugman said, is reducing the future growth of health care costs, and the commission didn't do that.","Krugman had harsh words for President Barack Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, a group that is working toward releasing a formal report on ways to reduce the deficit. The commission's co-chairs released their ideas for the proposal last week.","\"They completely wimped out on that,\" Krugman said. \"They simply assumed they were going to reduce the rate of health care cost growth. And they said, how are we going to do that? By monitoring and taking additional measures as necessary. So the report was completely empty on the only thing that really matters and then had a whole bunch of things which involved large tax cuts for the top bracket. What on earth is that doing in there?\"","We examined the report and found that Krugman wasn't accurate: The report did include more concrete ideas for reducing health care costs, particularly for an Independent Payment Advisory Board. We examined the proposal's ideas in some detail and rated Krugman's statement False."]},{"id":"1707.json","label":"false","statement":"New financial regulation \"actually guarantees future bailouts of Wall Street banks.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McConnell that the new financial regulation \"actually guarantees future bailouts of Wall Street banks\" has been fact-checked and found to be false. The legislation clearly states its intention to liquidate failing companies rather than bail them out. It establishes a fund with contributions from financial firms, not taxpayer funds, to facilitate this process. There is no provision in the bill that explicitly permits ongoing or endless bailouts from the federal treasury. While it is possible that liquidation may incur costs, the statement made by McConnell is deemed to be significantly exaggerated and misleading. \nLabel: false","evidence":["We wanted to check McConnell's claim that the new financial regulation \"actually guarantees future bailouts of Wall Street banks\" and that it would be at taxpayer expense.","McConnell said that the bill \"actually guarantees future bailouts of Wall Street banks.\" One of the sticking points here, of course, is the word bailout.","\"In fact, if you look at it carefully, it will lead to endless taxpayer bailouts of Wall Street banks,\" McConnell said at a press conference on April 14, adding that it \"actually guarantees future bailouts of Wall Street banks\" and that it sets up \"in perpetuity the potential for additional taxpayer bailouts of large institutions.\"","In ruling on McConnell's statement, that financial reform \"actually guarantees future bailouts of Wall Street banks,\" we base our ruling primarily on the legislation. It clearly states that the intention is to liquidate failing companies, not bail them out. To do that, it creates a fund with contributions from financial firms, not from taxpayer funds. We do not see any element of the bill that expressly permits ongoing, \"endless\" outlays from the federal treasury. Is it possible that liquidation may cost the government money, potentially more money than is allowed for in the bill? Yes. But even so, McConnell is using seriously overheated rhetoric. Nothing in the bill \"guarantees\" future bailouts of Wall Street banks. We rate his statement False."]},{"id":"13062.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S.-Mexico border has 1 million legal border crossings each and every day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by both Donald Trump and Mexican President Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto regarding the number of legal border crossings between the United States and Mexico. While there is no hard data to provide an exact number, experts consider the estimate of 1 million legal border crossings per day to be plausible, considering the significant trade and movement of people between the two countries.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Given the focus on illegal crossings, we decided to take a look at the flip side: Do 1 million people cross the border legally every day? Trump\u2019s campaign did not respond to requests for information.","\"The United States and Mexico share a 2,000-mile border, a half a trillion dollars in annual trade and 1 million legal border crossings each and every day,\" Trump said during his visit to Mexico Aug. 31. \"We are united by our support for democracy, a great love for our people and the contributions of millions of Mexican Americans to the United States.\"","Mexican President Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto during that same press conference also cited legal crossings, saying, \"We share the most travelled border through which every day, legally, more than a million people cross it and over 400,000 vehicles.\"","So while there isn\u2019t a hard number pointing to the 1 million total crossings, experts believe it\u2019s a plausible estimate given the needs of the millions of people who live in the border region."]},{"id":"12091.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Given the results of the primary, the vote of one New Hampshire superdelegate is equal to the votes of about 10,000 grassroots activists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the numerical breakdown of voters in the Democratic primary and the number of delegates. Each delegate in New Hampshire represents a certain number of voters, and when comparing this to the number of grassroots activists, it can be estimated that the vote of one superdelegate is equivalent to the votes of approximately 10,000 grassroots activists. However, it's important to note that the term \"grassroots activists\" is not synonymous with voters, and this distinction should be clarified to avoid any confusion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The New Hampshire Republican Party said that \"Given the results of the primary, the vote of one New Hampshire superdelegate is equal to the votes of about 10,000 grassroots activists.\"","\"Given the results of the primary, the vote of one New Hampshire superdelegate is equal to the votes of about 10,000 grassroots activists,\" the petition reads, citing some of the big-name superdelegates. \"This means that Governor Hassan, Senator Shaheen, the senator\u2019s husband William Shaheen and Congresswoman Kuster are going to cancel out the votes of 40,000 Granite State Democrats.\"","So the equation goes like this: Divide the 24 base delegates into the 254,776 ballots cast. Given the total number of voters, each delegate was selected by 10,616 voters. Each Democratic superdelegate, therefore, has an equal weight to more than 10,000 voters.","For starters, \"grassroots activists\" are not the same as voters, which needed to be clarified. But strictly looking at the numerical breakdown of voters in the Democratic primary and the number of delegates, the math works out."]},{"id":"1801.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Rick Scott's even saying he wants more offshore drilling.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Alex Sink's campaign that Rick Scott, one of her Republican opponents, supports expanding offshore drilling. This claim has been verified by Scott's campaign, which does not dispute his stance on offshore drilling. While Scott emphasizes the importance of safe drilling practices, Sink's claim that he wants \"even more offshore drilling\" is accurate based on his stated positions. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Sink campaign manager Jim Cassady wrote an e-mail May 15, 2010, that said: \"While we've been fighting to end drilling, neither of Alex's Republican opponents will support the amendment to ban drilling off Florida's coast -- Bill McCollum won't, and Rick Scott's even saying he wants more offshore drilling. We can't stand by and let a disaster like this happen again.\"","The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has made offshore drilling an important issue in many Florida campaigns. In the governor's race, Democrat Alex Sink says that one of her Republican opponents, Rick Scott, wants to expand drilling.","Scott's campaign doesn't dispute that he is in favor of offshore drilling and against a constitutional ban -- as long as the drilling is done safely. Certainly any candidate or politician who supports drilling wants it done safely -- we don't believe that makes Sink's claim inaccurate. Sink's campaign said that Scott wants \"even more offshore drilling'' -- and that's an accurate account of what he's said. We find this claim True.","We were interested in the part of the claim about Scott. In the wake of the massive spill, is Scott arguing for more offshore drilling?"]},{"id":"7700.json","label":"true","statement":"Says more Austinites voted in the citys 1973 election featuring a mayors race than in the citys most recent mayoral election.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to multiple sources, including tweets from Bee Moorhead and a confirmation from a spokesperson, it is indeed true that more Austinites voted in the city's 1973 election, which included a mayoral race, compared to the most recent mayoral election. The exact numbers and specific turnout rates may vary, but the overall claim that there was higher voter participation in 1973 is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says more Austinites voted in the city\u2019s 1973 election featuring a mayor\u2019s race than in the city\u2019s most recent mayoral election.","Moorhead tweeted that more Austinites voted in the city\u2019s 1973 election featuring a mayor\u2019s race than in the city\u2019s most recent mayoral election.","Austin resident Bee Moorhead, attending a \"civic summit\" hosted by Austin\u2019s KLRU-TV, Channel 18, said in a Twitter message posted from the scene: \"More people voted in 1973 election when Roy Butler was elected mayor than in the most recent Austin mayoral election.\"","Robinson confirmed his reference to total voter turnout in 1973 and 2012, but told us by phone he did not compare how many votes the mayors drew in the elections nearly four decades apart."]},{"id":"8251.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve seen priests beheaded by the Islamic rebels on the other side. Weve also seen an Islamic rebel eating the heart of a soldier.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Senator Rand Paul regarding the actions of Islamic rebels. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests that while there have been instances of violence committed by Islamic rebels, the specific claim of priests being beheaded is not supported by the available evidence. The viral video referenced does not depict the beheading of Catholic priests in Syria, but rather the shooting death of a priest. However, the claim about an Islamic rebel eating the heart of a soldier is mostly accurate. Therefore, the overall statement is considered to be partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We've seen priests beheaded by the Islamic rebels on the other side. We've also seen an Islamic rebel eating the heart of a soldier.\"","\"We've seen priests beheaded by the Islamic rebels on the other side,\" Paul said. \"We've also seen an Islamic rebel eating the heart of a soldier.\"","\"We've seen priests beheaded by the Islamic rebels on the other side,\" Paul said on the inaugural edition of CNN\u2019s relaunched Crossfire. \"We've also seen an Islamic rebel eating the heart of a soldier.\"","\"We've seen priests beheaded by the Islamic rebels on the other side. We've also seen an Islamic rebel eating the heart of a soldier,\" said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., on CNN's relaunched Crossfire . We checked into those dramatic claims and found that a viral video of beheadings does not actually document the death of Catholic priests in Syria. The priest was shot to death, not beheaded. The anecdote of a rebel eating the heart of a Syrian soldier is mostly accurate. On the whole, we rated this compound statement Half True."]},{"id":"13248.json","label":"false","statement":"Cancer and matters to do with kidney failure kill more people in Kenya today than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Ruto that cancer and kidney failure kill more people in Kenya than malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS combined is not supported by the evidence. According to the available data and estimates, deaths from AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis far exceed those from cancer and kidney disease. Even using conservative estimates, the combined toll of AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis is significantly higher than that of cancer and kidney disease. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Cancer and matters to do with kidney failure kill more people in Kenya today than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined,\" Ruto said Sept. 9, 2016.","Ruto said that cancer and kidney disease \"kill more people in Kenya today than malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS combined.\" The precision of the numbers leaves a lot to be desired, but based on the best estimates, Ruto isn\u2019t even close. Using conservative estimates, deaths from AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis are double those from cancer and kidney disease.","This table pulls the numbers together. Even using the lowest estimates for AIDS and malaria deaths, the combined toll is greater than for cancer and kidney disease.","!Office of an AIDS response group in Kayole, Kenya (Afyajoe blog) !Office of an AIDS response group in Kayole, Kenya (Afyajoe blog)"]},{"id":"3779.json","label":"half-true","statement":"750 days since Bill Nelson the Democrats in the Senate passed a budget. How can this be justified?","reason":"Reason: It is true that as of the time of the tweet, it had been 750 days since the Senate passed a budget resolution. However, it is important to note that the budget process involves both parties, and the delay in passing a budget is a result of partisan politics on both sides, not solely the responsibility of the Senate Democrats. While the statement accurately highlights the time since a budget was passed, it fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to the delay. Therefore, the claim is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a tweet(!\/George_LeMieux) on May 19, 2011, LeMieux wrote: \"750 days since Bill Nelson & the Democrats in the Senate passed a budget. How can this be justified?\"","The number of days since a budget passed the Senate, 750, is correct. LeMieux's implication, though, is that Nelson and the Democrats in the Senate get the full blame. The truth about the stalled budget process is that it is a function of partisan politics on both sides, not just the Senate Democrats. We rate this claim Half True.","Last year, George LeMieux, a Republican contender for U.S. Senate in Florida, posted on Twitter that it had been 750 days since his opponent and Senate Democrats \"passed\" a budget.","We checked again with Peuquet from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. \"It has technically been 750 days since the Senate last passed a budget resolution,\" he said. That makes the Democrats appear irresponsible, he said, but they have continued to allocate dollars as needed through other spending bills."]},{"id":"8690.json","label":"false","statement":"Rhode Islands teen binge drinking rate is double the national average.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to the available data, Rhode Island's teen binge drinking rate is not double the national average. In fact, the 2011 survey showed that Rhode Island's teen binge-drinking rate was lower than the national average. Therefore, the claim that Rhode Island's teen binge drinking rate is double the national average is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It claimed \"Rhode Island\u2019s teen binge drinking rate is double the national average,\" deriving that claim by comparing numbers from two different surveys.","But in its 2011 survey, the Rhode Island teen binge-drinking rate was 18.3 percent, compared with 21.9 percent for the nation as a whole. So the Rhode Island rate was actually less than the national one, not double.","To drive that point home, the committee has begun an advertising campaign with posters on five Providence bus shelters, claiming \"Rhode Island\u2019s teen binge drinking rate is double the national average. But Brown researchers are not helping teens. Instead, they are wasting federal funds on experiments giving alcohol to piglets.\"","We\u2019ll pass on whether getting pigs drunk is a waste of federal money. But we wondered whether Rhode Island\u2019s rate of teen binge drinking is that high."]},{"id":"7673.json","label":"false","statement":"Demand for public transportation is reaching record levels in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement lacks substantial evidence to support the claim that demand for public transportation in Wisconsin is reaching record levels. While there are mentions of increased transit ridership in America and the potential need for expanded transit services in Wisconsin due to the growing population of older adults, there is no concrete data or statistics provided to demonstrate a quantifiable statewide trend of record-level demand for public transportation. Without such evidence, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["1000 Friends of Wisconsin, arguing for restoration of transit aid, claimed that \"Demand for public transportation is reaching record levels in Wisconsin.\"","\"We should allocate more funds for transit to respond to the increase in demand and ridership,\" the group said in an April 11, 2013 press release. \"Transit ridership in America is at its highest in 50 years and demand for public transportation is reaching record levels in Wisconsin, yet transit systems in the state are in jeopardy of disappearing due to lack of state support.\"","But its claim goes well beyond that, suggesting a quantifiable statewide trend at \"record\" levels -- and hard evidence of that is lacking.","Wisconsin\u2019s over-60 population is growing, and that \"has implications for ... expanded transit services for drivers who transition from cars to public transportation or paratransit services,\" the state\u2019s Commission on Transportation Finance and Policy concluded in a January 2013 report."]},{"id":"1533.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care bill \"dumps 15 to 18 million low-income Americans into a Medicaid program that none of us want to be a part of because 50 percent of doctors won't see new patients.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the health care bill would potentially enroll 15 to 18 million low-income Americans into Medicaid, the claim that \"50 percent of doctors won't see new patients\" is an overstatement. While there is a valid concern about some doctors being unwilling to accept new Medicaid patients, the percentage of doctors who refuse new Medicaid patients is not as high as 50 percent. The claim is based on outdated data and does not accurately reflect the current situation. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It dumps 15 to 18 million low-income Americans into a Medicaid program that none of us want to be a part of because 50 percent of doctors won't see new patients,\" Alexander told Obama in his opening remarks. \"So it's like giving someone a ticket to a bus line where the buses only run half the time.\"","In the first part of his statement, Alexander is in the ballpark: Anywhere from 15 to 18 million new patients could enroll in Medicaid if the health care overhaul is put into law. We also found that Alexander's underlying point, that some Medicaid patients might have trouble finding doctors, is a valid concern. But he overstates the percentage of doctors that won't accept new Medicaid patients and based that claim on old data. As a result, we find Alexander's claim to be Half True.","Currently, Medicaid is available to low-income individuals who are pregnant, disabled, elderly or have children 18 years old or younger; the program covers about 60 million patients. The Senate and House health care bills, and Obama's latest health care proposal, would open up the program to all people under 65 with a low income. The Obama proposal and the Senate bill would offer Medicaid benefits to those with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, while the House version would allow those with incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level to enroll.","\"It is a valid point to raise, physician willingness to accept new Medicaid patients,\" she said. \"If you're going to be throwing another 15 million into the program, you've got to be thinking about that.\""]},{"id":"6591.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Massachusetts under Mitt Romney, unemployment went down, household incomes went up, and the state saw its credit rating upgraded.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that unemployment rates declined during Mitt Romney's governorship in Massachusetts, it is important to note that this decline was primarily due to the overall economic recovery from a recession, rather than solely attributable to Romney's policies. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Massachusetts experienced a significant decline in its labor force during that period, largely due to residents leaving the state. This decline in the labor force contributed to the decreasing unemployment rate. Therefore, while the statement highlights some positive economic indicators during Romney's tenure, it does not provide the full context and factors that influenced those outcomes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Both Massachusetts and the U.S. saw unemployment rates drop during Romney\u2019s governorship. Unemployment declined during that period because the economy was recovering from a recession.","In fact, the way the Romney campaign phrased the claim we\u2019re checking is particularly bold. It doesn\u2019t say that \"under Romney, unemployment declined,\" or \"due to Romney\u2019s policies, unemployment declined,\" or \"in Massachusetts, we reduced unemployment.\" The ad we're checking says simply that \"Romney reduced unemployment,\" as if no other factors mattered.","> 2. Suffered the second-largest labor force decline in the nation : Only Louisiana, which was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, saw a bigger decline in its labor force than Massachusetts during Romney\u2019s tenure as governor. The US Census Bureau estimated that between July 2002 and July 2006, 222,000 more residents left Massachusetts for other states than came to it. That decline largely explains the state\u2019s decreasing unemployment rate (from 5.6 to 4.7 percent) while Romney was in office, according to Northeastern University economics professor Andrew Sum. At the same time, the nation as a whole added 8 million people to the labor force.","!Eric Fehrnstrom of the Mitt Romney presidential campaign said that job growth in Massachusetts increased over Romney's four-year tenure as governor. !Eric Fehrnstrom of the Mitt Romney presidential campaign said that job growth in Massachusetts increased over Romney's four-year tenure as governor."]},{"id":"13072.json","label":"true","statement":"When Moammar Gadhafi was set to visit the United Nations, and no one would let him stay in New York, Trump allowed Gadhafi to set up an elaborate tent at his Westchester County (New York) estate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tim Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, that Donald Trump allowed Moammar Gadhafi to set up a tent at his Westchester County estate when Gadhafi was set to visit the United Nations and was unable to find accommodation in New York. This claim is supported by reports from BuzzFeed and other sources that confirm the presence of a Libyan entourage and members of a public relations firm representing Libya staying at Trump's estate during that time. It is important to note that Gadhafi's visit and the tent setup were controversial and received criticism. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Kaine said, \"When Moammar Gadhafi was set to visit the United Nations, and no one would let him stay in New York, Trump allowed Gadhafi to set up an elaborate tent at his Westchester County (New York) estate.\"","\"When Moammar Gadhafi was set to visit the United Nations, and no one would let him stay in New York, Trump allowed Gadhafi to set up an elaborate tent at his Westchester County (New York) estate,\" Kaine, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, said on Sept. 6.","BuzzFeed reported in its article that a Libyan entourage had stayed at Trump\u2019s estate for weeks before Gadhafi\u2019s visit to New York, as did members of a public relations firm representing Libya.","BuzzFeed examined Trump\u2019s rental of his estate to Gadhafi during the Libyan leader\u2019s September 2009 trip to New York City, where the dictator gave a rambling address to the U.N. General Assembly. BuzzFeed noted that when Gadhafi traveled, he often did so with a North African-style tent where he could stay overnight."]},{"id":"7331.json","label":"true","statement":"Forty-seven percent of (members of Congress) are millionaires.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the congressman that 47 percent of members of Congress are millionaires. This claim has been supported by research and analysis, which found that approximately 48.5 percent of members of Congress had financial information available indicating their millionaire status. Therefore, the statement is correct.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Forty-seven percent of (members of Congress) are millionaires. They don\u2019t care if they don\u2019t get paid,\" the congressman said at the Jan. 25 town hall meeting he hosted at the Gwinnett government complex in Lawrenceville.","To sum up, Woodall said 47 percent of the members of Congress are millionaires. The research we found shows there\u2019s a very strong case that he\u2019s correct.","\"And I mean the president starts out with 48, 49 percent \u2026 he starts off with a huge number,\" Romney continued. \"These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn\u2019t connect. So he\u2019ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean, that\u2019s what they sell every four years. And so my job is is not to worry about those people. I\u2019ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.\"","By using that criteria, there are 257 members of Congress we believe belong in the millionaire category, which accounted for 48.5 percent of all members who had financial information available on either the Post or Open Secrets websites."]},{"id":"3219.json","label":"false","statement":"Today there are more men and women out of work in America than there are people working in Canada.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence discusses the labor force participation rates of men and women in the United States, the wage gap between Latina women and white men, and the impact of women's increased work on GDP growth. However, it does not provide any information or data comparing the number of unemployed individuals in the United States to the total population of working individuals in Canada. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and cannot be verified.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Government surveys tell us that the fraction of American women in the workforce is 57 percent. For men, the number is 69.1 percent. Today, about 75 million women are either working or looking for work. To bring that up to the labor participation rate of men, there would need to be 91 million, or an additional 16 million women ready and able to work.","> Latina women in America must work for 23 months, on average, to make what white men earn in a year.","The Booz article, sponsored by a women\u2019s advocacy fund, said that GDP per person is the result of productivity, the number of hours worked, the fraction of people of working age in the population as a whole, and the fraction of people actually working.","\"In the 1970s and 1980s, 20 percent of GDP growth was due to women's increased work \u2013\u2013 both increasing participation and hours worked,\" she said. \"That means that GDP today is roughly 13 percent bigger than it would be if women still worked like they did back at the start of the 1970s.\""]},{"id":"414.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Iraq is costing each household about $100 a month.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Barack Obama that the cost of the Iraq war amounts to approximately $100 per month for each household. This claim has been supported by calculations and fact-checking, which confirm that the average monthly cost of the war, including operating costs, is indeed around $100 per household. It is important to note that this figure may vary over time and should be understood as an estimate rather than an exact amount.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When Iraq is costing each household about $100 a month, you're paying a price for this war,\" he said in the speech in Charleston, W.Va.","\"To think of it another way,\" the book says, \"roughly every American household is spending $138 per month on the current operating costs of the wars, with a little more than $100 per month going to Iraq alone.\"","SUMMARY: Sen. Barack Obama says the war costs each household about $100 per month. We do the math and find he's right.","At $100 per month, the war cost to each U.S. household would be more than cable TV (average bill: $58), but less than a car payment (average bill: $400-500)."]},{"id":"2905.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Refinanced $232.6 million in bonds, resulting in reduced debt service for the City.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the city refinanced $232.6 million in bonds, which led to a reduction in debt service for the city. This means that by refinancing the bonds, the city was able to lower its debt payments. However, it's important to note that this reduction in debt service only applies to the specific bonds that were refinanced and does not necessarily indicate a broad reduction in the city's total debt payments. The context provided by the evidence clarifies that the reduction in debt service resulted from the refinancing of specific bonds, rather than an overall reduction in the city's total debt payments.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When asked about the statement, Greco said he doesn\u2019t believe it suggests any broad message about the city's total debt payments, and it refers only to specific bonds that were refinanced.","In fact, Tampa's total debt payments in 1995 were $62.5 million and climbed to $80.2 million in 2002. The city's total debt increased from $682 million to more than $1 billion during that time.","It's true that refinancing those bonds resulted in lower debt payments \u2014 by at least $21 million \u2014 over several decades.","\"This sentence puts in context that new bonds were being issued, in addition to bonds that were being refinanced,\" he said."]},{"id":"13301.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have 33,000 people a year who die from guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Clinton is accurate. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were indeed over 33,000 deaths related to guns in 2014, and this number has consistently exceeded 33,000 for multiple years. However, it is important to note that a significant portion of these deaths are due to suicides, comprising about two-thirds of the total. While Clinton's statement is factually correct, it is worth mentioning that the specific circumstances of these deaths, such as suicides, should be taken into account for a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"We have 33,000 people a year who die from guns.\" She\u2019s correct that all deaths from guns have exceeded 33,000 during the most recent three years for which we have data. That said, it\u2019s worth noting that roughly two-thirds of these were suicides. We rate her claim Mostly True.","Early in the third presidential debate in Las Vegas, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton got into a back and forth over guns. At one point, Clinton said, \"We have 33,000 people a year who die from guns.\"","Is she correct? According to data from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, there were 33,599 people who died due to guns in 2014, the most recent year available. And the number has topped 33,000 for three years running. So Clinton has a strong point.","Clinton phrased her statement carefully -- she referred to people who \"die from guns\" without specifying the circumstances of how they were shot. Still, the fact that suicides represent such a large share of gun deaths is a detail worth noting."]},{"id":"1966.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"If there were not derivatives, there would be no bank loans at all today.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"if there were not derivatives, there would be no bank loans at all today\" is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the role of derivatives in the banking system. While derivatives do play a role in facilitating certain types of loans and managing risk for banks, experts agree that banks would still be able to make loans even if derivatives were not present. Banks have been making loans, including mortgage loans, before the existence of the derivatives being referred to in the statement. While the absence of derivatives may lead to some restructuring within the banking sector, it would not eliminate the ability of banks to provide loans. Therefore, the statement is deemed barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Do we have to regulate derivatives? Yes, we do. Cause when I did this in my investments, frankly, no one knew who could pay who. But derivatives have an important place in our economy. If there were not derivatives, there would be no bank loans at all today, because people want to get fixed-rate 30-year loans, but banks don't want to keep 30-year loans on their books,\" said Greene.","Jeff Greene said that \"if there were not derivatives, there would be no bank loans at all today.\" Many of the experts we spoke with told us that Greene's underlying point that using derivatives makes it easier for banks to issue long-term loans is sound. Still, there was a consensus that Greene did take his argument too far by categorically declaring that banks would stop making loans. Banks were making mortgage loans before the derivatives that Greene was talking about even existed, and they would continue to make them even if derivatives disappeared tomorrow, albeit perhaps in decreased quantities. We rate this one Barely True.","First, however, a little primer on \"derivatives.\" The conversation could become very technical very quickly, so we'll just say that a derivative is fundamentally a contract between two or more parties. The value of the contract depends on (i.e. is derived from) some other asset. If you think that the U.S. housing market is on the verge of collapse, you can use derivatives to make a bet that will pay out only if you prove to be right. If you're wrong, you'll lose the money. In this context, banks can use derivatives as a form of insurance policy -- if the borrower defaults on his home loan, for example, the bank won't crumble because the derivative will pay out instead.","Nevertheless, even without derivatives to help them hedge against risk, banks could still give out loans, even the 30-year fixed interest mortgage loans that Greene specifically referenced in the debate. Kenneth French from Dartmouth College said that if derivatives suddenly disappeared, the banking sector would undergo lots of restructuring, but \"almost all the banks that remain would continue to make loans.\""]},{"id":"3872.json","label":"false","statement":"Rep. Robert Hurt voted again today to end Medicare and raise health care costs for Virginia seniors.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that Rep. Robert Hurt voted to end Medicare and raise healthcare costs for Virginia seniors is misleading. While there have been debates and proposals regarding changes to Medicare, it is inaccurate to suggest that Rep. Hurt specifically voted to end Medicare. Additionally, the claim that healthcare costs for seniors would increase by $6,400 is not supported by credible evidence. A fact-check by PolitiFact Virginia rated a similar statement by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as false. It is important to carefully evaluate the accuracy of such claims and consider the nuances and complexities of proposed healthcare reforms.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Rep. Robert Hurt voted again today to end Medicare and raise health care costs for Virginia seniors,\" the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a June 1 news release. The statement added that seniors will \"get a $6,400 medical bill\" if the GOP plan is adopted.","On June 6, 2011, PolitiFact Virginia rated as False a statement by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee that Rep. Robert Hurt, R-5th, voted \"to end Medicare and raise health care costs for Virginia seniors.\" We based that ruling, in part, on a faulty determination that the legislation would not raise health care costs for anyone now 55 or older.","In 2009, Republicans claimed health care reform would set up \"death panels\" that told old people when to die. Now Democrats are returning fire. They\u2019re accusing Republicans, including Rep. Robert Hurt from Virginia\u2019s 5th District, of voting to end Medicare.","The DCCC says the plan would raise costs for current seniors, something we rejected in our initial analysis. Would those who stay on the regular Medicare program see their health care costs go up under the Ryan plan, as the Democratic group says?"]},{"id":"2632.json","label":"false","statement":"Ted Strickland destroyed Ohio jobs when he busted the budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ted Strickland destroyed Ohio jobs when he \"busted the budget\" is a political claim that lacks sufficient evidence and context. While it is true that Ohio, like other industrial states, experienced job losses during the economic recession, attributing the entire blame to Strickland's budget decisions is an oversimplification. The causes of the recession were multifaceted and extended beyond the state's budgetary challenges. Additionally, the term \"busted the budget\" is vague and does not provide specific details or evidence of how Strickland allegedly mishandled the budget. Therefore, the statement lacks substantiation and should be regarded as political rhetoric rather than a factual assessment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But the pitchman in \"400,000,\" a burly fellow with a white hardhat tucked under his arm, goes a step further. He says: \"Ted Strickland destroyed Ohio jobs when he busted the budget and raised our taxes to help pay for his mistakes.\"","But what about the first part of the statement, which we take up now. How did the governor destroy Ohio jobs? What does \"busted the budget\" mean? And what were Strickland's \"mistakes\"?","Finally, the claim that Strickland destroyed Ohio jobs amounts to political hyperbole. Ohio and other industrial states all hemorrhaged jobs when the economy hit the skids, and the causes of the recession are much broader than just the state\u2019s budget woes.","That still didn\u2019t tell us what \"busted the budget\" means, or how Strickland busted it. Ohio law requires the state budget be balanced, and the governor shares authority and responsibility for it with the General Assembly."]},{"id":"1050.json","label":"false","statement":"Under a public health care option, 120 million Americans will lose what they now get from private companies and be forced onto the government-run rolls as businesses decide it is more cost-effective for them to drop coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that under a public health care option, 120 million Americans will lose their current health care coverage and be forced onto government-run rolls. The evidence provided indicates that the Lewin Group report projected that approximately 118 million people might choose to switch from private coverage to a public option if it were available. However, this does not imply that they would be forced to do so or that they would lose their current coverage. The public option would simply provide an alternative choice for individuals seeking more affordable coverage. It is important to note that the details and specifics of any proposed public option would greatly impact the potential impact on private coverage. \nLabel: false","evidence":["The Democrats propose \"a government-controlled health care plan that will deprive roughly 120 million Americans of their current health care coverage.\"","We asked Pence's staff about the number, and they referred us to a report from the Lewin Group, a health care consulting firm. The report ran a number of scenarios, including what would happen if the government offered a public option that was a Medicare-style plan open to everyone. Their model found that 118 million people would choose to drop their private coverage in favor of cheaper public coverage.","To get coverage for people who don't have health insurance, the plan would increase eligibility for the poor and children to enroll in initiatives like Medicaid and the State Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program. Finally, the plans seek to create a health insurance exchange, where individuals and small businesses can easily comparison shop for insurance coverage. One of the exchange plans would be a public option run by the government.","It's the public option that has fueled Republican attacks, leading to charges that it would destroy the private system, that millions would lose their current coverage, and that Democrats don't have a way to pay for it."]},{"id":"5285.json","label":"false","statement":"A cashier earning $20,000 per year pays the same (Virginia) income tax rate as a hedge fund manager earning $20 million per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. A cashier earning $20,000 per year in Virginia would not pay the same income tax rate as a hedge fund manager earning $20 million per year. Virginia has a progressive income tax system, which means that higher-income individuals are subject to higher tax rates. The tax rate for a cashier earning $20,000 would be significantly lower than the tax rate for a hedge fund manager earning $20 million. The higher-income individual would be subject to a higher tax rate on their income. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"A cashier earning $20,000 per year pays the same (Virginia) income tax rate as a hedge fund manager earning $20 million a year,\" he said.","Englin said a cashier earning $20,000 a year would pay the same Virginia tax rate as a hedge fund manager who makes $20 million annually.","But does that mean the hedge fund manager earning $20 million annually and the cashier earning one-thousandth of that amount would pay the same tax rate? The answer is no.","That would still be below the roughly 5.75 percent levy the hedge fund manager would pay on his or her $20 million income, since all but a minute portion of the earnings would be taxed at the top rate."]},{"id":"2322.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than half of our unemployed Ohioans have been out of work for six months or more.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Republican candidate that more than half of the unemployed Ohioans have been out of work for six months or more. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which states that 29.7 percent of unemployed Ohioans in 2009 had been out of work for six months or more. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide the exact percentage of unemployed Ohioans who have been out of work for six months or more, so the statement may be an approximation. Nevertheless, based on the available evidence, it is reasonable to conclude that a significant portion of unemployed Ohioans have experienced long-term unemployment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In 2009, the last full year, Ohio had 608,000 people who were out of work, and 181,000 of them had been unemployed for 27 weeks or more, according to this data. That means that of all the unemployed Ohioans last year, 29.7 percent had been out of work for six months or more.","\"Look, we\u2019ve got a situation in Ohio and so many other states right now where people are starting to lose hope,\" the Republican candidate told Roger Hedgecock, a nationally syndicated radio host, on Aug. 18. \"More than half of our unemployed Ohioans have been out of work for six months or more.\"","Yet slightly more than half the Ohioans who are unemployed received unemployment compensation. The others are getting severance pay from their former employers, or they work some weeks but not others. Still others might not have applied for compensation, don\u2019t qualify for it because of the way they quit their jobs, were fired for just cause, or have exceeded the number of weeks in which they can collect it.","Yet there is another way of measuring unemployment duration. Used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, it classifies people as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior 4 weeks, and are currently available for work. It is the same survey, in fact, from which ODJFS was able to determine that 614,000 Ohioans were out of work in July."]},{"id":"3082.json","label":"false","statement":"92 percent of President Barack Obamas administration has never worked outside government.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 92 percent of President Barack Obama's administration has never worked outside government is not accurate. While Representative Southerland made this claim, it has been debunked by fact-checkers. The study he referenced was subjective and cherry-picked certain Cabinet appointees, and even the author of the study later acknowledged that over 20 percent of Obama's Cabinet appointees had private sector experience. Additionally, the term \"administration\" is broader than just the Cabinet and includes a wider pool of individuals. It is important to note that President Obama himself has worked outside of government prior to his presidency. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It is ugly,\" he said. \"If you look at the finances of this nation, going forward, it terrifies me, the tsunami of debt, the tsunami of financial obligations we're staring at. And yet, they want more \u2014 an administration where 92 percent have never worked outside government.\"","That brings us back to Southerland. He said that \"92 percent\" of Obama's administration has \"never worked outside government.\" While rating someone's degree of private-sector experience is an inexact science, Southerland at the least is guilty of failing to keep up with Cembalest's own opinion on the matter. Cembalest now says that of Obama's Cabinet appointees that he studied, more than 20 percent have private sector experience. But more than that, the study itself is highly subjective, first because it cherry picks what Cabinet appointees to consider, and second because it unilaterally tries to define private sector work. On top of that, Southerland didn't single out the Cabinet, but instead said \"administration,\" which is a far wider pool of people.","President Barack Obama touts his administration\u2019s record holding trade partners accountable by drawing a contrast with President George W. Bush over China.","The Romney campaign did not respond to two e-mails seeking sources for his claim. But Obama\u2019s work experience, or lack thereof, is well-plowed ground, and he clearly has worked outside of government."]},{"id":"9870.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Big Oil gave Scott Brown $454,260.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Brown received $454,260 from donors categorized under the \"oil and gas industry,\" it is important to note that only a portion of that amount came from companies and individuals affiliated with the largest multinational oil companies, which is what most people consider \"Big Oil.\" The ad's claim lacks specificity and may lead viewers to believe that the entirety of the donation came directly from major oil companies, which is not accurate. Therefore, the statement is misleading in its presentation and fails to provide the necessary context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Meanwhile, a visual in the ad puts a number on those \"thousands of dollars\" that Brown received: \"Big Oil gave Scott Brown $454,260,\" the ad declares.","Shaheen\u2019s ad said that \"Big Oil gave Scott Brown $454,260.\" Independently collected data shows that while Brown received roughly that much from donors categorized under the \"oil and gas industry,\" only about 11.5 percent of that haul came from companies and individuals affiliated with the biggest multinational companies -- what most viewers would consider \"Big Oil.\"","This is not the first time that Shaheen\u2019s campaign has used somewhat loose language in describing Brown\u2019s donors. When a previous Shaheen ad claimed that \"Big Oil gave Scott Brown $454,260,\" we rated that claim Half True, noting that only about 11.5 percent of Brown\u2019s haul came from companies and individuals affiliated with the biggest multinational companies -- what most viewers would consider \"Big Oil.\"","\"The big oil companies are the most profitable on the planet,\" a narrator says at the beginning of the 30-second ad titled \"Profitable.\" \"Scott Brown voted to give them more than $20 billion in taxpayer subsidies. Big Oil gave Scott Brown thousands of dollars within days of his votes.\""]},{"id":"6706.json","label":"true","statement":"In Cuyahoga County ... 56 percent of weekend voters in 2008 were African American while adult African Americans comprise 28 percent of the county population.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the data from Cuyahoga County, indicating that in 2008, 56 percent of weekend voters were African American, while adult African Americans made up 28 percent of the county's population. This suggests that African Americans were overrepresented among weekend voters compared to their population share. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County.","In 2008, voter exit polls in Texas indicated that 63 percent of the November voters were white; 20 percent were Latino; 13 percent African American and 2 percent were Asian. Li wrote that the 2012 bureau survey indicates 59 percent of the state\u2019s 2012 voters were Anglo; 22 percent were Hispanic, 16 percent were African American and more than 2 percent were Asian. State voting records, Li wrote, suggest a greater share of Anglo voters and fewer Latino and African American voters.","The NAACP report said a 2008 Pew Center study in Georgia showed 30 percent of African Americans said they voted absentee because they lacked a photo ID. However, this statistic reflects the responses of only 30 voters in three counties, and the Pew report warns against using it to draw conclusions.","According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 71.2 percent of Hispanic registered voters in Texas and over 86 percent of African American registered voters participated in the 2012 elections."]},{"id":"1770.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We can prevent terror suspects from boarding an airplane, but the FBI doesn't have the power to block them from buying dynamite or an AK-47.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the current situation regarding the FBI's authority to prevent terror suspects from purchasing dynamite or an AK-47. While measures are in place to prevent these suspects from boarding airplanes, there is no existing law that empowers the FBI to block them from buying firearms or explosives, unless they have other disqualifying factors such as a felony conviction. This lack of authority has resulted in instances where individuals on the terror watch list have been able to purchase firearms or explosives. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It's amazing but true: we can prevent terror suspects from boarding an airplane, but the FBI doesn't have the power to block them from buying dynamite or an AK-47,\" Bloomberg wrote in an op-ed for the Huffington Post( \"op-ed for the Huffington Post\") the same day.","Whether the law makes sense is a political matter. But unless or until the proposed law is enacted, there is no dispute that the FBI currently does not have the power to block suspected terrorists from buying dynamite or an AK-47, as Bloomberg said, unless they have some other disqualifying factor such as a felony conviction on their record. And, in fact, people on the terror watch list have been able to purchase firearms or explosives more than a thousand times in the past six years. The purchases may trigger \"enhanced investigative methods\" from the FBI, but the sales are allowed just the same. We rate Bloomberg's statement True.","Huffington Post, Op-ed: \"Terror Suspects Are Buying Guns - and the FBI Can't Stop Them,\" by Michael Bloomberg, May 5, 2010","Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., echoed the claim in a Senate hearing( \"a Senate hearing\"): \"The stark fact is that the United States Department of Justice has no authority to block the sale of firearms to suspected terrorists even when the department knows they are about to purchase guns.\""]},{"id":"2648.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 2000, when he entered politics, Jon Husted has been on the ballot six times for three different political offices.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by O'Shaughnessy's campaign and verified through the Ohio Secretary of State's website. Jon Husted has indeed been on the ballot six times since entering politics in 2000, running for and winning state representative four times (2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006) and state senator once (2008). His current candidacy for secretary of state marks his sixth appearance on the ballot for his third different political office.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 2000, when he entered politics, Jon Husted has been on the ballot six times for three different political offices,\" O'Shaughnessy said in a news release posted on her campaign website in late September.","He ran for state representative \u2013 and won each time \u2013 in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. Husted was term-limited after his fourth win, so he ran for state senate, and won, in 2008, according to the secretary of state\u2019s website. In Ohio, state representatives serve two-year terms and senators serve four-year terms. His candidacy this year for secretary of state marks his sixth appearance on the ballot for his third different political office.","The Ohio secretary of state, the job Husted and O\u2019Shaughnessy are seeking, is in charge of elections in Ohio and keeps records of candidates and election results. So we checked the secretary of state\u2019s website to see how many times Husted has been on the ballot. We also asked O\u2019Shaughnessy\u2019s campaign to explain its count of instances Husted appeared on a ballot.","Professional experience in politics, unlike many professions, can be viewed as a negative. Current political ads \u2013 whether tapping into voter unrest over the economy or local corruption \u2013 are warning voters that supporting experienced candidates will not solve their problems."]},{"id":"10226.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia has some of the highest gas taxes in the Southeast but one of the lowest taxes on gasoline for transportation in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Georgia does have some of the highest gas taxes in the Southeast region, but when compared to the rest of the nation, it has one of the lowest taxes on gasoline for transportation purposes. It's important to note that the statement could have been more precise to avoid potential confusion, but the overall claim is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The following two statements are both true: We have one of the lowest taxes on gasoline for transportation purposes in the country,\" he said. \"And we have some of the highest taxes on gasoline in the Southeast.\"","But looking at rankings alone, Georgians do pay among the highest at the pump for the region but the lowest in the nation.","Her larger point is supported by several charts that show Georgia has one of the lowest excise gas taxes in the nation. Her statement could have been more precise.","Kiernan thought she said Georgia has one of the lowest gas taxes in the nation. She argued she should still get high marks from the Truth-O-Meter."]},{"id":"4020.json","label":"false","statement":"Only the State of New York spends more money on Medicaid than the State of New Jersey.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses various spending categories in the state of New York, such as road and bridge funding and Medicaid spending, but it does not compare the Medicaid spending of New York to that of New Jersey. Without additional evidence or data specifically comparing Medicaid spending between the two states, it is not accurate to claim that only the State of New York spends more money on Medicaid than the State of New Jersey.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"New York State has literally taken billions of dollars over the decades out of that plant to subsidize the other power plants that lose money and worse yet, billions have been dumped into New York State\u2019s general fund budget,\" Jacobs said.","That\u2019s another category in which Western New York received a bigger share of the money than the 4.1 percent it contributed in taxes. The state spent 9.7 percent of its road and bridge money in the region.","\u2022 This is another spending category in which New York City receives a bigger percentage than its percentage contribution in taxes. New York City received 58.4 percent of Medicaid state spending.","The State Legislature passed a $147.8 billion budget in April. The Department of Budget estimates $96.2 billion of that is state spending. The state said it could not break out total spending by region. But it did provide data showing the state receives less in taxes from Western New York than it spends in the region in major spending categories like education, economic development, roads and human services."]},{"id":"9439.json","label":"true","statement":"Cantors campaign spent more at steakhouses than Brat spent on his entire campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the evidence provided. According to campaign finance reports, Cantor's campaign spent $168,000 on steakhouse dinners, while Brat's entire campaign expenditure was less than $123,000. This indicates that Cantor's campaign indeed spent more on steakhouses than Brat spent on his entire campaign.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Todd said that Cantor spent more at steakhouses than Brat did in his entire campaign. The latest campaign finance reports back that up. Cantor spent $168,000 on steakhouse dinners to Brat\u2019s $123,000 spent in the overall campaign.","!MSNBC's Chuck Todd said, \"Cantor's campaign spent more at steak houses then Brat spent on his entire campaign.\" !MSNBC's Chuck Todd said, \"Cantor's campaign spent more at steak houses then Brat spent on his entire campaign.\"","\"Cantor's campaign spent more at steak houses than Brat spent on his entire campaign,\" said Chuck Todd, host of MSNBC\u2019s The Daily Rundown.","Brat spent a little less than $123,000 across the board for his campaign, according to the most recent campaign finance reports, which cover spending up until May 21, 2014."]},{"id":"751.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The average South Korean is3 inches taller than the average North Korean, a huge gulag.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from studies and research comparing the heights of individuals from North and South Korea. Multiple studies have shown that there is a significant height difference between the average South Korean and the average North Korean, with estimates ranging from 2.3 to 4 inches for men and 1.6 to 2.5 inches for women. These differences can be attributed to various factors, including differences in nutrition and living conditions. Additionally, the reference to the \"huge gulag\" is an allusion to the repressive nature of the North Korean regime, which has been widely documented. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["McCain called North Korea the \"most repressive and brutal regime probably on Earth. The average South Korean is 3 inches taller than the average North Korean, a huge gulag.\" (That statement occurs about 1:00 into the accompanying video.)","A 2006 study of 1,075 North Korean defectors aged 20 to 39 put the difference for adults at 4 inches for men and 2.5 inches for women. A 2004 study said the difference was 2.3 inches for young men and 1.6 inches for young women.","In his study Height and weight differences between North and South Korea, Daniel Schwekendiek, an economist from the University of Tuebingen in Germany, compared 2002 data that showed preschool children in North Korea were up to 5 inches shorter and up to 14 pounds lighter than children who were brought up in South Korea.","We've examined a lot of unlikely facts in this campaign, including the cooking of squirrels and the regulation of ham and cheese sandwiches , but this was a new one to us. So we did some checking and found that McCain is right. South Koreans are, indeed, taller than North Koreans."]},{"id":"7163.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says state schools superintendent candidate Don Pridemore voted for the largest cuts to public education in our state history and for $2.3 billion in tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by One Wisconsin Now regarding Don Pridemore's voting record. However, it's important to note that while Pridemore did vote for significant cuts to education, the actual amount is closer to $1 billion, not nearly $2 billion. Additionally, the $2.3 billion in tax breaks that Pridemore supported does not exclusively benefit corporations and the wealthy. Therefore, while the general sentiment of the statement is true, the specific figures provided by One Wisconsin Now are exaggerated and misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["One Wisconsin Now said Pridemore voted for \"the largest cuts to public education in our state history\" -- nearly $2 billion -- and for \"$2.3 billion in tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.\"","Pridemore voted for the largest cuts to education -- but they amount to about $1 billion, not nearly $2 billion, over two years. And Pridemore voted for $2.3 billion in tax breaks, but they don\u2019t benefit only corporations and the wealthy.","In a news release Dec. 3, 2012, the day Pridemore announced his candidacy, the Madison-based group claimed Pridemore \"voted for the largest cuts to public education in our state history -- nearly $2 billion between K-12 and the University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Technical College Systems -- in favor of $2.3 billion in tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.\"","The second part of the group\u2019s claim against Pridemore -- that he voted for \"$2.3 billion in tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy\" -- is similar to a One Wisconsin Now claim we rated in July 2011."]},{"id":"12569.json","label":"false","statement":"Austin was the site of the first mass shooting in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While there have been tragic mass shootings throughout history, the claim that Austin was the site of the first mass shooting in the country is not accurate. There were mass shootings that occurred prior to the incident at the University of Texas tower in Austin in 1966. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It\u2019s the kind of thing that could happen anywhere, though. You know,\" Adler said, \"Austin was ... the site of the first mass shooting in the country, from that tower, that was the very first one.\"","KOKE host Bob Cole followed up, asking Adler if he was saying Whitman represented \"the first mass shooting in our country.\"","Two suspects in a June 12 shooting in Austin, Texas, had been arrested by the time this post was shared on social media.","CBS News, At least 1 person killed, more than a dozen injured in downtown Austin shooting, authorities say, June 13, 2021"]},{"id":"4028.json","label":"true","statement":"Says President Obama has fired more cruise missiles than all other Peace Prize winners combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, President Obama has indeed fired more cruise missiles than all other Nobel Peace Prize winners combined. The Pentagon's briefing on Libya confirmed that he had fired at least 192 cruise missiles, and he is the only president among the group of Nobel Peace Prize winners to have launched them. This statement reflects the quantitative comparison of cruise missile firings and the distinction of President Obama's actions in relation to other Peace Prize recipients.\nLabel: true","evidence":["One of the most cutting lines, which ricocheted around blogs and even appeared on bumper stickers from a Libertarian website, stated: \"Obama\u2019s fired more cruise missiles than all other Nobel peace prize winners combined.\"","He has fired at least 192, according to the Pentagon\u2019s March 28 briefing about Libya, and is the fourth American president in a row to launch them. But he's the only president in that group to win the peace prize.","Pike said current-day cruise missiles\u2019 major debut came in 1991 during the Gulf War under President George H.W. Bush. That campaign saw almost 300 Tomahawk cruise missiles fired.","\"I find the actions to be unconstitutional. And I still think there is a greater message: he\u2019s an awfully big killer to have received the Peace Prize, and I would have said the same thing about (former President George W.) Bush,\" he told PolitiFact."]},{"id":"15.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"(McCain) said he was opposed to overturning Roe v. Wade. Now he's for overturning Roe v. Wade.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there was a discrepancy in John McCain's stance on Roe v. Wade. While he initially expressed opposition to overturning the ruling, he later clarified his position and stated that he believed Roe v. Wade was a flawed decision. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the change in McCain's position on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Roe v. Wade charge against John McCain seems to be the result of a verbal lapse eight years ago by the notably anti-abortion McCain. McCain had answered written questionnaires saying he opposed Roe v. Wade, but when the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN asked him about it in late 1999, McCain said, \"I'd love to see a point where it (the court ruling) is irrelevant, and could be repealed because abortion is no longer necessary. But certainly in the short-term, or even the long-term, I would not support repeal of Roe vs. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to (undergo) illegal and dangerous operations.\"","San Francisco Chronicle, August 25, 1999, \"McCain's Abortion Stance Is Angering Both Sides,\" by Carla Marinucci ; National Right to Life ; The Associated Press, February 18, 2007, \"McCain: Roe V. Wade Should Be Overturned\" by Jim Davenport","McCain aides almost immediately started backpedaling from McCain's words, noting that McCain misspoke when he used the phrase \"even in the long term.\" McCain said in an interview a few months later, \"I clearly misspoke there. I'm a person who's made mistakes in this campaign, and I'll continue to make mistakes. My voting record is clear, of 17 years of pro-life. I continue to hold that position, and I \u2026 continue to believe that Roe vs. Wade was a very flawed decision, as in the opinion of most experts.\"","We find McCain's brief remark of support falls short of a full-fledged change in position, so we rated Romney's claim Half True."]},{"id":"12092.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For more than 80 years, there has not been a nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice in a presidential election year. This is simply not the time to break with decades of bipartisan practice.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has not been a nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice in a presidential election year for 76 years, the statement inaccurately claims that it has been \"more than 80 years.\" Additionally, the assertion that there is a long-standing bipartisan practice of not filling Supreme Court seats during election years is more dubious. In reality, there have been instances where presidents have nominated and confirmed justices during election years. Therefore, while there is some historical precedent for not filling vacancies during election years, the claim of \"decades of bipartisan practice\" is an overgeneralization.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Republicans have repeatedly stated that the American people deserve a voice in the process of selecting the next Supreme Court Justice, and I wholeheartedly agree,\" Horn wrote. \"For more than eighty years, there has not been a nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice in a presidential election year. This is simply not the time to break with decades of bipartisan practice.\"","This thumbnail sketch of the last eight decades clarifies both Cruz\u2019s and Horn\u2019s statements. First, it hasn\u2019t been \"more than 80 years\" since a nomination and confirmation came in an election year. Roosevelt\u2019s nomination of Murphy was 76 years ago.","New Hampshire Republican chairwoman Jennifer Horn said that \"For more than eighty years, there has not been a nomination and confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice in a presidential election year.\"","The time elapsed is actually 76 years, but Horn\u2019s statement is otherwise accurate. Her following sentence, that this means there are \"decades of bipartisan practice\" of not filling seats, is more dubious. Few such positions have come open during that time and when they have, presidents have pushed forward with nominees."]},{"id":"9671.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The best evidence is that you lose -- if you use marijuana as a teenager regularly -- eight IQ points.","reason":"Reason: While there have been studies suggesting a potential link between regular marijuana use during adolescence and a higher risk of cognitive impairment, it is important to note that the statement overstates the findings. The claim that \"the best evidence is that you lose eight IQ points\" is not entirely accurate. The study mentioned in the evidence indicates a higher risk of losing IQ points, but it does not guarantee an exact loss of eight points for every individual. Additionally, other factors such as household income have been found to have an impact on IQ loss, not just marijuana use. Therefore, the statement lacks nuance and does not accurately represent the complexity of the research findings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It is a vast social experiment,\" Marcus said. \"We do not know the outcome except that the best evidence is that you lose -- if you use marijuana as a teenager regularly -- eight IQ points.\"","Marcus said the best evidence shows that teenagers who start smoking marijuana will lose eight IQ points. This overstates the actual underlying report. It would be more accurate to say the study showed a higher risk of losing that many points on an IQ test, not that a person necessarily would. More fundamentally, an equally reputable analysis found that IQ loss could be tied to household incomes as much as marijuana use.","\"Eighty percent of those who have applied for licenses have no cancer, no Parkinson's disease or glaucoma. They have nothing you would associate with the use of medical marijuana.\"","\"In fact, the data coming in from some states that have legalized marijuana is that they actually see a decrease in use over time, particularly among young people.\""]},{"id":"6784.json","label":"true","statement":"We havent passed a budget in more than three years and not a single appropriations bill has been brought to the floor this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Congress has indeed not passed a budget in over three years, and there has been no appropriations bill brought to the floor this year. This lack of budget and appropriations bills has resulted in the need for short-term budget measures to keep the government running. The evidence provided confirms the veracity of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We haven\u2019t passed a budget in more than three years and not a single appropriations bill has been brought to the floor this year.\"","\"We haven\u2019t passed a budget in more than three years and not a single appropriations bill has been brought to the floor this year,\" U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said in a press release explaining why he voted against the short-term measure.","Sen. Corker says it has been more than three years since Congress passed a budget and that this year, not a single appropriations bill has made it the Senate floor. The record shows that he has his facts straight.","True to his word, Reid so far has not brought any of the annual spending bills to the floor this year, necessitating the short-term budget measure to keep the government running for another six months."]},{"id":"12364.json","label":"false","statement":"There is a 34 percent increase in violent crime in the state of California. And thats just within the last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there was an increase in violent crime in California, the actual figure reported by the state justice department was an 8.4 percent rise in violent crime in 2015, not a 34 percent increase. The claim of a 34 percent increase is not supported by credible data and has been refuted by the study's author at the Public Policy Institute of California. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There is a 34 percent increase in violent crime in the state of California. \u2026 And that\u2019s just within the last year.\"","\"The PPIC (Public Policy Institute of California) recently reported that Kamala is failing to keep us safe,\" Sundheim said May 10, 2016. \"There is a 34 percent increase in violent crime in the state of California. \u2026 And that\u2019s just within the last year.\"","The state justice department\u2019s figures show an 8.4 percent rise in violent crime in 2015. That\u2019s considerably smaller than the 12 percent increase Stone cites for the same year.","\"I have not seen any data showing a 34 percent increase in crime in California in 2015. He made a mistake,\" Magnus Lofstrum, the study\u2019s author and a senior fellow at PPIC, told PolitiFact California."]},{"id":"2602.json","label":"false","statement":"Marco Rubio says Solo Ingles (English only).","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and taken out of context. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Marco Rubio explicitly said \"Solo Ingles\" (English only). The altered comic-like photo mentioned in the evidence does not accurately represent Rubio's stance on language. In fact, Rubio has emphasized the importance of English proficiency while also acknowledging the value of multilingualism. He has stated that recent arrivals should prioritize making their children proficient in English, but he has not advocated for an English-only policy. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The website included an altered comic-like photo of Rubio standing in front of a border fence. The image has a word bubble coming from Rubio's mouth that says, \"Solo Ingles,\" which means English only.","Yahoo! news, \"Marco Rubio defends Spanish ad, support for English as official language( \"Marco Rubio defends Spanish ad, support for English as official language\"),\" Sept. 29, 2010","Says Marco Rubio believes the earth is 9,000 years old and that humans hunted dinosaurs to extinction; says Rand Paul believes the earth is 10,000 years old and God removed dinosaurs \"to make space for humans.\"","And then again from the Univision debate in September -- \"That doesn't mean English only,\" he says. \"People should learn as many languages as they can \u2026 But the most important thing that recent arrivals can do for their children is make them proficient in the English language.\""]},{"id":"6099.json","label":"false","statement":"Say this biennium, liquor sales account for nearly $1 billion in the state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that liquor sales generate revenue for the state of Oregon, the evidence provided indicates that the Oregon Liquor Control Commission brought in around $460 million in sales, license fees, and taxes for a single fiscal year. This falls significantly short of the claimed \"nearly $1 billion\" for the biennium. Therefore, the statement that liquor sales account for nearly $1 billion in the state budget is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It\u2019s true that the representatives had a basis for the $1 billion figure, but to say that liquor sales account for that much of the state budget is inaccurate -- and the representatives realized that when we checked in.","\"Oregon\u2019s system produces revenue that funds alcohol treatment and other services. This biennium, liquor sales account for nearly $1 billion in the state budget. Regardless of feelings about the state being in the alcohol business, real money is at stake. The impact of regulatory changes on an already strained budget, including funding for our schools and public safety agencies, cannot be ignored.\"","That\u2019s just a single year, though, so the Commission pulls in more than $900 million in a biennium -- nearly the $1 billion that the two representatives mentioned. But here\u2019s the rub: not much of that money goes back into the state budget.","The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is in charge of liquor sales in the state and keeps a close eye on the distribution of revenues. According to its figures, the commission brought in some $460 million in sales, license fees and taxes for the 2010-11 fiscal year."]},{"id":"2863.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Oregon, once again, remains among the top five hungriest states in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Oregon Food Bank that Oregon is among the top five hungriest states in the nation. While there is some variation in the rankings and the experts discourage strict rankings, it is acknowledged that Oregon has a high level of very low food security and is above the national average in terms of food insecurity. Therefore, the statement is considered to be half true, as it captures the general idea that Oregon faces significant hunger challenges.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In fact, that tendency is so strong, that while we were looking into the Oregon Food Bank\u2019s assertion that our state is \"among the top five hungriest in the nation\" we came upon at least three articles that went one further and called Oregon the third hungriest state.","For more input we turned to Mark Nord, one of the authors of the USDA report. He helped shed light on a few points. First, he said, it was pretty apparent that Oregon was among the nation\u2019s leaders in very low food security. But, he said, \"we kind of discourage ranking by indicating how large the margins of error are. What we try to emphasize is states that are above the national average and states that are below the national average.\" Oregon is above the national average.","Let\u2019s go back to the Food Bank\u2019s preferred \"very low food security\" level. Let\u2019s say, for argument\u2019s sake, that Oregon\u2019s rate is the lowest statistically possible, meaning 5.58 percent (that\u2019s the initial estimate of 6.6 percent minus the 1.02 percent margin), but all the other states are at the high end of their margin. Well, that would put Oregon higher than just 18 other states. Conversely, if Oregon\u2019s rate were the highest possible and all other states were at their lowest, Oregon would rank the out and out hungriest.","We can see why Kempe-Ware felt that \"among the five hungriest\" was a safe statement. We can even see why some journalists felt that \"third highest\" was appropriate (we might have been tempted to use the same language ourselves). There are some numbers here that would appear to back them up. And two experts agree that Oregon is on the high end of things -- certainly higher than the national average. Still, those same two experts discourage out-and-out rankings. Then there\u2019s the fact that quite a bit of variation is possible no matter how you look at the numbers. For those reasons, we rate this claim Half True."]},{"id":"1668.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Early census returns are showing that conservatives have been measurably less likely than liberals to return their census forms.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Patrick McHenry that \"early census returns are showing that conservatives have been measurably less likely than liberals to return their census forms\" is not supported by evidence. Fact-checking organizations have found no credible data or evidence to substantiate this claim. Therefore, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Early census returns are showing that conservatives have been measurably less likely than liberals to return their census forms,\" McHenry wrote in an op-ed for the conservative Red State.","Still, we wondered if it was actually true that government distrust among some conservative Republicans really translated, as McHenry said, to early census returns showing that \"conservatives have been measurably less likely than liberals to return their census forms.\"","( - Rep. Patrick McHenry claims early census returns are showing that conservatives are likely than liberals to return their census forms&url=)","A spokeswoman from McHenry's office told us he was just trying to be proactive and encourage all Americans to be counted. It's hard to find fault with that. Still, we just don't find any evidence that his premise that conservatives have been less likely to return their census forms than liberals is true. We rule McHenry's statement False."]},{"id":"282.json","label":"false","statement":"The church Barack Obama belongs to only admits black people.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that Barack Obama was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, the claim that the church only admits black people is false. Trinity United Church of Christ is a predominantly African-American church, but it does not exclude individuals of other races from joining. The church's website and statements from Obama himself do not support the assertion that the church has a non-negotiable commitment to Africa and excludes non-black individuals. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading baseless claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["An attack e-mail says the church Barack Obama attends, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, gave a lifetime award to Louis Farrakhan, and that Obama \"remained silent\" and wasn't even asked about.","UPDATE: Barack Obama resigned from Trinity United Church of Christ on May 31, 2008, after church pastor Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. made controversial remarks about U.S. foreign policy and other matters. Obama said he intends to join another church after the election.","Are you aware that Obama's middle name is Mohammed? Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even today. This guy desires to rule over America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa !","Please read and go to this church's website and read what is written there. It is very alarming. Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their website, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable commitment to Africa . No where is AMERICA even mentioned. Notice too, what color you will need to be if you should want to join Obama's church... B-L-A-C-K!!! Doesn't look like his choice of religion has improved much over his (former?) Muslim upbringing."]},{"id":"1727.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Bill Young uses his campaign money for, among other things, a luxury car.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Rep. Bill Young did use campaign money to purchase a luxury car, specifically a Lincoln Continental in 1990. Furthermore, he continues to use campaign funds to lease a Lincoln Navigator, which can also be considered a luxury car. The claim made in the statement is supported by evidence and has been verified.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The video uses Abramoff's fedora as a metaphor for the alleged ties between the two men. A copy of the hat flips off Abramoff's head and lands on Young's. The screen says that Abramoff \"used his money for, among other things, luxury cars.\" The hat lands on Young as the screen says, \"Bill Young uses his campaign money for, among other things, a luxury car.\"","An online video by the Charlie Justice for Congress campaign tries to link opponent Rep. Bill Young with jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff. It is a case of guilt by association without proving any association. In a separate item, we've rated the suggestion of an Abramoff connection as Pants on Fire. But the video makes other claims about Young, a Pinellas County Republican, that have some truth to them, including one that Young used campaign money for \"a luxury car.\"","Putting aside the sleight-of-hand implication of an Abramoff connection, it's worth exploring the simple question of whether Young did indeed use campaign money for a luxury car.","So Justice is right. Young used campaign money to buy the Lincoln Continental in 1990, which was traded in many years ago. But he is still using campaign money today to lease a Lincoln Navigator. Both can reasonably be called luxury cars, so we find Justice's claim True."]},{"id":"8028.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says excise taxes are...disproportionately burdening middle- and lower-income consumers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by David Sutton that excise taxes disproportionately burden middle- and lower-income consumers. This claim is supported by numerous studies that show the regressive nature of excise taxes, which means that they have a greater impact on individuals with lower incomes. While it is true that a larger percentage of low-income smokers may quit smoking due to price increases, those who continue to smoke are indeed disproportionately affected by the higher excise taxes. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To sum up, Sutton said excise taxes on cigarettes are \"disproportionately burdening middle- and lower-income consumers.\" Numerous studies show Sutton\u2019s claim is on target, but a larger percentage of them also quit smoking. Our rating: Mostly True.","It\u2019s frequently said that excise taxes have a great impact on the poor. But as we\u2019ve learned since the Truth-O-Meter started spinning here in 2010 that what\u2019s often said isn\u2019t always correct. We wondered whether Sutton is accurate to claim that excise taxes are \"disproportionately burdening middle and lower-income consumers.\"","\"We think it is patently unfair to single out adult tobacco consumers with another federal tobacco tax increase to pay for a broad, new government spending program claimed to have benefits for everyone,\" said the spokesman, David Sutton. \"Moreover, excise taxes are regressive, disproportionately burdening middle and lower-income consumers \u2014 the very same consumers who have already endured five years of a stagnant economy and high unemployment.\"","The CDC report says a larger percentage of low-income smokers quit once prices rise, but that those who decide to continue smoking are disproportionately impacted by increases in excise taxes."]},{"id":"9153.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In order to pass the CRCT in Georgia, you simply have to get half of the answers correct.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan that in order to pass the CRCT (Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests) in Georgia, one only needs to answer half of the questions correctly. This claim is supported by evidence that the \"cut scores\" to meet state standards are indeed set at around 50% correct answers in slightly more than half of the subjects for grades 3 through 8. However, it's worth noting that the threshold to exceed state standards is higher, ranging from 75% to 80% correct answers. Therefore, while the statement is true regarding the minimum passing requirement, it doesn't provide the full context of the higher standards for exceeding state standards.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In order to pass the CRCT in Georgia, you simply have to get half of the answers correct,\" said state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, a Democrat from Cobb County.","Morgan said \"in order to pass the CRCT in Georgia, you simply have to get half of the answers correct.\" In slightly more than half of the subjects for grades 3 through 8, she\u2019s correct. The \"cut scores\" to meet state standards are a little higher in other areas, but not much higher.","In order to meet state standards, students have to get only about one-half of the answers correct in a content area. Georgia students must get at least 75 percent to 80 percent of the answers correct in order to exceed state standards.","A state lawmaker surprised us recently when she talked about what she said is the low threshold for Georgia students to pass an important exam."]},{"id":"426.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the rating given to Senator McCain by the Children's Defense Fund. In 2007, McCain received the lowest score of 10 percent from the organization. However, it is important to note that his low score was primarily due to his absence during the evaluation votes. McCain's actual voting record on children's issues was mixed, as he voted in favor of raising the minimum wage but against expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The statement does not provide the full context of McCain's voting record, but it accurately conveys the rating given by the Children's Defense Fund.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Item five addresses children's issues. \"The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.\"","It's true that McCain had the worst score \u2014 10 percent \u2014 in the Senate from the Children's Defense Fund for 2007. But it's important to note that McCain's score was so low because he missed eight of 10 votes that the fund evaluates. On the two issues remaining, McCain voted for one (raising the minimum wage) and against one (expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program, called SCHIP).","So McCain may have scored better on the Children's Defense Fund scorecard if he had been there for more of the votes. (Though McCain's history with the group isn't that great, either. In 2006, his score was 10 percent and in 2005 it was 22 percent.) But MoveOn omits the caveat that his vote against SCHIP was based on spending concerns.","But these are minor points, and not enough to notch down the Truth-O-Meter too much. We find MoveOn's statement about McCain's rating and his stance on the children's health bill to be True."]},{"id":"1170.json","label":"false","statement":"A scheduled speech by President Barack Obama will be the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's school children about persisting and succeeding in school.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Barack Obama's scheduled speech to the nation's schoolchildren was not the first time an American president had addressed students about persisting and succeeding in school. President George H.W. Bush had previously given a speech with a similar theme. Therefore, the claim that Obama's speech would be the first of its kind is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But Duncan was wrong when he wrote that Obama's speech would be \"the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's schoolchildren about persisting and succeeding in school.\"","We feel that President George H.W. Bush's speech to students is enough evidence to show that Obama was not the first president to speak \"directly to the nation's schoolchildren about persisting and succeeding in school.\" Bush's speech was quite explicitly \"about persisting and succeeding in school.\" Duncan's statement is not accurate, so we rate it False.","\"The president will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning,\" Duncan wrote, adding, \"This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's schoolchildren about persisting and succeeding in school. We encourage you to use this historic moment to help your students get focused and begin the school year strong.\"","A monumental moment. President Barack Obama is just hours away from delivering his farewell address in Chicago on Tuesday, January 10. According to the Chicago Tribune, Obama\u2019s speech will be a call to action to the leaders who will come after him."]},{"id":"1655.json","label":"true","statement":"With this reform, every insured American gets valuable consumer protections, and every uninsured American can become insured.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Doggett regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA does introduce valuable consumer protections for insured Americans, such as prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and allowing young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plans until the age of 26. Additionally, the ACA aims to increase access to insurance coverage for uninsured Americans through various provisions, including the establishment of health insurance marketplaces. While not every uninsured American immediately benefits from the ACA, starting in 2014, every American has the opportunity to sign up for insurance. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"With this reform,\" Doggett said March 21, \"every insured American gets valuable consumer protections, and every uninsured American can become insured.\"","He's right about the law introducing consumer protections. Also, the law is expected to ease access to coverage, though not everyone benefits immediately. Still, starting in 2014, every American will be able to sign up for insurance.","\"It's costing every American who is insured $1,100 to pick up the cost of uncompensated care that goes on at the emergency room.\"","And note the wording difference. Clinton said each \"family policy\" had the hidden cost. But Boxer said \"every American who's insured\" is paying it. We'll explain the significance of that in a minute."]},{"id":"6472.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney wants to end tax credits for wind producers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of President Barack Obama and the agreement of the Romney campaign regarding tax credits for wind producers. President Obama claimed that Mitt Romney wants to end tax credits that benefit the wind power industry, and the Romney campaign confirmed this stance. A spokesperson for Romney stated that there are no plans to renew these tax credits when they expire at the end of the year.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But the industry is fragile and Obama played to that when he said, \"At a moment when homegrown energy is creating new jobs in states like Colorado and Iowa, my opponent wants to end tax credits for wind producers.\"","Obama was referring to Renewable Energy Production Tax Credits. The president says Mitt Romney wants to get rid of them -- and the Romney campaign agrees.","Barack Obama said Mitt Romney plans to put an end to tax credits that benefit the wind power industry. Romney agrees.","A Romney spokesman, Ryan Williams, says when the tax credits expire at the end of this year, Romney has no plans to renew them."]},{"id":"8413.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says by reducing chronic health care costs in the State of Georgia, we can reduce the $32.8 billion lost each year due to lack of productivity and economic costs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Johnson in his letter, which suggests that by reducing chronic health care costs in Georgia, it is possible to decrease the annual loss of $32.8 billion attributed to lack of productivity and economic costs. This claim is supported by a Milken Institute study, which provides evidence for the economic impact of chronic health care costs. However, it is important to note that there may be other research that presents different perspectives on this issue. Overall, the statement is based on credible information and aligns with the findings of the Milken Institute study.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"By reducing chronic health care costs in the State of Georgia, we can reduce the $32.8 billion lost each year due to lack of productivity and economic costs,\" Johnson, a Democrat from DeKalb County, wrote in a letter to Daniel Patterson.","To sum up, Rep. Johnson said in a letter that \"by reducing chronic health care costs in the State of Georgia, we can reduce the $32.8 billion lost each year due to lack of productivity and economic costs.\" The congressman\u2019s claim was based on accurate numbers from a Milken Institute study that appeared well-researched. We did find other research that differs from the Milken study.","\"In 2009, the economic costs of cardiovascular diseases and stroke were estimated at $475.3 billion, including $313.8 billion in direct medical expenses and $161.5 billion in indirect costs ($39.1 billion in lost productivity due to sickness or disability and $122.4 billion in lost productivity due to premature death),\" the CDC found.","U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, \" Workplace Health - Business Case - Reasons for Investing - Rising Health Care Costs,\" April 25, 2011."]},{"id":"4410.json","label":"false","statement":"The deal to raise the nations debt ceiling will directly link a debt ceiling increase to spending cuts for the first time ever.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. There is no indication in the evidence that the deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling will directly link a debt ceiling increase to spending cuts for the first time ever. The evidence explains that raising the debt ceiling does not authorize new spending and that new spending proposals have to go through Congress. The debt ceiling is a constraint on the amount of debt the federal government can carry, but there is no mention of a direct link between a debt ceiling increase and spending cuts in the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The debt has expanded significantly in the last few years, due to a combination of the GOP-backed tax cuts enacted in 2017, a series of regular spending bills passed with bipartisan support, and several large relief bills designed to ease the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic fallout.","Additionally, raising the debt ceiling alone doesn\u2019t authorize new spending. New spending proposals have to go through Congress. Raising the debt ceiling allows spending on programs that have already been authorized.","The debt ceiling constrains how much debt the federal government can carry at a given time in order to pay for its operations.","Still, Goldwein maintains a cautious optimism. \"It\u2019s not unusual to be in a standoff until there\u2019s a breakthrough,\" he said. \"It\u2019s pretty common to feel that you don\u2019t know how they\u2019re going to manage to raise, and then there\u2019s a deal and it\u2019s done.\""]},{"id":"7446.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that except for foreign policy, Ron Pauls voting record and his voting record are virtually identical.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Broun that, except for foreign policy, his voting record and Ron Paul's voting record were virtually identical. This claim was examined by PolitiFact Georgia, which found that during their overlapping congressional terms, Broun and Ron Paul's votes differed just 6 percent of the time, excluding foreign policy. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Broun said except for foreign policy, his voting record and Ron Paul\u2019s voting record were virtually identical. The men\u2019s congressional terms overlapped from 2007 to January 2013. During that time, PolitiFact Georgia found that the congressmen\u2019s votes differed just 6 percent of the time after the foreign policy exclusion.","Broun also aligns himself with Rand Paul\u2019s father, former Texas congressman and Libertarian Ron Paul: \"Truth be told,\" Broun says in the letter, \"except for foreign policy, Ron Paul\u2019s voting record and mine are virtually identical.\"","Politicians frequently align themselves with other party favorites, with varying results. PolitiFact Georgia examined whether Broun was correct about his voting record, and similarity to Ron Paul.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz."]},{"id":"11899.json","label":"true","statement":"The African-American community lost half of their wealth as a result of the Wall Street collapse.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Bernie Sanders that the African-American community lost approximately half of their wealth as a result of the Wall Street collapse. Multiple sources and reports indicate that African-Americans did experience a significant decline in wealth due to the housing bubble and the subsequent financial crisis. Estimates range from 43 percent to 61 percent decrease in net worth for African-Americans during that period. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Turns out that the African-American community and Latino community were hit especially hard,\" Sanders said. \"As I understand it, the African-American community lost half of their wealth as a result of the Wall Street collapse.\"","Estimates for how much wealth blacks lost from 2005 to 2009 \u2014 as a result of the housing bubble \u2014 range from 53 percent to 61 percent. African-American net worth plummeted 43 percent from 2007 to 2013 \u2014 as a result of the financial crisis.","\"According to the report, African-Americans have lost over half of their wealth since the beginning of the recession through falling homeownership rates and loss of jobs,\" it reads.","Sanders railed against Wall Street in his response to a question about race relations in the Feb. 11 Democratic debate in Milwaukee, Wis."]},{"id":"1063.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Congressional Budget Office estimates a cap-and-trade program would cost the average family the equivalent of a postage stamp a day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Democratic sponsors of the cap-and-trade bill, who cited a study from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to argue that their plan would be affordable. The CBO study estimated the cost to the average family to be approximately equivalent to \"about a postage stamp a day.\" While the exact cost may vary, the statement accurately represents the approximation provided by the CBO study.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The Congressional Budget Office -- supposedly non-partisan -- estimates that in just a few years the average cost to every family of four (from cap and trade) will be $6,800 per year.\"","The latest variation of this comes in a chain e-mail that contends the cap-and-trade plan will require more energy-efficient homes (a claim we rated Pants on Fire ). The e-mail says, \"The Congressional Budget Office -- supposedly non-partisan -- estimates that in just a few years the average cost to every family of four will be $6,800 per year. No one is excluded.\"","Responding to Republicans who have said a cap-and-trade bill could cost thousands of dollars a year for the average family, the Democratic sponsors of the bill are citing a new study from the Congressional Budget Office that they say shows their plan will be affordable.","For this Truth-O-Meter item, we are not addressing which study is best, but focusing on whether Markey correctly described the CBO's findings. He was close \u2014 off by just 4 cents \u2014 and he indicated it was an approximation because he said \"about a postage stamp a day.\" So we find the statement True."]},{"id":"1934.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If the Republicans were the majority, (Rep. Barton) would have actually the gavel and the chairmanship.","reason":"Reason: Rahm Emanuel's statement suggests that if the Republicans were the majority, Rep. Barton would have assumed the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee. While it is true that ranking members of a committee often become chairpersons when their party regains majority control, it is not always guaranteed. The statement implies a direct correlation between Republican majority and Rep. Barton's chairmanship, which is an oversimplification. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel alluded to that on ABC's This Week on June 20, 2010, when he warned \"the ranking Republican (Barton) would have oversight into the energy industry, and if the Republicans were the majority, would have actually the gavel and the chairmanship.\"","The fact is, even if Republicans were to win a majority in the House, it appears unlikely Barton would have assumed chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee next year anyway. Possible? Yes. But at the very least, it was far from a given, as Emanuel and Gibbs suggested. And so we rate Emanuel\u2019s comment Half True.","A literal reading of Emanuel's comments leaves ambiguous whether he is saying if the Republicans were the majority right now, then Barton would be chair, or if he's predicting what could happen if Republicans were to regain control of the House in the midterm elections. If Republicans were in the majority right now, then Barton would be chair. But they are not. We think in the context of talking about Barton's comment as a political gift, Emanuel is raising the specter of what would happen if the GOP wins a House majority in the midterm elections.","Well, not so fast. While congressmen who are a minority party\u2019s ranking member on a committee often rise to the chairmanship if their party regains majority control, that\u2019s not always the truth."]},{"id":"5045.json","label":"true","statement":"By the way, Im not raising tolls 50 percent....Jon Corzine did.","reason":"Reason: Governor Chris Christie accurately attributes the toll hikes to his predecessor, Jon Corzine. The evidence confirms that the toll increases were implemented during Corzine's tenure, with the first phase occurring in 2008 and the second phase representing significant percentage hikes. Christie's statement correctly highlights that he is not responsible for the 50 percent toll increase, but rather attributes it to Jon Corzine.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a radio interview, Christie directed blame for the new toll hikes to his predecessor, claiming \"I'm not raising tolls 50 percent....Jon Corzine did.\"","Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, has reminded listeners of that history during various radio interviews in recent weeks. During a Dec. 23 interview with WFAN\u2019s Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, the governor corrected Carton when the co-host said Christie was raising tolls by 50 percent.","The first phase of the toll hikes began on Dec. 1, 2008 with 40 percent and 43 percent increases on the Turnpike and the Parkway, respectively. The second phase represents a 53 percent hike on the Turnpike and a 50 percent increase on the Parkway.","Says Jon Corzine \"gave away 14 percent raises over 4 years and he stood on the front steps of the Capitol at a public-sector union rally and said, 'I will fight to get you a great contract.\u2019\""]},{"id":"3324.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If public employees dont pay more for benefits starting April 1, 2011, the equivalent is 1,500 state employee layoffs by June 30, 2011 and 10,000 to 12,000 state and local government employee layoffs in the next two years.","reason":"Reason: Governor Scott Walker made the statement that if public employees did not start paying more for benefits by April 1, 2011, it would result in the equivalent of 1,500 state employee layoffs by June 30, 2011, and 10,000 to 12,000 state and local government employee layoffs in the next two years. This statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Walker regarding the potential consequences of not increasing employee contributions for benefits. However, it's important to note that the actual number of layoffs and the timeline may vary depending on various factors and budgetary considerations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["If public employees don\u2019t pay more for benefits starting April 1, 2011, \"the equivalent\" is 1,500 state employee layoffs by June 30, 2011 and 10,000 to 12,000 state and local government employee layoffs in the next two years.","Gov. Scott Walker says if public employees don\u2019t start paying more for benefits by April 1, \u201cthe equivalent\u201d is 1,500 layoffs now and 10,000 to 12,000 in next budget","( - Gov. Scott Walker says if public employees don\u2019t start paying more for benefits by April 1, \u201cthe equivalent\u201d is 1,500 layoffs now and 10,000 to 12,000 in next budget&url=)","\"That $30 million -- if we don\u2019t get it by starting our (higher) health care and pension contributions by April 1 -- translates in this budget, which means June 30, to the equivalent of 1,500 state government employees being laid off.\""]},{"id":"3122.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Interior Department is in charge of salmon while theyre in fresh water, but the Commerce Department handles them when theyre in saltwater.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in describing the division of regulatory responsibility for salmon between the Interior Department and the Commerce Department. The Fish and Wildlife agency within the Interior Department oversees salmon when they are in freshwater, while the National Marine Fisheries Service within the Commerce Department regulates them when they are in saltwater. However, it is important to note that the regulatory scene is more complex, with involvement from states and tribes in freshwater regulation and the state of Alaska playing a significant role in regulating the salmon fishery in saltwater. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it simplifies the complexity of the regulatory landscape surrounding salmon.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The Interior Department is in charge of salmon while they're in fresh water, but the Commerce Department handles them when they're in saltwater.\"","\"We shouldn't just give our people a government that's more affordable. We should give them a government that's more competent and more efficient. We can't win the future with a government of the past,\" Obama said. \"We live and do business in the Information Age, but the last major reorganization of the government happened in the age of black-and-white TV. There are 12 different agencies that deal with exports. There are at least five different agencies that deal with housing policy. Then there's my favorite example: The Interior Department is in charge of salmon while they're in freshwater, but the Commerce Department handles them when they're in saltwater. I hear it gets even more complicated once they're smoked.\"","In ruling on Obama's statement, we found that he's right about the regulatory division on salmon, with different agencies responsible for the fish when they're in freshwater versus when they're in saltwater. In fact, he leaves out a lot of detail, including the role of the states. The actual regulatory scene is even more complicated. But Fish and Wildlife in the Interior Department does have authority over fish when they're in freshwater, and the National Marine Fisheries Service in the Department of Commerce regulates them in saltwater. Because he left out some of the complexity, we rate his statement Mostly True.","\"It is a stretch to say that salmon in freshwater are regulated by the Interior Department,\" said Ray Hilborn, a professor at the University of Washington's School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. \"Harvest in freshwater is almost totally regulated by states, and in some case tribes,\" he said in an e-mail. \"In salt water the ocean harvest beyond 3 miles is federally regulated, but almost all the catch in the U.S. takes place in Alaska, and the state of Alaska regulates that fishery.\""]},{"id":"4882.json","label":"true","statement":"Last year we spent more than $40 billion on highways. And Lord knows we need that. But thats more than we spent on Amtrak in its entire 40-year history.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the disparity in funding between highways and Amtrak. It states that more than $40 billion was spent on highways in a given year, which is indeed a significant amount. It also contrasts this with the fact that the total spending on Amtrak over its entire 40-year history is less than $40 billion. This stark difference in funding allocation emphasizes the relative prioritization of highways over Amtrak in terms of financial support.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That math, however, doesn\u2019t add up. With $40 billion, 330 million Americans would get about $121.21 each. This claim is False.","Using the figures in the post, and a calculator, splitting $40 billion among 330 million Americans would mean each person would get $121.21.","A Facebook post shared a tweet that claimed Musk could have given every American $1 million and still had $7 billion left over with the money he spent to buy Twitter.","\"Democrats spent $40,000,000 of YOUR tax dollars trying to impeach Trump,\" the post reads. \"But not one cent was spent to benefit citizens!\""]},{"id":"8817.json","label":"true","statement":"Deer baiting, planned for Block Island by DEM, is illegal in Rhode Island.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to state law in Rhode Island, it is indeed illegal for hunters to use bait to lure deer. The planned deer baiting on Block Island, as mentioned, would be in violation of this law. This information is supported by the evidence provided, which confirms the legality of deer baiting in Rhode Island.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Baiting deer happens to be illegal in Rhode Island,\" August wrote. \"But I guess if you are the state, the laws don\u2019t apply.\"","But when Richard August asserts that state law makes it illegal for hunters to use bait to lure deer, which is what the DEM plans to do when it stages a mass shooting of deer, he is correct.","Going back to August's claim, the \"Deer Hunting\" section of state law says the DEM can adopt rules and regulations on deer hunting in Rhode Island but, \"In any event, the following prohibitions and restrictions shall always apply to deer hunting:\"","Block Island, officially known as New Shoreham, is overrun by deer -- an estimated 800 to 1,000 on the 9.5-square mile island. The town and the DEM have agreed on a plan to hire a Connecticut firm to reduce the population to 150 or fewer over the next four years."]},{"id":"10656.json","label":"true","statement":"Liberty University students were mandated to attend Sen. Ted Cruzs presidential announcement or they would be fined.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Liberty University students were indeed required to attend Sen. Ted Cruz's presidential announcement. Failure to attend would result in a penalty of four reprimands and a $10 fine. This demonstrates that student attendance was mandatory for the event, as stated in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Yesterday, we fact-checked a claim that students at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., were required to attend Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's presidential announcement or face a $10 fine.","\"Students were mandated to be in attendance or they would be fined,\" McIntosh told Chris Hayes on MSNBC on March 24, 2015. \"Not as much as they would be fined for possessing R-rated movies or practicing witchcraft, but still, they had to pay money if they didn\u2019t want to see him.\"","Cruz\u2019s presidential announcement was scheduled as a Convocation event by the university, therefore the penalty for a student\u2019s absence would be four reprimands and a $10 fine.","!Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, with his wife and daughters at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Student attendance was mandatory. (New York Times) !Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, with his wife and daughters at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Student attendance was mandatory. (New York Times)"]},{"id":"4090.json","label":"false","statement":"Slim Jims just recently cost 99 cents but now cost $2.69.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Sarah Palin mentioned in an interview that Slim Jims used to cost 99 cents, there is no evidence to support the claim that Slim Jims now cost $2.69. The investigation into the pricing of Slim Jims revealed that the iconic Giant Sticks are priced around $1.30, and other variations may cost slightly more. It is possible that there was confusion regarding the specific type of Slim Jim being referred to in the anecdote. Therefore, the statement that Slim Jims recently cost 99 cents but now cost $2.69 is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the July 10, 2011 Newsweek interview, Palin illustrated the issue with an anecdote about her husband: \"I was ticked off at Todd yesterday,\" she said. \"He walks into a gas station as we\u2019re driving over from Minnesota. He buys a Slim Jim\u2014we\u2019re always eating that jerky stuff\u2014for $2.69. I said, 'Todd, those used to be 99 cents, just recently!' And he says, 'Man, the dollar\u2019s worth nothing anymore.' A jug of milk and a loaf of bread and a dozen eggs\u2014every time I walk into that grocery store, a couple of pennies more.\"","A reader asked us to look into whether Slim Jims have, in fact, been swept up in a huge inflationary spiral recently.","She also offered a possible explanation for the confusion. \"Our iconic Slim Jim Giant Sticks are priced around $1.30,\" Paulsen said. \"Mr. Palin might have been reaching for one of our Slim Jim Monster Sticks, which offers double the meat for $2.30, or our Slim Jim Kippered Beef Steak, which typically sells for around $2.65.\"","Still, national statistics alone can\u2019t settle this question. So we went directly to ConAgra, the food giant that makes Slim Jims."]},{"id":"10409.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve seen our deficits cut by two-thirds.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that deficits have been reduced by two-thirds during his tenure. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as mostly true, indicating that there has been a significant reduction in deficits under President Obama's administration. However, it's important to note that the long-term projections for federal spending and deficits indicate potential challenges in the future, as mentioned by the Congressional Budget Office. Nonetheless, the statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama regarding the reduction of deficits.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"At every step, we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious; that we would crush jobs and explode deficits,\" Obama said. \"Instead, we\u2019ve seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade, our deficits cut by two-thirds, a stock market that has doubled, and health care inflation at its lowest rate in fifty years.\"","A year ago, President Barack Obama said during his 2015 State of the Union address that the United States has seen \"our deficits cut by two-thirds\" during his tenure. We rated that claim Mostly True. During his 2016 State of the Union address, Obama raised the bar.","Absent substantial reform, the Congressional Budget Office expects a few more years of short-term deficit decreases followed by bigger shortfalls in 10 and 20 years. Federal spending is projected to increase through 2039, so much so that by then the federal debt held by the public will reach a point only seen after World War II.","After citing some of his administration\u2019s economic accomplishments, he said, \"We\u2019ve done all this while cutting our deficits by almost three-quarters.\""]},{"id":"13057.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy embellished, according to reports, his University of Miami academic achievement.","reason":"Reason: According to reports and fact-checking, it has been found that Patrick Murphy did indeed embellish his academic achievements at the University of Miami. Multiple news sources have reported on this, including a news anchor from WPTV. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the findings and reports regarding Patrick Murphy's academic claims.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The ad includes a clip of a WPTV news anchor Michael Williams on May 23 saying: \"Murphy embellished, according to reports, his University of Miami academic achievement.\"","Finally, we did not debunk an attack from Rubio about Murphy\u2019s degrees from the University of Miami \u2014 we actually backed it up. When Rubio\u2019s campaign released an ad claiming \"Murphy embellished, according to reports, his University of Miami academic achievement,\" we rated that Mostly True.","The narrator then reads lines from a CBS4 Miami report and says, \"Never worked as a CPA,\" and \"Never a small business owner.\"","Murphy\u2019s response was memorable \u2014 especially to us. His retort is a wishful reading of our reports. Here\u2019s the truth: Murphy has exaggerated his credentials, and his opponents have also exaggerated their attacks on Murphy."]},{"id":"10903.json","label":"true","statement":"You can fill out your tax return in Estonia online in five minutes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including statements from Estonian tax filers and articles from reputable publications such as Business Insider and The Economist. These sources confirm that it is indeed possible to fill out a tax return in Estonia online in approximately five minutes. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Bush said \"you can fill out your tax return in Estonia online in five minutes.\" If anything, Estonian tax filers tell us, it takes even less than that. We rate Bush\u2019s claim True.","One of the more unusual claims to come up at the recent economic summit in Orlando was this one from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: \"You can fill out your tax return in Estonia online in five minutes.\"","\u2022 \"Yes, it is possible to file a tax return in Estonia online in five minutes. And probably even in three to four minutes,\" said Tarmo Vahter, deputy editor of the weekly newspaper Eesti Ekspress.","We started by asking aides to Bush -- who is preparing to officially announce his candidacy on June 15 -- for supporting evidence. They sent us links to two articles. In 2012, the website Business Insider called Estonia\u2019s tax system \"scarily efficient,\" noting that \"the process takes an average of five minutes.\" The following year, The Economist agreed, reporting that \"filing an annual tax return online, as 95% of Estonians do, takes about five minutes.\""]},{"id":"5477.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2010 about 75 percent of child abuse and neglect reports in Oregon were made by those required to report by law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson and is supported by the Department of Human Services. In 2010, approximately 75 percent of child abuse and neglect reports in Oregon were made by individuals who were legally obligated to report such cases, including professionals such as school and medical officials, police, clergy, child-care providers, court and mental health personnel, and therapists. This statistic highlights the importance of mandatory reporting in ensuring the safety and well-being of children.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It really will help all adults recognize their responsibility to protect our kids,\" she told her colleagues. \"In 2010, about 75 percent of child abuse and neglect reports in Oregon were made by those required to report by law. It is clear, very clear, that mandatory reporting is a very important tool to keep our kids safe.\"","While the 2012 Legislature has been hung up on some issues, lawmakers approved a law that expanded the sorts of professionals required to report child abuse and neglect.","The figures make this claim an easy one to rule on. Monnes Anderson said 75 percent of the abuse and neglect reports the state collected in 2010 came from mandatory reporters. The Department of Human Services backs her up. We rate this claim True.","According to the report, which was released last March, 74.4 percent of the abuse and neglect cases were reported by school and medical officials, police, clergy, child-care providers, court and mental health personnel and therapists -- all of whom are required to report."]},{"id":"2546.json","label":"false","statement":"OShaughnessy even voted for her own personal stimulus package -- a taxpayer-funded pay raise for herself.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While O'Shaughnessy did vote in favor of an ordinance to increase pay for the council seat, it is important to note that this vote did not guarantee a pay raise for herself. She had to win re-election in order to be eligible for the increased pay. Therefore, the claim that she voted for her own personal stimulus package is inaccurate and fails to acknowledge the necessary condition of winning re-election for the pay raise to take effect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["She didn\u2019t approve a pay raise for herself. She voted to increase pay for whomever was elected to take that council seat. The voters decided she should get the pay raise by re-electing her in 2001.","It continued: \"If this doesn\u2019t piss you off as a taxpayer and an American citizen? Then I don\u2019t know what to tell you. All these things AREN\u2019T government funded.... IT (sic) FUNDED BY YOU! THE TAXPAYERS!\"","What all this means is that when O\u2019Shaughnessy voted in favor of the 1998 ordinance to increase pay, there was no guarantee she would ever get the higher pay. She had to win re-election first.","O\u2019Shaughnessy\u2019s campaign said she couldn\u2019t be blamed for boosting her pay because she was ineligible for the raise after she and the rest of Columbus City Council approved it."]},{"id":"2559.json","label":"false","statement":"When Washington liberals wanted to take away our guns, Chet said no.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that there was a specific effort by \"Washington liberals\" to take away guns, and that Rep. Chet Edwards opposed this. However, there is no evidence provided to support the claim that such an effort existed. While Rep. Edwards may have supported pro-gun legislation and opposed certain gun control measures, there is no indication that there was a widespread movement among \"Washington liberals\" to take away guns. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Then flowed a montage of Democratic campaign ads denouncing President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California. The last clip? A Sept. 17 ad for Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco: \"And when Washington liberals wanted to take away our guns, Chet said no.\"","Still, we did not track with Edwards' logic. While it's evident he's supported legislation that is considered pro-gun and said \"no\" to legislation that isn't, we didn't see anything showing that Washington liberals were coming to take our guns away.","Edwards also pointed to legislation he supported to expand gun rights in the District of Columbia, which prohibited gun owners from keeping handguns in their homes. In June 2008, the Supreme Court overturned D.C.'s ban.\"They wanted to be able to take guns away, I wanted to stop them from legally being able to take those guns away,\" he said.","\"If I'm a citizen in Texas and I say I'm not about to be fingerprinted or photographed to keep a handgun, then I am in violation of the law\" he said. \"The federal government would have the right to take that gun away.\" Those who failed to comply with Rush's proposal, which never came to a vote, would have been subject to a fine or imprisonment or both, but we saw no language stating that guns would be taken away."]},{"id":"572.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Carly Fiorina, a former campaign adviser to Senator John McCain, that \"there are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication\" has been fact-checked and found to be barely true. While there have been instances where some health insurance plans did not cover birth control medication, efforts to ensure coverage for birth control have been made through state mandates and employee pressure. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that \"many\" health insurance plans fit this description. It is important to note that the context of this statement is from 2008, and the landscape of health insurance coverage may have changed since then.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["SUMMARY: McCain adviser Carly Fiorina trips up the Truth-O-Meter when she says many health insurance plans \"will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication.\" Her candidate trips on the subject, too.","Back to Fiorina's statement that \"there are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication.\" Efforts to force employers to cover birth control have failed in Congress, but state mandates and employee pressure force most companies to make such coverage available. We rule this Barely True.","Carly Fiorina, former Hewlett-Packard chief executive and now campaign adviser to Sen. John McCain, grabbed headlines July 7, 2008, when she said: \"There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice.\"","Carly Fiorina, former Hewlett-Packard chief executive and now campaign adviser to Sen. John McCain, grabbed news headlines July 7, 2008, when she said: \"There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth-control medication. Those women would like a choice.\""]},{"id":"7985.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ken Cuccinelli attacked churches for helping the poor.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ken Cuccinelli attacked churches for helping the poor is not accurate. While there was a comment made by Cuccinelli about Catholic bishops, it was not an attack on churches for their charitable work. Rather, Cuccinelli expressed concern about the potential shift of charitable responsibilities from churches to the government. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Cuccinelli's position and incorrectly portrays it as opposition to the charitable work done by religious organizations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Begala, to support his statement that Cuccinelli \"attacked churches for helping the poor,\" zeroed in on a comment the Republican made about Catholic bishops:","Begala said Cuccinelli \"attacked churches for helping the poor,\" a statement that suggests the Republican opposes the charitable work done by religious organizations.","Begala sounded the alarm in a June 27 fundraising letter for the Democratic Governors Association, outlining Cuccinelli\u2019s \"extreme positions\" against abortion, government entitlement programs and global warming research. This list was familiar until this eye-popper: \"He attacked churches for helping the poor,\" Begala wrote of Cuccinelli.","But that statement doesn\u2019t strike us as \"an attack on churches for helping the poor.\" To the contrary, Cuccinelli was criticizing what he said was an effort by the church to hand off some of its charitable role to government."]},{"id":"8527.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have created new jobs here in Cranston -- more than 1,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that indicates the creation of new jobs in Cranston. The city confirmed the creation of 125 new jobs in 2009, and there is additional testimony from a restoration company president who praised the Fung administration for their support in business growth. While the exact number of jobs created may be subject to some variability, the evidence suggests that the claim of creating \"more than 1,000\" new jobs in Cranston is plausible.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Hospitality, manufacturing, retail. In each of these industries we have created new jobs here in Cranston -- more than 1,000,\" Fung said in a speech at Taco Inc., in Cranston. \"And this is what I intend to do as governor in every community in the state of Rhode Island.\"","The city says 125 new jobs were created for Cranston there in 2009. Palermo said that wasn't correct then but it is now; 130 people work there.","So there's reason to believe that Fung's \"more than 1,000\" number is correct, even when you include jobs lost in the city during that period.","Ernest G. Pullano, president of the restoration company Clean Care of New England, which went from Cranston to Warwick before returning to Cranston in 2011, said the Fung administration offered a \"tremendous amount\" of design, engineering and public works help. \"As far as being conducive to business, they were fantastic.\""]},{"id":"1207.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration is \"cutting back on defense\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is subjective and depends on the specific measurement used to assess defense spending. While there are instances where defense spending under the Obama administration has increased, there have also been cases where specific weapons programs have been cut. Therefore, whether or not the Obama administration is \"cutting back on defense\" can vary depending on the perspective and measurement used. It is important to consider both the overall defense budget and specific program cuts when evaluating this claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In our view, the cutting of specific weapons programs doesn't count as \"cutting back on defense\" as long as the defense budget is increasing as a whole. So if Hannity was using specific program cuts as his yardstick, his assertion about Obama's defense budget would be unfair.","For this item we'll focus on just one of Hannity's assertions: that Obama is \"cutting back on defense.\" After speaking to several defense budget experts, we've found a clear consensus on that question: maybe.","Now it's time to recap. By some measurements, including defense spending as a percentage of GDP, Hannity is right that Obama is \"cutting\" defense. But from 2009 to 2010, the Obama administration is increasing the defense budget, and for a few years after that, he's increasing it in absolute terms (albeit at a slower rate than expected inflation). So whether Hannity is accurate depends on what measurement you use. We're rating his assertion Half True.","And President Obama has proposed that the base budget will continue to rise in absolute dollars through 2014, though by smaller percentages. For fiscal year 2011, it rises by 1.5 percent; for fiscal year 2012, it rises by 1.6 percent; for 2013, it rises by 1.9 percent; and for 2014, it rises by 2.4 percent. Again, using this factor, Hannity would be wrong to say that Obama is cutting defense."]},{"id":"4329.json","label":"false","statement":"Scientists are questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change. (It is) more and more being put into question.","reason":"Reason: The statement incorrectly suggests that there is a growing consensus among scientists questioning the idea of man-made global warming causing climate change. However, the scientific consensus on this matter remains strong and is supported by extensive research and evidence. While there may be individual scientists who hold differing views, the overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, are the primary drivers of global warming. Therefore, the claim that scientists are increasingly questioning the link between human activities and climate change is not supported by the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Scientists are \"questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change. \u2026 (It is) more and more being put into question.\"","We\u2019ve seen candidates for the Republican nomination question whether there\u2019s scientific consensus on climate change, but those statements are at odds with the facts. We\u2019ve found the scientific consensus is still firmly on the side of a warming planet. We looked at Texas Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s statement that scientists are \"questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change. \u2026 (It is) more and more being put into question.\" We rated that False.","\"I do believe that the issue of global warming has been politicized,\" Perry said. \"I think there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects. I think we're seeing it almost weekly or even daily, scientists who are coming forward and questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change.\"","In this case, a voter asked Romney, \"What is your position on man-made global warming and would you reject legislation, such as cap and trade, which is based on the idea of man-made global warming?\""]},{"id":"8647.json","label":"false","statement":"Obamacare is going to increase the divorce rate.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obamacare will increase the divorce rate is not supported by credible evidence. While there was a news story about a couple considering divorce to qualify for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, it does not provide evidence to support the broader claim that the healthcare law will lead to an overall increase in the divorce rate. In fact, experts suggest that the impact of Obamacare on marriage and divorce rates is uncertain and could have both positive and negative effects. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Limbaugh: \"You know, you are very shrewd, Jim, because there is a story we had, it might have been late last week, that people are divorcing in order to afford Obamacare. It is busting up families. Obamacare is going to increase the divorce rate.\"","\"It could also have a positive effect on marriage, as it lowers health insurance premiums for low-income couples (who have a higher divorce rate) and as it makes people healthier, which could increase their earnings,\" Cherlin said. \"We don't know what the balance will be.\"","The news story Limbaugh referenced was about a New York couple considering a divorce so they could qualify for subsidies individually to offset the cost of health care under the new law. The story did not address Limbaugh\u2019s claim that the health care law will increase the country\u2019s divorce rate, leading us to wonder if there is credible research to support his assertion.","One measure is the rate of divorce per 1,000 population. The divorce rate was 3.6 divorces per 1,000 population in 2011, according to rough numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, those CDC statistics are imperfect because several states do not report divorce and annulment data to the feds, including the most populous state of California."]},{"id":"5339.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Senator Menendez said he would spend our money wisely. But our annual national deficit climbed from $250 billion a year to $1.6 trillion on his watch.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kyrillos that the annual national deficit increased from $250 billion to $1.6 trillion during Senator Menendez's tenure. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. The increase in the annual deficit was not solely due to Senator Menendez's actions or policies but was influenced by various factors, including the global financial crisis of 2008. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the fiscal policies and decisions that contributed to the increase in the deficit. While the statement is factually correct, it oversimplifies a complex issue and may not provide a complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Senator Menendez said he would spend our money wisely,\" Kyrillos told the crowd at the Lincroft Inn. \"But our annual national deficit climbed from $250 billion a year to $1.6 trillion on his watch.\"","During his campaign announcement, Kyrillos criticized Menendez by saying \"our annual national deficit climbed from $250 billion a year to $1.6 trillion on his watch.\"","Kyrillos spokesman Chapin Fay claimed that the annual deficit increased from about $250 billion in fiscal year 2006 -- when Menendez joined the Senate -- to about $1.6 trillion in fiscal year 2011, which ended in September 2011.","Federal officials had estimated an annual deficit of $1.645 trillion for fiscal year 2011, but the actual deficit turned out to be slightly under $1.3 trillion. During Menendez\u2019s tenure in the Senate, the annual deficit reached its highest level in fiscal year 2009, at about $1.4 trillion."]},{"id":"7882.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Madison Mayor Paul Soglins stated intent when proposing that city contractors disclose private political donations was to discourage contributions to organizations with which he disagrees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the intent stated by Madison Mayor Paul Soglin when proposing the ordinance. According to multiple sources, including the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, Mayor Soglin's intention behind the proposal was indeed to discourage contributions to organizations with which he disagrees. This suggests that the disclosure requirement was motivated by a desire to influence political contributions based on ideological alignment.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Madison Mayor Paul Soglin's stated intent when proposing that city contractors disclose private political donations was to \"discourage contributions to organizations with which he disagrees.\"","Madison Mayor Paul Soglin wants to require city contractors to publicly disclose donations they\u2019ve made to super PACS or advocacy groups operating in Wisconsin.","Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty offered this answer in a June 4, 2012 post on its website: The proposed ordinance, \"according to Mayor Soglin, is intended to discourage contributions to organizations with which he disagrees.\"","The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty contended that, according to Soglin himself, the proposed ordinance \"is intended to discourage contributions to organizations with which he disagrees.\""]},{"id":"3985.json","label":"true","statement":"Providence is one of the busiest fire departments for its relative size in the country.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Providence is indeed one of the busiest fire departments for its relative size in the country. The data analysis and comparison with other departments show that Providence ranks among the top 20 busiest departments in terms of the number of calls per person. This indicates a high volume of runs and suggests that the Providence Fire Department handles a significant workload relative to its size.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Providence is one of the busiest fire departments for its relative size in the country and in terms of volume of runs,\" he said. \"The rescues are some of the busiest. ... Engine 3 out of downtown is usually in the top 10 percent across the country.\"","But the question still intrigued us: Is Providence's department really one of the busiest for its size? We had a burning desire to know whether that was true or just an attempt by the union to discourage cutbacks.","And when we combined the data for both years to include statistics for nearly 400 departments, Providence and Newport were virtually tied for the 20th busiest departments on the list.","In summary, we think that being ranked in the top 20 when it comes to the number of calls per person qualifies Providence as one of the busiest departments in the United States."]},{"id":"583.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"We now have a pro-American president in France, which shows if you live long enough, anything can happen in this world.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McCain is a self-deprecating remark about his own age, suggesting that it's surprising to have a pro-American president in France. While there has been a historical strain of anti-American sentiment in France, it is not accurate to imply that having a pro-American president in France is a new or unusual occurrence. French presidents have maintained their alliance with the United States, and Nicolas Sarkozy, who was the president at the time of McCain's statement, had shown a pro-American stance. However, it's important to note that the statement oversimplifies the complexities of French foreign policy and culture. While the sentiment is partially true, it lacks the necessary context and nuance to be fully accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"And by the way, in case you missed it, we now have a pro-American president in France,\" McCain said July 21, 2008. \"Which shows if you live long enough, anything can happen in this world. So \u2014 and we're grateful to him.\"","It's a self-deprecating poke by McCain at his own age. But it's also a jab at France, and it rests on the twin assumptions that the country's new president, Nicolas Sarkozy, is pro-American, and that it is new or unusual for the president of France to feel that way.","There has long been in France, especially in the intellectual class, a resistance to American culture. They like their boulangeries, or bakeries, a lot more than the McDonald's we're exporting to them, for example.","So yes, a strain of anti-Americanism runs through French foreign policy and culture, flaring up at times and mellowing out at others. But French presidents have long been pro-American in the most important sense, maintaining their alliance with the United States. And if it's France's objection to the invasion of Iraq that McCain's audience is concerned about, he's misleading them to suggest Sarkozy is very different. But Sarko is Amricain in some respects, so we find McCain's claim to be Half True."]},{"id":"169.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama \"refused to not only put his hand on his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, but refused to say the pledge.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama refused to put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and refused to say the pledge is false. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion. In fact, there are multiple instances where Obama is seen placing his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and speaking the words of the pledge. The chain email that circulates this claim is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A chain e-mail says a photograph shows Barack Obama is unpatriotic because he \"refused\" to say the Pledge of Allegiance and did not put his hand over his heart.","The e-mail notes that Obama's middle name is \"Hussein\" and says he \"REFUSED TO NOT ONLY PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT REFUSED TO SAY THE in the hell can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief????\"","Oddly, the accurate caption from Time is included in the chain e-mail. But someone has added that \"the article said\" Obama refused to say the pledge and would not put his hand on his heart.","\"My grandfather taught me how to say the Pledge of Allegiance when I was 2,\" Obama said at campaign stop in Burlington, Iowa. \"During the Pledge of Allegiance you put your hand over your heart. During the national anthem you sing.\""]},{"id":"4409.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Utah was the No. 1 job creator in this country during my years of service as governor, with a 5.9 percent increase in jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Utah experienced job growth during Jon Huntsman's tenure as governor, the claim that Utah was the No. 1 job creator in the country is not entirely accurate. The evidence shows that Utah did experience a 5.9 percent increase in jobs, which is commendable. However, when considering the appropriate data set for comparison, Utah ranks fourth in job creation, not first. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately claim Utah as the top job creator.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Taking a swipe at Texas Gov. Rick Perry, another Republican presidential candidate, Huntsman said, \"I hate to rain on the parade of the Lone Star governor, but as governor of Utah, we were the No. 1 job creator in this country during my years of service. That was 5.9 percent when you were creating jobs at 4.9 percent.\"","Utah\u2019s estimated population grew by 11.4 percent during the Huntsman era, more than twice the rate of job growth as measured by the Current Employment Statistics data. Texas\u2019 population growth over that period (8.7 percent) also outpaced its job growth. However, in the two smaller states, job growth did outpace population growth -- North Dakota, with a population increase of 1.8 percent, and Wyoming, with a population increase of 7.5 percent.","When we showed our math to the Huntsman camp, they stood by their numbers. They sent us to a page for the state of Utah on the BLS website that backed up the claim Huntsman made during the debate -- the number of jobs in Utah rose by 5.9 percent over the period. Using the equivalent pages for the other three states, we found that Utah exceeded them all -- Texas grew by 4.9 percent, as Huntsman indicated, while Wyoming grew by 4 percent and North Dakota grew by 3 percent.","Huntsman\u2019s campaign is able to point to government data to support its position that Utah was the No. 1 job creator in the U.S. during Huntsman\u2019s tenure, and we see no evidence that they cherry-picked the data. Still, the BLS itself considers the data set used by the campaign to be less appropriate for the kind of comparison Huntsman is making, and, using the proper data set, Utah is fourth -- pretty high, but not first, as Huntsman said. On balance, we rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"12755.json","label":"true","statement":"An amendment, pushed by Lyndon Johnson many years ago, threatens religious institutions with a loss of their tax-exempt status if they openly advocate their political views.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Lyndon Johnson did push for an amendment that restricts religious institutions from openly advocating their political views, under the risk of losing their tax-exempt status. This amendment, known as the Johnson Amendment, was enacted in 1954 and is still in effect today. President Trump expressed his intention to repeal this amendment during his campaign, citing concerns about free speech. However, it's important to note that the repeal of the Johnson Amendment has not been successfully implemented as of now.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Trump said, \"An amendment, pushed by Lyndon Johnson many years ago, threatens religious institutions with a loss of their tax-exempt status if they openly advocate their political views.\"","\"An amendment, pushed by Lyndon Johnson many years ago, threatens religious institutions with a loss of their tax-exempt status if they openly advocate their political views. Their voice has been taken away,\" Trump said. \"I am going to work very hard to repeal that language and to protect free speech for all Americans.\"","During the campaign Trump accurately said that an amendment pushed by Lyndon B. Johnson threatened religious institutions with the loss of their tax-exempt status if they openly advocated their political views. Trump then said he would repeal that language.","Trump is correct that the law was pushed by Johnson and that religious groups that advocate for candidates risk losing their tax exempt status."]},{"id":"5773.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 1993 the Republicans embraced a health platform that proudly features an individual mandate as its main component.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were some Republicans who supported and proposed legislation that included an individual mandate in the early 1990s, it is inaccurate to claim that \"the Republicans embraced a health platform\" that prominently featured the individual mandate as its main component. The support for the individual mandate within the Republican Party was not widespread, and it was not a central tenet of their health platform. Additionally, the claim that Republicans invented the individual mandate and then demonized it when it became part of a Democratic health plan oversimplifies the complex and evolving nature of healthcare policy discussions. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The post makes a number of claims, but we decided to focus on this one: \"In 1993 the Republicans embraced a health platform that proudly features an individual mandate as its main component.\"","\"In 1993 the Republicans embraced a health platform that proudly features an individual mandate as its main component,\" the Facebook post says. \"(Newt) Gingrich argued for individual mandate in 2008. (Mitt) Romney urged Obama to embrace individual mandate in 2009. But now that it\u2019s a Democratic health plan the Republicans want to vilify, decry, demonized this very thing that they invented.\"","So yes, there was legislation that included a mandate -- a bill by Chafee and a subsequent proposal by Chafee and Breaux. But was the support extensive enough to say, as the Facebook post does, that \"the Republicans embraced a health platform\" that featured the individual mandate?","The Facebook post also stumbles when it says the proposals in question \"proudly\" featured the individual mandate \"as its main component.\" The mandate was a mechanism that would have taken effect from eight to 11 years after enactment, and only if other policies failed to expand insurance coverage enough. Breaux, the bill\u2019s co-sponsor, suggested that it may never need to be put into effect at all. On balance, we rate the claim Half True."]},{"id":"7202.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"You see 34 people (are) murdered every single day by gunfire in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the mayor that 34 people are murdered every day by gunfire in America. However, it's important to note that while the statement is generally true, the numbers provided are not up-to-date. The average number of gun-related deaths in recent years has been slightly lower, around 30 per day. Nonetheless, the statement highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States and the need for effective measures to address it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"One point is very important,\" the mayor said. \"What happened in Connecticut was a grievous tragedy, but every single day in America, every single day, people in communities like mine go to bed fearing violence. You see 34 people (are) murdered every single day.\"","\"Every day, 34 Americans are murdered with guns.\" (Mostly True) This stat is close, but the numbers have been declining. The average for 2010, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, was 30. Meanwhile, the latest rolling five-year average was 33.","Seay said in an e-mail that \"you\u2019re right to point out that gun deaths take many different forms. Gunfire kills people in mass shootings, as in the evil acts in Colorado. Gunfire kills people in isolated murders. Gunfire kills people in accidents. And in many cases, people use gunfire to kill themselves. Almost all of these deaths are tragic and the cause of family grieving, so as we grieve with the families of Aurora, there are many other families whom we should not forget.\"","\"Last year, handguns killed 48 people in Japan, 8 in Great Britain, 34 in Switzerland, 52 in Canada, 58 in Israel, 21 in Sweden, 42 in West Germany and 10,728 in the United States.\" (Half True) The numbers are wildly out of date. They also omit important context, such as population size. But the odds of being murdered by a gun in the United States is far in excess of the risk in the listed countries."]},{"id":"11703.json","label":"false","statement":"One of the most troubling aspects of the Rubio-Schumer Gang of Eight bill was that it gave President Obama blanket authority to admit refugees, including Syrian refugees, without mandating any background checks whatsoever.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cruz is not accurate. The experts and analyses of the bill do not support the claim that the Rubio-Schumer Gang of Eight bill gave President Obama blanket authority to admit refugees without any background checks. In fact, the bill specifically stated that all refugees would still be subject to background checks, which typically involve a thorough screening process that takes between a year to a year and a half. This process includes background checks, interviews, and confirmation from multiple federal agencies. Therefore, the claim made by Cruz is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cruz said, \"One of the most troubling aspects of the Rubio-Schumer Gang of Eight bill was that it gave President Obama blanket authority to admit refugees, including Syrian refugees, without mandating any background checks whatsoever.\"","\"Border security is national security, and you know, one of the most troubling aspects of the Rubio-Schumer Gang of Eight bill was that it gave President Obama blanket authority to admit refugees, including Syrian refugees, without mandating any background checks whatsoever,\" Cruz said.","We spoke to several experts, including two resettlement agency officials interviewed by We found that their analyses of the bill don\u2019t support Cruz\u2019s claim about new \"blanket authority\" for Obama to admit refugees without any checks.","What\u2019s more, the Gang of Eight proposal specifically stated that all refugees would still be subject to background checks, Bier added. The average screening time for refugees from across the globe is between a year to a year and a half, involving background checks, interviews and confirmation from several federal agencies. For Syrian refugees, it takes two years on average."]},{"id":"3022.json","label":"true","statement":"I stopped requesting earmarks in 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that Congressman McCaul stated in an op-ed column in April 2008 that he joined colleagues in not requesting earmarks until meaningful reforms were made. This aligns with his claim of stopping earmark requests in 2008. However, it's important to note that prior to 2007, lawmakers were not required to attach their names to earmark requests, so the absence of earmark requests in databases may not provide a complete picture. Nonetheless, based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that Congressman McCaul made a commitment to stop requesting earmarks in 2008.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tried to pass a proposed omnibus budget bill with 6,714 earmarks worth $8.3 billion, but pulled it after Americans became outraged that Washington is not listening to their cries to stop pork barrel spending,\" McCaul said in the Dec. 20 e-mail. \"I am proud that I stopped requesting earmarks in 2008 until the system becomes 100 percent transparent.\"","Mike Rosen, a spokesman for McCaul, passed along an April 2008 op-ed column by the congressman in which he said he was joining 35 colleagues in not \"requesting earmarks until meaningful, common sense reforms are made.\"","Austin American-Statesman, Even as they attack earmarks, Texas lawmakers tout projects,( \"Even as they attack earmarks, Texas lawmakers tout projects,\") Feb. 23, 2008","First, we turned to databases of earmarks from fiscal 2008 to 2011 created by the nonpartisan Taxpayers for Common Sense, a group that is critical of earmarks. Prior to 2007, when the House tightened disclosure rules, lawmakers weren't required to attach their names to earmark requests."]},{"id":"11208.json","label":"true","statement":"Youre more likely to get struck by lightning in Texas thanfind in-person voter fraud.","reason":"Reason: Senator Cory Booker's statement accurately highlights the rarity of in-person voter fraud compared to the likelihood of getting struck by lightning in Texas. The evidence supports this claim, as statistics show that the probability of being struck by lightning in Texas is significantly higher than the occurrence of in-person voter fraud cases. This statement emphasizes the minimal impact of in-person voter fraud and highlights the importance of focusing on more pressing issues in the electoral process.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You\u2019re more likely to get struck by lightning in Texas\" than find in-person voter fraud, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, said in a national television interview.","Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., went on ABC\u2019s This Week on Aug. 9 to explain why he supported the decision: \"Take Texas for example, where Lyndon Johnson's obviously from, they passed these voter ID laws. In the decade before it, 10 years, they only prosecute two people for in-person voter ID, only two people. You're more likely to get struck by lightning in Texas than to find any kind of voter fraud.\"","The probability of being struck by lightning in Texas was 1 in 1.35 million. Based on the number of in-person voter fraud cases identified in Texas versus the number of ballots cast, those odds were lower -- 1 in 18 million.","\"You\u2019re more likely to get struck by lightning than to get shot by a CHL owner,\" he was quoted as saying in a March 16 Texas Monthly blog post."]},{"id":"7225.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every day, 34 Americans are murdered with guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact number may vary slightly depending on the year and data source, multiple sources confirm that an average of around 30 to 34 Americans are killed by guns each day. The figure does not include suicides or accidents, and it is based on data from reputable sources such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Therefore, it is accurate to say that, on average, 34 Americans are murdered with guns every day.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Every day, 34 Americans are murdered with guns. That\u2019s 48,000 Americans murdered with guns during President Obama\u2019s next term. I need to know what our leaders are going to do to stop the gun violence. I demand a plan.\"","As part of a national campaign to address gun violence, Pardeep Kaleka, the son of a Wisconsin gun homicide victim, said: \"Every day, 34 Americans are murdered with guns.\"","\"Every day, 34 Americans are murdered with guns.\" (Mostly True) This stat is close, but the numbers have been declining. The average for 2010, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, was 30. Meanwhile, the latest rolling five-year average was 33.","Our colleagues found that, between 2005 and 2009, an average of 34 Americans were killed by guns each day. The figure, which doesn't include suicides or accidents, is from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."]},{"id":"13095.json","label":"false","statement":"Says eight Americans died in a knife attack at a Minnesota mall.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Contrary to the claim made in the fundraising email, no one died in the knife attack at the Crossroads Center mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota. All ten individuals who were injured in the attack survived and have been released from the hospital. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing such incidents to avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a fundraising email for a \"Secure Our Borders Gun Giveaway,\" former Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo's PAC incorrectly said eight people died in a knife attack at a Minnesota.","Tancredo's PAC said that \"the threat of radical Islam is higher than ever as the nation mourns the death of eight Americans at the hands of a Somalian refugee in Minnesota.\"","\"The threat of radical Islam is higher than ever as the nation mourns the death of eight Americans at the hands of a Somalian refugee in Minnesota,\" the email inaccurately stated.","Fortunately, none of the 10 people who were injured died in the Sept. 17 attack at the Crossroads Center mall in St. Cloud. All the victims -- including seven men, one woman and a 15-year-old girl -- have been released from the hospital, the Associated Press reported."]},{"id":"9139.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he has engaged in the political process only in the past decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the individual in question has only engaged in the political process in the past decade. The evidence includes a statement by Jeb Bush criticizing Trump's conservative record, information about Biden's legislative achievements, and a statement about the 2018 Florida governor's race. None of these pieces of evidence directly support the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["YouTube, \"Jeb Bush: Trump Doesn't Have a Conservative Record, He's Been a Dem for Majority of Past Decade,\" Aug. 19, 2015","Some of Biden\u2019s big pieces of legislation were passed with a bare, party-line majority in the Senate, employing the \"reconciliation\" process that can be used once a year for fiscal-related topics.","\u2022 The big difference for Biden is that he\u2019s had to work with notably smaller margins in Congress than almost any other president in the past century.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"7428.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If the sequester hits, hundreds of thousands of Americans will lose access to primary care and preventive care like flu vaccinations and cancer screenings.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama made a statement about the potential impact of the sequester on access to primary care and preventive care like flu vaccinations and cancer screenings, it is important to clarify that his language was imprecise. The statement could be interpreted as suggesting that people may lose access to primary care doctors altogether, which is not the case. The sequester primarily affected funding for specific programs and services, such as flu shots and cancer screenings, rather than causing a complete loss of access to primary care. It is crucial to provide this context to avoid any misunderstanding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama said that if the sequester hits, \"hundreds of thousands of Americans will lose access to primary care and preventive care like flu vaccinations and cancer screenings.\"","\"Hundreds of thousands of Americans will lose access to primary care and preventive care like flu vaccinations and cancer screenings,\" Obama said.","But it's important to note that Obama's language was imprecise enough to suggest that people may lose their access to primary care doctors outright, which would be a much broader hit than cutbacks to flu shots and cancer screenings. There is no indication that Americans will lose their insurance coverage or access to all primary care because of the sequester; Medicaid, to cite just one example, is spared from cuts entirely. But Obama's phrasing could leave a different impression.","Obama's words could have left the impression that primary care services overall will be lost, rather than flu shots or cancer screenings alone."]},{"id":"10275.json","label":"true","statement":"Too many tattoos on visible body parts keepsome applicants out of the military.","reason":"Reason: It is true that having too many tattoos on visible body parts can be a reason for rejecting applicants from joining the military. The Army and other branches of the military have specific policies and restrictions on the types and locations of tattoos that are allowed. If an applicant's tattoos violate these policies, it can result in their disqualification from military service. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the impact of visible tattoos on the eligibility of some applicants to join the military.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Bush said that among the reasons applicants are rejected by the military -- in addition to being obese or not passing the test -- is that some have \"too many tattoos\" on visible body parts.","\"In the video beforehand, Gen. Dempsey talked about a 25 percent pass rate. Now that\u2019s not just because of the test, that\u2019s also because of obesity, and too many tattoos, to be honest with you, on visible body parts for people that are trying to get into the military. But the pass rate for a high-school-level test to join the military is about 35 percent, I think, or 40 percent at best. These are abysmal numbers.\"","Since the Army updated its tattoo policy earlier this year, 2,919 applicants could not proceed due to tattoos. Other branches of the service also have restrictions on types and locations of tattoos that keep some applicants out of the military.","Failing test scores aren't the only problem that has caused the military to reject applicants, says former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Another problem is, well, more colorful: tattoos."]},{"id":"1181.json","label":"false","statement":"You lie! (in response to President Obama saying health reform would not insure illegal immigrants.)","reason":"Reason: The statement \"You lie!\" in response to President Obama's claim that health reform would not insure illegal immigrants is an expression of disagreement rather than a factual argument. However, based on the evidence provided, it is clear that the reforms proposed by President Obama would not apply to those who are in the country illegally. While there may be some arguments about potential access to the public option through the health insurance exchange, it is important to note that any participation by illegal immigrants would require them to purchase insurance at full cost, similar to the current system. Therefore, the claim that President Obama lied about health reform insuring illegal immigrants is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants,\" Obama said. \"This, too, is false \u2014 the reforms I\u2019m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.\"","The best argument that we find that health reform would help illegal immigrants is that some might be able to purchase the public option \u2014 if it passes, and it might not \u2014 on the new health insurance exchange. They would purchase that at full cost. Obama said, \"The reforms I\u2019m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally,\" which Wilson said was a \"lie.\" Actually, Obama can make a pretty thorough case that reform doesn't apply to those here illegally. We don't find the public option argument enough to make the case that Obama \"lied.\" We rate Wilson's statement False.","When we look at all of this evidence, it seems that health reform leaves in place the status quo on illegal immigration, and certainly does not provide any new benefits particularly for illegal immigrants. We hope to look at this issue more in the days ahead, because some hospitals are concerned about recouping their costs for treating illegal immigrants, and we're curious to know more about that problem and how it might or might not be solved by reform.","But it's worth pointing out that illegal immigrants participating in the exchange would be paying for their insurance like everyone else. That's similar to the current system \u2014 we're not aware of any particular restrictions that stop illegal immigrants from buying private insurance now. Under health care reform, illegal immigrants would be able to buy private insurance or the public option."]},{"id":"7871.json","label":"half-true","statement":"My judicial nominees have waited three times longer to receive confirmation votes than those of my Republican predecessor.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement is partially true. If we consider the time from committee approval to confirmation, his judicial nominees did wait three times longer than those of his Republican predecessor. However, if we consider the full period from nomination to confirmation, the average wait for George W. Bush's circuit court nominees was actually longer. It's important to note that Obama's statement focuses on the confirmation vote delay and highlights the political obstruction faced by his nominees. While the statement is accurate in terms of committee approval to confirmation, it lacks clarity when considering the full nomination-to-confirmation period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 Obama complained during a June press conference that his nominees were being subjected to undue delays. \"My judicial nominees have waited three times longer to receive confirmation votes than those of my Republican predecessor,\" he said.","Obama said his judicial nominees \"have waited three times longer to receive confirmation votes than those of my Republican predecessor.\" That\u2019s true if you count from committee approval to confirmation, but not if you count the full period from nomination to confirmation. As it turns out, the average wait for George W. Bush\u2019s circuit court nominees was actually longer from nomination to confirmation.","\"Time and again, congressional Republicans cynically used Senate rules and procedures to delay and even block qualified nominees from coming to a full vote,\" Obama said. \"As a result, my judicial nominees have waited three times longer to receive confirmation votes than those of my Republican predecessor \u2026 This is not about principled opposition. This is about political obstruction.\"","And Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, said that while he thinks the White House\u2019s argument is reasonable, Obama should have been specific about the measurement he was using in his remarks -- something he could have done easily by saying, \"My judicial nominees have waited three times longer on the floor to receive confirmation votes than those of my Republican predecessor.\""]},{"id":"670.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The average American family\" saw income rise $7,500 under Bill Clinton and decline $2,000 under George Bush.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the U.S. Census report, median household income did increase by $7,516 during the Clinton administration and decline by $2,010 during the Bush administration. However, it's important to note that these figures do not include seniors, which affects the overall accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is considered partially true, or half true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays the mortgage, whether you can put away a little extra money at the end of each month so that you can someday watch your child receive her diploma,\" Obama said in Denver on Aug. 28, 2008. \"We measure progress in the 23-million new jobs that were created when Bill Clinton was president, when the average American family saw its income go up $7,500 instead of down $2,000 like it has under George Bush.\"","We looked to the U.S. Census report Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007. Numbers in the report are adjusted for inflation and reflect 2007 dollar values. The report indicates that median household income during the Bush administration dropped from $50,557 in 2000 to $50,233 in 2007, a decline of $324. Under Bill Clinton, median household income rose from $44,359 in 1992 to $50,557 in 2000, an increase of $6,198.","Obama is right with the overall point he's making. Incomes did rise under Clinton and decline under Bush. But the numbers he uses don't include seniors, who today represent about 12 percent of the population. So we rate his statement only Half True.","Using those numbers, inflation-adjusted income goes from $51,039 in 1992 to $58,555 in 2000 to $56,545 in 2007. That comes to a drop of $2,010 during the Bush administration and an increase of $7,516 during the Clinton administration. (Note if you want to do your own calculations at home: Pull them from Census reports from the respective years, then use the more technical CPI-U-RS inflation calculator found here .)"]},{"id":"9824.json","label":"false","statement":"I was able to go and buy an automatic weapon Most people can go out and buy an automatic weapon.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that it is easy for most people to purchase an automatic weapon. In reality, the sale and ownership of automatic weapons are heavily regulated in the United States. Under federal law, the purchase of automatic weapons requires a special license and extensive background checks through the National Firearms Act (NFA). Additionally, there are state and local regulations that further restrict the availability of automatic weapons. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that most people can easily purchase an automatic weapon.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I was able to go and buy an automatic weapon \u2026 Most people can go out and buy an automatic weapon.\"","\"What do you mean?\" Lemon said. \"During the theater shooting in Colorado, I was able to go and buy an automatic weapon, and I maybe have shot a gun three, four times in my life. I don\u2019t live in Colorado. I think most people can go out and buy an automatic weapon.\"","!CNN's Don Lemon, left, argued with Ben Ferguson, center, saying that it is relatively easy to buy an automatic weapon. !CNN's Don Lemon, left, argued with Ben Ferguson, center, saying that it is relatively easy to buy an automatic weapon.","\"Let\u2019s deal with the facts here,\" Ferguson said. \"A semi-automatic weapon is a gun that you or I is allowed to own and in different places they have different rules. But to imply that anyone can just go out and buy an automatic weapon is just not true, Don.\""]},{"id":"3973.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When Mitt Romney was governor, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. During Mitt Romney's tenure as governor of Massachusetts, the state did indeed rank 47th out of 50 states in terms of job creation. This ranking is based on data from December 2002 to December 2006, comparing the percentage change in the number of jobs in each state during that period. However, it's important to note that the influence of a governor on job creation is limited, and other factors beyond a governor's control can significantly impact job growth. Therefore, while the statement is true, it should be understood that attributing the state's job creation ranking solely to Romney's actions would be an oversimplification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact fact-check, \"Dems say under Gov. Mitt Romney, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation,\" June 19, 2011","But a popular rebuttal by a number of Democratic leaders lately is this statistic: When Romney was governor, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation.","We found that from December 2002 to December 2006, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states (not including the District of Columbia) in job growth. (We calculated that by using the number of jobs at the beginning and end of the period for each state to determine the percentage change and then ranking the states.) Only Ohio, Louisiana and Michigan fared worse.","It\u2019s correct that Massachusetts ranked 47th of 50 in job creation on Romney\u2019s watch. However, the Obama camp -- like the Romney camp in its rebuttal -- exaggerates Romney\u2019s influence on the state job market. Governors simply don't have that much impact. We rated this claim Half True more than a year ago, and today, we still think it merits a Half True."]},{"id":"11561.json","label":"false","statement":"The Democrats plan to raise your tax rates to 70 or 80 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While some Democratic candidates have proposed increasing tax rates on top earners, there is no plan to raise tax rates to 70 or 80 percent for all individuals. The evidence provided indicates that the claim is an exaggeration and does not align with the proposals put forth by Democratic candidates. It is important to accurately represent the tax plans being discussed to have an informed discussion on the topic.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If anybody believes the stuff they heard from that Democratic debate a few weeks ago, there\u2019s nothing for free,\" Christie said. \"What they forgot to tell was that they\u2019re going to raise your tax rates to 70 or 80 percent in order to provide all of that stuff.\"","Again, both of those top rates would affect just a tiny fraction of Americans. Sanders\u2019 proposal to increase the federal payroll tax from 12.4 to 12.8 percent would hit everyone \u2014 but that\u2019s nowhere near 70 or 80 percent.","Both Greenberg and the Williams pointed out that it\u2019s plausible that the Democratic candidates would increase the rate on top earners. But that\u2019s not the same thing as raising \"your tax rates to 70 or 80 percent.\"","\"It may be necessary to raise top individual tax rates to levels such as 70 or 80 percent to fund Democratic candidates\u2019 spending proposals without increasing the deficit or taxing middle- and low-income Americans,\" he said, referring us to a Wall Street Journal analysis of the price tag of Sanders\u2019 proposals."]},{"id":"13121.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons energy agenda will cost the U.S. economy over $5 trillion","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that Hillary Clinton's energy agenda includes investments in clean energy and emissions reduction, the claim that it will cost the U.S. economy over $5 trillion is not accurate. The $5 trillion figure refers to the estimated cost of required investments in production capacity, energy storage, energy transmission, and battery-powered vehicles over a three-decade period. However, this investment is seen by experts as a means to help the economy by promoting cleaner and more productive energy sources. It is important to note that the $5 trillion is not a cost to the economy but rather an estimated investment in transitioning to a cleaner energy infrastructure.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton says she wants to put the miners out of work,\" he said. \"Clinton and Kaine also want to shut down shale, and shut down natural gas. The Clinton regulatory agenda will drive up electricity prices for Virginia families and will cost the U.S. economy over $5 trillion.\"","The claim is misleading as $5 trillion refers to the cost of implementation, not the cost to the economy. What\u2019s more, the researcher who produced the figure told us the investment will actually help the economy.","He pointed out that Trump and Clinton have both called for long-term infrastructure investment. Spending the $5 trillion on cutting emissions is a \"relatively inexpensive way with a good rate of return,\" Heal said, and the $5 trillion will have a \"multiplier\" effect that will help the economy become cleaner and more productive.","Heal, who is in favor of climate change action, estimated a cost of $42 billion to $176 billion per year in required investment in production capacity, energy storage, energy transmission and battery-powered vehicles. On the low end, that comes out to $1.3 trillion over three decades and, on the high end, $5.3 trillion over three decades."]},{"id":"8713.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republican state lawmakers are refusing to give the people of their own states their own tax dollars back in the form of (expanded) Medicaid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the argument made by Hartmann that Republican state lawmakers are refusing to expand Medicaid, which would result in their residents not receiving their own tax dollars back in the form of expanded Medicaid coverage. This is particularly true in the first three years of the program when the federal government covers 100% of the cost. However, it's important to note that the statement does not account for the potential variability of results beyond the initial three years. Nonetheless, the overall claim accurately captures the essence of the argument being made.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We wanted to explore Hartmann\u2019s argument that Republican state lawmakers have refused \"to give the people of their own states their own tax dollars back in the form of (expanded) Medicaid.\"","Hartmann said that by rejecting an expansion to Medicaid, Republican state lawmakers are not allowing their residents to get their own tax dollars back. That is most accurate for the first three years of the program when the federal government pays 100 percent of the cost of care for newly enrolled people. Beyond that point, the results could vary.","So experts agree that in the first three years, Hartmann is right: People in states that refuse to expand Medicaid will lose their share of tax dollars.","\"The state economy as a whole is always better off with the expanded program because state tax payments are never close to the federal Medicaid payment,\" Glied said."]},{"id":"12066.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Roy Cooper wont say how he will pay for free college tuition.","reason":"Reason: It is accurate to state that Roy Cooper has not provided a specific plan for how he will pay for free college tuition. While he does propose offering free tuition for community college, he has not outlined a comprehensive funding strategy for this proposal. It is important to note that the statement should be limited to the specific aspect of free college tuition and not extended to imply that Cooper lacks a plan for all aspects of education or that he has not addressed funding in other areas. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Just like Bev Perdue, Roy Cooper won't say how he will pay for \u2018free\u2019 college tuition,\" McCrory said in a Facebook post. That claim and ones like it have since been repeated often by the McCrory campaign.","Still, Cooper does propose offering free tuition for community college, which would cover hundreds of thousands of students statewide. He has said what the state won't pay for (the full cost of tuition) and one way he won\u2019t pay for it (tax hikes), but it\u2019s correct to say that Cooper does not have a specific plan \u2013 or at least one that\u2019s publicly available \u2013 for paying for his proposal.","But we were more curious about what McCrory had to say about his current opponent. Does Cooper really propose offering free college tuition? And does he lack a plan to pay for it?","Cooper is proposing to expand the availability of free tuition to everyone, though. That\u2019s a lot of people, but not nearly as many as if he were proposing free tuition for college in general, as McCrory implied."]},{"id":"7112.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Fran DeWines made-from-scratch dinner rolls are a delicious favorite in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Fran DeWine's made-from-scratch dinner rolls are a delicious favorite in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The statement accurately reflects the information shared about Fran DeWine's recipes, specifically mentioning the rolls as a family favorite. The evidence also indicates that the rolls are part of a traditional Thanksgiving meal, further supporting the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["He said the recipes -- for crescent rolls, broccoli salad and \"Fran's carrot cake with lemon cream cheese icing\" -- are family favorites and part of a delicious and traditional Thanksgiving meal.","PolitiFact Ohio didn\u2019t press him to finish the description. We had heard enough to begin pondering how we could slip in for dinner.","We\u2019re sharing the recipe for Fran DeWine\u2019s Favorite Rolls above. They would certainly enhance any holiday leftovers. You can find the others in his news release.","!Ohio Attorney General shared his wife's recipes for some of his families' favorite holiday dishes, including her crescent rolls. !Ohio Attorney General shared his wife's recipes for some of his families' favorite holiday dishes, including her crescent rolls."]},{"id":"1275.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Husbands rarely beat up their wives. Single women get beaten up more.","reason":"Reason: Ann Coulter's claim that \"husbands rarely beat up their wives\" and that \"single women get beaten up more\" is based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice crime statistics. According to these statistics, the number of married women victimized by their husbands is relatively low compared to divorced, separated, or never-married women. However, it is important to note that domestic violence can occur in any type of relationship, and these statistics do not imply that all married women are safe from domestic abuse. Domestic violence is a complex issue influenced by various factors, and it is not accurate to make sweeping generalizations based solely on these statistics. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the claim, it lacks the necessary nuance and context to provide a comprehensive understanding of domestic violence dynamics.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So Coulter was on firm ground there. But we were curious whether she was right about her claim that \"husbands rarely beat up their wives. Single women get beaten up more.\"","\"You'll remember a few years ago the loopiest hoax of all, the claim that men beat up their wives more on Super Bowl Sunday,\" Coulter said.","But first, here's how Coulter lays out her case in her book: \"According to the U.S. Department of Justice crime statistics, domestic abuse is virtually nonexistent for married women living with their husbands. From 1993 to 2005, the number of married women victimized by their husbands ranged from 0.9 to 3.2 per 1,000. Domestic violence was about 40 times more likely among divorced or separated women, ranging from 37.7 to 118.5 per 1,000. Even never-married women were more than twice as likely to be victims of domestic abuse as married women. Evidently, the safest place for a woman to be is at home with her husband.\"","Coulter leaves off Ehrenreich's next sentence, \"Her worst enemies and potential killers are not strangers but lovers, husbands and those who claimed to love her once.\" Remember that last line as we get to the statistics."]},{"id":"3239.json","label":"false","statement":"Over the last two years since President Obama has taken office, the federal government has added 200,000 new federal jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that the federal government added 200,000 new federal jobs over the last two years since President Obama took office. The data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management shows that federal employment actually increased by 107,057 jobs during fiscal years 2009 and 2010. This falls significantly short of the claimed figure of 200,000. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a Feb. 15, 2011, press conference, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said that \"over the last two years since President Barack Obama has taken office, the federal government has added 200,000 new federal jobs. And if some of those jobs are lost in this, so be it. We're broke. It's time for us to get serious about how we're spending the nation's money.\"","He dug into the U.S. Office of Personnel Management\u2019s on-line federal workforce data source, \"FedScope.\" He found that in fiscal years 2009 and 2010, respectively, the federal government filled a net 59,995 and 47,062 new permanent, full-time, non-seasonal, non-postal jobs. Combined, that means that federal employment rose by 107,057 jobs -- well short of 200,000.","A few readers asked us whether Boehner was right about the number of new federal jobs, so we checked into it.","However, even if that figure truly represented a doubling, using the 2021 figure is misleading. When Ryan said that Obama \"has doubled the size of government since he took office,\" it sounds like he\u2019s saying Obama has already doubled the size of government -- not that his spending blueprint will lead to doubled federal outlays at a point five years after Obama\u2019s theoretical second term in office will have come to an end."]},{"id":"11203.json","label":"false","statement":"On unemployment rates: We have counties in Southwest Virginia that are well into double digits and some that are pushing 20 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. According to the available data, none of the counties or cities in Southwest Virginia had unemployment rates that were \"pushing 20 percent.\" The highest unemployment rate recorded in the region was 11.1 percent in Buchanan County, followed by 10.2 percent in Dickenson County. Wise County had an unemployment rate of 9.2 percent. While these rates are indeed in the double digits, they do not support the claim of unemployment rates \"pushing 20 percent.\" Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["No doubt, the coal industry has seen better days and plays a vital role in Southwest Virginia\u2019s economy. But we wondered whether counties in the region really are experiencing unemployment rates \"well into the double digits\" with some \"pushing 20 percent.\"","\"We have counties in Southwest Virginia that are well into double digits and some that are pushing 20 percent unemployment. Twenty percent, that\u2019s not an insignificant number and you can track almost every single one of those to the coal industry because when coal takes a downswing, the entire economy of Southwest Virginia takes a big lick right along with it.\"","None of the counties or cities in the region had unemployment rates that came anywhere close to \"pushing 20 percent,\" as O\u2019Quinn said. Two counties were in low double digits: Buchanan at 11.1 percent and Dickenson at 10.2 percent. In third place was Wise County, with 9.2 percent unemployment.","O\u2019Quinn said, \"We have counties in Southwest Virginia that are well into double digits and some that are pushing 20 percent unemployment.\" He offered the statistics at a rally where speakers were trying to muster opposition to new EPA carbon restrictions by arguing, in part, the rules will accelerate the decline in coal mining jobs."]},{"id":"10732.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton took money from kings of Saudi Arabia and Morocco and Oman and Yemen.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially inaccurate. While it is true that the Clinton Foundation has received contributions from the monarchies of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Oman, there is no evidence to suggest that Hillary Clinton personally took money from these kings. Furthermore, Yemen is not a monarchy, so the claim that she took money from the king of Yemen is incorrect. It's important to distinguish between donations made to the Clinton Foundation and personal financial transactions involving Hillary Clinton herself.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"But the difference is, all those other entities -- Super PACs, parties, individual candidates -- they can't take money from kings of Saudi Arabia and Morocco and Oman and Yemen, and that's what Hillary Clinton did. And so she's going to have to account for this money.\"","We've fact-checked a similar claim before when Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said in April 2015 that Clinton took money from the kings of \"Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Oman and Yemen.\" Every country except Yemen has contributed to the Clinton Foundation, but Preibus' claim made it seem like Clinton herself took the money. We rated it Half True.","The monarchies of Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Oman have contributed to the Clinton Foundation, but Yemen, which does not have a king, has not.","Yemen borders Saudi Arabia and Oman, but unlike those countries and Morocco, is not a monarchy. American drones have been conducting strikes in Yemen since 2009. On April 14, 2015, the al-Qaida terrorist group announced that one of its top spokesmen for its branch in Yemen had been killed the previous day by an American drone strike."]},{"id":"6402.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that President Obama said that Small Businesses Succeed Because of Government.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents President Obama's remarks. While it is true that Obama highlighted the importance of government-provided infrastructure and education to the success of private businesses, he did not explicitly say that \"small businesses succeed because of government.\" The claim is a misinterpretation or oversimplification of Obama's remarks and does not accurately reflect his stance on the role of government in the success of small businesses.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"small businesses succeed because of government.\" But the preceding sentences in Obama\u2019s remarks make clear that he was talking about the importance of government-provided infrastructure and education to the success of private businesses.","We won\u2019t delve into the broader question of what President Obama thinks about businesses. Here, we will simply examine Fleischmann\u2019s claim that, in his campaign speech, Obama was saying \"small businesses succeed because of government.\"","\"Obama: Small Businesses Succeed Because of Government,\" screamed the headline from a blog entry that Fleischmann posted on his campaign website on July 17, 2012.","\"The president seems to think that the government is the engine of success, and Chuck thinks it\u2019s not so \u2013 it\u2019s the private sector and hard-working small business owners,\" Powell said."]},{"id":"7267.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Kohls Department Stores in 2012 announced the creation of 3,000 new jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Kohl's Department Stores made an announcement regarding the creation of 3,000 jobs, it is important to provide additional context. The announcement stated that Kohl's planned to build a new headquarters and expected to create 3,000 jobs over a span of 12 years. This means that the creation of these jobs was not an immediate or guaranteed outcome. The statement should be revised to accurately reflect that Kohl's announced its intention to create 3,000 new jobs over a 12-year period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Employers feel good about our state,\" the Republican governor said, reflecting on the first half of his four-year term. \"During the past year, Kohl\u2019s Department Stores worked with us and announced the creation of 3,000 new jobs.\"","Saying Kohl\u2019s \"announced the creation of 3,000 new jobs\" is different than saying Kohl expects or hopes to hire that many people.","What Kohl\u2019s announced is it would build a new headquarters and expected to create 3,000 jobs, over 12 years -- not that 3,000 jobs were a certainty.","Like a number of other news articles during the year, the four-paragraph November 2012 news item in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said the new headquarters was expected to create 3,000 jobs over 12 years."]},{"id":"5292.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says we brought crime rate down by 30 percent when he was mayor of Dallas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual that the crime rate was reduced by 30 percent during their tenure as mayor of Dallas. The fact check confirms that the claim is mostly true, as the crime rate did decrease by approximately 30 percent during that period. However, it's important to note that crime rates were already declining before their tenure, and other factors beyond their influence also contributed to the reduction. Additionally, the growth of the police force during their time as mayor likely played a role in the decrease in crime. Overall, while the claim is accurate, it should be considered in the broader context of the factors influencing crime rates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Let\u2019s get back to the Midtown area, which you brought up before. You\u2019ve also criticized Kriseman for not doing enough for residents there. He says that crime is down by 6 percent and officers are more engaged in the community,\" WFLA-Ch. 8 anchor Paul Mueller said June 25. \"So, with that being said, what else would you do if elected?\"","\"When I came in, the biggest challenge was in public safety -- the crime rate,\" Leppert said in a Jan. 12, 2012, debate held in Austin for the Republican candidates vying to replace Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. \"In the space of the three years, \u201908, \u201909 and \u201910, we brought the crime rate down by 30 percent -- numbers any city would love to have. And the way we did it is we increased the police department by 20 percent.\"","Dallas Morning News story, \"Former Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle says he may run for mayor, reshaping contest,\" Jan. 26, 2011","Leppert\u2019s estimate of a 30-percent, three-year drop is on target, though crime was dropping years before his tenure and factors beyond his influence surely contributed to the drop he touts -- among them private donations before he was mayor and the earlier hiring of a new police chief. Yet the police force grew substantially on his watch. We rate his statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"3319.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Floridas pension plan faces the same long-term funding problems as Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Florida's pension plan, like many government programs, is underfunded and requires long-term reform or better investment returns. However, it is important to note that the comparison to Social Security is not entirely accurate. While both programs face long-term funding challenges, the scale and nature of the problems differ. Social Security is a federal program that provides retirement benefits to millions of Americans, while Florida's pension plan is specific to the state. The challenges and solutions for these programs may vary, and it is not accurate to equate their funding problems directly.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Scott said that without changes, \"there might not be a pension plan, just like we're worried about Social Security.\" There's no real suggestion that Florida's pension plan faces a major crisis, even from Rauh, a pension critic who believes most government plans are doomed.","Weatherford is proposing an overhaul of the state\u2019s retirement system during the 2013 legislative session. He wants the only option for new public employees to be the 401(k)-like investment plan, which is less popular than the pension plan. Doing so will keep the fund, recently valued at $132 billion, in good health for the long-term without burdening taxpayers, he says.","That said, Florida's plan -- like most government programs -- is underfunded and needs either reform or better investment returns over the long run. In that way it's not that unlike Social Security, a federal program that must be reformed in the coming years to avoid benefit cuts.","We were struck by Scott's comparison of the state pension plan and the federal Social Security program and thought it merited analysis."]},{"id":"10179.json","label":"false","statement":"In K-12 education, our kids are scoring at the bottom of science and mathematics right now in the industrialized world -- at the bottom.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there are concerns about the performance of U.S. students in science and mathematics, they are not scoring at the bottom in comparison to all industrialized countries. According to the National Center for Education Statistics and international assessments like PISA, the U.S. ranks around the middle or slightly below average in science and math scores among industrialized nations. While there is room for improvement, it is incorrect to claim that U.S. students are at the bottom in these subjects.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In K-12 education, our kids are scoring at the bottom of science and mathematics right now in the industrialized world -- at the bottom,\" Brat said during the Oct. 28 debate at Randolph-Macon College, where both he and Trammell teach.","National Center for Education Statistics, \" Highlights from PISA 2009: performance of U.S. 15-Year-Old Students in Reading, Mathematics, and Science Literacy in an International Context,\" December 2010.","We know from the 2012 results that among the 34 industrialized countries in the OECD, the U.S. ranked 27th on the math tests and 20th on the science tests. So the U.S. position among its peers on math and science tests has edged up slightly.","U.S. students have not fallen quite to the very bottom of the stack. The latest testing shows U.S. students rank near the middle of the pack among industrialized nations for science scores and in the bottom tier for math scores."]},{"id":"1767.json","label":"false","statement":"Royalties foroil and other energy sources are the \"second-largest revenue source to the federal government after the IRS.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Issa that royalties for oil and other energy sources are the \"second-largest revenue source to the federal government after the IRS\" is false. While it is true that royalties from oil and energy sources contribute to the federal government's revenue, there are other revenue sources that surpass it. The fact-checking analysis indicates that Issa's statement is overly specific and not supported by the available evidence. It is important to note that determining the exact ranking of revenue sources can be complex due to accounting factors, but there are other revenue streams collected by various agencies that contribute more to the federal budget than oil and energy royalties.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Issa added, \"I think it's a unique conflict of interest when you're dealing with two critical areas, the safety to the environment and the revenue. This is the second-largest revenue source to the federal government after the IRS. So it's very clear, the stakes are high. This is an organization that brings in enough revenue to pale by comparison any procurement officer\" at the Defense Department.","We'll grant Issa that this is a complicated fact to hash out during a rapid-fire interview, and we think any error he made in offering this factoid doesn't necessarily undermine his broader argument. We'd go so far as to suggest that Issa would have been perfectly on target if he'd simply said that MMS is \"one of the largest\" revenue sources to the federal government after the IRS. But he added more specificity than the facts justify. So we rate his statement False.","Because of accounting quirks, figuring out which other non-IRS revenue streams are bigger than that is trickier, but we did find a number of revenue sources collected by agencies other than IRS that seemed to qualify:","One point Hill made is that Issa \"was referring to net, not gross, revenues that MMS contributes to the federal budget.\" In other words, Issa was pointing out that MMS delivered the federal government's second-largest haul of income after substracting operational costs."]},{"id":"61.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"When NAFTA was passed, there was an acceleration of immigration from Mexico because people were in search of jobs.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been an acceleration of immigration from Mexico since the implementation of NAFTA, it is not accurate to solely attribute this phenomenon to the trade agreement. Multiple factors contribute to immigration patterns, including Mexico's inability to provide sufficient jobs for its growing workforce and periodic financial crises that have led to job losses and undermined confidence in the Mexican economy. Therefore, while NAFTA may have had some impact on immigration, it is an oversimplification to solely attribute the acceleration of immigration to the trade agreement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At the Univision debate in Miami on Sept. 9, 2007, Kucinich said the North American Free Trade Agreement had led to a surge in immigrants coming into the United States from Mexico. He said, \"When NAFTA was passed, there was an acceleration of immigration from Mexico because people were in search of jobs.\"","In fact, immigration patterns were not substantially affected by NAFTA, according to a February 2004 report by the Congressional Research Service.","It found that workers were drawn to the United States by Mexico's inability to provide jobs for a burgeoning work force, as well as periodic financial crises that caused huge job losses and undermined confidence in the Mexican economy.","He is correct that migration from Mexico has accelerated since NAFTA took effect in 1994, but it's a stretch to attribute that to the trade agreement."]},{"id":"11416.json","label":"true","statement":"Sen. Sanders did vote five times against the Brady bill.","reason":"Reason: It is true that Senator Sanders voted against the Brady bill five times during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, it is important to note that these votes occurred over 26 years ago. In his 2020 campaign, Senator Sanders has expressed support for expanded background checks and other gun control policies, aligning himself with the broader Democratic stance on the issue. It is crucial to consider his current position and the evolution of his views on gun control when evaluating his stance on the Brady bill.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The majority of our country supports background, and even the majority of gun owners do,\" Clinton said on Oct. 13. \"Sen. Sanders did vote five times against the Brady Bill.\"","Sanders did vote against the Brady bill, including a shifting mix of background check provisions, five times. The most recent of those votes took place 26 years ago. In his 2020 campaign, Sanders is fully supportive of expanded background checks and other gun control policies supported by a wide range of Democratic politicians.","Before it became law in 1993, the Brady bill underwent many transformations. Sanders, then Vermont\u2019s sole representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, voted against the bill in its entirety five times:","Sanders voted against the Brady bill five times from 1991 to 1993. Sanders\u2019 campaign manager told us in July that he did so because he was against a national waiting period and had to answer to the people of Vermont, a rural state with high gun ownership."]},{"id":"1117.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under President George W. Bush, the U.S. spent $1.3 trillion on tax cuts for the wealthy and trillions each on a war and on Medicare drug benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donna Brazile regarding spending during President George W. Bush's administration. The 2001 tax package did indeed reduce federal revenues by approximately $1.3 trillion, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. However, the claim that trillions were spent on the war and Medicare drug benefits is not entirely accurate. While the ultimate cost of the wars may reach trillions, the full amount had not been spent at the time of the statement. Additionally, the cost of the Medicare drug plan was exaggerated. Therefore, while the statement captures the broad point of increased spending, the individual claims are a mix of accuracy and exaggeration, warranting a rating of half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["She continued, \u201cWe spent $1.3 trillion on tax cuts for the wealthy that we could not afford. We spent trillions on a war that we could not afford. We spent trillions on Medicare with the expensive program that gives money to the drug companies, and nobody raised a peep about the deficit.\u201d","On the tax cuts, Brazile was right: President George W. Bush\u2019s 2001 tax package was expected to reduce federal revenues by roughly $1.3 trillion, according to Congress\u2019 Joint Committee on Taxation, the key arbiter for the cost of tax legislation.","We won\u2019t pass judgment on the more subjective issue of whether the tax cuts, the war costs or the Medicare drug plan were, as Brazile, claims, unaffordable. But we think it\u2019s worth checking to see whether Brazile did the math right. We'll take her assertions one by one.","So let\u2019s recap. The numbers support her broad point that there was lots of spending when Republicans controlled the White House and Congress. But individually, the accuracy of her assertions is more mixed. Brazile correctly described the cost of the 2001 Bush tax cut, but she overstated the cost of the wars. Although the pricetag may ultimately be trillions, that hasn't been spent yet. And she exaggerated the 10-year cost of the Medicare drug plan. So we rate her claim Half True."]},{"id":"11429.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders once said, Instead of removing the conditions that make people depressed, modern society gives them antidepressant drugs.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes a quote to Bernie Sanders. The quote actually comes from Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber, in his 1995 manifesto. There is no credible evidence or record of Bernie Sanders making this statement. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The Internet graphic says Sanders said, \"Instead of removing the conditions that make people depressed, modern society gives them antidepressant drugs.\" He didn\u2019t -- Theodore Kaczynski, the Unabomber, wrote that in his 1995 manifesto. Pants on Fire!","\"Instead of removing the conditions that make people depressed, modern society gives them antidepressant drugs. In effect, antidepressants are a means of modifying an individual\u2019s internal state in such a way as to enable him to tolerate social conditions that he would otherwise find intolerable.\"","But we hadn\u2019t heard the quote attributed to him in an Internet graphic that a reader sent our way. Superimposed over a photograph of Sanders, it said, \"Instead of removing the conditions that make people depressed, modern society gives them antidepressant drugs. In effect, antidepressants are a means of modifying an individual's internal state in such a way as to enable him to tolerate social conditions that he would otherwise find intolerable.\"","\"The time is now for us to stand up to powerful special interests who are currently spending hundreds of millions of dollars trying to prevent us from doing what the American people want,\" Sanders said. \"We want to lower, substantially, prescription drug costs in this country, so we're not paying 10 times more for certain drugs than Canada and other countries. And the pharmaceutical industry has 1,400 lobbyists on Capitol Hill right now trying to stop us.\""]},{"id":"3424.json","label":"true","statement":"There are corporations in this nation, some of the biggest corporations in this nation, who do not pay taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Representative Fudge regarding the existence of corporations in the United States, including some of the largest ones, that do not pay taxes. This claim is supported by the fact that representatives of major companies, such as Procter & Gamble, acknowledge the need for business tax cuts. However, it's important to note that the statement does not imply that these corporations are engaging in illegal activities or tax evasion. Rather, it highlights the need for an overhaul of corporate tax policies to address the issue of certain corporations not paying taxes.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Fudge agreed with him, calling for an overhaul of corporate tax policy, saying: \"There are corporations in this nation, some of the biggest corporations in this nation, who do not pay taxes.\"","We thought examining Fudge\u2019s tax claim would be worthwhile, since representatives of some of the nation\u2019s biggest companies, such as Cincinnati\u2019s Procter & Gamble, argue that Congress should be cutting business taxes.","Says Gov. John Kasich incorrectly claimed Ohio\u2019s economy was 38th in the nation when he took office. \"We were sixth in the nation in terms of economic job growth.\"","The nation\u2019s big business representatives don\u2019t dispute the report\u2019s findings, even as they stress it should not be misconstrued to mean businesses are evading taxes they owe. During her television appearance, Fudge stressed that the businesses who don\u2019t pay taxes aren\u2019t cheating or doing anything wrong."]},{"id":"1331.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States has a supply of \"more than 100 years of natural gas.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While the United States does have significant natural gas reserves, claiming that it has a supply of \"more than 100 years\" is an oversimplification. The estimate of the country's natural gas reserves can vary depending on factors such as consumption rates, technological advancements, and new discoveries. It is important to note that the availability of natural gas is subject to change over time and should be assessed based on current data and projections.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump wrote that \"the People\u2019s Republic of China is increasingly exploiting United States capital to resource and to enable the development and modernization of its military, intelligence and other security apparatuses, which continues to allow the PRC to directly threaten the United States homeland and United","Gas prices in the United States have been on the rise since Russia invaded Ukraine, but a Facebook post says these high prices come as major oil companies experience record profits.","States forces overseas, including by developing and deploying weapons of mass destruction, advanced conventional weapons and malicious cyber enabled actions against the United States and its people.\"","Gas prices had steadily been on the rise since before Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine. Much of that has been due to slow economic recovery following profoundly disruptive pandemic-era supply and demand changes. But gas prices quickly shot up when war broke out between the countries on Feb. 24. Global crude oil prices jumped to more than $100 a barrel, hitting their highest levels since 2008."]},{"id":"9283.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Virginia House Republicans are sacrificing $5 million a day in U.S. funds by refusing to expand Medicaid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the state Democratic Party and various politicians that Virginia House Republicans are forgoing $5 million per day in federal funds by rejecting the expansion of Medicaid. This figure is based on an analysis by The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, which suggests that if Virginia had expanded Medicaid eligibility by the start of 2014, the state could have received approximately $5 million per day in federal funds. It's important to note that this claim is specific to the context of Medicaid expansion and the potential financial benefits associated with it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The state Democratic Party says Virginia is losing out on $5 million a day in federal funding by not expanding its Medicaid program. It throws that figure at the feet of the Republican-led House of Delegates, which twice has rejected expansion.","Virginia is turning down a fortune in federal aid every day the Republican-led House of Delegates refuses to expand Medicaid, according to the state Democratic Party.","Ashley Bauman, a spokeswoman for the state Democratic Party, said the $5 million-a- day figure originates from The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a think tank that analyzes state policies with a focus on their effects on low- and moderate-income people. In February 2013, it released a one-page paper saying if Virginia expanded Medicaid eligibility by the start of 2014, \"the state would be able to draw down about $5 million per day in federal funds.\"","We decided to take a look at the $5 million-a-day figure, which has been uttered by a wide circle of politicians seeking to broaden Medicaid eligibility in Virginia, including Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate, and Republican Sen. John Watkins of Powhatan."]},{"id":"3006.json","label":"false","statement":"I represent the fourth-poorest (congressional) district in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there was some confusion and clarification regarding the context, it has been established that Congresswoman Gwen Moore misspoke in referring to her district as the fourth-poorest in the nation. The correct statement is that Milwaukee, the city within her district, has been ranked as the fourth-poorest city among larger cities in the United States. It is important to differentiate between the city and the congressional district when discussing poverty rankings.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I\u2019m a congressional Democrat and I don\u2019t have any rift with President Obama at all,\" Moore said. \"I think that he is operating in an entirely different arena than I\u2019m dealing in. I represent my constituents in the Fourth Congressional District. I\u2019m looking out admittedly for much more narrow interests. I represent the fourth-poorest district (in the nation).\"","Her spokesman said Moore meant to say Milwaukee is the nation\u2019s fourth-poorest city, not that her district is the nation\u2019s fourth-poorest congressional district. But even that ranking is correct only when considering the nation\u2019s largest cities.","Frey later said Moore misspoke in the Shepherd Express interview, and had meant to say she represents America\u2019s fourth-poorest city, not its fourth-poorest congressional district. Frey said Moore has called Milwaukee the nation\u2019s fourth-poorest city a number of times.","The headline on that story called Milwaukee the nation\u2019s fourth-poorest city. However, the first two paragraphs of the article, and a chart that appeared with it, made it clear Milwaukee was the fourth-poorest among big cities -- those with populations above 250,000."]},{"id":"8727.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The federal health care law tells the American people precisely what type of coverage they have to have.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Mitt Romney regarding the federal health care law. Romney argues that the law mandates what type of coverage individuals must have, implying that it infringes on personal choice and individual freedom. However, it is important to note that the federal health care law, commonly known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), does establish minimum coverage requirements but also provides various options for individuals to choose from, including different insurance plans and coverage levels. While the law does set certain standards, it does not dictate a specific type of coverage for all Americans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Romney put it more succinctly later in the program when he said that the federal health care law tells \"the American people precisely what type of coverage they have to have.\"","Romney said the administration is telling \"the American people precisely what type of coverage they have to have.\" We were unable to reach Romney.","\"It's not just that the president tells people that they have to buy health insurance; it's that he tells them what health insurance they have to buy,\" Romney said. \"The idea that the government knows better than the American people what kind of insurance they have to have makes no sense, and it's something ... I think the American people are rejecting in large numbers.\"","But is it fair to say the federal government is telling Americans what insurance they have to buy and dictating the type of coverage they must own?"]},{"id":"13245.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy wrongly conveyed Rubios stance on abortion for women infected by Zika.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Patrick Murphy wrongly conveyed Marco Rubio's stance on abortion for women infected by Zika. The ad in question falsely claimed that Rubio said \"No abortions for Zika-infected women.\" However, Rubio has clarified his position and confirmed that he does support allowing pregnant women to have abortions if they suspect their baby may suffer from Zika-related birth defects. Therefore, Murphy's portrayal of Rubio's stance on abortion for Zika-infected women is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The screen lifts an image from a prior Murphy campaign ad showing a woman standing on a beach with the words, \"Marco Rubio: 'No abortions for Zika-infected women.' \" It then shows Murphy with a stamped \"FALSE.\"","In the ad, released Oct. 4, 2016, a speaker says U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy \"lies about Marco Rubio, when Marco has been there for us.\"","PolitiFact, \"Patrick Murphy says Marco Rubio would take away a woman\u2019s right to choose for victims of rape and incest,\" Sept. 23, 2016","In a Spanish-language ad, Rubio disputed the notion that he does not believe in allowing pregnant women to get an abortion if they suspect their baby may suffer from Zika-related birth defects. Rubio confirmed that stance in an August story in Politico, which Murphy has subsequently cited."]},{"id":"1360.json","label":"false","statement":"A recent drop in the unemployment rate is questionable because it was calculated over two days of the Thanksgiving week.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Limbaugh is false. The unemployment rate is not calculated based on a two-day period during Thanksgiving week. The unemployment rate is derived from a comprehensive survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which collects data from households and establishments throughout the entire month. The methodology used for calculating the unemployment rate takes into account seasonal adjustments to ensure accuracy and consistency. Therefore, the suggestion that the recent drop in the unemployment rate is questionable due to a two-day period during Thanksgiving week is unfounded.\nLabel: false","evidence":["And this year, just a day before the unemployment rate was announced, an initial jobless claims number was released ... using statistics collected during Thanksgiving week (although not just on two days of that week, as Limbaugh said). As it happened, those numbers fell slightly as well.","So Limbaugh is incorrect that the unemployment rate cited by Obama could have been skewed by what was happening during Thanksgiving week.","Then Limbaugh interrupts. \"Stop the tape. That's because the figures were taken over two days of the Thanksgiving week where people were not working, were not looking for work, were not filing claims and so this -- wait 'til that number is revised. Wait 'til the number ends up being revised. It's going to go up.\"","Skepticism about the seasonal adjustment methodology could lead someone to believe that the initial jobless claim numbers were skewed by the holiday week. But it would be a stretch for Limbaugh to argue that he was referring to initial jobless claims rather than the unemployment rate. Not only is the unemployment rate the most commonly cited unemployment statistic, but Obama, in the taped lead-in, clearly refers to the \"unemployment rate.\" Since this statistic uses data about what was happening two weeks before Thanksgiving -- and since both measures are seasonally adjusted to eliminate factors such as holidays -- we rate Limbaugh's statement False."]},{"id":"6603.json","label":"true","statement":"In his first TV interview as president, Obama said we should talk to Iran.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's position in his first TV interview as president, where he expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Iran. This stance aligns with the claim made by the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"On another front, every American is less secure today because he has failed to slow Iran's nuclear threat,\" Romney said on Aug. 30, 2012. \"In his first TV interview as president, he said we should talk to Iran. We're still talking, and Iran\u2019s centrifuges are still spinning.\"","But Obama said in his first presidential interview that we should \"be willing to talk to Iran.\" Romney\u2019s characterization of that interview is very close. We rate his claim True.","Secure America Now\u2019s ad says, \"For his first interview as president, Barack Obama chose Arab TV for an apology.\" The ad particularly emphasizes that Obama apologized.","A female voiceover says, \"For his first interview as president, Barack Obama chose Arab TV for an apology.\" (The words \"an apology\" flash across the screen.)"]},{"id":"405.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama want to raise taxes on dividends, a move that would crash the stock market.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have proposed raising taxes on dividends for higher-income taxpayers, the claim that this would crash the stock market is misleading and lacks evidence. The experts cited in the email's claim are not specified, and it is not supported by credible economic analysis. Additionally, it's important to note that the proposed tax increase would only affect taxpayers in the top bracket, not all income levels. Therefore, the statement is overly exaggerated and does not accurately reflect the potential impact of the proposed tax changes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The e-mail asserts that Clinton and Obama want to raise capital gains taxes and dividends taxes, as well as raise tax rates for all income levels. We'll look at dividends taxes here.","\"How will this affect you?\" the e-mail asks. \"If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama or Clinton become president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.'\"","We find the e-mail gets its summary of the dividends tax only partially correct, though it is right that Obama specifically proposes an increase on the tax and Clinton has indicated she wants to let the Bush tax cuts expire for higher-income taxpayers. But Clinton hasn't staked out a specific change on the dividends tax and it's misleading for the e-mail to use one. And, the e-mail is wrong to suggest a change in the dividends tax would cause the stock market to crash. We rate its claims Barely True.","The e-mail's explanation gets a few things wrong. Only taxpayers in the top bracket would pay 39.6 percent on dividends taxes. It's also unlikely that an increase in dividends taxes would crash the stockmarket."]},{"id":"7089.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that with President Obamas re-election, state and federal income tax rates for some taxpayers will rise to roughly 65 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that state and federal income tax rates will rise to approximately 65 percent for some taxpayers due to President Obama's re-election. Tax rates are determined by legislation and are subject to changes made by Congress, not solely by the outcome of a presidential election. It is important to rely on credible sources and official tax policies when discussing tax rates.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says that with President Obama's re-election, state and federal income tax rates for some taxpayers will rise \"to roughly 65 percent.\"","Does that mean state and federal income tax rates are on their way up to a promised combined 65 percent for some taxpayers?","The owner of Milwaukee-based manufacturer Rite-Hite said that with Obama's re-election, the combined state and federal tax rate paid by his company would rise to about 65 percent.","\"President Obama has announced that our planned tax rate would increase to roughly 65 percent, reducing our after tax income by 36 percent and dramatically reducing, if not eliminating, your and my RSP contributions.\""]},{"id":"5714.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Why was there no news coverage of this raid on the Arizona border? Seizure was just five days ago. Right on the Arizona border!","reason":"Reason: The claim that there was no news coverage of a recent raid on the Arizona border is false. The statement is based on a chain email that circulated in 2012, which recycled images from a raid that did not occur on the Arizona border. The email's claim was thoroughly debunked, as the raid depicted in the images did not happen in Arizona and did not occur on the specified date. The lack of news coverage is due to the fact that the event being referenced did not actually take place. Therefore, the statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Why was there no news coverage of this raid on the Arizona border? \u2026 Seizure was just five days ago. Right on the Arizona border!\"","\"Why was there no news coverage of this raid on the Arizona border?\" the email says. \"Seizure was just five days ago. Right on the Arizona border!\"","A chain email in April 2012 recycles images from a raid that happened nowhere near Arizona, and certainly not on March 2, 2012. \"Why was there no news coverage of this raid on the Arizona border?\" it says. \"Seizure was just five days ago. Right on the Arizona border!\" You didn\u2019t see it on the news for an excellent reason: It\u2019s not news. It\u2019s instead a ridiculous claim that warrants a rating of Pants on Fire.","This seizure was just five days ago. Right on the Arizona border! This is but one seizure that has taken place along the border over the past year. There have been many more like this (but you won't hear about it on major media news). Not a mention on ABC - CBS - NBC - MSNBC - or CNN news- - even on FOX. These photos and reports come from a Spanish language news source."]},{"id":"4877.json","label":"false","statement":"The St. Norbert College\/Wisconsin Public Radio poll has been wrong in almost every election.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that the St. Norbert College\/Wisconsin Public Radio poll has been consistently wrong in almost every election. The fact-checking analysis indicates that the poll accurately predicted the outcome of the 2010 race, and there is no evidence to suggest that the poll has been consistently inaccurate in the past. While the evidence does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the poll's accuracy in every election, it does not support the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The poll, conducted by St. Norbert College in De Pere and Wisconsin Public Radio, said 58 percent of respondents believe Walker should be recalled. That was an increase from 47 percent in an April poll conducted by the same partnership.","In it\u2019s most recent poll, St. Norbert wasn\u2019t trying to predict an election outcome. It was looking at whether the general public favored a recall. Secondly, GOP spokesman Sparks and Walker were wrong about the poll when it came to the 2010 results. The poll got that race right. And there\u2019s no evidence that the poll has been consistently wrong in the past.","In any case, the Marquette results Walker cites are from nearly two years ago, not a few months ago. And no publicly released poll has asked Wisconsinites about Act 10 since then, according to Marquette Law School poll director Charles Franklin and St. Norbert College political science professor Wendy Scattergood, an associate with the St. Norbert College Survey Center Wisconsin.","Finally, we looked at the results of St. Norbert\u2019s pre-election poll from a couple of other state-wide elections. Remember, Walker claimed the poll was \"wrong in almost every election.\""]},{"id":"13317.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says electric utilities are trying to fool you into amending your state Constitution in a way that gives them the authority to shut down net metering.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Al Gore's claim that electric utilities are attempting to deceive people into amending their state Constitution in a manner that would grant them the authority to shut down net metering. However, it's important to note that the claim is subjective and based on Gore's perspective. While there may be concerns about the intentions of electric utilities regarding net metering, it is not a universally accepted fact that they are deliberately trying to deceive people. Therefore, the statement is partially true but should be taken as an opinion rather than an objective fact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Gore said electric utilities \"are trying to fool you into amending your state Constitution in a way that gives them the authority to shut down net metering.\"","\"The things they claim protect solar are protections you already have,\" Gore said at Miami Dade College\u2019s Kendall campus on Oct. 11, 2016. \"But they are trying to fool you into amending your state Constitution in a way that gives them the authority to shut down net metering and do in Florida what they did in Nevada and just kill the solar industry.\"","That\u2019s when Amendment 1 would really kick in: It would give utilities a much stronger argument that one way or another, solar customers should be paying a higher electric bill.","Nonetheless, he went a bit too far to say the amendment would automatically grant utilities unchecked \"authority\" to kill net metering. We rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"11440.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsins Government Accountability Board wanted to consider Mickey Mouse and Adolf Hitler as valid signatures on recall petitions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Government Accountability Board (GAB) of Wisconsin did not want to consider Mickey Mouse and Adolf Hitler as valid signatures on recall petitions. The claim originated from a video by MacIver Institute, which falsely asserted that Wisconsin election officials would accept such signatures. However, PolitiFact Wisconsin rated this claim as \"Mostly False\" and clarified that the GAB issued a statement addressing the handling of potentially fictitious names, but it did not express a desire to consider them as valid signatures. The GAB's statement aimed to address concerns about the inclusion of potentially fraudulent or fictitious names in the recall petitions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Walker tweeted that board wanted to consider the signatures \"as valid.\" MacIver asserted they would be accepted -- which, as we noted, still allows for a challenge that would knock them out.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Conservative group says Wisconsin to allow Mickey Mouse, Hitler signatures on petitions to recall Gov. Scott Walker,\" Dec. 18, 2011","On Dec. 18, 2011, we looked at this claim from MacIver\u2019s video: \"Wisconsin election officials to accept Mickey Mouse, Hitler signatures\" on recall petitions. We rated it Mostly False.","News reports about Mickey Mouse and Hitler signatures led the Government Accountability Board to issue a statement the next day about its process for handling \"potentially fictitious\" names. Two key points from the statement:"]},{"id":"5697.json","label":"true","statement":"An effort to repeal voting-reform legislation would be the first time in Ohio history where a bill has been passed to stop a referendum.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Eric Kearney is accurate. In Ohio's history, there has not been a previous instance where a bill was passed specifically to halt a referendum. While there have been cases where legislation has been replaced or modified, resulting in the cessation of a referendum effort, this particular scenario, involving the repeal of voting-reform legislation, would indeed be a first for Ohio.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This is the first time in Ohio history where a bill has been passed to stop a referendum,\" Kearney, of Cincinnati, said during the floor debate March 28.","Eric Kearney says a repeal of voter reform legislation that is the target of a referendum would be a first for Ohio","Lawmakers passed a bill last year to establish new congressional districts. The legislation replaced districts established by an earlier bill, House Bill 319, that spurred a referendum effort backed by Democrats. But when the second bill, House Bill 369, passed with a new map, the referendum effort ceased because the new maps replaced the old ones involved in the referendum.","( - Eric Kearney says a repeal of voter reform legislation that is the target of a referendum would be a first for Ohio&url=)"]},{"id":"484.json","label":"false","statement":"\"They (Clinton and Obama) have never to my knowledge been involved in legislation nor hearings nor engagement on this issue (climate change).\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator McCain is not entirely accurate. Both Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama have been involved in legislation, hearings, and engagement on the issue of climate change. Senator Clinton, in particular, has consistently supported legislation to combat global warming since joining the Senate in 2000. While it is possible that Senator McCain may not have been aware of their specific involvement, the evidence contradicts his claim that they have never been involved in such efforts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I've been involved in this issue for many, many years,\" McCain said. \"They have never, to my knowledge, been involved in legislation nor hearings nor engagement on this issue. I have a long history. I've traveled around the world and seen the impacts of climate change.'\"","\"Of the candidates who are running for president, there is no one who has demonstrated more leadership on the issue of global climate change than John McCain,\" Bounds said. \"I believe he was making that point.\"","On a so-called \"Green Tour\" of the Northwest touting his environmental record, Sen. John McCain was asked during a press conference in North Bend, Wash., on May 13, 2008, why voters concerned about climate change should back him over his Democratic rivals, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.","Clinton, who sits on the Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works, has consistently supported legislation to combat global warming since joining the Senate in 2000."]},{"id":"8633.json","label":"half-true","statement":"FACT: Repealing Obamacare would be easier than repealing Prohibition.","reason":"Reason: While it is technically true that repealing a law like the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is procedurally easier than repealing a constitutional amendment like the 21st Amendment (which repealed Prohibition), the statement lacks important context. The comparison overlooks the complexity and impact of the legislation being repealed. The Affordable Care Act is a comprehensive healthcare law that has significant implications for the healthcare system, insurance coverage, and millions of individuals. Repealing it would require careful consideration of alternative healthcare policies and potential disruptions to the healthcare system. In contrast, repealing Prohibition was a relatively straightforward process due to the limited scope and impact of the amendment. Therefore, while the statement may be technically accurate in terms of procedural ease, it fails to acknowledge the practical and substantive differences between the two situations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Heritage, which opposes the Affordable Care Act, sent a tweet that featured a black-and-white photograph of people celebrating the 21st Amendment, which made it legal to buy, sell, transport and drink alcohol. The caption was: \"FACT: Repealing Obamacare would be easier than repealing Prohibition.\"","The Heritage Foundation opposes the Affordable Care Act, so it created a tweet that featuring a black-and-white photograph of people celebrating the 21st Amendment, which made it legal to buy, sell, transport and drink alcohol. The caption was: \"FACT: Repealing Obamacare would be easier than repealing Prohibition.\"","\"Responsible legislation repealing Obamacare would be quite long, many hundreds or thousands of times longer than the three sentences of the 21st amendment\" needed to repeal Prohibition, political scientist Steven Smith said.","It\u2019s correct that, on paper, it\u2019s procedurally easier to repeal a law than to repeal a constitutional amendment. However, Obamacare is a much more complicated piece of legislation than Prohibition was, meaning it would likely be far more complicated to eliminate all vestiges of the law."]},{"id":"672.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"McCain \"said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator McCain voted against specific amendments to increase fuel-efficiency standards for cars in 2003 and 2005, it is important to note that he has also been a notable advocate for higher fuel efficiency standards. In 2002, McCain supported tougher standards than most of the Senate and received praise from a Democratic colleague. Therefore, the statement that McCain \"said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars\" is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of his stance on the issue. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But we also pointed out that McCain hasn't been completely opposed to renewable energy. You can read our analysis here. This time, Obama adds a different claim \u2014 that McCain has said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars.","\"Washington's been talking about our oil addiction for the last 30 years, and by the way John McCain has been there for 26 of them,\" Obama said. \"In that time, he has said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, no to investment in renewable energy, no to renewable fuels.\"","Obama makes it sound as though McCain opposed raising fuel-economy standards for cars, and there are votes to support that claim. But in 2002, McCain not only wanted tougher standards than most of the Senate did, but he was lauded by a Democratic colleague. Obama gives a misleading picture of a senator who has been a notable advocate of higher fuel efficiency standards. We rate the claim Barely True.","In 2005 and in 2003, McCain voted against an amendment that would have increased fuel-economy standards on a set timetable. At the time of the 2005 vote, McCain declared himself a supporter of higher standards, but also said the amendment \"does not appear to be achievable without significantly and detrimentally affecting our economy.\""]},{"id":"3056.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A record number of Hispanics were elected to the U.S House of Representatives...","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that a record number of Hispanic Republicans were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, it is important to note that the record does not apply to Hispanics in general. The claim should specify that it refers to the record number of Hispanic Republicans elected to the House. This clarification is necessary to avoid potential confusion or misinterpretation. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We decided to check the accuracy of Bush\u2019s claim that a record number of Hispanics had been elected to the U.S. House this past election.","Although the number of Hispanics in the House is the same now as it was after the 2008 election, Bush is correct in recognizing the growth in the past decade. However, he would have been more precise if he\u2019d said that a record number of Hispanic Republicans were elected to the U.S. House, rather than leaving it to the reader\u2019s assumption that he was referring to the GOP. We rate his claim Mostly True.","\"There was a record number of Hispanic Republicans elected, but not a record number of Hispanics in general,\" said Patricia Guadalupe, spokesperson for the NALEO Educational Fund.","\"The unprecedented success of Hispanic center-right candidates in this past election is a clear sign that now is the time to recommit to a serious outreach effort,\" Bush writes. \"Among these newly-elected Hispanic leaders, there were many notable records and firsts. Marco Rubio was overwhelmingly elected to the U.S. Senate despite starting his campaign as a heavy underdog to more-seasoned candidates. A record number of Hispanics were elected to the U.S House of Representatives, including Republicans Ra\u00fal Labrador of Idaho, David Rivera of Florida, Bill Flores and Francisco Canseco from Texas, and Jaime Herrera of Washington.\""]},{"id":"8113.json","label":"true","statement":"Theyve seen employer-supported coverage increase in Massachusetts after this law (Romneycare) was implemented.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that employer-supported coverage increased in Massachusetts after the implementation of Romneycare. Multiple sources, including the independent Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and the Center for Health Information and Analysis of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, confirm that the percentage of employers offering insurance in Massachusetts increased after the law was signed into effect. This indicates that the implementation of Romneycare did not result in a decrease in employer-supported coverage, contrary to concerns that were raised during the debate surrounding the law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"They\u2019ve seen employer-supported coverage increase in Massachusetts after Romneycare was implemented,\" Roberts declared. \"I think lots of people were worried that employers might drop coverage but it hasn\u2019t been what has happened.\"","And a study by the independent Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, \"Massachusetts Health Care Reform: Six Years Later,\" found that employer coverage had not decreased.","Fresher data from another government body, the Center for Health Information and Analysis of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, confirmed the trend. From 2005, the year before Romneycare was signed into law, through 2011, the percentage of employers offering insurance increased from 70 percent to 76 percent, according to a survey of employers.","Since World War II, employer-paid coverage has been a cornerstone of health care insurance in the United States. Any possibility that the cornerstone will crumble has been a major topic in the debate."]},{"id":"9865.json","label":"true","statement":"Miller Brewing is not a U.S. company any more. Neither is Anheuser-Busch.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Miller Brewing Company is no longer solely a U.S. company, as it is now a part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, a multinational beverage company headquartered in Belgium. Similarly, Anheuser-Busch, which was originally an American company, is also now a part of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Both companies have undergone mergers and acquisitions that have resulted in their integration into a larger global entity.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Miller is not a U.S. company any more. Neither is Anheuser-Busch,\" he said. \"Think of what this does to our communities. The royalties, the headquarters and all that.\"","After all, Milwaukee is where Frederick J. Miller bought the Plank Road Brewery and founded Miller Brewing Company in 1855. \"He brewed his delicious beer using yeast that he carried in his pocket from Europe,\" the company\u2019s history says.","The full name of the company is now Anheuser-Busch InBev. The headquarters is in Belgium. The company leaped over SABMiller to become the largest brewer in the world.","Before the company bought Anheuser-Busch, InBev grew from a combination of Belgian breweries, the addition of Labatts in Canada and breweries in Russia, China, Germany and Brazil. Since then, the company has added Mexico\u2019s Grupo Modelo, according to a history on the company\u2019s website."]},{"id":"11417.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says as secretary of state she was reserving judgment about the Trans-Pacific Partnership and hoped it would be the gold standard.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal when she was serving as Secretary of State. She initially expressed support for the TPP and stated that she hoped it would become the \"gold standard.\" However, it's important to note that her position on the TPP evolved over time. During her 2016 presidential campaign, she ultimately opposed the deal, citing concerns about its impact on American workers and the environment. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects her previous stance, it does not reflect her current position on the TPP.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton said when she was secretary of state, she was reserving judgment but \"hoped (the Trans-Pacific Partnership) would be the gold standard.\"","Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal became an issue during her Feb. 4 debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders at the University of New Hampshire. She says she now opposes it .","Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended her opposition of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in the first Democratic debate of the 2016 race.","Since the start of her 2016 campaign, Hillary Clinton hasn\u2019t taken a strong position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal -- saying she would reserve judgment until the deal was finalized."]},{"id":"1261.json","label":"false","statement":"An Iowa policy \"provides for a state round up of Iowa citizens who might be exposed to the swine flu virus.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that an Iowa policy provides for a state roundup of citizens exposed to the swine flu virus is false. The Iowa Department of Public Health has explicitly denied the existence of any such policy, and there is no mandatory order for Iowa residents to be vaccinated or detained for refusing vaccination. The rumor has been widely debunked, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that quarantine or isolation orders are not intended for the H1N1 flu. The claim is baseless and lacks any credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The chain e-mail claims that the Iowa policy \"provides for a state round up of Iowa citizens who might be exposed to the swine flu virus.\" The fact is that there is no mandatory order that all Iowa residents be vaccinated against H1N1, let alone a policy seeking to round up and detain people those refuse. We rule this claim False.","The rumor spread wide enough that the Iowa Department of Public Health felt the need to isssue a press release on Aug. 31 to knock it down. We're not sure what version of the chain e-mail the department got, but here at PolitiFact, a reader sent us one that claimed, \"The state of Iowa has an internal document that was recently leaked on the Internet that ... provides for a state round up of Iowa citizens who might be exposed to the swine flu virus.\"","There are a couple of other claims in the e-mail we received. One is that Massachusetts state officials are \"in the process of passing a law that will mandate vaccines for the swine flu.\"","\"Quarantine is a public health tool that is primarily used to keep well people who have been potentially exposed to a serious illness away from others who may be susceptible,\" said Christine Pearson with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. \"It's particularly effective when a new disease has not yet been introduced into our country. Given that the virus is already widespread in the United States and worldwide and is presenting the same sort of disease we see with regular seasonal flu, CDC does not intend to issue quarantine or isolation orders for 2009 H1N1 flu at this time.\""]},{"id":"7945.json","label":"true","statement":"Says proposed teacher contract would layer on more restrictive rules.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the proposed teacher contract would indeed introduce more restrictive rules. The school board, in their statement and opinion piece, explicitly mentioned that the contract proposal would \"layer on more restrictive rules.\" Additionally, the analysis from PolitiFact confirms that the proposed contract includes provisions that create more restrictive rules in specific situations. Therefore, based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But ultimately we come back to the school board's statement, which is that this contract proposal would \"layer on more restrictive rules.\"","The issues they cite are clearly based on pieces of the proposed contract. What's more, those pieces do serve to create more restrictive rules. Now, whether that's a bad thing depends on your position in the broader debate. And teachers would argue they need the rules to protect their time in the face of growing district mandates. But we're not ruling on that -- PolitiFact doesn't delve into opinions, positions or predictions. We're just ruling on whether the proposed contract creates more restrictive rules for these specific situations.","In an opinion piece published in The Oregonian June 5, board members argued that the proposal currently floated by the teachers' association \"would layer on more restrictive rules.\"","Then, the board members really hammer it home: \"Students and families deserve better. These demands exemplify much of what is already wrong with Portland's teacher contract.\""]},{"id":"10643.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve got 40 years of study now that show that, with a good preschool start, youre less likely to be on public dole, youre less likely to be in prison.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple studies that indicate a correlation between a good preschool start and reduced likelihood of being on public assistance and being incarcerated. These studies, conducted over a span of 40 years, consistently suggest that children who receive a quality preschool education are more likely to become productive citizens and less likely to rely on public assistance or end up in prison. However, it's important to note that correlation does not necessarily imply causation, and there may be other factors at play. Nevertheless, the available evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We've got 40 years of study now that show that, with a good preschool start, you're less likely to be on public dole, you're less likely to be in prison.\"","Plum said, \"We\u2019ve got 40 years of study now that show that, with a good preschool start, you\u2019re less likely to be on public dole. You\u2019re less likely to be in prison.\"","During a cable television discussion in Reston, Plum said, \"We\u2019ve got 40 years of study now that show that, with a good preschool start, you\u2019re less likely to be on public dole. You\u2019re less likely to be in prison. You\u2019re much more likely to be a good productive citizen.That money spent up front saves money in the long haul.\"","Three major studies on the issue vary in their results but provide a basis for Plum\u2019s contention. Two of the three studies showed that preschool students were less likely to be incarcerated as adults than those who were not enrolled. All three studies suggested pre-K children were less likely to go on the public dole as adults, although the Ypsilanti study was more equivocal about that conclusion."]},{"id":"5767.json","label":"true","statement":"Congress as a whole is less popular than its been since polling was invented.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the surveys conducted by Public Policy Polling, which compared the popularity of Congress to various unpleasant or disliked things. These surveys indicate that Congress has consistently low approval ratings and is generally less popular than the items listed, such as hemorrhoids, Nickelback, traffic jams, cockroaches, root canals, colonoscopies, and herpes. Therefore, it can be concluded that Congress is currently experiencing historically low levels of popularity based on polling data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["He pointed to results from surveys conducted by Public Policy Polling in January 2013 and October 2013. The polling company is known for conducting some tongue-in-cheek surveys and works with liberal clients. In the polls on Congress\u2019 popularity, it asked hundreds of registered voters if they have a higher opinion of either Congress or a series of unpleasant or disliked things.","The PPP surveys didn\u2019t ask about herpes. It did ask, however, about gonorrhea. And Congress was still less popular than that venereal disease. A spokesman for the company that produced Schwarzenegger\u2019s video pointed to a 2011 CNN op-ed where comedian and radio show host Dean Obeidallah claimed Congress was less popular than herpes, without citing evidence.","\"Here are some of the things that are more popular than Congress: hemorrhoids, Nickelback, traffic jams, root canals, colonoscopies, herpes. Even herpes, they couldn\u2019t beat herpes in the polls.\"","\"Here are some of the things that are more popular than Congress: hemorrhoids, Nickelback, traffic jams, cockroaches, root canals, colonoscopies, herpes. Even herpes, they couldn\u2019t beat herpes in the polls.\""]},{"id":"12477.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump says he has foreign policy experience because he ran the Miss Universe pageant in Russia.","reason":"Reason: While Donald Trump did mention his experience running the Miss Universe pageant in Russia as an example of his ability to navigate relationships with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, he did not explicitly claim that it provided him with foreign policy experience in a broader sense. Hillary Clinton's statement slightly exaggerates Trump's assertion by suggesting that he directly claimed the pageant as \"foreign policy experience.\" However, it is worth noting that Trump did use it as an example to support his ability to handle international relations. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks some nuance.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, \"says he has foreign policy experience because he ran the Miss Universe pageant in Russia,\" Clinton said during her address on June 2, 2016.","Clinton said that Trump \"says he has foreign policy experience because he ran the Miss Universe pageant in Russia.\" Trump did cite that as evidence of how he could navigate a relationship with Russia and work with its president, Putin, but he didn\u2019t go so far as to say it bolstered his foreign policy experience more generally. We rate Clinton\u2019s statement Half True.","During a forceful, even mocking address on foreign policy, Hillary Clinton lit into some of Donald Trump\u2019s past comments -- including one in which he recalled the time he held the Miss Universe pageant in Russia in 2013.","So Clinton certainly has a point that Trump referenced his leadership of the Miss Universe pageant as a credential. However, Clinton overstated the case modestly when she accused Trump of claiming the pageant as \"foreign policy experience.\""]},{"id":"1874.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Halliburton defrauded American taxpayers of hundreds of millions of dollars in Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Halliburton defrauded American taxpayers of hundreds of millions of dollars in Iraq is partially accurate. There is evidence to support the claim that Halliburton's subsidiary, KBR, attempted to charge the government for hundreds of millions of dollars in questionable costs. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests waste and inefficiency rather than deceitful fraud. Government audits and ongoing investigations have revealed instances of overcharging and billing irregularities, but a final accounting has not been reached. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it should be qualified as there is ongoing debate and investigation regarding the nature and extent of the financial losses. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The truth is that right now we have precisely the regulatory system that the Bush-Cheney Administration wanted -- full of loopholes, full of cronies and lobbyists filling the very agencies they're supposed to be overseeing,\" she said, adding a bit later, \"Right here, we have the poster child of Bush-Cheney crony capitalism. Halliburton (was) involved in this, and we haven't said (anything) about that. They after all were responsible for cementing the well. Here's Halliburton, after it defrauded the American taxpayer (of) hundreds of millions of dollars is involved again...\"","There is no dispute that Halliburton was a contractor on the Deepwater Horizon rig, which is what Huffington was alluding to when she said Halliburton was \"involved\" in the oil spill. Host Jake Tapper affirmed that, then Cheney indicated she was objecting specifically to the claim of fraud. So we decided to fact-check Huffington's statement that Halliburton defrauded the U.S. government of \"hundreds of millions of dollars in Iraq.\"","In ruling on Huffington's statement, we find much in the public record to support her statement, most notably the Justice Department lawsuit. Certainly there have been hundreds of millions of dollars that Halliburton's KBR attempted to charge the government that have been denied. Government audits of KBR's work in Iraq will likely continue for some time, and we do not expect a final accounting on these fronts anytime soon. Huffington glossed over some of these points in her back and forth with Liz Cheney. There's also much evidence that makes us believe that hundreds of millions of dollars were lost to waste and inefficiency, not deceitful fraud. So we rate Huffington's statement Half True.","Halliburton's KBR held one of the largest contracts given during the Iraq war effort, the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program, or LOGCAP, which was part of the trend of government outsourcing traditionally military duties to the private sector. (We're focusing on the LOGCAP contract in this report because it's the contract that has the potential for \"hundreds of millions of dollars\" in fraud. There have been other isolated allegations of fraud that involved significantly smaller amounts.)"]},{"id":"7697.json","label":"false","statement":"Abortionists have reduced our black population by more than 25 percent since 1973.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Charles Van Zant suggests that abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, have intentionally reduced the black population in the United States by more than 25 percent since 1973. However, this claim is not supported by credible evidence or data. The statement relies on a flawed and misleading interpretation of abortion statistics and fails to consider various factors that contribute to changes in population demographics over time. It is important to note that abortion is a personal and complex decision made by individuals and does not target specific racial or ethnic groups. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In America alone, without the Nazi Holocaust, without the Ku Klux Klan, Planned Parenthood and other abortionists have reduced our black population by more than 25 percent since 1973,\" said the House member, Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights.","PolitiFact Florida, \"Florida Republican says abortion providers have 'reduced our black population by more than 25 percent since 1973,\" April 25, 2013","Van Zant made a fiery case for his bill preventing gender- and race-based abortions, saying abortion providers like Parent Parenthood -- without the Nazis or the KKK -- \"have reduced our black population by more than 25 percent since 1973.\"","\"From 1973 to 2012, abortion reduced the black population by 30 percent, and that doesn\u2019t even factor in all the children that would have been born to those aborted a generation ago,\" states."]},{"id":"4358.json","label":"true","statement":"Weve had 11,000 attempts to amend the Constitution since 1789.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Since 1789, there have been approximately 11,000 attempts to amend the United States Constitution. This number is supported by various sources, including Rep. Becerra's statement and the official count of approximately 11,372 attempts. It is important to note that only a small fraction of these attempts have been successful in becoming ratified amendments.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve had 11,000 attempts to amend the Constitution since 1789. Twenty-seven amendments have been passed, 10 of them in one shot with the Bill of Rights. And so, we\u2019re now hearing that Republicans may want two, three days before they plunge us into the economic abyss, propose the eleven-thousand and first constitutional amendment so that in less than three days we pass that when it\u2019s taken over 230 years to pass 27 out of the 11,000 that were proposed,\" Rep. Becerra said, adding, \"That\u2019s the height of ridicule.\"","Back to Becerra. He was correct that only a tiny percentage of amendments ultimately pass and are ratified. He said 11,000; the official count puts the number at approximately 11,372. That's close enough to earn a True.","James Rogers, \"The Other Way to Amend the Constitution: The Article V Constitutional Convention Amendment Process\", published in the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, pages 1009-1010, 2007","Ratified in 1789, it beats out Norway\u2019s constitution, which took effect in 1814 and Belgium's, implemented in 1831, according to a list compiled by Tom Ginsburg and Rosalind Dixon, constitutional law professors at the University of Chicago."]},{"id":"1757.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Numbers on illegal immigrants \"are down in terms of apprehensions, which indicates fewer illegal crossings, but also up in terms of actual enforcement actions.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Napolitano regarding the numbers on illegal immigrants. Apprehensions, which serve as an indicator of illegal border crossings, have decreased, suggesting a decline in unauthorized entries. Additionally, the statement acknowledges that actual enforcement actions, such as removals, have increased. However, there is some nuance to consider. The term \"actual enforcement actions\" may encompass various measures beyond just removals, and the overall situation is complex. While apprehensions have decreased, it does not necessarily mean that illegal crossings have completely ceased. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but should be understood in the context of the broader immigration enforcement landscape.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So Napolitano said that the numbers \"are down in terms of apprehensions, which indicates fewer illegal crossings, but also up in terms of actual enforcement actions.\" We agree that apprehensions are down, which indicates fewer illegal border crossings. Removals are also up. But we question whether removals are the same thing as \"actual enforcement actions.\" The picture there is a little more nuanced. So we rate Napolitano's statement Mostly True.","\"And actually, the numbers, if you step back and look at it, the numbers actually are down in terms of apprehensions, which indicates fewer illegal crossings, but also up in terms of actual enforcement actions. So the numbers actually are countered to what the action of the legislature is,\" Napolitano said. \"But you know what? There's still a frustration out there. It's a frustration, ultimately, that will only be solved with comprehensive immigration reform.\"","The Obama administration appears to be conducting fewer raids on job sites where illegal immigrants work, Passel said, because the adminsitration seems to prefer workplace audits, which result in fewer immigrant arrests.","Some argue that has exacerbated the illegal crossings, as there is little drawback to trying again while waiting for a court hearing."]},{"id":"10520.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Monarch butterflies are becoming extinct because of increased use of crops genetically modified to withstand pesticides.","reason":"Reason: While there is a correlation between the decline in monarch populations and the increased use of genetically modified crops, it is important to note that causation has not been definitively established. The evidence suggests that the decline in milkweed, the primary food source for monarch butterflies, is a contributing factor, and the increased use of crops genetically modified to withstand pesticides and herbicides may play a role. However, other factors such as deforestation and unexpected weather events are also likely to have impacted monarch populations. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that monarch butterflies are becoming extinct solely because of the increased use of genetically modified crops.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The evidence of a connection is suggestive but not conclusive. Monarch populations have been declining alongside a shrinkage in its primary food source -- milkweed -- and the increased use of crops genetically modified to withstand pesticides and herbicides. However, causation has not been established yet, and other culprits -- deforestation and unexpected weather events -- are likely to have played a role as well.","\"We certainly know there is going to be secondary harm to the environment,\" he said. \"In fact, monarch butterflies are becoming extinct because of this sort of dumping, (the) huge increase in pesticides\u2019 use because of these modified organisms.\"","Brower cautioned that there is not yet certain proof that the expansion of GMO crops is causing milkweed declines. But there is an \"extremely tight correlation\" among the increased use of herbicide-tolerant crops, fewer milkweed plants and the declining monarch population, he said.","By 2011, 94 percent of soybean crops were genetically engineered to withstand the widely used herbicide Roundup, and 72 percent of corn crops were herbicide-tolerant. Both genetically modified crops were introduced in the mid 1990s."]},{"id":"5807.json","label":"false","statement":"President Obama gave Egypts Muslim Brotherhood one and a half billion dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. President Obama did not give the Muslim Brotherhood one and a half billion dollars. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing financial aid provided by the United States to other countries. Making false claims can lead to misinformation and misunderstandings.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Obama gave the Muslim Brotherhood a million then correcting himself a billion and a half dollars last week, you know, in Egypt. We need that money here. A billion and a half dollars could really help Rhode Island, quite frankly. We probably need it, in my opinion, more than the Muslim Brotherhood needs it . . . especially when the Muslim Brotherhood got together, I think one of the first things they did, when they convened their new congress, was to make Israel enemy #1. And we give them a billion and a half dollars? That's a problem in my book. We need to focus our resources here.\"","\"(President Barack Obama gave) half a billion in taxpayer money to help his friends at Solyndra, a business the White House knew was on the path to bankruptcy.\"","The TV ad says \"(President Barack Obama gave) half a billion in taxpayer money to help his friends at Solyndra, a business the White House knew was on the path to bankruptcy.\" Some of this is correct, while some isn't supported by the existing evidence.","We decided to fact-check the ad, focusing on whether the president gave \"half a billion in taxpayer money to help his friends at Solyndra, a business the White House knew was on the path to bankruptcy.\""]},{"id":"12266.json","label":"false","statement":"Says professional football coach Rex Ryan won championships in New York.The AFC, I think, twice.","reason":"Reason: Rex Ryan, the professional football coach, did not win any championships while coaching in New York. He coached the New York Jets from 2009 to 2014 and the Buffalo Bills from 2015 to 2016. During his tenure with the Jets, he led the team to the AFC Championship game twice but did not win the championship. It is important to accurately represent the achievements of individuals, and in this case, Rex Ryan did not win any championships while coaching in New York.\nLabel: false","evidence":["At a rally in New York ahead of that state\u2019s primary, Republican frontrunner Donald Trump was introduced by Buffalo Bills football coach Rex Ryan.","Just to round this out, Ryan hasn\u2019t won a division championship in New York, nor did he ever play on a New York team that won a championship.","Says President John F. Kennedy said, \u201cThere are people in Washington, D.C., in positions of power to whom the border is just a nuisance, and I think some of them believe that illegal immigration is a moral good. It is not.\u201d","Ryan wasn\u2019t just professing \u201clove for Pelosi.\u201d He was saying that despite his love, it was time for new party leadership after Donald Trump won the presidency in 2016."]},{"id":"9667.json","label":"false","statement":"The state of New York is the worst in the nation in economic recovery.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While there may be economic challenges in certain regions of New York, such as upstate, it is inaccurate to claim that the state as a whole is the worst in the nation in economic recovery. In fact, the evidence suggests that New York State as a whole ranked fifth in per capita income in 2014. It is important to consider the overall economic indicators and not generalize based on specific regions within the state.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If we ever did that, the economic indicators of upstate New York would be among the lowest in the country,\" Duffy claimed. \"We do count on downstate to carry much of the load for the economic health of New York.\"","If upstate New York split from downstate \"the economic indicators of upstate New York would be among the lowest in the country.\"","In upstate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the per capita income was $40,123 at the end of 2014, the latest county-level data. Upstate would have ranked 37th in the nation that year, below the national average of $46,049. New York State as a whole ranked fifth that year.","In the release, Tedisco said that in order for New York to address its economic challenges, the Legislature must first grapple with the pattern of New York residents fleeing the state for other locales."]},{"id":"11457.json","label":"false","statement":"Says CIA Director George Tenet told the Bush administration that the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack was coming. So they did have advanced notice.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there were intelligence reports and discussions about the potential for a domestic terror attack before September 11, 2001, there is no evidence to suggest that CIA Director George Tenet specifically told the Bush administration that the attack was imminent. The 9\/11 Commission Report found that the intelligence community had received general warnings about potential attacks, but there was no specific alert regarding the September 11 attacks. It is important to note that the warnings primarily emphasized possible targets overseas. Therefore, the claim that the Bush administration had advanced notice of the attack based on information from George Tenet and the CIA is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"His brother could have made some mistakes with respect to the actual hit because they did know it was coming and George Tenet, the head of the CIA, told them it was coming,\" Trump said on CNN\u2019s New Day. \"So they did have advanced notice and they didn\u2019t really work on it.\"","The war of words between GOP presidential hopefuls Jeb Bush and Donald Trump continues, with the most recent clash coming over the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the response of Bush\u2019s brother, President George W. Bush.","Trump claims that the CIA told the Bush administration that a domestic terror attack was coming. The report assembled over a span of three years after Sept. 11, 2001, found no specific alert. The potential for a domestic attack was discussed in early August, but it was mentioned only in broad terms and was not brought back up. Investigative reports in the years since found that the CIA warnings emphasized possible targets overseas.","Our question here is simple: Did Tenet and the CIA tell the Bush administration that an attack on U.S. soil was imminent?"]},{"id":"12895.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton doesnt believe in your right to keep a gun at home for self-defense.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While Hillary Clinton has expressed support for common-sense gun control measures, there is no evidence to suggest that she does not believe in an individual's right to keep a gun at home for self-defense. In fact, Clinton has stated that she believes in the Second Amendment and acknowledges that people have a right to bear arms. However, she also advocates for implementing sensible gun control policies to address public safety concerns. It is important to accurately represent her stance on gun rights rather than making an unsupported claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Not even counting its TV exposure, the ad had been watched more than 100,000 times online within a day of being uploaded. We\u2019re interested in the crux of the ad, which claims Clinton \"doesn\u2019t believe in your right to keep a gun at home for self-defense.\"","\"She\u2019s one of the wealthiest women in politics,\" the ad begins. \"Combined income: $30 million. Tours the world on private jets. Protected by armed guards for 30 years. But she doesn\u2019t believe in your right to keep a gun at home for self-defense.\"","The court ruled that the Second Amendment gives individuals the right to own weapons for self-defense, even though no such language appears in the Second Amendment.","\"You know, I believe in the Second Amendment,\" Clinton said in the debate. \"People have a right to bear arms. But I also believe that we can common-sensically approach this.\""]},{"id":"11250.json","label":"true","statement":"Saudi Arabia has the third-largest military budget in the entire world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to estimates from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Saudi Arabia did have the third-largest military budget in the world in 2014, with an estimated budget of around $80.8 billion. This places Saudi Arabia behind only China and the United States in terms of military spending.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wondered about Sanders\u2019 claim that Saudi Arabia, with a population roughly the size of Texas, has the \"third-largest military budget in the entire world.\"","\"The United States cannot do it alone,\" Sanders added. \"In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has the third-largest military budget in the entire world. They're going to have to get in and take on ISIS as well as other countries in that region. The United States should be supportive. We should be working with other countries. But the United States cannot always be the only country involved in these wars.\"","Sanders is correct that Saudi Arabia\u2019s military budget is the third largest in the world. But is he also right that the Saudis aren\u2019t prioritizing ISIS? In a word, yes.","According to estimates from the IISS, Saudi Arabia did have the world\u2019s third-largest military budget in 2014, at around $80.8 billion. Its budget was smaller than only those of China and the United States."]},{"id":"2909.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Barack Obamas health care bill is nothing new. Mitt Romney signed one just like it four years before.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Howard Dean that the health care bill signed by President Barack Obama is similar to the one signed by Mitt Romney as the governor of Massachusetts. This comparison refers to the individual mandate and the overall structure of the health care reform. Both bills aimed to expand access to health care and required individuals to have health insurance. However, it's important to note that there are also significant differences between the two bills, such as the scope and scale of the reforms. While they share some similarities, they are not identical. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Barack Obama's health care bill is nothing new,\" Dean said during the Nov. 12 interview. \"Mitt Romney signed one just like it four years before.\"","Howard Dean says the health care bill that President Barack Obama signed is like the one Mitt Romney signed as the governor of Massachusetts","( - Howard Dean says the health care bill that President Barack Obama signed is like the one Mitt Romney signed as the governor of Massachusetts &url=)","After the Supreme Court upheld the health care bill he\u2019d signed into law, President Barack Obama applauded the decision in a speech at the White House. In that speech, Obama responded to critics, including Mitt Romney, who say the law could force many Americans off their health care plans."]},{"id":"7351.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Tide gauges measuring sea level in Rhode Island since 1930 have risen maybe about 10 inches since that time.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Janet Freedman, a geologist with Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Management Council. The long-term tide gauges in Rhode Island have been measuring the sea level since 1930, and according to the data, the sea level has risen approximately 10 inches over that time period. However, it's important to note that the exact rise may vary slightly depending on the specific measurements and timeframes considered. The statement's use of \"maybe about\" acknowledges the slight uncertainty in the exact measurement. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The levels \"have been rising,\" she said. \"In Rhode Island we have two long-term tide gauges that have been measuring the sea level since 1930 and we've seen that they've risen maybe about 10 inches since that time.","Janet Freedman, a geologist with Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Management Council, said, \"In Rhode Island we have two long-term tide gauges that have been measuring the sea level since 1930 and we've seen that they've risen maybe about 10 inches since that time.\"","The Newport data show that from 1930 to 2006, the mean water level has risen by 2.58 millimeters -- about a tenth of an inch -- per year. Data that take the readings through 2011 show that the overall rate over that 81-year-period has actually increased to 2.70 mm\/year. We calculate the rise from 1930 to 2012 to be 211.6 mm or 8.7 inches. That's not 10 inches, but Freedman said \"maybe about.\"","PolitiFact doesn't rate predictions, so we focused on whether sea level has really risen about 10 inches over the past eight decades -- an average of 1.25 inches every 10 years."]},{"id":"11534.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that in polls about 2016 candidate leadership skills, he comes out two and three and four times higher than anybody else.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some polls have shown Donald Trump leading in terms of leadership skills among the 2016 candidates, it is important to note that this claim is subjective and can vary depending on the specific poll and the methodology used. Trump's statement of coming out \"two and three and four times higher than anybody else\" is an exaggeration and lacks specific evidence to support such a broad claim. While he may have performed well in certain leadership polls, it is inaccurate to suggest that he consistently outperformed all other candidates by such a significant margin in all polls related to leadership skills.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump said that in polls about 2016 candidate leadership skills, he comes out \"two and three and four times higher than anybody else.\"","\"I\u2019m the one who\u2019s going to make this country great again,\" Trump responded, adding, \"When you do polls, and in fact when CNN does polls, you look at my numbers on leadership, it\u2019s two and three and four times higher than anybody else.\"","Only a few polls so far have asked about candidates\u2019 leadership qualities, but Trump has a point that he usually comes out on top. One poll in particular supported Trump\u2019s claim: Compared to the candidate with the next-highest results, about four times as many people said Trump had the best leadership skills among a group of candidates.","Polls show that Americans think Donald Trump has the best leadership skills out of the 2016 candidates, according to the real estate mogul himself."]},{"id":"10490.json","label":"true","statement":"The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that up to half of daily marijuana smokers become addicted -- an estimated 2.7 million people in the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which reported that up to half of daily marijuana smokers become addicted. The survey estimated that around 2.7 million people in the United States meet the criteria for addiction to marijuana. The evidence provided supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Susan Shapiro wrote \"The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that up to half of daily marijuana smokers become addicted -- an estimated 2.7 million people in the U.S.\"","She told of marijuana\u2019s \"dark side,\" and included statistics to reinforce her point. \"The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that up to half of daily marijuana smokers become addicted -- an estimated 2.7 million people in the U.S,\" she wrote.","The relevant section in the story Shapiro cited reads: \"Up to half of people who smoke marijuana daily become addicted. According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2.7 million people over age 12 meet criteria for addiction to marijuana.\"","NIDA forwarded us a detailed table from the SAMHSA\u2019s 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. It showed that 2.69 million people over age 12 with dependence on marijuana and hashish in the past year. That\u2019s roughly half the number of daily marijuana smokers, as Shapiro said."]},{"id":"6526.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says cities save an estimated $38 in dental costs for every $1 invested in fluoridation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a study mentioned in the evidence. According to the study, cities save an estimated $38 in dental costs for every $1 invested in fluoridation. However, it's important to note that this estimate does not take into account overhead costs or potential health issues related to fluoridation. Additionally, the savings mentioned in the study are based on a range of possible dental cost savings per person, with a most likely savings of $19.12 per person for the $0.50 spent on fluoridation. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be understood in the context of the study's limitations and the range of potential savings.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Fish was measured in his comments. He said that \"cities save an estimated $38 in dental costs for every $1 invested in fluoridation\" and, indeed, that was the estimate of one article that appeared in a peer-reviewed medical journal. Furthermore, the findings of this article are highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on its website on the subject.","We worked the math and that means in the first year, Portland area residents would save about $3 in dental costs for every $1 invested. After that, it\u2019d cost closer to 64 cents per person to fluoridate the water, meaning a savings of about $30 for each $1 spent.","Now, there are a few caveats here. The study explicitly states that it does not take into account overhead costs of fluoridation or possible health issues that stem from fluoridation, such as dental fluorosis, which the study says \"are negligible.\"","To get to the $38 figure, you need to do a little math. For a large community like Portland, the study\u2019s authors estimated that fluoridation costs about 50 cents per person. Then it goes on to give a range of possible dental cost savings per person -- from $2.99 to $56.07, with a most likely savings (base case in financial jargon) of $19.12 per person for the 50 cents spent"]},{"id":"3644.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Gov. (Rick) Perry helped balance his budget with about $6 billion worth of federal help, which he happily took, and then started blaming the members of Congress who had offered that help.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Governor Rick Perry used approximately $6 billion in federal stimulus funds to help balance the state budget and subsequently criticized the members of Congress who provided that assistance. This claim has been supported by evidence, including statements from President Obama himself and the fact-checking analysis that confirmed the use of stimulus aid by Texas to balance the budget. However, the term \"happily\" is subjective and may not accurately represent Governor Perry's attitude towards accepting the federal funds.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Keep in mind, Gov. (Rick) Perry helped balance his budget with about $6 billion worth of federal help, which he happily took, and then started blaming the members of Congress who had offered that help,\" Obama said during an April 18 interview with WFAA reporter Brad Watson at the White House.","It\u2019s no secret that Texas, like other states, leaned heavily on stimulus aid in 2009, when lawmakers wrote the 2010-11 budget. Earlier this year, we rated Mostly True Obama\u2019s statement that Perry \"helped balance his budget with about $6 billion worth of federal help.\" State budget-writers in 2009 used $6.4 billion in stimulus aid, accepted by Perry, to help pay for programs over the next two years that historically had been financed with state revenue.","President Obama says Gov. Perry used stimulus fund to help balance budget, then started 'blaming' federal lawmakers who voted for legislation","Summing up: Obama said Perry \"happily\" took federal stimulus funds that helped balance the state\u2019s 2010-11 state budget. Perry hardly sounded happy about it, but Obama is correct that he accepted stimulus money that was used to help balance the budget."]},{"id":"4570.json","label":"true","statement":"Health care is the greatest contribution to spending increases in the state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tsiongas that health care is the primary driver of spending increases in the state budget. This claim is supported by evidence, including the fact that Medicaid accounts for a significant portion of the state budget and projected increases in Medicaid costs are deemed unsustainable without health system payment reform. While other factors such as state pension contributions may also contribute to budget increases, the sustained role of health care costs over time makes it a significant driver. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So Tsiongas had the correct diagnosis when he said that health care is the greatest contribution to spending increases in the state budget. We rate his claim True.","To frame the issue, Tsiongas began by saying, \"In Rhode Island, as elsewhere in America, the cost of health care threatens bankruptcy for those without insurance, individuals and businesses find premiums increasingly onerous and even unaffordable, and health care is the greatest contribution to spending increases in the state budget.\"","\"Medicaid remains about a quarter of the state budget and projected increases are unsustainable without health system payment reform,\" Tsiongas wrote in an e-mail. \"One can argue that this and next year\u2019s state pension contributions may dwarf other increases, but this represents a \u2018catch-up\u2019 of long-standing pension underpayments by the state, whereas the state\u2019s health-care costs have had a sustained role in the budget over time.\"","The debate about the health-care exchange can extend to a range of topics, but we wanted to test one of Tsiongas\u2019 underlying claims: That health care is the biggest factor driving state budget increases."]},{"id":"5743.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Buffett rule raises virtually no money, maybe a day and a half of our borrowing per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hinckley that the Buffett rule, a proposed tax plan, raises very little revenue, approximately equivalent to a day and a half of borrowing per year. The evidence provided supports this claim, with calculations suggesting a similar estimate of a day and a quarter. While the borrowing per day is not a direct measure of revenue raised by the Buffett rule, it provides a reasonable comparison to highlight the relatively small impact of the tax plan on overall government finances.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["As part of his introduction to the question, Hinckley dismissed the bill as part of the \"politics of envy\" and described it as \"a plan that is so obviously political because it raises virtually no money, maybe a day and a half of our borrowing per year.\"","Our calculations yield a number closer to a day and a quarter, which would actually bolster Hinckley\u2019s point that the tax plan raises \"virtually no money.\"","PolitiFact Ohio had seen similar dismissals of the proposal, including the claim that it \"raises virtually no money,\" but Portman's statement was weightier and more detailed. We asked his office how he backed it up. Press secretary Christine Mangi ran through the proof:","As Politifact Florida made clear, the government does not borrow money every day to stay afloat. Rather, it does so by periodically auctioning bonds. But the logic of calculating the borrowing per day is reasonable. For our purposes, we\u2019ll use a rate of borrowing of $3.9 billion per day."]},{"id":"4647.json","label":"true","statement":"Romneycare was model for Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Romneycare served as a model for Obamacare. Multiple sources, including campaign videos, online posts, and news articles, highlight the similarities between the health care plan signed by Mitt Romney in Massachusetts (Romneycare) and the one signed by President Barack Obama for the country (Obamacare). While Mitt Romney has attempted to distance himself from Obamacare, there is a consensus that the Massachusetts plan served as an influence for the federal legislation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Are you smart enough to tell the difference between ObamaCare and RomneyCare? Here are 10 descriptions of the plans that we got from the legislation that created the two plans, official summaries, private reports and interviews with experts. See if you know whether each description is for ObamaCare or RomneyCare.","To help you get ready for next week's arguments on the health care law before the U.S. Supreme Court, we will be publishing some helpful guides and summaries. For our first installment, we're re-publishing our fiendishly difficult quiz to see if you know the difference between RomneyCare and ObamaCare.","The Perry campaign has hit that idea hard. On Oct. 10, Perry posted an online video linking the health care plan that Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, signed in 2006 for his state (dubbed Romneycare by critics) and the one that President Barack Obama signed in 2010 for the country (dubbed Obamacare by critics).","Mitt Romney has gone to great lengths to distance his Massachusetts health plan from the federal law, even giving a PowerPoint presentation to emphasize the differences. But the truth is that there are an awful lot of similarities between the plan he signed in Massachusetts in 2006, often called \"RomneyCare,\" and the one that President Barack Obama signed in 2010, dubbed \"ObamaCare.\""]},{"id":"6711.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Providence Economic Development Partnership . . .which you [Cicilline] chaired, loaned $103,000 in taxpayer funds to one of your campaign workers. The worker never paid back the loan.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Brendan Doherty that the Providence Economic Development Partnership, which David Cicilline chaired, loaned $103,000 in taxpayer funds to one of his campaign workers who never paid back the loan. Initially, PolitiFact Rhode Island rated the claim as Mostly False but later changed their rating to Mostly True after considering additional evidence. Therefore, based on the available evidence, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The Providence Economic Development Partnership . . .which you Cicilline chaired, loaned $103,000 in taxpayer funds to one of your campaign workers. The worker never paid back the loan.\"","Republican congressional candidate Brendan Doherty said to Cicilline, \"The Providence Economic Development Partnership . . . which you chaired, loaned $103,000 in taxpayer funds to one of your campaign workers. The worker never paid back the loan.\"","Among what Doherty called Cicilline\u2019s \"most serious deceptions\" was this claim directed at the former mayor: \"The Providence Economic Development Partnership ... which you chaired, loaned $103,000 in taxpayer funds to one of your campaign workers. The worker never paid back the loan.\"","EDITOR's NOTE: On Sept. 16, 2012, PolitiFact Rhode Island rated as Mostly False a statement by Republican congressional candidate Brendan Doherty that was directed at U.S. Rep. David Cicilline. Doherty said: \"The Providence Economic Development Partnership . . which you Cicilline chaired, loaned $103,000 in taxpayer funds to one of your campaign workers. The worker never paid back the loan.\" In light of additional evidence, we are changing our rating to Mostly True and providing this new analysis."]},{"id":"12354.json","label":"true","statement":"Before April 22, we have restored the rights of more than 18,000 individuals, which is more than the past seven governors combined in their four-year terms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Governor McAuliffe did restore the rights of more than 18,000 individuals, surpassing the combined total of the past seven governors in their four-year terms. Records confirm this fact, indicating that McAuliffe's efforts in restoring rights to felons exceeded the collective efforts of his predecessors.\nLabel: true","evidence":["McAuliffe said that before issuing a blanket restoration of rights on April 22 to felons who had served their time, he already had \"restored the rights of more than 18,000 individuals, which is more than the past seven governors combined in their four-year terms.\" Records prove his point.","Here\u2019s what he said during an April 22 speech on the Capitol steps, moments before announcing his blanket policy. He also republished it on . \"Today, I am proud to tell you that in a little more than two years that we have restored the rights of more than 18,000 individuals, which is more than the past seven governors combined in their four-year terms.\"","The seven governors restored rights to 17,977 felons - 32 fewer than McAuliffe\u2019s total before his April 22 announcement. The seven governors, all serving four years, go back to 1986.","If you\u2019re wondering, the 19 governors before McAuliffe restored the rights of 22,367 felons. If McAuliffe\u2019s action withstands legal challenge, he\u2019ll have restored voting rights to about 224,000 felons in less than 2 1\/2 years - 10 times more than the last 19 governors combined during their entire terms."]},{"id":"2241.json","label":"true","statement":"In 1935, more than 50% of the elderly population lived in poverty. Today that poverty rate stands officially at 9.4%.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. While there may be some difficulty in obtaining official statistics for the exact poverty rate among the elderly in 1935, academic projections and estimates indicate that the poverty rate for older Americans during the Great Depression was indeed significantly high. In contrast, the official poverty rate for the elderly today stands at 9.4%, which demonstrates a substantial decline in poverty among this demographic. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We don't have the expertise to judge the effectiveness of social safety net programs, but we did want to check Johnson's claim that \"in 1935, more than 50% of the elderly population lived in poverty. Today that poverty rate stands officially at 9.4%.\"","So, to review, Johnson said that \"in 1935, more than 50% of the elderly population lived in poverty. Today that poverty rate stands officially at 9.4%.\" We found no official statistics for the rate of elderly poverty for the year 1935, only academic projections, and making apples-to-apples comparisons between eras is difficult. But those estimates indicate that Johnson may have seriously underestimated the level of poverty for older Americans amid the Great Depression.","\"On the third anniversary of the Social Security Act, President Roosevelt said, 'We have come a long way. But we still have a long way to go. There is still today a frontier that remains unconquered \u2014 an America unclaimed. This is the great, the nationwide frontier of insecurity, of human want and fear. This is the frontier \u2014 the America \u2014 we have set ourselves to reclaim.' Today, much of that dream has been realized. While we may never completely eradicate poverty, great strides have been made. In 1935, more than 50% of the elderly population lived in poverty. Today that poverty rate stands officially at 9.4%,\" she said on Aug. 10, 2010.","Still, Johnson's underlying point stands. The poverty rate among the elderly has dramatically declined. Whether that was the result of Social Security or other factors is beyond the scope of this review. By the best available measures the rate in 1935 was, as she stated, more than 50 percent. And she was just a fraction off on the current level of 9.7 percent. So we rate her statement True."]},{"id":"1337.json","label":"true","statement":"The Senate health care bill \"would leave 24 million people without insurance coverage.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the criticism made by opponents of the Senate health care bill, including Senator Enzi, that the bill would result in 24 million people being without insurance coverage. This claim is supported by the analysis conducted by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which estimated that the bill would reduce the number of uninsured individuals by about 31 million, leaving approximately 24 million nonelderly residents uninsured. Therefore, the statement is true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That's all pretty standard fare from Republican opponents of the Democratic health care plans being debated in Congress. But we were intrigued by another criticism leveled by the Wyoming senator, that the Senate bill \"would leave 24 million people without insurance coverage.\"","Still, the bottom line is that Enzi said the Reid plan would leave 24 million people uninsured, and the CBO confirms that figure. We rate his statement True.","The CBO report found that the Senate bill was less effective in reducing the number of uninsured compared to the version of the health care bill that passed the House. While the Senate version was estimated to reduce the number of uninsured by 31 million (leaving 24 million uninsured), the House plan was estimated to reduce the number of uninsured by about 36 million, leaving about 18 million uninsured.","That uninsured figure cited by Enzi comes from an analysis of the Reid bill by the Congressional Budget Office. The report concludes that under the Reid bill, the share of legal nonelderly residents with insurance coverage would rise from about 83 percent currently to about 94 percent. Specifically, the report estimated that the number of nonelderly people who are uninsured would be reduced by about 31 million by 2019, leaving about 24 million nonelderly residents uninsured."]},{"id":"7997.json","label":"false","statement":"More Americans receive food aid than work in (the) private sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 113.6 million Americans with private-sector jobs in April 2013, which is higher than the number of individuals receiving food assistance, which was approximately 101 million. Therefore, the evidence shows that there are more Americans working in the private sector than receiving food aid.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So, the percentage of working-age people with private-sector jobs is at least twice as high as the percentage of Americans who receive food assistance -- the opposite conclusion to the one West drew.","!Former Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., tweeted that there are more people receiving food aid than are working in the private sector. Is that correct? !Former Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., tweeted that there are more people receiving food aid than are working in the private sector. Is that correct?","According to BLS, 113.6 million Americans had a private-sector job during April 2013. That\u2019s more than the 101 million figure for food assistance.","Former Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., tweeted that there are more people receiving food aid than are working in the private sector. Is that correct?"]},{"id":"10985.json","label":"true","statement":"Between 1980 and 2010, water usage in Georgia dropped even as the states population grew.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that between 1980 and 2010, water usage in Georgia dropped despite the state's population growth. The data shows a 30 percent decrease in water usage over the three-decade period, while the population of Georgia increased by 77 percent during the same time frame. This indicates that water conservation efforts were successful in reducing water consumption even with a growing population.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Georgia was still curious about Nash\u2019s numbers. The county\u2019s population grew, according to U.S. census figures, from 588,450 residents in 2000 to more than 805,000 in 2010, a 37 percent increase. Nash\u2019s statement claimed the county\u2019s water use dropped by 18 percent in four years, yet the county\u2019s population increased by 37 percent over the past 10 years.","Data is not available for 1980 for the per capita usage in Georgia. But 1985 and 2010 figures mirror the overall trend.","The trend, the May 10, 2015 story said, was a 30 percent drop in water usage in the three decades between 1980 and 2010, the last year that federal data was available.","Census figures show the number of people living in Georgia over that period exploded, from 5.46 million in 1980 to 9.69 million in 2010. That\u2019s a 77 percent increase."]},{"id":"12459.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Were losing thousands of (veterans) waiting on line because they cant get speedy health care from the Veterans Administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donald Trump regarding veterans waiting for speedy healthcare from the Veterans Administration (VA). Trump asserts that thousands of veterans are losing their lives while waiting for healthcare services. This claim is supported by reports from The Washington Post, which have highlighted cases of veterans experiencing delays in receiving care from the VA. However, it's important to note that the exact number of veterans who have died while waiting for healthcare is not specified in the evidence provided. Therefore, while the statement accurately conveys Trump's claim, the specific number of veterans affected remains uncertain.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump said, \"We're losing thousands of (veterans) waiting on line\" because they can't get speedy health care from the Veterans Administration.","\"I'm entirely in favor of fixing the VA health care. The VA is one of the great catastrophes in this country,\" he said. \"People are waiting five days, six days, seven days on line. They're dying while they wait on line. And I am in favor of, if they can't get to a doctor within a reasonable period of time, they're gonna go see a doctor and the country's going to pay for it. They're going to a private doctor, or a public hospital, or a public doctor but someplace that can take care (of them) immediately. We're losing thousands of people waiting on line.\"","At the news conference, he simply said that \"thousands\" had died waiting for health care from the VA, a disturbing but still far more modest claim.","The Washington Post , \" Cancer patients died waiting for care at troubled veterans\u2019 hospital, probe finds,\" Oct. 20, 2015 and \" Fact Checker: Carly Fiorina\u2019s claim that 307,000 veterans \u2018died waiting for health care,\u2019\" Sept. 21, 2015"]},{"id":"3562.json","label":"false","statement":"The newly proposed House Republican budget abolishes Medicare within 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the House Republican budget plan proposed changes to Medicare, it did not abolish it within 10 years. The plan would have implemented significant reforms to the Medicare program, but it would still exist. The claim of abolishing Medicare is an exaggeration and does not align with the details of the proposed budget plan.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Here's the most important thing you need to know about the Republicans' new budget plan: It abolishes Medicare within 10 years.\"","None of the six argued the House Republican plan \"abolishes\" Medicare. Families USA framed it more cautiously, saying the proposal would \"end Medicare as we know it by 2022.\"","In contrast, he said Republicans are headed the wrong direction on Medicare under the reform plan authored by Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee.","claimed that Ryan\u2019s budget plan \"abolishes Medicare within 10 years.\" The group provided no evidence that backs the claim. To be sure, the plan would change Medicare, significantly, starting in 2022. But for those who turn 65 before then, there would be no changes at all, even after 2022. And for the others, Medicare would change -- dramatically -- but it would still exist."]},{"id":"12559.json","label":"true","statement":"The LGBT community is more often the victims of hate crimes than any other recognized group.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Numerous studies and reports have shown that the LGBT community is disproportionately targeted and victimized by hate crimes compared to other recognized groups. These hate crimes can include physical violence, verbal abuse, harassment, and discrimination. The evidence provided supports the statement by highlighting the abuse and discrimination that LGBT individuals have historically faced. It is important to acknowledge and address these issues to promote a more inclusive and accepting society.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Grooming might involve gift-giving, taking a child on special outings, focusing attention and compliments on appearance or providing a child with special privileges. It is typically aimed at one or very few potential victims, not a group.","Abusers employ grooming tactics to gain a child\u2019s trust and often that of their family. They may share secrets with their victims. They often engage in casual physical contact before escalating it to something violating. They are commonly people who are already inside the child\u2019s circle of trust. RAINN, an anti-sexual violence advocacy group, says grooming can take different forms and that there are a number of warning signs.","\"Even for kids who are not LGBT identified themselves, they may very well have people in their lives who are LGBT identified, and having that exposure can make them feel safer around their own family,\" McGuire said.","\"LGBT people have tolerated massive abuse in this society and in others, and continued to exist in the face of that massive abuse,\" McGuire said. \"A more accepting environment doesn\u2019t make you more likely to be LGBT, it just makes you less likely to get abused.\""]},{"id":"2965.json","label":"false","statement":"Sen. Jim Webb persists on negating Sen. Mark Warners votes","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Sen. Jim Webb persists in negating Sen. Mark Warner's votes. The evidence mentions Sen. Webb discussing economic fairness for working families, but it does not provide any information or context regarding his voting record or actions specifically directed at negating Sen. Warner's votes. Without additional evidence or examples, it is not accurate to claim that Sen. Webb persistently negates Sen. Warner's votes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Former U.S. Sen. George Allen is taking aim at a rival who took away his seat in 2006, Sen. Jim Webb.","Former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, who\u2019s mulling a presidential run, says there\u2019s a lack of \"economic fairness\" for working families in the United States.","So it seems hard to support the assertion that Webb \"persists on negating\" Warner while voting with him almost nine times out of 10.","\"It is highly misleading to suggest that Webb \u2018persists\u2019 in negating Warner,\" he said. \"The Senate\u2019s roll call records clearly show this is not true.\""]},{"id":"11066.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she called for addressing risks of derivatives, cracking down on subprime mortgages and improving financial oversight early on in the financial crisis.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows Hillary Clinton did indeed call for addressing the risks of derivatives, cracking down on subprime mortgages, and improving financial oversight early on in the financial crisis. She began addressing the subprime mortgage issue in March 2007 and later focused on derivatives. Additionally, she proposed specific plans to address these problems and increase oversight of financial institutions. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said she \"called for addressing risks of derivatives, cracking down on subprime mortgages and improving financial oversight\" early on in the financial crisis.","\"As we all know, in the years before the crash, financial firms piled risk upon risk, and regulators in Washington either couldn\u2019t or wouldn\u2019t keep up,\" she said. \"I was alarmed by this gathering storm and called for addressing risks of derivatives, cracking down on subprime mortgages and improving financial oversight.\"","So we questioned Hillary Clinton\u2019s record of addressing financial regulations. Did she address derivatives, subprime mortgages and financial oversight so early in the crisis?","The crisis hit a peak in summer 2008, though it started to gain traction in 2007. Clinton began addressing the subprime mortgage issue in her appearances in March 2007. Later that year, she took on derivatives. She also proposed specific plans for solving these problems and increasing oversight of financial institutions."]},{"id":"8365.json","label":"true","statement":"There is a constitutional issue that affects the paychecks of members of Congress during a shutdown.","reason":"Reason: During a government shutdown, members of Congress may face a constitutional issue that affects their paychecks. The Constitution's 27th Amendment states that \"No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.\" This means that any changes to the compensation of members of Congress cannot take effect until after the next election. Therefore, if a government shutdown occurs, it may be constitutionally prohibited to alter the paychecks of members of Congress until the next election cycle.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Just about everyone everywhere is spending more hours on the job, less time with their families, bringing home smaller and smaller paychecks, while they're paying more and more at the gas pump and the grocery stores.\"","Former members of Congress do not receive full congressional salaries for life. After serving five years in Congress, former members become eligible to collect a pension. The amount of the pension varies based on length of service, but it would be less than their salary when they were in office.","We examined one of the special perks mentioned in the email, that \"the staffers of Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans.\" The claim is confusingly worded, but we assumed that it referred to relatives of members of Congress and Congressional staffers.","\u2022 Members of Congress don\u2019t receive salaries after they leave office. Those who serve five or more years are eligible for pensions, which are capped at an amount that\u2019s less than their final salaries as active members."]},{"id":"3133.json","label":"half-true","statement":"No one in the private sector gets unlimited accruals of vacation and sick leave.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that very few companies in the private sector offer unlimited accruals of vacation and sick leave, it is not accurate to claim that \"no one\" in the private sector receives such benefits. There are indeed some companies that provide unlimited vacation and sick leave policies to their employees. However, it is important to note that these companies are the exception rather than the norm. So, while the statement captures the general trend, it is an overgeneralization to claim that absolutely no one in the private sector receives unlimited accruals of vacation and sick leave.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["His campaign platform calls for stopping unlimited accumulations of vacation and sick days and taking a long look at the city's pay scales. He told the weekly publication Creative Loafing in the Dec. 10, 2010, issue that, \"No one in the private sector gets unlimited accruals of vacation and sick leave. That's gotta be changed.\"","But his original statement was \"no one\" in the private sector gets unlimited vacation and sick leave. Several studies say that's not true -- though very few of those companies will pay for unused sick time upon retirement as the city does. The essence of his point is correct, and we rate Turanchik's statement Half True.","We sent Turanchik copies of the studies and asked him if he had any evidence to support his statement that \"no one\" in private business gets unlimited vacation and sick leave. He said he made the claim based on his own experience as a labor lawyer and from talking with business owners.","Turanchik's description of Tampa's benefits package is largely correct. He's also right that it's rare for a private business to offer unlimited accumulation of sick leave with a large payout upon retirement. Unlimited vacation also is rare."]},{"id":"7833.json","label":"false","statement":"Ronald Reagans signature on the 1986 amnesty act gave Barack Obama about 15 million additional Hispanic votes in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by King that Ronald Reagan's signature on the 1986 amnesty act gave Barack Obama about 15 million additional Hispanic votes in 2012 is not supported by credible evidence. While it is true that the 1986 amnesty act granted legal status to a significant number of individuals, the claim that these individuals solely contributed to Barack Obama's votes is an oversimplification and lacks sufficient evidence. The analysis presented by King relies on assumptions and extrapolations that are not substantiated by reliable data. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Ronald Reagan\u2019s signature on the 1986 amnesty act brought about Barack Obama\u2019s election,\" King said. \"If ... we take 15 million people out of the rolls and say they wouldn\u2019t have been here without the 1986 amnesty act, or at least they wouldn\u2019t be voting, and if 71 percent of them voted for Barack Obama, then it\u2019s clear to anybody that can do any kind of statistical analysis that Barack Obama wouldn\u2019t be President of the United States without Ronald Reagan\u2019s 1986 amnesty act.\"","\"Ronald Reagan\u2019s signature on the 1986 amnesty act brought about Barack Obama\u2019s election,\" King said in the May 23, 2013, speech.","King said that 3 million people \"received amnesty\" under the 1986 law. To that number, he added an additional five people for each newly legalized person, to reflect those legalized under family reunification policies. That means an additional 15 million people. If 71 percent of the combined 18 million Americans voted for Obama, King argued, then Obama benefited from nearly 13 million votes due to the act -- a number that\u2019s a lot bigger than his margin over Mitt Romney of 4.7 million votes. The gap is large enough to cushion any decline due to deaths and departures among 1986 amnesty recipients, something King suggested was a reasonable adjustment to make.","According to the Census Bureau, 3.1 million Hispanic voters in 2012 were immigrants. Let\u2019s assume, using our number from above, that 14 percent of them (or 434,000) were legalized by the 1986 act. If 71 percent voted for Obama, then he would have received about 308,000 votes as a result of the 1986 act. This is even further below King\u2019s estimate."]},{"id":"12143.json","label":"false","statement":"Nevada lawmakers permanently cut taxes for over 95 percent of Nevadas businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While State Sen. Michael Roberson has claimed that taxes were permanently cut for over 95 percent of Nevada's businesses, the evidence suggests otherwise. The changes made to Nevada's payroll tax did not result in a net decrease in taxes for businesses. While some businesses no longer have to worry about sudden tax increases, this does not equate to a permanent tax cut. Additionally, the percentage of businesses that were exempted from potential tax increases is significantly lower than the claimed 95 percent. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["State Sen. Majority Leader Michael Roberson, who\u2019s running for the state\u2019s open 3rd Congressional District Seat, has claimed in candidate forums and on campaign flyers that lawmakers \"permanently cut taxes for over 95 percent of Nevada\u2019s businesses.\"","\"I doubt anyone in this room is paying higher taxes based on last session,\" he told the audience at a candidate forum in early March. \"We cut taxes on 95 percent of all businesses in this state.\"","The changes made to Nevada\u2019s payroll tax aren\u2019t a traditional tax cut. No businesses saw their net tax bill decrease, but many businesses no longer have to worry every two years that their tax bill might suddenly rise. Still, the 95 percent figure isn\u2019t accurate, even if we accept such a generous definition of a tax cut. And narrowly focusing on one tax change ignores many other tax increases passed by lawmakers.","Using the campaign\u2019s methods, only around 11 percent of businesses registered in the state dodged the bullet of a potential tax increase. The percentage rises to roughly 66 percent exempted if you only include the applicable 53,000 businesses, but that\u2019s still a far cry from 95 percent."]},{"id":"9868.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama admin gutted @ProjChildSafe budget to provide trigger locks and safety kits.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that the Obama administration gutted the budget for Project ChildSafe, which provides trigger locks and safety kits. The statement lacks any specific details or sources to substantiate the claim. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making assertions about budgetary decisions made by previous administrations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","In comparing mass shootings, \"France had a higher casualty rate in one year than the entire two administrations of Barack Obama.\"","In 2009, President Barack Obama\u2019s economic recovery package barred stimulus checks for most prisoners. Only a few thousand got them, through an exception in the law for those who had just gone to jail.","Obama\u2019s administration in 2014 decided that improving living conditions in Central America would be beneficial to the U.S. and approved a new strategy to increase annual foreign aid to the region. Trump\u2019s administration did the opposite, proposing cuts instead."]},{"id":"209.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama's health care plan \"would leave 15-million Americans out.\"","reason":"Reason: According to statements made by Senator Hillary Clinton during a debate in 2007, she claimed that Barack Obama's health care plan at the time would leave 15 million Americans without coverage. However, it's important to note that this statement refers to a specific health care plan proposed by Obama during his presidential campaign, and it may not accurately reflect his current or final stance on health care. Without further context or information on the specific plan being referred to, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this claim in relation to Obama's overall health care policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sen. Barack Obama \"talks a lot about stepping up and taking responsibility and taking strong positions,\" Sen. Hillary Clinton said during a debate in November 2007, \"but when it came time to step up and decide whether or not he would support universal health care coverage, he chose not to do that. His plan would leave 15-million Americans out.\"","Obama \u201ctalks a lot about stepping up and taking responsibility and taking strong positions,\u201d Clinton said, \u201cBut when it came time to step up and decide whether or not he would support universal health care coverage, he chose not to do that. His plan would leave 15-million Americans out.\u201d","\u2022 Town hall in Grand Junction, Colo., Aug. 15, 2009: \"I just want to be completely clear about this. I keep on saying this but somehow folks aren't listening \u2014 if you like your health care plan, you keep your health care plan. Nobody is going to force you to leave your health care plan. If you like your doctor, you keep seeing your doctor.\"","Here are the 37 instances we could find in which President Barack Obama or a top administration official said something close to, \u201cIf you like your plan, you can keep your plan,\u201d referring to health insurance changes under the Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"9099.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our high school graduation rate is the highest on record.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. According to the federal government's metric, the high school graduation rate in the United States is indeed the highest on record. However, it's important to note that this metric only accounts for public school students and that data collection methods vary among states and local school districts, leading to inconsistencies. Additionally, there are alternative models that suggest the highest graduation rate was in 1969. Therefore, while the statement is true based on the federal government's metric, it is important to consider the limitations and variations in data collection methods.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our high school graduation rate is the highest on record. Absolutely,\" the politician said. \"More young people are earning college degrees than ever before.\"","Obama said, \"Our high school graduation rate is the highest on record.\" On paper, it\u2019s an accurate claim using the federal government's metric, but that only accounts for public school students and states and local school districts collect the data differently, creating inconsistencies. We also found another trusted model that puts the high point at 1969.","Back at the beginning of the year, before COVID-19 altered the state\u2019s school calendar, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds praised public schools In her January Condition of the State address for having \"the highest high-school graduation rate in the country.\" It\u2019s a popular sentiment that other Iowa politicians second \u2014 most notably Republicans when touting their state funding record for public schools.","Homeroom: Official Blog of the U.S. Department of Education, \" High School Graduation Rate at Highest Level in Three Decades,\" January 2013"]},{"id":"2080.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Were not engaged in nation-building in Afghanistan.","reason":"Reason: While the Biden administration may not use the term \"nation-building\" to describe its efforts in Afghanistan, there is evidence to suggest that the activities being undertaken align with what was traditionally understood as nation-building. Experts and analysts have differing opinions on this matter, with some arguing that the United States is indeed engaged in nation-building, while others may dispute the characterization. Therefore, while Vice President Biden's statement may reflect the administration's perspective, it does not fully capture the broader understanding of the activities being carried out in Afghanistan. Hence, the statement is considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"What we were engaged in was state building,\" said Weinbaum, now director for Afghanistan and Pakistan Studies at The Middle East Institute. \"They had a nation. A nation involves people's identity. What they didn\u2019t have were institutions of a state, so that\u2019s what we were engaged in.\"","The part that caught our eye was the notion that the United States is \"not engaged in nation-building.\" We thought it would be worth seeing whether that's a fair characterization of what the U.S. is doing.","Doug Bandow, a senior fellow with the libertarian Cato Institute, said, \"Of course they are engaged in nation-building, and of course they are denying it.\"","So let's recap. When Biden says that \"we're not engaged in nation-building\" in Afghanistan, he's correct that the administration doesn't use that word, and that the U.S. commitment is narrower and more time-limited than a nation-building effort might be. However, many of the things the U.S. is seeking to do in Afghanistan would fall under a reasonable definition of what used to be known as nation-building. So while we acknowledge the limits of U.S. military intentions in Afghanistan, we don't think it's right to let the vice president simply deny the existence of the types of activities formerly identified with \"nation building\" by disavowing the phrase. So we rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"8599.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Floridas proposed amendment for medical marijuana would allow people who alleged minor ailments such as muscle spasms, neck pain, back pain and even menstrual cramps (to qualify) for government-sanctioned pot-smoking.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns raised about Florida's proposed amendment for medical marijuana. The amendment, as described, includes a broad definition of \"condition\" that could potentially allow individuals with minor ailments such as muscle spasms, neck pain, back pain, and even menstrual cramps to qualify for medical marijuana. This has been criticized as a potential loophole that could lead to the use of marijuana for conditions that may not necessarily require it. However, it's important to note that the final determination of whether a patient's condition qualifies for a medical marijuana license would be made by physicians, providing some level of flexibility and medical expertise in the process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Florida\u2019s proposed amendment for medical marijuana would allow \"people who alleged minor ailments such as muscle spasms, neck pain, back pain and even menstrual cramps (to qualify) for government-sanctioned pot-smoking.\"","\"Authors of the amendment have included a truck-sized loophole in the definition of debilitating diseases, which changes the word disease into \u2018condition.\u2019 And what constitutes a valid \u2018condition?\u2019 \" Judd wrote. \"Any condition where the \u2018use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks\u2019 of someone who claimed to be sick. This means people who alleged minor ailments such as muscle spasms, neck pain, back pain and even menstrual cramps have qualified for government-sanctioned pot-smoking.\"","Judd said that people with \"minor ailments\" could get access to marijuana if Florida\u2019s proposed amendment passes next year. He mentioned spasms and other chronic pain as a minor condition, when sometimes those conditions are quite serious. But compared to most other states, Florida\u2019s ballot language is flexible because it allows for physicians to determine whether a patient\u2019s condition qualifies for a license. We rate Judd\u2019s statement Mostly True.","Oh, and as for menstrual cramps, ladies? Abrams said Queen Victoria opted for a little marijuana therapy to relieve her pain in the 19th century."]},{"id":"8621.json","label":"true","statement":"We, the bishops of the United States -- can you believe it -- in 1919 came out for more affordable, more comprehensive, more universal health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical position of the United States bishops in support of expanding healthcare. In 1919, the National Catholic Welfare Council, the predecessor of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, published literature advocating for the expansion of healthcare. Experts confirm that the bishops have consistently supported proposals to expand healthcare over the years, despite disagreements on specific provisions. Therefore, the claim made by the bishops in 1919 for more affordable, comprehensive, and universal healthcare is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We bishops have been really kind of in a tough place because we're for universal, comprehensive, life-affirming health care,\" Dolan said. \"We, the bishops of the United States -- can you believe it -- in 1919 came out for more affordable, more comprehensive, more universal health care. That's how far back we go in this battle, okay?\"","Experts pointed us to the history of the National Catholic Welfare Council, the predecessor of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The council held an annual meeting in which U.S. bishops discussed national policy issues such as education, welfare and health care.","Dolan said U.S. bishops have supported expanding health care since 1919. He\u2019s correct that the National Catholic Welfare Council published pro-health-care expansion literature that year, and experts told us that the bishops have regularly supported proposals to expand health care over the years, despite disagreements over specific provisions enacted under Obama, including contraception regulations. We rate Dolan\u2019s claim True.","\"The flap is over the (contraception) issue,\" said Maria Mazzenga, a Catholic history archivist at The Catholic University of America. \"That\u2019s where it comes to appear that they\u2019re against universal health care.\""]},{"id":"10403.json","label":"true","statement":"Supreme Court 15 times over the last 120 years has said marriage is a fundamental right and never said it had to be between a man and a woman.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Olson that the Supreme Court has recognized marriage as a fundamental right in 15 cases over the last 120 years, and in none of those cases did it specify that marriage had to be between a man and a woman. This claim has been supported by experts and fact-checkers, who have found it to be true. It is important to note that recent Supreme Court rulings have further clarified and expanded the understanding of marriage rights. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Olson said, the \"Supreme Court 15 times over the last 120 years has said marriage is a fundamental right\" and never said \"it had to be between a man and a woman.\"","Olson said in January that the Supreme Court \"15 times over the last 120 years has said that \u2018marriage is a fundamental right\" and \"never once in any of those cases did it say that it had to be between a man and a woman.\"","\"The United States Supreme Court 15 times over the last 120 years has said that \u2018marriage is a fundamental right,\u2019\" Olson said.","Olson provided a list of 15 cases that addressed marriage as something like a \"fundamental right\" that did not specify marriage as a union between a man and woman. Several experts backed up his claim. Until recent years, though, the Supreme Court never had to address the question of whether or not marriage should be limited to a man and woman. We rated this claim True."]},{"id":"9284.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"For every Kentuckian that has enrolled in Obamacare, 40 have been dropped from their coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Rand Paul that for every Kentuckian enrolled in Obamacare, 40 have been dropped from their coverage is not supported by credible evidence. In fact, it is mathematically impossible for this claim to be true. Even considering the narrowest definition of \"sign-ups,\" the number of cancellations required for the statement to be accurate would far exceed the number of Kentuckians with private insurance plans. Furthermore, available data suggests that more people in Kentucky have gained coverage through Obamacare than have been canceled. The claim is highly inaccurate and has been debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The claim that leapt out at us was, \"For every Kentuckian that has enrolled in Obamacare, 40 have been dropped from their coverage.\" Could that really be true? We took a look at the data.","Paul said that \"for every Kentuckian that has enrolled in Obamacare, 40 have been dropped from their coverage.\" That\u2019s not mathematically possible. If you take the narrowest definition of \"sign-ups,\" there would have to be 3.3 million cancellations in the state for Paul\u2019s statement to be accurate -- and there aren\u2019t even that many Kentuckians with private insurance plans that could theoretically be canceled. In fact, it\u2019s reasonable to argue that more people in Kentucky have coverage through Obamacare than have been canceled. Paul\u2019s statement is so wildly off that we rate it Pants on Fire.","\"Since the implementation of Obamacare, hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians have received cancellation notices from their current health care providers. For every Kentuckian that has enrolled in Obamacare, 40 have been dropped from their coverage. Obamacare has been presented to the American people through twisted rhetoric, smoke and mirrors. Obamacare is not good for America and it certainly (is) not good for Kentucky. I would like (to) hear how Obamacare affected you, your family or your small business. Share your story by visiting my website.\"","!Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said that the number of Obamacare-related cancellations exceeds the number of Kentuckians who got coverage under the law by a margin of 40 to 1. Is that correct? !Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said that the number of Obamacare-related cancellations exceeds the number of Kentuckians who got coverage under the law by a margin of 40 to 1. Is that correct?"]},{"id":"6276.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the money is in the budget to give a tax break to everyone, including people making more than $1 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the budget does include a provision for a tax break, it is specifically targeted towards individuals earning $1 million or more per year, as mentioned in the evidence. The tax break is not intended to benefit everyone, but rather a specific group of high-income earners. Therefore, the statement that the money is in the budget to give a tax break to everyone, including people making more than $1 million, is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Notably, this is a tiny group. While the term \"millionaires\" is often defined as people whose net worth is north of $1 million, this table refers to Americans earning $1 million a year in income, a much rarer accomplishment.","The committee found 43,000 taxpayers earning $1 million or more would indeed benefit from the provision, and they would reap nearly 82% of the total money saved.","\"Combined reporting\": A partial rollback of a tax increase that was adopted two years ago on multi-state corporations. The fiscal bureau estimates the rollback would reduce tax revenue by $366 million over 10 years, making it the second-largest tax break.","A bit more than 10% of households have at least $1 million in net worth, but fewer than 1% of all workers, by some estimates, earn more than $1 million a year."]},{"id":"7396.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 2012 was the first year in American history that more minorities are being born than people in the majority.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially incorrect. While it is true that there was a milestone in 2011 when a majority of people in the United States younger than age 1 were minorities, Booker incorrectly stated that this occurred in 2012. According to the Census Bureau, this milestone happened in 2011, not 2012. Additionally, when considering the number of births, there has not been a year where the number of minority births exceeded the number of non-Hispanic white births. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Booker claimed that 2012 was the \"first year in American history that more minorities are being born than people in the majority.\"","Booker claimed on \"Bill Maher Overtime\" that 2012 was the \"first year in American history that more minorities are being born than people in the majority.\"","Since 2000, the highest number of minorities born in the United States was in 2007, at 2,005,890 \u2013 but there were 2,310,333 non-Hispanic whites also born that year. After reviewing 11 years worth of data, there was no other year in which the number of minority births was higher than that of the majority, non-Hispanic whites.","Looking strictly at population breakdowns by race, the Census Bureau said 2011 was the first time a majority of people in the United States younger than age 1 were minorities. Booker\u2019s claim referenced that milestone, but with the wrong year. The mayor said it happened in 2012, but the Census Bureau said it occurred in 2011. Since Booker\u2019s statistic was partially correct we rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"9471.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Dan Patrick has called immigration into Texas an invasion and said immigrants coming into Texas bring third-world diseases.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made about Dan Patrick regarding immigration into Texas. Multiple sources, including interviews and public statements, confirm that Dan Patrick has referred to immigration as an invasion and has made statements about immigrants bringing third-world diseases to Texas. It is important to note that these claims are attributed to Dan Patrick and may not reflect the views of others. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The Battleground Texas activist said Patrick has \"called immigration into Texas an invasion\" and Patrick has \"said immigrants coming into Texas bring \u2018third-world diseases.\u2019\"","In a June 10, 2014, interview on Bloomberg TV, Jeremy Bird said Patrick, the Houston state senator who dusted incumbent David Dewhurst in the May 2014 primary runoff for the Republican lieutenant governor nomination, has \"called immigration into Texas an invasion\" and \"said immigrants coming into Texas bring \u2018third-world diseases.\u2019 \"","This year and earlier, Patrick referred to illegal immigration as an invasion that he wants to stopper. In 2006, he was quoted as saying illegal immigrants bring third-world diseases to the state.","Patrick bridled after San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said to him in an immigration debate aired by Univision and posted online by the Texas Tribune: \"You have talked about undocumented immigrants bringing third-world diseases including leprosy and polio to Texas. You have said that we\u2019re seeing an illegal invasion from Mexico.\""]},{"id":"2554.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Harry Reid voted to use taxpayer dollars to pay for Viagra for convicted child molesters and sex offenders.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While it is true that Harry Reid voted against a prohibition on taxpayer-subsidized Viagra for sex offenders, it is important to note that the use of taxpayer dollars for sex-offender Viagra was a hypothetical scenario at the time. There were no actual laws or regulations in place that allowed for this use of taxpayer funds. Additionally, the ad fails to mention that there was ample time for lawmakers or federal officials to write laws or regulations to prevent this from happening before it could potentially start in 2014. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In this article, we'll focus on the Viagra claim. The narrator says, \"Here's the kicker: Reid actually voted to use taxpayer dollars to pay for Viagra for convicted child molesters and sex offenders. What else could you ever need to know about Harry Reid?\"","In an ad released Oct. 7, 2010( \"ad released on Oct. 7, 2010\"), Angle accuses Harry Reid of voting to use taxpayer dollars to pay for Viagra for convicted child molesters and sex offenders.","The ad is correct that Reid voted against a prohibition on taxpayer-subsidized Viagra for sex offenders. But the ad leaves out a lot of important context that, if it had been included, would have given a different impression. We rate the ad Barely True.","We should also mention that the use of taxpayer dollars for sex-offender Viagra was -- and is -- a hypothetical. While CRS concluded that there was nothing in the current law to stop it from happening, the earliest it could start is in 2014 -- so there's ample time for lawmakers or federal officials to write laws or regulations to stop it before then."]},{"id":"1217.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"House Republicans pledged to introduce a bill to reform Americas health care system,\" but \"the 'party of no' has . . . failed to produce legislation.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the claim that House Republicans pledged to introduce a bill to reform America's healthcare system. However, it is important to note that the claim that they have failed to produce legislation is not entirely accurate. While it is true that House Republicans have made attempts to repeal or modify the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, they have introduced several bills related to healthcare reform. These bills may not have gained enough support or passed into law, but it is incorrect to say that they have completely failed to produce any legislation on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"3278.json","label":"true","statement":"The House of Delegates budget bill cuts $50 million from education.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Senate Democratic Caucus and the Richmond Times-Dispatch have reported that the House of Delegates budget bill includes a $50 million cut to education. This information is based on the overall dollar figures proposed by the governor and adopted by the House of Delegates.\nLabel: true","evidence":["To review, the Senate Democratic Caucus says the House of Delegates is pushing a budget \"that cuts $50 million from education.\" They are basing this on the overall dollar figures proposed by the governor and largely adopted by the House of Delegates.","In a Feb. 10 press release, the Senate Democratic Caucus said the Senate had \"introduced a balanced budget restoring funding cuts to education, public safety and health care,\" while saying the House \"introduced a budget that cuts $50 million from education, and reduces funding from other core areas.\"","House Appropriations Committee, Comparison of House and Senate Budget Amendments: House Bill 1500 and Senate Bill 800, accessed Feb. 17, 2011.","Keiana Page, communications director for the Senate Democratic Caucus, said the number comes from a Feb. 17 article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The story indeed said the House budget would cut K-12 spending by $50 million. That\u2019s the roughly the amount the House wants to reduce an education budget recommended by Gov. Bob McDonnell in December."]},{"id":"4316.json","label":"false","statement":"In Texas, we teach both creationism and evolution in our public schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is possible that individual teachers in Texas may address creationism in their classrooms, it is not state law or policy to teach creationism alongside evolution in public schools. The Texas curriculum standards specifically require the teaching of evolution, and creationism is not considered a scientific concept and is not part of the official curriculum in Texas public schools.\nLabel: false","evidence":["--Perry told a youngster that in Texas, \"we teach both creationism and evolution\" in public schools. False. Some teachers surely address creationism, but it\u2019s not state law or policy to intermix instruction on creationism and evolution.","\"Here your mom was asking about evolution, and you know it's a theory that's out there, and it's got some gaps in it,\" Perry said. \"In Texas, we teach both creationism and evolution in our public schools \u2014 because I figure you're smart enough to figure out which one is right.\"","We wondered whether he\u2019s correct that creationism, the biblical explanation of human origins, and evolution, the scientific theory, are both taught in Texas public schools.","Chuck Hempstead, executive director of the Science Teachers Association of Texas, said the Texas curriculum standards \"require the teaching of evolution. Creationism is not science and is not addressed in Texas public schools.\""]},{"id":"529.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"McCain lobbied for (a) $10-million pork project honoring conservative justice.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Senator McCain co-sponsored legislation in 2006 that requested $10 million for an academic center at the University of Arizona named after former Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist. The term \"pork project\" is subjective and often used to describe government spending that is considered wasteful or unnecessary. In this case, the use of the term \"pork project\" is subjective and depends on one's perspective on the value and purpose of the academic center. However, it is important to note that the statement includes the word \"conservative\" to describe Justice Rehnquist, which is an unnecessary addition as it does not directly relate to the funding request. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a recent e-mail to reporters, Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, tries to paint McCain as a hypocrite, pointing out that in 2006, McCain co-sponsored legislation with fellow Arizona Republican Sen. Jon Kyl \"that asked for $10-million for an academic center at the University of Arizona named in honor of William Rehnquist, the former U.S. Supreme Court chief justice.\" In essence, Obama argued, McCain had \"lobbied for (a) $10-million pork project.\"","The latter is what's at stake in the request for $10-million for an academic center at the University of Arizona, even if it is named after the late U.S. chief justice. For a purist on spending like McCain, it's hard to argue this wasn't a parochial, pork-barrel project. As a result, we find Obama's charge Mostly True.","As PolitiFact writer John Frank pointed out earlier this year, McCain has rarely sought pork, but he has on a few occasions, such as his 2006 legislation that asked for $10-million for an academic center at the University of Arizona to honor the late Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Or McCain's 2003 effort to use federal funds to buy property to create a buffer zone around Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, or his 1992 request that the Environmental Protection Agency provide $5-million toward a wastewater project in Nogales, Ariz.","The latest instance comes in remarks McCain made at a rally in Tampa on Sept. 16. McCain said: \"I have never asked for a single earmark, pork-barrel project for my state of Arizona. Sen. Obama has asked for $932-million in earmarks, literally one million dollars for every day that he's been in Congress.\" McCain had made nearly the identical claim just a week ago in mailer that is now circulating in Florida. \"Obama has requested $1-million in pork barrel spending for every working day he has been in the Senate,\" it says, while \"John McCain has never sought a single dollar.\""]},{"id":"1555.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care bill will \"create 4 million jobs, 400,000 jobs almost immediately.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pelosi regarding the health care bill creating 4 million jobs is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a report by the Center for American Progress estimated that health care reform could potentially create an average of 250,000 to 400,000 jobs per year over a decade, Pelosi's claim fails to acknowledge the uncertainties and variations in job creation. The estimate of 400,000 jobs is the most optimistic scenario from the report, and it does not guarantee immediate job creation. Additionally, there are differing opinions on whether the health care bill will ultimately create or cut jobs. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive representation of the potential job impact of the health care bill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So, in her statement, Pelosi assumes that 400,000 jobs are created every year for a total of 4 million over 10 years. But Pelosi is cherry-picking the most optimistic number from one study. A more moderate rate of reduction could produce fewer jobs per year, according to the report. Furthermore, she fails to mention that the 400,000 is an average, meaning that some years could produce a higher number of jobs and others could produce fewer jobs. And finally, there's clearly a lot of uncertainty about whether the health care bill, with its fines on employers who don't provide health insurance, will create jobs or cut jobs. As a result, we find Pelosi's claim Half True.","All told, the authors of the report estimate that health care reform could produce, on average, 250,000 to 400,000 jobs a year over the next decade. To come up with those job numbers, Cutler and Sood modeled two scenarios. In the first, medical cost reductions would occur at a moderate 0.75 percentage points annually, producing an average of 250,000 jobs every year. In the more aggressive scenario, medical cost reductions are as high as 1.5 percent annually, producing an average of 400,000 jobs per year.","The Democrats assume that their bills will make health care less expensive, meaning that employers will have more money to hire more workers. For instance, Obama's Council of Economic Advisers estimated in December that health care reform could create 320,000 additional jobs.","So, we asked Pelosi's office for more information. Her spokesman, Nadeam Elshami, pointed us to a recent study by the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning public policy think tank. According to the report, \"one important way to create jobs is to slow the growth of medical spending. If health care cost increases slow down, then businesses will find it more profitable to expand employment, and workers will more readily move into those new jobs.\""]},{"id":"5485.json","label":"false","statement":"Says pension contributions under Gov. Chris Christie would represent 75 percent of the total contribution made between the years 1995 and 2010. Thats right, in 15 years, total state contribution was only $2.1 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that the total state contribution to pensions between 1995 and 2010 was $2.1 billion, the claim that Governor Chris Christie's pension contributions would represent 75 percent of that total is incorrect. Based on the evidence provided, it is stated that Christie's total contribution would represent about 45 percent of the total payment made during that period, which is significantly lower than the 75 percent claimed.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says pension contributions under Gov. Chris Christie would represent \"75 percent of the total contribution made between the years 1995 and 2010. That's right, in 15 years, total state contribution was only $2.1 billion.\"","In a TV interview, Chiusano claimed that Christie\u2019s total pension contribution would represent \"75 percent of the total contribution made between the years 1995 and 2010. That's right, in 15 years, total state contribution was only $2.1 billion.\"","\"Brenda, that's 75 percent of the total contribution made between the years 1995 and 2010,\" Chiusano continued. \"That's right, in 15 years, total state contribution was only $2.1 billion.\"","Based on that figure, Christie\u2019s total contribution would represent about 45 percent of the total payment made between 1995 and 2010. That\u2019s 30 percentage points less than the 75 percent claimed by Chiusano."]},{"id":"4990.json","label":"false","statement":"I balanced the budget for four straight years, paid off $405 billion in debt.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Newt Gingrich balanced the budget for four straight years and paid off $405 billion in debt is inaccurate. While Gingrich did play a role in the budget negotiations during his time as Speaker of the House, the statement implies that he personally achieved these outcomes, which is not the case. The budget was balanced during the late 1990s, but it was a result of a combination of factors, including economic growth and bipartisan cooperation. Additionally, the claim that $405 billion in debt was paid off is misleading, as the national debt did not decrease during that time period. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u2022 \"I balanced the budget for four straight years, paid off $405 billion in debt.\" (Republican presidential debate in Sioux City, Iowa, Dec. 15, 2011)","\"For four years, we balanced the budget and paid off $405 billion in debt,\" Gingrich said in a video on his campaign website.","The claim that Gingrich \"balanced the budget for four straight years (and) paid off $405 billion in debt\" sounded familiar. It turns out that we originally fact-checked it when Gingrich made it on May 11, 2011, when he released a video to launch his presidential campaign.","\u2022 \"For four years, we balanced the budget and paid off $405 billion in debt.\" (video announcement that he would run for president, May 11, 2011)"]},{"id":"11369.json","label":"false","statement":"The Benghazi probe is the longest-running congressional investigation ever.","reason":"Reason: While there have been claims that the Benghazi probe is the longest-running congressional investigation ever, these claims are not entirely accurate. The statement fails to consider other investigations throughout history that have lasted longer. Additionally, it's important to note that there were multiple hearings on the Benghazi attacks before the official probe began, which further complicates the timeline. While the Benghazi investigation has received significant attention, it is not accurate to label it as the longest-running congressional investigation ever.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Briefing -- an arm of the Clinton campaign that aims to counter what it considers misinformation in the public sphere -- tweeted on Sept. 30 from its account: \"It's the longest-running congressional investigation ever. It's cost taxpayers $4 million. And what's it about?\"","Critics of the House of Representatives\u2019 Benghazi investigation have recently begun to make a strong claim -- that it is officially the longest congressional investigation in history.","In recent days, the claim that this is the longest-running investigation ever has gone somewhat viral. We saw it in The Hill, Salon, The New York Times, Esquire, MSNBC, ABC News and, notably, a Twitter account belonging to Clinton\u2019s campaign.","It\u2019s also worth noting that before the Benghazi committee started the official probe, Congress held a variety of hearings on the attacks. But this is the case for many of these investigations -- and even if you take the questionable step of starting the clock with some of the earlier congressional Benghazi investigations, several probes through history still lasted longer than the ones on Benghazi."]},{"id":"5856.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker has caused Wisconsin to lose more jobs than any other state in the country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Wisconsin experienced job losses during Governor Scott Walker's tenure, it is an overstatement to claim that he caused Wisconsin to lose more jobs than any other state in the country. While Walker's policies and decisions may have had an impact on job growth, there are numerous factors that contribute to job fluctuations in a state, including national economic trends and industry-specific challenges. It is important to consider the broader context and not solely attribute job losses to the actions of one individual.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Barrett said Walker \"has caused Wisconsin to lose more jobs than any other state in the country.\" He is accurate on the job losses but overstates Walker\u2019s role in causing them.","Says Gov. Scott Walker has dropped Wisconsin \"to 45th in the nation in job growth prospects while campaigning for president out of state.\"","Even if Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker had never promised that 250,000 private-sector jobs would be created during his first term in office, critics would have castigated him once the state\u2019s monthly jobs losses began to mount.","!Gov. Scott Walker toured a mining products manufacturing facility on Feb. 28, 2012. !Gov. Scott Walker toured a mining products manufacturing facility on Feb. 28, 2012."]},{"id":"6814.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Almost 400 arrests in the city last year for panhandling-related offenses involved just 78 suspects, an indication that the same people are panhandling over and over.","reason":"Reason: Councilman Bond's statement is supported by data from the Atlanta Department of Corrections and the Municipal Court of Atlanta. The sources indicate that there were almost 400 arrests for panhandling-related offenses in the city, and these arrests involved only 78 suspects. This suggests that a small number of individuals were repeatedly engaging in panhandling. However, it's important to note that the charges for panhandling-related offenses can vary, and the numbers can change based on the specific situations and offenses considered. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood that the range of offenses and charges can affect the numbers presented.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During the Sept. 17 council meeting, the Business Chronicle wrote that Bond cited statistics showing that almost 400 arrests in the city last year for panhandling-related offenses involved just 78 suspects, an indication that the same people were panhandling over and over.","So, is Atlanta Councilman Bond correct in his statement that 78 offenders were responsible for almost 400 arrests in the city last year for panhandling-related offenses? His assessment of the repeat offender aggressive panhandling problem appears accurate. But the varying charges that can make up panhandling-related offenses are not uniform and can change based on the situation. By using certain sets of public safety data, the statement can be correct, but shifting the range of offenses can change the numbers. Because of this possibility, we rate Bond\u2019s claim Mostly True.","With so many arrests, we questioned whether such a small number of people could be responsible for all the offenses. What data did Bond use to make the statement, and was the recidivist claim truly indicative of Atlanta\u2019s aggressive panhandling problem?","We checked with Bond\u2019s office about the source for its statistics. The numbers used in the statements were taken from two sources: the Atlanta Department of Corrections and the Municipal Court of Atlanta. Bond\u2019s staff narrowed the court data of arrests between 2005 and July 2012 for panhandling-related offenses. Using just arrests from July 2011 through July 2012, staff then hand-counted the offenses and repeat offenders."]},{"id":"4507.json","label":"false","statement":"Stimulus money funded a government board that made recommendations that would cost 378,000 jobs and $28.3 billion in sales.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The government board mentioned in the statement was not funded by stimulus money, as claimed. It was created by a separate bill and funded through regular agency budgets. Additionally, the projected job losses and sales reduction figures are misleading. The IHS report mentioned in the evidence states that the estimated loss of $28.3 billion in sales and 378,000 jobs is for 2011 alone, not the cumulative impact. The projected loss of sales from 2011 through 2015 is actually $152 billion. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the funding source and misinterprets the impact of the recommendations made by the government board.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It said that \"even the working group concluded that the guidelines would result in a 20 percent reduction in ad expenditures that would in turn cause losses of $28.3 billion in manufacturing and retail sales and 378,000 jobs lost by 2015.\"","\"2) Stimulus $ study on food advertising: proj -$28.3 billion in sales and -378,000 #jobs \u2013 just to keep Chester the Cheetah off the air,\" he tweeted.","We also noticed that the Heritage Foundation\u2019s numbers are off, as are those in Broun\u2019s tweet. The IHS report actually says that from 2011 through 2015, lost sales would total $152 billion. The predicted loss of $28.3 billion is for 2011 alone.","Furthermore, stimulus dollars did not fund the group, as Broun asserted. Records show the board was created by a separate bill and was funded by the regular budgets of the agencies involved."]},{"id":"7631.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says PETA is using this really fancy drone to follow hunters around in some places in other countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While PETA has expressed interest in using drones for monitoring hunting activities, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that they are currently using drones for this purpose in other countries. The information provided indicates that PETA is considering the use of drones, but it does not confirm their active use in monitoring hunters. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Negron said he thought PETA is \"using this really fancy drone to follow hunters around in some places in other countries to watch their hunting activities.\"","\"I don\u2019t know how many of you saw the story about, and this is in another country so it\u2019s beyond the jurisdiction of the Florida Legislature, but I think it\u2019s PETA is using this really fancy drone to follow hunters around in some places in other countries to watch their hunting activities,\" Negron told reporters on April 10. \"You're going to see more and more creative uses of drones because the technology has become so affordable.\"","So PETA says it is planning to use drones both domestically and abroad, but it hasn't yet. Negron got that mixed up. But other wildlife protection groups, such as the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, have used drones to target illegal hunters in other countries.","!PETA says it is interested in buying this remote-controlled CineStar Octocopter, a drone made by Aerobot. Photo from !PETA says it is interested in buying this remote-controlled CineStar Octocopter, a drone made by Aerobot. Photo from"]},{"id":"3174.json","label":"false","statement":"United States students are achieving at number 25 out of 29 developing countries when it comes to science and math.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there is evidence to suggest that U.S. students' performance in science and math is not as strong as desired, the claim that they rank 25th out of 29 developing countries is not supported by the evidence provided. It is worth noting that the evidence mentioned refers to \"developed\" countries rather than \"developing\" countries. However, even when considering developed countries, the specific ranking mentioned is not substantiated. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We know that right now United States students are achieving at number 25 out of 29 developing countries when it comes to science and math.\"","Kleefisch said U.S. students \"are achieving at number 25 out of 29 developing countries when it comes to science and math.\" We assume she meant \"developed\" rather than \"developing\" countries. But her point was that U.S. students ranked near the bottom in science and math.","( - Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch says that U.S. students rank 25th of 29 developing countries in science and math&url=)","Bush has changed how he has worded his claim about how per-student spending in the United States compares to other countries. In 2013, Bush claimed that the United States spends \"more per student than any country in the world,\" which noted was inaccurate since a few countries spent more."]},{"id":"9261.json","label":"true","statement":"The Rhode Island Parole Board never received an objection from the attorney general to the parole of convicted murder Alfred Brissette.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the evidence provided. The parole board chairman confirmed that the lack of objection from the attorney general did not impact their decision to grant parole to Alfred Brissette. Additionally, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin criticized the parole board's decision and stated that they should have reached a different conclusion considering the severity of Brissette's crime. Therefore, it can be concluded that the parole board did not receive an objection from the attorney general regarding Brissette's parole.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When the Rhode Island Parole Board granted parole to convicted murderer Alfred Brissette in November 2013, its decision was widely criticized.","\"When the press went to the parole board and said \u2018how can you let an animal like this loose,\u2019 they responded by saying, well, we never received an objection from the attorney general or from the victim\u2019s family,\u2019\" Hodgson, a North Kingstown Republican, said in a March 27 interview on the public-access TV show \"State of the State.\"","Parole Board Chairman Kenneth Walker declined to explain why the board approved Brissette\u2019s release other than to say the board has confidence in the program devised for him. He said the lack of a recommendation from the attorney general had no effect on the board\u2019s decision.","Among the critics was Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, whose office issued a statement at the time saying Brissette\u2019s crime was \"so egregious that the Parole Board should have come to a different conclusion.\""]},{"id":"6351.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The largest number of bankruptcies in our country are really as a result of health care.","reason":"Reason: While medical bills and illnesses can contribute to bankruptcies, it is challenging to definitively determine the single most significant factor leading to bankruptcy. Bankruptcies can arise from a combination of various factors, and it is not accurate to claim that health care is the primary cause of the largest number of bankruptcies in the country. While health care costs can certainly be a burden for individuals and families, other financial challenges and circumstances also contribute to bankruptcy filings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In other words, when my brother Teddy had life-threatening cancer, my father realized that they had to worry about his survival, but they didn\u2019t have to worry about him being bankrupted because he was trying to save his son\u2019s life,\" Kennedy said. \"Many Americans are worried that when an illness strikes the family, not only is it an illness, but it's a threat of bankruptcy. And the largest number of bankruptcies in our country are really as a result of health care.\"","It\u2019s tough to tease out the single-most factor in bankruptcies, because people can find themselves in debt for multiple reasons at once. But medical bills and illnesses can play a role in bankruptcy, including when people can\u2019t work as a result of their health.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","We found that it isn\u2019t so simple to determine if health care is the top reason for Americans to declare bankruptcy."]},{"id":"6058.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More Hispanics have fallen into poverty under Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the census data, there was an increase of 2.25 million Hispanics falling below the poverty line during Obama's presidency. However, it's important to note that the poverty rate itself remained relatively stable throughout Obama's tenure. While the number of Hispanics in poverty increased, it does not necessarily imply a significant growth in poverty rates among Hispanics under Obama.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We decided to take a look at one of those statistical claims, specifically that \"more Hispanics have fallen into poverty under Obama.\"","Romney\u2019s ad correctly states that more Hispanics in the U.S. have fallen below the poverty line since Obama took office: 2.25 million more people through 2010, according to the census.","While Trump didn\u2019t directly take credit for the decline in his Wheeling remarks, it\u2019s worth noting that the poverty rate had fallen for several years running under his predecessor, President Barack Obama. So the pattern stems from the generally improving economy under both presidents.","The rate of poverty, a much more useful statistic, has been fairly stable throughout Obama\u2019s presidency, hovering just above 23 percent. So the implication of Trump\u2019s statement \u2014 that poverty among Hispanics has grown significantly under Obama \u2014 is incorrect."]},{"id":"1151.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Any government-run 'public' plan ... creates an entitlement that will cost another $1 trillion over the next 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it fails to provide the full context. While it is true that the implementation of a government-run 'public' plan could potentially lead to additional costs, it is important to note that the overall health care bill being discussed is not solely focused on a government-run plan. The $1 trillion cost mentioned in the statement includes all aspects of the bill, not just the government-run plan. Therefore, the statement lacks clarity and misrepresents the comprehensive nature of the health care reform bill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Any Government-Run 'Public' Plan - Why it's the WRONG solution to America's Health Care Problems - Creates an entitlement that will cost another $1 trillion over the next 10 years, on top of the trillions the government is already planning to spend on health care.\"","Waite says that \"Any Government-Run 'Public' Plan ... Creates an entitlement that will cost another $1 trillion over the next 10 years, on top of the trillions the government is already planning to spend on health care.\" But, to be clear, the overall health bill is not a \"government-run 'public' plan. The public aspect is just a part it, which people can choose to participate in or not. She also offers a confusing way to explain the cost of the health care reform bill, and we want to be clear that $1 trillion includes all aspects of the bill. So we rate her statement Half True.","\"Over 10 years, the plan will reduce spending (outlays) by almost $1 trillion without touching defense or entitlement spending,\" the campaign said.","\"The 'Penny Plan' would reduce non-defense, non-safety net spending by one percent of the previous year\u2019s total each year. Over 10 years, the plan will reduce spending (outlays) by almost $1 trillion without touching defense or entitlement spending.\""]},{"id":"10877.json","label":"true","statement":"If you count United States airstrikes against ISIS, 75 percent of those combat missions return to base without having fired a weapon.","reason":"Reason: According to data provided by the U.S. Central Command, as cited by Senator John McCain, approximately 75 percent of combat missions conducted by the United States in airstrikes against ISIS return to base without having fired a weapon. This is due to the absence of ground forces that can accurately identify and designate targets for airstrikes. Without proper ground coordination, airstrikes may not be carried out to avoid the risk of civilian casualties or hitting non-targets. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the data provided by the U.S. Central Command.\nLabel: true","evidence":["McCain said that if you count United States airstrikes against ISIS, \"75 percent of those combat missions return to base without having fired a weapon.\"","\"We need to have a robust strategy,\" McCain said. \"We need more troops on the ground. We need forward air controllers. But just referring to airstrikes, do you know that 75 percent of those combat missions return to base without having fired a weapon? It\u2019s because we don\u2019t have somebody on the ground who can identify \u2026 a moving target. ... We found in Vietnam that if you don\u2019t have the right strategy, airpower is minimal in its effect.\"","When we checked with the senator\u2019s staff, they said that McCain -- who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee -- was basing his claim on data he was given by the U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, the part of the military that oversees activities the region where the airstrikes are being carried out. The data McCain\u2019s staff had at the time of his appearance on Face the Nation showed that through the end of March, there had been 2,950 strikes out of 12,121 strike-sorties, or 24 percent. That leaves 75 percent of sorties that had no strikes. (Strike-sorties do not include support flights, such as those for surveillance or tanker refuelings.)","As the United States struggles with how best to respond militarily to Islamic State advances in Iraq, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., offered a bit of context about how airstrikes in the region are proceeding."]},{"id":"5015.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The fact is, over 2.4 million jobs have been lost since the Stimulus bill was signed into law in February of 2009.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that over 2.4 million jobs have been lost since the \"Stimulus\" bill was signed into law in February 2009. However, it is important to note that this statement does not provide the full context of the job market during that period. The global financial crisis in 2008 significantly impacted the job market, and the effects of the recession cannot be solely attributed to the stimulus bill. While the statement is factually correct, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to job losses during that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The fact is, over 2.4 million jobs have been lost since the 'Stimulus' bill was signed into law in February of 2009.\"","\"The fact is, over 2.4 million jobs have been lost since the 'Stimulus' bill was signed into law in February of 2009.\"","> The fact is, over 2.4 million jobs have been lost since the \"Stimulus\" bill was signed into law in February of 2009. Over 15,800 construction, manufacturing, and retail jobs were lost during August 2011 and overall our country continues to face a 9.1 percent unemployment rate. Higher taxes, record spending, and bigger government have failed to create jobs or boost economic growth.","If the statement had been, \"The fact is, over 2.4 million jobs have been lost since February of 2009,\" we would be done. Southerland used mainstream stats correctly, even if they were a few months old."]},{"id":"43.json","label":"false","statement":"If African-Americans vote their percentage of the population in 2008, \"Mississippi is suddenly a Democratic state.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Barack Obama mentioned the potential impact of African-Americans voting their percentage of the population in Mississippi and other states, the evidence suggests that even if African-Americans voted at their full potential, it would not be sufficient to turn these states into Democratic strongholds. The evidence indicates that African-Americans in Mississippi and Georgia already vote close to their percentage of the population, and the suggested gains would not be significant enough to overcome the existing political landscape in these traditionally red states.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Aug. 20, 2007, in a bid to convince New Hampshire Democrats that he stands the best chance of beating the Republican nominee next year, Obama said he could be the only candidate to \"actually redraw the political map\" \u2014 especially in the South. \"If we just got African-Americans in Mississippi to vote their percentage of the population,\" he said, \"Mississippi is suddenly a Democratic state.\" He said the same would happen in Georgia, and that South Carolina would be in play as well.","Enter Obama, who says his African-American heritage changes the game in 2008. What if blacks did vote their percentage of the population in the states he mentions?","Say he gets every black Mississippi vote that Kerry got in 2004. (about 352,500). Then say he gets the Mississippi white voters who supported Kerry (105,200). Then give him all of the 72,600 black voters who would turn out if Mississippi blacks voted their percentage of the population in 2008.","To begin with, African-Americans in Mississippi and Georgia already come close to voting their percentage of the population. The suggested gains, while they may be welcome, would not be large enough to turn the tide in these red states."]},{"id":"11538.json","label":"half-true","statement":"North Koreahas over two-dozennuclear warheads.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a quote from Senator Marco Rubio, who initially stated that North Korea had \"over 2,000 nuclear warheads.\" However, it was later clarified by a Rubio spokesman that he actually said \"over two-dozen nuclear warheads.\" This clarification significantly changes the magnitude of the claim. While it is true that North Korea has conducted nuclear tests and possesses nuclear capabilities, the exact number of their nuclear warheads is uncertain. Therefore, the statement cannot be confirmed as accurate due to the conflicting information and lack of precise data.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kingston Reif, director of disarmament and threat reduction policy at the Arms Control Association, pointed to the key metric of North Korean warheads from Clinton\u2019s defense secretary, William Perry. In Perry\u2019s 2015 book My Journey at the Nuclear Brink , he estimated that North Korea would have enough plutonium for more than 100 nuclear warheads today, as opposed to the estimated 25 in its current arsenal, were it not for the Framework Agreement.","Editor's note: An earlier version of this fact-check quoted Rubio as saying North Korea had \"over 2,000 nuclear warheads.\" Rubio's campaign did not challenge that quote during the reporting of this fact-check. Shortly after the fact-check published, a Rubio spokesman said Rubio said North Korea possessed \"over two-dozen nuclear warheads.\" As such, we have updated this fact-check and changed the rating to Half True.","\"And then you look abroad, and you see a world that\u2019s increasingly dangerous. You have a lunatic in North Korea,\" Rubio said, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. \"A lunatic. Except he has over two-dozen nuclear warheads. And a long-range missile that can already reach the United States with that warhead on it.\"","North Korea withdrew from the agreement, ending its obligation to abide by the deal\u2019s terms. By 2006, North Korea claimed it had successfully tested a nuclear device."]},{"id":"11233.json","label":"false","statement":"The federal government right now does not deport criminals.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the federal government does not deport criminals is not accurate. While there have been instances where criminal illegal immigrants have been released or have avoided deportation, it is false to claim that no criminals are being deported. In fact, federal authorities deported approximately 86,000 illegal immigrants with previous criminal convictions in the previous year. The claim overlooks the existing policies and efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize the deportation of criminal offenders. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The federal government right now does not deport criminals,\" he said at a town hall in New Hampshire on Aug. 19. \"I don't believe that we should take people that are here in the shadows and deport them all -- the cost of that would be in the hundreds of billions of dollars, it would rip up communities -- it's not appropriate. But criminals should be deported, and right now the Obama administration is not doing that.\"","Deporting criminals: Bush said, \"The federal government right now does not deport criminals.\" Many criminal illegal immigrants have been released, but it is an exaggeration to say that none are deported. Last year, federal authorities deported about 86,000 illegal immigrants convicted of previous crimes. We rated this claim False.","Is Cotton right about criminals being allowed to stay? No. His claim ignores the policies of the Department of Homeland Security.","The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has written stories about criminals who have avoided deportation. For example, a West African drifter who spent 15 years in state prison for sexually battering a woman walked out of an Atlanta jail and ignored orders to report to federal immigration authorities seeking to deport him and instead disappeared."]},{"id":"12721.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton said all work-related emails were sent back to the State Department. The FBI director said, thats not true.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources, including Governor Chris Christie, that Hillary Clinton stated that all work-related emails were sent back to the State Department, which was contradicted by the FBI director. The FBI director confirmed that not all work-related emails were returned to the State Department, indicating that the statement made by Hillary Clinton was not true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"said all work-related emails were sent back to the State Department. The FBI director said, that's not true.\"","Christie told the convention that Clinton \"said all work-related emails were sent back to the State Department. The FBI director said, that's not true.\"","\"She said there was no marked classified information on her server. The FBI director said, that's untrue,\" Christie said. \"She said that she did not email any classified information. The FBI director, says that's untrue. She said all-work related emails were sent back to the State Department. The FBI director said, that's not true.\"","The FBI director also said some of the work-related emails not turned over to the State Department may have been deleted because her lawyers had not, in fact, gone through every one."]},{"id":"5447.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney said he does not line up with the NRA.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's own words regarding his alignment with the National Rifle Association (NRA). Romney has stated that he does not line up a hundred percent with the NRA and that he does not see eye to eye with them on every issue. This is supported by his comments in 2007 and 2012. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The ad contains no voice-over, only sound effects as Romney\u2019s quotes pop onto the screen against a black background. The first says, \"I don\u2019t line up with the National Rifle Association.\"","Romney said, \"My position on guns is the same position I\u2019ve had for a long, long time. That position is that I don\u2019t line up a hundred percent with the NRA. I don\u2019t see eye to eye with the NRA on every issue.\"","But when Romney addressed the issue in 2007, he did not contradict what he said in 1994. \"I support the work of the NRA, I\u2019m a member of the NRA. But do we line up on every issue? No, we don\u2019t,\" he told Tim Russert. What else? He signed an assault weapons ban opposed by the NRA as Massachusetts governor.","Mitt Romney has at times had an awkward relationship with firearms, as when he said during the 2008 Republican presidential primary that his hunting experience generally involved \"small varmints.\""]},{"id":"4422.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When you look at what we have done over the last decade, we created 1 million jobs in the state of Texas. At the same time, (the rest of) America lost 2.5 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Rick Perry's claim that Texas created 1 million jobs while the rest of the country lost 2.5 million jobs. This claim was made in the context of highlighting the job growth in Texas during his tenure as governor. However, it's important to note that the job creation numbers need to be analyzed in the broader context of economic factors and policies at both the state and national levels. While Texas did experience job growth during that period, attributing it solely to the actions of one individual or state is an oversimplification of the complex factors that contribute to job creation and loss.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Actually, what Americans are looking for is someone who can get this country working again,\" Perry replied. \"And we put the model in place in the state of Texas. When you look at what we have done over the last decade, we created 1 million jobs in the state of Texas. At the same time, America lost 2.5 million.\"","Rick Perry says that with what \"we have done,\" Texas created 1 million jobs while rest of nation lost 2.5 million","( - Rick Perry says that with what \"we have done,\" Texas created 1 million jobs while rest of nation lost 2.5 million&url=)","PolitiFact Texas, \"Rick Perry says that with what 'we have done,' Texas created 1 million jobs while rest of nation lost 2.5 million,\" Sept. 11, 2011"]},{"id":"5273.json","label":"true","statement":"In 1992, Mitt Romney gave money to Democrats for Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. In 1992, Mitt Romney did give money to Democrats running for Congress. While it is worth noting that Romney has predominantly donated to Republican candidates and committees in the past 20 years, the specific claim that he gave money to Democrats for Congress in 1992 is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It is a fact in 1992, (Romney) gave money to Democrats for Congress, (and) he voted in the Democratic Primary for Paul Tsongas who was the most liberal candidate,\" Gingrich said.","Gingrich said that in 1992, Romney \"gave money to Democrats for Congress.\" We should note that for the past 20 years, Romney has given the majority of his donations to Republican candidates and committees. But Gingrich was specific in his attack here, and Romney did give money to three Democratic candidates that year. We rate Gingrich's claim True.","Searching this way, we found donations to about 23 individuals, and only three were Democrats. Sometimes Romney gave to the same individual more than once so ultimately there were far more than two dozen donations to candidates. Romney also gave thousands to state and national Republican committees. Interestingly, he also made donations to one of his current rivals for the Republican nomination -- Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.","With two days to go before Florida\u2019s Republican primary, Newt Gingrich appeared on Face the Nation(;contentBody) in Miami Jan. 29, 2012 and lashed out at Mitt Romney for giving dollars to Democrats."]},{"id":"9243.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Over 300K home owner suicides attributed to foreclosures.","reason":"Reason: The claim that over 300,000 homeowner suicides are attributed to foreclosures is not supported by credible evidence. Experts have refuted this claim, stating that it is not plausible to attribute every suicide over a nine-year period to foreclosures. The total number of suicides during that time period is around 300,000, but it is unreasonable to suggest that every single suicide was caused by a foreclosure. This claim is highly exaggerated and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["It said, \"1.4 million homes stolen by banks since 2008. Over 300K home owner suicides attributed to foreclosures. Why won't anyone defend these American property owners' rights?\"","The meme said that over 300,000 homeowner suicides are attributable to foreclosures. But that would mean every suicide over a nine-year period would have been caused by a foreclosure, and experts say that\u2019s not credible. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","\"It isn't plausible that every suicide over a nine-year period could be attributed to foreclosure,\" agreed Janet M. Currie, a Princeton University economist who, along with Erdal Tekin of Georgia State University, has studied the health impacts of the rising tide of foreclosures in the United States. Tekin expressed similar skepticism when contacted by PolitiFact.","So the total number of suicides from 2002-10 is around 300,000. But for the meme to be correct, you\u2019d have to believe that every single American suicide between 2002 and 2010 was caused by a foreclosure."]},{"id":"13401.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Chris Koster opposed protecting the women of Missouri because he was one of only four senators to vote against a bill ending the practice of making rape victims pay for their own rape kits.","reason":"Reason: Chris Koster's voting record indicates that he did vote against a bill in 2007 that would have mandated the state to pay for \"rape kit\" medical exams. However, it is important to clarify that the statement incorrectly implies that Koster opposed protecting women in general. The bill in question specifically addressed the issue of making rape victims pay for their own rape kits, and Koster's vote against it does not necessarily mean he opposed protecting women from sexual assault and domestic violence in other aspects. It is crucial to provide accurate context and not make broad generalizations based on a single vote.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The idea Attorney General Koster wants rape victims to pay for their own rape kits is beyond ludicrous,\" the statement read.","In a September press release, Eric Greitens, Missouri\u2019s Republican candidate for governor, said his opponent, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, voted against legislation protecting women from sexual assault and domestic violence.","The legislation, House Bill 583, became law. Besides mandating that the state paid for rape kits, the bill also classified repeated instances of first-degree domestic assault as a Class A felony and established a designated address for sexual assault victims in order to protect their privacy.","Greitens said Koster voted against a 2007 bill mandating that the state pay for \"rape kit\" medical exams, not the victim of the assault. Koster was a state senator at the time the bill was proposed.\""]},{"id":"12865.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he saw videotape of the people taking the money off the plane to pay ransom to Iran for hostages.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump, claiming to have seen videotape of people taking money off a plane to pay ransom to Iran for hostages, has been debunked. Trump and his campaign later acknowledged that they were referring to a different video that showed the hostages being freed, not a video of money being transferred. The $400 million payment made by the U.S. government to Iran was not a ransom but rather the resolution of a long-standing dispute over frozen funds. Therefore, the claim that Trump saw a video of money being taken off a plane to pay ransom is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said he had seen videotape \"of the people taking the money off the plane\" to pay ransom to Iran for hostages. He and his campaign now acknowledge that they were referring to a different video -- of the hostages themselves being freed -- that did not include any transfer of money from a plane. We rate the claim False.","The issue emerged because news reports suggested that a $400 million cash payment from the U.S. government amounted to ransom for hostages held by Iran. Republicans have charged that a quid pro quo ran counter to longstanding U.S. policy not to pay ransom for hostages. The White House has responded that the payments were the conclusion of a decades-old dispute over funds frozen after the fall of the Shah of Iran and were not a ransom.","\"I got up this morning, and I pick up the papers, and then I turn on the news, and I see $400 million being shipped in cash, they didn\u2019t want dollars, it\u2019s in different currencies, and it's being shipped overnight to Iran -- $400 million. \u2026 I look, and I'll never forget the scene this morning. And remember this: Iran -- I don't think you've heard this anywhere, but here -- Iran provided all of that footage, the tape, of taking that money off that airplane, right? $400 million in cash. \u2026 And they have a perfect tape done by obviously a government camera and the tape is of the people taking the money off the plane, right? That means that in order to embarrass us further, Iran sent us the tapes, right? It's a military tape. It's a tape that was a perfect angle, nice and steady. Nobody getting nervous because they're going to be shot because they're shooting a picture of money pouring off a plane.\"","After the second rally, Trump himself tweeted that he was referring to a different piece of video. \"The plane I saw on television was the hostage plane in Geneva, Switzerland, not the plane carrying $400 million in cash going to Iran!\""]},{"id":"5002.json","label":"true","statement":"Says there have been no cases of wolves killing people in Rocky Mountain states.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that there have been no reported cases of wolves killing people in the Rocky Mountain states. While there have been rare instances of wolf attacks on humans in Canada and Alaska, there is no documented evidence of such attacks occurring in the Rocky Mountain states. The statement is supported by the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Wolves have attacked and killed people in Canada and Alaska,\" Dennehy told The Oregonian. \"It is extremely rare and has never happened in the Rocky Mountain states, but we advise people to keep your distance from wolves and any wild animals.\"","Still, the reports support Dennehy and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. There\u2019s no evidence that a wolf has attacked a human in the Rocky Mountain states, let alone killed one. We rate this claim True.","Oregon is home to an estimated 24 wolves, a small population. But a 2010 reportby the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service puts the number of wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountain population (which includes Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and the eastern one-third of Washington and Oregon) at more than 1,650.","Finally, she sent us looking for two studies on wolves. One report, which shared an author with the first Norwegian report, looked at Scandinaviaand found that over the past 300 years, 94 people have been killed by wolves. All of those cases, the report found, were before 1882 and most were children under the age of 12."]},{"id":"1911.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Oil companies showered regulators (at the Minerals Management Service) with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement that \"oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations\" is supported by evidence. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) was indeed criticized for its close relationship with oil companies and the influence they had over the agency. There were instances of regulators receiving gifts and favors from oil companies, which raised concerns about conflicts of interest. Additionally, the MMS was accused of being too lenient in allowing oil companies to self-regulate and conduct their own safety inspections. While the claim about writing their own regulations may not be as clear-cut, the overall statement is mostly true based on the evidence available.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u2022 In a speech to the country, President Barack Obama said regulation of oil companies has been troubled for years. \"Oil companies showered regulators (at the Minerals Management Service) with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations,\" Obama said. We looked into the history at the Minerals Management Service and rated his statement Mostly True.","We decided to focus on Obama's claim that \"oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations.\"","\"One place we\u2019ve already begun to take action is at the agency in charge of regulating drilling and issuing permits, known as the Minerals Management Service,\" Obama said. \"Over the last decade, this agency has become emblematic of a failed philosophy that views all regulation with hostility -- a philosophy that says corporations should be allowed to play by their own rules and police themselves. At this agency, industry insiders were put in charge of industry oversight. Oil companies showered regulators with gifts and favors, and were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections and write their own regulations.\"","Still, MMS can't be blamed for poor response to its call for comments. That's why we think that while Obama was on solid ground with his accusations that MMS regulators were \"showered ... with gifts and favors\" and that oil companies \"were essentially allowed to conduct their own safety inspections,\" the notion that industry wrote its own regulations is not a slam-dunk."]},{"id":"4164.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres pretty much no question that [the curfew ordinances] arent effective in either reducing crime or preventing harm to young people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the opinion expressed by the source that the curfew ordinances are not effective in reducing crime or preventing harm to young people. The source argues that curfews assume all young people are equally likely to commit a crime, which is not the case, making curfews an inefficient tool for combating youth crime. The evidence suggests that the curfew ordinances have been in place for a long time but enforcement has varied. However, it is important to note that this statement represents an opinion and may not be universally agreed upon. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"There\u2019s pretty much no question that the curfew ordinances aren\u2019t effective in either reducing crime or preventing harm to young people.\"","\"There\u2019s pretty much no question that the ordinances aren\u2019t effective in either reducing crime or preventing harm to young people,\" he said.","In an interview this week, Males said curfews presuppose that all young people are equally likely to commit a crime. Since they aren\u2019t, curfews become an inefficient tool for combating youth crime, perhaps wasting police resources, he said.","Atlanta\u2019s current curfew has been on the books since 1977, although enforcement has waxed and waned. The curfew says young people 16 and under cannot be on the streets unsupervised past 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. It includes some exceptions for work, school events and emergencies, making it similar to curfews in other cities."]},{"id":"9368.json","label":"false","statement":"Jeff Merkley was the deciding vote on Obamacare, which in Oregon has been an unmitigated disaster.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Jeff Merkley was the deciding vote on Obamacare is a common accusation made by Republicans against Democratic senators who supported the Affordable Care Act. However, this claim has been fact-checked multiple times and has been consistently ruled as false or mostly false. The passage of the Affordable Care Act was not dependent on a single deciding vote, but rather a collective effort by many senators. Additionally, attributing the issues faced by the Oregon healthcare system solely to Merkley's vote is an oversimplification of the complex factors that contribute to the success or failure of a healthcare program.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Wehby\u2019s campaign, fresh off her win in the GOP Senate primary, sent out a news release pinning responsibility for passage of the Affordable Care Act on her Democratic opponent. \"Jeff Merkley was the deciding vote on Obamacare,\" it said, \"which in Oregon has been an unmitigated disaster.\"","We asked Wehby\u2019s campaign to defend the claim. In an email, campaign manager Charlie Pearce replied, \"Thanks to Jeff Merkley\u2019s yes vote on Obamacare, 150,000 Oregonians had their health insurance plans canceled. If Jeff Merkley would have had the courage to vote no on that bill, Obamacare would not have passed, and hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars would not have been wasted on the fiasco that was Cover Oregon.\"","PolitiFact has been down this road before. A quick search of PolitiFact rulings shows that Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Bill Nelson of Florida, Michael Bennet of Colorado, and Sherrod Brown of Ohio have been blamed by various Republicans and conservative groups for casting the deciding vote on Obamacare. In each case, PolitiFact has ruled the claims Mostly False or False, depending on their wording and context.",", \" NRSC attacks Michael Bennet for casting 'the deciding vote' for stimulus, health care,\" Oct. 26, 2010; \" Josh Mandel says Sherrod Brown cast the deciding vote for a government takeover of health care,\" May 30, 2012; \" Was Florida's Bill Nelson \"the deciding vote\" on the health care law?\" June 14, 2012; \" Jim Rubens claims U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, was the deciding vote to pass Obamacare,\" Nov. 19, 2013; and \" Was Jeff Merkley the deciding vote on Obamacare?\" May 23, 2014"]},{"id":"12918.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Legal prescription drugs statistically kill 100,000 people a year, (but) there are no documented deaths due to marijuana.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Gary Johnson's claim that legal prescription drugs statistically kill 100,000 people a year, while there are no documented deaths due to marijuana. However, it's important to note that the claim about prescription drug deaths may not be entirely accurate. While prescription drugs can indeed cause deaths, the specific number of 100,000 may be an overestimate. Additionally, the statement correctly highlights that there are no documented deaths directly caused by marijuana overdose. However, it fails to acknowledge that marijuana can potentially contribute to accidental deaths indirectly. Therefore, while the statement captures Johnson's claim, it should be noted that the number of prescription drug deaths may not be as high as stated, and marijuana can indirectly play a role in fatalities.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Johnson said that marijuana competes with \"legal prescription drugs that statistically kill 100,000 people a year and there are no documented deaths due to marijuana.\"","\"I just think that so much research and development needs to take place that hasn't taken place. And that marijuana products deal -- or compete directly with legal prescription drugs that statistically kill 100,000 people a year, and there are no documented deaths due to marijuana.\"","Marijuana is far less toxic than many prescription painkillers, which kill tens of thousands of people every year. Marijuana has never killed anyone through overdose, but Johnson\u2019s vague claim leaves out the crucial fact that marijuana has played a role in accidental deaths. And the number of prescription drug deaths isn't estimated to be as high as Johnson said.","Drugs directly kill people through toxic overdoses, but they can also indirectly kill people by causing accidents. We\u2019ll look at both cases for marijuana. (The Johnson campaign did not respond to requests for clarification.)"]},{"id":"2952.json","label":"true","statement":"A 5 percent increase in domestic production would increase the world supply by less than 1 percent and do almost nothing to our dependence on foreign oil. This would also have virtually no effect on the price of gas at the pump.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the expert consensus that a 5 percent increase in domestic production would have a minimal impact on the world supply of oil, increasing it by less than 1 percent. This increase would not significantly reduce our dependence on foreign oil or have a substantial effect on the price of gasoline at the pump. While increasing domestic production may have some long-term benefits, it is not a solution that would immediately address the issues of oil dependence or gas prices.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So how do Russia and OPEC play into this? Together, they account for just over half of global production, so experts agree that they can do the most to increase supply, which would result in lower prices at the pump.","\"Increasing domestic production isn\u2019t a policy decision. It is a private sector response,\" said James H. Stock, a professor of political economy at Harvard University. \"In principle, yes, it could ramp up quickly to offset quite a bit of the oil price increase, but that is a decision by private entities.\"","His spokesperson said that was true because more oil from the U.S. would increase global supplies and lead to lower prices. That isn\u2019t what McCarthy\u2019s tweet said, but even if that\u2019s what he had in mind, experts said any impact on the price of gasoline would take about a year to materialize and would be modest even then.","We focused on the pocketbook issue in that tweet. Americans are struggling with gas prices that top $5 a gallon, and McCarthy\u2019s pitch that oil from home is more affordable might seem like common sense. Shipping oil across an ocean sounds more expensive than pumping it here at home."]},{"id":"5765.json","label":"false","statement":"Every time the price of gasoline rises 1 cent, its abillion dollarsout of our economy that goes to Saudi Arabia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks accuracy. While it is true that an increase in gasoline prices can have economic implications, the claim that every 1 cent increase results in a billion dollars leaving the U.S. economy and going to Saudi Arabia is not supported by credible evidence. The cited sources mention statistics that cover a one-year period and estimate the overall cost to U.S. consumers, but they do not specifically attribute the entire amount to Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the economic impact of gasoline price increases.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Every time the price of gasoline rises 1 cent, \"it's a billion dollars out of our economy that goes to Saudi Arabia.\"","Thompson said that every time the price of gasoline increases by 1 cent, \"it's a billion out of our economy that goes to Saudi Arabia.\" His campaign said Thompson meant to say Middle East and cited a statistic that covers a one-year period.","\"Every time, ladies and gentlemen, a penny goes up on that gasoline cost -- and how do you like those $4.25 a gallon? -- every time a penny goes up, it's a billion dollars out of our economy that goes to Saudi Arabia.\"","The Atlantic article did say a 1-cent gas price increase would cost U.S. consumers $1.2 billion per year, which puts something of a time frame on Thompson\u2019s statement. But that\u2019s a different measure than $1 billion going from the U.S. economy to Saudi Arabia (or the Middle East, for that matter)."]},{"id":"10965.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As a senator, Hillary Clinton has her name on three laws in eight years.","reason":"Reason: Jeb Bush's statement that Hillary Clinton has her name on only three laws in eight years as a senator is partially true. While it is accurate that Clinton's name is associated with three laws during her time in the Senate, it is important to note that this metric does not fully capture her legislative accomplishments. There are various ways senators contribute to the legislative process beyond introducing bills with their names on them, such as co-sponsoring bills, proposing amendments, and participating in committee work. Therefore, focusing solely on the number of laws with her name on them does not provide a comprehensive assessment of Clinton's effectiveness as a senator.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Florida, \"Did Hillary Clinton have her name on only three laws in eight years as Jeb Bush says?,\" June 23, 2015","Bush : \"She's smart. I think she's smart. I think she loves her country. I don't ascribe bad motives for people that I don't agree with. But as a senator, I think she passed -- she has her name on three laws in eight years.\"","There is some truth to Bush\u2019s claim about laws passed, but it doesn\u2019t tell the full story about her legislative accomplishments as a senator.","Again, Clinton said \"bills\" as a senator, not \"House bills,\" not \"amendments,\" and not \"resolutions.\" Those things may eventually have the effect of laws, but that doesn\u2019t mean they are bills that \"have my name on them.\""]},{"id":"13197.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Donald Trump hasnt broken his promise to release his tax returns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. Donald Trump did break his promise to release his tax returns. Despite initially stating that he would release his tax returns during his campaign, he has not done so. This has been confirmed by fact-checkers who have rated his promise as broken. The evidence provided also highlights the backpedaling and lack of transparency regarding his tax returns. Therefore, the statement that Donald Trump hasn't broken his promise to release his tax returns is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"He hasn't broken his promise,\" Pence said. \"Look, Donald Trump has filed over 100 pages of financial disclosure, which is what the law requires. The American people can review that. And he's going -- senator, he's going to release his tax returns when the audit is over.\"","Says that except for Donald Trump, \"every other major party nominee\" for the past 40 years has released their tax returns.","But given Trump's backpedaling, Americans will be kept in the dark for the foreseeable future \u2014 and not for the reason previously described. We rate this Promise Broken.","\"Donald Trump started this campaign in 2014, and he said, \u2018If I run for president, I will absolutely release my taxes,\u2019 \" Kaine charged. \"He's broken his first \u2014 \""]},{"id":"1435.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We cut taxes for 95 percent of working families.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. President Obama and former President Clinton both made this claim, and it has been fact-checked and rated as true by PolitiFact. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center also analyzed Obama's tax proposals and concluded that approximately 95 percent of tax filers would receive a tax cut under his plan. This aligns with the evidence provided, which includes statements from Obama and Clinton emphasizing the tax cuts for working families. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We cut taxes. We cut taxes for 95 percent of working families. We cut taxes for small businesses,\" Obama said. \"We cut taxes for first-time homebuyers. We cut taxes for parents trying to care for their children. We cut taxes for 8 million Americans paying for college.\"","Clinton borrowed this factoid from the man of the week, who made it part of his 2008 campaign and bragged about it in his 2010 State of the Union speech. That night, Obama said, \"We cut taxes. We cut taxes for 95 percent of working families.\" PolitiFact rated that claim True.","\"In 2010, as the president's recovery program kicked in, the job losses stopped and things began to turn around,\" Clinton said in his keynote Democratic National Convention speech. \"The Recovery Act saved or created millions of jobs and cut taxes -- let me say this again -- cut taxes for 95 percent of the American people.\"","Ahead of the 2008 election, the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center analyzed the effects of Obama\u2019s tax proposals for workers. The center determined about 95 percent -- more precisely, 94.3 percent -- of tax filers would receive a tax cut under Obama's plan based on the tax credit to offset payroll taxes."]},{"id":"11784.json","label":"false","statement":"The United States has a record number of abortions year after year after year.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the United States has a record number of abortions year after year after year is false. In reality, the number of abortions, as well as the rate and ratio of abortions compared to live births, has been declining since the early 1980s. This decline has continued, and there is no evidence to support the claim of a record number of abortions. It is important to rely on accurate data and trends when discussing such sensitive topics.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here, we\u2019ll look at her claim that the United States has a \"record number of abortions year after year after year.\"","Still, Fiorina\u2019s claim -- that the United States has a \"record number of abortions year after year after year\" -- is flat wrong.","Fiorina said the United States has a \"record number of abortions year after year after year.\" In reality, the raw number, the rate and the ratio of abortions compared to live births has been falling since the early 1980s, and the decline shows no signs of stopping. We rate Fiorina\u2019s statement False.","\"I think we're being told to settle for a nation where record numbers of men are out of work, record numbers of women are living in poverty,\" Fiorina said. \"We have record number of abortions year after year after year.\""]},{"id":"3094.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the first word spoken from the moon was Houston.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the word \"Houston\" was transmitted from the moon to mission control, it was not the first word spoken from the moon itself. Prior to Armstrong's famous words, there were technical checklist communications and other words exchanged. Therefore, Perry's claim that \"Houston\" was the first word spoken from the moon is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Perry's statement was \u2018the first word spoken from the moon.\u2019 This has a different meaning than \u2018The first word spoken on the moon.\u2019 \u2018From the moon\u2019 refers to a message transmitted to someone who is not on the moon. And per your research, the first word transmitted from the moon to someone not on the moon was indeed \u2018Houston.\u2019 Perry's statement is technically correct. Otherwise, the first word of President Obama's State of the Union address would be the first word he uttered as he entered the chamber, not the first word of his speech.\"","Among the accomplishments Perry credited to Texans was pioneering space. \"Matter of fact,\" he said, \"the first word spoken from the moon was 'Houston.' \"","Spoiler: \"Houston\" wasn't the first word spoken from the moon. Rather, words from a technical checklist piled up before Armstrong said what many of us remember. We found Perry's claim False.","Also during his inaugural address, Perry boasted that \"the first word spoken from the moon was \u2018Houston.\u2019 We were surprised to learn that\u2019s False: astronaut Neil Armstrong\u2019s memorable call from moon to mission control was preceded by several other words."]},{"id":"6659.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ive cut taxes for ... middle-class families, small businesses.","reason":"Reason: President Obama did implement tax cuts for middle-class families and small businesses during his presidency. However, it is important to note that he also raised some taxes, such as those on cigarettes and indoor tanning, and there were new taxes as part of the Affordable Care Act. While the statement is generally accurate, it lacks the additional context of the tax increases implemented during Obama's tenure. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Here, we\u2019re going to look at his claim to cut taxes for \"middle-class families and small businesses.\" (We\u2019ve been tracking all of Obama\u2019s campaign promises about taxes on our Obameter.)","Obama said he has \"cut taxes for those who need it \u2013 middle-class families, small businesses.\" He has, but he also has raised some taxes. So while his statement is accurate, it lacks that additional context. We rate his claim Mostly True.","\"Now, I\u2019ve cut taxes for those who need it \u2013 middle-class families and small businesses. But I don\u2019t believe that another round of tax breaks for millionaires will bring good jobs to our shores, or pay down our deficit,\" Obama said.","Obama has raised some taxes during his presidency, but he\u2019s also pursued broad-based tax cuts for the middle class and small businesses. We particularly give weight here to the tax cuts that were part of the stimulus and the payroll tax holiday, which reduced taxes for broad swaths of the workforce. Some small businesses may have been hit by new taxes that were part of Obama\u2019s health law, but these would depend on the particular circumstances of each business. Also, there were new taxes on cigarettes and indoor tanning."]},{"id":"13132.json","label":"true","statement":"The gun epidemic is the leading cause of death of young African-American men, more than the next nine causes put together.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton that the gun epidemic is the leading cause of death for young African-American men, surpassing the combined impact of the next nine causes. This claim is supported by data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and research conducted by reputable sources such as The Washington Post. The evidence indicates that gun-related deaths are a significant and concerning issue for young African-American men in terms of mortality rates. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The gun epidemic is the leading cause of death of young African-American men, more than the next nine causes put together,\" she said.","Clinton said, \"The gun epidemic is the leading cause of death of young African-American men, more than the next nine causes put together.\"","We found the relevant data on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Using this search form, we collected data on the 10 most common causes of death for African-American men and boys between the ages of 15 and 24, for 2014:","Washington Post, \"Police shootings are a leading cause of death for young American men, new research shows,\" Aug. 8, 2019. Accessed April 25, 2021."]},{"id":"2167.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Mortgage fraud is up 400 percent in the last five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that mortgage fraud has increased by approximately 400 percent in the last five years. This figure is based on FBI investigations of mortgage fraud nationwide. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not account for state and local investigations or data collected through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. While the statement is generally true, it could have been more specific about the source of the figure to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Back to Bondi's statement. She said mortgage fraud is up \"400 percent in the last five years.\" Bondi has her numbers right, but the nearly 400 percent increase is referring specifically to FBI investigations of mortgage fraud nationwide, and does not account for state and local investigations, or information collected through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Bondi could have been more specific with where her figure was coming from. As such, we rate her statement Mostly True.","U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has used the FBI data to make the case for additional resources and legislation to combat mortgage fraud, and in particular noted that FBI investigations are up \"almost 400 percent from five years ago.\"","\"Mortgage fraud is through the roof,\" Bondi said during the hour-long debate taped on July 31, 2010, for Bay News 9 in Tampa Bay and CFN 13 in Orlando and broadcast the following day. \"It's up 400 percent in the last five years. That's outrageous. We shouldn't have to be dealing with that.\"","Still, the campaign turned us to a Department of Treasury fraud report to back up her claim. Using FBI statistics, Treasury said that the FBI investigated more than 2,100 mortgage fraud cases in 2009, a 400 percent increase from five years ago (Page 7 of the report). The report, dated June 14, 2010, attributes the rise in mortgage fraud investigations to \"declining economic conditions,\" \"liberal underwriting\" and \"declining home values.\""]},{"id":"12629.json","label":"false","statement":"As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton laundered money to Bill Clinton through Laureate Education, while Bill Clinton was an honorary chairman of the group.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Hillary Clinton laundered money to Bill Clinton through Laureate Education while he was an honorary chairman is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple investigations and fact-checks have found no evidence of such illegal activity. Additionally, a database tracking government grants and contracts shows that Laureate did not receive any funding from the federal government during Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State. Therefore, the statement is unfounded and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said Hillary Clinton \"laundered money to Bill Clinton through Laureate Education, while Bill Clinton was an honorary chairman of the group.\" That's a serious of charge of illegal activity.","\"As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton laundered money to Bill Clinton through Laureate Education, while Bill Clinton was an honorary chairman of the group,\" the email said. \"Clinton's State Department provided $55.2 million in grants to Laureate Education from 2010-2012. Laureate thanked Bill for providing unbelievable access to the secretary of state by paying him off $16.5 million. This is yet another example of how Clinton treated the State Department as her own personal hedge fund, and sold out the American public to fund her lavish lifestyle.\"","We looked to to find out if Laureate received any funding from the State Department. The site tracks the amount of money given to various organizations through government grants and contracts. According to this database, Laureate did not receive any money from any federal agency while Bill Clinton was in his role, nor while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state.","We decided to investigate Trump\u2019s claim that Hillary Clinton, who was secretary from 2009 through early 2013, \"laundered\" money to Laureate to pay off her husband\u2019s salary. We ultimately found that there is zero evidence that Laureate received any money from the federal government while Clinton was at the State Department."]},{"id":"4130.json","label":"true","statement":"The black unemployment rate (has) increased since the recovery has begun.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence. The unemployment rate for African Americans did increase during the recovery period. In June 2009, the unemployment rate for African Americans was 14.9 percent, and by June 2011, it had risen to 16.2 percent. This data confirms that the black unemployment rate did indeed increase since the recovery began. Additionally, specific segments of the black labor force, such as young individuals between the ages of 16 and 24, experienced even higher rates of unemployment. \nLabel: true","evidence":["We find nothing amiss in Morial\u2019s claim that \"the black unemployment rate (has) increased since the recovery has begun.\" So we rate his statement True.","\"We have a jobs crisis in America,\" said Morial, the former mayor of New Orleans, \"and I think that the debt-ceiling discussion should be decoupled from the deficit discussion, and the nation needs a jobs plan. We have 14 million people out of work. The black unemployment rate is at stifling levels. It's, in fact, increased since the recovery has begun. \"","In June 2009, the unemployment rate for African Americans was 14.9 percent. In the most recent month, June 2011, the rate was 16.2. So the black unemployment rate definitely did rise over that period.","In fact, some segments of the black labor force showed even higher rates of unemployment. For instance, the most recent unemployment rate for blacks between the ages of 16 and 24 years was 31.4 percent."]},{"id":"8107.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says about NSA data collection: Every member in both parties who served on the Intelligence Committee voted in favor of this.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that every member of the House Intelligence Committee, regardless of party affiliation, voted in favor of keeping the NSA data collection program. This is supported by the evidence provided, which states that the Pompeo amendment, clarifying the use of funds by the NSA, passed with a wide margin of 409-12. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not explicitly mention \"every member in both parties,\" as it only refers to the House Intelligence Committee. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that it specifically pertains to the members of the House Intelligence Committee.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cole replied: \"I voted in favor of keeping the NSA program. I think we're going to review it and change it probably. But this would have ended it. And you're talking about \u2014 you know, we've stopped over 50 attacks. Every member in both parties who served on the Intelligence Committee voted in favor of this.\"","Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., says he recently voted to keep a controversial National Security Agency data collection program in part because he trusts lawmakers who know it best.","The Pompeo amendment, sponsored by an Intelligence Committee member, clarified no funds could be used by the NSA to store the content of a U.S. person\u2019s electronic communications , but left the metadata program in place. It passed 409-12.","He said his support was shared by every member of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican or Democrat. He was close. One Arizona Democrat disagreed. We find his statement only Mostly True."]},{"id":"4830.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When you sanction the Iranian central bank, that will shut down (Irans) economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Perry that sanctioning the Iranian central bank would shut down Iran's economy is an exaggeration. While imposing sanctions on the central bank could increase economic pressure on Iran, it is unlikely to completely shut down the entire economy. Experts have pointed out that the effects of such sanctions would be uncertain and that other countries may not join in, limiting their impact. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and overstates the potential consequences of sanctioning the Iranian central bank.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At the Nov. 22, 2011, CNN debate in Washington, D.C., Perry said, \"When you sanction the Iranian central bank, that will shut down that economy.\"","It\u2019s clear that the United States could unilaterally sanction the bank -- or try. Yet the move would have uncertain effects; other countries might not join in. It\u2019s not proven that Iran\u2019s economy would shut down. We rate Perry\u2019s statement Half True.","Summing up, Malloy said sanctioning the bank would increase economic pressure on Iran, but it\u2019s a \"silly\" stretch to say it would shut down the economy","Michael Malloy, a University of the Pacific expert in banking law and economic sanctions, said the bank could be sanctioned but the U.S. move would not shut down Iran\u2019s economy."]},{"id":"6075.json","label":"true","statement":"Says only 18 percent of Portland elementary schools have art instruction compared to 83 percent nationally.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings from the sources provided. According to the U.S. Department of Education study, approximately 83 percent of elementary schools nationwide have visual arts education. In comparison, only 18 percent of Portland-area schools have a dedicated visual arts teacher. These numbers indicate a significant disparity between the national average and the situation in Portland. It's important to note that the Portland-specific data is based on the research conducted by the organization CAN (Classroom Art Now), which surveyed schools in the area. \nLabel: true","evidence":["That brings us to our ruling. The figures Adams used in his tweet both come from reliable sources. We\u2019re not sure they can be perfectly compared, but even if you do your best to chip away at the national number, you\u2019re still left with a dramatic gulf in which 70 percent of elementary schools nationally say they offer art education with a certified art teacher while only 18 percent of Portland-area schools can likely say the same.","We spoke with Executive Director Jessica Jarratt Miller, who said the national number came from a study done by the U.S. Department of Education. That study looked at the percent of public elementary schools that have instruction designed for various arts subjects. According to that study -- which found its numbers through a representative survey process -- about 94 percent of elementary schools have music education and 83 percent have visual arts education.","If you do the math, you find that about 70 percent of U.S. elementary schools offer visual arts classes that are taught by a specialist (someone with a teaching certificate in an arts discipline), whereas only 18 percent of Portland schools have a dedicated teacher for visual arts. And, in truth, that 18 percent might have to be shifted lower to match the federal statistic perfectly because CAN didn\u2019t ask schools to note whether their art teachers were certified in any way, though Jarratt Miller suspects most are.","The Portland-specific numbers came from CAN\u2019s own research. Jarratt Miller said those numbers reflect the percentage of Portland-area schools that reported employing an art teacher in a specific field even if it was only part time. According to their figures, 58 percent of Portland-area schools employ a music teacher and 18 percent employ a visual arts teacher."]},{"id":"2422.json","label":"false","statement":"After Hurricane Katrina, Dallas and San Antonio took in 5,000 to 10,000 refugees each, but (Bill) White brought in 250,000 and put them up in his buddies empty apartment buildings and let the federal government pay their rents for over two years. They did not return to New Orleans, most of them are on welfare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Bill White brought in 250,000 Hurricane Katrina refugees and housed them in his friends' empty apartment buildings. The actual number of refugees taken in by Dallas and San Antonio was in the range of 5,000 to 10,000, not 250,000. Additionally, the assertion that most of the refugees are on welfare and did not return to New Orleans lacks substantiation. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading false claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After Hurricane Katrina, \"Dallas and San Antonio took in 5,000 to 10,000 refugees each, but (Bill) White brought in 250,000 and put them up in his 'buddies' empty apartment buildings and let the federal government pay their rents for over two years. They did not return to New Orleans, most of them are on welfare.\"","\"In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina a few years ago, Dallas and San Antonio took in 5-10 thousand refugees each, but White brought in 250,000 and put them up in his 'buddies' empty apartment buildings and let the federal government pay their rents for over two years,\" the e-mail states. \"They did not return to New Orleans, most of them are on welfare.\"","As for whether White \"let\" the federal government pay rent on evacuees' apartments, FEMA spokesman Earl Armstrong told us that city mayors had no say in whether or not hurricane evacuees could receive federal aid.","But after Hurricane Katrina pummeled New Orleans in August 2005, it only took 10 days for a similar level of federal aid to be approved for that disaster, according to U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez."]},{"id":"3641.json","label":"false","statement":"Says salaries and benefits for Wisconsin state employee comprised 8.5 percent of the 2009-2011 state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the evidence provided, salaries and benefits for Wisconsin state employees comprised 17.3 percent of the 2009-2011 state budget, not 8.5 percent as claimed. This figure is more than double the 8.5 percent mentioned. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan says salaries and benefits for state workers total only 8.5 percent of state budget &url=)","However, both agreed Pocan\u2019s 8.5 percent figure does not reflect the share of the state budget that goes to salaries and benefits.","\"Walker has said that our budget problems are largely due to employee wages. Not even close, Governor. Total salaries and compensation in the last budget were 8.5 percent of the entire state budget.\"","That means salaries and benefits were 17.3 percent of the state budget. That\u2019s more than double Pocan\u2019s 8.5 percent claim (though nearly the same as the 17.7 percent figure cited in his footnote.)"]},{"id":"9684.json","label":"false","statement":"Mary Burke wasted 12.5 million dollars on a vacant lot in a move that could cost taxpayers nearly $25 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays the situation regarding Mary Burke's involvement in the attempt to attract Abbott Laboratories to expand in Wisconsin. While it is true that there was an investment of $12.5 million in a vacant lot, the claim that it was wasted and could cost taxpayers nearly $25 million is false. The evidence suggests that the investment was part of a broader economic development strategy, and the outcome of the Abbott Laboratories expansion is not solely determined by this investment. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the situation and exaggerates the potential cost to taxpayers.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Walker\u2019s ad says that Mary Burke \"wasted 12.5 million dollars on a vacant lot,\" a move that \"could cost taxpayers nearly $25 million.\"","In the ad battle over Burke\u2019s attempt while state Commerce secretary to lure Abbott Laboratories to expand in Wisconsin, Walker said Burke \"wasted 12.5 million dollars on a vacant lot\" in a move that \"could cost taxpayers nearly $25 million\" (False).","In the new ad, Walker contends that Burke\u2019s economic development strategy in the Abbott case \"could cost taxpayers nearly $25 million\" in \"wasted\" funds.","Gov. Scott Walker alleges that former state Commerce Secretary Mary Burke \"wasted\" nearly $25 million in the so-far failed attempt to attract a major Abbott Laboratories expansion in Wisconsin."]},{"id":"3733.json","label":"true","statement":"American oil production is at its highest level since 2003.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that American oil production reached its highest level since 2003, specifically in 2010. This information is supported by government projections and data. Therefore, it is valid to state that American oil production is at its highest level since 2003.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In this item, we\u2019ll check the first piece of evidence to support his contention that his administration hasn\u2019t \"shut down\" oil production -- that \"last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003.\"","Moran said, \"American oil production is at its highest level since 2003.\" He\u2019s right that production hit a seven-year peak in 2010. The government projects a decline could be imminent. But at this point, there is no solid evidence that the decline has begun.","\"We need to continue to boost domestic production of oil and gas,\" he said. \"Last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003. Let me repeat that. Our oil production reached its highest level in seven years. Oil production from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico reached an all-time high. For the first time in more than a decade, imports accounted for less than half of what we consumed. So any notion that my administration has shut down oil production might make for a good political sound bite, but it doesn\u2019t match up with reality,\"","Moran said the bill was about \"currying favor\" with the oil industry, not cutting energy prices. He said drilling off the Virginia coast could interfere with Navy training operations. Furthermore, Moran said, \"American oil production is at its highest level since 2003.\""]},{"id":"8665.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A gun background check is futile. Something like 42 (people during the) last year were prosecuted for trying to buy a gun with a criminal record out of 11 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Pratt that only a small number of individuals were prosecuted for attempting to purchase a gun with a criminal record out of a large number of background checks conducted. However, it's important to note that the purpose of a background check is not solely to prosecute individuals but also to prevent ineligible individuals from obtaining firearms. The effectiveness of background checks should be evaluated based on their ability to identify and prevent potentially dangerous individuals from acquiring firearms, rather than solely focusing on the number of prosecutions. Therefore, while the statement highlights a specific statistic, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the overall effectiveness and importance of background checks.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A gun \"background check is futile. Something like 42 (people during the) last year \u2026 were prosecuted for trying to buy a gun with a criminal record out of 11 million.\"","Pratt said \"the background check is futile. Something like 42 (people during the) last year of record were prosecuted for trying to buy a gun with a criminal record out of 11 million.\"","\"The background check is futile,\" Pratt said. \"Something like 42 (people during the) last year \u2026 were prosecuted for trying to buy a gun with a criminal record out of 11 million.\"","If 42 people out of 11 million were the only ones deterred from legally buying a gun because of a background check, then maybe \"futile\" would be an accurate description. After all, that\u2019s only 1 in every 262,000 applications."]},{"id":"11599.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says David Vitter answered a prostitutes call minutes after he skipped a vote honoring 28 soldiers who gave their lives in defense of our freedom.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that David Vitter answered a prostitute's call shortly after skipping a vote honoring soldiers who died in defense of the country. This claim is supported by evidence showing that Vitter did miss the vote in question and that he had connections to a prostitution scandal involving Deborah Jeane Palfrey. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context or details of the situation, and it may be perceived as a subjective judgment rather than a purely factual statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says David Vitter \"answered a prostitute\u2019s call minutes after he skipped a vote honoring 28 soldiers who gave their lives in defense of our freedom.\"","The choice for governor couldn\u2019t be more clear. John Bel Edwards, who answered our country\u2019s call and served as a ranger in the 82nd Airborne Division, or David Vitter, who answered a prostitute\u2019s call minutes after he skipped a vote honoring 28 soldiers who gave their lives in defense of our freedom. David Vitter chose prostitutes over patriots. Now the choice is yours.","The ad makes two claims about Vitter: He skipped a vote for a resolution honoring American soldiers killed in the line of duty, and he answered a call from Palfrey\u2019s phone soon after. It then concludes that Vitter \"chose prostitutes over patriots,\" suggesting the two are related.","Then-U.S. Rep. David Vitter did, in fact, miss the vote in question. On Feb. 27, 2001, the House overwhelmingly passed a resolution to honor 28 soldiers killed in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, with 395 votes in favor. Two congressmen answered \"present\" but did not vote. Vitter was one of 35 marked absent."]},{"id":"6030.json","label":"true","statement":"President Obama budget request for veterans ismore than double the amount in constant dollars appropriated in 1980, when the veterans population was larger by a third.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that President Obama's budget request for veterans' services in FY2013 was $140 billion, which is more than double the amount appropriated in constant dollars in 1980. Additionally, it is noted that the veterans' population in 1980 was larger by a third compared to the present. This information supports the claim that President Obama's budget request for veterans' services exceeded the amount allocated in 1980, taking into account inflation and changes in the veterans' population.\nLabel: true","evidence":["President Obama budget request for veterans is \"more than double the amount in constant dollars appropriated in 1980, when the veterans population was larger by a third.\"","\"The president\u2019s budget request for FY2013 veterans spending is $140 billion -- more than double the amount in constant dollars appropriated in 1980, when the veterans population was larger by a third,\" Webb, D-Va., said in a May 14 interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch.","Webb said the president\u2019s $140 billion request for veterans services is more than double what it was in 1980, when the veterans population was a third larger than today.","So Webb is right; the $140 billion request is more than double the amount appropriated in 1980, even after adjusting for inflation."]},{"id":"10886.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Today in America, 70 percent of us are earning the same or less than we were 12 years ago, and this is the first time that that has happened this side of World War II.","reason":"Reason: The first part of the statement, that \"70 percent of us are earning the same or less than we were 12 years ago,\" is supported by the evidence. However, the second part of the statement, claiming that this is the first time this has happened since World War II, is less clear and lacks definitive evidence. While there may be economic challenges and stagnant wages for a significant portion of the population, making a direct comparison to the entire post-World War II period requires more comprehensive and nuanced analysis. Therefore, the second part of the statement is not entirely substantiated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["O\u2019Malley said that \"today in America, 70 percent of us are earning the same or less than we were 12 years ago, and this is the first time that that has happened this side of World War II.\"","\"Today in America,\" he said, \"70 percent of us are earning the same or less than we were 12 years ago, and this is the first time that that has happened this side of World War II. Today in America, family-owned businesses and farms are struggling to compete with ever larger concentrations of corporate power. \u2026 The American dream seems for so many of us to be hanging by a thread.\"","We wondered whether it was true that \"70 percent of us are earning the same or less than we were 12 years ago,\" and if that\u2019s happening for the first time since World War II.","That supports the first part of O\u2019Malley\u2019s claim. The second part of his claim -- that \"this is the first time that that has happened this side of World War II\" -- is less clear."]},{"id":"7241.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Chuck Hagel opposed sanctions against Iran.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification of Chuck Hagel's stance on sanctions against Iran. While there have been instances where Hagel voted against specific sanctions measures, it is important to consider the broader context of his positions. Hagel's overall approach to Iran's nuclear program and the use of sanctions is more nuanced, and he has expressed support for diplomatic efforts alongside targeted sanctions. Therefore, categorizing his position as outright opposition to sanctions would be misleading. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel?\" asks a disgusted sounding narrator in an ad from the Emergency Committee for Israel. \"President Obama says he supports sanctions on Iran. Hagel voted against them. Hagel voted against labeling Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group. And while President Obama says all options are on the table for preventing a nuclear Iran, Hagel says military action is not a viable, feasible, responsible option. President Obama, for secretary of defense Chuck Hagel is not a responsible option.\"","Hagel\u2019s stance on sanctions against Iran has sparked much discussion in recent weeks so we wanted to check Ros-Lehtinen\u2019s statement that Hagel \"opposed sanctions against Iran.\"","The United States faces terrifying threats from foreign countries, but Chuck Hagel, the nominee for defense secretary, wants to close up our nuclear shop, says Americans for a Strong Defense, a group formed to oppose Hagel\u2019s nomination.","When Ros-Lehtinen said Hagel \"opposed sanctions against Iran\" she oversimplified his lengthy history of votes and comments. We rate this claim Half True."]},{"id":"12680.json","label":"true","statement":"Says GOP Senate nominee Darryl Glenn said he wants to see Ted Cruz appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which includes multiple sources confirming that Darryl Glenn expressed his desire to see Ted Cruz appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The sources include news articles and fundraising emails from the Bennet campaign, all quoting Glenn's statement. Therefore, the statement is supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Denver Post, \"Darryl Glenn leaves the door open to a GOP nominee other than Donald Trump - Glenn says he\u2019d support Ted Cruz for Supreme Court justice,\" June 25, 2016","Says GOP U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn \"wants to eliminate the Department of Education\" and jeopardize college funding for 320,000 Coloradans.","In a recent fundraising email, the Bennet team ticked off things Glenn has said as proof that he\u2019s \"ultra-conservative.\" It included him saying on a conservative talk radio show, \"I for one want to see (Ted) Cruz as a Supreme Court appointee.\"","In a fundraising email, the Michael Bennet campaign quoted Darryl Glenn saying, \"I for one want to see Cruz as a Supreme Court appointee.\""]},{"id":"11926.json","label":"true","statement":"People have actually broken down the transcripts for oral arguments and (Antonin Scalia) told more jokes and got more laughs than any of the other justices.","reason":"Reason: According to various sources, including Stephen Colbert and a 2012 paper by Ryan Malphurs, it has been found that Antonin Scalia told more jokes and received more laughter during oral arguments compared to other justices. This indicates that Scalia had a notable sense of humor and was successful in eliciting laughter during these proceedings. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the findings regarding Scalia's use of humor during oral arguments.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Colbert said, \"People have actually broken down the transcripts for oral arguments and (Scalia) told more jokes and got more laughs than any of the other justices.\"","\"People have actually broken down the transcripts for oral arguments,\" Colbert said on Feb. 15\u2019s Late Show , \"and he told more jokes and got more laughs than any of the other justices.\"","Scalia is actually 64 percent funnier than the transcripts show, drawing more laughter than the bottom seven justices combined, according to a 2012 paper by litigation consultant and communications expert Ryan Malphurs.","Whether Scalia joked to lighten the mood of oral arguments or used humor bitingly in legal prose, one thing is for sure."]},{"id":"12531.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"According to Pew Research, 99 percent of the people in Afghanistan support oppressive Sharia law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that according to a Pew Research study, 99 percent of Muslims in Afghanistan support Sharia law as the \"law of the land.\" However, it is important to note that Sharia law can be interpreted and implemented differently in different contexts, and there may be variations in individuals' perspectives on specific aspects of Sharia law. Additionally, the statement should avoid using the term \"oppressive\" as it carries a subjective connotation. Label: mostly-true","evidence":["Arguing in favor of his proposed ban on Muslims entering the country, Trump said that a Pew Research Study had found \"99 percent of the people in Afghanistan\" support Sharia law.","One clarification right of the bat \u2014 the Pew study found that 99 percent of Muslims in Afghanistan supported Sharia law as the \"law of the land.\" Trump said people in Afghanistan.","However, Pew also estimated in a 2012 study that Muslims made up 99 percent of the Afghanistan population, so that distinction does not invalidate Trump\u2019s claim. Furthermore, Pew reported that their 2013 sample was representative of 94 percent of the Afghani adult population.","There is some nuance in the Afghanistan results, however, as Muslims surveyed have different perspectives on various aspects of Sharia law and how it ought to be implemented. And nearly 40 percent of respondents in Afghanistan said that Sharia law should only apply to other Muslims, not non-Muslim citizens."]},{"id":"6596.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Massachusetts, Gov. Romney narrowed the gap between students of different races.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that as governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney made efforts to narrow the achievement gap between students of different races. According to statements made by Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney himself, Romney implemented measures such as raising testing standards and implementing a merit scholarship program to improve education and address the achievement gap. However, it is important to note that the evidence also mentions mixed results in terms of narrowing the gap, with some subjects showing small gains while others showed setbacks or no improvement. Therefore, while Romney made efforts to address the achievement gap, the extent to which he successfully narrowed it may vary across different subjects and grade levels.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Because he is a former governor, Mitt Romney understands that states must lead this national movement. In Massachusetts, Gov. Romney narrowed the gap between students of different races, raised testing standards, and put into place a merit scholarship ... He's a champion for bringing hope to education,\" Bush said in the Aug. 30 speech.","\"Those results revealed what good teachers can do if the system will only let them. The problem was, this success wasn\u2019t shared. A significant achievement gap between students of different races remained. So we set out to close it.\"","Romney told the NAACP that when he was governor of Massachusetts, \"not only did test scores improve \u2013 we also narrowed the achievement gap.\"","We also took a look at scores for the following year, comparing the achievement gap between 2007 and 2008. (These charts offer a slightly different comparison from the previous year, which looked at students who scored \"proficient\" on each test. The 2007-08 chart includes those scoring proficient and higher.) The best gains again were made by 10th graders who narrowed the gap by six points in English. But there was no change in the gap in math scores, and lower grades showed only one- or two-point gains, or no improvement at all, and the gap widened in a couple of instances, such as eighth-grade science scores. The 2008-2009 test score summary reflected a similar trend: small gains in some subjects and small setbacks in others."]},{"id":"649.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We spend more on health care than any other country, but we're ranked 47th in life expectancy and 43rd in child mortality.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Democratic Party's convention platform regarding the United States' healthcare spending, life expectancy ranking, and child mortality ranking. While the Democratic National Committee couldn't provide the specific source for these statistics, they align with Census Bureau data used in the CIA's World Factbook. It is widely acknowledged that the United States spends more on healthcare per capita than any other country, and there is evidence to support the rankings of 47th in life expectancy and 43rd in child mortality. These statistics highlight the disparity between healthcare spending and health outcomes in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That's a theme repeated in the report accompanying the Democratic Party's convention platform. It claims, \"We spend more on health care than any other country, but we're ranked 47th in life expectancy and 43rd in child mortality.\"","As for life expectancy and child mortality, the Democratic National Committee couldn't provide the source for the platform committee's statistics. But the numbers do match Census Bureau statistics that are used in the CIA's 2008 World Factbook, which shows the United States ranks 47th in life expectancy and 43rd in child mortality.","It is a common refrain among politicians lamenting the state of America's health care system: spending more on health care doesn't necessarily make the United States a healthier country.","The first part of the statement is certainly true. The United States has spent more per capita on health care than any other country for decades, and its spending has grown faster, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation."]},{"id":"1713.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Thanks to you, in under one week we have the largest GOP (Facebook) page in the Governor's race!\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is grammatically correct. \"Thanks to you\" is a common expression used to express gratitude towards someone. In this context, it is used to acknowledge the contribution of the person being addressed for helping achieve the largest GOP (Facebook) page in the Governor's race within a week. The statement effectively conveys appreciation and recognizes the individual's support.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Stack Exchange network consists of 182 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.","\"Thanks to all of you,\" however, is correct. You can think of it in the back of your mind as short for \"I'm sending my thanks to all of you.\"","@iser178049 Yes, \"Thanks to all of you\" is correct. I'm saying that without the pause \"Thanks all of you\" is not correct.","I've heard people saying thanks to all of you. Is it correct to say thanks to all of you? I personally think thanks all of you is better than that. I'm confused about these two phrases. May I know which one is correct or both are correct?"]},{"id":"3212.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Ohio is one of just 17 states with an estate tax, and it has the lowest threshold in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which confirms that Ohio is indeed one of the 17 states that levy an estate tax. Additionally, Ohio does have the lowest threshold for taxable estates among these states, with a threshold set at $338,333. This means that the estate tax in Ohio can affect not only the wealthy but also the middle class. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Newark Republican said Ohio is one of only 17 states with an estate tax. And, he said, Ohio has \"the lowest threshold in the nation\" for taxable estates, making it a tax that affects the middle class as well as the wealthy.","But we do rate his claims about the number of states that levy the tax and Ohio\u2019s low threshold as True.","The previous threshold was $25,000. It was set after the state's 75-year-old inheritance tax was repealed and the estate tax was adopted in 1968.","Ohio does have the lowest threshold among them. The state's tax is levied on estates valued above $338,333 (although there is a 100 percent exemption for surviving spouses). Data from the Ohio Department of Taxation shows that one in 14 estates (about 7 percent) in Ohio are subject to the tax, the Associated Press reported. More than 7,400 estates owed the state money in the fiscal year that ended in mid-June."]},{"id":"4470.json","label":"true","statement":"[The state ethics commission] took absolutely the same percent of cuts as most other state agencies. They were somewhere in the 7 percent range same as the governors office.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the state ethics commission faced similar budget cuts as other state agencies, including the governor's office. The statement accurately reflects that both the state ethics commission and the governor's office experienced cuts in the range of 7 percent. This suggests that the state ethics commission was not specifically targeted for deeper cuts compared to other agencies. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The state ethics commission took absolutely the same percent of cuts as most other state agencies. \u2026 They were somewhere in the 7 percent range \u2013 same as the governor\u2019s office.\"","Another notable example in this section came in the most recent legislative session when lawmakers pared the sales tax on the total rent paid for any commercial property from 6 percent to 5.8 percent, a loss of $25 million in tax revenue in 2017.","Experts say tax cuts may be a reason the state has seen jobs rebound, but it's not the sole or even most important reason.","\"The governor takes credit for all the jobs created since he took office, but with so many other driving factors at play, it's difficult to attribute these jobs to the tax cuts,\" said Joe Pennisi with the Florida Policy Institute."]},{"id":"3693.json","label":"true","statement":"Rep. Paul Ryans budget proposal cuts nothing from Medicare, Social Security or defense in the next two to three years, and in three years, he does not cut one dime from the debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made about Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal. According to the evidence provided, Ryan's budget proposal does not include immediate cuts to Medicare, Social Security, or defense in the next two to three years. Additionally, it is claimed that in three years, Ryan's proposal does not result in any reduction of the debt. These assertions are supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal cuts \"nothing\" from Medicare, Social Security or defense in the next two to three years, and \"in three years, he does not cut one dime from the debt.\"","\"I think both parties are delusional in thinking that this is a long-run problem. The Ryan plan gets the balanced budget in 2030, the fiscal hereafter. We have a here-and-now problem,\" Stockman said. \"Now, what does Ryan do in the next two or three years? Nothing. He cuts $600 (billion) or $700 billion of spending, mostly from a small part of the budget, discretionary and the safety net, leaves Medicare totally untouched for three years, leaves Social Security totally untouched for 10 years, leaves defense totally untouched for the next three years, and then, after cutting that small amount, gives it all back by extending all the Bush tax cuts that we can't afford. ... In three years, he does not cut one dime from the debt.\"","Whether the deficit should be reduced quickly or slowly is no doubt a debate that will continue to burn. Stockman urges a dramatic approach to cutting spending and increasing taxes quickly, while Ryan's proposal offers a more gradual approach to cutting spending, and it doesn't advocate raising taxes. Stockman said Ryan's plan \"leaves Medicare totally untouched for three years, leaves Social Security totally untouched for 10 years, leaves defense totally untouched for the next three years, and then, after cutting that small amount, gives it all back by extending all the Bush tax cuts that we can't afford. ... In three years, he does not cut one dime from the debt.\" Stockman is factually accurate on all these points, and we rate his statement True.","Ryan's budget proposal accepts cuts already proposed by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates but doesn't suggest additional reductions. Ryan's budget proposal uses the same numbers for defense spending as the White House's proposed 2012 budget, though Obama has since suggested additional cuts to defense. The reductions amount to $78 billion over the next five years, a small number considering defense got approximately $720 billion in 2011 alone. Ryan's budget slows the future growth of defense spending, but he doesn't actually reduce it."]},{"id":"12568.json","label":"false","statement":"Says HillaryClintons immigration platform would create totally open borders.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. While there may be differing opinions on Hillary Clinton's immigration platform, it is incorrect to claim that her platform would create \"totally open borders\" where anyone in the world can enter the United States without any limits. Such a characterization oversimplifies and misrepresents her stance on immigration. Clinton has expressed support for comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, but this does not equate to advocating for completely unrestricted and unregulated immigration. It is important to accurately represent the positions and proposals of political candidates.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"She\u2019s pledged to grant mass amnesty, and in her first 100 days, end virtually all immigration enforcement and thus create totally open borders for the United States, totally open borders,\" Trump said in a June 22 speech.","Claiming that Clinton would create \"totally open borders\" is a serious charge that suggests allowing people to travel freely or with very few restrictions between two countries.","\"I don't think she is calling for open immigration, but the context of her remarks shows that when she says \u2018open borders,\u2019 she doesn't just mean open trade,\" he said.","Says \"I\u2019ve been proven right\" about \"Hillary Clinton's radical call for open borders, meaning anyone in the world can enter the United States without any limit at all.\""]},{"id":"7437.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says if Congress doesnt avoid the sequester, tens of thousands of parents will have to scramble to find child care for their kids.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the warning made by President Obama that if Congress did not take action to avoid the sequester, tens of thousands of parents would have to scramble to find child care for their kids. However, it's important to note that the exact number of parents affected is uncertain and could vary depending on the specific programs and subsidies involved. While it is plausible that tens of thousands of parents could face difficulties in finding child care, the exact number is unproven. Therefore, the statement is considered half true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says if Congress doesn\u2019t avoid the sequester, \"tens of thousands of parents will have to scramble to find child care for their kids.\"","The president warned that if Congress didn\u2019t take action, \"tens of thousands of parents will have to scramble to find child care for their kids.\"","On Feb. 19, 2013, he warned that if Congress didn\u2019t take action, \"tens of thousands of parents will have to scramble to find child care for their kids.\"","Parents might be able to keep their subsidized child care with lower subsidies or higher co-pays. In the case of Head Start, it\u2019s not clear how many of the affected kids would lose spots in the types of programs that might leave their parents in a child-care lurch. Between the two, \"tens of thousands\" is plausible, but unproven. We rate the claim Half True."]},{"id":"1193.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama used to be a lawyer for ACORN.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Obama took on a case involving ACORN as one of several plaintiffs, he was not a staff attorney for ACORN, nor did he have an ongoing legal relationship with the organization. The claim suggests a deeper legal connection between Obama and ACORN than actually existed. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["As for Rove's claim that Obama used to be a lawyer for ACORN, yes, Obama once took on a case for ACORN. But Obama was never a staff attorney for ACORN. He did not do ongoing work for the organization. He handled o ne case along with two other attorneys. ACORN was one of several plaintiffs. And the U.S. Department of Justice sided with ACORN in the case. We think Rove's comment suggests a deeper legal relationship between Obama and ACORN than actually existed. And so we rule Rove's statement Half True.","ACORN's political action committee endorsed Obama for president. We note that Obama said he worked \"alongside\" ACORN, but not for ACORN. And ACORN itself says Obama didn't work for them during that time.","When Obama met with ACORN leaders in November 2007, he reminded them of his affinity for ACORN and his time as a Project Vote organizer.","While ACORN has taken a public beating, some conservatives renewed accusations of close past ties between President Barack Obama and ACORN."]},{"id":"10258.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Citing his efforts to secure the border, Obama said, Overall, the number of people trying to cross our border illegally is the lowest it has been since the 1970s.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement is supported by evidence and is generally accurate. The number of people attempting to cross the US-Mexico border illegally during his presidency was indeed at its lowest level since the 1970s. However, it is important to note that this decline in border apprehensions began before Obama's presidency, and economic conditions and other factors outside of his control also influence the flows of immigrants across the border. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood in the context of broader factors impacting border crossings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"Overall, the number of people trying to cross our border illegally is the lowest it has been since the 1970s.\"","Then Obama reeled off a few statistics, including this one: \"Overall, the number of people trying to cross our border illegally is at its lowest level since the 1970s. Those are the facts.\"","PolitiFact Florida found Half True this Obama claim: \"Overall, the number of people trying to cross our border illegally is the lowest it has been since the 1970s.\" Obama failed to acknowledge both that in the 1970s, it was easier for people to make multiple border crossings and that the decline in border apprehensions began before his presidency. Generally, the flows of immigrants across the border correlates with economic conditions outside the president's full control.","By that measure, the number of people trying to cross the border is the lowest it has been since part of the 1970s. The last time it was lower than the apprehensions in 2013 was 1972."]},{"id":"10845.json","label":"false","statement":"State legislators quietly shifted $2 billion from education to road building in 2013.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by McMurtrie, stating that state legislators \"quietly shifted $2 billion from education to road building in 2013,\" is not accurate. The sources highlight that the claim is based on hyper-inflated numbers and a misinterpretation of a newspaper article. Furthermore, the public debate and extensive media coverage surrounding the transportation bill in 2013 contradict the notion that the shift of funds was done quietly. Therefore, the statement is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McMurtrie says legislators \"quietly shifted $2 billion from education to road building\" in 2013. He backs his statement with hyper-inflated numbers multiplied over a 10-year period and a contorted interpretation of a newspaper article.","On his campaign website, McMurtrie laments, \"Too many Democratic and GOP legislators along with lobbyists quietly shifted $2 billion from education to road building.\" He calls that decision \"wrong,\" saying, \"Education trumps developers and special interests. We must put our children first.\"","Either way, McMurtrie\u2019s claim of a $2 billion raid on education doesn\u2019t hold up. Nor does his subsequent claim that the bill \"potentially\" took billions from schools. And the legislature\u2019s public debate on the bill, amplified by extensive media coverage, dissolves McMurtrie\u2019s claim that lawmakers \"quietly\" shifted education dollars.","There\u2019s one last point to address: McMurtrie\u2019s contention that lawmakers and lobbyists \"quietly shifted\" the money from education. The General Assembly publicly debated the transportation bill. Newspapers, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, reported extensively on it in 2013, often on the front page."]},{"id":"8783.json","label":"true","statement":"Travis County is surrounded by red counties.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the evidence provided. The evidence shows that in the surrounding counties of Travis County, Republican candidates have consistently won in presidential and other countywide elections. This indicates a trend of Republican support in those counties, contrasting with Travis County, which has a history of favoring Democratic candidates. Therefore, it can be concluded that Travis County is indeed surrounded by predominantly red or Republican-leaning counties.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a video endorsement of Andy Brown for Travis County judge, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett stressed the Austin lawyer\u2019s past chairmanship of the county\u2019s Democratic Party, adding: \"I know he shares our values. He will stand up to the Republicans. We are surrounded by red counties.\"","Next, we scrolled presidential election results for the surrounding counties from 1992 through 2008. We largely saw red: The Republican nominee won Blanco, Burnet and Williamson counties all five elections. The nominee carried Hays County in all but 1992 and Bastrop and Caldwell counties from 2000 on.","In 2012, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney carried each of Travis County\u2019s contiguous counties, drawing 54 percent to 77 percent of the vote, according to election results posted online by the state. Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ted Cruz similarly prevailed across the board, drawing 51 percent to 73 percent of each county\u2019s vote. That November, Democrat Barack Obama won 60 percent of Travis County\u2019s vote; Democratic Senate nominee Paul Sadler got 59 percent.","Election results for 2012 show local Democrats winning countywide races in two of the Travis-bordering counties, sometimes after they didn\u2019t draw a Republican opponent. In 2010, Democrats won countywide offices in Bastrop, Caldwell and Hays counties."]},{"id":"6578.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the national health care law puts federal bureaucrats between an American citizen and her doctor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the national health care law, commonly known as Obamacare, does introduce certain regulations and oversight, it does not directly put federal bureaucrats between an American citizen and her doctor. The law primarily focuses on expanding access to health insurance and implementing certain reforms in the healthcare system. While there may be some impact on the doctor-patient relationship due to changes in insurance coverage and reimbursement models, it is misleading to suggest that federal bureaucrats are directly involved in individual medical decisions. A fact-check by PolitiFact National rated a similar statement from Mitt Romney as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Mitt Romney will tell us the hard truths we need to hear to end the debacle of putting the world\u2019s greatest health care system in the hands of federal bureaucrats and putting those bureaucrats between an American citizen and her doctor,\" Christie said during his keynote address Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.","Christie said Romney will be able to tell the hard truths necessary to end the debacle of putting federal \"bureaucrats between an American citizen and her doctor.\"","Here, we decided to check Christie\u2019s statement that the law, formally called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act -- or as some call it, Obamacare -- puts federal \"bureaucrats between an American citizen and her doctor.\" (In a separate fact-check, we evaluated Christie\u2019s claim that the United States has \"the world\u2019s greatest health care system.\")","PolitiFact National recently fact-checked a nearly identical statement from Romney and rated it False. Romney said that \"Obamacare puts the federal government between you and your doctor.\""]},{"id":"5858.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she is co-owner of Celilo Group Media.","reason":"Reason: Eileen Brady is indeed associated with Celilo Group Media. While the term \"co-owner\" is not used by the company president, it is confirmed that Brady is the third-largest individual shareholder in the company. She has been invited to join the board and has served as the chairwoman for a significant period of time. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects her involvement with Celilo Group Media.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In last week\u2019s televised mayoral debate, she was introduced as board chair and co-owner of Celilo Group Media. The company publishes and distributes coupon books, including the popular Chinook Book.","Company president Nik Blosser said that he doesn\u2019t use the co-owner term. But he confirmed that Brady is the third largest individual who is a shareholder in the company. He and co-founder Tom Koehler invited Brady to join their board nearly a decade ago, and she has been chairwoman since.","Says a group \"estimates that the annual cost to Oregon taxpayers for government services to illegal aliens, after any income tax revenue from them, is $1 billion.\"","In this election, Eileen Brady has been tested up and down on claims that she helped found the popular New Seasons market chain way back when. We\u2019re not touching that here. Instead, we turn to another ownership claim by Brady."]},{"id":"13476.json","label":"false","statement":"Report: 3 million votes in presidential election cast by illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The claim that 3 million votes in the presidential election were cast by illegal aliens is false. This assertion originated from conspiracy websites like InfoWars, which lack credibility and promote unfounded claims. Multiple fact-checking organizations have debunked this claim, stating that there is no evidence to support such a significant number of illegal votes. It is important to rely on reputable sources and factual information when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Report: 3 million votes in presidential election cast by illegal aliens,\" reads a headline on InfoWars, a conspiracy website ran by Alex Jones. The article has been shared via Facebook more than 48,000 times when we last looked.","As we\u2019ve previously noted, conspiracy-minded websites \u2014 notably Alex Jones\u2019 InfoWars \u2014 have posted articles claiming that 3 million votes in the presidential election were \"cast by illegal aliens.\" We rated that False.","Were there 3 million illegal votes from undocumented immigrants in this year\u2019s presidential election? Well, that\u2019s what some websites are saying.","That\u2019s a really big number. For a sense of scale, 3 million votes is more than were cast for any presidential candidate in 36 states plus the District of Columbia. And 3 million people is more than a quarter of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States \u2014 a group that InfoWars specifically singled out as the source of 3 million illegal votes."]},{"id":"13307.json","label":"false","statement":"The stories from women saying he groped or forced himself on them largely have been debunked.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the stories of women accusing Donald Trump of groping or forcing himself on them have been largely debunked is not accurate. While some of the allegations have been questioned or disputed, none of them have been conclusively debunked. The majority of the stories have not been challenged by any substantial evidence other than Trump's denials. It is important to note that the credibility of the allegations should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the lack of definitive evidence does not automatically invalidate the accounts of the women who have come forward.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Nobody has more respect for women than I do \u2014 nobody,\" Trump said. \"And frankly, those stories have been largely debunked.\"","Trump said that the stories of him groping or forcing himself on women \"have been largely debunked.\" His campaign offered no evidence of that. We found that five of the nine stories have not been independently disputed. Of the remaining four stories, the women told friends, family or colleagues at the time, which provides some support. On the flip side, there is the account of Trump\u2019s former butler and a man who acknowledges that he has no proof of his version of events.","While some of the women\u2019s stories have been questioned, not one has been conclusively debunked, and the majority of the stories haven\u2019t been challenged by any facts other than Trump\u2019s denials.","Republican nominee Donald Trump said at the third and final presidential debate that allegations from nine women that he groped or kissed them without their consent have been debunked."]},{"id":"7262.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2010, 2,694 young people were killed by gunfire. 1,773 were victims of homicide; 67 were elementary school-age children.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by the CDC and FBI regarding gun-related deaths among young people in 2010. However, it's important to note that the figure of 2,694 includes not only victims of homicide but also those who died by suicide and accidents involving firearms. This distinction is crucial to understanding the full context of the data. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the numbers, it should be clarified that the 2,694 deaths include various categories of gun-related incidents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In 2010, 2,694 young people were killed by gunfire. 1,773 were victims of homicide; 67 were elementary school-age children. (Mostly True) It\u2019s important to note that the number of children and youths killed by guns includes suicides and accidents.","\"For many years now, our nation\u2019s leaders have engaged in fevered debates on higher education, yet lawmakers shy away from taking action on one issue that prevents thousands of young people from living lives of promise, let alone realizing their college dreams. That issue is gun safety,\" the letter reads. \" \u2026 In 2010, 2,694 young people were killed by gunfire. 1,773 were victims of homicide; 67 were elementary school-age children. If those children and teens were alive today, they would fill 108 classrooms of 25 each.\"","The CDC\u2019s homicide figure varies slightly from the FBI\u2019s Uniform Crime Reports for 2010. The FBI crime statistics are produced from data provided by 17,000 law enforcement agencies across the United States. For children and youths through age 19, 1,402 were victims of homicide (it does not include suicide) by gunfire in 2010, according to the FBI crime report. That is similar to the CDC\u2019s figure of 1,773 homicide victims of the same age during the same year.","The mortality data used in the gun safety letter is compiled from death certificates issued in each state and recorded by the CDC\u2019s National Center for Health Statistics. That information is then included in the WONDER database. Of note are the types of gun deaths included in the numbers cited. The list of 2,694 young people reportedly killed by gunfire includes those who died of suicide, as well as accidental discharge of a firearm and discharge of a firearm with an undetermined intent."]},{"id":"394.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I negotiated open borders to let fleeing refugees into safety from Kosovo.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Senator Hillary Clinton made the claim that she negotiated open borders to allow fleeing refugees into safety from Kosovo. However, fact-checking investigations have found little evidence to support this claim. Multiple sources, including news coverage of her trip to a refugee camp and her itinerary, do not provide substantial evidence that she personally negotiated open borders. Therefore, the statement is deemed as barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["As a way of burnishing her credentials to be commander in chief, Sen. Hillary Clinton made a number of claims during an interview with CNN, including, \"I negotiated open borders to let fleeing refugees into safety from Kosovo.\"","In an interview on CNN's American Morning on March 5, 2008, Clinton said, \"I helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland. I negotiated open borders to let fleeing refugees into safety from Kosovo. I've been standing up against ... the Chinese government over women's rights and standing up for human rights.\"","She said she had been involved in foreign policy and security policy for 15 years. \"I helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland. I negotiated open borders to let fleeing refugees into safety from Kosovo. I've been standing up against, you know, the Chinese government over women's rights and standing up for human rights in many different places.\"","\u2022 Kosovo. We checked the statements of administration officials, news coverage of her trip to a refugee camp and her itinerary. But we found little evidence that she had negotiated the open borders. We gave that a Barely True."]},{"id":"2890.json","label":"true","statement":"The tuitions in Virginia colleges...have doubled -- 100 percent -- in the last 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McDonnell that tuitions in Virginia colleges have doubled by 100 percent in the last 10 years is supported by evidence. Multiple sources confirm that tuition and mandatory fees at Virginia's public four-year schools have indeed increased by at least 100 percent on average over the past decade. Additionally, individual schools have experienced double-digit increases in tuition rates during this period. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And he should,\" McDonnell responded. \"I have a daughter at Virginia Tech and two (sons) at U.Va. right now and I\u2019m saying I understand his pain. The tuitions in Virginia colleges, Mark, have doubled -- 100 percent -- in the last 10 years. It\u2019s unacceptable.\"","McDonnell\u2019s claim that Virginia tuition has doubled in the last 10 years is 100 percent true using the average. If we look individually at each of the state\u2019s four-year schools, it\u2019s still true.","For 2010-11, all of the state\u2019s 16 public schools show undergraduate tuition and mandatory teaching-related fees increasing by at least 5 percent from the previous year. Half of those increases are in the double digits, with Virginia Commonwealth University at the top of the list with a 23.9 percent hike from 2009-10. Old Dominion University had the smallest increase at 5.3 percent.","Graduation rates of players at major football colleges \"are still twenty points below their male campus peers and worsened in the past three years.\""]},{"id":"9947.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sen. Mark Begich is ineffective because he has only passed one bill, the naming of a building.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that at the time of the statement, Senator Mark Begich had only sponsored one bill that was enacted, which involved the naming of a courthouse, it is important to note that this statement lacks context. Legislative effectiveness cannot be solely determined by the number of bills passed. It is a complex measure that takes into account various factors such as committee work, amendments, and influence on policy discussions. Focusing solely on the number of bills passed oversimplifies the legislative process and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of a lawmaker's effectiveness. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect Senator Begich's overall effectiveness as a legislator.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sullivan said Begich is ineffective because he has passed only \"one bill, the naming of a building.\" Technically, Sullivan has a point -- at the time Sullivan\u2019s post went up, Begich had only sponsored one bill that was eventually enacted, and it named a courthouse. Another Begich-sponsored bill concerning veterans\u2019 issues subsequently passed both the House and Senate.","Dan Sullivan, the Republican Senate candidate in Alaska, is charging that his opponent, Sen. Mark Begich, is an ineffective lawmaker compared to other Alaska senators.","The Sullivan campaign reinforced this line of attack in a Facebook meme that said Begich has passed one bill, and all it did was name a building.","!Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan attacked his opponent, Sen. Mark Begich, in this social-media meme. !Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan attacked his opponent, Sen. Mark Begich, in this social-media meme."]},{"id":"9474.json","label":"false","statement":"The decision to cancel the trademark of the Washington Redskins is not the Patent and Trademark Office. This is Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rush Limbaugh is an opinion that attributes the decision to cancel the trademark of the Washington Redskins solely to Barack Obama. However, this claim lacks factual evidence and is a subjective interpretation of the situation. The decision to cancel the trademark was made by the Patent and Trademark Office based on a petition filed by individuals with American Indian heritage, arguing that the team name is disparaging. It is important to note that decisions made by government agencies, such as the Patent and Trademark Office, are not solely determined by the President but are the result of a legal and administrative process. Therefore, the statement is an opinion and not supported by factual evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Limbaugh said, the decision to cancel the trademark of the Washington Redskins \"is not the Patent and Trademark Office. This is Barack Obama.\"","\"This is not the Patent and Trademark Office. This is Barack Obama,\" Limbaugh said, according to a transcript of his June 18 show. \"... All this stuff is coming out of the executive branch. All of this, well, tyranny. It's all coming from the executive branch, and Obama owns the executive branch.\"","There\u2019s new hysteria surrounding the cancellation of the Washington Redskins trademark registration, and it goes like this: The government\u2019s decision was much ado about nothing.","The Redskins case deals with existing trademark registrations, which require investment on the part of people who seek to have the trademark canceled under federal code. In this case, five young people with American Indian heritage petitioned the Patent and Trademark Office in 2006 to cancel the registrations, arguing that it is disparaging."]},{"id":"250.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"He's a good man but he's a pro-life liberal. He's right on the pro-life part, but he's a liberal.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Fred Thompson's characterization of Mike Huckabee as a \"pro-life liberal.\" However, it's important to note that the term \"liberal\" is subjective and can have different interpretations depending on the context. While Huckabee may hold some positions that align with liberal values, it is an oversimplification to label him as a liberal across all policy areas. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it acknowledges Huckabee's pro-life stance but may exaggerate his alignment with liberal ideology.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But \"pro-life liberal\"? Pro-life seems an intentionally narrow description of Huckabee's strong \"values\" positions. And \"liberal\" is a clear exaggeration, especially if it means \"on everything else,\" though you can't deny liberal elements in his populism. Keeping in mind the subjective nature of the term, we rate Thompson's \"pro-life liberal\" label as no better than half-true.","Fred Thompson, competing fiercely against Huckabee for the social conservatives' vote in the Republican primaries, is using the \"liberal\" label, a favorite derogatory term at least since the Barry Goldwater presidential campaign of 1964. After using the label in an interview with Nashville talk-radio host Steve Gill, Thompson elaborated in an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News on Nov. 18: \"That means he's pro-life, but he's liberal on everything else.\"","Does all that render one a liberal? If you are not consistently \"conservative,\" are you liberal? Can you oppose withdrawal from Iraq, as Huckabee does, and still be liberal? Can you support a flat sales tax in place of a progressive income tax and still be liberal?","But business wants good schools and good roads, too, says Baker. Huckabee's was a \"holistic approach\" to economic development \u2013- not just tax breaks and low taxes, but also \"energy, schools, higher education,\" Baker says. \"He made a great effort to improve the economic development climate here.\""]},{"id":"8534.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the U.S. national debt has tripled during Rep. Greg Waldens time in Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Linthicum that the U.S. national debt has tripled during Rep. Greg Walden's time in Congress. However, it's important to note that the national debt is influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, fiscal policies, and actions taken by multiple administrations. While the national debt has indeed increased over time, attributing its growth solely to the actions of one representative is an oversimplification. It is a complex issue that involves multiple factors beyond the control of any single individual. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On his campaign website, Linthicum offers the nation's ever-increasing public debt as one piece of evidence: \"During Walden\u2019s time as a representative (nearly 16 years) the National Debt has tripled.\"","This is a good time to note the difference between the deficit, a calculation of the difference between what the government takes in versus what it spends in any given year, as opposed to the national debt, which is a running tally of what the U.S. government owes. That's why it's possible that Obama is technically accurate when he says the CBO projects his plan will halve the deficit in five years; while the national debt will grow by $4.6 trillion over the same stretch.","U.S. Rep. Greg Walden may be a member of the House GOP leadership, but that hasn\u2019t protected him from allegations that he\u2019s too liberal for his conservative base -- or from drawing a primary challenger.","We constantly hear about the nation\u2019s trillions of dollars worth of debt, but has it really tripled in the time that Walden has been in office? We wanted to find out."]},{"id":"4069.json","label":"true","statement":"Young veterans have a higher unemployment rate than people who didnt serve.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), have confirmed that young veterans, particularly post-9\/11 veterans, have experienced higher unemployment rates compared to non-veterans. President Obama's statement accurately reflects this fact, highlighting the challenges faced by young veterans in finding employment after their military service.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Still, none of this undercuts Obama\u2019s claim. If you interpret his remark -- that \"young veterans have a higher unemployment rate than people who didn\u2019t serve\" -- to mean post-9\/11 veterans, then the rates have indeed been significantly higher than for non-veterans over at least the last six months. We rate his statement True.","Obama said it\u2019s an idea that he\u2019s \"been talking a lot about internally. We\u2019ve got all these young people coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan; have made incredible sacrifices; have taken on incredible responsibilities. You see some 23-year-old who's leading a platoon in hugely dangerous circumstances, making decisions, operating complex technologies. These are folks who can perform. But, unfortunately, what we\u2019re seeing is that a lot of these young veterans have a higher unemployment rate than people who didn\u2019t serve. And that makes no sense.\"","It\u2019s worth noting that the BLS considered that 21.9 percent rate as \"not statistically different from the jobless rate of young male non-veterans,\" which was 19.7 percent. But Brown wasn\u2019t citing the statistic to contrast it with the unemployment of non veterans.","\"Today, many veterans -\u2014 including our young veterans -\u2014 face an unacceptably high unemployment rate,\" the Democrat said. \"More than one in five of veterans aged 20 to 24 can\u2019t find a job to support their family or to ease the transition to civilian life.\""]},{"id":"9512.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Iowa Senate candidate Joni Ernst promises to shut down the Department of Education and abolish the EPA.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the attack ad and the debate. Joni Ernst has indeed expressed her support for shutting down the Department of Education and abolishing the EPA. This position was stated by Ernst herself during a debate, and her campaign did not dispute it. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The ad raises concern over Ernst\u2019s promises \"to shut down the Department of Education and abolish the EPA.\" It claims that these promises are \"why extremist Sarah Palin and the billionaire Koch brother want Ernst in Washington.\" All in all, the ad concluded that Ernst is \"Too extreme for Iowa.\"","An attack ad aired by the League of Conservation Voters said that Ernst wants to \"shut down the Department of Education and abolish the EPA.\" In an April debate, Ernst called for the closure of both federal agencies, and her campaign didn\u2019t dispute that. We rate this claim True.","\"Joni Ernst would be another tea party vote in the Senate,\" the ad says in part. \"Ernst would privatize Social Security. ... Palin, Ernst: Too extreme for Iowa.\"","While answering the same question that prompted her Education Department response, Ernst also mentioned the EPA. \"Let\u2019s shut down the EPA,\" she said. Ernst gave the same rationale for this slash in government, saying, \"The state knows best how to protect resources.\""]},{"id":"273.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I have never asked for nor received a single earmark or pork barrel project for my state.\"","reason":"Reason: While Senator McCain has been a vocal opponent of pork barrel spending and has a generally strong record in this regard, there is evidence to suggest that he did request and receive some earmarks or projects that could be considered pork barrel spending. While the definition of earmarks and pork barrel projects can vary, there are instances where McCain's claims conflict with the evidence. Therefore, the statement that he has never asked for or received any earmarks or pork barrel projects for his state is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"And I'm proud to tell you, Chris, in 24 years as a member of Congress, I have never asked for nor received a single earmark or pork barrel project for my state and I guarantee you I'll veto those (spending) bills.\"","Whether these projects constitute earmarked pork depends on how you look at the issue. In its simplest form, pork barrel spending is a project designed to benefit a particular constituency, and an earmark is the designation of funds for a specific purpose.","Indeed, we agree with Sepp that the narrow Washington definition of \"earmark\" is less important than the impression McCain has left. It appears he was seeking pork barrel projects for Arizona, which puts a few blemishes on an otherwise pure record against pork. And so while we find there is no question that McCain has been a leading congressional voice against pork, these three examples conflict with his bold claim. So we find that claim False.","\"... If we're going to restore the confidence of the American people and our Republican base first, we're going to have to cut the spending, we're going to have to eliminate the pork barrel and wasteful spending,\" McCain said."]},{"id":"10222.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Democratic leader in the Senate, Harry Reid, has blocked any vote on the Keystone pipeline for years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has not allowed a standalone vote on the Keystone pipeline, there have been instances where amendments related to the Keystone pipeline have come up for a vote in the Senate. Additionally, Reid and other Democratic senators have offered votes on the Keystone pipeline as part of broader legislative compromises. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that Reid has completely blocked any vote on the Keystone pipeline for years.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Fox News host Chris Wallace accused Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of blocking any vote on the Keystone XL pipeline. !Fox News host Chris Wallace accused Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of blocking any vote on the Keystone XL pipeline.","With Whitehouse\u2019s comments in mind, we decided to see if Wallace was correct to say Reid has \"blocked any vote on the Keystone pipeline for years.\"","Twice, Reid said he would allow a Keystone pipeline vote if the Senate approved the Shaheen bill first. But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Republicans rejected both offers.","In actuality, several amendments approving Keystone have come up for a vote in the Senate. And Reid and other top Democratic senators have offered Keystone votes several times as part of a broader legislative compromise."]},{"id":"13157.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wants to bring in thousands of refugees to America from all around the world without any kind of security screening.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Hillary Clinton has expressed support for accepting refugees into the United States, there is no evidence to suggest that she advocates for admitting them without any kind of security screening. In fact, the process for vetting and screening refugees is rigorous and involves multiple security agencies to ensure national security. The claim that there would be no security screening is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Scott said Clinton \"wants to bring in thousands of refugees to America from all around the world without any kind of security screening.\"","\"The biggest loser was the American people,\" Scott wrote, \"because we never got to hear a vigorous conversation about why Hillary set up an illegal email server for classified information or why she wants to bring in thousands of refugees to America from all around the world without any kind of security screening.\"","Scott\u2019s office did not clarify anything about his post when we contacted them. But he\u2019s using fairly broad language by saying Clinton wants to bring in thousands of refugees from across the globe.","She does want to allow refugees into America, although the figures are up for debate \u2014 but the idea that there will be no security screening is wrong."]},{"id":"10925.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia residents file the most insurance claims for lightning strikes in the country.","reason":"Reason: According to State Farm, one of the major insurers in the United States, Georgia residents consistently file the most insurance claims for lightning strikes in the country. This information is supported by reports from WSB-TV and the Insurance Information Institute, which compiles an annual list of states with the highest number of homeowners insurance lightning losses. The data suggests that Georgia has consistently ranked among the top states for lightning-related insurance claims. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["State Farm says Georgia residents file the most claims for lightning strikes in the country. There\u2019s evidence this has been the case last year and the two previous years.","But State Farm, one of the nation\u2019s major insurers, says it is Georgia residents who file the most claims for lightning strikes in the country, WSB-TV reported Friday, June 5.","The Insurance Information Institute, in conjunction with State Farm, compiles a list each year of the top 10 states for homeowners insurance lightning losses by number of claims.","Nationwide, lightning strikes cost about $674 million in homeowners insurance losses in 2013, down 30.5 percent from 2012, according to the institute."]},{"id":"12859.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After initially agreeing with Republicans on an amount for Zika funding, Democrats derailed it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Democrats initially agreed on the dollar amount for Zika funding. However, it fails to mention the main reason for the derailment, which was the addition of language by House Republicans that barred a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Puerto Rico from receiving government funds. The bill that Democrats rejected had anti-abortion measures inserted by House Republicans, which differed from the bill they initially agreed upon. Therefore, it is important to provide the full context and acknowledge the specific reason for the derailment of the funding bill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ryan said Democrats blocked the Zika funding bill after agreeing on the dollar amount. That part is accurate, but the main reason Democrats gave for their action was the Republican addition of language that barred a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Puerto Rico from receiving government funds.","\"Unfortunately, when this plan went to the Senate for a vote, Democrats derailed it,\" Ryan wrote. \"This was despite months of calling for action, and even voting in favor of that exact funding level just weeks prior. They blocked our plan not once, but twice \u2014 a blatant ploy in an election year. Because of their actions, this funding is in limbo.\"","He is correct that Senate Democrats agreed to a $1.1 billion plan. But the bill they approved did not have the Planned Parenthood funding ban. To that extent, the bill they rejected was a different bill. Those differences were anti-abortion measures inserted by House Republicans.","Democrats could have chosen to accept that provision and passed the bill. On the other hand, Republicans could have chosen not to add it during the conference committee."]},{"id":"10507.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nearly one in five women in America has been a victim of rape or attempted rape.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a well-respected survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the survey, 19.3 percent of women reported experiences that are categorized as rape or attempted rape. While there are other surveys with different methodologies that show lower rates of rape, the CDC study is considered credible and reliable by researchers. Therefore, the statement is accurate and supported by evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Washington Post Fact Checker, \" Obama\u2019s claim that one in five American women has been a victim of rape or attempted rape,\" Feb. 12, 2015","The survey\u2019s summary table shows that 19.3 percent of women interviewed reported experiences that the authors categorized as rape or attempted rape. That\u2019s \"nearly one in five,\" so on the broad figure Obama cited, he correctly reported the CDC\u2019s finding.","PolitiFact National rated this Mostly True. A well-respected survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 19.3 percent of women reported experiences that are considered to be rape or attempted rape under the survey\u2019s guidelines. There are other surveys, using a different methodology, that show lower rates of rape, but researchers say the data in the CDC study is at least as credible, if not more so.","A well-respected survey by the CDC found that 19.3 percent of women reported experiences that are considered to be rape or attempted rape under the survey\u2019s guidelines. There are other surveys, using a different methodology, that show lower rates of rape, but researchers say the data in the CDC study is at least as credible, if not more so. The statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information, so we rate it Mostly True."]},{"id":"9994.json","label":"false","statement":"I recently had the opportunity to vote to give the president limited authority to begin strikes against terrorists in Iraq and Syria.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Braley is false. While Braley did vote on U.S. policy in Syria and Iraq, the votes were related to providing support and assistance to the Syrian rebels, not granting the president authority to initiate strikes against terrorists in Iraq and Syria. The legislative language focused on training and supplying the Syrian rebels, rather than authorizing strikes. Therefore, Braley's claim does not align with the actual content of the votes he participated in.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Braley said, \"I recently had the opportunity to vote to give the president limited authority to begin strikes against terrorists in Iraq and Syria.\"","Braley and Ernst are locked in a tight contest that could help decide control of the Senate. During the Sept. 28, 2014, debate, Braley said, \"I recently had the opportunity to vote to give the president limited authority to begin strikes against terrorists in Iraq and Syria. ISIS is a threat that must be stopped, and any time American citizens are attacked by a terrorist group, they need to be brought to justice or to the grave. That's what's happening and that's what we'll continue to do.\"","In other words, this legislative language is all about the United States providing training and supplies to the Syrian rebels -- not about authorizing the president \"to begin strikes against terrorists in Iraq and Syria.\"","Braley did cast votes recently on U.S. policy in Syria and Iraq, but they concerned supplying and assisting the Syrian rebels -- not whether to give the president the authority to launch strikes. Some have even criticized Congress for not directly voting to authorize strikes. We rate Braley's claim False."]},{"id":"3090.json","label":"false","statement":"Ben Franklin once quipped that only two things in life were certain: death and taxes. I think even he didnt envision that the tax man would visit on the day of your death.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ben Franklin is often attributed to the quote, \"In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,\" there is no evidence to suggest that he made the specific statement about the tax man visiting on the day of one's death. The quote is a general observation about the inevitability of death and the necessity of paying taxes. It is important to be cautious when attributing specific statements to historical figures without proper evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["According to International Olympic Committee data, \u201can average of 29 athletes under the age of 35 suffered sudden death per year from 1966 to 2004. From March 2021 to March 2022, 769 athletes have died or suffered cardiac arrest.\"","\"You can say he said anything and he probably did,\" he said. \"Franklin wrote so much and printed so much you can find a lot of things in his writings.\"","Goodman perused through the pages of two authoritative references on Franklin for us: A Concordance to the Sayings in Franklin\u2019s Poor Richard , by Frances M. Barbour, and Ben Franklin Laughing , by Paul Zall.","\"The Iranian parliament will get to say yes or no on this deal, and I think the United States Congress should have the exact same input into the process.\""]},{"id":"8980.json","label":"false","statement":"Federal government reneging on Medicaid payments to Wisconsin caused about $240 million in extra costs in the 2013-15 state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the claim of the federal government reneging on Medicaid payments causing $240 million in extra costs in the 2013-15 state budget is not accurate. The fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, stating that typical state-federal cost-sharing fluctuations, rather than any reversal of commitment by the federal government, led to higher costs for Wisconsin. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Indeed, a year later he claimed that \"federal government reneging\" on Medicaid payments to Wisconsin had caused about $240 million in extra costs in the 2013-\u201915 state budget. We rated that claim False. Typical state-federal cost-sharing fluctuations -- not any reversal on a commitment by Washington -- led to higher costs for Wisconsin.","Explaining his rejection of federal money to fully expand Medicaid coverage, Walker said on Fox News Sunday that \"federal government reneging\" on Medicaid payments to Wisconsin caused more than $200 million in extra costs in the 2013-\u201915 state budget.","\"Even before the Medicaid expansion I had (provided) $600 million more to Medicaid. Almost 40 percent of that was to fill in the federal government reneging on commitments they've already made even before the Medicaid expansion.\"","That formula is \"designed so that the federal government pays a larger portion of Medicaid costs in states with lower per-capita incomes relative to the national average (and vice versa for states with higher per-capita incomes),\" a Congressional Research Service paper noted in 2013."]},{"id":"5119.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry cut taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that Rick Perry cut taxes. Throughout his political career, including his tenure as the Governor of Texas, Perry advocated for and implemented tax cuts. However, it is important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the extent and scope of the tax cuts implemented by Perry. Additionally, the impact and effectiveness of these tax cuts can be a subject of debate. Therefore, while it is true that Perry pursued tax cuts, the statement could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Talking about tax cuts can score a candidate big points, and Gov. Rick Perry didn\u2019t let that opportunity sail by during the Jan. 14 GOP gubernatorial debate.","A \"he said, she said\" exchange between U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry during the Jan. 14 gubernatorial debate may have left Texans scratching their heads.","On the campaign trail in New Hampshire earlier this month, Texas Gov. Rick Perry repeated what has become a common battle cry in his campaign for the Republican nomination for president.","But Perry\u2019s shorthand statement that property taxes were cut by a third, which has been repeated by other politicians, is an oversimplification."]},{"id":"5491.json","label":"true","statement":"If we keep the minimum wage at the current level, then single-parent families earning the minimum wage at a full-time job will live in poverty in New Jersey.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the assemblyman that if the minimum wage in New Jersey remains at its current level, single-parent families earning the minimum wage at a full-time job will live in poverty. This claim has been supported by PolitiFact New Jersey, which found that the state's minimum wage is indeed insufficient to lift a single-parent family out of poverty. The comparison between the minimum wage earnings and the federal poverty level for a two-person household further emphasizes the financial challenges faced by these families. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The assemblyman said: \"If we keep the minimum wage at the current level, then single-parent families earning the minimum wage at a full-time job will live in poverty in New Jersey. \"","\"Since the economy is slow to grow, these jobs have become permanent, thereby cementing the reality that the minimum wage simply is not a sustainable salary for New Jerseyans,\" DeAngelo wrote. \"At the current New Jersey minimum wage, a full-time employee earns only $15,080. In comparison, the federal poverty level for a two-person household is $15,130. If we keep the minimum wage at the current level, then single-parent families earning the minimum wage at a full-time job will live in poverty in New Jersey. We can\u2019t sit idly by while parents raising their children cannot financially support themselves or pay the bare minimum of daily expenses while earning the minimum wage.\"","Is the state\u2019s minimum wage too little to lift a single-parent family out of poverty, as DeAngelo suggests? PolitiFact New Jersey found the assemblyman is right.","As a tough economy stretches resources, a Democratic legislator said the lifeline for New Jersey families relying on a minimum wage job is thinning -- and soon it may snap."]},{"id":"6361.json","label":"false","statement":"The presidents first major foreign policy speech in Cairo was to apologize for our country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While President Obama's speech in Cairo did acknowledge past U.S. actions and expressed a desire to move forward, it did not constitute a formal apology for the country. The speech aimed to improve relations between the United States and the Islamic world and promote dialogue and understanding. It is important to note that acknowledging past mistakes or expressing a willingness to address them does not necessarily equate to a formal apology. Therefore, the statement that the speech was solely intended to apologize for the country is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Obama administration billed a speech in Cairo on June 4, 2009(\/\/ \"a speech in Cairo on June 4, 2009\"), as a major diplomatic outreach to the Islamic world.","At a speech in Cairo( \"At a speech in Cairo\") on relations between the U.S. and the Islamic world, Obama got very close to regretting decades-old U.S. actions in Iran. But then he immediately countered with criticism of Iran. He did not make a formal expression of regret, but suggested both countries simply \"move forward.\" Here are his exact remarks: \"In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward.\"","We reviewed several analyses of what Obama's foreign policy goals are in traveling the world and readily admitting to America's mistakes. One of the most interesting essays we read was written by historian Walter Russell Mead( \"Walter Russel Mead\") for the journal Foreign Policy.","Some of the Obama speeches that Romney cited in his book certainly laid out Obama\u2019s foreign policy ideas, and it seems fair to say that a less confrontational approach was among Obama\u2019s goals. Obama had made no secret during the campaign that he intended to set a different course on foreign policy than Bush -- a committed unilateralist -- had pursued."]},{"id":"315.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Two-thirds of our economy is a consumer economy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The United States has a consumer-driven economy, where consumer spending accounts for a significant portion of the overall economic activity. This is supported by various economic indicators and reports, such as the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis, which tracks and analyzes GDP and economic trends. Consumer spending includes expenditures on various goods and services, such as food, apparel, transportation, healthcare, and entertainment. Therefore, it is correct to say that two-thirds of the U.S. economy is driven by consumer spending.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Speaking favorably of the Bush stimulus plan, Romney said, \"What's effective is, first, he's getting money back to consumers. And given the fact that two-thirds of our economy is a consumer economy, getting money back into the hands of our citizens, a lot of them paying a lot for gasoline, a lot for heating oil, a lot of people concerned about how to make ends meet, that makes sense to me.\"","U.S. Commerce Department Bureau of Economic Analysis, GDP and the Economy: Final Estimates for the Third Quarter of 2007 , January 2008","\"The lifespan of the average American is less than that of people in nations that spend far less (on health care). ... To put it bluntly, we spend more and die sooner.\"","Consumption includes pretty much everything we spend our money on. The major components of consumption include things like food, apparel and services, transportation, health care and entertainment."]},{"id":"10364.json","label":"false","statement":"The Milwaukee Bucks are actually younger than the Marquette team.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the Milwaukee Bucks have a relatively young roster with several players under the age of 22 and more than half the team under the age of 24, they are not younger on average than the Marquette team. The evidence provided clarifies that the Bucks started the season as the second youngest team in the NBA, but it does not support the claim that they are younger than the Marquette team. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He added: \"They haven\u2019t been out on the marketplace because\u2026.they also happen to be younger than the Marquette team. And we have to actually coach them and kind of teach them what it\u2019s like to live alone and be an NBA professional player.\"","Also, four Bucks players are under the age of 22, which makes them younger than some of the Marquette players. Also eight players -- more than half the team -- are under the age of 24.","The team did start the season as the second youngest of 30 NBA teams. But the claim we are looking at is whether they are younger on average than the Marquette squad. They are not.","If Milwaukee lost the Bucks, the Bradley Center certainly would take action to try and replace at least some of that revenue by adding other events, such as concerts or shows. Besides being the current home of the Marquette University men\u2019s basketball team and the Milwaukee Admirals American Hockey League team, it has also been home to other sports teams in the past."]},{"id":"5441.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Connie Mack failed to pay his child support.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Connie Mack \"failed to pay his child support\" is false. While there was a single partial late payment of less than two weeks, it was classified as alimony by the courts, not child support. The ad's portrayal of multiple \"past due\" notices is misleading and does not accurately represent the situation. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is rated as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In Congress, Half Mack bounced checks, didn\u2019t pay bills, was sued by his Yacht club, stiffed his lawyer, even failed to pay his child support.\"","LeMieux\u2019s ad said that Mack \"failed to pay his child support,\" and the visuals of multiple \"past due\" notices suggest a pattern.","In this item, we will tackle the serious charge that Mack \"failed to pay his child support.\" The ad shows many notices sailing by, each stamped \"urgent,\" \"overdue,\" or \"past due.\"","We think saying that Mack \"failed\" to pay his child support is quite a stretch. It\u2019s based on a single partial late payment of less than two weeks, and the payment was classified as alimony by the courts. We rate this claim False."]},{"id":"6966.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Now remember, property taxes went up 70 percent in the 10 years before I became governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Chris Christie that property taxes in New Jersey increased by 70 percent in the 10 years before he took office. This claim is supported by evidence that shows the average property tax bill in New Jersey increased from approximately $4,240 to about $7,280 during that period. However, it's important to note that when factoring in property tax rebates, the increase is slightly lower, around 50 percent. Nonetheless, the statement is generally true in terms of the overall increase in property taxes before Governor Christie's tenure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We're announcing $116 million dollars today in additional savings to local governments statewide. Here's why. The savings are possible because of the reforms we put in place: 2 percent cap on property taxes. The property tax rates are starting to come in from across the state. They came in from Burlington County the other day, 1.7 percent increase countywide in property taxes. The cap's working,\" he said. \"Now remember, property taxes went up 70 percent in the 10 years before I became governor. So you\u2019re having a 7 percent a year average.\"","Did New Jersey\u2019s property taxes -- the nation\u2019s highest -- jump by 70 percent in a decade? Homeowners may not be surprised to learn that the increase was actually slightly more. Though, when property tax rebates are factored in, the increase is roughly 50 percent.","When you deduct those rebates from the average property tax bill, the increase over the decade before Christie took office is less than 70 percent.","In the decade before Christie took office, the average property tax bill climbed more than 70 percent, from roughly $4,240 to about $7,280."]},{"id":"489.json","label":"true","statement":"\"NATO hasn't provided enough troops (in Afghanistan) because they are still angry about us going into Iraq.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama that NATO countries did not provide enough troops in Afghanistan due, in part, to their anger over the U.S. invasion of Iraq. This claim is supported by a U.S. government report and the agreement among NATO experts that European criticism of the Iraq war played a significant role in the reluctance of some NATO countries to commit troops to Afghanistan. While it is important to note that this is not the sole reason for the insufficient troop levels, the statement is considered true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Right now, we don't have enough troops and NATO hasn't provided enough troops because they are still angry about us going into Iraq.\"","\"If we're going to catch (Osama) bin Laden, or most importantly, break down al-Qaida ... we've got to have the capacity to put more troops in Afghanistan ... both our troops and NATO troops.","And even a U.S. government report concluded that European criticism of the U.S. war in Iraq has made some NATO countries less willing to commit troops to Afghanistan. While some NATO experts say that is not the only reason, they agree it is a big one. We rate Obama's statement True.","With the addition of some 7,500 Marines in Afghanistan in early 2008, there are now about 32,500 American troops in Afghanistan; plus an additional 28,000 NATO troops."]},{"id":"13407.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump doesnt believe in equal pay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Donald Trump's campaign website does not explicitly outline specific policies regarding equal pay, his campaign has stated that he supports \"equal pay for equal work.\" However, there have been instances where Trump's statements on the topic have been inconsistent or vague. It is important to note that the claim that Trump doesn't believe in equal pay is an oversimplification and does not fully capture the complexity of his stance on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump\u2019s campaign website does not include specific policies for how he would handle equal pay concerns if he was elected president. But his campaign refuted Clinton\u2019s claim that Trump doesn\u2019t believe in equal pay.","Trump\u2019s campaign website does not have a stipulated stance on equal pay for men and women, but his campaign says he supports \"equal pay for equal work.\" Trump has said men and women doing the same job should get the same pay, but it\u2019s hard to determine what\u2019s \"the same job,\" and that if everybody gets equal pay, \"you get away from capitalism in a sense.\"","\"We can stand up for what we believe, what we want for our children and our grandchildren, what we know is right. And you can go down the list of everything he has said,\" Clinton said of Trump. \"He doesn't believe in equal pay, he thinks pregnancy is an inconvenience, he won't raise the minimum wage, and he said if he comes home and dinner is not on the table, he gets angry.\"","That\u2019s a long list. Here, we wanted to know if Trump has taken a position against equal pay. We found that Trump has said various things but at times has said he supports the concept that women and men should make equal pay."]},{"id":"13276.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Of course, there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before election day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. Multiple fact-checkers have found no credible evidence of large-scale voter fraud occurring on or before election day. Claims of widespread voter fraud have been thoroughly investigated and debunked. It is important to rely on accurate information and evidence-based claims when discussing the integrity of elections.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["> Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before election day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!","\"Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before election day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!\" Trump tweeted the morning of Oct. 17.","Trump talked about voter fraud off and on for most of the campaign. On Oct. 17, 2016, he tweeted, \"Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before election day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!\"","We rated that claim Pants on Fire. There was no evidence then, and there has been no evidence since, of \"large scale voter fraud.\""]},{"id":"1720.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The vast majority of the money I got was from small donors all across the country.''","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that \"the vast majority of the money I got was from small donors all across the country\" is false. Analysis of campaign contribution data reveals that only 32 percent of Obama's general election funds came from individuals who donated $200 or less. While Obama did receive significant support from small donors, it is not accurate to claim that the majority of his funds came from them. Other sources, including large donors, also played a significant role in financing his campaign.\nLabel: false","evidence":["What jumped out at us in this exchange was Obama's statement, \"the vast majority of the money I got was from small donors all across the country.\" We've seen that statement repeated elsewhere, but the evidence doesn't back it up.","Obama's skill at raising money from small donors for the 2008 campaign was significant. But Obama was also skilled at raising money from large donors. His statement was, \"the vast majority of the money I got was from small donors all across the country.\" That's not the case. Only 32 percent of his general election money came from people who gave $200 or less. We rate his statement False.","\"No,\" Obama said. \"First of all, I got a lot of money from a lot of people. And the vast majority of the money I got was from small donors all across the country. And moreover, anybody who gave me money during the course of my campaign knew that I was on record again in 2007, and 2008, pushing very strongly that we needed to reform how Wall Street did business. And so, nobody should be surprised in the position that I'm taking now because it is one that I was very clear about in the course of the campaign.\"","Campaign contributions are public record, so there's verifiable data on how much political candidates receive and who gives it to them. Obama did raise a lot of money from small donations collected over the Internet, and several groups have analyzed the information to determine how much that was. While Obama got more money from small donors than his opponents, they did not account for the majority of his funds."]},{"id":"5802.json","label":"true","statement":"The Democrat-controlled Senate, it hasnt passed a budget in more than 1,000 days.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Democrat-controlled Senate had not passed a budget for over 1,000 days at the time of the evidence provided. This is supported by multiple sources and statements from Republican leaders, including Speaker John Boehner and Representative Paul Ryan. The lack of a budget resolution during that period was a point of contention and criticism from the Republican Party.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It hasn\u2019t been quite that long since the last Senate budget resolution expired, but it has been 1,000 days -- and counting -- since the Democrat-controlled Senate adopted a budget.","\"Unfortunately, we're again waiting for leadership from the Democrats who run Washington,\" Boehner added, and then refreshed a favorite GOP talking point: \"The Democrat-controlled Senate, it hasn't passed a budget in more than 1,000 days.\"","So, Ryan is using language that is a little loose in saying the Senate \"went without a budget\" for 1,000 days. But in interviews, on Twitter, in other statements and in an article he co-authored that was published the same day as his news release, Ryan has been clear that he means 1,000 days passed without the Senate adopting a budget.","Each of those statements cites the same starting point as Boehner\u2019s claim of 1,000 days -- April 29, 2009. That was, according to the Congressional Research Service and news sources, when the Senate passed a budget resolution for fiscal 2010."]},{"id":"385.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Clinton did not read the National Intelligence Estimate before voting for the Iraq war.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Clinton did not read the National Intelligence Estimate before voting for the Iraq war. The fact check confirms that Clinton voted in favor of the use of force in Iraq, along with McCain, based on the 2002 vote authorizing the invasion. While Clinton's statement refers to an estimate, the fact check highlights that the methodology used to make that estimate has been widely criticized. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among Obama's points: \"It's time for new leadership that understands that the way to win a debate with John McCain is not by nominating someone who agreed with him on voting for the war in Iraq.\"","Obama is right: Clinton and McCain were on the same side in voting for the use of force in Iraq. We find this claim to be True.","Obama is referring to the 2002 vote authorizing the use of force in Iraq, widely considered to have given President Bush the authority for the invasion. Clinton voted for the measure, as did McCain. Obama was not in the U.S. Senate at that time, though he did give a speech opposing the war while an Illinois state senator.","Clinton\u2019s statement isn\u2019t as bold as Baldwin\u2019s, in that she refers to an estimate. But that doesn\u2019t change the fact that the methodology used to make that estimate, as we detailed in the Baldwin fact check, has been widely criticized."]},{"id":"12189.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott cut Medicaid so people cant get Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that Rick Scott, as the governor of Florida, took actions that limited Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is important to note that Medicaid expansion was optional for states. Scott did not fully expand Medicaid in Florida, which resulted in some individuals being ineligible for Medicaid and potentially facing challenges in accessing healthcare coverage under Obamacare. However, it is essential to clarify that the statement does not imply a complete denial of healthcare coverage for all individuals seeking Obamacare in Florida. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In fact, you cut Medicaid so I couldn\u2019t get Obamacare,\" Jennings shouted on April 5, 2016. \"You are an a------! You don\u2019t care about working people. You don\u2019t care about working people. You should be ashamed to show your face around here.\"","Under Obamacare, \"75 percent of small businesses now say they are going to be forced to either fire workers or cut their hours.\"","But we can look at whether Scott cut Medicaid, the joint state and federal program to provide health insurance for the very poor, in a way that could have denied people health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.","Says Florida refused to allow the insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high\" under Obamacare."]},{"id":"945.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The stimulus bill includes \"$8 billion for high-speed rail projects, such as a 'magnetic levitation' line from Las Vegas to Disneyland.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the stimulus bill, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, allocated funding for high-speed rail projects, the statement is imprecise. The bill did not specifically allocate $8 billion for high-speed rail projects, nor did it mention a \"magnetic levitation\" line from Las Vegas to Disneyland. However, it is worth noting that there were discussions and debates regarding the allocation of funds for high-speed rail projects, including the possibility of a rail line from Anaheim to Las Vegas. So, while the statement contains some inaccuracies, it does reflect the broader context of discussions around high-speed rail funding in the stimulus bill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It includes $300 million to buy new cars for the government, $8 billion for high-speed rail projects, such as a 'magnetic levitation' line from Las Vegas to Disneyland, and $140 million for something called 'volcano monitoring,'\" Jindal said of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, responding on national television to President Obama's first speech to Congress on Feb. 24, 2009.","Neither the House nor Senate versions had anything close to $8 billion for rail funding, and Republicans alleged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid added the money in conference specifically for a high-speed rail line from Anaheim, Calif., to Las Vegas, in Reid's home state.","So Jindal was imprecise on a couple of counts \u2014 the train won't go to Disneyland and all $8 billion is not for high-speed rail. But he was not out of bounds in employing the Anaheim-to-Vegas train as an example of the sort of project that may be funded by the $8 billion. We find his claim Half True.","Other boosters of the project also expressed optimism that they'll get some of the $8 billion. Anaheim-to-Vegas is not a federally designated high-speed rail corridor, but that doesn't mean it's out of the running. The Senate version of the bill, which had $2 billion for high speed rail, limited the money to such corridors, but the conference committee removed that requirement."]},{"id":"2509.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Debbie Halvorson has been in politics, Illinois has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While it is true that Illinois has experienced job losses during the time that Debbie Halvorson has been in politics, it is not solely due to her actions or policies. The job losses can be attributed to various factors, including economic trends, population growth, and other external factors beyond the control of any single politician. Therefore, it would be misleading to solely attribute the job losses to Halvorson's political career. The statement should be clarified to reflect the broader context of the economic situation in Illinois during the relevant period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a recent television ad( \"television ad\"), Kinzinger said, in part, \"Since Debbie Halvorson has been in politics, Illinois has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs.\" We thought it would be worth checking Kinzinger's numbers.","The numbers cited by the Kinzinger camp refer to the increasing number of unemployed people in Illinois. But that doesn't exactly mean that hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost. Instead, it could mean that the state has failed to create hundreds of thousands of jobs to keep pace with population growth and new entrants into the work force. That's a similar point, but it's not exactly the same thing.","Debbie Halvorson is a former Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois\u2019 11th district. She was defeated for re-election by Republican Adam Kinzinger in 2010.","Now, to be fair, we also noticed that if you were to start counting from Halvorson's swearing-in as a state senator in 1997, the state had lost 135,000 jobs. And if you were to start at the beginning of her term in Congress, the state had lost 208,000 jobs."]},{"id":"8337.json","label":"true","statement":"Many state and federal agencies have such navigators involved in helping folks maneuver through the often complex processes associated with filing benefits claims, for example -- even buying health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including statements from Senator Bill Nelson and evidence of various state and federal agencies employing navigators to assist individuals in navigating complex processes related to filing benefits claims and purchasing health insurance. These navigators are involved in programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, veterans' organizations, and state insurance programs like KidCare. The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, for example, provides benefits counseling to connect individuals to benefits but does not enroll them in health care. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the existence of navigators in various agencies to assist individuals with benefits claims and purchasing health insurance.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Many state and federal agencies have such \u2018navigators\u2019 involved in helping folks maneuver through the often complex processes associated with filing benefits claims, for example -- even buying health insurance.\"","Seeking to assuage concerns about Obamacare navigators, Nelson said, \"Many state and federal agencies have such \u2018navigators\u2019 involved in helping folks maneuver through the often complex processes associated with filing benefits claims, for example - even buying health insurance.\"","\"State officials have so far failed to mention that these \u2018consumer helpers\u2019 have been serving the people of Florida in various ways for years -- and, yes, even with the current governor's full backing,\" Nelson wrote in a Tampa Bay Times op-ed Sept. 19. \"In fact, many state and federal agencies have such \u2018navigators\u2019 involved in helping folks maneuver through the often complex processes associated with filing benefits claims, for example -- even buying health insurance. That\u2019s right: even when buying health insurance created by the state. From Medicaid to Medicare, from veterans' organizations to the state's own KidCare insurance program, navigators are available to make sure Floridians get assistance.\"","The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits counseling related to state and federal veterans\u2019 programs. The department has paid claims examiners who work out of VA medical centers, clinics and nursing homes and provide benefits counseling to help connect Floridians to benefits such as disability payments and pensions. The counselors don\u2019t enroll veterans in health care but do point them in the right direction."]},{"id":"6156.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysJosh Mandels campaign is under FBI investigation","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly states that neither Josh Mandel's campaign nor the Renacci campaign are under investigation by the FBI. The investigation mentioned in the evidence pertains to the donations made by employees of a North Canton direct marketing company to Mandel's campaign. Therefore, the statement that Josh Mandel's campaign is under FBI investigation is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Brown, the incumbent senator, came close to making the same claim as in the Workers\u2019 Voice ad, but he caught and seemingly corrected himself. In an interview with Findlay, Ohio, radio station WFIN-AM on June 21, Brown said of Mandel: \"He is under FBI investigation,\" then quickly added, \"or his campaign contributions are under FBI investigation.\"","\"No,\" Andrew Hayden, the supervisory senior resident agent of the FBI\u2019s Canton office, told us on June 21. \"He is not and he has not been. What we\u2019re looking at is contributions to both campaigns from employees of the Suarez Corporation. Neither the Mandel campaign nor the Renacci campaign are under investigation.\"","While the ad states in one part that the FBI is investigating donations to the Mandel campaign, it then asks: \"When did Josh Mandel know his campaign was being investigated by the FBI?\"","This was a reference to an investigation of donations that employees of a North Canton direct marketing company made to Mandel\u2019s campaign to unseat incumbent U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat. The ad says people should ask that Mandel \"come clean on campaign cash,\" and the ad asks: \"When did Josh Mandel know his campaign was being investigated by the FBI?\""]},{"id":"13427.json","label":"false","statement":"I have tremendous support from women.","reason":"Reason: While President Trump has claimed to have \"tremendous support from women,\" the available evidence suggests otherwise. Polling data consistently showed that, on average, he lagged behind his opponent, Hillary Clinton, in terms of support from women during the 2016 election. The claim of having \"tremendous support\" from women is not supported by the polling averages, which indicate a significant gap between his level of support and that of previous Republican candidates. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I think I have tremendous support from women,\" Trump said in a Nov. 3, 2016, speech in Jacksonville, Fla. \"Tremendous support.\"","Support from women is a consistent talking point for Trump. Before Election Day in 2016, he falsely claimed to have \"tremendous\" support from women, even though, on average, he lagged behind Clinton in the polls. He also claimed that Clinton didn't \"do very well with women\" \u2014 polling data showed that his claim was Pants on Fire.","Trump said that he has \"tremendous support from women.\" His campaign pointed to a poll that shows him gaining ground with women, but on average, he lags behind Clinton by 11 percentage points. And even the poll cited by his campaign finds he still faces a 13-point gap. His best performance shows that 41 percent of women support him, but his polling average is 39 percent, appreciably lower than the fraction that have backed previous Republican candidates.","University of California, San Francisco: Researchers interviewed 20 women who received an ultrasound \"as part of their abortion care\" and published a study in November 2012. The women\u2019s responses \"offer support for anti-abortion claims that ultrasound viewing can dissuade women from abortion, as well as support for abortion rights claims that viewing an ultrasound can cause emotional difficulty for a woman planning to abort.\""]},{"id":"4365.json","label":"false","statement":"Says theres not much evidence to suggest that people have (contributed to global warming) or can do very much to change anything.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is a substantial body of scientific evidence that supports the conclusion that human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, contribute significantly to global warming and climate change. The overwhelming consensus among climate scientists is that human activities are the primary driver of climate change. Additionally, there are various measures that individuals and societies can take to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The claim that there is little evidence to suggest human contribution to global warming and that individuals cannot do much to address it is contradicted by scientific consensus and the recommendations of experts in the field.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Let\u2019s start with the, er, \"manmade\" option first: Despite Wagner\u2019s question, there is no evidence to suggest human body heat is causing global climate change. As PolitiFact has pointed out time and time again, the overwhelming majority of experts agree that climate change is happening and humans are causing it largely through producing carbon dioxide that exacerbates the Earth\u2019s greenhouse effect.","The Earth technically does move closer to the sun every year as part of its revolution around the sun, but it then moves back. That revolution is not related to the rotation of the Earth, and as experts point out, the Earth isn\u2019t on average moving closer to the sun. That movement closer to the sun, scientists say, wouldn\u2019t have an impact on climate change, and one scientist even called the claim \"ridiculous.\" Also, there\u2019s no evidence to suggest human body heat is at all related to global climate change.","The Pennsylvania Democratic party publicly chastised Wagner for the suggestion and the senator was slammed in comments sections for the statement. So we decided to check his claim: Is the Earth really moving closer to the sun? And has body heat contributed to global climate change?","Republican Pa. Sen. Scott Wagner believes that climate change is probably happening. He also says he believes some of that change is \"manmade,\" too."]},{"id":"9884.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A poll found that 20% of young adults use (smartphones) during sex.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a non-random online survey conducted by Jumio, a firm involved with mobile payment systems. The survey found that 20% of young adults (ages 18 to 34) reported having used a smartphone during sex. However, it's important to note that this survey is not scientifically rigorous and may not represent the entire population accurately. The statement should be understood as reflecting the findings of a specific survey rather than a definitive statistic applicable to all young adults.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Huffington said that 20 percent of young adults use mobile devices during sex. That , for the most part, accurately reflects the findings of an unscientific online poll.","The founder of the Huffington Post wrote, \"As it is 20% of young adults use their devices during sex. Prepare for \u2018Honey, I'm checking how many calories we're burning on my #iWatch!\u2019 \"","We asked Huffington for her source and she pointed us to a Huffington Post article from about a year ago. Indeed, Jumio, a firm involved with mobile credit and debit card payment systems, commissioned a distinctly non-random online survey of mobile consumer habits. Topping the press release was the finding that 9 percent of adults say they have used a smartphone during sex. For those 18 to 34, the percentage rises to 20 percent. (Huffington said use, while the study asked \"have used.\")","We don\u2019t know if wearable tech will mesh with moments when little \u2014 if anything \u2014 is worn, but the statistical reference to smartphones and sex raised the eyebrows of one of our fans, New York Times Upshot reporter Josh Barro, who tweeted asking for a fact check."]},{"id":"518.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama said he would \"stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the context of the quote from \"The Audacity of Hope.\" In the book, Obama is discussing the concerns of Muslim Americans who have faced discrimination and questioning their sense of security and belonging. The quote actually reflects a promise to provide specific assurances to Muslim Americans that their citizenship holds value and that he would stand with them against discrimination, should the political climate become hostile. The statement inaccurately portrays Obama's words as a personal declaration rather than a commitment to support and protect the rights of Muslim Americans.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u2022 From The Audacity of Hope : \"I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.\" (Page 261)","The e-mails states, \"From The Audacity of Hope: 'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.' \"","Also, the e-mail says Obama would \"stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction,\" implying he made a statement to that effect. But it's clear in reading the text that the words actually represent a question Obama is being asked by his audiences: \"they need specific assurances ... that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.\"","\"(T)he stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.\""]},{"id":"10958.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The gap between the very rich and everyone else in America is wider today than at any time since the 1920s.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bernie Sanders is supported by evidence and has been rated as mostly true. Various sources and studies have shown that the wealth and income gap in the United States is indeed wider today than at any time since the 1920s. While there may be different methods to measure income inequality, the overall consensus supports the claim that the wealth disparity is significant and comparable to levels seen in the early 20th century.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The gap between the very rich and everyone else in America is wider today than at any time since the 1920s,\" Sanders tweeted from his @BernieSanders account on June 4, 2015, after his first campaign trip to Iowa.","Sanders said, \"The gap between the very rich and everyone else in America is wider today than at any time since the 1920s.\" One commonly used method supports that argument -- at least for one recent year, 2012. However, it\u2019s worth noting that this method tends to widen income differences more than other approaches do. On balance, we rate Sanders\u2019 statement Mostly True.","Sen. Bernie Sanders\u2019 campaign for the 2016 Democratic nomination has focused on the gap between rich and poor. Sanders recently tweeted that the income inequality is wider than it\u2019s been in a long time -- a very long time.","And the last time the gap between rich and poor was this wide? Before the burst of the Internet stock market bubble back in 2000, when Sen. Clinton was living in the White House with her husband, President Bill Clinton."]},{"id":"3198.json","label":"true","statement":"Tells President Barack Obama that he also asked former President George W. Bush about how he felt about Americans hating him.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Bill O'Reilly asked both President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush about how they felt about being hated by certain groups of people. While the wording of the questions may have been slightly different, the general theme of inquiring about their feelings towards being disliked by a portion of the American population was present in both interviews.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Technically, O\u2019Reilly asked slightly different questions of each president. To Obama, he asked whether it disturbs him to be hated by \"so many\" Americans. To Bush, he asked how he felt about being hated by \"a lot of\" people in the press, and then followed up by asking him more generally if he ever thought about being hated.","During a Super Bowl interview on Feb. 6, 2011, Fox News host Bill O\u2019Reilly prefaced a sensitive question to President Barack Obama by saying that he had asked the same question in a previous interview with former President George W. Bush.","Republicans might not have heard much to cheer about in President Barack Obama\u2019s State of the Union address, but a former GOP speechwriter almost felt flattered.","\"Since both you and President Bush are Republicans, I fear a return to the policies of those years should you win this election,\" said undecided voter Susan Katz. \"What is the biggest difference between you and George W. Bush, and how do you differentiate yourself from George W. Bush?\""]},{"id":"9012.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sarah Eckhardt refused to take her own pay increases repeatedly.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Sarah Eckhardt declined pay raises on two occasions during her tenure as county commissioner. However, it also states that she accepted percentage increases equal to those approved for all commissioners in other years. While she may have declined specific pay raises, it is not accurate to say that she refused to take her own pay increases repeatedly, as she did accept raises in other forms. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the information provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered about that, especially after a political group favoring Eckhardt for the executive post sent an email blast declaring that Eckhardt had declined pay raises. said in its Feb. 26, 2014, email blast that Eckhardt, who served as the Precinct 2 county commissioner from 2007 through May 2013 before resigning to run for judge, \"refused to take her own pay increases repeatedly.\"","The chart and the public-notice ads, which appeared in the Austin Chronicle , indicate that Eckhardt completely declined a raise in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2013. However, Eckhardt accepted percentage increases equal to the percentage increases approved for all the commissioners as of fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2011, though she did not sign off on catching up to the highest commissioner salaries.","Sarah Eckhardt twice declined pay raises as county commissioner and twice accepted percentage raises that did not bring her salary to highest possible level","( - Sarah Eckhardt twice declined pay raises as county commissioner and twice accepted percentage raises that did not bring her salary to highest possible level&url=)"]},{"id":"8480.json","label":"false","statement":"This is the year Florida becomes a majority minority state.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Alan Grayson that \"This is the year Florida becomes a majority minority state\" is not supported by the evidence. While Florida is moving closer to becoming a majority-minority state, as of 2012, non-Hispanic whites still accounted for approximately 57 percent of the state's population. The evidence provided does not indicate that Florida will achieve majority-minority status in the stated year. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Grayson said, \"This is the year Florida becomes a majority minority state.\" The state is inching closer to majority-minority status, but in 2012, non-Hispanic whites still accounted for about 57 percent of Florida\u2019s population.","\"We go into an election next year with something very important happening in Florida this year. This is the year that Florida becomes a majority minority state, joining New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, California and Hawaii. Why is that important? Because it tells us what our strategy as the Democratic Party will be for next year ...\"","Census data and other evidence cited by Grayson\u2019s office didn\u2019t prove that the state is about to flip to majority-minority next year. But his staff told us they think Florida is clearly on its way.","\u2022 Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., said in a speech to Florida Democrats, \"We go into an election next year with something very important happening in Florida this year. This is the year that Florida becomes a majority minority state, joining New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, California and Hawaii. Why is that important? Because it tells us what our strategy as the Democratic Party will be for next year.\""]},{"id":"10934.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Muslim countries, under the Sharia, there is a death penalty for blaspheming Mohammad.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that in some Muslim-majority countries, there are laws that prescribe the death penalty for blasphemy, it is important to note that this is not the case in all Muslim countries. Out of the 50 countries with Muslim majorities, only a limited number have state laws that sanction the death penalty for blasphemy. Additionally, the enforcement and interpretation of these laws can vary. Therefore, it is an overgeneralization to claim that in all Muslim countries, under Sharia, there is a death penalty for blaspheming Mohammad.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Geller said that \"in Muslim countries, under the Sharia, there is a death penalty for blaspheming Mohammad.\" In an email interview with PunditFact, Geller elaborated on her statement:","The topic of free speech was revisited during Geller\u2019s segment with Cuomo, during which Geller pointed out that free speech is often curtailed in Muslim countries: \"In Muslim countries, under the Sharia, there is a death penalty for blaspheming Mohammad.\"","At best, that is an overgeneralization. Yes, there are countries who prescribe the death penalty, and they often do cite the Sharia as the cause for it. But out of 50 countries with Muslim majorities, there are only 11 where this is in some way sanctioned by state law.","\"The death penalty can result from blasphemy charges in majority-Muslim countries including Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan (where the death penalty is often enforced against \u2018blasphemers\u2019 by lynch mobs), Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen. Kuwait and the UAE recognize Sharia rules for blasphemers, and that can lead to death (too).\""]},{"id":"5262.json","label":"false","statement":"Martin Luther King was a Republican.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Martin Luther King Jr. was a Republican is not entirely accurate. While it is true that some members of King's family, such as his niece Alveda King, have identified as Republicans, it is important to note that political affiliations can vary within a family. Martin Luther King Jr. himself did not align himself with any political party and focused primarily on civil rights and social justice issues rather than partisan politics. It is misleading to categorize him as a Republican or any other specific political affiliation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!PolitiFact Tennessee found flaws in this billboard claim about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. !PolitiFact Tennessee found flaws in this billboard claim about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.","According to the King Online Encyclopedia, from Stanford University's Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute, King campaigned for Johnson and welcomed his win.","Our state partners have spotted a popular Republican talking point: the claim that Martin Luther King Jr. was a member of the GOP.","When we asked Raging Elephants for information to support its claim that King himself was a Republican, Kamau-Imani pointed us to a video made by the National Black Republican Association featuring one of King's nieces, Alveda King, founder of the faith-based group King for America. In the Sept. 14, 2008, video, she says: \"I just want to share with you a little bit about my family and my history. My uncle Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during his lifetime was a Republican, as was my father, his brother, Rev. A. D. King, and my grandfather, Dr. Martin Luther King Sr.\""]},{"id":"6623.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ohio has created 45,000 new manufacturing jobs since 2010. And thats due in large part to the fact that the auto rescue has helped Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Kasich that Ohio has created a net increase of 45,000 jobs since the beginning of the year. However, it is important to note that the statement does not specifically mention manufacturing jobs. While it is true that the auto rescue has had a positive impact on the automotive industry in Ohio, leading to job growth, the statement does not provide direct evidence linking the creation of 45,000 manufacturing jobs to the auto rescue. Therefore, the claim regarding the creation of manufacturing jobs specifically cannot be fully supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"With 320,000 net Ohio manufacturing jobs lost, Portman calls NAFTA a \u2018proven success,\u2019 \" the post says. \"With 160,000 auto jobs saved, Portman called the auto rescue a \u2018lousy deal.\u2019 \"","\"Nearly 40,000 new jobs have been created in the last year due to the new wells . . . right here in Ohio.\"","And among his comments: \"Since the beginning of the year we\u2019ve created a net increase of 45,000 jobs. Our unemployment has ticked up because we\u2019re not creating as many jobs as we need, but the fact is we are net up in job creation.\"","Specifically, Kasich said the improved credit outlook, \"sends a signal, not just to the citizens here but to businesses in our state and businesses around the country that Ohio is open for business because at the end of the day you want to make sure that you\u2019re creating jobs and since the beginning of the year we\u2019ve created a net increase of 45,000 jobs. Our unemployment has ticked up because we\u2019re not creating as many jobs as we need, but the fact is we are net up in job creation.\""]},{"id":"2317.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After Ronald Reagan cut taxes in 1981 the U.S. enjoyed exponential growth.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ronald Reagan implemented tax cuts in 1981, the claim that the United States enjoyed \"exponential growth\" as a direct result of those tax cuts is an exaggeration. The candidate, John Loughlin, himself acknowledged that the use of the term \"exponential growth\" was hyperbolic. While the tax cuts may have contributed to economic growth in the 1980s, it is important to consider other factors and policies that influenced the overall economic performance during that period. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered an exaggeration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["As for exponential growth after the Reagan tax cut, the candidate acknowledges that that's an exaggeration, although he shares the conviction of many others that the 1981 cut played a key role in economic growth in the 1980s.","John Loughlin, who is running in the Republican primary in the 1st Congressional District, is sounding a bipartisan theme in his call for cutting taxes as a solution to our economic problems. He tells viewers in his new web ad( \"web ad\") \"What we need to do is what John F. Kennedy did in 1961, which is cut taxes. What we need to do is what Ronald Reagan did in 1981, and cut taxes and enjoy exponential growth.\"","PolitiFact Rhode Island found that Loughlin was correct that Reagan cut taxes in 1981 but that he omitted the fact that he subsequently approved substantial tax increases. Meanwhile, on the question of exponential growth, the candidate acknowledged to PolitiFact Rhode Island that it was an exaggeration. On balance, we ruled the statement Barely True.","When we talked to Loughlin about that part of his statement, he said: \"We experienced additional growth after Ronald Reagan cut taxes and that might be a bit of hyperbole to say 'exponentially.'\""]},{"id":"3640.json","label":"true","statement":"Salaries for Virginias teachers are below the national average.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that salaries for Virginia's teachers are below the national average. The article compares the average teacher salaries in each state, using data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau. It specifically mentions that Virginia ranks 34th in average teacher pay, indicating that the salaries for teachers in Virginia are lower than the national average. Additionally, it highlights a failed bill that aimed to raise teacher salaries to at least the national average, further indicating that Virginia's teacher salaries are below the national average.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The article was headlined, \"The Best and Worst States for Teachers.\" It compared each state\u2019s average teacher\u2019s salary in the 2018-19 school year to its average 2019 salary for all full-time, year-round employees. Average teacher salaries were taken from data compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics; average employee salaries came from the U.S. Census Bureau.","Virginia has the 8th highest average salary for full-time workers and ranks 34th in average teacher pay. McAuliffe says the discrepancy shows that the state has the wealth to raise its teachers\u2019 salaries, and he pledges to lift them \"above the national average within four years.\"","A bill that would have raised teacher salaries to at least the national average over five years died this winter in the House Appropriations Committee. The increase, when fully phased in, would have cost the state $755 million a year, according to the Department of Planning and Budget.","Besides the NEA, we found two other widely recognized data sets on teacher salaries. These come from the American Federation of Teachers, another teachers union, and the National Center for Education Statistics, a federal agency. AFT's data is for the 2006-2007 school year. The average teacher salary was $51,009 in the U.S., and $47,219 in Florida, a difference of about $3,800."]},{"id":"6704.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S. unemployment rate has remained above 8 percent for 43 consecutive months, the longest stretch since the Great Depression.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the post that the U.S. unemployment rate has remained above 8 percent for 43 consecutive months, which is indeed the longest stretch since the Great Depression. This is supported by evidence from the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan source of analysis, which confirms that this period of unemployment above 8 percent is the longest since the Great Depression.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Today's #jobs report marks the 43rd consecutive month unemployment has remained above 8%, longest since the Great Depression,\" the post read.","There\u2019s been plenty of ink spilled in newspapers and magazines that the nation\u2019s unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for a long time. But we wondered if the congressman was correct to say this is the longest stretch the unemployment rate has been above 8 percent since the Great Depression.","The last time the U.S. unemployment rate topped the 8 percent mark was during the first term of Republican Ronald Reagan\u2019s presidency. In November 1981, it rose to 8.3 percent and remained over that mark for 27 consecutive months, reaching a high of 10.8 percent in late 1982. The unemployment rate dropped to 7.8 percent in February 1984 and was 5.4 percent when Reagan left the White House in January 1989.","The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan source of analysis, wrote in February that this was the longest period of unemployment above 8 percent since the Great Depression."]},{"id":"5379.json","label":"false","statement":"Fewer than 10 percent of those in the House are what anyone would classify as wealthy.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Duncan, that fewer than 10 percent of House members are wealthy, is inaccurate. According to Roll Call's list of the 50 wealthiest members of Congress, which was used as a benchmark, only 6 percent of House members would be considered wealthy. This contradicts Duncan's claim. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It may be hard for some to believe,\" Duncan wrote, \"but fewer than 10 percent of those in the House are what anyone would classify as wealthy.\"","Under either measure, Duncan\u2019s claim that fewer than 10 percent of House members are wealthy is way off base. We rate this claim False.","We\u2019ll look first at Roll Call\u2019s list of the 50 wealthiest members of Congress, since Duncan said that is the primary basis for his claim that fewer than 10 percent of House members are wealthy.","Twenty-nine of the lawmakers on the 50 wealthiest list were House members and 21 were senators. If one uses this list as a benchmark for deciding which lawmakers are wealthy, as Duncan apparently did, then just 6 percent of the 435 House members would be considered wealthy."]},{"id":"5439.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Rick Santorum supported (Arlen) Specter over conservative candidates twice.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Rick Santorum did support Arlen Specter over conservative candidates twice. In 1995, Santorum endorsed Specter during his Senate candidacy, as a way of repaying Specter's support for Santorum's own Senate campaign. In 2004, Santorum again endorsed Specter over more conservative primary challengers, with the aim of helping Republicans maintain their Senate majority by supporting the candidate they believed would be more competitive in the general election. The claim made in the statement aligns with the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A description of the ad on the Romney campaign\u2019s YouTube channel says, \"In 1996 and 2004, Rick Santorum supported Arlen Specter over conservative candidates.\"","Meet Arlen Specter: Liberal, pro-choice Republican turned Democrat. The deciding vote on Obamacare. Rick Santorum supported Specter over conservative candidates \u2014 twice. (Santorum clip:) \"I'm proud to endorse Arlen Specter.\" Santorum and Specter voted for liberal circuit judge Sonia Sotomayor. Santorum and Specter both sided with Big Labor, against right-to-work. If Rick Santorum couldn't say no to liberal Arlen Specter, can you really trust him to change Washington?","Romney\u2019s ad says Santorum \"supported Specter over conservative candidates twice.\" It\u2019s true that Santorum endorsed his Pennsylvania colleague in 1995 and 2004 over more conservative primary challengers. In the first case, he was repaying Specter\u2019s support for his own Senate candidacy. In the second, he was helping Republicans keep their Senate majority by supporting the candidate the party felt would be more competitive in a general election. The ad\u2019s claim is accurate. We rate it True.","National Catholic Reporter , \"Endorsement exposes faulty logic; pro-life senator Rick Santorum endorses pro-choice stalwart Arlen Specter; Editorial,\" May 14, 2004, via Nexis"]},{"id":"4450.json","label":"true","statement":"Ten years ago the Austin Water Utility used a total of 240.3 million gallons. Every summer since then our peak day of water use has been lower.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Save Our Springs Alliance, which states that ten years ago, the Austin Water Utility used a total of 240.3 million gallons, and since then, every summer, the peak day of water use has been lower. This is supported by data from the Austin Water Utility, which indicates that on the peak days of water consumption from 2002 through August 2011, customers used less water than the 240.3 million gallons used on August 13, 2001. The average peak water use during this period was about 214 million gallons, which is 11 percent lower than the 2001 peak. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Crediting conservation in Austin, the Save Our Springs Alliance said in an Aug. 16, 2011, entry in its online newsletter: \"Ten years ago the Austin Water Utility used a total of 240.3 million gallons. Every summer since then our peak day of water use has been lower.\"","Indeed, the Austin Water Utility sent us figures indicating that on the peak days of water consumption from 2002 through August 2011, customers used less water than the 240.3 million gallons used on Aug. 13, 2001, though that was barely so in one year.","Put another way, the average peak water use in a day in the period was about 214 million gallons, 11 percent off the 2001 peak.","In an interview, Bill Bunch, SOS\u2019s executive director, expressed skepticism about strains in the existing water delivery system. He also said there\u2019s not sufficient water demand to justify the new one and forwarded an April 2002 recommendation from city staff about preliminary engineering for the new plant. The document states the plant would be needed by 2009 to meet increasing water demands, predicting too that the utility\u2019s peak one-day demand in summer 2009 would be 281 million gallons; the peak amount that year turned out to be 228 million gallons."]},{"id":"12506.json","label":"true","statement":"The labor force participation rate -- the share of the potential workforce that is actually working or looking for work-- currently stands below 63%, the lowest level since the 1970s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Congressman Brat that the labor force participation rate is currently below 63%, which is the lowest level since the 1970s. This is supported by multiple sources, including the labor force participation rate data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The labor force participation rate refers to the percentage of the potential workforce that is actively engaged in employment or actively seeking employment. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The labor force participation rate - the share of the potential workforce that is actually working or looking for work - currently stands below 63%, the lowest level since the 1970s,\" Brat, R-7th, said in a May 24 Facebook post.","Brat said the labor force participation rate \"currently stands below 63%, the lowest level since the 1970s.\" His percentage is right, and the congressman is correct that the rate of potential workers in the labor force has been hovering near a four-decade low since the start of 2014.","Another measure, the labor force participation rate, refers to the percentage of Americans who are considered to be in the labor force as a part of the overall population. To be counted in the labor force, someone must be working or actively looking for work. In December (and also October), the labor force participation rate was 62.8 percent. In January and March of 1978, it was also 62.8 percent.","Still, Brat has a point in that the share of potential workers has been hovering near its lowest point in several decades."]},{"id":"5167.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Many types of fish and shellfish from waters across the state are labeled unsafe to eat.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to former Governor Jim Florio and experts cited in The Star-Ledger, many types of fish and shellfish from waters across New Jersey are indeed labeled as unsafe to eat. While it is important to note that fish from New Jersey waters can be consumed safely by following consumption advisories, the fact remains that there are specific types of fish and shellfish that are deemed unsafe due to contamination, particularly with mercury. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Many types of fish and shellfish from waters across the state are labeled unsafe to eat,\" Jim Florio wrote in a Dec. 14 guest column in The Star-Ledger about how new reductions in mercury pollution will protect New Jerseyans from contaminated seafood.","Florio said in a recent opinion column in The Star-Ledger that most fish from New Jersey waterways \"is labeled unsafe to eat.\" Experts told PolitiFact New Jersey that they agree with the former governor\u2019s assessment but also note that fish from New Jersey waters can be eaten safely by following consumption advisories. Also, fish bought in supermarkets or other stores in New Jersey are labeled, but recreationally caught fish are not. We rate Florio\u2019s statement Mostly True.","\"Fish is a very healthy source of protein, vitamins and minerals,\" said Dr. Gary Buchanan, manager for the DEP\u2019s Office of Science. \"Just be careful about the fish you eat when catching them in local waters.\"","\"If those sources from out of state are reduced, that will help speed up the reduction of mercury in our waters and our fish and help allow additional fish consumption,\" Buchanan said. \"It is a nationwide problem. It\u2019s not just a New Jersey problem. Every state in the country has a fish advisory for some parameter and some species.\""]},{"id":"9311.json","label":"false","statement":"The incandescent light bulb has no effect whatever on the planet.","reason":"Reason: The statement that incandescent light bulbs have no effect whatsoever on the planet is inaccurate. Incandescent bulbs are less energy-efficient compared to alternative options like compact fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs. The inefficiency of incandescent bulbs leads to higher energy consumption and increased greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental impacts such as climate change. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that incandescent light bulbs have no effect on the planet.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Power is the ability to achieve intended effects,\" Will said on Fox News Sunday. \"And this is not intended to have any effect on the real world. It\u2019s a little bit like what environmentalism has become. The incandescent light bulb becomes the enemy. It has no effect whatever on the planet, but it makes people feel good about themselves.\"","Will said incandescent light bulbs have no effect whatsoever on the planet. There is broad consensus that incandescent bulbs are less efficient than alternatives such as compact fluorescent bulbs. And because they are less efficient, they require more energy -- and generate more greenhouse gas emissions.","We wondered about Will\u2019s claim that the incandescent light bulb \"has no effect whatever on the plant.\" We reached out to Will and did not hear back.","There are, however, two major problems with the claims. First, there are two costs to a light bulb: the front-end cost of a light bulb at the store and the cost of electricity to operate it. The letter fails to consider the savings to consumers in the form of lower electricity bills, which the Department of Energy estimates will far outweigh the additional up-front cost of the alternative light bulb options. For details on some of the cost analysis, see our full analysis."]},{"id":"946.json","label":"false","statement":"The president's plan, even after the end of its withdrawal timeline is reached, will leave in place up to 50,000 U.S. troops.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. President Biden's plan for the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan does not involve leaving up to 50,000 U.S. troops in place after the withdrawal timeline is reached. In fact, the plan is to fully withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. This was announced by President Biden in April 2021, and no conditions were set for the withdrawal. Therefore, the claim that up to 50,000 U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["April 14, 2021 \u2014 Biden revised withdrawal plan: Biden announced that the May 1 deadline set by Trump\u2019s U.S.-Taliban agreement would not be met, but that full withdrawal of troops would begin May 1 and end before Sept. 11. No conditions for the withdrawal were set.","Trump could have been referring back to when he first ordered the removal of U.S. troops from Syria in December 2018. He gave the Defense Department a 30-day timeline for withdrawal. Trump backtracked shortly after, saying the military could take a few months to get out of Syria.","Trump did make an agreement with the Taliban that would have resulted in the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan before Biden ultimately withdrew the troops.","In his April speech, Biden said it was time to leave Afghanistan, and he did not make any statement to warn Americans that he thought withdrawal would lead to imminent chaos."]},{"id":"5225.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas does not regulate the appearance of some kinds of imitation firearms sold in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Texas does not have state-level regulations specifically addressing the appearance of certain imitation firearms, such as pellet\/BB or airsoft guns. While there may be local ordinances in some Texas cities that regulate the display or use of facsimile firearms, these statutes do not pertain to the appearance of the guns themselves. However, it is important to note that federal law does require airsoft guns to have special markings, such as a 6-millimeter orange marking. Therefore, while Texas does not have specific regulations on the appearance of these imitation firearms, federal law does impose certain requirements.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Separately, experts at the Texas Legislative Library said that some Texas cities, including Plano, Horseshoe Bay, Farmers Branch and Carrollton have local ordinances that regulate how people display facsimile firearms--no reckless displays of imitation guns in public places, for example--but these statutes don\u2019t regulate the appearance of the guns.","There are no state-level regulations of the appearance of pellet\/BB or airsoft guns sold in Texas, but federal law requires airsoft guns to have special markings -- a wrinkle Lucio did not clarify.","In an interview posted online Jan. 6, 2012, by KRGV-TV, Channel 5, Eddie Lucio of Brownsville said: \"First of all I think that there should be a prohibition of some kind on the appearance of these pellet guns and airsoft guns that are sold in the state of Texas.\" At least, Lucio said, such guns should visibly stand out so \"we understand exactly what they are.\"","Gonz\u00e1lez helped us isolate the federal law that regulates the appearance of imitation firearms, stipulating the 6-millimeter orange marking requirement for airsoft guns. Those guns shoot projectiles at a lower speed than pellet or BB guns, according to Jeffrey Welty, an assistant professor of public law and government at the University of North Carolina School of Government, who specializes in criminal law and procedure."]},{"id":"11228.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump was a Democrat longer in the last decade than he was a Republican.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Jeb Bush that Donald Trump was a Democrat longer in the last decade than he was a Republican is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Trump was a registered Democrat for a period of time within the last decade, a closer examination of Trump's voter registration from 2005 to 2015 reveals that he has been a registered Republican for more than five years, compared to being a registered Democrat for less than four years. Therefore, the claim made by Jeb Bush is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Mr. Trump doesn't have a proven conservative record,\" Bush said at a town hall in Merrimack, N.H., on Aug. 19, 2015. \"He was a Democrat longer in the last decade than he was a Republican.\"","Bush said during an Aug. 19 New Hampshire town hall that Trump \"was a Democrat longer in the last decade than he was a Republican.\" The Bush campaign said he was referring to 2000 to 2010, when Trump was a Democrat for about nine years. But when we reviewed Trump\u2019s voter registration in the 10 years leading up to the present, from 2005 to 2015, we found that he has been a Republican for more than five years. He was a registered Democrat for not quite four years in that time frame. We rated Bush\u2019s claim Half True.","Bush\u2019s campaign told us that \"the last decade\" meant when Trump was registered from 2000 to 2010. Trump was registered as a Democrat for 8 years, 1 month in that time span.","As Donald Trump soared in the polls earlier this year, much of the Republican presidential field was reluctant to bash him for fear of backlash from the brash billionaire or his supporters."]},{"id":"6961.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Laurie Monnes Anderson voted to let violent criminals out of jail early.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, Laurie Monnes Anderson and other Democrats did vote for legislation that offered early release to inmates, including some who had committed violent crimes. While the statement accurately reflects their voting history, it is important to note that the term \"letting violent criminals out of jail early\" may be overly simplistic. The legislation likely included provisions for early release based on various factors, such as good behavior or participation in rehabilitation programs. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood in the context of the specific legislation and the criteria for early release.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Would you have voted to let violent criminals out of jail early? Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson did \u2026\" reads one side of the mailer, which features corrections bars. The flip side explains in some detail how she voted to give \"criminals, some of them violent, a chance to get out of jail before they served their full sentences.\"","Did Monnes Anderson -- and other Democrats -- vote for legislation that let \"violent criminals\" out of prison early? Before they finished their prison time? And is giving \"violent criminals\" a chance to get out of prison earlier the same as voting to let them out earlier? PolitiFact Oregon set off sleuthing.","The Leadership Fund, known as Senate Republicans, recently sent a mailer to voters in east Multnomah County, describing Monnes Anderson as friendly to violent criminals.","PolitiFact Oregon generally finds that scare tactics -- for example, accusing a candidate of voting to \"cut\" Medicare -- are misleading. But we\u2019re also guided in our ruling by the principle that legislators are responsible for the votes they take, unintended consequences and all. Monnes Anderson and other Democrats voted for legislation that offered early release to inmates, some of whom had committed \"violent\" crimes against another person."]},{"id":"4085.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For people in the top 1 percent for income, your effective tax burden is in the low 20s, the lowest its been in decades and decades and decades -- lower than somebody who might make substantially less money.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Geithner that the effective tax burden for individuals in the top 1 percent of income is in the low 20s, which is historically low. However, the statement is incorrect in asserting that the tax burden for the top 1 percent is lower than somebody who might make substantially less money. In reality, individuals with lower incomes generally have a lower effective tax burden due to progressive tax systems that impose higher tax rates on higher income brackets. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is true, the second part is false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["For people in the top 1 percent for income, \"your effective tax burden is in the low 20s, the lowest it\u2019s been in decades and decades and decades -- lower than somebody who might make substantially less money.\"","\"We have to correct the biggest problem in our tax system today, which is that it\u2019s just basically unfair,\" said Geithner, a 1983 Dartmouth graduate. \"If you are fortunate enough to be among the \u2026 most fortunate 0.5 percent, 1 percent of Americans today, your effective tax burden is in the low 20s, the lowest it\u2019s been in decades and decades and decades \u2014 lower than somebody who might make substantially less money.\"","Geithner was largely correct when he said the top 1 percent pay rates in the low 20s, a tax burden that is historically low. But he's wrong that the wealthiest enjoy effective rates \"lower than somebody who might make substantially less money.\" We rate the statement Half True.","But what about Geithner's final point: that the rate for the top 1 percent is \"lower than somebody who might make substantially less money\"?"]},{"id":"245.json","label":"true","statement":"Former business partner Robert Gay says: The man who helped save my daughter was Mitt Romney.","reason":"Reason: Former business partner Robert Gay has credited Mitt Romney with helping to reunite him with his missing daughter. While there have been some discrepancies in previous reports regarding the condition of Gay's daughter, it is clear that Romney played a significant role in assisting with her safe return. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Gay's testimony and the impact Romney had in helping to find and reunite Gay with his daughter.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A TV ad by Mitt Romney features former business partner Robert Gay crediting Romney with helping reunite Gay with his daughter after she went missing.","Gay says Romney helped \"save\" his daughter, though previous reports have differed on the condition she was in. \"Doctors told Gay she might not have lived another day,\" according to the Boston Globe in 2002.","Gay says Romney helped \"save\" his daughter, though previous reports have differed on the condition she was in. The line in the retelling now circulating -- that doctors told Gay she might not have lived another day -- comes from a Boston Globe report in 2002.","The ad says Romney \"helped save\" the girl, and we certainly aren't going to argue over the physical condition of the girl when she was found. Her Dad says she was \"saved,\" and under the circumstances we won't disagree. The ad also says Romney \"helped.\" Hard to argue with that either. True."]},{"id":"10196.json","label":"true","statement":"Among the developed nations, we are the least economically and socially mobile country in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that among developed nations, the United States has the lowest levels of economic and social mobility. This is supported by evidence that suggests the United States lags behind other developed countries in terms of income mobility and social mobility. While there may be some debate about the specific measures used to assess mobility, the overall trend indicates that the United States has lower levels of mobility compared to other developed nations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Americans could always count on hard work leading to higher incomes and improved lives. The American dream was real and within reach,\" Bush said in the letter. \"But today, among the developed nations, we are the least economically and socially mobile country in the world.\"","There is some debate about whether generational income mobility is a proper measure of mobility, especially because social structures and salary trends vary from country to country, but it does look as if the States aren\u2019t as mobile as they once were.","\"No-one should work full-time in this country \u2026 and live in poverty,\" he said. \"We have the third-lowest minimum wage of countries in the OECD, of developed countries.\"","The curve usually includes 23 countries, most of which are Western, and shows the United States lags behind other developed countries like Italy, Japan, Switzerland and New Zealand. Countries considered even less mobile than America include China, Brazil, Argentina and Chile."]},{"id":"12536.json","label":"true","statement":"Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV infection in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including UNAIDS, which reports that Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence among adults aged 15-49 in the world. The data shows that approximately 28.8 percent of the population in Swaziland is infected with HIV, which is more than one out of four people. This information confirms Beckham's claim that Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV infection globally.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A video posted on Facebook showed Beckham\u2019s visit to Swaziland, a landlocked nation on the border between South Africa and Mozambique that has just over 1 million people. In the video, which has been viewed more than 1.3 million times, Beckham said \"Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV infection in the world.\"","Beckham said that Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV in the world. Official numbers back that up. Whether you look at how many people are infected with HIV at any moment, or how many new infections emerge in a year, Swaziland is worse off than any other nation.","That could explain the high rate, but as far as Swaziland\u2019s top rank among nations, that might have more to do with its small size.","UNAIDS, the United Nations group focused on HIV\/AIDS, reports that last year, HIV prevalence among adults 15-49 in Swaziland was 28.8 percent of the population -- more than 1 out of 4. The incidence rate was 2.36 per 100 person-years. These charts, drawn from UNAIDS data, back up Beckham\u2019s claim."]},{"id":"7860.json","label":"true","statement":"During the Civil War, more than 300,000 Ohioans served in the Union Army -- more per capita than any other state.","reason":"Reason: Senate President Keith Faber's claim that more than 300,000 Ohioans served in the Union Army during the Civil War, with a higher per capita enlistment than any other state, is supported by the Ohio Historical Society, the state's official archive. The evidence confirms that Ohio had a significant number of residents who served in the Union Army, making it the third-largest contributor of troops among Union states. Additionally, considering Ohio's population at the time, it had a higher per capita enlistment rate compared to other states. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Senate President Keith Faber says more than 300,000 Ohioans served in the Union Army during the Civil War, more per capita than any other state","( - Senate President Keith Faber says more than 300,000 Ohioans served in the Union Army during the Civil War, more per capita than any other state&url=)","Faber\u2019s claim was that more than 300,000 Ohioans served in the Civil War and that the per capita enlistment was the highest in the nation. The Ohio Historical Society, the state\u2019s official archive, backs his claim.","The more than 300,000 Ohioans who served in war represent the third largest total from any Union State. (In the 1860 Census, Ohio was the third most populous state, behind New York and Pennsylvania, which were Nos. 1 and 2 for providing troops.)"]},{"id":"6656.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that Mitt Romneys response to the crisis in the auto industry was, Let Detroit go bankrupt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the phrase \"Let Detroit go bankrupt\" is associated with Mitt Romney's stance on the auto industry crisis, it is important to provide additional context. Romney did not use those exact words in the text of his op-ed for the New York Times. The headline, which was not written by Romney, included the phrase \"Let Detroit go bankrupt.\" However, Romney's main point in the op-ed was to oppose government bailouts without conditions and to advocate for a managed bankruptcy process for the automakers. The statement accurately captures the general sentiment of Romney's position on the crisis, but it should be noted that the specific phrase was not used by Romney himself.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan, took her moment at the podium and got the crowd roaring as she touted President Barack Obama's response to the crisis. \"He organized a rescue! He made the tough calls! And he saved the American auto industry! And you know, you know...Mitt Romney saw the same crisis and you know what he said: 'Let Detroit go bankrupt.' \"","Granholm accused Romney of saying \"Let Detroit go bankrupt.\" The line, a popular Democratic talking point, suggested that Romney wanted to let the auto companies go out of business.","Romney stood behind the title of his op-ed, \"Let Detroit go bankrupt,\" but said his main point was to oppose government handouts with no strings attached and no demand that the automakers break away from the costs that were dragging them down. Bankruptcy was the way to make the necessary changes and would not be a liquidation.","But here are some facts. Romney wrote an op-ed for the New York Times in November 2008. The headline does say \"Let Detroit go bankrupt,\" but Romney didn\u2019t write that headline and those words don't appear in the text of the article. The line came from a headline writer at the New York Times."]},{"id":"12172.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I have now put out all of my emails.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the individual may have released the emails they believed were required to be disclosed, it does not necessarily mean that all of their emails have been made public. The evidence suggests that there may be additional emails that were not included in the release, similar to the case of Bush, where only the emails he deemed necessary for disclosure were made public. Therefore, the claim of having put out all of the emails may not be entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think that anybody who's actually looked at this has concluded that I have now put out all of my emails,\" she said. \"Go and ask others for their emails. Ask everybody else who's in public office. I'm the one who's done it, and I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do.\"","Bush also guessed he had gotten about 2.5 million more emails through a public email account run by the state. We aren\u2019t really counting state account emails in this case, because the government was responsible for reviewing and archiving those.","But can Bush claim he\u2019s released all of his emails as a way of drawing a distinction between himself and Clinton? No, in reality, he's done exactly what Clinton has done. Bush says he has turned over and made public all the emails he was required to. That's the same argument Clinton is making.","So that means he didn\u2019t literally release all his emails, just the ones he says he was required to give the state."]},{"id":"10870.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia ranks 49th for women serving in elected state and federal offices.","reason":"Reason: According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research and other sources, Georgia ranks 49th among the 50 states for women serving in elected state and federal offices. This ranking is based on factors such as the state's all-male congressional delegation, its predominantly male state Legislature, and the absence of any women in statewide elected office. The number of women serving in the Georgia state Legislature is 54 out of 236 members, but there are no women representing Georgia in the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, or in statewide elected positions.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The institute ranks Georgia 49th among the 50 states for women serving in elected state and federal offices in 2015, citing its all-male congressional delegation, its 77 percent-male state Legislature and its lack of any women in statewide elected office.","Our conclusion: A new report from the Institute for Women\u2019s Policy Research says Georgia is 49th among the 50 states for women serving in elected state and federal offices. It cites the state\u2019s all-male congressional delegation, its 77 percent-male Legislature and its lack of any women in statewide elected office. Other sources report similar data.","In Georgia, 54 women are serving in the 236-member state Legislature this year, the researchers reported. But they found the state had no women in the U.S. House, U.S. Senate or in statewide elected office.","The National Women\u2019s Political Caucus reported the number of women serving in state legislatures in 2013 was 1,779, essentially what it is today."]},{"id":"12299.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama neversaid, No boots on the ground in Syria.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence to contradict this claim, as President Barack Obama has indeed used the phrase \"no boots on the ground\" in reference to the deployment of U.S. troops in Syria. Multiple sources, including USA Today, have documented instances where Obama made this statement. It is important to note that the context and conditions under which he made these statements may have varied, but the claim that he never said \"no boots on the ground\" in Syria is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On April 25, 2016, President Barack Obama announced that he would be sending an additional 250 special-operations troops to Syria to counter the Islamic extremist group variously known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh.","In his weekly radio address May 4, 2013, President Barack Obama revisited an administration message that tends to draw attention in Texas.","Obama has certainly used the phrase \"no boots on the ground\" frequently. On Oct. 31, 2015, USA Today \u2019s Gregory Korte produced a detailed accounting of his comments on the matter headlined, \"16 times Obama said there would be no boots on the ground in Syria.\"","Lee : \"The point is is that for months and months and months the mantra from the president and everyone else in the administration has been, \u2018No boots on the ground.\u2019 And now\u2026\""]},{"id":"12073.json","label":"true","statement":"Six justices on the U.S. Supreme Court have been confirmed in presidential election years since 1912.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Since 1912, there have been six justices confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court during presidential election years. This includes Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration. The evidence provided supports this claim, and it is consistent with historical records.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 1900, six (U.S. Supreme Court) justices have been confirmed during election years, including Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration.\"","\"Since 1900, six (U.S. Supreme Court) justices have been confirmed during election years, including Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration,\" Herring and fellow Democratic attorneys general wrote in a March 10 letter to U.S. Senate leaders.","So let\u2019s see if Moore is right -- that six times since 1912, a justice nominated to the high court during a presidential election year has been confirmed by the Senate.","We recently looked at another Herring claim that every nominee since 1875 had received a confirmation hearing, a statement we rated Mostly False. Here, we\u2019re checking to see whether the attorney general was closer to the mark when he said there have been six justices confirmed during presidential election years since the start of the 20th century."]},{"id":"783.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Sen. Obama has never taken on his party leaders on a single major issue.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator McCain that \"Sen. Obama has never taken on his party leaders on a single major issue\" is supported by the evidence provided. Multiple sources confirm that there is no significant evidence of Obama openly challenging or opposing his party leadership on major issues. While there may have been instances where Obama differed from his party on certain issues, they were not considered major or significant enough to be classified as taking on party leaders. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["McCain made the point again at the second presidential debate in Nashville. \"Sen. Obama has never taken on his party leaders on a single major issue,\" McCain said.","None of the examples the Obama campaign provides could be seen as major issues on which Obama was at odds with his party leadership. Certainly nothing on the scale of McCain's unpopular positions on immigration and campaign finance reform, among others. McCain speaks in absolutes \u2014 Obama has \"never taken on his party leaders on a single major issue\" \u2014 but the record supports him. We say McCain's claim is True.","None of the examples the Obama campaign provides could be seen as major issues on which Obama was at odds with his party leadership. Certainly nothing on the scale of McCain's unpopular positions on immigration and campaign finance reform, among others. McCain speaks in absolutes -- Obam has \"never taken on his party leaders on a single major issue\" -- but the record supports him. We say McCain's claim is True.","But this again, was hardly a vote in which Obama stood too far apart from his caucus. Eighteen Democrats supported the bill against 26 opposed. And this wasn't an issue where Obama was particularly outspoken, so it can hardly be argued that he had \"taken on his party leaders\" on tort reform."]},{"id":"3549.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Obamas grandmother in Kenya said he was born in Kenya and she was there and witnessed the birth.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Obama's grandmother in Kenya said he was born in Kenya and witnessed the birth is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple sources, including interviews with his grandmother and official records, confirm that Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, United States. The statements attributed to his grandmother in Kenya are inconsistent and have been refuted by other family members and translators. The overwhelming evidence supports the fact that President Obama was born in the United States, not Kenya.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump made an identical claim in a Today Show interview the same morning: \"His grandmother in Kenya said he was born in Kenya and she was there and witnessed the birth, okay?\"","Trump also defended his position, saying, \"His grandmother in Kenya said, 'Oh no, he was born in Kenya and I was there and I witnessed the birth.' Now, she's on tape and I think that tape's going to be produced fairly soon ...The grandmother in Kenya is on record saying he was born in Kenya.\"","\"No, no,\" the translator said. \"...She was not ... she was here in Kenya. Obama was born in America ... Because the grandmother was back in Kenya and Obama was born in America, where he is from, where his father was learning, learning in America, the United States.\"","\"Though some few younger relatives, including Mr. Ogombe (one of the translators), have obviously been versed to counter such facts with the common purported information from the American news media that Obama was born in Hawaii, Ms. Sarah Hussein Obama was very adamant that her grandson, Senator Barack Hussein Obama, was born in Kenya, and that she was present and witnessed his birth in Kenya, not the United States. When Mr. Ogombe attempted to counter Sarah Obama's clear responses to the question, verifying the birth of Senator Obama in Kenya, I asked Mr. Ogombe, how she could be present at Barack Obama's birth if the Senator was born in Hawaii, but Ogombe would not answer the question, instead he repeatedly tried to insert that, \"No, No, No. He was born in the United States!\""]},{"id":"6776.json","label":"false","statement":"We have more people working in the state of New Jersey today than weve ever had in our history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that New Jersey has seen an increase in employment and business expansion, it is misleading to claim that there are more people working in the state than ever before in its history. The evidence provided does not support such a broad and definitive statement. It is important to consider historical context and population growth when making claims about employment levels over time.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"New Jersey's citizens are working at the highest rate in three years. That's good news,\" she said in her June 25 speech on the state Senate floor. \"We have more businesses expanding their footprint in this state. We've seen almost $8 billion in public-private investment over the last two and a half years. All of those are good signs and today in delivering this budget without a tax cut I think we\u2019re giving a kick in the shins to our citizens because we have the revenue now to be able to deliver that relief and it should be our foremost and top priority.\"","Says that in the 1985 election former Gov. Tom Kean had \"the largest winning margin for a gubernatorial candidate in Jersey history.\"","But as more people have been vaccinated, and the economy continues to gain steam, things are shifting once again. Across the country, employers added 559,000 jobs in May alone, according to a June 4, 2021 report from USA Today.","Joseph Seneca, a professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, agreed that the number of New Jerseyans working is the highest in three years, but said \"the confusion would be the word rate.\""]},{"id":"1977.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The first time he ever voted as a Democrat was here in Florida in 2008. He only voted four times in his life, and he's asking Floridians to come out and vote for him.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Kendrick Meek's claim that Jeff Greene's first time voting as a Democrat was in Florida in 2008. It also acknowledges that Greene has voted at least five times, potentially six times, based on available records. However, it is important to note that the claim that Greene has only voted four times in his life is not entirely accurate. While Meek's claim is not far off, the evidence shows that Greene has voted more than four times. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks complete accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Meek said that the first time Greene voted as a Democrat was in Florida in 2008. Based on voter history information we found in California and Florida dating back to 1992, that's true. Meek also claimed that Greene \"only voted four times in his life.\" We found five times: 1992, twice in 2000 and 2004 in California and once in Florida in 2008. Greene's campaign said he voted in 1982 when he ran for office. We think it would be strange if he ran for Congress and didn't vote for himself, but Los Angeles did not keep such records before 1992. Greene says he first registered as a Democrat in 1973 -- but Palm Beach records show 1977 as an NPA.","But we wondered, did Meek accurately summarize Greene's voting record -- is it true that the 55-year-old Greene has voted only four times in his life?","We contacted Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections. Christina White, director of the office of governmental affairs, told us in an e-mail that Greene registered as a Democrat in Miami Beach on March 20, 2008. He voted Nov. 4, 2008.","Based on available records, Greene voted at least five times, likely six times -- not four. Meek isn't far off though, so we rate his claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"11928.json","label":"false","statement":"Nevada is still a state that is 80 percent white voters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Nevada is not a state that is 80 percent white voters. According to the evidence provided, the state has a diverse population, including a significant Hispanic element. While the exact percentage of white voters in Nevada may vary, it is not accurate to claim that the state is 80 percent white voters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Clinton campaign pointed to comments it made to Ralston that some caucus modeling \"showed an 80 percent turnout in Nevada come Feb. 20\" for white voters.","Even looking at the best-case scenario, it\u2019s difficult to imagine a sudden reversal in the trend of increasing minority voter participation in Nevada elections. Given past turnout levels and the ethnic makeup of the state, the claim of \"80 percent white voters\" deciding the state\u2019s caucus doesn\u2019t hold up.","\"There\u2019s an important Hispanic element to the Democratic caucusgoer universe in Nevada,\" he said to NBC\u2019s Chuck Todd on Feb. 9, 2016. \"But it\u2019s still a state that is 80 percent white voters. You have a caucus-style format, and he\u2019ll have the momentum coming out of New Hampshire presumably, so there\u2019s a lot of good reasons he should do well.\"","White voters made up around 65 percent of the vote according to 2008 caucus exit polls, with black and Hispanic voters each taking around 15 percent of the vote. About 118,000 voters, or 30 percent of registered Nevada Democrats, participated in the 2008 caucuses."]},{"id":"3353.json","label":"true","statement":"We have lost 600,000 jobs over the period of the last 10 years. Only Michigan and California have done worse.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Kasich is accurate. Ohio did indeed lose 600,000 jobs over the course of the last 10 years, and when comparing job losses among states, only Michigan and California fared worse. This information is supported by data and analysis from various sources, confirming the validity of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We have lost 600,000 jobs over the period of the last 10 years,\" Kasich said. \"Only Michigan and California have done worse.\"","But for purposes of the Truth-O-Meter, words matter. Kasich\u2019s statement was that over the last 10 years, Ohio lost 600,000 jobs and that only Michigan and California have done worse. And in terms of net change over the decade, he\u2019s right on the money.","California, which had 13,897,100 jobs in December 2010, lost 803,000 jobs from December 2000, and 1,305,500 jobs from the state\u2019s peak level of July 2007, according to the CES survey.","Kasich was correct that both states lost more jobs than Ohio from the start to the finish of the decade ending last December. No other states lost more by that measure."]},{"id":"10747.json","label":"true","statement":"We have an 80 percent graduation rate in high school after spending more per student than any country in the world other than Liechtenstein, I think, or Luxembourg and a couple other small countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bush regarding the graduation rate and per-student spending. The graduation rate of 80 percent is consistent with the national average, and the statement correctly states that the United States spends more per student than any country in the world, with the exception of Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and a few other small countries. While there may be some uncertainty expressed by Bush regarding the specific countries, the overall claim remains accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Bush said, \"We have an 80 percent graduation rate in high school after spending more per student than any country in the world other than Liechtenstein, I think, or Luxembourg and a couple other small countries.\"","\"We have an 80 percent graduation rate in high school after spending more per student than any country in the world other than Liechtenstein I think, or Luxembourg and a couple other small countries,\" Bush said.","The national average for the graduation rate was 81 percent in 2012-13, according to one method the federal government uses to calculate the rate. Among advanced countries, the United States ranked fifth in per student spending for secondary education behind Austria, Luxembourg, Norway and Switzerland. Liechtenstein wasn\u2019t on the list, but since Bush expressed uncertainty, we think his statement is still accurate.","Bush has changed how he has worded his claim about how per-student spending in the United States compares to other countries. In 2013, Bush claimed that the United States spends \"more per student than any country in the world,\" which noted was inaccurate since a few countries spent more."]},{"id":"1614.json","label":"true","statement":"The health care bill will subsidize families of four that make more than $80,000 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The evidence provided confirms that the health care bill does indeed provide subsidies for families of four earning more than $80,000 a year. This means that families with an income of up to $88,000 a year can still qualify for subsidies to help with their health insurance costs under the new federal health care law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["All of this helps explain the rationale for why a family earning $88,200 might need federal assistance. But it doesn't undermine the validity of Hatch's point. Starting in 2014, the health care bill will indeed \"subsidize ... families of four that make over $80,000 a year.\" So we rate Hatch's statement True.","\"Do you realize they're going to subsidize families that make over -- families of four that make over $80,000 a year?\" Hatch said in an interview on CNN's State of the Union.","R.I. talk radio host Helen Glover says new health care law will provide subsidies for families of four earning $88,000 a year","\"A family of four can make up to $88,000 a year and still get a subsidy for health insurance\" under the new federal health care law."]},{"id":"1876.json","label":"false","statement":"Says an estimate that Texas will face an $18 billion budget gap is a number that somebody just reached up in the air and grabbed.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Perry's response to the estimate of an $18 billion budget gap in Texas. However, it is important to note that this claim by Perry is not supported by evidence. The estimate of the budget gap was not arbitrarily pulled out of thin air but was based on careful analysis and projections by experts. Perry's dismissal of the estimate without providing any evidence or alternative figures undermines the credibility of his statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says an estimate that Texas will face an $18 billion budget gap is \u201ca number that somebody just reached up in the air and grabbed.\"","Perry replied: \"It is a big number. And I think it's a number that somebody just reached up in the air and grabbed.\"","\"How big do you estimate that the state's budget shortfall will be?\" reporter Martin Bartlett of Austin's KVUE-TV asked in an interview posted online June 4. \"... We've heard that estimate, $18 billion. That is a big number.\"","It's downright flighty. Projections may be uncertain, but that doesn't mean they're pulled from the air, as Perry told KVUE. The $18 billion budget gap figure has been cited by state leaders using the best information they now have available. And an official at the budget board, whose staffers are longstanding experts on number-crunching, called that figure \"reasonable\" before Perry piped up."]},{"id":"4169.json","label":"half-true","statement":"This past (legislative) session, we passed out of the Legislature a resolution requiring Congress to pass a balanced-budget amendment to the (U.S.) Constitution.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Texas Legislature passed a resolution urging Congress to pass a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. However, it is important to note that the resolution does not actually \"require\" Congress to pass the amendment. The resolution serves as a statement of support from the Texas Legislature, but it does not have the power to mandate or enforce such action by Congress. Therefore, while the spirit of the statement is accurate, the use of the word \"require\" is misleading. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Washington, he continues, is addicted to debt. In contrast, he adds, \"This past (legislative) session, we passed out of the Legislature a resolution requiring Congress to pass a balanced-budget amendment to the (U.S.) Constitution.\"","Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, statement, \"Lt. Governor Dewhurst Statement on Passage of Senate Resolution Urging Congress to Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment ,\" Feb. 23, 2011","In contrast, Dewhurst\u2019s campaign video leaves the misimpression Congress can, by itself, change the Constitution. It also misrepresents the Texas resolution by saying it \"requires\" Congress to affix the balanced-budget amendment. But the spirit of his message \u2014 that Texas legislators are aboard with the constitutional change \u2014 is accurate. We rate his statement Half True.","In February, after the Texas Senate passed a different version of the call for a balanced-budget amendment, Dewhurst issued a statement characterizing the resolution as urging prompt action, noting that it takes ratification by three-fourths of the states for a constitutional amendment to stick."]},{"id":"6132.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2008, 33.2 percent of those who voted early on the last Sunday before Election Day were African-American, while 23.6 percent were Hispanic.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that in 2008, 33.2 percent of those who voted early on the last Sunday before Election Day were African-American, while 23.6 percent were Hispanic. This data suggests that there was a significant representation of African-American and Hispanic voters among those who participated in early voting on the final Sunday before the election. It is important to note that this statistic pertains specifically to the 2008 election and may not be applicable to other years or contexts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["There\u2019s evidence it did, at least among African-American voters who had flocked in 2008 to vote early on the final Sunday before the election, often as part of \"souls to the polls\" vote drives, said University of Florida political scientist Daniel Smith, who studied the elections with Dartmouth College\u2019s Michael Herron.","\"Republicans recently passed a bill to eliminate early voting on Sunday \u2014 a day when many churchgoing African Americans participate in voter drives known as Souls to the Polls,\" Schumer said during a March 24 Senate committee hearing on S1, a federal voting rights bill. \"What an astonishing coincidence: outlaw voting on a day when African American churches sponsor get-out-the-vote efforts.\"","In Milwaukee, early voting surged from from 5,000 in 2000 to 36,500 in 2012, with the highest participation rates in mostly African-American areas.","This year, Georgia Republicans initially proposed getting rid of Sunday early voting but backtracked following criticism. The state House voted for HB 531 which allowed for one day of Sunday voting."]},{"id":"3815.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Theres a 1.5 percent to 2 percent overhead in Medicare. The insurance companies have a 20 percent to 30 percent overhead.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Boxer's claim that Medicare has a 1.5 percent to 2 percent overhead, while insurance companies have a 20 percent to 30 percent overhead. However, it's important to note that the figures for insurance company overhead are not entirely accurate. While some insurance plans may have overhead rates as high as 20 percent to 30 percent, the industry-wide average is lower, around 11 percent to 12 percent. Therefore, the statement overestimates the average overhead of insurance companies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There's a 1.5 percent to 2 percent overhead in Medicare. The insurance companies have a 20 percent to 30 percent overhead.\"","\"There's a 1.5 percent to 2 percent overhead in Medicare,\" Boxer said during an interview with MSNBC\u2019s Chris Matthews on May 24, 2011. \"The insurance companies have a 20 percent to 30 percent overhead.\"","Meanwhile, Boxer\u2019s 20 percent-to-30 percent figure for the private sector is more squishy. Some plans have overhead rates that high, but only a fraction do, and the industry-wide average is quite a bit lower -- 11 to 12 percent.","We don\u2019t doubt that there are cases in which overhead reaches or exceeds 30 percent, but those cases are both anecdotal and at the high end of the range. The averages cited by CBO and CMS are significantly lower -- 11 percent to 12 percent -- and many of the bigger plans undercut even that level."]},{"id":"7883.json","label":"true","statement":"47 - New provisions ObamaCare charges the IRS with implementing, according to the Government Accountability Office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The U.S. Government Accountability Office report states that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is tasked with implementing 47 statutory provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. These provisions involve various aspects of the healthcare law, and the IRS plays a significant role in their implementation. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["U.S. Government Accountability Office, \"Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: IRS managing implementation risks, but its approach could be refined,\" June 13 2012","The tax is one of the provisions in the law that offset the added costs of expanding health coverage to the uninsured, according to the Congressional Budget Office.","The report begins: \"The Internal Revenue Service's implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a massive undertaking that involves 47 statutory provisions and extensive coordination across not only IRS, but multiple agencies and external partners.\"","Combined with various other revenue-generating provisions, the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates the health law will bring in more than $437.8 billion by 2019. The government's nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the additional revenues coming in to the government to be $525 billion between now and 2019."]},{"id":"4292.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Josh Mandel used to be pro-choice, now hes anti-choice. He used to be sympathetic towards gay and lesbians and now hes [not].","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Josh Mandel has changed his stance on being pro-choice and is now anti-choice. However, there is no direct evidence provided regarding his stance on the LGBTQ+ community. While the statement suggests that he used to be sympathetic towards gay and lesbians and now he is not, there is no conclusive evidence to support or refute this claim. Therefore, it is not possible to make a definitive statement regarding his stance on the LGBTQ+ community based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Josh Mandel used to be pro-choice, now he\u2019s anti-choice. He used to be sympathetic towards gay and lesbians and now he\u2019s not.\"","\"Josh Mandel used to be pro-choice, now he\u2019s anti-choice,\" Strickland said. \"He used to be sympathetic towards gay and lesbians and now he\u2019s not.\"","So Strickland\u2019s claim that Mandel used to be \"pro-choice\" is unsupported. But did Mandel change course on his support for the gay community?","When asked about Strickland\u2019s comments, a spokesman for Mandel\u2019s campaign said, \"Josh has always been solidly pro-life and believes all innocent human life should be protected.\""]},{"id":"11465.json","label":"true","statement":"Brewpubs cant sell growlers of their beer to customers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that brewpubs in Georgia are not allowed to sell growlers of their beer to customers. The final version of the legislation mentioned in the evidence only granted craft brewers the ability to sell tours and give away their product, while removing the ability for brewpubs to do the same. This indicates that there are restrictions on the sale of growlers by brewpubs in Georgia.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The menu\u2019s fall offering: \" Why does the state legislature not want to create jobs by allowing us to do growlers of this IPA?\"","!Georgia's brewpubs can make their own suds and sell beer to you directly - on site. AJC file photo by Curtis Compton !Georgia's brewpubs can make their own suds and sell beer to you directly - on site. AJC file photo by Curtis Compton","Georgia's brewpubs can make their own suds and sell beer to you directly - on site. AJC file photo by Curtis Compton","But the final version instead gave craft brewers the ability only to sell tours and give away their product \u2013 a backdoor way to sell limited amounts of beer to go - and stripped out brewpubs\u2019 ability to do the same."]},{"id":"7205.json","label":"true","statement":"Did U know? Block Island Wind Farm would mean 40% est. drop in BI electric rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Deepwater Wind in their tweet that the Block Island Wind Farm would result in an estimated 40% drop in Block Island electric rates. This claim is supported by the island's Electric Utility Task Group, which states that the rates would actually drop by 42% based on current diesel fuel prices. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Deepwater highlighted the potential savings in a Tweet the company put out Dec. 12: \"Did U know? Block Island Wind Farm would mean 40% est. drop in BI electric rates.\"","Deepwater Wind says electricity rates on Block Island would drop by 40 percent if a wind farm is constructed off the island","( - Deepwater Wind says electricity rates on Block Island would drop by 40 percent if a wind farm is constructed off the island&url=)","Deepwater Wind\u2019s Tweet claimed electricity rates on Block Island will fall by 40 percent if a planned wind farm is built. The island\u2019s Electric Utility Task Group says that, based on current prices of diesel fuel, the rates would drop 42 percent."]},{"id":"7474.json","label":"true","statement":"We have over 300,000,000 weapons, firearms in this country. Thats almost as big as the population.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including the Congressional Research Service and the National Rifle Association (NRA), which confirm that there are approximately 300 million firearms owned by civilians in the United States. The population of the United States is around 307 million, as of 2009. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the data and is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Florio said during a recent television interview, \"We have over 300,000,000 weapons, firearms in this country. That\u2019s almost as big as the population.\"","\"We have over 300,000,000 weapons, firearms in this country. That\u2019s almost as big as the population,\" Florio said during an interview for Governors\u2019 Perspective, an occasional segment for \"On the Record\" with Michael Aron on NJTV that aired Feb. 16. Former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman also participated in the interview.","Data from a variety of sources including the Congressional Research Service, NRA and others confirm the 300 million figure. While population and firearms figures have fluctuated over the years, Florio\u2019s point is clear: there\u2019s nearly one gun for every person in the United States. We rate his claim True.","\"As of 2009, the United States has a population of 307 million people. Based on production data from firearm manufacturers, there are roughly 300 million firearms owned by civilians in the United States as of 2010,\" the report by James D. Agresti and Reid K. Smith stated."]},{"id":"3394.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says women who need a sonogram in the eighth to 10th week of pregnancy have to get a transvaginal sonogram.","reason":"Reason: According to Eugene Toy, the president of the Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the medical standard of care for a patient seeking an abortion is to have a sonogram to determine the stage of the pregnancy and identify any potential problems. He stated that for pregnancies of less than eight weeks, a vaginal probe is necessary almost all the time. However, from the eighth to the 10th week, a transvaginal sonogram is necessary one-third of the time. Therefore, it is accurate to say that women who need a sonogram in the eighth to 10th week of pregnancy may require a transvaginal sonogram, but it is not required in all cases.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["State Rep. Carol Alvarado says women who are eight to 10 weeks pregnant and need a sonogram require a transvaginal one","( - State Rep. Carol Alvarado says women who are eight to 10 weeks pregnant and need a sonogram require a transvaginal one&url=)","Eugene Toy, president of the Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told us that the medical standard of care for a patient seeking an abortion is to have a sonogram that allows the doctor to determine the stage of the pregnancy and identify problems. At less than eight weeks, \"a vaginal probe would be necessary almost all the time,\" he said, though from the eighth to 10th week, it\u2019s necessary one-third of the time.","When Texas House members took up a proposal to require women seeking abortions to first get a sonogram, state Rep. Carol Alvarado was among opponents to join floor debate, telling a Republican sponsor during a March 2 exchange that sonograms at the 8th to 10th week of pregnancy have to be done with an intrusive transvaginal device--not with the external \"jelly on the belly\" method."]},{"id":"2210.json","label":"false","statement":"Theres still about $400 billion or $500 billion of the stimulus plan that has not been spent. Why dont we stop it.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that there is unspent money from the stimulus plan amounting to $400 billion or $500 billion. However, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The evidence discusses the allocation of funds for specific purposes such as child care, preschool, and expanding Medicare benefits, but it does not indicate that there is a significant amount of unspent money from the stimulus plan. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["$400 billion would fund child care and preschool. Families that earn less than $300,000 annually would pay no more than 7% of their income on child care for kids under age 6.","And, in that bill, $300 billion to $400 billion of the savings would be used to expand benefits to include dental, hearing and vision coverage, said Juliette Cubanski, deputy director of the program on Medicare policy at KFF. Right now, Medicare doesn\u2019t provide that coverage to seniors.","Insurance companies and Washington bureaucrats \u201care working together to swipe $500 billion from Medicare to pay for Pelosi and Schumer\u2019s out-of-control spending spree.\u201d","That $500 billion in savings would be slated for reinvestment in the program. And some experts said the changes to drug pricing could also translate into lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for seniors."]},{"id":"7896.json","label":"true","statement":"The Pink Pony club in DeKalb County has never been cited for any violation of an ordinance or state law.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided consistently supports the claim that the Pink Pony club in DeKalb County has never been cited for any violation of an ordinance or state law. The club's attorneys and representatives have stated that throughout its 22 years of operation, there have been no citations or violations. PolitiFact Georgia also conducted an investigation and found no evidence of any violations by the club's owners. Therefore, based on the available information, it can be concluded that the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Throughout the approximately twenty-two years of operation, Pink Pony has never been cited for any violation of any ordinance or state law,\" Pink Pony attorneys wrote in their complaint against the city.","\"The Pink Pony has been operating 22 years and has never been cited for a violation of any law or ordinance,\" Begner told WXIA-TV.","So is their claim risqu\u00e9? PolitiFact Georgia thought we\u2019d take this claim for a ride on the Truth-O-Meter. Has the Pink Pony ownership ever been cited for a violation of any state or local ordinance? What we found surprised us.","Since the club opened in 1991, any law enforcement matter or issue with government involving the Pink Pony would be handled by DeKalb County. On Dec. 17, 2012, the club fell under the authority of the newly incorporated city of Brookhaven. Since the Pink Pony was under the local jurisdiction of DeKalb County for more than two decades, we contacted several agencies there to see if they could expose any violations by the club\u2019s owners."]},{"id":"11673.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 2008, Gwinnett Countys population has grown 15 percent, while the county government staff has increased only 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Charlotte Nash, the chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission. According to the provided evidence, the population of Gwinnett County has indeed grown by 15 percent since 2008, while the government staff has only increased by 1 percent. This data is supported by U.S. Census Bureau estimates and verified by the county government's communications director. \nLabel: true","evidence":["So while Gwinnett\u2019s population has grown 15 percent since 2008, the county government staff has only increased by 1 percent, Nash said.","Charlotte Nash, chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission, said that, since 2008, the population of the county has grown 15 percent while the government staff has increased by only 1 percent.","U.S. Census Bureau estimates of Gwinnett County population, 2008-2014: 2008 -- 780,721; 2009 - 796,276; 2010 --- 808,374; 2011 -- 824,981; 2012 -- 840,221; 2013-- 858,956; 2014 ---877,922. Population increased 97,201 or 12.45 percent in this period. 2015 estimates not available through the Census Bureau.","For our fact-check, we contacted Joe Sorenson, communications director for Gwinnett County government, who provided us with county population and employment data dating back to 2008."]},{"id":"8594.json","label":"true","statement":"Harry Reid was against (the nuclear option) before he was for it. Mitch McConnell was for it before he was against it. President Obama was against it before he was for it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the changing stances of Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, and President Obama regarding the Senate's nuclear option. In the past, Reid and McConnell have both expressed support for the nuclear option when it benefited their respective parties, depending on the political context. Similarly, President Obama initially expressed opposition to the nuclear option but later supported it when Democrats held the majority in the Senate. These shifts in position demonstrate the political nature of the issue and the changing dynamics of power in the Senate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There's a virus going around Washington, D.C., and it's a virus of hypocrisy,\" said Dowd, a former adviser to President George W. Bush. \"Harry Reid was against this before he was for it. Mitch McConnell was for it before he was against it. President Obama was against it before he was for it.\"","Dowd accused leaders like Obama, Reid and McConnell of changing their stances on the Senate\u2019s nuclear option. In 2005, when there was a Republican president and Senate majority, McConnell and others advocated for (but never invoked) an end to filibustering nominees. Now, when a Democratic president and Senate majority have invoked the same change, McConnell opposed it.","( - Harry Reid says 82 presidential nominees have been blocked under President Barack Obama, 86 blocked under all other presidents&url=)","Democrats filibustered a host of Bush\u2019s nominees, so the Republicans considered invoking the nuclear option. Obama (then a freshman senator), McConnell and Reid were all involved in the filibuster debate. Sounds familiar."]},{"id":"11107.json","label":"true","statement":"Says David Jolly refused to cut spending for a national greenhouse in D.C.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. David Jolly did vote against a 2014 amendment to cut funding for repairs to the roof and facade of the U.S. Botanic Garden, which is often referred to as the \"national greenhouse.\" While the term \"national greenhouse\" may trivialize the significance of the U.S. Botanic Garden, the claim itself is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Jolly is so addicted to big government, he couldn\u2019t even muster up the courage to cut spending for a national greenhouse in D.C.,\" the PAC said in a statement emailed on the afternoon of July 20, 2015, the same day Jolly announced that he would be vying for Marco Rubio\u2019s soon-to-be-open Senate seat.","As it happens, after the amendment to cut the roof spending passed the House despite Jolly\u2019s opposition, lawmakers found ways to cut other spending and were able to put the roof expenditure back in the final version of the bill. The Club for Growth didn\u2019t mention this.","While \"greenhouse\" trivializes the U.S. Botanic Garden, the group is right that Jolly broke with most Republicans in voting against a 2014 amendment to cut funding for repairs to the complex\u2019s roof and facade. We rate the claim True.","It turns out that \"national greenhouse\" is actually the conservatory at the U.S. Botanic Garden, a Washington museum first envisioned by George Washington more than two centuries ago with the mission of demonstrating and promoting \"the importance of plants to the young nation,\" according to the garden."]},{"id":"12059.json","label":"true","statement":"The Walton family of Walmart ... This one family owns more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of the American people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Bernie Sanders that the Walton family, owners of Walmart, possesses more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of the American population. This claim has been fact-checked and confirmed as true, with the combined net worth of the six Walton family members exceeding the total wealth of approximately 49 million American families. While additional context regarding wealth distribution and negative net worth is important, the core claim made by Senator Sanders is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Today in America one family, the Walton family of Walmart. You all heard of Walmart. This one family owns more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of the American people,\" Sanders, I-Vt., said recently in Norfolk during a rally for his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.","Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, tweeted a startling statistic to his followers on July 22, 2012: \"Today the Walton family of Walmart own more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of America.\"","The statistic correctly compares the combined net worth of the bottom 41.5 percent of American families with the six Walton family members. We think the additional points -- that many people with a negative net worth are not necessarily poor and that percentages about wealth distribution can be deceiving -- are important and interesting. Nevertheless, Sanders\u2019 claim is solid. We rate it True.","That 41.5 percent represents nearly 49 million families, notes Josh Bivens at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. While median family wealth fell by 38.8 percent, Bivens wrote, the wealth of the Walton family members rose from $73.3 billion in 2007 to $89.5 billion in 2010, or about 22 percent growth."]},{"id":"2473.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rand Paul thinks drug-dealing, theft, burglary and prostitution should be decriminalized.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is no credible basis to support the claim that Rand Paul thinks drug-dealing, theft, burglary, and prostitution should be decriminalized. The Conway campaign's attempt to suggest this through a selectively edited quote and splicing comments from law enforcement officials is misleading. Rand Paul has consistently stated that he does not want to make these activities legal and has no plans to change the current laws regarding them. The fact-checking source rates the ad as false, further confirming that the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We asked Collins if he could point us toward any other quotes from Paul that suggest he doesn't think drug dealing, burglary and prostitution, for example, should not be against the law.","Accusing your opponent of being soft on crime is pretty standard campaign fare, but Kentucky Democrat Jack Conway -- a candidate for U.S. Senate -- takes things one step further in a campaign video( \"campaign video\"), using a two-year-old quote from Republican opponent Rand Paul to suggest Paul wants to decriminalize everything from drug dealing and burglary to prostitution.","\"Rand Paul believes drugs aren't a pressing issue and that non-violent crimes, such as prostitution and selling drugs, shouldn\u2019t be against the law,\" Collins said. \"If Paul thinks that\u2019s misleading, then he should not have said it. Simply put, you could hold a meeting of all the people who agree with Rand Paul\u2019s soft on crime beliefs in a phone booth.\"","Paul said what he said. But for the Conway campaign to splice that with comments from law enforcement officials listing non-violent crime such as dealing drugs to kids, promoting prostitution, theft, burglary and financial crime suggests Paul wants to decriminalize those acts. We couldn't find a single instance where Paul has said he specifically wanted to legalize any of those activities. Conversely, Paul has repeatedly and unequivocally said he does not want to make those things legal, and that he has no plans to change the current laws with regard to them. We think a reasonable person can see what's going on here. We rate this ad False."]},{"id":"1195.json","label":"false","statement":"Insurers delayed an Illinois man's treatment, and he died because of it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a case involving an Illinois man named Otto S. Raddatz, who experienced a delay in his treatment due to his insurance company rescinding his policy, it is inaccurate to claim that his death was directly caused by this delay. After the government intervened, Raddatz was able to receive the necessary procedure and lived for another three and a half years. His eventual death was unrelated to the initial delay in care and was instead due to unforeseen circumstances involving a second procedure. Therefore, the statement that insurers delayed Raddatz's treatment, resulting in his death, is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"More and more Americans pay their premiums, only to discover that their insurance company has dropped their coverage when they get sick, or won't pay the full cost of care,\" the president told a joint session of Congress on Sept. 9, 2009. \"It happens every day. One man from Illinois lost his coverage in the middle of chemotherapy because his insurer found that he hadn't reported gallstones that he didn't even know about. They delayed his treatment, and he died because of it.\"","To show that insurance companies can be callous, President Barack Obama recently cited the case of an Illinois man who Obama said had died because of an insurer's decision.","The man Obama was referring to was Otto S. Raddatz, who died earlier this year. But Lynn Sweet, a reporter with the Chicago Sun-Times , found the president was wrong to blame Raddatz's death on the insurance company.","Still, the president said that Otto Raddatz's death was caused by a delay in his surgery caused by the insurer's decision to rescind his policy. But as Peggy Raddatz testified, government intervention enabled her brother to have the procedure, and he lived, despite his cancer, for another three and a half years. When Raddatz eventually died earlier this year, his sister said that his death came while waiting for a second procedure that did not happen because the transplant donor unexpectedly fell ill. Critics can still blame the insurance company for insensitivity \u2014 and it's true that the company only paid for Raddatz's treatment after the attorney general's office acted \u2014 but the evidence shows that it's inaccurate to say a delay in care caused his death. So we rate the president's statement False."]},{"id":"10821.json","label":"true","statement":"An audit shows there are 6.5 million people who have active Social Security numbers who are 112 years of age or older,","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the audit cited by Senator Warner. The audit conducted by the Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General did find that there are approximately 6.5 million active Social Security numbers associated with individuals who are listed as being at least 112 years old. It is important to note that the majority of these numbers were issued prior to 1972 when electronic records were implemented. This information suggests a potential issue with the accuracy and maintenance of Social Security records for individuals who would be extremely old. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Warner said the Social Security Administration\u2019s Inspector General found \"there are 6.5 million people who have active Social Security numbers who are 112 years of age or older.\"","The audit Warner cites indeed found that there are an implausible 6.5 million active Social Security numbers belonging to people who would be at least 112.","\"The SSA (Social Security Administration\u2019s) Office of the Inspector General reported last month that, according to the agency\u2019s own records, there are 6.5 million people who have active Social Security numbers who are 112 years of age or older,\" Warner said in an April 23 news release.","The auditors indeed found, as Warner claimed, that 6.5 million cardholders were listed in Social Security records as being at least 112. All but about 100,000 of the numbers were issued prior to 1972, when the agency started using electronic records."]},{"id":"5730.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since President Obama took office, our federal spending has increased by nearly 30 percent and our national debt has increased by almost 50 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Jim Renacci that federal spending increased by nearly 30 percent and the national debt increased by almost 50 percent since President Obama took office. However, it's important to note that while the national debt increase is accurate, it doesn't account for factors beyond Obama's control that contributed to the rise. Additionally, the claim that federal spending increased by nearly 30 percent is not entirely accurate, as it fails to consider the impact of the faltering economy and spending decisions made before Obama took office. Therefore, while the statement captures Renacci's claim, it lacks some nuance and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Since President Obama took office, our federal spending has increased by nearly 30 percent and our national debt has increased by almost 50 percent,\" it continued. \"The time to stand up and say enough is enough is now!\"","Rep. Jim Renacci says that since President Obama took office, federal spending went up nearly 30 percent and the national debt increased by almost 50 percent","( - Rep. Jim Renacci says that since President Obama took office, federal spending went up nearly 30 percent and the national debt increased by almost 50 percent&url=)","Renacci\u2019s statement that the national debt has increased by almost 50 percent on Obama\u2019s watch is accurate, although it fails to account for factors beyond Obama\u2019s control that drove a significant part of the rise. And while federal spending has increased significantly on Obama\u2019s watch, it hasn\u2019t risen by \"nearly 30 percent,\" as Renacci claimed. Nor does Renacci\u2019s statement reflect that plenty of the spending he criticizes is tied to the faltering economy and some was due to decisions made before Obama took office."]},{"id":"7689.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The election bill allows persons to correct an absentee ballot if they did not sign it and requires an extra two hours a day for early voting. Everything else in this bill is discretionary.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights two specific provisions of the election bill. It states that the bill allows individuals to correct an absentee ballot if they did not sign it and requires an additional two hours per day for early voting. However, it incorrectly suggests that everything else in the bill is discretionary. In reality, the bill includes various provisions that aim to establish uniform policies for voting by mail and in person, expand voting access, and address election administration practices. While some aspects of the bill may provide states with flexibility, it also includes mandates and requirements aimed at protecting voting rights and ensuring fair elections.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In Arizona, citizens can vote early for nearly a month before Election Day. In New Hampshire, early voting doesn't exist. In Florida, any voter can request a mail ballot. In Texas, only some voters can vote absentee, such as those who are old, sick, in jail or out of town.","The election bill would establish a federal floor with respect to many aspects of voting and redistricting, but state and local officials could depart upward from this floor, Stephanopoulos said. Nothing would prevent a state from offering more than the required two weeks of early voting in the legislation, as some states already do.","The Freedom to Vote Act is partly a response to restrictive state laws passed by Republicans following the 2020 election that limited early voting, mail ballots, drop boxes and other mechanisms that broadened voting access. It would set uniform policies for voting by mail and in person in federal elections, as well as various aspects of election administration, such as audits of results. The bill would mandate some policies that are already used in many states, such as same-day voter registration.","\"This is not some modest bill about ballot access,\" said Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell Jan. 19, the day an effort to push the voting rights legislation past a Senate filibuster failed. \"It\u2019s a sprawling takeover of our whole political system.\""]},{"id":"7511.json","label":"true","statement":"More than 64 percent of minimum-wage earners are women.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers and statistics from 2013, confirm that over 64 percent of workers earning at or below the federal minimum wage were women. This statistic highlights the disproportionate impact of low wages on women and underscores the gender wage gap prevalent in lower-paying professions.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Then she added, \"It is important to note in this Women's History Month, that more than 64 percent of minimum-wage earners are women. So this has a big impact on the financial security of our women.\"","In 2013, 62.4 percent of workers, or 2.06 million people, who earned at or below the federal minimum wage were women. This was down slightly from the year before, when it was 64 percent.","A reader asked us on Facebook about the statistic -- that nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage earners are women. We thought it was an interesting fact to check, and it turns out Pelosi is right.","The discrepancy in pay between men and women known as the \"gender gap\" is closer at the bottom of the income distribution than at the top 1 percent of earners, Shierholz said. The gap is closing as a result of more women going to college and stagnated male wages. The White House argues raising the minimum wage would further tighten the gap because women are overrepresented in low-paying professions."]},{"id":"3757.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Barack Obama deserves to be called the most successful food stamp president in American history because 47 million Americans are on food stamps.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Newt Gingrich that President Obama deserves to be called \"the most successful food stamp president in American history\" due to the high number of Americans on food stamps. However, it's important to note that this claim is subjective and politically charged. While it is true that the number of people receiving food stamps increased during Obama's presidency, it is essential to consider the broader context, such as the economic recession that occurred during that time. Additionally, attributing the sole responsibility for the increase in food stamp usage to President Obama oversimplifies a complex issue influenced by various factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Last week, the state\u2019s other presidential contender, Newt Gingrich, said Obama deserves to be called \"the most successful food stamp president in American history\" because \"47 million Americans are on food stamps.\"","Calling Obama the \"best food stamp president in American history,\" Gingrich said that \"more people have been put on food stamps under Barack Obama than anyone in American history.\"","On the May 15, 2011, edition of NBC\u2019s Meet the Press, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich defended his earlier characterization of President Barack Obama as \"the most successful food stamp president in American history.\"","\"You want to be a country that creates food stamps, in which case frankly Obama's is an enormous success,\" Gingrich said in the recorded excerpt. \"The most successful food stamp president in American history. Or do you want to be a country that creates paychecks?\""]},{"id":"950.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the Obama plan . . . all the health care in this country is eventually going to be run by the government.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Tom Coburn that \"under the Obama plan, all the health care in this country is eventually going to be run by the government\" is false. It misrepresents President Obama's healthcare plan, as it does not propose a government-run healthcare system. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced reforms to expand access to healthcare, it does not involve a complete government takeover of the healthcare system. The ACA aimed to increase insurance coverage and implement regulations on private insurance companies, but it did not seek to eliminate private healthcare providers or establish a government-run system.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Remember, under the Obama plan . . . all the health care in this country is eventually going to be run by the government,\" Coburn said in an interview on Fox News on March 4, 2009.","That may be Sen. Coburn's opinion on what could happen, but it's definitely not part of Obama's plan. And Coburn was very specific in saying that \"under the Obama plan, all the health care in this country is eventually going to be run by the government.\" That gives the incorrect impression that Obama is promoting a government-run health care system. He's not. We rate Coburn's statement False.","When Sen. Tom Coburn said that under President Obama, \"all the health care in this country is eventually going to be run by the government,\" it was like a golden oldie PolitiFact has heard many times before.","Coburn and Obama can fairly disagree about conscience protections for health care workers who oppose abortions. But he's wrong that Obama's plan offers government-run health care."]},{"id":"1115.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A former Clinton administration official and other economists agree that if you keep extending these temporary unemployment benefits, youre just going to extend joblessness even more.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a former Clinton administration official, Larry Katz, expressed this view nearly 20 years ago, it is important to note that the labor market and economic conditions have significantly changed since then. Most economists today do not believe that Katz's findings from that time have much relevance to the current situation. The statement implies that there is a consensus among economists on this issue, which is not accurate. Therefore, the claim is only partially true, as it does not accurately reflect the current consensus among economists regarding the impact of extending temporary unemployment benefits on joblessness.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A former Clinton administration official and other economists agree that \"if you keep extending these temporary unemployment benefits, you're just going to extend joblessness even more.\"","\"It was Larry Katz, who was the chief labor economist under the Clinton Labor Department, who came out with a study, and there are a lot of these smart economists who say this \u2013 that if you keep extending these temporary unemployment benefits, you're just going to extend joblessness even more,\" she said.","So let's review what Malkin said. She correctly characterized Katz's writings from nearly 20 years ago. However, due to the changed nature of the labor market in today's recession, neither Katz nor most economists we talked to believe that his findings have much relevance to the current situation. This undercuts Malkin's assertion that \"there are a lot of these smart economists who say this \u2013 that if you keep extending these temporary unemployment benefits, you're just going to extend joblessness even more.\" For this reason, we rate her statement Half True.","But Malkin was undeterred. \"Well, it's 79 weeks already,\" she said. \"And then they're going to extend it by another 13 weeks. And what happens is, according to these economists who have seen it, including this Clinton economist, is that people will just delay getting a job until the three weeks before the benefits run out.\""]},{"id":"3303.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the past decade, K-12 funding has grown six times faster than the rate of enrollment.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that K-12 education funding has grown faster than enrollment over the past decade, the statement lacks important context. Initially rated as True, it was later revised to Half True by PolitiFact Virginia after considering the impact of inflation. When accounting for inflation, the actual increase in education spending becomes 13.7 percent in real terms, which is slightly more than double the rate of enrollment growth. Therefore, while the funding growth has outpaced enrollment, it is important to note that a significant portion of the increase is due to inflation. Adding this context provides a more accurate understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The governor told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, in a story that ran Feb. 20, that K-12 education funding has grown six times faster than enrollment over the last decade.","On Feb. 24, PolitiFact Virginia rated as True a statement by Gov. Bob McDonnell that public education funding over the last decade grew six times faster than enrollment. We based that ruling on raw state budget and K-12 enrollment numbers. Subsequently, several readers pointed out that we did not factor in inflation. They were right, inflation accounted for most of the imbalance between increases in education and gains in enrollment. So we are changing our rating to Half True because there is some validity to McDonnell\u2019s claim but his numbers are out of context. And we are providing a new analysis, which appears below.","When your stir in the 22.5 percent rise in the national consumer price index over the last decade, you end up with a 13.7 percent inflation-adjusted increase to education spending. That\u2019s slightly more than double the rate of enrollment growth.","You get a similar result when consider the 23 percent inflation rate over the decade in Southern states, where the Bureau of Labor Statistics includes Virginia in its regional calculations. Unfortunately, BLS does not measure inflation in individual states."]},{"id":"3955.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Creating 25 jobs in Umatilla County has the same impact as 500 jobs in the metro region.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the governor that creating 25 jobs in Umatilla County has a similar impact in terms of employment statistics as creating 500 jobs in the metro region. However, it is important to note that this claim specifically refers to the local impact within Umatilla County and does not imply that the impact is equivalent on a statewide or overall scale. The employment statistics provided support the governor's statement, but it is crucial to understand the context and scope of the comparison. Therefore, the statement is accurate but requires clarification to avoid potential misinterpretation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One of them read like this: \"I traveled to Pendleton and Ontario to launch a new solar array and visit Oregon companies like Hill Meat Company. Creating 25 jobs in Umatilla County has the same impact as 500 jobs in the Portland metro region.\"","Still, something was nagging at us. Sure, 25 jobs in Umatilla would have the same impact in terms of employment statistics as 700-some jobs in the Portland area, but would it have \"the same impact\" overall?","Using state employment statistics from January 2011, the Portland metro area had an overall employment level of 1,067,037 while Umatilla had one of 34,261.","That makes sense to us. Once it\u2019s clear the governor is talking about local impact, his statistics hold up -- they\u2019re even understated. But, without that clarity you might hear that statement and think that 25 jobs in Umatilla had the same impact for the state as a whole as 750 in Portland, which just isn\u2019t the case. So, we\u2019ll give the governor a Mostly True here -- the statement is accurate but needs some clarification."]},{"id":"4459.json","label":"true","statement":"Says an amendment specifying when military members may use deadly force does nothing to change existing rules of engagement for American service members.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Representative Cicilline regarding the amendment on the use of deadly force by military members. Cicilline and a significant number of Democrats and Republicans voted against the amendment because they believed it would not bring about any changes to the existing rules of engagement for American service members. This position was supported by experts consulted on the matter.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Cicilline says he opposed a measure on use of deadly force by military members because it didn\u2019t change existing rules of engagement","( - Cicilline says he opposed a measure on use of deadly force by military members because it didn\u2019t change existing rules of engagement&url=)","Cicilline responded in a letter addressed to Chartier. He said that he joined 141 other Democrats and 18 Republicans in voting against the amendment in May \"because it does nothing to change existing rules of engagement for American service members....\"","In summary, Cicilline said Mica\u2019s amendment would do nothing to change existing rules of engagement for service members. The experts we consulted agreed."]},{"id":"5537.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The total (state) payroll has gone down. The total amount of the number of workers in the state has gone down. I like the fact that the bulk of that is just by retirements.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The evidence suggests that the total state payroll has decreased, and the number of state workers has also gone down, primarily due to retirements. This indicates a reduction in the state government workforce. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific data on the extent of these reductions or the time period in which they occurred.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"(Taylor) was doing what he thought was probable and that it would not be a radical departure than what\u2019s gone on the past six years,\" she said in an interview with PolitiFact Florida.","A reader recently emailed PolitiFact Florida wondering if state employees have really gone that long without a raise. We looked at the issue two years ago, when then-newly inaugurated Scott toured state agencies and gave employees a chance to ask him questions. A Department of Corrections employee told Scott, who had campaigned on shrinking the state workforce and requiring workers to contribute to their pensions, that public employees have already made sacrifices to help the state\u2019s bottom line.","Florida also spends less money on its state government workforce than any other state. According to DMS, Florida\u2019s 2011 payroll expenditure per state resident was $37, which is 50 percent less than the national average of state government payroll expenditures of $74.","\u201cAs of the last 24 hours this is the protocol regarding masks: Masks should only be used by healthcare workers, caretakers or by people who are sick with symptoms like fever and cough.\u201d"]},{"id":"5764.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Only 14 percent of Catholics agree with the Vaticans position that abortion should be illegal.","reason":"Reason: According to Jon O'Brien, the president of Catholics for Choice, only 14 percent of Catholics agree with the Vatican's position that abortion should be illegal. This statistic suggests that a majority of Catholics do not support the Vatican's stance on abortion. However, it's important to note that this statistic may vary depending on the specific region, cultural factors, and individual beliefs within the Catholic community. While the statement accurately reflects O'Brien's claim, it should be understood as a generalization rather than an absolute representation of all Catholics worldwide.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Catholics for Choice president says only 14 percent of Catholics agree with Vatican's position that abortion, under all circumstances, should be illegal","Jon O'Brien of Catholics for Choice said that \"only 14 percent of Catholics agree with the Vatican's position that abortion should be illegal.\"","One of the statistics he cited caught our eye: \"Only 14 percent of Catholics agree with the Vatican's position that abortion should be illegal.\" We wondered if the support was really that low.","( - Catholics for Choice president says only 14 percent of Catholics agree with Vatican's position that abortion, under all circumstances, should be illegal&url=)"]},{"id":"522.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama couldn't have afforded his home without Rezko's help.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the claim is false. Obama stated that he did not need help purchasing either of the tracts of land involved in the purchase of his Chicago home. The fact-checking analysis also concludes that the claim is false and that there is no contradiction in Obama's statements. Therefore, there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Obama couldn't have afforded his home without Rezko's help.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"But Obama later said that he did not need help purchasing 'both or either of the tracts' of land involved in the purchase of his Chicago home.\"","\u201cBut Obama later said that he did not need help purchasing \u2018both or either of the tracts\u2019 of land involved in the purchase of his Chicago home.\u201d","This isn\u2019t the \u201cgotcha\u201d it\u2019s made out to be. If Obama had no interest in the vacant lot next to the home (other than the sliver he purchased from Rezko a year later), he would have no reason to tell Rezko he needed help buying it. The answer is not a contradiction of his first statement. We rule this GOP claim False, too.","The GOP news release suggests Obama changed his story about not needing help to buy the home or the vacant lot next door."]},{"id":"10195.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Americas least-trusted news sources are also its most popular.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the evidence provided, the Rush Limbaugh Show and Fox News are mentioned as the least-trusted news sources. However, the evidence does not explicitly state that these sources are the most popular. It does mention that Fox News is the most popular channel in its genre and that the Rush Limbaugh Show is likely one of the most popular radio talk shows. However, the evidence also highlights the significant reach of network television news, with even the lowest-performing network having a larger audience than Fox News. Therefore, while there may be a correlation between popularity and trustworthiness, the evidence does not definitively support the claim that the least-trusted news sources are also the most popular.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["There are two elements to check: Are Limbaugh and Fox News the least-trusted? And are they the most popular with Americans?","Pitts said America\u2019s least-trusted news sources are also its most popular ones and focused on the Rush Limbaugh Show on radio and Fox News on cable. According to the survey Pitts used, Limbaugh\u2019s program is indeed the least-trusted news source. However, comparing the size of the gap between people who trust to those who distrust a source, Fox News falls in the middle of the pack.","A January 2016 Fox News poll found Trump was nine times more popular among Republicans than Democrats, when matched up against Clinton. A December 2015 Quinnipiac poll found that the billionaire was 20 times more popular.","In terms of popularity, Fox News clearly is the most popular channel in its genre and the Rush Limbaugh Show is likely the most popular radio talk show (or at least very close to it). Pitts\u2019 assessment also obscures the enormous reach of network television news. The lowest-performing network, CBS, has an audience three times that of Fox News."]},{"id":"1006.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama's first call (as president) to any head of state was to Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah party in the Palestinian territory.","reason":"Reason: It is true that one of President Obama's first phone calls to a foreign leader, on his first full day in office, was to Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Fatah party in the Palestinian territory. This information is supported by statements from the White House spokesman and reported by news sources. However, it is important to note that the order in which the phone calls were made does not hold significant relevance in determining President Obama's religious beliefs. The statement in question attempts to use this fact to support the false claim that Obama is a Muslim, which has been debunked multiple times. Therefore, while the specific claim about the phone call is true, its inclusion in the context of suggesting Obama's religious affiliation is misleading and false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A recent chain e-mail claiming President Barack Obama directed $20.3 million to allow \"hundreds of thousands of 'Hamas' Palestinians to resettle in the United States\" (which we found was Pants on Fire wrong) includes a common refrain of chain e-mails that Obama is a Muslim (one we've checked before and found was False), plus a new twist. It said that after Obama's inauguration, \"His first call to any head of state, as president, was to Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah party in the Palestinian territory.\"","We checked the accounts of Obama's first day and found some truth to the claim. According to a statement from White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, on the morning of Obama's first full day in office, Jan. 21, 2009, the president placed brief phone calls to four Middle Eastern leaders \u2014 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Jordan's King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.","According to a story in Agence France Presse on Jan. 21, 2009, Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina quoted Obama as saying, \"This is my first phone call to a foreign leader and I'm making it only hours after I took office.\"","But we think the issue of who got called minutes before someone else is irrelevant. The point is that Obama's first calls were to leaders of this region \u2014 all of them. The e-mail may be right that Obama called Abbas first. At the very least, Abbas was among the very first. But consider the context in which the statement was made, to back up the suggestion that Obama is actually a Muslim. Assuming Obama did call Abbas first \u2014 and again, we can't confirm that \u2014 we do know that one of his very next calls was to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The e-mail conveniently leaves that detail out."]},{"id":"131.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The Clintons now charge the Secret Service $10,000 monthly rent for the use of (a) Secret Service residence and that rent is just about equal to their mortgage payment.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Clintons charge the Secret Service $10,000 monthly rent for a Secret Service residence is not accurate. According to a statement from White House spokeswoman Nanda Chitre, the Clintons were entitled to charge rent but decided not to do so. The initial allegation was based on a short item with no additional details, and there is no credible evidence to support the claim that the Clintons charge the Secret Service rent equal to their mortgage payment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The e-mail says \"an extra residency had to be built within the acreage in order to house the Secret Service agents ... The Clinton's now charge the Secret Service $10,000 monthly rent for the use of said Secret Service residence and that rent is just about equal to their mortgage payment.\"","The allegation began after the Clintons purchased a home in Chappaqua, N.Y. during the end of Bill's presidency. About two weeks before they left office, a short item headlined \"Another freebie for the Clintons\" on the New York Press Web site said the Secret Service was paying rent and that \"by an amazing coincidence . . . matches the monthly mortgage payment for the entire property.\" There were no other details.","That allegation was then repeated in a chain e-mail, with the additional detail that the Secret Service was paying $10,000 per month.","That matches a statement from White House spokeswoman Nanda Chitre, who told the New York Post in January 2001 that \"They are entitled to charge rent, but they have decided not to do it.\""]},{"id":"6504.json","label":"false","statement":"Says an appointed board created under Obamacare will have the ability to come between you and your doctor in determining the best treatment options for you!","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The board referred to in the statement is likely the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) created under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). However, the IPAB does not have the authority to come between patients and their doctors or determine individual treatment options. Its purpose is to make recommendations to Congress on ways to control Medicare costs, but it does not have the power to make decisions on specific treatments or interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["John Carter says unaccountable board created by health care overhaul will have ability to come between \"you and your doctor\" in determining best treatment options","( - John Carter says unaccountable board created by health care overhaul will have ability to come between \"you and your doctor\" in determining best treatment options &url=)","Carter\u2019s July 31, 2012, letter continues: \"This board, comprised of 15 unelected, unaccountable people hand-picked by the president, will have the ability to come between you and your doctor in determining the best treatment options for you!\"","As far as we can tell, the law does not give the board the power, or permission, to regulate any individual\u2019s treatment options."]},{"id":"6710.json","label":"false","statement":"David Cicilline is the 5th most liberal person in the House of Representatives.","reason":"Reason: The statement that David Cicilline is the 5th most liberal person in the House of Representatives is not supported by credible evidence. While one source may have ranked him as such based on party-line votes among Democrats, it is important to note that this does not necessarily equate to being the 5th most liberal member. Other rankings, such as the one by the National Journal, do not include Cicilline in their list of the 25 most liberal members of the House. Therefore, the claim lacks consensus and should be considered unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Because Jackvony characterized Cicilline as the 5th-most liberal member of the House, we looked for other sources that actually use that metric.","On that website, Cicilline is indeed ranked 5th. But it's a list of party-line votes among Democrats, not liberal votes. Of 1,697 votes logged, the congressman voted with the majority of the House Democratic caucus 95.9 percent of the time.","\"U.S. Congress Votes Database; 112th Congress; David Cicilline (D),\" and \"U.S. Congress Votes Database; 112th Congress; Explore the House,\" both accessed Sept. 10, 2012.","The rankings we found gave Cicilline a bit more moderate score and the respected National Journal didn't even include the congressman in its tally of the 25 \"most liberal\" members of the House."]},{"id":"1397.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration raised discretionary spending by 24 percent from President George W. Bushs last full-year budget and will run up more debt by October than Bush did in eight years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that discretionary spending increased by approximately 24 percent during the Obama administration compared to President George W. Bush's last full-year budget. However, the claim that Obama will accumulate more debt by October than Bush did in eight years is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not provide specific data on the debt accumulated by Obama compared to Bush, making it difficult to verify the second part of the statement. Therefore, the accuracy of the second claim cannot be determined based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Obama administration \"raised discretionary spending by 24 percent from President George W. Bush's last full-year budget and will run up more debt by October than Bush did in eight years.\"","The first part of his claim is that Obama raised discretionary spending -- federal money that Congress can adjust every year -- by 24 percent from Bush's last full-year budget.","According to the White House Office of Management and Budget's historical tables, discretionary spending will go from roughly $1.13 trillion in the 2008 fiscal year (Bush's last full year budget) to $1.41 trillion in 2010. That's a roughly 24 percent increase, so Rove has the number right.","Now let's take a look at the second part of Rove's equation, the claim that Obama will run up more debt by October than Bush did in eight years. First, a quick reminder about deficits and debt: deficits refer to how much money the government spends against revenues in a year; the national debt is the cumulative amount the government owes over time."]},{"id":"4566.json","label":"true","statement":"We have the highest corporate tax rate in the world. Its 35 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including an annual report and an independent think-tank, confirm that the United States has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. The corporate tax rate is indeed 35 percent, which is among the highest rates among large, industrialized countries. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Asked what the federal government could do to create jobs, Sensenbrenner said lower the \"corporate tax rate,\" which he said was 35 percent and the highest in the world. A widely quoted annual report says the U.S. corporate tax rate is 35 percent and is highest among 34 large, industrialized countries. Two experts agreed with the rate and the ranking.","\"We\u2019ve got to address the fact that we have the highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" Sensenbrenner told the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sept. 29, 2011. \"It\u2019s 35 percent.\"","The council, an independent, nonpartisan think-tank, said the U.S. had the highest corporate tax rate in the world by two measures: Excluding state and local taxes, the rate was 35 percent. With those sub-national taxes, the rate was 39.2 percent.","To a recent voters guide question on how to combat unemployment, McCaul -- a Republican seeking another term representing the 10th Congressional District -- gave responses that included lowering America\u2019s \"corporate tax rate, highest in the world at 35 percent.\""]},{"id":"5039.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Newt balanced the federal budget.","reason":"Reason: While Newt Gingrich played a role in the federal government running consecutive surpluses, it is not accurate to claim that he single-handedly balanced the federal budget. The statement overlooks the fact that the last two years of the consecutive surpluses occurred after Gingrich had left the House. While Gingrich can be credited for his contributions to fiscal policies during his tenure as House Speaker, it is important to acknowledge the collective efforts of multiple individuals and factors in achieving a balanced budget.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In fact, when a pro-Gingrich super PAC claimed in an Iowa ad that \"Newt balanced the federal budget,\" we rated the statement Half True for this reason.","During the Jan. 23, 2012, Republican presidential debate in Tampa, Newt Gingrich repeated a claim he\u2019s made about his record in balancing the budget as House speaker.","But that\u2019s only two balanced budgets he can plausibly claim credit for. The federal government did run four consecutive surpluses, but for the last two of those -- fiscal years 2000 and 2001 -- Gingrich was no longer serving in the House.","But that\u2019s only two balanced budgets he can plausibly claim credit for. While the federal government did run four consecutive surpluses, the last two of those -- fiscal years 2000 and 2001 -- came when Gingrich was long gone from the House."]},{"id":"2968.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that in his first 17 months as president, the United States doubled its world-leading $500 million a year commitment to fighting global AIDS.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that President Bush, in his first 17 months in office, increased the United States' commitment to fighting global AIDS. The initial commitment of $500 million a year was increased to over $1 billion in fiscal year 2002, representing an increase of about 80%. This increase in funding demonstrates a doubling of the commitment to fighting global AIDS within the specified timeframe.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - President Bush says the United States doubled its commitment to fighting AIDS abroad in his first 17 months in office&url=)","\"When I took office, the United States was spending a little over $500 million a year to fight global AIDS,\" Bush writes. \"That was more than any other country. Yet it was paltry compared with the scope of the pandemic.\" In May 2001, he writes, he endorsed the creation of a Global Fund to Fight HIV\/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, making an initial U.S. pledge of $200 million, an amount increased to $500 million by early 2002. And in June 2002, he writes, he announced the International Mother and Child HIV Prevention Initiative.","For particulars, Lief pointed us to a December 2006 Congressional Research Service report, \"Trends in U.S. Global AIDS Spending: FY2000-FY2007.\" In fiscal 2000, the year before Bush was sworn in as president, annual U.S. spending on global HIV\/AIDS assistance and to combat TB and malaria totaled $236.1 million, the report says. It totaled $564.5 million in fiscal 2001 and a little more than $1 billion in fiscal 2002. Subtracting out what Lief told us was the share of funding focused on battling TB and malaria, we estimated AIDS-specific funding at $518 million for fiscal 2001 and $930 million the year after--amounting to an increase of about 80 percent.","Kaiser spokesman Craig Palosky passed along a June 2004 report, \"Analysis of aid in support of HIV\/AIDS control, 2000-2002,\" whose authors include a program run by the United Nations. A table in the report shows the United States donated the most money to the AIDS fight in 2000, accounting for $329 million in such funding. The United Kingdom ranked a distant second, at $117 million."]},{"id":"5607.json","label":"true","statement":"When we passed (the stand your ground law), we said it portends horrific events when peoples lives were put into these situations.","reason":"Reason: State Senator Arthenia Joyner accurately stated that lawmakers who opposed the \"stand your ground\" law had predicted that it could lead to horrific events when people's lives were put into certain situations. This claim was supported by the legislative history of the law. While the opposition to the law was relatively small compared to its popularity, there were indeed warnings about potential negative consequences. Therefore, Joyner's statement is deemed true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\u2022 Last year, state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, said lawmakers who opposed the bill had predicted cases like the Martin shooting. \"When we passed the law, we said it portends horrific events when people\u2019s lives were put into these situations, and my worst fears came to fruition,\" Joyner said. \"A young life was snuffed out.\" PolitiFact Florida wanted to know if lawmakers had complained at the time and went back to the legislative history. Overall, the warnings comprised a slim opposition to a very popular law. But they were there. We rated Joyner\u2019s claim True.","Referring to the year that the \"stand your ground\" law passed, Baxley said, \"What has happened since 2005? We\u2019ve seen violent crime continuously go down.\"","\u2022 The Rev. Jesse Jackson said that homicides against blacks have tripled since Florida's \"stand your ground\" law has passed. The number of homicides in which black people were victims fluctuated from year to year between 2006 and 2012, but it didn\u2019t come anywhere close to tripling. We rated his statement False.","\u2022 State Sen. Chris Smith, a Democrat who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, said that since Florida passed the \"stand your ground\" law in 2005, deaths due to self-defense have jumped over 250 percent. When we calculated the average for five years before the law passed and five years after it passed, we found an increase of 200 percent. That\u2019s short of Smith\u2019s claim, though the numbers largery support the idea that self-defense deaths have increased since 2005. As for whether \"stand your ground\" is the reason self-defense deaths are up, experts either disagree or say it\u2019s difficult to determine without examining the specifics of each case. We rated the statement Half True."]},{"id":"5298.json","label":"true","statement":"Weve seen more anti-womens choice bills introduced in the first half of this session than weve seen in the last three General Assemblies.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the increase in the number of anti-abortion bills introduced in the current legislative session compared to the previous three General Assemblies. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific statement, but it does mention the introduction of bills such as the Heartbeat Protection Act, which is an example of an anti-abortion bill. Therefore, based on the evidence provided, it is reasonable to conclude that there has been an increase in the number of anti-abortion bills introduced in the current session.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Bills nearly identical to H.R. 705 \u2014 also called the Heartbeat Protection Act \u2014 were introduced by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, and co-sponsored by Budd in 2017 and 2019.","Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, \"Wisconsin Republican governor candidate Tim Michels uses his personal foundation to fund anti-gay and anti-abortion groups,\" Aug. 31, 2022","Crist\u2019s stance has been consistently inconsistent. He\u2019s called himself both \"pro-life\" and \"pro-choice\" throughout his career, defining them on his own terms.","Although Budd co-sponsored and supported the anti-abortion bill referenced in this ad, we found its characterization of him as bill author to be an overreach."]},{"id":"10576.json","label":"true","statement":"Already this calendar year, since January 1, we have had more than 20,000 people come across the border, apprehended, unauthorized.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided in the evidence, which states that there have been over 20,000 apprehensions of unauthorized border crossings since January 1st of the current calendar year. This indicates a significant number of individuals crossing the border without authorization. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Illegal border crossings are up 173% from 1 year ago and 28% since January when President Biden stopped the wall & deportations and started catch & release.\"","Hudson said \"Illegal border crossings are up 173% from 1 year ago and 28% since January when President Biden stopped the wall & deportations and started catch & release.\"","\"Democrats are trying to shift blame but make no mistake - this is the #BidenBorderCrisis. The facts back it up: illegal border crossings are up 173% from 1 year ago and 28% since January when President Biden stopped the wall & deportations and started catch & release,\" he said.","We should note that only 12,781 of the encounters in January 2021 and 26,791 of the encounters in February 2021 were apprehensions made under CBP\u2019s immigration authority. The rest were Title 42 expulsions. That means, generally, that Border Patrol processed unauthorized border crossings at a much faster pace in 2021 than they could have in 2014."]},{"id":"6975.json","label":"true","statement":"Jim Renacci tried to avoid paying taxes on nearly $14 million that he made.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in an ad against Jim Renacci, which accuses him of attempting to avoid paying taxes on approximately $14 million. This claim is supported by legal documents that show Renacci's battle with the state over trust income from an S corporation, where he sought to avoid paying taxes on the mentioned amount. The accusation of tax avoidance is based on a dispute Renacci had with the Ohio Department of Taxation, which resulted in an assessment of nearly $1.4 million in back taxes, interest, and penalties. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["After Renacci placed ads accusing Sutton of \"voting to raise taxes on just about everyone,\" Sutton fired back with an ad that claims Renacci supports tax breaks for millionaires like himself and \"tried to avoid paying taxes on nearly $14 million that he made.\"","The claim in this ad is an easier call. Reams of legal documents show that Renacci battled with the state over trust income from an S corporation, trying to avoid paying taxes on the $13.7 million at issue in the case.","On the same day that Sutton unveiled the ad that accuses Renacci of avoiding taxes, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee made a similar assertion in a different ad, which says: \"Renacci tried to skip out on paying over a million in taxes.\".","The tax avoidance claims in Sutton\u2019s new ad echo charges that were raised against Renacci in 2010, when he first ran for Congress and defeated Democratic Rep. John Boccieri. They stem from a dispute Renacci had with the Ohio Department of Taxation, which accused him and his wife, Tina, of misreporting their income in 2000 and assessed them nearly $1.4 million in back taxes, interest and penalties."]},{"id":"442.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Barack Obama accepted $200,000 from executives and employees of oil companies.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Barack Obama did accept $200,000 from executives and employees of oil companies. However, it is important to note that these donations could come from individuals with various positions within the companies, ranging from CEOs to janitors. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that political donations are required to disclose the occupation and employer of the donor, but compliance with this rule is not always perfect.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The ad starts by showing Obama saying, \"I don't take money from oil companies.\" The Clinton ad's narrator chides Obama for boasting about this when corporations are prohibited by law from donating to political candidates. \"But Barack Obama accepted $200,000 from executives and employees of oil companies,\" the narrator ads.","Clinton doesn't mention the fact that she accepted even more money from executives and employees of oil companies \u2014 $309,363, according to the center. And she accepted about $442,800 from energy lobbyists, according to the center, though not all of that is from oil and gas alone.","The ad also is correct that Obama accepted $222,309 from executives and employees of oil companies, according to an analysis from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. It's worth noting those donations could be from anyone from the CEO to the janitor. People who donate to political candidates are required to list their occupation and employer. It's important to note that this rule is has far from perfect compliance; sometimes people don't fill it in at all.","As part of a dust-up over which candidate is more likely to stand up to Big Oil, Hillary Clinton knocks Barack Obama for taking money from people who work for oil companies."]},{"id":"45.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"Iowa, for good reason, for constitutional reasons, for reasons related to the Lord, should be the first caucus and primary.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Richardson that \"Iowa, for good reason, for constitutional reasons, for reasons related to the Lord, should be the first caucus and primary\" is not supported by any concrete evidence or logical reasoning. The sources provided indicate that the claim is baseless and lacks any factual or constitutional basis. Furthermore, experts in political science and religion have dismissed the notion that God has expressed any opinion on the primary or caucus calendar. Therefore, the statement is unfounded and lacks credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Iowa, for good reason, for constitutional reasons, for reasons related to the Lord, should be the first caucus and primary,\" Richardson said Monday, Sept. 3, 2007 at the Northwest Iowa Labor Council Picnic, according to the Des Moines Register.","The Richardson campaign did not return a phone call seeking clarification. The Founding Fathers are dead. God was not available for his opinion. For these reasons and more, we give Richardson our \"Pants on Fire\" ruling.","David Campbell, a political science professor at Notre Dame University agreed. \"I'm pretty sure that God has never said anything about the primary or caucus calendar,\" said Campbell, who has studied the relationship between religion and politics.","\"I'm from Illinois; I like Iowa,\" said Rabbi Daniel Zemel of Temple Micah in Washington, DC. He added, however, that Richardson is \"on a different wave length with the Lord than the rest of us.\""]},{"id":"10752.json","label":"true","statement":"The unemployment rate among blacks in Texas is 9.5% -- far more than double white unemployment -- and wages have fallen for black workers in Texas since 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Texas Organizing Project, which states that the unemployment rate among blacks in Texas is 9.5%, which is more than double the white unemployment rate. Additionally, it mentions that wages for black workers in Texas have fallen since 2000. The evidence supports these claims, indicating significant disparities in unemployment rates and wage trends between black and white workers in Texas.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Texas Organizing Project said: \"The unemployment rate among blacks in Texas is 9.5% -- far more than double white unemployment -- and wages have fallen for black workers in Texas since 2000.\"","The project got our attention in a March 2015 press release with this: \"Although the economy is adding jobs, the unemployment rate among blacks in Texas is 9.5% -- far more than double white unemployment -- and wages have fallen for black workers in Texas since 2000.\"","One chart says the 2014 Texas black unemployment rate, 9.5 percent, was more than twice the state\u2019s white unemployment rate of 3.7 percent; the 2014 Hispanic jobless rate was 5.3 percent.","Conditions may have been better in Texas than elsewhere over those years. Nationally, according to the report, black-white unemployment disparities were greatest in Wisconsin (the black jobless rate was 4.6 times the white rate), and Minnesota (the black rate was 3.7 times the white rate)."]},{"id":"4480.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin is backing President Barack Obamas plan to pass a $1.5 trillion tax increase.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin is backing President Barack Obama's plan to pass a $1.5 trillion tax increase. The news release from the NRSC makes the claim, but there is no specific evidence or public comments by Baldwin supporting such a tax increase. Additionally, the U.S. Chamber's statement mentioned in the evidence does not directly link Baldwin to the tax increase. Without concrete evidence of Baldwin's support for the specific tax increase proposed by President Obama, the statement cannot be verified.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Today, as Baldwin continues to double down on her support of the failed first stimulus and the rest of his tax-and-spend policies, President Obama proposed the largest tax hike in U.S. history \u2013 a $1.5 trillion tax increase on investors and small businesses that he says is needed to pay for their reckless spending agenda...,\" the NRSC news release said.","( - U.S. Chamber says Rep. Tammy Baldwin backed raising taxes $858 billion by voting against extension of Bush-era tax cuts&url=)","When President Barack Obama unveiled a long-term deficit-reduction plan on Sept. 19, 2011, top congressional Republicans dismissed it as a stunt featuring $1.5 trillion in tax increases leaning heavily on the wealthy.","We could not find any public comments by Baldwin in favor of the large package of tax hikes -- the one the NRSC says Baldwin is backing."]},{"id":"6034.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When Mitt Romney was governor, the fact is that the average income for a family in Massachusetts went up by $5,500.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the average income for a family in Massachusetts increased by $5,500 during Mitt Romney's tenure as governor. However, it's important to note that attributing this increase solely to Romney's policies is an oversimplification. Economic factors and trends beyond the control of any single governor can also influence income growth. While Romney may have implemented policies that contributed to economic growth, it is essential to consider a range of factors that could have influenced the increase in average family income during that period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["If you look at all nonfarm workers, for example, Massachusetts went from 3,158,800 jobs to 3,198,500, an increase of 1.3 percent. Only Ohio, Michigan and Louisiana were worse. The national average was 5.3 percent.","During the Jan. 23, 2012, Republican presidential debate in Tampa, Mitt Romney offered an ominous statistic about how family finances have declined since the start of the last recession.","On the campaign trail, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney often blasts President Barack Obama's record on job creation while touting his own success in creating jobs as governor of Massachusetts.","\"Mitt Romney took office during a recession when the state was losing thousands of jobs every month,\" Fehrnstrom wrote in an e-mail. \"He not only stopped the job losses, but ended his four years in office with positive numbers on the board. If you go back and look at the last 10 years, it was a lost decade for job growth in Massachusetts. The only bright spot was Mitt Romney\u2019s term as governor. Both his predecessor and his successor posted job losses.\""]},{"id":"12032.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Twenty million Americans are out of work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there are various measures of unemployment, the evidence suggests that the number of Americans who are \"out of work\" is not as high as twenty million. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identifies individuals who are unemployed based on specific criteria, such as actively seeking employment. However, there are additional categories, such as those who are working part-time for economic reasons, that may not be considered \"out of work\" in the same sense. Therefore, the statement lacks context and may overstate the number of individuals who are truly unemployed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["To make the definition work, you have to include the 8.1 million Americans who are \"working only part-time for economic reasons.\" These people would certainly rather have a full-time job. However, we don\u2019t think it\u2019s accurate to describe them as \"out of work.\"","Marino said on MSNBC that 20 million Americans are out of work. While the statement can be interpreted as accurate depending on the definition of \"out of work,\" it lacks context. We rate the claim Half True.","Using this measure, BLS in December 2011 found an additional 2.6 million Americans who are \"marginally attached\" to the labor force, meaning they\u2019d be ready to work if a job became available, and another 8.1 million Americans who are working part time but who would prefer a full-time job.","This would mean that upwards of 21 million Americans could be described with some justification as \"out of work\" involuntarily, either fully or partially. But that\u2019s not even one-quarter of the number that Trump offered."]},{"id":"2878.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Republican plan for tax cuts is to give each millionaire -- the top 1 percent of income in this country -- $83,347 a year in tax cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Grayson that the Republican plan for tax cuts would result in each millionaire, specifically the top 1 percent of income earners, receiving $83,347 a year in tax cuts. This claim is supported by a study from Citizens for Tax Justice and is largely backed up by the Tax Policy Center. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context, as it neglects to mention that there are other tax plans that could slightly reduce the tax savings for the wealthiest Americans, and that some of the tax cuts being discussed are also supported by Democrats and President Obama. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["With a series of cardboard posters, Grayson mocked Republicans for more than five minutes. \"The Republican plan for tax cuts is to give each millionaire -- each person who makes $1.4 million a year on average, the top 1 percent of income in this country, the high and mighty -- $83,347 a year in tax cuts,\" Grayson said, turning to his posters.","For PolitiFact Florida, we wanted to zero in on his baseline number, that the Republican plan for extending the 2001, 2003 and other Bush-era tax cuts would result in the top 1 percent of earners paying $83,347 a year less in taxes.","If all of the tax cuts are allowed to expire, the wealthiest 1 percent will pay around $83,347 a year more in federal taxes on average.","In a pair of dramatic House floor speeches, he said that the Republican plan to extend the Bush-era tax cuts would result in the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans saving $83,347 a year. He's quoting a study from the group Citizens for Tax Justice accurately, and the math is largely backed up by the more independent Tax Policy Center. But he neglects to mention that another GOP-embraced tax plan would shrink the tax savings of the wealthiest Americans slightly and that a significant chunk of the tax cuts he's talking about are also supported by Democrats and President Obama. So we rate this claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"7170.json","label":"true","statement":"Fourteen million Americans mortgages are greater than the value of their homes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that slightly more than 14 million homeowners in the United States have mortgages that are greater than the value of their homes. This condition is commonly referred to as being \"underwater\" in their mortgages. It is important to note that this evidence does not specify the exact timeframe or the current status of these mortgages, but it does support the statement that there are 14 million Americans in this situation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In fact, the NLIHC estimates that the United States has a shortage of 7 million affordable rental homes for Americans with incomes below the poverty line or 30% of the local median income.","The actual number of homeowners in negative equity, owing more than their homes are worth, declined about 1.3 million in the third quarter, to slightly more than 14 million.","The recession officially ended more than three years ago. Are so many homeowners still \"underwater\" in their mortgages, even in an economic recovery from the collapse of the housing bubble in 2008? PolitiFact Ohio asked Kucinich's staff for more information.","But housing is not just an issue for the lowest-earning renters. Experts told us that there has been a more general trend toward greater housing unaffordability over the last decade, with the problem being particularly pronounced in major coastal cities such as Los Angeles or Boston."]},{"id":"2431.json","label":"true","statement":"Weve created more than 850,000 jobs, more than all the other states combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Rick Perry that Texas has created over 850,000 jobs, surpassing the job creation of all other states combined. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as true by PolitiFact Texas, considering net job growth over a specific time period. The evidence supports the statement's accuracy in terms of job creation in Texas compared to other states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Texas, \"Gov. Rick Perry says Texas has created more than 850,000 jobs, more than the other states combined,\" Sept. 23, 2010","\"We've created more than 850,000 jobs, more than all the other states combined,\" Perry says in the Sept. 12 spot. An Aug. 24 Houston Chronicle headline appears on the screen: \"By any measure, Texas tops nation in job creation.\"","In September 2010, we rated True the statement by Gov. Rick Perry that Texas had \"created more than 850,000 jobs, more than all the other states combined.\" To come up with that number, Perry\u2019s campaign also looked at net job growth, although over a longer time period: January 2001 to June 2010.","The foundation\u2019s claim that Texas \"created more jobs than all other states combined\" stands up \u2014 considering only those states that had net job gains over five years. That\u2019s the methodology usually used to define job creation in public discourse."]},{"id":"8145.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A United Nations working group has adopted a proposed agenda to enable member nations to disarm civilians within their borders.","reason":"Reason: The claim that a United Nations working group has adopted a proposed agenda to disarm civilians within member nations is false. The document circulating on the internet and social media has been debunked by the United Nations, stating that the referenced study group does not exist. The United Nations does not involve itself in confiscating weapons from member states, and there are no credible sources or evidence to support this claim. The statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A document found on the Internet and circulating via email and social media says that a United Nations working group has \"adopted a proposed agenda\" to enable member nations to \"disarm civilians within their borders.\" If the document were real, it would confirm the worst fears of those who fear a mass confiscation of handguns, hunting rifles and ammunition in the U.S. -- but a United Nations spokesman cited several reasons for concluding that the document is a fake, including the fact that the study group referenced in the document does not exist. We rate the document Pants on Fire.","\"The conclusion of discussions by the CWCSG led to the adoption of a proposed agenda to begin the process for introducing to member nations a framework by which they can begin codification of national laws to disarm civilians within their borders through a graduated process.","In addition, Haq said, \"there is no such body as a \u2018Civilian Weapons Confiscation Study Group.\u2019 Nor does the United Nations involve itself in confiscating weapons from member states.\"","A reader recently sent us a realistic-looking document from the United Nations with a pretty explosive claim -- that the world body is moving forward with plans to help member nations disarm their civilian populations of \"military grade,\" \"concealable\" and \"hunting grade\" firearms, and even \"ammunition and components to manufacture ammunition.\""]},{"id":"9759.json","label":"false","statement":"If 20 million illegals vote, you can kiss the Second Amendment goodbye.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks factual basis. The evidence provided clearly states that it would be nearly impossible to remove the Second Amendment from the Constitution, regardless of the addition of 20 million new voters. Furthermore, the evidence clarifies that the number of illegal immigrants in the United States is estimated to be around 12 million, not 20 million. Therefore, the claim that if 20 million illegal immigrants vote, the Second Amendment would be abolished is not supported by the evidence and is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We found that it would be nearly impossible to remove the Second Amendment from the Constitution, given the country\u2019s ideological make-up, and adding a voting bloc of 20 million would be unlikely to change that -- regardless of their political persuasions. However, it\u2019s possible that adding 20 million new voters who lean Democrat could result in stricter gun control laws.","The ad is wrong when it suggests 20 million voters can repeal part of the Constitution\u2019s Bill of Rights. We rate it False.","When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%.","Additionally, there are about 12 million -- not 20 million -- illegal immigrants currently living in the United States, according to the latest estimates by Pew. (Alaska alone had fewer than 50 illegal immigrant households in 2010.)"]},{"id":"11397.json","label":"false","statement":"Planned Parenthood has now (been) found to also illegally sell baby parts.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Planned Parenthood has been found to illegally sell baby parts is false. Investigations and fact-checking have debunked this claim. While there have been debates and controversies surrounding videos released by the Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion group, there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Planned Parenthood engages in illegal sale of fetal tissue. Federal law permits fetal tissue donations for research purposes, and abortion providers are allowed to charge fees for facilitating such donations. The claim that Planned Parenthood has been found to illegally sell baby parts is not supported by factual evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Activists against abortion rights say this is proof the group has a history of trying to \"illegally sell baby parts,\" as Stemberger\u2019s letter said. Many critics have argued Planned Parenthood has broken the law.","\"No organization with a record of illegal activity and abuse, now found to also illegally sell baby parts and likely altering abortion practices to do so, should receive taxpayer dollars,\" Stemberger wrote. (GOP presidential candidate and former Gov. Jeb Bush ended direct state subsidies for the group in 2001.)","There\u2019s been debate about what the videos taken with hidden cameras by the Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion group, show about sales of fetal tissue. But on Oct. 7, 2015, PolitiFact Florida rated False a claim that Planned Parenthood has \"now (been) found to also illegally sell baby parts.\" Federal law permits fetal tissue donations to researchers. Abortion providers also are allowed to charge a fee for facilitating such donations.","Truth-O-Meter articles, \"Jon Kyl says abortion services are 'well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does,'\" PolitiFact, April 8, 2011; \"Karen Handel seeks to set the record straight on Komen, Planned Parenthood in new book,\" PolitiFact Georgia, Sept. 25, 2012; \"Jeb Bush: Planned Parenthood isn't involved in women's health,\" PolitiFact, Aug. 26, 2015; \"Chart shown at Planned Parenthood hearing is misleading and 'ethically wrong,'\" PolitiFact, Oct. 1, 2015; \"Planned Parenthood has been found to 'illegally sell baby parts,' activist says,\" PolitiFact Florida, Oct. 7, 2015"]},{"id":"6303.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Jim Frishe wanted to tax us for doing our taxes through an accountant.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Jim Frishe did vote for a plan in 1987 to tax services in the state of Florida, which included accountants' fees. This implies that he supported taxing individuals for using the services of an accountant to assist with their tax preparation. Therefore, the claim that Jim Frishe wanted to tax people for doing their taxes through an accountant is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Accountability in Government counters in a TV ad that Frishe wanted to \"tax us for doing our taxes\" through an accountant.","Man: \"Jim Frishe says he\u2019s walked the walk in politics for 40 years. The truth is, he\u2019s walked all over us with taxes.\"","Of all the tax claims, we were most intrigued by the exchange about taxing accountant services. Did Frishe really want to \"tax us for doing our taxes?\"","A third-party group says Frishe voted to tax people for \"doing our taxes.\" In 1987, Frishe did vote for a plan to tax services in the state of Florida, including accountants' fees."]},{"id":"5407.json","label":"false","statement":"Says sixty-two percent of small businesses over the last five years went under because they couldnt pay their health care bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The claim that 62 percent of small businesses closed in the last five years due to their inability to pay health care bills is false. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this statistic, and it has been rated as false. While health care costs can be a challenge for small businesses, the claim greatly exaggerates the impact of health care bills on business closures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says \"sixty-two percent of small businesses over the last five years went under because they couldn't pay their health care bills.\"","In a speech on the House floor, Pascrell claimed that \"sixty-two percent of small businesses over the last five years went under because they couldn't pay their health care bills.\"","Pascrell added, \"Sixty-two percent of small businesses over the last five years went under because they couldn't pay their health care bills, and you stand there with no alternative whatsoever.\"","This is the second time in less than two months that we\u2019ve debunked one of Pascrell\u2019s statistics on small businesses. In February, we gave him a False for claiming 62 percent of small businesses closed during the past five years because of health care bills."]},{"id":"6691.json","label":"false","statement":"Ann Kuster supports the government takeover of healthcare, which robs Medicare of over $700 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While Ann Kuster has expressed support for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which includes provisions to reduce Medicare spending by $700 billion, it is incorrect to characterize it as a \"government takeover of healthcare.\" The Affordable Care Act does not involve a complete government takeover of the healthcare system, but rather implements regulations and expands access to healthcare coverage. Additionally, the claim that it \"robs\" Medicare of over $700 billion is misleading, as the savings are achieved through reductions in payments to healthcare providers and improvements in efficiency, not by taking funds away from Medicare beneficiaries. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Kuster's position and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on Medicare.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"She supports the government takeover of healthcare, which robs Medicare of over $700 billion,\" a narrator says in the ad, titled \"Not Working.\"","Ann McLane Kuster is \"for a government takeover of health care more radical than Obamacare. And she supports a $700 billion cut to Medicare for current retirees.\"","Had Bass been careful in his wording, there might have been some truth to his claims. Kuster has expressed support for the Affordable Care Act, and the law has been shown to reduce Medicare spending by $700 billion. But, instead, the Congressman repeated past claims that the Care Act constitutes a \"government takeover\" of health care, and that it \"robs\" $700 billion from Medicare.","\"And she supports a $700 billion cut to Medicare for current retirees,\" the ad declares. \"Annie Kuster: so far left, she\u2019ll never be right for us.\""]},{"id":"12453.json","label":"half-true","statement":"While Rob Portman relies on his super PAC and a handful of billionaires to do his dirty work, we dont have a super PAC, and quite frankly, we dont want one that spends millions to spew out lies and distortions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the campaign's position that they do not have a super PAC and do not want one that engages in spreading lies and distortions. Multiple sources, including campaign manager Rebecca Pearcey and a Strickland for Senate fundraising email, confirm this stance. However, it's important to note that the statement implies that Rob Portman relies on a super PAC and billionaires to engage in dishonest tactics, which may be subjective and lacks specific evidence to support those claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"While Rob Portman relies on his super PAC and a handful of billionaires to do his dirty work, we don\u2019t have a super PAC, and quite frankly, we don\u2019t want one that spends millions to spew out lies and distortions.\"","\"While Rob Portman relies on his super PAC and a handful of billionaires to do his dirty work, we don\u2019t have a super PAC,\" wrote campaign manager Rebecca Pearcey, \"and quite frankly, we don\u2019t want one that spends millions to spew out lies and distortions.\"","A Strickland for Senate fundraising email said, \"While Rob Portman relies on his super PAC and a handful of billionaires to do his dirty work, we don\u2019t have a super PAC.\"","Anyone can register an unaffiliated super PAC with the Federal Election Commission. This means even if the Senate Majority PAC\u2019s love for Strickland was unrequited, there\u2019s not much Strickland can do about it. It\u2019s illegal for a candidate to coordinate with a super PAC, according to the Federal Election Commission rules. But such rules are rarely enforced \u2014 since 1999, commissioners have only launched three investigations on candidate-super PAC contact."]},{"id":"5356.json","label":"true","statement":"Says a 1915 referendum on womens right to vote went down in New Jersey. And it took the Legislature to pass it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In 1915, a referendum on women's right to vote in New Jersey was indeed defeated, indicating that the majority of voters opposed granting women the right to vote at that time. As a result, it was necessary for the state Legislature to pass legislation to secure women's suffrage rights. This legislation was eventually ratified five years later when the state Legislature confirmed the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says a 1915 referendum on women\u2019s right to vote \"went down in New Jersey. And it took the Legislature to pass it.\"","Weinberg claimed that when women\u2019s suffrage was put to a referendum in 1915 \"it went down in New Jersey. And it took the Legislature to pass it.\"","\"So he can want to do it, but there is a strong feeling, and I know the feeling on the part of our Senate President Steve Sweeney, that we don't put equal justice ideas on the ballot. The last time that happened in New Jersey apparently was around 1915, it was women's right to vote, women's suffrage. And by the way, it went down in New Jersey. And it took the Legislature to pass it,\" Weinberg said in a Feb. 7 appearance on NJToday.","PolitiFact New Jersey found Weinberg is right. In 1915, the men of New Jersey decided a woman\u2019s place was not in the voting booth. Five years later, the state Legislature ratified the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which confirmed a woman\u2019s right to vote."]},{"id":"9880.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. House candidate Carlos Curbelo supported ending the Medicare guarantee.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there may be criticisms or disagreements regarding Carlos Curbelo's stance on Medicare, there is no evidence to support the claim that he supported ending the Medicare guarantee. In fact, Curbelo has expressed a desire to reform Medicare in ways that do not involve ending the guarantee for seniors. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here we will fact-check whether Curbelo \"supported ending the Medicare guarantee\" -- an attack that could draw the attention of senior voters in the district that spans Miami to Key West.","Says Miami Congressman Carlos \"Curbelo supports drilling offshore\" and \"repeatedly voted against President Obama's ability to fight pollution and combat climate change.\"","Ryan\u2019s plan would change Medicare but it wouldn\u2019t end the guarantee that seniors get it when they hit a certain age. And Curbelo says he wants to reform Medicare in other ways that don\u2019t involve Ryan\u2019s premium-support plan.","U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Miami, portrays his Republican challenger Carlos Curbelo as out of touch with middle-class residents in his South Florida district when it comes to issues such as Medicare benefits."]},{"id":"1188.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama administration \"was successful in rushing a massive spending bill through Congress in just two days after which it sat on the president's desk for three days, while he was away on vacation.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The Obama administration did not rush a massive spending bill through Congress in just two days. It is important to note that the legislative process involves multiple stages, including committee hearings, markups, and floor debates, which take time to complete. While it is true that bills can be expedited under certain circumstances, the claim that a massive spending bill was rushed through Congress in just two days is not supported by evidence. Additionally, the statement implies that President Obama delayed signing the bill while on vacation, but there is no evidence to support this claim either.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","During an interview with New York Times opinion writer Ezra Klein, former President Barack Obama took aim at the filibuster \u2014 the Senate procedural tool that allows a minority of 41 senators to block action on a bill \u2014 on the grounds that it\u2019s undemocratic.","In the big picture, however, Obama has a legitimate point, said Josh Ryan, a Utah State University political scientist and specialist in Congress.","After Trump\u2019s incorrect suggestion that Obama kept millions of documents, including classified materials, the National Archives and Records Administration issued a statement saying it has \"assumed exclusive legal and physical custody of Obama presidential records when President Barack Obama left office in 2017, in accordance with the Presidential Records Act.\""]},{"id":"797.json","label":"false","statement":"In 1992, Barack Obama directed \"Project Vote - an arm of ACORN that also encouraged voter registration.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Barack Obama did direct Project Vote in 1992, it is important to note that Project Vote is a separate organization from ACORN. Although Project Vote and ACORN have collaborated on various initiatives in the past, they are distinct entities. There is no evidence to suggest that Obama directed ACORN or that ACORN was involved in the 1992 Illinois drive. Multiple sources, including Michael Slater, the executive director of Project Vote, confirm the separation between the two organizations during that time. Therefore, the claim that Obama directed \"Project Vote - an arm of ACORN that also encouraged voter registration\" is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The McCain campaign issued numerous charges about Obama's connection to ACORN in an Oct. 10, 2008, memo. For other charges, read our full story. Here, we'll look at the allegation that in 1992, Obama directed Project Vote, \"an arm of ACORN that also encouraged voter registration.\"","\u2022 In 1992, Obama directed Project Vote, \"an arm of ACORN that also encouraged voter registration,\" according to the McCain campaign. Obama did direct Project Vote, but it is a separate organization from ACORN. This year, Project Vote and ACORN worked together on a nationwide voter registration drive, and they have worked together on other initiatives in the past. But they are separate organizations. We didn't find any evidence to indicate they had a relationship during the 1992 Illinois drive. And even if they did, Obama clearly directed the drive for the Project Vote organization. We couldn't find any allegations of impropriety related to the 1992 drive. We rate this statement False.","Michael Slater, the current executive director of Project Vote, said the two organizations are separate. And in 1992, the two groups didn't really work together, he said. They began partnerships on voter registration after Project Vote went through a reorganization in 1994, according to Slater.","We also didn't find any evidence to indicate the two organizations had a relationship during the 1992 Illinois drive. A detailed article about Project Vote in Chicago magazine didn't mention ACORN. ACORN itself says Obama didn't work for them during that time."]},{"id":"2304.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In this country, we have a 25 percent dropout rate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made regarding the dropout rate in the country. However, it's important to note that the dropout rate can vary depending on different demographic groups and time periods. While the overall dropout rate may not be precisely 25 percent, there are instances where specific subgroups or regions may have higher dropout rates. Therefore, the statement can be considered a generalization, and it would be more accurate to acknowledge that the dropout rate \"may be as high as 25 percent\" to account for variations in different contexts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In this country, we have a 25 percent dropout rate,\" he said. \"That's 1.2 million students leaving our schools for the streets every single year. That is economically unsustainable, and that is morally unacceptable.\"","The data is somewhat more mixed if you look at the event dropout rate for 15-to-24 year-olds. Between 2008 and 2011, the dropout rate for African-Americans fell from 6.1 percent to 3.8 percent, or a decrease of 38 percent. For Hispanics, however, the decrease was smaller than the 25 percent Biden cited -- the rate fell from 4.9 percent to 4.1 percent, or a decline of 16 percent.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","We ended up rating Duncan\u2019s comment Half True, noting that while we understood the need for simplicity in a televised interview, Duncan could have easily said the dropout rate \"may be as high as 25 percent.\""]},{"id":"9085.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every 20 seconds, a child dies because they lack access to clean water and sanitation.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Matt Damon regarding child mortality due to lack of access to clean water and sanitation, it is important to note that the statistic Damon used may be outdated. More recent reports suggest that the number of deaths from water-related illnesses, such as diarrhea caused by tainted water, is around 760,000 per year, which would translate to a child dying every 40 seconds. While still a significant and concerning statistic, it is not precisely every 20 seconds as stated by Damon.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Every 20 seconds, a child dies because they lack access to clean water and sanitation,\" Damon said. \"Every 20 seconds, three kids every minute somewhere on planet Earth. Not here. Our kids aren't going to die from diarrhea. That's just an inconvenience to us in the West. But it is a stark, terrifying reality to billions of people on the planet.\"","Damon said, \"Every 20 seconds, a child dies because they lack access to clean water and sanitation.\" The Bourne series star appears to be using an outdated statistic in his ABC appearance that claimed 1.5 million deaths from diarrhea caused by tainted water. More recent reports put the number at about 760,000 deaths a year.","!Matt Damon talked about the need to increase access to clean drinking water on the March 23, 2014, episode of ABC's \"This Week.\" !Matt Damon talked about the need to increase access to clean drinking water on the March 23, 2014, episode of ABC's \"This Week.\"","That would mean a child dies every 40 seconds from water-related illness. Still a harrowing statistic, but not quite what Damon said."]},{"id":"8221.json","label":"true","statement":"Fleeing Syria, a million children are now refugees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Senator McCain and other sources. The Syrian civil war has indeed resulted in a significant number of children becoming refugees, with over 2 million people registered with the UNHCR as refugees, and more than half of them being children. The conflict has also disrupted education for millions of children, putting them at risk of losing an entire generation. The evidence supports the statement that a million children are now refugees as a result of fleeing Syria.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In \u201cSyria Crisis: Children Fleeing Violence,\u201d a 2:28-minute video produced by World Vision, Syrian refugee children share moments of their life \u2014 their stories of survival, loss, pain, and hardship. They also share their hope to return home. But their long wait is now getting much longer.","McCain said the Syrian civil war has turned 1 million children into refugees. More than 2 million people have registered with the UNHCR as refugees and over half of them are children.","The conflict in Syria and violence spilling over into neighboring countries put at least 2.8 million children out of school \u2014 some for three years or more. Experts warn that if the immediate needs for education are not met an entire generation could be lost.","With almost all refugees dependent on international organizations for food, blankets and medical people care, the UNHCR is calling for $2.9 billion in aid to meet their needs. Over 1 million new people left Syria in the first five months of 2013. The UNHCR said if current trends continue, the refugee count will top 3 million by the end of this year."]},{"id":"8310.json","label":"true","statement":"If the government shuts down, all military personnel will continue to serve and accrue pay but will not actually be paid until appropriations are available.","reason":"Reason: During a government shutdown, military personnel are considered essential and will continue to serve. However, they may not receive their pay until appropriations are available. While military personnel are guaranteed to eventually receive their pay, the timing of when they will receive it depends on subsequent congressional action. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the situation for military personnel during a government shutdown.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Furloughed workers have historically been compensated for back pay through subsequent congressional action, though there is no requirement that such a bill be passed. In 2013, the Office of Management and Budget estimated that $2.5 billion in pay and benefits was paid for hours not worked government-wide.","A reader asked us to explore whether it was true that Americans won\u2019t get their Social Security checks if the government shuts down.","Employees who are required to work are not paid until a new spending bill is passed\u2014 effectively working for free, at least temporarily. Workers who are furloughed have historically been compensated for back pay through subsequent congressional action, though there is no requirement that such a bill be passed. In 2013, the Office of Management and Budget estimated that $2.5 billion in pay and benefits was paid for hours not worked government-wide, said Tyler Evilsizer, research manager for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.","During a shutdown, some government functions may continue, either because Congress has already passed a spending bill for a particular department, because an agency is reliant on funding other than congressional appropriations, or because it is considered vital for the safety of human life or the protection of properties."]},{"id":"8496.json","label":"true","statement":"Rand Pauls speech ... on Gattaca was totally ripped off of Wikipedia.","reason":"Reason: Rachel Maddow correctly pointed out that Rand Paul's speech on the movie Gattaca heavily relied on content from the Wikipedia page. This claim is supported by evidence that shows Paul recited portions of the Wikipedia page almost verbatim. The fact-checkers have verified Maddow's statement as true, confirming that Paul's speech was indeed \"ripped off\" from Wikipedia.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It\u2019s at that point Maddow said he got into trouble, claiming Paul\u2019s comments about the movie were \"totally ripped off of Wikipedia.\"","\"Rand Paul wants to be president,\" she added. \"But right now he\u2019s just lifting whole sections of this Wikipedia entry hoping that nobody\u2019s going to notice and he can call it his speech.\"","We wanted to review the Gattaca Wikipedia page for ourselves. Any of the site\u2019s users can edit entries as they see fit, meaning pages\u2019 content changes frequently.","We\u2019ll leave it to the prognosticators to determine how much impact Paul\u2019s blunder will have on his political prospects, but the facts are pretty clear on this one. Maddow was dead on; Paul recited Gattaca \u2019s Wikipedia page nearly word-for-word. We rate her statement True."]},{"id":"4775.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Solar and wind energy are both cheaper than nuclear right now.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, the least expensive form of wind energy, specifically onshore turbines, is currently cheaper than nuclear energy. However, the evidence also indicates that the cheapest form of solar energy, using photovoltaic panels, is more expensive than nuclear energy. Therefore, while wind energy is cheaper than nuclear, solar energy is not. It's important to consider the specific forms and technologies within each renewable energy source when comparing their costs to nuclear energy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton was correct about wind energy being \"cheaper than nuclear right now,\" at least the onshore kind. But for now, nuclear beats the cheapest form of solar energy on price. So we rate his statement Half True.","\"Solar energy and wind energy ... would already be competitive with coal if you had to pay the extraneous costs of coal -- the health care costs and other things. And ... wind within two years and solar within five will be competitive in price with coal. They're both cheaper than nuclear right now.\"","So, according to this study, the least expensive form of wind energy -- using onshore turbines -- is about 15 percent cheaper than nuclear. But the cheapest form of solar -- using photovoltaic panels -- is about 85 percent more expensive than nuclear. This means that Clinton\u2019s claim was half-right. (Clinton also could have pointed to three additional forms of renewable energy that are cheaper than nuclear -- geothermal, biomass and hydropower.)","A reader asked us to check Clinton\u2019s comment. We won\u2019t rate his claim that wind and solar will be competitive with coal within two and five years respectively, since that\u2019s a prediction. Instead, we\u2019ll focus on his claim that solar and wind energy are \"both cheaper than nuclear right now.\""]},{"id":"8723.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says New Jersey has the highest unemployment rate in the region and stagnant job growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the evidence provided, it is true that New Jersey has the highest unemployment rate in the region. However, the claim of stagnant job growth is not entirely supported. While one source mentioned that New Jersey lags in job growth, it does not necessarily imply stagnant growth. It is important to consider multiple sources and data to make a comprehensive assessment of job growth in the state. Therefore, the statement is mostly true regarding the unemployment rate but lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of stagnant job growth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Corfield claimed in a recent column that Christie is \"the governor of the state with the highest unemployment rate in the region, (and) stagnant job growth.\"","Corfield then called out Christie -- \"the governor of the state with the highest unemployment rate in the region, stagnant job growth\" and a low minimum wage \u2013 as pompous, for suggesting that Boxer may have been struggling on such a salary.","She\u2019s right that the unemployment rate is the highest in this region, but wrong on whether New Jersey\u2019s job growth has been sluggish.","Corfield said she used the same BLS data as us to determine New Jersey\u2019s unemployment rate, and looked at an analysis on that showed the Garden State excels in giving tax incentives but lags in job growth. She also pointed us to a Wall Street Journal article that address New Jersey\u2019s slow job growth."]},{"id":"11929.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wonhealth care for 8 million children.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Clinton ad that Hillary Clinton played a significant role in winning health care for 8 million children. Clinton's involvement in creating the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is well-documented, and the program currently provides health coverage to over 8 million children. However, it's important to note that the ad may not fully acknowledge the contributions of others in the creation of CHIP.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But the new Clinton ad has no qualifiers, stating \"she's the one who's proven she can get it done\u2026 winning health care for 8 million children.\"","We\u2019re focusing on a single claim, that one of the things Clinton got done was \"winning health care for 8 million children.\"","Her campaign website has a more nuanced statement: \"As first lady, she refused to give up when Congress defeated health care reform. Instead, she worked with Republicans and Democrats to help create the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program, which now provides health coverage to more than 8 million children. Senator Ted Kennedy said that if not for Hillary, the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program wouldn\u2019t be in existence today.\"","That statement is largely accurate. Clinton was key to creating the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program, which provides coverage for 8 million children. But the ad leaves out the contributions of others."]},{"id":"5719.json","label":"true","statement":"98 percent of American families make under $250,000 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including PolitiFact Florida and IRS statistics. According to the data, approximately 98 percent of American families reported an adjusted gross income of less than $250,000 a year. This aligns with President Obama's statement that 98 percent of American families make under $250,000 a year.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And if we do that, then it makes it affordable for us to be able to say for those people who make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families do, then your taxes don't go up,\" Obama said.","Family income -- On Obama\u2019s claim, that \"98 percent of American families\" make \"under $250,000 a year,\" which PolitiFact Florida rated True.","\"Obama clearly said that 98 percent of Americans \"make\" less than $250,000, so the test of the statement should hinge on the actual word he used, not a different term. My guess is that the result would be that the statement is still either true (with the revised figure still above 98 percent) or \"Mostly True\" (the figure is less than, but close to, 98 percent). But I would like to know for sure.\"","Using statistics from the IRS website, we found that 137,988,219 tax returns out of 140,494,127 -- or 98.2 percent -- reported adjusted gross income of less than $250,000 a year in 2009, the most recent data available."]},{"id":"1832.json","label":"false","statement":"Sen. Barbara Boxer passed only three bills in 18 years into law.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Sen. Barbara Boxer passed only three bills into law in 18 years is false. The Fiorina campaign, which made this claim, later acknowledged that they had miscounted and that Boxer had actually passed five bills into law during that time. Furthermore, assessing a senator's legislative accomplishments solely based on the number of bills they authored is a simplistic and misleading approach. It fails to consider the complexity of the legislative process and the various ways senators contribute to policymaking. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and does not provide an accurate assessment of Boxer's legislative record.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We decided to check one of the ad's more concrete criticisms of Boxer: That she's \"passed only three bills in 18 years\" into law.","Following our standard practice, we contacted the Fiorina campaign for back-up. They told us they were counting only bills passed into law where Boxer was listed as the primary sponsor. But they also told us since the ad was made, they ran across two other bills, so the actual number they found was five. They contrasted this unfavorably with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who they said was the primary sponsor on 14 bills that became law.","In ruling on the statement in the \"Hot Air\" ad, we find a lot lacking. The Fiorina ad said that Boxer \"passed only three bills in 18 years\" into law. But now even the Fiorina campaign admits that number is wrong -- there are five. And more importantly, experts on Congress say the Fiorina campaign's methodology is a misleading way of assessing a senator's legislative accomplishments. The Fiorina campaign could still make a case that Boxer is not an effective legislator, but the campaign has failed to do it here. Using the count of bills authored is simplistic and doesn't reflect the reality of the legislative process. We rate the statement False.","During a meeting with the San Francisco Chronicle 's editorial board on Aug. 31, 2010, Sen. Barbara Boxer was asked about a controversial comment she made in 2007 to then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about Rice not paying a \"personal price\" in the Iraq War because she did not have any immediate family members serving in the military."]},{"id":"3290.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"State employees havent received a raise in five or six years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, it had been almost four years and five months since the last general pay adjustment for state workers at the time of the fact-checking. While there was a lump-sum bonus given in 2007, there had not been a general pay raise for state employees for a significant period of time, which aligns with the claim that state employees hadn't received a raise in five or six years.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Oregon state employees received a \"catch-up\" pay raise in 1981 -- just two years after they agreed not to take a raise in exchange for a retirement benefit.","We rated the worker's claim that \"state employees haven't received a raise in five or six years\" Mostly True. At the time, it had been almost four years and five months since the last general pay adjustment for state workers in 2006. And in 2006, state employees got a lump-sum $1,000 bonus in 2007.","Here at PolitiFact Florida, we plan to spend significant time checking claims about state workers, their benefits, and Scott's and the Legislature's plans. In this case, we wanted to check the claim by the state worker -- who was not identified in news stories -- that \"state employees haven't received a raise in five or six years.\"","\"You said to hold you accountable,\" the employee, speaking from the audience, said to Scott. \"State employees have seen, since the Bush administration, a reduction in state employees. I have been with this agency for many years. And I've seen where our staff has been significantly cut. We are required to do more with less. State employees haven't received a raise in five or six years. You're asking us to contribute to our pension plan and contribute more to our insurance. My question is simple: What have you required for the wealthiest Floridians to contribute to the state revenues?\""]},{"id":"8157.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, U.S. health care spending grew at 3.9 percent for the last three years, the lowest growth rate in over 50 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that U.S. health care spending grew at a rate of 3.9 percent for the last three years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act. This information is supported by federal figures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. However, it's important to note that the 3.9 percent increase in 2009 occurred before the Affordable Care Act became law. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be clarified that the lowest growth rate in over 50 years occurred after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, but not necessarily solely because of it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Defending Obamacare, Kind said: \"Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, U.S. health care spending grew at 3.9 percent for the last three years, the lowest growth rate in over 50 years.\"","\"But let me just inject a few facts in this debate, especially for the benefit of the previous speaker. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, U.S. health care spending grew at 3.9 percent for the last three years, the lowest growth rate in over 50 years.\"","The most recent federal figures, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, show total public and private health care spending grew by the same rate -- 3.9 percent -- for three straight years: 2009, 2010 and 2011.","Where he\u2019s off is that the 3.9 percent increase in 2009 occurred before the Affordable Care Act became law in March 2010."]},{"id":"7297.json","label":"false","statement":"Under President Barack Obama, 8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today than there were four years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sean Hannity that \"8.3 million fewer Americans are working today than there were four years ago\" is incorrect. Multiple fact-checking sources have found this claim to be false. The actual decrease in the number of working Americans over that period was significantly lower than 8.3 million. It is important to rely on accurate data and information when making claims about employment trends.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Hannity said that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today than there were four years ago.\" That\u2019s simply wrong; the actual decrease in working Americans over that period was less than one-twentieth that amount.","We wondered whether it was really true that \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today than there were four years ago.\"","!We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\" !We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\"","We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\""]},{"id":"9413.json","label":"true","statement":"Four (maybe five) Latinos have served on the Austin City Council.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided. According to Mike Martinez, a former Austin City Council member and mayoral candidate, there have been four Latinos who served in the designated \"gentlemen's agreement\" seat on the council, along with another council member who identified as Latino. Additionally, city election results and research from the Austin History Center confirm the presence of four Spanish-surnamed winners of council seats. Therefore, it can be concluded that four (and possibly five) Latinos have served on the Austin City Council.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Mike Martinez,a former firefighter and 2014 candidate for mayor of Austin, served multiple terms on the Austin City Council; her last term ended in early 2015.","We didn\u2019t catch Martinez\u2019s precise remarks at the May 28, 2014, HABLA Platica gathering in East Austin. Asked later to repeat himself, Martinez said in a voice-mail message: \"I think we\u2019ve had four Latinos in the designated \u2018gentlemen\u2019s agreement\u2019 seat\" on the council,\" plus, he said, another council member who says he was Latino, the late Robert Barnstone.","Austin City Council member Mike Martinez, who declared his candidacy for mayor in April 2014, says he could be part of historic changes in the November 2014 elections.","To our request for detail, city spokeswoman Alicia Dean guided us to the Austin History Center where researcher Jeff Carrillo pointed out city election results through history, posted online. This enabled us to build a chartindicating four Spanish-surnamed winners of council seats."]},{"id":"2142.json","label":"true","statement":"Democratic candidate Jeff Greene ran for Congress as a California Republican.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Jeff Greene, the Democratic candidate, ran for Congress as a California Republican in the past. Multiple sources, including the Palm Beach Post and the Miami Herald, attest to this fact. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach billionaire and Democratic Senate candidate was once a Republican( \"Palm Beach billionaire and Democratic Senate candidate","The Miami Herald, In an earlier life, Democrat Jeff Greene ran as a Republican( \"In an earlier life, Democrat Jeff Greene ran as a","\"Meet the real Jeff Greene: Ran for Congress as a California Republican. Moved to Florida two years ago. Became a billionaire on Wall Street betting middle-class families would lose their homes. Helped fuel the economic meltdown. Warren Buffett called Greene's scheme 'financial weapons of mass destruction.' \"","\"Meet the real Jeff Greene: Ran for Congress as a California Republican. Moved to Florida two years ago. Became a billionaire on Wall Street betting middle-class families would lose their homes. Helped fuel the economic meltdown. Warren Buffet called Greene's scheme 'financial weapons of mass destruction.'\""]},{"id":"10733.json","label":"false","statement":"Says all my grandparents immigrated to America.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Clinton that \"all my grandparents immigrated to America\" is false. Only one of her four grandparents immigrated to the United States, while the rest were born in the United States to immigrant parents. This information has been fact-checked and confirmed to be inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In fact, only one of Clinton\u2019s four grandparents immigrated to America. The rest were born in the United States to immigrant parents. We rated her claim False.","Again, it is clear Clinton was wrong when she said \"all my grandparents\" immigrated to America. But Smolenyak recently upended the real story about one-quarter of Clinton\u2019s roots.","\"My grandparents were proud immigrants to the United States of America, here to Illinois in the late 1800s. My grandparents did not speak English when they were young.\"","\"My grandparents were proud immigrants to the United States of America, here to Illinois in the late 1800s,\" Rauner said. \"My grandparents did not speak English when they were young.\""]},{"id":"3462.json","label":"true","statement":"The entire state of Florida led the nation last year with the most prison inmates committing tax fraud.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, Florida had the highest number of prison inmates committing tax fraud in the nation. This information is supported by a press release from Senator Nelson and has been verified by fact-checking sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It's an unwelcome distinction, but the entire state of Florida led the nation last year with the most prison inmates committing tax fraud,\" Nelson wrote in a press release dated March 18, 2011.","It may not be a top ranking that Florida wishes to claim, but Nelson is correct in noting that the state leads the nation in prisoners committing tax fraud. We rate this claim True.","\"I am concerned that more than eight months after Congress passed a measure to crack down on tax fraud by prison inmates at state correctional institutions, the Internal Revenue Service and Florida Department of Corrections have yet to reach an information-sharing agreement that will help state prison officials identify prisoners filing false tax returns,\" Nelson wrote in his letter to Shulman.","It's worth noting that the top three states have some of the largest prison populations in the nation, with California ranked second, Florida ranked third and Georgia ranked fifth, according to the Pew Center on the States. Texas tops the list for the number of prisoners, and was ranked fourth for prisoner tax-fraud claims."]},{"id":"1407.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Most Texans aren't millionaires.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that indicates that the majority of Texans are not millionaires. A 2001 estimate based on IRS sampling of federal tax returns suggests that Texas had approximately 182,000 millionaires, which accounted for less than 1 percent of its population at that time. This data indicates that the vast majority of Texans do not fall into the millionaire category, supporting the statement that \"most Texans aren't millionaires.\"\nLabel: true","evidence":["Still, Chavez-Thompson caused us to wonder: How many Texans are millionaires? And are many Texans well off compared to people elsewhere?","Even Illinois had more millionaires, at 185,000, making us scratch our heads: When was the last time peacock-proud Texans had to fret about keeping up with residents of the Land of Lincoln?","Chavez-Thompson, whose background lies in labor unions, said Jan. 4: \u201cI know I will be an underdog against Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, who is a comfortable millionaire. But most Texans are not millionaires.\u201d","We also found a 2001 estimate, based on an IRS sampling of federal tax returns, suggesting Texas was home to 182,000 millionaires, amounting to less than 1 percent of its 21.3 million residents that year."]},{"id":"8657.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The town of Cumberland has its highest bond rating in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McKee that the town of Cumberland has its highest bond rating in history is mostly true. While it is possible that at some point in the town's 267-year history, there may have been a higher credit rating by some contemporary measure, the evidence provided supports the claim that Cumberland currently enjoys its highest bond rating. The claim is based on evidence from the past few decades, which aligns with McKee's tenure as mayor. Therefore, it can be considered accurate within the context provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Our town has recovered from a five-point bond downgrade and now enjoys its highest bond rating in history,\" he said in his candidacy announcement, a claim he has repeated multiple times.","But Cumberland has been a town for 267 years. It\u2019s possible that at some point in that history, the town had a credit rating that, by some contemporary measure, was higher than its current rating.","McKee cited evidence going back a few decades, not for two centuries of history. For that reason, we rate his statement Mostly True.","McKee has been mayor of Cumberland for 11 years -- a four-year stretch from 2000 to 2004, and then again from 2006 until the present. The bond rating recovery claim dates to his first four years in office."]},{"id":"3296.json","label":"true","statement":"If you printed a $1 bill for the entirety of the $14.1 trillion national debt, the resulting pile of money would weigh more than 136 aircraft carriers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the magnitude of the national debt by providing a comparison. It suggests that if you were to print $1 bills for the entirety of the $14.1 trillion national debt, the resulting pile of money would weigh more than 136 aircraft carriers. This comparison effectively conveys the immense scale of the debt. However, it's important to note that this is a hypothetical scenario and not a practical solution to address the debt. The purpose of the statement is to provide a visual representation of the debt's size rather than proposing a literal course of action.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The U.S. government has carried debt since 1790, according to the Treasury Department, but the national debt didn't top $1 trillion until 1982.","In an attempt to put $16 trillion in terms everyday people can get their arms around, he also released a list of items showing how that much money stacks up -- such as \"$16 trillion in $1 bills would cover the entire state of Ohio nearly 1.5 times.\"","Biden\u2019s proposal would be more than double the size of the recovery bill signed by President Barack Obama in 2009 during the Great Recession. The proposal would follow not only the nearly $1 trillion bill signed in December but also the roughly $2 trillion CARES Act signed in March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic.","Just days away from his inauguration, President-elect Joe Biden proposed a $1.9 trillion plan to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic recession."]},{"id":"11227.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Scott Walker, the Wisconsin middle class is shrinking at a faster rate than any other state in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement that under Scott Walker, the Wisconsin middle class is shrinking at a faster rate than any other state in the country is false. Multiple sources, including a fact-check by PolitiFact, have debunked this claim. While there may have been concerns about the state of the middle class in Wisconsin during Walker's tenure, the assertion that it was shrinking at a faster rate than any other state is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Maddow said that under Walker, \"the Wisconsin middle class is shrinking at a faster rate than any other state in the country.\"","1. In 2015, liberal MSNBC talk-show host Rachel Maddow said that under Walker, \"the Wisconsin middle class is shrinking at a faster rate than any other state in the country.\" Our rating was False.","Well, there\u2019s a lot of them. I think we actually have to make sure the people of Wisconsin are first. We need to make sure that we raise wages. We haven\u2019t done that. We have the highest -- and the fastest-shrinking middle class in the country.","That means we don\u2019t know from the Pew report how much of the shrinking of Wisconsin\u2019s middle class occurred under Walker, versus any of the three previous governors dating back to 2000. That would include two Republicans (Scott McCallum and Tommy Thompson), as well as Democrat Jim Doyle, who served for eight years before being succeeded by Walker."]},{"id":"3604.json","label":"half-true","statement":"What we have done with the PATRIOT Act, weve given the government enormous powers. Weve given the government the right to reach deeply into peoples private lives, into their business affairs, without a court order.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects concerns regarding the PATRIOT Act and its implications for privacy and government surveillance. The PATRIOT Act has indeed granted the government broad powers to access private information and conduct surveillance without a court order in certain circumstances. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific evidence or context to support the claim that the government has used these powers to reach deeply into people's private lives and business affairs. While there have been debates and criticisms surrounding the PATRIOT Act, the extent to which the government has exercised these powers and the impact on individuals' privacy may vary. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Because of a public health law known as Title 42, invoked at the start of the pandemic by the Trump administration and continued under Biden, the vast majority of migrants are turned back and not given the opportunity to make their case for why they should be allowed to stay.","Legal scholars say the Patriot Act plays little role in criminalizing threats of this sort. Many other federal and state statutes apply to violence and threats of violence. The memo and press release from the Justice Department don\u2019t mention terrorism or the Patriot Act, and to date, the federal government has not acted against anyone.","The federal government flies adult detainees in its custody from one facility to another, or from one U.S. city to another during deportation proceedings. The U.S. government in some cases also flies unaccompanied children who are being released from its custody to a family member or sponsor.","The ad implies that it is a new phenomenon for the federal government to transport immigrants around the country. That\u2019s not true."]},{"id":"7274.json","label":"true","statement":"Virginia spends less per student today than we did in 2008.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly supports the statement that Virginia spends less per student today than it did in 2008. The data shows a decrease in funding per student when adjusted for inflation, with a drop of roughly 16.3 percent between the 2008-09 and 2013-14 school years. Additionally, the average amount spent per student in the 2008 school year was higher compared to the current school year. Therefore, based on the evidence, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Data we gathered shows that Virginia\u2019s funding per student, when adjusted for inflation, dropped by roughly 16.3 percent between the 2008-09 school and the 2013-14 year.","In the 2008 school year, the state put a total $5.96 billion into education and spent an average of $5,003 per student. This school year, Virginia has budgeted $5.83 billion for schools, or an average of $4,774 per student.","Data taking into account all three money sources shows an average total of $11,316 was spent per Virginia student in the 2008-09 school year and that fell to $11,257 in 2012-13, the latest year available. When adjusted for inflation, that\u2019s an 8.6 percent drop.","By any measure, the state is spending less per public school student this year than it did in 2008. We rate Toscano\u2019s statement True."]},{"id":"7711.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Do you know those former Soviet Bloc countries have all moved to flat taxes?","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While many former communist countries have indeed adopted flat taxes, it is incorrect to claim that all former Soviet Bloc countries have moved to flat taxes. The term \"Soviet Bloc\" is not clearly defined, but assuming it refers to the 15 countries left behind when the USSR dissolved, it is still not true that all of these countries have implemented flat taxes. While some former Soviet Bloc countries have embraced flat taxes, there are exceptions and variations among these nations in terms of their tax systems.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I look at what's happened in those former Soviet Bloc countries, Mr. Speaker,\" Woodall said April 16 in a House speech. \"Do you know those former Soviet Bloc countries have all moved to flat taxes?\"","So Woodall was mistaken when he said all \"Soviet Bloc\" countries have embraced the flat tax. Many former communist countries, however, have adopted flat taxes, which was his larger point.","There is the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which is one set of countries, and there\u2019s the Eastern Bloc, which included much of Eastern Europe. \"Soviet Bloc\" is a kind of hybrid of the two, but out of caution, we will assume Woodall was talking about the 15 countries left behind when the USSR dissolved.","Woodall declined to elaborate on the speech when PolitiFact contacted his office. His office pointed PolitiFact to a story in The Economist listing the 10 former Soviet republics with flat taxes."]},{"id":"2861.json","label":"true","statement":"More people hunt and fish in Texas in a given year than attend the... games of the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Texans and the Houston Rockets combined.","reason":"Reason: According to a report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, it is stated that more people hunt and fish in Texas than attend the games of the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Texans, and the Houston Rockets combined. The report compares the number of people who engage in hunting and fishing activities (2.68 million) to the number of people attending these professional sports games (2.6 million). Therefore, the statement is supported by the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Seeking re-election earlier this year, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples threw a wake-'em-up line at the Austin American-Statesman's editorial board: \"More people hunt and fish in Texas in a given year than attend the... games of the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Texans and the Houston Rockets combined.\"","Cody McGregor, Staples' campaign manager, told us via e-mail that Staples based his statement on statistics in a December 2007 report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. He pointed us to a press release accompanying the report, which states: \"More people hunt and fish in Texas than attend Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Texans and Houston Rockets games combined (2.68 million vs. 2.6 million).\"","Todd Staples says in any year, more Texans hunt or fish than attend all the games of four professional sports teams","( - Todd Staples says in any year, more Texans hunt or fish than attend all the games of four professional sports teams&url=)"]},{"id":"10930.json","label":"false","statement":"The profit [from automated traffic enforcement cameras] is going to the private corporations, not to the city or state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be concerns about the distribution of revenue from automated traffic enforcement cameras, it is not accurate to claim that all the profit is going to private corporations and not to the city or state. The evidence provided indicates that there are provisions in place that regulate the payments and revenue distribution between the city or town and the state. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Hillary Davis said, \"The profit from automated traffic enforcement cameras is going to the private corporations, not to the city or state.\"","Because she focused on Providence, we wondered if the red light camera system is, in fact, a money-losing proposition with all the profit going to the vendor.","Tucked away in Article 9 of the state's 2013 budget bill was a provision saying that, \"no city or town shall be required to make payments to the state in implementing any provision of the automated traffic violation monitoring systems law . . . until July 1, 2013.\"","Davis and the ACLU have plenty of reasons to question the camera system. But it's clear that all the revenue is not going to the traffic camera company. We rate her statement False -- although she was right about the rabbit hole."]},{"id":"3707.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have the highest corporate income tax in the world right now.","reason":"Reason: According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which ranks the combined corporate income tax rates among its member nations, the United States does have one of the highest corporate tax rates among the largest industrialized democracies. While the statement is not entirely precise in terms of the wording, as it refers to \"corporate income tax\" rather than \"corporate tax rates,\" the general sentiment holds true. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Johnson responded, \"Well, absolutely not. I think that repealing, or doing away with the corporate income tax is simply getting us back to where we were. And we need to understand that the corporate income tax is a double tax -- that we all own the corporations, and when income gets distributed to us, we pay the tax on that. So, we have the highest corporate income tax in the world right now. Let's abolish it.\"","We have looked at the question of whether the United States has \"the highest corporate income tax in the world\" in previous items, so we thought we\u2019d revisit it now.","Using the most straightforward definition of \"corporate tax rates,\" Toomey is right. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of 32 large, industrialized democracies, ranks( \"ranks\") the \"combined corporate income tax rate\" in its member nations. That means the highest tax bracket for general corporate income, excluding taxes levied on specific products or services.","Still, if you rate Toomey on his specific wording by looking at \"corporate tax rates,\" he's right that the U.S. does now have the highest corporate tax rates on the books, at least among the biggest industrialized democracies, which is most economists' typical yardstick. So we rate his statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"8928.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The only time over the last 25 years when the states unemployment rate exceeded the U.S. average was when (Mary) Burke was commerce secretary.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Wisconsin GOP that the state's unemployment rate exceeded the U.S. average only during the time when Mary Burke served as commerce secretary. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on a specific time frame of 25 years and may not account for all possible factors influencing the state's unemployment rate. While the statement is factually correct within the given context, it should be understood as a limited observation rather than a comprehensive analysis of Wisconsin's unemployment trends.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The only time over the last 25 years when the state\u2019s unemployment rate exceeded the U.S. average was when (Mary) Burke was commerce secretary.\"","\"The only time over the last 25 years when the state\u2019s unemployment rate exceeded the U.S. average was when Burke was commerce secretary.\"","The Wisconsin GOP said: \"The only time over the last 25 years when the state\u2019s unemployment rate exceeded the U.S. average\" was when Burke was state commerce secretary.","( - Since 1988, Wisconsin unemployment rate greater than U.S. rate only when Mary Burke held state commerce post, GOP says&url=)"]},{"id":"3344.json","label":"false","statement":"Were broke. We dont have any more money.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we're broke\" or \"we don't have any more money\" is not supported by the evidence provided. While it is true that former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced financial challenges when they left the White House, they were able to secure resources for mortgages, education, and other expenses. The evidence does not indicate that they are currently without any money. It is important to consider the context and the overall financial situation of individuals before making such a definitive statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You have no reason to remember, but we came out of the White House not only dead broke, but in debt,\" Clinton said. \"We had no money when we got there, and we struggled to piece together the resources for mortgages for houses, for Chelsea's education. It was not easy. Bill has worked really hard. And it's been amazing to me. He's worked very hard.\"","Stanford University economist Peter Klenow has no quibble with that basic idea, but he says he\u2019s skeptical that much of this tracks back to Biden. Klenow points to studies like one from the New York Federal Reserve that found that only about 30% of stimulus money was spent on goods. About 70% of the money went into savings or paid down debt. That money wouldn\u2019t spur demand or lead to higher prices.","In reviewing Washington\u2019s actions, we look at actual spending, rather than the maximum amount allowed under any measure. That\u2019s because where inflation is concerned, what matters is when the money gets into people\u2019s pockets.","\"While one can claim to be technically broke, creditors wouldn't take it as such as long as future income streams could cover the liabilities,\" Mittendorf said."]},{"id":"4013.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Barack Obama the last two years, the number of federal limousines for bureaucrats has increased 73 percent.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the number of federal limousines for bureaucrats increased by 73 percent under Barack Obama in the last two years is based on squishy figures and lacks clear attribution to the Obama administration. The evidence suggests that the increase in the federal limousine fleet occurred during the first two years of the Obama administration, but it is unclear how many of these vehicles were ordered by the Obama administration versus the previous administration. The claim is therefore misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support the specific attribution to President Obama.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I think everything needs to be on the table right now, every part of government,\" Bachmann said. \"I'll tell you one thing that should be on the table, under Barack Obama the last two years, the number of federal limousines for bureaucrats has increased 73 percent, in two years. I can\u2019t think of anything more reprehensible than seeing bureaucrats on their cell phones in the backs...73 percent increase in the number of federal limousines in the last two years, for heaven's sake.\"","Accusing the Obama administration of significantly increasing the federal limousine fleet in the midst of a recession and spiraling deficits may make for a great red meat line on a Republican campaign stop. But Bachmann's claim that \"under Barack Obama the last two years the number of federal limousines for bureaucrats has increased 73 percent,\" is based on squishy figures from the GSA (according to the GSA itself). And it's also impossible to tell from the numbers exactly how many of the new \"limousines\" were ordered by the Obama administration, and how many were ordered by his predecessor. Given those qualifiers, we rate it Barely True.","She made a similar statement during an appearance in New Hampshire on June 28: \"In the last two years under the Obama administration, the number of federal limousines have increased 73 percent under President Obama. So if it isn't bad enough that we have all these czars, now they have limousines at their service and they can sit in their back seats and talk on their cell phones. This is the level of waste we've got in Washington, DC.\"","The story, written by Joe Eaton, begins: \"Limousines, the very symbol of wealth and excess, are usually the domain of corporate executives and the rich. But the number of limos owned by Uncle Sam increased by 73 percent during the first two years of the Obama administration, according to an analysis of records by iWatch News.\""]},{"id":"6052.json","label":"false","statement":"When I was U.S. Attorney we wound up putting 10 percent of the state Legislature in jail during my seven years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Governor Christie that 10 percent of the state Legislature was put in jail during his time as U.S. Attorney is not supported by the evidence. While there were corruption cases and convictions during his tenure, the actual percentage of legislators jailed is significantly lower than the claimed 10 percent. It is important to provide accurate information when discussing one's record on corruption, and in this case, the statement is not true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Christie said when he was U.S. Attorney \"we wound up putting 10 percent of the state Legislature in jail during my seven years.\"","\"I think that we should do it for a few reasons, corruption is certainly one of them. As you know when I was U.S. Attorney we wound up putting 10 percent of the state Legislature in jail during my seven years,\" Christie said, eliciting a round of applause from the audience.","Even if those individuals are included, the fact remains that Christie didn\u2019t jail 10 percent of the state Legislature during his time as U.S. Attorney.","Still, the governor can make a point about his record on corruption without saying he put 10 percent of the state Legislature in jail. That\u2019s just not true."]},{"id":"2532.json","label":"true","statement":"Since being elected in 2002, Scott Walker has given back over $370,000 of his salary to the county.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Scott Walker, after being elected in 2002, has indeed returned over $370,000 of his salary to the county. This amount was given back over the course of several years, with Walker initially pledging to return $60,000 per year. The fact-checking sources verify the accuracy of this claim, supporting the statement's accuracy.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker says he has given back more than $370,000 of his salary to Milwaukee County&url=)","Walker has foregone $375,070 in salary since being elected county executive in 2002 -- $5,070 more than what he has claimed during the gubernatorial campaign.","In his initial campaign, Walker made a pledge to return $60,000 a year, though he later was re-elected on a smaller give-back pledge. He said his checkbook is more than $370,000 lighter -- and the county\u2019s coffers that much better off. The record shows Walker\u2019s claim is accurate. We rate it True.","Taking into account the partial year Walker served after being elected in 2002, and an odd number of pay periods in 2003 through 2005, Walker returned the equivalent of $60,000 per year from 2002 through 2007."]},{"id":"10412.json","label":"true","statement":"The religious liberty bill proposed in the Georgia House of Representatives does not specifically exclude corporations, which means they can legally claim a religious exemption.","reason":"Reason: According to various sources, including legal scholars and the executive director of Georgia Equality, it is indeed the case that the religious liberty bill proposed in the Georgia House of Representatives does not specifically exclude corporations. This means that, under state law, corporations could potentially claim a religious exemption. The evidence supports the statement that corporations can legally claim a religious exemption if the bill does not explicitly exclude them.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It is my certainly my understanding that if corporations are not specifically excluded under state law, then corporations could still claim a religious exemption,\" Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham said in an interview with WABE radio.","Teasley plans to do just that. He told PolitiFact Georgia that he had heard of the claim about corporations being able to claim the exemption and put the question to legislative counsel.","Reaching out to legal scholars from across the political spectrum, we found a rare agreement. Without that exemption, businesses can claim a religious exemption.","If elected, two announced candidates for seats in the Georgia House of Representatives would become the first gay men elected to the state Legislature, according to the Georgia Voice."]},{"id":"9901.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Women still do not get paid as much as men, even for the same work, period.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there is a gender pay gap, it is misleading to claim that women do not get paid as much as men for the same work, period. The evidence provided highlights that the commonly cited statistic of women earning 77 cents on the dollar compared to men is an average disparity between all women's earnings and all men's earnings, rather than a comparison of individuals in the same job. Job and industry segregation, as well as other factors, contribute to the gender pay gap. While discrimination may play a role, it is challenging to measure its exact impact on the disparity. Therefore, it is more accurate to state that there is a gender pay gap, but claiming that women are consistently paid less than men for the same work, period, oversimplifies the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Research shows that more than half of the gap is due to job and industry segregation \u2014 essentially, women tend to work in jobs done primarily by other women, and men tend to work in jobs done primarily by other men and the \u2018men\u2019s jobs\u2019 are paid more,\" said Jennifer Clark, a spokeswoman for the Institute for Women\u2019s Policy Research.","Here\u2019s what we mean: In his 2012 re-election run, an ad for President Barack Obama claimed \"Women (are) paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men.\" That rated Mostly False.","The difference in Obama\u2019s two statements is subtle but important. The 77-cent figure derived from a federal government measure does not apply to men and women who do the same job. Instead it refers to the average disparity between what men and women earn, period. All women\u2019s earnings compared to all men\u2019s earnings.","We often hear that discriminatory practices are a reason why on average women are paid less than men. Expert say it\u2019s hard to measure how much of a role that discrimination plays in the disparity."]},{"id":"13088.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton and millennials have the same positions on climate change, abortion rights, immigration reform, gay rights and college affordability. Donald Trump doesnt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tim Kaine that Hillary Clinton and millennials share similar positions on climate change, abortion rights, immigration reform, gay rights, and college affordability, while Donald Trump does not. Reputable polls support this claim, indicating that millennials largely align with Clinton's positions on these issues. However, it's important to note that Kaine's statement may overstate the extent of Trump's opposition on certain issues, such as gay rights and college affordability. While Trump's positions may differ from Clinton and millennials on these topics, the statement should be interpreted with some caution regarding the exact extent of Trump's opposition. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton and millennials have the same positions on climate change, abortion rights, immigration reform, gay rights and college affordability. \"Donald Trump doesn't.\"","Kaine said Hillary Clinton and millennials believe in climate change, abortion rights, immigration reform, gay rights and college affordability but \"Donald Trump doesn't.\"","Reputable polls back Kaine\u2019s claim, though the VP nominee is overstating the extent of Trump\u2019s opposition to gay rights and college affordability. Millennials agree decisively with Clinton\u2019s position on immigration, gay rights and college affordability, and by narrow margins on climate change and abortion rights.","\"Do you believe in climate science or don\u2019t you? Millennials do, Hillary Clinton and I do, Donald Trump doesn\u2019t. Do you believe women should be able to make their own health care decisions, or don\u2019t you? Millennials do, Hillary Clinton and I do, Donald Trump doesn\u2019t. Do you believe in immigration reform or don\u2019t you? We do, millennials do, Donald Trump doesn\u2019t. Do you believe in LGBTQ equality? We do, millennials do, Donald Trump doesn\u2019t. And finally, do you have a plan to deal with college affordability? We have one. Millennials need one. And Donald Trump, with Trump University, has ripped off students,\" Kaine said."]},{"id":"12904.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has a long history of exporting jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Trump-brand products, such as clothing, have been manufactured overseas, it is important to note that those jobs were not U.S. jobs that were moved overseas. The jobs for Trump-brand products were always located abroad. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that Donald Trump has a long history of exporting U.S. jobs overseas. It is more accurate to say that Trump has a history of utilizing overseas manufacturing for his brand's products.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In August 2016, we rated Half True her claim that Trump \"has a long history of exporting jobs overseas.\" Trump-brand products such as his clothing have been made overseas, but those jobs were always abroad, not U.S. jobs that were moved.","\"Now, while Donald trump has a long history of exporting jobs overseas, I know that Tim Kaine and Hillary Clinton will bring back good-paying jobs right here to Milwaukee. They will crack down on countries that cheat, like China. We need a vice president and a president who will go to bat for Wisconsin businesses, not look to send more jobs overseas.\"","For more than a decade, Trump-brand products such as his clothing have been made overseas, although those were jobs that were created overseas, not U.S. jobs that were moved.","Says that except for Donald Trump, \"every other major party nominee\" for the past 40 years has released their tax returns."]},{"id":"10483.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Scott Walker to cut $300 million from universities, spend $500 million on a pro basketball stadium.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in various tweets and articles that Governor Scott Walker planned to cut $300 million from universities while allocating $500 million for a pro basketball stadium. However, it's important to note that this information may be outdated as it refers to a specific event in 2015. To provide a current and accurate assessment, it would be necessary to consult the most recent information regarding Governor Walker's budgetary decisions and priorities.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A slew of tweets claimed: \"Scott Walker to cut $300 million from universities, spend $500 million on a pro basketball stadium.\"","Think Progress, \"Scott Walker to cut $300 million from universities, spend $500 million on a pro basketball stadium,\" Feb. 2, 2015","Twitter, tweets stating: \"Scott Walker to cut $300 million from universities, spend $500 million on a pro basketball stadium,\" Feb. 2, 2015","The $300 million Gov. Scott Walker wants to cut from the University of Wisconsin System includes an estimated $114 million reduction for the flagship University of Wisconsin-Madison."]},{"id":"5933.json","label":"true","statement":"Says New Jerseys prison system is 61 percent African-American even though our state is just 13 percent black.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided, which states that New Jersey's prison system is composed of 61 percent African-Americans, despite the state's black population being only 13 percent. This highlights a significant racial disparity within the prison system. It is important to note that this statistic does not necessarily imply racial bias within the criminal justice system itself, but it does indicate a disproportionate representation of African-Americans within the prison population compared to their overall population in the state.\nLabel: true","evidence":["While recounting that story, Booker stopped himself and said: \"I know the data. I see what's happening to young minority men in this country. I see how much, when looking from a financial perspective how much we as taxpayers pay, billions of dollars in New Jersey for a prison system or correctional system that doesn't correct. Recycling the same people over and over and over again. A prison system that is 61 percent African-American even though our state is just 13 percent black.\"","Of those nearly 24,000 offenders, 61 percent, or 14,469 people, are black. By comparison, 22 percent, or 5,300 inmates, are white and 16 percent, or 3,785 inmates, are Hispanic.","\"The violent crime rate in America is the same as it was in 1968, yet our prison system has grown by over 500 percent.\"","\"The violent crime rate in America is the same as it was in 1968, yet our prison system has grown by over 500 percent,\" wrote Lewis, a Democrat, and Bryan Stevenson, who teaches law at New York University."]},{"id":"7556.json","label":"true","statement":"Do you know that, statistically, when you take the SAT a second time, one third of the people that take the SAT, even if theyve been studying, will get a lower score than they did the first time around?","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Rep. Larry Valencia that statistically, one third of people who take the SAT a second time, even if they have been studying, will get a lower score than their first attempt. This is supported by evidence that shows changes in scores on the second SAT are typically driven by a specific effect, where students who initially score low are more likely to score higher on subsequent attempts, while students with high initial scores are more likely to see a drop. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Do you know that, statistically, when you take the SAT a second time, one third of the people that take the SAT, even if they've been studying, will get a lower score than they did the first time around?\"","Valencia said, \"Do you know that, statistically, when you take the SAT a second time, one third of the people that take the SAT, even if they've been studying, will get a lower score than they did the first time around?\"","State Rep. Larry Valencia, D-Richmond, said, \"Do you know that, statistically, when you take the SAT a second time, one third of the people that take the SAT, even if they've been studying, will get a lower score than they did the first time around?\"","Changes in scores on the second SAT are typically driven by a specific effect: students who score low the first time are more likely to score higher the second; students who have high scores the first time are statistically more likely to see a drop the second time."]},{"id":"495.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Sen. Obama has declared, and repeatedly reaffirmed his intention to meet the president of Iran without any preconditions.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Obama's position at the time. He stated that he would be willing to meet with leaders of countries like Iran without any preconditions, as part of his approach to diplomacy. This position was criticized by Senator McCain and others who believed that such meetings should only occur after certain conditions were met. It is important to note that this statement refers to a specific period in time and may not reflect Senator Obama's current stance or any subsequent developments in his foreign policy approach.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Sen. Obama has declared, and repeatedly reaffirmed his intention to meet the president of Iran without any preconditions, likening it to meetings between former American presidents and the leaders of the Soviet Union,\" McCain said in remarks before the National Restaurant Association in Chicago on May 19, 2008.","Sen. John McCain has hammered Sen. Barack Obama for saying he would meet with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is well known for his anti-America, anti-Israel rhetoric.","\"I say that in every town hall meeting that we have and every rally,\" Obama said. \"What I have said is that I will meet with not just our allies and our friends but I will initiate tough diplomacy with our enemies. That includes Syria, Iran, North Korea and Venezuela. I would meet with them and I would meet with them without preconditions although with preparation. I would present to them very clearly what my expectations would be in terms of them changing their behavior. If it was in the case of Iran, stop threatening Israel, stand down on nuclear weapons development; stop funding Hamas and Hezbollah and stop stirring up problems inside of Iraq. If they are willing to change behavior, then, we would offer inducements and benefits diplomatically. If they don't, we will continue to ratchet sanctions and isolations on Iran. That has been a consistent policy that I have presented throughout. There are no contradictions. I have no idea where it is that they are suggesting that somehow there has been a change in policy.","The McCain campaign provided snippets of news accounts of that press conference that left little doubt how the press interpreted Obama's comments at the time. Check out these headlines: \"Obama Stood His Ground Monday On His Controversial Remarks Earlier This Year That He Would Meet With Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad\" (from CNN); and \"Obama: I Would Still Meet With Ahmadinejad\" (from CBS News)."]},{"id":"8894.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We see a quarter-billion dollars in a pension fund that needs to be funded at $1.2 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Daniel Harrop regarding the funding gap in the pension fund. He states that there is a quarter-billion dollars in the fund, but it needs to be funded at $1.2 billion. This suggests that there is a significant shortfall in the funding required to meet the pension obligations. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or explanation for the funding gap, such as the reasons behind it or any proposed solutions. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In December, Daniel Harrop said, \"We see a quarter billion dollars in a pension fund that needs to be funded at $1.2 billion.\"","At the same time, there was significantly more than a quarter billion dollars set aside in the city's coffers for pension costs. But the number he cited accurately reflected the approximate amount the city had in its investment portfolio.","Providence Mayoral candidate Daniel Harrop says the city needs $1.2 billion to finance its pensions but has only about $250 million","( - Providence Mayoral candidate Daniel Harrop says the city needs $1.2 billion to finance its pensions but has only about $250 million&url=)"]},{"id":"8776.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Americans are 20 times as likely to die from gun violence as citizens of other civilized countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by author Lisa Bloom that Americans are 20 times more likely to die from gun violence compared to citizens of other civilized countries. While the evidence provided does not explicitly verify this claim, it is important to note that there is substantial research and data supporting the fact that the United States has a significantly higher rate of gun-related deaths compared to other developed nations. Factors such as differences in gun laws and regulations, access to firearms, and cultural attitudes towards guns contribute to this disparity.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["'Americans are 20 times as likely to die from gun violence as citizens of other civilized countries,' says author Lisa Bloom","( - 'Americans are 20 times as likely to die from gun violence as citizens of other civilized countries,' says author Lisa Bloom&url=)","\"Let me give you another number: 20,\" Bloom said. \"Americans are 20 times as likely to die from gun violence as citizens of other civilized countries. Why? Because other civilized countries rein in guns.\"","We can\u2019t quantify whether gun policies are preventing gun violence, as Bloom said, but we can look at her claim that \"Americans are 20 times as likely to die from gun violence as citizens of other civilized countries.\""]},{"id":"8838.json","label":"true","statement":"There is more oil produced at home than we buy from the rest of the world the first time thats happened in nearly 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the United States produces more oil domestically than it imports from the rest of the world, which is supported by evidence. Experts have confirmed that this shift is due to various factors, including increased domestic oil production, improved fuel efficiency, and economic dynamics that pre-date the Obama administration. While the claim does not solely credit the Obama administration for this change, it accurately represents the current state of oil production and imports in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"For the first time in nearly two decades, we produce more oil here in the United States than we buy from the rest of the world.\"","\"Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the American people, the good news is the economy is growing stronger,\" he said in a speech on Jan. 15, 2014, at North Carolina State University. \"Our businesses have now created more than 8 million new jobs since we hit bottom. Because of an all-of-the-above strategy for American energy, for the first time in nearly two decades, we produce more oil here in the United States than we buy from the rest of the world.\"","This production growth has contributed to the United States\u2019 ability to produce more oil than it imports for the first time in about 20 years.","Obama said the United States is producing more oil domestically than it\u2019s importing from the rest of the world for the first time in nearly two decades. That claim is on the money. However, a lot of this has been in the works for awhile, including dynamics that pre-date the Obama administration. Experts told us the new dynamic is due to factors like the recession, increased fuel efficiency and ramped up domestic oil production. As a simple statement on where we stand on oil exports vs. imports, though, Obama\u2019s claim is accurate. We rate it True."]},{"id":"11236.json","label":"true","statement":"To vote in Mexico every eligible Mexican citizen has to have a tamper-proof photo-ID card with a thumbprint and an embossed hologram.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In Mexico, to vote, every eligible citizen is required to possess a tamper-proof photo-ID card that includes a thumbprint and an embossed hologram. This card serves as a form of identification and verification during the voting process. The evidence provided confirms the existence and features of these cards, including the hologram that changes color and the ability to verify the ID through radio frequency. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Miller said: \"To vote in Mexico every eligible Mexican citizen has to have a tamper-proof photo-ID card with a thumbprint and an embossed hologram.\"","The meme placed on Miller\u2019s Facebook page Aug. 16, 2015, shows what looks like a voter registration card issued by Mexico under this text: \"To vote in Mexico every eligible Mexican has to have a tamper-proof photo-ID card with a thumbprint and an embossed hologram.\" The meme goes on to say all citizens must enroll and show proof of birth or citizenship and must personally fetch their voting credential.","In 2015, we confirmed that to vote in Mexico, every eligible citizen has to have a tamper-proof photo-ID card with a thumbprint and an embossed hologram though at the time Kenneth Greene, a University of Texas expert, told us it would be a mistake to compare Mexico\u2019s history of fraud with the few credible incidents of U.S. voter fraud that could have been headed off with photo ID from 2000 through 2014.","Mindful of Miller\u2019s mention of a hologram and thumbprint on each card, we checked the institute\u2019s website, which says the front of each card has a hologram that changes color depending on the angle of light. The hologram is imprinted with the institute\u2019s name, the agency says, and the agency\u2019s initials, \"INE.\" Also there: an element that enables the ID to be verified by a radio frequency, the agency says."]},{"id":"2262.json","label":"false","statement":"Theres a mosque inside of the Pentagon.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there is a place of worship and daily prayer for Muslims inside the Pentagon, it is not a mosque. The Pentagon spokesperson has clarified that there is no mosque inside the Pentagon. Instead, there is an interfaith chapel that serves as a place of worship for people of different faiths, including Muslims. It was established as part of a memorial to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Calling it a mosque would be inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The official word from Pentagon spokesperson George Wright: \"There is not, I repeat there is not a mosque inside of the Pentagon.\"","He added: \"There should be some sensitivity there and I recognize it ... I might add there is a mosque inside of the Pentagon ... and also a chapel.\"","So back to the question -- Was Meek correct in stating there is a mosque inside of the Pentagon? No; the Pentagon spokesman is emphatic that it's not a mosque. While Meek later added in his statement that there was also a chapel, the two are one and the same. He was correct in identifying that there was a place of worship and daily prayer for Muslims, but misspoke when calling it an actual mosque inside of the Pentagon. We rate his claim False.","The 80-seat interfaith chapel was opened in November 2002, part of a memorial to the 184 people killed on the flight and inside of the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, Wright said."]},{"id":"7406.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Austin is the largest city in the U.S. without nonstop flights to Europe.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Austin may not have nonstop flights to Europe, there are four larger cities in the United States that also lack nonstop flights to Europe. Therefore, Austin cannot be considered the largest city in the U.S. without nonstop flights to Europe.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Winstead said Austin was the largest U.S. city without a nonstop flight to Europe. But four larger cities lack such flights, making this statement False.","The story reported that Winstead said Austin is the largest city in the U.S. without \"direct flights\" to Europe. Stopping along the way increases chances for delays that could cause a business executive to miss a meeting, Winstead said.","San Antonio ranks seventh by size, and although San Antonio International Airport has nonstop flights to Mexico, spokeswoman Nora Castro told us by phone that it has no nonstops to Europe.","Eight of the nine largest cities have nonstop flights to Europe. Sample itinerary: If you depart Dallas\/Fort Worth International on American Airlines at 5 p.m, you can be in Paris nine hours and 40 minutes later. Hop a British Airways plane in San Diego at 10:10 p.m. and you\u2019ll be at London\u2019s Heathrow Airport in 10 hours and 25 minutes."]},{"id":"1573.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We are the only industrialized nation that relies heavily on a for-profit medical insurance industry to provide basic health care.","reason":"Reason: While it is not entirely accurate to claim that the United States is the only industrialized nation that heavily relies on a for-profit medical insurance industry to provide basic health care, the statement does highlight a fundamental difference in the U.S. healthcare system compared to other countries. While some countries do have for-profit insurers involved in providing basic health care, the profit margins and the extent of their involvement may differ significantly. Therefore, while the statement is not entirely true in a literal sense, it does capture the essence of the unique role of for-profit insurers in the U.S. healthcare system.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We are the only industrialized nation that relies heavily on a for-profit medical insurance industry to provide basic health care,\" Feinstein said. \"I believe, fundamentally, that all medical insurance should be not-for-profit.\"","We thought it would be worthwhile checking if Feinstein was right that no other nation \"relies heavily on a for-profit medical insurance industry to provide basic health care.\"","Because there is no official definition of \"basic health care\" in the U.S. system, it is hard to calculate exactly how much profit American insurers are making off basic services. But whatever it is, most experts expect that it is higher than the margins being made on basic health care by for-profit insurers in other countries. We believe that Feinstein is right that the U.S. for-profit insurance industry's role in basic health care is fundamentally different than what goes on in other countries, and that this outweighs her technical error in saying that no other country relies heavily on a for-profit medical insurance industry to provide basic health care. So we rate Feinstein's statement Mostly True.","Technically, for-profit companies do provide basic medical care in countries such as the Netherlands, and there's enough of it going on to say that such countries \"rely\" on those insurers to serve that need. But the profit these companies make -- or at least the vast majority of it -- is made from lines of business other than basic health care."]},{"id":"8383.json","label":"false","statement":"Says (t)his 12 year council Seat-warmer has never chaired, vice chaired, or led a single Council committee meeting.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Councilwoman Carla Smith has indeed held leadership positions within the Atlanta City Council. In 2002, she served as the vice chair of the council's transportation committee, and later that year, she was appointed by Council President Cathy Woolard to chair the Committee on Council. Additionally, Smith served as the chair of the council's utilities committee for three years. There is evidence from multiple sources, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, that confirms Smith's leadership roles and committee chairmanships. Therefore, the statement claiming that she has never chaired, vice chaired, or led a single council committee meeting is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This 12 year council \u2018Seat-warmer\u2019 has never chaired, vice chaired, or led a single Council committee meeting,\" Powell said in a flier about Councilwoman Carla Smith.","Atlanta City Council candidate Bill Powell in a campaign flier Oct. 8: \"This 12 year council 'Seat-warmer' has never chaired, vice chaired, or led a single Council committee meeting.\"","In 2002, Smith said she was vice chair of the council\u2019s transportation committee. In December of that year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Council President Cathy Woolard appointed Smith to chair the Committee on Council.","The following year, Smith was chair of the council\u2019s utilities committee, which primarily deals with water and sewer issues. Smith led that committee for three years. Smith was quoted in several AJC articles in her capacity as chairwoman."]},{"id":"12142.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 1900, six (U.S. Supreme Court) justices have been confirmed during election years, including Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Since 1900, six justices of the U.S. Supreme Court have indeed been confirmed during election years. This includes Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration. The evidence provided confirms the accuracy of this claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 1900, six (U.S. Supreme Court) justices have been confirmed during election years, including Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was confirmed in the final year of the Reagan Administration,\" Herring and fellow Democratic attorneys general wrote in a March 10 letter to U.S. Senate leaders.","After Murphy\u2019s elevation to the court, it would be nearly five decades before there was another justice confirmed in an election year. Anthony Kennedy, the justice Herring specifically cited in his letter, was confirmed in a 97-0 vote in the Democratically controlled Senate on Feb. 3, 1988. That was the final full year of President Ronald Reagan\u2019s administration.","The sixth case involves a future justice who was nominated prior to an election year but was confirmed during one. Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, who\u2019s still on the court, was confirmed in February 1988, but President Ronald Reagan, a Republican, had nominated him in November 1987 to succeed the retiring Louis Powell.","The graphic Honda used said that \"six justices\" on the U.S. Supreme Court have been \"confirmed in presidential election years since 1912.\" That is correct, so we rate the statement True."]},{"id":"11803.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mexico can afford to build a wall because the countrys trade deficit with America is billions of dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Trade experts have clarified that there is no direct connection between the size of the trade deficit and the ability of a country to fund a specific project like building a wall. The trade deficit is primarily determined by private trading and investment activities, not by the government itself. Therefore, the claim that Mexico can afford to build a wall solely based on the trade deficit with America is not supported by evidence or expert analysis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Back on the campaign trail, Trump claimed that Mexico can afford to build a wall because Mexico's trade surplus with America is billions of dollars. We rated that False as trade experts said there is no connection between the size of the trade deficit and finding money to build the wall. The trade deficit is based mostly on trading and investment by private individuals and companies \u2014 not the government itself, an expert then told us.","\"When they say Mexico can't pay for the wall, I say of course they can. We have a trade deficit with Mexico that's unbelievably big. ... It's billions and billions of dollars -- far more than what we're talking about for the wall.\"","Trump said, \"When they say Mexico can't pay for the wall, I say of course they can. We have a trade deficit with Mexico that's unbelievably big. ... It's billions and billions of dollars -- far more than what we're talking about for the wall.\"","\"When they say \u2018but Mexico can't pay for the wall,\u2019 I say of course they can,\" said the Republican frontrunner at a town hall in Norwalk, Iowa, on Jan. 20. \"We have a trade deficit with Mexico that's unbelievably big. Humongous. It's a humongous number. It's billions and billions of dollars -- far more than what we're talking about for the wall. The wall's peanuts compared to that.\""]},{"id":"1201.json","label":"true","statement":"Mathematically, the White Sox can still get in the playoffs.","reason":"Reason: Based on the information provided, it is accurate to say that mathematically, the White Sox still have a chance to make it to the playoffs. While they may be behind in the standings, there are still enough games remaining for them to potentially close the gap and secure a spot in the postseason. However, it's important to note that this statement only considers the mathematical possibility and does not take into account the team's performance, the performance of other teams in their division, or any other factors that may affect their chances.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Topkin told us that while the White Sox are out of the running to be the wild-card team for the American League, it's mathematically possible they could still win their division and then be in the playoffs.","As of Sunday morning when Meet the Press aired, the White Sox were 5 1\/2 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers. Topkin told us the White Sox \"wouldn't be mathematically eliminated until there were 6 games left, and going into today they have 13 left.\"","At the conclusion of a wide-ranging interview on NBC's Meet the Press , President Barack Obama said he was holding out hope that his beloved Chicago White Sox can still make the playoffs.","Host David Gregory asked him, \"On a lighter note, before I let you go, Mr. President, you were brazen this summer at the All-Star Game wearing your Chicago White Sox jacket out there to throw out the first pitch. Hate to break it to you, but doesn't look so good for your White Sox here. So I want to know who is your pick to win the World Series?\""]},{"id":"8213.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Congress secured special Obamacare rules to prevent their healthcare costs from rising.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Karen Handel that Congress secured special Obamacare rules to prevent their healthcare costs from rising. However, it's important to note that the veracity of this claim has been evaluated by PolitiFact Georgia and rated as \"Half True.\" While there were certain provisions and exemptions in the Affordable Care Act that applied to members of Congress and their staff, it is not accurate to suggest that these rules were specifically designed to prevent their healthcare costs from rising. The evaluation indicates that the claim oversimplifies the complexity of the issue and the impact of the rules on healthcare costs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Earlier this month, PolitiFact Georgia researched Handel\u2019s claim that Congress secured special Obamacare rules \"to prevent their health care costs from rising\" and rated it as Half True.","Another email read: \"Last week, Karen asked Congressmen Jack Kingston, Paul Broun and Phil Gingrey to join her in standing against the special Obamacare exemption negotiated by members of Congress in order to prevent their healthcare premiums from rising. We still haven't heard a peep.\"","\"Only in Washington could Congress seek and secure a special exception to prevent their health care costs from rising while premiums for thousands of Georgians will go up by as much as 198 percent next year,\" one email read.","Handel said Congress negotiated itself a special rule to prevent its health care benefits from rising. She\u2019s used the words \"exception\" and \"exemption\" to describe what happened."]},{"id":"12188.json","label":"false","statement":"Says his campaign has released his past tax returns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Bernie Sanders claimed during an interview that his campaign has released his past tax returns, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, the campaign has only released tax returns for the year 2014, and they have not provided any earlier tax returns to the public. This lack of transparency regarding his past tax returns has been noted by various sources, highlighting that Sanders has not been as forthcoming as other candidates in the 2016 presidential field.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But tax returns are much more detailed. And despite what Sanders said in the exchange with Tapper, his campaign did not provide PolitiFact with any earlier, publicly available tax forms. The campaign told the Post that it has not released any other tax returns prior to 2014. (The campaign did tell PolitiFact that they would release his 2015 returns once they are filed.)","How transparent has Sanders been with his tax past returns? Not very, compared with others in the 2016 presidential field. Here\u2019s a closer look.","At this point, Sanders interjected, \"No, that is not true. That is not true. Of course, we have released them in the past. Our financial situation, to the best of my knowledge, has not changed very much, but we will get out all of that information as soon as we can.\"","Trump has not released his tax returns, breaking a promise he made during his 2016 campaign. According to the New York Times, the former real estate mogul and reality TV star has vowed for nearly a decade to release his tax returns under different conditions, but he hasn\u2019t delivered."]},{"id":"20.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I'm for a three-state political solution in Iraq. (Romney) is not.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the difference in positions between the speaker and Romney regarding a three-state political solution in Iraq. Brownback, as mentioned in the evidence, proposed a plan to partition Iraq into three states for the Kurds, Shi'ites, and Sunnis with a central government. On the other hand, Romney explicitly stated his opposition to the concept in an essay published in Foreign Affairs. Therefore, the statement correctly highlights the contrasting positions of the two individuals on this issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Brownback fairly characterizes Romney's position. Romney has not endorsed the plan and published an essay in the July-August issue of Foreign Affairs saying he was opposed to the concept.","Indeed, Brownback teamed up with Sen. Joe Biden to propose a plan to partition Iraq into three states for the Kurds, Shi'ites and Sunnis with a central government to see to common interests.","\"Today, the nation's attention is focused on Iraq,\" he wrote. \"All Americans want U.S. troops to come home as soon as possible. But walking away now or dividing Iraq up into parts and walking away later would present grave risks to the United States and the world. Iran could seize the Shiite south, al Qaeda could dominate the Sunni west, and Kurdish nationalism could destabilize the border with Turkey. A regional conflict could ensue, perhaps even requiring the return of U.S. troops under far worse circumstances.\"","\"I would love to see us have in this country what I helped lead in Arkansas...Amendment 65 (which) says that we believe life begins at conception, and that we ought to do everything in the world possible to protect it until its natural conclusion.\""]},{"id":"8209.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that unlike Texas, Missouri has a perfect AAA credit rating.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Missouri does have a perfect AAA credit rating, as indicated by multiple rating agencies such as Fitch Ratings, Moody's Investors Service, and Standard & Poor's. In contrast, Texas has a slightly lower rating of AA+ from Standard & Poor's. The evidence provided confirms that Missouri's credit rating is indeed higher than that of Texas.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Unlike Texas, Nixon said, \"Missouri has a perfect AAA credit rating.\" Three days earlier, he posted a similar claim on a Twitter list of ways he ranks the Show-Me State as \"#betterthantx.\"","A chart posted online by the California state treasurer lists state general-obligation bond ratings by three rating agencies. We noticed that Missouri and Texas both earned the highest, AAA rating from both Fitch Ratings and Moody\u2019s Investors Service. But Standard & Poor\u2019s gave Missouri a AAA rating and Texas a rating of AA+, which is its rating immediately below AAA.","\"We assess each of these factors utilizing various metrics that we score on a scale from 1 (strongest) to 4 (weakest),\" the methodology states. \"For each metric there may be several indicators we evaluate to develop the metric score. We score each indicator individually on the same scale and average the indicators' scores to develop the overall score for the metric. We average the metrics for each factor to develop a composite score for each. The scores for the five factors are combined and averaged with equal weighting to arrive at an overall score which is then translated to an indicative credit level.\" The report says an overall score of 1 to 1.5 is needed to draw the AAA rating.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz."]},{"id":"9805.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More whites than blacks are victims of deadly police shootings.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it fails to consider the disproportionate representation of whites and blacks in the population. While it is true that more white individuals are victims of deadly police shootings in absolute numbers, this is primarily due to the fact that there are significantly more white people in the United States than black people. When considering the death rates and adjusting for population size, it becomes evident that black individuals are about three times more likely than white individuals to die in confrontations with the police. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context and can be misleading when assessing the relative risk faced by different racial groups in encounters with law enforcement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact National rated Half True a claim by conservative talk show host Michael Medved that \"more whites than blacks are victims of deadly police shootings.\" The claim ignored the fact that there are more than five times more whites than blacks in America.","Medved said that police kill more whites than blacks. In absolute terms, that is accurate. However, the statement ignores that there are more than five times more whites than blacks in America. When comparing death rates, blacks are about three times more likely than whites to die in a confrontation with police.","\"More whites are killed by the police than blacks primarily because whites outnumber blacks in the general population by more than five to one,\" Forst said. The country is about 63 percent white and 12 percent black.","The Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that in 2004, state courts had over 1 million felony convictions. Of those, 59 percent were committed by whites and 38 percent by blacks. But when you factor in the population of whites and blacks, the felony rates stand at 330 per 100,000 for whites and 1,178 per 100,000 for blacks. That\u2019s more than a three-fold difference."]},{"id":"8767.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you make the average amount of people in Wisconsin, $50,000, you got $1.60 less a week in taxes under the state income-tax cut, but it didnt show up in your paycheck.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the impact of the state income-tax cut on individuals making the average amount in Wisconsin, which is $50,000. However, it's important to note that the reduction in taxes, which amounts to $1.60 less per week, may not be immediately noticeable in an individual's paycheck due to various factors such as tax withholding calculations and frequency of pay. While the tax cut is intended to provide some relief, the impact on an individual's take-home pay may not be immediately apparent or significant on a weekly basis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In addition, the plan would scale back a law that allows manufacturers to avoid having to pay state income taxes, but keep the tax break in place for small operations. The budget would also increase taxes on capital gains for individuals earning $400,000 a year or more.","When asked about Gundrum\u2019s $1 billion tax increase claim, the Legislative Reference Bureau referred PolitiFact Wisconsin to the fiscal bureau memo and noted \"the executive budget bill would increase taxes over the biennium by roughly $1.6 billion and reduce them by roughly $580 million, for a net increase of around $1 billion.\"","\"The changes included in the Governor's budget would increase net taxes by $1,020,728,000 ($464,824,000 in 2021-22 and $555,904,000 in 2022-23) and would increase net fees by $17,162,700 ($7,172,900 in 2021-22 and $9,989,800 in 2022-23).\"","\"Nearly 60% of all student loan debt is held by the rich and upper-middle class,\" so forgiveness would give the wealthy a \"financial windfall\" but not really help low-income people."]},{"id":"9209.json","label":"false","statement":"In the last couple of days, notices were sent (by officials in Ukraine) to Jews in one city indicating that they had to identify themselves as Jews.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reports to support the claim that notices were sent to Jews in Ukraine instructing them to identify themselves as Jews. Such an action would be highly discriminatory and a violation of human rights. It is important to rely on verified sources and factual information when making claims about sensitive issues like religious discrimination.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Crimea is an eastern Ukrainian peninsula located on the Black Sea. It\u2019s connected to the rest of the country by a small strip of land. Out of its 2 million residents, about 60 percent identify as Russian. That\u2019s the highest concentration of Russian speakers in Ukraine. Although the territory belongs to Ukraine, Russia stations part of its Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol as part of a pre-existing agreement between the two countries.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","Correction: About 60 percent of people living in Crimea identify themselves as Russian. An earlier version of this story described the statistic differently. This post was updated at 1 p.m. March 3, 2014.","\"Crimea became part of Ukraine only in 1954. Crimea was historically part of Russia, and (Nikita) Khrushchev gave it to Ukraine in a gesture that mystified some people.\""]},{"id":"6367.json","label":"true","statement":"The judicial system is the most underfunded in this state, able to only pay 52 percent of its obligations. Meanwhile, judges get some of the richest pensions of all public employees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Senator Shirley Turner that the judicial system in the state is severely underfunded, with the ability to pay only 52 percent of its obligations. It also highlights the claim that judges receive some of the richest pensions among public employees. This claim is supported by evidence indicating that the Judicial Retirement System has the lowest amount of funds among the major pension funds in the state. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a speech Monday on the Senate floor, Turner said: \"The judicial system is the most underfunded in this state, able to only pay 52 percent of its obligations. Meanwhile, judges get some of the richest pensions of all public employees.\"","\"The judicial system is the most underfunded in this state, able to only pay 52 percent of its obligations. Meanwhile, judges get some of the richest pensions of all public employees,\" Turner (D-Mercer), who sponsored the legislation, said during a speech on the Senate floor.","Take a severely underfunded pension system, combined with some of the richest benefits paid to public employees, and according to state Sen. Shirley Turner, you\u2019ve got a \"recipe for disaster.\"","The senator\u2019s claim is on target. The Judicial Retirement System has about 52 percent of the funds needed to meet future pension obligations, marking the lowest amount of the five major pension funds."]},{"id":"987.json","label":"false","statement":"You cant read a speech by George Washington . . . without hearing him reference God, the Almighty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While George Washington did mention God in some of his speeches, it is not accurate to claim that you cannot read any of his speeches without hearing him reference God. In fact, there are several speeches by George Washington, including his second inaugural address and his Second Annual Message to Congress, where he did not make any references to God. Therefore, the claim that every speech by George Washington includes a reference to God is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Now, you've got people who want to conform and not cause any ripples, 'Oh, yeah, yeah, we're not a Christian nation, Judeo-Christian ethic, we are a lot of different religions here,' \" Limbaugh said. \"You can't read a speech by George Washington, you can't read his inaugural address, you cannot read them without hearing him reference God, the Almighty, and how this nation owes its existence to God and our thanks to God for the vision in founding this nation with people treated as he made them, the yearning spirit to be free and so forth.\"","To see whether you indeed \"can't read a speech by George Washington\" without seeing a reference to God, we checked Washington's most noteworthy speeches, starting with his two inaugural addresses, since Limbaugh mentioned those specifically.","Washington's famous speech at Newburgh to officers of the Continental Army, who were threatening to desert for lack of pay, also contained no references to God other than as an exclamation. \"My God!\" Washington said in a speech that came six years before he became president. \"What can this writer have in view, by recommending such measures?\" (That, and one other reference to the \"God of Armies,\" were the only two times in the 13 speeches we read that Washington used the word \"God.\")","This is False. There are several public comments from Washington that don\u2019t reference God, most notably Washington's second inaugural address. It had no references to God, direct or indirect. Nor did Washington's Second Annual Message to Congress, the sort of speech that would come to be known as the State of the Union."]},{"id":"8560.json","label":"false","statement":"There were $2 billion in earmarks in fiscal year 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the figure of $2 billion in earmarks in fiscal year 2012 is incorrect. The correct figure for earmarks in that fiscal year was not provided, and the available information suggests that the actual amount of earmarks was higher. The evidence mentions a study by Taxpayers for Common Sense, which found 9,499 congressional earmarks worth $15.9 billion in fiscal year 2010. Therefore, the statement claiming $2 billion in earmarks in fiscal year 2012 is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Because of that, if we were strictly rating the figure in the Pig Book, we might find an element of truth. But because King cited \"2 billion dollars in earmarks in fiscal year 2012\" -- not the $3.3 billion -- and because he offered with no sourcing for his figure, we find his statement False.","King, a licensed massage therapist from Redmond, singled out two issues he wants to focus on. The first involves individual privacy rights. The second addresses the federal budget, which he said should be cut. Among the areas that should be sheared, King said, are \"the 2 billion dollars in earmarks in fiscal year 2012.\"","On Feb. 17, 2010, Taxpayers for Common Sense, a leading watchdog group, released its study of congressional earmarking for fiscal year 2010. For that fiscal year, the group says, appropriations bills contained 9,499 congressional earmarks worth $15.9 billion. The group's \"apples-to-apples\" comparison found that earmarking increased slightly from the prior year -- from $15.6 billion to $15.9 billion.","Paige\u2019s group arrived at the $3.3 billion figure by matching appropriations in \"earmark-free\" bills to spending clearly identified as earmarks in bills passed before the ban. A $50 million earmark for the National Guard Counterdrug Program in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2012, she said, corresponds to nine earmarks totaling $22.9 million in the same act approved two years before."]},{"id":"9331.json","label":"false","statement":"Under David Dewhursts leadership, the Texas Senate passed an expansion of in-state tuition and free health care to illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that under David Dewhurst's leadership, the Texas Senate passed an expansion of in-state tuition and free healthcare to illegal immigrants. The evidence provided discusses drug-cost savings in a healthcare bill, restrictions on providing water near polling places in Georgia, defense of an expenditure for tourism facilities, and information about a nonprofit organization and its spending in elections. There is no direct connection or mention of David Dewhurst or the Texas Senate passing such legislation. Therefore, the statement is unsupported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After combining the drug-cost savings with the bill\u2019s other health care provisions, Medicare beneficiaries would see decreases in premiums and out-of-pocket costs, including through a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket costs, the committee projected. \"In addition to saving the government nearly $300 billion, the (bill) would save American families nearly $300 billion more,\" the committee has projected.","In Georgia, it's \"illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place\" and \"punishable by up to a year in prison.\"","The county\u2019s administrator defended the expenditure as meeting one of the bill\u2019s guidelines, providing aid for \"a planned expansion or upgrade of tourism, travel and hospitality facilities delayed due to the pandemic.\"","One Nation is a nonprofit that shares resources with the Senate Leadership Fund, McConnell\u2019s super PAC. One Nation is a so-called dark-money group, which is not required to disclose its donors even if it spends to influence elections. One Nation spent $125 million in the 2020 election cycle, according to the nonprofit OpenSecrets. That included spending on ads and contributing $85 million to McConnell\u2019s super PAC."]},{"id":"10109.json","label":"false","statement":"Photos prove the Denver light rail system has low ridership.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly refutes the claim that the Denver light rail system has low ridership. The statistics mentioned indicate that Denver's light rail consistently ranks in the top 10 light rail systems in the country in terms of ridership. The evidence also mentions that the West line alone averages about 14,000 trips per day, contributing to the overall 84,000 trips per day on the entire light rail system. Therefore, the photos do not accurately represent the ridership of the Denver light rail system.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After examining the presentation and Denver\u2019s light rail system, we found the opposite. Not only are the photos misrepresenting the city\u2019s mass transit, but statistics show the Mile High city has one of the more successful systems in the country.","To put that in perspective, Denver\u2019s light rail consistently ranks in the top 10 light rail systems in the country, in terms of ridership. San Francisco\u2019s streetcars get some 220,000 trips per day and Charlotte gets about 16,000, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Tampa\u2019s streetcar line nets somewhere around 700 trips per day.","The West line averages about 14,000 trips per day -- that is, one person buying a ticket -- and should grow when other FasTracks lines open in 2016, Tonilas said. That accounts for about 17 percent of the 84,000 or so trips she said the entire light rail system gets per day, although that varies from month to month. The whole RTD system, including bus, rail and shuttle service, averages about 350,000 trips per day.","No Tax For Tracks may not approve of how rail is funded or operated, but using photos of one thing and saying it\u2019s another nullifies the argument. We rate the statement False."]},{"id":"7653.json","label":"true","statement":"Says a pack-a-day smoker who quits because of the tax increase will save about $1,650 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimate provided by Nathanson that a pack-a-day smoker who quits due to a tax increase would save approximately $1,650 a year. This estimate is based on a report from the Multnomah County Health Department, which suggests that the savings could range between $1,600 and $1,800 for a pack-a-day smoker in Portland. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"A pack-a-day smoker who quits because of the tax increase will save about $1,650 a year to spend on other essential household goods and services, a not insubstantial number for that family,\" Nathanson said.","The ruling: Nathanson said that a pack-a-day smoker would save $1,650 a year. Her numbers were based on a report from the Multnomah County Health Department, but it turns out that\u2019s a pretty conservative estimate, at least for Portland.","The department found that a pack ran between $4.37 to $4.97 with brands ranging from Marlboro, Lucky Strike, American Legend and Newport. That meant a pack-a-day smoker would save between $1,600 and $1,800.","In 1985, Reagan signed legislation making permanent a 16-cent federal excise tax on a pack of cigarettes, then worth about $2.4 billion a year."]},{"id":"1473.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When we go to vote, they ask for drivers license and verify that you are a voter and a citizen in the state of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the process in some states, including Texas, where voters are asked to present a driver's license as a form of identification. However, it is important to note that the driver's license alone does not verify citizenship. While driver's license records can be used to verify identity, they may not necessarily reflect an individual's citizenship status. Some states have additional measures in place, such as accessing federal or state databases or requiring additional documentation, to verify the citizenship of voters. Therefore, the driver's license verification process alone does not confirm an individual's status as both a voter and a citizen.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Some states look at driver\u2019s license records to see whether any noncitizens also registered to vote. But driver\u2019s license records can be outdated and may not reflect if a noncitizen later became a naturalized citizen. That\u2019s part of why an effort in Texas to find noncitizen voters fell apart in 2019.","Wendy Underhill, an election expert at the National Conference of State Legislatures, said that in some states, driver\u2019s license records are better for verifying citizenship than they\u2019ve ever been. Some state driver\u2019s license systems are set up to ask a person if they want to register to vote only after they have shown a birth certificate or naturalization paper that proves citizenship.","Some states told us that they access federal or state databases to verify citizenship of voters. Such methods have sometimes erroneously flagged citizen voters. While they are not foolproof, they do contradict Trump\u2019s claim that no states verify U.S. citizenship for federal elections.","In Arizona, applicants using the state registration form must provide proof of citizenship to be a \"full ballot\" voter to cast votes in local, state and federal races. That proof can be a state-issued ID such as a driver\u2019s license, as long as they obtained it while they were citizens, or other forms such as naturalization documents, birth certificate or passport. If the applicant provides a driver\u2019s license number, election officials will verify their citizenship using state motor vehicle records."]},{"id":"3190.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Before this law was passed, Americans were told they could keep their current health care plans. After it became law, the administration issued regulations stating nearly half of Americans would lose their current plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that before the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed, Americans were told they could keep their current health care plans. However, the claim that the administration issued regulations stating nearly half of Americans would lose their current plans is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence suggests that many Americans already lost their health plans for various reasons unrelated to the ACA, such as changes made by employers or insurance carriers. While the ACA did result in some individuals having to switch plans, the claim of nearly half of Americans losing their plans is not substantiated. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks proper context and exaggerates the impact of the ACA on plan retention.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Other switches will be involuntary. As we have previously noted, many Americans already lose their current health plan for reasons that have nothing to do with the new law. Your employer may change insurance carriers, for instance, or your insurance carrier may unilaterally modify the terms of your plan.","PolitiFact, \"Rep. Blake Farenthold says health care law will force 70 percent of workers to lose their current plan,\" Feb. 2, 2011","PolitiFact, \"Reince Priebus says health care law could mean 'as many as 20 million Americans could lose their employer-based insurance,'\" March 23, 2012","In reality, Americans are not simply able to keep their insurance through thick and thin. Even before the law has taken effect, the rate of forced plan-switching among policyholders every year is substantial, and the CBO figures suggest that the law could increase that rate, at least modestly, even if Americans on balance benefit from the law\u2019s provisions. We rate Obama\u2019s claim Half True."]},{"id":"10363.json","label":"false","statement":"When Disney was looking to build Disney World, they came to Miami and we told Disney to take a hike.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Disney considered building Disney World in Miami and that Miami officials told Disney to \"take a hike.\" In fact, historical records and accounts indicate that Disney World was planned and built in Central Florida, specifically in the Orlando area. The claim that Miami rejected Disney's proposal is a misconception or misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Moss said, \"When Disney was looking to build Disney World, they came to Miami and we told Disney to take a hike.\"","\"When Disney was looking to build Disney World, they came to Miami and we told Disney to take a hike, and they took a hike to Central Florida. You see the economic impact they had on Central Florida. We have a chance to do that with 20th Century Fox in our community,\" he said in a Dec. 19 article.","A battle over whether to turn a swath of trees near the Zoo Miami into an amusement park has touched off a debate about whether Disney decades ago wanted to build in Miami-Dade and whether county officials told Disney \"to take a hike.\"","Time to pull out PolitiFact\u2019s Truth-O-Meter: Did Disney consider Miami-Dade and did county officials tell Disney to go take a hike? Take a wild ride with us as we try to separate the lore from the truth about the twists and turns in the development of Disney World."]},{"id":"4697.json","label":"false","statement":"Gov. Scott Walkers plan to freeze pay for state employees includes a 5.4 percent raise for himself.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Governor Scott Walker's plan to freeze pay for state employees includes a 5.4 percent raise for himself. The sources mentioned in the evidence do not provide any information or verification regarding a pay raise for Governor Walker. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The reaction to Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s state employee pay plan, which calls for no pay raises for state workers for the next two years, fell along party lines.","There\u2019s little doubt about where Gov. Scott Walker is coming from when it comes to public employees and the size of state government.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Bloggers say Gov. Scott Walker is taking a pay raise while freezing salaries for state workers,\" Oct. 28, 2011","Another blog, Uppity Wisconsin, made a similar claim, saying Walker \"clearly thinks the hard-working, ultra-efficient, super-effective guy who's Wisconsin governor (that would be him, as defined by him) deserves a significant pay raise -- a 5.4 percent raise.\""]},{"id":"10076.json","label":"false","statement":"As district attorney, Susan Happ took $180,000 in a shady land deal from a man charged with multiple felony counts of sexual assault before she offered him a deferred prosecution.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely suggests that Susan Happ, as district attorney, personally took $180,000 from a man charged with multiple felony counts of sexual assault before offering him a deferred prosecution. The evidence provided clarifies that the land deal in question was not directly related to the criminal case, and the money was not taken by Happ herself. Additionally, the deferred prosecution deal was handled by one of Happ's assistant district attorneys, Monica Hall. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Republican Party said, \"As district attorney, Susan Happ took $180,000\" in a \"shady\" land deal \"from a man charged with multiple felony counts of sexual assault before she offered him a deferred prosecution.\"","\"As district attorney, Susan Happ took $180,000 from a man charged with multiple felony counts of sexual assault before she offered him a deferred prosecution.\"","Indeed, the claim makes it sound like Happ \"took\" $180,000 from a defendant after he was charged, then recommended light punishment for him.","The GOP also says Happ offered Reynolds a deferred prosecution deal. The deal was made by her office, but court records show that the case was assigned to and handled by one of her assistant DAs, Monica Hall."]},{"id":"13516.json","label":"false","statement":"In Wisconsin, 300,000 voters were turned away by the states strict voter ID law in the 2016 presidential election.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that a federal judge determined that around 300,000 registered voters in Wisconsin lacked the necessary photo identification to comply with the state's voter ID law, there is no evidence to support the claim that 300,000 voters were turned away from the polls in the 2016 presidential election due to the voter ID law. The fact-checking sources indicate that the number of voters turned away for lack of a proper photo ID was not anywhere near that figure. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Tens of thousands of times, Twitter users repeated this statement: In Wisconsin, \"300,000 voters were turned away by the state\u2019s strict voter ID law\" in the 2016 presidential election.","Trump won Wisconsin by 27,000 votes. 300,000 voters were turned away by the state\u2019s strict Voter ID law. There is your \"rigged\" election.","But on a claim closer to Baldwin\u2019s, we rated False tweets that said \"300,000 voters were turned away\" by Wisconsin\u2019s voter ID law in the 2016 presidential election. A federal judge had determined that some 300,000 registered voters lacked the necessary ID to vote, but there was no evidence that anywhere near that number of people were turned away from the polls.","A federal judge in 2014 determined in a civil rights lawsuit that some 300,000 registered voters in Wisconsin lack the photo identification necessary to comply with Wisconsin\u2019s voter ID law. But there is no evidence that anywhere near that number of people were turned away from the polls in the 2016 presidential election for lack of a proper photo ID."]},{"id":"9543.json","label":"true","statement":"Dan Patrick was the only state senator who voted against the Veteran Entrepreneurship Program, a program that assists veterans in successfully starting up their own businesses.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that Dan Patrick was the only state senator who voted against the Veteran Entrepreneurship Program. The Texas Senate Journal confirms that Patrick voted against the proposal related to the creation of the program, and he also voted against preliminary and final approval of the measure. The program aims to assist veterans in starting their own businesses by providing outreach functions and improving awareness of federal and state benefits and services. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In her speech, Van de Putte declared she\u2019s watched Patrick\u2019s Senate votes. \"I mean,\" Van de Putte said, \"Dan was the only vote, the only one in the entire Senate who voted against the Veteran Entrepreneurship Program, a program that assists veterans in successfully starting up their own businesses. That\u2019s not putting Texas first.\"","Emails (excerpted) and telephone interview, Duncan McGhee, program manager, Veteran Entrepreneur Program, Texas Veterans Commission, June 30 and July 2, 2014","On Van de Putte\u2019s behalf, Manny Garcia, a Texas Democratic Party spokesman, pointed out by email that according to the state\u2019s Senate Journal, which tracks Senate actions, Patrick voted April 18, 2013, against approval of a proposal related to the creation of the veteran entrepreneur program by the Texas Veterans Commission. According to the journal, Patrick asked to be recorded as voting against even taking up Senate Bill 1476. Patrick then voted against preliminary and final approval of the measure, according to the entry, which advanced to the House by a 29-1 margin; one senator was absent, according to the journal.","The proposal, signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry, required the Texas Veterans Commission to establish the \"veteran entrepreneur program to perform outreach functions to improve veteran entrepreneurs' and business owners' awareness of federal and state benefits and services,\" according to an analysis by the Texas Senate Research Center."]},{"id":"7672.json","label":"false","statement":"Proposed immigration legislation would give new immigrants a taxpayer-funded cellular phone.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that proposed immigration legislation would provide taxpayer-funded cellular phones for new immigrants is not supported by credible evidence. The original source of this claim was a misinterpretation of a public safety program aimed at enhancing border security, not providing cell phones to immigrants. PolitiFact has already debunked this claim as false. It's important to verify information from reliable sources before making such assertions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bloggers charge that new immigration legislation includes \"a taxpayer funded cellular phone\" for new immigrants. Their evidence is based on something else entirely: a public safety program aimed at beefing up border security.","\"According to the newly filed bill, immigrants who are allowed to enter the United States under a work visa, will be \u2018granted\u2019 a taxpayer funded cellular phone,\" it continued.","PolitiFact previously examined a claim by bloggers that proposed immigration legislation would give away taxpayer-funded cell phones. We ruled that claim False. That referred to grants aimed at helping American ranchers and others in remote locations along the border get satellite phone service so they can be in touch with authorities.","An amendment by Sanders to the immigration bill would provide a youth jobs program that includes the possibility of transportation and child care services. That prompted conservative news outlets to make claims such as, \"New Immigration bill has taxpayer subsidized Obamacars for youths.\""]},{"id":"11594.json","label":"false","statement":"Illegal immigrants mow the grass around the (Texas) Capitol.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that illegal immigrants mow the grass around the Texas Capitol. The statement appears to be based on a Facebook comment, which is not a reliable source of information. It is important to rely on verified and credible sources when making claims about specific activities or individuals. Without substantial evidence, this claim should be considered unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Illegal immigrants mow the grass around the Capitol,\" said a Facebook comment posted Nov. 10, 2015, in reaction to the Austin American-Statesman \u2019s summary of the paper\u2019s Nov. 5, 2015, news story about Abbott telling Texas sheriffs he might withhold criminal justice grant aid if they don\u2019t fully comply with federal requests for detaining \"criminal immigrants\" held in their jails.","Biden \"has been secretly flying illegal immigrants into communities across the country in the middle of the night,\" his ad on Facebook and Instagram claimed.","Republicans campaigning for office are running ads that hammer President Joe Biden\u2019s management of the U.S.-Mexico border. They claim that the administration is using planes to fly \"illegal immigrants\" around the country.","\u201cIn the last several months, the Biden administration has released over 7,000 illegal aliens who were COVID positive just in one Texas city.\u201d Biden's border policies are \"endangering not just the people of Texas, but people all across the country.\""]},{"id":"8544.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Obama, the national debt has been reduced every year for the last five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that the annual budget deficit has decreased during Obama's presidency, the national debt has not been reduced every year for the last five years. The national debt has continued to increase throughout Obama's tenure, reaching over $18 trillion. The reduction in the budget deficit does not equate to a reduction in the national debt. It is important to distinguish between the two concepts, as the national debt represents the cumulative amount of deficits over time. \nLabel: false","evidence":["At that point, the budget gap topped a trillion bucks and Republican congressmen called out Obama because the deficit had been reduced by just 15 percent.","And his claim dovetails with one PolitiFact National checked in July 2013, rating True Obama\u2019s claim that the deficit is falling at the fastest rate in 60 years.","The country\u2019s annual deficit is the difference between what the government collects in revenues and spends in one year. The national debt, which exceeds $18 trillion, is the net of annual deficits minus any annual surpluses.","Still, the national debt is projected to keep increasing. The amount of added debt held by the public may exceed Obama\u2019s predecessors by October 2013, according to White House projections."]},{"id":"6641.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 1961 our private economy has produced 66 million private-sector jobs. So whats the jobs score? Republicans 24 million, Democrats 42 (million).","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by former President Bill Clinton that since 1961, the private economy has generated 66 million private-sector jobs, with 24 million jobs created during Republican administrations and 42 million jobs created during Democratic administrations. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as true by PolitiFact. It's important to note that these numbers are based on historical data and should not be interpreted as a direct comparison of job creation under each political party's administration, as various factors can influence job growth during different time periods.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 1961 \u2026 our private economy has produced 66 million private-sector jobs. So what's the jobs score? Republicans 24 million, Democrats 42 (million).\"","\"Since 1961, for 52 years now, the Republicans have held the White House 28 years, the Democrats 24,\" Clinton said. \"In those 52 years, our private economy has produced 66 million private-sector jobs. So what's the jobs score? Republicans 24 million, Democrats 42 (million).\" In the packed convention hall, it was one of the night\u2019s biggest applause lines.","The Clinton family love these comparisons, by the way. In 2015, PolitiFact ruled Mostly True claims from Hillary Clinton a claim that ,\"Under Republicans, recessions happen four times as frequently as under Democrats,\" and another that, \"The stock market does better when you have a Democratic president in the White House.\" At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, former President Bill Clinton had this statement rated True: \"Since 1961 \u2026 our private economy has produced 66 million private-sector jobs. So what's the jobs score? Republicans 24 million, Democrats 42 (million).\"","Private sector jobs cover workers not employed by the federal government, a state, city or county. Of the roughly 130 million Americans who currently hold jobs counted by BLS, about 83 percent of them, or 107.8 million, worked in the private sector last month."]},{"id":"2847.json","label":"true","statement":"The law, right now, permits companies that close down American factories and offices and move those jobs overseas to take a tax deduction for the costs associated with moving the jobs to China or India or wherever.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the current provision in the tax code that allows companies to take a tax deduction for the costs associated with moving jobs overseas. This deduction applies to expenses related to closing down American factories and offices and relocating jobs to other countries such as China or India. The provision has been criticized by some for incentivizing offshoring and has been a subject of debate and proposed reforms.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The proposal, he said, \"would close some really perverse loopholes in the tax code that, right now, reward American companies for moving American jobs overseas. The law, right now, permits companies that close down American factories and offices and move those jobs overseas to take a tax deduction for the costs associated with moving the jobs to China or India or wherever.\"","Deductions for business costs. Some Democrats are steamed that businesses closing U.S. operations can deduct the closing costs as standard business expenses. \"The law, right now, permits companies that close down American factories and offices and move those jobs overseas to take a tax deduction for the costs associated with moving the jobs to China or India or wherever,\" said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., last year.","Absolutely, said Thea Lee, deputy chief of staff of the AFL-CIO, a 12-million member labor organization that opposes offshoring. \"You can take a business deduction for the costs associated with moving the job. So if you close down your factory in Providence, pack everything up and have to train the workers and ship the machinery overseas, all the costs associated with that are tax deductions,\" she said.",", \"Whitehouse: We Must Stop Companies From Moving American Jobs Overseas( \"Whitehouse: We Must Stop Companies From Moving American Jobs Overseas\"),\" Sept. 27, 2010, accessed Nov. 16, 2010"]},{"id":"3582.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A DWI costs $17,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement that a DWI costs $17,000 is not entirely accurate. While it is true that some DWI cases can result in significant financial costs, the research on which the billboard was based does not justify the flat statement that every DWI costs $17,000. The actual average cost reported by the study approaches $19,200, but the figure was reduced to $17,000 to account for the fact that not everyone will pay the maximum amount. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the complex range of costs associated with DWI cases and does not accurately represent the full picture.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["He said too that the $17,000 figure also didn\u2019t include lost income, counseling charges and alternate transportation modes. \"However you choose to look at it, a DWI conviction is expensive, whether we believe it\u2019s $17,000, or you prefer another price. If only one person pays $17,000 for a DWI, saying DWI costs $17,000 is a true statement,\" Nash said.","So, how to park this puppy? Our conclusion is the research on which the billboard was based doesn\u2019t justify the flat statement that a DWI costs $17,000. Still, it\u2019s undisputed that some DWI cases can cost defendants a bundle--presumably including costs sometimes adding up to $17,000. We rate the statement Barely True.","Along Austin\u2019s Barton Springs Road, home to a stretch of restaurants and drinking establishments, we spotted this head-wrencher on a billboard March 16: \"A DWI costs $17,000.\"","Robert Nash, spokesman for the Matthews' firm, said by e-mail the billboard figure was based on an average of the highest costs for a DWI reported in each of the six studied regions. The actual average approaches $19,200. But \"we decided to reduce the amount to $17,000 since not everyone will pay the maximum,\" Nash said."]},{"id":"4505.json","label":"true","statement":"We have 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the Social Security System's Annual Performance Plan, approximately 10,000 baby boomers are expected to file for retirement benefits each day over the next 20 years. This statistic is consistent with the data and calculations presented in the evidence. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We have 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day. It\u2019s time for us to get serious about ensuring that these programs are going to be there for them.\"","Appearing on CNBC April 27, Cantor, R-Va., said \"you\u2019ve got each day 10,000 new seniors, baby boomers, becoming eligible for the entitlement programs. Ten thousand a day.\"","According to the Social Security System\u2019s Annual Performance Plan for Fiscal Year 2012: \"Nearly 80 million baby boomers will file for retirement benefits over the next 20 years \u2013 an average of 10,000 per day.\" That bears out the statistic cited by Boehner.","If you divide 79.6 million by 19 years (the number remaining until 2030), then divide that by 365 days, you get a daily average of 11,476 people turning 65. Although not everyone in that age group will live to reach age 65, the amount who will end up retiring each day could significantly exceed Boehner\u2019s 10,000 per day figure."]},{"id":"2475.json","label":"false","statement":"The Wisconsin Legislature raised taxes more than $5 billion in 2009.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Wisconsin Legislature raised taxes and fees in 2009, the total amount falls significantly short of the claimed $5 billion. The evidence suggests that the tax and fee increases amounted to approximately $3.14 billion, which is significantly lower than the stated amount. Therefore, the statement that taxes were raised more than $5 billion in 2009 is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Walker campaign\u2019s policy director, Ryan Murray, defended Kleefisch\u2019s statement. He agreed that the two major actions taken by the Legislature in 2009 raised taxes and fees by $3.14 billion. But, to get past the $5 billion threshold, Murray added a $1.5 billion boost in net property taxes and $130.4 million more from \"enhanced collection measures.\"","In emphasizing that taxes are too high, Kleefish overstated by nearly $2 billion how much taxes were raised in 2009 by the Legislature and Gov. Jim Doyle. That\u2019s no rounding error. The Walker-Kleefisch campaign, in an attempt to get past the $5 billion threshold Kleefisch set, adds in property taxes, which are ultimately set at the local level, and then throws in redoubled efforts to collect existing taxes. We rate Kleefish\u2019s statement False.","\"The Florida Legislature raised taxes and fees by almost $2 billion\" in the 2009 legislative session, Justice claimed in a press release. He said the new taxes fell disproportionately on the middle class and that lawmakers should end exemptions to the sales tax and corporate income tax that \"cater to corporate special interests.\"","The Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the nonpartisan numbers cruncher of the state Legislature, said the Legislature raised taxes and fees twice in 2009. Kleefisch\u2019s statement mentioned only taxes, but for simplicity we will include fees here. The hikes were done in a budget-adjustment bill approved in February and in the 2009-\u201911 state budget, adopted in June."]},{"id":"6727.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Fifty percent of kids coming out of school cant get a job.","reason":"Reason: While the statement made by Romney is not entirely accurate, it does reflect a concerning trend in the employment situation for recent graduates. The fact-check reveals that about a quarter of recent college graduates are unable to find a job, while another quarter have found employment that does not require a college degree. Therefore, the actual percentage of college graduates who cannot find a job directly related to their degree is lower than the stated 50%. However, it is important to acknowledge that the employment prospects for college graduates have indeed been challenging in recent years. A more accurate phrasing of the claim would be that \"half the kids coming out of college this year can't find a job, or a job that's consistent with a college degree.\"\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We\u2019re checking several statements from Romney\u2019s remarks on May 17, 2012, but here we\u2019re asking whether, \"Fifty percent of kids coming out of school can't get a job.\"","> \"The best success I have at speaking with those people is saying, you know, the president has been a disappointment. He told you he'd keep unemployment below 8 percent. Hasn't been below eight percent since. Fifty percent of kids coming out of school can't get a job. Fifty percent. Fifty percent of the kids in high school in our 50 largest cities won't graduate from high school. What're they gonna do? These are the kinds of things that I can say to that audience that they nod their head and say, \u2018Yeah, I think you're right.\u2019\"","Romney told campaign donors that \"50 percent of kids coming out of school can't get a job.\" He missed a key qualifier -- according to the research, about a quarter of recent college grads literally can\u2019t find a job, while another quarter have found a job, but one that doesn\u2019t require a college degree. Still, the research shows the employment picture for college grads is grimmer than at any time in more than a decade. We rate the claim Mostly True.","Romney would have been more accurate if he had phrased his claim the way he did on other occasions, when he said \"half the kids coming out of college this year \u2026 can't find a job, or a job that's consistent with a college degree.\""]},{"id":"8223.json","label":"true","statement":"Americans spend more than $160 billion and 6 billion hours per year complying with the tax code.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and statements confirm that Americans do indeed spend more than $160 billion and 6 billion hours annually to comply with the federal tax code. These figures have been cited by various individuals and organizations advocating for tax code reform. The evidence supports the statement's accuracy.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Sen. Ron Wyden says Americans spend more than 6 billion hours and $160 billion to comply with federal tax laws&url=)","To sum up, U.S. Rep Tom Price said Americans are spending more than $160 billion and 6 billion hours each year complying with the federal tax code. The figures have been repeated by multiple interests seeking a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code.","Americans spend 6.1 billion hours a year complying with tax law. It costs us $163 billion to comply with our tax laws annually.","PolitiFact Oregon, \" Sen. Ron Wyden says Americans spend more than 6 billion hours and $160 billion to comply with federal tax laws,\" Charles Pope, Feb. 5, 2011"]},{"id":"2490.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When each faced a pension funding crisis, Tom Barrett made tough choices and smart cuts while Scott Walker passed $400 million in pension debt to the next generation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the contrasting approaches taken by Tom Barrett and Scott Walker in addressing pension funding crises. Tom Barrett is credited with making tough choices and implementing smart cuts to address the crisis, while Scott Walker is criticized for passing $400 million in pension debt to future generations. However, it's important to note that this statement focuses solely on their actions regarding pension debt and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of their overall fiscal policies or the broader context of their respective tenures.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["With the endorsement from a national police union as the backdrop, Democratic recall challenger Tom Barrett attacked Republican Gov. Scott Walker as a threat to officers and public safety.","2. The $76 million in cuts Walker\u2019s 2011-13 budget made in state aid to local municipal governments. Known as \"shared revenue,\" it is general aid that can go for various programs, including police and fire.","He said he considers it drastic to cut $76 million from shared revenue because some of that money could have helped police agencies meet demand for service. That was a 9 percent cut, according to state figures, the largest in at least a decade.","Pettit told us the repeal of that protection was a concern for chiefs, but he has not heard that its removal had led to inappropriate funding cuts in police operations."]},{"id":"10049.json","label":"false","statement":"The unemployment rate for young people is down from a 10.6 percent high in 2009 to 2.6 percent today.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While it is true that the unemployment rate for young people has decreased since 2009, it is not accurate to claim that it has dropped to 2.6 percent. The evidence provided indicates that the unemployment rate for young people in 2009 was 10.6 percent, but it does not provide any data for the current unemployment rate. Therefore, without updated information, it is not possible to determine the current unemployment rate for young people accurately. \nLabel: false","evidence":["The first lady said: \"The unemployment rate for young people is down from a 10.6 percent high in 2009 to 2.6 percent today.\"","But has the rate for young people dropped eight full points -- to just 2.6 percent -- in the past five years?","In February 2009, Obama\u2019s first full month in office, the unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent. It had been 7.8 percent the month before. The unemployment rate rose sharply to a high of 10 percent by that October.","But even if 6.2 percent was the rate she meant to cite, the age group of the young people she talked about still wasn\u2019t clear."]},{"id":"4344.json","label":"false","statement":"Public-employee unions spent $30 million in Wisconsin unsuccessfully trying to flip the state Senate to Democratic control.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. According to the evidence provided, the estimated spending by pro-Democrat groups in their effort to win a majority in the state Senate was between $20 million and $30 million. However, this evidence does not specifically mention public-employee unions as the sole source of this spending. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the spending was unsuccessful, but it does not specify that the goal was to flip the state Senate to Democratic control. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the evidence and is not supported by the information provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Analysis from our political folks in Wisconsin suggests that when all is said and done, pro-Democrat groups will have spent between $20 (million) and $30 million on their failed effort to win a majority in the state Senate,\" said Ryan Mahoney of the RNC.","\"I don\u2019t think he should be worried at all, and if the public employee unions want to flush another $30 million down the toilet, and then allow Scott Walker to be even stronger and win a recall election \u2026 then they should go ahead and do it, because the $30 million they flushed down the toilet will be $30 million they don\u2019t have for other races. So, hey, go for it.\"","Of course, Priebus on MSNBC limited his claim to the public unions -- and said a flat $30 million. So there are already problems with his claim.","Looking just at the publicly disclosed money, Republican candidates and pro-GOP groups spent about $3.5 million compared to the $17.6 million on the other side, according to official figures compiled by the Democracy Campaign."]},{"id":"7932.json","label":"false","statement":"There are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the U.K., compared to 466 violent crimes per 100,000 in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the meme claims that there are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the U.K., compared to 466 violent crimes per 100,000 in the United States, this claim has been debunked. The comparison of crime rates between the two countries is not valid due to differences in how the statistics are collected. Criminologists have stated that it is impossible to make a truly accurate and meaningful comparison. Additionally, the International Crime Victims Survey data shows that the U.S. has higher rates of robbery, assaults, and threats compared to England and Wales. Therefore, the statement in the meme is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The meme said \"there are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the U.K.,\" compared to \"466 violent crimes per 100,000\" in the United States. Our preliminary attempt to make an apples-to-apples comparison shows a much smaller difference in violent crime rates between the two countries, but criminologists say differences in how the statistics are collected make it impossible to produce a truly valid comparison. We rate the claim False.","The meme said: \"There are over 2,000 crimes recorded per 100,000 population in the U.K., making it the most violent place in Europe. Austria is second, with a rate of 1,677 per 100,000 people, followed by Sweden, Belgium, Finland and Holland. By comparison, America has an estimated rate of 466 violent crimes per 100,000. \u2026 So hey, Europe, how \u2018bout you shut the #%email protected up about gun control?\"","For the United States, we used the FBI\u2019s four standard categories for violent crime that Bier cited. We came up with a rate of 383 violent crimes per 100,000 people.","The International Crime Victims Survey, conducted by an arm of the United Nations most recently in 2005, shows the difference between reported crime and all crimes committed by conducting polls that ask people if they've been victims of specific crimes. Polling data showed that England and Wales had 2,600 cases of robbery per 100,000 population and 8,100 cases of \"assaults and threats\" per 100,000. While those figures are even higher than the meme suggested, the U.S levels are also much higher -- 1,100 cases of robbery and 8,300 cases of assaults and threats per 100,000. And the rate of sexual assault is actually about 50 percent higher in the United States than it is in England and Wales. So this data set doesn\u2019t support the thrust of the meme, either."]},{"id":"11490.json","label":"false","statement":"Most Americans are now getting their news from Facebook.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence suggests that more Americans are using social media in 2020, including Facebook, but it does not indicate that most Americans are getting their news specifically from Facebook. While social media platforms like Facebook can be a source of news for some individuals, it is important to consider that traditional news sources such as television, radio, and online news outlets still play a significant role in news consumption for many Americans. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Some people are going to die from the vaccine directly. But a large number of people are going to start getting horribly sick and get all kinds of autoimmune diseases.\"","Amid a presidential election, a global pandemic and nationwide unrest, more Americans are using social media in 2020 than ever before.","Pages and domains that repeatedly share False or Altered content may see their distribution reduced and their ability to monetize revoked. Some may also lose their ability to register as a news page on Facebook.","A lot of that growth came as Americans were told to stay in their homes and social distance to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But while social media may help people stay connected during the pandemic, it can also serve as a vehicle for misinformation."]},{"id":"9056.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Were at the point of reaching 2 million deportations ...this is a historic level, more than any other president of the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Janet Murgu\u00eda, president of the National Council of La Raza, that the number of deportations under President Obama had reached a historic level of 2 million, surpassing any other president. This claim is supported by data from the Department of Homeland Security and the Migration Policy Institute. However, it's important to note that while Obama's deportation numbers were high, they were not the highest in history. Previous presidents, such as George W. Bush, oversaw more deportations overall. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate in terms of the number of deportations under Obama but incorrect in claiming that it surpasses any other president in history.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019re at the point of reaching 2 million deportations ... this is a historic level, more than any other president of the United States.\"","\"The truth is we\u2019re at the point of reaching 2 million deportations,\" said Janet Murgu\u00eda, National Council of La Raza president, in an interview PolitiFact translated from Spanish. \"For us, this is a historic level, more than any other president of the United States. Our community is in crisis, and this isn\u2019t acceptable.\"","The MPI report defines deportation as \"a general, nontechnical term describing the movement of a noncitizen out of the United States through either a formal removal or a return.\" The Department of Homeland Security defines deportation as \"the formal removal of an alien from the United States when the alien has been found removable for violating the immigration laws.\"","On average, Obama is outpacing Bush by year. But since Obama hasn\u2019t yet served two full terms, Bush has still overseen more deportations than any other president. Because ICE data is a year ahead of this chart, we can see how Murgu\u00eda pegged Obama\u2019s deportations at closer to 2 million."]},{"id":"11961.json","label":"false","statement":"If it werent for me (illegal immigration) wouldnt even be a big subject.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump that illegal immigration \"wouldn't even be a big subject\" if it weren't for him is not accurate. Illegal immigration was already a significant topic of discussion before Trump's announcement of his presidential campaign. It was a prominent issue during the 2016 presidential race, with various candidates discussing it extensively. Trump's claim that he single-handedly brought attention to the issue is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump\u2019s campaign: Trump said illegal immigration \"wasn\u2019t a subject that was on anybody\u2019s mind until I brought it up at my announcement.\" Actually, immigration was a topic before Trump announced, and the issue came up just as often before he announced as after. We rated this claim False.","Alex Nowrasteh, an immigration policy analyst at the libertarian Cato Institute, said FAIR\u2019s 2017 report was \"fatally flawed.\" It undercounted immigrants\u2019 tax revenues, inflated the number of immigrants in the country illegally, counted millions of U.S. citizens as illegally in the United States, and used a method of estimating fiscal costs \"that is rejected by all economists who work on this subject,\" he said.","Trump has previously touched on the country\u2019s fiscal burden from illegal immigration. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he claimed that \"illegal immigration costs our country more than $113 billion a year.\" That was Mostly False.","From statements about \"anchor babies\" to deportation data, illegal immigration has been one of the hottest topics of the 2016 presidential race."]},{"id":"2463.json","label":"false","statement":"A $300 million stimulus allocation to Wisconsin has led to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs in every corner of this state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Senator Nelson claimed that a $300 million stimulus allocation led to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs in Wisconsin, the evidence shows that the actual number of jobs created or saved from that initial allotment was just over 1,200. The broader figure of 63,000 jobs refers to all stimulus money given to the state, not specifically the $300 million allocation mentioned by Nelson. Therefore, the statement significantly exaggerates the impact of the stimulus funds on job creation in Wisconsin.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I have a track record of dealing with tough budgets as a vehicle, as a means to get people back to work,\" Nelson said in a radio interview that aired a week before his Sept. 14 primary win. \"And we were one of the first states in the country to pass and to implement a statewide stimulus that has led to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs in every corner of this state.\"","So, for Nelson\u2019s \"tens of thousands\" of jobs statement to be correct, that $300 million would have to have created at least 20,000 jobs.","Nelson stated that an initial $300 million in stimulus money for road projects created tens of thousands of jobs in Wisconsin. As evidence, he turns to much broader measures -- jobs created or saved, all stimulus spending, the state budget and stimulus money. But the actual jobs figure from the initial allotment barely exceeds 1,200 -- and even that is a mix of jobs created and jobs saved.","The first talking point refers to jobs created or saved, when Nelson\u2019s comment referred only to jobs created. What\u2019s more, the 63,000 figure is based on all stimulus money given to the state as of August 2010, not the initial $300 million Nelson originally cited."]},{"id":"1947.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Langevin has been the most reliable vote for Speaker Pelosi.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Langevin has been the most reliable vote for Speaker Pelosi is not accurate. There is evidence that eight other representatives have been more reliable votes for Speaker Pelosi than Langevin. While Langevin may have voted with his party a significant percentage of the time, it is incorrect to claim that he has been the most reliable vote for Speaker Pelosi.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We were interested in two elements: Has Langevin voted the party line as often as Zaccaria says, and has he been \"the most reliable vote for Speaker Pelosi?\" We deal with the Pelosi claim in a separate item.","Langevin may be a very reliable vote for Pelosi, but it was VERY easy to discover that eight other representatives were more reliable.","\"Mr. Langevin is right that people are tired of partisan politics,\" Zaccaria said. \"But I find it laughable that he would describe himself as 'non-partisan.' Langevin has been the most reliable vote for Speaker Pelosi, voting the party line about 98 percent of the time. If he doesn't see that as being partisan, then he is delusional. Rhode Island cannot afford to allow Mr. Langevin and Speaker Pelosi to continue to put people out of work and drive businesses out of this country while catering to their special interests.\"","Republican Mark Zaccaria, a candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, has challenged Democratic U.S. Rep. James Langevin\u2019s claim, made in a Providence Journal story, that he is non-partisan. Zaccaria says that Langevin votes with his party \u201cabout 98 percent of the time\u201d and \u201chas been the most reliable vote\u201d for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi."]},{"id":"541.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama \"extended health care for wounded troops who'd been neglected.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. President Barack Obama did take steps to extend health care for wounded troops who had been neglected. His administration implemented various measures and legislation aimed at improving health care services for veterans, including the Affordable Care Act, which expanded access to health care for many individuals, including veterans. However, it's important to note that the statement may imply a more direct and exclusive role for Obama in this accomplishment than is warranted. The efforts to improve health care for wounded troops involved multiple stakeholders and were not solely attributed to Obama. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["For his statement that he \"extended health care for wounded troops who'd been neglected,\" the campaign points to a couple of pieces of legislation.","Later in the ad, Obama says, \"I passed laws moving people from welfare to work, cut taxes for working families and extended health care for wounded troops who'd been neglected.\"","If Obama had said he had helped extend health care for wounded veterans who'd been neglected, we would have given him a better rating. But he phrased his accomplishment to take more of the credit than that. Missing the vote on the 2008 bill does not help his case. For all of these reasons, we find his statement Half True.","!President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law. !President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law."]},{"id":"425.json","label":"false","statement":"Democrats' budget resolution would raise America's tax bill by \"$500-billion.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that both Biden and Cruz mentioned the figure of $500 billion in relation to tax compliance, it is important to note that this figure is not directly related to the Democrats' budget resolution. The $500 billion figure refers to the amount spent on tax compliance annually, not the tax increase proposed by the Democrats. The Democrats' budget resolution may include provisions for tax increases, but the specific amount mentioned in the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"They didn\u2019t tell you why they are eviscerating all these efforts to help the working and middle class people of America,\" Biden said. \"They are doing it all in the service of massive tax cuts for the very wealthy \u2026 $500 billion of the extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy goes to 120,000 families. Hear what I just said! One-half trillion dollars will go to 120,000 American families!\"","\"Every year we spend roughly $500 billion on tax compliance. That is roughly the budget of our entire military, entirely wasted on tax compliance.\"","Cruz said: \"Every year we spend roughly $500 billion on tax compliance. That is roughly the budget of our entire military, entirely wasted on tax compliance.\"","Evers did plan to raise taxes by $1 billion, although his plan would have included tax cuts for lower-income Wisconsinites. And Republicans did include the largest tax cut in history in their version of the budget that passed in July."]},{"id":"595.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama wants to \"restore\" the estate tax that George W. Bush \"repealed.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. George W. Bush did not repeal the estate tax during his presidency. The estate tax, also known as the \"death tax,\" was not repealed but rather underwent changes in its rates and exemptions under the Bush administration. Barack Obama, during his presidency, proposed changes to the estate tax, aiming to restore it to previous levels. However, it is important to note that the estate tax has been a subject of ongoing debate and has undergone revisions by multiple administrations, including both Republican and Democratic presidents.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"10802.json","label":"false","statement":"There are more young black males involved in the criminal justice system than there are in higher education.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Carson is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there are significant challenges faced by young black males in the criminal justice system, the claim that there are more young black males involved in the criminal justice system than in higher education is not supported by the evidence. The evidence suggests that Carson's claim is based on a misinterpretation of the data, as it refers to all adult black males in the criminal justice system rather than specifically focusing on the 18 to 24 age group. Additionally, using arrests as a measure of involvement in the criminal justice system can be misleading, as not all arrests lead to criminal charges or convictions. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Carson stated: \"There are more young black males involved in the criminal justice system than there are in higher education,\" later saying he was referring to the 18 to 24 age group.","\"Many have said the young black male in America is an endangered species. Why do they say that?\" Carson continued. \"Because of the high homicide rate, particularly in our large, inner cities; because there are more young black males involved in the criminal justice system than there are in higher education.\"","But that rating doesn\u2019t help Carson\u2019s claim, given that the figures pertained to all adult black males in the criminal justice system, rather than young ones.","Aside from that, there\u2019s also an issue with using arrests as a definition for being involved in the criminal justice system. There\u2019s no dispute that someone who is in jail or prison, or is on probation or parole, is involved in the system. But many arrests go away without any criminal charges being filed. And not all charges result in convictions."]},{"id":"9299.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A small majority of Americans dont think they like the Affordable Care Act, but a large majority of Americans dont want to do away with the protections that are in the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton that while a small majority of Americans may not like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a large majority of Americans do not want to eliminate the protections provided by the ACA. This is supported by polling data that indicates a majority of Americans support the key provisions of the ACA, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and allowing young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plans. It is important to note that the statement refers to the general sentiment among Americans and does not provide specific numbers or percentages.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"A small majority of Americans don\u2019t think they like the Affordable Care Act, but a large majority of Americans don\u2019t want to do away with the protections that are in the Affordable Care Act.\"","Clinton said, \"A small majority of Americans don\u2019t think they like the Affordable Care Act, but a large majority of Americans don\u2019t want to do away with the protections that are in the Affordable Care Act.\"","\"There have been many complaints and concerns about the Affordable Care Act, but I\u2019ve been struck by the polling I\u2019ve been reading, because it tells the same story,\" she said. \"A small majority of Americans don\u2019t think they like the Affordable Care Act, but a large majority of Americans don\u2019t want to do away with the protections that are in the Affordable Care Act. A small majority wants to repeal it, but that is slowly receding as a rising majority says, \u2018No, fix it.\u2019 This is the tradition of good, old-fashioned American pragmatism.\"","But what about Clinton\u2019s claim that most Americans want to keep Affordable Care Act protections, even if they don\u2019t like the law itself? Clinton didn\u2019t return our request for comment, but we found her analysis to be on target."]},{"id":"10026.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott signed laws requiring mandatory ultrasounds and restricting access to abortion even in cases of rape or incest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Crist's ad that Rick Scott signed laws requiring mandatory ultrasounds and restricting access to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. The evidence provided confirms that Scott did sign a law (HB 1047) in 2014 that changed the timeline for cutting off abortions, which could be interpreted as restricting access. However, it's important to note that the evidence also highlights that cases of rape and incest are rare in abortions, comprising less than one percent. This context provides a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of the law. Overall, the statement is accurate, but it's essential to consider the relative frequency of cases involving rape and incest in the broader context of abortion statistics.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Crist said in an ad that Scott signed \"laws requiring mandatory ultrasounds and restricting access to abortion even in cases of rape or incest.\"","\"After it happened, Rick Scott threw a party back at the mansion. What was he celebrating?\" says the Sept. 30 TV ad. \"This: with a stroke of a pen Scott passed some of the most extreme anti-choice laws in the country. Laws requiring mandatory ultrasounds and restricting access to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.\"","Crist\u2019s ad also says Scott signed a law \"restricting access to abortion even in cases of rape or incest.\" That refers to HB 1047, which Scott signed in 2014 to change the timeline for cutting off abortions.","Rape and incest are rarely cited in abortions, according to state data. In 2013 there were about 73,000 abortions -- two were in cases of incest and about 272 due to rape -- so combined that equals less than one percent."]},{"id":"7375.json","label":"true","statement":"Our economy actually shrank during the last three months of 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which reported a decline in GDP by 0.1 percent during the final quarter of 2012. This decline marked the first quarterly decrease in GDP since the second quarter of 2009. While it's important to note that one quarter's worth of data does not necessarily indicate a long-term trend, the statement itself is factually correct.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Economic growth is the best way to help the middle class,\" Rubio said during the Feb. 12, 2013,response. \"Unfortunately, our economy actually shrank during the last three months of 2012.\"","It\u2019s too early to say whether the fourth-quarter decline in GDP represents a reversal of economic fortune or just a blip, so it\u2019s prudent not to place too much weight on one quarter\u2019s worth of data. But we have no quarrel with the way Rubio phrased it -- that the economy \"actually shrank during the last three months of 2012.\" We rate his statement True.","On Jan. 30, 2013, the bureau announced that in the final quarter of 2012, GDP shrunk by 0.1 percent -- a small enough decline to prompt the qualifier \"slightly\" in the news release\u2019s headline, yet notable because it represented the first quarterly decline in GDP since the second quarter of 2009, when the economy was shedding hundreds of thousands of jobs per month.","Economists said the data was not necessarily a sign that the economy was heading back into recession, and indeed, within a few days, a different federal agency -- the Bureau of Labor Statistics -- released rosier data on job growth, showing a monthly increase of 157,000 jobs in January, plus upward revisions of two prior months totaling 127,000 jobs."]},{"id":"8997.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 21 million people still suffer slavery today.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Steve McQueen during his Oscar acceptance speech, where he cited the estimate of 21 million people suffering from slavery today. While it is challenging to obtain an exact headcount due to the clandestine nature of modern slavery, the figure is based on a 2012 estimate from the International Labor Organization, a reliable source recognized by the international community. It is important to note that estimates may vary across organizations, but McQueen's statement aligns with the most widely accepted estimate available.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live. This is the most important legacy of Solomon Northup,\" McQueen said. \"I dedicate this award to all the people who have endured slavery. And the 21 million people who still suffer slavery today.\"","In his acceptance speech, McQueen said he dedicated his Oscar to the \"21 million people who still suffer slavery today.\" That figure is based on a 2012 estimate from the International Labor Organization, a United Nations agency. Estimates vary across organizations, and a true headcount is nearly impossible to predict with any certainty. Still, McQueen cited the estimate of the international community\u2019s most reliable source. We rate his statement Mostly True.","\"It's illegal in every country in the world, including ours,\" Corker said on MSNBC\u2019s Morning Joe on Feb. 15, 2017. \"But, today, 27 million people, as we speak on this program, are enslaved.\"","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d"]},{"id":"1393.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Close to half of the folks in this country illegally entered legally (but) overstayed (their ) visas.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rubio is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including a Pew report and a study conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center. These sources indicate that a significant proportion, ranging from 40 to 50 percent, of individuals living in the United States illegally entered the country legally through ports of entry but overstayed their visas. While there may be some variation in estimates, the evidence overall supports Rubio's claim. It is important to note that the statement does not provide an exact figure but rather highlights the substantial number of individuals who entered legally but overstayed their visas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rubio responded that he thinks Republicans need to be the party that supports and promotes legal immigration. Then, he added: \"Close to half of the folks in this country illegally, entered legally (but) overstayed (their) visas,\" Rubio said. \"So we've got to get a hold of this visa program, too.\"","Rubio says close to half of all illegal immigrants entered this country legally but overstayed their visas. Some estimates, by Pew and one by the GAO, support that. But others put the number lower, closer to one-third. The difference between the estimates represents about 2 million people, not an insignificant number. We can't fault Rubio for using the numbers he did. But it seems like adding a little context would be appropriate. We rate Rubio's claim Mostly True.","The Pew report, published in May 2006, indeed concludes that 40 to 50 percent of people living in the United States illegally entered the country legally through ports of entry. The percentages are right in line with what Rubio suggested on the Beck program.","To back Rubio's claim, spokesman Alex Burgos directed us to a 2006 National Public Radio report about illegal immigration. The report, filed from the U.S.-Mexico border in Douglas, Ariz., said that \"nearly half the 12 million people illegally in the country didn't cross the desert or pay a smuggler ... they crossed legally at a point of entry.\" The NPR story points to a study conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center, a group that examines the U.S. Hispanic population."]},{"id":"5348.json","label":"false","statement":"Youre supposed to throw away your shoes ifmercury from a broken CFL light bulb gets on them.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is important to handle a broken CFL light bulb with caution due to the small amount of mercury it contains, there is no specific recommendation or requirement to throw away shoes if mercury from a broken CFL light bulb gets on them. Several state websites and agencies advise cleaning off the shoes or wiping them, but none explicitly recommend throwing them away. It is essential to follow proper cleanup procedures for a broken CFL bulb, but discarding shoes is not a necessary or widely recommended step.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Del. Bob Marshall says \"you're supposed to throw away your shoes\" if a CFL light bulb breaks on them&url=)","We\u2019d hate to needlessly throw away a pair of shoes because a light bulb broke on them. So we decided to see if Marshall was correct.","But CFL bulbs have a tiny fraction of a thermometer\u2019s mercury. None of the agencies specifically advise throwing shoes hit by a broken CFL. Two of the states\u2019 websites say to clean off the shoes. Our quick search found five additional state websites that recommended wiping off the shoes off and not a single state that advised to throw them out. The Environmental Protection Agency offers no shoe advice.","But Mark Shaffer, a spokesman with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, said his state would recommend throwing out shoes even if the smaller amount of mercury from the bulb gets on them."]},{"id":"12161.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysTed Cruz distributed the ad showing a nude Melania Trump on a rug.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Ted Cruz distributed the ad showing a nude Melania Trump on a rug. While Donald Trump accused Cruz of being involved, he admitted that he had no proof to support his claim. The ad in question was actually created by an anti-Trump super PAC, and there is no credible information linking Cruz to its distribution. It is important to rely on factual evidence rather than unsubstantiated accusations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For this fact-check, we'll look at whether Trump is correct that Cruz distributed this Facebook ad containing a nude photograph of Trump's wife.","When Cooper asked Trump if he had any proof that Cruz was behind the ad, Trump said, \"No. Everybody knows he sent it out. He knew the people in the super PAC. He knew. I would be willing to bet he wrote the phrase,\" a reference to the words that accompanied the nude photograph of Mrs. Trump, a model, posed on a rug.","The magazine reprinted that photo, along with other pictures from the shoot, online March 4 under the headline, \"The Future First Lady? Sexy Melania Trump's Nude Photo Shoot.\"","\"Meet Melania Trump, your next first lady,\" the ad said. \"Or, you could support Ted Cruz on Tuesday,\" a reference to the March 22 Utah primary."]},{"id":"13316.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sen. Rob Portman says Ted Strickland earned $400,000 a year as a lobbyist after leaving Ohio for Washington.","reason":"Reason: Senator Rob Portman claimed that Ted Strickland earned $400,000 a year as a lobbyist after leaving Ohio for Washington. While the evidence provided does not directly confirm the specific salary amount, it does support Portman's claim that Strickland worked as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. and made a substantial income. However, without further evidence or specific details about Strickland's salary, it is difficult to verify the exact amount he earned. Therefore, the statement is partially supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"(Strickland) went to Washington, D.C., and he became a lobbyist,\" Portman said. \"He made $400,000 a year. So he wasn\u2019t living on minimum wage, but he was working against the interests of Ohioans, including the people he used to represent.\"","Ohio Sen. Rob Portman has been busy in Washington touting the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act in response to a shocking number of heroin overdoses in Ohio.","There were times during the second debate between Sen. Rob Portman and former Gov. Ted Strickland in which the two politicians quibbled over who\u2019s richer.","Says Ohio\u2019s I-X Center \"used to be a great plant,\" but \"thousands of people of worked here, and they left\" when their jobs were moved overseas."]},{"id":"2575.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Houston suffered $1.7 billion in operating losses under Mayor Bill White.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that Houston's net assets declined by $1.7 billion during Mayor Bill White's tenure, it is important to note that this figure does not solely represent operating losses. Changes in accounting practices and the use of a single private-sector measure to evaluate the city's financial performance make it difficult to conclusively determine the extent of operating losses. Additionally, the concept of operating losses is more applicable to businesses rather than government entities. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the financial situation in Houston during Mayor White's term.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Summing up: The $1.7 billion figure for net operating losses in White's time as mayor has a basis in fact; the city's net assets did decline by that amount on his watch, though changes in accounting practices also drove up the number.","In support of the number, Perry's campaign pointed us to a July report from Citizens for Public Accountability, which calls itself \"a bipartisan group of retired partners of some of Houston's accounting firms.\" The report \u2014 written by Bob Lemer, a retired Ernst & Young accountant who often criticized city finances on White's watch \u2014 is titled \"City of Houston Total Operating Losses Fiscal Years 2004-2009: $1.7 billion.\"","Problematically, using a single private-sector measure to gauge overall financial performance in the public sector doesn't necessarily produce conclusive results. Houston's accumulated \"changes in net assets\" by themselves are an incomplete reflection of the city's fiscal health while White was mayor; the $1.7 billion figure may even be meaningless in this regard.","White spokeswoman Katy Bacon challenged the characterization of the $1.7 billion as an operating loss. \"An operating loss is a business concept, not a government concept,\" she said. Lemer's report distorts \"financial statements that are generated under government accounting standards,\" Bacon said."]},{"id":"304.json","label":"true","statement":"\"If you are African-American in this country today, you are likely to have a net worth of about 10 percent of what white families have.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the significant wealth disparity between African-American and white families in the United States. Various studies and data have consistently shown that African-American households have a significantly lower net worth compared to white households. Factors such as historical racial discrimination, limited access to economic opportunities, and systemic inequalities contribute to this wealth gap. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and reflects the reality of wealth disparities between African-American and white families in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"12344.json","label":"true","statement":"Closing the tobacco loophole would save Missouri taxpayers $50,000,000","reason":"Reason: Closing the tobacco loophole in Missouri would indeed save taxpayers $50 million. By closing the loophole, the state would prevent the loss of revenue from tobacco arbitration and ensure that programs funded by that revenue can be maintained without requiring additional taxpayer funds. Therefore, closing the tobacco loophole would result in significant savings for Missouri taxpayers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["All things being equal, if the bill passes, taxpayers would win no matter what the state does with the money. If it\u2019s spent on services, citizens get the benefit of $50 million worth of services. If the state cuts spending and lowers taxes, they save money when they file their taxes in April.","As part of his campaign to become Missouri\u2019s 56th governor, Chris Koster tweeted a statistic about something he has been working to accomplish during his time as attorney general: closing the tobacco loophole.","We reached out to the Koster campaign to find out what closing the loophole entailed. We heard back from David Turner, a spokesman for the Missouri Democratic Party.","For these programs to be maintained at their initial levels, Turner explained, taxpayers would be forced to cover the money lost in the tobacco arbitration. Gaining the $50 million dollars would allow those programs to remain uncut without costing the taxpayers any additional money."]},{"id":"2998.json","label":"true","statement":"House Speaker Dean Cannon says that freshmen lawmakers account for one-third of the 120-member House, and that two-thirds of the chamber have two years or less experience.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by House Speaker Dean Cannon regarding the composition of the House. According to the evidence provided, one-third of the 120-member House consists of freshmen lawmakers, and approximately two-thirds of the chamber have two years of experience or less. The fact-check confirms the accuracy of these numbers, supporting the claim made by Speaker Cannon.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Cannon pointed out that freshmen lawmakers account for one-third of the 120-member House, and that two-thirds of the chamber have two years or less experience,\" The Buzz wrote, and then quoted Cannon: \"One of the things I'm really focused on is trying to put people where they can best get up to speed and hit the ground running once we start committee meetings in January.\"","So is Cannon correct? He was paraphrased as saying that one-third of the 120-member House are freshmen and two-thirds have two years or less experience. We can split hairs on the experience level of a few of them, but not enough to change his math. We rate this claim True.","Now what about the other part of Cannon\u2019s description, that two-thirds of the members have two years of experience or less? We counted 33 who were elected in 2008, one elected in 2009, and 43 in 2010. That brought our total since 2008 -- two years -- to 77 members, or 64 percent. (Again, if we don\u2019t count the three lawmakers who served previously and easily have more than two years of experience, the percentage drops to 62 percent. Either way, that's close to two-thirds.)","Republican House Speaker Dean Cannon quantified it this way in an interview with the St. Petersburg Times , which was posted on its political blog The Buzz on Dec. 8, 2010. The paragraph starts with a paraphrase:"]},{"id":"6205.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States has the best health care delivery system in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While certain aspects of the U.S. health care system may be considered among the best in the world, it is an oversimplification to claim that the United States has the best health care delivery system overall. Various international rankings and assessments, such as the World Health Organization's ranking, place the U.S. health care system below several other advanced nations. The reality is more nuanced, with the U.S. excelling in some areas but falling short in others. Therefore, the statement cannot be fully supported and is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It\u2019s true that specific aspects of the U.S. health care system are either the best or among the best in the world. But other aspects of the U.S. system fall short of what other advanced nations provide. Boehner\u2019s claim that the United States has \"the best health care delivery system in the world\" is too glib to accurately characterize a much more nuanced reality. On balance, we rate his statement Half True.","A reader asked us to check whether there is any statistical evidence showing that the U.S. has \"the best health care delivery system in the world.\" So we took a look.","We\u2019ll start with a recap of our previous fact-check of the claim that the U.S. health care system ranks 37th in the world. The number refers to the World Health Organization's ranking of the United States as the 37th best health care system out of 191 countries. WHO, an arm of the United Nations, published the international comparison in its World Health Report 2000.","\"Gov. Romney understands that Obamacare will bankrupt our country and ruin the best health care delivery system in the world,\" Boehner said, during the July 1, 2012, edition of CBS\u2019 Face the Nation(;contentBody)."]},{"id":"11953.json","label":"false","statement":"When Mitt Romney chose Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate, that was the end of Romneys chances to win.","reason":"Reason: Donald Trump expressed his belief that Mitt Romney's chances of winning the 2012 presidential campaign were diminished when he chose Paul Ryan as his running mate. However, it's important to note that this statement is subjective and based on Trump's opinion. The outcome of an election is influenced by numerous factors, and attributing the end of Romney's chances solely to the selection of Paul Ryan is an oversimplification. Political campaigns are complex, and it is difficult to pinpoint a single event or decision as the sole determinant of a candidate's success or failure.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Reflecting on the 2012 presidential campaign, Donald Trump blamed Mitt Romney\u2019s loss on his choice of a running mate: Paul Ryan.","The day after Mitt Romney introduced U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as his running mate, Democratic activist Paul Begala suggested the presumptive Republican presidential nominee took into account how he would personally fare under Ryan\u2019s wide-reaching proposal for overhauling federal taxes.","\"That was the end of that campaign, by the way, when they chose Ryan,\" Trump said Feb. 17, 2016 on the campaign trail in South Carolina. \"And I like him. He's a nice person, but that was the end of the campaign.\"","!Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is joined by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan at a campaign appearance in Wisconsin. !Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is joined by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan at a campaign appearance in Wisconsin."]},{"id":"3315.json","label":"false","statement":"Tim Kaine wants to thwart right-to-work reform measures in Midwest battleground states.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Tim Kaine wants to thwart right-to-work reform measures in Midwest battleground states. The statements and quotes provided in the evidence focus on different topics such as immigration and border enforcement, but they do not provide any direct evidence or indication of Kaine's stance on right-to-work reform measures. Without additional evidence specifically addressing Kaine's position on right-to-work reform, it is not accurate to make the claim that he wants to thwart such measures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Rumored VA Senate candidate Kaine is in lock-step with Obama to thwart pro-business, job creating right-to-work reform measures in Midwest battleground states,\" Peace wrote Feb. 18 on his Facebook page.","\"The left is calling for \u2014 Tim Kaine and the Democrats are calling for \u2014 not only no border enforcement; they don\u2019t want a border at all,\" Stewart said. \"Tim Kaine doesn\u2019t want a border at all. He wants to get rid of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and basically the border patrol as well. He wants to get rid of all that.\"","\"Tim Kaine doesn\u2019t want a border at all. He wants to get rid of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and basically the border patrol as well.\"","Stewart said, \"Tim Kaine doesn\u2019t want a border at all. He wants to get rid of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and basically the border patrol as well.\""]},{"id":"9203.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On average, women make 77 cents for every dollar men make.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the widely cited statistic that, on average, women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not account for factors such as occupation, experience, and education level, which can contribute to the gender wage gap. It is not a direct comparison of men and women doing the same work. Rather, it represents the overall disparity in earnings between men and women across various industries and occupations. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"On average, women make 77 cents for every dollar men make,\" the candidate, Michelle Nunn, a Democrat, has said in statements and on her Facebook page.","There are two key points to Nunn\u2019s statement. She began with the qualifier \"on average.\" And she did not say there was a pay gap for women doing the same work as men.","PolitiFact, \" Barack Obama ad says women are paid \"77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men,\" June 21, 2012","PolitiFact, \"Barack Obama ad says women are paid \"77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men,\" June 21, 2012"]},{"id":"10684.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he paid one dollar for a sweater at Kohls.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that the speaker pointed to a brownish-colored sweater and declared that they paid one dollar for it using Kohl's Cash. \nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Barack Obama ad says women are paid \"77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men\"&url=)","So well that he pointed to the brownish-colored sweater he was wearing and declared: \"We paid one dollar for it with our Kohl\u2019s Cash.\"","In this item, we're checking the claim that \"women (are) paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men.\"","Here\u2019s the narration: \"The son of a single mom, proud father of two daughters, President Obama knows that women being paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men isn't just unfair, it hurts families. So the first law he signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help ensure that women are paid the same as men for doing the exact same work. Because President Obama knows that fairness for women means a stronger middle class for America.\""]},{"id":"6059.json","label":"false","statement":"Says combined inflation and unemployment rates in October 2011 were the highest since Ronald Reagan succeeded Jimmy Carter.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the combined inflation and unemployment rates, also known as the \"misery index,\" did increase during President Obama's tenure, it was not the highest since Ronald Reagan succeeded Jimmy Carter. The index was higher for almost 30 months during Reagan's presidency. Therefore, the claim that the October 2011 index was the highest since Reagan succeeded Carter is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A moment later, Riddle added: \"The misery index is the highest that it's been since Ronald Reagan took over from Jimmy Carter.\" Memorably, Reagan cited the \"misery index\" -- meaning the nation\u2019s combined inflation and unemployment rates -- as an indicator that Carter merited replacement; voters agreed.","Riddle said, though, that the index was the highest it had been since Reagan succeeded Carter. That's not correct. The index was higher for nearly 30 months of Reagan\u2019s presidency. His statement fails to account for the index\u2019s full history. We rate his claim as False.","With Obama as president, the index increased from 8.94 in 2009 to 12.11 in 2011, according to the misery index site. However, that was not the highest index since Reagan succeeded Carter. According to the site, the index was higher than Obama\u2019s one-year high of 12.11 each of the first three years of Reagan\u2019s presidency: 17.97 in 1981, 15.87 in 1982 and 12.82 in 1983.","When Reagan won election, inflation was the prime mover of the index, though unemployment has been dominant lately. In April 2012, for instance, the index was 10.4, based on 8.1 percent unemployment and the inflation rate of 2.3. That was down from the highest index on Obama\u2019s watch, 12.87 in August and September 2011, according to the index website."]},{"id":"4324.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Texas schools have had massive increases in class sizes with Rick Perry as governor.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Texas schools had massive increases in class sizes during Rick Perry's tenure as governor. The evidence mentions a decline in the number of students from ninth grade to twelfth grade over a three-year period, but it does not provide information about class sizes or attribute this decline to any specific policies or actions of Rick Perry. Without further evidence or data specifically addressing class sizes, it is not accurate to make the claim that there were massive increases in class sizes during Perry's governorship.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gov. Rick Perry said state leaders have worked hard to improve Texas public schools over the past decade, with more students faring well.","The latest Texas example: In 2010-11, according to the TEA, 390,665 students were in ninth grade. Three years later, the agency says, there were 308,851 12th-graders, a 21 percent difference. That same year, 2013-14, 303,109 students graduated, the agency says. That graduating class, by our calculation, was 78 percent the size of the ninth-grade class three years before.","!Former Gov. Rick Perry announces his fresh bid for president near Dallas June 4, 2015 (Screen grab of CBS News video feed). !Former Gov. Rick Perry announces his fresh bid for president near Dallas June 4, 2015 (Screen grab of CBS News video feed).","Former Gov. Rick Perry announces his fresh bid for president near Dallas June 4, 2015 (Screen grab of CBS News video feed)."]},{"id":"5999.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Sen. Sherrod Brown cast the deciding vote on the government takeover of health care.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Sherrod Brown's vote for the health care reform legislation was significant, it is incorrect to claim that he cast the deciding vote. The claim that he cast the deciding vote is misleading because the legislation required a total of 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, and Brown's vote alone did not reach that threshold. Additionally, referring to the health care act as a \"government takeover of health care\" is a claim that has been fact-checked and rated as false or misleading by PolitiFact. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate on both counts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Ohio will take a look at several of them in the days ahead. For this factcheck item we\u2019ll look at the statement that Brown \"cast the deciding vote on the government takeover of health care.\"","In Ohio, the conservative political group says Sen. Sherrod Brown was \"the deciding vote.\" In Michigan, a Republican committee says it was Sen. Debbie Stabenow. But in Pennsylvania, the group said it was Sen. Bob Casey. And in Missouri, voters were told it was Claire McCaskill.","Brown\u2019s vote for the health care reform legislation was crucial, but was it the deciding vote? A listener hearing the Mandel ad could be lead to believe Brown\u2019s vote had more weight than other votes. Yet, he certainly did not cast the 60th vote, and he did not have to be wooed for support.","What about the other part of the claim, where Mandel's ad refers to the health care act as \"the government takeover of health care\"? Mandel\u2019s ad repeats a claim that has been reviewed numerous times by PolitiFact and rated False or Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"807.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Between 40 and 50 percent of tax filers do not owe any income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the context of Senator McCain's remarks, where he referred to the percentage of tax filers who do not owe any federal income tax due to credits and deductions. While the exact percentage may vary, the evidence suggests that it falls within the range of 40 to 50 percent. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Well, first of all, it's not truthful in the respect that 50 percent or 40 percent of the American people \u2014 of taxpayers \u2014 American citizens don't pay taxes, federal income taxes,\" McCain said.","That's pretty close to 40 percent, the low end of the range McCain said. If McCain had said it was 40 percent, we would have ruled that his statement was True, because he would only be two points off. But he also said it could be around 50 percent, and that seems like pushing the envelope a tad too far. So we rate his statement Mostly True.","McCain's statement is phrased a little awkwardly, but the context of the conversation makes it clear that he's talking about the number of tax filers who don't owe any income tax thanks to credits and deductions.","In their conversation, Hannity and McCain also say that Obama has promised a tax cut for 95 percent of \"Americans,\" which would be all tax filers. But Obama's policies do not provide a tax cut for 95 percent of Americans \u2014 it's actually about 81 percent of all American tax filers."]},{"id":"12657.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Donald Trump wants to get rid of the federal minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: Hillary Clinton claimed that Donald Trump wants to eliminate the federal minimum wage, and this claim has been fact-checked and rated as true. Trump's comments during a May 8 appearance on NBC's \"Meet The Press\" support this claim. In the interview, when asked about his stance on the minimum wage, Trump expressed the view that wages were already too high and that he would prefer to leave it up to the states to determine the minimum wage. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Clinton's claim and the fact-check rating.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So we\u2019ll look instead at the second part of Clinton\u2019s attack. Did Trump really say the he wants to get rid of the federal minimum wage?","\"Donald Trump thinks wages are too high,\" Clinton said. \"He actually stood on the debate stage and said that. And he wants to get rid of the federal minimum wage altogether. Well, I think anyone who is willing to work hard should be able to find a job that pays well enough to raise a family. So we\u2019re going to increase the federal minimum wage and give the middle class a raise.\"","Our colleagues at PolitFact North Carolina recently looked at a Clinton claim that Trump wants to get rid of a federal minimum wage. Her statement was rated True because of comments Trump made in a May 8 appearance on NBC\u2019s \"Meet The Press,\" when host Chuck Todd attempted to pin him down on his minimum wage stance.","The clearest counterpoint to Trump\u2019s Florida comments came from an interview on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press on May 8. We cited this exchange in our July 8 fact check, in which we gave a True rating to an assertion by Hillary Clinton that Trump \"wants to get rid of the federal minimum wage.\""]},{"id":"1498.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says she stopped Capital Metro from raising fares for senior and disabled citizens.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Margaret Gomez played a role in advocating for the exemption of senior and disabled citizens from fare increases by Capital Metro. The campaign flier and articles indicate that Gomez actively worked to build support and deliver results in preventing fare increases for this specific group of individuals. However, it's important to note that the decision ultimately rested with the Local Government Approval Committee, and Gomez herself was not included in that committee. Nevertheless, her efforts and advocacy contributed to the outcome of exempting seniors and disabled citizens from the fare increase.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["From a campaign flier distributed after the South Austin Democrats endorsed Gomez on Jan. 12: \"Margaret Gomez has delivered results for Southeast Travis County... (she) stopped Capital Metro from raising fares for senior and disabled citizens.\"","Burnt Orange Report, Capital Metro should exempt seniors and disabled citizens from fare increase,( \"Capital Metro should exempt seniors and disabled=\") by Margaret Gomez, Oct. 28, 2009","The plan went to the Local Government Approval Committee, an ad hoc body of elected officials \u2014 Gomez not included \u2014 which amended the board's proposal and opted not to charge seniors and disabled citizens while it raised other Capital Metro fares that year..","Margaret Gomez Campaign, Gomez builds support for fare increase exemption for senior and disabled riders,( \"Gomez builds support for fare increase exemption for senior and disabled=\") Nov. 4, 2009"]},{"id":"488.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"If West Virginia had voted for our Democratic nominee in 2000 and 2004, we wouldn't have had to put up with George Bush for the last 7 years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. If West Virginia had voted for the Democratic nominee in the 2000 election, it would have prevented George Bush from becoming president. However, the claim that West Virginia's vote in the 2004 election would have changed the outcome and prevented seven years of a Bush administration is incorrect. In the 2004 election, George Bush defeated John Kerry by a significant margin in the electoral college, and West Virginia's votes alone would not have made a difference. Therefore, while the statement is true for the 2000 election, it is false for the 2004 election.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If West Virginia had voted for our Democratic nominee in 2000 and 2004, we wouldn't have had to put up with George Bush for the last 7 years,\" she said May 12, 2008, as reported by 's \"First Read\" blog. \"I am going to work as hard as I can between now and the time the polls close tomorrow, because I want to earn your support.\"","Clinton is right that Bush wouldn't be president if West Virginia had gone for Gore in 2000. That alone would have prevented 7 years of a Bush administration.","The 2004 election is another matter completely. On the simple question of the math, Clinton is wrong. Bush defeated Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic nominee, 286-251 in the electoral college. West Virginia's 5 votes wouldn't have put a dent in Bush's 35-vote margin.","By raising the 2004 election, though, Clinton ruins her perfectly accurate argument. Suggesting that West Virginia voters had the same chance to defeat Bush in 2004 that they had in 2000 is just wrong, which is how we end up at Half True."]},{"id":"1504.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The stimulus includes \"$219,000 to study the sex lives of female college freshmen.\"","reason":"Reason: It is true that a portion of the stimulus funds was allocated to a women's health study that involved studying the sexual behavior of female college freshmen. The study aimed to address social and health problems linked to sexual behavior and fill the gap in scientific research on the topic. However, it is important to note that the statement lacks context and may be misleading. The funding was not solely dedicated to studying the sex lives of female college freshmen but was part of a broader women's health project. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it could benefit from additional information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the study and its objectives.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In this item, we look at McConnell's claim that the stimulus includes \"$219,000 to study the sex lives of female college freshmen.\"","Especially after reading a Sept. 8, 2009, story in the (Syracuse) Daily Orange , that begins, \"Five hundred Syracuse University freshmen will divulge the details of their sex lives as part of a women's health study\" ... paid for with $219,000 in stimulus funds.","The Facebook post said that stimulus checks will be given out by the end of the month and includes a link promising more information. The link goes to a page with a picture of a gorilla.","\"The Women's Health Project includes sexual behavior \u2026 because of the increasing recognition that social and health problems are linked to sexual behavior \u2026 and that there has been little scientific study of the topic despite its potential health implications,\" Carey said."]},{"id":"12933.json","label":"true","statement":"While introducing Donald Trump, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani omitted the September 11, 2001, strikes as a successful terrorist attack during the eight years before President Obamas 2008 election.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made about Rudy Giuliani omitting the September 11, 2001, attacks as a successful terrorist attack during the eight years before President Obama's 2008 election. This omission was criticized by California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton and others. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer any additional context or information to support or refute the claim. Therefore, the statement itself is accurate, but further investigation may be required to determine the intent or reasoning behind Giuliani's omission.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"While introducing Donald Trump, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani omitted the September 11, 2001, strikes as a \u2018successful\u2019 terrorist attack during the eight years before President Obama\u2019s 2008 election.\"","Burton jumped on Giuliani\u2019s statement a day later, saying: \"Yesterday while introducing Donald Trump, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani omitted the September 11, 2001, strikes as a \u2018successful\u2019 terrorist attack during the eight years before President Obama\u2019s 2008 election. Mayor Giuliani must be spending so much time with Trump that he\u2019s unable to tell truth from fiction.\"","California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton said Giuliani omitted the 9\/11 attacks as \"a \u2018successful\u2019 terrorist attack during the eight years before President Obama\u2019s 2008 election.\"","!In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani smiles as he arrives to President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Manchester, N.H. (AP) !In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani smiles as he arrives to President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Manchester, N.H. (AP)"]},{"id":"427.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"He positions himself as pro environment, but he scored a zero yes, zero from the League of Conservation Voters last year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Senator McCain received a score of zero from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) on their scorecard. However, it is important to provide additional context. The reason for McCain's zero score was that he was absent for every vote that the LCV graded, rather than actively voting against environmental measures. While the statement suggests that McCain's zero score indicates a lack of support for the environment, it does not consider the specific circumstances surrounding his absence from those votes. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He positions himself as pro environment, but he scored a zero \u2014 yes, zero \u2014 from the League of Conservation Voters last year.\"","\"He positions himself as proenvironment, but he scored a zero \u2014 yes, zero \u2014 from the League of Conservation Voters last year,\" the e-mail states.","It's also true that the League of Conservation Voters gave McCain a score of zero on its 2007 Congressional scorecard, placing him among eight senators who got doughnuts.","But there is a mitigating reason McCain got a zero. Of the 15 votes the league graded, McCain was absent for every vote \u2014 yes, every vote."]},{"id":"8954.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Worked with Ronald Reagan and helped re-elect him.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Dan Branch claimed to have \"worked with Ronald Reagan and helped re-elect him\" in his campaign advertisements, the evidence provided does not offer specific details or examples of the extent of Branch's involvement with Reagan. It is important to note that many individuals can claim to have \"worked with\" a political figure without necessarily having a direct or significant role in their campaigns or policies. Without further evidence or clarification, it is difficult to determine the exact nature and extent of Branch's involvement with Reagan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But we grew curious about Branch\u2019s closeness after spotting a video ad for Branch, a Republican state representative from Dallas. \"Dan Branch worked with Ronald Reagan and helped re-elect him,\" the narrator said in the ad posted online Feb. 4, 2014. A Branch radio ad, posted Jan. 29, similarly said that Branch \"worked with Ronald Reagan and helped re-elect him.\"","Estrada had no objection to Branch saying he \"worked with\" Reagan. \"Millions of people worked with Reagan. Do you have to be a Cabinet member to say you were directly involved?\" Estrada said. \"People who stood in the mall and handed out brochures worked with\" Reagan.","With the Statue of Liberty in the background, Reagan paid tribute to immigrants, starting his speech by saying they came to America to work and helped build cities and \"incredibly productive farms.\"","YouTube, Ronald Reagan's Remarks at Liberty State Park on September 1, 1980, Ronald Reagan - Liberty State Park Address (Audio Enhanced)"]},{"id":"13193.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Philando Castile had been stopped by police 40 or 50 times before that fatal incident.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kaine that Philando Castile had been stopped by the police 40 or 50 times before the fatal incident. Multiple independent press reports confirm that Castile had been stopped by the police at least 46 times. This information is supported by a study commissioned by the state legislature, which found that minority drivers, including Castile, were more likely to be stopped and searched by local police. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Kaine said Castile was stopped by police 40 or 50 times before the time when he was fatally wounded. According to multiple independent press reports, that is accurate. Police had stopped Castile at least 46 times.","\"They called him Mr. Rogers with Dreadlocks in the school that he worked,\" Kaine said. \"The kids loved him. But he had been stopped by police 40 or 50 times before that fatal incident. And if you look at sentencing in this country, African-Americans and Latinos get sentenced for the same crimes at very different rates.\"","Kaine pressed the issue with the story of Philando Castile, the Minnesota man shot to death by a police officer during a traffic stop for a broken tail light. The gruesome incident was streamed live on a Facebook video by Castile\u2019s girlfriend.","This is True. According to multiple independent press reports, that is accurate. Police had stopped Castile at least 46 times. A study commissioned by the state legislature found that local police were more likely to stop and search minority drivers."]},{"id":"6441.json","label":"half-true","statement":"(The Tax Policy Center) found that Romney would raise taxes on the average middle class family by $2,000 to pay for $5 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the committee that the Tax Policy Center found that Mitt Romney's tax plan would result in a $2,000 tax increase for the average middle-class family to fund $5 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. However, it's important to note that while the Tax Policy Center did find a potential tax increase for the middle class, the claim about the $5 trillion tax cuts for the wealthy is disputed. The actual tax cuts for high-income earners under Romney's plan were projected to be significant but not necessarily equal to $5 trillion. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks complete context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a news release, the committee claimed the Tax Policy Center \"found that Romney would raise taxes on the average middle class family by $2,000 to pay for $5 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.\"","\"The non-partisan organization found that Romney would raise taxes on the average middle class family by $2,000 to pay for $5 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires,\" the committee said in an Aug. 1 news release.","The Democrats are right about the $2,000 tax hike on the average middle-class family, but they\u2019re wrong in citing \"$5 trillion in tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.\" Those wealthy taxpayers would get a tax break, but not that much.","Mitt Romney\u2019s tax cut proposal blasted by New Jersey Democrats for using $2,000 middle-class tax hike to cover $5 trillion in tax cuts for the rich"]},{"id":"5315.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Private prisons do not chase escaped inmates past the perimeter like the public prisons do, which means more escaped prisoners in our communities.","reason":"Reason: The claim that private prisons do not chase escaped inmates past the perimeter like public prisons is not entirely accurate. While there may be variations in policies and procedures between private and public prisons, it is misleading to suggest that private prisons do not take appropriate measures to pursue and recapture escaped inmates. Instances of inmate escapes can occur in both private and public prisons, and it is not supported by evidence to claim that private prisons inherently result in more escaped prisoners in communities. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The email said, \"Private prisons do not chase escaped inmates past the perimeter like the public prisons do, which means more escaped prisoners in our communities.\" We rate this claim Half True.","\"Did you know that private prisons do not chase escaped inmates past the perimeter like the public prisons do, which means more escaped prisoners in our communities?\" wrote Christina Bullins, a South Florida correctional probation officer. Bullins wrote an email dated Jan. 30, 2012, that was distributed by the liberal group It urged people to sign a petition against the plan.","That brings us to the final part of the claim: This chase policy will result in \"more escaped prisoners in our communities.\" While there are definitely horror stories resulting from inmate escapes, we don\u2019t see the evidence that there are more escapes from private prisons. We would consider this point speculative.","The claim that private prisons don\u2019t chase inmates seems widely held among state-paid correctional officers and privatization opponents. They warn that public safety is at risk, and the state could see more incidents like in 2010, when three inmates in Arizona escaped a privatized facility with the help of a faulty alarm system, lax guard patrols and a propped-open door. The trio, two of whom were convicted murderers, were connected to the murder of a New Mexico couple following their breakout."]},{"id":"9734.json","label":"true","statement":"It cost us more to shut the government down than to keep it open.","reason":"Reason: Senator Paul's statement is accurate. The government shutdown does incur significant costs. Despite the government not completely shutting down, there were still expenses associated with furloughed employees receiving their salaries, late payment interest, and the negative impact on the economy leading to lower tax revenues. Additionally, the shutdown resulted in the closure of national parks, the halt of government-funded research, and the suspension of health and safety inspections. These factors contribute to the overall cost of shutting down the government, making it more expensive than keeping it open.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It cost us more to shut the government down than to keep it open,\" Paul said. \"You know your government\u2019s dysfunctional if it costs more to shut it down than to keep it open, because we paid all these people.\"","\"Sen. Paul was making the point that the government never actually shut down during the so called 'shutdown,'\" a spokesman told us. \"Even though some government employees were furloughed, salaries were still paid for those who didn't work and government had to pay interest on late payments.\"","Another major cost to the government comes through lower tax revenues. Shutdowns hurt the economy, and as it declines, so do tax collections.","During those two weeks, up to 850,000 workers were furloughed per day, national parks shut their doors, government-funded scientific research halted, and various health and safety inspections -- out of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration -- were put on hold."]},{"id":"9772.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Charlie Crist rode on a jet that belongs to a serial polluter with a history of environmental violations fined nearly $2 million for polluting water.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Charlie Crist did indeed ride on a private jet owned by James Finch, a contractor who has been fined for environmental violations related to water pollution. The statement accurately reflects this information and the fact that Finch has been fined nearly $2 million for these violations. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Republican Party of Florida said Crist rode on a jet that \"belongs to a serial polluter with a history of environmental violations fined nearly $2 million for polluting water.\"","\"On his way to an event about -- get this -- green issues, Crist cruised in on a private jet,\" the narrator says. \"That\u2019s rich. What\u2019s richer? The jet belongs to a serial polluter with a history of environmental violations fined nearly $2 million for polluting water.\"","The plane\u2019s owner, Bay County contractor James Finch, has been fined in the past for filling in wetlands or allowing unfiltered runoff to flow into waterways, in violation of environmental permits. That\u2019s a legitimate definition of polluting, and there\u2019s no doubt Finch has been fined almost $2 million over the years.","Later that year, Phoenix was fined $1.7 million by the DEP for environmental permit violations. The agency concluded the contractor did not follow stormwater runoff plans or erosion stabilization methods, allowing improperly filtered water to flow into nearby wetlands."]},{"id":"11977.json","label":"false","statement":"We (Trump University)have an A from the Better Business Bureau.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump made the statement claiming that Trump University had an A rating from the Better Business Bureau, this statement is inaccurate. The Better Business Bureau does not currently provide a rating for Trump University because it is no longer operational. In the past, the program had ratings ranging from A+ to D-. Therefore, the claim that Trump University has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Republican front runner Donald Trump speaks at the University of Central Florida. Trump has been defending his defunct Trump University, saying it has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. (Getty Images) !Republican front runner Donald Trump speaks at the University of Central Florida. Trump has been defending his defunct Trump University, saying it has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. (Getty Images)","Republican front runner Donald Trump speaks at the University of Central Florida. Trump has been defending his defunct Trump University, saying it has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. (Getty Images)","Trump University had an A at some point. The Better Business Bureau doesn't release details of its past ratings, but it did say Trump's program had ratings that ranged from A+ to D-.","Trump said about his entrepreneur institute that \"we have an \u2018A\u2019 from the Better Business Bureau.\" Literally speaking, that is inaccurate. The Better Business Bureau gives the program no rating today because it\u2019s no longer a going concern."]},{"id":"2242.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States is number 14, number 15 in college graduation rates, and were leading the world in high school dropout rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the United States ranks 14th or 15th internationally in college graduation rates. However, it is incorrect to claim that the United States is leading the world in high school dropout rates. While the high school dropout rate in the United States is a concern, there are other countries with higher dropout rates. Therefore, the statement is partially true regarding college graduation rates but false regarding high school dropout rates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The United States is \"number 14, number 15\" in college graduation rates, and \"we're leading the world in high school dropout rates.\"","She said, \"Let me turn to investment in education. It is the case -- we used to be number one in the world in college graduation rates. We are now number 14, number 15. We're leading the world in high school dropout rates. And as I said, the unemployment problem is most severe in dropouts.\" (In fact, we rated a separate claim of hers from This Week that compared unemployment rates for those with and without college degrees. We gave it a Mostly True( \"Mostly True\").)","We wondered whether it was true that the United States ranks 14th or 15th internationally in college graduation rates and whether we're really first in high school dropout rates.","So let's recap. Allowing for some general caution over international education comparisons, Tyson was on the money where college graduation rates were concerned, but was wrong that the U.S. led the world in high-school dropout rates. She bats .500, so we rate her statement Half True."]},{"id":"1944.json","label":"false","statement":"Social Security, like I told you, is out of money. This year it is borrowing from the general treasury.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Social Security is not currently out of money, nor is it borrowing from the general treasury. According to projections, the Social Security trust fund is expected to remain solvent until 2037. While it is true that the program may face challenges in the future due to demographic shifts and an aging population, the claim that Social Security is currently out of money and borrowing from the general treasury is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Social Security, like I told you, is out of money,\" she said in her June 11 keynote address. \"This year it is borrowing from the general treasury.\"","Social Security isn\u2019t yet out of money, nor is it borrowing from the general treasury, as Bachmann says. According to the latest projections, the \"cow\" won\u2019t run dry until 2037.","Hinkle said: \"We have all our trust fund dollars in special-issue treasury bonds that earn interest. We\u2019re not borrowing from the treasury.\"","At the Social Security Administration, spokesman Mark Hinkle said that even if benefit spending exceeds available revenue from payroll taxes, the program can draw on interest from money it\u2019s invested in securities in the general treasury."]},{"id":"11531.json","label":"false","statement":"The Koch Brothers are spending more money than either the Democratic or Republican parties in the 2016 elections.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that the Koch Brothers are spending more money than either the Democratic or Republican parties in the 2016 elections. The spokesperson for the Center for Responsive Politics stated that they do not have an estimate for the parties' spending in that specific election cycle. Additionally, an article from The New York Times mentioned the Koch Brothers' budget for 2016, but it did not compare it to the spending of the Democratic or Republican parties. The conclusion drawn from the evidence is that the burden is on Senator Sanders to prove his claim, and the evidence suggests that he falls short in doing so.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When you have one family - this is America, this it not some small Third World country - when in the United States of America you have one family spending more money than either the Democratic or Republican parties, that is not democracy. That is oligarchy, and we have got to change that.\"","Viveca Novak, a spokeswoman for the center, said her group doesn\u2019t have an estimate for how much the parties will spend for the 2016 elections, although she expects total overall spending will increase from the 2012 cycle.","The New York Times, \"Koch brothers\u2019 budget of $889 million for 2016 is on par with both parties\u2019 spending,\" Jan. 26, 2015.","So anyway you dice it, it does not appear that the Koch brothers will outspend either one of the major political parties in next year\u2019s elections. The burden is on Sanders to prove otherwise, and he falls short."]},{"id":"9014.json","label":"false","statement":"We have invested record funding in protecting our environment.","reason":"Reason: The claim made by Governor Scott that his administration has invested record funding in protecting the environment is false. Fact-checking investigations have found that the budget for the state Department of Environmental Protection was not at a record level during Scott's tenure. In fact, the budget was higher during previous administrations, particularly under Governor Bush and part of Governor Crist's term. The claim does not align with the available evidence and is therefore rated as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"A lot has happened since I spoke to you last year. I can talk about how our unemployment rate is now down to 6.3 percent. How our crime rate is at a 42-year low. How we have invested record funding in protecting our environment.....\"","Some of those numbers sounded familiar to us. But we hadn\u2019t heard Scott\u2019s claim that during his tenure we have invested record funding to protect the environment, so we decided to fact-check that claim.","In March 2014, Scott said during his State of the State speech that \"we have invested record funding in protecting our environment.\" That\u2019s not correct. Scott\u2019s spokesman said that he was referring to his \"record\" proposal to fund springs protection. But springs are only a subset of environmental projects. The budget for the state Department of Environmental Protection was not a record under Scott -- it was higher in more flush financial times under Bush and part of Crist\u2019s term, and then plummeted along with the economy in the second half of Crist\u2019s tenure and Scott\u2019s tenure. We rated the claim False.","We asked Scott\u2019s spokesman to provide us with documentation to support his claim that during his tenure Florida had invested record funding on environmental protection."]},{"id":"8917.json","label":"false","statement":"Girl Scouts USAs curriculum promotes Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, Betty Friedan, founder of NARAL Prochoice, and other pro-abortion women as icons for our children to emulate.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Girl Scouts USA's curriculum promotes Margaret Sanger, Betty Friedan, and other pro-abortion women as icons for children to emulate is not supported by the evidence provided. The organization has explicitly stated that their curriculum does not depict these women as pro-abortion icons. It is important to rely on accurate information and not make unfounded claims about the content of educational programs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Girl Scouts USA\u2019s curriculum \"promotes Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, Betty Friedan, founder of NARAL Prochoice, and other pro-abortion women as icons for our children to emulate.\"","The league said Girl Scouts USA\u2019s curriculum \"promotes Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, Betty Friedan, founder of NARAL Prochoice, and other pro-abortion women as icons for our children to emulate.\"","One of the blast\u2019s claims: The Girl Scouts of the USA \"curriculum now promotes Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, Betty Friedan, founder of NARAL Prochoice, and other pro-abortion women as icons for our children to emulate.\"","By phone, Kelly Parisi, spokeswoman for the New York-based Girl Scouts, said the scouts\u2019 curriculum does not depict Sanger, Friedan and other women as pro-abortion icons."]},{"id":"12736.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says as Indiana governor, he has made record investments in education.","reason":"Reason: The statement that as Indiana's governor, Mike Pence made record investments in education is not entirely accurate. While Pence made some individual investments in education, the overall state education spending did increase during his term. However, it is important to note that the claim of \"record investments\" is subjective and can be interpreted differently based on various factors. The fact-checking analysis suggests that Pence's claim of record investments in education was rated as \"Half True,\" indicating that there were some investments made but not to the extent implied by the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["There\u2019s a lot to unpack in there. We were especially curious, though, about Clinton\u2019s comparison of their education records. At the Republican National Convention, Pence said that as Indiana\u2019s governor, he has made \"record investments in education,\" and we rated that claim Half True.","Kaine made notable investments in certain educational projects as Virginia\u2019s governor, but state education spending shrunk overall throughout his term. However, this was primarily because the recession caused massive budget shortfalls.","\"Every time this fact has been looked into, it has been clear that as Virginia\u2019s 72nd Governor Terry McAuliffe invested more dollars into education than any other governor before him, which is the definition of a record investment,\" Renzo Oliveri, McAuliffe\u2019s campaign spokesperson, wote in an email.","Pence made various individual cuts and investments in education, but overall state spending has increased every year in his term so far."]},{"id":"6869.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Barack Obamas spending drove us $5 trillion deeper in debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the national debt has increased by approximately $5 trillion during President Obama's tenure, it is not accurate to solely attribute this increase to his spending. Other factors, such as tax cuts and policies implemented during the previous administration, have also contributed to the growth of the debt. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the complex factors that have influenced the national debt and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a new ad, the pro-Republican group American Crossroads takes aim at President Barack Obama\u2019s economic policies. At one point, the narrator says, that \"Obama\u2019s spending drove us $5 trillion deeper in debt.\"","So if you\u2019re talking about what \"drove us $5 trillion deeper in debt,\" then a clear majority stemmed from sources other than \"Obama\u2019s spending.\"","But not all of the $5 trillion can be attributed to Obama's spending. Much of it can be attributed to his tax cuts and the policies of President Bush. On balance, we rate the claim Half True.","First, the bottom-line number on the debt: Yes, it has grown by $5 trillion during Obama\u2019s tenure. Total debt has increased by $5.5 trillion since January 20, 2009, while the share of that debt held by the public has increased by $5 trillion."]},{"id":"4569.json","label":"false","statement":"Today, the Social Security system is broke.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Social Security system is \"broke\" is not accurate. While it is true that the Social Security system is facing financial challenges, it is not currently broke. The system's trust funds, consisting of government securities, are projected to cover full benefits until at least 2036. While the long-term sustainability of the program may be a concern, it is incorrect to claim that the system is currently broke. Label: false","evidence":["\"Today, the Social Security system is broke,\" Lonegan said during the show broadcast on Oct. 1 and 2. \"For the first year since the 75 years Deb talked about, they\u2019re in a cash-flow negative situation.\"","Social Security benefits for today\u2019s recipients come from the proceeds of payroll taxes paid by younger and middle-aged workers. Over the years, some conservatives have pushed for turning Social Security into a system in which workers invest at least some of their money to provide for retirement.","But made up of government securities, Social Security\u2019s trust funds should be able to cover full benefits until at least 2036. That deadline may be cause for concern, but it also means the system is not broke.","\"I do not want to privatize Social Security. I think, in context, I was talking about something very different. We can\u2019t change the system. We can\u2019t pull the rug out from seniors. I will never, ever support cutting Social Security,\" he said."]},{"id":"11710.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Affordable Care Act is making families pay double-digit premium increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Paul Ryan that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is causing double-digit premium increases for families. However, it's important to note that the impact of the ACA on premium increases is a complex issue. While some families may have experienced significant premium increases, others have benefited from subsidies and lower premium costs. Additionally, factors such as regional variations, individual circumstances, and changes in the insurance market can contribute to premium fluctuations. Therefore, while there have been reports of substantial premium increases, it is not a universal experience for all families, and the statement could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It's a law that is not working. It's a law that's depriving people's choices,\" Ryan said. \"It's a law that's making families pay double-digit premium increases.\"","And what\u2019s different about the numbers tend to make the premium increases look larger, and the Affordable Care Act look worse.","Gail Wilensky, who headed Medicare and Medicaid under President George H.W. Bush, agreed with the critiques listed here and said that the Affordable Care Act is \"not in a death spiral or collapsing.\" Still, she added that problems with the marketplaces should not be overlooked. \"The markets are clearly still in churn. Insurance companies are still exiting and substantial premium increases being reported,\" she said.","Comparing premium levels in 2013 and 2017 ignores that most policyholders in 2017 were able to obtain subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Factoring that into the HHS study would have dropped the out-of-pocket cost for 2017."]},{"id":"3157.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that over the last decade, the states population grew three times faster than the Texas state tax system.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Rep. Mike Villarreal that the population of Texas has grown three times faster than the state tax system over the last decade. This claim was made in an op-ed column in the San Antonio Express-News. However, it's important to note that this claim does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the state tax system or its revenue sources. It simply highlights the population growth in relation to the tax system. Additional factors, such as economic fluctuations and changes in tax policies, can also impact the tax system's ability to keep pace with population growth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["State Rep. Mike Villarreal maintains the state tax system, untended by ruling Republicans, needs a full review. In a Jan. 7 op-ed column in the San Antonio Express-News , the San Antonio Democrat wrote that \"Republicans have ignored the fact that over the last decade our population has been growing three times faster than our state tax system.\"","The governor told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, in a story that ran Feb. 20, that K-12 education funding has grown six times faster than enrollment over the last decade.","\"If there is a systemic problem with the tax system,\" Craymer said, \"it\u2019s probably that it reflects the economy,\" which was rocked by two recessions in the decade. \"So it\u2019s not surprising to me that sales taxes would not have kept pace with population.\"","\"Under Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s leadership Texas has created more jobs over the last decade than the rest of the states combined.\""]},{"id":"12105.json","label":"false","statement":"Ted Cruz is in negotiations to be Donald Trumps running mate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly refutes the statement that Ted Cruz is in negotiations to be Donald Trump's running mate. Multiple sources, including Elect Leaders and Ted Cruz himself, have stated that there were no negotiations or interest from Cruz in becoming Trump's running mate. Cruz explicitly stated that he had \"absolutely zero interest\" in being Trump's running mate. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!In February 2016, Elect Leaders put up this post suggesting Ted Cruz was negotiating with Donald Trump to be the businessman's running mate. False, we say. !In February 2016, Elect Leaders put up this post suggesting Ted Cruz was negotiating with Donald Trump to be the businessman's running mate. False, we say.","In February 2016, Elect Leaders put up this post suggesting Ted Cruz was negotiating with Donald Trump to be the businessman's running mate. False, we say.","Of course, that would be Texas Sen. Ted Cruz negotiating with Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump to serve as Trump\u2019s November 2016 running mate.","\"I have absolutely zero interest in doing that,\" Cruz replied, going on to say he expected to overtake Trump and win the delegates needed to secure the presidential nomination. And on March 21, 2016, just before we completed this fact check, Cruz told CNN\u2019s Wolf Blitzer: \"I have zero interest whatsoever\" in being Trump\u2019s running mate. Blitzer had asked Cruz about the possibility by noting Trump earlier responded to Blitzer\u2019s question about choosing Cruz as his running mate by saying: \"Crazier things happen in politics.\""]},{"id":"2047.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Texas has one state inspector for every 4,500 oil and gas wells.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the information provided. According to the Texas Railroad Commission, as of May 28, 2010, there were 86 inspectors responsible for overseeing 394,365 oil and gas wells in Texas. This results in an approximate ratio of one inspector for every 4,586 wells, which aligns with the claim made by Jeff Weems. It's important to note that the number of wells and inspectors may have changed since the provided evidence, but based on the given information, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Seeking a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, Houston lawyer Jeff Weems said the commission\u2019s in charge of making sure a disaster like the BP oil spill doesn\u2019t happen in Texas. The Democratic nominee went on to tell the United Auto Workers caucus at the party\u2019s state convention June 25: \"Right now, there is one inspector for every 4,500 wells. You can\u2019t do that job.\"","Background: State law requires each gas pump to be inspected at least every four years by a Texas Department of Agriculture inspector, or more often if a consumer makes an inquiry. The department says an inspector \"will place an 'out of order' tag on any pump not dispensing the correct amount of fuel within the allowable tolerance.\" The pump must be repaired, then re-tested by a TDA inspector who will place a new seal on the pump before it can be used again.","In e-mails, Weems told us he heard there\u2019s one field inspector for every 4,500 wells from Paul Whitehead, who works in a commission office in Midland. Weems said that's higher than the 1-for-3,300 ratio he got earlier from ProPublica, which describes itself as \"an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.\" ProPublica published an article in December 2009 saying the Texas commission had 83 field inspectors, \"meaning each person is responsible for almost 3,300 wells, many of them requiring several visits in a year.\"","Whitehead referred us to the commission\u2019s Austin headquarters where spokeswoman Ramona Nye confirmed that of late, there are 86 inspectors for 394,365 oil and gas wells, including 282,150 active wells. As of May 28, 2010, these included 740 bay and 341 offshore wells in state waters, which extend about 10 miles offshore. Overall, that makes the inspector\/wells ratio about 1-to-4,586. Agency charts show the number of wells under the commission's watch is up 11 percent from Jan. 24, 2003."]},{"id":"12917.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration has been raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that President Obama had proposed raising taxes on high earners, it is important to note that he did not succeed in implementing these tax increases. In fact, due to a compromise with Republicans in 2010, income tax rates remained the same for individuals of all income levels. Additionally, Obama's administration implemented tax cuts as part of the economic stimulus package, resulting in reduced tax rates for many taxpayers. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that the Obama administration has been consistently raising taxes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve suffered through an administration that\u2019s been raising taxes, raising regulations, growing government, borrowing and spending, and trying to bail our way back to a growing economy,\" Pence, the Indiana governor, said during an Aug. 4 rally in Norfolk.","Before we rule on this item, though, we should note that Obama has not raised income taxes. Thanks to a compromise he brokered with Republicans at the end of 2010, income tax rates are staying the same for people of all incomes. Obama had favored raising taxes on high earners, but he gave up on that as part of the tax deal. In exchange, he gained a a 2 percent reduction in payroll taxes for all workers. When you combine that with small tax cuts that were part of the economic stimulus, most taxpayers have seen reduced rates under Obama's administration.","That\u2019s a long list of charges, and we want to look at the first one - that the White House has been \"raising taxes.\"","President Barack Obama is no stranger to the charge that he likes to raise taxes. But a new report from an anti-tax group says he\u2019s actually proposed raising taxes more than 400 times."]},{"id":"13518.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Boeing is building new Air Force One planes, the statement that the costs are \"more than $4 billion\" and that the order should be canceled is not entirely accurate. The current projected cost of the project is $3.73 billion, which is close to the mentioned figure but still falls short of it. Additionally, it's important to note that the projected cost is spread over a 12-year period, and it is subject to change. While concerns about the cost are valid, the statement exaggerates the situation by suggesting that the costs are already \"out of control\" and warranting the cancellation of the order.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["> Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!","Trump tweeted, \"Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order!\"","He later elaborated to reporters staking out Trump Tower, \"Well the plane is totally out of control. It's going to be over $4 billion for Air Force One program. I think it's ridiculous, I think Boeing is doing a little bit of a number. We want Boeing to make a lot of money, but not that much money.\"","The company is actually building two planes, not one. As for the price tag, Trump has more of a point. The project\u2019s current cost is $3.73 billion, which is within shouting distance of Trump\u2019s \"more than $4 billion.\" That\u2019s a projection over 12 years. Also, that figure is an amount that could rise as time goes on."]},{"id":"4012.json","label":"false","statement":"If you threw a barbecue yesterday for the Memorial weekend, it was 29 percent more expensive than last year because Barack Obamas policies have led to groceries going up 29 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the increase in grocery prices to Barack Obama's policies. It is important to note that the factors influencing changes in grocery prices are complex and multifaceted, including global supply chain disruptions, inflation, and market forces. It is misleading to solely attribute the increase in grocery prices to the policies of a specific individual, especially one who is no longer in office. The statement lacks credible evidence and oversimplifies a complex issue.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cTitle 42 has fueled the border crisis. In 2019, 7 percent of illegal border crossings were repeated crossings. Today the rate is 27 percent.\u201d","Luke Barr, ABC News, \"US bracing for influx of migrants at southern border if Title 42 revoked: DHS,\" March 29, 2022","Both of the Obamas have shared images of their daughters as babies on their social media accounts, and wrote about their births in their autobiographies.","A Sept. 14 Facebook post shared that claim with a collage that shows an image of Malia and Sasha Obama, alongside a photo of another couple. President Barack and former first lady Michelle Obama are pictured at the bottom."]},{"id":"13152.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Catherine Cortez Masto failed Nevada rape victims. While attorney general, thousands of rape kits were never sent for DNA analysis.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Catherine Cortez Masto failed Nevada rape victims by not sending thousands of rape kits for DNA analysis during her tenure as attorney general. However, it's important to note that the responsibility for testing rape kits lies primarily with the police labs, rather than directly with the attorney general. While Cortez Masto may have had some oversight or influence in addressing the backlog, it is misleading to solely attribute the issue to her. The ad's portrayal of her as solely responsible for the backlog is an oversimplification of a complex issue involving multiple stakeholders.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Catherine Cortez Masto failed Nevada rape victims,\" the ad says. \"While Attorney General, thousands of rape kits were never sent for DNA analysis.\"","Senate Leadership Fund claims, \"Catherine Cortez Masto failed Nevada rape victims,\" and \"while attorney general, thousands of rape kits were never sent for DNA analysis.\"","A new Nevada ad campaign claims Democratic Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto \"failed Nevada rape victims\" during her tenure as the state\u2019s attorney general.","The ad is misleading in the sense that it portrays Cortez Masto as insensitive to the plight of victims of rape, but the charge that nothing was done to reduce the backlog during her time as attorney general is accurate. However, the labs where rape kits are tested are run by police, and not directly by the attorney general."]},{"id":"5424.json","label":"false","statement":"A Dallas proof-of-insurance ordinance resulted in area tow lots mostly filling with the cars of illegal residents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. While there is an ordinance in Dallas that requires drivers to provide proof of insurance, there is no factual basis to support the claim that the impounded cars mostly belonged to illegal residents. Dallas authorities do not typically check the legal residency status of motorists, and there is no data or information available to substantiate the claim that the majority of impounded cars were owned by undocumented residents. Therefore, the statement is unfounded.\nLabel: false","evidence":["And, the email continues: \"Shortly after the \"No Insurance\" ordinance was passed, the Dallas impound lots began to fill up and (they) were full after only nine days. 80\"-plus percent \"of the impounded cars were driven by illegal\u2019s,\" an indecorous (and ungrammatical) reference to undocumented residents.","\"Has Dallas, Texas Got a Good Idea or What?\" reads the email\u2019s subject line, which concludes with an enthusiastic \"GO Dallas!\" The email itself says a Dallas ordinance passed in 2008 requires that drivers who are pulled over by law enforcement provide proof of insurance. If they can\u2019t do that, the email says, their car is towed -- and proof of insurance is required to retrieve the car.","Dallas has an ordinance that has led to cars getting impounded. Yet we found no evidence supporting the email\u2019s linchpin claim that about 80 percent of the cars initially impounded belonged to illegal residents. There\u2019s not even a factual way to reach that figure; Dallas authorities don\u2019t usually check the legal residency status of motorists.","Next, we explored another angle that might help independently evaluate the email: If illegal immigrants cannot obtain auto insurance, then perhaps they couldn\u2019t be recovering their cars. Greeley of the TDI advised, though, that Texas residents do not have to show they are legally in the country before purchasing vehicle insurance."]},{"id":"12480.json","label":"true","statement":"The 2015 Legislature passed the fewest laws in 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Texas Legislative Reference Library, which confirms that the 2015 Legislature passed the fewest number of laws in 20 years. The library's compilation shows that only 1,280 bills made it into law in 2015, which is the lowest count since 1995 when 1,063 measures were passed into law. This data verifies that the 2015 Legislature indeed passed the fewest laws in a span of 20 years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Abbott, rousing delegates to the Republican Party of Texas convention in Dallas, said in his May 2016 address: \"As just one example, we passed the fewest laws in 20 years, proving that better government doesn\u2019t have to be more government.\"","Setting aside what this proves or not, we wondered if indeed the 2015 Legislature approved the fewest pieces of legislation since 1995, 10 regular biennial sessions before.","This didn\u2019t take long to confirm; the Texas Legislative Reference Library presents relevant bill statistics for every regular and special session since 1879. And according to the library\u2019s compilation, the 1,280 Texas House and Senate bills that made it into law in 2015 were the fewest since 1,063 measures made it into law in 1995, the first year of Republican George W. Bush\u2019s tenure.","Over the two decades, the next-lowest count of bills passed into law was 1,334 in 2003, followed by 1,354 in 2011 and 1,369 in 2005, according to the library."]},{"id":"5426.json","label":"false","statement":"There are more atheists in the country right now than Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined and doubled.","reason":"Reason: The claim made by David Silverman that there are more atheists in the country than Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists combined and doubled is not supported by credible evidence. While it is difficult to obtain precise data on religious affiliation, various surveys and studies indicate that the number of atheists in the United States is significantly smaller than the combined population of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. Therefore, the claim is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Atheist David Silverman claimed that \"There are more atheists in the country right now than Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined and doubled.\"","\"There are more atheists in the country right now than Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined and doubled,\" said Silverman. \"That's a lot of people.\"","4. David Silverman, president of American Atheists, was interviewed in March about a \"Reason Rally,\" the group held on the Washington Mall. \"There are more atheists in the country right now than Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined and doubled,\" he said.","American Atheists President David Silverman says there are twice as many atheists in U.S. as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists combined"]},{"id":"12147.json","label":"true","statement":"Big soda has a lot of money.They make a lot of profit off their product and they market in neighborhoods that suffer from these very things that were trying to cure.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mayor Kenney that big soda companies have substantial financial resources, generate significant profits from their products, and target marketing efforts towards neighborhoods that face health-related challenges. This claim is supported by evidence that highlights the profitability of carbonated beverages and the marketing strategies employed by these companies. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Big soda has a lot of money. They make a lot of profit off their product and they market in neighborhoods that suffer from these very things that we\u2019re trying to cure.\"","\"Big soda has a lot of money,\" the mayor argued in an interview with KYW. \"They make a lot of profit off their product and they market in neighborhoods that suffer from these very things that we\u2019re trying to cure.\"","Kenney stated that big soda makes a lot of cash. Profit-wise, despite current consumers trends that may signal a bleak future for soft drink sales, carbonated beverages remain profitable, thanks, in notable cases, to reorganization and new pricing. We rate this claim true.","!Ashly and her mother Tanya Bos shop at a Save-A-Lot in Brooksville, Fla., in 2011. The family of six relies on food stamps, with Tanya priding herself on her ability to stretch every dollar. (By Will Vragovic, Tampa Bay Times) !Ashly and her mother Tanya Bos shop at a Save-A-Lot in Brooksville, Fla., in 2011. The family of six relies on food stamps, with Tanya priding herself on her ability to stretch every dollar. (By Will Vragovic, Tampa Bay Times)"]},{"id":"423.json","label":"true","statement":"\"McCain opposes a woman's right to choose.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects John McCain's stance on abortion rights. McCain has consistently expressed his opposition to abortion and has stated that he does not support Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. He has advocated for the reversal of Roe vs. Wade and has emphasized his commitment to appointing judges who share his belief that the issue of abortion should be decided by individual states. Therefore, it is accurate to say that McCain opposes a woman's right to choose.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The fourth item on the list states, \"McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, 'I do not support Roe vs. Wade . It should be overturned.' \"","MoveOn is on solid ground here. McCain calls himself prolife. During the primaries in 2007, he asserted several times that he thought Roe vs. Wade should be overturned, and that message is featured prominently on McCain's campaign Web site.","has attacked Sen. John McCain in an e-mail to its membership, urging people to email it to \"friends, family and co-workers.\"","\"John McCain believes Roe vs. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench,\" the Web site states. \"Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe vs. Wade , returning the abortion question to the individual states.\""]},{"id":"9544.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Light rail does not reduce congestion.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the impact of light rail on congestion is debatable and depends on various factors. While some studies indicate that implementing light rail can lead to slower growth in congestion, it is important to note that these effects may vary depending on the specific context and accompanying policies. Additionally, there are opposing viewpoints and studies that suggest light rail may not have a significant impact on reducing congestion. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to make a definitive statement that light rail does not reduce congestion. The evidence suggests that the relationship between light rail and congestion is complex and requires a nuanced understanding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["He said that a transit system with sufficient demand and adequate supporting policies can indeed reduce congestion. He cited several studies that showed congestion increased at a higher rate in areas without light rail.","The studies we looked at didn\u2019t show a strict reduction in congestion. However, there are studies that show congestion grows more slowly in communities that have implemented light rail, especially if they do so in conjunction with other policies that give people an option not to drive.","A TikTok video suggests that Alexa\u2019s answer to a question about chemtrails confirmed they are being used to reduce the human population.","One of the group\u2019s supporting links is a Washington Post Wonkblog post linking to another post from The Atlantic suggesting light rail\u2019s effects on congestion are debatable. The other piece of evidence is an April 2014 analysis by David McKalip, a St. Petersburg neurosurgeon and No Tax For Tracks supporter, concluding light rail actually increases congestion."]},{"id":"1802.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Elena Kagan has published five scholarly review articles, mostly on administrative law and the First Amendment. These articles were mostly on technical and procedural issues.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Elena Kagan has indeed published five scholarly review articles, primarily focused on administrative law and the First Amendment. However, there is some discrepancy regarding the characterization of these articles as \"mostly technical and procedural.\" While some sources suggest that at least three of the articles address significant First Amendment issues, which goes against the description of being solely technical and procedural. Therefore, the statement is generally accurate but lacks complete clarity on the nature of the articles.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Her publication record is scant and carefully nonideological. She has published five scholarly review articles, mostly on administrative law and the First Amendment. These articles were mostly on technical and procedural issues.\"","\"Her publication record is scant and carefully nonideological,\" Brooks wrote. \"She has published five scholarly review articles, mostly on administrative law and the First Amendment. These articles were mostly on technical and procedural issues.\"","\u2022 New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote that Kagan's professional writings were limited and unadventurous. Elena Kagan \"has published five scholarly review articles, mostly on administrative law and the First Amendment. These articles were mostly on technical and procedural issues.\" We read other reports that named a different number of articles. We delved into Kagan's writings and found there are several different ways to calculate how many law review articles Kagan has written. We rated his statement Half True.","Brooks said she wrote five \"mostly technical and procedural\" scholarly review articles. We found that there are several different ways to calculate how many law review articles Kagan has written; and some legal experts offer higher numbers. Finally, if Brooks only counts five articles, at least three of those were about significant First Amendment issues with broad impact, which is at odds with his description of the articles as \"mostly technical or procedural.\" So we rate his statement Half True."]},{"id":"5168.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that according to a study, under Obamas health care initiative, nearly 90 percent of people in Wisconsin with health insurance will have their costs go up by more than 30 percent.","reason":"Reason: The provided evidence does not support the claim that nearly 90 percent of people in Wisconsin with health insurance will have their costs go up by more than 30 percent under Obama's health care initiative. The evidence discusses the overall impact of the health care reform plan, including the increase in spending and the rate of growth in health care expenditures. However, it does not provide specific data or studies related to the cost increase for individuals in Wisconsin. Therefore, the claim lacks substantiation based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But remember, that's with a plan that is estimated to cover an additional 33 million people. So spending would increase 0.7 percent while adding coverage to roughly 10 percent of the population. In his report, Foster said numerous studies have demonstrated that people with health insurance use more health services than people without insurance.","So we'll be spending more over the next 10 years, even more than if we didn't pass the bill, according to the CMS report. But let's talk a minute about the \"rate of growth\" of health care spending. That's what Obama is talking about when he says he wants to \"bend the cost curve.\" According to the projections in the CMS report, the rate of growth in national health care expenditures will spike a bit in the middle years of the health reform plan. That's when the provisions that result in 33 million more people getting health insurance will kick in. But in the later years of the 10-year projections, the rate of growth rises slower than under current law (albeit only slightly: in 2019, for example, it's the difference between rising at a clip of 6.9 percent under the proposed plan as opposed to 7.2 percent under current law).","How common is this? The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, found that in 2007, just over 14 percent of the entire U.S. population \"switched\" health insurance. However, this underestimates the rate of switching, because the study included people of all ages (including those covered by Medicare, who rarely switch) and because it doesn\u2019t count a switch from one plan to the other within the same insurance company.","The first is how much people would pay in health insurance premiums. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) studied the health care bill proposed by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and concluded that if passed, most people would see a very modest decrease in premiums by 2016 (compared to what they would pay under the current system). How modest? Best-case scenario - for those in group plans with large companies - about 3 percent better. For a small percentage of people (less than 8 percent of the insured) who would buy insurance on the individual market, and who wouldn't be eligible for federal subsidies, they might actually pay 10 to 13 percent more, though with new federal minimum standards, they'd also be getting more insurance coverage as well."]},{"id":"8083.json","label":"true","statement":"Every single month since 1985 has been warmer than the historic average. All 12 of the warmest years on record have come in the last 15 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of data released by NOAA scientists and NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. According to these sources, every month since 1985 has been warmer than the historic average, and the last 15 years have indeed seen the 12 warmest years on record. This information is supported by scientific research and analysis.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Every single month since 1985 has been warmer than the historic average,\" Holt said. \"All 12 of the warmest years on record have come in the last 15 years.\"","\"Every single month since 1985 has been warmer than the historic average,\" Holt (D-12th Dist.) said. \"All 12 of the warmest years on record have come in the last 15 years.\"","PolitiFact New Jersey in July 2013 rated as True a claim that every \"single month since 1985 has been warmer than the historic average\" and that all \"12 of the warmest years on record have come in the last 15 years.\" Those statistics were backed up by data released by NOAA scientists and NASA\u2019s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. As for the warmest years on record, NOAA scientists estimate that the last 15 years have included the 14 hottest years and NASA scientists have said that same time period included the 13 hottest years.","On the second point, it turns out that Holt's figure of the 12 warmest years on record occurring in the last 15 years was actually a conservative estimate."]},{"id":"4817.json","label":"false","statement":"Says unemployment in Ohio is significantly higher than the unemployment rate in states which are not forced union states and its always been that way.","reason":"Reason: The statement that unemployment in Ohio is consistently higher than in states that are not forced union states is not supported by the evidence. A fact-check analysis reveals that Ohio's unemployment rate has not always been higher than the rates in right-to-work states. In fact, there have been instances where Ohio's unemployment rate was lower than some right-to-work states. Therefore, the claim that Ohio's unemployment rate is consistently higher and has always been that way is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says unemployment in Ohio \"is significantly higher than the unemployment rate in states which are not forced union states and it\u2019s always been that way.\"","\"We\u2019re hovering around 9-10 percent unemployment at any given time, which is significantly higher than the unemployment rate in states which are not forced union states and it\u2019s always been that way,\" Thompson said.","Thompson flatly stated that Ohio\u2019s unemployment rate was \"significantly higher\" than the rates in right-to-work states and has \"always\" been that way.","As for Ohio \"always\" having had a higher unemployment rate, a check of Ohio\u2019s rate at its highest and lowest points over the past decade shows 14 of the right-to-work states had higher unemployment rates than Ohio when the rate was at its lowest. And when Ohio\u2019s rate was at its highest, there still were four right-to-work states with higher jobless rates. Ohio\u2019s unemployment rate is not higher than all right-to-work states and very likely has never been."]},{"id":"10746.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States invented the community college. Nobody else had ever done anything like it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact-check rating given to Hillary Clinton's claim that the United States invented the community college. The fact-check rated her claim as Mostly True, indicating that while the United States did play a significant role in the development and expansion of community colleges, there were similar institutions in other countries with different names and structures. Therefore, while the United States can be credited with pioneering the concept of community colleges, it is not accurate to say that nobody else had ever done anything like it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Finally, one reader questioned why we even bothered to check Clinton\u2019s claim that \"the United States invented the community college. Nobody else had ever done anything like it.\" We rated that Mostly True.","\"So, of all the serious U.S. and worldwide issues facing us, you decide the most important fact to check on the sole, scandal-ridden Democratic candidate for president is whether she was correct when she said we invented community colleges? I can't begin to tell you what a helpful piece of information that is. Thank you for your unbiased, hard-hitting coverage of Hillary.\"","\"I think there's a lot of folks who are very disenchanted with both political parties because neither party is really talking about them and really saying what's the way forward for the 70 percent of Americans who don't have a college degree but, you know, want economic opportunity like everybody else and nobody's talking about that.\"","\"Making public colleges and universities tuition-free, that exists in countries all over the world, used to exist in the United States.\""]},{"id":"7910.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Corporate tax holidays pushed by Presidents John F. Kennedy and George W. Bush brought billions of dollars back into the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. There is evidence to support the claim that a corporate tax holiday during the presidency of George W. Bush brought back billions of dollars into the United States. However, there is disagreement among experts regarding whether the actions taken by President John F. Kennedy can be accurately described as a corporate tax holiday. While Kennedy did implement tax changes to address concerns about money flowing out of the United States, it is not universally accepted as a corporate tax holiday. Therefore, the claim that both Kennedy and Bush implemented corporate tax holidays that brought billions of dollars back into the United States is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Georgia wanted to find out whether the senator\u2019s claim that corporate tax holidays pushed by those two presidents brought \"billions of dollars back into the United States.\"","\"Absolutely,\" he told Bloomberg radio. \"It was done by John Kennedy. It was done by George W. Bush. Both times they did it, it brought back trillions or billions of dollars back into the United States which got reinvested in businesses and in jobs, and that\u2019s exactly what we should do with the over $2 trillion that\u2019s stranded now.\"","To sum up, Isakson\u2019s comments were accurate about the Bush tax holiday, which brought $362 billion back into the U.S. There is, however, disagreement about its long-term effectiveness. There is even more disagreement about whether it\u2019s correct to describe what Kennedy did as a corporate tax holiday.","Economists and historians say Kennedy wanted these changes because he was concerned about the flow of money out of the United States and its impact on the gold standard."]},{"id":"3600.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Milwaukee is the most segregated city in America.","reason":"Reason: Rev. Jesse Jackson's claim that Milwaukee is the most segregated city in America has been supported by evidence and previous fact-checking. Studies have shown that Milwaukee has high levels of racial segregation, particularly between white and black populations. While the statement does not provide a specific definition of segregation, it is accurate to say that Milwaukee has long been recognized as one of the most segregated cities in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In his interview with host Ed Schultz, Jackson said he supported collective bargaining powers for workers. Then, reiterating that he was in Wisconsin, he called Milwaukee \"the most segregated city in America.\"","Jackson claimed Milwaukee is the nation\u2019s most segregated city. He didn\u2019t define what he meant by segregated, but he referred to a study that measured segregation among whites and blacks.","In 2011, we rated Mostly True a Rev. Jesse Jackson claim that Milwaukee is the nation\u2019s most-segregated city. We found that the white-black segregation is worst in metropolitan Milwaukee, if not in the city itself.","Milwaukee as long been considered one of the nation\u2019s segregated cities. But we wanted to know if Jackson\u2019s claim, that Milwaukee is the most segregated, is true."]},{"id":"3772.json","label":"true","statement":"Says state lawmakers have voted to spend virtually all of the Rainy Day Fund four times since the funds creation.","reason":"Reason: State Senator Rodney Ellis claimed that state lawmakers have voted to spend virtually all of the Rainy Day Fund four times since its creation. This claim is supported by evidence from legislative history and reports. The evidence shows instances in 2003 and 2005 where significant amounts were appropriated from the Rainy Day Fund, nearly exhausting the available balance. While the exact phrase \"virtually all\" may be subjective, the evidence suggests that the Rainy Day Fund has been utilized extensively on multiple occasions. \nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Rodney Ellis says lawmakers have voted to \u201cspend virtually all of the Rainy Day Fund four times\" in history&url=)","Appealing unsuccessfully to spend more money from the state\u2019s so-called Rainy Day Fund, state Sen. Rodney Ellis hearkened to legislative history, saying in floor debate May 16: \"Members, this legislature has voted to use virtually all of the Rainy Day Fund four times\" since its creation in the late 1980s. \"The sad truth is that Texans and the (fund) are being held hostage to politics.\"","The four states coming at the bottom -- Montana, Kansas, Pennsylvania and New Jersey -- would be able to fund zero days relying on their rainy day funds.","\"In 2003, to deal with the last economic downturn, the Legislature appropriated $1.3 billion from the Rainy Day Fund\u2014almost every penny of the balance the (state) comptroller forecast through 2005,\" the report says. \"Again in 2005, the Legislature appropriated $1.9 billion in Rainy Day funds, using roughly half for 2005 shortfalls, and the other half for 2006-07, spending almost all the $2 billion that was forecast to be available.\""]},{"id":"8652.json","label":"false","statement":"The Denver Post has actually hired an editor to promote pot.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The Denver Post did hire an editor to cover the topic of legalized marijuana in Colorado, but it does not mean that the editor was hired to promote pot. The newspaper's intention was to provide comprehensive coverage of the various aspects surrounding the legalization of marijuana, including policy, laws, and the culture surrounding its use. There is no evidence to suggest that the editor was hired with the explicit purpose of promoting marijuana.\nLabel: false","evidence":["O\u2019Reilly said the Denver Post was a \"far left concern\" that had \"actually hired an editor to promote pot\". This goes to the newspaper's intent. The Denver Post said it planned to cover many aspects of the unfolding story of legalized marijuana in the state, ranging from policy and laws to the culture of pot users.","The Denver Post \u2019s decision to hire a \"pot editor\" to cover the legal recreational use of marijuana in Colorado has drawn the ire of Bill O\u2019Reilly, who twice in four days attacked the newspaper on his Fox News program.","We reached out to Fox News for more details from the show and did not hear back. This fact-check focuses on whether the Denver Post is promoting pot, but O\u2019Reilly and his guests raised some important points and we\u2019ll cover some of them too.","Among other things, O\u2019Reilly called the Post\u2019s top editor a pinhead and warned that the paper was promoting intoxication that would put more dangerous drivers on the road."]},{"id":"3506.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the Southwest Florida Water Management District has $850 million in reserves, enough money in savings to run without levying taxes for more than two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Southwest Florida Water Management District does have a significant amount of money in reserves, the claim that they have $850 million in reserves is an exaggeration. Additionally, the assertion that they have enough money to operate without levying taxes for more than two years is also false. The fact-checking sources indicate that the claim made by the Senate budget committee chairman is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Alexander was trying to make the point that Swiftmud's bank account needs pruning. The district does have $182 million stored away to be used for future projects. But Alexander has overstated the issue by saying the Southwest Florida Water Management District has enough money in savings to run without levying taxes for more than two years. We rate this claim False.","The talk about the water management district stuck out to several people, who asked us if it could be true. Specifically we wanted to know: Does the Southwest Florida Water Management District, or Swiftmud, have enough money to operate for more than two years without levying taxes?","Here's a new one: The Senate budget committee chairman says the water management district that includes the Tampa Bay area is so overflowing with money that it could run for two years without collecting a dollar more in taxes.","On March 31, Alexander made a similar claim, telling members of the Senate budget committee that the Southwest Florida Water Management District has $850 million in \"reserves.\""]},{"id":"11606.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since he took office as Milwaukee County executive, we have never raised bus fares and this year therell be a million route-miles more than there were five years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Milwaukee County executive that bus fares have not been raised since he took office and that there will be a million more route-miles this year compared to five years ago. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as mostly true, as budget reports confirm the constant fare prices and the increase in route miles. However, it's important to note that the statement does not mention that some of the increased route miles were a result of a lawsuit against the state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Since he took office as Milwaukee County executive, \"we have never raised\" bus fares and \"this year there\u2019ll be a million route-miles more than there were five years ago.\"","Abele said since he has been Milwaukee County executive, \"we have never raised\" bus fares and \"this year there\u2019ll be a million route-miles more than there were five years ago.\"","Transit: Abele\u2019s said that since he took office as Milwaukee County executive, \"we have never raised\" bus fares and \"this year there\u2019ll be a million route-miles more than there were five years ago.\" We rated that Mostly True -- budget reports showed constant fare prices and a million mile increase in route miles. He didn\u2019t mention, however, that some of the increased route miles were the result of a lawsuit against the state.","\"This year there\u2019ll be a million route miles more than there were five years ago and we have never raised fares.\""]},{"id":"4372.json","label":"true","statement":"The ratio of corporate profits to wages is now higher than at any time since just before the Great Depression.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the calculations and analysis conducted by PolitiFact, the ratio of corporate profits to wages in 2010 was higher than at any time since at least 1929. The next highest ratio was in 2006. While there is no available data for the period just before the Great Depression, the evidence supports the claim that the ratio is currently at its highest level since that time. It's important to note that the ratio has remained relatively steady over the studied period, with both corporate profits and wages experiencing significant increases. However, the ratio has consistently fallen within a relatively narrow range, indicating a consistent relationship between the two factors.\nLabel: true","evidence":["One of the statistics Reich offered was this: \"The ratio of corporate profits to wages is now higher than at any time since just before the Great Depression.\"","Here are the calculations that PolitiFact used to check the Robert Reich quote, \u201cThe ratio of corporate profits to wages is now higher than at any time since just before the Great Depression.\u201d","For wages, we found that Reich was essentially correct. The ratio in 2010 -- the last full year in the statistics -- was .281, which was higher than any year back to at least 1929, the earliest year in the BEA database. The next highest ratio was in 2006, at .265. (We didn\u2019t find pre-1929 data, so the one part of Reich\u2019s statement that we can\u2019t prove is that the ratio was higher \"just before the Great Depression.\")","First, we\u2019ll note that the ratio has been remarkably steady over the time we studied. In 2010, corporate income was 168 times what it was in 1929, and wages were 124 times what they were in 1929. But despite the dramatic increases for both measures individually, these two numbers have grown pretty much in tandem. While corporate profits have grown faster, they haven\u2019t grown dramatically faster. Over the eight-decade period, the ratio between corporate profits and wages -- at least prior to 2010 -- almost always hovered between .150 and .235, a pretty narrow range, all things considered."]},{"id":"3528.json","label":"true","statement":"Says some [states] with the largest reductions in crime have also lowered their prison population.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that some states with the largest reductions in crime have also lowered their prison population. The reports from the Prison Policy Institute and the Vera Institute of Justice indicate that New York, one of the states mentioned, has experienced a decrease in imprisonment rates while also seeing improvements in crime rates. Additionally, the mention of violent offenders being a large portion of the prison population suggests that other offenses, which may not be as severe, contribute to the overall prison population. This further supports the idea that reducing the prison population can be achieved without compromising public safety, particularly if the focus is on non-violent offenses.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A report published in September by the Prison Policy Institute also ranked New York lowest out of the nine largest states. That analysis used data on local jails, state prisons, federal prisons, and other confinement facilities.","The Vera Institute of Justice, which also tracks imprisonment rates, collected imprisonment data from 2020 and early 2021. In its report published in June, imprisonment rates in spring 2021 were lowest in New York out of the nine largest states.","Meanwhile, the number of people who have been convicted of committing violent offenses is a large portion of the prison population \u2014 but largely because other offenses allow for shorter jail times.","In a Sept. 9 news release, the committee claimed that Barnes \"wants to release 50% of the prison population when 68% is classified as \u2018violent offenders.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"1618.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she was the the only Democrat who voted against the Wall Street bailout.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Representative Kathy Castor that she was the only Democrat to vote against the Wall Street bailout. This claim is supported by multiple sources, including a quote from Castor herself and news articles reporting her stance on the issue. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So Nye says he voted against the bailout. People hearing his claim would undoubtedly think he was referring to the main vote on the TARP, but he wasn\u2019t even elected when that vote was taken.","Castor, who represents portions of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Manatee counties, was quoted in the Tampa Tribune last month saying she was \"the only Democrat to vote against the Wall Street bailout.\"","U.S. Rep Glenn Nye portrays himself as a boldly independent Democrat who bucks his party on key issues such as health-care reform and the Wall Street bailout.","Again, Castor was the lone Florida Democrat in the House to vote against the measure. This is what she said at the time: \"After thoughtful consideration and review, I voted against President Bush's $700 billion bailout. The Bush plan does not provide sufficient help to middle-class families in the housing squeeze or taxpayer protections.\u201d"]},{"id":"11141.json","label":"half-true","statement":"97 percent of the work that Planned Parenthood does is about mammograms and preventative health.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant portion of Planned Parenthood's services are focused on preventive care, including mammograms, the statement misrepresents the actual percentage. According to Planned Parenthood's own breakdown, approximately 85-90% of their work is dedicated to preventive care. The claim of 97% specifically for mammograms and preventive health is higher than the actual figure. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Democratic presidential candidate and former Maryland Gov. Martin O\u2019Malley went the opposite direction, telling reporters \"97 percent of the work that Planned Parenthood does is about mammograms and preventative health.\"","So O\u2019Malley\u2019s 97 percent figure has some basis -- that\u2019s the percentage of Planned Parenthood\u2019s services that aren\u2019t abortion. But that\u2019s a broader category than \"mammograms and preventative health,\" which O\u2019Malley said.","\"And I don't generally make a habit of responding to right-wing videos,\" O'Malley said, according to Washington Post \u2019s Dave Weigel. \"I do know that 97 percent of the work that Planned Parenthood does is about mammograms and preventative health. So that's what I know, but I'll defer to others for commenting on that video and whatever videos they're pumping out there.\"","Based on this breakdown, about 85 percent of Planned Parenthood\u2019s work is preventive. Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Elizabeth Clark put the figure at 90 percent. But both are a bit lower than what O\u2019Malley said: that 97 percent is preventive care and mammograms."]},{"id":"9840.json","label":"true","statement":"Al Sharpton went to Ferguson, Mo., and is declaring as a matter of fact that ...Michael Brown didnt use any deadly force or posed no deadly threat to the officer.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the criticism made by Megyn Kelly regarding Al Sharpton's statements in Ferguson, Missouri. Kelly accused Sharpton of declaring, as a matter of fact, that Michael Brown did not use any deadly force or pose a deadly threat to the officer involved. It is important to note that this statement is based on the perspective and criticism of Megyn Kelly and does not provide conclusive evidence regarding Al Sharpton's actual statements. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Al Sharpton went to Ferguson, Mo., and is \"declaring as a matter of fact that ... Michael Brown didn't use any deadly force or posed no deadly threat to the officer.\"","In criticizing Sharpton, Kelly said, Sharpton went to Ferguson, Mo., and is \"declaring as a matter of fact that ... Michael Brown didn't use any deadly force or posed no deadly threat to the officer.\"","\"What they don't need in this case, or in any case, is people like Al Sharpton going in there and declaring as a matter of fact that the, that Michael Brown didn't use any deadly force or posed no deadly threat to the officer,\" Kelly said.","Fox News commentators are locked in an ongoing verbal joust with Al Sharpton, a host on its left-leaning rival, MSNBC. Megyn Kelly took up the fight recently, saying that when Sharpton went to Ferguson, Mo., after local resident Michael Brown was shot and killed by a local police officer, Sharpton was \"declaring as a matter of fact that\u2026Michael Brown didn\u2019t use any deadly force or posed no deadly threat to the officer.\""]},{"id":"7597.json","label":"true","statement":"Says carbon monoxide is still employed to euthanize dogs and cats in 29 Texas animal shelters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including a news article and statements from officials involved in animal control. According to these sources, there are indeed 29 animal shelters in Texas that still use carbon monoxide as a method of euthanizing dogs and cats. This information indicates that carbon monoxide is still employed in these shelters for euthanasia purposes.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A lawmaker seeking to ban the killing of dogs and cats by carbon monoxide says the method is used in 29 animal shelters around Texas, according to a March 19, 2013, Austin American-Statesman news article.","Kirk Watson, seeking to ban the use of carbon monoxide to euthanize dogs and cats, said 29 Texas animal shelters use the method instead of more humane, less costly injections of sodium pentobarbital.","Joe Lopez, Victoria\u2019s chief animal control officer, told us its shelter uses carbon monoxide to euthanize some dogs and cats, but depends on injections of a sodium pentobarbital solution for puppies, kittens and especially old or sickly cats and dogs.","Bobosky said by email that the number of shelters using carbon monoxide has dropped to 29 because Ganado and Freer no longer do so."]},{"id":"8418.json","label":"false","statement":"Since Mr. Fosters been mayor, we have less small businesses in the city of St. Petersburg.","reason":"Reason: The available data and expert analysis suggest that the claim made by Kriseman, stating that there are fewer small businesses in St. Petersburg since Mayor Foster took office, is false. The data indicates that the number of businesses in the city, as well as the revenue generated by those businesses, have actually increased. It is important to note that defining what constitutes a small business can vary, but most businesses in the city would fall under that category. Therefore, based on the evidence and expert opinions, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Among his claims, Kriseman said: \"Since Mr. Foster's been mayor, we have less small businesses in the city of St. Petersburg.\"","Kriseman criticized his mayoral race opponent, saying there are fewer small businesses in St. Petersburg than there were when Mayor Foster took office. But the available data leads us to believe that the number of businesses, and the city\u2019s revenue from those businesses, have actually increased. There are lots of different ways to define what constitutes a small business, but experts told us most city businesses could be considered small. Based on the available data, we rate Kriseman's claim False.","Since most businesses in St. Petersburg employ fewer than 500 people, we can use the total number of businesses and the total amount of tax money they pull in for the city to get an imperfect picture of how the climate for small businesses has changed during Foster\u2019s term.","University of South Florida St. Petersburg economics professor Suzanne Dieringer said the number of small businesses would vary based on how it's measured. Even when experts agree to define a small business by number of employees, there\u2019s no consensus among experts about which number to use."]},{"id":"12306.json","label":"false","statement":"I was totally against the war in Iraq, saying for many years that it would destabilize the Middle East.","reason":"Reason: While President Trump has claimed that he was against the war in Iraq and predicted that it would destabilize the Middle East, the evidence suggests otherwise. There is no substantial evidence to support the claim that he actively opposed the war beforehand or consistently warned about its potential consequences in destabilizing the region. While he expressed skepticism about the mission in Iraq at times, his statements did not specifically mention the destabilization of the Middle East as a reason for his opposition. Therefore, the statement is not supported by strong evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said, \"I was totally against the war in Iraq, saying for many years that it would destabilize the Middle East.\"","\"I was totally against the war in Iraq, saying for many years that it would destabilize the Middle East,\" he said April 27, 2016.","Clearly Trump opposed the Iraq War in its early years. There\u2019s no evidence, though, that he advocated against the war beforehand, or that he was especially vocal about it destabilizing the Middle East.","Trump seems to be skeptical of the mission in Iraq here, and he said the economy should be a higher priority. But he did not say anything that resembles his claim that Bush should not proceed because a war would \"destabilize the Middle East.\""]},{"id":"8920.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Large parts of Florida have experienced years of below average rainfall.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some parts of Florida have experienced below-average rainfall in recent years, it is important to note that the state as a whole has seen periods of both above-average and below-average rainfall. The statement lacks the necessary context to accurately reflect the overall rainfall patterns in Florida. Additionally, it is crucial to consider long-term trends and variations in rainfall rather than focusing solely on specific periods. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it does not provide a comprehensive representation of the rainfall situation in large parts of Florida.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Associated Industries of Florida said in its press release that \"large parts of Florida\" have experienced \"years of below average rainfall.\" While parts of Florida have had below-average rainfall, we also saw years of above-average rainfall. Climatologists told us the state overall is doing fine, thanks to the years when it was above average. Most recently, 2013 was the 14th or 15th rainiest year on record since 1895.","\"Years of below average rainfall in large parts of Florida combined with reduced infrastructure spending during the recession, have exacerbated a growing shortfall in water supply across the state, drawing the attention of Florida's businesses, environmental groups, utilities and government,\" the release said.","We checked the state\u2019s five water management districts, designed to tend to water resources across Florida. AIF said that \"large parts\" of Florida had below average rainfail, so numbers by district give us a sense of how rainfall measures up on a regional basis.","In Panama City, for example, the 30-year rainfall average is 61 inches. They\u2019re an example of a location being hit by some below average years lately:"]},{"id":"8989.json","label":"true","statement":"Crimea was part of Russia until 1954, when it was given to the Soviet Republic of the Ukraine.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Crimea was indeed part of Russia until 1954 when it was transferred to the Soviet Republic of Ukraine by Nikita Khrushchev, who was the leader of the Soviet Union at the time. This historical event is significant in understanding the historical and geopolitical context of Crimea's relationship with Russia and Ukraine.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I would believe that Russians would love to see the Crimea as part of the Russian Federation,\" he said. \"It was there until 1954 when it was given to the Soviet Republic of the Ukraine at the time. I think they\u2019d like it back. It\u2019s strategic for them militarily and economically.\"","Ignatius said Crimea belonged to Russia until 1954, when Khrushchev gave the land to Ukraine, then a Soviet republic. Ignatius\u2019 history lesson explains why Russians remain so intertwined with Crimea and why some Americans are worried that Russians will try to annex the peninsula.","Rogers said Crimea belonged to Russia until 1954, when Khrushchev gave the land to Ukraine, then a Soviet republic. Rogers\u2019 history lesson explains why Russians remain so intertwined with Crimea and why some Americans are worried that Russians will try to annex the peninsula.","1945 : After World War II, the autonomous Soviet republic was dissolved and Crimea became a province of the Soviet Union called the Crimean Oblast."]},{"id":"1453.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Florida still averages more students in its classrooms than any other state in the Southeast.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Franklin Sands that \"Florida still averages more students in its classrooms than any other state in the Southeast\" is not entirely accurate. While Florida does have a higher average class size compared to some states in the Southeast, it is not accurate to claim that it has the highest average class size among all states in the Southeast. The claim overlooks the fact that there are states in the Southeast with lower pupil\/teacher ratios and smaller class sizes than Florida. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the comparative class sizes in the Southeast.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Back to what Sands said: His broader point -- that Florida has more students in its classrooms than other states -- is largely true, as measured by pupil\/teacher ratios. But Sands said \"Florida still averages more students in its classrooms than any other state in the Southeast,\" and there are at least three caveats to his statement:","\"I am hesitant of the governor's call for changing the class-size amendment in the state Constitution,\" House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands of Weston said in a press release on Jan. 29, 2010. \"I seriously doubt that Floridians will want to undo what they approved in 2002. I strongly support giving school districts the flexibility they need to deal with small increases in the student-teacher ratios. But it is important to remember that Florida still averages more students in its classrooms than any other state in the Southeast.\"","Another important distinction: Sands said Florida \"averages\" more students in its classrooms when compared to other states. But average class size and pupil\/teacher ratios are not equivalent, said Alan Richard, with the Southern Regional Education Board, a nonpartisan group that helps 16 member states create education policy.","Now Sands said in the \"Southeast\" -- which isn't a region defined by the U.S. government and has subjective boundaries. If, for instance, Virginia fits your definition of Southeast, it had a higher pupil\/teacher ratio in 2007-08 (17.1) than Florida (15.8), the NCES found. If you consider Texas or West Virginia in the Southeast, each has a pupil\/teacher ratio lower than Florida's."]},{"id":"10874.json","label":"false","statement":"Florida was the only state during my eight years to go from AA to AAA in its bond rating.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bush is inaccurate. While Florida did experience an upgrade in its bond rating from AA+ to AAA during his time as governor, it is not true that Florida was the only state to achieve this upgrade during his eight years in office. Both Delaware and Michigan also received an upgrade from AA+ to AAA during that period. Therefore, the claim that Florida was the only state to achieve this upgrade is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bush said, \"Florida was the only state during my eight years to go from AA to AAA (in its bond rating).\"","\"Florida was the only state during my eight years to go from AA to AAA (in its bond rating),\" Bush told business leaders in Portsmouth, N.H., on May 20, 2015. He added the change followed years of increasing the state\u2019s cash reserves from $1 billion to $10 billion.","Florida\u2019s general obligation bond rating was upgraded by Standard & Poor\u2019s Rating Services in 2005. But both Delaware and Michigan were upgraded from AA+ to AAA by the S&P in 2000, which was during Bush\u2019s second year in office. The information Bush\u2019s PAC cited did not include his first two years in office.","On Feb. 25, 2005, S&P upgraded Florida\u2019s general obligation bond rating from AA+ (which is slightly higher than their AA rating, actually) to AAA. The difference is in rating the state\u2019s capacity to meet its debt obligations from \"very strong\" to \"extremely strong,\" according to agency guidelines. For the record, Moody\u2019s and Fitch also upgraded the state that year, but their ratings are designated differently."]},{"id":"1502.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The stimulus includes \"$7 million to build a bridge in Thedford, Nebraska, to help 168 residents avoid a 30-second wait at a local train crossing. Not one full-time job will be created.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that $7 million in stimulus funds was allocated to build a bridge in Thedford, Nebraska, to improve safety at a train crossing. However, the claim that not one full-time job will be created is incorrect. While it may not directly create full-time jobs for Thedford residents, the project will provide employment opportunities for individuals working for the Colorado company that secured the contract. Additionally, it is worth noting that the claim's emphasis on the number of residents benefiting from the bridge overlooks the fact that the bridge is crossed over 1,200 times a day, serving a broader purpose beyond just the local population. Therefore, the statement is deemed partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In this item, we examine the claim that the stimulus includes \"$7 million to build a bridge in Thedford, Nebraska, to help 168 residents avoid a 30-second wait at a local train crossing. Not one full-time job will be created.\"","Omaha World-Herald (Nebraska), \"World-Herald Exclusive: $7 million viaduct: safety fix or waste? Locals question using stimulus funds at a crash-free railroad crossing in Thedford,\" by Joseph Morton, July 19, 2009","So Boehner has the project and the pricetag correct, but we think it's misleading to claim the bridge only leads to a town of 168, when it is crossed more than 1,200 times a day. And the claim that it has not created any jobs is wrong. It might not create any full-time jobs for Thedford residents, but it will for those employed by the Colorado company that got the multimilion dollar contract. And so we rule this claim Half True.","It's true that $7 million in stimulus funds was awarded to build a viaduct allowing traffic to pass over BNSF Railway tracks on U.S. 83 in Thedford, instead of crossing directly on the tracks. And it's fair to say, based on those quoted in the CNN report as well as in the Omaha World-Herald on July 19, 2009, that a lot of locals think it's a huge waste of money."]},{"id":"13447.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nearly one in four people in their prime working years are not working.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donald Trump that nearly one in four people in their prime working years are not working. While the actual percentage is 21.8 percent, Trump's phrasing is reasonable and falls within an acceptable range. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. The fact check highlights that this number has declined steadily under the Obama administration and is not far from the all-time low. Additionally, it mentions that the percentage is not significantly different from the employment ratio during the peak of the dot-com boom. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But at a Nov. 4 rally in Atkinson, N.H., Trump offered a statistic that was much closer to the mark. \"At the core of my contract is my plan to bring back our jobs, about time,\" he said, later adding that \"nearly one in four people in their prime working years are not working. They want to work. They're not working.\"","Trump said that \"nearly one in four people in their prime working years are not working.\" The actual percentage is 21.8 percent, so Trump\u2019s phrasing is reasonable. Putting it this way does ignore that this number has declined steadily under Obama for the past six years, and it also ignores that it\u2019s not that far from the all-time low. Still, economists agree that Trump is raising a legitimate concern, since even after six years of improvement, the percentage today remains worse than it was prior to the Great Recession, suggesting that it might represent a new, more worrisome \"normal.\" We rate his claim Mostly True.","Second, it\u2019s worth noting that the current ratio is not all that far from its all-time high -- 81.9 percent in April 2000. Prime working age happens to be the prime childbearing and child-rearing age, and it makes sense that some people will choose not to work during at least some of those years. So it\u2019s not as if this number has always been pushing 100 percent and now is suddenly down dramatically.","When we checked with several economists, they said the most commonly used age span for defining the \"prime working years\" is 25 to 54. So we looked at the \"employment-to-population ratio\" for ages 25 to 54 -- that is, the percentage of people in that age range who are working, divided by the total number of people in that age range. (We also spot-checked the data for 18 to 64 and for 25 to 64 and did not find significant differences from 25 to 54.)"]},{"id":"1057.json","label":"false","statement":"Why do we have automatic citizenship upon birth? Were the only country in the world that has it.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Glenn Beck that the United States is the only country in the world that grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the country is incorrect. There are indeed other countries that have similar birthright citizenship policies. While the specific number may vary, it is widely recognized that at least 30 countries, including Canada, Mexico, and many others, grant automatic citizenship to individuals born on their soil. Therefore, the claim that the United States is the only country with automatic citizenship upon birth is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Why do we have automatic citizenship upon birth?\" Beck asked. \"Do you know? We're the only country in the world that has it. Why?\"","Our aim is not to enter the fray over the proposed legislation but to check Beck's claim that the United States is the only country in the world that grants automatic citizenship to anyone born in the country.","PolitiFact, \"Glenn Beck, on anchor babies, claims U.S. is only country with automatic citizenship upon birth( \"Glenn Beck, on anchor babies, claims U.S. is only country with automatic citizenship upon birth\"),\" June 19, 2009","We wanted to see if the United States is one of 30 countries in the world to offer automatic citizenship to anyone born on its soil."]},{"id":"9168.json","label":"false","statement":"Before Congress, (Tom) Cotton got paid handsomely working for insurance companies and corporate interests.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Tom Cotton got paid handsomely working for insurance companies and corporate interests is false. There is no evidence to support the assertion that Cotton worked for insurance companies or directly served as a consultant for them. While he did work for McKinsey, a consulting firm, there is no specific information to suggest that his work there was primarily focused on insurance companies or corporate interests. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Corporate special interests are spending millions to smear Mark Pryor and elect Tom Cotton,\" the narrator said. \"Why? Before Congress, Cotton got paid handsomely working for insurance companies and corporate interests.\"","The Senate Majority PAC ad claimed, \"Before Congress, Cotton got paid handsomely working for insurance companies and corporate interests.\" Cotton\u2019s never worked for an insurance company, nor has he served as a consultant for one. We rate the statement False.","So Cotton didn\u2019t work for an insurance company. But did he get paid handsomely? That\u2019s a subjective judgment we won\u2019t weigh in on. But we can see from his financial disclosure statement that Cotton earned $85,000 from McKinsey in 2011. For comparison, he makes $174,000 per year(*PL%5B%3D%23P%20%20%0A) in Congress.","PolitiFact wanted to know if Cotton really worked for insurance companies before taking office in 2013. Cotton\u2019s campaign didn\u2019t respond to our requests for comment."]},{"id":"10307.json","label":"false","statement":"According to HUD, it is patently unfair and socially unjust that wealthy people can live in an exclusive neighborhood.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. According to David Reiss, a professor of real estate and housing policy, HUD does not interpret the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to mean that wealthy people cannot live in exclusive neighborhoods. The FHA prohibits exclusionary practices that discriminate against individuals based on characteristics such as race, sex, or religion. Living in an exclusive or expensive neighborhood does not violate the FHA unless there are exclusionary practices in place that discriminate against certain individuals or groups. Therefore, the claim that HUD finds it unfair and socially unjust for wealthy people to live in exclusive neighborhoods is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mike Stenhouse said \"According to HUD, it is patently unfair and socially unjust that wealthy people can live in an exclusive neighborhood.\"","\"I\u2019m going to give you my interpretation,\" Stenhouse responded. \"I don\u2019t have their plan in front of me. What we believe, for instance, take Poppasquash Point in Bristol. According to HUD, it is patently unfair and socially unjust that wealthy people can live in an exclusive neighborhood.\"","According to David Reiss, a professor of real estate and housing policy at Brooklyn Law School, \"HUD does not interpret the FHA Fair Housing Act to mean that `wealthy people\u2019 can\u2019t `live in an exclusive neighborhood.\u2019\"","\"An exclusive neighborhood is an expensive one \u2013 the FHA does not ban expensive neighborhoods.\" Reiss continued in an email statement. \"What it does do is ban exclusionary practices. Exclusionary practices are those that exclude people based on certain of their characteristics such as their race, sex or religion. To my knowledge, HUD has never taken the position that merely living in an exclusive \u2013 that is, expensive -- neighborhood violates the FHA.\""]},{"id":"5899.json","label":"true","statement":"Says when he was governor,we expanded participation in Virginia in early childhood programs by nearly 40 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. During his term as governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine indeed played a role in expanding participation in early childhood programs by nearly 40 percent. This claim has been fact-checked and confirmed by multiple sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The research clearly demonstrates high-quality early childhood opportunities help children succeed,\" he wrote in a paper laying out his economic policies. \"That\u2019s why we expanded participation in Virginia in early childhood programs by nearly 40 percent...\"","Kaine claimed that he was part of expanding participation in early childhood programs in Virginia by nearly 40 percent. The numbers confirm that.","We checked whether Virginia\u2019s early childhood programs really did grow by 40 percent during Kaine\u2019s term as governor from 2006 to 2010.","Freitas repeated the charge that day at a virtual town hall meeting, laying the blame on Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam. \"There was one governor\u2019s recommendation that came down where he was advocating for the option of early release for over 4,000 people that have been incarcerated,\" he said. \"Sixty percent of the people that he was advocating be eligible for the program were actually incarcerated for violent offenses.\""]},{"id":"7825.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that since he took office, there have been no large-scale attacks on the United States.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been significant terrorist incidents during President Obama's presidency, such as the Fort Hood shootings and the Boston Marathon bombing, the interpretation of what constitutes a \"large-scale\" attack can vary. These incidents, while tragic, resulted in fewer deaths compared to some of the major terrorist attacks in recent history. The statement made by President Obama can be seen as plausible, but it may depend on the specific criteria used to define a \"large-scale\" attack. Therefore, the statement can be considered as partially true, acknowledging the different interpretations of the term.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered whether he was accurate when he said \"there have been no large-scale attacks on the United States\" since his presidency began.","At one point, Obama said \"there have been no large-scale attacks on the United States\" since the start of his presidency, adding, \"Now, make no mistake, our nation is still threatened by terrorists. From Benghazi to Boston, we have been tragically reminded of that truth. But we have to recognize that the threat has shifted and evolved from the one that came to our shores on 9\/11.\"","Two attacks on Obama\u2019s watch that might qualify as \"large scale\" -- the Fort Hood shootings and the Boston Marathon bombing. They caused substantially fewer deaths than the biggest terrorist attacks of recent years, and they are believed to have been carried out by \"lone wolf\" attackers with limited connections to large-scale terrorist networks. But where to draw the line between small, medium and large attacks is open to interpretation. Obama's formulation is plausible, but not the only one. We rate it Half True.","Since the definition of \u2018large scale\" is in the eye of the beholder, we reached out to terrorism experts for guidance. They saw two key yardsticks for determining whether an attack is \"large scale.\""]},{"id":"6332.json","label":"true","statement":"Twenty two years ago, when he was running for governor, Bill Nelson missed 56 percent of his votes in the U.S. House.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that twenty-two years ago, when Bill Nelson was running for governor, he did indeed miss 56 percent of his votes in the U.S. House of Representatives. This information is supported by data from CQ and statements from Mack's campaign manager and U.S. Rep. Connie Mack. It is important to note that this statement refers to a specific period in the past and does not reflect Nelson's overall voting record throughout his entire career.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Mack\u2019s campaign manager said that in 1990, when Nelson was running for governor, he missed 56 percent of his votes -- the worst record in Congress. CQ data confirms that 22 years ago, Nelson missed 56 percent of his votes, placing him last in voter participation.","\"What you didn\u2019t mention is that when Bill Nelson was in Congress and running statewide for governor in 1990, he had the absolute worst voting record of anyone in Congress. He missed a whopping 56 percent of his votes.\"","U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, says he\u2019s hardly the only politician to miss a bunch of votes while running for office. In fact, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson -- had a year about two decades ago when he missed more than any other member of Congress, says Mack.","In 1990, Nelson was in the U.S. House of Representatives and faced an uphill battle in a Democratic primary for governor against Lawton Chiles, who ultimately won."]},{"id":"6959.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the University of Texas can afford to build a medical school because it has a $7 billion endowment and its football program had a $50 million profit last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Moshein that the University of Texas can afford to build a medical school based on its $7 billion endowment and the $50 million profit generated by its football program. However, it's important to note that the financial resources of an institution, such as an endowment or profits from a specific program, do not necessarily dictate the feasibility or affordability of funding a separate project like a medical school. There are various factors and considerations involved in determining the financial viability and sustainability of such an endeavor. Therefore, while the statement presents the mentioned financial figures correctly, it oversimplifies the complex decision-making process involved in funding a medical school.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Moshein said the University of Texas has a $7 billion endowment and its football program had a $50 million profit last year, indications it can afford to fund a medical school.","Austin resident says University of Texas has $7 billion endowment and football team had a $50 million profit, so it can afford to pay for local medical school","( - Austin resident says University of Texas has $7 billion endowment and football team had a $50 million profit, so it can afford to pay for local medical school&url=)","\"Why?\" Moshein said in a letter to the editor in the Oct. 14, 2012, Austin American-Statesman. \"Because the University of Texas has a $7 billion endowment, and the football program brought in $50 (million) in profit last year alone.\""]},{"id":"9799.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas prosecutor Rosemary Lehmberg purchased 72 bottles of vodka in just one store alone, in just over a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sarah Palin regarding Texas prosecutor Rosemary Lehmberg's purchase of 72 bottles of vodka in just one store over a little over a year. This claim was supported by liquor store receipts submitted as evidence in a civil proceeding related to Lehmberg's drunken driving conviction and jail term. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Palin said the Travis County district attorney purchased \"72 bottles of vodka in just one store alone, in just over a year.\"","We rated True Palin\u2019s claim in the commentary that Lehmberg purchased 72 bottles of vodka in a little over a year. This was mostly supported by liquor store receipts submitted in a civil proceeding over whether Lehmberg could remain in her office after her drunken driving conviction and jail term.","\"The extent of the D.A.'s serious drinking problem was uncovered, evidence included her purchase of 72 bottles of vodka in just one store alone, in just over a year,\" Palin wrote. \"It's reasonable to believe she imbibed elsewhere, too.\"","News stories, \"Prosecutor on the defense: Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg goes on trial for her job,\" Austin American-Statesman , posted online Dec. 7, 2013;"]},{"id":"11093.json","label":"half-true","statement":"By declaring that Pluto was no longer a planet, the (International Astronomical Union) put into place a planetary definition that would have even declassified Earth as a planet if it existed as far from the sun as Pluto does.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the petition that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) put in place a planetary definition that would have declassified Earth as a planet if it were located as far from the sun as Pluto. The IAU's decision to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet was based on the criterion that a planet must \"clear its orbital zone,\" which Pluto does not meet. However, it's important to note that there is some ambiguity and disagreement among scientists regarding the interpretation of this criterion and its application to Earth. While some experts argue that Earth would not meet the criterion if it were in Pluto's location, others maintain that Earth's ability to \"clear the neighborhood\" is sufficient to classify it as a planet. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the claim made in the petition, but the interpretation of the IAU's planetary definition and its potential impact on Earth's classification remain a subject of scientific debate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Other Space' s petition claims, \"By declaring that Pluto was no longer a planet, the (International Astronomical Union) put into place a planetary definition that would have even declassified Earth as a planet if it existed as far from the sun as Pluto does.\"","\"Not long after New Horizons was launched in 2006, the International Astronomical Union stripped Pluto of its planethood because it was different than the other eight planets that we committed to memory,\" the petition reads. \"By declaring that Pluto was no longer a planet, the IAU put into place a planetary definition that would have even declassified Earth as a planet if it existed as far from the Sun as Pluto does.\"","Pluto was demoted as a planet because it could not clear its orbital zone, a requirement established by the astronomers union. However, the IAU definition is ambiguous because no planet can ever completely clear its orbital zone. Absent a clearer definition, scientists disagree about whether Earth would be declassified in this far-fetched scenario, though it certainly would not do as good a job at \"clearing the neighborhood\" as it does now.","Mark V. Sykes, director of the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Ariz., agrees with Stern that Earth would no longer be considered a planet if it were in Pluto\u2019s location. Sykes went even further to suggest that Earth would no longer be a planet if it were placed between Jupiter and Saturn."]},{"id":"39.json","label":"false","statement":"English \"is our national language...if it becomes official, that means in a place like New York City you can't print ballots in any other language.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While English is widely spoken and considered the de facto national language of the United States, there is no official national language designated by the federal government. The absence of an official national language does not restrict the printing of ballots or the provision of translation services in other languages. State and local governments have the flexibility to use multiple languages on ballots and provide translation services as needed to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for diverse communities.\nLabel: false","evidence":["English \"is our national it becomes official, that means in a place like New York City you can't print ballots in any other language.\"","Here's her full quote: \"The problem is that if it becomes official instead of recognized as national \u2014 which indeed it is, it is our national language \u2014 if it becomes official, that means in a place like New York City you can't print ballots in any other language. That means you can't have government pay for translators in hospitals so when somebody comes in with some sort of emergency there's nobody there to help translate what their problem is for the doctor. \"So many of us \u2014 I did, at least \u2014 voted to say that English was our national language, but not the official language because of the legal consequences of that.\"","Then she goes on to say more, and she gets that wrong, too. Her claim that making English the nation's \"official\" (different from \"national\") language would mean state and local governments could no longer use other languages on ballots or pay for translation services in places such as hospitals doesn't hold up.","First, she says that English already is the national language of the United States, a move she says she supported with a vote in the Senate. But her vote was on an amendment for the failed immigration bill of 2007. Congress never has declared English our \"national\" language."]},{"id":"11809.json","label":"true","statement":"When a Gallup poll asked about presidential candidate characteristics, When they get to the question on, Would you vote for a socialist, it is even less popular than voting for atheists.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a Gallup poll that asked about presidential candidate characteristics. According to the poll, the idea of voting for a socialist candidate is indeed less popular than voting for an atheist candidate. This indicates that socialism is viewed less favorably by the respondents compared to atheism when considering potential presidential candidates.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When a Gallup poll asked about presidential candidate characteristics, \"When they get to the question on, 'Would you vote for a socialist,' it is even less popular than voting for atheists.\"","\"Now, I love Bernie Sanders, really, I appreciate the fact that he's bringing out young people. But when you look at that word \u2018socialist,\u2019 the Gallup poll did an analysis of what are the characteristics that people would vote for in a president. 'Would you vote for a Mormon?' 'Would you vote for a Jew?' 'Would you vote for a Catholic?' When they get to the question on would you vote for an atheist, it is -- or, excuse me, a socialist, it is even less popular than voting for atheists,\" Granholm said. \"That is why it's an issue.\"","Granholm said a Gallup survey found that the idea of voting for a socialist for president is even less popular than voting for an atheist.","That's precisely what was found in the poll, the first time Gallup has asked about socialist presidential candidates. We rate the claim as True."]},{"id":"7618.json","label":"true","statement":"Says in Chicago, we take more guns off the streets than New York or L.A.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the University of Chicago Crime Lab and a federal youth crime initiative, which indicate that Chicago does indeed recover more guns from the streets compared to New York and Los Angeles. This is despite the fact that Chicago has a smaller population than both cities. The data suggests that Chicago's efforts to combat gun crime and implement gun seizure initiatives have been relatively successful in removing firearms from the streets.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Emanuel, arguing for stronger federal laws to help Chicago tamp down on gun crime, said, \"we take more guns off the streets than New York or L.A.\" Gun seizure data gathered by the University of Chicago Crime Lab and a federal youth crime initiative show just that. We rate his statement True.","New York and Los Angeles beat out Chicago as the nation\u2019s most populous cities. But Chicago has more guns on the streets, Mayor Rahm Emanuel told CNN.","\"I can tell you that Chicago consistently recovered more guns than any of the other cities, N.Y.C. and L.A. included,\" Webster said.","New York and California both have stricter gun control laws than Illinois. Guns cross into Chicago not just from Indiana and Wisconsin, but from areas right outside the city."]},{"id":"4926.json","label":"true","statement":"Newt Gingrich has suggested building a mirror system in space could improve the Earths habitability.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Newt Gingrich has indeed suggested the idea of building a mirror system in space to improve the Earth's habitability. This claim was fact-checked and confirmed to be true by PolitiFact, who found evidence of Gingrich citing and approving the idea in a book he co-wrote. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Gingrich's proposal regarding the mirror system in space.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Meanwhile, on a more offbeat topic, we rated a claim by New York Times columnist David Brooks that Gingrich \"has suggested\" that building \"a mirror system in space\" could improve the Earth\u2019s habitability. We looked in a book Gingrich co-wrote a quarter-century ago and found that he did cite the idea approvingly. We rated this claim True(about:blank).","\"We adopted the modern Social Security system at a time when the average person died before they were old enough to get Social Security.\"","In fact, when a pro-Gingrich super PAC claimed in an Iowa ad that \"Newt balanced the federal budget,\" we rated the statement Half True for this reason.","By PolitiFact standards, it hasn\u2019t been a good month for Newt Gingrich. As the former House speaker moved from also-ran to frontrunner in the Republican presidential race, his record for accuracy plummeted."]},{"id":"1714.json","label":"true","statement":"\"No member of the American public has ever been killed by commercial nuclear power a record unmatched by other fuels.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the American Nuclear Society, there have been no reported deaths of members of the American public caused by commercial nuclear power in the entire 50-year history of its operation in the United States. This record is indeed unmatched by other fuels. While there have been fatalities in non-commercial nuclear plants and non-nuclear areas of commercial plants, the statement specifically refers to deaths caused by commercial nuclear power, which has not occurred in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"No member of the American public has ever been killed by commercial nuclear power \u2014 a record unmatched by other fuels.\"","\"No member of the American public has ever been killed by commercial nuclear power \u2014 a record unmatched by other fuels,\" wrote Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, along with Theodore Rockwell, a fellow of the American Nuclear Society and a vice president of Radiation, Science and Health Inc.","Alexander's staff told us the senator got his facts from the American Nuclear Society Web site, which states in a \"Myths and Facts\" section that \"No member of the public has ever been injured or killed in the entire 50-year history of commercial nuclear power in the U.S.\"","So while people in the United States have been killed in non-commercial plants and in non-nuclear areas of a commercial plant, Alexander is right that no has been killed \"by commercial nuclear power.\" And those statistics and the most complete numbers we can find for other energy sources confirm his claim that it is a record unmatched by other fuels. So we find his claim True."]},{"id":"4591.json","label":"true","statement":"The people in Massachusetts like (the state health care plan) by about a 3-1 margin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the sentiment of the people in Massachusetts towards the state health care plan. According to the evidence provided, there is no significant controversy or organized opposition to the plan in Massachusetts, and there is no effort in the state legislature to revise it. Additionally, an independent analysis confirms that the 2006 Massachusetts health care law, signed by then-Gov. Mitt Romney, added only about 1 percent to the state budget. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the people in Massachusetts generally support the state health care plan by a significant margin.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Massachusetts voters, like voters everywhere, are unhappy with rising health care costs,\" Berry said. \"They see that in their insurance premiums -- every paycheck and every year, the rates go up. The reform for the uninsured passed during the Romney administration is, itself, largely invisible. People know it's there but don't know how it's working (or, unless they're on it, don't know how it works). There's very little press coverage of the program. In Massachusetts there is simply no controversy about the plan at this point. Most telling is that there is no real organized opposition to it and no effort in the state legislature to revise it.\"","We were interested in fact-checking Patrick\u2019s statement that the 2006 Massachusetts health care law, signed by then-Gov. Mitt Romney, had added only 1 percent to the state budget.","Patrick said his state\u2019s health care law \"added about 1 percent to our state budget,\" and an independent analysis confirms that. There were additional costs for the health care plan outside of the state budget, so Patrick was right as far as the state budget goes. But because it's only one piece of a picture that includes increased federal spending, we rate his statement Mostly True.","Romney's point was that the Massachusetts plan didn't change Medicare, the health insurance program for people over age 65. We should note that Medicare is a federal program; states can't change it anyway. So don't give the Massachusetts plan too much credit on the point."]},{"id":"5685.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Obama administration will no longer enforce the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The Obama administration did announce in February 2011 that it would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the courts. However, the question of whether this decision equates to no longer enforcing DOMA is a matter of interpretation. While the administration stopped defending DOMA in court, it did not explicitly state that it would cease all enforcement of the law. There are ongoing debates and legal arguments about the extent of enforcement after the decision not to defend DOMA. Therefore, the statement should be considered partially true, as it accurately reflects the administration's decision not to defend DOMA but does not provide a complete picture of the ongoing enforcement debates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a mailer, Buchanan said that \"the Obama administration recently announced it will no longer enforce the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.\"","\"Might it have been better if Rep. Buchanan\u2019s statement had said: \u2018The Obama administration recently announced that it would no longer enforce in court the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal law defining marriage as between a man and a woman\u2019? Perhaps. But as this tweak illustrates, there is no problem with his use of the word \u2018enforce\u2019 (rather than \u2018defend\u2019).\"","Was Buchanan correct to state that the Obama administration recently announced it would no longer enforce DOMA, or was he wrong, as the HRC suggested?","Buchanan said in a mailer that the Obama administration \"would no longer enforce the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).\" The Obama administration said in February 2011 it would no longer defend the law in the courts. But the HRC cites examples that enforcement continues -- for example, gay couples can\u2019t file their taxes jointly. We found legal experts who made arguments on both sides about whether not defending DOMA in the courts equals not enforcing it."]},{"id":"6556.json","label":"true","statement":"Mitt Romney gave away his fathers inheritance.","reason":"Reason: Mitt Romney did receive an inheritance from his father when he passed away, but he stated that he turned around and gave that inheritance away to charity. Specifically, he donated the funds to a school established in his father's honor, the George W. Romney Institute of Public Management at Brigham Young University. While there is no independent confirmation of this donation, there is evidence of a family-funded endowment at BYU that supports Romney's claim. Therefore, it can be concluded that Mitt Romney did give away his father's inheritance.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Romney answered, \"Well, he didn\u2019t have as much as I think some people anticipated. And I did get a check from my dad when he passed away. I shouldn\u2019t say a check, but I did inherit some funds from my dad. But I turned and gave that away to charity. In this case I gave it to a school which Brigham Young University established in his honor. ... And that\u2019s where his inheritance ended up.\"","\"I did get a check from my dad when he passed away. I shouldn\u2019t say a check, but I did inherit some funds from my dad. But I turned and gave that away to charity. In this case I gave it to a school which Brigham Young University established in his honor. ... And that\u2019s where his inheritance ended up.\"","Romney wasn't entirely clear about the inheritance he gave away when he said he \"didn't inherit money\" from his parents. But he's right that such a gift wasn't key to his success. We rate his claim Half True.","Indeed, he was already a wealthy man by the time his father, George, died in 1995. He did receive an inheritance but says he gave it away. We don't have independent confirmation of that. But a family-funded endowment at BYU started in 1998 to support the George W. Romney Institute of Public Management, bolstering Romney's claim."]},{"id":"622.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"First, he (Obama) opposed the surge. Then he confidently predicted that it would fail. Then he tried to prevent funding for the troops who carried out the surge.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the sequence of events and claims made by Senator McCain regarding Senator Obama's stance on the surge in Iraq. Senator Obama initially opposed the surge, expressing skepticism about its effectiveness. He then made predictions that the surge would not succeed in achieving its objectives. However, it is important to note that the statement regarding Obama trying to prevent funding for the troops who carried out the surge is misleading. The bill in question funded all ongoing military operations, not just the surge, and Obama's vote was in opposition to the overall funding bill, not specifically targeting the surge troops. Therefore, while the first two claims are accurate, the third claim lacks the necessary context and could be misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It was a three-pronged attack, and it prompted us to check whether Obama indeed opposed the surge, predicted it would fail, and tried to prevent funding for the troops who carried it out.","\"With just three months to go before the election, a lot of folks are still trying to square Senator Obama's varying positions on the surge in Iraq,\" McCain told the veterans in the Aug. 11, 2008, speech. \"First, he opposed the surge. Then he confidently predicted that it would fail. Then he tried to prevent funding for the troops who carried out the surge.\"","First of all, the bill in question funded all of the ongoing military operations in both theaters, not just \"the troops who carried out the surge,\" as McCain's comment implied.","\"That was the moment that Barack Obama voted to cut off funding for the troops who were in Iraq and carrying out the surge,\" McCain spokesman Joseph Pounder told us in an e-mail exchange."]},{"id":"8570.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Tom Cotton voted to turn Medicare into a voucher system.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in Pryor's campaign ad that Tom Cotton voted to turn Medicare into a voucher system. While there may be some debate about the exact terminology used to describe the proposed changes to Medicare, experts have acknowledged that the process of encouraging seniors to shop for their own plans from private insurers can be colloquially referred to as a \"voucher system.\" However, it's important to note that we do not have confirmation from Tom Cotton's office regarding his specific vote on this matter.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Some politicians like Tom Cotton voted to cut Social Security, turn Medicare into a voucher system and raise the age of eligibility to 70,\" Pryor's ad said. \"Pryor cut Medicare to pay for Obamacare,\" Cotton\u2019s ad shot back.","Pryor\u2019s campaign ad said Cotton voted to turn Medicare into a voucher system. Liberal and conservative experts have debated whether it\u2019s a voucher system in every sense of the word. When we set aside the negative connotation that Democrats want to pin to Ryan\u2019s proposal by using the word \"voucher,\" we think it\u2019s still an accurate way to describe the process of encouraging seniors to shop for their own plans from private insurers. The \"voucher system\" is the colloquial way to refer to a program that gives people credit to purchase something.","PolitiFact New Jersey, \"U.S. Sen. Robert Menedez says Paul Ryan's budget would transform Medicare into a voucher system,\" Oct. 5, 2012","Did Cotton really vote for a voucher system? Cotton\u2019s office did not respond to our requests for comment, but we decided to look into it."]},{"id":"10741.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"By age 65, the average woman will have lost $431,000 throughout her working career was a result of the pay gap.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Herring that, according to U.S. Census data, the average woman will have lost $431,000 throughout her working career due to the pay gap. However, it's important to note that there is some disagreement regarding the interpretation of this statistic. While the figure represents the cumulative earnings gap over a woman's working life, it does not necessarily mean that she has \"lost\" that exact amount. Factors such as career choices and personal decisions can contribute to differences in earnings. Therefore, the statement should be understood in the context that it represents the estimated earnings gap rather than a literal loss of money.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"According to U.S. Census data, by age 65, the average woman will have lost $431,000 throughout her working career as a result of the pay gap,\" Herring wrote on his Facebook page.","Herring wrote, \"According to U.S. Census data, by age 65, the average women will have lost $431,000 throughout her working career as a result of the pay gap.\"","We quibble, however, with the part of the statement saying the average woman will have \"lost\" that sum. It ignores the fact that many women chose to go into lower-paying fields than men and make other lifestyle decisions that affect their career earnings.","The next step is to multiply the gap by 40 -- representing the number of years one may have worked full time before reaching age 65. You come up with $431,360 and then round down."]},{"id":"13054.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says crime is rising in Manchester and has gone up 19 percent under Mayor Ted Gatsas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sununu that crime is rising in Manchester and has increased by 19 percent under Mayor Ted Gatsas. The evidence provided confirms that crime did indeed increase by 19 percent from 2008 to 2015, as reported by the Manchester Police Department. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a specific time range for the claim, and the increase in crime occurred prior to Mayor Gatsas taking office in 2010. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the reported increase in crime, it does not directly attribute the rise to Mayor Gatsas' tenure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Ted Gatsas has let down Manchester: rising crime, higher taxes, the heroin crisis,\" Sununu said in an ad titled \"Fresh Leadership.\"","Looking at year-over-year statistics while Gatsas has been mayor shows crime rising and falling in alternate years, rather than increasing steadily throughout.","Sununu didn\u2019t specify a time range for his claim about crime in the state\u2019s largest city. But looking at recent crime stats from the Manchester Police Department shows crime did increase by 19 percent from 2008 to 2015.","In his ad, Sununu lays the blame at Gatsas\u2019 feet. It\u2019s important to note that Gatsas took the mayor\u2019s office in 2010, after the crime trend cited by Sununu started."]},{"id":"11848.json","label":"true","statement":"I am the only candidate that has endorsed Bernie Sanders for President. In PA, Ive got Bernies back.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by John Fetterman, a candidate in the Pennsylvania senate race, that he is the only candidate in Pennsylvania who has endorsed Bernie Sanders for President. Multiple sources confirm that Fetterman is indeed the only statewide candidate in Pennsylvania who has publicly endorsed Sanders. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We already have teamed up, as I am the only candidate that has endorsed Bernie Sanders for President,\" Fetterman replied. \" In PA, I've got Bernie's back.\"","What answering questions about the Pennsylvania senate race, Fetterman said, \"I am the only candidate that has endorsed Bernie Sanders for president. In PA, I've got Bernie's back.\" We found he is the only statewide candidate in Pennsylvania who has endorsed Sanders.","Who\u2019s got love for Bernie? Braddock Mayor and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman boasts that he\u2019s the only Pennsylvania candidate to endorse Bernie Sanders so far.","We came across the false claim in a blog post that\u2019s been circulating recently on social media. Its headline says: \"FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER HAS ENDORSED BERNIE SANDERS.\""]},{"id":"4850.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of fact-checkers who have concluded that Mitt Romney's views on abortion have changed over time. Multiple sources have documented his shifting positions on the issue, including his stances expressed during the 1994 and 2002 debates. Therefore, it is valid to assert that Mitt Romney has flip-flopped on abortion.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Still, we believe these issues are outside the scope of the claim in the DNC ad. Romney\u2019s views on abortion are vastly different today than what he expressed in the 1994 and 2002 debates. The DNC\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion rates a True.","Still, we believe these issues are outside the scope of the claim in Huntsman\u2019s ad. Simply put, Romney\u2019s views on abortion are vastly different today than what he expressed in the 1994 and 2002 debates. Huntsman\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion rates a True.","To make fun of Mitt Romney for flip-flopping, a new web ad from former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman uses a wind-up monkey.","Says that Mitt Romney, while he was in Arizona, said he believes the state\u2019s SB 1070 immigration law should be the model for national immigration laws."]},{"id":"4220.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Almost 88,000 United States service members are still missing and unaccounted for, dating back to World War II.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the New Jersey state lawmaker that nearly 88,000 United States service members are still missing and unaccounted for, dating back to World War II. While there is a slight discrepancy in the actual number, with the U.S. Department of Defense revising the figure to over 83,000 missing and unaccounted for, the statement still captures the magnitude of the issue and the ongoing efforts to locate and identify these service members.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A New Jersey state lawmaker said in 2011 that nearly \"88,000 United States service members are still missing and unaccounted for, dating back to World War II.\"","\"Almost 88,000 United States service members are still missing and unaccounted for, dating back to World War II,\" Conners (D-Camden) wrote in a July 16 opinion column for The Times of Trenton. \"For the families of these soldiers, closure has never come.\"","Conners said 88,000 service members are still missing since World War II. The number of missing was recently revised to more than 83,000 missing and unaccounted for, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.","A spokesman for the Assembly Democrats, Tom Hester Jr., sent us a news release from 2010 and an article from 2009 from the U.S. Department of Defense that said 88,000 service members are missing or unaccounted for since World War II to back up Conners\u2019 claim. Hester also said the number is cited by veterans\u2019 groups, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, which referenced the figure in an opinion column posted July 13 on its website."]},{"id":"3687.json","label":"false","statement":"Says judges are using Shariah law in Dearborn, Mich.","reason":"Reason: The claim that judges are using Shariah law in Dearborn, Michigan is false. Multiple sources, including a representative from Dearborn, have confirmed that there are no courts in Dearborn that utilize Shariah law. This claim appears to be based on a misconception and has been debunked as an urban legend. It is important to rely on accurate information and not perpetuate false narratives.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Berman, R-Tyler, drew our attention, though, when he told the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence that Shariah law is \"being done in Dearborn, Mich,\" adding:\"The judges in Dearborn are using, and allowing to be used, Shariah law. Also in England... in France and in Germany, the use of Shariah law is being allowed as well.\"","But Berman, R-Tyler, drew our attention April 4 when he told the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence that Shariah law is \"being done in Dearborn, Mich,\" adding:\"The judges in Dearborn are using, and allowing to be used, Shariah law. Also in England... in France and in Germany, the use of Shariah law is being allowed as well.\"","\"There\u2019s no Shariah law in Dearborn, Mich.,\" he said. In an Oct. 11 letter to Angle, he wrote: \"Contrary to the Shariah law misconception, there are Christian Evangelists who proselytize to Muslims 365 days a year without resistance or interference from anyone.\"","As for the way Berman is suggesting judges use Shariah law, Saleh said: \"There are no courts in Dearborn, Michigan that utilize Shariah law in any way, shape or form. This is an urban legend.\""]},{"id":"270.json","label":"false","statement":"\"John doesn't have a record in the Senate. John's only passed four bills. They're all about post offices.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Joe Biden that John Edwards only passed four bills, all of which were about post offices, is inaccurate. While it is true that Edwards sponsored bills related to the naming of post offices, he also played a significant role in shaping important debates and outcomes on issues such as healthcare. Edwards co-sponsored a healthcare plan that passed the Senate, and although it ultimately stalled, it demonstrates his involvement in substantial legislative efforts beyond post office-related bills. Therefore, Biden's statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Before he bowed out of the race, Sen. Joe Biden dismissed the legislative accomplishments of three Democratic primary rivals with whom he served. About John Edwards, he said, \"John doesn't have a record in the Senate. John's only passed four bills. They're all about post offices.\"","\"You can't hold it against him that his bills don't pass as they flow from his pen,\" former Rep. Bill Frenzel, R-Minn., a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said in assessing Edwards' record after he was tapped to be John Kerry's running mate in 2004. \"Major bills come from committee chairmen and occasionally ranking members. . . . If a younger member has an idea, those ideas are often incorporated into a larger bill in committee.\"","As for less significant legislation, Edwards, like many members of Congress, sponsored several bills authorizing the naming of post offices in his home state, as Biden correctly states. He also drafted a 2001 Senate resolution honoring Dale Earnhardt after the NASCAR driver was killed in a crash. But because Edwards successfully injected himself into a number of significant debates and shaped their outcomes \u2014 often while serving in the minority party \u2014 we rule this Biden statement False.","Edwards also took a prominent role in an important health care debate, joining with John McCain and Kennedy in 2001 to unveil a plan that would give patients more leverage over their managed-care health insurance plans. The plan, which promised new patient protections and liability caps for employers, passed the Senate 59-36 that summer but then stalled over the question of whether patients could sue their health plans. Congress' attention shifted to national security following the Sept. 11 attacks, and the measure was not revived."]},{"id":"8864.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia has the fifth-highest number of uninsured people of any state in the union.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute and the Kaiser Family Foundation. According to their research, Georgia ranks fifth in terms of the number of uninsured residents. This information aligns with the fact sheet provided by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, which supports the claim made by Warnock. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["To sum up, Warnock said Georgia has the fifth-highest number of uninsured residents. Our research showed he\u2019s indeed in the ballpark. We rate his claim True.","Warnock said he had done some research on where Georgia ranked nationally in terms of uninsured residents and believed he was \"in the ballpark\" on his claim. He forwarded a two-page fact-sheet by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, which supports an expansion, that says Georgia ranks fifth in the number of uninsured residents. He shared a 2012 Kaiser Family Foundation report that ranked Georgia tied for fifth in the percentage of uninsured residents, at 19 percent, along with Alaska and California. In order, the top four states were Nevada, Florida, New Mexico and Louisiana.","\"Some people are going to die from the vaccine directly. But a large number of people are going to start getting horribly sick and get all kinds of autoimmune diseases.\"","\"In an average year, 1,693 people die and 4,492 are wounded by guns in Georgia. Georgia has the 9th-highest rate of gun violence in the U.S.,\" the fact sheet on Georgia said."]},{"id":"319.json","label":"true","statement":"Mitt Romney previously believed \"that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.\" Now he is \"prolife.\"","reason":"Reason: Mitt Romney's stance on abortion has indeed evolved over time. In the past, he expressed support for abortion rights, stating that he believed abortion should be safe and legal. However, his position has since shifted, and he now identifies as \"pro-life,\" advocating for more restrictions on abortion. This change in stance is well-documented and has been acknowledged by Romney himself during his political career.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"7423.json","label":"true","statement":"Of six Rhode Island tax-credit programs worth about $35 million, three companies got 90 percent of that -- CVS and two companies not even located in the state of Rhode Island.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Gary Sasse, who stated that among six Rhode Island tax-credit programs totaling approximately $35 million, three companies, including CVS and two companies located outside of Rhode Island, received 90 percent of those credits. This information suggests a concentration of tax credits among a small number of companies, including those not based in Rhode Island.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Gary Sasse said that among six Rhode Island tax-credit programs worth about $35 million, \"three companies got 90 percent of that -- CVS and two companies not even located in the state of Rhode Island.\"","\"Absolutely,\" said Sasse. \"There was a study put out by the Division of Taxation. They only looked at six of our tax credits that totaled about $35 million, $36 million. Three companies got 90 percent of that -- CVS and two companies not even located in the state of Rhode Island. They were in California.\"","The credit can help production companies reduce their Rhode Island taxes. More often, those companies can raise money by selling unused tax credits -- typically through brokers -- to companies or individuals that owe Rhode Island taxes but have nothing to do with the entertainment business.","Add them all together and you have three companies garnering $31.3 million of the $34.5 million in tax credits -- or 90.1 percent."]},{"id":"4040.json","label":"false","statement":"Two years ago we had the largest structural deficit ever in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Governor Walker that two years ago Wisconsin had the largest structural deficit ever is false. Fact-checking has shown that the largest structural deficit in Wisconsin did not occur two years ago but rather seven years earlier, under the leadership of Governor Doyle, who was a Democrat. This discrepancy in timing and the incorrect attribution of the deficit to the wrong political party renders the statement inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But what about the claim that two years ago, under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, the structural deficit was at its largest point?","\"We had two years ago the largest structural deficit ever in Wisconsin,\" Walker said. \"One of the things where in many ways they were kicking the can into the future, delaying payments, pushing things off, raided transportation funds and took stimulus money.\"","Appearing on a national cable TV show viewed by some 269,000 people(about:blank), Walker said the state\u2019s largest structural deficit had come two years earlier, under his Democratic predecessor. He was off by seven years and a political party.","We rated a statement by Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, that the budget eliminated the structural deficit for the \"first time in decades\" as Mostly True. A statement on national TV by Walker that the worst structural deficit was two years ago was False."]},{"id":"11983.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the New York Times can write a story that they know is false yet they cant basically be sued.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump that the New York Times can write a false story and cannot be sued is inaccurate. Current media laws already cover situations where false information is published, and media organizations can be held accountable for spreading false information. If a news outlet knowingly publishes false information that harms someone's reputation, they can be subject to defamation lawsuits. Therefore, the claim that the New York Times or any media outlet cannot be sued for knowingly publishing false stories is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said \"the New York Times can write a story that they know is false\" yet \"they can't basically be sued.\"","Trump replied, \"Well, in England, I can tell you, it's very much different and very much easier. I think it's very unfair when the New York Times can write a story that they know is false, that they virtually told me they know it's false, and I say, why don't you pull the story, and they say, we're not going to do that, because they can't basically be sued. And you (Wallace) can't be sued because can you say anything you want, and that's not fair.\"","Trump\u2019s comments that media \"basically can\u2019t be sued\" if they \"write a story that they know as false\" struck us as inaccurate, and when we checked with experts in media law, we found that current law already covers the situation Trump describes. (His campaign did not respond to two inquiries for this article.)","That same picture appeared in another supposed New York Times story that\u2019s spreading on social media. In what looks like a screenshot from the newspaper\u2019s website, the headline says: \"He was one of the right\u2019s most outspoken leaders. Then he got sick.\""]},{"id":"2665.json","label":"true","statement":"More Texans have new jobs today than the entire population of Fort Worth.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Governor Perry is accurate. Texas has experienced significant job growth, with over 850,000 new jobs added. The comparison to the population of Fort Worth is used to highlight the magnitude of job creation in Texas. Regardless of the specific time frame or number of jobs added, the statement remains true that the number of Texans with new jobs exceeds the entire population of Fort Worth.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Texas added more than 850,000 new jobs,\" Perry says in a \"New Jobs\" spot that debuted online Oct. 13. \"More Texans have new jobs today than the entire population of Fort Worth.\"","Either way, the Fort Worth comparison stands up because no matter which final month is chosen, the number of Texas jobs has gone up more than the population of Fort Worth.","The Republican governor, kicking off his re-election campaign, said in July 2017: \"And since I took office, in just the last two and a half years, in Texas, we\u2019ve added more than 450,000 new jobs. More Texans have jobs today than ever before in the history of our state.\"","We put our pencils to her point, though in this article we'll be rating whether Perry's comparison of job gains to Fort Worth's population holds water."]},{"id":"9714.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst signed a pledge that protects tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The ad claims that Joni Ernst signed a pledge that protects tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas, but the evidence indicates that the text of the pledge does not address specific issues like protecting companies with employees in other countries. Therefore, there is no direct evidence to support the claim that Joni Ernst signed a pledge specifically protecting tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.\nLabel: false","evidence":["An ad by NextGen Climate Action Committee said Ernst signed a pledge that \"protects tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.\"","Democrats say this means Ernst and other signers pledge to protect tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. That\u2019s a stretch.","\"We got her to pledge? Joni signed on the line,\" the ad says. \"The tax breaks that thing protects are gold. Green light more outsourcing! China, Mexico. All the way.\"","For one, the text of the pledge is brief and does not take positions on specific issues, like protecting companies with employees in other countries. It says nothing about jobs or changing tax code."]},{"id":"10523.json","label":"false","statement":"Florida students take an array of standardized high stakes tests which eat up as much as 45 school days per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence and is an exaggeration of the actual situation. While it is true that Florida students take standardized high stakes tests, the claim that these tests consume up to 45 school days per year is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that the number of days dedicated to testing varies widely depending on factors such as grade, school, and district. The maximum number of hours spent on such tests in the Miami-Dade district, for example, is significantly less than the 45 days mentioned. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not reflect the typical experience of Florida students.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Florida students take \"an array of standardized high stakes tests which eat up as much as 45 school days per year,\" said James, a Miami-Dade teacher.","\"Florida public school students have become little more than \u2018test drones\u2019 being bombarded with an array of standardized high stakes tests which eat up as much as 45 school days per year,\" James said.","!Are any Florida K-12 students taking 45 days of standardized tests a year? We take a closer look. (Wikimedia commons) !Are any Florida K-12 students taking 45 days of standardized tests a year? We take a closer look. (Wikimedia commons)","Pinpointing the number of days that students take standardized tests is difficult because it varies widely depending by grade, school, district and other factors. Even so, critics of the amount of testing did not provide hard evidence of any student taken up with testing for 45 total days a year, much less that it is a typical result in Florida. In fact, James\u2019 own district said that the maximum number of hours spent on such tests would equal about 44 hours -- a small fraction of the figure James cited."]},{"id":"7980.json","label":"true","statement":"It is against the law for the NSA to record or monitor Americans phone calls without getting a specific FISA warrant to do so.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), it is indeed against the law for the NSA to record or monitor Americans' phone calls without obtaining a specific FISA warrant. This requirement is in place to ensure that there is compelling evidence of a connection to terrorism or other national security threats before conducting surveillance on American citizens. Therefore, the statement is supported by the law and the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It is against the law for the NSA to record or monitor Americans\u2019 phone calls without getting a specific FISA warrant to do so.\"","U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland : \"It is against the law for the NSA to record or monitor Americans\u2019 phone calls without getting a specific FISA warrant to do so.\"","\"It is against the law for the NSA to record or monitor Americans\u2019 phone calls without getting a specific FISA warrant to do so, based on compelling evidence of a connection to terrorism. Plain and simple,\" Westmoreland wrote in an op-ed that we spotted on the Peach Pundit website.","We wondered whether the congressman was accurate when he wrote that the NSA cannot legally record or monitor Americans\u2019 telephone calls without a specific FISA warrant."]},{"id":"438.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States is \"seeing greater income inequality now than any time since the 1920s.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that the gap between the very rich and everyone else in the United States is wider today than at any time since the 1920s. This claim is supported by a news story attributing the information to the Census Bureau. Therefore, it can be concluded that the United States is indeed experiencing greater income inequality now than at any time since the 1920s.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We had to ask: Who is right? Is the United States experiencing the highest levels of income inequality in the past 50 years, or do the latest figures show a decline in inequality?","\"The gap between the very rich and everyone else in America is wider today than at any time since the 1920s.\"","\"The gap between the haves and have-nots in the United States grew last year to its highest level in more than 50 years of tracking income inequality,\" the story reads, attributing the information to the Census Bureau.","U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, a Texas Republican, tried his hand at fact-checking in a tweet that suggested a news report from The Associated Press inaccurately characterized the state of income inequality in the United States."]},{"id":"2127.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"My 7-step plan creates 700,000 jobs in 7 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Scott regarding his 7-step plan to create 700,000 jobs in 7 years in Florida. However, it's important to note that the fact check reveals that the actual number of jobs projected in the plan is closer to 660,000. While the difference may seem minor, it is important to maintain accuracy in the representation of the plan. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true, but with the caveat that the actual number of jobs projected is slightly lower than 700,000.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The 7-step economic program \u2014 over a 7-year period \u2014 will have a positive economic impact and create over 700,000 jobs for the state of Florida.\"","\"I am the only candidate in this race with a comprehensive plan that will get our fiscal house in order, balance the budget and create long-term, good-paying jobs,\" Scott says introducing the plan, which is sometimes called the \"7-7-7\" plan. \"My 7-step plan isn't complex. In fact, it's very simple. And it's common sense.","Scott ran for governor in 2010 on his 7-7-7 Plan, in which he promised to use seven steps to create 700,000 jobs in seven years. The state reached 700,000 not long after Scott won re-election in 2014.","Scott claims that his economic plan for Florida will create 700,000 jobs in seven years, but he admits that he's rounding up. The real number in the plan is closer to 660,000 jobs. We guess the \"7-7-7\" plan sounds better than \"7- 6.6 -7\" plan, but for the sake of accuracy, we have to rate Scott's claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"8546.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The $3.6 billion deficit we inherited has turned into more than a half-billion-dollar surplus.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Walker claimed that the $3.6 billion deficit inherited by his administration had turned into a half-billion-dollar surplus, there is a discrepancy in the accuracy of this statement. While there was indeed a turnaround from a deficit to a surplus during his tenure, the claim mixes different ways of defining the size of the turnaround. When viewed accurately, the turnaround fell slightly short of what was claimed. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks proper context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Walker makes the first claim early and often in his new book, \"Unintimidated,\" at one point writing that \"the $3.6 billion deficit we inherited has turned into more than a half-billion-dollar surplus.\"","Walker\u2019s first claim was similar to one he made in 2013, when he said: \"The $3.6 billion deficit we inherited has turned into more than a half-billion-dollar surplus.\" Our rating on the 2013 statement was Half True. Walker cited accurate or close-to-accurate numbers that showed a turnaround from red to black during his first two years as governor. But his claim had a context problem because it mixed two different ways to define the size of the turnaround. When viewed properly, the turnaround fell a little short of what he said.","\"We balanced a $3.6 billion budget deficit, we did it by cutting taxes -- $4.7 billion to help working families, family farmers, small business owners and senior citizens. And it's about time people in America stand up and take note of this.\"","The $3.6 billion \"deficit\" is actually not a deficit at all in a concrete accounting sense. It\u2019s a pre-budget estimate designed to illustrate the size of the shortfall or challenge the governor faces when putting together a budget."]},{"id":"9607.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 50 percent of immigrants from (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) use at least one major welfare program once they get here.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate when considering households headed by immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. According to the provided evidence, approximately 57 percent of households headed by immigrants from El Salvador, 54 percent from Honduras, and 49 percent from Guatemala utilize at least one major welfare program. However, it's important to note that this statistic pertains to households and not necessarily to individual immigrants. When considering individuals, the percentage may differ. Additionally, the specific welfare programs being referred to are not explicitly mentioned, so it's important to consider that the usage of different welfare programs may vary among these immigrant groups.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A reader asked us to dig into the claim that more than 50 percent of the people from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras use at least one welfare program.","O\u2019Reilly said that more than 50 percent of immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras use at least one welfare program. That\u2019s correct when looking at households and use a broad definition of \"welfare,\" experts told us. But looking at individuals would produce a different, lower percentage.","\"57 percent of households headed by immigrants from El Salvador use at least one major welfare program, as do 54 percent of Honduran households, and 49 percent of Guatemalan immigrant households. Among native households it is 24 percent,\" the fact sheet said.","Another caveat: This difference in how people coming from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras use welfare programs depends on the specific program."]},{"id":"5806.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the Obama economy ... the youth unemployment rate is double the unemployment rate for all Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made about the youth unemployment rate being double the overall unemployment rate in the Obama economy. This claim is supported by evidence that shows the youth unemployment rate being 16.4 percent compared to the overall unemployment rate of 8.2 percent. However, it's important to note that this disparity between youth unemployment and overall unemployment has been a consistent trend under both President George W. Bush and President Obama. Therefore, while the statement is factually accurate, it lacks the context that this has been a longstanding issue and is not exclusive to the Obama administration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["One of its claims got our attention: \"The youth unemployment rate is double the unemployment rate for all Americans.\" The graphic goes on to say that the unemployment rate is 8.2 percent overall and 16.4 percent for youth.","Romney has a point that young Americans are hurting in today\u2019s job market. There\u2019s no question that employment prospects have dried up for many recent high-school and college graduates. But bolstering this argument by making the claim that the \"youth unemployment rate is double the unemployment rate for all Americans\" is silly, since that's consistently been the case under both President George W. Bush and Obama. We rate the claim Half True.","That's more than double the unemployment rate for Americans with a bachelor's, master's, doctorate or professional degree. Include those who attend attended \"some college\" or earned an associates degree, and the jobless rate for the college crowd is 6 percent. So, as of July, the unemployment rate for those who never went to college is almost double what it is for those who have.","President Barack Obama says the unemployment rate for those who have never attended college is almost double what it is for those who have"]},{"id":"5435.json","label":"false","statement":"Amniocentesis, does, in fact, result more often than not in this country in abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement that amniocentesis \"does, in fact, result more often than not in this country in abortion\" is not accurate. While there is no national statistical data available, research and reports indicate that the majority of amniocentesis procedures result in normal diagnoses, leading to healthy babies. Only a small percentage of parents who undergo amniocentesis choose to end their pregnancies, particularly in cases where severe and untreatable abnormalities are detected. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This is typical, Bob, this is what goes on in medical rooms around the country. And yes, prenatal testing, amniocentesis, does, in fact, result more often than not in this country in abortion. That is a fact.\"","\"Amniocentesis does, in fact, result more often than not in this country in abortion,\" he explained during the CBS News interview on Feb. 19, 2012.","Santorum told Face the Nation , \"Amniocentesis does, in fact, result more often than not in this country in abortion.\" While no agency or organization we spoke with keeps national statistics, researchers and reports we consulted show that more than 90 percent of amniocenteses result in normal diagnoses \u2014 and thus often healthy babies. Meanwhile, perhaps half of parents whose fetuses are diagnosed with abnormalities \u2014 mostly those with the most severe, untreatable problems \u2014 may go on to end their pregnancies. So by the best evidence available, perhaps less than 5 percent of parents who choose amniocentesis choose to end their pregnancies. Santorum\u2019s statement isn\u2019t accurate, and we rate it False.","Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum opposes requiring insurers to pay for a type of invasive prenatal testing called amniocentesis, saying it results \"more often than not in this country in abortion.\""]},{"id":"8925.json","label":"true","statement":"Of minimum wage workers in Rhode Island only 14 percent serve as sole income earner for their family.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Michael Stenhouse that only 14 percent of Rhode Islanders earning minimum wage or less are the sole earners for their families. This claim suggests that a majority of minimum wage workers in Rhode Island have additional sources of income or are not the primary breadwinners for their families. \nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Of minimum wage workers in Rhode Island \u201conly 14 percent serve as sole income earner for their family\u201d &url=)","On Jan. 27, in a news release, Stenhouse quantified that claim. Of Rhode Islanders who are earning minimum wage, he said, \"only 14 percent serve as sole income earner for their family.\"","Michael Stenhouse says only 14 percent of Rhode Islanders earning minimum wage or less are the sole earners for their families.","Stenhouse argues that the economic effects of raising the minimum wage are exaggerated by those who want to increase it. Most workers who support a family are already getting more than the minimum wage, he says, while those earning the minimum wage are usually young people supplementing an already above-the-minimum combined family income."]},{"id":"2386.json","label":"false","statement":"John Boehner has called for repealing the rest of the stimulus, which would raise taxes on 110 million middle class people.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence does not mention John Boehner calling for the repeal of the stimulus or raising taxes on 110 million middle-class people. Therefore, there is no basis to conclude that John Boehner has made such a statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If you are born poor in America, we rank ninth or tenth in our citizens\u2019 ability to climb up through that ladder and get themselves into the middle class.\"","\"When George Bush became president of the United States, 17 million people were in poverty. When he left, 30 million people were in poverty.\"","Web site of House Republican Leader John Boehner, \"As Dems\u2019 'Stimulus' Anniversary Nears, Americans Ask: 'Where are the Jobs?'\" Feb. 12, 2010","On the same day Obama made his speech, House Republican Leader John Boehner issued a press release saying the stimulus is \"chock-full of wasteful government spending.\" And he attached a list of 19 \"real world\" examples. We took a look at several items on Boehner's list to see if they were as billed."]},{"id":"11394.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"States with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama, that \"states with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths,\" is supported by evidence and analysis. According to a Washington Post article, there is ongoing debate and research on the effectiveness of gun control laws. However, studies have shown a correlation between stricter gun laws and lower rates of gun deaths in certain states. While it is important to note that correlation does not necessarily imply causation, the available evidence suggests a relationship between the two variables. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At his White House press conference, Obama also said that \"states with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths.\"","Washington Post , \" Obama\u2019s claim that \u2018states with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths,\u2019\" Oct. 5, 2015","There is plenty of debate over the effectiveness of gun control laws, so we decided to dig into Obama\u2019s sweeping claim: that \"states with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths.\"","\"There is a gun for roughly every man, woman, and child in America,\" Obama said in remarks the day of the shooting. \"So how can you, with a straight face, make the argument that more guns will make us safer? We know that states with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths. So the notion that gun laws don't work, or just will make it harder for law-abiding citizens, and criminals will still get their guns is not borne out by the evidence.\""]},{"id":"7270.json","label":"false","statement":"The average age of first marijuana use is 12.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The evidence provided clearly indicates that the average age of first marijuana use is not 12 years old. The organization that initially claimed this figure admitted that it was in error, and multiple studies, including one by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, have found that the average age of first marijuana use is around 17.5 years old. Therefore, the claim that the average age of first marijuana use is 12 is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After we called them, the organization said that figure was in error. And none of the studies we found suggested that 12 was the average age for first marijuana use.","Protect Families First said in a news release that \"the average age of first marijuana use is 12, the lowest ever and still declining,\" a statement that grabbed our attention because it seemed so unlikely.","In a news release issued Jan. 10 -- the same day Project SAM was announced in Denver -- Protect Families First listed several statistics, including this one: \"The average age of first marijuana use is 12, the lowest ever and still declining.\"","McGoldrick provided what she said were corrected statistics, citing a couple of studies. One, a national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency created by Congress in 1992 to reduce impact of substance abuse and mental illness on communities, found the average age of first use of marijuana among people ages 12 to 49 was 17.5 years of age in 2011."]},{"id":"6221.json","label":"false","statement":"Ive never supported a payroll tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is contradicted by the evidence provided. The evidence states that during the state's tax debates, payroll taxes were incorporated in a proposal under Dewhurst's leadership. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that the individual has never supported a payroll tax.\nLabel: false","evidence":["No payroll tax passed into law. Still, it\u2019s incorrect to say Dewhurst never supported a payroll tax. We rate his debate claim as False.","However, Sadler\u2019s rejoinder -- that he never supported an income tax -- isn\u2019t supported by his legislative record or his past comments. This \"never\" claim isn\u2019t just incorrect. It\u2019s ridiculous. Pants on Fire!","Everyone is familiar with the federal payroll tax, meaning the taxes taken from paychecks of employed Americans, primarily to fund Social Security and Medicare. But Texas has no state payroll tax.","During the state\u2019s mid-decade tax debates, the Senate under Dewhurst\u2019s leadership -- and to his praise -- incorporated payroll taxes in a proposal to replace the existing business franchise tax."]},{"id":"151.json","label":"false","statement":"\"More people in this country have seen UFOs than I think approve of George Bush's presidency.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Kucinich is not accurate. While it is true that a poll found that 14 percent of respondents claimed to have seen a UFO and 34 percent believed in UFOs, it is not appropriate to compare these numbers to the approval rating of George Bush's presidency. The approval rating of a president is based on a different set of criteria and is measured through surveys and polls specifically designed to gauge public opinion on political matters. Therefore, the comparison made by Kucinich is not valid and the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Kucinich also had the snappy retort to Russert's playfulness: \"More people in this country have seen UFOs than I think approve of George Bush's presidency.\"","Kucinich would have been accurate if he had said \"More people BELIEVE in UFOs than approve of Bush's presidency.\" But because he said it the way he did, we find his claim to be False.","\"When George Bush became president of the United States, 17 million people were in poverty. When he left, 30 million people were in poverty.\"","Russert's question riffed off a new Associated Press\/Ipsos poll done for Halloween, which asked people about their belief in and experiences of the paranormal. The poll found 14 percent said they had seen a UFO themselves, and 34 percent said they \"believed in\" UFOs."]},{"id":"6113.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"More than 43 percent of all food stamps are given to illegals.","reason":"Reason: The claim that more than 43 percent of all food stamps are given to undocumented immigrants is false. It is mathematically impossible given the number of illegal immigrants in the United States, and it disregards the fact that it is against the law for undocumented immigrants to receive food stamps. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim and rated it as \"Pants on Fire\" due to its complete lack of factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A reader recently sent us a Facebook post with \"10 Illegal Alien Facts.\" One of them was that \"more than 43 percent of all food stamps are given to illegals.\"","So it\u2019s mathematically impossible for more than 43 percent of all food stamps to be given to illegals. And this doesn\u2019t take into account an even more basic reality: It is against the law for Illegal immigrants to receive food stamps. We rated this claim Pants on Fire!","The first of the Facebook post\u2019s 10 claims -- that \"more than 43 percent of all food stamps are given to illegals\" -- is ridiculously false. It isn\u2019t mathematically possible given the number of illegal immigrants in the United States, and it ignores the fact that illegal immigrants can\u2019t even receive food stamps legally. Pants on Fire!","So it\u2019s mathematically impossible for more than 43 percent of all food stamps to be given to illegals -- there simply aren\u2019t enough undocumented immigrants in the country to make the math work. Nor does the math work if you choose a month before the number of food stamp recipients rose due to the recession. In October 2008, there were 30.8 million recipients; 43 percent of that number is 13.2 million, which exceeded the total number of illegal immigrants at the time, 11.6 million."]},{"id":"13256.json","label":"true","statement":"Zephyr Teachout says she is against Super PACs despite taking money from Super PAC donors","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Zephyr Teachout has taken money from Super PAC donors, despite claiming to be against Super PACs. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has consistently highlighted this contradiction in their blog posts and comments. The NRCC specifically mentions that Teachout has accepted contributions from donors who have given significant amounts of money to Super PACs. This evidence suggests that Teachout's actions are inconsistent with her stated opposition to Super PACs.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Zephyr Teachout says she is against Super PACs despite taking money from Super PAC donors,\" the NRCC wrote in a blog post.","In a series of blog posts, the National Republican Congressional Committee said \"Zephyr Teachout says she is against Super PACs despite taking money from Super PAC donors.\"","NRCC Comment: \u201cZephyr Teachout says she is waging a war on Super-PACs despite accepting tens of thousands of dollars from super-PAC mega-donors. If Zephyr Teachout wants to be seen as anything other than a pandering hypocrite, she will cut ties with her Super-PAC donors and return all of their contributions.\u201d \u2013NRCC Spokesman Chris Pack","The 16 Teachout contributors who gave money to super PACs contributed at least $61 million to super PACs. Two donated $10,000 or less to super PACs. In 2016, seven of the donors gave to super PACs. The other nine did not."]},{"id":"12556.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton said she was under attack (in Bosnia) but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donald Trump regarding Hillary Clinton's remarks about her visit to Bosnia. Clinton did initially claim that she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire and that there was no greeting ceremony. However, she later retracted her statement and acknowledged that her recollection was incorrect. The statement accurately captures Trump's characterization of the incident, where he suggests that Clinton claimed to be under attack when it was actually a peaceful greeting by young girls handing her flowers. It's important to note that this incident was a point of criticism during the 2008 presidential campaign.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Trump said Clinton claimed \"she was under attack but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers.\" In all key respects, Trump is correct. Clinton did claim that she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire and that there was no greeting ceremony. She later retracted the entire statement.","Clinton \"is a world-class liar,\" Trump said in a June 22, 2016, speech in New York. \"Just look at her pathetic email and server statements, or her phony landing in Bosnia where she said she was under attack and the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers.\"","\"When Hillary Clinton says something, the whole world listens,\u2019\u2019 Yunus said after Clinton\u2019s 1995 visit. \"This will have a tremendous impact on the world\u2019s financial system, which is basically biased against women.\u2019\u2019","The only flaw in Trump\u2019s speech is he said Clinton was handed flowers. It was a poem, which seems like a trivial difference."]},{"id":"4343.json","label":"false","statement":"The studies have shown us that [drug testing for welfare recipients] will be saving us money","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Representative Costa claims that \"studies have shown\" that drug testing for welfare recipients will save money, the available research and analysis conducted by PolitiFact and other sources indicate that the costs of implementing such programs outweigh any potential savings. In fact, the studies reviewed by PolitiFact suggest that drug testing initiatives for welfare recipients are not cost-effective and may even result in additional expenses for the state. Therefore, the claim that these studies demonstrate cost savings is unsupported.\nLabel: false","evidence":["To sum up: Costa, when asked about her proposal to test welfare recipients for drugs, didn't predict specific savings for Rhode Island, only that \"The studies have shown us that it will be saving us money.\"","\"The studies have shown us that it will be saving us money, but we don't have the exact amount,\" Costa said on WHJJ's Helen Glover Show. \"If we could save the state $10,000, I'll take it. If we could save them a million, I'll take it. We have to start somewhere.\"","PolitiFact has done extensive research and reviewed several studies on the topic of drug testing of recipients of government assistance, including claims that these initiatives can save taxpayers\u2019 money. The ones we found showed that the costs to the state exceed any savings.","When we asked her to pinpoint them, she couldn't cite any. She said she had done her research by going on and and posing the question, \"Will drug-testing welfare recipients save money?\""]},{"id":"5370.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamacare (hit) Americans with over $500 billion in new taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) raised revenue through various mechanisms, including taxes, the specific claim of \"over $500 billion in new taxes\" is an exaggeration. Estimates suggest that the total revenue raised by the law, including taxes and other sources, is around $400 billion to $465 billion. Additionally, it is important to note that the ad fails to mention the substantial federal subsidies provided to Americans under the same legislation. Therefore, while there were new taxes implemented as part of Obamacare, the statement exaggerates the amount and omits important details, making it partially accurate but misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The big number the ad uses to drive its point home: \"Obamacare (hit) Americans with over $500 billion in new taxes.\"","A Chamber of Commerce ad attacking a Montana Democrat says, \"Obamacare (hit) Americans with over $500 billion in new taxes.\" That\u2019s a fair number for total revenue raised by the 2010 health care law as estimated when Tester voted \u2014 but the number for just taxes is lower, likely between $400 billion and $465 billion. Meanwhile, the ad talks about the tax bill \"hitting Americans,\" but not the substantial federal subsidies headed their way under the same legislation. The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of context. That's our definition of Half True.","\"When it comes to fixing America's troubles, is the solution more government interference, more taxes? That's the Washington way. Sadly, it's become Jon Tester's way, too. Tester cast a deciding vote for Obamacare, even though Montanans oppose this massive government intrusion into their health care. And then hitting Americans with over $500 billion in new taxes to pay for it. Tell Jon Tester the Washington way isn't the solution. We need less government and lower taxes.\"","Romney said, \"Obamacare takes $500 billion out of Medicare and funds Obamacare.\" The law doesn't literally take money out of Medicare, but Romney isn't entirely wrong in his point, either."]},{"id":"1887.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia has \"a dropout rate thats higher\" than Alabama's.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that Georgia has a higher dropout rate compared to Alabama. The evidence provided supports this claim, indicating that Georgia has lower graduation rates than Alabama. While the term \"dropout rate\" is not the most precise measure, the graduation rate serves as a reliable indicator of students who do not complete high school on time. Based on the available data, Georgia does indeed have a higher dropout rate, as indicated by lower graduation rates, compared to Alabama.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"As a parent of four children, three of them in school, I\u2019m very concerned about our schools,\" he said. \"We have SAT school scores lower than that of Alabama, yet a dropout rate that\u2019s higher. We need to make some serious changes in how we address education.\u201d","Figures from Editorial Projects in Education also show that Georgia lags behind Alabama. Its 2009 report states that the rate of Georgia students finishing high school with a regular diploma is 55.9 percent. Alabama's is at 61.4 percent.","Although he used the word \"dropout,\" Oxendine's claim is actually based upon graduation rates, according to his campaign manager. His data come from the National Center for Education Statistics. For the past 13 years, average secondary-school graduation rates have been lower in Georgia than Alabama. In the 2006-2007 school year, the most recent time period available, Georgia graduated 64.1 percent. Alabama graduated 67.1.","Calculating dropout rates is tricky. This measure tends to undercount students who don't finish school, said Chris Swanson, vice president for research and development with Editorial Projects in Education, the nonprofit group that publishes the education news and policy magazine Education Week. Instead, experts tend to rely on another measure: the graduation rate. This is the percentage of students who receive their diplomas on time. Graduation rates are more widely available and consistent, he said."]},{"id":"567.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Obama flip-flopped on warrantless wiretapping.","reason":"Reason: There is evidence to support the claim that Barack Obama changed his stance on warrantless wiretapping. He initially expressed opposition to such practices but later voted for a bill in July 2008 that essentially approved warrantless wiretapping. This shift in position was notable enough to be criticized by his presidential rival at the time. Therefore, it can be concluded that Obama did indeed flip-flop on the issue of warrantless wiretapping.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The campaign of Sen. John McCain, eager to portray Sen. Barack Obama as someone who won't stick to his principles, has alleged that Obama flip-flopped on warrantless wiretapping.","Still, PolitiFact rated McCain\u2019s claim that Obama flip-flopped after promising to filibuster a bill that provided retroactive immunity to the telecommunications companies as True.","But Obama\u2019s opinions shifted even before he moved into the White House. Most notably, he voted for a bill that essentially approved warrantless wiretapping in July 2008. The shift was so notable that his presidential rival at the time called him a flip-flopper.","New York Times, 2005 stories on warrantless wiretapping ( \"2005 stories on warrantless wiretapping\") , via The Pulitzer Prizes Web site"]},{"id":"4369.json","label":"true","statement":"A national study of 2,500 charter schools shows that maybe 20 percent do better than the community public schools, 40 percent or so do worse and the rest are not having any significant difference.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a national study on charter schools, as described by Parisi and reported by R.I. union leaders. The study examined 2,500 charter schools across the country and found that approximately 20 percent performed better than community public schools, around 40 percent performed worse, and the remaining schools showed no significant difference. These percentages align closely with the figures provided by Parisi, indicating that the statement is based on the findings of the study.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I think one of the studies that I pay most attention to,\" Parisi said, \"indicated, on a nationwide basis, looking at two and a half thousand charter schools around the country, maybe 20 percent do better than the community public schools, 40 percent or so do worse and the rest are not having any significant difference.\"","R.I. union leaders says national study shows 20 percent of charter schools perform better than traditional public schools and 40 percent perform worse","( - R.I. union leaders says national study shows 20 percent of charter schools perform better than traditional public schools and 40 percent perform worse&url=)","The percentages correlated roughly with the ones Parisi described. He said 20 percent do better; the study reported it was 17 percent; he said 40 percent do worse, the study reported 37 percent; and he said the rest (46 percent the study said) showed no significant difference."]},{"id":"271.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Barack Obama hasn't passed any (bills).\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Barack Obama did not have an extensive legislative record during his time in the Senate, he did pass a significant bill into law. The evidence shows that Obama had one bill signed into law during his tenure as a senator. Therefore, the claim that \"Barack Obama hasn't passed any (bills)\" is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Going back to Biden\u2019s old fact-checks is a bit of a time warp. In 2008, during the primary, he took a shot at the future president he\u2019d serve alongside, saying \"Barack Obama hasn't passed any\" bills in the Senate. (Rating: False.)","Before he bowed out of the race, Sen. Joe Biden dismissed the legislative accomplishments of three Democratic primary rivals with whom he served. About Barack Obama, he said, \"Barack Obama hasn't passed any.\"","Though advocacy groups generally gave him positive marks for taking action, Obama's absence from heated political battles makes it difficult to assess his effectiveness as a legislator. Still, he has passed one bill signed into law, making Biden's statement False.","But Biden was eventually tapped by the primary winner, Barack Obama, as his running mate and served eight years as vice president. After leaving office, Biden would mount another run for the presidency, and earlier this year, he won the nomination. All this time, Biden has been a regular fixture on the Truth-O-Meter."]},{"id":"12120.json","label":"true","statement":"Bernie Sanders passed more roll call amendments in a Republican Congress than any other member.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. From 1995 to 2007, Bernie Sanders passed 17 roll call amendments in the House, which was more than any other member during that time period. This achievement is notable, considering that Sanders was an independent and worked in a Republican-controlled Congress during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A campaign ad for Sander said, \"Bernie Sanders passed more roll call amendments in a Republican Congress than any other member.\"","\"Bernie Sanders passed more roll call amendments in a Republican Congress than any other member,\" according to a TV ad paid for by the Sanders campaign.","From 1995 to 2007, Sanders passed 17 amendments by a recorded roll call vote \u2014 more than any other member in the House.","From 1995 to 2007, Sanders passed 17 House amendments by a recorded roll call vote \u2014 more than any other member in the House."]},{"id":"8650.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"60 percent of people on food assistance are working.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows approximately 60 percent of people receiving food assistance (SNAP) and who are of working age and not disabled are employed while receiving benefits. This information is based on a Census Bureau sample calculated by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. While the exact percentage may vary slightly depending on the specific data source and timeframe, the statement accurately reflects the general trend that a significant portion of individuals receiving food assistance are indeed part of the working poor.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"First of all, $7.25 an hour. Can anyone live off that?\" Lee said. \"Secondly, I just have to say, 60 percent of people on food assistance are working. They're part of the working poor.\"","Lee said 60 percent of people receiving food stamps are working. She should\u2019ve specified that she meant 60 percent of the pool of recipients expected to work. Her figure\u2019s a little high, but anywhere from about 42 to 58 percent is a reasonable summary of the report\u2019s findings and more recent data available. We rate her statement Mostly True.","Other means-tested benefits show considerable overlap with the population of working adults. Roughly 60 percent of food stamp recipients who were of working age and weren\u2019t disabled were employed while receiving benefits, according to a Census Bureau sample calculated by the liberal Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.","We wanted to take a closer look at what percentage of people receiving food stamps (also known as SNAP, for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) are working."]},{"id":"4723.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on gun control.","reason":"Reason: There is evidence to support the claim that Mitt Romney has changed his position on gun control. As governor of Massachusetts in 2004, he signed an assault weapons ban, indicating support for stricter gun control measures. However, his stance on gun control has evolved over the years, and he has been criticized for changing his position. While the specific details of his evolving stance may vary, it is accurate to say that Romney has faced accusations of flip-flopping on gun control.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!As Massachusetts governor in 2004, Mitt Romney signed an assault weapons ban. Has he flip-flopped on gun policy over the years? !As Massachusetts governor in 2004, Mitt Romney signed an assault weapons ban. Has he flip-flopped on gun policy over the years?","As Massachusetts governor in 2004, Mitt Romney signed an assault weapons ban. Has he flip-flopped on gun policy over the years?","In another item we checked whether the ad's claim that Romney had flip-flopped on abortion was accurate. In this one we're checking the claim that he has switched his position on gun control.","We previously ruled Mostly True a charge by Republican candidate Jon Huntsman that Romney flip-flopped on gun control. But Huntsman\u2019s charge was broader than the DNC\u2019s, so we\u2019ll take a look specifically at Romney\u2019s views on assault-weapons bans."]},{"id":"68.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Joe Biden is the only candidate with a plan to get us out of Iraq and keep us out.\"","reason":"Reason: While Joe Biden did present a comprehensive plan for Iraq, it is not accurate to claim that he is the only candidate with such a plan. Several Democratic candidates, including Barack Obama, have also put forward detailed proposals for withdrawing from Iraq. While Biden's plan may have been more extensive and early in its development, it is not accurate to assert that he is the sole candidate with a plan for Iraq. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A recent TV ad states that Joe Biden is the only candidate with a plan to \"get us out of Iraq and keep us out.\" This isn't true: Most of the Democratic candidates have put forward plans for an Iraq withdrawal.","But those other plans have been sketchy and short on details, while Biden's plan was an early and significant proposal that went beyond the military and addressed the future of Iraq. Still, his sweeping claim to be \"the only\" candidate with an Iraq plan goes too far, so we give Biden a half-true.","But if Biden was first with a thoroughly outlined plan for Iraq, he is not alone. Barack Obama, for instance, released on Sept. 12, 2007, a plan that rivals Biden's for specifics. Obama's plan does not call for decentralization, but it has in common some of Biden's other points: increased diplomacy to involve neighboring states; more aid for Iraq from other countries; and increasing accountability for regional agreements.","Biden, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, developed his Iraq plan with Leslie Gelb, former president of the Council on Foreign Relations. The plan includes five points:"]},{"id":"11571.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Women fill two-thirds of minimum wage jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by credible evidence, including a study referenced by the campaign and the U.S. Labor Department data. The study found that 62.7 percent of minimum wage workers aged 16 and older are women, which is close to, but not exactly, two-thirds. Additionally, a representative from the campaign confirmed the claim. Therefore, it can be concluded that women do indeed fill a significant majority of minimum wage jobs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a Sept. 18 speech at a roundtable on women's economic security in Washington, she said women make up two-thirds of minimum wage workers.","The report found that women represent close to but not quite two-thirds of minimum wage workers across the country, and at least half of minimum wage workers in every state. The center looked at unpublished U.S. Labor Department data for all wage and salary workers for 2014.","Her campaign referred us to a credible May 2015 study that supports her claim. According to the study, 62.7 percent of minimum wage workers age 16 and older are women. That\u2019s almost, but not quite, two thirds.","\"When you're talking about the minimum wage, you're talking about women,\" Roberts said March 31 on NPR\u2019s Morning Edition. \"Two-thirds of the people who receive the minimum wage are female, and this is one of many attempts on the part of Democrats to get out the voters who normally don't vote in an off-year election, to try to get them to the polls this year. We\u2019ll see whether that works or not.\""]},{"id":"2567.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Amendment 4 will reduce Floridas economic output by $34 billion annually.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Amendment 4 will reduce Florida's economic output by $34 billion annually is not supported by credible evidence. While there are differing opinions on the potential economic impacts of the amendment, experts agree that it is premature to make a definitive statement about the exact impact. The $34 billion figure mentioned in the claim is based on a study by the Washington Economics Group, but it is important to note that this is just one perspective and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the potential economic effects. Therefore, the statement is not substantiated and should be considered misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We looked at another claim, by the No on 4 group, saying that Amendment 4 will reduce Florida's economic output by $34 billion annually. A number of experts, even some who oppose Amendment 4, agreed that it's much too early to make a blanket statement about the impact. We pegged this one at Barely True.","One of those claims of stalled economic growth comes from the \"No on 4!\" website. The website, sponsored by opposing group Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc., quotes a January 2010 study by the Washington Economics Group which states: \"Amendment 4 will reduce Florida's economic output by $34 billion annually.\"","So back to the question. Will Amendment 4 reduce Florida's economic output by $34 billion annually? There are bound to be some economic impacts, but as all the economists noted, it would be premature to assume that anybody knows what that impact will be. Developers may decide not to push for projects under the new rules, if the amendment passes. Or they may propose other projects more likely to be approved. And voters may or may not approve the projects that do make the ballot.","It's under the 25 percent scenario that the WEG report contends that Florida will suffer from $34 billion less in economic output. The study argues that 125,616 jobs (or approximately 25 percent of the workforce in the development industry) are \"directly endangered.\""]},{"id":"3527.json","label":"true","statement":"We lost more jobs in this great recession than the last four recessions combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by columnist George Will during a roundtable discussion on ABC's This Week. The fact-checking sources confirm that the number of job losses during the Great Recession exceeded the combined job losses of the previous four recessions. This statement is supported by evidence and is rated as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So the numbers show that Will is right -- about 850,000 more jobs were lost during the great recession than in the previous four recessions combined.","During the April 3, 2011, edition of ABC\u2019s This Week with Christiane Amanpour , columnist George Will said during the show\u2019s roundtable segment that \"we lost more jobs in this great recession than the last four recessions combined.\"","So job losses in the \"Great Recession\" have, on a percentage basis, exceeded those in each of the past four recessions. We rate it True.","\"60 percent of the jobs lost in the 2008 recession were living-wage jobs. Of the jobs we\u2019ve gotten back, only 40 percent are living-wage.\""]},{"id":"2798.json","label":"false","statement":"Mequon and Milwaukee have the highest disparity of income in the country.","reason":"Reason: While Milwaukee does have a significant income disparity, it is not accurate to claim that it has the highest disparity of income in the country when compared specifically to Mequon. Comprehensive studies and measures of income disparity, such as ranking by the Brookings Institution, indicate that while Milwaukee does have high income disparity, it is not the highest in the country. Therefore, the statement that Mequon and Milwaukee have the highest income disparity in the country is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In making a point about how state shared revenue should be distributed to cities, Milwaukee Alderman Michael Murphy said the largest income disparity in the country is between Milwaukee and Mequon. While comprehensive studies have ranked Milwaukee near the top in income disparity, Murphy went too far in lining Milwaukee up against neighboring Mequon.","Using a different measure, median income, a 2010 study by the Brookings Institution also cited Milwaukee as among the metro areas with high city-suburb income disparity -- but again not the highest.","There\u2019s no question the city of Milwaukee has had some of the highest poverty rates in the country. Let\u2019s see if the measure Barrett uses -- a city-to-suburban poverty ratio -- is accurate.","To be sure, the city\u2019s poverty rate is among the highest in the nation -- a stubborn statistic that has defied efforts by policymakers and politicians to change it. But in neither measure was the city\u2019s disparity gap at the top."]},{"id":"952.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The average CEO makes $10,000 more every day ... than what the average worker makes every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Joe Biden is not entirely accurate. While it is true that CEOs at the largest corporations earn significantly higher salaries than the average worker, the claim that the average CEO makes $10,000 more every day than what the average worker makes every year is an exaggeration. According to available data, the average CEO's daily earnings range from $20,400 to $28,000, which is less than the average worker's annual salary. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I want to point out that economic injustice and inequity are bad for everyone,\" Biden said. \"It's just not right, it's just not right, and everybody knows it \u2014 it's just not right when the average CEO makes $10,000 more every day \u2014 $10,000 more every day than what the average worker makes every year \u2014 $10,000 per day. And by the way, before I said it, I did the math, I did the math, and it's literally true.\"","On average, at the 350 companies surveyed by Mercer, CEOs got $7.3 million. That comes to $28,000 per working day \u2014 a little less than the average worker makes in a year.","Biden's comments would have been \"literally true,\" as he said, if he used the term \"top\" CEOs, or some other qualifier to note that he was talking about average pay for CEOs at the nation's biggest corporations. Mishel thinks that's what people have in mind when you say average CEOs. But Biden \"literally\" said \"average\" CEOs, and for average CEOs, that's not correct. Average CEOs make a little less per day than the average worker makes in a year. We rate Biden's statement Half True.","The Corporate Library, an independent research firm, found in its survey that average CEO compensation in 2007 came to $5.3 million. That comes to $20,400 per working day, again lower than the average worker's annual salary."]},{"id":"224.json","label":"true","statement":"\"When Pakistan erupted in crisis, I spoke to Musharraf before Bush did.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Joe Biden did indeed speak with President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan before President Bush did during a crisis in Pakistan. Biden's statement is supported by his own office's statement and news coverage of the contacts with Musharraf. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We have previously explored Biden's claims about his Iraq plan, so here we will focus on his statement that when Pakistan erupted, he spoke with President Pervez Musharraf before Bush did.","\"Being president is not the same thing as running for president,\" he says. \"When this campaign is over, political slogans like experience and change will mean absolutely nothing. The next president has to act. The Biden plan to end the war in Iraq has already won bipartisan support. When Pakistan erupted in crisis, I spoke to Musharraf before Bush did. You don't have to guess what I'll do as president. Just look at what I've done.\"","Indeed, Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke with Musharraf on Nov. 6, according to a statement from his office that day and wide news coverage of contacts with Musharraf.","President Bush spoke with Musharraf on Nov. 7, one day after Biden did. At a press availability that day at Mount Vernon, Bush's remarks were very similar to Biden's the day before. \"My message was that we believe strongly in elections, and that you ought to have elections soon, and you need to take off your uniform,\" Bush said. \"You can't be the president and the head of the military at the same time. So I had a very frank discussion with him.\""]},{"id":"2795.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republican plan to extend Bush tax cuts would double deficit projections going forward for the next couple of decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kaine that the Republican plan to extend the Bush tax cuts would double deficit projections for the next couple of decades, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This claim is supported by evidence from The Washington Post article, which states that the GOP plan would add $36 billion to the deficit. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall impact on the deficit, as it does not consider other factors or the potential effects of alternative plans. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"What the Republicans want to do is extend these tax cuts, make them permanent to the wealthy, and the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) has estimated that would double the deficit projections going forward for the next couple of decades,\" Kaine, a former Virginia governor, said during a CNN interview.","We agree that the buyer must beware when browsing political statements. Kaine is correct in saying that the CBO estimates the Republican tax plan would double deficit in 2020. But he omits an important fact: The Democratic plan would would increase the deficit by almost as much.","The Washington Post, GOP plan to extend tax cuts for rich adds $36 billion to deficit, panel finds, Aug. 12, 2010","Going forward, Obama thinks the cuts should stay in place for 98 percent of taxpayers, but wants to end them on income over $250,000 earned by couples or income over $200,000 for individuals."]},{"id":"2081.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rob Portman has taken more than $125,000 from Big Oil.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Rob Portman's campaign has received at least $122,008 from the oil industry, which is close to the claimed amount of $125,000. This includes contributions from various oil companies, excluding PAC contributions from companies engaged in other businesses. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that Rob Portman has taken more than $125,000 from Big Oil.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a June 16 statement, the Fisher campaign said: \"To date, Congressman Rob Portman, who spent 20 years in Washington and has taken more than $125,000 from Big Oil for his Senate campaign, has remained silent on the BP spill, the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.\"","Still, Fisher\u2019s statement on Portman\u2019s silence appeared to be accurate when the claim was made. But what of the other part of the claim? Has Portman taken at least $125,000 from the oil industry?","It appeared that Fisher\u2019s claim about the sum of Portman\u2019s \"Big Oil\" claim was largely correct. We then took out the PAC contributions of companies like Koch and Halliburton, since those companies engage in other businesses as well as oil, just to see how the numbers would change. That took us to $122,008, which is pretty close to Fisher\u2019s $125,000 claim. But there are two caveats:","That\u2019s why Lee Fisher, the Ohio lieutenant governor running for U.S. Senate, is highlighting the \"Big Oil\" campaign donations that his opponent, Rob Portman, has received. Fisher, a Democrat, wants BP to pay for all damages and losses, and he suggests that Portman prefers lenience for BP. By noting the money the Republican\u2019s campaign has received, Fisher implies that Portman will do BP\u2019s bidding."]},{"id":"9645.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The states that are doing better are the ones that have no state income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that some states without a state income tax have experienced positive economic outcomes, it is an oversimplification to claim that all states without a state income tax are doing better. Economic performance is influenced by a multitude of factors, including but not limited to tax policies. There are states with high state income taxes that have also seen strong economic growth and vice versa. Therefore, it is important to consider a comprehensive range of factors when assessing the economic performance of states, rather than solely focusing on the presence or absence of a state income tax.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Defending Kansas\u2019 tax cuts, Weinstein claimed that the states that are doing \"better\" are the ones that have no income state tax.","Jamie Weinstein, senior editor for the Daily Caller, came to the defense of the supply-siders. \"It\u2019s too early to make a declarative judgment\" on Kansas\u2019 tax cuts, Weinstein said. \"There\u2019s been studies of nine states that have no income state tax versus nine states with the highest state income tax. Which do you think have done better? It\u2019s not the states with the highest state income tax.\"","\"The nine states with the highest individual income tax rates had better change in median wage (-0.7 percent to -3.5 percent) and significantly better growth in state GSP per capita (10.1 percent to 8.7 percent),\" Martire said, while \"no-tax states had marginally better unemployment.\"","Millions of words have been spilled arguing about the effect taxes have on the economy. We can\u2019t resolve that debate here, but we wanted to check Weinstein\u2019s claim that the nine states with no state income tax outperformed the nine states with the highest state income taxes."]},{"id":"8506.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Legislature passed Gov. Walkers so-called property tax relief bill, but the Republicans are still raising your property taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Janet Bewley that the Legislature passed Governor Walker's property tax relief bill, but Republicans are still raising property taxes. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not provide a clear explanation or context for why Republicans are allegedly raising property taxes despite the passage of the tax relief bill. Without further information or evidence, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bewley said \"the Legislature passed Gov. Walker\u2019s so-called property tax relief bill,\" but the Republicans \"are still raising your property taxes.\"","\"Last week, the Legislature passed Gov. Walker\u2019s so-called property tax relief bill,\" Ashland state Rep. Janet Bewley said in her address. \"Lost in all the hype is the fact that the governor and Republican-controlled Legislature are still raising your property taxes.\"","In contrast to the property tax relief bill, the state budget was adopted without a single Democratic vote. It passed 55-42 in the Assembly, with three Republicans voting no; then it passed 17-16 in the Senate, with one Republican voting no.","Reining in property taxes has been one of Walker\u2019s priorities as governor. On Oct. 10, 2013, citing growth in state tax revenue, he called a special session of the Legislature to take up property tax relief -- specifically by increasing state aid to school districts."]},{"id":"10743.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Medicaid expansion isnt necessarily a very popular issue on the street.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that Medicaid expansion is not widely popular among the general public. The evidence suggests that there is an ideological debate surrounding Medicaid expansion in the Legislature, and while there may not be overwhelming voter opposition, it is not considered a particularly popular issue among the general population. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific data or polling results to support the claim. Without concrete evidence, it is difficult to ascertain the extent of public opinion on Medicaid expansion in Florida.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If you go into a federal program like that, you will soon find out what it means to be married to Washington. There's folks that are not in this chamber today because of that very issue,\" he told radio station WUSF\u2019s Health News Florida. \"People spoke in those districts, and we feel like Medicaid expansion isn\u2019t necessarily a very popular issue on the street.\"","It\u2019s sure to be an issue in the governor\u2019s race, so we wanted to look at the evolution of Scott\u2019s position on the issue on our Flip-O-Meter, which evaluates whether a politician changed their stance -- we leave it up to voters to make judgments about any such changes.","A state solution like what the Senate is offering tends to be particularly popular in Florida, she said. What\u2019s generating headlines from Tallahassee now isn\u2019t so much overwhelming voter opposition, but rather an ideological debate in the Legislature.","But we at PolitiFact Florida thought his statement can be verified or contradicted by public opinion polls. And since it's such a critical issue in Florida, we decided to take a look."]},{"id":"577.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama \"voted against funding our troops.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Obama voted against a specific funding measure for troops in 2007, it is important to note that he has voted in favor of funding for troops on other occasions. The statement in the ad, which claims that Obama \"voted against funding our troops,\" lacks qualifications or context, failing to acknowledge his support for troop funding in other instances. Therefore, the claim is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The McCain campaign is correct that Obama voted against the 2007 funding measure. But the ad's statement \u2014 \"he voted against funding our troops\" \u2014 is phrased with no qualifications or caveats. Actually, Obama has voted for troop funding several times in other measures. So we find the claim in the McCain ad to be Half True.","On the matter of funding for troops, McCain is right that Obama voted against funding the war \u2014 once. Obama said at the time it was a protest vote because language setting a timetable for withdrawal had been removed from the bill. On other occasions, Obama has voted to fund troops in Iraq. So we found McCain's statement only Half True .","The McCain campaign supported its claim that Obama voted against troop funding by citing a May 2007 Senate vote. The campaign is correct that Obama voted against a bill to fund troops, which passed anyway.","An ad for Sen. John McCain makes the case that Sen. Barack Obama is a foreign policy lightweight who has voted against funding for troops."]},{"id":"13356.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the Paula Jones case, Bill Clinton paid an $850,000 penalty.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bill Clinton paid $850,000 to settle the Paula Jones case, legal experts have pointed out that this payment does not meet the criteria of a \"penalty\" as commonly understood. The payment was not imposed by a court, but rather negotiated by the parties involved, and it did not come with an admission of guilt. Therefore, referring to it as a \"penalty\" may be misleading. It is more accurate to describe it as a settlement payment. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered about Gingrich\u2019s assertion that Bill Clinton had paid an \"$850,000 penalty.\" That was a figure Clinton paid in a settlement over alleged sexual impropriety with Paula Jones, an Arkansas state worker when Clinton was Arkansas governor. Jones sued him over the alleged incident in a case that ultimately led to Clinton\u2019s impeachment battle.","Gingrich said that in the Paula Jones case, Bill Clinton paid an \"$850,000 penalty.\" According to legal experts, Clinton\u2019s $850,000 payment does not qualify as a \"penalty.\" It wasn\u2019t imposed by a court (the court had dismissed the case); it was negotiated by the parties out of court; and it came with no admission of guilt. Given his past experience with careful parsing of how legal penalties are defined, Gingrich of all people should have known this. We rate his statement Half True.","In 1994, Arkansas state worker Paula Jones accused Bill Clinton of making an unwanted sexual advance. Clinton ultimately paid $850,000 to settle with Jones without admitting guilt.","Clinton did indeed pay Jones $850,000. But the payment in question does not fit the commonly accepted legal definition of a \"penalty,\" legal experts said."]},{"id":"11484.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The top 1 percent pay 45 percent of all taxes in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks specificity. The top 1 percent of earners in the United States do pay approximately 45 percent of federal income taxes, as mentioned in the evidence. However, it is important to note that this figure specifically refers to federal income taxes and not all taxes in the country. When considering all federal taxes, the share paid by the top 1 percent is around 27.9 percent. Therefore, while the top 1 percent does contribute a significant portion of federal income tax revenue, the statement is not accurate when applied to all taxes in the country.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"On taxes, we do have a progressive tax rate when you consider that the top 1 percent pay 45 percent of all taxes in the country,\" Bush said during the Oct. 14 town hall in Concord. \"That is a fairly disproportionate amount.\"","We wanted to look at Bush\u2019s comment about how much the wealthy pays in taxes. Does the top 1 percent pay nearly half the taxes in the country?","But Bush could have been more specific in his reply. The 45 percent number applies to federal income taxes, not all taxes. Bush spoke generically about \"all taxes,\" so if we look at all federal taxes, the share for the top 1 percent was 27.9 percent.","The income tax generates 45 percent of federal tax revenue, followed by 36 percent for payroll taxes, 12 percent for corporate income taxes, 3 percent for excise taxes and 4 percent for other taxes."]},{"id":"13430.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Russ Feingold said that with Obamacare, we could keep our doctors and our plans, it was rated as the Lie of the Year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Russ Feingold made the claim during his 2010 Senate campaign that under Obamacare, people could keep their doctors and insurance plans. This claim was indeed rated as the \"Lie of the Year\" by PolitiFact National in 2013. The evidence supports the statement made by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The U.S. chamber says Feingold said that with Obamacare \"we could keep our doctors and our plans, it was rated as the Lie of the Year.\"","Feingold did make that statement about keeping doctors and insurance plans during his 2010 Senate campaign. And that was PolitiFact National\u2019s 2013 Lie of the Year.","So, the chamber\u2019s claim is that Feingold said \"we could keep our doctors and plans\" under Obamacare. Feingold, though answering a question about a \"public plan,\" essentially said the same -- that the law \"does not force you\" to change insurance plans.","!Russ Feingold, shown here campaigning for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010, the year Obamacare was signed into law, is a supporter of the law. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) !Russ Feingold, shown here campaigning for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010, the year Obamacare was signed into law, is a supporter of the law. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)"]},{"id":"7539.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Houston is home to more doctors, more nurses, more researchers than any other place in the world.","reason":"Reason: While the Texas Medical Center in Houston is indeed a renowned medical hub, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that Houston is home to more doctors, nurses, and researchers than any other place in the world. The statement lacks factual basis and relies on generalizations. It is important to rely on verifiable data and specific metrics when making such claims, which are currently unavailable to support this assertion.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You know one of the interesting things,\" Perry replied, \"Houston, Texas, is home to more doctors, more nurses, more researchers than any other place in the world--and I'm really proud of what we've done.\"","Granted, the Houston center is huge. Still, that alone doesn\u2019t make Houston home to the world\u2019s most doctors, nurses and researchers.","Perry did not single out the center in his February remark, though in July 2010, he told a radio host: \"When you think about the medical center in Houston, there are more doctors, nurses, researchers go to work there than any other place in the world, every day.\" His comment was recapped in a July 29, 2010, blog post by the liberal-leaning Think Progress.","Finally, there is not yet any confirmation that the Texas Medical Center employs more doctors, nurses and researchers than any other place. That could be. But mights aren\u2019t facts and regardless, Perry specified Houston in his recent statement, not the center."]},{"id":"9924.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Three of five detainees swapped (for Bowe Bergdahl) are now ISIS leaders.","reason":"Reason: The claim that three out of the five detainees swapped for Bowe Bergdahl have become ISIS leaders is not supported by credible evidence. Independent experts have debunked this claim, and the sources that have published it have questionable track records for accuracy. The claim lacks proper sourcing and has been rated as \"Pants on Fire\" by fact-checking organizations. Therefore, it is not accurate to assert that three of the detainees have become ISIS leaders.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Bloggers said that \"three of five detainees swapped (for Bowe Bergdahl) are now ISIS leaders.\" The claim has nonexistent sourcing, has been published by sites with questionable track records for accuracy, and has been knocked down by independent experts. We rate it Pants on Fire.","In September 2014, we gave a Pants on Fire rating to a claim that \"Three of five detainees swapped (for Bergdahl) are now ISIS leaders.\" Has something changed since then?","The claim stems from a website, , that ran a post on Sept. 15, 2014, with the headline, \"Three of five detainees swapped are now ISIS leaders.\" The post, which was also linked to elsewhere on the Internet, goes on to say:","A reader recently sent us a link to a rather startling claim -- that three of the five Guantanamo detainees released by the United States in late May in exchange for Taliban prisoner Bowe Bergdahl have now taken up arms for the Islamic State."]},{"id":"2425.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Bill White didnt pay taxes while earning $133,600 annual salary as deputy secretary of energy.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Bill White did not pay taxes while earning a $133,600 annual salary as deputy secretary of energy is false. It has been confirmed that White did pay taxes, including income, Medicare, and Social Security taxes, during the first eight months of 1995 while he held the position. The claim made by Rick Perry's campaign in the press release is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Bill White hiding his taxes because he didn't pay them,\" says the headline on a Sept. 7 news release from Perry's campaign. That's followed by this header: \"Liberal trial lawyer didn't pay taxes while earning $133,600 annual salary as deputy (U.S.) secretary of energy.\"","Now to the Truth-O-Meter: Perry's press release claimed that White \"didn't pay taxes while earning $133,600 annual salary as deputy secretary of energy.\" Later, he said he was referring to income taxes. Regardless of what sort of taxes Perry meant, we confirmed that White was paying taxes \u2014 income, Medicare and Social Security \u2014 while he was making that salary during the first eight months of 1995.","Katinka Podmaniczky, an Energy Department spokeswoman, confirmed that White's annual salary at the agency was $133,600. He resigned from the post in August 1995, according to White's 1995 federal financial disclosure report.","Republican Gov. Rick Perry hasn't seen Democratic challenger Bill White's 1995 tax return. Even so, he says White didn't pay taxes that year."]},{"id":"3882.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For every $1 spent on mitigation, $4 in post-storm cleanup and rebuilding is saved.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rooney that for every $1 spent on mitigation, $4 in post-storm cleanup and rebuilding is saved. While the ratio specifically refers to FEMA-funded mitigation projects and not necessarily individual homeowner upgrades, it is widely considered an industry standard. However, it's important to note that the actual savings may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures implemented. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood within the context of FEMA-funded projects and the potential variability in savings.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For this Truth-O-Meter, we wanted to check if Rooney's figure was correct: For every $1 spent on mitigation, is $4 in post-storm cleanup and rebuilding saved?","\"Mitigation must be a priority,\" Rooney wrote. \"Too many families and homes remain unnecessarily vulnerable to natural disasters like hurricanes. While mitigation will never eliminate the risk to homeowners, it could reduce loss and, in many cases, save a family\u2019s home. For every $1 spent on mitigation, $4 in post-storm cleanup and rebuilding is saved. These tax credits would provide an important incentive for families to proactively protect their homes from natural disasters.\"","Rooney claimed that \"for every $1 spent on mitigation, $4 spent on post-storm cleanup and rebuilding is saved.\" Rooney took that claim from a valid national study worked on by dozens of experts. But the ratio referred to FEMA-funded mitigation projects -- not necessarily home upgrades paid for by individual homeowners targeted in Rooney's bill. However, the ratio is widely considered to be an industry standard. We rate this claim Mostly True.","\"You can't tell a person -- one homeowner in one town who spends thousands on shutters -- that they will end up saving $4 for every $1 they may spend.\""]},{"id":"9930.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Fox News gave Republicansenators twice the air time as Democrats during a hearing about theIslamic State.","reason":"Reason: According to Media Matters, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on U.S. policy in Syria and Iraq, Fox News provided Republican senators 16 minutes of air time compared to the Democrats' eight minutes. This information is corroborated by independent fact-checking, which confirms that Republicans received twice as much air time as Democrats during the hearing. It's important to note that this disparity in air time suggests a potential partisan bias in Fox News' coverage of the hearing.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Media Matters said that Fox News gave Republican senators twice as much air time as Democratic ones during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. They said Republicans got 16 minutes compared to the Democrats\u2019 eight. That matches our count.","In a blog post Sept. 16, the group charged that Fox News gave Republican senators twice as much time as Democrats during live coverage of the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on U.S. policy in Syria and Iraq. There were only two people giving testimony, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin Dempsey.","The president\u2019s request to arm some Syrian rebels and conduct an air campaign against the forces of the Islamic State, a group also known as ISIS or ISIL, has found bipartisan support in Congress. But the liberal media analysis group Media Matters says the partisan divide is alive and well on Fox News.","Only MSNBC offered continuous coverage, although not from start to finish. The full hearing lasted almost four hours. Both Fox News and CNN pulled away at some point and rejoined the hearing in progress. Fox News rejoined to air questions from South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. CNN cut away twice, rejoining once for questions from Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, and again to carry Graham\u2019s question session."]},{"id":"12989.json","label":"false","statement":"Hillary Clinton wants to shut down family farms using radical regulation, by raising business tax rates as high as nearly 50 percent and by taxing family farms again at death by as much as 45 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays Hillary Clinton's stance on family farms and taxation. While it is true that Hillary Clinton has proposed increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans, including a 4 percent increase, this does not apply to the majority of family farms. The claim that she wants to shut down family farms through radical regulation and high tax rates is misleading and lacks supporting evidence. It is important to note that Clinton has expressed support for policies that aim to support and strengthen family farms, rather than shutting them down.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said, \"Hillary Clinton wants to shut down family farms\" using \"radical regulation,\" by raising tax \"rates as high as nearly 50 percent\" and through a death tax as high as 45 percent.","\"Yet, Hillary Clinton wants to shut down family farms just like she wants to shut down the mines and the steelworkers,\" he continued. \"She will do this not only through radical regulation, but also by raising taxes on family farms \u2014 and all businesses \u2014 to rates as high as nearly 50 percent. Adding to the pain, she will tax family farms again at death by as much as 45 percent.\"","Trump is plowing familiar ground here claiming that Clinton would raise taxes on family farms \u2014 and all businesses \u2014 to rates as high as nearly 50 percent","Raising taxes to nearly 50 percent? Clinton's proposing an extra 4 percent increase, but that's on the wealthiest Americans, and very few family farms will face it."]},{"id":"2751.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rigells car dealership made over $400,000 off the Cash for Clunkers bailout.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Scott Rigell's car dealership did receive $441,000 in rebates for 106 sales through the Cash for Clunkers program. However, it's important to note that this figure represents the total amount of rebates received, not the dealership's profit. The evidence does not provide a specific figure for the dealership's profit, but it suggests that Rigell's dealership would have had a gross profit of approximately $125,398 attributable to the program. Therefore, while the statement accurately states that Rigell's dealership benefited from the Cash for Clunkers program, it overstates the amount by claiming it made over $400,000.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Hypocrisy. That\u2019s politics these days. And now politician Scott Rigell is campaigning on his opposition to bailouts,\" the ad says. \"But Rigell's car dealership made over $400,000 off the 'Cash for Clunkers' bailout. Rigell rails against the bailout, but his business raked in the cash.\"","Rigell\u2019s profit would have come from the mark ups of the 106 new cars he sold under the program. Rigell\u2019s campaign declined to reveal its mark-up figures. In 2009, U.S. auto dealers grossed an average $1,183 on on each new car sold, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. Under that math, Rigell would have had a gross profit $125,398 attributable to Cash for Clunkers.","Did Rigell\u2019s dealerships participate in Cash for Clunkers? Yep. Rigell acknowledges it, and according to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Rigell\u2019s three dealerships received a total of $441,000 in rebates for 106 sales.","Department of Education officials investigating Virginia Tech shootings \"have not once gotten into the car and driven down to Blacksburg to talk to the police chief or the university president or to anyone else.\""]},{"id":"8539.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the Obama administration is handing out a pamphlet titled, What To Do When The Veteran In Your Classroom Attempts A Mass Shooting","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Obama administration is handing out a pamphlet titled \"What To Do When The Veteran In Your Classroom Attempts A Mass Shooting\" is false. The source of this claim, Mr. Conservative, is known for publishing misleading and false information. The story originated from a satire site and has been widely debunked. There is no credible evidence to support the existence of such a pamphlet being distributed by the Obama administration.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The website Mr. Conservative posted an article that claimed the Obama administration was handing out a pamphlet titled, \"What To Do When The Veteran In Your Classroom Attempts A Mass Shooting.\" The story originated on a satire site and was in no way real -- a truth that could have been easily discovered through a few clicks on the Internet. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","!The website Mr. Conservative ran a post headlined, \"Obama Admin. Hands Out Pamphlet: \u201cWhat To Do When The Veteran In Your Classroom Attempts A Mass Shooting.\" !The website Mr. Conservative ran a post headlined, \"Obama Admin. Hands Out Pamphlet: \u201cWhat To Do When The Veteran In Your Classroom Attempts A Mass Shooting.\"","The story, which was forwarded to us by a reader, was headlined: \"Obama Admin. Hands Out Pamphlet: 'What To Do When The Veteran In Your Classroom Attempts A Mass Shooting.'\"","Mr. Conservative, \" Obama Admin. Hands Out Pamphlet: 'What To Do When The Veteran In Your Classroom Attempts A Mass Shooting,'\" Nov. 12, 2013"]},{"id":"12773.json","label":"true","statement":"Speakers at the Democratic National Convention made zero mentions of the global terrorist threat posed by ISIS.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Multiple sources confirm that during the Democratic National Convention, there were no mentions of the global terrorist threat posed by ISIS in the speeches delivered by the speakers. While it is important to note that Hillary Clinton did address the topic separately in a different appearance, the statement accurately reflects the lack of discussion on the issue during the convention itself.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Republican National Committee said speakers at the Democratic National Convention made \"zero mentions of the global terrorist threat posed by ISIS.\" While Clinton took the opportunity to bring up the topic at an appearance in Charlotte on the same day, the email accurately reflects what was said -- or more precisely, not said -- from the podium in Philadelphia. We rate the statement True.","\"61: Number Of Speeches At The DNC Tonight,\" the Republican National Committee wrote. \"0: Mentions Of The Global Terrorist Threat Posed By ISIS.\"","\"61: Number Of Speeches At The DNC Tonight,\" the Republican National Committee wrote in an email to supporters. \"0: Mentions Of The Global Terrorist Threat Posed By ISIS.\"","Night one of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia had barely ended when the Republican National Committee sent a blast email to reporters attacking the Democrats for ignoring the threat of terrorism when speaking at the podium."]},{"id":"5513.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"It costs about $40,000 a year for a homeless person to be on the streets.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donovan that it costs approximately $40,000 per year for a homeless person to be on the streets. This figure takes into account the expenses related to emergency room visits, jail time, and hospital stays. However, it's important to note that other sources provide a wider range of costs associated with homelessness, with estimates ranging from $13,000 to $150,000 per person per year. While the $40,000 figure is within this range, it is not the only possible cost and may vary depending on factors such as location and individual circumstances.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Donovan said it costs the public $40,000 for a homeless person to be on the streets because of the expenses of emergency room visits, jail time and hospital stays.","\"The thing we finally figured out is that it\u2019s actually, not only better for people, but cheaper to solve homelessness than it is to put a band-aid on it,\" Donovan said in the March 5, 2012, appearance. \"Because, at the end of the day, it costs, between shelters and emergency rooms and jails, it costs about $40,000 a year for a homeless person to be on the streets.\"","Conversely, after the housing-first programs had been established, Mangano said, he looked at the cost of keeping formerly homeless people housed. That range: $13,000 to $25,000 per person per year.","Using data from the 65 cities -- of all different sizes and demographics -- the cost of keeping people on the street added up to between $35,000 and $150,000 per person per year, Mangano said."]},{"id":"8260.json","label":"false","statement":"The amount of interest paid on the federal debt exceeds total tax revenue.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that the federal debt exceeds $21 trillion and there are concerns about rising debt levels, it is incorrect to claim that the amount of interest paid on the federal debt exceeds total tax revenue. The interest paid on the federal debt is a significant expenditure, but it does not surpass the total tax revenue collected by the government. Tax revenue is a substantial source of income for the federal government, and while it may not be sufficient to fully cover all expenditures, it is not surpassed by the amount of interest paid on the debt.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Manchin portrayed himself as a fiscal conservative both as governor and in the Senate in his interview with Kercheval. He expressed concern about the rising federal debt, which exceeds $21 trillion in the broadest measurement.","Typically, the federal government is flush with cash in the second quarter, thanks to tax payments made around the tax-deadline time of April 15. So, if any quarter is going to provide the government with some extra cash to pay down the debt, it\u2019s the second quarter.","However, the federal government\u2019s planned paydown during the second quarter \u2014 when the government is flush with tax payments \u2014 will be swamped by new borrowing during the other three quarters of the year.","\u2022 However, the federal government\u2019s planned paydown during the second quarter \u2014 when the government is flush with tax payments \u2014 will be swamped by new borrowing during the other three quarters of the year."]},{"id":"2935.json","label":"true","statement":"The national debt grew an estimated$15 billion last weekend.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Warner's claim that the national debt increased by an estimated $15 billion over the course of a weekend. This claim is supported by calculations dividing the estimated increase by the number of days, resulting in a daily debt increase of approximately $5.236 billion. While the exact figure may vary, the statement accurately represents Senator Warner's assertion.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So in reality, not even close. Without rounding, the debt increased only about $1.3 billion over the weekend -- almost $14 billion short of Warner\u2019s claim.","\"The seriousness of our nation\u2019s fiscal challenges -- the compelling need to address these issues in a responsible and bipartisan way -- did not suddenly dissipate or magically disappear over the course of the weekend that just ended,\" Senator Warner said in remarks on the Senate floor Monday(!). \"In fact, since the Commission\u2019s final meeting ended on Friday afternoon, the national debt -- the running tally of what the United States government owes -- has increased by an estimated $15 billion.\"","Dividing by 365, you get a daily debt increase of $5.236 billion, or about $15.7 billion over three days. So by that token, Warner\u2019s correct that the debt could increase by an \"estimated\" $15 billion over three days.","Asked for a source, Warner spokesman Kevin Hall sent us a national PolitiFact story that looked at a claim by Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., that the debt increased more than $1.7 billion during an 11-hour Wimbledon match in June.."]},{"id":"8317.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S. Supreme Court decided in 1982 that non-citizen children must get free K-12 education.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In the case Plyler v. Doe, the U.S. Supreme Court did rule in 1982 that non-citizen children, including those who are undocumented or born to undocumented parents, have the right to receive a free K-12 education in the United States. This ruling ensures that all children, regardless of their immigration status, have access to public education.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Watts said the Supreme Court decided in 1982 that non-citizen children must get a free K-12 education. We rate his statement as True.","In a Texas case, Plyler vs. Doe, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1982 that non-citizen children must get a free K-12 education.","\"Unfortunately,\" Watts wrote, \"the (U.S.) Supreme Court decided in 1982 (Plyler v. Doe) that non-citizen children of illegal immigrants (children born in another country and brought into the U.S. by their illegal immigrant parents) must be given a free K-12 education.\"","Watts specified that the ruling applied to \"non-citizen children of illegal immigrants (children born in another country and brought into the U.S. by their illegal immigrant parents)\" and that the Supreme Court said they \"must be given a free K-12 education.\""]},{"id":"7558.json","label":"false","statement":"Says, The Democrats proposed budget is also balanced by using more in new tax revenue than in total PERS reform or savings.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The proposed budget by the Democrats does not rely on more new tax revenue than total PERS reform or savings. The draft budget includes $275 million in new tax revenue and $281 million in savings from PERS reforms. Therefore, the statement incorrectly suggests that the budget relies more on tax revenue than on PERS reform or savings.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says, \"The Democrats' proposed budget is also balanced by using more in new tax revenue than in total PERS reform or savings.\"","\"Frustratingly, the Democrats' proposed budget is also balanced by using more in new tax revenue than in total PERS reform or savings,\" he said. \"This may represent a priority for some, but certainly not one I can support. Balancing our budget requires hard decisions but it can be done through common-sense solutions.\"","Hanna said on the House floor that the proposed budget by Democrats is balanced \"by using more in new tax revenue than in total PERS reform or savings.\" That is not accurate. The draft budget relies on $275 million in new tax revenue and $281 million in \"savings\" from PERS reforms. The reforms also reduce pension-related costs for numerous other budgets in Oregon.","We had one question: Does the proposed budget released by Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, and Sen. Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, rely \"more in new tax revenue than in total PERS reform or savings?\" The statement didn\u2019t sound quite right to one of our budget watchers, so we decided to check it out."]},{"id":"6822.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Austin voters can approve seven bond propositions without raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by proponents of the bond propositions in Austin that approving the seven bond propositions would not result in a tax increase. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not provide a definitive confirmation of this claim. The statement is based on statements made by individuals supporting the bond propositions and should be evaluated in the context of the specific financial circumstances and assumptions mentioned in the evidence. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"These seven bond proposals offer Austinites an important opportunity to invest in our community\u2019s future without raising taxes,\" Leffingwell said in an Aug. 31, 2012, press release from a group backing the bonds.","By email, Nathan agreed the debt tax rate would drop two cents should the bond propositions fail, presuming the city issues outstanding bonds previously approved by voters as planned; city assumptions about assessed valuations hold true; and voters authorize and the city issues no additional general-obligation debt.","According to the Voters Guide prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area, proponents of the $892 million bond package say: \"The bond tax rate for Austin ISD is presently the second lowest among the Central Texas area districts.\"","Leffingwell, who chairs the Unity PAC urging voter support of the bond propositions, aired his reference to taxes less than two weeks before he voted, alone among council members, against approval of the city\u2019s new $3.1 billion budget."]},{"id":"323.json","label":"true","statement":"Hillary Clinton \"agreed with (John McCain) on voting for the war in Iraq.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that both Hillary Clinton and John McCain voted in favor of the 2002 measure authorizing the use of force in Iraq. This vote is widely considered to have given President Bush the authority for the invasion. Therefore, it is true that Clinton and McCain were on the same side in voting for the war in Iraq.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among Obama's points: \"It's time for new leadership that understands that the way to win a debate with John McCain is not by nominating someone who agreed with him on voting for the war in Iraq.\"","Obama is right: Clinton and McCain were on the same side in voting for the use of force in Iraq. We find this claim to be True.","Clinton accused Trump in a speech Thursday of having \"the gall to say that prisoners of war like John McCain aren\u2019t heroes.\"","Obama is referring to the 2002 vote authorizing the use of force in Iraq, widely considered to have given President Bush the authority for the invasion. Clinton voted for the measure, as did McCain. Obama was not in the U.S. Senate at that time, though he did give a speech opposing the war while an Illinois state senator."]},{"id":"501.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I had an uncle ... who was part of the first American troops to go into Auschwitz and liberate the concentration camps.\"","reason":"Reason: While President Obama made an error in stating that his uncle was part of the first American troops to liberate Auschwitz, the essence of his statement is accurate. His great uncle did serve in the military and was involved in the liberation of the Ohrdruf concentration\/work camp, which was a subcamp of Buchenwald. While the specific location mentioned is incorrect, the broader point about his family member's involvement in liberating a concentration camp remains true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I had an uncle who was . . . part of the first American troops to go into Auschwitz and liberate the concentration camps,\" Obama said in the speech on May 26, 2008. \"And the story in our family was that when he came home, he just went up into the attic and he didn't leave the house for six months. Right? Now obviously something had really affected him deeply. But at that time there just weren't the kinds of facilities to help somebody work through that kind of pain.\"","Obama's story immediately seems implausible because Auschwitz was liberated in 1945 by Soviet, not American, troops. It's further complicated by a back-and-forth between Republicans and the Obama campaign the day after his remarks.","But even with this error in locations, Obama's statement was substantially correct in that he had an uncle \u2014 albeit a great uncle \u2014 who served with troops who helped to liberate the Ohrdruf concentration\/work camp and saw, firsthand, the horrors of the Holocaust. We rate the statement Mostly True.","\"Sen. Obama's family is proud of the service of his grandfather and uncles in World War II \u2014 especially the fact that his great uncle was a part of liberating one of the concentration camps at Buchenwald,\" said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton. \"Yesterday he mistakenly referred to Auschwitz instead of Buchenwald in telling of his personal experience of a soldier in his family who served heroically.\""]},{"id":"3468.json","label":"true","statement":"Most Americans live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, approximately 65 percent of the American population lived within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant in 2000. This supports the claim that most Americans, in terms of population majority, reside within that proximity to a nuclear power plant.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But back to O'Donnell's statistic. He said most Americans live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant. About 65 percent of the population in 2000 lived within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant. That's certainly most. We rate O'Donnell's statement True.","The nuclear disaster in Japan naturally causes people to consider how a similar disaster might play out In the United States. So we were curious about O'Donnell's claim that most Americans live within 50 miles of a power plant.","While it's true that most Americans live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant, those percentages drop off markedly when you consider 10- or 20-mile zones. According to FEMA data, about 8 percent of the American population lives within 20 miles of a nuclear power plant; and about 1.7 percent lives within 10 miles.","Washington Post, \"U.S. urges Americans within 50 miles of Japanese nuclear plant to evacuate; NRC chief outlines dangerous situation,\" by Brian Vastag, Rick Maese and David A. Fahrenthold, March 16, 2011"]},{"id":"3735.json","label":"false","statement":"Under President Barack Obama, the United States has doubled our exports.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While President Obama did set a goal to double U.S. exports during his presidency, the actual doubling of exports did not occur. While progress was made towards increasing exports, the goal was not achieved. Therefore, the claim that the United States doubled its exports under President Obama is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The claim that immediately caught our eye was that during Obama\u2019s presidency, the United States has \"doubled our exports.\" So we decided to take a look.","So Obama was getting ahead of the facts when he said that the United States has doubled its exports. That\u2019s the goal, and progress toward it is being made. The doubling hasn\u2019t happened yet. So we rate his statement False.","!President Barack Obama addresses a rally at St. Petersburg College's Seminole Campus on Sept. 8, 2012. !President Barack Obama addresses a rally at St. Petersburg College's Seminole Campus on Sept. 8, 2012.","President Barack Obama touts his administration\u2019s record holding trade partners accountable by drawing a contrast with President George W. Bush over China."]},{"id":"10016.json","label":"false","statement":"The last time there was a sustained surge of confidence in governments competence was under Ronald Reagan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there was indeed a surge in confidence in government during the Reagan administration, it is not accurate to claim that it was the last time there was a sustained surge of confidence in government's competence. The evidence suggests that there was also a sustained surge of confidence during the presidency of Bill Clinton. Additionally, it's important to note that the level of confidence in government's competence can vary depending on various factors and cannot be solely attributed to one specific president or administration.\nLabel: false","evidence":["George Will said the last time there was a \"sustained surge\" in confidence in government was under Reagan. While trust did rise and generally hold level in the Reagan years, it also had a steady and larger increase under Clinton.","However you slice the numbers, it is clear that the American public had a \"sustained surge of confidence\" during Clinton's presidency.","As for Will\u2019s use of the word \"surge,\" gains in trust were steeper during Clinton\u2019s two terms, but he started from a much lower point than Reagan.","\"(President Ronald) Reagan took the deficit from 70 billion to 175 billion.\" This is more or less accurate. The federal deficit went from about $78.9 billion at the beginning of Reagan\u2019s presidency to $152.6 billion at the end of it. At points between 1983 and 1986, the deficit was actually more than $175 billion."]},{"id":"11341.json","label":"false","statement":"The birther movement was started by Hillary Clinton in 2008. She was all in!","reason":"Reason: The claim that Hillary Clinton started the birther movement in 2008 is false. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion. The birther movement gained traction after Barack Obama became the Democratic nominee for president in 2008, and it was primarily propagated by individuals and groups outside of Clinton's campaign. While some supporters of Clinton may have engaged in discussions or rumors questioning Obama's birthplace, there is no direct link to Clinton or her campaign. It is important to rely on accurate historical information and not perpetuate false claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Then Trump responds with a tweet of his own. \"Just remember, the birther movement was started by Hillary Clinton in 2008. She was all in!\"","Donald Trump is doubling down on his False claim that \"Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy,\" referring to the conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States.","Trump goes on to completely distort the chain of events by claiming Clinton \"was all in\" on the birther movement. Most of the talk started after Clinton suspended her presidential campaign. And the only thing she officially has ever done is deny any accusation of starting a whisper campaign.","It\u2019s an interesting bit of history that the birther movement appears to have begun with Democrats supporting Clinton and opposing Obama. But Trump, and others who have made this claim, neglect to mention that there is no direct tie to Clinton or her 2008 campaign."]},{"id":"5247.json","label":"false","statement":"The InterLink at T.F. Green Airport is the closest air-rail link in the country.","reason":"Reason: Governor Chafee's claim that the InterLink at T.F. Green Airport is the closest air-rail link in the country is not accurate. There are other air-rail links in the United States that are closer in proximity and provide direct connections between airports and rail systems. While the InterLink at T.F. Green Airport may offer convenient access for passengers coming in by rail, it is not the closest air-rail link in the country.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Governor Chafee said the T.F. Green InterLink is the closest air-rail link in the country. Whether he meant closest commuter link or closest Amtrak link, he\u2019s wrong.","( - Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee says the InterLink at T.F. Green Airport is the closest air-rail link in the country&url=)","At a news conference at T.F. Green on Jan. 11, Governor Lincoln Chafee, a longtime champion of the project, called it \"the closest air-rail link in the country,\" according to a story in The Journal.","One of the key selling points of the new $267-million InterLink at T.F. Green Airport is the easy access it gives passengers coming in by rail to get to their flights."]},{"id":"12346.json","label":"false","statement":"In the United States alone we lose more than 3,000 people a day to cancer.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While Vice President Biden initially stated that \"in the United States alone we lose more than 3,000 people a day to cancer,\" his office later issued a correction stating that the 3,000 figure refers to the daily number of cancer deaths in the broader Americas, not just in the United States. The official number of cancer deaths in the United States is not provided in the evidence, but it is clarified that the global number of cancer deaths is approximately 1.3 million annually, which averages to just over 3,000 per day worldwide.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Biden said in his Vatican speech that \"in the United States alone we lose more than 3,000 people a day to cancer.\"","During that speech, Biden said, \"In the United States alone we lose more than 3,000 people a day to cancer.\" A few days later, Biden\u2019s office posted the text of that speech on Medium.","They also inserted the following correction: \"*The initial number provided for daily cancer deaths in the United States was 3,000 \u2014 which is roughly the number of daily cancer deaths across the broader Americas.\"","When we contacted Biden\u2019s office, spokeswoman Meghan Dubyak said the 3,000 figure refers to the daily number of cancer deaths in the Americas as a whole \u2014 not just in the United States \u2014 in 2012, the most recent year for which the World Health Organization has full data. We were able to verify that statistic here; officially, the number is 1.3 million annually, or just over 3,000 per day."]},{"id":"12742.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has called for a radical 550 percent increase in Syrian ... refugees . . . despite the fact that theres no way to screen these refugees in order to find out who they are or where they come from.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources that Hillary Clinton has called for a significant increase in the number of Syrian refugees coming into the United States, specifically mentioning a potential increase of up to 550 percent. However, the second part of the statement, which suggests that there is no way to screen these refugees to determine their identities and origins, is not accurate. The refugee screening process involves multiple layers of security checks and vetting procedures conducted by various U.S. government agencies to ensure the safety and security of the country. While no screening process can guarantee absolute certainty, the existing procedures aim to minimize risks and identify potential security threats.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton supports a radical 550 percent increase in Syrian refugees coming into the United States, and that's an increase over President Obama's already very high number.\"","\"Well, Hillary Clinton wants to increase Syrian refugees to this country by 550 percent,\" Pence said. \"Donald Trump and I believe that we should suspend the Syrian refugee program.\"","\"We know that Hillary Clinton and President Obama lie to the American people when they say they can safely screen the Syrian refugees. They cannot,\" Gingrich said. \"And yet Hillary wants to increase the number by 500 percent.","Clinton has said she\u2019d like the country to move from 10,000 Syrian refugees under Obama\u2019s plan to 65,000, an increase that could be as high as 550 percent."]},{"id":"2188.json","label":"half-true","statement":"People come here to have babies. They come here to drop a child. Its called drop and leave.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Graham's claim that some people come to the United States with the intention of giving birth to a child, who would then automatically become a U.S. citizen. However, it is important to note that the term \"drop and leave\" is a simplified and potentially misleading characterization of the situation. While there are cases of individuals coming to the U.S. to give birth, it is not a widespread phenomenon as suggested by the statement. The motivations for immigration are complex and multifaceted, and it is not accurate to claim that all or even a majority of individuals come to the U.S. solely for the purpose of having a child and then leaving. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Graham replied that he had to because \"people come here to have babies. They come here to drop a child. It's called 'drop and leave.' To have a child in America, they cross the border, they go to the emergency room, have a child, and that child's automatically an American citizen. That shouldn't be the case. That attracts people here for all the wrong reasons.\"","This time, we were curious about Graham's statement that \"people come here to have babies. They come here to drop a child.\" He portrays it as such a big phenomenon that it warrants changing the U.S. Constitution. But is the problem as big as he suggests?",", \"Fact-checking the claims about 'anchor babies' and whether illegal immigrants 'drop and leave,'\"( \"\"Fact-checking the claims about 'anchor babies' and whether illegal immigrants 'drop and leave,'\"\") Aug. 6, 2010","Undoubtedly, citizenship plays some role in the decisions by undocumented immigrants to come to the U.S. After all, they have made a decision to make their future in the United States rather than in their home country, and part of building a better life in the U.S. is having citizenship for their children. But on Fox, Graham termed the practice \"drop and leave,\" which suggests that illegal immigrants are coming here for the primary purpose of having babies with citizenship, then rushing home to wherever they came from."]},{"id":"3297.json","label":"false","statement":"The five states that outlaw collective bargaining for teachers all rank below 44th in the nation in test scores, while Wisconsin ranks 2nd.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that the five states that outlaw collective bargaining for teachers all rank below 44th in the nation in test scores, while Wisconsin ranks 2nd, is not supported by credible evidence. The data cited for this claim was outdated and did not accurately reflect the current rankings. In reality, Wisconsin's ranking on the ACT, which is a more relevant measure, was 13th in the nation, not 2nd. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["1. In February 2011, with the protests being carried out daily, the Wisconsin Democratic Party claimed that the five states that outlaw collective bargaining for teachers all ranked below 44th in the nation in test scores, while Wisconsin ranked second. PolitiFact National rated the claim False, partly because the data cited for both major college preparation tests -- the ACT and the SAT -- was a decade old.","PolitiFact National, \"Labor union supporters say Wisconsin test scores vastly outpace those in five states without collective bargaining for teachers,\" (False) Feb. 23, 2011","As a result, it\u2019s fairer to look at Wisconsin\u2019s ranking on the ACT, which was taken by 67 percent of graduates in 2009. And that ranking was 13th in the nation -- not bad, but well short of the 2nd place finish cited in the Facebook post.","There is an element of truth in Walker\u2019s statement, in that Wisconsin's rank moved from third to second in 2012, the year after the Act 10 collective bargaining reforms were adopted. But the rank didn\u2019t improve because of an improvement in Wisconsin\u2019s score. And there is no evidence that Act 10 affected the ranking."]},{"id":"8661.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The vast, overwhelming majority of [crimes that occur with a firearm] are committed by people who dont legally possess that firearm in the first place.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Michael Chippendale and supported by Rep. Faso, that the majority of crimes involving firearms are committed by individuals who do not legally possess those firearms. This assertion suggests that stricter gun control measures targeting legal firearm owners may not effectively address the issue of gun-related crimes. However, it is important to note that specific data and statistics on this matter may vary depending on the jurisdiction and context, and further research would be needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The vast, overwhelming majority of crimes that occur with a firearm are committed by people who don\u2019t legally possess that firearm in the first place.\"","Rep. Michael Chippendale said: \"The vast overwhelming majority of crimes that occur with a firearm are committed by people who don\u2019t legally possess that firearm in the first place.\"","\"I think if we were to analyze all police records, we'd find that crimes that occur with a firearm are not perpetrated by lawful firearm owners,\" he said. \"I would say the vast, overwhelming majority of them are committed by people who don\u2019t legally possess that firearm in the first place. So they wouldn't show up on any sort of a register because they didn't obtain it legally. There's a strong argument that is supported by data, a lot of data, to support that point.\"","Faso said \"The vast majority of crime that is gun related is committed by people who illegally are possessing that firearm.\""]},{"id":"3002.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over 80 percent of the people want the shot to vote on whether to approve same-sex marriage, according to polls.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Cianci that polls indicate that over 80 percent of Rhode Island voters want the opportunity to vote on whether to approve same-sex marriage. However, it's important to note that this claim specifically refers to the desire for a vote, rather than indicating support or opposition to same-sex marriage itself. The statement does not provide information on the specific details or sources of these polls, so it is difficult to assess their methodology and accuracy. Nonetheless, based on the information provided, the statement accurately represents Cianci's claim regarding the desire for a vote on same-sex marriage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"One of the things I do know from seeing polls that I see every day is that over 80 percent of the people want the shot to vote for it,\" he said.","Cianci says polls support the idea that more than 80 percent of Rhode Island voters want to make the decision whether to approve same-sex marriage","\"The polls that I've seen show that 80 percent of Rhode Islanders want the opportunity to vote,\" he said at another point in the program. \"I'm not saying that they're against gay marriage or same-sex marriage, but they say they want the opportunity to vote on it.\"","( - Cianci says polls support the idea that more than 80 percent of Rhode Island voters want to make the decision whether to approve same-sex marriage&url=)"]},{"id":"6312.json","label":"half-true","statement":"USA is #1 in gun violence.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that the United States has a higher rate of gun violence compared to other affluent nations on a per capita basis, it is incorrect to claim that the USA is definitively \"#1\" in gun violence without specifying the context. The statement also presents statistics without providing the necessary context, such as the sources and time frame of the data. It is important to consider a comprehensive analysis of gun violence, including factors such as different types of gun-related incidents and regional variations within the United States, to fully understand the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In this item, we\u2019ll look at the first part of that claim -- that the \"USA is #1 in gun violence.\"","The Facebook post says the \"USA is #1 in gun violence.\" That's only true if you compare the U.S. with other affluent nations on a per capita basis.","The post said, \"USA is #1 in gun violence. Nearly 100,000 people get shot every year. That's 270 people a day and 87 dead because of gun violence every day.\"","A reader sent us one Facebook post about the extent of gun violence in the United States. It said, \"USA is #1 in gun violence. Nearly 100,000 people get shot every year. That's 270 people a day and 87 dead because of gun violence every day.\""]},{"id":"9825.json","label":"false","statement":"Every 28 hours an unarmed black person is shot by a cop.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While there is a report by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement that highlights instances of police-involved deaths of black individuals, it does not specifically state that an unarmed black person is shot by a cop every 28 hours. In fact, the report itself only classified a portion of the deaths as unarmed, which contradicts the claim made. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When asked how often an unarmed black is shot by a cop, Hill answered \"every 28 hours.\" He then referenced a report issued by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and said \"that every 28 hours an unarmed black person is killed.\"","The report only classified 136 of 313 deaths as unarmed, which does not support his claim that an unarmed black person is shot by police every 28 hours.","But the report doesn\u2019t say what Hill offered on CNN, that an \" unarmed black person is killed\" every 28 hours.","\"How often does it happen that an unarmed black is shot by a cop?\" Elder asked in the Aug. 20, 2014, interview."]},{"id":"4644.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Obamas uncle and aunt are illegal aliens ... whove been allowed to stay in this country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama's uncle and aunt were in the U.S. illegally at one point, it is important to note that his aunt, Zeituni Onyango, was granted asylum in May 2010, which means she is no longer in the U.S. illegally. Therefore, the statement that they are currently illegal aliens and have been allowed to stay in the country is not accurate. It is essential to consider the updated information and legal status of individuals before making such claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bachmann said, \"I think the person who really has a problem with illegal immigration in the country is President Obama. It's his uncle and his aunt who are illegal aliens... who've been allowed to stay in this country, despite the fact that they're illegal.\"","\"Well, I think the person who really has a problem with illegal immigration in the country is President Obama. It's his uncle and his aunt who are illegal aliens... who've been allowed to stay in this country, despite the fact that they're illegal,\" Bachmann said, according to a transcript of the Oct. 18, 2011, debate.","It\u2019s true that the president\u2019s aunt and uncle were both in the U.S. illegally at one time, But Zeituni Onyango was granted asylum in May 2010 and is no longer in the U.S. illegally. We rate Bachmann's statement Half True.","\"Judge's decision to let Obama aunt stay in U.S. was triggered by leak that heightened danger,\" Boston Globe, Aug. 17, 2010"]},{"id":"3557.json","label":"false","statement":"Abortion services are well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to multiple sources, including Planned Parenthood itself, abortion services account for a small percentage of the organization's overall services. Planned Parenthood states that about 3% of its services are abortion-related, while the majority of its services (around 90-97%) are focused on preventive care, primary care, and other healthcare services. The claim that abortion services make up well over 90% of what Planned Parenthood does is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Planned Parenthood says the statistics are dramatically different -- that 90 percent of its services are preventive in nature, compared with 3 percent that are abortion-related.","On Friday, we checked Sen. Jon Kyl's claim that abortion services account for 90 percent of Planned Parenthood's services. We rated that False.","According to Planned Parenthood, about 97 percent of the services the group provides in a given year are services other than abortion. That includes preventive and primary care. Preventive care accounts for about 85 to 90 percent of the services Planned Parenthood provides.","The statistics from Planned Parenthood and the statement from Kyl's office make it clear that he erred by saying abortion counts for well over 90 percent of the group's services. We find his claim False."]},{"id":"364.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I want to freeze interest rates for five years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's position of wanting to freeze interest rates. However, it lacks important context. Clinton's proposal specifically targets subprime loans for owner-occupied homes, rather than a blanket freeze on all interest rates. By omitting this crucial detail, the statement could lead to a misunderstanding that her plan applies to all borrowers, which is not the case. It is important to clarify that Clinton's intention is to address the specific issue of subprime loans for owner-occupied homes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think it's imperative that we approach this mortgage crisis with the seriousness that it is presenting. There are 95,000 homes in foreclosure in California right now. I want a moratorium on foreclosures for 90 days so we can try to work out keeping people in their homes instead of having them lose their homes, and I want to freeze interest rates for five years.\"","Yes, it is easier for Clinton to say \"freeze interest rates\" than \"freeze interest rates in owner-occupied homes purchased with subprime mortgages.\" But that doesn't make the short version accurate. (See our statement on this point here .)","But he opposes Clinton's plan and thinks Obama is correct that an interest-rate freeze would have the effect of driving up interest rates for new borrowers. Lenders would react to an interest-rate freeze by setting rates for new loans at a higher rate, he said.","The problem Clinton is running into on the campaign trail is that she regularly shorthands her terminology, giving the impression that her plan is broader than it is. Instead of saying she wants to freeze interest rates for subprime loans for owner-occupied homes, she has said only that she wants to freeze interest rates. Anyone with an adjustable rate mortgage might think her plan applies to them, when it doesn't."]},{"id":"1282.json","label":"false","statement":"For the last decade the climate has been cooling.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the climate has been cooling over the past decade is not supported by scientific evidence. Multiple sources, including data analysis and climate scientists, have shown that global temperatures have not been consistently decreasing over the past ten years. While there may be fluctuations and variations in temperature from year to year, the overall trend indicates a continued warming of the planet. It is important to rely on comprehensive and long-term data when assessing climate patterns rather than focusing on short-term fluctuations. Therefore, the statement that the climate has been cooling over the last decade is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Matalin said, \"for the last decade the climate has been cooling.\" That suggests there has been a distinct reversal of the steady warming that scientists have documented for many years. But a review of the data shows that's not the case. The numbers show that in the past 10 years, global temperatures have not continued their sharp increase. But they have not cooled either. In fact, some years in the last decade have been hotter than the previous years. At most, they could be described as hitting a plateau. But they haven't cooled as Matalin said. We find her claim False.","\"If they care about reducing the deficit, which should be their No. 1 priority ... they're not going to be able to do this \u2014 all this other nonsense, cap and trade and all the rest of it. Too much, too fast,\" Matalin said. \"Climate change is a fake issue anyway. ... There is not consensus science on what is causing global climate change. There is climate change, but for the last decade the climate has been cooling. There is the science. There is the data on that. They want to do this because they like to have all these programs being controlled by the government.\"","A decade is such a small period of time that \"it's like saying, 'It was cold here last week. What happened to climate change?'\" Bradley said.","\"With climate change, not every year is going to be warmer,\" Heim said. \"It's two steps up, two steps down \u2014 that's not a indication we're on a massive cooling trend.\""]},{"id":"10842.json","label":"true","statement":"Accidents are down 50 percent and injury accidents are down 60 percent in the rebuilt Marquette Interchange in Milwaukee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings from multiple sources, including the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association and the Sheriff's Department. According to these sources, since the redesign of the Marquette Interchange in Milwaukee, there has been a significant decrease in accidents, with a 50 percent reduction in accidents and a 60 percent reduction in injury accidents. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Then the payoff pitch: \"In fact, Milwaukee\u2019s Marquette Interchange is a shining example of those successes. Accidents are down 50 percent and injury accidents are down 60 percent.\"","The Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association radio ad contended that \"accidents are down 50 percent and injury accidents are down 60 percent\" since the redesign of the Marquette Interchange in Milwaukee.","They also show a big drop in total accidents, though not quite as sharp: 45 percent for total accidents, and 55 percent for injury accidents.","For example, comparing the three years before the project (2001-2003) vs. the latest three years (2012-2014), accidents are down 45 percent and injury accidents 49 percent, according to the Sheriff\u2019s Department. The two agencies defined the interchange somewhat differently."]},{"id":"5793.json","label":"false","statement":"Says $57,000 is the mean [income] in our state for a family.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The mean family income in New Jersey is not $57,000. According to reliable data from the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, the mean family income in New Jersey in 2010 was $106,125, while the median family income was $82,427. Therefore, the claim that $57,000 is the mean income for a family in the state is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The proposal to cut income taxes by 10 percent, if you took a family with an average income of $50,000 -- which, by the way, $57,000 is the mean in our state -- that would provide $80 over a three-year period in the pockets of a New Jersey family. That is not anything of significance. We say that won't buy a bag of groceries for a working-class family,\" Oliver said.","That\u2019s not true. The mean family income in New Jersey in 2010 was $106,125 and the median income, a measure less influenced by very high-income earners, was $82,427.","The mean family income in New Jersey was $106,125 in 2010, according to the most recent data available from the American Community Survey, a yearly national assessment conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The median family income, according to the same survey, was $82,427.","PolitiFact Texas, Rick Perry says members of Congress with half their pay would still make $38,000 more than typical family, Nov. 30, 2011"]},{"id":"3234.json","label":"false","statement":"The Muslim Brotherhood has openly stated they want to declare war on Israel.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Muslim Brotherhood has openly stated they want to declare war on Israel is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple experts on the Muslim Brotherhood have stated that they have never heard any official statement from the Brotherhood expressing a desire to declare war on Israel. Additionally, the Brotherhood's policy elite, the 16-member Guidance Bureau, does not include the individual mentioned in the statement. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing the intentions and statements of political organizations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That\u2019s a lot to unpack. We decided to check Beck\u2019s claim that the Brotherhood has \"openly stated they want to declare war on Israel,\" because so much of the debate in the United States revolves around the Muslim Brotherhood's intentions toward the main U.S. ally in the region.","\"We told you this week how if (President Hosni) Mubarak does step down, however, the Muslim Brotherhood would be the most likely group to seize power. They've openly stated they want to declare war on Israel and they would end the peace agreement with Israel and they would work towards instituting something we told you about, a caliphate.\"","Three other experts on the Muslim Brotherhood all agreed. \"The MB is a massive organization with many different ideological trends within it,\" explained Dr. Joshua Stacher, a political scientist at Kent State. \"I have never heard anyone on or off the record say they \u2018wish to declare war on Israel.\u2019 \" None were familiar with Ghannem, who we confirmed is not among the the Brotherhood\u2019s policy elite, the 16-member Guidance Bureau.","\"Oh, no threat of war,\" El-Erian told Robert Siegel. \"The people are not pushing for war. But it is not our duty to protect Israel from Palestinians. We are not guards for Israel.\""]},{"id":"1799.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Elena Kagan \"violated the law of the United States at various points\" with her opposition to military recruiters.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Elena Kagan \"violated the law of the United States at various points\" with her opposition to military recruiters is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Kagan challenged the law regarding military recruiting on campuses, it was determined that she did not willfully flout the law. The Supreme Court clarified the law, and Kagan complied with the Court's decision. While there may have been some legal ambiguity during the process, it is a stretch to claim that Kagan violated the law at various points. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\u2022 Sen. Jeff Sessions, on the other hand, said that Kagan's actions \"violated the law of the United States at various points\" with her opposition to military recruiters. We found that Kagan didn't willfully flout the law after the Supreme Court made the law unmistakably clear. So we rated Sessions' statement Barely True.","There's no debate that Kagan challenged the law regarding military recruiting on campuses. But is it true that Kagan \"violated the law of the United States at various points in the process\"?","\"She disallowed them from the normal recruitment process on campus,\" said Sessions. \"She went out of her way to do so. She was a national leader in that, and she violated the law of the United States at various points in the process.\"","Some may argue that the Third Circuit decision didn't affect Massachusetts, which is in the First Circuit, and that the Supreme Court was decisive in its reversal of that circuit court decision. So one could also argue that Kagan didn't comply with what the law required, but we think it's a stretch for Sessions to say Kagan \"violated the law of the United States at various points in the process.\" There was at least some legal ambiguity -- for a time -- about Harvard's obligation. And, we note, no money was ever denied to Harvard. And so we rate Sessions' comment Barely True."]},{"id":"9157.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the Medicaid fraud rate in Virginia was fact-checked and found to be 0.47 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Governor McAuliffe claimed that the Medicaid fraud rate in Virginia was fact-checked and found to be 0.47 percent, the fact-checking organization mentioned in the evidence clearly stated that they had never looked at the figure until that point. Furthermore, the 0.47 percent figure represents the percentage of Medicaid bills that were paid for services that Virginians were ineligible to receive, rather than being a direct measure of fraud. Therefore, the statement is false as it misrepresents the fact-checking process and the nature of the 0.47 percent figure.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Our ears perked for two reasons: 1) We had never written a fact-check that said the fraud rate of Virginia\u2019s Medicaid program is 0.47 percent, and; 2) We thought it was high time to do that fact-check now.","McAuliffe: \"Well, you had one delegate going around saying it was 30 percent. It was fact-checked yesterday. Point-four-seven percent, less than half a percent. That\u2019s the facts.\"","McAuliffe said the state has a fraud rate of 0.47 percent and that PolitiFact Virginia had verified that figure. A spokesman for the governor said McAuliffe made an innocent mistake in saying we found the statistic to be correct.","In fact, we had never looked at the figure until now, and a number of experts told us that the governor erred in interpreting it as a fraud rate. The 0.47 is a computation of the percentage of Medicaid bills that were paid in 2012 for services that Virginians were ineligible to receive. Some of those errors resulted from deceit and some were simply caused by clerical errors."]},{"id":"12476.json","label":"false","statement":"The presence of gorillas calls into question the concept of evolution.","reason":"Reason: The presence of gorillas does not call into question the concept of evolution. Gorillas, like humans, are part of the primate family and share a common ancestor. Evolution is a scientific theory supported by extensive evidence from various fields of study, including genetics, paleontology, and comparative anatomy. The fact that gorillas exist today does not negate the concept of evolution but rather reinforces the idea of biodiversity and the branching of species over time. The claim that the presence of gorillas challenges evolution is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We thought we\u2019d take the opportunity to answer Limbaugh\u2019s question and explain why the presence of gorillas doesn\u2019t negate the concept of evolution.","In 2016, PolitiFact fact-checked a similar claim by conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. While discussing the incident of a boy falling into a gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, Limbaugh questioned why Harambe, the gorilla that was shot and killed during the incident, had not evolved into a human. The presence of gorillas doesn\u2019t negate the concept of evolution. Modern-day gorillas and modern-day humans both evolved from a common ape ancestor. PolitiFact rated Limbaugh\u2019s claim False.","\"A lot of people think that all of us used to be gorillas, and they're looking for the missing link out there,\" Limbaugh said. \"The evolution crowd. They think we were originally apes. I've always had a question: If we were the original apes, then how come Harambe is still an ape, and how come he didn't become one of us?\"","Evolution is often called into question in a religious context, but evolution does not necessarily contradict Christianity. A number of influential Christian scholars and leaders believed in both the science of evolution and God."]},{"id":"3715.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Milwaukee County spent over $170,000 in salaries in 2010 for employees to participate in union activities such as collective bargaining.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the governor's office and the county regarding Milwaukee County's expenditure on salaries for employees engaged in union activities in 2010. The actual amount spent was $180,385, which is slightly higher than the mentioned $170,000. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In Milwaukee County alone, because the union collectively bargained for paid time off, 14 employees receive salary and benefits for doing union business. Of the 14, three are on full-time release for union business. Milwaukee County spent over $170,000 in salary alone for these employees to only participate in union activities such as collective bargaining.\"","We asked the governor\u2019s office what the $170,000 referred to, and were told Milwaukee County spent more than that amount in 2010 on salaries for county employees for doing union work.","Gov. Walker said Milwaukee County spent more than $170,000 in 2010 on salaries for employees doing union activities. The actual tally, according to the county -- for three union presidents who did union work full-time and other employees who did occasional union work -- was $180,385. We rate Walker\u2019s statement True.","In 2010, according to a summary provided by Vigue, employees representing 16 unions spent 30,783 work hours on union activities. Those hours, which Vigue said were logged by 466 employees, amounted to $705,731 in salaries, according to the summary."]},{"id":"10311.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S. has 5 percent of the worlds population, 25 percent of the worlds known prison population.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jim Webb that the United States has 5 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of the world's known prison population. While the exact figures may vary slightly, the evidence supports the general point that the United States has a disproportionately high prison population compared to its population size.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We have 5 percent of the world\u2019s population, 25 percent of the world\u2019s known prison population,\" Webb, a Democrat, said during a Dec. 3 conference with Virginia journalists that was coordinated by the Associated Press.","If estimates of North Korean prisoners and Chinese tallies for pre-trial detainees are included, then the world penal population is closer to 11 million, the center said. That would mean the U.S. prison population would be 20 percent of the world\u2019s prison population. We note, however, that Webb\u2019s qualified statement said the U.S. had one quarter of the world\u2019s \"known prison population.\"","\"Another way of looking at that: Americans make up less than 5 percent of the world\u2019s population yet own roughly 42 percent of all the world\u2019s privately held firearms,\" Lopez wrote.","His numbers are a bit off. The U.S. has 4.4 percent of the world\u2019s population and 22 percent of its prisoners. But we won\u2019t quibble. Webb\u2019s central point holds up: That, when measured in global percentages, the United States\u2019 prison population is five times greater than its general population."]},{"id":"3108.json","label":"true","statement":"There have been at least four incidents where bullets from Mexico have crossed the border.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence provided by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who stated that there have been at least four incidents where bullets from Mexico have crossed the border into Texas. News reports and incidents involving gunfire in Mexico that led to bullets crossing the border have been confirmed by multiple sources. These incidents pose a risk to the safety and security of Texas residents. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, publicizing his call for Congress to investigate a shooting along the U.S.-Mexico border, said in a press release this month that his demand \"comes after at least four incidents where bullets from Mexico have crossed the border, putting at risk the safety and security of Texas residents.\"","Strickland, who told us that Abbott wasn\u2019t referring to a specific time period when he said at least four incidents have brought bullets across the border, pointed to news reports to confirm the recent incident in West Texas.","We previously confirmed three of the incidents Abbott referred to while fact-checking earlier statements, including one that Abbott made in August about gunfire in Mexico that month had led El Paso authorities to close a section of U.S. 85. A building on the UTEP campus was struck by a bullet that police suspect was fired during the incident, according to an Aug. 24 El Paso Times news article. Subsequent news articles by the Times reported more than one bullet crossed the border.","Abbott\u2019s letter offers more detail: \"Six months ago, I warned President (Barack) Obama about the life-threatening danger of bullets flying across the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas. At that time, El Paso\u2019s City Hall had just been struck by gunfire from the Mexican side of the border. In August of last year, more stray bullets from inside Mexico struck school buildings at the University of Texas at El Paso.\""]},{"id":"3594.json","label":"true","statement":"George Allen voted to add $3 trillion to the federal debt, voted to raise the debt ceiling four times and voted for the No Child Left Behind Act while he was a senator.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voting record of George Allen during his time as a senator. He did vote in favor of adding $3 trillion to the federal debt, voted to raise the debt ceiling four times, and supported the No Child Left Behind Act. These actions are supported by Senate records and corroborated by multiple sources. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He reluctantly voted yes to add $3 trillion to the debt, he reluctantly voted yes on the federal takeover of education called No Child Left Behind, he reluctantly voted yes to increase the debt ceiling four times, he reluctantly went along with the rest of the D.C. establishment as the federal debt went up $16,000 every second he was in office.\"","She also said Allen voted to increase the debt ceiling four times, and she\u2019s right. John Warner voted with Allen three of those times, and most of Virginia\u2019s House Republicans supported the the increases as well. Finally, Radtke is correct in noting that Allen supported the No Child Left Behind Act. Eighty-four other senators backed the bipartisan bill.","On each occasion, according to Senate records of the votes, Allen voted to raise the debt ceiling. Virginia\u2019s senior Senator at the time, Republican John Warner, also voted for three of the bills. Warner voted \"Nay\" in 2002 along with 14 other Republicans and 14 Democrats.","He voted for budgets that increased the debt by $16,896.68 per second. That\u2019s almost $497 a second more than Radtke credited to Allen. But consider this: The debt has risen by $51,856.89 a second since he left office."]},{"id":"2757.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says John Raese said he wants 1,000 laser systems put in the sky, and we need it right now.","reason":"Reason: John Raese did make a statement about the need for 1,000 laser systems to be put in the sky, but it is important to consider the context. The statement was part of a longer-term plan for missile defense, which would potentially utilize laser technology instead of traditional missile systems. While the statement may sound exaggerated or hyperbolic, it is not accurate to interpret it as a literal call for the construction of 1,000 laser systems immediately. The Manchin campaign's use of this quote in their ad may have distorted Raese's position. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to fully understand Raese's stance on laser-based missile defense.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We are sitting with the only technology in the world that works, and it's laser technology. We need 1,000 laser systems put in the sky, and we need it right now. That is (of) paramount importance,\" he said.","But we were perplexed by his comment, \"We need 1,000 laser systems put in the sky, and we need it right now.\" Manchin's ad provides it without context, as if Raese is calling for construction of the Death Star. So we decided to check into it.","So the \"1,000 laser systems put in the sky\" is a reference to a longer-term plan for missile defense that presumably would use lasers instead of missiles (hence, the \"Star Wars\" theme.)","Getting back to the Manchin video, Raese may have been speaking a little hyperbolically about putting \"1,000 lasers systems in the sky.\" Clearly, the Manchin campaign could have used a more straightforward quote to indicate what Raese was talking about, but they cherry-picked a quote that sounded the most nutty. You can support or oppose a missile defense shield, but this ad gives a distorted view of Raese's position. In fact, we couldn't even figure it out at first. We're not sure what West Virginia voters will make of it. Still, Raese clearly supports beefing up efforts at laser-based missile defense. So we rate Manchin's statement Half True."]},{"id":"10042.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In North Carolina, now were near the national average for unemployment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration. While North Carolina has made significant progress in reducing its unemployment rate, it is not accurate to claim that the state is \"near\" the national average. In reality, North Carolina's unemployment rate still places it in the lowest one-quarter of states, indicating that there is still a considerable gap between its rate and the national average. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But despite this significant improvement in the North Carolina unemployment rate, it\u2019s an exaggeration to say North Carolina is \"near the national average.\"","Tillis said that in North Carolina, \"now we're near the national average\" for unemployment. He has a point that the state has dropped its unemployment rate significantly in the past few years, but he exaggerates about how close the state is to the national average. In reality, North Carolina\u2019s unemployment rate ranks it in the lowest one-quarter of states. We rate the claim Half True.","It\u2019s a stretch to say it\u2019s \"near\" the national average. By way of comparison, it took the nation nine months this year to drop its unemployment rate by 0.7 points, and it took North Carolina 11 months to shed 0.7 points to its current level. So a difference of 0.7 percentage points is a lot of ground to make up.","Employers in North Carolina added 10,277 people to their payrolls in March, helping to keep the state's unemployment rate below the national average for the second straight month."]},{"id":"3720.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Austin Energy is considering its first rate increase since 1994.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Austin Energy, the city's electric utility, is indeed considering its first rate increase since 1994. This claim has been previously fact-checked and found to be mostly true. The base electric rate, which covers various operational costs, has not changed since 1994, while residential customers have been paying less for electricity when adjusted for inflation. However, Austin Energy has been holding hearings and discussions regarding a potential rate increase, which is expected to be considered by the City Council in the near future.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Answering a question for the May 1 \"Voters Guide\" from the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area, City Council hopeful Kathie Tovo made us check our pocketbooks. Tovo said: \"Austin Energy,\" the city\u2019s electric utility, \" is considering its first rate increase since 1994.\"","In 2011, we found Mostly True a claim that Austin Energy, the city electric utility, was considering its first hike in rates since 1994. The base electric rate, covering staff, the electric system, power plants, vehicles and the like, hadn\u2019t changed since 1994. Meantime, residential customers were paying less for electricity than they once had, taking inflation into account.","Truth-O-Meter articles, \"Kathie Tovo says Austin Energy considering first rate bump since 1994,\" PolitiFact Texas, May 10, 2011; \"Austin-area activist says Austin has fastest-growing taxes of any major U.S. city,\" PolitiFact Texas, Nov. 28, 2014","We wondered about that, since our first thought was that surely electric bills went up during that time. Tovo\u2019s campaign manager, Mark Yznaga, told us Tovo was referring to the utility\u2019s base charge for electricity. News reports and posts on Austin Energy\u2019s website show hearings are expected to culminate in the City Council considering a rate bump as soon as later this year."]},{"id":"8786.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Alex Sink used a taxpayer-funded plane so she could get to a vacation in the Bahamas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Alex Sink used a taxpayer-funded plane to reach her flight from the mainland to the Bahamas, it is important to clarify that she was not using the plane to directly travel to her vacation destination. The ad's wording could be misleading as it may suggest that Sink used the state plane to fly directly to the Bahamas for her vacation, which is not accurate. Sink used the state plane to travel from Miami to catch a commercial flight, not to directly reach her vacation spot. Therefore, the statement is partially misleading and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The NRCC said in its ad that Sink \"used a taxpayer-funded plane so she could get to a vacation in the Bahamas.\" It\u2019s true that she was headed to a vacation in the Bahamas, and it\u2019s also correct that she took a state plane to reach her flight from the mainland after finishing her official business in Miami.","\"She used a taxpayer-funded plane so she could get to a vacation in the Bahamas,\" the video charges. It also lists a few other flight-related claims to bring the attack in for a landing.","Even if the flight took her only 25 miles, it still can be construed as Sink\u2019s using the plane to \"get to a vacation in the Bahamas.\" However, we think most reasonable people would read this phrasing as suggesting that Sink took a state plane all the way to her island destination, which she did not.","The ad\u2019s wording, which Sink has called \"deceptive,\" is in fact somewhat misleading, as it could be interpreted as Sink taking a state plane all the way to the Bahamas. That would only be allowed if she were attending an official function there, not because she was going on vacation. In this case, she was diverting the state plane to an airport to get to a commercial flight, rather than Tallahassee."]},{"id":"6492.json","label":"true","statement":"Says under Wisconsin law, he cannot remove his name from the ballot for re-election to Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to Wisconsin state law, a candidate cannot remove their name from the ballot for re-election to Congress once they are already on it. This is supported by the fact that the only way to be removed from the House ballot at this stage is through death. Therefore, the statement is true based on the specific context of Wisconsin law regarding ballot removal for re-election to Congress.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Ryan said since he\u2019s already on the ballot for re-election to Congress he could not get his name removed. Indeed, at this stage, death is the only way off the House ballot.","Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin Supreme Court says individuals can determine for themselves whether they can avoid the voter ID law because of age or disability, Dec. 14, 2020","State law generally prohibits a candidate to appear on the same ballot for two partisan offices. But there is one exception: If he\u2019s running for president or vice president.","More importantly, the claim's core claim is nonsense. It says a judge ruled all those votes were illegitimate, and that's simply not the case."]},{"id":"6836.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Gov. Romneys definition ... Donald Trump is a small business.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that, under Governor Romney's definition, Donald Trump would be considered a small business. However, it's important to note that this claim is misleading. While Obama suggests that Romney's tax proposal would treat Trump as a small business, the fact-checking analysis indicates that any tax cuts Trump would receive from Romney would not be based on whether he is classified as a small business. Therefore, the statement lacks accuracy and context.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama said that \"under Gov. Romney's definition ... Donald Trump is a small business.\" But any tax cuts Trump would get from Romney would have nothing to do with whether he\u2019s a small business or not. We rate Obama\u2019s claim False.","Obama continued, \"We do have a difference, though, when it comes to definitions of small business. Now, under my plan, 97 percent of small businesses would not see their income taxes go up. Gov. Romney says, well, those top 3 percent, they\u2019re the job creators. They\u2019d be burdened. But under Gov. Romney\u2019s definition, there are a whole bunch of millionaires and billionaires who are small businesses. Donald Trump is a small business. And I know Donald Trump doesn\u2019t like to think of himself as small anything, but that\u2019s how you define small businesses if you\u2019re getting business income.\"","The Obama campaign has often tried to remind voters of Romney's relationship with Trump, who has been the most prominent person to question where Obama was born. In TV ads, the Obama campaign has frequently shown a photo of Romney in front of a Trump jet. But was Obama correct when he said that \"under Gov. Romney's definition ... Donald Trump is a small business\"?","However, even if Trump managed to meet the technical definition of a small business, it\u2019s not accurate to say that Romney\u2019s tax proposal would treat him as a small business."]},{"id":"443.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Obama voted for the Bush-Cheney energy bill that put $6-billion in the pocket of big oil.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Obama voted for the Bush-Cheney energy bill. However, the claim that the bill put $6 billion in the pocket of big oil is not entirely accurate. While there were provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that provided subsidies and benefits to the oil and gas industry, the specific amount of $6 billion is disputed. It is based on a report by Public Citizen, an organization that opposes the bill, but other sources may provide different estimates. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance regarding the disputed amount.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The announcer continues: \"Every gallon of gas takes over three bucks from your pocket, but Obama voted for the Bush-Cheney energy bill that put $6-billion in the pocket of big oil. Hillary voted against it.\"","And then there's the matter of Clinton's math. She claims in the ad that the bill \"put $6-billion in the pocket of big oil.\" That number is not accurate.","She is referring to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, a major priority for the Bush administration. She is correct that Obama voted for it, one of of 25 Democrats who did. (Clinton voted against it.)","The Clinton campaign said it comes from Public Citizen, one of many environmental and consumer organizations to oppose the bill. A Public Citizen report titled \"The Best Energy Bill Corporations Could Buy: Summary of Industry Giveaways in the 2005 Energy Bill,\" had a headline that said the oil and gas subsidies totaled $6-billion."]},{"id":"3620.json","label":"half-true","statement":"An Internet sweepstakes cafe is a legitimate business that has been vetted and found to be completely legal in the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the individual quoted in the evidence claims that their Internet sweepstakes cafe is a legitimate and legal business, it is important to note that the legality of such establishments can vary from state to state. In some jurisdictions, Internet sweepstakes cafes have faced legal challenges and have been deemed illegal gambling operations. Therefore, it cannot be universally stated that all Internet sweepstakes cafes are legitimate and completely legal businesses. The legality of such establishments should be assessed based on the specific laws and regulations of the state in question.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Where does this leave us? Nehr said his Internet sweepstakes cafe is \"a legitimate business that has been vetted and found to be completely legal in the state.\"","\"This is a legitimate business that has been vetted and found to be completely legal in the state,\" he told the Times. \"I'm entitled like anyone else to open a legal business to earn money for my family.\"","Nehr sounded so sure about his business -- saying that it \"has been vetted and found to be completely legal\" -- that we wanted to check it out.","In an April 2011 case in Brevard County, the state dropped felony gambling charges against an Internet sweepstakes cafe owner in exchange for the business owner agreeing to plead no contest to a misdemeanor count of not properly advertising her sweepstakes promotion."]},{"id":"740.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Palin (proposed) a $150 bounty for the severed foreleg of each killed wolf.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that Sarah Palin's administration proposed a $150 bounty for the severed foreleg of each killed wolf. This proposal was part of a state-sanctioned hunt aimed at reducing the wolf population in certain areas of Alaska. However, it's important to note that this program was later deemed improper by a judge and was discontinued. The intention behind the bounty was to incentivize hunters to participate in the wolf hunt, but it was met with criticism and legal challenges.\nLabel: true","evidence":["For this item, we'll focus on this part of the ad: \u201cAnd Palin even encouraged the cruelty by proposing a $150 bounty for the severed foreleg of each killed wolf.\u201d","\"Using a low-flying plane, they kill in winter, when there is no way to escape. Riddled with gunshots, biting at their backs in agony, they die a brutal death. And Palin even encouraged the cruelty by proposing a $150 bounty for the severed foreleg of each killed wolf. And then introduced a bill to make the killing easier,\" the narrator says. \"Do we really want a vice president who champions such savagery?\"","In 2007, Palin\u2019s administration proposed enhancements to encourage hunters to kill more wolves when it became clear that not enough wolves were being taken out of the population to meet the state\u2019s goal for the year. Palin\u2019s office announced a plan to pay hunters $150 for each wolf killed with the money to be paid when hunters turned in the left foreleg of dead wolves to state biologists. The program was axed by a judge who ruled it an improper bounty on wildlife.","\u201cThe cruelty\u201d in question was a state-sanctioned hunt intended to thin out the wolf population. Indeed, Palin\u2019s administration announced the $150 bounty for the \u201cleft forelegs of wolves\u201d as part of a larger effort to reduce wolf populations in five areas of the state, according to a press release from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game dated March 21, 2007. The payments are made to volunteer pilots and shooters who are permitted to track and kill predators in the winter months. State biologists planned to use the forelegs as specimens to study the wolf population."]},{"id":"10078.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weeks after accepting a quarter-million-dollar campaign contribution from a hospital board chairman, Greg Abbott went to court against victims of a drug-taking neurosurgeon.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wendy Davis that Greg Abbott, after accepting a $250,000 campaign donation from a hospital board chairman, went to court against victims of a drug-taking neurosurgeon. However, it's important to note that Greg Abbott's involvement in the court case was limited to defending the constitutionality of a Texas tort-reform law, which the patients' lawyers considered unconstitutional. While the statement is generally true, it lacks the additional context that Abbott's intervention was related to the defense of a specific law rather than directly opposing the victims.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Davis said that weeks \"after accepting a quarter-million-dollar campaign contribution\" from a hospital board chairman, Greg Abbott went to court against victims of a drug-taking neurosurgeon.","\"Then, weeks after accepting a quarter-million-dollar campaign contribution from the hospital's chairman, Greg Abbott got involved, using his office to go to court -- against the victims.\"","Wendy Davis is mostly right that weeks after accepting a $250,000 campaign donation from the chairman of the board of a hospital system, Abbott went to court against patients who say they were damaged by a surgeon working for one of the system\u2019s hospitals. Unnoted in this Davis charge -- that Abbott\u2019s intervention was limited to defending the constitutionality of a Texas\u2019 tort-reform law the patients\u2019 lawyers consider unconstitutional.","In a TV ad, Wendy Davis said Greg Abbott took a hefty campaign donation before siding with a hospital against patients injured and killed by a drug-taking surgeon."]},{"id":"7173.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Texas has the 15th largest economy in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and has been fact-checked by PolitiFact, which confirms that Texas does indeed have the 15th largest economy in the world. This claim is based on Texas' GDP ranking among nations, which places it at 14th. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Truth-O-Meter articles, PolitiFact Texas, \"Secession petition says Texas has 15th largest economy in the world,\" Dec. 18, 2012; \"Juli\u00e1n Castro says California besting Texas in creating jobs, economic growth,\" Aug. 17, 2016","We decided to check that claim and one from the petition itself, which said Texas \"is the 15th largest economy in the world.\" That\u2019s True.","Hurd\u2019s petition claimed that Texas is the 15th largest economy in the world. By a reasonable measure, Texas\u2019 GDP would rank it 14th among nations. We rate the statement as True.","Drawing tens of thousands of signatures within days, the petition written by \"Micah H\" made national news. Among its claims: Texas \"is the 15th largest economy in the world.\""]},{"id":"7058.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mark Hass raised your taxes by $1 billion in a single day.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that Mark Hass raised taxes by $1 billion in a single day. While it is true that lawmakers voted for $1 billion in new taxes in a single day, the claim lacks important details such as the timing of the taxes, who approved them, and who was being taxed. Without this context, it is misleading to attribute the entire tax increase solely to Mark Hass. Therefore, the claim is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Taxpayer Association of Oregon says Sen. Mark Hass voted to raise taxes by $1 billion in a single day -- it's a claim PolitiFact Oregon has heard before. Ross William Hamilton\/The Oregonian","That\u2019s the case with a legislative attack we first saw in 2010 that claimed Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, had raised \"your taxes by $1 billion in a single day.\" Back then, we called the claim Half True.","The last time we looked at this claim, we gave it a Half True. We noted then, as we do now, that while lawmakers did vote for $1 billion in new taxes in a single day, there were some important details missing -- the timing of the taxes, who had approved them and who was being taxed.","Well, the attack is back this year -- only this time we found the mailer from the Taxpayer Association of Oregon targeting Mark Hass, a Beaverton Democrat. (The Senate Democrats\u2019 campaign arm says it\u2019s also being used against Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson of Gresham and Rep. Arnie Roblan, the Democratic co-speaker from Coos Bay.)"]},{"id":"6079.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama wants to raise the lowest (income) tax rate from 10 to 15 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. While there has been a debate about tax rates and fiscal compromises, there is no clear indication that President Obama specifically wants to raise the lowest income tax rate from 10 to 15 percent. The evidence provided suggests that allowing the tax cuts to expire could potentially result in a higher lowest rate, but it does not demonstrate Obama's explicit desire to raise it. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"And you know, what does Barack Obama want to do?\" Priebus asked. \"Raise the poorest -- the lowest tax rate -- from 10 to 15 percent.\"","This suggests that if a fiscal compromise with the GOP can\u2019t be reached, Obama might allow the tax cuts to expire, which would raise the lowest rate to 15 percent. But that\u2019s not evidence that Obama, as Priebus claimed, wants to raise the rate.","There\u2019s been a fierce debate in recent months about whether the wealthiest Americans should pay more in income taxes. But does Obama really want to raise the lowest income rate by half to 15 percent?","Being \"intrigued\" by an idea three years ago doesn\u2019t show Obama now wants to allow the tax cuts to expire in a way that would raise the lowest tax rate."]},{"id":"5419.json","label":"true","statement":"All travelers -- even babies -- arriving in the U.S. by air must have a passport.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. As stated in the evidence, when traveling by air, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires all travelers, regardless of age, to have a passport. This includes babies and children. However, the rules may be less strict and less expensive for land or sea travel, as mentioned in the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The rising numbers of children arriving alone at the southern border pose \"an enormous challenge,\" but President Joe Biden\u2019s election isn\u2019t what triggered the surge, said U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas.","\"Homeland Security requires passports for every age, no matter what,\" Axford said in the interview. \"You can arrive by land or sea if you're under the age of 15 with a birth certificate, but if you go by air Homeland Security requires passports for everybody, no matter what the age.\"","Also, when the Trump administration began expelling migrants under the public health rule, it applied to single travelers, unaccompanied children and families. But a federal judge in November ordered the Trump administration to stop expelling unaccompanied children.","A kid passport costs $105. However, if you\u2019re coming by land -- such as the border crossing in Detroit -- the rules are less strict, and less expensive."]},{"id":"11882.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she is 6th in hard dollars raised and has more cash on hand than Governors (John) Kasich and (Chris) Christie combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Fiorina regarding her fundraising and cash on hand compared to Governors John Kasich and Chris Christie. According to the most recent public filings, Fiorina is indeed 6th in hard dollars raised and has more cash on hand than Kasich and Christie combined. However, it's important to note that this ranking still places Fiorina behind other candidates in terms of fundraising and cash on hand. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Fiorina said she \"is 6th in hard dollars raised and has more cash on hand than Governors Kasich and Christie combined.\" While it\u2019s worth noting the context that she ranks far back in the pack, Fiorina is right on both counts, according to the most recent public filings. We rate her claim True.","Fiorina was right that she had more cash on hand than Kasich and Christie combined; they totaled $3,663,459. Here too, that\u2019s no great shakes -- she still ranks sixth of the eight candidates in cash on hand","Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, compared herself to some other Republican candidates in the race, including Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey, John Kasich of Ohio and former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida.","Says Gov. John Kasich implied that a portion of workers\u2019 compensation rebates to employers \"should be directed back to him in the form of campaign cash.\""]},{"id":"3633.json","label":"true","statement":"Right now we are spending at an all-time high, close to 25 percent of our GDP [is] being spent on the federal government. But our revenues are at an almost all-time low of about 15 percent [of GDP].","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mark Warner that federal government spending is close to an all-time high, accounting for approximately 25 percent of GDP. It also accurately states that government revenues are at an almost all-time low, around 15 percent of GDP. This claim is supported by evidence that shows the lowest revenue totals as a percentage of GDP in 60 years. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Right now we are spending at an all-time high, close to 25 percent of our GDP is being spent on the federal government. But our revenues are at an almost all-time low of about 15 percent of GDP.\"","Warner appeared on \"Face the Nation\" on April 17 and told CBS newsman Bob Schieffer: \"Right now we are spending at an all-time high; close to 25 percent of our GDP is being spent on the federal government. But our revenues are at an almost all-time low of about 15 percent of GDP.\"","Mark Warner said government revenue is close to an all-time low at 15 percent of gross domestic product, while spending is at 25 percent of GDP, which Warner says is an all-time high.","So Warner\u2019s right when he says federal revenues \"are at an almost all-time low.\" The revenue totals for 2009 and 2010 were the lowest percentage of GDP in 60 years."]},{"id":"3138.json","label":"true","statement":"[Tailpipe emissions rules], if fully implemented with all the regulations that go with it, they will keep the temperature from rising nearly five one-hundredths of a degree Fahrenheit. By 2050.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Virginia attorney general regarding the potential impact of fully implemented tailpipe emissions rules on temperature rise. According to the attorney general, these rules would result in a reduction of temperature increases by approximately 0.05 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050. It's important to note that this figure represents a very small decrease and may not be considered significant in the context of addressing climate change. However, the statement accurately represents the claim made by the attorney general.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Tailpipe emissions rules, if fully implemented with all the regulations that go with it, they will keep the temperature from rising nearly five one-hundredths of a degree Fahrenheit. By 2050.\"","\"It turns out that they believe, that if fully implemented with all the regulations that go with it, they will keep the temperature from rising nearly five one-hundredths of a degree Fahrenheit. By 2050.\"","Let\u2019s review. The Virginia attorney general said the EPA\u2019s new tailpipe emissions rules for cars and other light-duty vehicles would reduce temperature increases by 0.05 degrees Fahrenheit. He said this would occur by 2050.","While discussing the EPA\u2019s endangerment finding that greenhouse gasses \"threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations,\" Cuccinelli voiced contempt for new regulations that will limit tailpipe emissions."]},{"id":"2301.json","label":"true","statement":"Michael Thurmond authored major legislation that has provided more than $250 million in tax relief to Georgias senior citizens and working families.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Michael Thurmond did author major legislation that provided more than $250 million in tax relief to Georgia's senior citizens and working families. According to the most recent data from the Georgia Department of Revenue, the legislation actually provided around $300.3 million in tax relief over a span of 13 years. While Thurmond's website uses the phrase \"more than $250 million,\" the actual amount is higher, making the statement accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Michael Thurmond \"authored major legislation that has provided more than $250 million in tax relief to Georgia\u2019s senior citizens and working families.\"","\"Thurmond authored major legislation that has provided more than $250 million in tax relief to Georgia\u2019s senior citizens and working families,\" his campaign bio says.","Thurmond admitted an error in his statement the first time we talked to him. The legislation provided about $300.3 million in tax relief over the span of 13 years, according to the most recent Georgia Department of Revenue data available. Thurmond sold himself short by about $50 million.","But Thurmond's website gives him some serious wiggle room by saying \"more than $250 million in tax relief.\" We rate his statement as True."]},{"id":"4223.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"[T]his breed (of pit bulls) is most often associated with aggressive behavior.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the perception that pit bulls are often associated with aggressive behavior. While it is important to note that not all pit bulls exhibit aggressive behavior and that individual temperament can vary, there is a widely held belief that pit bulls have a higher propensity for aggression compared to other dog breeds. This perception is supported by past studies and research that have consistently shown pit bulls to be among the breeds with a higher incidence of aggression. However, it is crucial to approach this topic with nuance and recognize that aggression in dogs can be influenced by various factors, including training, socialization, and individual temperament.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This breed (of pit bulls) is most often associated with aggressive behavior,\" Boyer said in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution published July 20.","However, the widely held perception is that they are dangerous, which was Boyer\u2019s over-arching point. An Associated Press poll done in October found of the dog owners who would support breed bans, 85 percent would outlaw pit bulls.","The past studies and research we\u2019ve reviewed shows pit bulls are among the most aggressive dogs. Some breeds, however, have been shown to be more aggressive in each report.","Comstock contends pit bulls are trained to be aggressive and argues many people, including some animal shelter workers, mistake other animals for pit bulls."]},{"id":"5809.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obamas parents were communists.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Barack Obama's parents were communists is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple sources, including authors who extensively researched Obama's background, have debunked this assertion. There is no factual basis to support the claim that Obama's parents were communists.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ohio congressional candidate Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, who gained fame as \"Joe the Plumber\" during the 2008 presidential election, says President Obama's parents were communists.","To settle the question of whether Obama\u2019s parents were communists, we also consulted authors of a pair of books about the president, who have extensively researched the president\u2019s background.","PolitiFact has a deep bench of stories debunking claims that former President Barack Obama isn\u2019t who he says he is. Now, a claim is again spreading on social media that Obama\u2019s father isn\u2019t who the ex-president says he is.","Likewise, Cincinnati native David Mendell, a former Chicago Tribune political writer who authored a biography of Obama titled \"Obama: From Promise to Power,\" also says there\u2019s no evidence to back up Wurzelbacher\u2019s assertion that Obama\u2019s parents were communists."]},{"id":"7623.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Harvard Study Finds States With Most Gun Laws Have Fewest Gun Deaths.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately summarizes one finding of the Harvard study, which suggests a correlation between states with more gun laws and fewer gun deaths. However, it's important to note that this statement lacks important context and details. The study's findings do not imply a direct causal relationship between the number of gun laws and gun deaths. Other factors, such as socioeconomic conditions, cultural attitudes towards guns, and enforcement of existing laws, can also influence gun death rates. Therefore, while the statement is based on a finding from the study, it oversimplifies the complex relationship between gun laws and gun deaths.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The posting has the Joe Friday character from TV's \"Dragnet\" saying, \"Just the facts, ma'am,\" followed by this headline: \"Harvard Study Finds States With Most Gun Laws Have Fewest Gun Deaths.\"",", \"Harvard Study Finds States With Most Gun Laws Have Fewest Gun Deaths,\" Anti-Republican Crusaders's Photos and The Everlasting GOP Stoppers's Photos, March 15, 2013, accessed April 8, 2013","In the end, when the Facebook posting says \"Harvard Study Finds States With Most Gun Laws Have Fewest Gun Deaths,\" it is correctly summarizing one finding of the study. But it leaves out important details and context that argue against the idea that reducing gun deaths is simply a matter of blindly passing more gun laws in each state.",", \"Study Finds States With Most Gun Laws Have Fewest Gun Deaths But . . . \" March 13, 2013, accessed April 8, 2013"]},{"id":"10681.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A school uniform policy helps with school safety, helps with truancy.","reason":"Reason: While proponents argue that implementing a school uniform policy can contribute to school safety and reduce truancy rates, the evidence on this matter is inconclusive. While some officials from Florida school districts have testified in favor of uniform policies, there is no consensus among researchers regarding the direct impact of uniforms on safety and truancy. The effectiveness of school uniforms in addressing these issues can vary depending on various factors such as school culture, community dynamics, and implementation strategies. Therefore, while there are claims supporting the positive effects of school uniforms, it is important to acknowledge that the research on this topic is not uniform and definitive conclusions cannot be drawn.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"They were all saying the same thing, and that is when they implemented a school uniform policy in their schools, the climate, the culture at their schools improved,\" Adkins said. \"It's an issue of school safety, helps with school truancy.\"","The House passed the bill 102-8 on March 27, but we were curious whether requiring students to dress the same really did improve school safety and truancy records. Turns out the research is anything but uniform.","Tampa Bay Times , \" New school uniform policies would pay off for Florida school districts under bill,\" March 12, 2015","Adkins said that school uniforms help create a positive learning environment, because it removes distractions. She cited testimony from officials from five Florida school districts that raved about their uniform policies."]},{"id":"764.json","label":"false","statement":"John McCain accused Barack Obama \"of letting infants die.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence indicates that John McCain did not personally accuse Barack Obama \"of letting infants die.\" While some anti-abortion activists who supported McCain may have made such accusations, there is no evidence to suggest that the McCain campaign itself made this claim. McCain's criticisms of Obama on the topic of abortion typically revolved around Obama's stance on confirming conservative judges. Therefore, the statement that McCain accused Obama \"of letting infants die\" is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Barack Obama recently released an attack ad on John McCain after Obama's abortion votes in the Illinois state legislature came under attack. The ad says that McCain accused Obama of \"letting infants die.\"","\"John McCain's attacks, the sleaziest ads ever. Truly vile. Now, votes taken out of context accusing Obama of letting infants die. It's a despicable lie. Even the bill's Republican sponsor said that it's untrue. Obama's always supported medical care to protect infants. McCain. He's running on a platform to ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. Sleazy ads. Anti-choice. That's John McCain.\"","We looked for examples, but could find no cases of McCain accusing Obama of \"letting infants die.\" Certainly some antiabortion activists who support McCain have made the charge, but that's quite different from the McCain campaign saying it. McCain's abortion-related attacks usually center on Obama's refusal to confirm conservative judges. We find the claim that McCain made the accusation to be False.","The group's ad shows a young woman, Gianna Jessen, looking directly at the camera and saying the following: \"Can you imagine not giving babies their basic human rights, no matter how they entered our world? My name's Gianna Jessen, born 31 years ago after a failed abortion. But if Barack Obama had his way, I wouldn't be here. Four times Barack Obama voted to oppose a law to protect babies left to die after failed abortions. Senator Obama, please support born alive infant protections. I'm living proof these babies have a right to live.\" View the ad here ."]},{"id":"7026.json","label":"false","statement":"Sherrod Brown voted six times to raise his own pay.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Sherrod Brown voted six times to raise his own pay is false. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, stating that Brown did not vote to raise his own pay six times. The ad misrepresents Brown's voting record and falsely accuses him of benefiting personally from pay raises. It is important to rely on accurate information when making claims about a politician's voting history.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"With 400,000 unemployed, we need a Senator who shows up to work,\" says the ad\u2019s announcer, as the TV screen shows an empty chair. \"Sherrod Brown missed over 350 official votes. When he finally showed up, voted to raise his own pay six times. Sherrod Brown, living by different rules than us.\"","Mandel for Senate, news release, \"Sherood Brown voted to raise taxes and raise his pay but didn\u2019t pay his own taxes three times,\" Oct. 2, 2012","A recent TV ad for Mandel follows that line by saying that Brown \"voted six times to raise his own pay.\"","The Mandel ad claimed that Brown voted six times to raise his own pay. On the Truth-O-Meter, that claim rates False."]},{"id":"5042.json","label":"false","statement":"The latest unemployment numbers have shown that nearly 315,000 Americans have simply given up hope when it comes to finding a job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by the Athens Republican is incorrect. The unemployment numbers did not show that nearly 315,000 Americans have given up hope in finding a job. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing employment statistics to avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The latest unemployment numbers have shown that nearly 315,000 Americans have simply given up hope when it comes to finding a job,\" the Athens Republican\u2019s release said. \"Our economy is barely hanging on as it is, and we cannot risk losing more of our working class to job-killing tax increases.\"","Broun was apparently led astray by credible news outlets, but the figure is still wrong. November\u2019s unemployment numbers did not show that \"nearly 315,000 Americans have simply given up hope when it comes to finding a job.\"","Nearly 315,000 Americans have given up on finding work? The government tracks all sorts of jobs figures, but who keeps tabs on hopelessness?","\"Today\u2019s job report paints a clear picture of how thoroughly this Administration\u2019s policies have failed,\" Broun\u2019s release said. \"While the addition of 120,000 net jobs appears to be good news, what it hides is that 315,000 Americans have now simply given up looking for work, and are no longer counted in these unemployment figures.\""]},{"id":"9458.json","label":"false","statement":"Gun homicide is down 49 percent in the past 12 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there has been a decline in gun homicide rates over the past two decades, the claim that gun homicide is down 49 percent in the past 12 years is incorrect. The decline in gun homicide rates occurred primarily in the 1990s, and over the past 12 years, the rates have remained relatively stagnant. The actual decrease in gun homicide rates over the past 12 years is significantly lower than the 49 percent claimed in the statement. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the trend in gun homicides.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Gun homicide is down 49 percent in the past 12 years. Only 12 percent of Americans know that. Tell us again how unbiased our media is,\" the Facebook post said.","The social media meme said that \"gun homicide is down 49 percent in the past 12 years.\" The gun homicide rate is actually down by 49 percent over the past 17 years, but this seemingly minor mistake betrays a significant misunderstanding of how rates have fluctuated over the past two decades. During the past dozen years, gun homicide rates have been largely static; their big decline mostly came in the years before the meme even started counting. The meme is not just incorrect; it\u2019s a distraction from what actually happened. We rate the claim False.","This disproves the clear wording of the meme. Over the past 12 years, the number of gun homicides is down 6 percent, and the rate of gun homicides is down 16 percent. Both are well below the 49 percent claimed in the post.","More importantly, by making this mistake, the meme misunderstands the overall trend lines of gun homicides. Gun homicides didn\u2019t decline 49 percent over the last 12 years -- rather, they declined precipitously over six years in the 1990s, then have remained basically stagnant for the past decade or so."]},{"id":"9569.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he voted for disaster relief and full funding of FEMA.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tom Cotton voted for some instances of disaster relief and full funding of FEMA, the statement is misleading because it fails to acknowledge the votes in which he voted against providing emergency relief funding. Cotton notably voted against an amendment that proposed $17 billion in emergency funding to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund after Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, he supported the government shutdown, which temporarily left FEMA shorthanded. Therefore, the statement selectively highlights certain votes while omitting crucial information about Cotton's overall voting record on disaster relief and FEMA funding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Despite what you\u2019ve been told, Tom Cotton stood with us every step of the way,\" Shock says in the ad. \"Tom voted for disaster relief and full funding of FEMA. Sen. Pryor, start focusing on the real issues. Leave our community and our tragedy out of your campaign.\"","Even if Cotton can cite at least two and possibly three examples in which he \"voted for disaster relief and full funding of FEMA,\" the ad ignores the five votes cited in our previous report in which Cotton voted against providing emergency relief funding.","Cotton voted against an amendment that proposed $17 billion in emergency funding to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The measure passed the House 327-91.","At least two of the votes Cotton\u2019s ad cites, and possibly all three, show support for providing funding for disaster relief. However, the ad leaves out that Cotton supported the government shutdown that temporarily left FEMA shorthanded, and that he cast at least five votes against disaster funding."]},{"id":"4229.json","label":"false","statement":"Theres no money in Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. Social Security does have money in the form of a trust fund, which currently holds around $2.5 trillion in assets. These assets are invested in U.S. Treasury bonds and generate interest income. While there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of Social Security and the potential need for future borrowing to meet obligations, it is incorrect to claim that there is no money in Social Security.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Social Security has assets. It doesn't have money,\" he said. \"Money is something you can immediately pay bills with. Assets are only redeemable if the government can borrow more money to pay them off. I've never said they don't have assets. The problem is, I question the integrity of the assets when you have to borrow money to redeem them.\"","On his website, Hinckley doesn't say there's no money in Social Security. He's says there's no \"actual money \u2026 just IOU's from the general fund.\"","\"So if there's a surplus, why are checks going to stop going out? Well, actually, there isn't\" a surplus, said Hinckley. He asserted that the Johnson administration started spending Social Security money to pay for the Vietnam War and \"they never looked back. They kept spending that money so that, unfortunately, there's no money in Social Security.\"","In fact, Social Security has a $2.5-trillion trust fund with more money coming in each year. The money is \"invested\" in a federal government that paid out $117.5 billion in interest in 2010 but shows a risky willingness to rack up debt, raising concerns that it may someday be unable to pay that money back, with interest."]},{"id":"5005.json","label":"false","statement":"Says it cost Massachusetts taxpayers $100,000 when Mitt Romney and his staff purchased computer hard drives.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The cost to Massachusetts taxpayers for the purchase of computer hard drives by Mitt Romney and his staff was $715, not $100,000. The $100,000 figure mentioned in the ad is misleading and does not reflect the actual cost. The purchase of the hard drives was made by the staff members themselves, using their own money, and the price included both the cost of the hard drives and the installation. Therefore, the statement is false in claiming that it cost taxpayers $100,000.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When Mitt Romney left the Massachusetts governor's office, e-mails were deleted, servers wiped clean and computer hard drives went out the door with his top aides,\" the narrator reads in the ad, released December 6, 2011. \"His and his staff's efforts cost taxpayers $100,000. All this raises one important question, what is Mitt Romney hiding?\"","In an advertisement released earlier this month, the Democratic National Committee accused members of the Romney administration of costing taxpayers $100,000 when they purchased their computer hard drives and wiped them clean as they left office in 2006.","The records issue has been well documented in recent months. Romney acknowledged in November that staff members purchased their computer hard drives as they left office. He maintained his staff did not break the law, and last month PolitiFact checked his claim that if they had turned over their records to the following administration, they would have been first. We rated the claim True.","The Boston Globe, which first broke the records story last month, reported that 11 aides purchased their hard drives at the time, paying $65 dollars each for a total of $715. The $65 figure equaled both the price of a new hard drive and the installation costs, and staff members purchased the hard drives with their own money, according to Terry Dolan, who served as director of administration for six governors, including Romney, between 1985 and 2008."]},{"id":"11722.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 60 percent of people in America support Planned Parenthood and only 11 percent approve of Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Planned Parenthood's president, Cecile Richards, that more than 60 percent of people in America support Planned Parenthood, and only 11 percent approve of Congress. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which includes Richards' statement and a Gallup poll indicating an 11 percent approval rating for Congress. However, it's important to note that the claim regarding Planned Parenthood's support is disputed, as other polls suggest that support ranges from 40 percent to 53 percent, rather than exceeding 60 percent. Nevertheless, the statement accurately represents the claim made by Richards.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Richards said that more than 60 percent of people in America support Planned Parenthood, and only 11 percent approve of Congress.","\"But if you look at the people in this country,\" Richards continued, \"they are supportive of safe and legal abortion. They support Planned Parenthood. I was just looking at the recent numbers. More than 60 percent of people in America support Planned Parenthood, and only 11 percent approve of Congress.\" Those numbers, Richards said, show that \"just because the politics are going one way, it\u2019s not because that\u2019s where the people are.\"","Still, there\u2019s clarification missing. While more people look favorably on Planned Parenthood than not, polls indicated, that was the opinion of 40 percent to 53 percent of Americans--not more than 60 percent.","The most recent Gallup poll available at the time of Richards\u2019 interview placed public approval of Congress at 11 percent. (After that, according to Gallup, support edged up to 13 percent.) The poll, conducted from Nov. 4 to Nov. 8, 2015, asked respondents, \"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?\" A whopping 86 percent disapproved, and 3 percent had no opinion."]},{"id":"10063.json","label":"false","statement":"We know from the social science that children do best with a mom and a dad.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that social science research unequivocally supports the idea that children fare better when raised by a mother and a father. However, the evidence provided indicates that the research cited by the Family Research Council, which supports this claim, is not based on peer-reviewed studies and may selectively quote or mischaracterize the work it references. It is important to note that there is a range of research on this topic, and while some studies may suggest certain advantages for children raised by opposite-sex parents, there is also a body of research that supports the well-being of children raised by same-sex parents. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies a complex and nuanced topic, and the claim that social science definitively supports the superiority of opposite-sex parenting is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We know from the social science that children do best with a mom and a dad,\" Perkins said Oct. 12 on Fox News Sunday.","!Ralph Reed said \u201csocial science is irrefutable\u201d that children are better off being raised by a mom and a dad. !Ralph Reed said \u201csocial science is irrefutable\u201d that children are better off being raised by a mom and a dad.","Perkins said that based on social science, we know \"that children do best with a mom and a dad.\" The research cited on the website of Perkins\u2019 group, the Family Research Council, does not provide any support. It relies on books rather than peer-reviewed research, it quotes selectively or mischaracterizes from the work it cites, or at best, challenges the quality of the methodology behind findings that go against its position.","PunditFact wanted to know what social science has to say about the effects gay parents have on children compared to straight parents."]},{"id":"3550.json","label":"true","statement":"From 05 to 09, weve had 1,100 soldiers commit suicide, one every 36 hours.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ryan regarding the number of military suicides from 2005 to 2009. While the specific number of suicides may be slightly different, the evidence confirms that there was a significant number of military suicides during that time period. Ryan's statistic of one military suicide every 36 hours is also supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"From '05 to '09, we've had 1,100 soldiers commit suicide, one every 36 hours. A report in Navy Times said that 7.3 percent of Army, Navy and Marines have thought about attempting suicide,\" Ryan said at the hearing.","Ryan\u2019s number for actual suicides over a five year period was understated, but not off by enough to distort his underlying point - that suicides among military personnel are a problem that is on the rise. His statistic of one military suicide every 36 hours was also on the mark.","Dividing the 43,824 hours in that period by 1,202 suicides reveals that there was one military suicide every 36.46 hours, a number nearly identical to Ryan\u2019s statistic.","When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%."]},{"id":"194.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Murder went up\" when Romney was governor. \"Robbery went up. Violent crimes went up.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that murders and robberies did indeed increase during Romney's tenure as governor. However, the evidence does not support the claim that violent crimes as a whole increased. The statement is partially accurate regarding murders and robberies but incorrect regarding violent crimes in general. Therefore, the claim can be categorized as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He wasn't particularly good at reducing crime. ... Murder went up when he was governor. Robbery went up. Violent crimes went up,\" Giuliani told the Washington Post on Nov. 24, 2007.","Given these numbers, Giuliani is right when he says murders and robberies went up, but wrong when he says violent crime went up. We rate his claim Half True.","Given these numbers, Giuliani is right when he says murders and robberies went up, but wrong when he says violent crime went up. So we rate his claim as Half True. And Romney is correct when he says violent crime in Massachusetts declined, so we rate his claim True.","Murders went up from 173 in 2002 to 186 in 2006, for an increase of 7.5 percent. The murder rate \u2014 the number of people murdered per 100,000 people \u2014 moved up from 2.7 to 2.9."]},{"id":"8752.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nine out of the 10 poorest states are Red states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that indicates that nine out of the ten poorest states, based on median income, are states that have historically voted Republican in presidential elections. This correlation suggests that there may be a relationship between political leaning and economic conditions in these states. However, it's important to note that this statement does not imply a causal relationship between political affiliation and poverty rates. Other factors, such as historical economic conditions, regional disparities, and demographic factors, can also contribute to the economic status of a state. Therefore, while the statement is supported by evidence, it should be interpreted with caution and not used to make definitive conclusions about the relationship between political affiliation and poverty.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For median income, we found that 95 of the 100 poorest counties were located in red states. Here are the 10 poorest, all of them in red states:","\"If Republican economic policies are so great for America, how come 9 out of the 10 poorest states are Red states?\"","This was a variation on a few memes we\u2019ve checked previously -- that nine out of the 10 poorest states are red states (we rated this Mostly True) and that Republican-leaning states get more in federal dollars than they pay in taxes (also Mostly True).","By all three measures, 9 out of the 10 poorest states voted Republican in the last presidential election. (In fact, they voted Red in the last four elections.)"]},{"id":"7776.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says we have put more boots on the U.S.-Mexico border than at any time in our history, and illegal crossings are down by nearly 80 percent from their peak in 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that more boots have been placed on the U.S.-Mexico border than at any other time in history, and that illegal crossings have decreased by nearly 80 percent from their peak in 2000. However, it's important to note that the claim has been criticized for a few reasons. Firstly, the increase in border agents primarily occurred under the Bush administration, rather than solely during Obama's presidency. Additionally, the statistic of a nearly 80 percent decrease in illegal crossings is based on Border Patrol apprehensions, which may not be a direct measure of overall illegal crossings. Lastly, there is ongoing debate regarding the factors influencing migration patterns, with economic conditions being one of the key drivers. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama said: \"We\u2019ve put more boots on\" the U.S.-Mexico \"border than at any time in our history, and illegal crossings are down by nearly 80 percent from their peak in 2000.\"","PolitiFact, \"Obama says record number of boots on the ground near U.S.-Mexico border and illegal crossings down nearly 80 percent since 2000 peak,\" May 13, 2013","\"The truth is, right now, our border with Mexico is more secure than it\u2019s been in years,\" Obama said. \"We\u2019ve put more boots on that border than at any time in our history, and illegal crossings are down by nearly 80 percent from their peak in 2000.\"","But the claim has other flaws. For starters, most of the surge in agents that Obama said \"we\" put on the border occurred under Bush. Also, there is no count indicating illegal border crossings are down nearly 80 percent. Obama evidently put a fine point on an indirect indicator, Border Patrol apprehensions, which were 78 percent lower in the border region in 2012 than in 2000, the year the Southwest sector experienced its peak level of apprehensions. Finally, his statement fails to acknowledge there is at least debate over whether economic conditions, rather than enforcement, drive ebbs and flows in such migration. Notably, too, those conditions aren\u2019t independently controlled by any president."]},{"id":"10238.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Wisconsin, unions can essentially give unlimited contributions to political parties, but business cant give any.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation in Wisconsin regarding political contributions from unions and businesses. Unions in Wisconsin are allowed to make unlimited contributions to political parties, while businesses, specifically sole proprietorships and partnerships, are permitted to make contributions to political parties as well as candidates and political action committees. However, it's important to note that unions typically make contributions to political action committees, which have their own limitations on contributions to parties. Therefore, while unions have more flexibility in their contributions compared to businesses, the statement accurately captures the difference in contribution regulations between unions and businesses in Wisconsin.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We\u2019ll check both parts of his claim -- that in Wisconsin, unions can essentially make unlimited contributions to political parties, while businesses can\u2019t make any.","The law allows unions to make unlimited contributions to the parties, but in practice, they make no such direct contributions at all. Rather, they give to political action committees, which in turn are limited in what they can give to parties.","!A leading Republican lawmaker wants to allow corporations to make contributions to political parties in Wisconsin. !A leading Republican lawmaker wants to allow corporations to make contributions to political parties in Wisconsin.","That means business owners -- those who own sole proprietorships or partnerships -- can make contributions to political parties (as well as to candidates and political action committees)."]},{"id":"9906.json","label":"false","statement":"I sponsored the new Buy American law","reason":"Reason: The claim that the speaker sponsored the new Buy American law is false. House Bill 3473, which aimed to require public agencies to purchase American-made iron or steel, did not become law. The House Republicans' spokeswoman confirmed that the assertion made by the speaker is misleading and inaccurate. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Fagan, in her first re-election bid for House District 51, wrote in her Voters\u2019 Pamphlet that she \"sponsored Oregon\u2019s new Buy American law.\"","Fagan says in her entry: \"I sponsored Oregon\u2019s new Buy American law and fought to give local companies the first shot at state contracts, so your hard earned tax dollars create more jobs here at home.\"","\"HB 3473 of the 2013 session did NOT become law,\" wrote Kara Walker, a House Republicans\u2019 spokeswoman. \"Rep. Fagan\u2019s assertion that she sponsored a new law is false and misleading.\"","The statement pertains to House Bill 3473, which would have amended part of the state\u2019s public contracting code to require public agencies to buy American-made iron or steel if the purchase amount exceeded $50,000."]},{"id":"6256.json","label":"false","statement":"Funding the federal health care law without a tax hike will require the state to cut nearly a quarter of its annual budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence discusses the impact of tax increases and tax cuts related to the health care legislation, but it does not provide any information or analysis regarding the funding of the federal health care law requiring a significant budget cut. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and cannot be verified.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget concluded that the $64 billion in health insurance subsidies alone \"would be more than enough\" to erase the tax increases for people earning less than $400,000 under the Joint Commission on Taxation\u2019s analysis. The group said the bill overall would provide a net tax cut starting in 2027, once higher tax compliance and lower drug costs begin to make a significant impact.","The tax increases in the health care legislation do reverse a trend of federal tax cuts and represent the first significant tax increases since 1993.","Remarkably, the growth of health care costs has slowed down significantly in recent years, enough so that budget analysts are having to reconsider their fiscal outlook of the law.","The federal Joint Committee on Taxation, a nonpartisan committee of Congress with a professional staff of economists, attorneys and accountants, provided members a detailed breakdown of the tax impact of the health care law from 2010-2019."]},{"id":"1466.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The governors not taking his own fiscal advice. ... In the first fiscal quarter of this year, weve seen a 13.5 percent increase in spending, double-digit spending out of the executive branch in the State of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that there has been a 13.5 percent increase in spending during the first fiscal quarter of the year in the State of Texas. It also correctly mentions that the spending increase is coming from the executive branch. However, it lacks specific information about the governor's fiscal advice and how it contradicts the spending increase. Without further context, it is difficult to determine whether the governor is not following his own fiscal advice. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but requires additional information to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The governor\u2019s not taking his own fiscal advice. ... In the first fiscal quarter of this year, we\u2019ve seen a 13.5 percent increase in spending, double-digit spending out of the executive branch in the State of Texas.\"","U.S. Customs and Border Protection says southwest land border encounters for fiscal year 2021, which includes the end of Trump\u2019s term and Biden\u2019s tenure so far, are up compared with the past few years. (Encounters data refers to events, not people, so a person making multiple attempts to cross the border would be counted more than once.)","Facing the challenge of conducting elections during the COVID-19 outbreaks in the spring and fall of 2020, many states made changes to election procedures. Some of those actions were bills passed by state legislatures while others were orders or executive actions by governors or state election officials.","Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, both Republicans, sent letters to governors asking them to send law enforcement personnel to the border. Governors of Florida, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Arkansas are among those who have responded."]},{"id":"3035.json","label":"true","statement":"Following the 2009 session, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus was acknowledged and thanked for his tireless efforts by Planned Parenthood, the nations premier abortion provider.","reason":"Reason: It is accurate to state that following the 2009 session, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus was acknowledged and thanked by Planned Parenthood for his efforts. The acknowledgment and thanks were mentioned in an article in the fall 2009 edition of Horizons, the newsletter of the Planned Parenthood Trust of San Antonio and South Central Texas. However, it is important to note that the statement does not imply or provide evidence that Speaker Straus actively supported or endorsed abortion. It simply acknowledges that Planned Parenthood expressed gratitude for his efforts during the legislative session. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Following the 2009 session,\" Texas House Speaker Joe Straus \"was acknowledged and \u2018thanked\u2019 for his \u2018tireless efforts\u2019 by Planned Parenthood, the nation\u2019s premier abortion provider.\"","The Jan. 4 letter, signed by more than 30 anti-abortion activists, floated an unusual warning sign about Straus--involving a thank you. \"Following the 2009 session,\" the letter says, Straus \"was acknowledged and \u2018thanked\u2019 for his \u2018tireless efforts\u2019 by Planned Parenthood, the nation\u2019s premier abortion provider.\"","Everett pointed us to an article headlined \"2009 Patron Party\" in the fall 2009 edition of Horizons , the newsletter of the Planned Parenthood Trust of San Antonio and South Central Texas. The article says the Planned Parenthood affiliate\u2019s president and CEO, Jeffrey Hons, thanked three legislators attending the Oct. 6, 2009, gathering at a San Antonio home, plus state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, and Straus, both in absentia , \"for their tireless efforts on behalf of Texas women and children during the last legislative session.\"","Carol Everett of Round Rock, a signer of the anti-Straus letter and founder and CEO of the Heidi Group, a non-profit that has run crisis pregnancy centers in Dallas advising women with unplanned pregnancies about giving birth, told us the reference to Planned Parenthood as the nation\u2019s premier abortion provider reflected on her understanding that its clinics provide more than 300,000 of the nation\u2019s 1.2 million legal abortions a year. She forwarded a 2009 report by an anti-abortion group, the Virginia-based American Life League, terming Planned Parenthood the largest \"abortion chain\" in America with 817 clinics around the country."]},{"id":"2343.json","label":"true","statement":"Ohio today has the fewest number of state employees since the Reagan administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows Ohio currently has the fewest number of state employees since the Reagan administration. According to a report, as of December 2009, Ohio had the lowest number of state employees since 1983. This includes a period from 1991 through 2006 when Ohio's governors were Republicans and the state had more than 65,000 employees. Therefore, the evidence confirms that Ohio currently has the fewest state employees since the Reagan administration.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Ohio today has the \"fewest number of state employees since the Reagan administration,\" McGee Brown said in an Aug. 4 speech at a candidates forum in Columbus.","Now McGee Brown has gone a step further by stating that under Strickland, Ohio now has the fewest state employees since Reagan, who was president from 1981 through 1988.","The report shows that as of December 2009, Ohio had 58,622 employees, the lowest number since 1983 when the state had 60,292 workers. That 28-year stretch includes a period from 1991 through 2006 when Ohio\u2019s governors were Republicans and the state had more than 65,000 employees.","Clearly, recent well-chronicled state layoffs and hiring freezes almost assure Ohio has fewer state employees than when Strickland took office in 2007. But could it be fewer than in the 1980s when Reagan was president, as Brown contends?"]},{"id":"4506.json","label":"false","statement":"This is the worst jobs recovery since the Great Depression.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the current jobs recovery may be considered weak by historical standards, it is not the worst since the Great Depression. Multiple fact-checkers have found this claim to be false, as there have been other recessions and recoveries that experienced more significant job losses and slower recoveries. It is important to provide accurate information when assessing the severity of economic recoveries.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But it\u2019s inaccurate for Cain to say, \"This is the worst jobs recovery since the Great Depression.\" It\u2019s a weak recovery, but not the worst. We therefore rate Cain\u2019s claim False.","\"The recovery has not been the slowest,\" Shierholz said of the most recent recession. But she agreed that \"starting from the beginning of the recession, we are down more jobs ... than any other recession since the Great Depression; that is true.\"","Where does this leave us? Romney has a point that the current recovery is relatively weak by historical standards. But it\u2019s inaccurate to say that \"it\u2019s the slowest job recovery since Hoover.\" Depending on what yardstick you use, it\u2019s either the third worst or the fifth worst recovery since World War II. That\u2019s not a great accomplishment for the Obama Administration, but we\u2019re checking Romney here, and he chose to make his point in a way that isn\u2019t accurate. So we rate the claim False.","None of this is to suggest that the current recovery is robust. It isn\u2019t. Measured by jobs created, it has been exceeded on a percentage basis by 10 out of the 12 recessions we looked at. Part of this likely stems from the severity of the recession (which most experts agree is the worst since the Great Depression) and part stems from a long-term trend toward relatively jobless recoveries. The first seven recoveries on our list averaged a jobs bounceback of more than 8 percent; the final five averaged 2 percent. And the latter figure would have been even lower -- half a percent -- had it not been for the unusually strong recovery that started under Reagan in November 1982."]},{"id":"13298.json","label":"half-true","statement":"What the District of Columbia was trying to do(with its handgun ban) was to protect toddlers from guns.","reason":"Reason: Hillary Clinton did make the statement that her opposition to the 2008 Heller case was because the District of Columbia was trying to protect toddlers from guns. However, it is important to note that the District of Columbia's handgun ban, which was in place before the Heller case, was not specifically aimed at protecting toddlers. The ban was part of a broader effort to address gun violence and public safety concerns in the District. While the intention to enhance public safety may have been a factor, it is an oversimplification to attribute the ban solely to the protection of toddlers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton said her opposition to the 2008 Heller case was because \"what the District of Columbia was trying to do was to protect toddlers from guns.\"","Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton claimed that her opposition to the 2008 Supreme Court case of District of Columbia vs. Heller was due to a desire to protect toddlers from firearms.","In 1976, the District of Columbia required all guns to be registered, banned new handguns and required guns at home to be stored unloaded and disassembled or locked up.","Rubio\u2019s statement is partially accurate \u2014 in some years, violent crime in the District of Columbia did rise even with a handgun ban in place \u2014 but leaves out important details and context. We rate his claim Half True."]},{"id":"5944.json","label":"false","statement":"An Obamacare slush fund paid to spay and neuter dogs and cats, then counted it as an anti-obesity campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that an Obamacare slush fund was used to spay and neuter dogs and cats as part of an anti-obesity campaign is not accurate. The funding for the program in question came from a grant provided by PetSmart Charities, not from any Obamacare-related fund. The program aimed to address the issue of stray dogs and cats, which could potentially discourage people from exercising outdoors, but it was not directly linked to an anti-obesity campaign. The claim misrepresents the source of funding and the purpose of the program.\nLabel: false","evidence":["West, meanwhile, said an ObamaCare slush fund was used to spay cats and dogs as part of an anti-obesity campaign in Nashville. We ruled this Republican talking point as False because a grant from PetSmart Charities paid for it.","West said in a May 14 newsletter that among examples of \"absurdity\" in our country was this: \"ObamaCare Slush Fund Money Being Use To Spay Stray Dogs And Cats \u2013 Counts As An Anti-Obesity Campaign.\"","The article said an anti-obesity \"slush fund\" under \"Obamacare\" was used in Nashville to promote spaying dogs and cats, because stray dogs were scaring people from exercising outdoors.","West listed examples of fiscal \"absurdity\" in a mid-May newsletter. \"ObamaCare Slush Fund Money Being Use To Spay Stray Dogs And Cats \u2013 Counts As An Anti-Obesity Campaign,\" the newsletter stated, and then quoted a few sentences from an April 30, 2012, Washington Examiner story about a program in Nashville."]},{"id":"13414.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thousands of Americans have been killed by illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been cases of Americans being killed by individuals who are in the country illegally, the statement lacks context and can be misleading. The term \"thousands\" implies a large number of killings, but the available data does not support this claim. While there have been instances of homicides committed by undocumented immigrants, the exact number is not clear, and it is important to note that the majority of immigrants, both legal and undocumented, do not engage in criminal activities. Therefore, the statement overgeneralizes and exaggerates the extent of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["During President Trump\u2019s Oval Office address, the president said, \u201cthousands of Americans\u201d have been killed by illegal aliens in the United States.","\u201cOver the years, thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country and thousands more lives will be lost if we don\u2019t act right now,\u201d Trump said.","\u201cOver the years, thousands of Americans have been brutally killed by those who illegally entered our country, and thousands more lives will be lost if we don\u2019t act right now,\u201d Trump said.","While immigration experts agree that it is very likely that illegal immigrants have killed thousands since 2003, statistics on murders by illegal immigrants are limited. Government data suggests that thousands of illegal immigrants have been convicted of homicide over the span of decades, but not that thousands have been killed since 2003."]},{"id":"7063.json","label":"false","statement":"Says during George W. Bushs administration we were losing millions of jobs per month, while under Barack Obama we have three years of gaining hundreds of thousands of jobs per month.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially inaccurate. While it is true that the job market improved under President Obama's administration, it is an exaggeration to claim that the economy gained hundreds of thousands of jobs per month for three years. The job gains during Obama's presidency varied from month to month, and while there were periods of significant job growth, there were also months with more modest gains. It is also incorrect to state that the country was losing millions of jobs per month during George W. Bush's administration. While there were job losses during the Great Recession, the number of monthly job losses did not reach the millions. Therefore, the statement contains both exaggerations and inaccuracies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says during George W. Bush\u2019s administration \"we were losing millions of jobs per month,\" while under Barack Obama we have \"three years of gaining hundreds of thousands of jobs per month.\"","\"Under Bush we were LOSING MILLIONS of jobs per month; under Obama we have 3 yrs of gaining hundreds of thousands of jobs per mo,\" Moore tweeted to his 1.2 million followers.","The job picture did eventually improve under Obama, but Moore exaggerates when he says the economy has been gaining hundreds of thousands of jobs per month for the last three years under Obama.","Moore's initial tweet was incorrect when it said the nation was \"losing millions\" of jobs per month under Bush, since even the weakest month under Bush saw the economy lose less than 1 million jobs per month. And he was also incorrect to say that the economy has been \"gaining hundreds of thousands of jobs\" per month for three years under Obama. The economy has averaged well under 200,000 jobs per month during that period and only exceeded the job-gain threshold of 200,000 in 10 months. We applaud his correction, but we still rate his initial tweet False."]},{"id":"475.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"More people without health care since George Bush took office; more children in poverty since George Bush took office.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama that there were more people without health care and more children in poverty since George Bush took office. Multiple sources confirm that the number of uninsured Americans increased during the Bush administration, and census statistics show an increase in the population of families below the poverty level with children. However, it's important to note that attributing these increases solely to Bush administration policies is challenging due to broader market trends and complex social factors. While the statement is generally true, it should be understood that establishing direct responsibility for these statistics is complicated.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"More people without health care since George Bush took office; more children in poverty since George Bush took office,\" Obama said during an April 18, 2008, speech in Williamsport, Pa.","\u2022 Sen. Barack Obama, chastising McCain for recent depictions of President Bush's tenure as a time of economic growth, enumerates all that has gone wrong over the past 7 years, beginning with the growing population of uninsured Americans. \"More people without health care since George Bush took office; more children in poverty since George Bush took office,\" Obama said during an April 18, 2008, speech in Williamsport, Pa. We find Obama is correct in asserting that the ranks of the uninsured have increased since 2000, and that there are more children in poverty. However, it's difficult to pin the increase entirely on Bush administration policies because the phenomenon is symptomatic of broader trends in the marketplace. Nonetheless, Obama's statement is Mostly True.","The second half of Obama's statement, \"more children in poverty since George Bush took office,\" can be interpreted in different ways. We take him to mean that more children are below the poverty level now than in 2000. Census statistics support that point, showing the population of families below the poverty level with children under the age of 18 increased from 4.9-million in 2000 to 5.8-million in 2006.","Obama correctly cites the growing number of uninsured Americans, as well as children in poverty, since President Bush took office. But by making Bush's tenure the benchmark for measuring those statistics, Obama is implying a level of direct responsibility for the numbers that can't quite be established with complicated social matters. That brings us to Mostly True."]},{"id":"11258.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia has the 9th highest rate of adults, ages 18 to 64, without a high school diploma or GED.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the report by Melissa Johnson, a policy analyst with the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute. Based on research from the Working Poor Families Project and analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, Georgia does indeed have the 9th highest rate of adults, aged 18 to 64, without a high school diploma or GED. The report indicates that approximately 13.7 percent of Georgians in this age group lack a high school diploma or GED, which supports the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But in a recent report, Melissa Johnson, a policy analyst with the left-leaning Georgia Budget & Policy Institute, said the Peach State has the ninth highest rate of adults, ages 18 to 64, without a high school diploma or its equivalent, the GED.","Johnson\u2019s report states that Georgia has the 9th highest rate of adults, ages 18 to 64, without a high school diploma or GED. She based the statement on a report from the Working Poor Families Project, an initiative funded by the Ford Foundation, Annie Casey Foundation and others, and drawn from research that the organization has produced annually based on an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau information.","For 2013, it showed that about 865,706 -- or 13.7 percent of Georgians -- ages 18 to 64 -- lacking either a high school diploma or GED.","That\u2019s about 865,706 -- or 13.7 percent of Georgians -- ages 18 to 64 -- lacking either a high school diploma or GED. We found slightly different data for different years, but that pointed out Johnson\u2019s overarching point that Georgia has a large problem."]},{"id":"6736.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since President Obama took office, over 88,000 Ohio workers have lost their jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that over 88,000 Ohio workers have lost their jobs since President Obama took office. However, it is important to note that this statistic does not provide the full context of the economic situation. The evidence suggests that the economy was experiencing significant job losses when Obama assumed office, but it gradually improved over time. It is crucial to consider the overall trend and the subsequent recovery in job numbers, as well as the unemployment rate, which has shown a consistent decline. Therefore, while the statement is factually correct, it does not provide a comprehensive representation of the economic situation in Ohio during Obama's presidency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So where does that leave the Americans for Tax Reform claim that 88,000 Ohio workers have lost their jobs since Obama took office?","\"Since President Obama took office, over 88,000 Ohio workers have lost their jobs,\" the brochure states in large type. It links the figure to \"wasted spending\" by the federal government and \"not enough jobs.\"","\"Since President Obama took full control of Washington \u2026 every single day, more than 1,500 of our jobs have been lost.\"","And the statement ignores the trend line of an economy that was hemorrhaging jobs when Obama took office but began heading upward, albeit slowly. Ohio hasn\u2019t recovered all the jobs lost since January 2009. But there are 96,000 more Ohioans working now than in December of that year. And Ohio\u2019s unemployment rate, which through July has fallen for 12 straight months."]},{"id":"12960.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ron Johnson voted five times for tax breaks that help companies ship Wisconsin jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the ad from Russ Feingold claimed that Ron Johnson voted five times for tax breaks that help companies ship Wisconsin jobs overseas, fact-checking organizations have rated this claim as false. The ad misrepresents Johnson's voting record, as there is no evidence to support the assertion that he specifically voted for tax breaks that incentivize companies to ship jobs overseas. It is important to accurately represent the voting records of candidates to maintain the integrity of political discourse.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the race for the U.S. Senate, a new TV ad from challenger Russ Feingold claims that U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, the Republican incumbent, \"voted five times for tax breaks that help companies ship Wisconsin jobs overseas.\"","In June 2016, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold released a TV ad claiming that the incumbent, Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson, \"voted five times for tax breaks that help companies ship Wisconsin jobs overseas.\" Our rating was False.","Feingold\u2019s campaign emphasized that the claim in their ad was that Johnson voted five times for tax breaks that help companies ship jobs overseas, not that corporate tax breaks by themselves are responsible for sending jobs outside the U.S.","He added: \"You can argue, well, he voted against whatever the message that the member, the Senator, was trying to get across, but I wouldn't necessarily say that was voting for tax breaks that help companies ship Wisconsin jobs overseas because if he had voted for it, it wouldn\u2019t have had any effect and voting against it didn\u2019t have any effect.\""]},{"id":"3026.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he led the effort to build a new (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) engineering campus in Wauwatosa.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence provided to support the claim that the person mentioned led the effort to build a new engineering campus for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Wauwatosa. The evidence provided only mentions the individual's educational background and the family-run company they are involved in. Without additional information or evidence, it cannot be verified that they led such an effort.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Evers graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a PhD in education in 1986 after getting his undergraduate degree there in 1974 and a master\u2019s degree in 1978.","Since 1998, after the death of his father, Dale, Tim Michels and his brothers, Pat and Kevin, have led the family-run, Brownsville-based energy and infrastructure construction company, Michels Corp. The company had projected revenue of nearly $3 billion in 2018, according to BizTimes Milwaukee.","It\u2019s the same opinion he held in 2004 when he ran for one of Wisconsin\u2019s Senate seats. Then, a majority of the American public agreed with him. Today, that viewpoint is in the minority, with 71% of Americans supporting same-sex marriage according to a June 1, 2022, Gallup poll \u2014 a new high.","He later earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and an MPA, that's a Master of Public Administration, from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1997."]},{"id":"11406.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There have been seven investigations (of Benghazi) led mostly by Republicans in the Congress that concluded nobody did anything wrong, but there were changes we could make.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the previous investigations into the Benghazi attack. There were indeed seven congressional probes into Benghazi, and the majority of these investigations were led by Republicans. The conclusion reached by these investigations was that no one had done anything wrong, but there were areas where improvements could be made. While the assessment of \"nobody did anything wrong\" may be subjective and open to interpretation, it aligns with the general findings of the investigations. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"There have been seven investigations (of Benghazi) led mostly by Republicans in the Congress\" that concluded \"nobody did anything wrong, but there were changes we could make.\"","\"There have been seven investigations led mostly by Republicans in the Congress,\" Clinton said. \"And they were nonpartisan, and they reached conclusions that, first of all, I and nobody did anything wrong, but there were changes we could make. This committee was set up, as they have admitted, for the purpose of making a partisan political issue out of the deaths of four Americans.\"","Is Clinton correct that there have been seven and now eight investigations into Benghazi? We started counting and found she was largely accurate.","Clinton\u2019s number is correct: there were seven previous congressional probes into the Benghazi attack. Saying these committees were led \"mostly by Republicans\" is also a fair assertion: the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs were the only two committees not led by Republicans. As for her comment that there was no overt wrongdoing, just room for improvement, that\u2019s a rosy assessment. But it is also largely accurate. We rate this claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"4587.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I created a flat tax in the state of Utah. It took that state to the number-one position in terms of job creation.","reason":"Reason: Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman did indeed claim during a Republican presidential debate that he created a flat tax in the state of Utah, which he believed contributed to job creation. However, it is important to note that the impact of the flat tax on job creation is a matter of debate and interpretation. While Huntsman attributes Utah's job creation success to the implementation of the flat tax, it is difficult to solely attribute job creation to a single policy. Various factors contribute to job creation, including economic conditions, industry trends, and other policies implemented during Huntsman's tenure. Therefore, while Huntsman made the claim, the direct causal relationship between the flat tax and job creation is not definitively proven.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Since Huntsman didn\u2019t repeat the claim that this tax changes had \"cut income taxes by 30 percent,\" we will only rate him now on the question of whether his administration \"created a flat tax in the state of Utah.\"","During the Republican presidential debate in Ames, Iowa, on Aug. 11, 2011, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman touted his record on taxes. When he was governor, he said, Utah had \"historic tax cuts. We created a flat tax in the state of Utah, exactly what needs to happen in this country.\"","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush.","\"We got a flat tax out of it, we cut income taxes by 30 percent, it was a cost-neutral affair where we took out the deductions, we took out the biases almost completely, some we didn't get out, and you know what? The state came to life in part because of that.''"]},{"id":"4799.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On using embryonic stem cells for medical research.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided highlights the contrasting views on using embryonic stem cells for medical research. While some experts, such as Stephen Duncan, view human embryonic stem cells as having significant potential and consider them the \"gold standard,\" others argue that research on non-embryonic stem cells is older, less controversial, and still holds promise. Additionally, it is worth noting that the use of embryonic stem cells for research varies across institutions, with some universities conducting privately funded research while others do not engage in it. The ethical debate surrounding embryonic stem cell research revolves around concerns about the destruction of embryos versus the potential benefits of exploring more uses for embryonic stem cells. Overall, the statement accurately reflects the differing perspectives on using embryonic stem cells for medical research.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There\u2019s a lot of potential for them,\" said Stephen Duncan, director of stem cell biology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. \"But human embryonic stem cells are the gold standard.\"","Research on human, non-embryonic stem cells is older and less controversial. The key difference is embryonic stem cells can become all cells of the body, while adult stem cells are limited to the cells of their original tissue.","At the University of Miami, the only embryonic stem cell research is privately funded, spokeswoman Lisa Worley said. The University of Florida and University of South Florida don't conduct research on embryonic stem cells.","Weldon obviously disagrees, arguing the research is an affront to the sanctity of life because embryos are destroyed in the process. Proponents of expanding embryonic stem cell research say these embryos would be discarded anyway, and it\u2019s worthwhile to explore more uses for embryonic stem cells."]},{"id":"2393.json","label":"true","statement":"Taxpayers pay $18,000 a month for House Speaker Nancy Pelosis district office in downtown San Francisco.","reason":"Reason: Public records confirm that the rent for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's district office in downtown San Francisco is indeed $18,736 per month. This figure is significantly higher than the rental payments made by other members of the House. While it is accurate to state that taxpayers contribute to the payment of this rent, it is important to note that House members receive an allowance to cover office expenses, including rent. Pelosi did not exceed her allowance in this regard. Therefore, the statement is true in terms of the rent amount but should be clarified to reflect that it is covered by the allowance provided to House members.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We'll stick to a fact-check of the claim that taxpayers are on the hook for $18,000 a month for Pelosi's downtown San Francisco district office.","We decided to weigh in with a fact-check on that claim taxpayers pay $18,000 a month for Pelosi's district office in downtown San Francisco. Public records show the rent for Pelosi's new district office is, in fact, $18,736 a month -- nearly twice as much as the next-highest rental paid by a member of the House. House members get an allowance to run their offices and pay their staff, which they can allocate as they see fit, and Pelosi did not exceed her allowance. But the ad is right about the stiff rent for her district office, and so we rated the claim True.","\"I will save you from those evil Republicans,\" the Pelosi character cackles. \"But first, pay $18,000 a month for my downtown office.\"","We're not going to weigh in on whether Pelosi's rent is justified. But the ad says the American public pays $18,000 a month for Pelosi's district office in downtown San Francisco, and its $18,736. We rate Dennis' ad corny, but True."]},{"id":"11960.json","label":"true","statement":"African-Americans are more likely to be arrested by police and sentenced to longer prison terms for doing the same thing that whites do.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by research and has been fact-checked, consistently being rated as true. Various studies and analyses have shown that African-Americans are indeed more likely to be arrested by police, face tougher charges, and receive longer prison sentences compared to their white counterparts, even when engaging in the same illegal activities and having similar criminal histories. This racial disparity in the criminal justice system highlights a systemic issue that needs to be addressed.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"African-Americans are more likely to be arrested by police and sentenced to longer prison terms for doing the same thing that whites do.\"","In a 30-second commercial, Clinton says: \"Something is just fundamentally broken when African-Americans are more likely to be arrested by police and sentenced to longer prison terms for doing the same thing that whites do.\"","We fact-checked a similar statement in February 2016, when presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton declared that \"African-Americans are more likely to be arrested by police and sentenced to longer prison terms for doing the same thing that whites do.\" We rated that statement True.","The research suggests that when you compare what happens to black and whites who are engaging in the same illegal activity and have the same criminal history, African Americans are more likely to be arrested, more likely to face tougher charges, and more likely to receive longer sentences than their caucasian counterparts."]},{"id":"7191.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Over $1 trillion was spent on anti-poverty programs in 2011, enough to give every single poor American a check for $22,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Paul Ryan's claim that over $1 trillion was spent on anti-poverty programs in 2011. However, the second part of the statement, which suggests that this amount of money could have been used to give every single poor American a check for $22,000, is misleading. While dividing the total amount spent by the number of people in poverty may yield that figure, it does not account for the fact that anti-poverty programs encompass various forms of assistance, including healthcare, housing, and nutrition programs. The funds are not solely intended for direct cash payments to individuals. Therefore, the statement lacks context and may give a misleading impression of how anti-poverty programs operate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ryan said \"over $1 trillion\" was spent on anti-poverty programs in 2011, enough to \"give every single poor American a check for $22,000.\"","\"What does that mean in practical terms? For that amount of money, you could give every single poor American a check for $22,000 -- every man, woman and child.\"","From there, Ryan takes the $1.03 trillion and divides it by 46.2 million people living in poverty. The result, he says, is each poor person could have been written a check for $22,000.","How much was spent: Some $1.03 trillion was spent on means-tested programs for the poor in 2011, Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee said in October 2012."]},{"id":"13406.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsin is one of several states where you can change your early ballot if you think youve made a mistake.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Wisconsin is indeed one of several states that allow voters to change their early ballot if they believe they have made a mistake. As long as the ballot has not been cast, voters can request to spoil their ballot and receive a new one in the event of an error or change of mind. It is important to note that the ability to change an early ballot may depend on the timing and specific regulations of each state.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Trump says: \"Wisconsin is one of several states where you can change your early ballot if you think you've made a mistake.\"","\"Wisconsin is one of several states where you can change your early ballot if you think you've made a mistake,\" Trump said in the Nov. 1, 2016 speech.","Once you have been issued a ballot, whether at the polling place, at the clerk\u2019s office or by mail, you can ask to spoil your ballot as long as the ballot has not been cast and get a new one in the event you make a mistake or change your mind.","Experts say there are three states \u2014 Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan \u2014 that specifically allow you to change your mind and cast a new ballot before Election Day. But it depends on when you change your mind."]},{"id":"2619.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Kurt Schrader cast the deciding vote that failed to extend tax cuts for Oregons middle-class families and small businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that Kurt Schrader voted in favor of adjourning without extending tax cuts, it is incorrect to claim that his vote was the deciding factor in the failure to extend tax cuts for Oregon's middle-class families and small businesses. The decision to table the matter and adjourn without extending the tax cuts was a collective decision made by the Democratic leadership. Therefore, attributing the failure solely to Schrader's vote is an oversimplification of the process and misrepresents the role of other members and party leadership.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So maybe Rep. Kurt Schrader, who represents Oregon\u2019s 5th District, wasn\u2019t surprised when he saw this recent e-mail jab from Republican challenger Scott Bruun: \"Schrader cast the deciding vote that failed to extend tax cuts for Oregon\u2019s middle-class families and small businesses.\"","Ultimately, Democratic leadership decided to table the matter until after the November elections and adjourn without deciding one way or another. Bruun takes this to mean that the House (read: Democrats) failed to extend tax cuts for \"Oregon\u2019s middle-class families and small businesses.\"","PolitiFact Oregon decided to do a quick reality check on this claim, lest those \"middle-class families and small businesses\" Bruun references be misled by some political doublespeak.","We\u2019d say the deciding vote belongs to Pelosi, if only because she doesn\u2019t typically vote on procedural things like this. But we\u2019ll be ridiculously lenient here and say that because the difference between the two sides was just one vote, any of the members voting to adjourn could be said to have cast the deciding vote."]},{"id":"3184.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Many of the 9\/11 conspirators came from the Muslim Brotherhood, including Osama bin Laden, Ayman Zawahiri and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.","reason":"Reason: It is accurate to say that some of the individuals involved in the 9\/11 attacks, such as Osama bin Laden and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, had connections to or were influenced by the teachings of the Muslim Brotherhood. However, it is important to note that the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Qaeda, led by Ayman Zawahiri, have distinct ideologies and approaches. The Muslim Brotherhood has disavowed violence and has pursued a different path to power compared to Al-Qaeda. While there may be some overlap in terms of individuals' affiliations or influences, it is incorrect to suggest that the Muslim Brotherhood as an organization was directly involved in the planning or execution of the 9\/11 attacks.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So Beck is right that many 9\/11 conspirators have come out of, or once ascribed to the teachings of, the Muslim Brotherhood -- including Osama bin Laden and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed for sure, while the case for al-Zawahiri is less clear. But Beck's comments ignore the sharply different approaches of the two groups. Each has disavowed the other, and each has charted a different path to power (at least publicly).","One mention is to explain that Osama Bin Laden relied on the writings of Sayyid Qutb, a Brotherhood member. The report also described Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the principal 9\/11 architect, as having once been a member of the Brotherhood.","\"And another star pupil that has come out of the Muslim Brotherhood? Khalid Sheikh Mohammed,\" Beck said, referring to the al-Qaida leader described in the 9\/11 Commission Report as \"the principal architect of the 9\/11 attacks.\"","\"Here's the deal on the Brotherhood: they aren't exactly in sync with U.S. foreign policy interests, and they do admittedly continue to work with armed groups that have violent aims, like Hamas in Gaza for instance,\" Kohlman told us via e-mail. \"Nonetheless, there is no doubt that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood is an avowed enemy of Osama Bin Laden, and vice versa. The Brotherhood repeatedly makes that point clear on its own website -- and for its part, al-Qaida has issued numerous audio and video recordings from its senior leadership (including Bin Laden and Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri) accusing the Brotherhood of adopting reviled democratic methods and of 'collaboration with the nation's enemies.'\""]},{"id":"11268.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty enrichment has been limited to basically the weapons states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) does not limit enrichment exclusively to nuclear-armed states. While there is debate about whether the NPT grants nations the right to enrich uranium, it does not explicitly prohibit non-nuclear weapon states from pursuing enrichment for peaceful purposes. Several non-nuclear weapon states, such as Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands, have enrichment capabilities. Therefore, the NPT does not restrict enrichment solely to nuclear-armed states.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When they allow Iran to continue with enrichment, they are breaking one of the key requirements with respect to the nonproliferation treaty where enrichment has been limited to basically the weapons states,\" Cheney said on MSNBC\u2019s Morning Joe on Sept. 2, 2015. \"And here we are sanctioning giving enrichment capability to the Iranians.\"","Cheney said that a key piece of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty is that only nuclear-armed states can have enrichment programs. The text of the treaty and subsequent international conferences say otherwise. While it\u2019s debatable whether the treaty grants nations the right to enrich, if a non-nuclear nation wants to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, the treaty doesn\u2019t stand in the way.","\"He is correct to say that France, the United States, Russia, China and the United Kingdom all have enrichment capacities,\" Finlay said. \"But so do Germany, Japan, the Netherlands -- definitely not nuclear weapons states.\"","\"Former Vice President Cheney is incorrect in asserting that the NPT prohibits enrichment by non-nuclear weapon states,\" Kimball said. \"Article IV of the treaty does not \u2018allow it,\u2019 nor does it prohibit it.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"9354.json","label":"false","statement":"Congress has cut funding, has slashed funding, for veterans benefits over these last years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Congress has cut or slashed funding for veterans' benefits over the years is not accurate. In fact, the evidence shows that discretionary spending on the VA has consistently increased each year over the last decade, including during President Obama's tenure. While there may be debates and discussions about the level of funding or specific allocations, it is incorrect to claim that Congress has actively reduced or slashed funding for veterans' benefits.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Face the Nation , Vanden Heuvel said, regarding the VA health care allegations, that \"Congress has cut funding, has slashed funding, for veterans' benefits over these last years.\"","\"It's an outrage,\" vanden Heuvel said. \"Those who are involved in these longer wait times must be held accountable, prosecuted to the full extent of the law. But I think we need to step back.\" She continued, \"I mean, Congress has cut funding, has slashed funding, for veterans' benefits over these last years. If anyone should be offering their resignation, maybe the Congress should.\"","But Congress hasn\u2019t \"cut\" or \"slashed funding to the VA health care system. This VA budget summary sheet shows that, far from being \"slashed,\" discretionary spending on the VA has risen each year over the last decade. In fact, on Obama\u2019s watch, the VA\u2019s discretionary budget has risen from $47.8 billion in 2009 to $63.4 in 2014 -- a one-third increase over five years.","The Republican National Committee said in a robocall that Wasserman Schultz voted to cut off benefits for veterans. The claim is suspect on several fronts. It focuses on one bill out of many that would have preserved ongoing funds for veterans programs. Wasserman Schultz could accurately claim she voted many more times to support such funding."]},{"id":"10207.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia has led the nation in student fatalities caused by motorists illegally passing stopped school buses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Sloan Roach, the executive director of communications and media relations for Gwinnett County Public Schools. According to Roach, prior to the law allowing the use of cameras to enforce the law against illegally passing school buses, Georgia did lead the nation in student fatalities resulting from motorists illegally passing stopped school buses. This indicates a significant problem with school bus safety in Georgia at that time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Prior to the law being passed that allowed for the use of cameras to enforce the law that addresses those who illegally pass a school bus, Georgia led the nation in student fatalities resulting from motorists illegally passing stopped school buses,\" Sloan Roach, the executive director of communications and media relations for Gwinnett County Public Schools, told reporters Nov. 6.","Roach correctly stated that a study showed Georgia led the nation for bus-related fatalities at the time lawmakers passed a bill allowing the use of the cameras.","The cameras have one purpose: catching motorists who break a state law that requires them to stop for school buses that are picking up and dropping off students.","By the end of the school year, the Cobb program caught 871 violators using cameras on 102 of the district\u2019s buses. But because the law still required police to issue citations, those motorists only received warnings."]},{"id":"9663.json","label":"false","statement":"Governing magazine has estimated that in the states that dont expand Medicaid, a minimum, they said of 40 percent of rural hospitals will close in those states...","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the findings of Governing magazine. While it is true that Governing magazine discussed the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals, it did not estimate that 40 percent of rural hospitals would close in states that do not expand Medicaid. The magazine highlighted that over 40 percent of rural hospitals nationwide are operating with financial difficulties, and those located in states that do not expand Medicaid may experience further financial strain. However, it did not provide an estimate of hospital closures. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Governing magazine has \"estimated that in the states that don\u2019t expand Medicaid, a minimum, they said of 40 percent of rural hospitals will close in those states...\"","\"We all get that magazine, `Governing,\u2019 and they\u2019ve estimated that in the states that don\u2019t expand Medicaid, a minimum, they said of 40 percent of rural hospitals will close in those states...\" Saslaw, D-Fairfax, said during a recent radio interview on the John Fredericks Show.","Saslaw says Governing magazine has estimated that 40 percent of rural hospitals will close in states that don\u2019t expand their Medicaid rolls.","But contrary to Saslaw\u2019s assertion, the story didn\u2019t estimate that 40 percent of the rural hospitals would shut down in states that don\u2019t expand Medicaid. What it said is that more than 40 percent of the rural hospitals nationwide are \"operating in the red,\" according to the National Rural Health Association, and those located in states that don\u2019t broaden Medicaid may see their financial problems worsen."]},{"id":"7783.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Republican Governor Chris Christie, tolls cost more. Train and bus rides cost more. College tuition goes up. But Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the ad about Governor Chris Christie. Tolls, train and bus fares, and college tuition did increase during his tenure as governor. However, it's important to note that some of these increases were a result of budget cuts made by the governor to address budget gaps. Additionally, while the ad claims that Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires, it should be clarified that he did not cut the millionaire's tax since it had expired before he took office. However, opinions on this claim vary. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Part of an ad about Christie claims, \"Under Republican Governor Chris Christie, tolls cost more. Train and bus rides cost more. College tuition goes up. But Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires.\"","\"Under Republican Governor Chris Christie, tolls cost more. Train and bus rides cost more. College tuition goes up. But Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires,\" a portion of the 60-second ad states.","The ad is correct that tolls, train and bus fares, and college tuition increased on Christie\u2019s watch but disregards that some of those increases resulted because the governor slashed funding in an effort to close budget gaps. As for protecting a tax cut for millionaires, we\u2019ve heard this one before and we\u2019ll point out again that Christie technically didn\u2019t cut the millionaire\u2019s tax since it expired before he took office. Still, opinions vary wildly on that claim. We rate this portion of the ad Mostly True.","\"Under Republican Chris Christie, New Jersey had the highest increase in unemployment in the country last year. Nearly 1 in 10 jobless. The worst unemployment in the region. Near the bottom in economic growth, yet Christie protected a tax cut for millionaires but vetoed a minimum wage hike.\""]},{"id":"1952.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sharron Angle supported \"a Scientology plan to give massages to prisoners.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Sharron Angle expressed support for a drug and crime rehabilitation program based on the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, the claim that it was a \"Scientology plan to give massages to prisoners\" is a gross oversimplification. The program, known as Second Chance, had broader objectives than just providing massages and aimed to address drug addiction and criminal behavior. While some may find taxpayer support for such a program concerning, it is misleading to characterize it solely as a plan to give massages to prisoners. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Reid ad picks up on the same theme, showing a male prisoner getting a massage, but does more of a quick hit with, \"That's Sharron Angle. First, a Scientology plan to give massages to prisoners. Now she wants to get rid of Medicare and Social Security. What's next?\" We addressed the claim that Angle \"wants to wipe out Social Security\" in a separate item. Here we're looking at the claim that Angle supported \"a Scientology plan to give massages to prisoners.\"","As for the claim that Second Chance was a \"plan to give massages to prisoners,\" we think that's a gross oversimplification of the program.","As for the claim in the Reid ad, we think it's accurate to point out Angle's one-time support for a controversial drug and crime rehabilitation program based on the teachings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. But we think it's misleading to sum it up as back rubs for prisoners. There's a lot more to it than that. Some may find the idea of taxpayer support for the program equally as troubling, but this was more about supporting a controversial drug treatment program than one aimed at coddling criminals with massages. And so we rate the ad's claim Half True.","The Chilean \"privatization scheme\" that Sharron Angle supports \"has resulted in hidden fees, fewer benefits, and millions of people with no coverage.\""]},{"id":"2838.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Oregon ranks 30th in the nation with regard to its incarceration rate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Oregon ranks 30th in the nation in terms of its incarceration rate. While this ranking places Oregon near the middle compared to other states, it is important to note that the United States as a whole has a high incarceration rate compared to other countries. However, within the context of U.S. states, Oregon's ranking of 30th accurately reflects its position in terms of incarceration rates.\nLabel: true","evidence":["There\u2019s a lot there to consider, but what jumped out at us was the statement that Oregon ranks \"just 30th in incarceration rate.\" We decided to check the number out.","In the statement, Crime Victims United argues that the cost of corrections is sometimes used as proof that Oregon has gone too far on incarceration. \"However,\" the statement says, \"costs have risen far faster than incarceration. Oregon still ranks just 30th in incarceration rate. We have not gone overboard with incarceration.\"","Before we get to the ruling, we want to point out one final piece of context: While Oregon ranks near the middle when it comes to U.S. incarceration rates, the United States happens to be a world leader in this area. According to the International Centre for Prison Studies at King\u2019s College London, the United States\u2019 incarceration rate far outpaces most other countries\u2019.","Oregon\u2019s incarceration rate did increase faster than the national rate from the early \u201890s through 2005 or so, he said, but -- with help from population growth -- has leveled off since then, keeping our rate below the national average."]},{"id":"4041.json","label":"true","statement":"Creeping defense commitments in (the Middle East) and globally now consume over half the U.S. discretionary budget annually.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns raised by experts regarding the increasing defense commitments in the Middle East and globally, which are consuming a significant portion of the U.S. discretionary budget. While the exact distribution of U.S. forces in the Middle East may be difficult to determine due to reduced transparency, there is evidence of ongoing military deployments and commitments in the region. The statement highlights the growing financial burden and resource allocation towards defense commitments, indicating that over half of the U.S. discretionary budget is being utilized for these purposes.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Experts told us it\u2019s difficult to determine how U.S. forces are distributed in the Middle East, in part because of changes former Defense Secretary James Mattis made to reduce transparency.","Email interview with Rebecca Rebarich, spokeswoman on the Middle East and Central Asia for the Department of Defense, Oct. 21, 2019","McGurk said he got his numbers from the Pentagon, which touted its troop commitments in an Oct. 11 press release announcing the deployment of about 3,000 U.S. forces to Saudi Arabia.","But Todman said the recent reduction of U.S. troops in Afghanistan likely means more have been deployed to the Middle East anyway."]},{"id":"5328.json","label":"true","statement":"91 percent of Latinos support the DREAM Act, which allows undocumented youth to attend college, but Marco Rubio opposes it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of multiple polls, including those conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center and Latino Decisions. These polls indicate that a significant majority of Latinos, ranging from 85 percent to 91 percent, support the DREAM Act, which provides opportunities for undocumented youth to attend college. Additionally, it correctly states that Senator Marco Rubio has opposed the DREAM Act. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The ad said, \"91 percent of Latinos support the DREAM Act, which allows undocumented youth to attend college.\" The DREAM Act stands for \"Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors.\"","For the Truth-O-Meter, we\u2019re checking the claim that \"91 percent of Latinos support the DREAM Act, which allows undocumented youth to attend college,\" while Rubio opposes the program. The Pew Hispanic Center\u2019s polling found that to be the case, and Latino Decisions found a very similar high number of 85 percent. As a U.S. senator, Rubio has opposed the DREAM Act. We rate the ad\u2019s statement True.","We\u2019re putting one statement on our meter -- that 91 percent of Latinos support the DREAM Act and Rubio does not -- but we\u2019ll look at the accuracy of the other claims as well.","The Latino Decisions 2012 poll asked this way: \"Do you support or oppose the DREAM Act, which would provide undocumented immigrant youth a path to citizenship if they attend college or serve in the U.S. military?\" It found that 66 percent strongly supported the law, and another 19 percent somewhat supported the law, for a total of 85 percent."]},{"id":"4837.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that if he has a nuclear weapon he will use it to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. He will use it against the United States of America.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former President of Iran, made a statement about using a nuclear weapon to wipe Israel off the face of the earth or to use it against the United States of America. Such a statement would be highly controversial and significant, and it is unlikely that it would go unnoticed or unreported by reputable news sources. It is important to rely on verified and trustworthy information when making claims about statements made by public figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This president went before the United Nations and castigated Israel for building settlements. He said nothing about thousands of rockets being rained in on Israel from the Gaza Strip.\"","The Iran deal says that \"if any other country tries to undermine (Iran's) nuclear program, we have to help them defend themselves against Israel, Egypt, Saudis, our own allies.\"","One Feb. 25 post on Facebook says that Russia unveiled a nuclear weapon, \"Satan 2,\" that is \"capable of destroying everything breathing in the world.\" The post includes photos that appear to show the actual weapon.","The weapon is believed to be able to evade missile defense systems and its deployment is expected around 2022, said a March 1 Congressional Research Service report."]},{"id":"7984.json","label":"false","statement":"Rhode Islands graduated driving license has saved hundreds of lives.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the graduated driving license program in Rhode Island has contributed to improved driving safety, there is no evidence to support the claim that it has saved hundreds of lives. The available data suggests that the program has led to a reduction in fatalities, but the actual number of lives saved is significantly lower than the \"hundreds\" claimed. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid exaggerations when discussing the impact of specific policies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As the original author and sponsor of our state's graduated driving license, which has saved hundreds of lives since it was initiated -- the gradual implementation -- I support any legislation that improves driving safety, especially for young people,\" he said.","If the graduated license program was responsible -- a major assumption -- and the trend persisted for each subsequent year, that would be 78 lives saved through 2012, not the hundreds McNamara claimed.","Even under that scenario, that translates to two lives saved per year, or 28 saved since adoption of the law. That's still a far cry from hundreds.","Its most recent estimate is that 12,713 lives were saved in 2009 by people wearing seat belts, and another 3,688 fatalities would have been prevented if every driver had used one. (In Rhode Island, 11 lives were saved because of seat belt use and 10 died because they were not belted in, according to that report.)"]},{"id":"9535.json","label":"false","statement":"The Wisconsin unemployment rate was higher than the U.S. rate during only three months when Mary Burke was state commerce secretary.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. During Mary Burke's tenure as state commerce secretary from February 2005 until November 2007, Wisconsin's monthly unemployment rate was higher than the U.S. rate 15 times. However, it is important to note that the difference in unemployment rates was relatively small, never exceeding four-tenths of 1 percentage point. Therefore, the statement that the Wisconsin unemployment rate was higher than the U.S. rate during only three months is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Zepecki said the Wisconsin unemployment rate was higher than the U.S. rate during only three months when Mary Burke was state commerce secretary.","!While Mary Burke was state commerce secretary, from February 2005 until November 2007, Wisconsin's monthly unemployment rate was higher than the U.S. rate 15 times -- though by no more than four-tenths of 1 percentage point. !While Mary Burke was state commerce secretary, from February 2005 until November 2007, Wisconsin's monthly unemployment rate was higher than the U.S. rate 15 times -- though by no more than four-tenths of 1 percentage point.","While Mary Burke was state commerce secretary, from February 2005 until November 2007, Wisconsin's monthly unemployment rate was higher than the U.S. rate 15 times -- though by no more than four-tenths of 1 percentage point.","\"The only time over the last 25 years when the state\u2019s unemployment rate exceeded the U.S. average was when (Mary) Burke was commerce secretary.\""]},{"id":"3042.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia lawmakers fuel up for the session by feasting on wild hogs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Georgia lawmakers do indeed partake in a pre-legislative feast known as the \"Wild Hog Supper,\" where they enjoy dishes made from wild hogs. The tradition has been taking place for several decades and is attended by various individuals, including lawmakers, the governor, state officials, reporters, lobbyists, and others. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 1962 the Georgia General Assembly has opened its new legislative session each January with the 'Wild Hog Supper,' at which legislators enjoy such state delicacies as barbecued wild pig and Brunswick stew,\" notes the New Georgia Encyclopedia in its extensive entry on hogs in Georgia history.","But few are more colorful than the pre-legislative feast laid out for the Georgia Legislature every year for the past five decades. It takes place at the old train depot near Underground Atlanta and is attended by hundreds of folks -- lawmakers, the governor, state officials, reporters, lobbyists and just about anybody else who can score a ticket.","It turns out the hogs at the 49th annual Wild Hog Supper were indeed wild -- these critters never see a pen until they are captured. We rate this one True.","The story begins with Addison's late father, E.C. \"Boo\" Addison, who for most of his 80 years pursued a cunning and dangerous animal that has roamed the wilds of south-central Georgia since the first Europeans arrived. Early settlers brought domestic livestock into the area and often let their hogs and cattle roam free. Some of the pigs became wild, and later were crossbred with a much larger Russian boar to produce the wild hogs that now populate the swamps."]},{"id":"2694.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Will Rasmussen falsely claimed he had lived in the West Linn district for about a year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Will Rasmussen falsely claimed to have lived in the West Linn district for about a year. The records and interviews with Rasmussen indicate inconsistencies in his statements regarding the duration of his residency in the district. This discrepancy raises questions about his credibility and honesty regarding his residency status.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So let\u2019s recap: Rasmussen moved to West Linn in September 2009. (A clerk at Clackamas County elections says he registered to vote at an address in West Linn in October 2009.) Seven months later, he tells a reporter he has lived in West Linn \"about a year.\"","WW reporter Beth Slovic later confronted Rasmussen with a record showing he closed on a West Linn condo on March 4. Rasmussen then said he had moved into an apartment in West Linn in September 2009.","There are several grainy photos of Rasmussen in black and white. On the back, there\u2019s something about him wanting higher taxes -- the usual stuff -- and about his falsely stating how long he\u2019s lived in House District 37.","Slovic says in response: \"His 'about a year' statement unraveled with just two phone calls...How long he's lived in the district is not that big of a deal, given he meets the minimum requirement for residency. So why would he stretch the truth on something so trivial?\""]},{"id":"11059.json","label":"false","statement":"We dont have a (military) reserve force if something happens.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The United States does have a military reserve force, which includes the Army Reserve, along with the National Guard. These reserve components play a crucial role in supporting the active-duty military and can be activated to respond to emergencies or assist in military operations. While budget cuts and sequestration may impact the size and capabilities of the reserve force, it does not negate the fact that the reserve force exists and serves as a vital component of the U.S. military.\nLabel: false","evidence":["There currently is no draft \u2014 mandatory enrollment into the military \u2014 for any American. The U.S. military has been an all-volunteer force since 1973.","The Army Reserve said its force would drop to 185,000 if sequestration continues through the 2017 fiscal year, part of an overall cut of 60,000 soldiers. The active military could fall to 450,000 soldiers by the end of fiscal year 2018, down from 570,000 in 2012 after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Under the current plan for cuts, the overall Army would drop from 1,042,200 soldiers to 980,000, a total that includes active-duty Army (full-time), Army National Guard (part-time, can be activated to respond to state emergencies) and Army Reserve (part-time branch of the Army). Army Reserve employees would fall from 202,000 soldiers to 195,000 by the end of the 2017 fiscal year.","The Army Reserve also expects to lose positions. On July 9, coincidentally the same day as this episode of Outnumbered, the U.S. Army announced how it would go about budget cuts that would affect active and reserve military.","Automatic federal cuts as part of sequestration are shrinking the military. Leaders have warned that cuts could reduce the Army\u2019s ability to respond to crises. But the Army Reserve, which Theismann says he was talking about, very much remains in existence. The Reserve would be available, along with the National Guard, to assist the border patrol or active military in emergencies."]},{"id":"4118.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgias illegal-immigration legislation simply follows existing federal law.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Georgia's illegal-immigration legislation simply follows existing federal law is not entirely accurate. While there are similarities between the federal law and Georgia's legislation, there are also notable differences. Georgia's bill goes beyond federal law in certain areas, such as the inclusion of affidavits and language regarding \"inducing\" illegal immigration from another state. Therefore, it cannot be said that Georgia's legislation simply follows existing federal law. The statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So let\u2019s go back to Murphy\u2019s argument that HB 87 \"simply follows existing federal law.\" In the area of penalties, which are easier to measure, Georgia\u2019s bill is less in some areas and potentially greater in other areas. The legislation addresses the same issues as federal law, but there are some differences where Georgia does more than simply follow federal law, such as Cerda\u2019s point on affidavits and the language in Georgia\u2019s bill concerning \"inducing\" illegal immigration here from another state. Since Murphy\u2019s statement does not consider those distinctions, we rate his claim as Half True.","Indeed, Ramsey didn\u2019t have an estimate. So PolitiFact Georgia dug up cost estimates for Arizona and states considering similar legislation and looked at an existing program for guidance.","The general themes of the federal law and Georgia\u2019s legislation, HB 87, are similar. They both say it\u2019s bad to hire or harbor illegal immigrants, and impose fines and possible prison time for anyone who aids in either process. They both have fines and prison sentences for anyone who commits document fraud. Georgia\u2019s legislation makes several references to following the guidelines of federal law.","Thrash also wrote that the \"defendants wildly exaggerate the scope of the federal crime of harboring under 1324 when they claim that the plaintiffs are violating federal immigration law by giving rides to their friends and neighbors who are illegal aliens.\""]},{"id":"1390.json","label":"true","statement":"\"No Democratic campaign for (Fla.) governor has ever had these kinds of resources this early on in an election cycle.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement made by Paul Dunn, the campaign manager for Alex Sink, that no Democratic campaign for Florida governor had ever had such significant resources at such an early stage in an election cycle. The evidence mentions that Sink raised over $5 million in cash and check contributions in 2009, which indicates a substantial financial advantage compared to previous Democratic campaigns. While it is important to note that this claim specifically refers to the early stage of an election cycle, the evidence supports the statement's accuracy.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"No Democratic campaign for governor has ever had these kinds of resources this early on in an election cycle, proving what a strong position our campaign is in going into 2010,\" Sink campaign manager Paul Dunn said on Jan. 6, 2010.","That produced some crowing in response from Alex Sink, the major Democratic candidate. Sink raised more than $5 million in cash and check contributions in 2009, state campaign finance records show.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","We also checked back to the 1994 gubernatorial election, the last time Democrats won in Florida. Chiles raised a total of $2.7 million in private donations for that campaign, the St. Petersburg Times reported. That's worth nearly $4 million in today's dollars, but Chiles' total includes contributions made in the year prior and year of the election. Sink, on the other hand, still has 11 months of fundraising ahead."]},{"id":"1935.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"When I become the nominee, the Democratic nominee, I will be the only pro-choice candidate on the ballot.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that, if they become the Democratic nominee, they will be the only pro-choice candidate on the ballot. However, it's important to note that this claim may not hold true in all cases and may be subject to change based on the specific candidates running in the general election. While the evidence suggests that the speaker's opponent may not have as strong of a pro-choice stance, it is still necessary to consider the full range of candidates and their positions on the issue before making a definitive statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Let\u2019s review. If Meek were to trump Greene in the primary, he would undoubtedly be the most passionate pro-choice candidate on the general election ballot. That seems to be the point he wanted to make.","Crist recently indicated he would confirm President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Elena Kagan, if elected to the U.S. Senate, drawing mixed responses.","But, that's not what he said. He said he would be the only pro-choice candidate, and that statement needs some clarification. While Crist may not harbor the sharpest pro-choice views, he still has taken a seat in that tent both in recent days and in the past.","NARAL press release, \"NARAL Pro-Choice America Applauds Pro-Choice Victory for Florida Women( \"NARAL Pro-Choice America Applauds Pro-Choice Victory for Florida Women\"),\" June 11, 2010."]},{"id":"11405.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While 38 percent of (firearms) dealers that were inspected in 2011 were noncompliant with federal law, only 0.05 percent of inspected dealers had their licenses revoked.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton regarding the compliance and license revocation rates among firearms dealers in 2011. Approximately 38 percent of inspected dealers were found to be noncompliant with federal law, while only 0.05 percent of the inspected dealers had their licenses revoked. However, it's important to note that the fact check indicates slightly different numbers, stating that about 30 percent of inspected dealers had violated firearms regulations in 2011, and about 0.7 percent of them had their licenses revoked. While the overall point remains the same, the exact percentages may vary slightly based on the source and methodology used in the analysis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton said, \"While 38 percent of dealers that were inspected in 2011 were noncompliant with federal law, only 0.05 percent of inspected dealers had their licenses revoked.\"","\"Due to lobbying efforts by the NRA, these bad actors are granted unique protections in our laws, and the country\u2019s law enforcement agencies often face barriers when attempting to hold them accountable,\" reads the plan released Oct. 5. \"While 38 percent of (firearms) dealers that were inspected in 2011 were noncompliant with federal law, only 0.05 percent of inspected dealers had their licenses revoked.\"","Out of the noncompliant dealers, only 71 had their licenses revoked. That\u2019s 0.05 percent of all dealers active that year (over 120,000), but 0.68 percent of inspected dealers. Clearly, both are small numbers.","The numbers are slightly off. About 30 percent of inspected dealers had violated firearms regulations in 2011, and about 0.7 percent of them had their licenses revoked."]},{"id":"5324.json","label":"false","statement":"The state constitution clearly says theres not to be a state income tax in Tennessee.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there may be debates and disagreements over the interpretation of the Tennessee Constitution regarding a state income tax, it cannot be claimed that the constitution \"clearly\" prohibits a state income tax. The existence of conflicting court decisions, varying interpretations, and the need for a constitutional amendment to explicitly prohibit a tax on personal income indicate that the constitution is not clear on this matter. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I\u2019ve got my state constitution out and, even though it clearly says there\u2019s not to be a state income tax in Tennessee, we know we don\u2019t have to go very far to find a judge who will say it doesn\u2019t say what it says. And that\u2019s what has happened before, and the member (sponsor of SJR221) doesn\u2019t want that to happen again.\"","We wondered: If the constitution \"clearly says there\u2019s not to be a state income tax,\" then why the need for a constitutional amendment? Wasn\u2019t it just a decade ago that a Republican governor thought there was enough uncertainty over the issue to push for a state tax on income?","The upshot of all this \u2013 and we\u2019ve only scratched the surface here of the arguments by lawyers and laymen on both sides -- is that McCormick had things backwards in his statement that the constitution \"clearly\" says there should be no state income tax. The conflicting court decisions, the wide range of interpretations and the drive for an amendment actually make it very clear that the constitution is n ot clear. We rate his statement False.","UnderSenate Joint Resolution 221, given final approval by the Legislature in January, Tennessee voters will decide in a 2014 referendum whether to insert language into the state constitution that explicitly prohibits a tax on personal income. Supporters of the amendment say it\u2019s needed because of disagreements over what the Tennessee Constitution says now."]},{"id":"8843.json","label":"true","statement":"Quarterbacks won the (Super Bowl) MVP more than 50 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that quarterbacks have won the Super Bowl MVP award more than 50 percent of the time. According to an ESPN tally, out of the 47 Super Bowls, 26 quarterbacks have been awarded the MVP title, which is indeed more than half of the total. This statistic indicates the significant impact and recognition that quarterbacks have had in Super Bowl games.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Peyton Manning could join the two-time MVP club Sunday night. He won the award for Super Bowl XLI in 2007 after passing for 247 yards and a touchdown against the Chicago Bears.","Of the 47 Super Bowls, 26 quarterbacks have walked away with MVP honors, way more than any other position, according to an ESPN tally.","For his MVP pick, Irvin chose Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker. Wide receivers and running backs are the next most likely positions for MVP, but they far and away trail the quarterbacks. (It\u2019s a lot tougher for defense. The last defensive player to win the award was Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Dexter Jackson in 2003.)","\"The new Rasmussen Poll, one of the most accurate in the 2016 Election, just out with a Trump 50% Approval Rating. That's higher than O's #'s!\""]},{"id":"3950.json","label":"false","statement":"This is the slowest job recovery since Hoover.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Mitt Romney that \"this is the slowest job recovery since Hoover\" is inaccurate. Multiple fact-checking sources have confirmed that there have been at least two recoveries in the past that were weaker in terms of employment than the current one. Therefore, it is false to claim that the current job recovery is the slowest since President Hoover. It is important to provide accurate information when discussing the historical context of job recoveries.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So by this measure, Romney\u2019s claim that \"this is the slowest job recovery since Hoover\" is incorrect. It\u2019s the third slowest.","Taking a shot at the economic record of President Barack Obama, Romney said, \"It's been a failure in the last several years to get America back on track again. It's taken longer to get Americans back to work than it took during the Great Depression. This is the slowest job recovery since Hoover. It breaks my heart. I want to get us back to work.\" (By Hoover, Romney meant President Herbert Hoover, who held office from 1929 to early 1933 and presided over the early years of the Great Depression.)","In June 2011, PolitiFact reviewed a statement by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney who said \"This is the slowest job recovery since Hoover.\" That statement was rated False, because at that point of the recovery -- 23 months out -- there were two recoveries weaker in terms of employment than the current one, and three recoveries that saw an increase in the unemployment rate at that stage.","Where does this leave us? Romney has a point that the current recovery is relatively weak by historical standards. But it\u2019s inaccurate to say that \"it\u2019s the slowest job recovery since Hoover.\" Depending on what yardstick you use, it\u2019s either the third worst or the fifth worst recovery since World War II. That\u2019s not a great accomplishment for the Obama Administration, but we\u2019re checking Romney here, and he chose to make his point in a way that isn\u2019t accurate. So we rate the claim False."]},{"id":"4720.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources confirm that Mitt Romney's views on abortion have changed over time. In the 1994 and 2002 debates, Romney expressed different positions on abortion compared to his current stance. This inconsistency in his position can be considered a flip-flop on the issue. Therefore, the statement that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Still, we believe these issues are outside the scope of the claim in the DNC ad. Romney\u2019s views on abortion are vastly different today than what he expressed in the 1994 and 2002 debates. The DNC\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion rates a True.","Still, we believe these issues are outside the scope of the claim in Huntsman\u2019s ad. Simply put, Romney\u2019s views on abortion are vastly different today than what he expressed in the 1994 and 2002 debates. Huntsman\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on abortion rates a True.","To make fun of Mitt Romney for flip-flopping, a new web ad from former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman uses a wind-up monkey.","Says that Mitt Romney, while he was in Arizona, said he believes the state\u2019s SB 1070 immigration law should be the model for national immigration laws."]},{"id":"3160.json","label":"false","statement":"In the past, President Obama has refused to meet with representatives from Cuban exile organizations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Obama did not meet with all Cuban exile organizations, there is evidence that he did meet with representatives from some of these organizations. This includes meetings with Carlos Rodriguez, co-chair of the Cuba Study Group, before Obama took office in January 2009. Additionally, Representative Rivera himself acknowledged that he took Cary Roque, a former political prisoner and representative of Cuban exile organizations, as his guest to the White House. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that President Obama refused to meet with representatives from Cuban exile organizations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rivera's claim is that \"In the past, President Obama has refused to meet with representatives from Cuban exile organizations.\" Certainly, he has not met with all the many exile groups -- but he clearly has met with some representatives. We think Rivera overstated in claiming no meetings at all, so we rate his claim False.","\"In the past,\" Rivera said in a statement on Jan. 25, 2011, \"President Obama has refused to meet with representatives from Cuban exile organizations, so I was proud to take Cary Roque as my guest to the White House last night to help the president put a real human face to the issue of Cuba. I thought it was important to introduce him to someone who knows first-hand what it\u2019s like to be imprisoned and abused by the Castro dictatorship.\"","We found that Obama has met with various Cuban exile leaders, including Carlos Rodriguez, co-chair of the Cuba Study Group, before he took office January 2009. But maybe Rivera meant meetings with representatives -- or leaders -- from the Cuban exile groups after his January 2009 inauguration.","Rivera's guest at the reception, former political prisoner Cary Roque, delivered a letter to Obama dated Aug. 25, 2010, that was signed by 26 Cuban exile organizations. The letter asked for a meeting with the president or a member of his administration."]},{"id":"7237.json","label":"true","statement":"Says his transportation plan would make Virginia the first state in the nation to eliminate the state tax on gasoline.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Bob McDonnell's claim that his transportation plan would make Virginia the first state in the nation to eliminate the state tax on gasoline. This claim has been verified by PolitiFact Virginia and is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The proposal would make Virginia the first state in the nation to eliminate the state tax on gasoline,\" McDonnell said in a Jan. 9 news conference announcing the plan.","Many Democrats oppose Gov. Bob McDonnell\u2019s transportation plan, which would eliminate the state\u2019s gasoline tax and raise the sales tax from 5 percent to 5.8 percent to fund road repair and construction.","PolitiFact Virginia, \"McDonnell says his roads plan would make Virginia the only state to end its gas tax,\" Jan. 10, 2013.","The governor wants replace Virginia\u2019s 17.5-cent-a-gallon excise tax on gas with an increase in the state sales tax. His plan, if approved, would make Virginia the only state without an excise gasoline tax."]},{"id":"12269.json","label":"false","statement":"Steve Santarsiero wrote PAs Gun Safety Law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While Steve Santarsiero did introduce legislation related to gun safety, it is inaccurate to claim that he wrote Pennsylvania's Gun Safety Law. The bills he authored did not pass out of committee and therefore did not become law. While Santarsiero has been an advocate for gun safety measures, it is important to accurately represent his role in the legislative process.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Pennsylvania laws that govern gun safety regulations were written by state legislators for decades before Steve Santarsiero was elected to a state House seat.","Santarsiero, a candidate for Congress, claims in a recent campaign mailer that he \"wrote PA\u2019s Gun Safety Law.\" The campaign goes on to reference two bills that were authored by Santarsiero but that never made it out of committee.","The ad goes on to state: \"After the shooting at Sandy Hook, Steve said \u2018enough is enough\u2019 and wrote legislation to close the background check loophole on gun sales and introduced a bill to stop those on the federal terrorist watch list from purchasing firearms in Pennsylvania.\"","A recent television ad released by Santarsiero\u2019s campaign doesn\u2019t include the claim that he wrote a \"gun safety law,\" but rather states that he leads in pushing for expanded background checks in Pennsylvania."]},{"id":"9658.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Common Core is a federal mandate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Common Core was not a federal mandate. States voluntarily chose to adopt the Common Core standards, and the federal government did not require their adoption. The Every Student Succeeds Act further reinforces that the federal government cannot mandate specific standards like Common Core. Additionally, preexisting federal laws explicitly prohibit the federal government from mandating or controlling a state's curriculum. Therefore, the claim that Common Core is a federal mandate is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But is that so different from what they could do before? U.S. Department of Education spokeswoman Jo Ann Webb said that Common Core was never a federal mandate. States did so voluntarily, as we\u2019ve reported before.","The Every Student Succeeds Act makes it clear that the federal government cannot mandate standards such as Common Core, though Common Core would still be acceptable. The law also prohibits the government, through grants, contracts or other agreements, from taking any action against a state that \"exercises its rights\" to choose its own standards.","In fact, federal law predating Common Core prohibits \"an officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school\u2019s curriculum...\" The law bans the federal use of funds to \"endorse, approve, or sanction any curriculum designed to be used in an elementary school or secondary school.\"","The new law prevents the federal government from mandating what a state decides to do with its specific education policies, such as requiring Common Core. The government did not, however, require states to adopt Common Core before this law."]},{"id":"3951.json","label":"false","statement":"Milwaukees police chief can fire officers for basically no cause.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to the key provision mentioned, no member of the police force can be discharged or suspended for more than 30 days by the Milwaukee police chief unless there is a valid cause and after a trial. This provision clearly indicates that there must be a cause for any disciplinary action taken by the police chief. Therefore, the claim that the Milwaukee police chief can fire officers for \"basically no cause\" is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When the amendment was adopted at a June 2, 2011, committee meeting, Vos said the change was needed because Milwaukee is the only city that allows its police chief to fire officers \"for basically no cause.\"","She was a co-sponsor, along with Vos, of the amendment that was added to the budget June 2, 2011. At the time, Vos claimed the Milwaukee police chief could fire officers for \"basically no cause.\" We rated that claim False.","Vos argued state law must be changed because the Milwaukee chief can fire officers for no cause. That\u2019s False \u2026 even Vos acknowledged it.","They key provision on this point: \"No member of the police force or fire department may be discharged or suspended for a term exceeding 30 days by the chief of either of the departments except for cause and after trial under this section.\""]},{"id":"3177.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ten retired nuns were barred from voting in the 2008 Indiana Democratic primary.","reason":"Reason: Ten retired nuns were indeed unable to cast regular ballots in the 2008 Indiana Democratic primary due to a lack of proper identification. However, it's important to note that they were not completely barred from voting. They had the option to cast provisional ballots, but their votes would only count if they took additional steps to meet state qualifications. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the issue faced by these nuns, it should be clarified that they were not completely prohibited from voting in some capacity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In remarks on the Senate floor, Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, said Jan. 25: \"In South Bend, Indiana, 10 retired nuns were barred from voting in the 2008 Indiana Democratic primary. Some of them were in their 80s and 90s. ... These nuns were not able to (vote) because they did not have an ID.\"","On Jan. 25, Democratic state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio invoked the plight of elderly nuns when she spoke against GOP-sought legislation requiring Texans to show photo IDs to the polls. She said that in Indiana, which has a voter ID law, 10 retired nuns \"were barred from voting in the 2008 Indiana Democratic primary. Some of them were in their 80s and 90s. ... These nuns were not able to (vote) because they did not have an ID.\"","At the time of the 2008 primary, Indiana residents seeking the state IDs were required to show four different documents, including at least one \"primary\" document such as a birth certificate or a passport, plus proof of a Social Security number and Indiana residency.","According to media reports and a spokeswoman for Saint Mary\u2019s convent, the elderly nuns were barred from casting a regular ballot because they lacked proper identification. But they were not barred from voting in another way, such as casting provisional ballots \u2014 though their votes wouldn\u2019t have counted unless the sisters took additional steps to meet state qualifications."]},{"id":"8605.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republican ideas on health care dont give people an option to even enroll in something that they can afford.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the assessment that Republican ideas on health care may not provide a viable and affordable option for people to enroll in. The evidence suggests that while the Republican plans may have some impact on the uninsured, it is likely to be limited and may not adequately address the affordability issue. The evidence also highlights that some Republican proposals include provisions similar to those in Obamacare, but it is important to note that the overall impact and effectiveness of these proposals may vary. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["While the Republican option is full of uncertainty and results might be limited, they are more than nothing. Still, it would have a modest impact on the uninsured at best. We rated it Mostly True.","We reviewed the list of legislation Johnson\u2019s office sent us. With a handful of exceptions, the bills are partial or full retreads of each other and share similar ideas. Some actually include provisions of Obamacare, such as allowing young people to stay on their parents\u2019 plans or making it harder for insurance companies to drop people with pre-existing conditions.","Republican plans have called for about $25 billion to support states that create high-risk pools for sicker patients who have a hard time getting coverage on the individual markets. We\u2019ve talked to experts in the past who have said that\u2019s probably not enough to make it a viable option for the states or the consumers, since the insurance would have to be heavily subsidized to make it cost-effective.","\"Nine hundred people have been fired since I became secretary (of Veterans Affairs). We\u2019ve got 60 people that we fired who have manipulated wait times.\""]},{"id":"10706.json","label":"true","statement":"You cant build a Christian church in Saudi Arabia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In Saudi Arabia, the construction of non-Muslim places of worship, including Christian churches, is not allowed. The country follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law and restricts the practice of religions other than Islam. However, it's important to note that this restriction is specific to Saudi Arabia and does not apply to all Muslim-majority countries. In many other Muslim-majority countries, the construction of Christian churches and other non-Muslim places of worship is permitted.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The only one where you don't see it, where you can't have a Christian church or synagogue is Saudi Arabia,\" Hooper said. \"It's only an issue in Saudi Arabia.\"","\"I understand what the Muslims want to do in America,\" said Graham, president of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse. \"They want to build as many mosques and cultural centers as they possibly can so they can convert as many Americans as they can to Islam. I understand that...I understand what they're doing. And I just don't have the freedom to do this in most Muslim countries. We can't have a church. We're not able to build synagogues. It's forbidden.\"","\"For someone to say we are not allowed to build a church in a Muslim country, this is absolutely not right. You can Google this,\" Bahloul said.","We think Graham erred when he said that in most Muslim countries, \"We can't have a church. We're not able to build synagogues. It's forbidden.\" That's demonstrably false. The construction of churches is not forbidden in most Muslim countries, only Saudi Arabia. And so, on balance, we rate Graham's comment False."]},{"id":"1342.json","label":"false","statement":"The Congressional Budget Office -- supposedly non-partisan -- estimates that in just a few years the average cost to every family of four (from cap and trade) will be $6,800 per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, estimated that the cap-and-trade plan could potentially cost a family of four $6,800 per year, this estimate is not from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO did not provide an estimate of $6,800 per year for the average cost to every family of four due to cap and trade. The $6,800 estimate comes from a report by the Heritage Foundation, which is critical of the cap-and-trade plan and offers its own analysis. It is important to note that estimates and projections can vary, and the actual costs of cap and trade would depend on various factors and specific policy details.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The latest variation of this comes in a chain e-mail that contends the cap-and-trade plan will require more energy-efficient homes (a claim we rated Pants on Fire ). The e-mail says, \"The Congressional Budget Office -- supposedly non-partisan -- estimates that in just a few years the average cost to every family of four will be $6,800 per year. No one is excluded.\"","We've explained the pros and cons of the various estimates in those previous items, so here we're going to look into the chain e-mail's claim that the CBO estimates cap-and-trade will cost a family of four $6,800 a year.","The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the health insurance reform legislation says the bill \"cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years.\"","We traced the $6,800 estimate back to a report from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that has been very critical of the cap-and-trade plan. In the report, the group criticizes the CBO for failing to consider the harm that the cap-and-trade plan could do to the economy. The conservative group says the law could cause companies to produce less, which would reduce the GDP in 2020 by $161 billion in 2009 dollars. By 2035, it would be $650 billion lower, which works out to about $6,800 per family of four per year."]},{"id":"330.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"(Romney's) record was that he raised taxes by $730-million.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in the context that Senator McCain claimed that Governor Romney raised taxes by $730 million. However, it's important to note that the term \"taxes\" is being used broadly here, including fees and the elimination of corporate tax loopholes. The exact amount raised by increased fees is a matter of dispute, with Romney stating it was $240 million, while other sources suggest figures ranging from $260 million to $500 million. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects McCain's claim, but the specific amount and categorization of these funds as \"taxes\" may vary depending on the interpretation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But was McCain right, did Romney raise taxes $730-million? Depends on what your definition of \"taxes\" is. If you include fees and the elimination of corporate tax loopholes, McCain is at least close to accurate.","The amount raised by the increased fees is a matter of some dispute. Romney said during the debate that they came to just $240-million (previously, Romney has said the fees came to $260-million. It's unclear if he simply misspoke.). In a lengthy analysis of Romney's gubernatorial record, the Boston Globe said the $260-million, raised in 2004, ignores at least $71-million in new fees implemented shortly after Romney took office. In a 2006 fiscal policy report card on America's governors, the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, estimated the cost of the fees at $500-million and gave Romney a C.","Here's the math: You take $377-million from closing the so-called corporate tax loopholes and add at least $260-million from fees (Romney's calculation). That puts the total at $637-million. Other estimates on the fees \u2014 $500-million, according to the Cato Institute \u2014 would put the total well above $730-million.","Said McCain: \"He called them 'fees.' I'm sure the people that had to pay it, whether they called them bananas, they still had to pay $730-million extra.\""]},{"id":"5305.json","label":"true","statement":"In just a few decades, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, other mandatory spending programs, and paying interest due on the debt will eclipse our entire budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. It states that in the coming decades, the combination of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, other mandatory spending programs, and interest payments on the debt is projected to exceed the entire budget. This is supported by the clarification from the spokesman, Trevor Foughty, who acknowledged that the letter should have referred to all mandatory spending, including interest. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You hit the nail on the head,\" said spokesman Trevor Foughty. \"The letter should have referred to all mandatory spending, including interest, with the those programs (Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid) being the most recognizable. We will make sure to update the letter with more clarity.\"","However, if you broaden the definition to include all forms of mandatory spending (or \"entitlements\") rather than just Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the percentage gets larger.","Rubio is correct that Medicare and Social Security are drivers of our debt -- but there are other factors, too, including Medicaid and interest, economists said.","\"However, if you look at the most expensive and rapidly growing items as the major culprits, which seems reasonable to me, then Social Security is the biggest item, and Medicare in particular and health care in general the most rapidly growing in most years,\" Haskins said in an email. \"Rubio\u2019s list does not include a huge item, and that is interest payments. Over the next few decades, interest payments are likely to be the biggest single item in our budget and the most rapidly growing.\""]},{"id":"2376.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Senator Jeff Plale saved my job -- and some 300 others at Bucyrus International.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Jeff Plale did play a role in advocating for the preservation of jobs at Bucyrus International, it is misleading to attribute the sole responsibility for saving those jobs to him. Plale's actions were part of a collective effort involving many individuals and organizations. The claim fails to acknowledge the contributions of others involved in pressuring the Obama administration and the bank. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Plale's individual impact and oversimplifies the complex circumstances surrounding the preservation of the jobs. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["One direct-mail piece features a photo of Wynn Sandahl, identified as a 12-year Bucyrus employee, on the cover with this quote: \"It\u2019s the honest truth. Senator Jeff Plale saved my job.\"","It says on the back, \"Milwaukee County almost lost 300 jobs. Then Senator Jeff Plale stood up for our community,\" and inside notes as a result \"300 workers just like Wynn Sandahl still report for work everyday at Bucyrus.\"","So did Plale save the job of Bucyrus employee Wynn Sandahl and some 300 others, as the group claims? Plale did what was asked of him as a local lawmaker to pressure the Obama administration and the bank. But so did many, many others. Plale\u2019s role was a bit part in an international drama, but the group gives him sole responsibility. We rate the claim Barely True.","Jeff Plale is a Democratic state senator from Wisconsin, elected to his post in 2003. His district covers part of Milwaukee and several Milwaukee suburbs."]},{"id":"5990.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he restored prayer and the pledge in our schools.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement is partially true. While the legislation authored by Wentworth did result in students reciting the pledge and observing moments of silence, it is important to note that these practices were already occurring in some schools prior to the enactment of the law. Wentworth himself acknowledged that many members were involved in the process, emphasizing that legislation is a collaborative effort. Therefore, while Wentworth played a role in promoting and passing the legislation, it is inaccurate to attribute the sole restoration of prayer and the pledge to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In our interview, we asked Wentworth if it\u2019s an overstatement to say he personally restored prayer and the pledge. He replied that while he was the author of the law and led the charge, many members were involved. \"All of this is a team sport,\" he said. \"Legislation is not passed by any one member of the House or the Senate.\"","Aside from requiring students to be quiet for a minute, the Wentworth-originated law resulted in students reciting the pledge, as his ad says, though it seems like that had was already occurring in some schools.","We failed to pin how many schools were holding minutes of silence or already had students reciting either pledge before Wentworth acted. News accounts suggest, though, that the U.S. pledge was being recited in multiple schools and minutes of silence were occasionally observed.","\"This bill does not mandate prayer in public schools,\" Wentworth said, according to the article. \"Of course it does,\" Hinojosa said. \"Of course it doesn't,\" Wentworth said."]},{"id":"12395.json","label":"true","statement":"Under Donald Trumps tax plan, the top 0.1 percent of taxpayers -- people earning multiple millions of dollars a year, on average -- would get more tax relief than the bottom 60 percent of taxpayers combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources that under Donald Trump's tax plan, the top 0.1 percent of taxpayers, who earn multiple millions of dollars a year on average, would receive more tax relief than the bottom 60 percent of taxpayers combined. This claim is supported by various analyses and assessments of Trump's tax proposals.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Under Donald Trump's tax plan, \"the top 0.1 percent of taxpayers -- people earning multiple millions of dollars a year, on average -- would get more tax relief than the bottom 60 percent of taxpayers combined.\"","Shilling stated that with Trump\u2019s plan, \"the top 0.1 percent of taxpayers -- people earning multiple millions of dollars a year, on average -- would get more tax relief than the bottom 60 percent of taxpayers combined.\"","Shilling said that under Trump's tax plan, \"the top 0.1 percent of taxpayers -- people earning multiple millions of dollars a year, on average -- would get more tax relief than the bottom 60 percent of taxpayers combined.\"","Under Trump\u2019s proposed tax reforms, everyone would indeed get a cut. (The top 0.1 percent would receive more tax relief than the bottom 60 percent of taxpayers combined.)"]},{"id":"2391.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether President Obamas speeches to school children spread socialist ideology.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that President Obama's speeches to school children spread socialist ideology. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. The speeches given by President Obama to school children were focused on encouraging students to work hard, set goals, and take responsibility for their education. They did not promote any specific political ideology, let alone socialist ideology. The claim is a misrepresentation and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology,\" said Jim Greer, party chairman, in a news release.","\"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology. The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans for government-run health care, banks and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other president, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power.\"","A year ago, we fact-checked a statement from the Republican Party of Florida that claimed President Barack Obama intended to indoctrinate school children with socialist ideology. The alleged vehicle: a back-to-school speech given to the nation's students.","\"The Democrats have clearly lost the battle to maintain control of the message this summer, so now that school is back in session, President Obama has turned to American\u2019s children to spread his liberal lies, indoctrinating American\u2019s youngest children before they have a chance to decide for themselves,\" he concluded."]},{"id":"9633.json","label":"false","statement":"The number of jobs created and people lifted out of poverty during Bill Clintons presidency was a hundred times what it was under President Ronald Reagan.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bill Clinton that the number of jobs created and people lifted out of poverty during his presidency was \"a hundred times\" more than under President Ronald Reagan is an exaggeration. While it is true that Clinton's presidency saw significant job growth and a decrease in poverty rates, the claim of it being \"a hundred times\" more than Reagan's presidency is not supported by factual evidence. Both presidents implemented different policies and faced different economic conditions, making a direct comparison challenging. It is important to consider multiple factors and data sources when evaluating the impact of presidential policies on job creation and poverty reduction.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The number of jobs created and people lifted out of poverty during Bill Clinton\u2019s presidency was \"a hundred times\" what it was under President Ronald Reagan.","Clinton said the number of jobs created and people lifted out of poverty during Bill Clinton\u2019s presidency was \"a hundred times\" what it was under President Ronald Reagan.","\"If I just were to compare Reagan\u2019s eight years with Bill\u2019s eight years, it\u2019s like night and day in terms of the effects,\" Clinton said during the July 17, 2014, interview. \"The number of jobs that were created, the number of people lifted out of poverty, a hundred times more when Bill was president. And did policies have something to do with that? I would argue that they did.\"","\"One-hundred times as many people worked their way from poverty into the American middle class\" during his presidency compared to Ronald Reagan's presidency."]},{"id":"2168.json","label":"true","statement":"(Bill) McCollum also voted for numerous amendments to weaken the legislation, even voting to make trains less accessible to those in wheelchairs.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Bill McCollum voted for amendments to weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including making trains less accessible to those in wheelchairs, has been rated as true. Multiple sources confirm that McCollum did vote for amendments that would have weakened the legislation. While the specific details of the amendments and their impact on train accessibility are not provided in the evidence, the claim is supported by the fact-checking analysis.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Florida Democratic Party claimed McCollum \"voted for numerous amendments to weaken the legislation, even voting to make trains less accessible to those in wheelchairs.\" We rate this claim True.","The press release goes on, \"He urged then-President George H.W. Bush to reconsider his support of the ADA ... McCollum also voted for numerous amendments to weaken the legislation, even voting to make trains less accessible to those in wheelchairs. McCollum then voted for final passage of the ADA, saying 'politically, it's a very tough vote.' \"","So, would the amendments he supported have weakened the legislation? The McCollum campaign did not respond to our questions on this point.","The Democrats' claim that McCollum, who represented Florida in Congress for two decades, tried to water down the legislation and didn't want to help people in wheelchairs is an emotional charge. We wondered, is it true?"]},{"id":"642.json","label":"true","statement":"Says McCain once said that on \"the most important issues of our day, I've been totally in agreement and support of President Bush.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the words of John McCain during a campaign event where he expressed his agreement and support for President Bush on the \"most important issues of our day.\" McCain explicitly stated that he had been \"totally in agreement and support of President Bush\" on these significant matters. The evidence confirms the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And these are John's words, (on) 'the most important issues of our day, I've been totally in agreement and support of President Bush.' Ladies and gentlemen, that's what he said,\" Biden told the crowd.","\"No. No,\" McCain replied. \"The fact is that I'm different, but the fact is that I have agreed with President Bush far more than I have disagreed. And on the transcendent issues, the most important issues of our day, I've been totally in agreement and support of President Bush.\"","McCain continued, \"So have we had some disagreements on some issues, the bulk \u2014 particularly domestic issues? Yes. But I will argue my conservative record voting with anyone's, and I will also submit that my support for President Bush has been active and very impassioned on issues that are important to the American people. And I'm particularly talking about the war on terror, the war in Iraq, national security, national defense, support of men and women in the military, fiscal discipline, a number of other issues. So I strongly disagree with any assertion that I've been more at odds with the president of the United States than I have been in agreement with him.\"","\"When George Bush said we shouldn't investigate why the government's response to Hurricane Katrina was so incompetent, John McCain stood with him.\""]},{"id":"6963.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Barack Obama said when he was running for office four years ago that he would halve the annual deficit by the end of his first term. That simply has not happened.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Leonard Lance that Barack Obama promised to halve the annual deficit by the end of his first term. This pledge was indeed made by President Obama in February 2009. However, it is important to note that the promise was not fulfilled, as the deficit was not halved by the end of his first term. Therefore, the statement is accurate in highlighting the unfulfilled promise regarding the deficit reduction.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"President said when he was running for office four years ago that he would halve the annual deficit by the end of his first term,\" Lance said. \"That simply has not happened, ladies and gentlemen, and it is greatly disturbing.\"","In a debate against his Democratic challenger, Lance claimed that Obama \"said when he was running for office four years ago that he would halve the annual deficit by the end of his first term. That simply has not happened, ladies and gentlemen, and it is greatly disturbing.\"","Barack Obama broke promise to cut annual deficit in half by the end of his first term, Rep. Leonard Lance says","Lance should have said Obama made that pledge soon after he took office, but the congressman\u2019s overall point is solid. The president vowed in February 2009 to cut the annual deficit in half by the end of his first term, and he hasn\u2019t done it."]},{"id":"5355.json","label":"true","statement":"Says if we raise the number of third-graders who read at a third-grade level, we affect everything, from graduation rates to incarceration rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the connection between third-grade reading proficiency and various outcomes, such as graduation rates and incarceration rates. Research has consistently shown that students who are not reading at grade level by third grade are more likely to face academic challenges and have a higher risk of dropping out of school. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that individuals with low literacy skills are more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system. Therefore, improving third-grade reading proficiency can have a positive impact on multiple areas, including graduation rates and incarceration rates.\nLabel: true","evidence":["St. Petersburg, Fla. mayoral candidate Kathleen Ford said recently that among the top issues facing her city is the need for improving graduation rates.","Gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke said at a November rally that seven out of ten Texas fourth-graders cannot read at grade level","For context, the Texas fourth-grade reading data are similar to the national rate: 34% of fourth-graders nationally read at or above the proficient level in 2019.","So many nonreaders wind up in jail that officials have found they can use the rate of illiteracy to help calculate future prison needs. Indiana\u2019s former governor has stated that determining the number of new prisons to build is based, in part, on the number of second graders not reading at second-grade level. In California they plan how many jail cells they will build in the future by how many children are not reading on grade level by third grade."]},{"id":"13376.json","label":"true","statement":"Several elected state officials have opened their homes to children in need of loving families.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that several elected state officials have indeed opened their homes to children in need of loving families. The quotes from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and State Senator Konni Burton confirm that elected officials in Texas have become foster and adoptive parents, demonstrating their commitment to providing safe and loving homes for children in need. This suggests that there is a genuine effort among elected officials to address the issue of children in the foster care system and encourage others to do the same.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Patrick, calling for help finding families able to provide foster care, said: \"Several elected state officials have opened their homes to children in need of loving families.\"","Patrick went on: \"Several elected state officials have opened their homes to children in need of loving families and are working with me to inspire a statewide movement to answer this calling. I hope you and your family will consider doing the same.\"","\"Thousands of children in Texas\u2019 foster care system need your help,\" Patrick said in an Oct. 17, 2016, press release. \"They need safe and loving homes, and many are looking for a forever home.\"","We watched one video, uploaded to YouTube Oct. 14, 2016, that shows state Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, talking about her adoption of two girls. \"My husband and I are adoptive parents,\" she says in the video. \"They were fostered by wonderful, loving families who opened their homes to care for them before joining our forever family.\""]},{"id":"2843.json","label":"false","statement":"Rhode Island is one of only six states to use E-Verify.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the evidence provided, Rhode Island is not one of only six states to use E-Verify. The evidence states that 13 states, which is more than double the mentioned number, require the use of E-Verify. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["There are variations in how states employ E-Verify. Idaho, North Carolina and Virginia require E-Verify checks on state employees, while Colorado mandates that only state contractors use the system. Like Rhode Island, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma require both.","Vareika stressed what he called Chafee's larger point. \"The vast majority of states do not use E-Verify, so I think the heart of the matter remains true,\" he said.","Just how many states require the use of E-Verify? Contrary to what Chafee told reporters, the number is 13 -- 26 percent -- according to data from the U.S. Customs and Immigration Services.","\"Don't forget, Rhode Island is one of only six states to have -- I believe it's only six -- to have E-Verify. So there's 44 other states that don't have it,\" Chafee told reporters after an unrelated news conference Monday."]},{"id":"3692.json","label":"true","statement":"Youve got each day 10,000 new seniors, baby boomers, becoming eligible for the entitlement programs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to multiple sources, including the Social Security Administration, approximately 10,000 baby boomers are reaching the age of eligibility for entitlement programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, every day. This demographic trend is putting strain on these programs and has been a topic of concern in discussions about their sustainability.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Appearing on CNBC April 27, Cantor, R-Va., said \"you\u2019ve got each day 10,000 new seniors, baby boomers, becoming eligible for the entitlement programs. Ten thousand a day.\"","\"We have 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day. It\u2019s time for us to get serious about ensuring that these programs are going to be there for them.\"","The first baby boomers turned 65. Every day this year, and for the next 18 years, multitudes more will turn 65 and begin to rely on the nation\u2019s already-stressed entitlement programs.","We asked Megan Whittemore, Cantor\u2019s press secretary, where the congressman came up with the figure of 10,000 seniors a day becoming eligible for entitlements. She pointed us to a series of statements and reports by the Social Security Administration."]},{"id":"5153.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney put Planned Parenthood on a state medical board but failed to put a pro-life group on the same board.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Gingrich ad that Mitt Romney appointed Planned Parenthood to a state medical board but did not appoint a pro-life group. However, it is important to note that the board in question was created as part of Massachusetts' health care overhaul and its function is to review Medicaid reimbursement rates, not to address abortion policy. While the claim is technically true, it lacks the crucial context that the board does not deal with abortion or have any influence on abortion services covered by state-subsidized insurance policies. Therefore, the statement is partially true but fails to provide the complete picture.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad, put out by the Newt Gingrich campaign, is airing in South Carolina before the state\u2019s presidential primary. It raises several examples from Romney\u2019s abortion record, including this one: that he \"put Planned Parenthood on a state medical board but failed to put a pro-life group on the same board.\"","Gingrich\u2019s ad argues that Romney, after changing his position on abortion to \"pro-life,\" made governing decisions contrary to that stance. One example, according to the ad: He appointed Planned Parenthood to a state medical board but didn\u2019t also appoint a pro-life group.","But the board the ad refers to was created as part of Massachusetts\u2019 health care overhaul, which the Legislature passed and which Romney signed, and its function is to review Medicaid reimbursement rates. The law also specifies where 12 of the board's 14 members must come from, including one member appointed by Planned Parenthood. It's true that Romney didn\u2019t appoint any abortion foes to the board -- but the board doesn\u2019t deal with abortion or have any say in what abortion services are covered by state-subsidized insurance policies. So that claim is correct but leaves out an important detail. Our ruling: Half True.","The problem with the Gingrich ad's claim, however, is that the board\u2019s job is to review state Medicaid reimbursement rates -- it does not address abortion policy at all."]},{"id":"1703.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Passage of Clinton budget bill in 1993 \"led to an enormous flowering of the economy in America.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the economy experienced significant growth during President Clinton's tenure, attributing this \"enormous flowering\" solely to the passage of the 1993 budget bill is an exaggeration. Economists agree that multiple factors contributed to the economic growth, and it is challenging to isolate the specific impact of any single policy. While the 1993 budget bill may have played a role in the economic improvement, it is more accurate to say that it was one of many factors rather than the sole cause. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and not entirely supported by evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ultimately, few would deny that Clinton presided over impressive economic growth. Meanwhile, our number-crunching suggests that the economy's improvement did indeed accelerate after the 1993 Balanced Budget bill became law. Still, Clinton is exaggerating when he says the 1993 bill \"led to an enormous flowering of the economy in America\" because economists say many factors played a role. All in all, we give the former president a rating of Half True.","We thought it would be worth checking whether the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, as it was officially known, really did lead to \"an enormous flowering of the economy in America.\"","Asked by Tapper, \"Politically does this year remind you of 1994?\" Clinton responded, \"A little bit. We passed the bill which reversed trickle-down economics by one vote. (It was) close like the health care bill (this year). And it led to an enormous flowering of the economy in America.\"","We see two related, but distinct, questions to answer. First, did the economy flower after passage of the bill? And if so, how much credit, if any, does the bill deserve for that \"flowering\"? We'll take these questions in turn."]},{"id":"3796.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Compact fluorescent light bulbs are toxic and not environmentally friendly.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) contain a small amount of mercury, which is a toxic substance, the overall claim that they are \"toxic\" and \"not environmentally friendly\" is misleading. Government and environmental officials have stated that the risk posed by the mercury in CFLs is minimal if the bulbs are disposed of properly and handled carefully if broken. Additionally, the claim fails to consider the environmental benefits of CFLs, such as their energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the issue and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of CFLs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Last, we considered the claims that compact fluorescent light bulbs are \"toxic\" and \"not environmentally friendly\" because they contain a small amount of mercury.","( - Group opposed to light bulb law claims consumers are being pushed to compact fluorescent light bulbs that are environmentally unsafe&url=)","The letter claims people will be required to \"throw away\" their existing incandescent light bulbs when the new law takes effect (a claim we rated Pants on Fire), and replace them with more expensive (a claim we rated Barely True) compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) bulbs that are \"supposedly\" \"environmentally safe.\"","Compact fluorescent light bulbs do contain a small amount of mercury, which is a toxic substance. But government and environmental officials say the risk they pose is very small, particularly if the light bulbs are disposed of properly and cleaned up properly if one shatters. Moreover, the dire warnings from opponents of the law fail to acknowledge that there is a price to pay for sticking with less efficient traditional incandescent light bulbs. Those bulbs require far more electricity to operate, and, if they are powered by coal-fired power plants, result in even more mercury emitted into the environment. And so we rated the claim Half True."]},{"id":"10197.json","label":"false","statement":"The proposed mine in northern Wisconsin would be built without any government oversight, and will be nine miles long.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The proposed iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin would not be built without government oversight. The Department of Natural Resources has authority over the entire mining process, from exploration to reclamation. Additionally, the size of the mine is not expected to be nine miles long. Initially, the size would be closer to four miles long, with two pits each about two miles long. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the level of oversight and the size of the proposed mine.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But the size, initially, would be closer to four miles long -- two pits, each about two miles long. And the project will be subject to regulation and oversight on several fronts.","\"But sorry,\" Seger added, \"according to Scott Walker, there isn't going to be oversight, we're going to build this thing, and it's going to be nine miles long.\"","The second part of Seger\u2019s claim, that the mine would be built without \"no environmental oversight,\" is also problematic. State law gives the Department of Natural Resources authority over the mine from start to finish, including exploration, sampling, mining and reclamation of the site.","The proposed iron ore mine in far northern Wisconsin -- a project that\u2019s attracted international attention -- has been debated and discussed in all sorts of places."]},{"id":"1755.json","label":"true","statement":"At the moment, energy companies spend 0.25 percent on RD.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Energy companies currently spend approximately 0.25 percent of their revenue on research and development (R&D). This figure is significantly lower compared to other industries such as technology and pharmaceuticals, which typically allocate 5 to 15 percent of their revenue to R&D. The evidence supports the claim that energy companies should increase their investment in R&D to address the challenges facing the country and the planet.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"At the moment, energy companies spend 0.25 percent on R&D. We can do better. We are a nation which should do better ... and not rely on dirty energy, which just compounds the problem affecting this country and the planet,\" vanden Heuvel said.","\"Technology companies spend 5 percent to 15 percent of revenue on research and development,\" he wrote. \"Energy companies, on the other hand, spend only one-quarter of 1 percent. The federal government spends $30 billion on health research, but only $3 billion on clean energy research.\"","\"Our country is neglecting a field central to our national prospect and security: energy. Although the information technology and pharmaceutical industries spend 5 to 15 percent of their revenue on research and development each year, U.S. companies' spending on energy R&D has averaged only about one-quarter of 1 percent of revenue over the past 15 years.\"","\"It's close to correct,\" said Nate Lewis, a professor at California Institute of Technology who assisted on the Brookings Institution report. \"As a percent of revenue, (the amount the energy industry spends on R&D) is a really small number. The pharmaceutical and intelligence industries spend between 10 and 12 percent on R&D. We're not even in the same ballpark here.\""]},{"id":"9385.json","label":"true","statement":"Rick Perry doesnt think there should be a federal minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Rick Perry's position on the federal minimum wage. Perry has expressed his belief that the federal government should not be involved in setting a minimum wage. He has stated in interviews that he does not think it is the government's role to establish a minimum wage. Therefore, it is correct to say that Rick Perry does not think there should be a federal minimum wage.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an email blast to reporters, the Democratic National Committee said Texas Gov. Rick Perry doesn't think there should be a federal minimum wage.","It didn\u2019t surprise us to read that Gov. Rick Perry opposes a hike in the federal minimum wage. Many Republicans do.","In two televised interviews, Perry this year said indeed he doesn't think the federal government should set a minimum wage, though he also said he's unsure about repealing it--if he had such power.","Perry said in a Feb. 21, 2014, appearance on CNN\u2019s Crossfire : \"I don\u2019t think that it\u2019s the government\u2019s business to be setting the minimum wage out there.\""]},{"id":"9918.json","label":"true","statement":"Since I took office, Wisconsin ranks 11th in the nation in total business establishment growth compared to 47th in the years Mary Burke was Commerce secretary.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comparison made between the business establishment growth in Wisconsin during Governor Walker's tenure and the years when Mary Burke served as Commerce secretary. According to the evidence provided, Wisconsin's ranking in total business establishment growth improved significantly under Governor Walker, moving from 47th to 11th place. This suggests that there has been notable progress in business growth during Governor Walker's time in office compared to the period when Mary Burke held the position of Commerce secretary.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among the comparisons: \"Since Governor Walker took office, Wisconsin ranks 11th in the nation in total business establishment growth compared to 47th in the years Mary Burke was Commerce secretary.\"","Walker\u2019s second-term blueprint said that since he took office, \"Wisconsin ranks 11th in the nation in total business establishment growth compared to 47th in the years Mary Burke was Commerce secretary.\"","Before the Great Recession hit, was Wisconsin a bottom feeder for business establishment growth, compared to a near Top-10 showing now?","We looked at the most recent data, which covers 2011 through 2013, Walker\u2019s first three years in office. In this period, Wisconsin\u2019s growth rate (5.5 percent) was 11th highest, just behind Iowa (10th) and Illinois (9th)."]},{"id":"10319.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The home-mortgage deduction is widely thought to be a middle-class benefit. Its not -- 73 percent of it goes to people making a quarter-million dollars or more a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks precision. While it is true that a significant portion of the benefits from the home-mortgage deduction goes to higher-income individuals, the claim that 73 percent of it goes to people making a quarter-million dollars or more a year is incorrect. According to the evidence provided, 73 percent of the mortgage-interest deduction benefits go to those making a little over $100,000 a year, not specifically $250,000 or more. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the income threshold for the majority of beneficiaries and exaggerates the extent to which higher-income individuals benefit from the deduction.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The home-mortgage deduction is widely thought to be \"a middle-class benefit. It's not -- 73 percent of it goes to people making a quarter-million dollars or more a year.\"","\"We're going to spend $5 trillion over the next five years in terms of tax benefits to selected groups of people that may not necessarily be (helpful in) growing and creating new jobs,\" Coburn said. He continued, \"Home mortgages -- everybody said that's a middle-class benefit. It's not -- 73 percent of it goes to people making a quarter-million dollars or more a year. So, that's not middle class. That's upper class.\"","Coburn said 73 percent of the benefits of the mortgage-interest deduction \"goes to people making a quarter-million dollars or more a year.\" In reality, 73 percent of the mortgage-interest deduction benefits go to those making a little over $100,000 a year, not $250,000 a year.","Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter wrote in an email that Romney \"won't protect the mortgage interest deduction for middle-class families if Romney enacts his tax plan, even though it helps more than 30 million middle-class families.\""]},{"id":"1995.json","label":"true","statement":"Democrats say Chafee wants to tax equipment that enables amputee veterans to drive","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Democrats have claimed that Chafee wants to tax equipment that enables amputee veterans to drive. The source verifies that the driving equipment for amputee veterans is included in the list of items that Chafee would tax. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide any further context or clarification on Chafee's stance or intentions regarding this specific issue. \nLabel: true","evidence":["But when we saw the association\u2019s claim that the list of exempt items that Chafee would tax includes equipment that enables amputee veterans to drive, it sounded too strange not to check.","UPDATE: After this item was published, we learned that the driving equipment for amputee veterans would be paid for by the federal government for those injured in the line of duty. In such instances, the veterans are not taxed. However, because the Chafee campaign acknowledges that he would tax all items on a list of exemptions, it does not change the assertion that the former senator would tax the driving equipment. Therefore, the ruling stands.","\"Now former-Senator Chafee wants Rhode Island taxpayers to fix the state's budget deficit with a wide-ranging tax on previously untaxed items like textbooks, school meals, heating fuel, and, shockingly, the equiment sic that amuptee sic veterans need to opperate sic a car,\" it tells readers.","They\u2019re right. The site features a line-item roster of tax-exempt items, along with a calculation of how much revenue each would generate if taxed at 1 percent. Textbooks, school meals and heating fuel are all there. And yes, so is the driving equipment for amputees."]},{"id":"1060.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Even high estimates for an early draft of the health care plan are less than the $1.8 trillion cost of the Bush tax cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Paul Krugman's claim that even the high estimates for an early draft of the health care plan were less than the $1.8 trillion cost of the Bush tax cuts. However, it's important to note that there are some caveats to this comparison. The Congressional Budget Office's estimate was not for universal coverage, and the time frame for the Bush tax cuts is not specified. Additionally, the health care plan was still in flux at the time, and the estimate was based on an early and incomplete bill. So, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be considered with these caveats in mind.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["There's one other implicit assumption in Krugman's statement. He writes, \"But the fundamental fact is that we can afford universal health insurance \u2014 even those high estimates were less than the $1.8 trillion cost of the Bush tax cuts.\" We know the CBO report scored the first draft at $1 trillion, but we also know that CBO determined the draft was not a \"universal\" plan \u2014 only about a third of the uninsured would be covered. But would a truly \"universal\" bill still come in under $1.8 trillion?","We wanted to know if Krugman was right that the initial cost estimates for health care legislation by the Congressional Budget Office were less than \"the $1.8 trillion cost of the Bush tax cuts.\"","\"I'm not that worried about the issue of costs,\" Krugman wrote. \"Yes, the Congressional Budget Office's preliminary cost estimates for Senate plans were higher than expected, and caused considerable consternation last week. But the fundamental fact is that we can afford universal health insurance \u2014 even those high estimates were less than the $1.8 trillion cost of the Bush tax cuts.\"","After reading many studies on the cost of the Bush tax cuts, it seems to us that Krugman is in the ballpark with his $1.8 trillion estimate. But we believe there are a couple of important caveats to his comparison. First, his wording implies that CBO's much-discussed estimate is for universal coverage, but it's not. Also, he doesn't offer a time frame for the Bush tax cuts, so we can't be sure he is comparing the same number of years. Finally, the health care plan is still very much in flux, and the CBO estimate is based on an early and incomplete bill. So we find Krugman's claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"1517.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Bill McCollum \"cost the rest of us billions\" as a member of Congress, including a national debt that \"skyrocketed\" to $4.7 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the national debt increased by $4.7 trillion during Bill McCollum's tenure in Congress. However, it is important to note that attributing the entire debt increase solely to McCollum is misleading. As a member of Congress, McCollum was part of a larger legislative body responsible for making decisions on spending and debt. Blaming him exclusively for the debt increase overlooks the collective responsibility of all members of Congress during that period. Additionally, the statement does not acknowledge any potential actions McCollum may have taken to save taxpayer money, such as supporting tax cuts. Therefore, while the debt increase figure is accurate, the statement lacks context and assigns disproportionate blame to McCollum.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A voice-over continues, \"Really? Well, Bill McCollum, you cost the rest of us billions. He voted four times to raise his own pay. $51,000. Our tax money pays his congressional pension. Over $75,000 dollars a year. The national debt skyrocketed. $4.7 trillion. McCollum voted for debt-limit increases five times. Bill McCollum. Just another Washington politician Florida can't afford.\"","Let's start with the details. The ad says that \"the national debt skyrocketed\" to \"$4.7 trillion.\" Accompanying material provided by the campaign explains that this is the amount that the national debt rose during McCollum's tenure in Congress.","This leads to a larger point: It's not exactly fair to blame McCollum exclusively for all $4.7 trillion of accumulated debt during his tenure, especially given that he sometimes voted against the debt ceiling hikes. Using such a loose standard, the same blame could be laid at the feet of any House member who served during the same period as McCollum -- Republican or Democrat. All members of Congress vote on bills that \"cost the rest of us billions.\" That is their job. Also, the statement doesn't address ways in which McCollum voted for policies intended to save taxpayer money, such as tax cuts.","We checked historical debt figures from the Treasury Department and confirmed that during McCollum's tenure in Congress -- Jan. 3, 1981 to Jan. 3, 2001 -- the debt did indeed rise by $4.7 trillion."]},{"id":"13352.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Donald Trump was asked if he would defend our allies. He said well, first hed want to know if they made any payments to us to defend them.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comments made by Donald Trump regarding defending allies. Trump has indeed expressed the sentiment that he would want to assess whether allies have made payments to the United States before committing to their defense. This stance has been criticized by opponents, including Hillary Clinton, who argue that it demonstrates Trump's lack of qualifications to be commander in chief. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Donald Trump \"was asked if he would defend our allies. He said well, first he'd want to know if they made any payments to us to defend them.\"","Clinton said when Trump was asked if he would defend our allies, \"He said well, first he'd want to know if they made any payments to us to defend them.\"","\"He's proving once again he is unqualified to be commander in chief of our military,\" Clinton said Oct. 25 in Coconut Creek, Fla. \"Here's another example: He was asked if he would defend our allies. He said well, first he'd want to know if they made any payments to us to defend them.\"","Trump also told the Wall Street Journal that if allies \"don\u2019t pay up, they\u2019ve backed out of their obligations, then we no longer have an obligation to defend them.\""]},{"id":"2307.json","label":"true","statement":"Florida is 49th in per capita spending on mental health care.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Florida is 49th in per capita spending on mental health care is supported by evidence. Multiple sources, including the Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute and Mental Health America, have reported similar rankings for Florida's per capita spending on mental health care. While there may be slight variations in the rankings depending on the specific year and data used, the overall consensus is that Florida ranks poorly in terms of per capita spending on mental health care. Therefore, the statement is deemed true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The lack of services in Florida is shocking and embarrassing, as well as very costly,\" Miller wrote. \"Our state ranks 49th in per capita spending for mental-health care, an abysmal ranking borne out by the thousands of people who cannot get treatment and end up in our jails, prisons and on the streets.\"","In this Truth-O-Meter item, we wanted to explore Chiles' claim that Florida is 49th in per capita spending on mental health.","Florida has long had a poor reputation for spending on social services. Bud Chiles, running as an independent for governor, criticizes the state's spending on mental health care.","So how does Chiles' claim stack up? He said that Florida was 49th in per capita spending on mental health. The campaign cites an editorial that does not provide the source for the 49th figure. The Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute, Inc., concluded in a 2006 report that Florida ranked 49th and that figure has been quoted several times by mental health experts such as Sharpe. Mental Health America wrote in a 2007 report that Florida was 48th -- but it was based on earlier 2004 data. Based on the information we could find, we rate this claim True."]},{"id":"1457.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thomas Jefferson created the Marines for the Islamic pirates that were happening.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While Thomas Jefferson did not create the Marines, he did play a significant role in the establishment and utilization of the Marine Corps. The conflict with Barbary pirates did contribute to the need for a stronger naval force, and Jefferson employed the Marines in operations against the pirates. However, it is incorrect to attribute the creation of the Marines solely to Jefferson or to claim that it was specifically for combating Islamic pirates. The Marine Corps was officially established before Jefferson's presidency, and its creation was motivated by broader strategic and defense considerations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I mean, if you're going to mess with us, we're going to pound you,\" Beck said. \"Thomas Jefferson created the Marines for the Islamic pirates that were happening, right?\"","But Beck is wrong on one important detail. The Marines weren't created by Jefferson. And as it turned out, the conflict with Barbary pirates wasn't the impetus behind finally getting the Marine Corps established.","When Thomas Jefferson saw there was no negotiating with Muslims, he formed what is now the Marines (sea going soldiers). These Marines were attached to U. S. Merchant vessels. When the Muslims attacked U.S. merchant vessels they were repulsed by armed soldiers, but there is more.","After the fighting with France, the conflict with Barbary pirates flared up again. Under Jefferson, the Marine Corps was employed in numerous operations against the pirates and the north African countries that sponsored them. Famously, Marines led an overland assault and captured the city of Derna in Tripoli in 1805 (hence the line in the Marines ' Hymn , \"the shores of Tripoli\")."]},{"id":"3270.json","label":"false","statement":"Despite what you may have heard about Wisconsins finances, Wisconsin is on track to have a budget surplus this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the speaker is misleading. While there have been claims of a budget surplus in Wisconsin, it is important to consider the context and the specific areas of the budget being referred to. The evidence suggests that there are significant shortfalls in Wisconsin's Medicaid program, which undermines the claim of an overall budget surplus. Additionally, the pending court ruling and the need to transfer funds to address these shortfalls further complicate the situation. Therefore, the statement cannot be considered accurate as it oversimplifies the complex financial situation in Wisconsin.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Despite what you may have heard about Wisconsin\u2019s finances, Wisconsin is on track to have a budget surplus this year,\" she said. \"I am not kidding.\"","Liberal MSNBC talk show host Rachel Maddow, meanwhile, said on her show that, \"Despite what you may have heard about Wisconsin\u2019s finances, the state is on track to have a budget surplus this year.\" We found that Wisconsin's Medicaid program is expected to have significant shortfalls, a problem that predates Walker's tenure. We rated the statement False.","A court ruling is pending in that matter, so the money might not have to be transferred until next budget year.","Reporters who cover the Capitol are used to doing the math to come up with the bottom-line surplus or deficit, but average readers are not. (The Journal Sentinel\u2019s Stein addressed these and other budget questions in a follow-up story.)"]},{"id":"6008.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that from 1992 through 2010, every statewide candidate drawing over 43 percent of the vote in a Republican Texas primary won the resulting runoff.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that every Texas Republican candidate for statewide office who drew over 43 percent of the vote in a primary from 1992 through 2010 won the resulting runoff. The data provided by David Dewhurst's spokesman, which includes a spreadsheet of statewide Republican primaries resulting in a runoff, confirms this claim. Therefore, based on the evidence, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["David Dewhurst says that since 1992, every Texas Republican candidate for statewide office who drew over 43 percent in a primary won their runoff","( - David Dewhurst says that since 1992, every Texas Republican candidate for statewide office who drew over 43 percent in a primary won their runoff&url=)","Put another way, however, there are no instances since 1992 of a Texas Republican candidate for statewide office drawing more than 43 percent of the primary vote and losing the runoff, which is Dewhurst\u2019s point.","Dewhurst\u2019s spokesman, Matt Hirsch, provided us with a spreadsheet he described as listing every statewide Republican primary since 1992 resulting in a runoff. Runoffs occur when no candidate draws more than 50 percent of the primary vote."]},{"id":"4163.json","label":"true","statement":"Says members of the military have sent him more campaign contributions than theyve sent President Barack Obama and more than twice what theyve sent other Republican presidential candidates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the evidence provided. It states that members of the military have sent the speaker more campaign contributions than they have sent President Barack Obama, and more than twice the amount they have sent other Republican presidential candidates. The evidence supports this claim, indicating that the speaker has received a higher number of campaign contributions from military members compared to both President Obama and other Republican candidates.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says members of the military have sent him more campaign contributions than they\u2019ve sent President Barack Obama and more than twice what they\u2019ve sent other Republican presidential candidates.","Summing up, Paul\u2019s military-connected contributions for the three months more than double such contributions to all the other Republican presidential candidates\u2014and they also exceed Obama\u2019s.","( - Ron Paul says members of military have given him far more money than other GOP candidates and Barack Obama&url=)","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"2038.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"To say a family has to buy a product from a private company is clearly beyond the delegated powers of the U.S. Constitution.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that requiring individuals or families to purchase a product from a private company exceeds the powers granted to the U.S. Constitution. However, it is important to note that the constitutionality of such requirements has been a subject of debate and legal interpretation. The constitutionality of the individual mandate, for example, was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2012 under the argument that it falls within Congress's power to tax. While there are differing opinions on this matter, it is not accurate to definitively claim that such a requirement is clearly beyond the delegated powers of the U.S. Constitution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1837.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The president has added close to 68,000 troops in the last year, since he came into office, not just the 30,000 you hear, but the others that were added before that.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects General Powell's assertion that President Obama added close to 68,000 troops since taking office, including the 30,000 commonly mentioned. While the exact number may vary slightly depending on the specific timeframe and inclusion of additional NATO troops, the evidence supports the claim that a significant number of troops were added during President Obama's tenure. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Powell didn't give a yes or no answer, instead explaining, \"The president has added close to 68,000 troops in the last year, since he came into office, not just the 30,000 you hear, but the others that were added before that. So 68,000 troops were added to it. That is a significant number. And, remember, they're not going after a fixed enemy. They're trying to control ground. They're trying to give some comfort to people that their life is going to get better.\"","Still, we find Powell's numbers very close to the mark. Obama took office with about 34,000 troops. There are now 94,000 troops and closing in on 98,000 troops by summer. When you count small additions by NATO, that gets us close to 68,000. We rate his statement True.","So 98,000 minus the 34,000 that were there when Obama took office gives us 64,000 troops, a little shy of the 68,000 Powell mentioned. But he might be counting additional NATO troops from countries that include Britain, France, Germany and Italy. NATO countries pledged an additional 5,000 troops last year, but the numbers have fluctuated as actual deployments have occurred.","Cheney is \"disagreeing with President Bush's policy. President Bush stated repeatedly to international audiences and to the country that he wanted to close Guantanamo.\""]},{"id":"12577.json","label":"true","statement":"SaysDonald Trump called pregnant employees an inconvenience.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Donald Trump referred to pregnant employees as \"an inconvenience.\" This claim is supported by evidence from a 2004 interview with NBC's Dateline where Trump used that exact word. It is important to note that this statement does not provide the full context or delve into the broader implications, but it accurately conveys Trump's specific choice of words regarding pregnant employees.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Over the years, he\u2019s said all kinds of things about women in the workforce,\" Clinton said. \"He once called pregnant employees -- and I quote -- \u2018an inconvenience.\u2019 \"","Clinton said that Trump called pregnancy \"an inconvenience\" for business owners. Trump indeed used that word in a 2004 interview with NBC\u2019s Dateline.","Studies have shown that the costs of accommodating pregnant employees is minimal. The National Women\u2019s Law Center published a fact sheet in 2012 that pointed out that the accommodations employers already provide for disabled employees are much the same as what pregnant women require, only temporarily. And the positive gains -- better recruitment and retention of workers, boosts in productivity, reductions in absenteeism, better workplace safety -- far outweigh any costs, according to the fact sheet.","Kepcher describes herself as a straight-shooter, but as her Dateline interviewer points out, that seems to conflict with an anecdote in the book in which Kepcher recounts waiting six months before telling Trump that she was pregnant."]},{"id":"3448.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says for the equivalent cost of a single mile of freeway, we have a bike infrastructure.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Portland Mayor Sam Adams that the city has invested in its bike infrastructure an amount equivalent to what it would typically spend on a single mile of highway. This suggests that Portland has prioritized the development of its bike infrastructure, allocating a comparable budget to what would be allocated for a mile of freeway construction. However, it's important to note that the comparison is based on cost and does not necessarily imply an exact equivalence in terms of scale or functionality between the bike infrastructure and a mile of freeway.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You know in 1993 we weren't the bicycling capital of America,\" he says. \"Seventeen years later, for the equivalent cost of a single mile of freeway, we have a bike infrastructure.\"","Portland Mayor Sam Adams says Portland\u2019s spent on its bike infrastructure what it would normally spend on a single mile of highway","( - Portland Mayor Sam Adams says Portland\u2019s spent on its bike infrastructure what it would normally spend on a single mile of highway&url=)","It seems to us that Geller\u2019s estimate of the total value of the bike infrastructure is somewhat inflated. When Adams used this statistic he didn\u2019t make clear that he was talking about an urban four-lane freeway. But, certainly, $60 million in bike infrastructure is well above the $12.4 million it would take to make a mile of four-lane rural freeway."]},{"id":"4221.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If the debt ceiling is surpassed, our nation will not go into default as some suggest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Rubio's position on the potential consequences of surpassing the debt ceiling. He argues that even if the debt ceiling is surpassed, the United States can prioritize its debt payments to avoid a full-scale default. By prioritizing payments such as interest owed, Social Security benefits, and military pay, the government can ensure that these obligations are met. However, it's important to note that the consequences of surpassing the debt ceiling are complex and can have significant economic implications. While prioritization of payments may be possible, it does not eliminate the potential risks and uncertainties associated with reaching the debt ceiling.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rubio told a constituent in an e-mail: \"If the debt ceiling is surpassed, our nation will not go into default as some suggest.\" We focused on whether it would be considered a default if the United States had chosen to pay some bills but not others, due to prioritization decisions amid a cashflow problem.","\"The debt ceiling is the total amount of money owed by the United States by both the general public and the federal government to either foreign or domestic lenders. If the debt ceiling is surpassed, our nation will not go into default as some suggest. The debt ceiling can be raised, lowered or remain the same when Congress allows it to come to a vote. What we must do is prioritize our debt payments in the event that the ceiling is not raised, and I support legislation which would ensure that interest payments, Social Security benefits and pay for our men and women in uniform go out in a timely manner.\"","For something that could have a profound effect on the nation\u2019s economy, the debt ceiling is a pretty arcane topic. But no longer!","\"You have to read that entire paragraph for context, not simply extrapolate one sentence,\" Burgos replied by e-mail. \"When the debt ceiling is surpassed, the government is still taking in revenue and can prioritize payments to meet its obligations on interest owed, to Social Security recipients and the military. It does not have to amount to a full-scale, across-the-board default on these obligations. That entire paragraph outlines steps Senator Rubio believes our government should take to ensure these payments are prioritized in the event that Congress does not raise the debt ceiling.\""]},{"id":"2574.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Taking the Fifth Amendment in a deposition about the Columbia\/HCA hospital chain he founded means a truthful answer to the questions that (Rick Scott) was asked would incriminate him.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the campaign commercial that Rick Scott invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times in a deposition about the Columbia\/HCA hospital chain he founded. The commercial suggests that invoking the Fifth Amendment implies that a truthful answer to the questions asked would incriminate him. However, it's important to note that legal experts have pointed out that invoking the Fifth Amendment does not necessarily mean that a truthful answer would incriminate someone. It is a constitutional right that allows individuals to protect themselves from self-incrimination. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the claim made in the campaign commercial, it should be noted that the interpretation of invoking the Fifth Amendment can vary and does not automatically imply guilt or incrimination.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["He says about halfway through the campaign commercial that taking the Fifth Amendment \"means a truthful answer to the questions that he was asked would incriminate him.\"","Says Rick Scott gave a deposition in which he invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times about his dealings as head of Columbia\/HCA hospital chain","A narrator and a Palm Beach County prosecutor help fill in the details. \"A whistleblower revealed that Scott's company was cooking the books. Refusing to cooperate, Rick Scott gave a deposition in which he invoked the Fifth Amendment 75 times,\" the narrator says. \"Which means a truthful answer to the questions that he was asked would incriminate him,\" adds Michael McAuliffe, Palm Beach County's Democratic state attorney, finishing the thought.","Does that mean truthful answers to the questions he was asked would incriminate him? Not necessarily, legal experts we talked to said."]},{"id":"6633.json","label":"true","statement":"We have more scientists and engineers per square mile than anywhere in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, New Jersey claims to have more scientists and engineers per square mile than any other location in the world. This claim is supported by data that shows New Jersey, along with 11 other U.S. states, leading the world in the number of scientists and engineers per square mile. Therefore, the statement is true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Choose: New Jersey said in an advertisement that \"we have more scientists and engineers per square mile than anywhere in the world,\" making the state\u2019s workforce one of the most skilled and highly educated.","If both lists are put together, New Jersey and 11 other U.S. states lead the world in number of engineers and scientists per square mile before Israel joins the rankings.","The July 30 ad reads in part: \"New Jersey has a rich tradition of bringing the world some very big thinking. In fact, we have more scientists and engineers per square mile than anywhere in the world, making ours one of the most highly skilled and educated workforces available.\"","Massachusetts has the second highest number of scientists and engineers, at 23.47 per square mile, followed by Maryland, at 20.97. California is 10th on the list."]},{"id":"1219.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The Defense Department received only one-half of 1 percent of the nearly trillion-dollar stimulus package funding.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sarah Palin that the Defense Department received only a small portion of the stimulus package funding, specifically one-half of 1 percent. According to the Defense Department and fact-checking sources, approximately $7.4 billion, which is slightly less than 1 percent of the total stimulus package cost, was allocated for defense projects. While the exact percentage may vary slightly, the statement is generally accurate in conveying that the Defense Department received a relatively small portion of the stimulus package funding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["She added, \"the Defense Department received only one-half of 1 percent of the nearly trillion-dollar stimulus package funding \u2014 even though many military projects fit the definition of 'shovel-ready.' \" She went on to cite examples of defense projects that she said Obama wants to cut.","According to the Defense Department, $7.4 billion will be spent on defense projects when the spending from the economic stimulus package is all said and done. That works out to slightly less than 1 percent of its total cost. That's slightly higher than Palin's \"one-half of 1 percent,\" but still very much in the ballpark.","The White House says that the $7.4 billion for the military in the stimulus bill comes on top of an already increased military budget (indeed, when we checked Hannity's claim, we found that Obama increased defense spending 3.9 percent from 2009 to 2010, while the budgeted amount for future years would essentially be flat). And the goal of the package was to directly stimulate the economy.","We recently examined a claim by Hannity that Obama has cut defense spending (we found it Half True), but we wanted to see if Palin was right that a tiny sliver of stimulus spending will go toward defense projects."]},{"id":"3292.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The (Wisconsin) governor has proposed tax giveaways to corporations.","reason":"Reason: While the term \"tax giveaways\" carries a subjective connotation, it is accurate to say that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has proposed tax breaks for corporations. He has advocated for lower taxes for businesses and has supported tax cuts even in the face of budget constraints, arguing that they would stimulate job growth. While the term \"giveaway\" may imply a negative judgment, it is important to note that the statement is evaluating the proposal from a particular perspective. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, acknowledging that the term \"giveaway\" may be seen as subjective.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Just like the tea party went out there and grabbed the microphone, what you have is grassroots people out there saying, \u2018No more,\u2019 no more budget cuts on the back of working people,\" Brazile said. \"The governor has proposed tax giveaways to corporations.\"","Brazile said, \"The (Wisconsin) governor has proposed tax giveaways to corporations.\" The tax breaks he signed into law were linked to job growth, which means they were not necessarily \"giveaways.\" But he has proposed lower taxes for all businesses. And he\u2019s supported those tax cuts even in the face of a tight budget, saying they would lead to job growth. Because Brazile gets Walker\u2019s basic position on business taxes right -- he wants them lower -- we rate her statement Mostly True.","The word \"giveaway\" is a loaded term for tax cuts, but we feel it\u2019s fair to fact-check whether Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has proposed tax breaks for corporations while advocating budget cuts for public workers.","But Walker proposed additional tax breaks for business during the campaign for governor. PolitiFact Wisconsin documented those promises on PolitiFact\u2019s Walk-O-Meter, a database of Walker\u2019s campaign promises. That includes reducing taxes on employers and repealing the \"combined reporting\" requirement for business taxes, a measure that increased tax revenues and was approved in 2009."]},{"id":"10596.json","label":"false","statement":"Every illegal immigrant can be eligible for up to $36,000 to $38,000 in earned income tax credits without paying a dime in.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that some unauthorized immigrants may be eligible for certain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), it is not accurate to claim that \"every\" illegal immigrant can receive up to $36,000 to $38,000 in tax credits without paying taxes. Eligibility for tax credits is based on various factors, including income level, filing status, and the number of qualifying dependents. Additionally, unauthorized immigrants are generally not eligible for federal benefits, including most tax credits. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the potential benefits available to unauthorized immigrants and does not provide an accurate representation of the tax system.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Now we find out that every one of these illegals who came into this country illegally, that worked illegally, broke the law a number of times, now they can be eligible for up to $36,000 to $38,000 in earned income tax credits without paying a dime in.\"","Fredericks says, \"Now we find out that every one of these illegals who came into this country illegally, that worked illegally, broke the law a number of times, now they can be eligible for up to $36,000 to $38,000 in earned income tax credits without paying a dime in.\"","The so-called \"amnesty bonuses\" have become a talking point in conservative circles. We wondered whether Fredericks is right that, under Obama\u2019s policies, every illegal immigrant could become eligible for up to $38,000 in tax credits -- even if they haven\u2019t paid taxes.","So how did Fredericks come up with the $36,000 to $38,000 credit that he said \"everyone of these be eligible for?\""]},{"id":"7390.json","label":"true","statement":"The 12 hottest years on record have come in the last 15 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by data from both NASA and NOAA, which indicate that 13 or 14 of the hottest years on record have occurred in the last 15 years. President Obama's statement is actually slightly conservative, as the data suggests an even higher number of hot years in the given timeframe. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama said, \"The 12 hottest years on record have all come in the last 15.\" Data from NASA shows 13 of the hottest years on record have come in the last 15, and by a different data set produced by NOAA, 14 of the hottest years on record have come in the last 15. Obama was actually over-cautious in his statement, so we rate his statement True.","\"For the sake of our children and our future, we must do more to combat climate change,\" Obama said. \"Now, it\u2019s true that no single event makes a trend. But the fact is, the 12 hottest years on record have all come in the last 15. Heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods \u2013 all are now more frequent and more intense.\"","In 2012, the country experienced severe weather threats including drought, a devastating Hurricane Sandy and severe thunderstorms. We decided to fact-check whether the 12 hottest years on record have all come since 1998.","However, NOAA\u2019s data(ftp:\/\/) for land and ocean temperature anomalies shows that 14 of the past 15 years were the hottest on record."]},{"id":"11003.json","label":"false","statement":"Lincoln was fervently making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America once the (Civil War) was over. The only thing that kept this from happening was his assassination.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible historical evidence to support the claim that Abraham Lincoln was making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America. This claim is a widely circulated internet myth that lacks any basis in historical fact. Lincoln's actual stance on slavery and the fate of freed slaves was focused on emancipation and providing them with equal rights and opportunities within the United States. It is important to rely on reputable historical sources and expert analysis when discussing historical events and figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Lincoln was fervently making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America once the (Civil War) was over. \u2026 The only thing that kept this from happening was his assassination.\"","A widely shared bit of text on the Internet says that \"Lincoln was fervently making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America once the (Civil War) was over. \u2026 The only thing that kept this from happening was his assassination.\"","We wondered whether mainstream historians believe that Lincoln was \"making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America once the (Civil War) was over\" and that \"the only thing that kept this from happening was his assassination.\"","\"Martyred President Abraham Lincoln was fervently making plans to send all freed slaves to the jungles of Central America once the war was over,\" the Internet posts say. \"Knowing that African society would never allow the slaves to return back to Africa, Lincoln also did not want the slaves in the U.S. He thought the jungles of Central America would be the best solution and conducive to the freed slaves best interest. The only thing that kept this from happening, was his assassination.\""]},{"id":"7255.json","label":"false","statement":"Semi-automatic weapons, whether pistol or rifle, were designed for use by the military on the battlefield.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that some semi-automatic weapons have been used by the military, it is incorrect to claim that all semi-automatic weapons, whether pistols or rifles, were designed exclusively for military use on the battlefield. Semi-automatic weapons have a wide range of applications, including hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. Many semi-automatic firearms were initially developed for civilian use and were later adopted by the military. Therefore, it is inaccurate to assert that all semi-automatic weapons were designed solely for military purposes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But it was the second statement which caught our attention. It says, \"Semi-automatic weapons, whether pistol or rifle, were designed for use by the military on the battlefield.\"","The Providence City Council, in a resolution approved earlier this month, asserted: \"Semi-automatic weapons, whether pistol or rifle, were designed for use by the military on the battlefield.\"","\"Semi-automatic weapons, whether pistol or rifle, were designed for use by the military on the battlefield.\" (False) Nope \u2014 try hunting and self-defense. The military did not embrace the weapons until decades after they were developed. Even today, gunmakers design some semi-automatic weapons specifically for consumers.","But we also know that other weapons, such as many hunting rifles, meet the definition of semi-automatic. So we wondered whether it\u2019s accurate to say that all semi-automatics were really designed for military use."]},{"id":"4674.json","label":"false","statement":"Herman Cain is a pro-choice candidate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly refutes the claim that Herman Cain is a pro-choice candidate. The flier attacking Cain's stance on abortion was found to be false, as it misrepresented his position. Cain has consistently been anti-abortion, and his statements about abortion being a personal choice were in the context of discussing presidential powers, not his personal beliefs. Therefore, the statement that Herman Cain is a pro-choice candidate is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!This flier attacked Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain for his stance on abortion. !This flier attacked Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain for his stance on abortion.","\"He had the opportunity to protect innocent life and he didn't. He has been touting that he is pro-life, yet he votes for pro-choice legislation. If he is pro-life, he needs to vote pro-life,\" the Cain ad stated, according to the AJC.","The flier in Iowa called Cain a \"pro-choice candidate\" who \"threw the babies under the bus\" by making a statement about abortion being a personal choice. He explained himself by saying he was answering a question about presidential powers, not how he feels about the morality or legality of abortion. On that, Cain has been consistent for years -- consistently anti-abortion. We rate the claim on the flier False.","!Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain shows off a 9-9-9 tax plan muffin Oct. 31 !Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain shows off a 9-9-9 tax plan muffin Oct. 31"]},{"id":"2025.json","label":"false","statement":"Subsidies for oil and gas companies make up 88 percent of all federal subsidies. Just cutting the oil and gas subsidies out would save the U.S. government $45 billion every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The correction provided in the evidence states that the $45 billion savings would occur over a 10-year period, not annually. Additionally, the claim that oil and gas subsidies make up 88 percent of all federal subsidies is misleading. The correction clarifies that the 88 percent figure refers to subsidies accomplished through the tax code for the oil and gas industry, not the total federal subsidies. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He cited reports by the Center for American Progress -- a liberal think tank -- that outlined \"nine different subsidies that the U.S. government gives to an industry that makes more money than any other industry, including refunds for drilling costs and refunds to cover the cost of searching for oil. Subsidies for oil and gas companies make up 88 percent of all federal subsidies. Just cutting the oil and gas subsidies out would save the U.S. government $45 billion every year.\"","The last two sentences are the ones that stuck out to us. Given the wide range of subsidies the government grants, notably agricultural subsidies, do those for the oil and gas industry really account for 88 percent of the total? And do oil and gas subsidies really amount to $45 billion per year, which is equivalent to more than 2 percent of all federal revenues?","\"Cutting oil and gas subsidies would save $45 billion, but that's over 10 years, not in the one year we reported. So, our apologies again -- and our thanks to which brought this to light and guessed correctly that we misread the report, and our thanks to them for only rating our report \"false\" rather than their other option 'pants on fire.'\"","When we read that, it sounded to us like Gandhi was saying that 88 percent of all oil and gas subsidies were accomplished through the tax code -- not that 88 percent of all federal subsidies went to the oil and gas industry."]},{"id":"4745.json","label":"true","statement":"Says if elected, he would be the first Mayor who lives east of 82nd.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Based on the evidence provided, it is confirmed that if elected, the candidate would indeed be the first mayor to reside east of 82nd Avenue in Portland. This claim is supported by multiple sources, including a press release and fact-checking organizations, which have verified its accuracy.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a recent press release he took up the theme again, this time announcing that if elected, he\u2019d \"be the first Mayor who lives east of 82nd.\"","All of this is to say that Smith was right on. If Portlanders select him as their next mayor, he\u2019ll be the first to reside east of 82nd Avenue. We give this claim a True.","That is all to say that there\u2019s not much sense in going back any further than Terry Schrunk, who served as mayor from 1957 until 1973. The area east of 82nd wasn\u2019t part of Portland until shortly after his tenure.","\"Portland needs to finally meet its promises to struggling people \u2013 to communities of color, folks east of 82nd, and families being priced out of their neighborhoods,\" he says on his campaign website. \"Portlanders need a government that looks out for their needs \u2013 no matter where they live.\""]},{"id":"1500.json","label":"true","statement":"In the stimulus, \"$15 million dollars went to 'build a bigger, better airport' for the town of Ouzinkie, Alaska, population 165.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The evidence confirms that $15 million from the stimulus package was indeed allocated to \"build a bigger, better airport\" for the town of Ouzinkie, Alaska, which has a population of 165. This information is supported by an article that describes the village of Ouzinkie as a remote outpost with a small population and no stores, gas stations, or stoplights. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We looked at several of the items on this list to see if they were as billed. Here, we will examine the claim that \"$15 million (in stimulus) dollars went to 'build a bigger, better airport' for the town of Ouzinkie, Alaska, population 165.\"","Or as put it in an article titled Tiny Airports Take Off With Stimulus : \"The village of Ouzinkie is one of the remotest outposts in the United States \u2014 home to a mere 165 people on an island off another island off the coast of Alaska. There are no stores, no gas stations and no stoplights.\"","The stimulus bill contains \"$20 million for the removal of small to medium-sized fish passage barriers\" and \"$25 million to rehabilitate off-roading trails for ATVs.\"","Says Connie Mack \"wrote a letter to the Department of Transportation in order to get $29 million in stimulus for his congressional district.\""]},{"id":"11041.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For African-Americans between the ages of 17 and 20, the real unemployment rate is 51 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bernie Sanders regarding the unemployment rate for African-Americans between the ages of 17 and 20. According to fact-checking sources, the numbers used by Sanders are accurate, indicating that the unemployment rate for this specific demographic group is indeed 51 percent. However, it's important to note that the term \"real unemployment rate\" may require clarification or additional information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the statistic. Overall, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["That\u2019s similar -- but not identical -- to a claim we checked in July. Back then, he said that for African-Americans between the ages of 17 and 20, \"the real unemployment rate \u2026 is 51 percent.\" We rated that Mostly True. However, since the claim was phrased somewhat differently, we\u2019ll take a fresh look at it here.","\"For young people who have graduated high school or dropped out of high school, who are between the ages of 17 and 20, if they happen to be white, the unemployment rate is 33 percent,\" he said. \"If they are Hispanic, the unemployment rate is 36 percent. If they are African-American, the real unemployment rate for young people is 51 percent.\"","Sanders said that for African-Americans between the ages of 17 and 20, \"the real unemployment rate \u2026 is 51 percent.\" His terminology was off, but the numbers he used check out, and his general point was correct -- that in an apples-to-apples comparison, African-American youth have significantly worse prospects in the job market than either Hispanics or whites do. The statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information, so we rate it Mostly True.","One, the institute didn\u2019t just look at employment status for people between the ages of 17 and 20; it limited its reach to high school graduates who were not enrolled in further schooling."]},{"id":"1374.json","label":"true","statement":"\"President Obama has broken his pledge to the American people to be transparent throughout (health care reform negotiations).\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Charlie Crist that President Obama broke his pledge to be transparent throughout the health care reform negotiations. This claim has been supported by fact-checkers who found that Obama did not fulfill his promise of complete openness and transparency during the process. The use of closed-door meetings and the inclusion of sweetheart deals and late-night votes contributed to the lack of transparency. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Obama promised an end to closed-door negotiations and complete openness for the health care talks. But he has failed to deliver. When Crist says \"President Obama has broken his pledge to the American people to be transparent throughout this process,\" he's right. We rate Crist's claim True.","Now Crist is taking up the cause of the nation's people in a debate over transparency when it comes to the health care reform bill.","\"It seems that a bill that was crafted in a closed-door, backroom meeting in the White House will end the same way,\" Crist, who is running for U.S. Senate, said in a statement released Jan. 5, 2010. \"President Obama has broken his pledge to the American people to be transparent throughout this process, and (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid and (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi have only aided in the secrecy with sweetheart deals and dead of the night votes.\"","\"President Obama, Senate and House leaders, many of your rank-and-file members, and the nation\u2019s editorial pages have all talked about the value of transparent discussions on reforming the nation\u2019s health care system,\" Lamb wrote. \"Now that the process moves to the critical stage of reconciliation between the Chambers, we respectfully request that you allow the public full access, through television, to legislation that will affect the lives of every single American.\""]},{"id":"2066.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million to pay for health insurance plans that cover any legal abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were initial concerns raised about the possibility of federal funds being used to cover abortions in Pennsylvania, the Obama administration clarified that the insurance plans would not be allowed to cover elective abortions. The regulations were adjusted to ensure that federal funds would not be used for abortion services. Therefore, the claim that the Obama administration would provide $160 million to cover health insurance plans that include any legal abortion is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Boehner\u2019s statement is nearly identical to one made by the National Right to Life Committee that we analyzed. They said that the Obama administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million to pay for health insurance plans that cover \"any legal abortion.\"","A typical statement: \"The Obama Administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million in federal tax funds, which we've discovered will pay for insurance plans that cover any legal abortion,\" said Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee in a statement on the group's website.","\"The Department of Health and Human Services is providing $160 million to the state of Pennsylvania to set up a new high-risk insurance pool program that would cover any abortion legal in the state.\"","Getting back to our rating: The National Right to Life Committee said the Obama administration will give Pennsylvania $160 million to pay for health insurance plans that cover \"any legal abortion.\" If we had looked at this case before the Obama administration issued its statements, we might have been a little torn. While the Pennsylvania proposal referred to statutes about legal abortion, it also said that \"elective abortions are not covered,\" and that is potentially contradictory. But it's important to keep in mind that this plan is intended to cover older people who have health problems, not young, healthy women who might seek abortions, and that the regulations are being created quickly. In short, we don't see pre-meditated intent to cover elective abortion. And as soon as the issue of abortion was raised, the Obama administration stated that the plans would not be allowed to cover elective abortions and that forthcoming regulations would reflect that. Given those assurances, we rate the National Right to Life Committee's statement False."]},{"id":"6488.json","label":"true","statement":"Austin is the largest city in the U.S. or Texas with no geographic representation on its city council.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows Austin is indeed the largest city in the U.S. or Texas without geographic representation on its city council. Currently, Austin's city council consists of the mayor and six members, all of whom are elected citywide. However, there are plans to change the election system to include geographic representation, with proposals for district-elected representatives. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We don\u2019t know how to check that. But our attention was drawn to the next bullet point on the leaflet paid for by Austinites for Geographic Representation: \"Austin is the largest city in the U.S. or Texas with no geographic representation.\"","A handout making the case for electing Austin City Council members from small-scale districts rather than continuing to elect each one citywide says: \"Geographic representation brings government and people together.\"","Each of the dozen U.S. cities bigger than Austin has a city council with members elected from geographic districts -- and eight solely elect members from districts. This claim rates True.","Austin\u2019s council consists of the mayor and six members, each one elected citywide. But Austin voters on Nov. 6, 2012, will be offered two plans that would change how council members are elected. One, put on the ballot by the council, would lead to eight members elected from districts with the mayor and two members elected citywide, according to an Aug. 7, 2012, Austin American-Statesman news article, The other proposal, which made the ballot after Austinites for Geographic Representation collected more than 20,000 petition signatures, would result in 10 district-elected representatives with the mayor chosen by citywide vote."]},{"id":"13443.json","label":"true","statement":"Under Donald Trumps tax plan, 51 percent of single parents would see their taxes go up.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including a report by New York University professor Lily Batchelder, indicate that under Donald Trump's tax plan, approximately 51 percent of single parents would experience a tax increase. The plan's elimination of the head of household filing status and personal exemptions would contribute to this outcome. This aligns with statements made by Hillary Clinton during her campaign, where she highlighted the potential tax increase for single parents under Trump's plan. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Put it altogether, 51 percent of single parents or about 5.8 million households would see a tax increase under Trump\u2019s plan, Batchelder calculated. As our colleagues at noted, \"single parents tend to do worse under Trump\u2019s plan than under current law.\"","\"He's taking care of himself, he's taking care of his family, he's taking care of the super wealthy and corporations,\" Clinton said at a rally in Pittsburgh on Nov. 4, 2016, adding that under Trump, \"51 percent of single parents would see their taxes go up.\"","According to the report, authored by New York University professor Lily Batchelder, about 20 percent of households and more than half of single parents would wind up paying more in federal taxes.","Trump\u2019s proposal to eliminate the head of household filing status and personal exemptions would raise federal income taxes for many single parents."]},{"id":"4760.json","label":"false","statement":"Over half of the people who would be taxed under (a millionaire surtax) are, in fact, small businesspeople.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that over half of the business income reported on tax returns would have been subject to the proposed millionaire surtax, it does not mean that over half of the people who would be taxed are small businesspeople. The Joint Committee on Taxation found that half of the business income, not the earners, would be subject to the surtax. It is important to distinguish between business income and the individuals who earn that income. Therefore, the statement inaccurately implies that a majority of the individuals being taxed under the surtax are small businesspeople.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Well,\" Boehner responded, \"over half of the people who would be taxed under this plan are, in fact, small businesspeople. And as a result, you're going to basically increase taxes on the very people that we're hoping will reinvest in our economy and create jobs. That's the real crux of the problem.\"","\"Over half of the people who would be taxed under this plan are, in fact, small businesspeople. And as a result, you're going to basically increase taxes on the very people that we're hoping will reinvest in our economy and create jobs. That's the real crux of the problem,\" Boehner told Amanpour during his interview.","But half the income being taxed at that rate is not the same as half the earners being taxed at that rate.","Of the business income reported on tax returns, half of it would have been taxed at the top two rates, the Joint Committee on Taxation found. But that doesn\u2019t mean half of the earners are paying those rates."]},{"id":"8312.json","label":"true","statement":"Mental health provisions related to mass shootings got over 90 votes in the Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Senate did vote, with a majority of 95-2, in favor of a mental health amendment related to gun control legislation. This indicates strong bipartisan support for mental health provisions in the context of addressing mass shootings. The statement correctly highlights that the amendment received over 90 votes in the Senate, indicating significant support for these provisions.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I actually think it can be taken up separately and easily passed because of the mental health provisions. It got over 90 votes in the Senate and very little gets 90 votes around here,\" Ayotte said.","While an early version of the bill never made it out of committee, the Senate did eventually vote, 95-2, for a mental-health amendment to a gun control bill. The full bill lacked enough votes to pass and was pulled from the floor, but she is correct that the amendment did get 90 votes. We rate her statement True.","Ayotte, saying she has strong bipartisan support, has co-sponsored a bill geared toward education, awareness and intervention relating to mental illness since the mass shootings in Newtown, Conn., in December 2012.","Ayotte introduced the Mental Health First Aid Act in January 2013, which never made it past a congressional committee. However, elements of that bill went into the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act that was part of the gun control legislation the Senate voted down in April."]},{"id":"9167.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Young women today in metropolitan areaswho are childless and single are out-earning childless, single young males.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the conservative pundit, stating that childless, single young women in metropolitan areas are out-earning childless, single young males in the same category across the country. This claim is supported by the analysis that shows that childless, single young women tend to have higher levels of education and qualify for higher-paying jobs. However, it's important to note that this comparison specifically refers to childless, single young individuals and does not encompass the broader gender wage gap or other factors that may affect earnings disparities between men and women in different circumstances.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wood said, \"Young women today in metropolitan areas, for example, who are childless, single young women are actually outperforming males in that same category all over the country.\"","We at PunditFact want to look at the argument being offered by conservatives. In this case, we are checking Wood -- a conservative pundit with the Heritage Foundation -- who said, \"Young women today in metropolitan areas, for example, who are childless, single young women are actually outperforming males in that same category all over the country.\"","Finally, we should note that this comparison holds true because childless, single young women tend to have more education and qualify for higher paying jobs.","While Wood is careful to note that she was talking about \"childless, single young women\" in metropolitan areas, Chung said that Wood failed to note that the analysis concerned median incomes between men and women."]},{"id":"4441.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In terms of the wealthiest Americans, were at the lowest tax rate since the 1950s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wasserman Schultz that the tax rates for the wealthiest Americans are currently at their lowest since the 1950s. While there is some variation in the interpretation of tax rates and the specific timeframes being compared, the fact-checkers generally agree that the claim is mostly true. It's important to note that the comparison is based on the top marginal income tax rates, which is one way to measure tax rates for the wealthiest individuals.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: We're at the low -- in terms of the wealthiest Americans, we're at the lowest tax rate since the 1950s.","As for Wasserman Schultz, she said: \"In terms of the wealthiest Americans, we're at the lowest tax rate since the 1950s.\" Since 1960 the top marginal income tax rates -- the most common way to measure Wasserman Schultz's statement -- were lower only between 1988 and 1992 than they are today. With that caveat, we rate her claim Mostly True.","In this fact-check, we're examining Wasserman Schultz's claim that the wealthiest Americans have the lowest comparative \"tax rate since the 1950s.\"","In the middle of Wasserman Schultz's back-and-forth with Blitzer, the two had a disagreement about some tax figures. Blitzer tried to make the point that wealthy Americans might already pay their fair share while Wasserman Schultz countered that their tax rates are the lowest they've been since the 1950s."]},{"id":"4274.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Were inches away from no longer having a free economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we're inches away from no longer having a free economy\" is not supported by credible evidence. It has been fact-checked and debunked by PolitiFact, who rated it as \"Pants on Fire\" multiple times. The claim is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the state of the economy or the level of economic freedom in the United States. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing the state of the economy.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["During the Jan. 7, 2012, Republican presidential debate in Manchester, N.H., former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney once again stated, \"We're only inches away from no longer being a free economy.\"","Mitt Romney continues to repeat the talking point that the United States is \"only inches away from no longer being a free economy.\" But we\u2019ve ruled it Pants on Fire twice-- and now he's achieved a PolitiFact hat trick.","\"Government under President Obama has grown to consume almost 40 percent of our economy,\" he said. \"We are only inches away from ceasing to be a free market economy.\"","PolitiFact, \"Mitt Romney gets another Pants on Fire for saying we're 'inches away' from not being capitalist any more,\" Aug. 12, 2011"]},{"id":"6037.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Florida election officials requests to some residents to submit proof of citizenship is a backdoor poll tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Florida election officials' requests to some residents to submit proof of citizenship is a \"backdoor poll tax\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that residents were asked to provide documentation, including buying a stamp to mail in the documents, experts have noted that this does not meet the historical definition of a poll tax. Actual poll taxes were unaffordable to the African-Americans they affected, whereas the Florida request was seen more as an inconvenience. While there may be concerns about the impact of such requests on certain communities, it is not accurate to label it as a \"backdoor poll tax.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In May, PolitiFact reviewed a claim by U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings that requests made to some Florida residents to submit proof of citizenship amounted to a \"backdoor poll tax\" because they had to buy a stamp to mail in the documents. Although experts said any election procedure that requires voters to incur some type of financial costs could be coined a poll tax, actual poll taxes were unaffordable to the African-Americans they affected. The Florida request was seen more as an inconvenience, and the claim received a Half True rating.","After Broward residents received letters asking them to submit documentation proving their citizenship in order to vote, Hastings described it as a \"backdoor poll tax\" because they had to buy a stamp to mail in the documents.","Was Hastings correct to compare the requests from elections officials to Internicola and others on the list to a \"backdoor poll tax\"?","The state told county election supervisors to contact the residents and ask them to supply proof of citizenship. If the voters failed to comply, they\u2019d be removed from the voter rolls within one or two months."]},{"id":"4235.json","label":"false","statement":"Atlanta Public Schools 2011 CRCT tests were given under the strictest security possible.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement is false. The investigation into the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal revealed that the 2011 CRCT tests were not given under the strictest security possible. The measures taken by APS to prevent tampering or cheating were found to be insufficient, as additional security measures were identified by experts. Furthermore, the presence of flagged schools for possible cheating based on erasure analysis indicates that there were concerns about the integrity of the testing process. Therefore, it can be concluded that the 2011 CRCT tests in Atlanta Public Schools were not administered under the strictest security possible.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Certainly, the CRCT was not \"given under the strictest security possible\" in 2011, as Hall said. APS did tighten its procedures, but PolitiFact Georgia easily found additional ways to increase security.","We interviewed major testing companies and test security experts to assess the methods used in Atlanta Public Schools. Our reporting found that APS does not use the following obvious or widely accepted measures to prevent tampering or cheating:","GOSA flagged 16 Atlanta elementary and middle schools for possible cheating on that year\u2019s test. This means that 11 percent or more of their classrooms showed high numbers of wrong-to-right erasures, which is a sign of possible cheating. Thirteen of these schools had already been flagged for their 2009 scores.","Ever since Atlanta Public Schools\u2019 cheating scandal began, then-Superintendent Beverly Hall has repeatedly pointed to a national test as proof that the changes she made produced real results: the National Assessment of Educational Progress."]},{"id":"5504.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama promised gasoline at $2.50 a gallon.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that Barack Obama promised gasoline at $2.50 a gallon. However, it's important to note that this promise was made by Newt Gingrich, not Barack Obama. The evidence provided mentions Newt Gingrich frequently blaming the Obama administration for rising gas prices and making the promise of $2.50 per gallon if he were elected president. Therefore, attributing this promise to Barack Obama would be incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here, we\u2019ll look at whether Obama promised to cut the deficit in half. (In a separate report, we\u2019ll look at whether he promised to keep gasoline prices at $2.50 a gallon.)","But what did Obama promise on gas prices? Here, we\u2019ll look at whether Obama promised gasoline prices at $2.50 a gallon. (In a separate report, we\u2019ll look at whether he promised to cut the deficit in half.)","Newt Gingrich, who has promised gasoline at $2.50 a gallon if he\u2019s elected president, frequently blames the Obama administration for rising prices at the pump.","\"He promised gasoline I believe at $2.50. When he took office it was about $1.68. We know it's well above $2.50 now. He promised he would cut the deficit in half. We know what's happened there,\" Curry said."]},{"id":"11468.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Even after Syrian troops began to shoot protesters in the streets with live ammunition in 2011, Clinton labeled Bashar al-Assad a reformer.","reason":"Reason: It is true that in a March 2011 interview, Secretary Clinton referred to Bashar al-Assad as a \"reformer.\" However, it is important to note the context of her statement. She did not express her personal opinion but rather mentioned that some members of Congress held that view. It is misleading to suggest that Clinton personally labeled al-Assad as a reformer despite the violent crackdown on protesters. The statement lacks the necessary context and implies a direct endorsement by Clinton, which is not accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Even after Syrian troops began to shoot protesters in the streets with live ammunition in 2011, Clinton labeled Bashar al-Assad a \u2018reformer.' \"","Rubio said \"even after Syrian troops began to shoot protesters in the streets with live ammunition in 2011, Clinton labeled Bashar al-Assad a \u2018reformer.\u2019 \"","\"Clinton touts her early support for arming Syria\u2019s moderate opposition and more recently, a no-fly zone, to contrast her record with President Obama\u2019s,\" wrote Rubio, a presidential candidate. \"But even after Syrian troops began to shoot protesters in the streets with live ammunition in 2011, Clinton labeled Bashar al-Assad a \u2018reformer.\u2019 The death toll in the Syrian civil war now stands at more than 200,000. ...\"","Rubio has a point that in a March 2011 interview, Clinton did use the word \"reformer\" to describe al-Assad. However, Rubio glosses over the fact that she didn\u2019t say that was her personal opinion of him, but rather the view of some members of Congress."]},{"id":"6471.json","label":"true","statement":"Florida has more concealed weapons permits than any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the U.S. Government Accountability Office study, which confirms that Florida has the highest number of valid concealed weapons permits compared to any other state. As of the study's data, Florida had approximately 887,000 valid concealed weapons permits, which is nearly 100,000 more than the next closest state, Pennsylvania. This data demonstrates that Florida indeed has the highest number of concealed weapons permits in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Scott said Florida has \"more concealed weapons permits than any other state.\" A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office study backs Scott up. The state has about 887,000 valid concealed weapons permits, nearly 100,000 more than the next closest state, Pennsylvania.","\"I mean, I think we have more concealed weapons permits than any other state because Floridians care about their right to bear arms.\"","Several states, including Florida, allow out-of-state residents to acquire concealed weapons permits. As of March, about 192,000 out-of-state residents have Florida permits, representing about 13 percent of the total.","The U.S. Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, recently studied the number of active concealed weapons permits by state. Their report, available here, is dated July 2012 and includes concealed weapons permit data as of Dec. 31, 2011, in most cases."]},{"id":"292.json","label":"false","statement":"\"So that 2005 energy bill was a big step backwards on the path to clean, renewable energy. That's why I voted against it.\"","reason":"Reason: While Hillary Clinton consistently expressed opposition to the 2005 energy bill during her campaign, fact-checking investigations have found her characterization of the bill as a setback to renewable energy to be false. The bill did include provisions that supported clean and renewable energy sources, although it also included provisions benefiting the oil and gas industry. While Clinton's statement reflects her personal stance on the bill, it does not accurately represent the overall impact of the legislation on clean and renewable energy. \nLabel: false","evidence":["\"So that 2005 energy bill was a big step backwards on the path to clean, renewable energy,\" said Clinton. \"That's why I voted against it. That's why I'm standing for the proposition \u2014 let's take away the giveaways that were given to gas and oil, put them to work on solar and wind and geothermal and biofuels and all of the rest that we need for a new energy future.\"","Clinton has made much of her opposition to the bill in her campaign \u2014 for example, characterizing the legislation during a Jan. 15, 2008, Democratic debate in Las Vegas as \"a big step backward on the path to clean, renewable energy.\" Our examination of that claim found it to be false.","Clinton is right that Obama voted for the bill and she didn't. But because she incorrectly depicts the 2005 energy bill as a setback to renewable energy and a sop to Big Oil, we find her statement to be Barely True.","\"In 2005, when we had a chance to say no to Dick Cheney and his energy bill, my opponent said yes and voted for it with all of those tax subsidies and giveaways that have been used by the oil companies and others to retard the development of clean, renewable energy,\" Clinton said. \"When it counted, I said no, he said yes.\""]},{"id":"3814.json","label":"true","statement":"Abraham Lincoln (once) jumped out of a window in the Illinois Legislature in order to deny a quorum.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Historical accounts and newspaper reports confirm that Abraham Lincoln did indeed jump out of a window in the Illinois Legislature in order to deny a quorum. This incident took place in 1840 and was reported by the Illinois State Register. It is worth noting that Lincoln and his colleagues had already been marked as present and voting before they resorted to this tactic. Nonetheless, the statement accurately reflects the historical event.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When we were in Illinois, we learned that Abraham Lincoln had jumped out of a window in the Illinois Legislature in order to deny a quorum,\" Miller said. \"So we felt like in that case we were definitely in good company.\"","We located the Illinois State Register\u2019s account of that day in the Legislature. The Springfield newspaper\u2019s correspondent said Lincoln \"unceremoniously raised a window\" and jumped through. His account ran on Dec. 11, 1840 -- less than a week after the incident itself.","Lincoln and his Whig Party colleagues had already been tallied as present and voting before they opened the window and jumped out, numerous accounts show.","But let history record that media accounts in 2011 properly recorded that Abe Lincoln and the Whigs did try to block a quorum in 1840 by staying away. And the future president did leave through a window."]},{"id":"357.json","label":"true","statement":"\"She flunked the D.C. bar exam.\"","reason":"Reason: It is true that Hillary Rodham Clinton did not pass the Washington, D.C., bar exam. This fact is mentioned in Carl Bernstein's biography of Hillary Clinton, and Hillary herself has acknowledged this in her own writings. The statement accurately reflects this information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In his biography of Hillary Clinton, former Watergate reporter Carl Bernstein notes that in the summer of 1973, 817 people took the Washington, D.C., bar exam; 551 of them passed. Hillary Rodham was not one of them.","\"Despite the satisfaction of my work, I was lonely and missed Bill more than I could stand,\" she wrote. \"I had taken both the Arkansas and Washington, D.C., bar exams during the summer, but my heart was pulling me toward Arkansas. When I learned that I passed in Arkansas but failed in D.C., I thought that maybe my test scores were telling me something.\"","Wrote Bernstein: \"There can only be conjecture about what turn her life \u2014 and the nation's \u2014 might have taken had she not failed the exam.\"","So she followed Bill Clinton to Arkansas. She became a faculty member in the School of Law at the University of Arkansas, where Bill Clinton also taught. And in 1975, the two married."]},{"id":"5548.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Because of the new health care law, 2.5 million young adults now have coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimate provided by Timothy Jost, a health care law professor, who suggests that approximately 2.5 million young adults have gained health insurance coverage due to the new health care law. While there are varying estimates, Jost's figure provides a reasonable approximation of the number of young adults who have obtained coverage under the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"More than 3 million young adults ... have gained insurance under (the Affordable Care Act) by staying on their family\u2019s plan.\"","Department of Health and Human Services, \" Number of young adults gaining insurance due to the Affordable Care Act now tops 3 million,\" June 19, 2012","Timothy Jost, a Washington and Lee health care law professor who supports the law, said more than 3 million might be a high estimate, but Roy\u2019s is too low. Again, he acknowledged that there are a number of different ways to arrive at the estimate, but his best guess is 2.5 million.","Once expected to insure 32 million new Americans by the end of the decade, the projected target has been downgraded to 27 million \u2014 far from the universal coverage many proponents hoped for."]},{"id":"12277.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Pennsylvania has lost 35 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001 and Harrisburg has lost 40 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Donald Trump regarding the loss of manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania and Harrisburg since 2001. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania did experience a loss of nearly 300,000 manufacturing jobs, which corresponds to a decrease of approximately 35 percent. While Trump's claim about Harrisburg losing 40 percent of its manufacturing jobs is slightly off, it is still considered mostly true. The evidence supports the overall trend of significant job losses in the manufacturing sector in both Pennsylvania and Harrisburg.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In an attempt to show Pennsylvanians he would work to bring back jobs, Trump said \"Pennsylvania has lost 35 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001\" and \"Harrisburg has lost 40 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001.\"","The presidential frontrunner bolstered his point by telling thousands of supporters at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex: \"Pennsylvania has lost 35 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001\" and later added that Harrisburg, the state capital, \"has lost 40 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001.\"","According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pennsylvania lost nearly 300,000 manufacturing jobs since January 2001, decreasing from 856,200 to 564,900 in the span of 15 years. That correlates with a 34 percent decrease in jobs lost -- quite close to Trump\u2019s 35 percent claim.","The figure about the statewide manufacturing job loss checks out, but his claim about Harrisburg losing 40 percent of its manufacturing jobs since 2001 is off by about 10 percent. We rate the claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"6175.json","label":"false","statement":"Obamacare adds trillions to our deficits and to our national debt.","reason":"Reason: Multiple fact-checking sources have found no factual basis to support the claim that Obamacare adds trillions to the deficits and national debt. The statement has been rated as false by PolitiFact National. While the Affordable Care Act does include provisions that raise taxes and make cuts to Medicare, it also includes measures aimed at reducing healthcare costs and increasing revenue. The overall impact on the deficits and national debt is not in the trillions as claimed. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing the financial implications of healthcare policies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here, we\u2019re fact-checking Romney\u2019s claim that \"Obamacare adds trillions to our deficits and to our national debt.\" It\u2019s a topic we\u2019ve researched before.","Still, we find no factual basis for Romney\u2019s claim that the law \"adds trillions to our deficits and to our national debt.\" We rate his statement False.","\"Obamacare raises taxes on the American people by approximately $500 billion. Obamacare cuts Medicare -- cuts Medicare by approximately $500 billion,\" Romney said. \"And even with those cuts and tax increases, Obamacare adds trillions to our deficits and to our national debt, and pushes those obligations on to coming generations.\"","When GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney claimed that the Affordable Care Act added \"trillions to our deficits and to our national debt,\" PolitiFact National rated it False. The same ruling was given to Romney when he said repealing the law would save $95 billion in 2016."]},{"id":"13351.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold voted over 250 times to raise taxes.","reason":"Reason: The claim made by Americans for Prosperity that Russ Feingold voted over 250 times to raise taxes is false. Multiple sources, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, have debunked this claim. While it is true that Feingold has voted for tax increases on certain occasions, the claim of over 250 votes is an exaggeration and does not accurately represent his voting record. It is important to fact-check and verify claims made by political organizations to ensure accuracy and avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Americans for Prosperity falsely claims Democrat Russ Feingold voted to raise taxes 250 times while in the U.S. Senate. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo) !Americans for Prosperity falsely claims Democrat Russ Feingold voted to raise taxes 250 times while in the U.S. Senate. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo)","\"He voted time and again to make life more expensive for families in Wisconsin,\" the narrator says in the ad, released in August. \"Russ voted over 250 times to raise taxes \u2014 250.\"","Americans for Prosperity falsely claims Democrat Russ Feingold voted to raise taxes 250 times while in the U.S. Senate. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo)","Americans for Prosperity says Feingold voted more than 250 times to raise taxes as a U.S. senator, contending any vote in support of a higher tax should be part of that tally."]},{"id":"11431.json","label":"false","statement":"The gun industry isthe only business in America that is wholly protected from any kind of liability.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are federal laws that provide some protection to gun manufacturers and dealers from certain types of lawsuits, such as those seeking to hold them liable for the criminal misuse of firearms, it is incorrect to claim that the gun industry is \"wholly protected from any kind of liability.\" There are various circumstances under which the gun industry can still be held accountable, and other industries also have legal protections and limitations on liability. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In 2015, PolitiFact gave then-presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton a False for a statement similar to Cuomo\u2019s \u2014 that the gun industry is \"the only business in America that is wholly protected from any kind of liability.\"","\"Probably one of the most egregious, wrong, pieces of legislation that ever passed the Congress when it comes to this issue is to protect gun sellers and gun makers from liability,\" she said in Iowa Oct. 7. \"They are the only business in America that is wholly protected from any kind of liability. They can sell a gun to someone they know they shouldn't, and they won't be sued. There will be no consequences.\"","Is Clinton right? Are gun makers and dealers \"wholly protected\" against any kind of lawsuit, and do no other industries have similar immunities? Short answer: No. The gun industry is susceptible to some lawsuits, and there are federal laws restricting liability for a number of other types of businesses.","While opponents argue that the law stops some victims from having their day in court, supporters say the law protects gun dealers and manufacturers from frivolous and expensive legal proceedings. In any case, Clinton goes too far in saying the gun industry is \"wholly protected from any kind of liability.\""]},{"id":"2702.json","label":"true","statement":"Your tellers were paid kickbacks for directing elderly consumers from ... safe deposits to risky ones.","reason":"Reason: During the debate, Governor Scott accused Alex Sink of overseeing tellers at NationsBank who were paid kickbacks for directing elderly consumers from safe deposits to risky ones. This claim has been fact-checked and verified as true. While Sink was the state president of NationsBank, tellers in Florida were indeed receiving a 5 percent commission for directing bank customers to bank-related stockbrokers who sold riskier investments, falsely claiming they were protected by the bank or the federal government. Therefore, Governor Scott's statement accurately reflects this situation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Look, you want to talk about fraud. Let's talk about your job at NationsBank,\u201d Scott said in the debate sponsored by CNN and the St. Petersburg Times. \"Your tellers were paid kickbacks, your tellers in your bank were paid kickbacks for directing elderly consumers from ... safe deposits to risky ones.\u201d","He said that Sink's \"tellers were paid kickbacks for directing elderly consumers from ... safe deposits to risky ones.\" While Sink was state president of NationsBank, bank tellers in Florida were being paid a 5 percent commission for directing bank customers to bank-related stock brokers. The stock brokers were then selling riskier investments under the guise that they were protected either by the bank or the federal government. We rate this claim is True.","\"Look, you want to talk about fraud. Let's talk about your job at NationsBank,\" Scott said. \"Your tellers were paid kickbacks, your tellers in your bank were paid kickbacks for directing elderly consumers from ...\"","\"Look, you want to talk about fraud. Let's talk about your job at NationsBank,\" Scott said. \"Your tellers were paid kickbacks, your tellers in your bank were paid kickbacks for directing elderly consumers from -- smile about it. You don't care about seniors. Is that the deal?\""]},{"id":"185.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"America never made up for the gutting of the intelligence services that Bill Clinton did. I think those are (former CIA director George) Tenet's words ... that Bill Clinton gutted American intelligence.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Clinton oversaw decreases in the intelligence budget and that former CIA director George Tenet described the budget situation as a disaster, Tenet never explicitly blamed Clinton for gutting American intelligence. Tenet's concerns about the budget cuts were not solely directed at Clinton, as they occurred during both the Bush and Clinton presidencies. Therefore, while Clinton did reduce the intelligence budget, it is misleading to attribute the gutting of American intelligence solely to him. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think America \u2014 America never made up for the Clinton peace dividend; America never made up for the gutting of the intelligence services that Bill Clinton did,\" Giuliani said Nov. 2, 2007, on Bloomberg TV's Political Capital With Al Hunt. \"I think those are Tenet's words, by the way, that Bill Clinton gutted American intelligence \u2014 20, 30 percent cuts,\" Giuliani said, referring to former CIA director George Tenet, who has taken much of the heat for not foreseeing the 9\/11 attacks.","It is true that Clinton oversaw decreases in the intelligence budget and that Tenet has described the budget situation when he became CIA director in 1997, four years into Clinton's presidency, as a disaster. But Tenet has never placed blame on Clinton in the way Giuliani describes (which makes sense since Clinton made him director).","As a result, Tenet said, the CIA no longer could \"recruit, train and sustain officers for our clandestine services,\" and \"the nation's human intelligence capability was in disarray.\"","So, we conclude that Giuliani's statement is Half True. Clinton did reduce the intelligence budget early in his tenure. But Tenet never placed the blame squarely on Clinton's shoulders, as Giuliani said he did. And while Tenet said budget cuts had made it difficult for the CIA to pursue its mission by 1997, the cuts came during both the Bush and Clinton presidencies."]},{"id":"2256.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Barack Obama didnt keep his promise to have an immigration bill in his first year.","reason":"Reason: It is true that Barack Obama made a campaign promise to introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill in his first year of presidency. However, as stated by PolitiFact, there was no comprehensive bill backed by the administration on the horizon during the second year of Obama's presidency. Therefore, it can be concluded that Obama did not fulfill his promise to have an immigration reform bill within his first year.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Jerry Patterson says Barack Obama broke his promise to have an immigration reform bill during the first year of his presidency","( - Jerry Patterson says Barack Obama broke his promise to have an immigration reform bill during the first year of his presidency&url=)",", Barack Obama campaign promise No. 525: Introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the first year,( \"Barack Obama campaign promise No. 525: Introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the first year,\") updated Aug. 13, 2010","Still, we're now in year two of the Obama presidency, with no comprehensive bill backed by the administration on the horizon. PolitiFact rated the promise Broken, and we rate Patterson's statement as True."]},{"id":"7546.json","label":"true","statement":"The hole in the earth thats going to be dug (for the proposed Gogebic mine) is bigger than my entire district.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the size comparison between the proposed Gogebic mine and the entire district represented by the speaker. It emphasizes the significant scale of the mining project in relation to the geographical area it would occupy. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or context regarding the potential environmental or economic implications of the mine, and therefore, it does not address the broader concerns associated with such a project.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Responding to Vance, Ryan countered, \"You could go back my entire career. We have two natural gas power plants in my congressional district that I helped us get. And the union that works in the natural gas industry endorsed me. Do you think they\u2019re going to endorse me if I\u2019m for banning fracking? It\u2019s just not true.\"","Scientists once took claims like this seriously, according to \"Hollow Earth,\" a book by David Standish. English astronomer Edmond Halley proposed to the Royal Society of London in the 1690s that the Earth consisted of nested, spherical shells that spun in different directions and surrounded a central core. Halley thought the space between shells may have had luminous atmospheres that might have supported life.","An Instagram post claims that there is \"an enormous void\" below Antarctica, that a \"different world\" exists there, and that it can be accessed through a hole in Antarctica. The post also claims that elites are conspiring to keep that a secret.","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush."]},{"id":"8708.json","label":"half-true","statement":"This governor has given us continual balanced budgets without raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Christie has presented balanced budgets during his tenure, it is important to note that this is a requirement mandated by state law for all governors. Therefore, it is not a singular or significant achievement specific to Governor Christie. Additionally, the statement implies that taxes have not been raised under his administration, but this is not entirely accurate. While the governor has not increased the rates for the three major revenue-generating taxes in the state, he has implemented cuts to certain programs that experts argue have had similar effects to tax increases. Therefore, the statement lacks complete accuracy and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"This governor has given us continual balanced budgets without raising taxes,\" Rible told Aron in response to the host\u2019s question about the likelihood of Christie\u2019s success in having the Legislature approve a tax cut. Christie first floated the idea two years ago, but Democrats, who control the Legislature, have nixed the idea because they said the state can\u2019t afford it.","It is true that Christie has produced continual balanced budgets since taking office in January 2010. But that\u2019s nothing special. State law requires every governor to do it, so it\u2019s hardly a singular, significant achievement.","There\u2019s varying degrees of accuracy here. The governor has given New Jersey balanced budgets, but the law requires it. And while Christie hasn\u2019t hiked the rates for the three biggest revenue-generating taxes in the state, he has cut some programs that experts say are essentially the same as tax increases because people have less money as a result to offset tax bills.","Malloy and Christie aren\u2019t strangers: last year, Christie blasted Malloy, a Democrat, for raising taxes. So Malloy took a verbal swing at Christie in a July 23 radio interview on WNPR\u2019s Colin McEnroe Show, charging that Christie \"has refused to fund pensions by billions of dollars,\" and got legislative approval allowing him to delay \"properly funding pensions\" until 2018."]},{"id":"6335.json","label":"false","statement":"President Obama was saying success is the result of government, not hard-working people, when he said, If youve got a business, you didnt build that. Somebody else made that happen.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents President Obama's remarks. In the context of his speech, President Obama was emphasizing the role of infrastructure, public services, and collective efforts in supporting businesses and individual success. He was not dismissing the hard work and efforts of individuals in building their businesses. The quote is taken out of context and does not accurately reflect the intended meaning of President Obama's statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama said, \"With respect to the notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive orders, that\u2019s just not the case, because there are laws on the books that Congress has passed - and I know that everybody here at Bell is studying hard, so you know that we\u2019ve got three branches of government. Congress passes the law. The executive branch\u2019s job is to enforce and implement those laws. And then the judiciary has to interpret the laws.","The president said, \"Well, I think it is important to remind everybody that, as I said, I think, previously, I\u2019m not a king. I am the head of the executive branch of government. I\u2019m required to follow the law. And that\u2019s what we\u2019ve done. But what I\u2019ve also said is, let\u2019s make sure that we\u2019re applying the law in a way that takes into account people\u2019s humanity. That\u2019s the reason that we\u2019ve moved forward on deferred action. Within the confines of the law, we said we have some discretion in terms of how we apply this law. The same is true with respect to the kinds of the length of time that people have to spend outside of the country when their spouses are already here, for example.\"","\"What we can do is then carve out the DREAM Act folks, saying young people who have basically grown up here are Americans that we should welcome. We\u2019re not going to have them grow up under a cloud, under a shadow. But if we start broadening that, then essentially I would be ignoring the law in a way that I feel would be very difficult to defend legally.\"","Obama : -- and for a lot of folks, we don't have that. We've got to make sure that we're doing everything we can to expand the middle class..."]},{"id":"10028.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Thom Tillis refuses to say what we should do to combat ISIS.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Kay Hagan that Thom Tillis \"refuses to say what we should do to combat ISIS.\" This claim is based on Hagan's assertion that Tillis has been vague in his response to how he would address the issue of ISIS. However, it's important to note that this claim is specific to Hagan's perspective and may not necessarily reflect Tillis' actual stance on the matter. Nevertheless, the statement accurately represents Hagan's criticism of Tillis' position on combating ISIS.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One Hagan statement issued Oct. 3 said that Tillis \"has ducked and dodged\" when asked how he would respond and that he \"refuses to say what we should do to combat ISIS.\"","It started when Republican challenger Thom Tillis released a TV ad accusing incumbent Sen. Kay Hagan of missing key meetings of the Senate Armed Services Committee about terrorism. Hagan then responded that Tillis has been too vague about how to respond to ISIS.","Says \"a lip-reading instructor at the River School, a Washington, D.C., school for the deaf\" has determined that during 9\/11 ceremonies, Michelle Obama said, \"All this for a damn flag.\"","Sept. 16, open to options, but concerned about arming rebels : Tillis spokesman Daniel Keylin told the Charlotte Observer that Tillis believes \"no options should be left off the table to protect our national security.\" Keylin added that, \"Even the president was against arming them (the Syrian rebels) a year ago, in part because of the risk that American weapons could end up in the hands of terrorists. Thom still has that concern today, he doesn\u2019t want American weapons ending up in the hands of ISIS terrorists.\""]},{"id":"9882.json","label":"false","statement":"Fox admits they lie and, under the First Amendment, have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks proper context. While there have been claims and discussions regarding Fox News and its reporting practices, it is inaccurate to state that Fox News has explicitly admitted to lying or that they have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports under the protection of the First Amendment. The evidence provided indicates that the claim is based on an internet meme and does not present any credible or verifiable sources to support the assertion. It is important to critically evaluate information and rely on reputable sources when making claims about media organizations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Internet meme claims, \"Fox admits they lie\" and, under the First Amendment, \"have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves.\"","\"Fox News admits they lie,\" reads one version of the meme, \"They argued that, under the First Amendment, broadcasters have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves.\"","While the Fox affiliate argued that it has the right to present the news as it chooses, it\u2019s quite a leap to suggest Fox as a television corporation defended some right to \"distort news reports\" -- other than in a hypothetical sense to quash a wrongful termination suit.","A reader asked us to look into the claim that Fox News admits to lying and says that right is protected by the First Amendment."]},{"id":"9335.json","label":"false","statement":"Idaho was the only Republican-led state in the nation that chose to partner with President Obama by creating a state-based marketplace under the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Idaho did choose to create a state-based marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, it is not accurate to claim that Idaho was the only Republican-led state to do so. In fact, there were four other states with Republican governors that also created state-based marketplaces or partnered with the federal government to establish a marketplace. Therefore, Idaho was not the only Republican-led state to make this decision.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Fulcher said that \"Idaho was the only Republican-led state in the nation that chose to partner with President Obama\" by creating a state-based marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. While most states with a Republican governor did refuse to create their own state-run marketplace, Idaho was not the only one. Four other states with Republican governors also created a marketplace that was either fully state-run or was a partnership between the federal government and the state. We rate Fulcher\u2019s claim False.","Referring to Otter\u2019s decision to create a state-based marketplace under President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law, Fulcher said Otter didn\u2019t oppose Obamacare strongly enough, adding, \"Idaho was the only Republican-led state in the nation that chose to partner with President Obama.\"","So despite opposition by many GOP legislators, Idaho was certainly a \"Republican-led state\" that \"chose to partner\" with the Obama administration on creating a health insurance marketplace. But was Idaho the only state with a Republican governor who was willing to start a marketplace?","First, some background. Under the Affordable Care Act, states had three choices for creating an online marketplace that residents could use to browse health insurance plans and purchase the one that would best fit their needs and budget. States were allowed to create their own online marketplace; they could partner with the federal government to create a hybrid state-federal site; or they could do nothing, in which case residents would instead use the federal site by default. Idaho took the first option of starting its own marketplace."]},{"id":"5152.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says weve accomplished balancing two budgets without raising taxes. Weve now created 60,000 new private-sector jobs. Weve made government smaller.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Governor Chris Christie regarding the accomplishments of his administration. He asserts that they have successfully balanced two budgets without raising taxes, created 60,000 new private-sector jobs, and made government smaller. The evidence provided confirms that the claims about balancing budgets and creating jobs are accurate. However, the statement does not provide specific evidence regarding the claim about making government smaller. Therefore, while the first two claims are supported, the claim about making government smaller lacks direct evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I have a Legislature that's overwhelmingly Democratic. Yet, we've accomplished balancing two budgets without raising taxes. We've now created 60,000 new private sector jobs. We've made government smaller. We've made it smarter. We've made it less expensive for people.\"","As words flash across the screen, Christie is heard listing some of those achievements as \"balancing two budgets without raising taxes. We\u2019ve now created 60,000 new private-sector jobs. We\u2019ve made government smaller.\"","With a backdrop of sunshine breaking through the white clouds, three phrases in red and blue font and all capital letters flash on the screen: \"Balanced budgets. Created 60,000 jobs. Made government smaller.\"","The jobs-related claims in the video are on target. The number of state workers has declined during Christie\u2019s tenure, and number of private-sector jobs has grown by about 60,000. But the governor is giving himself too much credit for that job growth."]},{"id":"2039.json","label":"true","statement":"Only about a third of Texans who enroll in college graduate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the data presented, of the students who enrolled in college in Texas, only about 36.5 percent graduated within a six-year period. This aligns with the claim that only about a third of Texans who enroll in college actually graduate. It's important to note that graduation rates can vary depending on the specific timeframe and type of institution, but based on the evidence provided, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We do have a serious problem in this state,\" he said to a June 25 caucus at the Texas Democratic convention. \"We have many. But one of them is when our kids graduate from high school, the proportion that go to college is small. And more seriously, even those who go, only about a third of them are getting through.\"","A one-time shot of grant money did allow the board to track how many Texans enrolled in 7th grade in 1994-95 had earned college degrees both in and out of state within a six-year period by 2006. It found that of 8,028 high school graduates enrolled in school out of state, almost 50 percent earned a degree or certificate. However, of 134,473 students enrolled in Texas, 36.5 percent graduated. Combined, about 37 percent of the tracked graduates earned a degree or certificate.","As we learned in earlier checking candidate claims about high-school graduation rates, there are several ways to sort the numbers. The state\u2019s six-year graduation rate at universities, for example, is far higher than the rate Hochberg cites. Yet rolling students seeking associate degrees into the equation supports Hochberg\u2019s assessment. About a third of Texas students lately graduate from a Texas college. His statement is True.","That means that of the students who entered a four-year public university in Texas in the fall of 2002, 57 percent graduated within six years, by September 2009. That includes students who transferred to another public or private school in Texas."]},{"id":"8332.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For the last decade, Floridians salaries have shrunk substantially when adjusted for inflation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Gelber that Floridians' salaries have decreased significantly when adjusted for inflation over the past decade. Multiple sources and reports support this claim, indicating that the cost of living has increased while wages have not kept pace. While there may be some variations in specific calculations, the overall evidence supports the assertion that Floridians' salaries have indeed shrunk substantially when accounting for inflation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But what Gelber was trying to say is that Floridians\u2019 paychecks don\u2019t go as far today as they did a decade ago. Put another way, salaries \"have shrunk substantially\" when adjusted for inflation. Inflation is another way of saying cost of living.","\"Scott\u2019s self-congratulatory claims of success simply don\u2019t comport with the harsh facts that for the last decade, Floridians\u2019 salaries have shrunk substantially while the cost of living has increased,\" Gelber wrote.","Gelber wrote that Floridians\u2019 \"salaries have shrunk substantially while the cost of living has increased.\" In an un-artful way, Gelber is claiming that a Floridian\u2019s salary doesn\u2019t go as far today as it did a decade ago.","While one calculation bucks Gelber's claim, the evidence generally backs him up. Reports show that salaries have shrunk when adjusted for inflation. The one calculation that does not is also the least persuasive."]},{"id":"6384.json","label":"true","statement":"Tim Kaine, as governor, proposed tax increases on people earning as little as $17,000.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Tim Kaine, during his tenure as governor of Virginia, proposed tax increases that would have affected individuals earning as little as $17,000 per year. The sources cited indicate that Kaine's proposed tax and fee increases would have impacted all Virginia car owners, including those with lower incomes. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In first week as governor, Tim Kaine \"proposed a nearly $4 billion tax increase, $4 billion, including a tax increase on people earning as little as $17,000 a year.\"","Trump said Kaine, during his first week as governor, proposed a \"nearly $4 billion tax increase\" that would have hit people earning as little as $17,000.","\"Less than a week after Tim Kaine became governor of Virginia - one week - he proposed a nearly $4 billion tax increase, $4 billion, including a tax increase on people earning as little as $17,000 a year,\" Trump said during a rally Monday in Roanoke.","There\u2019s no doubt that the tax and fee increases Kaine proposed in 2006 would have affected all Virginia car owners, including those earning as little as $17,000 or even less."]},{"id":"6779.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Hussein Obama will ... force Christian schools to hire non-Christian teachers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While an ad by the Government Is Not God PAC claims that President Obama will force Christian schools to hire non-Christian teachers, there is no direct evidence or action from President Obama himself supporting this claim. The ad is based on the arguments made by the solicitor general's office in the Hosanna-Tabor case, where the federal government argued against a specific exemption for religious organizations. However, this does not mean that President Obama personally advocated for or sought to force Christian schools to hire non-Christian teachers. Therefore, the statement is unsubstantiated and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["An ad placed by the socially conservative group Government Is Not God in the Sarasota, Fla., Herald-Tribune and other newspapers in Florida and Ohio claims President Barack Obama will \"force Christian schools to hire non-Christian teachers.\"","The ad claims that Obama will \"force Christian schools to hire non-Christian teachers.\" But he has not sought to do that himself and the only evidence is a weak link to the solicitor general's argument in the Hosanna-Tabor case.","This raises two questions. First, if the solicitor general\u2019s office makes an argument before the Supreme Court, does that mean that the arguments are those of Obama himself? And second, did the federal government actually argue in Hosanna-Tabor that the government has the right to \"force Christian schools to hire non-Christian teachers\"?","The federal government was a party to the case -- the solicitor general\u2019s office filed a brief and made an oral argument on behalf of the losing side. And so the Government Is Not God PAC is relying on the government's arguments as evidence for the ad\u2019s claim that Obama will \"force Christian schools to hire non-Christian teachers.\""]},{"id":"13373.json","label":"false","statement":"Says drug dealers have overdosed on purpose to avoid prosecution.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that drug dealers intentionally overdose to avoid prosecution. While it is true that some drug dealers may carry naloxone (Narcan) to reverse opioid overdoses, there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that they purposely overdose to evade prosecution. The assertion lacks credible data or research to validate its accuracy. It is important to rely on verified information and avoid making assumptions without substantial evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Drug dealers have smartened up right away, they've overdosed on purpose. They're buying Narcan themselves and they've overdosed, they've called 911 so all the drugs they have in the house are now immune from prosecution.\"","Sununu said the bill has had an unintended effect - making police unable to prosecute drug dealers. And the executive councilor went one step further, saying drug dealers have started overdosing on purpose because they know they won\u2019t be prosecuted.","We reached out to Sununu\u2019s campaign, which said he based the statement about drug dealers overdosing on purpose from conversations with \"sheriffs, police chiefs, and other law enforcement officials\" on the campaign trail.","If police respond to an overdose and find a significant amount of drugs, \"we\u2019re going to do an investigation regardless if the person overdosed on purpose,\" said Laconia police officer Eric Adams, the department\u2019s prevention, enforcement and treatment coordinator and an advocate for the \"good samaritan\" law."]},{"id":"8771.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas is experiencing the fastest population growth in the country, adding more than 1,000 people a day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Texans for Reliable Power that Texas is experiencing rapid population growth, adding more than 1,000 people a day. While there may be some debate about whether Texas has the absolute fastest population growth rate compared to other states, the evidence provided supports the fact that Texas is indeed experiencing significant population growth. Therefore, the statement is generally true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a full-page advertisement in the Austin American-Statesman , Texans for Reliable Power suggested a need for more electricity generation in the state by presenting \"facts\" starting with: \"Texas is experiencing the fastest population growth in the country. As we add more than 1,000 people a day, each new Texan and new business increases demand on our grid.\"","Bernstein said: \"You might want to say Texas had the highest numerical growth in the country, rather than (it) was the fastest-growing state.\"","In 2010, we rated as Mostly True a claim by Gov. Rick Perry that more than 1,000 people move to Texas every day. With help from the U.S. Census Bureau, we learned that about 635 people were then coming to Texas every day, on average. A census official based that number on average daily net migration from other states (393) plus average daily net migration from other countries (242). IRS data, meanwhile, suggested that about 1,353 a day switched their residence to Texas between the time they filed their tax returns in 2007 and when they filed in 2008.","Potter drew on the bureau\u2019s state population estimates as of the end of June 2012 and June 2013 to respond by email that Texas gained more than 1,000 residents a day, by those figures, and also gained the most residents of any state."]},{"id":"1637.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The average cost for health insurance in Florida went from about $600 a month for an individual to about $150 a month.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately represents the average cost of health insurance in Florida. While there were efforts to reduce the cost of health insurance in Florida, the claim that the average cost went from $600 a month for an individual to about $150 a month is not supported by credible evidence. According to sources such as the Kaiser Family Foundation and eHealth, the average monthly cost for individual health insurance in Florida is significantly higher, ranging from around $400 to $161, depending on the study and the coverage provided. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The real problems with health care are access and affordability. And we have approached those in Florida,\" Crist said. \"We negotiated with the private sector. We reduced the cost to those who were uninsured. We were able to provide access. And the average cost for health insurance in Florida went from about $600 a month for an individual to about $150 a month. No tax dollars involved. No government mandates. I think Washington could learn a lot from Florida.\"","In October 2009, Crist said \"it's about $900 a month to get health coverage. We've reduced that, on average, to about $150 a month.\" We found his claim False( \"we found his claim False\") because he was comparing the cost per family to the cost per individual.","In fact, it's likely that the cost of an individual plan is quite a bit lower. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average monthly cost per individual is actually about $400 a month. And a study by eHealth, which offers coverage to people on the individual market when they cannot get employer coverage, said the average monthly cost is $161. That number is lower than the employer-provided cost because the policies typically have higher deductibles or fewer benefits. Also, insurers in the individual market can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.","In his March 2010 State of the State address, Crist said Cover Florida offers \"basic coverage for about $150 a month, instead of the typical $600 a month\" We found this claim Barely True( \"We found this claim Barely True\") because he was cherry-picking the numbers."]},{"id":"75.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Her health care plan will cost $110-billion in the first year, which can be paid for with savings.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the health care plan proposed by the individual will cost $110 billion in the first year. However, it is important to note that the claim that these costs can be entirely paid for with savings is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence suggests that experts have differing opinions on whether the proposed plan can fully pay for itself based on the details provided so far. Therefore, while there may be potential savings, it is unclear if they would be sufficient to cover the entire cost of the plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sanders\u2019 proposal is one of the centerpieces of his campaign, so we wanted to examine it in detail. We found that it\u2019s possible the middle class could see savings, but experts disagreed on whether Sanders\u2019 plan pays for itself, based on what he\u2019s laid out so far. The plan seems to rely on the most optimistic scenario for cost savings and efficiency.","For other candidates, it takes more digging. Andrew Yang\u2019s big plan for a universal basic income \u2013\u2013 $12,000 a year to every citizen \u2013\u2013 would cost nearly $3 trillion a year, according to the estimate of two economists, but that number isn\u2019t on his FAQ webpage about the program. Yang does offer funding mechanisms, most significantly, a value-added tax.","That\u2019s still $599 billion short of what the country actually spent on health care in 2013 ($949 billion in premiums and $325 billion for out-of-pocket expenses, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).","\"Private insurance companies in this country spend between 12 and 18 percent on administration costs. The cost of administering the Medicare program, a very popular program that works well for our seniors, is 2 percent. We can save approximately $500 billion a year just in administration costs.\""]},{"id":"5255.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Ohio has 77 job training programs spread across 13 state agencies.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Kasich's claim that Ohio has 77 job training programs spread across 13 state agencies. This claim was made during an interview where Kasich expressed his intention to reorganize these programs. The evidence supports the statement, confirming the existence of these programs and the number of agencies involved.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Our point here is not to argue which job training approach is best, but rather to check the governor\u2019s claim that there are 77 programs spread through 13 agencies.","Ohio currently has 77 workforce job training programs across 13 state agencies, Kasich said Jan. 10, 2012, in a boardroom interview with editors at The Plain Dealer. Kasich views that as a weak spot in the state\u2019s economic development plans and wants to reorganize the programs.","\"Do you know how many federal job training programs there are? 49 different federal job training programs that report to eight agencies,\" he said.","Romney said that there are \"49 different federal job training programs that report to eight agencies.\" The most recent comprehensive report we found on the matter found 47 job training programs under nine agencies. Also, a smaller subset of agencies account for a majority of spending on job training and number of people served. We rate Romney\u2019s statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"11104.json","label":"false","statement":"The five Guantanamo detainees swapped for Bowe Bergdahl are right now back on the battlefield.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the five Guantanamo detainees swapped for Bowe Bergdahl are currently back on the battlefield is not supported by credible evidence. Independent experts have debunked this claim, and it has been rated as \"Pants on Fire\" by fact-checkers. While there were concerns about the potential risk posed by releasing these detainees, there is no verified information to suggest that they are currently engaged in combat or have taken up arms. It is important to rely on accurate and verified sources when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A reader recently sent us a link to a rather startling claim -- that three of the five Guantanamo detainees released by the United States in late May in exchange for Taliban prisoner Bowe Bergdahl have now taken up arms for the Islamic State.","Bloggers said that \"three of five detainees swapped (for Bowe Bergdahl) are now ISIS leaders.\" The claim has nonexistent sourcing, has been published by sites with questionable track records for accuracy, and has been knocked down by independent experts. We rate it Pants on Fire.","Take, for example, Obama\u2019s controversial decision to exchange five Guantanamo detainees for Taliban prisoner Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in May 2014, Trump said to NBC Meet The Press host Chuck Todd.","\"We get a traitor, a no-good, rotten traitor like Bergdahl,\" Trump said. \"And they get five killers that they most wanted in the whole world, who are right now back on the battlefield, trying to kill everybody, including us. Okay? What kind of a deal is this?\""]},{"id":"374.json","label":"true","statement":"Clinton said great things about NAFTA until she started running for president.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Barack Obama that Hillary Clinton spoke positively about NAFTA until she began her presidential campaign. Multiple sources confirm that Clinton made favorable remarks about NAFTA after its passage, including describing it as a \"free and fair trade agreement\" and stating that it was \"proving its worth.\" However, it's important to note that Clinton's stance on NAFTA may have evolved over time, and there is debate about whether her change in rhetoric was solely due to her presidential campaign or a gradual change in thinking. Nevertheless, the statement accurately captures Obama's assertion regarding Clinton's shift in position on NAFTA.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Yesterday, Sen. Clinton also said I'm wrong to point out that she once supported NAFTA,\" Obama said. \"But the fact is, she was saying great things about NAFTA until she started running for president. A couple years after it passed, she said NAFTA was a 'free and fair trade agreement' and that it was 'proving its worth.' And in 2004, she said, 'I think, on balance, NAFTA has been good for New York state and America.' \"","The Clinton campaign says Obama is wrong, that Clinton was critical of NAFTA \"long before she started running for president.\" They also dispute that she said used the word \"boon\" to praise it.","Now, there's the issue of whether Clinton changed her mind because she was running for president. Clinton surrogates say she made remarks against NAFTA as early as March 2000 when she was running for Senate in New York. We could not confirm those remarks independently. But, as we've noted, she made pro-NAFTA remarks as late as 2003 (her autobiography) and 2004 (a teleconference).","We won't say Clinton was a huge cheerleader for NAFTA, but she did speak favorably of it. And now she says it needs to be fixed. Was running for president the cause of this switch, or was it a gradual change of thinking? It's hard to say; the balance of evidence does not point to a harsh pivot point. But when we balance her previous statements against her more recent statements, we find that she has changed her sentiments when she speaks about NAFTA. We rated Obama's charge True ."]},{"id":"12923.json","label":"false","statement":"Under those eight years before (Barack)Obama came along, we didnt have any successful radical Islamic terrorist attack in the United States since Sept. 11, 2001.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that there were no successful radical Islamic terrorist attacks on the scale of 9\/11 during the eight years preceding President Obama's tenure, there were other significant attacks during that period. For example, the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, carried out by an individual with extremist views, resulted in multiple casualties. Additionally, there were other instances of attempted attacks, such as the 2006 plot to blow up transatlantic flights. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that there were no successful radical Islamic terrorist attacks in the United States during the eight years before President Obama took office.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Under those eight years before (Barack) Obama came along, we didn\u2019t have any successful radical Islamic terrorist attack in the United States\" since Sept. 11, 2001.","Moments after mentioning 9\/11, Giuliani said, \"Under those eight years before Obama came along, we didn\u2019t have any successful radical Islamic terrorist attack in the United States.\"","Still, Giuliani seemed to throw everything he had just said out the window: \"By the way, under those eight years before Obama came along, we didn\u2019t have any successful radical Islamic terrorist attack in the United States. They all started when Clinton and Obama got into office.\"","But even barring 9\/11, Giuliani is omitting several successful attacks on U.S. soil. Some are undoubtedly jihad-linked while the connection to \"radical Islamic extremism\" is murkier in others."]},{"id":"7021.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says New Jersey lost private-sector jobs between 2000 and 2009 because Democrats increased taxes, fees, regulations and state spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Chris Christie's claim that New Jersey lost private-sector jobs between 2000 and 2009 due to Democrats increasing taxes, fees, regulations, and state spending. However, it's important to note that this claim is a political assertion made by Christie and may not fully capture the complexities and nuances of the economic factors that contributed to job losses during that period. While tax policies and regulations can impact the business environment, it is difficult to attribute job losses solely to these factors without considering other economic and external influences. Therefore, the statement should be viewed with caution and further analysis is needed to fully understand the reasons behind the job losses in New Jersey during that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At a campaign event in New Hampshire last week, Christie claimed New Jersey lost private-sector jobs between 2000 and 2009 because Democrats increased taxes, fees, regulations and state spending.","Here\u2019s how the Republican governor summed up that film\u2019s plot: Democrats increased taxes, fees, regulations and state spending, leading the Garden State to lose private-sector jobs between 2000 and 2009.","( - Chris Christie says Democrats are to blame for private-sector job losses from 2000-2009 by increasing taxes, regulations and state spending&url=)","\"See, look at what happened to us. From 2000 to 2009, we had a jobless decade: more private-sector jobs in New Jersey on Jan. 1, 2000 than were there on Dec. 31, 2009,\" Christie said Wednesday at a campaign event for Ovide Lamontagne, the Republican candidate for governor of the Granite State."]},{"id":"2306.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty-five percent of those whove been unemployed, theyve been unemployed for six months or longer.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data presented, which indicates that during a specific period (May to July 2010), 45 percent of unemployed workers had been jobless for six months or longer. However, it's important to note that this data is specific to that time frame and may not represent the current situation or the entire duration of the recession. It would be more accurate to provide a timeframe or specify the period to which the statement refers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["She said that \"45 percent of those who've been unemployed, they've been unemployed for six months or longer. They desperately need the skills and the tools to get back into the workplace.\"","Brazile's only error here was to use the wrong verb tense. The way she phrased it suggested that 45 percent of those who have been unemployed during the current recession were unemployed for at least six months. That's actually been true only for the past three months -- that is, 17 months into the Obama presidency and 32 months into the recession. A more accurate way of phrasing it would have been \"45 percent of those who are now unemployed, they've been unemployed for six months or longer.\"","We found two relevant numbers that are published monthly: the seasonally adjusted number of unemployed Americans age 16 and over, and the subset of that group that has been unemployed for at least 27 weeks, or a little over six months. We divided the second number by the first for each month of the Obama presidency -- January 2009 to July 2010. That produced the percentage at any given time of all unemployed workers who have been unemployed for more than six months.","Brazile is on solid ground when assessing the past three months. The percentage of unemployed workers who were jobless for more than six months was 45 percent in May 2010, 46 percent in June 2010 and 45 percent in July 2010."]},{"id":"9677.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administrations policies have reduced minority dropout rate by 25 percent.","reason":"Reason: While the Obama administration can be credited with some efforts to reduce the minority dropout rate, it is important to acknowledge that various factors contribute to this decline. Biden's claim that the administration's policies alone reduced the minority dropout rate by 25 percent oversimplifies the issue. Other factors such as state-level actions, previous policies, economic conditions, and societal changes also played a role in the decline. Additionally, the specific decrease in dropout rates varied among different racial and ethnic groups. Therefore, while the administration's efforts may have had an impact, attributing the entire reduction solely to their policies is an exaggeration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Biden said Obama administration policies \"have reduced minority dropout rate by 25 percent.\" He\u2019s very close on the numbers, and the administration can take some credit for the decline. But a lot of other factors likely played a role, from Bush-era policies to state-level action to larger forces such as the weak economy, falling teen birth rates and rising preschool enrollment. On balance, we rate Biden\u2019s claim Half True.","Calling the right to vote central to so many other human needs, Biden asked, \"How else, were it not the right of all those folks to vote, do you think we would have been able to expand Pell grants for 2.5 million more students? How else would we have put in place the educational policies that have reduced minority dropout rate by 25 percent?\"","The data is somewhat more mixed if you look at the event dropout rate for 15-to-24 year-olds. Between 2008 and 2011, the dropout rate for African-Americans fell from 6.1 percent to 3.8 percent, or a decrease of 38 percent. For Hispanics, however, the decrease was smaller than the 25 percent Biden cited -- the rate fell from 4.9 percent to 4.1 percent, or a decline of 16 percent.","Using census data, Frey found that in 2008, minorities accounted for about 26.6 percent of eligible voters, slightly more than 2004 (24.8 percent). So in 2004, the minority electorate was pretty close to 25 percent."]},{"id":"4531.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his administration balanced two budgets with over $13 billion in deficits without raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Chris Christie claimed to have balanced two budgets with over $13 billion in deficits without raising taxes, there is some nuance to consider. The $13 billion deficit figure includes a projected structural deficit, which Governor Christie later dismissed as an outdated way of budgeting. It is important to note that the budgets were balanced by implementing spending cuts and other measures rather than raising taxes. However, it is worth mentioning that the statement does not provide a complete picture of the budgetary situation and the specific strategies employed to achieve a balanced budget.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact New Jersey, Chris Christie claims he balanced two budgets while facing $13 billion in deficits and didn\u2019t raise taxes, Oct. 2, 2011","\"We compromised, on a bipartisan basis, to get results,\" Christie said Tuesday. \"How do we do this? How do we do it? Through leadership and compromise. Leadership and compromise is the only way you can balance two budgets with over $13 billion in deficits without raising taxes while protecting core services.\"","And while Christie is technically correct that he balanced two budgets with $13 billion in deficits, that figure includes a projected structural deficit. And the governor has since dismissed structural deficits as \"the old way of budgeting.\" He can\u2019t have it one way one year and then change it the next year.","\"Now they said it was impossible this is what they told me to cut taxes in a state where taxes were raised 115 times in eight years. That it was impossible to balance a budget at the same time, with an $11 billion deficit. But three years later, we have three balanced budgets with lower taxes,\" Christie said. \"We did it.\""]},{"id":"12876.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton tripled the number of people with AIDS whose lives are being saved .. and it did not cost you any more money.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bill Clinton's claim that Hillary Clinton, during her tenure as Secretary of State, significantly increased the number of people with AIDS whose lives were being saved. The evidence suggests that the number of people in treatment did increase from 2.1 million to 5.1 million by the end of 2012, more than doubling but not quite tripling. However, the claim that it did not cost taxpayers any more money is not supported by the evidence provided. While it is true that Hillary Clinton utilized FDA-approved generic drugs to expand treatment, it is unclear whether the expansion was achieved without any additional cost to taxpayers. Therefore, the statement is mostly true regarding the increase in the number of people with AIDS whose lives were saved but lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of no additional cost to taxpayers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Bill Clinton said when Hillary Clinton was secretary of state, she tripled the number of people with AIDS whose \"lives are being saved,\" and it didn\u2019t cost taxpayers any more money.","\"She tripled the number of people with AIDS in four countries whose lives are being saved with your tax dollars,\" Clinton said. \"Most of them in Africa, going from 1.7 million lives to 5.1 million lives, and it did not cost you any more money. She just bought available FDA-approved generic drugs.\"","The charts tell us that the number of people in treatment rose from 2.1 million at the end of 2008 to 5.1 million by the end of 2012 (fiscal years). That number more than doubled, but it didn\u2019t quite triple as Clinton said.","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d"]},{"id":"2390.json","label":"true","statement":"Florida ranks last in the ratio of employees to residents...And Florida is dead last in the nation in state employee payroll expenditures per resident.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the fact-checking done by PolitiFact Florida. According to their analysis, Florida does indeed rank last in the ratio of employees to residents, with 118 employees per 10,000 residents compared to the national average of 216 employees per 10,000 residents. Additionally, Florida also ranks last in state employee payroll expenditures per resident, with $38 spent compared to the national average of $69 per resident. These statistics indicate that Florida has a lower number of state employees and lower payroll expenditures per resident compared to other states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Florida ranks last in the ratio of employees to residents... And Florida is dead last in the nation in state employee payroll expenditures per resident.\"","\"Compared to other states, Florida ranks last in the ratio of employees to residents: 118 per 10,000 compared to the national average of 216 employees per 10,000 residents. And Florida is dead last in the nation in state employee payroll expenditures per resident: $38 compared to the national average of $69 per resident.\"","PolitiFact Florida fact-checked a claim by Alex Sink, Scott's Democratic opponent in 2010, who said at the time that \"Compared to other states, Florida ranks last in the ratio of employees to residents: 118 per 10,000 compared to the national average of 216 employees per 10,000 residents. And Florida is dead last in the nation in state employee payroll expenditures per resident: $38 compared to the national average of $69 per resident.\" We rated Sink's claim True.","It doesn't get any worse than last so we wanted to check: Is Florida last in the ratio of employees to residents and in state payroll expenditures per resident?"]},{"id":"8295.json","label":"false","statement":"Every engine manufacturer in the United States is now in the state of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence discusses the Texas grid's management of the state's electric load and ERCOT's promotion of Texas' energy independence. There is no mention or evidence provided regarding the relocation of every engine manufacturer to Texas. Without additional information or evidence, the statement appears to be unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The continental United States is divided into three grids: an eastern grid, a western grid, and the Texas grid. The Texas grid manages more than 90% of the state\u2019s electric load.","ERCOT has since championed its freedom from the rest of the United States in promotional videos. The state\u2019s energy \"independence has been jealously guarded, I think both by policy makers and the industry,\" said Bill Magness, CEO of ERCOT, in one of the videos.","The White House, \"Proclamation on the Termination of Emergency With Respect To The Southern Border of The United States and Redirection of Funds Diverted to Border Wall Construction,\" Jan. 20, 2021","\"If you go back to the pre-Trump world, the difference between Republicans and Democrats tended to be in resources. Republicans would show they were tough on the border by hiring lots more border patrol agents, or hiring more ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents,\" Alden said. \"But they never did anything that was as close to as radical as what Trump did with the safe third country agreements (with El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras), or the Migrant Protection Protocols, or Title 42. These were all massive changes to how the United States dealt with border crossers and asylum seekers.\""]},{"id":"9941.json","label":"false","statement":"In 2011, (the Islamic State) attempted to attack Fort Knox.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or public account to support the claim that the Islamic State (ISIS) attempted to attack Fort Knox in 2011. Despite the assertion made by the speaker, there is no documentation or official confirmation of such a plot. The lack of evidence and the failure to provide any supporting information or sources undermines the credibility of this claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["King said, \"In 2011, (the Islamic State) attempted to attack Fort Knox.\" There is no public account of such a plot and King\u2019s office did not respond to us to provide any evidence to suggest a foiled domestic attack on Fort Knox.","\"They're coming at us, and we have to be on our guard at all times,\" King said Sept. 21 on Fox News Sunday. \"If (the Islamic State) went into Australia, they could certainly come into the U.S. In 2011, they attempted to attack Fort Knox.\"","Aug. 31 on CBS: \"I believe strongly that ISIS does plan on attacking the United States. Even three years ago their predecessor organization attempted to attack Fort Knox, and two people were arrested and convicted in Kentucky for that attempted attack.\"","July 31, 2013, on CNN: \"It was a (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act)-related program that uncovered an al-Qaida cell in Sen. Paul's own state of Kentucky, which apparently was going to attack either Fort Campbell or Fort Knox.\""]},{"id":"6798.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Lois Frankel took a 40 percent pay raise as mayor while West Palm Beach lost jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Lois Frankel took a 40 percent pay raise as mayor while West Palm Beach lost jobs. However, it's important to note that the employment picture is more nuanced. While Frankel did receive a 40 percent pay raise, the ad's portrayal of the employment situation in West Palm Beach is misleading. Our fact-check found that the ad misrepresented the employment picture, and the statistics provided by Frankel differ from those presented in the ad. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks context and may not provide an accurate representation of the overall employment situation in West Palm Beach during Frankel's tenure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We previously fact-checked a claim in an ad by the YG Action Fund, a conservative PAC, that Frankel \"took a 40 percent pay raise\" as mayor while West Palm Beach \"lost jobs.\" We ruled that claim Half True -- she did get a 40 percent raise, but the ad misrepresented the employment picture.","\"Frankel took a 40 percent pay raise with our money. We lost jobs,\" says the narrator while the text on the screen states \"West Palm Beach lost jobs.\" The ad then continues: \"Frankel flew from a posh country club to a party across town in a police helicopter. You sat in traffic. Frankel went on a spending spree resulting in a budget deficit. You? Higher taxes to pay for it. $13,000 in taxpayer money for a designer marble bathroom in Frankel's office.\"","But as for the second half of the claim -- while West Palm Beach \"lost jobs\" -- Frankel points to some different statistics about employment than those sent to us by the PAC.","Hasner\u2019s ad says that while she was mayor of West Palm Beach, Frankel took a \"police helicopter ride to go to a dinner party.\""]},{"id":"13169.json","label":"true","statement":"Undocumented immigrants pay $12 billion of taxes every single year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from both left-leaning and conservative sources, which estimate that undocumented immigrants contribute between $12 billion and $17.6 billion in taxes annually. These taxes include income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, and other forms of taxation. It is important to note that these estimates are not definitive and can vary depending on different factors and methodologies used in the calculations. However, the overall claim that undocumented immigrants contribute a significant amount of taxes each year is supported by available research.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He keeps talking about undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants pay $12 billion of taxes every single year. They pay their taxes. They have skin in the game. He is not contributing to a system that he says he's going to go in and fix,\" Kumar said. ( Editor's note, March 30, 2017: Subsequent news reports have indicated that Trump paid at least some taxes, specifically $38 million in 2005.)","Clinton said that if elected president her administration would focus on deporting violent criminals, not \"hard-working mothers and fathers and people who go to work, help support this economy, pay $12 billion a year into Social Security.\"","\"My priority are violent criminals, people suspected of any kind of connection to terrorism,\" she said, \"not hard-working mothers and fathers and people who go to work, help support this economy, pay $12 billion a year into Social Security.\"","A left-leaning research organization estimated that undocumented immigrants paid about $12 billion in total taxes in 2010, while a conservative think tank pegged it at $17.6 billion."]},{"id":"7858.json","label":"false","statement":"The average student comes out of college hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to the Project on Student Debt, the average student loan debt is in the range of tens of thousands of dollars, not hundreds of thousands. While there are cases where individual students may accumulate significant debt, it is not representative of the average student debt burden. It's important to provide accurate information to avoid misleading the public about the actual average debt levels that students face upon graduating from college.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The average student comes out of college hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and they can't afford these interest rates to go up,\" she said.","Said spokeswoman Joy Fox, \"Although the Treasurer and her husband personally came out of college with hundreds of thousands of dollars in student debt, she misspoke by saying this was the average amount of student loan debt. According to the Project on Student Debt, the average debt is more in the range of tens of thousands.\"","Rhode Island General Treasurer Gina Raimondo says college students typically come out of schools hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt","( - Rhode Island General Treasurer Gina Raimondo says college students typically come out of schools hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt&url=)"]},{"id":"5969.json","label":"false","statement":"Says new figures he released showing Wisconsin job gains for 2011 are the final job numbers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While Governor Walker referred to the figures he released as \"the final job numbers,\" it is important to note that the count is subject to review by the federal government before it becomes official. Therefore, the figures he released cannot be considered the final job numbers until they have undergone the necessary review process. Label: false","evidence":["Walker said new figures he released indicating Wisconsin added more than 20,000 jobs in 2011 are \"the final job numbers.\" But the count won\u2019t become final until after it is reviewed by the federal government.","But there is another question tied in to both statements: Are the 2011 figures Walker announced three weeks before the election \"the final job numbers\" as he said in the ad?","\"The government just released the final job numbers. And, as it turns out, Wisconsin actually gained -- that's right, gained -- more than 20,000 new jobs during my first year in office.\"","In a statement, Pence\u2019s office boasted of a series of job-related gains in Wisconsin, saying they covered the time to the present."]},{"id":"9417.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sen. McConnell says its not his job to bring jobs to Kentucky.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects a comment made by Senator Mitch McConnell in an interview with The Beattyville Enterprise, where he stated that it is not his job to bring jobs to Kentucky. However, it's important to note that this comment was taken out of context and given more attention than the original article's circulation. It is crucial to consider McConnell's overall stance on job creation and economic policies to have a comprehensive understanding of his position. Label: half-true","evidence":["Grimes said, \"Sen. McConnell said it\u2019s not his job to bring jobs to Kentucky.\" She took this comment from a brief interview McConnell gave to a small-town newspaper in April.","\"Coal supplies 92 percent of our state's electricity,\" the narrator says. \"(Obama's) new regulations will lead to severe rate increases, shortages of power and the loss of even more coal jobs. Kentucky already has the fifth-highest unemployment rate in the country. It's bad enough we've lost 18,000 jobs since Mitch McConnell became senator. It's even worse that Senator McConnell says it's not his job to bring jobs to Kentucky.\"","It turns out that the claim references an interview McConnell gave to The Beattyville Enterprise , a weekly newspaper in Lee County, Ky., with a circulation of about 1,200 and no website, back in April. The six-paragraph-long story ran with the headline, \"McConnell says not his job to bring jobs.\" The Grimes campaign pounced on the headline and ran, giving the comment far more attention than the paper\u2019s original circulation.","In the first and only debate of Kentucky\u2019s U.S. Senate race, Sen. Mitch McConnell was peppered with questions about his opposition to a proposed minimum wage hike."]},{"id":"9086.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he forced Washington to open up the Arctic Ocean to oil drilling.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While Senator Begich did not personally force Washington to open up the Arctic Ocean to oil drilling, he played a significant role in advancing Shell's oil-drilling permits in the Arctic Ocean. Although the leases were awarded before Begich took office, he actively pushed the administration to move forward with the necessary permits for drilling. However, it's important to note that as of the given evidence, there is currently no drilling taking place in the Arctic Ocean. Therefore, the statement should be considered mostly true with the caveat that drilling has not yet occurred.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u2018There\u2019s nowhere he won\u2019t go to listen and stand up for Alaskans,\" the ad says. \"He forced Washington to open up the Arctic Ocean to oil drilling.\"","Begich\u2019s ad claimed that \"he forced Washington to open up the Arctic Ocean to oil drilling.\" Begich wasn\u2019t in the Senate when the government awarded leases to Shell, but the leases were only the first step toward drilling in the Arctic Ocean. Numerous other federal permits were required before Shell could drill there, and by multiple accounts, Begich played a key role in pushing the administration from the time he began serving in the Senate.","So Begich can rightfully take credit for helping advancing Shell\u2019s oil-drilling permits in the Arctic Ocean, but there\u2019s currently no drilling taking place. We rate his claim Mostly True.","When Royal Dutch Shell started fighting to drill in the Arctic, Begich wasn\u2019t yet in office. By February 2008, Royal Dutch Shell held leases to drill in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, portions of the Arctic Ocean near the Alaskan mainland. No one had drilled there for two decades."]},{"id":"4398.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A bipartisan payroll tax cut championed by the White House has meant that the average family has an extra $1,000 in their pocket this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that a bipartisan payroll tax cut resulted in the average family having an extra $1,000 in their pocket. However, it is important to note that not all families benefited from the payroll tax cut, and the actual amount saved varied depending on factors such as income and household size. The Tax Policy Center's calculations suggest that the savings for households were at most $934, and using the median household income, the savings were closer to $996. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more accurate representation of the impact of the payroll tax cut.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Last year, we worked together, Republicans and Democrats, to pass a payroll tax cut,\" Obama told the crowd in Detroit on Sept. 5, 2011. \"And because of that, this year the average family has an extra $1,000 in their pocket\u2026.\"","Obama\u2019s statement is close to correct, but it lacks some clarifications that would have made it fully accurate. First, nearly a quarter of families don\u2019t benefit from the payroll tax cut, although this may be obvious to listeners, since he specifically referred to a \"payroll\" tax cut. Second, the amount that households saved is at most $934, according to the Tax Policy Center\u2019s calculations -- an amount that would decrease if the center had used a median rather than an average. Obama would have been better off saying that \"the average working family has nearly $1,000 extra in their pocket\" this year as a result of the payroll tax cut. On balance, we rate Obama\u2019s comment Mostly True.","As for mean household income, it was $67,976, meaning that the 2 percent payroll tax cut would have left $1,360 extra in the pockets of the average family. By this measure, Obama understated the benefit, though as we noted, an average is a less-than-ideal yardstick.","The median household income in 2009 -- the most recent year available -- was $49,777. Lowering the tax rate by 2 percent reduces the tax burden for the median family by $996, or very close to the $1,000 Obama cited."]},{"id":"12104.json","label":"true","statement":"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 120 Americans on average die from a drug overdose every day. Overall, drug overdose deaths now outnumber deaths from firearms.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, an average of about 120 Americans die from a drug overdose every day. Additionally, it is true that drug overdose deaths now outnumber deaths from firearms. This information is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 120 Americans on average die from a drug overdose every day,\" Pitts wrote. \"Overall, drug overdose deaths now outnumber deaths from firearms.\"","Pitts said that \"according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 120 Americans on average die from a drug overdose every day. Overall, drug overdose deaths now outnumber deaths from firearms.\" Pitts is very close on the first part, and he\u2019s correct on the second. So we rate his statement True.","The agency does not track overdoses from every illicit drug, so this accounting may understate the full number. Still, it provides a baseline. And if you add together the overdose deaths from prescription and illicit drugs, the sum is 43,225 overdose deaths.","Then, if you divide that by 365 days, it works out to more than 118 overdose deaths a day, or just shy of the 120-per-day figure that Pitts cited. That\u2019s close enough for us."]},{"id":"11994.json","label":"false","statement":"Every Republican Senate candidate has now announced whether or not they support the Senate taking up the Supreme Court vacancyexcept for Congressman Heck.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses the confirmation process for Supreme Court justices and the potential for President Biden to nominate a justice with a thin Senate majority. It does not provide any information or evidence about Republican Senate candidates announcing their support or opposition to the Senate taking up a Supreme Court vacancy. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u2022 Thomas is the only current member of the Supreme Court to be nominated by a president of one party and confirmed by a Senate of the other.","When Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer announced in January that he would be retiring, it gave President Joe Biden his first opportunity to appoint a justice to the nation\u2019s highest court. Once Biden makes his nomination, he\u2019ll have a Senate majority, but a thin one \u2014 enough Democrats to meet the simple majority threshold required for confirmation as long as the party remains unified.","\u201cClarence Thomas is about to become the only member of the current Supreme Court who was nominated by a president of one party and confirmed by a Senate controlled by the other party.\u201d","But one can\u2019t rule out any Republican support based solely on opposition to the Build Back Better Act. Numerous Republicans, including many of those in the Senate, have indicated support for insulin price caps."]},{"id":"2710.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rick Boucher helped write the cap-and-trade bill","reason":"Reason: Rick Boucher did indeed play a role in amending the cap-and-trade bill, as acknowledged by Boucher himself. However, it is important to note that his motive for doing so was to add protections for the coal industry and the jobs it provides in his district. The statement accurately reflects Boucher's involvement in the bill, but it lacks the necessary context to fully understand his intentions and the specific amendments he made. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but additional information is needed for a more comprehensive understanding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Griffith bases his claim that Boucher helped write the bill to on a story on news website SWVA Today in which Boucher defended his vote for cap-and-trade and acknowledged having a part in amending the bill.","A recent Griffith TV ad features a repeated clip of President Barack Obama professing, \"I love Rick Boucher.\" The narrator says: \"Love the Obama Washington agenda? Rick Boucher does. Obama\u2019s cap-and-trade plan kills our jobs and raises electricity costs. Boucher helped write it.\"","The ad implies that Boucher contributed to a job-killing bill, but his motive was to actually protect those jobs. So while the statement is accurate that he helped write it, the ad leaves out important details. We find the claim Half True.","Did Boucher help write cap-and-trade? Absolutely. But he did so to add protections for the coal industry and the jobs it provides in his district."]},{"id":"8543.json","label":"false","statement":"In July 2010 the government said small businesses -- 60 percent -- will lose their health care, 45 percent of big business and a large percentage of individual health.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that the government stated in July 2010 that small businesses would lose 60 percent of their health care, big businesses would lose 45 percent, and a large percentage of individual health care would be affected. The evidence provided does not support this assertion, and there is no credible source or government report to validate these specific percentages. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing healthcare policy.\nLabel: false","evidence":["1. \"In July 2010 the government said small businesses -- 60 percent -- will lose their health care, 45 percent of big business and a large percentage of individual health.\"","Citing a government report, Hannity said \"small businesses -- 60 percent -- will lose their health care, 45 percent of big business and a large percentage of individual health.\"","\"In July 2010 the government said small businesses -- 60 percent -- will lose their health care, 45 percent of big business and a large percentage of individual health,\" Hannity said. \"That's not 5 percent. That\u2019s half of America. That's 128 million Americans, by their math, not mine.\"","As part of the health care law, the federal government said people could keep the health insurance they had so long as the plan was in place before the health care law was passed in 2010. That\u2019s the so-called \"grandfather\" provision."]},{"id":"10583.json","label":"false","statement":"A majority of our students are trapped in underperforming schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bush suggests that a majority of students are trapped in underperforming schools. However, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The comment from Lori Taylor, an associate professor, questions the term \"underperforming\" and highlights the subjective nature of the term. Additionally, the criticism of the accountability ratings and the measure of performance further undermines the assertion that a majority of students are in underperforming schools. Without more concrete evidence or data, it is not accurate to claim that a majority of students are trapped in underperforming schools.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bush, addressing a \"school choice\" rally outside the Texas Capitol Jan. 30, 2015, said: \"I believe that most teachers are doing the very best in very difficult situations when a majority of our students are trapped in schools that are underperforming. Some schools don\u2019t work and refuse to change \u2014 and that\u2019s why we need school choice and that\u2019s why we need it now.\"","Lori Taylor, a Texas A&M University associate professor in the Bush School of Government and Public Service, commented by email: \"I think the term \u2018underperforming\u2019 is really squishy. If one has exceedingly high standards for education, then every school is always underperforming.\"","Taylor pointed out the state\u2019s 2014 accountability ratings \u2014 and called AYP an \"odd standard of performance\" because of the law\u2019s everyone-must-pass requirement for a school to be considered acceptable. \"Most researchers are highly critical of AYP as a measure of performance, so schools that are performing badly by this measure are not necessarily underperforming as most folks understand the term,\" Taylor wrote.","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d"]},{"id":"2327.json","label":"false","statement":"Alex Sink wants to cut Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Alex Sink wants to cut Medicare is not supported by the evidence provided. In fact, Sink herself explicitly denied the claim and stated that she does not want to cut Medicare. Additionally, there is no credible evidence or information provided to substantiate the claim that Sink has any intention or plan to cut Medicare. Therefore, the statement is unfounded and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact, Rick Scott says Alex Sink wants to cut Medicare( \"Rick Scott says Alex Sink wants to cut Medicare\"), Sept. 2, 2010","Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott says his opponent Alex Sink wants to cut Medicare benefits for the country's seniors. Sink says Scott is making that up.","Sink responded to the Medicare line the next morning. \"I don't even know where he got that from,\" Sink said in Tallahassee. \"Of course I don't want to cut Medicare.\"","The lawyer who brought the case against NationsBank said \"publicly that Alex Sink had nothing to do with the case, had nothing to do with the situation and didn't know about the problems.\""]},{"id":"6475.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan want to turn Medicare into a voucher system.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by the Obama campaign and Democratic allies regarding Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan's plan for Medicare. They have been accused of wanting to transform Medicare into a voucher system, where seniors would receive a voucher to purchase private insurance instead of having the guarantee of Medicare. This accusation is based on the proposal to introduce a premium support system, which is commonly understood as a voucher program. However, it's important to note that the accuracy of this claim may depend on the specific details and variations of the proposed plan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In their attacks against Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's running mate, the Obama campaign and Democratic allies have been repeating a familiar word: vouchers.","\"And Gov. Romney and his running mate have a different plan. They want to turn Medicare into a voucher system. That means seniors would no longer have the guarantee of Medicare -- they\u2019d get a voucher to buy private insurance. And if it doesn\u2019t keep up with costs, well, that\u2019s the seniors' problem. It was estimated that Gov. Romney's running mate, his original plan would force seniors to pay an extra $6,400 a year.\"","\"First of all, I think it's important for Gov. Romney to present this plan that he says will only affect folks in the future,\" Obama said during the Oct. 3, 2012, debate at the University of Denver. \"And the essence of the plan is that you would turn Medicare into a voucher program. It's called premium support, but it's understood to be a voucher program.\"","In this item, we will sort through the claims and see whether it\u2019s reasonable for Obama to call the Romney-Ryan plan for Medicare a \"voucher system.\""]},{"id":"588.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Obama flip-flopped on withdrawing troops from Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Obama flip-flopped on withdrawing troops from Iraq. While there may have been different emphases and clarifications on his plan, the overall commitment to withdrawing troops from Iraq remained consistent. The statement from a McCain spokesman accusing Obama of reversing his position does not provide substantial evidence to support the claim. The campaign website and other statements from Obama consistently outline a plan to gradually withdraw combat brigades from Iraq within a specific timeframe. Therefore, the claim that Obama flip-flopped on withdrawing troops from Iraq is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Weighing all these statements together, we find that Obama has not flip-flopped on Iraq, but that he has emphasized different aspects of his plan under questioning. This rates a No Flip on the Flip-O-Meter scale.","\"Since announcing his campaign in 2007, the central premise of Barack Obama's candidacy was his commitment to begin withdrawing American troops from Iraq immediately,\" said Brian Rogers, a McCain spokesman. \"Today, Barack Obama reversed that position proving once again that his words do not matter. He has now adopted John McCain's position that we cannot risk the progress we have made in Iraq by beginning to withdraw our troops immediately without concern for conditions on the ground.\"","How quickly should troops leave? His campaign Web site says: \"Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months. Obama will make it clear that we will not build any permanent bases in Iraq. He will keep some troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats; if al-Qaida attempts to build a base within Iraq, he will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al-Qaida.\"","How quickly should troops leave? His campaign Web site says the following: \"Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months. Obama will make it clear that we will not build any permanent bases in Iraq. He will keep some troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats; if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within Iraq, he will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al Qaeda.\""]},{"id":"6607.json","label":"true","statement":"Federal law adopted under Tommy Thompsons watch prohibits the government from negotiating for better prices on prescription drugs for senior citizens","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Baldwin that federal law, adopted under Tommy Thompson's watch, prohibits the government from negotiating for better prices on prescription drugs for senior citizens. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as true. The law in question is the Medicare Part D law, which includes a provision that prohibits the government from directly negotiating drug prices with pharmaceutical companies for Medicare beneficiaries. This restriction has been a subject of debate and criticism, as it limits the government's ability to leverage its purchasing power to secure lower drug prices for seniors.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Federal law adopted \"under Tommy Thompson's watch\" prohibits the government from negotiating for \"better prices\" on prescription drugs for senior citizens","Baldwin said federal law adopted \"under Tommy Thompson's watch\" prohibits the federal government from negotiating for \"better prices\" on prescription drugs for senior citizens.","\"We have written into law, under Tommy Thompson's watch, a prohibition for the federal government to be involved in negotiating with pharmaceutical companies for better prices for seniors for drugs. That's unbelievable. You know, if you buy in bulk, you get a better deal.\"","We\u2019ve rated True a claim by Baldwin that the Part D law, \"adopted under Thompson\u2019s watch,\" bars the government from negotiating for \"better prices\" on prescription drugs. At the time, six weeks before the second debate with Baldwin, Thompson\u2019s campaign said nothing about the non-interference clause being the Democrats\u2019 doing."]},{"id":"5038.json","label":"true","statement":"After filing a lawsuit in Rhode Island, we reached an agreement with state agencies that resulted in more voters being registered in the first full month after our lawsuit than in the entire previous two-year reporting period.","reason":"Reason: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder stated that after filing a lawsuit in Rhode Island, an agreement was reached with state agencies that led to more voters being registered in the first month after the lawsuit than in the entire previous two-year reporting period. This claim is supported by evidence that only 457 voter registration forms were submitted by the four social services agencies in the two-year period before the lawsuit. Therefore, it can be concluded that the lawsuit and subsequent agreement had a significant impact on increasing voter registration in Rhode Island.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"For example, after filing a lawsuit in Rhode Island, we reached an agreement with state agencies that resulted in more voters being registered in the first full month after our lawsuit than in the entire previous two-year reporting period,\" Holder said in the Dec. 13 speech.","In the two-year reporting period before the lawsuit was filed, a total of 457 voter registration forms were submitted by the four social services agencies.","U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says more voters were registered at Rhode Island social services agencies after a lawsuit against the state than in the prior two years","( - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says more voters were registered at Rhode Island social services agencies after a lawsuit against the state than in the prior two years&url=)"]},{"id":"3912.json","label":"false","statement":"Non-defense discretionary spending has increased by over 80 percent in the last two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there may have been an increase in non-defense discretionary spending, it is not accurate to claim that it has increased by over 80 percent in the last two years. The evidence provided suggests that the increase in discretionary spending, including the stimulus, is around 44 percent during the first two years of the Obama administration. Therefore, the claim of an over 80 percent increase is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Hurt, R-5th, wrote in a June 3 newsletter that non-defense discretionary spending has increased \"by over 80 percent in the last two years.\"","Discretionary spending has \"increased over 20-some percent in two years if you don\u2019t include the stimulus. If you put in the stimulus, it\u2019s over 80 percent.\"","Cantor said discretionary spending has \"increased over 20-some percent in two years if you don\u2019t include the stimulus. If you put in the stimulus, it\u2019s over 80 percent.\"","That suggests that when you add in the stimulus, discretionary spending increased 44 percent during the first two years of the Obama administration -- not \"over 80 percent\" as Cantor says."]},{"id":"2321.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The states that actually have lots of teachers in teacher unions tend to be the states that have done the best in terms of academic success in this country.","reason":"Reason: While there is some evidence to suggest a correlation between states with higher levels of teacher unionization and better academic success, the relationship is complex and not solely determined by the presence of teacher unions. The available research on this topic is limited, ambiguous, and incomplete. Other factors such as socioeconomic status, demographics, and educational policies also play significant roles in academic success. Therefore, while the statement may be partially true in some measures, it oversimplifies the complex factors influencing academic success and the role of teacher unions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Let me say this,\" Weingarten said. \"First, the states that actually have lots of teachers in teacher unions tend to be the states that have done the best in terms of academic success in this country. And the states that don't tend to be the worst.","We decided to check Weingarten's claim that states that \"have lots of teachers in teachers unions tend to be the states that have done the best in terms of academic success.\"","We agree. Weingarten's claim that states that have lots of teachers in teacher unions tend to be the states that have done the best in terms of academic success is perhaps technically correct -- at least by some measures. But the empirical scientific research on this subject is -- in the words of Burroughs -- \"limited, ambiguous and incomplete.\" Further, there is even less evidence to support the implication that strong unionization is the cause for one state performing better than another. And so we rate Weingarten's claim Half True.","\"Most of the states that don\u2019t have teachers\u2019 unions are poorer than Wisconsin and have more English Language Learners in their schools, and rank higher for other demographic factors that make strong academic performance less likely,\" Johnston wrote. \"Rich kids in a school with a teacher\u2019s union will do better than poor kids in a school without one, generally, but that doesn\u2019t have much to do with the union itself.\""]},{"id":"11028.json","label":"true","statement":"Replacing 100,000 old toilets with water-efficient models has saved 2.4 million gallons of water every day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District that replacing 100,000 old toilets with water-efficient models has resulted in a daily water savings of 2.4 million gallons. This figure is based on the district's rebate program and the increased efficiency of the new toilets. However, it's important to note that this specific claim does not take into account the potential additional water savings from installing more efficient faucets and showerheads, which could further contribute to overall water conservation efforts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District recently touted that the region saves 2.4 million gallons of water every day, based on its toilet rebate that has replaced 100,000 commodes with more efficient models.","District figures do not include savings from installing more efficient faucets and shower heads. But since those fixtures combined use thousands of gallons per year less than toilets, we think it\u2019s reasonable to expect that they would not increase the amount of water saved to nearly 50 million gallons per day.","The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District recently celebrated its rebate program that has helped homeowners replace 100,000 older model toilets with water efficient models across the 15-county metro Atlanta region.","The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, \" Toilet Rebate Program Reaches Milestone: 100,000 Toilets Replaced with Water-Saving Models, \" June 16, 2015"]},{"id":"7708.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the fertilizer plant that exploded in West, Texas,had not been inspected by the state of Texas since 2006.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The evidence provided states that the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, was inspected by state authorities in early 2007, which is after 2006. Additionally, federal agencies also monitored and occasionally penalized the plant, with the most recent inspection occurring in 2011. Therefore, the claim that the plant had not been inspected by the state of Texas since 2006 is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Stuart Leavenworth, who edits the Bee \u2019s editorial page, which aired a few negative factual claims about Texas in 2012, stood by the cartoon. For his part, Ohman wrote in an article posted after the cartoon debuted April 25, 2013: \"The Texas chemical plant had not been inspected by the state of Texas since 2006. That's seven years ago. You may have read in the news that Gov. Perry, during his business recruiting trips to California and Illinois, generally described his state as free from high taxes and burdensome regulation. One of the burdensome regulations he neglected to mention was the fact that his state hadn't really gotten around to checking out that fertilizer plant.\"","The April 25, 2013, cartoon by Ohman, editorial cartoonist for the Sacramento (Calif.) Bee , depicts Perry as making one of his pitches for businesses to come to Texas. In the cartoon\u2019s first panel, Perry says from behind a dais: \"Business is booming in Texas!\" The cartoon\u2019s next panel shows the April 17, 2013, explosion of the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, with \"BOOM!\" in red letters plus a flag with \"low regs\" visible near flames.","The largest fine levied on the plant, for $10,000, was handed down in 2012 by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Statesman said, when West Fertilizer failed to write a security plan to transport anhydrous ammonia, a chemical fertilizer stored under pressure. The company said it couldn't afford to pay that amount, and the penalty was halved after West Fertilizer agreed to correct the oversight, the newspaper said. An administration investigator inspected the plant in September 2011, according to documents spelling out the reduced fine.","Summing up: One state office went to the plant a few weeks before the disaster and multiple times in recent years, while another, with authority over air and water issues, last inspected it in early 2007. Separately, federal agencies monitored and occasionally penalized the plant, most recently in 2011."]},{"id":"12726.json","label":"false","statement":"Hillary Clinton invented ISIS with her stupid policies. She is responsible for ISIS.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Hillary Clinton \"invented\" ISIS with her policies is a gross oversimplification and misrepresentation of the situation. While Clinton did support military interventions in Iraq and Libya, attributing the creation of ISIS solely to her is inaccurate. The rise of ISIS is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including regional dynamics, sectarian tensions, and the power vacuum created in the aftermath of the Iraq War. It is misleading to place the blame solely on one individual or policy. Additionally, it is important to note that multiple actors and factors contributed to the emergence and growth of ISIS, and it is not accurate to hold Clinton solely responsible for their existence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton invented ISIS with her stupid policies,\" Trump said in an interview that aired July 17. \"She is responsible for ISIS.\"","She did vote to authorize force in Iraq in 2002 while a senator, but that was advocated by the Bush administration and the vast majority of senators. The intervention in Libya, which she supported, did give ISIS an opening, but Trump is overstating her role by saying she is responsible for ISIS.","Donald Trump and his vice presidential candidate Mike Pence gave their first joint interview to 60 Minutes and used the show to point the finger at Hillary Clinton for ISIS.","During a Democratic presidential debate in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton took a shot at Republican primary frontrunner Donald Trump, saying that his rhetoric is a gift to ISIS."]},{"id":"1941.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Fifty-three percent of teens in Central Falls are getting pregnant.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Chafee that \"Fifty-three percent of teens in Central Falls are getting pregnant\" is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that the teen birth rate in Central Falls is significantly lower than the claimed 53 percent. The Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook reported a teen birth rate of 6.13 percent in Central Falls, which is still high but far from the 53 percent mentioned by Chafee. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I travel around the state visiting senior centers and I was visiting a Central Falls senior center and the Central Falls social agency was in the same building and office. And the social agent that was there said, 'You wouldn't believe the teen pregnancy in Central Falls. It's 53 percent.' Fifty-three percent of teens in Central Falls are getting pregnant,\" Chafee said.","\"We talk about the high dropout rate in Central Falls. Well it's obvious. Fifty-three percent of the young women are getting pregnant and have to take care of a child at home.\"","Since then, the Central Falls numbers have gotten worse. The 2010 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook reported that the teen birth rate for Central Falls had risen to 6.13 percent while the Rhode Island average had declined to 1.89 percent. When you include 18- and 19-year-olds into the mix, the birth rate is 3.07 percent statewide and 9.55 in Central Falls.","Clearly, Central Falls has a disturbingly high teenage pregnancy rate, but it\u2019s not nearly as high as Chafee has portrayed it. When it comes to getting his numbers right, Chafee fails the pregnancy test. We rate his claim as False."]},{"id":"6937.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mitt Romney called the Arizona law a model for the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Mitt Romney did not refer to the Arizona law, specifically S.B. 1070, as a model for the nation. The claim that he did stems from a misinterpretation of his comments during a Republican presidential debate in Arizona. Romney actually praised the E-Verify element of a different Arizona law, which was passed in 2007 and not included in S.B. 1070. Therefore, the statement inaccurately attributes Romney's remarks to the wrong law and misrepresents his position.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obama said Mitt Romney \"called the Arizona law a model for the nation.\" That statement mischaracterizes Romney\u2019s salute to Arizona\u2019s mandate that employers electronically verify the legal status of employees, which was passed in 2007 and was not included in S.B. 1070. We rate the statement False.","So, Romney in the debate saluted the E-Verify element of a 5-year-old Arizona law \u2014 which was not part of the 2010 immigration-enforcement law that Gonzalez says Romney called a model for the nation.","Referring to a high-profile Arizona immigration law known as S.B. 1070, Obama said Romney \"called the Arizona law a model for the nation.\"","The notion that Romney called S.B. 1070 a \"model for the nation\" stems from a comment he made during a Feb. 22, 2012, Republican presidential debate in Arizona."]},{"id":"11278.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Contrary to media reports, Georgias gas tax change led to no price increase at the pump.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, multiple sources, including an economics professor and the chairman of an economics department, assert that Georgia's gas tax change did not result in a price increase at the pump. These experts argue that media reports suggesting otherwise are incorrect. It is important to consider the expertise of these individuals and their analysis of the situation. However, without further information or additional evidence, it is challenging to definitively conclude the veracity of the statement. Based on the available evidence, it appears plausible that the gas tax change in Georgia did not lead to a price increase at the pump.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Contrary to media reports, Georgia\u2019s gas tax change led to no price increase at the pump,\" according to the piece by economics professor E. Frank Stephenson and student Clay G. Collins. \"There may well be some good reasons to criticize the transportation bill, but hiking gas taxes isn\u2019t one of them.\"","\"Georgia\u2019s gas tax change led to no price increase at the pump,\" Stephenson wrote in dismissing warnings of a tax increase.","The chairman of Berry College\u2019s economics department, writing for the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, suggested that media reports were \"surprising\" given the change would not and did not mean higher gas prices.","Stephenson did not respond to specific questions about the math but said the argument that the market is camouflaging the tax increase \"relies on having some price decrease that was specific to Georgia, was the same magnitude as the putative tax increase, and was at the same time as the would-be tax increase.\""]},{"id":"3569.json","label":"false","statement":"There was some sort of informal commitment to build a (psychiatric) building in downtown Cleveland.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Kasich's claim that there was an informal commitment to build a psychiatric building in downtown Cleveland. However, the fact-checking sources indicate that this characterization is misleading and inaccurate. The project in question involved the renovation of an existing facility in Northfield, rather than the construction of a new building in downtown Cleveland. Therefore, while there may have been discussions or plans related to a psychiatric building in downtown Cleveland, the statement misrepresents the actual outcome of the project.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Ohio is not weighing the merits of the two sites and plans. This item will just consider Kasich's statement about \"some sort of an informal commitment to build a building in downtown Cleveland.\"","Characterizing the arrangement as \"some sort of an informal commitment to build a building in downtown Cleveland\" suggests vagueness about the plans. That\u2019s not the case. People in Cleveland and Columbus worked for years on this project.","The Ohio Department of Mental Health, he said, would scrap \"some sort of an informal commitment to build a building in downtown Cleveland,\" and instead would renovate Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare's \"dilapidated\" facility in Northfield.","Given those details, we think characterizing the effort as some sort of an informal commitment is not just misleading, but also inaccurate."]},{"id":"1658.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Snitker has been virtually ignored by the major media.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Alexander Snitker's U.S. Senate campaign claimed to have been ignored by the major media. The campaign's own release and statements from the campaign's media director indicate that they believe Snitker received significantly less media coverage compared to other leading Senate candidates. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on the perception of the campaign and may not necessarily reflect the complete picture of media coverage received by Snitker. Therefore, the statement is accurate in representing the campaign's perspective but should be understood as subjective.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"What is most shocking about this phenomenon is that Snitker has been virtually ignored by the major media,\" a March 29, 2010, release on the candidate's campaign Web site said. \"On an average news day, the other leading Senate candidates enjoy a 200-to-1 advantage over Snitker in media coverage.\"","Wyllie concedes that the Snitker campaign has never scheduled a news conference. But the campaign\u2019s claim is that the major media has ignored his campaign \u2013 not that the campaign has necessarily tried to lure it in.","Alexander Snitker's U.S. Senate campaign says the mainstream media has ignored the lone registered Libertarian candidate seeking to succeed George LeMieux on Capitol Hill, a race that has shone a bright spotlight on three more prominent contenders \u2013 Charlie Crist, Marco Rubio and Kendrick Meek.","Campaign media director Adrian Wyllie says the Snitker for Senate 2010 campaign periodically sends e-mail blasts to hundreds of reporters and media members across the state and \"not one has gotten published in any paper, not one has gotten any follow up from any TV station.\""]},{"id":"5226.json","label":"true","statement":"There are 86 languages spoken at Miami Dade College.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources, including a proposed U.S. Senate resolution and statements from Newt Gingrich and his spokesperson, confirm that there are indeed 86 languages spoken at Miami Dade College. This diversity in languages spoken by students at the college highlights the multicultural environment and linguistic richness of the institution.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The 86 languages spoken by students at Miami Dade College were also cited in a proposed 2010 U.S. Senate resolution congratulating Miami Dade College on its 50th anniversary.","We couldn\u2019t resist checking Gingrich\u2019s detail that \"there are 86 languages in Miami Dade College.\" Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond told us in an email that Gingrich was referring to the number of languages spoken by students.","\"Well, first of all, you immediately jump down to a very important language, but not the only language,\" Gingrich answered. \"The challenge of the United States is simple. There are 86 languages in Miami Dade College, 86. There are over 200 languages spoken in Chicago. Now, how do you unify the country? What is the common bond that enables people to be both citizens and to rise commercially and have a better life and a greater opportunity?\"","Gingrich said, \"There are 86 languages in Miami Dade College, 86.\" We found that in this case Gingrich has a good memory for detail. We rate this claim Verdad, or Vrai, or True."]},{"id":"4577.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than 25 million Americans are unemployed. More than 50 million live without health insurance. Perhaps 100 million live in poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the article, but the evidence provided shows that the numbers are not entirely accurate. While it is true that more than 25 million Americans were unemployed at the time of the article, the number of uninsured individuals was around 49.9 million, not \"more than 50 million.\" Additionally, the claim that \"perhaps 100 million live in poverty\" is an overestimate. The official data from the Census Bureau indicates that there were 46.2 million Americans below the poverty line in 2010, which is significantly less than the stated figure. Therefore, while the statement captures the sentiment expressed in the article, the specific numbers mentioned are not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our system is broken,\" said an Oct. 5, 2011, article headlined \"The Revolution Begins at Home: An Open Letter to Join the Wall Street Occupation,\" which was also posted here. \"More than 25 million Americans are unemployed. More than 50 million live without health insurance. Perhaps 100 million live in poverty. Yet the fat cats are showered with billions in tax breaks while politicians compete to turn the screws on the rest of us.\"","\"More than 50 million live without health insurance.\" The article nailed this one just about perfectly. The most recent U.S. Census Bureau study, \"Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage: 2010,\" found that 49.9 million Americans were uninsured in 2010, or 16.3 percent of the population.","\"Perhaps 100 million live in poverty.\" The article hedges its claim by saying \"perhaps,\" but you still have to stretch the official definition of poverty quite a bit to make the number work.","According to the same Census Bureau report -- \"Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage: 2010\" -- there were 46.2 million Americans below the poverty line in 2010, or 15.1 percent of the population. That's less than half the 100 million claim in the article."]},{"id":"910.json","label":"true","statement":"The Capitol was built by slaves.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by historical evidence and acknowledged by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. Records indicate that slave labor was indeed involved in the construction of the United States Capitol. Payments were made to slave owners for the rental of slaves to work on the Capitol, as documented in historical records. While the exact number of slaves involved may never be known, the evidence confirms their significant contribution to the construction of the Capitol.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The Capitol was built by slaves,\" Pelosi said. \"Today, I want to talk about the fact that it's so appropriate that, though long overdue, this Capitol Visitors Center is ready for 2009, which is the 200th anniversary, the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, the great emancipator.\"","But the task force did find plenty of evidence of slave involvement in the Capitol's construction. Perhaps the most compelling evidence were records of payments from the commissioners for the District of Columbia \u2014 the three men appointed by George Washington to oversee the construction of the Capitol and the rest of the city of Washington \u2014 to slave owners for the rental of slaves to work on the Capitol. The records reflect 385 payments between 1795 and 1801 for \"Negro hire,\" a euphemism for the yearly rental of slaves.","The task force acknowledged it was not able to tell the full story. \"No one will ever know how many slaves helped to build the United States Capitol Building \u2014 or the White House,\" says the 2005 task force report, entitled History of Slave Laborers in the Construction of the United States Capitol.","Office of the Architect of the Capitol, History of Slave Laborers in the Construction of the United States Capitol, June 1, 2005"]},{"id":"6785.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ronald Reagan was behind in the polls in 1980 going into the debate with Jimmy Carter and then turned around 10 days later and won 40 states.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ronald Reagan won 44 states in the 1980 election, it is not entirely accurate to claim that he was behind in the polls going into the debate with Jimmy Carter. The evidence suggests that Reagan was actually leading or in a competitive position with Carter in the polls leading up to the debate. While the debates were significant in shaping public opinion, it is misleading to attribute Reagan's victory solely to the debates and claim that he turned around the election in just 10 days.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At a news conference, Christie claimed Ronald Reagan \"was behind in the polls in 1980 going into the debate with Jimmy Carter and then turned around 10 days later and won 40 states.\"","\"Ask Ronald Reagan if he were around, you know, who was behind in the polls in 1980 going into the debate with Jimmy Carter and then turned around 10 days later and won 40 states,\" Christie, a Republican, said at a Sept. 24 news conference. \"These debates matter. They\u2019re very important.\"","It\u2019s true that Reagan won 44 states in the 1980 election, but it\u2019s not entirely accurate for Christie to say Reagan \"was behind in the polls\" going into the debate with Carter.","Just like the 1980 debate took Ronald Reagan from trailing in the polls to winning 40 states on Election Day, the governor said."]},{"id":"9456.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons approval rating went from 70 percent to 52 percent in 18 months.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Priebus that Hillary Clinton's approval rating dropped from 70 percent to 52 percent in 18 months. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided indicates that Clinton's favorability dropped by 18 points in one specific poll conducted by Bloomberg. It does not provide comprehensive data on her overall approval rating over the mentioned 18-month period. Therefore, while there is evidence of a decline in favorability, the statement lacks broader context and may not accurately represent Clinton's overall approval rating trend during that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Priebus said Clinton \"went from a 70-percent approval rating\" down to \"about 52\" in 18 months. Her favorability dropped 18 points in one poll from Bloomberg during that time. But Bloomberg\u2019s poll from December 2012 had Clinton\u2019s favorability 12 points higher than the average poll taken around the same period.","\"We're now running with a lot of great people that have a vision for this country like Bobby Jindal, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Rand Paul, and others, in my own state of Wisconsin, that are very dynamic,\" Priebus said. \"And it looks like Hillary Clinton is getting ready. She went from a 70-percent approval rating down to ... 52 in 18 months.\" (Priebus stumbled slightly over the final approval number but corrected himself to say 52.)","And how did she do in Bloomberg\u2019s recent poll? On June 12, 2014, Clinton had a net favorable rating of just 52 percent, a drop of 18 points.","Those numbers were once true in 2012. More recent data from 2015, however, shows that the top 1 percent only took in 52 percent of all income that year."]},{"id":"11789.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Barack Obama, the fewest number of adults are working since Jimmy Carters presidency.","reason":"Reason: The statement that under Barack Obama, the fewest number of adults are working since Jimmy Carter's presidency is not accurate. According to government calculations, the claim that fewer adults were working during Obama's presidency compared to Carter's presidency is false. The employment rate during both Democratic presidents' terms was similar when accounting for population growth. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, whose district stretches nearly to Fort Worth, said in a Jan. 12, 2016, response to the State of the Union address: \"It\u2019s been seven years since President Barack Obama took office. In that time, the United States has accumulated the largest national debt in its history, the fewest number of adults are working since Jimmy Carter\u2019s presidency and the executive branch has expanded its power immensely \u2013 the president has chosen which laws to enforce and created new ones without Congress\u2019 approval.\"","This claim doesn\u2019t hold up in that far more people were working the past few years than in Carter\u2019s time as president. According to a government calculation, about the same share of adults was employed during each Democrat\u2019s presidency.","A reader asked us if Williams was correct about the country having fewer working adults than when Carter was president from 1977 into January 1981. Just given population growth, could that be?","The American Future Fund, a group that advocates \"conservative and free-market\" principles, has released an advertisement that -- like other ads and Web videos in this election cycle -- seeks to compare President Barack Obama to his one-term Democratic predecessor, Jimmy Carter."]},{"id":"287.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I'm proud of the fact that I've raised more money from small donors than anybody else, and that we're getting $25, $50, $100 donations, and we've done very well doing it that way.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Barack Obama's claim that he has raised more money from small donors than any other candidate. This claim has been supported by the Federal Election Commission's definition of small donors as those who contribute less than $200, and Obama has reported the highest amount of money raised under this category. Therefore, the statement is true based on available data and analysis.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Small donors are defined as people who donate less than $200; the Federal Election Commission requires candidates to itemize contributions from people who give more than that. Smaller donations get reported as a lump sum, and Obama has reported the most money raised under this category. (The donation limit for any individual donor is $2,300 per candidate.)","The center found that, based on available data, Obama has raised the most money from small donors, said spokesman Massie Ritsch.","Based on the center's analysis, we find Barack Obama's claim that he gets the most money from small donors to be True.","Says Amy Coney Barrett \u201chas a written track record, disagreeing adamantly with the Supreme Court\u2019s decision to uphold the ACA. In fact, she publicly criticized Chief Justice Roberts\u2019 opinion upholding the law eight years ago.\u201d"]},{"id":"5682.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ronald Reagan understood repeatedly that when the deficit started to get out of control, that for him to make a deal he would have to propose both spending cuts and tax increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Ronald Reagan understood the need for both spending cuts and tax increases when the deficit became a concern. While it is true that Reagan did not repeatedly propose tax increases himself, he did agree to tax hikes that were put forth by Congress in order to address the growing deficit. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, \"Says Ronald Reagan \u2018understood repeatedly that when the deficit started to get out of control, that for him to make a deal he would have to propose both spending cuts and tax increases,\u2019\" April 4, 2012.","\"Ronald Reagan, who, as I recall, is not accused of being a tax-and-spend socialist, understood repeatedly that when the deficit started to get out of control, that for him to make a deal, he would have to propose both spending cuts and tax increases. Did it multiple times. He could not get through a Republican primary today,\" Obama said.","This April, President Barack Obama said Reagan \"understood repeatedly that when the deficit started to get out of control, that for him to make a deal, he would have to propose both spending cuts and tax increases.\" PolitiFact National rated the claim Mostly True, noting that Reagan did not repeatedly propose increases but agreed to tax hikes put forth by Congress.","( - Ronald Reagan understood \"to make a deal he would have to propose both spending cuts and tax increases,\" said Obama&url=)"]},{"id":"11856.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Americans are working longer hours for low wages . . . and yet almost all new income and wealth is going to the top 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bernie Sanders regarding Americans working longer hours for low wages and the concentration of new income and wealth among the top 1 percent. While the average number of hours worked by Americans may not have increased significantly, there is evidence to support the argument that many Americans are working longer hours due to multiple jobs or increased job demands. Additionally, studies have shown that income inequality has been growing, with a significant portion of new income and wealth going to the top 1 percent. However, it's important to note that the phrase \"almost all\" should be interpreted as a rhetorical exaggeration rather than a literal statement. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sanders said Americans \"are working longer hours for low wages ... and yet almost all new income and wealth is going to the top 1 percent.\"","The issues are whether Americans are working longer hours -- on average, they're not -- and whether \"almost all\" new income and wealth is going to the top 1 percent. A lot of it has, but not \"almost all.\"","\"Millions of Americans are giving up on the political process. And they're giving up on the political process because they understand the economy is rigged,\" Sanders said. \"They are working longer hours for low wages. They are worried about the future of their kids. And yet almost all new income and wealth is going to the top 1 percent,\" he said. \"(That's) not what America is supposed to be about.\"","We wanted to check the three claims wrapped up in that last sentence. Are Americans working longer hours, are their wages lower, and is almost all new income going to the richest?"]},{"id":"5258.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The U.S. gun homicide rate is 20 times the combined rate of other western nations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Congressman Jim Moran that the U.S. gun homicide rate is 20 times higher than the combined rate of other western nations. This claim has been fact-checked and found to be mostly true. While the statistic is based on 2003 data and includes a selective group of \"populous, high-income\" nations, the overall point that the U.S. gun homicide rate significantly surpasses that of other wealthy Western nations remains valid.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Moran, calling for stronger gun regulations, wrote \"The U.S. gun homicide rate is 20 times the combined rate of other western nations.\"","\"The U.S. gun homicide rate is 20 times the combined rate of other western nations,\" Moran, D-8th, wrote in a Jan. 10 column that ran in the Falls Church News-Press.","\"The U.S. gun homicide rate is 20 times the combined rate of other western nations.\" (Mostly True) U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., cites a statistic based on 2003 data that includes \"populous, high income\" nations, including Japan. But his point \u2014 that gun homicide rates in the United States tower over those of other wealthy European nations \u2014 holds up.","The congressman wrote that the U.S. gun homicide rate is 20 times higher \"than other western nations.\" But in fact, he was comparing them to them a selective group of wealthy nations. And not all them -- such as Japan -- are typically considered a \"western nation.\""]},{"id":"8006.json","label":"false","statement":"Miami-Dade has the nations highest-rated tap water.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a budget-in-brief document released by the county's Office of Management and Budget, which claimed that Miami-Dade has the \"nation's highest-rated tap water.\" However, it was later clarified by the budget director that the statement was an error, and it should have included the phrase \"one of\" the highest-rated tap water. Therefore, the claim that Miami-Dade has the highest-rated tap water in the nation is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We asked a Miami-Dade county spokeswoman to explain the source of the claim that the county has the \"nation\u2019s highest-rated tap water.\"","But a county document boasted about something far more ordinary when Mayor Carlos Gimenez released his budget proposal July 9. A budget-in-brief document written by the county\u2019s Office of Management and Budget stated that the county has \"the nation\u2019s highest-rated tap water.\"","The county continued to promote tap water, including a mock boxing match video between tap water and bottled water, a love song jingle \"Miami-Dade tap water your No. 1!\" and a video of a young cowboy asking Mom, \"Howdy M'am? What do you have on tap?\" She replied, \"For you partner, I\u2019ve got the original tap.\"","Budget director Jennifer Moon told us in an email that \"we compile input from the various departments to put in the budget-in-brief. We realized yesterday that we inadvertently left out 'one of' in the statement regarding the highest rated water. We will correct this online and in future prints.\""]},{"id":"5678.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama is the only president to ever cut $500 billion from Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) included provisions to reduce the projected growth of Medicare spending by around $500 billion over a period of 10 years, it is incorrect to claim that President Obama is the only president to have made such reductions. Previous presidents, including both Republicans and Democrats, have also implemented changes to Medicare that resulted in reductions in projected spending growth. Furthermore, it is important to note that these reductions were not cuts to current funding, but rather aimed at slowing the future growth of Medicare spending. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["She also took the opportunity to criticize the new health care law championed by President Barack Obama, saying, \"We know that President Obama stole over $500 billion out of Medicare to switch it over to Obamacare.\"","Romney said Obama \"is the only president to ever cut $500 billion from Medicare.\" It wasn\u2019t a cut, rather a reduction in future growth (the size of the Medicare program will increase dollar-wise). And other presidents have cut Medicare in the past, though you can debate whether specific changes to the program constitute a \"cut\" in some of those cases as well.","As Mitt Romney begins to pivot from the long Republican primary fight to a likely November duel with President Barack Obama, he is re-launching some of his most repeated -- and inaccurate -- attacks of the incumbent president.","Bachmann said that, \"We know that President Obama stole over $500 billion out of Medicare to switch it over to Obamacare.\" There is a small amount of truth in her statement in that future savings from Medicare are planned to offset new costs created by the law. But the law attempts to curtail the rapid growth of future Medicare spending, not cut current funding. Additionally, the money was not \"stolen.\" Congress reduced spending on a program through its normal legislative process. That kind of rhetoric is deceptive, and it undermines Bachmann's basic point. We rate her statement Mostly False."]},{"id":"416.json","label":"half-true","statement":"McCain's \"plan for the economy is to extend George Bush's tax cuts for billionaires and give a $100-billion additional corporate tax cut.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that McCain's plan for the economy includes extending George Bush's tax cuts for billionaires and providing an additional $100 billion corporate tax cut. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of McCain's entire economic plan, and it focuses on specific aspects related to tax cuts. Additional details and context would be necessary to fully evaluate the impact and implications of McCain's proposed tax policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When he was asked a few years ago whether he could see himself lifting the cap on the payroll tax, (McCain) said, 'I could.' But today he's attacking me for holding the very same position.\"","\"The estate tax, which came into being by Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt and others ... is there for a real simple reason: In America, we've never liked the idea of massive inherited wealth.\"","In 2007, Palin\u2019s administration proposed enhancements to encourage hunters to kill more wolves when it became clear that not enough wolves were being taken out of the population to meet the state\u2019s goal for the year. Palin\u2019s office announced a plan to pay hunters $150 for each wolf killed with the money to be paid when hunters turned in the left foreleg of dead wolves to state biologists. The program was axed by a judge who ruled it an improper bounty on wildlife.","In 2007, the state wanted to kill between 382 and 664 wolves, but the nearly 200 permitted hunters had shot only about 100 wolves as the hunting season neared its April 30 end. High fuel prices and limited snowfall made it hard to track the animals, so Palin\u2019s administration offered the $150 per wolf as an extra incentive \u201cto motivate permittees to redouble their efforts and to help offset the high cost of aviation fuel,\u201d the release states."]},{"id":"12632.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States is the oldest democracy in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The United States is widely recognized as the oldest existing democracy in the world. The country's democratic system, established with the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and further solidified with the Constitution in 1787, laid the foundation for the democratic principles and institutions that continue to govern the nation today. While the specific form and characteristics of democracy may have evolved over time, the United States remains one of the earliest and most enduring democratic nations in the world.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Having just celebrated our nation\u2019s independence from England, we thought the time was right to take a look at whether the United States is \"the oldest democracy\" in the world.","So, a democracy starting elsewhere in the world today would look different than the United States did when it began, but so does today's United States.","\"Well, we\u2019re working on that,\" Ryan said. \"We will not take this. We will not tolerate this. This is the oldest deliberative body in the world. We are the oldest democracy. And we have rules of decorum so that we can peacefully settle our issues and actually have democracy.\"","!This famous John Trumbull painting shows the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With the Constitution, did the founding fathers create the oldest democracy in the world? !This famous John Trumbull painting shows the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With the Constitution, did the founding fathers create the oldest democracy in the world?"]},{"id":"13010.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sen. Rubio has the worst vote attendance record of any Florida senator in nearly 50 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Murphy that Senator Rubio has the worst vote attendance record of any Florida senator in nearly 50 years. This claim was fact-checked using records from GovTrack, which keeps a record of congressional votes. The fact-check confirms that Rubio indeed had an exceptionally poor voting record among presidential candidates who served in the U.S. Senate, although it does not specifically state that he had the absolute worst attendance record among all Florida senators in the past 50 years. However, it is important to note that this claim specifically refers to vote attendance and does not take into account other aspects of a senator's performance or legislative accomplishments.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Sen. Rubio has the worst vote attendance record of any Florida senator in nearly 50 years,\" Murphy said in an Aug. 31, 2016, statement.","To check this claim, we turned to GovTrack, which keeps a record of votes by members of Congress. Because we\u2019re going back \"nearly 50 years,\" we had to look back to at least 1966.","We\u2019ve already noted that Rubio has had an exceptionally bad voting record among presidential candidates that served in the U.S. Senate, although not necessarily the worst. But where does he stand among Florida senators of years past? We checked the record to see if he had the worst absentee rate in almost half a century.","In one of many heated exchanges during the second Republican primary debate, Donald Trump mocked Florida Sen. Marco Rubio\u2019s poor attendance record in the Senate after Rubio schooled Trump on his lack foreign policy knowledge."]},{"id":"8318.json","label":"true","statement":"There are still tens of thousands of missing service members from previous and current conflicts that our nation is working to find and repatriate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided. State Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos acknowledged that there are still tens of thousands of missing service members from previous and current conflicts, and efforts are being made to locate and repatriate them. Additionally, the evidence suggests that while there is hope for finding missing service members from recent conflicts, it is rare to find them alive. The use of DNA matching has also been successful in identifying service members missing from even World War II. Overall, the evidence confirms the existence of a significant number of missing service members and ongoing efforts to locate and repatriate them.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Scocos said: \"There are still tens of thousands of missing service members from previous and current conflicts that our nation is working to find and repatriate.\"","In September 2013, state Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos said: \"There are still tens of thousands of missing service members from previous and current conflicts that our nation is working to find and repatriate.\"","\"In all of the years we have been doing this, we have never found one to be alive,\" said Pierno, a native of Virocqua in western Wisconsin. But there is always hope when it comes to those missing from recent conflicts, she said.","Even service members missing from World War II can be identified by matching DNA from remains to the DNA of a family member."]},{"id":"281.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Obama's middle name is Mohammed and he's a \"covert\" Muslim.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama's middle name is Mohammed and that he is a \"covert\" Muslim is false. Obama's middle name is Hussein, not Mohammed, and he has openly declared himself to be a Christian throughout his political career. Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations, have debunked these claims and confirmed that Obama is not a Muslim. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading false rumors or misinformation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Some of the e-mails opine that the church is racist and so is Obama. A few claim that he is a covert Muslim and that his middle name is Mohammed.","The chain e-mail attacks on Sen. Barack Obama during this presidential race have been rampant and ruthless. He refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance ( False.) He was sworn into the Senate on a Koran, not the Bible ( Pants on Fire wrong.) His middle name is Mohammed and he's a \"covert\" Muslim ( Pants on Fire wrong.)","\u2022 No, Obama's middle name is not Mohammed. He is named Barack Hussein Obama after his father, a Kenyan who came to the United States from Africa as a student.","SUMMARY: An anonymous e-mail says Barack Obama belongs to a racist, anti-American church. We find that the church teaches black empowerment, not racism, and that it claims Africa as its ethnic heritage. We also find, yet again, that Obama isn't Muslim."]},{"id":"596.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Wild Bill Hickok had his first duel in the town square here. And the family legend is that he is a distant cousin of mine.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama himself stated that the family legend is that Wild Bill Hickok is a distant cousin of his. While the statement is based on a family legend and has not been definitively proven or disproven, it is accurate to say that according to the family legend, Wild Bill Hickok is a distant cousin of President Obama.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Then Obama surprised the crowd. \"I don't know if people are aware of the fact,\" Obama said, \"but the family legend is that Wild Bill Hickok, he's a distant cousin of mine.\"","The relation to \"Wild Bill\" Hickok is way cooler than the revelations earlier this year that Obama is distantly related to none other than vice president Dick Cheney. Undoubtedly, Obama took a lot of ribbing over that. Maybe those jokesters ought to sleep with one eye open because Obama's \"family legend\" is correct. We rule the statement True.","YouTube, \"Barack Obama Challenges John McCain To Duel Over Taxes\" at a town hall meeting in Springfield, Mo., July 30, 2008","\"I'm serious, I'm serious,\" Obama said. \"I don't know if it's true, but that's the family legend. But we're going to research that.\""]},{"id":"11674.json","label":"false","statement":"Mike Morell testified and told Congress that the reason Obama has not bombed ISISoil fields is theyre concerned about global warming.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or testimony from Mike Morell stating that the reason Obama did not bomb ISIS' oil fields was due to concerns about global warming. This statement appears to be a misrepresentation or a fabrication. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing the actions and decisions of political leaders.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Mike Morell testified and told Congress that the reason Obama has not bombed ISIS' oil fields is they're concerned about global warming.\"","Lizza said that Obama has bombed seven countries to Bush\u2019s four. Depending on your view of Bush\u2019s reported drone strike into Yemen, he may have slightly undercounted Bush\u2019s tally. Both presidents also may have bombed the Philippines.","\"If Congress fails to act, the Obama administration intends to give away control of the internet to an international body akin to the United Nations.\"","As we fact-checked Lizza\u2019s statement, we found little reason to challenge the nations he named. If anything, he shortchanged both presidents."]},{"id":"632.json","label":"false","statement":"Barack Obama \"openly supported (opposition leader) Raila Odinga during his visit to Africa in 2006.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers, have debunked the claim that Barack Obama openly supported Raila Odinga during his visit to Africa in 2006. In fact, public statements from Obama during the trip indicate the opposite - that he did not support Odinga. The allegations made by Corsi in his book regarding Obama's support for Odinga and his motives are not supported by credible evidence. It is important to rely on accurate information and fact-checking when making claims about political figures and their actions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Corsi's description of Obama's role in Kenyan politics is filled with errors and innuendo. Corsi focuses on a 2006 trip Obama made to Africa as a U.S. senator. The visit included stops in South Africa, Kenya and Chad.","Corsi states that Obama \"openly supported\" Raila Odinga. We found public statements from Obama during the trip saying the exact opposite. We found no other evidence to support Corsi's statement, so we rate his statement False.","Corsi alleges in his book that Obama openly supported Odinga, because Obama wanted to avenge his father's tribe, the Luo, against rival tribes. Corsi also suggests that Odinga is a socialist and was part of an alliance with Muslims to expel Christians in Kenya.","What we can confirm is that Obama has remained neutral in Kenyan politics, and did not support Odinga during his trip. Odinga attended some of Obama's events while Obama was in Kenya, and clearly wanted to associate himself with Obama, but there is no evidence to indicate that Obama \"openly supported\" Odinga. (We previously reported on a letter from missionaries that alleged Obama contributed to Odinga's campaign; we rated it Pants on Fire! wrong.)"]},{"id":"7996.json","label":"false","statement":"Im the only candidate for governor whos rolled out any policies so far.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cuccinelli is not accurate. While he may have been the first candidate to roll out specific policies, it is not true that he is the only candidate who has done so. Other candidates, such as McAuliffe, have also presented their policy proposals. It is important to note that this statement is based on the timing of policy announcements and does not reflect the comprehensive policy platforms of all the candidates.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I\u2019m the only candidate for governor who\u2019s rolled out any policies so far,\" Cuccinelli said on June 11 as he announced his workforce development plan.","Cuccinelli made a similar claim during a June 7 radio interview on WMAL in Washington. McAuliffe\u2019s campaign is \"being very negative and they haven\u2019t rolled out any policies,\" he said.","!Joel Giambra (left) claimed he was the only Republican candidate for governor who has cut taxes. (Derek Gee\/Buffalo News) !Joel Giambra (left) claimed he was the only Republican candidate for governor who has cut taxes. (Derek Gee\/Buffalo News)","Cuccinelli, in contrast, has not issued a platform as broad as McAuliffe\u2019s, but has unveiled some of his policies in greater depth that his opponent. Even so, Cuccinelli has left many major questions unanswered."]},{"id":"3924.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Workers who pick produce in Georgias fields can make $12 to $18 an hour.","reason":"Reason: While it is technically possible for some farm workers in Georgia to earn $12 to $18 an hour, it is important to note that this wage range is not representative of the typical earnings for these workers. The statement lacks important context, such as the temporary and variable nature of harvesting jobs and the fact that most farm workers earn closer to $10 an hour or even less. Therefore, the statement is misleading as it does not accurately reflect the average wages of workers who pick produce in Georgia's fields.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It may be possible to make $12 an hour picking onions, Hinojosa said, but it\u2019s rare. $18 an hour is far-fetched.","Black\u2019s statement is accurate on its face. Some farm workers \"can\" earn $12 to $18 an hour. Most, however, do not. His statement leaves out key details and takes things out of context.","First, a note about harvesting jobs. A lot of them are temporary, and hours vary depending on Mother Nature. Laborers may have to work for 12 hours or more to pick a crop before it rots.","In sum, it is possible to make $12 to $18 an hour, as Black said, but those amounts are far higher than a typical wage. Information from state and federal agencies, the director of a farmworker aid group, and AJC reporters shows wages are closer to $10 an hour or less."]},{"id":"3154.json","label":"false","statement":"Says gun ownership information could be recorded and collected by the federal government and insurance companies as part of the federal health care law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The gun provision in the federal health care law explicitly prohibits the government from using the law to collect gun information. It ensures that no one in the government can use the health care law to collect or record gun ownership information. Additionally, insurance companies are prohibited from adjusting rates based on gun ownership. The provision was included to address concerns raised by gun owners about potential privacy infringements and the creation of a national gun registry. Therefore, the claim that gun ownership information could be recorded and collected by the federal government and insurance companies as part of the federal health care law is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The gun provision of the law has two main thrusts -- that no one in the government can use the health care law to collect gun information and that insurance companies cannot adjust their rates because someone owns a gun.","\"What we don't want to do is have law-abiding firearm owners worried that the information is going to be recorded and then sent to their insurance company,\" Brodeur said. \"If the overreaching federal government actually takes over health care, they're worried that Washington, D.C., is going to know whether or not they own a gun and so this is really just a privacy protection.\"","That gun language was added by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid specifically to placate gun owners, who argued that the health care law could be used as a way for the federal government to create a national gun registry or charge gun owners more for insurance. So to avoid any (more) backlash about the law, Reid included a provision to further protect gun owners from either seeing their insurance rates increase, or from having their names collected and entered into some federal gun owner database.","The health care law cannot be used to collect gun data, and it cannot be used to raise the insurance premiums of gun owners. But we wanted to step back and ask an even more basic question. Does the federal government keep a database of gun owners as Brodeur is asserting?"]},{"id":"7322.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says since Australia passed tough gun laws, homicides by firearm have declined almost 60 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources and studies confirm that after Australia implemented strict gun laws following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, homicides by firearm did indeed decline by almost 60 percent. This statistic is supported by evidence and has been widely acknowledged. It is important to note that the relationship between the gun laws and the decline in firearm homicides is a complex issue, and while the evidence leans towards a causal connection, it is not entirely conclusive. Nonetheless, the statement accurately reflects the general trend observed in Australia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We wanted to know: Have homicides by firearm in Australia dropped almost 60 percent? And did those \"tough gun laws\" do it?","\"Since the (Martin) Bryant killings and the resulting tough gun laws, homicides by firearm have declined almost 60 percent in Australia. The guns-for-everyone advocates hate that statistic, and dispute it, but as Bill Clinton likes to say, it's not opinion. It's arithmetic, honey.\"","King, urging his readers to support an American assault weapons ban, said that since Australia passed tough gun laws, \"homicides by firearm have declined almost 60 percent.\" The raw numbers back him up \u2014 but cause and effect are much peskier questions. Scholars we spoke with say the evidence leans King\u2019s way, but is less than conclusive. That\u2019s an important clarification. We rate King\u2019s claim Mostly True.","Says after Australia passed a \"new law\" that forced gun owners to give up over 640,000 firearms, the country saw a dramatic increase in homicides, assaults and robberies."]},{"id":"6728.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Obama, families have lost over $4,000 a year in income.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the campaign ad and by Paul Ryan that household incomes have gone down by an average of $4,000 during Obama's presidency. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on a comparison between the years 2008 and 2012, which includes the impact of the Great Recession that began before Obama took office. It does not provide a complete picture of the overall trend in household incomes during Obama's presidency. Additionally, it's worth considering that economic factors are complex and can be influenced by a range of factors beyond the control of any single president.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Under Obama, families have lost over $4,000 a year in income, says the narrator of a new campaign ad. \"And the national debt is now $16 trillion and growing.\"","\"Household income in America has gone down for families an average of $4,000 in the last four years\" while it \" went up $5,000\" under Mitt Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts","Here, we\u2019ll focus on the final part of that statement -- that household incomes are down more than $4,000 since the year 2000.","\"Household income in America has gone down for families an average of $4,000 in the last four years,\" Ryan said in Janesville, Wis., on Aug. 27, 2012. \"When Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, unemployment went down and household incomes went up $5,000.\""]},{"id":"2497.json","label":"true","statement":"Exit polls indicate that Democrats get over 70 percent of LGBT votes in federal elections.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings from exit polls that indicate Democrats receive over 70 percent of the LGBT votes in federal elections. This is supported by the information provided, including the press release from Mark Hinkle, chairman of the Libertarian Party, and the article from Bay Windows, a reputable GLBT newspaper. These sources highlight the significant support that Democrats receive from the LGBT community during elections.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a Sept. 23 press release, Chairman Mark Hinkle also says: \"Exit polls indicate that Democrats get over 70 percent of\" lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) \"votes in federal elections. Those voters must really love the Democrats' rhetoric, because they certainly aren't seeing action.\" Hinkle goes on to note that both the military's \"don't ask, don't tell\" policy and a federal act defining marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman remain in place despite Democrats holding majorities in Congress.","Mark Hinkle, chairman of Libertarian Party, says exit polls show Democrats draw support from more than 70 percent of gay voters in federal elections","( - Mark Hinkle, chairman of Libertarian Party, says exit polls show Democrats draw support from more than 70 percent of gay voters in federal elections&url=)","The article, published in Bay Windows, which calls itself New England's largest GLBT newspaper, says gay voters leaned heavily to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama that November. The article says a review of more than 80,000 votes cast in 56 heavily gay precincts over 11 cities in five states and the District of Columbia found 79 percent of the voters casting ballots for Obama, 19 percent for Republican John McCain and 1.5 percent for other candidates. Separately, the article says, exit polling conducted on behalf of five TV networks and the Associated Press shows that among voters who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual, 70 percent voted for Obama, 27 percent for McCain and 3 percent for others--results we confirmed from a 2008 online post by CNN that also suggests 53 percent of non-gay voters favored Obama, 45 percent McCain."]},{"id":"12785.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As secretary of state, (Hillary Clinton) worked hard to get strong sanctions against Irans nuclear program and got Russia and China to support them.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton regarding her efforts as Secretary of State to impose strong sanctions against Iran's nuclear program and gain support from Russia and China. However, it's important to note that while Hillary Clinton played a role in these efforts, she was not solely responsible for the sanctions or for gaining support from Russia and China. The success of these endeavors was a result of collective diplomatic efforts involving multiple countries and international negotiations. Therefore, the statement should be understood in the context of her contributions as part of a broader diplomatic strategy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"As secretary of state, (Hillary Clinton) worked hard to get strong sanctions against Iran's nuclear program\" and \"got Russia and China to support them.\"","Bill Clinton said, \"As secretary of state, (Hillary Clinton) worked hard to get strong sanctions against Iran's nuclear program\" and \"got Russia and China to support them.\"","\"As secretary of state, she worked hard to get strong sanctions against Iran's nuclear program,\" Clinton said on the second night of the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. \"And in what the Wall Street Journal no less called a half-court shot at the buzzer, she got Russia and China to support them.\"","However, Clinton wasn\u2019t singularly responsible for the sanctions or getting China and Russia to support them, just as the sanctions passed under her watch likely weren\u2019t singularly responsible for opening up Iran to talks."]},{"id":"3690.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The federal government borrows $4 billion every day.","reason":"Reason: While the statement is close to the truth, it slightly exaggerates the daily borrowing amount of the federal government. The evidence indicates that the federal government has been adding an average of about $3.7 billion per day to the public debt since President Obama took office. This is slightly lower than the claimed $4 billion per day. It's important to note that this figure represents the amount added to the public debt, not the total borrowing amount. Therefore, the statement is mostly accurate but slightly overstated.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Thanks to Washington\u2019s addiction to spending, the federal government now borrows $4 billion a day,\" the recorded voice said. \"That\u2019s given us $14 trillion in debt. And David Cicilline is making it worse. He voted for another Pelosi budget that would strangle our economy with more spending, more debt and more borrowing from China.\"","It\u2019s been more than a year since we\u2019ve checked similar claims that the country borrows $4 billion a day \u2014 something we found Mostly True. We wondered: Is that still the case? And do we borrow \"much of it\" from China?","\"Debt held by the public\" is the the amount the federal government has actually borrowed to finance deficits. And the amount added to the public debt since Obama took office averages about $3.7 billion a day, not $4 billion.","The total federal debt on the day the ad was released, according to the Treasury Department, was $16.2 trillion. On the day Obama took office, it was $10.6 trillion. That\u2019s a gain of $5.6 trillion \u2014 about $4 billion a day."]},{"id":"5525.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Barack Obamas policies have forced many parts of the country to experience rolling blackouts.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Obama's policies have forced many parts of the country to experience rolling blackouts is not supported by data or expert opinions. Multiple sources, including experts, have debunked this claim and found no evidence of widespread rolling blackouts caused by Obama's policies. The statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Critics of Obama seized on the Texas rolling blackouts as evidence that the president\u2019s policies were endangering the nation\u2019s energy future. The impact of Obama\u2019s policies on energy supplies is a topic of heated disagreement, but that\u2019s not what we're checking here. Rather, we\u2019re checking whether such policies are already \"forcing many parts of the country to experience rolling blackouts\" -- and the data and expert opinions don't back that up.","Santorum\u2019s said that Obama\u2019s policies have forced \"many parts of the country to experience rolling blackouts\" -- evoking images of Third World countries. But neither Santorum nor experts offered any evidence that widespread rolling blackouts have occured. Arguably, squirrels are as much a threat to the power supply today. We rate the claim Pants On Fire.","\"This president\u2019s agenda doesn\u2019t just stop with oil and gas,\" Santorum wrote. \"President Obama has also discouraged new electricity generation -- forcing many parts of the country to experience rolling blackouts. That means that millions of Americans will live with a power grid that is second-rate, like a Third World country.\"","On March 10, 2012, Rick Santorum published an op-ed on his website that took a series of shots at President Barack Obama\u2019s energy policies."]},{"id":"5453.json","label":"true","statement":"Says local Texas chambers of commerce were granted exemptions from paying property taxes on their headquarter properties.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Local Texas chambers of commerce were indeed granted exemptions from paying property taxes on their headquarters properties. This exemption is a result of specific tax policies or legislation that provide these chambers with favorable treatment regarding property taxes. The use of the term \"sweetheart\" and \"expensive\" in the statement is subjective and may be considered opinionated, but the factual claim about the exemptions is supported.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Becky Moeller says local Texas chambers of commerce \"were granted sweetheart exemptions from paying all property taxes on their expensive headquarters properties\"","But we focused on a clearly factual claim -- that local chambers of commerce got exemptions from paying property taxes on their headquarter properties. Setting aside her juicy adjectives as opinion -- \"sweetheart\" and \"expensive\" -- were local chambers granted exemptions from property taxes?","( - Becky Moeller says local Texas chambers of commerce \"were granted sweetheart exemptions from paying all property taxes on their expensive headquarters properties\"&url=)","Moeller said: \"We continue to wait for legislative proposals to require CEOs who accept corporate welfare and promise jobs that they often don\u2019t deliver to take drug tests. Come to think of it, we\u2019re still waiting for heads of local Chambers of Commerce in Texas who were granted sweetheart exemptions from paying all property taxes on their expensive headquarters properties to take drug tests to prove they are \u2018ready and available\u2019 to use taxpayer money.\""]},{"id":"5346.json","label":"false","statement":"Preventive care saves money, for families, for businesses, for government, for everybody.","reason":"Reason: The statement that preventive care saves money for families, businesses, government, and everybody is not entirely accurate. While preventive care measures can save lives and promote better health outcomes, the claim that it saves money for all parties is not supported by the findings of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and various studies in the medical literature. Academic studies generally do not provide strong evidence to support the notion that investing in preventive care leads to overall cost savings. While certain preventive measures may save money in specific cases, the sweeping claim that preventive care universally saves money is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["As a general notion, the idea that \"preventive care \u2026 saves money, for families, for businesses, for government, for everybody\" is no more true today than it was in 2009. Yes, preventive measures often save lives and keep patients healthier. Certain preventive measures may save money as well. But the findings of CBO and physicians who have studied the medical literature indicate that Obama\u2019s sweeping generalization that preventive services save money is not accurate. We rate the statement False.","In announcing a partial shift of policy, Obama said, \"As part of the health care reform law that I signed last year, all insurance plans are required to cover preventive care at no cost. That means free check-ups, free mammograms, immunizations and other basic services. We fought for this because it saves lives and it saves money \u2013- for families, for businesses, for government, for everybody. That\u2019s because it\u2019s a lot cheaper to prevent an illness than to treat one.\"","\u2022 \"Preventive care \u2026 saves money for families, for businesses, for government, for everybody.\" This sweeping claim came from President Obama. Is preventive care a good idea? It can often save lives and keep patients healthier, and certain preventive measures may save money as well. But the findings of the Congressional Budget Office and and physicians who have studied the medical literature say otherwise, including a Feb. 14, 2008, article in the New England Journal of Medicine that noted that \"the vast majority\" of preventive health measures that were \"reviewed in the health economics literature do not\" save money. False.","But while there\u2019s little doubt that preventive care saves lives, the money is a different story. In general, academic studies do not support the idea that paying for preventive care ultimately saves money."]},{"id":"3552.json","label":"true","statement":"In Florida, its not illegal for an immediate family member of state officials to prosper from legislation supported by a spouse.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that it is indeed not illegal in Florida for an immediate family member of state officials to benefit from legislation supported by their spouse. The medical association's resolution and email explicitly state that Florida lacks laws prohibiting such a situation. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In Florida, it\u2019s not illegal for an immediate family member of state officials to prosper from legislation supported by a spouse.","The medical association's resolution criticizes Scott for a conflict of interest, but its e-mail announcing the resolution concedes it is not illegal in Florida for an immediate family member of a state officer to prosper from legislation supported by their spouse. So back to our question: Is it legal?","The association then sent out notice of the resolution with the following statement: \"Gov. Scott transferred his ownership interest in Solantic to a trust owned and managed by his wife. Solantic has contracts with Medicaid HMOs. Their volume of patients will likely increase if\/when Medicaid Reform is expanded statewide. Gov. Scott's wife sits on the Solantic board. Florida is one of the few states where that arrangement (an immediate family member may prosper from legislation supported by their spouse) is not illegal.\"","We wondered if the last part of the statement was true. Does Florida have no laws banning a state officer from supporting legislation that would benefit an immediate family member?"]},{"id":"4763.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The unemployment rate among (the) non-college-educated is well into the double digits in America. Its 4 percent or 5 percent for people who have college degrees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that the unemployment rate for college graduates is around 4 to 5 percent, the claim that the unemployment rate among non-college-educated individuals is \"well into the double digits\" is an exaggeration. Currently, the unemployment rate for non-college-educated individuals is relatively high but not in the double digits. Therefore, the statement is partially true but also misleading in its characterization of the unemployment rate among non-college-educated individuals.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The unemployment rate among (the) non-college-educated is well into the double digits in America. It's 4 percent or 5 percent for people who have college degrees.\"","\"The unemployment rate among (the) non-college-educated is well into the double digits in America,\" he said. \"It's 4 percent or 5 percent for people who have college degrees.\"","Santorum was correct when he said that the unemployment rate is 4 percent or 5 percent for college graduates; it\u2019s currently 4.4 percent. But he overstated his case when he said that \"the unemployment rate among (the) non-college-educated is well into the double digits in America.\" While relatively high by historical standards, the actual numbers today are not in the double digits, much less well into them. On balance, we rate Santorum\u2019s statement Half True.","( - Rick Santorum says unemployment for college grads is 4 to 5 percent but for non-college-educated it's well into double digits&url=)"]},{"id":"4099.json","label":"false","statement":"Says scientists are in dispute over whether being gay is a choice.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pawlenty that scientists are \"in dispute\" over whether being gay is a choice is false. Multiple reputable organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Human Rights Campaign, have reached a consensus that sexual orientation is not a choice but rather a natural and inherent aspect of an individual's identity. The claim made by Pawlenty contradicts the consensus among these respected scientific and advocacy organizations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We decided to rate two of Pawlenty\u2019s statements separately. In another item, we\u2019ll look at whether scientists are \"in dispute\" about whether being gay is a choice. In this item, we\u2019ll look at Pawlenty\u2019s claim that \"there's no scientific conclusion that it's genetic.\"","We decided to rate two of Pawlenty\u2019s statements separately. In another item, we\u2019ll look at his claim that \"there's no scientific conclusion that it's genetic.\" In this item, we\u2019ll look at the first part of the exchange. We're not fact checking whether being gay is a choice, but whether scientists are \"in dispute\" over whether it is or is not.","Pawlenty : \"Well, the science in that regard is in dispute. I mean, the scientists work on that and try to figure out if it's behavioral...\"","Pawlenty said that scientists are \"in dispute\" about whether being gay is a choice or not. We think most people would interpret that to mean sexual orientation -- that is, attractions and impulses -- rather than sexual behavior. And on that question, it seems that the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the Human Rights Campaign and even the Family Research Council are in agreement. So we rate Pawlenty\u2019s statement False."]},{"id":"10841.json","label":"false","statement":"The proportion of Rhode Islanders entering substance abuse treatment primarily due to marijuana use has reached its highest point in 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the available evidence. While Kathleen Sullivan claimed that the proportion of Rhode Islanders entering substance abuse treatment primarily due to marijuana use has reached its highest point in 20 years, the data from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) does not support this assertion. The statistics provided by the U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration only cover admissions for substance abuse treatment up until 2011, which is one year short of the 20-year timeframe mentioned. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that the proportion of Rhode Islanders entering substance abuse treatment primarily for marijuana has reached its highest point in 20 years.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Kathleen Sullivan said the proportion of Rhode Islanders entering substance abuse treatment, primarily for marijuana, has reached its highest point in 20 years.","\"We do know that the proportion of Rhode Islanders entering substance abuse treatment primarily due to marijuana use has reached its highest point in 20 years,\" she told the committee during the April 29 hearing.","Smith said the data, known as the Treatment Episode Data Set or TEDS, do not support the assertion that the number of Rhode Islanders entering substance abuse treatment has reached its highest point in 20 years.","When we contacted her for details, she emailed statistics collected from the states by the U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. Her data on admissions for substance abuse treatment, primarily for marijuana, ranged from 1993 through 2011, a year shy of the 20 years she spoke of."]},{"id":"2781.json","label":"false","statement":"Anybody who is familiar with the historical data from the IRS knows that raising income tax rates will likely actually reduce federal revenues.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pence that raising income tax rates will likely reduce federal revenues is contradicted by the historical data and expert analysis. Multiple experts have stated that there is no dispute among economists that broad-based federal income tax cuts actually reduce revenue. The historical data from the IRS does not support the claim that raising income tax rates leads to a decrease in federal revenues. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["To recap, Pence said that, \"Anybody who is familiar with the historical data from the IRS knows that raising income tax rates will likely actually reduce federal revenues.\" Actually, the historical data doesn't show that. Experts said the economic theory Pence is drawing from doesn't apply in the current situation, and an increase in tax rates would not cause tax revenues to decline. So we rate his statement False.","Raising revenue means a tax increase, which Pence said was a bad idea. And Pence further argued that a tax increase wouldn't help anyway: \"David believes that every tax increase equals a revenue increase, but that's not true. Anybody who is familiar with the historical data from the IRS knows that raising income tax rates will likely actually reduce federal revenues.\"","\"There is no real dispute among economists that broad-based federal income tax cuts reduce revenue (except when tax rates are much higher than they are now),\" said Alan D. Viard of the conservative American Enterprise Institute. \"Revenue is lower than it would be without the Bush tax cuts -- liberal and conservative economists are in accord on this question.\"","That's what caught our attention as fact-checkers. How can raising taxes not raise money? And does the historical data really show that?"]},{"id":"7409.json","label":"true","statement":"There are 3 million jobs that go vacant each month in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that there are 3 million job vacancies each month in the country. The evidence provided supports this claim, with the speaker mentioning the difficulty in finding competent workers and the high number of job openings. It is important to note that this statistic may vary over time and across different industries, but based on the evidence provided, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We need to better prepare our workforce for the jobs that we have,\" Joyce said. \"There are three million jobs that go vacant each month in this country, so the idea of trying to better prepare our children for the workforce by reforming high schools and stressing technical degrees in engineering, that is something that intrigues me. It\u2019s something that people in other districts hear from their people, who said we have difficulty finding competent workers.\"","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","Coincidentally, just moments before Rubio uttered those words, we posted a fact check of a similar comment by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. Foxx had said in a House floor speech that \"there are 3.6 million jobs sitting vacant, in part because there aren\u2019t enough qualified applicants to fill them.\"","So, if Rubio means to say that 3 million of the 3.7 million job openings are open due to skill shortfalls, he has no way of knowing that because that sort of data is not collected. The same is true if he was simply using \"3 million\" as shorthand for \"3.7 million.\""]},{"id":"2129.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For every dollar we put in unemployment, it pays back about $1.60.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the increase in GDP resulting from spending on unemployment insurance can range from $0.70 to $1.90 for every dollar spent. Senator Jeanne Shaheen's claim of $1.60 falls within the range provided by the CBO. However, it's important to note that estimating the precise impact of unemployment spending on GDP is challenging, and different scholars may have varying opinions on the matter. Therefore, while the statement aligns with the upper end of the CBO's estimate, it should be acknowledged that there is some uncertainty surrounding the exact impact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["To recap: Sen. Shaheen said that \"for every dollar we put in unemployment it, pays back about $1.60.\" The CBO said that the increase is actually anywhere from $.70 to $1.90, so she picked a number that's on the high end of that estimate. She's right on target if we go by Mark Zandi's economic study, but many of the scholars we spoke with are critical of attempts to accurately estimate the effect that spending on unemployment insurance has on the GDP. We rate this Half True.","New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen reiterated the argument during a recent MSNBC interview. \"This is one of the best things we can do to help stimulate the economy, because for every dollar we put in unemployment, it pays back about $1.60. And we know that people who are on unemployment are going to go out, and they're going to spend that money, they're going to pay for groceries at their local grocery store, they're going to buy gas in their car.\"","If it cost us $1 to add only 70 cents to the GDP, does that mean we risk losing 30 cents for every dollar we spend on unemployment?","Next, we looked at a report issued in January 2010 by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the official nonpartisan number-cruncher for Congress. In its discussion of increasing unemployment aid, the report noted that the proposal is \"both timely and cost-effective in spurring economic activity and employment.\" For every dollar spent, the CBO wrote, the GDP would increase by anywhere from $0.70 to $1.90 per year from 2010 to 2015."]},{"id":"320.json","label":"true","statement":"Romney used to favor gun control, and said he didn't want to go back to Reagan-Bush.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided. During his 1994 Senate campaign, Mitt Romney expressed support for gun control measures such as the Brady Bill and a ban on certain types of assault weapons. Additionally, he stated that he did not want to return to the policies of the Reagan-Bush era. It is important to note that this statement refers to Romney's past stance on gun control and his position on the Reagan-Bush era, and does not necessarily reflect his current views.\nLabel: true","evidence":["On his Reagan comment: \"Well, when I was running in '94 I wasn't trying to return to Reagan-Bush because that was characterized as a very different posture than what I was running for. ... And Senator Kennedy in the debate was saying, `Oh, you're just turning yourself into Reagan-Bush.' I said, 'No, I'm my own person.' \"","On his Reagan comment: \"Well, when I was running in '94 I wasn't trying to return to Reagan-Bush because that was characterized as a very different posture than what I was running for. \u2026 And Senator Kennedy in the debate was saying, `Oh, you're just turning yourself into Reagan-Bush.' I said, `No, I'm my own person.'\"","Also during the 1994 race, Kennedy attacked Romney as a conservative similar to Ronald Reagan. (He didn't mean it as a compliment.) That's when Romney responded, \"I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I'm not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.\"","In 1994, Romney ran for U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy. During that campaign, Romney supported two gun control measures: the Brady Bill, which required background checks for gun purchases, and a ban on certain types of assault weapons."]},{"id":"1626.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Joe, I keep hearing you every morning talking about the biggest tax increase in history, but you don't mention it's also the biggest tax cut in history.''","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the response made by Durbin in which he claims that the bill is both the biggest tax increase and the biggest tax cut in history. However, it's important to note that this claim is contradictory and misleading. While the bill may include provisions for tax cuts, it is primarily known for its tax increases, particularly on high-income earners and certain industries. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks clarity in accurately characterizing the bill's impact on taxes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Joe, I keep hearing you every morning talking about the biggest tax increase in history, but you don't mention it's also the biggest tax cut in history,\" Durbin responded \"We have almost $500 billion in tax cuts. And the tax cuts go to small businesses to help pay for health insurance premiums. They're going to go to individuals who can't afford their health insurance premiums. It's really going to make certain everybody has a chance for affordable health insurance.\"","\"Joe, I keep hearing you every morning talking about the biggest tax increase in history, but you don't mention it's also the biggest tax cut in history,\" Durbin responded. \"We have almost $500 billion in tax cuts. And the tax cuts go to small businesses to help pay for health insurance premiums. They're going to go to individuals who can't afford their health insurance premiums. It's really going to make certain everybody has a chance for affordable health insurance.\"","In the course of less than a minute, the bill was alternately described as \"the largest tax increase in U.S. history\" (Scarborough) and \"the biggest tax cut in history\" (Durbin).","We took a two-pronged approach to this exchange, and in a separate item, we examined Scarborough's claim that the bill is \"the largest tax increase in U.S. history.\" In this one, we'll tackle Durbin's claim that the bill is \"also the biggest tax cut in history.\" Is it really treadmill-launching wrong?"]},{"id":"7078.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas population is projected to double in the next 50 years or so, but our basic amount of water will remain about where it is now.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Kirk Watson that Texas' population is projected to double in the next 50 years, while the basic amount of water available will remain relatively constant. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which includes direct quotes from Senator Watson. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide further context or evidence to support the claim. It would be beneficial to consider additional research and data on Texas' water resources and future projections to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Texas\u2019 population is projected to double in the next 50 years or so, but our basic amount of water will remain about where it is now.\"","The senator said the state\u2019s \"population is projected to double in the next 50 years or so, but our basic amount of water will remain about where it is now.\"","Kirk Watson says state's population will double in 50 years or so while amount of water will remain about the same","\"Texas\u2019 population is projected to double in the next 50 years or so,\" Watson replied, \"but our basic amount of water will remain about where it is now. Texas has an official water plan showing our water needs over a half-century and ideas for meeting those needs. But that plan requires steady funding. Ideas such as bottled water fees and utility surcharges should be considered. But the first priority should be promoting, incentivizing and optimizing conservation.\""]},{"id":"696.json","label":"false","statement":"Palin had \"executive experience\" in the PTA.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that serving in the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) can provide some level of organizational and leadership experience, it would be inaccurate to classify it as \"executive experience\" in the context of political leadership. The evidence suggests that Sarah Palin's involvement in the PTA was limited to serving as a member and not as an officer. Without evidence to support the claim that she held an executive role within the PTA, it is false to assert that her PTA involvement qualifies as \"executive experience.\"\nLabel: false","evidence":["In an interview on NBC's Nightly News , McCain included Palin's involvement with PTA as one of the examples of her \"executive experience.\"","James Martinez, a spokesman for the National PTA, said that parents serving at any level of PTA might get some executive experience.","While admirable, we wondered how much executive experience Palin could actually claim to have gotten by serving on the Iditarod Elementary School PTA, let alone what special interests she may have taken on.","We agree PTA can be hard, important and often thankless work. And principals often credit parental involvement in PTA as crucial to the success of schools. But since it does not appear that Palin served as an officer in PTA (though we acknowledge it's possible she did and folks just won't say) we think it's wrong to count that as executive experience. Without any evidence to support McCain's statement, we rate this one False."]},{"id":"6292.json","label":"true","statement":"Over the last six months, President Barack Obama has golfed 10 times and held 106 fundraisers, but his jobs council has never met.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that over the last six months, President Barack Obama has indeed golfed 10 times and held 106 fundraisers. It is also accurate to state that his jobs council did not meet during that period. The Republican National Committee (RNC) and Mitt Romney have made this claim, and it has been fact-checked and rated as true. This information highlights a perceived discrepancy in priorities, with a focus on fundraising activities rather than convening the jobs council.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The RNC said that over the last six months, Obama has golfed 10 times and held 106 fundraisers even as his jobs council didn\u2019t meet once. The RNC\u2019s tally is on target. We rate the statement True.","The following day, the RNC released a graphic that provided some additional specifics. Over the last six months, the graphic said, Obama has golfed 10 times and held 106 fundraisers, but his jobs council has never met. The RNC supplemented this with a video that added a goofy soundtrack as well as audio and video of an exchange on this topic between reporters and White House press secretary Jay Carney.","In a video and an infographic, the Republican National Committee amplified a charge first raised by Mitt Romney on the stump the day before -- that President Barack Obama has held more than 100 fundraisers in the past six months, yet his jobs council didn\u2019t meet once.","\"In the last six months, he has held 100 fundraisers, and guess how many meetings he has had with his jobs council?\" Romney said in a July 18, 2012, campaign event in Bowling Green, Ohio. \"None. Zero. Zero in the last six months. So it makes it very clear where his priorities are.\""]},{"id":"4648.json","label":"false","statement":"The newly created state Immigration Enforcement Review Board can actually prosecute, and get them [violators] into jail, if we bring in the attorney general.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The newly created state Immigration Enforcement Review Board does not have the authority to prosecute or incarcerate individuals. The board's role is to review and investigate complaints related to immigration enforcement and make recommendations to the attorney general's office. The attorney general's office, in turn, has the authority to take legal action if deemed necessary. However, the board itself does not possess the power to prosecute or imprison violators.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The newly created state Immigration Enforcement Review Board \"can actually prosecute, and get them violators into jail, if we bring in the attorney general.\"","\"And yes we can actually prosecute, and get them into jail, if we bring in the attorney general,\" Kent said. \"That\u2019s what the open borders, anti-enforcement people don\u2019t like.\"","Kent said that the board \"can actually prosecute\" violators, and \"get them into jail,\" if it enlists the help of the attorney general\u2019s office.","Immigrant rights activist Erik Voss, who videotaped the speech, cried foul. The review board has no authority to bring in the attorney general, much less prosecute or jail violators, he told PolitiFact Georgia."]},{"id":"13517.json","label":"true","statement":"Even though men comprise 49% of the population, they hold 80% of the lawmaking power in the Legislature (144 of 181 seats).","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by Annie's List and other sources. Men do hold a significant majority of the lawmaking power in the Texas Legislature, with 80% of the seats being occupied by men despite comprising only 49% of the population. This gender disparity in representation highlights an imbalance in political power and the underrepresentation of women in the legislature.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Annie\u2019s List said that \"though men comprise 49% of the population, they hold 80% of the lawmaking power in the Legislature (144 of 181 seats).\"","Annie\u2019s List, a group that tries to elect progressive, pro-choice women in Texas, sees a lacking in your Texas Legislature: \"Although Texas is one of America\u2019s largest and most diverse states, and even though men comprise 49% of the population, they hold 80% of the lawmaking power in the Legislature (144 of 181 seats).\"","In 2014, 51 percent of the state\u2019s residents were female, 48 percent were male. Of late, men account for 80 percent of Texas legislators, women comprise 20 percent. After members are sworn in for the 2017 regular session, there also will be an 80-20 split.","Merging the new members and the returning ones gave us the final gender breakdown for the 85th Texas Legislature. In total, about 80 percent will be men and 20 percent will be women -- no change from the previous session."]},{"id":"9380.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Solar panels drain the suns energy.","reason":"Reason: The claim that solar panels drain the sun's energy is entirely false and has no basis in scientific fact. This claim originated from a satirical website and is not supported by any credible scientific research. Solar panels work by capturing and converting sunlight into usable energy, without depleting the sun's energy source. This statement is a complete fabrication and should not be taken seriously.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In mid May 2014, the website National Report published an article headlined, \"Solar Panels Drain the Sun\u2019s Energy, Experts Say.\" Here\u2019s an excerpt:","As is often the case, what you see on social media isn\u2019t accurate. It\u2019s not true that \"solar panels drain the sun\u2019s energy.\" This claim originated with a satirical site, and it has no basis in science. Cue the solar flares: It gets a Pants on Fire.","Recently, several readers -- feeling depressed after reading that a promising type of clean, renewable energy was seemingly weakening the earth\u2019s very life force -- asked us to check a claim circulating on social media that \"solar panels drain the sun\u2019s energy.\"","\"\u2018Put into laymen\u2019s terms, the solar panels capture the sun\u2019s energy, but pull on the sun over time, forcing more energy to be released than the sun is actually producing,\u2019 WIT claims in a scientific white paper published on Wednesday. \u2018Imagine a waterfall, dumping water. But you aren\u2019t catching the water in buckets, but rather sucking it in with a vacuum cleaner. Eventually, you\u2019re going to suck in so much water that you drain the river above that waterfall completely.\u2019"]},{"id":"4797.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Solyndrahad robots that whistled Disney songs. Im not kidding.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney made the claim that Solyndra had robots that whistled Disney songs, this statement is not entirely accurate. The robots in question were actually automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or driverless forklifts that played music as a safety feature. The purpose of the music was to draw attention to the AGVs and enhance safety in the workplace. While some of the tunes played by these AGVs may have included Disney songs, it was not their primary or defining feature. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When a presidential candidate says a controversial solar factory had robots that whistled Disney songs, then says, \"I'm not kidding,\" we just can't resist. Really?","> \"The federal government gave them a $535 million startup loan to build a factory in Fremont, Calif. The footprint of their facility covered five baseball fields. They had robots that whistled Disney songs. I'm not kidding. They had, what was described as, spa-like showers with liquid crystal displays that told you what the water temperature was. The company headquarters was called, the 'Taj Mahal' of office buildings.","Finally, Mitt Romney mocked Solyndra as a company that had \"robots that whistled Disney songs.\" Romney said this was an example of how government doesn\u2019t know how to run a business. We rated his statement Half True. The whistling robots were actually driverless forklifts that played music as a safety feature.","We were heartened that Romney was able to quickly provide a source for his information about Solyndra's factory. But as an example of wasteful spending, \"robots that whistled Disney songs,\" doesn't quite hold up. Automated guided vehicles are common in warehouses and factories, as a labor-saving device. Some of them come preloaded with melodies as an alternative to beep-beep-beep \u2014 to boost workers' attention to them, and thus safety. The Solyndra vehicles may have played some Disney tunes along with their movie medleys and Japanese folk songs, but it wasn't their most memorable feature. We rate Romney's claim Half True."]},{"id":"4561.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Not a single banker, a CEO from Wall Street, anyone from corporate America nobody, (there was) not one arrest of any of these people who brought down the economy in 2008.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been some arrests related to the 2008 financial crisis, the statement accurately reflects the sentiment that there has been a perceived lack of accountability for high-level executives and individuals from the financial industry who played a role in the economic downturn. While there have been some prosecutions and settlements, critics argue that the level of accountability has been insufficient given the magnitude of the crisis. Therefore, the statement captures the overall sentiment of frustration regarding the perceived lack of arrests and consequences for those responsible for the economic downturn.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Not a single banker, a CEO from Wall Street, anyone from corporate America \u2014 nobody, (there was) not one arrest of any of these people who brought down the economy in 2008.\"","Moore said, \"Not a single banker, a CEO from Wall Street, anyone from corporate America \u2014 nobody, (there was) not one arrest of any of these people who brought down the economy in 2008.\" Well, there have been a few arrests. Certainly the executives of Taylor, Bean & Whitaker who were arrested would qualify as \"corporate America.\"","To the extent the effort has a voice, you might say it's filmmaker and provocateur Michael Moore. He made a claim last week that while there have been dozens of arrests of the Occupy Wall Street protesters, \"Not a single banker, a CEO from Wall Street, anyone from corporate America \u2014 nobody, (there was) not one arrest of any of these people who brought down the economy in 2008.\"","\"Well, it's highly ironic that now over 100 of the protesters have been arrested and not a single banker, a CEO from Wall Street, anyone from corporate America \u2014 nobody, not one arrest of any of these people who brought down the economy in 2008. Who created schemes, financial schemes that not only destroyed the economy, but took away the future of this generation, of this young man and his children in the future. They have completely ruined it for people while they have become filthy rich. Not one of them arrested, but 100 of these people who have stood up non-violently against this madness, and they're arrested? This just boggles the mind.\""]},{"id":"10736.json","label":"false","statement":"The elimination of essentially every automobile would be offset by one volcano exploding.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that the elimination of essentially every automobile would be offset by one volcano exploding. This statement lacks any credible sources or scientific basis. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about the impact of specific events or actions on the environment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["AFP Fact Check, \"This video does not show the Moskva warship exploding -- it's a 2013 Norwegian military exercise,\" April 25, 2022","While 2050 is 29 years down the road, Biden did not state in Michigan a time limit on when he thinks electric power would come close to liquid fuels\u2019 share of the automobile market. Nor did he state in detail what that future for electric power for automobiles would be.","However, we found no evidence to support the claim that this image was made public as a result of a leak at the federal agency or Musk\u2019s private company. Previous authenticated leaks, such as video of a SpaceX rocket exploding in 2019 and an email from Musk warning SpaceX faced bankruptcy in 2021, were both well-covered in the media. It follows that news organizations would also cover the alleged leak of this image, but we found no such reports.","\"Current laws and regulations are not projected to induce much market growth, despite continuing improvements in electric vehicles (EVs) through evolutionary market developments. Both vehicle sales and utilization (miles driven) would need to increase substantially for EVs to raise electric power demand growth rates by more than a fraction of a percentage point per year.\""]},{"id":"508.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"We are winning the popular vote.\"","reason":"Reason: While Hillary Clinton did make the statement \"We are winning the popular vote\" in her victory speech after winning the primary in Puerto Rico, it is important to note that this claim is highly contested and depends on the specific criteria used to calculate the popular vote. The statement is considered barely true because it relies on including disputed results from states like Michigan where Barack Obama's name was not on the ballot. Additionally, Obama could also make a claim to leading the popular vote depending on the criteria used. Therefore, the statement is subjective and lacks a definitive conclusion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["After winning the primary in Puerto Rico on June 1, 2008, Sen. Hillary Clinton proclaimed in her victory speech, \"We are winning the popular vote!\"","For all of these reasons, we find Clinton's argument that she's winning the popular vote to be true only if you consider the messy, real-world results in the light most favorable to Clinton, and for this reason we find her claim Barely True.","When Clinton calculates her popular vote lead, there's no way she can get to a winning number unless she counts Michigan, where Obama's name was not on the ballot. The Clinton campaign has said Obama didn't have to take his name off the ballot, which is true, but counting a Clinton victory over Obama when his name didn't appear on the ballot is dubious.","Obama could similarly claim to lead the popular vote, Corrado said. But Clinton is talking about the popular votes because she can't say she has won the most delegates or the most states."]},{"id":"11660.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 2008, we have cut 5,000 positions from Virginia public schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Governor Terry McAuliffe has stated on multiple occasions that since 2008, Virginia public schools have experienced a reduction of approximately 5,000 positions. While the actual number is slightly lower at 4,811, rounding up to 5,000 is acceptable. It is important to note that a significant portion of these job cuts affected support staff, and about one-fourth of the positions belonged to instructors.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 2008, we have cut 5,000 positions\" in state public schools, he said Dec. 3 to journalists attending an annual AP Day at the Capital seminar hosted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. McAuliffe, a Democrat, made a similar claim Nov. 24 during his monthly radio show on WTOP in Washington.","The actual number is 4,811, but we won\u2019t carp with the rounding up. In a similar statement on a radio show, the governor said \"about 5,000 jobs.\" It should be noted that about one-fourth of the positions belonged to instructors and that the vast majority of lost jobs affected support staff.","\"This session, Republicans launched attack after attack on Virginia\u2019s public schools, teachers and students,\" the party said in an April 4 news release.","!Gov. Terry McAuliffe cited job cuts in public schools to boost his call for more K-12 spending. (Richmond Times-Dispatch photo) !Gov. Terry McAuliffe cited job cuts in public schools to boost his call for more K-12 spending. (Richmond Times-Dispatch photo)"]},{"id":"11729.json","label":"false","statement":"The 90 percent statistic ofsupporting background checks, thats been debunked.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Laura Ingraham that the 90 percent statistic of supporting background checks has been debunked is not accurate. While there may be some debate about the specific implications and interpretations of the statistic, there is no definitive debunking of the overall support for background checks. Polls consistently show that a significant majority of Americans, including both Democrats and Republicans, support background checks for gun purchases, with some polls indicating support in the range of 90 percent. Therefore, the claim that the statistic has been debunked is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact has rated this 90 percent statistic True as recently as October. So we decided to try and figure out what Ingraham was talking about when she said this is a myth that has been debunked.","\"The 90 percent statistic of supporting background checks, that's been debunked,\" Ingraham said on Fox News Sunday on Jan. 3. \"Lots of the myths about gun ownership are perpetrated by people who never much liked the Second Amendment in the first place and who have a vested interest in amassing more power in Washington, D.C.\"","While there are some questions as to what inferences can be made from these findings \u2014 such as whether that 90-percent support translates into support for specific legislation \u2014 there hasn\u2019t been a definitive debunking of the statistic.","Polls during the past few years show overall support for gun background checks in the ballpark of 90%. Kerr suggested the statistic applied regardless of political party, and it clearly does for Democrats, who often support background checks at rates higher than 90%. But among Republicans, we found some polls suggesting their support is closer to the 80% range, slightly less than Kerr suggested. We rate this statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"7972.json","label":"true","statement":"Bob Barr has changed his position on the Defense of Marriage Act over the years.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Bob Barr, the author of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), has indeed changed his position on the issue over the years. The statement is consistent with the statements made by Ga. Rep. Ed Lindsey and the investigation conducted by PolitiFact Georgia. Therefore, it can be concluded that Bob Barr has indeed changed his position on the Defense of Marriage Act.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!Gay rights supporters in Midtown Atlanta cheer the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage on June 26, 2013. Ga. Rep. Ed Lindsey says marriage act author Bob Barr has changed his position on the issue over the years. (AJC Photo\/Kent D. Johnson) !Gay rights supporters in Midtown Atlanta cheer the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage on June 26, 2013. Ga. Rep. Ed Lindsey says marriage act author Bob Barr has changed his position on the issue over the years. (AJC Photo\/Kent D. Johnson)","Gay rights supporters in Midtown Atlanta cheer the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage on June 26, 2013. Ga. Rep. Ed Lindsey says marriage act author Bob Barr has changed his position on the issue over the years. (AJC Photo\/Kent D. Johnson)","Congressional candidate Ed Lindsey said former congressman and DOMA author Bob Barr has changed his position on DOMA over the years.","Has Barr changed his position on DOMA over the years? PolitiFact Georgia wondered whether Lindsey\u2019s claim had any merit, so we decided to investigate."]},{"id":"7007.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 55 percent of council members have come from area where only 10 percent of Austinites live.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Barrientos and Young that 55 percent of Austin's elected officials have come from four specific ZIP codes, while only 10 percent of the population resides in those areas. However, it's important to note that the calculation slightly overestimates the percentage due to a double-counting of mayors. Nonetheless, the general point remains valid that there has been a disproportionate representation from these ZIP codes on the Austin City Council.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Barrientos wrote, \"10 percent of the population lives in an area that receives 55 percent of the representation,\" citing the system in place since 1971. Young later specified that the area is four ZIP codes.","\"Since 1971, City Council members have been elected through a system that encourages unequal representation -- 10 percent of the population lives in an area that receives 55 percent of the representation,\" he wrote in an opinion piece that ran in the Austin American-Statesman on Oct. 22, 2012, the day early voting started for the Nov. 6 election.","Leaving out the implication that officials only advocate for their home neighborhoods, the 55 percent calculation is slightly off due to a double-counting of mayors. All told, it looks like 50 percent of Austin\u2019s council members (including mayors) have come from those ZIPs over the past four decades.","From 1971 through 2011, Young said, 55 percent of Austin\u2019s elected officials lived in four ZIP codes -- 78701, 78703, 78731 and 78759. The 10 percent population figure, he said, was derived from the 2010 Census totals for Austin and for those four ZIP codes."]},{"id":"4469.json","label":"false","statement":"Says We do about 300 investigations a year into housing discrimination and in recent years have put about $150,000 of damages into the pockets of individuals who have been treated unfairly.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the commissioner regarding the number of investigations into housing discrimination is inaccurate. The commissioner misspoke and later acknowledged the discrepancy. The actual number of housing investigations conducted by the agency is around 100 per year, not 300 as claimed. Additionally, the statement about putting $150,000 of damages into the pockets of individuals is also misleading. While there were monetary exchanges in some cases, the amounts ranged from $500 to $20,000, and not all of it can be considered \"damages.\" Therefore, the statement is not supported by accurate information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We do about 300 investigations a year into housing discrimination and in recent years have put about $150,000 of damages into the pockets of individuals who have been treated unfairly,\" he said.","Bob Estabrook, the commissioner\u2019s spokesman, owned up to the discrepancy right away. He said the commissioner misspoke. An August 2011 check found roughly 350 housing investigations since May 2008, when BOLI was reauthorized to investigate federal housing claims. That comes out to more than 100 complaints a year, not the 300 a year claimed.","Of the 67 cases, 31 included monetary exchanges totaling almost $160,000. The amounts ranged from $500 to $20,000. It\u2019s not all technically \"damages,\" but it is money that probably would not have gone to complainants without intervention by the agency, he said.","That seemed easy enough to check. We searched online the words Avakian, housing and complaints, and found an April 2010 press release in which his office claimed investigating more than 200 complaints since May 2008. Two hundred in two years versus 300 a year? We asked the commissioner\u2019s office to reconcile."]},{"id":"9233.json","label":"false","statement":"The President wants the U.S. to sign on to the U.N.s International Criminal Court.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Obama wants the U.S. to sign on to the U.N.'s International Criminal Court is false. While the Obama administration has been more open to engaging with the court compared to the previous administration, there is no evidence to suggest that President Obama desires full membership for the United States. Furthermore, becoming a member of the International Criminal Court would require Senate approval, which is highly unlikely to happen. The claim is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We will be checking a few claims from this email, but in this report, we\u2019ll look at the claim that \"the President wants the U.S. to sign on to the U.N.\u2019s International Criminal Court.\"","The chain email says Obama \"wants the U.S. to sign on to the U.N.\u2019s International Criminal Court.\" While the Obama administration has been more willing to engage with the court than the Bush administration, which was strongly opposed to cooperating, Obama has made no sign that he wants to become a full-blown member of the court. Even if he did, doing so would require 67 votes in the Senate, making it essentially a nonstarter. We rate the claim False.","\"President Obama has made no indication that he \u2018wants the U.S. to sign on to the U.N.\u2019s International Criminal Court,\u2019\" said Steven Groves, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation. \"Since everyone knows such a transmittal would be dead on arrival, the likelihood that the president would do so before the end of his term is negligible, if not zero.\"","\"Now, the President wants the US to sign on to the UNs International Criminal Court (ICC), which would allow the UN's ICC to arrest and try US troops for War Crimes, without the legal protections guaranteed under US Law, and from which there is no appeal. The President, with his Democratic control of the Senate, has nearly all the power. If the Non-Establishment Republicans, and Conservatives, can take back the Senate in 2014, our troops can once again be protected from unnecessary danger. Please consider this, and send it on to your mailing lists.\""]},{"id":"8421.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned that the SAVE database is not a foolproof means of verifying (citizenship on) the voter rolls.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the League of Women Voters in Florida that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned that the SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) database is not a foolproof means of verifying citizenship on the voter rolls. This claim is supported by the statement made by League of Women Voters President Deirdre Macnab, who cited the Department of Homeland Security's warning regarding the database. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The League of Women Voters in Florida said, \"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has already warned that this (SAVE) database is not a foolproof means of verifying the voter rolls.\"","We asked the League of Women Voters for the source of their claim that the department warned that SAVE is \"not a foolproof means of verifying the voter rolls.\"","Some of Macnab\u2019s statement is a matter of opinion -- as fact-checkers we won\u2019t weigh in on whether using SAVE is appropriate to search for noncitizens on voter rolls. But we decided to check if the Department of Homeland Security warned that SAVE \"is not a foolproof means of verifying the voter rolls.\"","\"Using the federal SAVE Program to conduct this \u2018cleaning\u2019 of the voter rolls is like taking a chihuahua on a hunting expedition -- it is an inappropriate tool for this application,\" said League of Women Voters President Deirdre Macnab in an Oct. 10 statement, the day after the meeting. \"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has already warned that this database is not a foolproof means of verifying the voter rolls.\""]},{"id":"10779.json","label":"false","statement":"The United States is not modernizing its nuclear weapons.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. Multiple experts have confirmed that the United States is indeed modernizing its nuclear weapons. The country has allocated significant funds for the modernization of its nuclear arsenal, and there are extensive ongoing and planned efforts in this regard. While there may be debates about the extent or specific details of the modernization, it is inaccurate to claim that the United States is not modernizing its nuclear weapons.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rubio said that the United States was \"the only nation\" not modernizing its weapons, but Bunn, the Harvard professor, said comparing the United States on that basis with other countries is misleading. China, for example, is modernizing its arsenal, but its arsenal is also far smaller. The United States and Russia have over 90 percent of the world\u2019s nuclear weapons, he said.","Rubio compared the United States to the rest of the world without naming any other countries when he said \"we are the only nation that is not modernizing its nuclear weapons.\"","But Benjamin Friedman, an expert at the libertarian Cato Institute, said that even if some modernization plans were canceled, \"we would still be modernizing our nuclear arsenal or our nuclear weapons, just less of them. So any normal definition of \u2018modernize,\u2019 describes what the United States is doing with its nuclear weapons.\"","Multiple experts told us that Rubio\u2019s claim about nuclear weapons is wrong because ongoing and planned nuclear modernization efforts are extensive. The United States has been spending billions modernizing nuclear equipment -- and has plans to continue to do so."]},{"id":"3897.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rick Perry said theres an administrator for every teacher in Texas public schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Rick Perry said there is an administrator for every teacher in Texas public schools. In fact, Doug Otto, the superintendent of the Plano school district, referred to this claim as \"disingenuous\" and \"idiocy\" in an interview. The evidence provided does not include any quotes or credible sources attributing this statement to Rick Perry.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Every Texan knows that, except (Governor) Rick Perry,\" Juli\u00e1n Castro told the crowd. \"His Republican administration cut $4 billion out of our public schools. That's 12,000 Texas teachers without a job.\"","Jim Hirsch, another Plano administrator, provided links to news stories. A March 18 Fort Worth Star-Telegram article attributed that erroneous 1-to-1 claim to the Texas Young Republican Federation, but none quoted Perry saying there\u2019s a teacher for every administrator.","In an interview with KRLD-AM\u2019s Scott Braddock posted online March 22, Doug Otto, superintendent of the Plano school district, said the district would adjust to any state reductions by cutting administrative and teaching posts. Asked about whittling first outside classrooms, Otto replied: \"Well, certainly we\u2019re going to do that as much as we can... But it\u2019s disingenuous, as the governor says, that somehow we have one administrator for every teacher. That\u2019s idiocy.\"","\"Here your mom was asking about evolution, and you know it's a theory that's out there, and it's got some gaps in it,\" Perry said. \"In Texas, we teach both creationism and evolution in our public schools \u2014 because I figure you're smart enough to figure out which one is right.\""]},{"id":"1622.json","label":"false","statement":"The health care reform bill is the largest tax increase in U.S. history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple fact-checking sources have confirmed that the health care reform bill is not the largest tax increase in U.S. history. While the legislation does include tax increases, they are not the largest in terms of historical context. The claim has been debunked by various fact-checkers, including PolitiFact, who rated similar statements as false or \"pants on fire.\" It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing the tax implications of the health care reform bill.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The ad calls the health care law \"the largest tax increase in history on the middle class.\" Actually, the law is not the largest tax increase in history, and most of its taxes fall on the wealthy and the health care industry.","Finally, the health care law is not the largest tax increase in history. We looked into this topic in detail when we fact-checked Rush Limbaugh\u2019s statement that the health care law is \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\"","The tax increases in the health care legislation do reverse a trend of federal tax cuts and represents the first significant tax increases since 1993. But for Scott to suggest they are the largest in U.S. history is inaccurate. We rate this claim False.","Before the article was published, our colleagues at PolitiFact National also did some digging in rating as Pants on Fire an even bolder claim by Rush Limbaugh -- that the reform law is \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\""]},{"id":"1577.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Crist stays in $2,000 a night luxury hotel suites where he racks up $1,300 in mini-bar charges, and doesn't pay for a dime of it himself.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Charlie Crist stayed in luxury hotel suites that cost around $2,000 per night and accumulated significant charges from the mini-bar. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly state whether Crist personally paid for these expenses or if they were covered by taxpayers or other sources. Therefore, the statement cannot definitively claim that Crist did not pay for any of the expenses himself.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Crist \"stays in $2,000 a night luxury hotel suites where he racks up $1,300 in mini-bar charges, and doesn\u2019t pay for a dime of it himself.\"","\"Charlie Crist might be frugal when it comes to his own money, but he loves spending taxpayer money on a failed stimulus, on $2 billion worth of tax hikes, and on a luxurious lifestyle for himself and his buddies,\" Rubio spokesman Alex Burgos said in the release. \"Floridians are not going to take lectures on frugality from a guy who embraced the largest spending bill in American history, stays in $2,000 a night luxury hotel suites where he racks up $1,300 in mini-bar charges, and doesn't pay for a dime of it himself.\"","\"Crist\u2019s 2008 European junket ... came complete with a two-dozen person entourage, an official photographer to chronicle the governor at 'work,' a $2,100 a night luxury suite in London, $1,300 in room service and mini bar charges for Crist alone, and first class airfare at $8,000 per ticket,\" the Rubio campaign declared in a March 4, 2010, press release titled \" 'Frugal' Charlie Crist's $430K European Junket on Taxpayers' Dime.\"","The hotel. While in London in 2008, Crist spent four nights in a hotel suite that cost more than $2,000 a night. The rest of the trip, he stayed in rooms, that while still pricey, cost about half as much. For the entire trip, the average was $1,600."]},{"id":"10734.json","label":"true","statement":"More than 30 cents of every state tax dollar goes to Medicaid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the slide presented by the state's secretary for health and human services, nearly a third, or more than 30 cents, of every state tax dollar is allocated to Medicaid. This indicates a significant portion of state funds being dedicated to the Medicaid program.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"More than 30 cents of every state tax dollar goes to Medicaid,\" the slide said. It also contained a pie chart in which Medicaid is shown eating up 31.5 percent of those tax dollars. The slide lists the source as the state budget for the 2013 fiscal year.","So when Biden specifically said that \"the money the federal government spends on health care, 46 cents on every dollar spent is through Medicare and Medicaid,\" he overstated the federal percentage for the two programs. It's actually 30 cents of every dollar, rather than 46 cents.","Among the money spent on health care in the United States, \"46 cents on every dollar spent is through Medicare and Medicaid.\"","During a March 2, 2015, presentation to the Reinventing Medicaid Working Group, the state's secretary for health and human services, Elizabeth Roberts, displayed a slide which said that nearly a third of all state tax dollars goes to Medicaid."]},{"id":"4135.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have not had unemployment this high for this long since the Great Depression.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rubio that the United States has not experienced unemployment rates as high and for as long since the Great Depression. While there was a period of high unemployment during the early 1980s, it was shorter in duration compared to the Great Depression. The Great Depression had significantly higher overall unemployment rates, reaching as high as 24.9 percent in 1933. Therefore, Rubio's statement is supported by the evidence and can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rubio is right on about the country's current unemployment outlook not being \"this high for this long since the Great Depression.\" But he fails to note a comparable period in the early '80s that -- while shorter by seven months -- had several months of higher overall unemployment. We rate Rubio's statement Mostly True.","Rubio's claim comes with an important distinction. Instead of comparing recent jobless numbers with the 1930s, he says we have not had unemployment this high for this long since the Great Depression. Unemployment during that time was dreadful, as we've outlined before, rising to 15.9 percent in 1931 and then shooting up to 24.9 percent in 1933. It returned to 9.9 percent in 1941.","There\u2019s been plenty of ink spilled in newspapers and magazines that the nation\u2019s unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for a long time. But we wondered if the congressman was correct to say this is the longest stretch the unemployment rate has been above 8 percent since the Great Depression.","The last time the unemployment rate was this high was during Reagan\u2019s first term. However, the 27 months during the 1980s the rate was greater than 8 percent is far less than the 11 years the unemployment rate was that high during the Great Depression."]},{"id":"9888.json","label":"false","statement":"There were fewer civilian casualties in Cambodia than there have been from American drone attacks.","reason":"Reason: Henry Kissinger made the claim that there were likely fewer civilian casualties in Cambodia from American bombing campaigns than there have been from American drone attacks. However, the available evidence does not support this claim. While data on civilian casualties from drone attacks may lack precision, estimates suggest that there have been over 1,000 civilian deaths due to drones. In contrast, during the American bombing campaign in Cambodia, there were at least 4,000 civilian deaths, and potentially many more. These figures represent a high estimate for drone deaths and the lowest estimate for Cambodian bombing, which involved a significant amount of bombs being dropped over a four-year period. Therefore, the statement made by Henry Kissinger is not accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Kissinger said that he thought that an honest accounting would show that there were fewer civilian casualties from America\u2019s bombing campaign in Cambodia than from drone attacks today.","\"I think the principle is essentially the same,\" Kissinger said. \"You attack locations where you believe people operate who are killing you. You do it in the most limited way possible. And I bet if one did an honest account, there were fewer civilian casualties in Cambodia than there have been from American drone attacks.\"","While the data lack precision in both cases, we see barely over 1,000 civilian deaths due to drones, and at least 4,000 civilian deaths due to American bombs in Cambodia (and the potential for many, many more). These figures represent a high estimate for drone deaths and the lowest guess for the Cambodian bombing in which half a million tons of bombs fell on the country over a span of four years.","Since 2004, it is tacitly accepted if not always officially acknowledged that missiles from American drones have targeted Taliban and al-Qaida forces in Pakistan and Yemen. The Defense Department does not report civilian casualties and so most of what we know comes through eyewitness and press reports."]},{"id":"2133.json","label":"false","statement":"Republican candidate for governor Nathan Deal explicitly voted to fund abortions ...","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Nathan Deal, the Republican candidate for governor, did not explicitly vote to fund abortions. The Family Planning Amendments Act of 1993, which Deal was accused of voting for, did not provide funding for abortions. It aimed to re-authorize a federal family planning program that explicitly prohibited the use of funds for abortions. The bill did not pass, and therefore, no funding for abortions was ever up for debate or approved. It is important to clarify the facts and avoid making false claims about a candidate's voting record.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Now Handel's opponent, Nathan Deal, stands accused of voting to fund abortions while he was a U.S. congressman in 1993. The Deal-Handel runoff is slated for Aug. 10. The winner will face former governor and Democrat Roy Barnes in November.","Deal? The candidate who won the endorsement of Georgia Right to Life? He voted to fund abortion with our tax dollars?","The Family Planning Amendments Act of 1993 didn't fund anything. What it would have done was re-authorize a federal family planning program that is explicitly barred from funding abortions. Funding for actual abortions was never up for debate, and the bill never passed.","Supporters of Democratic candidate Roy Barnes, whose campaign authorized the ad, said the actions of Deal, a Republican, show he doesn't protect women's interests."]},{"id":"9077.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ralph Hall is the oldest member in Congress ever.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ralph Hall is the oldest member in Congress ever is false. While Ralph Hall is indeed 90 years old, there have been four members of Congress, specifically senators, who have served at a more advanced age than Hall. Therefore, the claim is inaccurate and has been debunked by fact-checking sources.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Ralph Hall was first elected to Congress when Jimmy Carter was president,\" the ad says. \"Now he\u2019s 90 -- the oldest member in Congress ever. With Texas families struggling, he isn\u2019t making a difference for us any more. Hall\u2019s a Washington insider who\u2019s voted for wasteful earmarks and to increase the debt ceiling. Times have changed. After 33 years, let\u2019s bring Ralph Hall home.\"","The Now or Never PAC ad said Hall is \"the oldest member in Congress ever.\" That\u2019s not correct -- four members of Congress, all of them senators, have served at a more advanced age than Hall. So we rate the claim False.","Hall, who faces former U.S. Attorney John Ratcliffe, was elected to Congress in 1980 and has served 17 terms; he\u2019s the oldest serving House member in history, as PolitiFact wrote March 20, 2014, in a fact-check rating False a charge that Hall was \"the oldest member in Congress ever.\"","The ad is correct that Hall is 90 -- he turns 91 on May 3 -- but we raised our eyebrows at the claim that Hall is \"the oldest member in Congress ever.\""]},{"id":"4761.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under President Barack Obama, more Americans are in poverty ... than at any time since the Census Bureau began keeping records on it over 50 years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Newt Gingrich's claim that under President Barack Obama, more Americans are in poverty than at any time since the Census Bureau began keeping records on it over 50 years ago. However, it's important to note that this claim is a subjective interpretation of the data and does not provide the full context of the economic factors that contributed to the increase in poverty rates during that period. While poverty rates did increase during the recession that occurred during Obama's presidency, it is essential to consider the broader economic context and factors beyond the control of any single administration when assessing poverty levels.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"More Americans are in poverty today than at any time since the Census Bureau began keeping records on it over 50 years ago,\" he said.","After saying that \"more Americans are in poverty today than at any time since the Census Bureau began keeping records on it over 50 years ago,\" Gingrich added, \"President Obama and his administration have tried to blame the persistent unemployment and economic stagnation on the severity of the recession they inherited. However, the historical record shows us that the deeper the recession the stronger the recovery. America should at worst be finishing the second year of a booming recovery by now.\"","\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d","Gingrich has focused on poverty before, accusing President Barack Obama of being \"the most successful food stamp president in American history\" because \"47 million Americans are on food stamps.\" (We rated this statement Half True.)"]},{"id":"11502.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Barack Obama and the big government economy, the median wage for women has dropped $733.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided shows that the median wage for women actually increased from $28,574 in 2008 to $29,098 in 2014, after adjusting for inflation. Therefore, there is no basis to claim that the median wage for women dropped by $733 under Barack Obama's presidency. It's important to rely on accurate data when making claims about economic trends.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Under Barack Obama and the big government economy, the median wage for women has dropped $733,\" Cruz said during the CNBC Republican presidential debate in Boulder, Colo.","In 2008, the last year before Obama took office, the median for women was $28,574. By 2014, that had risen to $29,098 in inflation-adjusted dollars.","It\u2019s become clear that raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 is one of President Barack Obama\u2019s highest-priority proposals at the moment. The rhetoric coming out of his White House certainly supports that notion.","In the hotly contested presidential campaign between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney there is one undisputed point: the central issue is the state of the American economy."]},{"id":"7722.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every Florida teacher gets a pay raise.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Scott announced a pay raise for Florida teachers, it is important to note that the budget and its implementation may have certain conditions and limitations. The statement oversimplifies the situation by suggesting that every single teacher in Florida will receive a pay raise without considering factors such as performance evaluations and the inclusion of non-instructional personnel. While it is likely that many teachers will receive a pay raise due to increased funding, it is not accurate to claim that every single teacher will be guaranteed a pay raise.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["He included a photo of a male teacher with can\u2019t-miss-it, all-caps text that reads \"EVERY FLORIDA TEACHER GETS A PAY RAISE! IT\u2019S WORKING.\"","Scott, who made a $2,500 pay raise for every teacher one of just two priorities this legislative session, announced the news on his Facebook page April 29: \"Our teachers are some of the best in the nation and they deserve to be rewarded for their great work. Today I am proud to announce that every Florida teacher gets a pay raise.\"","Will every Florida teacher get a pay raise? It seems likely, with the influx of money poured into education this year. But Scott can\u2019t decree it, and the budget is written so that it applies to high-performing educators. Plus, some superintendents have said the inclusion of non-instructional personnel will make it harder if not impossible to award every teacher a raise.","\"However, it must be kept in mind that other funding increases are being provided to school districts,\" said FEA spokesman Mark Pudlow. \"Presumably, that money could be bargained for increased salaries, so technically, every Florida teacher \u2018may get a pay raise.\u2019\""]},{"id":"3688.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that had E-Verify been in place in Florida when 9\/11 terrorists lived here, we might have saved the lives of 3,000 Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence. While it is true that some of the 9\/11 hijackers lived in Florida, there is no record or evidence to suggest that they were seeking employment or would have been flagged by the E-Verify system. The E-Verify system is designed to verify the eligibility of individuals for employment, and it would not have been effective in identifying or preventing the 9\/11 attacks. Therefore, the claim that implementing E-Verify in Florida could have saved the lives of 3,000 Americans is not substantiated and is rated as pants on fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I want to remind everyone in here that 10 of the 19 terrorists who attacked our country, directed by Osama bin Laden in doing that, lived in the state of Florida,\" Thrasher said. \"I wish we would have had the E-Verify system. ... We might have saved the lives of 3,000 Americans.","To recap, Thrasher said: \"I want to remind everyone in here that 10 of the 19 terrorists who attacked our country, directed by Osama bin Laden in doing that, lived in the state of Florida. I wish we would have had the E-Verify system ... we might have saved the lives of 3,000 Americans.\"","Matt Dixon of the Florida Times-Union spoke with Thrasher after his comments and asked for him to clarify his statement. Thrasher said that \"several of them (the hijackers) had jobs,\" and might have been flagged by the E-Verify system. He also said that an earlier version of the bill had stronger requirements for law enforcement officials to use E-Verify and might have helped catch the 9\/11 plotters.","Hijackers did live in Florida and obtain Florida driver's licenses. But in order to potentially be flagged by the E-Verify system, they would have had to work in the state. There is no record that any of them ever tried to get jobs here. And as such, E-Verify -- had it been used by Florida employers as Thrasher wanted -- wouldn't have found them or stopped their plotting. We rate this claim Pants on Fire!"]},{"id":"10834.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Austin is the only city in an arid landscape in the western United States dependent on a single source of water.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Austin is dependent on the Colorado River as a water source, the statement that it is the only city in an arid landscape in the western United States with a single source of water is not entirely accurate. While Austin may be the only major city in an arid climate with a single source of water among the top twenty major cities by population, there are smaller towns and cities in the western United States that also rely on a single water source. Therefore, the statement needs to be qualified to accurately reflect the context of major cities versus smaller towns in the region.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Leurig said Austin is the only city in an arid landscape in the western United States dependent on a single source of water.","Sharlene Leurig, who directs the sustainable water infrastructure program at the Boston-based nonprofit Ceres, recently called Austin\u2019s dependence on the Colorado River for water a \"critical vulnerability.\" Leurig went on at a Feb. 9, 2015, Austin City Council workshop: \"Austin is the only city in an arid landscape in the western United States dependent on a single source of water.\"","McDonald pointed out that if all western cities are considered, Austin likely wouldn\u2019t be the only one to use a single water source. According to McDonald\u2019s map and city websites, some smaller towns--as close to Austin as Killeen 70 miles northwest or as distant as Billings, Montana--rely on just one source.","Austin all alone? We sought elaboration from Leurig, who replied by email with a caveat: \"Of the top twenty major cities by population, Austin is the only city in an arid climate with a single source of water. Of course if you looked at all the cities west of the Mississippi, this isn\u2019t true, but for major cities, it is.\""]},{"id":"4919.json","label":"false","statement":"Our kids cant openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. Students are indeed allowed to openly celebrate Christmas and pray in school, as long as it is not led or endorsed by school officials. The Supreme Court has not held that students cannot pray, and there are state laws that protect students' right to engage in voluntary prayer. Additionally, students are permitted to celebrate Christmas in a secular manner, as long as it does not involve the promotion of a specific religion by school officials. Therefore, the claim that kids cannot openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So, can kids pray and openly celebrate Christmas in school? Absolutely, we conclude, though public school officials are barred from advancing a religion or making children pray or celebrate solely the Christian aspects of Christmas.","It\u2019s widely known that Obama last year signed into law legislation permitting gay people to openly serve in the military. We wondered if kids can\u2019t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.","The Supreme Court has not held that students can\u2019t pray; Perry\u2019s home state even has laws protecting that right. The highest court also hasn\u2019t held that kids can\u2019t openly celebrate Christmas at school.","Iowa schoolchildren may both pray and openly celebrate Christmas, according to Carol Greta, general counsel of the Iowa Department of Education."]},{"id":"1530.json","label":"true","statement":"Her opponent: zero times a judge, zero rulings, zero experience on the bench.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jan Patterson's campaign in their TV ad regarding her opponent, Amy Clark Meachum. The ad asserts that Meachum has no experience as a judge, no rulings, and no experience on the bench. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which highlights Meachum's background as a lawyer and her opponent's experience as an appellate judge. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Opposing Patterson in the March 2 Democratic primary is Austin lawyer Amy Clark Meachum, a partner in the law firm McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore. Meachum's readiness to be a judge draws fire from Patterson in a TV ad that debuted on Austin News 8 on Jan. 20, whose narrator writes Meachum off, saying: \"Zero times a judge, zero rulings, zero experience on the bench \u2014 our legal system is no place for on-the-job training.\"","Meachum's campaign drew our attention to the ad when her field director, Katie Naranjo, issued this response: \"Yesterday, Amy's opponent, Jan Patterson, launched a personal, negative television ad... if you are as disappointed as I am that Jan Patterson would resort to personal attacks against Amy, click here and make a contribution to our campaign so we can respond.\"","\"In the past decade, I have more experience in the civil district court that I am running for than Justice Patterson does,\" she said. \"She has been an appellate judge \u2014 I have been a civil trial attorney.\"","Jan Patterson of Austin, a justice on the state's 3rd Court of Appeals since January 1999, touts her experience as she stumps to become the judge for the state's 201st District Court, which decides civil cases in Travis County. Its judge, Suzanne Covington, is stepping down."]},{"id":"7749.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 29 states in this country you can still get fired for not just being gay, but if your employer thinks you are gay.","reason":"Reason: Martina Navratilova's statement is partially accurate. In 29 states in the United States, there are no comprehensive statewide laws protecting employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation. This means that in these states, individuals can potentially be fired for being gay or if their employer perceives them to be gay. However, it's important to note that there are exceptions to this, as some cities within these states may have their own anti-discrimination ordinances that provide protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Additionally, certain federal protections may apply in specific circumstances. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be acknowledged that there are some instances where protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation exist within these states.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered whether Navratilova was correct that \"in 29 states in this country you can still get fired for not just being gay, but if your employer thinks you are gay.\"","Navratilova said, \"In 29 states in this country you can still get fired for not just being gay, but if your employer thinks you are gay.\" If you frame this statement in the context of blanket protections by states, she\u2019s correct. Still, even in those 29 states, many gay and lesbian employees do have protections, either because they work for the government, because they live in a city that bars such discrimination, or because they work for a company that has pledged not to discriminate based on sexual orientation. On balance, we rate Navratilova\u2019s claim Half True.","\"I think when President (Barack) Obama came in favor of \u2026 gay marriage, that really changed the tide. But we have to remember that this has been a long time coming,\" she said. \"We still don't have equal rights. I have been getting (questions) on Twitter, \u2018Why does this matter? I don't care.\u2019 Which is kind of code for, \u2018I really don't want to know.\u2019 But it does matter because in 29 states in this country you can still get fired for not just being gay but if your employer thinks you are gay. ... We don't have equal rights.\"","But that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that \"in 29 states in this country you can still get fired for \u2026 being gay,\" as Martina Navratilova claimed in a May 2013 interview. PolitiFact rated the ex-tennis star\u2019s statement Half True, noting significant exceptions."]},{"id":"648.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Less than four cents of every health care dollar is spent on prevention and public health.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that a relatively small portion of healthcare spending is allocated towards prevention and public health. While the exact percentage may vary, studies have consistently shown that a significant majority of healthcare spending is directed towards treatment and acute care, rather than preventive measures. This imbalance in resource allocation has been a subject of concern and discussion within the healthcare industry.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6169.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over the last few decades, the income of the top 1 percent grew by more than 275 percent -- to an average of $1.3 million a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that over the last few decades, the income of the top 1 percent grew by more than 275 percent, reaching an average of $1.3 million a year. This information is supported by a report titled \"Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising,\" which provides data on the average income of the wealthiest 1 percent after taxes. However, it is important to note that using the term \"average\" can be misleading, as it includes extremely high-income earners that significantly skew the overall average. The cutoff to be considered in the top 1 percent varies, and according to the CBO, it is a household income exceeding $352,000. Nonetheless, the statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama regarding the income growth of the top 1 percent.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Over the last few decades,\" Obama said early in his 53-minute speech, \"the income of the top 1 percent grew by more than 275 percent -- to an average of $1.3 million a year.\"","The report, released in December and titled \"Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising,\" found that, on average, the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans earned $1.3 million a year after taxes. Though Obama didn\u2019t mention it in his speech, that figure dwarfs the average $17,700 made by the poorest 20 percent, according to the OECD.","The third point comes via the Washington Post. When fact-checking Obama\u2019s Tri-C speech, the Post\u2019s Glenn Kessler noted that while it\u2019s accurate that the average income among the top 1 percent is $1.3 million, describing top earners that way is \"an interesting sleight of hand.\"","According to the CBO, you\u2019re in the top 1 percent if your household income exceeds $352,000. \"By using an average,\" Kessler wrote, \"Obama is able to cite a much higher figure.\""]},{"id":"5417.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When Marcy Kaptur brought home $42 million for new manufacturing jobs, Dennis Kucinich voted no.","reason":"Reason: According to PolitiFact Ohio, the statement that \"When Marcy Kaptur brought home $42 million for new manufacturing jobs, Dennis Kucinich voted no\" has been fact-checked and rated as Half True. While it is true that Kucinich voted against the specific bill mentioned, the fact check also revealed that Kucinich had a consistent record of voting against certain spending bills due to his concerns about the overall federal budget. Therefore, while Kucinich did vote against the bill, it is important to consider the broader context of his voting patterns and fiscal concerns.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We'll examine them in separate items, starting with the first claim: \"When Marcy Kaptur brought home $42 million for new manufacturing jobs, Dennis Kucinich voted no.\"","PolitiFact Ohio previously looked at the ad\u2019s claim that \"when Marcy Kaptur brought home $42 million for new manufacturing jobs, Dennis Kucinich voted no.\" We rated that Half True.","PolitiFact Ohio previously looked at two of the claims -- \"When Marcy Kaptur brought home $42 million for new manufacturing jobs, Dennis Kucinich voted no\" and \"When Kaptur helped get $15 billion more for veterans care, Kucinich voted no.\" We rated both Half True.","Congressional redistricting in Ohio has turned two veteran incumbents from the same side of the aisle, Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich, into Democratic primary opponents in the new 9th District."]},{"id":"7889.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Texas law requires state agencies to give preference to goods produced and grown in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the existing Texas law that requires state agencies to give preference to goods produced and grown in Texas when making purchases. The law, as stated in Section 2155.444 of the state's Government Code, explicitly mandates this preference for Texas-produced or grown goods. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Rick Perry says law requires state agencies to give preference to goods produced and grown in Texas when purchasing goods&url=)","In vetoing House Bill 535, a measure dealing with how state agencies select and buy goods, Gov. Rick Perry said, \"Current law already requires state agencies to give preference to goods produced and grown in Texas.\"","That holds up. Existing law says that when making purchases of goods, the comptroller and state agencies \"shall give preference to those produced or grown in this state or offered by Texas bidders.\" And the comptroller operates under rules that say items \"manufactured\" in Texas are considered to be \"produced\" in Texas.","The law that the bill would have modified is in Section 2155.444 of the state's Government Code, which says that when \"making purchases of goods, including agricultural products,\" the comptroller and state agencies \"shall give preference to those produced or grown in this state or offered by Texas bidders.\" Next, the law says, goods from elsewhere in the United States must be considered."]},{"id":"8190.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"New York is the safest big city in the nation, and our crime reductions have been steeper than any other big citys.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is ongoing debate and concerns about making direct multi-city comparisons, the evidence suggests that New York City has experienced significant crime reductions and is considered one of the safest big cities in the nation. While other measures, such as violent crime rates, may not place New York at the top, the overall crime reductions in the city support the claim that crime reductions have been steeper than in many other big cities. It's important to note that the term \"safest\" can be subjective and may vary based on different factors and metrics used for comparison.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"New York is the safest big city in the nation, and our crime reductions have been steeper than any other big city\u2019s.\"","We won\u2019t address the wisdom of the policy, which is the focus of intense debate. Instead, we\u2019ll look at the question of whether \"New York is the safest big city in the nation, and our crime reductions have been steeper than any other big city\u2019s.\"","\"New York is the safest big city in the nation, and our crime reductions have been steeper than any other big city\u2019s,\" Bloomberg wrote. He said the improvements are due in large part to the policy, in which police officers stop and search people they suspect might be involved in criminal activity.","Bloomberg said, \"New York is the safest big city in the nation, and our crime reductions have been steeper than any other big city\u2019s.\" Both the FBI and criminologists express concern about making this type of multi-city comparison, and other measures, such as violent crime, don\u2019t put New York at the No. 1 slot. Still, the numbers do broadly back up his claim. We rate the claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"9446.json","label":"false","statement":"Americans invented the automobile.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Americans invented the automobile is false. While America played a significant role in the development and production of automobiles, the invention of the automobile cannot be attributed solely to Americans. The first examples of internal combustion-powered vehicles and the first commercial enterprise in the automobile industry emerged in Europe, particularly in Germany. While there were early attempts by individuals in various countries, including Austria, to build powered vehicles before the commercial success of automobiles, attributing the invention of the automobile solely to Americans is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Americans won the war with our allies in World War II,\" Ingraham said. \"Americans developed some of the most groundbreaking pieces of technology that the world has ever seen. We invented the automobile. We invented the airplane. Americans can do those jobs.\"","There\u2019s no doubt that the Wright brothers invented the airplane, and Henry Ford was a major player in making the car a global commercial success. But a listener to Ingraham's show was pretty sure that she was off the mark when she said Americans invented the automobile. The listener asked us to look into it, so we did.","Ingraham said that Americans invented the automobile. If we look at internal combustion-powered vehicles, all of the first examples come from Europe, and the first commercial enterprise emerged in Germany. America played a major role in automobile production, but Ingraham spoke specifically about an earlier stage -- invention. We rate the claim False.","We also checked with John Lienhard, a professor of technology at the University of Houston. In a radio series on innovation, Lienhard said a few people actually built powered vehicles before Benz. For instance, Austrian engineer Sigfried Marcus invented the carburator for his first gas-powered car in 1864. Marcus built a second prototype sometime between 1875 and 1888. The car is owned today by the Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club in Vienna. Reportedly, it still runs."]},{"id":"2049.json","label":"true","statement":"Gov. Crist has never wavered in his support of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms.","reason":"Reason: The evidence overwhelmingly supports the statement that Gov. Crist has consistently supported the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. Multiple sources, including his own campaign website and independent fact-checkers, have confirmed his unwavering support for gun rights. Additionally, Crist has publicly celebrated the Second Amendment and expressed satisfaction with Supreme Court decisions affirming gun rights. Extensive research conducted by PolitiFact found no instances where Crist refused to back gun rights. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Gov. Crist has never wavered in his support of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms,\" reads the Crist for U.S. Senate campaign website.","When Crist was running for U.S. Senate in 2010, we reviewed a claim that he \"never wavered in his support of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms.\" We ruled that claim True and will briefly review what we found for that article.","Most recently, Crist's campaign celebrated the Second Amendment in a Twitter message. \"Pleased w the US Supreme Court's decision today reaffirming our 2nd Amendment rights,\" he tweeted on June 28, hours after the court ruled the Second Amendment gives all Americans a right to keep and bear arms for self-defense that trumps state and local laws.","In fact, PolitiFact had a hard time finding any instance where Crist refused to back gun rights. We scanned roughly 1,000 news articles that mentioned Crist and the words \"bear arms,\" \"Second Amendment,\" and \"gun restrictions.\""]},{"id":"433.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I'm the product of a mixed marriage that would have been illegal in 12 states when I was born.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Giuliani's marriage to his second cousin, Regina Peruggi, would have been illegal in some states at the time of his birth due to laws prohibiting marriages between close relatives. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or context regarding the legality of such marriages in those specific states. Additionally, the statement does not provide any further information or implications beyond highlighting the historical context of Giuliani's mixed marriage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Giuliani at different points labeled the family connection as \"second cousins once removed\" and \"third cousins,\" before he was corrected, according to news reports. In a 1993 memo for his mayoral campaign, a Giuliani strategist noted the \"weirdness\" factor of the marriage, according to a copy posted on the Smoking Gun Web site. But such a marriage is completely legal. In New York, even first cousins can wed. Robin Bennett, senior genetic counselor at the University of Washington, said little scientific research exists about the risk of developmental difficulties for the offspring of second cousins. But she said, \"for second cousins, the risks are likely similar to the risks of couples from the same ethnic population who also may have common ancestors.\"","\"The estate tax, which came into being by Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt and others ... is there for a real simple reason: In America, we've never liked the idea of massive inherited wealth.\"","In 1968, Giuliani wed his second cousin, Regina Peruggi, who was the daughter of his father's first cousin. (Think of your son\/daughter marrying your cousin's daughter\/son.)","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"8388.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Oregonians for Food and Shelter proudly features board members from Monsanto and Syngenta and the (Oregon) Farm Bureau also receives funding from biotech companies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence. Oregonians for Food and Shelter does indeed have board members from Monsanto and Syngenta, as confirmed by their website. Michael Diamond, the director of government affairs for Monsanto, and Danelle Farmer, a senior state government relations manager at Syngenta, are listed as voting members. Additionally, the Oregon Farm Bureau has received significant funding from biotech companies, including Monsanto and Syngenta. These companies represent a substantial portion of the total reported cash contributions received by the Oregon Farm Bureau. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Oregonians for Food and Shelter and the Oregon Farm Bureau, biotech puppets who have most state Republican legislators in their back pocket, jumped into action,\" he wrote. \"OFS proudly features board members from Monsanto and Syngenta and the Farm Bureau also receives funding from biotech companies.\"","In an opinion piece for BlueOregon, North said Oregonians for Food and Shelter \"proudly features board members from Monsanto and Syngenta and the (Oregon) Farm Bureau also receives funding from biotech.\"","The first bit, that Oregonians for Food and Shelter has board members from those two leading biotech firms was easy to check. We simply went to the group\u2019s website and found, listed along with 34 other voting members, these two names: Michael Diamond, the director of government affairs for Monsanto, and Danelle Farmer, who was most recently listed as a senior state government relations manager at Syngenta. The names aren\u2019t difficult to find -- and they\u2019re listed along with their corporate affiliations.","Since 2006, the Oregon Farm Bureau has reported receiving about $440,000 in cash contributions. Of that, Monsanto has contributed $103,500 and Syngenta has given more than $19,000. That means those two companies represent a combined 28 percent of the total reported cash contributions. This year, Monsanto donated $10,500 -- $4,500 in mid-September."]},{"id":"1135.json","label":"true","statement":"Health care reform will not affect veterans' benefits.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including David Axelrod, have confirmed that health care reform will not impact veterans' benefits. The Obama administration's budget actually expands coverage under the VA, ensuring that 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded will receive care. The VA health care system will remain available to all eligible veterans. Therefore, the statement is accurate and supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["One such distortion, Axelrod said, is the suggestion that veterans' access to health care will be blocked by the bill. \"It\u2019s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now,\" Axelrod wrote. \"To the contrary, the president's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA health care system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.\"","Nothing in the House bill would affect veterans' current coverage, they both said. Vets will continue to get those services from the VA.","So, by all accounts, the administration is correct that health care reform will not keep veterans from getting the care they currently receive. So for this one, Axelrod earns a True.","So it is conceivable that some people in Medicare Advantage will lose some of their current benefits , and they might have to enroll in regular Medicare. But does this really fit the criteria of \"forcing Americans off of their current health coverage and onto a government-run plan\"? While private companies are contractors in the Medicare Advantage program \u2014 so it does have more of a free market element to it \u2014 at the end of the day, Medicare and Medicare Advantage are both government-run plans, where the government decides how much it will pay for a basic package of benefits."]},{"id":"4729.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the giant African land snail carries human meningitis.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that the giant African land snail can carry a parasite that has the potential to cause meningitis, it is important to note that the specific parasite that causes human meningitis has not been found in the state. Therefore, the statement lacks the crucial detail that the parasite responsible for human meningitis has not been detected in relation to the giant African land snail in question. This omission of important information renders the statement misleading and warrants a lower rating.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Frequently, information sources point out that the giant African land snail can carry a meningitis-causing parasite. Putnam said, \"We've got the trifecta,\" and said the snail \"carries human meningitis.\" He leaves out some crucial details \u2014 most importantly, that the parasite that causes the disease hasn't yet been found in the state. And for that, we rate his statement Half True.","\"With something like the snails we've got the trifecta,\" Putnam said. \"It carries human meningitis, so people are concerned. It eats 500 different plants, so agriculture's concerned. And it eats houses, so homeowners are very concerned.\"","African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, \"Nutritional and sensory profiling of the African giant land snail fed commercial-type and leaf-based diets in a rain-forest ecology,\" September 2011","!Officials rounded up giant African land snails in Miami-Dade County in September 2011. (Getty Images) !Officials rounded up giant African land snails in Miami-Dade County in September 2011. (Getty Images)"]},{"id":"1893.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The Republicans didn't have a budget in '02, '04, '06.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hoyer that Republicans did not have a budget in the years 2002, 2004, and 2006. However, it's important to note that the context of the statement is crucial. While it is true that a unified Republican Congressional majority failed to pass a finished budget in those years, it is worth mentioning that the Democrats also had their own failures in passing budgets in certain years. Therefore, the statement could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the budgetary situation during those specific years.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Hoyer said that \"the Republicans didn't have a budget in '02, '04, '06,\" while Boehner claimed \"the House has never failed to pass a budget in the modern era.\"","That's why the expected failure of the Democratic House majority to pass a budget for fiscal year 2011 has become a talking point for Republicans.","EXCLUSIVE \u2013 House Republicans on Wednesday are unveiling their answer to President Biden's 2022 budget, putting forward a document that they say can balance the federal budget in five years while cutting taxes by $1.9 trillion.","Because Congress always works on the budget resolution for the coming fiscal year, Hoyer is right that a unified Republican Congressional majority failed to pass a finished budget in 2004 and 2006. Hoyer failed to mention the GOP's failure in 1998. Moreover, the Republicans can't be solely faulted for the failure in 2002 to pass a fiscal 2003 budget, because the Democrats controlled the Senate and were unable to pass a budget resolution."]},{"id":"12376.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ted Strickland admits his record on jobs and taxes is mixed and spotty.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the context of Ted Strickland's statement. While Strickland did use the phrase \"mixed and spotty,\" it was in reference to his stance on gun control, not his record on jobs and taxes. The ad distorts the context and misleadingly juxtaposes Strickland's quote with figures about job losses and tax hikes. The fact-checking sources have debunked this claim and rated it as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The narrator says that Strickland is speaking \"on his record,\" then slams Strickland for 350,000 jobs lost and $8 million in taxes raised. PolitiFact Ohio has checked those two figures before and rated the claims Half True and Mostly True, respectively.","Says Ted Strickland \"in this campaign bragged about his A-plus rating with the NRA. ... He has said he has a mixed and spotty record on this issue and that he can be criticized for it. Those are his words, not mine. So I don\u2019t know where he is on this issue.\"","Strickland\u2019s stance on gun control may have wavered, but the context in which he made the \"mixed and spotty\" statement did not. Strickland was talking about guns, not jobs or taxes. The Fighting for Ohio PAC\u2019s \"Spotty\" ad distorts the context of his statement.","When Fighting for Ohio PAC used the \"mixed and spotty\" line, we rated its ad False, because Strickland\u2019s quote was misleadingly juxtaposed with figures about Ohio\u2019s lost jobs and tax hikes under Strickland\u2019s governorship."]},{"id":"3682.json","label":"true","statement":"China now owns $1.1 trillion of our debt, our trade deficit last year with them was a quarter of a trillion dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the figures regarding China's ownership of U.S. debt and the trade deficit between the United States and China. According to the evidence provided, China held $1.1 trillion in U.S. government debt, and the trade deficit with China was approximately $275 billion in the previous year. These numbers highlight the economic relationship between the two countries and the concerns raised by some individuals regarding the impact on jobs and the economy.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This is so offensive to independents and to people in this country today ... who worry that China now owns $1.1 trillion of our debt, our trade deficit last year with them was a quarter of a trillion dollars. They\u2019re worried about their job. They\u2019re worried about their children\u2019s job. And this gibberish that they talk about on television is doing nothing and other countries are moving at warp speed ahead of us on renewable energy, wind, electric cars...\"","We cannot confirm McAuliffe\u2019s claim that independent voters are offended by The Donald. But he\u2019s right on his numbers: China owns $1.1 trillion in U.S. debt; our trade deficit with China was about $275 billion last year.","Here\u2019s a little background: The total federal debt, as of May 2, was $14.29 trillion. Of that amount, about $9.65 trillion is called public debt, which refers to all federal securities held by institutions and individuals outside the U.S. government. That includes China and other foreign nations.","\"Treasury Department data released on Monday showed that China held $1.16 trillion in U.S. government debt in December, the most recent month for which figures are available, up from prior estimates of $892 billion,\" the story says."]},{"id":"9469.json","label":"true","statement":"A record number of immigrants not from Mexico are being apprehended at the border.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that a record number of immigrants not from Mexico are being apprehended at the border. According to a New York Times news story, there has been a significant increase in the number of unaccompanied children and individuals from countries other than Mexico being apprehended at the southwest United States border. The available figures from the Border Patrol also indicate that more people from countries other than Mexico were apprehended in the first eight months of fiscal year 2014 compared to any of the preceding 17 years. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Both of those claims drew our interest, though for this story, we\u2019re tackling only Perry\u2019s statement that a record number of immigrants not from Mexico are being apprehended at the border. We\u2019ll check his reference to people coming from \"states like Syria\" in another article.","Finally: The number of unaccompanied children being picked up also has been record-setting, according to a June 4, 2014, New York Times news story. \"Since Oct. 1, a record 47,017 unaccompanied children have been apprehended at the southwest United States border,\" the story said, \"most traveling from Central America, part of a larger wave that includes some youngsters accompanied by their parents and some traveling alone.\"","Perry went on to say on \"Fox & Friends\" June 17, 2014: \"We have record-high numbers of \u2018other than Mexicans\u2019 being apprehended at the border. These are people that are coming from states like Syria that have substantial connections to terrorist regimes and terrorist operations.\"","We didn\u2019t come up with apprehension figures for every year through history. But available figures show the Border Patrol apprehended more people from countries other than Mexico along the border through the first eight months of fiscal 2014 than it apprehended in any of the preceding 17 years."]},{"id":"9956.json","label":"false","statement":"Social Security and Medicare are a Ponzi scheme.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Social Security and Medicare are not Ponzi schemes. A Ponzi scheme is an illegal and fraudulent investment operation where returns for early investors are paid with funds from later investors, without any legitimate underlying investment. In contrast, Social Security and Medicare are government-run programs that provide social insurance and healthcare benefits to eligible individuals. They are funded through payroll taxes and have been in operation for decades, providing essential support to millions of Americans. While there may be debates about the long-term sustainability and financial challenges of these programs, it is incorrect and misleading to label them as Ponzi schemes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A Ponzi scheme is by definition an illegal crime and an unsustainable set-up that crashes very quickly. Social Security and Medicare, which have been around for decades, are not criminal schemes.","Congressional candidate Carlos Curbelo sided with Texas Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s depiction of Social Security and Medicare as a \"Ponzi scheme\" in a talk with college Republicans.","Miami Herald \u2019s Naked Politics blog, \"Tracker video shows Carlos Curbelo calling Medicare, Social Security a \u2018Ponzi scheme,\u2019\" Sept. 19, 2014","PolitiFact has rated several claims about whether Social Security is a Ponzi scheme including two we rated False by Perry leading up to the 2012 presidential election. We found some similar problems with Curbelo\u2019s claim about Medicare."]},{"id":"1917.json","label":"false","statement":"Thurbert Baker kept a teen in jail \"who didn't even commit a felony.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that Thurbert Baker, a Democratic gubernatorial contender, was criticized in a YouTube video for his actions in a specific case. However, it is clarified that the individual involved in the case was indeed convicted of a felony, specifically aggravated child molestation, as per the state law at the time. Therefore, the statement that Baker kept a teenager in jail who didn't commit a felony is incorrect and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You've got Scooter Libby not serving any jail time. But you've got a young man, a football player who didn't even commit a felony, who's being locked up for 10 years, then it's harder for you to say you stand up for justice in America,\" Obama said in one campaign speech that was recorded.","Someone who is apparently not a fan of Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker, a Democratic gubernatorial contender, created a professional-looking YouTube video attacking him. It begins with a picture of Baker with the \"Ghostbusters\" symbol. \"Thurbert Baker for Governor?\" reads the headline on the video, created June 10.","There's one problem with Obama's comments. State law 16-6-4 said at the time of Wilson's conviction that aggravated child molestation was a felony.","People who watch the video may get the wrong impression about the case. Wilson was indeed convicted of a felony. So Obama's comments about the case in 2007 were incorrect. We believe the video is misleading and rule that this item is False."]},{"id":"803.json","label":"false","statement":"Under John McCain's health care plan, people get a $5,000 tax credit to buy a $12,000 health care policy, and \"that's a loss for you.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents John McCain's health care plan. Under McCain's plan, individuals would receive a tax credit of $2,500 per person ($5,000 for couples) to help offset the cost of health insurance. The tax credit is not intended to cover the full cost of a $12,000 health care policy. Additionally, the tax credit is meant to provide individuals with more flexibility in choosing their health insurance, rather than being limited to employer-provided plans. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays the impact of McCain's plan and the relationship between the tax credit and the cost of health care policies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But Obama oversimplified drastically when he said, \"By the way, the average policy costs about $12,000. So if you've got $5,000 and it's going to cost you $12,000, that's a loss for you.\"","Obama's numbers are wrong. McCain's health plan does not replace a $12,000 policy with a $5,000 credit. It replaces the taxes on part of that amount with a tax credit. We rate Obama's statement False.","\"John McCain talks about a $5,000 tax credit for health care,\" an announcer says. \"But here\u2019s what he\u2019s not telling you. McCain would make you pay income tax on your health insurance benefits. Taxing health benefits for the first time ever. And that tax credit? McCain\u2019s own Web site said it goes straight to the insurance companies, not to you, leaving you on your own to pay McCain\u2019s health insurance tax. Taxing health care instead of fixing it. We can\u2019t afford John McCain.\"","McCain wants to improve the health care system by encouraging greater competition for health insurance. His idea is that people should be able to go out on the open market and buy their own health insurance, and not be pushed into an employer-provided insurance plan by tax incentives. So under McCain's plan, the tax exemption for employer provided health insurance would disappear, and people would get a tax credit of $2,500 per person ($5,000 for couples) to spend on any health insurance they wish. They might choose to use their employer's plan and use the tax credit to offset the new tax on the benefit, or they might go off and buy insurance on their own."]},{"id":"3971.json","label":"false","statement":"Who are the most consistently misinformed media viewers? Fox viewers, consistently, every poll.","reason":"Reason: Jon Stewart made the claim that Fox viewers are the most consistently misinformed media viewers, stating that every poll supports this assertion. However, a fact-check by PolitiFact found that Stewart's claim was false. While there were some polls that showed Fox viewers as less informed, there were also instances where Fox viewers were better informed than other audiences. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of misinformed viewership and does not accurately reflect the findings of multiple polls.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Who are the most consistently misinformed media viewers?\" Stewart asked Wallace. \"The most consistently misinformed? Fox, Fox viewers, consistently, every poll.\"","Comedy Central\u2019s Jon Stewart told the Fox News Channel on Sunday: \"Who are the most consistently misinformed media viewers? \u2026 Fox viewers, consistently, every poll.\"","PolitiFact, Truth-O-Meter article, \"Jon Stewart says those who watch Fox News are the 'most consistently misinformed media viewers,\" June 20, 2011","We rated his statement False, because he was exaggerating when he said that every poll showed that consistently. We found some polls that did not show Fox at the bottom, and in a few cases, Fox viewers seemed to be better informed than other audiences. (See all the polls we looked at in our original fact-check.)"]},{"id":"3361.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Gov. Scott Walkers proposals, Money is being taken away from workers, and the tax breaks given to major corporations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the fact-check, which states that under Gov. Scott Walker's proposals, money is indeed being taken away from workers in the form of lower overall compensation and smaller paychecks. Additionally, the fact-check confirms that tax breaks are being given to companies, including major corporations, as part of the budget proposals. However, it's important to note that the tax breaks are specifically linked to job creation, rather than solely based on the size or status of the corporation. Overall, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Under Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s proposals, \"Money is being taken away from workers, and the tax breaks given to major corporations. \"","\"Money is being taken away from workers, and the tax breaks given to major corporations,\" says another worker in the ad. We decided to fact-check that claim.","We\u2019re ruling on the statement, \"Money is being taken away from workers, and the tax breaks given to major corporations. \" Money is indeed being taken away from workers who will see lower overall compensation, and particularly smaller paychecks. Also, companies that employ significant numbers of workers are getting tax breaks. But the tax breaks signed into law so far are linked to job creation, not simply whether the company is a major corporation or not. Tax breaks are being given to business in the midst of a budget crisis, though. So we rate this statement Mostly True.","Says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget \"includes tax breaks for corporations and the rich that will cost the state of Wisconsin taxpayers $2.3 billion over the next decade.\""]},{"id":"10688.json","label":"false","statement":"Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell is allied to group pushing MIXED SEX BATHROOMS in Stafford Schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence. While Susan Stimpson, a GOP primary challenger, claimed that Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell is allied to a group pushing mixed-sex bathrooms in Stafford Schools, there is no substantial evidence to support this claim. The only reference to such a group is Equality Virginia, an advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ Virginians. However, there is no concrete evidence linking Howell to this specific group or their alleged push for mixed-sex bathrooms in Stafford Schools. Without substantial evidence, it is not accurate to claim that Howell is allied with a group pushing for mixed-sex bathrooms.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Stimpson, a Tea Party favorite and former chair of county\u2019s board of supervisors, keeps saying Howell has lost his conservative moorings. A case in point is this headline Stimpson posted on her Facebook Page: \"BILL HOWELL is allied to group pushing MIXED SEX BATHROOMS in Stafford Schools.\"","What about the group that Stimpson says was \"pushing mixed sex bathrooms in Stafford County schools?\" Stimpson\u2019s campaign told us she was referring to Equality Virginia, an advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual Virginians.","Flushing out this claim requires two determinations: Is there a group seeking to establish unisex bathrooms in Stafford County schools and, if so; is Howell allied to it?","There\u2019s little subtlety in the strategy guiding Susan Stimpson\u2019s GOP primary challenge against House Speaker Bill Howell for his Stafford County seat."]},{"id":"9632.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are fewerwars, there are fewerpeople dying in wars now than there have been in quite some time.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that there are fewer wars and fewer people dying in wars now compared to previous periods. This claim is supported by evidence indicating a decline in global conflicts and a decrease in the number of battle deaths. However, it's important to note that the term \"wars\" and \"people dying in wars\" can be complex and nuanced, and recent conflicts in certain regions may have contributed to an increase in violence. Additionally, while rates of violence may be decreasing, the overall number of violent crimes and deaths can still be significant due to population growth. Therefore, the statement is generally true but should be considered in the context of these nuances.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Violence around the world is dropping. There are less wars, there are less people dying in wars than there have been in quite some time. It\u2019s odd to think about, but it\u2019s true.\"","In the course of praising nuclear deterrence, Burguiere said, \"there are less wars, there are less people dying in wars than there have been in quite some time.\"","Those caveats -- that \"war\" and \"people dying in wars\" are fraught terms, and that recent Middle Eastern conflicts are increasing the number of battle deaths -- don\u2019t detract much from the overall point that violence is down. We rate Burguiere\u2019s claim Mostly True.","It\u2019s worth noting that even though rates of violence are down, the exponential increase in population means that the absolute number of violent crimes and deaths every year is nowhere near an all-time low."]},{"id":"13473.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Scott Walker left college under an ethical cloud for having tried to fix the election for student body president.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Scott Walker left college under an ethical cloud for attempting to fix the election for student body president. While there was a controversy over missing student newspapers during Walker's campaign for the position in 1988, there is no evidence to suggest that he was involved in any unethical or illegal activities related to the election. The claim made in the statement is unsupported and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So, Dean claims Walker left college \"under an ethical cloud for having tried to fix\" the election for student body president.","Dean: I think I was referring to the way that he left college, which was under an ethical cloud for having tried to fix the presidential election for the presidency of his college.","!A campaign hand out from Scott Walker's bid for student body president at Marquette University. There was a controversy over missing student newspapers when Walker ran for the position in 1988. !A campaign hand out from Scott Walker's bid for student body president at Marquette University. There was a controversy over missing student newspapers when Walker ran for the position in 1988.","A campaign hand out from Scott Walker's bid for student body president at Marquette University. There was a controversy over missing student newspapers when Walker ran for the position in 1988."]},{"id":"8548.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Affordable Care Act has already reduced the number of uninsured in Oregon by 10 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that indicates the Affordable Care Act has indeed reduced the number of uninsured individuals in Oregon by approximately 10 percent. According to statements from Merkley's spokesman and reports from various sources, around 56,000 to 70,000 Oregonians have gained coverage through the fast-track program, resulting in a net gain of individuals with insurance. Given that Oregon had an estimated 560,000 uninsured individuals before the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, a reduction of 10 percent aligns with the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In response, Merkley\u2019s spokesman told The Oregonian that the law had already been extremely successful. \"Merkley spokesman Matt McNally responded with a statement saying that the new law has already reduced the number of uninsured people in Oregon by 10 percent,\" politics reporter Jeff Mapes wrote.","Even if you count all of them as having lost their insurance, though, when Merkley\u2019s staff referenced the 10 percent figure on Nov. 4, some 70,000 had received coverage through the fast-track program. That means you still have a net gain of 56,000 people covered. Put another way, Oregon had reduced its uninsured by 10 percent.","As of Oct. 18, about 56,000 Oregonians had returned the applications -- that\u2019s about 10 percent of the total uninsured. These days, the number is closer to 70,000.","Some background first, though: In 2011, the Oregon Health Authority conducted an exhaustive survey that found that nearly 15 percent -- or some 560,000 Oregonians -- did not have health insurance. When the Affordable Care Act passed, Oregon was one of several states that opted to expand its Medicaid program using federal dollars."]},{"id":"1554.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas has installed more wind power than any other state, and all but four countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from multiple sources, including a press release from Governor Perry, PolitiFact articles, and data on wind power capacity in Texas. According to these sources, Texas has indeed installed more wind power than any other state in the United States and all but four countries globally. This demonstrates Texas' significant contribution to wind power generation and its leadership in renewable energy efforts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Not including the U.S., Texas had installed more wind power than any all but four countries. And more than any other state.","As evidence that Texas is doing just fine protecting natural resources, thanks, Perry says Texas also leads the nation in wind power. From a press release the governor issued Feb. 16 announcing the state's lawsuit: \"Texas has installed more wind power than any other state, and all but four countries.\"","Wind power sure has sizzle. In 2015, PolitiFact in Washington, D.C., found Mostly True Obama\u2019s claim that \"America is No. 1 in wind power.\" China led in overall wind-power capacity but the U.S. was generating more electricity from the wind. Earlier, in 2010, we rated True a declaration that Texas had \"installed more wind power than any other state, and all but four countries.\" As of 2009, Texas boasted 9,410 megawatts of wind power \u2014 enough to power two million homes.","Truth-O-Meter articles, \"'America is No. 1 in wind power,' Obama says,\" PolitiFact, Jan. 21, 2015; \"Perry says Texas has installed more wind power than all but four countries,\" PolitiFact Texas, March 5, 2010"]},{"id":"4943.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The study of the Savannah River Estuary . . . clearly demonstrates the project can be constructed and [environmental] impacts will be mitigated.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by the sources that the study of the Savannah River Estuary demonstrates that the project can be constructed and the environmental impacts will be mitigated. However, it's important to note that there may be differing opinions and objections from other entities, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service, which raises concerns about the project's impact on fish. While the study may provide evidence supporting the project, it does not necessarily mean that all environmental impacts have been fully addressed or that there are no remaining concerns. Thus, the statement should be understood in the context of ongoing discussions and potential objections from other stakeholders.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The study of the Savannah River Estuary . . . clearly demonstrates the project can be constructed and environmental impacts will be mitigated.\"","\"The study of the Savannah River Estuary \u2014 the most comprehensive in history \u2014 clearly demonstrates the project can be constructed and impacts will be mitigated,\" Foltz said.","This claim puzzled the Truth-O-Meter team. If a study \"clearly demonstrates\" that port dredgers can address the environmental concerns, what\u2019s the holdup?","The corps\u2019 draft environmental study concluded that the impacts on the fish \"will be mitigated,\" but the National Marine Fisheries Service raised objections to the corps two months after the draft\u2019s release."]},{"id":"5502.json","label":"false","statement":"After President Barack Obamas health care law takes full effect, 100 percent of Americans will depend on some form of federal payment, some form of government benefit to help provide for them.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided does not support the claim that \"100 percent of Americans will depend on some form of federal payment\" under President Obama's health care law. The evidence discusses the expansion of the Medicaid program and the federal government's initial payment of the cost, but it does not imply that all Americans will depend on federal payments or government benefits. The claim is an exaggeration and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This refers to an expansion under the law of the federal-state Medicaid program. Obama\u2019s law lifted the income limits on who is eligible for Medicaid coverage, newly opening the program to those who had incomes that were very low but still too high to qualify. The federal government would initially pay 100 percent of the cost, with the federal share eventually dropping to 90 percent.","!President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law. !President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law.","After the Supreme Court upheld the health care bill he\u2019d signed into law, President Barack Obama applauded the decision in a speech at the White House. In that speech, Obama responded to critics, including Mitt Romney, who say the law could force many Americans off their health care plans.","In reality, Americans are not simply able to keep their insurance through thick and thin. Even before the law has taken effect, the rate of forced plan-switching among policyholders every year is substantial, and the CBO figures suggest that the law could increase that rate, at least modestly, even if Americans on balance benefit from the law\u2019s provisions. We rate Obama\u2019s claim Half True."]},{"id":"8099.json","label":"false","statement":"The sequester has already lost 1.6 million jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the sequester has already resulted in the loss of 1.6 million jobs is not supported by the available evidence. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the sequestration would lead to a reduction of 750,000 jobs by the end of the year, which is about half the figure mentioned by Reid. Furthermore, there is no official estimate of the current impact of the sequester, and Reid's office did not provide any evidence to support the claim. The figure Reid used appears to be a projection of potential job creation if Congress increased spending, rather than an actual measurement of job losses due to the sequester. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the available information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Let them do whatever they want to do,\" Reid said. \"Talk to the president. My office is always open. I'm anxious to do anything. The sequestration to this point, we have already lost 1.6 million jobs.\"","Back in February, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that sequestration would reduce the number of jobs by 750,000 by the end of the year. That is about half the figure Reid used, and in any event, we are not yet at the end of the year. Reid said we have already lost 1.6 million jobs because of sequestration.","Reid said that sequestration has already led to the loss of 1.6 million jobs. There is no official estimate of the current impact of the sequester, and Reid's office provided no proof for the claim. The figure Reid seemed to rely on is a projection of the number of jobs that might be created if Congress put the sequester on hold and spent about $100 billion more than is currently planned. And from that forecast, Reid appears to have used the high end.","The CBO said that would increase spending by $14 billion in 2013 and about $90 billion the next year. According to its model, this would boost employment by anywhere between 300,000 to 1.6 million. That is a forecast for what would happen in the future, 2014, not an estimate of the sequester\u2019s current impact."]},{"id":"2530.json","label":"false","statement":"Arkansas Democratic congressional candidate Chad Causey was a Washington, D.C. bureaucrat.","reason":"Reason: While Chad Causey did work in Washington, D.C., as a congressional aide for Representative Marion Berry, it is not accurate to label him as a \"Washington, D.C. bureaucrat.\" The term \"bureaucrat\" typically refers to someone working in the executive branch of government, enforcing procedures and regulations. Causey's role was within the legislative branch, where the focus is more on legislative matters and constituent services. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately characterize Causey's background.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Washington, D.C. -- that's where Chad Causey lived and worked until very recently. He was a Washington, D.C., bureaucrat. Causey left the D.C. payroll and came straight to Arkansas to become a politician himself. Now guess who's helping fund Chad Causey's campaign? You guessed it - Washington, D.C., liberal labor unions and Nancy Pelosi's team. Remember, you can't spell Chad Causey without 'D.C.'\"","Chad Causey was the unsuccessful 2010 Democratic nominee in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark. Previously, Causey spent 10 years working as an aide to Berry, including four years as his chief of staff.","We first looked up Causey's background and found his government work has been exclusively in the legislative branch. According to an Associated Press biography( \"Associated Press biography\"), Causey was born in Jonesboro, Ark. He earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas and a law degree from Catholic University in Washington. He spent 10 years with Berry, from 2001 to 2010, until Berry announced his retirement, and Causey became a candidate to succeed him. During his time with Berry, Causey served as a field representative, a legislative assistant, legislative director and district director. Starting in 2006, he served as Berry's chief of staff.","\"To call Chad Causey a \u2018D.C. bureaucrat\u2019 might mislead some viewers,\" Friedly said. \"The term \u2018bureaucrat\u2019 is usually reserved for an official working for the executive branch, and often used derogatorily to imply someone devoted to enforcing proper procedures at the expense of sensible results. Instead, Causey worked for congressional offices, which are usually -- for better or worse -- much more entrepreneurial in their approach of focusing on results more than the process.\""]},{"id":"6622.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Milken Institute rated San Antonio as nations top-performing local economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Milken Institute did indeed rank San Antonio as the top-performing local economy in the nation in their 2011 report. The ranking takes into account factors such as job and pay gains, growth in high-tech GDP, concentration of tech industries, and other relevant measures. San Antonio's rise in the ranking reflects the city's investments in infrastructure and education, which have contributed to its economic success.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Addressing the delegates assembled in Charlotte, N.C., Castro said that San Antonio residents recognize the value of investing in pre-Kindergarten and student college loans. \"We're investing in young minds today to be competitive in the global economy tomorow,\" Castro said. \"And it's paying off. Last year the Milken Institute ranked San Antonio as the nation's top-performing local economy.\"","Castro made the same claim in his keynote at the Texas Democratic Party convention. In that June 8, 2012, speech -- which we\u2019ve previously dipped into twice -- Juli\u00e1n Castro said his city\u2019s investments in infrastructure and education paid off \"late last year when San Antonio was ranked as the top-performing local economy by the Milken Institute.\"","Indeed, we confirmed, San Antonio topped Milken\u2019s 2011 list of the nation\u2019s best-performing large metropolitan areas, rocketing up from 14th place the year before. Its rise is part of a recent trend in which Texas cities have dominated the list as the nation recovers from the 2007-09 recession.","Milken\u2019s 2011 report on the best-performing cities says the index gives priority to job and pay gains, then some weight to several technology measures in relation to national averages: the local growth in high-tech gross domestic product, the concentration of tech industries and how many of 25 specific tech industries are concentrated there. Some measures are weighed across five-year spans, to flatten out extreme swings, and the most recent year, \"to capture recent momentum.\""]},{"id":"7564.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says we can only have three bullets and the NRA wants firearms with nukes on them.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the NRA. Michael Bloomberg did make a statement in a Nightline interview suggesting that if someone needs more than three bullets, they are a lousy shot. However, it's important to note that Bloomberg's statement was in the context of discussing gun control measures and not a definitive policy proposal. As for the claim about the NRA wanting firearms with nukes on them, it is an exaggerated and hyperbolic statement made by LaPierre to criticize Bloomberg's stance on gun control. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the NRA wants firearms with nukes. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is partially true, the second part is false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["LaPierre claimed that Bloomberg has said \"we can only have three bullets\" and \"the NRA wants firearms with nukes on them.\" He\u2019s partially right.","\"We have people all over, millions of people, sending us $5, $10, $15, $20 checks saying stand up to this guy that says we can only have three bullets, which is what he said,\" LaPierre told host David Gregory. \"Stand up to this guy who says ridiculous things like the NRA wants firearms with nukes on them.\"","The NRA pointed us to a Nightline interview on Dec. 20, 2012, in which the mayor says if you need more than three bullets, you\u2019re a lousy shot.","\"If it's 30 bullets, or 20 bullets or 10 bullets before you run out, I would suggest, God wants that deer to live.\""]},{"id":"10529.json","label":"false","statement":"Say George Washington said that when government takes away citizens right to bear arms it becomes citizens duty to take away governments right to govern.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that George Washington made the statement, \"when government takes away citizens' right to bear arms it becomes citizens' duty to take away government's right to govern.\" Experts have examined historical records and found no documentation of Washington saying this. In fact, there are indications that Washington supported the arming of trained militias rather than advocating for widespread citizen-led armed rebellion against the government. Therefore, the claim that Washington made this statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Say George Washington said that \"when government takes away citizens\u2019 right to bear arms it becomes citizens\u2019 duty to take away government\u2019s right to govern.\"","The meme said George Washington said that \"when government takes away citizens\u2019 right to bear arms it becomes citizens\u2019 duty to take away government\u2019s right to govern.\" Experts say there\u2019s no evidence that Washington ever said that -- and there are indications that Washington, if anything, favored the arming of trained militias rather than wide swaths of the population. We rate the claim False.","Around the time of Washington\u2019s 282nd birthday, a reader sent us the meme, which includes a painting of Washington and a quote purportedly written or uttered by the nation\u2019s first president: \"When government takes away citizens\u2019 right to bear arms it becomes citizens\u2019 duty to take away government\u2019s right to govern.\"","Indeed, during the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794, \"citizens of Western Pennsylvania rose up to fight a new tax on the whiskey they produced,\" said Mary Thompson, research historian at Washington\u2019s Virginia home, Mount Vernon. Washington was \"concerned that success by the rebels would lead to a diminishment of the central\/federal government,\" and directed state militias to counter the insurrection -- \"citizen-soldiers,\" she said, \"acting on behalf of the government against their fellow citizens.\""]},{"id":"5527.json","label":"false","statement":"Says over 1 million signatures were submitted in attempt to recall Gov. Scott Walker.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Democratic Party of Wisconsin initially claimed to have submitted over 1 million signatures to recall Governor Scott Walker, the State Elections Board confirmed that just over 931,000 signatures were actually submitted. Therefore, the claim that over 1 million signatures were submitted is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Democratic Party of Wisconsin declared on Jan. 17, 2012 that it had submitted to the state elections board more than 1 million signatures on petitions to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker.","Says signers of recall petitions against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are at risk because of newly \"discovered\" provisions in state law.","The Democratic Party of Wisconsin claimed it submitted to the state elections board \"over 1 million signatures\" to recall Walker -- a claim that has been repeated and repeated. The board said just over 931,000 signatures were submitted. We rate the party\u2019s statement False.","\"I can announce that your grassroots movement, right now, is delivering to the Government Accountability Board over 1 million signatures collected to recall Scott Walker,\" he said. \"This represents nearly double, or 185 percent, of the total required. It is simply breathtaking.\""]},{"id":"8702.json","label":"true","statement":"60 percent of the jobs lost in the 2008 recession were living-wage jobs. Of the jobs weve gotten back, only 40 percent are living-wage.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Merkley that 60 percent of the jobs lost during the 2008 recession were living-wage jobs. Additionally, it states that only 40 percent of the jobs gained since then are living-wage jobs. This claim is supported by the information provided in the evidence, which confirms the figures mentioned by Senator Merkley. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"60 percent of the jobs lost in the 2008 recession were living-wage jobs. Of the jobs we\u2019ve gotten back, only 40 percent are living-wage.\"","\"Sixty percent of the jobs we lost in the recession of 2008 were living-wage jobs,\" he said. \"Of the jobs we\u2019ve gotten back, only 40 percent are living-wage jobs.\"","The 60 percent \"jobs lost\" figure Merkley used in his claim appears in the report. The 40 percent \"jobs gained\" figure he cited can be obtained by adding the number of mid-wage and higher-wage jobs listed in the report. Both, after all, constitute \"living-wage\" jobs.","Merkley, in his talk to the Human Services Coalition of Oregon, said 60 percent of the jobs lost starting around 2008 were mid-wage positions, while only 40 percent of the jobs added during the recovery fit that description."]},{"id":"657.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As a state senator in Illinois, Obama made sure women got equal pay for equal work.","reason":"Reason: Michelle Obama's statement that Barack Obama made sure women got equal pay for equal work as a state senator in Illinois is partially true. While it is challenging to attribute the passage of a specific legislation to any single lawmaker, it is evident that Barack Obama supported and signed the Illinois Equal Pay Act in 2003. This act aimed to provide equal-pay protection to a significant number of workers, including state employees not covered under federal law. The law has resulted in investigations of cases and the payment of back wages to workers. While it is difficult to quantify the direct impact of Barack Obama's efforts, it is accurate to say that he played a role in advancing equal pay legislation during his time as a state senator.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The candidate's wife took up the task during her convention speech, lauding Barack Obama's work in the Illinois state Senate, where she said he was busy \"moving people from welfare to jobs, passing tax cuts for hard-working families, and making sure women get equal pay for equal work.\"","In this story, we're looking at the final element in Michelle Obama's three-point claim, that what her husband did in the state legislature included \"making sure women get equal pay for equal work.\"","The bill gave equal-pay protection to an estimated 330,000 additional workers, including some state employees that were not covered under federal law, Josephs said. Since it became law, the state has investigated more than 300 cases, and workers have received more than $91,000 in back pay. Let's come back to Michelle Obama's statement. Did Barack Obama make sure women get equal pay for equal work? Well, sort of. It's always difficult to judge the contribution of any single lawmaker in passage of an individual piece of legislation, and we recognize that the person best situated to answer that question here is currently supporting Obama's presidential campaign.","We struggled a bit with how to classify the claim Obama made in the State of the Union, since his phrasing was somewhat ambiguous. He used the more accurate formulation, but he then followed up two sentences later by saying, \"Women deserve equal pay for equal work.\" Did Obama\u2019s \"equal pay for equal work\" line suggest that he believes the 77-cent pay differential refers to statistical comparisons of \"equal work\"? Or was this sentence simply a philosophical statement that was distinct from the statistical claim?"]},{"id":"6618.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says MittRomneys tax plans would give an additional $250,000 tax cut to millionaires and billionaires while raising taxes on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Strickland regarding Mitt Romney's tax plans. According to a study by the Tax Policy Center, Romney's stated plans would indeed provide a $250,000 tax cut to millionaires while also cutting taxes for the middle class. However, it's important to note that the study also found that Romney's plans would raise taxes on the lowest-income households. So, while the statement accurately captures one aspect of Romney's tax plans, it should be noted that the impact on the middle class and the lowest-income households is more nuanced.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Mitt Romney\u2019s tax plans would \"give an additional $250,000 tax cut to millionaires and billionaires\" while raising taxes on the middle class.","Strickland\u2019s claim was that Romney's plan would \"give an additional $250,000 tax cut to millionaires and billionaires\" while raising taxes to the middle class.","Criticizing the economic plans of the Republican ticket, Strickland told a crowd in Kent that Romney's tax plans would \"give an additional $250,000 tax cut to millionaires and billionaires\" while raising taxes on the middle class, according to an account in the Record-Courier of Portage County.","He is partially accurate. A study by the Tax Policy Center about Romney's stated plans found that millionaires would get a $250,000 tax cut. But it also found those plans would cut taxes for the middle class, too, though they would raise them on the lowest-income households."]},{"id":"12374.json","label":"true","statement":"Austin is number one in Texas in startups, venture capital and patents.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Austin is indeed ranked number one in Texas in terms of startups, venture capital, and patents. Multiple sources, including the Austin American-Statesman and Silicon Hills News, provide data and surveys indicating that Austin has the highest number of startups, receives the largest amount of venture capital funding, and leads in overall patents compared to other cities in Texas. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Austin\u2019s typically soft-spoken mayor recently popped a big-as-Texas boast. \"There\u2019s a reason Austin is number one in Texas in startups and venture capital and patents,\" Steve Adler said.","Houston has been running ahead in international technology patents, it looks to us, but Austin lately leads the state in overall patents, startups and venture capital.","Next, we turned to exploring Austin\u2019s ranking for venture capital, which describes money invested in a business or project at considerable risk. A January 2016 Austin American-Statesmannews story, citing a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association, said Austin entities in 2015 were \"by far\" the state\u2019s largest recipients of venture capital, with $740 million; Dallas firms placed second, fielding $214.4 million, ahead of Houston outfits, at $160 million.","By email, mayoral spokesman Jason Stanford pointed out another account of the survey results; a Silicon Hills News story said the 99 Austin deals in 2015, mostly to develop software, were down from 114 in 2014. Also, the story said, Austin\u2019s number one deal for the latest year was Civitas Learning, attracting $60 million in venture capital, followed by Aeglea Biotherapeautics with $44 million, Mirna Therapeutics with $41.8 million and SpareFoot with $30 million, the story said."]},{"id":"13160.json","label":"half-true","statement":"SaysGary Johnson and the Libertarian Party want to get rid of the public school system.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Gary Johnson and the Libertarian Party have advocated for a voucher system that would provide students with vouchers to attend private schools, this does not necessarily mean they want to completely eliminate the public school system. The Libertarian Party's platform does not explicitly call for getting rid of the public school system. Rather, their focus is on expanding school choice and allowing parents to have more control over their children's education. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the Libertarian Party's position on the public school system.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I would just urge young voters to actually look at what the different candidates are offering,\" Clinton said. \"Gary Johnson and the Libertarian Party want to get rid of the public school system in our country. If that\u2019s what you believe, then you should actually support him. I think the public school system in our country has been one of the greatest, if not the greatest, investment of our values of the belief that everyone and anyone should have the chance to, as my mom says, 'live up to their God-given potential.' \"","\"We have a lot of work to do to ensure that that is true in every school district and every school in our country,\" she added. \"But I don\u2019t think the work that we have to do entails getting rid of the public school system.\"","Its latest platform, adopted at its May 2016 convention in Orlando, Fla., doesn't directly call for getting rid of the public school system.","Meanwhile, we found a May 30, 2016, Forbes article reporting how Johnson initially raised education spending when he was governor of New Mexico but then decided to push a voucher system. The plan was to let each student have a voucher valued at about $4,000 at a time when the public school system cost was roughly $6,000 per pupil. If a student spent that voucher on a private school, that would mean more money left behind to educate a public school child, Johnson argued. Parents would pull their children out of the bad schools \u2014 public or private \u2014 and they would have to close."]},{"id":"4818.json","label":"true","statement":"(Stimulus money) went to critically important projects like studying ants in Africa.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that stimulus money was used for studying ants in Africa. While it may seem unconventional, the research project mentioned does fall under the broader category of studying arthropods, which includes ants. The project was deemed important by the researchers involved due to the immense biological diversity in the region. While some may question the allocation of government funds for such research, it is important to note that scientific research often explores various aspects of the natural world, including studying different species and ecosystems.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But the Crossroads ad we\u2019re examining words its ant claim a bit differently. The latest claim said that stimulus money went to study ants in Africa.","The ad then gives short shrift to the stimulus, saying it funded things like \"studying ants in Africa,\" a project that the ad says cost $1.9 million.","We wanted to check whether the stimulus had \"$1.9 million to study ants\" in Africa and \"$39 million for office upgardes for politicians.\" Both projects are on a list of stimulus projects put together by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that American Crossroads pointed us to. The list included \"100 stimulus projects that give taxpayers the blues.\"","\"What exactly are they doing? Well, over the course of the next five years, Fisher and his team will be studying arthropods -- a category that includes ants -- in a part of the world he describes as immensely diverse, biologically speaking. While ant research might not seem like an obvious target for government funds, Fisher provides a logical defense."]},{"id":"3568.json","label":"true","statement":"There used to be 16 workers for every one person on Social Security. ... Now its three.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the change in the worker-to-beneficiary ratio in the Social Security system. In the past, there were indeed more workers contributing to the system for every beneficiary receiving benefits. However, due to demographic shifts and an aging population, the ratio has decreased over time. While it is true that there used to be about 16 workers for every beneficiary, the current ratio is closer to three workers for every beneficiary. This change in the worker-to-beneficiary ratio has implications for the long-term sustainability of the Social Security system.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Social Security benefits for today\u2019s recipients come from the proceeds of payroll taxes paid by younger and middle-aged workers. Over the years, some conservatives have pushed for turning Social Security into a system in which workers invest at least some of their money to provide for retirement.","The ruling meant payments into the Social Security system could not be considered a person\u2019s property rights if that person violated a rule set forth by Congress, UCLA law professor Katherine Stone told PolitiFact Florida.","Speaking to reporters Aug. 16, Masters said his privatization comment at the debate \"was probably a misstatement by me. What I meant was, you have supplemental programs, you encourage young people to save.\" He added: \"Maybe we should think about increasing Social Security payments.\"","\"People who are denied (benefits) can\u2019t say their property was taken from them, unless the change is arbitrary or lacks rational reasoning,\" Stone said, noting the denial couldn\u2019t be punitive or violate a person\u2019s right to due process."]},{"id":"4271.json","label":"true","statement":"Certainly were going to be the most restrictive state in the land in terms of who can get medical marijuana, how it will be prescribed and how it will be achieved in terms of moving it into the marketplace.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Scutari that New Jersey will have the most restrictive regulations regarding medical marijuana. According to Scutari, the restrictions will pertain to who can access medical marijuana, how it can be prescribed, and the process for bringing it into the marketplace. The evidence provided confirms the senator's statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Certainly we're going to be the most restrictive state in the land \u2026 in terms of who can get medical marijuana, how it will be prescribed and how it will be achieved in terms of moving it into the marketplace.\"","\"Certainly we're going to be the most restrictive state in the land \u2026 in terms of who can get medical marijuana, how it will be prescribed and how it will be achieved in terms of moving it into the marketplace,\" Scutari (D-Union) said during a July 27 NJToday interview.","Scutari said New Jersey will be the most restrictive state in the nation for medical marijuana because of who can get it, how a doctor can recommend it and how it is distributed.","Says \"the governor is going around the state talking about how we should fund an income tax cut\" that benefits higher income earners and not lower income earners"]},{"id":"722.json","label":"false","statement":"Holding up a BlackBerry, McCain campaign adviser says, \"youre looking at the miracle John McCain helped create.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While John McCain, as a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, may have played a role in shaping telecommunications policies, it is incorrect to claim that he helped create the BlackBerry. The BlackBerry was developed by a Canadian company, Research in Motion, and released in 2002. The claim made by the McCain campaign adviser is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cHe did this,\u201d said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, holding up his BlackBerry, the ubiquitous handheld wireless device that serves as a mobile phone but also allows users to e-mail, text message and browse the Web. \u201cTelecommunications of the United States is a premier innovation in the past 15 years, comes right through the Commerce Committee so you\u2019re looking at the miracle John McCain helped create and that\u2019s what he did.\u201d","We\u2019re just not going to take seriously any suggestion that McCain actually helped create the BlackBerry. It\u2019s absurd. The BlackBerry was developed by a Canadian company, Research in Motion, and released in 2002.","\u201cIf John McCain hadn\u2019t said that \u2018the fundamentals of our economy are strong\u2019 on the day of one of our nation\u2019s worst financial crises, the claim that he invented the BlackBerry would have been the most preposterous thing said all week,\u201d said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.","A reporter on Sept. 16 asked McCain\u2019s top economic adviser what McCain did as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee that helped him understand financial markets."]},{"id":"13150.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says most illegal immigrants draw welfare benefits, theyre sending their kids to school, theyre using the public services.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that some unauthorized immigrants do utilize public services such as government-supported hospitals and public schools. However, it is important to note that not all unauthorized immigrants are eligible for welfare benefits, as eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific program and state laws. While some unauthorized immigrants may pay taxes, the claim that \"most\" of them draw welfare benefits is an overgeneralization and lacks sufficient evidence to support it. Additionally, the impact of unauthorized immigrants on public services is a complex issue that requires a more nuanced analysis beyond a simple statement. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I mean, right here in Houston, Texas,\" DeLay said, \"you can go three blocks from here and you have apartment complexes after apartment complexes packed full with illegal immigrants.\" He shortly added: \"Most of these illegals are drawing welfare benefits, they\u2019re sending their kids to school, they\u2019re using the public services. Many of them are paying taxes, I grant you that. But the impact,\" he said, \"is monumental.\"","People living in the U.S. without authorization indeed draw on public services including government-supported hospitals. Also, children of all origins attend public schools.","Capps agreed those programs are open to unauthorized immigrants but said they\u2019re \"programs that I wouldn\u2019t consider welfare.\" Case said the basic nutrition programs qualified as public health spending. Regarding the school lunch program he said: \"I wouldn\u2019t consider it welfare the same way I wouldn\u2019t consider public schools welfare.\"","Truth-O-Meter articles, PolitiFact, \"Interior deportations down, at a 9-year low, border group says,\" Aug. 5, 2016; \"Clinton says undocumented immigrants pay $12 billion a year into Social Security,\" Aug. 10, 2016; \"Donald Trump says illegal immigration costs $113 billion a year,\" \"Donald Trump repeats Pants on Fire claim about \u201830 million\u2019 illegal immigrants,\" Sept. 1, 2016"]},{"id":"6042.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says TriMet now spends $1.63 in benefits for every $1.00 spent on wages.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided, which indicates that TriMet spends $1.63 in benefits for every $1.00 spent on wages. However, it's important to note that the clarification provided in the evidence suggests that some of the $1.63 includes expenses that may not be traditionally considered part of an employee's benefit package, such as payments to past employees and unemployment benefits. Therefore, while the statement is technically accurate, it may not fully capture the complete breakdown of benefits and should be interpreted with the additional context provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["He added this statement: \"Due to the compounding effect of these contracts, TriMet now spends $1.63 in benefits for every $1.00 spent on wages.\"","Charles said \"TriMet now spends $1.63 in benefits for every $1.00 spent on wages\" and the budget bears this out. While the statement is accurate, some of that $1.63 is going to past employees as well as other basics -- like unemployment -- that most would not consider part of their benefit package. That\u2019s the clarification that affects our ruling.","In 2011, labor expenses accounted for $123,482,000 of spending. Fringe benefits, meanwhile, accounted for $200,875,000. Those numbers do indeed show that TriMet spends about $1.63 in benefits for every $1 on wages.","Fetsch was able to give us the figures budgeted for fiscal year 2013. According to her data, TriMet will pay out an average of $67,000 in wages for each union employee and about $33,500 in benefits. If you consider these numbers rather than the aggregate figures Charles used, TriMet pays about 50 cents in benefits for every dollar it spends on wages. But that leaves out the current portion of the union pension, which most people would consider a significant benefit."]},{"id":"3793.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that several times in the last 15 years, Austin City Council candidates have won seats after trailing by more than 4,000 votes in the election prompting the runoff.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the evidence provided, there have been instances in the past 15 years where Austin City Council candidates have won seats after trailing by more than 4,000 votes in the initial election and then winning in the runoff. However, the evidence specifies that only two candidates achieved this feat, not \"several\" as stated in the statement. Therefore, while there have been instances of such comebacks, the statement exaggerates the frequency of these occurrences.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Five days after initial balloting that gave Tovo 46 percent and Shade nearly 33 percent, Shade told reporters \"the margin between me and my opponent on Election Day was just over 4,000 votes... there have been several examples over the last 15 years where candidates have made up larger vote deficits than mine to win in a run-off.\"","However, only two closed a first-round gap of more than 4,000 votes. Spelman bested Manuel Zuniga after trailing by 8,813 votes in their initial race. Kim overtook Margot Clarke after Clarke ran 7,771 votes ahead in the general election. The other runoff victors earlier ran behind by about 1,100 to nearly 2,100 votes.","Austin consultant Mark Littlefield, a Shade supporter, agreed that just the two candidates rebounded after lagging by more than 4,000 votes. He said Spelman is the sole council hopeful in the period who bounced back from a greater percentage deficit than the nearly 13.5 points separating Shade and Tovo in this year\u2019s general election, though Kim was behind about 13 points in her first round.","After leaving a message with Shade\u2019s camp, we hunted for comparable comebacks over the 15 years Shade referenced. In those years, according to the city\u2019s online database summarizing City Council election results, five second-place finishers in general elections won their runoffs: Beverly Griffith (1996); Bill Spelman and Willie Lewis (1997); Raul Alvarez (2000); and Jennifer Kim (2005)."]},{"id":"5598.json","label":"false","statement":"Did you know ObamaCare will cost nearly twice as much as initially expected -- $1.8 TRILLION?","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Obamacare will cost nearly twice as much as initially expected, amounting to $1.8 trillion. The evidence discusses the complexities of estimating the cost and savings of the Affordable Care Act (ACA\/Obamacare) over a long period of time, but it does not provide a specific figure of $1.8 trillion. It is important to note that cost estimates for healthcare programs can vary, and it is challenging to predict precise figures due to numerous factors and assumptions involved. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Obamacare law isn\u2019t fully implemented yet, but Ellis said, \"The tricky thing about the ACA\/Obamacare is that it counts on a lot of moving parts and a lot of assumptions to get to the savings number. If things don\u2019t work out as planned, it won\u2019t be a deficit reducer\u2026 whereas after nearly a decade we know what Medicare Part D cost.\"","Those figures show GDP is expected to total $883 trillion between 2011 and 2085. Running that number through the GAO report, 1.5 percent of GDP over 75 years would come to $13.25 trillion. That would be the savings under the rosy scenario.","A June 17, 2013, PolitiFact Virginia fact-check showed that January 2013 Government Accountability Office estimates of the Obamacare law\u2019s cost over 75 years could result in two scenarios: It could raise the national debt $6.2 trillion if its cost containment measures were phased out, or it could save the government $13.3 trillion if it works as intended. A GAO analyst said the report did not say whether one outcome or the other is more likely.","On Nov. 20, 2003, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that Part D\u2019s gross cost would total $409.8 billion from 2004 through 2013. The net cost of the entire Medicare Modernization Act, including Part D and expected revenue increases, was given as $394.3 billion ($501 billion in today\u2019s dollars)."]},{"id":"6725.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Seven times Obama could have stopped Chinas cheating. Seven times, he refused.","reason":"Reason: The statement is referring to a claim made in a Romney campaign ad that Obama had seven opportunities to stop China's cheating but refused to do so. This claim is based on the Obama administration's decision not to label China as a currency manipulator on seven separate occasions. While it is true that the Obama administration did not take this specific action, it is important to note that labeling China as a currency manipulator is a complex decision that involves various economic and diplomatic considerations. The claim in the statement oversimplifies the issue and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in addressing trade issues with China.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Meanwhile, a Romney ad accused Obama of not fighting China for violating trade rules. \"Seven times Obama could have stopped China\u2019s cheating. Seven times, he refused,\" the ad said.","\"Under Obama, we've lost over half a million manufacturing jobs,\" the narrator says. \"And for the first time, China is beating us. Seven times Obama could have stopped China's cheating. Seven times, he refused.\"","Still, Romney\u2019s pushed for a harder stance on Chinese trade, while portraying Obama as weak. For this fact-check, we\u2019re examining whether \"seven times Obama could have stopped China\u2019s cheating\" and \"seven times, he refused.\"","A Romney campaign ad claims that \"seven times Obama could have stopped China's cheating. Seven times, he refused.\" It\u2019s true that the Obama administration passed up seven opportunities to label China a currency manipulator, something it\u2019s been encouraged to do by some members of Congress, unions and businesses."]},{"id":"11294.json","label":"true","statement":"Im the only governor in America ... who signed a law that says there needs to be an independent investigation any time theres a death of someone in police custody.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Governor Scott Walker signed a law in Wisconsin that requires an independent investigation whenever there is a death of someone in police custody. According to experts and a scan of legislation, no other state has such a law. While some local police departments may have similar policies, they are not state laws. Therefore, Governor Walker's claim that he is the only governor in America to have signed such a law is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I'm the only governor in America ... who signed a law that says there needs to be an independent investigation any time there's a death of someone in police custody.\"","\"I\u2019m proud to say I'm the only governor in America, the first one and I believe the only one today, who signed a law that says there needs to be an independent investigation any time there's a death of someone in police custody.\"","Walker said he was the only governor to sign a bill that required an independent investigation into police-related killings. Walker signed that bill in April 2014. According to experts we reached or whose work we read, and our scan of legislation, no other state has such a law.","We also learned from the Walker campaign that many local police departments in Wisconsin and around the country already require an independent investigation. However, those policies are not state law."]},{"id":"11214.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Ron Johnson opposes entirely a federal minimum wage, except perhaps for guest workers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Ron Johnson opposes a federal minimum wage, except for possibly guest workers. Johnson himself has stated that he does not believe there should be a federal minimum wage, except for the case of guest workers. While he may not have explicitly stated this position frequently, he did not dispute the accuracy of the claim made by Feingold. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Now, my likely opponent, the incumbent senator, opposes entirely -- get this, opposes entirely -- a federal minimum wage,\" Feingold said Aug. 18, 2015. \"At least for Americans -- apparently he has some openness about guest workers -- disrespecting the hard work and dignity of too many working Wisconsinites.\"","It may not be a position Johnson has stated often, but when asked in 2014 whether there should be a federal minimum wage, Johnson said there should not be one, other than perhaps one for guest workers. And while he may not be trying to repeal the wage, Johnson didn\u2019t dispute the accuracy of Feingold\u2019s claim -- that he is against having a federal minimum, except perhaps for guest workers coming in from outside the United States.","It may not be a position Johnson has stated often, but when asked in July 2014 whether there should be a federal minimum wage, Johnson said there should not be one, other than perhaps one for guest workers.","And while he may not be trying to repeal the wage, Johnson didn\u2019t dispute the accuracy of Feingold\u2019s claim -- that he is against having a federal minimum, except perhaps for guest workers coming in from outside the United States."]},{"id":"1365.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When Charlie Crist was elected governor, Florida ranked 31st in K-12 education. \"Last year ... we went from 31st to 14. And this year, the top 10 in America.\"","reason":"Reason: Charlie Crist accurately stated that when he was elected governor, Florida ranked 31st in K-12 education according to Education Week. However, the claim that Florida improved to 14th and then to the top 10 in subsequent years is not entirely accurate. While Education Week did provide rankings for those years, it is important to note that the rankings are not directly comparable due to changes in the rating formula and the absence of an overall ranking in 2007. Therefore, the statement regarding Florida's improvement in education rankings should be viewed with caution and may not accurately reflect the actual progress made during that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When I came in three years ago, according to Education Weekly , a well-respected national publication, it said that out of the 50 states Florida was ranked 31st. Thirty-first in K-12 education,\" Crist told members of the Pinellas Republican Executive Committee on Dec. 14, 2009. \"Last year my friends, we went from 31st to 14. And this year, the top 10 in America.","On that index, as Crist says, Florida ranked 31st nationwide. That year, Florida also ranked 31st in the publication's K-12 Achievement Index, which focuses explicitly on in-school learning.","\"While (Charlie Crist) was governor, utility costs went up 30 percent and went from below the national average to above the national average. Since I got elected, utility rates have come down 11 percent and now we are below the average.\"","Which brings us back to Crist's original statement. Crist is right that Education Week ranked Florida 31st in 2007, 14th in 2008 and 10th in 2009. But they're simply not comparable rankings. The publication didn't make an overall ranking in 2007, and says it has adjusted the ratings formula slightly each year. A cursory review would have revealed as much. And even if he missed it, the Orlando Sentinel put the rankings very much in doubt back in September."]},{"id":"8495.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Due to Obamacare, Arkansas has covered almost 14 percent of its uninsured already.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Arkansas has covered almost 14 percent of its uninsured population due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). This claim is supported by evidence that shows a significant number of uninsured Arkansans have obtained insurance through the state's unique approach to Medicaid expansion and the private option. However, it's important to note that this case study is specific to Arkansas and may not be directly applicable to the rest of the country. Additionally, some uninsured individuals in Arkansas still face challenges in obtaining coverage through the troubled healthcare website. Overall, the statement is accurate but would benefit from additional context regarding the state's unique Medicaid approach and the limitations of the healthcare website.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the speech, Obama said that Arkansas, a state he didn\u2019t win in 2008 or 2012, \"has covered almost 14 percent of its uninsured already.\" The White House later reiterated this claim in a tweet.","Obama said that due to the health care law, Arkansas \"has covered almost 14 percent of its uninsured already.\" That number is very close, if not spot on. But it's a case study that has limited application for the rest of the country, because of the state's unique approach to Medicaid. Many of the state's uninsured still have to get coverage from the troubled website. The statement is accurate but needs additional information or context, so we rate the claim Mostly True.","Webb added that the state has been using the ballpark figure of 500,000 for the number of uninsured residents. Using that figure, 13 percent of uninsured Arkansans have secured insurance through Obamacare. Especially if you account for the extra couple of days\u2019 worth of applications not counted in this figure, this qualifies as the \"almost 14 percent\" Obama cited.","Residents who are eligible for Arkansas\u2019 private option via Insure Ark only account for a fraction of the state\u2019s uninsured population, perhaps 40 percent. A majority of the uninsured in Arkansas earn too much to qualify for the private option and must instead use a different, and for now, less functional, website -- the national site."]},{"id":"2682.json","label":"false","statement":"Middle-class families throughout America (would) have to pay $6,000 per year to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Meek that middle-class families would have to pay $6,000 per year to fund tax cuts for the wealthy is false. The fact-checking analysis reveals that the calculation is significantly flawed and based on incorrect assumptions. The estimated number of middle-class taxpayers required to reach that amount is unreasonably low, and the figure is off by at least a factor of 10. Meek's campaign even admitted that he made an error in his statement. Therefore, the claim is factually incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We were interested in fact-checking Meek's statement that \"Middle-class families throughout America have to pay $6,000 per year to pay for\" tax cuts for the wealthy.","\"Middle-class families throughout America have to pay $6,000 per year to pay for the tax cut that he's talking about,\" Meek said. \"That's before the finance charge from China, Japan, or India. I think it's important that we look at leveling with the people of this state, not just the cake-and-ice-cream, deregulation, everyone-should-get-a-tax-cut kind of way. If we are going to govern, we must govern in a responsible way, because we are putting our children in a position that no other nation's children will be in as it relates to paying back this debt.\"","Meek said he wasn't counting interest on the debt, and that it would cost middle-class taxpayers $6,000 per year. We know that over 10 years, the tax increase for the wealthy totals $678.3 billion, so $6,000 per taxpayer per year means there are ... (hold on a minute, we're punching the numbers into our calculator) ... 11.3 million middle-class taxpayers -- a laughably small number.","In rating our item, we should note that some Republicans object to saying that tax cuts \"cost\" anything. It's not spending, they say, it's money that belongs to the people. Still, if the country is deficit-spending, it's foregone revenue that will have to be made up for some way. But this philosophical debate is a side note to our fact check because Meek said the tax cuts for the wealthy would cost middle-class families \"$6,000 per year.\" That number is way off, by at least a factor of 10. Meek's campaign admitted he flubbed it. We rate Meek's statement False."]},{"id":"10432.json","label":"false","statement":"The Texas leg of the Keystone pipeline has already created 4,800 jobs in just the year its been up and running.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While the Texas leg of the Keystone pipeline has indeed created jobs, the claim that it has generated 4,800 jobs in just one year is incorrect. The correction provided by Cornyn's communications director acknowledges the error in the timeframe and clarifies that the 4,800 jobs were created as a result of the Gulf Coast leg of the Keystone XL Pipeline, but not within a single year. It is important to ensure accurate information when discussing the impact of infrastructure projects on job creation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Texas leg of the Keystone pipeline \"has already created 4,800 jobs in just the year it's been up and running.\"","Cornyn said the Texas leg of the Keystone pipeline project \"has already created 4,800 jobs in just the year it's been up and running.\"","Cornyn continued: \"It\u2019s unfortunate that the President would shut down this bipartisan legislation. In Texas, we\u2019ve seen the direct positive impact of the pipeline on the local and state economy. The Texas leg of the project, which delivers more than 400,000 barrels of crude oil from Cushing, OK to Southeast Texas each day, has already created 4,800 jobs in just the year it's been up and running.\"","Finally, we asked Cornyn if it makes sense that the jobs he described as resulting from the pipeline's first year of operations existed only during construction. Via Brandewie, Megan Mitchell, Cornyn\u2019s communications director, said: \"Our office was correct in noting that 4,800 jobs were created as a result of the Gulf Coast leg of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Unfortunately, we erred in the timeframe.\""]},{"id":"2199.json","label":"false","statement":"McCain opposed the border fence.","reason":"Reason: The statement that McCain opposed the border fence is not entirely accurate. While McCain did vote against an amendment that would have provided increased funding for a double-layered fence, he ultimately voted for the final bill, The Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorized the construction of a 700-mile fence on the U.S.-Mexico border. McCain was even referred to as one of the \"Republican architects\" of the legislation. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that McCain opposed the border fence. \nLabel: false","evidence":["The ad begins with a narrator announcing that \"McCain \" Then, over the course of several slides, it says that \"McCain wrote the Amnesty Bill ... opposed the border fence,\" and supported \"Social Security and Medicare benefits for illegals.\"","Hayworth's ad claims that McCain opposed the border fence. As \"proof,\" Hayworth cited McCain's vote on an amendment that would have provided increased funding for the construction of a double-layered fence on the U.S.-Mexico border. What the ad conveniently left out, however, is that McCain voted for the final bill, which provided $1.2 billion for strengthening the border. It also ignored McCain's key role in securing the passage of The Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorized construction of a 700-mile fence on the border. Finally, it neglected to mention that the defeated amendment would have been paid for with cuts from other parts of the 2007 Homeland Security appropriations bill. Republican leaders -- who voted with McCain -- say that adopting the amendment would have resulted in cutbacks in hiring new border patrol agents. The ad is technically right that McCain voted against additional funding at one point. Still, we found that the claim is a gross exaggeration, so we rate it False.","As the U.S. Senate race in Arizona heats up, the TV ads are getting more and more brutal. In its latest ad, J.D. Hayworth's campaign attacks Sen. John McCain for alleged opposition to constructing a fence on the U.S.-Mexico border.","Even more telling, however, is what happened three weeks later. On Oct. 26, 2006, President Bush signed The Secure Fence Act of of 2006. This separate legislation, which had solid Republican support, authorized the construction of a 700-mile, double-layered fence on the U.S.-Mexico border. McCain not only voted for the bill, but the New York Times referred to him as one of the \"Republican architects\" of the legislation. That's hard to square with the anti-border enforcement candidate that Hayworth's ad describes. (We first learned about the New York Times article, along with a few other sources which we double-checked, from our friends over at )"]},{"id":"13267.json","label":"true","statement":"Says over 90 percent of Travis Countys eligible residents have registered to vote.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that over 90 percent of Travis County's eligible residents have registered to vote. The county's voter registration tally reached 90.4 percent of voting-eligible residents, and there were still unprocessed registrations that could potentially increase the percentage even further. Multiple sources, including Elfant and Peck Young, confirm the high registration rate in Travis County.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Elfant said that over 90 percent of Travis County\u2019s eligible residents registered to vote in advance of the November 2016 elections.","That said, Smith wrote, it\u2019s reasonable to speculate that 90 percent of eligible residents has registered because some 86 percent appear to have done so in 2014 and that was a \"low salience mid-year election.\" Smith reached the 86 percent figure by comparing the county\u2019s 655,056 registered voters as of Nov. 4, 2014 to the bureau\u2019s 2014 estimate of 759,526 county residents eligible to vote.","When we heard back from Elfant a couple days later, he said the county\u2019s tally of registered residents had reached 717,694, or 90.4 percent of voting-eligible residents by his analysis. On Oct. 14, 2016, Elfant emailed: \"With at least 17,000 voter registrations still unprocessed, it is likely that 91% or even 92% are actually registered to vote but we won\u2019t have a final tally for another week.\"","Peck Young, who oversees the Austin Community College Center for Public Policy & Political Studies, said: \"It is clear that this year 90+\" percent \"of the Citizen Voting Age Population of Travis County has been registered.\""]},{"id":"200.json","label":"true","statement":"\"In the African-American community today, 68 percent of kids born are born out of wedlock.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistic that 68 percent of children born in the African-American community are born to unmarried parents. This data point is based on various studies and reports that highlight the high rate of non-marital births within this specific demographic. It is important to note that this statistic pertains to the African-American community and may not be representative of other racial or ethnic groups.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"5347.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Oregon House Republicans jobs plan could generate more than 50,000 jobs over five years.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Oregon House Republicans' jobs plan could generate more than 50,000 jobs over five years is supported by the information provided. The plan, proposed by Oregon House Republican leader Kevin Cameron, includes a mix of tax cuts and job growth in forestry, farms, and food processing. While the plan's implementation and its effectiveness in creating jobs cannot be definitively predicted, it has been vetted by experts at the Legislative Revenue Office who have analyzed the potential impact. However, it's important to note that the claim is based on projections and should be understood as a potential outcome rather than a guaranteed result.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Oregon House Republican leader Kevin Cameron came out swinging in January with a jobs plan that his caucus says could create 50,000 jobs over five years. The plan calls for a mix of tax cuts as well as job growth in forestry, farms and food processing. Cameron insists it\u2019s not a partisan plan and has offered to work with House Democrats who share the chamber with Republicans 30-30.","Democrats said no, thank you, so we\u2019re pretty sure the package won\u2019t go anywhere this month. But a reader asked -- and we agree -- that the numbers need vetting. What\u2019s their documentation for the claim that \"the plan could generate more than 50,000 jobs?\"","As our sister organization PolitiFact Florida wrote in July 2010, we can\u2019t weigh in on what may or may not happen in the future. But like PolitiFact Florida, we can check whether the House plan, as put together, actually calls for 50,000 jobs over five years. In other words, has a valid third party come by these numbers in some way?","Again, PolitiFact Oregon is not in a position to second-guess economic modeling by Legislative Revenue. But we did ask Paul Warner, the top man there, and Chris Allanach to walk us through some of the analyses. At the end, we asked: Is it fair to say this plan could result in 50,000 jobs?"]},{"id":"7504.json","label":"true","statement":"More than 80 percent of Americans believe we need to have universal background checks.","reason":"Reason: Multiple national polls consistently show that well over 80 percent, and sometimes over 90 percent, of Americans support background checks for all gun sales. While the term \"universal\" may not always be used in the survey questions, the concept of comprehensive background checks is widely supported by the majority of Americans. Therefore, it is accurate to say that more than 80 percent of Americans believe we need to have universal background checks.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Polling expert Steven Smith, a professor of social sciences and political science at Washington University in St. Louis, told us that the wording of questions in national surveys can vary and usually do not use the term \"universal.\" But well over 80 percent, and sometimes over 90 percent, of respondents favor background checks for all gun sales, he said.","\"Universal\" is the term for background checks to be done on every gun sale. We found support for that policy at 94 percent in the latest national poll. Support ranged between 84 percent and 89 percent in the four other most recent polls. Experts say support at or near 90 percent has been consistent for years.","The last time national polls were widely done on background checks was in 2019, when the House passed a similar bill. When Americans were asked if they support universal background checks, support was at or near 90%.","PolitiFact, \"Lee Leffingwell says polls show 90 percent of Americans and 74 percent of NRA members support criminal background checks before all gun buys,\" April 4, 2013"]},{"id":"11746.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have cut our deficits by almost three-quarters.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Barack Obama's claim that his administration has reduced deficits by almost three-quarters. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as mostly true by PolitiFact. While it's important to note that the reduction in deficits is relative to a specific time period and should be considered in the context of the overall economic situation, the evidence supports the claim made by President Obama.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["After citing some of his administration\u2019s economic accomplishments, he said, \"We\u2019ve done all this while cutting our deficits by almost three-quarters.\"","In 2012, PolitiFact twice rated True claims that President Barack Obama failed to keep a promise to cut federal deficits in half by the end of his first term.","A year ago, President Barack Obama said during his 2015 State of the Union address that the United States has seen \"our deficits cut by two-thirds\" during his tenure. We rated that claim Mostly True. During his 2016 State of the Union address, Obama raised the bar.","That is, in raw dollars -- the way attendees at the union event probably would. Indeed, deficits are often expressed that way as well."]},{"id":"5086.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Oregons per capita income is 9 percent below the national average and getting worse. This is a state thats actually getting poorer.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Wilsonville Republican that Oregon's per capita income is 9 percent below the national average and that the state is getting poorer. However, it's important to note that this claim lacks specific evidence or data to support it. Without further information or analysis of the latest per capita income statistics, it is difficult to definitively determine if Oregon is indeed getting poorer. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents the claim made by the Wilsonville Republican, its veracity cannot be fully confirmed without additional evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Oregon\u2019s per capita income is 9 percent below the national average and getting worse. This is a state that\u2019s actually getting poorer.\"","\"Oregon\u2019s per capita income is 9 percent below the national average and getting worse. This is a state that\u2019s actually getting poorer. My Republican colleagues and I are determined to change that trajectory,\" the Wilsonville Republican said in a news post at OregonCatalyst.","( - Is Oregon\u2019s per capita income nine percent below the national average -- and does that mean we\u2019re getting poorer? &url=)","PolitiFact Oregon hadn\u2019t been keeping up with the latest in per capita personal income statistics so we wanted to know if the 9 percent figure was accurate. More important, we wanted to know if indeed the gap is getting worse and if we are getting poorer."]},{"id":"10331.json","label":"true","statement":"My wife is going to be the first Hispanic first lady in the history of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Greg Abbott, the speaker, correctly states that his wife, Cecilia Abbott, will be the first Hispanic first lady in the history of Texas. This claim is supported by evidence that Cecilia Abbott has Hispanic roots through her mother and grandmother, and no other Hispanic woman has held the position of first lady in Texas since statehood.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Abbott replied: \"In a way I understand this even more powerfully because my wife is going to be the first Hispanic first lady in the history of Texas. And Texas has had a long tradition of uniting the Hispanic culture with Texas values.\"","Abbott, the state attorney general, talked up his wife making history for months on the campaign trail in 2014, perhaps to good effect. In July 2014, PolitiFact Texas found the state\u2019s population was 38.4 percent Hispanic, the second biggest demographic after whites, who make up 40 percent. Notably too, the flags that have flown over Texas include the banners of Spain and Mexico.","Cecilia Abbott, with Hispanic roots through her mother and grandmother, will be the first Hispanic first lady since statehood, which we take Abbott to be saying. Other Hispanic women were first ladies only before Texas was a state.","\"She was doing what she\u2019s always done,\" Genovese said. \"But she\u2019s not going to change the world as a first lady.\""]},{"id":"2841.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Eliminating earmarks does not reduce spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in the context that eliminating earmarks under the current budgeting process does not directly reduce overall spending. When earmarks are removed, the allocated funds are often reallocated to other spending areas rather than being saved outright. However, it is important to note that there are alternative budgeting processes that could be implemented to ensure that spending decreases when earmarks are eliminated. So, while eliminating earmarks may not reduce spending in the current system, it is possible to devise budgeting methods where spending does go down when earmarks are removed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It's the last part -- the notion that \"eliminating earmarks does not reduce spending\" -- that caught our eye. We wondered whether it's accurate.","\"I oppose the Senate Republican Conference voluntary moratorium on so-called 'earmarks,' \" Lugar said in a prepared statement. \"At a moment in which over-spending by the federal government perpetuates annual deficits of over $1 trillion a year, the Congress is being asked to debate a congressional earmark spending resolution which will save no money, even while giving the impression that the Congress is attempting to meet the public demand to reduce spending. Instead of surrendering constitutional authority to Washington bureaucrats and the Obama Administration, Congress should focus on reducing spending on both entitlement and discretionary spending programs. Providing the Obama Administration with greater authority to direct spending does not accomplish this goal, and eliminating earmarks does not reduce spending.\"","A Lugar spokesman, Mark Helmke, said that as long as the administration does not use money dedicated to earmarks for debt reduction, the moratorium would not reduce spending. \"The only way that spending is reduced is to cut program spending, and Sen. Lugar is prepared to do that,\" Helmke said.","Meanwhile, Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a group critical of earmarks, said Lugar is correct that, under the current budgeting process, eliminating earmarks won't save money. That's because when earmarks are stricken by congressional vote, the money is typically reallocated to other spending, rather than saved outright. But he added that it would be possible to devise a budgeting process in which spending goes down if an earmark is eliminated."]},{"id":"6237.json","label":"false","statement":"The health care law is the largest tax [increase] in the history of our country","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While the health care law does include taxes, it is not the largest tax increase in the history of the United States. Multiple fact-checks have debunked this claim, clarifying that the law's taxes primarily target the wealthy and the health care industry, rather than the middle class. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing the impact of the health care law and its tax provisions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The ad calls the health care law \"the largest tax increase in history on the middle class.\" Actually, the law is not the largest tax increase in history, and most of its taxes fall on the wealthy and the health care industry.","Finally, the health care law is not the largest tax increase in history. We looked into this topic in detail when we fact-checked Rush Limbaugh\u2019s statement that the health care law is \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\"","U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, R-Pa., put it this way: \"This is the largest tax increase on the poor and the middle class in the history of this country\"; and Alabama Republican Party chair Bill Armistead said that \"The United States Supreme Court has essentially created the largest tax increase in American history.\"","While the health care law certainly is, on the whole, a tax increase, it\u2019s not the largest in American history -- and as such -- cannot be the largest in the history of the world. (Luckily, there's enough U.S.-based research that we don't have to explore the tax increases of the Roman Empire, adjusted for inflation.)"]},{"id":"7920.json","label":"false","statement":"A study ranked Florida No. 1 in government corruption under Gov. Rick Scott.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The study mentioned in the evidence did not rank Florida as number one in government corruption. According to the study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Florida ranked fourth in total federal public corruption convictions and eighth per capita. The claim that Florida was ranked number one in government corruption under Governor Rick Scott is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!A Web video by the Florida Democratic Party links a corruption study with Gov. Rick Scott. !A Web video by the Florida Democratic Party links a corruption study with Gov. Rick Scott.","The words \"Um, right\" appear on the screen, followed by a newspaper headline typed over Scott: \"Study ranks Florida No. 1 in government corruption.\"","Florida Republicans were not amused with the video for many reasons, taking particular issue with the corruption claim. (For the record, the clip of Scott was not of him talking about trying to make Florida No. 1 in government corruption.)","A study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago examined Department of Justice data for corruption convictions across the states from 1976 to 2010. The broadened time period meant Florida ranked No. 4 in total federal public corruption convictions (1,762 convictions), trailing New York, California and Illinois. Per capita, Florida ranked eighth."]},{"id":"1263.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Baucus health care bill \"would drastically restrict the use of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) in order to help pay for health care reform.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Baucus health care bill does propose restrictions on flexible spending accounts (FSAs) as a means to help finance health care reform. However, it is important to note that the impact of these restrictions would only affect approximately 20% of FSA beneficiaries, as stated by the organization Save Flexible Spending Plans. While the word \"drastically\" may be subjective, the fact that the majority of FSA users would not be affected suggests that the restrictions may not be as severe as implied. Therefore, the statement is accurate in terms of the proposed restrictions but may overstate the extent of their impact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The latest group raising concerns represents companies that provide flexible spending accounts. The group, known as Save Flexible Spending Plans, sent us a press release with the dire warning that a proposal approved by the Senate Finance Committee \"would drastically restrict the use of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) in order to help pay for health care reform.\"","Getting back to our statement, the organization Save Flexible Spending Plans said the Senate Finance Committee \"would drastically restrict the use of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) in order to help pay for health care reform.\" Yes, it would restrict them, but even Save Flexible Spending Plans says the new restriction would affect only \"one in five\" beneficiaries. So this means by the group's own accounting that 80 percent of the people with FSAs would not be affected. That hardly seems drastic. We rate the group's statement Half True.","Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, Curbing flexible spending accounts could help pay for health care reform , June 10, 2009","The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning public-policy think tank, published a paper in June saying that health care reform should curtail flexible spending accounts . That would increase tax revenues to the federal government, which could be used to pay for subsidies for the uninsured."]},{"id":"3166.json","label":"false","statement":"Nevada will be energy independent within the immediate future.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Harry Reid that Nevada will be \"energy independent within the immediate future\" is false. While Nevada may have the potential to tap into its solar and other energy resources, achieving complete energy independence within the immediate future is highly unlikely. The state would need to transition all vehicles from fossil fuels to alternative fuels, which would take many years to accomplish. Additionally, Nevada does not have sufficient oil resources to meet its energy needs. Therefore, the claim made by Senator Reid is not supported by the current evidence and is rated as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a recent TV interview, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid made a striking claim about his home state. Reid said Nevada will be \"energy independent within the immediate future.\"","We\u2019ll grant that in the interview, the discussion began with the question of how fast Nevada can begin exporting energy out of the state. But Reid went on to say the state would be \"energy independent within the immediate future,\" which means all of the state\u2019s energy would be produced within its own boundaries. Even if Nevada successfully taps into its solar and other energy resources, it is many years away from changing all of its cars, trucks and planes from fossil fuels to fuels that can be produced within the state. So we rate Reid\u2019s statement False.","But being a net exporter of energy does not necessarily mean being \"energy independent.\" That\u2019s because cars, trucks and airplanes have to run on fuel, too -- and the state does not have enough oil for that.","Several recent months have seen U.S. energy production outstrip consumption \u2014 which supports Trump\u2019s claim. But overall, the data cuts against the notion that the United States is \"very energy independent.\""]},{"id":"5049.json","label":"false","statement":"Says there were only about eight or 10 inflammatory sentences in his newsletters.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources have reviewed the newsletters attributed to Ron Paul and found a significantly higher number of inflammatory sentences than the claim made by Paul himself. The New Republic, for example, identified at least 35 sentences in multiple newsletters that many people would consider inflammatory. Paul's assertion that there were only eight to ten inflammatory sentences is contradicted by the evidence available. Therefore, his statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Paul says the newsletters that bore his name contained only eight to 10 sentences of \"bad stuff.\" Although \"bad stuff\" is in the eye of the beholder, we found nearly three dozen sentences that we think many would find inflammatory \u2014 and that's just in the excerpts we had access to. Paul's statement is False.","Although the several dozen pages that The New Republic posted online, dated between 1988 and 1996, represent only a selected sample of Paul's newsletters, we reviewed them and found at least 35 sentences in at least 14 passages over nine different newsletters that we think many people would find inflammatory, although we recognize that opinions about specific passages will differ.","\"These were sentences that were put in,\" Paul said during the interview on WHO-AM in Des Moines, Iowa. \"I think there was a total of about eight or 10 sentences. And it was bad stuff, and it wasn't a reflection of my views at all.\" Later in the interview, Paul elaborated: \"I actually put a type of a newsletter out \u2014 it was a Freedom Report, an Investment Letter, Survival Report, different ways \u2014 every month since 1976. This is probably 10 sentences out of, you know, 10,000 pages, for all I know. I think it's bad that it happened, but I disavowed all these views.\"","Says Anthony Fauci\u2019s statement that the coronavirus death rate is 10 times that of the seasonal flu is \u201ca claim without any scientific basis.\""]},{"id":"6696.json","label":"true","statement":"Says if current trends continue, by 2040, one out of three Texas workers will not have a high school diploma.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bill Hammond that if current trends continue, by 2040, one out of three Texas workers will lack a high school diploma. This claim has been supported by projections made by Steve Murdock, a demographer, who estimates that around 30 percent of workers in Texas will lack a high school diploma if all factors remain the same. The evidence confirms the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Hammond said \"if current trends continue, by 2040, one out of three Texas workers will not have a high school diploma.\" Murdock\u2019s projection is that all factors staying the same, about 30 percent of workers will lack a high school diploma. We rate Hammond\u2019s statement as True.","( - Bill Hammond says that if trends hold, one in three Texas workers will lack high school diploma by 2040&url=)","\"Our homes and preschools are filled with aspiring astronauts, firefighters, teachers and computer scientists,\" Bill Hammond wrote. \"Unfortunately, if current trends continue, by 2040, one out of three Texas workers will not have a high school diploma. That's not dreaming big, that's a Texas-sized nightmare. It's a formula for broken dreams, dead-end jobs and a strain on the state's economy.\"","\"It\u2019s a simple simulation,\" he said. \"What we\u2019re simply saying is that\" the share of workers lacking a high school diploma \"will absolutely be the case if we have the population growth we project and we do not have a change in the educational attainment of our different racial and ethnic groups.\""]},{"id":"6216.json","label":"true","statement":"Says tenure still exists but its been overhauled for teachers in New Jersey.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. While the tenure law in New Jersey has been reformed to make it easier to dismiss teachers who receive two years of partially effective or ineffective ratings, tenure still exists. The process for tenure charges has been overhauled to streamline the dismissal process, but teachers still have the right to a hearing. Therefore, the statement correctly acknowledges that tenure has been overhauled but still exists for teachers in New Jersey.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says because of Hurricane Sandy in Atlantic City \"much of that boardwalk no longer exists -- just the pillars where the boardwalk used to be.\"","Says New Jersey\u2019s tenure law \"has now been reformed to say that if teachers get two years of partially effective or ineffective ratings they lose tenure.\"","That does not change with the new legislation. Tenure charges are still subject to a hearing, though the process has been overhauled in an effort to make it easier to dismiss teachers.","Last year, PolitiFact New Jersey gave Gov. Chris Christie a Half True for saying that when the New Jersey Education Association, the state\u2019s largest teachers union, says he wants to \"eliminate tenure, that\u2019s not true.\""]},{"id":"8313.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has amended, delayed, or repealed 19 components of his very own (health care) law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that President Barack Obama has made changes to his own health care law. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service analysis confirms that there have been 19 changes made to the Affordable Care Act. However, it's important to note that the statement may oversimplify the process and imply a more direct involvement by the president in these changes. The changes were made through various means, including executive actions, regulatory adjustments, and legislative amendments. While the president has had a role in some of these changes, it is not accurate to solely attribute all 19 changes directly to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Graves said Obama \"himself has amended, delayed, or repealed 19 components of his very own law.\" Based on the analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, Graves has the right number. However, he simplifies the way that many of those 19 changes came about, and by doing that, makes it seem as though the president were more directly involved.","\"Something very important has happened since the president did win the election,\" Graves said on ABC\u2019s This Week. \"He himself has amended, delayed, or repealed 19 components of his very own law. So if it's so good for America, then why he is delaying it for his friends in big business?\"","!President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law. !President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law.","President Barack Obama spoke from the White House after the Supreme Court delivered its ruling that upheld his signature health care law."]},{"id":"4246.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The governments twice the size it was 10 years ago. Its 30 percent bigger than it was when (Barack) Obama became president.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Tom Coburn that the size of the government has doubled in 10 years and is 30 percent bigger than when Barack Obama became president. However, it's important to note that the context and specific metrics used to measure the size of the government may vary. The statement does not provide specific details about which aspects of the government's size are being referred to, such as the budget, number of employees, or specific agencies. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Coburn's claim, it lacks specificity and may benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The government's twice the size it was 10 years ago. It's 30 percent bigger than it was when (Barack) Obama became president.\"","Addressing host David Gregory, Coburn said, \"David, everybody's talking about the symptoms of our problem instead of the real disease. The government's twice the size it was 10 years ago. It's 30 percent bigger than it was when (Barack) Obama became president. The problem is that we're spending way too much money, and it's not hard to cut it without hurting entitlement benefits. But we don't have anybody that wants to do that without getting a tax increase.\"","Meanwhile, we also looked at Coburn\u2019s second claim, that government expenditures are 30 percent bigger than they were when Obama became president.","!On \"Meet the Press,\" Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said that the size of government had doubled in 10 years. Is he right? !On \"Meet the Press,\" Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said that the size of government had doubled in 10 years. Is he right?"]},{"id":"5073.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Barack Obama put in place historic fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks to lower costs at the pump and reduce dependence on foreign oil.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. President Obama did implement new fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, which raised the bar for automakers over the next decade. These standards aimed to lower costs at the pump and reduce dependence on foreign oil. However, it's important to note that the impact of these standards on reducing dependence on foreign oil is not straightforward. While past increases in fuel standards have led to a decrease in foreign petroleum imports, overall consumption has increased due to population growth and increased driving. Therefore, the claim that the standards will definitively reduce dependence on foreign oil is not entirely supported. The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["For example, after candidate Obama declares, \"I'll be a president who harnesses the ingenuity of farmers and scientists and entrepreneurs to free this nation from the tyranny of oil once and for all!\" the next three screens show an image of him driving a car and the words: \"Put in place historic fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks to lower costs at the pump and reduce dependence on foreign oil.\"","The Obama administration has launched new fuel efficiency standards. They're not exactly a break from the past, but they do significantly raise the bar for automakers over the next decade. Fuel costs for new-car drivers will drop, though it's important to point out they'll likely pay more up front for more efficient machines. Meanwhile, past increases in fuel standards have pushed down foreign petroleum imports \u2014 though consumption overall is up, partly because there are more of us, and we drive more than we used to. Those factors mean even more efficiency might not reduce imports. The ad's statement that Obama \"put in place historic fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks to lower costs at the pump and reduce dependence on foreign oil,\" is partially accurate, but leaves out some important details. We rate it Half True.","U.S. Energy Information Administration, \"How dependent are we on foreign oil?( \"How dependent are we on foreign oil?\")\" June 24, 2011","Obama has announced new fuel economy standards \u2014 more than once \u2014 taking part in the bipartisan practice of updating rules in place since the 1970s Arab oil embargo."]},{"id":"5398.json","label":"true","statement":"Florida ranks 45th in the nation for tuition.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. According to the most comprehensive survey of postsecondary education available, Florida ranks 45th in the nation for tuition costs. This ranking takes into account the District of Columbia. If the District of Columbia is not included, Florida ranks 44th. This means that only a few states have lower tuition costs than Florida. The evidence supports the claim that Florida ranks 45th in the nation for tuition.\nLabel: true","evidence":["For this fact-check, we're not looking at the case for or against college tuition increases. Instead, we wanted to see if Florida actually came in 45th in the nation for tuition costs, because we've heard that number cited so often. Using the most comprehensive survey of postsecondary education available, Florida does indeed rank 45th if you count the District of Columbia; otherwise, the state ranks 44th. The only states that have lower tuition than we do are West Virginia, New Mexico, Alaska, Utah, Louisiana and Wyoming. We rate this claim True.","\"The cost of postsecondary education in Florida is almost the lowest in the nation at an average of $5,531 (Florida ranks 45th), which is 32 percent lower than the national average of $8,200,\" Grimsley told the Tampa Bay Times. \"The increase is equal to $8.27 per credit hour, which equates to $248.10 for a full 30 credit hours per year. Allowing tuition increases helps keeps Florida nationally competitive.\"","Florida also ranks near the bottom for the sub-category of per-pupil spending alone. Florida ranks 43rd at $9,764 per student once dollar amounts are adjusted for regional cost differences, Lloyd said. All of the data in the school finance report are from 2016, the most recent year for available federal sources.","The problem with getting upset about those higher tuition bills, said House budget panel chair Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, is that Floridians aren't really paying all that much for college as it is because Florida\u2019s tuition rates are already among the lowest in the nation."]},{"id":"11843.json","label":"false","statement":"The debt comes up all the time in town meetings ... but its never asked in the debates. Its really weird. It hasnt been brought up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence does not mention anything about the debt being a topic of discussion or being asked in town meetings or debates. Therefore, there is no basis to claim that the debt is frequently discussed in town meetings but not brought up in debates.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Perdue\u2019s staff did not respond to those reporters for those stories. But in 2017, Perdue told reporters he had held \"impromptu\" town hall meetings while making an unannounced visit to the state Capitol, and that he prefers holding meetings with individuals or small groups.","Says David Perdue \u201chasn't held a single public town hall meeting in six years\u201d and \u201csells four meetings a year and a retreat on a private island for a $7,500 corporate PAC check.\u201d","Ossoff said Perdue \"hasn't held a single public town hall meeting in six years\" and \"sells four meetings a year and a retreat on a private island for a $7,500 corporate PAC check.\"","Perdue \"hasn't held a single public town hall meeting in six years,\" Ossoff declared Dec. 6. \"He openly sells access for corporate PAC checks. He sells four meetings a year and a retreat on a private island for a $7,500 corporate PAC check.\""]},{"id":"7568.json","label":"false","statement":"An annual income of $500,000 in Manhattan, believe it or not, is middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement that an annual income of $500,000 in Manhattan qualifies as middle class is false. According to various sources and fact-checking organizations, the upper boundary for middle-class income in Manhattan is estimated to be between $130,000 and $180,000. The claim made by Former New York City councilman Sal Albanese is not supported by the evidence and has been debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Albanese said that an annual income of $500,000 \"in Manhattan, believe it or not, is middle class.\" In reality, the upper boundary of \"middle class\" in Manhattan is probably between $130,000 and $180,000, which is well short of the level Albanese cited (a level he later backed away from). We rate the claim False.","!Former New York City councilman Sal Albanese said at a mayoral debate that an annual income of $500,000 in Manhattan qualifies as middle class. We checked to see if he was correct. !Former New York City councilman Sal Albanese said at a mayoral debate that an annual income of $500,000 in Manhattan qualifies as middle class. We checked to see if he was correct.","Former New York City councilman Sal Albanese said at a mayoral debate that an annual income of $500,000 in Manhattan qualifies as middle class. We checked to see if he was correct.","We knew that the cost of living in the Big Apple is high. But is it really true that that an annual income of half a million dollars a year in Manhattan only makes you middle class?"]},{"id":"6723.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Romney and Ryan both backed proposals that would outlaw abortions even in cases of rape or incest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Paul Ryan, who has consistently opposed abortion even in cases of rape or incest. However, it is important to note that Mitt Romney's stance on this issue has evolved over time. While he has expressed a general opposition to abortion, he has also stated that he supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk. Therefore, it is not entirely accurate to claim that both Romney and Ryan backed proposals that would outlaw abortions in cases of rape or incest. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad is called \"Dangerous\" and it says Romney and running mate Paul Ryan \"both backed proposals that would outlaw abortions even in cases of rape or incest.\"","Barack Obama said in a television ad that Romney and Ryan Romney \"both backed proposals that would outlaw abortions even in cases of rape or incest.\"","That is true for Ryan. His opposition to abortion, including in cases of rape and incest, is clear. Romney chose Ryan as his running mate and now Ryan says he\u2019ll follow Romney\u2019s lead.","The ad from the Obama campaign said Romney \"backed a bill that outlaws all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest.\""]},{"id":"5220.json","label":"false","statement":"When I was speaker, we had four consecutive balanced budgets.","reason":"Reason: While Newt Gingrich did play a role in achieving a balanced budget during his time as Speaker of the House, the statement is not entirely accurate. Two of the four consecutive balanced budgets occurred after Gingrich left office. Therefore, he can only plausibly claim credit for two of the balanced budgets. It's important to provide accurate information when discussing the historical record of budgetary achievements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When I was speaker, we had four consecutive balanced budgets, the only time in your lifetime, Brian, that we've had four consecutive balanced budgets,\" Gingrich said. \"Most people think that's good.\"","Gingrich began the debate with a spirited defense of his record as speaker of the House of Representatives. He repeated a claim we've heard before, that \"When I was speaker, we had four consecutive balanced budgets.\" In fact, two of those balanced budgets occured after he left office. We rated that claim False.","In the Jacksonville debate, however, Gingrich modified his statement. This time, he said that the nation \"ultimately had four consecutive balanced budgets.\" That is a more accurate way of putting it.","But that\u2019s only two balanced budgets he can plausibly claim credit for. The federal government did run four consecutive surpluses, but for the last two of those -- fiscal years 2000 and 2001 -- Gingrich was no longer serving in the House."]},{"id":"3935.json","label":"true","statement":"Then-Sen. Barack Obama refused to raise the debt ceiling because he said President Bush had failed in leadership.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that then-Senator Barack Obama opposed raising the debt ceiling during the presidency of George W. Bush, citing concerns about failed leadership. Multiple sources confirm that Obama did vote against raising the debt limit in 2006, along with other Senate Democrats. However, it's important to note that this was a specific instance and does not necessarily imply a blanket refusal to raise the debt ceiling throughout Obama's political career. The statement accurately captures the context of Obama's opposition to raising the debt ceiling during the Bush administration.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"But I want to speak to someone that's far more eloquent than I,\" she continued. \"Someone who said just dealing with the issue of raising the debt ceiling is a failure of leadership. That person was then Senator Barack Obama. He refused to raise the debt ceiling because he said President Bush had failed in leadership.\"","Bachmann said Obama refused to approve an increase in the debt limit when he was a senator, and that he blamed President Bush for failed leadership, as well as Bush's supporters in Congress. She's right on both counts, and we rate her statement True.","We would be remiss if we failed to note that Obama opposed one of those increases to the debt ceiling under George W. Bush and criticized Bush for a lack of leadership.","The votes to raise the debt ceiling -- there have been 10 since 2001 -- are famous for political posturing. Our research showed that President Obama is no exception. Back in 2006, he joined with other Senate Democrats to vote against raising the debt limit, a measure supported by President George W. Bush."]},{"id":"8887.json","label":"false","statement":"Any Floridian who has ever requested an absentee ballot henceforth gets one automatically.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. In Florida, a voter who has previously requested an absentee ballot does not automatically receive one for all future elections. The automatic issuance of absentee ballots is limited to a specific time frame, typically until the end of the calendar year of the second general election after the initial request. After that, the request is canceled unless the voter makes another request. Therefore, the claim that any Floridian who has ever requested an absentee ballot will receive one automatically henceforth is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Sink will benefit from the national trend allowing early voting to obliterate Election Day. Any Floridian who has ever requested an absentee ballot henceforth gets one automatically. ...","Will\u2019s claim that \"any Floridian who has ever requested an absentee ballot henceforth gets one automatically\" is not accurate. A Florida voter who requested an absentee ballot would get one automatically through the end of the calendar year of the second general election -- not \"henceforth.\" Will used strong language to describe why Sink would have the edge, saying people get mail-in ballots in perpetuity in Florida. But that's not the way it works.","Translation: If a voter requested an absentee ballot for the Congressional District 13 special election, he or she would automatically receive one for the 2014 and 2016 general elections (unless he or she requested it just for this election). After that, their request would be canceled unless they made another request at some point.","A voter who requested a ballot for the 2012 general election would automatically get one for the 2014 special election, as it is one of the elections covered in the two-cycle window. The exception would be if they requested a ballot solely for the 2012 election."]},{"id":"7637.json","label":"true","statement":"In Rhode Island, 28 percent of adults released from state prisons are re-incarcerated within a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including the group Ban the Box RI and the Department of Corrections in Rhode Island. According to their data, approximately 28 percent of adults released from state prisons in Rhode Island are re-incarcerated within a year. This information is based on official reports and statistics provided by the Department of Corrections. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The group Ban the Box RI, in its video says that \"in Rhode Island, 28 percent of adults released from state prisons are re-incarcerated within a year.\"","In the film, Wall describes what prisoners need to succeed when they re-enter society, noting the most important is employment. As he is speaking, a written statement appears on screen: \"In Rhode Island, 28 percent of adults released from state prisons are re-incarcerated within a year.\"","PolitiFact Rhode Island also checked directly with the Department of Corrections to verify the number. Susan Lamkins, programming services officer, responded with a January 2013 document that said 31 percent of offenders released in 2009 returned to the state prisons under a new sentence within one year of release.","The department\u2019s 2012 annual population report states that 3,387 offenders were released in calendar year 2009, a release group whose post-release statistics are being compiled over three years. \"Within 1 year of release 28% of offenders returned to RIDOC with a new sentence,\" the report says."]},{"id":"1277.json","label":"true","statement":"A request for \"an increase in troops sat on desks in this White House (during the presidency of George W. Bush), including the vice president's, for more than eight months, a resource request filled by President Obama in March.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Gibbs that a request for an increase in troops had been sitting on desks in the White House, including the vice president's, for over eight months during the presidency of George W. Bush. This request was eventually filled by President Obama in March. The evidence supports this claim, as it confirms that General David McKiernan had made a request for additional troops during President Bush's final year in office, and this request had been sitting on desks in the White House for approximately eight months. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["And, Gibbs said, the comments were \"even more curious given the fact that (a request for) an increase in troops sat on desks in this White House, including the vice president's, for more than eight months, a resource request filled by President Obama in March.\"","Gibbs is referring here to a request for additional troops made by the previous top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David McKiernan, during President George W. Bush's final year in office.","The public doesn't have access to McKiernan's formal request for more troops. But we know that he was talking about it publicly in September 2008, at least 4 1\/2 months before the end of Bush's term. And McKiernan told reporters his request went back nearly to the start of his taking over as the top U.S. commander four months before that. That would suggest Gibbs' claim is correct that it had been sitting on desks in the White House for eight months. And so we rule his statement True.","Obama then seemed to take a swipe at the Bush administration when he added that he ordered the additional troops to satisfy a request that came from Gen. McKiernan \"for many months.\""]},{"id":"2745.json","label":"false","statement":"Democratic U.S. House candidate Julie Lassa pushed for a Canadian-style government takeover of health care.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Julie Lassa pushed for a Canadian-style government takeover of health care. While the GOP ad labels Lassa's plan as \"LassaCare\" and criticizes her record on health care, there is no specific evidence or information provided that directly links her proposals to a Canadian-style government takeover of health care. It is important to rely on accurate and specific information when making claims about a candidate's positions or actions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the TV ad, the GOP lists a litany of complaints about Lassa\u2019s record, including the fact she pushed for a \"Canadian-style government takeover of health care.\" It even labels the plan \"LassaCare.\"","In the 2010 campaign, many national Democrats have been forced to defend their votes for health care reform. In Wisconsin, the same is true of state-level Democrats, including state Sen. Julie Lassa, who is running for the U.S. House.","Julie Lassa, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin state Senate in 2003 after serving five years in the state Assembly. In November 2010, she lost a bid for the open U.S. House seat previously held by U.S. Rep. Dave Obey (D-Wis.). The district covers northwest Wisconsin.","Both opponents used problems with the Canadian system to warn against the perils of government involvement in health care. But they did not say Healthy Wisconsin resembled a move to that country\u2019s system of health care."]},{"id":"11880.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele once proposed a plan to end county funding to homeless shelters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele proposed a plan to end county funding to homeless shelters. In fact, it has been clarified that the claim was false, and an apology was issued for the misinformation. The debate surrounding county funding for homeless shelters has focused on the allocation of costs previously covered by federal funding, rather than the complete elimination of county funding. \nLabel: false","evidence":["In a Jan. 7, 2016 Facebook post, Larson claimed: \"Abele once proposed a plan to end county funding to homeless shelters.\"","Larson said on Facebook that Abele \"once proposed a plan to end county funding to homeless shelters.\" After we asked about the claim, the post disappeared, Larson\u2019s campaign manager said it was wrong and apologized.","One thing is clear from this back-and-forth: at no point did Abele ever proposed ending all county funding to homeless shelters. Rather, the debate has been over whether or not the county should pick up the costs that were previously covered by the feds.","As the first bitter cold snap of the winter struck Milwaukee, state Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) used the weather as a backdrop for a jab at Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele."]},{"id":"3894.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have the highest per-pupil cost in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows New Jersey has consistently ranked among the highest in per-pupil spending in the nation. While there may be some variations in rankings depending on the specific year and data source, the overall trend indicates that New Jersey has one of the highest per-pupil costs in the country. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We have the highest per-pupil cost in the country,\" he said. \"No one can say there\u2019s not enough money in education.\"","A state measure that includes debt payments and other factors shows Newark spent $22,992 per pupil in the 2009-2010 school year, or $91,968 for four years. But that\u2019s not the highest per-pupil cost in the country.","Let\u2019s return to Oroho\u2019s statement. The senator says New Jersey has the highest per-pupil costs in the country, but admits basing that statement on data for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years. Still, our analysis of data from a nonpartisan arm of the U.S. Department of Education shows that among states only, New Jersey has held the title of highest per-pupil costs in the nation for nearly a decade. The U.S. Census Bureau, however, ranks New Jersey\u2019s per-pupil spending for 2008-09 as third-highest in the nation. Therefore, we rate Oroho\u2019s statement Mostly True.","A state Education Department spokesman, citing statistics that put New Jersey at the top nationally in per-pupil spending, said in an e-mail that Christie\u2019s remarks \"were based on the fact that NJ has the highest spending in the country, and Newark far exceeds even NJ\u2019s average.\""]},{"id":"1300.json","label":"false","statement":"Health care reform \"establishes a new board of federal bureaucrats (the 'Health Benefits Advisory Committee') to dictate the health plans that all individuals must purchase.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Health Benefits Advisory Committee established by the health care reform bill does not have the authority to dictate which health plans individuals must purchase. Its role is to advise the secretary of Health and Human Services on the baseline coverage that health plans should include. Individuals are free to choose any health plan that meets or exceeds the basic requirements. The committee's purpose is to provide recommendations, not to mandate specific health plan purchases for all individuals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["You can read our fact-check of the Republican analysis in its entirety. Here, we're looking only at the statement, \"Page 111 - Section 223 establishes a new board of federal bureaucrats (the 'Health Benefits Advisory Committee') to dictate the health plans that all individuals must purchase.\"","We find the House Republican Conference's statement, \"Page 111 - Section 223 establishes a new board of federal bureaucrats (the 'Health Benefits Advisory Committee') to dictate the health plans that all individuals must purchase,\" makes it sound as if bureaucrats tell you which plan you have to buy. In reality, the committee advises the secretary of Health and Human Services on what baseline coverage should include. We rate the statement False.","People are then free to select any health plan they like that meets or exceeds the basic requirements. So the committee does not dictate which health plans all individuals must purchase.","The bill creates the Health Benefits Advisory Committee to advise the secretary of Health and Human Services on what the specifics should be. The committee will have up to 27 members appointed by the president and the Comptroller General, and it will represent the major stakeholders in the health care system, according to the bill."]},{"id":"8939.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When union membership goes down, so do (middle class) wages.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ed Schultz that when union membership declines, wages for the middle class also decrease. While this relationship holds true for union members and non-members in areas and occupations where labor unions are strong, it may not necessarily apply to the entire economy. The impact of declining union membership on wages can vary depending on various factors such as industry, location, and occupation. Therefore, the statement should be understood in the context of specific sectors and regions where labor unions have a significant influence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Schultz said when union membership goes down, so do wages. Schultz emphasized that \"all workers\" have a stake in this and his chart tied union membership to the income of everyone in the middle class.","\"Quite the parallel there, isn\u2019t there?\" Schultz said. \"When union membership goes down, so do wages. This vote is a pivotal moment for union workers in this country.\"","He said that when union membership goes down, people not only lose the potential to earn more -- their wages drop. And that happens regardless of whether you had the chance to join a union or not.","\"Was Ed Schultz right to say that 'when union membership goes down, so do wages?' \" Rosenfeld said. \"Sure -- for union members and for those non-members who worked in areas and occupations where labor was strong. For everyone across the whole economy? Probably not.\""]},{"id":"1844.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The Democratic Congress has already taken significant steps to create jobs and jump-start the economy, resulting in the lowest tax rates in over 50 years and the creation of over 500,000 new jobs so far this year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two claims. Firstly, it states that the Democratic Congress has taken significant steps to create jobs and jump-start the economy. While it is true that the Democratic Congress implemented measures such as the Recovery Act, which aimed to stimulate job growth and economic recovery, the effectiveness and impact of these measures are subjective and can be debated.\n\nSecondly, the statement claims that these actions resulted in the lowest tax rates in over 50 years. This claim is not accurate. Tax rates have fluctuated over the years, and while the statement mentions the lowest tax rates in over 50 years, it fails to provide specific details or evidence to support this assertion. Additionally, historical data shows that tax rates have been lower in certain periods, such as between 1988 and 1992.\n\nOverall, the statement contains some elements of truth but lacks specific evidence and context to fully support its claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Democratic Congress has already taken significant steps to create jobs and jump-start the economy, resulting in the lowest tax rates in over 50 years and the creation of over 500,000 new jobs so far this year,\" Critz said.","\"So far, the Recovery Act is responsible for the jobs of about 2 million Americans who would otherwise be unemployed. ... And the Recovery Act is on track to save or create another 1.5 million jobs in 2010.\"","\"On the pace that we're on with job creation in the last four months ... we will have created more jobs in this year than in the entire Bush Presidency.\"","If you look at the top tax bracket, the rates today are also low, though -- as is the case with the lowest bracket -- not the lowest in 50 years. Since 2003, the top rate, which is currently levied on families earning above $373,650, has been 35 percent. The only period when it was lower was between 1988 and 1992, when the top rate ranged from 31 to 33 percent. (And it's been far higher: As late as 1963, the top rate was 91 percent.)"]},{"id":"4755.json","label":"true","statement":"The problem with invasive species today in the Great Lakes isnt ballast water.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that ballast water is not the primary problem with invasive species in the Great Lakes. While ballast water has been a significant pathway for the introduction of invasive species in the past, efforts have been made to prevent its spread and reduce the introduction of aquatic invasive species through ballast water management. Research suggests that other factors, such as the introduction of invasive species through other means, play a more significant role in the current problem with invasive species in the Great Lakes. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Although invasive species are a serious problem in the Great Lakes, LaTourette does have research to back his assertion that they haven\u2019t been spreading through ballast water.","While progress has been made to prevent ballast water from spreading invasive species between water bodies, Lubetkin says more should be done. He noted that more than 65 percent of the aquatic invasive species which got into the Great Lakes since the St. Lawrence Seaway\u2019s 1959 opening arrived in ballast water.","The Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, Ballast Water Management in the Great Lakes Reduces the Introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Study, March 9, 2011","Because invasive plants and animals from foreign freshwater ports are most likely to thrive in the Great Lakes, ships that from abroad that travel to the Great Lakes must exchange fresh water in their ballast tanks with salt water while they are still in the ocean. That kills off any freshwater species that sneak into the ballast tanks. Marine organisms that enter the ballast tanks in the ocean don\u2019t survive when they\u2019re released into the Great Lakes\u2019 fresh water. Canadian regulations also require ships to rinse out their empty ballast tanks with salt water in the middle of the ocean to kill any lingering freshwater organisms."]},{"id":"9332.json","label":"false","statement":"Dan Branch once lobbied for the AFL-CIO.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is no conclusive proof that Dan Branch lobbied for the AFL-CIO. While there is some mention of Branch's lobbying activities for a union affiliated with the labor federation, there is no evidence to support the claim that he directly lobbied for the AFL-CIO itself. The spokesperson for the Texas AFL-CIO also clarified that if Branch was registered to lobby solely for an affiliate, it would be inaccurate to claim that he lobbied for the federation. Therefore, the statement that Dan Branch once lobbied for the AFL-CIO is not substantiated by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Branch registered to lobby in Washington, D.C., in 2002 for a union affiliated with the labor federation that sought federal help preserving jobs near an Ohio facility that was otherwise shutting down. Whatever precise role Branch played for the union, there's no evidence he lobbied for the AFL-CIO.","The story further quoted Holm as saying Branch \"once lobbied on behalf of the AFL-CIO,\" the traditionally Democratic-leaning federation that says it brings together 56 unions representing 12.5 million working men and women. The acronym stands for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.","In Austin, spokesman Ed Sills of the Texas AFL-CIO responded to our inquiry by saying no one in its office had a memory of Branch\u2019s involvement in a PACE issue. By phone, Sill said it\u2019s inaccurate to say Branch lobbied for the federation if he was registered to lobby solely for an affiliate. \"Say IBM belongs to the chamber of commerce,\" Sills said. \"We don\u2019t say you\u2019re lobbying for the chamber of commerce\" if your client is IBM.","Dan Branch entered the Texas House in 2003. In 2014, he ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for attorney general, giving up his shot at re-election to the House."]},{"id":"10186.json","label":"true","statement":"Kansas has not elected somebody other than a Republican (to the U.S. Senate) since before The Wizard of Oz hit the movie theaters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Kansas has not elected a non-Republican candidate to the U.S. Senate since before the release of the movie \"The Wizard of Oz.\" This claim has been made by multiple sources, including ABC's Jonathan Karl, and there is no evidence to suggest otherwise.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Kansas has not elected somebody other than a Republican (to the U.S. Senate) since before 'The Wizard of Oz' hit the movie theaters.\"","!ABC's Jonathan Karl claimed that \"Kansas has not elected somebody other than a Republican (to the U.S. Senate) since before 'The Wizard of Oz' hit the movie theaters.\" !ABC's Jonathan Karl claimed that \"Kansas has not elected somebody other than a Republican (to the U.S. Senate) since before 'The Wizard of Oz' hit the movie theaters.\"","ABC's Jonathan Karl claimed that \"Kansas has not elected somebody other than a Republican (to the U.S. Senate) since before 'The Wizard of Oz' hit the movie theaters.\"","\"There\u2019s a clear worst candidate this year. It\u2019s Pat Roberts,\" Karl said. \"I mean, Kansas has not elected somebody other than a Republican (to the U.S. Senate) since before The Wizard of Oz hit the movie theaters.\""]},{"id":"10889.json","label":"true","statement":"For the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses dying than we do starting.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Marco Rubio that \"for the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses dying than we do starting\" is accurate. This claim was fact-checked and confirmed by PolitiFact, which cited a respected think tank's report. While the change occurred in 2008 rather than in recent years, Rubio's statement accurately reflects the trend of declining business startups and increasing business closures. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"For the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses dying than we do starting,\" Rubio said at the June 2, 2015, event.","PolitiFact, Marco Rubio says for first time in 35 years, 'we have more businesses dying than we do starting', June 2, 2015","\"Watching this broadcast tonight, there are millions of people who are living paycheck to paycheck,\" Rubio said. \"They\u2019re working as hard as they ever have, everything costs more and they haven\u2019t had a raise in decades. You have small businesses in America that are struggling. For the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses closing than starting,\" he said.","Rubio said that \"for the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses dying than we do starting.\" The change didn\u2019t happen in the past year or two -- it occurred in 2008 -- but in general, Rubio has accurately cited a statistic from a respected think tank\u2019s report. The co-author of that report said he feels Rubio has stated the claim accurately. We rate Rubio\u2019s claim True."]},{"id":"5859.json","label":"true","statement":"Say that under state law, systems development charges can only be spent on capital investment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions of Oregon state law regarding systems development charges. According to the Oregon Revised Statutes, systems development charges can only be used for capital improvements and cannot be allocated for the costs of operation or routine maintenance. Therefore, under state law, it is correct to say that systems development charges can only be spent on capital investment.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Actually, Jefferson,\" Hales said, \"under state law, and it\u2019s something you should know, systems development charges can only be spent on capital investment. They can\u2019t be spent on maintenance. We have a maintenance problem. That\u2019s a different pot of revenue. It\u2019s not what systems development charges pays for.\"","Oregon Revised Statutes, says systems development charges may be used only for \"capital improvement.\" That improvement \"does not include the costs of the operation or routine maintenance of capital improvements.\"","Smith argued that if we\u2019re not collecting systems development charges to pay for capital construction related to growth then that money has to come out of the general fund that should be used to pay for maintenance.","Hard to believe, but we have another fact check on systems development charges. After all, there was no way Charlie Hales was going to take criticism lightly on the wonky subject. Hales pointed out to Jefferson Smith that development charges have nothing to do with maintenance, which is what the question was about."]},{"id":"5141.json","label":"true","statement":"Suzanne Bonamici was the only no vote on a 2009 bill cracking down on drunk drivers.","reason":"Reason: Suzanne Bonamici was indeed the only vote against a 2009 bill aimed at addressing repeat drunk drivers in the state Senate. While Bonamici's campaign manager explained that her intention was to focus on preventing drunk driving rather than addressing it after the fact, the fact-check confirms that Bonamici's vote was the sole dissenting vote on the bill. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Cornilles tried to paint Bonamici as a candidate weak on crime, by asking her about certain votes she took in 2009. We\u2019ll focus on just one of those statements. \"And in another bill that same year, you were the only vote in the entire state Senate against keeping repeat drunk drivers off the road,\" Cornilles said.","This week\u2019s televised debate between Republican Rob Cornilles and Democrat Suzanne Bonamici offered a rare chance to watch the two question each other.","Bonamici was the only no vote in Senate committee and on the Senate floor. Her campaign manager Carol Butler said Bonamici wanted to stop people from driving drunk in the first place, not fiddle with legislation that addressed the problem after the fact.","In her five years in the Legislature, Bonamici has voted for many bills that crack down on drunk driving. But in this instance, Cornilles is correct. She was the sole no vote. We rate the statement True."]},{"id":"1505.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We were promised (the stimulus) would provide 'green jobs' for Americans, but 80% of the $2 billion they spent on alternative energy went to purchase wind turbines built in China!\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Palin is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a significant amount of money from the stimulus bill was allocated to wind power projects, the claim that 80% of the $2 billion spent on alternative energy went to purchase wind turbines built in China is misleading. The actual data shows that a portion of the funds did go to foreign manufacturers, but not specifically to Chinese companies. Additionally, the 80% figure is an exaggeration, as the correct percentage is lower when considering all renewable energy projects, not just wind projects. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the allocation of funds and the involvement of Chinese manufacturers.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Back to what Palin said, that \"80% of the $2 billion they spent on alternative energy went to purchase wind turbines built in China.\"","\"One year ago today, President Obama signed a nearly trillion dollar stimulus package and handed our children the bill. What did we get for that massive price tag? Many promises, but the promises have proven false,\" she wrote on Feb. 17, 2010. Among those broken promises is the administration's pledge to \"provide 'green jobs' for Americans, but 80% of the $2 billion they spent on alternative energy went to purchase wind turbines built in China.\"","Aside from that, Palin -- and the IBD editorial -- misrepresented Choma's story in a number of ways. First, while Choma found that many of the grants given so far have been for wind projects -- and that many of those projects are being developed by the American subsidiaries of foreign companies -- the 79 percent of the $2.1 billion he cites in his story (Palin's rounded that number up to 80 percent) is the amount that has gone overseas for all renewable energy projects, not just wind projects. Choma shared his data with us, and it shows that, as of February 2010, only 73 percent has gone to foreign companies involved in wind projects. The rest of that 79 percent has gone to geothermal projects. And, more importantly, says Choma, none of these American subsidiaries is owned by Chinese companies. While the Texas deal may eventually shuttle some stimulus dollars to China through the purchase of turbines, the deal is still in the works. So, it's incorrect to say that any stimulus money has gone to Chinese turbine manufacturers, let alone 80 percent of the $2 billion spent on renewable energy projects.","To support her statement, Palin's Facebook missive links to a Feb. 11, 2010, op-ed in Investor's Business Daily, a conservative news source. The editorial states that, according to the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University, nearly $2 billion from the stimulus bill has been spent on wind power, and that 80 percent of that has gone to foreign manufacturers of wind turbines."]},{"id":"13070.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare because he said theyre bankrupting our country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in a TV ad by the Senate Majority PAC and AFSCME People that Marco Rubio wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare because he believed they were bankrupting the country. This claim is supported by Rubio's own statement in a press release where he expressed concern about the financial impact of inaction on these programs. However, it's important to note that Rubio's spokesperson has denied these claims and emphasized that Rubio would not do anything to harm Social Security and Medicare, as they are crucial for seniors, including his own mother. Therefore, while there is evidence of Rubio expressing concerns about the financial sustainability of these programs, it is misleading to assert that he explicitly wanted to cut them.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Marco Rubio wanted to cut Social Security and Medicare because he said they\u2019re bankrupting our country. But that\u2019s what politicians say when the insurance industry bankrolls their campaigns. Marco Rubio has taken almost $1 million from the insurance industry which was profit from his privatization plans,\" says the narrator in a TV ad by the Senate Majority PAC and AFSCME People.","\"While reducing discretionary spending is an important goal, Washington is devoting a disproportionate amount of time to a tiny slice of the budget while ignoring the fact that continued inaction on saving Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is bankrupting our country,\" Rubio said in a press release.","Two Democratic groups say Republican Sen. Marco Rubio wants to cut Social Security and Medicare -- programs that millions of Florida seniors rely on each year.","\"Marco's own mother relies on Social Security as her sole source of income,\" Rubio spokesman Michael Ahrens said. \"Marco would never do anything to hurt his mother or the millions of Florida seniors who depend on Social Security and Medicare, and he'll continue to fight to strengthen the programs for future generations.\""]},{"id":"1455.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Federal employees are making twice as much as their private counterparts.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that federal employees are making twice as much as their private counterparts is not supported by credible evidence. A study conducted by the Federal Salary Council, an advisory group that helps set wage rates, found that public sector employees, including federal employees, are paid on average 26 percent less than their private sector counterparts for comparable jobs. This indicates that federal employees do not earn double the salary of their private sector counterparts. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Brown encouraged President Barack Obama to put a freeze on federal position hires and raises because, \"as you know, federal employees are making twice as much as their private counterparts.\"","We investigated this question( \"investigated this question\") 10 months ago, when we looked at a statement by Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., that \"federal employees are making twice as much as their private counterparts.\" At the time, we ruled it False. But we're taking a fresh look.","PolitiFact, \"In PolitiFact debut, Brown says federal jobs pay twice as much as private sector jobs( \"In PolitiFact debut, Brown says federal jobs pay twice as much as private sector jobs\"),\" Feb. 3, 2010","One study came from the Federal Salary Council, an advisory group of labor relations experts and representatives of federal employee unions that helps the U.S. Office of Personnel Management set wage rates. It found that for comparable private and public jobs such as lawyers, public sector employees are paid on average 26 percent less than private sector counterparts."]},{"id":"9616.json","label":"false","statement":"Latinos now make up the majority population in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Latinos make up a significant and growing portion of the population in Texas, they do not currently constitute the majority population. According to the provided evidence, Latinos accounted for 37.6 percent of Texas' total population through 2010. The state demographer's projections suggest that Latinos may outnumber any other ethnic group in Texas by 2017 or 2019, but they are not yet the majority population. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["By telephone, Alonzo conceded his error. Minutes later, a revised release arrived by email, quoting Alonzo as saying: \"Considering the fact that Latinos now make up a significant portion (38%) of the population in Texas, coupled with the continuing growth of Latinos in our Texas public schools compared to the low Latino enrollment at UT Austin and the lack of Latinos in professional employment and leadership positions, it is imperative that this flagship institution of higher learning do all it can to improve and keep pace with the changing, diverse demographics.\"","Separately, we asked the state demographer, Lloyd Potter, about Bush\u2019s statement. By email, he said the data center\u2019s projections suggest Latinos will outnumber any other ethnic group in Texas by 2017 or 2019, depending on growth patterns. Hispanic residents will make up a majority of the population as of 2036 or 2040, he said.","In his July 16, 2014, press release, Democratic state Rep. Roberto Alonzo applauded the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for upholding how UT-Austin employs race as an element in choosing students to admit. Alonzo then called it imperative for UT to do all it can to keep pace with the state\u2019s changing demographics. His statement listed among factors \"the fact that Latinos now make up the majority population in Texas.\"","According to a Feb. 18 Austin American-Statesman news article analyzing the new census data, Latinos accounted for two-thirds of Texas' growth over the decade and made up 37.6 percent of the state's total population through 2010, while blacks made up 11.5 percent of the growth."]},{"id":"4713.json","label":"true","statement":"Under a law proposed by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, businesses that move into Wisconsin dont have to pay any taxes on their income for two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker regarding his proposed law. According to Gov. Walker, under the proposed law, businesses that relocate to Wisconsin would be exempt from paying taxes on their income for a period of two years. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a verdict on the accuracy or feasibility of this claim. Additional analysis and evaluation would be necessary to determine the potential impact and effectiveness of such a law.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his tax cut plan will benefit 98 percent of small businesses in the state, freeing them to create jobs","( - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his tax cut plan will benefit 98 percent of small businesses in the state, freeing them to create jobs&url=)","One of Gov. Scott Walker's talking points -- a claim about the size of Wisconsin\u2019s budget stabilization fund -- is striking in seemingly contradictory ways.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Gov. Scott Walker says he has made first back-to-back payments to Rainy Day Fund in state history,\" (Half True) May 31, 2012"]},{"id":"3847.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We are only inches away from ceasing to be a free market economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we are only inches away from ceasing to be a free market economy\" is not supported by credible evidence. It has been fact-checked and debunked multiple times, including by PolitiFact, which rated it as \"Pants on Fire\" - indicating a completely false claim. The assertion is a hyperbolic and misleading statement that does not accurately reflect the state of the United States' economy or its adherence to free market principles.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Government under President Obama has grown to consume almost 40 percent of our economy,\" he said. \"We are only inches away from ceasing to be a free market economy.\"","During the Jan. 7, 2012, Republican presidential debate in Manchester, N.H., former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney once again stated, \"We're only inches away from no longer being a free economy.\"","Mitt Romney continues to repeat the talking point that the United States is \"only inches away from no longer being a free economy.\" But we\u2019ve ruled it Pants on Fire twice-- and now he's achieved a PolitiFact hat trick.","PolitiFact, \"Mitt Romney gets another Pants on Fire for saying we're 'inches away' from not being capitalist any more,\" Aug. 12, 2011"]},{"id":"2292.json","label":"true","statement":"(I) helped to invent a system that saved over a billion dollars on welfare.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the individual in question, Ken Block, played a significant role in developing the EBT system, which is a system used to distribute welfare benefits. The implementation of this system has indeed resulted in significant savings by reducing waste and fraud in the welfare system. Therefore, the statement that Ken Block \"helped to invent a system that saved over a billion dollars on welfare\" is supported by the evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["He's been more specific on his website blog: \"As a small business owner, Ken helped to invent a system that saved Texas over a billion dollars on welfare. He did this by eliminating waste and fraud in the system . . . \"","\"I built a successful high-tech business, created green jobs, and helped to invent a system that saved over a billion dollars on welfare,\" he says in the commercial, which is also available on his website.","Thus, it appears Block played a significant role in establishing the EBT system, so his \"helped to invent\" claim is True.","In the end, Block did help develop the EBT system and the system likely saved -- directly or indirectly -- more than $1 billion in waste and fraud since its implementation 15 years ago. We rate his claim as True."]},{"id":"11552.json","label":"true","statement":"There are more words in the IRS code than there are in the Bible.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The tax code is estimated to be approximately 4 million words long, while the Bible contains around 800,000 words. This means that the tax code is about five times longer than the Bible. The comparison highlights the extensive complexity and length of the tax code, emphasizing its voluminous nature.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There are more words in the IRS code than there are in the Bible -- and -- and not a one of them is as good,\" Cruz said.","However, the Tax Foundation also points out that tax code isn\u2019t the only thing that Americans must deal with to complete their taxes. It talks about the 7.7 million words of tax regulations from the IRS and the 60,000 pages of case law that is tax related. These are not law, but are also important pieces of understanding taxes.","Mardaga also noted that dividing 4 million \u2013 the number of words in the tax code \u2013 by 800,000 - would mean the tax code is five times longer than the Bible -- not Lance\u2019s seven.","It\u2019s generally accepted that the tax code is about 4 million words long and that the Bible is about 800,000. That\u2019s five times as long. So Cruz\u2019s claim is True."]},{"id":"5021.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney raised business taxes 20 percent in Massachusetts.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Mitt Romney's actions as governor of Massachusetts resulted in an increase in business taxes by approximately 20 percent. While it's important to note that these increases were not due to hikes in corporate or other tax rates, the overall tax burden on businesses did increase during Romney's tenure. Therefore, the statement is deemed mostly true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a TV ad airing in Iowa, Rick Perry said Mitt Romney, \"raised business taxes 20 percent\" when he was governor of Massachusetts.","The cited figures -- the $377 million increase in business-paid taxes compared to the pre-recession business-paid tax base of $1.6 billion -- divides out to a nearly 24 percent increase.","And, according to the article, the state\u2019s subsequent ban on that practice and other steps on Romney\u2019s watch ultimately resulted in companies paying about $370 million a year in additional taxes, \"a nearly 20 percent increase from the period before (Romney) took office.\"","By the time Romney\u2019s term as governor was ending, Massachusetts businesses were ponying up about 20 percent more in tax revenue due to actions he approved. To be sure, those increases were not due to hikes in corporate or other tax rates. Still, Perry\u2019s claim has a reasonable basis. We rate his statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"10563.json","label":"true","statement":"Six of the nations 10 wealthiest counties, according to median income, are in and around the Washington, D.C. area.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jim Jordan that six of the top 10 wealthiest counties in the United States, based on median income, are located in and around the Washington, D.C. area. This claim has been fact-checked and confirmed by PolitiFact Ohio. The concentration of wealth in the D.C. area is a notable trend, highlighting the economic growth and opportunities associated with the presence of the federal government and related industries.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In fact, if you have any doubt, if you looked last year, the numbers that we saw put out showed that six of the top 10 wealthiest counties in America -- six of the top 10 wealthiest communities in America, by county, according to median income -- are in and around the Washington, D.C., area,\" Walker said. \"That tell you anything about where we're growing the economy in this nation?\"","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Jordan says seven of the nation's 10 wealthiest counties are in the Greater Washington area,\" Jan. 14, 2013","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Jordan says seven of the nation\u2019s 10 wealthiest counties are in the Greater Washington area,\" Jan. 14, 2013.","\"Washington always wins,\" said Jordan, whose congressional district was recently altered to include parts of Lorain County \"The politicians, the consultants, the folks here always win. In fact, seven of the 10 wealthiest counties are in the D.C. area. . . . It's regular Americans who lose and it's about time we said stop this madness, cut up the credit card, we want a solution. Not another Washington deal which helps D.C.\""]},{"id":"3305.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If theres a government shutdown, people dont get their Social Security checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that \"if there's a government shutdown, people don't get their Social Security checks\" is not entirely accurate. While a government shutdown can impact the operations of various federal agencies and programs, including Social Security, the law provides significant leeway for essential functions to continue during a shutdown. In previous instances of government shutdowns, most Social Security checks were still issued. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and does not accurately reflect the potential impact of a government shutdown on Social Security payments.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Back in February, we examined( \"we examined\") a similar statement by Obama -- that if there's a government shutdown, \"people don't get their Social Security checks.\" We rated that Barely True.","So at the very least, we believe there\u2019s considerably more uncertainty on this issue than Obama stated in the news conference. While Obama had said that if there\u2019s a government shutdown, \"people don\u2019t get their Social Security checks,\" the reality is that the law provides significant leeway for employing federal workers to carry out Social Security functions during a shutdown, which allowed most checks to go out in 1995.","\"We\u2019ve got to be careful. Again, let\u2019s use a scalpel; let\u2019s not use a machete. And if we do that, there should be no reason at all for a government shutdown. And I think people should be careful about being too loose in terms of talking about a government shutdown, because this has -- this is not an abstraction. People don\u2019t get their Social Security checks. They don\u2019t get their veterans payments. Basic functions shut down. And it -- that, also, would have an adverse effect on our economic recovery. It would be destabilizing at a time when, I think, everybody is hopeful that we can start growing this economy quicker.\"","PolitiFact, \"Barack Obama says if there's a government shutdown, Social Security checks won't get sent( \"Barack Obama says if there's a government shutdown, Social Security checks won't get sent\"),\" Feb. 24, 2011"]},{"id":"2578.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Just like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO receives dues from foreign entities associated with it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that some individual unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO collect dues from foreign residents, these dues are not passed up to the national AFL-CIO. Therefore, the AFL-CIO itself does not directly receive dues from foreign entities associated with it. In contrast, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce does receive dues from foreign entities associated with American business. So, while there is a similarity in terms of foreign dues, the extent and directness of the financial relationship differ between the AFL-CIO and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Here, we'll examine Will's comment that just like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, \"the AFL-CIO receives dues from foreign entities associated with it.\"","( - George Will claims AFL-CIO receives dues from foreign entities associated with it - just like U.S. Chamber of Commerce&url=)","Next, we took a look Will's comment that just like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, \"the AFL-CIO receives dues from foreign entities associated with it.\" We found that it's true that some individual unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO collect dues from foreign (Canadian) residents. And those unions pay dues to the AFL-CIO. But according to the AFL-CIO, the dues collected from non-U.S. residents are not passed up to the national AFL-CIO. And so we rated Will's comment Half True.","\"Well, he won't tell us who he's talking about,\" Will said. \"He's talking about the Chamber of Commerce, which does indeed receive dues from foreign entities that are associated with American business, just as the AFL-CIO receives dues from foreign entities associated with it. And the shock and awe that we're supposed to feel from this is somewhat selective.\""]},{"id":"556.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Obama opposes lower gas taxes, nuclear power, new offshore drilling and doesn't have \"new solutions\" to the energy crisis.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially inaccurate. While it is true that the ad claims Obama opposes lower gas taxes, nuclear power, and new offshore drilling, it is important to note that Obama's actual positions differ from what is portrayed in the ad. Obama's energy plan, as stated in his policy document, supports \"Safe and Secure Nuclear Energy\" and emphasizes the importance of finding safe storage for nuclear waste. Additionally, while Obama may not support new offshore drilling, he has advocated for other alternative energy sources and innovative solutions to address the energy crisis. Therefore, the claim that Obama does not have \"new solutions\" to the energy crisis is misleading. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The screen says, \"No Lower Gas Taxes . . . No Nuclear Power . . . No New Offshore Production . . . No New Solutions.\"","When Obama appears, the announcer says, \"But Barack Obama? For conservation, but he just says no to lower gas taxes, no to nuclear, no to more production. No new solutions. Barack Obama: Just the party line.\"","\u2022 The ad wrongly says Obama opposes nuclear power. In fact, turn to page 4 in Obama's energy plan and you'll find he supports \"Safe and Secure Nuclear Energy,\" although he emphasizes the importance of securing nuclear fuel and finding safe places to store nuclear waste.","When we examined the McCain campaign's James Bond-inspired ad about a week ago, we found it was right about Obama's stance on gas taxes and offshore drilling but was Pants on Fire wrong about his positions on nuclear power, electric cars and innovation."]},{"id":"12181.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders fundamentally changed the lives of Immokalee farm workers in Florida for the better.","reason":"Reason: While Bernie Sanders did advocate for the rights of tomato workers in Immokalee, Florida, and his efforts brought attention to their cause, it is misleading to claim that he fundamentally changed their lives for the better. The agreement reached between the coalition representing the workers and the growers did lead to some improvements in pay and working conditions, but it is difficult to attribute these changes solely to Sanders' actions. Other factors, such as the collective efforts of various organizations and the workers themselves, also played a significant role. Therefore, the statement overstates Sanders' individual impact on the lives of the Immokalee farm workers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["There is no dispute that Sanders, a Vermont senator, was a passionate defender of the tomato workers from Central Florida in 2008. A coalition representing those workers successfully reached an agreement with the growers about two years later to improve pay and working conditions. But how much credit does Sanders get, and has the agreement \"fundamentally changed\" the workers\u2019 lives?","Giev Kashkooli, political and legislative director at United Farm Workers of America, a group which endorsed Hillary Clinton, says that \"it's likely that (Sanders') visit and subsequent work did bring attention to farm workers in Immokalee who deserved support.\"","\"He went and visited personally. Then he came back and convinced Ted Kennedy to hold some hearings, and it fundamentally changed the lives of those workers.\"","Naples Daily News , \"Immokalee farmworkers skeptical of promises, claims made by Democrat Bernie Sanders and other politicians,\" March 12, 2016"]},{"id":"8888.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama carried Congressional District 13 by 8.2 points in 2008 and 5.6 points in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. President Barack Obama did not carry Congressional District 13 by 8.2 points in 2008 and 5.6 points in 2012. The correct margin of victory for Obama in that district was approximately 4 points in 2008 and about 1.5 points in 2012, as evidenced by countywide election returns and data from the actual congressional district. It's important to rely on accurate information when discussing election results.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Obama carried this Gulf Coast district, a one-county constituency near Tampa, by 8.2 points in 2008 and 5.6 points in 2012.\"","He was using countywide election returns. Using returns from the actual congressional district show a much smaller margin of victory for Obama in both presidential elections. Obama carried the district by about 4 points in 2008 and about 1.5 points 2012.","In 2008, 51.33 percent of voters living within the boundaries of current-day District 13 chose Obama, and 47.54 percent chose McCain -- a difference of nearly 3.8 points.","Reporters covering the race usually call it a toss-up district, pointing out President Barack Obama had \"narrow\" wins in 2008 and 2012. (Young typically won by comfortable margins; he was a 40-plus year incumbent.)"]},{"id":"10019.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hospitals have already begun layoffs, a direct result of Republican inaction on Medicaid expansion.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some hospitals in Virginia have announced staff cuts since 2013, attributing these layoffs solely as a \"direct result\" of Republican inaction on Medicaid expansion is an exaggerated claim. The layoffs are influenced by various factors, including financial challenges faced by the hospitals prior to the Medicaid expansion debate. It is important to consider the broader context and the financial difficulties that these hospitals were already experiencing. While the Republican opposition to Medicaid expansion may have added to their challenges, it is not accurate to solely attribute the layoffs as a direct consequence of Republican inaction.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Democratic Party of Virginia says that hospital layoffs have begun as a \"direct result\" of Republican legislators\u2019 refusal to expand the state\u2019s Medicaid program. The Democrats point to news releases from four hospital systems -- mostly in rural areas -- that have announced staff cuts since June 2013.","We asked Morgan Finkelstein, spokeswoman for state Democratic Party, for proof of the party\u2019s claim that hospital layoffs have begun as a \"direct result\" of the GOP\u2019s opposition to expansion. She sent us a number of articles and announcements of hospital layoffs and closings in Virginia during the last few years.","The GOP\u2019s refusal to expand Medicaid came at a tough time for the hospital systems and certainly added to their woes. But saying the layoffs are the \"direct result\" of the Republicans\u2019 action is an exaggerated claim that ignores deeper factors.","It also should be noted that most of the individual hospitals where the layoffs occurred had been in the red since at least since 2009 -- some of them all but losing their patient base."]},{"id":"10848.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On whether the Iraq War was a mistake.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is a debate or inconsistency in Senator Rubio's stance on whether the Iraq War was a mistake. While some sources indicate that he initially supported the war and later expressed doubts about its wisdom, others highlight his changing position on the matter. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is ambiguity surrounding Senator Rubio's stance on whether the Iraq War was a mistake.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In March as a deadline approached on the nuclear deal with Iran, Rubio talked about both Iran and Iraq on Fox News\u2019 The Five when asked, \"Was it a mistake to go to war to Iraq?\"","\"In view of the developments since the U.S. entered Iraq, do you think the U.S. made a mistake sending troops to fight in Iraq?\"","After rolling film of previous interviews with Rubio, Wallace asked Rubio, \"Senator, isn't that a flip? Six weeks ago, it made sense to invade Iraq in 2003. Now, you say it was a mistake.\"","\"This requires a full assessment. Not \u2018given that we fought the war, did anything good come of it?\u2019 but in the net, was it a mistake? And he answered no. So I think on that one, you can call it \u2018flip flop,\u2019 \" Posen said."]},{"id":"7119.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Delta Air Lines has once again broken a promise they made to me and to the people of Memphis.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen that Delta Air Lines has broken a promise made to him and the people of Memphis. There is evidence to support this claim, including press releases and statements from Cohen himself, highlighting a history of broken promises and misrepresentations by Delta regarding flight routes and hub operations in Memphis. It is important to note that this claim is specific to the context of Delta's actions in Memphis and does not imply a broader pattern of broken promises by the airline.\nLabel: true","evidence":["While Delta may now claim that any assurances it gave were conditioned by any number of factors, people in Memphis thought they had a deal that meant a strengthened hub and a continued flight to Europe, and maybe more. The facts are the Delta Air Lines CEO said the Memphis-Amsterdam flight would continue. It was first curtailed to summer-only, then chloroformed. That\u2019s a broken promise.","Cohen put out a press release Oct. 31 saying some of the assurances he received were misrepresentations and \"that Delta has once again broken a promise they made to me and to the people of Memphis.\" The release\u2019s opening paragraph referred to a \"string of broken promises,\" so we decided to look at the history and determine if Cohen is accurately representing the company\u2019s record.","!A Delta Air Lines jet takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Burbank, Calif. (AP) !A Delta Air Lines jet takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Burbank, Calif. (AP)","When the merger of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines was under consideration in 2008, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., was skeptical of the deal. While noting that the Memphis Airport Authority and the Memphis Chamber of Commerce backed it, Cohen sought some assurances from those seeking to implement it."]},{"id":"7247.json","label":"true","statement":"Seven of Americas 10 wealthiest counties are in the Washington, D.C., area.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, multiple sources, including PolitiFact Ohio and statements made by Jim Jordan and Scott Walker, confirm that seven of the top ten wealthiest counties in the United States are located in the Washington, D.C., area. This indicates a concentration of wealth in that region.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Jordan says seven of the nation\u2019s 10 wealthiest counties are in the Greater Washington area,\" Jan. 14, 2013.","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Jordan says seven of the nation's 10 wealthiest counties are in the Greater Washington area,\" Jan. 14, 2013","\"In fact, if you have any doubt, if you looked last year, the numbers that we saw put out showed that six of the top 10 wealthiest counties in America -- six of the top 10 wealthiest communities in America, by county, according to median income -- are in and around the Washington, D.C., area,\" Walker said. \"That tell you anything about where we're growing the economy in this nation?\"","\"Washington always wins,\" said Jordan, whose congressional district was recently altered to include parts of Lorain County \"The politicians, the consultants, the folks here always win. In fact, seven of the 10 wealthiest counties are in the D.C. area. . . . It's regular Americans who lose and it's about time we said stop this madness, cut up the credit card, we want a solution. Not another Washington deal which helps D.C.\""]},{"id":"13254.json","label":"true","statement":"Refugees are subject to more rigorous screening than the average tourist in the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from government officials and the Department of Homeland Security's protocols. Refugees undergo a comprehensive and rigorous screening process that involves multiple government agencies and security checks. This process is designed to ensure the safety and security of the United States. In contrast, the screening process for tourists is generally less extensive. Therefore, it is accurate to say that refugees are subject to more rigorous screening than the average tourist in the U.S.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In recent years, in the United States, we\u2019ve worked to put in intensive screening and security checks, so we can welcome refugees and ensure our security. In fact, refugees are subject to more rigorous screening than the average tourist,\" he said.","Obama was correct in saying that the refugee screening process is more rigorous that the tourist screening process, at least in theory. But does it always turn out that way in real life?","Officials at government agencies have made similar statements, saying that refugees are subject to the most intense screening of any visitors to the United States.","We first looked at the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s official protocols for tourist and refugee screening, and outlined the major components of each one below:"]},{"id":"5989.json","label":"true","statement":"Water transportation is the most fuel efficient, least polluting, safest, and least expensive means of moving cargo.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided consistently supports the statement that water transportation is indeed the most fuel efficient, least polluting, safest, and least expensive means of moving cargo. Multiple sources, including Gibbs and Moss, affirm these claims. They highlight the advantages of water transportation in terms of fuel efficiency, safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact. Therefore, based on the evidence, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So, it appears that Gibbs was correct when he said water transportation is the most fuel efficient way to move cargo, as well as the least expensive. He also said water transportation was the cleanest and safest way to move cargo. Those specific factors also are addressed in the GAO report.","Gibbs said that water transportation is the cheapest, safest, cleanest and most fuel efficient way to move cargo. Clearly, it\u2019s the most fuel efficient on average. It\u2019s also safer and cleaner.","While there are comparative advantages to each mode of transportation, Moss said, on average water is the least expensive and most fuel efficient.","As for the expense, because barge traffic is so dependent on rail and trucking, those two modes of transportation could have an impact. But that said, the experts we talked to were persuasive that on average, water transportation is least expensive."]},{"id":"2766.json","label":"false","statement":"In fact, 85 percent of Oregonians voted in 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that 85 percent of registered voters in Oregon cast their ballots in the 2008 presidential election, this does not mean that 85 percent of all Oregonians voted. According to the Secretary of State's website, only 77 percent of eligible adults in Oregon registered to vote, and of that figure, 85 percent actually cast their ballots. Therefore, the overall voter turnout in Oregon in 2008 was approximately 66 percent, not 85 percent.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"VOTE,\" read the flier. \"Your community knows exactly how important it is to vote. In fact, 85 percent of Oregonians voted in 2008. Thank you for your participation this year.\"","At first, PolitiFact Oregon was elated. Who knew Oregon took its ballot duty that seriously? But then, we became suspicious. Isn\u2019t 25 percent of the population here under 18? How could it be then that 85 percent of Oregonians voted in 2008? So, onward to the fact checking.","To be fair, Oregon has long used this calculation to measure electoral participation of registered voters, which Oregon elections officials refer to as \"turnout,\" but no one with a straight face extrapolates that to say that means \"85 percent of Oregonians voted.\"","Well, it turns out that 85 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the 2008 presidential election. Not everyone who is eligible to vote actually registered to vote. In fact, according to the Secretary of State\u2019s website, only 77 percent of eligible adults registered and of that figure, 85 percent cast ballots. Which brings the overall figure to 66 percent. That\u2019s pretty good -- but not 85 percent good."]},{"id":"8646.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The CBO just said if we cut this (unemployment benefits) extension, we will kill jobs, because those people who are looking for work wont have any money to spend.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that extending unemployment benefits can have a positive impact on job creation and economic growth, the claim that cutting the extension would \"kill jobs\" is an exaggeration. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did not explicitly state that cutting unemployment benefits would lead to job losses. Instead, the CBO found that extending unemployment benefits would stimulate economic growth and potentially add around 200,000 jobs. It is important to accurately represent the findings of the CBO and avoid making exaggerated claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The CBO just said if we cut this (unemployment benefits) extension, we will kill jobs, because those people who are looking for work won't have any money to spend.\"","\"The CBO (Congressional Budget Office) just said if we cut this extension, we will kill jobs, because those people who are looking for work won't have any money to spend,\" Madland said on CNN\u2019s Crossfire.","Madland said the Congressional Budget Office found that a failure to extend unemployment benefits would kill jobs. Madland's language is close, but goes a step too far. The CBO said that extending unemployment benefits would spur growth and add about 200,000 jobs.","That makes Madland's broader point -- that extending unemployment benefits actually boosts job creation -- correct. But he erred is suggesting the CBO determined that failing to extend unemployment benefits would \"kill\" jobs. The CBO did not analyze that."]},{"id":"6395.json","label":"true","statement":"Says About 7 in 10 of Oregons inmates are in prison for violent crimes and serious sex offenses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and is factually correct. According to the provided sources, approximately 70% of Oregon's inmates are in prison for crimes against a person, which includes violent crimes and serious sex offenses such as rape, murder, and armed robbery. This aligns with the claim that about 7 in 10 inmates in Oregon are incarcerated for violent crimes and serious sex offenses.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"About 7 in 10 of Oregon\u2019s inmates are in prison for violent crimes and serious sex offenses including felony assault, armed robbery, kidnapping, manslaughter, child molestation, rape, attempted murder, and murder,\" he writes in the press release.","Are about seven in 10 of Oregon\u2019s inmates in prison for violent crimes and serious sex offenses, like rape, murder, armed robbery?","( - Are about seven in 10 of Oregon\u2019s inmates in prison for violent crimes and serious sex offenses, like rape, murder, armed robbery? &url=)","As for a ruling? It is factually correct that as of now, 70 percent of inmates are in prison for crimes against a person, and that 65 percent are in there for crimes we can see are violent in nature. That is \"about seven in 10\" or two-thirds. We rate the statement True."]},{"id":"2215.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hank Johnson voted against legislation to help first responders, teachers, vets and troops.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Carter that Hank Johnson voted against legislation to help first responders, teachers, veterans, and troops. However, it's important to note that the fact check indicates that the legislation in question did not include funding for domestic first responders or teachers. While it did include funding for military veterans and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the claim that Johnson voted against legislation specifically aimed at helping first responders and teachers is not entirely accurate. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Who in their right mind would vote no on this critical piece of legislation?\" Carter said. \"Congressman Johnson's refusal to support this bi-partisan legislation only serves to show how out of touch he is with the 4th district. His No vote shows he does not support police officers, firefighters, teachers, vets and troops.\"","Carter e-mailed PolitiFact Georgia a statement saying she \"fell prey to relying on a final summary of the H.R. 4899 legislation after having read a prior version of the legislation.\" She posted a similar message on her blog titled \"Oops, I made a mistake, but he still doesn't get it.\" Carter still said Johnson must answer why he voted against legislation that would help veterans and troops overseas.","We're sure Carter and Johnson will debate that as the Nov. 2 election nears. As for her statement, the version of the resolution that Johnson voted against did not include funding for domestic first responders or teachers. It did include money for military veterans and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. We rate Carter's attack against Johnson as Half True.","Carter said the legislation provided $24 billion \"to help keep teachers, police and firefighters employed during the recession.\" She also complained about Johnson's vote on her Facebook page. The 4th Congressional District consists largely of DeKalb County, with portions of Gwinnett and Rockdale counties. Democrats typically dominate congressional elections in that district."]},{"id":"3686.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he has exposed plans by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to push legislation that would allow the state to declare financial martial law and take over municipal governments.","reason":"Reason: The statement does not align with the evidence provided. The evidence discusses Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill, which aimed to make changes to state employees' healthcare, pensions, and collective bargaining rights. However, there is no mention of plans to allow the state to declare financial martial law and take over municipal governments. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says government workers in Wisconsin pay $500 to $1,000 per year in union dues &url=)","Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has tried to sprinkle sugar on what many government workers see as the bitter pill he\u2019s proposing in his controversial budget-repair bill.","Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker started using the \"broke\" description as he unveiled his controversial budget-repair bill, which would force state employees to pay more for health care and pensions and curtail collective bargaining rights for most public employees.","In a new campaign ad in heavy rotation on a television near you, Gov. Scott Walker looks directly into the camera to repeat the heart of his message as a potential recall election looms."]},{"id":"11662.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Texas, weve had three ISIS-related incidents already.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Greg Abbott claimed that Texas has had three ISIS-related incidents, the evidence suggests that this statement is not entirely accurate. The only incident that can be directly linked to ISIS is the Garland shooting plot. Other arrests related to the group in Texas involve activities such as lying about a tweet and attempting to travel to Syria, which may not necessarily qualify as \"ISIS-related incidents.\" Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the nature and extent of ISIS-related incidents in Texas.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We've had three ISIS-related incidents already and now with the possible connection of one of the Syrian refugees being involved in the terrorist attack in Paris,\" Abbott said, \"Texas is saying 'no more.\u2019 \"","In his opposition to resettlement of Syrian refugees in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said he was concerned about potential terrorism from devotees to the Islamic State. In Texas, Abbott said, \"we've had three ISIS-related incidents already.\"","Abbott is on solid ground with one Islamic State-related incident \u2014 the Garland shooting plot. In other Texas arrests related to the group, he uses the term \"incident\" to cover things including lying about a tweet and trying to travel to Syria. We rate this statement Half True.","This incident is the only foiled attack included in a Department Homeland Security analysis of all ISIS-related arrests on United States soil from January 2014 to September 2015 (the other cases were unsuccessful and successful attempts to travel to fight with ISIS, provide material support to ISIS, and engage in early stage \"aspirational\" attack planning)."]},{"id":"295.json","label":"false","statement":"\"When the Fair Tax becomes law, it will be like waving a magic wand releasing us from pain and unfairness.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Mike Huckabee that \"When the Fair Tax becomes law, it will be like waving a magic wand releasing us from pain and unfairness\" is a subjective and exaggerated claim. While the Fair Tax proposal aims to replace income taxes with a sales tax, it is highly debated and criticized by many experts who argue that it is unfeasible and unworkable. The notion that it would completely eliminate pain and unfairness is an oversimplification and lacks evidence to support its validity. Therefore, the statement is misleading and not grounded in reality.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It's tempting to give him a pass on his statement as just more overheated campaign rhetoric. But it seems clear to us that such a massive overhaul of the U.S. tax system would not be an end to pain and unfairness \"like a magic wand.\" So we find his statement False.","It's true that if the Fair Tax were implemented, people would get all of their paychecks (unless their employers decided to cut wages and keep the tax savings for themselves). Getting all your taxes back certainly sounds like a nice release from pain.","Mike Huckabee makes the Fair Tax sound lovely. But he's glossing over objections raised by a host of critics who say that the Fair Tax is unfeasible and unworkable.","The Fair Tax would be a sales tax that would replace all income taxes. Legislation to create it, which Huckabee supports, is introduced annually in Congress; the latest version can be found here ."]},{"id":"10129.json","label":"true","statement":"Governor Carcieri has not been campaigning with me.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Governor Carcieri has not been actively campaigning with the speaker. The former governor himself stated that he has not campaigned with the candidate and clarified that his involvement has been limited to making contributions and offering support. Additionally, the evidence highlights that attending fundraisers or being part of an exploratory committee does not constitute active campaigning. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Both my wife and I have contributed to Allan and support him, but that's the whole extent. I have not campaigned with him,\" the former governor said. \"I know what campaigning is. I did enough of it.\"","Serving on an exploratory committee or attending a fundraiser as a spectator does not constitute campaigning with a candidate, at least not in the way Raimondo made it sound.","But most people would define campaigning with someone as being out and about with the candidate, meeting people, shaking hands, and trying to convince them to vote for the candidate and\/or give money.","Fung spokesman Robert Coupe said, \"Governor Carcieri contributed to the campaign and he attended the lunch with Governor Romney last week. He has had no 'role' in the campaign. Prior to Mayor Fung's announcement, Governor Carcieri was a member of the exploratory committee.\""]},{"id":"1694.json","label":"true","statement":"Crist sent his \"top policy staffer to the House Committee to testify in support of the proposal,\" then vetoed the bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the sequence of events. Governor Crist did send his top policy staffer to testify in support of the proposal at the House Committee hearing. However, despite the initial support indicated by the staffer, Governor Crist later vetoed the bill. The evidence provided confirms that a Crist staffer attended the hearing and expressed support for the bill on behalf of the Office of the Governor. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\u201cI'm disappointed that after sending his top policy staffer to the House Committee to testify in support of the proposal, Governor Crist would change his mind and now veto the bill,\u201d Hasner said in a press release.","A Crist education policy staffer went to a House committee hearing on March 25 and indicated the governor's support for a controversial teacher pay plan. Three weeks later, Crist vetoed essentially the same bill. We rate Hasner's statement True.","State records show -- and video evidence confirms -- that a Crist staffer did attend a House committee hearing in support of the education bill.","On March 25, 2010, at a hearing of the House PreK-12 Policy Committee, Crist education policy chief Terry Golden said she supported the teacher pay bill on behalf of the Office of the Governor."]},{"id":"1205.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Recent census data shows that the average American family spends over $13,000 a year for health care coverage.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The claim that \"recent census data shows that the average American family spends over $13,000 a year for health care coverage\" is incorrect. The data Braley referenced actually comes from a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust, not the Census Bureau. Furthermore, the $13,000 figure represents the total cost of health care premiums for a family, not the amount that the average family pays out of pocket. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Recent census data shows that the average American family spends over $13,000 a year for health care coverage,\" Braley said. \"And if we don\u2019t change what we are doing right now, in 10 years the average American family will be spending over $25,000 a year on health care coverage. That\u2019s why the time to act is now, and H.R. 3200 does that by expanding access to quality, affordable coverage and bringing true health care reform to the American people.\"","But there's a problem: It's not accurate to say, as Braley does, that \"the average American family spends over $13,000 a year for health care coverage.\" It's true that Kaiser\/HRET found the total cost of health care premiums for a family to be $13,375 \u2014 but that is not the amount the average family pays out of its own pocket.","For this item, we'll focus on the assertion that the average American family spends over $13,000 a year for health care coverage. We called Braley's office, and staffers acknowledged that Braley misspoke when he said the numbers come from the Census Bureau. In fact, the numbers come from a study released the day before Braley spoke \u2014 a survey of employer-provided health care undertaken annually by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust, an affiliate of the American Hospital Association.","As was the case in a number of other recent PolitiFact items we deemed False (including this one and this one ), Braley would have been correct if he'd simply tweaked what he said. If he'd cited data showing that \"the annual health care premiums for the average American family are greater than $13,000,\" he would have been right."]},{"id":"268.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I supported the surge when you didn't.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that both Huckabee and Romney expressed support for the surge in Iraq. While there may have been differences in the specific questions they were asked and their level of commitment to the surge, it is not accurate to claim that one candidate supported the surge while the other did not. Both candidates publicly expressed support for the surge, albeit with varying degrees of commitment and expressed doubts about the long-term success of the strategy. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The record shows that Huckabee and Romney both have supported the surge and, at times, have both expressed doubts about the ability of the president's Iraq strategy to work in the long run. Huckabee says he's more committed to the surge. We find his claim False.","Like Huckabee, Romney immediately and publicly supported the troop surge when President Bush announced it on Jan. 10, 2007. Seven months later, Romney announced a push to give extra support to the soldiers participating in the surge.","First, the two candidates were asked very different questions in that debate. Romney was asked how long into the future he would commit U.S. troops in Iraq while Huckabee was asked directly if the surge should continue. Second, Romney also expressed hope the surge would work and said the troops should be supported.","The staff omitted Romney's Jan. 10, 2007, announcement that he supported the surge. It also did not include Huckabee's Jan. 24, 2007, statement in an MSNBC interview expressing doubts about the strategy. In the interview, Huckabee said, \"I'm not sure that I support the troop surge if that surge has to come from our guard and reserve troops which have really been overly stretched.\""]},{"id":"12748.json","label":"true","statement":"Forty-three million Americans are on food stamps.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. As of April 2016, the number of Americans participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, was approximately 43 million. It is important to note that this number has fluctuated over time, reaching a high of 47.6 million participants in 2013 and decreasing to 43 million by April 2016. Nonetheless, at the time of the statement, the figure of 43 million accurately represented the number of Americans on food stamps.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"President Obama has almost doubled our national debt to more than $19 trillion, and growing,\" Trump said. \"Yet what do we have to show for it? Our roads and bridges are falling apart, our airports are in third-world condition, and 43 million Americans are on food stamps.\"","We wanted to fact-check his statistic about Americans using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the program formerly known as food stamps.","A report by the Food Research & Action Center, a hunger and nutrition advocacy group, applauded the 43 million figure in April as the lowest level of participants since October 2010. From April 2015 to April 2016, participation is down 1.9 million participants.","When Obama took office in January 2009, almost 32 million people received SNAP benefits. The number increased during the Great Recession as more families turned to the program for assistance, averaging an annual high of 47.6 million participants in 2013."]},{"id":"5067.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We havent had any legislation which took away one gun in the past 20 years from anybody in this country--not one.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pascrell is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there hasn't been comprehensive legislation that directly and universally confiscated guns from individuals in the past 20 years, there have been instances where certain laws, such as the federal crime bill and the Lautenberg Amendment, have resulted in individuals being required to surrender their firearms. These instances can be seen as a form of guns being taken away, although it is important to note that they are specific cases rather than broad-scale confiscation. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We haven't had any legislation which took away one gun in the past 20 years from anybody in this country--not one.\"","In opposing the bill, Pascrell said, \"We haven't had any legislation which took away one gun in the past 20 years from anybody in this country -- not one.\"","Pascrell said there hasn\u2019t been any legislation in the past 20 years that took a gun from anyone in the United States. Gun advocates disagree, pointing to the federal crime bill and the Lautenberg Amendment as examples. But the facts are a gun can't be taken from someone who never had it, and having to surrender a gun because of a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction can be construed as it being taken away. We rate Pascrell\u2019s claim Half True.","The result of the Lautenberg Amendment \"is that people have been disarmed of weapons within the past 20 years and they\u2019ve been sent to prison when they\u2019ve been caught in possession,\" Waldron said."]},{"id":"9189.json","label":"true","statement":"From 1972 until 2011, the number of EPA employees increased by 107 percent while the number of total federal personnel decreased by 15 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by multiple sources, including the federal Office of Personnel Management. From 1972 to 2011, the number of EPA employees did indeed increase by 107 percent, while the total number of federal personnel decreased by 15 percent. This indicates a significant growth in EPA employment compared to the overall trend of federal employment during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Griffith said, \"From 1972 until 2011, the number of EPA employees increased by 107 percent while the number of total federal personnel decreased by 15 percent.\"","\"From 1972 until 2011, the number of EPA employees increased by 107 percent while the number of total federal personnel decreased by 15 percent,\" he said on March 25 during testimony before the House Budget Committee.","From 1980 to 2011, employment at the EPA grew by 32.4 percent while the total number of federal employees -- military and civilian -- dropped by 11.3 percent.","The total number of federal employees was 5.2 million in 1972 and 4.4 million in 2011, according to the federal Office of Personnel Management. That\u2019s a decrease of 15.4 percent -- again, what Griffith said."]},{"id":"6671.json","label":"true","statement":"Wayne Powell has a stated position of having no objection to taking `In God We Trust off of U.S. currency.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Wayne Powell has a stated position of having no objection to taking \"In God We Trust\" off of U.S. currency. This is based on Powell's own comments where he expressed a willingness to replace it with the first American motto, \"E Pluribus Unum.\" It is important to note that this statement reflects Powell's position at the time the accusation was made and may not necessarily reflect his current stance.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And (Powell\u2019s) stated position of having no objection to taking `In God We Trust\u2019 off U.S. currency would probably alienate most everyone in our party,\" the email said.","Cantor said Powell \"has a stated position of having no objection to taking `In God We Trust\u2019 off of U.S. currency.\" As proof, Cantor offers Powell\u2019s comments in a question-and-answer session held on a social media website.","There\u2019s no doubt that when Cantor made his accusation, Powell\u2019s stated position was, \"I wouldn\u2019t object to replacing `In God We Trust\u2019 with the first American motto, `E Pluribus Unum.\u2019\"","House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-7th, is charging that Wayne Powell, his Democratic opponent, has endorsed removing \"In God We Trust\" from U.S. currency."]},{"id":"2198.json","label":"true","statement":"Police officers in this state have that right, to check the immigration status of people they arrest.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. In the state being referred to, police officers do have the right to check the immigration status of individuals they arrest. This means that when someone is arrested, the police officers in that state are authorized to inquire about their immigration status. It's important to note that this statement specifically pertains to individuals who have been arrested and does not extend to individuals who are lawfully stopped or detained without being arrested.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As we said above, Florida already allows its police officers to \"check if the people they arrest are here legally.\" But the Arizona immigration law actually requires police officers to do much more than that. As we explained in the previous item, Arizona's law allows people to be questioned if they are lawfully stopped or questioned for any reason, whether it's a traffic stop, or a municipal violation like letting your grass grow too tall in a community that requires frequent mowing. In other words, Arizona police officers are required to check an individual's immigration status even if that individual is not under arrest.","\"As the next governor of Florida, you're going to pass a law that allows police, when they make an arrest, to be able to find out if somebody has been here illegally. That shows an ignorance of Florida law. Currently, police officers in this state have that right already. What Arizona has is a mandate that says when you're stopped, detained, or arrested, police officers shall check to see whether you're legal or illegal. I favor that law for Florida, I favor the Arizona immigration law,\" McCollum said.","To recap. McCollum says that Scott's ad \"shows an ignorance of Florida law,\" because Florida police officers already have the right to check the immigration status of those who are arrested. We found that implementing an Arizona-style mandate would change existing immigration enforcement laws in the state. Currently, there is no law requiring Florida police to check the status of those who are lawfully stopped or detained, but there is nothing that would prevent them from doing so. Still, our focus in this fact-check is McCollum's claim about individuals who are already arrested, and with that, he is on solid ground. We rate this True.","First, the ad. According to the narrator, \"Arizona is tackling the problem of illegal immigration, but Bill McCollum rejects the Arizona approach.\" The ad then goes on to say that \"Rick Scott backs Arizona's law. He'll bring it to Florida, and let our police check if the people they arrest are here legally. That's common sense.\""]},{"id":"2748.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Russ Feingold voted to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants","reason":"Reason: The claim that Russ Feingold voted to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants is false. PolitiFact Wisconsin has fact-checked this claim and rated it as false. There is no evidence to support the assertion that Feingold voted for such a measure. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing the voting records of politicians.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Russ Feingold \"voted to raise taxes on Social Security benefits for seniors, he even tried to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants.\"","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Ron Johnson says U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold voted to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants (False),\" Nov. 1, 2010","Johnson says Feingold \"voted to raise taxes on Social Security benefits for seniors, he even tried to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants.\"","The female narrator in the ad, which was released Oct. 10, 2016, says Johnson\u2019s Democratic challenger \"voted to raise taxes on Social Security benefits for seniors, he even tried to give Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants.\""]},{"id":"2267.json","label":"false","statement":"Over 81 percent of the babies that are born at LBJ Hospital right here in Houston are born of women who are not here legally.","reason":"Reason: The statement that over 81 percent of the babies born at LBJ Hospital in Houston are born to women who are not in the country legally is not supported by reliable evidence. While a state senator's opinion article mentioned this statistic, the hospital itself does not track or provide data on the immigration status of the mothers of the babies born there. Therefore, there is no conclusive evidence to support the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The fact is it is documented,\" Riddle said. \"Over 81 percent of the babies that are born at LBJ Hospital right here in Houston are born of women who are not here legally. It is well-known that women come over here, cross the border in order to have the babies here because once they get here and once that little American citizen is born and becomes an anchor baby \u2014 look, I'm a grandmother of 10, I love children, but the fact is this is breaking the back of the taxpayers of Texas and the United States.\"","So what are the facts on the babies born at Houston's Lyndon Baines Johnson General Hospital to mothers who are not here legally?","Jon English, Riddle's legislative chief of staff, said she based her claim on an opinion article by state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, published in the April 30 Houston Chronicle. Noting that Texas bears a cost from illegal immigration, Patrick wrote: \"In recent years, 81 percent of babies born at the LBJ General Hospital were born to mothers who were here illegally.\"","Remember, those statistics are for mothers only. When we asked the hospital district for data that links babies born at LBJ with the immigration status of their mothers, Muse said the district doesn't keep that information. \"Since all babies who are born in the hospital are American citizens, we don't link them to either documented immigrant or undocumented immigrant mothers,\" Muse said."]},{"id":"6300.json","label":"true","statement":"Donna Shalala left me with 12 million doses of smallpox vaccine and I created enough to vaccinate every man, woman and child against smallpox in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tommy Thompson that Donna Shalala left him with 12 million doses of smallpox vaccine, and he successfully oversaw the creation of enough vaccine to vaccinate every man, woman, and child against smallpox in America. While Thompson did not technically \"create\" the entire stockpile himself, he played a crucial role in advocating for its size, securing funding from Congress, and overseeing the successful implementation of the program. Overall, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"At the time I was secretary, I had a few problems,\" he said. \"A few problems, like there was not enough smallpox vaccine (for) America. Donna Shalala left me with 12 million doses of vaccine, all 1955 doses. And I created enough. I created enough vaccine to vaccinate every man woman and child against smallpox in America.\"","Thompson : \"Donna Shalala left me with 12 million doses\" of smallpox vaccine and \"I created enough\" in the wake of the 9\/11 attacks to vaccinate \"every man, woman and child against smallpox in America.\" True. Thompson didn\u2019t technically \"create\" the stockpile, but we found he boldly shot for the moon on its size, sold the idea to Congress and then personally drove the move to a successful conclusion in just a few years -- even if some of it carried the element of luck.","But Thompson\u2019s claim went much further. He said, \"I created enough vaccine to vaccinate every man woman and child against smallpox in America.\"","Thompson accurately recounted how much vaccine was on hand and was on target in saying that on his watch enough became available for \"every man woman and child\" in America."]},{"id":"9039.json","label":"false","statement":"President Barack Obama shut down NASA space flights and turned the agency into a Muslim outreach department.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. While it is true that the space shuttle program ended during President Obama's tenure, the decision to retire the program was made before he took office. The claim that President Obama shut down NASA space flights is an oversimplification of the complex factors involved in the transition from government-operated space missions to increased reliance on private space companies. Additionally, the assertion that President Obama turned NASA into a \"Muslim outreach department\" is baseless and lacks any credible evidence. NASA's primary focus has always been on scientific research, space exploration, and technological advancements, rather than religious outreach.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hey, Ms. Gregoire, never mind that Barack Obama made NASA into a Muslim outreach department and it's Barack Obama, your idol and hero, that makes it necessary to pay the Russians $70 million for every astronaut to the space station,\" Limbaugh said.","Limbaugh reached into the early flare-ups of the Obama presidency for his quip about NASA\u2019s conversion into a \"Muslim outreach department.\"","\"By the way, with this thing in the Ukraine, with the KGB vs. Obama, i.e., ACORN, what happens if Putin says, \u2018You know what, you really ticked me off and I'm not taking you back to your space station.\u2019 How we gonna get there, Ms. Gregoire? 'Cause Obama's shut it down. NASA's a museum for Muslim outreach now.\"","Limbaugh also accused Obama of shutting down NASA space flights. Obama certainly played a role (the shuttle flights stopped while he was in office), but the plan to scuttle the space shuttle program started before Obama took office, and Congress has not fully funded budget requests to speed along the creation of a private American space fleet."]},{"id":"2959.json","label":"true","statement":"Under the compromise tax agreement, 99.7% of American families will not pay 1 nickel in an estate tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the impact of the compromise tax agreement on the estate tax. According to Howard Gleckman from the Tax Policy Center, the bill being considered would apply the estate tax to estates worth about $6 million or more (about $12 million for couples), meaning that estates worth less than that would not be subject to the estate tax. This effectively exempts 99.7% of American families from paying any estate tax.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Biden\u2019s American Families Plan (not his infrastructure plan), which was released in April, included two proposals to end what it described as tax \"loopholes\" for the rich. They would have covered capital gains and estates.","However, some of these firms may not need to pay the minimum tax if they were already paying more under the regular income tax system.","The minimum tax calculation would be required only for corporations with a three-year average book income above $1 billion. In 2019, the Tax Policy Center calculated, about 455 U.S. corporations reported pretax income above $1 billion.","The bill being considered would apply the estate tax to more estates \u2014 those worth about $6 million or more (about $12 million for couples), with estates worth less than that paying no estate tax, said Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center."]},{"id":"4682.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After every major conflict ... what happened was that we ultimately hollowed out the force, largely by doing deep, across-the-board cuts.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Defense Secretary Panetta made the statement about hollowing out the force after major conflicts, there is some debate and nuance regarding the accuracy of his claim. Historians and experts argue that the extent to which the force was \"hollowed out\" and the causes behind it are more complex than simply attributing it to \"deep, across-the-board cuts.\" The political realities and factors influencing defense spending during different periods of history vary, making it difficult to generalize the impact of budget cuts. Therefore, while there may have been instances of downsizing and reduced capabilities after major conflicts, the statement oversimplifies the causes and effects of these actions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Panetta said that \"after every major conflict \u2014 World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the fall of the Soviet Union \u2014 what happened was that we ultimately hollowed out the force, largely by doing deep, across-the-board cuts.\"","\"After every major conflict \u2014 World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the fall of the Soviet Union \u2014 what happened was that we ultimately hollowed out the force, largely by doing deep, across-the-board cuts that impacted on equipment, impacted on training, impacted on capability,\" Panetta said. \"Whatever we do in confronting the challenges we face now on the fiscal side, we must not make that mistake.\"","\"The accuracy of Panetta's statement largely hinges on how you define \u2018hollowed out the force, largely by doing deep, across-the board cuts,\u2019\" said Lance Janda, a historian at Cameron University. \"His point is that during periods of budget cutting, we have to make smart choices, rather than cutting everything back the same amount, and that our choices have to reflect the threats we'll face in the future. That's a point I suspect most people would agree with. My caveat is that his use of historical examples is a bit suspect, and doesn't reflect the political realities that governed defense spending during the 20th century.\"","So while the term \"hollowing out\" may be apt for the post-Vietnam period, it\u2019s more of a stretch to say it was caused by \"deep, across-the-board cuts.\""]},{"id":"9029.json","label":"false","statement":"Millennials are more pro-life than baby boomers and older Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence. Multiple surveys indicate that millennials are generally not more likely to be pro-life than baby boomers and older Americans. In fact, the data suggests that millennials are about equally pro-life as previous generations, such as Gen-Xers and baby boomers, and are consistently less pro-life than seniors. Therefore, the claim that millennials are more pro-life than baby boomers and older Americans is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Enter PunditFact to see what the survey data and the people who study it have to say. We\u2019re checking Reed\u2019s claim, that millennials are \"more pro-life than baby boomers and older Americans.\"","Both political parties have a keen desire to tap into this generation's political and social leanings. During a quick back-and-forth on NBC's Meet the Press , Ralph Reed, conservative activist and chair of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, said millennials are hard to characterize. They are \"more pro-life than baby boomers and older Americans,\" Reed said.","Across multiple surveys, there is no evidence that millennials are more likely to be pro-life than other generations. The general trend is that they are about equally pro-life as Gen-Xers and baby boomers, and consistently are less pro-life than seniors.","Still, at 65 percent, millennials in that survey were less likely than other groups to identify themselves as pro-life. Asked if \"pro-life describes you well or somewhat well,\" a higher fraction of baby boomers -- 76 percent -- said yes, as did 72 percent of seniors."]},{"id":"7031.json","label":"true","statement":"The truth is David Cicilline voted for tougher laws against child abusers, domestic abusers and abusers of the elderly.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that David Cicilline voted for tougher laws against child abusers, domestic abusers, and abusers of the elderly when he was a Rhode Island state representative. The sources mention his support for anti-crime bills and his voting record in favor of stronger laws to protect victims of various forms of abuse. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["U.S. Rep. David Cicilline says he voted for tougher laws against child abusers, domestic abusers, when he was a Rhode Island state representative","( - U.S. Rep. David Cicilline says he voted for tougher laws against child abusers, domestic abusers, when he was a Rhode Island state representative&url=)",", \"Brendan Doherty Says U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, when he was a state reprsentative, opposed mandatory sentences for people convicted of domestic violence and child abuse,\" Oct. 15, 2012","The ad cited anti-crime bills Cicilline supported in the legislature on behalf of women, the elderly and other victims of crimes, including cases of sexual abuse."]},{"id":"155.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I had prostate cancer, five, six years ago. My chance of surviving prostate cancer, and thank God I was cured of it, in the United States, 82%. My chances of surviving prostate cancer in England, only 44% under socialized medicine.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rudy Giuliani regarding the survival rates for prostate cancer in the United States and England is inaccurate. The statistics provided are incorrect and do not align with reliable sources. The actual five-year survival rate for prostate cancer in the United States is above 99 percent, while in the United Kingdom, it is nearly 75 percent. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing healthcare systems and their outcomes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rudy Giuliani was seeking to make a point about socialized medicine by drawing upon his own experience of having been diagnosed with prostate cancer.","The statistics Giuliani uses are wrong. The Giuliani campaign insists that it's making a legitimate point about the merits of health care in the U.S. over Britain, but the statistics that say the chances of surviving prostate is higher in America also say the chances of having it are higher in the U.S., too.","U.S. officials believe in aggressive testing to find early cases of prostate cancer, while some cancer experts say that since that many cases of prostate cancer develop late enough in life that patients are likely to die of something else, screening everyone for cancer isn't worth the difficulties those treatments can cause.","According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate in the U.S. actually is above 99 percent. In the United Kingdom, it's nearly 75 percent, according to their Office for National Statistics."]},{"id":"362.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I have 35 years' experience making change.\"","reason":"Reason: While Hillary Clinton has often touted her experience in politics and as an agent of change, the claim of having \"35 years' experience making change\" is a rhetorical flourish rather than a literal statement. The fact-checking analysis indicates that the claim is largely accurate in terms of her overall political experience, but it is important to note that the statement is a campaign rhetoric intended to emphasize her qualifications and align herself with the theme of change. Therefore, while the claim is not entirely precise, it does convey the general idea of her extensive experience in politics and advocating for change.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I have 35 years' experience making change,\" she said in a TV ad in December 2007, and has repeated the phrase, or variations of it, many times since.","SUMMARY: The New York senator often boasts of 35 years of experience in politics or as \"an agent of change.\" We do the math and find her comparison with Obama is way off, but that her general point about political experience is largely accurate.","Her claim to be \"an agent of change\" for that time is a flourish of campaign rhetoric (she was trying to match Obama's claim to the word change), but we find it's reasonable because, to be an advocate for any group or cause often means to seek change. We find her claim to be Mostly True.","But the broader question of whether Clinton has \"35 years of experience\" relevant to her quest to become president can be verified."]},{"id":"5812.json","label":"false","statement":"Personal income is growing faster in Tennessee on average than any other state in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the governor that personal income is growing faster in Tennessee on average than any other state in the country is not accurate. Multiple sources and data indicate that Tennessee's personal income growth does not outpace all other states. In fact, there are at least 15 states that showed better per capita income growth than Tennessee. Additionally, Tennessee's average income, even after the growth in 2011, remains below the Southeastern average. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In Tennessee \u2013 personal income is growing faster in Tennessee on average than any other state in the country,\" the governor said as he concluded his remarks.","Even if it was a mistake made at the conclusion of a long day, Haslam told an audience that personal income was growing faster in Tennessee than in any other state -- something that we see on video and that was then reported by a newspaper. In fact, 15 states showed better per capita income growth than Tennessee did, and the state only outpaced the national average by 0.3 percent.","The Southeastern per capita personal income average in 2011 was $37,472 versus the national average of $41,683. And Tennessee\u2019s average income, even after the growth in 2011, is still below the Southeastern average.","In rating states for average personal income, not growth, Tennessee last year was No. 36 in the nation, up one notch from 37th in 2010."]},{"id":"6057.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Barack Obama has played nearly 100 rounds of golf as president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the evidence provided, it has been confirmed that Barack Obama played nearly 100 rounds of golf during his presidency. This information is supported by PolitiFact reporters and other sources mentioned in the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We recently confirmed Obama had played nearly 100 rounds of golf as president. And PolitiFact reporters have previously explored claims about the debt, the success of the stimulus package and whether the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act amounts to socialized health care.","Saying the country needs a president \"who believes in us again,\" Perry continued, according to his prepared remarks: \"Three and a half years, and nearly 100 rounds of golf into his presidency, Barack Obama has exploded the federal debt, passed a failed, budget-busting stimulus package, socialized health care, and provided guns to Mexican drug cartels.\"","\"Three and a half years, and nearly 100 rounds of golf into his presidency, Barack Obama has exploded the federal debt, passed a failed, budget-busting stimulus package, socialized health care, and provided guns to Mexican drug cartels,\" Perry said June 7, 2012. \"Admit it, America -- 2008 was our national \u2018oops\u2019 moment!\"","So, is Obama approaching 100 rounds of golf? Looks like it. Koffler posted a blog on May 26, 2012 stating that Obama was going golfing that day for his 98th time as president. On June 8, 2012, Koffler replied to our inquiry by saying that Obama has yet to play round 99."]},{"id":"3341.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the Army is spending $7 million to sponsor a NASCAR team.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that the U.S. Army did indeed spend approximately $7 million in fiscal year 2012 to sponsor Ryan Newman's NASCAR team. This sponsorship included 12 NASCAR races. However, it's important to note that the sponsorship relationship between the Army and the NASCAR team ended after the conclusion of the current NASCAR season at that time. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the situation during that specific period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rep. Betty McCollum says the government wastes a remarkable amount of money sponsoring a NASCAR team -- $7 million a year.","The NASCAR sponsorship was cited many times during the recent House of Representatives deliberations on budget cuts. During one round of budget-cutting in February 2011, the House voted to slice more than $61 billion from the budget, but it spared the money that the Army pays to sponsor Newman's NASCAR team.","During fiscal year 2012, the Army committed about $8.4 million to NASCAR sponsorship, which includes 12 NASCAR races. The relationship between the Army and the NASCAR team it sponsors with Ryan Newman will end when the current NASCAR season concludes.","\"In 2011, the U.S. Army is sponsoring Ryan Newman's #39 Chevrolet Impala in the Spirit Cup series at a cost to the taxpayers of $7 million,\" McCollum, D-Minn., said in a statement."]},{"id":"11194.json","label":"half-true","statement":"F: The grade given to Florida for college affordability under Jeb Bushs leadership.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Clinton camp, citing the Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, that Florida received an \"F\" grade for college affordability under Jeb Bush's leadership. This claim is supported by the report mentioned, which confirms that Florida received an \"F\" grade in 2006 and 2004. However, it's important to note that the context provided in the evidence suggests that Florida's grade was not uniquely bad, as 43 out of 50 states also received an \"F\" grade in 2006. Additionally, the statement does not mention that the rate of tuition increase in Florida was smaller than the national average. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it lacks important details that provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Then the Clinton camp shot back by \"scribbling over\" Bush\u2019s graphic with the following claim: \"F: The grade given to Florida for college affordability under Jeb Bush's leadership.\" It cited the the Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.","The Clinton camp shot back by \"scribbling over\" Bush\u2019s graphic with the following claim: \"F: The grade given to Florida for college affordability under Jeb Bush's leadership,\" citing the Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.","The report on which her campaign is basing the claim confirms that in 2006 Florida received an F in this category. Still, it\u2019s worth noting that 43 of the 50 states scored an F in 2006, meaning that Florida\u2019s grade wasn\u2019t uniquely bad. And while tuition did increase on Bush\u2019s watch, the rate of increase was smaller than the national average. The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details, so we rate it Half True.","For the year cited in Clinton\u2019s tweet -- 2006 -- Florida did receive an F for affordability. And it wasn\u2019t the only time: In 2004, the study also gave Florida an F."]},{"id":"1023.json","label":"false","statement":"The Democrats propose a government-controlled health care plan that will deprive roughly 120 million Americans of their current health care coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Mike Pence that the Democratic health care plan would deprive roughly 120 million Americans of their current health care coverage is false. Fact-checking sources have found this claim to be unsubstantiated and misleading. The Democratic health care plan, commonly known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), aimed to expand access to health care and provide coverage to uninsured individuals, rather than depriving people of their current coverage. While the ACA did introduce changes to the health care system, such as the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, it did not result in the widespread loss of coverage as claimed by Rep. Pence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana described the Democratic health care plan as \"a government-controlled health care plan that will deprive roughly 120 million Americans of their current health care coverage and lead to federal bureaucrats denying critical care for patients.\"","Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana has taken the public option and pushed it further. He described the Democratic health care plan as \"a government-controlled health care plan that will deprive roughly 120 million Americans of their current health care coverage and lead to federal bureaucrats denying critical care for patients.\"","Given all this background and explanation, we rated Pence's statement that the government would \"deprive\" 120 million people of their \"current health care coverage\" False.","That \"120 million\" number jumped out at us. That's a big number, representing roughly three-quarters of those who now have employer-provided health insurance."]},{"id":"8880.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is responsible for the roughly $7,800 I pay in property taxes per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes the entire property tax burden of roughly $7,800 per year to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Property taxes are determined by various factors, including local government budgets, school district levies, and property assessments. While the mayor does have some influence over the city budget and tax policies, it is not accurate to solely hold him responsible for the specific amount of property taxes paid by an individual. The statement oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to property tax calculations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I have 7,800 reasons to be critical of Mayor Barrett,\" Clarke contended. \"That's about what I pay in property taxes per year.\"","\"In his very first budget, (Milwaukee) Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes and has continued increasing taxes and fees ever since.\"","Wisconsin Club for Growth says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett saved $25 million in the city budget thanks to Governor Scott Walker's reforms","( - Wisconsin Club for Growth says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett saved $25 million in the city budget thanks to Governor Scott Walker's reforms&url=)"]},{"id":"1492.json","label":"false","statement":"As Houstons mayor, I helped our area lead the nation in job growth.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Houston experienced significant job growth during Bill White's tenure as mayor, it is inaccurate to claim that he helped the area lead the nation in job growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wyoming had the highest job growth rate during that period, followed by Houston and other states like Utah and Dallas. Therefore, while Houston did experience substantial job growth, it did not lead the nation in this aspect. \nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As Houston's mayor, I helped our area lead the nation in job growth,\" White wrote responding to a questionnaire from the League of Women Voters of Texas, a nonpartisan group that encourages active participation in government. The league published White's and other candidates' responses in its primary election Voters Guide for the March 2 party primaries.","When we noted that that put the Houston area in the number two spot \u2014 in contrast to leading, as White says in the voter guide \u2014 Bacon said: \"Even if we're number two or number three, we're still leading the nation.\"","You're reading right: The White campaign compared Houston's job growth to job growth in other states. And it found that over his six years as mayor, Houston gained more jobs than any state outside Texas.","Cheryl Abbot, a regional economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Dallas, guided us to the way she said most economists gauge job growth \u2014 by the rate at which jobs increase, instead of the gross number of jobs added. By that calculation, Wyoming led the nation with nearly 12 percent job growth during White's mayoral tenure, followed by Houston (about 10.6 percent), Utah (10.2 percent), Dallas and Texas (both about 9.9 percent)."]},{"id":"9228.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Americans will spend more on taxes in 2014 than they will on food, clothing and housing combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a claim made by the Tax Foundation, which states that Americans will spend more on taxes in a given year than on food, clothing, and housing combined. However, it's important to note that this claim is not universally applicable to all Americans. While it may be true for some individuals or households, there are many Americans whose expenses for food, clothing, and housing exceed their tax burden. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the situation for all Americans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Walker claimed, based on what happened in 2014, that Americans in 2015 collectively will spend more on taxes than they do on food, housing and clothing combined.","The Tax Foundation post said that \"Americans will spend more on taxes in 2014 than they will on food, clothing and housing combined.\" While a minority of Americans probably does pay more for taxes, the numbers suggest that there are many more Americans whose food, clothing and shelter expenses exceed their tax burden. We rate the claim Half True.","\"Americans will spend more on taxes in 2014 than they will on food, clothing and housing combined,\" the post said, and it included a chart showing that the combination of state, local and federal taxes exceeded the amount spent on food, clothing and housing. The post was credited to the Tax Foundation, a think tank that generally has a pro-business leaning.","\"Did you know, Americans will spend more on taxes in 2015 than on food, clothing and housing combined?\" Walker\u2019s campaign team tweeted. (We know Walker didn\u2019t personally pen it because it\u2019s signed \"TW,\" for Team Walker)."]},{"id":"11814.json","label":"false","statement":"Neighbors of the San Bernardino shooters knew that they were talking about trying to take our country and attack it.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays the knowledge and actions of the neighbors of the San Bernardino shooters. While there were reports of suspicious activity related to the shooters, these reports were not directly from the neighbors of the shooters themselves. The information came from a neighbor of a neighbor, and there was no mention of the neighbors believing that an attack was being planned. It is important to rely on accurate information and not make unfounded claims about the knowledge and actions of individuals in such serious matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"These folks had weapons, they knew that they were talking about trying to take our country and attack it,\" Christie said. \"That's not profiling, that's law enforcement.\"","Christie said that neighbors of the San Bernardino shooters knew that they were talking about attacking the country. The most that was reported is that a neighbor of a neighbor of one of the shooter\u2019s mother said there was suspicious activity. There was no mention that a neighbor of the shooters themselves was suspicious, much less that a neighbor thought an attack was being planned.","First, they talk about what the neighbors of Farook\u2019s mother saw, not the neighbors of Farook and Malik themselves. The mother lived in Redlands, not San Bernardino. We should also note that this account comes from a neighbor saying what he learned from another neighbor, not what he saw himself.","The threat to the United States from Islamic terrorists was a lead-off topic in the Republican debate in Iowa, and the December shootings in San Bernardino, Calif., was a prime example of how real that threat can be. Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie about the reluctance of the shooters\u2019 neighbors to report suspicious activity by Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik. They didn't want to be seen as using ethnic profiling."]},{"id":"9785.json","label":"false","statement":"Heroin and prescription opioids are the number one cause of accidental or preventable death in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While heroin and prescription opioids contribute to drug overdose deaths in Wisconsin, they are not the number one cause of accidental or preventable death in the state. According to the latest available data, falls, motor vehicle deaths, and drug overdose deaths (including heroin and prescription opioids) are tied for second place as causes of accidental death in Wisconsin. Therefore, the claim that heroin and prescription opioids are the top cause of accidental or preventable death in Wisconsin is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Well, right now, the biggest public safety issue we face is the heroin and prescription opioid problem. It is the number one cause of accidental or preventable death in Wisconsin. It surpassed traffic crashes quite a few years ago already.\"","Is it true that overdoses from heroin or prescription opioids not only outnumber traffic fatalities, but are the top cause of accidental deaths in Wisconsin?","He told us he meant to say that the number of all drug overdose deaths in Wisconsin -- not just heroin and prescription opioid deaths -- exceed the number of motor vehicle deaths and are the top cause of accidental deaths.","Schimel acknowledged to us that he misspoke and in fact opioid deaths are down the list. The latest figures, for 2012, show falls was the leading causes of accidental death in Wisconsin. Tied for second were motor vehicle deaths and drug overdose of all types -- including 511 deaths from heroin or prescription opioids."]},{"id":"5819.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romneys comments indicated he would not have pursued Osama bin Laden.","reason":"Reason: Mitt Romney's statement, as cited in the Obama campaign ad, does suggest that he did not prioritize the singular focus on capturing Osama bin Laden. However, it is important to note that this does not necessarily mean that Romney would not have pursued bin Laden at all. The statement should be understood in the context of Romney's broader approach to counterterrorism and his belief in a comprehensive strategy beyond targeting one individual. Therefore, while it is accurate to say that Romney's comments indicated a different approach, it would be misleading to definitively claim that he would not have pursued Osama bin Laden.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["An Obama campaign ad suggested Mitt Romney wouldn\u2019t have agressively pursued Osama bin Laden by citing Romney's statement that, \"It's not worth moving heaven and earth and spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person.\"","A Web ad from President Barack Obama\u2019s campaign about the death of Osama bin Laden asks, \"Which path would Mitt Romney have taken?\"","\"This is a global effort we're going to have to lead to overcome this jihadist effort. It's more than Osama bin Laden.","That suggests Romney was criticizing Democrats for focusing too much on the al-Qaida leader rather than the full organization and would have aggressively pursued bin Laden in the context of a larger antiterror strategy."]},{"id":"10995.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As governor, Maggie Hassan first proposed a $1 billion spending increase.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Maggie Hassan proposed a budget that included a $1 billion increase in spending, it is important to provide additional context. The majority of this increase came from federal grants and other sources of revenue, not from the state's general fund. When looking specifically at the general fund, the proposed increase was around $184 million, which represents a 7.1 percent increase. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important details that provide a more accurate picture of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Maggie Hassan has a spending problem,\" the spot\u2019s narrator says, in a web ad viewed more than 27,000 times. \"As governor, Hassan first proposed a $1 billion spending increase.\"","Multiple ads from Impact America Action state that \"As governor, Hassan first proposed a $1 billion spending increase.\" The reality is more complicated. There was a spending increase of $1 billion in her proposal, but nearly half of that amount came from the federal government, and much of the rest came from other sources of revenue. Only about $184 million -- one fifth of the total increased spending -- came from the general fund.","The ad cherry-picked the most all-encompassing number -- total spending, including federal grants. (It also was careful enough not to claim claim that Hassan proposed hiking taxes by $1 billion or raising spending $1 billion more from the general fund. Both claims would have been entirely untrue.)","When politicians debate the budget, though, they generally talk about general fund spending, because that\u2019s the pot of money most directly controlled by the state. Looking at that fund alone, Hassan\u2019s budget proposed an increase of about $184 million. That\u2019s up \"7.1 percent, from more than $2.6 billion to nearly $2.8 billion,\" according to Concord Monitor reporting."]},{"id":"5818.json","label":"false","statement":"Just on Jan. 1 of this year, there were 40,000 new laws put on the books in one day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While Ron Paul claimed that 40,000 new laws were put on the books on January 1st of a particular year, there is no credible evidence to support this claim. The available data on new laws and regulations do not align with this figure. In reality, the number of new laws enacted on a single day is typically much lower. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In addition to saying that the nation has \"too much tyranny,\" the Lake Jackson congressman criticized the number of people behind bars, saying he doesn\u2019t think that\u2019s a reflection of how \"bad\" Americans are. His explanation: \"I think we have way too many laws on the books is what I think. Just on Jan. 1 of this year, there were 40,000 new laws put on the books in one day.\"","In an April 10, 2012, speech at Texas A&M University, Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul, the U.S. House member from Lake Jackson, said the nation is moving in the wrong direction, adding that the country has too many laws. \"Just on Jan. 1 of this year, there were 40,000 new laws put on the books in one day,\" Paul said.","\"I say we have way too many laws on the books. First, along with the National Defense Authorization Act on January first, there were forty thousand new laws placed on our books,\" Paul said. \"Now, what I would like to be is the first president to get rid of forty thousand useless laws.\" (President Barack Obama signed the defense act into law on Jan. 5, 2012.)","Adding the number of proposed rules doesn\u2019t bring the total much closer to 40,000. In 2011, according to the data, there were 2,898 proposed rules, for a new and proposed regulation total of 6,705. And, again, that\u2019s for the whole year, not a single day."]},{"id":"9450.json","label":"true","statement":"At the beginning of World War II, we had a relatively small army, smaller than Portugals.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Historical evidence confirms that at the beginning of World War II, the United States had a relatively small army, which was indeed smaller than Portugal's army. This fact has been supported by historical articles and experts in the field. The comparison highlights the significant military build-up and transformation that occurred during the war under the leadership of President Franklin Roosevelt.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Paxton, a McKinney state senator, didn\u2019t call for a Texas-wide arms build-up, but he offered an analogy to war. \"Think about the greatest generation and World War II,\" Paxton said. \"At the beginning of World War II, we had a relatively small army ... smaller than Portugal\u2019s. And yet we put together a military that fought on two fronts against two great superpowers. In the midst of dire circumstances,\" Paxton said, adding: \"Texas has that same opportunity.\"","The U.S. Army was relatively small at the war\u2019s outset and the army itself has said the army was smaller than the army for Portugal. We rate this statement as True.","To our inquiry, Paxton consultant Anthony Holm pointed out a historian\u2019s July 22, 2010, article on President Franklin Roosevelt and Great Britain in WW II. David Woolner wrote that in June 1939, which was three months before England declared war on Germany, \"the roughly 180,000-man U.S. Army ranked 19th in the world--smaller than Portugal\u2019s!\"","Woolner, a senior fellow at the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, told us by email his pre-war comparison to Portugal has appeared in many books over decades. \"I should also point out here that the small size of the U.S. Army in 1938-39 is sometimes referenced as being ranked 17th in the world, sometimes listed as smaller than Belgium, etc. it depends to a certain extent when the comparison is being made.,\" Woolner said. \"The main point is that in the interwar years, the U.S. Congress and public were very isolationist, and the United States was not the same sort of world leader it is today. That change came under Franklin Roosevelt, who orchestrated the largest military build-up in world history.\""]},{"id":"7651.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a gun bill before the Senate is proposing the universal registration of all firearms and their owners.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The gun bill before the Senate, S. 649, does not propose the universal registration of all firearms and their owners. While the bill does expand background checks for most gun transfers, federal rules prohibit the government from retaining records of successful background checks for more than a day. The claim of universal registration is not supported by credible evidence and has been debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Still, he says, \"it's incorrect to assert that S. 649 is proposing the universal registration of all firearms and their owners.\"","So what does the Arizona Citizens Defense League say about its claim that the bill \"is proposing the universal registration of all firearms and their owners\"?","The message urges readers to contact their senators, warning: \"In reality S. 649 is proposing the universal registration of all firearms and their owners.\"","An email circulated to Arizona residents claims a bill before the Senate \"is proposing the universal registration of all firearms and their owners.\" The bill expands background checks to most gun transfers. But federal rules forbid the government from keeping a record of successful background checks for more than a day. The ACLU argues it\u2019s possible the bill creates a new type of record for some sales that may not be subject to the ban, but that\u2019s not the same thing as \"universal registration of all firearms and their owners.\" We rate the claim False."]},{"id":"8330.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Up to half of all Americans have a pre-existing condition.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that up to half of all Americans have a pre-existing condition. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the study and the specific conditions considered, multiple sources confirm that a significant portion of the population has pre-existing conditions. The range of estimates typically falls between 19 percent and 50 percent, with the highest estimate being used by President Obama. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and is technically accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Half of all adults have a pre-existing condition that will go away in terms of insurance coverage on January 1st,\" Schakowsky said. \"I mean, what a blessing that is for sick Americans, for people who are walking around uninsured or underinsured.\"","When Obama said as many as half of all Americans have a pre-existing condition, he was describing the number of people who have heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, mental illness or any of a number of other maladies. It was a statement about the prevalence of those illnesses across the population.","Obama said up to half of all Americans have a pre-existing condition. A government study put the range at 19 percent to 50 percent. Most other studies suggest the percentage is less than 50 percent. The president relied on the highest estimate but qualified his claim by saying \"up to\" which is technically accurate.","Schakowsky said that half of all adults suffer from a pre-existing condition. Studies reflect a range of estimates and Schakowsky\u2019s figure falls at the high end. A government analysis points to a mid-range estimate of 32 percent, a significant fraction of the adult population."]},{"id":"8645.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Defensive medicine costs Georgia up to $14 billion a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Doctors for a Healthy Georgia and Patients for Fair Compensation that defensive medicine costs Georgia up to $14 billion annually. However, it's important to note that there are varying estimates on the economic impact of defensive medicine, and other reports suggest the impact may be lower. The wide-ranging estimates highlight the lack of consensus on the exact cost of defensive medicine in Georgia. Therefore, while the statement is based on one estimate, it should be understood that there is some uncertainty surrounding the precise figure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["To sum up, Doctors for a Healthy Georgia said defensive medicine costs Georgia up to $14 billion a year. The estimate is on target if you rely on some reports. Other reports would suggest the impact to Georgia is far less. Everyone agrees the economic impact estimates are wide-ranging.","\"We know that an overwhelming number of Georgia physicians practice defensive medicine,\" Wayne Oliver, executive director of Patients for Fair Compensation, said on the organization\u2019s website. \"In Georgia alone, the practice of defensive medicine costs up to $14 billion annually.\"","Oliver\u2019s team forwarded us a 2012 report that examined the economics of defensive medicine in Georgia. The report, by a German-based team of researchers done for Patients for Fair Compensation, looked at two studies on the economic impact of defensive medicine in this state. The annual figures ranged from $14 billion to $22 billion.","Jackson Healthcare leaders multiplied federal estimates of health care costs ($2.6 trillion) times the 26 percent estimate from the physicians surveyed to conclude that defensive medicine could cost this country at least $650 billion a year. Georgia represents about 3 percent of the nation\u2019s population. If the Jackson Healthcare estimate is correct, Georgia\u2019s share of annual defensive medicine costs is approximately $19.5 billion, which is halfway between the estimates in the report cited by Oliver."]},{"id":"9104.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia has recovered more than $60 million that was lost to Medicaid fraud","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Georgia has indeed recovered more than $60 million that was lost to Medicaid fraud. Documentation provided to the federal government confirms that Georgia has recovered a total of $159.4 million in both federal and state funds over a period of three years. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Our conclusion: Georgia has submitted documentation to the feds that it has recovered $159.4 million lost to Medicaid fraud in three years in both federal and state money. Lindsey was very conservative in saying the amount recouped was \"more than $60 million.\"","\"Since the implementation of the original Medicaid False Claims Act, which I sponsored in 2007, Georgia has recovered more than $60 million in the last three years alone,\" Lindsey, a Republican, said in a press release issued March 20.","But has the state recouped more than $60 million in three years as Lindsey claims? We decided a truth test was in order.","Otherwise, Georgia could lose what\u2019s effectively a 10 percent bonus for recovering fraudulently lost federal funds. In the last three years, that 10 percent brought $11.6 million to the state, according to DCH data."]},{"id":"11222.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rhode Island will become just the second state to mandate the vaccine and the only state to do so by regulatory fiat, without public debate, and without consideration from the elected representatives of the people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the source that Rhode Island will be the second state to mandate the vaccine. However, the claim that Rhode Island is the only state to do so \"by regulatory fiat, without public debate, and without consideration from the elected representatives of the people\" lacks context. While it is true that the requirement was not adopted by elected representatives, it is important to note that the decision may have involved input from public health officials, experts, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the claim of \"regulatory fiat\" and lack of public debate may not fully capture the decision-making process and considerations taken into account by Rhode Island authorities. Therefore, the statement should be regarded with some caution and may not provide a complete representation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Rhode Island will become just the second state to mandate the vaccine \u2026 and the only state to do so by regulatory fiat, without public debate, and without consideration from the elected representatives of the people.\"","The center says \"Rhode Island will become just the second state to mandate the vaccine \u2026 and the only state to do so by regulatory fiat, without public debate, and without consideration from the elected representatives of the people.\"","But what about the center\u2019s claim that Rhode Island imposed the requirement by \"regulatory fiat, without public debate, and without consideration from the elected representatives of the people\"?","It was right about Rhode Island being the second state and it was right that the requirement was not adopted by \"the elected representatives of the people.\""]},{"id":"4936.json","label":"false","statement":"Only one president has ever cut Medicare for seniors in this country . . . Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Romney, claiming that only Barack Obama has ever cut Medicare for seniors, is false. Several presidents throughout history have implemented measures to control Medicare spending, including reductions in certain benefits. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) signed by President Obama actually expanded some Medicare benefits. Therefore, Romney's statement is inaccurate and does not align with the historical record.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Let's not forget, only one president has ever cut Medicare for seniors in this country, and it's Barack Obama,\" Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, said in a Republican presidential debate on Dec. 10, 2011.","We reviewed this history in detail in a fact-check of Romney\u2019s statement from December, \"Only one president has ever cut Medicare for seniors in this country . . . Barack Obama.\" We rated that False. Many presidents have sought to rein in Medicare spending.","Which brings us to the next point. We note that, in the debate, Romney specified that Obama cut Medicare \"for seniors.\" That sounds like he meant that Obama cut Medicare benefits.","Further, by specifying that Obama cut Medicare \"for seniors,\" Romney seems to mean that the president slashed benefits, not just the program\u2019s spending. That\u2019s even more egregious. Other presidents have made changes to Medicare that reduced benefits for seniors, while the health care law Obama signed actually increases them. That\u2019s a lot of inaccuracy in a single sentence. We rate Romney\u2019s statement False."]},{"id":"4754.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Georgia, hard-earned lottery dollars are doled out to the scion[s] of wealthy families.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns raised by Rainbow\/PUSH regarding the distribution of lottery funds in Georgia. According to their statement, the organization believes that lottery dollars are being allocated to the children of wealthy families. While there is no specific evidence provided to support this claim, it is worth noting that some experts and scratch-off players interviewed by PolitiFact Georgia acknowledged that children from wealthy families do benefit from the Georgia Lottery's HOPE program at higher rates. However, it is important to conduct further research to determine the extent of this disparity and the factors contributing to it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In a state where both U.S. senators proudly voted against health care reform ... where hard-earned lottery dollars are doled out to the scions of wealthy families, targeting Mayor Reed seems wasteful and naive,\" Rainbow\/PUSH\u2019s statement said.","Wait a second, we thought. What\u2019s this about the scions of wealthy families getting lottery dollars? This makes Georgia sound like a bumbling Robin Hood, taking from the poor and giving to the rich.","\"Do the children of really wealthy families get HOPE? Probably yes,\" Mustard said. \"And really poor families do, too. But wealthy families do get it at higher rates.\"","PolitiFact Georgia also talked to several hard-core Georgia Lottery scratch-off players. They all agreed that getting a free ticket should be considered a win. Their reasoning was a bit cynical and went something like this: You generally expect to get hosed when you play the lottery. If you don\u2019t, due to a free ticket, you are ahead of the game. A winner. Sort of."]},{"id":"2031.json","label":"false","statement":"Rhode Island voters are moving away from the Democratic party to non-affiliation","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not mention anything about Rhode Island voters moving away from the Democratic party to non-affiliation. The evidence discusses topics such as the use of the Moderate Party master lever mechanism, the legality of taking guns away from young individuals, and voter identification laws. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"More than 9,000 Rhode Island voters used the Moderate Party master lever mechanism and they didn't have a single Moderate on their ballot.\"","Right now, if Rhode Island police come across a young person with a gun, \"they really don't legally have the right to take it away from them.\"","Over the past few years, several states have enacted voter-identification laws that Republicans claim will help prevent voter fraud and Democrats claim will disenfranchise poor and minority -- and mostly Democratic -- voters.","\"One of the first states in the union to pass a voter ID bill was Rhode Island, 85 percent Democratic legislature.\""]},{"id":"6850.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Obama has doubled the deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama has doubled the deficit is false. Multiple fact-checking sources have confirmed that the deficit under President Obama did not double. In fact, the deficit decreased slightly during his tenure. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing fiscal matters, and in this case, the claim that President Obama doubled the deficit is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Mitt Romney said that President Barack Obama doubled the deficit on his watch. But that's not correct. !Mitt Romney said that President Barack Obama doubled the deficit on his watch. But that's not correct.","\"Barack Obama has doubled, during his fairly short period of years, he\u2019s doubled our national debt. Doubled it. It\u2019s going to be close to $20 trillion when he leaves,\" Trump told supporters at a Sept. 6 rally in Virginia Beach.","Romney said that Obama has \"doubled\" the deficit. In reality, using the most appropriate comparison, he and Congress have actually decreased the deficit slightly. We rate Romney\u2019s statement False.","Says John Quincy Adams said, \"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.\""]},{"id":"8806.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says David Jollys former firm lobbied for hundreds of millions (of dollars) for a dictator in Pakistan.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the campaign ad that David Jolly's former firm, Van Scoyoc Associates Inc., lobbied for \"hundreds of millions (of dollars)\" for former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who is described as a dictator. While the ad does not directly accuse Jolly himself of lobbying for Pakistan, it implies guilt by association. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or context regarding the specific lobbying activities or the nature of the funds involved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a campaign ad, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee accused his former firm, Van Scoyoc Associates Inc., of lobbying \"for hundreds of millions (of dollars) for a dictator in Pakistan.\"","The ad refers to a quote from Jolly saying \"I\u2019m proud of the work that I\u2019ve done.\" It then asks a hypothetical: \"Is Jolly proud of lobbying for special interests that received over $3,000,000 in taxpayer-funded earmarks? Or the firm lobbying for hundreds of millions for a dictator in Pakistan as we face record debt?\" These charges are paired with images of Pervez Musharraf, the former president of Pakistan.","On the other hand, the ad phrases its allegation carefully. It doesn\u2019t claim that Jolly himself lobbied for Pakistan, but rather that his former employer, Van Scoyoc Associates Inc., did. And on that point, the ad is correct. So too, experts say, is the ad\u2019s description of Musharraf as a dictator.","The dictator in the ad was former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, and experts we talked to agreed with describing him as a dictator. The ad used guilt by association, but was careful not to claim Jolly himself lobbied for the country, which he never did."]},{"id":"2243.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most AGs dont go to court..","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that while attorneys general (AGs) may not frequently appear in court for everyday cases, they do have responsibilities that extend beyond courtroom appearances. AGs are more likely to be involved in higher-level court proceedings, such as cases before the U.S. Supreme Court or other higher courts. The statement that \"most AGs don't go to court\" may be an oversimplification, as AGs do engage in legal proceedings, albeit not as frequently as other legal professionals. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true, but it should be understood in the context of the specific duties and responsibilities of AGs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Benson said that \"most AGs don't appear in court.\" McCollum's AG office says he hasn't appeared in court and had no record of Crist appearing in court although we were able to find an example of a case in which Crist did appear. Butterworth said he might have gone to court 25 times in 16 years -- so less than twice a year. By looking at the three most recent examples in Florida, AGs rarely go to court -- but it does happen. So we give Benson a Mostly True.","\"Yesterday I was talking to somebody from General McCollum's team who said 'I think the last time he was in court was the late '70s,' '' Benson said. \"So most AGs don't go to court and it's not a primary requirement of the job.\"","Generally speaking, Lynch said AGs are seen in court when their office has a case before the U.S. Supreme Court or a higher court. But \"in the everyday drudgery of trying cases, going in front of the bar is more rare than not. It's too time consuming. You have too many other responsibilities.\"","\"Many times I sat second chair for a couple of hearings or Supreme Court arguments, but I never handled (the case) myself because it took two, three solid weeks to get prepared,\" Butterworth said. \"It's very hard as the AG of a large state to do that. A number of AGs do it, but relatively few.\""]},{"id":"10382.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Milwaukee incarcerates 1.2% of white men and has incarcerated over 50% of black men in their 30s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the left-wing activist group US Uncut regarding incarceration rates in Milwaukee. According to the information provided, Milwaukee does incarcerate 1.2% of white men, and over 50% of black men in their 30s have been incarcerated or are currently incarcerated. However, it's important to note that there is no corresponding figure provided for white men, so we cannot make a direct comparison between the two groups in terms of incarceration rates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Milwaukee, the posting says, \"incarcerates 1.2 percent of white men\" and has \"incarcerated over 50 percent of black men in their 30s.\"","The left-wing activist group US Uncut says in a Facebook meme that Milwaukee \"incarcerates 1.2 percent of white men\" and has \"incarcerated over 50 percent of black men in their 30s.\"","The second part of the claim essentially quotes the study accurately -- more than 50 percent of black men in their 30s in Milwaukee County were or had been incarcerated. But there is no corresponding figure for white men.","The second part of the claim essentially quotes the study accurately -- more than 50 percent of black men in their 30s in Milwaukee County were or had been incarcerated over time. But there is no corresponding figure for white men."]},{"id":"5778.json","label":"true","statement":"In the past three years, weve added enough new oil and gas pipeline to circle the Earth and then some.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement is accurate in terms of the mileage of oil and gas pipelines added in the United States during his administration. The fact-check confirms that the country has indeed added enough pipeline in the last three years to circle the Earth \"and then some.\" However, it's important to note that this includes not only large interstate transmission lines but also smaller pipes that collect gas from groups of wells. While the statement is true, it's crucial to recognize that the expansion of oil and gas pipelines is influenced by various factors, including industry decisions and supply and demand dynamics, which are not solely determined by the actions of the President.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There are politicians who say that if we just drilled more, then gas prices would come down right away. What they don\u2019t say is that we have been drilling more. Under my administration, America is producing more oil than at any time in the last eight years. We\u2019ve opened up new areas for exploration. We've quadrupled the number of operating rigs to a record high. We've added enough new oil and gas pipeline to circle the Earth and then some,\" Obama said, with a nod to middle-school science class.","We've been hearing a lot about oil production recently and have checked several statements from Obama and Republicans on the matter. Here, we decided to check something we haven't heard before -- that the United States has added enough oil and gas pipeline to circle the Earth since Obama took office.","Obama said the U.S. has added enough pipeline in the last three years to circle the Earth \"and then some.\" He is right about the mileage, though it includes not just large interstate transmission lines but also small pipes that collect gas from groups of wells and feed to the larger lines. But those pipelines are a link in the grid, and Obama didn't specify only large transmission pipeline.","For some perspective, we looked at the miles added during the last three years of George W. Bush's presidency. They tell a wholly different story: 63,243 new miles of small natural gas distrbution lines -- more than Obama's overall total. But crude oil? Just 756 miles. Petroleum products: 808 fewer miles in 2005 than in 2007. We're not suggesting Obama has done better than Bush in this regard. The comparison simply reinforces the point that oil and gas supply and demand, and the industry's response to it, results from decisions made far from the White House."]},{"id":"687.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama is the Senate's \"most liberal.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obama is the Senate's \"most liberal\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Obama had a liberal voting record in one specific rating for one year, it is incorrect to claim that he held the title of \"most liberal\" throughout his entire time in the Senate. In other years and according to other ratings, Obama's liberal ranking varied, and he was not consistently ranked as the most liberal senator. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the full context of Obama's voting record.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["If McCain had made a more general statement about Obama's ideology, he could have been more accurate. But McCain's statement that Obama \"has the most liberal voting record in the United States Senate,\" suggests it is a cumulative rating for all of Obama's time in the Senate. But in fact, it is true for only one rating for one year. Measurements for other years and by other groups show Obama is not the No. 1 liberal \u2014 in some cases, far from No. 1. So we find McCain's statement to be Barely True.","He wasn't the top liberal in his two other years in the U.S. Senate according to National Journal . He was 10th-most liberal in 2006 and 16th in 2005.","\"Senator Obama has the most liberal voting record in the United States Senate,\" McCain said. \"It's hard to reach across the aisle from that far to the left.\"","Obama complained about the way National Journal categorizes votes as liberal or conservative. He said he disagreed, for example, with the judgment of the magazine that his vote to establish a Senate office of public integrity should be considered a liberal vote."]},{"id":"7238.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The fiscal cliff deal ultimately raised taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The fiscal cliff deal did result in some tax increases compared to prior policy, but it also included provisions that lowered taxes compared to prior law. While it is accurate to say that taxes were raised as a result of the deal, it is important to acknowledge the nuanced nature of the changes and the fact that the impact varied depending on income thresholds and specific tax categories. Therefore, the statement is accurate but lacks important details and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This means Price\u2019s statement that the fiscal cliff deal \"ultimately raised taxes\" is Half True. It is accurate but leaves out important details.","\"My assessment was that it ultimately raised taxes and didn\u2019t decrease any spending. In fact, it increased spending,\" Price said during a Jan. 2 interview on WMAL-FM, a Washington-area radio station.","Obama also vowed to increase capital gains and dividends taxes from 15 percent to 20 percent for those making more than $250,000 (for couples) or $200,000 (for individuals). The fiscal cliff bill raised those taxes to 20 percent, but only for taxpayers earning $400,000 (for individuals) or $450,000 (for couples) and up. So the deal executed most of what Obama promised on capital gains and dividends, but it did so only above a higher income threshold. We rate this a Compromise.","This brings us to the unsatisfying conclusion that Price is right and wrong. The fiscal cliff deal raises taxes compared with prior policy, but it lowered them compared with prior law."]},{"id":"11580.json","label":"true","statement":"When President Barack Obama said ISIS, or ISIL, was contained, he was responding very specifically to the geographic expansion of ISIL in Iraq and Syria.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the context in which President Obama made the comment about ISIS being contained. According to Ben Rhodes, a former Obama administration official, the president's statement was in reference to the geographic expansion of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The intention was to highlight the success in halting the group's territorial advances and reclaiming significant amounts of territory in those regions. However, it's important to note that this statement does not imply that the threat posed by ISIS has been completely eliminated, as they still have aspirations to project power overseas.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rhodes said that when Obama said ISIS was contained, he \"was responding very specifically to the geographic expansion of ISIL in Iraq and Syria.\"","\"The president was responding very specifically to the geographic expansion of ISIL in Iraq and Syria,\" Rhodes said, using another acronym for the group. \"A year ago, we saw them on the march in Iraq and Syria, taking more and more population centers. The fact is that we have been able to stop that geographic advance and take back significant amounts of territory in both northern Iraq and northern Syria. At the same time, that does not diminish the fact that there is a threat posed by ISIL, not just in those countries but in their aspirations to project power overseas.\"","In the context of Obama\u2019s Nov. 12 interview with Stephanopoulos -- the day before the Paris attacks -- it\u2019s actually quite clear that when he says ISIS is contained, he is talking about ISIS\u2019s territorial expansion in Syria and Iraq. Here are the relevant parts of the interview:","When Obama said \"we have contained them,\" it\u2019s within a plainly defined scope: ISIS\u2019s territorial ambitions in Iraq and Syria. This context is bolstered by the fact that Stephanopoulos asks Obama about the ground efforts in those two countries."]},{"id":"3454.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Eleven years ago, the city of Detroit lifted the residency requirement for police officers and today, 53 percent of officers live outside of the city. If we want the tax base of Milwaukee to resemble the tax base of Detroit, this is the way to go.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett that 53 percent of police officers in Detroit live outside of the city after the residency requirement was lifted. The statement also suggests that if Milwaukee were to follow a similar path and lift the residency requirement, it could potentially lead to a tax base resembling that of Detroit. However, it's important to note that the impact on the tax base is a complex issue influenced by various factors beyond just the residency requirement for police officers. While the statement accurately presents the claim made by Mayor Barrett, it should be understood that the relationship between residency requirements and the tax base is not a straightforward one.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Eleven years ago, the city of Detroit lifted the residency requirement for police officers and today, 53 percent of officers live outside of the city,\" said Barrett. \"If we want the tax base of Milwaukee to resemble the tax base of Detroit, this is the way to go.\"","Facing an uphill fight to preserve a requirement that police officers live in the city, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is invoking Detroit -- perhaps America\u2019s No. 1 symbol of urban decay.","Philadelphia, for example, requires five years on the force before officers can live outside the city; St. Louis makes it seven.","Barrett notes that less than a decade after Detroit dropped residency, less than half its police force still lives in the city -- and in the same breath ties the change to the \"decimated\" state of Detroit\u2019s tax base."]},{"id":"1559.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas is the fastest growing state with the most Fortune 500 companies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Texas did have the most Fortune 500 companies in 2009, with a total of 64, surpassing other states like New York and California. However, when it comes to being the \"fastest-growing state,\" the claim lacks precision. While Texas did experience significant population growth during that time, it is important to note that the term \"fastest-growing\" can be measured in different ways, such as percentage growth or numerical growth. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that Texas had substantial population growth rather than definitively claiming it was the \"fastest-growing state.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["After winning the Republican gubernatorial primary in March 2010, Perry posted a cinematic Web video on his campaign site that listed more than 20 accomplishments. Readers got a twofer when we checked whether Texas is the \"fastest-growing state\" with the \"most Fortune 500 companies.\"","The \"Leader\" video, set to rock music, shows stampeding horses, standing ovations and a glamour shot of Perry. More than 20 proclaimed accomplishments flash by on the screen including two claims PolitiFact Texas hadn't previously checked \u2014 that Texas has the \"most Fortune 500 companies\" and that it's the \"fastest-growing state.\"","Every year, Fortune magazine ranks the top 500 U.S. companies by revenue. In 2009, Texas was home to the most companies in the compilation, topped by Exxon Mobil, which had more than $442 billion, and also including behemoths such as ConocoPhillips, AT&T and Valero Energy. In 2009, Texas was the hostess with the mostest, with 64 Fortune 500 companies; Texas also topped the list in 2006 and 2008. New York and California were home to 56 and 51 companies, respectively, in 2009.","Bernstein said: \"You might want to say Texas had the highest numerical growth in the country, rather than (it) was the fastest-growing state.\""]},{"id":"955.json","label":"false","statement":"Look, the earmarks have come down significantly, 75 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, claiming that earmarks have decreased by 75 percent is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations, have found no reasonable basis to back up this claim. The reduction in earmarks has been acknowledged, but the actual decrease is significantly lower than the 75 percent figure mentioned by Orszag. Therefore, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On CNN's \"State of the Union\" on March 8, Peter Orszag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said, \"Look, the earmarks have come down significantly, 75 percent.\"","The total amount of last year's earmarks represented a 23 percent reduction from the high water mark in 2005, according to TCS. The slight reduction this year would add a couple percentage points to that. But in no way does it come anywhere near the reduction of 75 or 80 percent that Orszag and Schumer cited.","Most everyone agrees that earmarks have gone down with Democrats at the helm, but we haven't found any source to reasonably back up claims that earmarks have declined anywhere near 75 or 80 percent.","At any rate, the Appropriations Committee numbers suggest less than a 50 percent reduction \u2014 not 75 or 80 percent. We don't know where Orszag and Schumer got their numbers. And they aren't saying. At least not to us. But the authorities on this matter say their calculations are bunk. We agree. And we rule the statements False."]},{"id":"2151.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Dave Aronberg was the first to demand that BP create a billion-dollar fund to pay for the devastation.","reason":"Reason: While Dave Aronberg did call for a billion-dollar escrow fund to be established to address the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster, it is not accurate to claim that he was the first to make this demand. Florida Congressman Jeff Miller had already made a similar request two days prior to Aronberg's letter. Therefore, Aronberg's statement is not entirely true. It would have been more accurate for him to specify that he was the first state legislator to make this demand. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In the wake of the April 20, 2010, Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, Florida politicians have been boasting about their own responses to the disaster. State Sen. Dave Aronberg, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, said in a campaign mailer that hit mailboxes this week that he \"was the first to demand that BP create a billion-dollar fund to pay for the devastation.\"","\"But really, McCollum followed the lead of state Sen. Dave Aronberg, a Democrat running for attorney general,\" Naked Politics wrote. \"In a May 5 letter to Gov. Charlie Crist, Aronberg wrote that 'Florida should be insisting that an interest-bearing escrow account be established, under the control of the Cabinet or CFO, with each responsible party in this disaster committing a share to total $1 billion.' (The total is smaller than the one McCollum proposed, but it was also much earlier in the crisis.)\"","Dave Aronberg is a former state senator from Palm Beach County who campaigned to be Florida Attorney General and was defeated in the Democratic Primary on Aug. 24, 2010. He was elected Palm Beach State Attorney in 2012.","Aronberg said he was the \"first\" to call for a $1 billion escrow fund but didn't define first -- although his campaign said that meant first state legislator or Cabinet member. There's no certain way to rule Aronberg first among state legislators without contacting every legislator. We didn't find anything showing any Cabinet members demanding an escrow fund before Aronberg, who wrote his letter May 5. We did find evidence that Florida Congressman Jeff Miller asked for an escrow fund May 3. Aronberg should have been more precise in his mailer, such as \"first state legislator.\" For that omission, we give him a Half True."]},{"id":"3070.json","label":"false","statement":"Says 2010 was the worst year ever for Americas doctors reimbursed by Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Burgess that 2010 was the worst year ever for doctors reimbursed by Medicare is not supported by the evidence. While there were concerns and uncertainties surrounding Medicare rates during that time, the rates actually increased slightly in 2010 and were scheduled to remain stable. The claim lacks objective evidence to support the assertion that it was the worst year ever for doctors. It is important to consider the perceptions and experiences of physicians, but in terms of objective data, there is no basis to label 2010 as the worst year for doctors reimbursed by Medicare.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"This is the worst year ever for America\u2019s doctors who are reimbursed under the Medicare system,\" Burgess said Dec. 28. \"2010 will go down as a year in infamy. It may have gotten a little bit better right at the end of the year, but it\u2019s ... a system that itself is on life support.\"","Hold the stethoscope. So Medicare rates actually went down in 2002 and stayed flat from 2005 through 2007 -- yet Burgess ranks 2010, when rates eventually rose, as the worst year ever for doctors. How come?","Our finding: Hitches in congressional action on an anticipated big cut in Medicare rates surely contributed to physicians\u2019 financial worries in 2010. However, their rates increased slightly at mid-year and the increase is scheduled to hold through this year. It\u2019s difficult to see how that makes 2010 the worst year ever for Medicare doctors compared to 2002, when rates went down, and some subsequent years when rates were frozen.","On whether 2010 was \"the worst year ever,\" Levine said \"most Texas physicians would say the constant threat of a 20 (to) 25 percent cut was what made this year so exasperating.\" He added later by e-mail: \"The constant uncertainty over a much, much larger cut combined with five weeks of held payments made it bad, very bad. What we're talking about here is physicians' perceptions, which can't be measured as objectively as you're trying to do.\""]},{"id":"6955.json","label":"false","statement":"Regulations have quadrupled. The rate of regulations quadrupled under this president.","reason":"Reason: The statement that regulations have quadrupled and the rate of regulations has quadrupled under President Obama is not supported by the evidence. While Romney may have based his claim on a Heritage study, it is important to note that the study's methodology and timeframe were not accurately represented. The actual data on regulations over the past 18 years does not show a significant increase under President Obama. Additionally, experts have pointed out that the use of the term \"rate of regulations\" implies a specific timeframe, and the Heritage study compared regulations over a three-year period, not the entire presidency. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Romney said that regulations and the rate of regulations quadrupled under Obama. He was basing that on the Heritage study, but he did not include important caveats about how the study was conducted.","James Gattuso, an author of the Heritage report, said Romney\u2019s use of the phrase \"rate of regulations\" seemed to be an effort to distinguish between all regulations and new regulations approved under a president. \"Rate\" implies a time frame. Heritage made comparisons about regulations over a three-year period.","And more importantly, the actual data on regulations show Obama's rate of regulations is no different from the past 18 years.","Asked by one of the town hall participants about outsourcing, Romney gave his prescription for keeping jobs in the United States. First he spoke about the corporate tax rate, which he believes is too high and prevents job creation. Then he turned to regulations."]},{"id":"5137.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mitt Romney is worth at least a quarter billion dollars and the bulk of his wealth remains in blind trusts and overseas bank accounts.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney's net worth is estimated to be between $190 million to $250 million, the claim that the bulk of his wealth remains in blind trusts and overseas bank accounts is not well-supported. The evidence suggests that only a relatively small share of Romney's wealth is held in overseas accounts. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Romney's net worth -- Finally, the \"King of Bain\" video said Romney is worth \"at least a quarter billion dollars\" and the bulk of his wealth \"remains in blind trusts and overseas bank accounts.\" Romney\u2019s wealth likely ranges somewhere between $190 million to $250 million. But we didn\u2019t find good evidence that \"the bulk\" of Romney\u2019s money is in overseas accounts. In fact, the documents we reviewed suggested a relatively small share of Romney\u2019s wealth is overseas. We rated that claim Half True.","Winning Our Future\u2019s movie puts Romney\u2019s personal fortune at $250 million and says most of it \"remains in blind trusts and overseas bank accounts.\"","So the King of Bain narrator\u2019s statement that Romney is now worth \"somewhere over a quarter of a billion dollars\" goes right for the high end of the range cited by the Washington Post. But the actual amount could be considerably less.","But the super PAC didn't provide, and we didn't find, good evidence that \"the bulk\" of Romney\u2019s money is in overseas accounts. His tax returns show he previously had a Swiss account and that he made almost $3 million in foreign income in 2010. But the tax returns and financial disclosures indicate that a relatively small share of Romney\u2019s wealth is overseas. Taken all together, we rate the claim Half True."]},{"id":"7863.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Barbara Buono by the numbers: As a Trenton politician, she voted to raise taxes 154 times. Under her, property taxes up 70 percent. Backed a 16 percent sales tax increase. Utilities, nursing homes, cell phones, parking lots, lottery wins, gyms She taxed them all. Architect of Corzines budget, she drove New Jersey $2 billion into debt. Barbara Buono by the numbers: taking New Jersey backwards.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the ad and the provided evidence. According to the ad and the list of votes provided, Barbara Buono, as a Trenton politician, voted to raise taxes 154 times. Property taxes increased by 70 percent under her, and she supported a 16 percent sales tax increase. The ad also claims that she taxed utilities, nursing homes, cell phones, parking lots, lottery wins, and gyms. Additionally, it states that she was the architect of Corzine's budget, which resulted in New Jersey accumulating $2 billion in debt. However, it's important to note that Buono was not the sole legislator responsible for these tax increases, as other legislators also supported them. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Barbara Buono by the numbers: As a Trenton politician, she voted to raise taxes 154 times. Under her, property taxes up 70 percent. Backed a 16 percent sales tax increase. Utilities, nursing homes, cell phones, parking lots, lottery wins, gyms \u2013 She taxed them all. Architect of Corzine\u2019s budget, she drove New Jersey $2 billion into debt. Barbara Buono by the numbers: taking New Jersey backwards.\"","An ad from the RGA claims, \"Barbara Buono by the numbers: As a Trenton politician, she voted to raise taxes 154 times. Under her, property taxes up 70 percent. Backed a 16 percent sales tax increase. Utilities, nursing homes, cell phones, parking lots, lottery wins, gyms \u2013 She taxed them all. Architect of Corzine\u2019s budget, she drove New Jersey $2 billion into debt. Barbara Buono by the numbers: taking New Jersey backwards.\"","\"Barbara Buono by the numbers: As a Trenton politician, she voted to raise taxes 154 times,\" a narrator states during the ad. \"Under her, property taxes up 70 percent. Backed a 16 percent sales tax increase. Utilities, nursing homes, cell phones, parking lots, lottery wins, gyms \u2013 She taxed them all. Architect of Corzine\u2019s budget, she drove New Jersey $2 billion into debt. Barbara Buono by the numbers: taking New Jersey backwards.\"","And the ad is correct that those increases affected utilities, nursing homes, cell phones, parking lots, lottery wins and more, according to a list of votes provided by Republicans to PolitiFact New Jersey for the years that Buono has served in the Legislature. We confirmed every vote on the list, but Buono obviously wasn\u2019t the only legislator to support the increases."]},{"id":"395.json","label":"false","statement":"\"You don't even have to go outside Obama's campaign to find advisers who are anti-Israel.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While there have been allegations made by the Tennessee Republican Party that some of Obama's advisers are anti-Israel, these claims have been refuted by the Obama campaign. The campaign has stated that the individuals mentioned are not key advisers to Obama, and the majority of Obama's Middle East advisory team is described as centrists and pro-Israel. Therefore, the statement that one does not have to go outside Obama's campaign to find anti-Israel advisers is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You don't have to go outside Obama's campaign to find advisers who are anti-Israel,\" states Bill Hobbs, communications director for the Tennessee Republican Party, in the release. \"Robert Malley, a principal foreign policy adviser to Obama, has advocated negotiating with the Iranian-funded radical terrorist group Hamas and urged that Hamas \u2014 which sends suicide bombers to kill innocent women and children \u2014 receive international assistance.\"","A news release from the Tennessee Republican Party titled \"Anti-Semites For Obama\" seeks to cast doubt on Sen. Barack Obama's public pronouncements of support for Israel, alleging that some of the Obama campaign's key Middle East advisers are anti-Israel.","The allegations that Obama has surrounded himself with advisers who are anti-Israel are largely based on two men who, according to Obama's campaign, are simply not key advisers to Obama. Those who do comprise the heart of Obama's Middle East advisory team are described by most as centrists and pro-Israel. We rate the claim from the Tennessee Republican Party news release False.","Whether either is anti-Israel as described is a matter of opinion. More important, the Obama campaign claims neither is a formal adviser."]},{"id":"5475.json","label":"false","statement":"[R]emember, the president proposed eliminating charitable deductions for higher-income taxpayers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While President Obama did propose reducing the deduction for charitable contributions for higher-income taxpayers, there is no evidence to suggest that he proposed eliminating it entirely. The proposal aimed to reduce the deduction from 35 percent to 28 percent for the wealthiest income earners, not to completely eliminate it. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the extent of the proposed changes to charitable deductions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["About 45 minutes into his remarks, Santorum made this statement: \"Now we have an administration that\u2019s trying to wipe the decks. Yes, remember, the president proposed eliminating charitable deductions for higher-income taxpayers to cripple further these \u2026 churches and nonprofits.\"","Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jim Galloway reported the remarks in his Political Insider blog. PolitiFact Georgia wondered about this line about Obama\u2019s proposal to eliminate charitable deductions for higher-income taxpayers.","The president has proposed in his budget for fiscal year 2013 a reduction -- but not eliminating deductions for individuals making more than $200,000 a year or families reporting income greater than $250,000. The fiscal year will begins Oct. 1 and end Sept. 30, 2013.","The proposal is similar to other plans Obama has put forward since taking office in 2009, experts on the matter told PolitiFact Georgia. The president has talked about reducing the deduction for the wealthiest income earners from 35 percent to 28 percent. None could recall an outright proposal to completely eliminate the deductions for higher-income Americans."]},{"id":"6277.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney had millions in the Cayman Islands, a tax haven.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. It refers to the claim that Mitt Romney had millions of dollars in the Cayman Islands, which is a known tax haven. This claim was made in an Obama campaign ad and was rated as true by fact-checkers. While it is not illegal or improper to have investments in tax havens, the statement accurately reflects the assertion made about Romney's financial holdings.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He had millions in a Swiss bank account,\" the ad says, and in \"tax havens like Bermuda \u2026 and the Cayman Islands.\"","The exchange was a role reversal: An Obama campaign ad in July 2012 claimed Romney had millions in the Cayman Islands, among other \"tax havens.\" We rated that True, noting that nothing was illegal or improper about the investments through his blind trust.","David S. Miller, a tax attorney with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in New York, told PolitiFact that tax-exempt entities, including IRA accounts, sometimes invest through Cayman Islands corporations to reduce their U.S. taxes. \"Congress did not deliberately allow tax-exempts to reduce their U.S. taxes by investing through Cayman Islands corporations,\" Miller said. \"However, the practice is widespread and the IRS has approved of it.\"","A snarky ad juxtaposes an off-key Mitt Romney leading a crowd singing America the Beautiful with claims on the screen saying the Republican candidate has parked millions of his personal fortune far from U.S. shores."]},{"id":"3762.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A large number of the uninsured earn $75,000 or more a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gingrich that a \"large number\" of the uninsured earn $75,000 or more a year is partially supported by the evidence. According to census data, there are 10.6 million individuals living in households that earn more than $75,000, constituting approximately 21 percent of the uninsured population. However, it is important to note that the census data does not specify how many of these individuals are making $75,000 or more on their own. Therefore, while the evidence suggests that there are at least some high earners who are uninsured, the exact number cannot be determined. As a result, the statement is considered partially true, or \"half true.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We were interested in checking Gingrich's statement that \"a large number of the uninsured earn $75,000 or more a year.\" When politicians talk of the uninsured, it often conjures images of people who cannot afford health coverage. But Gingrich's point was that people who are relatively affluent are choosing not to have coverage.","In ruling on Gingrich's statement, he said that a \"large number\" of people make $75,000 or more and don't have insurance. The census shows that there are 10.6 million individuals who live in households that earn more than $75,000, and they constitute 21 percent of the uninsured. Because the census counts household income, it's likely some of these people are not making $75,000 on their own, but we don't know how many. We can't say if it's a lot or a little. Still, the census numbers suggest that at least some high earners are uninsured, and there's some wiggle room in what exactly Gingrich meant by \"a large number.\" So we rate Gingrich's statement Half True.","\"A large number of the uninsured earn $75,000 or more a year (and) don't buy any health insurance because they want to buy a second house or a better car or go on vacation, then you and I and everybody else ends up picking up for them,\" Gingrich said. \"I don't think having a free-rider system in health is any more appropriate than having a free-rider system in any other part of our society.\"","We originally noted that, \"Among the uninsured, about 10.6 million made $75,000 or more. That number is about 21 percent of all the uninsured.\""]},{"id":"2281.json","label":"true","statement":"There is already a mosque four blocks away.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that there is indeed a mosque located four blocks away from the World Trade Center site. This information has been widely reported and verified by fact-checking organizations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["With all the hand-wringing over the proposal for an Islamic cultural center with a mosque just two blocks away from Ground Zero, we wondered whether Bloomberg was right that there is already a mosque just four blocks away from the World Trade Center site.","\"The question will then become how big should the no-mosque zone around the World Trade Center be,\" Bloomberg said. \"There is already a mosque four blocks away. Should it, too, be moved?\"","By now, most of those following the so-called \"Ground Zero Mosque\" issue know it is not on Ground Zero -- but rather is two blocks away.","Again, in making his argument against a \"no-mosque zone around the World Trade Center,\" Bloomberg said there's already a mosque four blocks away from Ground Zero. He's right. We rate his statement True."]},{"id":"7813.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you are black or brown, you are nine times more likely to be stopped and frisked in New York City.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a study provided by Lynne Derbyshire, which indicates that black or brown-skinned individuals in New York City are more likely to be stopped and frisked by the police. However, it's important to note that the study actually showed a tenfold risk, rather than nine times, for being frisked if you are black or Latino in New York City. Additionally, more recent data suggests that the risk may be slightly lower than what was initially reported. Nevertheless, the statement captures the general trend of racial disparities in stop-and-frisk practices in New York City.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["University of Rhode Island professor says black- or brown-skinned people are nine times more likely to be stopped and frisked in New York City","Lynne Derbyshire, arguing against arming campus police in Rhode Island, said, \"If you are black or brown, you are nine times more likely to be stopped and frisked\" by police in New York City. The context in which she made her statement suggests that such racial profiling is a threat for students here.","( - University of Rhode Island professor says black- or brown-skinned people are nine times more likely to be stopped and frisked in New York City&url=)","But if we apply the Truth-O-Meter to the New York data, the study Derbyshire supplied showed a tenfold risk of being frisked if you are black or Latino in New York City. Newer data show that that risk is somewhat less than she said."]},{"id":"778.json","label":"false","statement":"\"1.3-million people in America make their living off eBay.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"1.3-million people in America make their living off eBay\" is incorrect. According to available statistics, as of 2005, only 724,000 Americans made money selling on eBay, and this figure includes individuals who made only a small amount of money, not a living. Additionally, a company executive stated in 2003 that around 20,000 Americans made their living off eBay. Therefore, the claim of 1.3 million Americans making a living off eBay is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I like Meg Whitman,\" McCain said during the Oct. 7, 2008, debate. \"She knows what it's like to be out there in the marketplace. She knows how to create jobs. Meg Whitman was the CEO of a company that started with 12 people and is now \u2014 1.3-million people in America make their living off eBay.\"","That's way off. We hate to nitpick apparent misstatements, but this one's a doozy \u2014 1.3-million is the number of people worldwide who make some money off eBay, according to a 2006 A.C. Nielsen study.","But it's not conceivable that the number of Americans making a living off eBay has climbed to 1.3-million. In 2005, the latest year for which statistics are available, just 724,000 Americans made money selling on eBay, according to a Nielsen study. But that includes many who made just a few bucks \u2013 not a living.","As of 2003, some 20,000 Americans made their living off eBay, company executive Jim Griffith told a Colorado newspaper at the time."]},{"id":"3621.json","label":"false","statement":"Under a proposal by Rep. Paul Ryan, people on Medicare will only have $15,000 from the federal government to spend on their health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement misinterprets the proposal by Rep. Paul Ryan regarding Medicare. The $15,000 figure refers to the amount the federal government would provide to Medicare beneficiaries to purchase a health insurance plan, not the total amount they would have to spend on their health care expenses. The insurance plan would cover a portion of their medical bills, and while there may be limits, co-pays, and deductibles, the government's contribution towards the insurance plan is not capped at $15,000 per year. Analyses by the Congressional Budget Office and the Kaiser Family Foundation suggest that under Ryan's proposal, Medicare beneficiaries would face higher out-of-pocket costs over time, but it does not imply that they would only have $15,000 to spend on their health care. \nLabel: false","evidence":["The average Medicare beneficiary in 2022 wouldn\u2019t have $15,000 to spend on all health-care-related expenses. They\u2019d be given $15,000 to purchase a health insurance plan. That plan, in turn, would pay at least part of their medical bills. That plan might have limits and co-pays and deductibles -- as current Medicare does -- but the money the plan could spend on any given beneficiary\u2019s health expenses would not be capped at $15,000 per year. The $15,000 limit only refers to what the government will pay for the insurance plan itself.","Our takeaway from Maher\u2019s comments is that he believes the elderly would have $15,000 to spend on health care overall, and if that money were to run out, they\u2019d be out of luck. As Maher put it, what would happen \"if you have $15,000 to spend and you run out of the $15,000 and still have more days to live?\"","Analyses by the Congressional Budget Office, which does budgetary analysis for both parties in Congress, and by the Kaiser Family Foundation concluded that Medicare beneficiaries coming into the system after 2022 would spend significantly more for health care under the proposal from Wisconsin\u2019s Ryan. Pegging the growth of the federal government\u2019s Medicare payments to the Consumer Price Index will save the federal government money, but \"expose beneficiaries to increasingly larger out-of-pocket costs and risks over time,\" the Kaiser report says.","CBO says that the \"projected net federal spending per capita for all people age 65 and older in traditional Medicare would be about $15,000 in 2022.\""]},{"id":"1281.json","label":"true","statement":"A fairly limited number of people, 25 million to 30 million, will be allowed to access a national health insurance exchange.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimates provided by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Senate Finance Committee regarding the number of people who would be eligible to access a national health insurance exchange. The CBO estimated that between 23 million and 27 million people would purchase insurance through the exchange by 2019, while the House bill estimated 30 million. These figures represent a relatively small percentage of the U.S. population, confirming the statement's claim that the number of eligible individuals would be fairly limited.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Keep in mind, not everybody can even go to this exchange and buy insurance with any kind of subsidy. This is going to be a fairly limited number of people \u2014 25 million to 30 million are the estimates \u2014 that would even be on this insurance exchange. By and large, most of this country is going to continue to get their health insurance through their employer.\"","Getting back to McCaskill's remark, she said that it would be \"a fairly limited number of people \u2014 25 million to 30 million are the estimates \u2014 that would even be on this insurance exchange. By and large, most of this country is going to continue to get their health insurance through their employer.\" The Congressional Budget Office analyzed the Senate bill and pegged it at 23 million to 27 million by 2019, slightly less than the 30 million the CBO estimated under the House bill. Roughly speaking, that's less than 10 percent of the U.S. population. McCaskill is off by just a little bit on the Senate version and on the money for the House bill. So we rate her statement True.","McCaskill said that only a limited number of people would be eligible to shop on the exchange, and that is the case with the proposal approved by the Senate Finance Committee. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office analyzed the committee bill and found that between 23 million and 27 million would buy insurance from the exchange by 2019. The CBO said that most of the people using the exchange would be people who buy insurance on their own in the individual market, and employees who work for small businesses. The CBO also looked at the House bill, a slightly different plan, and found that 30 million would use the exchange in 2019. (We should note that the Senate Finance Committee proposal did not include a public option, but it's expected that the full Senate will consider a public option of some type.)","We were interested in McCaskill's statement because we've been following the legislation to see who would be allowed onto the exchange."]},{"id":"9715.json","label":"true","statement":"Its been 17 years that weve had unemployment higher than the national average in Oregon.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the state representative that Oregon has had unemployment rates higher than the national average for a significant period of time. According to the evidence provided, Oregon's unemployment rate has been higher than the national rate for 17 to 18 years, which indicates a longstanding trend. It is important to note that the specific time frame may vary slightly depending on the source, but the general claim remains consistent.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s been 17 years that we\u2019ve had unemployment higher than the national average in Oregon,\" said Richardson, a state representative from Central Point. \"When is that going to change?\"","Richardson, in a recent debate with Kitzhaber, claimed that Oregon\u2019s unemployment rate has hovered above the national rate for 17 years.","We found an Oregon Employment Department report from February 2009 showing that the state\u2019s unemployment rate had been higher than the national rate in 25 of the previous 33 years \u2013 meaning Oregon\u2019s higher jobless rate long predates Kitzhaber\u2019s first inauguration.","The last time Oregon\u2019s monthly seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was lower than the U.S. rate, Beleiciks wrote, was February 1996, when Oregon was at 5.4 percent and the U.S. was at 5.5 percent. So it\u2019s actually been 18 years since Oregon\u2019s jobless rate was lower than the national average, he said."]},{"id":"11160.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Walkers defunding of Planned Parenthood left women across the state stranded with nowhere else to turn for cancer screenings, breast exams and birth control.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton and others that Scott Walker's defunding of Planned Parenthood in Wisconsin left women without access to cancer screenings, breast exams, and birth control. However, it's important to note that the rating given to this claim was \"Half True\" because while some Planned Parenthood clinics in Wisconsin did close as a result of the funding cuts, there were other healthcare providers available to offer these services. Therefore, while the statement highlights a valid concern, it lacks some nuance regarding the availability of alternative healthcare providers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Scott Walker's defunding of Planned Parenthood \"left women across the state stranded with nowhere else to turn\" for cancer screenings, breast exams and birth control.","Clinton said Walker's defunding of Planned Parenthood \"left women across the state stranded with nowhere else to turn\" for cancer screenings, breast exams and birth control.","We covered some of that ground in August 2015, when Democratic presidential front runner Hillary Clinton said Walker's defunding \"left women across the state stranded with nowhere else to turn\" for cancer screenings, breast exams and birth control. Our rating was Half True.","\"When politicians talk about defunding Planned Parenthood, they're talking about blocking millions of women, men and young people from life-saving, preventive care, cancer screenings, breast exams, birth control. They're talking about cutting people off from the health care provider they know and trust,\" Clinton said."]},{"id":"6336.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2010, Mr. [Anthony] Gemma described himself as a pro-life candidate. Now, he claims to be pro-choice.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the shift in Anthony Gemma's position on the issue of abortion. In 2010, Gemma identified as a \"pro-life\" candidate, but he has since changed his stance and now identifies as \"pro-choice.\" This change has been acknowledged by NARAL Pro-Choice America, who have expressed skepticism about Gemma's sudden shift in position. The evidence supports the statement that Gemma has transitioned from describing himself as \"pro-life\" to claiming to be \"pro-choice.\"\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In 2010, Mr. Gemma described himself as a 'pro-life' candidate,\" Keenan said. \"Now he claims to be pro-choice. My fear is that Mr. Gemma wants to hop on the pro-choice bandwagon as the anti-choice agenda unfolding in the House is becoming more and more unpopular.\"","When NARAL says Gemma has gone from being a \"pro-life\" candidate to calling himself a \"pro-choice\" one, we judge that statement to be True.","Finally, we asked NARAL Pro-Choice America about the organization's assessment of whether Gemma belonged in the \"pro-choice\" category, given his pledge and his personal feelings. Part of their response: \"We remain skeptical of Anthony Gemma's sudden jump to support a woman's right to choose while labeling himself as a 'pro-life' candidate. His position contradicts how he frames his values.\"","He may be calling himself a \"pro-life Democrat\" in the same breath, but when the candidate says, \"I vow to protect a woman's right to choose,\" he's trying to put himself in the \"pro-choice\" camp."]},{"id":"9846.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rick Scott has teamed up with a felon convicted of running a Ponzi scheme to smear Charlie Crist.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks factual accuracy. While it is true that there were allegations made by the Republican Party of Florida that Charlie Crist allowed Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein to influence judicial appointments, there is no evidence to support the claim that Rick Scott \"teamed up\" with Rothstein to smear Charlie Crist. Furthermore, the timing of Rothstein's arrest and Scott's entry into the race for governor does not align with the assertion that they collaborated. Therefore, the statement is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Crist\u2019s TV ad says Rick Scott has \"teamed up with a felon convicted of running a Ponzi scheme to smear Charlie Crist with false attacks.\"","The Republican Party of Florida attacked former Gov. Charlie Crist in a TV ad alleging that he let Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein pick judicial appointments in exchange for campaign donations.","This ad is vague and confusing. Scott hasn\u2019t teamed up with Ponzi schemer Rothstein -- he was arrested in December 2009 and Scott entered his first race for governor in April 2010.","\"The fact that Rick Scott is running for governor as a 'reformer' would be funny if it wasn't so outrageous. This is a man who barely escaped imprisonment.\""]},{"id":"4341.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States death rate is two-and-a-half times higher for those who do not have a high school education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the sources. Multiple reports and data indicate that the death rate in the United States is indeed significantly higher for individuals who do not have a high school education compared to those who do. The evidence shows that the death rate for individuals with less education is approximately 2.5 to 3.2 times higher than those with at least a high school education. This disparity highlights the correlation between education level and health outcomes in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The United States death rate is two-and-a-half times higher for those who do not have a high school education,\" Benjamin said.","\"The United States had a homicide rate 6.9 times higher than those in the other high-income countries, driven by a \ufb01rearm homicide rate that was 19.5 times higher than those in the other high-income countries,\" the report says. \"For 15 year olds to 24 year olds, the \ufb01rearm homicide rate in the United States was 42.7 times higher than in the other countries.\"","According to this data, the gap was even worse than Benjamin said. People ages 25 through 64 with 13 or more years of education died at the rate of 208.3 per 100,000. The rate for those with fewer than 12 years of education was 667.2, or 3.2 times higher.","University of Colorado at Boulder professor Richard Rogers pointed us to a NVSS report released in 2010 that says Benjamin is closer to the mark. Data from 2007 shows the death rate for those with less than a high school diploma is 529.5, or 2.7 times the rate for those with at least some college, it said."]},{"id":"8735.json","label":"true","statement":"Nearly 40 percent of his McAllen-area constituents suffer from obesity.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that nearly 40 percent of the constituents in the McAllen-area suffer from obesity. The Gallup-Healthways study and the state survey both indicate high rates of obesity in the region, with percentages ranging from 38.5 percent to nearly 45 percent. These statistics demonstrate a significant prevalence of obesity among the residents of the McAllen-area.\nLabel: true","evidence":["McAllen\u2019s metropolitan statistical area in 2012 had 38.5 percent obesity among adults, according to the Gallup-Healthways study. A state survey that year suggested that nearly 45 percent of the region\u2019s residents were obese.","--By one analysis, the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area had a greater share of obese residents in 2012 than the eight other biggest metro areas of Texas with Beaumont-Port Arthur placing second at nearly 33 percent and Austin-Round Rock bringing up the rear, at 23 percent.","Of the nine regions, the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area had the highest share of obese residents: 38.5 percent. Austin-Round Rock was the skinniest, at 22.7 percent.","Gallup used Hidalgo County as the boundary for the McAllen metropolitan statistical area. Only the southeastern part of Hidalgo County is in Lucio\u2019s District 27, according to the Texas Legislative Council\u2019s map, but we did not find a more precise breakdown of obesity statistics."]},{"id":"8216.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa already have 70 mph speed limits on rural interstates, and we see that theyve been able to do it safely.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa have implemented 70 mph speed limits on rural interstates. However, the claim that they have been able to do it safely requires further examination. While there is some evidence suggesting that the speed limit change did not result in a significant increase in accidents or fatalities, it is important to note that the available data only shows a correlation and not a direct causation between the speed limit change and safety outcomes. Therefore, while there is some indication that these states have been able to maintain safety with the higher speed limit, it is not conclusive evidence that the increase in speed limits directly led to safer conditions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa already have 70 mph\" speed limits on rural interstates, and \"we see that they\u2019ve been able to do it safely.\"","Vos said \"Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa already have 70 mph\" speed limits on rural interstates, and \"we see that they\u2019ve been able to do it safely.\"","It concluded: \"While it is likely changes were due to the speed-limit change (as the only significant highway safety\u2013related public policy change in Iowa since 2004 has been the change to 70 mph on rural Interstates), the findings presented herein are necessarily observations of correlation only.\"","Vos added: \"And certainly as we\u2019ve driven in other states, we see that they\u2019ve been able to do it safely. Most of the interstates were designed for 75 miles an hour anyway because they were done a long time ago and they were reduced just for fuel economy. So I think the safety standards are in place, and we can do it in a way that makes sense for all of us.\""]},{"id":"1176.json","label":"true","statement":"Switzerland and the Netherlands . . . cover all their citizens using private insurers, and they do so for much less cost.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the healthcare systems in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Both countries achieve universal coverage through private insurers, where citizens are required to purchase health insurance from private companies that offer a government-defined basic package of services. These insurers can spread their financial risk across a large and diverse group of beneficiaries, resulting in lower healthcare costs compared to the United States. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The first fallacy of the 'public option or nothing' mantra is the notion that we'll never cover everyone without a Medicare-style program for Americans under 65. The experiences of Switzerland and the Netherlands prove that this isn't the case. Both have pioneered market-based universal health care. Both cover all their citizens using private insurers, and they do so for much less cost \u2014 10 percent of gross domestic product for the Dutch and 12 percent for Switzerland, compared with 17 percent in the United States, where nearly 50 million people are still uninsured.\"","The degree of government mandates and restrictions for private insurers in the Netherlands and Switzerland goes well beyond what is practiced by the U.S. government. But the insurers are indeed private, profit-seeking companies, as Miller said they are.","So let's recap. Miller is correct that both the Netherlands and Switzerland achieve universal coverage through systems that use private insurers. And he's right that both countries do so more cheaply than the United States. So we rate his statement True.","First, he's right that both countries have systems in which private companies provide the insurance. In both countries, citizens must buy health insurance from a company that must provide the customer with a basic package of services defined by the government. Subsidies are provided for people who need them. Because everyone is covered, the insurers can spread their financial risk across a large and diverse group of beneficiaries."]},{"id":"6918.json","label":"false","statement":"Signs letter saying Consumer Product Safety Commission is acting without consultation or input from the company to stop the sale of Buckyballs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is acting without consultation or input from the company to stop the sale of Buckyballs. The evidence suggests that the CPSC has been actively involved in intervening with retailers to end sales of the magnets, pursuing a lawsuit, and engaging in discussions with the company regarding safety measures. The company itself has taken steps to address safety concerns and has collaborated with the CPSC and other stakeholders to create a coalition for magnet safety. Therefore, the statement is not accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In July, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in filing only its second administrative complaint in 11 years, charged that their design poses a \"substantial risk of injury to the public.\"","They point out that 2.5 million of the small magnetic cube and ball toys have been sold in the past three years. Then they say that the \"CPSC is working, without consultation or input from the company, to eliminate this product by stopping the sale of their products by directly approaching its retail partners and requesting a recall.\"","We asked Blackburn\u2019s communications director, Mike Reynard, for supporting evidence that the agency was acting without consultation or input from the company. After conferring with staffers, Reynard sent a USA Today story indicating the CPSC has been intervening with retailers to end sales of the magnets as it pursues its lawsuit. He said the lawsuit itself showed the agency is \"done working with the company.\"","The company also required retailers to agree to rules for placement of its products in their stores, with new signs. It designed a \"Magnet Safety\" website in March and met with three CPSC commissioners and staff in April to discuss the expanded safety program. The company also created a medical advisory group and, along with its competitors, created the Coalition for Magnet Safety."]},{"id":"10492.json","label":"true","statement":"There are countries in Africa where they have higher vaccination rates than here in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows there are indeed several African countries with higher vaccination rates than the United States. Countries such as Mauritius, Tanzania, and Morocco have nearly complete vaccination rates for 1-year-olds, according to data from the World Health Organization. Additionally, the fact-checking sources confirm that there are other countries outside of Africa, including Latin American countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, that also have vaccination rates equal to or higher than the United States. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"There are countries in Africa where they have higher vaccination rates than here in the United States,\" Kay said on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press. \"Because when people really need it, and they see the effects that measles can have on their communities, they will make sure that their children vaccinate.\"","But Biden has exaggerated on two counts. The percentage of Americans who are fully vaccinated is 40%, not 50%. And five other countries have higher rates for full vaccination than the United States does.","More broadly, it\u2019s not just African countries beating the United States. Latin American countries with rates about the same as or exceeding the United States\u2019 include El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.","We found ample evidence to back up her point, with several African countries boasting better vaccination rates than the United States. Mauritius, Tanzania and Morocco have nearly complete vaccination of 1-year-olds, according to World Health Organization data."]},{"id":"12700.json","label":"true","statement":"For decades, the states gas tax has been among the highest in the nation.","reason":"Reason: Governor Scott Walker's claim that Wisconsin's gas tax has been among the highest in the nation for decades is supported by federal data. The data shows that Wisconsin has consistently ranked among the top 10 states with the highest gas taxes for over 30 years, even reaching the highest position in 1988. This evidence confirms the accuracy of Governor Walker's statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a letter to transportation officials, Walker wrote \"For decades, the state\u2019s gas tax has been among the highest in the nation.\"","!Gov. Scott Walker claimed that for decades Wisconsin has had one of the highest gas taxes in the nation. Is he right? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel file photo) !Gov. Scott Walker claimed that for decades Wisconsin has had one of the highest gas taxes in the nation. Is he right? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel file photo)","Gov. Scott Walker claimed that for decades Wisconsin has had one of the highest gas taxes in the nation. Is he right? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel file photo)","He backed up his claims with federal data showing Wisconsin has been among the top 10 states for the highest gas taxes in the nation for more than 30 years, even topping the chart in 1988."]},{"id":"990.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than 90 percent of the guns recovered in Mexico come from the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement that more than 90 percent of the guns recovered in Mexico come from the United States is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a significant number of guns recovered in Mexico are traced back to the United States, the 90 percent figure is based on a limited sample of guns submitted to the ATF for tracing. This sample primarily includes handguns, which are more likely to be traced back to the United States. However, when considering all types of firearms, including assault weapons, the percentage of guns originating from the United States is lower. Additionally, there are other sources, such as illegal trafficking from other countries, that contribute to the supply of firearms in Mexico. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But we think Obama also mischaracterizes the statistic some when he says 90 percent of the guns recovered in Mexico come from the United States. Not every gun recovered in Mexico is submitted to the ATF for tracing. And so Obama and others can't know exactly what percentage come from the United States. They can only speak to the guns successfully traced by the ATF. And so we rule Obama's statement Half True.","\"This war is being waged with guns purchased not here but in the United States . . . more than 90 percent of the guns recovered in Mexico come from the United States, many from gun shops that lay in our shared border,\" President Barack Obama said on a visit to Mexico on April 16, 2009. \"So we have responsibilities as well.\"","Alberto Islas, a security consultant with Risk Evaluation in Mexico City, said the 90 percent figure is based on an incomplete sample. Mexican officials only require ATF traces of guns used in \"high-impact crimes,\" he said. That certainly includes crimes involving violent drug cartels. That's the sample from which the ATF derives its 90 percent statistic. Driving up that percentage, Islas said, is the fact that nearly all of the handguns traced by ATF come from the United States, Islas said, while assault weapons are more of a mixed bag \u2014 some come from the United States, but others come through drug routes in Eastern Europe, Africa and elsewhere.","ATF officials challenge the suggestion that Mexico only sends them guns they suspect are from the United States. In fact, the ATF found about a quarter of the 90 percent were made in other countries and then taken illegally from the United States into Mexico."]},{"id":"10367.json","label":"true","statement":"Colorado raked in $60 million in marijuana taxes and licensing fees in the past year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the documents from the Colorado Department of Revenue, the total revenue from marijuana taxes and fees in Colorado was approximately $60 million in the specified time period. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Colorado raked in $60 million in marijuana taxes and licensing fees in the past year, plus saved most if not all of the $145 million the Harvard report estimated it spent each year fighting marijuana,\" Aubin wrote in the Jan. 5, 2015, piece.","Documents we reviewed from the Colorado Department of Revenue showed that total marijuana revenue from taxes and fees was about $60 million between Jan. 1 through Oct. 31, 2014.","The monthly revenue from marijuana has increased steadily. In January, the total collected in taxes and fee was $3.5 million; in October, it was $7.6 million.","Most of the money goes into the state general fund. But voters dedicated the first $40 million in excise taxes annually to a statewide school construction fund, administered by the state Department of Education. So far, that tax has generated $10 million for the fund."]},{"id":"10650.json","label":"false","statement":"Small businesses (are) going out of business in record numbers.","reason":"Reason: The statement that small businesses are going out of business in record numbers lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim. While it is true that some small businesses face challenges and may close, there is no comprehensive data or evidence to suggest that small businesses are going out of business in record numbers. The available information indicates that the situation for small businesses has been improving in recent years. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and lacks supporting evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Think just how different the world would be. Imagine instead of economic stagnation, booming economic growth,\" Cruz said. \"Instead of small businesses going out of business in record numbers, imagine small businesses growing and prospering. Imagine young people coming out of school with four, five, six job offers.\"","Let\u2019s leave imagination land and return to the real world to evaluate whether businesses are closing their doors \"in record numbers.\"","To begin, one common definition for \"small business\" is 500 employees or fewer, so we\u2019ll keep that in mind as we go through the numbers. But also know that 90 percent of those small businesses have 20 or fewer employees, which might be closer to what an average person considers a \"small business.\"","Data for the last couple years is not available, but if the trend from 2010 to 2012 holds, those numbers would likely paint an improved picture, said Zoltan Acs, on leave as director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Public Policy at George Mason University."]},{"id":"7912.json","label":"true","statement":"Some of these members of the House of Representatives get hundreds of thousands of dollars in farm subsidies but want to cut food stamps.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown that certain members of the House of Representatives receive significant amounts of money in farm subsidies while advocating for cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. The evidence provided confirms that some members of Congress have indeed received farm subsidies while supporting reductions in SNAP funding. This suggests a potential inconsistency in their positions regarding government assistance programs. \nLabel: true","evidence":["It\u2019s fairly obvious where this leaves Brown\u2019s claim that some House members accepted \"hundreds of thousands of dollars\" in farm subsidies but are eager to cut food stamps.","But U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, finds it disconcerting that some of the lawmakers who gladly take the government\u2019s subsidies want to cut SNAP, or subsidies to people who need help buying groceries. Discussing the 2013 farm bill, which recently passed in the Senate and is under debate in the House, Brown told reporters on a conference call on June 12, \"There's a lot of pressure in the House of Representatives to just emasculate the SNAP program. For whatever reason, some of these members of the House of Representatives get hundreds of thousands of dollars in farm subsidies. They think they earned that, and on the other hand, then they want to cut food stamps, and I think that's morally wrong.\"","\u2022 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives received an increase in their office budgets, which pay for staff and other official expenses.","The list goes on. The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, both reviewing the same EWG data as other media, noted that 15 members of Congress got farm subsidies in 2012. (None were from Ohio.) Thirteen were Republicans and two were Democrats. The Democrats were in the Senate -- Michael Bennett of Colorado and Jon Tester of Montana, who says he is the Senate\u2019s only \"working farmer.\" Both voted June 10 for the Senate version of the farm bill, which would cut SNAP by $4 billion, or about $16 billion less than the House GOP leaders want. Brown, too, voted for the bill after failing to get the SNAP cut restored."]},{"id":"7177.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Massachusetts has three state-mandated student tests and Finland just one.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. Massachusetts does have three state-mandated tests, which are administered to students starting from the third grade. However, the claim that Finland only has one state-mandated test is misleading. While it is true that Finland has fewer standardized tests compared to many other countries, students on the academic track in Finland are required to take at least four separate tests. Therefore, the comparison between Massachusetts and Finland in terms of the number of state-mandated tests is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ratliff pointed us to an article in the September 2011 issue of Smithsonian, the magazine produced by the Smithsonian Institution, saying that students there have outperformed counterparts in other countries thanks to in a focus on well-prepared teachers who decide how best to school their individual pupils. The story also says there \"are no mandated standardized tests in Finland, apart from one exam at the end of students\u2019 senior year in high school.\"","In an opinion column published in the Dec. 10, 2012, Austin American-Statesman , Thomas Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant, said: \"Massachusetts, the envy of all public school systems in the United States, has three state-mandated tests. Finland, which is the envy of all public school systems in the world, has one. That\u2019s right, one.\"","But students on the academic track in Finland must take at least four separate tests. Also, given that Ratliff\u2019s article does not say he\u2019s speaking only to tests administered in high school, it\u2019s worth noting that Massachusetts, like Texas, requires students starting in third grade to take state tests.","\"As part of his or her examination, the candidate may additionally include one or more optional tests,\" the web page says."]},{"id":"4046.json","label":"false","statement":"U.S. Reps. John Barrow and Sanford Bishop and their fellow Democrats went on a spending spree and now their credit card is maxed out.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that U.S. Reps. John Barrow and Sanford Bishop, along with their fellow Democrats, went on a spending spree and maxed out their credit card. The evidence primarily discusses topics such as Barrow's membership in the Blue Dog Coalition, the repeal efforts in the U.S. Senate, and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence's attack on Barrow's ties to the National Rifle Association. There is no information or evidence provided that directly supports the claim of excessive spending or maxing out a credit card by Barrow, Bishop, or their fellow Democrats.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Barrow\u2019s original \"Nobody\" ad was rolled out in October during a highly scrutinized re-election campaign for the conservative east Georgia district. Barrow, the last white Democrat in the U.S. House from the Deep South, is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition of moderate, mostly Southern, Democrats that often breaks with the party leadership.","The repeal measure passed in the Republican-controlled House, but repeal efforts consistently failed in the U.S. Senate, where Democrats held a slim majority.","A day after Obama\u2019s announcement, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence got into the fray by attacking a Georgia Democratic congressman on his ties to the National Rifle Association and his opposition to Obama\u2019s gun legislation. The coalition uses U.S. Rep John Barrow\u2019s own 2012 campaign commercial in an attack on him and the NRA.","The coalition put out a news release with the video. In the release, the coalition\u2019s executive director, Josh Horwitz, says that Barrow \"has decided to put his love of the NRA above his concern for his fellow Americans.\" The group noted that during Barrow\u2019s eight-year congressional career, he has received $27,250 in campaign contributions from the NRA. (The coalition has used similar pressure tactics against U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, who also criticized Obama\u2019s gun-control policies.)"]},{"id":"10255.json","label":"true","statement":"Turkeys today weigh 29.8 pounds. In the 30s, they weighed 13.2 pounds.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that turkeys today weigh 29.8 pounds, while in the 1930s, they weighed 13.2 pounds. This information is based on the figures cited in a report and confirmed by an agricultural statistician from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The average weight for turkeys in 2013 was even slightly higher at 30.3 pounds. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That report contained the figures Mother Jones cited, saying turkeys have more than doubled in weight -- from an average of 13.2 pounds in 1929 to 29.8 pounds in 2012.","The average weight for 2013 is actually a half-pound higher, at 30.3 pounds, according to Michael Klamm, an agricultural statistician at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.","!Bruce Green, an Arkansas resident, turns over big ol' turkeys in advance of a Thanksgiving Salvation Army celebration (Associated Press, Michael Orrell). !Bruce Green, an Arkansas resident, turns over big ol' turkeys in advance of a Thanksgiving Salvation Army celebration (Associated Press, Michael Orrell).","Bruce Green, an Arkansas resident, turns over big ol' turkeys in advance of a Thanksgiving Salvation Army celebration (Associated Press, Michael Orrell)."]},{"id":"10753.json","label":"half-true","statement":"America has lost over 50,000 manufacturing factories on other trade deals.","reason":"Reason: The statement that America has lost over 50,000 manufacturing factories due to other trade deals is misleading. While there have been job losses in the manufacturing sector, attributing all of these losses solely to trade deals oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to changes in the manufacturing industry, including technological advancements and the impact of economic recessions. The number provided lacks specific details and does not account for the broader economic context. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Proponents of this trade deal claim that there have been net job gains under previous American trade deals,\" Schultz said April 17, 2015. \"That's false. America has lost over 50,000 manufacturing factories on other trade deals. America has turned its economy to a paper-shuffling service industry economy.\"","Schultz said that more than 50,000 manufacturing factories were lost due to trade deals. His numbers are up for some interpretation, depending on how you factor in the most recent recession.","In this fact-check, we assess whether past trade deals have caused more than 50,000 factories to shut their doors. We sent a note to Schultz through the MSNBC press office to get more details on his statement and didn\u2019t hear back.","Schultz talked about losing \"over 50,000 manufacturing factories,\" which seems like a safe number. Except for one big thing -- the Great Recession itself."]},{"id":"491.json","label":"half-true","statement":"McCain \"voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding and that he did not support the ban. However, the claim that McCain applauded President Bush for vetoing the ban is not supported by credible evidence. While McCain did vote against the bill, there is no substantial evidence to suggest that he publicly applauded President Bush for vetoing it. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks evidence to support the claim about McCain's reaction to the veto.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban,\" the e-mail states.","\u2022 \"His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban,\" the e-mail says. We found the measure McCain voted on was not that simple: It would have banned waterboarding, but it also would have made the Central Intelligence Agency follow the Army Field Manual, a new set of rules for the agency. For glossing over other important parts of the bill, we rated this statement Half True .","MoveOn's e-mail claiming that McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding refers to a measure passed in February 2008 that would have forced the CIA to follow the Army Field Manual, which specifically forbids waterboarding, as well as other actions: forcing a detainee to perform sexual acts or pose sexually, placing hoods over the heads of detainees, threatening detainees with dogs, or using temperature extremes to cause physical trauma, among other things.","It's true that McCain voted against the measure, it passed anyway and Bush vetoed it. We couldn't find any examples of McCain going out of his way to congratulate Bush. Given the many nuances of the bill, we find MoveOn's claim to be Half True."]},{"id":"7216.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The so-called doc fix in the fiscal cliff deal will cut payments for treating illnesses disproportionately impacting minorities, including end stage renal disease and diabetes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Fudge that the \"doc fix\" in the fiscal cliff deal will result in cuts to payments for treating illnesses that disproportionately impact minorities, such as end stage renal disease and diabetes. This claim is supported by evidence that Congress has made changes to the law regarding payment calculations for dialysis, which is a critical treatment for end stage renal disease. While the statement does not explicitly state that minorities will be harmed by the spending cuts, it implies that harm may result due to the disproportionate impact on minority communities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["from programs that pay for \"treating illnesses disproportionately impacting minorities, including end stage renal disease and diabetes,\" Fudge said. She said this must be addressed in the new session of Congress.","Fudge did not specifically say minorities will be harmed by the spending cuts. Her statement was factually accurate. But she suggested that harm will result, saying that cuts will be made to programs that treat diseases disproportionately affecting minorities, including end stage renal disease and diabetes.\"","The GAO specifically recommended that Congress tweak the law so CMS had clear authority to alter its dialysis payment calculations. Congress did so as part of the fiscal cliff and doc fix deal.","Kaiser Health News, \"Doc fix in fiscal cliff plan cuts hospital Medicare payments,\" by Mary Agnes Carey, Jan. 1, 2013 (updated Jan. 2013)"]},{"id":"10342.json","label":"true","statement":"The President has decided to move forward with executive actions on immigration that he has said on numerous occasions that he didnt have the constitutional power to take.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the President has decided to proceed with executive actions on immigration, despite previously stating that he lacked the constitutional authority to do so. The evidence suggests that there have been instances where President Obama either suggested that his executive powers did not have strict limits or remained silent on his executive power regarding immigration. This indicates a shift in his position and a decision to utilize executive actions on immigration. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Trump let in fewer refugees each year of his term, and that is one of the most dramatic changes he\u2019s made in legal immigration, experts said. This was an area where executive power allowed Trump to advance his goals.","President Barack Obama is on the verge of announcing significant executive actions that could affect at least a portion of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the United States.","But also included on Boehner\u2019s list of 22 are quotes where Obama was either suggesting his executive powers did not have hard limits or was silent on his executive power on immigration. Here are a few problems with quotes included on Boehner\u2019s list.","Trump\u2019s changes, he said, are executive actions \"of one kind or another and can relatively easily be changed if the Democrats win in November.\""]},{"id":"606.json","label":"false","statement":"On public financing of his campaign.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's claim of creating a \"parallel public financing system\" is misleading. While it is true that Obama initially expressed support for using the public financing system during his campaign, he ultimately decided not to participate in it due to his ability to raise more funds through private donations. The term \"parallel public financing system\" suggests that Obama's fundraising approach is equivalent to the public financing system, which is not accurate. The public financing system is a specific mechanism for funding campaigns, whereas Obama's reliance on private donations does not align with the principles and regulations of the public financing system.\nLabel: false","evidence":["His claim that he's created a \"parallel public financing system\" might be a harmless boast, except that Obama's views on public financing have been a matter of significant debate. Early in his campaign he had said he would use the public financing system in his run for president, but after he took off as a candidate and fundraiser, his statements about that have been less clear. His fundraising skill has made it likely that he could raise more money for his campaign than would be available to him through the public financing system. (We covered whether Obama promised to get public financing or not here .)","His claim that he's created a \"parallel public financing system\" might be a harmless boast, except that Obama's views on public financing have been a matter of significant debate. Early in his campaign he had said he would use the public financing system in his run for president, but after he took off as a candidate and fundraiser, his statements about that have been less clear. His fundraising skill has made it likely that he could raise more money for his campaign than would be available to him through the public financing system.","\"It is important to acknowledge that one of the more exciting things coming out of this campaign is the increase in small donors,\" Kalman said. \"But it's not completely analogous to the public financing system. The public should still be fighting for the elimination of special interest money from the system through better public financing.\"","\"I certainly don't blame him for not taking public financing, but to say it's the functional equivalent of public financing, even as an aspirational statement, you can only say that in terms of his broad donor base, not on the expenditure side,\" said Kenneth Gross, an expert on campaign finance election law who has represented both Democrats and Republicans."]},{"id":"4306.json","label":"true","statement":"The mega-rich pay about 15 percent in taxes, while the middle class fall into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets, and then are hit with heavy payroll taxes to boot.","reason":"Reason: Warren Buffett's statement accurately reflects the tax situation in the United States. The mega-rich often pay a lower effective tax rate due to factors such as capital gains and investment income, which are taxed at a lower rate compared to ordinary income. On the other hand, the middle class typically falls into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets and also faces heavy payroll taxes. This statement has been fact-checked and rated as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Getting back to Buffett's op-ed, his claims rest on how these taxes interact with each other. The fact we're checking here is that \"the mega-rich pay income taxes at a rate of 15 percent on most of their earnings but pay practically nothing in payroll taxes,\" while middle class taxpayers \"fall into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets, and then are hit with heavy payroll taxes to boot.\"","\"If you make money with money, as some of my super-rich friends do, your percentage may be a bit lower than mine. But if you earn money from a job, your percentage will surely exceed mine \u2014 most likely by a lot,\" Buffett wrote. \"To understand why, you need to examine the sources of government revenue. Last year about 80 percent of these revenues came from personal income taxes and payroll taxes. The mega-rich pay income taxes at a rate of 15 percent on most of their earnings but pay practically nothing in payroll taxes. It\u2019s a different story for the middle class: typically, they fall into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets, and then are hit with heavy payroll taxes to boot.\"","Buffett's op-ed inspired a reader to write to us and ask how Buffett's numbers could be correct. As our previous( \"previous\") fact-checks( \"fact-checks\") have shown, about half of all Americans pay no federal income taxes because they are low income. And when you analyze who pays the bulk of federal income taxes, it's people with higher incomes( \"higher\"). So we decided to fact-check Buffett's statement that \"the mega-rich pay income taxes at a rate of 15 percent on most of their earnings but pay practically nothing in payroll taxes. ... (The middle class) fall into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets, and then are hit with heavy payroll taxes to boot.\"","We fact-checked Warren Buffett's statements about taxes in the New York Times. Buffett said that his taxes amounted to \"only 17.4 percent of my taxable income \u2014 and that\u2019s actually a lower percentage than was paid by any of the other 20 people in our office. Their tax burdens ranged from 33 percent to 41 percent and averaged 36 percent.\" Individual tax filings are private, so there was no way we could compare Buffett's actual tax return with that of his secretary and other co-workers. (We contacted his office when we did the fact-check and didn't hear back.) So instead, we checked Buffett's statement that the \"mega-rich\" pay about 15 percent in taxes, while the middle class \"fall into the 15 percent and 25 percent income tax brackets, and then are hit with heavy payroll taxes to boot.\" We rated the statement True."]},{"id":"216.json","label":"true","statement":"\"A ham and cheese sandwich on one slice of bread is the responsibility of the USDA ... But a ham and cheese sandwich on two slices of bread is the responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the regulatory distinction between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when it comes to inspecting manufacturers of ham and cheese sandwiches. According to government reports and interviews with officials, a ham and cheese sandwich on one slice of bread falls under the jurisdiction of the USDA, which conducts daily inspections. However, a ham and cheese sandwich on two slices of bread is the responsibility of the FDA, which conducts inspections less frequently, approximately once every five years. The USDA's undersecretary for food safety even acknowledged the lack of logic behind this distinction. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"A ham and cheese sandwich on one slice of bread is the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which inspects manufacturers daily. But a ham and cheese sandwich on two slices of bread is the responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration, which inspects manufacturers about once every five years.\"","And so we find that Sen. Clinton has a legitimate beef on ham and cheese. We find her claim to be True.","To find out if her sandwich example was correct, we turned to government reports on food safety, interviewed the head of the USDA's food inspection service and studied the government's Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book, a fascinating manual that provides rules for Wiener schnitzel (\"a veal cutlet prepared by dipping in egg, flour and bread crumbs, and frying to a golden brown\") and vinegar pickle (\"sausage in vinegar pickle is approved with the understanding that sausage is completely covered with pickle and that the pickle has a pH level not higher than 4.5\"). The manual also spells out which foods are under USDA jurisdiction.","In an interview with PolitiFact last week, Richard Raymond, the USDA's undersecretary for food safety, acknowledged that the sandwich rule is silly. \"There is no rationale or logic that I can explain to anybody,\" he said. \"It defies logic.\""]},{"id":"11382.json","label":"false","statement":"Among Syrian refugees, there arent that many women, there arent that many children.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that \"there aren't that many women, there aren't that many children\" among Syrian refugees has been fact-checked and found to be false. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact, have provided evidence that contradicts this claim. In reality, approximately three-quarters of Syrian refugees are women and children, with a significant portion being children under the age of 12. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and does not align with the available data.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump\u2019s description of Syrian refugees as not being many children and women didn\u2019t sound quite right to us, so we decided to check out it out.","Ellison said, \"About three-quarters of (Syrian refugees) are women and children. A full third of them are kids under 12 years old.\"","Previously, PolitiFact has examined claims about Syrian refugees. In October, Donald Trump said \"there aren't that many women; there aren't that many children\" among Syrian refugees. We ranked that statement False.","!Donald Trump says \"there aren't that many women, there aren't that many children\" who make up the refugees from Syria on ABC's \"This Week\" Oct. 4, 2015. The facts say otherwise. (Screengrab) !Donald Trump says \"there aren't that many women, there aren't that many children\" who make up the refugees from Syria on ABC's \"This Week\" Oct. 4, 2015. The facts say otherwise. (Screengrab)"]},{"id":"5787.json","label":"true","statement":"The Buffett Rule will bring in less than $5 billion per year. ... Enough to pay one weeks interest on the national debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the Buffett Rule, a proposed tax policy, would generate less than $5 billion per year in revenue. This amount is described as being sufficient to cover one week's interest on the national debt. The accuracy of this claim has been confirmed by multiple sources, including fact-checkers who have verified the figures provided. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The Buffett Rule \"will bring in less than $5 billion per year. ... Enough to pay one week\u2019s interest on the national debt.\"","\"For all the political chest-thumping surrounding this proposal,\" he said of the the Buffett Rule, \"the new tax will bring in less than $5 billion per year. That represents 0.4 percent of annual individual income taxes paid \u2014 or enough to pay one week\u2019s interest on the national debt.\"","Portman\u2019s statement on the amount the Buffett Rule would raise and how that compares to interest on the national debt is accurate.","Finally, in framing the value of the Buffett Rule, we note that there is a difference between deficit and debt. The deficit is the amount by which the government's spending exceeds its revenues in a year. The budget deficit for fiscal 2012 is more than $1.3 trillion."]},{"id":"2510.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Will Rasmussen supported a sales tax as recently as last spring.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there are conflicting claims regarding Will Rasmussen's position on a sales tax. While the House Republicans accuse Rasmussen of supporting a sales tax, a review of his actual comments indicates that he might have mentioned a sales tax but is not advocating for one. The fact-checkers have rated the claim made by the House Republicans as false. Therefore, it cannot be definitively stated that Will Rasmussen supported a sales tax as recently as last spring.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Why are Will Rasmussen and the House Democrats making false claims about Parrish's position on sales taxes?\" reads the e-mail from the House Republicans. \"Are they trying to mask Rasmussen's support of a sales tax as recently as last spring?\"","Upon review of the actual comments, it is clear that while Rasmussen might have mentioned a sales tax (and, yes, we think \u2018\"transactions that may be taxable\" is pretty much code for sales tax), he isn\u2019t advocating for one. We rate this claim False.","PolitiFact Oregon already looked into the charge levied against Parrish and found it lacking, but now Republicans say Rasmussen was just using those allegations as a way to cover up his own support for a sales tax.","House Republicans recently put out a typical looking hit piece on Democratic candidate Will Rasmussen. The mailer features an astonished looking senior in a blue tank top next to the words, \"What did Will Rasmussen say?\""]},{"id":"1292.json","label":"false","statement":"\"One-third of the health care dollar goes to no such thing as health care; it goes to the insurance companies.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Kennedy, claiming that one-third of the health care dollar goes to insurance companies, is inaccurate. According to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, private insurers receive less than 7 percent of the nation's health care spending. Therefore, Kennedy's statement is false and does not align with the available data.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Still, that's not anywhere close to what Kennedy said. He said that \"One-third of the health care dollar goes to no such thing as health care; it goes to the insurance companies.\" The actual number is about 7 percent. We rate Kennedy's statement False.","\"The other side talks about the health care reform bill costing a lot of money,\" Kennedy said. \"Right now, consumers in America are spending millions and millions of dollars paying that to the insurance companies. One-third of the health care dollar goes to no such thing as health care; it goes to the insurance companies. That's why the Democratic proposal restricts the amount of money that insurance companies can spend on bureaucracy.\"","Nevertheless, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a federal agency, publishes national health expenditure data, which include a breakdown of \"The Nation's Health Dollar.\" The most recent data for 2007 show that private insurers get a little less than 7 percent of the nation's health care spending.","The idea that insurance companies get a third of all health spending in the country struck us as suspicious. And sure enough, our research showed that Kennedy was mixing up his statistics."]},{"id":"1126.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Seniors and the disabled will have to stand in front of Obamas death panel so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their level of productivity in society, whether they are worthy of health care.","reason":"Reason: The claim that seniors and the disabled will have to face an Obama \"death panel\" where bureaucrats decide their worthiness of healthcare based on their productivity in society is false. This statement originated from a misinterpretation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has been widely debunked. The ACA does not establish any such panel, nor does it allow for subjective judgments on an individual's worthiness of healthcare based on productivity. This claim has been repeatedly discredited and is considered a baseless conspiracy theory.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Seniors and the disabled \"will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care.\"","\"And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.\"","\"And who will suffer the most when they ration care?\" Palin wrote. \"The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.\"","But that's not what Palin said. She said that the Democratic plan will ration care and \"my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care.\" Palin's statement sounds more like a science fiction movie ( Soylent Green , anyone?) than part of an actual bill before Congress. We rate her statement Pants on Fire!"]},{"id":"1954.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every day, oil continues to pour into the Gulf of Mexico. ... Even with disaster on our coast..., Richard Burr voted to let big oil off the hook.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Senator Richard Burr voted to let big oil off the hook in relation to the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. However, the fact check indicates that the ad may mislead viewers by linking Burr's vote to the oil spill when the vote in question was actually about the Murkowski resolution, which aimed to limit the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. While it is fair to criticize campaign contributions from the oil industry and link them to votes supporting industry positions, the ad may overstate Burr's role in relation to the oil spill. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate in its portrayal of Burr's vote in relation to the oil spill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Every day, oil continues to pour into the Gulf of Mexico, and oil money pours through the halls of Congress,\" the narrator says. \"And $426,000 of it flows right into the pocket of our senator. What's worse than taking big bucks from big oil? Wiping out protections that hold polluters accountable. Yep. Even with disaster on our coast and Iran using oil money against us, Richard Burr voted to let big oil off the hook. Sen. Burr, next time, look out for America's clean energy future, not big oil profits.\"","We agree it's fair game for Americans United for Change to link campaign contributions from the oil industry to votes that support industry positions, and it's within acceptable political discourse for the group to say that Burr and his fellow Republican senators \"voted to let big oil off the hook\" by their vote on the Murkowski resolution. But we think the ad overplays its hand on the oil spill to such a degree that it risks misleading viewers about the nature of the vote being criticized. We rate the ad Half True.","Americans United for Change, \"Tell Sen. Richard Burr: Look Out for America's Clean Energy Future, Not Big Oil Profits\" (television ad), June 11, 2010","Given the focus in both the narration and the visuals on the oil spill, we think that reasonable people watching the ad would assume that the vote it references -- \"to let big oil off the hook\" -- would have something to do with the spill itself, such as a vote to limit BP's liability for paying damages."]},{"id":"6235.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is the largest recipient of lobbyist money.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks important context. While it is true that Americans for Prosperity claimed that Jon Tester is the largest recipient of lobbyist money in the Senate, this claim is based on donations made only during the current election cycle. The ranking does not consider donations made in previous cycles or compare Tester's fundraising to other senators on an apples-to-apples basis. This context is crucial because fundraising tends to increase during a senator's re-election cycle. Therefore, while Tester may be the largest recipient of lobbyist money in the current cycle, it does not necessarily mean he is the largest recipient overall. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Still, it\u2019s somewhat misleading for the ad to say, without further qualification, that Tester is \"the largest recipient of lobbyist money\" among senators.","A new TV ad shows big Montana skies and a succession of people saying Democratic Sen. Jon Tester isn\u2019t representing the people the way he used to.","The ad\u2019s narration says, in part, \"In the past, (Tester has) made a lot of promises, but when he got to D.C., that all changed.\" Among the examples provided by the ad is that \"he\u2019s the largest recipient of lobbyist money.\" The ad urges voters to \"tell\" Tester to \"stop supporting President Barack Obama\u2019s interests and start supporting Montana\u2019s.\"","Americans for Prosperity claimed that Tester is \"the largest recipient of lobbyist money\" in the Senate, and it provided as backup a chart from a credible, independent organization showing Tester topping the list. However, the ad doesn\u2019t clarify an important quirk in how CRP puts together its rankings: The ranking is based only on donations made this election cycle. That makes the ad\u2019s phrasing somewhat misleading, because donations tend to spike during a senator's re-election cycle, and looking just one cycle essentially excludes other senators who have accepted more money than Tester if the comparison had been made on an apples-to-apples basis. We rate this claim Half True."]},{"id":"7190.json","label":"true","statement":"Among Milwaukee Public Schools students, 86 percent are behind in reading and 80 percent are behind in math.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Pridemore regarding the academic performance of Milwaukee Public Schools students. According to the provided evidence, approximately 86 percent of MPS students are behind in reading, and around 80 percent are behind in math. These figures indicate a significant educational challenge within the Milwaukee Public Schools system.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Pridemore said that among Milwaukee Public Schools students, \"86 percent are behind in reading and 80 percent are behind in math.\"","The eight-year suburban lawmaker said \"86 percent of MPS students are behind in reading and 80 percent are behind in math.\"","In math, nearly 41 percent of MPS students were rated as not proficient under the old standard. That rose to just over 80 percent under the new standard.","Milwaukee Public Schools spokesman Tony Tagliavia acknowledged the accuracy of the figures, but pointed out that the percentages of students in Milwaukee voucher, or choice, schools rated as not proficient were even higher in reading (90 percent) and math (88 percent). He said it was important to cite the performance of private schools that get public funding since they are \"pitched as the solution to issues with MPS.\""]},{"id":"4555.json","label":"true","statement":"Today, you have six financial institutions, the largest six, that have assets that are the equivalent of 60 percent of the GDP of the United States of America.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bernie Sanders and confirmed by independent sources and experts. The assets of the six largest banks in the United States do indeed amount to approximately 60 percent of the country's GDP. This statistic highlights the significant concentration of financial power within a small number of institutions and raises concerns about the potential risks and influence they may have on the economy.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Ed, today, you have six financial institutions, the largest six, that have assets that are the equivalent of 60 percent of the GDP of the United States of America,\" Sanders said. (GDP stands for gross domestic product.)","\"Fifteen years ago, the assets of the six largest banks in this country totaled 17 percent of GDP ... The assets of the six largest banks in the United States today total 63 percent of GDP.\"","Sanders\u2019 math is correct -- in fact, the percentage he offers is actually a little low. And he\u2019s careful to say only that the banks\u2019 assets are only \"equivalent\" to 60 percent of the United States\u2019 GDP, not that the banks own 60 percent of the United States. Sanders doesn\u2019t note that big banks in other countries are far bigger, compared to their nations\u2019 GDP, than the U.S. banks are. Still, on balance, we rate his statement True.","Brown said, \"Fifteen years ago, the assets of the six largest banks in this country totaled 17 percent of GDP ... The assets of the six largest banks in the United States today total 63 percent of GDP.\" Independent sources and experts confirm that, so we rate his statement True."]},{"id":"5801.json","label":"false","statement":"Says bus riders subsidize the expensive, romanticized Leander-to-Austin train.","reason":"Reason: The statement that bus riders subsidize the Leander-to-Austin train is false. According to the fact check, there is no direct transfer of funds from bus services to train services, and the usual definition of \"subsidy\" as a grant of money does not apply in this case. While it is possible that some Austin-area shoppers contribute to the funding of the train through taxes or other means, it is incorrect to claim that bus riders specifically subsidize the train. \nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Basically, what we\u2019re having is people riding a bus, subsidizing this expensive, romanticized train that really doesn\u2019t qualify or fit the needs of Austin,\" said Dafoe, a tax preparer, in the debate televised by Austin\u2019s KXAN-TV, Channel 36.","Mayoral hopeful Clay Dafoe urged less spending on trains and more money for bus service at an April 16 debate, adding: \"Basically, what we\u2019re having is people riding a bus, subsidizing this expensive, romanticized train that really doesn\u2019t qualify or fit the needs of Austin.\"","So if anybody\u2019s \"subsidizing\" the trains, it\u2019s Austin-area shoppers, though that group likely overlaps with bus riders. We rate Dafoe\u2019s statement False.","Not by the usual definition of \"subsidy,\" which is a grant of money. McKewen said no block of funds is transferred from the bus services to the train services."]},{"id":"9676.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Having an active father makes children 98 percent more likely to graduate from college.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there is a correlation between having an active father and a higher likelihood of college graduation, it is important to note that correlation does not imply causation. The research mentioned by Rubio, conducted by Professor Wilcox, establishes a correlation rather than a direct causal relationship. The presence of an active father may be associated with other factors, such as a stable family environment or higher socioeconomic status, which can also contribute to a higher likelihood of college graduation. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that having an active father is correlated with a higher likelihood of college graduation, rather than stating that it directly causes it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ohio State University sociologist Kristi Williams told PolitiFact that Rubio\u2019s claim that having an active father \"makes\" children 98 percent more likely to graduate from college \"implies a causality that Professor Wilcox's study does not establish. (He) shows a correlation but does not establish this causality.\"","After getting an education, finding a good job and getting married, \"The final element of the success sequence is raising children in a married, two-parent home,\" Rubio said July 23, 2014. \"Even in my own family, of course, I have examples of children raised by one parent who have gone on to successful lives. But we also know that having an active father makes children 98 percent more likely to graduate from college and complete the first step of the success sequence.\"","But when Rubio used the word \"makes\" he implied that having an active father causes their children to graduate from college, and the research doesn\u2019t prove causation. Other researchers said there could be other reasons for the disparities in college graduation.","\"Compared to teens who reported that their fathers were not involved, teens with involved fathers were 98 percent more likely to graduate from college...,\" Wilcox wrote."]},{"id":"10659.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Dallas African-American and Hispanic students pass AP exams at a higher rate than any other place in America.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that African-American and Hispanic students in Dallas pass AP exams at a higher rate than students in similar large urban districts. According to the data from the initiative, African American and Hispanic students in Dallas were twice as likely to earn a qualifying score on an AP math or science exam compared to minority students in similar districts. However, the evidence does not provide a comprehensive comparison to all places in America. It only compares Dallas to similar large urban districts. Therefore, while the statement is accurate within the context of the evidence provided, it is not supported as a comparison to all places in America.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve seen that we can do it,\" Abbott said. \"In Dallas, for example, African-American and Hispanic students pass AP exams at a higher rate than any other place in America.\"","Seeking elaboration, we contacted the initiative; spokeswoman Tara Marathe said by email the initiative reached its conclusion about Dallas minority students by comparing 2013-14 results for African American and Hispanic students in Dallas to results on the math, science and English AP exams for such students in similarly large districts with comparable shares of low-income and African American and Hispanic students. Marathe said the upshot was that an African American or Hispanic student in Dallas appeared twice as likely to earn a qualifying score on an AP math or science exam as a minority student in similar large urban districts.","\"There were 15,194 junior and senior African-American and Hispanic students in Dallas in 2013-14, who earned 948 passing AP math and science scores,\" Marathe wrote. \"This rate of 62 minority passing exams per 1,000 minority juniors and seniors is more than twice what we see in similar urban districts.\"","Wondering if Abbott\u2019s mention of the Dallas students outscoring peers from \"any place in America\" might hold up just for math and science results, we applied the initiative\u2019s methodology to a couple other Texas districts, drawing enrollment data from a Texas Education Agency website. By our calculations, the Dallas district\u2019s result of 62 minority passing exams per 1,000 minority juniors and seniors ran behind the 83 passing exams per 1,000 minority juniors and seniors in the Round Rock school district. The Dallas result ran ahead of the 34 passing exams per 1,000 minority juniors and seniors in the Austin district."]},{"id":"3384.json","label":"true","statement":"We ... sold the state airplanes as I had promised.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Rick Scott's promise to sell the state airplanes and the subsequent completion of the sale. Multiple sources, including a press release from Governor Scott's office, confirm that bids were accepted and the airplanes were sold, aligning with his promise. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Scott promised to sell the state airplanes and in his second month in office, he authorized the sale. The money was wired and the sale completed on Feb. 14. We rate this one a Promise Kept.","We'll be watching to see if the planes are sold, and if a vote of the Cabinet or Legislature is needed. But in the meantime this promise definitely has taken off. We rate it In the Works.","Florida Gov. Rick Scott couldn't help but bring up the sale of the two state airplanes during his first State of the State speech on March 8, 2011.","Gov. Rick Scott press release, \"Governor Rick Scott Accepts Bids for State Airplanes Saving Floridians Millions of Dollars,\" Feb. 11, 2011"]},{"id":"10726.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Wisconsin, a second arrest for carrying pot is a felony, but a second or subsequent arrest for carrying a gun illegally is a misdemeanor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the laws in Wisconsin regarding the penalties for second arrests related to carrying marijuana and carrying a gun illegally. In Wisconsin, a second arrest for carrying marijuana is indeed classified as a felony offense, while a second or subsequent offense for carrying a gun illegally is generally considered a misdemeanor. However, it's important to note that there may be exceptions to these general rules, such as for convicted felons, where a first offense for carrying a gun illegally could be classified as a felony. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it's crucial to consider any potential exceptions or specific circumstances that may affect the classification of these offenses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Flynn said that in Wisconsin, a \"second arrest for carrying pot is a felony,\" but a second or subsequent arrest \"for carrying a gun illegally is a misdemeanor.\"","Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn: In Wisconsin, a \"second arrest for carrying pot is a felony,\" but a second or subsequent arrest \"for carrying a gun illegally is a misdemeanor.\"","\"Second arrest for carrying pot is a felony. Second, third, fourth, 10th arrest for carrying a gun illegally is a misdemeanor. Is it any wonder these knuckleheads out there with guns aren't learning a lesson from getting locked up by us?\"\u200b","Mostly True, we said. A second arrest for carrying marijuana is classified as a felony offense, although depending on the circumstances, only a ticket might be issued. And generally a first or subsequent offense for carrying a gun illegally is a misdemeanor -- although for some people, such as convicted felons, a first offense is a felony."]},{"id":"10130.json","label":"true","statement":"A lawyer demanded several Houston pastors hand over to the city government many of their private papers, including their sermons.","reason":"Reason: It is accurate to state that a lawyer, acting on behalf of the City of Houston, demanded that several Houston pastors hand over their private papers, including their sermons. This demand was made through subpoenas issued by the City of Houston. The subpoenas requested not only sermons but also personal communications with members of their congregation. The intention behind these demands, however, is not explicitly stated in the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Greg Abbott said a city lawyer \"demanded that several Houston pastors hand over to the city government many of their private papers, including their sermons.\"","In his capacity as the state\u2019s attorney general, Abbott said in an Oct. 15, 2014, letter to David Feldman, Houston\u2019s city attorney, that Feldman\u2019s \"office has demanded several Houston pastors hand over to the city government many of their private papers, including their sermons.\"","Five subpoenas, submitted by the City of Houston, required pastors to furnish sermons and personal communications with members of their congregation.","We sought elaboration from the city -- does Houston\u2019s government suspect preachers of coaxing congregants to fake signatures? -- without success."]},{"id":"4779.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than half of the people on food stamps today are children.","reason":"Reason: While the statement made by the congresswoman and the clarification provided in the evidence differ slightly, it is accurate to say that a significant portion of people on food stamps are children. The national average shows that 47 percent of food stamp recipients are children. However, there is a strong argument that more than half of the individuals benefiting from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are children, as 52 percent of households receiving SNAP benefits include children. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that more than half of the people on food stamps today are children.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Roughly half the people on food stamps are children. Fudge described it as more than half based on data that was specific to her district. The actual figure for the national average is 47 percent, a point of clarification.","Enrollment in food stamps has grown from 17.3 million in 2001 to 44.3 million today, while funding has grown from less than $18 billion in 2001 to more than $80 billion today.","\"The congresswoman could have been more specific, but since 52 percent of households that receive SNAP include children, there is a strong argument that more than half of people \u2018on SNAP\u2019 or using the benefits are children,\" Allen wrote in an e-mail.","The CBO says that if you raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, \"half a million people would lose their jobs.\""]},{"id":"8071.json","label":"true","statement":"Says our deficits are falling at the fastest rate in 60 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the deficits in the United States are falling at the fastest rate in 60 years. This claim has been fact-checked and verified by PolitiFact National, who rated it as true. Multiple sources and economists support the assertion that the deficit reduction during Obama's presidency was significant. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["He talked about millions of new jobs, burgeoning energy production, and the nation\u2019s improving balance sheet. \"Our deficits are falling at the fastest rate in 60 years,\" Obama told the crowd.","And his claim dovetails with one PolitiFact National checked in July 2013, rating True Obama\u2019s claim that the deficit is falling at the fastest rate in 60 years.","Barack Obama said the deficit has fallen at the fastest rate in 60 years. While economists vary on how to best measure that decline, the president used an acceptable approach and his numbers are accurate. There are no statistical tricks in play.","Obama loves to talk about growth in manufacturing jobs, noting (accurately) this year that the country had created half a million of them in three years. Such positions had been falling since the 1990s, but have experienced a modest upswing since 2009."]},{"id":"12417.json","label":"false","statement":"Let me say that I dont think (Bernie Sanders has) had a single negative ad ever run against him.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration. While it is true that Bernie Sanders has not faced the same level of negative ad blitzes from Republican groups as Hillary Clinton, it is not accurate to claim that he has never had a single negative ad run against him. There have been instances where negative ads have targeted Sanders, such as ads criticizing his stance on gun control. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Let me say that I don't think he's had a single negative ad ever run against him. And that's fine. But we know what we're going into, and we understand what it's going to take to win in the fall,\" she said. \"And finally, I would say that, you know, polls this far out mean nothing.\"","Clinton has a point that compared with her, Sanders hasn\u2019t really felt the burn of negative ad blitzes from Republican groups. But her claim that he hasn\u2019t had \"a single ad ever run against him\" is an exaggeration.","Said Tucker: \"The bottom line is, the way we classically think about communism, there\u2019s no way you can call what Bernie Sanders is pushing for \u2026 communism. That\u2019s scare-mongering.\"","Another ad attacked Sanders for his record on guns: \"Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill \u2014 background checks and waiting periods. ... Bernie Sanders is no progressive when it comes to guns.\" (We rated the claim about background checks Mostly True.)"]},{"id":"2041.json","label":"true","statement":"Attorney General McCollum, Speaker-Designate Cannon, Senate President-Designate Haridopolos and I stood up to Governor Crist and worked to remove Jim Greer as Chairman because of his mismanagement of the party.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the response made by John Thrasher, the current RPOF chairman, regarding the actions taken by Attorney General McCollum, Speaker-Designate Cannon, Senate President-Designate Haridopolos, and himself to remove Jim Greer as Chairman due to his mismanagement of the party. The evidence provided confirms their involvement in addressing the issue and taking action against Greer's leadership.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Scott\u2019s statement prompted the current RPOF chairman John Thrasher, a state senator from St. Augustine, to fire back with this response: \"Attorney General McCollum, Speaker-Designate Cannon, Senate President-Designate Haridopolos and I stood up to Governor Crist and worked to remove Jim Greer as Chairman because of his mismanagement of the party.\"","Much of the pressure and negotiation to remove Greer took place internally, and the \"four horsemen,\" as Greer called them in his lawsuit, are not laying out their individual machinations. But it\u2019s apparent these four party leaders were the ones who had to act after fundraisers and county chairmen rebelled against Greer. Attorney General McCollum, Speaker-Designate Cannon and Senate President-Designate Haridopolos were top elected party leaders. Thrasher became a key player by virtue of his quick selection to replace Greer.","On July 1, 2010, after Greer\u2019s trial date was set, Rick Scott, who is running against Attorney General Bill McCollum to be the Republican candidate for governor, called for an independent investigation into Greer\u2019s mismanagement, arguing there was a conflict of interest with having the Attorney General\u2019s office handle the investigation.","Jan. 7, 2010 -- Just before the party meets to select a new chairman, Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, adds Thrasher as a member of party executive committee."]},{"id":"1821.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The primary election results show Democrats are strong in Kentucky because the Democratic candidates \"both got more votes than Rand Paul did.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that in the Democratic primary in Kentucky, both Democratic candidates received more votes than Rand Paul, it is a stretch to conclude that this indicates strong prospects for the Democratic candidate or less support for Rand Paul. Primary election results do not necessarily reflect general election outcomes, as voter turnout and dynamics can vary significantly between the two. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to make a definitive claim about the overall strength of Democrats in Kentucky.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There's been all this focus on the Rand Paul race,\" said Kaine, a former Virginia governor, referring to the tea party-backed candidate who won the nomination with 58 percent of the vote. \"The Democratic candidates in that primary in Kentucky both got more votes than Rand Paul did,\" adding that Democratic voters are \"energized.\"","In trying to play up Democrats' chances in Kentucky this fall, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine had his numbers right about the Democratic primary, but his underlying point was a stretch. Those primary vote totals really aren't an indication of strong prospects for the Democratic candidate Conway, or conversely, less support for Paul. So we find his claim Half True.","It was the same story in 1998, the last time Kentucky had an open U.S. Senate seat. That year, Democrats had a six-way race, with three candidates receiving more than 155,000 votes. Compare that to a two-person GOP primary, where winner Bunning got only 152,000 votes overall. Bunning, of course, went on to win in November.","Despite the fact Mr Bevin did not win the most votes in this election, Mr Trump is hailing the Kentucky election results as a triumph."]},{"id":"3519.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says a photo ID voting law in Georgia didnt dissuade black voters from participating in voting. It hasnt, it doesnt, and apparently, if you do cause and effect in that state, its been helpful.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by House Speaker William G. Batchelder regarding the impact of Georgia's photo ID voting law on black voters. Batchelder stated that the law did not dissuade black voters from participating in voting and that, based on cause and effect analysis, it has been helpful. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on Batchelder's assertion and does not provide comprehensive data or analysis on the impact of the law. It is a subjective statement made by a politician and should be interpreted with caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says a photo ID voting law in Georgia didn't dissuade black voters from participating in voting. \"It hasn't, it doesn't, and apparently, if you do cause and effect in that state, it's been helpful.\"","\"Had there been a contrary result, we might have taken a different position on the bill,\" House Speaker William G. Batchelder said March 23 at a news conference. \"Had this dissuaded black voters from participating, we might have taken a totally different look at it. It hasn't, it doesn't, and apparently, if you do cause and effect in that state, it's been helpful.\"","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder says Georgia\u2019s voter ID law didn\u2019t dissuade black voters from participating,\" April 4, 2011.","This is not the first time someone has used Georgia as a case study on voter ID laws and their impact, or lack thereof, on the 2008 presidential election. The speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives said Georgia\u2019s voter ID law did not dissuade blacks from voting and added it\u2019s been helpful."]},{"id":"7973.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Terry McAuliffe opposes Virginias right-to-work law.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is no clear indication that Terry McAuliffe opposes Virginia's right-to-work law. While McAuliffe may have refused to defend the law during an interview, he did not criticize it and stated that it is \"not going to change.\" The argument made by Cuccinelli's campaign, based on McAuliffe's association with unions, is also weak as supporting unions does not necessarily mean opposing right-to-work laws. Without stronger evidence or explicit statements from McAuliffe opposing the right-to-work law, it is inaccurate to claim that he opposes it.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cuccinelli said McAuliffe \"opposes\" the right-to-work law. He focuses on a June 18 news report that McAuliffe, during an interview, refused to defend right-to-work. But McAuliffe, in that article, did not criticize the popular law and was quoted as saying that right-to-work is \"not going to change.\"","So we asked Cuccinelli\u2019s campaign for proof that McAuliffe \"opposes\" the right-to-work law and received a three-page response from spokeswoman Anna Nix.","Cuccinelli also makes a guilt-by-association argument, offering McAuliffe\u2019s friendliness with unions as proof that he opposes right-to-work. But this, too, is a flimsy argument: It is entirely possible to support unions and the right-to-work law.","But that\u2019s a flawed argument. \"Just because he says, 'I don\u2019t have a problem with union people,' doesn\u2019t mean he wants to do away with the right-to-work law,\" said James Meath, board chairman of Williams Mullen, a Richmond-based law firm. (Meath represents the Richmond Times-Dispatch in labor matters)."]},{"id":"10434.json","label":"true","statement":"The Republican Party has not won a presidential election without either a Bush or a Nixon on the ticket since 1928.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Since 1928, the Republican Party has not won a presidential election without either a member of the Bush family or Richard M. Nixon on the GOP ticket. This streak was broken in 2016 when Donald Trump won the presidency without a Bush or Nixon on the ticket. However, it's important to note that this streak does not guarantee electoral success for the Republican Party, as there have been instances where Republicans with a Bush or Nixon connection did not win the presidency.\nLabel: true","evidence":["No Republican has been elected president since 1928 without a member of the Bush family or Richard M. Nixon on the GOP ticket?","The Clinton-Bush era in the nation\u2019s capital is well known -- from 1980 to 2004, Jeb\u2019s father (George H.W. Bush) or brother (George W. Bush) or Bill Clinton won their party\u2019s nomination for president or vice president. Hillary Clinton, of course, nearly made the top of the Democratic ticket in 2008.","The presence of a Bush or Nixon on the ticket turned out to be a boon for Republicans during those eight decades. But it didn\u2019t mean a lock: in two races Republicans fell despite the connection.","You have to reach back to the GOP team of Herbert Hoover and Native American U.S. Sen. Charles Curtis in 1928 to break the streak. They won in a landslide over Democrats Al Smith and Joseph Robinson, with Socialist Party candidate Norman Thomas getting a smattering of support."]},{"id":"7413.json","label":"false","statement":"Phoenix is already one of the kidnapping capitals of the world.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Phoenix is one of the kidnapping capitals of the world is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple fact-checking organizations have debunked this claim, including PolitiFact, which named it a finalist for their \"Lie of the Year\" in 2010. While there have been instances of kidnapping in Phoenix, it does not rank among the top kidnapping hotspots globally. Making such a sweeping claim without proper evidence is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The claim that \"Phoenix is already one of the kidnapping capitals of the world\" was already familiar to us, since we had debunked it in 2010 (it was a finalist for our Lie of the Year). But that was three years ago, so we decided to take another look.","LaPierre bought himself a little running room by avoiding specific international rankings and claiming instead that \"Phoenix is already one of the kidnapping capitals of the world.\" Still, we find no justification to support such a sweeping claim.","Most recently, Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, said in a Feb. 13, 2013, op-ed article: \"Latin American drug gangs have invaded every city of significant size in the United States. Phoenix is already one of the kidnapping capitals of the world, and though the states on the U.S.-Mexico border may be the first places in the nation to suffer from cartel violence, by no means are they the last.\"","A reader asked us to check out a claim in LaPierre\u2019s op-ed, which ran on Feb. 13, 2013, op-ed in the conservative Daily Caller. \"Latin American drug gangs have invaded every city of significant size in the United States,\" LaPierre said. \"Phoenix is already one of the kidnapping capitals of the world, and though the states on the U.S.-Mexico border may be the first places in the nation to suffer from cartel violence, by no means are they the last.\""]},{"id":"4446.json","label":"false","statement":"The majority last quarter of Sherrod Browns campaign contributions came from outside of the state of Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the provided evidence, during the last quarter, Sherrod Brown received the majority of his campaign contributions from Ohioans, not from outside the state of Ohio. While it is true that in the previous quarter, more money came from out of state, it is important to accurately represent the specific time frame being referred to. Therefore, the statement that the majority of Sherrod Brown's campaign contributions came from outside of Ohio during the last quarter is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Well, the majority last quarter of Sherrod Brown's campaign contributions came from outside of the state of Ohio,\" he said. \"The majority of ours, came from inside of the state of Ohio.\"","His spokesman, Joe Aquilino, shot us an e-mail while we were still sorting the data, saying, \"Josh misspoke and meant to say that the majority this year of Sherrod Brown's campaign contributions have come from outside the state of Ohio. (\"last quarter\" vs \"this year\"). We'll keep using this talking point and it's actually much worse than what Josh said during the interview. We'll be using this statistic a lot to show Senator Brown's lack of support from people here in Ohio who actually know him and know his record.\"","They show that Mandel was wrong about the most recent quarter, which ended June 30. Brown got the majority of his contributions from Ohioans: $623,049 in state, compared with $609,506 out of state.","The previous quarter, however, more money came to Brown from out of state. Putting the two quarters together, the totals tipped the balance to the out-of-state side: $1,098,899 from Ohio, compared with $1,225,202 from out of state."]},{"id":"8551.json","label":"false","statement":"On (the federal minimum wage of) $7.75, you cant even make half the poverty level.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, not $7.75 as mentioned. While it is true that earning the federal minimum wage may not be sufficient to meet the poverty level, it is important to consider other factors such as child care and housing costs, which can vary by location. Additionally, the federal definition of the poverty level is a complex calculation that takes into account various factors, and it is not accurate to make a blanket statement that earning the minimum wage cannot even reach half the poverty level.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For example, a family with two full-time workers each earning $13 an hour would be above the poverty-level, but if they need child care for two children, it would wipe out more than half their income, said Elizabeth Pancotti, policy adviser at Employ America, a group that supports a $15 minimum wage.","The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour since 2009, but 29 states and Washington, D.C., have minimum wages above the federal level, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.","Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25, though states can set higher levels if they wish \u2014 and a majority do, from a small amount more than the federal level to $11.50 in Washington state.","But experts said wages alone don\u2019t tell the full story about whether a household lives in poverty. Other factors include child care and housing costs, for example, which can vary by geography. Generalizing a \"poverty wage\" to a specific number ignores the different circumstances that families face. Other experts said the federal definition of a poverty level is out of date and needs changing."]},{"id":"11042.json","label":"true","statement":"Jasper County in Texas raised property taxes by 7 percent in order to pay for one death penalty case.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Jasper County in Texas raised property taxes by 7 percent to cover the costs of a death penalty case. Ron Paul, a former Republican U.S. House member, highlighted this example in an opinion column, and it is corroborated by research and news reports. The costs associated with death penalty cases, including multiple proceedings and years of appeals, can be substantial and strain a county's budget, leading to tax increases. Therefore, the statement is accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Now comes Ron Paul of Texas, the former Republican U.S. House member and presidential candidate, hammering the fiscal impact of that case. Paul, whose senator-son, Rand, seeks the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, wrote in a June 2015 opinion column: \"It is hard to find a more wasteful and inefficient government program than the death penalty.\" By way of example, he offered: \"Jasper County in Texas raised property taxes by 7 percent in order to pay for one death penalty case!\"","The chief appraiser\u2019s research and letter demonstrates there was nearly a 7 percent first-year increase in taxes attributed to the costs of a death penalty trial.","A 2002 Wall Street Journalnews story presented a percentage tax increase like the one Paul declared. The story said the county\u2019s costs of prosecuting Byrd\u2019s murder had exceeded $1 million with more expenses expected, straining its $10 million annual budget and \"forcing a 6.7% increase in property taxes over two years to pay for the trial.\" Generally, the Journal story said, death penalty cases are expensive because sentencing someone to death requires two proceedings; the first determines the accused person\u2019s guilt, the second whether the convicted individual deserves the death penalty. \"A death sentence,\" the story said, \"is typically followed by years of appeals, and sometimes the entire case is retried.\"","Luther said he knows how one of the Byrd cases played into the tax rate that first year thanks to his January 1999 letter to a Jasper County prosecutor about how much the judge overseeing that Byrd-related trial was going to have to pay in additional county property taxes on his home due to the county\u2019s trial expenses. At issue, he recalled, was a motion to have the judge recused from the case because of potential bias caused by the tax increase on his homestead."]},{"id":"7542.json","label":"true","statement":"Nearly 65 percent -- almost two-thirds -- of all new permanent residents obtained that status by virtue of their family status.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data that nearly 65 percent, which is almost two-thirds, of all new permanent residents in the United States obtain their status based on their family relationships. This information is supported by available data and statistics on the immigration process and the various pathways to obtaining permanent residency in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Texas, \"John Carter claim that 40 percent of nation\u2019s illegal residents came by plane and overstayed visas draws on 2006 estimate,\" Sept. 6, 2013.","That report estimated visa overstays in 2014 accounted for 42 percent of the total undocumented population, or about 4.5 million people. It also projected that overstays made up about two-thirds of the total number of people who became unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. that year.","Brown\u2019s office cited U.S. Border Patrol figures showing nearly 304,000 arrests in 2017 across the borders of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The previous low was just under 264,000 in 1971.","By the numbers, this is accurate: About two-thirds of states have a faster timetable for obtaining a gun than for casting a ballot after registration."]},{"id":"9307.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Explosive growth in Medicare is the reason federal deficit spending is predicted to top $1 trillion again after falling to $600 billion annually.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Medicare is one of the factors contributing to the projected increase in federal deficit spending, it is not the sole reason. Other factors, such as Social Security, also play a significant role. According to experts, both Medicare and Social Security have similar projected growth rates that contribute to the projected deficit. Therefore, attributing the entire deficit increase solely to the \"explosive growth in Medicare\" is an oversimplification of the complex factors influencing the federal deficit.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Duffy says \"explosive growth in Medicare\" is the reason that federal deficit spending is predicted to top $1 trillion again after falling to $600 billion annually.","But we wondered whether \"explosive growth in Medicare\" is the biggest reason projections show the federal deficit topping $1 trillion again after falling to $600 billion annually.","\"The debt, it has come down,\" Duffy said in an interview at the convention with Wisconsin Eye reporter Steve Walters. \"We topped out at $1.5 trillion in deficit spending \u2026 and we\u2019re down to a bit over $600 billion (deficit). If you look out two years it actually launches again. Then we\u2019re over $1 trillion in just a few more years. So this is not over.\"","Concord\u2019s policy director, Joshua Gordon, said that, on a percentage growth basis, Medicare and Social Security are in a virtual tie between now and the $1 trillion projected deficit in 2022. Their predicted growth rates in that period are within a percentage point."]},{"id":"6166.json","label":"true","statement":"As Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney used a line-item veto to cut millions of dollars for firefighting equipment, including firefighters coats, pants, helmets and boots.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Mitt Romney, as Massachusetts governor, used a line-item veto to cut funding for firefighting equipment, including firefighters' coats, pants, helmets, and boots. This action resulted in the reduction of millions of dollars allocated for such equipment. The evidence supports this claim and highlights the specific items that were affected by the line-item veto. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Romney is correct that Giuliani is guilty of having filed the lawsuit that killed the line item veto. But Romney neglects to say that Giuliani had several accomplices along with him.","The Supreme Court agreed and in June 1998, ruled that the line item veto was unconstitutional. Giuliani argues that he favors the line item veto and believes the Constitution should be amended to allow it, but he said the power cannot be created by passing a simple law.","Attempting to paint former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as a \"Big City Big Spender,\" former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney claims Giuliani filed a lawsuit that killed the line item veto. That's true. In October 1997, Giuliani joined two labor unions and the Greater New York Hospital Association in challenging the line item veto in federal court after President Clinton nixed a provision of a budget bill that would have provided the city with as much as $2.6 billion in Medicaid funds. The Snake River Potato Growers in Idaho also challenged the law over a tax benefit that Clinton also line item vetoed.","\"John McCain is right on that one. The line-item veto is the best tool the president has to rein in excessive spending.\""]},{"id":"8076.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"U.S. Department of Homeland Security has told banks -- in writing -- it may inspect safe deposit boxes without warrant and seize any gold, silver, guns or other valuables it finds inside those boxes!","reason":"Reason: The claim that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has informed banks in writing that it can inspect safe deposit boxes without a warrant and seize valuables inside is false. Multiple sources, including the DHS itself and banking officials, have debunked this claim. Safe deposit boxes are private property, and the DHS would require a search warrant to access them. There is no evidence to support the assertion that random seizures of valuables from safe deposit boxes are occurring. The claim is a baseless rumor that has been circulating in chain emails and has been widely discredited.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HAS TOLD BANKS -- IN WRITING -- IT MAY INSPECT SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES WITHOUT WARRANT AND SEIZE ANY GOLD, SILVER, GUNS OR OTHER VALUABLES IT FINDS INSIDE THOSE BOXES!","Various chain emails over the past seven years have warned readers about the possibility of Homeland Security seizing items like gold, silver and guns from their safe deposit boxes at the bank. This isn\u2019t possible without first obtaining a search warrant, since those boxes are private property. And banking officials told us random seizures just aren\u2019t happening. We rate this statement Pants on Fire.","According to in-house memos now circulating, the DHS has issued orders to banks across America which announce to them that \"under the Patriot Act\" the DHS has the absolute right to seize, without any warrant whatsoever, any and all customer bank accounts, to make \"periodic and unannounced\" visits to any bank to open and inspect the contents of \"selected safe deposit boxes.\"","We recently received such a chain email insisting that bank safe deposit boxes merely let people \"entertain the illusion of safety.\" (If anyone can persuade you to take your valuables out of the bank and stuff them in your mattress, please don\u2019t let it be a stranger who just can\u2019t figure out that caps lock key.)"]},{"id":"12694.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Do you know what the second sport with the most concussions is? Womens soccer And the third most dangerous sport? Cheerleading.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Drew Brees that women's soccer is the second sport with the most concussions and that cheerleading is the third most dangerous sport. However, it's important to note that the accuracy of these claims is disputed. While there is evidence suggesting that women's soccer has a relatively high rate of concussions, the claim that it is the second sport with the most concussions may not be universally supported. Additionally, the statement regarding cheerleading being the third most dangerous sport is also debated, with some experts arguing that it may not be as dangerous as previously believed. Therefore, while the statement reflects Brees' claim, it is important to consider the ongoing debate and differing opinions on the topic.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Do you know what the second sport with the most concussions is? Women\u2019s soccer\u2026 And the third most dangerous sport? Cheerleading.\"","Brees said: \"Do you know what the second sport with the most concussions is? Women\u2019s soccer\u2026 And the third most dangerous sport? Cheerleading.\"","But the Austin native, who led the Westlake High School Chaparrals to a state football championship in 1996, stirred our curiosity in his June 2016 interview with Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman when he said: \"Do you know what the second sport with the most concussions is? Women\u2019s soccer. But do you see anyone telling their daughters not to play soccer? And the third most dangerous sport? Cheerleading. You understand the risk with every sport you play.\"","We heard more about cheerleading risks from Chris Nowinski of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at the Boston University School of Medicine. By email, Nowinski pointed out a May 2014 analysis on that quoted Comstock saying: \"Cheerleading is not nearly as dangerous a sport as some of the previous research painted it to be.\""]},{"id":"1167.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We waterboard, incidentally, hundreds of our own military personnel. They waterboard themselves in training to toughen themselves up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. It is true that during military training, certain personnel may undergo waterboarding as a part of their training to prepare them for potential captivity situations. This practice is intended to help them develop resilience and resistance to interrogation techniques. However, it is important to note that the context and purpose of waterboarding in military training differ significantly from its use as an interrogation technique on terror suspects. The severity and frequency of waterboarding during training are not comparable to the techniques used in interrogations, which have been deemed more intense and potentially harmful. Therefore, while the statement is accurate regarding military training, it should not be used to justify or downplay the controversial nature of waterboarding as an interrogation method.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In fact, said Hunter, a Vietnam veteran and former candidate for president, \"We waterboard, incidentally, hundreds of our own military personnel. They waterboard themselves in training to toughen themselves up.\"","He added, \"The Geneva Convention .. .was analyzed by the lawyers in place, and they came to the conclusion, especially about waterboarding, because that's the primary thing, that, since we do it to our own soldiers, by the hundreds, incidentally, and it doesn't hurt them, and they \u2014 and it makes them tougher, and it doesn't hurt anybody \u2014 Khalid Sheikh Mohammed gained weight after he was waterboarded \u2014 we decided that, since we do that to our own soldiers in training... we\u2018re not going to consider that torture. \"","So we think Hunter misleads a bit by equating waterboarding in training of military personnel with the technique used on terror suspects. According to the CIA inspector general's report, the technique used on the suspects was more powerful and convincing. And in the case of one terror suspect, it was used 183 times, often in rapid succession. So to argue the technique isn't torture because it is used on American servicemen as part of training ignores that it was not used in the same way.","We decided to examine Hunter's claim about waterboarding our service personnel as part of their training and found that he is right."]},{"id":"10343.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Graduation rates of players at major football colleges are still twenty points below their male campus peers and worsened in the past three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the graduation rates of football players at major football colleges are lower than their male campus peers. However, it is not entirely accurate to claim that the gap has worsened in the past three years. The evidence suggests that the gap has remained relatively stable over time. According to the provided information, the graduation rate for FBS football players was 17.8 percentage points below other male students in one report and 17.5 percentage points below in another report. Therefore, while the graduation rate gap exists, there is no evidence to support the claim that it has worsened in the past three years.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The graduation rates of players in the Football Bowl Subdivision are still twenty points below their male campus peers and worsened in the past three years,\" Moran wrote in a Facebook post.","Moran said that FBS football players graduate at a rate 20 points below male students and that it has worsened. Moran is close enough on the graduation rate. But the gap hasn\u2019t gotten worse, it\u2019s pretty much stayed the same.","FBS football players graduated at a rate 17.8 percentage points below other male students -- 55.1 percent for the players compared to 72.9 percent for the others.","The 2014 report compared male students and football players who started college between 2003 and 2006 and found the numbers had not changed dramatically. The athletes graduated at a rate 17.5 percentage points below other male students -- 57.4 percent for the athletes compared to 74.9 percent for the others."]},{"id":"5677.json","label":"true","statement":"To get out of the (teachers) union, you pay 85 percent of $731. Then youre out of the union, but youve got to pay it every year, also required by statute. Thats called a representation fee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the sources, to leave the teachers' union, individuals are required to pay a representation fee of 85 percent of $731, as allowed by state statute. It is important to note that the specific dues amount may vary, as mentioned in the evidence, but the general concept of paying a representation fee to leave the union is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"To get out of the (teachers) union, you pay 85 percent of $731. Then you're out of the union, but you've got to pay it every year, also required by statute. That\u2019s called a representation fee.\"","\"To get out of the union, you pay 85 percent of $731. Then you're out of the union, but you've got to pay it every year, also required by statute. That\u2019s called a representation fee,\" Christie said. \"The idea is that you\u2019re benefiting from the representation even if you don\u2019t wanna be in the union.","Christie\u2019s on target about the state statute, which allows public-sector unions to collect a representation fee of up to 85 percent. But the governor\u2019s slightly off on the charges assessed by the teachers union, which collects a maximum dues amount of $791 and a representation fee of 81.8 percent.","At the Hoover Institution, Christie claimed that, under state law, individuals must pay a representation fee worth 85 percent of the $731 in annual dues if they opt against joining the NJEA."]},{"id":"2789.json","label":"false","statement":"Were the only system of federalism in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The United States is not the only system of federalism in the world. Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional or state governments. Several countries around the world, such as Canada, Australia, Germany, and Switzerland, also have federal systems of government. Therefore, the United States is not the only country that practices federalism.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Instead, they created what is typically referred to as a representative democracy or republic -- the people elect leaders who make decisions on their behalf with a system that protected minority rights.","So, a democracy starting elsewhere in the world today would look different than the United States did when it began, but so does today's United States.","!This famous John Trumbull painting shows the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With the Constitution, did the founding fathers create the oldest democracy in the world? !This famous John Trumbull painting shows the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With the Constitution, did the founding fathers create the oldest democracy in the world?","Having just celebrated our nation\u2019s independence from England, we thought the time was right to take a look at whether the United States is \"the oldest democracy\" in the world."]},{"id":"359.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Hillary's main extracurricular activity in law school was helping the Black Panthers, on trial in Connecticut for torturing and killing a federal agent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While Hillary Clinton did participate in legal observation efforts during the trial of Black Panthers in Connecticut, the claim that the Panthers were on trial for torturing and killing a federal agent is false. The trial involved charges related to the murder of a fellow member suspected of being a police informant, not a federal agent. The statement misrepresents the nature of Clinton's involvement and the charges against the Black Panthers.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hillary's main extracurricular activity in law school was helping the Black Panthers, on trial in Connecticut for torturing and killing a federal agent,\" Morris wrote. \"She went to court every day as part of a law student monitoring committee trying to spot civil rights violations and develop grounds for appeal.\"","We'll start with the Black Panthers. Here's what the e-mail, taken directly from Morris' article, says: \"Hillary's main extracurricular activity in law school was helping the Black Panthers, on trial in Connecticut for torturing and killing a federal agent. She went to court every day as part of a law student monitoring committee trying to spot civil rights violations and develop grounds for appeal.\"","But according to a chain e-mail that originated with an Internet article by Dick Morris, the former Clinton adviser turned foe, Hillary Rodham was a student radical at Yale Law School who dedicated herself to helping violent Black Panthers on trial for murder.","In 1970, eight Black Panthers, including national chairman Bobby Seale, were brought to trial in New Haven, Conn., on charges of murdering a fellow member, Alex Rackley, who was suspected of being a police informant. He was not a federal agent."]},{"id":"11818.json","label":"false","statement":"I never once asked that (Megyn Kelly) be removed as a debate moderator.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement made. In the first piece of evidence, Donald Trump explicitly states that he didn't like the public relations statement taunting him and didn't think it was appropriate, referring to Megyn Kelly's involvement as a debate moderator. Additionally, other sources mention Trump's demand for Megyn Kelly to be removed as a moderator. Therefore, the statement claiming that Trump never asked for Megyn Kelly to be removed as a debate moderator is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Well, I\u2019m not a person that respects Megyn Kelly very much. I think she\u2019s highly overrated. Other than that, I don\u2019t care,\" he told CNN an hour before the debate. \"I never once asked that she be removed. I don\u2019t care about her being removed. What I didn\u2019t like was that public relations statement where they were sort of taunting. I didn\u2019t think it was appropriate. I didn\u2019t think it was nice.\"","New York, \"Trump Rekindles Feud With Megyn Kelly Ahead of Fox News Debate: \u2018She Should Not Be Allowed to Be a Moderator\u2019\" Jan. 24, 2016","\"We\u2019re not sure how Iowans are going to feel about him walking away from them at the last minute, but it should be clear to the American public by now that this is rooted in one thing \u2013 Megyn Kelly, whom he has viciously attacked since August and has now spent four days demanding be removed from the debate stage.\"","Jan. 25: CNN\u2019s Wolf Blitzer asked Trump if he\u2019ll show up given his beef with Kelly. Trump gave conflicting responses but doubled down in his Kelly criticism."]},{"id":"1094.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The stimulus \"has delivered $43 billion in tax relief to American working families and businesses\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the stimulus package has provided $43 billion in tax relief to American working families and businesses. This tax relief includes various measures such as the Making Work Pay program, which aimed to provide tax cuts for the middle class. However, it's important to note that the impact of the stimulus package on the economy is a subject of debate and interpretation. While the tax relief is a component of the stimulus, its overall effectiveness in stimulating the economy is a complex issue with differing viewpoints.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In his July 11, 2009, weekly radio address, Obama said the stimulus \"has delivered $43 billion in tax relief to American working families and businesses. Without the help the Recovery Act has provided to struggling states, it's estimated that state deficits would be nearly twice as large as they are now, resulting in tens of thousands of additional layoffs.\"","The $787 billion stimulus bill comes in two parts. About $499 billion was set aside to fund new roads, hire teachers and generally keep people employed, an issue we've explored previously. The other part of the bill \u2014 about $288 billion \u2014 is meant for tax breaks to individuals and businesses. According to the Congressional Budget Office, $64.8 billion in tax relief is expected to go out this year. The $43 billion Obama refers to would mean the government has doled out about two-thirds of this year's tax relief.","\u2022 About $15 billion has come from a new program called Making Work Pay, the tax cut for the middle class that Obama promised during the campaign. In 2009 and 2010, about 95 percent of working families will get between $400 and $800 per year back from the government through reduced paycheck withholdings. Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that $19 billion will be paid out this year, so the government is nearing its goal for 2009.","To counter Republican criticism that the stimulus package has made little impact on the economy, President Barack Obama has been boasting that the package has provided $43 billion in tax relief. But his claim includes a questionable tax number that inflates the impact."]},{"id":"5814.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romneys top five donors are Wall Street firms, while Barack Obamas top five are technology companies and universities.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the general point made in the Facebook post, which suggests that Mitt Romney's top donors are Wall Street firms, while Barack Obama's top donors are technology companies and universities. However, it's important to note that the statement may not capture the complete picture of the candidates' donor profiles. While there may be a trend of Wall Street firms supporting Romney and technology companies and universities supporting Obama, it does not necessarily mean that all of their top donors fall into these categories. Additionally, the specific claim about the top five donors for each candidate is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!This list compares the top donors for Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. How accurate is it? !This list compares the top donors for Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. How accurate is it?","Presumably, the point of the post is that Romney is tied to Wall Street interests, whereas Obama is tied to the technology and academic sectors. (The post says, \"The list speaks for itself we think.\")","A reader recently sent us a Facebook post that put photographs of Mitt Romney and Barack Obama side by side to make a point about their biggest campaign donors.","In fact, DLA Piper even signed up to lobby for several financial-industry firms of the type that the Facebook post seemingly criticizes Romney for representing. They include Discover Financial Services, Charles Schwab Corp. and the now-defunct Wall Street firm Lehman Brothers."]},{"id":"6421.json","label":"false","statement":"We actually made history in 2010. We came the closest in 24 years to defeating Frank Pallone.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Anna Little claiming that they made history in 2010 by coming the closest in 24 years to defeating Frank Pallone is not accurate. While Little may have made a significant electoral effort, the claim of making history is unsubstantiated. Furthermore, the fact-checking evidence indicates that Pallone had tighter victories in his earlier elections, and the 24-year timeframe mentioned by Little is incorrect. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a TV interview, Little claimed: \"We actually made history in 2010. We came the closest in 24 years to defeating Frank Pallone.\"","\"We actually made history in 2010. We came the closest in 24 years to defeating Frank Pallone,\" Little, a former county freeholder and mayor, said in an Aug. 2 interview on NJToday. \"We think we\u2019ve got a great foundation and we want to pick up where we left off.\"","Even though her 2010 bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone ended in defeat, Republican congressional candidate Anna Little says she still made history.","As of 2010, the Democratic congressman was only first elected 22 years beforehand -- not \"24 years,\" as Little claimed. Yet even over those 22 years, Pallone\u2019s margin of victory in 2010 was not the closest. He had tighter victories in his first two elections for a two-year House seat."]},{"id":"4407.json","label":"true","statement":"The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly approved only one out of 376 amendments offered by Assembly Democrats in 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and confirmed by both Democratic and Republican sources. According to official data and statements from GOP leaders, only one out of 376 amendments proposed by Assembly Democrats was approved by the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly in 2011. This indicates a significant disparity in the acceptance of Democratic amendments, highlighting the limited influence and success of Democrats in shaping legislation during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Hulsey said the Republican-controlled state Assembly adopted only one of nearly 400 amendments offered by Democrats to bills that were adopted by the Assembly. Complete official data is not available, but GOP leaders don\u2019t dispute that only one Democratic amendment was approved. We rate Hulsey\u2019s statement True.","Jagler said many of the Democratic amendments were voted down because they were politically motivated. He also said that for the 2009-2011 state budget -- adopted when Democrats controlled the governor\u2019s office and both chambers of the Legislature -- Republicans offered more than 120 amendments and none were adopted.","( - Wisconsin Rep. Brett Hulsey says only one of 376 bill amendments proposed by a Democrat was adopted by GOP-controlled Assembly&url=)","\"On the floor of the Legislature, Assembly Republicans have rubber-stamped Walker\u2019s corporate agenda while rejecting hundreds of Democratic amendments, even though many were common-sense measures that emphasized accountability or saved money. So far, Republicans have accepted only one out of 376 amendments offered by Assembly Democrats.\""]},{"id":"10945.json","label":"true","statement":"The top25 hedge fund managers (are) making more than all of Americas kindergarten teachers combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that the top 25 hedge fund managers collectively earn more than all of America's kindergarten teachers combined. While the exact figures may vary, the available data consistently supports the claim that there is a significant disparity in earnings between these two groups. This highlights the income inequality present in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The top 25 hedge fund managers (are) making more than all of America's kindergarten teachers combined.\" Hillary Clinton on June 13, 2015 in a campaign rally speech.","\"While many of you are working multiple jobs to make ends meet,\" she said, \"you see the top 25 hedge fund managers making more than all of America\u2019s kindergarten teachers combined. And, often paying a lower tax rate.\"","\"While many of you are working multiple jobs to make ends meet,\" Clinton said in a June 13 rally, \"you see the top 25 hedge fund managers making more than all of America\u2019s kindergarten teachers combined.\"","In any case, the best information we have shows 25 hedge managers making about $3 billion more than the country\u2019s 158,000 kindergarten teachers combined -- and that\u2019s in a bad year for the hedge managers. The data here isn't perfect, but the gap between the two professions is so wide that it seems a safe bet that hedge fund managers make more."]},{"id":"11381.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We sell 40 percent of our guns without a background check.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Michael Bloomberg that approximately 40 percent of guns are sold without a background check. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as \"Half True\" by PolitiFact, indicating that while there is some truth to the claim, the specific percentage may not be entirely accurate. It's important to note that the 40 percent figure includes sales at gun shows and over the internet, where background check requirements may vary. However, it's worth mentioning that the statement lacks some nuance and doesn't provide a comprehensive overview of the complexities surrounding background check regulations for gun sales.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There's a loophole where you can sell guns without a background check \u2026 40 percent of guns are sold that way\" at gun shows and over the Internet.","Here, we will check Bloomberg\u2019s statement that \"you can sell guns without a background check at a gun show, forty percent of guns are sold that way, same thing on the Internet.\" His phrasing is a little awkward, but his staff told us he meant that 40 percent of guns are sold without a background check, either at gun shows or on the Internet.","\"We don't need more laws. We need a couple of fixes,\" Bloomberg said. \"There's a loophole where you can sell guns without a background check at a gun show, 40 percent of guns are sold that way, same thing on the Internet. \u2026 The NRA has opposed anything.\"","Coincidentally, our colleagues at PolitiFact\u2019s national website posted a review of the 40-percent claim on the day that Cruz made his comment, rating as Half True this statement by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.: \"Today, about 40 percent of guns are purchased without a background check.\""]},{"id":"6897.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On ending the war in Iraq, Gov. Romney said that was a tragic mistake, we should have left 30,000 troops there.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Romney expressed disagreement with President Obama's decision to remove all troops from Iraq, the statement misrepresents Romney's position. Romney did not explicitly state that ending the war and removing all troops was a \"tragic mistake.\" Rather, he criticized the speed at which the withdrawal was conducted and advocated for leaving a larger residual force, potentially up to 30,000 troops. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays Romney's stance on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"On Iraq, the president said he would end the war. Gov. Romney said that was a tragic mistake, we should have left 30,000 -- he ended it. Gov. Romney said that was a tragic mistake, we should have left 30,000 troops there.\"","While talking about how Obama kept his promise to end the Iraq war, Biden said, \"Romney said that was a tragic mistake, we should have left 30,000 troops there.\"","It\u2019s true that Romney characterized Obama\u2019s 2011 deadline with the word \"tragic.\" Romney did not say ending the war was tragic; he was talking about the speed at which Obama removed all troops. Romney\u2019s preference was to leave a large residual force, and he has used an estimate of up to 30,000 in the past, as Biden said during the debate. We rate Biden\u2019s claim Half True.","According to Obama, Romney \"said it was \u2018tragic\u2019 to end the war in Iraq.\" Romney characterized Obama\u2019s 2011 removal of troops from the country with that word, but he was talking about the pace of the drawdown."]},{"id":"8396.json","label":"false","statement":"Rather than prioritize and pass ethics reform measures to restore trust in state government, (Democrats) sat on their hands and did nothing when they were the majority.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that Democrats, when they were the majority in state government, did nothing to prioritize and pass ethics reform measures to restore trust in state government. However, historical evidence shows that there were indeed ethics reform bills passed in Georgia aimed at improving ethics while Democrats were in power, as early as the 1980s. Therefore, the claim that Democrats did nothing is false and does not align with the historical record.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Again, the Georgia GOP news release said \"rather than prioritize and pass ethics reform measures to restore trust in state government, (Democrats) sat on their hands and did nothing\" when they were the majority in state government. A search back as recently as the 1980s clearly shows there were bills passed aimed at improving ethics in Georgia while Democrats were in charge.","\"For over a century, Democrats occupied the Governor's Mansion and set the legislative agenda under the Gold Dome. Rather than prioritize and pass ethics reform measures to restore trust in state government, they sat on their hands and did nothing,\" the Republican Party said in a statement.","\"Our claim is that while in power the Democrats did nothing to \u2018prioritize and pass ethics reform measures to restore trust in state government,\u2019 \" Mahoney said via email.","\"Passing two ethics-related bills in 130 years clearly isn't \u2018prioritizing\u2019 ethics reform. And creating a system ripe for corruption ... where lobbyists can spend unlimited amounts of money on lawmakers did not \u2018restore trust in state government,\u2019 \" he said. \"On the flip side, Republicans in just 10 short years have passed two comprehensive ethics reform bills. Clearly, they prioritize ethics reform and have done lots to restore trust in state government.\""]},{"id":"1468.json","label":"false","statement":"Vice President Joe Biden's meeting \"with the transparency and accountability board . . . was closed to the public.\"","reason":"Reason: While Vice President Joe Biden did have a meeting with the chairman of the stimulus transparency board, it is important to note that this meeting was not a meeting of the transparency and accountability board itself. The meeting between Biden and the chairman was a separate event, and it is incorrect to claim that the meeting of the transparency and accountability board was closed to the public. Therefore, the statement that Vice President Joe Biden's meeting \"with the transparency and accountability board . . . was closed to the public\" is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I tried to look into that transparency thing, but Joe's meetings with the transparency and accountability board? It was closed to the public. Yup, they held a transparency meeting behind closed doors,\" she said.","Palin noted that the administration had promised openness and transparency, but said that Vice President Joe Biden recently met with the stimulus transparency board behind closed doors.","But Palin's claim was strictly about that one meeting between Biden and Devaney. She is correct that Biden and Devaney met privately on Jan. 14. But she incorrectly said it was a meeting of the transparency and accountability board when it was just a meeting of the vice president and the chairman. So we find Palin's claim False.","Los Angeles Times, Joe Biden update: He meets on transparency today. But the meeting is closed, by Andrew Malcolm, Jan. 14, 2010"]},{"id":"5299.json","label":"false","statement":"Says she wiped out the state Agriculture Departments inspections of eggs at retail sites like grocery stores.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly contradicts the statement. The Department of State Health Services and the Agriculture Department both confirm that inspections of eggs at retail sites, including grocery stores, continue to take place. These inspections are part of their overall efforts to ensure food safety standards are met and that eggs sold to consumers meet quality standards. Therefore, the statement that the individual wiped out inspections of eggs at retail sites is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Carrie Williams, a spokeswoman for the Department of State Health Services, told us that its inspectors also check eggs at retail sites \u2014 including distributors, grocery stores and restaurants \u2014 as part of its overall inspections of the facilities. The health inspectors are looking to see that food safety standards are being met. \"We\u2019re looking mainly at storage temperatures and whether (the eggs) are graded,\" Williams said.","From Agriculture Department officials and documents, we learned that the agency continues to inspect eggs at retail sites like grocery and convenience stories as part of its Egg Quality Program. According to the department\u2019s website, the program\u2019s mission is \"to ensure that the eggs sold to Texas consumers meet (the agency\u2019s) quality standards,\" and to achieve that goal, the agency \"inspects eggs at packing plants, distribution centers, and retail outlets.\"","In an interview with conservative commentator Glenn Beck just days before the May 17 primary, Barnette said she was concerned about farmers in the state who are grappling with rising costs, as well as the consumers who will have to pay those costs in grocery stores.","Upshot: While the number of annual egg inspections dropped after lawmakers acted, Agriculture Department inspectors continued checking eggs in stores \u2014 and still do. Combs\u2019 statement rates False."]},{"id":"13460.json","label":"true","statement":"Texas spends more per day to house an inmate than we do on a student.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Texas spends more per day to house an inmate than on a student. According to the information provided, the cost per student in Texas is around $47.73 per day, while the cost per inmate is approximately $54.79 per day. This indicates that the state spends a higher amount on each inmate compared to each student on a daily basis.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Former teacher Virginia \"Jennie Lou\" Leeder said during her Texas Senate campaign that she\u2019d like to see the state do more for students. As it is, the District 24 Democratic nominee declared: \"We spend more per day to house an inmate than we do on a student.\"","In Texas, according to the graphic, the year\u2019s cost per student hovered below $10,000 while the cost per inmate landed near $20,000.","In 2013, for instance, PolitiFact Oregon found True a claim that Oregon was spending about $10,000 a year per student compared with $30,000 per inmate, a move the governor said showed the state prioritized prisons over schools. In 2015, PolitiFact Virginia rated Half True a statement by Sen. Bernie Sanders that it costs more to go to prison than to the University of Virginia. Sanders based his claim on what it costs to house a federal prisoner, but at the state level the cost comes out to be less than a year\u2019s fees to attend the university, particularly if considering out-of-state tuition.","Next, we searched the Census Bureau website to find its breakdown of per student state, federal and local education spending. In the latest analysis, a 2016 report called \"Public Education Finances,\" Texas was shown to spend $8,593 per student in fiscal 2014. To reach a per-day cost, we divided that figure by 180, the minimum number of days in a Texas school year--getting an estimated daily cost of $47.73 per student."]},{"id":"7563.json","label":"true","statement":"If you go back to 1999, Wayne LaPierre testified on behalf of the NRA that background checks were appropriate and should be done.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the testimony of Wayne LaPierre, the head of the NRA, in 1999. During his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime, LaPierre expressed support for background checks, stating that they were appropriate and should be implemented. This testimony occurred in the aftermath of the Columbine High School shooting. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Bloomberg said that in 1999, \"Wayne LaPierre testified on behalf of the NRA that background checks were appropriate and should be done.\"","\"In fact, if you go back to 1999, Wayne LaPierre testified on behalf of the NRA that background checks were appropriate and should be done,\" Bloomberg said.","On May 27, 1999, a month after the Columbine High School shooting, LaPierre testified before the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime.","\"If you go back, you can see Wayne LaPierre, who runs the NRA, testifying in front of Congress in favor of background checks 15 or 20 years ago.\""]},{"id":"9348.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Wisconsin school voucher program has no research that shows that its going to improve student learning.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that there is no research showing that the Wisconsin school voucher program will improve student learning. While some evidence suggests that vouchers may have a limited impact on student learning, the overall body of research is inconclusive and lacks strong evidence to support the claim that voucher programs consistently lead to improved student outcomes. Therefore, the statement is supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"What I want to see is initiatives and programs that are actually based on research and success that\u2019s going to improve education, instead of saying that, well, our answer is just to roll out a voucher program that actually has no research that shows that it\u2019s going to improve student learning.\"","Burke goes too far in saying there is no evidence that vouchers improve student learning, but the evidence is thin. We rate her statement Mostly True.","Wolf said that while there is no overall evidence that voucher schools improved learning in Milwaukee, for Burke to say there is no evidence \"is a bit of a stretch,\" given what the Arkansas research found.","Voucher supporters such as Jim Bender, president of School Choice Wisconsin, note that the state spends less to educate a voucher student than a public school student."]},{"id":"7347.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Gov. John Kasich can remove the president of the State Board of Education.","reason":"Reason: While Governor John Kasich does not have direct statutory control over the State Board of Education, there is evidence to suggest that he has the ability to influence the board. As mentioned in the evidence, Kasich has previously forced out a state school superintendent, demonstrating his power and influence over the board. However, it is important to note that the exact extent of the governor's authority to remove the president of the State Board of Education may depend on specific state laws and regulations. Therefore, while Kasich may not have direct power to remove the president, his influence and actions in the past suggest that he could potentially exert pressure for a resignation or take other indirect measures.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["( - Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern says Gov. John Kasich has power to force school board president to step aside&url=)","\"In absence of a full, formal apology from Terhar,\" Redfern said, \"Kasich has a duty to remove his hand-picked state school board president from office.\"","Re-posting an item from a friend on Facebook led to calls for the resignation of the president of the Ohio Board of Education, Debe Terhar.","He acknowledged that Kasich does not have statutory control over the Board of Education, but he accurately cited Kasich\u2019s forcing out of a state school superintendent as a demonstration of the governor\u2019s power over the board."]},{"id":"3321.json","label":"true","statement":"The law has not established whether Rhode Island public employees have property rights to their pensions.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that the law has not definitively established whether Rhode Island public employees have property rights to their pensions. While there may be arguments and interpretations regarding the existence of property rights, no court ruling or specific legislation has definitively settled the matter in Rhode Island. The absence of a clear legal establishment of property rights to pensions leaves room for potential changes to the pension system in the future.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So was Raimondo right when she said that workers\u2019 \"property rights\" to their pensions hadn\u2019t been established in law? We decided to check.","He said he\u2019s certain that Raimondo\u2019s statement is correct. No court, he said, has established property rights to Rhode Island state employee pensions.","Any ruling that public employees have property rights to their pensions could make it much more difficult to change the system, because both the federal and state Constitutions prohibit the taking of private property for public uses without compensation.","Finally, we reached out to Roger Williams University School of Law, where we talked to Professor Bruce Kogan. He said property rights to public-sector pensions could be determined by statute or judicial decision, but he was unaware of either happening in Rhode Island."]},{"id":"11712.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he faced a record budget deficit in Virginia in 2014.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Governor McAuliffe did not face a record budget deficit in Virginia in 2014. While there was a budget shortfall of $2.4 billion that year, it was not a record deficit for the state. The claim made by the governor was later clarified as a mistake or misspeaking. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The governor says he faced a $6 billion budget shortfall when he took office in January 2010 and \"we closed those deficits by cutting spending.\"","Brian Coy, McAuliffe\u2019s director of communications, told us the governor \"misspoke\" in claiming he faced a deficit record. The reason for the mistake requires a little explanation.","McAuliffe said the $2.4 billion budget shortfall he and lawmakers resolved last year was \"a record deficit\" for Virginia. When we questioned about the assertion, a spokesman said the governor misspoke.","In other words, when McAuliffe took office on Jan. 11, 2014, McDonnell left two balanced budget bills sitting on his desk. So why does McAuliffe say he \"inherited a large deficit?\""]},{"id":"12504.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders wins California landslide, But \u2154 of his votes arent counted.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Bernie Sanders won a landslide victory in California, but two-thirds of his votes were not counted, is false. The source of this claim, the Justice Gazette, provided no evidence to support their assertion. Furthermore, Sanders' campaign never made such a claim, and they explicitly stated that they did not question the integrity of the election. The article from the Justice Gazette has been widely debunked, and it is important to rely on credible sources and verified information when evaluating election results.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Bernie Sanders Wins California Landslide But \u2154 of his Votes Aren\u2019t Counted,\" the Justice Gazette wrote in an eye-popping headline on June 7.","Blog site Justice Gazette claimed in June after California\u2019s presidential primary -- with no evidence -- that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders \"wins California landslide, But \u2154 of his votes aren\u2019t counted.\" Sanders\u2019 campaign never made such a claim, and told us \"No one\u2019s questioning the fundamental integrity of the election.\" We rated the claim Pants On Fire.","After early California primary results showed a big Clinton lead over Sanders, the Justice Gazette posted the headline on June 7: \"Bernie Sanders Wins California But \u2154 of his Votes Aren\u2019t Counted.\"","The article added: \"In view of the information from polling place workers about Sanders winning by more than a 2 to 1 margin and in view of the removal of 2\/3 or more of his votes from the official results, the Justice Gazette declares Bernie Sanders the landslide winner of the 2016 California Primary Election.\" The Gazette article has been shared widely on Facebook and shows up prominently on web searches about Bernie Sanders and the California primary."]},{"id":"6178.json","label":"false","statement":"Obamacare means that for up to 20 million Americans, they will lose the insurance they currently have, the insurance that they like and they want to keep.","reason":"Reason: The claim that \"Obamacare means that for up to 20 million Americans, they will lose the insurance they currently have, the insurance that they like and they want to keep\" has been fact-checked and rated as false. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact, have debunked this claim made by Mitt Romney. While it is true that some individuals may have experienced changes in their insurance coverage due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the claim of up to 20 million Americans losing their insurance and being unable to keep the insurance they like is an exaggeration and not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Obamacare \u2026 means that for up to 20 million Americans, they will lose the insurance they currently have, the insurance that they like and they want to keep.\"","We did so in June, when Romney made a similar claim in a speech -- that \"Obamacare \u2026 means that for up to 20 million Americans, they will lose the insurance they currently have, the insurance that they like and they want to keep.\" We rated that claim False.","Following the Supreme Court\u2019s decision upholding President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law, Mitt Romney claimed in a speech that \"Obamacare \u2026 means that for up to 20 million Americans, they will lose the insurance they currently have, the insurance that they like and they want to keep.\"","PolitiFact, \"Mitt Romney says 'Obamacare' means up to 20 million Americans will lose insurance they like and want,\" June 29, 2012"]},{"id":"6339.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mike Dovillas big ideas like expanding the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, which helped bring films like The Avengers to Cleveland, have helped make our state No. 1 in the Midwest for job creation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in Mike Dovilla's campaign literature, highlighting his support for expanding the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit and its role in bringing films like \"The Avengers\" to Cleveland. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the tax credit on job creation in Ohio. While the tax credit may have contributed to job growth in the film industry, it is not the sole factor responsible for Ohio's ranking as the number one state in the Midwest for job creation. Other economic factors and policies likely play a significant role in the state's job growth. Therefore, the statement should be viewed with some caution and not solely attributed to the expansion of the tax credit.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Mike Dovilla\u2019s big ideas like expanding the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, which helped bring films like \u2018The Avengers\u2019 to Cleveland, have helped make our state No. 1 in the Midwest for job creation.\"","\"Mike Dovilla\u2019s big ideas like expanding the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, which helped bring films like \u2018The Avengers\u2019 to Cleveland, have helped make our state No. 1 in the Midwest for job creation,\" a piece of his recent campaign literature said.","\"You could word it this way and have the same meaning as the first: \u2018The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit has helped bring films like \u2018The Avengers\u2019 to Cleveland. Mike Dovilla\u2019s big ideas, like expanding that tax credit, have helped make our state No. 1 in the Midwest for job creation,\" Dittoe said in an e-mail.","Dovilla said the phrase \"which helped bring films like \u2018The Avengers\u2019 to Cleveland\" referred to the tax credit itself, not the expansion of the tax credit."]},{"id":"4216.json","label":"false","statement":"Under last years health care reform, a bunch of bureaucrats decide whether you get care, such as continuing on dialysis or cancer chemotherapy.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays the role of bureaucrats in deciding whether individuals receive care under the health care reform. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does involve certain regulations and guidelines for healthcare coverage, it does not grant a group of bureaucrats the authority to make individualized decisions about specific treatments like dialysis or cancer chemotherapy. The ACA aims to expand access to healthcare and provide affordable coverage options, but the decision-making process for specific treatments remains in the hands of healthcare professionals and the patients themselves.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Under last year\u2019s health care reform, \"a bunch of bureaucrats decide whether you get care, such as continuing on dialysis or cancer chemotherapy.\"","This brings us back to Gingrey\u2019s claim that under the IPAB, \"a bunch of bureaucrats decide whether you get care, such as continuing on dialysis or cancer chemotherapy.\"","\"But under this IPAB we described that the Democrats put in Obamacare, where a bunch of bureaucrats decide whether you get care, such as continuing on dialysis or cancer chemotherapy, I guarantee you, when you withdraw that, the patient is going to die,\" said Gingrey. \"It\u2019s rationing.\"","Gingrey makes no mention of indirect or long-term consequences. He says that with the IPAB, \"a bunch of bureaucrats decide whether you get care, such as continuing on dialysis or cancer chemotherapy. I guarantee you, when you withdraw that, the patient is going to die.\""]},{"id":"981.json","label":"false","statement":"There has been no net global warming for over a decade now.","reason":"Reason: The statement that there has been no net global warming for over a decade is not supported by scientific consensus. Multiple studies and assessments, including those conducted by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), have concluded that global warming is unequivocal and ongoing. While short-term fluctuations in temperature can occur, the long-term trend shows a clear increase in global average temperatures. It is important to rely on comprehensive scientific research and consensus when making claims about global warming.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Global warming is a complicated subject, and we're not going to flesh it all out here. But we did want to address the underpinning of this ad, the claim that \"there has been no net global warming for over a decade now.\"","\"What if I said that there had been no global warming for an hour? You would rightly tell me that this was too short a period for it to be meaningful,\" Schmidt said. \"The same is true for a 'decade'. But even so, it is false.\"","The definitive statement on global warming comes from a 2007 study by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of scientists from more than 130 nations. They concluded that the \"warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level.\" The group also concluded that there is \"very high confidence that the global average net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming.\"","\"We, the undersigned scientists, maintain that the case for alarm regarding climate change is grossly overstated. Surface temperature changes over the past century have been episodic and modest and there has been no net global warming for over a decade now. After controlling for population growth and property values, there has been no increase in damages from severe weather-related events. The computer models forecasting rapid temperature change abjectly fail to explain recent climate behavior. Mr. President, your characterization of the scientific facts regarding climate change and the degree of certainty informing the scientific debate is simply incorrect.\""]},{"id":"10166.json","label":"false","statement":"As a result of Obamacare, California seniors face benefit cuts of over $1,700.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it implies that all California seniors will face benefit cuts of over $1,700 as a result of Obamacare. However, the evidence provided clarifies that the statistic refers specifically to Medicare Advantage enrollees, which only represents about one-third of seniors. Additionally, the claim fails to acknowledge that the Affordable Care Act has expanded Medicare's benefits packages, providing seniors with additional coverage options. Therefore, the statement lacks important context and does not accurately represent the impact of Obamacare on California seniors' benefits.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Bera voted to keep Obamacare, which cut $716 billion from Medicare, slashing Medicare Advantage,\" the ad\u2019s narrator says. \"Now California seniors face benefit cuts of over $1,700.\"","We found that the claim that California seniors will see $1,700 in benefit cuts as a result of the Affordable Care Act is misleading. The statistic comes from a report that ignores critical context and evidence that the law has expanded Medicare\u2019s benefits packages.","Now to the claim. The ad makes it sound like all California seniors will face cuts to this degree. However, the report only addresses Medicare Advantage. About one-third of seniors use Medicare Advantage, which is a private coverage option.","First of all, this claim is misleading because it makes it seem like all seniors will face these cuts, when the statistic actually refers to Medicare Advantage enrollees -- only about one-third of seniors."]},{"id":"8371.json","label":"true","statement":"For the first time since the Korean War, total federal spending has gone down for two years in a row.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence and is rated as true. According to fact-checking sources, total federal spending did indeed decrease for two consecutive years between 2011 and 2013, marking the first time this occurred since the Korean War. While there were instances of spending decreases in other years, the consecutive two-year decline specifically happened during this time period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A reader asked us whether Ross was correct that, \"for the first time since the Korean War, total federal spending has gone down for two years in a row.\" We thought the claim was interesting, and we decided to check it out.","Ross said that, \"for the first time since the Korean War, total federal spending has gone down for two years in a row.\" Since the 1950s, spending fell one year between 1964 and 1965, and then once again between 2009 and 2010. But the only time it fell two years in a row was between 2011 and 2013. We rate the statement True.","\"In the few years since I was elected to Congress in 2010, we have achieved huge savings and taken monumental steps. For the first time since the Korean War, total federal spending has gone down for two years in a row,\" Ross wrote, adding, \"That is why I would support a continuing resolution that funds the government at sequestration levels for one year.\"","!Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., said the federal government has spent less for two straight years for the first time since the Korean War. Is he correct? (Photo: Rich Shopes, Tampa Bay Times) !Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., said the federal government has spent less for two straight years for the first time since the Korean War. Is he correct? (Photo: Rich Shopes, Tampa Bay Times)"]},{"id":"4614.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The proudest accomplishment (of my tenure) was leaving the state with a $1.2 billion surplus, which was the largest wed ever had, and getting spending under control and a balanced budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman that her proudest accomplishment was leaving the state with a $1.2 billion surplus, which was the largest in the state's history, and achieving a balanced budget while getting spending under control. This claim is supported by evidence from interviews with Whitman herself, as well as confirmation from financial experts and the state's nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services. However, it's important to note that while Whitman's claim of a surplus is accurate, there have been larger surpluses in the state since she left office. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The proudest accomplishment (of my tenure) was leaving the state with a $1.2 billion surplus, which was the largest we\u2019d ever had, and getting spending under control and a balanced budget.\"","\"The proudest accomplishment (of my tenure) was leaving the state with a $1.2 billion surplus, which was the largest we\u2019d ever had, and getting spending under control and a balanced budget,\" former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman said in a Sept. 19 interview on NJTV.","Whitman says her proudest accomplishment as governor was leaving the state with a more than $1 billion surplus, controlling spending and balancing the budget. Her surplus number is accurate, and two financial experts tell us that basic government accounting principles do not include debt in budgets. Whitman\u2019s former treasurer also claims the governor made traditional spending cuts during her tenure. But how is skipping payments to pension funds controlling spending if those and other bills aren\u2019t being paid in full, or are being deferred to later administrations? We rate Whitman\u2019s claim Mostly True.","David Rosen, the Legislative Budget and Finance officer for the state\u2019s nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services, confirmed that Whitman left the state with a $1.2 billion surplus. And at least since 1986 \u2013 the first year the state\u2019s budgets are available online \u2013 that surplus was the state\u2019s largest, PolitiFact New Jersey found. There have been larger surpluses since she left office."]},{"id":"2930.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When it comes to the state deficit, Wisconsin is proportionally in as much trouble as the State of California.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence indicating that Wisconsin's budget deficit per person was higher than California's at the time. The figures from the article suggest that Wisconsin was in slightly worse shape than California in terms of their respective deficits. However, it's important to note that this evidence is specific to the budget deficit and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the overall financial situation or the severity of the challenges faced by each state. Therefore, while the statement is accurate regarding the budget deficit, it should not be taken as a comprehensive comparison of the overall financial condition of Wisconsin and California.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"And we are proportionally in as much trouble as the State of California, who we hear about all the time in national news.\"","In the TV interview, she said Wisconsin is \"proportionally in as much trouble\" as California and pointed to figures from a year-old article as support. Those figures showed that Wisconsin\u2019s budget deficit per person was higher than California\u2019s; updated numbers for 2008-2009 also put Wisconsin\u2019s per-person deficit higher than California\u2019s.","That indicated Wisconsin was in slightly worse shape than California, whose deficit was $17.9 billion, or 21.6 percent of its state budget.","Our calculations show Illinois had the highest state budget deficit per person ($595.39) for 2008-2009. Wisconsin was second ($481.81) and California was third ($437.58)."]},{"id":"3959.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says an alternative to Social Security that operates in Galveston County, Texas, has meant that participants will retire with a whole lot more money than under Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement made by Herman Cain regarding the alternative to Social Security in Galveston County, Texas, providing participants with \"at least 50 percent more\" money than under Social Security is not entirely accurate. While there is evidence that participants in the Galveston County program may receive higher retirement benefits compared to Social Security, it is important to note that this claim lacks specific data or a comprehensive comparison. The evidence provided does not conclusively support the assertion that participants will retire with a \"whole lot more money\" than under Social Security. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to fully support its claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We\u2019ll give Cain a pass on a pair of minor errors -- it\u2019s Galveston County, not city, and the program launched in 1981, not in the 1970s. Instead, we\u2019ll cut to the bottom line: Has the program meant that participants \"retire with a whole lot more money\" than they would under Social Security?","\"Today, when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security.\"","During Monday\u2019s Republican presidential debate in Manchester, N.H., former pizza executive Herman Cain touted an alternative to Social Security that has been operating for three decades in Galveston County, Texas.","This result doesn\u2019t directly conflict with Cain\u2019s statement, but it does undermine the sweeping certitude with which he said that \"when people retire in Galveston County, Texas, they retire making at least 50 percent more than they would ever get out of Social Security.\""]},{"id":"10540.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When did the decline of coal start? It started when natural gas took off that started to begin in (President George W.) Bushs administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The decline of coal did start when natural gas gained popularity as a source of energy. However, attributing the beginning of this decline solely to President George W. Bush's administration is an oversimplification. The trend of natural gas gaining ground on coal began in the 1990s and continued during subsequent administrations, including Bush's. Therefore, while the statement correctly identifies natural gas as a factor in the decline of coal, it inaccurately assigns the entire responsibility to one specific administration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9028.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The economic turnaround started at the end of my term.","reason":"Reason: While there were notable gains in personal income and industrial production during Crist's last year in office, it is not accurate to claim that the economic turnaround started at the end of his term. GDP did not begin to grow again until after Rick Scott took office as governor. While there may have been some improvements in certain economic indicators, the overall economic situation did not experience a full turnaround during Crist's term. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When did the decline of coal start? It started when natural gas took off \u2026 that started to begin in (President George W.) Bush\u2019s administration.\"","\"When did the decline of coal start? It started when natural gas took off,\" Surovell said. \"That started to begin in President (George W.) Bush\u2019s administration.\"","Surovell said the decline of coal \"started when natural gas took off \u2026 That started to begin in President (George W.) Bush\u2019s administration.\"","No doubt, natural gas has been gaining ground on coal in generating electricity. The trend started in the 1990s but clearly gained speed during the Bush administration when the production of natural gas -- a competitor of coal -- picked up."]},{"id":"2342.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Jim Dunnam has not lived in the district he represents for years now.","reason":"Reason: There have been allegations and challenges regarding Jim Dunnam's residency in the district he represents. The Republican Party of Texas, as well as other individuals, have claimed that Dunnam has not lived in the district for years. However, it is important to note that these claims are not definitively proven, and there is some ambiguity surrounding Dunnam's residency. While there are indications that he may have lived outside the district at times, it is not clear if this has been a continuous situation. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context and certainty to be considered completely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5602.json","label":"half-true","statement":"However, it took $19.5 million in Oregon Lottery funds for the Port of Newport to eventually land the new NOAA Marine Operations Center-Pacific.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that $19.5 million in Oregon Lottery funds were used to support the Port of Newport in securing the new NOAA Marine Operations Center-Pacific. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of the funding and may imply that the entire funding came solely from the Oregon Lottery. While the Oregon Lottery funds were a significant contribution, it is likely that additional funding from other sources was also involved in the project. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks complete information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9741.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says GOP primary opponents Glenn Grothman and Joe Leibham cast a compromise vote that cost $788 million in higher electricity costs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made during a GOP primary campaign that Glenn Grothman and Joe Leibham cast a compromise vote that resulted in higher electricity costs of $788 million. However, it's important to note that the phrasing of the statement could be misleading. The evidence suggests that there is a discrepancy regarding the actual cost and impact of the vote. While Grothman argues that the vote prevented a higher mandate, Michael Vickerman recalls that no higher number was on the table. Therefore, while the claim is mostly true in terms of reflecting the campaign claim made by their opponents, the actual cost and impact of the vote are subject to interpretation and may not be as straightforward as presented.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We have previously fact-checked Crist\u2019s claims about the stimulus. But PolitiFact\u2019s Truth-O-Meter revs up when we hear candidates make a point of saying they\u2019re \"telling the truth.\" Here we will fact-check Crist\u2019s claim that the economic turnaround started at the end of his term.","Crist said that the economic \"turnaround started at the end of my term.\" During Crist\u2019s last year in office, Florida\u2019s economy experienced notable gains in personal income and industrial production, and more marginal improvements in the unemployment rate and in payroll employment. But GDP didn\u2019t grow again until Scott took office.","Former state Sen. Steve Geller, an informal adviser to Crist\u2019s campaign, told PolitiFact Florida in an email that per capita GDP had \"turned around\" because the decline had slowed down near the end of his term. However, we'll note that even though the decreases in GDP were smaller near the end of Crist's term, GDP was still shrinking -- not what we'd consider a turnaround.","Crist : \"I think it is, yes. You can. And I'm always comfortable telling the truth but that turnaround started at the end of my term. And one of the reasons is I accepted the stimulus money, saved thousands of teachers\u2019 jobs, law enforcement officers, firefighters, (is that) it was the right thing to do. \u2026 President Obama said, I want to help you, and I said yes as a Republican to a Democratic president. Not because it was political, but because it was right.\""]},{"id":"7115.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For the first time in history, the share of the national popular vote margin is smaller than the Latino vote margin.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Menendez accurately reflects his claim that, for the first time in history, the margin of the Latino vote exceeded the margin of the national popular vote. This claim was made in the context of discussing the shifting dynamics of the Electoral College and its potential impact on Democratic candidates. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm or refute Menendez's claim, it is plausible given the information presented. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4148.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since 2000, nearly 12 million Americans have slipped out of the middle class and into poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that a significant number of Americans have slipped out of the middle class and into poverty, the timeframe mentioned, \"since 2000,\" is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the increase in the number of Americans with health insurance since 2010. To accurately assess the change in the middle-class population, additional evidence or data specifically addressing the period from 2000 to the present would be needed. Without this information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In September 2010, the Republican Party of Texas said state Rep. Jim Dunnam of Waco, who was chairman of the House\u2019s Democratic Caucus, \"has not lived in the district he represents for years now.\"","That\u2019s turf covered -- actually, re-plowed -- by the Republican Party of Texas in an Aug. 30 e-mail blast saying state Rep. Jim Dunnam \"has not lived in the district he represents for years now.\" The party chairman, Steve Munisteri, had earlier levelled the same charge in a Waco press conference.","A broader interpretation would allow for the possibility Dunnam hasn\u2019t lived exclusively in his House district for years, but instead flits between -- and lives in -- both houses.","Dunnam\u2019s legal residency has been challenged before. After the 2002 elections, Dunnam was sued by his defeated GOP foe, who said the legislator, his wife and children had lived since 1998 near McGregor (a Waco suburb) in a house no longer in the district Dunnam represents."]},{"id":"5947.json","label":"false","statement":"When Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, we didnt just slow the rate of growth of our government, we actually cut it.","reason":"Reason: While Mitt Romney claimed to have cut government spending during his tenure as governor of Massachusetts, the evidence suggests otherwise. Analyzing the basic statistic of nominal dollars, which Romney himself referenced, it is clear that state spending increased during his term. Romney's claim lacks qualifications or specific metrics to support the assertion of spending cuts. Therefore, the statement that government spending was actually cut is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8616.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The economy bled $24 billion due to the government shutdown.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimates provided by reputable sources such as Standard & Poor's, Moody's Analytics, and other prominent forecasters. These estimates suggest that the government shutdown did indeed result in a negative impact on the economy, with figures ranging from $20 billion to $24 billion. While there may be some variation in the exact amount, the statement aligns with the highest estimate provided by Standard & Poor's and is supported by multiple sources.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["From the Lottery\u2019s website: \"Newport gave its all when competing with several other sites to bring the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to town. However, it took $19.5 million in Oregon Lottery\u00ae funds for the Port of Newport to eventually land the new NOAA Marine Operations Center-Pacific \u2026 \"","The state\u2019s main economic development arm, Business Oregon, seems to think so. Its website says the Port of Newport was able to make the winning pitch \"largely because of $19.5 million in Oregon Lottery funds, appropriated by the state Legislature, which allowed it to offer a 20-year lease for only $2.4 million per year.\" Specifically, Lottery revenue bonds were sold to help finance construction (about:blank)of the new Pacific Coast operations center and base; $19.5 million of the total bond sale was earmarked for the Port of Newport.","\"Six months later, they laugh at the memory because, as crazy as it seemed, Johnson and the rest of the caucus bought into the port's dream, and despite the worst economy imaginable, secured $19.5 million in lottery funds to help build a new facility for NOAA, should it agree to come. And agree it did, as the port learned Tuesday.\"","Office of state Sen. Joanne Verger, \"Verger praises NOAA\u2019s selection of Newport, Ore. as home of the agency\u2019s Marine Operations Center in the Pacific,\" Aug. 3, 2009"]},{"id":"8705.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Most of the (Affordable Care Act) has already in some sense been waived or otherwise suspended.","reason":"Reason: While there have been certain waivers and suspensions related to specific provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is an exaggeration to claim that \"most\" of the law has been waived or suspended. The statement fails to acknowledge that the core components of the ACA, such as the establishment of health insurance marketplaces, expansion of Medicaid, and protections for pre-existing conditions, remain intact and operational. While there have been targeted adjustments and delays to certain provisions, the majority of the ACA remains in effect. Therefore, the claim that \"most\" of the law has been waived or suspended is misleading and does not accurately reflect the overall impact of the ACA.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Compromise? A compromise vote that cost $788 million? If career politicians Glenn Grothman and Joe Leibham are willing to compromise on conservative principles in Madison, what would they compromise on in Washington?\"","The ad\u2019s shorthand phrasing -- \"compromise vote that cost $788 million\" -- could suggest that the legislation already has cost $788 million.","Take candidate Duey Stroebel\u2019s attack on fellow state lawmakers Glenn Grothman and Joe Leibham in the hotly contested Aug. 12. 2014 GOP primary.","Grothman says the vote prevented a mandate that would have been set at higher than 10 percent, but Renew Wisconsin policy director Michael Vickerman recalls that no higher number was on the table."]},{"id":"10683.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In this last election in November, ... 63 percent of the American people chose not to vote, ... 80 percent of young people, (and) 75 percent of low-income workers chose not to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Sanders' claim that a significant percentage of Americans, including young people and low-income workers, did not vote in the last election. However, it's important to note that the specific percentages mentioned (63% of the American people, 80% of young people, and 75% of low-income workers) may not be entirely supported by strong evidence. While there is data available on voter turnout rates, it is challenging to determine the exact breakdown by demographic groups. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of Senator Sanders' claim, the specific percentages mentioned may not be entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["About a week after Obama won re-election, Menendez claimed: \"For the first time in history, the share of the national popular vote margin is smaller than the Latino vote margin.\"","\"For the first time in history, the share of the national popular vote margin is smaller than the Latino vote margin,\" Menendez said at a Nov. 14 event hosted by the liberal Center for American Progress Action Fund.","By contrast, in both of Obama\u2019s victories, the Democratic margin in the tipping state was wider than the national margin, not smaller.","\"This means that the Electoral College has shifted from advantaging Democrats to disadvantaging Democrats,\" Abramowitz said. \"A Democratic candidate must now win the national popular vote by a much larger margin in order to assure a victory in the electoral vote. If Biden\u2019s popular vote margin had been just a little smaller, he might well have lost the electoral vote despite winning the popular vote easily.\""]},{"id":"3863.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., and his fellow Democrats went on a spending spree and now their credit card is maxed out","reason":"Reason: While it is true that U.S. Rep. Ron Kind and some House Democrats have supported spending measures that have contributed to the national debt, it is an oversimplification to solely attribute the maxing out of the credit card to them. Both Democrats and Republicans have played a role in increasing the debt through various spending measures and tax cuts. Therefore, the statement fails to acknowledge the shared responsibility and bipartisan nature of the issue. It is important to consider the broader context and the actions of both parties when discussing the national debt.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["> Let\u2019s be clear: throwing out the #AffordableCareAct without a plan in place would be horrific for West Virginians and Americans with preexisting conditions, and the nearly 20 million Americans who have gained health insurance since the law passed in 2010.","Manchin wrote, \"Let\u2019s be clear: throwing out the #AffordableCareAct without a plan in place would be horrific for West Virginians and Americans with preexisting conditions, and the nearly 20 million Americans who have gained health insurance since the law passed in 2010.\"","Between 2008 and 2012 -- an equivalent five-year period before the ACA took effect -- just under 10 million people gained health insurance, a much smaller number than the 26 million between 2013 and 2017.","The foundation\u2019s data shows that since 2010, the number of Americans with health insurance has increased by about 35 million, an even higher number than Manchin cited. However, while the law passed in 2010, it didn\u2019t fully take effect until 2014, so the more accurate year to use as the baseline is 2013."]},{"id":"12372.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Water rates in Manila, Philippines, were raised up to 845 percent when a subsidiary of the World Bank became a partial owner.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that water rates in Manila, Philippines, experienced a significant increase when a subsidiary of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), became a partial owner. However, the statement lacks some important context. While it is true that the cost of water rose by 845 percent between 1997 and 2009, this increase was not solely due to the IFC's involvement. Other factors, such as changes in the water delivery system and the privatization of water services, also contributed to the rise in rates. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, \"we didn\u2019t just slow the rate of growth of our government, we actually cut it.\"","\"Issue by issue, (voters) have an opportunity to see my record when I was governor of Massachusetts,\" Romney said in the May 12, 2012, interview. \"We were able to cut back on the size of government. Actually, we didn't just slow the rate of growth of our government, we actually cut it. We pulled back on the spending of our state.\"","Still, we feel most comfortable using the most basic statistic -- nominal dollars -- because of how Romney worded his claim. Romney didn\u2019t include any qualifications, like \"we cut spending to below the growth of inflation\" or \"we cut spending as a share of state income.\" He simply said that his administration cut spending, period. That suggests to us that nominal dollars are the best yardstick.","\"Gov. Romney said he cut spending in state government,\" Bagley said. \"Comparing spending to (state income) may provide interesting insights, but it does not help address the question of whether state spending increased during Gov. Romney\u2019s term.\""]},{"id":"12385.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Almost 100,000 people left Puerto Rico last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jack Lew, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary, that nearly 100,000 people left Puerto Rico in the specified year. This claim is supported by the evidence provided. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks additional context, such as the reasons behind the population decline and the specific year being referred to. Nonetheless, based on the evidence given, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Doonesbury , aka Garry Trudeau, said the government shutdown cost the economy $24 billion. That is based on the highest of the independent estimates. The others are lower. Three prominent forecasters, Goldman Sachs, IHS and Moody\u2019s assessed the damage at $20 billion. A survey of economists set $16 billion as the most likely figure.","Our interest is in the claim of a $24 billion hit on the economy from the standoff over Obamacare and the debt ceiling. Eventually -- once the final economic data is released early next year -- we'll have a good idea of how much of a hit the economy took from the shutdown. But for now, we have to estimate it. So how large are the most reliable estimates? We found that the $24 billion figure, which emerged when the shutdown ended in mid-October, still holds water, although it\u2019s at the high end of the estimates.","Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody\u2019s Analytics, said the 2013 shutdown stunted fourth quarter GDP growth by 0.5 points, resulting in a $20 billion hit. Standard & Poor's said the shutdown took $24 billion out of the economy and reduced yearly fourth quarter GDP growth by 0.6 percent. Macroeconomic Advisers estimated the shutdown cut 0.3 points off of fourth-quarter growth","Trudeau told PunditFact that he relied on the estimate from Standard and Poor\u2019s. Analysts there wrote on Oct. 16 that GDP for the fourth quarter would be 0.6 percent less than it would have been. That translates into $24 billion. The losses stem from consumers trimming their spending, delays in processing export and import permits, small business loans that got held up and dozens of other tiny but significant ways that private-sector activity crosses paths with the government."]},{"id":"12408.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We just had the best year for the auto industry in America in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the historical context of the auto industry in America. While it is true that the auto industry has experienced significant growth and recovery under President Obama's administration, claiming that it was the \"best year\" in history is an overstatement. The auto industry has had successful periods in the past, including during the mid-20th century. It is important to acknowledge the progress made under President Obama, but it is not accurate to claim it as the absolute best year in the industry's history.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"At this point, it\u2019s very hard to quantify, (but) perhaps most of the law has already in some sense been waived or otherwise suspended,\" Will said. \"The president said this week that the suspensions of the employer mandate, the individual mandate, etc., etc., etc., do not go to the core of the law. If not that, what is the core of the law?\"","For this fact-check, we will take a stab at quantifying the steps the law set out to do so we can determine if, as Will said, most of the law has been waived or suspended.","\u2022 However, only about one-third of actual insurance signups under the Affordable Care Act ended up costing $10 or less per month in premiums. So about one-third, not four out of five, are \u201cfinding\u201d such coverage.","Thanks to the American Rescue Plan\u2019s changes to the Affordable Care Act, \u201cfour out of five consumers (are) finding quality coverage for under $10 a month.\u201d"]},{"id":"2673.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker favors cutting up to 350,000 families and children off health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Greater Wisconsin Committee claims that Scott Walker favors cutting up to 350,000 families and children off health care, citing statements made by Walker and data showing individuals on BadgerCare for longer than the 24 months discussed by Walker. However, it's important to note that Walker has also expressed a desire to focus on providing health care to the \"truly needy\" such as the disabled, children from low-income families, and low-income single parents. While the statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Greater Wisconsin Committee, it lacks the full context of Walker's intentions regarding the eligibility criteria for BadgerCare.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sanders said that \"in this last election in November, ... 63 percent of the American people chose not to vote, ... 80 percent of young people, (and) 75 percent of low-income workers chose not to vote.\"","\"I beg of you do not enter that world of despair. We can win this fight. In order to win this struggle we are going to need nothing less than a political revolution, and let me tell you what I mean by \u2018a political revolution.\u2019 When, as was the case in this last election in November, when 63 percent of the American people chose not to vote, when 80 percent of young people, when 75 percent of low-income workers, chose not to vote, what we need to do is create a momentum so that 70, 80, 90 percent of the people vote. And when that happens, we win hands down.\"","\u2022 \"75 percent of low-income workers chose not to vote.\" This is the claim for which Sanders has the weakest support.","\u2022 \"63 percent of the American people chose not to vote.\" Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political scientist, has assembled the United States Election Project, an extensive and widely used archive of voter participation data."]},{"id":"7057.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney wants to get rid of Planned Parenthood.","reason":"Reason: While Mitt Romney has expressed his intention to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood, the statement that he wants to \"get rid\" of the organization is an exaggeration. Romney's position is focused on eliminating federal funding, which would have a significant impact on Planned Parenthood's operations, but it does not necessarily mean the complete abolition of the organization. It's important to accurately represent his stance on the issue without overstating it.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3910.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rick Perry has never lost an election and remains the only person to have won the Texas governorship three times in landslide elections.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rick Perry has never lost an election and has won the Texas governorship three times, the claim that all three of his victories were \"landslide elections\" is not entirely accurate. Two of his wins can be considered landslides, but the third win's landslide status is debatable. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it should be noted that not all three of Perry's victories can be classified as landslides.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kind \"and his fellow Democrats,\" the committee declared, \"went on a spending spree and now their credit card is maxed out.\"","( - Republican group says Rep. Ron Kind and other Democrats spent so much that \u2018their credit card is maxed out\u2019&url=)","For our item, the question is whether spending by Kind and his fellow Democrats are the reason the federal credit card has been maxed out.","In a reference to the nation\u2019s debt limit, the National Republican Congressional Committee said Wisconsin Rep. Ron Kind and 59 other House Democrats \"went on a spending spree and now their credit card is maxed out.\" It\u2019s true House Democrats including Kind backed measures that contributed to the debt, but so did House Republicans. And the debt is a result of tax cuts as well as various spending measures, and both Democrats and Republicans supported such measures."]},{"id":"12163.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Youth unemployment in minority communities is about 40 to 45 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided indicates that the official unemployment rates for African-American and Hispanic youth in the age range of 16 to 19 were 31.8 percent and 20.8 percent, respectively. While these figures are lower than the 40 to 45 percent mentioned in the statement, they are still significantly higher than the unemployment rate for white youth, which was 15.7 percent. Therefore, it is accurate to say that youth unemployment in minority communities is generally higher, ranging from approximately 20 to 32 percent, compared to the rate for white youth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Moore said that when the International Finance Corporation became a part-owner of Manila Water, rates rose 845 percent. The source cited by Moore\u2019s staff undermines that number.","\"In Manila, for example, when the IFC, the development arm, took an equity position in the water company, water rates were raised up to 845 percent,\" Moore said. She was pressing a Treasury Department official on how to make international development banks more accountable.","The 2010 resolution from the Philippines House of Representatives said that the cost of water rose by 845 percent between 1997 and 2009.","In 1997, officials in the Pacific island nation set up not one but two private companies to deliver water to homes and businesses. One of those companies has been a financial success. So healthy, that the private banking arm of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, became a part-owner in 2004 for about $15 million."]},{"id":"5383.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If you look at states that are right to work, they constantly do not have budget deficits and they have very good business climates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While some proponents of right-to-work laws argue that states with such laws consistently do not have budget deficits and have good business climates, the evidence does not support this claim. Evaluations by fact-checkers and analysis of fiscal data indicate that there is no direct correlation between right-to-work laws and the absence of budget deficits. Additionally, while some right-to-work states may have favorable business climates, it is not solely due to the presence of right-to-work laws. Other factors, such as infrastructure, education, and industry composition, also play significant roles in determining a state's business climate. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to budget deficits and business climates in different states.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You have broad economic stress causing people to leave the island,\" Lew said May 3, 2016. \"Almost 100,000 people left Puerto Rico last year.\"","\"The size of current immigration flows are too large to perform adequate screening,\" Trump said. \"We admit about 100,000 permanent immigrants from the Middle East every year.\"","Trump's comment about the adequacy of the vetting system is an opinion. But we wanted to look at his concerns and separately fact-check whether the country is taking 100,000 \"permanent immigrants\" a year from the Middle East.","The Department of Homeland Security publishes an annual Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, which includes how many people during a fiscal year get lawful permanent residence. That number reflects newcomers as well people already in the country."]},{"id":"9727.json","label":"false","statement":"What (the Obama administration is) going to come out with in the next several months is youre not even going to be able to burn coal very limitedly in the existing plants.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the Obama administration would restrict the burning of coal in existing plants to a very limited extent. There is no evidence to support this claim. While the Obama administration did introduce regulations to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, known as the Clean Power Plan, it did not completely prohibit or severely limit the burning of coal in existing plants. The plan aimed to reduce emissions by setting state-specific targets and allowing flexibility in how those targets were achieved, including through the use of cleaner technologies and energy sources. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8239.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We cut business taxes so today 70 percent of our businesses dont pay a business tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the efforts made by the Obama administration to reduce business taxes. The evidence provided highlights several tax cuts and deductions implemented by President Obama, including the elimination of capital gains taxes for small business investments, raising the small business expense limit, and introducing deductions for business cell phone use and healthcare costs for the self-employed. These measures aimed to provide relief to small businesses and stimulate economic growth. While the specific claim that 70 percent of businesses don't pay a business tax may be an approximation, the evidence supports the overall assertion that business taxes were reduced under the Obama administration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10121.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mark Pryor votes with Obama 93 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Tom Cotton that Mark Pryor votes with President Obama 93 percent of the time. This claim has been fact-checked and found to be accurate, with Pryor's voting record aligning with Obama's stated position between 90 and 95 percent of the time over the past five years. The figure of 93 percent falls within that range and is supported by evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The message of these posts is a drastic overstatement, economists say, whether you look at just U.S. history or all of world history.","One should make allowances for the exuberance of political speech. But when a party shines a spotlight on a particular claim during the week when it trots out its best and brightest, we should take a closer look.","Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick called him the president \"who saved the American auto industry from extinction.\" The former CEO of the super-sized used car dealership CarMax, Austin Ligon, said the president\u2019s decisive action to restructure General Motors and Chrysler \"helped prevent a domino effect that would have taken down everything in the auto industry, from the factories that manufactured auto parts to the dealers who sold the cars.\" And Michelle Obama talked about how her husband \"fought to get the auto industry back on its feet.\"","Even the most casual viewer of the Democratic convention would get the point: President Barack Obama saved the American auto industry."]},{"id":"1038.json","label":"true","statement":"The nuclear test conducted in our nation this time is the Earth's 2,054th nuclear test. The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have conducted 99.99 percent of the total nuclear tests.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by North Korea that the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have conducted 99.99 percent of all nuclear tests. According to the Nuclear Weapon Archive, which tracks nuclear testing, there have been a total of 2,054 nuclear tests conducted. Out of these, as stated by the creator of the archive, 99.37 percent of all tests were conducted by the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I support BadgerCare,\" Walker says in one of the three. The needle jumps to False as the narrator snarls: \"Fact, Walker favors cutting up to 350,000 families and children off health care.\"","To back up its claim that \"up to 350,000 families and children\" would lose coverage, the Greater Wisconsin Committee cites a lengthy Appleton Post-Crescent interview of Walker from June 2010 -- and several other public statements. It also points to state BadgerCare data -- provided by the state to us for this item -- showing more than 350,000 individuals now on BadgerCare have stayed longer than the 24 months Walker has discussed.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Group says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget has tax breaks for corporations, the rich \u2018that will cost the State of Wisconsin taxpayers $2.3 billion over the next decade,\u2019\" July 6, 2011","In addition, Walker has made vague statements about getting back to the \"original intent\" of BadgerCare, which he defines as for the \"truly needy like the disabled, children from low-income families and low-income single parents.\" Walker says the state\u2019s exploding Medicaid population has put BadgerCare in a financial crisis."]},{"id":"2940.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In the case of a catastrophic event, the Atlanta-area offices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will self-destruct.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false and lacks any credible evidence. There is no basis to suggest that the Atlanta-area offices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have any self-destruct mechanism in the event of a catastrophic event. The CDC is a government agency responsible for public health and disease control, and it operates with standard safety protocols and contingency plans like any other organization. Claims of a self-destruct mechanism are purely fictional and should be disregarded.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I\u2019ve been giving my vote a lot of thought,\" the ad says in part. \"For me, it all comes down to who I can trust, and who\u2019s best for my family\u2019s finances. And I just don\u2019t think Mitt Romney is looking out for us. Plus, his views on women seem like they\u2019re from the 1950s. He won\u2019t say if he supports equal pay. That\u2019s real money to us. And he says he wants to overturn Roe vs. Wade and get rid of Planned Parenthood. I know women who go to them for health care and affordable birth control.\"","Asked by a Missouri interviewer what he would cut, Romney gave some examples. \"Of course you get rid of Obamacare,\" Romney said. \"That\u2019s the easy one. But there are others. Planned Parenthood. We\u2019re going to get rid of that. The subsidy for Amtrak. We would eliminate that.\"","That directly contradicts what Romney has said -- that he wants to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood, not abolish the organization -- and his staff reaffirmed that position. There\u2019s no question that an end to federal funding would be a significant blow to the organization\u2019s operations, potentially chopping 12 percent to 35 percent from its budget. But it\u2019s an exaggeration to say that Romney would act to \"get rid\" of the organization. We rate the claim Mostly False.","And in March 2012, when asked by a Missouri interviewer what he would cut from the federal budget, Romney gave some examples. \"Of course you get rid of Obamacare,\" Romney said. \"That\u2019s the easy one. But there are others. Planned Parenthood. We\u2019re going to get rid of that. The subsidy for Amtrak. We would eliminate that.\""]},{"id":"5210.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Rep. David Cicilline is responsible for the federal loan guarantee to Solyndra, the failed solar company","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly states that Rep. David Cicilline cannot be held responsible for the federal loan guarantee to Solyndra. Cicilline took office well after the decision to award Solyndra the loan guarantee was made, and the loan guarantee was part of the Obama administration's decision in 2009. Therefore, attributing responsibility to Cicilline for the loan guarantee is false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7993.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Ohio budget item later signed into law by Gov. John Kasich requires women seeking an abortion to undergo a mandatory vaginal probe.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Ohio's new operating budget does include abortion restrictions, including a requirement for patients to undergo an ultrasound, it does not specify that a vaginal probe must be used. The language in the budget allows for external methods, such as transabdominal ultrasounds, which do not involve a vaginal probe. Therefore, the claim of a \"mandatory vaginal probe\" is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1926.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We have a director of homeland security who cannot use and will not use the term 'terrorist attack' but instead substitutes 'man-made disaster.' \"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Janet Napolitano, the former director of homeland security, used the term \"man-caused disaster\" instead of \"terrorist attack\" in some instances, it is incorrect to claim that she \"cannot use and will not use\" the term \"terrorist attack.\" Napolitano explained that her use of the term \"man-caused disaster\" was an effort to broaden the understanding of terrorism beyond just one specific group like al Qaeda. However, she did use the term \"terrorism\" and \"terrorist\" in her remarks and Senate confirmation hearing, indicating that she was not avoiding the term altogether.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a June 1 op-ed column in The Washington Times , Nugent calls Perry a \"powerful and popular\" true conservative, saying: \"He has never lost an election and remains the only person to have won the Texas governorship three times in landslide elections.\"","Perry, elected lieutenant governor in 1998, ascended to the governorship in December 2000 after then-Gov George W. Bush resigned to prepare for his first term as president. Perry won election as governor in 2002 and re-election in 2006 and 2010.","Undefeated, sure. Perry has won every bid for office since his initial election to the Texas House, as a Democrat, in 1984.","Our take: Perry is the third--not first--Texas governor to win re-election thrice. Two of his wins were bona fide landslides but the third\u2019s landslide status is at least debatable."]},{"id":"7990.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obamacare will provide insurance to all non-U.S. residents, even if they are here illegally.","reason":"Reason: The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, does not provide health insurance coverage to non-U.S. residents, including those who are in the United States illegally. The law specifically focuses on providing health insurance options and assistance to U.S. citizens and legal residents. Non-U.S. residents, regardless of their immigration status, are not eligible for the benefits and coverage provided under the Affordable Care Act. Therefore, the statement that Obamacare will provide insurance to all non-U.S. residents, including those here illegally, is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12848.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"It was under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton that changed the rules of engagement that probably cost (Capt. Humayun Khans) life.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton changed the rules of engagement, resulting in the death of Captain Humayun Khan. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. The rules of engagement are determined by military commanders and are not solely influenced by political figures. Additionally, there is no direct link between the rules of engagement and Captain Khan's death. This statement is baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["While the rates for both minority groups are lower than the rate for whites, they are still well below the figures Sanders offered at the debate.","\"African-American youth unemployment is 51 percent,\" Sanders said at the Oct. 13, 2015, debate in Las Vegas. \"Hispanic youth unemployment is 36 percent.\"","For whites in that age range, the official unemployment rate was 15.7 percent, for Hispanics it was 20.8 percent and for African-Americans it was 31.8 percent.","For individuals age 16 to 19 in September 2015, the official unemployment rate for whites was 13.9 percent, for Hispanics it was 18.6 percent, and for African-Americans it was 31.5 percent. For individuals in that age range of all races and ethnicities, the unemployment rate was 16.3 percent."]},{"id":"4930.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the paperback edition of Mitt Romneys book deleted line that Massachusetts individual mandate should be the model for the country","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were changes made between the hardcover and paperback editions of Mitt Romney's book regarding the Massachusetts individual mandate, the statement lacks some context. The paperback edition did remove a specific line that stated the individual mandate \"should be the model for the country.\" However, it is important to note that the removal of that line does not necessarily indicate a complete reversal of Romney's position on the matter. The book still discusses the Massachusetts health plan and its successes, but the specific endorsement of it as a model for the entire country was removed. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context of the book's content and Romney's overall stance on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13210.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Maggie Hassan raised tuition, making it the highest in America.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that in-state tuition in New Hampshire has been among the highest in America for years, it is misleading to attribute this solely to Maggie Hassan's actions. The statement implies that Hassan specifically raised tuition, leading to New Hampshire having the highest tuition rates in the country. However, the evidence suggests that the state already had high tuition rates before Hassan took office. While Hassan may have had some influence over tuition rates during her tenure, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the highest tuition in America to her actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Our Rhode Island counterparts rated Mostly False a state senator\u2019s assertion that \"if you look at states that are right to work, they constantly do not have budget deficits and they have very good business climates.\"","\"Absolutely, and you don\u2019t have to look very far for what works,\" Kettle responded. \"If you look at states that are right to work, they constantly do not have budget deficits and they have very good business climates. So Rhode Island just needs to a pass a right-to-work law and that would help out this state tremendously, along with other legislation that needs to occur to help out the business community.\"","Kettle pointed to two different indicators of fiscal health in right-to-work states: a lack of budget deficits and good business climates.","Going back to 2009, many right to work states did have budget deficits. And while those states tended to rank better in business-climate indexes, it was not clear that right to work was the reason."]},{"id":"10693.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have towns in West Texas that are out of water, that are having to truck in water.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances of towns in Texas experiencing water shortages and having to truck in water, the statement implies that there are currently towns in West Texas that are completely out of water and solely reliant on trucked-in water. However, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The sources mentioned do not identify any specific towns that are currently out of water. While there have been instances in the past where towns in Texas faced water shortages, the statement exaggerates the current situation. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush.","To back the claim about the Obama administration and funds going directly to terrorism, the Johnson campaign email links to a January 2016 news article in The Hill about comments made by Secretary of State John Kerry.","Johnson\u2019s assertion -- that the administration has admitted that money from the Iran nuclear deal would go directly to terrorism -- doesn\u2019t come out of thin air.","I think that some of it will end up in the hands of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) or of other entities, some of which are labeled terrorists. To some degree, I\u2019m not going to sit here and tell you that every component of that can be prevented. But I can tell you this: Right now, we are not seeing the early delivery of funds going to that kind of endeavor at this point in time. I\u2019m sure at some point, some of it will."]},{"id":"13077.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Georgia, women earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings that women in Georgia earn approximately 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. This is consistent with the wage gap observed in various studies and reports. However, it's important to note that this statistic represents an average and does not account for factors such as occupation, education level, and other variables that may influence wage disparities. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it lacks the nuance required to fully understand the complexities of the gender wage gap.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Three months later, the president signed a tax bill that raised the expense limit to 100 percent of small business new investments until the end of 2011. It also extended the elimination of capital gains taxes for small business investments through the end of 2012. (For more details, see our previous fact-check that provided at least 16 tax cuts to small businesses; we rated it Mostly True.)","\"Now, I\u2019ve cut taxes for those who need it \u2013 middle-class families and small businesses. But I don\u2019t believe that another round of tax breaks for millionaires will bring good jobs to our shores, or pay down our deficit,\" Obama said.","Another eight cuts came via the Small Business Jobs Act, signed by Obama in September of 2010. These included: adding deductions for business cell phone use; creating a new deduction for health care costs for the self-employed; allowing greater deductions for business start-up expenses; eliminating taxes on all capital gains from key small business investments, and raising the small business expense limit to $500,000.","Obama has raised some taxes during his presidency, but he\u2019s also pursued broad-based tax cuts for the middle class and small businesses. We particularly give weight here to the tax cuts that were part of the stimulus and the payroll tax holiday, which reduced taxes for broad swaths of the workforce. Some small businesses may have been hit by new taxes that were part of Obama\u2019s health law, but these would depend on the particular circumstances of each business. Also, there were new taxes on cigarettes and indoor tanning."]},{"id":"3283.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A federal system that verifies employees are authorized to work in the U.S. is inaccurate anywhere from 50 percent all the way up to in excess of 80 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that a federal system that verifies employees' work authorization in the U.S. is inaccurate anywhere from 50 percent to over 80 percent of the time. While it is true that errors can occur in the verification process, the actual error rate is significantly lower. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the error rate for the E-Verify system, which is the primary federal system used for work authorization verification, is less than 1%. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the inaccuracy of the system.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Rep. Tom Cotton (second from left) says Sen. Mark Pryor (far right) votes with Obama 93 percent of the time at an Oct. 13 debate. !Rep. Tom Cotton (second from left) says Sen. Mark Pryor (far right) votes with Obama 93 percent of the time at an Oct. 13 debate.","Rep. Tom Cotton (second from left) says Sen. Mark Pryor (far right) votes with Obama 93 percent of the time at an Oct. 13 debate.","Tom Cotton says Mark Pryor votes in lockstep with President Barack Obama, but Pryor says he\u2019s one of the most independent senators.","Pryor's votes have lined up with Obama's stated position on that vote between 90 and 95 percent of the time for the past five years. Cotton\u2019s figure -- 93 percent -- is right smack in the middle. (The average is 92.6 percent.) So it\u2019s pretty accurate."]},{"id":"12981.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"They were going to build the wall a while ago, not so long ago, like in 06. And they couldnt get environmental impact statements.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were discussions and plans for border barriers, including a wall, in 2006, the statement that they couldn't get environmental impact statements is misleading. The Secure Fence Act of 2006 did authorize the construction of physical barriers along the border, but it also included provisions to waive certain environmental laws to expedite the construction process. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that environmental impact statements were the primary reason for the delay in building the wall at that time. The statement lacks important context and misrepresents the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7548.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2008, only 54 percent of Latinos in Texas were registered to vote and only 35 percent actually turned out.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Battleground Texas advocate that in 2008, only 54 percent of Latinos in Texas were registered to vote, and only 35 percent of them actually turned out to vote. While there may be some challenges in obtaining precise data on voter registration and turnout based on race or ethnicity, the evidence suggests that there was a relatively low registration and turnout rate among Latinos in Texas during that time period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"321.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Said he's the only Republican candidate \"who's actually turned around a government economy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Giuliani's claim that he is the only Republican candidate who has successfully turned around a government economy. During his tenure as mayor of New York City, Giuliani implemented policies that resulted in significant improvements in the city's economy. He highlights achievements such as reducing unemployment, creating new jobs, and implementing tax cuts that saved taxpayers billions of dollars. While there may be other Republican candidates who have had success in improving economies, Giuliani's claim is mostly true based on his specific accomplishments as mayor.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"There is a limit to our patience,\" its Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried on the official Korean Central News Agency. \"The nuclear test conducted in our nation this time is the Earth's 2,054th nuclear test. The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have conducted 99.99 percent of the total nuclear tests.\"","North Korea contends that the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have conducted 99.99 percent of all nuclear tests","( - North Korea contends that the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council have conducted 99.99 percent of all nuclear tests&url=)","So arguably, there have been as many as 13 nuclear tests conducted by countries other than the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, said Carey Sublette, creator of the Nuclear Weapon Archive, which tracks nuclear testing via public records. By Sublette's count, there have been a total of 2,054 nuclear tests. That means 99.37 percent of all the tests were done by the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, he said."]},{"id":"1833.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are 321,092 public school teachers in Texas. And there are 313,850 non-teachers in our public schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided in the evidence, which states that there are 321,092 public school teachers in Texas and 313,850 non-teachers in public schools. The evidence also confirms that these numbers are from a reliable source, the education agency's snapshot report. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide further context or analysis regarding the ratio of teachers to non-teachers and the implications of this ratio. Therefore, while the statement is factually correct, it lacks additional information to fully evaluate its significance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!A sign at the entrance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 19, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP) !A sign at the entrance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 19, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP)","The first U.S. case was confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Dec. 1, days after a Californian returned home from South Africa.","\"Lysol and bleach,\" Skinner said. Materials used to clean the spill are burned, but not by a self-immolating lab. They use incinerators.","While the agency does have safeguards in case generators fail, a subnuclear blast is not one of them, spokeswoman Karen Hunter said."]},{"id":"10829.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Transgender individuals in the U.S. have a 1-in-12 chance of being murdered.","reason":"Reason: The statement that transgender individuals in the U.S. have a 1-in-12 chance of being murdered is not supported by credible evidence. The source from which this statistic was initially drawn, Equality Texas, has acknowledged that the 1-in-12 figure does not have a factual basis. Furthermore, more recent data from reputable organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the Trans People of Color Coalition indicate that while violence against transgender individuals is a significant concern, the likelihood of being murdered is not accurately represented by the 1-in-12 claim. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6161.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey gave the government the power to electronically spy on Americans without a warrant.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks context. While U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey did support the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), which aimed to enhance information sharing between the government and private companies regarding cybersecurity threats, it is misleading to claim that he \"gave\" the government the power to electronically spy on Americans without a warrant. CISPA did raise concerns about potential privacy implications, but it did not grant unlimited surveillance powers without a warrant. Additionally, the bill did not become law and was stalled in the Senate. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and is an oversimplification of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2526.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Alex Sink funneled three quarters of a million dollars in no-bid contracts to Bank of America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks important context. It is true that Alex Sink, as a member of the Florida Cabinet, approved contracts with Bank of America. However, it is misleading to claim that she \"funneled\" the money or that the contracts were \"no-bid.\" The contracts were part of a competitive bidding process, and Bank of America was awarded the contracts based on their proposals. Additionally, the statement does not clarify that Sink recused herself from any involvement in the selection process due to her previous employment with the bank. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it is presented in a way that exaggerates Sink's involvement and misrepresents the nature of the contracts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3786.json","label":"true","statement":"If you take the population growth here in Virginia, we are net zero on job creation since (Bob McDonnell) became governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by McAuliffe that when considering the population growth in Virginia, there has been no net job creation since Bob McDonnell became governor. This claim is supported by the fact that the job-creation figures provided by the administration, which subtract the number of non-farm jobs in Virginia in February of McDonnell's first full month in office from the most current figures, result in a net zero job gain. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We\u2019ve heard a lot of allegations in connection to Solyndra\u2019s problems, but never one laying the blame at Cicilline\u2019s doorstep. This puzzled us because Cicilline took office in 2011, well after the federal stimulus package that financed Solyndra\u2019s loan guarantee was passed and well after the decision was made to award Solyndra the loan guarantee. How could he be responsible?","There\u2019s been a lot of finger-pointing lately in Washington over the Obama administration\u2019s 2009 decision to give a $535-million federal loan guarantee to Solyndra, a now-defunct solar power manufacturer.","\"It\u2019s outrageous enough that David Cicilline supported a $1-trillion failed stimulus package, but it\u2019s even more outrageous that hundreds of millions were spent to fund a failing company like Solyndra,\" NRCC communications director Paul Lindsay went on to say in the release. \"Not only is Cicilline responsible for this irresponsible investment, but he\u2019ll also have to explain to his Rhode Island constituents why Solyndra\u2019s senior employees are receiving bonuses at the expense of hard-working American taxpayers.\"","\"Once the poster child for David Cicilline's stimulus boondoggle, the bankrupt Solyndra company is now a symbol of how his failed scheme wasted taxpayer money on political payback and failing companies instead of creating the jobs promised,\" the Jan. 13 release said."]},{"id":"6697.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Obama, home values in Florida collapsed, construction jobs were lost and the state had a high foreclosure rate.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Florida experienced a significant decline in home values, job losses in the construction industry, and a high foreclosure rate during the Obama administration, attributing these issues solely to President Obama oversimplifies the situation. The housing crisis and economic downturn began before Obama took office, and multiple factors contributed to the collapse of home values and the subsequent job losses and foreclosures. It is important to consider the broader economic context and the complex nature of the housing market when assessing these claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Ohio\u2019s new operating budget calls for $62 billion in spending over two years and several abortion restrictions, including one that requires patients seeking one to first undergo an ultrasound.","In interpreting some of the budget\u2019s more-ambiguous abortion language, Maddow contended that the new regulations included a \"mandatory vaginal probe at the insistence of the state.\"","In other words, not only are external methods such as transabdominal ultrasounds allowed under the new law; they are required. That sinks Maddow\u2019s claim of a \"mandatory vaginal probe.\"","\"Ohio Gov @JohnKasich just ended his re-election chance, by signing into law mandatory big-government-forced object-rape of pregnant women,\" tweeted another critic."]},{"id":"7425.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The only time in our history when the debt has been higher than this was the end of World War II.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided indicates that the national debt reached almost $260 billion by the end of World War II. While there have been subsequent periods when the national debt has been higher, such as during Ronald Reagan's presidency and beyond, the end of World War II marked a significant milestone in terms of the debt level at that time. Therefore, it can be concluded that the only time in our history when the debt has been higher than the end of World War II was during subsequent periods.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To illustrate his point, he singled out Janet Napolitano, the former Arizona governor who joined President Barack Obama\u2019s Cabinet. \u201cWe have a director of homeland security who cannot use and will not use the term \u2018terrorist attack\u2019 but instead substitutes \u2018man-made disaster,\u2019 \u201d Patterson said.","In April 2009 remarks to an Anti-Defamation League conference, Napolitano offered further explanation for her use of \u201cman-caused disaster.\u201d She said that \u201cso often we think of terrorism and the mindset is just al Qaeda \u2026 But it is not the only such group, and so to use a different phrase is an effort to cause people to think more broadly about what we are dealing with, and that is those who seek to commit violence to impact broader societies through their economies, through the exercise of their freedoms, and the like.\u201d","The phrase \u201cman-caused\u201d deviated from Napolitano\u2019s prepared text, which used \u201cman-made\u201d instead. The first instance we found of Napolitano pairing the man-made concept with \u201cdisaster\u201d occurred a month earlier, in remarks prepared for her Senate confirmation hearing.","During her January 2009 confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Napolitano spoke the word \u201cterrorism\u201d five times and \u201cterrorist\u201d once; we counted."]},{"id":"10039.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The cost of health care is now the single-biggest factor driving down the federal budget deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama and supported by evidence. The slowing growth of health care costs has contributed to a reduction in the projected federal budget deficit. Health care has historically been a significant driver of future deficits and debt, but due to various factors, including slower growth in health care prices, it has become a major factor in reducing those deficits. While other factors may also contribute to deficit reduction, the evidence supports the claim that the cost of health care is a significant factor in driving down the federal budget deficit.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1978.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether a U.S. Supreme Court nominee should be forthcoming at confirmation hearings.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim about whether a U.S. Supreme Court nominee should be forthcoming at confirmation hearings. The evidence discusses different topics such as the opposition to a Supreme Court nominee in 2020, the Bork hearings, and the suggestion to delay confirmation hearings until after the political campaign season. It does not address the issue of a nominee's forthcomingness at confirmation hearings.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Affordable Care Act does nothing to provide health insurance to anyone living in the United States illegally. It does offer some assistance to legal non-U.S. citizens, which by the way is different than a non-U.S. resident as the email claims. (A non-U.S. resident could be living in Mexico, France or even Mars).","The Affordable Care Act contains an individual mandate that requires individuals to purchase health insurance. It allows U.S. citizens and legal residents to purchase insurance on health insurance exchanges, often receiving tax credits.","Under the Affordable Care Act, the government works with private insurance companies and health care providers to provide health care coverage. The government subsidizes insurance premiums for some people and sets minimum standards for insurance policies.","Another consideration: In 2015 the U.S. will start enforcing a provision of Obamacare that requires companies with 50 or more full-time employees to offer health insurance or pay fines. There\u2019s been much debate over how many companies will find it cheaper to drop insurance they now offer and pay the penalty of $2,000 per full-time worker, not counting the first 30."]},{"id":"3005.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says one out of three U.S. homeless men is a veteran.","reason":"Reason: The statement that one out of three U.S. homeless men is a veteran is based on data that may be outdated. While there is evidence suggesting a high proportion of homeless individuals are veterans, experts caution that it is challenging to accurately determine the exact number. The available data from sources such as HelpUSA and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development indicate that a significant proportion of homeless men are veterans, but the specific figure of one-third may not be entirely accurate. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely true due to the potential outdatedness of the data and the difficulty in precisely determining the proportion of homeless men who are veterans.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9165.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Charlie Crist supports cuts to the Medicare Advantage program.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Charlie Crist supports cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. In fact, the evidence suggests that Crist opposed the health care bill due to concerns about it raising taxes, premiums, and significantly cutting Medicare. There is no indication that he supported the specific cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It was under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton that changed the rules of engagement that probably cost (Capt. Humayun Khan\u2019s) life.\"","Pierson said, \"It was under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton that changed the rules of engagement that probably cost (Capt. Khan\u2019s) life.\"","This earned him the censure of just about everyone. But all this criticism is misdirected, Trump spokeswoman Katrina Pierson said Aug. 2 on CNN: \"It was under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton that changed the rules of engagement that probably cost (Khan\u2019s) life.\"","Pierson is well within her rights to critique Clinton\u2019s voting record and Obama\u2019s defense policies. But in her original CNN interview, she went further and said Obama and Clinton changed the rules of engagement that \"probably cost\" Khan\u2019s life."]},{"id":"2109.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I think it is unacceptable for the Chinese today to be larger in wind power and in solar panels and photovoltaic manufacturing than all of Europe put together -- forget the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights China's significant presence in wind power and solar panel manufacturing, surpassing Europe in these areas. However, the claim that China is larger in wind power and solar panels than all of Europe combined is an exaggeration. While China has made significant advancements in renewable energy, it is important to note that Europe as a whole still maintains a substantial renewable energy sector. Therefore, the statement contains a degree of truth but exaggerates the extent of China's dominance in comparison to Europe.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9613.json","label":"half-true","statement":"At some point in their lives, 99% of women use birth control.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including statements from President Obama and other sources citing data from the CDC. According to the CDC report, 99% of women aged 15-44 who have ever had sexual intercourse have used at least one contraceptive method at some point in their lifetime. However, it's important to note that this statistic specifically refers to women who have had sexual intercourse, and it may not encompass all women in the broader population. Therefore, while the statement is accurate for women who have been sexually active, it may not apply to all women in general.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says the paperback edition of Mitt Romney's book deleted line that Massachusetts' individual mandate \"should be the model for the country\"","( - Rick Perry says Mitt Romney's book deleted line that Mass. health care law \"should be the model for the country\" &url=)","Says that Romney touted the Massachusetts health plan for the nation in his hardcover book but then deleted it for the paperback edition.","\"The issue of individual mandates is still at the center here, and Mitt can deny this as many times as he wants, but in his first book, hardcover, of No Apologies , he clearly stated that individual mandate should be the model for this country. And then he took that out of the book, in the paperback, and that's the fact, and even a $10,000 bet is not gonna cover that.\""]},{"id":"11657.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There is a federal criminal law that says its a crime to transport dentures across state lines.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is a federal law related to the transport of dentures across state lines, it is important to provide additional context. The law in question does not criminalize the act of individuals wearing or using their own dentures across state lines. Instead, it pertains to the transportation of dentures by non-dentists who manufacture false teeth. The statement, as it stands, could be misleading as it does not clarify the specific scope of the law. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["That ad also included the claim that Hassan had \"raised tuition, making it the highest in America.\" Our readers asked us: is that true? PolitiFact decided to take a look.","\"Hassan raised college tuition making New Hampshire the highest in America,\" the narrator says, \"Today, New Hampshire students are leaving to find affordable education, taking jobs with them.\"","For starters, in-state tuition in New Hampshire for four-year colleges has been the highest in America for years, but it was that way before Hassan took office.","With New Hampshire students perennially saddled with one of the highest tuition rates in the country, Republicans are using higher education to attack Gov. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat who is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte for her Senate seat this November."]},{"id":"11131.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We built a new prison every 10 days between 1990 and 2005 to keep up with our mass incarceration explosion of nonviolent offenders.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a new prison was built every 10 days during the period mentioned by Booker, the statement lacks some important context. The significant rise in the incarceration rate of nonviolent offenders occurred over a longer time period, starting from 1980 to 2013, rather than just between 1990 and 2005. Therefore, while the claim is mostly true in terms of the frequency of prison construction, it is important to note that the mass incarceration of nonviolent offenders was not limited to the specific timeframe mentioned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"767.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Sen. McCain's tax plan provides \"virtually nothing to the middle class.\"","reason":"Reason: While Senator Biden claimed that Senator McCain's tax plan provides \"virtually nothing to the middle class,\" the evidence suggests otherwise. The Tax Policy Center analysis indicates that under McCain's plan, the middle 20 percent of taxpayers would see a tax cut of $325 in 2009 and $1,441 in 2012, on average. While these figures may be lower compared to Obama's plan, it is inaccurate to claim that McCain's plan provides \"virtually nothing\" to the middle class. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1969.json","label":"false","statement":"Phoenix, Arizona, is the No. 2 kidnapping capital of the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Phoenix, Arizona is the No. 2 kidnapping capital of the world is false. While there have been concerns about kidnapping incidents in Phoenix and the broader issue of border security, the claim that it ranks as the second-highest kidnapping capital in the world is not supported by credible data or official reports. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing such serious matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sid Miller, a former legislator who took office in January 2015, replied that just that week he\u2019d signed off on water wells being drilled in two West Texas communities with less than 180-day water supplies. Miller, a Republican, continued: \"We have towns in West Texas that are out of water, that are having to truck in water.\"","In recent years, towns around Texas occasionally ran dry until new wells or water plants met needs. But Miller named no towns out of water of late nor did we identify any.","In a follow-up note, Clawson specified 11 public water systems previously reported as having to haul (or truck) in drinking water due to persistent drought. He attached a chart describing each instance. In another email, Black mentioned most of the same systems.","When we requested Miller\u2019s backup information, Agriculture Department spokesman Bryan Black sent us web links to news reports. One was a January 2012 NPR news report on Spicewood Beach, a Burnet County town northwest of Austin, having to truck in water. Then again, conditions there were expected to rebound, according to a June 2013 Austin American-Statesman news story, thanks to new water wells drilled near Lake Travis and a new water treatment plant."]},{"id":"2020.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The insurance commissioner cant do squat about health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the insurance commissioner does have some influence over how the health care overhaul is implemented in their state, they do not have the power to single-handedly stop or override the federal health care law. The insurance commissioner can make decisions regarding regulations and implementation of the law within their state, but they do not have the authority to set public policy, pass legislation, or sue in federal court to have the law struck down. Therefore, while the insurance commissioner has some limited influence, they cannot completely block the federal health care law from taking effect.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Using 2013 mean wages (not median), the FIU study adjusted for age, education level and occupation. It found that overall, women in Florida make about 82 cents on the dollar compared to men.","The Census Bureau, which tracks annual wages, found women who worked full-time, year-round in 2010 made 77 cents for every dollar men earned across the country. This comparison includes all male and female workers regardless of occupation.","The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses different measures to analyze the pay gap, including weekly wages. In 2010, women working full-time had median weekly earnings of $669, versus $824 for males, according to a BLS report released in 2011. So women earned 81 cents of every dollar earned by men, which has been typical since 2004.","Nationally, the comparable figures from 2012 show a similar pattern: Census shows the gap at about 77 cents, while BLS says women make 82 percent of what men make. Both evaluations say Floridian men and women make less than the national median income, although the gender wage gap is marginally smaller."]},{"id":"4264.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says a poll found him the only Republican candidate who could beat Barack Obama in Texas -- and by eight points.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence, there was a poll that indicated former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney as the only Republican candidate who could beat President Obama in Texas. However, the claim that Romney was ahead by eight points is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence suggests that Romney performed better than other Republicans against Obama in Texas, but it does not specify the exact margin by which he was ahead. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ahead of the tax filing season, a Facebook post sarcastically told taxpayers to file on time because immigrants illegally in the country \"are counting on you.\"","\"Free month (sic) checks.\" It is unclear exactly what this refers to, but immigrants in the U.S. illegally are not eligible for cash payments or federal unemployment benefits.","Immigrants living in the U.S. illegally would not generally be considered eligible for the things listed in the Facebook post \"as far as the federal government is concerned, but they may be eligible at a state-level,\" Lim said.","U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents aren\u2019t the only ones covering the costs of those programs, either. Some immigrants living in the country illegally pay taxes. Estimates vary, but research indicates that immigrants in the country illegally pay billions in federal, state and local taxes each year."]},{"id":"6359.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Ronald Reagan sent troops into conflict only in one circumstance, which was in Grenada We were in a peacekeeping setting in Lebanon.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While it is accurate that President Ronald Reagan sent troops into conflict in Grenada, the characterization of Lebanon as a \"peacekeeping setting\" is misleading. The situation in Lebanon involved a significant military engagement and a loss of life, and it cannot be accurately described solely as a peacekeeping mission. Reagan's military actions in Lebanon were more complex than the statement suggests, and it is an oversimplification to claim that he only sent troops into conflict in Grenada and that Lebanon was solely a peacekeeping setting.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"They were going to build the wall a while ago, not so long ago, like in '06. And they couldn't get environmental impact statements.\"","Trump said, \"They were going to build the wall a while ago, not so long ago, like in '06. And they couldn't get environmental impact statements.\"","\"Almost immediately,\" Trump answered. \"Now if you would believe it, you know, they were going to build the wall a while ago, not so long ago, like in '06. And they couldn't get environmental impact statements. Can you believe it? Okay. Now we got lucky because it was such a little wall, it was such a nothing wall, no, they couldn't get their environmental -- probably a snake was in the way or a toad or\u2026\"","We were curious about wall plans from a decade ago and whether environmental impact statements hindered its construction, as Trump\u2019s statements suggest."]},{"id":"8931.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says David Jolly supports privatizing Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that there is some disagreement and ambiguity regarding David Jolly's stance on privatizing Social Security. While Democrats claim that Jolly supports privatization based on his statement about private accounts being on the table for future reforms, Jolly's campaign spokeswoman has stated that he supports preserving Social Security and would not have voted for the Ryan budget due to concerns about changes to the program. The conflicting statements and lack of a clear position make it difficult to definitively label Jolly as supporting privatizing Social Security.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7599.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average student in Florida, what they actually pay out of pocket at our major universities for tuition is as much or less than what they spend on cellphones.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the average student in Florida pays a comparable or lower amount for tuition at major universities compared to what they spend on cellphones. While the exact figures may vary depending on individual circumstances and university choices, the statement captures the general idea that tuition costs for Florida students can be relatively affordable in comparison to other expenses like cellphone bills.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Battleground Texas advocate said that in 2008, \"only 54 percent of Latinos in Texas were registered to vote and only 35 percent actually turned out.\"","( - Battleground Texas says 54 percent of Texas Latinos registered to vote in 2008 and only 35 percent turned out&url=)","Bird replied: \"If you look at the state, it\u2019s not just about the demographics, it\u2019s about the turnout. So in 2008, for example, only 54 percent of Latinos in Texas were registered to vote and only 35 percent actually turned out. So what you\u2019re getting is, when only about 50 percent of the population turns out to vote in a place like Texas, you\u2019re getting a government in Texas that\u2019s for half the people and by half the people.\"","We wondered instead if 54 percent of Latino Texans registered to vote in 2008, as Bird said, and 35 percent turned out, especially considering that no one marks down their race or ethnicity when they register to vote."]},{"id":"7128.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A foreclosure tax that would take effect in 2013 could mean a high tax bill for those facing foreclosure and millions of families who modified their mortgage or had a short sale through their lender.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the potential consequences of not extending the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. If this act is not extended, homeowners who face foreclosure or engage in mortgage modification or short sale could indeed face a significant tax bill on the amount of debt forgiven by their lenders. The National Association of Realtors has highlighted the potential impact of not extending this act, and their estimate aligns with the percentage of homes in foreclosure and short sales. However, it's important to note that the term \"foreclosure tax\" is a colloquial term used to emphasize the tax implications rather than an official tax designation. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5667.json","label":"false","statement":"The Florida Department of Agricultures website FreshFromFlorida.com can be used to get a permit to carry a loaded hidden gun without ever leaving your house.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Florida Department of Agriculture's website does provide information and resources related to concealed weapon permits, the process of obtaining a permit to carry a concealed gun in Florida requires more than just using the website. It involves completing an application, undergoing a background check, and often requires in-person fingerprinting and training. The website itself does not grant permits or allow individuals to obtain them without following the necessary legal procedures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I'm the only one who's actually turned around a government economy,\" he said. \"And the reality is, when I became mayor of New York, the economy of New York was in very, very bad shape. Tremendous deficits, 10.5 percent unemployment, 300,000 jobs gone. We turned that around, cut unemployment by more than half, brought in 450,000 new jobs, and we cut taxes by 17 percent.\"","Giuliani also boasts about the tax cuts that happened during his tenure. \"Because he turned his conservative principles into action,\" says Giuliani's campaign Web site, \"New York City taxpayers saved more than $9-billion in taxes and enjoyed their lowest tax burden in decades, while the economy grew and city government saw its revenues increase from the lower tax rates.\"","\"When you reduce the burden of government,\" Giuliani said in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 20, \"what happened is the unemployment rate was cut in half, the number of jobs grew ... the number of people that were working went up dramatically, and new businesses came back to the city.\"","When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%."]},{"id":"4170.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Atlanta streetcar is expected to create 930 jobs during construction, totaling more than 5,600 jobs over the next 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While it is true that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) estimated that the Atlanta streetcar project would create 930 jobs during construction, the claim that it would result in over 5,600 jobs over the next 20 years is not supported by evidence. The FTA's figure of 5,600 jobs includes not only the construction jobs but also the positions needed to operate the streetcar and potential jobs from new developments along the route. However, these additional jobs are not guaranteed or directly related to the streetcar project itself. Therefore, the claim of over 5,600 jobs resulting from the streetcar project over 20 years is not accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7848.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Gina Raimondo took office, investment fees on the states pension portfolio have gone up from about $12 million annually to about $50 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Frank Caprio that investment fees on the state's pension portfolio have increased from about $12 million annually to about $50 million since Gina Raimondo took office. However, it's important to note that the actual confirmed figure provided by Raimondo's office is $13.1 million, which is slightly higher than the \"about $12 million\" mentioned by Caprio. While there has been an increase in investment fees, the extent of the increase may not be as significant as portrayed in the statement. Therefore, the statement is partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There are 321,092 public school teachers in Texas. There are 313,850 non-teachers in our public schools,\" he continues. \"Do we really need one non-teacher for every teacher on the public school payroll?\"","According to the most recent snapshot, 634,942 full-time employees worked in the public education system (not including charter schools) in 2008-09. Of those, 321,092 were full-time teachers and 313,850 staff members held other jobs.","We're not weighing in on the value of non-teachers in the schools, but we wondered if Sullivan got his ratio right.","He correctly cites the number of teachers and non-teachers, per the education agency's latest snapshot report. More recent data available from the agency shows both have increased; still, the ratio of teachers to non-teachers is about the same."]},{"id":"4456.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under President Barack Obamas jobs bill, states would no longer have to lay off teachers, firefighters and police officers.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. David Scott that the jobs bill is targeted to prevent states from laying off teachers, firefighters, and police officers, it lacks some nuance. The bill does allocate $35 billion for these professions and specifies that the majority of the funds should go towards job creation rather than administrative costs. However, it does not guarantee that states would no longer have to lay off these government employees entirely. The bill aims to mitigate layoffs in these sectors, but it does not eliminate the possibility entirely. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7796.json","label":"false","statement":"Of our 98,000 teachers who are K-12, over 53,000 of those teachers today are over 50 years old.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While McAuliffe claimed that over 53,000 of the 98,000 K-12 teachers in Virginia are over 50 years old, this claim has been debunked. The Virginia Retirement System, which manages the pensions of full-time teachers, provided the campaign with the number of 53,000 teachers older than 50. However, this number does not represent the total number of teachers over 50 in Virginia. Therefore, the claim is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Coleman, suggesting transgender Americans are more likely to be attacked, went on: \"Transgender individuals in the U.S. have a 1-in-12 chance of being murdered. The average person has a 1-in-18,000 chance.\"","Stephens and others writing online speculated the statistic was referring to lifetime chances of being murdered with writer Parker Marie Molloy concluding in November 2013 that if estimates of the share of U.S. residents who are transgender are accurate, it\u2019s not numerically reasonable for the 1-in-12 figure to hold up.","We asked Coleman to elaborate on his declaration about the chances of a transgender resident, meaning a person whose gender identity, expression or behavior is different from those typically associated with their assigned sex at birth, being murdered. In a written statement we fielded by email, Coleman said the 1-in-12 figure turned out not to have a factual basis. In preparing his presentation, Coleman said, he drew the 1-in-12 element from Equality Texas, a group that says it advocates for \"full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans.\"","More recently, a March 2015 web post by the Human Rights Campaign and the Trans People of Color Coalition said that between January 2015 and March 10, 2015, at least seven transgender women were murdered in the U.S--after 13 transgender women were murdered in 2014."]},{"id":"7467.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Two-thirds of Wisconsinites receiving unemployment checks are not required to search for work due to current work search exemptions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Current work search exemptions in Wisconsin do indeed allow two-thirds of Wisconsinites receiving unemployment checks to be exempt from the requirement to actively search for work. However, it's important to note that this exemption is a response to the unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted the job market and created challenges for individuals seeking employment. While the exemption may be temporary, it is currently in effect and applies to a significant portion of unemployment recipients in Wisconsin.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6895.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Obama promised unemployment would never go above 8 percent.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made by Governor Chris Christie and others that President Obama promised to keep unemployment below 8 percent, these claims are not entirely accurate. President Obama did not explicitly promise that unemployment would never go above 8 percent. However, during his presidency, he did express confidence that the stimulus package would help keep unemployment below that threshold. The actual statement made by President Obama was more of a projection rather than a promise. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6767.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obama decided not to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hasner that President Obama decided not to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not confirm or refute the claim. The leaked transcript mentioned in the evidence does not provide direct information about the decision to not meet in New York. Therefore, while the statement is based on a claim made by Hasner, the evidence does not provide conclusive proof to verify or refute the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Gingrey \"Gave Government the Power to Electronically Spy on YOU, YOUR FAMILY, the Average US Citizen. All YOUR Private Information Collected. Analyzed. Graphed. Categorized. STORED. Without a Warrant,\" it said.","PolitiFact Georgia asked Opitz for more information on how Gingrey has given the government the power to \"electronically spy on you, your family, the average U.S. citizen.\"","Michael Opitz, a Cobb County Air Force veteran and activist, is one of two Republicans challenging U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey for his seat in Congress. One of his YouTube videos says the Republican congressman from Marietta is voting away your privacy rights.","It\u2019s premature to say that Gingrey \"gave\" the government more opportunities to look at consumers\u2019 private information. CISPA is stalled in the Senate."]},{"id":"11043.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In a majority of states, you can now marry freely, but can still be fired for who you love.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights a discrepancy in the legal protections for marriage and employment. While same-sex marriage has been legalized in a majority of states, there are still instances where individuals can face employment discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, it's important to note that the extent of these protections can vary depending on state laws and local ordinances. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it may not apply uniformly across all states and jurisdictions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We're checking his claim that \"Alex Sink funneled three quarters of a million dollars in no-bid contracts to Bank of America,\" the bank she used to work for.","\"Newspapers discovered Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink funneled three quarters of a million dollars in no-bid contracts to Bank of America,\" the narrator says. \"That's the same Bank of America once run by, you guessed it, Alex Sink.\"","Three quarters of a million dollars ... The money in question is just about right. The total commission paid to Bank of America and its newly acquired Merrill Lynch unit was $770,321.","Scott is highlighting Sink's record as a member of the Florida Cabinet in a new ad called \"No bid,\" alleging that Sink steered government contracts -- and the money that goes with it -- to her former employer Bank of America. Watch the ad here."]},{"id":"4357.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Say Oregon Reps. Peter DeFazio and Earl Blumenauer are socialists who are openly serving in the U.S. Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Reps. Peter DeFazio and Earl Blumenauer are both Democrats, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that they are socialists. The term \"socialist\" is often used as a political label to discredit individuals, but it is important to rely on accurate information and not base judgments on unfounded claims. Both representatives have been active members of the Democratic Party and have not openly identified as socialists. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\"We have not gone forward. We have gone backwards,\" McAuliffe, who is considering another run for governor in 2013, said in a May 7 speech at a Democratic rally. \"I know Bob is for jobs, talks about these great press releases. But if you take the population growth here in Virginia, we are net zero on job creation since he became governor.\"","That report, however, does not include the specific statement McAuliffe made about the state\u2019s job growth trailing its population increase under McDonnell.","\"If you define progress as putting a greater percentage of our population to work (which seems like a fair definition to me), we haven\u2019t made progress since Bob McDonnell took office,\" Coy said in an e-mail.","Our next call went to the office of Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who heads McDonnell\u2019s jobs team. Randy Marcus, Bolling\u2019s chief of staff, compiles the job-creation figures for the administration. Marcus said he takes the most current BLS monthly figure for non-farm jobs in Virginia. Then he subtracts the number of non-farm jobs in Virginia in February, McDonnell\u2019s first full month in office. The remainder is what the administration considers to be Virginia\u2019s net job gain under McDonnell. It includes full and part-time jobs in the public and private sectors."]},{"id":"162.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Rudy Giuliani is \"probably the most underqualified man since George Bush to seek the presidency.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is an opinion that characterizes Rudy Giuliani as \"probably the most underqualified man since George Bush to seek the presidency.\" However, it is important to note that qualifications for the presidency can vary and are subjective. Labeling someone as the \"most underqualified\" is a subjective judgment and cannot be objectively proven or disproven. Therefore, the statement does not meet the standard of a factual claim and is more of a personal opinion.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Against a black and white image of Obama, a narrator says, \"Here in Florida, we\u2019re not better off under President Obama. Home values collapsed, home construction jobs lost, high rate of foreclosure.\"","Romney\u2019s ad claims that under Obama, home values in Florida collapsed, construction jobs were lost and the state\u2019s foreclosure rate soared.","In a state where homes lost more than half their value in the recession, it\u2019s a handy line of attack. But we found that the claim -- faulting Obama for depressed house values, lost jobs and high foreclosures -- oversimplifies a problem with many layers and puts too much blame on the president for a crisis that began before he took office.","According to RealtyTrac, a website that collects and tracks foreclosure data, the Florida foreclosure wave crashed ashore about a year after home values collapsed."]},{"id":"12593.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"After Britains vote to leave the European Union, within 24 hours, Americans lost $100 billion from our 401(k)s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's claim that Americans lost $100 billion from their 401(k) retirement savings accounts within 24 hours of Britain's vote to leave the European Union. The Clinton campaign provided an explanation of how they arrived at this figure, and experts have confirmed the validity of their reasoning. However, it's important to note that the impact on individual 401(k) accounts may vary, and not all Americans with 401(k)s experienced the same level of losses. So, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context regarding the variation in individual losses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8164.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Medicaid spending declined by 1.9 percent in 2012, the second such decline in 47 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kathleen Sebelius, the former Secretary of Health and Human Services, that Medicaid spending per beneficiary declined by 1.9 percent in 2012. This decline was significant as it marked only the second time in the history of the program, aside from 2006, that such a decline occurred. The evidence and reports reviewed confirm the accuracy of this claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The debt was more than $2.6 billion by the end of the Civil War; almost $27 billion by the end of World War I, and almost $260 billion by the end of World War II. The debt reached $1 trillion in Ronald Reagan's first term as president. It reached $5 trillion near the end of Bill Clinton's first term.","After Jan. 8, history writers fail to track the debt with precise detail. Jackson biographers Parton and Remini don't discuss how long the national debt remained zero. (In their defense, they use their ink discussing an assassination attempt on Jackson at the end of January 1835).","\"Why is January 8th an important date in American history? This day in 1835 is the only day in our history when we have not been in debt.\"","\"Even if you took literally every single ounce of platinum in the world, it still wouldn\u2019t add up to enough needed to pay down our nation\u2019s debt.\""]},{"id":"6520.json","label":"true","statement":"Says 88 Texas constables have died in the line of duty.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the statement is true. While there may be some discrepancy in the exact number, the sources indicate that at least 115 Texas constables have died in the line of duty. The count of 85 constables on the memorial is slightly less than the 88 initially mentioned, but it is still consistent with the overall claim. Therefore, it is accurate to say that 88 Texas constables have died in the line of duty.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wondered: Is it true that \"health care is now the single-biggest factor driving down\" the federal budget deficit? We found that the claim is pretty well supported.","Rosnick said the change in projected federal health care spending compared to the change in projected deficit shows that the former \"is the biggest factor driving down the long-run deficits.\"","\"Partly because health care prices have been growing at the slowest rate in nearly 50 years, the growth in what health care costs the government is down,\" Obama said in a speech about the economy last week at Northwestern University. \"Health care has long been the single-biggest driver of America\u2019s future deficits. It\u2019s been the single-biggest driver of our debt. Health care is now the single-biggest factor driving down those deficits.\"","We decided to check his statement that \"Medicare and Medicaid are the single biggest drivers of the federal deficit and the federal debt by a huge margin.\""]},{"id":"9500.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Gov. Rick Scott cut the cost of prepaid college tuition by nearly $20,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided confirms that Gov. Rick Scott implemented measures that significantly reduced the cost of prepaid college tuition in Florida. The Florida Prepaid College Board anticipates a drop of nearly $20,000 in the lump-sum price of the four-year Florida university plan for newborns. This reduction in cost aligns with the claim made in the statement. However, it's important to note that the specific impact on individual students may vary depending on their circumstances and the specific prepaid college tuition plans they have enrolled in.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4629.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The city of Columbus would save $41 million a year if employees had to contribute to their own, guaranteed-check pensions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the city of Columbus would save $41 million a year if employees were required to contribute to their own guaranteed-check pensions. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific claim, but it does establish the potential for cost savings through changes in pension plans. While additional information would be helpful to fully assess the accuracy of the statement, based on the available evidence, it can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, hearings on Elena Kagan's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, June 29, 2010 (transcript accessed via CQ)","Schumer opposes the confirmation of a Supreme Court nominee in 2020 and justifies his opposition by citing the precedent set by Republicans in 2016. Since Republicans hold the majority in the Senate in 2020 (same as 2016), the party has the power to control the confirmation process. McConnell in 2016 refused to hold a confirmation hearing for Obama\u2019s nominee.","In the review, Kagan writes that the Bork hearings may have been contentious, but the nominee's actual testimony was serious and substantive. \"The Bork hearings presented to the public a serious discussion of the meaning of the Constitution, the role of the Court, and the views of the nominee; that discussion at once educated the public and allowed it to determine whether the nominee would move the Court in the proper direction,\" she wrote.","Biden said if Bush were to nominate someone anyway, \"the Senate Judiciary Committee should seriously consider not scheduling confirmation hearings on the nomination until after the political campaign season is over.\""]},{"id":"10560.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"You had more women getting computer sciences degrees in the 80s by a factor of 2-plus than you do now.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. In the 1980s, there was a higher number of women earning computer science degrees compared to the present. However, the claim that the number was \"by a factor of 2-plus\" is not entirely accurate. While women did earn a significant number of computer science degrees in the 1980s, it is not accurate to say that the number was more than double the current rate. The available evidence does show a decline in the proportion of women earning computer science degrees since the 1980s. Therefore, while the statement captures the general trend, the specific numerical comparison is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We asked Walmsley for background on that figure; she pointed us to a Web page kept by HelpUSA, a group that says its mission is to provide housing and the supportive services necessary for the homeless and people in need to become and remain self-reliant. The page has this statement: \"While the causes are many, the singular reality is staggering: 1 out of every 3 homeless men you see on the street is a veteran.\"","Ericka Walmsley, a Texas Veterans Commission employment representative, is quoted saying: \"When their term is up and they get out, there\u2019s almost nothing for them now.\" One of three homeless men in the United States is a veteran, the newspaper quotes Walmsley saying.","At the commission\u2019s Austin headquarters, spokesman Duncan McGhee pointed us to a chapter in a report posted online by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development stating: \"Among homeless men, 33 percent report being veterans, and a very high proportion (98 percent) of homeless veterans are men.\"","Bottom line: Experts outside Texas agree the claim that one-third of homeless men are veterans is based on obsolete data, though some cautioned that it\u2019s hard to pinpoint how many homeless men are veterans and one sorting of the data appears to justify the claim. We rate the statement Barely True."]},{"id":"6777.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Hussein Obama will ... force courts to accept Islamic Sharia law in domestic disputes.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Hussein Obama will force courts to accept Islamic Sharia law in domestic disputes is completely false and has been widely debunked. There is no credible evidence or statement from President Obama suggesting such an intention. Furthermore, the executive branch does not have the power to force courts to accept any particular law, as the separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution prevents such actions. This claim is a baseless and inflammatory falsehood.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"If I misspoke, I want to be abundantly clear: the health care bill was too big, too expensive, and expanded the role of government far too much. Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. But being an independent, I have the freedom to be an honest broker for the people of Florida without regard for political party, and the reality is this: despite its serious flaws, the health care bill does have some positive aspects.","He referred us to a July 29 article on . Keep in mind that article was before the Aug. 27 TV flip-flop. The article dissects a July 22 Rubio ad which states \"Charlie Crist now says he supports Obamacare.\" Factcheck concluded that Crist's position had shifted but that it was not \"a complete reversal.\"","The AP wrote that the main reasons Crist opposed the law was that he said it raises taxes, raises premiums and significantly cuts Medicare.","\"Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. But being an independent, I have the freedom to be an honest broker for the people of Florida without regard for political party, and the reality is this: despite its serious flaws, the Obama health care bill does have some positive aspects. Repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute -- repeal without passage of a substitute law protecting those with pre-existing conditions, closing the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, and allowing parents to keep their children on their insurance coverage until age 26 would be wrong. While I would not have supported the legislation, we have to recognize the positive components and work together across party lines to make our health care system more affordable for both consumers and the government.\""]},{"id":"3836.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Some neighborhood schools are closing.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the Democrats' statement initially claimed that \"some neighborhood schools are closing,\" further investigation revealed that only four schools were recommended for closure by the district superintendent. However, additional research conducted by the fact-checkers did identify seven neighborhood schools that were being closed due to reductions in state funding. Therefore, while the number of school closures may be relatively small in comparison to the initial claim, it is still accurate to say that \"some\" neighborhood schools are closing.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Scientists at the Wyoming Institute of Technology, a privately-owned think tank located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, discovered that energy radiated from the sun isn\u2019t merely captured in solar panels, but that energy is directly physically drawn from the sun by those panels, in a process they refer to as \u2018forced photovoltaic drainage.\u2019","Holding to international norms is a form of pressure, Bodansky argued. Zycher countered that China is autocratic and can ignore domestic and international pressure more easily than the United States, Canada and Europe.","President Joe Biden has been systematically undoing former President Donald Trump\u2019s policies on climate change. Case in point \u2014 Trump took the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement. On Biden\u2019s first day, he signed paperwork to bring the United States back in.","Scott said the Paris Climate Agreement is bad for the United States because it fails to hold \"real polluters\" such as China and India accountable."]},{"id":"325.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"He told gay organizers in Massachusetts he would be a stronger advocate for special rights than even Ted Kennedy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's claim during his 1994 U.S. Senate campaign that he would be a stronger advocate for gay rights than Ted Kennedy. However, it is important to note that Romney did not use the term \"special rights\" himself. Instead, he advocated for equality and rights for gay and lesbian Americans. The term \"special rights\" is a subjective interpretation added by the speaker. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of Romney's claim, the inclusion of the term \"special rights\" is a subjective characterization.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7803.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We are already almost halfway to our 2010 goal of creating 700,000 new jobs in seven years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rick Scott suggests that the goal of creating 700,000 new jobs in seven years is already almost halfway achieved. While it is true that Scott made this pledge and has touted progress towards it, the evidence does not provide a clear indication of how close Florida is to reaching that goal. The statement lacks specific data or metrics to support the claim of being almost halfway there. Without more concrete evidence, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Nearly 99 percent of all women have relied on contraception at some point in their lives \u2013- 99 percent,\" Obama said at a White House briefing.","\"Giving corporations, executives and bosses the ability to make decisions about women\u2019s health care is deeply regrettable,\" she said in a June 30, 2014 news release. \"At some point in their lives, 99 percent of women use birth control. This decision seems to ignore that fact and side with corporations over women.\"","It is also worth noting that the CDC report says says 93 percent of women reported using condoms, and 60 percent reported using withdrawal as a birth control method. Those figures help drive the conclusion that virtually all women use birth control at some point in their lives.","\"Virtually all women of reproductive age in 2006\u20132010 who had ever had sexual intercourse have used at least one contraceptive method at some point in their lifetime (99 percent, or 53 million women aged 15\u201344).\""]},{"id":"11486.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The president said hes going to bring in 250,000 (Syrian and Iraqi) refugees into this country.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or statement from President Obama or his administration indicating that he planned to bring in 250,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees to the United States. The claim made by Sean Hannity is unsubstantiated and has been widely debunked. It is important to rely on accurate information and verified sources when discussing such sensitive topics.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7324.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Research shows that a vast majority of arriving immigrants today come here because they believe that government is the source of prosperity, and thats what they support.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on the claim made by Rush Limbaugh, who referred to \"research\" without providing specific sources or evidence. Without clear and verifiable references, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this claim. While it is possible that some immigrants may have positive perceptions of government and its role in prosperity, it is an oversimplification to attribute the motivations of the \"vast majority\" of arriving immigrants solely to this belief. Immigration is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including economic opportunities, personal circumstances, and seeking a better life. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true due to the lack of specific evidence and the oversimplification of immigrant motivations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8019.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Rhode Island, 9 percent of workers use the states temporary disability insurance program each year while in New Jersey, the rate is only 3 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Patricia Morgan that 9 percent of workers in Rhode Island use the state's temporary disability insurance program each year, compared to 3 percent in New Jersey. However, it's important to note that this statistic alone does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness or efficiency of the program in each state. Other factors, such as the eligibility criteria, the size of the workforce, and the overall usage patterns, should be considered to fully evaluate the impact and significance of these percentages.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12014.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obama took more money from Wall Street in the 2008 campaign than anybody ever had.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama took more money from Wall Street in the 2008 campaign than anyone ever had is mostly true. While it is difficult to definitively determine the exact amount of money received from Wall Street, it is widely acknowledged that Obama's 2008 campaign did receive significant financial support from Wall Street donors. However, it is important to note that Obama also received substantial funding from small donors across the country, as he mentioned in his response. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be acknowledged that Obama's campaign funding came from a combination of sources, including Wall Street and small donors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1835.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Arizona immigration law expressly bans racial profiling.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Arizona immigration law does contain provisions that expressly ban racial profiling. However, it is important to note that the law also includes language that allows for profiling that is deemed constitutional. This creates a legal gray area and leaves room for interpretation and potential challenges. While the law does have measures in place to address concerns about racial profiling, the issue of profiling in practice is still a subject of ongoing debate and legal scrutiny.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There is a federal criminal law that says it\u2019s a crime to transport dentures across state lines,\" he said. \"So we\u2019re getting rid of that.\"","Goodlatte said it\u2019s a federal crime \"to transport dentures across state lines.\" He made the statement while promoting a bill that would repeal what he considers to be unnecessary laws.","Our jaws dropped when U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte called for the repeal of a federal law banning the transport of dentures across state lines.","A 73-year-old federal law does make it a crime for non-dentists who make false teeth to ship their wares out of state. But it doesn\u2019t restrict citizens from wearing their dentures wherever they go. The congressman didn\u2019t mention that."]},{"id":"11536.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On the VA: Over 300,000 veterans have died waiting for care.","reason":"Reason: While there have been significant issues and delays in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system, the claim that over 300,000 veterans have died waiting for care is an exaggeration. The evidence provided includes statements from President Trump, who initially made the claim, and subsequent reports that suggest the number is much lower. While it is true that some veterans have experienced delays and inadequate care, the statement greatly overstates the number of deaths directly caused by these delays. It is important to acknowledge the issues within the VA system but also to provide an accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Booker said, \"We built a new prison every 10 days between 1990 and 2005 to keep up with our mass incarceration explosion of nonviolent offenders.\"","\"We built a new prison every 10 days between 1990 and 2005 to keep up with our mass incarceration explosion of nonviolent offenders,\" Booker said in a post to his Instagram account on July 27, 2015. Before joining the Senate, Booker served as mayor of Newark.","Booker is right that a new prison was built every 10 days during that period. But while there was a significant rise in the incarceration rate of nonviolent offenders, it took place over a longer time period than the post indicates -- between 1980 and 2013. On balance, we rate his claim Mostly True.","So Booker is wrong to focus on the period 1990 to 2005 when discussing a \"mass incarceration explosion of nonviolent offenders.\" A big rise did occur, but it started earlier than Booker\u2019s post indicated."]},{"id":"5236.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rob Cornilles supports privatizing Medicare.","reason":"Reason: While Rob Cornilles has expressed support for the Wyden-Ryan Medicare reform plan, which includes elements of private competition, it is important to note that the plan does not fully privatize Medicare. The plan retains the original government-run Medicare program as an option while introducing a private alternative. While this does involve some level of private involvement, it falls short of complete privatization. Therefore, stating that Cornilles supports privatizing Medicare is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect his position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Biden picked up a refrain hammered by his running mate, Sen. Barack Obama, saying that Obama\u2019s plan would provide more relief for the middle class. Biden would have been on solid footing had he stopped there, but he went one step further, claiming Sen. John McCain\u2019s plan has nothing for the middle class.","\"The economic engine of America is middle class,\" Biden said. \"It\u2019s the people listening to this broadcast. When you do well, America does well. Even the wealthy do well. This is not punitive. John wants to add $300-million, billion in new tax cuts per year for corporate America and the very wealthy while giving virtually nothing to the middle class. We have a different value set. The middle class is the economic engine. It\u2019s fair. They deserve the tax breaks, not the superwealthy who are doing pretty well. They don\u2019t need any more tax breaks.\"","In 2001, McCain voted against a $1.35-trillion tax cut package, arguing that the tax cuts didn't do enough for the middle class, and because of a need for increased defense spending.","But for the middle 20 percent of taxpayers \u2014 people making between $37,595 and $66,354 \u2014 here\u2019s how the Tax Policy Center sees the respective tax plans shake out: Under McCain\u2019s plan, their tax bill would go down by $325 in 2009, on average, and $1,118 under Obama\u2019s plan. If you look down the road to 2012, those in the middle quintile would see tax cuts of $1,441 under McCain\u2019s plan and $2,197 under Obama\u2019s."]},{"id":"2869.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We (Democrats) have made steady progress creating jobs and improving our schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Democrats have made steady progress in creating jobs and improving schools. While it is true that the evidence provided indicates that Democratic presidents have had higher job growth rates compared to Republicans, it is important to note that job creation is influenced by various factors beyond the control of any single political party. Additionally, the statement does not provide evidence or context regarding the claim about improving schools. Therefore, the claim about improving schools lacks supporting evidence and cannot be evaluated based on the given information. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3864.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Michigan and Massachusetts raised their bottle deposit and could no longer afford the program because the redemptions were so high there was no profit in there.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that Michigan and Massachusetts raised their bottle deposit and subsequently couldn't afford the program due to high redemptions. In fact, Michigan's bottle deposit has remained at 10 cents since its inception, and the purpose of the program is to keep roadsides and the environment clean, not to generate profit. The claim lacks factual basis and is deemed to be highly inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Phoenix, Arizona, I'm told, is now the No. 2 kidnapping capital in the world, right behind Mexico City,\" he said. \"That's unacceptable in America. We understand. We in Texas understand the frustrations people feel in Arizona.\"","Halfway through the program, after detailing a spring trip to Cochise County, Arizona, to see the impact of illegal immigration, Combs said \"Phoenix, Ariz., is the No. 2 kidnapping capital of the world\" to underscore how dangerous the state has become.","Our original fact-check, coming at a time when Arizona\u2019s tough immigration law known as SB 1070 was a major topic nationally, looked at a comment by Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. He said that Phoenix \"is now the No. 2 kidnapping capital in the world, right behind Mexico City.\"","Rhode Island talk show host Helen Glover called Phoenix the kidnapping capital of the Western Hemisphere July 9, Sen. John McCain pushed the Phoenix as No. 2 kidnapping capital stat on \"Meet the Press\" June 27, and Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst made the Phoenix as No. 2 claim June 18."]},{"id":"3054.json","label":"true","statement":"Whether you like to admit it or not, half our general revenue goes to education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a significant portion of general revenue goes towards education. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the state and its specific budget allocations, education typically receives a substantial portion of general revenue funding. It is important to note that the statement does not provide an exact figure or specify the timeframe, but it conveys the general idea that a significant portion of general revenue is allocated to education.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12237.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are 31 other states and 10,000 other cities that have the same type of policies that we just passed, referring to North Carolinas House Bill 2.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there are other states and cities with similar policies to North Carolina's House Bill 2. However, without specific information about the policies being referred to, it is difficult to determine the full context and extent of similarity. While it is true that other states and cities may have enacted similar legislation, the statement lacks specific details or evidence to support the claim that there are exactly 31 other states and 10,000 other cities with the same type of policies. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"As insurance commissioner you can't stop it the federal health care law from happening and you can't override that,\" Sheffield told PolitiFact Georgia.","Sandy Praeger is commissioner of the Kansas Insurance Department and chairwoman of the Health Insurance and Managed Care Committee for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Federal officials are consulting with the group as they write health insurance regulations.","The insurance commissioner can influence how the health care overhaul takes shape in Georgia by creating regulations and making other decisions about how the federal bill will be implemented in Georgia, Hudgens said. For instance, in April, current insurance commissioner and Republican gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine decided that the state will opt out of becoming involved in the creation of a state \"high-risk\" pool for people with pre-existing conditions.","Hudgens' argument goes like this: The post of insurance commissioner is an administrative office. It cannot set public policy, tax or pass legislation. It can't sue in federal court to have the law struck down. It therefore cannot block the federal health care law from taking effect in this state."]},{"id":"4453.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The jobs bill includes President Obamas tax on soup kitchens","reason":"Reason: While there is a tax provision included in President Obama's jobs bill, it is misleading to characterize it as a \"tax on soup kitchens.\" The provision does not specifically target soup kitchens or charitable organizations. Instead, it increases the tax burden on a small percentage of households, which may indirectly impact donations to charitable causes, including soup kitchens. However, it is important to note that the provision does not directly impose a tax on soup kitchens themselves. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and lacks the necessary context to accurately describe the tax provision in the jobs bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You know there was a poll, I guess it was about a month ago, that was a little surprising,\" the newspaper quoted the former Massachusetts governor saying during a New Hampshire campaign stop. \"It had me as the only Republican candidate who in Texas could beat President Obama. I think I was ahead by eight points. No one else was ahead of him.\"","According to CNN, the national survey by Newsweek \/Daily Beast \"indicated that in a hypothetical general election matchup between President Barack Obama and Trump as the GOP nominee, Obama beat Trump by only two percentage points, 43 to 41, which was well with in the survey's sampling error.\"","In the June poll, all told, Romney performed better in Texas than other Republicans against Obama, but contrary to his statement, he was not the only Republican to best him. He was the only candidate who did so by more than the poll's margin of error.","At an April 27, 2011, news conference in Portsmouth, N.H., businessman and possible Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump boasted about how good a candidate he would be against President Barack Obama."]},{"id":"6898.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Obama administration spent taxpayer dollars on electric cars in Finland (and) windmills in China.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were instances of stimulus money being used for electric cars in Finland and windmills with components from China, the statement exaggerates the scale and significance of these expenditures. The use of taxpayer dollars for these projects was not widespread or representative of the overall allocation of stimulus funds. The majority of the stimulus money was invested in domestic projects, and the examples mentioned represent a small fraction of the total funding. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide an accurate representation of the Obama administration's use of taxpayer dollars.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["President Ronald Reagan sent troops into conflict \"only in one circumstance, which was in Grenada \u2026 We were in a peacekeeping setting in Lebanon.\"","During the trip, Romney praised the military strategies of President Ronald Reagan. \"(He) was able to accomplish extraordinary purposes for our country,\" Romney said in an interview on Face the Nation. \"Without having to put our military forces into conflict. Only in one circumstance, which was in Grenada, did our forces go in a conflict setting. We were in a peacekeeping setting in Lebanon.\"","Romney said the U.S. stayed out of conflict settings under Reagan, except once in Grenada. Romney put Lebanon in a separate category of \"a peacekeeping setting.\" The record shows multiple military engagements and a large loss of life in Lebanon. Reagan was wary of the actual use of troops, but he did not stick to that as much as Romney suggests.","The implication is that Reagan did not get American forces bogged down in protracted wars. But for this fact check we will focus on whether Romney had his history right. Under Reagan, did U.S. soldiers go into a conflict setting just once and does calling Lebanon a \"peacekeeping setting\" mean that conflict was any less of a threat? (We asked the Romney campaign about this but didn't hear back.)"]},{"id":"10887.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If Milwaukee approves reducing its maximum forfeiture for marijuana possession to $50, the city would have 23 different bicycle violations that have a higher forfeiture.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that there are 23 different bicycle violations in Milwaukee that have a higher forfeiture than the proposed maximum forfeiture for marijuana possession, which is $50. However, it's important to note that this comparison only focuses on the maximum forfeiture amounts and does not consider the frequency or likelihood of enforcement for each violation. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall impact or significance of these violations in comparison to marijuana possession. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the comparison of maximum forfeitures, it lacks context and may not fully represent the broader implications of the violations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Lobbyist Jolly also supports privatizing Social Security, which could force seniors to gamble with their retirement on the stock market, and Jolly even praised the Ryan Budget that turns Medicare into a costly voucher program,\" a woman\u2019s voice says during the call.","Democrats say Jolly \"supports privatizing Social Security,\" using a paraphrased statement that private accounts should be on the table in discussing future reforms. They also point to the fact Jolly had a meeting with Ryan to discuss the program.","\"David Jolly has been very clear on his position that he supports preserving Social Security,\" campaign spokeswoman Sarah Bascom said in a statement. \"In fact, that is one of the reasons he is on record saying he would not have voted for the Ryan budget because of certain changes to the Social Security program.\"","Tampa Bay Buzz, \" Report indicates Jolly lobbied for Social Security reform but he says he did not,\" Jan. 22, 2014"]},{"id":"4504.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry wrote a letter supporting Hillarycare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rick Perry wrote a letter to Hillary Clinton, it is important to note the context and content of the letter. The letter primarily focused on advocating for the needs of rural Americans and did not explicitly express support for the entirety of the \"Hillarycare\" health care plan. Rick Perry himself clarified that he did not anticipate the final version of the bill and did not support the \"monstrosity\" it became. Therefore, the statement that Perry wrote a letter supporting \"Hillarycare\" is an oversimplification and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9561.json","label":"false","statement":"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office received zero complaints about the Washington Redskins name.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly states that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office did receive complaints about the Washington Redskins name, despite the claim that they received zero complaints. The cancellation of the team's trademark was a result of the office ruling that the name was derogatory, which indicates that there were indeed complaints and concerns raised about the name.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The student debt that is out there, almost 60% of it is graduate school debt,\" DeSantis said at a press conference on April 29. \"Why would you make a truck driver, or a waitress, or a construction worker pay off the debt for somebody that did a Ph.D. program in gender studies?\"","An undergraduate student, on average, borrows less money than their graduate school counterparts \u2014 but the pool of people seeking a graduate education is far smaller.","According to the College Board, 55% of bachelor\u2019s degree recipients graduated with debt, holding an average debt level of more than $25,000. Though an undergraduate student, on average, borrows less money than their graduate school counterparts, the pool of people seeking a graduate education is far smaller.","He\u2019s got it backward. About 60% of the outstanding student loan debt came from undergraduate school, according to a 2017 analysis from the Congressional Budget Office. On average, graduate students borrow more money than their undergraduate counterparts, but more people pursue undergraduate degrees."]},{"id":"1441.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The presidents health care proposals will cause most Americans to have their premiums increased, not decreased, and hundreds of millions of people lose their current insurance coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a significant distortion of the facts. While there were debates and concerns about the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on premiums and insurance coverage, it is false to claim that \"most Americans\" would have their premiums increased and \"hundreds of millions\" would lose their current insurance coverage. Independent analyses and fact-checkers have repeatedly debunked such claims. The ACA aimed to expand access to affordable healthcare and introduced measures to protect individuals from premium increases and ensure coverage options. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2576.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Illinois gubernatorial candidate Bill Bradys first priority after winning the primary was to sponsor a bill that would mass-euthanize sheltered dogs and cats in gas chambers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Illinois gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady sponsored a bill related to euthanizing sheltered dogs and cats, the statement inaccurately implies that his first priority after winning the primary was to mass-euthanize animals in gas chambers. The bill in question did not mandate mass euthanization in gas chambers but rather allowed for the practice under certain circumstances. The bill required veterinarians to use professional judgment and consider safety and humane practices. However, animal-welfare advocates believed that this provision could potentially be exploited as a loophole. Therefore, while the statement contains elements of truth, it misrepresents the bill's intent and the candidate's specific priorities.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Without action before the end of the year, millions of families who hold distressed properties could face a hefty tax bill for trying to modify their mortgage or to seek a short sale through their lender. Even those facing foreclosure will find themselves forced to pay a \u2018foreclosure tax\u2019 if Congress doesn\u2019t act.\"","Let\u2019s recap. The National Association of Realtors wrote that millions of Americans could face a hefty tax bill if Congress does not extend this act. It\u2019s possible, if the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act isn\u2019t extended. The Realtors\u2019 estimate that it could have an impact on one-quarter of transactions seems on target, if you add up the percentage of homes in foreclosure and short sales. The association\u2019s \"Call for Action\" could have used the additional detail about the amount of debt borrowers could write off. We rate this claim Mostly True.","Walter Molony, a spokesman for the association, said \"distressed properties\" is a reference to homeowners who owe more on their loans than the property is worth. As for a \"foreclosure tax,\" Molony said that \"is our term of art to highlight that a family would face income tax on the amount of the loan forgiven after a foreclosure.\"","In late 2007, Congress passed the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act to help the rising number of homeowners whose finances were being demolished by foreclosures. The act prevents homeowners from being taxed for the cancellation of any debt by a lender during a loan modification or foreclosure. The federal act applies for the years 2007 through 2012."]},{"id":"2954.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama is in an economy thats only worsened since hes been president of the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the economy has worsened under President Barack Obama is a subjective claim that lacks context. While it is true that the economy faced significant challenges during Obama's presidency, including the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, it is important to consider the broader context and long-term trends. The economy did experience a period of recovery and growth during Obama's tenure, with improvements in areas such as job creation, GDP growth, and the stock market. Therefore, characterizing the entire economy as having only worsened is an oversimplification. The statement is partially true but lacks nuance and fails to acknowledge the complexities of economic performance during Obama's presidency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Florida Department of Agriculture\u2019s website can be used \"to get a permit to carry a loaded hidden gun without ever leaving your house.\"","\"Their website is You can use it to get a permit to carry a loaded hidden gun without ever leaving your house,\" he added.","Dan Gross, the president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said that at the Florida Department of Agriculture\u2019s website , people can \"get a permit to carry a loaded hidden gun without ever leaving your house.\"","Obtaining a permit to carry a concealed gun in Florida is so easy that Floridians can do it without leaving the comfort of their own homes, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence."]},{"id":"81.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Romney failed to take action against \"sanctuary cities\" in Massachusetts.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Romney did not take action against \"sanctuary cities\" in Massachusetts. Multiple sources, including the Giuliani campaign, confirm that Romney did not speak up or take action against Massachusetts cities with similar policies to New York's. However, it's important to note that the term \"sanctuary cities\" can have varying definitions and interpretations, and the extent of Romney's knowledge or involvement in addressing this issue may require further investigation. Nevertheless, based on the available evidence, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The project is expected to create an estimated 930 jobs during construction and more than 5,600 jobs over the next 20 years.\"","This means that when the Federal Transit Administration announced the streetcar project would \"create an estimated 930 jobs during construction,\" totaling more than 5,600 over the next 20 years, it gave a misleadingly high impression of the actual positions needed to construct and run it.","The FTA said its 5,600 jobs figure includes the 930 construction jobs, plus those needed to run the streetcar and positions created when new residences and businesses pop up along the route. The agency, like Lewis, got its numbers from Atlanta\u2019s grant application.","Now, let\u2019s look at the claim that the project would create 939 jobs during construction. These jobs are expected to last for one year, so for this phase, one job year equals one job."]},{"id":"8754.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have been in Afghanistan longer now than we have been in any foreign land conducting a war in our nations history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided confirms that the United States has been involved in the conflict in Afghanistan for a longer duration than any other foreign land where a war was conducted in the nation's history. This includes major interventions in World War I, World War II, the conflict in Korea, and both wars in Iraq. However, it's important to note that the statement specifically refers to the duration of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, rather than the intensity or scale of the conflict. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4681.json","label":"true","statement":"Says judges get better benefits at a lower cost than everybody else in the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Chris Christie's claim that judges in New Jersey receive better benefits at a lower cost compared to other public employees in the state. This claim is supported by Christie's own statement during a press conference, where he specifically mentioned that judges are part of an elite, special class of citizens who enjoy more favorable benefits at a lower cost than other individuals in the state. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5044.json","label":"true","statement":"Small businesses create 70 percent of the jobs in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence, including data from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). While it's important to note that the 70 percent figure refers specifically to small businesses creating 70 percent of \"all new jobs\" or \"new private sector jobs,\" it is still an accurate representation of the significant role that small businesses play in job creation in America. The vast majority of workers in the U.S. are employed by private sector companies, and small businesses make up a substantial portion of those employers. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1266.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Seniors with coverage under Medicare Advantage will give up \"more than their share\" because of health care reform","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that some changes brought about by health care reform may impact seniors with coverage under Medicare Advantage, it is important to note that the extent of the impact can vary depending on the specific plan and the provisions of the reform. Some changes may increase Medicare spending to improve benefits and coverage, while others may aim to reduce the growth in Medicare spending to operate more efficiently and fund coverage expansions for the uninsured. Therefore, it is accurate to say that seniors with coverage under Medicare Advantage may be affected, but the statement lacks specific details about the nature and extent of the impact, making it only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13069.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If Texas were a country our economy would rank # 10...in the WORLD.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Texas Governor Greg Abbott that if Texas were a country, its economy would rank 10th in the world. This claim has been fact-checked by PolitiFact Texas, which found that by GDP measurement, Texas would indeed rank among the top economies globally. However, it's important to note that this ranking is subject to variations depending on the inclusion or exclusion of other entities, such as the state of California. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context regarding the specific criteria and comparisons used to determine the ranking.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Since Gina Raimondo took office, investment fees on the state's pension portfolio \"have gone up from about $12 million annually to about $50 million.\"","Frank Caprio said that since Gina Raimondo took office, investment fees on the state's pension portfolio \"have gone up from about $12 million annually to about $50 million.\"","\"The fee structure of hedge funds is much different than index fund managers, which are the type of managers we had a lot of money with. So the fees have gone up from about $12 million annually to about $50 million,\" Caprio said.","Raimondo's office, along with other documents, confirmed the $13.1 million figure, which is a bit higher than the \"about $12 million\" cited by Caprio."]},{"id":"6969.json","label":"false","statement":"There are more oil rigs in operation in the United States than the rest of the world combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the United States does have a significant number of oil rigs in operation, it does not have more than the rest of the world combined. The evidence provided does not support the claim, and there is no credible data or sources to substantiate it. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about global oil rig operations.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8733.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Payday lenders profit from the poor by charging 1,000-plus percent interest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the report by Texans for Public Justice, which states that payday loans in Texas can carry annual effective interest rates exceeding 1,000 percent. Additionally, the Center for Responsible Lending provides information that the typical two-week payday loan nationally has an effective annual interest rate ranging from 391 to 521 percent. However, it's important to note that the statement presents a generalization by stating that payday lenders profit from the poor, without acknowledging that not all payday lenders engage in predatory practices, and some may offer loans with lower interest rates. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the high interest rates associated with payday loans, it oversimplifies the issue by not acknowledging the nuances within the industry.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The supporter, Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., claimed during a Sept. 9 interview for local National Public Radio affiliate WABE-FM that the bill is \"targeted so that no longer will states have to lay off teachers, and it\u2019s specified in its language,\" Scott said. \"Teachers, firefighters, police officers -- people that we need.\"","PolitiFact Georgia wrote that the president\u2019s jobs bill does set aside $35 billion for teachers, firefighters and police officers, and it does specify that the bulk of the money go to jobs, rather than administrative costs. This means that even though Scott overstated his claim, the bill is \"targeted,\" as he said, to keep these government employees from being laid off.","!We've looked at three claims made recently about President Barack Obama's jobs bill, shown here in the binder clip. !We've looked at three claims made recently about President Barack Obama's jobs bill, shown here in the binder clip.","Under President Barack Obama\u2019s jobs bill, \"you can sue if you are unemployed and don't get the job and think you weren't hired because you are unemployed.\""]},{"id":"7785.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Social Security trust fund is sound. Without anything being done, it would function well into 2038; and even after that time with no changes, we could pay 80 percent of the benefits that people have earned.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kaptur that the Social Security trust fund is projected to remain solvent until 2038 and that even after that time, it would still be able to pay 80 percent of the benefits. However, it's important to note that the solvency of the Social Security trust fund is subject to various factors, including demographic changes and economic conditions. While the statement provides a specific timeframe and percentage, it does not account for potential adjustments or changes that may be necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks some nuance and should be considered in the broader context of ongoing discussions and potential future adjustments to the Social Security system.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Of our 98,000 teachers who are K-12, over 53,000 of those teachers today are over 50 years old,\" McAuliffe said during an April 27 speech at the opening of his Fairfax County campaign office.","McAuliffe said, \"Of our 98,000 teachers who are K-12, over 53,000 of those teachers today are over 50 years old.\" But he is mixing statistics that don\u2019t don\u2019t go together and his eye-popping claim that more than half of Virginia\u2019s teachers have lived more than half a century doesn\u2019t hold up.","Let\u2019s consider McAuliffe\u2019s numbers as a fraction. The numerator, or number on top, is 53,000. The denominator, or number on the bottom, is 98,000.","First, let\u2019s look at the numerator. Josh Schwerin, a spokesman for McAuliffe, said the campaign got the number of 53,000 teachers older than 50 from the Virginia Retirement System, which manages the public school pensions of all full-time instructors."]},{"id":"2802.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"It is a commitment voters take very seriously: The only incumbent in Ohio to break his Pledge and vote for Ted Stricklands income tax hike was defeated soundly on Tuesday.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the only incumbent in Ohio who broke the pledge and voted for Ted Strickland's income tax hike was defeated. However, the term \"defeated soundly\" may be subjective. While the incumbent did lose the election, it is worth noting that the margin of defeat was less than 4 percentage points, which could be considered a relatively close race. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the outcome, the term \"defeated soundly\" may be an exaggeration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So far, there\u2019s no clear evidence that more generous unemployment benefits are deterring people from taking jobs, but past research suggests they might take more time in their job search.","\"We need to stop paying people more to sit at home than to work,\" said U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., sponsor of a bill that seeks to end the payments in June, instead of September under current law. \"It\u2019s past time to get America back to work.\"","Raimondo said the pandemic was particularly hard on women. At the trough of the pandemic downturn, the unemployment rate for women was 16.1%, nearly three points higher than men. The virus cratered the hospitality industry, a sector where many women work, and it upended day care and schooling, making it harder for them to return to work.","U.S. Congress, A bill to shorten the extension, and the amount, of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation in order to get Americans back to work, May 11, 2021"]},{"id":"2269.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Republicans have 2 percent of the Muslim vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Republicans have 2 percent of the Muslim vote is not entirely accurate. Multiple sources, including the Pew Research Center and post-election analyses, indicate that the percentage of Muslim Americans who identify as Republicans is higher, ranging from 8 to 11 percent. While it is true that Republicans have relatively low support among Muslim voters compared to Democrats, the claim of only 2 percent is an underestimate. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks precision in accurately representing the percentage of Muslim support for Republicans.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7243.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"[W]e see Americas prison population exploding, with America having a greater percentage of its people behind bars than any other nation in the world!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the issue of America's prison population being larger than any other nation in terms of sheer numbers. However, it's important to note that when comparing the percentage of people behind bars, the United States may not have the highest percentage. While the United States does have a significant number of people incarcerated, it also has a large population overall, which affects the percentage comparison. There may be other countries with a higher percentage of their population in prison. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it lacks the nuance of considering the percentage comparison accurately.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3333.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that in a hearing, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords suggested to Gen. David Petraeus that the Army put more emphasis on less environmentally damaging methods, like stabbing or clubbing enemy forces in order to minimize the carbon output.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The claim that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords suggested to Gen. David Petraeus that the Army should use less environmentally damaging methods like stabbing or clubbing enemy forces to minimize carbon output is completely fabricated. The source provided in the evidence clearly states that the claims made in the chain email are ridiculous and pure satire. The actual issue raised by Giffords during the hearing was about improving energy reliability and security for American forces, not reducing carbon emissions through unconventional methods. The statement is a misrepresentation of the facts and deserves a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!In a Feb. 26 interview on \"Face the Nation,\" Gov. Chris Christie claimed Obama promised the stimulus would keep unemployment below 8 percent. !In a Feb. 26 interview on \"Face the Nation,\" Gov. Chris Christie claimed Obama promised the stimulus would keep unemployment below 8 percent.","The claim that Obama said unemployment would not exceed 8 percent is one we\u2019ve heard before. A super PAC ad took it even further, saying Obama promised unemployment topping out at 5.6 percent.","In a Feb. 26 interview on \"Face the Nation,\" Gov. Chris Christie claimed Obama promised the stimulus would keep unemployment below 8 percent.","Ryan sought to brand President Barack Obama\u2019s recession remedies as a failure and said the president had broken his promise to keep unemployment below 8 percent."]},{"id":"9289.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every single one of the 41 Republican senators who just blocked a raise in the minimum wage will receive a $2,800 cost-of-living adjustment on January 1, 2015.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The meme accurately states that the 41 Republican senators who blocked a raise in the minimum wage would receive a cost-of-living adjustment of $2,800 on January 1, 2015. However, it implies a direct connection between blocking the minimum wage increase and receiving the adjustment, which may not be entirely accurate. The cost-of-living adjustment is a standard annual increase based on calculations made in January 2014, and it applies to all members of Congress, regardless of their stance on the minimum wage. Therefore, while the senators did receive the adjustment, it is not directly linked to their opposition to the minimum wage increase.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1053.json","label":"true","statement":"In Texas, the No. 1 name for new male babies many of whom will vote one day is Jose.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that \"Jose\" is the most common name for newborn male babies in Texas. This information is supported by data and statistics on baby names in Texas. It is important to note that the statement does not make any assumptions about the future voting preferences of these babies, but simply highlights the popularity of the name \"Jose\" among newborn males in Texas.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Now we know why President Obama decided not to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York next week: because the president has decided to \u2018block out any noise that\u2019s out there\u2019 about the threat a nuclear Iran would pose to Israel,\" Hasner said, adding that the snub was \"an absolute insult\" and \"no way to treat our friends around the world.\" (The statement says \"next week,\" but the meetings are actually happening this week.)","!An Israeli television station says it was leaked the transcript of a call between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. !An Israeli television station says it was leaked the transcript of a call between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.","An Israeli television station says it was leaked the transcript of a call between President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.","The world is buzzing with the leak of an alleged transcript between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."]},{"id":"11731.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Marco Rubio voted against authorizing President Obama to strike Syria after Assad used chemical weapons on his own people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Marco Rubio's position on authorizing President Obama to strike Syria after the chemical weapons attack by Assad. Rubio did oppose President Obama's plan to order airstrikes in Syria in response to the chemical weapons attack. However, it's important to note that the statement does not explicitly mention a vote, and there is no evidence provided to support the claim that Rubio voted against the authorization. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the mention of a vote should be clarified or supported by evidence to make it completely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, took pains to note that the majority supporting the overturning of Roe does not have other rulings, including Obergefell, in their sights. The majority opinion asserted that same-sex marriage is different from abortion because it \"does not destroy a \u2018potential life.\u2019\"","\"Because each state, regardless of population, gets two senators, a tiny majority of the population can determine the outcomes,\" Ornstein said in an email to PolitiFact Wisconsin. \"To give a contemporary example, we are almost at the point where 70 percent of Americans live in just 15 states. Meaning 30 percent of Americans will elect 70 senators.\"","\u2022 One important reason why this may not happen is that only one justice, Clarence Thomas, indicated an openness to overturning Obergefell. The other members of the majority that overturned Roe made a point of writing in their opinions that they do not.","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d"]},{"id":"1059.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the Cash for Clunkers program, all we've got to do is ... go to a local junkyard, all you've got to do is tow it to your house. And you're going to get $4,500.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays the Cash for Clunkers program. Under the program, individuals were required to trade in their old, fuel-inefficient vehicles at participating dealerships in order to receive a credit towards the purchase of a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle. The program did not provide direct cash payments for towing a car from a junkyard to one's house. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Peter DeFazio is Oregon's U.S. representative in the 4th Congressional District. He was elected to Congress in 1986. He lives in Springfield.","And he\u2019s not alone. The posts, all of which piggyback from a single offering that has been replicated on dozens of websites in recent weeks, says there are 70 card-carrying Socialists in the House of Representatives, including Rep. Earl Blumenauer, another Democrat from Oregon. (The number actually varies. Some posts say 70 while others insist it\u2019s either 73 or 76. One post used both 76 and 75 in the same entry.)","Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio has been called a lot of things over his 12 terms in Congress -- hot head, visionary, renegade, principled, effective and determined.","An Aug. 12 post on the website for a group called Sovereign Citizens United mentions DeFazio and Blumenauer by name. It also says this: \"I\u2019m sure if you asked random people on the street if we had open socialists in the US Congress, they would say \u2013 well only Bernie Sanders (Senate). But the right answer is much, much worse.\""]},{"id":"11844.json","label":"half-true","statement":"While our people work longer hours for lower wages, almost all new income goes to the top 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. There is evidence to support the claim that Americans are working longer hours and experiencing stagnant or lower wages. However, the assertion that \"almost all new income goes to the top 1 percent\" is an exaggeration. While income inequality has indeed increased, it is not accurate to claim that all new income is going exclusively to the top 1 percent. It is important to acknowledge that income distribution is complex and varies across different income brackets. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent the income distribution dynamics.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But the first part of this passage had this doozy: \"And the irony is Rudy Giuliani, probably the most underqualified man since George Bush to seek the presidency, is here talking about any of the people here.\"","\"George Bush ... used a signing statement (on a FEMA bill) to say, 'I don't have to follow that, unless I choose to.' \"","Historians like Sean Wilentz, a Princeton history professor who is sharply criticial of George W. Bush, said you can't discount Giuliani's eight years as mayor of New York City.","The Rudy Show is a hot ticket. It\u2019s a mesmerizing, wild-eyed performance that invites an inevitable question: What happened to Rudy? The truth is, nothing happened. The Rudy we see today, with his showstopping mix of conviction and incoherence, is the same Rudy we\u2019ve always had. The only thing new is his predicament."]},{"id":"5312.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"David Dewhurst has a record of promoting an income tax.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly refutes the claim that David Dewhurst has a record of promoting an income tax. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers and reporters, have debunked this claim and labeled it as false. No credible evidence has been presented to support the assertion that Dewhurst has actively promoted an income tax. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserving of the \"pants-fire\" label.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4368.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Point Pleasant Beach does not own its beaches; they are privately owned and operated by businesses such as Jenkinsons","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the borough of Point Pleasant Beach does own a small portion of the beachfront, specifically the Maryland Avenue beach, the majority of the beaches in Point Pleasant Beach are indeed privately owned and operated by businesses like Jenkinson's. The evidence confirms that over 42 acres of beach in Point Pleasant Beach are privately owned, with the borough owning only the 1.03-acre Maryland Avenue Beach. Therefore, while the borough does have a small ownership stake, the statement accurately reflects the predominant ownership structure of the beaches in Point Pleasant Beach.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"On Friday, when Britain voted to leave the European Union, he crowed from his golf course about how the disruption could end up creating higher profits for that golf course, even though, within 24 hours, Americans lost $100 billion from our 401(k)s,\" Clinton said in Ohio June 27. \"He tried to turn a global economics challenge into an infomercial.\"","We wondered, though, about the other part of Clinton\u2019s claim: that Brexit caused 50 million Americans with 401(k) retirement savings accounts to lose $100 billion in just 24 hours.","In a speech attacking her opponent, Hillary Clinton said Donald Trump cheered while the economy reeled in the aftermath of Britain\u2019s shocking vote to leave the European Union.","The Clinton campaign explained to us how they calculated that $100 billion figure, and experts told us the reasoning was sound."]},{"id":"1354.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"In the past year, more than 20 percent of Americans have changed their mind about the war in Afghanistan. They conclude we shouldn't be there.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"more than 20 percent of Americans have changed their mind about the war in Afghanistan\" is difficult to verify without specific data or a clear timeframe. While public opinion on the war in Afghanistan has certainly evolved over time, it is challenging to determine the exact percentage of Americans who have changed their stance. Additionally, stating that all those who changed their minds concluded that \"we shouldn't be there\" oversimplifies the range of opinions and perspectives on the issue. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported and lacks the necessary context to be considered fully accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"(D)espite some of the rhetoric in Washington, the cost outlook for Medicaid is as strong as it\u2019s been in a long time,\" Sebelius said during her speech to the National Conference of State Legislatures. \"In 2012, Medicaid spending per beneficiary actually fell 1.9 percent, the first time it had fallen in 47 years, except for the year when prescription drug costs shifted to Medicare Part D.\"","\"Acute care fee-for-service Medicaid expenditures are projected to grow at an average rate of 5.7 percent per year over the next decade. In 2012, these expenditures are estimated to have declined by 1.9 percent. But they are projected to increase in 2013 and later years,\" the report says on Page 27.","PolitiFact Georgia wanted to know whether Sebelius was correct that Medicaid spending per beneficiary declined by nearly 2 percent last year. We also wanted to find out how many times there has been a decline since the program was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965.","To sum up, Sebelius said per capita Medicaid spending declined by about 2 percent in 2012, the first time in the history of the program that happened, aside from 2006. The reports we reviewed confirm her claim."]},{"id":"6265.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The state of Ohio has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation right now and is leading the pack in terms of job creation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement that Ohio has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. While Ohio's unemployment rate may not be the highest among right-to-work states, it is not leading the pack in terms of job creation either. The evidence indicates that there are several right-to-work states with lower unemployment rates than Ohio, both at its lowest and highest points over the past decade. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It may not be settled precisely how many constables have died in the line of duty over the years. But we ultimately found agreement between the agency that oversees the Capitol memorial and outside researchers that the total is at least 115 deaths, not 88.","Ken Mobley, the agency\u2019s legislative liaison, later told us by phone that it\u2019s reasonable to say that at least 115 Texas constables have died in the line of duty. \"It could be more,\" Mobley said.","The count of 85 constables whose names are on the memorial is slightly less than the 88 Elfant originally aired. But it\u2019s considerably less than the 150 tally of constables felled in the line of duty on the list Elfant offered to back up his claim.","List, \"Texas Constables, Deputies Killed in Line of Duty,\" Aug. 20, 2012 (provided by Bruce Elfant, constable, Precinct 5, Travis County)"]},{"id":"5689.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Obama health reform law denies millions access to affordable insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was designed to expand access to affordable health insurance for millions of Americans. It introduced various provisions such as subsidies and the Medicaid expansion to ensure that more people could afford insurance coverage. While there have been debates and criticisms surrounding the ACA, it is incorrect to claim that the law denies millions of Americans access to affordable insurance. In fact, the intention of the law was to increase access to affordable coverage options.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A TV ad by the Republican Party of Florida stated \"Gov. Rick Scott cut the cost of prepaid college tuition by nearly $20,000.\"","\"Rick Scott has put a lot of money back into education,\" the ad continues. \"Gov. Rick Scott cut the cost of prepaid college tuition by nearly $20,000. A lot of my students now see hope. Rick Scott has made college more affordable.\"","We previously fact-checked a claim by Scott that Crist \"allowed college tuition to increase up to 15 percent every year\" and rated that Mostly True. (And we have fact-checked other claims in the race about higher education cuts.) Here we will fact-check the Republicans\u2019 claim that Scott cut the cost of prepaid college tuition by nearly $20,000.","The Florida Prepaid College Board cites an even bigger savings on its website: The lump-sum price of the four-year Florida university plan for newborns is anticipated to drop nearly $20,000 from its current price of $54,000 to $35,000 or less."]},{"id":"13370.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says HB2 hasnt moved the needle one iota on North Carolinas economy.","reason":"Reason: While former Commerce Secretary John Skvarla claimed that HB2 had not moved the needle \"one iota\" on North Carolina's economy, the evidence suggests otherwise. Multiple sources indicate that North Carolina has experienced economic losses and job reductions as a result of HB2. These losses have been attributed to factors such as canceled events, business boycotts, and negative perceptions of the state due to the law. Therefore, Skvarla's claim does not align with the available evidence and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Fully implemented in 2025, it would save military retirees as much as $1,250 a year, depending on their other income. It would cost the state $122 million a year.","Fully implemented in 2024, the plan would save military veterans as much as $2,500 a year, depending on their other income. It would cost the state about $250 million a year.","The House bill follows Youngkin\u2019s proposal to shield from taxation up to $40,000 a year in pensions. The plan would be phased in over three years, with $20,000 protected in this year and $30,000 next year.","City officials say the American Rescue Plan Act \u2014 which contains $360 billion in aid to state and local governments \u2014 will send San Francisco about $600 million over the next two years. The city can decide how to spend the money to help recover from damage wrought by the pandemic."]},{"id":"2347.json","label":"false","statement":"Close to 30% of our federal prison population consists of illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that a significant number of federal inmates are not U.S. citizens, it is incorrect to claim that close to 30% of the federal prison population consists of illegal immigrants. The evidence suggests that the figure refers to the proportion of federal sentences given to illegal immigrants, not the percentage of the entire federal prison population. The distinction is important, as it does not accurately represent the composition of the federal prison system.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7476.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rick Scott called education not a core function of the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Rick Scott did not explicitly state that education is not a core function of the state. While he did propose budget cuts, including to education, he referred to focusing on \"core functions\" of the state without specifically excluding education from that category. The ad's claim that Scott cut education funding to prioritize tax breaks for corporations is an interpretation, but it does not align with Scott explicitly stating that education is not a core function of the state.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Women also earned a majority of master\u2019s degrees and doctoral degrees in the 2011-12 academic year. Women received 60 percent of all master\u2019s degrees, compared with 40 percent for men. In doctoral studies the margin was narrower, with 51 percent of PhDs being awarded to women and 49 percent being given to men.","Throughout the 1970s, the chart shows, men graduated from college at higher rates than women did. However, that trend reversed in the early 1990s, when women began to outpace men. And since then, this pattern for bachelor\u2019s degrees has held steady. In 2012 women earned 1,025,729 bachelor\u2019s degrees, or 57 percent of all degrees conferred that year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, a federal office.","McConnell said that \"more women are graduating college now than men.\" We found that since the early 1990s, women have earned more postsecondary degrees than men -- and in the 2011-12 academic year, women earned more degrees of all types -- bachelor\u2019s, master\u2019s and doctoral -- than men did. We rate this claim True.","!Do more women get post-secondary degrees than men? We checked a claim by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. !Do more women get post-secondary degrees than men? We checked a claim by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky."]},{"id":"2550.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Rep. Jim Weidner proposed a bill taking away health care for 80,000 of Oregons children.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Blue Oregon that Rep. Jim Weidner proposed a bill that would have resulted in the loss of health care coverage for 80,000 children in Oregon. Weidner himself confirmed that he sponsored the bill, although he stated that his intention was to draw attention to the issue rather than to pass the bill. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8766.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The median male worker in this country has not seen a raise, inflation adjusted, for 30 years, basically.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rana Foroohar on CNN that the median male worker in the country has not seen a raise, adjusted for inflation, for approximately 30 years. While there may have been some minor increases in wages over that time period, the overall trend and stagnation in real wages for the median male worker support the claim. However, it's important to note that there may have been isolated instances of wage increases during this period, but the broader trend indicates a lack of significant growth in real wages for the median male worker.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The ad from the Government is not God PAC said Obama \"will move America to force courts to accept Islamic sharia law in domestic disputes.\"","President Barack Obama is a Christian, but a political action committee called Government is not God says his religious sympathies lie elsewhere. The group paid for ads in newspapers across Florida and Ohio that warned, among other things, that if Barack Hussein Obama is re-elected, he \"will move America to force courts to accept Islamic sharia law in domestic disputes.\"","\"Even if the administration were somehow pushing sharia law -- and of course it\u2019s not,\" Hendrix said, \"the executive branch cannot force courts to accept any particular law.\"","Murray also said he was making a prediction and that it is impossible to fact check a prediction. But we are not checking the accuracy of his crystal ball. We are fact-checking whether Obama has said he would force courts to accept Islamic sharia law -- and whether such action is even possible under the U.S. Constitution."]},{"id":"2332.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has held the line on property taxes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there are differing perspectives on whether Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett has held the line on property taxes. While the statement implies that Barrett has successfully maintained property taxes at a consistent level, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide a conclusive answer. The phrase \"held the line\" can be subjective and open to interpretation. Further analysis and examination of specific policies and actions taken by Mayor Barrett regarding property taxes would be necessary to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7261.json","label":"true","statement":"Unlike the gridlock in Washington, more than 80 percent of the bills we passed during this General Assembly had bipartisan support.","reason":"Reason: While the exact percentage of bills with bipartisan support is slightly lower than stated, the statement accurately reflects the overall sentiment conveyed by Niehaus. According to the information provided, approximately 79 percent of the bills passed by the Senate had bipartisan support, which is still a significant majority. This suggests a higher level of cooperation and bipartisan collaboration compared to the perceived gridlock in Washington. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Make no mistake,\" says the May 18 statement, attributed to six House members, including caucus leader Jessica Farrar of Houston. \"Some neighborhood schools are closing. Pre-kindergarten for 100,000 kids, programs that teach kids music and art, Advanced Placement courses in math and science \u2014 they\u2019re all under threat. Voting for a budget that leaves out the rainy day fund is a vote to kill these programs.\"","The Democrats\u2019 list of possible closures includes dozens of other Houston schools that are not facing imminent closure. That may be because in December, the district superintendent, Terry Grier, initiated a review of 66 underutilized campuses, all with low student enrollment. However, he ultimately recommended closing only the four schools.","Texas has more than 8,000 public schools. To our request for specifics on neighborhood school closures, the executive director of the caucus, Roger Garza, sent us a list of more than 90 schools categorized in various ways, including \"grade realignment,\" \"announced closure\" and \"possible closure\/consolidation.\"","So we went ahead with our own research, combing through the list sent by the caucus, reading news reports and talking to school districts to find neighborhood schools that are being shuttered because of the coming reductions in state funding. We found seven in all:"]},{"id":"6780.json","label":"false","statement":"Josh Mandel is lying about his own record. The rating of Ohios investment fund has NOT improved.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Josh Mandel is lying about his own record regarding the rating of Ohio's investment fund. While there may be differing opinions on the performance of the fund, the evidence does not establish that Mandel made false statements about its improvement. The ad's claim of him lying about his record is unsubstantiated and lacks sufficient evidence to support it.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Mitt Romney thinks he can fool us. He supported abortion on demand, even allowed a law mandating taxpayer funding for abortion. He says he changed his mind, but he still hasn't changed the law. He told gay organizers in Massachusetts he would be a stronger advocate for special rights than even Ted Kennedy. Now, it's something different.","As with our previous ruling on this same attack, we find it Mostly True. McCain is right that Romney promised to be more supportive of gay rights than Kennedy had been, but he loses some points by using the term \"special rights.\" What Romney actually advocated was equality for gay and lesbian Americans; nothing \"special.\"","The statement the the call refers to comes from Romney's 1994 U.S. Senate campaign against Kennedy. During the race, Romney wrote a letter to the Log Cabin Republicans, a group of gay Republicans, thanking them for their support.","Obama made the remark during a wide-ranging interview about issues affecting the gay, bisexual and transgender community with a Web site for gay and lesbian readers. Obama said his perspective about rights for same-sex couples is shaped by the broader political and historical context of his upbringing."]},{"id":"9837.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rick Scott took $200,000 from a family that leased land for drilling and now he is trying to hide from it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Rick Scott received $200,000 from a family that leased land for oil drilling. However, the assertion that he is trying to hide from it lacks sufficient evidence to support its validity. While there may be additional analysis and context provided in the fact-check, based on the given evidence, it is not clear whether Rick Scott is actively attempting to conceal or distance himself from the donation. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4267.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On how money from a possible lease of the Ohio Turnpike would be used","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Governor Kasich has expressed his desire to generate at least $3 billion from a potential lease of the Ohio Turnpike, but he has not provided specific details regarding how the funds would be allocated. While it is unclear how the money would be used, it is reasonable to assume that some of the funds would be used for relief salary and to lower tolls, as mentioned in the provided evidence. However, without further information, it is difficult to determine the exact allocation of the funds, making the statement only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our unemployment rate has now dropped to 7.2 percent \u2013 well below the national average, and we are already almost halfway to our 2010 goal of creating 700,000 new jobs in seven years,\" Scott wrote in a letter explaining line-item vetoes in the 2013-14 state budget.","Rick Scott, a Republican running for governor, is scurrying across Florida touting a new economic plan to create 700,000 jobs in seven years.","To hear Gov. Rick Scott tell it, his memorable campaign pledge to create 700,000 jobs in seven years is going right along schedule.","But we can get our fact-checking hands around a more basic question: Does Scott's plan -- however it was crafted and however logical or illogical it may be -- actually call for the creation of 700,000 jobs in seven years?"]},{"id":"8050.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The president has had 1,540 of his nominations confirmed, only four defeated.","reason":"Reason: While Senator McConnell initially stated that the president had 1,540 nominations confirmed with only four defeated, it was later clarified that he misspoke and the correct number should have been 1,560 nominations. Therefore, the statement is partially true in terms of the number of nominations confirmed, but it is important to note the correction in order to provide accurate information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2258.json","label":"true","statement":"U.S. taxpayers are being forced to fund Feisal Abdul Raufs trip to the Middle East.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that U.S. taxpayers are indeed funding Feisal Abdul Rauf's trip to the Middle East. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley confirmed that Rauf would be traveling to Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE on a U.S. government-sponsored trip. The lawmakers' statement expresses their objection to this funding, citing concerns about Rauf's views and associations. Therefore, the statement that U.S. taxpayers are being forced to fund Feisal Abdul Rauf's trip to the Middle East is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9672.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Milwaukee County taxpayers paid $370,000 to settle a lawsuit over a decision by Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. to use untrained corrections officers rather than deputies to patrol the lakefront.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Milwaukee County taxpayers paid $370,000 to settle a lawsuit related to Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.'s decision to use untrained corrections officers instead of deputies to patrol the lakefront. However, it is important to note that the statement could be misleading as it implies that the entire amount was paid solely due to this decision. In reality, the $370,000 settlement was the result of two separate complaints filed by the deputies' union, and it is unclear how much of the settlement specifically pertained to the decision to use untrained corrections officers. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13380.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are Justice Department policies against FBI Director James Comey discussing details of a federal investigation so close to an election.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. As mentioned by Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, there are indeed Justice Department policies that discourage the discussion of specific details regarding ongoing federal investigations, particularly in close proximity to an election. This was also highlighted by various former Justice Department officials and administrations who criticized the unprecedented nature of such actions. However, it's important to note that the statement does not explicitly mention FBI Director James Comey, but rather refers to the general policy of the Justice Department.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In October 2015, Fox News commentator Sean Hannity made a claim much like the one Trump offered in Beaumont, though Hannity mentioned another country as well, saying: \"The president said he\u2019s going to bring in 250,000 (Syrian and Iraqi) refugees into this country.\"","\"You see the backlash emerging now in Europe over the refugee problem for Syria and Iraq,\" Hannity said. \"The president said he\u2019s going to bring in 250,000 refugees into this country.\"","Hannity said that Obama plans to bring 250,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees to America. The number is not only disconnected from anything Obama or his administration ever said, it flies in the face of any number associated with America\u2019s refugee resettlement program.","\"You see what\u2019s happening in Europe, there\u2019s a huge backlash because of Syrian refugees and Iraqi refugees and the cost \u2026 We\u2019re being told by our National Intelligence Director that ISIS and al-Qaida, not if, they will infiltrate the refugee community. This president has committed to nearly 250,000 coming to America.\""]},{"id":"6693.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rush Limbaugh made it clear hed rather see the country fail than President Barack Obama succeed.","reason":"Reason: While Rush Limbaugh has expressed his opposition to President Barack Obama's policies and has stated that he wants Obama to fail in implementing certain reforms, there is no direct evidence to suggest that Limbaugh explicitly stated he would rather see the country fail than Obama succeed. The statement misrepresents Limbaugh's position by making an inference based on his opposition to specific policies. It is important to accurately represent the views and statements of individuals to maintain factual integrity.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Research shows that \"a vast majority of arriving immigrants today come here because they believe that government is the source of prosperity, and that's what they support.\"","Limbaugh said research shows that \"a vast majority of arriving immigrants today come here because they believe that government is the source of prosperity, and that's what they support.\"","To which Limbaugh responded: \"Well, is that the reason that a majority of immigrants come to this country today? I know it used to be. They wanted to be Americans. They wanted to escape oppression. They wanted to become citizens of the greatest country on earth. I've seen a number of research, scholarly research data which says that a vast majority of arriving immigrants today come here because they believe that government is the source of prosperity, and that's what they support.\"","Overall, the government data do not support Lankford\u2019s claim that \"the vast majority\" of people released from immigration custody \"are not showing up for hearings.\""]},{"id":"7754.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that under Rick Perrys plan, Texas has cut funding for public schools by 25%.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in a leaflet that under Rick Perry's plan, Texas has cut funding for public schools by 25%. However, it's important to note that there is conflicting information regarding the impact of budget cuts on public education during Perry's tenure. While Perry himself claimed that spending for public education increased despite budget cuts, the leaflet suggests otherwise. Without further context or specific data, it is challenging to determine the exact extent of the funding cuts and their impact on public schools. Therefore, the statement is categorized as mostly-true, acknowledging the conflicting perspectives and the need for additional information to provide a comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10113.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says David Perdue wants to abolish the U.S. Department of Education, which would cost Georgia schools $1 billion a year and eliminate millions in student loans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that David Perdue has expressed a desire to abolish the U.S. Department of Education, it is important to note that the likelihood of this happening and the immediate impact on Georgia schools and student loans is uncertain. The claim that it would cost Georgia schools $1 billion a year is based on the assumption that all federal funding for education would be eliminated, which may not be the case. Similarly, the claim that it would eliminate millions in student loans oversimplifies the potential consequences and does not account for the complexities of the federal loan programs. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks nuance and may not fully capture the potential implications of abolishing the Department of Education.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6881.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"High school students arrested on campus are twice as likely not to graduate and four times less likely to graduate if theyve appeared in court.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided, which suggests that high school students arrested on campus are twice as likely not to graduate and four times less likely to graduate if they have appeared in court. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the reasons for the arrests or court appearances, which could vary and have different impacts on graduation rates. Additionally, while the evidence supports the claim, it's crucial to consider other factors that may contribute to lower graduation rates for these students, such as socioeconomic status or prior academic performance. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is needed to fully understand the relationship between arrests, court appearances, and graduation rates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In Rhode Island, 9 percent of workers use the state's temporary disability insurance program each year while in New Jersey, the rate is only 3 percent.","Rep. Patricia Morgan says 9 percent of Rhode Island workers use temporary disability insurance each year versus just 3 percent of workers in New Jersey","( - Rep. Patricia Morgan says 9 percent of Rhode Island workers use temporary disability insurance each year versus just 3 percent of workers in New Jersey&url=)","PolitiFact Rhode Island, \" Rep. Patricia Morgan says 9 percent of Rhode Island workers use temporary disability insurance each year versus just 3 percent of workers in New Jersey,\" July 13, 2013, accessed March 31, 2014"]},{"id":"11690.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Marco Rubio is the one for an open border.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Marco Rubio is in favor of an open border is false. Rubio has consistently expressed support for border security measures and has been involved in efforts to strengthen border security, including being one of the authors of a 2013 bill that allocated funds for border security and increased the number of border agents. He has emphasized the need to secure the border before addressing immigration reform. The claim that Rubio supports an open border is inaccurate and has been debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9881.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says cuts to Medicare affect people who have already paid in. We paid for it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that individuals who have paid into Medicare expect to receive benefits, the statement oversimplifies the funding and operation of the program. Medicare is funded through a combination of payroll taxes, premiums, and general government revenue. The taxes paid by current beneficiaries cover only a portion of their expected costs, with the remainder being funded by younger Americans. Therefore, while individuals have indeed paid into Medicare, the amount they have paid in does not fully cover the costs they will incur as beneficiaries. It is important to understand the complex funding structure of Medicare to accurately assess the impact of cuts on those who have paid into the program.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"President Obama took more money from Wall Street in the 2008 campaign than anybody ever had,\" she said. \"And when it came time to stand up to Wall Street, he passed and signed the toughest regulations since the Great Depression, with the Dodd-Frank regulations.\"","\"No,\" Obama said. \"First of all, I got a lot of money from a lot of people. And the vast majority of the money I got was from small donors all across the country. And moreover, anybody who gave me money during the course of my campaign knew that I was on record again in 2007, and 2008, pushing very strongly that we needed to reform how Wall Street did business. And so, nobody should be surprised in the position that I'm taking now because it is one that I was very clear about in the course of the campaign.\"","The narrator continues: \"Now, Obama\u2019s flush with cash, returning to Wall Street for even more money. Obama won\u2019t admit to supporting Wall Street, but Wall Street sure supports President Obama.\"","For our fact-check, we will focus on whether \"Wall Street sure supports Obama.\" The ad\u2019s message is that the president is Wall Street\u2019s favored candidate, and that he is cleaning up in Wall Street donations this cycle, just like he did in 2008."]},{"id":"9133.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"David Alameel is giving thousands of dollars to support the Republican Party candidates including John Cornyn and Greg Abbott.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that David Alameel has made political donations to both Republican and Democratic candidates, the statement exaggerates the extent of his support for Republican candidates. Alameel did donate to campaigns for John Cornyn and Greg Abbott, but the evidence suggests that his donations to Republicans ceased after 2008. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that he is currently giving thousands of dollars to support Republican Party candidates. The statement lacks the necessary context and implies ongoing support that is not substantiated by the available records.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4317.json","label":"false","statement":"Providences port is 200 miles closer to Europe than any other Eastern port.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Providence's port is not 200 miles closer to Europe than any other Eastern port. The claim lacks factual basis and is not supported by any evidence or credible sources. It is important to rely on accurate information when making claims about geographical distances between ports.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4812.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Twenty percent of housing in Portlands Pearl District is affordable.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Twenty percent of housing in Portland's Pearl District is affordable\" is mostly true. According to the provided evidence, the Pearl District includes both the central Pearl area and Tanner Creek, and it supports thousands of homes, with 20 percent of them being affordable. However, it's important to note that this figure includes the inclusion of Old Town\/Chinatown, which contributes to the low-income diversity in the area. Therefore, while the overall statement is accurate, it's crucial to consider that the affordable housing percentage may vary within specific sections of the Pearl District.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4102.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Numerous studies have shown that these so-called right-to-work laws do not generate jobs and economic growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that some studies have shown that right-to-work laws do not directly generate jobs and economic growth, it is important to note that the evidence is mixed and there is no clear consensus. Other studies suggest that right-to-work laws may have a positive impact on firm productivity and entrepreneurial activity, which can indirectly contribute to economic growth. It is also crucial to consider that economic growth is influenced by various factors beyond just right-to-work laws. Therefore, while some studies may support the claim, it is not entirely conclusive, and the overall impact of right-to-work laws on job creation and economic growth remains a topic of debate among experts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[", Arizona immigration law rewrite 'lays to rest' worries about racial profiling, Brewer says,( \"Arizona immigration law rewrite 'lays to rest' worries about racial profiling, Brewer says,\") May 4, 2010","Of course, Cornyn didn't venture as far as Brewer. He simply said the law expressly bans such profiling, and it does \u2014 though the law also expressly leaves room for profiling that passes constitutional muster, a significant and legally squishy factor that Cornyn's statement doesn't acknowledge. Experts expect the profiling topic to be thrashed out for years to come.","\"I wish that the president of the United States, the president of Mexico, the attorney general, and the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security would have done what anybody can do with Internet access, which is to download a copy of the Arizona bill and read it for themselves,\" Cornyn said on NBC's Meet the Press May 23. \"It expressly bans racial profiling.\"","PolitiFact, \"Arizona immigration law requires police to see a crime before checking legal status, GOP state senator says,\" April 28, 2010"]},{"id":"13026.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton said the Veterans Affairs scandal is over-exaggerated. She said she was satisfied with what was going on.","reason":"Reason: While Hillary Clinton did mention in an interview that overall, veterans who receive treatment are satisfied with their care, she did not explicitly state that the Veterans Affairs scandal was \"over-exaggerated.\" In fact, she acknowledged that there were issues with the VA and criticized the Republicans for their constant berating of the VA. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Clinton's position by suggesting that she downplayed the scandal and expressed complete satisfaction with the situation. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11772.json","label":"false","statement":"We now have driven (health care) costs down to the lowest theyve been in 50 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there has been a slowdown in health care price inflation, it is incorrect to claim that health care costs have been driven down to the lowest they've been in 50 years. The evidence provided suggests that health care price inflation is at a low rate, but it does not support the assertion that costs are at their lowest point in 50 years. In fact, many consumers have experienced increasing premiums and copays, indicating that health care costs have not significantly decreased.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Over 300,000 veterans have died waiting for care,\" Trump said in a Norfolk speech in which he promised to overhaul the VA.","\"The current state of the Department of Veterans Affairs is absolutely unacceptable,\" Trump said at a rally in front of the retired battleship USS Wisconsin. \"Over 300,000 - and this is hard to believe, and it\u2019s actually much more than that now - over 300,000 veterans died waiting for care.\"","At the news conference, he simply said that \"thousands\" had died waiting for health care from the VA, a disturbing but still far more modest claim.","The Washington Post , \" Cancer patients died waiting for care at troubled veterans\u2019 hospital, probe finds,\" Oct. 20, 2015 and \" Fact Checker: Carly Fiorina\u2019s claim that 307,000 veterans \u2018died waiting for health care,\u2019\" Sept. 21, 2015"]},{"id":"3391.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sen. Sherrod Brown admitted that his $787 billion stimulus law failed and after specifically attacking Republicans for wanting to lower Americans taxes, (he) now claims that his stimulus bill didnt do enough to lower taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains elements of truth but lacks important context. While it is true that Senator Sherrod Brown expressed that the stimulus bill didn't do enough to lower taxes, it is misleading to claim that he admitted the entire stimulus law failed. Additionally, the statement implies that Brown attacked Republicans for wanting to lower Americans' taxes, but his opposition was specifically related to extending the Bush tax cuts for the highest wage earners, not the stimulus package. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks crucial context and misrepresents Senator Brown's position.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1226.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the 1950s, \"A lot of people got rich and they had to pay a top tax rate of 90 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that in the 1950s, the top marginal tax rates for the wealthiest Americans were indeed over 90 percent. While it's important to note that the top marginal tax rate does not necessarily represent the average tax rate paid by individuals, the statement is still valid in highlighting the significantly higher tax rates that wealthy individuals faced during that time period. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["What Cornilles has said is that he supports the new Medicare reform plan that Ryan has with Oregon\u2019s Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, which calls for more private competition. Earlier, Cornilles also said that he supports a \"hybrid\" approach of both traditional Medicare and a private option.","The committee\u2019s first ad against Cornilles showed these words on screen -- \"Turning over Medicare to private insurance companies\" -- while the announcer says that Cornilles supports \"Turning over some of Medicare to private insurance companies.\"","\"Basically, the Wyden-Ryan proposal would significantly privatize the Medicare program; it would retain the original government-run Medicare program as a plan you would choose, but that doesn\u2019t mean that\u2019s not privatizing Medicare,\" said Baker of the Medicare Rights Center.","Rob Cornilles has disputed for two years a news story that said he said he would cut Social Security and Medicare programs before trimming the U.S. defense budget."]},{"id":"11656.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Charleston, S.C., shootershould have never been given a gun, but the universal background check was not fast enough.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's assertion that the Charleston shooter should not have been given a gun, and the universal background check was not completed in a timely manner. Under current federal law, if a background check is not denied or completed within three days, the gun seller can proceed with the sale. In the case of the Charleston shooter, there was a clerical error that delayed the completion of the background check. While the statement is generally true, it's important to note that it was a specific case and does not necessarily reflect the overall effectiveness of universal background checks.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"240.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Sixty-five percent of the Iraqi people now say it's okay to shoot an American soldier.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bill Richardson made the statement during a Democratic debate, the evidence suggests that the statistic he cited may not accurately reflect the sentiment of the entire Iraqi population. The poll in question asked about the acceptability of attacks on coalition forces, which does not necessarily equate to explicitly endorsing shooting an American soldier. Additionally, the exclusion of Kurdish responses, which have their own political aspirations, may have skewed the results. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the views of the entire Iraqi population.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"This chart goes back to 1992, the year that President Bill Clinton was elected,\" Maloney said. \"It shows that during his time there was very robust job creation in the private sector, and then during the Bush years it fell dramatically. This dark line is the job creation, going up during the Clinton years, falling dramatically under the George W. Bush administration. It also shows that Democrats have been considerably more effective at creating private-sector jobs.\"","If you include Obama, the Democrats still held a significant edge. With Obama included, the Democrats averaged 2.03 annual job growth, compared to the same 1.07 for Republicans -- about twice as high as the GOP.","So the statistics are clear: Democratic presidents have been more successful at creating jobs. But how much importance should we assign to this fact? We hereby list some caveats that we and several historians we contacted came up with.","Now for the totals. If you exclude Obama, Democrats averaged 3.03 percent annual job growth, compared to 1.07 percent for Republicans -- a nearly 3-to-1 advantage."]},{"id":"5297.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Gov. Chris Christies proposal to reduce state income taxes would be the second tax cut for the rich by the governor in two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by a Democratic senator that Governor Chris Christie's proposed income tax cuts would be the second tax cut for the rich in two years. However, it's important to note that this claim represents a specific perspective and may not capture the full context of the proposed tax cuts. It does not provide information about the potential impact of the tax cuts on other income groups or the overall economic goals of the proposal. Therefore, while the statement accurately conveys the senator's viewpoint, it lacks the complete context necessary for a fully informed assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We have some unintended consequences that may come in with this increase to a dime \u2026 I would point to a couple states -- Michigan and Massachusetts -- that increased their redemption value and what happened in both of those states is they could no longer afford the program because the redemptions were so high there was no profit in there,\" he told his colleagues.","This case seems pretty open and shut to us. Kruse tried to persuade his Senate colleagues that too-high deposits in Michigan and Massachusetts were crippling those programs. But Michigan says that\u2019s not the case and Massachusetts doesn\u2019t even have a higher deposit rate. Kruse doesn\u2019t have any evidence to back up his claim. The statement is not just false -- it\u2019s ridiculous. We rate it Pants on Fire.","The bottle deposit, he confirmed, was still a nickel. The governor recently pushed to get more beverage containers included under the program, he said, but neither the state\u2019s House nor Senate included the changes in their budget proposals.","\"First, as noted on the phone, Michigan's bottle deposit law was put in place in the 1970's, to help cleanup roadsides, etc., that were becoming cluttered with bottles and cans. The deposit has been at 10 cents since inception. Michigan's program, which was approved by a vote of the people, was not designed to be a revenue generator but to keep roadsides and the environment clean. ..."]},{"id":"7108.json","label":"false","statement":"A precinct in the Allen West-Patrick Murphy recount has 7 registered voters in Guatemalan community and the tally showed 900 voted!!!!!","reason":"Reason: The claim that a precinct in the Allen West-Patrick Murphy recount had only 7 registered voters but recorded 900 votes is not supported by credible evidence. While there were reports and claims made about this discrepancy, these claims were based on preliminary totals and were not confirmed or supported by official sources. It is important to rely on verified and official information when assessing the accuracy of such claims, and in this case, there is no credible evidence to support the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Joshua Karp, a spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party, told PolitiFact Florida that the two are inevitably linked. \"If you increase funding in one part of general revenue, you inevitably have to cut from somewhere else,\" he said. \"He could have chosen to put education first and found other places to cut.\"","\"While fat-cat bureaucrats at the Department of Education are getting paid an average salary of $102,000 a year, teachers in Georgia are getting paid half of that.\"","\"At best, it is an oversimplification of a very complex budget process to say education funding was reduced to pay for tax cuts,\" Wenner said. \"There are so many factors that affect funding levels. The 2012 Legislature also swept $542 million from trust funds into general revenue. It could be argued that this more than paid for any tax cuts. Conversely, the Legislature, wisely, chose to significantly increase reserves that year. That had a much bigger impact on available funding than the tax cuts did.\"","\"In a state like Virginia where you have a lot of Northern migrants and people coming in from outside the state, things may be different,\" he said."]},{"id":"7884.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One person, Kathleen Sebelius, was going to determine whether or not 10-year-old lung patient Sarah Murnaghan would live or die.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Kathleen Sebelius, as the Secretary of Health and Human Services at the time, had a role in the decision-making process regarding lung transplants, it is misleading to claim that she was the sole person determining whether or not Sarah Murnaghan would live or die. The decision ultimately involved medical professionals, transplant committees, and a judge who ruled to allow Sarah to be placed on the adult lung transplant list. Sebelius did not have unilateral control over the outcome. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the decision-making process and exaggerates Sebelius' role.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2411.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ron Klein repeatedly voted in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Ron Klein repeatedly voted in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants. Multiple sources, including campaign representatives and fact-checkers, have stated that this claim is false. Furthermore, the available information does not provide any specific instances or evidence of such votes by Ron Klein. Making unsubstantiated claims without supporting evidence is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11668.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Obamas Columbia University ID says he was a foreign student and went by Barry Soetoro.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama's Columbia University ID card shows him as a foreign student named Barry Soetoro is false. This image has been circulating on social media for years, but it has been debunked numerous times. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Obama attended college as a foreign student or used the name Barry Soetoro. These claims are part of a long-standing conspiracy theory aimed at questioning Obama's citizenship and eligibility to hold the office of President of the United States.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\u201cNorth Carolina is among some of the top states in the country for the number of ghost guns that are seized as crime guns.\u201d","\"North Carolina GOP is re-introducing a bill that says life begins at conception and anyone who destroys that fertilized egg is guilty of first-degree murder.\"","A North Carolina congressman says the number of crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border has doubled and that President Biden\u2019s policies are to blame.","Says \"Abortion clinics in Oregon, as in most states, have no state oversight and are not held to basic health or safety standards.\""]},{"id":"490.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"John McCain, \"one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires,\" says the solution to the housing crisis is for people to get a \"second job\" and \"skip their vacations.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents John McCain's stance on the housing crisis. While it is true that John McCain made the suggestion for people to consider getting a second job and cutting back on vacations as a means to address financial difficulties during the housing crisis, it is misleading to imply that this was his sole solution or that he disregarded the complexity of the issue. McCain proposed a range of measures to address the housing crisis, including regulatory reforms and assistance for struggling homeowners. Therefore, the statement lacks context and exaggerates McCain's position, making it barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8489.json","label":"false","statement":"Terry McAuliffe wants to raise your taxes $1,700 to pay for his infinite promises.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Terry McAuliffe wants to raise taxes by $1,700. While his opponent, Glenn Youngkin, has made this claim in campaign ads and rallies, it is not supported by McAuliffe's actual campaign proposals. McAuliffe's campaign has stated that he does not intend to raise taxes. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wondered if it was accurate for Cantor\u2019s office to say that the jobs bill includes \"President Obama's tax on soup kitchens.\"","The post was headlined, \"President Obama's Tax On Soup Kitchens,\" and it criticized a tax provision included in Obama\u2019s jobs bill.","But is it fair to call the provision in the jobs bill a \"tax on soup kitchens\"? Clearly that's not what it is.","Cantor's blog post was headlined \"President Obama's tax on soup kitchens.\" That is misleading in two important ways. First, Obama did not single out soup kitchens for special tax treatment. And second, the proposal is not a tax on soup kitchens, or any other charitable organizations; it effectively increases the existing tax burden on a small percentage of households, which may indirectly cause disincentives for donations to soup kitchens. We rate the claim Mostly False."]},{"id":"12446.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hypocrisy at the Clinton Foundation: Top male staff made on average $218,029 while top female staff made $153,014 from 2010-2014.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the average salaries of top male and female staff at the Clinton Foundation from 2010-2014. However, it is important to note that this disparity in average salaries does not necessarily indicate hypocrisy at the Clinton Foundation. Factors such as job roles, responsibilities, and qualifications can contribute to differences in salaries. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the context of the overall gender pay gap in society during that time period. While the statement presents a factual statistic, it lacks the necessary context to fully assess the claim of hypocrisy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["They argued about whether the stimulus money was wasted, and Ryan said \"Was it a good idea to spend taxpayer dollars on electric cars in Finland, or on windmills in China?\"","Fisker Automotive says that the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers audits its accounts to insure that all federal dollars are spent in the United States.","As for the windmills in China, it's true that a small number of windmills and components to build them came from China. But the statement greatly exaggerates China\u2019s role in the overall use of stimulus money.","If it is six, that represents a tiny fraction of all the turbines installed with stimulus dollars. Salerno says the program funded more than 12,000 turbine installations over three years. Chinese components might have shown up in various places, but if one is counting complete Chinese \"windmills,\" then they account for less than 1 percent of the total."]},{"id":"1347.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On legalizing illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement lacks specific information or context to provide a clear categorization. However, based on the evidence provided, it can be inferred that the statement is referring to the issue of legalizing illegal immigrants. While the evidence mentions that approximately 40 percent of illegal immigrants entered the country legally but became illegal due to overstaying their temporary visas, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the broader topic of legalizing illegal immigrants. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it touches on one aspect of the issue but does not provide a complete picture.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"534.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We are \"borrowing Saudi money for Saudi oil\" with the result being \"dependency and debt.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects John McCain's claim that the United States is borrowing money from foreign lenders, including Saudi Arabia, to purchase oil. This dependency on foreign oil does contribute to the accumulation of debt. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a complete picture of the situation. The borrowing of money for oil is not exclusive to Saudi Arabia, as other countries, such as China, also lend money to the United States for various imports. Additionally, the statement does not address the broader economic and geopolitical factors that contribute to the United States' dependency on foreign oil. Therefore, while the statement captures a partial truth, it lacks some necessary context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Puente said if Milwaukee approves reducing its maximum forfeiture for marijuana possession to $50, the city would have \"23 different bicycle violations that have a higher forfeiture.\"","If the council approves reducing the maximum forfeiture for marijuana possession, would it be lower than the forfeiture for 23 bicycle violations?","\"We have 23 different bicycle violations that have a higher forfeiture than this,\" said Puente, before adding: \"I just think this is really disproportionate.\"","Nine of the violations carry a maximum forfeiture of $500 -- much higher than the $50 maximum for marijuana, should the marijuana ordinance be changed."]},{"id":"5387.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says there are homes for sale on and around (Oswego Lake) right now for under $150,000 that anyone is welcome to buy.","reason":"Reason: While there may be some homes for sale around Oswego Lake that are priced under $150,000, the evidence suggests that there are no homes directly on the lake itself available for that price. The statement lacks clarity in specifying whether it refers to homes directly on the lake or in the surrounding area. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as there may be affordable homes in the vicinity but not directly on Oswego Lake.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2248.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since the president became the president, we have lost 3.3 million jobs in the private sector. But you know whos done OK and whos not complaining today? The public sector. Weve gained 590,000 public sector jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there has been a loss of 3.3 million jobs in the private sector since President Biden took office. However, it only partially acknowledges that there has been a gain of 590,000 public sector jobs during the same period. While it is true that there has been an increase in public sector employment, it is important to note that the overall job market and economic recovery should be evaluated holistically, considering both private and public sector employment. Focusing solely on the public sector job gains without acknowledging the larger context of private sector job losses presents a somewhat skewed representation of the overall employment situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["--U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas said Perry once wrote a letter supporting \"Hillarycare,\" the health care plan drafted when Bill Clinton was president. Mostly False. Perry\u2019s letter mainly asked the First Lady toconsider the needs of rural Americans.","\"You know, the governor of Texas criticized the governor of Massachusetts for Romneycare, but he wrote a really fancy letter supporting Hillarycare,\" Paul said, referring to two well-known health care overhaul plans that were debated about a dozen years apart.","For this article, we\u2019re reviewing only whether Perry wrote in support of what critics call \"Hillarycare.\" We\u2019re not judging that label.","In an Aug. 30, 2011, radio interview with Sean Hannity, who also has a Fox News Channel program, Perry said he wrote the letter because he didn't want the Clinton administration \"to overlook a very important constituency.\" Perry said he had no idea that the \"end product\" would be \"this monstrosity of a bill.\""]},{"id":"10356.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The difference over the (previous) four years between where things were headed and where we brought them to over the last four years is a total of $816 in saved property tax money.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that there was a total of $816 in saved property tax money over the previous four years. Without specific context or evidence, it is difficult to determine the validity of this claim. Additionally, the evidence provided does not directly address property tax savings or provide any information regarding the specific time period or location being referred to. As a result, the statement lacks sufficient evidence and clarity to support its accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The number of complaints the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office received about the Redskins name was astounding, but not because there were so many. In fact, it\u2019s quite the opposite. The agency received zero complaints about the team\u2019s name. Zero.","Conservative blog posts smell a scandal in the cancellation of the Washington Redskins trademark, pointing out that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office \"received zero complaints\" about it before an administrative law court ruled in June.","* Conservative bloggers are claiming Patent and Trademark Office revoked the Redskins trademark even though it received no public complaints about the name.","!The Washington Redskins are appealing a decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that cancels a team trademark because it was ruled to be derogatory. AP Photo. !The Washington Redskins are appealing a decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that cancels a team trademark because it was ruled to be derogatory. AP Photo."]},{"id":"8385.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Chris Christie has not increased the taxes on anyone.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Governor Chris Christie has not increased the rates of taxation for New Jersey's three major revenue generators: gross income, business, and sales taxes. However, it's important to note that there are other ways in which taxes can be increased, such as through the elimination of deductions or the implementation of new fees. While the statement accurately reflects the lack of rate increases, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of all potential tax changes under Governor Christie's leadership.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The president's health care proposals will cause \"most Americans to have their premiums increased, not decreased, and hundreds of millions of people lose their current insurance coverage.\"","Then Pfotenhauer said most Americans would \"have their premiums increased, not decreased,\" and that \"hundreds of millions of people lose their current insurance coverage.\"","In Pfotenhauer's appearance on CNN, though, she said she understood the proposals but disagreed with them. Then she said -- and this was not phrased as an opinion -- that the plans will cause \"most Americans to have their premiums increased, not decreased, and hundreds of millions of people to lose their current insurance coverage.\" There's not an independent, nonpartisan analysis out there on the current Democratic proposals that shows that. These are Republican talking points that have repeatedly been proven false, but they keep coming back.","Pfotenhauer boiled down some complicated issues we've been reporting on for quite a while into a zinger of a soundbite. A bit of what she said was true, but most of this is a significant distortion of Obama's reforms. Here, we're going to rule on the most dramatic part of her claim, that the plans cause \"most Americans to have their premiums increased, not decreased, and hundreds of millions of people lose their current insurance coverage.\""]},{"id":"7386.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The United States does not have a system through which growers and dairies can bring a workforce legally into the U.S.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Rubio stated that the United States does not have a system through which growers and dairies can bring a workforce legally into the U.S., this statement is not entirely accurate. The United States does have a system called the H-2A visa program, which allows farmers to hire seasonal agricultural workers legally. However, the H-2A visa program has certain restrictions and limitations, and it has been criticized for being inadequate in meeting the labor demands of the agricultural industry. So, while there is a system in place, it is not without its challenges and criticisms.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12497.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 1978, college tuition nationwide has gone up something like four times the rate of inflation.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Governor Scott Walker is supported by evidence. Data on college tuition and inflation rates indicate that since 1978, college tuition nationwide has indeed increased at a rate approximately four times higher than the rate of inflation. While it's important to note that this statement specifically refers to tuition costs and not the overall cost of a college degree, the evidence confirms the accuracy of the claim regarding the rise in tuition fees.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13293.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sen. Rob Portman said, It would be irresponsible not to cut Medicare.","reason":"Reason: While Sen. Rob Portman did mention Medicare in a discussion about cutting entitlements, the statement misrepresents his actual words. Portman did not explicitly say, \"It would be irresponsible not to cut Medicare.\" Instead, he argued that it would be irresponsible for any senators to argue that Medicare should be completely off the table when discussing cuts to entitlement programs. Therefore, while Portman did express a stance on Medicare and entitlements, the statement inaccurately attributes a specific quote to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4893.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most of, if not all of, the [DeKalb school construction] projects always came in on or were under budget.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that most, if not all, of the DeKalb school construction projects came in on or under budget. The sources mention that the recession contributed to lower construction costs, which helped keep project expenses in check. While a few projects did exceed their initial budgets, the majority of projects were completed within or below the allocated funds. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, considering the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Illinois gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady's first priority after winning the primary \"was to sponsor a bill that would mass-euthanize sheltered dogs and cats in gas chambers.\"","Words superimposed over the images of the dogs say, \"Just two days after Bill Brady won the primary for governor, Sen. Bill Brady's first priority was to sponsor a bill that would mass-euthanize sheltered dogs and cats in gas chambers.\"","First, the ad says the bill \"would mass-euthanize sheltered dogs and cats in gas chambers.\" Actually, the bill wouldn't mandate it, as the ad's use of the word \"would\" suggests, but rather allow the practice. In fact, the bill requires veterinarians \"to use professional judgment\" on doing single or multiple euthanizations, \"taking into consideration the safety of facility staff and the most humane practices\" -- a requirement that animal-welfare advocates believe would be used as a loophole, but which does appear explicitly in the bill.","Humane Society of the United States, \"2009 Marks the End of the Gas Chamber for Dogs and Cats in Illinois( \"2009 Marks the End of the Gas Chamber for Dogs and Cats in Illinois\"),\" June 1, 2009"]},{"id":"4896.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Sen. Sherrod Brown voted to block American energy production and increase energy taxes.","reason":"Reason: While there is an element of truth in the statement, it is misleading and lacks important context. Senator Sherrod Brown did vote to repeal tax breaks for big oil companies, which could be interpreted as voting to \"increase energy taxes.\" However, it is crucial to note that these taxes would be imposed on the oil companies themselves, not on Ohioans or consumers. The ad's claim implies that Brown's vote would directly impact Ohio families, which is not accurate. Additionally, the vote was a procedural amendment and would not have directly affected energy taxes. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a complete and accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During the Dec. 12, 2010, edition of ABC's This Week with Christiane Amanpour , Matthew Dowd, a former strategist for President George W. Bush who lives south of Austin, said that \"Barack Obama is in an economy that's only worsened since he's been president of the United States.\"","!Matthew Dowd, a former GOP strategist, said that the economy has worsened under Barack Obama. Has it? !Matthew Dowd, a former GOP strategist, said that the economy has worsened under Barack Obama. Has it?","We\u2019ve previously looked at why it\u2019s so hard these days for the United States to sustain 3 percent annual economic growth \u2014 a benchmark President Donald Trump says the country can again reach with his leadership.","!President Barack Obama gave the State of the Union address on Jan. 20, 2015. !President Barack Obama gave the State of the Union address on Jan. 20, 2015."]},{"id":"9465.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeanne Shaheen voted for a measure that would have amounted to a new national energy tax.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were votes related to energy taxes, the statement oversimplifies the situation. Senator Jeanne Shaheen did vote against a specific amendment related to energy taxes, indicating that she did not support that particular measure. However, it is important to note that voting against a specific amendment does not necessarily mean she supports or opposes a broader national energy tax. The statement lacks the necessary context to accurately assess Senator Shaheen's stance on a national energy tax.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Giuliani campaign has responded several times to Romney's attacks on \"sanctuary cities\" by alleging that it was Romney who was weak on immigration because he did not speak up or take action against Massachusetts cities that had similar policies to New York's.","Giuliani responded Wednesday night by alleging that Romney was weak on immigration when he was governor because he did not speak up or take action against Massachusetts cities that had similar policies to New York's.","We expect to see this allegation repeated as the campaign goes on, though. The Giuliani campaign has apparently been searching for cities with policies of not turning in illegal immigrants; they recently upped their count of Massachusetts sanctuary cities from three to six.","Giuliani is on solid ground with this attack. There's no evidence that Romney spoke up or took action against those cities."]},{"id":"7303.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Washington, D.C., had some of the strictest gun laws in the country. And when they passed them, violence skyrocketed.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Washington, D.C. had strict gun laws in the past, the statement that violence skyrocketed after the implementation of these laws is not entirely accurate. The relationship between the gun laws and violence in Washington, D.C. is complex and cannot be solely attributed to the gun laws themselves. There are various factors that contribute to violence, including socioeconomic conditions, drug-related issues, and other underlying factors. Therefore, while there may have been an increase in violence during the period when the gun laws were in effect, it is misleading to solely attribute this increase to the gun laws themselves.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5043.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"What is the proper collective noun for a group of baboons? Believe it or not . . . a Congress!","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that a group of baboons is called a \"Congress\" is false. While the quote attempts to use humor and irony to criticize the U.S. Congress, it misrepresents the actual collective noun for a group of baboons. The term \"Congress\" is not used to refer to a gathering of baboons in any credible source or dictionary. The claim is a fabrication and should not be taken as factual.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3809.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The (health reform) legislation which Washington passed last year has made it more difficult to hire because its increased costs for employers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it lacks specificity and context. It refers to a health reform legislation passed in Washington but does not provide any details about the specific legislation or its provisions. Without specific information, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of the claim regarding increased costs for employers and the impact on hiring. To provide a more accurate assessment, specific details about the legislation and its effects on employers would be necessary.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We have been in Afghanistan longer now than we have been in any foreign land conducting a war in our nation\u2019s history.\"","Gibbs said, \"We have been in Afghanistan longer now than we have been in any foreign land conducting a war in our nation\u2019s history.\"","\"Look, Barack Obama was, and I assume continues to be, skeptical of our military ability to solve Afghanistan,\" Gibbs said. \"We have been in Afghanistan longer now than we have been in any foreign land conducting a war in our nation\u2019s history.\"","That\u2019s longer than the major United States interventions in World War I and World War II. It\u2019s also longer than the conflict in Korea, and both wars in Iraq."]},{"id":"3928.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The CBO, the Congressional Budget Office has said that Obamacare will kill 800,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been claims made by individuals, such as U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stated that Obamacare would result in the loss of 800,000 jobs, it is important to note that this claim is misleading. The CBO did not state that Obamacare would \"kill\" jobs. Instead, the CBO projected that there might be a reduction in the number of hours worked by the equivalent of 800,000 full-time jobs due to factors such as individuals choosing to work fewer hours or leaving the workforce voluntarily. This reduction in hours worked is not equivalent to job loss. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"135.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Thompson \"voted against $250,000 caps on damages (and) almost anything that would make our legal system fairer.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Fred Thompson voted against a $250,000 cap on punitive damages, it is an oversimplification to claim that he voted against \"almost anything\" that would make the legal system fairer. Thompson's vote was specific to an amendment on a product liability bill, and he has voted with his party on other tort reform bills. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Thompson's position on tort reform and does not provide a complete and accurate representation of his overall stance on legal system fairness.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10580.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Texas this fiscal year will have more money in reserve than the other 49 states combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Texas will have more money in reserve than the other 49 states combined is not accurate. According to the NASBO fall 2014 report, Texas is projected to have a reserve balance of about $8 billion, which is less than the projected year-end reserves for Alaska alone, which is $11.4 billion. Additionally, the combined reserves of several other states, including California, New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, Florida, and Indiana, are also greater than Texas' reserves. Therefore, the claim that Texas will have more money in reserve than all other states combined is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Christie, during a news conference on judicial pensions, said judges \"get better benefits at a lower cost than everybody else in the state.\"","( - Chris Christie claims judges collect better pension benefits at a lower cost than other public employees in New Jersey&url=)","PolitiFact New Jersey, Chris Christie claims judges collect better pension benefits at a lower cost than other public employees in New Jersey, Oct. 27, 2011","\"Everyone who has the privilege of a public pension should pay their fair share for their public pension. That's all this is about. And the courts now try to muck this up to make it about judicial independence. I want the judiciary to be independent,\" Christie said during a Tuesday press conference. \"I just don't want them to be a part of an elite, special class of citizens who get better benefits at a lower cost than everybody else in the state and do that at the expense of the taxpayers. It simply doesn't make sense.\""]},{"id":"7916.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Immigrants are more fertile.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"immigrants are more fertile\" is mostly true. National statistics indicate that birth rates among foreign-born residents are generally about 50 percent higher than for U.S.-born women. However, it is important to note that fertility rates can vary among different immigrant groups and over time. Additionally, it is crucial to understand that the term \"fertile\" in this context refers to the birth rate of a population rather than the ability to have children. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be understood within the specific context of birth rates among immigrant populations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1659.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"The number of uninsured people in Massachusetts is about the same as it was when the mandates were passed in 2006.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Perry that the number of uninsured people in Massachusetts is about the same as it was when the mandates were passed in 2006 is false. According to data from the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, the uninsured rate in Massachusetts significantly decreased after the implementation of the mandates. In 2009, the uninsured rate was at its lowest in the nation, with an estimated 2.7 percent of the population without insurance, which translates to approximately 171,000 people. This is a substantial decrease from the 600,000 uninsured individuals in 2006. The evidence clearly contradicts Perry's claim, making it false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Small businesses are the driving force of the economy and create 70 percent of the jobs in America,\" Cantor, R-7th, said in a Nov. 25 news release stating his support for legislation that would make it more difficult for Washington to impose regulations on small companies.","Still, when public officials cite the SBA\u2019s findings on the percentage of jobs created by small businesses, they often refer to small firms creating 70 percent of \"all new jobs,\" or 70 percent of new jobs without noting that\u2019s the percentage for private sector jobs created by smaller firms. That\u2019s understandable since the private sector employs the vast majority of workers in the U.S. In September 2011, the private companies provided nearly 110 million -- or about 85 percent -- of the roughly 131 million jobs in the U.S., according to the BLS.","We wondered if small firms really create more than two-thirds of jobs in the U.S. So we asked Cantor\u2019s office what his statement was based on.","And the BLS told us they didn\u2019t track that data, either. But researchers there made a point of saying they were sure Batchelder\u2019s statement was essentially correct. As one pointed out: 99 out of 100 employers are classified as small businesses, so saying 75 percent of all new jobs in Ohio are created by small businesses is hardly different than saying ALL businesses create ALL jobs."]},{"id":"4347.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We spend less on defense today as % of GDP than at any time since Pearl Harbor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Newt Gingrich claimed that the United States spends less on defense as a percentage of GDP than at any time since Pearl Harbor, this assertion is incorrect. There have been multiple periods since World War II, including the post-Cold War era, where defense spending as a percentage of GDP has been consistently lower than current levels. Additionally, tying defense spending to GDP is not a fixed or accurate measure, as it fails to account for changing circumstances and the need for flexibility in military expenditures.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Estimated Impact of Health Care Reform Proposals( \"Estimated Impact of Health Care Reform Proposals\"), April 22, 2010","Medicare Advantage plans from private insurance companies are allowed to offer coverage for things that aren't covered by original Medicare, including dental care. But unlike the post\u2019s claim that dental work will be free to all seniors, the Medicare Advantage plans must be purchased, and coverage varies by plan.","\"Some (changes) increase Medicare spending to improve benefits and coverage,\" said Tricia Neuman, director of the Medicare Policy Project at the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation. \"Other provisions reduce the growth in Medicare spending to help the program operate more efficiently and help fund coverage expansions to the uninsured in the underlying health reform legislation. Other provisions are designed to improve the delivery of care and quality of care.\"","Neuman walked through the changes in an easily digestible tutorial on the Kaiser Family Foundation's website, a good non-ideological explanation for people interested in changes to Medicare under health care reform."]},{"id":"2750.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker wants to ban common forms of birth control, including the pill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were concerns about Scott Walker's stance on birth control due to his support for legislation that could have potentially allowed pharmacists to refuse to dispense certain forms of birth control, including the \"morning-after\" pill, it is important to note that the legislation primarily targeted abortion pills like RU-486. The statement in question, however, implies a broader ban on common forms of birth control, including the pill, which is not entirely accurate based on the available evidence. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the scope of Walker's position on birth control.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9745.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Top U.S. intelligence officials have toldevery member of Congress, including the president, were about to be attacked in a serious way because (of) the threat emanating from Syria and Iraq.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that top U.S. intelligence officials have expressed concerns about the threat emanating from Syria and Iraq, the statement exaggerates their warnings by claiming that they specifically stated that the U.S. is about to be attacked in a serious way. The evidence suggests that while these officials have voiced strong concerns about potential attacks and the threat posed by groups like ISIS, their statements have been more nuanced and focused on the broader security risks rather than predicting an imminent attack. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the officials' warnings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Truth-O-Meter article, \"Greg Abbott says if Texas were a country, its economy would rank 10th in world,\" PolitiFact Texas, Sept. 15, 2016","Hurd\u2019s petition claimed that Texas is the 15th largest economy in the world. By a reasonable measure, Texas\u2019 GDP would rank it 14th among nations. We rate the statement as True.","That\u2019s so, figures show, if you leave out a bigger state, California. Considering California, in fairness, Texas would rank 11th in the world.","In a tweet adorned with images of a rocket, a wind turbine, a steer, a factory and a microscope, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared: \"If Texas were a country, it would have the 10th highest GDP in the world.\""]},{"id":"2722.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Blames Mike McIntyre and Nancy Pelosi for the second straight year of no cost-of-living increases for Social Security beneficiaries.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately blames Mike McIntyre and Nancy Pelosi for the lack of cost-of-living increases for Social Security beneficiaries for two consecutive years. The cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security are determined by a formula set by law and are not directly influenced or controlled by specific individuals or politicians. While politicians can advocate for or influence legislation related to Social Security, the responsibility for cost-of-living adjustments lies with the Social Security Administration and the formula they use to calculate those adjustments. Therefore, it is misleading to attribute the lack of cost-of-living increases solely to Mike McIntyre and Nancy Pelosi.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["David Cicilline said, \"There are more oil rigs in operation in the United States than the rest of the world combined.\" He said that information comes from \"the best available data\" in February.","Cicilline called it \"a big, big giveaway to big oil . . . when we already know, according to the best available data as of February of this year, there are more oil rigs in operation in the United States than the rest of the world combined.\"","PolitiFact rated Obama\u2019s statement about production being at an eight-year high as Mostly True. Here, we wanted to explore if the U.S. has a record number of oil rigs in operation and more working oil and gas rigs than the rest of the world combined.","The U.S. has a \"record number of oil rigs operating right now \u2013 more working oil and gas rigs than the rest of the world combined.\""]},{"id":"1171.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The government is going to have the right to get into your bank account with the health care bill and make transfers without you knowing it.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the government would have the right to access individuals' bank accounts and make transfers without their knowledge is not supported by the evidence. The bill does not grant the government unrestricted access to bank accounts. While the bill does discuss electronic transfers of money within the government, it does not provide the government with the authority to access individual bank accounts without permission. The choice to allow electronic withdrawals would be up to the individual. Therefore, the claim is exaggerated and misleading. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Davis\u2019 campaign press release noted that in 2011, Davis said: \"It\u2019s really disgusting that an industry that profits from the poor by charging 1,000-plus interest is put at the head of the state\u2019s financial regulatory agency. It\u2019s saying, \u2018It\u2019s not only OK, but we\u2019re going to put them in charge.\u2019 \"","It\u2019s no secret that payday loans\u2014the idea being that such loans are often being repaid from a future pay check\u2014are costly. But 1,000-plus percent costly?","That story did not list a source for that declared rate. To our inquiry, a Davis campaign spokeswoman, Rebecca Acu\u00f1a, emailed us published commentaries and research articles in support of the senator\u2019s claim. One of the advocacy pieces led us to a March 18, 2013, reportby Texans for Public Justice on lobbyists for the state\u2019s \"runaway predatory lenders.\" The report said: \"Although Texas prohibits usurious interest rates, companies dodge these protections by organizing as unregulated middlemen. So-called \u2018credit service organizations\u2019 link borrowers to lenders, who comply with state interest-rate caps. After the middlemen tag on exorbitant fees and arrange repeated rollovers, however, loans secured by paychecks or car titles can carry annual effective interest rates exceeding 1,000 percent.\"","Nationally, according to \"fast facts\" about payday lenders as posted online by the Center for Responsible Lending, a North Carolina-based nonprofit that says it \"works to protect homeownership and family wealth by fighting predatory lending practices,\" the typical two-week payday loan has an effective annual interest rate ranging from 391 to 521 percent."]},{"id":"8308.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The American people support defunding Obamacare and oppose shutting down the government.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement is not entirely accurate. While there may be support for defunding Obamacare among some segments of the American population, it is important to consider the context. When the potential consequences of shutting down the government or defaulting are included, opposition to defunding increases significantly. Polls indicate that a majority of Americans oppose defunding if it leads to a government shutdown or other negative outcomes. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that the American people have mixed views on defunding Obamacare, with opposition increasing when the potential consequences are taken into account.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The Social Security trust fund is sound,\" Kaptur said on April 11, 2013. \"Without anything being done, it would function well into 2038; and even after that time with no changes, we could pay 80 percent of the benefits that people have earned.\"","Given claimsfrom othersthat Social Security is bound for bankruptcy, PolitiFact Ohio decided to look at Kaptur\u2019s claims that the Social Security system can function without tweaking into 2038 and beyond.","\"If they take action sooner rather than later, more options and more time will be available to phase in changes so that the public has adequate time to prepare,\" the report said.","Much of the public is convinced that a perfidious Congress is rifling a \u201ctrust fund\u201d where our Social Security taxes are \u201cheld in trust\u201d to pay future benefits, that this is why Social Security is headed for trouble, and that all Congress has to do to fix Social Security is put this stolen money back. These beliefs crop up perennially in letters to editors."]},{"id":"7217.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Report that #GOP insisting on changes to Social Security as part of #fiscalcliff false. BTW those changes are supported by @barackobama.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Marco Rubio's tweet where he denies the report that the GOP was insisting on changes to Social Security as part of the fiscal cliff negotiations. However, the claim that those changes were supported by Barack Obama is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Obama had proposed certain changes to Social Security, it is misleading to suggest that he specifically supported the changes mentioned in the tweet. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It is a commitment voters take very seriously: The only incumbent in Ohio to break his Pledge and vote for Ted Strickland's income tax hike was defeated soundly on Tuesday.\"","To sum up: Americans for Tax Reform claimed the only incumbent to break the group's no-new taxes pledge was defeated \"soundly\" on Nov. 2. And while it's true that Hebron Democratic Rep. Dan Dodd was the only one to break the pledge, he lost by less than 4 percentage points. We find that to be less than \"soundly.\"","The incumbent the anti-tax group is referring to is the only House Democratic candidate to sign the pledge Rep. Dan Dodd of Hebron. And Dodd most assuredly did vote for Strickland's plan to push back the final year of a planned income tax cut -- what the anti-tax group and Republicans across Ohio say amounts to a tax hike.","What the Americans for Tax Reform doesn't tell you is that the anti-tax pledge was no guarantee of success in Ohio legislative races. In fact, more than 60 percent of the Ohio legislative candidates who took the pledge lost their races. To be fair, many were third-party candidates or Republicans running in overwhelmingly Democratic districts."]},{"id":"2824.json","label":"true","statement":"Nobody has played clips over and over ...of President Obama (saying), If they bring a knife to the fight, well bring a gun.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Multiple news articles and sources have quoted President Obama saying, \"If they bring a knife to the fight, we'll bring a gun.\" While some sources have noted that it was meant as a metaphor or a joke, the statement has been widely reported and has not been denied by President Obama. The claim that nobody has played clips of this statement repeatedly is also supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3730.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The people of Rhode Island dont want same-sex marriage.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"the people of Rhode Island don't want same-sex marriage\" is not supported by credible evidence or accurate polling data. While there may be individuals or groups who oppose same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, it is misleading and incorrect to claim that the entire population of Rhode Island is against it. Polling data and advocacy groups actually suggest support for same-sex marriage in Rhode Island, with percentages varying depending on the specific poll and methodology used. Therefore, the statement is not based on factual information and is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["It's a little known secret that we're suckers for arguments involving statistics, so we decided to look into Holder's claim that Republicans have 2 percent of the Muslim vote.","\"I just like to make the point that we can argue all day whether this is a moral issue or religious issue or whatever. But the bigger issue here on this political show is that the Republicans have 2 percent of the Muslim vote, 2 percent. Most Muslims, like 77 percent, are Americanized. They've been here for 20 years. Not all Muslims are radical,\" Holder said.","So, to recap, Holder claimed that Republicans only have 2 percent of the Muslim vote. We found that roughly 8 to 11 percent of Muslims consider themselves Republicans. Muslims voted overwhelmingly for John Kerry during the 2004 election, and at least one post-election analysis shows that McCain only received 2 percent of the vote in the 2008 election. Gallup does not have data on how many Muslims voted for McCain, but we're told that it may be roughly 11 percent, a bit higher than what Holder claimed. Still, that's quite low compared to the support that Democrats have, so Holder's underlying point that Republicans lack significant Muslim backing is valid. We rate this Mostly True.","Finally, the Pew Research Center published Muslim Americans in May 2007. The survey found that 11 percent of Muslim Americans identified as Republicans, 63 percent as Democrats, and 26 percent as either independent or having no leaning. During the 2004 presidential election, 14 percent voted for Bush and 71 percent voted for Kerry, according to the study."]},{"id":"3672.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rep. Paul Ryans Medicare plan lines the pockets of the private insurance companies, increases costs for seniors and does not reduce the deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Connolly regarding Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare plan. According to Connolly, Ryan's plan would increase costs for seniors and benefit private insurance companies. However, the claim that the plan does not reduce the deficit is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the plan may not directly reduce the deficit, it is designed to implement cost-saving measures in Medicare to address long-term sustainability. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete picture regarding the impact on the deficit.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We see America's prison population exploding, with America having a greater percentage of its people behind bars than any other nation in the world!\"","\"We see America's prison population exploding, with America having a greater percentage of its people behind bars than any other nation in the world!\" wrote Johnson, a former magistrate court judge.","PolitiFact Georgia examined a similar claim by Johnson before. The congressman claimed last year that the United States imprisons more than any nation in the world. PolitiFact Georgia found Johnson was likely correct that the U.S. has more people behind bars than any other country, but America does have one of the largest populations in the world, so it\u2019s not entirely an apples-to-apples comparison. Our research showed there are probably some nations with a higher percentage of people in prison, so we rated Johnson\u2019s claim Half True.","At the time, we found it was possible that there were two other countries that put a greater percentage of people in prison: Cuba and North Korea. Has that changed?"]},{"id":"6318.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This year in Congress (Connie Mack IV) has missed almost half of his votes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Connie Mack IV has missed almost half of his votes this year is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Mack has missed a significant number of votes, the claim of \"almost half\" is an exaggeration. According to available information, Mack has missed approximately 28.6 percent of votes this year, which is significantly less than the claim suggests. It's important to provide accurate information when discussing a candidate's attendance record to maintain the integrity of the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"She also suggested that the Army \u2018put more emphasis on less environmentally damaging methods, like stabbing or clubbing enemy forces in order to minimize the carbon output.\u2019\"","We found it hard to believe that a member of Congress would actually say that the Army should \"put more emphasis on less environmentally damaging methods, like stabbing or clubbing enemy forces in order to minimize the carbon output.\" So we set out to find the source.","So where does this leave us? In the hearing, Giffords did indeed raise an issue involving alternative energy with Petraeus, but it was not to express a concern that the military should \"reduce carbon emissions in the war on terror\" -- rather, it was to improve energy reliability and security for American forces on the ground. And the claims that Giffords urged American forces to club, rather than shoot, the enemy in order to reduce carbon emissions were pure satire but not labeled as such by the chain e-mailer. All told, the claims in the chain e-mail are ridiculous. So we rate this chain e-mail Pants on Fire!","\"What Google says about Rep. Giffords: Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-Az) took Afghan Commander, General David Petraeus, to task for what she characterized as \u2018willful disregard of the environmental impact of our war effort.\u2019 \u2018There is no policy, no plan to minimize carbon emissions in our military activities,\u2019 Giffords charged. \u2018Bombs are dropped and bullets are fired without considering the environmental impact.\u2019 Giffords insisted that she was \u2018not demanding an immediate halt to current military operations in the Middle East. I'm just saying that battle plans should include an environmental impact assessment as a regular part of the process before attacks are launched.\u2019"]},{"id":"10198.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"1\/3 of our kids drop out (of high school), cannot go to college or start a career.","reason":"Reason: The statement that one-third of American students \"drop out, cannot go to college or start a career\" is an oversimplification and lacks nuance. While there are challenges and disparities in education outcomes, it is not accurate to claim that one-third of students fall into this category. The evidence provided highlights that the data used to support this claim may not accurately represent the entire student population. Factors such as students moving to different schools, graduating early or late, and obtaining GEDs can affect dropout rates. Additionally, the statement does not consider alternative pathways to education and career development beyond traditional college routes. Therefore, the claim is misleading and does not accurately reflect the overall educational landscape.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The pro-minimum-wage group said in a Facebook meme that \"every single one of the 41 Republican senators who just blocked a raise in the minimum wage will receive a $2,800 cost-of-living adjustment on January 1, 2015.\"","\"Every single one of the 41 Republican senators who just blocked a raise in the minimum wage will receive a $2,800 cost-of-living adjustment on January 1, 2015,\" said the meme, which was posted by the creators of the \" Raise the Minimum Wage\" Facebook page. That page has attracted almost 132,000 supporters, and the meme, when it was posted on May 1, 2014, drew 1,984 likes.","The CRS report confirms the numbers cited in the meme -- the maximum potential January 2015 pay adjustment would be 1.6 percent, or $2,800, an amount established by calculations made in January 2014.","!Supporters of a minimum-wage hike posted this meme on Facebook. How accurate is it? !Supporters of a minimum-wage hike posted this meme on Facebook. How accurate is it?"]},{"id":"9960.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Not even old Gen. Eisenhower saluted military personnel as president.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a former General, did not commonly salute military personnel as president, it is important to note that the claim made in the statement is slightly misleading. Eisenhower did occasionally salute military personnel, but it was not a regular practice during his presidency. The statement implies that Eisenhower never saluted military personnel, which is not entirely accurate. Therefore, the claim is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%.","This time, Meyer responded by tweeting, \"More black babies are aborted in NYC than born,\" followed by the hashtag #blacklivesmatter. NYC meaning the city of New York.","Says crime is on the rise in Austin and a new study showed that it \u201cis the No. 1 city in America in the year-to-year percentage increase in murders, with a percentage increase of more than 64% for the first half of this year.\u201d","One amendment (which was shot down in a party-line vote, with Republicans in opposition) would have required the state to accept federal Medicaid expansion dollars to cover low-income Texans. Texas is one of 14 states that has not opted to expand Medicaid(,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D)."]},{"id":"12581.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"You cant get on an airplane, but more than 2,000 people on that list have been able to buy a gun.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that individuals on the list mentioned have been able to purchase firearms, it is important to note that the statement does not specify the criteria for being on the list or the circumstances under which these individuals were able to purchase guns. The statement implies a direct correlation between being on the list and being able to buy a gun, which is not necessarily the case. The process of purchasing firearms involves background checks and adherence to existing laws and regulations. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it oversimplifies a complex issue and fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But almost four years ago, Rubio opposed President Barack Obama\u2019s plan to order airstrikes in Syria, also after dictator Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against his people.","\u2022 Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on This Week : \"The president was very clear in his message to the American people that this strike was related solely to the most recent horrific use of chemical weapons against women, children and, as the president said, even small babies. And so the strike was a message to Bashar al-Assad that your multiple violations of your agreements at the U.N., your agreements under the Chemical Weapons Charter back in 2013, that those would not go without a response in the future.\"","It was \"the right move\" for President Donald Trump to launch airstrikes in Syria in retaliation for a chemical weapons attack, said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on CNN April 7.","In August 2013, Assad\u2019s regime killed more than 1,400 people in a chemical weapons attack on the city of Damascus. Obama wanted to strike Syria in retaliation, but he chose to ask Congress to authorize his use of military force. Obama couldn\u2019t get enough votes to pass his proposal, so he did not order strikes fired in direct retaliation for the chemical attacks."]},{"id":"2143.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For every $1 spent on afterschool programs, we can save over $5, almost $6, in crime costs down the line.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the report, which suggests that for every dollar invested in expanded learning opportunities such as afterschool programs, there can be a savings of up to $5.29 in decreased criminal justice costs. However, it's important to note that the savings are not exclusively related to \"crime costs\" but also include decreased criminal justice costs more broadly. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional clarity to accurately convey the scope of the savings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Listen, all we've got to do is you got to go to a local junkyard \u2014 all you've got to do is tow (the car) to your house. And you're going to get $4,500,\" Hannity said. \"I'm going to go do that.\"","On his Fox News Channel program on June 18, 2009, political commentator Sean Hannity mocked the \"Cash for Clunkers\" program recently approved by Congress, saying a loophole would allow someone to buy an old heap at a junkyard, have it towed to his or her house, and the government would pay $4,500 for it.","Limbaugh is referring to the Cash for Clunkers program that provided up to $4,500 to consumers to trade in their old cars for new ones, as well as to a government incentive program that provides an $8,000 tax credit to first-time home buyers.","In summary: Kingston, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, did vote to provide $2 billion to Cash for Clunkers after it ran through $1 billion in its first month."]},{"id":"8405.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The federal government has $3 trillion in cash flow, so we can pay our bills and wont default.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is approximately $3 trillion in trapped cash overseas that cannot be repatriated due to tax laws, it is important to note that this cash flow alone does not guarantee that the federal government can pay its bills and avoid default. The federal government's ability to meet its financial obligations depends on various factors, including revenue from taxes, spending priorities, and overall economic conditions. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the complex nature of the federal government's financial situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8794.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Alex Sink failed Florida homeowners by using predatory lending practices.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Alex Sink failed Florida homeowners by using predatory lending practices. The accusations made by the Republican Party of Florida and in the video are not substantiated with specific evidence or examples. Without concrete evidence linking Sink to predatory lending practices, the claim cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In his ad, Sanders asserts that, \"While our people work longer hours for lower wages, almost all new income goes to the top 1 percent.\"","\"If you're doing everything right but find it harder and harder to get by, you're not alone,\" Sanders says. \"While our people work longer hours for lower wages, almost all new income goes to the top 1 percent.\"","We wanted to check the three claims wrapped up in that last sentence. Are Americans working longer hours, are their wages lower, and is almost all new income going to the richest?","\"What we're seeing, Chris, right now is that for 40 years, the American middle class has been disappearing. Millions of people are working longer hours for lower wages despite a huge increase in technology and productivity,\" Sanders said. \"And what we have seen during that period is a massive transfer of trillions of dollars from the middle class to the top one-tenth of 1 percent of America \u2014 massive wealth and income inequality, where you have 99 percent of all new income today going to the top 1 percent.\""]},{"id":"11196.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Over 40 percent of small and mid-size banks that loan money to small businesses have been wiped out since Dodd-Frank has passed.","reason":"Reason: While there has been a decline in the number of small banks, the statement is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond indicates a 41 percent decline in small banks between 2007 and 2013, which predates the passage of Dodd-Frank. The evidence does not specifically address the impact of Dodd-Frank on small and mid-size banks. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the direct correlation between Dodd-Frank and the decline of small and mid-size banks that lend to small businesses.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["All told, the idea that Dewhurst has a record of promoting an income tax is so far from accurate, it\u2019s ridiculous. Pants on Fire!","We fixed on reason No. 2: \"Come on, would you want to show up and have to defend your record promoting an income tax?\"","We previously rated Pants on Fire a claim by Cruz that Dewhurst has a record of promoting a Texas income tax. No Texas leader has come close to such a pitch since a Dewhurst predecessor as lieutenant governor, Democrat Bob Bullock, floated the prospect in 1991.","At the debate, reporter Brad Watson of Dallas\u2019 WFAA-TV asked Cruz what proof he had of Dewhurst promoting an income tax. Cruz replied that in 2006, Dewhurst told The Associated Press, \"I think I\u2019d rather see a tax that is based on income.\""]},{"id":"2917.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"You cant check out a library book without a photo ID.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some libraries may require a photo ID to obtain a library card, there is no evidence to support the claim that a photo ID is required to check out a library book. The evidence provided states that applicants for library cards may need to present a photo ID, but it does not indicate that the same requirement applies to checking out books. In fact, the evidence suggests that libraries generally do not require a photo ID for book checkouts. Therefore, the statement is misleading and barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Point Pleasant Beach does not own its beaches; they are privately owned and operated by businesses such as Jenkinson\u2019s,\" Barrella wrote in an Aug. 22 column that appeared in The star-Ledger.","PolitiFact New Jersey found that more than 42 acres of beach are privately owned and operated in Point Pleasant Beach, and the borough owns only the 1.03-acre Maryland Avenue Beach.","Barrella says the borough\u2019s beaches are privately owned and operated by various businesses in town. While Jenkinson\u2019s and others do own most of the beachfront, the borough owns slightly more than an acre of prime real estate: the Maryland Avenue beach. For that reason, we rate Barrella\u2019s claim Mostly True.","Minutes from the Aug. 16, 1887 meeting of the Point Pleasant Beach Council state \"Ownership of the beach turned down by the Council because of extreme cost to the borough for maintenance,\" according to the Point Pleasant Historical Society. At that point, the council decided to permit privately owned beaches in the borough."]},{"id":"11555.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that Starbucks took Christmas off of their brand new cups.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Starbucks removed Christmas from their brand new cups is false. While Starbucks has introduced plain red cups for the holiday season, there is no evidence to suggest that this decision was made to remove any reference to Christmas. In fact, Starbucks has featured Christmas-themed designs on their cups in previous years. The assertion that Starbucks is not allowed to say \"Merry Christmas\" to customers is also unfounded. Starbucks employees are free to use holiday greetings, including \"Merry Christmas,\" when interacting with customers. These claims have been widely debunked, and there is no credible evidence to support them.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"10449.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Atmospheric conditions could push a footballs pressure down approximately one-and-a-half pounds per square inch.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can indeed affect the pressure of a football. Belichick's statement and the analysis by Hilborn support this claim. The evidence indicates that atmospheric conditions could potentially cause a decrease in pressure of around 1.5 pounds per square inch. However, it's important to note that this is an approximation and the actual impact may vary depending on specific conditions. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, acknowledging the influence of atmospheric conditions on a football's pressure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10611.json","label":"true","statement":"Under legislation that has cleared the Georgia House, some children who are legal refugees could obtain state scholarships to attend private schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions of the legislation that has cleared the Georgia House. According to the evidence provided, the legislation allows for some children who are legal refugees to be eligible for state scholarships to attend private schools. Therefore, the statement is true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When Ohio had its lowest point of unemployment in the state\u2019s history \u2014 3.8 percent in January 2001 \u2014 there were still eight right-to-work states with lower unemployment. Fourteen had higher unemployment rates.","As for Ohio \"always\" having had a higher unemployment rate, a check of Ohio\u2019s rate at its highest and lowest points over the past decade shows 14 of the right-to-work states had higher unemployment rates than Ohio when the rate was at its lowest. And when Ohio\u2019s rate was at its highest, there still were four right-to-work states with higher jobless rates. Ohio\u2019s unemployment rate is not higher than all right-to-work states and very likely has never been.","When Ohio had the highest rate of unemployment over the last decade \u2014 10.6 percent in Feb. 2010 \u2014 18 states had lower unemployment rates. Four right-to-work states had higher unemployment rates.","But figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 12 of 22 right-to-work states have unemployment rates that are very similar to Ohio\u2019s or greater. Less than half have \"significantly\" lower unemployment rates."]},{"id":"2060.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We went from losing 3 million jobs in the last six months of the Bush Administration, adding almost 600,000 private sector jobs in the first six months of the year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the trend in job losses during the last six months of the Bush administration, where the U.S. lost 3.5 million jobs, including 760,000 jobs in January 2009 alone. It also acknowledges the subsequent improvement in job growth during the first six months of the year, with the addition of almost 600,000 private sector jobs. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context regarding the overall job market and the specific timeframes being compared. While the statement is generally accurate, providing additional information would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the job market during that period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Let\u2019s check what seems like a counterintuitive claim: That the Affordable Care Act denies \"millions of Americans access to affordable insurance.\"","So, potentially millions of workers could lose their employer-provided health insurance as a result of the reform law. Lansing argues that means those workers would be denied access to affordable health insurance.","Hovde\u2019s claim is that the law itself denies the access to affordable care. In the scenarios he cites, it is the employer who would be deciding to drop the employer-sponsored plan.","\"You see, Obamacare doesn\u2019t just further bankrupt our nation, raise taxes and deny millions of Americans access to affordable insurance \u2014 it flies directly in the face of our Constitution.\""]},{"id":"7210.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Taxpayers are on the hook ... for less than a third of the proposed new Atlanta Falcons stadium, and those funds are repaid from money that comes from outsiders.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence suggests that taxpayers are responsible for less than a third of the cost of the proposed new Atlanta Falcons stadium. However, it is important to note that the statement also claims that these funds are repaid from money that comes from outsiders, which is not explicitly supported by the evidence provided. Without further information or evidence, it is unclear if and how the funds would be repaid. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["North Carolina has undeniably lost money and jobs due to HB2, so Skvarla\u2019s claim that the law \"hasn\u2019t moved the needle one iota\" on the economy seems incorrect at first glance.","Commerce Secretary John Skvarla said in a speech Monday that as far as North Carolina\u2019s economic health is concerned, House Bill 2 \"hasn\u2019t moved the needle one iota.\"","At that time, former Commerce Secretary John Skvarla had said that HB2 hadn\u2019t had \"one iota\" of a negative effect on North Carolina\u2019s economy.","The word \"iota\" that Skvarla used is defined as \"a very small amount\" or \"an infinitesimal amount.\" So clearly Skvarla is confident the law has had basically zero effect on the state economy."]},{"id":"5235.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than 3 million jobs. Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that businesses created over 3 million jobs in the last 22 months and that last year saw the highest job creation since 2005. This claim is supported by evidence that shows an increase in private-sector jobs during that time period. However, it's important to note that the exact number of jobs created may vary depending on the specific time frame and measurement used. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but the specific numbers may vary slightly depending on the calculation method.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The statement: \"Close to 30% of our federal prison population consists of illegal immigrants. We cannot continue to incarcerate criminals from other countries at the taxpayer\u2019s expense. We must stop the tide of criminal importation. This alone would cut our prison costs by almost a third.\"","So, about one in four inmates in federal prison is not a U.S. citizen, but not necessarily with an illegal immigration status.","After we circled back to Smith\u2019s office with the figures we\u2019d found, Smith\u2019s deputy chief of staff, Chris Philp, said by email that Smith had meant to tell the delegates that \"one-third of federal sentences go to illegal immigrants, not that one-third of federal prisoners are illegal immigrants.\"","But what about Mielke\u2019s main point -- that nearly 30 percent of the federal inmates should never have been in the country in the first place?"]},{"id":"8210.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every year, more than $40 million are leaving Missouri for the Lone Star State.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Perry is partially accurate. According to the data provided by Travis H. Brown, there has been a net shift of over $40 million from Missouri to Texas in some years between 1992 and 2010. However, it's important to note that this net shift exceeded $40 million in 11 out of 17 years, not every year as stated by Perry. Additionally, when adjusted for inflation, the average annual difference is around $50 million, which is slightly higher than the unadjusted figure mentioned by Perry. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it is not entirely accurate to claim that over $40 million leaves Missouri for Texas every single year.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Education sounds like a fairly basic government service or a \"core function.\" Did Scott call education not a \"core function\" of the state?","When Scott called for selling the state airplane in February 2011, he said: \"Burdening taxpayers with these ongoing expenses is irresponsible and not a core function for government to meet the state's critical needs.\" (Scott earned a Promise Kept on PolitiFact Florida\u2019s Scott-O-Meter which keeps track of his promises.)","The Democrats point to Scott\u2019s 2011 comments about his budget proposal that included massive and wide-ranging cuts -- including to education. Scott called for focusing on \"core functions\" of the state.","\"He didn\u2019t side with students and parents when Rick Scott cut education funding by over a billion dollars,\" the narrator says in the ad, which began airing in the Tampa, West Palm Beach and Orlando markets in early July. \"Working and middle-class families? Nope. Not on their side when Scott\u2019s cuts forced tuition increases at 11 Florida universities. Why would he do it? Whose side was Rick Scott on? Scott cut education to pay for even more tax breaks for big, powerful, well-connected corporations. With his education cuts and tuition increases, Rick Scott\u2019s not on your side.\""]},{"id":"12185.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A college loan is the only loan in the United States that you cannot refinance when interest rates go down.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that borrowers of federally backed student loans, which make up a significant portion of student loans, cannot refinance those loans into lower-interest federal loans, it is possible for some borrowers to refinance their federal loans into lower-interest private loans. However, doing so may result in the loss of certain federal loan protections, such as fixed interest rates and the ability to pause repayments. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be noted that refinancing options exist for some borrowers, albeit with potential trade-offs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1192.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The House of Representatives has never passed a resolution of disapproval to condemn a member's behavior.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there have been instances where the House of Representatives passed resolutions of disapproval to condemn a member's behavior, they are relatively rare. The evidence provided acknowledges one such instance when the House passed a resolution disapproving of Rep. Joe Wilson's behavior during a speech. However, it is important to note that resolutions of disapproval are more commonly used to condemn foreign or executive branch actions rather than member behavior. So, while there have been exceptions, the statement generally holds true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a postlooking for political contributions, Kari Chisholm of Blue Oregon describes the race in House District 24 as follows: \"Susan Sokol Blosser (the Democrat) is one of the founders of Oregon's world-renowned wine industry where she\u2019s a leader on environmental sustainability. Her opponent, Rep. Jim Weidnerproposed a bill taking away health care for 80,000 of Oregon's children.\"","Forget taking candy away from children. Blue Oregon, a liberal political website, is accusing one Republican candidate of trying to take health care away from 80,000 of Oregon\u2019s youth.","So, it seems, Weidner does want to eliminate a tax that is being used to provide health care to children. We checked in with Weidner to see if he could explain his position. As it turns out, he\u2019s not so much against health care for children as he is against the 1 percent tax. He says the tax disproportionately hurts small businesses. Weidner sponsored the bill, he says, because he wanted to bring attention to this and other issues. \"I knew the bill wasn\u2019t going to go anywhere.\"","Jim Weidner worked in mills in vibration analysis and owns the restaurant, Lago de Chapala. He was elected to the Oregon House in 2008."]},{"id":"4655.json","label":"true","statement":"Says 24 million people in this country cant find a full-time job, 50 million cant see a doctor when theyre sick, 47 million people need government help to feed themselves and 15 million families owe more than the value of their home.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the numbers provided in the evidence. It states that 24 million people in the country can't find a full-time job, which aligns with the evidence that suggests around 20 million people of working age are not in college and not working. It also mentions that 50 million people can't see a doctor when they're sick, which is consistent with the evidence that indicates a lack of access to healthcare. Additionally, it states that 47 million people need government help to feed themselves, which corresponds to the evidence that highlights the number of Americans relying on government assistance programs. Lastly, it mentions that 15 million families owe more than the value of their home, which is supported by the evidence provided. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11215.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The policy mistakes that ... the Clintons made got us, in large degree, to the situation that we are in today with mass incarceration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that policy mistakes made by the Clintons, including the 1994 crime bill, contributed to the situation of mass incarceration in the United States, it would be an oversimplification to attribute the entire issue solely to their policies. The trend towards mass incarceration began earlier, and many states had already enacted harsher laws before the 1994 crime bill. Therefore, while the Clintons' policies played a role, other factors and policies also contributed to the current situation of mass incarceration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10796.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he raised average family income by 50 percent during his tenure as Arkansas governor.","reason":"Reason: While Mike Huckabee claimed to have raised average family income by 50 percent during his tenure as Arkansas governor, the evidence shows that this claim is not entirely accurate. When accounting for inflation, the actual increase in income in Arkansas was 20 percent, which is significantly lower than the stated 50 percent. Additionally, it is challenging to attribute the increase solely to Huckabee's actions, as there are various factors that contribute to changes in average family income. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context to provide an accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2925.json","label":"half-true","statement":"They tried to give us $400 million to build a high-speed train that goes 39 miles an hour.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Kasich's claim that the federal government offered $400 million for the development of high-speed rail service in Ohio. However, the claim that the proposed train would only travel at 39 miles per hour is misleading. While Kasich made a sarcastic remark suggesting that the train would be too slow to be desirable, it does not accurately represent the actual speed of the proposed train. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Rana Foroohar said on CNN that, \u201cThe median male worker in this country has not seen a raise, inflation adjusted, for 30 years, basically.\u201d !Rana Foroohar said on CNN that, \u201cThe median male worker in this country has not seen a raise, inflation adjusted, for 30 years, basically.\u201d","Rana Foroohar said on CNN that, \u201cThe median male worker in this country has not seen a raise, inflation adjusted, for 30 years, basically.\u201d","\"You know, I have to jump in on this because we are living in a time when the corporate share of the overall economic pie is as high as it has been in decades,\" Foroohar said. \"Meanwhile, the median male worker in this country has not seen a raise, inflation-adjusted, for 30 years, basically.\"","So from 1982 to 2012, there was actually an inflation-adjusted raise of $1,246. But that\u2019s more because Foroohar is looking at two years in isolation."]},{"id":"2903.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the CBO estimates that fully extending the Bush tax cuts would add 600,000-1.4 million jobs in 2011 and 900,000-2.7 million jobs in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimates provided by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the potential job creation associated with fully extending the Bush tax cuts. The CBO did indeed estimate that such an extension would add between 600,000 and 1.4 million jobs in 2011 and between 900,000 and 2.7 million jobs in 2012. However, it's important to note that these estimates are based on specific assumptions and economic models, and there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of tax cuts in stimulating job growth. Additionally, the statement lacks the context that there are alternative proposals with different job creation estimates. Therefore, while the statement is based on accurate information, it could benefit from additional context and consideration of alternative viewpoints.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Democratic National Committee, Tom Barrett has Held the Line on Property Taxes, e-mailed to PolitiFact Wisconsin, Aug. 17, 2010. Follow up interview, Democratic National Committee regional press secretary Derrick Plummer","\"Under his watch, this city has held the line on property taxes, it\u2019s expanded opportunity, it\u2019s put more cops on the street and reduced crime as a result.\"","\"Held the line,\" of course, may mean one thing in the eye of the holder and another in the eye of the be holder, so let\u2019s take a look.","!Mayor of Milwaukee Tom Barrett speaks at a press conference at City Hall on Friday, August 2, 2019 (photo by Colin Boyle\/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) !Mayor of Milwaukee Tom Barrett speaks at a press conference at City Hall on Friday, August 2, 2019 (photo by Colin Boyle\/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)"]},{"id":"3615.json","label":"half-true","statement":"According to David Cay Johnston, the average American pays about 22 percent of their income to federal taxes. The richest 400 Americans pay about 16 percent of their income to federal taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by David Cay Johnston, stating that the average American pays about 22 percent of their income to federal taxes, while the richest 400 Americans pay about 16 percent of their income to federal taxes. However, it's important to note that this comparison only focuses on federal taxes and does not consider other forms of taxation, such as state and local taxes or payroll taxes. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of federal taxes, it does not provide a comprehensive view of the overall tax burden faced by individuals or the wealthiest Americans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9838.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 1952, the corporate income tax accounted for 33 percent of all federal tax revenue. Today, despite record-breaking profits, corporate taxes bring in less than 9 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sanders that in 1952, the corporate income tax accounted for 33 percent of all federal tax revenue, while today it brings in less than 9 percent. The evidence provided confirms that corporate taxes accounted for around 10 percent in 2013, which is slightly higher than the specific figure mentioned by Sanders but still supports the overall claim. This demonstrates a significant decrease in the proportion of federal tax revenue generated from corporate taxes over time, despite the record-breaking profits of corporations. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Unlike the gridlock in Washington, more than 80 percent of the bills we passed during this General Assembly had bipartisan support,\" Niehaus said in the online video, which was shared with reporters on Jan. 3.","Niehaus\u2019 claim was that more than 80 percent of the bills the Senate passed had bipartisan support. The actual numbers showed about 79 percent had bipartisan support. But while Niehaus didn\u2019t hit the number on the nose, the driving point behind his claim certainly is accurate.","Niehaus spokeswoman Angela Meleca cited 191 of the 241 bills the Senate passed in the last two years that had bipartisan support. According to Meleca\u2019s figures, the bills with bipartisan support represent just over 79 percent of the total bills passed.","Bills were considered to have bipartisan support if the majority of Senate Democrats supported the legislation, Keeran said. With 10 Democratic senators, that means bills must have received at least six Democratic votes to be considered bipartisan."]},{"id":"7887.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says two-thirds of groups targeted for IRS scrutiny were not conservative.","reason":"Reason: The claim that two-thirds of the groups targeted for IRS scrutiny were not conservative is not supported by credible evidence. The source cited, Progress Texas, has made this claim multiple times, but it has not provided any verifiable data or evidence to support this assertion. The IRS targeting scandal primarily focused on conservative groups, and there is no reliable information to suggest that a majority of the targeted groups were not conservative. This claim is baseless and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Now Josh is lying about his own record,\" the ad says. \"The rating of Ohio's investment fund has NOT improved.\" The capital letters for emphasis are in the on-screen text of the words.","More importantly, though, the ad targets Mandel\u2019s character, questioning his truthfulness, and makes the claim that he \"is lying about his own record. The rating of Ohio's investment fund has NOT improved.\"","Ohio's investment fund has not improved under Mandel. And a natural reading of that claim is that Mandel at some point claimed it had improved.","While the claims put the best possible spin on Mandel's performance, they do not qualify as \"lying about his record.\" In that regard, the suggestion from the ad that he said the rating increased is just deceptive and incorrect."]},{"id":"11407.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In the class of 1968 at Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow, Mahmoud Abbas was one of the members of that class, and so was Ali Khamenei. And thats where they first established relationships with the young Vladimir Putin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Mahmoud Abbas and Ali Khamenei were members of the same class at Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow in 1968, or that they established relationships with Vladimir Putin during that time. This claim has been widely debunked and is considered false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A NextGen ad says Rick Scott took $200,000 from the Collier family who leased their land for oil drilling \"and now he is trying to hide from it.\"","\"The Collier family, owners of the company that leased their land for oil exploration to the drillers that threatened drinking water for seven million Floridians. Rick Scott took $200,000 from them and now he is trying to hide from it. Sound familiar?\"","\"The Collier family, owners of the company that leased their land for oil exploration to the drillers that threatened drinking water for seven million Floridians,\" stated the narrator in the TV ad. \"Rick Scott took $200,000 from them and now he is trying to hide from it. Sound familiar?\"","The Republican responses were partially accurate, but also evasive. It\u2019s true that Hughes didn\u2019t donate to Scott, the response omitted that the Colliers -- the landowners who leased the land so Hughes could drill -- did donate to Scott. (You can read more of our analysis about whether Scott was trying to hide from the donations in our fact-check.)"]},{"id":"1616.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Last week the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE), led by Rick Perrys appointee, voted to remove Thomas Jefferson from social studies textbook standards. Thats right. Thomas Jefferson... was deleted from a list of historical figures who inspired political change.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE), under the leadership of Rick Perry's appointee, voted to remove Thomas Jefferson from social studies textbook standards. However, it is important to note that Thomas Jefferson was not completely removed from the curriculum but rather from a specific list of historical figures who inspired political change. While this omission is concerning, it does not mean that Thomas Jefferson's contributions and significance as a Founding Father and advocate for democratic government are completely erased from the curriculum. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Still, Kasich is looking for more relief salary relief, especially now that the E-Z Pass system is in place. Also, lowering the turnpike commission's spending could make leasing it a more attractive deal. Kasich has said that he wants at least $3 billion for the turnpike, though he has not said how many years his ideal turnpike lease would cover.","As it turns out, many toll collectors make big money from overtime work. Some tack on upwards of 30 percent of the base salary in overtime pay, according to the Ohio Turnpike Commission's 2010 ending year salaries.","Says that his transportation budget and Ohio Turnpike plan \"would make sure we have lower tolls than we\u2019ve had through the history of the turnpike.\"","The rail plan Kasich says prefers -- one to get Ohio\u2019s economy moving forward -- is to get more freight trains to ship goods made in Ohio to out-of-state places. He calls the passenger train a \"money pit\" because it is estimated it will cost the state about $17 million annually to maintain and operate it, with no guarantee enough Ohioans will buy tickets to eat up those expenses."]},{"id":"12265.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As a U.S. senator with salary and perks, \u202a#Bernie\u202c is in the top 1 percent, but still paid only 13 percent in taxes last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it implies that Bernie Sanders, as a U.S. senator, is part of the top 1 percent of income earners. While it is true that Sanders has a salary and benefits as a senator, it does not automatically place him in the top 1 percent. The claim that he paid only 13 percent in taxes is accurate, but it fails to provide the necessary context. Sanders paid what was expected of him under the current tax laws, and it is important to note that tax rates are progressive, meaning they increase as income levels rise. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context to fully understand Sanders' tax situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8147.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that while Foster was mayor, Rick Kriseman was ineffective in the Florida House of Representatives because there was no legislation that passed the House that had (Krisemans) name on it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Foster that no legislation passed the Florida House of Representatives with Kriseman's name on it during his tenure. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of a legislator cannot be solely determined by the number of bills with their name on it. The ability to pass legislation can be influenced by various factors, including the political dynamics within the legislature and the role of a legislator within their party. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the lack of bills with Kriseman's name, it oversimplifies the evaluation of Kriseman's effectiveness as a legislator.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 McConnell defended himself from charges of obstruction during a July interview on Meet the Press. \"The president has had 1,540 of his nominations confirmed, only four defeated.\"","But before the return to relative civility, McConnell had been on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press where he argued that the president had done pretty well for himself. \"What is the problem here?\" McConnell asked. \"The president has had 1,540 of his nominations confirmed, only four defeated.\"","\"What is the problem here? The president has had 1,540 of his nominations confirmed, only four defeated. He\u2019s not lost a single member of the cabinet. He\u2019s getting them faster than President Bush was at the same time in his second term,\" McConnell said.","McConnell said Obama faced no real problems getting his nominees confirmed by the Senate, saying that only four of 1,540 nominations had been defeated. His office later said he misspoke and the number should have been 1,560."]},{"id":"3625.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas routinely gets a lot more federal spending than it pays in taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, Texas does receive more federal spending than it pays in taxes. The analysis shows that in 2005, Texans paid around $147 billion in federal taxes while the state received approximately $149 billion in federal spending. This pattern is not unique to Texas, as 33 other states also received more money back than their residents paid in taxes. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the evidence that Texas routinely receives a significant amount of federal spending compared to its tax contributions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It is unacceptable that U.S. taxpayers are being forced to fund Feisal Abdul Rauf's trip to the Middle East,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \"Abdul Rauf has cast blame for 9\/11 on the U.S., and even refuses to call Hamas what it is \u2014 a Foreign Terrorist Organization. This radical is a terrible choice to be one of the faces of our country overseas. The U.S. should be using public diplomacy programs to combat extremism, not endorse it. The State Department's selection of Feisal Abdul Rauf to represent the American people through this program further calls into question the Administration's policy and funding priorities.\u201d","At an Aug. 10 State Department briefing, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley confirmed that \"Imam Feisal will be traveling to Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE on a U.S. government-sponsored trip to the Middle East.\u201d \"He will discuss Muslim life in America and religious tolerance,\u201d Crowley said.","\"We want to provide a counter momentum against extremism,\u201d said Daisy Khan, wife of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who would lead the mosque, in a Newsweek interview. \"We want peace, and we want it where it matters most. This is where it matters most.\u201d","So, had the House Democrats been successful with their measure, and undid the new policy, would it mean U.S. aid money could then go to fund abortions?"]},{"id":"3433.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says it has offered $12 million in savings through 2011 and $184 million in savings over the next 25 years in contract negotiations with the City of Milwaukee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by the Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) regarding the savings they offered in contract negotiations with the City of Milwaukee. The MPA stated that their concessions would save taxpayers $12 million through 2011 and $184 million over the next 25 years. However, it's important to note that these savings are contingent on specific conditions, such as changes in training pay and pensions for new hires. Additionally, the proposed pay freeze for current employees would not directly save the city any money. Therefore, while the MPA's claims of savings are based on their proposed concessions, the actual impact on the city's finances may be more nuanced than the statement suggests.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"One example of that is when he sent unarmed and untrained corrections officers down to the lakefront and out to our park-and-rides to patrol, last summer,\" Moews said. \"A lawsuit was filed and the taxpayers had to write a check for $370,000 because of that single, poor management decision by the sheriff.\"","The union filed and won two complaints regarding the move to corrections officers, and county taxpayers paid $370,000 to settle one of them.","Milwaukee County Sheriff\u2019s candidate Chris Moews claims incumbent Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. compromised public safety and cost taxpayers $370,000 in a single decision.","While the sheriff\u2019s use of corrections officers cost taxpayers $370,000, Moews conflated two complaints that the deputies\u2019 union brought against Clarke."]},{"id":"6597.json","label":"false","statement":"Clackamas County Commissioners approved a re-negotiated agreement to lower the countys contribution to TriMets Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project to $19.9 million from $25 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly states that the Clackamas County Commissioners did not approve a re-negotiated agreement to lower the county's contribution to the TriMet's Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project from $25 million to $19.9 million. The evidence indicates that the county's contribution remained at $25 million, and there was no approval for a reduced amount.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Let\u2019s just get all the information out there so that the rumors and the hypotheticals can be put to rest. And again, we\u2019re hearing a lot of criticism now from former Justice Department officials, from former Clinton administration, former Bush administration, pointing out this is unprecedented,\" Mook said Oct. 30 on Meet the Press. \"There are Justice Department policies against doing something like this so close to an election.\"","Stone was later found guilty of witness tampering and lying to Congress in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller\u2019s investigation into possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. But he\u2019s not the only Republican who has criticized both Brennan and former FBI director James Comey for the inquiry.","Hillary Clinton\u2019s campaign manager criticized FBI Director James Comey for sending a bombshell letter to Congress that the bureau is looking to examine new evidence relevant to Clinton\u2019s email case.","Washington Post, \"Justice officials warned FBI that Comey\u2019s decision to update Congress was not consistent with department policy,\" Oct. 29, 2016"]},{"id":"7571.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas has 11 different felonies you can commit with an oyster.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the analysis of oyster-related offenses in Texas law, there are indeed 11 distinct felonies that can be committed in relation to oysters. These offenses range from theft of oysters to various violations of oyster regulations. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6449.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama administration is unwinding our nations welfare-to-work requirements.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were discussions about allowing state waivers from welfare work requirements, it is important to note that the Obama administration did not \"unwind\" or eliminate the nation's welfare-to-work requirements. The administration stated that it would consider proposals from states to find more effective ways of getting welfare recipients into employment. However, the claim that the Obama administration completely unraveled the welfare-to-work requirements is not supported by credible evidence and has been debunked by fact-checkers.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3443.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The GOP budget plan would cut nearly a million jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the GOP budget plan would cut nearly a million jobs. While it is true that U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins mentioned cutting 3,000 jobs from the EPA, there is no direct evidence or information provided that supports the claim of nearly a million job cuts in the GOP budget plan. Without additional evidence or context, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - Mark Strama says Rush Limbaugh made it clear he\u2019d rather see the country fail than President Barack Obama succeed&url=)","\"That\u2019s why you have Rush Limbaugh making it clear he would rather see the country fail than this president succeed,\" Strama said.","Limbaugh said at the CPAC meeting: \"What is so strange about being honest about saying I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to restructure and reform this country so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation? Why would I want that to succeed?\"","Limbaugh has been clear about hoping Obama and his policies fail. Far as we can tell, though, he has not said he would prefer that the country fails, though Strama openly infers as much."]},{"id":"10252.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are more people living in this country who were not born here than at anytime in the history of the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that there has been an increase in the number of non-native-born individuals living in the United States, it is important to note that this claim refers to a specific period in history, rather than the entirety of the country's history. The evidence suggests that the increase in non-native-born individuals living in the country has been a gradual trend over the past several decades. Therefore, while the statement captures a significant demographic shift, it is not accurate to claim that it represents the highest number of non-native-born individuals at any point in the country's entire history.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11291.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As many as six federal department budget bills have been delayed because of opposition to amendments that would ban Confederate battle flag sales at federal building gift shops.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Lloyd Doggett that up to six federal department budget bills had been delayed due to opposition to amendments banning Confederate battle flag sales at federal building gift shops. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, including Doggett's statement at a Chamber of Commerce gathering and the response from his spokesperson. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific details about which budget bills were delayed or the extent of the opposition. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it lacks some specific context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5110.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Shes voted for 60 tax increases, hurting the middle class and small businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that the individual in question has voted for 60 tax increases is false. Upon fact-checking, it was found that the actual number of tax bills voted on by the individual was significantly lower, around 14 to 16, depending on the inclusion of certain related votes. Therefore, the claim of 60 tax increases is greatly exaggerated and misleading. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["Under the word \"cut\" in capital letters, one side of the leaflet says: \"Under Rick Perry, Texas has CUT funding for public schools by 25%,\" a conclusion attributed to PolitiFact.","Gov. Rick Perry says in 2003, Texas cut $10 billion from the budget yet increased spending for public education and health and human services","( - Gov. Rick Perry says in 2003, Texas cut $10 billion from the budget yet increased spending for public education and health and human services&url=)","Fix Austin Schools, a group advocating voter approval of four bond propositions benefiting the Austin school district, slammed Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s \"education plan\" in a leaflet fielded by local voters in early May 2013."]},{"id":"6147.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Now, in the House of Representatives, we have 40 different jobs bills that have passed and almost all of them have been bipartisan.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the House of Representatives passed more than 40 bills that were considered jobs legislation, the claim that \"almost all of them have been bipartisan\" is not entirely accurate. The level of bipartisanship depends on the definition used, and the evidence suggests that not all of the bills had significant bipartisan support. While some bills may have garnered support from members of both parties, it is misleading to claim that \"almost all\" of them were truly bipartisan. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The main claim: Perdue wants to abolish the federal Department of Education, which would jeopardize $1 billion for Georgia public schools already struggling with tight budgets.","\"That would devastate Georgia schools,\" the ad narrator says. \"A billion dollars cut from K through 12. Eliminate all federal student loans.\"","There is even more money in the two federal loan programs set up by the Higher Education Act of 1965 \u2013 with Georgians receiving about $2.9 billion in federal direct student loans, records show.","Rick Hess, director of education policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, said he doesn\u2019t believe the next Congress will have the majority votes needed to abolish the U.S. Department of Education or the funding it provides for student loans and other programs."]},{"id":"10548.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas said: Hey, all you wrinkly, white-aged has-beens: Its time for you to die and let the next generation have your spot on the planet.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas made the statement, \"Hey, all you wrinkly, white-aged has-beens: It's time for you to die and let the next generation have your spot on the planet.\" The only references found are in Facebook memes and web posts that lack credibility and are not attributed to any verifiable sources. This statement is false and should be considered as a fabrication.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3110.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Republican (small business tax cut) bill spends $80 million for better Google searches, not job creation","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that the Republican-sponsored small business tax cut bill in question has an estimated impact of $79.2 million over two years, it is incorrect to claim that the bill specifically spends $80 million for better Google searches. The bill aims to reduce state revenue by nearly $80 million, but the intention is to provide tax cuts to small businesses rather than allocating funds for improving Google searches. Therefore, the claim that the bill spends $80 million for better Google searches is misleading and does not accurately represent the purpose of the legislation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Blair said the data isn\u2019t specific enough to break down whether police officers who used force to stop an attack were already stationed there at the time \u2014 as a school resource officer likely would be \u2014 or were called in specifically to respond to the incident.","Many households have undergraduate debt even though someone in the household also has a graduate degree. It doesn\u2019t mean that all the debt held was spent on graduate school.","\"Assuming that all student loans in a household are graduate school debt if anybody in the household has a graduate degree significantly overstates the amount of graduate school debt,\" Mark Kantrowitz, a student loan expert, told PolitiFact.","An undergraduate student, on average, borrows less money than their graduate school counterparts \u2014 but the pool of people seeking a graduate education is far smaller."]},{"id":"12754.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"America is one of the highest-taxed nations in the world.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States has a relatively high corporate tax rate compared to some other industrialized nations, the statement that America is one of the highest-taxed nations in the world is an exaggeration. When considering overall taxation as a percentage of GDP, the United States ranks 27th out of 30 countries in the OECD, with taxation accounting for 26 percent of GDP. Several countries, including Denmark, France, Belgium, Finland, and Italy, have higher tax rates as a percentage of GDP. Therefore, while the United States may have a high corporate tax rate, it does not have one of the highest overall tax burdens in the world.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9853.json","label":"false","statement":"If black America were a country, itd be the 15th wealthiest nation in the world.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that if black America were considered as a separate entity, it would have a significant economic standing, the statement that it would be the 15th wealthiest nation in the world is false. The comparison made by Elder is based on the GDP of black America, which is not an accurate representation of wealth. GDP measures the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders, not the wealth or income of its population. Wealth is determined by various factors, including personal assets, income distribution, and quality of life, which cannot be accurately equated to GDP alone. Therefore, the claim that black America would be the 15th wealthiest nation in the world is misleading and incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Is Rubio for an open border? In a word, no. An open border allows people to travel freely or with very few restrictions between two countries. Rubio wasn\u2019t for an open border in 2013, nor does he support it this year while running for president.","An open border allows people to travel freely or with very few restrictions between two countries. Rubio doesn\u2019t support anything like that. He was one of the authors of a 2013 bill that included billions for border security and more border agents. After that bill died in the House, Rubio has repeatedly said that the border must be secured before the Senate can revisit changing immigration laws. The idea that Rubio supports an open border is inaccurate and ridiculous, so we rate Paul\u2019s statement Pants on Fire.","Additionally, we don\u2019t know exactly what percentage of people successfully cross the border, nor how many successful drug running missions there are each year, etc. We can measure how many are caught in the act, but that\u2019s only one part of the equation. So when Rubio says the border is \"completely insecure,\" that\u2019s not really grounded in any set metric.","U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has been a target of some of his fellow GOP presidential candidates for his leadership on trying to change immigration laws in 2013."]},{"id":"10931.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Republicans took over after the 2010 election, the graduation rate in Wisconsin has gone from 86 percent to 88 percent. The black graduation rate has gone from 60 percent to 65 percent. The Latino graduation rate has gone from 65 percent to 71 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the increase in the overall graduation rate in Wisconsin since Republicans took over after the 2010 election. The graduation rate has indeed risen from 86 percent to 88 percent. However, while the statement correctly states the increase in the black graduation rate from 60 percent to 65 percent, it inaccurately claims that the Latino graduation rate has increased from 65 percent to 71 percent. In reality, the Latino graduation rate remained unchanged during that period. Therefore, the statement is partially true but contains an incorrect claim regarding the Latino graduation rate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4413.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Rick Perry became governor, Texas has gone from 46th in the country to 50th in the population that graduates from high school.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, Texas has seen a decline in its high school graduation rate during Rick Perry's tenure as governor. However, the statement incorrectly states that Texas has gone from 46th to 50th in the country in terms of high school graduation rates. The evidence does not support this specific ranking. It is important to note that while Texas has experienced a decline in its graduation rate, the exact ranking among other states may vary depending on the specific data and time period considered. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a separate fact-check, we looked at the claim that Braley \"voted to cut $700 billion from Medicare to support Obamacare.\" Here, we\u2019ll look at the claim that cuts to Medicare affect people who have already \"paid in. We paid for it.\"","Institute researchers figured out what people turning 65 in various years have already \"paid in\" to the system and what they can expect to \"take out\" after they reach age 65. Because marital status and family income can significantly affect both the amount paid in and the amount paid out, the institute offers calculations for various types of family units.","\"Bruce Braley voted to cut $700 billion from Medicare to support Obamacare,\" Blake says. \"That\u2019s just not fair. We paid in. We paid for it. That should be there for us.\"","While Americans have indeed \"paid in\" to Medicare, the amount that today\u2019s beneficiaries have paid in only covers a fraction of their expected costs. The taxes paid by today\u2019s typical beneficiaries will cover just 13 percent to 41 percent of what those beneficiaries can expect to get from Medicare during their lifetime. The rest of what has been \"paid in\" for their care has come from younger Americans."]},{"id":"10691.json","label":"true","statement":"Lawmakers were paid for their off-season efforts to, for the first time, take the lead in drawing borders for two would-be cities.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. It suggests that lawmakers were compensated for their efforts during the off-season to draw boundaries for two potential cities. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific statement, but it does not contradict it either. Therefore, based on the information provided, it can be concluded that lawmakers were indeed paid for their off-season efforts to participate in the process of drawing borders for the two potential cities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We should look at the fact that my opponent\u2026 Mr. Alameel... is giving thousands of dollars to support the... Republican Party candidates such as... John Cornyn and John Abbott himself,\" Rogers replied, shortly agreeing that she meant Greg Abbott, the state attorney general and 2014 Republican gubernatorial nominee.","Kesha Rogers of Houston described her foe in a May 27, 2014, runoff for the state's Democratic U.S. Senate nomination as a current donor to Republicans including that party\u2019s nominee, second-term Sen. John Cornyn.","Alameel donated some $5 million to political committees including individual Republicans and Democratic candidates from 1989 on, and his donations included aid to campaigns for Cornyn and Abbott. However, records do not show any donations to Republicans after 2008.","News blog posts, Trailblazers blog, Dallas Morning News, \"David Alameel, wealthy Dallas dentist, enters Senate fray vs. John Cornyn,\" Dec. 2, 2013; \"Cornyn rejects Alameel\u2019s refund plea, thanks Dem Senate hopeful for advancing conservative agenda,\" Jan. 30, 2014"]},{"id":"9969.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Greg Abbott and his surrogates have referred to women who have been the victims of rape or incest as though somehow what they are confronting is a minor issue.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Greg Abbott or his surrogates referred to women who have been victims of rape or incest as if their experiences were minor issues. The statement made by Wendy Davis is inaccurate and misleading. Multiple sources have clarified that the Republican consultant mentioned in the evidence was discussing the frequency of abortions after incidents of rape or incest, not downplaying the seriousness of these crimes. No other evidence or statements have been found to support Davis' claim. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9784.json","label":"true","statement":"On offshore drilling for energy","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that there is a discrepancy between Senator Mark Warner's professed support for offshore drilling and his voting record. The voting record indicates that Warner has voted against a bill that would have allowed oil drilling beyond shores. This demonstrates a contradiction between his stated support and his actions. Therefore, the statement is true based on the provided evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This is a hell of an opportunity for eastern Ohio to sell natural gas to Eastern Europe and knock Vladimir Putin\u2019s legs out from under him,\" Ryan said. \"This needs to be a key part of our global strategy, and it\u2019s about jobs, you know, good family wages here, good union jobs here in eastern Ohio. And I\u2019m all for it and I\u2019ll do anything I can to help with this project and any other project we can establish here.\"","What\u2019s the difference? The field office deals with people who showed up at an official port of entry in an attempt to legally enter and were turned away. Meanwhile, Border Patrol data includes people who attempted to enter the country without going through the legal process.","It\u2019s true that Biden has halted construction of the wall along the southern border. However, it\u2019s wrong to suggest that further construction would have made a difference. As PolitiFact has previously reported, former President Donald Trump replaced roughly 200 miles of existing border fencing over four years but erected only a few miles of new border wall.","Ryan has also spoken favorably about fracking during his Senate campaign. In April 2022, Ryan praised the local natural gas extraction economy in eastern Ohio, which fracking enabled."]},{"id":"9835.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under a proposed medical marijuana amendment in Florida, you dont get refills -- you get it forever.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that under the proposed medical marijuana amendment in Florida, patients would have unlimited access to cannabis without any limitations or regulations. However, the evidence indicates that while the amendment does not explicitly address limitations on refills or the duration of a patient's access to medical marijuana, it is premature to assume that there would be no regulations in place. Other states with similar medical marijuana programs have implemented rules to limit the quantity, frequency, and duration of access to the drug. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the potential implications of the proposed amendment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1340.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A data-storing microchip \"would be implanted in the majority of people who opt to become covered by the public health care option.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that a data-storing microchip would be implanted in the majority of people who opt for the public health care option is entirely false. There is no provision or evidence in any healthcare bill that supports such a claim. The chain email that circulates this misinformation has been widely debunked. It is important to rely on credible sources and factual information when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["On the opposite end, only 16 percent of 3,156 units in the \"Central Pearl\" are open to households in the three lower income brackets. In fact, more than 70 percent of homes in the Pearl are for households at 120 percent or more of median income. So it\u2019s as we suspected. The Pearl caters to the wealthy!","\"In Portland, urban renewal-based investments in roads, parks, sidewalks and streetcars spurred $3 billion of investment in private projects that repaired dilapidated buildings and created new ones on vacant and underutilized land in the Pearl District. Today, the Pearl supports thousands of homes -- 20 percent affordable -- and many new middle-class jobs.\"","But in PolitiFact Oregon's humble opinion, we think it's fair to include Tanner Creek as part of the Pearl District because of its design layout, proximity and amenities. Dave Davis, president of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association, concurs that Tanner Creek is solidly within his group\u2019s boundaries. In fact, the residential Pearl District stretches from Burnside to the river, and Broadway to Interstate-405, according to a map.","But remember, these figures include Old Town\/Chinatown, a grittier neighborhood by the river that has long served the poor and homeless. In fact, much of the river district\u2019s low-income diversity comes from Old Town\/Chinatown, with 97 percent of 1,338 housing units open to people at 80 percent or less of median income."]},{"id":"6674.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Georgia will send more state money per child to state charter schools and that budget cuts are not applied to those charter schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, state-approved charter schools in Georgia will receive more money per pupil compared to traditional public schools under the proposed amendment. However, it is important to note that the claim about budget cuts not being applied to charter schools is incorrect. The evidence states that state-approved charter schools are not exempt from austerity cuts. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is accurate, the second part is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9896.json","label":"false","statement":"Jorge Elorza wants to impose a municipal income tax.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that while there were claims made by Buddy Cianci that Jorge Elorza wants to impose a municipal income tax, there is no direct statement or proposal from Elorza himself supporting or advocating for such a tax. In fact, the evidence suggests that Elorza supports the idea of using a municipal income tax to replace other taxes, but he does not explicitly state that he wants to impose it. Therefore, the statement that Jorge Elorza wants to impose a municipal income tax is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10879.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Supreme Court cant overrule the other two branchesof government.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the Supreme Court has the power to invalidate laws passed by Congress and signed by the President through the process of judicial review, it does not mean that the Court can completely overrule the other two branches of government. The Supreme Court's role is to interpret the Constitution and ensure that laws are consistent with it. However, the other branches of government also have their own powers and checks and balances in place to prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant. So, while the Supreme Court has the authority to declare laws unconstitutional, it does not have the power to unilaterally overrule the other branches.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I think it would be very difficult to isolate the effect of Right-to-Work in economic growth as opposed to more favorable business climate more generally,\" he wrote. \"There is evidence that firm productivity is stronger and that entrepreneurial activity is more robust in states with Right-to-Work laws, but this may be due to a range of pro-business policies.\"","And it rated True a claim from then-Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich that \"The right-to-work states are creating a lot more jobs today than the heavily unionized states.\"","Earlier fact checks and experts say the evidence is mixed and there may not be a direct causal relationship between Right to Work laws and employment growth.","Right-to-work laws, in place in 24 states, bar businesses and unions from reaching labor deals that require workers to pay union fees. Generally speaking, we have found there is some evidence of economic advantage in right to work states. But evidence is lacking that right to work, rather than other factors, is the cause."]},{"id":"3393.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Roughly 25% of RI has a criminal record","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that roughly 25% of Rhode Islanders have a criminal record is not accurate. The source cited in the evidence suggests that the actual percentage is much lower, estimated to be around 4 or 5 percent. The claim of 25% is based on an online petition by an organization called DARE, but their estimation is not supported by reliable data or official sources. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9382.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Nathan Deal cut the HOPE scholarship program so that literally 100,000 Georgians will not be able to go to college or get technical training that they so badly needed to raise -- you know, give them a chance at a good job.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Nathan Deal made changes to the HOPE scholarship program in Georgia, the statement exaggerates the impact of those changes. The claim that \"literally 100,000 Georgians will not be able to go to college or get technical training\" is an overstatement. The changes made to the program did result in some reductions in scholarship awards, but it did not completely prevent 100,000 individuals from accessing higher education or technical training. The actual impact on the number of students affected by the changes is not specified in the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to support the claim of 100,000 individuals being unable to pursue education or training.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump said Clinton said the Veterans Affairs scandal is \"over-exaggerated,\" and, \"She said she was satisfied with what was going on.\"","Trump doubled down: \"Look, I mean, she made up half of the things she said about me. I'm telling you, this is -- she said she was satisfied with what was going on in the Veterans Administration.","\"And by the way, Hillary Clinton six months ago said the vets are being treated essentially just fine, there's no real problem, it's over-exaggerated,\" Trump said. \"She did say that.\"","\"You know, I don\u2019t understand why we have such a problem, because there have been a number of surveys of veterans, and overall, veterans who do get treated are satisfied with their treatment,\" Clinton said in the Oct. 23, 2015, interview. \"Now, nobody would believe that from the coverage that you see, and the constant berating of the VA that comes from the Republicans, in part in pursuit of this ideological agenda that they have.\""]},{"id":"173.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"As governor of Arkansas, I cut taxes and fees almost 100 times, saving the taxpayers almost $380-million. I left a surplus of nearly $850-million.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that as governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee implemented numerous tax cuts and fee reductions, resulting in a reduction of tax revenue by approximately $380 million. It is also true that he left a budget surplus of nearly $850 million. However, it's important to note that the surplus was not solely a result of the tax cuts. The surplus was primarily attributed to a combination of factors, including a conservative budget and a booming economy. Therefore, while Huckabee did contribute to the surplus through his fiscal policies, it would be an oversimplification to solely credit the surplus to his tax cuts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We have the Affordable Care Act. Let's make it work,\" Clinton said. \"We now have driven costs down to the lowest they've been in 50 years. Now we've got to get individual costs down. That's what I'm planning to do.\"","Health care costs are the lowest in 50 years? That's probably news to consumers who keep seeing their premiums and copays going up.","\"Health care price inflation is at its lowest rate in 50 years,\" he said in an email, adding that it is \"currently running at just 1 percent on a year-over-year basis, the lowest level since January 1962.\"","(mailto:?subject=Rep. Lee Claims Health Care Costs 'Down For The First Time in 50 Years'&body=Rep. Lee Claims Health Care Costs 'Down For The First Time in 50 Years'%0D%0DRead More: )"]},{"id":"6517.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I havent raised taxes in the time Ive been the governor of New Jersey.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Chris Christie did not raise the state's three biggest revenue-generating taxes (gross income, sales, and corporation business taxes), it is important to note that there were other tax-related actions during his tenure that could be considered as tax increases. For example, Christie reduced property tax relief funding, which indirectly led to higher property taxes for some residents. Additionally, fees and tolls were increased during his time as governor, which can be seen as a form of indirect taxation. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of specific taxes, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall tax situation during Christie's tenure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3204.json","label":"false","statement":"Massachusetts public schools teach kids as young as kindergartners about gay marriage.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Massachusetts public schools teach kindergartners about gay marriage is false. While there may be instances where discussions about same-sex relationships or different family structures occur in age-appropriate ways as part of broader discussions on diversity and inclusion, there is no formal curriculum that specifically teaches kindergartners about gay marriage. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has also clarified that the reading of a book or a few books on the topic does not constitute \"indoctrination.\" Therefore, the claim is not supported by evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Sen. Sherrod Brown admitted \"that his $787 billion stimulus law failed\" and \"after specifically attacking Republicans for wanting to lower Americans' taxes, (he) now claims that his stimulus bill 'didn't do enough' to lower taxes.\"","\"After specifically attacking Republicans for wanting to lower Americans' taxes, Brown now claims that his stimulus bill 'didn't do enough' to lower taxes,\" the NRSC\u2019s Chris Bond said.","The claim that the senator attacked Republicans for wanting to lower Americans\u2019 taxes has an element of truth to it, but an important fact that is missing is that his opposition dealt with extending the Bush tax cuts for the highest wage earners and had nothing to do with the stimulus package.","The claim that Brown said the stimulus bill didn't do enough to lower taxes also has an element of truth to it. Brown said tax cuts in the stimulus didn\u2019t get people to spend more, and weren\u2019t public enough to build public confidence in the economy."]},{"id":"88.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"I'm probably one of the four or five best-known Americans in the world.\"","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or polling data to support the claim that Rudy Giuliani is one of the \"four or five\" best-known Americans in the world. The statement appears to be an exaggeration or a delusion of grandeur on Giuliani's part. Without any substantial evidence to support such a claim, it can be categorized as false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In the 1950s, \"A lot of people got rich \u2014 and they had to pay a top tax rate of 90 percent.\"","In the 1950s, \"A lot of people got rich \u2014 and they had to pay a top tax rate of 90 percent,\" Moore says in the film.","Considering that the top marginal tax rate for the wealthiest Americans today is 35 percent, that figure seems astounding. But it's true that in the 1950s, the top marginal tax rates were over 90 percent.","Still, Moore's point is valid. The top marginal tax rates paid by the richest Americans were far higher in the 1950s than they are now. In 2009, the top marginal rate was 35 percent on income above $372,958. And although Moore didn't use the term \"marginal tax rate,\" he did say \"top tax rate.\" People without CPAs might mistake that for a person's average tax rate (it's not), but it's valid wording. And so we rule this one Mostly True."]},{"id":"9606.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We are accepting more legal immigrants than we ever have in the history (of the United States.)","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly accurate in terms of raw numbers, as the United States has indeed admitted a high number of legal immigrants in recent years, averaging over 1 million per year. However, it's important to note that this statement lacks context and nuance. When considering the population growth and the size of the country, the historical comparison becomes more complex. While the raw numbers may be higher in recent years, the rate of legal immigration relative to the population size may have been higher during certain periods in history. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical trends in legal immigration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Clinton said the Charleston shooter \"should have never have been given a gun, but the universal background check was not fast enough.\"","\"(Roof) should have never have been given a gun, but the universal background check was not fast enough,\" Clinton said Dec. 6. \"We should be able to approach both of these with some sense of, you know, unity about how we prevent terrorist attacks and how we prevent the wrong people from getting ahold of guns.\"","Under current federal law, the FBI performs background checks on would-be gun buyers in South Carolina and 29 other states through its National Instant Criminal Background Check System (the rest of the states do their own background checks). If the check isn\u2019t denied or completed in three days, the gun seller can proceed with the sale.","\"The follow-up investigation found that the FBI analyst doing the check was still in the process of tracking down the information on the case and hadn\u2019t given up because of the clerical error,\" Webster said."]},{"id":"8491.json","label":"true","statement":"Congress is bewildered at the scope and reach of our spying apparatus but in 2008 and 2012 explicitly rejected an amendment calling for more disclosure.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Congress, which is now bewildered by the extent of surveillance activities, did reject an amendment in both 2008 and 2012 that would have required more disclosure regarding surveillance. The evidence supports the claim that changes made in 2008 and 2012 gave intelligence agencies more leeway and that attempts to provide Congress with more details on intelligence activities through amendments were unsuccessful. This suggests that Congress had the opportunity to increase transparency and disclosure but chose not to do so.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a Democratic debate on Nov. 15, 2007, Bill Richardson had a startling way to support his view that the situation in Iraq is not improving: \"What I'm saying, also, is that look at this statistic \u2014 65 percent of the Iraqi people now say it's okay to shoot an American soldier.\"","It's not at all clear that the same number would have said it is acceptable if people had been asked, \"Is it okay to shoot an American soldier?\" So Richardson is at least casting the response in more dramatic terms than the question interviewers asked. At the same time, the poll clearly suggests that about half of the Iraqi people consider attacks on coalition forces \"acceptable.\"","\"The question,\" says Geer, \"is whether 'attacks on coalition forces' equates to 'shooting an American soldier,' which of course it doesn't. Possibly they'd be more likely to say it's acceptable, I don't know.\"","Sure enough, if you subtract the 354 Kurd responses from the 2,212 total, the math supports Richardson's 65 percent figure. This makes sense if you consider many Kurds would eventually like to have a state of their own. But removing the Kurds exaggerates the poll results and does not accurately reflect Richardson's statement, which referred only to \"the Iraqi people.\""]},{"id":"8910.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Six people in Florida die as a result of (not expanding Medicaid) every day.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that denying Medicaid expansion can have negative consequences for the health of individuals, including potential loss of life, it is challenging to attribute a specific number of deaths directly to the decision. The statement implies a direct causal relationship between the lack of Medicaid expansion and six deaths per day in Florida, which lacks concrete evidence. While experts agree that denying Medicaid can harm health outcomes, it is difficult to determine an exact number of deaths solely attributable to this factor. Therefore, the statement is partially true in acknowledging the potential negative impact but lacks sufficient evidence to support the specific number of deaths mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11244.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Gov. Maggie Hassans budget proposal raises taxes on small businesses and increases taxes and fees by $100 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Americans for Prosperity (AFP) that Gov. Maggie Hassan's budget proposal raises taxes on small businesses and increases taxes and fees by $100 million. However, it's important to note that the claim is not entirely accurate. While the budget proposal does include tax and fee increases, the $100 million figure is not solely attributed to tax changes but also includes fee increases. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that the $100 million includes both tax and fee increases.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Gov. Chris Christie\u2019s proposal to reduce state income taxes \"would be the second tax cut for the rich by the governor in two years.\"","Chris Christie\u2019s proposed income tax cuts blasted by Democratic senator as the \u201csecond tax cut for the rich by the governor in two years\"","During a Senate committee meeting about Christie\u2019s proposed income tax cut, Sarlo claimed: \"This would be the second tax cut for the rich by the governor in two years.\"","( - Chris Christie\u2019s proposed income tax cuts blasted by Democratic senator as the \u201csecond tax cut for the rich by the governor in two years\"&url=)"]},{"id":"8174.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Only in Washington would politicians spend $27 million to teach Moroccans how to make pottery.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that a program in Morocco received funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the claim that the entire $27 million was spent solely on teaching Moroccans how to make pottery is misleading. The pottery training was just a fraction of the overall economic development program, accounting for approximately 8 percent of the total cost. While some may argue that the $2.2 million allocated to pottery training is still a significant expense, it is not accurate to claim that the entire $27 million was solely dedicated to this purpose.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10141.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysRand Paulhas put out budgets to cut the military in half.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Rand Paul has advocated for reducing military spending, there is no evidence to support the claim that he has put forth budgets to cut the military in half. It is important to distinguish between advocating for reductions in military spending and proposing specific budgets that aim to cut the military in half. The evidence provided does not support the assertion made in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5803.json","label":"true","statement":"Says legislative cuts mean Texas is spending on average $500 less per student.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that legislative cuts in Texas have resulted in an average per-student funding reduction of at least $500. The nonpartisan Legislative Budget Board confirmed that Texas is indeed spending $500 less per student on average. Additionally, calculations and estimates from different sources also indicate reductions in per-student spending ranging from $595 to $428. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the impact of legislative cuts on public school funding in Texas.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"#AllenWestRecount - A Pct had - 7 registered voters in Guatemalan community and the tally showed 900 voted!!!!! - THIS IS NOT OFFICIAL YET - The commissioner has NOT announced ANYONE the winner or the numbers yet. They are STILL behind closed doors.\"","The Minority Report blog, \"Allen West recount update: 7 registered voters and 900 ballots cast voter fraud alert,\" Nov. 18, 2012","A Nov. 18 article in the Palm Beach Post paraphrased West campaign manager Tim Edson raising questions about St. Lucie\u2019s ballot counting. \"Among them: Preliminary totals showed 900 voters cast ballots in Precinct 93, where only seven voters are registered, Edson said.\" The claim that about 900 voters casting ballots in a precinct with only 7 voters went viral and was repeated on a CBS news website and on a West fan page on Facebook.","A Palm Beach Post article paraphrased West campaign manager Tim Edson saying that, \"Preliminary totals showed 900 voters cast ballots in Precinct 93, where only seven voters are registered.\" The same claim was picked up by people on Facebook."]},{"id":"12285.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We know that Saudi Arabia started al-Qaida.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Saudi Arabia started al-Qaida is not entirely accurate. While there have been allegations and evidence of individuals within Saudi Arabia providing support to extremist groups, including some members of al-Qaida, it is incorrect to claim that Saudi Arabia as a country or its government directly started al-Qaida. Al-Qaida was founded by Osama bin Laden, who was of Saudi Arabian origin, but it is not accurate to attribute the creation of al-Qaida solely to Saudi Arabia as a nation. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5970.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Williamson County Attorney Jana Duty has never prosecuted a single adult felony case.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Jana Duty, as the Williamson County Attorney, has not personally prosecuted any adult felony cases. Since her role as county attorney does not encompass the prosecution of adult felonies, it is accurate to say that she has not prosecuted a single adult felony case. However, it is important to note that this statement does not imply that she lacks experience or expertise in other areas of law. It specifically refers to her lack of experience in prosecuting adult felony cases.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Limbaugh said that \"one person, Kathleen Sebelius, was going to determine whether or not\" 10-year-old lung patient Sarah Murnaghan would live or die, essentially serving as a one-woman \"death panel.\"","( - Rush Limbaugh says HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was the \"one person\" to determine fate of 10-year-old lung patient Sarah Murnaghan&url=)","On his June 6 show, Limbaugh told listeners, \"Until the judge moved in, Kathleen Sebelius was the death panel. One person, Kathleen Sebelius, was going to determine whether or not (Murnaghan lived or died), and she said, \u2018Some people live. Some people die.\u2019 \u2026 All the while, the regime is denying, of course, that there were death panels and that Obamacare was not going to be doing this, and everybody knew that it was.\"","!Sarah Murnaghan, a 10-year-old from the Philadelphia area, is awaiting a lung transplant. A judge ruled that she could be placed on the adult lung transplant list, which is normally reserved for those 12 and over. !Sarah Murnaghan, a 10-year-old from the Philadelphia area, is awaiting a lung transplant. A judge ruled that she could be placed on the adult lung transplant list, which is normally reserved for those 12 and over."]},{"id":"9666.json","label":"false","statement":"The fundraising numbers are in, and our grassroots support is unmatched!","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the fundraising numbers indicate unmatched grassroots support. While the evidence provided discusses the advantages of peer-to-peer fundraising and the benefits of community support, it does not provide any specific data or evidence to support the claim of unmatched grassroots support. Without concrete numbers or comparisons to other fundraising efforts, it is not accurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["West wrote that he \"supports the rights of states to secure their border, such as in Arizona. Protecting US citizens must come first.\" For Klein he wrote: \"Repeatedly voted in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants, even as violence on our southern border is increasing rapidly.\"","In this Truth-O-Meter item, we will explore whether Klein repeatedly voted in favor of amnesty for illegal immigrants. Illegal immigration has become a hot topic nationwide including in Congressional District 22, which spans parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties in South Florida.","\"Congressman Klein's position has been consistent and clear: this is a nation of laws, and immigration laws that are on the books have to be fully enforced. For Allen West to accuse Congressman Klein of supporting amnesty for illegal immigrants is nothing more than an outright lie.\"","When West ran against Klein the first time in 2008, West made a similar claim about amnesty. Shortly before election day, West released a TV ad that criticized \"Klein for raising taxes, giving amnesty to illegal immigrants and taking millions from special interests,\" according to an Oct. 29, 2008, Broward Politics blog in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Klein campaign spokeswoman Melissa Silverman was quoted as saying \"This ad contains blatant falsehoods about Congressman Klein's long record of public service, and lacks any documentation or backup to support its claims. Among other outrageous claims, it includes the charge that Congressman Klein supports so-called 'amnesty' for illegal immigrants, which he has consistently and strongly opposed.\" The blog does not explain in detail what West was referring to; the blog's link to the ad was no longer active and we could not find the ad on YouTube."]},{"id":"4416.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Issue 2 makes it illegal for us to negotiate for enough firefighters to do the job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Issue 2 refers to a specific policy or legislation that makes it illegal to negotiate for a sufficient number of firefighters to adequately perform their job. However, without further context or specific evidence, it is difficult to provide more detailed information about the specific implications and provisions of Issue 2. It is important to note that the accuracy of the statement may vary depending on the specific details and circumstances of Issue 2.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3685.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says although the unemployment rate seems to be improving, it does not reflect real job creation -- its caused by a shrinking of the actual labor force.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the concern that the unemployment rate may not fully reflect the true state of job creation and labor force participation. The U-6 rate, which includes individuals working part-time for economic reasons and those marginally attached to the workforce, provides a more comprehensive measure of labor underutilization. Additionally, the evidence suggests that factors such as an increase in multiple job holders and longer work hours can accompany a strengthening labor market, but they do not necessarily indicate substantial job creation. While the statement is mostly true, it's important to note that the unemployment rate is still a widely used indicator, but it may not capture the full complexity of the job market.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3088.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Gov. Scott Walker hired convicted Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen to oversee a raid on the state employee retirement system to help balance the state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is categorically false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Governor Scott Walker hired convicted Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen to oversee a raid on the state employee retirement system for the purpose of balancing the state budget. This claim has been debunked and labeled as false by multiple sources. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Social media users have been sharing an image online that claims to show former President Barack Obama\u2019s student ID card while he was at Columbia University. It includes a photograph of him with the name \u201cBarry Soetoro\u201d and the words \u2018Foreign student\u2019 underneath in capital letters.","The viral image has made the rounds on social media repeatedly over the years, with this particular post being shared on Feb. 13. It purportedly shows the Columbia University student ID of Barry Soetoro listed as a \u201cforeign student.\u201d","Numerous rumors have been circulated over the years claiming that Barack Obama attended college in the United States as a foreign student and\/or under the name Barry Soetoro (the latter reflecting the surname of his Indonesian stepfather), evidence which would supposedly demonstrate that at some point in his life Barack Obama was not a U.S. citizen and is therefore ineligible to hold the office of President of the United States. An image displayed here of a purported 1981 Columbia University student ID card identifying Barack Obama as a \"foreign student\" named \"Barry Soetoro\" is yet another entry in this vein:","One post reads: \u201cWell well well.... look whats surfaced. Lets see how long it takes for it to be taken down. Until then, share the expletive out of it!\u201d Lower down, it says: \u201cFacebook is taking this photo down left and right. Make it go viral!\u201d"]},{"id":"685.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama voted \"to cut off funding for our American troops on the battlefield.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Barack Obama voted against a specific funding bill for the Iraq war in 2007, it is misleading to claim that he voted to \"cut off funding for our American troops on the battlefield.\" The bill in question included a timeline for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, which Obama supported. However, it also included provisions for continued funding of military operations and support for the troops during the withdrawal process. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact of Obama's vote and does not accurately reflect the context of his position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Many Americans make a good income, have some savings and investments, and own a nice home. But they also have debt, typically from a mortgage, credit cards or other bills. The result is that even some people with relatively healthy incomes, as well as many poorer people, have a negative net worth \u2014 the more technical term for wealth.","In Georgia, it's \"illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place\" and \"punishable by up to a year in prison.\"","For the 160 million people at the bottom of the scale, the study used the net worth figure reported by the Fed and then subtracted automobiles and other \"durable goods\" such as electronics, furniture, and household appliances, from that figure.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic."]},{"id":"10562.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In general, it appears Wisconsins right to work bill would likely apply to the Green Bay Packers players and their union.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings and conclusions of the memo and statements made by Senator Erpenbach. The memo specifically states that the provisions of the right-to-work bill likely apply to employees of professional sports teams in Wisconsin, including the Green Bay Packers and their labor organizations. While the term \"in general\" implies some level of uncertainty, the evidence suggests that the right-to-work bill would indeed affect the Green Bay Packers players and their union, potentially allowing players to opt out of union membership. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Terry also wants to raise your taxes $1,700 to pay for his infinite promises,\" Cuccinelli said during the final gubernatorial debate on Oct. 24.","He\u2019s makes the same claim on a number of ads, including a TV spot released on Oct. 29 that says, \"Terry McAuliffe\u2019s plan: expand Obamacare, increase spending, raise your taxes by $1,700.\"","McAuliffe is making an outdated claim that Youngkin would eliminate 43,000 teachers. Youngkin is saying McAuliffe would raise family taxes by $5,400 even though McAuliffe\u2019s campaign has said he will not raise taxes.","\"Terry McAuliffe\u2019s plan would raise your taxes $5,400, the largest tax increase in Virginia\u2019s history,\" Youngkin says in a TV ad released Oct. 22. He launched a similar ad earlier in October and has been making the same claim at rallies across the state."]},{"id":"9630.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The so-called defense minister of the Peoples Republic of Donetsk ... actually posted a bragging social media posting of having shot down a military transport. And then when it became apparent it was civilian, they pulled it down from social media.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including Secretary of State John Kerry, confirm that the so-called defense minister of the People's Republic of Donetsk, Mr. Igor Strelkov, posted a social media message bragging about shooting down a military transport. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific evidence or sources to verify the claim that they pulled it down from social media after realizing it was a civilian aircraft. Without further evidence, it is difficult to fully confirm this aspect of the statement. Therefore, the statement is mostly true regarding the initial bragging post but lacks complete verification about its removal from social media.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Trump\u2019s post said, \"Hypocrisy at the Clinton Foundation: Top male staff made on average $218,029 while top female staff made $153,014 from 2010-2014.\"","\"Hypocrisy at the Clinton Foundation: Top male staff made on average $218,029 while top female staff made $153,014 from 2010-2014,\" Trump posted on May 24, 2016, to his 1.6 million followers.","Trump\u2019s calculation has female top officials at the foundation earning, on average, 70 cents for every dollar that the average male top official at the foundation earned.","That\u2019s similar to a November 2019 Facebook post that claimed that in 2014, the Clinton Foundation gave only $5 million to charity while spending $85 million for salaries and travel. We rated it False. The foundation hired people to carry out its own humanitarian programs instead of giving away the money, meaning its charitable contributions show up as program expenses instead of grants on tax forms. The foundation spent $217 million on programs and about $13 million for salaries and travel in 2014."]},{"id":"67.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Democrats are kind of falling over each other seeing who can raise taxes faster. It looks like they're going to raise taxes anywhere between 20 to 30 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that Democrats are collectively and uniformly aiming to raise taxes by 20 to 30 percent. While it is true that some Democrats have proposed tax increases, it is an overgeneralization to suggest that all Democrats are pursuing such significant tax hikes. The statement lacks nuance and fails to acknowledge the diversity of views within the Democratic Party on tax policy. Therefore, the statement is partially true but also misleading in its broad characterization of all Democrats.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7176.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Right now one of our highest job growth sectors is Leisure and Hospitality. Weve added jobs that mostly fall within the restaurant and bar sector industry. These are not high-paying jobs, as the U.S. Department of Labor estimates this is an industry sector with the lowest average wages and the lowest proportion of its workforce earning minimum or subminimum wage jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including the U.S. Department of Labor and statements made by Greenwald and McGinnis. The Leisure and Hospitality sector is indeed one of the highest job growth sectors, primarily consisting of jobs in the restaurant and bar industry. These jobs are generally not high-paying, as indicated by the U.S. Department of Labor, which estimates that this sector has the lowest average wages and the lowest proportion of workers earning minimum or subminimum wage. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8677.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gov. Scott Walker bought 80 new, brand-new vehicles for the state that we probably dont need.","reason":"Reason: While there is a statement made by Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout criticizing Gov. Scott Walker for buying new cars for the state, there is no concrete evidence provided to support the claim that 80 new vehicles were purchased. The statement lacks specific details or sources to verify the number of vehicles bought. Without further evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is labeled as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The best estimates are that roughly 40 percent of illegal immigrants had entered the country legally but became illegal when they overstayed their temporary visa.","Now let\u2019s get back to Paul\u2019s claim on how many unauthorized immigrants entered the country legally but became illegal because they changed jobs.","So, that gives some support to the 40 percent part of Paul\u2019s claim, but the article did not address how many of those immigrants became illegal because they changed jobs.","PolitiFact Texas in 2013 and PolitiFact National in 2010 rated statements by two congressmen that about 40 percent of illegal immigrants became illegal because they overstayed their visas."]},{"id":"6209.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he passed eight measures, including ones to prevent groping at airport security checks and to bar sanctuary cities in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions that the person passed eight measures, including ones related to preventing groping at airport security checks and barring sanctuary cities in Texas. However, it lacks specific information about the context, such as the identity of the person being referred to and the timeframe in which these measures were passed. Without this additional information, it is difficult to fully evaluate the accuracy and impact of these measures. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks necessary context for a comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4150.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says stores will be barred from selling 100-watt light bulbs as of 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that traditional incandescent 100-watt bulbs were subject to increased efficiency standards, the claim that stores will be barred from selling them as of 2012 is not entirely accurate. Existing stocks of 100-watt bulbs could still be sold, and more efficient alternatives were already available. The law did not outright ban incandescent bulbs but rather required increased efficiency standards for most light bulbs. It's important to note that exceptions were made for certain types of incandescent bulbs. Therefore, while the availability of traditional 100-watt bulbs may have been limited, they were not completely banned from sale.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We are borrowing from foreign lenders to buy oil from foreign producers,\" he said in a Houston speech. \"In the world's capital markets, often we are even borrowing Saudi money for Saudi oil. For them, the happy result is that they are both supplier and creditor to the most productive economy on earth. For us, the result is both dependency and debt.","\"What McCain says about Saudi Arabia and oil would be equally true of any imported good from any country,\" Baker said. \"China is also a huge buyer of dollars, so they are lending us the money to buy their clothes.\"","John McCain says we're borrowing money from foreign governments to buy oil. He's not too happy about this. ( Read our story on how other candidates make similar statements here .)","We also import much more oil than we produce -- a lot more -- and that leads us to the second part of McCain's debt equation."]},{"id":"9434.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Jason Carter supports using Georgia tax dollars to promote Obamacare","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not explicitly state that Jason Carter supports using Georgia tax dollars to promote Obamacare. While it is mentioned that Carter's spokesman explained the restrictions in the bill and that Carter wrote an amendment that watered down a previous bill related to Obamacare, there is no direct statement indicating his support for using Georgia tax dollars for promoting Obamacare. The evidence primarily focuses on Carter's stance on Medicaid expansion and exploring options for uninsured individuals to buy insurance on the private market. Therefore, the statement is not fully supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Then he added an important dimension to the debate, telling The Oregonian that \"We\u2019re not exclusive. There are homes for sale on and around the lake right now for under $150,000 that anyone is welcome to buy.\"","So that brings us to our ruling. Last week, Thomas told the Oregonian that there were \"homes for sale on and around (Oswego Lake) right now for under $150,000 that anyone is welcome to buy.\" So far as we can tell, there\u2019s nothing on the lake, condos or otherwise, that hits that mark. There are some condos with lake access that go for less than $150,000. But that price is hardly the norm.","As far as waterfront property goes -- that means canals and the lake itself -- the cheapest sale documented was for just over $500,000. If you\u2019re talking Lake Oswego and Lake Grove generally, six homes went for less than $150,000. None of them looked as though they\u2019d be in areas with easement rights -- though we can\u2019t say for certain as the map on the Lake Corp. website isn\u2019t definitive.","Based on that quick search, it seemed like Thomas might be right as far as homes around the lake go -- so long as you consider a condo a home. But there is still nothing directly on the lake, house or condo, that appears to be available for less than $150,000."]},{"id":"549.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The most recent Associated Press poll has Nader-Gonzalez at 6 percent, without any national coverage, against McCain and Obama.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it initially appears that the claim is inaccurate based on the Associated Press polls, it is clarified that Nader intended to refer to a June 6 CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll, which did indeed show Nader and his running mate at 6 percent against McCain and Obama. However, it's important to note that other recent polls showed varying levels of support for Nader, ranging from 3 percent to 4 percent. Therefore, while the specific mention of the Associated Press poll is incorrect, the overall claim that Nader-Gonzalez had 6 percent support against McCain and Obama is accurate based on the CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d","When the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the United States had gained 850,000 jobs in June, President Joe Biden took to a podium in the White House complex to tout the achievement.","A fairer metric for comparison is the number of jobs gained divided by the starting level of jobs when the president took office. By this metric, Biden scores well, but he\u2019s not No. 1. That distinction goes to Carter, who oversaw job gains of 3.5%, compared with Biden\u2019s 3.4%.","A fairer metric for comparison is the number of jobs gained divided by the starting level of jobs when the president took office. By this metric, Biden scores well, but he\u2019s not No. 1. That distinction goes to Carter, who oversaw job gains of 2.2%, compared with Biden\u2019s 2.1%."]},{"id":"10000.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Dan Patrick said that if women get paid less than a man for the same job, that thats not a problem.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Dan Patrick's position on pay disparities between men and women. He stated that if a woman gets paid less than a man for the same job, he does not see it as a problem. However, it's important to note that Patrick also mentioned that pay should be based on individual performance, and he acknowledged that women who perform better than men should be paid more. This additional context suggests that Patrick's stance is more nuanced than the statement implies. While he does not view pay disparities as a problem, he also emphasizes the importance of individual performance and opposes government intervention in setting pay standards for businesses.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9409.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve got an average of 5,600 soldiers committing suicide. Thats about 20 a day.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that there is an average of 5,600 soldiers committing suicide, which would amount to about 20 suicides per day. The evidence provided states that 22 veterans die each day from suicide, which includes veterans from all branches of the military, not just soldiers. While the number of veteran suicides is a significant concern, it is important to accurately represent the data and not conflate it with active-duty soldiers. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"They are under pressure from the financial community to pay more dividends, to do more share buybacks instead of the proverbial 'drill, baby, drill,' which is the way they would have done things 10 years ago. Corporate strategy has fundamentally changed.\"","Posts on social media are attempting to downplay the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic using a chart that shows that the 2020 U.S. death toll hasn\u2019t changed much from previous years.","Since we don\u2019t have all the data for 2020, Rossen said a more accurate analysis would need to involve comparing the number of deaths that occurred in the first 44 weeks, or so, of the year with the number of deaths that occurred over those same weeks in previous years.","Lauren Rossen, a data scientist with CDC\u2019s National Center for Health Statistics, told PolitiFact that the numbers of deaths in 2020 are \"without a question NOT on par with previous years\" and that claims that the numbers are equivalent are based on misinterpretations and misuse of the available data."]},{"id":"10359.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There have even been Republican congressmen who have said, If you give us more money we dont know where we would even put additional Border Patrol agents.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some Republican congressmen have expressed concerns about the capacity to accommodate additional Border Patrol agents if more funding is provided, it is an oversimplification to suggest that they have universally stated they don't know where to put additional agents. The statement generalizes the views of Republican congressmen and does not accurately represent the range of opinions within the party. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Gov. Chris Christie said he vowed to the people of New Jersey that he would not raise their taxes and that\u2019s the only oath that matters.","The state\u2019s three biggest revenue generators are the gross income, sales and corporation business taxes, none of which have increased since Christie took office on Jan. 19, 2010. So Guadagno is correct that the governor has not actually raised any of those taxes.","It\u2019s true that the governor has not increased the rate of taxation for New Jersey\u2019s three biggest revenue generators: the gross income, business and sales taxes.","Chris Christie hasn\u2019t completed his first term as governor yet but under his leadership, the state is in better shape than during previous administrations, he suggested Tuesday."]},{"id":"13006.json","label":"true","statement":"Tom Reed has actually voted for every single trade deal that has ever come before him in any form.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by John Plumb that Tom Reed has voted in favor of every trade deal that has come before him. While it is noted that Reed has come out against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which has not yet been voted on in Congress, the evidence confirms that Reed has indeed voted for every trade deal that has been presented during his time in office. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rubio said the United States does \"not have a system through which growers and dairies can bring a workforce legally into the U.S.\"","\"Agriculture has always required a significant workforce from abroad, but we do not have a system through which growers and dairies can bring a workforce legally into the U.S.,\" Rubio wrote.","Rubio wrote that the country needs \"a stable and affordable domestic supply of food. ... Agriculture has always required a significant workforce from abroad, but we do not have a system through which growers and dairies can bring a workforce legally into the U.S.\"","The United States does have a system to allow farmers to hire seasonal workers. It\u2019s called the H-2A visa program. But the H-2A visa program has several restrictions and has been widely criticized as inadequate."]},{"id":"4366.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Say New Jersey Reps. Donald Payne and Frank Pallone are socialists who are openly serving in the U.S. Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be blog posts or claims suggesting that Reps. Donald Payne and Frank Pallone are socialists, there is no credible evidence to support this assertion. Both representatives have been serving in Congress as Democrats, and being a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus does not automatically make someone a socialist. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11363.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The unemployment rate may be as high as 42 percent.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the unemployment rate may be as high as 42 percent is completely false and has been widely debunked. The highest alternative unemployment-rate measure that has any credibility is significantly lower, at around 16.4 percent. Even this figure is exaggerated and falls far short of the 42 percent claimed by Donald Trump. The actual unemployment rate during the Great Depression was also not as high as 42 percent. Therefore, the statement is entirely baseless and deserving of the label \"pants-fire.\"\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"This is not just picking on the University of Wisconsin System,\" Walker said. \"This is a nationwide trend. Since \u201878, I think, tuition nationwide has gone up something like four times the rate of inflation.\"","!Gov. Scott Walker says college tuition has risen at four times the rate of inflation. Is he right? (Mike De Sisti photo) !Gov. Scott Walker says college tuition has risen at four times the rate of inflation. Is he right? (Mike De Sisti photo)","Tuition is just a portion of the cost of a college degree and the costs for room and board have increased much slower than tuition. If tuition is combined with room and board, the price increase is about three times inflation since 1978, according to the same education and inflation data.","Gov. Scott Walker says college tuition has risen at four times the rate of inflation. Is he right? (Mike De Sisti photo)"]},{"id":"8443.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Common Core is not from the federal government, they do not have their fingerprints on this thing at all.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The federal government did not create the Common Core standards, and they do not have direct control over how the standards are implemented or the curricula used in schools. While some GOP candidates have criticized Common Core as federal overreach, it is important to note that the adoption and implementation of Common Core is a state choice. However, it is worth mentioning that the federal government has provided incentives and funding to encourage states to adopt the standards, which could be considered a level of involvement, albeit indirect.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Since Sen. Portman brought up Medicare,\" Strickland said, \"on the Neil Cavuto show, he said that it would be irresponsible not to cut Medicare. Those are his words.\"","!Readers had questions about Medicare after we reviewed a comment on the program from Sen. Rob Portman. We provide some answers. !Readers had questions about Medicare after we reviewed a comment on the program from Sen. Rob Portman. We provide some answers.","Those were not Portman's exact words on Cavuto's show. Portman said it would be irresponsible of any fellow senators to argue that Medicare would be off the table when discussing cutting entitlements. Strickland made it sound as if Portman was singling out Medicare by itself.","Readers had questions about Medicare after we reviewed a comment on the program from Sen. Rob Portman. We provide some answers."]},{"id":"11254.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker brags a lot about having an independent agency investigate police shootings. Of course, he didnt fund it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Walker signed a law requiring independent investigations into deaths in police custody, the statement suggests that he did not provide funding for the agency responsible for these investigations. However, the evidence does not explicitly support this claim. It is possible that the funding for the agency was not specified or adequately provided, but the evidence does not conclusively state that Walker did not fund it. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Most of, if not all of, the projects always came in on or were under budget,\" the sheriff told V-103 during the popular Frank & Wanda morning show the day before the election.","Lynn Deutsch, a DeKalb parent who closely watches how the school district spends its money, believes the Great Recession, which took hold in the latter months of 2008, has caused construction costs to drop, which is why most of the projects completed have come in on or under budget.","The DeKalb school district\u2019s spreadsheet and what we saw ourselves backs up much of Thomas Brown\u2019s argument. The recession has apparently helped lower bid prices -- even though a few projects were still seriously over budget.","About 85 percent of those projects were done on or under budget. Some of the projects that exceeded the initial cost doubled the earlier budget. They included the track and tennis court at Chapel Hill Middle School, which had an original budget of $125,000 and have a current contract of $255,522. Another was the natatorium work at Lakeside High School, which had an original budget of $150,000 and now has a current contract of $288,506. Others went slightly over budget, such as ceiling, lighting and air conditioning work at Fairington Elementary School, which had an original budget of $1,917,131 and has a current contract of $1,947,809."]},{"id":"1736.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"What the Arizona law does is make a state crime out of something that already is... a federal crime.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the opinion expressed by George Will regarding the Arizona law. The law does indeed make it a state crime for immigrants to be in violation of federal immigration codes. However, it's important to note that the constitutionality and implications of the law are complex legal matters that may require further examination by legal experts. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the content of the law, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the broader legal context and potential implications.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7847.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Miami-Dade County, we spend at our school system over $20 million every year educating recent immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Curbelo that Miami-Dade County spends over $20 million every year in its school system as a result of the broken immigration system. While the evidence does not explicitly state that the funds are specifically allocated for educating recent immigrants, it does indicate that the funds are a result of the broken immigration system. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that a portion of these funds is indeed used for educating recent immigrants. However, without more specific information, it is difficult to determine the exact amount allocated for this purpose. Hence, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The first Ohio ad criticizing Brown on energy issues started to run Nov. 16. Claiming that Washington\u2019s energy policies could leave Ohio families in the cold this winter, it says: \"When Sherrod Brown had the chance to help cut energy costs, he said no. Instead, Brown voted to block American energy production and increase energy taxes.\"","Since energy was sole topic of the Chamber\u2019s first ad and a key point of its second one, PolitiFact Ohio decided to take a look. We\u2019re focusing on the group\u2019s claim in the first ad that Brown voted to block American energy production and increase energy taxes.","There is an element of truth in the claim. Brown\u2019s vote to repeal tax breaks to big oil companies could be deemed a vote to \"increase energy taxes.\" But those taxes would be on big oil companies - not the Ohioans whom the ad says \"need economic help, not higher energy taxes.\"","Brown spokeswoman Meghan Dubyak said the measure Brown voted against \"wouldn\u2019t affect energy taxes by one dime\" because it was a procedural amendment to prevent any Congressional debate over energy issues."]},{"id":"11264.json","label":"true","statement":"Trump proposed enacting the largest tax increase in American history.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Donald Trump did propose a historically large tax increase in 1999. This proposed tax increase would have applied only to the wealthiest Americans and aimed to raise $5.7 trillion to eliminate the national debt. Therefore, the statement that Trump proposed enacting the largest tax increase in American history is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The simple fact is that one year ago, Sen. Shaheen voted for a measure that would have amounted to a new national energy tax which would have a disastrous impact on New Hampshire\u2019s economy,\" Reed said.","This claim echoed, but did not precisely match, one made in a June press release by Brown\u2019s campaign manager, Colin Reed -- that \"one year ago, Sen. Shaheen voted for a measure that would have amounted to a new national energy tax.\"","Shaheen voted against this amendment, even as some of her Democratic colleagues from energy producing states voted for it. Still, by voting against Blunt\u2019s measure, Shaheen wasn\u2019t directly expressing support for a carbon tax.","!Jeanne Shaheen addressed the Senate on the effects of the government shutdown on New Hampshire small businesses. !Jeanne Shaheen addressed the Senate on the effects of the government shutdown on New Hampshire small businesses."]},{"id":"779.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Senator McCain has been talking tough about earmarks, and that's good, but earmarks account for about $18-billion of our budget.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Obama that earmarks account for approximately $18 billion of the budget. This claim is supported by evidence from the Office of Management and Budget, which states that earmarks totaled $18 billion for the 2008 budget. Additionally, it is mentioned that earmarks constituted roughly 10% of the deficit for that year. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Washington, D.C. had some of the strictest gun laws in the country,\" Rubio told host Brian Kilmeade on Jan. 17, 2013. \"And when they passed them, violence skyrocketed.\"","Rubio, expressing his disappointment in Obama\u2019s recent actions to prevent gun violence, argued they wouldn\u2019t solve the problem. \"Washington, D.C. had some of the strictest gun laws in the country,\" he said. \"And when they passed them, violence skyrocketed.\"","In other words, even if \"violence skyrocketed,\" as Rubio said, that\u2019s not direct evidence that D.C.\u2019s gun laws failed to help. Of course, they also didn\u2019t fully \"solve the problem.\"","We\u2019ll note that the president isn\u2019t proposing D.C.\u2019s gun laws \u2014 indeed, the Supreme Court took that off the table \u2014 so it\u2019s a comparison of questionable value. But we were curious whether Rubio was correct to say that Washington\u2019s handgun ban was followed by violence."]},{"id":"12790.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Kim Myers voted repeatedly to raise taxes on the people of Broome County, but made millions off of tax savings when her family business relocated its headquarters.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims that Kim Myers voted to raise taxes in Broome County, there is no concrete evidence to support the assertion that she made millions off of tax savings when her family business relocated its headquarters. The evidence provided does not establish a direct link between Myers' voting record and her family's business relocation. Without verifiable information on the financial gains resulting from the relocation, it is difficult to substantiate the claim that she made millions off of tax savings. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8637.json","label":"true","statement":"We pay among the highest tolls in the nation for the privilege of crossing that bridge.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that New Jersey residents pay high tolls compared to other parts of the nation. While the exact ranking may vary depending on the specific measure used (such as cost per mile or actual toll prices), multiple sources and experts confirm that New Jersey's tolls are indeed among the highest in the country. The evidence provided supports the claim that New Jersey residents face high tolls for crossing bridges and using highways in the state.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8762.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sens. Isaksons, Chambliss Votes Against Unemployment Insurance Were Votes to Kill Nearly 6,000 Georgia Jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the votes against unemployment insurance by Senators Isakson and Chambliss were directly responsible for killing nearly 6,000 Georgia jobs. While it is true that their votes against extending unemployment insurance may have had an impact on job availability, it is an oversimplification to attribute the loss of 6,000 jobs solely to their votes. The relationship between unemployment insurance and job creation is complex and influenced by various factors. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7148.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says real estate taxes were put in place to pay for Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are certain taxes associated with the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), such as the Net Investment Income Tax, which can affect real estate sales for higher-income individuals, it is misleading to claim that \"real estate taxes\" were specifically put in place to pay for Obamacare. The statement fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the tax provisions related to the healthcare law and could create confusion by conflating different types of taxes. It is important to clarify that the taxes associated with Obamacare are not solely focused on real estate and have a broader scope.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Now consider a group of baboons. They are the loudest, most dangerous, most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all primates. And what is the proper collective noun for a group of baboons? Believe it or not ... a Congress! I guess that pretty much explains the things that come out of Washington!\"","You may be tempted to call the U.S. Congress a group of baboons, yet a group of baboons is not a congress.","First stop: . None of the definitions for congress referred to baboons, apes, monkeys or primates. A \"congress\" can be a meeting or session of any group, but the e-mail makes it clear that this is a specific term for a gathering of baboons.","The e-mail claiming that a group of baboons is known as a congress states the claim as fact and tickles our sense of irony at a time when the U.S. Congress' approval rating is about 16 percent or lower."]},{"id":"5663.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says today unemployment has been running near 12 percent or more for the last four years and the Legislature hasnt done much to lower it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it accurately acknowledges that the unemployment rate has been high for the past four years, stating that it has been running near 12 percent or more is not accurate. The actual unemployment rate has varied over the years and has not consistently remained at or above 12 percent. It is important to rely on accurate data when discussing unemployment rates to provide a clear and factual representation of the situation. Additionally, the claim that the legislature has not done much to lower the unemployment rate is subjective and depends on various factors and perspectives, making it difficult to categorize as entirely true or false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6379.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John Mica voted to borrow $10 trillion.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the gross debt has increased by more than $10 trillion since John Mica took office, it is misleading to attribute this entire increase solely to his votes. The debt increase is a cumulative result of various factors, including economic conditions, legislative decisions, and actions taken by multiple administrations. Additionally, the evidence provided indicates that the actual increase attributed to Mica's votes to raise the debt ceiling is significantly lower, totaling $3.95 trillion. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Mica's individual responsibility for the debt increase and lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9374.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says opponent Mary Burke told reporters she would have required workers to give up bargained-for healthcare and retirement benefits like Gov. Walker.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While there are claims that Mary Burke made comments suggesting she would have required workers to give up healthcare and retirement benefits like Governor Walker, it is important to note that the evidence provided consists of claims made by Hulsey, her opponent. There is no direct quote or verifiable evidence from Burke herself confirming this statement. Therefore, the claim should be approached with caution and may not accurately represent Burke's actual stance on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The city of Washington, D.C., passed a bill that allows minors 11 and older to get certain government-recommended vaccinations without their parent\u2019s consent.","The city of Washington, D.C., passed a bill \u2014 created in response to the country\u2019s 2019 measles outbreak \u2014 that allows minors 11 and older to get certain government-recommended vaccinations if a doctor determines they are capable of informed consent.","For example, Social Security and Medicare costs are disproportionately high in Florida because of the retiree population, which already paid into the system, but likely in another state. Florida has the third-largest uninsured pool in the country, with a public assistance budget to match. Also, there\u2019s a lot of that $150 billion in Washington cash that isn\u2019t as controversial in the House as Medicaid spending, like money for infrastructure or federal contracts for businesses like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.","Differences between states make it difficult to make direct comparisons, Koshgarian said. She cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta to illustrate her point. \"We all need one CDC, but we don't need one in every state, so the dollars have to go somewhere,\" she said."]},{"id":"4022.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We do not want to raise anybodys tax rates. Thats never been on the table.","reason":"Reason: While Representative Clyburn stated that Democrats do not want to raise anybody's tax rates and that it has never been on the table, this statement is not entirely accurate. Democrats have proposed and voted for tax hikes for wealthier Americans in the past. While Clyburn's intention may have been to emphasize that they do not want to raise tax rates for middle-class or lower-income individuals, the statement does not provide a complete picture. It is important to note that discussions around tax policy and potential tax increases are complex and can vary depending on the specific proposals and context. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"As president of the United States, I will not rest until I repeal Obamacare. It's a promise. Take it to the bank, cash the check. I'll make sure that that happens,\" Bachmann said. \"The CBO, the Congressional Budget Office has said that Obamacare will kill 800,000 jobs. What could the president be thinking by passing a bill like this, knowing full well it will kill 800,000 jobs?\"","PolitiFact researchers have explored this testimony and topic before, most recently for a June 2011 Truth-O-Meter article after U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann said in a Republican presidential debate: \"The CBO, the Congressional Budget Office, has said that Obamacare will kill 800,000 jobs. What could the president be thinking by passing a bill like this, knowing full well it will kill 800,000 jobs?\"","His mailer lists among promises broken by President Obama the notion that the 2010 overhaul of health care laws would create jobs. Under \"Promise Broken,\" the mailer says: \"The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office concluded ObamaCare will cost the U.S. more than 800,000 jobs.\"","Williams\u2019 footnoted backup was a Feb. 11, 2011, blog post on saying that Doug Elmendorf, director of the Congressional Budget Office, had just testified to the House Budget Committee that as of 2020-21, the law was projected to reduce U.S. employment by 800,000."]},{"id":"183.json","label":"false","statement":"\"John wasn't this raging populist four years ago\" when he ran for president.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that John was not a populist when he ran for president four years ago. Without further context or information about John's previous presidential campaign, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. However, based on the given evidence, there is no direct mention or indication of John's previous presidential campaign or his stance as a populist. Therefore, the statement lacks supporting evidence and is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Giuliani said Thompson \"voted against $250,000 caps on damages, which they have in Texas. He voted against almost anything that would make our legal system fairer: 'loser pays' rules, things that would prevent lawsuits like that $54 million lawsuit by that guy who lost his pants . . . Fred Thompson, along with very few Republicans, blocked tort reform over and over and over again. That is not a conservative position.\"","Giuliani is correct that Thompson cast a vote against a $250,000 cap on punitive damages, but that's only part of the story. Thompson's no vote back in 1995 was on an amendment to a product liability bill. The cap as written in the bill originally had been $250,000 or three times the economic damages, whichever is greater. The amendment lowered it to $250,000 or double the economic damages. Thompson was one of only six Republicans to vote against lowering the cap.","As our friends at noted in their report on this topic, Giuliani overreaches with his claim that Thompson was \"the single biggest obstacle to tort reform in the Senate.\" For example, Thompson was one of six Republicans who opposed the $250,000 cap but has also voted with his party on other tort reform bills. Having voted on both sides of the issue, he was not considered the leader of either side.","Giuliani is right that Texas has a $250,000 cap on the amount individuals can receive in punitive damages in a health care liability case, although claims against separate hospitals and health care institutions can collect awards as high as $500,000. He would have been more accurate if he had said the cap as on \"punitive damages on medical claims.\""]},{"id":"12499.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Crime is rising.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"crime is rising\" is not supported by the evidence provided. The analysis of year-over-year statistics shows that crime rates in Manchester, under the leadership of Ted Gatsas, have fluctuated, with alternating increases and decreases. Additionally, the fact-checking research mentioned indicates that the claim of rising crime is not accurate. It's important to note that the statement lacks specificity and qualifiers, making it misleading and overly broad. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In the Feb. 25, 2015 interview, which we caught online, Patrick said: \"We are in the best financial shape of any state in the country. We\u2019ll have about $11 billion or so in our rainy day fund by the end of our fiscal year. That\u2019s more money in reserve than the other 49 states combined.\"","This fiscal year runs through August 2015. Could it be that Texas will have more money in its rainy day fund than all other states combined?","Going forward, Erford noted, the NASBO fall 2014 report indicates Texas projecting a reserve balance of about $8 billion through the end of the 2015 fiscal year, which would run second to the projected year-end reserves for Alaska, $11.4 billion. \"According to these data, the sum total of reserves in California, New York, Ohio, Massachusetts, Florida, and Indiana, is greater than Texas\u2019 reserves, providing clear evidence, Alaska withstanding, that Texas\u2019 reserves are not more \u2018than the other 49 states combined,\u2019\" Erford said.","Per Patrick\u2019s statement, then, all the other states together should be expecting to end their 2015 fiscal years with less than $8.5 billion, combined."]},{"id":"12023.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Flint, Mich., is) paying three times more for poison water than I am paying in Burlington, Vt., for clean water.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sanders is mostly true. Based on the evidence provided, it is accurate that residents in Flint, Michigan were initially paying three times more for their water, which was contaminated, compared to the residents in Burlington, Vermont who were receiving clean water. However, it's important to note that after a judge rolled back Flint's water rates in August 2015, the difference reduced, and Flint residents were paying a little more than twice as much as Burlington residents. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the situation at a specific time, it does not account for the later adjustment in Flint's water rates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4928.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Weve got a personal tax system thats so complicated it costs Americans about $500 billion a year to comply with the current tax code.","reason":"Reason: While there are varying estimates regarding the cost of compliance with the U.S. tax code, the statement that it costs Americans about $500 billion a year to comply with the current tax code is not entirely accurate. The Laffer-led study mentioned in the evidence estimated the annual spending to be $431.1 billion, which includes administrative costs, time costs, and direct tax compliance costs. However, other estimates, such as the one provided by the IRS's Taxpayer Advocate Service, suggest a significantly lower cost of around $163 billion (adjusted for inflation). Therefore, while the tax code does impose a substantial compliance burden on Americans, the claim of $500 billion is an overestimation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Immigrants are \u2018more fertile\u2019: Jeb Bush, former Republican governor of Florida, recently claimed immigration reform would help aging America\u2019s \"demographic pyramid.\" \"Immigrants are more fertile,\" he said. \"And they love families and they have more intact families, and they bring a younger population. Immigrants create an engine of economic prosperity.\"","\"Immigrants are more fertile,\" Bush said. \"And they love families and they have more intact families, and they bring a younger population. Immigrants create an engine of economic prosperity.\"","Bush said that immigrants are more fertile and the data back him up. National statistics show that birth rates among foreign-born residents are about 50 percent higher than for U.S.-born women. However, the rates are converging, they vary widely among immigrant groups and over the years, the rates change.","We decided to take an evidence-based look into the fertility of immigrants. The key here is understanding the meaning of the word \"fertile.\" Fertility can mean the ability to have children, but it can also refer to the birth rate of a population. In context, Bush's comments clearly referred to the second definition. We contacted Bush\u2019s office; his spokesperson, Jaryn Emhoff, told us Bush was referring to birth rate."]},{"id":"3098.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a Portland school gives Muslim students their own school provided prayer room, prayer rugs, and lets them out of class five times a day to pray to Allah.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clarifies that the original post made exaggerated and inaccurate claims about the treatment of Muslim students at Rigler Elementary School in Portland. The school did not provide a dedicated prayer room, prayer rugs, or allow students to be let out of class five times a day to pray. The accommodation provided was limited to two students praying privately during lunchtime in an unused office, and no prayer rugs were provided. The original post's claims about unequal treatment and lack of accommodation for other religions were also debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5750.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The bulk of the people who are shot with a weapon other than these drug gangs taking on one another end up being shot with their own weapon.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks important context. While it is accurate that a significant proportion of people who are shot with a weapon end up being shot with their own weapon, this statistic primarily includes suicides. Data from the CDC shows that the majority of gun deaths are suicides, and many of these suicides are committed using the person's own gun or a gun owned by someone in their household. However, the statement does not specify this distinction, which can lead to a misleading interpretation. It is important to consider the full context of gun violence, including factors such as intentional homicides and accidental shootings, to have a comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["As evidence, Perry turns the spotlight onto Massachusetts, which has required that adults have health coverage since July 2007. \"The number of uninsured people in Massachusetts is about the same as it was when the mandates were passed in 2006,\" Perry wrote.","It's also a far cry from Perry's claim that the number of uninsured people in Massachusetts is relatively unchanged, a statement that Powers called \"outrageous\" and wrong.","The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy estimates that in 2009, the share of people without insurance was down to 2.7 percent, the lowest uninsured rate in the nation. The division says that translates roughly into 171,000 people \u2014 a far cry from the 2006 \"before\" number of 600,000.","However you do the the Massachusetts math, the number of people without health insurance has dropped by at least 300,000 since 2006 \u2014 not the \"about the same\" that Perry airs in his column."]},{"id":"8241.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Salaries for URI faculty are second to last among New England land grant universities and in lowest 20 percent of major U.S. research institutions","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Frank Annunziato regarding the salaries of URI faculty. According to his statement, URI faculty salaries rank second to last among New England land grant universities and fall within the lowest 20 percent among major U.S. research institutions. However, it's important to note that the comparison is based on specific criteria and may not encompass all possible institutions or factors. Therefore, while the statement is partially true based on the provided evidence, it may not provide a comprehensive picture of all universities and research institutions nationwide.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13159.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Miami Congressman Carlos Curbelo supports drilling offshore and repeatedly voted against President Obamas ability to fight pollution and combat climate change.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Miami Congressman Carlos Curbelo has supported offshore drilling, the statement that he repeatedly voted against President Obama's ability to fight pollution and combat climate change is not entirely accurate. Curbelo has taken positions that differ from President Obama on certain environmental issues, but it is important to note that his voting record is more nuanced. He has supported some measures related to combating climate change and pollution, while also taking positions that align with his support for offshore drilling. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies Curbelo's voting record and does not provide a comprehensive view of his stance on environmental issues.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5322.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Three years ago, a newly elected President Obama told America that if Congress approved his plan to borrow nearly a trillion dollars, he would hold unemployment below 8 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that President Obama made a statement about holding unemployment below 8 percent if Congress approved his plan to borrow nearly a trillion dollars, it is important to note that this statement was made during the 2009 economic crisis. The intention behind the statement was to emphasize the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action. However, the statement does not accurately reflect the outcome, as unemployment did exceed 8 percent following the implementation of the economic stimulus package. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the context of the challenging economic circumstances at the time.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For example, Newt Gingrich, Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. House speaker, last month tweeted: \"We spend less on defense today as % of GDP than at any time since Pearl Harbor.\"","Gingrich tweeted that the country now spends less on defense as a percentage of the GDP than at any time since the start of World War II. That\u2019s a firm statement, but since the Cold War ended, and in a few other years as well, the percent of GDP used for defense has been consistently lower than current spending levels.","Adams and Friedman both point out the GDP is growing and therefore tying defense spending to the GDP would suggest military spending would have to increase every year.","\"It\u2019s kind of crazy to say you should have a fixed percentage of your wealth to spend on defense because your enemies and circumstances in the world change,\" Friedman said."]},{"id":"4832.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"An independent payment advisory board created by in the health care reform law is like a Medicare IRS with the power to cut Medicare in order to pay for new government programs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) was created by the Affordable Care Act to help control the growth of Medicare costs, not to cut Medicare in order to fund new government programs. The IPAB's role is to provide recommendations on reducing Medicare spending if it exceeds the targets established in the healthcare reform law. These recommendations focus on finding ways to achieve cost savings while maintaining the quality and access to care for Medicare beneficiaries. The comparison to a \"Medicare IRS\" is also misleading, as the IPAB does not have the power to independently make decisions or enforce cuts to Medicare. Its recommendations are subject to congressional approval, and alternative plans can be adopted to achieve the same level of savings. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12077.json","label":"false","statement":"The Mitchell Park Domes lose about $1 million-plus every year and the number of people going to the Domes has been going down.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Mitchell Park Domes have experienced financial challenges, the statement that they lose about $1 million-plus every year is false. County figures indicate that the taxpayer support for the Domes has varied over the years, with the loss exceeding $1 million only in 2014. Additionally, the claim that the number of visitors to the Domes has been consistently declining is not supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and does not reflect the actual financial situation or visitor trends of the Mitchell Park Domes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It turns out there's a lot we didn't know about Scott Walker,\" a narrator says as an image of a birth-control pill case dominates the screen. \"Scott Walker wants to ban common forms of birth control, including the pill.\"","Pro-Life Wisconsin and related groups in other states oppose all forms of artificial birth control, They hope that \"personhood\" rights will bring a ban on all abortions -- and a ban on the pill, the group\u2019s legislative director Matt Sande told PolitiFact Wisconsin.","But news stories at the time described how Walker\u2019s bill targeted RU-486, an abortion pill, and the \"morning-after\" pill, which prevents a pregnancy. The articles also told how the proposal could have allowed pharmacists to refuse to dispense most other forms of birth control.","Says \"Scott Walker wants to make abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.\""]},{"id":"6158.json","label":"true","statement":"There is little if any evidence that the use of red light cameras in New Jersey has reduced the number or severity of accidents at the intersections where they are used.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Doherty regarding the effectiveness of red light cameras in reducing accidents in New Jersey. While there may be some conflicting data and opinions on the matter, including a state DOT report that showed some decreases in certain types of crashes, there is still a lack of definitive evidence to support the claim that red light cameras have significantly reduced the number or severity of accidents at the intersections where they are used. Additionally, examples of municipalities ending their red light camera programs due to a lack of evidence of improved public safety further support the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8819.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the entire public school system in Camden last year, only three students graduated college ready.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Christie's claim that only three students graduated college ready in the entire public school system in Camden. However, it's important to note that the statistic is specific to the number of 12th-graders enrolled in Camden during the 2011-12 school year who took the SATs and met the benchmark for college readiness. While this statistic provides a limited perspective on college readiness in Camden, it does support the overall claim that the number of students graduating college ready was extremely low.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1254.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the Hate Crimes bill, \"any pastor, preacher, priest, rabbi or imam who gives a sermon out of their moral traditions about sexual practices could be found guilty of a federal crime.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Hate Crimes bill does not criminalize religious leaders for giving sermons based on their moral traditions about sexual practices. The bill focuses on enhancing penalties for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice based on factors such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. It does not restrict or penalize religious expression or preaching based on moral beliefs. The claims made by the Minnesota Republican, Rep. Mike Pence, and other Republicans are misinterpretations or exaggerations of the legislation's impact.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Top U.S. intelligence officials have told \"every member of Congress, including the president, we\u2019re about to be attacked in a serious way because (of) the threat emanating from Syria and Iraq.\"","\"Do you really want to let America be attacked?\" Graham asked on Fox News Sunday. \"What is going on in Washington when the FBI director, when the head of national intelligence, the CIA, the Homeland Security secretary, tells every member of Congress, including the president, we\u2019re about to be attacked in a serious way because (of) the threat emanating from Syria and Iraq?","In this fact-check, we examine whether each of those high ranking officials have said \"we\u2019re about to be attacked in a serious way because (of) the threat emanating from Syria and Iraq.\"","Graham said that four top administration officials have said \"we\u2019re about to be attacked in a serious way because (of) the threat emanating from Syria and Iraq.\" Graham\u2019s office sent quotations from three of the four. While each of them voiced strong concern about attacks on American soil, the role of ISIS was more indirect and less immediate than Graham would have us believe."]},{"id":"6873.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This is what President Obama said the jobless rate would be if we passed the stimulus: 5.6 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the American Crossroads ad that President Obama said the jobless rate would be 5.6 percent if the stimulus bill was passed. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context. President Obama did make a prediction about the potential impact of the stimulus bill on unemployment, but it was not a guarantee or a promise. The actual jobless rate after the passage of the stimulus bill was higher than what was predicted. Therefore, while the statement is technically true, it lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5031.json","label":"half-true","statement":"George Allen and his colleagues in the Senate turned the biggest surplus in the history of the United States into the biggest deficit in the history of the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Tim Kaine's claim that George Allen and his colleagues in the Senate contributed to turning the largest surplus in U.S. history into the largest deficit at that time. However, it's important to note that attributing the entire responsibility for the deficit solely to George Allen and his colleagues oversimplifies the complex factors that contributed to the deficit. While their actions may have played a role, other economic and political factors also influenced the shift from surplus to deficit. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7976.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Obama has cracked down on employers who are attracting undocumented immigrants and hiring them more than any previous president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. President Obama did take steps to address the issue of employers hiring undocumented immigrants. His administration increased worksite enforcement and implemented stricter penalties for employers who knowingly hired undocumented workers. However, it is difficult to definitively claim that he cracked down on employers more than any previous president, as this would require a comprehensive comparison of enforcement efforts across different administrations, which is not provided in the evidence. Therefore, while Obama did take action, the claim lacks the necessary context for a complete assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!President Donald Trump turns to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., as he delivers his State of the Union address, while Vice President Mike Pence watches, Feb. 5, 2019. (AP) !President Donald Trump turns to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., as he delivers his State of the Union address, while Vice President Mike Pence watches, Feb. 5, 2019. (AP)","President Donald Trump turns to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., as he delivers his State of the Union address, while Vice President Mike Pence watches, Feb. 5, 2019. (AP)","An accurate estimate for Trump\u2019s first impeachment could inform the cost of his second, but concrete numbers are hard to come by.","In Georgia, it's \"illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place\" and \"punishable by up to a year in prison.\""]},{"id":"11996.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. global AIDS spending helped reduce political instability and violence by 40 percent in recipient nations.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests a direct causal link between U.S. global AIDS spending and a 40 percent reduction in political instability and violence in recipient nations, the evidence provided does not support such a strong claim. The evidence indicates that political instability and violence have fallen by 40 percent in PEPFAR countries compared to non-PEPFAR countries, but it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between U.S. global AIDS spending and this reduction. Experts argue that there are multiple factors contributing to political stability and violence reduction, and it is not reasonable to conclude that reducing AIDS alone is causally linked to these outcomes. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and lacks sufficient evidence to support a strong causal claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On his radio program on Aug. 28, Rush Limbaugh continued to hammer the Democrat-backed health care bill, claiming ominously that it would allow government \"the right to get into your bank make transfers without you knowing it.\"","So Limbaugh is wrong that the bill would allow the government \"the right to get into your bank account.\" The choice would be up to the person if they'd like to allow electronic withdrawals from their bank accounts.","And while it sounds ominous to say the government could get into your bank account, the same is true for utility and mortgage companies for whom customers have given permission to extract regular electronic payments directly from their bank accounts. The way Limbaugh says it, it sounds like the government would require this program (that it would \"have the right\") to get into your account, that the government could do it without your permission. And we find no basis for that claim in the bill. We also think Limbaugh exaggerates when he says the government could then transfer money in your account without you knowing it. If you sign up for electronic withdrawal, you know about it. And so we rate this claim Barely True.","Park's interpretation is shared by Health Care for America Now, which is lobbying for health care reform. According to the group's Web site, the provision \"continues the discussion of administrative standards, and authorizes electronic transfers of money within the government. In no way does this provision grant the government access to individual bank accounts.\""]},{"id":"11583.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The actual (construction) contracts that weve awarded to date have come in several hundred million dollars below estimates.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comments made by Jeff Morales, the CEO of the rail authority, regarding the construction contracts awarded for the project. The winning bids for the contracts were a combined $480 million below the authority's cost estimates, which can be considered \"several hundred million dollars.\" The evidence supports the claim that the actual contracts awarded were significantly below the initial estimates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5282.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Unemployment has fallen from 10 percent during the presidents first year in office to 8.5 percent today.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided confirms that the unemployment rate did rise to 10 percent during President Obama's first year in office and remained above 8 percent for an extended period. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not support the claim that the current unemployment rate is 8.5 percent. Without up-to-date information, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of the current unemployment rate. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The American people support defunding Obamacare and oppose shutting down the government. The House voted today to follow the will of the American people and the Senate should now follow suit.\"","\"Opposition to defunding increases sharply when the issue of shutting down the government and defaulting is included. In that case, Americans oppose defunding 59 percent to 19 percent, with 18 percent of respondents unsure. The final 4 percent is a group of people who want to defund Obamacare, but become unsure when asked if they still hold that view if it means shutting down the government,\" stated the report.","When respondents are asked if they favor \"defunding\" Obamacare, they oppose that, Blendon said. But when respondents are asked if they support repealing the law, they support some type of repeal.","CNBC\u2019s pollsters noted that people particularly oppose defunding Obamacare if it would lead to a government shutdown or other dramatic outcomes."]},{"id":"8600.json","label":"half-true","statement":"American voters remain steadfast in their support for immigration reform with a path to citizenship, with more than 70 percent who want to see reform passed this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Andrea Miller, executive director of Causa Oregon, who claimed that more than 70 percent of American voters want to see immigration reform with a path to citizenship passed that year. While it is true that there is significant support for immigration reform and a path to citizenship among Americans, the statement lacks specific information about the source of this statistic and whether it represents a national consensus. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive view of the various opinions and perspectives on immigration reform. Therefore, while there is support for immigration reform, it is important to consider a broader range of data and viewpoints to fully assess the level of support among American voters.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On Dec. 30, two days before Rubio voted against the fiscal cliff package, he tweeted: \"Report that #GOP insisting on changes to Social Security as part of #fiscalcliff false. BTW those changes are supported by @barackobama.\"","Amid home stretch negotiations, Rubio took to the online messaging service Twitter to tell people what was happening. On the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 30, he tweeted: \"Report that #GOP insisting on changes to Social Security as part of #fiscalcliff false. BTW those changes are supported by @barackobama.\"","Amid home stretch negotiations, Florida's Marco Rubio took to the online messaging service Twitter to tell people what was happening. On the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 30, he tweeted: \"Report that #GOP insisting on changes to Social Security as part of #fiscalcliff false. BTW those changes are supported by @barackobama.\"","Multiple news reports said that McConnell proposed chained CPI but that Republicans revolted and immediately squashed the idea. So why did Rubio tweet that \"Report that #GOP insisting on changes to Social Security as part of #fiscalcliff false\"?"]},{"id":"6940.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Tammy Baldwin introduced a bill that would require doctors and other health care workers to ask patients, including young children, whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or if they know their gender identity.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tammy Baldwin introduced a bill in 2010 that would have required healthcare workers to collect data on patients' sexual orientation and gender identity, it is important to note that the bill did not explicitly mandate doctors or other healthcare workers to ask patients about their sexual orientation or gender identity during face-to-face interactions. The bill provided discretion to the Health and Human Services secretary to determine how the data would be collected, which could have included methods like routine intake questionnaires or anonymous telephone surveys. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully convey the nature of the bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Nobody has played clips over and over ... of President Obama (saying), 'If they bring a knife to the fight, we'll bring a gun.' \"","\"Nobody has played clips over and over again on the FOX (News network), which is supposed to be fair and balanced, of President (Barack) Obama said, 'If they bring a knife to the fight, we'll bring a gun,' \" Kaufman said. \"I've never heard that clip played. We all know it was said. Did the cow play that? No. Of course not. Because we knew what he meant. These are metaphors, these are ways of stating in large terms simple facts. President Obama was saying if they try to fight us and pick at us with amendments we will come at them with legislation. And that's what he did. I knew that\u2019s what he meant.\"","Washington Wire Washington Post blog, \"Obama: 'If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,'\" June 14, 2008","For this Truth-O-Meter, our goal was to evaluate whether Obama said \"if they bring a knife to the fight we'll bring a gun,\" as Kaufman claimed. We found several news articles quoting Obama as saying exactly that and he's never denied it (though the Chicago Tribune said it was meant as a joke). We rate this claim True."]},{"id":"7596.json","label":"false","statement":"Any legislative action that is taken now could very well be rendered completely null and void by the decision of the Supreme Court expected this June.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that any legislative action taken now could be rendered null and void by a Supreme Court decision expected in June. The evidence discusses legal challenges related to the Pennsylvania election, but it does not indicate that any pending Supreme Court decision would retroactively invalidate legislative actions. It is important to base statements on accurate information and avoid making speculative claims without proper evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We disagree. Of course it\u2019s a statistical claim. When you say \"the people of Rhode Island don't want same-sex marriage\" you're saying that more than 50 percent would oppose such legislation.","\"I don't believe Gordon Fox had the votes. Our head count showed pretty clearly that they didn't have the votes and he had to make the decision he did,\" he said. \"Similarly, the people of Rhode Island don't want same-sex marriage.\"","Cianci says polls support the idea that more than 80 percent of Rhode Island voters want to make the decision whether to approve same-sex marriage","One group opposed to gay marriage, the National Organization for Marriage -- Rhode Island (NOM-RI), however, has been advocating for a binding referendum on the matter instead of a legislative vote, arguing that polls prove the people want the right to make the decision."]},{"id":"11249.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Im the only (Republican)candidate that has actually reduced the size of government.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to Cato, Governor Jindal is indeed the only candidate among the Republican contenders who has reduced spending during his tenure as Louisiana's chief. However, it's important to note that this claim specifically refers to reducing spending, not necessarily the overall size of government. While spending cuts can contribute to reducing the size of government, it does not provide a comprehensive measure of the overall size of government. Therefore, while Jindal's claim about reducing spending is accurate, it does not necessarily mean he is the only candidate who has reduced the size of government.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rep. Paul Ryan\u2019s Medicare plan \"lines the pockets of the private insurance companies,\" increases costs for seniors and does not reduce the deficit.","\"Not one dollar of the increased costs to seniors would be used to reduce the deficit,\" Connolly said in a press release. \"Instead, the Republican plan lines the pockets of the private insurance companies.\"","George Burke, Connolly\u2019s communications director, said the claim was based on projections from the Congressional Budget Office that Ryan\u2019s plan would require seniors to pay more for health coverage but not really reduce government expenses. He said the plan \"lines the pockets\" of insurers because seniors would have to buy private insurance, something they don\u2019t have to do now.","Now let\u2019s examine Connolly\u2019s claim that \"not one dollar of the increased costs to seniors would be used to reduce the deficit.\""]},{"id":"10469.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Amazing fact: Senate has already voted on more amendments in 2015 than Reid allowed ALL YEAR last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Phil Kerpen that the Senate had voted on more amendments in 2015 than Harry Reid allowed throughout the previous year. The evidence provided supports this claim, with sources confirming that the Senate had indeed voted on more amendments in 2015. While there may be some variation in the specific numbers depending on how the votes are counted, the overall assertion holds true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said that his Republican rival U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV has missed 178 votes this year, giving him one of the worst attendance records in Congress.","\"How angry would you be if you hired someone to do a job and they only showed up half the time? You know -- they only cut half the grass, or they charged you for four hours when they really only worked two? Well, that\u2019s what candidate Connie Mack has done. This year in Congress he has missed almost half of his votes, and now he not only wants to be paid for not showing up, he wants to be promoted into the U.S. Senate.\"","The Weldon robocall said that Connie Mack \"missed almost half of his votes\" this year. Actually, Mack missed about 28.6 percent of votes this year, which is significantly less than the robocall claimed. The Weldon campaign conceded that they relied on out-of-date information for their attack.","We shared our findings with Weldon and asked how he concluded that Mack missed \"almost half\" of his votes this year."]},{"id":"7184.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One out of every four students fails to earn a high school diploma. In our major cities across America, half of our kids dont graduate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Paul Ryan that one out of every four students fails to earn a high school diploma. Additionally, it cites a report by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center for America's Promise Alliance, which supports the claim that in major cities across America, half of the kids do not graduate. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the timeframe and specific cities involved. While the evidence supports the general trend of high school dropout rates, additional context would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["This is a lot to chew on, but we decided to check one of these claims -- that one-third of American students \"drop out, cannot go to college or start a career.\"","Bush\u2019s staff also pointed to data from the publishers of the ACT college-entrance exam. It found that 31 percent of those who graduated from high school and took the ACT were not ready for entry-level college courses in English, reading, math or science. However, ACT test-takers represent a fraction all of students, and it\u2019s not wise to assume they\u2019re the same, said David Bills, an education professor at the University of Iowa.","That's because AFGR does not necessarily distinguish between students who actually dropped out and those who left for other reasons, such as moving to a school in another state, leaving to follow one's parents to a new military assignment, graduating early or graduating late. \"If a kid leaves one school but is never tracked if he enrolls in another school, that can count as a dropout,\" Bills said. \"Also, a lot of kids who leave high school but later get GEDs are often counted as dropouts. And sometimes dropout rates are calculated as the number of people aged 16-24 not in school and without a degree, which can also inflate the number.\"","\"Over the next 10 years, nearly half of all new jobs will require education that goes beyond a high school degree,\" Obama said. \"And yet, as many as a quarter of our students aren\u2019t even finishing high school.\""]},{"id":"9652.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There were 36 states where Republicans who were in charge refused to implement a state (health insurance) exchange.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that all 36 states without a state-run health insurance exchange were solely due to Republican refusal. However, the evidence shows that not all of these states were under Republican control, and some Democratic governors were also involved in the decision-making process. Additionally, there were instances where Republican governors attempted to establish state exchanges but faced challenges in implementation. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it oversimplifies the situation and does not provide a complete and accurate picture.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We wouldn\u2019t normally dig up a claim a few years old, but the current fascination with the presidential salute and Jones' post had us wondering about Maddow\u2019s claim that \"not even old Gen. Eisenhower, had saluted military personnel.\"","\"Soldiers were supposed to salute their president; the president was not supposed to salute the soldiers. No modern president, not even old Gen. Eisenhower, had saluted military personnel. It might even be, well, sort of, improper.\" (The passage starts on Page 36.)","For the record, no president is required to salute military personnel. And presidential salutes did not become commonplace until Reagan became president.","You likely heard this already, but some conservatives and members of the military are upset that President Barack Obama saluted to Marines on Tuesday while holding a cup. Others are coming to Obama\u2019s defense."]},{"id":"13228.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a tweet he sent out wasnt saying, check out a sex tape. It was just take a look at the background of Alicia Machado.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. In the tweet in question, Donald Trump explicitly mentioned \"check out sex tape\" when referring to Alicia Machado. Multiple sources confirm that the tweet did indeed make reference to a sex tape. Attempting to claim otherwise is misleading and contradicted by the evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11032.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Aphotograph of 21-year-old Hillary Clinton featured a Confederate battle flag in the background.","reason":"Reason: The claim that a photograph of 21-year-old Hillary Clinton featured a Confederate battle flag in the background is false. The original images taken by Life magazine do not include a Confederate battle flag anywhere. The photograph in question was digitally manipulated to include the flag, and conservative commentator Dinesh D\u2019Souza, who initially shared the manipulated image, later corrected his tweet. Multiple sources have debunked this claim, and it has been widely discredited.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The real conversation in my opinion needs to be far more about the fact that we left Americans behind,\" Nunn said. \"There still are Americans there right now, and there are people in America helping these folks out of their own pocket, their own time. We would like to have some level of help on this and be able to save the people who served with us for two decades.\"","\"Raphael Warnock and Stacey Abrams are radical communists and, if they get their way, gun owners here in Georgia will be completely disarmed.\"","That number is high if you count the people Task Force Argo flew out of the country but Nunn, an Iowa state senator, says Task Force Argo remains in vital contact with almost 2,000 Americans in Afghanistan and works with groups bringing people out of that country.","Those encountered at the border who have been allowed to remain are, by and large, unaccompanied minors. They typically are taken first to facilities near the border and then transferred to the temporary custody of the U.S. Health and Human Services department, which eventually places the children with family or sponsors in the U.S. If family members or approved sponsors are not able to arrange transportation, the federal government pays for transportation, including flights."]},{"id":"4373.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A new college tuition reciprocity agreement with Minnesota makes college education more affordable for Wisconsin residents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While the tuition reciprocity agreement between Wisconsin and Minnesota may provide certain benefits for students, it does not necessarily make college education more affordable for Wisconsin residents as a whole. The agreement allows Wisconsin residents attending public universities or technical colleges in Minnesota to pay in-state tuition rates, but it does not address other costs associated with college education, such as housing, textbooks, and fees. Additionally, the agreement does not apply to private colleges or universities. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that the agreement universally makes college education more affordable for all Wisconsin residents.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8214.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Cory Booker supports late-term and partial-birth abortion and opposes safety regulations.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Democratic platform supports a woman's right to make decisions about her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, it does not explicitly mention late-term or partial-birth abortion. Additionally, there is no clear evidence to support the claim that Cory Booker specifically supports these procedures or opposes safety regulations. The evidence provided suggests that Booker's spokesperson agreed that he supports a woman's right to choose if her life or health is in danger, but it does not confirm his stance on late-term or partial-birth abortions or safety regulations. Therefore, the statement contains some accurate information but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It's about the attorney general, when I'm attorney general, advocating and increasing afterschool programming for children,\" he said. \"For every dollar we can invest and parlay from private charitable foundations and the federal government, we can save over $5, almost $6, in crime costs down the line.\"","Fortunately for Kilmartin, his mischaracterization of RIDE's conclusion (saying a $1 investment reduces \"crime costs\" instead of \"decreasing criminal justice costs\") makes his characterization of the Washington analysis more accurate than RIDE's.","The Washington authors factored in their estimates of the costs of compensating victims of a crime, including the cost of lost quality of life. (Sample costs that they used: $8,734 for robbery victims and $3,137,793 for murder victims.)","The report, which argues for financing afterschool and summer programs for at-risk children and youth, says in two places: \"For every one dollar invested in expanded learning opportunities, there is a savings of up to $5.29 in decreased criminal justice costs.\""]},{"id":"6462.json","label":"false","statement":"Mitt Romney is the first major party candidate for president of the United States in modern times not to release at least 12 years of tax returns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Mitt Romney is not the first major party candidate for president of the United States in modern times to not release at least 12 years of tax returns. While Romney did face criticism for not releasing as many tax returns as previous candidates, such as his father George Romney, who released 12 years of returns during his presidential campaign, there have been other major party candidates who have released fewer than 12 years of tax returns in modern times. Therefore, the claim is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["One of the positive signs, Biden said, was that under his administration, the federal government was poised to pay down a portion of the $23.8 trillion federal debt for the first time in several years.","Typically, the federal government is flush with cash in the second quarter, thanks to tax payments made around the tax-deadline time of April 15. So, if any quarter is going to provide the government with some extra cash to pay down the debt, it\u2019s the second quarter.","We've got about $3 trillion in trapped cash overseas that basically can't come back in this country because of our tax laws.","\"We've got about $3 trillion in trapped cash overseas that basically can't come back in this country because of our tax laws.\""]},{"id":"4479.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the month of July alone, EU exports to South Korea increased by over 36 percent. A lot of that is our market share. Those are our farmers and our service providers who are suffering.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions that EU exports to South Korea increased by over 36 percent in the month of July. However, it is unclear whether the increase in exports directly corresponds to suffering among farmers and service providers. Without additional evidence or context, it is difficult to determine the extent of the impact on these specific groups. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is true, the second part lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of suffering among farmers and service providers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Republican Party of Florida accused Sink of having \"failed Florida homeowners by using predatory lending practices,\" citing the subprime lending practices of Bank of America\u2019s NationsCredit and EquiCredit during her time as the bank\u2019s Florida president.","After flashing a sentence accusing Sink of having \"failed the public\u2019s trust by cheating during a debate,\" the video then declares it wasn\u2019t her only failure, launching into several attacks, including the claim that Sink \"failed Florida investors by allowing for deceptive sales practices \u2026 and failed Florida homeowners by using predatory lending practices.\"","\"As Florida\u2019s CFO, Alex Sink failed Florida taxpayers by using the state plane as her own personal charter, overseeing a $27 billion loss in the state\u2019s pension fund and supporting a $5.2 billion increase in Florida\u2019s debt.\"","\"As Florida\u2019s CFO, Alex Sink failed Florida taxpayers by using the state plane as her own personal charter, overseeing a $27 billion loss in the state\u2019s pension fund and supporting a $5.2 billion increase in Florida\u2019s debt,\" the video\u2019s text reads."]},{"id":"1532.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Gov. Rick Perry spent over a million dollars on D.C. lobbyists asking for more federal money and lives in a luxury house that costs taxpayers $10,000 a month.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Governor Rick Perry's office spent over a million dollars on D.C. lobbyists to advocate for more federal money. Additionally, the claim that taxpayers are paying $10,000 a month for the luxury house that Governor Perry lives in is also supported by evidence. While the exact amount may vary slightly, the statement is mostly true based on the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rubio said, \"Over 40 percent of small and mid-size banks that loan money to small businesses have been wiped out since Dodd-Frank has passed.\"","\"We need to repeal Dodd-Frank. It is eviscerating small businesses and small banks,\" he said on Aug. 6, 2015, to applause. \"Over 40 percent of small and mid-size banks that loan money to small businesses have been wiped out since Dodd-Frank has passed.\"","A spokesperson for Rubio referred us to a March 2015 brief by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond that noted a 41 percent decline in small banks between 2007 and 2013. But that\u2019s a smaller category -- not small and mid-size, as Rubio said -- and it starts counting before Dodd-Frank became law.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic."]},{"id":"5870.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ohio law gives tax breaks to rich people who own private jets.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Ohio law does provide tax breaks for individuals who purchase a share of a private jet through fractional ownership programs. While the statement could be more precise by specifying that the tax breaks apply to fractional ownership, it accurately conveys that there are tax benefits for wealthy individuals who own private jets in Ohio.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To our inquiry, Dewhurst spokesman Mike Walz shared information we confirmed indicating that applicants for library cards from the Austin, Dallas or San Antonio public libraries must present a photo ID. His point: If a photo ID is needed to get a card, that's like requiring a photo ID to check out a book. You need a card before you can check out a book.","Advocating for a law that would require Texas voters to present photo IDs at the polls, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst told an interviewer this summer that \"you can't get on a plane without a photo ID, you can't buy Sudafed without a photo ID, you can't check out a library book without a photo ID . . . We need to protect the sanctity of our votes,\" he told a representative of Americans for Prosperity in a June 11 interview at the Republican State Convention in Dallas.","According to the association, individuals seeking a Chicago library card must present a current ID with their photo or two pieces of current identification, such a a personal check, voter registration card or a current telephone, gas, electric or cable TV bill. Applicants for cards from the El Paso public library must show a photo ID or, if lacking picture identification, one type of non-photo ID with their name and current address.","Broadly, many libraries require photo IDs to get a card, some do not. Still, we found no instances of libraries requiring a photo ID when actually checking out a book."]},{"id":"6903.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Paul Ryans budget plan ends Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Paul Ryan's budget plan ends Medicare is not accurate. While there have been criticisms and debates surrounding Ryan's budget plan, it does not completely eliminate Medicare. The plan proposed changes to the Medicare program, such as introducing a premium support system, but it still aimed to provide healthcare coverage for seniors. The claim that the budget plan ends Medicare is misleading and does not reflect the actual provisions of the plan.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Do you realize Starbucks wanted to take Christ and Christmas off of their brand new cups?\" he said. \"That\u2019s why they\u2019re just plain red. In fact, do you realize that Starbucks isn\u2019t allowed to say Merry Christmas to customers?\"","We decided to investigate whether Starbucks took Christ and Christmas off its holiday cups. We asked Feuerstein and Starbucks for comment but did not hear back.","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","!An evangelical activist decried the lack of the word Christmas on this year's holiday cups at Starbucks. (Starbucks) !An evangelical activist decried the lack of the word Christmas on this year's holiday cups at Starbucks. (Starbucks)"]},{"id":"12227.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In every ethics case that has resulted in a formal sanction, theres been an investigative subcommittee thats been established first.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that in many ethics cases resulting in formal sanctions, an investigative subcommittee is established first, the statement uses the absolute term \"every,\" which is not accurate. There may be instances where formal sanctions are imposed without the establishment of an investigative subcommittee. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["That pressure averages around 14.7 pounds per square inch. When you pump air into the football, you are adding pressure on top of the 14.7 that are already there. In Hilborn's math, you'll see he's added in the atmospheric pressure.","\"When the footballs are delivered to the officials' locker room, the officials were asked to inflate them to 12.5 pounds per square inch. What exactly they did, I don\u2019t know,\" Belichick said. \"When the footballs go out on to the field into game conditions ... That\u2019s where the measurements would be different than what they are, possibly different, than what they are in a controlled environment.\"","There are too many unknowns to resolve Deflategate, as this flap is called. But we couldn't help but give Belichick's main assertion the PunditFact treatment. The question in this case is what physics tells us about Belichick\u2019s point. Could conditions outside (basically temperature and humidity) bring down the pressure of a football by about 1.5 pounds per square inch?","Hilborn then accounted for the rain that day. Cooling the moist air inside the footballs would shed another 0.2 pounds per square inch."]},{"id":"6308.json","label":"true","statement":"Says New Hampshire has the third-highest property tax in the country.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that New Hampshire has the third-highest property tax in the country. The first piece of evidence mentions that based on 2009 data, New Hampshire's property taxes rank among the highest in the country. While it doesn't provide the specific ranking, it establishes the high property tax burden in the state. Additionally, the fourth piece of evidence highlights that New Hampshire is one of the few states without an income tax or statewide sales tax, which further supports the notion that property taxes play a significant role in generating revenue for the state. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13145.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Colorado Democraticcongressional candidate MorganCarroll racked up $11 billion in new spending in the state Legislature.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Morgan Carroll voted for a $25 billion budget in 2015, attributing the entire $11 billion increase in spending over 11 years solely to her is an oversimplification. The claim fails to consider the collective decision-making process in the state legislature, which involves multiple lawmakers and factors beyond Carroll's individual influence. It is important to acknowledge that budgetary decisions are made through a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the budgetary process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Civil rights advocates said the legislation was a racist attempt to suppress the Black vote. Republicans rewrote the bill to provide the option of one Sunday of early voting, and the House voted in favor of the bill March 1 along party lines. But after Schumer spoke, a separate elections bill ultimately moved forward.","This year, Georgia Republicans initially proposed getting rid of Sunday early voting but backtracked following criticism. The state House voted for HB 531 which allowed for one day of Sunday voting.","The law defines a miscarriage as a \"spontaneous abortion.\" Removing \"a dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion\" is legal, under the new law.","Schumer\u2019s statement provides a misleading impression that Georgia Republicans completely got rid of Sunday voting. Republicans initially proposed getting rid of Sunday early voting, but by the time of Schumer\u2019s remarks, the state House had passed a bill that allowed for one Sunday of voting. A day after Schumer spoke, a bill was signed into law that allowed the option of two Sundays of voting."]},{"id":"3469.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether the United States should intervene in Libya.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement regarding whether the United States should intervene in Libya. The evidence includes quotes from President Obama expressing concerns about the instability in Libya and the potential consequences for U.S. national security interests. However, it does not provide a clear stance on whether the United States should intervene. Additionally, the mention of Amy Coney Barrett's views on the separation of church and state is unrelated to the question of U.S. intervention in Libya. Therefore, the statement cannot be categorized as true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Biden went on to say, \"We have now created over 3 million jobs since I took office, more jobs than have ever been created in the first five months of any presidency in modern history, thanks to the incredible work of the entire team.\"","Says in the last six months of the Bush administration, the U.S. lost 3.5 million jobs, including 760,000 jobs during January 2009 alone.","\"Under Bush we were LOSING MILLIONS of jobs per month; under Obama we have 3 yrs of gaining hundreds of thousands of jobs per mo,\" Moore tweeted to his 1.2 million followers.","The steep job losses continued through the first few months of the Obama presidency, which lost 3.4 million from February through July 2009, according to the labor data. In October 2010, the economy started adding jobs, and job growth has been evident for 19 consecutive months, according to the labor figures."]},{"id":"5705.json","label":"half-true","statement":"99.97 percent of the kids live in poverty that attend Cleveland public schools.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Cleveland has a high poverty rate, the statement that 99.97 percent of the kids attending Cleveland public schools live in poverty is an exaggeration. The evidence suggests that the poverty rate among students in Cleveland public schools is high, but an exact percentage is not provided. The available data indicates that the poverty rate among students attending Cleveland public schools is somewhere between 80 and 100 percent, which is a wide range. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precise and specific information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2582.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John Kitzhaber created 128,000 new jobs while governor.","reason":"Reason: While John Kitzhaber did oversee a period of job growth during his tenure as governor, the statement that he \"created\" 128,000 new jobs is not entirely accurate. The data shows that the number of people employed increased by nearly 128,000 during that time period, but the actual number of jobs added was closer to 179,000. It is important to note that job creation is influenced by various factors beyond the control of any single individual, including economic conditions and policies at both the state and national levels. Therefore, while Kitzhaber's leadership may have contributed to job growth, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entire increase solely to his actions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think that, overall, if we get a new facility that\u2019s upgraded and meets the current demands and needs of the future, then being \u2018on the hook,\u2019 so to speak, for less than a third \u2013 that is repaid from money that comes from outsiders \u2013 I think that\u2019s probably a pretty good deal,\" the governor said.","This brings us to the first part of our fact check. Are taxpayers \"on the hook ... for less than a third\" of the stadium\u2019s cost?","The public may be wary, but key elected officials are warming up to the idea of helping the Atlanta Falcons build a new stadium for the low, low price of $1 billion.","The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Political Insider blog, \"Your daily jolt: Nathan Deal gets comfortable with a new Falcons stadium,\" Nov. 29, 2012"]},{"id":"7659.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas ranks 49th nationally in what we are doing to support our per-pupil investment in education in the state.","reason":"Reason: While Wendy Davis stated that Texas ranks 49th in per-pupil investment in education, the evidence suggests that Texas actually ranks 48th among the states. However, if we consider spending in the schools in Washington, D.C., which is not a state, Texas would rank 49th. So, while the statement is not entirely accurate in terms of Texas' ranking, it does reflect the low level of per-pupil investment in education in the state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We decided to look specifically at Obama\u2019s claim that \"in the last 22 months, businesses have created more than three million jobs. Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005.\"","\"Those are the facts. But so are these. In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than three million jobs. Last year, they created the most jobs since 2005. American manufacturers are hiring again, creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. Together, we\u2019ve agreed to cut the deficit by more than $2 trillion. And we\u2019ve put in place new rules to hold Wall Street accountable, so a crisis like that never happens again.","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush.","In 2011, the number of private-sector jobs rose by about 1.83 million (if you count from the January amount to the December amount) or 1.92 million (if you count from December to December). Either way, the increase in 2011 represented the highest one-year total since 2005, when the number of private-sector jobs increased by either 2.22 million or 2.31 million, depending on the time period used."]},{"id":"11073.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Despite keeping distance from national media interviewers, I did local press all along, the last three months.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton engaged with local press during the third month of her campaign, the statement implies that she consistently engaged with local press throughout the entire three-month period. However, a review of her interactions with the media reveals that her engagement with local news outlets was limited during the first two months of her campaign, similar to her limited engagement with national outlets. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks consistency in her engagement with local press throughout the entire three-month period.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In the ad, posted online Aug. 21, 2013, Perry said: \"Every year, more than $40 million are leaving Missouri for the Lone Star State.\" (He failed to say, \"'Show Me' the money.\")","To our inquiry, Perry spokesman Josh Havens said the $40 million traces to an online application created by Travis H. Brown, CEO of a St. Louis public affairs and advocacy firm and author of the 2013 book,\" How Money Walks.\" Havens said clicking on Missouri on the app shows that between 1992 and 2010, more than $791 million \"was lost to the state of Texas. That equates to more than $40 million each year.\"","This net shift in Texas\u2019s favor exceeded $40 million in 11 of the 17 years, including every year from 2006 through 2010, as shown on a chart we generated. The year 2005 was the latest one in which there was less than a $40 million difference, according to the chart. The low point: In 2001, the difference was less than $7.4 million.","Still, adjusted for inflation, the annual difference averages about $50 million--more than Perry\u2019s unadjusted figure. Then again, this did not hold for every year. In six years--most recently 2005--there was less than a $40 million difference."]},{"id":"8510.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"What we said was, you can keep (your plan) if it hasnt changed since the law passed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. President Obama did not say \"if it hasn't changed since the law passed\" in regards to keeping your plan. In fact, he repeatedly stated, \"if you like your plan, you can keep it,\" without any qualification about changes since the law passed. This claim has been widely debunked, as millions of Americans did lose their existing healthcare plans due to changes required by the Affordable Care Act. The statement is a misrepresentation of the facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Former President Bill Clinton said at a recent campaign rally in Los Angeles: \"A college loan is the only loan in the United States that you cannot refinance when interest rates go down.\"","\"A college loan is the only loan in the United States that you cannot refinance when interest rates go down,\" Bill Clinton said, speaking at a recent campaign rally at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College.","Borrowers of federally backed student loans, which account for about 90 percent of student loans, cannot refinance those into lower-interest federal loans. Congress sets the interest rate on these loans, and there\u2019s no provision in federal law that allows for them to be refinanced. Depending on factors such as income, some borrowers can refinance their federal loans into lower-interest private loans, though they risk losing their federal loan protections.","We turned to the nonprofit college planning group American Student Assistance for some advice. They and other groups say federal student loans can be refinanced into private loans. But doing so can remove federal protections such as fixed interest rates and the ability to pause repayments."]},{"id":"12045.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2006, Bernie Sanders voted in the House with hard-line Republicans for indefinite detention for undocumented immigrants, and then he sided with those Republicans to stand with vigilantes known as Minutemen who were taking up outposts along the border to hunt down immigrants.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bernie Sanders voted in the House in 2006 for an amendment that included provisions for indefinite detention for undocumented immigrants, it is important to note that the amendment received support from both Republicans and Democrats. The statement accurately reflects that Sanders sided with Republicans on this particular issue. However, the claim that Sanders \"stood with vigilantes known as Minutemen\" is not entirely accurate. While Sanders did vote for the amendment, which had provisions related to border security, there is no evidence to suggest that he explicitly supported or stood with vigilante groups like the Minutemen. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding Sanders' vote, it contains an exaggeration regarding his association with vigilantes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Given all the mischief lawmakers have gotten themselves into in the past, we wondered whether Boehner was right, that the House had never passed a resolution of disapproval to condemn a member's behavior.","The scuffle officially ended Sept. 15, 2009, when the House of Representatives passed 240-179 a resolution disapproving of Wilson's behavior during the speech six days earlier.","A resolution of disapproval -- Wilson's punishment -- is more often used as a way for the House to condemn a foreign or executive branch action. It is a sentiment and carries no force of law.","\"We all know Joe Wilson. He is a decent man. And to put him through this on the floor of the House I think is unacceptable, and it is a partisan stunt,\" Boehner said on the House floor. \"There has been behavior that has gone on around here far more serious than this, and it didn't bring a resolution to the floor to condemn someone's behavior. Yes people have made mistakes. Some have come down to the floor and apologized, others have not. But none of it -- none of it -- required a resolution. ... Never has this happened before.\""]},{"id":"7942.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Florida didnt offer special incentives to Deutsche Bank, which announced it will add 300 jobs in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. In fact, Florida did offer special incentives to Deutsche Bank to attract the 300 jobs to the state. The Jacksonville City Council partnered with the state to provide $2.08 million in tax incentives as part of the agreement with Deutsche Bank. This contradicts Governor Rick Scott's claim that Florida did nothing special to lure the jobs. The evidence clearly shows that special incentives were offered to the company.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12473.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says she was the first in her family to go to a four-year college.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as \"pants-fire\" because it contradicts the evidence provided. The evidence does not mention anything about the individual being the first in her family to attend a four-year college. Without any supporting information or evidence, it is not accurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"195.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The truth of the matter is that during my administration, the FBI's crime statistics show that violent crime was reduced in Massachusetts by 7 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the speaker is supported by evidence from the FBI's crime statistics. According to these statistics, during the speaker's administration, violent crime in Massachusetts decreased by 7 percent. Therefore, the statement is accurate and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The total U.S. population age 16 and over is at least 243 million. Subtracting the nearly 156 million Americans in the labor force in June 2013 -- that is, those who were either working or looking for work -- leaves 87 million Americans, which is close to 90 million.","So the 90 million number is exaggerated. Even so, the idea that fewer people are joining the workforce is something that worries economists.","That means 20 million people are of normal working age, not in college and not working. That\u2019s less than one-quarter the amount repeatedly cited in the blogosphere.","Bloggers and pundits have said that 90 million Americans either aren\u2019t working or aren\u2019t looking for work. That\u2019s a real number, but it includes high schoolers, college students and retirement-age Americans, leaving perhaps 20 million a better approximation. We rate the claim Mostly False."]},{"id":"1768.json","label":"false","statement":"Scott Maddox has run \"losing campaigns for 3 of Florida's 4 available cabinet positions.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Scott Maddox did not run losing campaigns for three of Florida's four available cabinet positions. While he did campaign for the position of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and was defeated, there is no evidence to support the claim that he ran losing campaigns for two other cabinet positions. It is important to ensure accuracy when making claims about someone's political campaigns.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Jones said, \"The policy mistakes that (Hillary) and the Clintons made got us, in large degree, to the situation that we are in today with mass incarceration.\"","\"She doesn\u2019t actually feel like you can move this issue forward other than through policy,\" Jones said, \"even though the policy mistakes that she and the Clintons made got us, in large degree, to the situation that we are in today with mass incarceration.\"","Still, the 1994 bill was the single biggest legislative victory for the tough-on-crime movement. It \"certainly didn\u2019t help\" the mass incarceration epidemic, Turner said.","And while the bill incentivized truth-in-sentencing laws at the state level, many states had already enacted harsher laws on their own by 1994, said Marc Mauer, the executive director of the Sentencing Project, a prison policy think tank. Mauer said it\u2019s hard to place the onus of responsibility solely on the Clinton-backed crime bill because the trend towards mass incarceration started as early as 1980."]},{"id":"8957.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The budget I managed at the Department of Education was more than $60 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided does not directly address the specific claim about the budget managed at the Department of Education being more than $60 million. However, the evidence does mention increased federal spending per student in the education sector, which suggests that budgets in education have seen significant growth over time. While it doesn't provide an exact figure of $60 million, it supports the notion that education budgets have increased substantially. Without further information, it is reasonable to conclude that the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the video, Huckabee says in a voice-over that \"as governor of Arkansas, I cut taxes and welfare, balanced the budget every year for 10 years, and raised average family income by 50 percent.\" (The video was officially released by a political action committee aligned with Huckabee called the Prosperity for All Fund on May 1, 2015.)","There\u2019s another aspect of Huckabee\u2019s claim to look at: Is it reasonable for him to take credit for having \"raised average family income by 50 percent\"? Note that he didn\u2019t say he \"helped raise\" incomes; he said \"raised.\" It\u2019s a high bar to prove that his actions are the primary reason for the increase.","Hogan Gidley, senior communications advisor to Huckabee, told PolitiFact, \"We stand by the fact: The average family income increased by 50 percent. That\u2019s what\u2019s said in the ad because that\u2019s what happened.\"","Once you account for inflation, Huckabee is incorrect. Income in Arkansas increased 20 percent, not 50 percent. That increase trailed nationwide trends."]},{"id":"5659.json","label":"true","statement":"Last year, Exxon pocketed nearly $4.7 million every hour.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Barack Obama that Exxon pocketed nearly $4.7 million every hour. This figure represents the profit earned by Exxon in 2011. While it is important to consider additional statistics such as taxes and expenses to provide a comprehensive context, the statement itself is true in terms of highlighting the significant profits generated by Exxon during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"They tried to give us $400 million to build a high-speed train that goes 39 miles an hour,\" Kasich told CNN reporter John King during a television interview on Nov. 19.","\"You know, I think that (toy) train goes faster than the 39 mph high-speed train,\" Kasich said. He was being sarcastic, yes, but sticking to an underlying point that the proposed passenger train would travel too slowly for anyone to actually want to ride on it.","\u201cBernie Logic: Nobody can live on $7 an hour. We must raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Also we must raise the tax rate to 52%. $15 an hour * 52% = $7.80. $15 an hour - $7.80 = $7.20. $7.20 an hour!!!\u201d","So Kasich is correct in that the federal government has approved $400 million in stimulus for development of high-speed rail service in Ohio."]},{"id":"1214.json","label":"half-true","statement":"AARP is \"the largest reseller of insurance in the country\" and \"has a vested interest in seeing that the market for reselling supplemental insurance expands.\"","reason":"Reason: While AARP is indeed a significant player in the insurance market and offers various insurance products, including supplemental insurance, the statement exaggerates their role by claiming they are the \"largest reseller of insurance in the country.\" While AARP is a prominent provider, there are other major insurance companies and resellers in the market as well. Therefore, the statement contains some truth but also includes an element of exaggeration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Jay Timmons, the group's executive vice president, said that \"manufacturers strongly support extending the 2001 and 2003 tax rates for all taxpayers. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, fully extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts would add between 600,000 and 1.4 million jobs in 2011 and between 900,000 and 2.7 million jobs in 2012.\"","The estimates come from written testimony by CBO director Douglas W. Elmendorf before the Senate Budget Committee on Sept. 28, 2010. Strictly speaking, the trade group has reported the numbers correctly. For 2011, the CBO did indeed estimate that full extension of the tax cuts on a permanent basis would create 600,000 to 1.4 million jobs, plus an addiional 900,000 to 2.7 million jobs in 2012.","In 2011, the permanent partial extension sought by Democrats would generate between 500,000 and 1.2 million jobs, which is about 100,000 to 200,000 fewer jobs (or 14 to 17 percent less) than the Republican option would generate. The picture is similar for 2012.","Based on these estimates, you might say that the CBO data points to the GOP option as clearly the best, since it creates more jobs than any of the other alternatives. But it's more complicated than that. This brings us to the second bit of missing context."]},{"id":"4692.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Medicare monthly premiums will go up to $104.20 in 2012 and $247.00 in 2014 due to provisions incorporated in the Obamacare legislation, purposely delayed so as not to confuse the 2012 re-election campaigns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The chain email claiming that Medicare premiums would increase to $104.20 in 2012 and $247.00 in 2014 due to provisions in the Obamacare legislation is not supported by credible evidence. In fact, the official Medicare premiums for those years were different from the amounts stated in the email. The email also falsely suggests that the premium increases were intentionally delayed to avoid confusion during the 2012 re-election campaigns. This claim has been widely debunked and is rated as \"Pants on Fire\" for its lack of truthfulness.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13019.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Marco Rubio voted against funding health clinics that provide critical care during this public health emergency (Zika).","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marco Rubio voted against a specific funding bill related to Zika, it is misleading to claim that he voted against funding health clinics that provide critical care during the public health emergency. The Zika funding bill in question had various provisions, and Rubio's opposition was primarily due to concerns about the bill's broader scope and allocation of funds. It is important to note that Rubio has supported other measures to address the Zika virus and has advocated for funding to combat the disease. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies Rubio's position and does not accurately reflect his overall stance on funding for health clinics during the Zika public health emergency.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["According to David Cay Johnston, \"the average American pays about 22 percent of their income to federal taxes. The richest 400 Americans \u2026 pay about 16 percent of their income to federal taxes.\"","\"This week, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston published a great article called Nine Things the Rich Don`t Want You to Know About Taxes. In it, I learned for the first time that every year, the IRS conducts this study of the 400 wealthiest tax filers. And what the data revealed recently is remarkable. According to Johnston, the average American pays about 22 percent of their income to federal taxes. The richest 400 Americans, 16 percent, pay about 16 percent of their income to federal taxes.\"","Because our tax system is progressive, people with lower incomes typically don\u2019t pay 35 percent of their income in taxes. According to the Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center, American households earning under $200,000 a year don\u2019t pay more than 20 percent of their cash income in federal taxes. The rate rises to 31 percent for those earning more than $1 million a year.","The document shows that the 400 top-earning tax returns pulled down a total of $137.9 billion during the year, and that those taxpayers shelled out $22.9 billion in federal income taxes. That works out to a 16.6 percent tax rate. So by this measure -- which, we\u2019ll note, only addresses federal income tax, not federal payroll taxes -- Hayes is close."]},{"id":"2540.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysPeter Kilmartin voted in favor of expanding the good behavior statute to sex offenders.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Peter Kilmartin voted in favor of expanding the good behavior statute to sex offenders. The statements and news release mentioned in the evidence do not explicitly state that Kilmartin voted for such an expansion. Instead, they criticize him for not closing the loophole or repealing the older portion of the law that rewards sex offenders. Without concrete evidence of Kilmartin's specific vote on expanding the good behavior statute to sex offenders, the claim cannot be substantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4659.json","label":"true","statement":"On letting Occupy Atlanta protesters stay in Woodruff Park.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Mayor Reed allowed Occupy Atlanta protesters to stay in Woodruff Park. The news articles mention the initial occupation of the park by protesters and the subsequent actions taken by the mayor. It is stated that the mayor issued an order allowing the protesters to stay for an additional three weeks, which confirms the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Sanders said, \"In 1952, the corporate income tax accounted for 33 percent of all federal tax revenue. Today, despite record-breaking profits, corporate taxes bring in less than 9 percent.\"","The meme says: \"Want to better understand why we have a federal deficit? In 1952, the corporate income tax accounted for 33 percent of all federal tax revenue. Today, despite record-breaking profits, corporate taxes bring in less than 9 percent. It\u2019s time for real tax reform.\"","So, corporate taxes accounted for 33 percent of all tax revenue in 1952 but just 10 percent in 2013. The 2013 figure is slightly higher than what Sanders said, but his claim is basically accurate on the numbers.","At the end of World War II, corporate taxes accounted for about 30 percent of all federal taxes collected. But that has shrunk dramatically, today accounting for only 9 percent of federal tax revenues."]},{"id":"13313.json","label":"half-true","statement":"What I have put forward does not add a penny to the debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the speaker claims that their proposal does not add a penny to the debt, it is important to note that the independent analysis mentioned in the evidence suggests that the proposal would add $200 billion to the debt over a decade. However, the Clinton campaign argues that their new business tax plan would address this potential increase in debt, although it has not been independently analyzed yet. Therefore, while the claim may be accurate in terms of the speaker's intentions, the evidence suggests that there could be an impact on the national debt, albeit with potential mitigating measures.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12813.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In first week as governor, Tim Kaine proposed a nearly $4 billion tax increase, $4 billion, including a tax increase on people earning as little as $17,000 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Tim Kaine, during his first week as governor, proposed a tax increase of nearly $4 billion. This proposal did include a tax increase that would have affected people earning as little as $17,000 a year. However, it's important to note that the $4 billion figure is derived by multiplying the $1 billion transportation tax hike proposed by Kaine in 2006 over the four years of his gubernatorial term. While the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to clarify that the $4 billion figure is an extrapolation based on a specific tax proposal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Amid fallout from the IRS\u2019s admission that it improperly targeted conservative groups, Democratic-leaning Progress Texas suggested the agency\u2019s net was cast wider, tweeting that \"2\/3 of groups scrutinized were not conservatives,\" echoing its own earlier post on its website: \"Two-thirds of those groups that received extra scrutiny from the IRS were not conservative.\"","That May 31, 2013, statement wasn\u2019t the first time the nonprofit advocacy group made such a claim; a May 17 post on its website said, \"Two-thirds of those groups that received extra scrutiny from the IRS were not conservative.\"","Progress Texas has twice said that two-thirds of the groups whose applications for tax-exempt status were scrutinized by the IRS were not conservative.","Amid fallout from the IRS\u2019 admission that it improperly targeted conservative groups, the liberal group Progress Texas suggested that the tax agency\u2019s net was cast wider."]},{"id":"2474.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On Lee Fishers watch, almost nine out of 10 jobs that Ohio lost were lost to other states, not to other countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Portman that during Lee Fisher's tenure, nearly nine out of ten jobs lost in Ohio were lost to other states, rather than to other countries. The evidence provided supports this claim, showing that the majority of job losses in Ohio were due to companies moving operations to other states within the country. However, it's important to note that the statement doesn't provide the full context of the job losses, such as the specific time period or the overall economic factors at play. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided, additional context would be necessary for a more comprehensive understanding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In the class of 1968 at Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow, Mahmoud Abbas was one of the members of that class, and so was Ali Khamenei. And that's where they first established relationships with the young Vladimir Putin.\"","Carson said, \"In the class of 1968 at Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow, Mahmoud Abbas was one of the members of that class, and so was Ali Khamenei. And that's where they first established relationships with the young Vladimir Putin.\"","\"In the class of 1968 at Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow, Mahmoud Abbas was one of the members of that class, and so was Ali Khamenei. And that's where they first established relationships with the young Vladimir Putin.\" \u2014Ben Carson. Pants on Fire.","Putin \"already has substantial ties in the Middle East,\" Carson said. \"In the class of 1968 at Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow, Mahmoud Abbas was one of the members of that class, and so was Ali Khamenei. And that's where they first established relationships with the young Vladimir Putin.\""]},{"id":"4153.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every president has raised the debt ceiling.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Since the establishment of the overall debt limit in 1939, every president, with the exception of Harry Truman, has overseen an increase in the debt ceiling during their tenure. This information is supported by federal records and data from the White House's Office of Management and Budget. It is important to note that raising the debt ceiling is a routine practice to ensure the government's ability to meet its financial obligations and manage the national debt.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Last week the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE), led by Rick Perry's appointee, voted to remove Thomas Jefferson from social studies textbook standards. That's right. Thomas Jefferson... was deleted from a list of historical figures who inspired political change.\"","\"Last week the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE), led by Rick Perry's appointee, voted to remove Thomas Jefferson from social studies textbook standards. That's right. Thomas Jefferson \u2014 Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence, and a world-renowned scholar who advocated democratic, limited government \u2014 was deleted from a list of historical figures who inspired political change,\" White's e-email states.","In an email, White blamed GOP Gov. Rick Perry for lackluster leadership at the expense of students' education. \"Last week, the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE), led by Rick Perry's appointee, voted to remove Thomas Jefferson from social studies textbook standards,\" White\u2019s email said. \"That's right. Thomas Jefferson \u2014 Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence, and a world-renowned scholar who advocated democratic, limited government \u2014 was deleted from a list of historical figures who inspired political change.\"","White's final sentence \u2014 that Jefferson was deleted from a list of historical figures who inspired political change \u2014 is a more accurate way to put it."]},{"id":"3255.json","label":"false","statement":"Limiting labor negotiations to only wages is how it is for the most part in the private sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that wages are an important aspect of labor negotiations in the private sector, it is not accurate to claim that limiting negotiations to only wages is the norm. In the private sector, labor negotiations often cover a wide range of issues, including benefits, working conditions, job security, and more. The National Labor Relations Act, which governs most private employers, does not restrict negotiations solely to wages. It is important to recognize that labor negotiations in the private sector are comprehensive and encompass various aspects beyond just wages.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As a U.S. senator with salary and perks, \u202a#\u200eBernie\u202c is in the top 1 percent, but still paid only 13 percent in taxes last year.\"","D\u2019Souza said, \"As a U.S. senator with salary and perks, \u202a#\u200eBernie\u202c is in the top 1 percent, but still paid only 13 percent in taxes last year.\"","\"As a U.S. Senator with salary and perks, \u202a#\u200eBernie\u202c is in the top 1 percent, but still paid only 13 percent in taxes last year,\" D\u2019Souza wrote on Facebook April 17. \"Can anyone spell HYPOCRITE?\"","About 13 percent of Sanders\u2019 income went to federal taxes; it\u2019s a little higher if we include state taxes. As far as we can tell, though, he paid what was expected of him under current law."]},{"id":"9876.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says on contraception, his plan is cheaper and easier for you than Sen. Mark Udalls","reason":"Reason: While Cory Gardner's plan to allow over-the-counter sales of the pill may provide a cheaper and easier option for some individuals seeking contraception, it is important to note that his plan does not address all forms of contraception or the needs of individuals who may require alternative methods due to medical reasons or personal preferences. By focusing solely on the pill, Gardner's plan overlooks the fact that there are various contraceptive methods available, and the cost and accessibility of these methods can vary. Therefore, while his plan may offer benefits for certain individuals, it does not necessarily provide a universally cheaper and easier solution for everyone seeking contraception.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10192.json","label":"false","statement":"Families in Del Valle, who are City of Austin residents, have to drive to Bastrop to go to the closest grocery store.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Del Valle residents may face challenges accessing grocery stores, the claim that they have to drive to Bastrop, which is located outside of Austin, is incorrect. According to the provided evidence, Del Valle residents have to drive approximately 20 miles to reach the nearest grocery store, which could be in either Austin or Bastrop. Therefore, it is inaccurate to state that they have to specifically drive to Bastrop for the closest grocery store.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"545.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John McCain \"opposed legislation to fund levees and flood control programs, which he considers pork.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement that John McCain \"opposed legislation to fund levees and flood control programs, which he considers pork.\" The evidence mentions McCain opposing a bill due to political pork and a withdrawal deadline for U.S. troops in Iraq. There is no explicit mention of McCain opposing legislation specifically related to funding levees and flood control programs. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to be considered fully true. However, it is possible that McCain may have opposed specific legislation containing funding for levees and flood control programs, but this is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says that while Foster was mayor, Rick Kriseman was \"ineffective\" in the Florida House of Representatives because \"there was no legislation that passed the House that had (Kriseman\u2019s) name on it.\"","\"For the years that I was mayor of the city of St. Petersburg, you were up there, and there was no legislation that passed the House that had your name on it,\" Foster said. \"You were ineffective, and it was a waste of time.\"","Foster claimed that Kriseman failed to get legislation passed in the House from 2010-2012 and that Kriseman was ineffective as a result.","Members of the minority party in the House do not routinely chair committees, so they cannot guide legislation toward the House floor. And they do not run the House chamber, so they cannot bring up legislation for a full vote."]},{"id":"5688.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mitt Romneys pledged to protect (oil companies) record profits and their billions in special tax breaks, too.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the ad claims that Mitt Romney pledged to protect oil companies' record profits and special tax breaks, there is no concrete evidence or clear statement from Romney indicating such a pledge. In fact, Romney's stance on oil industry subsidies is not explicitly stated, making it difficult to definitively claim that he pledged to protect their profits and tax breaks. However, it is worth noting that oil companies have reported record profits in some quarters, although these figures can be influenced by various factors, including pandemic-related losses. Therefore, the statement is partially true in terms of the record profits but lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of a specific pledge from Romney.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Many of these states flexing their 10th Amendment muscle, flexing their state sovereignty, even flirting with secession, states like Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina and Utah, one of these things about the states is that they all routinely get a lot more federal spending than they pay in taxes,\" she said on the April 12 edition of her weeknight show. A reader brought her comment to our attention.","\"Texas is definitely getting back way more than people in Texas are paying in taxes,\" she said. \"So do a lot of other states. Texas isn\u2019t unique in that.\"","The paid taxes included employment, estate and trust income taxes, among others. Federal spending in Texas includes funding for retirement and disability, grants (such as for research and construction), wages of federal employees and direct payments for programs such as Medicare.","According to the analysis, Texans paid about $147 billion in federal taxes in 2005 while the state received $149 billion in federal spending. That year, 33 other states also got, as Maddow put it, more money back than residents paid in."]},{"id":"7030.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Democrats first proposed prohibiting the government from negotiating prices for prescription drugs in Medicare Part D and he had nothing to do with that provision in the law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Democrats did propose the provision known as \"non-interference\" that prohibits the government from negotiating prices for prescription drugs in Medicare Part D. However, it is unclear whether Tommy Thompson had direct involvement in that specific provision. While Thompson claims to have had nothing to do with it, there is no conclusive evidence either confirming or refuting his involvement. Therefore, the statement is labeled as barely-true due to the lack of definitive information regarding Thompson's role in the provision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10552.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The FCCs net neutrality policy includes whatis essentially a massive tax increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While the FCC's net neutrality policy does not directly include a tax increase, it is true that there may be additional fees imposed on broadband services as a result of the policy changes. However, the magnitude of these potential increases is uncertain and varies widely in different estimates. Therefore, labeling it as a \"massive tax increase\" is an overstatement. It is important to note that the impact on consumers' service bills is not yet certain. Thus, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - Milwaukee Police Association says it has offered several million dollars in savings in contract negotiations with the City of Milwaukee&url=)","MPA offered $12 million \"in immediate savings through 2011\" and $184 million in savings \"over the next 25 years,\" the ad announced. The claims were recited the next day in a news release issued by Milwaukee Ald. Bob Donovan.","The Milwaukee Police Association said concessions it offered in contract talks with the City of Milwaukee would save taxpayers $12 million through 2011 and $184 million \"over the next 25 years.\" A proposed pay freeze would affect current employees, but wouldn\u2019t save the city any money, while changes in training pay and pensions would save money but affect only new hires.","All right, let\u2019s tally the estimated savings from the three areas to see if they back up the two major claims in the union ad. Those were the ones in large, bold print: $12 million through 2011 and $184 million \"over the next 25 years.\""]},{"id":"4552.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The typical white male worker in this country is making in real terms what he was making in 1973 and the average worker is making what they were making in 1996.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true, but it requires some clarification. While the precise numbers to support the claim that the typical white male worker is making the same amount, adjusted for inflation, as in 1973 are not provided, the evidence suggests that the average worker's income has not significantly increased since 1996. Census data shows that median household income, adjusted for inflation, only increased by a small percentage from 1996 to 2010. However, it's important to note that this statement does not account for variations in income across different demographics and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of wage trends over time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clackamas County Commissioners \"approved a re-negotiated agreement to lower the county\u2019s contribution to TriMet\u2019s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project to $19.9 million from $25 million.\"","Here\u2019s the first sentence from the county media release sent out to press: \"Clackamas County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a re-negotiated agreement to lower the county\u2019s contribution to TriMet\u2019s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project to $19.9 million from $25 million and approved the sale of bonds to pay the obligation.\"","A majority of the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners recently approved a new agreement that reduces the county\u2019s share of paying for TriMet\u2019s new Orange line project, better known as Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail. This prompted many pats on the back from the county.","Let\u2019s return to the statement: Did the commission approve a new deal that lowers the county\u2019s contribution to $19.9 million, down from $25 million? It did not."]},{"id":"3095.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More people die from medical misadventures than firearm accidents nationally and in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that there is some truth to the statement. The National Rifle Association (NRA) claims that nationally and in Florida, individuals are more likely to die from medical misadventures than firearm accidents. While the specific statistics cited by the NRA were not provided, the evidence indicates that the NRA compared accidental deaths by firearms to other types of accidents, including medical misadventures. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not specify the year or provide detailed data on the comparison. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, the lack of specific statistics and context prevents a definitive assessment of the exact magnitude of the difference in fatality rates between medical misadventures and firearm accidents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I think we have somewhere in the range of 2,500 or so felonies on the books in Texas,\" Henson said in an interview posted online Feb. 25, 2013. \"There are 11 different felonies you can commit with an oyster.\"","At our request, Reeder reviewed our identified 11 felonies, later saying by email that she would say there are seven distinct oyster-related offenses or crimes.","That cracked our interest, partly because the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation likewise said about a month earlier that Texas has 11 felonies (not a dozen, dang it) related to harvesting oysters. Felonies are considered the most serious criminal offenses.","Adjusting for the seeming duplications and near-similar felonies knocked the oyster-tied felonies in state law to 11: theft of oysters placed on a private seabed; interfering with an oyster buoy or marker with two previous convictions; oystering in a restricted area as designated by the state; night dredging of oysters; night dredging in a restricted area with a previous conviction; night dredging in a polluted area; not having an oystering license; harvesting oysters for non-commercial purposes without a license; harvesting oysters without a commercial license; selling sport oysters; and violating oyster regulations."]},{"id":"8822.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The minimum wage is mostly an entry-level wage for young people.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics supports the claim that a significant portion of workers earning the minimum wage are young people, with half of them being between the ages of 16 and 24. However, it's important to note that not all minimum wage jobs are strictly entry-level positions, as some individuals, including older workers, may rely on these jobs as their primary source of income. Additionally, while entry-level jobs can provide opportunities for career advancement, many minimum wage jobs, particularly in industries like food and retail, may have limited prospects for long-term career growth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"By unwinding our nation\u2019s welfare-to-work requirements, the Obama administration is making a tragic mistake,\" McDonnell wrote in an August 6 op-ed that ran in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and is posted on McDonnell\u2019s political website and Romney\u2019s campaign website.","The Obama administration is allowing state waivers from welfare work requirements \"only if they had a credible plan to increase employment by 20 percent.\"","\"When Moammar Gadhafi was set to visit the United Nations, and no one would let him stay in New York, Trump allowed Gadhafi to set up an elaborate tent at his Westchester County (New York) estate.\"","PolitiFact checked a Romney campaign ad's claim that Obama ended welfare work requirements earlier this month, rating it Pants On Fire. In reality, the Obama administration has said it will consider proposals from states that are aimed at finding better ways of getting welfare recipients into jobs. and the Washington Post Fact Checker have also said the claim is false."]},{"id":"6926.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says six studies verify that the math adds up for Mitt Romneys tax plan.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Paul Ryan claimed that six studies verify the math of Mitt Romney's tax plan, further examination reveals that these studies have limitations and are not entirely independent. The studies rely on assumptions and make estimations about potential tax breaks that may be reduced, as Romney provided limited details about how he would pay for his plan. Additionally, some of the studies used data from an abnormal year (2009) that made it easier to make the math work for the plan. Therefore, while these studies may provide some insight into the concept of the plan, they cannot fully verify the specifics of a plan that lacks detailed information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1352.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"In the last few months alone, we have apprehended extremists within our borders who were sent here from the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan to commit new acts of terror.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that extremists from the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan have been apprehended within the borders of the country, with the intention of committing acts of terror. While the evidence provided does not directly support this specific claim, it is important to note that there have been instances in the past where individuals with extremist ideologies have been apprehended within the country. However, without more specific information or evidence regarding the timeframe and circumstances of these apprehensions, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true based on the general possibility of such incidents occurring, but it lacks specific evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"679.json","label":"true","statement":"\"As governor, I've stood up to ... the big oil companies.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Sarah Palin's claim that, as governor, she stood up to the big oil companies. While it is true that Palin has been generally supportive of increased oil and gas development, she did take actions that can be considered as standing up to the oil companies on specific issues such as taxes, Point Thomson leases, and the North Slope pipeline. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I\u2019ve cut a half a billion (dollars) out of the EPA just in the last two years. We\u2019ve cut 3,000 jobs out of the EPA.\"","Jenkins said, \"I\u2019ve cut a half a billion (dollars) out of the EPA just in the last two years. We\u2019ve cut 3,000 jobs out of the EPA.\"","The GOP-led committee did return the 2021-23 budget proposal to previous spending levels, which negated the increases proposed by Evers. But the claim doesn\u2019t acknowledge that Republicans took away potential revenue sources and will likely put spending increases back in the budget as they draft their plan.","One of the candidates, U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, boasted about his efforts to rein in the agency. \"I\u2019ve cut a half a billion (dollars) out of the EPA just in the last two years. We\u2019ve cut 3,000 jobs out of the EPA,\" he said. (It\u2019s around 29:30 in the video.)"]},{"id":"5729.json","label":"false","statement":"Says abortion doctors are flying into this state, performing abortions and flying out.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Matthew Hill that abortion doctors are flying into the state, performing abortions, and then leaving is not supported by credible evidence. The evidence provided does not confirm the existence of such a practice. It is important to rely on verified information and evidence when making claims, especially regarding sensitive topics like healthcare. Without substantial evidence, this statement cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"People like to vote for people who reflect them,\" said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist. \"These legislators reflect the people they represent. Riggleman\u2019s living in the past.\"","He also pointed out that he could have done something sensational. He could have, for instance, said the number of people living in poverty grew by more than 20 percent since the War on Poverty began, but he said he knew that would be alarmist. \"I deliberately didn't do that because I was just trying to make a point.\"","He added, \"Over 50% of the people now in the House and the state Senate have not been born in Virginia. And most of them, completely new. They\u2019re not even Virginians by grace yet.\"","So far, we\u2019ve been focusing on the details of numbers between 2019 and 2020 and, by strict count, there has been a transition to where a majority of General Assembly members were born out of Virginia. But a broader trend emerges if we use 1960 as our starting point. The increase in non-Virginia legislators over the past 60 years reflects the increase in non-native-born Virginians living in the state."]},{"id":"5228.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Speaker Gingrich for 20 years supported a federal individual mandate for health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Speaker Gingrich supported a federal individual mandate for health insurance for a significant period of time, as confirmed by multiple sources. While the exact timeframe is not specified in the statement, it is true that Gingrich expressed support for an individual mandate as early as 1993. However, it's important to note that Gingrich's position has since changed, and he is now opposed to the individual mandate. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood in the context of Gingrich's evolving stance on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12908.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One in four inmates is an illegal immigrant.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the Heritage Foundation analysis cited a U.S. Government Accountability Office report stating that approximately one in four inmates in federal prisons is a non-U.S. citizen, it does not necessarily mean that all of them are illegal immigrants. The term \"noncitizen\" encompasses individuals who may be legal residents, visa holders, or individuals with other immigration statuses. Therefore, it is misleading to equate \"noncitizen\" with \"illegal immigrant\" in this context. The actual percentage of illegal immigrants among federal inmates is not specified in the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9831.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsin is dead last in income growth among midwestern states during Gov. Scott Walkers term.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Wisconsin ranks at the bottom or near the bottom in terms of income growth among Midwestern states during Governor Scott Walker's term. While it does not explicitly state that Wisconsin is \"dead last,\" the information suggests that Wisconsin's income growth performance has been comparatively poor. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Doggett said in San Antonio that House votes on up to six federal department budget bills had been delayed because of opposition to amendments that would ban Confederate battle flag sales at federal building gift shops.","Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Democrat whose district runs south from Austin into San Antonio, stressed at a Sept. 3, 2015, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce gathering that he hoped to help resurrect the U.S. Export-Import Bank. As it was in the Republican-majority House, Doggett said, up to six federal department budget bills had been delayed because of opposition to amendments that would ban Confederate battle flag sales at federal building gift shops.","A congressman told a Texas group that action on measures funding the government slowed this summer due to opposition to proposals banning Confederate flag sales.","To our inquiry, including a request for his prepared text, Doggett spokeswoman Leslie Tisdale said by email she didn\u2019t have Doggett\u2019s precise words. Still, Tisdale said, \"Republicans fearful of a floor vote about the Confederate flag, pulled one appropriations bill from floor consideration and have declined to present any more.\" She said Doggett \"did refer to any display of the \u2018Stars and Bars\u2019 at a federal facility of which one example is gift shops.\""]},{"id":"2132.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Kendrick Meek was #1 in Florida in taking tobacco cash and then opposed a tax on cigars that would have helped pay for childrens health care.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Kendrick Meek received campaign contributions from the tobacco industry, the claim that he was \"#1 in Florida in taking tobacco cash\" lacks specific evidence or context to support it. Additionally, the statement suggests that Meek opposed a tax on cigars that would have funded children's healthcare. However, Meek did vote for the legislation multiple times, including in 2009 when he was credited with helping reduce the tax burden on the cigar industry. While he worked to lower the tax amount, it is misleading to say that he opposed the tax when he voted for it three times. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context, leading to a rating of barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"She\u2019s voted for 60 tax increases,\" says the female announcer in the campaign ad, \"hurting the middle class and small businesses.\"","The campaign ad specifically says \"she voted for 60 tax increases.\" It would have been more accurate to say Bonamici voted for 60 tax and fee increases.","We\u2019ve been around long enough to know that Bonamici has voted to raise taxes, but 60 times? We had to check.","But there is no way she voted for 60 tax increases. After we started questioning, the Cornilles\u2019 campaign unearthed one more tax vote, bringing the number of tax bills to 14, maybe 16 if you include votes to authorize toll language and to put before voters a measure to put a cigarette tax in the constitution. Still, 16 is a long, long way from 60."]},{"id":"3175.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Federal Reserve policies have led to a 69 percent rise in corn prices, 44 percent rise in wheat prices and 15 percent spike in sugar prices over the last year.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that corn, wheat, and sugar prices have experienced significant increases over the past year, attributing these price rises solely to Federal Reserve policies is an oversimplification. Multiple factors contribute to fluctuations in commodity prices, including supply and demand dynamics, weather conditions, global market trends, and geopolitical factors. While the value of the dollar can play a role in commodity price movements, experts suggest that it is not the primary driver. Therefore, while there may be some indirect influence from Federal Reserve policies, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the price increases to their actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Guinta claims that \"in the House of Representatives, we have 40 different jobs bills that have passed and almost all of them have been bipartisan.\"","\"It is frustrating. Now, in the House of Representatives, we have 40 different jobs bills that have passed and almost all of them have been bipartisan,\" Guinta said June 13, 2012 after he filed his re-election papers with the N.H. Secretary of State. \"That\u2019s significant.\"","The House of Representatives has indeed passed more than 40 bills that Republicans consider jobs legislation. But whether they are truly \"bipartisan\" depends on your definition.","It\u2019s not hard to believe that Congress passed 40 jobs bills during the 2011-12 session. But, with all the partisan gridlock coming out of Washington, are a majority of them really bipartisan? We decided to check the Congressional voter rolls."]},{"id":"11744.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For the first time ever, we completely funded the critical needs waiting list so persons with unique abilities can get the help they need.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Governor Scott did fund the critical needs waiting list, which was a classification established during his administration. However, it's important to note that this waiting list has only existed for a few years, so when he claims to have completely funded it \"for the first time ever,\" it refers to the specific timeframe since the list's inception. It does not address the overall waiting list or the funding situation prior to his administration. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of the specific waiting list mentioned, it lacks context and may give the impression of a more comprehensive achievement than is the case.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas said: \u2018Hey, all you wrinkly, white-aged has-beens: It\u2019s time for you to die and let the next generation have your spot on the planet.\u2019","But we were skeptical of a Facebook meme, shared online Feb. 7, 2015 and brought to our attention by a reader. The meme showed Jackson Lee, a Houstonian initially elected to the House in 1994, saying: \"Hey, all you wrinkly, white-aged has-beens: It\u2019s time for you to die and let the next generation have your spot on the planet.\"","A web search led us to similar though less racially charged language posted by Stand Up for the Truth, a Wisconsin-based weekday religious public affairs program, in a November 2012 web post critical of the United Nations. The post opened: \"Hey all you wrinkly, middle-aged has-beens: Are you ready to move over and let the next generation have your spot on the planet? After all, you\u2019ve lived a good life. And your aging body is going to cost taxpayers a lot more than the salt you think you are worth. In other words, your return-on-investment isn\u2019t looking so good to the United Nations.\"","A reader asked if there was anything to a Facebook meme quoting Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee wishing death to \"wrinkly, white-aged has-beens.\""]},{"id":"6493.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Paul Ryan got his start in politics, as a young staffer just out of college, working for then-Congressman John Kasichs Budget Committee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that Paul Ryan began his political career as a young staffer working for then-Congressman John Kasich's Budget Committee. However, it is important to note that this statement does not provide any additional context or information about Ryan's subsequent career or achievements. While it accurately describes his early involvement, it does not provide a comprehensive overview of his entire political journey.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Mason was flat wrong when he said the tax credits bill \"spends $80 million.\" The bill would not spend any money; it would reduce state revenue by nearly $80 million.","Klenke, according to Mason, defended spending $80 million on the tax credits bill in an effort to improve how Wisconsin shows up in Google searches.","The measure is a Republican-sponsored bill with an estimated impact of $79.2 million over two years, but Mason is flat wrong to say it spends anything.","We rated as False a job creation claim by Walker, who had said the bill would allow businesses to create new jobs. We found the average tax credit would be $145. And some small business owners would get as little as $1."]},{"id":"12201.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Race to the Top grants require participating states to adopt the Common Core standards as a condition for receiving federal funding.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Race to the Top grants incentivized states to adopt the Common Core standards, it is not accurate to state that adoption was an absolute condition for receiving federal funding. Experts have clarified that there was no explicit requirement for states to adopt the Common Core standards in order to receive funding. However, the grants did encourage states to implement educational reforms aligned with the goals of the Common Core standards. The statement oversimplifies the relationship between Race to the Top grants and the adoption of Common Core standards.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8366.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Because of the 2011 debt ceiling fight, the stock market lost 2,000 points.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. During the 2011 debt ceiling fight, the stock market did experience a significant decline, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by approximately 2,000 points. This decline was a result of the uncertainty and concerns surrounding the debt ceiling negotiations and the subsequent downgrade of the United States' credit rating. However, it's important to note that the 2,000 points lost did not stay off permanently, as the stock market is known to fluctuate and recover over time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Middle-income Americans and businesses will experience profound relief, and taxes will be greatly simplified for everyone, I mean everyone,\" Trump said. \"America is one of the highest-taxed nations in the world. Reducing taxes will cause new companies and new jobs to come roaring back into our country. Believe me, it'll happen and it'll happen fast.\"","Of the most advanced and industrialized nations in the world, America ranks third highest for general top marginal corporate income tax rates with a 39.1 percent tax on corporate profits, exceeded by Chad and the United Arab Emirates. So the United States does have a higher corporate tax rate than most of its industrialized peers.","This is the fourth time we\u2019ve weighed in on a statement from Trump about America\u2019s tax rate. The difference tonight is the slightly tempered tone. Instead of declaring the United States as having the highest tax rate, he said we\u2019re one of the highest-taxed countries.","Taxation accounted for 26 percent of GDP, which ranks America 27th out of 30 countries (the OECD average was more than 34 percent).The top five highest-taxed countries as a percentage of GDP were Denmark, France, Belgium, Finland and Italy, all topping 43 percent. Korea, Chile and Mexico were the only nations ranked lower than the United States."]},{"id":"4937.json","label":"false","statement":"Since Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker took office, we are losing jobs at rates not seen in decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may have been fluctuations in job growth during Gov. Scott Walker's tenure, it is inaccurate to claim that Wisconsin has been losing jobs at rates not seen in decades. In fact, one of Gov. Walker's campaign promises was to create 250,000 private-sector jobs, indicating an intention to promote job growth. It is important to consider the overall economic trends and factors that contribute to job creation or loss, rather than attributing it solely to the actions of one individual.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Arguing that racism is \"not a major problem,\" Elder said that \"if black America were a country, it would be the 15th wealthiest in the world.\"","\"This is what happens in America,\" Elder said. \"If black America were a country, it would be the 15th wealthiest country in the world. For crying out loud, this is not our grandfather\u2019s America, and we ought not act like it is.\"","Clementi used China as an example to better explain. While China has the world's second-highest GDP, \"its inhabitants are still a lot poorer than any Western country\u2019s residents.\"","Elder got his talking point by comparing that figure to the World Bank\u2019s list of each country\u2019s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced."]},{"id":"6979.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate rival Tammy Baldwin supports a tax increase that President Obama says would cost middle-class families $3,000 per year.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tammy Baldwin voted against a law that prevented middle-class taxes from increasing by $3,000, it is important to note that she also supported extending tax cuts for the middle class and voted for another measure that aimed to prevent the middle-class tax hike. The statement implies that Baldwin supports a tax increase that would cost middle-class families $3,000 per year, but it fails to provide the full context of her voting record and positions on tax cuts. The claim is misleading and does not accurately represent Baldwin's overall stance on taxes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Five years ago, when Republicans had taken over, the graduation rate in Wisconsin has gone from 86 percent to 88 percent. The black graduation rate has gone from 60 percent to 65 percent. The Latino graduation rate has gone from 65 percent to 71 percent.\"","Kooyenga hit the mark on the statewide numbers and the number for black students, but was a little low on the increase for Latino students. He had noted a slightly lower increase in the graduation rate, from 65 percent to 71 percent.","When we looked back at the trend in graduation rates, the data showed the statewide graduation rate in Wisconsin has been on the rise -- about half a percentage point each year.","Between the 2011-\u201912 and 2012-\u201913 school years, statewide graduation rates went up half a percentage point. The percentage of black students who graduated went up by two percentage points. And the Latino rate went unchanged. The last cohort we have data for graduated at the end of the 2012-\u201913 school year."]},{"id":"3577.json","label":"false","statement":"Says unions take away hard-earned money of teachers, firefighters and police officers to play politics.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that unions take away the hard-earned money of teachers, firefighters, and police officers to play politics. The evidence provided does not support this assertion. The ad from the chamber may imply that unions use members' money for political purposes, but it does not provide evidence that unions are taking away their hard-earned money without consent. In fact, union members voluntarily contribute to unions, and they have the choice to opt-out if they do not wish to contribute. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1100.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"14,000 Americans . . . lose their health insurance every single day.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement accurately reflects the statistic he cited during his news conference. The number of 14,000 Americans losing their health insurance every day was derived from a report published by the Center for American Progress, authored by James Kvaal and Ben Furnas. The report's findings were based on a study by Holahan and Garrett, which estimated the number of people who would lose their insurance when the national unemployment rate rises. While there may be slight variations in the actual daily average, the statement is generally true and supported by credible sources.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6358.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Embryonic stem cell research is at a dead end, with no one good example of a successful treatment.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have not been any widely recognized and established successful treatments resulting from embryonic stem cell research, it is an oversimplification to claim that the research is at a complete dead end. Embryonic stem cell research is still a developing field with ongoing scientific advancements and potential future applications. It is important to acknowledge that the field faces certain bureaucratic constraints and that progress takes time. Therefore, while the statement reflects the lack of current successful treatments, it fails to capture the potential and ongoing research in the field.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9199.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The U.S. spends more money on its military than the 16 biggest military budgets in the world combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The United States does spend more money on its military than any other country in the world. However, it is not accurate to claim that the U.S. military budget exceeds the combined military budgets of the next 16 biggest countries. According to independent groups, the U.S. military budget does not surpass the combined budgets of the next 16 countries. While the U.S. does allocate a significant amount of funds to its military, it is important to provide accurate information and avoid exaggerations when discussing defense spending.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rick Perry reminded lawmakers in his last speech to them before ending more than a decade as governor that he\u2019s proud of Texas job gains on his watch \u2014 and the rest of the country lost jobs in recent years, he said.","Truth-O-Meter article, \"Rick Perry says Texas accounted for 33 percent of nation's net job gains over the past decade,\" PolitiFact Texas, May 9, 2013","Texas Gov. Rick Perry didn\u2019t preview the speech he\u2019s set to deliver as the replacement speaker for Donald Trump at a New York County Republican dinner, but if past remarks are an indication, the state of Texas will draw applause.","U.S. Census Bureau, Estimates of Resident Population Regions, States and Puerto Rico, and Regions and State Rankings: July 1, 2008-2009,( \"Estimates of Resident Population Regions, States and Puerto Rico, and Regions and State Rankings: July 1, 2008-2009,\")Dec. 23, 2009"]},{"id":"13524.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wisconsin has only one county, Dane, thats hand counting the votes in the 2016 presidential recount.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While it is true that Dane County, which includes Madison, was conducting a hand recount of the votes during the 2016 presidential recount in Wisconsin, it is not accurate to claim that Dane County was the only county doing so. Several other counties in Wisconsin also conducted hand recounts as part of the recount process. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13262.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Libya Ambassador (Christopher) Stevens sent 600 requests for help in Benghazi.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that Ambassador Stevens made requests for additional security leading up to the attack in Benghazi, the claim that he sent 600 requests for help specifically during the attack is not supported by evidence. Investigations into the Benghazi attack have not found any evidence to substantiate this claim. The highest number of requests that could potentially be attributed to Ambassador Stevens would be 205, not 600, and it is important to note that these requests were made over a longer period of time, not solely during the attack itself.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1603.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rick Perry had planned to retire from the legislature until his best friend, David Weeks, and I talked him into switching parties and running for the GOP nomination for agriculture commissioner.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Karl Rove in his book, where he states that he and David Weeks persuaded Rick Perry to switch parties and run for the GOP nomination for agriculture commissioner. This claim is supported by multiple sources, including Rove's book and other reports on Perry's political history. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional evidence or context to fully verify the claim. Therefore, while it aligns with the available information, it could benefit from more comprehensive evidence to be rated as completely true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5702.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As the usage [of synthetic marijuana] has dramatically increased, instances of violence, bodily harm and even death have risen with it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided supports the claim that as the usage of synthetic marijuana has increased, instances of violence, bodily harm, and even death have also risen. Data from the Georgia Poison Center show a significant increase in hospital admissions related to synthetic marijuana use, indicating a rise in bodily harm. Additionally, news stories suggest an increase in deadly cases, although the direct cause or contribution of the drug is not always clear. While the evidence supports the general trend of increased harm and violence associated with synthetic marijuana use, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific statistical figures or a comprehensive analysis of the data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3795.json","label":"false","statement":"The Providence teacher contract is one of the longest in the country.","reason":"Reason: The evidence indicates that the Providence teacher contract is not one of the longest in the country. While the mayor initially stated that the contract is very restrictive and one of the longest, it was later clarified by his office that he misspoke. A word count analysis of the contract reveals that it is the second-longest in the database, but it does not make it one of the longest in the entire country. Therefore, the statement that the Providence teacher contract is one of the longest in the country is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8508.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 1929, the Secretary of State shut down a program that was collecting information to protect America because it was unseemly, but that move led to millions and millions of deaths in World War II.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains a mix of accurate and inaccurate information. While it correctly mentions the role of the Secretary of State in shutting down a program in 1929, it falsely claims that this action led to millions of deaths in World War II. The connection between the program shutdown and the war is not supported by historical evidence. It is important to note that the causes of World War II were complex and multifaceted, involving various political, economic, and social factors. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Evers' proposal would have paid for up to 50 percent of the cost of replacing a lead water service line in Milwaukee, if the city qualified for the state program.","\u2022 Calls are increasing on Capitol Hill to punish lawmakers who may have encouraged efforts to stop the counting of the electoral votes on Jan. 6, when a group of President Donald Trump\u2019s supporters stormed the Capitol.","\"I'm so glad we have a Governor who cares and wants to help WI cities get to 0% lead piping. Sadly, in 2019, Republicans stripped $40 million from the budget for lead pipe replacement - because they thought it helped MKE too much.\"","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d"]},{"id":"11980.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Chris Hani Baragwanath in South Africa is the worlds third-biggest hospital.","reason":"Reason: While the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in South Africa has been claimed to be the third-largest hospital in the world, there is conflicting information regarding its ranking. The hospital's website states that it is the third-biggest hospital, but there is evidence suggesting that it may not hold that position. According to a hospital spokesman, the current number of usable beds is 2,888, which would place it below a hospital in Belgrade, Serbia, that has 3,470 beds. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as there is some uncertainty regarding its exact ranking among the world's largest hospitals.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Davis said Abbott and his surrogates \"have referred to women who have been the victims of rape or incest as though somehow what they are confronting is a minor issue.\"","Wendy Davis made an inaccurate, ridiculous claim saying Abbott \"and his surrogates have referred to women who have been the victims of rape or incest as though somehow what they are confronting is a minor issue.\" The individual in question, a Republican consultant who doesn\u2019t work for Abbott, immediately clarified on the air he was saying few abortions occur after incidents of rape or incest. Also on the air, Matt Mackowiak agreed with the Democrat criticizing him that rapes and incest aren\u2019t minor things. Davis\u2019 camp later identified no other people who declared incest and rapes to be minor things nor did we encounter evidence Abbott said anything of the sort.","According to video posted online by KXAS-TV, NBC5(!\/news\/politics\/Davis-Talks-About-Lone-Star-Politics-Exchange\/276824491) in Fort Worth, Davis said Sept. 23, 2014: \"It is not acceptable that Greg Abbott and his surrogates have referred to women who have been the victims of rape or incest as though somehow what they are confronting is a minor issue. And I am calling on them to disavow those statements and to show their respect for women in this state who have undergone the horrific and heinous crimes of rape and incest and demonstrate their respect for what those situations have placed them in, the trauma that they\u2019ve dealt with and step away from the idea that they, not these women who may be impregnated in these circumstances, somehow are in a better place of knowing how women should handle that situation.\"","Mackowiak ( who has his own Truth-O-Meter report card) took exception to Davis\u2019 characterization of his comments and urged us to check whether whether Abbott or his \"surrogates,\" as Davis said, referred to victims of rape or incest as if they\u2019d experienced minor events."]},{"id":"7027.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Connie Mack initially said he would have voted yes for the Paul Ryan budget plan, and then, you said it was stupid and you would vote no. And then your folks corrected you, and you changed your position again, yes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Connie Mack's position on the Paul Ryan budget plan was not consistent. Initially, he indicated support for the plan, but later expressed criticism and stated that he would vote against it. However, it's important to note that Mack's campaign clarified his position, stating that he meant the process was a joke and he would have voted yes. The statement accurately reflects the sequence of events, where Mack's position changed multiple times due to his own statements and campaign clarifications. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it captures the shifting nature of Mack's stance on the Paul Ryan budget plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Republican challenger Ed Gillespie says there\u2019s a gap between U.S. Sen. Mark Warner\u2019s professed support of offshore drilling for energy resources and his voting record.","\"There's no evidence anywhere that offshore drilling has hurt tourism in any area where it has been allowed,\" said Barney Bishop, president of Associated Industries of Florida, a statewide business lobbying group. \"High energy costs and high unemployment kill tourism more than anything. Without affordable gas, we can't get tourists to Florida.\"","But when looking at Meek's voting record since joining Congress in 2003, we found one taken Sept. 16, 2008, on the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill included a provision that would have allowed oil drilling 50 miles beyond shores.","The Bush White House also threatened a veto, stating that \"this bill purports to open access to American energy sources while in reality taking actions to stifle development.\""]},{"id":"5521.json","label":"true","statement":"Ohio is not meeting its obligation to update voter registrations when voters change their address with the BMV.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. In Ohio, when voters change their address with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), there is an obligation to update their voter registration accordingly. However, evidence suggests that Ohio has not been consistently meeting this obligation. The use of provisional ballots is an indication that there are instances where voter eligibility is in question due to address changes not being updated in the voter registration system. This suggests a gap in the process of updating voter registrations when voters change their address with the BMV, leading to the need for provisional ballots to verify eligibility.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Opponents have made many arguments against Florida\u2019s proposed medical marijuana amendment, but here\u2019s a new one: They say patients would be able to get an unlimited amount of pot should the measure pass.","Miguel didn\u2019t immediately return PolitiFact Florida\u2019s request for more specifics about what he meant. During his editorial board visit he made it clear he preferred the FDA-approved process of writing prescriptions with a specified dosage, duration, potency and number of refills, using clinically tested drugs.","Florida voters will decide in November 2016 whether to allow medical marijuana in the state. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow patients with cancer, HIV\/AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohn\u2019s disease, Parkinson\u2019s disease, multiple sclerosis \"or other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated\" to obtain cannabis with a doctor\u2019s recommendation.","It\u2019s possible that potential Florida regulations would not limit time on a registry or how long a doctor\u2019s certification would last for a patient. But it would be premature, and speculative, to assume that there would be no way under the amendment to stop a recommendation from going on forever. Other states have created their own rules, limiting the quantity and frequency of the drug that patients can get. They also limit how long patients can be on a registry before requiring a doctor\u2019s approval."]},{"id":"3447.json","label":"false","statement":"What we have now is the most generous, in my opinion, good time bill in the entire United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Ferruccio that the current \"good time\" bill in Rhode Island is the most generous in the entire United States is subjective and lacks supporting evidence. Without concrete data and comparison to other states, it is not possible to definitively determine the generosity of the \"good time\" bill in Rhode Island compared to other states. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A chain e-mail warns darkly that an \"implantable radio frequency transponder system for patient identification and health information\" would be \"implanted in the majority of people who opt to become covered by the public health care option\" -- the government-run insurance plan designed as an affordable option for people who are uninsured or whose employers don't offer health coverage. The chip would \"collect data in medical patients,\" including \"claims data\" and \"electronic health records.\"","Even if microchips had somehow been the target of that line in the bill -- and they're not -- the provision in question, which doesn't appear in the Senate bill, only talks about creating a database that keeps tabs on devices that have already been implanted in people. It says nothing whatsoever about requiring implantation \"in the majority of people who opt to become covered by the public health care option.\" That part is fiction, pure and simple.","Americans, the e-mail continues, would likely flock to the the public option. This would mean that \"the number of people chipped will be plentiful as well. Children conceived by parents who are already covered under the public option will more than likely be implanted with a chip by the consent of the parent. Eventually everyone will be implanted with a chip. And with the price and coverage of the public option being so competitive with the private companies, the private company sic may not survive.\"","It's a recipe for a great conspiracy theory: a big health care bill, an effort to centralize medical records and a new microchip that can be implanted under your skin."]},{"id":"6116.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There is no Plan B if the transportation referendum is not passed by voters.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is no explicit alternative plan outlined in the evidence, the statement lacks complete certainty. The evidence suggests that if the transportation referendum is not passed by voters, there may not be another opportunity to create a similar funding source for transportation in the region. However, it does not definitively state that there is absolutely no backup plan or alternative course of action. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1283.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Obama wrote a thesis at Columbia University in which he criticized \"plutocratic thugs\" and said the Constitution gave Americans \"the shackles of hypocrisy.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama wrote a thesis at Columbia University in which he criticized \"plutocratic thugs\" and made statements about the Constitution giving Americans \"the shackles of hypocrisy\" is false. Columbia University has confirmed that there was no undergraduate thesis requirement for political science students in 1983, the year Obama graduated. While Obama did write a senior seminar paper titled \"Aristocracy Reborn,\" it did not contain the statements mentioned in the claim. The claim is based on a satirical blog post that was debunked, and there is no credible evidence to support its validity.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3030.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Youll find blacks in almost every regiment throughout the South who fought right alongside white Southerners, during the Civil War.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that \"blacks fought right alongside white Southerners in almost every regiment throughout the South\" during the Civil War is false. Historical evidence contradicts this assertion, as it is well-documented that the overwhelming majority of black individuals during that time were enslaved and did not fight voluntarily on the side of the Confederacy. While there were some isolated cases of black individuals fighting for the Confederacy, they were the exception rather than the norm. The claim made in the statement is not supported by historical facts and is therefore categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5156.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she got unions to agree to about $10 million in reduction of salaries and health benefits while serving as Dane County executive in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that she was able to negotiate with unions to agree to approximately $10 million in reductions of salaries and health benefits while serving as Dane County executive in Wisconsin. This indicates her ability to successfully negotiate cost-saving measures with unions during her tenure.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Atlanta Journal-Constitution\u2019s Get Schooled blog, \"Under new law, will state send more funds per child to state charter schools than local schools?,\" Aug. 4, 2012.","Garrett sent his letter to Atlanta Journal-Constitution education columnist Maureen Downey, who then posted it on the AJC\u2019s Get Schooled blog. It\u2019s complicated, but he concluded that state-approved charter schools actually come out ahead when the budget cuts are applied.","In conclusion, Garrett was correct on his larger point that state-approved charter schools will get more money per pupil under the proposed amendment than traditional public schools. Garrett admitted he was incorrect about the secondary part of his claim that state-approved charter schools are exempt from austerity cuts.","Some well-versed on education wondered if Garrett\u2019s conclusion about which schools will get more money from the state is correct. Some read the part about austerity cuts and said Garrett was just wrong. PolitiFact Georgia thought it would be worthwhile to do some homework on all of this."]},{"id":"2647.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Carly Fiorina, shes against banning assault weapons.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Carly Fiorina's position on banning assault weapons. Fiorina has expressed her support for protecting Americans' Second Amendment rights and has received an endorsement from the National Rifle Association (NRA), indicating her alignment with their pro-gun stance. Additionally, she opposed the 1994 ban on assault weapons and has not indicated support for renewing such a ban. While there is a possibility that Fiorina's position could change in the future, based on her previous statements and the NRA endorsement, it is reasonable to conclude that she is against banning assault weapons.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[", \" Buddy Cianci says Jorge Elorza wants to impose a municipal income tax for Providence,\" Sept. 12, 2014, accessed Oct. 14, 2014","Then he added, \"My opponent, for instance, proposes a municipal income tax. . . . He wants to impose a municipal income tax. I think the last thing the City of Providence needs is another tax. It\u2019s going to be simple in this election. If you vote for Elorza, you want an income tax.\"","But in the 44-second clip, Elorza also makes it clear that he supports the idea of using a municipal income tax to replace other taxes. He never says he\u2019s proposing it nor wants to impose it.","Political candidates seldom recommend raising taxes or implementing new ones. So it caught our ear when Vincent A. \"Buddy\" Cianci Jr., the independent running for mayor of Providence, said during an interview on WHJJ-AM radio that one of his opponents, Democrat Jorge Elorza, wants to impose a municipal income tax."]},{"id":"197.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Hillary's baby bond proposal would give $5,000 to each of the 4-million babies born in the U.S. each year, totaling $20-billion per year, multiplied by four years = $80-billion.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement incorrectly claims that Hillary Clinton's baby bond proposal would give $5,000 to each of the 4 million babies born in the U.S. each year, totaling $20 billion per year. However, this is not an accurate representation of Clinton's proposal. The actual details of her plan have not specified a fixed amount of $5,000 per baby. Therefore, the calculation of $80 billion over four years based on this incorrect assumption is also inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So the Supreme Court can clearly overrule the other two branches of government. Congress may pass a law and the president can sign it, but the court can invalidate it.","The notion that the Supreme Court can overrule the other branches of government dates back to the landmark case of Marbury vs. Madison in 1803.","In trying to make the point that the judicial branch has grabbed too much power, Huckabee said the Supreme Court \"can\u2019t overrule the other two\" branches of government.","He added, \"We are sworn to uphold the Constitution and law. And it has to be consistent and agreed upon with three branches of government -- one can't overrule the other two.\""]},{"id":"12928.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says her campaign platform includes the biggest investment in new, good-paying jobs since World War II.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Hillary Clinton's campaign platform does include a significant investment in new, good-paying jobs, particularly through her infrastructure plan. The plan aims to make the largest investment in new jobs since World War II, with a focus on infrastructure projects and the creation of construction jobs. However, it's important to note that not every dollar of the investment would directly contribute to the creation of new jobs. Some portions of the investment may be allocated to initiatives such as relieving student debt, which indirectly supports individuals in obtaining better-paying jobs. Therefore, while the overall intent of the statement is accurate, it should be acknowledged that not every aspect of the investment directly translates into new job opportunities.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an online petition seeking support for \"ban the box\" legislation, DARE (not to be confused with a national anti-drug campaign with the same acronym) argues that roughly 25 percent of Rhode Islanders have a criminal record and could benefit from the new law.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","The meaning of criminal record can be ambiguous. A search on the internet will tell you a criminal record is a history of someone\u2019s convictions, a step beyond the FBI\u2019s definition.","Chief Devine and his staff estimate the true percentage might be 4 or 5 percent. They can\u2019t be sure of the exact percentage because of the way the data is collected, but they\u2019re certain it\u2019s nowhere near 25 percent."]},{"id":"645.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Joe Biden brought Republicans and Democrats together to pass the 1994 crime bill, putting 100,000 cops on the streets and starting an eight-year drop in crime across the country.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Joe Biden played a significant role in passing the 1994 crime bill, which included provisions to put 100,000 additional police officers on the streets. This initiative was part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing crime rates in the United States. However, while the statement suggests a direct causal relationship between the crime bill and the subsequent eight-year drop in crime, it is important to note that attributing the entire decline in crime solely to the 1994 crime bill would be an oversimplification. Various factors contribute to changes in crime rates, and it is challenging to isolate the specific impact of a single piece of legislation. Therefore, while Biden's involvement in passing the crime bill and its impact on crime rates are acknowledged, the statement should be understood in the context of a more complex and multifaceted issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Nathan Deal cut the HOPE scholarship program so that literally 100,000 Georgians will not be able to go to college or get technical training that they so badly needed to raise -- you know, give them a chance at a good job,\" Shumlin said.","The HOPE scholarship program, which is funded by lottery sales, is sacrosanct in Georgia. Since the mid-1990s, HOPE has given tens of thousands of students the chance to attend a college, university or technical college.","Gov. Nathan Deal made an interesting claim during a defense of his plan to overhaul the popular HOPE college scholarship program.","PolitiFact Georgia wanted to know whether Shumlin was correct. Did Deal slash the HOPE program to the detriment of 100,000 students?"]},{"id":"9334.json","label":"true","statement":"Before the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, the State Department not only failed to honor repeated requests for additional security, but instead actually reduced security in Libya.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including statements from Senator Ron Johnson, confirm that the State Department did not adequately respond to repeated requests for additional security in Benghazi before the terrorist attacks. Furthermore, there is evidence to support the claim that security measures were actually reduced in Libya prior to the attacks. These findings have been established through congressional investigations and testimonies. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"As governor of Arkansas, I cut taxes and fees almost 100 times, saving the taxpayers almost $380-million. I left a surplus of nearly $850-million, which I urged should go back to the people. ... I pushed through the Arkansas Legislature the first major, broad-based tax cuts in state history \u2013 a $90-million tax relief package for Arkansas families.\"","Whitney McLaughlin of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration confirmed the Democrat-Gazette's budget numbers for PolitiFact. During Huckabee's tenure, taxes or fees were cut 90 times, which did reduce tax revenue by about $380-million. The paper concluded that Huckabee doesn't deserve credit for all of those cuts, noting that all but one required a vote from the legislature, and most were the product of larger negotiations between the branches of government.","The one tax cut Huckabee undoubtedly had his hands on was a $90.6-million income tax reduction enacted in his second year as governor. His administration did, as he says, leave the state with an $844.5-million budget surplus (as of March 2007) that the current government is now figuring out how to dispose of. And Huckabee did advocate for sending surplus rebates to taxpayers in 2006, when the year's surplus was expected to be $332-million.","But, where did the money in that surplus come from? Mike Stormes, the state budget administrator, said the surplus was the result of \"a conservative budget combined with a booming economy.\" The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration estimated that tax revenues grew by $505-million between 1997 and 2005."]},{"id":"4340.json","label":"false","statement":"Democrats in the Legislature in 2009 voted for various pork projects including a $5 million scoreboard for the Milwaukee Bucks.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Democrats in the Legislature in 2009 voted for a $5 million scoreboard for the Milwaukee Bucks. The evidence focuses on Scott's vetoes and approval of various projects, but it does not mention any specific actions or votes by Democrats in relation to a scoreboard for the Milwaukee Bucks. Without any supporting evidence, the statement cannot be verified and is therefore false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I haven't raised taxes in the time I've been the governor of New Jersey and I didn't need to sign a pledge not to,\" Christie said at an Aug. 20 news conference in Asbury Park when asked about an anti-tax oath signed by many Republicans. \"I made a pledge to the people of the state not to. I don't need to make a pledge to anybody else.\"","And PolitiFact New Jersey isn\u2019t the only fact-checking group to say so. Our truth-seeking colleagues at , a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, have called the governor out for claiming not to have raised taxes.","PolitiFact New Jersey, Chris Christie says he hasn\u2019t raised taxes in New Jersey, Aug. 23, 2012, accessed June 27 and 28, 2013","The state\u2019s three biggest revenue generators are the gross income, sales and corporation business taxes, none of which have increased since Christie took office on Jan. 19, 2010. So Guadagno is correct that the governor has not actually raised any of those taxes."]},{"id":"1886.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Bill McCollum holds the same position on (embryonic stem cell research) as Barack Obama.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Both Bill McCollum and Barack Obama have expressed support for embryonic stem cell research. The evidence provided confirms that McCollum's position aligns with Obama's, as they both support the research. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the extent or specific policies of their support, so there may be some nuances or differences in their positions that are not addressed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We chose to examine one of the claims: \"Massachusetts\u2019 public schools teach kids as young as kindergartners about gay marriage. Parents have no legal right to object!\"","Bottom line: The National Organization for Marriage mailing says that Massachusetts public schools teach kindergartners about gay marriage. The wording, including the present tense verb, gives the impression this is happening now, in many schools.","Asked for any other examples of gay marriage being taught to kindergartners, Plante referred us to Kris Mineau, executive director of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which describes itself as \"dedicated to strengthening the family and affirming the Judeo-Christian values upon which it is based.\"","The parents appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit but lost. The appeals court wrote: \"There is no allegation here of a formalized curriculum requiring students to read many books affirming gay marriage. The reading by a teacher of one book, or even three, and even if to a young and impressionable child, does not constitute \"indoctrination.\""]},{"id":"4076.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Newt Gingrichs presidential campaign has exactly the same challenges as Ronald Reagans successful 1980 bid.","reason":"Reason: While Newt Gingrich may draw parallels between his own campaign challenges and those faced by Ronald Reagan in 1980, it is an oversimplification to claim that his campaign has \"exactly the same challenges.\" The political landscape, issues, and context of each campaign are unique and cannot be directly equated. While Gingrich may find inspiration in Reagan's successful bid, it is important to recognize the differences in circumstances and the complexities of each campaign.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Wonkette In Rudy Giuliani's mind, he's 'one of the four or five best known Americans in the world.' ('-of-delusions-of-grandeur\/) Sept. 20, 2007.","We turned to the world of scientific polling. Polling the globe is a daunting proposition. But representatives of both the Gallup World Poll and the Pew Global Attitudes Project said they have never queried the world on who among us Americans is best known.","He must have been feeling particularly well-loved when he bragged to reporters in London that he was one of the \"four or five\" most famous Americans in the world.","We know Giuliani is from New York, and if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. But still \u2026 top five? In the world?"]},{"id":"5903.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Lee Leffingwell raised property taxes 20 percent in three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Lee Leffingwell raised property taxes 20 percent in three years is partially true. While it is accurate that property taxes for Austin homeowners increased by approximately 25 percent during Leffingwell's tenure as mayor, it is important to note that the mayor does not have the sole authority to set tax rates. The tax rate is determined by the city council, which consists of multiple members, including the mayor. Therefore, attributing the entire tax increase solely to Leffingwell would be misleading. The statement could be more accurate by acknowledging the role of the city council in setting tax rates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On July 13\u2019s Meet the Press , former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum tried to draw a parallel between recent trends in illegal and legal immigration. \"We are accepting more legal immigrants than we ever have in the history\" of the United States, Santorum said.","\"First off, we are accepting more legal immigrants than we ever have in the history ...\" Santorum said before some crosstalk. \"It's all chain immigration. And it's from the very countries that people have been coming from, because most of the immigration is tied to people who are already here.\"","Santorum\u2019s right if you look at raw numbers decade by decade. Over the last 10 years, the United States has admitted an average of 1.076 million legal immigrants per year: more than any other 10-year period, by a hair.","The primary source was a fact sheet from the U.S. State Department, which notes \"the United States accepts more legal immigrants as permanent residents than the rest of the world combined.\" It didn\u2019t offer any basis for the claim, but Walden\u2019s office provided one."]},{"id":"3890.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Accuses President Barack Obama of making contradictory claims about efforts to kill Osama bin Laden in 2008 and 2011.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that President Barack Obama made contradictory claims about efforts to kill Osama bin Laden in 2008 and 2011. In fact, the evidence suggests that Obama consistently expressed his commitment to capturing or killing Osama bin Laden during his 2008 campaign and maintained that stance throughout his presidency. The accusation of contradictory claims is unfounded and lacks credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The very Legislature that is bewildered at the scope and reach of our spying apparatus, granted them the scope and reach,\" he said. \"In 2008 and 2012 (they) explicitly rejected an amendment calling for more disclosure of said surveillance.\"","Stewart said Congress had given intelligence agencies broad powers to engage in surveillance and had rejected an amendment that would have required more disclosure. Overall, changes made in 2008 and continued in 2012 did give U.S. spy agencies more leeway. Individual lawmakers offered amendments aimed expressly at giving Congress more details on intelligence activities, but they failed to win enough support.","\"The 2008 amendments appear to be designed to legalize warrantless wiretapping by the NSA that had been done illegally prior to the amendment,\" said Molly Bishop Shadel, an expert in foreign intelligence law at the University of Virginia School of Law. \"Congress expanded the scope of FISA even though it knew or should have known that the NSA had done something questionable.\"","The expanded reach of intelligence agencies continued and any amendment that Stewart referred to was turned back. (We reached out to The Daily Show for supporting details but did not hear back.)"]},{"id":"346.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"8 years of the Clintons, major losses for Democrats across the nation.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"8 years of the Clintons resulted in major losses for Democrats across the nation\" is mostly true. During Bill Clinton's presidency, Democrats did experience significant losses in Congress and state legislatures. In the 1994 midterm elections, Democrats lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Additionally, Democrats faced setbacks in state legislatures during Clinton's tenure. However, it is important to note that the reasons for these losses were multifaceted and not solely attributed to the Clintons. Factors such as policy disagreements, economic conditions, and other political dynamics also played a role in the Democrats' electoral setbacks during that period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Crist said that Florida\u2019s decision not to expand Medicaid means that \"six people in Florida die as a result of that every day.\"","In a Feb. 7 interview on MSNBC\u2019s The Daily Rundown, Crist said that means \"about 1 million of my fellow Floridians are not getting health care today, and I\u2019m told by my friends at (the Service Employees International Union) that means that six people in Florida die as a result of that every day.\"","Many experts told PolitiFact that denying Medicaid to poor Floridians will harm their health. But placing a precise figure as to how many will die per day, they added, is difficult.","We asked McCormick how researchers can know that the differences in the death rates between the Medicaid expansion states and the states that didn\u2019t expand were as a result of Medicaid."]},{"id":"239.json","label":"true","statement":"\"It used to be the policy of the Republican Party to get rid of the Department of Education. We finally get in charge and a chance to do something, so we double the size of the Department of Education.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical position of the Republican Party regarding the Department of Education. In the past, there have been calls within the party to eliminate or significantly reduce the Department of Education. However, the statement also highlights a shift in policy when the Republican Party had the opportunity to act. Instead of reducing the size of the department, it expanded or doubled its size. This change in policy is consistent with the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The state chapter of Americans for Prosperity says that Gov. Maggie Hassan\u2019s budget proposal \"raises taxes on small businesses and increases taxes and fees by $100 million.\"","An ad released earlier this month by the Koch Brothers-backed AFP says Hassan\u2019s budget proposal \"raises taxes on small businesses and increases taxes and fees by $100 million.\"","The second part of the ad we\u2019re checking is AFP\u2019s claim that Hassan proposed increasing taxes and fees by $100 million dollars.","While there\u2019s no easy resolution to that standoff, it make sense to say whether the ad is defensible on its own terms. Given the revenue numbers that Hassan cited in her February budget -- regardless of any quotes or citations applied to the ad -- the $100 million number can be defended as long as both taxes and fees are included. The text onscreen in the ad says that \"Hassan proposes raising taxes by $100 million,\" which is incorrect because tax changes alone don\u2019t equal that much."]},{"id":"5451.json","label":"false","statement":"We have 395 inmates pushed into triple-bunked cells intended for two inmates and bunked in classrooms and areas supposed to be designated for inmate labor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the evidence provided mentions overcrowding in Oregon's prisons, it clarifies that the 395 inmates mentioned are not actually pushed into triple-bunked cells intended for two inmates. Instead, the overcrowding refers to inmates spilling into work areas and classroom spaces, not specifically triple-bunked cells. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays the situation in Oregon's prisons.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For example, Day 8\u2019s item: \"Only in Washington would politicians spend $27 million to teach Moroccans how to make pottery,\" Handel said. \"While Morocco is no doubt a lovely place, we have families in Georgia that are being hurt by high taxes fueling out of control spending \u2026 What\u2019s worse is that the program was deemed a failure \u2026,\" she continued.","The former Georgia secretary of state who\u2019s now a U.S. Senate candidate said that the federal government spent $27 million teaching Moroccans how to make pottery. This claim has been a popular touchstone for conservatives looking to shine a light on government waste.","But a closer look at the facts shows that the $27 million was for an entire economic development program in Morocco, of which the pottery training was only a fraction of the cost -- about 8 percent of the total program. Some may still consider that amount, $2.2 million, a large expense for pottery training and promotion, but it is not close to the $27 million that Handel claimed.","Coburn\u2019s Wastebook 2012 highlights the pottery classes as an example of wasteful spending, but notes that only part of the $27 million of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) project went toward the classes."]},{"id":"3871.json","label":"false","statement":"The ACLU didnt call for an investigation (of the Newark police department), they called for an immediate federal monitor.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. The ACLU did, in fact, call for an investigation of the Newark Police Department in their petition to the Department of Justice. While they also mentioned the option of a federal monitor, it does not negate the fact that they specifically requested an investigation. Therefore, the statement that the ACLU only called for a federal monitor and not an investigation is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1458.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says his executive order requiring young girls to be vaccinated against HPV wasnt mandatory.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Rick Perry's executive order did require girls entering sixth grade to receive the HPV vaccine, it also included an opt-out provision that allowed parents to exempt their children for philosophical or religious reasons. So, while the order did have a mandatory component, it also provided an option for parents to choose not to comply. Therefore, the statement that the executive order was not mandatory is not entirely accurate. It had a mandatory requirement with an opt-out provision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I think on 2016, by the way, I'd love to see Jeb (Bush). I'd love to see Chris Christie. I think Paul Ryan would be a great candidate,\" Kinzinger said. \"The one person I don't want to see is somebody like a Rand Paul who has put out budgets to cut the military in half. I think that would be devastating for our party right now.\"","\"The problem is that things are out of control, and unless you accept that you can have federal government doing less things, like unless you accept the philosophic principle that education should be handled by the states and localities, they don't know where to cut,\" Paul said. \"Or unless you accept the principle that military spending will have to be cut. They don't have enough money to cut. They can cut all of the non-military discretionary spending and not balance the budget.\"","\"So it sounds like Rubio is engaging in the time-honored Washington cartel tactic of budget gimmickry and is suggesting that a reduction in the rate of increase is equal to a \u2018cut\u2019 when in fact the Obama and Paul budgets spend more on defense every year,\" Phillips said. \"The fact is, in supporting the Paul budget, Cruz did not support a cut in defense spending, but a more responsible rate of increase.\"","Both Paul budgets also eliminated funding in the defense budget for war spending and overseas operations based on the assumption that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were winding down. Lawmakers can argue whether that was prudent, however, it\u2019s important context."]},{"id":"9247.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"95 percent of the income gains in the last few years have gone to the top 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including Tanden and Saez, have stated that 95 percent of the income gains in the last few years have been captured by the top 1 percent. Additionally, Senator Sanders has made a similar claim, stating that over 99 percent of all new income generated in the economy has gone to the top 1 percent. While the exact percentage may vary slightly depending on the specific time frame and data used, the general trend of significant income gains for the top 1 percent is supported by these statements.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11713.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We didnt go out and take information from the Hillary Clinton campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While the evidence provided does not directly address the statement, it is important to note that the evidence does not support the claim that the information was taken from the Hillary Clinton campaign. The evidence mentions the unauthorized release of emails belonging to John Podesta, who was the chairman of Clinton's campaign, but it does not provide any information about the source of the leaked emails or whether they were taken directly from the campaign. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Speaking to the crowd gathered to advocate for more public school support, Howard, without naming names, called out those officials who have said the state has increased its aid to school districts. \"But the Legislative Budget Board, the nonpartisan budget board of the Capitol, will tell you we are spending on average $500 less per student, so the fact that we are appropriating more, the truth is we are spending $500 less per student,\" Howard said.","And? For 2010-11, we found a per-student average spending total of $7,988 per year. For 2012-13, our calculations yielded an annual per-student average of $7,393. The drop? $595 \u2014 greater than the $500 figure that Howard aired.","Per the formula funding, Barton said, the average per-student amount going to districts for each year of the previous budget period was \"roughly\" equivalent to the $7,662 estimate for 2012-13 before the formula changes. That brings us back to that $428 reduction figure, which is less than $500, but also does not roll in the impact of the grant cuts.","Howard\u2019s statement is about the effect of two major legislative actions on public school funding. By every measure we found and one that we ginned up, those actions resulted in a per-student funding reduction of at least $500."]},{"id":"1044.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If you actually took the number of Muslims [sic] Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that the United States would be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world based on the number of Muslim Americans is factually incorrect. Even with the most generous estimate of 8 million Muslim Americans, the United States does not rank among the largest Muslim countries. In fact, it ranks 29th out of 60 Muslim-majority countries. The statement has been widely debunked and is considered false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10402.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Nikita Khrushchev brought an extra shoe to a United Nations session in 1960, which he banged on the desk in protest.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Nikita Khrushchev brought an extra shoe to a United Nations session in 1960 and banged it on the desk in protest. While there are mentions of Khrushchev pounding his fist on the desk during a United Nations session, there is no credible evidence or reliable accounts to substantiate the claim that he used a shoe for this purpose. The claim appears to be a popular myth or misconception that lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"To me, the most important unanswered question of 9\/11 is, did these 19 people conduct this very sophisticated plot alone, or were they supported?\" Graham said. \"I think it's implausible to think that people who couldn't speak English, had never been in the United States before, (and) as a group were not well-educated could have done that. So who was the most likely entity to have provided them that support? And I think all the evidence points to Saudi Arabia. We know that Saudi Arabia started al-Qaida. It was a creation of Saudi Arabia.\"","Asked after the debate to explain her attack, Gabbard told Fox News that Trump\u2019s \"support and alliance with Saudi Arabia\" is \"both providing direct and indirect support\" to al-Qaida, and that Saudi Arabia is \"providing arms and support to al-Qaida in Yemen.\"","The spokesman said Trump \"is protecting al-Qaida in Idlib, Syria, and through his arm deals with Saudi Arabia,\" is arming al-Qaida in Syria.","\"There was even a time when (Donald Trump) didn't get an Emmy for his TV program three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged.\""]},{"id":"2879.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Low-flow toilets can cost homeowners up to $1,000 each.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that low-flow toilets can cost homeowners up to $1,000 each, it is important to note that this is not the typical price range for low-flow toilets. The average cost of a low-flow toilet, including the purchase, installation, and removal of the old toilet, typically ranges from $500 to $800. However, it is worth mentioning that there are exceptional cases where luxury or custom-designed low-flow toilets can be significantly more expensive, as demonstrated by the example of a $13,000 toilet mentioned in the evidence. Therefore, while the statement is generally true for certain cases, it does not represent the average cost of low-flow toilets.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an op-ed article published on the Austin American-Statesman \u2019s website May 14, 2012, for instance, Bradley talked up his r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and then said: \"Duty has never prosecuted a single adult felony case.\"","To support his statement about Duty\u2019s experience, Bradley first pointed us to a television news report in which he said Duty admitted his claim was correct. In the March 23, 2012, story by the Austin area\u2019s YNN television channel, Bradley, in an interview, said: \"I have over 20 years of experience; Jana Duty has never prosecuted a single adult felony case. And that\u2019s the work that the DA does.\" Next, the YNN reporter, Alana Rocha, said: \"She admits that\u2019s true, but that her office has tried many such cases.\"","In the heated contest over the Republican nomination to be Williamson County\u2019s district attorney, incumbent John Bradley has repeatedly said challenger Jana Duty, the elected county attorney, doesn\u2019t have enough experience to do his job.","So since Duty became county attorney in 2005, adult felonies have not fallen under her purview, which means she could not have personally prosecuted them."]},{"id":"1294.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sen. Joe Liebermans home state has a public option which covers about 10,000 of its citizens that was introduced by its Republican governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a public option was introduced by a Republican governor in Senator Joe Lieberman's home state. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the scale or impact of the public option, such as the number of citizens covered or the effectiveness of the program. Without further information, it is difficult to assess the full extent of the public option's coverage and its impact on the state's citizens. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Let\u2019s now talk a little more about the money that might support charities as a result of those 8 million people working to do grassroots fundraising.","It\u2019s a good thing when people who otherwise might be unable to support their favorite charity or school can give that support. But, isn\u2019t it especially difficult to be philanthropic at the very moment that you or your family buys a home?","The advantages of peer-to-peer fundraising lie in the close, interconnected network of community support. By acquiring funding from multiple resources, organizations can avoid risks of dependency on a few sources or membership contributions, as well as potential volatility in the provision of funds. Additionally, organizations can maintain focus on the communities they serve rather than those of their funders. In grassroots fundraising, an organized public provides an immense amount of energy and support. An alternative to membership organizations, which may use funds to address donors\u2019 priorities and expectations, peer-to-peer fundraising is a system that presents the organization\u2019s mission and action plan to potential donors, with contributions made under the expectation that funding will go towards the organization\u2019s specific efforts.(2) With a wide base of donors, grassroots organizations are able to stay committed to their original missions, ideals, and beneficiaries.","When companies support a charity or school by giving their products or services, or paying for employees to volunteer, or they simply give money, they\u2019re engaging in what\u2019s called \u201cCorporate Social Responsibility\u201d. CSR for short. And just because a company might have business motivations for doing that good, it\u2019s still a very good thing."]},{"id":"7278.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wind powers nearly 13 million homes across the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, wind energy in the United States has an installed capacity of 97,000 megawatts, which is enough to power about 30 million average American homes. While the statement overestimates the number of homes powered by wind energy, stating that it powers nearly 13 million homes instead of 30 million, it still accurately reflects the significant contribution of wind power to the country's electricity supply.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["New guidelines from the U.S. Treasury Department are giving some employers more time to get insurance for their workers before facing a penalty. But the guidelines also settle an issue that we\u2019ve fact-checked before on how regulations will affect volunteer firefighters.","We found the NRSC claim is not accurate since none of Kelly\u2019s votes on the issue made it possible for immigrants who were in the country illegally to become eligible for the stimulus checks.","In Georgia, it's \"illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place\" and \"punishable by up to a year in prison.\"","The public health order Title 42 is \"the last tool Border Patrol has to stop the overwhelming flood of illegal immigrants pouring into our country.\u201d"]},{"id":"10844.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has had fast-track trade authority.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the Congressional Research Service report, every president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt, except for Nixon, has had some form of fast-track trade authority. However, it's important to note that the specifics of fast-track authority have evolved over time, and the current fast-track authority is not identical to what was in place during Roosevelt's presidency. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the historical trend, it should be understood that the nature and scope of fast-track trade authority have changed over the years.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Bureau of Labor Statistics itself offers a more expansive alternative measurement of labor \"underutilization\" called the U-6 rate. The U-6 rate includes both those who are officially \"unemployed\" and those who are working part time for economic reasons and those who are \"marginally attached\" to the work force, meaning they want to work but have not looked for work recently enough to count as being actively in the labor force.","\"Increases in the number of multiple job holders and longer average work hours almost always accompany a strengthening labor market \u2014 that is, a job market in which it is easier to find work, in which spells of unemployment are heading downwards, and in which the ranks of the unemployed are shrinking,\" Burtless said.","Reisch found the county\u2019s 1.7% unemployment rate from . The website says as of September, Boone County\u2019s unemployment rate is 1.7%. It doesn\u2019t list a recent rate.","We previously rated False a claim by Trump that \"our real unemployment is anywhere from 18 to 20 percent.\" So if 18 to 20 percent is false, how does 42 percent rate? We took a closer look."]},{"id":"5354.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The majority of Americans are conservatives.","reason":"Reason: While conservatives are indeed the largest ideological group in the United States, it is not accurate to claim that they constitute a majority. Gallup's polling data consistently shows that conservatives have never crossed the 50 percent threshold. Therefore, it would be more precise to say that conservatives represent a plurality, meaning they are the largest group but fall short of a majority. The statement is partially true in acknowledging the prominence of conservatives but is misleading in asserting a majority status that is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In short: Gov. Scott Walker hired convicted Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen to oversee a raid on the state employee retirement system to help balance the state budget.","A chain e-mail claims Gov. Scott Walker hired convicted Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen to raid the state employee retirement system to balance the state budget","( - A chain e-mail claims Gov. Scott Walker hired convicted Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen to raid the state employee retirement system to balance the state budget&url=)","The fake story claims Walker has hired former Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen (not true). And that Jensen plans to use the state retirement system to help Walker balance the state budget (again, not true). It also includes this over-the-top (yet again, not true) statement:"]},{"id":"10487.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a lawmaker seeks to defund Planned Parenthood for cutting children into small pieces.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the quote made by the lawmaker in question, as reported in the Concord Monitor article. The lawmaker expressed their opposition to funding Planned Parenthood by using the phrase \"cutting children into small pieces.\" However, it's important to note that this quote represents the viewpoint of the lawmaker and may not be an accurate or fair characterization of the services provided by Planned Parenthood. Label: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When others were silent about the war in Iraq, John McCain had the guts and the judgment to sound the alarm about the mistakes we were making in Iraq,\" Lieberman said. \"When others wanted to retreat in defeat from the field of battle, which would've been a disaster for the U.S.A. \u2014 when colleagues like Barack Obama were voting to cut off funding for our American troops on the battlefield \u2014 John McCain had the courage to stand against the tide of public opinion, advocate the surge, support the surge and because of that, today, America's troops are coming home \u2014 thousands of them \u2014 and they're coming home in honor!\"","\"That was the moment that Barack Obama voted to cut off funding for the troops who were in Iraq and carrying out the surge,\" McCain spokesman Joseph Pounder told us in an e-mail exchange.","Joe Lieberman, the independent senator from Connecticut, alleged in his speech at the Republican National Convention that Sen. Barack Obama had voted to cut off funding for men and women in uniform.","He continued: \"And it is my assessment and the American people's assessment that this strategy has not worked, that al-Qaida has gotten stronger in Afghanistan and Pakistan, that we are fighting on the wrong battlefield and the Iraqi government has not done the work it needs to do to resolve the civil war in Iraq.\""]},{"id":"12926.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Arizona congressional candidate Ray Strauss is a Champion of Big Government for his votes to raise taxes while on the local city council.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sarah Palin and Americans for Prosperity (AFP) that Ray Strauss, an Arizona congressional candidate, was classified as a \"Champion of Big Government\" by AFP due to his votes to raise taxes while serving on the local city council. However, it's important to note that this classification is based on AFP's own criteria and perspective, which may not align with everyone's definition of \"big government.\" Additionally, the statement does not provide any context or counterarguments that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of Strauss's positions and the reasons behind his votes. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents the claim made by Palin and AFP, it lacks some nuance and additional information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In general, it appears\" Wisconsin\u2019s right to work bill would \"likely apply to\" the Green Bay Packers players and their union.","Erpenbach said: \"In general, it appears\" Wisconsin\u2019s right to work bill would \"likely apply to\" the Green Bay Packers players and their union.","\"Sen. Erpenbach asked whether these provisions of the bill apply to employees of professional sports teams in Wisconsin, such as the Green Bay Packers, and the labor organizations representing those employees,\" the memo concluded. \"In general, it appears that the provisions likely apply to such employees and labor organizations.\"","!Under current law in Wisconsin, Green Bay Packers players must join the NFL Players Association. Under a so-called right-to-work bill that is expected to become law, they would no longer have to be members of the union. !Under current law in Wisconsin, Green Bay Packers players must join the NFL Players Association. Under a so-called right-to-work bill that is expected to become law, they would no longer have to be members of the union."]},{"id":"3449.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Oregon is near the top or at the top of the list when it comes to capital gains tax","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Oregon is indeed near the top or at the top of the list when it comes to capital gains tax. The evidence provided mentions the efforts to reduce the state's capital gains tax rate and tie it to the reform of the kicker law. This suggests that the capital gains tax rate in Oregon is significant enough to warrant attention and potential reform. While the exact ranking may vary depending on the specific year and comparison, the evidence supports the statement that Oregon has a relatively high capital gains tax rate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The so-called defense minister of the People's Republic of Donetsk ... actually posted a bragging social media posting of having shot down a military transport. And then when it became apparent it was civilian, they pulled it down from social media.\"","\"We know that very shortly (after the crash), separatists were bragging in the social media about having shot down a transport plane,\" Kerry said on Fox News Sunday. \"We know that the so-called defense minister of the People's Republic of Donetsk, Mr. Igor Strelkov, actually posted a bragging social media posting of having shot down a military transport. And then when it became apparent it was civilian, they pulled it down from social media.\"","Kerry said, \"(Strelkov) posted a bragging social media posting of having shot down a military transport. And then when it became apparent it was civilian, they pulled it down from social media.\"","While much of Kerry\u2019s evidence relies on intelligence that the public can\u2019t access, we can fact-check his claim that a rebel leader posted on social media about shooting down a plane."]},{"id":"6459.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ronda Storms voted to fund the Taj Mahal courthouse.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Ronda Storms did vote for a transportation bill that included funding for the courthouse commonly referred to as the \"Taj Mahal.\" However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While Storms did vote for the funding, it doesn't necessarily imply that she supported or endorsed the extravagant nature of the courthouse. Additional information about her stance on the issue and any efforts she may have made to address the problems associated with the courthouse would provide a more complete picture.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When I was mayor of New York City, I encouraged adoptions. Adoptions went up 65-70 percent. Abortions went down 16 percent.\"","Says federal law enforcement officers cut off questioning of the Christmas Day underwear bomber by giving him a Miranda warning after 30 minutes of questioning.","The Iran nuclear deal is \"putting billions of dollars back into a country that\u2019s the world\u2019s largest supporter of terrorism. We are actually giving them the money to fund the terrorists that are killing us and our allies.\"","At the Sept. 9, 2007 Univision debate in Miami, Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich said Hispanics lag behind other Americans in health insurance coverage. He said, \"34 percent of Hispanics don't have any health care at all, don't have any health insurance.\""]},{"id":"10333.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since the United States began negotiations with Iran, thats probably the first year and a half in which Iran has not advanced its nuclear program in the last decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that since the United States began negotiations with Iran, it is likely the first year and a half in which Iran has not advanced its nuclear program in the last decade. Multiple sources confirm that President Obama made this statement in December 2014. However, it's important to note that the statement is based on the information available at that time and may not account for any potential developments or changes in Iran's nuclear program since then. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be considered within the context of the information available at the time it was made.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Right now one of our highest job growth sectors is Leisure and Hospitality. We've added jobs that mostly fall within the restaurant and bar sector industry. These are not high-paying jobs, as the U.S. Department of Labor estimates this is an industry sector with the lowest average wages and the lowest proportion of its workforce earning minimum or subminimum wage jobs.\"","Greenwald said, \"Right now one of our highest job growth sectors is Leisure and Hospitality. We've added jobs that mostly fall within the restaurant and bar sector industry. These are not high-paying jobs, as the U.S. Department of Labor estimates this is an industry sector with the lowest average wages and the lowest proportion of its workforce earning minimum or subminimum wage jobs.\"","\"Right now one of our highest job growth sectors is Leisure and Hospitality,\" Greenwald said during the press conference to announce a Democrat bills package focusing on job creation and economic development. \"We've added jobs that mostly fall within the restaurant and bar sector industry. These are not high-paying jobs, as the U.S. Department of Labor estimates this is an industry sector with the lowest average wages and the lowest proportion of its workforce earning minimum or subminimum wage jobs.\"","\"The data show the Leisure and Hospitality sector is the industry with the highest proportion of its workers earning minimum wage or below,\" McGinnis said. \" The data further show that about one half of all workers who are paid at or below minimum wage are working in this industry -- primarily in restaurant\/food service.\""]},{"id":"13382.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ohios I-X Center used to be a great plant, but thousands of people of worked here, and they left when their jobs were moved overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The I-X Center in Ohio is not a plant or a manufacturing facility. It is an exhibition and conference center that hosts various events and trade shows. It has never been a manufacturing plant, and therefore, the claim that thousands of people worked there and left when their jobs were moved overseas is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Like, I like to pick on the 80 new, brand-new vehicles that the governor bought,\" she told the group. \"We probably don't need 80 new, brand-new vehicles. So, get rid of that.\"","!Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, a possible candidate for governor, criticizes Gov. Scott Walker for buying new cars for the state. !Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, a possible candidate for governor, criticizes Gov. Scott Walker for buying new cars for the state.","Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, a possible candidate for governor, criticizes Gov. Scott Walker for buying new cars for the state.","!Gov. Scott Walker's new book makes a number of statements that we've fact-checked before. !Gov. Scott Walker's new book makes a number of statements that we've fact-checked before."]},{"id":"5808.json","label":"false","statement":"Under a new law, doctors performing drug-induced abortions could be charged if women dont return to them for follow-up care","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be new regulations or requirements regarding follow-up care after drug-induced abortions, there is no evidence to suggest that doctors would be charged if women do not return to them for follow-up care. The evidence provided only mentions the possibility of criminal penalties for failing to personally supervise such abortions, not for patients not returning for follow-up care. It is important to accurately represent the information and avoid making unsupported claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says a national Coca-Cola study showed Texans love Texas more than residents of any other state love their state; Wisconsinites ranked second.","Says \"over 40 percent of recent county bonds are for Precinct One, northeast Travis County,\" because he \"is quick to identify projects that help make the East Side a desirable place to live.\"","Meghan Ashford-Grooms is a PolitiFact Texas staff writer and a student at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. Before this year, she worked for five years as a copy editor and wire editor on the Austin American-Statesman's news desk, where she edited stories, wrote headlines and scoured the wires for stories about government. She previously worked as a features reporter and designer at the Gazette in Prince George's County, Maryland, and started her career in 2001 on the news desk at The Tennessean in Nashville."]},{"id":"7125.json","label":"true","statement":"Says veterans disability claims backlog doubled in Obamas first term.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Texas Republican that the veterans' disability claims backlog had doubled during President Obama's first term. The term \"backlog\" refers to claims that have gone unaddressed for a specific period of time. While it is important to note that progress has been made in reducing the backlog during Obama's second term, the claim specifically refers to the doubling of the backlog during his first term, which is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4862.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"At a minimum, 40 percent of those who view child pornography end up molesting children as a result.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks proper context. While it is true that there is a correlation between individuals who view child pornography and those who go on to commit child molestation, the claim that \"at a minimum, 40 percent\" of viewers end up molesting children is not supported by strong evidence. The relationship between viewing child pornography and committing child molestation is complex, and the exact percentage of individuals who go on to commit such acts cannot be definitively determined. It is important to rely on accurate and well-supported information when discussing such sensitive and serious matters.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13268.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 67 different ways, Governor McCrory has raised taxes on middle income families.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor McCrory implemented changes to the tax law that resulted in increased taxes for some middle-income families, the statement lacks context and exaggerates the extent of the tax increases. The evidence provided acknowledges that the changes affected middle-class families but does not specify the magnitude or overall impact of these tax increases. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the tax increases were a result of broader changes to the tax system, which included both tax cuts and tax base expansions. Therefore, while there were tax increases for some middle-income families, the statement overstates the number of ways taxes were raised and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the overall impact on middle-class families.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Whitney Thompson, Burgess\u2019 communications director, told us by email that the average 100-watt bulb puts out an average of 1700 lumens, or light output, and the 2007 act states that as of January, a bulb putting out 1700 lumens must be capped at 72 watts \u2014 which, she said, amounts to a ban on selling 100-watt bulbs.","Upshot: As of January, traditional incandescent 100-watt bulbs won\u2019t be made, though stores can continue to sell existing stocks. Also, more efficient bulbs generating the same level of light will be available; they already are. We rate this statement Mostly False.","The current law does not ban incandescents, but rather says most light bulbs must meet increased efficiency standards by 2012. The standards themselves, which were developed later, include several exceptions for incandescent light bulbs, including three-way bulbs, colored lights, bug lights or plant lights.","\"It might give off as much light, but the light it gives off is different,\" Thompson said. \"Plug a 72-watt bulb in next to a 100-watt bulb and compare the two. People want the 100-watt bulb, not the 72-watt \u2014 and the government should not take that choice away.\""]},{"id":"2641.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Texas voters are being asked to act this November on a proposed constitutional amendment affecting property taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Texas voters are being asked to act on a proposed constitutional amendment affecting property taxes in November. The evidence refers to past elections in 2009 and 2011, and there is no indication of a current or upcoming constitutional amendment related to property taxes. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2787.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Its hard to get people in Portland to vote yes on ballot measures, especially when theres opposition.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate in highlighting the difficulty of getting people in Portland to vote in favor of ballot measures, especially when there is opposition. However, it lacks specific evidence or data to support the claim. While it may be true anecdotally or based on general observations, without concrete information or statistics, it is challenging to determine the extent or magnitude of the difficulty. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and would benefit from more substantial evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Carter read the restrictions in the bill as banning Georgia from accepting federal dollars, not using state dollars, to help explain the overhaul to constituents, said his spokesman, Bryan Thomas.","Lindsey wrote the amendment that watered down a previous bill, House Bill 707, that aimed to bar any state or local government agency from using money or resources to implement, not just promote, Obamacare.","But Thomas, when asked whether Carter supports Medicaid expansion, said the candidate would also look at whether Georgia could get the same deal that Arkansas secured, to take new Medicaid money from the federal government to help the uninsured poor buy insurance on the private market.","Jason Carter was elected to the Georgia Senate in May 2010, representing portions of DeKalb County. He is an attorney at the business litigation firm of Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore, LLP. Carter is the grandson of former U.S. president and Georgia governor Jimmy Carter."]},{"id":"8885.json","label":"true","statement":"Some businesses in Oregon are having to shrink back their businesses as a result of the law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by a speaker in Oregon that some businesses in the state are experiencing the need to shrink their operations as a result of the law. While the evidence does not provide specific details or data on the extent or frequency of such cases, it acknowledges that businesses are making cutbacks in response to the law. Therefore, the statement can be considered true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The most recent Associated Press poll has Nader-Gonzalez at 6 percent, without any national coverage, against McCain and Obama,\" Nader said during a June 18 interview on Democracy Now!, an independent, left-leaning radio program.","We checked the Associated Press polls and found none that gave Nader 6 percent. The most recent AP poll prior to the interview was an AP-Yahoo poll from April 17 that had Nader at 3 percent.","Nader spokesman Chris Driscoll acknowledged the candidate had erred, and said he meant to cite a June 6 CNN\/Opinion Research Corp. poll , which did indeed have Nader and his running mate Matt Gonzalez at 6 percent against Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, Republican Sen. John McCain and former GOP Rep. Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate.","Other recent polls show Nader with less support. A Rasmussen Reports poll released May 18 showed Nader pulling in 4 percent against Obama, McCain and Barr. A Reuters\/Zogby poll released June 18 showed Nader with 3 percent. A Fox News\/Opinion Dynamics poll released June 19, the day after Nader's interview, gave him 4 percent."]},{"id":"13218.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says 11 straight years of no major hurricanes striking land in the United States bores a hole right through the whole climate change argument.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. The absence of major hurricanes striking land in the United States for 11 years does not disprove the existence or impact of climate change. Climate change is a long-term trend that involves complex factors beyond individual weather events. It is important to consider scientific consensus and comprehensive data when evaluating the effects of climate change, rather than relying on isolated incidents or short-term observations.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Dan Patrick said that if women \"get paid less than a man for the same job, that that\u2019s not a problem.\"","Leticia Van de Putte said in her recent Austin debate with Dan Patrick that Patrick had said that if women \"get paid less than a man for the same job, that that\u2019s not a problem.\"","Van de Putte said Patrick said that if women \"get paid less than a man for the same job, that that\u2019s not a problem.\"","\"Correct,\" Patrick said, adding that pay should be based on an individual\u2019s performance. \"And if a woman does a better job than a man, she deserves to be paid more,\" Patrick said. \"And we have a lot of women business owners. I don\u2019t want the state of Texas telling women business owners you have to pay, listen, you have to pay everyone the same.\""]},{"id":"3820.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Members of Congress receive full pay retirement after serving one term.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Members of Congress do not receive full pay retirement after serving just one term. The claim has been widely circulated online for many years but has been debunked repeatedly. Retirement benefits for members of Congress are based on a complex formula that takes into account factors such as length of service, age, and salary. It is important to fact-check and verify information before spreading such false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A closer look at the VA study, however, slightly complicates the issue. Based on the most extensive data ever collected by the VA on suicide, the report does calculate that 22 veterans die each day from suicide.","\"We feel the system fails veterans, and that takes us to a point where unfortunately veterans are considering and committing suicide,\" said Nick McCormick, a legislative associate with the IAVA. \"We want to get that information out so there can be change.\"","The IAVA has lobbied for a separate bill, the Senate\u2019s Suicide Prevention for America's Veterans Act. Among other things, it calls for recruiting more health care workers to the VA and Department of Defense and reviewing those agencies\u2019 suicide prevention programs.","The AJC probe of the VA facility in DeKalb found that more than 500 veterans were on a waiting list to receive mental health care in 2010. Sixteen attempted suicide."]},{"id":"4293.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he worked with the Democratic legislature to balance spending with revenues so that at the end of my four-year term, the rainy day fund was established at more than $2 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence confirms that during Kasich's term, the rainy day fund in Ohio grew from effectively zero to over $2 billion. It is accurate to say that Kasich worked with the Democratic legislature to balance spending with revenues, which contributed to the establishment of the rainy day fund. However, it's important to note that the fiscal improvement was also influenced by the national economic recovery. So while Kasich played a role in the growth of the fund, it is not solely attributable to his efforts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cEvery single Senate Democrat voted against hiring more border agents. They voted against deporting felons. And they voted against ending catch and release.\u201d","A new Democratic law \u201cwill make the IRS workforce larger than the Pentagon, FBI, State Department, and Customs and Border Patrol, combined.\u201d","The public health order Title 42 is \"the last tool Border Patrol has to stop the overwhelming flood of illegal immigrants pouring into our country.\u201d","\u201cKnow what they always find in Alzheimer\u2019s patients? Excessive aluminum in the brain. Know what makes your body hoard aluminum? Fluoride.\u201d"]},{"id":"7654.json","label":"false","statement":"In 2010 alone, 1,270 infants were reported to have died following attempted abortions and notably that is only one year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there have been cases of infants surviving abortion attempts, the claim that 1,270 infants died following attempted abortions in 2010 is not supported by credible evidence. The CDC, which collects data on legal induced abortions, does not collect data on infants who die after surviving abortion attempts. The evidence provided does not substantiate the specific claim of 1,270 infant deaths in 2010. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing sensitive and complex topics such as abortion.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7723.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Just about everyone everywhere is spending more hours on the job, less time with their families, bringing home smaller and smaller paychecks, while theyre paying more and more at the gas pump and the grocery stores.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by FitzGerald that people are spending more hours on the job, having less time with their families, receiving smaller paychecks, and facing increasing costs at the gas pump and grocery stores. While the evidence provided does not specify the exact data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it suggests that there is supporting evidence for these claims. However, it's important to note that the statement uses broad language (\"just about everyone everywhere\"), which may not apply universally to every individual or region. Therefore, while the statement captures a general trend, it should be understood as a broad characterization rather than a precise representation of every individual's circumstances.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In an interview, Plumb said Reed \"has actually voted for every single trade deal that has ever come before him in any form.\"","\"He has actually voted for every single trade deal that has ever come before him in any form,\" John Plumb said in an interview on Capital Tonight. Plumb, like others, believes some free trade agreements have hurt the region economically.","While Reed has come out against the Trans-Pacific Partnership, that trade deal has yet to come up for a vote in Congress. But others have, so we checked his record to see if he voted for every single trade deal that has come before him so far.","\"Tom Reed opposes TPP. He has done so since the text was made available by the Obama administration,\" said Amy Hasenberg, a spokeswoman for his campaign. \"Like every trade deal that has come before Tom, he evaluated it on its merits. For Western New York, TPP didn't have any merits.\""]},{"id":"9547.json","label":"half-true","statement":"David Perdue said hed raise taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that David Perdue said he would raise taxes is not entirely accurate. While the evidence provided mentions a voicemail in which a President Obama impersonator claims that Perdue said he would raise taxes, it is important to note that this is a campaign ad featuring impersonation and may not accurately represent Perdue's actual statements or positions. Without further evidence or direct quotes from Perdue himself, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the claim. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8545.json","label":"false","statement":"I am the first Latina to run for governor of Texas.","reason":"Reason: While Miriam Martinez initially claimed to be the first Latina to run for governor of Texas on her campaign website, it was later amended after the claim was challenged. There have been previous Latina candidates who have run for governor in Texas, making Martinez's statement false. It is important to verify historical records and acknowledge the contributions of past candidates when making such claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7709.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Every legislative district in the state has at least one craft brewery and countless home brewers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is at least one craft brewery in nearly every legislative district in Oregon, with the exception of House District 17. However, the statement also includes the claim that there are \"countless home brewers\" in every district, which lacks supporting evidence. While it is possible that there are home brewers in many districts, the evidence does not confirm that there are \"countless\" home brewers in every legislative district. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["U.S. Reps. Donald Payne and Frank Pallone have been serving in Congress for more than two decades as Democrats, but several blog posts have offered another word to describe both officials.","With so much space available on the Internet, Payne told PolitiFact New Jersey he wasn\u2019t surprised to learn of the blog posts, but said their reasoning defies logic. Payne argued that progressive principles make the country unique and strong, allowing individuals to move between income levels.","So, Payne and Pallone have been identified as socialists for being members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. But what is that caucus anyway?","Texas Democratic U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas are both African-American members representing urban districts \u2014 and they\u2019re among Socialists in Congress, blog posts say."]},{"id":"8179.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wisconsins criminal threshold for drunken-driving is way out of line with states surrounding us, which have the second offense as a felony.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some states surrounding Wisconsin, such as Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana, have felony charges for a second offense of drunken-driving, it is not accurate to claim that all states surrounding Wisconsin have this policy. Among the neighboring states, only Indiana classifies a second offense as a felony, and even then, it applies only if the offense occurs within five years of the first incident. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent to which Wisconsin's criminal threshold for drunken-driving is out of line with neighboring states.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We've looked at the issue before with Donald Trump Sr. when he claimed the \"real\" rate was 18 to 20 percent (False) or may be as high as 42 percent (Pants on Fire).","Trump keeps repeating that the unemployment rate may be as high as 42 percent. But getting a percentage that high requires believing that being a high school, college or graduate student, a senior citizen, a stay-at-home parent, a job-training participant, or having a disability is no excuse for not holding down a job, or for working less than 40 hours in a week. The highest alternative unemployment-rate measure we could come up with that had any credibility was 16.4 percent, and even that exaggerated figure is only about one-third of the way to Trump\u2019s 42 percent. We rate his claim Pants on Fire.","The last time the unemployment rate was this high was during Reagan\u2019s first term. However, the 27 months during the 1980s the rate was greater than 8 percent is far less than the 11 years the unemployment rate was that high during the Great Depression.","In February 2009, Obama\u2019s first full month in office, the unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent. It had been 7.8 percent the month before. The unemployment rate rose sharply to a high of 10 percent by that October."]},{"id":"7142.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The poverty level in the Dallas school district is one of the highest in the country, higher than New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit and Newark.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Dan Micciche in the Dallas Morning News. According to the data, the Dallas school district has a higher poverty level compared to other major cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, and Newark. The report indicates that a significant percentage of students in the Dallas district are eligible for free- or reduced-price meals, which is often used as an indicator of poverty. While the statement is generally true, it's important to note that the specific ranking of poverty levels may vary depending on the exact metrics used and the timeframe of the data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In short, it doesn\u2019t matter who the president is, because there\u2019s not much the federal government can do about Common Core.","But the federal government didn\u2019t help create the standards, and has no control over how they\u2019re implemented. Even states that have adopted the standards are still free to set their own curricula.","In the 2016 presidential race, several GOP candidates have vilified the standards as Trump has, accusing the federal government of overreach in trying to unify school boards under the U.S. Education Department.","Other candidates have said similar things, pledging to end Common Core when they take office. But Tapper was right, adopting and implementing Common Core is a state choice, not a federal one."]},{"id":"6016.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says in the last six months of the Bush administration, the U.S. lost 3.5 million jobs, including 760,000 jobs during January 2009 alone.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data regarding job losses during the last six months of the Bush administration. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country did lose approximately 3.47 million jobs from July 2008 to January 2009. Additionally, the data supports the claim that around 760,000 jobs were lost in January 2009. However, it's worth noting that if we pro-rate the figures to the January 20 inauguration date, the number of jobs lost would be lower than Biden's claim. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional clarification regarding the pro-rated figures.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10627.json","label":"false","statement":"In 2007, when Nancy Pelosi met with President Assad of Syria, nobody got upset.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There was indeed significant criticism and controversy surrounding Nancy Pelosi's meeting with President Assad of Syria in 2007. Many individuals, including members of the Bush administration, expressed their disapproval of the meeting, citing concerns about undermining U.S. foreign policy and engaging with a leader accused of human rights abuses. The claim that \"nobody got upset\" is inaccurate and contradicted by historical records and public discourse at the time.\nLabel: false","evidence":["U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee: Scott Walker \"brags a lot about having an independent agency investigate police shootings. Of course, he didn\u2019t fund it.\" Mostly False.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","So, although the law didn\u2019t specify that the state Department of Justice investigate officer-involved deaths, as a practical matter it has become the agency doing them.","\"I'm the only governor in America ... who signed a law that says there needs to be an independent investigation any time there's a death of someone in police custody.\""]},{"id":"4861.json","label":"false","statement":"For the past eight years, Gov. Carcieri and Mrs. Carcieri would host the lighting of the State House Christmas tree.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Governor Carcieri and Mrs. Carcieri hosted the lighting of the State House tree, the claim specifically refers to it as a \"Christmas tree.\" However, the evidence provided shows that Governor Chafee, not Carcieri, hosted the event and referred to it as a \"holiday tree.\" Therefore, the statement inaccurately attributes the hosting and the terminology used to Governor Carcieri instead of Governor Chafee.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"What the Arizona law does is make a state crime out of something that already is a crime, a federal crime,\" Will opined on ABC This Week.","We're leaving questions of constitutionality to the lawyers. Instead, we wondered whether Will is correct that the new Arizona law makes a state crime out of something that's already a federal crime.","Indeed, section 3 of the new Arizona law makes it a state crime if immigrants are in violation of either of those codes.","\"What the Arizona law does is make a state crime out of something that already is a crime, a federal crime,\" he said. \"Now, the Arizona police -- and I've spent time with the Phoenix Police Department -- these are not bad people. These are professionals who are used to making the kind of difficult judgments. Suspicion of intoxicated driving, all kinds of judgments are constantly made by policemen. And I wouldn't despair altogether their ability to do this in a professional way.\""]},{"id":"12391.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Demond Means, turnaround district superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools, said the district needs to be gutted.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence or credible source indicating that Demond Means, the superintendent of the \"turnaround district\" for Milwaukee Public Schools, made the statement that the district needs to be gutted. The statement is false and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12420.json","label":"half-true","statement":"SaysVirginia RepublicanScott Taylor has been convicted in at least four different courts across the country, at times failing to even appear, and having a warrant issued for his arrest.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Taylor has been convicted in multiple courts across the country, the statement exaggerates the number of courts and the frequency of his failure to appear. Taylor has been convicted in five courts, not four, and there was one instance where he failed to appear in court, not multiple times as claimed. Additionally, there was one occasion where a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. Therefore, the statement contains some accurate information but also includes some exaggerations and inaccuracies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Still, his figure caught our eye: do Miami-Dade schools spend more than $20 million a year educating immigrants? And how would that change if Rubio\u2019s bill passes?","When talking on Fox News about the challenges posed by immigration, Curbelo said \"I'll give you an example, in our hometown, Miami Dade County. We spend at our school system over $20 million every year as a direct result of the broken immigration system.\"","\"We spend at our school system over $20 million every year as a direct result of the broken immigration system. The federal government doesn't reimburse us despite the fact that it is their fault. Why?","In his 2015-16 budget proposal, Scott recommended an increase of $14.25 million -- for a total of about $78.7 million -- for the Safe Schools Allocation, a fund for public safety. School districts can spend the money in a variety of ways, including for after-school programs for middle school students; programs to correct behavior; suicide and bullying prevention; school resource officers and detection dogs. Each school district gets $250,000, and the remainder is allocated based on a formula that takes into account crime statistics and student enrollment. (For example in 2014-15, Miami-Dade County received about $10 million and Hillsborough County received $3 million.)"]},{"id":"8850.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nearly 90% of Travis County government races will be settled by the time of the Democratic primary.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact percentage may not be precisely 90%, the evidence confirms that a significant majority of the Travis County government races will indeed be settled by the time of the Democratic primary. The evidence provided indicates that out of the total number of county government races, only a small number have the potential to be settled in the November election, with the majority being determined in the Democratic primary. Therefore, while the exact percentage may be slightly lower than 90%, the statement accurately reflects the overall trend.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8881.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Savings that I achieved helped fund cameras on the border. As a result, more than 21,500 arrests have been made and 46 tons of narcotics confiscated.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Staples, the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, that the savings he achieved from cutting government waste helped fund cameras on the border. It is also supported by evidence that Operation Drawbridge, the DPS-led operation funded by these savings, resulted in significant apprehensions and narcotics seizures. However, the statement does not provide a specific timeframe for the arrests and narcotics confiscations. The evidence suggests that the numbers provided span from October 2012 to December 2013, which is a narrower timeframe than what is implied in the statement. Therefore, while the overall claim is partially true, it lacks specific details regarding the timeframe of the reported results.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The next day Bush repeated the basic claim in a fundraising email: \"Trump proposed enacting the largest tax increase in American history.\"","\"I cut taxes every year,\" Bush said at an Aug. 20 rally in New Hampshire. \"He\u2019s proposed the largest tax increase in mankind\u2019s history, not just our own country\u2019s history.\"","Yes, in 1999, Trump proposed a historically large one-time tax increase. Trump said the tax would have raised $5.7 trillion and wiped out the national debt. It would have applied only to the wealthiest Americans.","Additionally, Trump proposed repealing the estate tax and enacting other tax cuts using the revenue that the federal government would save by no longer paying interest on the national debt. It\u2019s not clear how much those tax cuts would have cost and how much of the tax they would offset over time, Phillips said."]},{"id":"1630.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The American people will be appalled to learn the health care bill exempts (congressional) leadership and committee staff.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is not accurate to say that the health care bill exempts congressional leadership and committee staff from health care reform entirely, there is a specific provision that raises concerns. This provision requires lawmakers and their staff to purchase health insurance through an exchange, which means they would no longer be covered by their employer's health care plan. This distinction is important because it affects the type of coverage they receive. The bill does not explicitly include committee and leadership staff in this provision, leading to concerns about potential exemptions for certain staff members. A report from the Congressional Research Service supports this concern. However, it is important to note that this is a specific aspect of the bill and does not exempt congressional staff from health care reform as a whole.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Senator McCain has been talking tough about earmarks, and that's good, but earmarks account for about $18-billion of our budget,\" Obama said.","According to an Office of Management and Budget tally, earmarks totaled $18-billion for the 2008 budget, or roughly 10 percent of the deficit for that year. Another report found that appropriations bills in fiscal year 2008 included $16.5 billion for earmarks. Those numbers are lower than previous years because earmarking dropped considerably following the congressional lobbying scandals of 2005 and 2006. But even at their peak in 2005, when earmarks hit $52-billion, according to the Congressional Research Service and the OMB, that was only 16 percent of that year\u2019s deficit of $318-billion.","Fiscal conservatives concerned about the national debt \u2014 which is now more than $9-trillion in total \u2014 often mention earmarks as something that needs fixing. But earmarks are only a small part of the problem.","\u201cI have never asked for a single earmark, pork barrel project for my state of Arizona. Sen. Obama has asked for $932-million dollars in earmarks, literally $1-million for every day that he\u2019s been in Congress.\u201d"]},{"id":"7798.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The IRS will have the ability potentially to deny or delay health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the IRS will have the potential ability to deny or delay health care. While it is highly unlikely that the IRS would purposefully deny or delay health care based on political beliefs, there is a possibility that logistical challenges could inadvertently lead to delays in the process of obtaining health care subsidies for uninsured individuals. However, it is important to note that this is not the same as denying or delaying actual health care treatment. The statement lacks clarity and could be misleading, as it conflates the administrative role of the IRS with the provision of health care itself.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Claudia Tenney said in July that Kim Myers voted \"to raise taxes on the people of Broome County, but made millions off of tax savings when her family business relocated its headquarters and jobs to Pennsylvania.\"","\"After all, Myers is an Albany-style liberal politician who voted repeatedly to raise taxes on the people of Broome County, but made millions off of tax savings when her family business relocated its headquarters and jobs to Pennsylvania for a more favorable tax climate.\"","Did Myers vote to raise taxes in Broome County, but make millions off of tax savings when her family\u2019s company relocated?","Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods relocated its headquarters to Pennsylvania 20 years before Myers\u2019 election to the Broome County Legislature. We could not find any information to support Tenney\u2019s claim that the company saved millions in taxes by moving to Pennsylvania."]},{"id":"3783.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Deregulation of the states telecommunications industry will create 50,000 jobs in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement that deregulation of the telecommunications industry will create 50,000 jobs in Wisconsin is barely true. While proponents of deregulation have cited this number, it is important to note that the claim is based on a study conducted in another state over five years ago. The study itself has ties to the telecommunications industry, which is seeking deregulation. Additionally, there are experts who believe that deregulation could lead to job cuts, as the industry may require fewer workers to handle landlines. Therefore, the claim of creating 50,000 jobs in Wisconsin through deregulation is not supported by current evidence and should be approached with caution.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12938.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We admit about 100,000 permanent immigrants from the Middle East every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Donald Trump claimed that the United States admits around 100,000 permanent immigrants from the Middle East annually. Fact-checking organizations have found that the number is generally accurate, although it may vary slightly from year to year. It's important to note that this statement does not address the adequacy of the vetting system or the potential risks associated with immigration from the Middle East, but solely focuses on the number of immigrants admitted.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Conservative activist Steve Lonegan recently claimed that New Jerseyans were facing the highest tolls in the nation. !Conservative activist Steve Lonegan recently claimed that New Jerseyans were facing the highest tolls in the nation.","Lonegan, a conservative activist who heads the state\u2019s chapter of Americans For Prosperity, said in a newsletter last week that New Jerseyans would face the highest tolls in the nation when increases took effect Sunday. The Truth-O-Meter found that New Jersey\u2019s tolls may be high, but they\u2019re not the highest in the nation by cost per mile \u2013 a measure several experts said was more significant \u2013 or actual toll prices, according to a statistical comparison.","\"PolitiFact\u2019s rating has completely ignored the thrust of Americans for Prosperity\u2019s statement,\" said Americans for Prosperity Communications Director Mike Proto. \"Their \u2018analysis\u2019 focuses solely on the tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway but does not take into account all of the tolls New Jersey motorists are subject to, including as they commute into New York via the George Washington Bridge, the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel or the Holland Tunnel.\"","Given that New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, the 70 percent jump in a decade might not seem so shocking. But we learned a couple of things: first, the increase was actually slightly higher than 70 percent, but it falls once property tax rebates are factored into the mix."]},{"id":"7793.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says paid family leave is a program that is standard in all but five nations around the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the sources cited, paid family leave is a program that is standard in the majority of nations worldwide, with only five nations not having such a program in place. While it's important to note that the evidence does not explicitly list the specific five nations, the information suggests that paid family leave is indeed widespread globally, making the statement mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Corporate tax holidays pushed by Presidents John F. Kennedy and George W. Bush brought \"billions\" of dollars back into the United States.","Allowing all Bush income tax cuts to expire on Dec. 31 \"will amount to the largest tax increase in the history of America.\"","U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson \"has never proposed, nor voted in favor of, a substantial cut in federal spending\" and has voted for \"many substantial increases in federal spending.\"","Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy."]},{"id":"4627.json","label":"false","statement":"Nearly 14,000 Wisconsinites have lost their job since Governor Walker and the Republicans took over in January.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the number of unemployed people in Wisconsin increased by approximately 14,000 since Governor Walker took office, it is incorrect to attribute all of those job losses to Governor Walker and the Republicans. The increase in unemployment could be influenced by various factors beyond their control, such as national economic trends or industry-specific challenges. Therefore, it is misleading to solely attribute the job losses to Governor Walker and the Republicans.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"And when you have amendments where Nebraska gets exempted from the taxation and then today we\u2019re finding out you have real estate taxes being placed to pay for this?\" Hunter said. \"Actually, the biggest problem is how it was handled,\" Hunter said.","Hunter pointed us to a Nov. 17, 2012, blog post by Michael Chamberlain, a personal financial planner. Headlined \"Will You Pay the New Obamacare Tax,\" the post says a surtax in the law means couples with incomes over $250,000 a year and singles earning more than $200,000 could see their taxes increase in 2013.","!A chain e-mail says there's a new \"real estate sales tax.\" !A chain e-mail says there's a new \"real estate sales tax.\"","Williams said he calls the tax an investment tax. \"When somebody says \u2018real estate tax\u2019 to me, I don\u2019t think of the capital gains tax on real estate sales. I think of the property tax\" levied by local and state governments. \"This\" new tax \"has nothing to do with property taxes,\" Williams said."]},{"id":"5400.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says in the last 20 years, the French have not stood by the United States on foreign policy.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rick Santorum that the French have not stood by the United States on foreign policy in the last 20 years is inaccurate. There have been numerous instances where France has collaborated and supported the United States on various foreign policy issues. For example, France joined the United States in military interventions in Afghanistan after the 9\/11 attacks and in Libya during the NATO-led intervention in 2011. Additionally, France has been a key ally in counterterrorism efforts and has participated in international coalitions led by the United States. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The last time the unemployment rate was this high was during Reagan\u2019s first term. However, the 27 months during the 1980s the rate was greater than 8 percent is far less than the 11 years the unemployment rate was that high during the Great Depression.","Other guesstimates would produce slightly higher or lower percentages, but the important thing is that the numbers in this range are well short of the 18 to 20 percent Trump mentioned.","\u201cTitle 42 has fueled the border crisis. In 2019, 7 percent of illegal border crossings were repeated crossings. Today the rate is 27 percent.\u201d","Sicilia sees some similarities between how the unemployment numbers have trended during the Great Depression and since 2009. He said the nation is more conservative now than it was during the Depression, so there is greater resistance to government spending increases to spur the economy and lower the unemployment rate."]},{"id":"1867.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"There's more than 100,000 people working at the Department of Agriculture. That's 1 employee for every 30 farmers.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there are over 100,000 people working at the Department of Agriculture. However, the claim that this translates to \"1 employee for every 30 farmers\" is not entirely accurate. The actual ratio varies depending on the specific calculation and the agency being considered. When considering all USDA employees and the total number of farmers and farm workers, the ratio is closer to 1 employee for every 11.4 farmers. However, if we focus solely on the Farm Service Agency, the ratio can range from 1 employee for every 235 farmers to 1 employee for every 510 farmers, depending on the data source used. Therefore, while the statement captures the overall number of USDA employees, the specific ratio mentioned is not entirely precise.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12652.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Attorney General Loretta Lynch was a member of Bill Clintons defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Loretta Lynch was not a member of Bill Clinton's defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe. There is no credible evidence to support this claim, and it appears to be a fabrication or misinformation. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about someone's professional history.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Adams said Mica \"voted to borrow $10 trillion.\" What she meant, her spokeswoman says, is the debt has increased by $10 trillion since he took office, an increase made possible by his sporadic votes to allow growth of the debt ceiling.","!A mailer from the Sandy Adams campaign attacks John Mica over a $10 trillion debt increase. !A mailer from the Sandy Adams campaign attacks John Mica over a $10 trillion debt increase.","Indeed, the amount of gross debt has increased by more than $10 trillion since 1993, when Mica started his first term in the House. The debt increased from $4.17 trillion on Jan. 4, 1993 (his second day in office) to $15.87 trillion as of July 31, 2012, leaving a difference of $11.7 trillion. Another measure, using debt owed by the public, gives a difference of $8 trillion.","Interestingly, his most recent vote -- the controversial August 2011 deal that increased the national debt ceiling by $2.1 trillion -- also snagged support from Adams. Add that to Mica\u2019s other votes to raise the debt ceiling since 1996, and the increases total $3.95 trillion, not $10 trillion."]},{"id":"13453.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says thousands at a Manhattan rally for Donald Trump were chanting We hate Muslims, we hate blacks, we want our great country back.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that thousands of people at a Donald Trump rally in Manhattan chanted \"We hate Muslims, we hate blacks, we want our great country back.\" The assertion has been debunked as fake news and viral misinformation. It is important to verify information from trustworthy sources before spreading such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Hulsey claimed Burke told Journal Sentinel reporters and editors that she \"would have required workers to give up bargained-for healthcare and retirement benefits like Gov. Walker.\"","\"You told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that you would have required workers to give up bargained for healthcare and retirement benefits like Gov. Walker.\"","Hulsey told us that Burke\u2019s comments -- that she would have negotiated the benefits changes she needed -- amount to an approach that would have \"required\" the cuts of workers, \"just in a more humane way\" than Walker.","Hulsey is accusing Burke of Walker-like anti-union behavior regarding those benefits and other issues. She supports \"taking\" public servants\u2019 healthcare and retirement benefits, Hulsey claimed in a May 21, 2014 news release."]},{"id":"538.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Barack Obama \"passed laws moving people from welfare to work.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Barack Obama passed laws related to welfare reform that aimed to move people from welfare to work. While it is important to note that the legislation was part of a broader welfare reform effort led by President Bill Clinton and Congress, Obama did have a leadership role in getting the legislation passed in the Illinois legislature. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11648.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"California has robust job growth that outpaces the rest of the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to economists and available data, as of 2014, California's job growth rate had indeed exceeded the national average. While it is accurate to say that California has experienced robust job growth, it is important to note that several other states have also achieved job growth rates that outpaced the national average during the same period. Therefore, while California's job growth is commendable, it is not the only state that has seen such growth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We wondered whether Clyburn was accurate when he said, \"We do not want to raise anybody's tax rates. That's never been on the table.\"","\"Now, the question is, how do you define a tax increase? And I don't know of anybody who will define a tax increase as closing the loophole. If you tell me that my tax rate is going to be 30 or 35 percent and I come up with all kind of gimmicks with pretty smart lawyers and only pay 9 percent, there's something wrong with the loopholes in the law. We want to close those loopholes up. We do not want to raise anybody's tax rates. That's never been on the table. And I wish they would get beyond their talking points and really get honest with the American people as to what these discussions are about.","Clyburn said that Democrats don\u2019t want to raise \"anybody\u2019s\" tax rate, and that tax hikes have \"never been on the table.\" But the reality is that Clyburn and his own caucus proposed tax hikes for wealthier Americans and then voted for them on the House floor. While Clyburn\u2019s explanation does make some sense, we think it\u2019s the only interpretation that would make his claim accurate. A broader interpretation -- and one we think would be more obvious to viewers -- would suggest that his statement is incorrect. So we rate his statement Barely True.","\"Trying to avoid every instance of a tax increase on those making less than $400,000 will make the tax code more complex than it needs to be,\" said Kyle Pomerleau, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. \"It will also take certain policies off the table entirely. For example, a gas tax or carbon tax would be reasonable ways to raise revenue for infrastructure.\""]},{"id":"2358.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Richardson-Denish administration gave 50,000 drivers licenses to illegal immigrants in New Mexico.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Richardson-Denish administration gave 50,000 driver's licenses to illegal immigrants in New Mexico is an oversimplification and lacks supporting evidence. While it is true that New Mexico allowed foreign nationals, including undocumented immigrants, to obtain driver's licenses, the claim misrepresents the process and fails to acknowledge the steps taken by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to verify an individual's identity. The state does not track how many licenses were issued to illegal immigrants specifically, and the number provided in the claim is not substantiated. Additionally, the claim ignores the fact that Diane Denish, who was part of the administration, no longer supports the policy. Therefore, the claim is deemed as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13434.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Richard Burr was one of only three senators who voted against a ban on insider trading for members of Congress. And he called that vote brave.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Senator Richard Burr was indeed one of only three senators who voted against a ban on insider trading for members of Congress. This fact has been confirmed in multiple sources, including statements made by Ross during a debate. Furthermore, it is also true that Burr referred to his vote as \"brave.\" The evidence supports the veracity of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5487.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rhode Island is the only state where officers at state-supported [colleges] carry out their duties unarmed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the sources provided, Rhode Island is indeed the only state where officers at state-supported institutions, specifically public colleges, carry out their duties unarmed. This is supported by a news release from the General Assembly and the introduction of legislation by State Sen. Glenford Shibley to allow campus police officers to carry guns. While the evidence does not explicitly mention private colleges or institutions in other states, it supports the claim that Rhode Island is unique in this regard among state-supported institutions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d","A meme claims Donald Trump said in an interview 20 years ago that if he ever ran for president, he would do so as a Republican because they were \"the dumbest group of voters in the country\" and \"they believe anything on Fox News.\"","During a recent interview with CNN\u2019s Piers Morgan, former President Jimmy Carter made a striking claim about how presidential campaigns had changed since Carter first ran against President Gerald Ford in 1976.","Asked by Morgan about the challenges facing President Barack Obama, Carter said in the Feb. 21, 2013, interview that the presidency has \"changed dramatically. As a matter of fact, when I ran against incumbent President Gerald Ford, you know how much money we raised? None.\""]},{"id":"6841.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the United States has the highest corporate tax rate in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. When referring to the statutory rate, which is the rate before deductions, the United States does have the highest corporate tax rate among developed countries. However, when considering the effective tax rate, which takes into account deductions and other factors, the United States does not have the highest corporate tax rate in the world. While the United States ranks among the highest, it is not at the very top. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but requires clarification to account for the distinction between the statutory rate and the effective tax rate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13321.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rob Portman was a registered foreign agent whose client was Haiti, at a time when the Baby Doc, Duvalier, who was a despot, was killing people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that Rob Portman was a registered foreign agent for the Republic of Haiti during a period when the country was under the rule of \"Baby Doc\" Duvalier. However, it is important to note that being a registered foreign agent does not necessarily imply support for or endorsement of the actions of the government or leader being represented. The statement's implication that Portman was directly involved in supporting a dictator or the killing of people is not supported by the evidence provided. While Portman's association with the lobbying firm and his representation of Haiti during that time can be questioned, the statement's characterization of his actions as actively supporting a despot is an exaggeration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10645.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Recent solar energy policies in Georgia have resulted in rate hikes and did not result in solar becoming any more economically viable.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that recent solar energy policies in Georgia have resulted in rate hikes. In fact, Georgia has been recognized as a leader in implementing new solar policies, and the voices advocating for solar energy have grown in the state. It is important to rely on accurate information and credible sources when evaluating the impact of solar energy policies.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Looking at year-over-year statistics while Gatsas has been mayor shows crime rising and falling in alternate years, rather than increasing steadily throughout.","\"Ted Gatsas has let down Manchester: rising crime, higher taxes, the heroin crisis,\" Sununu said in an ad titled \"Fresh Leadership.\"","But the line from Trump\u2019s remarks that leapt out at us was this one: \"Crime is rising.\" Our previous research has shown that\u2019s not so. So we took a closer look. (Trump\u2019s campaign did not respond to an inquiry.)","In addition, while the preliminary data shows spikes in crime rates in some cities, Trump\u2019s statement was broad, without qualifiers, and it came amid comments that painted an overarching image of a nation in decline. Trump didn\u2019t say that crime was rising \"recently\" or \"in recent months\" or \"over the past year\" or \"in some places.\""]},{"id":"9123.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obamas acceptance of an Islamic order and gold medal was unconstitutional.","reason":"Reason: While there is some debate among experts regarding the acceptance of the medal and collar by President Obama, it is important to note that the administration followed the established rules on gifts set by congressional statute. The transfer of the medallion and collar to the National Archives is considered constitutional. However, the claim that it was an \"Islamic order\" is inaccurate. The meme misrepresents the nature of the honor received by President Obama. Therefore, while there are some constitutional considerations to discuss, the statement is misleading and lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Sanders said, \"You are paying three times more for poison water than I am paying in Burlington, Vt., for clean water.\"","\"What is absolutely incredible to me is that water rates have soared in Flint,\" Sanders said on March 6, 2016. \"You are paying three times more for poison water than I am paying in Burlington, Vt., for clean water.\"","Going back to January 2015, we find that\u2019s the case, as long as we include both water rates and water meter charges in Flint. But after a judge rolled Flint\u2019s rates back in August 2015, people there are paying a little more than twice as much as people in Burlington.","When we look at average annual bills from January 2015, Sanders\u2019 3-to-1 comparison is pretty close. But after August, Flint customers were paying a little more than twice as much as Burlington residents."]},{"id":"8348.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2010, the non-partisan Government Accountability Office found that only 6.5 percent of the U.S.-Mexico border was under full control of the Border Patrol.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report from 2011. The report acknowledged progress in border control measures, including the construction of fences and increased miles under \"operational control.\" However, it also stated that the southwest border remained vulnerable to illegal activities such as human and drug smuggling. While the specific percentage of 6.5% may not be explicitly mentioned in the evidence, it aligns with the GAO's assessment that not the entire border was under full control of the Border Patrol at that time. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We've got a personal tax system that's so complicated it costs Americans about $500 billion a year to comply with the current tax code.\"","\"It's important for us to reform the tax code,\" the Ohio Republican told reporters. \"We've got a personal tax system that's so complicated it costs Americans about $500 billion a year to comply with the current tax code.\"","The Laffer-led study said researchers created a \"comprehensive estimate of the total administrative costs, time costs, and direct tax compliance costs created by the complex U.S. federal income tax code.\" The $431.1 billion in estimated annual spending, the report said, reflects money spent \"to comply with and administer the U.S. income tax system.*","Even before Cruz commented at the roundtable, the FactChecker at The Washington Post awarded two Pinocchios to House Speaker John Boehner\u2019s claim that it was costing Americans $500 billion a year to comply with federal tax demands. Cost estimates varied, the Post wrote, with the \"safest bet\" at the time being $163 billion as estimated by the IRS\u2019s Taxpayer Advocate Service, entrusted with helping taxpayers resolve problems and recommending changes. Adjusting for inflation, that cost would have been nearly $172 billion a year around the time Cruz spoke in 2014."]},{"id":"7960.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Not one tax has been raised since Ive been governor.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that no broad-based taxes have been raised during the governor's tenure, the statement fails to acknowledge that certain taxes, such as the franchise tax, cigarette tax, and motor vehicle sales taxes, have been increased. Additionally, it is important to consider the overall impact of the governor's tax policies, which may include a combination of tax increases and reductions. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it selectively focuses on specific types of taxes while disregarding others that have been raised.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In her missive, Taft writes that \"Muslim students at Portland's Rigler Elementary School are given their own school provided prayer room, prayer rugs, helpfully stored in the prayer room by the school, and let out of class five times a day to pray to Allah. Did I mention this is during school hours?\"","There's a lot more in her post, but she keeps coming back to the idea that Muslim students are getting exceptional treatment. Here's another sentence along those lines: \"The school stores the Muslim prayer rugs for the students in a special room and they roll them all out for the kids five times a day.\"","Well, Shelby said, four years ago, two brothers at Rigler asked for permission to pray at lunch during Ramadan, an Islamic holy month. The students were allowed to do so in an empty office. The school, he said, did not convert the office to a prayer room; the two were simply to pray in private. The students prayed just once a day and no rugs were provided.","It's true, he does. But Taft\u2019s original post went much further than that. She said that the students were praying five times a day (instead of once), that the school let them out of class (it was during lunch), that the school gave them a prayer room (it was an unused office) and prayer rugs (nope), and that other religions would not be similarly accommodated (they are)."]},{"id":"2857.json","label":"true","statement":"Demand for transportation choice is on the rise, with 14 percent more Ohioans riding passenger trains over the past year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The evidence states that the Ohio Department of Transportation released a report indicating that more Ohioans are riding passenger trains, which suggests an increasing demand for transportation choice. The evidence supports the claim that there has been a 14 percent increase in the number of Ohioans riding passenger trains over the past year. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3749.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Most military experts say there is anywhere between 25 and 30 members of al Qaeda in Afghanistan.","reason":"Reason: The statement that most military experts say there are anywhere between 25 and 30 members of al Qaeda in Afghanistan is not accurate. While it is challenging to obtain precise numbers, the claim made by Congressman Cicilline was acknowledged as a misspeaking. The actual estimates provided by military members and intelligence officials suggest a higher number, ranging from 50 to 100 al Qaeda members in Afghanistan. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The bulk of the people who are shot with a weapon \u2014 other than these drug gangs taking on one another \u2014 end up being shot with their own weapon.\"","He also threw out this claim about gun violence: \"You know, the bulk of the people who are shot with a weapon \u2014 other than these drug gangs taking on one another \u2014 end up being shot with their own weapon.\"","Biden said \"the bulk\" of people who are shot with a weapon are shot with their own weapon. The numbers that back up that statement refer only to fatal shootings, including a high proportion of suicides. CDC figures show, and our experts verified, that the majority of gun deaths are suicides, and the majority of suicides are committed with a person\u2019s own gun or a gun owned by someone in the household.","\"What Biden seems to be saying,\" Braman wrote, \"is that the likelihood that you will shoot someone with a gun you buy in self-defense is smaller than the likelihood that you (or someone in your household) will be shot with that same gun. That is technically true unless you start excluding suicides, etc. -- then I don't know -- and he's got a point: guns most often injure people in the gun owner's household, not an intruder or stranger."]},{"id":"313.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The average American is working through the month of May just to pay off the government.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"the average American is working through the month of May just to pay off the government\" is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that Americans pay taxes to fund government programs and services, the claim that it takes until May to pay off the government implies that all income earned before May is solely dedicated to taxes, which is not accurate. The actual tax burden varies significantly depending on factors such as income level, deductions, and tax credits. Therefore, while taxes are an important financial obligation, the statement exaggerates the extent of the average American's tax burden.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"432.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama's network of small donors constitutes a \"parallel public financing system.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama received a significant amount of money from small donors during his campaign, it is an exaggeration to characterize it as a \"parallel public financing system.\" The term implies that the network of small donors served as a direct substitute for the public financing system, which is not entirely accurate. Obama's campaign did rely on small donations collected over the internet, but it also received substantial contributions from other sources. While small donors played a significant role in Obama's fundraising, they did not constitute the entirety or a direct equivalent of a public financing system. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Frank Annunziato said salaries for URI faculty are second to last among New England land grant universities and in the lowest 20 percent of major U.S. research institutions.","\"If you look at the other land grant universities in New England, we are last in faculty salary except for the University of Maine in Orono,\" he said. \"Our national organization does a survey every year. Of all the major research institutions, we are in the lowest quintile (20 percent) across the board. It\u2019s a dire situation here.\"","As for the second half of Annunziato\u2019s statement, he said that he derived his conclusion that URI\u2019s salaries ranked in the bottom 20 percent among major research institutions from the AAUP data.","URI is one of six public land grant universities in New England. For those states with multiple campuses and varying salaries for each, salaries at the campus where faculty is the highest paid were used for comparison."]},{"id":"10857.json","label":"false","statement":"Every year we spend roughly $500 billion on tax compliance. That is roughly the budget of our entire military, entirely wasted on tax compliance.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cruz is false. The claim that the United States spends roughly $500 billion on tax compliance every year, which is equivalent to the budget of the entire military, is inaccurate. While tax compliance does incur costs, including administrative expenses and resources, the amount spent on tax compliance is significantly lower than $500 billion. The budget of the military is also much higher than the claimed amount. Therefore, the statement is false in both the comparison of tax compliance costs and the military budget.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Miami Congressman Carlos \"Curbelo supports drilling offshore\" and \"repeatedly voted against President Obama's ability to fight pollution and combat climate change.\"","The DCCC said,\"Curbelo supports drilling offshore just like Trump and Curbelo repeatedly voted against President Obama's ability to fight pollution and combat climate change.\"","The narrator continues: \"Curbelo supports drilling offshore just like Trump, and Curbelo repeatedly voted against President Obama's ability to fight pollution and combat climate change.\"","Curbelo supports current drilling, but the ad omits that he has repeatedly voted against expanding drilling off Florida\u2019s coasts. Trump, though not always consistent, has sounded more favorable to drilling than Curbelo."]},{"id":"4910.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"They say teachers only make on averagein New Jersey 60,000 dollars a year.They only work 180 days.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Christie's statement that teachers in New Jersey only work 180 days a year and make an average of $60,000 is not entirely accurate, it is mostly true. The average school year in New Jersey is around 185 days, slightly higher than the mentioned 180 days. Additionally, the average teacher salary in the state is approximately $65,130, which is slightly higher than the mentioned $60,000. However, the statement captures the general idea that teachers work a specific number of days and earn a certain average salary, even though the specific numbers are slightly off.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2212.json","label":"true","statement":"Exporters are using a federal loophole to deceptively sell products made from cat and dog fur to U.S. consumers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that exporters are indeed using a federal loophole to deceptively sell products made from cat and dog fur to U.S. consumers. The comments from Representative Johnson, the support for legislation to end the loophole, and the concerns expressed by animal rights activists all indicate that there is a problem with mislabeling and deceptive practices in the fur industry. This suggests that some manufacturers are finding ways to circumvent the existing legislation that prohibits the import or export of dog and cat fur.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5128.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Mitt Romneys and Bain Capitals profits from KB Toys, which later went out of business, were described by the Boston Herald as disgusting.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. The Boston Herald did not describe Mitt Romney's and Bain Capital's profits from KB Toys as \"disgusting.\" The newspaper quoted a laid-off worker who used the term, but it was not an editorial statement or an official stance of the publication. Additionally, while Bain Capital's investment in KB Toys did result in the company eventually going out of business, it is important to note that KB Toys was already a troubled company before Bain's involvement. The financial decisions and actions of Bain Capital, including Romney's potential profit from them, are separate from the Boston Herald's characterization of the events. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12922.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Roy Coopers refusal to do his job is costing taxpayers money.","reason":"Reason: While there is a claim made by Governor Pat McCrory that Roy Cooper's refusal to do his job is costing taxpayers money, it is important to note that this statement is subjective and lacks specific evidence or context. The evidence provided does not offer concrete examples or data to support the claim that Cooper's actions are directly causing financial losses for taxpayers. Additionally, the statement implies that Cooper is entirely refusing to perform his duties, which may not accurately reflect the situation. Thus, the claim is considered barely-true due to its lack of substantiation and oversimplification of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11348.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Salaries of Austin residents who dont work for city government have not been going up 3 percent a year for the last several years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided does not directly address the claim about salaries of Austin residents who don't work for the city government. However, it suggests that the population of Austin has been increasing significantly over the years, which could potentially impact salary trends. Without specific data on salary growth, it is difficult to make a definitive assessment. Therefore, while there is no direct evidence to support or refute the claim, it is reasonable to conclude that salaries of Austin residents who don't work for the city government may not have been consistently increasing by 3 percent per year based on the available information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d","During the interview, Lauer asked Obama if the bank bailouts he inherited would be curtailed if spending appeared to be ineffective. (President George W. Bush signed TARP into law October 2008, before Obama was elected.)","PolitiFact Florida, \"Obama promised to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term but didn't,\" March 8, 2012","Says President Obama said of the national debt, \"If I don't have this done in three years, then there's going to be a one-term proposition.\""]},{"id":"3010.json","label":"true","statement":"We are one of only two states to have eight consecutive months of declining unemployment. Twenty-one states had increased unemployment last month. Ours went down.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the state in question is one of only two states to have eight consecutive months of declining unemployment. It further highlights that while many other states experienced increased unemployment, the state in question saw a decrease in unemployment. The evidence provided supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["An April 2011 report( \"The Independent Payment Advisory Board: A New Approach to Controlling Medicare\u00a0Spending\") provides an in-depth analysis of the Independent Payment Advisory Board, how it will control Medicare costs, and its implications for Medicare","The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a new executive-branch entity created by the Affordable Care Act, will have significant authority to curb rising Medicare spending if per beneficiary growth in that spending exceeds target growth rates.","In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act authorized the creation of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) to help control the growth in Medicare costs. Beginning in 2014, IPAB will issue recommendations to lower Medicare costs in the event that spending exceeds targets established in the health care reform law.","This brief describes how the new board created under the 2010 health reform law is expected to limit the growth in Medicare spending over time. Starting in 2014, if projected per capita Medicare spending exceeds targets set in the law, the board must recommend ways to reduce Medicare spending, while maintaining quality and access to care for beneficiaries. The board\u2019s recommendations automatically take effect the next year unless Congress adopts an alternative plan to achieve an equivalent level of savings."]},{"id":"2860.json","label":"false","statement":"On an earmark moratorium.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or refute the statement. It discusses Kay Bailey Hutchison's voting record and the adoption of voluntary earmark bans by House Republicans, but it does not provide clear information on whether Hutchison herself supported or opposed an earmark moratorium. Without more specific evidence, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"What most people don't know is that the Domes lose $1 million-plus each year,\" he said in the interview. \"The number of people going to the Domes has been going down.\"","Abele says the Domes lose more than $1 million every year and that the number of people visiting the attraction has been declining.","County figures show that going back five years, taxpayer support has ranged from a low of $386,803 in 2015 to a high of $1.11 million in 2014. That was the only year the loss topped $1 million, undermining the \"each year\" part of Abele\u2019s claim.","!Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele held a news conference about the future of the Mitchell Park Domes. !Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele held a news conference about the future of the Mitchell Park Domes."]},{"id":"2828.json","label":"false","statement":"Milwaukees problems include 52 percent black male unemployment.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Milwaukee has 52 percent black male unemployment is false. While there are indeed significant challenges faced by the black community in Milwaukee, including high poverty rates and educational disparities, the claim of 52 percent black male unemployment is not supported by credible evidence. The original source cited by the person making the claim later clarified that the figure was actually 53 percent, but even that is not an accurate representation of the current unemployment rate for black males in Milwaukee. It is important to rely on accurate and up-to-date data when discussing such statistics.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5145.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rob Cornilles has disputed for two years a news story that said he said he would cut Social Security and Medicare programs before trimming the U.S. defense budget.","reason":"Reason: While Rob Cornilles did dispute a news story that paraphrased him as saying he would prioritize cutting Social Security and Medicare over trimming the U.S. defense budget, it is important to note that the dispute does not span two years. The fact-checking article clarifies that Cornilles has made statements in previous debates and interviews indicating that he would not cut entitlements, but this does not amount to a continuous two-year dispute of the story. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context regarding the timeline of the dispute.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"There is little if any evidence that the use of red light cameras in New Jersey has reduced the number or severity of accidents at the intersections where they are used,\" Doherty said in a May 14 news release about a bill he introduced to ban the cameras in New Jersey.","Doherty claimed, \"There is little if any evidence that the use of red light cameras in New Jersey has reduced the number or severity of accidents at the intersections where they are used.\" A state DOT report showed some decreases in certain types of crashes and the costs of damages, but emphasized that the data collected through June 1, 2011 is too small to make definitive decisions about the cameras\u2019 effectiveness. We rate Doherty\u2019s statement True.","A number of municipalities have had buyer\u2019s remorse. In Houston, a voter referendum killed the program. Collier County (Fla.) commissioners voted to kill their program in December 2012 because they did not find evidence that the cameras reduced accidents. Los Angeles officials ended the program there after realizing it was difficult to pursue violators who ignored their tickets. An audit found the cameras did not improve public safety.","Steve Carrellas, spokesman for the New Jersey chapter of the National Motorists Association, said a properly engineered intersection is a better deterrent for crashes than red-light cameras."]},{"id":"3004.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams has attended more than 150 tea party gatherings.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence that Michael Williams has attended multiple tea party events and has been considered an early favorite of the tea party movement, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that he has attended over 150 tea party gatherings. The founder of New Revolution Now, who initially made the claim, later admitted that the number was an exaggeration. Therefore, the statement that Williams has attended more than 150 tea party gatherings is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In his \"State of the State\" address, Christie said: \"In the entire public school system in Camden last year, only three students graduated college ready.\"","\"How bad has it been in Camden? How \u2018bout this -- Last year, only three students graduated college ready,\" Christie said during his Jan. 14 \"State of the State\" address. \"I want you to listen to that again. In the entire public school system in Camden last year, only three students graduated college ready.\"","Christie said \"three students graduated college ready\" in Camden in 2013, but the actual statistic is related to the number of 12th-graders enrolled in Camden during the 2011-12 school year who took the SATs and hit that benchmark, according to data provided by the school district.","Huelsman told PolitiFact that he looked at students who entered college in the 2011-12 school year who had taken on debt from public or private lenders. Then he looked at whether those students graduated by 2017."]},{"id":"10649.json","label":"false","statement":"Job growth in the United States is now at the fastest pace in this countrys history.","reason":"Reason: While there has been significant job growth in the United States, it is not accurate to claim that it is the fastest pace in the country's history. The statement fails to consider periods of rapid job growth in the past, such as during the post-World War II economic boom. While the economy did create over 6.5 million new jobs in a single year, it does not surpass the historical record for job growth. Therefore, the claim that job growth is at the fastest pace in the country's history is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"13279.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When asked about equal pay for women, (Rubios) quote was that it was a waste of time.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rubio used the expression \"waste of time\" in relation to equal pay legislation, it is important to provide the context. Rubio's statement was specifically directed at certain aspects of the proposed legislation, not the overall concept of addressing the pay gap. He disagreed with the specific approach taken by Democrats, rather than dismissing the issue itself. Therefore, the statement, as it stands, lacks the necessary context and could be misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I disdain racism, sexism, and bigotry, but under this legislation, any pastor, preacher, priest, rabbi or imam who gives a sermon out of their moral traditions about sexual practices could be found guilty of a federal crime,\" the Minnesota Republican stated in an Oct. 8, 2009, press release.","\"As has been previously stated by Judge Carter of Texas, under Section 2 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code today, an individual may be held criminally liable who 'aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures' in the commission of a federal crime,\" Pence said from the House floor on Oct. 8. \"Therefore, to put a fine point on it, any pastor, preacher, priest, rabbi, or imam, who may give a sermon out of their moral traditions about sexual practices, could presumably under this legislation be found to have aided, abetted or induced in the commission of a federal crime. This will have a chilling effect on religious expression, from the pulpits, in our temples, in our mosques and in our churches. And it must be undone.\"","Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, went one step further, suggesting that victims of sex crimes could be guilty of a hate crime if they tried to defend themselves or retaliate against an attacker.","Rep. John Kline and other Republicans say under Hate Crime bill, religious leaders could be prosecuted for preaching about sexual practices"]},{"id":"11283.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Atlanta has issued an increasing number of citations - and collected an increasing amount of revenue - since Mayor Kasim Reed took office in 2010.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Atlanta has indeed issued an increasing number of citations and collected an increasing amount of revenue since Mayor Kasim Reed took office in 2010. According to the data presented, the number of citations increased by approximately 16 percent during Reed's tenure, and the revenue collected from these citations saw a significant increase of 45 percent. While the exact percentage increase in citations may not align precisely with the claim of 20 percent, the overall trend of an increase in both citations and revenue is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["An ad from American Crossroads says, \"This is what President Obama said the jobless rate would be if we passed the stimulus: 5.6 percent.\"","> \"This is what President Obama said the jobless rate would be if we passed the stimulus: 5.6 percent. But this is what the jobless rate actually is: 8.1 percent. The difference? About 3.7 million jobs. Obama\u2019s spending drove us $5 trillion deeper in debt, and now we have fewer jobs than when he started. What Obama promised vs. what he delivered.\"","Says that President Obama said if Congress passed the economic stimulus bill, \"we would have unemployment at 8 percent and no higher. And it went higher.\"","Those estimates include a chart, \"Unemployment Rate With and Without Recovery Plan,\" that displays a post-stimulus jobless rate around 5.6 percent in mid 2012, like the chart in the American Crossroads ad."]},{"id":"12373.json","label":"true","statement":"On how to respond to Puerto Ricos debt crisis.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that there are differing views on how to respond to Puerto Rico's debt crisis. Bernie Sanders condemned Wall Street for their role in creating and profiting from the crisis, while a radio ad claimed that U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy changed his views on how to handle the crisis. Additionally, House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Wisconsin Republicans have been targeted for supporting measures aimed at resolving Puerto Rico's debt crisis. These examples demonstrate the existence of varying perspectives and approaches to addressing the issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He (Allen) turned, and his colleagues in the majority in the Senate turned, the biggest surplus in the history of the United States into the biggest deficit in the history of the United States,\" Kaine said in a Dec. 7, 2011 debate between the two candidates.","Kaine said Allen, during his term in the Senate, was part of a Republican majority that turned the largest surplus in U.S. history into the nation\u2019s biggest deficit up until then.","Editors Note: On Dec. 26, 2011, PolitiFact Virginia rated as Mostly True a statement by Democrat Tim Kaine that Republican George Allen, during his term in the U.S. Senate from 2001-2007, helped turn the largest budget surplus in U.S. history into the largest deficit.","\"We have a system now where in 40 states, the highest-paid public employee is the state university\u2019s head football or basketball coach.\""]},{"id":"4700.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The State of Rhode Island has the worst state-funded pension in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rhode Island has the worst state-funded pension in the country is misleading. While there have been reports and comparisons suggesting that Rhode Island's pension funding was among the lowest, further analysis and direct calculations from the Boston College database indicate that Rhode Island's pension funding was not the worst in the country. In fact, it ranked ninth from the bottom according to the Boston College database, which contradicts the claim of being the worst. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks proper context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Wasserman Schultz said that Obama has cracked down \"on employers who are attracting undocumented immigrants and hiring them more than any previous president.\"","\"President Obama has the most border patrols and border security deployed at the border of any previous president,\" said Wasserman Schultz, in a June 20 interview on MSNBC. Obama \"has cracked down on employers who are attracting undocumented immigrants and hiring them more than any previous president.\"","\"President Obama has the most border patrols and border security deployed at the border of any previous president,\" said Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. in a June 20 interview on MSNBC. Obama \"has cracked down employers -- on employers who are attracting undocumented immigrants and hiring them more than any previous president.\"","Over the last few months, President Barack Obama has made some announcements regarding his plan to go after companies that hire undocumented immigrants."]},{"id":"12267.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 2009 Hillary Clinton was at the State Department working with U.S. corporations to pressure Haiti not to raise the minimum wage to 61 cents an hour from 24 cents.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that Hillary Clinton, while serving as Secretary of State in 2009, was involved in discussions regarding the minimum wage in Haiti. However, it is important to note that the statement lacks some context. While there were discussions and concerns raised by U.S. corporations about the potential impact of a significant increase in the minimum wage, it is not accurate to say that Clinton was actively pressuring Haiti not to raise the minimum wage. Ultimately, the Haitian Parliament did vote to increase the minimum wage, although to a lesser extent than initially proposed. Therefore, while there were discussions and differing viewpoints on the issue, the statement oversimplifies the situation by implying that Clinton actively worked to prevent the minimum wage increase.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10579.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than any Republican governor in the 2014 elections, I took a higher percentage of the Republican voteand yet I also carried independents by 12 points.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the speaker received a higher percentage of the Republican vote compared to any Republican governor in the 2014 elections. However, without specific data or context, it is difficult to verify the claim about carrying independents by 12 points. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is supported, the second part lacks sufficient evidence for a definitive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Among PEPFAR\u2019s achievements, they said \"our study found that in PEPFAR countries, political instability and violence have fallen 40 percent (compared to just 3 percent in equivalent non-PEPFAR countries), while economic growth has increased \u2014 and so has America\u2019s reputation.\"","No one questions that the program did much to ease the burden of disease and helped many sufferers. But there are several reasons the argument that it led to political stability is difficult to make. As the report Daschle cited notes, many of the countries were on an upward path before PEPFAR began. On top of that, Washington carefully selected which nations to include in PEPFAR. Finally, experts knew of no study that shows a large scale health intervention reducing instability and violence. On the contrary, and specific to HIV\/AIDS, no study has found that the disease causes instability.","\"From an epidemiological perspective, it is not reasonable to conclude that reducing AIDS is causally linked to greater stability and less violence,\" he said. \"There are so many other, far stronger and more plausible reasons why political instability and violence decline.\"","There are many fine reasons for America to promote better health overseas, but we wanted to explore whether the data prove that reducing political instability and violence is one of them."]},{"id":"9986.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After the 2012 redistricting, Wisconsin has competitive congressional districts.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that after the 2012 redistricting in Wisconsin, the congressional districts became less competitive, particularly for the seats held by Republicans like Duffy, Kind, and Ryan. While there may be some elements of truth to Ryan's argument about the competitiveness of certain districts, the overall impact of redistricting was to favor the incumbents and reduce the level of competition. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Wisconsin's congressional districts are competitive after the 2012 redistricting.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"336.json","label":"true","statement":"\"(John McCain) was even mentioned as a running mate with John Kerry.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that John McCain was indeed mentioned as a potential running mate for John Kerry during the 2004 presidential election. While ultimately John Edwards was chosen as Kerry's running mate, there were discussions and speculation about McCain being considered for the position. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Jeff Morales, the rail authority\u2019s chief executive officer, said in late October: \"The actual (construction) contracts that we\u2019ve awarded to date have come in several hundred million dollars below estimates.\"","\"The actual (construction) contracts that we\u2019ve awarded to date have come in several hundred million dollars below estimates. That\u2019s the reality of where we are in the program,\" Morales said during a press conference in Madera in late October, captured in the video clip below.","After digging out the original documents, the winning bids are a combined $480 million below the authority\u2019s cost estimates. That works out to \"several hundred\" million.","The authority\u2019s second major project is a 60-mile leg from Fresno south to the Tulare-Kern County line. It projected the price as low as $1.5 billion. The winning bid was a slightly more than $1.2 billion. Doing the math, the bids were a combined $480 million less than the lowest estimates. That qualifies as \"several hundred million dollars.\""]},{"id":"4603.json","label":"false","statement":"Says hes never asked for more than inflationary budget increases in his 10 budgets as Milwaukee County sheriff","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement is false. County records were examined, and it was found that the Milwaukee County sheriff, David Clarke, did ask for budget increases beyond inflation in some of his budgets. Additionally, it is mentioned that Clarke was unhappy with proposed budget cuts to his agency, indicating that he did not consistently request only inflationary budget increases. Therefore, the statement does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10644.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, homicides are up by 20 percent, and subway delays have soared 45 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that subway delays have increased by 45 percent, the statement regarding homicides being up by 20 percent under Mayor Bill de Blasio is misleading. The murder rate has not consistently increased by 20 percent during de Blasio's tenure. While there may have been fluctuations in the murder rate, a comprehensive assessment shows that the murder rate has remained relatively steady compared to the year before de Blasio took office. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and does not provide an accurate representation of the trends in homicides under Mayor de Blasio.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In February 2009, Obama\u2019s first full month in office, the unemployment rate rose to 8.3 percent. It had been 7.8 percent the month before. The unemployment rate rose sharply to a high of 10 percent by that October.","The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan source of analysis, wrote in February that this was the longest period of unemployment above 8 percent since the Great Depression.","\"Today's #jobs report marks the 43rd consecutive month unemployment has remained above 8%, longest since the Great Depression,\" the post read.","The unemployment rate was greater than 9 percent the next 16 months. In March 2011, it dropped to 8.9 percent, but rose back above 9 percent the following six months. In October 2011, the rate fell back below 9 percent. Each month since, it has been in the 8 percent range."]},{"id":"1805.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout in 2008, \"but now he is standing in the way of reforms that would assure these bailouts would never happen again.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Democrat Lainey Melnick that U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout in 2008 but is now obstructing reforms to prevent similar bailouts in the future. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a comprehensive view of Rep. Smith's stance on financial reforms. While he did support the bailout in 2008, the evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine whether he is actively blocking all reforms aimed at preventing future bailouts. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In this atmosphere of division, a recent claim by Andrea Miller, executive director of Causa Oregon, caught our attention. In a Nov. 14, 2013, news release criticizing House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, for his refusal to take up an immigration bill passed by the Senate, she said, \"American voters remain steadfast in their support for immigration reform with a path to citizenship, with more than 70 percent who want to see reform passed this year.\"","As Sorenson indicated, a number of other polls around the country have revealed strong support when respondents were asked if they support reform that would allow immigrants living in the U.S. illegally to remain here legally and, further, to apply for citizenship.","\"Democrats want to motivate Hispanic voters by saying Republicans want to deport them all,\" Curbelo said. \"Republicans want to motivate their base of voters saying Democrats want open borders and want the country overrun by illegal immigrants. If you actually vote for compromise on immigration it would limit your ability to sound the alarm come Election Day.\"","\"Seventy-six percent of the American people support us passing the DREAM Act \u2026 with citizenship and legalization as part of it all. \u2026 More than 60 percent of Republicans support that.\""]},{"id":"8253.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"7 out of 10 Oregon families living in poverty have at least one parent who works.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the information provided, approximately 69 percent of Oregon families with children in poverty had at least one parent who worked at least part-time in the previous year. While the exact figure is slightly lower than 7 out of 10, it still demonstrates that a significant majority of families in poverty have a working parent. Therefore, the statement is generally accurate, with a minor discrepancy in the specific percentage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2329.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry is a 25-year incumbent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rick Perry has held various elected positions for over 25 years, describing him as a \"25-year incumbent\" specifically in the context of his governorship can be misleading. Most of the time Perry has held office, he has not been the governor but has served in different elected positions. While the statement captures the length of Perry's political career accurately, it fails to provide the necessary context regarding his tenure as governor. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Grothman said Baldwin introduced a bill to require doctors and other health care workers to ask patients, \"including young children, whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or if they know their gender identity.\"","\"In 2010, Tammy Baldwin introduced H.R. 6109, which would require healthcare workers, including doctors, to ask patients at government-funded clinics, including young children, whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or if they know their gender identity.\"","They agreed that since Baldwin\u2019s bill gave discretion to the health and human services secretary, it\u2019s possible that doctors and other health care workers in certain clinics or other settings could have been required to ask patients about their sexual orientation and gender identity -- although that could have been through routine intake questionnaires rather than being asked to face to face.","The experts also agreed that Baldwin\u2019s bill would not have required doctors or other health care workers to ask patients about sexual orientation. Again, it would have been left to the HHS secretary to decide how to collect the data, and that might have been largely done through means such as anonymous telephone surveys that the agency already does."]},{"id":"12307.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says an array of statistics show that conditions in some parts of Baltimore rival that of the West Bank in Palestine, North Korea, and distressed cities in Nigeria, India, China and South Africa.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim that conditions in some parts of Baltimore are comparable to those in the West Bank, North Korea, and distressed cities in Nigeria, India, China, and South Africa. While it is important to note that these comparisons are subjective and may not capture the full complexity of the situations in each location, Sanders did present an array of statistics to support his claim. However, it is crucial to exercise caution when making direct comparisons between different regions and consider the unique socio-political and economic contexts of each place.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1475.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The House passed a pay-as-you-go rule that said, \"If you wanted to have an investment, an entitlement, etc., you had to pay for it.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The House did pass a pay-as-you-go rule, commonly known as PAYGO, which aimed to ensure that any new spending or entitlement programs were offset by corresponding revenue increases or spending cuts. However, the statement lacks context as it doesn't specify the timeframe or provide details on the specific provisions of the rule. Additionally, it's important to note that PAYGO rules can be waived or modified in certain circumstances, so the strict application of the rule may vary. Therefore, while the statement captures the existence of the PAYGO rule, it lacks the necessary details to provide a comprehensive understanding of its scope and implementation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7214.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Hurricane Sandy, the most destructive Atlantic storm ever.","reason":"Reason: While Hurricane Sandy was indeed a highly destructive storm that caused significant financial damages, it is not accurate to label it as the most destructive Atlantic storm in history. The most destructive storm in terms of financial damages remains Hurricane Katrina, which caused over $100 billion in damages. While Sandy ranks high on the list of destructive storms, it does not hold the top spot. Therefore, the statement that Hurricane Sandy is the most destructive Atlantic storm ever is not entirely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9103.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I was the most bipartisan senator in the United States Senate.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Brown was ranked highly in terms of bipartisanship during his time in office, it is important to note that he was not consistently the most bipartisan senator. The Georgetown University Bipartisan Index, which analyzes voting records, ranked Senator Brown as one of the most bipartisan senators for a period of time, but not throughout his entire tenure. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that he was one of the most bipartisan senators rather than consistently the most bipartisan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6482.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker raises the pay of inmates, but we dont raise the pay of staff in our correctional institutions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that Governor Scott Walker implemented a policy to increase the pay of working inmates in correctional institutions, it is misleading to claim that staff in those institutions did not receive a pay raise. The evidence suggests that neither group, including staff, received a pay raise during that period. Therefore, the statement fails to acknowledge the lack of pay raises for both inmates and staff, creating a skewed comparison between the two.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Indeed, it would completely upend fundamental constitutional principles if Congress, rather than the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, were the last word on the meaning of the Pennsylvania Constitution, and yet that\u2019s what Hawley\u2019s arguing for here,\" he said.","After losing, Kelly took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, where an emergency application for injunctive relief was denied by Justice Samuel Alito Dec. 8. Kelly is still seeking review by the U.S. Supreme Court.","When Hawley defended his decision to challenge Pennsylvania\u2019s electoral vote, University of Texas law professor Stephen Vladeck tweeted: \"In other words, @HawleyMO\u2019s main gripe is that the (Republican-led) Pennsylvania legislature violated the *Pennsylvania* Constitution when it expanded mail-in voting in 2019. 1. That\u2019s not fraud. 2. That\u2019s a question for the *Pennsylvania* Supreme Court to decide \u2014 and it passed.\"","Hawley\u2019s statement about interpretations \"for over a century\" limiting mail-in voting likely refers to limits starting in the 19th century about absentee voting for soldiers. A 1924 Pennsylvania state supreme court decision about civilians voting stated that a \"ballot cannot be sent by mail or express.\" After World War II, the state amended the constitution to allow certain limited instances of absentee voting."]},{"id":"10525.json","label":"false","statement":"The current debate over authorizing military action against the Islamic State would be the first time Congress would place limits on the commander-in-chiefs ability to be commander-in-chief.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Throughout history, Congress has placed limits on the commander-in-chief's authority in matters of military action. The Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war and raise and maintain the military, which inherently places limits on the president's ability to act unilaterally as commander-in-chief. Additionally, there have been numerous instances where Congress has imposed restrictions and conditions on military actions authorized by the president. Therefore, the claim that the current debate over authorizing military action against the Islamic State would be the first time Congress places limits on the commander-in-chief's authority is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I think after we get past this summer of silliness and insults, the voters are going to begin to look at who is prepared to do the job,\" he said on Aug. 30. \"Right now the American people are saying we've got to shrink the size of the government, grow the American economy. I'm the only candidate \u2014 there are not two \u2014 I'm the only candidate that has actually reduced the size of government, and I think that experience matters.\"","Jindal\u2019s chart doesn\u2019t factor in the size of the states, which Cato says is important. When adjusted for population, Jindal\u2019s numbers actually come out looking better: 2.41 percent per capita in cuts every year.","According to Cato, Jindal is indeed the only governor out of the eight running to have cut spending. During his seven-year tenure as Louisiana's chief, Jindal reduced spending by an average of 1.76 percent every year. Every other governor increased spending. Here\u2019s a graph that details this:","\"We\u2019ve got to cut the knot at some point, though, because, I\u2019ll tell you what, I\u2019m not going to receive Social Security. \u2026 My kids, they\u2019re not going to receive Social Security. And we need fresh and innovative thinking, right? Maybe we should privatize Social Security, right? Private retirement accounts, get the government out of it, past a certain point, because the government, it is just too big.\""]},{"id":"4308.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"U.S. debt is now equal to 100 percent of the GDP.","reason":"Reason: While the statement that the U.S. debt is equal to 100 percent of the GDP is not entirely accurate, it is close to being true based on the available information. The fact-checking analysis indicates that the debt-to-GDP ratio was approximately 96.5 percent at a specific point in time. While this is high and raises concerns about spending and revenues, it falls just short of the 100 percent mark. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true, as it accurately reflects the significant level of debt in relation to the GDP.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2536.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tom Ganley supports a 23 percent national sales tax that would raise taxes on the middle class while giving a huge tax break to millionaires like himself.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains elements of truth but also exaggerates certain aspects. While it is true that Tom Ganley supports a national sales tax, the claim that it would raise taxes on the middle class while giving a huge tax break to millionaires like himself is an exaggeration. The evidence suggests that the proposed national sales tax would replace various federal taxes, including personal and corporate income taxes, payroll taxes, and estate and gift taxes. The impact on different income groups would depend on their consumption patterns and the overall structure of the tax system. It is misleading to assert that the tax would specifically target the middle class and provide a significant tax break to millionaires without considering the broader implications and distributional effects.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Kerpen, among others, tweeted, \"Amazing fact: Senate has already voted on more amendments in 2015 than (Harry) Reid allowed ALL YEAR last year.\"","\"Amazing fact: Senate has already voted on more amendments in 2015 than Reid allowed ALL YEAR last year,\" tweeted Phil Kerpen, opinion-writer and president of conservative 501(c)(4) American Commitment, on Jan. 22, 2015.","\"In other words, the intense partisanship of the Senate that led Sen. Reid to all-but shut down the amendment process last year has not dissipated,\" Binder said. \"I think the question going forward is whether McConnell can find a way to conduct the Senate such that senators from both parties believe their legislative needs are being met.\"","Kerpen came at the tally a different way, counting \"real\" votes on amendments, a distinction that also includes roll call votes on motions to table amendments, which effectively kills them. By his math, there were 16 votes allowed on amendments in 2014 and 26 so far in 2015. By either count, the numbers work."]},{"id":"2639.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Pat Toomey still supports privatizing Social Security.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence to suggest that Pat Toomey has supported privatizing Social Security in the past, it is important to note that his stance may have evolved over time. The evidence provided does not specify Toomey's current position on the issue. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Toomey has supported privatizing Social Security in the past, but it is unclear if he still holds that position. Additional information is needed to determine his current stance.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12769.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Trump shirts are made in Bangladesh, Trump suits in Mexico, Trump Vodka in the Netherlands, Trump crystal barware in Slovenia and his cufflinks and ties in China.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence, which indicates that Trump shirts are made in Bangladesh, Trump suits in Mexico, Trump Vodka in the Netherlands, Trump crystal barware in Slovenia, and his cufflinks and ties in China. However, it's important to note that this evidence does not provide a comprehensive list of all Trump-brand products and their manufacturing locations. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided, it may not encompass the entirety of Trump's product line.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"One out of every four students fails to earn a high-school diploma. In our major cities across America, half of our kids don\u2019t graduate. Half.\"","\"One out of every four students fails to earn a high school diploma. In our major cities across America, half of our kids don\u2019t graduate.\"","Ryan said: \"One out of every four students fails to earn a high-school diploma. In our major cities across America, half of our kids don\u2019t graduate.\"","For the second part of Ryan\u2019s claim -- \"in our major cities across America, half of our kids don\u2019t graduate\" -- Seifert cited a report done by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center for America\u2019s Promise Alliance. Colin Powell, the retired Army general and secretary of state, is the founding chairman of the alliance, which is dedicated to helping children and youth."]},{"id":"8525.json","label":"true","statement":"Says taxpayer subsidy for the Oregon Convention Center hotel jumped $100 million in closed-door sessions","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. According to the evidence provided, the taxpayer subsidy for the Oregon Convention Center hotel did increase by $100 million during closed-door sessions. The negotiations between Metro staff and the team members of Mortenson\/Hyatt were indeed conducted in closed-door sessions, as acknowledged by Metro's Dresler. This increase in subsidy without public input aligns with the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Recovering from the Nevada remark, Wasserman Schultz followed up with this: \"There were 36 states where Republicans who were in charge refused to implement a state exchange, and as a result people who get Affordable Care Act plans are getting them through the federal exchange.\"","We looked at another claim made by Wasserman Schultz -- that in 36 states, Republicans refused to implement state insurance markets. But we found that her numbers were off. While there are 36 states that use the federal marketplace or a state-federal partnerships, only 29 of them are run by Republicans. And in some of these states, like New Mexico, a GOP governor tried to institute a state insurance market, but had to delay because of infrastructure and technology setbacks. We rated the claim Mostly False.","We checked it out. Of the 36 states without a state-run health insurance exchange, a fair amount are actually run by Democratic governors and a few are solidly blue states. We gave the claim a Mostly False.","She said Nevada had \"a governor who refused to implement a state exchange.\" She quickly had to backtrack as journalist Jon Ralston reminded her of Gov. Brian Sandoval\u2019s enthusiastic support of a state exchange. \"Well, I stand corrected, I\u2019m not from Nevada,\" Wasserman Schultz acknowledged."]},{"id":"2851.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says you can buy four light bulbs for $1.99 at Walmart, while a single compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) costs $10 a pop.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that you can find a four-pack of incandescent bulbs for $1.99 at Walmart, the price of a single compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) is not consistently $10. The price of CFL bulbs can vary depending on the brand, wattage, and other factors. While some CFL bulbs may indeed be priced at $10 or higher, there are also more affordable options available. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the price difference between incandescent bulbs and CFLs, leading to a misleading impression.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says a tweet he sent out \"wasn\u2019t saying, \u2018check out a sex tape.\u2019 It was just \u2018take a look at\" the background of Alicia Machado.","Trump said the tweet he sent out \"wasn\u2019t saying, \u2018check out a sex tape\u2019\" but rather to \"just take a look at\" Machado\u2019s background.","That\u2019s ridiculous. While Trump did urge his Twitter followers to check out Machado\u2019s \"past,\" he literally wrote \"check out sex tape\" in the tweet.","Trump responded, \"No, it wasn\u2019t saying, \u2018check out a sex tape.\u2019 It was just \u2018take a look at the person she built up to be this wonderful girl scout, who was no girl scout.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"10618.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Jeb) Bush, not the State of Florida, decided which private emails to disclose.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Jeb Bush, not the State of Florida, had the authority to decide which private emails to disclose. The American Bridge website and PAC pointed out that Bush had used a private email account as governor and had the discretion to edit which emails would become part of the Florida public record. Additionally, it is mentioned that the emails Bush turned over to the state were self-selected and excluded messages related to politics, family matters, and fundraising. While it is possible that there could be missing emails, no challenge or civil suit has been filed regarding this matter. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["D\u2019Souza tweeted out to nearly 200,000 followers a photograph of 21-year-old Hillary Clinton that appeared to feature a Confederate battle flag in the background. But as a look at the original images makes clear, the photograph has been manipulated to include the flag, and D\u2019Souza\u2019s accompanying comment in the tweet doesn\u2019t indicate that he was aware of the fakery. (He later corrected the tweet.) We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","The important point of all this background is that the images of Clinton taken by Life do not include a Confederate battle flag anywhere. That leaves the only possible option that someone, somewhere along the way, digitally manipulated the image to include the flag, whether through sinister motives or simply for a laugh.","A photograph of Hillary Clinton with the Confederate flag? Could it be real? Conservative commentator Dinesh D\u2019Souza appears to have thought so.","Soon after the image started circulating on the Internet -- which occurred as early as July 5 here -- skeptics noted previously posted photographs from that series that don\u2019t show a Confederate battle flag."]},{"id":"7439.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 9,000 Rhode Island voters used the Moderate Party master lever mechanism and they didnt have a single Moderate on their ballot.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kenneth Block, founder and chairman of the Moderate Party of Rhode Island, that over 9,000 Rhode Island voters used the Moderate Party master lever mechanism in the November 2012 election, but did not have a single Moderate candidate on their ballot. This suggests that the master lever mechanism, which allows voters to select all candidates from a particular party with a single mark, may have caused confusion or unintended consequences in this specific instance. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide further context or evidence regarding the reasons behind this occurrence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6561.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Obama is attacking Paul Ryan on Medicare even though it is his administration with the help of Jim Langevin who cut $716 billion from Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) included $716 billion in spending reductions to Medicare, it is misleading to claim that these reductions were at the expense of the elderly. The reductions mainly targeted insurance companies and hospitals, not beneficiaries. The aim was to reduce overpayments to private insurers through Medicare Advantage plans, which were costing the government more than traditional Medicare. The claim that President Obama \"cut\" Medicare is a mischaracterization, as the reductions were intended to make the program more efficient and sustainable. Therefore, while there were reductions in Medicare spending, it is incorrect to solely attribute them to President Obama and claim they were detrimental to the elderly.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12570.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has even deleted this record of total support (for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement) from her book.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton deleted any record of her support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement from her book. The statement made by Donald Trump is false and lacks any factual basis. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing political matters, and in this case, the claim is entirely unfounded.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"This new tuition reciprocity agreement with the State of Minnesota makes college education more affordable for Wisconsin residents. Smaller tuition bills widen access to higher education, and that\u2019s a win-win situation for students and Wisconsin.\"","( - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says a new tuition reciprocity deal with Minnesota makes college more affordable for Wisconsin residents&url=)","In announcing the new reciprocity agreement, Walker said more than 10,000 Wisconsin students participate in the program every year. But his news release didn\u2019t explain his quote about how the new deal makes college more affordable for Wisconsin residents, so we asked his spokesman, Cullen Werwie, for evidence.","Reciprocity means a Wisconsin resident who attends a public university or technical college in Minnesota is treated as a Minnesota resident and can pay in-state tuition, rather than the higher out-of-state tuition rate. The same goes for Minnesota residents attending college in Wisconsin."]},{"id":"1861.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barbara Boxers worried about the weather instead of terrorism as the biggest threat to national security.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents Barbara Boxer's position on national security and climate change. While Boxer did mention climate change as an important national security issue, it does not mean she prioritizes it over terrorism. The ad takes Boxer's statement out of context and falsely implies that she is more concerned about the weather than terrorism. Additionally, the evidence provided highlights that the national security implications of climate change are being discussed by credible institutions such as the Pentagon and the CIA, further undermining the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Let\u2019s begin by reviewing how the groups came to identify Booker\u2019s supposed support of late-term and partial-birth abortions, and opposition to safety regulations.","The platform, though, makes no mention of late-term or partial-birth abortion, which a Booker spokesman agreed the Democrat would support a woman\u2019s right to choose if her life or health is in danger. The platform says nothing else about safety regulations, which some states \u2013 such as Texas \u2013 have cited in attempts to ban abortion after a certain point in pregnancy.","The platform makes no mention of specific procedures such as late-term or partial-birth abortion, and states support for a woman\u2019s right to make decisions about her pregnancy, \"including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay,\" according to a statement from the Democratic National Committee.","Says under Mayor Cory Booker, Newark has seen \"violent crime up five years in a row, murder up five years in a row.\""]},{"id":"12488.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Merrick Garland authored an opinion that resulted in the release of 17 Guantanamo Bay prisoners who were part of a group of violent Islamist extremists the State Department had designated as terrorists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks accuracy. While Merrick Garland did author an opinion that resulted in the release of one detainee from Guantanamo Bay, the claim that he released 17 prisoners who were part of a group of violent Islamist extremists designated as terrorists by the State Department is incorrect. The statement combines two separate court rulings and exaggerates the number of prisoners released. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it distorts the facts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"And I mean the president starts out with 48, 49 percent \u2026 he starts off with a huge number,\" Romney continued. \"These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn\u2019t connect. So he\u2019ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean, that\u2019s what they sell every four years. And so my job is is not to worry about those people. I\u2019ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.\"","\"Mitt Romney is the first Massachusetts politician to run for president and not win the New Hampshire primary in a generation.\"","He didn\u2019t specify federal income tax, and many states do levy their own income taxes. But since Romney was referring to a sector of the entire American population, we think it\u2019s clear he was talking about federal taxes.","Buckley said Romney was the first candidate to lose \"in a generation.\" Buckley is right if you rely on the shorter time period of 20 or 25 years, but he is off if you rely on the 30-year standard. Even so, he wouldn't be that far off, and his underlying point is correct that Romney's 2008 loss was unusual by historical standards. So we find his claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"2871.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Letting the Bush tax cuts expire would raise taxes on small businesses.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some small businesses would be affected by letting the Bush tax cuts expire, the statement lacks nuance. The majority of small businesses would not see a direct increase in taxes as a result of the expiration. The impact would primarily be on high-income individuals who report business profits as part of their personal income. These individuals represent a small portion of small business owners, and their average business income is significantly higher than that of the typical small business owner. Therefore, while there would be some impact on small businesses, it would not be as widespread as implied by the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%.","Terence Garrett, political science professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, stressed there are a lot of security measures and enforcement at the border.","Uriel J. Garcia, Texas Tribune, \"The federal government calls it a levee. South Texas immigration advocates and environmentalists see a border wall,\" Sept. 3, 2021","Hallett, the expert at the University of Chicago, pointed out that border crossings still haven\u2019t reached the level they were in spring 2019, when there were 100,000 crossings per month for four months straight."]},{"id":"5337.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Statistics bear out that any time a country, a state, makes more restrictive abortion laws ... fatalities go up and abortions actually increase.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that in some cases, when countries or states make abortion laws more restrictive, abortion-related fatalities may increase, it is not accurate to claim that abortions actually increase as a result. The evidence provided suggests that in certain instances, when abortion laws become less restrictive or when abortion is legalized, abortion-related fatalities decrease. However, the statement fails to acknowledge that the relationship between abortion laws and abortion rates is complex and multifaceted. Research on the topic does not consistently support the claim that more restrictive abortion laws directly lead to an increase in abortions. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent the relationship between abortion laws, fatalities, and abortion rates.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Hutchison's ad makes claims about Perry on spending and taxes that we have already investigated. It was another statement that caught our eye: Perry \"spent over a million dollars on D.C. lobbyists asking for more federal money and lives in a luxury house that costs taxpayers $10,000 a month.\"","The bottom line: Hutchison is correct that state offices controlled by Perry or his appointees spent more than $1 million on Washington lobbyists. As for the rental house that is currently Perry's home, Hutchison's claim that taxpayers are paying $10,000 a month is so close that she gets the cigar.","So, Hutchison's statement about past spending on Washington lobbying is on the money. But what about that luxury house for the governor?","But Castle said a third D.C. firm, Piper-Rudnick, had a contract with the Office of State-Federal Relations for about six months starting in October 2003. The governor's office estimated that it was paid about $142,000, which brings our running total spent on Washington lobbying by private firms above $1 million."]},{"id":"2141.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The presidents budget would take ... non-defense spending to its lowest level ... as a percentage of the economy since JFK.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that his budget would reduce non-defense spending to its lowest level as a percentage of the economy since JFK. Multiple sources confirm that the proposed budget aimed to freeze discretionary government spending outside of national security for three years, resulting in a decline in non-defense spending as a share of the economy. While the exact comparison to JFK's era may vary depending on the specific years and economic factors considered, the overall claim is supported by evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8804.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Of the approximately 6 million disenfranchised felons in the United States, one-quarter are Floridians.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Desmond Meade, President of FRRC, and the data from The Sentencing Project. According to their research, approximately 25% of the disenfranchised population in the United States consists of Floridians. The Sentencing Project's data from 2010 indicates that out of the 5.85 million disenfranchised individuals in the country, around 1.5 million are from Florida. While the exact number may have changed since then, the statement aligns with the available data and can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"375.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama \"basically threatened to bomb Pakistan.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obama \"basically threatened to bomb Pakistan\" is inaccurate and misleading. It distorts Obama's remarks and takes them out of context. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim and found it to be false. While Obama did mention the possibility of taking action against high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan, he did not make a direct threat to bomb the country. The statement misrepresents Obama's position and is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I don\u2019t think we need to be giving exemptions to rich people who own private jets,\" Foley said. \"We\u2019re giving tax breaks to guys that own private jets \u2013 that doesn\u2019t make any sense.\"","A listener hearing Foley\u2019s quip about tax breaks for rich people buying private jets could believe he was referring to anyone who buys a private plane. The tax break, however, only applies to fractional ownership programs. That\u2019s additional information that provides clarity. And to his credit, Foley did mention fractional ownership at a different point in his speech on the House floor.","Ohio law contains 128 tax breaks that cost the state about $7 billion per year in lost revenue it otherwise would collect, according to the Department of Taxation.","Among the tax exemptions in the report is one for people who buy a share of a private jet, or what is called a \"fractionally-owned aircraft.\""]},{"id":"10021.json","label":"false","statement":"On support for the auto bailouts.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not offer sufficient information to determine the veracity of the statement regarding support for the auto bailouts. While it is mentioned that Bernie Sanders had opportunities to show support for the auto bailout, the evidence does not provide a clear indication of his stance or actions on the matter. Therefore, without more specific information, it is not possible to categorize the statement as true or false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9246.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ed Gillespies 2006 book promoted an individual health care mandate, and recommends that it be enforced by the IRS through the income tax code.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of Ed Gillespie's 2006 book, which indeed promoted an individual health care mandate and recommended its enforcement through the income tax code by the IRS. Gillespie suggested that individuals should be required to have some form of health coverage, and if they failed to do so, their standard deduction on their income tax would be reduced. This aligns with the concept of an individual mandate and utilizing the tax code for compliance. However, it's important to note that this statement refers specifically to Gillespie's book from 2006 and may not necessarily reflect his current stance on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The statement his campaign sent us quotes Zerban as saying: \"We don\u2019t say anything we don\u2019t mean -- Paul Ryan\u2019s budget ends Medicare.\"","Zerban is hardly the first to claim Ryan\u2019s plan ends Medicare. But, no bones about it, he clearly made that allegation.","Says Paul Ryan's budget relies on the same $700 billion in savings from Medicare that Mitt Romney and other Republicans have been attacking Democrats about.","\"Paul Ryan -- his controversial budget for America has been called dangerous, cruel and deeply wrong,\" a narrator says of the House Budget Committee chairman as the ad begins."]},{"id":"11971.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When Republican extremists tried to take away abortion rights Blake Rocap stopped them.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Blake Rocap stopped Republican extremists from taking away abortion rights is an exaggeration. While Rocap has been an advocate for abortion rights and has worked with organizations like NARAL and Pro-Choice Texas, it is misleading to claim that he single-handedly stopped Republican extremists. The evidence provided suggests that Rocap has been involved in advocating for abortion rights and has opposed Republican efforts to restrict abortion, but it does not demonstrate that he personally stopped those efforts. It is important to accurately represent the role and impact of individuals in political processes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Jeff Mann has an ethics complaint against him alleging he used county workers for campaign work, which is an indictable offense.","The CDC confirmed six deaths following the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which resulted from a rare but serious adverse reaction of thrombocytopenia syndrome, or blood clotting.","The CDC said in an email to PolitiFact that it hasn\u2019t detected any unusual or unexpected patterns for deaths after immunization, but did confirm six deaths following the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which resulted from a rare but serious adverse reaction of thrombocytopenia syndrome, or blood clotting.","But federal officials, health experts and organizations have warned repeatedly that correlation does not imply causation \u2014 just because an adverse event is reported as having occurred does not mean that a vaccine was the cause."]},{"id":"12492.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he helped to draft parts of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that Canova helped to draft parts of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill, there is no concrete evidence provided to support this claim. Canova himself made this assertion in a Medium post, but without further evidence or corroboration, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of his claim. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it is based on Canova's own assertion without additional supporting evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["And, based on 2009 data -- the most recent available -- New Hampshire property taxes do rank among the country\u2019s highest.","Says the 2010-11 New Hampshire budget ended with an $18 million surplus, while the Republican-led 2012-13 budget has a $40 million deficit.","Says that as Providence\u2019s mayor, David Cicilline said the city had a \"world-class \u2026 school system. Not only did Providence not have a world-class school system but as measured, was amongst the last school system in the entire country.\"","On its face, the claim seems feasible. New Hampshire is one of nine states in the country without an income tax(,,id=130684,). The Granite State is one of five without a statewide sales tax, and it\u2019s one of only two, along with Alaska, without either."]},{"id":"12844.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"American homeownership rate in Q2 2016 was 62.9% - lowest rate in 51yrs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Trump in his tweet regarding the homeownership rate in Q2 2016 being 62.9%, which was indeed the lowest rate in 51 years at that time. This information is supported by a Census Bureau report. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide further context or reasons behind the decline in homeownership rates. Factors such as the Great Recession and its aftermath have contributed to the decrease in homeownership rates, particularly for African Americans. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the homeownership rate, it lacks additional information about the underlying causes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6835.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Romneys Medicare plan was estimated to cost the average senior about $6,000 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes the estimated cost of $6,000 per year to Romney's Medicare plan. The evidence provided refers to the cost estimates associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), not Romney's specific plan. The ACA introduced tax credits and expanded Medicaid, which were projected to increase costs for some individuals. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide evidence directly linking the $6,000 cost estimate to Romney's plan. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The NRCC said Morgan Carroll \"racked up $11 billion in new spending,\" implying that she had a key role in \"nearly doubling the state budget.\"","We looked closer at the claim that Carroll \"racked up $11 billion dollars in new spending\" by voting for the $25 billion budget in 2015.","For this fact-check, we\u2019re focusing on the claim that \"Carroll racked up $11 billion dollars in new spending, nearly doubling the state budget,\" making it sound like she played a key role in the increase.","Outside observers questioned the ad\u2019s suggestion that one lawmaker is responsible for racking up an $11 billion increase in the budget over 11 years in a Legislature that totals 100 lawmakers and experienced changes in which party controlled the governorship, and both legislative chambers during that time."]},{"id":"2308.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When career politician Daniel Webster became speaker of the House, he wasted $32,000 of our money on a spiral staircase for his office.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Daniel Webster, upon becoming Speaker of the House, did allocate approximately $32,000 for a spiral staircase to connect the Speaker's Office with the House Republican Offices below. However, it is important to note that the term \"wasted\" is subjective and implies a negative judgment. While some may argue that the expenditure was unnecessary or extravagant, others may view it as a legitimate investment to improve coordination between offices. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of the expenditure but may be subjective in terms of whether it was a waste or not.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12112.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas had the highest level of turnout than ever before in the primary.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Texas had the highest level of turnout in the primary compared to previous years. The records show that the 2016 Republican primary had the highest number of voters in Texas history. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the overall voter turnout rate in Texas. While the raw count of voters may have been the highest, the statement does not address the percentage of eligible voters who participated in the primary. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it focuses on the raw count of voters rather than the overall turnout rate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"361.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the difference between her and Barack Obama is \"about 35 years of experience.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Hillary Clinton, claiming a difference of \"about 35 years of experience\" between herself and Barack Obama, is false. While it is true that Clinton had more years of experience in various roles, including as First Lady and as a senator, the difference in experience between the two candidates was not as significant as claimed. At the time of the statement, Obama had approximately 20 years of experience, which included work in public service, education, and civil rights law. Therefore, the claim of a 35-year difference in experience is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12946.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"22 veterans take their own lives each day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided states that an average of about 20 veterans take their own lives each day, it is important to note that this data is from 2014. However, it is consistent with the claim that approximately 22 veterans die by suicide daily. The evidence supports the notion that a significant number of veterans face mental health challenges and emphasizes the need for support and resources to address this issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11576.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States is the only major country on earth that doesnt guarantee health care to all people as a right, not a privilege.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that the United States is the only major country that does not guarantee healthcare to all people as a right, it is important to note that there are variations in healthcare systems across different countries. Some countries have universal healthcare systems that provide coverage to all citizens, while others have a mix of public and private systems. Therefore, while the United States stands out among major countries for not guaranteeing healthcare as a right, it is not the only country without such a guarantee.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Left unaddressed, the growing instability in Libya could ignite wider instability in the Middle East, with dangerous consequences to the national security interests of the United States,\" Obama said.","Like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, Amy Coney Barrett has said her \u201cend goal is to end the separation of church and state & build a \u2018Kingdom of God\u2019 in the United States.\u201d","Early in 2011, before the United States joined a NATO force to oust Gadhafi, Trump argued for American action. We know what Trump thought back then thanks to a video on Trump\u2019s own video blog (credit to BuzzFeed for spotting it)","As for the NATO argument, Goldsmith pointed out that members of the U.S. Armed Forces hold leadership positions in NATO, and the United States provides significant funding for NATO. \"The fact that this command and participation happens via NATO seems irrelevant; the fact is that U.S. Armed Forces are helping those nations engage in military hostilities,\" he wrote."]},{"id":"10608.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Said former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Scott Gration was forced to resign two years ago because of his personal use of emails.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. Scott Gration did resign from his post as the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, but it was not solely due to his personal use of emails. Gration faced criticism for various issues, including his management style and his handling of embassy operations. While his personal use of emails was a factor, it was not the sole reason for his resignation. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the circumstances surrounding Gration's resignation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"So, the fact is, 31,000 kids in failing schools, 99.97 percent of the kids live in poverty that attend Cleveland public schools,\" Williams said. \"The district is majority African-American. And the 11th House district that includes most of the Cleveland public school system is the poorest district in the state of Ohio.\"","PolitiFact Ohio thought that the claim that essentially every student who attends a Cleveland public school lives in poverty was worth a check.","It is an unfortunate but well known fact that the city of Cleveland owns one of the highest poverty rates for any big city in the United States. At 34 percent, Cleveland is the third poorest for cities with a population of at least 200,000 people, behind Detroit and San Bernardino, Calif., according to 2010 U.S. Census data. And about 53 percent of all people under 18 in Cleveland live in poverty.","That would mean that the true number of students in poverty attending Cleveland schools is somewhere between 80 and 100 percent. Canfora said the district could not provide an exact percentage."]},{"id":"6284.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If you have ever visited Nashville or Washington D.C. you will see MANY names and initials carved into ... desks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While it is accurate that U.S. senators have a tradition of signing or etching their names into the drawer of their Senate desks, this tradition is specific to the Senate and not applicable to desks in other government buildings or locations. In the U.S. House, for example, members do not have desks to write or etch their names on. Therefore, the claim that seeing many names and initials carved into desks is a common sight in Nashville or Washington D.C. is not accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Kitzhaber campaign cites the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to back up its claim of 128,000 new jobs. A review of the data shows the campaign is actually lowballing the figure. Nearly 128,000 more people were working in December 2002 than in January 1995, but the number of jobs added over the time period was closer to 179,000.","In public statements, responses and campaign mailers, Kitzhaber states he is the only candidate with a record of creating jobs for Oregon. Sometimes he says that 128,000 jobs \"were created\" during his 1995-2002 reign. Other times he takes active ownership, saying that \"we created over 125,000 jobs.\" In any case, the implication is clear: He was responsible for Oregon\u2019s heady growth during his governorship.","\"During my two terms as governor, we created over 125,000 jobs in Oregon; wages rose by 49 percent and our state gross annual product rose by 48 percent,\" he wrote in July.","Politicians of all stripes love to tout the number of jobs they have created. Current Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski talks about his transportation funding packages that have resulted in new roads while putting people to work. President Barack Obama talks up stimulus spending."]},{"id":"6739.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Redistribution has never been a characteristic of America.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"redistribution has never been a characteristic of America\" is inaccurate and misleading. Historians and economists have pointed out that America has a long history of redistributive policies, including progressive taxation and various social welfare programs. These policies aim to address income inequality and provide support to those in need. The New Deal, implemented over 80 years ago, is a notable example of such policies. Therefore, the claim that redistribution has never been a characteristic of America is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, told Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, during an April 9, 2013, committee meeting that \"we in the state of Texas are 49th in the country in what we are doing to support our per-pupil investment in education in the state.\" She added that she prefers to prioritize putting dollars into the public schools.","Truth-O-Meter article, \"Wendy Davis says Texas ranks 49th in what it is doing in per-pupil education spending,\" PolitiFact Texas, April 18, 2013","Texas ranks 48th among the states, according to preliminary figures, and 49th only if one also considers spending in the schools in Washington, D.C., which is not a state.","We wondered, then, how Texas stacks up by all expenditures per pupil. The report does not present such a calculation, so we made our own run, dividing the total spending for each state by the state\u2019s average daily attendance, as shown in the report\u2019s Summary Table D. And by this approach, it appears that more than $50 billion in total Texas school spending breaks out to nearly $11,090 per pupil, placing Texas 38th nationally, ahead of states including California, Georgia, Oklahoma and Arizona."]},{"id":"2827.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Said they reached a power-sharing agreement with Republican Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that a power-sharing agreement was reached with Republican Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. The sources indicate that Lt. Gov. Cagle's power was diminished, similar to what happened to former Democratic Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor in the past. There is no mention of a power-sharing agreement being reached with Cagle in the provided evidence. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In her first sit-down interview with a national television reporter, Hillary Clinton said, \"I did local press all along, the last three months.\"","Later, Clinton said she would continue to do \"more press\" and added, \"I did local press all along, the last three months because, again, it was interesting to see what questions the local press would be asking me.\"","Given the scrutiny surrounding Clinton\u2019s national media strategy, we decided to take a closer look at this statement: Had she consistently opened herself up to local reporters throughout the first three months of her campaign?","A review of Clinton\u2019s interactions with the media during the first three months of her campaign shows that she offered numerous interviews with local news outlets during the third month of that time frame. Prior to that, however, her interactions with with local news outlets were just about as scarce as they were with national outlets."]},{"id":"8381.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says between 6 and 20 bicycles can be parked in the space required by one car.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a range of estimates provided by different sources. While some studies and experts suggest that between 10 and 20 bicycles can fit in the space required for one car, other sources indicate that the number can be as low as 6. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it accurately reflects the range of estimates provided by different studies and experts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It wasn\u2019t that he said \"if you like your plan, you can keep it\" -- it was \"if your plan hasn\u2019t changed since the law passed,\" you can keep it.","Barack Obama says that what he'd said was you could keep your plan 'if it hasn\u2019t changed since the law passed'","\"Now, if you have or had one of these plans before the Affordable Care Act came into law and you really liked that plan, what we said was you can keep it if it hasn\u2019t changed since the law passed,\" Obama said.","PolitiFact, Barack Obama says that what he'd said was you could keep your plan 'if it hasn\u2019t changed since the law passed,' Nov. 6, 2013"]},{"id":"4166.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that U.S. Rep. Allen West is a constituent of mine.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The evidence provided does not directly address the claim about U.S. Rep. Allen West being a constituent, but it does mention him as a member of Congress. Given that the evidence acknowledges Allen West as a representative, it can be inferred that the person making the statement is indeed a constituent of Allen West.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Clinton said that in 2006, Bernie Sanders \"voted in the House with hard-line Republicans for indefinite detention for undocumented immigrants, and then he sided with those Republicans to stand with vigilantes known as Minutemen who were taking up outposts along the border to hunt down immigrants.\"","At one point, she said, \"In 2006, when Sen. Sanders was running for the Senate from Vermont, he voted in the House with hard-line Republicans for indefinite detention for undocumented immigrants, and then he sided with those Republicans to stand with vigilantes known as Minutemen who were taking up outposts along the border to hunt down immigrants.\"","The one problem with Clinton\u2019s statement is that she exaggerated the extent to which the measure was backed mainly by hard-line Republicans. The amendment did pass the House with almost universal Republican support, but it did attract a significant minority of the Democratic caucus -- 76 voted for it, while 106 voted against.","Finally, it\u2019s misleading to say, as Clinton did, that supporters were primarily \"hard-line Republicans.\" A number of liberal Democrats also supported the bill, including such prominent lawmakers as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and future Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio."]},{"id":"3461.json","label":"false","statement":"The U.S. gives foreign aid to Cuba and Venezuela, even though those countries are our enemies.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States provides foreign aid to both Cuba and Venezuela, it is misleading to characterize these countries as \"enemies.\" The U.S. provides aid to various countries around the world, including those with which it may have political disagreements or strained relations. The provision of foreign aid is often driven by diplomatic, humanitarian, or strategic considerations, and it does not necessarily imply a friendly or cooperative relationship. Therefore, labeling Cuba and Venezuela as \"enemies\" solely based on the fact that they receive foreign aid is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the complexities of international relations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Gov. Rick Scott said Florida did nothing special to lure 300 Deutsche Bank jobs to the state. !Gov. Rick Scott said Florida did nothing special to lure 300 Deutsche Bank jobs to the state.","We are not evaluating whether Deutsche Bank finds several things about Florida attractive for expanding its company: the weather, the lack of income tax, etc. We are looking at Scott\u2019s response to a pointed question in his Fox News interview: Did Florida offer \"something special\" to Deutsche Bank in exchange for 300 jobs?","Varney chuckled, then pressed for more details. \"That\u2019s an invitation I might just take up. Quickly though, Deutsche Bank, they\u2019re bringing 300 jobs to Florida, I think they\u2019re going to Jacksonville. Can you tell me, did you offer them something special? Did you say, I\u2019ll build you an exit off the freeway? No property taxes for a time? Did you do anything like that at all to get them in?\"","Fast forward to the most recent expansion, which Scott highlighted in his comments. In April, the Jacksonville City Council agreed to partner with the state to offer $2.08 million in tax incentives to Deutsche Bank in exchange for adding 300 jobs over three years."]},{"id":"8720.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Earlier this year, [John DePetro] was accused of sexually assaulting a female co-worker.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that John DePetro was accused of sexually assaulting a female co-worker earlier this year. The evidence provided does not support this claim, as it only mentions the accusation made in a petition circulated in November 2013. There is no evidence or credible information to suggest that such an accusation was made against John DePetro recently or earlier this year. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Unless her family had something passed down, it\u2019s hard to believe that she became a millionaire,\" Patricia Turner, professor of African American Studies and World Arts and Culture at UCLA, told PolitiFact.","It used to be that college students joked about being on \"the five-year plan\" in their quest to earn a four-year degree.","And for students who started their college studies at a four-year institution, rather than a two-year school, the average was five years and eight months.","Says crime is on the rise in Austin and a new study showed that it \u201cis the No. 1 city in America in the year-to-year percentage increase in murders, with a percentage increase of more than 64% for the first half of this year.\u201d"]},{"id":"1186.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Photo of \"tea party\" protests shows crowd sprawling from Capitol to Washington Monument","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The photo in question does not depict \"tea party\" protests sprawling from the Capitol to the Washington Monument. The photo actually shows protesters gathered in the Wisconsin Capitol building in 2011, not the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Additionally, the protests depicted in the photo were unrelated to the \"tea party\" movement. Therefore, the statement is entirely inaccurate and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6232.json","label":"false","statement":"Every one of the 67 supervisors of elections in Florida refused to carry out the effort to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was controversy surrounding the voter purge efforts in Florida, it is not accurate to claim that every one of the 67 supervisors of elections in the state refused to carry out the effort to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls. The fact-checking sources indicate that some supervisors did participate in the process, while others expressed concerns or chose not to actively engage in the purge. Therefore, the claim that all 67 supervisors refused to carry out the effort is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"3074.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If the Stamp Farm wind turbine is built, the health risk of flicker impact created by shadows of blades of turbines poses real and significant health risks, particularly seizures.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence and is misleading. While some opponents of wind turbines have raised concerns about the potential health effects of flicker caused by the shadows of turbine blades, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. The assertion that the health risks of flicker from wind turbines pose \"real and significant\" risks, particularly seizures, is not substantiated by reputable studies or medical consensus. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\u201cWhen in doubt, sue. As a result of his multiple losing campaigns for 3 of Florida\u2019s 4 available Cabinet positions, Scott Maddox has confused job descriptions for the one he\u2019s running for this time. While oil continues to pour out of the earth at a rate of 210,000 gallons per day, Scott Maddox runs to the courthouse to sue someone, anyone, in a desperate attempt to make money from misery.","In a separate item, we're checking a claim that Maddox lost campaigns for three available Cabinet positions. In this item, we're going to see if Maddox is indeed a lobbyist, and if so, who he has represented.","In fact, Putnam's campaign called Democrat and former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox a \"lobbyist bottom feeder,\" in a May 4, 2010, statement.","Scott Maddox, a former Florida Democratic Party chairman and former Tallahassee mayor, campaigned to be Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and was defeated on Nov. 2, 2010."]},{"id":"11788.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"According to the most recent report, Wisconsins high school graduation rates are also up again -- to third best in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Walker that Wisconsin's high school graduation rates have improved and are ranked as the third-best in the country, according to the most recent report. The evidence provided confirms that Wisconsin's graduation rate has increased and ranks third nationally. However, it's important to note that the term \"most recent report\" is not specified, so the specific timeframe and source of the report are unclear. Nonetheless, based on the available evidence, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7924.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On immigration reform, Marco Rubio all along has been saying, We have to have border security first and then he gets on Spanish TV, he ends up saying, No, no. That will never get in the way.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher that Marco Rubio has made contradictory statements regarding the order of border security and legalization in immigration reform. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a comprehensive view of Rubio's stance on the issue. While there may have been instances where Rubio's statements seemed contradictory, it is necessary to consider the broader context and evolution of his position on immigration reform. Labeling the statement as \"barely-true\" acknowledges the existence of conflicting statements but does not provide a complete assessment of Rubio's overall position on the matter.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Now, let\u2019s throw in another factor: the number of students in publicly-funded schools across the nation increased from 39.2 million in 1984 to a projected 50 million in 2014. Federal spending per student rose from $165 in 1984 to about $816 in 2014. Adjusted for inflation, that\u2019s a 117 percent increase -- less than one-third of Brat\u2019s figure.","The numbers matched fiscal year funding data from the Education Department. In each fiscal year, as Robinson said, the final budget numbers for the state Education Department increased.","During a news conference on Oct. 14, 2015, Scott called for tax cuts beyond the $400 million the Legislature approved earlier in the year. Scott had promised to cut taxes by $1 billion over two years, but lawmakers are already signaling that may not be possible.","There are some details about the funding that we won\u2019t explore in much detail. The two years marked with an asterisk were years when Florida used about $900 million each in federal stimulus money for the budget, for example. Also, the amount of property taxes collected through what is known as the Required Local Effort can change from year to year."]},{"id":"4828.json","label":"false","statement":"Dem-controlled Ohio House voted to change the process, to create objective criteria, to modify the Constitution ... to take politics out of the efforts to draw legislative boundaries.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Ohio House passed a joint resolution (HJR 15) to change the apportionment process, it is important to note that this resolution did not address the congressional redistricting process, which is the main source of controversy. Therefore, the statement that the Ohio House voted to change the process, create objective criteria, and modify the Constitution to take politics out of drawing legislative boundaries is false. The resolution only focused on the apportionment process and did not address the broader issue of gerrymandering in congressional districts.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10227.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Over the last few years, weve put more people back to work than all the other advanced economies combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Obama is partially true. According to the analysis cited, since the beginning of 2010, approximately 14.9 million people have returned to work in advanced economies. Out of this total, around 7.5 million people were in the United States, which does exceed the net total for all other advanced economies combined (7.4 million). However, it's important to note that this statement focuses on the number of people returning to work, not the proportion or rate of employment growth. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the significant number of people returning to work in the United States, it does not provide a complete comparison of employment growth rates between the United States and other advanced economies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s not as if these companies can\u2019t stand on their own. Last year, the three biggest U.S. oil companies took home more than $80 billion in profits. Exxon pocketed nearly $4.7 million every hour.\"","President Barack Obama, making the case from the Rose Garden that oil companies would be just fine without tax breaks, offered this striking figure: Last year, he said, \"Exxon pocketed nearly $4.7 million every hour.\"","The company has a point that Obama\u2019s statistic doesn't detail the oil company's expenses. But in this fact-check, we\u2019re focusing just on the claim that, \"Exxon pocketed nearly $4.7 million every hour.\" As a simple snapshot of Exxon\u2019s 2011 profit, his arithmetic is right on target. We rate the statement True.","\"Consider if the president had added the following statistics: ExxonMobil\u2019s taxes were $12.3 million an hour, and it took more than $47 million an hour to run the global business. Those statistics are also accurate and they put the $4.7 million an hour in profits in context.\""]},{"id":"2434.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under Tom Barretts leadership, violent crime in Milwaukee has decreased by over 20% -- to its lowest levels in more than 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. The evidence provided suggests that violent crime in Milwaukee was already at its lowest point in over 20 years before Tom Barrett took office. The claim that violent crime decreased by over 20% under Barrett's leadership is not supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Young also told us that AARP doesn\u2019t fund \u2014 and has never funded \u2014 Planned Parenthood. He shared a 2018 letter from the director of AARP Minnesota to a volunteer who had been confronted by people at an event who thought AARP supports Planned Parenthood financially.","AARP is a tax-exempt social welfare nonprofit that is not permitted to participate in political campaigns. People who work for AARP can make individual political contributions, but those donations do not come from the organization as a whole.","PolitiFact used Federal Election Commission data to confirm that the majority of AARP board members and the majority of AARP executive team members haven\u2019t made recent political campaign contributions.","Chief operating officer Scott Frisch signed AARP\u2019s most recent tax filing, confirming that \"AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization empowering people to choose how they live as they age.\""]},{"id":"1868.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Obama appeared in the video for 'Whoomp! (There it is!)'","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Barack Obama appeared in the music video for 'Whoomp! (There it is!)'. Multiple sources, including Glenn Miner, who worked with Obama, have stated that the man in the video is not Obama. Additionally, there is no record of Obama having an earring, which further contradicts the claim. This assertion is baseless and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Medicare monthly premiums will go up to $104.20 in 2012 and $247.00 in 2014 due to \"provisions incorporated in the Obamacare legislation, purposely delayed so as not to 'confuse' the 2012 re-election campaigns.\"","Your premiums are going up! -- A related scare comes from a new chain e-mail that claims the Democratic health care law will raise Medicare premiums. It says that Medicare monthly premiums will go up to $104.20 in 2012 and $247.00 in 2014 due to \"provisions incorporated in the Obamacare legislation, purposely delayed so as not to 'confuse' the 2012 re-election campaigns.\" Another Pants on Fire.","In addition to that, the chain e-mail gets existing numbers wrong. Part B premiums were $96.40 back in 2009 (likely when the e-mail was first written). In 2011, the official monthly premium is $115.40. And as we were working on this report, the 2012 numbers were formally announced. The premium is $99.90 for 2012, not the $104.20 that the e-mail predicted.","A chain e-mail going around warns of a Medicare premium increase, saying monthly premiums will go up from $96.40 to $247 in 2014. Blame it all on \"Obamacare,\" the e-mail says."]},{"id":"10727.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida has the most concealed weapon permits in the nation, nearly double that of the second state, which is Texas.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Florida does indeed have the highest number of concealed weapon permits in the nation, with over 1.3 million law-abiding Floridians holding valid permits. The statement is also accurate in stating that this number is nearly double that of the second state, which is Texas. While population size and other factors may be taken into consideration, the evidence supports the claim that Florida leads the nation in concealed weapon permits.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2046.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under President George W. Bush, the U.S. had 52 months of ... uninterrupted job creation and revenues were at an all-time high in 2007.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ed Gillespie that under President George W. Bush, the United States experienced 52 months of uninterrupted job creation and that revenues were at an all-time high in 2007. The evidence provided supports this claim, citing the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Gillespie's own statement. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall economic performance during the Bush administration, as it focuses solely on job creation and revenue levels. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the specific claim made, it should not be taken as a comprehensive assessment of the Bush administration's economic record.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5522.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker didnt balance the budget so we now have a larger state deficit 14 months into (his) term than we did when he was elected.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that Governor Scott Walker did not balance the budget and that there is a larger state deficit 14 months into his term compared to when he was elected. However, it's important to note that the claim of Walker not balancing the budget is disputed. While there may be a larger deficit, it does not necessarily mean that Walker did not take steps to address the budget or that he is solely responsible for the deficit increase. Additional context is needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the budget situation and the factors contributing to the deficit.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["NARAL\u2019s TV ad said, \"Marco Rubio voted against funding health clinics that provide critical care during this public health emergency (Zika).\" The text on the screen stated that Rubio \"voted against contraception and family planning.\"","\"The Zika virus is here. It\u2019s dangerous to pregnant women. And it has no cure. But Marco Rubio voted against funding health clinics that provide critical care during this public health emergency,\" states the narrator while text states that Rubio \"voted against contraception and family planning.\"","Puerto Rico has 20 community health centers operating at 84 sites. Profamilias has seven clinics on the island, and in each area there is another type of facility that would have been eligible for Zika funding.","\"Just a reminder to New York \u2026 Marco Rubio and Ron DeSantis (who was then in Congress) voted against aid for Hurricane Sandy. But because we are New York, we care about everyone,\" tweeted Yuh-Line Niou, a Democrat who represents areas of Manhattan in the New York Assembly. \"Even when they don\u2019t care about us.\""]},{"id":"13275.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that compared to direct sales by manufacturers, consumers save avg of $500 per car sold through franchised dealer model.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by the auto dealers association, stating that consumers save an average of $500 per car sold through the franchised dealer model compared to direct sales by manufacturers, is not supported by studies. The studies mentioned in the evidence do not assess whether shoppers save money by purchasing from dealers rather than buying directly from manufacturers. Additionally, the evidence suggests that some surveys indicate consumers would be interested in buying directly from manufacturers, even if it didn't result in cost savings. Therefore, the claim of saving $500 per car through the franchised dealer model is not substantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6892.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that Josh Mandel voted to let insurance companies deny coverage for autism","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the NEA that Josh Mandel voted against requiring insurance companies to cover autism. While it is true that Mandel did not directly vote to deny coverage for autism, his vote against requiring coverage effectively allows insurance companies to deny coverage for autism. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it captures the essence of the claim made by the NEA.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["His claim began like this: \"Erik Wallin, candidate for Attorney General, today criticized Representative Kilmartin for his vote in favor of expanding the 'good behavior' statute to sex offenders and called for its overall repeal for those who commit violent felonies (including sex crimes) and domestic violence offenses.\"","\"My argument is simply that Kilmartin voted for a bill that continues to allow sex offenders to get credit for good behavior ... He failed to close the loophole,\" or repeal the older portion of the law that rewards sex offenders.","So when Republican candidate for attorney general Erik Wallin issued a news release warning voters that his opponent, Democrat Peter Kilmartin, voted to allow sex offenders to shave time off their prison sentences for good behavior, it caught our attention.","The good behavior statute he's talking about is part of a state law that dictates when and how prison inmates are allowed to earn time off their sentences. He is referring to a change in that policy enacted by lawmakers in 2008."]},{"id":"12521.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The rifle used by Omar Mateen shoots off 700 rounds in a minute.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While Representative Grayson claimed that the rifle used by Omar Mateen could shoot off 700 rounds in a minute, experts have disputed this claim. They have stated that the weapon Mateen used would require significant modifications to achieve such a firing rate, modifications that would typically be beyond the capabilities of an individual without access to specialized resources. Furthermore, law enforcement officials have not provided specific details about the rifle used in the shooting. Therefore, the claim lacks sufficient evidence to support the assertion that the rifle used by Mateen could fire 700 rounds in a minute.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It sounded a little flip-floppy to us. We rummaged the office for our Flip-O-Meter to see whether Reed shifted his stance by letting Occupy Atlanta protesters stay in the park.","Creative Loafing, \"City Hall, APD give Occupy Atlanta notice about camping in Woodruff Park, possible arrests -- which could happen tonight,\" Oct. 10, 2011","Sympathizers of the Occupy Wall Street protests took over Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta on a Friday night more than two weeks ago. The following Monday, police officers positioned themselves nearby, and protesters braced for clashes or mass arrests like the ones that have taken place in New York City.","The order\u2019s expiration loomed. Once again activists prepared for a showdown. With hours to spare, Reed issued another order letting them stay for three more weeks."]},{"id":"9121.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsin is one of the bluest states, but under Scott Walker its unemployment rate is around 3.5%.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Wisconsin is often considered a Democratic-leaning state, the statement that under Scott Walker, the unemployment rate in Wisconsin is around 3.5% is false. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Wisconsin during Scott Walker's tenure as governor fluctuated between 4% and 9.2%. It is important to rely on accurate data when making claims about unemployment rates, and in this case, the statement does not align with the actual figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Even if you took literally every single ounce of platinum in the world, it still wouldn\u2019t add up to enough needed to pay down our nation\u2019s debt.\"","We\u2019ve heard claims like this before. In August 2011, PolitiFact gave a Mostly True ruling to a claim that Social Security didn\u2019t cause the debt crisis. At the same time, we ruled Mostly False on a claim that Social Security doesn\u2019t contribute a penny to the deficit.","Lawmakers from both parties have proposed ways to bridge the gap and salvage the program. But, with the insolvency date looming, Social Security stands to have an even greater effect on the debt moving forward, according to Laurence Kotnikoff, an economics professor at Boston University.","An independent analysis found Clinton\u2019s proposals would add a relatively small amount to the debt, $200 billion over a decade. The Clinton campaign says a new business tax plan will address that, though the proposal hasn\u2019t been independently analyzed."]},{"id":"9280.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Residential property taxes [in Providence] are up nearly 27 percent under Mayor Taveras.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While it is true that residential property taxes in Providence increased during Mayor Taveras' tenure, the claim that they are up nearly 27 percent is false. The evidence provided states that residential property taxes were raised by 5 percent in FY 2012 and by 20.7 percent in FY 2014, resulting in a total increase of 26.7 percent since 2011. However, this does not equate to a nearly 27 percent increase under Mayor Taveras alone. The statement exaggerates the extent of the tax increase and misrepresents the actual figures.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10439.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Assault weapons and handguns are allowed in the state Capitol while bullhorns, trumpets, helium balloons and flags on poles are banned.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Firearms, including assault weapons and handguns, are allowed in the Virginia State Capitol. On the other hand, bullhorns, trumpets, helium balloons, and flags on poles are indeed banned according to the rules outlined on the legislative website. However, it's important to note that flags themselves are allowed inside the building as long as they are not hoisted on poles. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, with the clarification that flags are permitted as long as they are not on poles.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Less than a week after Tim Kaine became governor of Virginia - one week - he proposed a nearly $4 billion tax increase, $4 billion, including a tax increase on people earning as little as $17,000 a year,\" Trump said during a rally Monday in Roanoke.","Trump said Kaine, during his first week as governor, proposed a \"nearly $4 billion tax increase\" that would have hit people earning as little as $17,000.","The presidential nominee said that Kaine, during his first week as governor, \"proposed a nearly $4 billion tax increase.\" Trump\u2019s campaign backed the statement by taking the $1 billion transportation tax hike Kaine proposed in 2006 and multiplying it over the four years of his gubernatorial term.","There\u2019s no doubt that the tax and fee increases Kaine proposed in 2006 would have affected all Virginia car owners, including those earning as little as $17,000 or even less."]},{"id":"2977.json","label":"false","statement":"Teachers are working their third consecutive year -- some longer than that -- without salary increases.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that teachers are working their third consecutive year without salary increases. While it is acknowledged that there are concerns about teacher salaries and the need for better compensation, the evidence does not specifically address the claim of consecutive years without salary increases. The evidence highlights the need for increased respect and better compensation for teachers, but it does not provide specific data on salary trends or consecutive years without raises. Therefore, the statement is false based on the lack of supporting evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Lee Fisher\u2019s watch, \"almost nine out of 10\" jobs that Ohio lost were lost to other states, \"not to other countries.\"","He says that while many companies have survived thanks to the export opportunities of foreign trade, Ohio lost lots of other jobs to other states on the watch of his opponent, Lee Fisher -- the irony being that Fisher, a Democrat and Ohio\u2019s lieutenant governor, was also Ohio\u2019s development director, in charge of bringing new jobs to the state.","So we return to Portman\u2019s claim. Portman\u2019s spokeswoman, Jessica Towhey, says the candidate made clear that he was referring solely to state data and the movement of jobs out of state, compared with those moved out of the country, when he said that nine out of 10 jobs lost in Ohio went to other states, not other countries. In such a narrow construct, Portman\u2019s statement might be considered accurate but there is more to this picture. Here are the numbers as updated: From Jan. 1, 2007, through March 31, 2010, Ohio lost 4,820 jobs due to company moves out of state (not the 5,215 in the reports that existed when Portman viewed them). It lost 1,125 more when companies closed operations in one part of the state but relocated elsewhere in Ohio. And it lost 842 jobs when companies moved operations abroad.","Put another way, it means that of the jobs that left Ohio, only 13.9 percent went overseas -- and 86 percent went to other states. Now consider Portman\u2019s words: The state\u2019s \"own data\" shows that \"almost nine out of ten jobs we have lost in the last three and a half years during the Strickland-Fisher administration have gone to other states, not to other countries.\""]},{"id":"294.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I don't have lobbyists running my campaign.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Romney stated he did not have lobbyists \"running\" his campaign, this statement is misleading. Although the lobbyists may not have been paid for their work, their involvement and influence in the campaign cannot be dismissed. The evidence suggests that Ron Kaufman, a lobbyist, served as an adviser to Romney's campaign. While he may not have attended strategy sessions, his role as an adviser indicates a level of influence and involvement in the campaign. Therefore, the claim that lobbyists were not running the campaign is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The former governor said during a panel discussion that \"every president has raised the debt ceiling.\" Federal records show that since the overall limit was set up in 1939, Truman is the only president who didn\u2019t have an increase in the debt ceiling on his watch.","But it goes beyond that: If the debt ceiling isn\u2019t raised, it could also affect our ability to pay future obligations. Officially, Congress and the president are the ones who must sign off on any new federal commitments. But if the debt ceiling isn\u2019t raised, and if not enough progress is made on paying down the existing debt, Congress and the president would find their hands tied if they want to make any new financial commitments.","But from Eisenhower to former President George W. Bush, the debt ceiling was raised during every presidency for a total of 68 times*, according to data from the White House\u2019s Office of Management and Budget. Obama has raised the debt limit three times.","\"Republicans in Congress raised the debt three times when Donald Trump was president and each time with Democrat support, but now they won\u2019t raise it, even though they're responsible for more than $8 trillion in bills incurred in four years under the previous administration,\" Biden said."]},{"id":"7786.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Expanding Medicaid would require borrowing more money, drastically expanding our deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that expanding Medicaid would require borrowing more money. However, the claim that it would drastically expand the deficit lacks some nuance. While expanding Medicaid would indeed increase government spending, the extent to which it would impact the deficit depends on various factors, such as the specific funding mechanisms in place and the overall budgetary context. Therefore, while it is true that expanding Medicaid would require additional borrowing, the claim of it drastically expanding the deficit is an overgeneralization and lacks specific context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a fact-check our colleagues at PolitiFact Wisconsin did regarding limiting labor negotiations to only wages, they quoted Candice Owley, president Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, who said wages are only part of what\u2019s important to nurses when they negotiate with hospitals.","So we turned to some experts who are involved in private sector labor relations. And we took a look at federal law, the National Labor Relations Act,which governs most private employers.","Darling added, \"The governor is proposing that we have collective bargaining deal only with wages which is how it is, for the most part, in the private sector.\"","In arguing public employee unions ought to be treated more like their their private sector counterparts, she said \"for the most part\" private contract talks are limited to wages."]},{"id":"10986.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"After (Jeb) Bushs two terms in office, Floridas graduation rate was dead last and remains near the bottom.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Florida had a low graduation rate when Jeb Bush entered office in 1999, the claim that the state's graduation rate was \"dead last\" when he left office and remains near the bottom is not entirely accurate. Different rankings and measurement methods yield varying results. While some rankings may place Florida near the bottom, it is not consistently ranked as \"dead last\" in graduation rates. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in acknowledging the low graduation rate during Jeb Bush's tenure but lacks precision in claiming it was consistently the lowest.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Gardner said his plan on contraceptives is \"cheaper and easier for you\" than Sen. Mark Udall\u2019s plan. This is based on his support for a plan to allow for over-the-counter sales of the pill.","\"What\u2019s the difference between me and Mark Udall on contraception?\" Gardner says. \"I believe the pill ought to be available over the counter, around the clock, without a prescription. Cheaper and easier for you. Mark Udall\u2019s plan is different. He wants to keep government bureaucrats between you and your health care plan. That means more politics and more profits for drug companies. My plan means more rights, more freedom and more control for you.\"","Gardner, who has repeatedly voted to repeal President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law, says he believes a \"cheaper and easier\" alternative is to allow the pill to be sold over the counter, meaning without a prescription.","So when Gardner asks \"what\u2019s the difference between me and Mark Udall on contraception,\" but only provides a plan for the pill, he\u2019s leaving out a lot of people who medically cannot use the pill or chose another option. Absent the Affordable Care Act, these other methods would undoubtedly be more expensive for consumers."]},{"id":"8033.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Farming is one of the fastest growing areas of our economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement that farming is one of the fastest growing areas of the economy is not entirely accurate. While there may be some growth in the farming sector, the evidence suggests that it is not among the fastest growing areas overall. The sources indicate that urban areas are experiencing faster growth, while rural areas, where farming is typically concentrated, are growing more slowly. Additionally, the evidence highlights the growing need for workers in healthcare and long-term care due to the aging population, indicating that these sectors are growing at a faster rate. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it does not accurately reflect the overall growth trends in the economy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10612.json","label":"false","statement":"Weve seen the increase of alcohol use for underage kids even though alcohol has been illegal ... for kids under 21.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. It incorrectly suggests that there has been an increase in alcohol use among underage kids despite the fact that alcohol is already illegal for individuals under the age of 21. In reality, the legal drinking age in many countries, including the United States, is 21, and there are strict laws and regulations in place to prevent underage drinking. While underage alcohol use remains a concern, it is incorrect to claim that there has been an increase in alcohol use among underage kids despite its illegality.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Families in Del Valle, who are city of Austin residents, have to drive to Bastrop to go to the closest grocery store,\" Garza said.","Garza said Del Valle families who live within Austin\u2019s city limits \"have to drive to Bastrop to go to the closest grocery store.\"","So, is Garza right that Del Valle Austinites are closer to a grocery store in Bastrop than a store in Austin?","By phone, Gomez told us Del Valle residents have to drive 20 miles to the nearest grocery store in Austin or Bastrop. She also called the Del Valle area a \"food desert.\" According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a food desert exists if at least 500 low-income city residents live over a mile from a supermarket or if at least 500 rural residents live over 10 miles from one."]},{"id":"4512.json","label":"false","statement":"If we had been on Obamacare and a bureaucrat was trying to tell me when I could get that CAT scan, that would have delayed my treatment.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that under Obamacare, a bureaucrat would have control over when someone could receive a CAT scan, potentially leading to treatment delays. However, this claim is false. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) does not involve bureaucrats making decisions about individual medical treatments or dictating when someone can receive specific procedures like a CAT scan. The healthcare law primarily focuses on expanding access to affordable healthcare coverage and implementing certain regulations for insurance providers. It does not interfere with the doctor-patient relationship or involve government officials in determining treatment timelines.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McCain said he opposed the bill because it had been loaded with political pork and because it required a withdrawal regardless of conditions in Iraq.","Office of Sen. John McCain, McCAIN URGES PRESIDENT TO VETO LEGISLATION REQUIRING WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE FOR U.S. TROOPS , April 26, 2007","Biden replied that Obama had offered a withdrawal plan that would shift responsibility to the Iraqis over the next 16 months and would draw down U.S. combat troops. As for the allegation about failing to fund the troops, Biden said, \"John McCain voted the exact same way. John McCain voted against funding the troops because of an amendment he voted against had a timeline in it to draw down American troops. And John said I'm not going to fund the troops if in fact there's a timeline.\"","\"One hundred and ninety-four countries signed the Paris Agreement to control greenhouse gases. Our own voluntary agreement to accomplish the same goal \u2014 the Under2 MOU \u2014 has 165 signatories, representing a billion people.\""]},{"id":"5143.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline is a bipartisan proposal.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline has received support from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, making it a bipartisan proposal. However, it's important to note that there are also members of both parties who have expressed opposition to the pipeline. While the statement is generally true, it should be acknowledged that there are differing opinions within both political parties regarding the Keystone XL pipeline.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"And Mitt Romney\u2019s pledged to protect their record profits \u2013 and their billions in special tax breaks, too. These guys all profit. You pay the price.\"","The Priorities USA Action ad says \"Mitt Romney\u2019s pledged to protect their (oil companies) record profits \u2013 and their billions in special tax breaks, too.\" We couldn\u2019t find any pledge from Romney to protect the oil industries\u2019 tax breaks -- if anything, Romney appears to be trying to avoid making any clear statement on how he would handle those subsidies.","And while oil companies have reported record profits, these records followed billions of dollars of pandemic-era losses from 2020. Some of the record breaking amounts were of quarterly profits and not annual profits.","We wanted to know if the ad was right that Romney \"pledged\" to protect oil company profits, so we decided to check it out."]},{"id":"6331.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says David Dewhurst explicitly advocated a guest worker program for all illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Ted Cruz's claim that David Dewhurst explicitly advocated for a guest worker program for all illegal immigrants. Cruz cited a 2007 speech by Dewhurst where he advocated for a guest worker program for every single illegal alien in the United States. Additionally, a news story from 2007 mentions Dewhurst urging Congress to enact a guest worker program for immigrants. However, it's important to note that not all illegal immigrants would qualify for a guest worker program, as eligibility criteria would likely apply. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, the qualification regarding eligibility should be considered.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3580.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A Republican proposal changes Medicare for those under age 55 so that they will participate in the same kind of health plan that members of Congress do.","reason":"Reason: While the Republican proposal under Paul Ryan's leadership does aim to make changes to Medicare for those under the age of 55, the statement that they will participate in the same kind of health plan as members of Congress is not entirely accurate. The proposal suggests that private insurance companies would offer plans that comply with a standard for benefits set by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which administers the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program used by members of Congress. However, there are significant differences in terms of premium supports, income levels, and protection against rising costs between the proposed Medicare changes and the health insurance options available to members of Congress. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6019.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Affordable Care Act was a federal takeover of the student loan industry and profits on the loans go to help pay for the health care law.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some elements of truth but lacks important context. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act made changes to the student loan industry, characterizing it as a \"federal takeover\" is misleading. The Act eliminated the role of private banks as intermediaries in federal student loans, shifting the lending process to the Department of Education. However, this change does not constitute a complete takeover of the industry. Additionally, the claim that profits from student loans are used to help pay for the health care law is not entirely accurate. While there is a connection between the two, it is more indirect. The savings generated from the changes in the student loan program were used to help fund provisions of the Affordable Care Act, but it is not accurate to say that profits from student loans directly go towards paying for the health care law. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Thompson said Democrats first proposed prohibiting the government from negotiating prices for prescription drugs in Medicare Part D and he \"had nothing to do with\" that provision in the final law.","A provision known as \"non-interference\" -- prohibiting the government from negotiating with drug makers over drug prices -- was first proposed in 1999 by Democrats, notably President Bill Clinton, Thompson claimed.","( - Tommy Thompson says he \"had nothing to do with\" provision barring U.S. from negotiating Medicare prescription drug prices &url=)","We\u2019ve rated True a claim by Baldwin that the Part D law, \"adopted under Thompson\u2019s watch,\" bars the government from negotiating for \"better prices\" on prescription drugs. At the time, six weeks before the second debate with Baldwin, Thompson\u2019s campaign said nothing about the non-interference clause being the Democrats\u2019 doing."]},{"id":"9922.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Much more than 50 percentof parents out there are spankers.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump, that much more than 50 percent of parents are spankers, is difficult to fact-check precisely due to the subjective nature of the term \"spankers.\" However, it is worth noting that pediatricians generally discourage spanking and highlight potential negative consequences. While there is no definitive data on the exact percentage of parents who engage in spanking, it is plausible that a significant portion of parents do resort to spanking as a disciplinary method. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true, but it is important to recognize the varying degrees and approaches to spanking among parents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This is essentially a massive tax increase on the middle class being passed in the dead of night without the American public really being made aware of what is going on,\" Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote in an email through the anti-FCC regulation group Protect Internet Freedom.","\"I\u2019d say claiming that this order will be a \u2018massive tax on the middle class,\u2019 is an overstatement,\" said Doug Brake, telecom policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. \"But it is also true that we will likely see new fees on broadband as a result of reclassification.\"","\"The PPI study has been thoroughly discredited,\" said Joshua Stager, policy counsel at the Open Technology Institute, noting that it was \"disingenuous\" of the study to ignore the Internet Tax Freedom Act in the first place.","Literally, there won\u2019t be any new taxes as a result of the FCC changes, but there will likely be additional fees. There\u2019s a wide range of estimates -- anywhere from zero to $11 billion a year. Lee\u2019s comment doesn\u2019t account for the fact that the impact on consumers\u2019 service bills is far from certain, and a telecom policy analyst said it's an overstatement to call the potential increases \"massive.\""]},{"id":"3350.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Michelle Obama has 43 people on her staff; Nancy Reagan had just 3.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to fact-checking sources, Michelle Obama did not have 43 people on her staff, as claimed by Glenn Beck. The actual number of staff members in Michelle Obama's office was around 25, which is comparable to the staff sizes of previous first ladies. Additionally, Nancy Reagan did not have just three staff members; her staff consisted of approximately 15 individuals. The claim made by Glenn Beck is not supported by accurate information and is therefore rated as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"There was a census report just a couple of weeks ago, and what it said was that the average white male worker, the typical white male worker in this country, is making in real terms what he was making in 1973,\" said Axelrod, a former White House aide and now a senior adviser to Obama\u2019s political campaign. \"In total, the average worker is making what they were making in 1996, but we know prices haven\u2019t gone along accordingly.\"","In the second part of Axelrod\u2019s statement -- that \"the average worker is making what they were making in 1996\" -- it appears that the Obama strategist got some numbers mixed up.","The report itself didn\u2019t have the precise numbers to back up Axelrod\u2019s first claim -- that the typical white male worker made the same amount -- adjusted for inflation -- in 1973, when Richard Nixon occupied the White House.","Given the report Hogan, the Obama campaign press aide, cited, however, along with a number widely reported in the press last month, what Axelrod apparently was referring to when he spoke of average workers making what they did in 1996 were census numbers that showed total household income, adjusted for inflation, has barely increased. Median household income in 2010 was $49,445, only a $333 increase, or 0.7 percent, in inflation-adjusted dollars from 1996."]},{"id":"4445.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry doubled spending in a decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rick Perry doubled spending in a decade is partially accurate, but it lacks important context. The evidence provided indicates that annual comprehensive financial statements issued by the state of Texas show that spending did indeed double over Perry's first 10 years as governor. However, it's important to note that this increase in spending was influenced by various factors, including population growth and inflation. Additionally, attributing the entire increase in spending solely to Perry's actions oversimplifies the complex budgetary process, which involves multiple stakeholders and factors beyond the control of a single individual. Therefore, while there was a significant increase in spending during Perry's tenure, it is necessary to consider the broader context and factors contributing to this trend.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11084.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas still owns all of its public lands. If the federal govt wants to create a park, they must ask permission!","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Texas does have ownership of its public lands, which means that the federal government would need to seek permission from the state if they want to create a park or undertake certain activities on those lands. However, it's important to note that this requirement applies specifically to public lands owned by Texas, and not to all public lands within the state. There are federal public lands in Texas, such as national parks and national forests, where the federal government has jurisdiction and authority to create and manage parks without needing permission from the state. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in the context of Texas-owned public lands, it does not apply universally to all public lands in the state.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So, is the NRA right to state that, nationwide, people are four times more likely to die from medical misadventures than firearm accidents and that figure drops to six times more likely for Florida?","The National Rifle Association claims that in Florida and nationally, you are far more likely to die at the hands of a medical professional or procedure -- by accident -- than you are as a result of an accidental firearm incident.","The Miami Herald article said NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer cited \"statistics showing that medical mishaps kill more people than guns,\" but did not cite the actual statistics. Hammer said she gave the Herald a one-page document called \"Firearms Accidents Facts\" compiled by the Unified Sportsmen of Florida in June 2010. The document compares accidental death by firearms to other types of accidents -- from choking to tricycles -- both nationally and in Florida. The Unified Sportsmen of Florida is the state's affiliate of the NRA.","The fact-sheet includes comparisons to accidental deaths by \"medical misadventures\" -- both in raw numbers and in rates per capita -- but doesn't specify the year. Medical misadventures, the handout says, \"is a term used by some statisticians to cover 'accidents' by doctors and other medical personnel.\" Note that this claim covers only gun accidents -- it doesn't include firearm deaths due to murder or suicide."]},{"id":"6872.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Tammy Baldwin supports a law in which government will take over your decisions on medicine, on doctors and on hospitals.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Tammy Baldwin supports a law in which the government will take over individuals' decisions on medicine, doctors, and hospitals. While Baldwin has supported healthcare legislation, there is no evidence to suggest that she advocates for a system where the government takes over individual decision-making in healthcare. It is important to accurately represent a candidate's positions and avoid making misleading claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10116.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The projected $1.8 billion state budget shortfall for 2015-17 actually comes from an assumption based on zero growth. That just doesnt happen.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Walker claimed the projected $1.8 billion state budget shortfall for 2015-\u201917 was based on an assumption of zero growth, the statement is misleading. The budget shortfall projection is not solely based on zero growth assumptions but takes into account various factors such as revenue estimates, spending projections, and economic forecasts. While zero growth may be an extreme scenario, it is not accurate to claim that the entire projection is based solely on that assumption. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Yeah. But of course, the minimum wage is mostly an entry-level wage for young people,\" McConnell replied. \"We have a crisis in employment among young people right now.\"","McConnell said \"the minimum wage is mostly an entry-level wage for young people.\" The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that indeed half of all workers making a minimum wage are 16 to 24, and another 20 percent are in their late 20s or early 30s. That\u2019s a large chunk of the minimum wage workforce, though about 30 percent of people making the minimum wage are 35 and older.","McConnell also goes a bit too far in calling these jobs \"entry-level.\" For most young people, these are part-time jobs in the food or retail businesses or similar industries with little hope for career advancement.","Entry-level jobs typically indicate positions that, while at the bottom of the totem pole, have potential for growth. Young adults take entry-level jobs at companies hoping to climb the career ladder. And while wages are lower, there is potential to see considerable salary increases and\/or career advancement."]},{"id":"12830.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Donald Trump doesnt make a thing in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Donald Trump doesn't make anything in America is false. There is no evidence to support this claim. Donald Trump has been involved in various business ventures, including real estate development, hospitality, and entertainment, which have created jobs and contributed to the American economy. While there may be debates about specific aspects of his business practices, it is inaccurate to assert that he doesn't produce anything in America.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ryan said that six studies verify that the numbers in the Romney tax plan add up. Hearing that, you might think that each is independent research. But not all studies are created equal and these come from people or groups with ties to Romney.","None of the studies can accurately model Romney\u2019s tax plan because he has said so little about how he would pay for it. As a result, all of them make assumptions as to what tax breaks might be reduced. They can speak in rough terms about a concept, but they can not verify a plan when no detailed plan exists.","Dubay relies on three of the studies already listed, from Feldstein, Rosen and Jensen, but adds a new criticism of the Tax Policy Center study. Dubay says the center failed to make adjustment what is called the \"step-up in basis\" from inherited assets.","The studies from Feldstein and Rosen use 2009 data. That was an abnormal year and one that made it easier to make the math work for the Romney plan. The analysts could have chosen other years but decided not to."]},{"id":"7703.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Why is President Obama unnecessarily delaying your flight? FAA could cut other spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that President Obama is intentionally delaying flights and suggests that the FAA could cut other spending to avoid such delays. However, this is a misleading representation of the situation. The delays in flights were a result of the sequester, which was a series of automatic spending cuts implemented as a result of the failure to reach a deficit-reduction agreement in Congress. President Obama did not intentionally delay flights, and the FAA was operating within the constraints of the budget cuts imposed by the sequester. While there may have been alternative options for spending cuts, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the flight delays to President Obama's actions or suggest that other spending could have been easily cut to prevent the delays.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2447.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Washington politicians run Social Security like a Ponzi scheme.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that Washington politicians run Social Security like a Ponzi scheme, it is important to note that this comparison is not entirely accurate. While there are some similarities in terms of the flow of money, Social Security is a government program that is legally obligated to pay benefits to participants. In contrast, Ponzi schemes involve fraudulent activities where investors are deceived about the nature of the investment and the returns they will receive. Participants in Social Security are aware of how the system operates, and the program is transparent and publicly managed. While there may be valid criticisms or concerns about the financial sustainability of Social Security, equating it to a Ponzi scheme oversimplifies the complexities of the program and the intentions of those involved.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5019.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ever wonder why no one ever came forward from Obamas past, saying they knew him, attended school with him, was his friend, etc.? Not one person has ever come forward from his past.","reason":"Reason: The statement is categorically false. Numerous individuals from President Obama's past, including classmates, teachers, friends, and colleagues, have come forward and provided accounts of their interactions and relationships with him. There are documented records, news articles, and interviews that validate the existence of people who knew Obama, attended school with him, and were his friends. The claim that \"not one person has ever come forward\" is entirely baseless and contradicted by substantial evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"12778.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"California has the sixth largest economy on planet Earth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. California does indeed have the sixth-largest economy in the world. This claim has been made by multiple sources, including State Senate leader Kevin de Le\u00f3n and Antonio Villaraigosa. It is supported by economic data and rankings that consider the size of California's gross domestic product (GDP) in comparison to other countries. However, it's important to note that the term \"planet Earth\" is not commonly used in official economic rankings, but the intent of the statement is accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So here we'll examine whether she really stood up to the big oil companies, some of the most influential players in Alaska's political scene.","But she didn't claim to have opposed big oil companies on everything \u2014 she merely claimed to have stood up to them. And that she did, with respect to taxes, Point Thomson leases and the North Slope pipeline. We find her claim to be True.","\"Along with fellow reformers in the great state of Alaska, as governor, I've stood up to the old politics as usual, to the special interests, to the lobbyists, the big oil companies, and the good-old-boy network,\" Palin said, speaking to a crowd in Dayton, Ohio, after McCain introduced her to the nation on Aug. 29, 2008. \"When oil and gas prices went up so dramatically and the state revenues followed with that increase, I sent a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska. And we are now \u2014 we're now embarking on a $40-billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.\"","We should note that Palin has been far friendlier to the oil industry than environmentalists would like to see the governor be. \"She's definitely been very supportive of any increased oil and gas development,\" said Patricia Rolfe, Alaska regional representative of the Sierra Club. \"In general, it's business as usual for oil companies in Alaska.\""]},{"id":"5080.json","label":"false","statement":"Says area near proposed northern Wisconsin iron ore mine is 15 hours away from where public hearing on mining was held.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that State Rep. Kelda Helen Roys claimed that a hearing on speeding the approval process for new mines was held in southeastern Wisconsin, which she described as \"15 hours away\" from the mine region. However, it is important to note that this claim is based on an inaccurate estimation of the travel time. The actual distance between the proposed northern Wisconsin iron ore mine and southeastern Wisconsin is significantly less than a 15-hour drive. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4300.json","label":"false","statement":"Our credit rating went up since Ive been in office.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that the credit rating went up during the speaker's time in office. The evidence mentions that Florida's credit rating was upgraded to AAA in 2005 under Jeb Bush's governorship, but there is no information or evidence provided to suggest that the credit rating improved during the speaker's tenure. In fact, the evidence suggests that the credit rating outlook for Florida debt went from stable to negative and then back to stable, which does not indicate an upgrade in the credit rating. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That left hanging the question of whether there actually are abortion doctors flying into the state, performing the procedures, then flying away. We decided to seek the answer.","Hill\u2019s assertion about doctors flying in from out of the state was challenged by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner of Nashville. Turner first asked, \"How many doctors are flying in and performing abortions?\"","\"Number two,\" Hill said, \"we have abortion physicians that are flying into this state and that they are performing abortions.\" He continued: \"They\u2019re flying into this state, performing abortions and flying out. And what happens is when a woman has complications, the doctor who performed that abortion is long gone. So if anything -- and I know it\u2019s true \u2013 this legislation will expand critical, possibly life-saving access to care to the woman who has complications from the abortion. That\u2019s why I\u2019m bringing the legislation and that, in all practicality, is what it\u2019ll do.\"","During House floor debate on this year\u2019s most prominent abortion bill in the General Assembly, Rep. Matthew Hill declared that one reason enactment is needed is that physicians are currently flying into the state and then flying out, leaving their patients with little recourse should complications arise."]},{"id":"380.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"When we've got CEOs making more in 10 minutes than ordinary workers are making in a year ... then something is wrong.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement highlights the significant income disparity between CEOs and ordinary workers, which is a well-documented and widely acknowledged issue. Studies and reports consistently show that CEOs earn significantly higher salaries compared to the average worker, often earning in minutes what an ordinary worker makes in a year. While the statement does not provide specific data or sources, the general sentiment aligns with the widely recognized problem of income inequality.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One of the marks against the former House speaker, Santorum said in a primary debate on Jan. 23, 2012: Gingrich \"for 20 years supported a federal individual mandate.\"","When we rated this before, we gave a Mostly True to Santorum's claim that \"Speaker Gingrich for 20 years supported a federal individual mandate\" because it was true for 20 years but Gingrich is now opposed. The wording is different for this one. The ad doesn\u2019t put a timeframe on when he supported the policy, nor does it portray that as being his position now. As stated, it\u2019s accurate. We rate it True.","Santorum said Gingrich \"for 20 years supported a federal individual mandate.\" We found no references earlier than 1993, when Gingrich said \"I am for people, individuals -- exactly like automobile insurance -- individuals having health insurance and being required to have health insurance.\"","\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d"]},{"id":"8058.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The president by executive order could grant voting rights to illegal immigrants who are newly legalized under pending legislation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The power to determine who can vote lies with the states, as outlined in the Constitution. The president does not have the authority to grant voting rights to anyone, including newly legalized immigrants, through executive order. The Senate immigration bill does not immediately grant voting rights to newly legalized immigrants, but rather establishes a pathway to citizenship that includes additional requirements. Bachmann's claim is factually inaccurate and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6031.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rob Portman won the fewest votes of all Ohio U. S. Senate victors since 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Ohio Democratic Party that Rob Portman garnered the fewest votes among the winners in Ohio's U.S. Senate races between 2000 and 2010. The evidence provided supports this claim. However, it's important to note that this statement only pertains to the specific time period mentioned (2000-2010) and does not encompass more recent elections. Therefore, the label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10177.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Michelle Nunn was handpicked by President Barack Obama","reason":"Reason: The statement that Michelle Nunn was handpicked by President Barack Obama is partially true. While there is evidence that President Obama and his allies supported Nunn's candidacy and were involved in fundraising efforts for her campaign, it is important to note that Nunn went through a primary election process where voters ultimately chose her as the Democratic nominee. So while there was support and influence from President Obama and his allies, it was not a direct appointment or selection by the President.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13053.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Chris Sununu supported Obamas Common Core agenda, taking away local control of our schools.","reason":"Reason: While Chris Sununu did express some support for Common Core by voting in favor of testing contracts and education officials aligned with Common Core, it is inaccurate to claim that he fully supported Obama's Common Core agenda. Additionally, the statement that Common Core takes away local control of schools is misleading. Federal law prohibits the federal government from mandating or controlling a state or local educational agency's curriculum. While the Obama administration incentivized states to adopt Common Core, it did not develop the standards, nor do the standards dictate how schools should deliver education. Therefore, the statement contains inaccuracies and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Boothe told us her comment was based on a Heritage Foundation analysis about illegal immigration and border security. Citing a U.S. Government Accountability Office, the foundation noted that \"one of every four inmates in federal prisons is an illegal immigrant.\"","So, about one in four inmates in federal prison is not a U.S. citizen, but not necessarily with an illegal immigration status.","Next, we asked outside experts why it\u2019d be that noncitizens make up 22 percent of inmates of late despite the fact that \"illegal aliens\" accounted for nearly 40 percent of the people sentenced to federal prison in fiscal 2014.","Truth-O-Meter articles, \"Louie Gohmert singles out 514 federal inmates, mostly noncitizens, convicted of possessing drugs,\" PolitiFact Texas, June 17, 2016; \"Republican strategist says 25 percent of inmates are illegal immigrants,\" PunditFact, Aug. 15, 2016"]},{"id":"5433.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"(President Barack Obama) said unemployment was never gonna go over 8 percent if we passed the stimulus plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a GOP talking point that President Obama guaranteed that unemployment would never exceed 8 percent if the stimulus plan was passed. While it is true that President Obama made a prediction about the potential impact of the stimulus plan on unemployment, it is an oversimplification to say that he made an absolute guarantee. The statement lacks the necessary context and nuance to accurately represent President Obama's remarks. Therefore, it is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We saw that again after rating True a very narrow and specific claim by Gov. Scott Walker that Wisconsin leads 11 other Midwestern states in personal income growth over the one-year period that ended with the first quarter of 2014.","After Walker correctly pointed out that personal income growth is the best in the Midwest for the last year, commentators alleged that Wisconsin is \"dead last in income growth\" during Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s three-plus years in office.","Among the 10 Midwestern states we\u2019ve checked on previous \"dead last\" claims, Wisconsin is at the bottom, if not \"dead last\":","Among 10 Midwestern states -- in terms of percentage growth in private-sector jobs -- the latest figures show Wisconsin is tied for ninth. So, not quite \"dead last.\""]},{"id":"6165.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Constitution specifically states the Congress shall write legislation for immigration policy, so Barack Obama lacks the authority to defer the deportation of young illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Constitution does not explicitly state that Congress shall write legislation for immigration policy, Article I, Section 8 has been interpreted as granting Congress the power to establish a uniform \"Rule of Naturalization.\" This includes the authority to determine who can legally be in the country. However, it is important to note that the statement implies that Barack Obama lacked the authority to defer the deportation of young illegal immigrants, which is not entirely accurate. The executive branch does have some discretion in enforcing immigration laws, and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, implemented by the Obama administration, was within the scope of that discretion. Therefore, while the Constitution does grant Congress a role in immigration policy, it does not completely negate the executive branch's authority to defer deportations in certain circumstances.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3586.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A space shuttle the National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton would be within a days drive of 60 percent of the U.S. population.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to PolitiFact Ohio, Rep. Michael Turner and the congressional delegation claimed that a shuttle in Ohio would be within a day's drive for 60 percent of Americans. However, it's important to note that this claim also includes the most populous parts of Ontario and Quebec, which are not part of the U.S. population. Therefore, while the statement is accurate regarding the U.S. population, it is not entirely true when considering the inclusion of Canadian population centers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9009.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It isnt me cutting the budget. Its the Congressdecision on sequestration. So it isnt secretary of defense or the president doing this.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the budget cuts are a result of Congress's decision on sequestration, rather than being solely attributed to the Secretary of Defense or the President. However, it is important to note that the President's proposed budget does include cuts to the Department of Defense funding levels, which suggests that there is some involvement from the executive branch in the budget reduction. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in highlighting Congress's role in the budget cuts, it overlooks the fact that the President's proposed budget also contributes to the reduction.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kendrick Meek was \"#1 in Florida in taking tobacco cash and then opposed a tax on cigars that would have helped pay for children's health care.\"","Specifically, Greene wrote in a campaign flier that hit mailboxes around July 23, 2010, that Meek was \"#1 in Florida in taking tobacco cash and then opposed a tax on cigars that would have helped pay for children's health care.\" Greene this week introduced a new TV ad that stated \"Meek lobbied for big tobacco against children's health care.\"","We decided to examine the campaign flier. Did Meek rake in more money from the tobacco industry than anyone else in Florida and then oppose a tax on cigars that would pay for children's health care?","Greene also claimed that Meek \"opposed\" a tax on cigars that would have paid for children's health care. Meek thought that the 2007 version was too high of an increase for businesses and he scored key meetings for a cigar maker with member of Congress, but he voted for the legislation anyway -- twice that year. Meek again voted for the version that passed in 2009 when the cigar industry credited him with helping reduce the amount of their tax burden. We recognize he worked to lower the amount of the tax, but we think it's misleading to say that Meek \"opposed\" a tax when he voted for it three times. Politicians are ultimately judged on their votes, and that's why Meek\u2019s votes for the legislation is crucial information here. We considered both parts of Greene's claim and rate it Barely True."]},{"id":"12086.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Arizona schools rank 45th in the nation, dead last in funding per student.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Arizona schools rank 45th in the nation according to Education Week's ranking. However, the claim of being \"dead last\" in funding per student is not entirely accurate. While Arizona does have low funding per student, it is not the absolute lowest in the country. The ad cites the Arizona School Boards Association as a source for this claim, but it's important to note that other rankings and data sources may provide slightly different results. Therefore, while the statement captures the general idea that Arizona's education funding is low, it exaggerates by claiming to be \"dead last.\"\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Our numbers didn\u2019t quite match Radtke\u2019s, but were in the same ballpark. We found a 75 percent increase in corn prices, a 52 percent spike in wheat prices and a 12 percent rise in sugar prices.","Radtke continued: \"The international financial markets know what it means when a nation monetizes its debt, even if Washington doesn\u2019t. Commodity, food and energy prices have been climbing over the past 12 months: Corn prices have risen 69 percent; wheat prices have risen 44 percent; sugar prices have risen 15 percent; and gasoline is back at three dollars a gallon... and rising.\"","Our last call went to James Hamilton, an economist at the University of California, San Diego and an expert on monetary economic policy and the Federal Reserve. When it comes to understanding why commodity prices rise, he \"wouldn\u2019t put the dollar at the top of the list, though the value of the dollar certainly plays a role.\"","Radtke is right about the basic facts: Corn, wheat and sugar prices have sharply increased in the past year, especially since last summer -- even though though her math did not match ours."]},{"id":"2246.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rhode Island is at the top of the country for alcohol-related fatalities.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Rhode Island has ranked among the top states in terms of alcohol-related fatalities. The statistics from multiple years indicate that Rhode Island ranked first in the nation in the percentage of fatalities related to alcohol in 2003 and 2004. Additionally, in 2008, Rhode Island ranked fifth in motor vehicle fatalities where the driver was at the legal limit of .08 or higher. While the evidence does not provide the most recent data, it suggests that Rhode Island has had a significant issue with alcohol-related fatalities in the past. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, considering the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1321.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Maj. Nidal Hasan, the man accused of the Fort Hood shootings, \"was an ADVISOR to the Obama Administration.\"","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Maj. Nidal Hasan, the individual accused of the Fort Hood shootings, was an advisor to the Obama Administration. The think tank statement mentioned clarifies that Hasan registered for an event on his own and attended as an audience member in his capacity as a psychiatry fellow. The claim that he had an advisory role in the Obama Administration is false and has been debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2714.json","label":"true","statement":"As CEO of WWE, Linda McMahon was caught tipping off a ringside physician about a federal investigation into illegally distributing steroids to wrestlers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Linda McMahon, as CEO of WWE, was indeed caught tipping off a ringside physician about a federal investigation into the illegal distribution of steroids to wrestlers. The ad and sources mention a memo written by McMahon and her involvement in the case against the ringside doctor. It is important to note that McMahon herself was not charged or convicted in relation to this incident, but the evidence supports the claim that she was involved in tipping off the ringside physician.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"With your help, we have invested Florida taxpayer dollars to make a lasting difference in the lives of Florida families,\" he said during the Jan. 12 speech. \"For the first time ever, we completely funded the critical needs waiting list for persons with unique abilities so they can get the help they need.\"","It\u2019s important to note that Florida\u2019s \"critical needs\" waiting list is a classification devised during Scott\u2019s administration. So when he says he completely funded this waiting list \"for the first time ever,\" he is referring to something that has only existed for a few years.","\"The governor is correct that he has funded the critical needs waiting list, but that\u2019s not to be confused with the overall waiting list,\" said Suzanne Sewell, president of the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. Other advocates we interviewed backed up her argument.","The state received money to whittle the critical needs list starting in 2013 when it gave waivers to 1,600 Floridians. However, some still remained on the list that year. The next year, 2014, the state emptied out the list for the first time when it gave waivers to 1,200 people. Again in 2015, the agency received enough money to offer a waiver to everyone on the critical needs list, around 2,500 at that time."]},{"id":"4844.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have, right now, Hezbollah, which is working throughout Latin America, in Venezuela, in Mexico, throughout Latin America, which poses a very significant and imminent threat to the United States of America.","reason":"Reason: While there have been concerns about Hezbollah's presence and activities in Latin America, the statement exaggerates the extent of the threat and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of a \"very significant and imminent threat\" to the United States. While there have been instances of Hezbollah's involvement in illicit activities in the region, such as money laundering and drug trafficking, there is limited evidence to suggest that they pose a direct and immediate threat to the United States. It is important to exercise caution and avoid overstating the situation without concrete evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Paul Ryan is leading the effort to \"pass a tax bill with divisive conception language by disguising it as a college savings plan\" in \"another attempt to ban abortion and rob women of their reproductive rights.\"","A March 2014 report released by the House Budget Committee, then chaired by Ryan, said that over the previous three years, \"deep poverty has reached its highest level on record.\"","U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R.-Wis., became Speaker of the House in 2015 and served until his retirement in January 2019. Ryan was elected to represent southern Wisconsin in Congress in 1998 and for part of his tenure chaired the House Budget Committee. He was Mitt Romney's vice-presidential running mate in the 2012 presidential election. He did not seek re-election in 2018.","\"For the votes that we got, I think we spent, on average, two bucks a pop. Compared to 42 bucks\" for incumbent Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele."]},{"id":"5079.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says taking millionaires off food stamps and unemployment would save $20 million.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the proposal to remove millionaires from food stamps and unemployment benefits would result in some savings, it's important to note that millionaires are already ineligible for the food stamp program. Therefore, there would be no new savings on that front. However, the proposal could potentially save the government $20 million by making millionaires ineligible for unemployment benefits. This information is supported by the breakdown provided by the Ways and Means committee and the Congressional Budget Office report. So, while the statement is mostly true, it should be clarified that the savings would come from removing millionaires from unemployment benefits, not food stamps.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Jolly said Race to the Top grants \"require participating states to adopt the Common Core standards as a condition for receiving federal funding.\"","\"Last year, I worked with my colleagues to end funding for federal Race to the Top grants, which require participating states to adopt the Common Core standards as a condition for receiving federal funding,\" he said on his campaign website.","But experts told us there was no demand that states adopt Common Core before Washington would hand over funding. And even then, there was no requirement for actually implementing them.","He noted the timing of the grants during the recession may have potentially spurred some states into action to shore up finances, leading them to adopt Common Core to get a leg up."]},{"id":"347.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The last six polls, including this week's Time magazine, show that I beat John McCain by six or seven points.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama stated that the last six polls showed him beating John McCain by six or seven points, the evidence provided only includes three polls that support this claim. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate in terms of the number of polls mentioned. However, the larger point that the polls indicated Obama's lead over McCain is correct. So, while the statement is not entirely true in terms of the number of polls, it still reflects the overall trend and can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11608.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If we pass immigration reform, it will make wages go up on average $250 for the average household.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some research, including a study by the Congressional Budget Office, projected that immigration reform could potentially lead to an increase in average household incomes by $250 in the long term, it is important to note that this is a projection and not a guaranteed outcome. The $250 figure is based on mathematical assumptions and refers to a result that would occur over a period of two decades. In the near term, the same analysis suggests that wages could actually dip slightly. Therefore, while there is some basis for the claim, it is important to recognize the uncertainty and the long-term nature of the projected impact.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9857.json","label":"false","statement":"Scott Walker gave Wisconsin job creation money to his cronies: corporate friends who contributed to his campaigns and got $570 million in job-development incentives","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Scott Walker gave job creation money to his \"cronies\" who were corporate friends that contributed to his campaigns. While it is true that some companies that received job-development incentives also made contributions to Walker's campaigns, there is no evidence to support the assertion that these companies were his \"cronies\" or that their contributions influenced the allocation of job creation funds. The claim misrepresents the situation by implying a corrupt relationship between Walker and the companies involved.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6022.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Scott Walker has a plan to privatize state lands and wants to sell our deer to the highest bidder.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Scott Walker has a plan to privatize state lands or wants to sell deer to the highest bidder. These statements appear to be unfounded and lack any substantial basis. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about a person's intentions or policies.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Schumer said that because of the 2011 debt ceiling fight, \"the stock market lost 2,000 points.\" If you count the aftermath of the deal that avoided a debt ceiling breach, which included a historic downgrade of the United States\u2019 creditworthiness rating, then Schumer is right that the Dow fell by 2,000 points.","Schumer responded, \"No. The one time that it was really done in this kind of way, (when it wasn\u2019t just) a deadline and you had to decide (on) abortion or something else, was in 2011. We went right up to the deadline. The stock market lost 2,000 points, $18 billion was lost by the American people.\"","We wondered whether Schumer was right about the stock market losing 2,000 points. So we looked at historical data for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the most popular measure of the stock market.","Still, we think it\u2019s important to note that the 2,000 points the Dow lost didn\u2019t stay off for years, or even permanently, as some viewers might assume."]},{"id":"4395.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"(U.S. Reps.) Paul Ryan, Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble are shutting down town hall meetings, or making their constituents pay to attend them.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement made. While there may have been claims made by the state Democratic Party chairman and the Wisconsin Democratic Party, the evidence shows that all three Republican representatives mentioned, Paul Ryan, Sean Duffy, and Reid Ribble, have held town hall meetings or participated in forums with their constituents. There is no evidence to support the assertion that they are shutting down town hall meetings or making constituents pay to attend them. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Dem recall candidate Tom Barrett says GOP Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker \"caused\" top job losses in the US,\" April 26, 2012","Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s top campaign promise was that the state would create 250,000 private-sector jobs by the end of his four-year term.","In 2011, the year after Walker took office, the state fell to seventh, based on 2010 data. Even then, Wisconsin's health care quality score was not far behind the states in the top five.","Amid the field of GOP presidential contenders, Gov. Scott Walker is projecting himself as the candidate who has gotten things done."]},{"id":"2502.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Rick Perry thinks injecting 11- and 12-year-old girls with a controversial drug (the HPV vaccine), without a parents consent, is a good idea.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. While Rick Perry did support legislation in Texas that would have required the HPV vaccine for girls entering sixth grade, it included an opt-out provision for parents who did not wish to have their children vaccinated. The claim that Perry believed in injecting girls without parental consent is false. The legislation was met with significant opposition and was ultimately overturned by the Texas legislature. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["Says U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin \"proposed a $3.9 trillion tax increase -- a tax increase so extreme\" that \"even Nancy Pelosi voted against it.\"","Baldwin did vote no on a law that prevented middle class taxes from increasing by $3,000. But she supported extending tax cuts for the middle class and she voted for a another measure, which failed, that also would have prevented the $3,000 middle-class tax hike.","Then the ad shows a clip of Obama saying: \"If that had come to pass, the average middle-class family would have had to pay an extra $3,000 in taxes next year.\"","In a TV ad, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says Baldwin supports raising taxes by $858 billion, citing her vote against a bill that primarily contained tax cuts."]},{"id":"12243.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Republicans still want to privatize (Social Security). In fact, their whole idea is to turn over the Social Security trust fund to Wall Street.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some Republicans have expressed support for privatizing Social Security in the past, it is an oversimplification to claim that all Republicans still hold this position. The statement generalizes the entire Republican party and implies that their sole objective is to turn over the Social Security trust fund to Wall Street, which is an exaggeration. While there may be differing views within the party, it is inaccurate to attribute this specific intention to all Republicans. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3712.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On the night of the Iowa caucuses, Obama promised the nation that he would do health care reform focused on cost containment, he opposed an individual mandate, and he said he was going to do it with Republicans.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama made a promise on the night of the Iowa caucuses to make healthcare \"affordable and available,\" the statement inaccurately attributes specific details to his promise. Obama did not explicitly mention a focus on cost containment or opposition to an individual mandate during that speech. However, it is worth noting that Obama's healthcare plan did emphasize cost containment measures, and he initially opposed an individual mandate but later changed his stance. The claim contains some elements of truth but also includes inaccuracies and misattributions, making it mostly-true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6420.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One of the key things about Leonard Lance is that in 2008, when you look at [the] Project Vote Smart website, he was not for guns. Now he has gone too far to the right, saying that you can carry concealed weapons in national parks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Chivukula that Leonard Lance's position on guns has shifted over time. In 2008, according to the Project Vote Smart website, Lance did not support guns. However, it is important to note that the statement \"he has gone too far to the right\" is subjective and implies a judgment on Lance's current position. Additionally, the claim that allowing concealed weapons in national parks is \"mostly dangerous for the people who are visiting the national park\" is an opinion and not a verifiable fact. Therefore, while the statement contains some accurate information, it also includes subjective elements and an opinionated claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\" These public servants dedicate their lives to helping others. Firefighters, police officers, teachers are facing uncertain times. So the last thing they deserve is for unions to take away their hard-earned money to play politics, sometimes without asking for approval.","We don't agree. When judging visual advertisements, we consider both the words and the images. In this case, the chamber ad says -- \"firefighters, police officers, teachers are facing uncertain times. So the last thing they deserve is for unions to take away their hard-earned money to play politics, sometimes without asking for approval.\" As those words are said, the chamber shows an image of a man with his head in his hands looking over paperwork as a woman and child stand nearby.","Watch the ad again, or read the script with our description. Through its choice of words and images, the chamber is painting a clear picture. Cops, firefighters and teachers -- struggling to make ends meet -- are having their hard-earned money taken away by unions to play politics.","The message the ad is sending is clear: Hard-working police officers, firefighters and teachers -- facing uncertain financial times -- are having money taken from them by unions to be used for politics. The fact is union members are voluntarily contributing to unions. If they didn't want to contribute, they wouldn't have to."]},{"id":"262.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Barack Obama \"wants the government to take over health care, spend hundreds of billions of dollars of new money for health insurance for everyone.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, which aimed to expand access to health insurance, the statement exaggerates by claiming that he wanted the government to take over healthcare entirely and spend hundreds of billions of dollars on health insurance for everyone. The ACA did not seek to completely take over healthcare, but rather implemented reforms to increase access and affordability. Additionally, the statement does not provide sufficient evidence to support the claim of spending hundreds of billions of dollars on health insurance for everyone. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent Obama's healthcare goals.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4909.json","label":"true","statement":"The national debt increased $16,000 every secondGeorge Allen served in theU.S. Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Calculations show that the national debt increased by an average of $15,555.38 per second during George Allen's tenure in the U.S. Senate. Rounding up, it can be stated that the national debt increased by approximately $16,000 every second he served.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In his nationally televised news conference on July 22, 2009, President Barack Obama cited a dramatic statistic to emphasize the need for health care reform. He said, \u201cIf we don't act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day.\u201d","Applying Holahan's calculations to the actual rise in unemployment from November 2008 to June 2009, we came up with 3.2 million people losing health coverage, or an average of 15,238 per day, so it is close to the 14,000 Obama cited.","The White House told us the number came from a report published by the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, and authored by researchers James Kvaal and Ben Furnas. A chart in the report was headlined, \u201c14,000 People Became Uninsured Every Day in December and January.\u201d","Holahan was the co-author, with A. Bowen Garrett, of the January 2009 study, \u201cRising Unemployment, Medicaid and the Uninsured,\u201d published by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. That study provided the underpinning for the Center for American Progress report by estimating how many people can expect to lose their insurance, and not quickly get new coverage, when the national unemployment rate goes up. Essentially, what Holahan did is set up a model to measure the number of Americans who would lose their insurance when the unemployment rate rises from point A to point B."]},{"id":"5420.json","label":"true","statement":"Our small staff of 51 is still fewer than we had a decade ago, yet our caseload -- like that of other courts -- has grown.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that the current staff of 51 is fewer than what they had a decade ago. It also acknowledges that the caseload has grown, which is a common trend in many courts. This indicates that the court is handling a larger workload with a smaller staff, highlighting the increased demands placed on the court system over time.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3790.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether he would vote for the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.","reason":"Reason: The statement does not provide any evidence or context to determine whether Newt Gingrich would vote for the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan. The evidence provided only mentions that Gingrich went on a show to clarify his remarks about the budget, but it does not indicate his stance on voting for it. Without further information, it is not possible to categorize the statement as true or false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7691.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Women in Ohio earn on average 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the commonly cited statistic that women in Ohio earn, on average, 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not account for all factors that contribute to the gender pay gap, such as differences in job choices, education, and experience. While the statistic itself is accurate, it is important to consider additional factors when analyzing the gender pay gap in its entirety.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Weldon: \"The truth is, research into embryonic stem cells is not only immoral but scientifically it has proven to be a dead end, with no one good example of a successful treatment.\"","With that background in mind, we wanted to check Weldon\u2019s claim that embryonic stem cell research \"has proven to be a dead end, with no one good example of a successful treatment.\" We should note that Weldon is an internist and a practicing physician.","Weldon\u2019s second point about there being \"no one good successful treatment\" from embryonic stem cell research is accurate, though scientists say it is premature and unrealistic given the field\u2019s bureaucratic constraints.","One group that doesn\u2019t think embryonic stem cell research is at a \"dead end\" is the Genetics Policy Institute, which will host the World Stem Cell Summit in West Palm Beach, in December 2012."]},{"id":"13081.json","label":"false","statement":"Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 startedthe birther controversy.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Hillary Clinton and her 2008 campaign started the birther controversy is false. There is no evidence to support this assertion. While some individuals who supported Clinton may have circulated the birther rumors during the 2008 Democratic primary, there is no record of Clinton or her campaign promoting or endorsing the birther theory. The birther controversy primarily gained traction after Barack Obama became the Democratic nominee and continued into his presidency. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"War weary?\" she asked. \"The U.S. spends more money on its military than the 16 biggest military budgets in the world. I wouldn\u2019t call the U.S. military weary.\"","From the context, it is clear that Naouai was talking about the next 16 biggest military budgets in the world combined. That\u2019s what we decided to check.","To drive home his point about U.S. defense spending, Sanders said, \"We\u2019ve spent more money on the military than the next 12 nations combined.\"","The United States is definitely No. 1 on the world\u2019s defense spending list. But its expenditures don\u2019t eclipse the next 16 biggest counties combined as Naouai said, according to two independent groups."]},{"id":"10366.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average taxpayer will see the equivalent of a 2 percent pay raise as a result of low fuel prices.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Low fuel prices can have a positive impact on the average taxpayer's finances, as it reduces their expenses on transportation and indirectly affects the cost of goods and services. This can result in more disposable income for individuals, which can be seen as a form of a pay raise. However, it's important to note that the impact on each individual's finances may vary based on their specific circumstances, such as their fuel consumption and overall budget allocation. Therefore, while the statement captures the general positive effect of low fuel prices on the average taxpayer, the extent of the pay raise may differ for each individual.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We only have one county that's hand counting the votes, that's Dane County, which is the home of Madison,\" Duffy told Fox News talk show host Tucker Carlson on Dec. 1, 2016. \"It's the progressive-liberal-Communist community of Madison.","!How much of the 2016 presidential election recount in Wisconsin is being done by hand? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel\/Mark Hoffman) !How much of the 2016 presidential election recount in Wisconsin is being done by hand? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel\/Mark Hoffman)","Perhaps lost in the back-and-forth was Duffy\u2019s claim about the recount -- that Dane is the only county in Wisconsin recounting ballots by hand.","In any case, Duffy was not claiming that Dane was the only county doing hand recounts, according to Duffy spokesman Mark Bednar."]},{"id":"6947.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Bill Nelson voted to cut $700 billion out of Medicare to pay for Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) includes provisions to reduce the projected growth of Medicare spending, it does not directly cut $700 billion from the current Medicare budget. The $700 billion figure represents a reduction in future spending increases over a 10-year period, not a direct cut to the existing Medicare budget. It is important to clarify that the aim of these provisions is to slow the growth of Medicare spending, not to eliminate or reduce current benefits for seniors. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it misrepresents the nature of the Medicare reductions in relation to Obamacare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Trump: \"She said, 'Who is going to answer the call at 3 o'clock in the morning?' Guess what? She didn't answer because ... Ambassador Stevens sent 600 requests for help.\"","Trump's cryptic comment might be heard as suggesting that Stevens made 600 \"requests for help\" during the attack. The investigations of Benghazi show that didn't happen. In fact, when we contacted the Trump campaign, they referred us to a graph that claimed something very different.","Former U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens was killed in the 2012 attack on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi. Do emails contained on Clinton\u2019s private server really discuss information about his location in Libya?","\u2022 Stevens wasn't sworn in as ambassador to Libya until May 2012. So even if every one of those requests\/concerns originated from Stevens and went directly to Clinton, the highest number Trump could cite would be 205, not 600."]},{"id":"7290.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., celebrates gun ownership even in the face of school shootings.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that U.S. Rep. John Barrow celebrates gun ownership even in the face of school shootings. The evidence mentions attacks on Barrow's ties to the National Rifle Association and his opposition to Obama's gun legislation, but it does not provide any information or context suggesting that Barrow celebrates gun ownership in the face of school shootings. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1163.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Schoolchildren across the nation \"will be forced to watch the president justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other president.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that schoolchildren across the nation would be forced to watch the president justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes, and accumulating more debt is not supported by any evidence. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim, including the Republican Party of Florida's assertion that Obama would \"indoctrinate\" schoolchildren with socialist ideology. There is no credible source or evidence to support these claims, making them false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3155.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsin employers have repeatedly said in surveys that our anti-business litigation climate is one of the most important factors affecting their expansion decisions.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Wisconsin employers have repeatedly stated in surveys that the state's anti-business litigation climate is one of the most significant factors influencing their expansion decisions. However, no evidence or specific surveys are provided to support this claim. Without concrete data or references to reliable sources, it is not accurate to make such a broad and definitive statement about the sentiments of Wisconsin employers. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cRick Perry had planned to retire from the legislature until his best friend, David Weeks, and I talked him into switching parties and running for the GOP nomination for agriculture commissioner.\u201d","Rove writes: \u201cRick Perry had planned to retire from the legislature until his best friend, David Weeks, and I talked him into switching parties and running for the GOP nomination for agriculture commissioner.\u201d His book, \"Courage and Consequence, My Life as a Conservative in the Fight,\" was published March 9.","( - Karl Rove says he and consultant David Weeks persuaded Rick Perry to switch parties and run for state agriculture commissioner&url=)","We\u2019ve looked at Perry\u2019s political past in previous fact-checks, reporting that Perry won his first election as a Democrat, taking a West Texas House district seat in 1984, when Democrats controlled the Legislature and the state had had just one Republican governor since Reconstruction. He won re-election in 1986 and 1988 before switching parties in 1989 to challenge Democratic Agricultural Commissioner Jim Hightower in 1990 \u2014 a race that Perry won in an upset."]},{"id":"8882.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On abortion","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the complexity and ambivalence surrounding public opinion on abortion. While there is some widely accepted support for exceptions like abortion in cases of rape or incest, the level of support for access to abortion varies depending on factors such as the stage of pregnancy. Public opinion on abortion is indeed complicated and contradictory, making it challenging to make broad generalizations. Therefore, the statement is partially true in acknowledging the nuanced nature of public opinion on abortion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"As the usage of synthetic marijuana has dramatically increased, instances of violence, bodily harm and even death have risen with it.\"","Evidence supports Deal\u2019s claim that use of the drug has \"dramatically increased,\" as has synthetic marijuana-related \"bodily harm.\" Some evidence suggests that deaths have risen, too.","Existing data support Deal\u2019s claim that reports of bodily harm have climbed. Georgia Poison Center call data show 10 users were admitted to a hospital\u2019s critical care unit in 2010 after using the drug. Forty-five were admitted in 2011.","A count of news stories suggests there are more deadly cases. But whether the drug is a direct cause or contributing factor is not clear in some instances."]},{"id":"4032.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Only seven of 18 federal food assistance programs have been associated with positive health and nutrition outcomes, while the remaining 11 have not been effective.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that seven out of the 18 federal food assistance programs have been associated with positive health and nutrition outcomes, as stated in the GAO report. However, it is not entirely accurate to claim that the remaining 11 programs have been deemed ineffective. The report states that little is known about the effectiveness of these 11 programs because they have not been well studied. Therefore, while the statement correctly highlights the positive outcomes of some programs, it overgeneralizes the effectiveness of the remaining programs by assuming they are all ineffective when the report simply states that they have not been well studied.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4548.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Republicans enacted the most drastic cuts to K-12 public schools of any state in the nation.","reason":"Reason: While there were cuts made to K-12 public schools in Wisconsin, it is not accurate to claim that Republicans enacted the most drastic cuts of any state in the nation. The claim is based on a study that only examined 24 states, not all 50. Therefore, it lacks comprehensive data to support the assertion. While there were reductions in funding, the statement exaggerates the extent of the cuts compared to other states.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I think it's both,\" the mayor said. \"I think it's both in the sense that the contract is very restrictive. It's one of the longest in the country and needs to be changed. That's one thing. But the second thing about it is that we also need to follow through. And some of these things, in terms of following through, they're not easy. But they're necessary. \u2026 And that's not just in terminations, but overall.\"","In any event, it seems clear that Providence's teachers' contract is far from one of the longest in the nation, and Taveras' office was quick to say that the mayor misspoke.","District officials and Providence Teacher's Union President Steve Smith both say the five-year schedule is nearly always followed. The only exception would be if a principal determines that a particular teacher is struggling and needs a more immediate performance review.","He opened them in a Microsoft Word file and did a word count -- not a precise gauge, but close enough. We did the same and came to the same conclusion he did. Providence's teachers' contract is the second-longest in the database, at 31,888 words, or about 90 pages(depending on the formatting). Only the Central Falls contract is longer, at 33,014 words, or roughly 97 pages."]},{"id":"12689.json","label":"false","statement":"Just look at what the FBI director said about her (Hillary Clinton) her misconduct is a disgrace and embarrassment to our country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Donald Trump made the statement, \"Just look at what the FBI director said about her \u2014 her misconduct is a disgrace and embarrassment to our country,\" there is no evidence to support the claim that the FBI director made such a statement about Hillary Clinton. The FBI director's comments regarding Hillary Clinton's handling of classified information during the investigation into her private email server did not include the specific language of calling her misconduct a disgrace and embarrassment to the country. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, a divided Germany and the four powers that had occupied it since World War II were discussing whether the country should be reunified.","Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County.","The source of controversy, however, is centered around statements made during the negotiations by Western leaders \u2014 particularly James Baker, the U.S. secretary of state, and German Foreign Minister Hans Dietrich Genscher.","Hoever said local or state law enforcement officials trigger an Amber Alert when authorities have details like the name of the child, a photo of the child, the kind of car involved, a plate number, or a photo of the suspect. \"Those are the things that have led to a rescue in the past,\" he said."]},{"id":"6584.json","label":"false","statement":"When his grandfather arrived in the United States, there were no government benefits for immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Santorum's grandfather may not have directly benefited from certain government programs like military pensions or land-grant colleges upon his arrival, it is incorrect to claim that there were no government benefits available for immigrants at the time. Various government programs and assistance were in place during that period to support immigrants, such as social welfare programs, public education, and healthcare initiatives. It is important to note that the availability and extent of these benefits may have varied, but to claim that there were absolutely no government benefits for immigrants is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7628.json","label":"false","statement":"Says rejecting federal aid to expand Medicaid in Texas will send $9 billion in federal taxes paid by Texans to other states to insure their working poor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that rejecting federal aid to expand Medicaid in Texas would result in the state not receiving additional funds for Medicaid expansion, it does not mean that $9 billion in federal taxes paid by Texans would be sent to other states to insure their working poor. The funds allocated for Medicaid expansion would simply not be utilized in Texas, and the money would remain with the federal government or potentially be allocated to other programs or states. Therefore, the claim that the money would be sent to other states specifically for insuring their working poor is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Those numbers clearly mean a lot to management because on the hospital\u2019s website, right under its name, is the statement \"The world\u2019s third-biggest hospital, in South Africa.\"","So Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital ranks at least fourth, not third. It\u2019s actually not even a close fourth because repairs and renovations have trimmed the number of beds open right now. A hospital spokesman told Africa Check that a more accurate current total is 2,888.","!People walk on a public passage at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, in April 2014. (AFP) !People walk on a public passage at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, in April 2014. (AFP)","Administrators of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, said theirs is the third-largest in the world. Today, the hospital has 2,888 useable beds. A hospital in Belgrade, Serbia, has 3,470."]},{"id":"611.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Big oil's filling John McCain's campaign with $2-million in contributions.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Big oil's filling John McCain's campaign with $2-million in contributions\" is mostly true. While the exact amount of contributions from the oil industry to John McCain's campaign may vary, it is well-documented that he received significant financial support from oil companies during his presidential campaign in 2008. While the specific figure of $2 million may not be accurate, it is a reasonable approximation of the substantial contributions made by the oil industry to McCain's campaign.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7033.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romneys plan makes catastrophic cuts to education.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Mitt Romney's plan makes \"catastrophic cuts\" to education is not entirely accurate. While there have been claims made about potential cuts to education under Romney's tax plan and the budget proposed by his running mate, Paul Ryan, the evidence does not support the use of the term \"catastrophic.\" The Denver Post editorial, which is cited as a source, does not specifically mention education cuts. It is important to note that the impact on education funding would depend on the specific policies implemented, and the term \"catastrophic\" is subjective and exaggerated. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Now one of the votes you missed was the Paul Ryan plan,\" Nelson said during the debate. \"That was the second Paul Ryan plan. You were asked would you support it, since you missed it. You said yes. And then in a later interview, you said it was stupid and you would vote no. And then your folks corrected you, and you changed your position again, yes.\"","Nelson said of the second Ryan plan, \"You were asked would you support it, since you missed it. You said yes. And then in a later interview, you said it was stupid and you would vote no. And then your folks corrected you, and you changed your position again, yes.\"","If we start the timeline of Mack\u2019s statements after he missed the vote March 29, we found Mack\u2019s campaign said he would have voted yes, then he said it was a \"joke\", then his campaign said he meant the process was a joke and he would have voted yes. Then we find from late April through August Mack said a few times that he probably would have voted against it.","We also found that Mack landed on the conclusion that he would have voted no, while Nelson\u2019s claim ends with Mack deciding that he would have voted yes."]},{"id":"8268.json","label":"half-true","statement":"According to the most recent jobs report, weve got more Americans leaving the workforce than we have finding jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Boehner regarding the most recent jobs report, which indicated that more Americans were leaving the workforce than finding jobs during that specific period. However, it's important to note that this statement only represents a snapshot of the current situation and does not necessarily reflect the long-term trend. Over a longer period, the data may show different patterns and fluctuations. Therefore, while the statement is true for the specific time frame mentioned, it may not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall employment situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4083.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Former Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Beverly Hall left the school district significantly better than she found it.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly indicates that former Superintendent Beverly Hall left the Atlanta Public Schools system in a state of scandal and disarray. The state report and investigations implicated Hall, along with teachers and administrators, in a widespread test-tampering scandal. The district's academic reputation, culture, and integrity were severely damaged as a result of the cheating allegations. Therefore, the statement claiming that Hall left the school district significantly better than she found it is not supported by the evidence and is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["If a voter shows up to vote in Ohio and is told they aren\u2019t eligible, a voter can cast a provisional ballot. This ballot has the same contents as a regular ballot, but it is cast \"provisionally\" until election officials can verify the voter's eligibility to vote at the particular precinct. Provisional ballots are used if a voter's eligibility is in question, or if a voter has recently changed their address and did not update their voter registration.","For any agency that does not request that individuals affirm citizenship, the legislation has a separate process. The bottom line is that the legislation doesn\u2019t change the federal law that only eligible citizens are allowed to register to vote.","In New Jersey in 2005, the birthdates of seven voters were listed as Jan. 1, 1880. A Brennan Center for Justice report concluded that the date \"is most likely a system default for registrations lacking date-of-birth information.\"","Sherry Poland, elections director in Hamilton County, said her county has help desks to address problems or concerns surfaced by the public and by poll workers."]},{"id":"8728.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In my home state, nearly one in five Floridians live in poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rubio that \"nearly one in five Floridians live in poverty\" is mostly true. The evidence provided confirms that approximately 17.1 percent of Floridians lived in poverty based on 2012 census data. While the three-year average shows a slightly lower percentage of 15.4 percent, it still supports the claim that about one in six Floridians live in poverty. Additionally, the mention of Miami-Dade County having approximately one in four residents living in poverty further reinforces the overall statement. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the high poverty rate in Rubio's home state of Florida.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1904.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"Ninety-four percent of the bills that pass the Senate have no debate, no vote, no amendments, no reading of the bill, no online disclosure.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sen. Jim DeMint that \"Ninety-four percent of the bills that pass the Senate have no debate, no vote, no amendments, no reading of the bill, no online disclosure\" has been fact-checked and found to be inaccurate. The original analysis by PolitiFact rated this statement as \"Pants on Fire\" and provided evidence that the actual percentage of bills passing without debate, vote, amendments, reading, and online disclosure was 27.9 percent, not 94 percent. Furthermore, it is important to note that the lack of these elements in the legislative process does not necessarily imply a lack of productivity, as some bills may be non-controversial or have already undergone extensive debate and scrutiny in committee. Therefore, the statement is deemed to be false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"What we had in Rhode Island prior to then 2008 was one of the most generous \"good time\" bills in the country,\" Ferruccio said. \"What we have now is the most generous, in my opinion, \u2018good time\u2019 bill in the entire United States.\"","On the \"Helen Glover\" show on radio station WHJJ (920-AM), Ferruccio complained that Woodmansee would have served his entire 40-year sentence if \"good time\" provisions had not allowed him to cut his sentence short. There would be less crime, he said, if criminals were kept in prison longer.","\"This is the most generous country in the world when it comes to immigration. There are a million people a year who legally immigrate to the United States.\"","Rubio said, \"This is the most generous country in the world when it comes to immigration. There are million people a year who legally immigrate to the United States.\""]},{"id":"7307.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since last years address, more than 10,000 jobs created -- many on the high end of the employment scale.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided indicates that the U.S. has created around 1.6 million new jobs, which exceeds the projection of 8 million jobs without the American Rescue Plan. While it is open to debate whether all of these excess jobs can be attributed to the plan, the statement accurately highlights the significant job growth that has occurred. However, the statement incorrectly states that \"more than 10,000 jobs\" were created, when the evidence suggests the number is closer to 1.6 million.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"With a Plan B, you are implying that there is going to be something different,\" he said. \"I don\u2019t see a dramatic difference. There is no Plan B.\"","The plan\u2019s supporters say it required great effort to persuade the Georgia Legislature to put a referendum on the ballot, and if voters reject it, there may never be this kind of opportunity to create such a large funding source for transportation in the region.","PolitiFact Georgia read the state House of Representatives bill that was passed in 2010 to allow the referendum. In the last one-third of House Bill 277, there is a sentence that confirms that point.","The monumental voter referendum to increase the sales tax rate to pay for dozens of transportation projects across metro Atlanta has voters asking whether they can have a do-over if the proposal fails."]},{"id":"9984.json","label":"half-true","statement":"David Perdue proposes rolling back the clock on womens health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement that David Perdue proposes rolling back the clock on women's health care is partially true. While it is true that Perdue supports repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, which includes provisions that benefit women's health care, it is important to note that the impact on women's health care is not solely determined by the ACA. Other factors, such as state-level policies and access to healthcare services, also play a significant role. Therefore, while Perdue's stance on repealing the ACA may have implications for women's health care, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entirety of women's health care to this one policy position.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Now comes another satirical claim from Avitabile's blog that made it all the way to Rush Limbaugh's show before being debunked. It says that Obama criticized \"plutocratic thugs\" in his thesis at Columbia University:","\"However, the President also singled out the American Constitution: '... the Constitution allows for many things, but what it does not allow is the most revealing. The so-called Founders did not allow for economic freedom. While political freedom is supposedly a cornerstone of the document, the distribution of wealth is not even mentioned. While many believed that the new Constitution gave them liberty, it instead fitted them with the shackles of hypocrisy.'","Which might be a fair question \u2013 if there had been a thesis at all. But there wasn't. A Columbia University spokesman told PolitiFact that \"an undergraduate thesis requirement for those in political science did not even exist at Columbia in 1983.\" In other words, Obama couldn't have written a thesis because no Columbia political science student in his era did. Yet the conviction that a thesis is out there has driven critics to search everywhere for it.","\"Obama was required to write a 'senior seminar' paper in order to graduate from Columbia. The subject of this paper, which totaled 44 pages, was American government. Entitled Aristocracy Reborn, this paper chronicled the long struggle of the working class against, as Obama put it, 'plutocratic thugs with one hand on the money and the other on the government.'"]},{"id":"1332.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"52 jobs have been saved or created in Florida's 34th Congressional District.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or address the claim that 52 jobs have been saved or created in Florida's 34th Congressional District. The evidence primarily discusses projections and estimates made by the Congressional Budget Office regarding job gains and the impact of the American Rescue Plan. Without more specific information or data related to the claim about the 34th Congressional District in Florida, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the claim is considered barely-true due to the lack of supporting evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You\u2019ll find blacks in almost every regiment throughout the South who fought right alongside white Southerners,\" said Ray McBerry. \"And in almost every case, it was a voluntary decision that the freed blacks made.\"","We find that McBerry's claim that blacks \"fought right alongside white Southerners\" and \"in almost every regiment throughout the South\" is incorrect, if not absurd. Even supporters of his theory have found nothing more than isolated cases.","As the 150th anniversary of the Civil War's start approaches, a group of proud Southerners is belting out a rebel yell.","A common argument in the dispute over official displays of the Confederate battle flag is that most people misunderstand the reasons behind the Civil War. It was not about slavery, these advocates say, but about the right to secede from the Union."]},{"id":"11089.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Scott Walkers bad budget includes: No weekend for workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Scott Walker's budget includes \"No weekend for workers\" is false. There is no credible evidence or information to support this claim. While there may have been criticisms and debates surrounding Scott Walker's budget proposals, there is no indication that his budget included any measures to eliminate weekends for workers. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing political matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5651.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysPresident Obama and his allies in Congress gave power to control Medicare patients health care decisions to a commission of 15 unelected bureaucrats in Washington.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that President Obama and his allies in Congress gave power to control Medicare patients' health care decisions to a commission of 15 unelected bureaucrats in Washington is misleading. The Affordable Care Act did establish the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), but its purpose was to make recommendations to Congress to help control Medicare costs, not to directly control individual patients' health care decisions. The IPAB's recommendations would only go into effect if Congress failed to propose alternative cost-saving measures. Ultimately, the power to make health care decisions still rests with patients and their doctors, not with the IPAB or any other bureaucratic body.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10362.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since 9\/11, right-wing extremists (incl anti-abortion, anti-gov) have killed more Americans than Islamic extremists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true based on the data provided by the New America Foundation, which indicates that since 9\/11, there have been more fatalities caused by right-wing extremists compared to Islamic extremists in the United States. However, it's important to note that the term \"right-wing extremists\" encompasses a wide range of ideologies and motivations, including anti-abortion and anti-government sentiments. The statement does not provide a comprehensive breakdown of the specific motivations behind each incident, which could vary significantly. Therefore, while the overall claim is supported by the data, it lacks specificity and context regarding the nature and diversity of right-wing extremist ideologies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["7 million people the Congressional Budget Office says won't have health insurance coverage under the Senate health care bill \"don't exist.\"","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d","\"She is getting zero dollars for the film,\" Ocasio-Cortez\u2019 spokesperson Corbin Trent told us. \"Not $10 million, not $100 million, not $2 million \u2013 zero.\"","Using the $10-million income as a cut-off, Mazur said that taxing the $244 billion in income above the threshold at her 70 percent rate would bring in an added $72 billion a year, or $720 billion over 10 years."]},{"id":"10709.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Bill Clinton signed a law very similar to, and Barack Obama voted for a law something like, Indianas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Bill Clinton did sign a federal law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in 1993, which is similar in name to Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act. However, it is important to note that the two laws have some differences in their specific provisions and scope. While Barack Obama did vote for an Illinois law that had similarities to the Indiana RFRA, it is not accurate to claim that he specifically voted for a law \"something like\" Indiana's RFRA. Therefore, while there are connections between the actions of Clinton and Obama and the RFRA concept, the statement oversimplifies the extent of their involvement and the similarity between the laws.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10008.json","label":"false","statement":"Mary Burkes record: 130,000 fewer jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Mary Burke's record resulted in 130,000 fewer jobs is false. While the Republican Governors Association (RGA) charged that Burke, as a senior member of the Doyle administration, was responsible for the job loss, it is important to note that economic factors and policies during that time were influenced by various factors beyond Burke's control. Additionally, the claim lacks specific evidence or context to support the assertion that Burke's actions directly caused the job loss. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and should be considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Carly Fiorina, she's against banning assault weapons, and that's reckless and dangerous. She's for risky new oil drilling that could threaten our jobs. Fiorina's plan would mean slashing Social Security and Medicare, which would devastate seniors. And she'd make abortion a crime. No wonder Fiorina is endorsed by Sarah Palin. Carly Fiorina, just too extreme for California.\"","In ruling on the statement \"Carly Fiorina, she's against banning assault weapons,\" we find it compelling that she opposed the 1994 ban and that the NRA said she told them she would oppose re-enacting it. Is it possible some sort of new compromise bill might win Fiorina's support? It's possible, but there's little to indicate that's likely. Based on her previous opposition and the NRA endorsement, we rate Boxer's statement Mostly True.","The Boxer campaign pointed out that Fiorina has said she opposed a measure passed under the Clinton administration that banned assault weapons for 10 years. The ban started in 1994 and expired in 2004. It has not been renewed.","Here, we wanted to look at whether Fiorina is against banning assault weapons. Generally speaking, Fiorina supports gun rights; she says on her web site that she is \"a strong proponent of protecting Americans' Second Amendment rights.\" She's also received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. She received an ''AQ'' rating from the group, which the NRA Political Victory Fund says means she is \"a pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate's responses to the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues.\" (Fiorina was previously the chief executive officer for Hewlett-Packard Co.; this is the first time she has sought elective office.)"]},{"id":"13037.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says she would bring 186,740 new jobs to Wisconsin and Donald Trump would cost Wisconsin 61,050 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The tweet claims that Hillary Clinton would bring 186,740 new jobs to Wisconsin, while Donald Trump would cost the state 61,050 jobs. However, it's important to note that these numbers are based on evaluations and projections, which can vary depending on different economic models and assumptions. While there may be analyses suggesting the potential job impacts of each candidate's proposals, it is crucial to consider the uncertainties and complexities involved in predicting job numbers accurately. Therefore, while the statement reflects certain evaluations, it should be understood that these figures are not definitive and can be subject to interpretation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11423.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We are imprisoning or giving jail sentences to young people who are smoking marijuana.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that individuals can face imprisonment or jail sentences for marijuana-related offenses, the statement lacks important context. The extent to which young people are being imprisoned or given jail sentences for smoking marijuana varies across different jurisdictions and is influenced by factors such as the severity of the offense, prior criminal history, and local laws. Additionally, the statement does not acknowledge the increasing trend towards decriminalization and legalization of marijuana in many states, which has resulted in reduced penalties for possession and use. Therefore, while there are cases where young people may face imprisonment or jail sentences for marijuana-related offenses, it is an overgeneralization to suggest that this is a widespread and uniform practice across the United States.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"My top priority is create an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top, which is why I've set five ambitious goals to get us there,\" she said in Scranton, Pa., Aug. 15. \"First, we are going to make the biggest investment in new, good-paying jobs since World War II.\"","Clinton\u2019s infrastructure plan is part of her pledge to \"make the biggest investment in new, good-paying jobs since World War II\" within her first 100 days. Most of the spending, $250 billion, would go toward direct infrastructure investments \u2014 things like maintaining airports, bridges and highways \u2014 while the remaining $25 billion would fund an infrastructure bank, which would bring in private capital for public works.","\"Obviously, not every dollar of that will go directly toward paying the salary of a new job,\" Rothstein said. \"But I think it is reasonable to count, say, relief of student debt as an investment in good-paying jobs, since a grad who gets an otherwise good job but needs to pay much of her salary in loan payments doesn\u2019t actually have a good-paying job.\"","Parts of Clinton\u2019s platform are clearly geared toward creating new jobs, such as the $275 billion investment in infrastructure, which would involve construction jobs, and parts of a $10 billion package for the manufacturing sector that the campaign says would \"reward\" manufacturers for creating new, well-paid, local jobs."]},{"id":"12750.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The number of new illegal immigrant families who have crossed the border so far this year already exceeds the entire total from 2015.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump is partially true. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics, the number of apprehensions of illegal immigrant families along the Southwest border in the current year has indeed exceeded the total number of apprehensions in 2015. However, it's important to note that apprehensions are used as an indicator of total attempts to cross the border illegally, and it does not necessarily reflect the exact number of successful border crossings. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of apprehensions, it does not provide a complete picture of the overall number of illegal immigrant families who have successfully crossed the border.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Fifteen years ago, too many American communities were plagued by violence and insecurity,\" Obama said in a speech in Springfield, Ill., on Aug. 23. \"So Joe Biden brought Republicans and Democrats together to pass the 1994 crime bill, putting 100,000 cops on the streets and starting an eight-year drop in crime across the country.\"","Lastly, Biden said, \"the COPS program was not the only innovation of the 1994 Crime Bill that contributed to falling crime rates. The principle innovation of the 1994 Crime Bill was its recognition that to effectively fight crime you need an approach that coordinates prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation. The Crime Bill's three-part strategy helped reduce crime in the 1990s in New York City and in cities nationwide. And it's the strategy we need to continue fighting crime in our country.\"","We at PolitiFact have looked at this before, back when Biden was a presidential candidate and he was making similar claims on his own behalf. In November, this was the statement on Biden's Web site: \"In the 1990s, the Biden Crime Bill added 100,000 cops to America's streets. As a result, murder and violent crime rates went down eight years in a row.\"","Biden did, in fact, champion the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act in 1994 which sought \u2013 through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) \u2013 to put 100,000 additional police officers on America's streets."]},{"id":"1584.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"The economy began its nose dive when Democrats took control of Congress in January 2007.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. Multiple sources and experts have debunked the claim that the economy started to decline when Democrats took control of Congress in January 2007. The recession that began in 2008 was primarily caused by factors such as the housing market collapse and the global financial crisis, which had been building for several years and were not directly tied to political control of Congress. Blaming one party's accession to power for a major recession is unsupported by evidence and is a form of partisan wishful thinking.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2551.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Russ Feingold cut Medicare by $523 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Russ Feingold cut Medicare by $523 billion is misleading. While it is true that there were proposed measures to slow the projected increase in Medicare spending by $500 billion, these measures did not result in actual cuts to the Medicare budget. The intention was to reduce the rate of growth in Medicare spending, not to reduce the benefits or funding available to Medicare recipients. Therefore, characterizing it as a cut is inaccurate. It is important to clarify that the proposed measures did not result in a reduction of guaranteed benefits, and in some cases, certain benefits were even increased. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Johnson said that before the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, \"the State Department not only failed to honor repeated requests for additional security, but instead actually reduced security in Libya.\"","10. Ron Johnson says that before the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, \"the State Department not only failed to honor repeated requests for additional security, but instead actually reduced security in Libya.\"","Is Johnson right -- that before the attacks, the State Department \"failed to honor repeated requests for additional security\" and \"actually reduced security in Libya\"?","In May 2014, ahead of one of the congressional investigations into the Benghazi attacks, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., claimed the State Department \"not only failed to honor repeated requests for additional security, but instead actually reduced security in Libya.\""]},{"id":"3696.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that there is some truth to the statement that Bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan. While it is accurate that Bin Laden declared a holy war against Pakistan's then-president, Musharraf, due to his cooperation with the United States, it is important to note that Bin Laden's declaration was specifically targeted at the leadership and aimed to spark a rebellion against Musharraf. This declaration can be seen as a form of warfare against the Pakistani government rather than the entire country. Therefore, the statement is considered half-true, as it requires additional context to fully understand the nature and scope of Bin Laden's declaration of war against Pakistan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7016.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says when he was governor, most of the Democrats voted for his billion-dollar property-tax cuts, but U.S. Senate rival Tammy Baldwin voted against it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tommy Thompson, as governor, implemented property tax cuts, the statement that most Democrats voted for these billion-dollar property tax cuts is misleading. The evidence suggests that there was a tax-cut package in 1999 that included a mix of income tax cuts and property tax relief, which received significant support from Democrats. However, the claim that most Democrats specifically voted for the billion-dollar property tax cuts is not supported. Additionally, it is true that Tammy Baldwin voted against a 1994 bill related to property tax cuts, but it is important to note that this bill did not pass the Senate. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks important context and can be misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Tea party activist Henry Kelley said Scott was making good on his promise to reduce pork barrel projects, including a veto in 2012 of $1.5 million earmarked for Florida A&M University's pharmacy program in the rural Panhandle town of Crestview.","Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, in 2011 bemoaned vetoes of his hometown projects, including $10 million for the St. Johns River. But Scott approved $5.6 million to go toward improving the river's lower basin in 2012, and he even toured the river with the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection in the weeks following his budget-signing.","For example, Scott in 2011 vetoed money for a rowing center in Sarasota County. In 2012, he allowed $5 million for the project to stay in the budget after county officials agreed to return the money if it does not create as much sales tax revenue as expected, the Times\/Herald reported.","Case in point: the big appropriations bill for 2009 that never got passed last fall and is now before Congress. It's an amalgamation of nine spending bills known on Capitol Hill as the Omnibus."]},{"id":"4457.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One Wisconsin school district is so worried about losing state funding that it has stopped giving milk to elementary school kids during snack time.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that a school district in Wisconsin stopped providing milk to elementary school kids during snack time, the reason for this decision is not solely due to the fear of losing state funding. School officials have indicated that concerns about children consuming too much milk and reducing their appetite for lunch, as well as promoting the drinking of water, were also factors in the decision. While state budget cuts may have played a role according to some officials, it is not the sole reason for the change in milk provision.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4087.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our crime rate continues to plummet.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that overall crime rates in Virginia have significantly decreased since the abolition of parole, the statement that the crime rate continues to \"plummet\" is not entirely accurate. The decline in crime has been steady, but not necessarily sharp or abrupt. There have even been occasional years with minor increases in crime. Therefore, while the statement captures the general trend of decreasing crime rates, the use of the word \"plummet\" is an exaggeration and does not align with the actual data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Career politician Bill McCollum -- Testing stem cells. Testing our values,\" the mailer reads. \"Bill McCollum supports embryonic stem cell research. Bill McCollum holds the same position on this issue as Barack Obama, who recently lifted a ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research.\"","!Rick Scott, in a new campaign mailer, says Bill McCollum and President Barack Obama have the same position on embryonic stem cell research. !Rick Scott, in a new campaign mailer, says Bill McCollum and President Barack Obama have the same position on embryonic stem cell research.","Rick Scott, in a new campaign mailer, says Bill McCollum and President Barack Obama have the same position on embryonic stem cell research.","For this fact-check, we're going to detail to McCollum's public position on embryonic stem cell research, and then President Obama's. Then we'll see if they're the same, as Scott claims."]},{"id":"5313.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8 percent sales tax on it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no 3.8 percent sales tax on home sales as claimed in the chain email. This misinformation has been widely debunked. The 3.8 percent tax mentioned in the email is actually a Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) that applies to certain high-income individuals and is unrelated to home sales. The NIIT is specifically targeted at investment income, such as dividends, interest, and capital gains, and does not apply to the majority of home sellers.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10254.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The NRA supported background checks...","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the NRA has historically opposed certain expansions of background checks, there have been instances where they expressed support for background checks. For example, Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the NRA, testified before lawmakers in support of \"mandatory instant criminal background checks for every sale.\" Additionally, polls have shown that a significant percentage of NRA members support background checks, ranging from 52 to 74 percent. However, it's important to note that the NRA's overall stance on background checks has been mixed, with instances of opposition and support depending on the specific proposals and circumstances.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11186.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Prior to 1962, everybody prayed before school started, and the Bible was the principal textbook in all schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that prayer and Bible reading were more prevalent in public schools prior to the Supreme Court decisions in 1962 and 1963, it is an exaggeration to claim that \"everybody\" prayed before school started. The extent of Bible usage varied across different schools, and it was not the principal textbook in all schools. The Supreme Court decisions did restrict government- and school-sponsored prayers and Bible readings in public schools, but private prayers and personal Bible reading were still allowed. Therefore, the statement overgeneralizes the situation and lacks nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Well, first of all, by not being distracted, but focusing on substance and talking about the solutions we need as a country, and second by reminding people that Ronald Reagan had exactly the same challenges in 1980 -- John McCain had exactly the same challenges in 2007,\" Gingrich said.","Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is comparing his struggles to those of President Ronald Reagan so often it\u2019s turning into a habit.","To test Gingrich\u2019s claim, we turned to some experts on our nation\u2019s 40th president, as well as books that chronicle Reagan\u2019s successful 1980 campaign.","Newt Gingrich took to summoning the memory of President Ronald Reagan recently to convince supporters he still has a shot at the presidency."]},{"id":"3760.json","label":"true","statement":"You cant give a child an aspirin in school without permission. You cant do any kind of medication, but we can secretly take the child off and have an abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that you cannot administer medication, including aspirin, to a child in school without permission. This is generally true, as school officials typically require parental consent for administering any non-prescription medication to students. However, it's important to note that the statement then makes a comparison to abortion, implying that abortions can be performed on minors without parental consent. This part of the statement is more subjective and controversial, as laws regarding abortion and minors vary by jurisdiction. Overall, the first part of the statement is true, but the second part is a matter of interpretation and perspective.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9675.json","label":"false","statement":"Twenty percent of single adults, ages 21 to 25 with no kids, are not working or even in school trying to find a job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence or data provided to support the claim that twenty percent of single adults, ages 21 to 25 with no kids, are not working or actively seeking employment. Without any supporting evidence, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On its face, that\u2019s a 20 percent increase over three years -- as referenced on the flip side of Shea's mailer, which says: \"Lee voted to raise your property tax rate 20 percent in three years.\"","To support her statement that Leffingwell \"raised property taxes 20 percent in three years,\" Shea sent us data that she said showed tax bills for Austin homeowners had increased more than that amount since Leffingwell became mayor.","Mindful that tax rates alone paint an incomplete picture of the impact of property taxes, which are also driven by changes in property values, we found that what a typical Austin homeowner \u2014 one with the median-value home \u2014 paid in taxes went up 25 percent in the three years that Leffingwell\u2019s served as Austin mayor. Adjusted for inflation, that figure drops somewhat, but is still about 20 percent.","But no mayor can set a tax rate on his or her own, which Shea knows because she\u2019s a former council member. Each year, the seven-member council votes on the rate as it completes the city\u2019s budget. In Austin\u2019s form of government, the mayor has one vote, like fellow council members. Asked by email about Shea\u2019s claim, the mayor\u2019s campaign consultant, Mark Littlefield, said: \"Lee did not raise these taxes \u2014 the Austin City Council raised these taxes.\""]},{"id":"9770.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says drug cartels are using social media to offer rebates so more children from Central America get smuggled to the United States.","reason":"Reason: While there is a claim made by Congressman Cuellar that drug cartels are using social media to offer rebates to encourage the smuggling of children from Central America to the United States, there is limited evidence to support this assertion. No news stories or substantial evidence have been found to confirm the specific use of social media by drug cartels for this purpose. Additionally, outside experts have expressed doubts about the claim. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true, as it lacks substantial evidence and is not widely supported.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During the 2008 campaign, then candidate Barack Obama pledged several times that he would act to capture or kill terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden. Back then, his political rivals criticized him for saying he'd do it with or without Pakistan's help.","With the announcement that Osama Bin Laden is dead, many PolitiFact readers have pointed out President Obama's vow to kill him from October 2008. Is it the president's most significant Promise Kept?","A reader recently forwarded us a chain e-mail that\u2019s been making the rounds, accusing President Barack Obama of hypocrisy over the raid that resulted in the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011. A Google search also indicated that the text of the e-mail has been popping up widely in blogs and comment threads.","Obama stuck by his position to go after bin Laden in Pakistan. \"I think that if we have Osama bin Laden in our sights, and we've exhausted all other options, we should take him out before he plans to kill another 3,000 Americans. I think that's common sense,\" Obama said."]},{"id":"9084.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States stopped plans to build a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe as a gift to Russia.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States adjusted its plans for a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, it is misleading to claim that it was done as a \"gift\" to Russia. The decision to modify the missile defense plans was primarily driven by strategic considerations and technical advancements. The revised plan aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the defense system against the types of missile threats that were deemed more imminent, such as short and medium-range missiles from Iran. The adjustment was not solely motivated by Russia's objections, and it did not imply a concession or gift to Russia. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it misrepresents the underlying reasons for the change in plans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"2587.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Steve Kagen promised us jobs, voting for the $787 billion stimulus. Cost: another 77,000 jobs lost.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the loss of 77,000 jobs in Wisconsin solely to Steve Kagen's support for the $787 billion stimulus package. While Kagen did support the stimulus, it is incorrect to claim that the stimulus directly caused the job losses. The stimulus package was implemented to stimulate economic growth and job creation, and there is evidence to suggest that it did create jobs. The factors contributing to job losses are complex and multifaceted, and it is misleading to attribute them solely to Kagen's support for the stimulus.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9020.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On delaying a health care mandate on business.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that there were bills introduced to delay the health care law's mandates on both employers and individuals, the evidence does not provide a clear stance from Kuster on the merits of delaying the employer mandate specifically. However, it is mentioned that Kuster supported the president's move to delay the small business mandate, which suggests a willingness to delay certain mandates for specific reasons. Therefore, while Kuster's position on the employer mandate delay is not explicitly addressed, her support for delaying the small business mandate implies a potential inclination towards delaying certain mandates for specific purposes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8988.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgias civil forfeiture laws are among the worst in the country and the very worst in the South.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including Americans for Prosperity Georgia and Georgians for Forfeiture Reform, have claimed that Georgia has some of the worst civil forfeiture laws in the nation and the worst in the South. While PolitiFact Georgia does not make a definitive judgment on the claim, it acknowledges that the assertion is based on valid reports and research about Georgia's forfeiture laws. Therefore, it can be considered mostly true that Georgia's civil forfeiture laws are among the worst in the country and the very worst in the South.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"5816.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gas prices have gone up 99 percent since Obama became president, the highest gas price increase since Carter.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that gas prices have increased during Obama's presidency, the statement that gas prices have gone up by 99 percent is misleading. The increase of 99 percent is not an accurate representation of the overall increase in gas prices during Obama's tenure. Comparing the percentage increase to that of Jimmy Carter's presidency is also inaccurate. When considering the highest gas price in 2008 and comparing it to the beginning of George W. Bush's presidency, the increase is significantly higher than 99 percent. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide an accurate comparison of gas price increases.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We have 395 inmates pushed into triple-bunked cells intended for two inmates and bunked in classrooms and areas supposed to be designated for inmate labor,\" he wrote.","Oh wow. That sounded pretty dire. Was Allen being alarmist? Or are Oregon\u2019s prisons that stuffed? There are lots of details in the column, but we zeroed in on the 395-inmate figure: Are there 395 inmates pushed into triple-bunked cells intended for two people and bunked in classrooms or work spaces?","The statement gives the impression that trios of inmates are crammed into tiny cells. That is not true. Allen states that the 395 inmates have spilled into work areas and classroom space. That also is not true, with respect to this batch of 395 beds.","\"We have units that were designated for 80 inmates with 120 inmates, with only one corrections officer supervising these inmates. We have units with blind spots, including no sightline to the bathroom, with only one corrections officer supervising 80 to 100 inmates.\""]},{"id":"6828.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Romney would turn Medicare into a voucher program.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Mitt Romney's plan for Medicare would involve turning it into a voucher program. This claim has been widely discussed and analyzed during the 2012 presidential campaign. While there may be some nuances and variations in the specific details of the plan, the general understanding is that it would involve providing vouchers or premium support for seniors to purchase private insurance. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To review: The mayor tried to downplay the controversy by saying the ACLU called for a federal monitor of the Newark Police Department instead of requesting an investigation. Yet the first sentence of the ACLU\u2019s petition to the Department of Justice requests an investigation.","Booker now says that what he was really resistant to in September 2010 was that \"the ACLU didn\u2019t call for an investigation, they called for an immediate federal monitor,\" according to his May 10 interview with Jami Floyd on the Brian Lehrer radio show at WNYC-FM.","Booker responded: \"Well, actually, what we were specifically resistant to is the ACLU didn\u2019t call for an investigation, they called for an immediate federal monitor, which was almost to the point of being ridiculous, so we immediately reached out to the DOJ and asked them to help us to get this cloud off of our police department, but more importantly, when I started talking to Tom Perez\u2019s team we realized very quickly that the DOJ had worked with many police departments around the country helping them to improve their practices.\" Perez is the assistant attorney general for Civil Rights.","Use of a federal monitor is mentioned as an option in addition to an investigation, in the final pages of the petition:"]},{"id":"8353.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty-six states have a line-item veto for the governor.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Lincoln Chafee's claim that 46 states have a line-item veto for the governor is not entirely accurate, it is very close to the truth. According to \"The Book of the States,\" which is a reputable source, 44 states have a line-item veto for all bills or at least for bills appropriating money. The statement is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the majority of states that have implemented the line-item veto power for their governors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a mandate is \"a clear instruction, authorization or direction.\" Perry says the executive order wasn't mandatory, which, according to Webster, means \"demanded or required.\"","Perry issued an executive order requiring the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules mandating all girls entering sixth grade receive a vaccination against HPV. The order included an opt-out, allowing exemptions if parents objected for philosophical or religious reasons. (Read more on the history of the executive order.)","When Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order in 2007 requiring all Texas girls to receive a vaccine against the human papillomavirus before entering the sixth grade, lawmakers balked and blocked it.","Says Hillary Clinton \"said she was under attack (in Bosnia) but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers.\""]},{"id":"3570.json","label":"false","statement":"On the way the federal government should spend Floridas rejected high-speed rail money.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the federal government should spend Florida's rejected high-speed rail money on other projects, such as ports and highways. However, the evidence provided indicates that the federal government has stated that the money will be used for rail projects. Therefore, the statement is false as it contradicts the information provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"259.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Mike Huckabee raised taxes on dog groomers!\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly mention Mike Huckabee raising taxes on dog groomers, it does mention a letter written by a Yorkshire terrier supporting Mitt Romney that attacked Mike Huckabee over tax policy. Although the specific claim about tax increases on dog groomers is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence, it is reasonable to infer that the letter may have made such a claim. However, without more specific information or direct evidence, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3571.json","label":"false","statement":"For every one ESD superintendent position, we can pay for three speech pathologists, or three special needs instructors, or three classroom teachers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the evidence suggests that the cost of an ESD superintendent position could potentially cover the salaries of multiple speech pathologists, special needs instructors, or classroom teachers, it does not support the claim that it can cover the salaries of three individuals in each of those positions. The evidence does not provide specific figures or data to support the claim that the cost of one superintendent position is equivalent to the cost of three individuals in any of those roles. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and cannot be deemed true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Tanden: '95 percent of the income gains in the last few years have gone to the top 1 percent'&url=)","\"95 percent of the income gains in the last few years have gone to the top 1 percent, That's a fact in the country,\" Tanden said. \"I think this is going to be an issue on both the right and the left.\"","\"Hence, the top 1 percent captured 95 percent of the income gains in the first three years of the recovery,\" Saez wrote.","Sanders used a similar line about the top 1 percent taking home 99 percent of all new income during a Brookings Institution speech a couple months ago, saying, \"In fact, the latest information that we have shows that in recent years, over 99 percent of all new income generated in the economy has gone to the top 1 percent.\""]},{"id":"7589.json","label":"false","statement":"75 percent of the (air traffic control) towers the Obama Administration is closing are located in Republican Congressional Districts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were claims made by some individuals that a majority of the air traffic control towers set to close were in Republican districts, the evidence provided indicates that this claim is inaccurate. The data shows that just under 66 percent of the affected towers were in Republican districts, not 75 percent as stated. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the distribution of tower closures across political districts.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12523.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Apple products are currently 90 percent conflict-free, and Intel is 100 percent conflict-free.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Intel has stated that 100 percent of its microprocessors and chipsets are conflict-free, it does not extend to all of its products. Apple, on the other hand, has reported that 100 percent of its smelters and refiners are participating in audits, but it does not consider the verification sufficient to label its products as \"conflict-free.\" Therefore, the claim that Apple products are currently 90 percent conflict-free is not supported by the evidence. The accuracy of the statement is compromised by the incomplete information regarding the conflict-free status of both companies.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Over the past couple of days, some Hillary Clinton critics have complained over the way her campaign has described the FBI\u2019s probe into her private email server. Clinton and her campaign have called the probe a \"security inquiry\" regarding information stored on the server, as opposed to a criminal probe.","!Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally, Wednesday, May 11, 2016, in Blackwood, N.J. (AP Photo\/Mel Evans) !Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally, Wednesday, May 11, 2016, in Blackwood, N.J. (AP Photo\/Mel Evans)","The reference was to the unauthorized release of thousands of emails of John Podesta, an Illinoisan who was chairman of the campaign of the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.","Clinton\u2019s critics jumped on Comey\u2019s words as proof that the FBI is on track to prosecute Clinton for mishandling classified information. Her campaign continues to deny that the case will ever reach that point."]},{"id":"7837.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The federal government could save $500 million annually by circulating $1 coins instead of $1 bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is indeed estimated that the federal government could save approximately $500 million annually by transitioning from $1 bills to $1 coins. This estimate is based on the longer lifespan of coins compared to bills, which reduces the need for frequent replacements. However, it's important to note that the transition would involve upfront costs for minting and distributing the coins, which should be considered when evaluating the overall financial impact. Additionally, public acceptance and usage of $1 coins would also play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of this cost-saving measure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 \"If you actually took the number of Muslims sic Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.\"","\"If you actually took the number of Muslims sic Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.\"","\"If you actually took the number of Muslims Americans (sic), we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world,\" he told French television station Canal Plus.","\u2022 \"If you actually took the number of Muslims sic Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.\" We\u2019ve found three Pants on Fire statements from Obama, including two when he was running for office. This statement, which he made as president. Obama was way, way off about how many Muslims are in the United States. Even with the most generous estimate we found of 8 million, the United States still ranks 29th of 60 Muslim countries. So we rated his statement Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"12447.json","label":"half-true","statement":"During the (housing) crisis, Catherine Cortez Masto gave a sweetheart contract worth millions to a D.C. law firm that then donated thousands to her political campaigns.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions that Catherine Cortez Masto, during the housing crisis, entered into a contingency-fee contract worth millions with a D.C. law firm for outside counsel on foreclosure-related lawsuits. It is also true that she received campaign contributions from lawyers at the firm. However, the statement could be misleading as it implies a direct connection between the contract and the campaign donations, suggesting a quid pro quo. While there is a correlation, it is important to note that the scale of the donations is relatively small compared to her total campaign contributions. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand the situation, making it only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8773.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"During the lead-up to the American Revolutionary War, some guy in Boston got his head blown off because he tried to secretly raise the tax on tea.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false. There is no historical evidence or documented event of \"some guy in Boston\" getting his head blown off because he tried to secretly raise the tax on tea during the lead-up to the American Revolutionary War. This claim is a fabrication and lacks any basis in historical fact.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Commentator Arthur Cyr stated that Nikita Khrushchev brought an extra shoe to a United Nations session, which he used to bang on the desk in protest in 1960.","Cuban leader \"Fidel Castro highlighted alliance with the Soviet Union by joining Nikita Khrushchev in a raucous 1960 visit to the United Nations. The New York session was punctuated by the Soviet leader publicly pounding a shoe on a desk (while wearing two shoes),\" Cyr wrote.","!Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev pounds his fist on the desk while seated with his delegation a few days before he was reputed to have used his shoe to bang on the desk during a meeting at the United Nations. !Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev pounds his fist on the desk while seated with his delegation a few days before he was reputed to have used his shoe to bang on the desk during a meeting at the United Nations.","Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev pounds his fist on the desk while seated with his delegation a few days before he was reputed to have used his shoe to bang on the desk during a meeting at the United Nations."]},{"id":"9503.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The wages of about 60,562 state and local government employees would be affected if the minimum wage is increased to $10.10 in Georgia, for a combined cost to taxpayers of more than $164 million annually.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the study conducted by labor economist David Macpherson, which states that approximately 60,562 state and local government employees in Georgia would be affected by an increase in the minimum wage to $10.10. It also mentions the estimated cost to taxpayers, which is reported to be over $164 million annually, including benefits. However, it's important to note that the study's cost projections may not account for certain factors, such as the recent salary adjustments made for city of Atlanta employees. Additionally, there are differing opinions on the potential impact of the increased minimum wage on tax revenue and government benefits. Therefore, while the statement is based on accurate information, it lacks some contextual details that would provide a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Two years ago, the commission unnecessarily started mandating that low-flush toilets had to be installed in older homes for sales to get to the closing table,\" Boyer wrote in the Oct. 27 issue. \"Those toilets can cost homeowners up to $1,000 each.\"","A more typical low-flow toilet can range from $500 to $800, Krinsky said. This includes the cost of purchasing the toilet, picking it up from the supplier, installing it, and hauling the old one away.","A 2008 DeKalb ordinance requires that newly purchased buildings have low-flow toilets and other water-saving fixtures installed before the county turns on water service. The ordinance applies to residential and commercial properties built before Jan. 1, 1993, in the county's unincorporated areas.","Lee Krinsky, general manager of Plumb Works Inc. in Atlanta, recalled a toilet that cost $13,000, excluding the $1,000 seat. It was hand-painted with a floral design. The seat, which was inlaid with gold, was fashioned in the shape of a seashell."]},{"id":"3911.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says opponent Kathie Tovo believes that Austin invests too much in the cops, firefighters and paramedics that protect our families and neighborhoods.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Randi Shade about her opponent, Kathie Tovo, believing that Austin invests too much in public safety personnel. However, it's important to note that subsequent comments and campaign materials from Tovo indicate that she does not intend to cut police, paramedic, or firefighter jobs. While Shade's claim is based on Tovo's questionnaire response, Tovo has clarified her position and stated that she will not cut these positions. Therefore, while the initial claim made by Shade may have some basis, it does not accurately represent Tovo's current stance on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5013.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Newt Gingrich was fined $300,000 for ethics violations.","reason":"Reason: While the term \"fine\" may not have been the exact terminology used by the ethics committee, the evidence confirms that Newt Gingrich was indeed penalized with a $300,000 levy for ethics violations. The distinction in terminology does not change the fact that Gingrich faced consequences for his actions. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the substance of the penalty imposed on Gingrich.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But in 2004, key Democrats dismissed the governor's proposal. State Sen. Brian Joyce, the Democratic co-chairman of the Election Laws Committee, called it \"a clever political ploy.\" It went nowhere.","In 2004, the state's junior senator, John Kerry, was the Democratic presidential nominee. Party leaders knew that if Kerry won in November, state law allowed the governor \u2014 then Republican Mitt Romney \u2014 to appoint Kerry's successor, and that person would presumably be a Republican. So, the Democratic leadership of the legislature drew up a measure to strip the governor of his senatorial appointment power.","\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d","So let's recap. Democratic legislators in 2004 sought to take away the power of a (Republican) governor to appoint an interim senator, arguing that doing so would enable the people to take up their rightful responsibility instead. Five years later, many of those same legislators passed a law enabling a (Democratic) governor to name an interim senator \u2014 and in doing so, enacted something very similar to what they had rejected when the (Republican) governor proposed it in 2004. We rate this a Full Flop."]},{"id":"10908.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The entirety of North America -- Canada, the United States and Mexico -- theres more known reserves in those three countries than in Russia and Saudi Arabia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks proper context. While it is true that North America, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico, has significant known reserves of oil and natural gas, it is misleading to compare it directly to Russia and Saudi Arabia. Both Russia and Saudi Arabia are known for having vast reserves and are major players in the global oil and gas industry. The statement fails to provide specific data or comparative figures to support the claim that North America has more known reserves than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5114.json","label":"false","statement":"On the accuracy of state jobs numbers.","reason":"Reason: State jobs numbers are subject to revision and can fluctuate significantly from month to month. The figures released initially are preliminary estimates and are often revised in subsequent months. The margin for error in state-level numbers is larger compared to national figures. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that state jobs numbers are consistently accurate or precise. The statement implies a level of accuracy that does not align with the nature of these statistics.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The U.S. Wind Turbine Database indicates that there are 60,576 turbines operating in the U.S., including Puerto Rico and Guam. In total, wind energy supplies just under 7% of the country\u2019s electricity, according to Alvarez. He said the U.S. wind industry has 97,000 megawatts of installed capacity, which is enough to power about 30 million average American homes.","\u201cDemocrats are voting to add an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will target middle class taxpayers and conduct at least 1 million more audits each year. \u201d","Wind farms are a pillar of America\u2019s climate change strategy. They now produce over 8% of the nation\u2019s electricity, and their output is expected to nearly double over the next decade.","U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, was one of several Texas Republicans casting blame for the state's blackouts this month as millions of Texans huddled in their frigid homes."]},{"id":"2609.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Roy Barnes proclaimed Mexican workers good for Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. Roy Barnes did speak positively about the contributions of Mexican immigrants during a visit to Mexico, but it is important to note that he did not explicitly endorse illegal immigration. The statement implies that Barnes explicitly proclaimed Mexican workers as good for Georgia, which is misleading. Barnes' comments were more focused on the contributions of immigrant workers in general, without specifying their legal status. Therefore, while Barnes did express support for the contributions of Mexican workers, the statement fails to acknowledge the ambiguity and does not accurately represent Barnes' stance on illegal immigration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1265.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans anymore.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans. While it is important to note that party affiliation can fluctuate over time and may vary depending on the specific survey or study conducted, multiple polls and surveys have consistently shown a decline in the percentage of Americans identifying as Republicans. However, it is worth mentioning that the statement should be interpreted as an approximation rather than an exact figure, as the specific percentage may vary slightly depending on the source and methodology of the survey.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1146.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Its costing every American who is insured $1,100 to pick up the cost of uncompensated care that goes on at the emergency room.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the cost of uncompensated care in emergency rooms does impact the overall healthcare system, the statement that it costs every insured American $1,100 is an oversimplification. The evidence provided states that the total amount spent on emergency care in 2008 was $47.3 billion, which is less than 2 percent of the total healthcare expenditures for that year. The cost of uncompensated care is distributed across various sources, including government programs, insurance companies, and healthcare providers. Therefore, attributing a specific cost to every insured American is not accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Those are some of the attacks that Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced in the 1930s \u2014 attacks cited recently by President Barack Obama to emphasize that he's not unique.","The claim that every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt has been granted some sort of fast-track authority is a common talking point among supporters, so we decided to look into it. We found that today\u2019s fast-track has a connection to 1930s trade policy, but the particulars have evolved significantly over the past several decades.","\u2022 \"The Russian newspapers during the last election 1932 published the photograph of Franklin D. Roosevelt over the caption, 'The first communistic President of the United States,'\" said Sen. Thomas Schall, a Republican from Minnesota. \"Evidently the Russian newspapers had knowledge concerning the ultimate intent of the President, which had been carefully withheld from the voters in this country. In fact, the voters of the United States were meticulously misled as to such intentions.\" We found Schall's comments in the book, All But the People: Franklin D. Roosevelt and his Critics, 1933-1939 .","Ian Fergusson, the Congressional Research Service report author, affirmed Ryan\u2019s claim -- saying, \"Every president except Nixon\" had fast-track trade authority."]},{"id":"9813.json","label":"true","statement":"The No. 1 cause of death for African-American males15-34 is murder.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from PolitiFact and the CDC. According to the CDC, homicide is indeed the leading cause of death for African-American males aged 15-34. The data shows that 40 percent of African-American males in this age group who died in 2011 were murdered, compared to a significantly lower percentage for other racial groups. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11182.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, it is important to note that there may be limitations in comparing incarceration rates across different countries. Factors such as varying definitions of incarceration, differences in reporting methods, and varying population sizes can affect the accuracy of comparisons. However, based on the most recent studies and available data, the statement that the United States has the highest reported incarceration rate is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8536.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The national debt is on track to double during Obamas presidency.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the national debt is projected to increase during President Obama's presidency, it is important to clarify that the debt is not expected to double. The evidence suggests that the debt held by the public as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to increase, but not double. The statement, as it stands, could be misleading by implying a doubling of the national debt in raw dollar terms, which is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rubio said that the majority of Americans are conservative. Two of the three pollls show that while conservatives are a plurality, they are short of a majority. Rubio can't claim majority status because a significant share of the electorate identifies itself as moderate.","First, he said a majority of Americans are conservatives. In Gallup\u2019s poll, the number has never crossed the 50 percent threshold. Technically, he would be more accurate if he said a plurality of Americans are conservative.","Rubio said that the majority of Americans are conservative. A respected ongoing poll from Gallup shows that conservatives are the largest ideological group, but they don\u2019t cross the 50 percent threshold. So we rate his statement Mostly True.","In Gallup\u2019s poll, the number of conservatives has never crossed the 50 percent threshold. So even though conservative is the No. 1 answer, it commands only a plurality, not a majority."]},{"id":"1856.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I've traveled the country advocating for the FairTax ...\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the statement made. Without additional information or context, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the statement. However, if the evidence does not support the claim that the speaker has extensively traveled the country advocating for the FairTax, then the statement can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A headline in the liberal blog Miscellany Blue declared, \"Lawmaker seeks to defund Planned Parenthood for \u2018cutting children into small pieces.\u2019 \"","A recent headlinein a liberal blog caught our eye: \"Lawmaker seeks to defund Planned Parenthood for \u2018cutting children into small pieces.\u2019\" It appeared on the liberal Miscellany Blue website.","And what about the \"cutting children into small pieces\" quote? It comes from a Feb. 9, 2011, Concord Monitor article about a legislative hearing on the earlier version of Groen\u2019s bill.","In the article, Groen is quoted as saying: \"I'm amazed the only way we can find to deliver social services is by spending money on an organization whose specialty is cutting children into small pieces.\""]},{"id":"6085.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says under Mitt Romney, Massachusetts was 47th in job creation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to sources and statements from Democratic politicians, Massachusetts did rank 47th in job creation during Mitt Romney's tenure as governor. However, it's important to note that job creation is influenced by various factors beyond the control of a single governor, such as national economic trends and industry-specific dynamics. While Romney's policies may have had some impact on job creation during his time as governor, it is not solely attributable to his actions. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13249.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Deborah Ross supports the Iran nuclear deal and the ransom it paid for hostages.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Deborah Ross supports the Iran nuclear deal, the claim that she supports the ransom payment for hostages is not entirely accurate. Ross has expressed her support for the Iran nuclear deal, but there is no evidence to suggest that she specifically supports the ransom payment made for hostages. It is important to differentiate between the two issues and not conflate them. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Arizona congressional candidate Ray Strauss is \"a \u2018Champion of Big Government\u2019 for his votes to raise taxes while on the local city council.\"","Palin said, \"Dr. Gosar's opponent is actually classified by Americans for Prosperity for being a \u2018Champion of Big Government' for his votes to raise taxes while on the local city council.\"","\"In other words, to sell us out, raise taxes, and spend more of your hard-earned money,\" Palin said in an Aug. 11 Facebook post supporting Gosar. \"Dr. Gosar's opponent is actually classified by Americans for Prosperity for being a \u2018Champion of Big Government' for his votes to raise taxes while on the local city council.\"","According to his most recent scorecard for calendar year 2015, AFP did give Strauss a grade of \"Champion of Big Government.\""]},{"id":"13135.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The only years that anybodys ever seen of Donald Trumps tax returns showed he didnt pay any federal income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that the tax returns from the years that have been publicly released (1975-1977 and 1995) indicate that Donald Trump did not pay federal income tax, it is important to note that these are not the only years for which his tax returns are available. The statement implies that Trump never paid federal income tax based on the limited information provided, which is not accurate. The details of his tax returns for other years remain undisclosed, so it is not possible to make a definitive statement about his tax payment history.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1194.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For middle-class families under the Baucus plan, 13 percent of what they make could be deducted directly from their paychecks . . . the so-called Max Tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Keith Olbermann regarding the Baucus plan. According to the evidence provided, under the Baucus plan, middle-class families could have 13 percent of their income deducted directly from their paychecks, which is referred to as the \"Max Tax.\" However, it's important to note that this statement lacks some context. The evidence does not clarify whether this 13 percent deduction is a fixed rate for all middle-class families or if it varies based on income levels. Without this information, the statement is partially true but may not provide a complete understanding of the plan's specifics.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In mid-May, the Oregonian's Jeff Mapes reported that the duo had \"projections showing the state would save more in rainy day funds than it would lose in capital gains.\"","The plan snagged two advocates during the 2011 legislative session: Sen. Frank Morse, R-Albany, and Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, who tried to shop the legislation around. In an attempt to sweeten the pot for reluctant Republicans, they opted to tie the kicker reform to a reduction of the state's capital gains tax rate.","Will \"reform Oregon\u2019s kicker law (which refunds state surpluses in excess of 2 percent of projected revenues to taxpayers). Before money goes back to taxpayers, it should first fill a reserve fund that will protect Oregonians from service cuts or tax increases during recessions. This is the most immediate way to ensure stable funding for education and other programs in the face of cyclical tax revenues.\"","Taxpayer Association of Oregon was founded by Jason Williams and Don McIntire in 2000. Don McIntire is most commonly known as the father of Measure 5, the 1990 property tax limitation measure). Jason Williams is best known for working with Oregonians In Action."]},{"id":"6323.json","label":"true","statement":"The new 21st State Senate district was created in secret for Van Wanggaard. It was drawn within half a block of his house.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the new 21st State Senate district was indeed created with the intention of benefiting Van Wanggaard. The district was drawn in close proximity to Wanggaard's house, within half a block. This suggests that the district boundaries were manipulated to favor Wanggaard's electoral prospects. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1817.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Jeff Greene only moved from California to Florida in the last two years. In fact, he would not legally be allowed to run for any other statewide office because he has not lived here long enough to meet the residency requirement.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Jeff Greene moved from California to Florida within the last two years, which supports the claim made by Kendrick Meek. Additionally, it is true that Greene would not meet the residency requirement to run for other statewide offices in Florida due to his relatively short tenure in the state. However, it is important to note that the residency requirement for the U.S. Senate is different, and Greene would still meet the criteria to run for that specific office.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4981.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Obama has increased the federal workforce 192,000 individuals -- about 10 percent since hes taken office -- while weve lost 2 million jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that President Obama has increased the federal workforce by approximately 192,000 individuals, which corresponds to around a 10 percent increase since he took office. However, it is important to note that the statement also claims that this increase occurred while 2 million jobs were lost. While it is true that there was a net loss of 2 million jobs during Obama's presidency, it is misleading to directly attribute this loss to the increase in the federal workforce. The job losses were not solely due to the growth of the federal workforce but were influenced by various factors, including the economic recession that began before Obama took office. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to establish a direct causal relationship between the increase in the federal workforce and the job losses.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Rob Turner says Ronda Storms voted to fund the 'Taj Mahal' courthouse. !Rob Turner says Ronda Storms voted to fund the 'Taj Mahal' courthouse.","Turner says in a mailer that Storms \"voted to fund the \u2018Taj Mahal\u2019 Courthouse.\" She indeed cast a vote for a transportation bill that included funding for the courthouse, that much is true. But there is some additional information we find missing from this attack.","St. Petersburg Times , Ronda Storms says shut down Hillsborough's Public Transportation Commission( \"Ronda Storms says shut down Hillsborough's Public Transportation Commission\"), Dec. 1, 2010","St. Petersburg Times , \"Audit of 'Taj Mahal' 1st District Court of Appeal courthouse finds 17 problem areas,\" Oct. 12, 2010"]},{"id":"6753.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obamacare will provide coverage for abortions, despite the presidents commitment that it would not.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama did sign an executive order committing to no federal funding for abortion in the health care law, it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) does provide a means for coverage for abortions. However, it's important to note that the availability of abortion coverage varies by state. Some states have chosen to bar all plans participating in the state exchanges from covering abortions. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it would benefit from mentioning the state-level variations in abortion coverage under the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1859.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Handel endorsed gay adoption in 2003 when she was running for chairwoman of the Fulton County Commission.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Handel did indeed court the gay community during her campaign for chairwoman of the Fulton County Commission in 2003. However, the statement that she specifically endorsed gay adoption is not explicitly supported by the evidence provided. While it is possible that she may have expressed support for gay adoption during her interactions with the gay community, there is no direct confirmation of this endorsement. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim of endorsing gay adoption.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13131.json","label":"false","statement":"I did not support the war in Iraq The record shows that Im right.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly contradicts the claim. The record shows that Joe Biden did support the war in Iraq both before and after the United States invaded in March 2003. He not only supported the president but also justified his vote on a resolution that authorized the use of force against Iraq. On the other hand, the evidence suggests that Donald Trump's position on the war was vague and inconsistent around the time of the invasion. Therefore, the statement made by the speaker is not supported by the record.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8307.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wendy Davis is the most popular politician in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Wendy Davis is the most popular politician in Texas. While Wendy Davis has been involved in Texas politics and has advocated for women's issues, there is no conclusive evidence or data provided to support the claim of her being the most popular politician in the state. Determining the popularity of a politician is subjective and can vary depending on various factors such as public opinion polls, election results, and overall public perception. Without substantial evidence, it is not accurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Since the United States began negotiations with Iran, \"that's probably the first year and a half in which Iran has not advanced its nuclear program in the last decade.\"","\"Over the last year and a half, since we began negotiations with them, that's probably the first year and a half in which Iran has not advanced its nuclear program in the last decade,\" Obama said.","\"Over the last year and a half, since we began negotiations with them, that's probably the first year and a half in which Iran has not advanced its nuclear program in the last decade,\" Obama said on CNN in December 2014.","\"Over the last year and a half, since we began negotiations with them, that's probably the first year and a half in which Iran has not advanced its nuclear program in the last decade,\" Obama said in a December 2014 conversation with CNN\u2019s Candy Crowley."]},{"id":"11109.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Barack Obama met with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or official record of a meeting between President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The image used in the TV ad mentioned in the evidence was doctored and misleading, as confirmed by multiple sources. It is important to rely on accurate information and not be misled by manipulated images or false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Ohio\u2019s I-X Center \"used to be a great plant,\" but \"thousands of people of worked here, and they left\" when their jobs were moved overseas.","Trump said that Cleveland\u2019s I-X center was an example of a once-great plant, but \"thousands and thousands of people worked here, and they left. So many people are leaving, so many people are closing their businesses and moving to Mexico and other countries.\"","Trump continued, \"As an example, this used to be a great plant. Thousands and thousands of people worked here, and they left. So many people are leaving, so many people are closing their businesses and moving to Mexico and other countries. Not going to happen anymore, we\u2019re going to tell you why, but not going to happen anymore.\"","\"Mr. Trump used the history of the I-X center as a great manufacturing facility as an introduction to his hour long speech where he talked about issues impacting jobs in Northeast Ohio, and PolitiFact does its readers and its brand a disservice by running such misleading headlines and false ratings,\" said Seth Unger, the Trump campaign's Ohio spokesman."]},{"id":"12665.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he voted to remove Common Core from our schools.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the individual in question voted to remove the term \"Common Core\" from state records and supported the revised Florida Standards, it is important to note that the decision to revise the standards was made by the Board of Education, not the Legislature. The revised standards were largely additions to the original Common Core standards, making it difficult to definitively claim that Common Core is completely removed from schools. The individual's votes were largely procedural and came after the change had already been made. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the full context of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7376.json","label":"true","statement":"After shedding jobs for more than 10 years, our manufacturers have added about 500,000 jobs over the past three.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the trend in manufacturing job growth during the specified period. Manufacturing employment experienced a significant decline for over a decade before President Obama took office. However, from January 2010 to January 2013, manufacturing jobs did increase by approximately 490,000, which can be considered as \"about 500,000\" as stated by President Obama. It is important to note that while the job growth is notable, it still represents a fraction of the jobs lost during the previous decade. \nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Wisconsin Medical Society president says doctors could be charged if women don\u2019t return for follow-up care after drug-induced abortions&url=)","The president of the Medical Society said a new abortion law means doctors could be charged if patients don\u2019t return for a follow-up appointment after a drug-induced abortion.","There is a new criminal penalty for failing to personally supervise such abortions, but Wetterneck clearly was referring to the follow-up care section of the bill.","In an April 19 interview with the Wisconsin State Journal, the society\u2019s new physician-president, Tosha Wetterneck of Madison, spoke about the mandate that women return to the same facility for follow-up care."]},{"id":"10054.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"At least 10 ISIS fighters have been caught coming across the Mexican border in Texas and there are dozens more that did not get caught by the Border Patrol.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or confirmation from any government agency to support the claim that at least 10 ISIS fighters have been caught coming across the Mexican border in Texas. The lead Texas agency responsible for public safety has explicitly stated that there is no factual basis for such a claim. Additionally, the assertion that there are \"dozens more\" ISIS fighters who went undetected by the Border Patrol is also unfounded and lacks any factual basis. This claim has been widely debunked and is considered false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["On Nov. 19, 2012, the Texas Republican tweeted, \"Veterans' disability claims backlog had doubled during POTUS's first term. He needs to announce a plan to reduce it. ASAP.\"","Says Gary Peters \"fought against funding for the VA, veterans housing programs, military pay raises, and health care and research for veterans and their families. He also fought against funding for processing veterans\u2019 disability claims.\u201d","The term \"backlog\" is used in this context as shorthand for claims that have gone unaddressed by the government for 125 days involving military veterans\u2019 disability compensation and pensions and compensation for surviving spouses or children of veterans who die because of their military service.","There's still a ways to go in getting the VA's disability benefits claims backlog to a manageable amount. But there has been significant improvement over the course of Obama's second term, so we rate this promise a Compromise."]},{"id":"3511.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Majority Leader Eric Cantor called for abolishing Social Security and Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were calls for reforming entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare, there is no evidence to support the claim that Majority Leader Eric Cantor called for abolishing them. The sources provided do not contain any direct quotes or statements from Cantor advocating for the abolition of Social Security and Medicare. It is important to accurately represent the positions and statements of public figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"With the hurricane in Florida, the scramble to avert a government shutdown by week\u2019s end, and the midterms looming, news networks have appeared to have largely scrapped the hearings, recognizing that they\u2019ve been nothing more than frankly a waste of time,\" Turley said.","Wisconsin\u2019s 1849 abortion law is a near-complete ban of the procedure and does not allow for an exception if a person becomes pregnant as a result of rape or incest.","He told O\u2019Donnell he would sign legislation, if it was brought to his desk as governor, that would create an exception to the state\u2019s ban for people who become pregnant after being raped or as a result of incest.","It bans courts from enforcing subpoenas from other states regarding minors seeking that care. It prohibits health care providers from releasing medical information. And it clarifies that California courts have jurisdiction over any child custody cases arising from parents taking their children to the state for care."]},{"id":"8823.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The majority of teams (are) now spending their dollars on the offensive side of the football.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is evidence to support the claim that NFL teams are allocating a larger portion of their budgets towards offensive players. This is due to various factors, including rule changes that favor the offense, the importance of quarterbacks who tend to command higher salaries, and the overall emphasis on high-scoring games. While there may be exceptions, the general trend in the NFL indicates that teams are indeed prioritizing their spending on the offensive side of the football.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The governor promised people a tax cut,\" Cooper said. \"He came through for the corporations and for those at the top, but everyday working people got tax increases. In 67 different ways, Governor McCrory has raised taxes on middle income families. And literally we\u2019re talking about, literally, from birth to death.\"","We wondered if it was really true that the state\u2019s Republican leaders, who so often tout their record on tax cuts, actually raised taxes in 67 different ways.","However, nearly all of the 69 examples the campaign pointed to do directly affect middle class families. We won\u2019t list them all, but notable examples include:","Republicans gained a majority in both chambers of the General Assembly in 2011. After McCrory became governor in 2013, the state passed sweeping changes to tax law. The new GOP leaders cut personal and business income taxes and paid for it in part by expanding the sales tax base and ending some income tax deductions."]},{"id":"6703.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says five studies show his tax plan can cut rates and still bring the same revenue without raising taxes on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney claimed that five studies support his tax plan's ability to cut rates, maintain revenue, and avoid raising taxes on the middle class, the evidence suggests a different conclusion. The Tax Policy Center, one of the organizations mentioned, actually concluded that in order to achieve all of Romney's proposed goals, taxes on middle-income taxpayers would have to increase. This contradicts Romney's claim that his plan would not raise taxes on the middle class. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the full context of the Tax Policy Center's findings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"735.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Last week Senator Obama's running mate said, get this, 'Raising taxes is patriotic.' \"","reason":"Reason: While Senator Biden did mention the phrase \"It's time to be patriotic\" in the context of discussing raising taxes on those making over $250,000, it is important to note that he did not explicitly say that \"raising taxes is patriotic.\" The statement takes Biden's words out of context and distorts his intended meaning. It is a misrepresentation of his statement to claim that he directly equated raising taxes with patriotism. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Oh, right. On Nov. 3, 2009, Texas voters approved 11 proposed constitutional amendments including Propositions 1, 2 and 3. Proposition 1 related to tax increment financing by cities and counties, Proposition 2 permitted state lawmakers to tie property taxes on a residence homestead solely to the property's value as a homestead and Proposition 3 provided for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for property tax purposes, according to summaries placed online by the secretary of state's office.","An email blast advocating for a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8, 2011, Texas ballot says Proposition 2 will help \"build critical local water supply projects that create jobs and protect us from drought and wildfire.\"","Generally, the fiscal note says, the proposed amendment has no \"significant fiscal implication to the state... other than the cost of publication\" on the ballot, $105,495.","Texas Secretary of State, press release, \"Despite rumors, Nov. 2 ballot does not include statewide propositions,\" Oct. 18, 2010, and web page, \"Ballot Language and Order for the November 3rd, 2009 Constitutional Amendment Election\" and \"Results\" (accessed Oct. 20, 2010)"]},{"id":"7222.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 31 percent of Texas physicians accept all new Medicaid patients, down from 67 percent in 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a survey conducted by a medical group, which reported that the percentage of Texas physicians accepting all new Medicaid patients decreased from 67 percent in 2000 to 31 percent. However, it's important to note that these figures are based on survey responses rather than concrete data, which may introduce some degree of uncertainty. Additionally, the statement lacks context regarding the specific reasons for the decrease in acceptance rates. Overall, while the statement is mostly true based on the available information, it could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Zane Sparling, a reporter for the Portland Tribune, tweeted that \"simply clicking these buttons does not create a vote. The form must be submitted by fax or email, and the form does not work unless you have been granted absentee ballot status by an elections official.\"","We knew well before the election that Democrats were much more likely than Republicans to vote absentee. Polling showed 81% of the people planning to vote absentee in Wisconsin supported Biden.","One claim in a YouTube video states that \"4chan just changed Portland Or. Mayor Ted Wheeler\u2019s vote to Donald Trump using the voter registration exploit.\" Wheeler is a Democrat and has clashed with Trump, so the idea that he would cast a ballot for Trump seems ludicrous. A spokesperson for Wheeler said that he hadn\u2019t voted yet.","More than 24 million people voted in the election in the states that Bartiromo cites, making the 450,000 people who Powell says apparently voted for Biden and skipped the rest of the ballot less than 2%."]},{"id":"2449.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Lee Fisher Ohio has lost nearly 400,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Republicans that Ohio has lost nearly 400,000 jobs during Lee Fisher's tenure. The evidence provided confirms that Ohio did experience significant job losses during that period, with figures ranging from 386,600 to 438,900 non-farm jobs lost. However, it's important to note that attributing all of these job losses solely to Lee Fisher may oversimplify the complex factors that contribute to changes in employment rates. Other economic and contextual factors beyond Fisher's control could have influenced the job market during that time. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate in terms of job losses, it may not provide a complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10379.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The name Frank has risen in popularity by 20 percent since the debut of House of Cardson Netflix.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the name Frank saw an increase in popularity after the debut of House of Cards on Netflix, the statement exaggerates the extent of the increase. According to the provided evidence, the name Frank actually experienced a 19-percent increase in popularity, not 20 percent. Additionally, the increase in popularity is specific to users of the BabyCenter website, which may not be representative of the entire population. Therefore, while there was a notable rise in popularity, the statement slightly exaggerates the extent of the increase.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Editor's note: The ruling statement on this report has been changed to clarify that we're fact-checking the law's effects on some businesses in Oregon. The original statement was simply, \"People are having to shrink back their businesses as a result of the law.\"","\"We obviously have a lot of concerns about the health care law,\" she told a gathering of about 15 people at a La Grande coffee shop. \"People are having to shrink back their businesses as a result of the law.\"","It\u2019s true that Wehby said businesses are \"having\" to shrink their operations. There\u2019s a nuance there suggesting businesses are being compelled to make cuts. Because we can\u2019t assess motives, we chose to look more narrowly at whether businesses are or are not making cutbacks in response to the law, accepting that the overwhelming majority would be acting with their businesses\u2019 bottom line in mind.","There have been many claims about the Affordable Care Act, but this one caught our attention. Is the law causing businesses to shrink? PolitiFact Oregon checked."]},{"id":"13485.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Slavery is still allowable under Wisconsin law as long as its a punishment for a crime.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Both the Wisconsin state constitution and the United States Constitution include provisions that allow for involuntary servitude or slavery as a punishment for a crime. However, it is important to note that the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a form of punishment for individuals convicted of a crime. While the provision exists, it is limited to the context of criminal punishment and does not permit widespread or systemic slavery in Wisconsin or any other state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"11 straight years of no major hurricanes striking land\" in the United States \"bores a hole right through the whole climate change argument.\"","\"And then what happened? We had 11 years of no hurricanes -- 11 straight years of no major hurricanes striking land in the United States, which just bores a hole right through the whole climate change argument,\" Limbaugh said on his radio show Oct. 5. \"They want people to think this way: Hurricane reported. Must be climate change.\"","Limbaugh said the fact that the United States went 11 straight years without major hurricanes \"just bores a hole right through the whole climate change argument.\"","Either way, Limbaugh fails to make the case that the 11-year stretch without major hurricanes hitting the United States disproves climate change."]},{"id":"8602.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Barack Obama has the power to stop deportation for all undocumented immigrants in this country.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama does have executive powers related to immigration enforcement, it is not accurate to claim that he has the power to unilaterally stop deportation for all undocumented immigrants in the country. The statement oversimplifies the complex nature of immigration policy and enforcement, which involves legal processes, congressional involvement, and limitations on executive authority. President Obama did take executive actions to provide temporary relief for certain groups of undocumented immigrants, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, but these actions were not a complete halt to all deportations. Label: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9090.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says some Georgians can get health insurance for $105 a month.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided does not directly address the specific claim about some Georgians being able to get health insurance for $105 a month. However, it is possible that there are health insurance options available in Georgia that offer premiums around that price range. Without more specific information or evidence, it is difficult to verify the exact accuracy of the claim, but it is plausible based on the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3914.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 1,000 World War II veterans die every day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided indicates that the number of World War II veterans dying each day has varied over time. In 2002, the number was approximately 1,000 per day, but by 2008, it had decreased to around 815 per day. While the evidence supports the claim that a significant number of World War II veterans are passing away, it is important to note that the specific daily figure may fluctuate. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1116.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The John McCain Twitter account has more than 1.1 million followers. The official White House Twitter account has only about 830,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the follower counts of the John McCain Twitter account and the official White House Twitter account at the time of the given evidence. The John McCain account had over 1.1 million followers, while the official White House account had around 830,000 followers. However, it's important to note that this evidence might be outdated, as follower counts can change over time. Therefore, while the statement was true at the time, it may not reflect the current follower counts of these accounts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So the email saying that members of Congress can \"receive full pay retirement after serving one term\" is blatantly bogus. It's never full pay and the only one-term members who would be eligible for any pension would be senators.","An image shared on Facebook more than 32,000 times claims members of Congress receive full-pay retirement benefits after serving just one term.","The claim that members of Congress can collect full-pay retirement benefits after serving just one term has circulated online for nearly two decades, according to Snopes.","\u201cNo one has been able to explain to me why young men and women who serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their base pay,\u201d reads the post. \u201cWhile politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving 1 term!\u201d"]},{"id":"4916.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ohios Planned Parenthood operations received millions of taxpayer dollars via federal grants in 2010 and 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the provided evidence, Ohio's Planned Parenthood operations did receive millions of taxpayer dollars through federal grants in 2010 and 2011. The news release from Ohio Right to Life confirms this fact, and the executive director of Ohio Right to Life provided specific figures of over $1.6 million in 2010 and over $1.7 million in the following year. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not directly establish a connection between the federal funding and the specific services provided by Planned Parenthood, such as abortion. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the federal funding received by Ohio's Planned Parenthood operations, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of how those funds were utilized.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Ohio Office of Budget and Management, \"Ohio's Rainy Day Savings Account Surpasses $2 Billion with a New Record-High Balance,\" July 2015","This figure is clearer. The state\u2019s Office of Budget and Management reported in July 2015 that the state\u2019s \"rainy day fund\" had a little more than $2 billion in it, up from effectively zero when Kasich took office in 2011.","The $8 billion figure is rounded up from a $7.7 billion gap between spending and expected revenues. It was an initial estimate from January 2011, based on the assumption made several months earlier that there would be no new revenue growth. However, revenues did grow as the economy rebounded that year, reducing the gap to between $5.9 billion to $6.1 billion -- a calculation that Kasich\u2019s budget director, Tim Keen, agreed with \"conceptually\" in a 2011 interview with the newspaper, though he took issue with some of the methodological details.","It\u2019s possible to argue over whether the initial amount should be $6 billion rather than $8 billion. But Kasich didn\u2019t pull that figure out of thin air, and it certainly was high by historical standards. He also used the term \"hole,\" which is more appropriate than \"deficit\" would have been. Meanwhile, the $2 billion figure seems solid. Still, it\u2019s worth noting that Kasich spoke a little grandly when he said that \"I\" did it, since the state\u2019s fiscal improvement got a big assist from the national economic recovery."]},{"id":"916.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The stimulus bill includes \"$300,000 for a sculpture garden in Miami.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was mention of $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in the stimulus bill, there is no specific allocation of $300,000 for a sculpture garden in Miami. The claim that the stimulus bill includes funding for a sculpture garden in Miami is inaccurate and has been debunked. It's important to verify information before making such claims to ensure accuracy.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The tragedy of infants born alive following attempted abortions is real,\" said Charmaine Yoest, president and CEO of Americans United for Life, on April 9. \"It is not the hypothetical that is sometimes reported. In 2010 alone, 1,270 infants were reported to have died following attempted abortions and notably that is only one year.\"","A committee analysis says there is no federal requirement to report the number of infants born alive during an attempted abortions. So Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, included in his legislation a requirement for physicians who perform abortions in Florida to report cases of infants born alive to the state.","But the CDC, which collects data from most state health departments on the number of legal induced abortions performed each year, does not collect data on infants who die after surviving abortion attempts.","Hamrick directed us to a blog post written by the group's legal team about limited CDC data and anecdotal evidence of infants born alive, including two Florida cases of infants surviving abortion procedures (one died, one survived with catastrophic injuries) and the trial of Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell. The post does not support Yoest's specific claim about 1,270 infants who die after abortion procedures, offering instead the more nuanced breakdown for the 1,270 figure that we heard from Pigman."]},{"id":"11922.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio went on Univision, and in Spanish he promised that he would not on the first day in office rescind President Obamas illegal executive action.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ted Cruz that Marco Rubio made a promise in Spanish on Univision not to rescind President Obama's illegal executive action on his first day in office. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not confirm the veracity of Cruz's claim. Without additional evidence or direct quotes from Rubio, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of Cruz's statement. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it accurately reports Cruz's claim but lacks concrete evidence to validate or refute it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4249.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says state Rep. Sandy Pasch did nothing to stop people from scamming the Wisconsin Shares child-care subsidy program and voted against funding for fraud investigators.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rep. Sandy Pasch voted against specific funding for fraud investigations in the Wisconsin Shares child-care subsidy program, it is misleading to claim that she did nothing to stop people from scamming the program. Pasch did vote in favor of a budget that included funding for additional fraud investigators, indicating her support for addressing fraud in the program. The statement fails to provide a complete picture of Pasch's actions and implies a lack of effort on her part, which is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Just about everyone everywhere is spending more hours on the job, less time with their families, bringing home smaller and smaller paychecks, while they're paying more and more at the gas pump and the grocery stores.\"","\"Just about everyone everywhere is spending more hours on the job, less time with their families, bringing home smaller and smaller paychecks, while they're paying more and more at the gas pump and the grocery stores,\" FitzGerald told supporters.","We can't rate FitzGerald's linking of Kasich to his statement about people spending more hours on the job and bringing home smaller paychecks.","For the claim about \"more hours on the job, less time with their families,\" FitzGerald's staff cited data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics."]},{"id":"12771.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The top one-tenth of 1 percent now owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the top one-tenth of 1 percent owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. The evidence provided supports this claim by highlighting the significant disparity in wealth distribution between these two groups. However, it's important to note that the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific data and time period analyzed. Nonetheless, the overall message of a significant wealth concentration among the top percentile and a comparatively lower wealth share for the bottom 90 percent is supported.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3484.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Milwaukee County Parks director Sue Black has not received a pay raise in five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, Sue Black, the Milwaukee County Parks director, did not receive a pay raise for five years. While there was a mention of a recent low-key raise, it appears that this information was not widely known, including by Abele. Therefore, based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that Sue Black did not receive a pay raise for a significant period of time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The ad in question, featuring a voicemail for Kingston left by a President Obama impersonator, is to the point: \"Perdue said he\u2019d raise taxes. You never even voted for a tax increase.\"","\"If David Perdue wanted to equivocate on that, he had five months to do it,\" Crawford said. \"He didn\u2019t until it was politically expedient and that doesn\u2019t ring true.\"","A consent decree approved by Gov. Brian Kemp \u201cinvalidated all voter ID law\u201d and \u201callowed fraudulent ballots to be accepted\u201d in the 2020 race.","Perdue is far more clear, though, on support for extending sales taxes to goods and services bought online. Though the Fair Tax includes such a tax as part of its proposal, there is a separate bill that would levy the Internet sales tax in the exact way that Perdue said he supported."]},{"id":"4631.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Romney wrote in the first edition of his book that his health care plan should be expanded nationwide and then, You took it out of your book.","reason":"Reason: While there were changes made between the hardcover and paperback editions of Romney's book, it is an oversimplification to claim that he removed a statement advocating for his health care plan to be expanded nationwide. Romney clarified during a debate that he did not make such a statement in his book. While there may have been differences in wording or emphasis between the editions, it is inaccurate to suggest that he removed a specific line endorsing nationwide expansion. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the content of Romney's book.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Edinburg journalist and activist Miriam Martinez said on her campaign website that she\u2019s \"the first Latina to run for governor of Texas.\"","By phone, Martinez told us she had not heard of Aguado. Martinez then said that she is the first Latina to run for governor as a Republican. \"Perhaps I have to stress that,\" she said. When we looked a day later, her campaign website newly referred to her as the first Republican Latina to run for governor.","!Republican candidate Miriam Martinez referred to herself as the first Latina to run for governor when we peeked at her website Nov. 11, 2013. After we described our findings, the website was amended. !Republican candidate Miriam Martinez referred to herself as the first Latina to run for governor when we peeked at her website Nov. 11, 2013. After we described our findings, the website was amended.","Republican candidate Miriam Martinez referred to herself as the first Latina to run for governor when we peeked at her website Nov. 11, 2013. After we described our findings, the website was amended."]},{"id":"7867.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Gov. John Kasich implied that a portion of workers compensation rebates to employers should be directed back to him in the form of campaign cash.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Governor John Kasich implied that a portion of workers' compensation rebates should be directed back to him in the form of campaign cash. The statements provided merely suggest that it \"is as if\" or \"as if the Governor is implying\" such a scenario, without any concrete evidence or direct quotes from Governor Kasich himself. Without substantial evidence, it is misleading and inaccurate to assert that Governor Kasich made such an implication.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["But that\u2019s not what he said. Johnson said in his floor speech that every legislative district in the state has at least one craft brewery.","Even if we exclude the two districts with McMenamins pubs, more than 90 percent of House and Senate districts in Oregon have at least one craft brewery. If Johnson had hedged his statement a bit and said that \"nearly\" every legislative district in the state has at least one craft brewery, this would be a True.","All that craft brewery talk made PolitiFact Oregon feel rather parched. Had Johnson just mapped out a summer road trip for us to quench our thirst (for knowledge of Oregon political geography, of course)? Is there really at least one craft brewery in every legislative district in the state?","Johnson\u2019s legislative aide, Rainier Butler, said it appeared that every district contained a craft brewery except House District 17, which covers Stayton, Lebanon and Scio."]},{"id":"12029.json","label":"half-true","statement":"NASCAR endorsed Trump","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Brian France, the CEO of NASCAR, endorsed Donald Trump, it is important to note that this endorsement was a personal decision and not an official endorsement from NASCAR as an organization. In fact, a NASCAR spokesman clarified that NASCAR itself did not endorse Trump. Therefore, while there was an endorsement from a prominent figure within NASCAR, it does not represent the official endorsement of the organization as a whole.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Wisconsin\u2019s criminal threshold for drunken-driving is \"way out of line\" with \"states surrounding us,\" which \"have the second offense as a felony.\"","Darling said Wisconsin\u2019s drunken-driving penalties are \"way out of line\" with \"states surrounding us,\" which \"have the second offense as a felony.\"","\"The states surrounding us, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana, have the second offense as a felony,\" Darling said. \"That tells me that that is a reasonable public policy, that other states that are like-minded, that are Midwesterners with similar values, feel that\u2019s what is appropriate. To me that counts. We are way out of line, that you get three do-overs.\"","Among the surrounding states, only in Indiana is OWI a felony at second offense, and only if the offense is within five years of the first episode."]},{"id":"3846.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Central Falls School system spent $100,000 on a time clock.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly shows that the Central Falls School system did not spend $100,000 on a time clock. The documents presented by Tassoni, which were referred to as \"purchase orders,\" indicate different totals ranging from $5,581.68 to $55,414.68. The claim of a $100,000 expenditure on a time clock is unsupported and misleading. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11328.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The top 1\/10th of 1 percent today in America owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bernie Sanders that the top 1\/10th of 1 percent in America owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. This claim is supported by data indicating a significant wealth disparity in the United States, where a small fraction of the population holds a substantial portion of the country's wealth. However, it's important to note that the exact figures may vary depending on the specific data source and methodology used to measure wealth distribution. While the statement is generally true, it is advisable to consult multiple sources for a comprehensive understanding of wealth inequality in America.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Micciche said the poverty level in the Dallas school district \"is one of the highest in the country, higher than New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit and Newark.\"","Dan Micciche, writing in the Dallas Morning News , also spoke to poverty in Dallas: \"The poverty level in\" the Dallas school district \"is one of the highest in the country, higher than New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit and Newark.\"","In 2010-11, the report chart indicates, the Dallas district had a greater share of students eligible for free- and reduced-price meals than districts serving New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit and Newark.","Specifically, 88.2 percent of the Dallas district\u2019s students were eligible for free- or reduced-price meals, 83.5 percent for free meals. Among the cited others, the Detroit district ranked second with 84.3 percent of students eligible for free- or reduced-price meals, 82.1 percent for free meals. Micciche\u2019s other mentioned districts fell out in this order: Chicago, Newark, Houston, Los Angeles and New York, where 64 percent qualified for free- or reduced-price meals."]},{"id":"2418.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Barnes opposed the creation of the HOPE Scholarship and campaigned against Zell Miller on the issue.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Roy Barnes initially opposed the creation of the lottery, which funds the HOPE Scholarship program, and campaigned against it during his 1990 bid for governor, it is important to note that he later changed his stance. After the lottery program was approved by state legislators in 1991, Barnes supported and implemented the HOPE Scholarship during his tenure as governor. Therefore, while Barnes initially opposed the creation of the HOPE Scholarship, it is misleading to suggest that he consistently campaigned against it throughout his political career.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In the last six months of the Bush administration, we lost 3.5 million jobs,\" Biden told the crowd. \"As a matter of fact, on that magnificent day \u2026 when we were sworn in, before I lowered my hand that day after taking the oath \u2026 we\u2019d already lost over 760,000 jobs that month.\"","The data from the last six months of the Bush administration supports Biden\u2019s claim. A search of the job figures from July 2008 through January 2009 shows the country lost 3.47 million jobs during that time, falling from 137 million from July 2008 to 133.6 million in January 2009, according to the bureau\u2019s monthly count.","When Obama and Biden took office in January 2009, the country had already lost 818,000 jobs from the prior month, falling from 134.4 million in December 2008 to 133.6 million in January. But, if you pro-rate those figures to the Jan. 20 inauguration date referenced by Biden, the economy would have lost about 527,000 jobs, roughly two-thirds of the month\u2019s total. That number falls below Biden\u2019s claim of 760,000 jobs lost by the time he took office.","\"We went from losing 3 million jobs in the last six months of the Bush Administration,\" adding almost 600,000 private sector jobs in the first six months of the year."]},{"id":"11402.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Donald Trumps Make America Great Againhats were made in China.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Donald Trump's \"Make America Great Again\" hats were made in China is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that Trump's hats are made by a California company and are indeed American-made. The claim that the hats have \"Made in China\" labels is not supported by credible evidence and appears to be false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!On his Fox show March 10, host Sean Hannity said \u201cIn 2007 when Nancy Pelosi met with President Assad of Syria against the Bush administration's wishes, nobody got upset.\u201d !On his Fox show March 10, host Sean Hannity said \u201cIn 2007 when Nancy Pelosi met with President Assad of Syria against the Bush administration's wishes, nobody got upset.\u201d","On his Fox show March 10, host Sean Hannity said \u201cIn 2007 when Nancy Pelosi met with President Assad of Syria against the Bush administration's wishes, nobody got upset.\u201d","\"In 2007, when Nancy Pelosi met with President Assad of Syria against the Bush administration's wishes, nobody got upset,\" Hannity said. \"But now this is the greatest sin of all times, and they're being called traitors in the New York Daily News on their cover(!\/img\/httpImage\/image.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/article_970\/).\"","On his show March 10, 2015, Fox News host Sean Hannity said that Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., acted counter to President George W. Bush\u2019s strategy of diplomatically isolating Syria\u2019s president, Bashar al-Assad, by traveling to Syria in 2007 to open up relations. Pelosi was then the House speaker."]},{"id":"11132.json","label":"false","statement":"The law says ... when a police officer stops you, do whatever he says and then deal with it later.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it may be advisable to comply with police instructions during a stop, the law does not require individuals to unquestioningly do whatever an officer says. The Constitution protects individuals' rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to refuse consent to a search. Unless there is reasonable suspicion or probable cause, an officer must respect these rights. It is important to understand and assert one's legal rights during a police encounter.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"For the past eight years, Gov. Carcieri and Mrs. Carcieri would host the lighting of the State House Christmas tree,\" he said, referring to Chafee's predecessor, Republican Donald Carcieri.","Talk-radio host John DePetro stated, \"For the past eight years Gov. Carcieri and Mrs. Carcieri would host the lighting of the State House Christmas tree\" -- emphasizing the words \"Christmas tree\" -- to criticize Chafee's reference to \"holiday tree.\"",", \"Governor & Mrs. Carcieri to Host Annual Tree-Lighting Event,\" Dec. 1, 2003 and \"Governor to Host Tree Lighting Ceremony,\" Nov. 21, 2006, both accessed Nov. 29, 2011",", \"Governor Chafee to Host State House Holiday Tree Lighting, Announces Other State House Holiday Events,\" Nov. 28, 2011, accessed Nov. 29, 2011"]},{"id":"2289.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Jim Renacci cheated on his income taxes and is a deadbeat citizen.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the ad that Jim Renacci \"cheated on his income taxes\" and was labeled a \"deadbeat citizen.\" The ad alleges that Renacci hid over $13 million and was forced to pay $1.4 million in back taxes and penalties. Court records and legal documents confirm that Renacci had a dispute with the state over trust income from an S corporation, attempting to avoid paying taxes on the mentioned amount. However, it's important to note that the statement presents one side of the story and does not provide any context or information about the outcome of the dispute. Therefore, while the allegations are supported by evidence, the statement lacks some nuance and should be interpreted with caution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1400.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Perry was for Wall Street bailout before he was against it.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that there is some truth to the statement. While Governor Rick Perry denied supporting the 2008 legislation to rescue Wall Street, there are indications that he had initially supported it. The nickname \"Kay Bailout\" given to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison by Perry's camp implies that Perry's camp was wary of Hutchison challenging him for governor due to her support for the bailout. Additionally, an email from Perry's campaign forwarded a joint letter from the Republican Governors Association and Democratic Governors Association, which suggests some level of support for the bailout. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a clear and definitive stance from Perry on the issue, hence the label of \"half-true.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Demond Means, \"turnaround district\" superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools, speaks at a Milwaukee Press Club event. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo) !Demond Means, \"turnaround district\" superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools, speaks at a Milwaukee Press Club event. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo)","The Milwaukee education community is paying close attention to Demond Means, superintendent of the so-called \"turnaround district\" for Milwaukee Public Schools.","A group opposing the \"turnaround\" program for MPS posted a photo of Demond Means with a statement that says \"MPS needs to be gutted.\"","Under his plan, specific schools -- which have not yet been chosen -- would be transferred to the opportunity schools district, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article. Students would remain part of MPS, and teachers and staff would keep their jobs and benefits as district employees."]},{"id":"7844.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The National Rifle Association was founded by religious leaders who wanted to protect freed slaves from the Ku Klux Klan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The National Rifle Association (NRA) was not founded by religious leaders with the intention of protecting freed slaves from the Ku Klux Klan. The NRA was actually formed by Union Civil War veterans with the goal of improving soldiers' marksmanship. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that religious leaders played a role in the founding of the NRA for the purpose stated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Virginia Republican \"Scott Taylor has been convicted in at least four different courts across the country, at times failing to even appear, and having a warrant issued for his arrest.\"","A Forbes campaign brochure says, \"Scott Taylor has been convicted in at least four courts across the country, at times failing to appear and having a warrant issued for his arrest.\"","Underneath, Forbes makes four negative claims about his opponent\u2019s personal and professional behavior. The first one says \"Scott Taylor has been convicted in at least four different courts across the country, at times failing to even appear, and having a warrant issued for his arrest.\"","Taylor has been convicted in five courts. He was charged with failing to appear in court once, not multiple \"times\" as Forbes says. And there was one time, in 2004, when a bench warrant was issued for Taylor\u2019s arrest."]},{"id":"4298.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says his hometown of Paint Creek, Texas, doesnt even have a ZIP code.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Paint Creek, Texas shares a ZIP code with Haskell, the county seat, it is not entirely accurate to claim that Paint Creek doesn't have its own ZIP code. The ZIP code 79521 is assigned to both Paint Creek and Haskell. However, it is worth noting that Paint Creek does not have a unique ZIP code solely dedicated to its area. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Thorburn said \"nearly 90 percent\" of the Travis County government races this year will be settled by the March Democratic primary, thanks to the paucity of Republicans who filed to run.","The Austinite, a former director of the Republican Party of Texas whose book \"Red State: An Insider\u2019s Story of How the GOP Came to Dominate Texas Politics\" comes out this spring, wrote in a Jan. 8, 2014, opinion column for the Austin American-Statesman : \"There are 27 county government offices up for election in 2014. Of these, only three have the potential of being settled in the November election. ... Nearly 90 percent of all county races will be settled by the time of the Democratic primary\" on March 4, 2014.","Four more races will be settled in the Democratic primary in March (unless a Green, independent or Libertarian files) because they feature two Democrats facing off: county treasurer; county commissioner Precinct 4; county court at law judge No. 3; and justice of the peace Precinct 5.","After we inquired, Thorburn said he had miscounted the number of races, and now tallied 19. \"The percentages are still valid if 84.2 percent is acceptable as \"nearly 90 percent,\u2019 \" he said."]},{"id":"13166.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Great Recession emerged in large part because of tax policies that slashed taxes on the wealthy, failed to invest in the middle class, took their eyes off of Wall Street, and created a perfect storm.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that tax policies played a role in the Great Recession, attributing the recession \"in large part\" to tax policies alone is an oversimplification. The causes of the recession were multifaceted and involved a combination of factors, including the housing market collapse, financial deregulation, risky lending practices, and inadequate oversight of Wall Street. While tax policies may have contributed to income inequality and economic imbalances, it is inaccurate to solely blame tax policies for the emergence of the Great Recession. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent the complex causes of the recession.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12057.json","label":"true","statement":"More than once, Ive actually had a conversation with the protesters on substance.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the speaker has engaged in conversations with protesters on substantive matters on multiple occasions. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support or refute this claim. Therefore, the accuracy of the statement cannot be definitively determined based on the given evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Staples said savings he achieved helped fund cameras on the border and that as a result, more than 21,500 arrests were made and 46 tons of narcotics were confiscated.","Staples, Texas\u2019 agriculture commissioner, wrote in a Jan. 13, 2014, campaign email blast, \"Using cost savings that I achieved from cutting government waste, I helped fund Operation Drawbridge, a low-cost, high-tech, DPS-led operation that placed game cameras along the border to detect illegal trafficking.","So it would appear that at least 18,950 people and 40 tons of narcotics were captured from Oct. 11, 2012, through Dec. 31, 2013.","From January 2012 through December 2013, according to Vinger and the DPS website, Drawbridge \"resulted in the apprehension of more than 22,950 individuals and more than 50 tons of narcotics.\""]},{"id":"5649.json","label":"false","statement":"And the #jerseycomeback keeps rolling! Thanks to @GovChristie NJ now has lowest corruption risk of any state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the New Jersey Republican Party claimed that thanks to Governor Chris Christie, New Jersey had the lowest corruption risk of any state, this claim is not supported by the State Integrity Investigation. The investigation analyzed various corruption risk indicators across different categories, and it did not conclude that New Jersey had the lowest corruption risk. In fact, New Jersey ranked 19th out of the 50 states in the investigation's overall assessment. Therefore, the claim made in the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The American people will be appalled to learn the health care bill exempts leadership and committee staff,\" Coburn told a group of reporters on March 23, 2010. \"This special deal for unelected staff underscores everything the public detests about the arrogance of power in Washington.\"","Coburn's quote may make it sound like lawmakers and congressional staff are exempt from broader health care reform, but they are not. Instead, he's talking about a specific provision in the bill that would require lawmakers and their staff to buy health insurance through an exchange, a virtual marketplace where consumers can pick and choose among plans based on coverage and price. To our knowledge, members of Congress and their aides are the only people who are being forced to give up their employer's health care plan -- in this case, one administered by the federal government.","So, that brings us back to Coburn's claim that committee and leadership staff are excluded from new rules in the health care bill. He is correct that the bill does not clearly include committee and leadership staff, and a CRS report unequivocally backs this concern.","Since President Barack Obama signed the health care bill into law, we've seen many criticisms that some congressional staffers are exempt from buying health coverage through an insurance exchange."]},{"id":"4595.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says any attempt to try to compare the Massachusetts health care law with the federal health care law is completely, intellectually dishonest. Governor Romney did not raise one tax in doing what he did.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Romney did not raise taxes directly to implement the Massachusetts health care law, it is important to note that the law did include certain revenue-raising measures, such as fees and assessments. These revenue sources were used to fund the program. Therefore, the statement that Governor Romney \"did not raise one tax\" is an oversimplification and does not provide the full context of the funding mechanisms used for the Massachusetts health care law. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3137.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas ranks 44th nationally in education funding per pupil.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wendy Davis and supported by PolitiFact Texas that Texas ranks 49th in per-pupil education spending. However, it's important to note that there may be some variation in rankings depending on the specific data source and methodology used. While the evidence provided does not explicitly state that Texas ranks 44th, it does support the broader claim that Texas is near the bottom in education funding per pupil. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We\u2019ll be looking at a few claims from this exchange. In this item, we\u2019ll focus on whether it\u2019s accurate to say that \"the IRS will have the ability potentially\" to deny or delay health care.","\u2022 Bachmann said the IRS \"will have the ability potentially\" to deny or delay health care. Experts told us that was extremely far-fetched. But there is a chance that IRS could inadvertently end up delaying some of the millions of uninsured Americans seeking subsidies from purchasing insurance on the exchanges. We rated Bachmann\u2019s claim Mostly False.","Bachmann said \"the IRS will have the ability potentially\" to deny or delay health care. She makes it sound like the IRS would purposefully deny or delay people from getting health coverage, perhaps based on an applicant\u2019s political beliefs. Experts told us that was extremely far-fetched. But if complicated logistical challenges are not met, there is a chance that IRS could inadvertently end up delaying some of the millions of uninsured Americans seeking subsidies from purchasing insurance on the exchanges. We rate Bachmann\u2019s claim Mostly False.","She said, \"So now we find out these people are making decisions based on our politics and beliefs, and they're going to be in charge of our health care. There's a huge national database that's being created right now. Your health care, my health care, all the Fox viewers\u2019 health care, their personal, intimate, most close to the vest secrets will be in that database, and the IRS is in charge of that database? So the IRS will have the ability potentially -- will they? -- to deny health care, to deny access, to delay health care? This is serious! Based upon our political beliefs? That's why we have to repeal Obamacare. And I still think it's possible.\""]},{"id":"12041.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When Honduran children came into this country, Secretary Clinton said send them back.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the context of the discussion between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton regarding the arrival of Honduran children in the United States. Sanders claimed that Clinton said \"send them back,\" referring to the children. While it is true that Clinton expressed the need to send back children who could be safely returned to their home countries, she also acknowledged that not all children could be returned. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be noted that Clinton's position included considerations for the safety and well-being of the children involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wisconsin law governing telecommunications hasn\u2019t been changed since the days of beepers and fax machines. As one industry executive put it, the industry is regulated by rotary-phone laws in a smart-phone era.","In any case, the study did not look specifically at the situation in Wisconsin, including the current economic climate, and was done by a group that has ties to the industry, which is seeking deregulation.","First, let\u2019s be clear: The jobs claim doesn\u2019t relate directly to telephone service or the people who work for the phone company. One expert, Barry Orton, a University of Wisconsin-Madison telecommunications professor, believes deregulation could result in job cuts because the phone companies would need fewer workers to handle landlines.","In arguing for deregulation, Zipperer -- and others -- cited that number. It was generated based on the experience in another state more than five years ago. The methodology there has been recycled in a series of different reports, papers and press releases seeking to build urgency over telecom deregulation. What\u2019s more, the study that\u2019s been tied to the telecom industry, which is seeking the deregulation."]},{"id":"10997.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush said low-income women should get their life together and find a husband.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Jeb Bush's comments regarding low-income women. In a 2003 Washington Post profile, Jeb Bush stated that if mentally and physically capable, individuals should be able to find work within a two-year period, and low-income women should be able to \"get their life together and find a husband.\" While the context of his statement includes finding a job and exploring alternative options, the specific mention of finding a husband in relation to low-income women can be seen as problematic and potentially perpetuating gender stereotypes. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The size of current immigration flows are too large to perform adequate screening,\" Trump said. \"We admit about 100,000 permanent immigrants from the Middle East every year.\"","Trump's comment about the adequacy of the vetting system is an opinion. But we wanted to look at his concerns and separately fact-check whether the country is taking 100,000 \"permanent immigrants\" a year from the Middle East.","In this fact-check, we\u2019ll look at Trump\u2019s assertion that \"we admit more than 100,000 lifetime migrants from the Middle East each year.\" (We\u2019ll leave it to readers to decide whether that\u2019s too many, too little, or just right.)","\"We admit more than 100,000 lifetime migrants from the Middle East each year,\" Trump said in the June 12, 2016, statement. \"Since 9\/11, hundreds of migrants and their children have been implicated in terrorism in the United States. Hillary Clinton wants to dramatically increase admissions from the Middle East, bringing in many hundreds of thousands during a first term \u2013 and we will have no way to screen them, pay for them, or prevent the second generation from radicalizing.\""]},{"id":"5327.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obama told people to skip coming here (Las Vegas) for conventions and meetings.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama told people to skip coming to Las Vegas for conventions and meetings is an exaggeration and lacks proper context. While it is true that President Obama made a comment about being cautious with spending during tough economic times, he did not specifically tell people to avoid Las Vegas for conventions and meetings. The claim misrepresents the president's statement and implies a direct directive that was not made. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Mothers' work opportunities, health, and bonds with their children and partners are affected by the lack of paid family leave -- a program that is standard in all but five nations around the world,\" read a section of the flier distributed to lawmakers.","Boysko\u2019s statement is different. She does not say \"guarantee.\" She says the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not \"have a paid family medical leave program in place.\" All other industrialized nations do have family leave programs in place, although some of those plans do not \"guarantee\" all workers are covered.","\u201cThe United States is the only industrialized, modernized country that does not already have a paid family medical leave program in place.\u201d","Now, what about those other countries? The Central Intelligence Agency world fact book indicates there are about 267 \"world entities,\" and of those, 193 are United Nations member states. The World Policy Analysis Center, housed in UCLA\u2019s Fielding School of Public Health, confirmed policies for 188 of those countries."]},{"id":"2461.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says John Boehner admits we are not going to be any different than weve been by returning to the same failed economic policies that wrecked our economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents John Boehner's views on economic policies. While Boehner has expressed concerns about the state of the economy and the impact of certain policies like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), he has not explicitly stated that returning to previous economic policies would be a failure or a repetition of past mistakes. In fact, Boehner has expressed support for Donald Trump's policies and praised his Supreme Court nominations. Therefore, the statement inaccurately attributes a negative view to Boehner regarding economic policies.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["( - Miller says nearly 14,000 Wisconsinites have lost their job since Governor Walker and the Republicans took over in January&url=)","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Miller says nearly 14,000 Wisconsinites have lost their job since Governor Walker and the Republicans took over in January,\"Oct. 19, 2011","State Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller (D-Monona) joined the criticism, issuing a Sept. 28, 2011 news release that said: \"Nearly 14,000 Wisconsinites have lost their job since Governor Walker and the Republicans took over in January. In that time we\u2019ve seen precious little action from Republicans to put people back to work.\"","\"Sen. Miller is right that the number of unemployed people in Wisconsin has increased by about 14,000 people since Governor Walker took office,\" he said. \"What we can't say for sure is what portion of those roughly 14,000 people became unemployed because they lost their jobs.\""]},{"id":"10551.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Debbie Wasserman Schultz voted repeatedly to send terminally ill patients to prison.","reason":"Reason: While there have been cases where individuals involved in the medical marijuana industry, including caregivers, have faced legal consequences, it is an exaggeration to claim that Debbie Wasserman Schultz specifically voted repeatedly to send terminally ill patients to prison. The issue of prosecuting individuals involved in the medical marijuana industry is complex and varies across different jurisdictions. It is important to note that federal enforcement has primarily targeted major suppliers and distributors rather than individual patients. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Wasserman Schultz's voting record and oversimplifies the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Rick Santorum says you can\u2019t \u201cname one time in the last 20 years that the French stood by us with anything\u201d","( - Rick Santorum says you can\u2019t \u201cname one time in the last 20 years that the French stood by us with anything\u201d&url=)","We\u2019ll overlook the fact that Santorum misstated Sarkozy\u2019s title -- he\u2019s France\u2019s president. What we were wondering about is whether Santorum is right that it\u2019s impossible to \"name one time in the last 20 years that the French stood by us with anything.\" We\u2019ll focus on his underlying point, that France has consistently gone its own way on foreign policy rather than standing by the United States.","From there, Trump launched into his usual critique of United States free trade policy over the last 20 years, laying out what he\u2019s going to do to address trade imbalances with Mexico and China, in particular."]},{"id":"12090.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The right-wing extremists are trying to take this seat so they can push their anti-choice and anti-equality agenda through our State House.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that right-wing extremists are attempting to take a seat in order to push an anti-choice and anti-equality agenda through the State House. There is no evidence provided to support this claim, and it appears to be a politically motivated exaggeration. It is important to refrain from making unfounded and inflammatory statements that demonize a particular political group without credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5717.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sen. Sherrod Browns vote helped pass Barack Obamas job-killing health care law, which slapped small businesses throughout Ohio with a $500 billion tax increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Sen. Sherrod Brown's vote helped pass a health care law that imposed a $500 billion tax increase on small businesses in Ohio. This is not accurate. The Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, did include some tax provisions, but they were primarily targeted at high-income individuals and certain industries, not small businesses as a whole. The claim made in the statement is misleading and exaggerated, earning it a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In pushing for cuts to federal government spending, LeMieux singled out the U.S. Department of Agriculture, noting that the agency has more than 100,000 employees and 1 employee for every 30 farmers in America. The USDA currently employees about 105,000 people but that actually translates to 1 employee for every 11 or so farmers based on one calculation, not 1 in 30. That's strike one (though we should note that the correct ratio better makes LeMieux's point).","But if you count just the Farm Service Agency, the main agency that works with farmers, the ratio becomes 1 Farm Service Agency employee for every 235 farmers under the BLS numbers or 1 employee for every 510 farmers under using the Department of Commerce figure LeMieux cited or 1 employee for every 373 farmers using the other Commerce figure Crutchfield provided.","Using 105,000 total USDA employees and the BLS figure of 1.2 million farmers and farm workers -- you get a ratio of 1 employee for every 11.4 farmers.","If you use LeMieux's 2.6 million figure and count all USDA employees, the ratio is about 1 employee for every 25 farmers."]},{"id":"5478.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obamas budget would call for about $25 trillion in debt by the end of his term, if he was re-elected.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely true. While it is true that the national debt increased during President Obama's first term, attributing the entire increase solely to his policies is inaccurate. The national debt is influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, spending decisions made by previous administrations, and other external factors. Additionally, the statement regarding President Obama's budget projecting $25 trillion in debt by the end of his term is not supported by the evidence provided. It is important to consider the complexity of economic factors and the role of multiple administrations in determining the national debt.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Loretta Lynch, the new nominee for attorney general, \"was a member of Bill Clinton's defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe.\"","An article on Breitbart that has since been deleted said Loretta Lynch, Obama\u2019s new nominee for attorney general, \"was a member of Bill Clinton's defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe.\"","It shows pictures of Lynch and former President Bill Clinton, who had a controversial meeting with Lynch as his wife was under investigation by the FBI, with the words, \"Fun fact of the day. Lynch was a member of Bill Clinton's defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe.\"","\"Obama\u2019s new attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch represented Clintons during Whitewater,\" read a headline from Breitbart\u2019s Warner Todd Houston. Houston wrote:"]},{"id":"9201.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We know that Sunday mornings have usually been given over to conservative white men.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that conservative voices have had a significant presence on Sunday morning talk shows, the statement that Sunday mornings have \"usually been given over\" exclusively to conservative white men is an exaggeration. While conservative viewpoints have been more prominent, it is not accurate to suggest that these shows have been completely dominated by conservative white men. There have been instances where individuals from diverse backgrounds and ideological perspectives have been featured on these programs. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the diversity of guests and viewpoints on Sunday morning talk shows.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["> I am at a Trump rally in Manhattan, and thousands are chanting \"We hate Muslims, we hate blacks, we want our great country back\". Disgusting","Fake news: Thousands of people at a Donald Trump rally in Manhattan chanted, \"We hate Muslims, we hate blacks, we want our great country back.\"","A viral tweet said, \"thousands\" of people at a Manhattan rally for Trump chanted, \"We hate Muslims, we hate blacks, we want our great country back.\"","A viral tweet allegedly sent from the ground of an election night rally for President-elect Donald Trump said that \"thousands\" of his supporters were chanting a racist message. The claim was fake."]},{"id":"2176.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republican candidate for governor Karen Handel has run a 100 percent negative campaign.","reason":"Reason: While the statement claims that Karen Handel has run a \"100 percent negative campaign,\" the evidence suggests that this is an overstatement. While some of Handel's campaign materials and mailers have included negative elements, there are also positive elements present. Additionally, her campaign website contains both positive elements and attacks. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that Handel's campaign has included a significant amount of negative messaging, but it is not entirely negative. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Later in the ad, Obama says, \"I passed laws moving people from welfare to work, cut taxes for working families and extended health care for wounded troops who'd been neglected.\"","This isn't the first time Obama has referred to Illinois laws as if he passed them singlehandedly . Nevertheless, the legislation's primary role was welfare reform, and the legislative record shows that Obama had a leadership role in getting it passed. For these reasons, we find Obama's claim Mostly True.","The claim that Obama moved people from welfare to work goes back to his days as a state senator in the Illinois legislature. President Bill Clinton and Congress significantly overhauled welfare in 1996, requiring recipients to work and setting time limits on benefits. The states in turn had to change their laws to meet the new federal requirements.","At the G20, Obama changed his language from \"created more jobs\" to \"we\u2019ve put more people back to work.\" This makes it sound as if the specific people put out of work by the recession (or at least, the general types of people who lost their jobs in the recession) are now working again."]},{"id":"3332.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the state share of Texas public education spending increased 82 percent over the past decade, reaching $20 billion in 2009.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Rick Perry's claim that the state's share of public education spending increased by 82 percent over the past decade, reaching $20 billion in 2009. However, it's important to note that this statistic only represents the state's share of education spending and does not provide a comprehensive picture of the total education funding or the impact on educational outcomes. Other evidence suggests that overall education expenditures in Texas have increased by a higher percentage over the past 20 years, indicating a more significant growth in funding. Therefore, while the statement is true regarding the specific claim made by Governor Perry, it does not capture the full context of education spending in Texas.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1531.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"I'm glad for the wording of it (an ethics report on corporate-sponsored Congressional trips) because clearly the wording exonerates me.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the ethics report did not exonerate Rep. Charles Rangel of wrongdoing regarding the corporate-sponsored Caribbean trips. While it is true that five other members of the Congressional Black Caucus were exonerated because they were provided false information and relied upon it, the report did not clear Rangel of responsibility. In fact, Rangel was admonished by the House Ethics Committee for accepting the impermissible gifts and was found to have denied seeing correspondences regarding the corporate sponsors. Therefore, his claim of exoneration is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9079.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Stefani Carter repeatedly used her campaign contributors donations to rent margarita machines for our state house office.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Stefani Carter reported spending campaign money twice in four years to rent margarita machines for office staff parties, the use of the word \"repeatedly\" in the statement may give the impression that this was a frequent or ongoing occurrence. However, the evidence suggests that it happened on two occasions within a four-year period. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that the rentals were not a regular or continuous practice.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["He told them California has \"robust job growth that outpaces the rest of the nation , all while reducing carbon emissions and cleaning up the air we breathe,\" according to a November press release from the senator\u2019s office.","State Senator Kevin de Le\u00f3n said earlier this month that California has \"robust job growth that outpaces the rest of the nation, all while reducing carbon emissions and cleaning up the air we breathe.\"","California has had a history of outpacing large states like Texas in job growth in the past, but what about the rest of the country? In November 2015, State Senate Leader Kevin de Le\u00f3n stated that California had \"robust job growth that outpaces the rest of the nation.\" Economists told us that as of 2014, California\u2019s job growth rate had exceeded the nation\u2019s overall average. We found, however, that California was far from the only state that had added jobs at a faster pace than the national average. Fourteen others accomplished the same feat. With this needed clarification, we rated the claim Mostly True.","But, we wondered, is the state seeing job growth that truly \"outpaces the rest of the nation,\" as the senator claimed? Or did his statement exaggerate the state\u2019s good job news?"]},{"id":"739.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I introduced a bill that wouldve helped stop the multimillion-dollar bonus packages that CEOs grab on their way out.. (McCain) opposed that idea.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the speaker introduced a bill aimed at curbing multimillion-dollar bonus packages for CEOs, the statement implies that McCain specifically opposed that idea. However, the evidence provided does not explicitly mention McCain's stance on the bill. Without further information, it is not accurate to definitively state that McCain opposed the idea. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence and should be labeled as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3343.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There are nearly 500,000 registered sex offenders across the country and at any one time about 100,000 are unaccounted for.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While the General Assembly news release attributes the statement to Palumbo, the evidence suggests that the figures provided are inaccurate. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) disputes the claim, stating that the total number of sex offenders in the United States is significantly lower than the cited figure of 500,000. Additionally, the evidence indicates that the number of unaccounted-for sex offenders is also much lower than the stated 100,000. The actual numbers provided by the evidence suggest that the figures provided in the statement are overestimated.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11320.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The government made accommodation to the Fort Hood shooter to let him grow a beard for religious reasons.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a legal battle regarding Major Nidal Malik Hasan's beard, the claim that the government made an accommodation for him to grow a beard for religious reasons is not entirely accurate. Ultimately, Hasan's jailers forcibly shaved him, indicating that the accommodation was not granted. However, there was a period during which he was allowed to keep his beard, but this was due to a combination of factors, including Hasan's refusal to comply with grooming standards and ongoing legal proceedings, rather than a specific accommodation for religious reasons. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5696.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says under the Affordable Care Act, New Jerseys new (Medicaid) enrollees wont qualify for the matching federal funds simply because we added them onto the rolls before 2014.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that under the Affordable Care Act, New Jersey's new Medicaid enrollees added before 2014 may not qualify for the full matching federal funds, it is incorrect to claim that they won't qualify for any matching federal funds. The evidence indicates that the state is still receiving federal matching funds for these enrollees, albeit at a lower rate compared to the expanded Medicaid eligibility that took effect in January 2014. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Perhaps it was only a matter of time before New Mexico joined the list of states embroiled in heated debates over immigration policy. In her latest ad, Republican gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez says that while she gave illegal criminals prison time, the Richardson-Denish administration gave out 50,000 licenses to illegal immigrants.","So let's go back over what we've found. Martinez says that Diane Denish \"gave\" 50,000 licenses to illegal immigrants. First, the MVD doesn't just hand out drivers licenses: It takes steps to verify an individual's identity, and the rules are getting tougher. Second, while it's reasonable to believe that some of the immigrants who received licenses under the policy are in the country illegally, the numbers don't support the claim. The state doesn't keep track of how many licenses are issued to illegal immigrants, so all we can be sure of is that since 2003, 80,000 foreign nationals have received drivers licenses. Third, while Denish supported the measure when it was enacted, the ad conveniently ignores Denish's public statements that she no longer supports the policy. Finally, the ad equates being a non-citizen with being an illegal immigrant. For us, it adds up to Barely True.","Second, Martinez claims that Denish \"gave\" driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, but that is an over-simplification. Before Gov. Richardson signed the legislation, it had to receive stamp of approval from the New Mexico legislature. Moreover, the MVD does not automatically hand out drivers licenses. While it does not check the individual's immigration status, the MVD works with the Mexican and other governments to verify an applicant's identity. And as of July 2010, individuals without a Social Security number must schedule an appointment at the MVD in advance. The measure is aimed at making it easier for MVD clerks to review application documents in more detail, said MVD Director Michael Sandoval.","New Mexico is one of only three states in which illegal immigrants may apply for and receive drivers licenses --Utah and Washington are the other two. But we wanted to see whether Martinez's ad tells the full story."]},{"id":"6921.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Obama administration watered down sanctions against Iran, delayed them and tried to stop Congress from putting the tough sanctions in place.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Obama administration sought to negotiate with Russia and China to gain their support for sanctions against Iran, the claim that they \"watered down\" and \"delayed\" sanctions, as well as actively tried to stop Congress from implementing tough sanctions, is an oversimplification. The administration did engage in diplomatic efforts to build an international coalition and secure support for sanctions, but it also worked with Congress to impose significant sanctions on Iran. The statement fails to acknowledge the complexities and negotiations involved in the process. Therefore, it is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8596.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"These 60 acres (the Atlanta Braves want to build a stadium on) have produced zero SPLOST money for parks and recreation, have produced zero money for education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by John Loud that the 60 acres the Atlanta Braves want to build a stadium on have not generated any SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) money for parks and recreation, and have not directly produced money for education. While the land does generate property taxes that contribute to the county's school system, Loud clarified that he was specifically referring to sales tax revenue in his statement. Therefore, in the context of sales tax revenue and direct funding for education, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9421.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ken Block supports Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Ken Block no longer supports Obamacare. He has made it clear that he no longer supports the law and has not called for its repeal. Therefore, the statement that Ken Block supports Obamacare is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Ross said Burr \"was one of only three senators who voted against a ban on insider trading for members of Congress. And he called that vote brave.\"","\"It is a fact that Sen. Burr was one of only three senators who voted against a ban on insider trading for members of Congress,\" Ross said in their recent debate. \"And he called that vote brave.\"","She\u2019s right about Burr\u2019s vote and the fact that Burr called it brave. What\u2019s less clear is whether the STOCK Act simply clarified the law regarding insider trading in Congress, or made actual changes. Regardless, the law did make other changes that Burr ignores when he says his opposition was because the bill was totally duplicative.","Says in Washington, D.C., Sen. Richard Burr \"took millions from special interests, went there and cashed in, voted to cut (his) own taxes and raise taxes on working folks.\""]},{"id":"13299.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wants to have open borders.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Hillary Clinton of wanting open borders, this claim is an exaggeration. Hillary Clinton has expressed support for border security and has not advocated for completely open borders. However, she has proposed more lenient immigration policies, such as providing a path to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants. It is important to note that there is a distinction between advocating for more inclusive immigration policies and advocating for completely open borders. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2101.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"GOP candidate for governor Nathan Deal is a former Clinton Democrat.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Nathan Deal was once a Democrat and served in the Clinton administration, labeling him as a \"former Clinton Democrat\" oversimplifies his political evolution. Deal's voting record and party switch indicate that he aligned more with Republican policies, particularly during his time in the GOP. While he may have had Democratic affiliations in the past, it is not accurate to solely categorize him as a \"former Clinton Democrat\" without considering his subsequent political trajectory.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Rhode Island is the only state where officers at state-supported institutions carry out their duties unarmed,\" said a General Assembly news release issued on the Coventry Republican\u2019s behalf, announcing the introduction of his bill on Dec. 9.","The survey supported Shibley\u2019s premise -- that the majority of colleges that use police officers allow them to carry arms -- but it\u2019s outdated and does not break out its results on a state-by-state basis.","State Sen. Glenford Shibley says that Rhode Island is the only state that does not arm campus police at public colleges","In January, state Sen. Glenford J. Shibley introduced legislation that would allow officers who patrol the campuses of the state\u2019s three public institutions -- the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the Community College of Rhode Island -- to carry guns as long as they go through the requisite training."]},{"id":"698.json","label":"false","statement":"\"My opponent promises to bring back old jobs by wishing away the global economy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely suggests that the opponent is proposing to bring back old jobs by simply wishing away the global economy. This is a misrepresentation of the opponent's position and oversimplifies the complexities of the global economy. It is unlikely that any serious candidate would propose such a simplistic and unrealistic solution to job creation. Label: false","evidence":["We separately checked Beckel\u2019s claim about deductions, but in this check, we\u2019ll see whether Bolling is correct that the United States\u2019 corporate tax rate ranks as the highest in \"the free world.\"","Bolling said the United States has \"the highest corporate tax rate in the free world.\" He was referring to the statutory rate, meaning the rate before deductions. On that score, he\u2019s right: The United States does have the highest statutory rate among developed countries. However, the United States\u2019 corporate tax rate doesn\u2019t appear to be the highest once deductions and other exclusions are taken into account. So Bolling is correct by one valid definition. Because his statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information, we rate his claim Mostly True.","PolitiFact New Jersey, U.S. Senate hopeful Joe Kyrillos claims United States has the \"highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" Aug. 27, 2012","The statutory rate for businesses is the highest among industrialized nations. But for the rate businesses actually pay -- what\u2019s called the effective tax rate -- the United States ranks among the highest, but not at the very top, according to studies."]},{"id":"12318.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Kelly Ayotte has voted four times against the federal Paycheck Fairness Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by multiple sources, including the New Hampshire Democratic Party and Governor Maggie Hassan, that Kelly Ayotte has voted against the federal Paycheck Fairness Act multiple times. The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to address gender-based wage disparities and strengthen protections against sex discrimination in the payment of wages. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the context and specific votes, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of Ayotte's position on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"243.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"One out of every four homeless people on our streets is a veteran.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific region or timeframe, it is widely acknowledged that a significant proportion of homeless individuals in the United States are veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), veterans make up approximately 8% of the general population but account for around 23% of the homeless population. While this falls slightly short of the \"one out of every four\" claim, it still supports the overall assertion that a substantial number of homeless individuals are veterans.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10575.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Education funding of $7,176 per student is a historic level.","reason":"Reason: The statement that education funding of $7,176 per student is a historic level is partially true. While it is accurate that Governor Rick Scott proposed increasing K-12 per pupil spending to that amount, it is important to note that the term \"historic level\" is subjective and can vary depending on the context. Without further information or comparison to previous funding levels, it is difficult to definitively classify it as historic. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it accurately reflects the proposed funding amount but lacks the necessary context to determine its historical significance.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12276.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says its absurd to say theres enough data to establish a link between playing football and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. There is significant scientific evidence and research indicating a link between playing football and the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease. Multiple studies, including those conducted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, have provided evidence supporting this link. While the science is still evolving, it is misleading and incorrect to claim that there is no data or that it is absurd to suggest a connection between football and CTE.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11183.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Jill McCabe supports late term abortions. Larger baby parts are more profitable.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Jill McCabe supports late-term abortions and suggests that she supports the sale of fetal tissue for profit. However, the evidence provided clearly refutes this claim. McCabe's position, as stated by her spokesperson, is that she does not support late-term abortions but acknowledges that there may be circumstances where a full-term pregnancy is not in the best health interest of the mother or child. Furthermore, there is no evidence to support the assertion that McCabe supports the sale of fetal tissue for profit. The statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The scrolling text continues over spooky music: \"In 1985, Rob Portman joined a D.C. lobbying firm and became a \u2018registered foreign agent\u2019 for the government of Haiti.\"","One of the firm\u2019s clients was the Republic of Haiti, which was under the power of dictator \"Baby Doc\" until 1986. Portman was with the firm from October 1984 to October 1986. He did register as a foreign agent for the Republic of Haiti in 1985, and four other foreign-based clients.","Finally, the scrolling words conclude, \"In 1985 Portman\u2019s lobbying firm revealed traveling to Haiti to meet with Baby Doc. Who would sign up to speak for a dictator? Rob Portman, decades of fighting for the rich and the powerful.\"","The ad is careful in its wording. Its claim is that \"Portman\u2019s firm revealed traveling to Haiti to meet with Baby Doc.\" That, records show, really happened."]},{"id":"3312.json","label":"false","statement":"The things I said (during the prank call by a blogger posing as GOP contributor David Koch) are the things Ive said publicly all along about the Wisconsin budget debate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Governor Scott Walker did not make the claim that the things he said during the prank call were the same as what he had publicly stated about the Wisconsin budget debate. In fact, the evidence provided suggests the opposite. The sources indicate that Governor Walker acknowledged the prank call but did not affirm that his statements during the call aligned with his public stance on the budget debate. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Americans for Prosperity Florida said recent solar energy policies in Georgia \"have resulted in rate hikes and did not result in solar becoming any more economically viable.\"","AFP Florida followed up the conference with a release that read, \"In Georgia, similar net metering policies have resulted in rate hikes and did not result in solar becoming any more economically viable.\"","Is it true that energy regulations in Georgia -- often cited as a leader in implementing new solar policies -- have made electric rates go up? Time to rate the rates.","The Public Service Commission oversees Georgia\u2019s energy industry, among others. In recent years, the voices of those who believe solar energy should be more aggressively explored has grown and become more vocal in Georgia."]},{"id":"6908.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Joe Biden went to China and said that he sympathized and wouldnt second-guess their one-child policy of forced abortions and sterilizations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that Joe Biden visited China, there is no evidence to support the claim that he explicitly expressed sympathy for or endorsed China's one-child policy of forced abortions and sterilizations. In fact, Biden has been a vocal advocate for women's reproductive rights and has spoken out against coercive population control measures. It is important to accurately represent Biden's stance on this issue and not make unfounded claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We wondered whether Obama had received an honor from the Saudis, and if so, whether his acceptance of an \"Islamic order and gold medal\" was \"unconstitutional.\"","The meme says Obama's acceptance of an \"Islamic order and gold medal\" was \"unconstitutional.\" Experts agree that Obama\u2019s acceptance of the medallion and collar -- and their transferral to the National Archives -- is entirely constitutional, since the administration followed the longstanding rules on gifts set up by congressional statute. Experts are more divided, however, on whether acceptance of the medallion amounts to acceptance of a foreign title. Meanwhile, the meme errs in calling it an \"Islamic order.\" On balance, we rate the claim Mostly False.","The meme features a pair of photographs of Obama, in what appears to be a Saudi palace, receiving an elaborate medal and necklace over his head. The text says, \"Unconstitutional!!! Accepting an Islamic order and gold medal, 2\/2011.\"","!A reader sent us a Facebook meme claiming that President Barack Obama unconstitutionally accepted an order and medal from the Saudi government. Is that correct? !A reader sent us a Facebook meme claiming that President Barack Obama unconstitutionally accepted an order and medal from the Saudi government. Is that correct?"]},{"id":"909.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether to seat Roland Burris as the new senator from Illinois.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Roland Burris was indeed recognized and welcomed as a senator from Illinois by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Senate Democratic Leadership. The statements from Reid and the Senate website confirm that Burris was acknowledged as the senator-designate and was accorded the rights and privileges of a senator-elect. Therefore, the statement that questions whether to seat Roland Burris as the new senator from Illinois is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Government Accountability Office, \"Border Security: Preliminary Observations on Border Control Measures for the Southwest Border,\"( \"\"Border Security: Preliminary Observations on Border Control Measures for the Southwest Border,\"\") Feb. 15, 2011","A Government Accountability Office report( \"Government Accountability Office report\") on border security, issued in February 2011, paints a mixed picture. The report acknowledges progress on the fences, as well as hundreds more miles deemed to be under \"operational control,\" but \"DHS reports that the southwest border continues to be vulnerable to cross-border illegal activity, including the smuggling of humans and illegal narcotics.\"","It is estimated that for every person caught (Border Patrol reported apprehending over 445,000 illegal entrants in 2010) two more get by, Bonner said. \"To me, that doesn't seem like border security.\"","\"The Government Accountability Office estimated that it will add to the long-term deficit by $6.2 trillion,\" Griffith, R-9th, said in a May 16 news release."]},{"id":"10087.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"2014 Federal Tax Refunds To Be Delayed Until October 2015.","reason":"Reason: The claim that 2014 federal tax refunds will be delayed until October 2015 is false. The article that circulated with this claim was from a satire website called National Report and was never intended to be accurate. The IRS has not issued any directives to delay tax refunds to such an extent. This claim is entirely baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Under the governor\u2019s proposal, the median family of four will save more than $1,000 on their income taxes this biennium,\" Melissa Baldauff, Evers\u2019 deputy chief of staff, said in an email. \"To help fund this needed tax relief for the middle-class, the governor limits tax provisions that benefit a narrow sliver of taxpayers to bring them more closely in line with other claimants.\"","Craymer has a similar view. In an e-mail, he told us that the franchise tax change was a part of a package of bills \"that raised some taxes (franchise, cigarette, motor vehicle sales taxes) and lowered others (property tax) by much more.\" Craymer shared a document with us based on the 2006 estimates of the impact of the tax changes; for each year from 2007 to 2011, it shows the property tax reductions as greater than the revenue generated by the other taxes.","After the minimum wage for tipped workers was raised in Maine, the state \"reversed that decision due to restaurant employees organizing en masse against the measure.\"","George H.W. Bush made the pledge while accepting the Republican nomination for president in 1988. It became one of the most famous broken promises in history after Bush struck a deal with a Democratic Congress and raised taxes in 1990."]},{"id":"11592.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty-five states allow open carry of firearms.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that 45 states allow open carry of firearms. However, it's important to note that the laws regarding open carry can vary within each state, and there may be certain restrictions or limitations in place. Some states may have restrictions on the open carry of certain types of firearms or have stricter rules in certain areas. While the overall statement is mostly true, it's essential to consider the specific details and variations within each state's open carry laws.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Also, ODOT in October released a report declaring that more Ohioans are riding passenger trains, proof the Strickland administration says that the 3C train would be a success.","The rail plan Kasich says prefers -- one to get Ohio\u2019s economy moving forward -- is to get more freight trains to ship goods made in Ohio to out-of-state places. He calls the passenger train a \"money pit\" because it is estimated it will cost the state about $17 million annually to maintain and operate it, with no guarantee enough Ohioans will buy tickets to eat up those expenses.","The Ohio Department of Transportation is the state agency charged with maintaining Ohio's state roadways. It also oversees a $400 million passenger rail projected funded by money from federal stimulus money.","That report has gone unchallenged to this point, and it\u2019s average speed is in line with the average speeds of passenger trains in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma, according to ODOT."]},{"id":"11916.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When Jeb (Bush) was governor, his first four years as governor, his Medicaid program grew twice as fast as mine.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Kasich is supported by evidence and is mostly true. Data shows that during Jeb Bush's first four years as governor of Florida, the state's Medicaid program experienced a higher rate of growth compared to Kasich's first four years as governor of Ohio. This indicates that Florida's Medicaid spending increased at a faster pace than Ohio's during the respective time periods mentioned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12464.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The University of Wisconsin System had a jobs-for-life tenure program for professors.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Historically, tenure in the University of Wisconsin System has provided job security for professors, which has been perceived by some as a form of \"jobs-for-life\" program. However, it's important to note that recent changes made by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents have made it easier for tenured professors to lose their jobs, sparking controversy and outrage among faculty members. So while there was a tenure program in place, it is no longer as secure as it once was.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6291.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Unemployment among Oregon high school graduates aged 18 to 20 increased more than 200 percent from 2008 to 2011, while the U.S. average increased only 30 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that unemployment among Oregon high school graduates aged 18 to 20 increased more than 200 percent from 2008 to 2011, while the U.S. average increased only around 30 percent. However, it's important to note that the initial claim of a \"gigantic leap\" of over 300 percent was later revised to reflect a 200 percent increase. While the increase in Oregon is significant compared to the national average, the statement could benefit from additional context to explain the factors contributing to the higher unemployment rate in Oregon during that period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9874.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obamacare cuts seniors Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it implies that Obamacare cuts Medicare benefits for all seniors, which is not accurate. While it is true that Obamacare includes reductions in Medicare spending, these reductions primarily target Medicare Advantage, which is a private coverage option chosen by about one-third of seniors. The statement fails to clarify that the cuts specifically affect Medicare Advantage enrollees and not all seniors on Medicare. Therefore, the claim is partially true but lacks important context, leading to a misleading impression.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11900.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States has the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on Earth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the United States does have a high rate of childhood poverty compared to many other developed nations, it is not accurate to claim that it has the highest rate among \"almost any major country.\" The use of the term \"almost any\" implies that the United States is near the top in terms of childhood poverty rates, which is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the United States has a higher childhood poverty rate than some other major countries, there are also several major countries with higher rates of childhood poverty. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6832.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Eric Cantor voted to assure Congress would be paid if the government shut down and against guaranteeing troops would be paid.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. Eric Cantor did not vote to ensure that Congress would be paid in the event of a government shutdown while voting against guaranteeing military pay. In fact, Cantor voted in favor of a bill that would have ensured that both Congress and the military would continue to receive pay during a government shutdown. The evidence provided does not support the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5893.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If Congress froze the current spending level and then cut it by 2 percent annually, we could balance the budget in five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. If Congress were to freeze the current spending level and subsequently cut it by 2 percent annually, it would indeed lead to a balanced budget. However, it's important to note that the timeframe mentioned in the statement is slightly inaccurate. The evidence suggests that it would take four years, not five, to end deficits and achieve a balanced budget through these spending cuts. Therefore, while the overall claim is accurate, the timeframe mentioned should be adjusted to reflect the four-year period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I think that most military experts say there is anywhere between 25 and 30 members of al Qaeda in Afghanistan. So we have succeeded in our mission. That was to dismantle al Qaeda and you know we have to, of course, still have a presence in that part of the world. The growing danger, I think, is really in Pakistan.\"","We\u2019ll grant that precise numbers are hard to come by. But Cicilline claimed the number he cited -- lower than most others -- was what \"most military experts\" were saying. In fact, that\u2019s not what most military experts were saying. And even he acknowledges he \"misspoke.\"","\"Congressman Cicilline accidentally misspoke during his interview with WPRO and meant to say that military members and the Director of the CIA indicate there are more like 50-100 al Qaeda members in Afghanistan,\" Kershaw wrote in an e-mail. \"However, the point Congressman Cicilline was making is simple and rings true -- compared to the approximately 100,000 American troops stationed in Afghanistan, there is a relatively small number of hardcore al Qaeda members left in that country, and that is supported by General Petraeus and CIA Director Leon Panetta.\"","In December 2009, as Mr. Obama was deciding whether to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, reported that senior U.S. intelligence officials estimated about 100 al Qaeda members in Afghanistan."]},{"id":"11056.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons campaign hasnt been clear about when she wiped herserverof her work emails.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Keilar that Hillary Clinton's campaign has not been clear about when she wiped her server of her work emails. The evidence suggests that there is indeed ambiguity surrounding the timing of when the server was wiped. While Hillary Clinton stated that she began using the private server during her tenure as Secretary of State and that it contained work-related emails, the exact details and timing of when the server was wiped have not been fully clarified by the campaign. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6941.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rep. Jon Runyan voted to redefine rape.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rep. Jon Runyan voted to redefine rape is false. While Shelley Adler claimed that Runyan voted to redefine rape, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, Runyan did not sign on as a co-sponsor of the legislation in question, and when the bill reached the House floor for a full vote, the word \"forcible\" had already been removed. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12268.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ted Cruz is mathematically out of winning the race.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Ted Cruz is mathematically unable to win the race. The tweets and statements from political analysts indicate that Cruz does not have enough delegates to secure the nomination. The calculations show that Cruz would need a significant number of delegates that are not realistically available in the remaining primaries. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Cruz is mathematically out of winning the race.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During the campaign, Obama ended up opting out of the public financing system for presidential candidates, because the system limits how much money candidates can raise, and Obama realized he could raise much more money outside of the system. (Read more details from our previous report, 'Parallel public financing'? Only partly.)","Obama was bothered about opting out of the public financing system, because he believed it would undercut his moral authority in arguing for campaign finance reform, according to Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, who wrote about the decision in his campaign memoir, The Audacity to Win. So the campaign considered opting out of the federal system but limiting contributions to $250.","Based on the center's analysis, we find Barack Obama's claim that he gets the most money from small donors to be True.","Campaign contributions are public record, so there's verifiable data on how much political candidates receive and who gives it to them. Obama did raise a lot of money from small donations collected over the Internet, and several groups have analyzed the information to determine how much that was. While Obama got more money from small donors than his opponents, they did not account for the majority of his funds."]},{"id":"11105.json","label":"false","statement":"The Iran deal says that if any other country tries to undermine (Irans) nuclear program, we have to help them defend themselves against Israel, Egypt, Saudis, our own allies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Iran deal does not contain any provision that obligates the United States or any other country to help Iran defend itself against Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, or any other allies. The evidence provided includes statements made by Marco Rubio, but these statements are inaccurate and have been debunked. It is important to rely on accurate information and official sources when assessing the provisions of international agreements.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8793.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rick Scotts Administration spent over $100,000 of taxpayer money during their first voter purge attempt in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rick Scott's administration spent over $100,000 of taxpayer money during their first voter purge attempt in 2012 is mostly accurate. The evidence provided includes a press release stating the same claim. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific details or a breakdown of the expenses incurred during the voter purge attempt. While the statement is likely based on credible information, the lack of specific evidence regarding the exact amount spent makes it difficult to verify the claim with certainty.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3956.json","label":"true","statement":"We are number one in the world when it comes to energy resources. ... The Russians are second; Saudi Arabia is number three.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate based on the evidence provided. According to the Energy Information Administration, the United States ranks first in the world in the production of petroleum and other liquid fuels. Russia ranks second, and Saudi Arabia ranks third. This data supports the claim that the United States is the top producer of energy resources globally.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7160.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Agriculture Department estimates that roughly 42 percent of the corn crop will be used to make ethanol -- more than the amount of corn used to feed livestock and poultry in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Goodlatte that approximately 42 percent of the corn crop is used to produce ethanol, which is more than the amount of corn used for livestock and poultry feed. However, it's important to note that not all of the corn sent to ethanol plants ends up as fuel, as mentioned in the evidence. Some byproducts of ethanol production, such as distillers grains, can be used as animal feed. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it lacks the nuance of considering the potential use of ethanol byproducts for feed purposes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cruz said: \"Every year we spend roughly $500 billion on tax compliance. That is roughly the budget of our entire military, entirely wasted on tax compliance.\"","\"Every year,\" Cruz elaborated, \"we spend roughly $500 billion on tax compliance. That is roughly the budget of our entire military, entirely wasted on tax compliance. I agree with you we should move to a simple flat tax where everyone can fill out their taxes on a postcard and that we should shut down the IRS.\"","And was he right that about the same $500 billion a year getting spent on complying with tax laws and funding the military?","Romney said, \"Obamacare takes $500 billion out of Medicare and funds Obamacare.\" The law doesn't literally take money out of Medicare, but Romney isn't entirely wrong in his point, either."]},{"id":"10377.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 1913, it was legal to mail children.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were instances of children being sent through the mail after the parcel post service was introduced in 1913, it is misleading to claim that it was legal to mail children. The law at the time did not explicitly state that it was illegal to mail children because such a scenario was not anticipated. Postal historians confirm that only a few cases occurred, and it was not a widespread or accepted practice. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"They say teachers only make on an average in New Jersey 60,000 dollars a year. They only work 180 days,\" the governor said between comments about the number of hours teachers work daily and how he supports higher pay for \"excellent teachers.\"","In a speech last month to students at Notre Dame, the governor said New Jersey teachers on average only work 180 days a year and get $60,000 salaries. New Jersey\u2019s school year averages 185 days and the average teacher salary in the state is $65,130. Christie was a bit off on both of his numbers, but not by much. Based strictly on numbers, we rate his statement Mostly True.","A minimum 180-day school year is required by state statute, but a majority of school districts in New Jersey exceed that minimum, according to the New Jersey Education Association.","William Gaudelli, an associate professor of Social Studies and Education, and the Social Studies program coordinator at Teachers College, Columbia University, agreed that the work teachers do goes well beyond 180 work days."]},{"id":"9532.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Congressman (Tom) Cotton is the only Arkansan in Congress -- Democrat or Republican -- to vote against disaster relief five times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Senate Majority PAC ad that Congressman Tom Cotton is the only Arkansan in Congress, regardless of party affiliation, to vote against disaster relief five times. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the specific circumstances and reasons behind each vote. While it is true that Cotton voted against disaster relief on multiple occasions, it does not provide a comprehensive understanding of his overall stance on disaster relief or the specific details of each vote. Therefore, the statement is partially true but requires additional context for a more complete assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11352.json","label":"true","statement":"No openly gay man has ever been elected to the Georgia Legislature.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that no openly gay man has ever been elected to the Georgia Legislature. While there have been openly gay candidates running for seats in the Georgia House of Representatives, there is no evidence to suggest that any of them have been successful in winning an election to the state Legislature.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Exporters use this loophole to deceptively sell products made from cat and dog fur as though they were made from faux fur or the fur of other animals,\" Johnson wrote in comments submitted for the Congressional Record.","Tongues started wagging again in recent weeks after Johnson fired off another head-scratcher. Johnson, a Democrat, had offered his support for legislation to end a federal loophole that does not require manufacturers to label fur and fake fur garments that cost less than $150.","\"We really feel that this is still a problem and consumers need to have more confidence in what they're buying,\" Markarian said.","Congress passed legislation in 2000 that prohibits importing or exporting dog and cat fur. But animal rights activists say some manufacturers are still finding ways around the law."]},{"id":"9418.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor and Luis Gutierrez were touring the country last year joined at the hip, working together in a bipartisan fashion indeed for the goal of immigration reform.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor and Luis Gutierrez were touring the country together in a bipartisan fashion for the goal of immigration reform. The sources provided indicate that this claim is baseless and lacks any factual basis. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11579.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"It takes almost a year for a refugee to be processed in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Jeb Bush accurately stated that it takes almost a year for a refugee to be processed in the United States. The evidence supports this claim, with the worldwide average processing time ranging from a year to a year and a half. Additionally, for Syrian refugees, the average processing time is two years. While there may be some variation in processing times depending on individual cases and circumstances, the statement aligns with the general timeline for refugee processing in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Likewise, we rated Mostly False the claim that the Boston Herald called the KB Toys events \"disgusting.\" The newspaper was quoting a laid-off worker, not speaking through an editorial as the claim implied.","Bain's investment in KB Toys -- The same pro-Gingrich PAC charged that Romney and Bain Capital drove KB Toys into bankruptcy by loading it up with debt in a much-discussed video attack called \"King of Bain.\" There are a lot of reasons we rated this Mostly False: Bain Capital bought KB Toys in 2000, after Romney retired. He wouldn't have been involved in financial decisions, though he would have profited from them. Also, toy industry analysts told us KB Toys was a troubled company before Bain bought it, and Bain wasn't able to fix it.","After a two-year missionary trip to France, where he lived sparely as he proselytized door-to-door, he finished his undergraduate studies at BYU, where he married Ann in 1969. He was 22, his wife 19. His parents' wedding gift? A car. Meanwhile, the students \u2014 who started a family a year later \u2014 lived in a modest, $62-a-month basement apartment, Ann later told the Boston Globe. But they didn't have to work.","When the couple moved to Boston so Romney could study business and law at Harvard, his parents helped them buy a house."]},{"id":"11411.json","label":"false","statement":"Dan Gecker voted to double vehicle registration fees, costing (Chesterfield) county residents over $6 million annually.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Dan Gecker voted for a proposal to increase the car registration fee from $20 to $40, it is misleading to claim that this vote alone resulted in doubling the vehicle registration fees and costing county residents over $6 million annually. The increased fees were part of a larger plan to raise funds for local transportation needs, and the state would match the revenue generated. The claim fails to provide the necessary context and implies that the entire burden of the increased fees falls on county residents, which is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gov. Pat McCrory said that in the voter ID lawsuit, Attorney General Roy Cooper\u2019s \"refusal to do his job is costing taxpayers money.\"","\"If any North Carolina citizen decided not to do their job, they would no longer have a paycheck,\" McCrory said in a press release. \"Roy Cooper should not be held to a different standard. Roy Cooper\u2019s refusal to do his job is costing taxpayers money, so his office must reimburse taxpayers immediately.\"","Cooper makes $127,561 a year, and we\u2019ll let others decide if he should work for free instead. We wanted to look into McCrory\u2019s claim that \"Roy Cooper\u2019s refusal to do his job is costing taxpayers money.\"","That\u2019s a two-part issue: Is he refusing to do his job? And by not having his office represent the state on further appeal, is he costing the state money?"]},{"id":"113.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"A lot of people don't know that 50,000 Americans now make their living off eBay.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"50,000 Americans now make their living off eBay\" is partially true. While it is true that many individuals earn income through eBay, it is important to note that not all of them rely solely on eBay as their primary source of income. Many people use eBay as a supplementary platform for selling goods or as a part-time source of income. Therefore, while there are indeed a significant number of Americans who make money through eBay, it would be inaccurate to claim that all 50,000 individuals exclusively rely on eBay as their sole means of making a living.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11992.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I dont know anything about David Duke.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence that contradicts the claim that the speaker, Donald Trump, doesn't know anything about David Duke. Trump has been asked about David Duke and white supremacists on multiple occasions, and he has made statements acknowledging that he knows about David Duke and the issue of white supremacy. Despite his initial denials, there is clear evidence that Trump was aware of David Duke and his association with white supremacists.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2324.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"80 to 85 percent of my campaign funds go to donations to various organizations throughout the City of Providence.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly shows that the statement made by the candidate, that 80 to 85 percent of his campaign funds go to donations to various organizations in Providence, is false. The analysis of his finance reports and spending patterns reveals that the actual percentage of funds allocated to local organizations is significantly lower, averaging around 20 percent. Additionally, even when considering the candidate's total spending, the percentage does not come close to the claimed 80 to 85 percent. Therefore, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Salaries of Austin residents who don't work for city government \"have not been going up 3 percent a year for the last several years.\"","In Austin\u2019s early years, the chart indicates, the population doubled even more frequently than Leffingwell said. Specifically, the population surged six-fold from 1840 to 1860, going from 553 to 3,493, according to the chart, while over the next 20 years, the number of residents increased three-fold, to 11,013.","The population doubled in the next 20 years, reaching 22,258 in 1900, the chart shows, before nearly doubling over the next 25 years, reaching 42,174 in 1925, up 90 percent from 1900.","Says crime is on the rise in Austin and a new study showed that it \u201cis the No. 1 city in America in the year-to-year percentage increase in murders, with a percentage increase of more than 64% for the first half of this year.\u201d"]},{"id":"9699.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst does not support a national minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Joni Ernst has explicitly stated that she does not support a national minimum wage of $10.10, as indicated in her own words. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive view of Ernst's stance on the minimum wage. While she may not support a specific national minimum wage increase, it does not necessarily mean she opposes any form of minimum wage legislation. Further information would be needed to fully understand her position on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1148.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Birthers have obtained a copy of Obamas Kenyan birth certificate.","reason":"Reason: The claim that birthers have obtained a copy of President Obama's Kenyan birth certificate is false. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact, have thoroughly investigated the birther claims and concluded that there is ample evidence supporting President Obama's birth in Hawaii. The mention of a purported Kenyan birth certificate by Orly Taitz does not provide credible evidence and has been widely discredited. The label \"pants-fire\" accurately reflects the falsehood of this statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10370.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Keystone means unlocking the Canadian tar sands.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Keystone XL pipeline would transport oil from the Canadian tar sands, the statement that it \"means unlocking\" the tar sands is an oversimplification. The development and extraction of oil from the tar sands have been ongoing even without the Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline itself does not directly impact the extraction of oil from the tar sands, but rather provides a transportation route for the oil. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully explain the relationship between the pipeline and the tar sands.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\u2022 Customs and Border Protection data shows that the number of southwest border encounters has exceeded 150,000 per month for 18 consecutive months.","We asked a spokesperson for Scalise for evidence to back his claim and did not hear back. But his statement mirrors the argument by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who in December sued four battleground states that went for Biden, arguing that their election procedures violated their state laws.","\u201cOne in six local election officials have received threats of violence\u201d and threats against judges have doubled over four years and threats against members of Congress have increased by 10 times over five years.","\"If you look at a number of states, they didn't follow their state-passed laws that govern the election for president,\" Scalise said Oct. 10. \"That is what the United States Constitution says. They don't say the states determine what the rules are. They say the state legislatures determine the rules.\""]},{"id":"7671.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The working tax cut created over 40,000 new jobs in just the last four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence. The term \"working tax cut\" refers to a taxpayer-subsidized premium tax credit for insurance companies in Florida. While this tax credit has been in place since 1987, there is no reliable evidence to suggest that it directly created over 40,000 new jobs in the last four years. The claim appears to be an exaggerated and unsubstantiated assertion.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12695.json","label":"true","statement":"There are at least twice as many licensed firearm dealers in California as there are McDonalds.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there were approximately 56,059 federally licensed firearms dealers and pawnbrokers in the United States. While the evidence does not specifically mention the number of licensed firearm dealers in California, it establishes that there were at least 56,059 such dealers nationwide. In comparison, the evidence states that there were 14,146 McDonald's restaurants in the United States in 2011. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that there were at least twice as many licensed firearm dealers in the country as there were McDonald's restaurants, making the statement true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Dallas Morning News, Kay Bailey Hutchison backs tea party's earmark moratorium,( \"Kay Bailey Hutchison backs tea party's earmark moratorium,\") Nov. 17, 2010","In March, Hutchison voted to table DeMint's amendment to freeze earmarks for two years. This month, she voted in favor of a DeMint-backed ban in a vote limited to GOP senators. True, Hutchison's first vote was to set aside legislation temporarily banning earmarks and the second was in favor of a voluntary earmark ban taken by Senate Republicans. But both were significant \u2014 and contradictory \u2014 stands on an earmark moratorium.","In March, House Republicans adopted a voluntary year-long earmark ban, which is non-binding (U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside, was one of a handful GOP lawmakers to defy the House moratorium) but symbolically significant. On Nov. 18, House Republicans voted to extend the ban through the next Congress, which convenes in January.","At issue was a proposed two-year moratorium on earmarks, those much-maligned special projects inserted by individual congressmen and associated with pork-barrel politics."]},{"id":"991.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"It is the Department of Homeland Security's view that returning military veterans and gun owners are likely to commit terrorist acts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a distortion of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) view. While there have been concerns raised by conservative groups about a leaked report, it is important to note that the report does not explicitly state that returning military veterans and gun owners are likely to commit terrorist acts. The report highlights the potential for right-wing extremists to target and recruit veterans, as well as the possibility of using gun control legislation as a tool for radicalization. However, it does not make a blanket statement about all returning military veterans and gun owners. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the DHS's view.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Asked about the statement, Pratt told PolitiFact Wisconsin a person he trusts told him shortly before the TV interview that the black male unemployment rate in Milwaukee was 52 percent. He then checked with that person and told us the figure -- actually 53 percent -- came from a report by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee urban studies professor Marc Levine.","Says Milwaukee blacks have 55 percent male unemployment, 60 percent truancy, a 50 percent graduation rate, the \"worst\" reading scores and \"lead\" in infant mortality.","\"Fifty-two percent black male unemployment,\" Pratt said in the interview with WISN-TV, adding that other reasons included Milwaukee\u2019s high poverty rate and Walker\u2019s pledge to create 250,000 jobs in his first term as governor.","\"Fifty-five percent black male unemployment. Truancy rate of sixty percent -- sixty percent of students in the Milwaukee Public Schools system do not attend school regularly. They only graduate fifty percent of the students that do, and when they come out of there the diploma is not worth the paper that it's written on, and they probably can't even read it. We have the worst fourth- and eighth-grade reading scores in the nation. We lead in infant mortality rate and I could go on and on and on.\""]},{"id":"10001.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Data on violent crime shows Wisconsin has become less safe than it was when Scott Walker took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a partial picture of the available data on violent crime in Wisconsin. While it is true that the violent crime rate increased in 2012, it fails to consider the overall trend during Scott Walker's tenure as governor. The available data only cover about half of Walker's time in office, making it difficult to draw a definitive conclusion about the state's safety compared to when he took office. Additionally, the rate of violent crime can be influenced by various factors beyond the control of the governor. Therefore, while there may be some validity to the claim, it is misleading to make a conclusive statement based on the limited data provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A statement attributed to Rob Cornilles in an article in the Daily Astorian newspaper two years ago is inaccurate, and he has \"disputed\" it ever since. The article paraphrased Cornilles as saying he would cut Social Security and Medicare programs before trimming the U.S. defense budget.","During the debate, Democrat Suzanne Bonamici brought up the article at last week\u2019s debate and asked Cornilles what he would cut from Social Security and Medicare, and what criteria he would use. Cornilles responded: \"Well, that quote that you reference in the Daily Astorian, I\u2019ve disputed and have for two years. That\u2019s not what I said.\"","There is little to suggest the reporter got her story wrong. Cornilles has said in at least one previous debate and in a recent interview that he wouldn\u2019t cut entitlements, but that doesn\u2019t amount to disputing the story for two years. We rule the statement Mostly False.","But she provided videos from a September 2010 debate with David Wu, in which he denies saying he would cut entitlements, and a recent interview with KATU(2) in which Cornilles said he would cut defense spending before entitlements."]},{"id":"7686.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Boston Marathon bombing is the fifth case in which U.S. government officials examined individuals potentially involved in terrorism and felt they were no threat and they went on to carry out terrorist murders.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights a concerning pattern where individuals who were examined by U.S. government officials for potential involvement in terrorism were deemed not to be a threat, but later went on to carry out terrorist acts. This pattern can be observed in cases such as the Boston Marathon bombing, where the perpetrators were previously examined by government officials. However, it's important to note that the statement uses the term \"fifth case,\" which may imply a specific numerical count of such incidents. Without further clarification or evidence, it is difficult to determine the exact number of cases fitting this pattern. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of highlighting the pattern but lacks specificity regarding the precise number of cases involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Hill story further quotes Dean Wright of Austin saying that Williams has appeared at more than 150 tea party gatherings across Texas.","In a Nov. 30 article about the 2012 U.S. Senate race in Texas, a Capitol Hill newspaper quotes a conservative activist rating Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams an early favorite of the tea party movement for the GOP nomination.","And in an April 2010 interview with Neil Cavuto of the Fox News Channel, Williams said he'd spoken at about a dozen tea party events, attended by as few as 100 and as many as 5,000 people. According to a transcript, Williams said, \"That energy, that fervor you see at the tea party movement, that fight for -- for constitutional limits on the national... government, all of that, I agree with. And, so, I would like to think that I was a tea party candidate.\"","We contacted Wright, founder and president of New Revolution Now, which describes itself as a party-agnostic organization created to harness the \"core conservative values of mainstream Americans to elect the state and U.S. congressional representatives who will return the country to its founding values of limited government, low taxation, states rights and constitutional constructionism.\" Wright told us that he'd told The Hill that Williams had \"probably\" attended 150 tea party events, but he conceded that the real number was less than that. \"I'm just trying to get the point out that he's really engaging with the tea parties,\" Wright said. \"Just in the Central Texas region, I've been to five or six events where (Williams) has spoken at a tea party function.\""]},{"id":"8252.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Kenosha casino would be one of the states largest employers and pay more to the state than any other company or Tribe essentially, it would be Wisconsins biggest taxpayer.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that the Kenosha casino would be one of the largest employers in the state and would contribute a significant amount of revenue to the state, potentially making it Wisconsin's biggest taxpayer. Multiple sources, including the Menominee tribe and independent assessments, suggest that the casino would have a substantial economic impact. However, without specific data on the projected employment and tax contributions of the Kenosha casino, it is challenging to verify the claim with absolute certainty. Nevertheless, the available evidence suggests that the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7127.json","label":"true","statement":"Our race was the closest U.S. Senate race in Ohio in 36 years -- when Howard Metzenbaum defeated Robert Taft in 1976.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the race between Howard Metzenbaum and Robert Taft in 1976 was the closest U.S. Senate race in Ohio in 36 years. Metzenbaum's victory over Taft was decided by a margin of 3 percent of the vote, which was closer than the recent Brown-Mandel race. The evidence provided supports the claim made by Mandel in his email to his supporters.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\u201cOur economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last year, more jobs in one year than ever before in the history of the United States of America.\u201d","\"Our economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last year, more jobs in one year than ever before in the history of the United States of America,\" Biden said.","Biden said, \"Our economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last year, more jobs in one year than ever before in the history of the United States of America.\"","On the whole, the top 20 jobs for growth have a higher average wage ($61,818) than do the 20 jobs that are shrinking the fastest ($43,115)."]},{"id":"507.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"We have drawn down to presurge levels. Basra, Mosul and now Sadr City are quiet and it's long and it's tough and there will be setbacks.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by McCain contains both accurate and inaccurate information. While he accurately describes the situation in Sadr City and Basra as being \"quiet,\" the claim that the U.S. military has drawn down to pre-surge levels is incorrect. According to the Pentagon, troop levels in Iraq have actually increased since the start of the surge. Additionally, the characterization of conditions in Mosul is disputed, as it has seen offensives and varying degrees of success. Therefore, the statement is deemed to be barely true, as it contains both accurate and inaccurate elements.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When asked about equal pay for women, your quote was that it was a waste of time,\" Murphy said Oct. 17 at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.","We checked the record to see if Rubio called the issue a \"waste of time.\" While he used the expression, it was because he opposed specific parts of equal pay legislation, not the overall concept.","The context here is important, because it\u2019s not that Rubio said he thought the concept of addressing the pay gap was a waste of time. He said he disagreed with Democrats trying to advance what he considered ineffective legislation.","It\u2019s not our job to debate the merits of one policy approach over another. It\u2019s clear Murphy wants to make it appear as if Rubio said the very issue is a waste of time, when Rubio actually was deriding a specific Democratic approach."]},{"id":"7269.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Austins treated wastewater, put into the Colorado River, is of higher quality than water the city takes from the lake for public use.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Mayor Lee Leffingwell stated that Austin's treated wastewater, which is discharged into the Colorado River, is of higher quality than the water the city takes from the lake for public use. However, it's important to note that the comparison is specific to the water quality aspect and does not consider other factors such as taste or public perception. While the treated wastewater may meet the necessary quality standards, some individuals may still have reservations about using recycled water for public consumption. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of water quality, it does not provide a comprehensive view of the broader considerations involved in water usage.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Had Atlanta issued an increasing number of citations \u2013 and collected more money \u2013 since Reed took office? PolitiFact Georgia decided to check.","A reader reached out to PolitiFact Georgia, claiming Atlanta has issued an increasing number of misdemeanor citations since Mayor Kasim Reed took office in 2010. The reason was money, the reader argued.","The reader email claimed that the number of tickets and citations issued in Atlanta had grown 20 percent during Reed\u2019s tenure, from 337,697 in 2010 to 404,652 in 2014.","Combined, the number of citations increased about 16 percent in that time \u2013 and the revenue collected from them swelled a whopping 45 percent."]},{"id":"1308.json","label":"false","statement":"An amendment to the House health reform bill \"puts new restrictions on women's access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market even when they would pay premiums with their own money.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the amendment puts new restrictions on women's access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market. The evidence discusses different aspects of the health reform bill, such as the amendment's clarification on access to health coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions and the concerns about government funding of abortion services. However, it does not address any new restrictions on women's access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12252.json","label":"false","statement":"Were the worst state in the country at moving people from welfare to work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the state mentioned is the worst in the country at moving people from welfare to work. The evidence primarily focuses on discussing the nuance and complexity of welfare programs and the viral message of welfare recipients outnumbering people with jobs. It does not provide any specific data or analysis regarding the performance of individual states in moving people from welfare to work. Therefore, the claim lacks factual basis and is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7747.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Pentagon confirms they may court martial soldiers who hold Christian faith.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks proper context. While there were claims and headlines suggesting that the Pentagon may court-martial soldiers who hold the Christian faith, a thorough investigation by PolitiFact concluded that the claim is mostly false. The Pentagon has clarified that it does not prohibit service members from expressing their religious beliefs, including Christianity, as long as it does not interfere with military discipline or create a hostile environment. The original claim misrepresents the Pentagon's stance on religious expression within the military.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Bernie Sanders condemned Wall Street for creating and now profiting off Puerto Rico\u2019s debt crisis during a campaign stop on the island.","In a separate radio ad, the center argues Duffy flip-flopped on what Congress should do to help resolve Puerto Rico\u2019s debt crisis.","!U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., was the focus of a radio ad that claimed he changed his views on how to handle Puerto Rico's debt crisis. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo) !U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., was the focus of a radio ad that claimed he changed his views on how to handle Puerto Rico's debt crisis. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photo)","House Speaker Paul Ryan is not the only Wisconsin Republican being targeted by The Center for Individual Freedom for supporting a measure aimed at helping Puerto Rico resolve its debt crisis."]},{"id":"4014.json","label":"false","statement":"Weve got more revenue than we ever have.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we've got more revenue than we ever have\" is false. The evidence provided does not support this claim. The evidence discusses revenue generated by the women's and men's soccer teams, which is unrelated to the context of government revenue. To accurately assess government revenue, a comprehensive analysis of federal revenue over time would be required. Without such evidence, it is incorrect to assert that there is currently more revenue than ever before.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The State of Rhode Island has the worst state-funded pension in the country. Of all of the systems, we're the worst,\" she said during her Oct. 24 show.","But the story compared the 2010 funding level for Rhode Island with Pew data from other states from 2009, when Rhode Island wasn't the worst at all -- five states had less cash in 2009 to cover their pension obligations than Rhode Island (which was at 59 percent). Illinois ranked the worst, funded at 51 percent.","When we went directly to the Boston College database and ran our own calculations, we found that it put Rhode Island pensions as being funded at 62 percent in 2009, not 48 percent as Business Insider reported. (And instead of being \"the worst in the country,\" Rhode Island was ranked ninth from the bottom, a better ranking than the Pew report.)","Glover's sources included one such item, a five-paragraph story from headlined, \"Rhode Island's Pension Liabilities Are Now The Worst In the Country\" that combined the WPRI story with an error-filled chart that, it said, came from Boston College's Center for Retirement Research."]},{"id":"10968.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Between 2010 and 2014, there was no net in-migration from Mexico.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true based on the available evidence. While the census data for 2014 is not yet available, the data from 2010 to 2013 and preliminary 2014 data indicate a decline in the population of people living in America but born in Mexico. This suggests that there was no net in-migration from Mexico during that period. However, it's important to note that the 2014 data had a margin of error, and there may have been a slight drop from 2013. Overall, the evidence supports the claim that there was no significant net in-migration from Mexico between 2010 and 2014.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In 2009 \u2026 Hillary Clinton was at the State Department working with U.S. corporations to pressure Haiti not to raise the minimum wage to 61 cents an hour from 24 cents.\"","Camp said, \"In 2009 ... Hillary Clinton was at the State Dept working with U.S. corporations to pressure Haiti not to raise the minimum wage to 61 cents an hour from 24 cents.\"","\"In 2009, while Bill Clinton was setting up one of the family\u2019s shell companies in New York, in that same year Hillary Clinton was at the State Department working with U.S. corporations to pressure Haiti not to raise the minimum wage to 61 cents an hour from 24 cents,\" Camp said April 17. \"Seriously.\"","Nonetheless, the Haitian Parliament voted to triple the daily minimum wage to 200 gourdes ($5 a day, or about 62 cents per hour) in May 2009. As the bill awaited President Pr\u00e9val\u2019s signature, students protested over the delay while factory owners criticized the legislation."]},{"id":"10190.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every time weve increased the minimum wage, weve seen a growth in jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that every time the minimum wage has been increased, there has been a growth in jobs is not entirely accurate. While it is true that joblessness has fallen on some occasions after a minimum wage increase, it has also risen on other occasions. The evidence shows that joblessness increased after a minimum wage hike in more than half of the instances, but it fell in the remaining cases. Therefore, the claim that job growth always occurs when the minimum wage is increased is not supported by the data.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Alex Sink, who narrowly lost the governor\u2019s race in 2010 to Republican newbie Rick Scott, announced she will not enter the 2014 race.","To find a governor who issued more pardons than Evers or Lucey, you would have to go back to Gov. Julius Heil, a Republican, who served from 1939 to 1943.","In terms of blaming Walker for the cuts, the governor, along with the Republican-controlled Legislature, had direct control over state money, which amounted to 48 percent of the spending by Wisconsin schools in 2011-\u201912.","One of her two False statements happened when she opined there was not enough attention paid to Medicaid fraud cases under Bill McCollum, the Republican attorney general who ended up losing the Republican primary to Scott. She said, \"Nobody has been talking about it, focused on it, or paying attention to it,\" but really people were paying attention to it."]},{"id":"7129.json","label":"true","statement":"We have more people working in clean and green energy than in oil and gas in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that indicates there are more people employed in clean and green energy sectors compared to the oil and gas industry. While the exact numbers may vary, the comparison has been examined, and it has been found that the clean energy sector employs a larger workforce than the oil and gas industry. This is consistent with the growing investment and focus on renewable energy and sustainability in recent years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Here is a look at the state\u2019s eight congressional districts, according to the Cook Political Report\u2019s Partisan Voter Index. The redistricting change came between the 2010 and 2012 elections.","Ryan says that Wisconsin\u2019s congressional districts are competitive. He raised several points to buttress his argument, and each has elements of truth to it.","But the Cook Report\u2019s expert on the House of Representatives said redistricting made the Duffy and Kind districts -- and Ryan\u2019s -- less competitive.","But, overall, the impact of redistricting on the seats cited by Ryan -- including his own -- is clear. Seats now held by Republicans Duffy, Kind and Ryan were redrawn in favor of the incumbent in the 2012 redistricting."]},{"id":"13060.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton had an undercover nurse with her at the Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in New York.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Hillary Clinton had an undercover nurse with her at the Sept. 11 memorial ceremony in New York is unfounded and lacks any credible evidence. The rumor originated from bloggers and conspiracy chatter on the internet, without any substantiated proof. The provided evidence does not support the claim, and it is important to rely on verified sources and factual information when assessing such allegations.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The 2004 election is another matter completely. On the simple question of the math, Clinton is wrong. Bush defeated Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic nominee, 286-251 in the electoral college. West Virginia's 5 votes wouldn't have put a dent in Bush's 35-vote margin.","But there's something incongruous about Clinton extending her argument to include the 2004 election. If Gore had won in 2000, then Bush almost certainly wouldn't have been running against Kerry in 2004 and who knows what the electoral map would have looked like in a Gore re-election race.","St. Petersburg Times, Recount unfair, high court says, by Bill Adair, Paul de la Garza and John Balz, Dec 13, 2000","Setting the table for her resounding victory in West Virginia's primary, Sen. Hillary Clinton pumped up the state's role in the presidential election at a campaign stop in Logan."]},{"id":"12443.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Only 50 percent of students from Milwaukee public high schools go on to a two-or four-year college.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Milwaukee Area Technical College President Vicki Martin, who stated that only 50 percent of students from Milwaukee public high schools go on to attend a two- or four-year college. This information is supported by data indicating that approximately 50 percent of Milwaukee Public Schools completers enroll in a college program, with some enrolling at a later date. However, it's important to note that this statistic specifically refers to Milwaukee public high schools and may not represent the overall college enrollment rate for all high schools in the area.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10667.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Inflation-adjusted defense spending has declined 21 percent since 2010, and even if we discount the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has still declined by a dangerous 12 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Rubio's claim that inflation-adjusted defense spending has declined by 21 percent since 2010. However, it is important to note that the claim also mentions a \"dangerous\" decline of 12 percent, even when excluding the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the term \"dangerous\" is subjective and open to interpretation, the evidence supports the overall decline in defense spending. The statement is mostly true, but the subjective term used may introduce some bias.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Part of this is simple math. County records document what Clarke asked for each year compared with the adopted budget handed to him the year before. We looked at 10 budgets, from Clarke\u2019s first in 2003 to the proposal he made for 2012.","It\u2019s not surprising that Clarke\u2019s budgets look better by his definition: He\u2019s removed one of the leading -- if not the leading -- inflationary driver in the county budget from his calculations.","Clarke, the Milwaukee County sheriff since 2002, was spitting bullets when Abele -- the successor to former Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker -- proposed balancing the 2012 county budget in large part by cutting deeply into Clarke\u2019s agency.","But nothing involving Milwaukee County\u2019s often-arcane and cumbersome budgeting process is simple, so we took a second look and talked to the sheriff and other county officials."]},{"id":"5995.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"According to ATF data, 70 percent of firearms recovered and traced in drug cartel crimes in Mexico originated from the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the ATF report, which states that 70 percent of the firearms recovered and traced in drug cartel crimes in Mexico originated from the United States. However, it's important to note that this statistic specifically refers to the firearms that were recovered and successfully traced, which may not represent the total number of firearms used by Mexican drug cartels. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the available data, it should be understood in the context of the firearms that were recovered and traced, rather than the overall number of firearms used by drug cartels in Mexico.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Unless you\u2019re a well off liberal, it\u2019s been a bad year for New York City,\" Gutfeld said on March 10, 2015. \"Shootings are way up, homicides too by 20 percent. Subway delays have soared by 45 percent.\"","Gutfeld faulted the performance of New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and noted that murders are up 20 percent and subway delays are up 45 percent. Gutfeld\u2019s numbers are correct, but he commits extreme cherry picking with the murder statistic. A full year assessment of de Blasio\u2019s administration would show that the murder rate is holding about steady compared to the year before he took office.","\"We can definitely say that homicides are not up 20 percent since de Blasio took office,\" McCoy said. \"In fact, the trend is the opposite.\"","Nicole Malliotakis, the Republican candidate for New York City mayor, says the number of sex crimes on the city\u2019s subway system has increased since Mayor Bill de Blasio took office in 2014."]},{"id":"6210.json","label":"true","statement":"Fireworks have never been safer, and their use continues to increase each year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that fireworks have never been safer, and their use continues to increase each year. The statistical record shows a decline in the rate of injury from fireworks nationally, despite the increase in their use and the loosening of laws governing their consumer use. This decline in injury rates can be attributed to the regulatory and policing efforts of organizations like the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory. While there are still risks associated with fireworks, the evidence suggests that safety measures have been effective in reducing injuries.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3590.json","label":"false","statement":"Medicare passed with virtually no Republican support.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Medicare passed with virtually no Republican support\" is false. Medicare, a government healthcare program, was actually passed with bipartisan support. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 and received significant backing from both Democrats and Republicans. While there were certainly differing opinions and debates surrounding the legislation, it is incorrect to claim that Medicare passed with little to no Republican support.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith supported the $700 billion Wall Street bailout in 2008, \"but now he is standing in the way of reforms that would assure these bailouts would never happen again.\"","In an April 23 e-mail blast, Melnick writes: \"Not only did he support his Wall Street friends by offering them the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, but now he is standing in the way of reforms that would assure these bailouts would never happen again.\"","( - Democrat Lainey Melnick says Rep. Lamar Smith, friend to Wall Street, backed 2008 bailout but opposes vital financial reforms&url=)","Two days before the vote, Smith told colleagues the 2008 financial crisis was caused by government intervention in the economy. He singled out that year\u2019s bailout of Bear Stearns, which happened before the nation\u2019s financial markets plunged into disarray, and the federal rescue of AIG, which was saved by an interagency intervention before Congress (including Smith) signed off on the $700 billion rescue package."]},{"id":"3866.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Wisconsin state Senate President Michael Elllis (R-Neenah) broke Senate rules during debate on a photo ID bill for voters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence provided to support the claim that Wisconsin state Senate President Michael Ellis broke Senate rules during the debate on a photo ID bill for voters. The evidence only mentions that Senator Fred Risser accused Ellis of breaking the rules, but it does not provide any substantiation or confirmation of this accusation. Without further evidence or confirmation, it is not accurate to assert that Ellis violated Senate rules during the debate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1379.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sen. Hutchison abandoned Republicans and stood with Democrats to ensure health care legislation would pass quickly.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison did vote for the Senate to take up an unrelated spending proposal, it is incorrect to claim that she abandoned Republicans and stood with Democrats to ensure the passage of the health care legislation. Senator Hutchison opposed the health care bill and did not play a role in ensuring its passage. The claim made by Governor Rick Perry's campaign is a misrepresentation of the facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8736.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Its warmer on Mars than it is in parts of the United States and Canada during the polar vortex.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that certain parts of Mars can experience temperatures higher than the coldest regions of the United States and Canada during the polar vortex, it is important to consider the average temperatures. On average, Mars is significantly colder than the affected regions during the polar vortex, with an average air temperature of minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, while there may be specific instances where Mars is warmer, the statement lacks the necessary context of average temperatures and can be misleading. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Oregon Center for Public Policy wrote that \"7 out of 10 Oregon families living in poverty have at least one parent who works.\"","But in an Aug. 7, 2013, infographic on its website, the left-leaning Oregon Center for Public Policy wrote that \"7 out of 10 Oregon families living in poverty have at least one parent who works.\"","Was this the debunking of a common myth about those in poverty? Do a full 70 percent of Oregon families in poverty have a parent who works?","This showed us that 26,810 of the 86,255 Oregon families with children had a parent who did not work in the previous year, roughly 31 percent. Put another way, 59,445 Oregon families with children in poverty \u2014 69 percent \u2014 had a parent who worked at least part time in the previous year."]},{"id":"5817.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Department of Homeland Security has ordered enough rounds of .40 caliber ammunition to kill every man, woman and child in the United States, possibly to combat massive civil unrest or an invasion by a foreign power.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that the Department of Homeland Security placed an order for a significant amount of .40 caliber ammunition, the claim that it is enough to kill every person in the United States is misleading. The order was likely made to fulfill the ammunition needs of various law enforcement agencies under the Department of Homeland Security's jurisdiction. It is not accurate to suggest that the ammunition purchase is solely intended for combatting civil unrest or foreign invasion. The statement takes a partial truth and exaggerates it to create a misleading narrative.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4060.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Gov. Rick Perrys leadership [Texas] has created more jobs over the last decade than the rest of the states combined.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Texas experienced significant job growth under Governor Rick Perry's leadership, the statement that Texas created more jobs than the rest of the states combined over the last decade is an exaggeration. While Texas did experience substantial job growth, other states also contributed to job creation during that period. The claim fails to acknowledge that some states may have faced job losses or slower job growth during the same timeframe. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the overall job creation picture in the United States.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Texas, Bill White says Perry is a 25-year incumbent,( \"Bill White says Perry is a 25-year incumbent,\") Sept. 3, 2010","Bill White gubernatorial campaign, \"NEW VIDEO: Rick Perry ignores $18 billion budget deficit; 25 year incumbent focuses on re-election instead of issue,\" Sept. 1, 2010","Our call: White's poke accurately tabulates Perry's seven-plus terms in four different offices. But describing Perry as a \"25-year incumbent\" in a critique focused on his governorship blurs the fact that most of the time Perry's held office, he's not been governor \u2014 or in a single elected position.","\"Rick Perry has become a millionaire on the public payroll,\" the narrator says in a TV ad that was posted on YouTube Oct. 4. \"He's a career politician who's taken a government check for 25 years, and today, he's a millionaire.\" The words \"Murky land deal mark Gov. Rick Perry's past\" and \"Gov. Perry wealth fueled by land deals\" appear on the screen."]},{"id":"7821.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says only 25 percent of Texas high school students graduate prepared for college or careers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification of the data presented. While there is evidence suggesting that Texas faces challenges in terms of college and career readiness among high school graduates, the claim that only 25 percent of Texas high school students graduate prepared for college or careers is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided indicates that the graduation rate for students who are career- or college-ready is currently at 25 percent, but it does not provide a comprehensive picture of all high school students in Texas. It is important to consider additional data and factors to accurately assess the overall college and career readiness of Texas high school graduates.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Sanders presented a series of comparisons showing that conditions in some parts of Baltimore rivaled that of \"the West Bank in Palestine,\" \"North Korea,\" and \"distressed cities in Nigeria, India, China and South Africa.","Sanders claimed that \"Baltimore teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 face poorer health conditions and a worse economic outlook than those in distressed cities in Nigeria, India, China and South Africa.\"","\"Fifteen neighborhoods in Baltimore have lower life expectancies than North Korea. Two of them have a higher infant mortality rate than the West Bank in Palestine. Baltimore teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 face poorer health conditions and a worse economic outlook than those in distressed cities in Nigeria, India, China and South Africa. We are talking about the United States of America in the year 2016 \u2014 a country in which the top 1\/10th of 1 percent now owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent.\"","Real Clear Politics, \"Bernie Sanders: In Baltimore \"Poverty Is A Death Sentence,\" Conditions Rival West Bank or North Korea,\" April 24, 2016"]},{"id":"1932.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Blue Cross new $90-million Providence headquarters \"was outfitted with $25 million in decor.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that Blue Cross' new Providence headquarters was outfitted with $25 million in decor is false. The source mentioned in the evidence states that the estimate made by Bill Lynch, a political candidate, was based on a guess and lacked credible evidence. Therefore, there is no basis to support the claim that $25 million was spent on decor for the building. The statement is highly exaggerated and lacks factual accuracy.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Such challenges to election rule changes needed to have been raised before ballots were cast, said Ohio State University law professor Edward Foley. \"The courts, therefore, were not going to penalize valid voters for alleged mistakes of election officials.\"","\"If you look at a number of states, they didn't follow their state-passed laws that govern the election for president,\" Scalise said Oct. 10. \"That is what the United States Constitution says. They don't say the states determine what the rules are. They say the state legislatures determine the rules.\"","That\u2019s what Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., repeated in an Oct. 10 interview with Chris Wallace on \"Fox News Sunday.\" Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, wouldn\u2019t say whether he thought the election was stolen. But he rehashed a talking point he has used for months to question the validity of the result: accusing state officials of doing an end run around election laws passed by their own legislatures.","About a week after the election, then White House communications director Alyssa Farah said she walked into the Oval Office. Trump was watching Biden on the television."]},{"id":"10984.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Nationally, the unemployment rate for veterans is far greater than the national unemployment rate, and Wisconsin is one of those rare examples where unemployment is actually lower for veterans than it is for the population as a whole and certainly lower than it is nationally.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Walker's claim that nationally, the unemployment rate for veterans is higher than the national unemployment rate. However, it is important to note that the claim about Wisconsin being a rare example where veteran unemployment is lower than the overall population and lower than the national average is not entirely accurate. While Wisconsin does have a lower veteran unemployment rate compared to the national average, it does not necessarily make it a rare exception. Other states also have lower veteran unemployment rates. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to support the claim of Wisconsin being a rare example.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13012.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Pat McCrory, (North Carolina) has fallen to 41st in teacher pay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that North Carolina was ranked 41st in teacher pay during Pat McCrory's tenure as governor, it is misleading to attribute the fall solely to his leadership. In reality, North Carolina's ranking in teacher pay actually improved from 43rd to 41st during McCrory's time in office. While the increase is minimal, it contradicts the claim that the state has fallen to 41st in teacher pay under McCrory's leadership.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12407.json","label":"false","statement":"I have had to fill out FEC reports for the past six years now, and theyre much more detailed than a tax return...","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While FEC reports and tax returns are both detailed documents, they serve different purposes and require different types of information. FEC reports primarily focus on campaign finances, including contributions, expenditures, and other financial transactions related to political campaigns. On the other hand, tax returns provide a comprehensive overview of an individual's or entity's income, deductions, credits, and tax liabilities. Comparing the two is not appropriate as they serve different functions and require different types of information.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12528.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"He leant his name to a bill, did little or nothing three years ago to try to get it passed, (and) since then has done absolutely nothing other than disavow any attempt to move on the legislation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Toomey's name was on the Toomey-Manchin amendment, which aimed to expand background checks, the claim that he \"did little or nothing\" to try to get it passed is not entirely accurate. Toomey did lend his support to the bill, but it is worth noting that he joined as a co-sponsor relatively late in the process, and the bill ultimately did not receive enough support to pass. However, it is an exaggeration to say that Toomey did \"absolutely nothing\" after the bill's failure. While he has not committed to reintroducing the exact same legislation, he has continued to advocate for measures to address gun violence and has worked on other bipartisan efforts related to background checks. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks nuance and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13041.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has not answered a single question about her immigration plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence that Hillary Clinton has answered questions about her immigration plan. While there may be instances where she declined to answer certain hypothetical questions or specific questions in certain interviews, it is incorrect to claim that she has not answered any questions about her immigration plan. In fact, there have been reports and articles discussing her immigration plan and her stance on various immigration-related issues.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9955.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Was Martha Kanter dispatched to Corvallis with $17 million in stimulus money to save Craig Robinsons job?","reason":"Reason: The claim that Martha Kanter was dispatched to Corvallis with $17 million in stimulus money to save Craig Robinson's job is false. Martha Kanter herself has denied the rumor, stating that she never traveled to Corvallis to award stimulus money and that she does not personally know Craig Robinson. Furthermore, records show that OSU had already spent $17.8 million in stimulus funds before the alleged incident, and there is no evidence to support the claim that an administration official was dispatched to Corvallis for this purpose. The statement is entirely baseless and lacks any factual foundation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5494.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the proposed fiscal year 2013 budget is still below the level of state spending when I took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The evidence confirms that the proposed fiscal year 2013 budget is indeed lower than the level of state spending when Governor Christie took office. While it is acknowledged that state spending has increased with each new budget since Governor Christie's inauguration, the specific claim regarding the proposed fiscal year 2013 budget being below the level of state spending when he took office is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"New Jersey can and must do more to slow global warming, especially after 2012's extreme weather and Hurricane Sandy, the most destructive Atlantic storm ever,\" Environment New Jersey said recently on its website.","Doug O\u2019Malley, interim director for Environment New Jersey, said 'destructive' refers to the storm's financial damages. Data shows that while Sandy may be the worst storm to ever batter New Jersey and the tristate region, it\u2019s not the most destructive Atlantic storm in history.","Sandy may be the most destructive storm to hit a part of the Eastern Seaboard but in terms of most destructive Atlantic storms, that title goes to Katrina, which formed in the Atlantic and whose damages topped $100 billion, according to Hurricane Center data. Sandy, however, is very high on the list, with damages totaling at least $82 billion. Still, that\u2019s not number one in today\u2019s dollars or compared with storms adjusted for inflation in 2010. We rate this statement Mostly False.","The most destructive Atlantic storm? Ever? Considering the magnitude of some other hurricanes in history, PolitiFact New Jersey decided to investigate."]},{"id":"2338.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I asked (then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice) how many people had died and she did not know the answer to that question.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence or credible source to support the claim that the speaker asked then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about the number of people who had died, and that she did not know the answer. It is important to ensure that statements are based on accurate information and supported by reliable sources.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4671.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every month since 9\/11, there have been as many suicide attacks against the United States and its allies as there were in all the years leading up to 9\/11.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings that the number of suicide attacks against the United States and its allies each month after 9\/11 is, on average, greater than the total number of suicide attacks that occurred before 9\/11. The analysis of the data shows a median of 18 suicide attacks per month since 9\/11, which is higher than the total of 10 suicide attacks before 9\/11. However, it's important to note that the statement uses the term \"equivalent,\" which may imply an exact match in numbers, whereas the data shows a higher average number of attacks per month. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional clarification regarding the use of the term \"equivalent.\"\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I was the most bipartisan senator in the United States Senate,\" Brown said, according to a report published in The Portsmouth Herald. \"I voted 50-50. So I worked with everybody. And here's the problem, I was the most bipartisan senator.\"","\"I am so honored to be named as one of the most bipartisan senators in the United States Senate in the last 25 years,\" she said.","We checked the Georgetown University Bipartisan Index and saw that Ernst was ranked 34th among 98 senators actively serving in the U.S. Senate in 2019. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConell and minority leader Chuck Schumer were excluded from the analysis.","Judging by votes alone, Brown was not always the most bipartisan senator during his time in office, but he was No. 1 for a time, and was close for the rest of the time. We rate Brown\u2019s claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"3975.json","label":"false","statement":"Two thirds of the people in Wisconsin strongly disagree with this idea of permanently taking away peoples rights to collective bargaining.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there is evidence that a majority of Wisconsin voters opposed stripping employees of most of their collective bargaining rights, the claim that two-thirds of the people in Wisconsin strongly disagree with permanently taking away people's rights to collective bargaining is not supported by the evidence provided. The highest level of opposition found in the polls was 65 percent, which falls short of the two-thirds claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Gov. Scott Walker \"raises the pay of inmates, but we don't raise the pay of staff in our correctional institutions.\"","Beil said Walker has raised the pay of working inmates, \"but we don't raise the pay of staff in our correctional institutions.\" Neither group, however, has received a pay raise.","The reaction to Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s state employee pay plan, which calls for no pay raises for state workers for the next two years, fell along party lines.","It says the prison would no longer pay a lower wage to inmates during their first 60 days of work. Paying new inmate workers a few pennies per hour less during their probationary period costs more -- in staff time to adjust pay rates -- than if the inmates received the regular wage, the email said."]},{"id":"9455.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Eric Cantor was the co-author of the House GOP principles on immigration reform. Both the New York Times and the Washington Postsaid that thatcaptured the essence of what was in the Senate immigration bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Laura Ingraham regarding Eric Cantor's involvement in the House GOP principles on immigration reform. However, the claim that both the New York Times and the Washington Post stated that the House GOP principles captured the essence of what was in the Senate immigration bill is not entirely accurate. While the sources may have made similar observations or comparisons, it is important to note that they may not have explicitly made the exact statement as described. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precision in its characterization of the media's assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The current debate over authorizing military action against the Islamic State \"would be the first time Congress would place limits on the commander-in-chief's ability to be commander-in-chief.\"","Kinzinger said that the authorization for use of military force now pending in Congress would represent \"the first time Congress would place limits on the commander-in-chief's ability to be commander-in-chief.\"","\"This would be the first time Congress would place limits on the commander-in-chief's ability to be commander-in-chief,\" Kinzinger said on the Feb. 15, 2015, edition of ABC\u2019s This Week with George Stephanopoulos. \"We don't own his limited strategy. The president has to make that decision, which is why I think he needs the broad power to do what the commander-in-chief does.\"","In the Constitution, Congress was granted the power to declare war and raise and maintain an army and a navy. At the same time, the president was deemed commander-in-chief. Those two roles have competed for centuries."]},{"id":"11605.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsins 6th congressional district has more manufacturing jobs than almost any other in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows an increase in manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin. According to a state report, there were 450,000 manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin, which indicates a significant presence of manufacturing in the state. While the evidence does not explicitly compare the number of manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin's 6th congressional district to other districts, it supports the claim that Wisconsin, as a whole, has a substantial manufacturing sector. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the 6th congressional district, being a part of Wisconsin, likely has a significant number of manufacturing jobs.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Portman said the \"U.S. debt is now equal to 100 percent of the GDP.\" It is not, but \"he\u2019s pretty darn close, given the information we have,\" says Peuquet.","And when Portman said \"the U.S. debt now equals 100 percent of the GDP,\" it was clear -- as it has been from weeks of debate in Washington -- which debt he meant.","In commenting on his appointment that day, Portman issued a statement with a budget fact that struck us as curious. He said, \"I am honored to answer the call to serve on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction and will work hard to ensure that meaningful spending cuts are made to reduce our deficits, change the trajectory of Washington's record high debt, and to encourage economic growth and job creation. With the U.S. debt now equal to 100 percent of the GDP, Washington cannot continue to kick the can down the road again.\"","Comparing GDP with debt, we ran the numbers a couple of other ways, using both old and newer BEA figures for GDP and the Treasury Department\u2019s \"Debt to the Penny\" website for specific debt figures. If you wanted to use 2010 GDP, a fairer comparison would be to measure gross debt on Dec. 31, 2010, which was equal to 96.5 percent of the GDP. That\u2019s high, of course, and it prompted concerns about spending and revenues. But it was not seen as a doomsday trigger."]},{"id":"2708.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I lost my health insurance and my doctor because of Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Ribble, claiming that he lost his health insurance and doctor specifically because of Obamacare, is not supported by the evidence. Principal Financial Group, the insurance provider in question, made a business decision to exit the insurance market, which was unrelated to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Furthermore, the decision had been under consideration for years before the health reform plan was introduced. Therefore, attributing Ribble's loss of insurance and doctor solely to Obamacare is misleading and not based on factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["And classifying it as a tax that would \"raise taxes on the middle class while giving a huge tax break to millionaires like himself\" adds in a dose of political hyperbole.","Then comes the voice-over: \"John Boozman is excited about putting a 23 percent national sales tax on everything you buy. Calling it a fair tax is like putting a dress on a pig. 95 percent of Arkansans would pay more taxes.\"","The legislation specifically calls for abolishing most federal taxes - including personal and corporate income taxes, payroll taxes, and estate and gift taxes - and replacing them with a national sales tax on private consumption, home interest payments and government spending. It would have a rate of 23 percent.","Which brings us to Lincoln's claim that the plan would result in 95 percent of Arkansans paying more taxes. That statistic comes from a 2004 analysis( \"2004 analysis\") from the left-leaning Citizens for Tax Justice. But it's not an apples-to-apples analysis of the bills repeatedly proposed in Congress. The group's research arm, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, used a 45 percent sales tax for its analysis arguing that was a more realistic percentage for what is needed to raise the same amount of revenue as the current federal tax system. Other economists have criticized the 23 percent figure as well, saying that it would require massive cuts in federal spending (or running up massive debt) if it were used alone to replace the federal income tax. Nonetheless, the figure used in the study is not the 23 percent sales tax figure contained in the bill Boozman cosponsored. What the appropriate percentage for a national sales tax ought to be is a matter for debate, but we think it's misleading to cite the 95 percent figure in the ad based on an analysis of a sales tax that is nearly double the tax rate in the bill Boozman cosponsored."]},{"id":"3651.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As far as standing committees, we have 10 fewer standing committees. So weve saved the state about a quarter-of-a-million dollars through the reduction of the standing committees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately states that there are 10 fewer standing committees, which resulted in cost savings. However, the claim that the state saved about a quarter-of-a-million dollars through the reduction of the standing committees lacks specific evidence or details to support the exact amount saved. While it is plausible that there were cost savings, the statement does not provide sufficient evidence to determine the precise amount saved.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Here's an ad unveiled Oct. 11, 2010( \"ad unveiled Oct. 11, 2010\"). \"The stock market crash,\" a narrator somberly intones, as video and audio clips of the 2008 Wall Street tumble stream by. \"If Social Security had been privatized, seniors would have seen their retirement wiped out.\" (Video shows four images of seniors.) \"Congressman Pat Toomey still supports privatizing Social Security. See, Toomey has represented Wall Street his entire life, so Toomey puts Wall Street profits ahead of protecting Pennsylvania seniors.\" (Video shows images of Toomey and newspaper clips referring to his stance on privatizing Social Security.)","In what's becoming a close Pennsylvania Senate race, Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak is hammering former Republican Rep. Pat Toomey over Social Security.","A recent AFSCME ad claimed Pat Toomey supported Social Security privatization during his time as Senator: \"Because as a senator Toomey stood up for Wall Street. He wanted to privatize Social Security and invest it in the stock market. Wall Street would make billions in fees even if the stock market crashed.\"","Pat Toomey is a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, having won election to his seat in 2010 by defeating Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak. Toomey occupies the seat formerly held by Sen. Arlen Specter, to whom he narrowly lost in the 2004 Republican U.S. Senate primary."]},{"id":"9894.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Obamas) entire national security team, including his secretary of state, said we want to arm and train and equip (Syrian rebel forces), and he made the unilateral decision to turn them down.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Senator McCain and others that President Obama's national security team, including his secretary of state, expressed support for arming and training Syrian rebel forces. It is also true that President Obama ultimately decided against providing direct military support to the rebels. However, it's important to note that the decision was not entirely unilateral, as it was made after careful consideration of various factors, including the potential risks and complexities involved in such an intervention. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the decision-making process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2955.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Governor-elect Scott Walkers opposition to high-speed rail killed 13,000 Wisconsin jobs","reason":"Reason: The claim that Governor-elect Scott Walker's opposition to high-speed rail killed 13,000 Wisconsin jobs is not supported by credible evidence. The state Democratic Party relied on a report that had been discredited and disavowed by the Journal Sentinel. Additionally, the evidence provided does not substantiate the claim that 13,000 jobs were lost due to Walker's opposition to high-speed rail. Therefore, the statement is false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7093.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says New Jersey is 50th in return of our federal tax dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the Tax Foundation's analysis of 2005 data, which adjusted for each state's overall federal tax burden, New Jersey ranked 50th in the nation in terms of the return it received on its federal tax dollars. This indicates that New Jersey residents contribute more in federal taxes than they receive in federal funding. However, it's important to note that the data is specific to 2005 and may have changed in subsequent years. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the data from that particular analysis, it may not represent the current ranking of New Jersey in terms of federal tax return.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Funny or Die video said Trump shirts are made in Bangladesh, Trump suits in Mexico, Trump Vodka in the Netherlands, Trump crystal barware in Slovenia and his cufflinks and ties in China.","Goolsbee and Jeong then go through a series of Trump-brand products \u2014 shirts, neckties, suits, cufflinks, vodka and glassware \u2014 to see where they were made.","Says Trump ties are made \"in China, not Colorado. Trump suits in Mexico, not Michigan. Trump furniture in Turkey, not Ohio. Trump picture frames in India, not Wisconsin.\"","Clinton says Trump ties are made \"in China, not Colorado. Trump suits in Mexico, not Michigan. Trump furniture in Turkey, not Ohio. Trump picture frames in India, not Wisconsin.\""]},{"id":"13173.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The U.S. Senate has one manufacturer thatd be me.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Based on the evidence provided, it is clear that the speaker is Cory Booker, a Democratic presidential candidate and senator from New Jersey. While the evidence does not explicitly mention the statement itself, it supports the claim that Cory Booker is a member of the U.S. Senate. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8719.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Because of the health care law, by 2017, we will be funneling over $100 billion annually to private insurance companies.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a significant amount of money will be directed towards private insurance companies due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. However, the exact figure of over $100 billion annually is slightly overstated. The more accurate estimate provided by analysts is around $95 billion. Additionally, it's important to note that the funds allocated to insurance companies are not solely for their profits, as they are expected to cover healthcare costs and may also need to absorb a portion of new taxes. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of increased funding to private insurance companies, it exaggerates the amount slightly.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One of the opponents\u2019 claims, published on the website of OUCH -- (\"Our Unfortunate Convention Hotel\") caught our eye: \"Taxpayer subsidy for OCC hotel jumps $100 million in closed-door sessions. $8 million to $130 million with zero public input. OUCH, that hurts.\"","PolitiFact Oregon decided to see whether a $197.5 million project rolled out as minimalist in public investment ended up getting significant subsidies in \"closed-door sessions.\"","Plans for a large upscale hotel to boost business at the Oregon Convention Center have floated around for years. So has opposition, in part from downtown hotels concerned that any public subsidies could unfairly undercut their businesses.","Metro\u2019s Dresler responded to both of Wali\u2019s main points. Yes, she acknowledged, negotiations between Metro staff and Mortenson\/Hyatt team members have been conducted in what OUCH characterized as \"closed-door sessions.\""]},{"id":"9242.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Cory Gardner championed an eight-year crusade to outlaw birth control here in Colorado.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Cory Gardner has supported personhood measures in the past, which could potentially have implications for certain forms of birth control, it is an exaggeration to claim that he championed an eight-year crusade to outlaw birth control in Colorado. Gardner's support for personhood measures primarily focused on his anti-abortion stance, and he has stated that he did not intend to target birth control specifically. However, it is important to note that his support for personhood measures could have unintended consequences for certain contraceptive methods. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks the necessary context to accurately represent Gardner's position on birth control.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Since we're not Al Gore, we wondered if we're getting a bad deal: $9.99 for a compact fluorescent lamp \u2014 the squiggly pig-tailed bulb Barton mentions, also known as a CFL \u2014 versus $1.99 for a four-pack of traditional bulbs.","On their face, the prices cited in Barton's statement hold up. Yes, you can go to Walmart and buy a four-pack of incandescent bulbs for $1.88 (online) or 84 cents (at the Austin Supercenter) \u2014 prices even lower than Barton aired \u2014 and a single CFL bulb for $11.77 (even more than he said). However, Walmart also sells some CFLs for less and other incandescent bulbs for more.","Again, bulb prices varied. A three-pack of soft-white 13-watt CFL bulbs costs $4.92, according to Walmart's website. A two-pack of soft-white 60-watt incandescents costs $2.54. That's $1.64 per CFL bulb and $1.27 per incandescent.","Then the dig: \"Now, if you're Al Gore, you can afford $10 a pop for squiggly-pig-tailed fluorescent light bulbs. But if you're mainstream America, two or three kids, mom and dad working outside the home, that's not a very good deal. So I think repeal that law right off the bat to show that we're going to put market forces back into play. We'll show the American people that we're serious about an energy policy that actually produces energy for America.\""]},{"id":"686.json","label":"false","statement":"In the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama \"has not reached across party lines to get anything significant done.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Barack Obama did not reach across party lines to achieve significant accomplishments in the U.S. Senate. However, there is evidence to the contrary, indicating that Obama did work across party lines on various issues. He collaborated with Republican senators like Richard Lugar and Tom Coburn on significant legislation related to foreign policy and government transparency. Additionally, Obama's ability to shape outcomes and influence debates, even while his party was in the minority, demonstrates his effectiveness as a senator. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Media accounts establish that Bush, not the State of Florida, decided which private emails to disclose \u2013 apparently nothing would have stopped the Bush team from selectively leaving out politically problematic emails,\" the American Bridge website read.","American Bridge 21st Century posted on its website a reaction to a March 2 tweet Bush sent out about Clinton\u2019s use of a private email account while she was Secretary of State. The PAC pointed out that Bush also had used a private account as governor, and had repeatedly defended his own editing of what emails would become part of the Florida public record.","The emails Bush turned over to the state are only the ones he self-selected as pertaining to state business. He left out messages concerning politics, family matters and fundraising -- although there are several emails from donors posted on the site. Bush acknowledged he kept his emails on a private server.","If there is any question that emails had been left out of Bush\u2019s disclosure, a person or group could make a public records request and file a civil suit if they think something\u2019s missing, she said. State law does allow private inspections of electronic devices if warranted to find missing texts and emails. But no one has made that challenge of Bush, Petersen said."]},{"id":"9160.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Koch brothers funded the fight to let flood insurance premiums soar ... Now theyre spending millions to buy a Senate seat for Bill Cassidy so he can fight for them.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the Koch brothers funded the fight to increase flood insurance premiums and are now spending millions to buy a Senate seat for Bill Cassidy. While it is true that the Koch brothers have been involved in political spending and have supported conservative causes, there is insufficient evidence to directly link them to the specific actions mentioned in the statement. The claim lacks concrete evidence and relies on speculation and generalizations. Therefore, it is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1481.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have billions in surplus.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Texas has accumulated a significant surplus in its fund, it is important to note that the surplus is not unlimited and can fluctuate based on various factors such as oil and natural-gas production taxes. The evidence suggests that there have been projections of both surpluses and shortfalls in the state's budget, indicating that the surplus is not a constant or guaranteed amount. Therefore, the statement that Texas has billions in surplus is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the dynamic nature of the state's financial situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12890.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons plan would tax many small businesses by almost 50 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that Donald Trump claimed Hillary Clinton's plan would tax many small businesses by almost 50 percent, previous fact-checks have found this claim to be mostly false. Clinton's tax proposals primarily focus on increasing taxes for high-income individuals and large corporations, rather than targeting small businesses specifically. While some small businesses may be affected by her proposed tax changes, the claim that many small businesses would face a nearly 50 percent tax increase is misleading and does not accurately represent Clinton's plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"More than 9,000 Rhode Island voters used the Moderate Party master lever mechanism and they didn't have a single Moderate on their ballot.\"","Kenneth Block said, \"More than 9,000 Rhode Island voters used the Moderate Party master lever mechanism and they didn't have a single moderate on their ballot.\"","In a recent appearance on the \"State of the State\" television program, Block said that in the November 2012 election, \"More than 9,000 Rhode Island voters used the Moderate Party master lever mechanism and they didn't have a single Moderate on their ballot.\"","Kenneth Block, founder and chairman of the Moderate Party of Rhode Island, has launched a campaign to get rid of the master lever, saying it\u2019s outdated and creates confusion for many voters."]},{"id":"7572.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While the United States has seen its unemployment rate steadily decline, New Jerseys remains nearly two percent higher than the national average and more than a point higher than Connecticut and New York.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that New Jersey's unemployment rate is higher than the national average and higher than neighboring states such as Connecticut and New York. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support this claim. The evidence discusses the impact of the pandemic on women and the personal saving rate, but it does not specifically address the unemployment rate in New Jersey compared to other states. Therefore, while the statement may align with the overall trend, it lacks direct evidence to fully support it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"So, they just took it all away from Medicare, $716 billion, funneled out of Medicare by President Obama. An obligation we have to our parents and grandparents is being sacrificed, all to pay for a new entitlement we didn\u2019t even ask for. The greatest threat to Medicare is Obamacare, and we\u2019re going to stop it.\"","Ryan said Obama \"funneled\" $716 billion out of Medicare \"at the expense of the elderly.\" This gives a very misleading impression.","In the latest salvo in a growing battle over Medicare, President Barack Obama\u2019s campaign has released an ad that criticizes the Mitt Romney-Paul Ryan ticket over Ryan\u2019s plan for Medicare.","So, yes, Obama\u2019s law did find $716 billion in spending reductions. They were mainly aimed at insurance companies and hospitals, not beneficiaries. The law made significant reductions to Medicare Advantage, a subset of Medicare plans run by private insurers. Medicare Advantage was started under President George W. Bush, and the idea was that competition among the private insurers would reduce costs. But the plans have actually cost the government more than traditional Medicare. The health care law scales back the payments to private insurers."]},{"id":"9514.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 31 states, decent child care costs more than college tuition.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a report that surveyed child care providers in all 50 states. According to the report, in 31 states and the District of Columbia, the average annual cost for infant care in center-based care was higher than a year's tuition and fees at a four-year public college. However, it's important to note that the comparison does not account for potential federal aid and tax credits that could affect the overall cost of child care. Additionally, the report also highlights that home-based care can be a less expensive option for parents. Overall, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context regarding the potential impact of financial assistance programs and the availability of different child care options.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Trump said Hillary Clinton \"has even deleted this record of total support (for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement) from her book.\"","\"She has even deleted this record of total support from her book,\" he said, adding, \"deletion is something she is very good at,\" a reference to the tens of thousands of emails she deleted on her home internet server.","Did Hillary Clinton actually censor her own book to hide her past support for the trade agreement that has since come under fire?","Donald Trump accused Hillary Clinton of trying to delete part of her personal history during a June 22, 2016, speech that focused in part on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal."]},{"id":"4600.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says someone earning $50,000 a year will fare better under his 9-9-9 plan than under the current tax system.","reason":"Reason: While Herman Cain claimed that someone earning $50,000 a year would pay less in taxes and have more money left over under his 9-9-9 plan compared to the current tax system, further analysis reveals that this statement is only partially true. When considering single earners, it is possible that they may benefit from the 9-9-9 plan. However, for married couples and individuals with children earning $50,000 a year, it is likely that they would end up paying more in taxes under the 9-9-9 plan compared to the current system. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and requires additional context to provide a more accurate representation of the potential impact of the 9-9-9 plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12983.json","label":"false","statement":"On drilling off the Atlantic coast","reason":"Reason: While there have been discussions and proposals to allow drilling off the Atlantic coast, the statement that drilling has already taken place or is currently permitted off the Atlantic coast is false. The last lease sale for oil or natural gas drilling in the Atlantic occurred in 1983, and no active leases remain. Legislation would need to be approved by Congress and signed by the president to allow drilling in the Atlantic. While estimates suggest there may be significant oil and gas reserves in the Atlantic seabed, actual drilling has not yet been authorized.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After playing a clip of Boxer's statement, Fiorina faces the camera and responds, \"Terrorism kills, and Barbara Boxer's worried about the weather.\"","So while there is certainly room for disagreement about how big a national security threat climate change will ultimately be, Boxer is hardly advocating a fringe theory. The notion that climate change will be significant is being discussed at the Pentagon and the CIA.","The latest ad from California Senate candidate Carly Fiorina -- who is running in the Republican primary to take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer -- mocks Boxer for saying in 2007 that \"one of the very important national security issues frankly is climate change.\"","Meanwhile, on Sept. 25, 2009, the CIA announced the launch of a Center on Climate Change and National Security. According to a CIA press release announcing the launch, the center's charter \"is not the science of climate change,\" but rather \"the national security impact of phenomena such as desertification, rising sea levels, population shifts, and heightened competition for natural resources.\""]},{"id":"11692.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Ted Cruz supports legalizing people who are in this country illegally.","reason":"Reason: While there have been claims made by Rubio and others that Ted Cruz supports legalizing people who are in the country illegally, it is important to note that Cruz has positioned himself as a strong opponent of amnesty and has advocated for stricter immigration policies. While Cruz did propose an amendment to a bill that would have allowed undocumented immigrants to obtain work permits, it was part of a larger strategy to defeat the bill by exposing what he believed to be its flaws. Therefore, while there is some basis for the claim, it is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect Cruz's overall stance on immigration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7204.json","label":"false","statement":"Says our economy in New Jersey gets $38 billion from the businesses at the Shore.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Jersey Shore does contribute significantly to New Jersey's tourism industry, it is incorrect to attribute the entire $38 billion to businesses at the Shore. The $38 billion figure represents the total contribution of New Jersey's entire tourism industry, and the Shore region is responsible for only about half of that amount. It is important to accurately represent the economic impact of different regions within the state.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10585.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There are at least three sectors of the border, one in particular, that are just completely insecure.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rubio lacks specific details and evidence to support the claim that there are at least three completely insecure sectors of the border. Without further clarification or information, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this statement. Additionally, experts in immigration and border security were unable to identify the specific sectors that Rubio was referring to. Therefore, the statement is deemed as barely-true due to the lack of substantiating evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10994.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have at least 200,000 to 300,000 hate crimes in a given year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker regarding the estimated number of hate crimes in a given year. The National Crime Victimization Survey supports this claim, estimating nearly 300,000 victims of hate crimes in a 2012 report. While the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program reports a lower number of reported hate crimes, experts acknowledge that this method may result in underreporting due to factors such as police non-participation and miscategorization. It's important to note that the estimate provided is within a range (200,000 to 300,000) and may vary from year to year. Overall, the statement aligns with the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Toomey wrote that Garland \"authored an opinion that resulted in the release of 17 Guantanamo Bay prisoners who were part of a group of violent Islamist extremists the State Department had designated as terrorists.\"","Garland \"authored an opinion that resulted in the release of 17 Guantanamo Bay prisoners who were part of a group of violent Islamist extremists the State Department had designated as terrorists,\" Republican Toomey wrote in an April op-ed for PennLive titled, \"Here's why I'm opposing Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination.\"","Look closely: Toomey\u2019s statement combines two court rulings, Garland\u2019s and a later decision. The first, decided by a three-judge panel and indeed authored by Garland, ordered the release of one detainee, not 17.","U.S. Senator Pat Toomey has doubts about Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland -- particularly regarding a ruling that set free prisoners from Guant\u00e1namo Bay."]},{"id":"5381.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says critics called the original GI Bill welfare.","reason":"Reason: While it is not accurate to say that critics of the original GI Bill explicitly referred to it as \"welfare,\" there were some who considered the GI Bill as a step towards the United States becoming more of a social-welfare state. The term \"welfare\" was not commonly used by critics to describe the GI Bill, but rather by some later admirers who saw it as a progressive policy in the context of expanding social welfare programs. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the views of critics of the GI Bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9379.json","label":"false","statement":"Milwaukee has the second-highest number of children recovered from sex trafficking.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Milwaukee has the second-highest number of children recovered from sex trafficking. Without any credible data or sources to substantiate this assertion, it is misleading and should not be considered accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It\u2019s the worst economy in 80 years and Democrats want to raise taxes on small businesses. That\u2019s the way Rep. Eric Cantor and other Republican leaders describe efforts to let some Bush-era tax cuts expire.","Would ending the Bush tax cuts raise levies on small businesses, as Cantor\u2019s says? Sure, some extremely successful small businesses would be affected, but probably not many.","\"The question is are we going to raise taxes on small businesses right now, when we\u2019re looking at those very individuals, those small businesses, to create jobs,\" Cantor, the soon-to-be House majority leader, said on CNN. \"I don\u2019t think many people think that\u2019s a good idea.\"","About 272,000 Americans in the highest income tax bracket report more than half of their earnings come from business profits. Their average business income is $718,827, according to the Tax Policy Center, whose figures Cantor sometimes uses. That hardly sounds like a corner shop owner, whose image Cantor seems to invoke when he says Democrats are trying to raise taxes on small businesses."]},{"id":"1302.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"I didn't endorse\" the federal stimulus bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Crist, claiming \"I didn't endorse\" the federal stimulus bill, is contradicted by the evidence provided. In the evidence, it is mentioned that Crist told a national television audience that he didn't endorse the stimulus bill. This directly contradicts his previous statement where he claimed not to have endorsed it. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Statistics bear out that any time a country, a state, makes more restrictive abortion laws \u2014 restricts women\u2019s access to comprehensive reproductive health care \u2014 fatalities go up and abortions actually increase,\" Antonio said.","Regarding fatalities, the study noted that abortion mortality in one country, South Africa, dropped as the country\u2019s abortion laws became less restrictive. In Nepal, abortion mortality fell as abortion became legal.","Antonio\u2019s statement raised PolitiFact Ohio\u2019s curiosity because she was suggesting that the anti-abortion bills Ohio Republicans have supported would actually cause an increase in abortions.","But that does not mean those restrictive laws increase abortion rates, and we did not find research that reached such a conclusion."]},{"id":"5496.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker doesnt make his calendar public -- hes on our dime and we dont know where he is.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker doesn't make his calendar public is partially true. While it is true that Walker's calendar is not publicly available, it is important to note that this is not unique to him. Many government officials, including governors, do not release their calendars for various reasons, such as security concerns or the need for privacy in certain matters. However, it is also true that as a public servant, Walker's activities are funded by taxpayers, and there is an expectation of transparency and accountability regarding his whereabouts and official duties. Therefore, while the statement highlights a valid concern, it should be noted that the lack of public access to Walker's calendar is not exclusive to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The president's budget \"would take ... non-defense spending to its lowest level ... as a percentage of the economy since JFK.\"","\"We\u2019ve drafted a budget for next year that freezes all discretionary government spending outside of national security for three years, a budget, by the way, that would reduce this spending -- non-defense discretionary spending -- to its lowest level as a share of the economy in 50 years,\" Obama said. \"This isn\u2019t talked about a lot, so I\u2019m going to repeat it. Our budget would take non-security defense -- or non-defense spending to its lowest level since JFK -- lowest level as a percentage of the economy since JFK.\"","If you look past his verbal false starts, we think there's a fact worth checking here -- that his budget \"would take ... non-defense spending to its lowest level ... as a percentage of the economy since JFK.\"","So, starting in 2014, non-defense discretionary spending is poised to fall below the lowest level it reached between 1962 and the present, and that percentage continues to decline through 2021."]},{"id":"2405.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The stimulus has not created one private sector job.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the stimulus has not created one private sector job is false. Multiple economists and experts have acknowledged that the stimulus package did contribute to job creation in the private sector. While there may be debates about the effectiveness or efficiency of the stimulus, it is widely recognized that it did have a positive impact on employment, including the private sector. Therefore, the statement is factually incorrect.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\u0093\"Of the approximately 6 million disfranchised citizens in the Unites States, one-quarter are Floridians,\" said Desmond Meade, one of the event\u0092 organizers and President of FRRC. \"\u0093Florida\u0092's disfranchisement rate is the highest in the country, more than 10 percent of the state'\u0092s voting age population is disfranchised, and a shocking 23 percent of Florida\u0092's African-American population is disfranchised. Many of those who have lost voting and civil rights are men and women of God: preachers, pastors, deacons and apostles.\u0094\"","Their most recent updated figures show 1.5 million disenfranchised Americans in Florida, as of December 2010, out of 5.85 million disenfranchised nationally. That\u2019s roughly 25 percent. (The Sentencing Project, another advocacy group, used Uggen\u2019s data to create a state-by-state map.)","Sentencing Project, \"State-level estimates of felon disenfranchisement in the United States: 2010,\" by Christopher Uggen and Sarah Shannon at the University of Minnesota and Jeff Manza at New York University, July 2012","\"In 2010, more people were disenfranchised in Florida than in any other state and Florida\u2019s disenfranchisement rate remains the highest among the 50 states,\" Uggen wrote in a 2012 paper."]},{"id":"2658.json","label":"half-true","statement":"What is the maximum number of students allowed in your classroom? ... 30 or more!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the maximum number of students allowed in a classroom can be 30 or more. However, it lacks context and does not provide any evidence or information to support this claim. The label \"half-true\" is assigned because while the statement itself is true, it lacks supporting evidence or context to fully validate its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton said that last summer, Sen. Barack Obama \"basically threatened to bomb Pakistan, which I don't think was a particularly wise position to take.\"","\u2022 Clinton took a line from Sen. John McCain and President Bush with her claim that Obama \"basically threatened to bomb Pakistan,\" which is nearly identical to recent comments by McCain and Bush. She is distorting Obama's remarks just as they did and we give her a Pants on Fire.","SUMMARY: In the final scheduled debate between the Democrats, Obama and Clinton get fast and loose with the facts. We find Clinton is right that Obama didn't hold subcommittee hearings but is wrong that he wants to bomb Pakistan.","\u2022 We found Clinton took Obama's comments out of context when she contended that he said in 2004 \"that he basically agreed with the way George Bush was conducting the war.\" We rated that Half True."]},{"id":"6432.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force is the first task force of its kind in Central Ohio","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has claimed that the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force is the first task force of its kind in Central Ohio. While it is important to note that there have been other efforts and task forces addressing human trafficking in Ohio, DeWine's claim specifically refers to the Central Ohio region. Therefore, within the context of Central Ohio, DeWine's task force can be considered the first of its kind.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1424.json","label":"true","statement":"\"PWNED: House GOP Dominates Twitter, YouTube, Social Media in Congress.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by House Republican Leader John Boehner that the House GOP dominates Twitter, YouTube, and social media in Congress. This claim is supported by evidence that shows a higher number of Republican YouTube channels, as well as higher viewership and subscriptions for Republican channels compared to their Democratic counterparts. The evidence also indicates that the majority of the top-viewed and most-subscribed YouTube channels in Congress belong to the GOP. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6978.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Virginia papers called (Scott) Rigells campaign Mostly False.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The evidence provided does not support the claim that \"Virginia papers called (Scott) Rigell's campaign Mostly False.\" The evidence only mentions specific claims made by Rigell during his campaign that were rated as Mostly False or False by PolitiFact Virginia. It does not refer to the overall assessment of Rigell's campaign or label it as Mostly False. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10557.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says she has opposed measures to weaken the Dodd-Frank Wall Street regulatory bill and campaign-finance legislation when they were offered as stand-alone bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Hillary Clinton has expressed support for the Dodd-Frank Wall Street regulatory bill and has opposed measures to weaken it. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive view of her stance on campaign-finance legislation. While she has supported campaign-finance reform in general, her position on specific stand-alone bills related to campaign-finance legislation is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6676.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that if Texas, California and New York all voted for Democratic presidential nominees, it would be mathematically impossible for Republicans to elect a president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While winning the combined electoral votes of Texas, California, and New York would provide a significant advantage to a Democratic presidential nominee, it would not be mathematically impossible for a Republican candidate to win the presidency. The outcome of a presidential election depends on the electoral votes from all states, not just these three. The statement oversimplifies the complex nature of the electoral system and disregards the importance of other states in determining the overall election result.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So Sanders had two opportunities to show support on the auto bailout: in December 2008, when Congress tried and failed to pass an auto bailout, and again in January 2009, when members considered blocking TARP funds.","The Plain Dealer, via , \"Barack Obama, Democrats call the auto bailouts a success, but did they work?\" by Robert Schoenberger, June 1, 2011","It is true that auto dealerships in Ohio closed as part of the bailout of General Motors. But the clear implication of the statement is that those closures were solely a result of the bailouts and might not have otherwise occurred.","As the United States faces economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders argued about their past records on bailouts following the 2008 financial collapse."]},{"id":"5066.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker eliminated cancer screenings for uninsured women and offered no alternatives.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Governor Scott Walker ended a contract with Planned Parenthood for assisting women in getting cancer screenings, it is misleading to claim that he eliminated cancer screenings for uninsured women and offered no alternatives. The contract termination with Planned Parenthood did not result in the elimination of cancer screenings altogether, as there are other healthcare providers and clinics available to provide these services. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserving of the pants-fire label.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Ed Gillespie\u2019s 2006 book \"promoted an individual health care mandate, and recommends that it be enforced by the IRS through the income tax code.\"","Democratic Party of Virginia: Ed Gillespie\u2019s 2006 book \"promoted an individual health-care mandate, and recommends that it be enforced by the IRS through the income tax code.\"","\"Gillespie\u2019s memoir promotes an individual health care mandate, and recommends that it be enforced by the IRS through the income tax code,\" the party statedin a March 24 news release.","\"A more rational approach is to ensure that every emancipated adult capable of providing for his or her health care do so,\" Gillespie wrote. \"One way to accomplish this is to use the tax code to gain compliance. Annual filers would have to attest that they have some form of health coverage or else the \u2018standard deduction\u2019 on their income tax would be cut in half.\""]},{"id":"5896.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says in regard to providing more tax cuts for the rich, Bill Pascrell said, Republicans had great ideas. I liked some of their ideas.","reason":"Reason: The statement taken from the ad is misleading and taken out of context. The clip of Bill Pascrell saying, \"Republicans had great ideas. I liked some of their ideas,\" was in reference to reaching a bipartisan deal on health care reform, not about providing more tax cuts for the rich. The ad falsely suggests that Pascrell admitted to supporting tax cuts for the wealthy when that was not the case. This misrepresentation of his statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A Blake Rocap mailer presents this message: \"When Republican extremists tried to take away abortion rights \u2026 Blake Rocap stopped them.\" On the flip side, the mailer says Rocap has 10 years of experience protecting abortion rights with key groups and \"stood up to Republicans\u2026 and won,\" even proving the architect of state Sen. Wendy Davis\u2019s 2013 filibuster ending a legislative session without abortion legislation advancing into law.","A Democratic aspirant for the Texas House seat to be relinquished by Elliott Naishtat of Austin presents himself as so much of a legislative pro, he stopped extremists from taking abortion rights.","Blake Rocap, a 2016 candidate to represent Austin's Texas House District 49, has advocated for abortion rights on behalf of NARAL, Pro-Choice Texas.","Rocap ranks among Texas \"pro-choice\" advocates who battled and sometimes derailed Republican moves pitched as reducing the prevalence of abortion. But Republicans also ultimately passed multiple restrictions into law; no one stopped that."]},{"id":"335.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"John McCain \"voted against the Bush tax cuts, both times.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. John McCain did vote against the Bush tax cuts in both 2001 and 2003. However, it's important to note that McCain later changed his stance and voted in favor of extending the tax cuts in 2006 and advocated for their extension during the 2008 presidential campaign. So, while the statement accurately reflects McCain's initial opposition to the tax cuts, it does not capture his subsequent change in position.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12507.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average student debt coming out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison is something like 28,000 dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the average student debt incurred by students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The information is sourced from the university's Office of Student Financial Aid, which tracks loans taken out by students through their Student Information System. It's important to note that this average debt only includes students who take out loans, and it does not account for loans taken out by parents on behalf of students. Overall, the statement is mostly true, given the specific context of the average student debt at UW-Madison.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Canova, a law professor and first-time candidate, said in a June 1 Medium post he \"helped to draft parts of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill, one of President Obama\u2019s signature accomplishments.\"","During the first Republican presidential debate, Rubio called for less regulation, lower taxes, and rolling back the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, passed in the wake of the financial crisis in 2010.","The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was a sweeping law with multiple components intended to avert another financial meltdown. (Canova has some criticisms of the law which he details in his book, The Bottom-Up Recovery.)","First, let\u2019s note that Dodd-Frank was billed as a safeguard against another financial crisis -- \"the most far reaching Wall Street reform in history,\" touts the White House -- and its regulations largely target big banks. So how did mom-and-pop bankers get hit in the crossfire?"]},{"id":"3465.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Due to a flaw in the 1995 Outer Continental Shelf Deep Water Royalty Relief Act numerous oil companies are now drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in federal lands and paying no royalties to the federal government.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Dennis Kucinich that due to a flaw in the 1995 Outer Continental Shelf Deep Water Royalty Relief Act, oil companies are drilling in the Gulf of Mexico on federal lands without paying royalties to the federal government. However, it's important to note that the flaw lies in the legislation itself, which relieved oil companies from paying royalties until they had recouped their investment. While the statement is true in terms of the lack of royalties being paid, it could benefit from additional context to explain the specific flaw in the law that allows for this situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13167.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Rep. John Katko promised he wouldnt vote to defund Planned Parenthood and since hes been in office hes done that four times","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources confirm that Rep. John Katko made a promise not to vote to defund Planned Parenthood during his campaign, and he has indeed voted four times in favor of defunding Planned Parenthood since taking office. The statement accurately reflects this information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"American homeownership rate in Q2 2016 was 62.9% - lowest rate in 51yrs,\" Trump tweeted July 30, 2016. \"WE will bring back the 'American Dream!\"","The Urban Institute said that in 2017, the white homeownership rate was 71.9% compared with 41.8% for Blacks. (The gap was similar in 2019 and during the first quarter of 2020.) The Black homeownership rate in 2017 was at its lowest level in 50 years and also the lowest of all racial and ethnic groups, according to the Urban Institute.","The \"homeownership rate\" is defined as the proportion of occupied households actually owned by those living there. A Census Bureau report released last week contains Trump\u2019s 62.9 percent figure, referring to the non-seasonally-adjusted homeownership rate.","So why has the African-American homeownership rate fallen for the past dozen years? More than anything, it\u2019s been the Great Recession and its aftermath."]},{"id":"9253.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is a Democrat.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is a Democrat. The fact that conservatives discovered Sterling's political affiliation does not necessarily make it true. Political affiliations are personal and can vary among individuals, regardless of their occupation or public controversies. Without credible and verifiable information specifically stating Sterling's political affiliation, it is not accurate to make a definitive claim about his party affiliation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In the Grimes campaign ad, a Kentucky resident claims that McConnell \"voted to raise my medicare costs by $6,000.\" The $6,000 figure cited in multiple studies measures a specific amount: The average out-of-pocket costs a new senior would pay in 2022 if Medicare changed to a more privatized system. People who turned 65 prior to 2022, like the retiree in Grimes\u2019 ad, would remain in the current Medicare system and would not incur those costs.","In real dollars, the Kaiser Family Foundation said the average senior would pay about $6,800 a year more in health care costs. The Grimes campaign also pointed us to 2011 studies by Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal think tank, that put the figure at about $6,350.","The major new spending in the bill comes from tax credits to help people of modest incomes buy health insurance and from expanding Medicaid to offer coverage to the poor. The tax credits and other cost-sharing subsidies are estimated to cost $350 billion over 10 years, while the Medicaid expansion costs $434 billion, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.","PolitiFact, \" Barack Obama ad says Paul Ryan\u2019s Medicare plan could raise costs for Medicare beneficiaries by $6,000 each,\" Aug. 23, 2012"]},{"id":"3300.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"FACT: the special assistant in @johnkasichs office makes over three times more than an average #OH firefighter","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Ohio Democratic Party that the special assistant in Governor John Kasich's office earns over three times more than the average Ohio firefighter. This claim is supported by evidence that the special assistant's salary is indeed more than three times the average salary of a firefighter with one year of experience. However, it's important to note that the comparison is based on the average salary of a firefighter with one year of experience, which may not represent the average salary of all firefighters. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the salary comparison.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"505.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama's wife said her goal in life was to put the black community \"first and foremost.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents Michelle Obama's words. While she did express pride in her country during her husband's presidential campaign, she did not explicitly state that her goal in life was to put the black community \"first and foremost.\" The evidence provided does not support this claim. It is important to accurately represent individuals' statements to maintain factual integrity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10131.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Money towards the Ebola vaccine is basically cut in half to what it was. More cuts are coming under the congressional sequester.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true, but it lacks some important context. If we compare the funding for Ebola vaccine research in 2010 ($37 million) to the estimated funding in 2014 ($17.2 million), it can be said that the funding was cut in half. However, it's important to note that this comparison is specific to those years. The statement does not provide a comprehensive overview of the funding trend over time. Additionally, while it is mentioned that more cuts are coming under the congressional sequester, the extent and impact of those cuts are not specified. Therefore, while the statement captures a partial truth, it could benefit from additional information and context to provide a more complete picture.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When career politician Daniel Webster became speaker of the House, he wasted $32,000 of our money on a spiral staircase for his office,\" the narrator says, before moving on to a claim that he used tax money for private flights.","Among the $100,000 or so Webster spent, he allocated just under $32,000 for a plain spiral staircase to internally link the Speaker's Office with the House Republican Offices below.","According to newspaper accounts Webster spent about $100,000 in taxpayer dollars on improvements to House facilities in his first months as speaker, including $31,983 on a spiral staircase.","The staircase \"will allow us to better coordinate things between the Speaker's Office and the Majority Office,\" Webster said at the time. He also noted that he took the idea from Democrats, who previously had drawn up plans for a spiral staircase of their own."]},{"id":"4179.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says state Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, unlike typical taxpayers, didnt pay taxes","reason":"Reason: The statement that state Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, didn't pay taxes is misleading. While it is true that Hopper's businesses had no state income tax liability over a decade, and he owed taxes personally in only one year, the statement implies that Hopper engaged in improper actions to avoid paying taxes. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Additionally, the statement fails to mention that Hopper did pay the one state income tax liability he had. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Abbott, a Republican, bridled at Obama\u2019s pokes, telling reporters a few days later: \"To the contrary of the president\u2019s comment, the\u2026 fact is, despite our voter registration laws, we had the highest level of turnout than ever before in the primary that occurred just a few weeks before he made that comment.\"","By email, spokeswoman Alicia Pierce said 19.89 percent of the state\u2019s registered voters participated in the Republican primary. By a wide margin, that amounted to a record for Texas Republican primaries, according to agency records covering turnout in statewide elections since 1972. The next-highest turnout in the party\u2019s presidential primary occurred in 2012 and 1996. In each of those years, 11 percent of the state\u2019s registered voters voted GOP.","We don\u2019t know if Abbott was tunnel-visioning raw counts of primary voters or if he was fixed on the 19 percent share of registered voters participating in the Republican primary. By both of these metrics, the 2016 turnout set Texas records.","O\u2019Rourke was correct that Texas has more reported rapes than other states, but it\u2019s important to note Texas does not have the highest rate when population is taken into account."]},{"id":"8057.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"New school testing standards will consume approximately twenty days of testing for elementary, middle and high school students.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the number of days devoted to mandated testing can vary across school districts and grade levels. While there is no specific information on the exact number of days most schools give for mandated tests, the evidence indicates that in some Texas school districts, state-mandated tests can take up around 29 days, while district-level benchmark tests can absorb about four to nine days. Therefore, it is plausible that new school testing standards could consume approximately twenty days of testing for elementary, middle, and high school students. However, it's important to note that this estimation is based on limited information and may vary depending on the specific school district and state. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Voters will decide whether the gap between 35 years and 20 years of experience is significant, but we found Obama's statement about his own experience to be True .","In a race where his opponent Sen. Hillary Clinton has touted \"35 years of experience\" over and over, Sen. Barack Obama has begun to cite his own experience of 20 years. At a debate in Cleveland, moderator Brian Williams asked Obama to respond to Clinton's charges that he was heavy on oratory and light on action. Obama said:","The voters will decide if the gap between 20 and 35 years is significant, but we find Obama's claim of two decades of experience to be accurate. We also find that just about all of his experience is in the field of public service, education or civil rights law.","Says Marco Rubio believes the earth is 9,000 years old and that humans hunted dinosaurs to extinction; says Rand Paul believes the earth is 10,000 years old and God removed dinosaurs \"to make space for humans.\""]},{"id":"397.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama voted for \"tax subsidies and giveways\" that have slowed oil companies from pursuing clean energy sources.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the 2005 energy bill included tax breaks for oil companies, it is important to note that the majority of the tax incentives in the legislation were actually directed towards renewable energy sources, such as wind, clean-coal, nuclear power, and hybrid vehicles. The statement implies that the tax subsidies and giveaways primarily benefited oil companies and hindered their pursuit of clean energy sources, which is an oversimplification of the bill's provisions. While there is debate over whether coal and nuclear power should be considered renewable, it is inaccurate to suggest that the tax incentives solely slowed down the development of clean energy. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It is unconscionable that 22 veterans take their own lives each day. We must ensure that they have support to adjust to civilian life,\" Harris, a Democrat, said on Twitter on August 18, 2016.","The VA examined about 55 million veterans records from 1979 through 2014. It found that in 2014, the latest year for which figures are available, that 7,403 veterans took their own lives, or an average of about 20 veterans a day.","The VA examined about 55 million veterans records from 1979 through 2014. It found that in 2014, the latest year for which figures are available, 7,403 veterans took their own lives, or an average of about 20 a day.","The VA said that 65 percent of veterans who took their own lives in 2014 were 50 or older, a finding that jibes with Trump\u2019s statement that the daily suicides especially pertained to \"older veterans.\" For context, it should be noted that 75 percent of the nation\u2019s veterans are 50 or older."]},{"id":"12382.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Katie McGintyactually agrees with Hillary Clinton and the most liberal wing of the Democrats on everything.","reason":"Reason: While Katie McGinty and Hillary Clinton share similar positions on many issues, it is not accurate to claim that they agree on everything. There are notable instances where their opinions differ, and their shared positions can be attributed to the similarities in their intended audiences. While McGinty may make similar pitches to Clinton to appeal to similar voters, it is misleading to suggest that they align on every single issue. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the extent of their agreement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The United States is \"the only major country on earth that doesn't guarantee health care to all people as a right, not a privilege.\"","\"I want to end the international embarrassment of the United States of America being the only major country on earth that doesn't guarantee health care to all people as a right, not a privilege,\" Sanders said.","We wanted to check Sanders\u2019 claim that the United States is \"the only major country on Earth that doesn\u2019t guarantee health care to all people as a right.\"","Sanders said that the United States is the only major country that doesn\u2019t guarantee health care to everyone as a right."]},{"id":"12809.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Almost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago when I took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided. President Obama made the claim that almost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected compared to when he took office. While the evidence indicates that the perception of the United States' strength and respect varies across different countries and is a mixed bag, there is support for the notion that America's global standing improved during Obama's presidency. It is important to note that perceptions can be subjective and may differ among different regions and populations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"What about Scott Gration, who was forced to resign two years ago because of his personal use of emails?\" Shuster asked.","We thought it would be worth getting to the bottom of the assertion that Gration was forced to resign because of his personal use of emails.","A spokeswoman for Paul told us he was referring to Scott Gration, a former Obama advisor who left his post as ambassador to Kenya three years ago.","Trump may have been referring to Scott Gration, the former ambassador to Kenya, who installed a commercial Internet connection in his embassy office bathroom and encouraged his staff to use their personal email."]},{"id":"8449.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wisconsin is not as obese as the national average is. The national average, 35.7 percent of the population is obese. In Wisconsin, its closer to 26 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some context. While it is true that the national average obesity rate is around 35.7 percent, and Wisconsin's obesity rate is closer to 26 percent, it's important to note that the exact numbers may vary depending on the specific studies and methodologies used. Additionally, the statement does not provide information on the timeframe or specific sources of the data. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the claim, it is not entirely comprehensive and could benefit from additional context and specific sources to support the comparison.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4801.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On auditing the Federal Reserve","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there are conflicting claims and opinions regarding Herman Cain's stance on auditing the Federal Reserve. While some sources, such as Jason Pye and The Liberty Papers, accuse Cain of being dismissive or inconsistent on the issue, other sources, like McLagan, argue that Cain supports auditing the Federal Reserve based on his Twitter post and his criticism of a political opponent. Given the conflicting information, it is difficult to determine a definitive stance for Herman Cain on auditing the Federal Reserve. Therefore, the statement is considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If you have ever visited Nashville or Washington D.C. you will see MANY names and initials carved into the tops, sides, legs and inside drawers of desks with over a hundred years of history,\" she wrote. \"Not only did this make front page news, the liberal media decided to associate Representative Hurley as being a vandal, while two hundred years of history has shown this to be a traditional act in all aspects of Legislators services.\"","The upshot is that, except for the U.S. Senate custom of names and initials inside desk drawers, there is no tradition of such doings in either Washington or Nashville.","In the U.S. House, however, there is no such tradition. In fact, House members sit in theater-style seating and haven\u2019t had actual desks since around 1913, according to the House\u2019s Office of the Historian. Because they don\u2019t have desks, there\u2019s no place for them to write or etch their names.","U.S. senators have a long history of signing or etching their names into the drawer of their Senate desks. The tradition started in the early 20th century, around 1901 or 1902, when the first names started to show up, said Betty Koed, associate Senate historian in the Senate Historical Office."]},{"id":"2867.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Seven more people will die each and every day until the Legislature ratifies these (pain clinic) rules that are being approved by the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Mike Fasano suggests that seven people will continue to die each day from prescription drug abuse until the Legislature ratifies the pain clinic rules. While it is difficult to establish a direct causal relationship between the ratification of these rules and the number of deaths, the statement is mostly true in the sense that there is a significant problem with prescription drug abuse in Florida, and implementing stricter regulations on pain clinics could potentially help address this issue and save lives. However, it's important to note that the exact number of deaths attributed to prescription drug abuse may vary and could be influenced by multiple factors beyond the ratification of these rules.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Speaking in Atlanta on Sept. 19, 2012, Mitt Romney said that \u201credistribution\u201d has \u201cnever been a characteristic of America.\u201d !Speaking in Atlanta on Sept. 19, 2012, Mitt Romney said that \u201credistribution\u201d has \u201cnever been a characteristic of America.\u201d","Still, on Romney\u2019s specific claim that \"redistribution\" has \"never been a characteristic of America,\" experts agreed that he ignores longstanding fundamentals of our system of taxing and spending.","We wondered whether Romney was correct to say that \"redistribution\" has \"never been a characteristic of America.\" So we checked with historians and economists. Most agreed that Romney was ignoring the fundamental structure of the nation's progressive tax system, which has been redistributing wealth for a century, as well as a host of other policies, some of which predate the nation\u2019s founding.","\"You could argue that a true welfare state didn\u2019t take shape until the New Deal, but even that was 80 years ago, so it doesn\u2019t support the claim that redistribution has \u2018never\u2019 been characteristic of America,\" said Rutgers University historian David Greenberg. \"The notion that redistribution is some recent, Obama-led fanaticism, as opposed to a normal, reasonable, widely accepted way of running a large, complex nation, is just silly.\""]},{"id":"4597.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The poverty rate for families in which a husband and a wife work is 5 percent, but in families headed by one person its 30 percent today.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the difference in poverty rates between families where both parents work and families headed by a single person. According to the evidence provided, the poverty rate for families with both parents working is 5 percent, while for families headed by a single person, it is 30 percent. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the exact timeframe or location for these statistics. Additionally, the evidence does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all factors contributing to poverty rates, such as declining work rates, stagnant wages, and other socioeconomic factors mentioned in the evidence. Therefore, while the statement captures a significant difference in poverty rates based on family structure, it lacks some contextual information and should be interpreted with caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"269.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Mormon religion has \"a plan that will see the Constitution thrown out and replaced by a theocracy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is a baseless and unfounded claim about the Mormon religion. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that the Mormon religion has a plan to overthrow the Constitution and establish a theocracy. Such claims are inflammatory and lack any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has pitched his candidacy for Georgia governor as a promise to maintain Georgia\u2019s reputation as one of the most business-friendly states in the country.","Emory University political scientist Merle Black said Cagle now finds himself in the same situation faced by former Democratic Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, who was stripped of his power by the new GOP majority in 2003.","\"This is simply a new power-sharing agreement that we\u2019ve come to,\" Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, told reporters. That sentiment was echoed by other GOP leaders.","This is \"power sharing\" all right. In the aftermath of the Macon coup, the GOP Senate leadership now has all the power. And it doesn't plan to share it with Cagle."]},{"id":"1834.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Florida ranks \"45th out of 50 states'' for its regulatory climate for business.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Florida ranks 45th out of 50 states in terms of its regulatory climate for business, according to one study. However, it's important to note that this ranking is specific to the regulatory category and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of Florida's overall business climate. Other factors, such as fiscal policy, judicial climate, and the size of government, also contribute to the overall business environment. Therefore, while the statement is technically correct, it may give an incomplete impression of Florida's overall regulatory and business climate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["One assertion in particular jumps out. It says, \"Between 6 and 20 bicycles can be parked in the space required by one car.\"","Blumenauer\u2019s office does cite a study with a footnote leading to another study that says 10 to 20 bikes can fit into a single parking spot. The congressman\u2019s website also gives a range of 6 to 20 bikes, while 12 can commonly fit in corrals.","Scott Cohen, the Portland Bureau of Transportation\u2019s transportation demand management specialist, said Portland has 99 bike corrals. The portion that holds bicycles is 17 feet long and accommodates up to 12 bikes. A standard marked car-parking space is 20 feet long and about 10 feet wide.","One section includes a sentence reading, \"The millions of miles traveled by bike reduce road and parking capacity demand, which is much more costly to provide for cars than for bikes.\" It\u2019s followed by a footnote, which took us to a second study, published this summer by the Victoria (B.C.) Transport Policy Institute. That 59-page study, written by Todd Litman, states, \"10-20 bicycles can typically be stored in the space required for one automobile.\""]},{"id":"12109.json","label":"false","statement":"Ukraine voluntarily gave up its nuclear weapons because the United States of America said it would ensure (its) territorial integrity from Russia.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ukraine voluntarily gave up its nuclear weapons, the statement inaccurately suggests that the United States promised to ensure Ukraine's territorial integrity from Russia as a condition for giving up those weapons. The United States did provide security assurances to Ukraine, but these assurances did not include a specific promise to protect Ukraine's territorial integrity. The agreement focused on respecting Ukraine's borders and going to the United Nations in the event of a nuclear attack. Therefore, the claim that the United States made such a promise is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10724.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Legislation being considered in Texas would strip the salaries and pensions of clerks who issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples even if the Supreme Court strikes down Texas marriage ban later this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the legislation being considered in Texas, which would potentially strip the salaries and pensions of clerks who issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, regardless of the Supreme Court's decision on Texas' marriage ban. This information has been confirmed by credible sources, including statements made by Apple Inc.'s CEO, Tim Cook. However, it's important to note that the legislation is still being considered and has not yet become law. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but should be understood in the context of the ongoing legislative process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The first week of December in Congress was dominated by news about the fiscal cliff. So you will forgive us if we overlooked this other tidbit tucked into the final weekly newsletter sent by U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens.","Speaking at a town hall meeting, Republican Allen West made the startling claim that many of his fellow members of the U.S. House of Representatives are members of the Communist Party.","The Congressional Research Service summary says the bill \"removes references to the word \u2018lunatic\u2019 from rules of construction of the U.S. Code and banking law provisions concerning: (1) trust powers of banks, and (2) bank consolidations and mergers.\"","Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Va., said \"this bill eliminates outdated references in the U.S. Code that stigmatize individuals with mental illness issues. ... The term \u2018lunatic\u2019 holds a place in antiquity and should no longer have a prominent place in our U.S. Code.\""]},{"id":"3203.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says families now pay out 40 percent of their income to taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. The claim that families pay out 40 percent of their income in taxes is an exaggeration. While it is true that the top 1 percent of income earners contribute a significant portion of federal taxes, this does not mean that families as a whole pay 40 percent of their income in taxes. The evidence provided indicates that low-income and middle-income families in states with regressive tax systems may pay a higher share of their income in taxes compared to wealthier families. However, this does not support the claim that families, in general, pay 40 percent of their income in taxes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Maybe it\u2019s time to reconsider our foreign aid that we send to countries throughout the world,\" Poe said in the floor speech, which has attracted attention in conservative circles on the Internet. \"There are about 192 foreign countries in the world, \u2026 and we give foreign aid to over 150 of them.\"","Poe is correct that U.S. foreign aid flows into both countries. In fiscal year 2010, the Venezuela account showed $6 million, while the Cuba account showed $20 million. For fiscal year 2012, the administration has requested a little less for Venezuela -- $5 million -- and the same $20 million amount for Cuba.","To give a sense of context, the 2010 funds allocated for Venezuela amounted to less than 1\/100th of 1 percent of the total U.S. foreign-aid budget, and the figure for Cuba was about 4\/100 of 1 percent of the U.S. foreign aid budget. The percentage of the entire federal budget is even more minuscule. Still, even if the amount is small, taxpayer money is taxpayer money, so Poe has a point.","In a House floor speech on Feb. 9, 2011, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, took aim at American aid to foreign countries. Poe has introduced a bill to require separate votes on aiding specific countries, thus ending the practice of bundling foreign aid into a single bill."]},{"id":"10622.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There was just about zero press coverage of the 2007 Bush White House email controversy.","reason":"Reason: While it is an exaggeration to claim that there was \"just about zero press coverage\" of the 2007 Bush White House email controversy, there is some validity to the statement. While there were indeed articles and television transcripts referencing the issue, the coverage of the controversy was relatively limited compared to the extensive coverage of Clinton's use of private email. The level of media attention and scrutiny given to the two cases differed significantly. Therefore, while the statement is not entirely accurate, it does highlight the disparity in media coverage between the two incidents.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4482.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Rick Perry is spending more money than the state takes in, covering his deficits with record borrowing.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rick Perry is spending more money than the state takes in and covering deficits with record borrowing is not supported by credible evidence. The claim has been debunked, with fact-checkers noting that the state of Texas has not been operating in a deficit and that the budget adopted by lawmakers and signed into law by Perry was required to be balanced. While the state may have engaged in short-term borrowing, it does not indicate that Perry is covering deficits with record borrowing. The statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5974.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says under Mitt Romney, Medicare could end as we know it, leaving Julia with nothing but a voucher to buy insurance, which means $6,350 extra per year for a similar plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that under Mitt Romney, Medicare could completely end as we know it, leaving individuals with only a voucher to purchase insurance, resulting in an additional cost of $6,350 per year for a similar plan. While it is true that Mitt Romney proposed changes to Medicare during his presidential campaign, it is an oversimplification to claim that Medicare would completely cease to exist. Romney's plan involved introducing a premium support system where beneficiaries would receive a fixed amount of money to purchase private insurance or traditional Medicare. The claim of a specific cost increase of $6,350 per year for a similar plan lacks sufficient evidence and may not accurately reflect the potential impact of Romney's proposed changes. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For Our Daughters RI, in its petition calling for the removal of talk-radio host John DePetro, said, \"Earlier this year, he was accused of sexually assaulting a female co-worker.\"","The petition says DePetro has made other hateful statements against women and \"earlier this year, he was accused of sexually assaulting a female co-worker.\" The petition started circulating in November 2013.","\"The man convicted of sexually assaulting a seven year old girl? She threw out the indictment. And that's just the beginning.","The ad says Beasley \"threw out the indictment\" of a man convicted of sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl. This claim, like the other, has an element of truth but omits key facts."]},{"id":"8319.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The 2013-15 state budget backed by Gov. Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers left our technical colleges funded at 1989 levels.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided does not directly address the funding levels of technical colleges in the 2013-15 state budget. However, it is worth noting that Governor Scott Walker and Republican lawmakers did pass a budget during that period, and there were concerns about funding levels for various sectors, including technical colleges. To determine the accuracy of the statement, additional evidence specifically addressing the funding levels of technical colleges in the 2013-15 state budget would be necessary.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But the photo Nugent posted doesn\u2019t show that. It shows protesters in the Wisconsin state capitol building nearly a decade ago.","A popular Facebook photo shows protesters gathered in the Wisconsin Capitol in February 2011 \u2014 not the U.S. Capitol in 2018.","The photo in Nugent\u2019s Facebook post is similar to one taken Feb. 18, 2011, by Mary Bottari of the Center for Media and Democracy, a liberal nonprofit organization. It shows protesters crowded onto three floors in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda. Unlike the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the 2011 protests were largely peaceful.","There were demonstrations at the U.S. Capitol and nearby buildings during the Kavanaugh hearings, which drew protests after the nominee was accused of sexual assault."]},{"id":"7147.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The city of Atlanta has one of the highest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations per capita, ranking third among major American cities.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Atlanta has one of the highest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations per capita. However, the claim that it ranks third among major American cities is not fully supported by the evidence provided. While it is acknowledged that Atlanta has a significant LGBT population, there is no specific data or ranking provided to confirm its position as the third highest among major cities. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4044.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"You see a whole bunch of Korean cars here in the United States, and you dont see any American cars in Korea.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It accurately highlights the prevalence of Korean cars in the United States compared to American cars in Korea. Korean car brands such as Hyundai and Kia have gained significant market share in the United States, while American car brands have struggled to penetrate the Korean market. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to this situation, such as trade policies, consumer preferences, and market dynamics.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["has been hitting the TV with ads in English and Spanish and emailing supporters to bash the state\u2019s effort to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls.","In this fact-check we will explore whether all Florida supervisors of elections refused to carry out the noncitizen voter purge. In a related fact-check, we\u2019ll look at whether Scott \"tried to kick 180,000 people off the voter rolls\" and include more background on the history of the purge.","wrote that \"Rick Scott's racist voter purge\u2014which directly targets Latino voters\u2014is so egregious that every one of the 67 supervisors of elections in the state\u2014Democrats, Republicans, and independents\u2014has so far refused to carry it out.\"","\"Republican Governor Rick Scott tried to kick 180,000 people off the voter rolls in his state and is now suing the Department of Justice after they stepped in to stop him,\" MoveOn wrote in a June 27 email. \"Rick Scott's racist voter purge\u2014which directly targets Latino voters\u2014is so egregious that every one of the 67 supervisors of elections in the state\u2014Democrats, Republicans, and independents\u2014has so far refused to carry it out.\""]},{"id":"1970.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The ABA's own criteria for a judicial nominee call for, among other things, at least 12 years' experience in the practice of law, and they mean actual practice of law.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions that the American Bar Association (ABA) has criteria for judicial nominees, including a requirement of at least 12 years of experience in the practice of law. However, the statement's claim that the ABA's criteria specifically emphasize \"actual practice of law\" is not entirely accurate. While the ABA does consider legal experience as a factor, their criteria also take into account other relevant legal experience, such as teaching law or serving as a judge. Therefore, while the statement captures a part of the ABA's criteria, it oversimplifies by suggesting that \"actual practice of law\" is the sole focus.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"598.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama \"says he'll raise taxes on electricity.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama has advocated for policies that aim to address climate change and promote clean energy, which may indirectly impact electricity costs, it is not accurate to claim that he explicitly stated he would raise taxes specifically on electricity. The statement seems to misrepresent Obama's position on energy policy and oversimplifies the complexities of his proposed measures. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect Obama's stance on electricity taxes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8509.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Rick Scott didnt even come to his own education summit. But he did take time to go to the tea party convention the same week.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided. Rick Scott did not attend his own education summit, as stated in the Florida Democratic Party's TV ad. However, he did find time to attend the tea party convention during the same week. The evidence supports the claim that Rick Scott prioritized attending the tea party convention over his own education summit.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9641.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida has the third most-regressive tax structure.","reason":"Reason: While there is some ambiguity in the evidence provided, it suggests that Florida has a regressive tax structure. While the exact ranking of Florida's tax structure as the third most regressive is not definitively stated, there is acknowledgment from sources that Florida is among the states with regressive tax systems. The evidence indicates that Florida's tax structure is regressive, but it does not conclusively establish it as the third most regressive. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the specific ranking is not definitively supported.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["If the Stamp Farm wind turbine is built, the \"health risk of 'flicker' impact created by shadows of blades of turbines poses real and significant health risks, particularly seizures.\"","For one of their bullet points, they played the epilepsy card: \"The health risk of 'flicker' impact created by shadows of blades of turbines poses real and significant health risks, particularly seizures.\"","The \"real and significant\" health risks that they say turbine flicker poses are undocumented. If they exist, they are probably not very significant. To say that seizures are the best example is ridiculous.","Cooney referred us to \"a well-known study by Dr. Nina Pierpont, which addresses 'wind turbine syndrome' and the health risks associated with such.\""]},{"id":"8803.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"With the tax controls we already put in place, property taxes on a typical home in December of 2014 will actually be lower than they were in December of 2010.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Governor Walker is mostly true. The evidence confirms that property taxes on a typical home in December 2014 were projected to be lower than they were in December 2010. The projected decrease in the tax bill is supported by data from the state Department of Revenue, which estimated a decrease of $9 or $8. However, it's important to note that the decrease in property taxes is influenced by factors such as the recession and changes in home values. Overall, the evidence supports the claim that property taxes on a typical home were expected to be lower in December 2014 compared to December 2010.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9653.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If you look at what weve done over the last several years, the crime rate has actually gone down in [Providence] and . . . the number of shootings has been going down.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the evidence suggests that the violent crime rate has decreased over the years, it also acknowledges that there were specific years (2006, 2007, and 2014) when the rate went up. Additionally, the evidence mentions that in some cities, the number of murders has increased in 2020 compared to the previous year. Therefore, while the overall trend may show a decrease in the crime rate, it is important to consider specific years and localized variations when assessing the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13002.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are at least 23 countries that refuse to take their people back after theyve been ordered to leave the United States, including large numbers of violent criminals.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump is mostly true. Multiple sources have confirmed that there are indeed at least 23 countries that have been uncooperative in accepting their citizens back after they have been ordered to leave the United States. This has resulted in individuals, including some with criminal records, remaining in the United States even after deportation orders have been issued. While the exact number of countries and the specific demographics of those individuals may vary, the general claim made by Trump is supported by evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"According to the most recent report, Wisconsin\u2019s high school graduation rates are also up again -- to third best in the country.\"","Walker said: \"According to the most recent report, Wisconsin\u2019s high school graduation rates are also up again -- to third best in the country.\"","\"In our state, fourth- and eighth-grade reading scores went up again in 2015,\" the governor said. \"And according to the most recent report, Wisconsin\u2019s high school graduation rates are also up again -- to the third-best in the country.\"","That rate was up 0.6 percentage points from the previous year, ranking Wisconsin third in the country, according to the release."]},{"id":"5673.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeff Wentworth was the only Republican to vote against the Texas measure requiring women to have a sonogram before receiving an abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Jeff Wentworth was the only Republican senator to vote against the Texas measure requiring women to have a sonogram before receiving an abortion. This information is confirmed by multiple news accounts and sources. However, it's important to note that there were House Republicans who consistently opposed the measure and two other Republican senators who voted against the final Senate-amended plan. So, while Wentworth was the only Republican senator to vote against the measure, there were other Republicans who expressed opposition to it in different stages of the legislative process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12126.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Stephen Zappala is the only DA in our state to convict an on-duty police officer of criminal homicide.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Stephen Zappala is indeed the only district attorney in Pennsylvania to have successfully convicted an on-duty police officer of criminal homicide in a shooting incident. However, the statement lacks context as it fails to mention that two other police officers in different counties have pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for incidents involving their vehicles. Including this information provides a more complete picture of the situation. Therefore, while Zappala's claim is accurate in terms of convictions related to shooting incidents, it is not entirely comprehensive when considering all cases of criminal homicide involving on-duty police officers in Pennsylvania.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On immigration reform, Marco Rubio \"all along has been saying, 'We have to have border security first' \" and then \"he gets on Spanish TV, he ends up saying, 'No, no. That will never get in the way.' \"","Rohrabacher claimed on WND Radio that Rubio \"all along has been saying, 'We have to have border security first. And then, he, you know, when he gets on Spanish TV, he ends up saying, 'No, no. That will never get in the way' or, 'Legalization status isn't contingent on border control.\u2019\"","Rubio \"all along has been saying, 'We have to have border security first,\u2019 \" Rep. Dana Rohrabacher told conservative WND Radio on June 16, 2013. \"And then, he, you know, when he gets on Spanish TV, he ends up saying, 'No, no. That will never get in the way' or, 'Legalization status isn't contingent on border control.' Well, this is outrageous, and no one should believe him.\"","Sen. Marco Rubio, misleading in two languages? U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican, recently accused Rubio of contradicting his pledge to put border security before legalization for undocumented immigrants. Rubio \"all along has been saying, 'We have to have border security first,\u2019 \" Rep. Dana Rohrabacher told conservative WND Radio on June 16, 2013. \"And then, he, you know, when he gets on Spanish TV, he ends up saying, 'No, no. That will never get in the way' or, 'Legalization status isn't contingent on border control.' Well, this is outrageous, and no one should believe him.\""]},{"id":"7086.json","label":"false","statement":"Clayton County offers the lowest operating millage rate in Metro Atlanta.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Clayton County offers the lowest operating millage rate in Metro Atlanta. The information provided focuses on the population, budget, and water management department of Clayton County, but it does not provide any data or comparison regarding the operating millage rates of Clayton County or other counties in Metro Atlanta. Without such information, it is not possible to verify the claim, and therefore, it is considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We passed a resolution out of the House on a bipartisan basis to change the process, to create objective criteria, to modify the Constitution so that going forward we would take politics out of the efforts to draw legislative boundaries,\" Budish told reporters.","HJR 15 serves as no proof that House Democrats tried to fix the process last year when they controlled the House. The joint resolution only would have changed the apportionment process. It would not have altered the congressional mapping process, which is the source of the current controversy.","After the House passed HJR 15, there were talks about merging it with Husted\u2019s plan. But Husted, a Republican, said House Democrats did not want to change the congressional redistricting process.","Secretary of State Jon Husted, then a member of the GOP-controlled Senate, was the primary sponsor of the plan, which altered the makeup of the Apportionment Board and required boundaries to be drawn so that both state legislative and congressional districts are competitive and compact."]},{"id":"5605.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says New Jersey has the most educated population of all the states in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is challenging to definitively determine the \"most educated\" population, various sources and analyses support the claim that New Jersey consistently ranks among the top states in terms of educational attainment. The evidence suggests that New Jersey has a high percentage of residents with advanced degrees and a strong educational system. However, it is important to note that rankings can vary depending on the specific metrics used and the time period considered. Therefore, while New Jersey may not always hold the absolute top spot, it consistently performs well in terms of educational attainment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"Over the last few years, we\u2019ve put more people back to work than all the other advanced economies combined.\"","\"The United States is in the longest stretch of uninterrupted private-sector job growth in its history,\" he said. \"Over the last few years, we\u2019ve put more people back to work than all the other advanced economies combined.\"","This puts a damper on the notion, stated by Obama, that \"we\u2019ve put more people back to work\" in recent years.","They told PolitiFact that the analysis \"finds that 14.9 million people have returned to work in advanced economies since the beginning of 2010. Just over half\u2014or 7.5 million\u2014are in the United States. In other words, the number of people put back to work in the United States exceeds the net total for all other advanced economies combined (7.4 million).\""]},{"id":"5798.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Wisconsin law repealed by Republicans, which allowed discriminated workers to sue in state court, was kind of a gravy train for lawyers.","reason":"Reason: Governor Walker's statement that the repealed Wisconsin law allowing workers to sue in state court was \"kind of a gravy train\" for lawyers contains some truth. Under the old law, lawyers representing workers claiming discrimination had an additional legal option and could potentially extract settlements from employers by threatening to sue in state court. However, it is important to note that this characterization may be an oversimplification and does not capture the full complexity of the legal system and the rights of workers to seek redress for discrimination. Label: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11376.json","label":"false","statement":"Remember that developers are forced to use the 195 land union contractors, so tap an extra $10 million into any construction project.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that developers are forced to use \"195 land union\" contractors or that it costs an extra $10 million for any construction project. The provided evidence does not provide any substantiation for this assertion. It is important to rely on accurate information and verifiable sources when making claims about specific requirements and costs in construction projects.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5725.json","label":"false","statement":"Says New Jersey Devils managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek took us into arbitration.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Jeff Vanderbeek, the managing partner of the New Jersey Devils, took the city into arbitration. The evidence suggests that it was the city of Newark that owed money to the New Jersey Devils, and Mayor Cory Booker criticized Vanderbeek for not fulfilling his legal obligation to provide funds for charities and job training. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Under Tom Barrett\u2019s leadership, violent crime in Milwaukee has decreased by over 20% -- to its lowest levels in more than 20 years.\"","\"Under Tom Barrett\u2019s leadership, violent crime in Milwaukee has decreased by over 20% -- to its lowest levels in more than 20 years,\" the website reads. \"He has worked with law enforcement, community groups and residents to develop proactive strategies, and empowered the city's police department with strong leadership and the tools it needs to get the job done.\"","When Barrett came into office on April 20, 2004, violent crime was at its lowest point during the past 20 years, thanks to a seven-year period when the numbers plummeted (see chart with this item).","The campaign goes even further back -- all the way to the tenure of Police Chief Robert Ziarnik -- for its claim that violent crime hasn\u2019t been lower in more than 20 years."]},{"id":"10508.json","label":"false","statement":"On counting state budget shortfalls","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Budget shortfalls in a state are not simply counted based on projected tax collections and demands for services. They are determined through comprehensive financial analysis and budgetary assessments conducted by government agencies, such as the State Department of Administration. These assessments take into account various factors, including revenue estimates, expenditures, economic conditions, and policy changes. It is incorrect to suggest that budget shortfalls are solely based on future tax collections and service demands. Label: false","evidence":["!Could that be Barack Obama in the 'Whoomp! (There it is!)' video? !Could that be Barack Obama in the 'Whoomp! (There it is!)' video?","Bumping and bouncing through the blogosphere Tuesday was the claim that President Barack Obama appeared in the 1993 music video for Whoomp! (There It Is) , the catchy ode to raucous dancing and sexual promiscuity that became a fixture at sporting events. It includes the refrain \"Can you dig it?... We can dig it.\"","Glenn said he doesn't think the man in the video is Obama. \"It doesn't add up. It's hard to say he was in Atlanta and said, 'Ooh, I want to be in the Whoomp! (There It Is) video.' \"","Miner also couldn't link the earring-clad man in the video to the young lawyer that served for years at his firm. \"Barack never had an earring.\""]},{"id":"11550.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Were losing now over $500 billion a year in terms of imbalance with China.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Trump that the United States is losing over $500 billion a year in terms of trade imbalance with China is not entirely accurate. The trade deficit with China in 2017 was approximately $336 billion, which is significantly lower than the stated amount. While there is indeed a trade imbalance, the figure provided by President Trump is inflated and does not align with the official data. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Bush said Florida has the most concealed weapon permits in the nation, \"nearly double that of the second state, which is Texas.\"","\"Today there are well over 1.3 million law-abiding Floridians with a valid concealed weapons permit, 1.3 million. That\u2019s the most in the nation -- nearly double that of the second state, which is Texas. Sorry, Gov. Perry.\"","It\u2019s not surprising that Florida would be among the top states for the number of gun permits since it is now the third most populous state in the country. But does Florida lead the nation in gun permits and is that nearly double that of the second state, which is Texas? We were fired up to find the facts.","Florida is the fourth-most populous state in the country, so it\u2019s no surprise it would be high on a concealed permit list. But is it No. 1 ahead of Perry\u2019s Texas, which has 6 million more residents, and California, which is nearly double the size?"]},{"id":"12292.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Today in America, between 40 and 50 percent of all African-American babies, virtually 1-in-2, are killed before they are born.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates the data and misrepresents the situation. While it is true that a significant number of abortions occur among African-American women, the claim that \"between 40 and 50 percent of all African-American babies\" are aborted is not supported by the available data. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that African-American women accounted for approximately 37 percent of abortions in 2008, which is significantly lower than the claim made. Additionally, the statement fails to consider pregnancies that end in miscarriage, which would further impact the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the data.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Gillespie -- a former top aide to Bush -- said \"the fact is, under the Bush tax cuts, we did have 52 months of ... uninterrupted job creation, longest in the history of the country, and revenues were at an all-time high in 2007. The problem wasn't lack of revenue. The problem still remains today too much federal spending, and this administration's not addressing that.\"","On the July 11, 2010, edition of NBC's Meet the Pres s, Republican strategist Ed Gillespie sought to contrast favorably economic performance under President George W. Bush to that under President Barack Obama.","According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the economy added more jobs than it lost during 50 out of 52 months between September 2003 and December 2007. The economy lost jobs over two months during that stretch -- between June 2007 and July 2007 (20,000 jobs) and between July 2007 and August 2007 (71,000).","\"During the George W. Bush period, there were 13 attacks on various embassies and consulates around the world. Sixty people died.\""]},{"id":"7022.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Women in Barack Obamas White House are earning less than men.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that women in Barack Obama's White House generally earned less than men, with a wage gap of approximately 18 percent. However, it's important to note that this statistic pertains specifically to the Obama White House and may not necessarily reflect the broader trend or policies regarding gender pay gaps in other workplaces. Therefore, while the statement is true in the context of the Obama White House, it may not be representative of the overall situation for women in the workforce during Obama's presidency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Gov. Scott Walker \"didn\u2019t balance the budget\" so \"we now have a larger state deficit 14 months into (his) term than we did when he was elected.\"","\"He didn\u2019t balance the budget, as we know,\" Falk said. \"We now have a larger state deficit ...14 months into Gov. Walker\u2019s term than we did when he was elected.\"","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is a bogus figure,\" Feb. 25, 2011","She is correct in saying it\u2019s larger than the deficit Walker had to close in his predecessor\u2019s last budget. But her statement that Walker \"didn\u2019t balance the budget as we know\" is wrong."]},{"id":"2779.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that the new financial services law requires 358 regulatory filings.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence, including statements from Speaker Boehner himself and references to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website. While the exact number may vary slightly, it is clear that the new financial services law does require a significant number of regulatory filings. The evidence confirms that there are numerous regulatory requirements outlined in the legislation, which supports the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The auto dealers association, through the @autodealerstx account, shot back with a tweet stating \"consumers save avg of $500 per car sold through franchised dealer model. #txlege got it right the first time.\"","The auto dealers association responded to a tweet talking up direct sales by car manufacturers by saying consumers save an average of $500 by shopping at traditional roadside dealers.","However, studies offered to back up this claim didn\u2019t gauge whether shoppers save money by visiting dealers rather than buying directly from manufacturers. The $500 savings figure ties to shopping roadside dealers offering the same model of car.","\"Surveys do show that many new car buyers in America would be interested in buying directly from manufacturers, particularly to avoid costs associated with the dealer\/customer bargaining process. In one survey, almost half of respondents said that they would opt to buy cars direct from the manufacturer even if it didn't save any money,\" he wrote."]},{"id":"1686.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Marco Rubio was \"subpoenaed.\"","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Marco Rubio was \"subpoenaed.\" A subpoena is a legal document issued by a court or authorized entity to compel an individual to provide testimony or evidence in a legal proceeding. Without any evidence or credible sources indicating that Rubio has been subpoenaed, it is not accurate to make such a claim. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This may help show that Mandel is not heartless. But it does not change the accuracy of the NEA claim that Mandel \"voted to let insurance companies deny coverage for autism.\" The point of the commercial, in fact, comes in Denoia\u2019s final line: \"Ohio needs a senator who will stand up to the insurance companies...\"","First, the NEA couched its claim with the teacher saying, \" I read that Josh Mandel voted to let insurance companies deny coverage for autism.\" (Italics added for emphasis.) Some ad campaigns use similar words to get a little wiggle room if their accuracy is challenged. Hey, the teacher is only saying what she read. But in this case, no couching was necessary. The teacher\u2019s reading comprehension was good.","This was actually the second claim in the teachers union ad. The first was that \"I heard that Josh Mandel wants to allow insurance companies to deny medical coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.\"","Second, as a point of semantics, Mandel did not actually vote to deny autism coverage; it was already denied by many insurers. But he voted against requiring coverage, which has the same effect as voting to allow insurers to deny it."]},{"id":"10213.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"It is senior citizens, not Hispanics, who are the fastest-growing demographic in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that the senior citizen population is growing, it is not accurate to claim that they are the fastest-growing demographic in the United States. The Census Bureau data indicates that historically, the Hispanic population has grown at a faster rate than the senior population. Therefore, it is misleading to assert that senior citizens are the fastest-growing demographic in the country.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12216.json","label":"false","statement":"On banning assault weapons.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Joe Biden has advocated for banning assault weapons and has a history of supporting certain gun restrictions, he is not promising to prohibit Americans from owning any gun. His stance is focused on implementing a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, similar to the bans he supported in 1994. These bans did not involve confiscation or prevent the sale of weapons that were purchased before the restrictions went into effect. Therefore, the claim that Biden is advocating for a complete ban on all assault weapons is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5028.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says murder is the chief cause of death for pregnant women.","reason":"Reason: The statement that murder is the chief cause of death for pregnant women is not entirely accurate. While there is a study suggesting that homicide accounts for more deaths than specific individual complications of pregnancy, it does not surpass the combined total of medical complications as a cause of death. Additionally, other factors such as vehicle accidents also contribute to maternal mortality. Therefore, the claim that murder is the primary cause of death for pregnant women is misleading and does not accurately represent the overall picture.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["If the shooter, Omar Mateen, \"was not able to buy a weapon that shoots off 700 rounds in a minute, a lot of those people would still be alive,\" Grayson said June 12, in an interview with CNN\u2019s Erin Burnett.","Grayson clarified his specific claim in other interviews to say that rifle Mateen used was only capable of 700 rounds per minute when modified to become an automatic weapon, such as the M16 military version of the civilian AR-15.","All these details matter, and what makes Grayson's claim problematic. Experts told us the weapon Mateen used could not fire 700 rounds in a minute without serious alterations that require the resources of a gun manufacturer. Even if Mateen had those resources, and there is no indication from sounds recorded from the shooting or from investigators that he did, experts are not even sure if Grayson\u2019s 700-rounds-per-minute claim is possible.","Law enforcement officials have not released specific details regarding the nature of the rifle Mateen used in the shooting as of this fact-check. Law enforcement officials have described it as an \"AR type rifle.\" The gun shop owner who sold Mateen the weapon told the New York Post it was a Sig Sauer MCX rifle."]},{"id":"7041.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On a single-payer healthcare system","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Tammy Baldwin has expressed support for a single-payer healthcare system in the past. She was part of a group of Democrats advocating for its consideration and explicitly stated her belief in its merits during a committee vote. However, it is also mentioned that she later described her position on single-payer as \"moot,\" \"irrelevant,\" and \"hypothetical\" during her Senate race. This suggests a shift in her stance or a change in the political context. Therefore, while she has shown support for a single-payer system in the past, her current position on the matter is not explicitly stated. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7763.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jerseys best teachers, and the most education funding ever.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains a mix of accurate and misleading information. It is true that New Jersey had four consecutive balanced budgets and experienced job growth, including the addition of nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. However, the claim about merit pay to reward New Jersey's best teachers is misleading. While merit pay has been approved for one district and could potentially expand to four others, it does not currently apply statewide, and therefore does not fully support the assertion of rewarding the state's best teachers. Additionally, the claim about the most education funding ever lacks specific context and may not accurately reflect the overall funding situation in New Jersey. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He persevered. He overcame. He dominated, and he won. And in the bluest of blue states, unemployment is around 3.5 percent.\"","( - Wisconsin is a heavily Democratic state and under GOP Gov. Scott Walker, unemployment is just 3.5%, Rush Limbaugh says&url=)","Wisconsin, Limbaugh said, is \"one of the bluest of blue states. One of the bluest of the blue universities. One of the headquarter states for malcontent state unions. One of the headquarter states for malcontent Democrat Party union activism. They did everything they could not just to destroy Walker's political career; they tried to destroy his reputation and his political life. They attempted to recall him a couple of times. The Democrats in the Senate walked out.","On the 3.5 percent unemployment part of his claim, Limbaugh misspoke, his spokeswoman said. She noted Limbaugh had also referenced the Dakotas during that part of his show."]},{"id":"11937.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Blocking a U.S. Supreme Court nomination during the remaining months of President Obamas term would leave the nations highest court with an unprecedented year-long vacancy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While blocking a U.S. Supreme Court nomination during the remaining months of President Obama's term could potentially result in a year-long vacancy, it is not necessarily unprecedented. The length of a vacancy on the Supreme Court can vary, and there have been instances in the past where vacancies lasted for extended periods. Therefore, while there is a possibility of an unprecedented year-long vacancy, it is not a guaranteed outcome. Adding this context would provide a more accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a news release, State Treasurer Gina Raimondo said, \"Residential property taxes in Providence are up nearly 27 percent under Mayor Taveras.\"","On April 28, 2014, the Raimondo campaign issued a news release headlined, \"Just the Facts: As Providence families pay their property taxes, residential property taxes are up nearly 27 percent under Mayor Taveras.\"","News release, \"Just the Facts: As Providence families pay their property taxes, residential property taxes are up nearly 27 percent under Mayor Taveras,\" Raimondo For Governor, April 28, 2014, accessed April 28, 2014","\"Under Mayor Taveras,\" it said, \"residential property taxes were raised two separate times: by 5 percent in FY 2012 and by 20.7 percent in FY 2014. In total, residential property taxes, which hit working families hard, are up 26.7 percent since 2011.\""]},{"id":"4982.json","label":"true","statement":"Says King Street Patriots held a fundraiser featuring an author who believes that registering the poor to vote is un-American.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the King Street Patriots did indeed hold a fundraiser featuring Matthew Vadum, an author who expressed the belief that \"registering the poor to vote is un-American.\" This is supported by an email blast from the Democratic Party and an opinion article written by Vadum himself, where he explicitly states this viewpoint. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Calling for reform to Virginia\u2019s gun laws, House Democrats noted that firearms -- including assault rifles -- are allowed to be brought in the state Capitol while helium balloons, flags on poles, trumpets and bullhorns are banned.","The basic rules for entering the Capitol are spelled out in these words on the legislative website: \"Possession or use of any device that may disrupt the conduct of business is prohibited, including, but not limited to: voice-amplification equipment; bullhorns; blow horns; sirens, or other noise-producing devices as well as signs on sticks, poles or stakes, or helium-filled balloons.\"","On the left side of the graphic is the headline \"Banned in the Virginia State Capitol.\" Underneath are pictures of a bullhorn, a trumpet, a floating helium balloon and an American flag on a pole.","Paul Nardo, the House clerk, said flags are allowed to be brought into the building, but not if they\u2019re hoisted on poles. The image on the Democrat\u2019s petition shows a flag on a pole."]},{"id":"5033.json","label":"true","statement":"I was one of about a dozen (senators) who voted against the Bridge to Nowhere.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The evidence confirms that Senator Allen was one of the senators who voted against funding the Bridge to Nowhere. The amendment to defund the bridge failed, but Senator Allen was part of the minority who opted to kill the project. The sources provided support the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Meanwhile, the increases for workers with a bachelor\u2019s degree or higher \u2014 which is a category that most teachers would fall into \u2014 increased even more rapidly.","\"This is a common tactic that critics of public education use to denigrate the work of teachers, to make it sound as if they really don\u2019t work that hard,\" Baker continued. \"It\u2019s a bit like saying that the Governor is only working on days when he signs bills. In other words, wrong, and intentionally misleading.\"","\"Well, if you've heard my interviews, you've heard me say this teacher shortage issue is a symptom of what I call a teacher respect issue,\" Cardona told host Chuck Todd on Aug. 21. \"We need to respect the profession better. College graduates earn 33% more than your average teacher when they leave. And adjusted for inflation, over the last 25 years teachers have made a $29 increase in their salary. That's unacceptable, the fact that we've normalized teachers driving Uber on the weekends to make ends meet or working at a restaurant, waiting tables to make ends meet. We have to lift the profession.\"","The article was headlined, \"The Best and Worst States for Teachers.\" It compared each state\u2019s average teacher\u2019s salary in the 2018-19 school year to its average 2019 salary for all full-time, year-round employees. Average teacher salaries were taken from data compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics; average employee salaries came from the U.S. Census Bureau."]},{"id":"1746.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether to run for the U.S. Senate as an independent.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Bernie Sanders is considering running for the U.S. Senate as an independent. The evidence indicates that Sanders has filed a document with the Federal Election Commission to run for reelection to the Senate in 2024 as an independent, which suggests that he is already planning to run as an independent. Therefore, the statement that he is considering running as an independent is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6343.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Romney had the uniforms for the 2002 Winter Olympic games made in Burma.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some uniforms for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games were made in Burma, it is important to note that not all uniforms, such as those for athletes and staffers, were sourced from Burma. The uniforms specifically mentioned in the statement were for the torchbearers, who were volunteers responsible for relaying the Olympic torch to Salt Lake City. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to clarify that it refers to a specific subset of uniforms. Label: barely-true","evidence":["But Romney insisted that neither Kaufman nor any other lobbyists were \"running\" his campaign because they were not paid for their work.","\"Ron is a wonderful friend and adviser. He's not paid. He's an adviser, like many others. But I do not have lobbyists running my campaign,\" Romney said. He added that Kaufman did not attend the campaign's regular strategy sessions.","To examine the truth of Romney's statement, let's first address his point that you must be a paid staffer to be \"running\" the campaign.","\"John Edwards never -- has ever from the beginning of his political career has never taken PAC money or the money of Washington lobbyists. Ever.\" -Joe Trippi, senior campaign adviser"]},{"id":"120.json","label":"true","statement":"\"With one stroke of his pen, President Bush has denied health insurance to 3.8 million kids who were due to get it under this bipartisan expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Program.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by supporters of the legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). They argued that President Bush's veto of the bill would result in denying health insurance to approximately 3.8 million children who were expected to benefit from the bipartisan expansion of the program. This claim is supported by the Congressional Budget Office's estimate of the effects of the legislation. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The speaker talked about it as if expanding Medicaid was the only policy change instead of being coupled with many others in a package that had net deficit reduction and wouldn\u2019t require borrowing more money or expanding the deficit,\" Ellis said.","\"The best we can say is that expanding Medicaid will require borrowing more money than not expanding Medicaid,\" he said. The deficit, he added, will be modestly higher if a state elects to expand Medicaid.","\"Congress has not passed a budget in four years, and each year the federal government spends over a trillion dollars more than it has, leading to a national debt approaching $17 trillion,\" he wrote in a May 9 column. \"Expanding Medicaid would require borrowing more money, drastically expanding our deficit.\"","As for Weatherford\u2019s statement, Goldwein says it\u2019s accurate to say expanding Medicaid would require borrowing more money \"so long as you qualify that means more money than would otherwise be borrowed.\" Goldwein said it\u2019s hard to assess the \"expanding the deficit\" part of Weatherford\u2019s statement."]},{"id":"7849.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says With nearly 75 percent of Americans supportive of the construction of the pipeline, Schrader needs to explain to Oregon families why he voted against this needed project.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the release by stating that nearly 75 percent of Americans support the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This claim is supported by reputable surveys such as the Nanos survey and a Pew Research poll, which both indicate strong public support for the project. However, it's important to note that the statement is presented as an opinion or perspective rather than an objective fact. The use of the term \"needed project\" is subjective and may vary depending on individual viewpoints. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood as an opinion rather than an absolute fact.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In 1998, when a newly elected Gov. Bush and a compliant Legislature started Florida\u2019s \u2018education revolution,\u2019 our graduation rate was among the lowest in the nation,\" Gelber wrote in a June 21 Miami Herald op-ed. \"After Bush\u2019s two terms in office, Florida\u2019s graduation rate was dead last and remains near the bottom.\"","There are a few different ways to measure graduation rates but those that are most often cited in recent years are methods used by the U.S. Education Department and by Education Week , a respected education publication. To see if Florida was \"dead last\" when Bush left office, we looked at those measures, and by both methods, when Bush left office, the state\u2019s graduation rate was near the bottom of the pack but not \"dead last.\"","He\u2019s right that Florida\u2019s graduation rate was among the lowest in the nation when Bush entered office in January 1999. But when Bush left in January 2007, was the state\u2019s graduation rate \"dead last,\" and does it remain near the bottom today? The answer depends upon which ranking we examine.","To examine if Florida\u2019s graduation rate remains near the bottom, we turned to the most current data we could find comparing states\u2019 graduation rates."]},{"id":"4003.json","label":"false","statement":"There is a Republican plan to end Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there have been discussions and proposals for changes to Medicare, there is no Republican plan to completely end Medicare. The sources provided indicate that the claim of ending Medicare is an exaggeration and a misrepresentation of the proposed changes. While the Republican plan may involve significant changes and increased costs for future seniors, the program would still continue to exist and offer coverage to seniors. Label: false","evidence":["\"Fifteen years ago, you wouldn\u2019t have thought that farming would be an important part of the Rhode Island economy, but it\u2019s one of the fastest growing areas of our economy,\" Chafee said. \"Restaurants are looking for fresh food, and so times change and we have to adapt to that.\"","Indeed also found that BLS employment projections favor urban areas, with rural areas growing the most slowly and suburban areas in the middle.","The aging of the Baby Boom generation is producing a need for workers in health care and long-term care. Roughly half of the 20 fastest-growing jobs fall into one of these two categories.","This was a time of economic stagnation in Rhode Island. And by this measure, contrary to Chafee\u2019s impression, farming was withering, not growing."]},{"id":"1734.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Currently we have some 40-45% of Americans who are not paying any taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Allen West is not entirely accurate. While he claims that 40-45% of Americans are not paying any taxes, it lacks important context. West's statement does not specify that he is referring to federal income taxes, which can lead to a misunderstanding that he is referring to all types of taxes. In reality, there are various taxes that individuals pay, such as payroll taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes, among others. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the tax situation in the United States.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We've seen the increase of alcohol use for underage kids even though alcohol has been illegal ... for kids under 21.\"","Nancy DeNuccio said, \"We've seen the increase of alcohol use for underage kids even though alcohol has been illegal ... for kids under 21.\"","\"We've seen the increase of alcohol use for under age kids even though alcohol has been illegal ... for kids under 21,\" she said.","But those on the other side of the debate caution that legalization would lead to greater consumption of the drug and other social problems. Rhode Islanders may end up driving impaired and endangering others, for example. Minors would find it even easier to obtain the drug, even if it would remain illegal for people under age 21 under the proposed law, they said."]},{"id":"11448.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says CNN deleted an online poll showing Bernie Sanders won the first Democratic presidential debate to help out Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. CNN did not delete an online poll showing Bernie Sanders won the first Democratic presidential debate to benefit Hillary Clinton. In fact, the poll in question was not deleted and can still be found on a Facebook page managed by CNN. The claim that CNN deleted the poll to manipulate the results is unfounded and lacks credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Milwaukee Journal Sentinel \"Ron Johnson signals Republicans should repeal and replace Obamacare if the party retakes control in 2024,\" March 8, 2022","Dunham filed several rounds of paperwork trying to convince the insurance company to pay the disability insurance, intended as a replacement for lost wages. At one point, Dunham told the insurance company that she would be turning the matter over to \"my son and attorney, Barack Obama.\" Dunham died Nov. 7, 1995.","\"Let me tell you what would not be a part of our agenda,\" McConnell said, according to The Associated Press. \"We will not have as part of our agenda a bill that raises taxes on half of the American people and sunsets Social Security and Medicare within five years.\"","\u2022 Remarks on health care reform, March 3, 2010: \"If you like your plan, you can keep your plan. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. Because I can tell you that as the father of two young girls, I wouldn\u2019t want any plan that interferes with the relationship between a family and their doctor.\""]},{"id":"515.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Casualties and deaths are at (their) lowest point since literally the beginning\" of the war.","reason":"Reason: The statement that casualties and deaths are at their lowest point since the beginning of the war is partially true. While it is true that there has been a decrease in casualties and deaths in recent years, it is important to note that the term \"beginning of the war\" is not specified. If the statement refers to the very start of the war, it may not be accurate. However, if it refers to a specific period within the war, it could be true. It would be more precise to provide specific data or a defined timeframe to support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I do support the Keystone Pipeline. It\u2019s a bipartisan proposal. Democrats and Republicans alike in Congress want this to move forward, because it\u2019s not only a job creator, it\u2019s also a way for us to responsibly manage how that oil is transferred from Canada to Mexico.","As the showdown plays out, we wanted to answer to three key questions you might have about the Keystone XL proposal.","The Keystone XL pipeline will transport crude oil from Alberta, Canada to Nebraska. The oil will then flow through another pipeline to Gulf Coast refineries, where it will be refined into petroleum products like gasoline.","!The Keystone Steele City pumping station in Nebraska. The Keystone XL pipeline is supposed to connect to the station \/ Credit: Associated Press, 2015 !The Keystone Steele City pumping station in Nebraska. The Keystone XL pipeline is supposed to connect to the station \/ Credit: Associated Press, 2015"]},{"id":"3325.json","label":"false","statement":"Claims Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said: It is necessary to eliminate unions in order to balance future budgets.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Scott Fitzgerald, the Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader, made the statement that it is necessary to eliminate unions in order to balance future budgets. The provided evidence does not mention such a statement or any specific remarks about eliminating unions for budgetary reasons. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10325.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Congress is a very special group of people. More than 80 percent of them never left the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by any evidence or data. There is no reliable information or research available to suggest that more than 80 percent of members of Congress have never left the United States. Such a claim is baseless and lacks credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5375.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he banned texting while driving in Austin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that Mike Martinez, an Austin City Council member, claimed to have banned texting while driving in Austin, it is important to note that the authority to implement such a ban lies with the state government, not individual city council members. The evidence provided indicates that Texas has imposed partial bans on texting while driving, but it does not specifically mention a ban in Austin. Therefore, while Martinez may have advocated for measures to improve safety, including a ban on texting while driving, it is not accurate to attribute the ban solely to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Dewhurst amnesty,\" Cruz claimed, \"would take every single illegal alien in the United States and give them a guest worker permit.\" His source for that, he said, was a 2007 speech by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst \"where he explicitly advocated a guest worker program for every single illegal alien in the United States today\" -- more than 11 million people, by the Pew Hispanic Center\u2019s 2010 estimate, though of course not all would be adults qualified for a guest-worker program.","We searched the Nexis newspaper archive for instances of Dewhurst otherwise declaring his views on guest worker programs and found one mention. An April 25, 2007, Houston Chronicle news story says Dewhurst told the paper in an interview that he \"has long urged Congress to enact a guest worker program for immigrants.\" The story does not quote Dewhurst in any way about securing the border.","David Dewhurst, seeking the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, declared before his party's May 2012 primary that opponent Ted Cruz helps steer two groups seeking amnesty for illegal immigrants.","Mr. Cruz thinks, though, that a guest worker program that you were supporting is even more broad than the amnesty \u2026 the new policy that president Obama has adopted \u2026 President Obama would allow about eight hundred thousand people in the United States to stay, and your guest worker program would be for everyone who is in the United States illegally."]},{"id":"2206.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The state budget has gone up over 80 percent under Rick Perry.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the state budget has increased significantly during Rick Perry's tenure as governor, the statement slightly exaggerates the extent of the increase. The evidence suggests that budgeted non-dedicated state spending increased by nearly 79 percent, not \"over 80 percent\" as claimed. However, it is worth noting that different methods of analysis can yield slightly different growth percentages. Overall, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from a more precise representation of the actual increase in the state budget.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"House Republicans under Paul Ryan's leadership have offered a vision to put America back on a pathway toward a balanced budget,\" Pence said. \"It deals with issues in entitlements. It reduces the national debt. For Americans 55 or older, we're not proposing a single change in Medicare... What we want to do for Americans under the age of 55 is make sure they can participate in the same kind of health plan that members of Congress do.\"","We decided to see who was right by fact-checking Pence\u2019s statement that future Medicare beneficiaries will be able to \"participate in the same kind of health plan that members of Congress do.\"","Ryan\u2019s proposal requires the private insurance companies to accept all comers and to charge the same rate for people who are the same age. The plans would have to comply with a standard for benefits set by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which administers the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, which is how members of Congress buy their insurance.","We should emphasize that Ryan\u2019s Medicare proposal is only a broad outline right now, and there are many unanswered questions about it. But what we do know about it strikes us as fundamentally different from the kind of employer-provided health insurance that members of Congress receive. At a minimum, the premium supports will not keep pace with the historic record of rapidly increasing health care costs. Additionally, seniors make significantly less income than members of Congress and will likely not have the same options to buy more expensive plans. And, finally, they will not the same protection against rising costs that \"Fair Share\" provides members of Congress. We rate Pence\u2019s statement Barely True."]},{"id":"13106.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio voted against every bill that would have helped keep our families safe. He even voted against a bipartisan measure, introduced by a Republican, to prevent people on the no-fly list from purchasing guns.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marco Rubio voted against a specific bipartisan measure to prevent people on the no-fly list from purchasing guns, the statement exaggerates by claiming that he voted against \"every\" bill aimed at keeping families safe. Rubio did support other Republican-sponsored legislation related to background checks and adding restrictions to individuals on the terrorist list. Additionally, the statement fails to mention that Rubio supported a separate Republican measure that also sought to ban people on the no-fly list from buying guns, but with the requirement of a court hearing. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and fair representation of Rubio's voting record.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says the Affordable Care Act was a federal takeover of the student loan industry and \u2018profits\u2019 on the loans go to help pay for the health care law.","\"Under the Affordable Care Act, which amounted to a federal takeover of the student loan industry, the government borrows money at 2.8 percent and then loans money to students at 6.8 percent. Government profits are then used to help pay for the health care law,\" Ayotte asserted.","The message, meant to convey Ayotte\u2019s stance on temporarily extending existing rates on new subsidized Stafford loans, raised some questions about where student loan interest is going, and whether government \"profits\" from those loans are used to help pay for the health care law.","PolitiFact has given plenty of Pants on Fire ratings to claims that say Obama\u2019s health care law is a federal takeover of the health care system -- it was PolitiFact's Lie of the Year for 2010. But a takeover of the student loan industry?"]},{"id":"8238.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"An account of attacks in Benghazi written by former White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers shows that the body of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens was dragged through the streets and abused.","reason":"Reason: The claim that an account written by former White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers confirms that the body of Ambassador Chris Stevens was dragged through the streets and abused is false. There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support such a claim. The information mentioned in the chain email is unsubstantiated and lacks credibility. It is important to rely on verified and trustworthy sources when evaluating such sensitive and serious events.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11275.json","label":"true","statement":"The State of Texas is funding womens health services at historically high levels; they just increased their level another $50 million for the next two years.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the State of Texas has indeed increased its funding for women's health services by an additional $50 million for the next two years. Multiple sources, including statements from Pojman and White, support this claim. While there may be some debate about the significance of the increase and the specific programs being funded, the statement accurately reflects the fact that Texas has allocated a historically high level of funding for women's health services.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"It's a pretty tough thing because I saw something last night that much more than 50 percent of people out there and parents out there are spankers,\" Trump said.","Speaking about the Peterson case, Trump said that much more than 50 percent of parents are spankers. In this fact-check, we\u2019re not judging whether spanking is akin to what Peterson did, we\u2019re simply verifying Trump\u2019s statistic.","We should note that pediatricians as a group strongly discourage spanking. They cite evidence that ties it to behavioral problems and lower school performance. The spanking label covers a lot of ground. Some parents hit harder and more often than others. To talk simply of spanking masks important differences in how parents treat their children.","But he said other factors such as poverty, education level and the age of parents also correlate with single motherhood and adolescent problems."]},{"id":"4299.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a Senate resolution would restore $140 in monthly general assistance payments and prevent people from committing crime.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly states that the state budget did not cut the monthly general assistance payments, and therefore, there is no need for a resolution to restore the $140 payments. Additionally, the claim that people would turn to crime if these payments were taken away is not supported by expert opinions. Therefore, the statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"635.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"John McCain has seven houses.","reason":"Reason: The statement that John McCain has seven houses is mostly true. While there is some discrepancy in the exact number of properties owned by McCain, it is widely reported that he owns multiple homes. The Democratic National Committee, as well as the Obama campaign, have criticized McCain for being out of touch and have specifically mentioned his ownership of multiple houses. Reports indicate that McCain owns at least eight properties, and some sources suggest the number could be higher. Therefore, the statement that McCain has seven houses is generally accurate, although the exact number may vary.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"831.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Barack Obama said \"people making less than $250,000 would benefit from his plan\" then said \"if you're a family making less than $200,000, you'll benefit.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Barack Obama made two different statements regarding the income threshold for benefiting from his plan. He initially stated that people making less than $250,000 would benefit, but later revised it to say that families making less than $200,000 would benefit. While there is a discrepancy between the two figures, it is important to note that both thresholds fall within the general range of \"less than $250,000.\" Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately captures the inconsistency in Obama's statements regarding the income threshold for benefiting from his plan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, \"Glenn Beck says First Lady Michelle Obama has 43 on her staff while Nancy Reagan had just 3,\" March 4, 2011","So to summarize, Michelle Obama has a staff of 25, not 43 as Beck claimed. Nancy Reagan had a staff of about 15 (not 3, as Beck claimed). The size of Michelle Obama's staff is similar to that of her immediate predecessors. And she did not just hire a new personal shopper. In short, Beck's outrage is based on numbers that are wildly off the mark. We rate his claim Pants on Fire.","\"I think Nancy Reagan may have been the one who had the most people on the staff. She had three. Three!\"","Here, Beck has upped the alleged number of staffers to 43. And he claims that when Nancy Reagan was first lady, she had just three."]},{"id":"8248.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Before President Obama acted in Libya in 2011, the American people were opposed to military action by 35 to 60. After he took action, they were in support of it 54 to 43.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the shift in public opinion regarding military action in Libya after President Obama took action. Prior to the intervention, polls showed that the American people were opposed to military action by a margin of 35 to 60. However, after the intervention, public opinion shifted, and polls indicated that the majority of Americans were in support of the action by a margin of 54 to 43. While the specific numbers may vary slightly depending on the source, the overall trend of a shift in public opinion from opposition to support is consistent.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["As backup, the North Carolina-based group cites annual comprehensive financial statements issued by the state of Texas that indeed indicate spending doubled over Perry\u2019s first 10 years as governor.","A group favoring U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota for president posted an ad online this month suggesting Gov. Rick Perry, the leading hopeful for the Republican presidential nomination, isn\u2019t a fiscal conservative.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","Says he \"did not try to leave the scene of the accident\" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated."]},{"id":"12534.json","label":"false","statement":"On running for re-election to U.S. Senate","reason":"Reason: The statement is false because there is no mention or evidence provided in the given context that supports the claim of running for re-election to the U.S. Senate. The evidence provided discusses attack ads against Republicans running for open U.S. Senate seats and mentions specific GOP candidates, but it does not mention re-election for any individual.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Texas still owns all of its public lands. If the federal gov't wants to create a park, they must ask permission!\"","Hegar tweeted: \"Texas still owns all of its public lands. If the federal gov't wants to create a park, they must ask permission!\"","Before Independence Day, a Texas leader said the federal government needs permission to plant a park in the state. Glenn Hegar, the state comptroller, said in a June 24, 2015, tweet: \"Texas still owns all of its public lands. If the federal gov't wants to create a park, they must ask permission!\"","To our inquiry about Hegar's tweet, Liz White of his campaign operation said Hegar reached his conclusion starting from a Random Facts website that included this entry: \"Texas still owns all of its public lands. If the federal government wants to create a park or cut a stand of timber, it must first ask the state\u2019s permission.\""]},{"id":"6272.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project has created 1,525 direct jobs as of June 11, 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by TriMet, the metro area's transit agency, that the Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project created 1,525 direct jobs as of June 11, 2012. However, it's important to note that the term \"created\" in this context may not necessarily mean that all of these jobs are entirely new positions that wouldn't have existed without the project. The evidence suggests that some of the contracted companies may have hired existing employees or filled existing positions rather than creating entirely new jobs. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the number of jobs reported, it lacks clarity regarding the nature of these jobs and whether they are entirely new positions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8698.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The fact that one town has three lanes dedicated to it, that kind of gets me sauced.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Christie that \"one town has three lanes dedicated to it\" is completely false. The George Washington Bridge, which is physically located in Fort Lee, does not have any lanes dedicated exclusively to the town. All motorists, regardless of their destination, are able to use the lanes as an entry point to the bridge. The claim made by Christie is misleading and does not align with the facts. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Thompson said Baldwin supports a law \"in which government will take over your decisions on medicine, on doctors and on hospitals.\"","But a system in which the government pays for all health care isn\u2019t the same as one in which the government \"will take over your decisions on medicine, on doctors and on hospitals.\"","But Thompson\u2019s statement wasn\u2019t as sweeping. He charged that legislation backed by Baldwin would have the government \"take over your decisions\" on medicine, doctors and hospitals.","Thompson told conservative talk show Jay Weber that if Baldwin is elected, \"she will be pushing for a national health care provision in which government will take over your decisions on medicine, on doctors and on hospitals.\""]},{"id":"7633.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In South Carolina, women earn 76 cents on the dollar to mens earnings.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistic that women in South Carolina earn 76 cents on the dollar compared to men's earnings. However, it's important to note that this statistic represents an average and does not account for various factors such as occupation, education, experience, and other variables that may contribute to the wage gap. While the statement is true in terms of the overall gender wage gap in South Carolina, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the wage disparity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The projected $1.8 billion state budget shortfall for 2015-\u201917 \"actually comes from an assumption based on zero growth. That just doesn\u2019t happen.\"","Walker said the projected $1.8 billion state budget shortfall for 2015-\u201917 \"actually comes from an assumption based on zero growth. That just doesn\u2019t happen.\"","\"That $1.8 billion number you\u2019ve heard out there actually comes from an assumption based on zero growth,\" Walker said during the Oct. 17, 2014 debate, when challenged on the number by Democratic rival Mary Burke. \"That just doesn\u2019t happen.\"","Now let\u2019s examine Walker\u2019s underlying critique -- that the $1.8 billion figure is based on zero growth, a scenario \"that just doesn\u2019t happen.\" It\u2019s his basis for turning to a different, much rosier, set of numbers."]},{"id":"646.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether he wants to be vice president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not clear and lacks context. It is unclear who the statement is referring to and whether it is in response to a specific question or situation. Without further information, it is not possible to determine the accuracy or truthfulness of the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2152.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Theres no negative advertising in my campaign at all.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly indicates that negative advertising has been a prominent feature in political campaigns for many years. Studies and analyses of campaign advertising data show that negative ads have been used extensively by candidates from both major parties. Therefore, the statement claiming that there is no negative advertising in the campaign is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2627.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Mark Kirk: Lied about going to war. Opposed middle class tax cuts. And said unemployments not that big an issue.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains inaccuracies and misrepresentations. While it is true that there were claims made about Mark Kirk lying, those claims were specifically related to falsely claiming to have won a military award, not about lying about going to war. Additionally, there is no evidence to support the claim that Kirk opposed middle-class tax cuts. Lastly, the statement suggests that Kirk said unemployment is not a significant issue, which is not supported by any evidence provided. Overall, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the facts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, \"Donald Trump says 'he didn't say' the things about women that Megyn Kelly asked him about in debate,\" Aug. 10, 2015","Says Donald Trump campaigned on not cutting Medicare and Social Security, but his nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, \"made his career on cutting Medicare and Medicaid.\"","\"His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald being, you know, shot. I mean the whole thing is ridiculous. What is this, right, prior to his being shot? And nobody even brings it up. I mean they don\u2019t even talk about that \u2014 that was reported \u2014 and nobody ever talks about it,\" Trump said (around the 5:10 mark).","Trump also had a capital gain of at least $5 million from Bank of America and capital gains of at least $1 million from Apple, Best Buy, Boeing and Facebook."]},{"id":"12063.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton told the Des Moines Register on Aug. 8, 2015:I will get the NRA shut down for good if I become president. If we can ban handguns, we will do it.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton made the statement, \"I will get the NRA shut down for good if I become president. If we can ban handguns, we will do it.\" The provided sources do not include any verifiable quotes or reliable information from the Des Moines Register or any other reputable news outlet. This statement appears to be a fabrication or a misrepresentation of Clinton's views on gun control. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing political statements.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Woodward summarizes the thoughts of the Obama team: \"There would be no chance the Republicans would want to pull the trigger and allow the sequester to force massive cuts to Defense.\" Democrats, meanwhile, didn\u2019t want to see their favorite domestic programs cut.","\"Any time anyone opposes the president\u2019s agenda, he and his allies usually respond by falsely attacking their motives,\" Rubio said. He named several examples, including the sweeping cuts to military and other spending set to take effect unless Congress and the president agree on deficit-reduction package.","That doesn\u2019t tell the whole story -- particularly the fact that Obama does not favor these cuts. The White House proposed them as a means of driving the two sides to a compromise over the deficit, not as a real-world spending plan.","The U.S. Economic Impact of Approved and Projected DOD Spending Reductions on Equipment in 2013, by Dr. Stephen S. Fuller of George Mason University, Oct. 24, 2011"]},{"id":"9938.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"To deprive underprivileged children of a meat-based protein during school lunch is most likely depriving them of their only source of protein for the day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While meat is a source of protein, it is not the only source available. There are various plant-based protein options such as beans, legumes, tofu, and grains that can provide adequate protein for individuals, including underprivileged children. Additionally, schools are required to offer alternative protein options to meat, ensuring that children have access to a balanced meal that meets their nutritional needs. Therefore, the claim that depriving underprivileged children of meat-based protein during school lunch would most likely deprive them of their only source of protein for the day is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12468.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Dog Meat Festival in Yulin, China, threatens global public health.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Dog Meat Festival in Yulin, China threatens global public health is not supported by any credible evidence. Experts from the World Health Organization have dismissed the idea and stated that there are no scientifically justified arguments to support the claim. Peer-reviewed studies in China also indicate that there is little connection between the dog meat trade and the spread of diseases like rabies. While there may be valid ethical and animal welfare concerns regarding the festival, there is no basis to suggest that it poses a global public health threat.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I'm going to tell you what Senator Feingold and his allies' next attack against me will be,\" Johnson says in the radio ad. \"They're going to tell you I said Washington politicians have run Social Security like a Ponzi scheme.","In September, PolitiFact Wisconsin rated Barely True GOP U.S. Senate candidate Ron Johnson's statement that Washington politicians \"run Social Security like a Ponzi scheme.\" Despite a superficial similarity, Social Security is obligated to pay benefits, a commitment the shysters who run Ponzi schemes do not share. What\"s more, participants are aware of how the system is operating. It\"s all public. In a Ponzi scheme, investors have no clue where their money is going and are told lies by its promoters.","The candidate says politicians \"run Social Security like a Ponzi scheme.\" On a superficial level, that is true -- money is taken in from current workers (new participants) and used to pay off obligations to retirees (old participants). The operative word is \"superficial.\"","Said Steuerle: \"To the extent that the candidate is arguing (that Social Security) is run like a Ponzi scheme, in the sense that there\u2019s really no significant savings in the system, that\u2019s right.\""]},{"id":"2721.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Republican candidates in key Wisconsin Assembly races side with those who want to privatize Social Security -- and risk our retirements on Wall Street.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Republican candidates in key Wisconsin Assembly races side with those who want to privatize Social Security and risk retirements on Wall Street. The evidence provided does not support this claim. The mail piece mentioned in the evidence does not provide any proof or mention of Social Security privatization. Additionally, the use of a misleading image on the mailer does not substantiate the claim. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7453.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"About two-thirds of all consumption is services. . . It was just the opposite when the sales tax was enacted in the 30s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that about two-thirds of all consumption is in the form of services. This aligns with the general understanding that services make up a significant portion of consumer spending. However, the second part of the statement, which suggests that the opposite was true when the sales tax was enacted in the 1930s, lacks clarity and supporting evidence. Without further context or specific information, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly-true in terms of the first part, but the second part lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Ever wonder why no one ever came forward from Obama's past, saying they knew him, attended school with him, was his friend, etc.? Not one person has ever come forward from his past.\"","\"Ever wonder why no one ever came forward from Obama's past, saying they knew him, attended school with him, was his friend, etc.?\" the e-mail states. \"Not one person has ever come forward from his past.\"","A chain e-mail making the rounds in New Jersey claims \"no one ever came forward from Obama\u2019s past, saying they knew him, attended school with him, was his friend.\"","As for Occidental, lots of former classmates and teachers have come forward to talk about the Obama they remember from his two years on campus there. For example, see the Los Angeles Times ' Jan. 29, 2007, story, \"Occidental recalls 'Barry' Obama.\"( \"\"Occidental recalls 'Barry' Obama.\"\")"]},{"id":"5217.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We never had an earthquake in Youngstown until John Kasich was elected Governor,","reason":"Reason: While it is true that an earthquake occurred in Youngstown after John Kasich became governor, it is misleading to directly attribute the earthquake to his governorship. The injection wells, which have been in operation for several decades, are believed to be the cause of the earthquake, and Kasich did not weaken regulations or take actions that would have directly contributed to the earthquake. Therefore, the statement inaccurately implies a causal relationship between Kasich's governorship and the earthquake.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["State Senate leader Kevin de Le\u00f3n recently claimed at the Democratic National Convention that California has \"the sixth largest economy on planet Earth.\"","Although California has \"the sixth largest economy in the world, we also have one of the highest poverty rates\" in the nation.","Turning to Villaraigosa\u2019s bold claim involving the economy and poverty, we\u2019ll start by checking the first part: that California has the \"sixth largest economy in the world.\"","Antonio Villaraigosa recently claimed California has \"the sixth largest economy in the world\" and one of the highest poverty rates\" in the nation."]},{"id":"7862.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"My office is about a 300-step walk to the governors office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately describes the proximity between the speaker's office and the governor's office, emphasizing that it is a short distance of about 300 steps. While the evidence provided does not directly support this specific claim, it does include examples of distances mentioned in different contexts, such as walking 200 to 300 miles to vote in Africa and walking up to 3.1 miles in Chad. Given the context and the evidence, it is reasonable to conclude that a 300-step walk is a relatively short distance, supporting the claim's accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12442.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Donald Trump has the second-highest disapproval ratings of anyone running for president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence clearly indicates that Donald Trump did not have the second-highest disapproval ratings among all presidential hopefuls. In fact, the evidence suggests that Trump had the highest disapproval ratings among candidates of either party, with Hillary Clinton running second to him in unfavorability in several polls. Therefore, the claim that Trump had the second-highest disapproval ratings is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Roys had complained that the West Allis hearing was held \"15 hours away from those most directly affected\" -- in other words, claiming it would take a person 15 hours to drive to the hearing from northwestern Wisconsin.","In a news release issued Jan. 5, 2012, state Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, D-Madison, complained that a hearing on speeding the approval process for new mines was held in southeastern Wisconsin -- \"15 hours away\" from the mine region.","\"It remains unclear why the original plan was to have the only hearing in Milwaukee -- 15 hours away from those most directly affected.\"","The size of the proposed Gogebic iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin dominated debate as a bill to relax state mining laws made it through the Legislature and to Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s desk."]},{"id":"7055.json","label":"false","statement":"The Ryan budget gets rid of Medicare in 10 years and turns it into a voucher program.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Paul Ryan's budget plan proposed significant changes to Medicare, it did not eliminate it entirely. The plan aimed to transform Medicare into a voucher program, where beneficiaries would receive a fixed amount of money to purchase private insurance. However, Medicare would still exist, albeit in a different form. It's important to accurately represent the proposed changes without exaggerating or mischaracterizing them.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Our credit rating went up since I've been in office,\" he said. \"And their credit rating (the federal government's) is dropping because they\u2019re not doing what we're doing in Florida. We are the most fiscal responsible state in the country.\"","To recap: Florida's credit rating was upgraded to AAA in 2005 while Jeb Bush was governor. Its rating has been the same ever since. The only thing that changed is S&P's outlook on Florida debt. It went from stable to negative, then back to stable. But that isn't considered an upgrade, the ratings agency says.","As the chart shows, the first drop came in February 2011, the start of Christie\u2019s second year in office. In announcing the first credit-rating downgrade of Christie\u2019s governorship, Standard & Poor\u2019s mentioned long-running problems with the state\u2019s pension and health care obligations, as well as a slow economic recovery.","The WOKV report quotes Atwater as seemingly acknowledging the ratings upgrade. \"We went through, got lower pricing, because a triple A bond rating can give us that. In this marketplace, there aren't many of us out there who have that rating,\" Atwater said, according to the report."]},{"id":"10437.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"On assault weapon violence: Ducks have more protection than people in Virginia.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"ducks have more protection than people in Virginia\" regarding assault weapon violence is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that the statement was made in the context of the number of bullets and shotgun shells allowed under Virginia law. However, this does not equate to ducks having more protection than people. The statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the laws and protections in place for the safety of individuals in Virginia.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9668.json","label":"false","statement":"The increase in the garbage tax that [Mayor Allan Fung] imposed in Cranston for some people has been as much as $200.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are claims made by Ken Block and others about an increase in the garbage tax imposed by Mayor Allan Fung in Cranston, there is no credible evidence or specific information provided to support the assertion that the increase has been as much as $200 for some individuals. Without verifiable data or documentation, it is not accurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8932.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As state Commerce secretary, Mary Burke drafted, sponsored and promoted budgets that raised taxes by billions, created high structural deficits and raided funds to finance huge spending hikes.","reason":"Reason: While Mary Burke had involvement in budgeting as the state Commerce secretary, it is an overstatement to claim that she \"drafted, sponsored, and promoted\" budgets that raised taxes by billions, created high structural deficits, and raided funds for significant spending hikes. While she did support and praise certain budgets, it is important to note that the claim of her direct involvement in drafting and sponsoring budgets is exaggerated. Additionally, the actual tax increase attributed to the budgets she supported was $1.35 billion, not \"billions\" as stated. Therefore, the statement contains elements of truth but is misleading and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13384.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wants to let people just pour in. You could have 650 million people pour in and we do nothing about it. Think of it. Thats what could happen. You triple the size of our country in one week.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no credible evidence or statement from Hillary Clinton suggesting that she wants to allow 650 million people to enter the United States without any control or regulation. Such a claim is an exaggeration and does not align with Clinton's actual immigration policies or statements. It is important to fact-check and verify information before making such extreme and baseless claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Okubo says she got a copy of her own birth certificate last year and it is identical to the Obama one we received.","\"As you notice, there's nothing about being age 40,\" Tabor said. \"This is completely wrong. The Book of Revelation doesn't say that. It says it's a male, so I guess they got that right. It says 'he,' 'he,' 'he.' \"","But fit together it doesn't. The claim in this e-mail is egregiously inaccurate, so we rule it Pants on Fire wrong.","\"I am sure that we spent another $10-million, perhaps $20-million, out of a $50-million investigation, to just knock down and put to bed these kinds of rumors, these insidious rumors,\" Goelz said. \"We felt like we had to answer every question because it was such a public and dreadful and confounding event.\""]},{"id":"2584.json","label":"false","statement":"(Jeff) Atwaters busy helping his friends and wasting our tax dollars -- $48 million for a government building so lavish its dubbed the Taj Mahal, $100,000 for a golf musuem, and $110 million to build a private prison to help a big contributor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Democrat Loranne Ausley about Jeff Atwater's alleged actions. However, it's important to note that these claims are unsubstantiated and lack credible evidence. There is no concrete proof that Atwater was involved in wasteful spending or acted to benefit his friends. Without verifiable evidence, it is not accurate to assert that Atwater was busy helping his friends and wasting taxpayer dollars on specific projects such as the lavish government building, golf museum, and private prison. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3162.json","label":"false","statement":"Despite claims that you can keep the health care plan you like, the Obama Administration has predicted that as many as 7 out of 10 Americans with employer-provided health coverage could lose their current health plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Obama made promises that individuals could keep their health insurance plans if they liked them, it is important to note that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) did result in some individuals losing their existing plans. However, the claim that the Obama Administration predicted that as many as 7 out of 10 Americans with employer-provided health coverage could lose their current health plan is not supported by credible evidence. The evidence provided does not substantiate this prediction, and it is important to evaluate claims based on accurate information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bachmann said \"the president \u2026 by executive order\" could grant voting rights to illegal immigrants newly legalized under pending legislation. That\u2019s not true -- the states, not the president, have the power to determine who can vote. It\u2019s right there in the Constitution. We rate Bachmann\u2019s claim Pants on Fire.","Bachmann\u2019s office didn\u2019t return a request for elaboration, but we found several legal experts to analyze her claim that Obama, or any president, could use an executive order to grant voting rights to anyone newly legalized under an immigration overhaul that emerges from Congress.","( - Michele Bachmann says Barack Obama can use executive order to give voting rights to illegal immigrants legalized under Senate bill&url=)","The Senate immigration bill would not grant voting rights to newly legalized immigrants immediately, and they would not be guaranteed the right to vote eventually. Rather, the bill sets up a pathway to citizenship -- a pathway that includes additional hurdles beyond the ones facing legal permanent residents seeking naturalization, such as paying a fine."]},{"id":"6503.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On supporting the charter school amendment.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that State School Superintendent John Barge expressed a fondness for charter schools but also indicated that he would respect the will of the citizens of Georgia regarding how charter schools are authorized. While he did break ranks with other charter school supporters by opposing the constitutional amendment aimed at creating more charter schools, it is important to note that his opposition was specific to the amendment and not necessarily to charter schools as a whole. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as Barge expressed support for charter schools but opposed the specific amendment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So there you have it, if you use the raw numbers. Portman got the fewest votes among the victors in these last four Senate elections.","It says that if you ignore the context, the Democrats are right about Portman\u2019s election performance: \"In four Ohio Senate elections held between 2000 to 2010, Robert Portman garnered the least votes out of all the winners.\"","On June 3, the Ohio Democratic Party used it to take several shots at Portman, his experience and his popularity, including a claim that he\u2019s really not a tremendous vote-getter in his home state. \"In four Ohio Senate elections held between 2000 to 2010, Robert Portman garnered the least votes out of all the winners,\" the Democrats said in a news release.","If that\u2019s the case, the party suggested, Portman would \"not significantly help Romney carry the Buckeye state.\" This larger claim is prospective, although there is polling to support it. The polling could turn out to be right, or wrong, as it came out six months before the election. But what about hard data from Portman\u2019s last election? Did he really get fewer votes than the previous three victors in Ohio\u2019s U.S. Senate races, Mike DeWine, George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown?"]},{"id":"5805.json","label":"false","statement":"In my years in the State Legislature, I have never voted for a tax increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Kyrillos claiming that he never voted for a tax increase during his time in the State Legislature is false. There is evidence that Kyrillos did vote against tax increases on certain occasions, such as rejecting an increase in the sales tax and certain state income tax rates. However, it is important to note that Kyrillos' claim of never voting for a tax increase is inaccurate, as there were instances where he did vote in favor of tax increases. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Virtual Murrell, a convicted felon, co-hosted a fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate Michelle Nunn !Virtual Murrell, a convicted felon, co-hosted a fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate Michelle Nunn","Since then, the president has told an Atlanta radio station that a Nunn victory in the race \"means that Democrats keep control of the Senate\" and his wife, Michelle Obama, headlined a fund-raiser for Nunn.","In the race that could determine which party controls the Senate, Perdue has said that his real opponent is Barack Obama, a Democratic president with low approval ratings in Georgia.","\"There is no doubt that Barack Obama and his allies picked Michelle Nunn to be the Democrat nominee and attempted to influence the outcome of the primary election on her behalf,\" Dickey said."]},{"id":"1381.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas is LAST (50th) in spending for mental health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, Texas has consistently ranked low in per-capita spending on mental health care. While it is important to note that the ranking may vary slightly depending on the specific year and data source, the evidence confirms that Texas has consistently been among the states with the lowest per-capita spending on mental health care. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Texas ranks last or 50th in spending for mental health care based on the available information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"617.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Barack Obama promises higher taxes on \"the sale of your home.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that President Obama proposed allowing the tax cuts enacted under his predecessor to expire, there is no evidence to support the claim that he specifically promised higher taxes on \"the sale of your home.\" The evidence provided does not mention any specific promise related to taxes on home sales. It is important to rely on accurate and specific information when assessing campaign promises and tax proposals.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In Concord, Sununu supported Obama\u2019s Common Core agenda, taking away local control of our schools,\" a narrator says in the ad titled \"Sununu's Liberal Record,\" that began airing at the start of September.","Gatsas\u2019 claim contains several assertions that we can break down one-by-one. First, whether Sununu supported Common Core; second, whether Common Core takes away local control; and third, whether Common Core was Obama\u2019s initiative.","In fact, federal law predating Common Core prohibits \"an officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control a State, local educational agency, or school\u2019s curriculum...\"","As an Executive Councilor, Sununu voted in favor of testing contracts and education officials aligned with Common Core, which shows a degree of support, but he has never taken an up-or-down vote on the Common Core standards. And, while Obama\u2019s administration has incentivized states to adopt the standards, the federal government did not develop them, nor do the standards micro-manage how New Hampshire schools should deliver education."]},{"id":"3079.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under federal law, Jared Loughner would not have been able to buy a gun had he been identified as mentally ill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Under federal law, individuals who have been adjudicated as mentally ill or committed to a mental institution are generally prohibited from purchasing firearms. However, it is important to note that the process of identifying and adjudicating someone as mentally ill can be complex and may involve court action. In the case of Jared Loughner, if he had been identified and committed under Arizona's broad involuntary-commitment statute, it is likely that he would have been prohibited from purchasing a gun under federal law. However, it is crucial to consider the specific circumstances and legal processes involved in determining an individual's mental health status and their eligibility to purchase firearms.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"He said unemployment was never gonna go over 8 percent if we passed the stimulus plan,\" Christie told Schieffer. \"We went up over 10 percent.\"","During his \"Face the Nation\" interview, Christie repeated the GOP talking point that Obama \"said unemployment was never gonna go over 8 percent if we passed the stimulus plan.\"","Ryan sought to brand President Barack Obama\u2019s recession remedies as a failure and said the president had broken his promise to keep unemployment below 8 percent.","But with one of those answers, Christie rehashed an old -- and mostly inaccurate -- GOP talking point about President Barack Obama guaranteeing that the stimulus program would keep unemployment below 8 percent."]},{"id":"3723.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Two million federal workers negotiate zippo, zero. There is no collective bargaining for federal employees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that federal workers generally cannot collectively bargain for pay and benefits, they do have some collective bargaining rights regarding working conditions. Approximately 1.1 million non-postal federal workers are represented by over 90 labor organizations, and they can negotiate aspects such as working hours, safety protocols, and other conditions of employment. However, it is important to note that the scope of collective bargaining for federal workers is limited compared to some state and local government employees. Therefore, the statement is misleading in its absolute assertion of \"zippo, zero\" collective bargaining for federal employees.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"930.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Congressional Budget Office \"estimates that only 15 percent of this stimulus package will be spent in 2009\" and only 37 percent in 2010.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks context. While the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did provide estimates on the spending timeline of a stimulus package, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support the specific percentages mentioned in the statement. The evidence does not mention the specific stimulus package being referred to, nor does it provide the exact percentages mentioned. Therefore, without more specific information, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement. It is best to exercise caution and consider the statement as lacking sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["John Carter says Constitution gives Congress sway over immigration policy so Obama lacked authority to defer deportations of young illegal immigrants","( - John Carter says Constitution gives Congress sway over immigration policy so Obama lacked authority to defer deportations of young illegal immigrants&url=)","On June 18, 2012, the Round Rock congressman told Austin\u2019s KLBJ, 590 AM: \"The Constitution of the United States... specifically states the Congress shall write legislation for immigration policy in the United States.\" Carter added that the Democratic president did not have the authority to act as he did.","In telephone interviews, lawyers versed in the Constitution and U.S. immigration laws told us that while there is no explicit language in the Constitution saying immigration policy shall be set by Congress, Article I, Section 8 has long been interpreted as giving Congress that role. The fourth clause of the section says Congress shall have the power to establish a uniform \"Rule of Naturalization,\" as in determining who can legally be in the country."]},{"id":"7642.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have the fewest people employed in this country since 1979.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we have the fewest people employed in this country since 1979\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there are concerns about long-term unemployment and discouraged workers, and the economic recovery from the 2007-09 recession has been slow, it does not mean that the current employment situation is the worst since 1979. The evidence suggests that the claim is misleading because it does not consider the overall population growth and changes in workforce participation over the past few decades. It is important to note that the employment situation is complex and cannot be solely determined by the number of people employed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10937.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Twenty-five percent of people in the country have said they changed their email and phone habits because of the collection of data allowed by the Patriot Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Representative Pocan's claim that 25 percent of people in the country changed their email and phone habits due to data collection allowed by the Patriot Act. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not specify the source of this statistic or provide a direct link to the Pew Foundation poll mentioned. Without further information, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents the claim made by Representative Pocan, the lack of specific evidence regarding the source of the statistic lowers its credibility.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10613.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that Susan Rice, the presidents national security adviser, has already conceded that Iran will have a robust uranium enrichment capability.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Cotton claimed that Susan Rice, the president's national security adviser, conceded that Iran will have a robust uranium enrichment capability, the evidence suggests otherwise. In the cited sources, it is clear that Rice did not use the specific words \"concede\" or \"robust\" in relation to Iran's uranium enrichment capability. While there may be debates and differing interpretations of Rice's statements, it is inaccurate to attribute those specific words to her. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Ohio, \"Rep. Michael Turner, congressional delegation, say a shuttle in Ohio would be within a day's drive for 60 percent of Americans,\" April 4, 2011","An image shows a \u201cUFO photographed on June 21, 2014 by the pilot from the cockpit of an F-16 military plane flying near Lackland Air Force Base of the United States located in San Antonio, Texas.\u201d","One additional note: In addition to 60 percent of the U.S. population, Kasich\u2019s claim also would encompass the most populous parts of Ontario and Quebec.","\"UFO photographed on June 21, 2014 by the pilot from the cockpit of an F-16 military plane flying near Lackland Air Force Base of the United States located in San Antonio, Texas,\" said one June 28 Facebook post. An identical post from a different account went viral in March."]},{"id":"12920.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Because theres no local option to allow communities to ban, limit or restrict the location of pot shops, if Amendment 2 passes you can expect the seedy elements of the pot industry to move in right next door to your neighborhood, your church, your business and even your childs school.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that if Amendment 2 passes, there will be no local option to regulate the location of pot shops, leading to the infiltration of seedy elements in neighborhoods, churches, businesses, and schools. However, this claim is misleading. While Amendment 2 may not explicitly include language about a local option, it does not guarantee that the state will allow pot shops without any restrictions. The issue of local regulation would likely be subject to legal interpretation and potentially settled in court. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the potential impact and fails to acknowledge the potential for local ordinances and legal processes to address concerns about the location of pot shops.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It isn't me cutting the budget. It's the Congress' decision on sequestration. So it isn't secretary of defense or the president doing this.\"","\"It isn\u2019t me cutting the budget,\" he said. \"It\u2019s the Congress\u2019 decision on sequestration. So it isn\u2019t the secretary of defense or the president doing this, and I think we should clear that up a little bit here, too.\"","Since the super-committee failed to do this, the law called for sequestration, or across-the-board spending cuts, to go into effect in 2013. Each year, budget cuts are split evenly between non-war defense spending and discretionary domestic spending.","At first glance, Hagel attributing defense cuts to Congress contradicts Obama\u2019s proposed budget, which itself cuts Department of Defense funding levels. PolitiFact wanted to review how the cuts came to be, and how that affects the defense budget."]},{"id":"1939.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"With his decision on whether to fire Gen. Stanley McChrystal, President Obama has to fix yet another problem he inherited from the Bush administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. President Obama's decision on whether to fire Gen. Stanley McChrystal was not related to a problem inherited from the Bush administration. Gen. McChrystal's removal was a result of his own actions and the controversy surrounding his remarks about top civilian administration officials. It is not accurate to attribute this issue to the previous administration.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Arizona schools rank 45th in the nation, dead last in funding per student,\" the ad states. \"Hillary knows our kids deserve better, education means a good job, a decent living.\"","However, the actual text of the advertisement does mention that Arizona is 50th in per student funding though, which is correct. They\u2019re just not dead last.","For the dead last in funding per student part of the claim, the ad cites the Arizona School Boards Association, a statewide nonprofit.","The ad cites a January 2016 Education Week ranking for the 45th in the nation claim. Education Week uses several measures, including finance, achievement and chance for success."]},{"id":"12719.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton lied about why her parents named her Hillary.","reason":"Reason: While there were initial claims that Hillary Clinton lied about why her parents named her Hillary, further investigation and evidence suggest a more nuanced understanding. Clinton did initially state that she was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, the famous mountain climber. However, it was later revealed that Clinton was born before Sir Edmund Hillary became well-known. Census records and research initially led to the wrong conclusion about the origins of her name. However, Clinton herself clarified that her mother, Dorothy Rodham, read an article about Sir Edmund Hillary and liked the name, which led to her being named Hillary. Therefore, while there was some initial confusion and misinterpretation, it is not accurate to categorize it as a deliberate lie on Clinton's part.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Then Archambault recalled seeing statistics suggesting that 4 out of 10 fatal accidents in Rhode Island involved alcohol. \"We shouldn't be at the top of the country for alcohol-related fatalities,\" he said.","But in 2003( \"2003\") and 2004,( \"2004\") we were ranked first in the nation in the percentage of fatalities related to alcohol.","For 2008, the latest year for which statistics are available, the state ranked 5th out of the 50 states when it came to motor vehicle fatalities in which a driver was at the legal limit of .08 or higher.","The numbers showed that Rhode Island was number two in the country in 2002 (behind Connecticut) and number one in 2003."]},{"id":"6245.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The health care law imposes the largest tax increase in history on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The health care law does not impose the largest tax increase in history on the middle class. In fact, most of the taxes associated with the law primarily target the wealthy and the health care industry. While there is a penalty for not having health insurance, it is not accurate to claim that it constitutes the largest tax increase on the middle class. This assertion has been debunked and is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Since the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2009, we've been inundated with e-mails about a purported link between President Barack Obama's administration and Maj. Nidal Hasan, the Army psychiatrist suspected of the shootings.","In a statement, the think tank confirmed that the Hasan listed as a participant is the same Hasan accused of the Fort Hood shootings. But the statement also makes an important point: Hasan registered for the event on his own. He was not invited, and he attended only as an audience member in his capacity as a psychiatry fellow at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine.","\"Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the alleged shooter in yesterday's massacre at Fort Hood, played a homeland security advisory role in President Barack Obama's transition into the White House, according to a key university policy institute document,\" Corsi wrote. (We've checked three Corsi claims before and rated two False and one Pants on Fire.)","A Facebook meme suggests she also took to the airwaves to sort of blame Obama for the shootings by an Iraq War veteran at Fort Hood, Texas, that resulted in four deaths and 16 injuries."]},{"id":"8734.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under the Espionage Act, (Edward Snowden would not be) allowed to come into court and say I was justified in disclosing this information. There is no whistleblower exception in the Espionage Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the limitations of the Espionage Act regarding the ability to justify the disclosure of classified information in court. The Espionage Act does not provide a specific whistleblower exception, which means that individuals charged under this act may not be allowed to present evidence justifying their actions in court. This has been demonstrated in previous cases, such as that of John Kiriakou. However, it's important to note that the statement should be qualified with the understanding that legal interpretations and court decisions can vary, and there may be some room for argument or interpretation in specific cases. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5231.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The median income in this country has declined 10 percent in the last four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks some important context. While it is accurate that the median income in the country has declined, the specific claim of a 10 percent decline in the last four years is not entirely accurate. The available data shows that between 2007 and 2010, the median income declined by 6.3 percent, and between 2006 and 2010, it declined by 5.1 percent. These figures fall short of the 10 percent decline mentioned by Romney. Therefore, while there has been a decline in median income, it is not as severe as stated in the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Read this,\" a female narrator begins, as a legal document scrolls in the background. \"It's a memo Linda McMahon wrote. Evidence in a federal trial against her company. McMahon was caught tipping off a ringside physician who was later accused of hiding evidence. It didn't work. McMahon's ringside doctor was convicted of illegally distributing steroids to her workers. That's Linda McMahon. A bad CEO. A worse senator.\"","Everyone agrees Linda McMahon was never charged with or convicted of anything, including obstruction of justice. But the ad from the DSCC doesn't say she was. The ad accuses McMahon of tipping off a ringside physician about a federal investigation into distributing steroids to their wrestlers. How else could one interpret Linda McMahon's direction in the 1989 memo \"to also clue him (Zahorian) in on any action that the Justice Department is thinking of taking.\"","In the final week of the race -- which pits Republican McMahon against Democrat Richard Blumenthal -- the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has begun airing an attack ad( \"attack ad\") that attempts to body-slam McMahon for tipping off a ringside physician about a federal investigation into the illegal distribution of steroids to some of the WWE's wrestlers.","But the story actually goes back a little further, to an investigation into ringside doctor George T. Zahorian for distributing steroids to some of the WWF's wrestlers."]},{"id":"5864.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We will not ask for a tax increase to run city government.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Wharton, the mayor, indicates that there will not be a tax increase to fund city government operations. However, it is important to note that the context provided suggests that there may be a one-time assessment to cover the city's final year of court-ordered funding obligations for the dissolving school system. While this may not be considered a tax increase for city government operations, it does involve a specific assessment for a particular purpose. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood within the context of the one-time assessment for the school system.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Romney warned during the Republican presidential debate in Washington that \"We have, right now, Hezbollah, which is working throughout Latin America, in Venezuela, in Mexico, throughout Latin America, which poses a very significant and imminent threat to the United States of America.\"","\"But I happen to think Sen. Santorum is right with regards to the issue that doesn't get enough attention. That's the one that may come up that we haven't thought about, which is Latin America. Because, in fact, congressman, we have been attacked. We were attacked on 9\/11. There have been dozens of attacks that have been thwarted by our -- by our security forces. And we have, right now, Hezbollah, which is working throughout Latin America, in Venezuela, in Mexico, throughout Latin America, which poses a very significant and imminent threat to the United States of America.\"","Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, asked during a Republican presidential debate in Washington to suggest an important national security issue that isn't getting enough attention, said Islamic terror group Hezbollah is \"working throughout Latin America,\" including Mexico, \"which poses a very significant and imminent threat to the United States of America.\"","We looked for additional support for the idea of a \"significant and imminent threat\" to the United States posed by Hezbollah in Latin America."]},{"id":"5908.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeff Reardon cut elementary school music classes, art instruction, teaching positions, basketball and volleyball programs, and he voted to raise school lunch prices.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Jeff Reardon, as a member of the school board, voted to scale back athletics and extracurricular programs, including music, art, basketball, and volleyball, during the 1993-94 school year. However, it's important to note that some of these cuts were later restored due to an increase in the budget. The statement also mentions that Reardon voted to raise school lunch prices, which is supported by evidence. However, it is unclear whether Reardon personally made the decision to cut elementary school music classes, art instruction, and teaching positions. These decisions were made collectively by the school board, and it would be inaccurate to solely attribute them to Reardon. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Hutchison said that getting millionaires off unemployment and food stamps would save the government $20 million -- though she doesn\u2019t acknowledge that millionaires are already barred from the food-stamp program; there\u2019s no new savings possible on that front.","One proposal that Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison gave: \"We\u2019re going to take millionaires off food stamps and unemployment insurance which, amazingly, would save $20 million.\"","The Ways and Means breakdown says that making millionaires pay back their unemployment benefits would reduce the federal deficit by $20 million over 2012-2021. Citing Congress\u2019 bipartisan Joint Committee on Taxation, the breakdown says that all told, the government would save $127 million in unemployment benefits that it would not have to pay, but lose $107 million in revenue due to fewer millionaires collecting benefits -- partly because some (or all) millionaires won\u2019t apply for unemployment if the provision passes into law. These figures also appeared in a Dec. 9, 2011, Congressional Budget Office report.","!U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin says millionaires are eligible for food stamps. Is he correct? !U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin says millionaires are eligible for food stamps. Is he correct?"]},{"id":"11361.json","label":"true","statement":"Theres no money for Planned Parenthood in the bill that would keep the government open.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. While the omnibus bill does not specifically allocate new funding for Planned Parenthood or mention the organization by name, it does allow Planned Parenthood to continue receiving money from the federal government. The funding for Planned Parenthood primarily comes from Medicaid and grants, which are not affected by the provisions in the bill. Therefore, the claim that there is no money for Planned Parenthood in the bill is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The last six polls, including this week's Time magazine, show that I beat John McCain by six or seven points,\" Obama declared at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va.","At the time of of his speech, several polls indeed showed Obama beating McCain by a six-point or more margin. The Time magazine poll showed him beating McCain by seven points, 48 to 41. An Associated Press\/Ipsos showed him winning by six points, 48 to 42. A CNN poll showed him winning by eight points, 52 to 44.","So we will deduct a small amount on the Truth-O-Meter for his citing of \"the last six polls,\" but Obama's larger point is correct. Polls show he is winning against McCain, while Clinton either loses to McCain or beats him by a smaller margin. So we award this statement a Mostly True.","But those are three polls, not six. (For a neat summary of recent Obama-McCain polling, check out this link from ; we accessed it on Feb. 11, 2008.) We weren't able to find three other recent polls showing similar results."]},{"id":"4180.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The House passed cut, cap and balance with bipartisan support.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the \"Cut, Cap, and Balance\" Act passed in the House, the claim of bipartisan support is not entirely accurate. The act did receive some support from both Republicans and Democrats, but it was primarily supported by Republicans, and the level of bipartisan support was relatively limited. The term \"bipartisan\" typically implies a more significant level of support from both sides of the political aisle. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as it overstates the extent of bipartisan support for the act.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3628.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tim Kaine broke a campaign promise not to raise taxes.","reason":"Reason: Tim Kaine did propose a $1 billion transportation tax increase within a week of becoming governor, which can be seen as breaking a campaign promise not to raise taxes. However, it's important to note that during his campaign, Kaine did not explicitly rule out new road taxes for transportation. While the statement is partially accurate in highlighting the tax increase proposal, it lacks the necessary context to fully assess the extent to which Kaine broke his campaign promise. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"If we pass immigration reform, it will make wages go up on average $250 for the average household,\" he elaborated. \"Why? Because you\u2019re getting 11 million people in many times off-the-books jobs onto the open economy of the United States of America.\"","O\u2019Malley\u2019s claim that immigration reform would \"make wages go up on average $250 for the average household\" would not be accurate anytime soon. The $250 in question is a calculation based on mathematical assumptions -- assumptions that some question -- that refers to a long-term result over two decades. In the near term, the same analysis projects wages would dip slightly.","We don\u2019t and can\u2019t check predictions. Still, we wondered whether it was true, based on research, that immigration reform could mean $250 more for the average American household, as O\u2019Malley said.","In 2013, research by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office predicted that with immigration reform, household incomes, on average, would be up by $250--in 2033. In addition, both the CBO and others estimated downs and ups in income affects though the intervening years."]},{"id":"9915.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Children who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to commit it themselves.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence to suggest a correlation between witnessing domestic violence and an increased likelihood of perpetrating it, the statement that children who witness domestic violence are \"twice as likely to commit it themselves\" is difficult to substantiate with precision. The available research indicates a higher risk, but the exact magnitude of the increased likelihood can vary depending on various factors. Therefore, while the statement captures the general trend, it may overstate the specific numerical relationship. It is more accurate to say that witnessing domestic violence is associated with an elevated risk of future perpetration, rather than providing an exact quantification of the increased likelihood.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10811.json","label":"false","statement":"On reauthorization of Export-Import Bank.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or provide information about the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. The evidence includes a letter from Gov. Rick Perry urging reauthorization, a statement from the Inspector General of the Export-Import Bank, and testimony from the Congressional Budget Office on the cost of the credit programs of the Export-Import Bank. However, none of these sources provide conclusive information about the reauthorization of the bank. Therefore, the statement cannot be verified as true or false based on the given evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The liberal Greater Wisconsin Committee PAC claimed that \"Scott Walker gave Wisconsin job creation money to his cronies: corporate friends who contributed to his campaigns\" and got $570 million in incentives.","\"What\u2019s Scott Walker doing wrong? Scott Walker gave Wisconsin job creation money to his cronies \u2026 corporate friends who contributed to his campaigns \u2026 $570 million of our jobs money to Scott Walker\u2019s friends. That\u2019s how things work in Scott Walker\u2019s Wisconsin.\"","But the TV ad plays fast and loose in describing all these donors as Walker \"cronies,\" which it defines as \"corporate friends.\"","The list of companies that won $570 million and gave to Walker is a starting point for trying to spot instances in which a true Walker crony got a sweet deal. But that\u2019s all it is."]},{"id":"5332.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gov. Bob McDonnells budget would cut pre-kindergarten programs.","reason":"Reason: While there were discussions and attempts to cut public education funding during Gov. Bob McDonnell's tenure, it is not explicitly stated in the evidence whether his budget specifically included cuts to pre-kindergarten programs. The evidence mentions that Gov. McDonnell attempted to build support for a $50 million cut in public education funding, and Democrats complained about the state spending plan, but it does not provide direct information about cuts to pre-kindergarten programs. Without more specific evidence, it is difficult to definitively conclude that Gov. McDonnell's budget would cut pre-kindergarten programs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"644.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Joe Biden wrote the Violence Against Women Act ... the rate of domestic violence went down dramatically.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Joe Biden played a significant role in the development and passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which included provisions to combat domestic violence. The U.S. Justice Department's statistics support the claim that domestic violence rates have indeed dropped since the implementation of VAWA. The decline from 5.8 to 2.3 victims per 1,000 people is consistent with the statement's description of the rate going down dramatically. However, it's important to note that other factors may have contributed to the decline in domestic violence rates, and it cannot be solely attributed to the VAWA. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Barrett claimed \"Scott Walker has a plan to privatize state lands\" and \"wants to sell our deer to the highest bidder.\"","Recall challenger Tom Barrett says \u201cScott Walker has a plan to privatize state lands\u201d and \u201cwants to sell our deer to the highest bidder.\u201d","( - Recall challenger Tom Barrett says \u201cScott Walker has a plan to privatize state lands\u201d and \u201cwants to sell our deer to the highest bidder.\u201d&url=)","So where does Barrett\u2019s claim Walker wants to \"privatize state lands\" and \"sell our deer to the highest bidder\" come from?"]},{"id":"938.json","label":"true","statement":"\"When the salmonella source was finally identified, FDA officials had to wait for industry approval before they could go live with the [peanut] recall.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. During the salmonella outbreak related to peanuts, FDA officials had to wait for industry approval before they could announce and implement the recall. This delay in obtaining industry approval is a standard procedure to ensure coordination between regulatory agencies and affected industries. The FDA's ability to take action and issue recalls is subject to certain protocols and regulations that require collaboration and approval from the industry involved.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8797.json","label":"true","statement":"Weve had the private sector more than double the investment that was made by the public sector at Quonset Business Park.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided, which includes multiple sources confirming that the private sector has indeed invested more than double the amount invested by the public sector at Quonset Business Park. While precise figures on private investment may not be available due to confidentiality, the overall consensus from the sources supports the claim made.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9214.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Women are paid 77 cents for every $1 men get for the same work.","reason":"Reason: The statement that women are paid 77 cents for every $1 men get for the same work is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the full picture. While there is a gender pay gap, the 77 cents figure is a general average that does not account for various factors such as occupation, experience, education, and hours worked. When these factors are taken into consideration, the pay gap narrows significantly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, women earn approximately 86 percent of the median hourly wages of men. While there is still a disparity, it is not as large as the 77 cents figure suggests. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6925.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As governor, Mitt Romney raised nursing home fees eight times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. Mitt Romney did raise nursing home fees as governor of Massachusetts, but it is misleading to claim that he raised them eight times. The fees were raised once, but on different levels of nursing homes, resulting in multiple fee increases. While the ad's claim implies eight separate increases, it fails to provide the full context of the situation. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks clarity.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8018.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says if Texas abortion measure passes, someone living in El Paso would have to drive 550 miles each way to San Antonio for something as simple as cervical cancer screening.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided does not support the claim that if the Texas abortion measure passes, someone living in El Paso would have to drive 550 miles each way to San Antonio for cervical cancer screening. The evidence mentions the letter signed by Gilberto Hinojosa, which states that an El Paso resident would have to make a 550-mile trip to San Antonio for services like cervical cancer screening. However, this claim is not supported by any factual information or data. It appears to be an exaggerated and misleading statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"(U.S. Reps.) Paul Ryan, Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble are \u2026 shutting down town hall meetings, or making their constituents pay to attend them.\"","In an Aug. 17, 2011 email to supporters, state Democratic Party chairman Mike Tate said: \"Paul Ryan, Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble are so ashamed to own up to their disastrous records that they are shutting down town hall meetings, or making their constituents pay to attend them.\"","The state Democrats say that three Republican congressmen from Wisconsin are shutting down town hall meetings or making constituents pay to attend them. Yet all three had town hall meetings or participated in a forum -- in person, or by phone -- before the statement was made. And one, Duffy, participated in several town hall meetings.","Wisconsin Democratic Party says Republican Representatives Paul Ryan, Sean Duffy and Reid Ribble are making people pay for access to them"]},{"id":"12295.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Paris Agreement is by far the largest number of countries ever to sign an international agreement on a single day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Ban Ki-moon, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Brian Deese, a senior adviser to President Barack Obama. They both stated that the signing of the Paris Agreement involved the largest number of countries ever to sign an international agreement on a single day. This is supported by the fact that nearly 170 countries signed the agreement on Earth Day, which is a significant and unprecedented level of participation. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide an exact comparison to other international agreements, so the label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rick Perry thinks \"injecting 11- and 12-year-old girls with a controversial drug (the HPV vaccine), without a parent's consent, is a good idea.\"","\"Twenty-five years as a politician changes you,\" a narrator says in the ad posted on YouTube Sept. 28. \"You think injecting 11- and 12-year-old girls with a controversial drug, without a parent's consent, is a good idea. You think it's right to use a government takeover of Texas homes and property so foreign companies can get rich. You spend taxpayer money on a fancy mansion while Texas faces an $18 billion deficit. On the issues, 25 years as a politician has changed Rick Perry, for the worse.\"","Lone Star First, funded by the Democratic Governors Association, says Rick Perry endorsed injecting girls with an HPV vaccine without parental consent","In the CNN\/Tea Party Express debate in Tampa on Sept. 12, 2011, Bachmann blasted Perry for mandating a vaccine for school girls to guard against human papilloma virus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer. The vaccine can prevent the virus, but the virus is sexually transmitted, which makes the idea of requiring the inoculation of young girls controversial among some parents."]},{"id":"3482.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Woonsocket needs a garbage-burning power plant because residents are paying through the nose for electricity thats fueled by foreign oil, at prices that are skyrocketing.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The claim that Woonsocket needs a garbage-burning power plant because residents are paying high prices for electricity fueled by foreign oil is not supported by evidence. The source of electricity and its associated costs are not directly linked to the need for a garbage-burning power plant. The statement falsely implies a causal relationship between the two factors. Additionally, the claim does not consider the broader energy market dynamics and the various sources of electricity generation. Therefore, the statement is not based on factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8678.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"By using a little-known loophole ... Obama minions are allowing Nestle Company to export precious fresh water out of Lake Michigan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on claims made by bloggers, but there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that \"Obama minions\" are allowing Nestle Company to export fresh water out of Lake Michigan. The use of the term \"minions\" is inflammatory and lacks factual basis. The Great Lakes Compact, which is a legally binding agreement among the Great Lakes states, prohibits the diversion of water from the Great Lakes Basin, including Lake Michigan, with limited exceptions. It is important to rely on verified information and credible sources when making claims about such significant environmental matters.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Clinton said Republicans \"still want to privatize (Social Security). In fact, their whole idea is to turn over the Social Security trust fund to Wall Street.\"","The Republicans, Clinton said, \"still want to privatize (Social Security). In fact, their whole idea is to turn over the Social Security trust fund to Wall Street.\"","This is notably different than what\u2019s communicated by Clinton\u2019s charge -- that Cruz would \"turn over the Social Security trust fund to Wall Street.\"","Whatever term you use, none of the remaining three GOP presidential candidates has said the United States should \"turn over the Social Security trust fund to Wall Street.\""]},{"id":"5589.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every 1 percent increase in the cost of health insurance today causes about 30,000 Georgians to be uninsured.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sen. Judson Hill that a 1 percent increase in the cost of health insurance causes about 30,000 Georgians to become uninsured is not entirely accurate. According to a study, a 1 percent premium increase results in a net increase of approximately 164,000 uninsured individuals nationally, not specifically in Georgia. Even using the highest national estimate, which suggests that 500,000 people would lose insurance with a 1 percent cost increase, the number of uninsured Georgians would be around 15,000 based on the percentage of Americans living in Georgia. Therefore, the claim significantly overstates the number of Georgians who would become uninsured due to a 1 percent increase in health insurance costs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"President Obama stood in Iowa in 2008 on the night of the Iowa caucuses and he promised the nation that he would do health care reform focused on cost containment, he opposed an individual mandate, and he said he was going to do it with Republicans. He broke that promise,\" Pawlenty said.","Here, we were interested in checking Pawlenty's statement about what Obama said on the night of the Iowa caucuses, that he \"promised the nation that he would do health care reform focused on cost containment, he opposed an individual mandate, and he said he was going to do it with Republicans.\" We wondered if that was accurate or if Pawlenty was putting words in Obama's mouth.","Obama said \"he would do health care reform focused on cost containment.\" On the night of the Iowa caucuses, Obama didn't say he would focus on cost containment; he said he would make health care \"affordable and available.\" It's not exactly the same thing. But then we pulled up our old copy of Obama's health care plan, and it reminded us of how much it emphasized cost containment( \"emphasized cost containment\"). Pawlenty argues that Obama's plan doesn't focus on cost containment; Obama would no doubt disagree. In our analysis of the health care plan, we've noted that it does include a variety of measures aimed at containing costs( \"aimed at containing costs\"), but there's uncertainty as to how well these measures will work in the coming years. According to official projections from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, people will see different amounts( \"different amounts\") of cost savings, depending on what kind of insurance they have. Finally, officials in Massachusetts are still working on containing costs( \"still working on containing costs\"). So this point is a bit murkier, and we'd rate it Half True.","The night of the Iowa caucuses, Obama said he wanted to make health \"available\" to all Americans. Given all the discussion of the mandate back them, it seems that was an allusion to his opposition to the mandate. As actual legislation was being developed in 2009, however, Obama changed his mind about the individual mandate and accepted it. We rated his change of heart a Full Flop on our Flip-O-Meter. Obama said he was willing to accept it as long as it included a hardship exemption. The individual mandate works by imposing fines on people who don't have insurance. If people can't find affordable insurance to buy, as measured by a percentage of income, they would qualify for the exemption."]},{"id":"2763.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Washington state has consistently ranked in the top five in the Forbes list of best states to do business ahead of Texas.","reason":"Reason: While Washington state has indeed ranked in the top five of Forbes' list of best states for business in four out of five years, it is not accurate to claim that Washington consistently ranked ahead of Texas. Texas has also made the top five list twice, surpassing Washington in those instances. Therefore, while Washington has had a strong presence in the rankings, it cannot be said that it consistently ranked ahead of Texas.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8726.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Obama administration offered no magic number of people that needed to sign up for health care on the marketplaces.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Obama administration did not explicitly provide a specific \"magic number\" for the required enrollment in the health care marketplaces, there were estimates and projections made by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the expected number of sign-ups. The CBO estimated that 7 million people would enroll by the end of March 2014 to avoid tax penalties. Therefore, while the administration did not provide a specific target, there were expectations and projections in place.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"One of the key things about Leonard Lance is that in 2008, when you look at the Project Vote Smart website, he was not for guns. Now he has gone too far to the right, saying that you can carry concealed weapons in national parks.\"","Chivukula said \"one of the key things about Leonard Lance is that in 2008, when you look at the Project Vote Smart website, he was not for guns. Now he has gone too far to the right, saying that you can carry concealed weapons in national parks.\"","\"One of the key things about Leonard Lance is that in 2008, when you look at the Project Vote Smart website, he was not for guns,\" Chivukula said in an Aug. 5 interview with the liberal blog Blue Jersey. \"Now he has gone too far to the right, saying that you can carry concealed weapons in national parks, which is mostly dangerous for the people who are visiting the national park.\"","Lance, a former state senator, has faced criticism for shedding more moderate views since he was sworn in to the House of Representatives in 2009. So here, PolitiFact New Jersey wondered if Lance (R-7th Dist.) was \"not for guns\" in 2008 but then said, \"you can carry concealed weapons in national parks.\""]},{"id":"9445.json","label":"false","statement":"Only after news broke that our veterans are dying because of inadequate health care did Harry Reid and Senate Democrats take action.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely implies that Harry Reid and Senate Democrats only took action after news broke that veterans were dying due to inadequate healthcare. In reality, lawmakers had been addressing the issue prior to the scandal in 2014. The claim also fails to acknowledge the ongoing efforts and initiatives by various individuals and groups, including Democrats, to improve the healthcare system for veterans. It is incorrect to suggest that action was only taken after the news of veterans' deaths came to light.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4305.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rick Perry wanted to secede from the union.","reason":"Reason: While there were discussions and debates about secession in Texas during Rick Perry's tenure as governor, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that Rick Perry himself wanted to secede from the union. The evidence provided suggests that the accusation was made by Democrats as a talking point, but it does not substantiate the claim. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading false assertions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bush\u2019s successor, Barack Obama, signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to tackle the Great Recession, an auto industry bailout, the Dodd-Frank financial oversight law, the Lily Ledbetter Act on pay equity, and his crown jewel, the Affordable Care Act.","Democrats are relatively mum about the Inflation Reduction Act, a mammoth deal passed in August that addressed priorities around health care costs, climate change and increasing corporate taxes. The same can be said for the infrastructure bill and American aid to Ukraine.","Although President Bill Clinton lost his Democratic Congress after two years, and although he failed to pass his health care plan, \"he did sign the landmark 1993 budget bill, including making the tax code more progressive, and the North American Free Trade Agreement during his first year, both of which were major achievements that helped produce the economic golden age of the 1990s,\" said Greenberg.","\u2022 However, top Treasury and IRS officials have consistently confirmed that the new resources allocated to the IRS under the law will be focused on audits of the highest-earning Americans, which makes it stated government policy."]},{"id":"12496.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It is a fact that the economy does better when we have a Democrat in the White House.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hillary Clinton, claiming that the economy does better when there is a Democrat in the White House, is subjective and lacks concrete evidence to support it as an absolute fact. Economic performance is influenced by a multitude of factors, including global economic conditions, policies implemented by the administration, and various external events. While some studies and analyses may suggest a correlation between Democratic administrations and positive economic outcomes, it is an oversimplification to attribute economic success solely to the political party in power. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it reflects a subjective belief rather than an objective fact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6413.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have reduced funding for education the least. Theyve suffered the least cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided indicates that Wisconsin had a relatively smaller reduction in state per-student spending compared to other states. However, it does not provide a comprehensive comparison of all states, and it does not address the specific funding cuts mentioned in the initial statement. Therefore, while it is true that Wisconsin had relatively smaller cuts, it does not necessarily mean they suffered the least cuts overall. Additional information is needed to make a more accurate assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The national debt increased \"by $16,000 every second of the six years he served,\" Kaine said in a Dec. 7 debate with Allen. The two former governors are running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Jim Webb, D-Va., who will not seek reelection next year.","George Allen voted for budgets that increased the national debt by $16,400 for every second he served in the U.S. Senate.","We were curious if the national debt really did increase by $16,000 every second Allen was in the Senate. So we unsheathed our calculators and went to work.","That means the national debt rose an average $15,555.38 each second Allen was in the Senate. You can reach Kaine\u2019s $16,000 estimate by rounding up."]},{"id":"3881.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the federal government threatened to impose a no-fly zone in Texas if state legislators bar airport security officials from performing pat-downs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Waco Tea Party claimed that the federal government threatened to impose a no-fly zone in Texas if state legislators banned airport security officials from conducting pat-downs. While there is evidence of the Waco Tea Party making this claim, it is important to note that there is no concrete evidence or official confirmation from the federal government regarding such a threat. Therefore, the claim remains unverified and lacks sufficient evidence to fully support its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The division\u2019s spending on ammunition this year is on par with previous years and less than what was spent a decade ago, IRS data shows. Much of the ammunition is used at its training academy in Georgia, where agents complete firearms training and handgun qualifications.","The $725,000 the division spent this year on ammunition, much of which is used for agents\u2019 firearms training, is only slightly more than was spent in recent years and less than was spent a decade ago. There is no evidence this continued tradition of spending by the IRS has any connection to Biden\u2019s positions on taxes and gun restrictions.","The report also said the IRS had 4,461 firearms and about 5 million rounds of ammunition in stock as of November 2017. The report notes the numbers don\u2019t include weapons or ammunition purchased for a small, separate IRS police force of fewer than a dozen officers that provides security at the Enterprise Computing Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia.","Gaetz replied, \"Well, Joe Biden is raising taxes, disarming Americans, so of course they are arming up the IRS like they are preparing to take Fallujah.\""]},{"id":"1580.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the Texas State Board of Education is considering eliminating references to Christmas and the Constitution in textbooks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Texas State Board of Education has never considered eliminating references to Christmas or the Constitution in textbooks. The board was working on changes to state curriculum standards, not textbooks, and there were no discussions or proposals to remove Christmas or the Constitution from the curriculum. Multiple sources, including the Texas Education Agency, have confirmed that the claim made by Fox News was inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1962.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Gov. Rick Perry broke his promise that he would not accept a $40,000 pay increase.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, Bill White, the Democratic nominee, accused Gov. Rick Perry of breaking his promise not to accept a $40,000 pay increase. While there is no direct confirmation of Perry accepting the pay increase, the statement is supported by White's claim and suggests that Perry did not keep his promise. However, without further evidence or confirmation, it is challenging to ascertain the complete accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich went on Greta Van Susteren's Fox News show to clarify his remarks about the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Did his comments add up to a Full Flop? !Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich went on Greta Van Susteren's Fox News show to clarify his remarks about the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Did his comments add up to a Full Flop?","Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich went on Greta Van Susteren's Fox News show to clarify his remarks about the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Did his comments add up to a Full Flop?","Amid discussion of the Medicare overhaul proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., an ad created by the Agenda Project, a liberal group, cut through the clutter quite dramatically -- though with critics saying it was literally over the top.","In addition to a testy exchange with an Iowa voter that was caught on video, a glitter attack by a gay-rights protester, revelations that he had owed a six-figure amount to the luxury retailer Tiffany\u2019s and a series of articles questioning the accuracy of his facts, Gingrich also took heat from conservatives for an alleged flip-flop on whether he supported the budget plan written by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and passed by the GOP-controlled House."]},{"id":"10819.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We doubled the size of the company (Hewlett-Packard).","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Carly Fiorina that she \"doubled the size of the company\" (Hewlett-Packard) is open to interpretation. While it is true that under her leadership, the company did experience significant growth, it is important to note that a substantial portion of this growth was due to acquisitions rather than organic expansion. Some experts argue that using the phrase \"doubled the size of the company\" may be misleading if it does not adequately acknowledge the role of acquisitions in that growth. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true, but it could benefit from additional context to provide a more accurate representation of the company's growth under Fiorina's leadership.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The less accurate version -- once offered by Obama himself -- states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for the same work , or in the same job. As we\u2019ll explain below, the data doesn\u2019t show that. By contrast, the more accurate version simply states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, period. That is more accurate (though not without some caveats, also listed below).","Because Cicilline said women earned only 77 cents for every dollar that men earned \"in the same position,\" we decided to focus on his statement.","\"You know, today, women make up about half our workforce, but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns,\" Obama said. \"That is wrong, and in 2014, it's an embarrassment. Women deserve equal pay for equal work.\"",", \"Women earn 91 cents for every dollar men earn -- if you control for life choices,\" June 5, 2012, accessed June 18, 2012."]},{"id":"1438.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"A majority of Americans still oppose this health care bill.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that not all January polls showed a majority of Americans opposing the health care bill, there were still a significant number of polls that did indicate majority opposition. Five out of the ten polls examined in the evidence showed clear majority opposition to the bill. Therefore, it can be argued that the statement, \"A majority of Americans still oppose this health care bill,\" is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the findings of a significant portion of the polls analyzed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy,\" Trump said in a 30-minute press conference Sept. 16, 2016. \"I finished it.\"","Donald Trump is doubling down on his False claim that \"Hillary Clinton and her campaign of 2008 started the birther controversy,\" referring to the conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States.","Then Trump responds with a tweet of his own. \"Just remember, the birther movement was started by Hillary Clinton in 2008. She was all in!\"","There is no evidence to support this. Clinton supporters circulated the rumor in the last days of the 2008 Democratic primary and after Clinton had conceded to Obama. But the record does not show Clinton or her campaign ever promoting the birther theory, let alone starting it."]},{"id":"424.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"My husband didn't wrap up the nomination until June.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bill Clinton did not secure the necessary delegates for the Democratic nomination until June 1992, Hillary Clinton's statement lacks context. Her comparison between her husband's nomination process and the current election overlooks the significant differences in the election schedules, the delegate counts, and the overall dynamics of the races. It is misleading to imply that the situations are directly comparable. While her statement contains an element of truth, it is presented in a way that distorts the overall picture and is therefore barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Taxpayers who make less than about $150,000 each year would see an average tax cut of half a percent or less by 2027 under the plan. Taxpayers who make between $150,000 and $300,000 would actually pay about $800 more on average in taxes.","Most low-income filers already pay no federal income tax because their deductions are more than their reported income. Filers who make less than their total deductions do not pay federal income tax.","The governor continued: \"Under our budget, the average property taxpayer will save $700. It is my hope that savings like this will help keep more people like that custodian safely in their homes.\"","According to David Cay Johnston, \"the average American pays about 22 percent of their income to federal taxes. The richest 400 Americans \u2026 pay about 16 percent of their income to federal taxes.\""]},{"id":"3840.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We went from a $5.6 trillion surplus that George Bush inherited to over ... $11-plus trillion debt when George Bush left office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the United States went from a projected surplus of $5.6 trillion to a debt of over $11 trillion during George W. Bush's presidency. However, it's important to note that the surplus was a projected surplus, not an actual surplus, and the debt increase cannot solely be attributed to Bush's policies. Other factors, such as the economic recession and the cost of wars, also contributed to the increase in debt. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the numbers, it oversimplifies the complex factors that led to the debt increase.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The narrator in the ad, among other things, says that \"seniors will see $500 billion in Medicare cuts to fund Obamacare.\"","The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects Medicare spending will reach $929 billion in 2020, up from $499 billion in actual spending in 2009. So while the health care law reduces the amount of projected spending increases in Medicare, the law doesn't cut Medicare.","The key to this claim is the fact that the health care law does not take $500 billion out of the current Medicare budget. Rather, the bill attempts to slow the program's future growth, curtailing just over $500 billion in future spending increases over the next 10 years.","The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is going after Sen. Bill Nelson\u2019s vote in favor of the federal health care law, saying in a new television ad that the law will \"be a nightmare for Florida seniors.\""]},{"id":"928.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obama taps porn lawyer for #2 at Justice.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some conservative groups and individuals have referred to David Ogden, who was nominated for a position at the Department of Justice, as a \"porn lawyer,\" it is important to note that this label is misleading and does not accurately represent Ogden's entire legal career. Ogden's work with adult-oriented companies occurred more than 15 years ago and represents only a fraction of his overall legal experience. It is not an accurate characterization to suggest that his entire career was focused on representing the pornography industry. Therefore, the statement is mostly-true, as it reflects the use of the label by certain individuals or groups, but it does not provide a complete and accurate portrayal of Ogden's legal career.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The NRCC\u2019s ad features Richard Fender, a business owner from Augusta, Ga. In it, Fender says, \"Whatever Obama wants, he's voted with him,\" a comment that\u2019s accompanied by text on the screen that says, \"John Barrow voted with Obama 85 percent of the time.\"","A day after Obama\u2019s announcement, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence got into the fray by attacking a Georgia Democratic congressman on his ties to the National Rifle Association and his opposition to Obama\u2019s gun legislation. The coalition uses U.S. Rep John Barrow\u2019s own 2012 campaign commercial in an attack on him and the NRA.","We recently found two NRCC ads using virtually identical language on this point. Here, we\u2019ll fact-check an ad attacking Democratic Rep. John Barrow of Georgia. In a separate item, we\u2019ll fact-check an ad that targets Democratic Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia.","Even more egregious, the coalition chose to selectively edit Barrow\u2019s original statements, leaving out key elements that helped explain the congressman\u2019s stance on gun rights. By leaving those parts out, the coalition changes Barrow\u2019s central message supporting gun ownership for protection and self-defense."]},{"id":"11909.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush said he would take his pants off and moon everybody ... Nobody reports that.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jeb Bush made a comment about mooning people during an interview with the Boston Globe, it is misleading to claim that \"nobody reports that.\" The comment was indeed reported by the Boston Globe itself, as well as other media outlets. However, it is important to note that the context of Bush's comment was not a literal threat to moon people but rather a frustration with the lack of media coverage he perceived during his campaign. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context, making it misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The idea that schoolchildren across our nation will be forced to watch the president justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other president, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power,\" he added.","The speech drew fire from some Republicans who said schoolchildren should not be required to listen to the Democratic president's address. The Republican Party of Florida went further, saying Obama would \"indoctrinate\" schoolchildren with \"socialist ideology,\" forcing them \"to watch the president justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other president.\" We rated that claim Pants on Fire!","We asked the Republican Party of Florida for evidence that Obama intended to discuss health care, banks, automobile companies or taxes with the nation's schoolchildren. They couldn't point us to anything.","In ruling on Greer's statement, we wondered whether we should give him latitude for legitimate commentary on Obama's speech. But he crossed a line when he said that Obama intended to discuss \"plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies\" and other policy matters not germane to education. That is factually incorrect, and the party could not offer any support for the statement. For raising the specter of socialist ideology and indoctrination, the party takes its claim to an additional, absurd level. We rate the Republican Party of Florida's statement Pants on Fire!"]},{"id":"13395.json","label":"true","statement":"Says of Donald Trump, He even said, on his very first day in office, he would require every school in America to let people carry guns into our classrooms.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's claim that Donald Trump said he would require every school in America to let people carry guns into classrooms on his first day in office. This claim is supported by Clinton's statement during a speech. However, it's important to note that implementing such a policy would require significant legal and legislative changes, as federal laws and state regulations currently prohibit guns in schools. While Trump has expressed support for allowing trained teachers to carry guns in classrooms, he has not specifically advocated for every school to allow people to carry guns on the first day of his presidency.\nLabel: true","evidence":["She also argued that the programs Evers was talking about at the time of the claim were related to spending specifically for ARPA funds, so the factors \"suggest the governor was referring specifically to ARPA investments.\"","Our definition for Half True is \"the statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of context.\"","Our definition for Half True is a statement that is \"partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of context.\"","Of the portion that had been allocated as of March 2022, some 31.56% went to business assistance, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities."]},{"id":"9424.json","label":"false","statement":"The Chamber of Commerce says new carbon regulations will kill 244,000 jobs a year and cost average families $1,200 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Ed Gillespie and others have claimed that the Chamber of Commerce says new carbon regulations will result in the loss of 244,000 jobs per year and cost average families $1,200 per year, there is no evidence to support these claims. The Chamber of Commerce has not made such a statement, and the figures provided are not based on any credible data or analysis. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing the potential impacts of regulations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Some exceptions to hypothetical abortion bans are widely accepted, such as access to an abortion after rape or incest; others are not as widely supported. Consistently, the support for access to abortion drops depending on whether the abortion would be done in the third trimester, rather than the first.","Ultimately, analyzing abortion-related poll questions is tricky because people are honestly conflicted about their views on abortion. Views on abortion are \"complicated or ambivalent,\" Bowman said.","\u2022 Public opinion data on abortion is murkier and more contradictory than either supporters and opponents of abortion rights would like to admit.","!In Context: What J.D. Vance said about rape, abortion and \u2018inconvenience\u2019 (\/article\/2022\/oct\/12\/context-what-jd-vance-said-about-rape-abortion-and\/ \"In Context: What J.D. Vance said about rape, abortion and \u2018inconvenience\u2019\")"]},{"id":"4887.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he followed state law and the precedent of other Massachusetts governors when he erased electronic communications as he left office.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that past Massachusetts governors did not provide electronic communications to the opposition research team or the public. The public records law in Massachusetts applies to all government records, including electronic records. The statement aligns with the evidence, suggesting that the erasure of electronic communications upon leaving office followed both state law and the precedent set by previous governors.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1613.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Florida's legal challenge of the federal health care bill is \"bipartisan.\"","reason":"Reason: While Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum claimed that the legal challenge to the federal health care bill was a \"bipartisan effort,\" the evidence shows that only one out of the 13 attorneys general supporting the lawsuit was not a Republican. This lack of bipartisan representation undermines the claim of bipartisanship and makes it misleading. The overwhelming majority of attorneys general involved in the lawsuit were Republicans, indicating a partisan nature to the challenge rather than a truly bipartisan effort.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11367.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When ICE releases illegal immigrants, a lot of those people are not from Honduras and Mexico. Theyre from Iraq and Somalia and Russia.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that ICE arrests individuals from various countries, including Iraq, Somalia, and Russia, the statement implies that a significant number of released illegal immigrants are from these countries. However, there is no evidence provided to support this claim. The statement lacks specific data or statistics to substantiate the assertion that a substantial portion of released illegal immigrants are from countries other than Honduras and Mexico. Without concrete evidence, the claim remains unsubstantiated and should be regarded as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10568.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On immigration, the president said 22 times, 22 times, that he couldnt do what he eventually did.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by House Speaker John Boehner and Representative Goodlatte that President Obama stated 22 times that he did not have the authority to change immigration laws on his own before eventually taking executive action on immigration. However, it's important to note that the context of these statements is crucial. While President Obama did express limitations on his authority to change immigration laws unilaterally, the subsequent executive action was based on legal interpretations and discretion within the existing framework. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the number of times the President made such statements, it requires additional context to fully understand the evolution of his position on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"They found that only seven of 18 federal food assistance programs have been associated with positive health and nutrition outcomes,\" Jordan said, \"while the remaining 11 have not been effective.\"","The first part of Jordan's statement, part of remarks he read at the hearing, was correct in that seven of 18 food assistance programs were associated with positive health and nutrition outcomes.","Jordan said the GAO report left the question of whether the programs are working. What the report did not say that 11 of 18 programs were not effective.","She quoted the pertinent statement in the GAO report: \"Little is known about the effectiveness of the remaining 11 programs because they have not been well studied.\""]},{"id":"4852.json","label":"true","statement":"We have had some significant accomplishments on a bipartisan basis.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which highlights the significant accomplishments made by the Biden administration on a bipartisan basis. The evidence mentions that Joe Biden's first 100 days in office have included an above-average number of major accomplishments, and experts note the significant changes in tone compared to the previous administration. Additionally, the restoration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the prioritization of science by the federal government and the White House are further examples of significant accomplishments. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Miller took to the airwaves to say that \"Republicans enacted the most drastic cuts to K-12 public schools of any state in the nation.\" He cited media reports concerning a study by a liberal think tank.","Miller tucked another element -- the impact on education -- into the Democrats\u2019 weekly radio address the same day: \"While voting for over $2.3 billion in tax giveaways, Republicans enacted the most drastic cuts to K-12 public schools of any state in the nation.\"","( - Mark Miller says Wisconsin Republicans enacted the most drastic cuts to K-12 schools of any state in the nation&url=)","We labeled Mostly False a claim from Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller that Wisconsin \"enacted the most drastic cuts to K-12 public schools of any state in the nation.\" At the time, the study he cited looked at only 24 states, not all 50."]},{"id":"11748.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve lifted high school graduation rates to new highs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that high school graduation rates have increased, the statement lacks specific data or evidence to support the claim that graduation rates have been lifted to \"new highs.\" The evidence provided only mentions that the U.S. high school graduation rate hit a new record high, but it does not provide specific information about the extent of the increase or the comparison to previous rates. Without more comprehensive data, it is difficult to determine the exact extent to which high school graduation rates have been lifted. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Just look at what the FBI director said about her (Hillary Clinton) \u2014 her misconduct is a disgrace and embarrassment to our country.\"","Trump said, \"Just look at what the FBI director said about her (Hillary Clinton) \u2014 her misconduct is a disgrace and embarrassment to our country.\"","\"Just look at what the FBI director said about her \u2014 her misconduct is a disgrace and embarrassment to our country,\" Trump said.","It's possible that Trump was trying to convey two different thoughts, urging people to look up the FBI director's comments and the \"disgrace and embarrassment\" comment was supposed to be his own characterization."]},{"id":"8400.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When SACS came back to the DeKalb County School District to give a midterm review, we got straight As.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the DeKalb County School District received straight As during a midterm review conducted by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). However, no evidence is provided to support this claim, and there is no further information or context provided regarding the review process or the specific criteria used to evaluate the district. Without additional information or evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true due to the lack of supporting evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["There\u2019s a lot to digest here, but we\u2019ll focus in this item on whether it\u2019s true that when Santorum\u2019s grandfather arrived in the United States in 1925, \"there were no government benefits.\"","It\u2019s worth noting that the specific individual Santorum cited -- his newly arrived immigrant grandfather -- wouldn\u2019t have directly benefited from military pensions or a land-grant college upon his arrival on these shores, though other immigrants, such as those who arrived in time to serve in previous wars, could have. Experts contacted for this story said they were not aware that the benefits provided were restricted only to the native-born.","On a number of occasions, Rick Santorum has used speeches to tout the theme of self-reliance and limited government, including one claim about government programs at the time his grandfather immigrated to the United States.","\"That\u2019s what makes America not different or great -- it makes it like every other country in the world. And by the way, all of us came from those countries because we didn\u2019t want those countries to take care of us. When my grandfather came to this country back in 1925, there were no government benefits.\""]},{"id":"9719.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the do-nothing Senate, there are 352 House bills sitting on Harry Reids desk awaiting action, including 55 introduced by Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Lynn Jenkins regarding the number of House bills awaiting action in the Senate. However, it's important to note that the term \"do-nothing Senate\" is subjective and reflects a particular perspective. While there may be a significant number of House bills awaiting action in the Senate, it doesn't necessarily imply that the Senate is solely responsible for the lack of progress. The label \"half-true\" is appropriate as the statement accurately presents the numbers but lacks context regarding the reasons behind the bills' inaction and the overall legislative process.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a press release, Burnam said refusing to expand would accomplish nothing except to \"send $9 billion in federal taxes paid by Texans to other states to insure their working poor.\"","PolitiFact Texas, \" Lon Burnam says rejecting expansion would send $9 billion of Texans\u2019 taxes to Medicaid in other states,\" April 12, 2013.","McAuliffe said that the General Assembly\u2019s refusal to expand Medicaid would send Virginia taxpayers\u2019 money into 27 other states to insure their working poor.","Burnam said that if Texas fails to expand Medicaid, $9 billion of Texas taxpayers\u2019 money would flow toward insuring the working poor in other states. Burnam meant $9 billion per year over 10 years, though that clarification didn\u2019t appear in his press release."]},{"id":"2278.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One of the things we found very clearly and consistently is that [video gaming] is a growth industry.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because while it is true that the video gaming industry has experienced significant growth, the evidence provided does not directly support this claim. The evidence primarily focuses on discussions surrounding the impact of violent video games on individuals and gun violence, rather than the growth of the industry itself. To accurately support the statement, specific data or statistics related to the growth of the video gaming industry should be provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"305.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I know that Hillary on occasion has said just last year said this (NAFTA) was a boon to the economy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Barack Obama as saying that Hillary Clinton has referred to NAFTA as a boon to the economy. However, the statement incorrectly implies that Hillary Clinton made this statement just last year. In reality, the quote from Obama is from a debate in January 2008, which is not recent. Therefore, the statement is false in suggesting that Clinton made the statement about NAFTA being a boon to the economy just last year.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3185.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Texas Forest Service planted 6,000 trees in the Dallas\/Fort Worth area before the Super Bowl for unknown reasons at an unknown cost.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Texas Forest Service planted 6,000 trees in the Dallas\/Fort Worth area before the Super Bowl, the statement inaccurately claims that the reasons for planting the trees and the cost are unknown. In reality, the trees were planted as part of an environmental initiative to offset the carbon footprint of the Super Bowl event. Additionally, the cost of the tree planting project was not entirely unknown, as half of the expenses were covered by private donations. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13094.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Russ Feingold was the only senator to vote against Homeland Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Russ Feingold was the only senator to vote against the creation of the Department of Homeland Security is false. While Feingold did vote against the Patriot Act and against the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, he was not the only senator to do so. Several other senators also voted against these measures. Therefore, the claim that Feingold was the only senator to vote against Homeland Security is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"So think about this: Mitt Romney\u2019s plan rolls back regulations on the banks that crashed our economy. Medicare: voucherized. Catastrophic cuts to education. Millionaires will get one of the largest tax cuts ever, while middle class families pay more.","\"That\u2019s what Mitt Romney wants to bring here,\" the narrator says against a photo of the White House. \"Remember that when you go here.\" (Another voting booth shot.)","The Obama ad cites the Denver Post as its source for the \"catastrophic cuts\" to education claim. But that Oct. 19 story is actually an editorial endorsing Obama\u2019s re-election. And the cuts are not specific to education.","PolitiFact has examined numerous claims throughout the campaign about the potential effects of Romney tax plan and the budget constructed by his running mate, Paul Ryan, who\u2019s also the chair of the budget committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here we\u2019ll look specifically at the charge that Romney would make \"catastrophic cuts\" to education."]},{"id":"10878.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"ISIS didnt exist when my brother was president. Al-Qaida in Iraq was wiped out when my brother was president.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that ISIS did not exist as an independent entity during President George W. Bush's tenure, it is misleading to claim that it did not exist at all. The roots of ISIS can be traced back to the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, and it evolved from the remnants of Al-Qaida in Iraq. Additionally, the statement that Al-Qaida in Iraq was completely wiped out during President Bush's presidency is also not entirely accurate, as the group continued to operate and later transformed into ISIS. Therefore, while there are elements of truth in the statement, it lacks the necessary context and oversimplifies the complex history of these extremist groups.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5928.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are 49 different federal job training programs that report to eight agencies.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the most recent comprehensive report, which identified 47 job training programs under nine federal agencies. While there is a slight discrepancy in the number of agencies mentioned, with Romney stating eight and the report identifying nine, the overall claim of multiple job training programs spread across various agencies is supported. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Boehner said that, according to the most recent jobs report, \"we've got more Americans leaving the workforce than we have finding jobs.\"","\"Last week yet another report showing our economy continues to struggle -- this new normal of slow growth, high unemployment, and stagnant wages,\" Boehner said on Sept. 12, 2013. \"We've got more Americans leaving the workforce than we have finding jobs.\"","The bureau found that between July 2013 and August 2013, the economy created a net 169,000 additional jobs, while the size of the civilian labor force dropped by 312,000. (The civilian labor force refers to working-age people who are either employed or were unemployed but looking for work.) That supports Boehner\u2019s comment that more Americans are leaving the workforce finding jobs.","This is important because, while Boehner was correct about the most recent jobs report, the trends in the most recent month actually run counter to what\u2019s been happening over the longer term."]},{"id":"2831.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas leads the country in drunk driving fatalities.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources and statistical approaches indicate that Texas has a high number of drunk driving fatalities compared to other states. While it's important to consider factors such as Texas's size, population, and miles traveled on its roads, the data supports the claim that Texas leads the country in drunk driving fatalities. However, it's worth noting that there may be other states with similar rates or close numbers, so the label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4602.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Romneycare has killed 18,000 Massachusetts jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that Romneycare directly caused the elimination of 18,000 existing jobs in Massachusetts. However, the study mentioned in the evidence indicates that the law prevented the creation of 18,000 jobs, rather than causing the loss of existing ones. The distinction is important, as it implies a hypothetical scenario of missed job opportunities rather than actual job losses. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the findings of the study.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["An alarming state report released last week blamed teachers, administrators and former Superintendent Beverly Hall for a widespread test-tampering scandal in the Atlanta Public Schools system.","We interviewed major testing companies and test security experts to assess the methods used in Atlanta Public Schools. Our reporting found that APS does not use the following obvious or widely accepted measures to prevent tampering or cheating:","Confirmation of massive, widespread, coordinated school cheating is more than a bombshell. It\u2019s the H-bomb of revelations. After Hall\u2019s term, the district\u2019s academic reputation, culture and integrity are in ruins. How can it possibly be better off?","The PR bonanza outraged critics because it was so brazen. Hall left under accusations that the rising CRCT scores that helped make her an education superstar were the result of massive, systematic cheating on state tests. A state investigative report made public in July implicated 178 educators and 44 schools."]},{"id":"9804.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Iowa Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst would privatize Social Security.","reason":"Reason: While there is an ad claiming that Joni Ernst would privatize Social Security, it is important to note that this claim is not substantiated by concrete evidence or explicit statements from Joni Ernst herself. While some Republicans have proposed changes to Social Security, it is inaccurate to definitively state that Joni Ernst would privatize the program based solely on this ad. Without more direct evidence or explicit statements from Ernst supporting the privatization of Social Security, the claim remains speculative.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3961.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Allen West violatedfederal law by scuba diving with U.S. flag.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Allen West violated federal law by scuba diving with the U.S. flag. While there were allegations made by a blog claiming that West's actions were a violation of the United States Code, there is no concrete evidence or legal basis provided to support this claim. Additionally, other sources report on West's dive with veterans and mention his intention to honor the flag. Without further evidence or legal clarification, it is not accurate to assert that West violated federal law in this context.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In my home state, nearly one in five Floridians live in poverty,\" Rubio said in a Jan. 5 video message. \"After 50 years, isn\u2019t it time to declare big government\u2019s war on poverty a failure?\"","Rubio said that \"nearly one in five Floridians live in poverty.\" He points to 2012 census data which showed that 17.1 percent of Floridians lived in poverty, which would mean about one in six Floridians live in poverty. The percentage is slightly lower if we look at the three year average which showed 15.4 percent living in poverty -- still about one in six.","(The numbers are even worse if we zero in on Rubio\u2019s home county of Miami-Dade where about one in four residents lived in poverty in 2012.)","Another way to look at the percentage of Floridians in poverty is by using the census\u2019 three year average between 2010-12. That average showed that 15.4 percent of Floridians lived in poverty -- or about one in six Floridians."]},{"id":"5428.json","label":"true","statement":"Says in Oregon only 41 percent of adults have ever been tested for HIV.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the sources. According to the most recent statewide data available, less than 37 percent of adults in Oregon between the ages of 18 and 64 have been tested for HIV. While the statement mentions a slightly higher figure of 41 percent, it is based on a statistic that is just a year old and is still within a reasonable margin of accuracy. Therefore, the statement can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["On May 26, 2010, Sen. Jim DeMint, a Republican from South Carolina, posted a video of one of his speeches on YouTube. Speaking about legislative openness, DeMint said that Congress is plagued with secrecy and lack of debate on important issues: \"At this point in the Senate, 94 percent of all the bills are passed unanimous consent -- 94 percent. So this is hardly a lack of productivity. And what this means is 94 percent of the bills that pass the Senate have no debate, no vote, no amendments, no reading of the bill, no online disclosure, and very often no score from the Congressional Budget office.\"","EDITOR'S NOTE: On June 17, 2010, we rated the statement by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., that \"94 percent of the bills that pass the Senate have no debate, no vote, no amendments, no reading of the bill, no online disclosure, and very often no score from the Congressional Budget office.\" We said that the actual percentage was 27.9 and called it a Pants on Fire. (We've archived our original item here.) We soon received a number of letters from readers critical of the math we had used to come up with the percentage. We also received criticism from DeMint's office, for our math as well as for other issues. As a result, we decided to assign a new reporter to the item in order to take a fresh look. Below is our new analysis.","\"Nowhere in DeMint\u2019s speech does he ever say that all 94 percent of these bills are controversial, or that all 94 percent need a roll call vote,\" Denton said. \"DeMint is criticizing the process, not every bill passed by that flawed process. So to try to whittle down the number by focusing on only the bills PolitiFact finds controversial is a disingenuous attempt to discredit DeMint\u2019s factual statement.\"","As any veteran Congress-watcher can tell you, the Senate, with its byzantine rules and back-room wheeling-dealing, can be a maddening institution. DeMint's call for reforming procedures and increasing openness likely has merit. His bipartisan efforts with Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., to ensure that legislation is disclosed and easily reviewable online prior to passage, and that it be pre-scrutinized for conflicts of interest and budgetary impact, among other things, are the kinds of goals that should be able to garner broad, bipartisan support. At the very least, one can question the wisdom of spending taxpayer money to pass hundreds of symbolic resolutions every two years, rather than debating the great issues at stake."]},{"id":"3857.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We in the Democratic Party had no input into the locations of these hearings, nor did we have input into the process.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is possible that the Democratic Party did not have direct input into the specific locations and process of the hearings mentioned, it is important to note that political parties often have some level of influence and involvement in the overall decision-making process. Political parties typically have representatives and members who participate in the planning and execution of such events. Therefore, while the statement suggests complete detachment, it is unlikely that the Democratic Party had absolutely no input or influence in any capacity.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["With five months still to go until year\u2019s end, the U.S. is running at about 1.6 million new jobs above that projection, with perhaps more to come. Whether all 1.6 million of those excess jobs created resulted from the American Rescue Plan is open to debate, but even if they all did, it\u2019s well short of 10 million.","Analysts with the Congressional Budget Office projected that, even without the law, about 8 million jobs would be added to the economy through the end of 2022.","!President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address on March 1, 2022. (AP) !President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address on March 1, 2022. (AP)","In talking about his goals for the upcoming year, Obama said, \"As we better train our workers, we need the new economy to keep churning out high-wage jobs for our workers to fill. Since 2010, America has put more people back to work than Europe, Japan and all advanced economies combined.\""]},{"id":"10988.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker said that forcing women facing abortion to get invasive ultrasounds was just a cool thing.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Walker made a statement about ultrasounds in the context of discussing abortion, the statement \"forcing women facing abortion to get invasive ultrasounds was just a cool thing\" is a misrepresentation. The evidence provided consists of quotes and headlines that attribute different variations of the statement to Walker. However, it is important to note that the context and tone of Walker's statement are crucial in understanding its meaning. Without the complete context, it is difficult to determine the exact intent behind his words. Therefore, the statement is labeled as barely-true due to the lack of clarity and context provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"If the Nunn campaign thinks repealing Obamacare is \u2018rolling back the clock on women\u2019s health care,\u2019 they should just say that,\" he said. \"However, they can\u2019t because Obamacare is incredibly unpopular.\"","\"The Nunn camp and their supporters want to take full advantage of the gender gap by driving up Perdue's negatives among female voters,\" Swint said. \"But if their only evidence for \u2018rolling back the clock on women's health care\u2019 is Perdue's support for repealing the ACA, that's pretty flimsy.\"","\"The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from charging different premiums to men and women. It also requires plans to offer maternity care and preventive health (coverage).\" he said. \u2018So while a lot of Georgians would lose coverage, or face higher costs with the repeal of the ACA, women may feel that loss more than men.\"","\"Obamacare and its effects on women\u2019s health,\" \"Numerous Affordable() Care Act provisions specifically benefit women, including guarantee of maternity coverage,\" By Judy Peres, Special to the Chicago Tribune, April 9th, 2014"]},{"id":"9580.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Charlie Crist raised taxes on the middle class by $2.2 billion.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Charlie Crist did indeed support and implement tax increases that affected the middle class. While the exact figure of $2.2 billion may be subject to interpretation and could include fees and other revenue-raising measures, it is generally accurate to say that Crist raised taxes on the middle class. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Analysts with the Congressional Budget Office projected that, even without the law, about 8 million jobs would be added to the economy through the end of 2022.","\u2022 Factoring in what the Congressional Budget Office projected for natural job gains if the American Rescue Plan had never passed, the law might be responsible for 1.6 million jobs so far.","PolitiFact Florida, \"Jeb Bush says 1.3 million jobs were created in Florida during his tenure -- more than Texas,\" June 3, 2015","The Congressional Budget Office analyzed the American Rescue Plan while it was being debated. Its analysts in February 2021 projected that even without the bill\u2019s passage, employment would organically rise by 6.25 million jobs in 2021 and 1.74 million jobs in 2022."]},{"id":"10472.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every year in the United States between 3,000 and 4,500 severe vaccine reactions are reported to the Centers for Disease Control. Not mild reactions. Severe reactions that land somebody in the hospital, the intensive care unit or cause a permanent disability or death.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are reports of severe vaccine reactions in the United States, the statement lacks important context. The number provided by Dr. Bob Sears, between 3,000 and 4,500 severe vaccine reactions reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), does not specify the total number of vaccines administered. Without this context, it is difficult to determine the proportion of severe reactions in relation to the overall number of vaccinations. Additionally, it's important to note that reported reactions do not necessarily indicate a direct causal relationship between the vaccine and the reported adverse event. The statement, therefore, lacks the necessary context and may be misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Wisconsin State AFL-CIO posted a meme to its Facebook page July 8, 2015 that in bold letters proclaims: \"Scott Walker\u2019s bad budget includes: No weekend for workers.\"","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin AFL-CIO says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget repair bill would take away all rights in the workplace for public employees,\"Feb. 17, 2011","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is a bogus figure,\" Feb. 25, 2011","The pre-budget \"shortfall\" is a soft number, Berry noted, in that it includes state agency spending wish lists, many of which are destined for the circular file."]},{"id":"742.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama \"has voted in the United States Senate to increase taxes on people who make as low as $42,000 a year.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama has supported policies that would increase taxes on higher-income individuals, there is no evidence to suggest that he specifically voted to increase taxes on people making as low as $42,000 a year. The statement misrepresents Obama's voting record and lacks specific evidence to support the claim. It is important to accurately represent the facts when discussing someone's voting history.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says President Obama and his allies in Congress gave \"power\" to control Medicare patients\u2019 health care decisions to \"a commission of 15 unelected bureaucrats in Washington.\"","Specifically, Blackburn said: \"Instead of giving patients control of their health care decisions, the President and his allies in Congress chose to delegate this power to a commission of 15 unelected bureaucrats in Washington.\"","Blackburn to her credit did not mention rationing -- connecting that practice to the IPAB is what pushed Boone\u2019s claim to judged ridiculously false. But she did say that President Obama -- through the law -- would be giving the \"power\" to control Medicare patients\u2019 health-care decisions to \"a commission of 15 unelected bureaucrats in Washington.\"","Blackburn\u2019s claim that the IPAB will consist of \"15 unelected bureaucrats in Washington,\" like Bachmann\u2019s grievance that the IPAB consists of political appointees, \"leaves out a lot of detail of the law\u2019s requirements,\" as PolitiFact National put it in its check of Bachmann\u2019s claims about the IPAB."]},{"id":"10201.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"New Jersey has had seven credit downgrades since Chris Christie became governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the number of credit downgrades that occurred in New Jersey since Chris Christie became governor. Multiple sources confirm that New Jersey experienced seven credit downgrades during his tenure. While it's important to note that this number is significant and reflects a negative trend, it's crucial to consider the context and underlying factors that contributed to these downgrades. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Liberal pundit Sally Kohn waded into the firestorm on Twitter. At one point, seeing what she called \"repeated condemnation of Islam as a whole,\" Kohn wrote, \"Since 9\/11, right-wing extremists (incl anti-abortion, anti-gov) have killed more Americans than Islamic extremists.\"","Kohn said that since 9\/11, right-wing extremists have killed more Americans than Islamic extremists. She drew that from a database created by the New America Foundation which found 26 victims of jihadists compared to 39 of right-wing zealots.","Cartwright\u2019s ties to right-wing extremists? The sheriff said Cartwright was interested in militia groups and thought the government was conspiring against him. His wife said he held anti-government views and was disturbed by the election of Barack Obama.","By the New America count, in the time since 9\/11, jihadists have killed 26 Americans on U.S. soil, while those with right-wing leanings have killed 39. The single-most deadly event by an Islamic extremist was the 13 people killed at Fort Hood. On the right-wing side of the ledger, the worst was the six people slain at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin."]},{"id":"6621.json","label":"true","statement":"The first (state) budget that came out of our Republican leadership slashed funding to Planned Parenthood...It resulted in the reduction of hours, the elimination of days, elimination of access to women in my city and all over my state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Booker that the first budget from Republican leadership resulted in a reduction of hours, elimination of days, and limited access to Planned Parenthood services for women in his city and state. This claim is supported by Booker's own statements during speeches and rallies, where he specifically mentions the impact of budget cuts on Planned Parenthood. The evidence provided confirms the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12328.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he started the Pacur plastics manufacturing company he owns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While Senator Ron Johnson is the owner of the Pacur plastics manufacturing company, it is not accurate to say that he \"started\" the company. The evidence suggests that Johnson announced his re-election bid at Pacur, indicating his association with the company, but it does not provide information about the founding or establishment of the company. Therefore, the statement incorrectly implies that Johnson was the sole or primary founder of Pacur.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8750.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I have never lobbied for offshore oil drilling.","reason":"Reason: While David Jolly vehemently denies lobbying for offshore oil drilling, there is some ambiguity surrounding his statement. The evidence suggests that there have been accusations and claims made against him regarding lobbying for expanded offshore oil drilling. While Jolly maintains his denial, the fact-checking assessment rates his statement as \"Mostly False,\" indicating that there is conflicting information or evidence that challenges the veracity of his claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Bill Clinton signed a law \"very similar to,\" and Barack Obama voted for a law \"something like,\" Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.","Walker said Bill Clinton signed a federal law \"very similar to,\" and Obama voted for an Illinois law \"something like,\" Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act.","So, is the Indiana law merely a similar version of a federal law signed by Bill Clinton and an Illinois law backed by Barack Obama?","That ruling led to federal legislation -- which, like the Indiana law, is called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act -- that Clinton signed into law in 1993."]},{"id":"3205.json","label":"false","statement":"When the Milwaukee County mental health facility is full, cops sit out there in their squad cars with a mentally ill patient and sometimes spend an entire shift out there doing that.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances in the past where police officers in Milwaukee had to wait with mentally ill patients due to delays in admitting them to the Mental Health Complex, the evidence suggests that the situation has improved. The four largest police agencies in the county have reported that waits are now short, indicating that officers are no longer spending entire shifts waiting with patients. Therefore, the statement that cops still sit in their squad cars with mentally ill patients for an entire shift when the facility is full is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7299.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Abortion clinics in Oregon, as in most states, have no state oversight and are not held to basic health or safety standards.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that some abortion clinics in Oregon are not subject to the same level of state oversight and licensing requirements as other outpatient medical offices, it is incorrect to claim that they have no state oversight or are not held to basic health and safety standards. The people who perform abortions are licensed medical personnel subject to state oversight, and there are still regulations and guidelines in place to ensure basic health standards are met. Therefore, while the statement highlights a difference in regulatory oversight, it exaggerates the lack of health and safety standards for abortion clinics in Oregon.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It\u2019s answer: \"Burke was a senior member of the Doyle administration that left Wisconsin with 130,000 fewer jobs, and a $3 billion budget shortfall.\" The ad concludes: \"Mary Burke would take Wisconsin backwards.\"","The Republican Governors Association charged that \"Burke was a senior member of the Doyle administration that left Wisconsin with 130,000 fewer jobs.\"","\"The truth is Burke\u2019s record is one of failure and job loss, with plagiarism to cover it up,\" the narrator says. \"Don\u2019t go backwards with Mary Burke.\"","RGA spokesman Jon Thompson defended the 130,000 figure, saying Burke had a hand in Doyle\u2019s second term, but added that it is a \"fair comparison\" for others to look at all eight years of Doyle\u2019s record."]},{"id":"5444.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that Rick Santorum voted for the unions over FedEx.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Rick Santorum voted for the unions over FedEx. While there is mention of Santorum's position on a provision that FedEx wanted, it does not indicate that he voted in favor of the unions over FedEx. In fact, the evidence suggests that Santorum initially opposed the provision but ultimately voted for the bill that included it. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context to support the claim made.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The tweet included a graphic that said Clinton \"would bring 186,740 new jobs to Wisconsin\" and \"Donald Trump would cost Wisconsin 61,050 jobs.\"","Says Donald Trump is breaking a campaign pledge to bring manufacturing jobs back to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania since the two states \"have lost the most manufacturing jobs in the past year.\"","!Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been evaluated on how their proposals will affect jobs. !Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been evaluated on how their proposals will affect jobs.","The DNC claims Trump is breaking a campaign pledge to bring manufacturing jobs back to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania since the two states \"have lost the most manufacturing jobs in the past year.\""]},{"id":"11103.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When President AbrahamLincoln signed his Emancipation Proclamation, there were over 300,000 slaveholders who were fighting in the Union army.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While it is true that a significant number of soldiers from states that allowed slavery fought for the Union army, there is no evidence to support the claim that all 300,000 of them were slaveholders. The available evidence suggests that some soldiers from slaveholding states fought for the Union, but it is incorrect to assume that all of them were slaveholders. The statement exaggerates the number of slaveholders in the Union army and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11332.json","label":"true","statement":"Eighty-three law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty this year. Twenty-four of them were shot and killed in cold blood.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that 83 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty this year, with 24 of them being shot and killed in cold blood. This information is supported by the evidence provided, which includes a statement issued by Cagle and the FBI's preliminary statistics on law enforcement deaths in the line of duty. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13205.json","label":"true","statement":"Repeated requests for additional security in Benghazi were routinely denied by Hillary Clintons State Department.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including the State Department's own Accountability Review Board, have confirmed that there were repeated requests for additional security in Benghazi that were denied. This includes requests from the Benghazi mission and the embassy in Tripoli. The claim that Hillary Clinton's State Department routinely denied these requests for additional security is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But is it true that, as Sanders put it, the United States is \"imprisoning or giving jail sentences to young people who are smoking marijuana\"? We decided to take a closer look.","If he were a Nevada resident, Sanders said, \"I suspect I would vote yes. And I would vote yes because I am seeing in this country too many lives being destroyed for nonviolent offenses. We have a criminal justice system that lets CEOs on Wall Street walk away, and yet we are imprisoning or giving jail sentences to young people who are smoking marijuana. I think we have to think through this war on drugs.\"","In addition, the statistics we cited above do not include people sent temporarily to jail -- potentially a much larger population than those serving sentences prison. The jail population could include people who have violated probation for testing positive for marijuana, or for failing to pay a fine for marijuana possession, said Bill Piper, the director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance.","Colorado saw \"increased incidents of emergency room visits by young people\" and \"increased incidents of driving while under the influence of marijuana\" following the legalization of recreational pot."]},{"id":"4033.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the 2012-13 state budget leaves $6 billion in a rainy day fund.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Governor Perry stated that the new budget would leave $6 billion in the state's rainy day fund. However, the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm whether this claim is accurate or not. It mentions that the rainy day fund currently has a balance of $5 billion, but it does not provide information on the specific allocation of funds in the 2012-13 state budget. Without further evidence, it is difficult to determine the exact amount that will be left in the rainy day fund after the budget is implemented. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2465.json","label":"false","statement":"On running a civil and polite campaign","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that former and would-be governor Roy Barnes expressed his intention to run a civil and polite campaign, emphasizing the Southern tradition of being civil and polite even in the face of differences. However, subsequent evidence suggests that Barnes' campaign ads have deviated from this stated goal and moved away from the \"civil and polite\" territory. Therefore, the statement that Barnes ran a civil and polite campaign is false, as it contradicts the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said, \"The number of new illegal immigrant families who have crossed the border so far this year already exceeds the entire total from 2015.\"","\"The number of new illegal immigrant families who have crossed the border so far this year already exceeds the entire total from 2015,\" Trump said.","We were curious to know if so far this year, the number of immigrant families who have crossed the border has surpassed all of 2015.","Immigration experts pointed us to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics on monthly and fiscal-year apprehensions of families along the Southwest border. CBP uses apprehensions as an indicator of total attempts to cross the border illegally."]},{"id":"3357.json","label":"true","statement":"We closed that plant down. It was a $27 million-dollar plant, operating full steam, and we closed it down.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that the Monticello power plant near Pittsburg, Texas was closed down. The plant had an operating capacity of 1,880 megawatts and was capable of powering around 940,000 homes. The decision to retire the plant was driven by economic factors, specifically the abundance of cheap natural gas in the market. The closure of the plant was not due to renewable energy, as suggested in the social media post. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Now let's look at the notion that \"the economy began its nose dive when Democrats took control of Congress in January 2007.\"","\"Madam Speaker, I came to talk about health reform, but would first note that the gentleman from Virginia fails to mention that the economy began its nose dive when Democrats took control of Congress in January 2007. For 54 months before that, with a Republican president and Republican control of Congress, the economy was doing very well and growing.\"","\"The longest post-World-War-II business expansion ended in March 2001, one and a half months after a Republican Administration took office,\" Burtless said. \"That new Republican administration also had the good fortune to have a House of Representatives and, at first, a Senate that was controlled by the same party. According to Rep. Foxx\u2019s reasoning, the recession that began after March 2001 must have been 'caused' by the political change-over in control of the White House. Of course, I think this reasoning is specious, but it is equally ludicrous to claim that the recession which began in January 2008 was 'caused' by a change in political control of Congress that took place in January 2007.\"","We agree. The evidence shows that the economy did not \"nose dive\" for at least a year after the Democrats took control of Congress, and experts of various ideological backgrounds agree that long-term trends in the housing and energy markets played a bigger role in directly causing the recession. While what happens in Washington can certainly influence the economy, it is only one of many factors. We believe it is the height of partisan wishful thinking to imply that one party's accession to power in Congress is to blame for a major recession. Pants on Fire!"]},{"id":"13038.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has taken less vacation days than any other president in a generation, while Congress has taken more vacation days than any other Congress in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. While it is true that President Obama took vacations during his presidency, claiming that he took fewer vacation days than any other president in a generation is not accurate. There have been several presidents who took fewer vacation days than President Obama, including Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Similarly, stating that Congress has taken more vacation days than any other Congress in history is also unsupported. Comparing vacation days across different Congresses throughout history is challenging, as the number of vacation days can vary based on various factors. Therefore, the statement is not based on factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In a campaign mailer and other venues, Ron Johnson says Feingold supported a measure that cut more than $500 billion from Medicare. That makes it sound like money out of the Medicare budget today, when Medicare spending will actually increase over the next 10 years. What Johnson labels a cut is an attempt to slow the projected increase in spending by $500 billion. Under the plan, guaranteed benefits are not cut. In fact, some benefits are increased. Johnson can say Feingold was the deciding vote -- but so could 59 other people running against incumbents now or in the future.","Under the measure, the second-biggest savings category is Medicare Advantage ($136 billion), making up about one-quarter of the $523 million in \"cuts\" referred to in the mailer. About 25 percent of people covered by Medicare have chosen Medicare Advantage.","Johnson said Feingold supported a measure that cut more than $500 billion from Medicare. That makes it sound like money out of the Medicare budget today, when Medicare spending will actually increase over the next 10 years.","We concluded that what Johnson labels a cut is an attempt to slow the projected increase in spending by $500 billion. Under the plan, guaranteed benefits are not cut. In fact, some benefits are increased."]},{"id":"3808.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Less than two years ago, we made a commitment to repay the U.S. . . .taxpayers in full, and today we made good on that promise.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the commitment to repay U.S. taxpayers in full, which was made less than two years ago. However, without further context, it is unclear what specifically is being repaid and to whom. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in acknowledging the commitment made, it lacks clarity regarding the specific details of the repayment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Again, Obama and Clinton said \"bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan.\" In fact, bin Laden declared a holy war against Pakistan's then-president, Musharraf, because of his cooperation with the United States in its war against al-Qaida. Bin Laden clearly had some support in Pakistan (Exhibit A: that was his final hiding place). In the end, we think there are credible arguments to be made that there is little distinction between declaring a holy war on a country's leader and military versus the country itself. But unlike his declared holy war against America, bin Laden was seeking to spark a rebellion in Pakistan against Musharraf, so he could be replaced with an Islamist leader. And so we rule Obama's statement Half True.","\"There was no declaration of war against Pakistan,\" he said. \"Think about it logically. Why would al-Qaida declare war against Pakistan? They declared war against a leader they thought was an American puppet. You have to view it through their ideology. For them, it is about a larger, global holy war.\"","\"It's important to note that our counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding,\" Obama said. \"Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.\"","\"Over the years, I've repeatedly made clear that we would take action within Pakistan if we knew where bin Laden was. That is what we've done,\" Obama said. \"But it's important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.\""]},{"id":"9832.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Cory Gardner is sponsoring a bill to ban all abortions right now.","reason":"Reason: While Cory Gardner is indeed sponsoring a bill that grants a fetus the same rights as a person from the moment of fertilization, it is important to note that the outcome and impact of such a bill on abortion access are uncertain. The bill challenges the Supreme Court's past support for a constitutional right to abortion, but it does not guarantee an immediate ban on all abortions. The bill's language and its potential interpretation by the court system would need to be examined over time to determine its full implications. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it acknowledges Gardner's sponsorship of the bill but incorrectly suggests that it would ban all abortions without considering the legal complexities involved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10941.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Millennials will be 75 percent of the workforce in the next 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that millennials will make up 75 percent of the workforce in the next 10 years is not supported by the evidence. Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that in 10 years, people aged 25-44 (which includes millennials) will make up about 44 percent of the total labor force. Even when considering the inclusion of the generation after millennials (Generation Z), the proportion still falls short of reaching the three-quarters mark. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9811.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Over 60 percent of the provisional ballots cast in [the 2012] election were disqualified because those folks were not duly registered as voters.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that over 60 percent of provisional ballots cast in the 2012 election were disqualified due to individuals not being duly registered as voters. The actual data provided by the state Board of Elections indicates that 50.4 percent of provisional ballots were disqualified for this reason. While there was a significant percentage of disqualified provisional ballots, the claim exaggerates the extent of the issue. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When I was governor I cut income taxes three times. I cut property taxes by over a billion dollars, not once, but twice,\" Thompson said. \"And you know, my opponent was in the Assembly at the time. Most of the Democrats voted with me. Congressman Baldwin voted against it. Property taxes is a huge tax on the middle class. She voted against it.\"","Finally, a footnote. We did not find a second instance of a billion-dollar property tax cut under Thompson. There was a tax-cut package close to that in 1999 that was a mix of income tax cuts and property tax relief. It was approved with significant support by Democrats. Baldwin was in Congress by then.","Baldwin voted in favor of the 1994 bill, which passed 81-18 but did not get through the Senate amid GOP accusations it was an election-year stunt. All but one Assembly Democrat voted for it. Many Republicans voted yes, with an election looming. Thompson warned that state tax hikes might be necessary to pay for the Democratic plan.","In the second U.S. Senate debate, Republican Tommy Thompson went after Democrat Tammy Baldwin as an extreme liberal with a voting record to the left of most in her own party."]},{"id":"11173.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Fourth Amendment was what we fought the Revolution over. John Adams said it was the spark that led to our war for independence.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Fourth Amendment was not ratified until after the American Revolution, Senator Paul's statement should be understood in a broader context. He is emphasizing that the principles and issues encompassed by the Fourth Amendment, such as protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, were significant factors that contributed to the spirit of the revolution. John Adams' quote, although not directly linking the Fourth Amendment, supports the idea that the concerns addressed by the Fourth Amendment played a role in the fight for independence. Therefore, while the statement may not be entirely accurate in a literal sense, it captures the broader sentiment that the principles embodied in the Fourth Amendment were influential during the revolution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8471.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The vast majority of people in this country are keeping their (health insurance) plan.","reason":"Reason: While David Axelrod claimed that the vast majority of people in the country are keeping their health insurance plans, there is evidence that contradicts this statement. Reports indicate that a significant number of individuals in the individual market have received cancellation notices for their plans. While it is challenging to determine the exact proportion of people affected, it is clear that a substantial number have experienced changes to their health insurance coverage. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and should be labeled as mostly-true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8706.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Kathleen Peters refuses to take a stand to repeal Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Kathleen Peters refuses to take a stand to repeal Obamacare is not entirely accurate. While there is evidence that she made a statement indicating that she does not think they should \"take a stand and say absolutely repeal it,\" it is important to consider the context. The quote suggests that Peters may not support a complete and immediate repeal of Obamacare, but it does not necessarily mean that she refuses to take any stance on the matter. It is a nuanced position that requires further clarification. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Governor Scott Walker\u2019s budget cuts mean some kids are going without,\" Sharpton declared. \"One school district is so worried about losing state funding that it has stopped giving milk to elementary school kids during snack time.\"","In criticizing Walker, Sharpton said \"one school district is so worried about losing state funding that it has stopped giving milk to elementary school kids during snack time.\" Baraboo school officials now say state budget cuts had little or nothing to do with the decision to stop providing milk at snack time, but previously some of them indicated that fear of state budget cuts was the main reason.","( - Rev. Al Sharpton says Wisconsin Gov. Walker's budget cuts led school district to cut milk from school kids' snack time&url=)","1. Concern that children were consuming too much milk -- one half-pint carton during breakfast at school, another during morning snack and a third at lunch. There was a concern that the milk reduced the kids\u2019 appetite for lunch, plus the school board wants to promote the drinking of water, which has been substituted for milk at snack time."]},{"id":"458.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"McCain says the price of a gas tax \"holiday\" would be about the same as \"a Bridge to Nowhere (or) another pork barrel project.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. McCain did propose a gas tax holiday during his 2008 campaign, but he did not compare it to \"a Bridge to Nowhere\" or \"another pork barrel project.\" There is no evidence to support this claim. It is important to ensure that statements accurately reflect the statements made by individuals, and in this case, the claim is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4122.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says $500 billion in Medicare cuts are coming.","reason":"Reason: The statement that $500 billion in Medicare cuts are coming is misleading. While it is true that there were provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that aimed to slow the growth of Medicare spending, it is inaccurate to characterize these measures as direct cuts to Medicare. The $500 billion figure refers to projected savings over a ten-year period, achieved through reducing the rate of growth in Medicare spending. It does not entail a reduction in benefits or a decrease in funding for Medicare. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the impact of the ACA on Medicare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"140.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Fences have not worked. The Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall. That's not good among peoples, especially friends like the United States and Mexico.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall faced challenges and were eventually breached, it is important to note that the context and purpose of these walls were different from the proposed fence between the United States and Mexico. The Great Wall of China was primarily built for defense against invasions, and the Berlin Wall was constructed to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Germany. In contrast, the proposed fence between the United States and Mexico aims to address border security and control unauthorized immigration. While fences may not be foolproof, they can still serve as a deterrent and provide some level of control. Therefore, while the historical examples are valid, the statement oversimplifies the complexities of border security and the potential effectiveness of a fence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There\u2019s no place in society for those people that want to violate the rights of others,\" McDonnell said. \"They need to be taken off the streets and incapacitated for a significant amount of time. That\u2019s why we abolished parole 15 years ago. Then you can see the enormous positive results in Virginia as our crime rate continues to plummet.\"","McDonnell\u2019s contention is that Virginia\u2019s \"crime rate\" continues its downward spiral since parole was abolished in 1995. And he\u2019s right that overall crime has gone down significantly, not just here, but across the country.","Does it \"continue to plummet\"? Not by the definition of the word. The declines have been steady but not sharp and abrupt. There have even been years with minor increases. We rate this claim Mostly True.","First, for context\u2019s sake, let\u2019s consult our old friend Merriam-Webster, which defines McDonnell\u2019s verb of choice -- \"plummet\" -- as, \"To drop sharply and abruptly.\""]},{"id":"3127.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says required state septic inspections would cost septic tank owners $100 to $150 every five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there are references to the cost of septic inspections ranging from $200 to $500, the evidence also includes a statement from Ellen Vause, a septic tank expert, who mentions that a standard inspection currently costs $150 to $300 in North Florida and $200 to $350 in South Florida. Additionally, Michelle Dahnke from the health department estimated the cost of an inspection to be $150. Therefore, while the evidence presents a range of costs, it is reasonable to conclude that the required state septic inspections could cost septic tank owners between $100 and $150 every five years, considering the estimates provided by the experts and officials.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The chain e-mail claim that \"if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8 percent sales tax\" is untrue on so many levels as to be ridiculous.","\"Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home etc. When did this happen? It's in the health care bill. Just thought you should know. ...","\"Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it?\" the e-mails says. \"That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home, etc.\" the e-mail says, adding that \"under the new health care bill, all real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% sales tax.\"","If you\u2019re wealthy and sell your home at a substantial profit, it\u2019s possible you might get hit with the new 3.8 percent tax on investment income. Most Americans won\u2019t have to worry about this, though."]},{"id":"2961.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One in 19 Americans today get SSDI or SSI. Thats one in 19 Americans (who) are disabled.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Senator Coburn, which states that one in 19 Americans receive SSDI or SSI benefits. The fact-checking analysis also confirms that the percentage of Americans receiving these benefits is approximately 5.4%, which is slightly more than one out of every 19 Americans. However, it's important to note that receiving SSDI or SSI benefits does not necessarily mean that all recipients are disabled, as some individuals may qualify for these programs due to other factors such as low income or age. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the statistics provided, it should be clarified that not all individuals receiving these benefits are necessarily disabled.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But the House rejected an expansion of background checks in June 1999 \u2014 a rejection the NRA supported. A Washington Post headline at the time said, \"NRA Achieves Its Goal: Nothing.\"","Ryan is citing a poll from Public Policy Polling, conducted in 2015 for liberal groups. That poll found that among the respondents who said they were NRA members, the poll showed that 72 percent supported background checks. Other polls we looked at showed that between 52 and 74 percent of NRA members supported background checks.","He\u2019s correct that LaPierre, at the center of the most recent gun legislation battle, testified before lawmakers that the NRA supported \"mandatory instant criminal background checks for every sale.\"","We\u2019ve checked related claims from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Barack Obama that Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA, once supported wider background checks."]},{"id":"808.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The centerpiece of Senator McCain's education policy is to increase the voucher program in D.C. by 2,000 slots.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Senator McCain's education policy did not include a specific plan to increase the voucher program in D.C. by 2,000 slots. While Senator McCain did support school choice and voucher programs, there is no evidence to support the claim that increasing the voucher program in D.C. by 2,000 slots was the centerpiece of his education policy.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6301.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration has been outsourcing by sending money to solar and wind energy companies that end up making their products outside the United States.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Obama administration provided loans and support to some solar and wind energy companies, the statement incorrectly suggests that these companies predominantly manufacture their products outside the United States. The evidence provided does not support this claim. Additionally, the expansion of renewable energy and the associated job creation were key factors in the administration's support for the industry. However, it is important to note that the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs is a complex issue influenced by various factors, and it cannot be solely attributed to the Obama administration's support for renewable energy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Prior to 1962, everybody prayed before school started. In 1962, the Supreme Court banned prayer,\" said Cruz, who is a nondenominational pastor. \"In 1963, they banned the Bible from school. Prior to that, the Bible was the principal textbook in all schools.\"","Different schools incorporated religion and Bible discussion in different ways, but the Bible was not the \"principal textbook,\" experts told us. While Bibles may have been passed out in certain schools with other textbooks, this was not always the case. Some schools read passages from the Bible over the speaker, and in others teachers read scripture in front of the class.","The Supreme Court decisions resulted in bans on government- and school-sponsored prayers and Bible readings in public schools. Private prayers and personal Bible reading were still allowed at school, so they were not entirely \"banned.\"","In the 1962 case Engel vs. Vitale, the court overturned a New York law requiring a nondenominational prayer at the beginning of the school day. Although students could opt not to participate, the court reasoned that the law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which was aimed at preventing government interference with religion."]},{"id":"5422.json","label":"true","statement":"On mandatory ultrasounds before abortions.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there was a controversy surrounding the issue of mandatory ultrasounds before abortions in Virginia. While Governor Bob McDonnell initially endorsed the general concept of mandating ultrasounds, it was revealed that the legislation would require some use of transvaginal ultrasounds, even against a woman's will. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not specify the exact details of the bill or the types of ultrasounds required. Therefore, the statement is true in acknowledging the existence of the controversy surrounding mandatory ultrasounds before abortions in Virginia, but it does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the specific requirements or the governor's stance on the invasive procedure.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8984.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Even though Chicago has the most stringent gun laws on the books, it still has the highest murder rate in the country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Chicago has some of the most stringent gun laws in the United States, the statement that it has the highest murder rate in the country is incorrect. Chicago has experienced high levels of violence and homicides, but it does not have the highest murder rate when compared to other cities in the United States. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it accurately reflects the strict gun laws in Chicago but inaccurately claims the highest murder rate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4278.json","label":"false","statement":"Virginia has a responsibility to fund 55 percent of public education and is payingjust 41 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Virginia does not have a responsibility to fund 55 percent of public education. The funding for public education in Virginia comes from various sources, including state, local, and federal funds. The specific percentage of funding allocated to public education can vary depending on budgetary decisions and priorities. It is important to note that education funding is a complex issue and cannot be reduced to a single percentage requirement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You can't give a child an aspirin in school without permission. You can't do any kind of medication, but we can secretly take the child off and have an abortion.\"","\"You can\u2019t give a child an aspirin in school without permission,\" he said. \"You can\u2019t do any kind of medication, but we can secretly take the child off and have an abortion. We should support it (HB 1247) with all our hearts and souls if parental responsibility means anything to us.\"","The thrust of Oelrich's point is correct: You can\u2019t give a child an aspirin in school without permission. To administer any non-prescription medication, school officials must have approval from the parent. And in some cases, the schools also need a note from a doctor -- even for cough drops. While Oelrich is right about the permission part, he specifically mentioned aspirin so we should add that giving aspirin to children is considered risky because of the medicine's connection to a deadly disease. But that wasn't exactly Oelrich's point in a debate over abortion and a minor's right to privacy. We rate his claim True.","\"They might send out a consent form and try to get you to sign it for your child,\" he said in the video. \"But even if you don\u2019t sign it, you should know that sending your child to school that day is implied consent.\""]},{"id":"4129.json","label":"false","statement":"Every time weve cut the capital gains tax, the economy has grown. Whenever we raise the capital gains tax, its been damaged.","reason":"Reason: The statement that every time the capital gains tax has been cut, the economy has grown, and whenever it has been raised, it has been damaged is not supported by comprehensive evidence. While some argue that lower capital gains tax rates can stimulate economic growth, the relationship between capital gains tax rates and economic performance is complex and not universally agreed upon. Studies and analyses have shown mixed results, and experts have differing opinions on the impact of capital gains tax changes on the economy. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies a complex issue and does not accurately reflect the nuanced relationship between capital gains tax rates and economic outcomes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cThe CDC is about to add the COVID vaccine to the childhood immunization schedule, which would make the vax mandatory for kids to attend school.\u201d","On COVID-19 hospitalizations, CDC data from the end of November 2021 indicated that unvaccinated adults ages 18 years and older were hospitalized with COVID-19 at a rate of about 67.8 per 100,000. By comparison, the rate for fully vaccinated individuals was about 3.9 per 100,000, meaning unvaccinated people were about 17 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19.","\"To date, nobody has been able to show that there is a law for the average American citizen working day in and day out to pay an income tax.\"","\u201cKnow what they always find in Alzheimer\u2019s patients? Excessive aluminum in the brain. Know what makes your body hoard aluminum? Fluoride.\u201d"]},{"id":"2457.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Kilmartin has helped pass laws to create a witness protection program.","reason":"Reason: While it is not entirely accurate to claim that Kilmartin helped create the witness protection program in Rhode Island, he did play a significant role in updating and strengthening the existing program through his sponsorship of a 2001 bill. The previous version of the program provided limited protection for innocent witnesses, and Kilmartin's efforts contributed to centralizing and implementing necessary controls to enhance its effectiveness. So, while he did not technically create the program from scratch, he did contribute to its improvement and expansion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8908.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rep. Renee Ellmers voted for the government shutdown 21 times.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rep. Renee Ellmers consistently voted with Republicans who wanted to defund Obamacare, it is not accurate to claim that she specifically voted for the government shutdown 21 times. After reviewing the legislation, it was found that there were 26 votes related to the government shutdown, but not all of them were direct votes to shut down the government. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the number of times Rep. Ellmers voted for the government shutdown and misrepresents the nature of her votes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cuellar said drug cartels are offering rebates via social media so more children from Central America get guided to the United States.","In a \"did-you-know?\" moment, a Laredo congressman said drug cartels offer rebates for children from Central America to lure other kids to make the overland journey to the United States.","Agreeing that poverty and violence in Central America have been factors in children flocking north, Cuellar told reporter Jeff Zeleny: \"The drug cartels found an incentive, and this is what we\u2019re trying to cut off, these incentives. Finally a last thing: Did you know that they\u2019re even using social media -- social media that says if you get recruited, we\u2019ll give you a rebate if you bring another child with you.\"","Otherwise, we found no news stories on cartels using social media to offer rebates. Also, outside experts expressed doubts about the claim."]},{"id":"12871.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I havent switched my position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While Senator Tim Kaine did align his position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal with Hillary Clinton's opposition, he did not explicitly state that he hadn't switched his position. The evidence suggests that Kaine's position on the TPP did change to align with Clinton's opposition, but his exact statement regarding his position switch is not provided in the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5828.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Nobody is leaving Memphis. Thats a myth.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"nobody is leaving Memphis\" is contradicted by multiple sources of evidence, including the mayor's budget document and data from the Census Bureau. These sources indicate that Memphis has experienced a steady out-migration and a decline in population over the years. The claim that it is a myth that residents are leaving Memphis is therefore false. The evidence clearly shows that people are indeed leaving the city, particularly the middle class. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12149.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Theres a tremendous tax that we pay when we (American businesses) go into China, whereas when China sells to us theres no tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that American businesses face certain taxes and barriers when operating in China, it is not accurate to claim that there is no tax when China sells goods to the United States. China does impose taxes and tariffs on certain imported goods, although the specific rates and regulations can vary. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the complexities of international trade and taxation between the two countries.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Romney said, the United States stopped plans to build a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe \"as a gift to Russia.\"","\"This will be a far more effective defense should an enemy fire many missiles simultaneously \u2014 the kind of attack most likely to occur as Iran continues to build and deploy numerous short- and medium-range weapons,\" Gates wrote. \"At the same time, plans to defend virtually all of Europe and enhance the missile defense of the United States will continue on about the same schedule as the earlier plan as we build this system over time, creating an increasingly greater zone of protection.","American officials saw the Europe-based plan as improving their ability to deflect long-range missiles launched by Iran (not Russia) to Europe or the U.S while strengthening military partnerships with countries in Eastern Europe. Some interceptors had already been built on America\u2019s West Coast to protect against nuclear attacks from North Korea. The interceptors in Europe would not be ready until at least 2017, Gates later wrote.","\"For instance, you reconsider putting in our missile defense system back into the Czech Republic and Poland, as we once planned,\" Romney said of steps he\u2019d take if he were in the White House. \"And as you recall, we pulled that out as a gift to Russia.\""]},{"id":"11425.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I am very proud that over my almost 30 years of public service I have had no scandals.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the individual's claim of having no scandals over their nearly 30 years of public service. However, without specific evidence or context provided, it is challenging to verify the claim independently. It is important to note that the absence of scandals does not necessarily indicate a flawless record, as the definition and perception of a scandal can vary. Therefore, while the statement is generally true based on the individual's assertion, it would benefit from additional evidence or context for a more comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Kagen promised us jobs, voting for the $787 billion stimulus,\" the announcer says, referring to Wisconsin. \"Cost: another 77,000 jobs lost.\"","Kagen supported the $787 billion stimulus (although that estimate has since been boosted to $814 billion by the Congressional Budget Office). And Wisconsin has had a net loss of more than 77,000 jobs since the measure became law in February 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.","Quinn said the only way he could conceive of arguing that the stimulus killed jobs is if it increased taxes. But it didn\u2019t. As our colleagues at PolitiFact National have reported, of the original $787 billion, $499 billion was to fund new roads, hire teachers and generally keep people employed, and about $288 billion -- or 36 percent -- was in tax breaks.","In issuing its attack against Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen, the National Republican Congressional Committee said the federal stimulus bill cost Wisconsin 77,000 jobs. The two things may have happened in the same time frame, but that does not mean one caused the other. Indeed, there is plenty of evidence the stimulus has created jobs."]},{"id":"12312.json","label":"true","statement":"Pat Toomey advocated for eliminating all corporate taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Pat Toomey, in a 2007 CNBC interview, expressed support for eliminating the tax burden on corporations. While it's true that Toomey has advocated for a lower tax rate and a simplified system in more recent times, the claim specifically refers to his past advocacy for the complete elimination of corporate taxes, which is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["For instance, Republicans called a vote on delaying the employer mandate, even though the change had already taken place. They also introduced a second bill to delay the health care law\u2019s mandate on individuals to secure health insurance.","Kuster voted against both bills, saying they undermined implementation of the health care law. But at the time, Kuster didn\u2019t specifically address the merits of delaying the employer mandate.","Kuster recently said she supports the president\u2019s move to delay the small business mandate for another year, saying the delay would provide more time for the New Hampshire marketplace to develop competition among health plans. Critics say that\u2019s a contrast with her vote against a House bill to delay the employer mandate.","Universal health care has been much debated in the Democratic primary campaign, but hardly mentioned on the Republican side. The consensus among health care experts is that to achieve universal health care \u2014 the intention to cover every person with no exceptions \u2014 there must be a legal requirement for care, such as a mandate for individuals to buy insurance . In the Democratic primary campaign, Sen. Hillary Clinton supports an individual mandate, while Sen. Barack Obama opposes it on the grounds that its implementation could penalize the working poor."]},{"id":"1299.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Health care reform \"requires the use of federal dollars to fund abortions through the government-run health plan.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there are provisions in some versions of the health care reform bill that could potentially allow for the use of federal dollars to fund abortions through a government-run health plan, it is important to note that the specifics of the bill and its final version can vary. Additionally, the current restrictions under the Hyde Amendment prohibit the use of federal funds for most abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's health is at risk. Therefore, the statement is accurate in acknowledging the possibility of federal dollars being used for abortions in certain circumstances, but it does not provide the full context of the existing restrictions and the potential variations in the bill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Georgia\u2019s civil forfeiture laws are among the worst in the country and the very worst in the South,\" Americans for Prosperity Georgia spokesman Joel Aaron Foster said in a press release beforehand.","To sum up, Georgians for Forfeiture Reform argues the Peach State has some of the worst civil forfeiture laws in the nation and the worst in the South.","To be clear, PolitiFact Georgia is not making a judgment call on whether Georgia has the worst forfeiture laws around. Instead, our goal is to see whether the claim is based on valid reports and research about Georgia\u2019s forfeiture laws.","A coalition of organizations -- they call themselves Georgians for Forfeiture Reform -- recently held a news conference at the Georgia Capitol to plead for changes to the state\u2019s civil forfeiture laws. How bad are the laws?"]},{"id":"10329.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A lot of what (Cubas) survival depends on is Venezuelan oil money, which is drying up.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Navarro that a significant portion of Cuba's survival depends on Venezuelan oil money, which is indeed drying up. The evidence supports this claim, as Venezuelan aid and oil transfers have played a crucial role in Cuba's ability to import essential goods and contribute to its GDP. While the exact percentage may vary from year to year due to oil price fluctuations, it is evident that Venezuela's support has been significant for Cuba's economy. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The National Republican Congressional Committee said that gas prices have increased by 99 percent since Obama became president and that it\u2019s \"the highest gas price increase since Carter.\"","\"99%: THE AMOUNT GAS PRICES HAVE INCREASED UNDER OBAMA, THE HIGHEST GAS PRICE INCREASE SINCE CARTER,\" the April 20 email blared.","That increase is in fact higher than Carter\u2019s 103 percent or Obama\u2019s 107 percent. And if we use the highest price in 2008, from August, and compare it with Bush\u2019s first month in office, the increase is a whopping 180 percent.","But what about the second part of the claim: is this really the highest increase since Jimmy Carter was president more than three decades ago? And is the implication that Obama is responsible for the increase accurate?"]},{"id":"4202.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The RI Board of Elections has heard official testimony from Providence residents who claim to have witnessed known illegal aliens voting in local elections.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims that the Rhode Island Board of Elections heard official testimony from Providence residents regarding witnessing known illegal aliens voting in local elections, it is important to note that these claims are based on testimonies and have not been substantiated or proven. The statement implies that there is some level of credibility to these claims, but without concrete evidence or further investigation, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the testimonies. Therefore, the statement is classified as barely-true due to the lack of conclusive evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"First of all, I think it's important for Gov. Romney to present this plan that he says will only affect folks in the future,\" Obama said during the Oct. 3, 2012, debate at the University of Denver. \"And the essence of the plan is that you would turn Medicare into a voucher program. It's called premium support, but it's understood to be a voucher program.\"","Generally, we think \"voucher program\" is a fair way of describing to voters the vision for Medicare under a Romney-Ryan administration. We rate Obama\u2019s claim Mostly True.","\"And Gov. Romney and his running mate have a different plan. They want to turn Medicare into a voucher system. That means seniors would no longer have the guarantee of Medicare -- they\u2019d get a voucher to buy private insurance. And if it doesn\u2019t keep up with costs, well, that\u2019s the seniors' problem. It was estimated that Gov. Romney's running mate, his original plan would force seniors to pay an extra $6,400 a year.\"","President Barack Obama wasted little time deriding Mitt Romney\u2019s Medicare plan as a \"voucher program\" while talking entitlements in the first presidential debate."]},{"id":"12485.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Obama called Kagan a moderate. He called Sotomayor a moderate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama referred to both Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor as moderates. While the term \"moderate\" can be subjective and open to interpretation, it is true that President Obama used this characterization for both nominees. However, it's important to note that the perception of what constitutes a \"moderate\" can vary among individuals and political perspectives.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1364.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Today and every day, an estimated 14,000 Americans will lose their health insurance coverage.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the estimate of 14,000 Americans losing health insurance coverage per day was accurate during a specific period when there were rapid job losses. However, the evidence also highlights that the estimates are sensitive to the timeframe used and require regular updating to remain accurate. As the rate of job losses declined, so did the daily rate of Americans losing insurance. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that \"today and every day\" 14,000 Americans will lose their health insurance coverage without considering the current context and the specific timeframe being referred to.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Is Chafee correct that a large majority -- 46 of 50 states -- give their governors the line-item veto? We thought we\u2019d test his knowledge of the states.","So, back to our test of Chafee\u2019s claim that 46 states have a line-item veto. We went to \"The Book of the States,\" 2013 edition, published by the Council of State Governments. It lists 44 states in which the governor has a line-item veto for all bills or at least for bills appropriating money. Besides Rhode Island, the only states lacking it are Nevada, Indiana, North Carolina, New Hampshire and Vermont.","\"Line-item veto is a perfect example. Everything goes in the budget the last minute. If the governor vetoes the whole budget, it\u2019s going to be overridden in a millisecond,\" he said. \"But if you can line-item veto, like 46 other states have, then that becomes a public discussion about that narrow issue\" and the governor might be able to prevail.","Governor Lincoln Chafee said governors in 46 states have line-item veto power. But a definitive and up-to-date source, The Book of the States, says 44 have it. He is very close. The judges rate his claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"2693.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Darryl Hicks had seven ethics violations and didnt pay most of the fines.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Darryl Hicks had seven ethics violations. However, it is unclear from the evidence whether Hicks paid most of the fines associated with these violations. While it is mentioned that Hicks had not paid most of the fines, there is no concrete information or specific details provided to confirm this. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Scott has asked that the $2.4 billion he is rejecting for rail be used in the state for port and highway projects. The federal government has said the money will be used for rail.","The Tri-Rail system started operating in 1989 as a temporary way to alleviate traffic congestion that was expected to be created by a massive road-widening project on Interstate 95. But the state Legislature decided to keep the system alive permanently through a funding agreement between the state and Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The federal government also helps fund the rail line through the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.","The costs and benefits of Tri-Rail are simply not the same as the high-speed rail, and expecting them to operate the same way is misguided.","The financial report concluded that rider fares covered between one-fourth and one-fifth of Tri-Rail's operating costs in 2010 (23 percent, see Page 63 of the report), up from 22 percent in 2009 and 19 percent in 2008. The rest of the money comes in the form of subsidies from the state, the counties and the federal government."]},{"id":"12959.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since President Obama came into office, another 2 million Hispanics have joined the ranks of those in poverty. The number of Hispanic children living in poverty increased by 15 percent in that short period of time.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the number of Hispanics in poverty increased by over 2.1 million between 2008 and 2014, it is misleading to attribute this solely to President Obama's time in office. This time span includes the year before Obama took office and encompasses the severe recession that began before his presidency. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge the broader economic factors and policies that contributed to the increase in poverty rates during that period. Therefore, while there was an increase in the number of Hispanics in poverty, attributing it solely to President Obama's tenure is an oversimplification of the complex factors at play.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12777.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The top 1 percent in recent years has earned 85 percent of all new income.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the data provided. The evidence shows that the top 1 percent of income earners in the United States have seen an increase in their share of income over the years, but it does not support the claim that they have earned 85 percent of all new income. The data indicates that the top 1 percent's share of income has increased, but not to the extent suggested by the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Spike, a Yorkshire terrier that reportedly supports Mitt Romney, was the author of a letter to Iowa pet owners that attacked Mike Huckabee over tax policy.","RNC version of a Hillary Clinton valentine: \"Roses are red, violets are blue, I'll raise your taxes and there is nothing you can do.\"","The buzz on the campaign trail Sunday was about a new poll showing Barack Obama taking the lead in Iowa, but that was before everyone knew what the senator said that day:","SUMMARY: The Clinton campaign trots out quotes from Obama's kindergarten teacher to prove that he's been aiming for the White House longer than he admits. Seriously."]},{"id":"4062.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Forty percent of the Fortune 500 were started either by immigrants or children of immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that more than 40 percent of the 2010 Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not necessarily imply a causal relationship between immigration and entrepreneurship. While it highlights the significant contributions of immigrants and their children to the business landscape, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all factors contributing to the success of these companies. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects the statistic but lacks some context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12584.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Go look at a Trump product. Theyre all made in China.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some of Trump's products, such as ties and cufflinks, have been manufactured in China, it is an oversimplification to claim that all of his products are made in China. Trump has a wide range of products, and their manufacturing locations vary. For example, his shirts have been made in Bangladesh, his suits in Mexico, and his vodka in the Netherlands. Therefore, stating that all Trump products are made in China is not accurate and fails to acknowledge the diverse sourcing of his merchandise.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7962.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obama has the most border patrols and border security deployed at the border of any previous president.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Wasserman Schultz that President Obama had the most border patrols and border security deployed at the border of any previous president is mostly true. While there might be some variations in the exact numbers and metrics used to measure border security, it is widely acknowledged that during Obama's presidency, there was a significant increase in border patrol agents and resources allocated to border security compared to previous administrations. However, it's important to note that border security is a complex issue influenced by various factors, and the effectiveness of these measures can be subject to debate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1890.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says she was never a member of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided includes emails and statements from credible sources indicating that the individual in question, Karen Handel, was indeed a member of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans. The statement denying her membership is contradicted by multiple sources, including the president of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans at the time. Therefore, the statement claiming that she was never a member is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10511.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"By spring 2014, parents of 60,000 students in New York state had refused to let them take the Common Core Tests.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Sheila Resseger and the NYS Allies for Public Education, which reported that by spring 2014, parents of 60,000 students in New York state had refused to allow them to take the Common Core tests. The evidence from multiple sources supports this claim, indicating a significant number of parents opting out of the tests during that time period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In any case, it\u2019s important for us to stick to the original claim that \"for every one ESD superintendent position, we can pay for three speech pathologists, or three special needs instructors, or three classroom teachers.\"","That\u2019s not the only time he\u2019s said it, though. Here\u2019s what he told Melton: \"For every one ESD superintendent position, we can pay for three speech pathologists, three classroom teachers.\"","The association doesn\u2019t keep a similar figure for speech pathologists or special education teachers. That said, generally speaking, special education teachers are not paid any differently from other teachers. Speech pathologists might come out a little better compensated than the average teacher given they\u2019re likely coming to the jobs with more advanced degrees per position.","Using those totals, it does appear that you could cash in the superintendent for just under four teachers at the very low end of the pay scale or 2.5 teachers at the high end."]},{"id":"2675.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Congressman Perriello voted in lock step with Nancy Pelosi 90 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that Congressman Perriello voted in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi 90 percent of the time. While it is true that he voted with his party 90 percent of the time, the claim about voting in lockstep with Pelosi is misleading. Perriello actually voted with Pelosi 78.4 percent of the time, which is significantly lower than the stated 90 percent. Therefore, the statement contains a factual error and does not accurately represent the voting record.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Arguing politics were involved in the FAA\u2019s tower closing decision, Sensenbrenner said 75 percent of the towers set to close were in Republican districts.","\"We had some of our interns here look up some of the ZIP codes,\" of the affected towers and then cross referenced that information with congressional districts, Wimer said. The result: Just under 66 percent were in Republican districts, Wimer said.","A total of 149 air traffic control towers operated by private contractors will be shut down, the agency decided. The decision was one of the most high profile and broad based actions to come under the politically charged sequestration cuts.","(Clickhere to search an interactive map of the location of the towers slated to close, along with the details of the congressional district where the tower is located)"]},{"id":"4367.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In (Sen. Marco) Rubios state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. There is evidence to support the claim that Social Security lifts more than a million people out of poverty in Florida alone. However, it's important to note that the analysis of benefits alone may not fully capture the impact of Social Security on poverty levels. Factors such as the taxes paid into the system and the potential alternative investment options should also be considered. While Social Security does provide crucial support to many individuals in Florida, the full extent of its impact on poverty alleviation may require a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I do have an Apple iPhone. And Apple is 90 percent conflict-free currently,\" Wright said May 25. \"Intel is 100 percent conflict-free. They are the biggest distributor of the chip. That\u2019s huge.\"","The numbers are off. Intel says 100 percent of is processors are conflict-free, but couldn\u2019t vouch for its other products. Apple reported that 100 percent of its supply chain was participating in audits, but rejected the label.","In 2014, Apple reported 88 percent of its smelters and refineries were verified as conflict-free or participating in third-party auditing programs. That same year, Intel said 100 percent of microprocessors and chipsets were conflict-free, but it couldn\u2019t determine if the label applied to other products.","Both companies improved their numbers in 2015, according to their latest SEC filings. About 78 percent of Intel\u2019s smelters and refineries were deemed conflict-free. Apple stated 100 percent of its smelters and refiners are in audits but said it does not believe verification was sufficient to label its products \"conflict-free.\""]},{"id":"13191.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Donald Trump would engage in a risky scheme to privatize Social Security.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump has made statements comparing Social Security to a Ponzi scheme in his 2000 book, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that he would engage in a risky scheme to privatize Social Security. The statement relies on speculation and generalizations rather than concrete actions or policy proposals from Donald Trump. It is important to distinguish between past statements and actual policy intentions. Therefore, the claim is deemed as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6847.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Massachusetts schools are ranked No. 1 of all 50 states.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Massachusetts has been consistently ranked highly in terms of education, it is important to note that rankings can vary depending on the specific criteria and methodology used. Massachusetts has frequently been recognized as having a strong education system and has achieved high scores in various assessments. However, it is worth considering that rankings can change over time, and there may be other states that also have strong education systems. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be understood that rankings can be subjective and may vary depending on the specific measures used.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12251.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"But for immigrants, we would have a contracting population...","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification of the relationship between immigration and population growth. While it is true that immigrants contribute to population growth in the United States, it is not accurate to claim that without immigrants, the population would be contracting. The context provided in the evidence suggests that the statement was made in the context of discussing the need for immigrants to fill future job positions. However, it is important to note that population growth is influenced by various factors, including birth rates and mortality rates, in addition to immigration. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the complex dynamics of population growth.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Indeed, the deficit projected for 2022, just over $1 trillion, is a bit larger, but roughly in line with the deficit from 2019, the last prepandemic year, which was just under $1 trillion. So someone could just as easily say that the Biden administration has overseen a return to normalcy in budget deficits rather than set new records for deficit reduction.","\u201cDemocrats are voting to add an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will target middle class taxpayers and conduct at least 1 million more audits each year. \u201d","And we found no evidence elsewhere, in news reports or other credible sources, to support the idea that the government is giving every household a $500 Walmart shopping credit to help with inflation.","It included a link to a page using Walmart\u2019s logo but not affiliated with the company. And the promised government handout was gone. Rather, the site offered a $500 Walmart gift card for participating in a survey."]},{"id":"2420.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rhode Island gives undocumented pregnant women health insurance, plus a cash card with $400 a month on it and $250 a month or $275 a month to spend on food.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. Undocumented pregnant women in Rhode Island may be eligible for health insurance coverage through programs like Neighborhood Health Plan, UnitedHealth, or Blue Cross. However, the claim that they receive a cash card with $400 a month on it and an additional $250 or $275 a month specifically for food is not supported by evidence. Undocumented pregnant women are generally not eligible for cash assistance welfare benefits or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. Therefore, while there may be some support provided for healthcare, the claim regarding cash assistance and food benefits is not accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Lost homes, lost jobs, lost hope \u2014 the housing crisis hit Nevada hardest. But during the crisis, Catherine Cortez Masto gave a sweetheart contract worth millions to a D.C. law firm, that then donated thousands to her political campaigns,\" the ad says.","A Freedom Partners Action Fund ad claims Cortez Masto \"gave a sweetheart contract worth millions to a D.C. law firm that then donated thousands to her political campaigns.\"","The general contours of the ad are accurate. As attorney general, Cortez Masto entered into a contingency-fee contract with Cohen Milstein for outside counsel on lawsuits filed against companies involved in the foreclosure crisis. She then received campaign contributions amounting to $2,650 from at least six lawyers at the firm \u2014 technically this is \"thousands,\" but the ad's vague language overplays the scale of those donations compared to her total haul.","Raphael Warnock and Catherine Cortez Masto \u201cvoted to allow hundreds of millions of dollars of COVID relief funds to be squandered\u201d on leisure projects."]},{"id":"9679.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mark Pryor continues to insist that Obamacare is an amazing success.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Mark Pryor did use the phrase \"amazing success\" in reference to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) during a specific event, it is not accurate to claim that he continues to insist on its success. The statement lacks context and misrepresents Pryor's overall stance on the legislation. It is important to consider that Pryor's use of the phrase may have been specific to a particular aspect or outcome of the Affordable Care Act, rather than a blanket endorsement of its overall success. Therefore, the claim that Pryor continues to insist on the \"amazing success\" of Obamacare is misleading and does not accurately reflect his position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5089.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Were only inches away from no longer being a free economy.","reason":"Reason: Mitt Romney's claim that the United States is \"only inches away from no longer being a free economy\" has been fact-checked and debunked multiple times by PolitiFact, including receiving a \"Pants on Fire\" rating. The evidence shows that this statement is inaccurate and misleading. The United States continues to operate as a free market economy, and there is no imminent threat of it ceasing to be so.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9678.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States is the leading nation in the world with the highest amount of doubt about the conventional wisdom of climate change.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Limbaugh that the United States has a higher level of doubt about the conventional wisdom of climate change compared to other nations. The evidence suggests that the United States has a lower percentage of people who believe climate change is largely man-made compared to other countries surveyed. However, it's important to note that while the United States may have a higher level of doubt compared to some other nations, it does not necessarily mean it has the highest amount of doubt among all nations in the world. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that it refers to a comparison among the surveyed nations rather than a global assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Tantaros, in lamenting Americans\u2019 knowledge of U.S. history, said, \"Some guy in Boston got his head blown off because he tried to secretly raise the tax on tea.\"","\"If you ask most people, they don\u2019t even know why we left England,\" she said. \"They don\u2019t even know why some guy in Boston got his head blown off because he tried to secretly raise the tax on tea. Most people don\u2019t know that.\"","We can\u2019t fact-check what Americans do or do not know. But what\u2019s clear is there appears to be no story of \"some guy in Boston\" getting \"his head blown off because he tried to secretly raise the tax on tea.\"","\"No one in British North America tried secretly to raise the tax on tea, much less get his head blown off for the attempt,\" said Samuel A. Forman, who blogs about revolutionary history and wrote Dr. Joseph Warren: The Boston Tea Party, Bunker Hill, and the Birth of American Liberty ."]},{"id":"9223.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The U.S. Justice Department has taken on more than 100 voting rights cases since 2009.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the U.S. Justice Department has taken on more than 100 voting rights cases since 2009 is not entirely accurate. While President Obama made this claim in his speech, a fact-check revealed that the Justice Department website only listed 39 such cases during that period. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the actual number of voting rights cases taken on by the Justice Department. However, it is worth noting that the Justice Department's efforts to protect voting rights were significant, even if the exact number of cases falls short of the stated claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11902.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On average it takes 300 Americans working for a solid year to make as much money as one top CEO.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in Hillary Clinton's ad that, on average, it takes 300 Americans working for a year to earn the same amount of money as one top CEO. While the exact number may vary depending on specific CEO salaries and the average income of Americans, the claim highlights the significant income disparity between top executives and the average worker. It is important to note that this statement is a generalization and may not apply to every CEO-worker comparison. However, in the broader context of income inequality, it is a valid representation of the wealth gap between CEOs and the average American worker.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The study, conducted by Trinity University labor economist David Macpherson, also found that about 60,562 state and local government employees in Georgia would be in line for raises, with a $10.10 hourly minimum wage. The cost to taxpayers would be more than $164 million annually, benefits included.","He said he used data from the U.S. Census Bureau on government employees and followed the CBO\u2019s methodology. Specifically, he looked at the wages paid to state and local government workers in Georgia in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He found that 60,562 -- or 10.4 percent of about 550,000 state and local government workers in Georgia -- were making below $10.10 an hour and would likely still be making under $10.10 an hour by 2015.","We know the study\u2019s cost are off at least slightly. That\u2019s because Macpherson\u2019s study counted all local and state government workers in Georgia, including city of Atlanta employees who, as of this year, are making at least within 10 cents of the proposed $10.10 minimum wage. The Atlanta City Council last year agreed with Mayor Kasim Reed\u2019s 2014 budget recommendation that, among other things, raised all employees\u2019 salaries to a minimum of $10 per hour.","Cooper also questioned whether Macpherson\u2019s cost projections might be too high. About 900,000 Georgians of all walks would receive salary increases if the minimum wage were increased to $10.10, for a collective $1.3 billion in new wages, he said. That would generate about $136.5 million in new tax revenue and could be enough to reduce some government benefits these workers currently can receive, Cooper said."]},{"id":"12220.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Team Trump has accused Ted Cruz of fraud in Iowa, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, Maine, Utah and Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Team Trump has accused Ted Cruz of fraud in multiple states, including Iowa, Texas, Kansas, and Maine. However, the evidence provided does not explicitly support the claim that Cruz was accused of fraud in all the listed states (Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Utah, and Wisconsin). While there may have been allegations or claims made in those states, the evidence does not definitively establish that Cruz was accused of fraud in all of them. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks complete substantiation for all the listed states.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8331.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under economic sanctions, now Iran is suffering 30 percent inflation, 20 percent unemployment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Multiple sources indicate that Iran is indeed facing significant economic challenges, including high inflation rates and unemployment. While there may be some variation in the exact figures, with estimates ranging from 30 percent to over 50 percent for inflation and around 20 percent for unemployment, the statement captures the general situation accurately. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2111.json","label":"true","statement":"In the 18th Congressional District, 100% of electric generation comes from coal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The evidence suggests that in the 18th Congressional District, all electric generation is sourced from coal. This implies that every household in the district relies on coal for their electricity. Therefore, it can be concluded that 100% of electric generation in the 18th Congressional District comes from coal.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Randi Shade, the Austin City Council member in a June 18 runoff, says in a mailer sent voters after the May general election that her challenger, Kathie Tovo, \"believes that Austin invests too much in the cops, firefighters and paramedics that protect our families and neighborhoods.\"","Kathie Tovo, who initially won election to the Austin City Council in 2011, won election to the District 9 single-member council district in 2014. Tovo is a former member of the city planning commission and former vice president of the Austin Neighborhoods Council, her campaign biography says.","So, Tovo seeks to corral public-safety contracts, but would not cut police, paramedics or firefighter jobs. That\u2019s like having it both ways. Then again, by basing her claim solely on Tovo\u2019s questionnaire, Shade ignores her opponent\u2019s subsequent comments.","Wick said in an interview that Tovo\u2019s questionnaire answer speaks to \"the future, not the present\" and \"there is no place anywhere\" that Tovo has said she\u2019d cut public-safety jobs. Tovo says in a more recent campaign mailer: \"I will not cut police, paramedics or firefighters.\""]},{"id":"12667.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The folks in Washington are already forcing you to buy government health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks nuance. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes an individual mandate that requires individuals to have minimum essential health coverage or pay a penalty, it does not force individuals to buy government health insurance. The ACA allows individuals to obtain health insurance from various sources, including private insurers, employer-sponsored plans, and government programs like Medicaid. The government does play a role in regulating and facilitating access to health care, but it does not force individuals to exclusively purchase government health care. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the provisions of the ACA.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Not everyone remembers headlines from 1998. In the case of Gingrich\u2019s ethics fine, the Super PAC Restore Our Future has its history correct. Gingrich was fined $300,000 for ethics violations, and we rate the statement True.","!The pro-Mitt Romney Super PAC Restore Our Future accused Newt Gingrich of being \u201cfined\u201d $300,000 for an ethics violation in the 1990s. We checked -- and rechecked -- the claim. !The pro-Mitt Romney Super PAC Restore Our Future accused Newt Gingrich of being \u201cfined\u201d $300,000 for an ethics violation in the 1990s. We checked -- and rechecked -- the claim.","\"Barack Obama\u2019s plan is working: Destroy Mitt Romney, run against Newt Gingrich,\" the ad says. \"Newt has a ton of baggage. He was fined $300,000 for ethics violations and took $1.6 million from Freddie Mac, before it helped cause the economic meltdown. Newt supports amnesty for illegal immigrants, and teamed with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on global warming. Maybe that\u2019s why George Will calls him the least conservative candidate. Check the facts at \"","The ad claimed that Gingrich \"was fined $300,000 for ethics violations.\" While Evans, the lawyer who represented Gingrich, has a point that the levy was not officially called a \"fine\" by the ethics committee, we think a reasonable person knowing all the context would consider the levy against Gingrich to be a penalty."]},{"id":"9025.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama is the first president weve ever had who thinks he can choose which laws to enforce and which laws to ignore.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is not uncommon for presidents to prioritize certain laws or allocate resources accordingly, the claim that President Barack Obama is the first president to selectively enforce laws is inaccurate. Throughout history, presidents have exercised discretion in law enforcement based on various factors such as available resources, national priorities, and constitutional considerations. This practice is not unique to President Obama and has been observed in previous administrations as well.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Although the Trans-Pacific Partnership never came into force, it included the same three USMCA partners \u2013\u2013 the United States, Canada and Mexico \u2013\u2013 as well as nine other Pacific Rim countries and would have represented nations with 40% of global gross domestic product. Trump withdrew the United States from the pact his first week in office.","The researches concluded that 48 percent of the 7.2 million pregnancies in 2008 in North America, in this analysis meaning only Canada and the United States, were unintended. As noted, the authors separately said 51 percent of the U.S. pregnancies that year were unintended.","President Donald Trump touted the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, as the \"biggest trade deal ever made\" shortly after signing it into law.","Office of the US Trade Representative, UNITED STATES\u2013MEXICO\u2013CANADA TRADE FACT SHEET Modernizing NAFTA into a 21st Century Trade Agreement, Accessed Jan. 31, 2020"]},{"id":"5894.json","label":"false","statement":"On support for gay marriage.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that President Barack Obama did announce his support for gay marriage in a 2012 ABC News interview. Therefore, the statement that suggests his lack of support for gay marriage is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["However, state jobs numbers are more in flux than they may seem, because they are subject to revision and bounce around a lot from month to month.","The numbers are subject to revision. Not only are these numbers preliminary, but figures for individual states have a larger margin for error than the national numbers do, and the eventual revisions made to the September numbers in subsequent months could make \"significant\" changes to the 84,500 figure, said Gary Burtless, a Brookings Institution economist. (Of course, the revision could push the numbers higher, rather than lower.)","The two numbers DeSantis compared aren\u2019t really apples to apples. The biggest caveat is the relationship between the two numbers DeSantis cited in his post.","The numbers are compiled by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and released by the state agency. They are based on a survey of a sample of state employers and are routinely expressed as estimates. Each month, they are released as a preliminary number that is then \"finalized\" the next month."]},{"id":"1860.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"This year, we have added an average of 200,000 jobs per month, a majority in the private sector, a stark contrast to the Bush Administration record of losing an average of nearly 750,000 jobs per month in its last three months.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the contrast between the job growth during the current year and the job losses experienced during the final months of the Bush Administration. It is true that, on average, around 200,000 jobs have been added per month during the specified year, and the majority of these job gains have occurred in the private sector. However, it is important to note that the comparison to the Bush Administration's job losses in its last three months is not entirely fair or representative of the entire administration's record. Focusing solely on the last three months of the Bush Administration overlooks the broader context of job creation and loss during that time. Therefore, while the statement contains elements of truth, it lacks full context and may be misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5690.json","label":"true","statement":"Republicans in Congress refuse to list a single tax loophole they are willing to close.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Republicans in Congress refuse to list a single tax loophole they are willing to close. The experts interviewed and the mailer both indicate that Republicans have opposed efforts to close tax loopholes on multinational corporations. While the evidence does not explicitly mention Republicans refusing to list specific tax loopholes, the overall context suggests that they are unwilling to support the closure of any tax loopholes. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Andra Gillespie, an assistant political science professor at Emory University, explained that Barnes is trying to cut into Deal's conservative base by taking a stand on illegal immigration that is seemingly popular with most Georgia voters. Gillespie said the Deal statement that Barnes \"proclaimed Mexican workers good for Georgia\" is misleading.","\"Nathan Deal's campaign knows very well that when Roy Barnes went to Mexico and praised the contributions of Mexican immigrants presumably in a spirit of good will and diplomacy, he was not explicitly supporting illegal immigration,\" the professor said. \"But because Barnes did not specify his support for legal immigrant workers, the Deal campaign is taking advantage of the ambiguity and trying to fill in the blanks for voters.\"","Barnes told a story in the 2001 AJC article about farmers in South Georgia, where he said \"it's about as conservative as you can get,\" who wanted him to get health coverage for \"migrant farmworkers.\" The governor noted the presidents of the United States and Mexico were discussing proposals for legalizing some undocumented Mexican workers.","With the economy and the impact of illegal immigration on the job market on the minds of many voters this political season, Republican nominee for governor Nathan Deal recently attempted to remind Georgians that he -- not Democrat Roy Barnes -- is on their side concerning these issues."]},{"id":"12794.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons Iran nuclear deal lined the pockets of the worlds number one state sponsor of terrorism with your money.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Iran has been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. State Department, the statement inaccurately implies that the Iran nuclear deal directly funded terrorism. The Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The funds released as part of the deal were Iranian assets that had been frozen due to the sanctions, and they were not provided by the United States. While it is possible that some of the released funds could have indirectly supported Iran's activities, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that the money directly lined the pockets of terrorists. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"459.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama thinks the national anthem should be \"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that Obama thinks the national anthem should be \"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing\" is not supported by credible evidence. The sources provided indicate that this claim originated from fabricated emails and has been widely debunked. Additionally, the song mentioned, \"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing,\" is a commercial jingle for Coca-Cola and not a proposed replacement for the national anthem.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The Republicans and President Donald Trump \"passed a tax bill that gave 80 percent of its benefits to the top 1 percent.\"","\"Republicans actually doctored emails between administration officials about Benghazi. Then, they released them to the press, trying to pass them off as real.\"","\u201cUnder (Rick Perry\u2019s) watch as governor, over six million Texans have no health care coverage, including one million children, homeowners suffer from the highest insurance rates in the country, and college tuition has skyrocketed 136 percent.\u201d","Says Donald Trump is breaking a campaign pledge to bring manufacturing jobs back to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania since the two states \"have lost the most manufacturing jobs in the past year.\""]},{"id":"11358.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Twenty-six men named William have been elected to statewide office and only seven women have had the honor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact number of men named William who have been elected to statewide office in Florida may vary depending on the specific criteria used, there is evidence to support the claim that a significant number of men named William have held statewide office. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive list of all elected officials, and there may be additional women who have held statewide office beyond the mentioned seven. Nonetheless, the statement accurately highlights the gender disparity in elected positions in Florida.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For instance, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said in August 2009, \"We have 48 million people with no health care. As a result, they walk into emergency rooms. It's costing every American who is insured $1,100 to pick up the cost of uncompensated care that goes on at the emergency room.\"","The group used figures from 2008 collected by the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a study undertaken by a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. The survey found that the total amount of money spent on emergency care -- including physician and other emergency-room services -- was $47.3 billion. That\u2019s slightly less than 2 percent of the same survey\u2019s $2.4 trillion estimate of total health care expenditures that year.","!Nick Gillespie, the editor of the libertarian publication , said that emergency care accounts for just 2 percent of American health care spending. Is that correct? !Nick Gillespie, the editor of the libertarian publication , said that emergency care accounts for just 2 percent of American health care spending. Is that correct?","Several experts added that the total amount of money going to emergency care is ultimately less important than making sure that emergency rooms are used for the right type of care. Services provided in the ER do tend to cost significantly more than services provided in a primary-care setting."]},{"id":"2692.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When Obama took office the economy of the United States was actually shrinking for the first time in about 70 years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the economy experienced a significant downturn during the time when President Obama took office, the statement exaggerates the severity of the situation. The economy was indeed facing a recession, but it is not accurate to claim that it was shrinking for the first time in about 70 years. The Great Recession of 2008-2009 was a significant economic downturn, but it was not the first time the U.S. economy had contracted in 70 years. The statement misrepresents the historical context and exaggerates the uniqueness of the economic challenges faced by the Obama administration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, \"Juan Williams: No. 1 cause of death for African-American males 15-34 is murder,\" Aug. 24, 2014. Accessed April 22, 2021.","\"I think there\u2019s fear of intimidation, harassment being legitimized by the fact that there is a high rate of crime, especially among young black men,\" Williams said. \"No. 1 cause of death, young black men 15 to 34 \u2014 murder. Who\u2019s committing the murder? Not police. Other black men.\"","Last year, PolitiFact found that 93 percent of murder victims were killed by someone who shares their race. This time, we want to check out Williams\u2019 claim that homicide is the No. 1 cause of death for black men 15-34 years old.","Compared to other ethnicities, the numbers really stand out. Forty percent of African-American males 15-34 who died were murdered, according to the CDC, compared to just 3.8 percent of white males who died. Overall, 14 percent of all men 15-34 who died in 2011 were murdered."]},{"id":"10866.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Marco Rubio said that felons should not have their voting rights restored but that convicted felons should be allowed to own guns after they have done their time.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the claims made in the Facebook meme, which suggest that Marco Rubio opposes restoring voting rights to felons but supports allowing convicted felons to own guns after serving their time. However, it's important to note that these claims are not accurate. There is no credible evidence or verified quotes from Marco Rubio that support these assertions. In fact, Rubio has not made any public statements indicating his stance on restoring voting rights to felons or on the rights of convicted felons to own guns. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It\u2019s clear that the U.S. has one of the very highest incarceration rates in the world, but Webb\u2019s claim that it\u2019s the top doesn\u2019t quite check out. We rate his statement Mostly True.","!The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. (Photo by the Richmond Times-Dispatch). !The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. (Photo by the Richmond Times-Dispatch).","\"Otherwise, without any firm, recent, quantified statistics involving North Korean figures, it is very difficult to evaluate whether the statement that they have higher incarceration rates is accurate,\" said Andy Phelan, a spokesman for Johnson. \"It is, however, entirely accurate to state that the United States has the highest reported incarceration rate, as well as the highest total prison population, based on the most recent studies.\"","Experts have told PolitiFact National that Seychelles\u2019 tiny population makes its incarceration rate difficult to compare to that of the United States, which has nearly 320 million people. After all, a modest increase of prisoners by U.S. standards, say 100, would dramatically spike the Seychelle\u2019s rate."]},{"id":"5221.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Newt Gingrich says electric co-ops and credit unions are government-sponsored enterprises like Freddie Mac.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Newt Gingrich did compare electric co-ops and credit unions to government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) like Freddie Mac, it is important to note that electric co-ops and credit unions are not classified as GSEs. GSEs are specifically defined as financial institutions created by the government to provide financial support to specific sectors of the economy, such as housing (e.g., Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae). Electric co-ops are member-owned electric utilities, and credit unions are member-owned financial cooperatives. They operate under different regulatory frameworks and do not have the same government backing and support as GSEs like Freddie Mac.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The main problem is the chain e-mail suggests that Obama already has \"added\" $6.5 trillion to the national debt. His administration is on track to add nearly that amount to one form of debt by October 2013, but the president has not added that much debt yet.","Starting with his inauguration, the largest over-the-year increase in either form of national debt was about 24 percent. Even after roughly three and-a-half years into his presidency, both forms of debt still have not doubled.","According to Congressional Budget Office figures, debt held by the public as a percentage of gross domestic product won\u2019t double during Obama\u2019s presidency. They show debt held by the public at the end of 2009 was equal to 52.3% of gross domestic product. That\u2019s expected to reach 76.2% at the end of fiscal 2014, but then drop during the rest of Obama\u2019s presidency.","So, at least in terms of raw dollars, there is evidence that debt is projected to double during Obama\u2019s time in office."]},{"id":"12561.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Attempts to find things like, crime, criminal activity, indictment, have been filtered out by Google in favor of Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Google has filtered out search suggestions related to \"crime,\" \"criminal activity,\" and \"indictment\" in favor of Hillary Clinton is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Google's search algorithm may prioritize certain search suggestions based on factors like popularity and relevance, there is no evidence to suggest that Google intentionally filters out negative suggestions about Clinton or any other individual. The Vox article cited refutes the claim that Google manipulates autocomplete in favor of Clinton, stating that suggestions are influenced by factors such as search volume and the absence of convictions. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the nature of Google's search algorithm.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"7440.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The National Science Foundation spent $1.2 million paying seniors to play World of Warcraft to study the impact it had on their brain.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Congressman Cantor claimed that the National Science Foundation spent $1.2 million paying seniors to play World of Warcraft, this claim has been rated as \"Pants on Fire\" by PolitiFact Virginia. The research grant mentioned in the claim does not involve playing World of Warcraft, and the National Science Foundation's abstract for the grant does not mention the game at all. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["PolitiFact fact-check, \"Dems say under Gov. Mitt Romney, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation,\" June 19, 2011","Repeating a favorite talking point, speakers at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., took aim at Mitt Romney\u2019s job-creation record as governor of Massachusetts.","On the campaign trail, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney often blasts President Barack Obama's record on job creation while touting his own success in creating jobs as governor of Massachusetts.","\"By the time he left office, Massachusetts was 47th in the nation in job creation,\" said Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, the Democrat who succeeded Romney in 2006."]},{"id":"4586.json","label":"true","statement":"Our government right now. . . (is) spending 40 percent more than what we take in.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the government is spending 40 percent more than what it takes in. The evidence provided indicates that the government's spending as a percentage of GDP is close to 40 percent, with the deficit being a significant factor in this calculation. While the evidence does not explicitly state that the government is spending 40 percent more than its revenue, it supports the claim that the government's spending exceeds its income by a significant margin.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A new ad attacking Richard Burr\u2019s challenger Deborah Ross says Ross \"supports the Iran nuclear deal and the ransom it paid for hostages.\"","But is it true that Ross supports \"the Iran nuclear deal and the ransom it paid for hostages\" like the ad claims?","\"Now she supports the Iran nuclear deal and the ransom it paid for hostages, despite it being bad for America,\" the ad says. It was paid for by the John Bolton SuperPAC, run by the former U.N. ambassador and Republican political advisor John Bolton.","So Ross supports the Iran nuclear deal, even with the caveat that she also supports new sanctions on Iran. But what about her support for \"ransom\" payments?"]},{"id":"5443.json","label":"false","statement":"The biggest contribution behind a decrease in U.S. unemployment was 1.2 million people leaving the workforce","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the biggest contribution to the decrease in U.S. unemployment was 1.2 million people leaving the workforce. While it is true that the number of unemployed individuals decreased during the specified time period, attributing the decrease solely to people leaving the workforce is misleading. The evidence provided does not support the claim that this was the primary factor behind the decrease in unemployment. Various factors, such as job creation, economic growth, and individuals finding employment, contribute to changes in the unemployment rate. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10784.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If we choose Obamacare expansion, 600,000 will lose eligibility for their subsidies, of which 257,000 would be forced into Medicaid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Crisafulli regarding the potential impact of choosing Obamacare expansion. According to state projections, approximately 600,000 individuals would lose eligibility for their subsidies if the expansion were chosen. Out of that number, around 257,000 individuals would not have any insurance options other than Medicaid. However, it's important to note that the term \"forced into Medicaid\" may be interpreted as a strong statement, as individuals who are eligible for Medicaid can choose to enroll if they wish. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional clarification to provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8136.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the U.S. Postal Service has taken no taxpayer aid since 1971, funds operations entirely from the sale of stamps and related products and makes an operational profit year after year.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the U.S. Postal Service operates primarily on the sale of stamps and related products, the statement that it has taken no taxpayer aid since 1971 and makes an operational profit year after year is not entirely accurate. The Postal Service did receive taxpayer aid in 1982, and it has not consistently made operational profits year after year. In fact, the Postal Service has faced financial challenges in recent years, with significant losses in some fiscal years. While it is important to note that the Postal Service does not rely heavily on taxpayer funding, the statement overstates its financial stability and profitability.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The report says that Trump paid federal taxes for three of those five years, 1975-77. Trump did not pay federal income tax in 1978 and 1979 because, according to the tax rules, he lost money those years. But the report reveals no specifics, so the details of his tax returns for those years remain a mystery.","As it turns out, the 1995 returns also show it\u2019s possible Trump was able to avoid paying federal income tax for as much as 18 years, legally.","At the Sept. 26 presidential debate, a few before the New York Times story came out, Clinton suggested Trump may not want to release his tax returns because he doesn\u2019t pay income taxes.","A tax provision known as net operating loss allows people to report various losses from their businesses on their personal tax returns as a deduction. So if a person\u2019s reported net operating loss is equal to or larger than their personal income, that person does not have to pay income taxes."]},{"id":"1829.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his opponent Dorman Grace brags on his Facebook page about receiving illegal campaign contributions.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Dorman Grace acknowledged receiving campaign contributions from certain farms on his Facebook page, it is important to note that no court or commission has ruled these contributions to be illegal. The statement implies that Grace is bragging about receiving illegal campaign contributions, which is not supported by evidence. However, the statement does accurately convey that Grace acknowledged receiving contributions from the mentioned farms on his Facebook page. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it lacks the necessary context to support the claim of illegal campaign contributions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3510.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Chris Abele, opponent in Milwaukee County executive race, failed to finish 3 separate colleges, dropping out all 3 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the opponent in the Milwaukee County executive race, suggesting that Chris Abele failed to complete his education at three separate colleges and dropped out each time. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm or refute this claim, it is consistent with the information presented. However, it's important to note that without concrete evidence or further verification, the claim remains unverified and should be treated with caution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9428.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama Signs Bill Forgiving All Student Loan Debt.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obama signed a bill forgiving all student loan debt is false. There is no credible evidence or official record of such a bill being signed by President Obama. The statement likely originated from chain emails and social media posts that circulated with misleading information. Fact-checkers have thoroughly debunked this claim and rated it as \"Pants on Fire\" due to its complete lack of truth.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["For middle-class families under the Baucus plan, \"13 percent of what they make could be deducted directly from their paychecks . . . the so-called 'Max Tax.'\"","So back to the statement we are fact-checking. Olbermann said that for middle-class families, the Baucus plan would mean that \" 13 percent of what they make could be deducted directly from their paychecks and mainlined to insurance companies, the so-called 'Max Tax.'\"","\"If it were up to Senator Max Baucus, middle-class families would be forced \u2014 literally forced \u2014 to pay far more on health care than they already do right now,\" Olberman said. \"Thirteen percent of what they make could be deducted directly from their paychecks and mainlined to insurance companies, the so-called 'Max Tax.'\"","Baucus' plan, he said, \"would give coverage to 30 million Americans who currently do not have any, first, by extending Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program for the poor; next, by providing government subsidies to modest-income families and individuals to help them buy over-the-counter coverage. ... That means any individual making more than $32,500, or any family of four making more than $66,150, is on their own subject to the 'Max Tax' of 13 percent.\""]},{"id":"6572.json","label":"half-true","statement":"AGallup report recently said that nearly 50 percent of small business owners arent hiring because of what they call regulatory uncertainty.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately represents the Gallup report. The report does mention that nearly 50 percent of small business owners are not hiring, but it does not attribute this to \"regulatory uncertainty.\" The report identifies factors such as weak demand, economic conditions, and cash flow concerns as reasons for the hiring slowdown. While regulatory uncertainty may be a contributing factor for some small business owners, it is not the sole or primary reason mentioned in the report. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Lehman says the new 21st State Senate district was \"created in secret for Van Wanggaard. It was drawn within half a block of his house.\"","( - Lehman says new state Senate district was drawn in secret for Wanggaard within half a block of his house&url=)","\"I\u2019m not surprised that he\u2019ll run in the district,\" Lehman said. \"The district was created in secret for Van Wanggaard. It was drawn within a half a block of his house, around his house two blocks away then went out to western Racine and western Kenosha County down to the Illinois line.\"","Wanggaard lives in the 1200 block of Blaine Ave. on the west side of Racine. The new border is 13th Ave., just south of his home. That portion of Racine -- Lehman calls it a \"peninsula\" -- lies within the new 21st district."]},{"id":"5721.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that Mitt Romney, while he was in Arizona, said he believes the states SB 1070 immigration law should be the model for national immigration laws.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Mitt Romney explicitly stated that Arizona's SB 1070 immigration law should be the model for national immigration laws. While there are mentions of U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez stating that Romney made such a statement, the evidence lacks direct quotes or verifiable sources. Without concrete evidence, it is not accurate to make the claim that Romney explicitly endorsed SB 1070 as the model for national immigration laws.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12912.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Toomey crossed party lines to stop gun sales to suspects on the terror watch list.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Senator Toomey did cross party lines to support legislation that aimed to prevent gun sales to individuals on the terror watch list. However, it's important to note that this legislation did not ultimately pass into law. While Toomey did make efforts to address this issue, the claim may give the impression that he successfully stopped gun sales to suspects on the terror watch list, which is not entirely true. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7822.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The state of Georgia lost 16 percent of its employees last year, and that percentage has risen over the past three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that the state of Georgia lost 16 percent of its employees last year. However, the evidence does mention that the state has experienced a rise in the percentage of lost employees over the past three years. To accurately assess the veracity of the statement, additional data or evidence specifically addressing the employee loss in Georgia is needed. Without this information, the claim cannot be fully evaluated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Meek's claim was that Greene \"moved from California to Florida in the last two years\" and that \"he would not legally be allowed to run for any other statewide office because he has not lived here long enough to meet the residency requirement.\" We find this claim True.","We were interested in both parts of Meek's claim, so the questions are: when did Greene move to Florida and would his tenure here be long enough to run for any other statewide office?","U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek says one of his Democratic opponents for U.S. Senate, billionaire real estate tycoon Jeff Greene, is such a newcomer to Florida that he wouldn't qualify to run for any other statewide office.","With only about two years' residency, Greene falls short of qualifying to run for governor or state Cabinet positions. And, since Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor, he couldn't run for that either. But the office of U.S. Senate requires only that the candidate be a resident of the state when elected, which is how Greene qualifies."]},{"id":"9324.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says hes the only licensed firearms dealer in America running for Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is possible that the individual claiming to be the only licensed firearms dealer running for Congress is accurate in their specific context, it is not possible to verify the claim without additional information. It is unlikely that this claim can be generalized to apply to all congressional candidates across the entire United States. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"President Obama has increased the federal workforce 192,000 individuals -- about 10 percent since he\u2019s taken office -- while we\u2019ve lost 2 million jobs.\"","He added: \"President Obama has increased the federal workforce 192,000 individuals, about 10 percent since he\u2019s taken office, while we\u2019ve lost 2 million jobs.\"","Despite all that, we found, it\u2019s clear Johnson is on target on the 2 million jobs lost overall, and accurate or very close on the federal workforce trend -- at least using FedScope.","Checking those numbers, we found that it\u2019s accurate that 2 million jobs were lost in the overall private and public sectors (local and state governments dropped considerably). We used a baseline of January 2009, the last partial month of President George W. Bush."]},{"id":"1017.json","label":"false","statement":"On releasing photographs depicting the abuse of prisoners.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the statement regarding the release of photographs depicting the abuse of prisoners. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the statement based solely on the evidence provided. However, if there is no specific evidence or context suggesting that the release of such photographs did occur, it is reasonable to categorize the statement as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10296.json","label":"false","statement":"The pass rate for a high school level test to join the military is 35 to 40 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the pass rate for a high school level test to join the military is 35 to 40 percent is false. While there may be variations in pass rates based on factors such as race and service branch, the overall pass rate is not as low as stated. According to the evidence provided, a 2009 Rand Corp. paper found that the passage rate varied widely across different demographics and service branches, with rates ranging from around 40 percent for Hispanics and blacks to approximately 70 percent for whites in the Air Force. Therefore, the claim of a 35 to 40 percent pass rate for the high school level test is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2158.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Cicilline continues to accept hundreds of thousands of dollars in lobbyist, corporate PAC and insider money to fund his campaign.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that David Cicilline has accepted money from lobbyists, corporate PACs, and insiders for his campaign, the claim that he continues to accept \"hundreds of thousands of dollars\" is not fully supported by the evidence. The available information suggests that the total amount of lobbyist and corporate PAC contributions is just under $50,000, which is significantly less than \"hundreds of thousands of dollars.\" Additionally, the exact calculation is difficult due to the lack of a clear definition of \"insider\" and limited information. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary evidence to fully support the claim of accepting \"hundreds of thousands of dollars.\"\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Most disturbing, is the fact that Obamacare will provide coverage for abortions, despite the president\u2019s commitment that it would not,\" Handel, a Republican, wrote on page 161 of the book.","Handel\u2019s statement contained two claims we wanted to fact-check: Does the health care law provide a means for coverage for abortions, and does the law provide such coverage despite President Barack Obama\u2019s commitment that it would not?","Obama did say and signed an executive order that committed to no federal funding for abortion in the health care law. Handel\u2019s claim that the law will provide coverage for abortions could have been made more precisely. States can bar all plans participating in the state exchanges from covering abortions. That\u2019s not mentioned in Handel\u2019s book.","The administration has issued rules for \"$1 abortions in ObamaCare\" and \"requires all persons enrolled in insurance plans that include elective abortion coverage to pay\" an abortion premium."]},{"id":"10497.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Borrowing in my 2015-17 state budget is less than half that in my predecessors last budget and the lowest it has been in a decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Walker's claim that borrowing in his 2015-17 state budget was less than half of the borrowing in his predecessor's last budget and the lowest it had been in a decade. This claim is supported by the independent Legislative Fiscal Bureau, which tracks new borrowing in each state budget. The evidence provided confirms that Governor Walker's statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Deal\u2019s campaign is quoted as saying: \"Actually, 2003 isn't so \u2018old,\u2019 and the truth is that Handel endorsed gay adoption when she campaigned for Fulton County Commission chair in 2003 while courting votes and fund-raising.\"","In a statement published in the Rome Tribune, Deal lashed out at Handel for what he says were her positions in her race seven years ago for chairwoman of the Fulton County Commission.","Jamie Ensley, the current president of the state Log Cabin Republicans, said Handel spoke to their chapter \"many times\" during her run for the Fulton County Commission and later for chairwoman.","First, a little primer on Fulton County politics vs. Georgia politics. The gay community is a politically active and powerful force within Fulton County. Much of the community is centered in Midtown Atlanta. Making nice with that community can help you get elected in city and county politics, and both Democrats and Republicans court the gay vote."]},{"id":"6450.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the federal government mandates transexuals (sic) and homosexuals grabbing children in their stranger-danger zones in the name of airport security.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false and misleading. There is no evidence or credible source to support the claim that the federal government mandates transgender individuals or homosexuals to engage in inappropriate touching of children in the name of airport security. Such a statement is inflammatory, baseless, and designed to spread fear and misinformation. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing sensitive topics like airport security and LGBTQ+ rights.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["That\u2019s not the case. The public record shows that immediately before and after the United States invaded Iraq in March 2003, Biden supported the president. He also on multiple occasions for years justified his vote on a resolution that authorized the use of force against Iraq.","The record does not support Trump\u2019s repeated assertions that he opposed the war prior to the 2003 invasion. Around the time of the invasion, Trump\u2019s comments were few and far between, not to mention vague.","Woodruff also pressed Biden on comments by other Democratic lawmakers who said they supported the troops, but reserved the right to criticize Bush.","Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County."]},{"id":"8851.json","label":"false","statement":"Every year since Gov. Walker and the Republicans have been in control of the Legislature weve created fewer jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that during Governor Walker's tenure, there was an increase in job creation compared to the previous administration. In the first full year under Governor Walker, the state created 1,800 more jobs than the last full year under his predecessor, Democrat Jim Doyle. Therefore, the claim that fewer jobs were created every year under Governor Walker and the Republicans is not supported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics data.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Feature news story, \"Wendy Davis And \u2018Trapped\u2019 Director Dawn Porter Talk Abortion, Television, And Davis\u2019s Political Future,\" Texas Monthly, posted online March 14, 2016","Wendy Davis, a Fort Worth attorney, was initially elected to the Texas Senate in 2008. She was the 2014 Democratic gubernatorial nominee, giving up a shot at winning re-election to the Senate.","But Democrat Wendy Davis still talks up women\u2019s issues including, in a March 2016 interview by Texas Monthly, her desire to revisit legislation nixed by the Republican governor when she was a state senator from Fort Worth.","A 2011 measure passed into law with Wendy Davis\u2019 support \"removes from the attorney general the ability to settle lawsuits just like\" the school funding case."]},{"id":"6486.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Claims Joe Biden said coal is more dangerous than terrorists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and taken out of context. While it is true that Mitt Romney claimed that Joe Biden's vice president said coal is more dangerous than terrorists, there is no evidence to support this claim. It is important to note that the evidence provided does not include any direct quotes or specific instances where Joe Biden made such a statement. Therefore, the claim is unsubstantiated and should be viewed with skepticism.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It wasn\u2019t so long ago that a super PAC supporting U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., aired an ad that used a doctored photo that appeared to show then-President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani smiling and shaking hands.","Through an image in a TV ad backing Johnson, Restoration PAC claimed Obama had met with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani. The image shows the two men together smiling and shaking hands.","A still image used in the ad, funded by the suburban-Chicago based Restoration PAC, purports to show Obama shaking hands with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Both men are smiling.","A new super PAC supporting U.S. Sen Ron Johnson\u2019s re-election bid released a TV ad July 22, 2015 that praises the Wisconsin Republican while criticizing President Barack Obama on Iran."]},{"id":"7040.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"An Obama campaign tactic for rallying voters is to offer them cell phones.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that the Obama campaign used a tactic of offering cell phones to rally voters. The clarification from ABC spokeswoman Lauri Hogan confirms that the statement was misinterpreted, and it was actually referring to the campaign's use of Facebook to access voter information, not offering cell phones. The mention of cell phones in the context of dragging people to the polls was a rhetorical statement made by Putnam, not an actual campaign tactic. Therefore, the claim is baseless and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8873.json","label":"half-true","statement":"What is and isnt a Schedule I narcotic is a job for Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the classification of drugs and narcotics, including marijuana, is determined by Congress through the creation of schedules, the executive branch does have the authority to reclassify drugs or remove them from the list of controlled substances. So, while Congress does play a significant role in determining the classification of narcotics, including Schedule I drugs like marijuana, the executive branch does have some control over the process as well. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So does that mean Common Core is out of Florida schools entirely? The name is certainly gone \u2014 \"Common Core is out,\" Scott said in a 2014 interview \u2014 and the state says as much.","Workman did vote to literally remove the term \"Common Core\" from state records as Florida switched over to the revised Florida Standards. Indeed, the broad education bill that made it law was voted for unanimously.","But that was only after the Board of Education, and not the Legislature, agreed to revise the Common Core standards. Workman\u2019s vote did not affect the decision to make that change. Furthermore, the new benchmarks were largely additions to the original standards, so it\u2019s difficult to definitively say Common Core is out of schools.","Keep in mind, the Florida Standards had already been adopted at this point. The Legislature didn\u2019t decide to revise the guidelines, the Board of Education did. While Workman may have opposed Common Core, the provisions he\u2019s touting as his votes to remove the benchmarks were largely procedural after the change had already been made."]},{"id":"9271.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Higher beer production and higher consumption go hand-in-hand.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is a correlation between higher beer production and higher beer consumption. However, it's important to note that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. While it is plausible that increased production may lead to increased consumption, there are other factors at play, such as cultural preferences, marketing strategies, and individual choices. Therefore, while there may be a relationship between beer production and consumption, it is an oversimplification to claim that they always go hand-in-hand.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4667.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says theres $4 billion in private investment along the streetcar.","reason":"Reason: While there was indeed significant investment along the streetcar line, the statement inaccurately claims that all $4 billion of the investment was private. The corrected information provided by the mayor's spokeswoman clarifies that the investment included both public and private funds. Therefore, the statement contains an element of truth but fails to acknowledge the presence of public investment, leading to a misleading impression. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Our first priority is making America a magnet for new jobs and manufacturing,\" Obama said. \"After shedding jobs for more than 10 years, our manufacturers have added about 500,000 jobs over the past three. Caterpillar is bringing jobs back from Japan. Ford is bringing jobs back from Mexico. After locating plants in other countries like China, Intel is opening its most advanced plant right here at home. And this year, Apple will start making Macs in America again.\"","Between March and April 1998 and December 2009 -- the decade-plus that Obama appears to be referring to -- manufacturing employment fell from 17.6 million to 11.5 million, a decline of just over one-third. So Obama\u2019s correct that manufacturing jobs had been \"shedding jobs for more than 10 years\" by the time he took office.","It\u2019s worth noting that while the reversal has been striking, this rise has still replaced only a fraction of the manufacturing jobs lost during the \"decade of decline.\" The manufacturing jobs gained during the turnaround replaced less than 10 percent of the jobs lost during the decade of decline.","During the period Obama chose -- from January 2010 to January 2013 -- manufacturing jobs began to rise again, by 490,000. We think that qualifies as \"about 500,000,\" as Obama put it."]},{"id":"7963.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Arkansas Republican Rep. Tom Cotton voted to provide Congress with taxpayer-funded health care for life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Tom Cotton voted for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which impacted healthcare coverage, it is inaccurate to claim that he voted to provide Congress with taxpayer-funded health care for life. The Federal Employee Health Benefit Program, which covers federal employees, including members of Congress, is not a taxpayer-funded healthcare program for life. It functions similarly to health insurance provided by private-sector employers. The claim is misleading and has been debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Hunter said \"at least 10 ISIS fighters have been caught coming across the Mexican border in Texas\" and there are \"dozens more that did not get caught by the Border Patrol.\"","No government agency confirms anything remotely close to the idea that at least 10 ISIS fighters have been caught coming across the Mexican border. Notably, too, the lead Texas agency entrusted with public safety alerted legislators of its own lack of confirmation. Similarly, the idea there are \"dozens more that did not get caught by the Border Patrol\" is missing a factual basis.","Border Patrol agents \"caught them,\" Hunter also said, but \"you know there's going to be dozens more that did not get caught by the Border Patrol.\"","The California Republican, speaking to Greta Van Susteren on Fox News Oct. 7, 2014, said he\u2019d learned from the U.S. Border Patrol that Islamic State fighters had been nabbed trying to enter the country from Mexico. \"ISIS is coming across the southern border,\" Hunter said, adding a moment later: \"I know that at least 10 ISIS fighters have been caught coming across the Mexican border in Texas.\""]},{"id":"7661.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Well over 90 percent of felony cases, all over the nation, are committed by defendants who grew up in father-absent households.","reason":"Reason: The statement, claiming that well over 90 percent of felony cases nationwide are committed by defendants who grew up in father-absent households, is misleading and incomplete. While it is true that there is a correlation between father absence and criminal behavior, it is important to note that correlation does not imply causation. The statistic fails to consider other factors that contribute to criminal behavior and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between father absence and felony cases. It is crucial to acknowledge that father absence is just one of many risk factors for criminal behavior, and attributing the majority of felony cases solely to this factor is an oversimplification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6238.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"For his first interview as president, Barack Obama chose Arab TV for an apology.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama's first interview as president was with Al Arabiya, an Arab TV network, the claim that he chose it specifically for an apology is misleading. The evidence provided does not support the assertion that Obama's intention for the interview was solely to apologize. In fact, the interview covered a range of topics, including the Middle East peace process and the need for improved relations between the United States and the Muslim world. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and lacks the necessary context to accurately characterize the purpose of the interview.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11830.json","label":"false","statement":"More businesses are closing than opening in Virginia today.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the evidence provided. While there are references to claims made about businesses closing more than opening, the evidence does not specifically address the current situation in Virginia. Without additional evidence or data specific to Virginia, it is not accurate to claim that more businesses are closing than opening in the state.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Americans United for Change, News release: U.S. Rep. Schakowsky, Leading Seniors Advocates: Will Republicans in Congress Condemn House Majority Leader Eric Cantor\u2019s Outrageous Calls for Abolishing Social Security and Medicare?, March 31, 2011",", CNBC Video: Majority Leader Eric Cantor On The Need To Reform Entitlements( \"Majority Leader Eric Cantor On The Need To Reform Entitlements\"), March 16, 2011","On March 31, 2011, the liberal groups Americans United for Change and the group Strengthen Social Security put out a press release titled, \"U.S. Rep. Schakowsky, Leading Seniors Advocates: Will Republicans in Congress Condemn House Majority Leader Eric Cantor\u2019s Outrageous Calls for Abolishing Social Security and Medicare?\"","The release calls on Republicans in Congress to \"denounce the radical, out-of-touch statements made by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., who said Social Security and Medicare 'cannot exist' for future generations.\""]},{"id":"11512.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have record numbers of people living in poverty.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the number of people living in poverty has increased over time, it is important to consider the poverty rate as well. The evidence suggests that the poverty rate has remained relatively stagnant since the 1960s, with a slight decrease from 19% in 1964 to around 15% currently. Therefore, while there may be record numbers of people living in poverty due to population growth, the statement lacks the context of the poverty rate and could be misleading without considering both factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"440.json","label":"true","statement":"Obama served on a board with former Weather Underground member William Ayers and \"that relationship with Mr. Ayers on this board continued after 9\/11.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the relationship between Barack Obama and William Ayers. Obama did serve on the board of directors for the Woods Fund alongside Ayers from 1999 to 2001. Additionally, the statement correctly mentions that their relationship continued after the September 11 attacks. The evidence provided supports the claim that Obama and Ayers had a professional association through their involvement with the Woods Fund.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Schlereth said, \"The majority of teams (are) now spending their dollars on the offensive side of the football.\" We reached out to Schlereth through his chili sauce company ( yes, really) but did not hear back.","\"Based on the way all the rules have been for the passing game and to protect the quarterback and you can't hit people, yes, certainly,\" Schlereth said. \"The rules are bent that way for the offense to have the advantage, I think, and that's why you see the majority of teams now spending their dollars on the offensive side of the football.\"","There\u2019s definitely evidence that NFL teams are spending more money on offensive players than defensive players. It's part of the reality of NFL football, where the most expensive players are typically quarterbacks.","The Seahawks and Broncos both spend more money on offense, by the way. But while the Broncos are considered the \"offensive\" team, the Seahawks actually spend a few extra million dollars on their offensive team."]},{"id":"6271.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The media wont publish a real photo of Trayvon Martin with tattoos on his face.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the media won't publish a real photo of Trayvon Martin with tattoos on his face is false. The photo mentioned in the email that supposedly depicted Trayvon Martin with tattoos was actually a picture of a rapper named Jayceon Terrell Taylor, also known as Game. The media did not suppress any real photo of Trayvon Martin with tattoos because no such photo exists. This claim has been thoroughly debunked, and the email's assertion is misleading and false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10698.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rand Paul supports Obamas negotiations with Iran.","reason":"Reason: While Rand Paul does support the idea of negotiating with Iran instead of resorting to military action, it is misleading to equate his position with supporting President Obama's negotiations with Iran as a whole. Rand Paul has been critical of Obama's foreign policy and has expressed concerns about executive overreach. He has emphasized the importance of Congress having a say in any deal with Iran. Therefore, while there may be some alignment on the concept of negotiations, it is inaccurate to claim that Rand Paul fully supports Obama's specific negotiations with Iran.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Romney said that five studies show that his tax plan can cut rates and still bring in the same amount of money as today without raising taxes on the middle class.","For this fact-check, we will look at these five studies. Our focus is on whether Romney is correct that they show Romney\u2019s tax plan can cut rates and still bring in the same amount of money as today without raising taxes on the middle class.","Briefly, that plan would cut individual and corporate rates, eliminate the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax, give savings and investment income preferential treatment, and still keep total tax revenues the same. The Tax Policy Center concludes that in order to do all of that, taxes on middle income taxpayers would have to rise.","Feldstein, the Romney adviser, uses 2009 data from the IRS to demonstrate that Romney can meet all his goals and not increase taxes on the middle class. First he estimates the lost revenue due to Romney\u2019s 20 percent across the board rate cut and the elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax. Feldstein figures that would be $186 billion."]},{"id":"6533.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For Social Security, which is projected to remain solvent through 2033, Whitehouse has cosponsored [a bill that] . . . would extend the life of the program by an additional 75 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has cosponsored a bill, the Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act, which aims to extend the life of the Social Security program. The bill proposes raising the cap on Social Security payroll taxes to include income over $250,000, which would contribute to the program's solvency. However, it's important to note that the claim of extending the program's life by an additional 75 years is not entirely accurate. The bill would aim to keep the program solvent for 75 years from the present, rather than extending the solvency for 75 years beyond 2033. So, while the statement captures the intent of the bill, it could benefit from additional clarification regarding the timeframe of the proposed extension.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But that doesn't mean it's okay to distort the record, which is what McCain did during a Sept. 22 campaign rally in Reading, Pa., when he told an audience of supporters that \"last week Senator Obama's running mate said, get this, 'Raising taxes is patriotic.' \"","Let's go to the transcript. Kate Snow, the ABC reporter conducting the interview with Biden, starts out discussing Obama's plan to roll back the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, effectively raising taxes on families making more than $250,000.","The Delaware senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee's remarks have proved a useful rallying cry for Republican nominee John McCain in painting Barack Obama as a tax-and-spend liberal.","Snow begins: \"Anyone making over $250,000\u2026\" Biden finishes her thought: \"\u2026 is going to pay more. It's time to be patriotic, time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut.\""]},{"id":"10302.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A single parent with a couple kids can easily get $35,000 a year in public assistance in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks nuance. While it is possible for a single parent with a couple of kids to receive a combination of benefits like healthcare, earned income credit, FoodShare, low-income housing, and others, it is not accurate to claim that it is \"easy\" to receive a total of $35,000 per year in public assistance in Wisconsin. The actual amount of benefits received would depend on various factors such as income, eligibility criteria, and specific circumstances. It is important to consider the specific details and qualifications for each program when assessing the total amount of public assistance an individual or family may receive.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9820.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Police in the United States are allowed to use tear gas even though it has been classified as a chemical weapon and banned in international conflict since 1993.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Tear gas is indeed classified as a chemical weapon and banned in international conflict since 1993 by the Chemical Weapons Convention. However, it is important to note that tear gas is allowed to be used by domestic law enforcement agencies in the United States for riot control purposes. While it is banned in international conflict, its use in domestic law enforcement is permitted under certain circumstances. Therefore, while tear gas is considered a chemical weapon in the context of international conflict, its use by U.S. police forces for riot control is allowed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Truth-O-Meter article, \"Medical group says 31 percent of Texas doctors accept all new Medicaid patients, down from 67 percent in 2000,\" PolitiFact Texas, Jan. 8, 2013","( - Medical group says 31 percent of Texas doctors accept all new Medicaid patients, down from 67 percent in 2000&url=)","Early this year, we rated as Mostly True the association\u2019s claim that only 31 percent of Texas physicians accept all new Medicaid patients, compared with 67 percent in 2000. The group\u2019s Twitter post about the figure was missing clarification that the figure came from a survey.","The association\u2019s tweet said 31 percent of physicians accept all new Medicaid patients, compared to 67 percent in 2000. These figures were based on poll responses rather than a harder indicator--and the clarification that they came from a poll was missing from the Twitter post."]},{"id":"13224.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton viciously attacked women abused by Bill Clinton.","reason":"Reason: While there have been allegations and controversies surrounding Bill Clinton's conduct with women, there is limited evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton viciously attacked women who accused Bill Clinton of abuse. While Hillary Clinton has been involved in legal cases and political discussions related to these allegations, there is no substantial evidence to suggest that she personally attacked or vilified the women involved. It is important to distinguish between the actions and behaviors of Bill Clinton and any potential involvement or response from Hillary Clinton.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1754.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A letter from BP to the Minerals Management Service \"actually recommends improvements and specific recommendations around safety regulations should they choose to change them.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that a letter from BP to the Minerals Management Service made recommendations for safety regulations, it is important to note that these recommendations were made in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The letter does not explicitly state that BP recommended changes to safety regulations, but rather provides suggestions for improvements and specific recommendations in the event that the regulations were to be changed. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but could mislead by implying that BP actively recommended changes to safety regulations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10312.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Nobody suffered any lasting injuries from the CIA interrogation program.","reason":"Reason: The statement that nobody suffered any lasting injuries from the CIA interrogation program is false. There is evidence to contradict this claim, including the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on the program, which documented instances of detainees experiencing lasting physical and psychological harm. This includes cases of chronic hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and other injuries resulting from the use of techniques such as rectal feeding. The assertion that no lasting injuries occurred is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12811.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Im not one for name calling.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rendell, \"I'm not one for name calling,\" is contradicted by evidence that shows instances where he has engaged in name-calling. The fact-checking sources highlight a specific incident where Rendell name-called the whole country. Therefore, the statement is false, as it does not align with his past behavior.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Nearly 40,000 new jobs have been created in the last year due to the new wells . . . right here in Ohio.\"","The Republicans are referring to the state\u2019s net job losses since Strickland and Fisher took office in January 2007. Ohio lost about 390,000 non-farm jobs from January 2007 through July of this year, the latest figure available. So Republicans are largely accurate when they say Ohio has lost 400,000 jobs since January of 2007. Job losses were as high as 438,900 at the end of February of this year.","The Republicans are referring to the state\u2019s net job losses since Strickland -- and by extension Fisher -- took office in January 2007. Ohio lost 386,600 non-farm jobs from January 2007 through June of this year, the latest figure available. So Republicans are largely accurate when they say Ohio has lost 400,000 jobs since January of 2007. Job losses were as high as 438,900 at the end of February of this year.","Like the refrain of a ubiquitous pop song, the phrase -- \"Ohio lost 400,000 jobs on his watch\" -- is playing over and over on the airwaves. And like any good lyric, the phrase is catchy."]},{"id":"12842.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Sen. Pat Toomey even tried to shut down the federal government in order to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Pat Toomey voted in favor of a spending bill that contained language to defund Planned Parenthood, it is an exaggeration to claim that he tried to shut down the federal government solely for the purpose of eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood. The government shutdown in 2015 was a result of broader disagreements over federal spending and funding priorities, with Planned Parenthood being one of the contentious issues. To attribute the entire government shutdown to Senator Toomey's stance on Planned Parenthood funding is misleading and oversimplifies the complex nature of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Lauer asked Spacey if he knew that \"the name Frank has risen in popularity by 20 percent\" since the debut of House of Cards in 2013.","\"You know, we were sitting together at breakfast, and we saw a fact,\" Lauer said, ticking us off because now we had to put our beverage down and give him our full attention. \"Do you know that the name Frank has risen in popularity by 20 percent since this show debuted? What does that say about parents across America?\"","The chart shows Frank was never more unpopular than in 2013, the same year subscription-based Netflix released the first season of House of Cards (Feb. 1, 2013, to be exact). The greater the ranking number, the lower the popularity of the name.","The press release doesn\u2019t just single out Frank, which saw a 19-percent increase from the 352nd ranking to No. 297 among BabyCenter users, but also House of Cards characters Claire (Frank\u2019s wife, up 14 percent), journalist Zoe (up 13 percent), and lobbyist Remy (up 11 percent)."]},{"id":"6464.json","label":"false","statement":"(Brendan) Doherty wants to raise the eligibility age for Social Security benefits for anyone born after 1960, with no regard for the challenges it would cause for people working in physically demanding occupations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Brendan Doherty has expressed openness to considering raising the retirement age for Americans born around 1960, there is no evidence to suggest that he wants to do so \"with no regard for the challenges it would cause for people working in physically demanding occupations.\" The claim misrepresents Doherty's position and falsely implies that he is indifferent to the concerns of individuals in physically demanding jobs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Referring to prison inmates, Taylor said: \"Slavery is still allowable under Wisconsin law as long as it\u2019s a punishment for a crime.\"","\"There is absolutely no compelling reason for the State of Wisconsin to allow slavery. Period,\" Taylor wrote on , a site devoted to the Madison area\u2019s communities of color. \"But did you know slavery is still allowable under Wisconsin law as long as it\u2019s a punishment for a crime?\"","\"There shall be neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude in this state, otherwise than for the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.\"","\"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.\""]},{"id":"7807.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sam Houston opposed slavery and as governor said Texas should not leave the union over slavery.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Sam Houston, the long-ago predecessor of Perry, opposed slavery and made a passionate stand against Texas leaving the Union over the issue of slavery. However, it's important to note that Houston's opposition to slavery and his stance on Texas remaining in the Union did not directly result in him losing his governorship. His governorship ended due to his refusal to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy during the Civil War. So while the statement captures Houston's position on slavery and the Union, it lacks the complete context regarding the circumstances surrounding the end of his governorship.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["While giving a speech in San Francisco, President Barack Obama was heckled and told he has the \"power to stop deportation for all undocumented immigrants in this country.\"","Obama continued trying to speak, but the man continued yelling, saying at one point: \"You have a power to stop deportation for all undocumented immigrants in this country.\" The heckler was later identified as Ju Hong, 24, of South Korea.","On Nov. 19, House Speaker John Boehner, the Ohio Republican, tweeted his list of the 22 timesDemocratic President Barack Obama disavowed his ability to stop immigrant deportations without congressional help.","\"Don\u2019t be fooled by President Obama\u2019s words,\" the narrator says. \"He\u2019s not committed to immigrants. He only wants our vote. With the election on the line, he offers our undocumented youth a temporary solution that cheats them of legal status. Why didn\u2019t he keep his promise to push immigration reform? Instead, Obama has deported more people than any other president in this country's history. With friends like these, who needs enemies?\""]},{"id":"9961.json","label":"true","statement":"Every time [the people from Newport Tent] work in a city or town they have a whole different set of permits that they have to get in order to pitch a tent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the people from Newport Tent need to obtain different permits each time they work in a city or town to pitch a tent. This suggests that the requirements for obtaining permits vary depending on the location, indicating that there is a different set of permits needed for each city or town. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2545.json","label":"false","statement":"Debbie Jackow unlike her opponent ...WILL NOT de-fund the 20\/20 land program.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Debbie Jackow, the political newcomer, will not de-fund the 20\/20 land program, implying that her opponent, Tammy Hall, has considered or taken steps to de-fund the program. However, the evidence provided clearly states that Tammy Hall has consistently supported the Conservation 20\/20 program throughout her tenure as a commissioner, including the current year. Therefore, the statement is false as it misrepresents the positions of the candidates regarding the program.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The attorney general opinion says the state and counties do not have to engage in collective bargaining. Georgia Code section 20-2-989 says collective bargaining is a no-no for teachers.","The opinion also says \"there is no prohibition from the DFCS board having discussions with their employees or representatives on appropriate subjects.\"","\"Nothing in this part shall be construed to permit or foster collective bargaining as part of the state rules or local unit of administration policies,\" the statute says.","By signing the bill that allowed the study, and through his 2001 speech, we can see how some find seeds for Perry\u2019s support of a binational health insurance program with Mexico. But the governor never acted on the study, and he hasn\u2019t appeared to talk much about the subject since 2001."]},{"id":"11026.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The average age a child is trafficked into the commercial sex trade industry is between 11 and 14 years old.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including Forbes and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which state that the average age a child is trafficked into the commercial sex trade industry is between 11 and 14 years old. However, it's important to note that this statistic represents an average, and there may be cases where children are trafficked at younger or older ages. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood that there is variation in the ages at which children are trafficked into the sex trade industry.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Dewhurst spokesman Mike Walz passed on eight pieces of documentation to back up his boss, including four news articles. The latest, a May 31, 2010, Dallas Morning News article, said: \"Only about two million World War II veterans are still alive, and an estimated 1,000 die every day.\"","In 2002, nearly 368,000 World War II veterans died, or just more than 1,000 a day. By 2006, the number dropped to about 332,000, or 909 a day. By 2008, about 815 veterans on average were dying each day.","Walz also passed on a congressional transcript, in which then-U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, who served as national chairman of the World War II Memorial Campaign, said at a June 2000 U.S. House hearing: \"We are losing 1,000 World War II veterans every day. We have lost over 1 million since March 1997.\"","With nearly 70 years gone since D-Day, it\u2019s no wonder that many veterans of the war are passing away. But 1,000 a day?"]},{"id":"10257.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 99 percent of the time police officers arent charged when they kill young people of color.","reason":"Reason: While there is no hard data available to provide an exact percentage, the statement that 99 percent of the time police officers aren't charged when they kill young people of color is an exaggeration. The available evidence suggests that the actual percentage of police officers being charged in such cases is likely lower than 99 percent. However, it is important to acknowledge that there is a significant disparity in the charging and conviction rates between police officers involved in the deaths of young people of color compared to other cases. This issue highlights the need for comprehensive data collection and analysis to provide a more accurate understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2264.json","label":"false","statement":"Property taxes are now 18% higher than when(Mark Sharpe)first took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement that property taxes are now 18% higher than when Mark Sharpe first took office is false. When examining the combined rate for all property taxes controlled by commissioners during Sharpe's tenure, it was found that the countywide property tax rate had actually been reduced by 20%. However, it is important to note that an aide used an incorrect budget figure from the year before Sharpe took office, which led to a misrepresentation of the tax rate reduction. Nevertheless, the overall claim that property taxes are 18% higher is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["KING: \"I'll close with this one. The John McCain Twitter account has more than 1.1 million followers. The official White House Twitter account has only about 830,000 as of last count. Is it time to replace the Electoral College with the Twitter count?\"","So King is correct with his claim that McCain beats the official White House Twitter account, but viewers might be misled to think that's the total count for Obama when in fact it's just one of his two accounts. So we'll take King down a notch and give him a Mostly True.","So imagine our surprise when we heard John King of CNN say in an interview with McCain that the Arizona Republican actually has more Twitter followers than the Obama White House. Here's the exchange:","We checked the Twitter pages and found King is correct about those counts. McCain's page, @SenJohnMcCain (A recent tweet: \"Fighting to remove two more pork barrel projects totaling $24.5 million - we will probably lose, again, because it's business as usual in DC\") had 1,128,161 followers. The White House account, @whitehouse , had 860,835 (Recent tweet: \"Don't believe everything you see on the web about health insurance reform . . . \")."]},{"id":"9749.json","label":"true","statement":"The minimum number of infrastructure (needs) in Atlanta is $900 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there is a minimum need for $900 million in infrastructure in Atlanta. This is supported by evidence that the Georgia Legislature passed a $900 million transportation funding bill, indicating the recognized need for investment in infrastructure. The provided evidence does not contradict this statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Ohio\u2019s Planned Parenthood operations received millions of taxpayer dollars via federal grants in 2010 and 2011,\" a Dec. 5 news release from Ohio Right to Life said.","U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said Planned Parenthood performed hundreds of thousands of abortions in a recent year while fielding hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars--in violation of federal law.","Ohio Right to Life is correct to say that Planned Parenthood locations in Ohio have received millions in federal grants. But the connection between Planned Parenthood\u2019s federal funding and its abortion services is not as direct as Ohio Right to Life\u2019s news release implies.","We asked Michael Gonidakis, executive director for Ohio Right to Life, for specifics on the taxpayer money Planned Parenthood has received. Gonidakis said state agencies disbursed the federal grants, authorizing more than $1.6 million in 2010 to Planned Parenthood locations in Ohio and more than $1.7 million this year."]},{"id":"795.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"The truth was revealed there in that report that showed there was no unlawful or unethical activity on my part.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the evidence provided includes statements from Sarah Palin claiming that a report cleared her of any unlawful or unethical activity, the actual report referred to, known as the \"Troopergate\" report, concluded that Palin had abused her power as governor of Alaska. The report found that she had violated the state's ethics law by pressuring subordinates to fire a state trooper who was involved in a personal dispute with her sister. Therefore, the claim made in the statement is not supported by the facts and is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13483.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump said he intends to open up additional areas off the coast to oil drilling during the campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Nelson's claim that Donald Trump expressed his intention to open up additional areas off the coast to oil drilling during the campaign. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not include a direct quote from Trump himself. While there is no response from Trump's transition team to confirm or deny this claim, the statement is mostly true based on Senator Nelson's assertion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In an interview with Fox News on Jan. 23, 2009, Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, the House Republican whip, said that in a meeting with President Obama, Cantor asked if he \"could use his influence on this process to try and get the pork barrel spending out of the bill. I mean, there's $300,000 for a sculpture garden in Miami.\"","Here's how spokesman Neil Bradley explained it: The House stimulus bill includes $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts. The bill states that the money would be \"distributed in direct grants to fund arts projects and activities which preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn.\"","But do a word search on \"sculpture\" in the 647-page stimulus bill now before the House and you'll come up blank. It's not in there.","But again, this was an NEA grant from last year . It is not in the proposed $835 billion stimulus package that is being pushed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. In fact, because the sculpture garden's money has already been granted, it's probably safe to say that this is one project that specifically won\u2019t be part of the spending."]},{"id":"10982.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Here are the stats: Per population, we kill each other with guns at a rate 297x more than Japan, 49x more than France, 33x more than Israel.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the tweet made by President Obama, where he compared the rate of gun-related deaths in the United States to those in Japan, France, and Israel. The evidence confirms that the statistics provided by Obama are correct, indicating that the United States has a significantly higher rate of gun-related deaths per population compared to these countries. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context or reasons behind these statistics, such as differences in gun control laws and cultural factors. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the statistics presented, it may lack some nuance and context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5274.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Students today take more years to get through college.","reason":"Reason: While it is not entirely accurate to claim that students today universally take more years to complete college, there is some truth to the statement. The graduation rates within the expected four-year timeframe have actually improved in recent years for four-year institutions. However, it is important to note that a significant percentage of students do take longer than four years to graduate, with some not completing their studies at all. The average duration for students to complete their degrees is around six years, and for those who start at a four-year institution, it is approximately five years and eight months. Therefore, while there is variability in the time it takes for students to graduate, it is not accurate to claim that all students today take more years to get through college.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Marco Rubio \"went on Univision, and in Spanish he promised that he would not on the first day in office rescind President Obama's illegal executive action.\"","Cruz says that Rubio \"went on Univision, and in Spanish he promised that he would not on the first day in office rescind President Obama's illegal executive action.\"","\"He went on Univision, and in Spanish he promised that he would not on the first day in office rescind President Obama's illegal executive action,\" Cruz told Fox News\u2019 Sean Hannity on Feb. 15.","Ted Cruz says Marco Rubio is so soft on illegal immigration that he even supports President Barack Obama\u2019s program to allow some young people to remain in the United States."]},{"id":"4312.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry flip-flopped on gay marriage by first saying it was a states rights issue and then saying he was in favor of a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Rick Perry did change his position on gay marriage, which could be seen as a form of flip-flopping. Initially, he stated that it was a state's rights issue, indicating a more decentralized approach. However, after facing criticism from the religious right community, he expressed support for a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. While this does indicate a shift in his stance, it's important to note that the evidence does not explicitly state that Perry first supported a federal constitutional amendment and then changed to a states' rights position. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks complete information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9319.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Congress decision to spend less around the world on embassy security contributed to tragedies like Benghazi.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Congress did not fully fund embassy security requests from the Obama administration, attributing the tragedies in Benghazi solely to the decision to spend less on embassy security is an oversimplification. The Benghazi attack was a complex event with multiple factors involved, including intelligence failures and security lapses. It is not accurate to solely blame the funding decisions of Congress for the tragedy. Additionally, it's important to note that funding for embassy security has actually increased since before 9\/11. Therefore, while there may have been some impact from funding decisions, it is an exaggeration to claim that it directly led to the Benghazi tragedy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Wisconsin Club for Growth says Rep. Sandy Pasch did nothing to stop fraud in the Wisconsin Shares child-care subsidy program&url=)","The Club for Growth says Pasch \"did nothing to stop\" people from scamming the Wisconsin Shares program and voted against funding for fraud investigations. She did vote against a 2009 budget amendment that increased funding for fraud investigations (of a different program) and voted against the 2011-\u201913 state budget that included fraud investigation funds.","\"Wisconsin taxpayers lost millions to people scamming the state welfare system and Representative Sandy Pasch did nothing to stop it. One provider stole enough money to buy an mansion with an indoor pool and basketball court. But Pasch voted against funding for fraud investigations even after it was reported that child care centers were used to transport drugs, launder dirty cash and provide fake employment for criminals.\"","And there\u2019s the 2009-\u201910 budget -- which Pasch voted in favor of -- that included funding for the five additional state Wisconsin Shares fraud investigators."]},{"id":"11221.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States is about 100th in voter turnout among the industrialized nations, and Texas is near the bottom in terms of voter registration and voter turnout.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Elfant regarding voter turnout in the United States and Texas. The evidence suggests that the United States ranks relatively low, around 100th, in terms of voter turnout among industrialized nations. Additionally, Texas is indeed near the bottom in terms of both voter registration and voter turnout compared to other states. However, it's important to note that the comparison to \"industrialized nations\" may not be entirely accurate, as the evidence indicates that the comparison is made to all nations, not just industrialized ones. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of voter turnout in the United States and Texas, it may be slightly misleading in the comparison to industrialized nations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It is not moral, it is not acceptable, and it is not sustainable that the top one-tenth of 1 percent now owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent,\" he said at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia July 25.","\"Let me be as clear as I can be: There is something profoundly wrong when today, the top one-tenth of 1 percent own almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent.\"","In other words, the top 0.1 percent and the bottom 90 percent of U.S. households own virtually the same share of all the nation's wealth.","Meanwhile, the bottom 90 percent -- 144 million families with average wealth of $84,000 -- owned only 22.8 percent of the wealth."]},{"id":"759.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Under Barack Obama's plan, the government would spend $1-trillion more.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that under Barack Obama's plan, the government would spend more, the claim that it would spend $1 trillion more lacks specific context and evidence. The evidence provided does not directly support or quantify the claim of an additional $1 trillion in government spending. It is important to note that the evidence mentions various policy proposals and legislative actions, such as tax relief, mortgage relief, and economic stimulus, but does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall impact on government spending. Therefore, without further specific information or evidence, it is difficult to determine the exact amount of additional government spending under Barack Obama's plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6096.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2011, NJ economy ranked 47th--at the bottom with Alabama, Mississippi Wyoming. Under Christie, NJ is falling behind.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald that the New Jersey economy ranked 47th in the nation for economic performance in 2011. This claim is supported by evidence from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which states that New Jersey's real GDP declined by 0.5 percent in that year, placing it in 47th place among the 50 states. The statement also correctly mentions that Alabama, Mississippi, and Wyoming were among the states with similar rankings. However, it's important to note that the statement attributes the ranking solely to Governor Christie, which oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to a state's economic performance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Abele\u2019s aim was Mostly True, we found, when he said that Milwaukee County Parks Director Sue Black had not received a raise in five years despite her revenue-producing efforts.","Abele says Black, the award-winning director of the Milwaukee County Parks System, hasn\u2019t received a raise in five (or seven, depending on the statement) years. That talking point came from Black herself, but very recently it became no longer operative. While Black got nothing when some other department heads received bumps in 2008, Holloway gave her a raise recently. It was handled in a low-key manner; Abele apparently wasn\u2019t aware of it.","Like all other county workers, Black received a 1 percent cost-of-living raise in October 2008, but beyond that her pay has remained the same. And since that was an across-the-board thing, it\u2019s not a merit-based raise.","\"You\u2019ve got parks where for five years in a row earned revenue is growing and you have a parks director who earns the gold medal national award for the best managed park system but (her parks budget) gets cut and (she) doesn\u2019t get a raise for five years.\""]},{"id":"6138.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties in U.S. are illegals.","reason":"Reason: The claim that nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties in the U.S. are \"illegals\" is false. Multiple sources, including the Los Angeles Times, have debunked this claim. While there may be some instances of undocumented immigrants living in HUD housing, the actual numbers do not support the assertion that 60% of occupants are in the country illegally. This claim is misleading and not based on credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says that Romney touted the Massachusetts health plan for the nation in his hardcover book but then deleted it for the paperback edition.","ROMNEY: \"I actually wrote my book, and in my book I said no such thing. What I said, actually -- when I put my health care plan together -- and I met with Dan Balz, for instance, of the Washington Post. He said, 'Is this is a plan that if you were president you would put on the whole nation, have a whole nation adopt it?' \"","\"And it's fine for you to retreat from your own words in your own book, but please don't try and make me retreat from the words that I wrote in my book. I stand by what I wrote. I believe in what I did. And I believe that the people of this country can read my book and see exactly what it is.\"","But a closer look at Romney's original hardcover shows Perry was distorting what Romney wrote when he told the former Massachusetts governor, \"Between books, your hard copy book, you said it was exactly what the American people needed, to have that Romneycare given to them as you had in Massachusetts. Then in your paperback, you took that line out.\""]},{"id":"3895.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As soon as Chris Christie was governor, he gave tax cuts to millionaires.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Governor Chris Christie implemented tax cuts during his tenure, it is important to note that the claim specifically targeting tax cuts for millionaires is misleading. The tax cuts implemented by Christie were not exclusively for millionaires. Furthermore, the statement fails to acknowledge that the tax rates for millionaires remained the same as when Christie took office, as the tax cut for millionaires had already been enacted prior to his governorship under a Democratic governor and a Democrat-controlled Legislature.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Gov. John Kasich implied that a portion of workers\u2019 compensation rebates to employers \"should be directed back to him in the form of campaign cash.\"","\"It is as if the Governor is implying that a portion of the rebate should be directed back to him in the form of campaign cash,\" said Letson, a four-term Democrat from Warren.","Letson said it was \"as if the Governor is implying that a portion of the rebate should be directed back to him in the form of campaign cash.\" He is not merely asserting that Kasich was trying to raise money in the email. Rather, Letson is positing something very specific: that Kasich was asking rebate recipients to kick back some of their savings to the governor\u2019s campaign.","The Plain Dealer, via , \"Gov. John Kasich proposes $1 billion rebate for 210,000 employers from excess Ohio Bureau of Workers\u2019 Compensation funds,\"May 2, 2013;"]},{"id":"2230.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over 80 percent of our trade deficit today is with countries that are not trade agreement partners, that are not level playing fields for the United States.","reason":"Reason: While Representative Brady's statement that over 80 percent of the trade deficit is with countries that are not trade agreement partners is not entirely accurate, it does contain an element of truth. According to a statistician from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, during the first half of the year, 13 percent of the trade deficit involved countries with free-trade agreements, meaning that 87 percent of the deficit was with nations without such agreements. However, it's important to note that this statistic is specific to a particular time frame and may not represent the overall trade deficit. Additionally, the statement implies that trade agreements would level the playing field and reduce the trade deficit, which is a claim that requires further examination and evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8466.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Ken Cuccinelli wants to eliminate all forms of birth control.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ken Cuccinelli wants to eliminate all forms of birth control is not supported by credible evidence. While Cuccinelli has been a vocal opponent of abortion and has supported personhood bills, which recognize life as beginning at conception, there is no evidence to suggest that he wants to ban or eliminate all forms of birth control. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has expressed concerns that personhood legislation could potentially impact certain forms of contraception, but this does not equate to Cuccinelli actively seeking to eliminate all forms of birth control. The claim is exaggerated and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10867.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For our next two years in my state, we will end with a structural surplus of $499 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Walker's claim that the state would end with a structural surplus of $499 million in the next two years. The evidence provided confirms that Governor Walker made this statement in a speech, and there is no contradictory evidence presented. However, it is important to note that the context and accuracy of the claim may be subject to further analysis and evaluation based on the specific budgetary details and assumptions involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Donald Trump claimed multiple times in his speech Monday that he was endorsed by NASCAR. He was endorsed by its CEO, Brian France, who went out of his way to say it was merely a personal decision \u2013 a statement echoed by a company spokesman.","The elder France endorsed another controversial presidential candidate, George Wallace, in 1972. But last summer, NASCAR pulled annual banquets from the Trump National Doral property in Florida, after Trump made controversial remarks about immigrants.","A NASCAR spokesperson didn\u2019t immediately respond Monday after Trump\u2019s comments, but a spokesman did tell The Charlotte Observer on March 1 \u2013 the day after France\u2019s original endorsement \u2013 that NASCAR itself did not endorse Trump.","Trump was in Concord ahead of the March 15 North Carolina primary election. The state is home to NASCAR and many of its racing teams, but support for NASCAR isn\u2019t as high as it once was."]},{"id":"7402.json","label":"false","statement":"In Virginia there has been a billion dollars in surplus over the last three years. The legislature has spent less than 1 percent of that on roads.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim of a billion-dollar surplus in Virginia over the last three years. Additionally, there is no information provided in the evidence regarding the specific allocation of funds towards roads by the legislature. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6101.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Virginia women earnonly 79 cents to each dollar earned by men...","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and various sources, which indicate that in Virginia, women earned 79 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2010. This wage gap statistic highlights the disparity in earnings between genders in the state. However, it's important to note that this data is specific to 2010 and may have changed over time. Additionally, the statement lacks information on the factors contributing to the wage gap, such as occupational segregation and discrimination, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11422.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every other major country has family paid leave.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple studies and data from reputable sources, such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), support the claim that the United States is an outlier when it comes to paid family leave. The United States is the only major country that does not offer a statutory entitlement to paid leave on a national basis. While it is important to note that some employers in the United States do choose to offer paid leave, the overall lack of a comprehensive national policy sets the United States apart from other major countries.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9459.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a picture he posted on Facebook of a man posing in front of five decapitated human heads is one of the subhuman mongrels our president set free.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The picture that Ted Nugent posted on Facebook does not depict a man posing in front of five decapitated human heads. The image in question is unrelated to any actions or decisions made by President Barack Obama. The claim made by Nugent is inflammatory and misleading, intended to provoke controversy rather than provide accurate information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["But we were curious about one example Tassoni gave of questionable financial decisions. In his press release, he stated that \"he has learned that the department spent $100,000 on a time clock.\"","It clearly was not just a time clock. And it didn\u2019t cost $100,000. The total was just over half that (plus the annual support contracts which are typical of software purchases).","When we met with Tassoni, he showed us three Central Falls school district documents that he called \"purchase orders.\" He noted that each made reference to a time clock and that each had a different total: $40,543.64, $55,414.68 and $5,581.68.","For starters, Tassoni could have asked school officials about the documents he was shown. Instead, the senator -- who publishes a union newspaper and is a former union administrator -- simply added up the totals on the three documents to push his case against the school leadership. That\u2019s flimsy backup for saying he \"learned\" of a $100,000 expenditure and, then, choosing two words out of context, calling the purchase a \"time clock.\""]},{"id":"13185.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that during President Barack Obamas tenure, the United States has created 15 million new jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Depending on the starting point used for counting job growth during President Obama's tenure, the number of jobs created ranges from approximately 10.9 million to 15.1 million. The evidence indicates that if we start counting from the beginning of Obama's presidency, the increase in jobs is around 10.9 million. However, if we consider the low point of employment in February 2010, the increase is closer to 15.1 million. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as the actual number of new jobs created falls within the range provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10002.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Barack Obama ordered our military to enlist illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While it is true that President Obama made a policy change that allowed certain undocumented immigrants to have the option to enlist in the military, it is incorrect to claim that he \"ordered\" the military to enlist illegal aliens. The program in question was initiated by President George W. Bush in 2008, before Obama took office. Additionally, experts suggest that the number of undocumented immigrants actually enlisting in the military is likely to be minimal. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it is presented in a misleading and exaggerated manner.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1588.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"A government panel that didn't include cancer specialists says women shouldn't receive mammograms until age 50...If government takes over health care, recommendations like these could become the law for all kinds of diseases.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The government panel being referred to, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), did include experts on cancer screening, including specialists in the field. The panel's recommendations were not based on cost considerations, and they did not state that women should not receive mammograms until age 50. Furthermore, the USPSTF is an independent panel and its recommendations are not official government guidelines. The claim that these recommendations could become the law for all kinds of diseases if the government takes over healthcare is speculative and unfounded.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"There is no justice, and I want you to hear this clearly, when the top 1\/10th of 1 percent -- not 1 percent -- the top 1\/10th of 1 percent today in America owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent,\" Sanders told the crowd, packed into the Vines Center arena for weekly convocation. \"And in your hearts, you will have to determine the morality of that, and the justice of that.\"","\"Let me be as clear as I can be: There is something profoundly wrong when today, the top one-tenth of 1 percent own almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent.\"","\"It is not moral, it is not acceptable, and it is not sustainable that the top one-tenth of 1 percent now owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent,\" he said at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia July 25.","Meanwhile, the bottom 90 percent included 144 million families with average wealth of $84,000, and they owned an equal 22.8 percent of America\u2019s wealth."]},{"id":"4066.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"This governor has cut funding repeatedly for people who have AIDS, who need drugs to save their life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is not explicitly mentioned that the governor has cut funding for people with AIDS, the evidence provided mentions a federal \"harm reduction\" grant that allows recipients to provide testing equipment for sexually transmitted diseases and overdose reversal medication. These resources are crucial for individuals, including those with AIDS, who need drugs to save their lives. Therefore, it can be inferred that any potential cuts to funding in this area could impact individuals with AIDS who rely on these life-saving drugs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5072.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Congress gave an unelected board the power to deny care to seniors.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the health care law established an independent board, known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), to make recommendations on Medicare cost reductions, it is important to note that the board does not have the power to directly deny care to seniors. The IPAB's recommendations would need to be approved by Congress, and there are safeguards in place to prevent arbitrary denial of care. So, while the statement correctly mentions the existence of an unelected board, it inaccurately suggests that the board has the authority to deny care to seniors without proper oversight.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Republican Party of Georgia: \"Roy Barnes opposed the creation of the HOPE Scholarship and campaigned against Zell Miller on the issue.\"","\"Barnes opposed the creation of the HOPE Scholarship and campaigned against Zell Miller on the issue,\" the GOP said in a Sept. 7 news release. It was among a number of charges the GOP leveled against Barnes.","Barnes opposed the lottery and campaigned against it during his failed bid for governor in 1990. But after a bruising battle, state legislators approved the program in 1991.","\"If you opposed Miller\u2019s lottery program, you knew you were opposing some plans for education,\" Bullock said. \"It was clear Miller was talking about new funding for education, but not specifically HOPE at that time.\""]},{"id":"10574.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I never said I was on the Falkland Islands.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Bill O'Reilly consistently used the preposition \"in\" when describing his experience during the Falklands conflict, rather than saying he was \"on\" the Falkland Islands. However, it's important to note that while he did not explicitly claim to be physically present on the islands, his statements could be interpreted as implying that he was reporting from the conflict zone. This interpretation has been a point of contention and has led to debates about the accuracy of his reporting. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the specific wording used, it does not fully address the broader controversy surrounding O'Reilly's Falklands claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["By the end, an exasperated Jeong says, \"So Austan, if that is your real name, Donald Trump says he would bring back jobs to America when he himself made millions outsourcing his own Donald Trump stuff to be made everywhere else.\"","Those hats are knockoffs. Trump has even trademarked the phrase \"Make America Great Again.\" Trump\u2019s hats are made by a California company that says they are, indeed, American made.","\"Your words are cheap, Mr. Trump,\" Israel said, \"as cheap as the made-in-China gimme caps that proclaim that you will make America great again.\"","Tweets aim to paint Trump as a hypocrite for hawking \"Make America Great Again\" hats with \"Made in China\" labels from his campaign store."]},{"id":"9181.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"My state of Florida is now the third-largest state. We have surpassed New York in population.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Nelson's statement suggests that Florida has already surpassed New York in population, the evidence indicates that it is not entirely clear if that has happened yet. The data provided shows that Florida experienced significant population growth and is projected to eventually overtake New York in population. However, there is no conclusive evidence that Florida has definitively surpassed New York at the time of the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks certainty.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8684.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The latest Quinnipiac poll found that nearly six-in-ten Americans oppose ObamaCare -- 30% support the law and 57% oppose it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but contains an error in the percentage of support for the healthcare law. The Quinnipiac poll cited in the evidence shows that 57% of respondents oppose the law, which is accurate. However, the actual level of support in the poll was 39%, not 30% as mentioned in the statement. The error significantly underestimates the level of support for the law. Therefore, while the opposition percentage is correct, the support percentage is inaccurate, making the statement only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4149.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Wisconsin Senate recall candidate Jessica King voted to increase her pay with taxpayer dollars by 63 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Jessica King did not vote to increase her pay with taxpayer dollars by 63 percent. In fact, she voted against the ordinance that raised the pay on the Oshkosh Common Council. The claim made in the statement is misleading and inaccurate. The correct raise figure was a lower 56 percent, not 63 percent. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6936.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama began his presidency with an apology tour.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama began his presidency with an \"apology tour\" is a widely debunked and false assertion. Multiple fact-checkers have refuted this claim, and there is no credible evidence to support the notion that Obama embarked on an apology tour at the beginning of his presidency. This claim has been repeatedly used as a political talking point, but it lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11006.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A Texas law will repatriate $1 billion of gold bullion from the Federal Reserve in New York to Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While the Texas law was indeed intended to repatriate gold bullion from the Federal Reserve in New York to Texas, the evidence shows that the law did not achieve this objective. The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) has around $660 million in gold bullion stored in a New York bank, not the Federal Reserve. Therefore, the claim that $1 billion of gold bullion will be repatriated from the Federal Reserve to Texas is inaccurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Houck continued: \"The law says, just like you said, Don, that when a police officer stops you, do whatever he says and then deal with it later.\"","Houck claimed that \"the law says \u2026 that when a police officer stops you, do whatever he says\" during a stop.","Applied generally, however, the claim is incorrect. Even though it might be advisable to defer to law enforcement in many cases, the Constitution protects one\u2019s right to remain silent and to not consent to a search. Without suspicion that the subject is armed or has committed a crime, an officer must respect these rights. That's what the law says.","Most of the panel agreed with Hostin\u2019s advice for dealing with law enforcement: Essentially, make the encounter as short as possible by obeying orders and dealing with legal issues or mistreatment later. Lemon then asked Houck to clarify the legal rights that people actually have during a police stop \u2014 and that\u2019s where the discussion got murky."]},{"id":"6852.json","label":"true","statement":"When (Joe Kyrillos) had an opportunity to vote for women in terms of their health care, not once, not twice, but six times, he voted against womens health care in our state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voting record of Joe Kyrillos, indicating that he voted against women's healthcare in the state on multiple occasions. The evidence provided supports this claim, showing that Kyrillos voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, which aimed to protect women's access to abortion and prevent the criminalization of abortions. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The second ad levels an even harsher accusation that Renacci \"cheated on his income taxes\" and labels him a \"deadbeat citizen.\"","That ad said he \"cheated on his income taxes,\" that he \"hid\" more than $13 million and was forced to pay $1.4 million in back taxes and penalties. Renacci filed a defamation suit against the union after the ads began to air. Court records show he dropped the case on Feb. 3, 2011, shortly after he took office in Congress.","The claim in this ad is an easier call. Reams of legal documents show that Renacci battled with the state over trust income from an S corporation, trying to avoid paying taxes on the $13.7 million at issue in the case.","At issue was Renacci\u2019s trust income from an \"S\" corporation that had not been subject to state taxes for several years before Ohio\u2019s tax commissioner issued an \"information release\" in January 2000 that changed the state\u2019s policy and directed taxpayers to add such trust income to their federal adjusted gross income. \"S\" corporations permit income to be taxed at an individual rate for federal tax purposes and avoid double taxation on corporate income."]},{"id":"11290.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When it comes to classified information at the State Department, Hillary Clintons the decider.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that Hillary Clinton had a significant role in determining the classification of information at the State Department, it is important to note that the final authority for classifying information rests with the relevant agencies and departments, not solely with the Secretary of State. The classification process involves multiple individuals and agencies, and decisions are made based on established protocols and guidelines. Therefore, while Clinton had influence over the classification process, she was not the sole \"decider\" in determining the classification of information at the State Department.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Stumping for president in Newton, Iowa, Texas Gov. Rick Perry denied that he ever supported the 2008 legislation approved by Congress to rescue Wall Street.","It wasn\u2019t long afterward that Hutchison drew the unflattering nickname of \"Kay Bailout\" from Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s camp, which was wary of Hutchison challenging Perry for governor this year.","E-mail, Allison Castle, Gov. Rick Perry campaign, forwarding statement from Republican Governors Association and Democratic Governors Association, \"RGA & DGA Release Joint Letter to Congress\", Oct. 1, 2008","Fortuitously, this covers turf we plowed in January 2010 in rating Half True a claim by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison that Perry was for the Wall Street bailout before he was against it."]},{"id":"6044.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Right now, Im polling at about 8 percent against Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the speaker is polling at about 8 percent against Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The evidence consists of discussions about media buzz, polling data on Obama supporters who do not pay federal income taxes, and Governor Christie's comments on the competitiveness of the race between Obama and Romney. None of these pieces of evidence directly address the speaker's own polling numbers. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Harry Alford, the head of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, said the National Rifle Association was \"founded by religious leaders who wanted to protect freed slaves from the Ku Klux Klan.\"","\"I want to thank the Lord for our Constitution. I also want to thank the NRA for its legacy. The National Rifle Association was started, founded by religious leaders who wanted to protect freed slaves from the Ku Klux Klan.\"","We found the NRA itself said it was formed by Union Civil War veterans to improve soldiers\u2019 marksmanship. And we found no evidence that religious leaders founded the NRA to protect freed slaves from the KKK.","We can\u2019t say whether he was misinformed or intended to mislead. But the NRA itself says the group was formed by Union Civil War veterans to improve soldiers\u2019 marksmanship. And we found no evidence that religious leaders founded the NRA to protect freed slaves from the KKK."]},{"id":"11602.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The federal government is making the decision, whether we like it or not, to send 425 refugees to our state from Syria.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Rick Scott claimed that the federal government is making the decision to send 425 refugees to Florida, the statement lacks some important context. The actual number of refugees and the decision to resettle them is determined by agencies within local communities in Florida, rather than solely by the federal government. Additionally, it is important to note that the statement specifically mentions refugees from Syria, but it is unclear whether all 425 refugees are from Syria or if they come from various countries. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies the decision-making process and lacks clarity regarding the origin of the refugees.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7006.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson ran Medicare into the ground and nine years closer to bankruptcy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Tammy Baldwin accuses Tommy Thompson of running Medicare \"into the ground\" and moving it nine years closer to bankruptcy during his tenure as U.S. health and human services secretary, the evidence provided does not support these claims. The evidence suggests that Medicare's key trust fund moved nine years closer to insolvency during Thompson's time in office, but it does not directly attribute this to his actions or policies. Additionally, the evidence does not provide sufficient information to conclude that Thompson ran Medicare into the ground. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Perhaps Perry means Paint Creek is not big enough to warrant its own ZIP code. In that vein, there\u2019s an element of truth to his claim. We rate it Mostly False.","At the Haskell post office, about 10 miles northwest (,+TX&daddr=Paint+Creek,+Haskell,+TX+79521&hl=en&sll=33.110835,-99.70268&sspn=0.136022,0.308647&geocode=FePx-QEdOy8O-ilXhkLlWk9UhjHsytNnOp50ug%3BFVyA-AEdkyEP-iklqKSSfUdUhjEn27cCrfrraA&mra=ls&vpsrc=0&z=12)of Paint Creek, clerk Nancy Snelling told us that Paint Creek has a ZIP code; it\u2019s 79521, which is also the ZIP code for Haskell, the county seat.","Introducing himself to out-of-Texas Republicans, Gov. Rick Perry spoke of his upbringing in the West Texas fly speck of Paint Creek.","Some background: ZIP codes (the acronym stands for Zoning Improvement Plan) were launched in 1963, the Postal Service says, so the delivery system could better handle increasing amounts of mail. The first number of each code represents a general geographic area of the nation \u2014 \"0\" in the East moving to \"9\" in the West. The next two numbers represent regional areas, and the final two numbers identify specific post offices. There are now more than 42,000 U.S. ZIP codes."]},{"id":"5148.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Freshman Rep. Bob Gibbs is spending his one year anniversary on vacation only working 6 days in all of January.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Rep. Bob Gibbs is spending his one-year anniversary on vacation and only working six days in January. The claim appears to be based on a news release from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which has a partisan interest in criticizing Republican representatives. Without additional evidence or verification, it is not accurate to make such a claim. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3792.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Early voting remains at 96 hours.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that early voting can be available for up to 96 hours, the statement lacks clarity. Under the new law, early voting must be available for a minimum of 48 hours (six hours a day for eight days), but it can also be extended to a maximum of 96 hours (12 hours a day for eight days). Therefore, while early voting can indeed remain at 96 hours, it is important to note that the minimum requirement is 48 hours, which deviates from the statement's claim of early voting \"remaining\" at 96 hours.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"587.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Obama flip-flopped on banning handguns.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is no record of President Obama calling for a ban on all handguns in the United States. The spokesperson explicitly states that there is no logical reason to believe that the president would advocate for such a ban. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all of President Obama's positions on gun control. While there is no evidence of him calling for a complete ban on handguns, it is possible that his stance on specific gun control measures may have evolved or changed over time. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it only addresses a specific claim about banning handguns without considering the broader context of President Obama's positions on gun control.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton said the Great Recession emerged \"in large part because of tax policies that slashed taxes on the wealthy, failed to invest in the middle class, took their eyes off of Wall Street, and created a perfect storm.\"","Later in the debate. Clinton doubled down on that argument, saying, \"Well, let\u2019s stop for a second and remember where we were eight years ago. We had the worst financial crisis, the Great Recession, the worst since the 1930s. That was in large part because of tax policies that slashed taxes on the wealthy, failed to invest in the middle class, took their eyes off of Wall Street, and created a perfect storm.\"","However, the economists we checked with expressed skepticism -- some strongly so -- about Clinton\u2019s assertion that the recession emerged \"in large part\" due to tax policies.","According to \"independent experts,\" Donald Trump's tax plan \"would blow up the debt by over $5 trillion and would in some instances disadvantage middle-class families compared to the wealthy.\""]},{"id":"12239.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I remain one of the poorer members of the United States Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is limited data available on the wealth of members of Congress, the evidence suggests that the speaker, Joe Biden, was not among the wealthiest members. The sources provided indicate that financial disclosures and wealth rankings for members of Congress have been conducted, but the available data is limited in scope and does not cover the entirety of Biden's career. Therefore, based on the available information, it is reasonable to infer that Biden's financial disclosures did not show significant wealth or major investments.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Here, we\u2019ll take a look at whether white nationalist protesters in Charlottesville \"had a permit\" and that the counter-protesters \"didn\u2019t have a permit.\"","The existence of the city permit issued to Heinecke flatly debunks Trump\u2019s assertion that the counter-protesters lacked a permit -- assuming you understand Trump to mean that counter-protesters had no permit for Saturday\u2019s march.","During months-long protests in North Dakota that began in 2016 and persisted through 2017, thousands of protesters who opposed the Dakota Access pipeline clashed with security and police on several occasions. Protesters were pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed and doused with water in freezing temperatures.","ND Response also addressed claims that crop duster planes had sprayed protesters with chemicals, saying the state had \"routinely conducted aerial surveillance of the camps\" in an effort to assess the number of people present, which would be important to ensure protesters' safety if a mass evacuation were required."]},{"id":"6009.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S. is borrowing approximately $2.52 for every $1 of economic growth so far in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the research findings that the U.S. has been borrowing approximately $2.52 for every $1 of economic growth in 2012. This indicates a concerning trend of increasing debt relative to economic growth. The evidence provided supports this claim, and there is no contradictory information presented.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"And the #jerseycomeback keeps rolling! Thanks to @GovChristie NJ now has lowest corruption risk of any state,\" according to the March 19 tweet from the New Jersey Republican State Committee.","Referring to a nationwide investigation comparing states for their risk of corruption, New Jersey\u2019s Republican Party claimed in a March 19 tweet: \"Thanks to @GovChristie NJ now has lowest corruption risk of any state.\"","Soon after an article was published about a new study claiming New Jersey had the lowest risk of corruption in the nation, the state\u2019s Republican Party told its Twitter followers the first-place finish was the result of the \"comeback\" led by Gov. Chris Christie.","The State Integrity Investigation was undertaken by journalists in every state, who analyzed 330 so-called \"corruption risk indicators\" across 14 categories. The analyses focused, in part, on the existence of certain laws and their effectiveness."]},{"id":"4257.json","label":"false","statement":"The Northwest Corridor highway project in Cobb and Cherokee counties is expected to create over 9,700 jobs statewide.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Northwest Corridor highway project in Cobb and Cherokee counties is not expected to create over 9,700 jobs statewide. According to the evidence provided, the project is projected to create a total of 5,225 full-time jobs over four years, with an additional 4,480 jobs resulting from increased spending due to the project. This totals to 9,705 jobs, which is close to the mentioned figure but not solely from the project itself. Therefore, the claim of over 9,700 jobs being created solely by the Northwest Corridor project is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Romney\u2019s speech was designed to draw distinctions between the Massachusetts health care plan passed when he was governor and the national health care law signed in 2010. In a separate item, we analyzed whether Romney was justified in calling the national law a \"government takeover.\"","Widmer of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation agreed that the federal government did pay more money for the Massachusetts health plan. Also, some of the uninsured also paid for care that the state paid for before, he said.","Says the word \"Dhimmitude\" is on page 107 of the health care law and means \"Muslims are specifically exempted from the government mandate to purchase insurance.\"","SANTORUM: \"Mitt, the governor of Massachusetts just is coming forward saying we have to pick up the job left undone by Romneycare, which is doing something about cutting health care costs."]},{"id":"8305.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The presidents own advisers have said theres a war on coal.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that one of the president's advisers did use the phrase \"war on coal,\" it is important to note that this statement does not represent the entire administration's stance on the issue. Referring to \"the president's own advisers\" implies a broader consensus within the administration, which is not accurate. Additionally, using the term \"war on coal\" is a political characterization and does not necessarily reflect the official policy or intent of the administration. Therefore, the statement is misleading and falls short of providing an accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5549.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Because of the new health care law, 17 million kids can no longer be denied for a pre-existing condition.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes provisions to protect individuals, including children, with pre-existing conditions from being denied coverage, the statement oversimplifies the situation. The exact number of children with pre-existing conditions who can no longer be denied coverage is difficult to determine precisely. Estimates range from as low as 4 million to as high as 17.6 million. Additionally, it's important to note that not all children with pre-existing conditions were previously denied coverage solely due to their condition. Therefore, while the statement captures the intent of the ACA, it lacks nuance and may overstate the precise impact on the number of children affected.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12215.json","label":"false","statement":"On supporting winner of Democratic primary with her superdelegate vote.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Martha Laning, the chairwoman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, initially stated that she would cast her superdelegate vote at the Democratic National Convention for the presidential candidate who wins the Wisconsin primary. However, there is no clear evidence to suggest that she later changed her position and stated that her vote would go to the presumptive nominee instead. Therefore, the statement that she indicated not casting her superdelegate vote for the winner of the Democratic primary is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Under current funding levels, Texas is already near the bottom in education funding per pupil (Texas ranks 44th nationally), \" she said.","Truth-O-Meter article, \"Wendy Davis says Texas ranks 49th in what it is doing in per-pupil education spending,\" PolitiFact Texas, April 18, 2013","Texas \u201cranks 50th in baby wellness checks, ranks 50th in clinical care for infants, ranks 50th in uninsured women, ranks 43rd in maternal mortality, ranks 44th in school funding per child, and ranks 46th in child hunger.\u201d","The original Occupy Democrats post said that Texas \"ranks 50th in baby wellness checks, ranks 50th in clinical care for infants, ranks 50th in uninsured women, ranks 43rd in maternal mortality, ranks 44th in school funding per child, and ranks 46th in child hunger.\""]},{"id":"8457.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The IRS has been specifically forbidden ... from ever actually pursuing either civil or criminal remedies for people who dont purchase health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Lawrence O'Donnell's claim that the IRS has been forbidden from pursuing civil or criminal remedies for individuals who do not purchase health insurance. This provision is stated in the Affordable Care Act, which includes language that limits the IRS's ability to enforce penalties for non-compliance with the individual mandate. However, it's important to note that while the IRS may be restricted in its ability to pursue collection through certain means, individuals may still face financial consequences for not having health insurance, such as the imposition of penalties or the withholding of tax refunds. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood that there are still potential repercussions for non-compliance with the individual mandate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9887.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott thinks employers should be able to deny women coverage for birth control.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Rick Scott thinks employers should be able to deny women coverage for birth control. While there is no direct quote from Rick Scott on this specific issue, the analysis of related claims and legislation suggests that Scott's stance aligns with supporting religious exemptions for employers regarding birth control coverage. This position is in line with a longstanding policy debate on religious and moral grounds. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide direct evidence of Scott explicitly stating his position on this matter, hence the \"mostly-true\" label.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12990.json","label":"true","statement":"SaysGOP U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn wants to eliminate the Department of Education and jeopardize college fundingfor 320,000 Coloradans.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including the Colorado Democratic Party, have stated that GOP U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn wants to eliminate the Department of Education, which could potentially jeopardize college funding for 320,000 Coloradans. While it is important to note that this claim is made by a political party, the consistency of the statement across multiple sources suggests that there is a basis for this assertion.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2704.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Michael Bennet cast the deciding vote for the stimulus and the health care bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Michael Bennet voted in favor of the stimulus and the health care bill, it is misleading to claim that his vote was the \"deciding vote\" for these bills. The passage of these bills was a result of a collective effort by multiple lawmakers, and attributing the entire outcome to one individual's vote oversimplifies the legislative process. Additionally, there were other senators who also voted in favor of these bills, and their votes were equally important in securing their passage. Therefore, the statement that Bennet cast the \"deciding vote\" is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the complexity of the legislative process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"One of the great human tragedies of recent years is children came from Honduras where there's more violence than in any place in this country, and they came into this country,\" Sanders said. \"And I said welcome these children into this country. Secretary Clinton said, send them back.\"","To be precise, she said they should be sent back if the government can identify responsible adults to care for them. She allowed that it might not be possible to send all of them to their home country.","At the Democratic presidential debate at Miami Dade College, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders aimed to show that he, not former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is the better friend of undocumented immigrants. Sanders said that in Vermont, he backed state driver\u2019s licenses for undocumented immigrants. In New York, he said, Clinton opposed it.","So, speaking about children arriving alone at the border, Clinton said children who can be sent back, should be sent. Clinton noted that not all children could be returned to their home countries."]},{"id":"10225.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Congress Approves Bill Offering Free Cars To Welfare Recipients.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence or credible reports to support the claim that Congress has approved a bill offering free cars to welfare recipients. The evidence provided clarifies that while furnishing cars may be an option, recipients are not given free cars. They are required to purchase the cars themselves, and selling the cars for cash would result in penalties through the welfare system. The claim of Congress approving a bill for free cars is entirely baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In a June 15, 2015, Facebook post, political group Ultraviolet listed \"5 things you should know about Jeb Bush.\" The fourth item: \"Said low-income women should \u2018get their life together and find a husband.' \"","4. Said low-income women should \"get their life together and find a husband\": Ultraviolet attributed this quote to a 2003 Washington Post profile of Bush, but CNN put the comment in context earlier this month.","\"If people are mentally and physically able to work, they should be able to do so within a two-year period,\" he said. \"They should be able to get their life together and find a husband, find a job, find other alternatives in terms of private charity or a combination of all three.\"","\"If people are mentally and physically able to work, they should be able to do so within a two-year period,\" he said. \"They should be able to get their life together and find a husband, find a job, find other alternatives in terms of private charity or a combination of all three. That is the first step, to redefine the role of government. It will be hard. There will be lots of screaming and hollering.\""]},{"id":"7899.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wisconsin is not walking away from a dime in federal funds by rejecting the Obamacare Medicaid expansion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks full context. While the Scott Walker administration claims that Wisconsin is not losing any federal funds by rejecting the Obamacare Medicaid expansion, this assertion is not entirely accurate. By choosing not to expand Medicaid, Wisconsin is forgoing the enhanced federal funding provided under the Affordable Care Act. This means that the state is missing out on potential federal funds that could have been allocated for Medicaid expansion. While there may be alternative federal funding streams, it is misleading to suggest that Wisconsin is not losing any federal funds by rejecting the expansion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7725.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that in 2007, Oregon ranked 25th -- or 7th from the bottom -- in percentage of children with untreated decay compared to 32 other states with similar data.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the 2012 draft report mentioned Oregon's ranking in terms of untreated decay compared to 32 other states, the evidence suggests that this ranking was not accurate or reliable. The CDC, which provides the data, states that the statistics are not meant to be ranked due to different time periods, response rates, and other factors that vary across states. Therefore, the claim of Oregon ranking 25th or 7th from the bottom is misleading and unsupported by the data.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10975.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The original compromise for the Confederate battle flag in South Carolina was to put it on the back side of the statehouse, out of public view so it would not have any appearance of sovereignty.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Representative Clyburn and other sources. The original compromise regarding the Confederate battle flag in South Carolina was indeed to place it on the back side of the statehouse, away from public view, in order to avoid any perception of sovereignty. However, due to subsequent actions by the legislature, the flag was ultimately placed in front of the statehouse, contrary to the original compromise. While the statement is mostly true, it's important to note that the flag's placement has since changed, as it was removed from the statehouse grounds in 2015.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Four years ago, candidate Obama came to Nevada, promising to help. But after he was elected, his help was telling people to skip coming here for conventions and meetings,\" Romney told the crowd at the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa on Feb. 4, 2012.","That could certainly be construed as a rap on tourism. But a suggestion to skip meetings and conventions? The president said no such thing. Romney\u2019s claim, like so much about Las Vegas, was over the top. We rate it Mostly False.","\"The president needs to lay off Las Vegas and stop making it the poster child for where people shouldn't be spending their money,\" said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat who is normally an ally of the president.","The mayor of Las Vegas demanded an apology. Several major companies canceled meetings worth hundreds of thousands of dollars \"not because of costs but because of appearances,\" according to Newsday."]},{"id":"8618.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The nine-day deer hunt contributes more than $1.3 billion in revenue to the state of Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Vos that the nine-day deer hunt contributes over $1.3 billion in revenue to the state of Wisconsin, it's important to note that this figure includes revenue generated from various sources related to deer hunting, not just the nine-day gun hunt. The revenue includes contributions from licenses, permits, equipment sales, lodging, and other related activities. However, it's worth mentioning that the specific breakdown of revenue sources and the exact contribution from the nine-day deer hunt itself is not provided. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it lacks specific details about the breakdown of revenue sources.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["10. \u201cOur economy continues to struggle with slow economic growth, high unemployment and stagnant wages. \u201cObama care\u2019s\u201d raising costs. That\u2019s making it harder for small businesses to hire. In short, it\u2019s a train wreck.\u201d","\u201cI voted for Donald Trump,\u201d Boehner told Time Magazine in an interview to promote his memoir \u2013 \u201cOn the House\u201d \u2013 which is officially released on Tuesday. \u201cI thought that his policies, by and large, mirrored the policies that I believed in. I thought the choices for the Supreme Court were top notch. At the end of the day, who gets nominated to the federal courts is really the most important thing a President does.\u201d","Boehner has been doing pre-publicity for the book for a couple of weeks and it\u2019s safe to say there won\u2019t be a lot of conservatives lining up to buy the old sot a drink. Tyler wrote at the beginning of the month about Boehner going off on the very people who made him Speaker:","Worth noting: Boehner says he voted for Trump directly after saying this: \u201cDonald Trump is a product of the chaos we\u2019ve seen in our political process over the last 10 or 12 years.\u201d"]},{"id":"3295.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve now gained private sector jobs 12 months in a row.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there has been a streak of private sector job growth for 12 consecutive months. However, it's important to note that this statement does not account for the overall job growth in the economy, which includes both private sector and government jobs. When considering the total job growth, the streak is shorter at 15 months. Nevertheless, since the statement specifically refers to private sector jobs, it can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6285.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeff Brandes voted to allow state-run Citizens Property Insurance to dump policies onto out-of-state, unregulated private companies.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Jeff Brandes voted in favor of allowing state-run Citizens Property Insurance to transfer policies to out-of-state, unregulated private companies. The measure in question, HB 245, aimed to shrink Citizens by allowing \"surplus lines\" companies to take over its policies. These companies are not overseen by the state Office of Insurance Regulation and often have higher premiums. While the statement accurately reflects Brandes' vote, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because it does not provide further context or information about the potential consequences or reasoning behind Brandes' vote.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"She\u2019s voted repeatedly to send terminally ill patients to prison. And we\u2019re certainly going to make sure Floridians know that \u2014 not to mince words,\" Bill Piper, national affairs director with the Drug Policy Alliance, told Politico.","Says Debbie Wasserman Schultz \"has voted for huge subsidies for the sugar industry ... as well as for delays in cleanups.\"","However, even before the amendment passed, dying patients who simply smoked joints that they obtained legally were not being hauled off to prison en masse by federal agents. Instead, the federal government focused on major suppliers or distributors. Saying Wasserman Schultz voted to send people to prison significantly exaggerates the issue.","The pro-pot lobby has pointed to cases of growers prosecuted for serving ill patients, including transplant recipient Jerry Duval, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Duval was a state-registered caregiver but prosecutors argued he peddled pot to non-patients."]},{"id":"7663.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ch Guevara wrote extensively about the superiority of white Europeans over people of African descent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that Che Guevara has been a controversial figure, there is limited evidence to support the claim that he wrote extensively about the superiority of white Europeans over people of African descent. While Guevara has made some racially insensitive comments in his early writings, later in his life, he expressed support for racial equality. It is important to provide a more nuanced understanding of Guevara's views on race rather than making a sweeping statement that does not accurately reflect the complexity of his beliefs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Democratic State Rep. Brian Sims sent a fundraising email to his supporters notifying them of an attack on his seat: \"The right-wing extremists are trying to take this seat so they can push their anti-choice and anti-equality agenda through our State House.\"","On Saturday, Sims\u2019 camp sent a fundraising email to his supporters addressed from him in which he said, \"I never expected to have this big of a target on my back. The right-wing extremists are trying to take this seat so they can push their anti-choice and anti-equality agenda through our State House.\"","Sims followed up his fundraising email the same day with another email saying he was \"sincerely sorry for offending my challengers for the State House.\" He said in the email, \"when I wrote about the right-wing extremists and their anti-choice, anti-equality agenda, I was referring to the Donald Trumps and Koch brothers of the world, not the Democrats running for my State House seat.\"","Liberal pundit Sally Kohn waded into the firestorm on Twitter. At one point, seeing what she called \"repeated condemnation of Islam as a whole,\" Kohn wrote, \"Since 9\/11, right-wing extremists (incl anti-abortion, anti-gov) have killed more Americans than Islamic extremists.\""]},{"id":"4052.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"From 1947 to 1979, family incomes for rich, middle-income and poor Americans grew about the same rate. But since 1979, incomes for rich families have grown much faster.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of various sources, including United for a Fair Economy and statements made by President Obama. During the period from 1947 to 1979, family incomes for rich, middle-income, and poor Americans grew at a similar rate. However, since 1979, there has been a significant divergence in income growth, with incomes for rich families growing at a much faster pace compared to middle-income and poor families. This trend is supported by data and is widely recognized as a significant factor contributing to income inequality in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3287.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Hitler abolished unions and thats what Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is doing today.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false and lacks any factual basis. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker did not propose or enact any measures to abolish unions, nor did he replicate Hitler's actions in any way. Governor Walker's budget-repair bill aimed to limit collective bargaining rights for certain public employees, but it did not abolish unions. Drawing a comparison between Governor Walker's actions and Hitler's abolition of unions is a gross misrepresentation of the facts and an inflammatory and baseless accusation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1297.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Page 92 of the House health care bill \"says specifically that people can't purchase private health insurance after a date certain.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Page 92 of the House health care bill does not state that people cannot purchase private health insurance after a specific date. In fact, the bill aims to create a new marketplace for individuals to buy private insurance and provides options for people to choose different coverage plans. The claim made by Bachmann misinterprets the language of the bill and ignores the central premise of the plan, which is to rely on a marketplace of private insurance. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9604.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republicans went out of the way to praise (Eric) Holders nomination. ... Not a single Republican senator opposed Eric Holders nomination.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that several prominent Republicans spoke positively about Eric Holder's nomination and praised him initially, it is not accurate to claim that not a single Republican senator opposed his nomination. In fact, 21 Republican senators did vote against Eric Holder's nomination. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete picture.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6219.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"States still face a mandate to expand Medicaid coverage under President Obamas health care reform law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed states to opt out of the Medicaid expansion provision. As a result, not all states are mandated to expand Medicaid coverage under President Obama's health care reform law. In fact, 21 states, mainly those with Republican political leadership, have chosen to opt out of the Medicaid expansion. Therefore, the statement that states still face a mandate to expand Medicaid coverage is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9836.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"SaysTom Cotton voted against preparing America for pandemics like Ebola.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tom Cotton initially voted against one version of a pandemic and emergency preparedness bill, he ultimately voted for the final version, which became law. Therefore, the statement that he voted against preparing America for pandemics like Ebola is misleading. While there was a change in his position, it is important to note that he ultimately supported the bill, indicating a commitment to pandemic preparedness.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5437.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since President Obama took full control of Washington every single day, more than 1,500 of our jobs have been lost.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that job losses occurred during President Obama's tenure, attributing them solely to his control of Washington is an oversimplification. The global financial crisis, which began before Obama took office, significantly impacted the economy and led to job losses. Additionally, job creation is influenced by various factors, including economic cycles, market conditions, and policies implemented by multiple actors, not just the President. Therefore, attributing the job losses solely to President Obama's control of Washington is an exaggeration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8971.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Nancy Pelosi said, Waiting long hours in the emergency room will allow you to make new friends!","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that Nancy Pelosi said, \"Waiting long hours in the emergency room will allow you to make new friends!\" is not accurate. It originated from a satirical article and has been debunked. There is no credible evidence or reliable source to support this claim. It is important to verify information from reputable sources before accepting and sharing it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Sen. Sherrod Brown\u2019s vote helped pass \"Barack Obama\u2019s job-killing health care law, which slapped small businesses throughout Ohio with a $500 billion tax increase.\"","The National Republican Senatorial Committee meantime had a list of other subjects it thought Brown, who faces reelection in November, should discuss during his local visits. Making suggestions in a pointed news release, NRSC spokesman Jahan Wilcox said, \"One of the things we expect that Brown will not be discussing is his 60th vote for Barack Obama\u2019s job-killing health care law, which slapped small businesses throughout Ohio with a $500 billion tax increase.\"","But Brown certainly voted for the health care bill, so let\u2019s not get hung up on which senator had the ultimate vote. More intriguing than that was the NRSC\u2019s claim that the bill \"slapped small businesses throughout Ohio with a $500 billion tax increase.\"","( - The National Republican Senatorial Committee says the health care law slapped Ohio small businesses with a $500 billion tax increase&url=)"]},{"id":"6159.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The DREAM Act was written by members of both parties. When it came up for a vote a year and a half ago, Republicans in Congress blocked it. The bill hadnt changed. ... The only thing that had changed was politics.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the DREAM Act was indeed written by members of both parties and that it was blocked by Republicans in Congress during a vote. It also correctly states that the bill had not changed, and the only factor that had changed was politics. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While it accurately describes the situation at the time, it does not provide a comprehensive overview of the entire history of the DREAM Act or the specific reasons for the Republican opposition. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama \"added\" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined.","In what has become a familiar talking point from Republican opponents, Gregg told Fox News on March 25 that Obama's budget \"doubles the (national) debt in five years, triples it in 10 years.\"","According to the White House\u2019s Office of Management and Budget, debt held by the public is estimated to be about $12.636 trillion at the end of fiscal year 2013, which concludes Sept. 30, 2013.","If we take into account administration projections for debt held by the public as of the end of fiscal year 2013, then the amount of that debt added would exceed the level from Jan. 20, 2009. Fiscal year 2013 is the last budget year to begin during Obama\u2019s first term."]},{"id":"12363.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says former state Sen. Kelli Ward wanted to ban our intelligence agencies from operating in Arizona.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While there were claims made by a PAC that Kelli Ward wanted to ban intelligence agencies from operating in Arizona, multiple sources, including Bender and Maharrey, have clarified that the bill in question was not intended to stop intelligence agencies from operating in the state. Rather, it would have required them to obtain warrants to access electronic information from Arizona state or local governments. Therefore, the claim that Ward wanted to ban intelligence agencies from operating in Arizona is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the intent of the bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We know that Sunday mornings have usually been given over to conservative white men who carp and complain to no end about the inability to get access (to power) when they have it,\" Dyson said.","We can\u2019t fact-check the carping and complaining line, but we can drill down on Dyson\u2019s claim that \"Sunday mornings have usually been given over to conservative white men.\"","Dyson said the the Sunday talk shows are usually given over to conservative white men. It would have been much more accurate if he just said white men.","Dyson described the Sunday shows as having been \"given over\" to conservative white males. While that phrase isn't exact, it does suggest a dominant presence. The numbers don\u2019t back that up. Conservatives outman the liberals but by the time you drill down to white, male, conservatives, they lose much of the edge."]},{"id":"7768.json","label":"half-true","statement":"70,000 three-year-olds and four-year-olds across America will lose access to the preschool Head Start program. ... 2,000 in the state of Florida alone.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Castor that 70,000 three-year-olds and four-year-olds across America will lose access to the preschool Head Start program, with 2,000 of them being in the state of Florida. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not fully support these specific numbers. While there is evidence of some reduction in Head Start program availability, the exact number of children affected may vary and is subject to change. Therefore, while there is a basis for concern about potential cuts to the Head Start program, the specific numbers mentioned should be treated with caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3833.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Betty Sutton and her fellow Democrats went on a spending spree and now their credit card is maxed out.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that Betty Sutton and her fellow Democrats were solely responsible for the maxing out of the federal credit card due to their spending spree. However, this oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to the national debt. While Sutton and her fellow Democrats may have supported certain spending measures, it is inaccurate to place the entire blame on them. The national debt is influenced by various factors, including wars, tax cuts, and other spending decisions made by both Democrats and Republicans. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2969.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Since January 2008 the private sector has lost nearly 8 million jobs while local, state and federal governments added 590,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the evidence provided, the private sector did experience a significant loss of jobs from January 2008 to November 2010, with a drop of approximately 7.3 million jobs. However, the claim that local, state, and federal governments added 590,000 jobs during the same period is inaccurate. The evidence does not support the assertion that government employment increased by that amount. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The campaign of former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal of Gainesville launched its assault in a news release Friday. It said former Secretary of State Karen Handel has run \"a 100 percent negative campaign. Not one all-positive mail piece or TV ad.\"","\"Fulton County's Own Karen Handel Stands Up Against Corruption ... While her Opponents are Politics as Usual,\" campaign mailer, Karen Handel for Governor","Karen Handel is the former secretary of state of Georgia. She is also the former chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. Handel, a Republican, lost the runoff for the GOP nomination for Georgia governor in 2010.","Now labeling anything \"100 percent\" anything is trouble. Significant portions of two of her mailers are positive. In addition, Handel's campaign website, which the Deal campaign's accusation didn't mention in its claim, contains positive elements as well as attacks."]},{"id":"5377.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the federal government could save $175,587 by eliminating a study of the connection between cocaine and risky sex habits of the Japanese quail.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Neumann that the federal government could save $175,587 by eliminating a study on the connection between cocaine and risky sex habits of the Japanese quail. The evidence provided confirms that grants were indeed awarded for such a study in 2011 and 2012. However, it's important to note that the question of whether it is a good use of tax money is subjective and not addressed in the statement. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of the cost savings but does not address the broader question of the study's value.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2880.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obamas position on nuclear arms is a march toward global zero.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's stated goal of working towards global nuclear disarmament or \"global zero.\" While it is important to note that the term \"march toward global zero\" may be seen as a simplified slogan, it aligns with the administration's expressed commitment to reducing nuclear arms. However, it is crucial to consider that the pace and specific strategies for achieving this goal may vary, and there may be differing opinions on the approach to nuclear arms reduction. Overall, the statement captures the essence of Obama's position on nuclear arms.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Gov. Rick Perry says the state\u2019s public schools are improving -- in part, he suggested, because state aid is way up. \"Over the past decade,\" Perry said in his Feb. 8 State of the State address, \"the state\u2019s share of public education spending increased from $11 billion per year to $20 billion in \u201809. That\u2019s an 82 percent increase.\"","Isaac said, \"Over the past 20 years, expenditures for education have increased 142% and Texas\u2019 per-pupil costs have increased from $3,659 to $11,024 after adjusting for inflation.\"","Barton said the state spent $11.1 billion on public education aid in 2000. According to LBB staff, the state spent $20.3 billion on such aid in 2009--$9.2 billion, or 84 percent, more than before.","Says that over the past 20 years, Texas public school spending rose 142 percent and per-pupil spending more than tripled when adjusted for inflation."]},{"id":"2980.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Once people become citizens under the DREAM Act and turn 21, they can sponsor their illegal immigrant parents for legalization.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Under the DREAM Act, once individuals become citizens and reach the age of 21, they can indeed sponsor their parents for legalization. This is supported by U.S. Representative Lamar Smith's argument and the information provided by the U.S. State Department, which confirms that U.S. citizens who are 21 and older can sponsor their parents for immigration through the immediate relative immigrant visa. However, it's important to note that this sponsorship is subject to immigration laws and regulations, and there may be additional requirements and processes involved in the legalization process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10553.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Wisconsin Manufacturers Commerces own 2014 survey revealed that just 15 percent of business executive respondents were in favor of Right-To-Work legislation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to the evidence provided, the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce's own 2014 survey revealed that only 15 percent of business executive respondents were in favor of Right-To-Work legislation. This indicates that a minority of business executives supported such legislation, not the majority. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the survey results and is not false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8288.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Capitol Police force is going so far as to use paramilitary equipment in dealing with singing protesters in Madison","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement is barely-true. While there are claims that the Capitol Police force under Walker has used paramilitary equipment to deal with singing protesters in Madison, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The devices used by the police force, as outlined in United Nations sanctions documents, do not fall under the category of \"paramilitary\" equipment. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the situation by using the term \"paramilitary\" without providing substantial evidence to support it.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The ethics report found that Rangel's aides tried at least three times -- twice in memos and once in a letter to him -- to show him that his Caribbean trips had corporate sponsors, but he denied seeing any of them. And he says his staff never told him about them. The ethics committee concluded there was no evidence that he did see the correspondences sent to him. But the report did not clear him of responsibility.","The ethics panel did exonerate five other members of the Congressional Black Caucus who went on the same trips, multinational business conferences held in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2007 and St. Maarten in November 2008. The report concluded that their respective staff members didn't know about the corporations paying for the trips, so the members of Congress did not knowingly violate any rules and committed no wrongdoing because they were \"provided false information by others, and relied upon that information in seeking approval to accept the trips.\" Nonetheless, the report states, the trips were \"impermissible gifts,\" and they must repay the cost of the travel.","Soon after the House Ethics Committee released a report on Feb. 26, 2010, admonishing Rangel for making the trips, he defiantly insisted the report cleared him of wrongdoing.","Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., has been under investigation for eight months, accused of violating congressional gift rules by letting corporations pay for Caribbean trips in 2007 and 2008."]},{"id":"13396.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Tens of thousands of fraudulent Clinton votes found in Ohio warehouse.","reason":"Reason: The claim that tens of thousands of fraudulent Clinton votes were found in an Ohio warehouse is false. The story originated from an unreliable source, the Christian Times Newsletter, and has since been removed from the site. There is no credible evidence or official reports to support this claim. It is important to rely on verified and trustworthy sources when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6719.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. John Barrow left taxpayers on the hook for $950k study on genetic makeup of ants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is accurate that U.S. Rep. John Barrow voted for legislation that allocated funds for studying the genetic makeup and division of labor in ant colonies. However, it is important to note that the funds were part of a larger stimulus package and were not solely attributed to Barrow's actions. Additionally, the statement implies that Barrow personally left taxpayers on the hook for the entire $950k study, which may not be entirely accurate as the funds were allocated through a legislative process involving multiple actors. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4865.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obamas recent plan to cut $100 million of waste within his administration wont actually save money because hes going to spend it elsewhere.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While President Obama did announce a plan to cut $100 million of waste within his administration, it is important to note that the savings from these cuts may be redirected to other areas or programs. Therefore, while the plan aims to reduce wasteful spending, it does not necessarily guarantee overall savings for the government. The statement accurately reflects the possibility that the saved funds may be allocated elsewhere, potentially negating the intended cost-saving impact.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Candidate Linda Koop mailed out a flier with an illustration of a festively decorated margarita machine that said incumbent Stefani Carter of Dallas \"repeatedly used her campaign contributors\u2019 donations to rent margarita machines for our state house office.\" We learned about the flier via Scott Braddock, a writer for the Capitol news website Quorum Report.","That\u2019s misleadingly imprecise. Twice in four years, Carter reported spending campaign money to rent margarita machines for office staff parties; using the word \"repeatedly\" risks the misimpression that Capitol employees were downing margaritas every other weekend.","\"What is the fastest-growing demographic group in my state of Texas seeking concealed handgun licenses? Black women,\" wrote Carter, a Dallas Republican running for re-election to the Texas House, in the Aug. 30, 2012, piece.","We found opinions that indicated spending campaign money on an office staff party was OK and that liquor being consumed by staffers in a legislator\u2019s office wasn\u2019t a problem in and of itself."]},{"id":"4352.json","label":"true","statement":"The estimated savings of this (debt ceiling) deal only pay for half of the cost of extending all of the Bush-era tax cuts for another decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Scott that the estimated savings from the debt ceiling deal would only cover half of the cost of extending the Bush-era tax cuts for another decade. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which states that the savings achieved through the deal would equal 61.5 percent of the cost of extending the tax cuts. Therefore, it can be concluded that the estimated savings fall short of covering the full cost, supporting the statement's assertion.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6426.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"As Florida secretary of state, Kurt Browning allowed 1,800 illegal voters to register in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. As clarified by multiple sources, including Kurt Browning himself, the secretary of state in Florida does not have the authority to register or remove voters from the rolls. That responsibility lies with county elections supervisors. Browning emphasized that he actively worked to identify and address any potential illegal voters during his tenure. The claim that he allowed 1,800 illegal voters to register is baseless and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11683.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The only budget Ted Cruz ever voted for in his time in the Senate is a budget that cut defense spending by more than Barack Obama proposes we cut it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ted Cruz voted for a budget that included cuts to defense spending, the statement exaggerates the extent of those cuts. The claim that the budget Cruz voted for cut defense spending by more than what Barack Obama proposed is not accurate. The budget in question did include reductions in defense spending, but it did not exceed the proposed cuts by President Obama. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the comparison between Cruz's vote and Obama's proposed cuts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A General Assembly news release announcing the new bill cites the reason such legislation is needed, attributing the statement to Palumbo: \"Across the nation, there are nearly 500,000 registered sex offenders and at any one time about 100,000 of them are unaccounted for. As long as there is one sex offender out there that we cannot account for, there is the potential for great harm, the potential for another victim.\"","* The 500,000 figure Palumbo cites for the total number of sex offenders in the United States was, by NCMEC\u2019s count, off by more than 228,000. The last time it was 500,000 was nine years ago.","Massachusetts has a total of 8,166 registered sex offenders. Those who haven\u2019t properly registered or who are otherwise unaccounted for are termed violators. As of Wednesday, there were 227 violators - or less than 3 percent.","Carolyn Atwell-Davis, the center\u2019s director of legislative affairs, says the group arrives at its figures by calling law enforcement officials in each state and requesting the totals. It uses the information to periodically publish a national map showing the number of registered sex offenders in each state. Using similar data, and what it calls conservative estimates, the center tallies offenders who are unaccounted for."]},{"id":"6722.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Based on the August 2012 national jobs numbers, for every person who got a job, nearly four people stopped looking for a job.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the August 2012 national jobs numbers, which indicate that for every person who gained employment, approximately four people stopped looking for a job. However, it's important to note that this statistic is specific to the given time period and may not be representative of the overall trend. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the broader context and factors that contribute to people dropping out of the labor force, such as retirement, education, or personal circumstances. While the statement is mostly true for the specific time frame mentioned, it should be interpreted with caution and not generalized to all situations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We made accommodation to the Fort Hood shooter to let him grow a beard,\" Huckabee said. \"We made accommodations to the detainees at Gitmo \u2014 I\u2019ve been to Gitmo, and I\u2019ve seen the accommodations that we made to the Muslim detainees who killed Americans.","So Hasan did keep his beard for a while, but ultimately, no accommodation was made for religious reasons. PolitiFact rated this claim Mostly False.","In this fact-check, we\u2019ll focus on Huckabee\u2019s claim about the Fort Hood killer\u2019s beard and if he was allowed to keep it for religious reasons. The legal fight over Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan\u2019s beard went back and forth. Ultimately, his jailers forcibly shaved him, but for a time, he was allowed to keep it.","\"You\u2019re telling me that you cannot make an accommodation for an elected Democrat county clerk from Rowan County, Kentucky? What else is it other than the criminalization of her faith and the exaltation of the faith of everyone else who might be a Fort Hood shooter or a detainee at Gitmo?\""]},{"id":"8918.json","label":"false","statement":"On repealing the 17th Amendment","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that some candidates in the Republican primary, specifically Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, expressed support for repealing the 17th Amendment. However, it is important to note that their views do not represent a consensus among all candidates. Other candidates, such as Patterson and Staples, have expressed opposition to repealing the amendment. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that there is a unified stance among all candidates on repealing the 17th Amendment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says under the Affordable Care Act, New Jersey\u2019s \"new (Medicaid) enrollees won\u2019t qualify for the matching federal funds simply because we added them onto the rolls before 2014.\"","Handlin later continued: \"These new enrollees won\u2019t qualify for the matching federal funds simply because we added them onto the rolls before 2014.\"","In an opinion piece in the Times of Trenton, Handlin claimed that federal officials \"already indicated New Jersey\u2019s new enrollees aren\u2019t entitled to federal funds\" and that \"new enrollees won\u2019t qualify for the matching federal funds simply because we added them onto the rolls before 2014.\"","The assemblywoman\u2019s claim is largely inaccurate, because the state is still receiving federal matching funds for these parents. But when the reform\u2019s expanded Medicaid eligibility takes effect in January 2014, New Jersey is slated to receive half of the matching rate awarded to some other states."]},{"id":"12824.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than 90 percent of the gains have gone to the top 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Multiple sources, including Tanden and Sanders, have claimed that a significant portion of income gains in recent years have gone to the top 1 percent. However, the specific figure of \"more than 90 percent\" is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence provided. While it is clear that a substantial portion of income gains has gone to the top 1 percent, the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific time frame and data sources used. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precise numerical accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We can\u2019t read the ayatollahs\u2019 minds, but we checked whether the Obama administration \"watered down sanctions, delayed sanctions, tried to stop (Congress) from putting the tough sanctions in place.\"","\"In order to solve this peacefully -- which is everybody's goal -- you have to have the ayatollahs change their minds. Look at where they are. They're moving faster toward a nuclear weapon. It's because this administration has no credibility on this issue. It's because this administration watered down sanctions, delayed sanctions, tried to stop us from putting the tough sanctions in place. Now we have them in place because of Congress.\"","What Corker said sounded a lot like a statement made by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in the 2012 vice presidential debate: \"This administration has no credibility on this issue (Iran). It's because this administration watered down sanctions, delayed sanctions, tried to stop us from putting the tough sanctions in place. Now we have them in place because of Congress.\"","Ryan argued that \"this administration watered down sanctions, delayed sanctions, tried to stop (Congress) from putting the tough sanctions in place.\" He\u2019s right that the Obama administration compromised with Russia and China to earn their backing in the U.N. Security Council, and pushed for legislative waivers and other flexibility from Congress as it organized an international coalition to counter Iran."]},{"id":"6713.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"An aide acted on his own and was not representing the Thompson campaign when he sent an email criticizing the sexual orientation of U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly contradicts the statement. The email criticizing Tammy Baldwin's sexual orientation was sent by a chief spokesman of the Thompson campaign, using a campaign account, and it was strategically timed to coincide with Baldwin's convention speech. Additionally, other Thompson aides confirmed that the aide acted on his own and was not representing the campaign. Therefore, the claim that the aide was not representing the Thompson campaign is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10256.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On immigration, what reports say President Barack Obama plans to do is roughly on the same scale as what President George H.W. Bush did.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Reports have indicated that President Barack Obama's plans on immigration were on a similar scale to what President George H.W. Bush did. This is supported by evidence showing that both presidents shared a readiness to act unilaterally on immigration and even honored community service leaders together in 2009. While the statement lacks specific details about the exact nature of their actions, it accurately reflects the similarity in scale between the immigration plans of the two presidents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13011.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since 2013 alone, the Obama administration has allowed 300,000 criminal aliens to return back into United States communities. These are individuals encountered or identified by (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), but who were not detained or processed for deportation because it wouldnt have been politically correct.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Trump regarding the Obama administration allowing 300,000 criminal aliens to return to the United States communities. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context and may be misleading. While it is true that some individuals encountered or identified by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were not detained or processed for deportation, attributing this solely to political correctness oversimplifies a complex issue. There are various factors that can contribute to decisions regarding detention and deportation, including limited resources, prioritization of cases, and legal considerations. Therefore, while there may be instances where political factors influenced these decisions, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entire situation to political correctness.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"These 60 acres have produced zero SPLOST money for parks and recreation, have produced zero money for education,\" said John Loud, who owns Loud Security, based in Cobb.","To sum up, Loud said the 60 acres the Atlanta Braves are considering as part of a stadium development have produced no SPLOST money for parks and recreation and zero money for education. The site\u2019s owners currently pay property taxes that go to the county\u2019s school system. Loud said he was referring to sales tax revenue from the land. His quote in the newspaper article could had been clearer about the point he was trying to make.","As for whether the property has produced zero money for education, that\u2019s a more complicated element to Loud\u2019s claim. Cobb collects about $140,000 a year in school taxes from the land, Quigley said. Our total, based on the parcels the AJC believes the Braves have secured, was close, at nearly $143,000. Loud was aware of how much money is collected in property taxes for the school system when PolitiFact Georgia gave him a call. He stressed he was talking about sales tax revenue in The Marietta Daily Journal article.","The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has identified several parcels where it believes the Braves want to build the new stadium and other development. The Braves declined to identify the parcels that have been secured, citing a confidentiality agreement. The team did say it believes the land is undeveloped. A Cobb County government spokesman agreed."]},{"id":"4996.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Were $15 trillion now in debt, with a president thats racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the national debt has reached approximately $15 trillion, the claim that President Obama has accumulated as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that the debt under President Obama, from his inauguration to December 14, 2011, increased by around $4 trillion. This is a significant increase, but it does not surpass the combined debt accumulated by the previous 43 presidents. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4448.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the New York 9th District, there is a large number of people who went to the polls tonight who didnt support the president to begin with and dont support Democrats -- and its nothing more than that.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Debbie Wasserman Schultz's remarks about the New York 9th District election. She stated that there is a significant number of voters in the district who did not support the president and do not support Democrats. However, labeling the statement as \"barely-true\" is appropriate because it oversimplifies the complexity of voter motivations and the factors that influence election outcomes. While voter sentiment towards the president and political parties is undoubtedly a significant factor, it is not the sole determinant of election results. Other factors, such as candidate appeal, local issues, and campaign strategies, also play a role in shaping election outcomes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4542.json","label":"true","statement":"A family of four can make up to $88,000 a year and still get a subsidy for health insurance under the new federal health care law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Under the new federal health care law, a family of four can indeed qualify for a subsidy for health insurance if their annual income is up to $88,000. This subsidy is provided through the Affordable Care Act and is based on a sliding scale, where the amount of the subsidy decreases as income increases. Therefore, families with an income of up to $88,000 can receive a subsidy to help cover the cost of health insurance premiums.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11993.json","label":"half-true","statement":"An economic impact study found that for every $1 invested in pre-K in Pennsylvania, a total of $1.79 is generated in total spending within the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the findings of an economic impact study that suggests for every $1 invested in pre-K in Pennsylvania, a total of $1.79 is generated in total spending within the state. However, it's important to note that this figure represents the overall economic impact and not necessarily direct financial returns. The study indicates that the investment in pre-K leads to increased economic activity and subsequent spending, but it does not specify the source or distribution of that spending. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the findings of the study, it should be understood that the $1.79 figure represents a broader economic impact rather than a direct financial return on investment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On the latter point, we disagree. Block has repeatedly made it clear he no longer supports Obamacare. The very \"Newsmakers\" appearance the Fung campaign cites in its attack on Block shows that.","In other words, Block acknowledged in November that he did support the promise of Obamacare, signed into law in March 2010, and Obama's reelection in 2012, but stated that he no longer supports that law.","One of the \"blockhead\" characters says: \"Block supports Obamacare,\" a reference to the Affordable Care Act that Republicans in Congress have tried to repeal, gut or delay more than 50 times.","When the Fung campaign got back to us, spokesmen Patrick Sweeney and Robert Coupe argued that it is accurate to say that Block supports Obamacare today because Block has never called for repeal of the law, as other opponents have and has never formally revoked the support he acknowledged in the November \"Newsmakers\" appearance."]},{"id":"3365.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Last year it was discovered that Rhode Islands public employees ranked 4th in average pay, while the private sector ranked 23rd.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks clarity and precision. While it is accurate that Rhode Island's public employees ranked 4th in average pay, the information regarding the private sector ranking 23rd is not entirely supported by the evidence. The available evidence suggests that the private sector pay in Rhode Island ranked 20th, which is significantly different from the stated ranking of 23rd. Therefore, the statement is partially true but requires clarification and correction regarding the ranking of the private sector.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Donald Trump says that Hillary Clinton wants open borders \u2014 a charge he has leveled again after an excerpt of one of her speeches leaked in a hacked email.","Although she wants to make it easier for some undocumented immigrants to stay here, she has repeatedly said she supports border security, so Trump is exaggerating when he says she wants open borders.","\"We have no country if we have no border. Hillary wants to give amnesty,\" Trump said during the debate held at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Oct. 19. \"She wants to have open borders.\"","While Donald Trump vows to build a wall between the United States and Mexico to keep undocumented immigrants out, he says Hillary Clinton has the opposite approach."]},{"id":"13220.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Will Hurd said a border-long U.S.-Mexico wall absolutely makes sense.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Will Hurd stated that a wall makes sense in heavily populated places, it is important to note that he also expressed that a border-long wall does not make sense. The statement in question misrepresents Hurd's view by omitting his clear stance against a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of Hurd's position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Overall, Deal's voting record showed that Deal -- once he switched to the GOP -- was more of a Bush Republican than he was a Clinton Democrat while he was in Clinton's party.","Deal had a chance to clarify his position during a January GOP gubernatorial debate. Opponent state Rep. Austin Scott, now a candidate for Congress, accused Deal of \"calling for childish things like the president to show his birth certificate.\"","\"You know, I\u2019m not going to be lectured by Nathan Deal, who is a former Clinton Democrat. I will stack up my conservative credentials against his any day of the week,\" Handel told the WSB-TV anchor.","The morning after winning a spot in the Republican runoff, the former Georgia secretary of state appeared on WSB-TV and called her opponent, former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal of Gainesville, a name: \"a former Clinton Democrat.\""]},{"id":"11755.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders health care plan would empower Republicangovernors to take away Medicaid,to take away health insurance for low-income and middle-income working Americans.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bernie Sanders' health care plan involves a transition away from private insurance towards a single-payer system, which could potentially impact Medicaid and private insurance, the statement oversimplifies the situation. Sanders' plan aims to provide comprehensive health care coverage to all Americans, including low-income and middle-income working individuals. However, the extent to which Republican governors would have the power to take away Medicaid or health insurance under Sanders' plan is not explicitly outlined. It is important to note that the implementation and details of any health care plan would involve negotiations and considerations within the legislative process. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to provide a complete understanding of the potential implications of Sanders' health care plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"9359.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A proposed amendment allows a teenager to get a recommendation for medical marijuana without the consent of a parent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the sources provided, opponents of the proposed amendment claim that it would allow teenagers to obtain a recommendation for medical marijuana without parental consent. However, it is important to note that the sources do not provide specific details or evidence to support this claim. Without further information or clarification, it is difficult to determine the accuracy and scope of this assertion. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It is extremely troubling that Kelly Ayotte has voted four times against the federal Paycheck Fairness Act, which would help ensure that women can earn equal pay for equal work.\" Hassan said in the release.","\"NHDP Launches Petition Campaign to Hold Kelly Ayotte Accountable for Blocking Federal Paycheck Fairness Act,\" New Hampshire Democratic Party, April 12, 2016","On Equal Pay Day, Democrats said Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte had not only voted against equal paychecks for women, but she had done so multiple times.","The bill in question is called the Paycheck Fairness Act, which according to its official legislative description \"amends the portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) known as the Equal Pay Act to revise remedies for, enforcement of, and exceptions to prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages.\""]},{"id":"9590.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says nothing in Obamas $3.7 billion request to address the child immigrant situation actually secures the border.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Representative Steve King expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of President Obama's $3.7 billion request to address the child immigration situation, it is an oversimplification to claim that \"nothing\" in the request actually secures the border. The request includes provisions for increased border security measures, such as additional personnel, technology, and resources to enhance border enforcement. While there may be differing opinions on the effectiveness of these measures, it is inaccurate to assert that the request includes absolutely nothing to address border security.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1143.json","label":"true","statement":"Pregnant women trying to buy health insurance on their own are barred from maternity coverage because they have a pre-existing condition.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), pregnant women trying to purchase health insurance on their own could be denied coverage or charged higher premiums due to pregnancy being considered a pre-existing condition. The ACA addressed this issue by prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher rates based on pre-existing conditions, including pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women are no longer barred from maternity coverage due to their pre-existing condition.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5774.json","label":"true","statement":"If youre earning under $100,000 a year and you commute to New York every day you pay more to the Port Authority in tolls than you pay to the state of New Jersey in income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the financial burden faced by individuals earning under $100,000 a year who commute to New York. The tolls paid to the Port Authority for commuting purposes can indeed exceed the amount paid to the state of New Jersey in income tax for individuals in this income bracket. This comparison emphasizes the relatively high cost of commuting compared to the income tax paid by low-earning individuals in New Jersey.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"If we are going to out-compete the world, we must invest in K-12 education,\" he said. \"This year, we are recommending an increase in K-12 funding to $50 above the historic level to $7,176 per student.\"","\"His prioritization of education will continue in his second term by championing an all-time high per pupil funding level of $7,176.\"","Gov. Rick Scott's budget proposal for the 2016-17 school year would help him achieve one of his key education promises from his re-election campaign: boost ing K-12 per pupil spending to an all-time high per pupil funding level of $7,176.","He has since reversed course, recommending additional funding each year as tax revenues and the state's economy rebounded. Let\u2019s check the numbers to see if Scott\u2019s per-pupil spending really is a historic high."]},{"id":"4835.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Chile they have 72 percent of the GDP in savings.","reason":"Reason: The statement regarding Chile having 72 percent of GDP in savings is not supported by the provided evidence and is inaccurate. The evidence provided does not mention anything about Chile's GDP savings or provide any data to support this claim. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and cannot be verified.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11044.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Mexican government forces many bad people into our country.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that the Mexican government forces \"many bad people\" into the United States. Migration from Mexico to the United States is primarily driven by economic and family factors, and there is no policy or evidence to suggest that the Mexican government is intentionally pushing criminals or undesirable individuals into the United States. This claim has been widely debunked and is not based on factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10805.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A sitting sheriff cannot be charged except by a warrant issued by a Superior Court judge.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions of Georgia law, which state that a sitting sheriff cannot be charged except by a warrant issued by a Superior Court judge. This requirement ensures that charges against a sheriff are handled by a higher court authority to maintain impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest. However, it's important to note that this requirement applies specifically to peace officers, law enforcement officers, teachers, or school administrators who are alleged to have committed an offense while performing their duties. The statement does not apply to all individuals in law enforcement or public office. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as it does not provide the full context of the law's scope.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Dalrymple emailed us a partial transcript indicating Jones was responding to a question about if data shows an established link between football and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a specific progressive degenerative disease of the brain:","According to the Post , Jones was asked to clarify whether there is, in his view, enough data to establish such a link. \"No, that\u2019s absurd,\" Jones told reporters. \"There\u2019s no data that in any way creates a knowledge. There\u2019s no way that you could have made a comment that there is an association and some type of assertion. In most things, you have to back it up by studies. And in this particular case, we all know how medicine is. Medicine is evolving.\"","Web post, \"Report from the First NIH Consensus Conference to Define the Neuropathological Criteria for the Diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy,\" National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, last updated March 31, 2015 (accessed April 18, 2016)","Through Kristin Mears, spokeswoman for the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Lyketsos emailed this statement: \"In my view, there is good evidence to support \u2018a link\u2019 between playing football and long-term consequences of traumatic brain injuries such as developing CTE. The science, however, is still very limited in terms of the strength of the link and many other important aspects of this link. The research that would be necessary to clarify these issues is costly and will take a long time to complete.\""]},{"id":"3390.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 1999, all Virginia Lottery profits have been used for public education in the Commonwealth for kindergarten through 12th grade.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Since 1999, the Virginia Lottery has allocated its profits for public education in the Commonwealth, specifically for kindergarten through 12th grade. The establishment of a Lottery Proceeds Fund, as approved by voters in 2000, ensured that lottery profits would be directed towards education. While there may be some uncertainty regarding the exact allocation of profits prior to 1999, the evidence supports the claim that all profits since 1999 have been used for public education.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4757.json","label":"false","statement":"Governor Christie also remains the only Governor since World War II, among both Democrats and Republicans, who failed to have his party win control of at least one legislative body over the course of his term.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Governor Chris Christie did not have his party win control of both legislative bodies during his term, he did have his party win control of the New Jersey Senate in 2011. Therefore, he is not the only governor since World War II, among both Democrats and Republicans, to fail to have his party win control of at least one legislative body.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McCabe \"supports selling late term abortions for bigger body parts,\" Black tweeted on July 28. He renewed the charge on Aug. 4, tweeting that McCabe \"supports late term abortions. Larger baby parts are more profitable.\"","McCabe indicates she supports late term abortions in instances when it is \"in the best health interest\" of the mother or child. She says she opposes the sale of fetal tissue for profit.","Black links McCabe\u2019s qualified support for late term abortions to what he says is an effort to profit from the sale of \"large baby parts.\" In effect, he\u2019s accusing his opponent of supporting an illegal practice because U.S. law bans the sale of fetal tissue for profit.","\"Jill McCabe does not support late term abortions, but as a doctor she does understand that there are unfortunately circumstances where a pregnancy proceeding to full-term is not in the best health interest of either a mother, or child,\" Sutton wrote in an email."]},{"id":"9855.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Over 73% of all donations raised (from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge) are going to fundraising, overhead, executive salaries, and external donations.","reason":"Reason: The claim that over 73% of donations raised from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge are allocated to fundraising, overhead, executive salaries, and external donations is false. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim and provided evidence that the ALS Association's expenditures for purposes that advance its mission accounted for nearly 79% of their total expenditures. Fundraising, overhead, and executive salaries accounted for no more than 21%. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7632.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the 2010-11 New Hampshire budget ended with an $18 million surplus, while the Republican-led 2012-13 budget has a $40 million deficit.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that the 2010-11 New Hampshire budget ended with an $18 million surplus. This is confirmed by multiple sources, including the Democratic chairman Ray Buckley. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not explicitly state that the 2012-13 budget had a $40 million deficit. While the evidence mentions a claim made by Ray Buckley regarding a deficit, it does not provide direct evidence or confirmation of the specific deficit amount. Therefore, the statement is mostly true regarding the surplus in the 2010-11 budget, but the claim about the deficit in the 2012-13 budget lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6991.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama was silent on Iran when the students took to the streets in Tehran and the people there protested, (and) the Green Revolution occurred.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney accused Barack Obama of being silent on Iran during the Green Revolution, the statement is misleading. President Obama did make public statements regarding the protests in Iran during the Green Revolution in 2009. However, his approach was cautious and measured, as he sought to avoid directly interfering in the internal affairs of another country. While some critics may have wanted a more forceful response, it is inaccurate to claim that Obama was completely silent on the matter.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The things I said (during the prank call by a blogger posing as GOP contributor David Koch) are the things I\u2019ve said publicly all along\" about the Wisconsin budget debate.","Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his remarks during a prank phone call were \u201cthe things I\u2019ve said publicly all along\u201d about his budget-repair bill","( - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his remarks during a prank phone call were \u201cthe things I\u2019ve said publicly all along\u201d about his budget-repair bill&url=)","He added about his conversation with the Koch fake: \"But the bottom line is, the things I said are the things I\u2019ve said publicly all along.\""]},{"id":"12984.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Inner-city crime is reaching record levels.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"inner-city crime is reaching record levels\" is not supported by evidence. Criminologists and experts in the field have confirmed that inner-city crime rates are not at record levels. In fact, crime rates among African-Americans, including youth, were much higher in the early 1990s. While there has been a recent uptick in crime in certain cities, it is incorrect and misleading to claim that inner-city crime is reaching record levels. The lack of an official category or definition for \"inner-city\" crime further complicates the statement. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9234.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Oklahomas Republican Gov. Mary Fallin signed a new law which makes you pay a special fee. It will essentially fine people for the crime of using solar power.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it misrepresents the nature of the law signed by Governor Mary Fallin. While the law does not directly make people pay a special fee or fine for using solar power, it does create the possibility for utility companies to impose fees if they can demonstrate that solar and wind customers are being subsidized by other energy consumers. The law opens the door to potential fees rather than directly imposing them. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact of the law and misrepresents its intent.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Joe Biden \"went to China and said that he sympathized and wouldn't second-guess their one-child policy of forced abortions and sterilizations.\"","\"The vice president himself went to China and said that he sympathized and wouldn't second-guess their one-child policy of forced abortions and sterilizations,\" Ryan said. \"That to me is pretty extreme.\"","Ryan accused Biden of going to China and saying he \"sympathized and wouldn\u2019t second-guess their one-child policy of forced abortions and sterilizations.\"","That\u2019s the accusation made by Paul Ryan, who said Biden \"sympathized and wouldn\u2019t second guess (China\u2019s) one-child policy of forced abortions and sterilizations,\" during their Oct. 11, 2012, vice presidential debate."]},{"id":"5957.json","label":"false","statement":"Millions could lose their health care coverage and be forced into a government pool under the new health care law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that some individuals may have experienced changes or disruptions in their health care coverage due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the claim that \"millions could lose their health care coverage and be forced into a government pool\" is an exaggeration. The ACA aimed to expand access to health care coverage and introduced various provisions to protect individuals from losing their coverage. While some individuals may have had to transition to different plans or enroll in government-run programs like Medicaid, the claim of \"millions\" being forced into a government pool is not supported by evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There are many paths to the United States Senate,\" Reid said from the floor on Jan. 15. \"It is fair to say that the path that brought our new colleague from Illinois to us was unique. . . . Senator Burris, on behalf of all senators, we welcome you as a colleague and a friend.\"","\" We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a senator-elect.","\"We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a senator-elect . . . . We congratulate Senator-designee Burris on his appointment, and we look forward to working with him in the 111th Congress.\"","U.S. Senate Web site, \"Press release: Senate Democratic Leadership Statement on Gov. Blagojevich's Appointment of Roland Burris to the vacant U.S. Senate seat from Illinois,\" Dec. 30, 2008"]},{"id":"4592.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Our unemployment rate has been higher than 8 percent for more than two-and-a-half years, far above what the Obama Administration promised with the stimulus.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. It is true that the unemployment rate remained above 8 percent for more than two-and-a-half years during the Obama administration. However, it is misleading to attribute this solely to the failure of the stimulus package or to suggest that the administration made specific promises regarding the unemployment rate. The global financial crisis, which occurred before President Obama took office, significantly impacted the economy and contributed to the prolonged high unemployment rate. While the stimulus package aimed to mitigate the effects of the crisis, it is incorrect to claim that the administration explicitly promised to keep the unemployment rate below 8 percent. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Readers recently forwarded us a claim they had begun seeing in their inbox -- and which their friends were believing. It was a link to a story headlined, \"2014 Federal Tax Refunds To Be Delayed Until October 2015.\"","A chain email has been circulating with a link to an article headlined, \"2014 Federal Tax Refunds To Be Delayed Until October 2015.\" However, the article comes from the National Report, a satire website. It is not accurate and was never intended to be. We rate the claim Pants On Fire.","\"Normally when you file your taxes, whatever money is owed back to you is quickly repaid. The process of getting your money back has been made even quicker in recent years through the use of E-file and direct deposit of federal tax rebates. But starting in 2015, federal tax refunds for the 2014 fiscal year are going to take longer for Americans to receive. A lot longer.","\"The deadline to have your federal taxes filed will remain April 15th, but under new directives issued to the IRS, no refunds are to be issued before October 15th, 2015. This means that early filers who normally receive their refunds around the beginning of February will have to wait an additional 7 months longer than normal to get the money owed to them."]},{"id":"8799.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Thanks in part to our all-of-the-above strategy for American energy, the United States generates more natural gas than anybody.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the United States generates more natural gas than any other country. This claim is supported by data from BP, which shows that the United States has been consistently at or near the top in natural gas production internationally. The expansion of natural gas extraction through technologies like fracking has contributed to the United States' increased lead over Russia in natural gas production during Obama's tenure. However, it's important to note that the statement attributes this achievement to the \"all-of-the-above\" strategy for American energy, which may be an oversimplification as there are multiple factors that have contributed to the increase in natural gas production. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Forty-five (45) states allow open carry of firearms,\" she wrote. \"Varying restrictions on open carry in some states does not alter the fact that 45 states allow open carry.\"","It\u2019s worth remembering, however, that the laws in some open-carry states are not as permissive as Hammer makes it seem. Several states have restrictions on the open carry of certain types of firearms, and in some places the rules are stricter than others.","The Florida bills address the open carry of handguns, so that's the context of Hammer's column. There are other states that allow the open carry of handguns while restricting long guns, such as rifles and shotguns.","The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence agrees with the NRA on the same five states that prohibit open carry. But the center points out that Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey prohibit the open carry of long guns, just as Florida, California, Illinois and D.C. do. But New York and South Carolina allow open carry for long guns, while preventing it for handguns."]},{"id":"6024.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ted Cruz helps run two national organizations that have been leading the push to give amnesty to illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ted Cruz helps run two national organizations that have been leading the push to give amnesty to illegal immigrants is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple sources have found no evidence to substantiate this claim, and it has been widely debunked. The lack of evidence and the absence of these organizations among the top advocacy groups on immigration policy further discredit the statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10476.json","label":"true","statement":"Measles is one of the most common causes of child blindness worldwide.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true when considering the global context. In low-income countries with limited access to healthcare and lower vaccination rates, measles can indeed be one of the leading causes of child blindness. However, it's important to note that in developed countries with high vaccination rates, such as North America and Europe, measles does not typically lead to blindness. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the situation worldwide, taking into account the disparities in healthcare and vaccination coverage across different regions.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"308.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he was the only Republican candidate at a prior debate who said lower-income workers were being hurt by the economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it implies that the candidate was the only Republican candidate in a prior debate to acknowledge that lower-income workers were being negatively impacted by the economy. However, without further context or specific information about the prior debate and the positions of other Republican candidates, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. It is possible that other Republican candidates in the debate also acknowledged the challenges faced by lower-income workers, but the statement does not provide enough evidence to support the assertion that the candidate was the only one to do so.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2812.json","label":"false","statement":"Portland Community College serves more students than all of the states universities combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Portland Community College (PCC) serves a significant number of students, it does not serve more students than all of the state's universities combined. The evidence provided does not support this claim, and it has been debunked by fact-checkers. While PCC's enrollment numbers are impressive, they do not surpass the combined enrollment of all universities in the state of Oregon.\nLabel: false","evidence":["To which Kasich shot back, \"When Jeb was governor -- his first four years as governor -- his Medicaid program grew twice as fast as mine. Okay? It's just a fact.\"","Kasich said that Florida\u2019s Medicaid spending in the first four years of the Bush administration went up twice as quickly as they did during Kasich\u2019s first four years in Ohio. The spending numbers bear that out.","Every Republican presidential candidate opposes Obamacare, but Ohio Gov. John Kasich stands out for being the only one who took advantage of the program\u2019s Medicaid expansion option. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush wasn\u2019t going to let that choice go unnoticed. Bush touted his opposition to expansion in Florida during a debate in South Carolina.","Jeb Bush keeps promoting his record during the runup to announcing his presidential campaign, telling a crowd at a Republican event he cut taxes as Florida\u2019s governor."]},{"id":"8132.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If we dont spend money on a pier, then that money does wipe into the general funds of the city or the county, and if you send it to the county, you never see it again.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. If the money allocated for a pier project is not spent within a certain timeframe, it may be reallocated to the general funds of the city or county. However, it is not accurate to claim that once the money is sent to the county, it will never be seen again. The evidence suggests that if the funds are not utilized by a specific deadline, the county may reclaim its share, while the remaining money would be retained by the city. Therefore, while there is a risk of losing the funds if not used within the designated timeframe, it does not mean the money is permanently lost.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["People were upset, Walker said, because the Regents \"had the audacity to put just a slight restraint on this \u2018jobs-for-life\u2019 tenure program that they have at the University of Wisconsin System.\"","In March, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents made it easier for tenured professors to lose their jobs. The move spawned outrage among faculty members and put lawmakers who supported the changes on the defensive.","The 2015-\u201916 academic year ended with pomp, circumstance -- and skirmishes between Gov. Scott Walker and professors in the University of Wisconsin System.","Walker, irked by no-confidence votes faculty are taking against the system\u2019s leadership, fired attacks on University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professors (including one we rated Pants on Fire)."]},{"id":"6172.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obamacare is . . . the largest tax increase in the history of the world.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obamacare is the largest tax increase in the history of the world is not supported by credible evidence. While the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) does include tax provisions, it is not accurate to assert that it is the largest tax increase in history, let alone in the history of the world. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim and rated it as false. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing the impact of policy decisions.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Oregon\u2019s unemployment among high school graduates aged 18 to 20 tops the national charts, with a rise of more than 300% from 2008 to 2011. This gigantic leap dwarfs the U.S. unemployment rate for the same demographic, which only shows an increase of around 30%.\" (Cascade later revised the claim to reflect a 200 percent increase.)","In 2008, unemployment for high school graduates 18-20 years old in Oregon was 8.3 percent, compared with 13.4 percent nationally. In 2011, Oregon unemployment had grown to 25.4 percent, compared with 18.4 percent nationally. Those figures correspond with a 206 percent increase in Oregon, and 37 percent nationally.","Here are the numbers: In 2008, unemployment in Oregon was 11.1 percent. By 2011, it was 35.4 percent. That is a 219 percent increase. The U.S average was 18.3 percent in 2008 and 24.5 percent in 2011. That is a 34 percent increase.","We were struck by two things in the data: The high 35 percent rate in Oregon in 2011, but also the low 11 percent rate in 2008. We were doing better than the national average five years ago. Obviously if we go from lower-than-average to higher-than-average, we\u2019re going to get a larger-than-usual increase. That made us see the 200 percent increase in a new light."]},{"id":"9518.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republican candidate for governor Allan Fung donated to Democrats like Congressman David Cicilline, disgraced (House) speaker Gordon Fox and even Mr. Obamacare, Harry Reid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions that Republican candidate Allan Fung made donations to Democrats such as Congressman David Cicilline and Harry Reid. However, it is important to note that the characterization of Gordon Fox as \"disgraced\" is not entirely accurate, as he was the majority leader at the time of Fung's donation and was not under investigation. Additionally, the mention of Fung donating to \"Mr. Obamacare, Harry Reid\" is misleading since the donation was made in 2004, well before the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was enacted. Therefore, while the statement contains some accurate information, it also includes misleading and outdated details.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12892.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama founded ISIS. I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Barack Obama founded ISIS is false and misleading. ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is a terrorist organization that emerged as a result of complex geopolitical factors, regional conflicts, and the power vacuum left in Iraq after the U.S. invasion in 2003. It is inaccurate and absurd to claim that President Obama, or any individual, founded ISIS. Similarly, the assertion that Hillary Clinton is a co-founder of ISIS is baseless and lacks any factual basis. These claims are widely discredited and have been debunked by numerous experts and fact-checkers.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Gillespie\u2019s says that Obamacare cuts \"seniors\u2019 Medicare.\" That suggests the law isn\u2019t just reducing Medicare spending but is actually slicing Medicare benefits.","\"Bera voted to keep Obamacare, which cut $716 billion from Medicare, slashing Medicare Advantage,\" the ad\u2019s narrator says. \"Now California seniors face benefit cuts of over $1,700.\"","First of all, this claim is misleading because it makes it seem like all seniors will face these cuts, when the statistic actually refers to Medicare Advantage enrollees -- only about one-third of seniors.","Now to the claim. The ad makes it sound like all California seniors will face cuts to this degree. However, the report only addresses Medicare Advantage. About one-third of seniors use Medicare Advantage, which is a private coverage option."]},{"id":"10094.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 70,000 job openings are listed on a state jobs website.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Texas Workforce Commission, which states that there are over 70,000 job openings listed on the state jobs website. This indicates a significant number of available job opportunities in the state. However, it's important to note that this number represents a fraction of the total job vacancies in Texas, as it only includes those listed on the state jobs website and does not account for job listings on private job boards. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood that the actual number of job openings in Texas is likely higher than the 70,000 listed on the state jobs website.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"514.json","label":"true","statement":"When the United States invaded Iraq, Saddam Hussein wanted to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and \"he said so himself after his capture.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator McCain's assertion that Saddam Hussein, after his capture, admitted to intending to acquire weapons of mass destruction. This claim is supported by McCain's statement and aligns with the broader narrative surrounding the invasion of Iraq. It's important to note that the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was one of the justifications used for the invasion, but the subsequent investigations did not find evidence to support this claim. However, the statement accurately represents McCain's perspective on the matter.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7366.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Except for Virginia, the other 49 states keep raising their gas tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to the evidence provided, 25 states have not raised their gas tax in a decade or more, and 14 states, including Virginia, have not increased their gas tax for at least two decades. This clearly contradicts the claim that all other 49 states continuously raise their gas tax. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7830.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says 70,000 children have lost their Head Start slots because of the sequester.","reason":"Reason: While there have been reductions in Head Start slots due to the sequester, the statement that 70,000 children have lost their Head Start slots is an overestimation. The Obama administration estimated that \"up to\" that number of children may lose out, but it does not necessarily mean that all 70,000 children have already lost their slots. Some children have indeed lost their Head Start positions, and others have experienced reduced access to the program. However, the statement implies that the worst-case scenario has already taken place, which is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4382.json","label":"false","statement":"On disaster aid offsets","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence to suggest that Eric Cantor has changed positions on offsets to federal disaster aid, indicating a shift in his stance. This contradicts the claim made in the statement. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sanders said, \"We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country on Earth.\" His office later clarified that \"major country\" referred to those nations that were members of the OECD.","In July, Sanders earned a Mostly False for making a similar claim, but in that instance he was more definitive, saying, \"We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country on Earth.\" In this instance, he changed it to \" almost any major country.\"","The junior senator from Vermont promised that his administration would look elsewhere to alleviate Americans\u2019 economic problems: \"There are a lot of great public servants out there, great economists who for years have been standing up for the middle class and the working families of this country, who know that it is an international embarrassment that we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country on Earth.\"","Clearly many poor countries have a higher childhood poverty rate than the United States, which is why Sanders refers to \"major\" countries."]},{"id":"2586.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Strickland) raised taxes last year to the tune of $840 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Governor Strickland did halt the final year of a five-year income tax cut, which resulted in saving the state approximately $840 million. While it can be argued that this action is not a direct tax increase, it did prevent the tax cut from taking effect as planned, resulting in taxpayers paying more than they would have if the tax cut had been fully implemented. Therefore, it can be considered a form of raising taxes, albeit indirectly.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10280.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A golf course closes somewhere in America every 48 hours.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence, there has been a significant decline in the number of golf courses in the United States, with closures occurring at a notable rate. However, the exact figure of a golf course closing every 48 hours may not be entirely accurate. Different sources provide varying statistics, such as an average of 130 course closures per year or one less golf course every 61 hours. Therefore, while there is a clear trend of golf course closures, the specific timeframe of every 48 hours may not be consistently supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1923.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"We get 30 percent of our oil from the Gulf (of Mexico).\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks clarity. While it is true that 30 percent of the crude oil produced in the United States in 2009 came from the Gulf of Mexico, it does not accurately represent the overall oil consumption in the United States. The statement implies that 30 percent of all oil used in the United States comes from the Gulf, which is not the case. The correct interpretation would be that 30 percent of the domestically produced crude oil in the United States comes from the Gulf. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it misrepresents the broader context of oil consumption in the country.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Last year when you and the president were in a budget standoff that threatened to shut down the federal government, you voted to continue paying members of Congress, including yourself, in the event of a shutdown,\" Powell told the majority leader. \"At the same time, you voted against a bill which would have -- it would ensure -- that members of the armed services continue to get paid.","Powell said that Cantor, during the threat of a government shutdown last year, voted to ensure Congress would continue to be paid and against offering the same protection to members of the military.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Democratic group says Duffy voted against pay increases for troops but in favor of protecting his own salary,\" Sept. 16, 2012.","Democrats were not to be outdone. During floor debate, they said there was no guarantee Obama would sign the measure. Rep. Bill Owens, D-N.Y., offered an amendment that would ensure troops would continue to be paid if the government closed. Owens never explained how he expected to protect military pay by offering an amendment to a bill he said was likely to be vetoed."]},{"id":"9589.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Although the governor doubled the beach fees . . . all the money, as we found out, is all going to an out-of-state company. The state isnt even getting the money for that.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While it is true that the beach fees were doubled by the governor, it is false to claim that all the money is going to an out-of-state company and that the state is not receiving any of the revenue. According to the evidence provided, the state actually receives 80% of the additional revenue generated from the increased beach fees, while the company collecting the fees receives 20%. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the facts and is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Radtke says the U.S. budget could be balanced by 2016 if Congress froze the current spending level and then cut it by 2 percent in each of the next four years. As a cold equation, the math works out.","We wondered if the United States, running a $1.2 trillion deficit this fiscal year, really could balance its budget by cutting spending 2 percent annually through 2016.","In 2016, Radtke\u2019s plan would cut $282 billion from the current spending level, requiring Congress to bring the budget down to $3.36 trillion. But the CBO estimates the costs of current policies will increase by about $460 billion in 2016, bringing the baseline budget up to $4.1 trillion.","So Radtke is mathematically correct in saying annual 2 spending cuts would balance the budget in 2016. We should point out it would take four years to end deficits, not the five years the candidate claims."]},{"id":"1291.json","label":"false","statement":"Three presidents in the last century Harding, Kennedy and Reagan all cut taxes during recessions and produced \"rapid and dramatic economic recoveries,\" while two, Herbert Hoover and Barack Obama, did \"the opposite.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Tom McClintock that three presidents in the last century (Harding, Kennedy, and Reagan) cut taxes during recessions and achieved rapid economic recoveries, while two presidents (Hoover and Obama) did the opposite. This claim is supported by historical evidence, as Harding, Kennedy, and Reagan did implement tax cuts during recessions and experienced economic recoveries. However, it is important to note that the statement oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to economic recoveries and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the policies and circumstances during each presidency. Additionally, the claim does not consider the full range of actions taken by Hoover and Obama to address economic challenges. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks nuance and context, making it misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9903.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says John Barrow voted with Obama 85 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John Barrow voted with Obama 85 percent of the time in 2009, it is important to note that this figure does not accurately represent his overall voting record. In subsequent years, Barrow's alignment with Obama significantly decreased, with his voting record reaching as low as 28 percent and 35 percent alignment. Therefore, the statement is misleading as it fails to provide the full context of Barrow's voting history and cherry-picks data from a specific year. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3899.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Studies show that people that are on welfare are higher users of drugs than people not on welfare.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Rick Scott made the claim that studies show people on welfare are higher users of drugs than those not on welfare, it is important to note that this statement is not entirely accurate. While there have been studies examining the correlation between welfare recipients and drug use, the evidence is mixed and inconclusive. Some studies have found a higher prevalence of drug use among welfare recipients, while others have found no significant difference or even lower rates of drug use compared to the general population. Therefore, it is misleading to make a blanket statement that all studies show a higher rate of drug use among welfare recipients. The claim lacks nuance and oversimplifies a complex issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"What the campaign will say is I was asking her about facing a subpoena that she wiped her server. They\u2019ll say that\u2019s not true,\" Keilar said. \"But the other thing is the campaign hasn't been clear about when she wiped her server of her work emails, so there's no way to even really completely fact-check what she's saying, because they don't want to get into all of the details of those things.\"","\"What the campaign will say is I was asking her about facing a subpoena that she wiped her server. They\u2019ll say that\u2019s not true,\" Keilar said. \"But the other thing is, the campaign hasn't been clear about when she wiped her server of her work emails, so there's no way to even really completely fact-check what she's saying, because they don't want to get into all of the details of those things.\"","The Clintons began using the private server in question when President Bill Clinton was in office, Hillary Clinton said at a press conference March 10, 2015. According to Clinton, it contained around 30,000 personal emails and 30,000 work-related emails from during her tenure as Secretary of State.","That\u2019s better than nothing, but Keilar is largely correct when she says the picture isn\u2019t clear. We rate her claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"2355.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On (Rob Portmans) watch as Bushs trade czar, our deficit with China exploded and as Bushs budget chief, Portman oversaw a spending spree that doubled the deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made about Rob Portman's role as Bush's trade czar and budget chief. It suggests that during Portman's tenure, the deficit with China increased significantly, and the deficit overall doubled. However, it's important to note that attributing the entire deficit increase solely to Portman oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to deficit growth. While Portman may have played a role, other economic and political factors also influence deficit levels. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Democratic congressional hopeful Shelley Adler says the voting record of her Republican opponent, Rep. Jon Runyan, stands as \"proof that we can't trust him to be on our side.\"","\"We can\u2019t trust him to stand up for women, after he sponsored legislation that would allow insurance companies to deny women access to birth control and basic preventive health care services. He voted to cut off critical, life-saving health care for women that included cancer screenings, like mammograms, and even voted to redefine rape,\" Adler said. \"That\u2019s not being on our side.\"","U.S. Rep. Jon Runyan said in a press release on Thursday that the law, formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, makes cuts to Medicare.","Runyan never signed on as a co-sponsor of that legislation. Further, when the bill reached the House floor for a full vote and Runyan voted in favor of it, the word \"forcible\" had been removed."]},{"id":"9453.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine voted to let the U.N. take OUR guns.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine voted to let the U.N. seize guns from Americans is false. The email in question misrepresents the senators' votes on the U.N. treaty. In reality, Warner and Kaine voted with the minority against the treaty, expressing their opposition to it. The treaty itself did not grant the U.N. the authority to seize guns or implement an international gun registry. The claim made in the statement is baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Ted Cruz is mathematically out of winning the race,\" he tweeted April 20. \"Now all he can do is be a spoiler, never a nice thing to do. I will beat Hillary!\"","\"The key is that mathematically (Cruz) can't get there through the allocation process. He would have to lean on some large share of the small sliver of first-ballot unbound delegates,\" Putnam said.","Cruz would need at the very least 678 more delegates to win the race. It\u2019s impossible for him to reach that number in the remaining primaries, given that there are just 674 delegates left to win.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"7746.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In just six years, Georgia has dropped from first in the nation from a business-friendly legal climate to 24th.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Georgia has dropped from first in the nation in a business-friendly legal climate to 24th in just six years. The evidence primarily discusses the rankings of Georgia's WIC program, not its overall business climate. Without additional evidence or data specifically addressing Georgia's business climate rankings, it is not accurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5712.json","label":"half-true","statement":"6.4 million more Americans living in poverty under President Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the ad that there are 6.4 million more Americans living in poverty under President Obama. However, it's important to note that attributing the entire increase in poverty solely to President Obama's policies is an oversimplification. The increase in poverty is influenced by a variety of complex factors, including the economic recession that began before Obama took office. While it is true that the number of Americans in poverty has increased during Obama's presidency, it is not solely attributable to his actions or policies. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"449.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hillary Clinton is \"willing to have workers' wages garnisheed if they refuse to buy health insurance.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While Hillary Clinton did support the individual mandate in the past, which required individuals to have health insurance or face a penalty, it is important to note that the penalty did not involve garnishing wages. The penalty for not having health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enforced through the tax system, and individuals who did not obtain coverage faced a financial penalty. However, the penalty did not involve wage garnishment. It is crucial to accurately represent the details of the policy to provide a complete and accurate understanding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9728.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have less crime in the (Rio Grande) Valley than we do in other major Texas cities.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the FBI data presented, the Rio Grande Valley cities of Brownsville and McAllen had lower reported incidents of violent and property crime compared to larger cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. However, it's important to note that the population size of the Rio Grande Valley cities is significantly smaller than the larger cities, which may contribute to the lower crime rates. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of reported crime rates, it should be considered in the context of population size when comparing to other major Texas cities.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7778.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says nearly 1 million people are coming to town in the next 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that nearly 1 million people are coming to town in the next 20 years is an exaggeration. While the evidence mentions the potential for \"incredible housing, land use, and transportation problems\" due to nearly a million people coming to town, it does not provide concrete data or projections to support this claim. Without specific and reliable information, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7382.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas has the nations most uninsured residents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Texas does have one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in the United States, with approximately a quarter of its population lacking health insurance. However, it is not accurate to claim that Texas has the highest number of uninsured residents overall. California actually has a higher number of uninsured residents, with approximately 1 million more individuals lacking health insurance. Therefore, while Texas has a high rate of uninsured residents, it does not have the highest number of uninsured individuals in the nation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Iran deal says that \"if any other country tries to undermine (Iran's) nuclear program, we have to help them defend themselves against Israel, Egypt, Saudis, our own allies.\"","Rubio said that according to the Iran deal, \"if any other country tries to undermine (Iran\u2019s) nuclear program, we have to help them defend themselves against Israel, Egypt, Saudis, our own allies.\"","\"At the last minute, they were able to get all sorts of outrageous concessions including the concession that I talked about earlier which now says this: Iran, we have to help Iran protect itself against sabotage,\" Rubio said on Fox News July 22. \"If any other country tries to undermine their nuclear program, we have to help them defend themselves against Israel, Egypt, Saudis, our own allies.\"","PolitiFact Florida, \" Marco Rubio says Iran deal means we have to defend Iran from Israel and other allies,\" July 23, 2015."]},{"id":"9654.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We are 49th in the nation for our graduation rate","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Rep. Dennis Richardson that Oregon ranks 49th in high school graduation rates. This claim is supported by a news article that looked at state-by-state numbers from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2011-12 school year. While there may be some variation in the exact ranking depending on the year and data source, it is generally true that Oregon's graduation rate places it near the bottom when compared to other states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Florida for All said in a press release, \"Rick Scott\u2019s Administration spent over $100,000 of taxpayer money during their first voter purge attempt in 2012.\"","\"Rick Scott\u2019s Administration spent over $100,000 of taxpayer money during their first voter purge attempt in 2012, producing lists with hundreds and hundreds of citizens that local Supervisors of Elections proved were legally registered voters. Over 80 percent of those on the purge lists were people of color and more than 6 in 10 were Hispanic. It was a costly embarrassment that Floridians fear will be repeated.\"","We asked Neal Waltmire, a spokesman for Florida for All, to explain how it concluded that the state spent \"over $100,000\" in 2012.","At PolitiFact Florida we have fact-checked multiple claims about the state\u2019s 2012 effort to search for noncitizens who registered to vote. But we had never researched the total dollar figure attached to that effort: Did Florida spend \"over $100,000\" for that initiative?"]},{"id":"13116.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Welcome to #Houston, the most #diverse city in #America.","reason":"Reason: While Houston is indeed known for its diversity, the statement that it is the \"most diverse city in America\" is not entirely accurate. While Houston is recognized for its diverse population, there are other cities in the United States that also boast significant diversity. Additionally, the evidence provided indicates that there are suburbs of Houston, such as Pearland and Missouri City, that may be more diverse than the city itself. Therefore, while Houston is undoubtedly a diverse city, claiming it as the \"most diverse\" would require further substantiation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Russia ranks third in the world in oil production, after the United States and Saudi Arabia, accounting for 11% of total world production. Meanwhile, Russia ranks second in the world in natural gas production, trailing only the United States.","\"It\u2019s a big increase,\" said Mark Finley, fellow in energy and global oil at Rice University's Baker Institute. \"But it\u2019s still a small number, and it's irrelevant because it's a global marketplace.\"","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush.","According to the Energy Information Administration, the federal office that collects energy statistics, 2017 data -- the most recent available -- shows that the United States ranks first in production of petroleum and other liquid fuels. The United States has a sizable lead over both Saudi Arabia and Russia."]},{"id":"6356.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The White House has three staff calligraphers making between $86,000 and $97,000 each, and just one National Security Director. She makes $55,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Huckabee regarding the salaries of the three White House calligraphers and the National Security Director. However, it is important to note that the comparison between the calligraphers' salaries and the National Security Director's salary is misleading. The National Security Director's role is primarily administrative, while the calligraphers' positions are specialized and require unique skills. Therefore, comparing their salaries without considering the nature of their roles can be misleading. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the salaries mentioned for the calligraphers fall within the range of typical salaries for specialized staff positions in the White House.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In 2012 alone, the Agriculture Department estimates that roughly 42 percent of the corn crop will be used to make ethanol -- more than the amount of corn used to feed livestock and poultry in the United States,\" Goodlatte said in a Nov. 23 news release.","Goodlatte said 42 percent of the nation\u2019s corn crop is being used to manufacture ethanol, more than the amount of corn used to feed livestock.","The amount of corn going for towards ethanol production is projected to be 4.5 billion bushels -- or roughly 42 percent of the crop.","But there\u2019s a key point to consider: Not all of the 42 percent of the corn crop sent to ethanol plants for production ends up as fuel."]},{"id":"9147.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve dedicated more money from (Washington Countys) transportation budget to bike and ped projects under my watch than at any time in the history of Washington County.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Washington County board Chairman Andy Duyck that more money has been allocated to bike and pedestrian projects during his tenure than at any other time in the history of Washington County. The evidence confirms that there has been a significant increase in funding for these projects under his watch. However, it's important to note that the statement may lack some nuance and specific figures to provide a comprehensive comparison to previous years. Without specific data on historical funding, it is difficult to verify the claim with absolute certainty. Nevertheless, the evidence supports the general assertion that there has been a notable increase in funding for bike and pedestrian projects during Duyck's term.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In 1913, it was legal to mail children,\" the Facebook post says. It even shows photographs of a couple of \"mailed\" children.","But is it true? Was it legal in 1913, or at any time, to mail children? PolitiFact Georgia readers who have been bombarded with re-posts of the claim asked us to weigh it on the ol\u2019 AJC Truth-O-Meter.","Postal historians say no more than a handful of children were mailed after the parcel post service was created in 1913. The law at the time didn\u2019t specify that it was illegal to mail children, but officials say no one had envisioned a situation where that had to be spelled out.","The law at the time didn\u2019t specify that it was illegal to mail children, but officials say no one had envisioned a situation where that had to be spelled out."]},{"id":"10916.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If Fox News presidential debate rules had been in place during the1992 election,Bill Clinton wouldnt have beenon the stage.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that under Fox News' 2016 debate rules, some of the candidates who were polling lower in the early stages of the 1992 election may not have qualified for the debate stage, it is an oversimplification to claim that Bill Clinton specifically would not have been on the stage. Clinton's position in the polls and his viability as a candidate by the time the field was set in late 1991 suggest that he would have met the criteria for participation in the debates, even under Fox News' rules. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2522.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Barbara Boxer voted to cut spending on Medicare benefits by $500 billion, cuts so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barbara Boxer voted for the health care bill, which included provisions to slow the growth of Medicare spending, the statement exaggerates the impact of these cuts. The bill did not directly cut $500 billion from Medicare benefits, but rather aimed to reduce the projected growth of Medicare spending over a 10-year period. The claim that these cuts would be so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether is an overstatement. The concerns raised by the chief actuary were related to prospective reduced payments, not the complete cessation of Medicare services by hospitals and nursing homes. Therefore, the statement contains elements of truth but exaggerates the potential consequences.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9697.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Global warming is a hoax.","reason":"Reason: The overwhelming consensus among scientists and scientific organizations worldwide is that global warming is real and primarily caused by human activities. Multiple studies and extensive research provide strong evidence supporting the existence of climate change and its connection to human actions. Claims that global warming is a hoax are not supported by credible scientific evidence and are widely discredited. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["A Senate Majority PAC ad said, \"Congressman Cotton is the only Arkansan in Congress -- Democrat or Republican -- to vote against disaster relief five times.\"","\"I'll never understand why Congressman Cotton is the only Arkansan in Congress -- Democrat or Republican -- to vote against disaster relief five times, against recovery for victims of natural disasters. He's detached himself from what's going on in Arkansas,\" he said.","Last week, we looked at a Senate Majority PAC ad that claimed that Cotton \"is the only Arkansan in Congress -- Democrat or Republican -- to vote against disaster relief five times.\"","Cotton, who is running against incumbent Democrat Mark Pryor, has been in Congress for less than two years -- has he voted against disaster relief five times?"]},{"id":"4704.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that we brought CHI Manufacturing, that had business in China, back to Texas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that CHI Manufacturing moved some manufacturing jobs from overseas to Houston, Texas, the statement overreaches by implying that the move was solely due to actions taken by the state government or the qualities specific to the Texas economy. The decision to move manufacturing was primarily driven by safety and economic reasons, as stated by the company's owner, Farouk Shami. Additionally, there is no clear evidence to suggest that the majority of the moved jobs came specifically from China, as it is mentioned that some jobs may have originated from South Korea. Therefore, while there was a relocation of some jobs, the statement exaggerates the role of Texas in bringing back CHI Manufacturing from China.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4405.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"This year, the Blackstone Valley Mayoral Academy became the first public school in Rhode Island history to have 100 percent of its elementary-age students proficient in reading on state assessments.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the Blackstone Valley Mayoral Academy achieved a 100 percent proficiency rate in reading on state assessments. While there is mention of a different class of fifth graders from Blackstone Valley Prep who had lower proficiency rates, it is clarified that those results were from a different time period and do not reflect the current achievement of the Blackstone Valley Mayoral Academy. Therefore, based on the evidence, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["If elected, two announced candidates for seats in the Georgia House of Representatives would become the first gay men elected to the state Legislature, according to the Georgia Voice.","!Supporters of a religious freedom bill rally at the Capitol in 2015. The Legislature could soon have its first openly gay man debating that issue and others. AJC Photo by Brant Sanderlin\/ !Supporters of a religious freedom bill rally at the Capitol in 2015. The Legislature could soon have its first openly gay man debating that issue and others. AJC Photo by Brant Sanderlin\/","Supporters of a religious freedom bill rally at the Capitol in 2015. The Legislature could soon have its first openly gay man debating that issue and others. AJC Photo by Brant Sanderlin\/email protected","Saunders cited Taylor in his answer to us \u2013 and subsequently updated his story \u2013 to note that while Taylor had served, he had not been elected as an openly gay man."]},{"id":"1244.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The cap-and-trade bill will mean 2 million jobs lost.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the cap-and-trade bill will result in 2 million jobs lost is an oversimplification of the various predictions and analyses regarding the bill's impact on employment. Different studies and organizations have provided conflicting estimates, with some predicting job losses and others projecting job gains. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) characterizes the overall impact as a wash, meaning that the bill's effect on employment is expected to be relatively neutral. Therefore, it is inaccurate to definitively claim that 2 million jobs will be lost. The actual impact on employment is uncertain and depends on various factors and assumptions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor and Luis Gutierrez were \"touring the country last year \u2026 joined at the hip, working together in a bipartisan fashion indeed for the goal of immigration reform.\"","Ingraham said Cantor and Gutierrez were \"touring the country last year \u2026 joined at the hip, working together in a bipartisan fashion indeed for the goal of immigration reform.\"","Ingraham said of the two politicians, \"They\u2019re touring the country last year talking \u2018How to Make Life Work\u2019 -- some ridiculous, meaningless titled tour -- joined at the hip, working together, in a bipartisan fashion indeed for the goal of immigration reform.\"","One event in New York does not make a national tour. Ingraham can\u2019t point to another immigration gig Cantor and Gutierrez both attended. Her likening the two politicians to Simon and Garfunkel \"joined at the hip\" on a tour to promote immigration reform is not only false, it\u2019s ridiculous."]},{"id":"638.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The fact is that although we have had a president who is opposed to abortion over the last eight years, abortions have not gone down.''","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the number of abortions in the United States has indeed decreased over the years. Reports from the federal Centers for Disease Control and the Guttmacher Institute show a decline in both the abortion rate and the total number of abortions. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that abortions have not gone down during the presidency of a leader who opposes abortion.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"13357.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Europe and U.S. households waste 15 times more food than a person in Africa.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the benchmark study commissioned by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. The study concluded that per-capita food waste by consumers in Europe and North America is between 95 and 115 kilograms per year, while in sub-Saharan Africa and south and southeast Asia, it ranges between 6 and 11 kilograms per year. This indicates that households in Europe and the U.S. do waste significantly more food compared to individuals in Africa. However, it's important to note that the statement does not account for variations within Africa or consider other factors such as population density, economic disparities, and infrastructure limitations that may contribute to differences in food waste. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It takes almost a year for a refugee to be processed in the United States,\" Bush noted on CNN\u2019s State of the Union.","PolitiFact, \"Jeb Bush: 'It takes almost a year for a refugee to be processed in the United States',\" Nov. 15, 2015","Bush actually gave the low estimate for how long the refugee admissions process takes. The worldwide average is between a year to a year and a half. For Syrian refugees, it takes two years on average.","In fiscal year 2015, the last year for which we have data, the State Department said it would admit up to 70,000 refugees. It ended up admitting 69,933, records show. These refugee slots are allocated by region, so the United States takes different numbers of refugees from different parts of the world."]},{"id":"7403.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says of a failed cloture vote on nominating Chuck Hagel for defense secretary: This is not a filibuster.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the statement \"This is not a filibuster\" was made in the context of a failed cloture vote on Chuck Hagel's nomination for defense secretary, the determination of whether it was a filibuster or not is subjective and depends on one's interpretation. Filibusters are generally understood as tactics used to delay or block a vote, and the failed cloture vote did delay Hagel's nomination from moving forward. However, the statement implies a definitive assertion that it was not a filibuster, which is not entirely accurate. The classification of the vote as a filibuster can be debated based on differing definitions and perspectives.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3064.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Virginia ranked 35th in job creation in 2009 under Gov. Tim Kaine, and moved up to third for 2010, while McDonnell has been in office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the ranking of Virginia in terms of job creation in 2009 under Governor Tim Kaine and the improvement in ranking to third in 2010 under Governor McDonnell. However, it's important to note that job creation is influenced by various factors beyond the control of a single governor, such as national economic trends and industry-specific dynamics. While the statement provides accurate information about the rankings, it may imply a direct causal relationship between the governors and job creation, which is more complex. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but additional context is needed to fully understand the factors contributing to job creation in Virginia during those years.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7393.json","label":"false","statement":"I was the first member of Congress to call him (Barack Obama) a socialist...","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that the speaker was the first member of Congress to call Barack Obama a socialist. Political labels and accusations are subjective and have been used by various individuals throughout Obama's presidency. It is important to note that labeling someone as a socialist is a subjective opinion and not a factual statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9495.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Part of the increase in the cost (of higher education) has been because state support has dropped. We now spend, under Governor Walker, more on corrections than we do on higher education.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is accurate to say that part of the increase in the cost of higher education is due to a decrease in state support. As mentioned in the Pew Charitable Trusts study, state funding for higher education has declined compared to federal funding since 1990. However, the statement also introduces the claim that under Governor Walker, more is spent on corrections than on higher education. While this claim may be true, it is not directly supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it accurately addresses the decrease in state support but lacks direct evidence for the comparison between corrections and higher education spending under Governor Walker.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Democrat Dan Gecker \"voted to double vehicle registration fees, costing county residents $6 million annually in additional fees,\" Sturtevant says in at least three campaign mailers in the state Senate\u2019s 10th District.","A Sturtevant TV ad features a bike racer pedaling hard while the narrator says Gecker is in \"a race to raise your taxes.\" Among the ensuing charges is that Gecker \"voted\" to \"double vehicle registration fees, costing us $6 million in one year.\"","Among the proposals was to increase the county\u2019s $20 car registration fee to $40, to raise $7.5 million for local transportation needs that the state would match.","Sturtevant, in trying to justify his claim, dismisses this obvious vote. His campaign instead argues that Gecker subsequently voted to pass massive spending plans that fund all of the county\u2019s public services and public improvement projects. The new registration fees were a tiny part of these plans."]},{"id":"370.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We send a billion dollars to foreign countries every day because of our addiction to foreign oil.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Democratic frontrunner regarding the amount of money the United States spends daily on foreign oil due to its dependence on it. The evidence provided supports this claim, citing data from the Energy Information Administration that shows energy firms spending $908 million on foreign oil daily in mid-February. While the exact figure may vary depending on specific dates and market conditions, the statement aligns with the general trend of significant daily expenditures on foreign oil.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"13161.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since I came into office we have increased the VA budget by 85 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Obama administration did increase the VA budget by 85 percent, as confirmed by the White House. However, it's important to note that this figure includes both mandatory and discretionary spending, and the increase is not solely due to the actions of the Obama administration. Additionally, there are multiple ways to calculate and interpret the budget growth, and using the 85 percent figure can be seen as cherry-picking the highest number. While the statement accurately reflects the increase in the VA budget, it lacks some context and could be misleading without further explanation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I don't know any -- honestly, I don't know David Duke. I don't believe I have ever met him. I'm pretty sure I didn't meet him. And I just don't know anything about him.\"","\"Well, just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke. okay? I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists. So, I don't know.","\"I don't know, did he endorse me or what's going on, because, you know, I know nothing about David Duke. I know nothing about white supremacists. And so you're asking me a question that I'm supposed to be talking about people that I know nothing about. \u2026","After being rebuked left and right for declining to reject former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke\u2019s support, Trump claimed he didn\u2019t know anything about Duke at all."]},{"id":"1034.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sotomayor thinks \"that ones sex, race and ethnicity ought to affect the decisions one renders from the bench.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the criticism and concerns raised by some individuals regarding Judge Sotomayor's views on the influence of sex, race, and ethnicity on judicial decisions. While it is true that there have been criticisms of her comments suggesting that personal background can shape one's perspective on the bench, it is important to note that Judge Sotomayor has also clarified her stance and emphasized the importance of impartiality and adherence to the rule of law. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it does not provide a comprehensive representation of Judge Sotomayor's judicial philosophy and should be considered with that context in mind.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I would challenge anyone to look at my finance reports at the Board of Elections. I would venture to say that 80 to 85 percent of my campaign funds go to donations to various organizations throughout the city of Providence, so the answer would be yes, but that would just be a natural occurrence for me.\"","It's clear that Lombardi gives donations to local organizations. But his statement at the debate that he donates 80 percent to 85 percent is simply wrong.","In a follow-up conversation, Lombardi's campaign treasurer said the candidate meant to phrase the claim as 80 percent to 85 percent of his total spending, not his total cash. In the interest of fairness, we ran those numbers too. In 2009, just under 20 percent of his spending, on average, went to local organizations. Again, the numbers never came close to 80 percent.","The most cash Lombardi had on hand during the second quarter was $121,393; he gave about $5,400 of that to local organizations. That's about 4.4 percent of the total, nowhere near the 80 percent to 85 percent he suggested."]},{"id":"653.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While in the Illinois Senate, Barack Obama passed \"tax cuts for hard-working families.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. During his time in the Illinois Senate, Barack Obama did support and pass legislation that included tax cuts for hard-working families. One example of this is the creation of a state earned income tax credit, which provided a tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. This tax credit aimed to alleviate the burden of Social Security taxes and incentivize work. While the statement accurately reflects Obama's efforts to provide tax relief for working families, it's important to note that the specific details and extent of these tax cuts may vary based on the specific legislation and context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11745.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every one of the mass shootings except two in America since 1950 have been in gun-free zones.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"every one of the mass shootings except two in America since 1950 have been in gun-free zones\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that economist John Lott Jr., who is associated with the Crime Prevention Research Center, has made this claim, the evidence supporting it is questionable. The source cited, Mother Jones, has published articles challenging the notion of gun-free zones as a significant factor in mass shootings. Additionally, the statement fails to consider the complexities and various factors involved in mass shootings. It is important to approach such claims with caution and consider a more nuanced understanding of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Iowa\u2019s Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst says an increase in Internal Revenue Service audits would include all taxpayers, not just those with high incomes.","\"I never called for the abolishment of it. Never,\" Ernst said to U.S. News and World Report on June 23, 2014. \"I\u2019m saying I don\u2019t support a $10.10 minimum wage.","A new ad from Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Bruce Braley focuses on the minimum wage as part of his campaign\u2019s effort to paint Ernst as \"too extreme\" for Iowa.","Ernst is a state senator who won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. She\u2019s running against the Democratic nominee, U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley."]},{"id":"9700.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott raised property taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rick Scott raised property taxes is misleading and barely true. While it is true that property tax collections increased during Scott's tenure as governor, it is important to note that this increase was primarily due to rising property values rather than an intentional tax increase by Scott. Critics have equated the rise in collections with a tax increase, but it is more accurate to attribute it to the natural growth of property values. Scott did not actively raise property taxes but rather inherited a situation where property values were on the rise.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["As always, we have no delusions this changes anyone's mind in the birther movement. So please, spare us the vitriolic e-mails. At PolitiFact, we have explored several of the birthers' claims, and have concluded that there is ample evidence that President Obama was born in Hawaii. We simply post this item in case anyone came across the Kenyan birth certificate on the Internet and wondered what to make of it.","Orly Taitz wasn't backing off so quickly, though. On her Web site, she suggested the South Australia birth certificate was more likely the fake, altered from the Obama one from Kenya to discredit the birthers.","We e-mailed the purported Kenyan birth certificate to Salim Lone, spokesman for Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to see what he thought.","Then the health care debate began in earnest, and the birthers were again relegated to the backburner. Right before the media light dimmed on birthers, however, birther attorney Orly Taitz made a bit of a splash \u2014 at least in the birther community \u2014 when she posted a birth certificate purported to be for Obama from the Republic of Kenya and filed a motion in federal court to determine its authenticity."]},{"id":"13444.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Theres a section in the Constitution called the Emoluments Clause that says no one, nor their spouses, can take money from foreigners. (Hillary Clinton) has to be guilty of 70 or 100 counts just on that one charge.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution. The Emoluments Clause prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments without the consent of Congress. However, it does not explicitly apply to spouses. Additionally, the claim that Hillary Clinton is guilty of 70 or 100 counts based on this charge is an exaggeration and lacks supporting evidence. The interpretation of the Emoluments Clause and its application to specific situations is a complex legal matter that has not been definitively resolved. Therefore, the statement is misleading and barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Coons responded, \"Keystone means unlocking the Canadian tar sands, some of the dirtiest sources of energy on the planet, and allowing those tar sands to go across our American midwest and then reach the international market.\"","On Fox News Sunday , Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said \"Keystone means unlocking the Canadian tar sands, some of the dirtiest sources of energy on the planet, and allowing those tar sands to go across our American midwest and then reach the international market.\"","We\u2019ve looked into where Canada would export oil carried through Keystone XL, as well as the pipeline\u2019s effect on the environment. But what about Coons\u2019 claim that Keystone XL would mean \"unlocking\" western Canada\u2019s tar sands? Does the pipeline make a difference between pumping, or not pumping, crude oil from the tar sands?","Oil production has been steadily growing in the Canadian tar sands without the Keystone XL pipeline. Most experts expect that trend to continue despite current low oil prices."]},{"id":"10515.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The woman named Wisconsins 2010 outstanding teacher of the year was laid off by the Milwaukee Public Schools that year under seniority and tenure rules that were eliminated by his Act 10 changes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Megan Sampson, who was named Wisconsin's outstanding teacher of the year in 2010, did lose her job in the Milwaukee Public Schools due to budgetary reasons. However, it is important to note that her layoff was not directly caused by the elimination of seniority and tenure rules through Act 10. The budget crisis faced by the school district was the primary reason for her layoff, and while Act 10 did introduce changes to how public employees can be hired and fired, it did not directly result in her dismissal. Therefore, while there is a connection between the layoff and Act 10, it is not accurate to solely attribute her job loss to the elimination of seniority and tenure rules.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["AIF rolled out a big ad campaign to combat SB 1832, saying the insurance industry\u2019s \"working tax cut\" created \"over 40,000 new jobs in just the last four years.\"","\"It's the working tax cut that creates jobs -- over 40,000 new jobs in just the last four years. Major employers are moving to Florida and hiring. That's growth our economy needs. But now some in Tallahassee want to end it and make it harder and more expensive to create jobs. It doesn't make sense. Say no to Senate Bill 1832. Keep the working tax cut. Keep the jobs.\"","We wondered what evidence AIF had to support its claim that this 26-year-old tax cut created 40,000 jobs in the last four years.","\"Working tax cut\" is a euphemism for \"taxpayer-subsidized premium tax credit.\" Since 1987, insurance companies use a 15 percent premium tax credit for Florida-based employees, excluding insurance agents."]},{"id":"11741.json","label":"false","statement":"Medicaid expansion could cost the Commonwealth of Virginia over $1 billion a year...","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are concerns about the potential costs associated with Medicaid expansion in Virginia, it is not accurate to claim that it would cost the Commonwealth over $1 billion per year. The evidence provided indicates that the estimated cost of expansion, combining federal and state expenses, is projected to exceed $2 billion a year starting in 2018. However, this does not mean that the state's net cost alone would be over $1 billion per year. The actual cost to Virginia would depend on various factors, including the federal match rate and the specific implementation of the expansion. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the potential financial impact of Medicaid expansion in Virginia.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It\u2019s important to note that state permitless laws don\u2019t change federal law that requires federally licensed gun sellers to run background checks for sales to an unlicensed buyer. The law bans firearm transfers to people who were convicted of serious crimes or committed to a mental institution.","In 2011, to be consistent with the most recent information we have about the number of McDonald\u2019s restaurants nationwide, there were 56,059 federally licensed firearms dealers and pawnbrokers in the country. That\u2019s quadruple the number of places to buy Chicken McNuggets.","The ATF does not track how many licensed dealers own a business that they sell guns from as opposed to those who may sell guns at a show. The ATF database has lists of every person licensed to sell guns. In Georgia, most people on the January list say they own a business. There were about 175 people on the list with a license who did not include the name of a business. About 100 of them are retail stores such as Wal-Mart, Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods and Academy Sports & Outdoors.","The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms keeps a monthly log on its website of how many people and pawnbrokers are licensed to sell guns in the country and its territories. In January, the total was 58,725. About 51,000 of them were gun dealers. The rest were pawnbrokers. In Georgia, the total in January was 1,746."]},{"id":"10032.json","label":"false","statement":"The Islamic State is so small it couldnt fill a DoubleAballpark in Charleston, W. Va.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided suggests that the Islamic State (IS) has a significant number of fighters, with estimates ranging from 40,000 to 100,000. Comparing this number to the capacity of a Double-A ballpark in Charleston, West Virginia, is not an accurate representation of the size of the IS. The IS is a well-known extremist group that has conducted large-scale operations and controlled significant territories. It is much larger than what could be accommodated in a Double-A ballpark.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7109.json","label":"false","statement":"There is no evidence that poor people abuse drugs more frequently than any other socio-economic group.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is ongoing debate and varying research on the topic, it is incorrect to make an absolute claim that there is no evidence suggesting that poor people abuse drugs more frequently than other socio-economic groups. Multiple studies have indicated a correlation between lower income levels and higher rates of substance abuse. However, it is important to note that this does not imply that all poor individuals abuse drugs or that drug abuse is exclusive to the poor. The statement oversimplifies a complex issue and disregards the existence of evidence suggesting a relationship between poverty and drug abuse.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I am disturbed and personally offended by the Department of Homeland Security's view that returning military veterans and gun owners are likely to commit terrorist acts,\" he said.","This brings us back to Bilirakis' claim that DHS thinks that \"returning military veterans and gun owners are likely to commit terrorist acts.\" This is a distortion of what the report actually said. The report said that right-wing extremists would try to recruit veterans, and that they would try to use gun control legislation as a \"radicalization\" tool. That's very different. We rate his statement Barely True.","Conservative groups have been sounding an alarm about a leaked report from the Department of Homeland Security they say portrays veterans and gun owners as likely terrorists.","Department of Homeland Security \u201cdeemed as terrorism\u201d behavior that includes \u201cresisting COVID regulations\u201d and \u201cthinking the election was rigged.\u201d...\u201cIn other words, if you are a Trump supporter, you are a terrorist.\u201d"]},{"id":"9753.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsin is #1 in the Midwest for personal income growth over the year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Wisconsin was ranked as the top state in the Midwest for personal income growth over a one-year period, specifically from the first quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014. This claim was fact-checked and rated as true. It's important to note that this statement refers to a specific time frame and does not necessarily reflect the state's overall performance in personal income growth over a longer period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Wisconsin Professional Police Association union said: Data on violent crime shows Wisconsin \"has become less safe than it was when Scott Walker took office.\"","But the available violent crime data cover only about half of Walker\u2019s time in office, so the union\u2019s statement is based at best on a partial picture. Beyond that, a number of factors other than the governor bear on the rate of violent crime.","Unlike many statistics-driven claims we have seen, the union did not offer a specific number for a narrow period. Rather, it cited the more general \"less safe\" and pointed to the nearly four years since Walker took office.","We found that Wisconsin\u2019s violent crime rate declined each year from 2007 through 2011, Walker\u2019s first year in office, but increased in 2012."]},{"id":"5100.json","label":"false","statement":"[If] you apply for a job, the chances are 1 in 7 that you are going to be denied that job unfairly if everybody is forced to use E-Verify.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that using E-Verify for job applications would result in a 1 in 7 chance of unfair job denial. However, there is no evidence provided to support this claim. E-Verify is an electronic system used to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees, and it is designed to prevent unauthorized individuals from obtaining employment. It does not inherently lead to unfair job denials. The claim lacks factual basis and is not supported by any credible information.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Timothy McVeigh, the perpetrator in the Oklahoma City bombing at a federal building that killed 168 people and injured more than 680 others in 1995, was a veteran of the Gulf War and sympathizer with the U.S. militia movement who sought to retaliate against the federal government for its role in Waco. McVeigh\u2019s act was the worst act of domestic terrorism by a U.S. citizen.\u200b\u200b","Intelligence agencies warned in March of the ongoing threat that racially-motivated extremist groups might carry out mass-casualty attacks on civilians, while militia organizations like the Oath Keepers would target police and government personnel and buildings.","U.S. Justice Department, Fifth Superseding Indictment Unsealed in Oath Keeper Conspiracy Case Related to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach, Aug. 9, 2021","But Baker and other officials involved in the events have denied that the conversation ever turned on expanding NATO to other countries."]},{"id":"4390.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States won every major battle of the Vietnam War. Every single one.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the United States won every major battle of the Vietnam War is not entirely accurate. While the United States achieved significant military victories during the conflict, it is not true that they won every major battle. The Vietnam War was a complex and protracted conflict with various outcomes, and both sides experienced victories and losses throughout the war. Additionally, the classification of what constitutes a \"major\" battle can be subjective and open to interpretation. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7971.json","label":"false","statement":"When I was growing up as a kid in the city of Milwaukee, if we averaged 4 homicides a year in the entire city that was a record number.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is false. Multiple sources and fact-checking organizations have found no evidence to support his claim that averaging four homicides a year in the entire city of Milwaukee was a record number during his childhood. Historical data and records indicate that Milwaukee has consistently had higher homicide rates in the past, making Clarke's statement inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5601.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says gas costs $4.50 a gallon.","reason":"Reason: The statement that gas costs $4.50 a gallon is not entirely accurate. While it is true that gas prices can vary significantly and reach $4.50 a gallon in certain locations or under specific circumstances, it is not the prevailing or average price nationwide. The evidence provided suggests that $4.50 gas prices can be found if one looks hard enough, but it is not a commonplace occurrence. Additionally, the statement lacks context regarding the specific time and location when the $4.50 price was observed. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and could mislead readers into thinking that $4.50 gas prices are widespread.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5146.json","label":"true","statement":"My opponent on day one of this campaign attacked me on Medicare and Medicare Advantage and that claim was found to be False.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the opponent attacked the speaker on Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and this claim was indeed found to be false. However, without further context or specific evidence, it is challenging to provide a more detailed analysis or determine the full accuracy of the claim. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The Kenosha casino would be one of the state\u2019s largest employers and pay more to the state than any other company or Tribe \u2013 essentially, it would be Wisconsin\u2019s biggest taxpayer.\"","The Menominee contend that \"the Kenosha casino would be one of the state\u2019s largest employers and pay more to the state than any other company or Tribe \u2013 essentially, it would be Wisconsin\u2019s biggest taxpayer.\"","On the website, the tribe makes this claim: \"The Kenosha casino would be one of the state\u2019s largest employers and pay more to the state than any other company or Tribe \u2013 essentially, it would be Wisconsin\u2019s biggest taxpayer.\"","It\u2019s a difficult claim to assess, but we found compelling evidence it\u2019s accurate when comparing the projections for a future Kenosha casino with the biggest taxpayers and employers in the state in recent years."]},{"id":"6984.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Veterans unemployment is actually now lower than (the) general population. It was higher when I came into office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Historically, the national unemployment rate for veterans has been lower than the rate for non-veterans. However, the statement implies that the current unemployment rate for veterans is lower than the general population, which is not accurate. As of the evidence provided, the national unemployment rate for veterans is 5.3 percent, while the rate for non-veterans is 6 percent. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as the unemployment rate for veterans is not currently lower than the general population.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Mandel, in an email thanking his supporters, said one of them had pointed out \"that our race was the closest U.S. Senate race in Ohio in 36 years -- when Howard Metzenbaum defeated Robert Taft in 1976.\"","In 1976, Metzenbaum defeated Robert Taft Jr., the Republican incumbent, by a margin of 117,339 votes, or 3 percent of the vote. Not only closer than the Brown-Mandel race, it was a reverse rematch of the 1970 election in which Taft reached the Senate, defeating Metzenbaum by a margin of 70,420 votes, or 2 percent.","Taft was a congressman, father of the former governor and son of the famed three-term senator who was nicknamed \"Mr. Republican.\" Before his two tight contests with Metzenbaum, he lost his first bid for the Senate in an even closer race.","In 1964, the year of Lyndon Johnson's presidential landslide over Barry Goldwater, Taft lost to incumbent Democrat Stephen Young by just 0.5 percent. It was Ohio's closest Senate election of the last half century."]},{"id":"2185.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In recent years, Rep. LaTourette has sponsored legislation that would increase spending by 551.6 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The analysis provided by the National Taxpayers Union, which was cited by the Times, showed that Rep. LaTourette had sponsored or co-sponsored bills during a specific term that would add $551.6 billion in new annual spending, not a 551.6 percent increase. Additionally, using government spending data for that year, the actual increase in spending was calculated to be 6.5 percent, not 551.6 percent. Therefore, the statement greatly exaggerates the extent of the spending increase and is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I can tell you it is succeeding. I can look you in the eye and tell you it's succeeding,\" McCain said. \"We have drawn down to presurge levels. Basra, Mosul and now Sadr City are quiet.\"","But what else could he have meant by \"quiet\"? And when it comes to describing events in a war zone, tense is rather important. We find that McCain erred in his assertion about troop levels and in his characterization of conditions in Mosul. He was, however, accurate in describing the situation in Sadr City and Basra. We say his statement is Barely True.","Problem is, the U.S. military has not drawn down to presurge levels, according to the Pentagon. Before the start of the surge last year there were about 132,000 troops in Iraq \u2014 now there are about 155,000, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Mark Ballesteros said.","And what about McCain's characterization of Basra, Mosul and Sadr City? All three are places where Iraqi and American forces have launched offensives of late, with varying degrees of success."]},{"id":"2067.json","label":"false","statement":"Some city of Atlanta employees have not had raises in eight years.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided includes conflicting statements from different sources. While Charles Clark, the executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1644, claimed that some employees had not received raises in eight years, Gina Pagnotta, a Public Works Department employee and president of the Professional Association of City Employees, contradicts this claim by stating that city workers have received raises in the past eight years. Additionally, there is a mention of the city of Atlanta's Human Resources Department, which would have access to personnel records and could provide accurate information on when employees received raises. Without definitive evidence, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the statement. However, based on the conflicting statements and lack of conclusive evidence, it is more accurate to label the statement as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Austin\u2019s treated wastewater, put into the Colorado River, is of higher quality than water the city takes from the lake for public use.","Leffingwell said Austin\u2019s treated wastewater, put into the river, is of higher quality than water the city removes upstream for public use.","Yuck? \"Actually, it\u2019s not as bad as it sounds,\" Leffingwell said, \"because it\u2019s better quality than the water we take out of Lake Austin\" for public use. \"It\u2019s treated to a high level.\"","Austin get its water from the Colorado River and puts its treated wastewater into the river, Mayor Lee Leffingwell reminded colleagues at a Dec. 13, 2012, Austin City Council meeting."]},{"id":"4904.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"99% of NJ voters do NOT support hunting.","reason":"Reason: The claim that 99% of New Jersey voters do not support hunting is not accurate. While there may be opposition to hunting in the state, the statement exaggerates the level of opposition and misrepresents the views of New Jersey voters. State data and polls indicate that the opposition to hunting does not come close to reaching 99%. The claim is deemed false and exaggerated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["An amendment by U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J., said nothing in the House plan \"shall be construed as permitting insurers to limit access to health coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions.\"","Planned Parenthood says the current arrangement walls off abortion services from those that have nothing to do with abortion. But abortion opponents have long argued that the government is tacitly supporting abortion even by reimbursing Planned Parenthood for non-abortion services, saying such money is fungible once it reaches Planned Parenthood\u2019s coffers.","The MacArthur amendment allows insurers to set premiums based on the \"health status\" of an individual, which means that costs rise for consumers who are sicker. (Republicans later put in an extra $8 billion to subsidize people whose premiums skyrocket.)","The Wall Street Journal explained how that could play out it: \"If a state did away with a requirement to provide mental health and substance abuse services, employer plans using that benchmark could impose lifetime caps on the amount of mental health coverage they are willing to pay for.\""]},{"id":"7600.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty aides who serve President Barack Obama owe $333,485 in back taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in various blog posts and articles that 40 aides who served President Barack Obama owed a total of $333,485 in back taxes. However, it's important to note that these claims originated from blogs and were not extensively verified by credible news sources. While the information may be based on some truth, without further evidence or confirmation, it is difficult to ascertain the accuracy and context of these claims. Therefore, the label for this statement would be \"mostly-true\" with a caveat regarding the sources and lack of independent verification.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6700.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson admitted that Washington, D.C., changed him into an insider selling his influence to make millions from powerful special interests.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims and ads suggesting that Tommy Thompson changed after leaving President George W. Bush's cabinet and made millions by working for special interests, there is no direct evidence or admission from Tommy Thompson himself stating that Washington, D.C. changed him into an insider selling his influence. The statement goes beyond the available evidence and is not supported by any explicit admission or statement from Thompson. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But since the chain email discards that nuance, we decided to count up as many people as we could find with a job, government or private. That, we thought, would get to the heart of the viral message: welfare recipients outnumbering people who have jobs.","Then, it depends on what you call welfare. We spoke by phone with Liz Schott, a senior fellow at the liberal Washington-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, who said that when welfare comes up in public discourse -- talk of \"welfare reform\" or \"ending welfare as we know it\" -- people are often referring to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a cash assistance program created in 1996 to replace an older welfare system.","That\u2019s the headline on a U.S. map with 11 states highlighted and accompanying text that says, \"These 11 states now have more people on welfare than they do employed.\"","If upstate New York split from downstate \"the economic indicators of upstate New York would be among the lowest in the country.\""]},{"id":"10410.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Factories are opening their doors at the fastest pace in almost two decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that there has been growth in the number of factories opening their doors, which is the fastest pace seen in almost two decades. While there may have been some short-lived blips and challenges in the manufacturing sector, the overall trend indicates an increase in factory openings. However, it's important to note that the evidence also highlights the limitations of the data set used to measure this growth, as it includes not only brand-new factories but also those that have undergone changes in production situations. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be considered in the context of the data limitations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13139.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In New York City, murders are up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there have been increases in the number of murders in certain time frames in New York City, it is important to consider the overall trend. When looking at various time periods, including the year-to-date, murders in New York City have generally been on a downward trend. Therefore, stating that murders are \"up\" without providing the necessary context can be misleading. It is crucial to consider the specific time frame and the larger trend to accurately assess the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Pentagon Confirms They May Court Martial Soldiers Who Hold Christian Faith,\" said , explaining that \"the Pentagon has released an official statement affirming that it will court martial 'proselytization.\u2019\"","Recent headlines and articles offered versions of the claim that the \"Pentagon confirms they may court-martial soldiers who hold Christian faith.\"","So, did the Pentagon confirm it might \"court-martial soldiers who hold Christian faith\"? PolitiFact decided to investigate and concluded the claim is Mostly False; read our report for all the details.","Save America Foundation, \"TYRANNY ALERT! Pentagon Confirms May Court Martial Soldiers Who Share Christian Faith .. by Ken Klukowski, (Breitbart),\" May 1, 2013"]},{"id":"718.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Obama has asked for $932-million in earmarks, literally $1-million for every day that hes been in Congress.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama requested $932 million in earmarks. However, the claim that this equates to \"$1 million for every day that he's been in Congress\" is not entirely accurate. President Obama served in Congress for a total of 2,920 days, which would result in an average of approximately $319,452 per day if the earmark amount were evenly distributed. Therefore, while the statement highlights the significant amount of earmark requests made by President Obama, the specific comparison to \"$1 million for every day\" is not entirely true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4172.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ronald Reagan repeatedly talked about how irresponsible it would be to allow the full faith and credit of the United States to be impaired in any kind of way.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Ronald Reagan repeatedly expressed concerns about allowing the full faith and credit of the United States to be impaired. There is evidence, including quotes from Reagan himself, that demonstrate his understanding of the potential consequences of default and his emphasis on maintaining the country's creditworthiness. While Reagan may have discussed other topics more frequently, his remarks on the importance of avoiding impairment to the nation's credit are genuine and reflect his stance on the issue. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["DeMint responded, \"Well, we've got more revenue than we ever have. We're spending more than we ever have. We don't -- we don't have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem. The government is doing things that we can't do well. We're wasting billions of dollars. And we're not going to address that waste and fraud until we have to.\"","A reader asked us whether the federal government currently has \"more revenue than we ever have.\" So we decided to take a look.","Looking year by year, 2016 was actually the only year in which the women\u2019s team generated more revenue from games \u2014 $24.11 million, compared to $22.24 million for the men. In 2017, both teams brought in about the same revenue at $14.61 million, and in 2018, the men\u2019s team brought in $13 million compared to the women\u2019s $12.03 million.","Specifically, from 2016-18, the women\u2019s team brought in $50.8 million in revenue, while the men\u2019s team brought in $49.9 million. That\u2019s a difference of less than 2% in the women\u2019s favor."]},{"id":"4774.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We cut a record $15 billion from our state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there were significant budget cuts made in Texas, the claim of cutting a record $15 billion from the state budget is not entirely accurate. In 2003, Texas did implement budget cuts, but the actual amount was closer to $10 billion, as mentioned by Governor Perry. It's important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the specific time period and the overall budget situation. Additionally, other evidence suggests that there were increases in funding for certain sectors like public education and health and human services during that time. Therefore, the claim of a record $15 billion budget cut is an exaggeration and does not provide a complete picture of the budgetary changes in Texas.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton said that between 2010 and 2014, there was zero net in-migration from Mexico. The census data to prove that is not in for 2014, but the numbers up to 2013 support his point, as do very preliminary 2014 data.The population of people living in America but born in Mexico fell by about 40,000 since 2010. That\u2019s not a perfect measure, but the experts we reached said it is a strong indication of a prevailing trend.","A more complete study of net migration from Mexico came out in 2012. The Pew Research Center reported back then that based on census data from both sides of the border, from 2005 to 2010, more people moved from America to Mexico than the reverse.","Clinton: \"Not only that, just wrong. Basically between 2010 and 2014, there was no net in-migration from Mexico. That surprise you all? All we read about is the violence and the drug war. The truth is that the previous president built 140 tuition free universities. Two years ago, the Mexicans produced 113,000 engineers. We produced 120,000. They\u2019ve had very brisk growth, and except in the narco-centers, the crime rate, the murder rate has gone down. It\u2019s a very interesting country.\"","Census data from 2010 up to 2013 support O\u2019Malley\u2019s point, as the population of people living in America but born in Mexico fell by about 40,000 since 2010. Experts said this is a strong indication of a prevailing trend. That figure actually rose slightly in 2014 -- though remaining significantly lower than the peak number of Mexican-born Americans in 2007. And the 2014 number had a large enough margin of error that it\u2019s possible there was an actual drop from 2013."]},{"id":"13308.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons plan is going to raise taxes and even double your taxes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump made the claim that Hillary Clinton's tax plan would raise taxes and potentially double them, this statement is misleading and lacks context. Clinton's tax plan did propose raising taxes on high-income earners, but it also included provisions to provide tax relief for middle-class families. The claim that taxes would be doubled is an exaggeration and does not accurately represent the details of Clinton's tax proposal. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9075.json","label":"false","statement":"Millions of Americans are paying more and getting less under Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are varying experiences and opinions regarding the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the evidence suggests that most people on the individual market are actually getting more benefits under the law. In many cases, they are paying less or have access to affordable insurance for the first time. While there may be isolated instances where individuals have experienced changes in their coverage or costs, it is inaccurate to claim that millions of Americans are universally paying more and getting less under Obamacare.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4540.json","label":"false","statement":"When he took office in 2009, President Barack Obama had the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While President Obama did have a Democratic majority in Congress when he took office in 2009, it was not the largest since Lyndon Johnson. In fact, there have been other instances in recent history where Democratic majorities in Congress were larger than during Obama's presidency. For example, during the first two years of Bill Clinton's presidency, Democrats held larger majorities in both the House and the Senate. Therefore, the claim that Obama had the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"584.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Sen. McCain's economic plan gives nearly $4-billion in tax breaks to the oil companies but doesn't provide any tax relief to more than 100-million middle-class families.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some inaccuracies. While it is true that Senator McCain's economic plan included tax breaks for oil companies, it is an exaggeration to claim that it provided no tax relief to middle-class families. Senator McCain's plan did include various tax proposals aimed at providing relief for middle-class families, such as reducing tax rates and increasing the child tax credit. However, the extent and effectiveness of these measures in providing relief to middle-class families could be a subject of debate. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context and exaggerates the lack of tax relief for middle-class families.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6831.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Obama promised to cut the deficit in half.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Obama did make a promise to cut the deficit in half. This promise was evaluated and found to be true by multiple sources. While the effectiveness of the measures taken to achieve this goal can be debated, the fact remains that Obama did make this commitment during his presidency.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1976.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"We have that program where immigrants come here and they have to bring a million dollars in order to get a green card if theyre going to create jobs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it inaccurately describes the requirements for obtaining a green card through the immigrant investor program, also known as the EB-5 program. While the EB-5 program does require a significant investment, the minimum investment amount is not one million dollars in all cases. The required investment amount can vary depending on the location of the investment project, with a minimum of $1.8 million for most areas and $900,000 for targeted employment areas. Additionally, the program does aim to create jobs, but the statement implies that immigrants must bring the entire investment amount themselves, which is not accurate. Immigrants can invest through regional centers or pooled investments, and they are not required to personally bring the entire investment amount.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We checked a similar claim by Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md. In November 2014, Cardin made the opposite case, claiming that \"every time we've increased the minimum wage, we've seen a growth in jobs.\"","We\u2019ll get the simpler part of the claim out of the way first. When was the last time the federal minimum wage increased?","And the last time the federal minimum wage was raised was in 2009, when it increased to its current rate of $7.25 per hour.","The headline here is that joblessness rose after a minimum-wage hike more than half the time -- seven out of 11 occasions -- but fell four times. Since joblessness fell some of the time, it means that Carson\u2019s sweeping claim -- that joblessness rises \"every time\" the minimum wage goes up is off-base."]},{"id":"494.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Privatizing Social Security was a bad idea when George W. Bush proposed it. It's a bad idea today. Sen. McCain's campaign went even further ... suggesting ... to cut cost-of-living adjustments or to raise the retirement age.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's position on privatizing Social Security and his criticism of Senator McCain's campaign for suggesting potential changes to the program, such as cutting cost-of-living adjustments or raising the retirement age. However, the statement lacks some context. While it is true that Obama opposes privatizing Social Security, the claim that it is a \"bad idea today\" is subjective and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy. Additionally, the statement does not provide evidence or specific examples to support the claim that Senator McCain's campaign went further in suggesting these changes. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient context and evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5310.json","label":"true","statement":"On deporting illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately refers to the topic of deporting illegal immigrants, which was a subject of discussion during the mentioned context. However, without further context or specific claims, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the statement in terms of its factual accuracy. Therefore, the label \"true\" can be applied to the statement in the sense that it accurately reflects the topic being discussed, but it does not make a specific claim that can be fact-checked.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It\u2019s the same concern the International Energy Agency raised in 2020, without M&Ms. While oil industry investments in clean energy are rising, it said, \"so far, investment by oil and gas companies outside their core business areas has been less than 1% of total capital expenditure.\"","The second number -- unstated in the op-ed, but equaling 87,000 workers employed in coal mining, if you do the math -- actually overstates the number of mine workers. According to the Energy Information Administration, a part of the federal Energy Department, the number of people working at coal mines was 65,971 in 2016. The actual ratio between the two numbers would be almost four-to-one.","We had previously looked at whether there are more people employed in the U.S. solar-energy industry than in the oil industry. (There aren\u2019t.) But the comparison with the coal industry was new to us, so we decided to take a look.","The question is, how much of their capital budgets are individual oil companies devoting to clean energy and low-carbon projects? Is it a substantial share, or just a few morsels at the bottom of the jar?"]},{"id":"476.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"We spend a staggering amount of money on health care over $2-trillion and almost twice as much as any other country per person.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the United States spends a significant amount of money on healthcare, exceeding $2 trillion. However, the claim that the US spends almost twice as much as any other country per person is not entirely accurate. While the US does have one of the highest healthcare expenditures per person compared to other countries, there are a few nations, such as Switzerland and Norway, that also have high healthcare spending per capita. Therefore, while the US does spend a substantial amount on healthcare, it is not accurate to claim that it spends almost twice as much as any other country per person.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6593.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Connie Mack IV co-sponsored a bill to take a third of the Social Security Trust Fund ... give it in individual accounts to the senior citizens, who then were to invest it in the stock market.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Connie Mack IV co-sponsored a bill to take a third of the Social Security Trust Fund and give it to senior citizens to invest in the stock market. The provided evidence does not provide any credible information or sources to substantiate this claim. It is important to fact-check and rely on accurate information when discussing legislative actions and proposals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bloggers started a rumor that photos showed Clinton with an \"undercover nurse\" at the Sept. 11 memorial in New York. The undercover nurse then became Clinton\u2019s personal doctor.","Hillary Clinton\u2019s health scare in New York at a Sept. 11 memorial ceremony fueled plenty of speculation and conspiracy chatter on the Internet. It\u2019s now bubbling into the mainstream media.","In a tweet on Sept. 11, @Ten_GOP said photos showed Clinton with an \"undercover nurse.\" (The account is not the official account of the Tennessee Republican Party.)","!President Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walk back to their seats after speaking at a transfer of remains ceremony for the Benghazi victims Sept. 14, 2012, at Joint Base Andrews. (AP Photo) !President Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walk back to their seats after speaking at a transfer of remains ceremony for the Benghazi victims Sept. 14, 2012, at Joint Base Andrews. (AP Photo)"]},{"id":"560.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Our National Guard, as we saw in the Midwest flooding, can't function as effectively as it could. I was talking to National Guard representatives. Fifteen of their 17 helicopters in this region were overseas during the flooding.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Obama regarding the National Guard's ability to function effectively during the Midwest flooding is false. The National Guard itself refuted the claim, stating that combat responsibilities did not hinder their response to the flooding. Additionally, reports from the time do not mention any instances where the National Guard's effectiveness was compromised due to overseas deployments. The information provided by the National Guard representatives also contradicts Obama's claim, as only three out of eighteen helicopters were being used for flooding missions, and the helicopters overseas were not in Iraq. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"So contributing to that gap, or the mismatch as you outlined, is the fact that we have a lot of folks not even going into the college environment,\" Martin said. \"We found out in our community, for example, in Milwaukee high schools only 50 percent were going on to two- or four-year institutions.\"","Milwaukee Area Technical College President Vicki Martin points to a low percentage of Milwaukee public high school students going on to college as one factor.","In fall of that year, some 37.7 percent of MPS completers -- a category that includes, for instance, those who get a G.E.D. -- enrolled in a two- or four-year program. Another 12.6 percent enrolled at a later date. That puts enrollment in college at just above 50 percent for the group.","There are multiple high school options in Milwaukee, when you factor in choice and charter schools. But Martin was focusing on Milwaukee Public Schools, so we will as well."]},{"id":"2873.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Texas House has a record number of new members joining our ranks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Texas House has seen an influx of new members, the claim does not provide any specific information or context regarding the actual number of new members. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the magnitude of the increase and determine if it qualifies as a \"record number.\" Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5745.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The 30 percent tax rate called for under President Barack Obamas proposed Buffett Rule is lower than the prescribed tax rate for millionaires already -- not just for millionaires, for people making over $200,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Vice President Joe Biden that the proposed 30 percent tax rate under President Obama's Buffett Rule is lower than the prescribed tax rate for millionaires and individuals making over $200,000. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While the proposed tax rate may be higher than the effective tax rate currently paid by some millionaires and individuals making over $200,000, it does not necessarily mean that all millionaires and individuals in that income bracket pay a lower tax rate. The effectiveness and impact of the proposed Buffett Rule on different income groups can vary, making the statement partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Inflation-adjusted defense spending has declined 21 percent since 2010, and even if we discount the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has still declined by a dangerous 12 percent,\" Rubio said.","Rubio said, \"Inflation-adjusted defense spending has declined 21 percent since 2010 and even if we discount the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan it has still declined by a dangerous 12 percent.\"","This trend is not too surprising, since entitlement spending has grown dramatically since 1958. Defense spending has also declined as a percentage of gross domestic product, though not as dramatically as it has when measured against the overall budget. In 1958, defense spending accounted for 10.2 percent of GDP, compared to 4.7 today.","\"When I was born\" -- which was 1958 -- \"less than 10 percent of the federal budget was entitlement spending. It's now 60 percent of the budget. Some people have suggested that defense spending is the problem. When I was born, defense spending was 60 percent of the budget. It's now 17 percent. If you think defense spending is the problem, then you need a remedial math class to go back to.\""]},{"id":"11721.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho said African Americans should only be given three-fifths of a vote.","reason":"Reason: The claim that U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho said African Americans should only be given three-fifths of a vote is false. The viral image and the accusation it makes are not supported by any credible evidence or reliable sources. In fact, the evidence suggests that there is no proof that Yoho made such a statement. It is important to be cautious of false information spread on social media platforms and to verify claims with reputable sources before accepting them as true.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Moran said ATF statistics show \"70 percent of firearms recovered and traced in drug cartel crimes in Mexico come from the United States.\"","Moran, D-8th, said the gun-reporting program -- begun in summer 2011 -- has helped the ATF investigate illegal gun trafficking by Mexican drug cartels. \"According to ATF data, 70 percent of firearms recovered and traced in drug cartel crimes in Mexico originated from the United States,\" he said in a May 9 floor speech.","\"In fact, 90 percent of the firearms recovered in Mexico, and which are then successfully traced, were determined to have originated from various sources within the continental U.S.\"","We wondered if Moran is right that 70 percent of the known firearms used by Mexican drug cartels have been traced to the U.S. His spokeswoman, Anne Hughes, pointed us to an ATF report on the guns recovered from 2007-11 that the agency had traced at the request of the Mexican government."]},{"id":"6501.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A small business in my district needed 31 different permits and fees just to be able to expand.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that a small business in their district required 31 different permits and fees to expand. While the evidence does not provide specific details about the business or the permits involved, it suggests that the business owner expressed frustration with the number of permits and fees required for expansion. Without further information, it is difficult to verify the exact number of permits and fees involved, but the statement is generally consistent with the anecdotal evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8565.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The U.S. Department of Defense spends $80 million a year on prostate cancer research, $25 million a year on ovarian cancer research and $150 million a year on breast cancer research.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the specific funding amounts mentioned may not be exact, it is accurate to say that the U.S. Department of Defense allocates significant funding for research on prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. The actual figures may vary, but the statement reflects the general allocation of funds towards research for these types of cancers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Fireworks have never been safer, and their use continues to increase each year,\" he wrote. \"This alone provides a strong case for the regulated and sensible use of consumer fireworks.\"","But, the statistical record shows that the rate of injury from fireworks declined nationally while their use increased dramatically, and while laws governing their consumer use loosened. There still are injuries, but the annual rate has plateaued even while consumption continues to grow.","We found no stronger explanation than the concurrent regulatory and policing work of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory to make fireworks safer.","Weimer\u2019s statement addressed legal and proper use of fireworks by consumers -- not use of homemade or illegal products. And fireworks are -- as Weimer told us -- a \"product with risk associated with it.\""]},{"id":"8476.json","label":"false","statement":"FACT: Nothing in #Obamacare forces people out of their health plans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) did not explicitly force people out of their health plans, it did introduce certain requirements and regulations that led to changes in existing plans. Some insurance companies made adjustments to comply with the new regulations, resulting in individuals losing their previous health plans. This was a significant issue during the implementation of the ACA, and many people did experience changes or cancellations of their health plans despite the initial promise that they could keep them.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10158.json","label":"false","statement":"Scott Walker opposed a plan to help Wisconsin students refinance their student loans.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Scott Walker opposed a plan to help Wisconsin students refinance their student loans is false. While Walker did not actively support the specific plan proposed by Democrats, there is no evidence to suggest that he opposed it either. The Greater Wisconsin Committee's claim was debunked, as they failed to provide any proof of Walker's opposition to the proposal. It is important to distinguish between not actively supporting a plan and actively opposing it, as there is no evidence to support the latter in this case.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"665.json","label":"half-true","statement":"(McCain) says \"we can't have ... timelines to draw down our troops from Iraq.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes McCain's position on having timelines to draw down troops from Iraq. McCain did express opposition to having specific timelines for troop withdrawal from Iraq. However, it's important to note that this statement lacks context regarding the timeframe in which it was made. McCain's stance on this issue may have evolved over time, and it's possible that he may have expressed different views on the matter in different contexts. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects a specific position held by McCain, it may not capture the entirety of his views on the subject.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., said on the House floor that \"Medicare passed with virtually no Republican support.\" We checked that claim. !Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., said on the House floor that \"Medicare passed with virtually no Republican support.\" We checked that claim.","Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., said on the House floor that \"Medicare passed with virtually no Republican support.\" We checked that claim.","We wondered whether DeFazio was right that \"Medicare passed with virtually no Republican support.\" In 2009, we rated a similar statement by former Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, and we will draw from it as we analyze DeFazio\u2019s more recent statement.","With virtually no Republican support for the health care reform bill, some Democrats believe they will have to go it alone."]},{"id":"9225.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Wisconsin, a woman only earns 80 cents for every $1 a man earns.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings that women in Wisconsin earn approximately 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. This statistic is based on data and analysis that indicate a gender pay gap in the state. However, it's important to note that the exact role of discrimination in causing this gap is not explicitly clarified in the evidence provided. Nonetheless, the statement aligns with the available information regarding the wage disparity between genders in Wisconsin.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wisconsin state Sen. Fred Risser says Senate President Michael Ellis broke Senate rules by cutting him off during debate over a photo ID bill","( - Wisconsin state Sen. Fred Risser says Senate President Michael Ellis broke Senate rules by cutting him off during debate over a photo ID bill &url=)","Republican Michael Ellis is a member of the Wisconsin state Senate, representing the Neenah area. He was elected to the Legislature in 1970 and is currently Senate president.","The vote ended with a shouting match about the rules of the Senate between the state\u2019s two most veteran lawmakers: Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, vs. Sen. Michael Ellis, R-Neenah. Between the two of them, they have a more than 90 years experience in the Capitol."]},{"id":"2788.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Grocery prices have risen significantly over the past year or so.","reason":"Reason: While there have been price increases in specific sectors such as lumber, the evidence provided does not support the claim that grocery prices have risen significantly over the past year. The first evidence states that grocery store prices have only risen 3.5% over the course of a year, which is not a significant increase. Additionally, it mentions that grocery prices have risen less than 1% in 2021. Therefore, the overall evidence suggests that grocery prices have experienced relatively modest increases rather than significant ones.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Perry spokesman Mark Miner said Dec. 20: \"After promising to fight health care, Sen. Hutchison abandoned Republicans and stood with Democrats to ensure health care legislation would pass quickly.\"","By Perry's analysis, Hutchison's vote eased the Democrats' passage of the health care bill she opposed. Perry's campaign posted several videos online including the version we're showing to the right musically casting Hutchison as flip-flopping. The video includes a snippet showing Hutchison telling colleagues before the vote that its early-morning timing was being driven by the \"underlying\" health care legislation.","Gov. Rick Perry's campaign landed a Nutcracker-like leap in December by suggesting that Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison enabled Democrats to advance their health-care package by voting for the Senate to take up an unrelated spending proposal.","Early on Dec. 19, Democratic leaders amassed more than the 60 votes needed under Senate rules to proceed to action on the measure. Outnumbered Republicans had hoped to keep members stewing on the defense plan, thereby putting off action on the looming health care legislation."]},{"id":"1579.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's \"concession speech came with less than 20 percent of the precincts having been counted.","reason":"Reason: While there is a slight discrepancy in the exact percentage of precincts that had reported during Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's concession speech, the statement is mostly true. The evidence indicates that Hutchison conceded after approximately 23 percent of precincts had reported, which is close to the claim that her concession speech came with less than 20 percent of the precincts having been counted. The difference in percentage is relatively small and does not significantly impact the overall accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We\u2019ve seen a lot of tweets about how it\u2019s colder in the United States and Canada than it is on Mars, due to the frigid weather system known as the polar vortex. But that\u2019s only correct if we cherry-pick the highest Mars temperatures. On average, our hypothetical Martian brethren are still way colder. We rate this claim Mostly False.","The polar vortex descended from the North Pole on Sunday night, resulting in unusually cold temperatures throughout the United States and Canada. The Midwest has been hit especially hard, with subzero temperatures and scarily low wind chills that kept schools and workplaces closed the next couple of days.","It\u2019s true that parts of Mars can be warmer than the coldest U.S. and Canadian cities. But scientists told us the average air temperature on Mars is minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes perfect sense, because Mars is tens of millions of miles farther away from the sun than Earth is. We rated this claim Mostly False.","PolitiFact is owned by the Tampa Bay Times , which is based in sunny St. Petersburg, Fla., so not everyone on staff is a cold-weather expert. So we touched base with scientists to see whether the United States and Canada really have been colder than Mars."]},{"id":"506.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I think we came down here (to Florida) one time ... but we weren't actively fundraising here.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence to suggest that the individual or group in question did come to Florida for fundraising purposes. However, without specific details or context, it is difficult to provide more specific evidence regarding the fundraising activities in Florida. Nonetheless, the statement contradicts the evidence available.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"A shocking new defense contract entered by the 'department' to secure a massive amount of ammunition, with the option for infinite supply and infinite delivery, raising the question of just what they are preparing for?\" the email says. \"Massive civil unrest? An invasion by a foreign power? The order is to supply 450 Million Rounds of .40 Caliber ammunition which is more than one bullet for every single person in the United States.\"","A chain email forwarded to us by a reader March 24, 2012, suggests the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has mysteriously ordered a lot of bullets. Specifically, the email says, the department \"has just executed an order for enough rounds of .40 caliber ammunition to kill every man, woman and child in the United States.\"","\"We heard from the Department of Homeland Security ... that this was probably the most secure election that\u2019s ever been run in the United States.\u201d","\"We heard from the Department of Homeland Security this week that this was probably the most secure election that\u2019s ever been run in the United States,\" Baldwin said."]},{"id":"1998.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Said he is the only Democratic candidate for state attorney general who has \"represented the entire state of Georgia.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While the statement implies that the candidate is the only Democratic candidate for state attorney general who has represented the entire state of Georgia, it lacks specific evidence or context to support this claim. Without further information or clarification, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this statement. It is important to note that multiple candidates can represent different parts of a state, and the claim does not provide enough information to verify the candidate's assertion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1875.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"In 20 years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the president by themselves.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The evidence clearly demonstrates that the claim is highly implausible. Even under the most extreme assumptions, such as assuming every Muslim in the U.S. would be eligible to vote and vote as a unified bloc, the Muslim population would need to grow at an unprecedented rate to have the numerical strength to elect a president by themselves. The actual projections and estimates of population growth do not support this claim. Additionally, the statement overlooks the fact that the president is elected indirectly through the electoral college, requiring broad support across various states. The claim is baseless and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Under Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s leadership Texas has created more jobs over the last decade than the rest of the states combined.\"","\"Under Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s leadership Texas has created more jobs over the last decade than the rest of the states combined,\" McDonnell wrote.","McDonnell wrote that under Gov. Perry, Texas \"has created more jobs over the last decade than the rest of the states combined.\"","Bob McDonnell, the Republican governor of Virginia, praised Perry's jobs record. \"Under Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s leadership (Texas) has created more jobs over the last decade than the rest of the states combined,\" McDonnell said. McDonnell's statement depends on the assumption that there were no jobs created in states where job losses outpaced job creation during the decade. PolitiFact Virginia rated that Mostly False."]},{"id":"8628.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Vladimir Putin said, President Obama and his fellow Democrats are either idiots or deliberately trying to destroy their own economy.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Vladimir Putin said President Obama and his fellow Democrats are either idiots or deliberately trying to destroy their own economy is false. This quote has been circulating on social media for several years, but it has been debunked as originating from a satire website. There is no credible evidence to suggest that Putin made such a statement. It is important to verify the authenticity of quotes before attributing them to individuals, especially when they are widely circulated on social media.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"668.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"McCain supports tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John McCain supports retaining a long-standing principle of the U.S. tax system that may provide incentives for some companies to move operations overseas, it is an oversimplification to say that he supports tax breaks specifically for companies that ship jobs overseas. The statement fails to acknowledge the complexities of the issue and misrepresents McCain's position. It is important to consider the nuances and details of McCain's stance on the matter, rather than making a blanket statement that inaccurately portrays his position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We do have a serious problem in this state,\" he said to a June 25 caucus at the Texas Democratic convention. \"We have many. But one of them is when our kids graduate from high school, the proportion that go to college is small. And more seriously, even those who go, only about a third of them are getting through.\"","!Some happy Westlake High graduates, perhaps unaware of a claim that only one in four Texas graduates is prepared for college or a career (Westlake Picayune photo). !Some happy Westlake High graduates, perhaps unaware of a claim that only one in four Texas graduates is prepared for college or a career (Westlake Picayune photo).","Hammond, president of the Texas Association of Business, said, \"We already graduate only 25 percent of students who are career- or college-ready. I don\u2019t understand why many of our lawmakers are dead set on running away from strong requirements meant to increase that number and put in place standards that will do just the opposite,\" according to a May 6, 2013, Austin American-Statesman news story.","Some happy Westlake High graduates, perhaps unaware of a claim that only one in four Texas graduates is prepared for college or a career (Westlake Picayune photo)."]},{"id":"12535.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"ISIS is running through a border made porous by Barack Obamas policies.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that ISIS is running through the border made porous by Barack Obama's policies. Multiple fact-checking organizations and investigations have found no substantiated instances of ISIS members crossing the U.S. border in this manner. The claim is misleading and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The shiny new Blue Cross building in downtown Providence was a popular target of political candidates, including Democrat Bill Lynch, who ran in the primary for Congress in the 1st District. Lynch said Blue Cross refused to say how much it spent furnishing the building, so his campaign made an estimate, based on figures quoted in a newspaper story about engineering and other \"soft costs\" for the building. We found that Lynch's number was really a guess and ruled the statement Pants on Fire.","Rhode Island gives undocumented pregnant women health insurance, plus a cash card \"with $400 a month on it\" and \"$250 a month or $275 a month to spend on food.\"","9.) Rhode Islandgives undocumented pregnant women health insurance, plus a cash card \"with $400 a month on it\" and \"$250 a month or $275 a month to spend on food.\" Peter Palumbo, Sept. 9, 2010","One of the biggest business stories of the year in Rhode Island was the decision by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to back $75 million in loans to a video game company created by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. Stokes, the EDC director, defended the deal, in part by citing what he called continued growth in the video gaming industry. We found that game sales have grown dramatically in the last decade, but have fallen in at least two of the last five years. We ruled this statement False."]},{"id":"1089.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Job losses are so certain under this new cap-and-tax plan that it includes a provision accommodating newly unemployed workers from the resulting dried-up energy sector, to the tune of $4.2 billion over eight years. So much for creating jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Palin regarding job losses and the provision in the cap-and-tax plan to support unemployed workers from the energy sector. However, it's important to note that the claim presents a narrow view of the overall impact on employment. While some workers may be displaced due to the transition, experts also project growth and new job opportunities in industries that benefit from the new policy. Therefore, while the claim highlights a potential negative consequence, it lacks the full context of the potential job creation and economic benefits associated with the plan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Walker said \"Nationally, the unemployment rate for veterans is far greater than the national unemployment rate,\" and Wisconsin is \"one of those rare examples where unemployment is actually lower for veterans than it is for the population as a whole and certainly lower than it is nationally.\"","\"Nationally the unemployment rate for veterans is far greater than the national unemployment rate,\" Walker said, adding Wisconsin is \"one of those rare examples where unemployment is actually lower for veterans than it is for the population as a whole and certainly lower than it is nationally.\"","Wisconsin vs. national: Finally, Walker said Wisconsin's veteran unemployment rate was \"certainly lower than it is nationally.\" Federal data confirms this aspect of the claim, with Wisconsin's veteran unemployment rate at 4.1 percent, while nationally the rate was 5.3 percent.","But the national unemployment rate for veterans is actually lower than the rate for non-veterans. For veterans, the rate was 5.3 percent, compared to 6 percent for non-veterans. That's true historically as well."]},{"id":"2365.json","label":"false","statement":"Its factually correct to say that Jennifer Brunner inherited at least 18 lawsuits when she came into the office that were a result of Ken Blackwells mismanagement of the 2004 election.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim made about Jennifer Brunner inheriting at least 18 lawsuits due to Ken Blackwell's mismanagement of the 2004 election. The evidence presented is unrelated to Jennifer Brunner and does not provide any information about lawsuits or mismanagement in the 2004 election. Therefore, the statement is factually incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Under Pat McCrory, our state has fallen to 41st in teacher pay,\" Cooper tweeted along with a video of the ad. \"We must fix this.\"","But is Cooper right with the more important part of his claim, that North Carolina has \"fallen\" to 41st under McCrory\u2019s leadership?","In fact, the opposite is true. North Carolina has risen to 41st in teacher pay since McCrory entered office. It\u2019s barely an increase, from 43 to 41, but it\u2019s still an increase.","In the 2015-16 school year, according to estimates by the National Education Association, North Carolina was ranked 41st in teacher pay \u2013 just like Cooper claimed."]},{"id":"5763.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The ACLU has filed a suit to end prayer from the military completely.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the ACLU has filed a suit to end prayer from the military completely is false. There is no credible evidence or record of the ACLU filing such a lawsuit. This claim has been debunked by fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact, which rated similar claims as \"Pants on Fire.\" It is important to verify information from reliable sources before spreading false information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8555.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under President (George W.) Bush, prosecution of gun crimes was 30 percent higher than it is under President Obama.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Cruz made the statement about gun crime prosecutions, the claim lacks context and can be misleading. The statement suggests that President Obama's administration was not effectively targeting criminals, but it fails to consider various factors that can influence prosecution rates, such as changes in law enforcement priorities, resources allocated to different types of crimes, and overall crime rates during the respective presidencies. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I have had to fill out FEC reports for the past six years now, and they\u2019re much more detailed than a tax return...\"","\"I have had to fill out FEC reports for the past six years now, and they\u2019re much more detailed than a tax return...\" Marino said in an effort to defend Trump in a recent interview on MSNBC.","David Cay Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize-winning tax expert, believes that a tax return is more detailed than the form the FEC requires presidential candidates to fill out.","Federal Election Commission reports and tax filings can puzzle even the wonkiest of political observers. So out of these two tedious documents, which one is more detailed? And are they even worth comparing?"]},{"id":"7903.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A data system that goes along with Common Core is designed to collect up to 400 data points on each child, which can include personally identifiable data.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While there is a data system associated with education, it is not directly part of the Common Core initiative. The data system mentioned does collect up to 400 data points on each child, including personally identifiable data. However, it is important to note that this data is typically only accessible to teachers and school administrators and is not shared beyond that scope. Therefore, while the statement contains some truth, it fails to clarify the distinction between the data system and the Common Core curriculum itself.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13509.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Alison Alter got an F in attendance in 2016 as an Austin parks board member and was removed by a unanimous vote of the Austin City Council.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Alison Alter received an \"F\" in attendance as an Austin parks board member in 2016 or that she was removed by a unanimous vote of the Austin City Council. In fact, the claim has been debunked and labeled as \"Pants on Fire\" by multiple sources. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when evaluating political claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"He leant his name to a bill, did little or nothing three years ago to try to get it passed, (and) since then has done absolutely nothing other than disavow any attempt to move on the legislation,\" she told The Inquirer in a story published Monday.","This claim was two-fold, with McGinty claiming 1. That Toomey \"did little or nothing\" to attempt to get the Toomey-Manchin amendment passed and 2. That he has \"done absolutely nothing other than disavow any attempt to move on the legislation\" after it was shot down by the Senate.","Toomey\u2019s name was on the bill that was pushed three years ago to expand background checks -- it was literally known as the Toomey-Manchin amendment -- yet he hasn\u2019t committed to re-introducing since it failed. But \"disavow\" is a pretty strong word. And it didn\u2019t appear he had out-right denied support for it. So we decided to check the claim.","Toomey signed onto the amendment very late in the game and a vote took place just weeks after his name was added to it. It\u2019s also true that no additional Republicans signed on to vote in favor of the legislation after Toomey added in his support. If McGinty would have said Toomey accomplished little, she would have been right. But to say he \"did little or nothing\" to advance the bill isn\u2019t supported by the facts."]},{"id":"12080.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Illegal immigration is lower than its been in 40 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is difficult to obtain precise data on illegal immigration, the available evidence supports the claim that illegal immigration is lower than it has been in 40 years. Border Patrol apprehensions, which serve as a proxy for illegal border crossings, reached a 44-year national low in 2015. It is important to note that this data does not capture all instances of illegal immigration, and there are factors such as changes in enforcement policies and economic conditions that contribute to the decrease. However, the evidence suggests that illegal immigration has indeed declined compared to previous decades.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6506.json","label":"false","statement":"Says House Republicans spent $50 million on 33 votes to repeal Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that House Republicans spent $50 million on 33 votes to repeal Obamacare is false. While there are reports and estimates regarding the cost of operating the House of Representatives, there is no specific breakdown or evidence to support the claim that $50 million was spent solely on repealing the Affordable Care Act. The evidence provided does not directly link the cost of operating the House to the specific votes on repealing Obamacare. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10999.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Americanschools are more segregated than they were in the 1960s.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is important to note that significant progress has been made since the 1960s in terms of desegregation, there are still instances where schools in certain regions, particularly densely populated cities in the Northeast and West, have experienced increased segregation. This is especially true for Latino students, who are now more isolated than black students and face higher levels of segregation. While the overall landscape of school segregation has improved, there are still areas where segregation persists or has even worsened, making the statement generally accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Now that you\u2019ve heard about Hillary Clinton\u2019s plan, about which she has not answered a single question, let me tell you about my plan,\" Trump said.","Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declined to answer a \"what if?\" question on ABC News' This Week , saying she didn't like those kinds of questions.","We did not hear back from Trump\u2019s press office, but we found several instances in which Clinton answered questions about how she would handle immigration as commander in chief.","We have written about Clinton\u2019s immigration plan previously. It calls for encouraging immigrants to become citizens, changing detention policies and using legislation to create a path to citizenship for the undocumented population."]},{"id":"8086.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I was filibustered.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Portman, \"I was filibustered,\" is mostly true. Portman made this statement during a conference call in reference to his experience of being filibustered during the confirmation process of Richard Cordray. The evidence provided supports the fact that Portman made this claim in relation to his own personal experience with a filibuster.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11301.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Almost nine out of every 10 pennies that would be spent turning a 200-mile stretch of Interstate 70 into a toll road would be from folks outside Missouri.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that a significant portion of the funding for turning a 200-mile stretch of Interstate 70 into a toll road would come from individuals outside of Missouri, the claim that \"almost nine out of every 10 pennies\" would be from non-Missouri residents is an exaggeration. The evidence provided does not support this specific ratio. It is important to consider that the actual breakdown of funding sources can vary and depend on various factors such as toll rates, usage patterns, and the specific financing structure of the project. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it exaggerates the proportion of funding from non-Missouri residents.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9152.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Greg Abbott said it would be a waste to expand pre-k to all Texas children.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Greg Abbott did not explicitly state that it would be a waste to expand pre-k to all Texas children in his prepared remarks, Wendy Davis' statement is not entirely accurate. Abbott's plan does mention that it would be a waste to offer pre-k to more students without addressing quality. However, Abbott's plan also allows for districts to have flexibility in determining effective ways to use additional funding, which could include expanding pre-k. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies Abbott's position and does not provide the full context of his education plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When word reached Washington, D.C.,\" it continues, \"Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter was dispatched to Corvallis with $17 million in stimulus money for the university. Craig Robinson\u2019s job is safe for another year.\"","A recycled chain email claims OSU basketball coach Craig Robinson -- Michelle Obama\u2019s brother and the president\u2019s brother-in-law -- avoided losing his job in March 2010 only because a high-ranking administration official was \"dispatched to Corvallis with $17 million in stimulus money for the university.\"","\"I have no idea where this rumor stems from,\" she wrote. \"I never traveled to Corvallis to award $17 million in stimulus money in 2010, nor do I personally know Craig Robinson.\" She also provided a link to another fact-checking site that debunked the claim.","Records show that OSU had spent $17.8 million in stimulus funds months before the point when Robinson\u2019s job was supposedly on the line. And there is no evidence that an administration official was \"dispatched\" to Corvallis. The state, not the feds, also chose how to spend the money."]},{"id":"2323.json","label":"false","statement":"It costs us, logistically, three times more to fight in Afghanistan than it does in any other place.","reason":"Reason: The statement that it costs three times more to fight in Afghanistan than in any other place is false. While it is true that the logistical challenges in Afghanistan, including its landlocked location, can contribute to higher costs, it is not accurate to claim that it costs three times more to fight there compared to any other location. The cost of military operations can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the scale of the operation, the duration, and the specific circumstances of the conflict. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and does not reflect the reality of military costs in different locations.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12686.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Youre more likely to be the victim of a violent crime in Milwaukee than in 96 percent of the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that Milwaukee has a higher violent crime rate compared to 96 percent of cities in the United States. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not provide a comprehensive comparison to all areas of the country. The evidence suggests that the comparison includes smaller cities with significantly lower populations, which may skew the perception of Milwaukee's crime rate. To provide a more accurate understanding, it would be necessary to consider the crime rates of larger cities as well. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the necessary context for a complete assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Christie is correct that the proposed fiscal year 2014 budget of $32.9 billion is less than the level of state spending under Corzine in fiscal year 2008, at $33.6 billion. But Christie\u2019s claim leaves out some details.","As we determined in a February fact-check, state spending is down since 2008, but Christie ignores that spending has still increased with each new state budget since he took office on Jan. 19, 2010.","That ruling pointed out the federal budget deficit -- the difference between what the government spends versus what it takes in -- was $1.4 trillion when Obama took office. It decreased each year, projected to reach $901 billion in the fiscal year 2013 budget, but that\u2019s still over the promised amount, which would have been in the neighborhood of $700 billion.","Christie\u2019s fiscal year 2013 budget was $32.1 billion and his proposed fiscal year 2014 budget is $32.9 billion. So, Christie\u2019s budgets are lower than Corzine\u2019s, but they\u2019re still growing every year. We should note that the fiscal year 2014 blueprint is still subject to hearings and possible cuts. Christie has until July 1 to sign it."]},{"id":"9345.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The average person who gets the minimum wage in America is 35 years old.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the average person who receives the minimum wage in America is 35 years old is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a significant portion of minimum wage workers are older individuals, the average age of all minimum wage workers is not specifically mentioned in the evidence provided. However, the evidence does suggest that a substantial number of minimum wage workers are indeed older than the commonly held perception of young, entry-level workers. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks specific data to support the claim of an average age of 35 years old.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Howard, is it fair to say if this were a Republican secretary of state, and someone you were not supporting for president,\" asked Geist, \"you would be troubled by a secretary of state having a private email server in his or her home?\"","\"I\u2019m going to give the same answer I\u2019ve given for many months,\" Clinton replied. \"It wasn\u2019t the best choice. I made a mistake. It was not prohibited. It was not in any way disallowed, and as I\u2019ve said and now has come out, my predecessors did the same thing, and many other people in the government.\"","The Democratic National Convention is underway and some of the party\u2019s critics are newly cheering on Condoleezza Rice, the former secretary of state who is quoted in an old Facebook post that is again spreading on the social media platform.","While Clinton\u2019s immediate predecessor, Condoleezza Rice, did not email extensively during her time in office, Colin Powell did use a private email address while he was secretary of state from 2001 to 2005. Powell, however, did not operate his own server."]},{"id":"7456.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The majority of public funding for the Marlins stadium came from hotel taxes, the burden of which is incurred by tourists who are visiting our city, NOT the resident taxpayers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that a significant portion of the public funding for the Marlins stadium came from hotel taxes, which are primarily paid by tourists, it is not entirely true that the burden was solely incurred by tourists. Other sources of public funding, such as government subsidies or taxpayer dollars, may have also contributed to the funding. Therefore, while the statement highlights an important source of funding, it fails to provide a comprehensive picture of all the funding sources involved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12455.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More people today are leaving Virginia than moving in.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that more people are leaving Virginia than moving into the state from other states, it is important to note that this claim does not include immigrants. When considering immigrants, the overall population dynamics may change, as more people are coming into Virginia as first-year immigrants and temporary foreign workers and students than are leaving to live in other countries. Therefore, the statement is true in the context of domestic migration, but it does not account for international immigration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9649.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"With Rick Scott, there are more funds for preschool education.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"With Rick Scott, there are more funds for preschool education\" is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that Governor Rick Scott requested increased funding for education, including preschool education, and the state did appropriate more funds for education during his tenure, Florida still ranks relatively low in state spending for preschool education compared to other states. According to The National Institute for Early Education Research, Florida ranked 35th in state spending for preschool during the 2012-13 school year. Therefore, while there may have been an increase in funds, the overall level of funding for preschool education in Florida remains relatively low.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Suicide terrorism has been around for awhile,\" Paul said. \"There was a bit of it before 9\/11, obviously, but if you look at all the suicide terrorist attacks prior to 9\/11, if you equate that number, it\u2019s equivalent to the attacks on us and our allies every month, compared to all the years before 9\/11, which means that we\u2019re under systematic attack.\"","We posed Paul\u2019s claim to Pape. He said the number of suicide attacks committed against Americans and their Allies each month after 9\/11 is substantially greater than the years before.","We asked Pape if it was accurate to say that \"each month\" suicide attacks against Americans and their allies are \"equivalent\" to the total that occurred before 9\/11.","To be certain, PolitiFact went through each the 1,833 suicide attacks that have occurred against the U.S. and its allies in the months since 9\/11, tallied up the number of incidents each month since the tragedy, and found the median. The median was 18 suicide attacks per month\u2014more than the 10 total suicide attacks against the US and Allies CPOST cited before Sept. 11, 2001."]},{"id":"10480.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The children coming across the southern U.S. border were never examined after they got here and quarantined if they had a disease. They were just sent out across the country. Many of them had measles ... We now have an outbreak of it all because of our immigration policy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence clearly shows that the federal government did examine the children crossing the border and had protocols in place to provide vaccinations to those who did not have documentation of previous valid doses. The measles outbreak in the United States was attributed to a lack of vaccination in a specific community, not to immigration policies. The claim that the children were not examined, quarantined, or that their immigration policy caused the outbreak is not supported by factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1759.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under the Arizona immigration law, police are required to check immigration status if someone's \"lawn is overgrown\" or if a dog is \"barking too loudly.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns raised by Sinema regarding the Arizona immigration law. She argues that the law could potentially require law enforcement officers to inquire about someone's immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion related to violations such as an overgrown lawn or a loudly barking dog. While Sinema may slightly exaggerate the direct language of the law, experts agree that the law does provide the potential for such violations to serve as triggers for immigration checks. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1305.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As a result of the House Republican bill, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office now confirms that families will see their health care premiums reduced by up to 10 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While the House Republican bill does allocate $165 billion for reducing health care premiums under the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicare coverage, there is no confirmation from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the specific impact on families' health care premiums. Without an official analysis from the CBO, it is not possible to definitively state the exact percentage reduction in premiums. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11631.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Thomas Jefferson helped craft the Constitution.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Thomas Jefferson played a significant role in American history and was involved in the development of the United States government, he did not directly help craft the Constitution. During the time the Constitution was written in 1787, Jefferson was serving as the United States minister in France and was not present at the Constitutional Convention. While he did have influence on the development of the federal government through his correspondence, it is incorrect to attribute a direct role in crafting the Constitution to Thomas Jefferson.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5364.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, a candidate for Senate, supports raising taxes by $858 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce claimed that Tammy Baldwin supports raising taxes by $858 billion, this claim is based on her vote against a bill that primarily contained tax cuts. However, it is important to note that the bill in question also included other provisions, such as extensions of unemployment benefits and a reduction in the payroll tax. Therefore, categorizing her vote as solely supporting a tax increase is an oversimplification and does not provide a complete picture of her stance on taxes. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Two thirds of the people in Wisconsin strongly disagree with this idea of permanently taking away people\u2019s rights to collective bargaining.\"","Barca said \"two thirds of the people in Wisconsin strongly disagree with this idea of permanently taking away people\u2019s rights to collective bargaining.\" To be sure, the polls showed general opposition.","\"Two thirds of the people in Wisconsin strongly disagree with this idea of permanently taking away people\u2019s rights to collective bargaining,\" Barca told Ed Schultz, the liberal host of MSNBC\u2019s \"The Ed Show.\"","It found 65 percent of state voters opposed stripping employees of most of their collective bargaining rights. Based on our review, that was the high water mark for the pro-union side."]},{"id":"12223.json","label":"true","statement":"Right now, here in Texas, wind power is already cheaper than dirty fossil fuels.","reason":"Reason: According to an Energy Information Administration analyst, in specific regions like Iowa and Texas, wind energy has proven to be cheaper than conventional power from fossil fuels. Therefore, in Texas, the statement that wind power is currently cheaper than dirty fossil fuels is true. However, it's important to note that this comparison may vary in different regions and over time. Additionally, the report cautions that the presented prices do not encompass the full social costs of power generation and delivery, which should be considered when evaluating the overall cost-effectiveness of different energy sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Eric Cantor \"was the co-author of the House GOP principles on immigration reform. Both the 'New York Times' and the 'Washington Post' said that that captured the essence of what was in the Senate immigration bill.\"","\"Eric Cantor wrote, he was the co-author of the House GOP principles on immigration reform,\" she said. \"Both the New York Times and the Washington Post said that that captured the essence of what was in the Senate immigration bill.\"","Ingraham did not back down from her criticism of Cantor, saying he \"was the co-author of the House GOP principles on immigration reform\" and adding \"both the New York Times and Washington Post said that this captured the essence of what was in the Senate immigration bill.\"","Ingraham claimed the New York Times and Washington Post characterized the GOP principles as having \"captured the essence of what was in the Senate immigration bill.\""]},{"id":"7927.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Obama administration plans to reduce the number of beds devoted to holding individuals violating immigration laws and to release hundreds of dangerous criminals into our communities.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Obama administration sought to reduce the number of detention beds for individuals violating immigration laws as a cost-saving measure, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that they planned to release \"hundreds of dangerous criminals\" into communities. The administration's intention was to explore alternatives to detention for individuals facing immigration proceedings, which could include methods such as ankle monitoring or supervised release. The statement exaggerates the potential risk posed by these individuals and misrepresents the administration's intentions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The index means that Duffy\u2019s district voted two percentage points more Republican in the last presidential election than the nation as a whole. Meanwhile, Kind\u2019s district voted five points more Democratic.","The Cook Report creates a partisan voter index, or PVI, for each congressional district in the country, a gauge that allows you to compare voting for president in a single district with the national results.","On the manufacturing front, a state report said there were 450,000 manufacturing jobs in the state, up 16,100 from when Walker took office.","\"In Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker has created a manufacturing-led jobs recovery ... 30,000 new jobs were created this year, with 15,000 in the struggling manufacturing sector.\""]},{"id":"10861.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Democratic challenger Russ Feingold was the deciding vote on Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Russ Feingold was the \"deciding vote\" on Obamacare is misleading. While Feingold did vote in favor of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is inaccurate to claim that his vote was the sole determining factor for its passage. The Affordable Care Act was a complex piece of legislation that required the support of multiple senators to pass. Feingold's vote was one of many, and it is misleading to attribute the entire passage of the law to his vote alone.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I lost my health insurance and doctor because of Obamacare,\" Ribble says in the release. \"If I am elected to Congress, I will go to Washington to make sure no one else loses their doctor because of Obamacare.\"","( - Republican House candidate Reid Ribble says he lost his health insurance and doctor because of federal health care reform&url=)","Ribble says he lost his insurance and his doctor because of federal health care reforms -- a great line for voters. But a line just the same. Principal Financial Group says it made a decision to get out of the insurance business, which made up 3 percent of its revenues -- a share growing ever smaller as other aspects grew. What\u2019s more, the decision was under consideration for years before Obama and his health reform plan came along.","These are net figures, meaning they include people who may have lost insurance. While there is some fluctuation, they largely support Schultz\u2019s claim."]},{"id":"1596.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"There is no precedent for what the Democrats are doing with this deception. ... We have never written a reconciliation bill to amend a law that does not exist.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that there is no precedent for using a reconciliation bill to amend a law that does not exist, it is important to note that the Democrats' actions may not necessarily fall under this exact scenario. The context and specifics of the situation should be considered to determine the extent of the deception and whether it aligns with previous practices. Without further information, it is difficult to definitively categorize the statement as entirely true or false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"As far as standing committees, we have 10 fewer standing committees. So we\u2019ve saved the state about a quarter-of-a-million dollars through the reduction of the standing committees.\"","\"As far as standing committees, we have 10 fewer standing committees. So we\u2019ve saved the state about a quarter-of-a-million dollars ($250,000) through the reduction of the standing committees.\" said Grossman, a former Grove City mayor.","There is an element of truth in Grossman\u2019s claim: there are 10 fewer standing committees and the amount paid for leadership stipends will be less.","To start with, Batchelder eliminated 10 standing committees that existed during the 128th General Assembly under House Speaker Armond Budish, a Democrat. That dropped the number of standing committees from 27 to 17."]},{"id":"11251.json","label":"false","statement":"I was one of the few, very few, who voted `no on the Iran deal.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Congressman Brat is inaccurate. He claims to have been one of the few who voted \"no\" on the Iran deal, but this is not true. In reality, there were a significant number of lawmakers who voted against the Iran deal. The vote on the Iran deal was not a unanimous decision, and there were both Republicans and Democrats who opposed it. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"(Obama's) entire national security team, including his secretary of state, said we want to arm and train and equip (Syrian rebel forces), and he made the unilateral decision to turn them down.\"","McCain said Obama\u2019s \"entire national security team, including his secretary of state, said we want to arm and train and equip (Syrian rebel forces), and he made the unilateral decision to turn them down.\"","\"No, no, facts are stubborn things, Mr. Carney, and that is, his entire national security team, including his secretary of state, said we want to arm and train and equip these people, and he made the unilateral decision to turn them down,\" McCain said.","Obama did go against the advice of four key players on his administration\u2019s National Security Team, including Clinton (secretary of state), Petraeus (CIA director), Panetta (defense secretary), and Dempsey (chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff). We also know from Clinton\u2019s book that there was \"high-level support from the National Security Council.\""]},{"id":"10696.json","label":"false","statement":"On expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Affordable Care Act did indeed expand eligibility for Medicaid, allowing more people to become eligible for health insurance. However, it is incorrect to claim that all states had the option to reject the expansion. The Supreme Court ruled that states could choose whether or not to participate in the Medicaid expansion, and as a result, some states, including Wisconsin under Governor Scott Walker, chose not to expand Medicaid. Therefore, the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act was not universal across all states.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A barrage of invective hit Wisconsin Governor-elect Scott Walker after the federal government announced it would give nearly all of Wisconsin\u2019s $810 million in high-speed rail funds to other states.","The state Democratic Party claimed that Walker\u2019s opposition to high-speed rail not only cost Wisconsin nearly $810 million in federal funds, but it \"killed 13,000 Wisconsin jobs.\" The party relied on a report by an organization that two months earlier had disavowed the number after it was discredited by the Journal Sentinel.","After weeks of discussion, maneuvering and protests, Governor-elect Scott Walker is taking a sharp new tack on the proposed Madison-Milwaukee high-speed rail link.","Taylor said when she calculated the net job gain in January and February she took into account thousands of potential jobs that were lost when Walker killed a high-speed rail line to Madison."]},{"id":"523.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama's plan to raise the capital gains tax \"hurts the middle class.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obama's plan to raise the capital gains tax \"hurts the middle class\" is an oversimplification. While it is true that the capital gains tax primarily affects higher-income brackets, there are some middle-class taxpayers who may be impacted by the tax increase. However, the overall impact on the middle class is relatively limited, as only a small percentage of middle-class taxpayers pay capital gains taxes. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that the proposed tax increase primarily affects higher-income individuals and has a minimal direct impact on the middle class.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12598.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The House Zika bill limits access to birth control services needed to help curb the spread of the virus in Puerto Rico.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Senator Bill Nelson and other Democrats have argued that the House Zika bill would limit access to birth control services in Puerto Rico, which they believe are necessary to help curb the spread of the virus and prevent birth defects. However, it's important to note that the bill specifically targeted funding to one organization, Profamilias (the Planned Parenthood chapter in Puerto Rico), rather than limiting access to birth control services as a whole. So while the bill may have had an impact on a specific organization, it does not necessarily mean that access to all birth control services in Puerto Rico would be limited.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7335.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the claim that 40 percent of guns are sold without background checks traces to information gathered before background checks were even required.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Ted Cruz is correct in stating that the claim that 40 percent of guns are sold without background checks is based on data collected before background checks were required. The statistic originated from a survey conducted in 1994, prior to the implementation of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act in 1998, which mandated background checks for firearm purchases from licensed dealers. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not necessarily reflect the current state of gun sales, as it is based on outdated data. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the origin of the statistic, it does not provide a complete picture of the current situation regarding background checks for gun sales.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11237.json","label":"true","statement":"By the end of this budget Im in right now, taxes will have been cut $4.7 billion in my state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that taxes in the state have been cut by $4.7 billion by the end of the current budget. This aligns with the information that Republicans included the largest tax cut in Wisconsin's history in their version of the budget. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12136.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says JoAnne Kloppenburg has told us she thinks its her job to promote a more equal society.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects JoAnne Kloppenburg's own words regarding her judicial philosophy. She has stated that she believes it is her role to promote a more equal society and that the fundamental principles of the U.S. Constitution are to protect individual rights and promote a more equal society. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide the full context of Kloppenburg's views on her judicial responsibilities. While she does express a commitment to promoting equality, she also emphasizes upholding the U.S. Constitution and protecting individual rights. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks some nuance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["With Christie building part of his case for federal assistance around the state\u2019s return on federal tax dollars, PolitiFact New Jersey wondered whether his premise is true.","( - Chris Christie says New Jersey receives the smallest return of any state on the federal taxes it pays &url=)","The Tax Foundation\u2019s analysis of 2005 data, which was adjusted to reflect each state\u2019s overall federal tax burden, ranked New Jersey 50th in the nation in this category.","\"Well, listen, it's fair to ask it but I have the answer,\" Christie said during the Oct. 30 interview. \"The answer is that for New Jersey, which gives so much to this country -- by the way, 50th in return of our federal tax dollars. So New Jerseyans send more than any other state in America in federal taxes, getting back less. When that's done and you see that our state is a state that needs this to contribute to our economy and also to the soul and the vibrancy of our state, I think we have very good answers and arguments to make. And you count on one thing: you're looking at the guy who is going to make those arguments.\""]},{"id":"12807.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Illegal immigration and the crime rate are as low as theyve been in decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact, have confirmed that illegal immigration and the crime rate in the United States have been decreasing over the years. Barack Obama's statement highlights that both illegal immigration and the crime rate are at their lowest levels in decades, which is supported by evidence. However, it's important to note that the term \"decades\" is a broad timeframe and does not provide specific data on the exact extent of the decrease. Nonetheless, the statement accurately reflects the overall trend of decreasing illegal immigration and crime rates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11201.json","label":"false","statement":"Between 2008 and 2014, criminal aliens accounted for 38 percentof all murder convictions in the five states of California, Texas, Arizona, Florida and New York.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there is evidence to suggest that criminal aliens accounted for a portion of murder convictions in the five mentioned states, the claim that they accounted for 38 percent of all murder convictions is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence only states that criminal aliens accounted for 38 percent of all murder convictions in those states, without providing the overall percentage of murder convictions. Therefore, the statement is misleading and cannot be considered accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Key backers: U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C.; U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C.; U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, D-N.C.;, reproductive rights group EMILY\u2019s List, and the Congressional Black Caucus political action committee.","!Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks in SEIU Unions For All Summit on Oct. 4, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP) !Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks in SEIU Unions For All Summit on Oct. 4, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP)","Core policies: McCrory\u2019s campaign website says his priorities are to introduce legislation to fund a wall on the southern U.S. border, introduce a national voter ID requirement, and add an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that requires the federal government to pass a balanced budget. McCrory has slammed Budd and Cawthorn for their comments about the 2020 election and Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine. In the process, his campaign has avoided direct criticisms of Trump for similar comments.","Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks in SEIU Unions For All Summit on Oct. 4, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP)"]},{"id":"10716.json","label":"false","statement":"Repealing Obamacare saves our nation more than $2 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Representative Brat claimed that repealing Obamacare would save the U.S. more than $2 trillion, this figure is not accurate. The most recent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the cost of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) over a 10-year period to be $1.75 trillion, not over $2 trillion. Therefore, the claim of saving more than $2 trillion by repealing Obamacare is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The Affordable Care Act is a pro-insurance-industry plan implemented by a president who knew in his heart that a single-payer, Medicare-for-all model was the true way to go,\" Moore said. \"By 2017, we will be funneling over $100 billion annually to private insurance companies.\"","Moore said that in 2017, Obamacare will funnel over $100 billion to insurance companies. The analysts we contacted told us $95 billion would be a more accurate figure, so Moore overshoots a bit. He characterized Obamacare as a pro-insurance industry program, which might lead some people to think that insurers would pocket all of the money. That clearly won\u2019t happen because the companies will pay for care, and also because insurers might need to absorb a portion of about $11.4 billion in new taxes.","The $100 billion number Moore cited in the New York Times is off, but just slightly, said Josh Fangmeier, a health policy analyst at the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation at the University of Michigan. A more accurate figure from that CBO report is $95 billion in 2017.","In one respect, the government takes back part of what it offers insurers. The overall plan raises billions in taxes and fees. In 2017, the government expects to collect about $11.4 billion from insurance companies. That could cut into profits but most analysts, including the CBO and America\u2019s Health Insurance Plans, an industry trade group, expect companies to pass those costs on to consumers."]},{"id":"6198.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Statistics show that more people at this time telecommute than they ride carpools, mass transit, bicycle or walk.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the most recent Census Bureau data for the Atlanta area, more people telecommute than use public transit, bike, or walk to work. However, on a national level, the data show slightly more people use public transit than telecommute. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the local statistics for Atlanta, it does not hold true when considering the broader national context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1705.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We have constitutional amendment that says that there's a ban on drilling right off Florida's coast.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no constitutional amendment that specifically bans drilling right off Florida's coast. While there are federal and state regulations in place that restrict drilling in certain areas, including parts of Florida's coast, these regulations are not established through a constitutional amendment. The claim made by the speaker is inaccurate and does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4881.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama had huge majorities in Congress during his first two years in office and did nothing with them to create jobs in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. During President Obama's first two years in office, he did not have \"huge majorities\" in both the House and Senate. While Democrats did have a majority in both chambers, it was not a filibuster-proof majority, which means they still faced significant opposition and challenges in passing legislation. Furthermore, President Obama did take several actions to address the economic crisis and promote job creation, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Therefore, the claim that he did nothing to create jobs is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Congressman Cory Gardner\u2019s history promoting harsh anti-abortion laws is disturbing,\" the narrator says. \"Gardner sponsored a bill to make abortion a felony, including cases of rape and incest. Gardner even championed an eight-year crusade to outlaw birth control here in Colorado.\"","Udall\u2019s ad said Gardner \"championed an eight-year crusade to outlaw birth control here in Colorado.\" It\u2019s clear Gardner has supported personhood in the past, and it\u2019s hard for him to claim ignorance about the measure\u2019s threat to contraception, given the media attention that aspect of the law attracted at the time. Gardner also voted against a bill that would have legally protected birth control.","Despite this, Gardner\u2019s camp still contends Udall\u2019s ad is misleading because Gardner thought he was supporting an anti-abortion measure, not a referendum on birth control. Gardner\u2019s campaign argues that it\u2019s an exaggeration of his position to claim that he\u2019s \"championed\" a \"crusade to outlaw birth control.\"","Udall\u2019s campaign said Gardner\u2019s \"crusade to outlaw birth control\" stems from his support of efforts to add so-called \"personhood\" language that would define life beginning at fertilization to the Colorado Constitution."]},{"id":"7731.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says South Carolina has a labor shortage and wants more immigration.","reason":"Reason: The provided evidence does not support the statement that Senator Lindsey Graham says South Carolina has a labor shortage and wants more immigration. The evidence consists of unrelated information about Senator Graham's campaign events, his views on abortion, and his stance on filling Supreme Court vacancies. There is no direct evidence or statement from Senator Graham regarding South Carolina's labor shortage or his stance on immigration. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10214.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"110 people a day move to Austin.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 110 people move to Austin each day is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there is a significant influx of people into the five-county Austin area, the figure of 110 people per day specifically moving to Austin alone is not supported by the evidence. The estimates suggest that the number of people moving to Austin alone is likely lower, ranging from 40 to 60 new residents per day. It's important to consider the distinction between the broader Austin area and the city of Austin itself when discussing migration numbers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Sen. Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead,\" he said. \"But eloquence is no substitute for a record \u2014 not in these tough times. In the Senate he has not reached across party lines to get anything significant done, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party.\"","As for less significant legislation, Edwards, like many members of Congress, sponsored several bills authorizing the naming of post offices in his home state, as Biden correctly states. But because Edwards successfully injected himself into a number of significant debates and shaped their outcomes \u2014 often while his party was in the minority \u2014 we rule this Biden statement False.","These bills arguably meet the threshhold of significance, particularly the two measures with Lugar on important foreign policy issues. Since Obama is a Democrat, and Lugar and Coburn are Republicans, that seems to qualify as reaching across party lines. We find Lieberman's claim False.","SUMMARY: In the Democratic race for president, experience is a key battleground. Lately, the issue has been about how the top three candidates \u2014 Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama \u2014 fared as U.S. senators."]},{"id":"6211.json","label":"true","statement":"Were spending $12,000 bucks a kid a year in the school system.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the information gathered, the average per-student spending in Portland Public Schools was approximately $11,830, which is very close to the mentioned figure of $12,000. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The out-of-state billionaire Koch brothers funded the fight to let flood insurance premiums soar, helping the insurance companies and cut off hurricane relief for Louisiana families,\" the ad said. \"Now they\u2019re spending millions to buy a Senate seat for Bill Cassidy so he can fight for them. If the Kochs and Cassidy win, Louisiana loses.\"","Two of those ads ran in Louisiana, where Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu faces a tough re-election fight. Both ads attacked Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., by tying the GOP frontrunner to the Koch brothers and Americans for Prosperity.","Connecting Cassidy to the Koch brothers on that issue surprised us, since Cassidy helped shepherd the flood relief bill to passage in the House. In fact, the measure was officially known as the \"Grimm-Cassidy substitute amendment.\" Senate Majority PAC earned a Mostly False for that one.","\"Out-of-state billionaires spending millions to rig the system and elect (Louisiana Republican candidate for Senate) Bill Cassidy,\" a narrator says as a picture of David and Charles Koch appears on the screen. \"Their goal: Another politician bought and paid for. Their agenda: Protect tax cuts for companies that ship our jobs overseas. Cut Social Security and end Medicare as we know it. They even tried to kill relief for hurricane victims. Cassidy\u2019s billion-dollar backers: They\u2019ve got a plan for him. It\u2019s not good for Louisiana.\""]},{"id":"5834.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Austin has the lowest property tax rate by far of the five major cities in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, Austin does have the lowest property tax rate among the five major cities in Texas, namely Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. However, it is important to note that the statement only compares the property tax rates and does not take into account other factors such as tax growth or changes over time. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of the property tax rate comparison, it lacks a comprehensive analysis of other relevant factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11760.json","label":"false","statement":"I didnt support Sonia Sotomayor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence that Governor Chris Christie did express support for Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation to the Supreme Court. In a statement, he explicitly stated his support for her appointment and urged the Senate to confirm her nomination. While he may have had reservations about her being his personal choice, he did express support for her confirmation.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"13229.json","label":"true","statement":"You can look at the propaganda on a lot of the terrorists sites and what Donald Trump saysabout Muslims is used to recruit fighters.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including Hillary Clinton, have stated that the propaganda on terrorists' websites has referenced Donald Trump's statements about Muslims as a means to recruit fighters. This suggests that Trump's rhetoric has been utilized by extremists to further their recruitment efforts. While it is important to note that this does not imply a direct causal relationship between Trump's statements and terrorist recruitment, the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton and others regarding the use of Trump's words in terrorist propaganda.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The fund is fed almost exclusively by oil and natural-gas production taxes; revenue above a certain level is automatically diverted to it. That revenue soared during the past decade, allowing billions to accumulate.","There was in early 2014 a projection of a $1 billion surplus heading into the 2015-17 budget period. Late in 2014, there was a projection of a $2.2 billion shortfall -- the difference between expected revenues and the amount of money being requested by state agencies. But the shortfall was never a deficit -- and some of the surplus was consciously spent by Republicans, as tax cuts.","Republican Gov. Rick Perry, running for re-election, claims the \"tough conservative decisions\" he\u2019s made during his tenure have been a boon to the state, resulting in surplus revenue.","That said, the state does various projections of what revenues and expenditures will be for the upcoming two-year budget cycle. Those projections can show a surplus or a deficit -- although \"deficit\" is more accurately termed a projected shortfall, since there is no actual red ink."]},{"id":"3617.json","label":"half-true","statement":"General Electric hasnt really created any jobs in this country, doesnt pay any taxes, and theyre making historic profits.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that General Electric has not paid any federal taxes despite making significant profits. However, it lacks context regarding job creation. While it is true that General Electric has faced criticism for job cuts and outsourcing, it has also made efforts to create jobs in the United States. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as it focuses on the tax issue but does not provide a comprehensive assessment of General Electric's overall job creation efforts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Her plan would tax many small businesses by almost 50 percent,\" he said, adding later in his speech, \"Under my plan, no American company will pay more than 15 percent of their business income in taxes. In other words we're reducing your taxes from 35 percent to 15 percent. Small businesses will benefit the most from this plan. Hillary Clinton's plan will require small business to pay as much as three times more in taxes than what I'm proposing.\"","Says Hillary Clinton \"wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now.\"","In the meantime, he launched an attack on his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, saying her economic plan was going to pose serious problems for small businesses.","We have an idea what Trump was trying to say. Earlier this month, he told a Detroit crowd on Aug. 8 that Clinton \"would tax many small businesses by almost 50 percent.\" We rated this statement Mostly False in a previous fact-check."]},{"id":"13296.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the U.S. Attorneys Office said that neither I nor my campaign had any idea what was going on regarding my fathers illegal campaign contributions. And thats why they closed this case.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual regarding the U.S. Attorney's Office closing the case due to their lack of knowledge about their father's illegal campaign contributions. However, it's important to note that without further context or evidence, it is difficult to determine the veracity of this claim. The statement implies that the U.S. Attorney's Office explicitly stated that the individual and their campaign had no knowledge of the illegal contributions, but without additional information, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of this assertion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Raimondo said the pandemic was particularly hard on women. At the trough of the pandemic downturn, the unemployment rate for women was 16.1%, nearly three points higher than men. The virus cratered the hospitality industry, a sector where many women work, and it upended day care and schooling, making it harder for them to return to work.","One clear sign of that is the personal saving rate. For four years prior to the pandemic, personal saving as a percentage of disposable income usually hovered between 7% and 9%. But after the pandemic struck, it initially spiked to 26% and has remained higher than the pre-pandemic average ever since.","That said, Dube said the added federal benefit would likely lead some people to take their time in taking a new job.","States have a lot of leeway in setting unemployment benefits. So, how important the extra $300 was for individuals depends on how generous their home state was before the federal government augmented those payments. The $300 would presumably have less of an effect in a state like Massachusetts, where benefits are higher, than in a state like Mississippi, where they are lower."]},{"id":"11523.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Iowas Republican caucus stopped mattering years ago. It in no way determines the party nominee.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Iowa Republican caucus has had a mixed track record in terms of accurately predicting the eventual party nominee, it is an oversimplification to claim that it \"in no way determines the party nominee.\" Winning or performing well in the Iowa caucus can provide candidates with momentum and media attention, which can significantly impact their chances of securing the nomination. While the Iowa caucus is not the sole determining factor, it does hold some influence in shaping the nomination process.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In most parts of the country, it costs thousands of dollars a year,\" Obama said in the June 23, 2014, speech. \"In fact, in 31 states, decent childcare costs more than in-state college tuition. In 31 states -- in more than half the states.\"","In 2014, PolitiFact found Mostly True President Barack Obama\u2019s claim that in 31 states, \"decent child care costs more than college tuition.\" Obama\u2019s conclusion was cherry-picked from several results from an advocacy group\u2019s 2013 survey of child care costs. Obama also ignored uncertainty about how federal aid and tax credits might affect the comparison.","The report also looked at costs for home-based care, which is often a less expensive option for parents. For infants, the cost of home-based care is higher than college costs in 14 states. That\u2019s a 55 percent reduction in states compared to Obama\u2019s 31.","After surveying child care providers in all 50 states, the report concludes that \"in 2012, in 31 states and the District of Columbia, the average annual cost for an infant in center-based care was higher than a year\u2019s tuition and fees at a four-year public college.\" Among the 50 states, the costs for infant care in center-based care ranged from $5,467 in Alabama to $16,430 in Massachusetts. Tuition and fees ranged from $4,278 in Wyoming to $14,576 in New Hampshire."]},{"id":"12323.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton say Planned Parenthood is terrificand that it should keep taxpayer funding.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have acknowledged the positive work done by Planned Parenthood, their positions on taxpayer funding differ. Trump has expressed opposition to taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood as long as they provide abortion services, while Clinton has advocated for increased funding for the organization. Therefore, while both candidates have made positive remarks about Planned Parenthood, their stances on taxpayer funding for the organization diverge. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5394.json","label":"half-true","statement":"[W]hen adjusted for cost of living, Georgia ranks first nationally in teacher salary and benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Georgia ranks first nationally in teacher salary and benefits, when adjusted for the cost of living, is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence does not include any data or information regarding teacher salaries and benefits in Georgia or how they compare to other states. Without additional evidence or data, it is not possible to verify or confirm the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to be considered fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cain told us he even worked out the math himself. Someone earning $50,000 a year would pay less in taxes under his 9-9-9 than they do under the current system, he said. Under the current system, a person who earns $50,000 a year \"pays about $10,000 in taxes,\" Cain said. \"A big part of that is the payroll tax.\" Cain then walked us through his 9-9-9 plan and said the same person would \"still have $2,000 left over.\"","Here we're looking at Cain's answer when we asked how his plan would affect poorer Americans. He responded by saying that someone making $50,000 a year, which is about the median income for all U.S. households, would be better off under his plan than the current tax system.","We decided to take Cain's analysis that his plan was better for someone earning $50,000 to a trio of tax accountants.","Cain's assumption holds when you look at single earners, but married couples and people with children making $50,000 a year would likely pay more under 9-9-9 than the current system."]},{"id":"6844.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse rewarded Wall Street executives with millions in bonuses.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence or credible information to support the claim that U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse rewarded Wall Street executives with millions in bonuses. The provided evidence does not mention any such action or provide any indication of such behavior by Senator Whitehouse. This claim appears to be a baseless accusation and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9767.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says his Act 10 reforms have saved the taxpayers some $3 billion.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Governor Walker's Act 10 reforms have saved taxpayers approximately $3 billion. Multiple sources confirm that requiring state and local government employees to contribute more to their pensions and health insurance costs resulted in significant savings for public employers. The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, a nonpartisan organization, specifically cited savings of $200 million in health insurance costs in the first year after Act 10. Additionally, the evidence mentions savings of $2.35 billion in pension costs and suggests that there may be additional savings that have not been fully calculated. While the exact figure may vary depending on the specific calculations and timeframes, the statement is generally accurate in reflecting the substantial savings achieved through the Act 10 reforms.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Drilling in the Atlantic -- like in the eastern Gulf of Mexico -- has been taboo until recently. The Minerals Management Service, an arm of the U.S. Department of the Interior, has not held a lease sale for oil or natural gas drilling in the Atlantic since 1983. No leases remain active.","In the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech, newly elected Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said his state had the chance to be the first on the Atlantic coast to drill offshore for oil and natural gas.","Congress must approve legislation, such as H.R. 3408, that would include the ocean floor off Virginia in a leasing plan, and the president must sign it. Obama, during his State of the Union address early this year, called for increased U.S. oil production and endorsed new lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and off Alaska\u2019s northern coast. But the president has not indicated whether he\u2019s willing to lift his 2010 moratorium on Atlantic Coast drilling.","The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management estimated in 2011 that the seabed in the Atlantic Ocean caps 3.3 billion barrels of oil and 31.28 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The Virginia coast comprises about 10 percent of the Atlantic shore, so if the resources and revenue are distributed proportionally, and we assume a 37.5 percent share to the states, the federal government would receive average $410.3 million annually and pay Virginia a $153.8 million cut."]},{"id":"6185.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the federal health care law upheld by the Supreme Court has improved or saved the lives of more than 4,000 Texans otherwise prevented from obtaining health coverage due to pre-existing conditions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Becky Moeller, president of the Texas AFL-CIO, that the federal health care law has improved or saved the lives of more than 4,000 Texans who would have been denied health coverage due to pre-existing conditions. This claim is supported by evidence and is in line with the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which prohibits insurers from denying coverage to individuals based on pre-existing conditions. While it is not possible to definitively determine the exact number of lives saved or improved, it is reasonable to conclude that the law has had a positive impact on the health and well-being of Texans with pre-existing conditions.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7684.json","label":"half-true","statement":"About 3 percent of Gov. Nathan Deals appointments have been African-American.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that approximately 3 percent of Governor Nathan Deal's appointments have been African-American, it is important to note that this statistic alone does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the governor's overall record on diversity and inclusion. It is necessary to consider additional factors such as the availability of qualified candidates, the diversity of the applicant pool, and the governor's efforts to promote diversity in other areas of his administration. Therefore, while the statement provides a specific statistic, it does not provide the full context needed to assess Governor Deal's commitment to diversity and representation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Ted Cruz \"is a supporter of legalizing people that are in this country illegally\" and \"proposed giving them work permits.\"","\"Ted, you support legalizing people who are in this country illegally,\" Rubio said. \"Ted Cruz supported a 500 percent increase in the number of H1B visas, the guest workers that are allowed in this country. And Ted supports doubling the number of green cards.\"","Rubio said Cruz \"is a supporter of legalizing people that are in this country illegally\" and \"proposed giving them work permits.\"","However, Rubio\u2019s statement that Cruz supports \"legalizing people who are in this country illegally\" is a head-snapper, since Cruz holds himself out as tougher than the rest of his rivals on giving ground to people living in the United States without legal authorization. Rubio was one of the eight senators who co-authored a bill in 2013 that created a path to citizenship. The bill passed the Senate but died in the House."]},{"id":"5405.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When I was born, defense spending was 60 percent of the budget. Its now 17 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Marco Rubio that defense spending was 60 percent of the budget when he was born and has now decreased to 17 percent. However, it's important to note that the figures provided are not adjusted for inflation. While defense spending as a percentage of the federal budget has indeed decreased over time, the specific percentages mentioned in the statement do not account for changes in the overall size of the budget or inflation. Adjusting for inflation would provide a more accurate comparison. Nonetheless, the general trend of a decrease in defense spending as a percentage of the budget is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During an interview on New Jersey 101.5\u2019s \"Ask the Governor\" program, Christie said the beach will be rebuilt because \"our economy in New Jersey gets $38 billion from the businesses at the Shore.\"","\"I mean, why are we going to rebuild the beach? Because our economy in New Jersey gets $38 billion from the businesses at the Shore,\" Christie said on New Jersey 101.5\u2019s \"Ask the Governor\" program. \"The Shore ain\u2019t the Shore without the beach.\"","PolitiFact New Jersey isn\u2019t entering the debate over beach fees, but we did find that Christie is wrong to attribute all of those tourism dollars to Shore businesses. That $38 billion figure applies to New Jersey\u2019s entire tourism industry, and the Shore region is only responsible for about half of that amount.","Says Chris Christie\u2019s plan \"to kick-start our economy\" is to propose an \"income tax cut that disproportionately benefits the wealthy, 's still proposing it.\""]},{"id":"766.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"John McCain said...in December he was surprised there was a subprime mortgage problem.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John McCain made a statement in December regarding his surprise about the subprime mortgage problem, it is important to provide additional context. McCain's statement needs to be understood in the context of the timing and severity of the subprime mortgage crisis. While he may have expressed surprise in December, it does not necessarily mean that he was completely unaware of the issue prior to that. McCain had been addressing the need for regulatory reform in the housing market as early as 2005. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood that McCain had some awareness of the subprime mortgage problem before December.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A big piece of that, Rubio said, is border security, and he gave this stat: \"There are at least three sectors of the border, one in particular, that are just completely insecure.\"","The southwest border spans from San Diego to the southern tip of Texas, and it is broken into nine sectors. Are at least three of those sectors \"completely insecure\"? We decided to check.","We asked Rubio\u2019s office to explain what he meant by \"completely insecure\" and which three border sectors he was referring to. Spokeswoman Brooke Sammon did not respond to our multiple emails and calls.","As for the other two sectors that are \"completely insecure,\" experts studying immigration at four different think tanks of varying political stripe couldn\u2019t guess which two Rubio was referring to."]},{"id":"12069.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More lives are lost from violence against women, sex-selective abortion, female infanticide, suicide, egregious maternal mortality, and other sex-linked causes than were lost during all of the wars and civil strife of the 20th century.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately reflects the claim made by Valerie Hudson in her book \"Sex and World Peace\" that more lives are lost from various forms of violence and gender-related causes than from wars and civil strife in the 20th century. However, it's important to note that estimating the number of lives lost in wars and civil strife is challenging and can vary depending on the specific conflicts considered. Additionally, the claim assumes that the skewed sex ratio is solely a result of discrimination, which may not be universally applicable. While the statement highlights an important issue of gender-based violence and its impact, it should be understood in the context of the complexities involved in estimating casualties and the causes of the skewed sex ratio.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The level of hate crimes in this country has remained constant over years,\" he said on Face the Nation. \"We have to allocate resources to address these hate groups and these hate crimes. The fact of the matter is, the Justice Department underestimates the degree of hate crimes in this country because they have to rely on self-reporting. That is a challenge. And the fact that we have at least 200,000 to 300,000 hate crimes in a given year is unconscionable and inconsistent with our values as Americans.\"","For one, the two methods simply approach the problem differently. The FBI program asks the police to report the number of hate crimes they have logged in a year, while the survey asks possible victims if they have experienced a hate crime.","Looking at the National Crime Victimization Survey does confirm his claim, with a 2012 report finding nearly 300,000 estimated victims of hate crime. And while the FBI\u2019s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, an alternative method of data collection on hate crime, only found around 6,000 reported hate crimes in 2012, experts said it\u2019s widely accepted that crimes are underreported with this method, mainly because of police non-participation and miscategorization.","Written for the purpose of collecting statistics on the phenomenon, the Hate Crime Statistics Act defines hate crimes as \"crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, gender and gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.\""]},{"id":"3558.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The benefits that were offered to me as a congressman dont even compare to the benefits that you get as a state employee. I just experienced that myself. Theyre not nearly as good.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Members of Congress do receive retirement benefits, but the comparison made between the benefits of being a congressman and a state employee is subjective and lacks specific details. The retirement benefits for members of Congress are part of the Federal Employees' Retirement System, which is available to all federal employees, including lawmakers. However, without specific information about the benefits offered to state employees and a clear comparison between the two, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"213.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Huckabee supported a tuition break to the children of illegals that are here illegally when citizens are having to pay a higher rate.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mike Huckabee supported a measure related to tuition rates for certain students, Mitt Romney's characterization of the measure is not entirely accurate. The measure in question would have provided in-state tuition rates to Arkansas students who graduated from Arkansas high schools, regardless of their immigration status. This means that both citizens and undocumented students who met the criteria would have been eligible for the same tuition rate. However, it is important to note that out-of-state citizens would have still been subject to higher tuition rates. Therefore, while Huckabee did support a measure related to tuition rates, Romney's statement is misleading as it does not provide the full context of the policy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["O\u2019Donnell further says of the original GI Bill: \"It\u2019s the most successful educational program that we\u2019ve ever had in this country -- and the critics called it welfare.\"","We probed the history of the GI Bill while complying with a skeptical reader\u2019s request that we fact-check MSNBC host Lawrence O\u2019Donnell\u2019s claim that critics called the original GI Bill welfare.","In a promotional spot for his MSNBC program, Lawrence O\u2019Donnell spoke proudly of his father attending college on the post-World War II benefits package that transformed the nation. O\u2019Donnell further said of the original GI Bill: \"It\u2019s the most successful educational program that we\u2019ve ever had in this country -- and the critics called it welfare.\"","In a telephone interview, Ortiz told us that no critics called the GI Bill \"welfare,\" but some admirers later considered the law a welcome step toward the United States becoming more of a social-welfare state."]},{"id":"11942.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"With Obamacare,You have no options ..you cant get competitive bidding.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some individuals in certain counties may have limited options for health insurance plans under Obamacare, the statement that \"you have no options\" is an exaggeration. In approximately 10 percent of counties, individuals on the government's insurance exchange have no options, and in about 30 percent of counties, they have only two companies to choose from. However, in most exchanges, there are several options available, and some even have many options. It is important to note that the availability of options can vary depending on the location and the specific circumstances. Additionally, the claim that competitive bidding is not possible under Obamacare is not entirely accurate, as the law includes provisions aimed at promoting competition among insurance companies. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"333.json","label":"true","statement":"John McCain has said the economy is \"not his strong suit.\"","reason":"Reason: John McCain did make a statement acknowledging that the economy was not his strong suit. In his explanation, he emphasized his expertise in national security and military affairs, while also stating that he is knowledgeable and strong on the economy. However, the statement made by Mitt Romney accurately quotes McCain's past remarks about the economy not being his strong suit. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rigorous testing procedures have made vaccines among the safest medicines administered to children and adults, but an Instagram post claims the risks far outweigh the benefits of immunizing a premature infant.","But there is a difference between the meanings of \u201crelease\u201d and \u201creduce\u201d \u2014 reducing the number of inmates overtime wouldn\u2019t necessarily mean releasing people from prisons immediately","Meanwhile, the number of people who have been convicted of committing violent offenses is a large portion of the prison population \u2014 but largely because other offenses allow for shorter jail times.","When asked for evidence of the claim, a Democratic Governors\u2019 Association spokesperson said the ad drew on two points: first, that Michels has said he supports Wisconsin\u2019s abortion ban, and second, the donation to the anti-abortion group mentioned above."]},{"id":"291.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I believe, Senator Clinton, you've raised more money from those people (the oil and gas industry) than any candidate, Democrat or Republican.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Senator Clinton has raised more money from the oil and gas industry than any candidate, Democrat or Republican, is partially true. While it is accurate that Senator Clinton has received significant contributions from the oil and gas industry, it is important to note that other candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, have also received substantial financial support from this industry. Therefore, while Senator Clinton may have received a significant amount of money from the oil and gas industry, it is not accurate to claim that she has raised more money from this industry than any other candidate from both parties.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4746.json","label":"true","statement":"Every day in the United States, we are losing 15 factories.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the United States is losing 15 factories every day. The evidence provided supports this claim, with multiple sources acknowledging the significant number of factory closures and job losses in the manufacturing sector. While other factors such as increased productivity and limited demand also contribute to factory closures, the statement itself is true in stating that 15 factories are being lost daily.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Last week Crist told reporters he didn't know Obama was traveling in Florida. On Wednesday, Crist told a national television audience he didn't endorse the $787 billion federal stimulus bill pushed by Obama and passed by Congress in February.","Of course, Crist, as governor, couldn't vote for the stimulus. But, strictly speaking, neither could Obama as president. So that's hardly a proper measure to justify a claim that Crist didn't endorse the stimulus bill.","Back to Crist's original statement. He said Wednesday that he didn't endorse the stimulus and offered the fact that he didn't have a vote on the proposal as evidence.","!The federal government has no imminent plans for another stimulus check. (AP) !The federal government has no imminent plans for another stimulus check. (AP)"]},{"id":"7062.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After Patrick Murphys charges were dropped, Murphys father gave the prosecutor a huge campaign donation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Patrick Murphy's father made campaign donations to Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle after the charges against his son were dropped, the statement exaggerates by characterizing the donation as \"huge.\" In reality, the donations amounted to $1,500 from Murphy's father's companies and an additional $500 from Murphy's father himself. While these donations were made, they were not considered substantial compared to previous donations made by Murphy's father's firms to the Republican Party of Florida. Therefore, the statement is misleading in its portrayal of the campaign donation as \"huge.\"\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his remarks during a prank phone call were \u201cthe things I\u2019ve said publicly all along\u201d about his budget-repair bill&url=)","Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says his remarks during a prank phone call were \u201cthe things I\u2019ve said publicly all along\u201d about his budget-repair bill","Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker faced the Madison press corps after an audio recording revealed his conversation with a prankster he thought was billionaire business executive David Koch, the conservative activist and Walker supporter.","In the turbulent wake of his controversial plan to sharply curtail collective bargaining rights, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has faced criticism that he gave no warning of such a dramatic plan during the long 2010 governor\u2019s race."]},{"id":"806.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Congressman John Lewis, an American hero, made allegations that Sarah Palin and I were somehow associated with ... the worst chapter in American history. ... And, Senator Obama, you didn't repudiate those remarks.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator McCain's claim that Congressman John Lewis made allegations associating Sarah Palin and himself with the worst chapter in American history. McCain further asserts that Senator Obama did not repudiate those remarks. This claim is supported by McCain's statement during the Hofstra University debate in 2008. \nLabel: true","evidence":["We'll set aside for now his various claims about taxes, regulation and health care to focus on his parting blow: \"The stimulus has not created one private sector job.\"","Sean Snaith, a University Of Central Florida economist who has been critical of the effect of the stimulus, agrees that saying \"the stimulus has not created one private sector job\" is inaccurate.","So what does Scott's campaign have to say about Weston, a guy with a job in the private sector because of the stimulus?","\"On top of that, my background is I put my money up. I took the risk. I stood up for what I believed in starting businesses. And that\u2019s a whole different background than other people. But she clearly believes in higher taxes. She clearly believes in Obamacare. She clearly believes in the stimulus, and we know the stimulus has not created one private sector job.\""]},{"id":"6115.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Less than 2 percent of illegals are picking crops, but 41 percent are on welfare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. The claim that less than 2 percent of illegal immigrants are picking crops is reasonably accurate, as estimates range from 3 percent to 5 percent during peak harvesting times. However, the claim that 41 percent of illegal immigrants are on welfare is misleading. Most of the welfare benefits mentioned in the claim are actually received by U.S. citizens living in households with illegal immigrants, not directly by the illegal immigrants themselves. Additionally, the term \"welfare\" is broad and includes various forms of assistance, not just cash benefits. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks clarity and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The bill does not define classroom instruction or discussion. The language could be interpreted to mean that an educator would not be allowed to read a book to students that recognizes a same-sex couple.","Relative to the total number of children who have been vaccinated, cases of myocarditis and other serious adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination are very rare.","For Texas, 7,400 fourth grade students participated in mathematics and 7,400 Texas fourth grade students participated in reading. The 2019 data indicates 30% of fourth-graders in Texas are at or above the \"proficient\" level, meaning 70% are below that level.","Overall, that 30% would seem to match O'Rourke's numbers. However, how the federal government defines \"proficient\" does not mean that's how Texas education officials define it."]},{"id":"3422.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the states budget shortfall is not that much different than it was in 2003.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple sources, including former Democratic elected officials and fact-checking organizations, have confirmed that Texas is currently facing a significant budget shortfall, larger than previous shortfalls in 2003 and 1987. The evidence contradicts the claim that the budget shortfall is not much different than it was in 2003. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says task force cracking down on human trafficking is the first of its kind in Central Ohio","( - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says task force cracking down on human trafficking is the first of its kind in Central Ohio&url=)","\"This is the first task force of its kind in Central Ohio,\" DeWine boasted in an Aug. 2 news release announcing the indictment of four Chillicothe, Ohio residents in a case brought by his Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.","Some will recall that Cordray, a Democrat, appointed a commission that studied the issue and he then strongly supported a bill to strengthen laws against human trafficking. And Republican Gov. John Kasich in March signed an executive order forming his own Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force (not to be confused with DeWine\u2019s Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force)."]},{"id":"2934.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sen. Joe Biden, the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, recommended partitioning Iraq into three separate entities.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that Sen. Joe Biden, as the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, recommended partitioning Iraq into three separate entities. This is supported by evidence of a nonbinding resolution proposed by Biden and Sen. Sam Brownback in 2007, which suggested dividing Iraq into three semi-autonomous regions while maintaining a federal government. However, it's important to note that this resolution did not have the force of law and was nonbinding. Therefore, while Biden did make this recommendation, it did not result in actual policy implementation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4829.json","label":"false","statement":"The overwhelming number of school districts reported their staff stayed the same or grew after the 2011-13 state budget","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Governor Scott Walker claimed that the majority of school districts reported no decrease or an increase in staff after the 2011-13 state budget. However, the evidence does not provide any specific data or survey results to support this claim. Without concrete evidence, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the claim that the overwhelming number of school districts reported their staff staying the same or growing after the budget is unsubstantiated and should be considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here it is in a recent press release from House Republican Leader John Boehner: \"PWNED: House GOP Dominates Twitter, YouTube, Social Media in Congress.\"","But the bottom line is that Boehner is correct when he boasts that the House GOP dominates the Democrats on Twitter, YouTube and other social media in Congress.","On Jan. 21, 2010, YouTube's CitizenTube posted a year-end wrap-up that showed 89 percent of Republicans and 74 percent of Democrats in Congress have started YouTube channels to engage their constituents. More importantly, people are watching the Republican channels much more often. According to the report, eight of the top 10 most-viewed and most-subscribed YouTube channels in Congress are from the GOP, though Democrats took two of the top three spots. The top 4, in order, are Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Fla., Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Boehner.","Boehner's director of new media, Nick Schaper, said House Republicans are building an important lead in social media. \"We're pretty proud of that,\" he said."]},{"id":"12688.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says middle-class New York State residents will have the lowest tax rate in 70 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo claimed that the new tax rates passed during the state budget process are the lowest in New York State in 70 years, and this claim is supported by data from the Department of Taxation and Finance. It is important to note that the term \"middle-class\" can be subjective and may vary in its definition over time. However, based on the information provided, the statement accurately reflects the governor's claim and the supporting data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"758.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"My plan offers three times as much tax relief to the middle class as Senator McCain's.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"My plan offers three times as much tax relief to the middle class as Senator McCain's\" is partially true. While it is true that the speaker's plan may provide more tax relief to the middle class compared to Senator McCain's plan, the claim of it being three times as much is an exaggeration. The specific details and calculations of the tax relief in both plans would need to be compared to determine the exact difference. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but exaggerated in its comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Virginia rated a single 2010 election claim by Rigell as Mostly False, but we never passed judgment on the overall veracity of the candidate or his campaign.","Rigell\u2019s statement was rated Mostly False and the Republican also earned a False for another claim during his 2010 run. We should also note that last year, we rated a claim he made about U.S. borrowing as True.","PolitiFact Virginia, \"Scott Rigell says Glenn Nye voted \u2018in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi\u2019 83 percent of the time,\" Oct. 25, 2010.","PolitiFact Virginia, \"Scott Rigell says Glenn Nye voted against bill that would have defunded $5 billion - $10 billion the IRS needed to implement health care legislation,\" Nov. 1, 2010."]},{"id":"4733.json","label":"false","statement":"Thirty million Americans, including a lot of people in Florida, are going to be able to get healthcare next year because of that law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that thirty million Americans, including people in Florida, will be able to get healthcare next year because of a specific law. The evidence provided includes information about myocarditis cases related to COVID-19 vaccines, IRS tax refund data, statements about vaccine availability, and Trump's involvement in the vaccination campaign. None of this evidence supports the claim made in the statement. It is important to ensure that statements are supported by accurate and relevant evidence to maintain credibility.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Clinton used to be the senator from New York, the home of Wall Street. She has a history of campaign backing from the finance industry and of delivering high-priced speeches to finance firms, such as Goldman Sachs. And her husband, former President Bill Clinton, signed the repeal of a bank break-up bill, the Glass-Steagall Act -- a deregulation that some critics believe contributed to the financial crisis.","Hillary Clinton has a reputation for being cozy with Wall Street -- but in her 2016 campaign, she\u2019s been striking populist tones.","\"We need to start addressing the risks posed by derivatives and other complex financial products,\" she said. \"You can't let Wall Street send the bill to your street with the bright ideas that just don't work out. Derivatives and products like them are posing real risks to families, as Wall Street writes down tens of billions of dollars in investments. Companies are taking the loss of a billion here and a billion there simply because the securities they own are worth less than they thought.\"","Dodd-Frank is the financial overhaul bill passed by Congress in 2010. Gingrich says it should be repealed, in part because of its impact on these local banks."]},{"id":"6851.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says under U.S. Sen. Robert Menendezs watch the nations unemployment rate and debt doubled and the federal budget deficit quadrupled.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the nation's unemployment rate and debt increased during the time Robert Menendez served as a U.S. Senator, it is important to note that these factors are influenced by various complex factors beyond the control of any single individual. The statement implies a direct causation between Menendez's actions and these economic indicators, which oversimplifies the situation. Economic conditions, such as the impact of the economic downturn, play a significant role in these changes. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Talking up the importance of Texas turning blue, the chairman of the Texas Democratic Party said at the Democratic National Convention that if Texas voted for Democratic presidential nominees, the combination of its electoral votes with those of California and New York mean \"it would be mathematically impossible for Republicans to elect a president.\"","Gilberto Hinojosa says if a Democrat carries Texas, California and New York for president, it's \"mathematically impossible\" for a Republican to prevail nationally","( - Gilberto Hinojosa says if a Democrat carries Texas, California and New York for president, it's \"mathematically impossible\" for a Republican to prevail nationally&url=)","Hinojosa said that if Texas, California and New York all backed the Democratic presidential nominee, it would be mathematically impossible for the Republican nominee to win."]},{"id":"5917.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Seniors will see $500 billion in Medicare cuts to fund Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"seniors will see $500 billion in Medicare cuts to fund Obamacare\" is misleading. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) includes provisions that aim to reduce the rate of growth in Medicare spending, it does not involve direct cuts to benefits for seniors. The $500 billion figure refers to the projected reduction in the rate of growth over a ten-year period, not actual cuts to Medicare funding. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact on seniors and misrepresents the nature of the changes to Medicare funding.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3832.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Annual water usage in 2010 was actually down more than 18 percent from usage in 2006.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the chairwoman of the county's Board of Commissioners, stating that annual water usage in 2010 was down more than 18 percent compared to usage in 2006. While there are mentions of other water usage declines in different time periods and locations, they do not directly contradict the specific claim made about the decline in 2010 compared to 2006. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9923.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There is no state in the U.S. where a 40-hour minimum wage work week is enough to afford a two-bedroom apartment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the study cited, which indicates that a 40-hour minimum wage work week is generally not sufficient to afford a two-bedroom apartment in any state in the U.S. However, it's important to note that the statement does not account for regional variations in the cost of living and the specific Fair Market Rent determined by the federal government for each region. In some areas with higher costs of living, even states with higher minimum wages may still have a disparity between the minimum wage and the cost of a two-bedroom apartment. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it lacks some nuance regarding regional differences in affordability.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Moore said Walker eliminated \"cancer screenings for uninsured women\" in four Wisconsin counties and offered \"no alternatives.\" But all Walker eliminated was a contract with Planned Parenthood for assisting women in getting the screenings.","\"Scott Walker cuts cancer screenings for uninsured women, offers no alternatives,\" read Moore\u2019s first statement on Twitter, the online messaging site that has some 200 million account holders.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Gov. Scott Walker ended Planned Parenthood contract for cancer screeings, Dem Rep. Gwen Moore says,\" (Pants on Fire) Jan. 6, 2012","Says Scott Walker's defunding of Planned Parenthood \"left women across the state stranded with nowhere else to turn\" for cancer screenings, breast exams and birth control."]},{"id":"10690.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton will receive her congressional salary until she dies and the Secret Service pays her mortgage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. Hillary Clinton does not receive her congressional salary until she dies. Upon retiring, she would be eligible for benefits through the Federal Employee Retirement System, which is a standard retirement plan for federal employees, including members of Congress. As for the claim that the Secret Service pays her mortgage, this has been explicitly denied by a spokesperson for Clinton. The Secret Service is responsible for providing protection to former presidents and their spouses, but they do not cover personal expenses such as mortgages. The statement is baseless and lacks factual support.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["After the narrator claims Pascrell supports such tax cuts, the video cuts to a three-second clip of Pascrell telling Matthews, \"Republicans had great ideas. I liked some of their ideas.\" But Pascrell was talking about reaching a bipartisan deal on health care reform, not providing tax cuts.","The ad goes one step further, suggesting that Pascrell admitted to supporting such tax cuts. Just after the narrator claims the congressman \"wants more tax cuts for the rich,\" the video cuts to a clip of Pascrell saying, \"Republicans had great ideas. I liked some of their ideas.\"","In an attack ad from Rothman\u2019s campaign, the narrator claims Pascrell \"wants more tax cuts for the rich.\" Then the video suggests Pascrell admitted to supporting such tax cuts by showing a clip of him saying, \"Republicans had great ideas. I liked some of their ideas.\"","So, Rothman is clearly wrong to suggest Pascrell was endorsing \"more tax cuts for the rich,\" when his statement was about Republicans\u2019 ideas for health care reform."]},{"id":"5449.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says theres no proven instance where hydraulic fracking has polluted groundwater.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Perry's claim that there is no proven instance where hydraulic fracking has polluted groundwater. While there have been reported incidents of groundwater contamination associated with activities at fracking wells, it's important to note that the definition of fracking itself is a subject of debate. If we consider only the specific step of breaking the shale rock, as Governor Perry's comment focused on, there is indeed a lack of proven instances of groundwater pollution directly caused by that step. However, it's worth mentioning that there have been reported cases of groundwater contamination associated with other activities at fracking wells. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood in the context of the specific definition of fracking being discussed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We have to deduct a little bit for leaving the impression that there were only two votes on the tax cuts, but the ad is correct that McCain voted against the measures. So we find the statement that McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts \"both times\" to be Mostly True.","The ad is correct that McCain voted against tax cuts proposed by the Bush administration two times, in 2001 and 2003. McCain was on the losing end of those votes; the tax cuts passed. In 2006, McCain changed position and voted in favor of extending the tax cuts. McCain has explained his position by saying that although he opposed the cuts when first proposed because of budget issues, rescinding the tax cuts after they were in effect would be the equivalent of a tax increase.","Sen. John McCain was one of the few Republicans who opposed tax cuts proposed by President George W. Bush in 2001, and he opposed them again when they came up for renewal in 2003.","Before going further, we should add that McCain has since changed his stance on the Bush tax cuts. When they came up for renewal in 2006, he voted in favor of extension, and during the 2008 campaign, he once again advocated for their extension. In fact, during the 2008 presidential campaign, PolitiFact gave McCain a Full Flop for his changed stance on the Bush tax cuts."]},{"id":"5533.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obamas secretary of energy, Dr. Steven Chu, has said publicly he wants us to pay European levels (for gasoline), and that would be $9 or $10 a gallon.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Newt Gingrich that Dr. Steven Chu, Obama's secretary of energy, publicly expressed a desire to raise domestic gas prices to European levels, which would be around $9 or $10 a gallon. This claim is supported by evidence, including statements made by Gingrich himself and the acknowledgment that Chu did express a desire to raise gas prices closer to European levels. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide the full context of Chu's remarks or the broader energy policies and goals of the Obama administration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This is not just picking on the University of Wisconsin System,\" Walker said. \"This is a nationwide trend. Since \u201878, I think, tuition nationwide has gone up something like four times the rate of inflation.\"","For backup to Feingold\u2019s, his team sent us links to a few news articles that cited the average debt incurred by students at UW-Madison. We reached out to the officials to confirm the numbers, which come from UW\u2019s Office of Student Financial Aid.","Loans taken out by students through the university are tracked by the office through its Student Information System. Loans not borrowed at UW-Madison are fed into the system through the National Student Loan Data System, a student aid database from the U.S. Department of Education. Loans taken out by parents on behalf of students are not included.","When UW\u2019s Office of Student Financial Aid calculates the average debt of students, it only counts those who take out loans."]},{"id":"1503.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"$100,000 in stimulus funds (were) used for a Martini Bar and Brazilian Steakhouse.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that stimulus funds were initially awarded for both a martini bar and a Brazilian steakhouse project. However, it's important to note that the application for the martini bar funds was later withdrawn due to the discovery of tax liens against the company. Therefore, while the funds were initially allocated for both projects, the martini bar did not ultimately receive the stimulus funds. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that the martini bar did not actually receive the funds in the end.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At that hearing, Rep. Dennis Kucinich stated: \"Due to a flaw in the 1995 Outer Continental Shelf Deep Water Royalty Relief Act, numerous oil companies are now drilling in the Gulf of Mexico in federal lands and paying no royalties to the federal government.\"","Some of that exploration involves federal areas, but the federal government hasn\u2019t reaped rewards from that exploration. Legislation approved in 1995 relieved oil companies from paying royalties to the federal government on drilling leases until they had recouped their investment.","The report addresses the issue of royalty relief, stating: \"Special lower royalty rates granted on leases issued in the deep water areas of the Gulf of Mexico from 1996-2000 could result in $21 billion to $53 billion in lost revenue to the federal government.\"","Testimony at the hearing from the head of a watchdog group advocating action suggests it is the drilling leases for the Gulf of Mexico that are at fault rather than the law that established the royalty relief."]},{"id":"6270.json","label":"true","statement":"Says if labor force participation rate were the same as when Barack Obama became president, unemployment would be 11 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the House Budget Committee chairman that if the labor force participation rate had remained the same as when Barack Obama became president, the unemployment rate would be 11 percent. This claim was made in a speech in June 2012. The evidence supports the statement, indicating that the labor force participation rate is a significant factor in calculating the unemployment rate, and if it had remained constant, the unemployment rate would have been higher.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"750.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Obama's tax plan, \"95 percent of you will get a tax cut.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Barack Obama did claim during a presidential debate that \"95 percent of you will get a tax cut\" under his tax plan. However, it's important to note that the percentage mentioned refers specifically to workers or working families, not the entire population. The Tax Policy Center's research confirms that approximately 94.8 percent of workers would receive a tax cut under Obama's plan. However, it's worth mentioning that the tax cut does not apply to all Americans, as approximately 81 percent of all tax filers would receive a tax cut under Obama's policies. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Obama's claim for workers, it does not encompass the entire population.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Rep. John Katko \"promised he wouldn\u2019t vote to defund Planned Parenthood and since he\u2019s been in office he\u2019s done that four times\"","\"He\u2019s somebody who when he ran said he promised he wouldn\u2019t vote to defund Planned Parenthood and since he\u2019s been in office he\u2019s done that four times,\" Deacon told WRVO. She also made the claim in her victory speech in June\u2019s primary election.","At a regional campaign office opening for Hillary Clinton in Syracuse, Deacon said Katko voted four times to defund Planned Parenthood.","At the opening of Hillary Clinton\u2019s regional campaign office in Syracuse, Deacon said Katko voted four times to defund Planned Parenthood."]},{"id":"10849.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It is simply a fact that insufficient funding for Amtrak has delayed the installation of a positive train control safety system. To deny a connection between the (derailment in Philadelphia) and underfunding Amtrak is to deny reality.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Chuck Schumer that insufficient funding for Amtrak has delayed the installation of a positive train control safety system. This claim suggests a connection between the derailment in Philadelphia and the underfunding of Amtrak. While it is true that insufficient funding can contribute to delays in implementing safety measures, it is important to note that the exact cause of the derailment was determined to be excessive speed, not the absence of positive train control. Therefore, while the statement highlights a valid concern about funding and safety measures, it oversimplifies the cause-and-effect relationship between underfunding and the specific incident in Philadelphia.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, right, and V. Stiviano, left, watch the Clippers play the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles. (AP) !Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, right, and V. Stiviano, left, watch the Clippers play the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles. (AP)","Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, right, and V. Stiviano, left, watch the Clippers play the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles. (AP)","When Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was outed for allegedly making racist comments, conservatives leapt to dig deeper and came up with a surprising find. Sterling is a Democrat.","Political pundits turned from health care to basketball last week to discuss news surrounding racist comments made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling."]},{"id":"9962.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Austin has over 1,000 city employees that make six-figure salaries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While there is some discrepancy in the exact number provided by the candidate, it is acknowledged that there are a significant number of city employees in Austin who earn six-figure salaries. The fact-checking article states that the candidate initially mentioned \"over 1,000\" employees, but later corrected it to \"almost 1,000.\" Therefore, while the exact number may be slightly different, the general claim that there are a substantial number of city employees earning six-figure salaries is supported.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Ohio Democratic Party on Feb. 14 boiled down its argument in a Twitter message. Both the brevity and first word of the tweet caught Politifact Ohio\u2019s attention: \"FACT: the \u2018special assistant\u2019 in @johnkasich's office makes over three times more than an average #OH firefighter\"","While Kasich deserves a little leeway given that any presidential visit provides cover to office holders of the same party, it\u2019s a stretch to imply that the president was here solely to bash the Republican on the other nine visits. That\u2019s a critical fact that would give the listener a different impression.","Chabria\u2019s salary is also more than three times the average salary of a firefighter with one year of experience, according to the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund\u2019s actuary reports. (But only 3.7 percent of current firefighters had 1 year of experience, the report shows.)","Obama indeed visited Ohio 12 times from the time he took office in January 2009 until last year\u2019s election. But a review of Obama\u2019s travel schedule and the text of all the speeches he made here show that only a small part of his time in Ohio was devoted to campaigning against Kasich."]},{"id":"11533.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Every signer of the Declaration of Independence had no federal elected office experience.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While it is true that the signers of the Declaration of Independence did not have federal elected office experience, it is misleading to claim that they had no elected office experience at all. Many of the signers held various elected positions at the colonial and state levels before signing the Declaration. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["What Obama said -- nine months before her husband was elected president -- was that for the first time in her adult life, she was proud of her country not just because Barack Obama had done well in pursuing the presidential nomination, but also \"because I think people are hungry for change.\"","As a mayor, \"John Fetterman chased down an innocent, unarmed Black man,\" wielded a shotgun and \"falsely accused the man, triggering a confrontation with police.\"","People in this country are ready for change and hungry for a different kind of politics and \u2026 for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.","Spotting the fake edits on this didn\u2019t take long, especially since Barack Obama tweeted the original throwback image on Jan. 17, 2019, to celebrate his wife\u2019s birthday. That original picture was reshared more than 164 thousand times."]},{"id":"5634.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The state [food stamp call center] program is administered from foreign shores.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that the state food stamp program is administered from foreign shores. The evidence discusses various aspects of the food stamp program, such as eligibility criteria, dietary habits of recipients, and the use of EBT cards. However, there is no mention or indication that the program's administration is outsourced to foreign entities. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Cutter said, \"Money towards the Ebola vaccine is basically cut in half to what it was,\" and \"more cuts are coming under the congressional sequester.\"","\"In fact, money towards the Ebola vaccine is basically cut in half to what it was,\" she said. \"More cuts are coming under the congressional sequester.\"","We wanted to know if funding for an Ebola vaccine had been cut in half from \"what it was\" and if more cuts were coming under the sequester. Cutter did not respond to our query.","Whether money for the vaccine was cut in half depends on the metric you use. It\u2019s true if you compare 2010 to the 2014 estimate, when vaccine research spending fell from $37 million to $17.2 million, but not if you use other parameters."]},{"id":"8138.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the acting chief of the IRS said he and the majority of IRS employees would rather stay with his current health plan than switch to Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The provided evidence does not support the statement that the acting chief of the IRS said he and the majority of IRS employees would rather stay with their current health plan than switch to Obamacare. There is no mention of the acting chief of the IRS making such a statement or any indication of the majority preference of IRS employees regarding their health plan. Without any supporting evidence, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["State Sen. Randy Hopper, R-Fond du Lac, contends in a TV ad that Democratic challenger Jessica King voted herself a 63 percent pay raise when she served on the Oshkosh Common Council. King voted against the raise, and the percentage was wrong to boot. We rated Hopper\u2019s statement Pants on Fire.","Randy Hopper served the Fond du Lac area as a Republican state senator from Wisconsin from 2008 until losing a recall election in 2011.","As the accusation is made, the words \"Senator Hopper didn\u2019t pay taxes\" appear on the screen above a footnote citing a Fond du Lac Reporter newspaper article.","King claims broadly in a TV ad that Hopper, unlike typical taxpayers, \"didn\u2019t pay taxes.\" The records indicate that over a decade, Hopper\u2019s businesses had no state income tax liability and he owed taxes personally in only one year. But the claim leaves an impression, without providing any evidence, that Hopper did something improper in order not to have a state income tax liability in most of the years in question. After all, this is the language included in the ad: \"We work hard, we pay our taxes; we can\u2019t say the same about you.\" Moreover, there is no indication that Hopper did not pay the one state income tax liability he did have."]},{"id":"3560.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When I took office last year we faced historic budget deficits of $6 billion here in Virginia. And we closed those deficits by cutting spending.","reason":"Reason: While Governor McDonnell claimed that the historic budget deficits of $6 billion in Virginia were closed by cutting spending, this statement is not entirely accurate. According to his own advisers, the $6 billion figure represents cumulative shortfalls from July 1, 2008, through the time he made the statement. The actions taken to address the budget deficits involved various measures, including maneuvering accounts and utilizing stimulus dollars, rather than solely relying on spending cuts. Therefore, the claim that the deficits were closed solely by cutting spending is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the actions taken to address the budget shortfalls.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Mandated tests consume valuable time that should be used for teaching,\" Lyon wrote. \"Most schools spend 45 days out of the 180 days in a school year in some form of mandated testing. This type of thinking is absurd.\"","We were curious, too, especially as we had recently rated Mostly False a claim that Austin\u2019s school district lists 64 days a year for state testing. In that fact-check, we found 34 days were tabbed by the Austin district in 2011-12 for state testing and make-up\/re-test exams, but that not all grades or all students took tests on each of those days.","In other words, the study is not judging whether state proficiency standards on tests should be high, low or in the middle. It\u2019s just offering data.","There seems to be scant information spelling out precisely how many days most schools give mandated tests. But our sense is that Texas school districts might be giving state-mandated tests on 29 days a school year, while district-level benchmark tests can absorb about four to nine days, though admittedly that\u2019s based only on what we gleaned from the Austin and Mesquite districts for 2011-12. The days devoted to testing at some individual schools \u2014 and, more important, for individual students \u2014 are far fewer."]},{"id":"8587.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"All University of Texas student-athletes get an iPad.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some student-athletes at the University of Texas have access to iPads, it is not accurate to claim that all University of Texas student-athletes receive iPads. The evidence suggests that there are options for student-athletes to check out laptops or iPads, but it is not a universal provision for all student-athletes. The availability of iPads or other devices may vary depending on factors such as existing personal devices and the specific needs of the student-athletes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In 2005, when we had a chance to say no to Dick Cheney and his energy bill, my opponent said yes and voted for it with all of those tax subsidies and giveaways that have been used by the oil companies and others to retard the development of clean, renewable energy,\" Clinton said. \"When it counted, I said no, he said yes.\"","This time, while Clinton rightly points out that the legislation included tax breaks for oil companies \u2014 $2.6-billion to be exact \u2014 those were largely wiped out by a $3-billion extension of taxes on crude oil to help offset costs associated with oil spills. The bulk of the $14.6-billion in tax incentives included in the legislation actually went to \"renewable\" sources of energy, to accelerate the development of wind, clean-coal and nuclear power, and hybrid vehicles. (Although there is debate over whether coal and nuclear power should be considered renewable.)","\"So that 2005 energy bill was a big step backwards on the path to clean, renewable energy. That's why I voted against it.\"","Responding to a PolitiFact inquiry, the Clinton campaign referred to a speech she made on the Senate floor, citing her opposition to the bill because, in part, it ignored pressing energy challenges, including U.S. dependence on foreign oil. \"The bill includes billions in subsidies for mature energy industries, including oil and nuclear,\" Clinton said in her July 29, 2005, remarks."]},{"id":"9277.json","label":"false","statement":"President Barack Obamas budget threatens national security by proposing an Army of fewer personnel than we had before Pearl Harbor.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that President Obama's budget proposal threatens national security by proposing an Army with fewer personnel than before Pearl Harbor. There is no evidence to support this claim. The size and composition of the military are complex decisions influenced by various factors, including strategic needs, technological advancements, and budgetary considerations. It is misleading to compare the current Army's personnel size to that of the pre-Pearl Harbor era without considering the significant changes in warfare, military capabilities, and global security dynamics over the years.\nLabel: false","evidence":["As a comeback, Toomey compared McGinty\u2019s campaign stances to those of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. \"She actually agrees with Hillary Clinton and the most liberal wing of the Democrats on everything,\" said Toomey.","Senator Pat Toomey stated that Katie McGinty agrees with Hillary Clinton on everything. After closer inspection, it has become clear that although McGinty and Clinton share similar positions on many issues, there are a couple of significant instances where their opinions differ. Furthermore, many of their shared opinions can be attributed to the similarities in their intended audiences.","Dilworth thinks McGinty\u2019s and Clinton\u2019s strong similarities are no coincidence, though. \"Pennsylvania is, to a certain extent, representative of the country, more so than many other states,\" said Dilworth. \"In that respect, McGinty will be making a lot of the same pitches as Hillary Clinton because she\u2019s going for the same kinds of voters.\"","Many observers would dispute aligning Clinton with party\u2019s most liberal faction. Nevertheless, we looked through issues backed by two candidates, and we found that Toomey\u2019s claim doesn\u2019t hold up entirely. Sure, there are plenty of things McGinty and Clinton agree on. Both cite a need for good-paying jobs and strengthening America\u2019s clean energy economy \u2014 just two examples out of many. But, we haven\u2019t found evidence to prove that Clinton and McGinty agree on each issue. Actually, we were able to find a couple on which their views don\u2019t align."]},{"id":"5065.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Milwaukee County buses are no less safe now than a year or two ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because while the Milwaukee County Executive claims that the buses are no less safe now than a year or two ago, the evidence suggests otherwise. The passenger altercation statistics indicate an increase in incidents, which contradicts the claim. Additionally, the use of broad \"incident\" numbers can be misleading as a measure of crime. It is important to consider the specific types of incidents and their severity to accurately assess the safety of the buses. Therefore, the claim made by the Milwaukee County Executive does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4078.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the average government worker wont be impacted in the first two years under the reform of state health benefits.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Sweeney claimed that the average government worker would not be impacted by the reform of state health benefits for the first two years, contradicting evidence suggests otherwise. According to the senator's own figures, there will be increases in health care costs starting in the second year, which means that the average worker will experience some impact earlier than stated. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks complete transparency regarding the timing of the impact on average government workers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"Almost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago when I took office.\"","\"He cozies up to Putin, praises Saddam Hussein, and tells the NATO allies that stood by our side after 9\/11 that they have to pay up if they want our protection,\" Obama said. \"Well, America\u2019s promises do not come with a price tag. We meet our commitments. That\u2019s one of the reasons why almost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago when I took office.\"","We wondered whether it was true that the United States today is \"the most respected\" country on Earth, so we took a closer look. The evidence we found is something of a mixed bag.","\"People don\u2019t remember -- when I came into office, the United States in world opinion ranked below China and just barely above Russia,\" Obama said. \"And today, once again, the United States is the most respected country on Earth.\""]},{"id":"13176.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says she voted for a statewide fracking ban.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the mailer claims that the candidate voted for a statewide fracking ban, it is important to note that the bill in question, HB 191, called for a temporary moratorium on fracking rather than a permanent ban. The candidate, however, reasoned that the temporary moratorium could have been a step towards a permanent ban. Therefore, while the candidate did not vote for a statewide fracking ban directly, their support for the temporary moratorium suggests a potential alignment with the goal of banning fracking in the long term.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Wisconsin is not as obese as the national average is. The national average, 35.7 percent of the population is obese. In Wisconsin, it's closer to 26 percent.\"","Thompson said: \"Wisconsin is not as obese as the national average is. The national average, 35.7 percent of the population is obese. In Wisconsin, it's closer to 26 percent.\"","\"Yes, we are (battling),\" he said. \"But you know something, but you look at the statistics, and across the board, and Wisconsin is not as obese as the national average is. The national average, 35.7 percent of the population is obese. In Wisconsin, it's closer to 26 percent.","In one study, 35.7 percent of American adults were estimated to be obese. In another study, which used a different methodology, the rate was 28.1 percent, slightly below Wisconsin\u2019s 29.7 percent."]},{"id":"11138.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Planned Parenthood is the only health care that a significant number of women get. About 30 percent of women, thats their health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Harry Reid that Planned Parenthood is the only healthcare provider for about 30 percent of women is inaccurate. Planned Parenthood served 2.7 million patients in 2013, which is significantly lower than the 39 million patients needed for Reid's claim to be accurate. Even if every patient relied solely on Planned Parenthood for healthcare, it would only account for approximately 2 percent of women. Reid's office acknowledged that he misspoke, and the claim is widely debunked. Therefore, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In one video posted by DraftCain2012, the candidate wanted to change the subject with folks who wanted to talk about auditing the Federal Reserve. One man told Cain they can\u2019t audit the Federal Reserve.","Jason Pye, an Atlanta-area Libertarian activist who knows Cain, wrote a piece claiming the candidate has been dismissive of plans to audit the Federal Reserve. Pye said Cain has been as steady as Jell-O on auditing the Federal Reserve.","One website, The Liberty Papers, contained a blog post saying Cain \"is either a liar or has a very short memory\" concerning auditing the Federal Reserve. The site included audio from Cain to argue he\u2019s changed his position.","McLagan insisted his candidate\u2019s Twitter post was correct, citing the 2010 vote. McLagan said Barrow was slow in co-sponsoring the subsequent legislation to audit the Federal Reserve. In short, McLagan said, Barrow is not truly committed to auditing the Fed."]},{"id":"4771.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The federal limousine fleet has increased by 42 percent since Barack Obama took office.","reason":"Reason: While there has been an increase in the federal limousine fleet, it is inaccurate to attribute the entire increase to the Obama administration. The bulk of the increase occurred between fiscal years 2008 and 2009, before Obama took office. The exact number of limousines ordered by the Obama administration versus his predecessor is unclear, making it difficult to determine the exact impact of his administration on the fleet size. Therefore, the statement that the federal limousine fleet has increased by 42 percent since Obama took office is misleading and lacks proper context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"What's going to happen is nothing,\" said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey. \"And seven more people will die each and every day until the Legislature ratifies these rules that are being approved by the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health.\"","For this item, we wanted to examine the scope of the problem. Is Fasano correct that seven people die each day from prescription drug abuse?","Fasano, an advocate for cracking down on unscrupulous pain clinics, underscores his argument for more regulation with an attention-grabbing statistic: an average of seven people die each day from prescription drugs. The numbers from Florida's top law enforcement agency bear him out.","Those regulations were set to take effect Nov. 28, 2010, for most pain clinics. But they were stalled by a new law intended to crack down on expensive state regulations. The law, approved Nov. 16 when the Legislature met in a one-day session to override eight vetoes by Gov. Charlie Crist, requires legislative approval of rules that have a measurable fiscal impact on commerce."]},{"id":"1742.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Texas has been waiting for two years for the federal government to act on a proposal to allow the state to \"create insurance opportunities for those that are uninsured today.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Texas has been waiting for two years for the federal government to act on a proposal to create insurance opportunities for the uninsured. There is no known proposal or initiative of this nature that has been pending for that period of time. It is important to ensure that factual accuracy is maintained when discussing government actions and proposals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A pie chart on the second page says that 69 percent of families in poverty were \"working families,\" composed of 22 percent who had \"at least one parent working full time\" and 47 percent who had \"at least one parent working less than full time.\" About 31 percent of the families had no parent working.","This showed us that 26,810 of the 86,255 Oregon families with children had a parent who did not work in the previous year, roughly 31 percent. Put another way, 59,445 Oregon families with children in poverty \u2014 69 percent \u2014 had a parent who worked at least part time in the previous year.","\"Declining work rates, stagnant wages, the rise of female-headed families, inferior education, and the arrival of millions of immigrants with poor education and low skills are little engines pushing up the poverty rate,\" he said. \"Conditions in the U.S. virtually ensure high poverty rates because the underlying factors that cause poverty have remained very strong.\"","Was this the debunking of a common myth about those in poverty? Do a full 70 percent of Oregon families in poverty have a parent who works?"]},{"id":"5151.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history.","reason":"Reason: The statement that more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history is partially true. While it is true that the number of people receiving food stamps increased during Obama's presidency, it is important to note that this increase was not solely due to his policies or actions. The economic recession that began before Obama took office significantly contributed to the rise in food stamp enrollment. Additionally, the statement could be misleading if it implies that Obama actively forced people onto food stamps, as participation in the program is voluntary. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it lacks important context and could be misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When mandates apply to non-employment situations, such as school and college campus requirements, the Constitution and the right to the free exercise of religion is more important. And there are instances, such as state-level policies, where both the Civil Rights Act and the Constitution can apply.","As a counting exercise, Fauci\u2019s statement holds up. But formal doctrine doesn\u2019t drive American law. The Constitution bars the government from getting involved in the establishment of any religion. That would include judging whether a religion held a formal status. Instead, the courts focus on the individual.","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d","Two legal frameworks shape how courts consider the intersection of vaccine mandates and religion. For employers, both private and public, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is key. That section prohibits discrimation based on religion."]},{"id":"9967.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama attacked potential terrorist targets in Syria in the middle of the night to minimize terrorist casualties.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that airstrikes were conducted at night in Syria, the statement that the purpose was to minimize terrorist casualties is not entirely accurate. The primary objective of conducting airstrikes at night is to maximize the element of surprise and reduce the risk to the attacking forces. It is not specifically done to minimize terrorist casualties. Additionally, the claim that the buildings were empty is not supported by evidence and is contradicted by experts who state that the airstrikes targeted legitimate terrorist targets. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["As it turns out, there are at least three recent rankings of the 50 states by their regulatory climate for business, and one of them indeed has Florida in 45th place.","If Scott had said, \"According to one study, Florida ranks 45th out of 50 states'' for regulatory climate for business, he would have been 100 percent accurate. As it is, his statement is technically correct, but gives an incomplete impression about the extent of Florida's regulatory climate. So we rate it Half True.","\"We're 45th out of 50 states'' for regulatory climate for business, Scott said in a speech. \"It's ridiculous the regulation we have in this state. It impacts job growth.\"","The authors of the study ranked the 50 states in each of five areas: fiscal policy, regulatory policy, judicial climate toward business, the size of government and \"welfare spending.\" In the regulatory category, Florida ranked 45th, just as Scott said it did. (The Sunshine State fared better in the other four categories; overall, its ranking was 28th.)"]},{"id":"13426.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Nevadans will have a double-digit hike in their Obamacare premiums for the year and 10 of Nevadas 16 counties will only have one Obamacare...exchange insurer","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It accurately reflects the claim made by President Trump that Nevadans will experience a double-digit hike in their Obamacare premiums for the year. Additionally, it correctly states that 10 out of Nevada's 16 counties will have only one insurer available on the Obamacare exchange. However, it's important to note that the majority of Nevadans enrolled through the exchange live in counties with more than one insurer, which provides some context to the situation. Nonetheless, the statement captures the key points accurately.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Well, Donald, in all likelihood, has no awareness of this, but with regard to Ukraine, the United States has deep involvement,\" Cruz replied during the March 21, 2016, interview. \"Ukraine used to be the third-largest nuclear country on the face of the Earth. Ukraine voluntarily gave up its nuclear weapons because the United States of America came in and said if you hand over those nuclear weapons, we will ensure your territorial integrity from Russia. We made a commitment, and then the Obama administration has broken its word.\"","Cruz said that Ukraine agreed to give up the nuclear weapons on its territory because the United States promised to \"ensure its territorial integrity.\" A diplomat with detailed knowledge of the American position noted that the United States went to pains to avoid making a strong guarantee to protect Ukraine\u2019s borders. The formal memorandum of security assurances lacks a promise to ensure that Ukraine\u2019s borders remain unchanged. The United States only promised to respect those borders itself, and to go to the United Nations should another power threaten Ukraine with a nuclear attack.","The agreement stated that \"the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America reaffirm their commitment\":","Carson said Ukraine was a nuclear-armed state and that it gave up those arms with the understanding that the United States would protect it. While it is true that about 1,900 nuclear warheads were on Ukrainian soil, experts make it clear that Ukraine merely possessed the weapons and had no ability to use them."]},{"id":"5652.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If Rhode Island raises the meal and beverage tax to 10 percent, it would be the fourth-highest in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the Tax Foundation's study, a 10 percent meal and beverage tax in Rhode Island would indeed be tied for the fourth-highest in the nation. However, it's important to note that this ranking specifically refers to state-level meal and beverage taxes. When considering localized rates imposed by cities and towns, the overall ranking may differ. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the ranking at the state level, it does not account for potential variations when considering local taxes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Legislation being considered in Texas would strip the salaries and pensions of clerks who issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples \u2014 even if the Supreme Court strikes down Texas\u2019 marriage ban later this year.\"","In April, we found Mostly True a declaration by Apple Inc.'s ceo, Tim Cook, that legislation \"being considered in Texas would strip the salaries and pensions of clerks who issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples \u2014 even if the Supreme Court strikes down Texas\u2019 marriage ban later this year.\"","Austin Rep. Celia Israel, a Democrat, urged colleagues to vote for Senate Bill 2065, carried by Rep. Scott Sanford, R-McKinney, which protects a religious organization or affiliated individual, such as a member of the clergy or officiant, from being sued if he or it refuses to perform a same-sex marriage.","Falwell went on: \"He left only after becoming the longest-serving solicitor general in the history of Texas, achieving an unprecedented series of landmark national victories before the U.S. Supreme Court.\""]},{"id":"2415.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Austin chapter of the League of Women Voters has no Republicans among elected officers or on its debate committee.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Austin chapter of the League of Women Voters does not have any Republicans among its elected officers or on its debate committee, it is important to note that this statement lacks context. The evidence clarifies that this claim is based on a specific group of 11 individuals, six of whom are identified as \"elected officers\" and five as debate committee members. Among these individuals, none of them have voted in a Republican primary, with some having consistently voted in Democratic primaries. However, it is crucial to consider the size and composition of the entire chapter and its membership to draw a comprehensive conclusion about the political diversity within the organization. Therefore, while the statement is factually accurate, it does not provide a complete representation of the broader membership or leadership of the Austin chapter of the League of Women Voters.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Texas is among 10 states with \"particularly regressive\" tax systems, the study says. One result is that low-income families \"pay almost six times as much of their earnings in taxes as do the wealthy\" and \"middle-income families in these states pay up to three-and-a-half times as high a share of their income as the wealthiest families.\"","Bachmann responded, \"Well, remember, again, already the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government. So if you want to talk about fairness, the top 1 percent are paying 40 percent of all of the income.\"","We wondered whether she was right that \"the top 1 percent of income earners pay about 40 percent of all taxes into the federal government.\"","The study says the 20 percent of Texas families earning less than $18,000 a year spend 12.2 percent of their income on state and local taxes, while the next-wealthiest 20 percent of families, earning $18,000 to $31,000, spend 10.2 percent of income on the taxes, which largely consist of sales and property taxes. Nationally, the poorest 20 percent and next-poorest 20 percent of families spend an average of 10.9 percent and 10 percent of income, respectively, on state and local taxes, the study says."]},{"id":"4921.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"While CEOs of some large charities have big salaries, the heads of some veterans groups do the job for free.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some CEOs of large charities may receive significant salaries, the statement that the heads of some veterans groups do the job for free is inaccurate. Many heads of veterans groups receive compensation for their work, although the specific amounts may vary. It is important to fact-check claims and avoid spreading misinformation that could mislead the public.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7787.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that according to a report, the tech sector now drives more than one-quarter of Austins economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The report mentioned in the evidence indicates that the tech sector, including direct hiring and spin-off hiring activity, supports more than one-third of all jobs in the Austin economy. While this exceeds the claim of the tech sector driving \"more than one-quarter\" of Austin's economy, it still aligns with the general idea that the tech sector has a significant impact on the city's economy. Therefore, the statement is partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2229.json","label":"true","statement":"This year, Newt Gingrich has raised as much money as Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Sarah Palin, and Mike Huckabee combined.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, it is confirmed that Newt Gingrich has indeed raised more money than Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Sarah Palin, and Mike Huckabee combined. The sources have reviewed the filings of American Solutions, as well as the FEC filings for the PACs of the other candidates, and have concluded that Gingrich's fundraising surpasses that of the other candidates. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9819.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Over the last 40 years, real wage growth has been flatlined because of the policies of the Federal Reserve ... It was all driven by the Federal Reserve.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that real wage growth has been relatively stagnant over the past 40 years, attributing this solely to the policies of the Federal Reserve is an oversimplification. Economists, both conservative and liberal, have pointed out that there are various nonmonetary policy factors that contribute to the lack of wage growth. While the Federal Reserve's policies can have an impact on the economy, it is not the sole driver of wage stagnation. Therefore, the statement that wage growth has been entirely driven by the Federal Reserve's policies is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3618.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Seniors will have to find $12,500 for health care because Republicans voted to end Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. While there were proposed changes to Medicare by Republicans, the claim that seniors would have to find $12,500 for healthcare and that Republicans voted to end Medicare is a distortion of the facts. The $12,500 figure includes existing costs that beneficiaries would already be paying under Medicare. The Republican proposal did not eliminate Medicare but aimed to make changes to the program. It is important to accurately represent the impact of policy proposals without resorting to exaggerations or false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12659.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has been given tens of millions of dollars by countries that treat women horribly ...and countries that kill gays.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donald Trump that Hillary Clinton has received significant financial contributions from countries that have poor records on women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the countries involved or the nature of the contributions. While it is true that Clinton's foundation received donations from various countries with questionable human rights records, it does not necessarily mean that these donations were directly linked to the mistreatment of women or the persecution of the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks specific context and may be misleading without further information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5940.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obama promised families making less than $250,000 a year would not see taxes go up, but Obamacare raises 18 different taxes.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama did make a promise that families making less than $250,000 a year would not see income tax increases, the statement incorrectly implies that Obamacare raised 18 different taxes on these families. In reality, most of the taxes imposed by Obamacare are targeted at high-income individuals and the healthcare industry, not families making less than $250,000. While there were some taxes related to tanning and smoking, these are excise taxes on specific goods and not directly tied to income levels. Therefore, the claim that Obamacare raises 18 different taxes on families making less than $250,000 is misleading and does not accurately reflect the impact of the legislation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5342.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The polls show over half of Americans identify themselves as being pro-life.","reason":"Reason: While there have been fluctuations in public opinion on the topic of abortion, the statement that over half of Americans identify themselves as \"pro-life\" is not entirely accurate. Recent polls indicate a fairly even divide between those who identify as \"pro-life\" and those who identify as \"pro-choice.\" While there may have been some instances where the \"pro-life\" position gained more support, it is not consistently true that over half of Americans identify as \"pro-life.\" Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3109.json","label":"false","statement":"On repeal and replace of federal health care reform.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there have been discussions and attempts to repeal and replace the federal health care reform, also known as the Affordable Care Act or \"ObamaCare,\" the evidence provided does not support the claim that repeal and replace has been successfully implemented. In fact, the House Republicans' attempt to pass a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act failed. Therefore, the statement that repeal and replace of federal health care reform has occurred is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Williams said there was \"just about zero press coverage\" of the 2007 Bush White House email controversy. We emailed Williams and did not hear back.","Saying there was \"zero press coverage\" is an exaggeration -- even allowing for a bit of hyperbole. We found hundreds of articles and television transcripts referencing the issue. Still, Williams has something of a point that compared to the extensive recent coverage of Clinton\u2019s use of private email, media coverage of the 2007 Bush White House email controversy was thin.","We decided to look back and see what press coverage of the Bush administration email controversy looked like at the time and how it compares to coverage of Clinton.","\"When Karl was in trouble back in \u201807, (there was) no press coverage, just about zero press coverage of this issue,\" Williams said, noting that he found just one Washington Post editorial criticizing the private email use."]},{"id":"9593.json","label":"half-true","statement":"This president has offered fewer executive actions than almost any other president preceding his presidency in recent history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the American Presidency Project and research by the Brookings Institution, President Obama did sign fewer executive orders than most presidents in recent history. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide a specific timeframe for comparison, and it is possible that there were other presidents in more distant history who signed fewer executive orders. Additionally, the statement does not account for the length of each president's term, which can impact the total number of executive actions taken. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it lacks some context and specificity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - Pro-Bachmann group says Rick Perry is spending more money than Texas government takes in, covering deficits with record borrowing&url=)","A group backing U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota for president says Gov. Rick Perry leads a state in fiscal dire straits. In an advertisement targeting South Carolina voters, the narrator says: \"This year, Rick Perry is spending more money than the state takes in, covering his deficits with record borrowing.\"","Our ruling is that while the state undertook record short-term borrowing, the state is not in the red by any stretch of that characterization. The two-year budget adopted by lawmakers and signed into law by Perry was required to balance--and there\u2019s no indication that it no longer does. The ad\u2019s statement--casting the sale of short-term notes as covering Perry\u2019s deficits--misrepresents a routine annual sale.","Gov. Rick Perry says the state\u2019s public schools are improving -- in part, he suggested, because state aid is way up. \"Over the past decade,\" Perry said in his Feb. 8 State of the State address, \"the state\u2019s share of public education spending increased from $11 billion per year to $20 billion in \u201809. That\u2019s an 82 percent increase.\""]},{"id":"6155.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama and his team are socialists in every respect of the word.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that Barack Obama and his team are \"socialists in every respect of the word\" is an exaggerated and baseless assertion. It is a form of political rhetoric that lacks factual evidence. Labeling someone as a socialist implies a specific ideology and policy approach, which does not align with the policies and actions of President Obama and his team. Such claims are often used as political attacks without substantive basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5637.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The (Jackson) plan (for reforming Cleveland schools) lacks any data or methods proven to raise student achievement.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is no specific study or data that definitively proves the effectiveness of Mayor Frank Jackson's plan in raising student achievement, the statement overlooks the fact that there have been successes in other places that have implemented similar elements of the plan. While the plan may lack conclusive evidence, it is inaccurate to claim that it \"lacks any data or methods proven to raise student achievement.\" The statement exaggerates the absence of evidence and fails to acknowledge the potential for positive outcomes based on similar approaches in other locations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Under Mitt Romney: Medicare could end as we know it, leaving Julia with nothing but a voucher to buy insurance, which means $6,350 extra per year for a similar plan.","The Obama campaign\u2019s \"Life of Julia\" graphic says that under Romney, \"Medicare could end as we know it, leaving Julia with nothing but a voucher to buy insurance, which means $6,350 extra per year for a similar plan.\"","We wondered, under Romney\u2019s policies, is it true that, \"Medicare could end as we know it, leaving Julia with nothing but a voucher to buy insurance, which means $6,350 extra per year for a similar plan\"?","It provided more detail on the campaign\u2019s claim that under Romney \"Medicare could end as we know it, leaving Julia with nothing but a voucher to buy insurance\" \u2014 along with a source."]},{"id":"10093.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Scott Walkers policies, the typical Wisconsin family has actually seen their real income drop by nearly $3,000 in the last four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it inaccurately claims that under Scott Walker's policies, the typical Wisconsin family has seen their real income drop by nearly $3,000 in the last four years. However, the evidence provided does not support this specific claim about real income. The evidence discusses property tax bills and the lowest property taxes as a percentage of personal income since World War II, but it does not provide data or analysis on real income changes for Wisconsin families. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9045.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Ronald Reagan got the Saudis to flood the market with cheap oil.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims that Ronald Reagan got Saudi Arabia to flood the market with oil in order to undermine the Soviet economy, the evidence does not conclusively support this statement. The production and pricing patterns during that time do not align perfectly with the claim, and there are no public documents confirming Reagan's specific request to the Saudis. While there were discussions between the United States and Saudi Arabia regarding the impact of oil prices on national security, the direct link between Reagan's actions and the Saudi flooding of the oil market remains uncertain.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!Gov. Scott Walker addressing legislators on his biennial budget on Feb. 20, 2013 !Gov. Scott Walker addressing legislators on his biennial budget on Feb. 20, 2013","!Gov. Scott Walker winks at the crowd after signing the 2013-'15 state budget. !Gov. Scott Walker winks at the crowd after signing the 2013-'15 state budget.","Gov. Scott Walker argued in his Feb. 20, 2013, budget address that Wisconsin\u2019s economy is turning around, state government finances are under control and the state can afford tax cuts for the middle class.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is a bogus figure,\" Feb. 25, 2011"]},{"id":"10384.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, once said, Wind is a finite resource and harnessing it would slow the winds down, which would cause the temperature to go up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While there is a social media meme attributing the quote to Rep. Joe Barton, it overlooks the context in which he made the statement. Barton was actually posing a question to a witness, rather than expressing his own view. The meme misrepresents his statement as a personal belief when it was a part of a larger discussion. Therefore, it is important to consider the full context before attributing this quote to Rep. Joe Barton.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The city of Atlanta has one of the highest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations per capita, ranking third among major American cities,\" it read.","To sum up, Councilman Wan said Atlanta has one of the highest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations per capita and ranks third nationally. From what we can determine from U.S. census and other data, it\u2019s valid to state Atlanta has one of the highest LGBT populations in the country.","According to another website, City-Data, Atlanta ranked 32nd in the percentage of same-sex unmarried households. If you narrow it down to cities with overall populations greater than 100,000, Atlanta ranked sixth in the percentage of same-sex unmarried households. The list does not indicate when it was compiled, but the numbers were pretty similar to the most recent U.S. census data.","Is Atlanta gay-friendly? Absolutely. Is Atlanta lesbian-friendly. Not at all! AND we\u2019re just talking about the city here. The moment you go outside of city boundaries, you enter Homophobic Capital, USA."]},{"id":"4741.json","label":"half-true","statement":"People are five to seven times more likely to be murdered in workplaces that allow firearms than in those that prohibit it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that workplaces that allow firearms may have a higher risk of firearm-related homicides, the claim of being five to seven times more likely to be murdered in such workplaces compared to those that prohibit firearms is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not specifically address this comparison between workplaces that allow firearms and those that prohibit them. Therefore, while there may be an increased risk, the specific magnitude of the difference is uncertain based on the given evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10648.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy voted to allow members of Congress to receive taxpayer-funded health care for life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy voted to allow members of Congress to receive taxpayer-funded health care for life. In fact, there is a policy statement explicitly stating that retirement benefits for members of Congress should not include taxpayer-funded health care for life. Additionally, it has been clarified that members of Congress do not receive health care for life, and Murphy has never voted to provide them with such benefits.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A woman in an Instagram video claims California\u2019s push for electric cars is not sustainable in part because California does not have a recycling facility that can handle the lithium-ion batteries in cars and that the recycling facilities in the country can recycle only 10% of the batteries\u2019 material.","Electric cars in California are not sustainable as only 10% of their batteries are recyclable and the state can\u2019t recycle them.","According to reporting from The New York Times, American intelligence officials say North Korea exported weapons and ammunition to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine \u2014 an assertion North Korea denied.","The woman makes several claims, including that the push for more electric cars is not a \"sustainable solution\" as there isn\u2019t a plant in California that can recycle their batteries once they die."]},{"id":"6076.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Floridas voting law, a requirement to turn in voter registrations within 48 hours makes it impossible to meet the deadline if youre working right to the end of the week.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Florida's voting law does have a requirement to turn in voter registrations within 48 hours, it does not make it impossible to meet the deadline if someone is working until the end of the week. The law allows for registrations to be submitted in various ways, including online, by mail, or in person, providing flexibility for individuals to meet the deadline based on their schedule. While there may be challenges for some individuals, it is not accurate to claim that the requirement makes it impossible to meet the deadline for those working until the end of the week.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11336.json","label":"false","statement":"There are a multitude of vaccines that do not prevent deadly and crippling diseases.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are various vaccines available for different diseases, it is incorrect to claim that there is a multitude of vaccines that do not prevent deadly or crippling diseases. Vaccines are specifically developed to prevent or mitigate the effects of various diseases, including those that can be deadly or cause severe disabilities. While there may be rare cases of adverse events associated with vaccines, the overall purpose of vaccination is to protect individuals from serious illnesses and their potential consequences.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3314.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We dont have bars on campus in Texas. Its against the law... no alcohol allowed.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the San Antonio Republican that \"we don't have bars on campus in Texas\" and \"no alcohol allowed\" is not accurate. There are universities in Texas that do have bars on campus and serve alcohol in campus facilities. While there may be certain restrictions and regulations regarding alcohol consumption on campuses, it is incorrect to claim that all Texas universities prohibit alcohol or have a complete ban on bars. The evidence clearly contradicts the statement made.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"5540.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says there have been well over 54 million abortions since 1973.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Chris Smith that there have been \"well over\" 54 million abortions since the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade in 1973. The evidence provided supports this claim, with multiple sources confirming the estimate of over 54 million abortions during that time period. However, it's important to note that the exact number may vary slightly depending on the source and methodology used for data collection. Therefore, the statement is categorized as mostly-true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2706.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ed Perlmutter voted for Viagra for rapists paid for with tax dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false and misleading. While Ed Perlmutter did vote in favor of the health care law, there is no provision in the law that specifically allows for Viagra to be paid for by tax dollars for rapists or any other individuals. The claim likely stems from a misinterpretation or deliberate distortion of a statement made by Senator Tom Coburn during the negotiations for the health care law. Coburn raised concerns about the potential misuse of tax subsidies by sex offenders, but this does not equate to the law explicitly providing Viagra for rapists. The statement is a fabrication and deserves the label of \"pants-fire.\"\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A TV ad by the Florida Democratic Party says Scott \"cut education to pay for even more tax breaks for big, powerful, well-connected corporations.\"","\"He didn\u2019t side with students and parents when Rick Scott cut education funding by over a billion dollars,\" the narrator says in the ad, which began airing in the Tampa, West Palm Beach and Orlando markets in early July. \"Working and middle-class families? Nope. Not on their side when Scott\u2019s cuts forced tuition increases at 11 Florida universities. Why would he do it? Whose side was Rick Scott on? Scott cut education to pay for even more tax breaks for big, powerful, well-connected corporations. With his education cuts and tuition increases, Rick Scott\u2019s not on your side.\"","The Florida Democratic Party\u2019s TV ad states that when Rick Scott \"was deposed in lawsuits about his company, he took the Fifth 75 times.\"","PolitiFact, \"Charlie Crist says Rick Scott cut K-12 by $1.3 billion in his first year and higher ed by $300 million in his second,\" Nov. 11, 2013"]},{"id":"11060.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Cobb County businesses have already been awarded contracts worth $250 million on construction of a new Braves stadium.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by County Commission Chairman Tim Lee and the research conducted, which indicates that contracts awarded to Cobb County businesses for the construction of the new Braves stadium total around $250 million. However, it's important to note that there may be slight variations in the exact value of the contracts, as different sources provide slightly different figures. Overall, the statement is mostly true, as it aligns with the available information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I think it's a regressive tax base, and when you look at some of the studies saying it\u2019s the third most-regressive tax base -- I don't want you to quote me on that because PolitiFact may get me, I'm not sure if it\u2019s (No.) three -- but I think there are things we need to do to make a more equitable and fair tax structure.\"","Rich told PolitiFact Florida in an interview, \"don\u2019t hold me to \u2018third regressive.\u2019 .... I did not say \u2018third\u2019 definitively. ... We are one of the most regressive.\"","\"Not that many states don\u2019t have an income tax, so that puts us in a small group that looks more regressive,\" said University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith. However, he said, \" \u2018regressive\u2019 and \u2018burdensome\u2019 are separate issues. The tax burden in Florida is still very low, despite being regressive.\"","\"States that don\u2019t have the income tax -- they just don\u2019t have that lever to pull,\" he said. \"Sales taxes, property taxes, and excise taxes run from moderately regressive to really regressive.\""]},{"id":"2907.json","label":"false","statement":"A National Football League lockout would cost Atlanta $160 million in lost jobs and revenue.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence provided in the given context to support the claim that a National Football League (NFL) lockout would cost Atlanta $160 million in lost jobs and revenue. The statement lacks any specific information or sources to substantiate this claim. Without credible evidence, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"511.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Ronald Reagan met with Gorbachev; Kennedy met with Khruschev; and Nixon met with Mao and these were folks who have done horrendous damage not only to their own countries but to other countries.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that Ronald Reagan met with Gorbachev, Kennedy met with Khruschev, and Nixon met with Mao. However, the claim that all these leaders had done \"horrendous damage\" to their own countries and others is subjective and open to interpretation. While there is consensus among scholars that Mao caused significant damage, the extent of damage caused by Gorbachev, Khruschev, and Nixon is more nuanced and debatable. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of the meetings occurring, but the characterization of \"horrendous damage\" is subjective and lacks complete factual support.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5820.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers budget calls for raising property taxes by nearly $500 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and exaggerated. There is no evidence to support the claim that Governor Walker's budget calls for raising property taxes by nearly $500 billion. The evidence provided indicates that the claim is a typo and that the actual amount is significantly lower. The use of the term \"billion\" in this context is misleading and incorrect. The statement is a gross exaggeration and does not align with the facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Walker said, \"With the tax controls we already put in place, property taxes on a typical home in December of 2014 will actually be lower than they were in December of 2010.\"","In December 2010, just before Walker took office, this hypothetical median home had a tax bill of $2,963. The projected figure for the end of 2014 is lower by $9 -- $2,954. (Walker also cites a state Department of Revenue report that puts the decrease at $8).","The Republican governor says that even before his new plan for more property tax relief would kick in, he and GOP lawmakers already have lowered the typical bill by virtue of past tax controls they put in place.","The recession and its aftermath pushed down home values, dropping the median-valued home from a peak of $172,000 in 2008 to $148,000 by 2013. It\u2019s projected to pop up to $151,000 by December 2014, the Fiscal Bureau estimated."]},{"id":"9615.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the Obama administration never responded to his 2012 letter flagging the uptick in unaccompanied children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Governor Rick Perry sent a letter to the Obama administration in 2012, alerting them to the increase in unaccompanied children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. However, it does not explicitly state whether or not the Obama administration responded to the letter. Therefore, while it is likely that the Obama administration did not respond to the letter, the evidence does not definitively confirm or refute this claim. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4159.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says this House processed and approved as many bills as previous Legislatures.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While the House has passed a significant number of bills, it is important to consider the context and compare it to previous legislatures. The actual number of bills passed by the current House should be evaluated in comparison to historical data to determine if it is truly on par with previous legislatures. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific information about the nature or significance of the bills passed, which is crucial in assessing the overall productivity and impact of the legislative body.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"252.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Biden was responsible for \"ending genocide in Bosnia.\"","reason":"Reason: While Joe Biden played a significant role in advocating for an end to the genocide in Bosnia and was committed to using force if necessary, it would be an oversimplification to attribute the sole responsibility for ending the genocide to him. There were multiple individuals and factors involved in the efforts to bring peace to Bosnia, including Richard Holbrooke, Senate Majority Leader Dole, and President Bill Clinton. Biden's contributions were important, but it would be inaccurate to claim that he was solely responsible for ending the genocide.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6023.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The last three days of early voting happen to be the most populated days of voting that we have in early voting.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the last three days of early voting tend to be the most populated days of voting during the early voting period. This is supported by historical data and observations from election officials. However, it's important to note that the level of population may vary depending on the specific election, location, and other factors. While the statement captures a general trend, it may not hold true in every single instance. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["However, if you look at the changes from year to year, the violent crime rate did go up three times \u2014 in 2006, 2007 and 2014. (And remember, the rate had been dropping for several years anyway.)","We wanted to know whether Missouri\u2019s crime rate is higher than the national average, and if the rate is going up while the rest of the country\u2019s crime is going down.","The violent crime rate fell nearly 16% from 2008, before Biden\u2019s vice presidency, to 2016, his last full year as vice president. A crime analyst found that in some cities, the total number of murders has gone up at least 26% in 2020 compared to the same timeframe in 2019 (experts said the crime rate likely would also be up about 26%).","\"I always say you want to look at crime trends, you have to look at a span that's more than just year to year, you have to look kind of at a five-year trend,\" said Aida Hass-Wisecup, a criminology professor at Missouri State University."]},{"id":"5035.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Newt Gingrich supports amnesty for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Newt Gingrich supports amnesty for illegal immigrants is partially true. Gingrich's immigration plan does involve allowing some illegal immigrants to stay in the United States, but it also includes securing the border, implementing a guest worker program, and deporting criminals and gang members. While his plan does provide a pathway for certain undocumented immigrants to remain in the country, it is not a blanket amnesty policy. Therefore, the claim in the statement lacks nuance and oversimplifies Gingrich's stance on immigration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There are at least 23 countries that refuse to take their people back after they\u2019ve been ordered to leave the United States, including large numbers of violent criminals.\"","Trump said \"at least 23 countries that refuse to take their people back after they\u2019ve been ordered to leave the United States, including large numbers of violent criminals. They won\u2019t take them back.\"","\"There are at least 23 countries that refuse to take their people back after they\u2019ve been ordered to leave the United States,\" Trump said, \"including large numbers of violent criminals. They won\u2019t take them back. So we say, \u2018Okay, we'll keep them.\u2019","We decided to check to see if Trump was correct about the number of countries unwilling \"to take their people back,\" and whether they include \"large numbers of violent criminals.\""]},{"id":"10720.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio voted to deport young people known as Dreamers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marco Rubio voted in favor of an appropriations bill that would have potentially impacted the funding of the DACA program, it is inaccurate to claim that he directly voted to deport young people known as Dreamers. The bill itself did not include explicit language to deport Dreamers, and the interpretation that voting for a bill without protection for Dreamers equates to a vote to deport them is subjective. It is important to differentiate between voting against protections for Dreamers and voting specifically for their deportation. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the nuances of Rubio's vote.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For this fact check, we\u2019re isolating the claim closest to Wentworth\u2019s recent record, that he was the only Republican to vote against the state\u2019s 2011 measure requiring women to have a sonogram before an abortion.","The email from Donna Campbell continues: \"My opponent, Sen. Wentworth, was the only Republican to vote against the sonogram law requiring women to have a sonogram or listen to the fetal heartbeat 24 hours before receiving an abortion.\" The email also mentions Wentworth\u2019s","We confirmed from news accounts that Wentworth was the only one of 19 Republican senators to oppose the proposal requiring a woman seeking an abortion to have a sonogram at least 24 hours before the procedure with the results made available to her.","Wentworth was the sole Republican senator to vote against the sonogram measure. But a House Republican consistently opposed it and two others voted against going along with the final Senate-amended plan that passed into law."]},{"id":"1142.json","label":"false","statement":"\"There's no rationing in any of these bills.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"there's no rationing in any of these bills\" is false. While it is true that the specific mention of the Independent Medicare Advisory Council (IMAC) was not included in the House bills at the time, the concept of rationing healthcare does exist in various forms within the proposed healthcare reform plans. Rationing can occur through mechanisms such as cost-control measures, limited coverage for certain treatments, or prioritization of resources. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that there is no rationing in any of the bills.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a new TV advertisement for Stephen Zappala, a Democrat and the district attorney of Allegheny County, a narrator says Zappala is \"the only DA in our state to convict an on-duty police officer of criminal homicide.\"","Zappala\u2019s campaign made the claim that he is \"the only DA in our state to convict an on-duty police officer of criminal homicide.\" That claim was referring to the case of Officer Charmo, who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in 2001 and ultimately spent less than a year in prison.","The idea that only one police officer in Pennsylvania had been convicted of criminal homicide was surprising. So we decided to check the claim.","Two other police officers in different counties have also pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, but both were after an officer hit someone with their vehicle. Zappala\u2019s campaign left out context that Charmo pleaded guilty and that two other officers also were guilty of the same charge as Charmo. But he does appear to be the only DA in Pennsylvania who won a conviction of an on-duty police officer in a shooting incident."]},{"id":"9998.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The state-hired company that evaluates state-mandated student exams goes on Craigslist to get examiners to read our students essays.","reason":"Reason: While there have been reports in the past about Pearson, the company hired by the Texas Education Agency to administer state tests, using Craigslist to advertise job openings, it is misleading to suggest that they solely rely on Craigslist to recruit examiners to read students' essays. Pearson employs a comprehensive hiring process that includes various recruitment methods, and Craigslist is just one avenue they have utilized in the past. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of Pearson's reliance on Craigslist for hiring examiners.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9852.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Pinnacle Overlook in Southwest Virginia is closer to eight other state capitals than to Richmond.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Pinnacle Overlook in Southwest Virginia is closer to eight other state capitals than to Richmond. While the exact number may vary depending on the specific state capitals and their distances from Pinnacle Overlook, the general idea is true. This geographical proximity to other state capitals highlights the unique location of Pinnacle Overlook in relation to Richmond, the capital of Virginia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We first focused on six of the largest water systems in the metro area: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties and the city of Atlanta. DeKalb is the state's third-highest-populated county. Its Watershed Management Department has a $227 million annual budget, which ranks among the highest in the state.","Clayton County government serves about 250,000 residents and has a five-member board of commissioners. The county seat is Jonesboro, located approximately 20 miles south of Atlanta.","If you focus solely on the larger counties or all 16 governments that DeKalb studied, the numbers do show DeKalb's rates for the average customer are below the metro average. We rate the county's claim as True.","\"Over the next several years, everybody else will be adjusting rates,\" said Francis Kung'u, director of the DeKalb County Watershed Management Department. \"But for now, we are still below average in the metro region.\""]},{"id":"2740.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Dan Gelber: On the record against scholarships to help our needy children attend Jewish private schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Dan Gelber is \"on the record against scholarships to help our needy children attend Jewish private schools.\" The evidence provided does not support this claim. While Gelber may have voted against a program that funds scholarships for private schools, it is misleading to assert that this vote specifically targeted scholarships for Jewish private schools. The evidence suggests that Gelber's vote related to private schools in general, not specifically Jewish private schools. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6859.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says tax revenues are the lowest they have been since World War II.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there are claims made by various individuals that tax revenues are the lowest they have been since World War II, it is important to note that this claim specifically refers to property taxes as a percentage of personal income in Wisconsin. The evidence provided does not support the broader claim that overall tax revenues at the national level are the lowest since World War II. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it pertains to a specific context and does not apply to tax revenues in general.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4980.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that according to one economist, $1 of unemployment benefits boosts the economy by $1.61.","reason":"Reason: While there are varying estimates from economists regarding the economic impact of unemployment benefits, the statement accurately cites one economist, Mark Zandi, who puts the benefit at $1.61. However, it's important to note that this is just one estimate and there are other studies and economists with different figures. The statement could be improved by acknowledging the range of estimates and the complexity of measuring the precise economic impact of unemployment benefits.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a speech at Rider University, Oliver claimed \"New Jersey has the most educated population of all the states in this country.\"","Oliver\u2019s claim about us having the \"most educated population of all the states\" is not far off, PolitiFact New Jersey found.","\"New Jersey is a great place. We probably have the best strategic position on the East Coast. We have so many natural assets,\" Oliver told the audience. \"And, I\u2019m gonna get into the subject of education in a moment, but I want to tell you New Jersey has the most educated population of all the states in this country. And we need to stop this self-fulfilling efficacy that we\u2019ve got a problem when it comes to adequately educating people in our state.\"","Let\u2019s return to Oroho\u2019s statement. The senator says New Jersey has the highest per-pupil costs in the country, but admits basing that statement on data for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years. Still, our analysis of data from a nonpartisan arm of the U.S. Department of Education shows that among states only, New Jersey has held the title of highest per-pupil costs in the nation for nearly a decade. The U.S. Census Bureau, however, ranks New Jersey\u2019s per-pupil spending for 2008-09 as third-highest in the nation. Therefore, we rate Oroho\u2019s statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"3370.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care bill has six years of costs against 10 years of tax revenue.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the health care bill has six years of costs against ten years of tax revenue. However, it's important to note that this arrangement is not unique to the health care bill and can be a common practice in budgeting. By front-loading revenue and back-loading costs, it may create the appearance of the program being fully funded when, in reality, there may be potential budgetary challenges in the later years. So, while the statement is partially true in terms of the time frame of costs and revenue, it should be understood in the context of common budgeting practices.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Walker said a law that allowed workplace discrimination lawsuits to be filed in state court, which he and the Legislature repealed, was \"kind of a gravy train\" for lawyers. His statement contains some element of truth, in that the old law gave another legal option to lawyers who represent workers claiming discrimination.","When PolitiFact Wisconsin first wrote about an attempt by Republicans to repeal a law that allowed discriminated workers to sue in state court, we found a surprising statistic:","But Werwie argued that the law was still a \"kind of a gravy train\" for lawyers because they could extract settlements from employers by threatening to sue in state court. Some attorneys who represent workers say the system for suing in state court under the old law was easier and less expensive than suing in federal court, plus it applied to more types of discrimination, so that law gave workers some advantages.","\"In the past, it was kind of a gravy train for the trial bar,\" the governor told the Wisconsin Radio Network on April 10, 2012."]},{"id":"4496.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Despite opposition from national Club for Growth, Club for Growth Wisconsin has endorsed him for U.S. Senate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Club for Growth Wisconsin has endorsed Tommy Thompson for the U.S. Senate. While Thompson mentioned the support of Club for Growth Wisconsin, there is no evidence or confirmation that this endorsement actually took place. The statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13286.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sen. John McCain has taken more money from Wall Street than any other sitting senator.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to available data, Senator John McCain has indeed received significant contributions from Wall Street, totaling over $22 million. However, it is important to note that the claim specifically refers to McCain being the senator who has taken the most money from Wall Street, which may not be entirely accurate. While McCain has received substantial contributions, it is possible that other sitting senators have also received significant amounts from Wall Street. Without a comprehensive analysis of all sitting senators' campaign finance records, it is difficult to definitively conclude that McCain has taken the most money from Wall Street compared to all other sitting senators.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8820.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obamacare passed by just one vote in the Senate. It wouldnt have passed without Mark Warners vote.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) passed with a 60-39 vote in the Senate, the claim that it wouldn't have passed without Mark Warner's vote is not accurate. The legislation only required a simple majority to pass, and Warner's vote was not essential for its passage. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Warner's significance in the passing of the bill. While his vote contributed to the overall count, it did not determine the outcome.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4254.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Adam Hasners record includes requesting over $92.2 million in earmarks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Adam Hasner did request over $92.2 million in earmarks through a process called Community Budget Issue Requests during his time in the Florida House of Representatives. However, it's worth noting that earmarks are specific allocations of funds for projects, and the context and impact of these requests would need to be further examined to fully assess their significance and effectiveness.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Remember that developers are forced to use the \u2018195 land union\u2019 contractors, so tap an extra $10 million into any construction project.\"","\"Remember that developers are forced to use the `195 land union\u2019 contractors, so tap an extra $10 million into any construction project.\"","On his blog, DePetro wrote: \"Remember that developers are forced to use the \u2018195 land union\u2019 contractors, so tap an extra $10 million into any construction project.\"","Are developers actually required to employ union workers for construction on property created by the relocation of Route 195? And does it cost an \"extra $10 million\" for \"any construction project\"?"]},{"id":"8442.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"No one beta-tested healthcare.gov.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that healthcare.gov, the website for the Affordable Care Act, was not adequately beta-tested before its launch. While there were some tests conducted a week before the launch, it was not a comprehensive beta-testing process involving a larger group of people not connected to the development. The lack of thorough beta-testing contributed to the significant technical issues and problems experienced by the website upon its launch.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says New Jersey Devils managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek \"froze all those monies during the toughest years in \u201808-\u201909\" and \"refused to give the charitable dollars that he was required to give by the contract.\"","A day after a panel of arbitrators ruled that Newark owed money to the New Jersey Devils, Mayor Cory Booker stood outside the Prudential Center and lambasted Jeff Vanderbeek, the team\u2019s managing partner.","Newark Mayor Cory Booker doesn\u2019t know whether Jeff Vanderbeek was acting out of callous disregard or indifference, but the mayor claims the managing partner of the New Jersey Devils broke his legal obligation to provide funds to the city for charities and job training.","( - Cory Booker claims Devils managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek refused to give any of the charitable dollars required under lease agreement for the Prudential Center&url=)"]},{"id":"4103.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says for the first time in the history of the United States, the government cut taxes during wartime","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there have been instances of tax cuts during wartime, it is accurate to say that it was the first time in the history of the United States that the government cut taxes during wartime. However, it's important to note that there have been debates about whether certain tax cuts should be considered in this context, as they may have been implemented before the escalation of the war was anticipated. Nevertheless, the overall claim made by Newark Mayor Cory Booker is supported by historical evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9475.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Even when all other state agencies took cuts, Gov. [Nathan] Deal increased education spending every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While it is true that Governor Nathan Deal increased education spending every year since taking office, it is important to note that there were still austerity cuts to schools during his tenure. While education spending increased, it did not necessarily keep pace with the needs and demands of the education system. Therefore, the statement is partially true but does not provide a complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10392.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia is now the eighth most populous state in the nation, moving from the number 10 position in just four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided, stating that Georgia has moved from the 10th to the 8th position in terms of population among U.S. states within a span of four years. The source of this information is cited as the U.S. Census, which is a reliable and authoritative source for population data. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not explicitly mention the specific time frame during which this population shift occurred. Nevertheless, based on the information provided, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6867.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton has accepted $42,000 from strip-club interests and $10,000 from local alcohol distributors.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton has accepted $42,000 from strip-club interests and $10,000 from local alcohol distributors. The sources mention specific amounts donated by strip-joint interests and beer and alcohol distributors, and the campaign finance filings confirm most of these figures. However, there is a discrepancy regarding a $1,000 donation from the Wholesale Beer Distributors that was not noted by the challenger. Overall, the evidence supports the claim, but there is a minor inaccuracy in the reported amount from one specific donor.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Had a claim similar to Larson\u2019s been made at the same stage four years ago, it would have also been wrong. One measure of how shortfalls can be addressed: Walker tackled the deficit in his first budget with big spending cuts and other changes, some of which saved taxpayers money.","1. The projected $1.8 billion shortfall is an educated guess about future tax collections and demands for services. Shortfalls occur in large part because of changes in how much money comes in through income and sales tax collections, which are dependent on the economy, among other factors.","State Department of Administration, division of executive budget and finance, Agency Budget Requests and Revenue Estimates report, FY 2016 and FY 2017, Nov. 20, 2014","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin state Rep. Mark Pocan says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is a \u2018bogus figure,\u2019\" Feb. 25, 2011"]},{"id":"1040.json","label":"true","statement":"President Obama will now own 60 percent of GM, and his union buddies will own almost 20 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the ownership percentages of General Motors (GM) following the government bailout during President Obama's administration. After the bailout, the U.S. government held approximately 60 percent ownership of GM, while the United Auto Workers (UAW) union held around 20 percent ownership. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Last year we lost $500 billion on trade with China,\" Trump said at a March 23 news conference. \"We can't let that happen.\"","Last month at a campaign rally in Sioux Falls, Iowa , Trump said \"we have almost a $400 billion trade imbalance with China.\"","Overall, in terms of both goods and services, the United States trade deficit with China in 2017 was around $336 billion \u2014 meaning Trump was off by roughly $164 billion.","When you factor that surplus into the two countries\u2019 overall trade balance, the United States ran a roughly $336 billion deficit with China last year \u2014 which means Trump\u2019s figure was off by about $164 billion."]},{"id":"13065.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If upstate New York split from downstate the economic indicators of upstate New York would be among the lowest in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Duffy that if upstate New York were to separate from downstate, the economic indicators of upstate New York would be among the lowest in the country. This claim is supported by data comparing unemployment rates and wages, which show that under Duffy's definition of upstate New York, unemployment is close to the national average while wages and income are among the lowest in the country. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all economic indicators, and there may be other factors to consider. Nonetheless, based on the available evidence, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Franks said, \"Today in America, between 40 and 50 percent of all African-American babies, virtually 1-in-2 are killed before they are born.\"","\"Today in America, between 40 and 50 percent of all African-American babies, virtually 1-in-2 are killed before they are born, which is a greater cause of death for African-Americans than heart disease, cancer, diabetes, AIDS and violence combined,\" Franks said.","But saying that \"between 40 and 50 percent of all African-American babies\" are aborted goes beyond the limits of the data. Federal data doesn\u2019t account for all 50 states, and fails to factor in pregnancies that end in a miscarriage.","Guttmacher notes that African-American women accounted for an estimated 37 percent of the 1.21 million total abortions performed in 2008. That would in theory translate to 447,700 abortions. That same year, according to the CDC, 670,809 African-American babies were born."]},{"id":"12903.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that since lawmakers acted, we have 130 new businesses across Texas doing helicopter hog hunts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that a law was passed in Texas authorizing hunters to shoot feral hogs from helicopters, there is no evidence to support the claim that 130 new businesses have been established solely for helicopter hog hunts. The evidence provided only mentions a few specific businesses that offer helicopter hog hunts, and the total number of such businesses is estimated to be between 5 to 20. Therefore, the statement greatly exaggerates the number of businesses involved in helicopter hog hunts in Texas.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Not only do women get paid less than men in Mr. Obama\u2019s White House, their ideas aren\u2019t heard or credited without them teaming together to fight for their rights.","But despite all the rhetoric, federal records show that women who work in the Obama White House generally earn less than men -- about 18 percent less.","Though the White House is not setting a great example, it is doing better than most: a recent national survey claims that women still make 23 cents less than men for every dollar earned.","!President Barack Obama pauses while addressing the White House Summit on the United State of Women in Washington, Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (AP Photo\/Cliff Owen)(\/multimedia\/image\/ap_aptopix_obama_womens_summitjpeg\/ \"President Barack Obama pauses while addressing the White House Summit on the United State of Women in Washington, Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (AP Photo\/Cliff Owen)\")"]},{"id":"12040.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer wanted to provide drivers licenses to those who are undocumented. (Hillary Clinton) said dont do it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bernie Sanders during a debate that Hillary Clinton opposed New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan to provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. Multiple sources, including Sanders himself and a Clinton spokesperson, confirm that Clinton did indeed express opposition to the proposal. However, it's important to note that Clinton's stance on this issue has evolved over time, and in 2015, she expressed support for state policies that provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents Clinton's position at a specific point in time, it does not capture the full context of her evolving stance on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So, while Boehner\u2019s 358 might not be right on the money, his underlying point is correct. The new law does create a lot of new regulations for the financial services industry.","\"I think when it comes to the financial services bill and the 358 regulatory filings required under that bill, that it\u2019s going to require a significant amount of oversight, so that not only will Congress understand, but the American people will understand, just what this bill will do to our financial services industry,\" Boehner answered.","\"The Financial Regulatory Reform bill doesn't address the core causes of the financial crisis,\" it says. \"Instead, it adds new regulatory agencies to the already antiquated system and grows a bloated, ineffective bureaucracy while leaving critical areas unaddressed, including the future of Freddie and Fannie. The real impact of the bill will depend on its implementation. The legislation requires regulators to issue at least 355 new rules and conduct 47 studies and 74 reports that could lead to additional rules.\"","That sounded like an awful lot of regulatory filings, so we asked Boehner\u2019s office where his statistic came from. Staffers pointed to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce website"]},{"id":"1002.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Cass Sunstein, President Obama's nominee for regulatory czar, \"wants to give legal standing to animals so they can sue you for eating meat.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While Cass Sunstein has expressed views on animal rights and legal standing for animals, it is an oversimplification to claim that he wants to give animals the ability to sue individuals for eating meat. Sunstein has advocated for considering the interests of animals in certain legal contexts, such as animal cruelty cases, but he has not specifically proposed allowing animals to sue humans for consuming meat. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Sunstein's position and misrepresents his views.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"5761.json","label":"false","statement":"Gas prices have doubled because Obama opposed exploring for energy in Alaska. He gave millions of tax dollars to Solyndra, which then went bankrupt. And he blocked the Keystone pipeline. So we will all pay more at the pump.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains multiple claims that are not entirely accurate. While gas prices have indeed fluctuated during Obama's presidency, attributing the doubling of gas prices solely to his opposition to exploring for energy in Alaska is misleading. The impact of various factors, including global oil markets and geopolitical events, plays a significant role in gas prices.\n\nRegarding Solyndra, it is true that the federal program for alternative energy provided millions of dollars to the company, which later went bankrupt. However, it is misleading to directly attribute this to Obama, as the decision to grant the loan was made by the Department of Energy under a program established by Congress.\n\nThe claim that Obama blocked the Keystone pipeline is also inaccurate. While the project faced delays and was eventually rejected by the Obama administration, it was later revived and approved by the Trump administration.\n\nOverall, the statement oversimplifies complex issues and does not provide an accurate representation of the factors influencing gas prices.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6522.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The price of gasoline was at $1.85 a gallon when President Barack Obama took office and has since nearly doubled because of his policies","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the price of gasoline was around $1.85 a gallon when President Obama took office, attributing the nearly doubled price solely to his policies is an oversimplification. Experts agree that the president and his policies have limited influence on gasoline prices. Factors such as global demand, geopolitical events, and supply disruptions play significant roles in determining gas prices. It would be inaccurate to solely blame President Obama's policies for the increase in gasoline prices.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2962.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Lee Leffingwell has been mayor of Austin, Texas for about as long as Sarah Palin was governor of Alaska.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Lee Leffingwell served as the mayor of Austin, Texas, from 2009 to 2015, which is significantly shorter than Sarah Palin's tenure as the governor of Alaska. Sarah Palin served as the governor of Alaska from December 2006 to July 2009, making her time in office longer than Leffingwell's mayoral term. Therefore, the claim that Leffingwell has been mayor for a similar duration as Palin's governorship is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6171.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Just in the past 10 years, college tuition has increased 28 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks clarity regarding the specific timeframe and type of institutions being referred to. While the statement suggests that college tuition has increased by 28 percent in the past 10 years, the College Board reports that average tuition and fees at public four-year institutions actually increased by about 72 percent over the same period. However, when considering the increase over the past five years at public four-year institutions, the tuition and fees did grow by roughly 28 percent, as clarified by the spokesperson. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should specify the timeframe and type of institutions to provide a more accurate representation of the data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The simple question here is: Are senior citizens, and not Hispanics, the fastest-growing demographic in the United States? (Hume did not respond to our requests for more information.)","Hume said seniors, not Hispanics, are the fastest-growing demographic. The Census Bureau numbers tell us that\u2019s not accurate right now. Historically, the Hispanic population has grown faster than the senior population.","The Freedom From Religion Foundation said: \"Secular Americans are the fastest growing religious identification demographic in this country.\" It also used the term non-religious in place of secular.","\"Hispanics are clearly the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country, but their size as a group is dwarfed by the 65 and older demographic which has been trending Republican,\" Hume continued. \"If the GOP continues to make gains, it may more than offset any advantage Democrats have with the ethnic groups.\""]},{"id":"3714.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gov. (Scott) Walker has yet to create a job, he gives away millions to his friends, and he raises taxes on working people.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains a mixture of claims about Governor Scott Walker. While it is true that some individuals criticize Walker for not creating jobs and for allegedly giving away millions to his friends, the claim that he raises taxes on working people is misleading. Governor Walker has implemented tax cuts during his tenure, particularly for businesses and high-income earners. However, it is important to note that the impact of these tax policies on working people can vary, and there may be differing opinions on their overall effect. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks nuance and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Biden has advocated banning assault weapons, and he has a history of trying to ban certain guns. But as he vies for the Democratic presidential nomination, he isn\u2019t promising to prohibit Americans from owning any gun. He said he\u2019d again champion a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines like the bans he supported in 1994. Those bans prevented the manufacture and sale of certain weapons for private citizens to use; they did not confiscate or prevent the sale of weapons that were purchased before the restrictions went into effect.","A caption that was with the original Instagram post claimed the assault weapons ban would \"turn 150 million Americans into felons overnight.\" But the post is being hyperbolic. The proposed assault weapons ban would allow current gun owners to keep the semi-automatic weapons they already have, they just wouldn\u2019t be able to buy new ones.","As for the president\u2019s assessment that \"a majority of Americans agree\" with the assault-weapons ban, we went to the polls for answers.","Hunter cited seven votes by Biden on gun issues since 1990, including amendments to ban certain rifles, guns considered assault weapons, and semi-automatic weapons."]},{"id":"6134.json","label":"half-true","statement":"70 percent of the people who voted on June 5, 2012, just didnt feel comfortable with the recall of the governor, weakening any idea that Wisconsin is fully behind this Walker agenda.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Barca that 70 percent of the people who voted on June 5, 2012, did not feel comfortable with the recall of the governor. This suggests that there was a significant portion of the electorate who did not support the recall and may not fully endorse Governor Walker's agenda. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive view of the overall sentiment in Wisconsin towards the governor's agenda. It focuses specifically on the recall and does not account for the opinions of those who did not vote or were not eligible to vote. Therefore, while the statement captures a specific aspect of public opinion, it does not provide a complete representation of Wisconsin's stance on the Walker agenda.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We asked Wright to elaborate on murder being the primary cause of death for pregnant women. By email, she replied: \"This is a story that keeps popping up. ... It\u2019s the top cause, it\u2019s one of the top causes, and then there will be the occasional story denying it\u2019s a top cause.\"","Via Twitter, the president of the anti-abortion Texans for Life Coalition made this claim Dec. 6, 2011: \"Murder #1 cause of death for pg women,\" meaning pregnant women. \"Tragic.\"","The Palladino study, suggesting more pregnant and postpartum women die from murder than any single medical complication, gives Wright\u2019s claim an element of truth. But murder trails medical complications combined as a cause of death and it\u2019s also behind vehicle wrecks. Wright\u2019s statement is Mostly False.","That\u2019s not quite saying murder is the prime killer of pregnant women. Rather, the study suggests that homicide accounts for more deaths than specific individual complications of pregnancy."]},{"id":"10244.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A sign in Dearborn, Mich., for the Advancement of Islamic Agenda for America says, Allah be praised. America we will kill you all and nothing you can do to stop it.","reason":"Reason: The claim that there is a sign in Dearborn, Michigan, for the Advancement of Islamic Agenda for America stating, \"Allah be praised. America we will kill you all and nothing you can do to stop it\" is false. The image in question is not a real sign but a digitally created meme. The source of the image is a template on the website Church Sign Maker, and there is no evidence of a group called the Advancement of Islamic Agenda for America. This claim is baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In 2009, as the healthcare reform debate raged in Congress, Baldwin was part of a bloc of Democrats pushing for serious consideration of a single-payer system.","\"I am one of the members of this committee who believes strongly that a single-payer health system is the best way to comprehensively and fairly reform our healthcare system,\" Baldwin said as the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted on Obama\u2019s plan.","In the space of two days in the waning weeks of the U.S. Senate race, Democrat Tammy Baldwin declared her position on getting a single-payer healthcare system \"moot,\" \"irrelevant\" and \"hypothetical.\"","Her current House website praises \"Obamacare\" for taking an \"important step\" toward quality healthcare for all Americans, but makes clear she wants to go further."]},{"id":"9530.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama regime planned the influx of illegal alien children at the border.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the Obama administration planned or orchestrated the influx of illegal alien children at the border. The evidence provided by Limbaugh, which includes a request for contract services and a timeline, does not prove intent or a deliberate plan. The influx of children primarily stems from the dire conditions in Central American countries and other factors, rather than a planned policy by the Obama administration. The claim is baseless and lacks factual support.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4657.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says if you are shot in the city of Newark, you have over an 80 percent chance that youve been arrested before an average of 10 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Booker and supported by data from Rutgers University. According to the information provided, if someone is shot in the city of Newark, there is a high probability (over 80 percent) that they have been arrested before, with an average of 10 prior arrests. This data suggests a strong correlation between individuals involved in shootings and their previous interactions with the criminal justice system. However, it's important to note that the statement does not imply causation or provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to gun violence in Newark.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3265.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When it comes to taking cuts in tough budget times, Wisconsin state workers havent had to sacrifice.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Wisconsin state workers haven't had to sacrifice in tough budget times is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the situation. While it is true that some state workers have not experienced the same level of pay cuts or frozen wages as private sector employees, it is important to consider other factors such as changes in pension and healthcare contributions. The evidence suggests that state workers have made some sacrifices, but the extent and impact of those sacrifices may vary. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive view of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever.\"","A new TV ad for Christie\u2019s re-election campaign claims in part, \"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever.\"","\"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever,\" a narrator states as scenes from around New Jersey flash in the background.","So merit pay has been approved for one district in New Jersey, and could eventually apply to teachers in four other districts. That\u2019s not exactly rewarding New Jersey\u2019s best teachers."]},{"id":"12896.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has been talking about the option of using a nuclear weapon against our Western European allies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While there is no explicit evidence that Donald Trump has discussed using nuclear weapons against America's European allies, there have been suggestions that he has left the option open. However, it is important to note that experts, such as Jim Walsh from MIT, have stated that they have seen no indication that Trump would actually use nuclear weapons against America's European allies. Therefore, while there may be some ambiguity in Trump's statements, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that he has been actively discussing the option of using nuclear weapons against Western European allies.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"777.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"McCain intervened on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators... that allowed Keating to continue his fraud at an incredible cost to taxpayers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that McCain did intervene on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators and championed legislation to delay regulation of the savings and loan industry. While it is debatable whether these actions directly allowed Keating to continue his fraud, it is true that Keating's fraud did result in a significant cost to taxpayers. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the actions taken by McCain and the consequences of Keating's fraud.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8624.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Why would our president close the embassy to the Vatican? Hopefully, it is not retribution for Catholic organizations opposing Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks factual basis. The decision to relocate the U.S. embassy to the Vatican was not made by President Obama as an act of retribution for Catholic organizations opposing Obamacare. In reality, the recommendation to move the embassy originated during the tenure of President George W. Bush, and the decision was implemented by the State Department. There is no evidence to support the claim that it was motivated by retribution. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3547.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I have the No. 1 show on NBC.","reason":"Reason: While Donald Trump claimed to have the No. 1 show on NBC, the evidence shows that this statement is not entirely accurate. While \"The Apprentice\" and \"The Celebrity Apprentice\" were successful shows, they did not hold the top spot in the ratings. There were other scripted dramas, sitcoms, reality shows, and Sunday football that ranked higher in viewership. Therefore, while Trump's show had good ratings, it did not hold the No. 1 position on NBC.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12096.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg agreed to use a technicality to give a convicted sex offender a new hearing because he didnt understand the charge.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks accuracy. While Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg did agree to grant a new hearing for a convicted sex offender, it is incorrect to claim that she did so solely because the offender didn't understand the charge. The decision was based on the need to address the fundamental question of whether the offender truly understood the charge he had pleaded guilty to. The ruling did not explicitly state that the offender didn't understand the charge, but rather emphasized the importance of conducting a hearing to determine the level of understanding. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and misrepresents the judge's decision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Blocking a U.S. Supreme Court nomination during the remaining months of President Obama\u2019s term \"would leave the nation\u2019s highest court with an unprecedented year-long vacancy.\"","The New Hampshire Democratic Party said that not confirming a Supreme Court nominee from President Obama \"would leave the nation\u2019s highest court with an unprecedented year-long vacancy.\"","In a Feb. 16, news release, the party put it this way: \"Fearing discontent from her far-right base and pressure to appease her party bosses, Senator Kelly Ayotte has rejected her constitutional duty and decided to back Mitch McConnell\u2019s controversial decision to block the Senate from giving fair and timely consideration to President Obama\u2019s next Supreme Court nominee -- a move that would leave the nation\u2019s highest court with an unprecedented year-long vacancy.\"","While much of that statement is political boilerplate, we were interested in the last clause -- that refusing to bring up any Obama nominee would lead to an \"unprecedented year-long vacancy\" on the court."]},{"id":"10043.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"According to a government supplier of emergency products, the Disaster Assistance Response Team was told to be prepared to be activated in the month of October for an outbreak of Ebola.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or information provided to support the claim that a government supplier of emergency products informed the Disaster Assistance Response Team about an impending Ebola outbreak in October. The statement lacks any verifiable sources or specific details, making it baseless and unsubstantiated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10714.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton completely ignored dozens and dozens of requests for more security for the Benghazi consulate.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were requests for additional security at the Benghazi consulate, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton \"completely ignored\" \"dozens and dozens\" of these requests. Investigations into the Benghazi attack found that there were security concerns and deficiencies, but the responsibility for security decisions was not solely on Clinton. The decision-making process involved multiple individuals and departments within the State Department. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Clinton's role and the extent to which the requests were ignored.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Engelbrecht told us in an interview that Richie's statement \u2014 that her group held a fundraiser featuring an author who believes that registering the poor to vote is un-American \u2014 was not true. Engelbrecht said that she was unaware of his American Thinker article at the time that Vadum was invited to speak and that the point of his appearance was to discuss his book.","The Nov. 15, 2011, email blast added to the party\u2019s charges against the Patriots: \"Yesterday, in an almost gleeful admission that folks who tend to vote Democratic should be denied their fundamental right to vote, this tea party group held a Houston fundraiser featuring Matthew Vadum. Yes, the ultra-right-wing author who believes that 'registering the poor to vote is un-American.' \"","We wondered whether Richie was right: Did the King Street Patriots throw a fundraiser featuring an author who espouses such a view?","As backup for the second part of its claim \u2014 that Vadum believes registering the poor to vote is un-American \u2014 the Democratic Party pointed us to an opinion article by Vadum that was posted Sept. 1, 2011, on the conservative website American Thinker. The headline: \"Registering the Poor to Vote Is Un-American.\""]},{"id":"11981.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There is no evidence to support the claim that Guantanamo is used as a recruiting tool for terrorists.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is no concrete evidence explicitly proving that Guantanamo is used as a recruiting tool for terrorists, it is important to note that some experts acknowledge the potential influence it may have. While there may not be direct evidence of Guantanamo being explicitly used as a recruiting tool, passing mentions in propaganda and the existence of the detention center could still have an impact on extremist narratives and recruitment efforts. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in the sense that there is no conclusive evidence, it does not fully capture the nuanced discussion surrounding the potential influence of Guantanamo on terrorist recruitment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I was one of about a dozen (senators) who voted against the Bridge to Nowhere,\" Allen said in a Dec. 7 debate with Tim Kaine, his expected Democratic rival for the senate seat.","That amendment failed by a vote of 82-15. Allen was indeed one of the 15 senators who voted in favor of killing the funding for the Bridge to Nowhere.","When faced with a specific amendment to defund the bridge, Allen was one of a minority of senators who opted to kill the project.","Washington Post, More than two dozen Senate Republicans demand Biden do more for Ukraine after voting against $13.6 billion for Ukraine, March 17, 2022"]},{"id":"5501.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Obama has doubled the stock market from where we started when he was sworn into office","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the stock market experienced a significant increase during President Obama's tenure, the statement that he \"doubled\" the stock market is an oversimplification. The Dow Jones Industrial Average did increase by approximately 99 percent from its low point in March 2009 until the time of the claim. However, it is important to note that the Dow Jones Industrial Average is just one index and may not represent the entire stock market. Additionally, using the low point as a starting reference can be misleading since it does not account for the previous high point before the recession. Therefore, while there was substantial growth, the statement exaggerates the extent of the increase.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Sanders has also filed a document with the Federal Election Commission to run for reelection to the Senate in 2024 \u2014 as an independent.","In a toss-up race that could decide which party controls the U.S. Senate, Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto accused Republican Adam Laxalt of using his former job as Nevada\u2019s attorney general to help an industry that later helped him run for governor.","\u2022 Sanders is officially an independent in the Senate, though he has been accepted as a member of the Senate Democratic leadership.","!Adam Laxalt, the 2022 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Nevada, appears at a news conference for his campaign in Las Vegas on Aug. 4, 2022. (AP) !Adam Laxalt, the 2022 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Nevada, appears at a news conference for his campaign in Las Vegas on Aug. 4, 2022. (AP)"]},{"id":"3769.json","label":"false","statement":"On supporting the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan","reason":"Reason: Newt Gingrich faced criticism and scrutiny for his stance on the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan. While there were allegations of a flip-flop, it is important to note that the statement does not provide conclusive evidence or specific details regarding Gingrich's position on the budget. Therefore, it is not accurate to make a definitive claim about his support or lack thereof for the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact has assessed that claim about jobs in China and and another one about Romney creating jobs in India. Both were rated Half True. In this fact-check, we look at whether Romney had the uniforms for the 2002 winter games made in Burma.","\"India, which also gained jobs thanks to Romney, an outsourcing pioneer. And Burma, where Romney had the uniforms made for the 2002 games.\"","Olympic games use many different uniforms -- for staffers, athletes and so forth and not all were made in Burma. But there is no question about the origins of the uniforms for the torch bearers. These were the 11,500 volunteers who relayed the Olympic torch some 13,000 miles to Salt Lake City. That\u2019s a lot of jackets with the Salt Lake Olympic logo.","The ad shows a beaming Romney at the Olympic opening ceremonies. As each national team enters the stadium, an announcer provides a corresponding quip. \"China, home to a billion people. Thousands owe their jobs to Mitt Romney\u2019s companies ... And Burma, where Romney had the uniforms made for the 2002 games.\""]},{"id":"11581.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When I became governor, I inherited a large deficit. You know what? We just turned that into the largest surplus in Virginia history.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Terry McAuliffe inherited a deficit when he took office, the statement that he \"turned that into the largest surplus in Virginia history\" is not entirely accurate. McAuliffe did announce a surplus of $550 million in the first year of the biennial budget, but it does not necessarily mean that he directly turned the deficit into the surplus. The surplus was a result of various factors, including improved economic conditions and revenue projections. McAuliffe's administration played a role in managing the budget, but it is misleading to solely attribute the surplus to his actions. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Supporters of legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program want to insure more children and they say the bill vetoed by President Bush would do just that.","Obama worked with other Republicans on such issues as health insurance for kids and the state's death penalty--not an issue normally associated with bipartisan work between a liberal Democrat and Republicans.","\"With the resources it takes to execute just over three months of the Iraq war, we could fully fund the expansion of health care for needy children that Bush vetoed.\"","Congressional Budget Office, CBO's Estimate of the Effects on Direct Spending and Revenues of the House Amendments to the Senate Amendments to H.R. 976, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007, Sept. 25, 2007."]},{"id":"10973.json","label":"half-true","statement":"My support from young voters -- those 18 to 24 -- in November 2014 was largely unheard of for a Republican.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Walker performed relatively well among young voters in the 18 to 24 age group during the November 2014 election, the statement overstates the uniqueness of this achievement for a Republican candidate. While it may be less common for Republicans to garner significant support from young voters, there have been instances where Republican candidates have achieved similar or even better results among this demographic. Therefore, while Governor Walker's performance was notable, it is not accurate to claim that it was \"largely unheard of\" for a Republican candidate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"With nearly 75 percent of Americans supportive of the construction of the pipeline, Schrader needs to explain to Oregon families why he voted against this needed project,\" the release states.","The NRCC is accurate in citing that nearly 75 percent of Americans support construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The Nanos survey is solid, as is a Pew Research poll that showed two-thirds support.","Annie Clark with the NRCC disagrees. She cited four other times where Schrader voted against construction. \"Schrader voted against constructing or expediting construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline every chance he had,\" she wrote to PolitiFact Oregon.","A spokesman for Schrader said the congressman supports construction in principle, just not the way Republicans are going about it. \"To say that he does not support the construction on the pipeline is false,\" wrote spokesman Cody Tucker in an email to PolitiFact Oregon."]},{"id":"6309.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obamacarerepresents the largest tax increase in the history of the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obamacare represents the largest tax increase in the history of the world is false. Multiple fact-checking sources, including PolitiFact, have debunked this claim and rated it as \"Pants on Fire.\" While the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) does include some taxes, it is not the largest tax increase in history. Additionally, the majority of the taxes imposed by the law primarily affect the wealthy and the healthcare industry, rather than the middle class. Therefore, the statement is highly inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9466.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Thousands of Westerners and Americans are fighting with extremists in eastern Syria and Iraq.","reason":"Reason: While the statement is technically accurate in terms of there being thousands of Westerners and Americans fighting with extremists in eastern Syria and Iraq, it is important to note that the highest estimates put the figure between 2,000 and 3,000. Additionally, a March estimate from the U.S. government stated that there were about 1,000 Westerners in Syria, with only a few dozen of them being from the United States. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could be seen as somewhat exaggerated since the actual number of Americans involved is relatively small compared to the overall figure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Here's a line you'll hear a lot between now and November: A Republican member of Congress \"voted to end Medicare as we know it.\"","\"Ask anyone who will pay twice as much out-of-pocket under the Republican plan if it's still Medicare,\" Benzing told us when we asked about the plan-to-end-Medicare claim. \"Ask anyone who thought they were going to have guaranteed coverage and now won't if it's still Medicare.\"","Why, then, did the Brown campaign say that the Republican plan would end Medicare? Benzing sent us three sources for the statement. The first was a Wall Street Journal article on April 4 that, according to Benzing, said the Ryan plan \"would essentially end Medicare.\" The Journal article, however, didn\u2019t quite say that.","From PolitiFact Virginia on June 9: \"Would the plan really end Medicare? The Republican plan would be a huge change to the current program, and future seniors would have to pay more for their health plans if it becomes law. But to say it would end Medicare, as the DCCC e-mail does, is a major exaggeration. All seniors -- current and future -- would continue to be offered coverage under the proposal, and the program\u2019s budget would increase every year.\""]},{"id":"12634.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton was literally present when we pressed the reset button with Russia just a few months after Russia had invaded Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Hillary Clinton was present when the United States initiated a \"reset\" with Russia. However, it slightly misrepresents the timeline by stating that this occurred \"just a few months\" after Russia's invasion of Georgia. In reality, the reset took place almost six months after the conflict had ended. While the presence of Hillary Clinton during the reset is true, the timing of the reset in relation to the Russian invasion of Georgia is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Allen West, a Republican candidate for Congress for the South Florida seat now held by Democratic Rep. Ron Klein, claims that close to half of Americans aren't paying \"any taxes.\" On a page about the economy on his Web site, West claims, \"Currently we have some 40-45% of Americans who are not paying any taxes.\"","We read him Allen West's quote about 40 to 45 percent of Americans not paying \"any taxes,\" and Williams said: \"That's not true at all.\"","\"If we are serious about restoring the American economy then suspend payroll taxes until the situation improves. I would begin with a 3 month suspension and willingly extend that to 6 months if necessary. In order to inspire investment, innovation, ingenuity, and real growth we must end capital gains, dividend, and death taxes, just abolish immediately. We should begin to redefine our tax code, no more progressive tax system; we need to go to a flat tax system. Currently we have some 40-45% of Americans who are not paying any taxes; a (flat tax) rate of around 15-17% would be adequate. A twist I recommend is to have a flat tax up to an income level of $2 Million, then institute a progressive system. My intent is to inspire Americans to earn and develop their wealth.:","West's statement was made within a paragraph in which he discussed taxes, including several aspects of the income tax, but it appeared on a page about the economy that covered a range of financial issues including the \"death tax,\" sub-prime mortgages and foreign aid. If West meant to say 40 to 45 percent of Americans don't pay \"federal income taxes,\" he could have been more specific. As it is currently worded, the sentence is not specific and can lead people to believe he was referring to all types of taxes. So for the lack of important context, we rate this claim Barely True."]},{"id":"2300.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The IRS filed an $11,000 lien against (Allen) West for back taxes. Three liens were placed on his home for unpaid bills, and a judge ordered West to pay over $5,000 for past due credit card bills.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the IRS did file an $11,000 lien against Allen West for back taxes. Additionally, court documents show that West was ordered to pay over $5,000 for past due credit card bills. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not explicitly mention liens being placed on West's home for unpaid bills. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding the IRS lien and the judge's order to pay credit card bills, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim about liens on West's home.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Here\u2019s part of the script that was seen by millions: \"The Internet thinks Bernie Sanders totally won the debate. But CNN thinks Hillary won. Even though CNN\u2019s own polls say Bernie won by 68 percent. But that doesn\u2019t concern them. They allegedly just deleted the polls.\"","The video suggests CNN \"deleted the polls\" showing Sanders won because CNN\u2019s parent company, Time Warner, is \"one of Hillary\u2019s biggest donors,\" spending more on her campaign than \"Bernie\u2019s top 15 donors gave him.\"","A conspiracy theory rattled the Bernieverse soon after many media outlets, including CNN, pronounced Hillary Clinton the winner of the first Democratic presidential debate.","What isn\u2019t up for debate, however, is the fact that CNN did not delete its poll of Facebook users, who overwhelmingly said Sanders won the debate. It\u2019s still on a Facebook page managed by CNN."]},{"id":"5861.json","label":"false","statement":"Says we could have saved ourselves the cost of building the Powell Butte water reservoir.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the cost of building the Powell Butte water reservoir could have been avoided. However, the evidence provided indicates that Water Bureau officials argue that they had to comply with regulations and prepare for future requirements. Additionally, there are statements from other sources, such as Eileen Brady, who expressed opposition to spending money on compliance. Overall, the evidence does not support the claim that the cost of building the Powell Butte water reservoir could have been saved.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"8668.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he would have almost twice the actual experience practicing law Greg Abbott did on becoming attorney general of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sam Houston, a candidate for Texas attorney general, that he would have almost twice the actual experience practicing law compared to Greg Abbott when he assumed the position. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the actual years of experience of both individuals, making it difficult to verify the claim. While Houston asserts his 26 years of experience, there is no information provided about the exact number of years of experience Abbott had when he became attorney general. Therefore, while the claim is based on Houston's assertion, the lack of specific information about Abbott's experience prevents a definitive determination of its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Scott Fitzgerald is a U.S. Representative, R-Wisconsin, for the state's 5th Congressional District. He took office in 2021. He previously served as the state's Senate Majority Leader. He was first elected as state senator in 1994.","Addressing the Wisconsin Republican Party\u2019s annual convention on May 21, 2011, state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, reflected on the transformational 2010 elections. The GOP swept to power, taking from Democrats the governor\u2019s office as well as control of the Senate and Assembly.","Fitzgerald made a bold statement at the state GOP convention -- that one out of every two Wisconsin residents \"is on some kind of government handout.\" He was able to provide no evidence to back the claim, and even one of his aides essentially acknowledged it was wrong. The Senate leader later provided a different number, but the data he relied on is not specific to Wisconsin.","We told Welhouse we still wanted to know what Fitzgerald defined as government handouts. When he called back, he said Fitzgerald told him he had meant to say that one in six Wisconsin residents -- not one in two -- get government handouts."]},{"id":"7068.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gubernatorial candidate Maggie Hassan supported 33 tax and fee increases as Senate Majority Leader.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Maggie Hassan supported 33 tax and fee increases during her time as Senate Majority Leader. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the nature and impact of these tax and fee increases. Without further information, it is difficult to assess whether these increases were necessary, justified, or had a significant impact on the economy or taxpayers. Therefore, while the statement is factually accurate, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5888.json","label":"false","statement":"Says challenger Dominic Chavez is a Rick Perry Republican lobbyist.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Dominic Chavez is a Rick Perry Republican lobbyist. The statement seems to be an attempt to associate Chavez with Rick Perry based on a photo of them together. However, the mere presence of a photo does not establish a professional relationship or political affiliation. Without further evidence or information, it is not accurate to label Dominic Chavez as a Rick Perry Republican lobbyist.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For the population as a whole, IRS data for 2017 showed about 500,000 tax returns had incomes of at least $1 million. There were about 104 million tax returns filed, so that means less than 1 percent were for people who earned at least $1 million.","Spectrem Group found that in 2018, there were 11.8 million American households with a net worth of at least $1 million. That works out to about 5% of the adult population. The market research firm quantifies millionaire households by net worth, not including primary residence.","In Georgia, it's \"illegal to give people water within 150 feet of a polling place\" and \"punishable by up to a year in prison.\"","Asked in the April 7, 2017 article whether \"underrepresented groups, either minorities or women or LGBTQ people,\" will get more politically active, Pocan said he hoped so."]},{"id":"5321.json","label":"true","statement":"If you take into account all the people who are struggling for work, or have just stopped looking, the real unemployment rate is over 15 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that the official unemployment rate does not account for individuals who are struggling to find work or have stopped actively looking for employment. When considering these factors, the real unemployment rate can indeed be higher than the reported rate. While the exact percentage may vary, it is not uncommon for experts to estimate the real unemployment rate to be significantly higher than the official rate. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Similarly, the National Conference of State Legislatures says 39 states have banned texting while driving. Anne Teigen, a conference policy specialist, told us by phone that the group independently confirmed each state\u2019s ban.","Mike Martinez, an Austin City Council member seeking re-election in May, recently pointed supporters to his campaign website, which includes an issues page touching on ways he says he\u2019s delivered for the Austin community.","An introduction to the institute\u2019s map of states with limits on texting while driving, dated November 2012, says: \"Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 39 states and the District of Columbia.\" The map indicates that six additional states, including Texas, have imposed partial bans. In Texas, an institute chart says, individuals barred from texting include drivers in school crossing zones; bus drivers when a passenger 17 or younger is present; and drivers younger than 18.","We\u2019re not checking any of that for this article. But we paused at another Martinez point: \"Banned texting while driving to improve safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.\""]},{"id":"9951.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker cut taxes for the wealthiest and raised taxes on 140,000 Wisconsin families.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Scott Walker did implement tax cuts that benefited wealthier residents and also made tax cuts that applied across the board. However, it is important to note that he also raised taxes for some lower-income individuals by reducing certain tax credits. While the claim accurately highlights the tax cuts for the wealthy, it fails to provide the full context of the tax cuts that were implemented for all income levels. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I know how to squeeze value out of taxpayers' dollars,\" White told Midland's KWES-TV, Channel 9. \"The state budget has gone up over 80 percent under Rick Perry. That's just too much. We're not getting the value out of those dollars that we need to get out.\"","Gov. Rick Perry says the state\u2019s public schools are improving -- in part, he suggested, because state aid is way up. \"Over the past decade,\" Perry said in his Feb. 8 State of the State address, \"the state\u2019s share of public education spending increased from $11 billion per year to $20 billion in \u201809. That\u2019s an 82 percent increase.\"","That percentage sounded familiar. In a February Truth-O-Meter article, we reported that budgeted non-dedicated state spending increased 80 percent from the 2000-01 budget, adopted the year before Perry became governor, to the current budget. We found shaky Perry's statement that on his watch, \"we cut state spending.\"","Upshot: Budgeted spending increased nearly 79 percent on Perry's watch, not the \"over 80 percent\" White said. Also, there are ways to analyze the increase that reduce the growth percentage. Still, it's defensible to lean on raw budget amounts."]},{"id":"9300.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If you work 40 hours a week at the proposed minimum wage of $10.10 an hour, you get out of poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Chuck Schumer's claim that working 40 hours a week at the proposed minimum wage of $10.10 an hour would lift individuals out of poverty. However, it is important to note that the concept of poverty is multifaceted and varies depending on factors such as family size, location, and cost of living. While a higher minimum wage can certainly help alleviate poverty for some individuals, it may not completely eradicate poverty for everyone. Therefore, while the statement captures Schumer's claim accurately, it should be understood that the impact on poverty can vary and may not apply universally.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13388.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In one Colorado hospital, 50 percent of newborns tested had marijuana in their system.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the evidence provided does indicate a significant rate of newborns testing positive for marijuana at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Colorado, the actual rate is 33 percent, not 50 percent as stated. It is important to accurately represent the data to provide a clear understanding of the situation. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6549.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republicans included the Akin amendment in the Republican Party platform, which bans abortion, even for rape victims.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that former Governor Charlie Crist claimed that the Republican Party platform included the Akin amendment, which he stated banned abortion even for rape victims, the statement is only partially true. The Republican Party platform does express opposition to most abortions, but it does not explicitly state that it bans abortion for rape victims. The platform's stance on abortion is vague and does not provide specific details regarding exceptions for cases of rape. Therefore, while the platform may not explicitly address abortion for rape victims, it does reflect a general opposition to most abortions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4059.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that under City Council Member Randi Shade, Austin had the highest city debt per person in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that under City Council Member Randi Shade, Austin had the highest city debt per person in Texas is false. There is no credible evidence or data to support this claim. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making assertions about city finances. While it is possible to compare city debt levels, there is no evidence to suggest that Austin had the highest city debt per person during Randi Shade's tenure on the City Council.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Murphy said Rubio voted \"against every bill that would have helped keep our families safe. He even voted against a bipartisan measure, introduced by a Republican, to prevent people on the no-fly list from purchasing guns.\"","\"After the tragedy in Orlando, Rubio used the deaths of 49 innocent Floridians to run for re-election while voting against every bill that would have helped keep our families safe,\" U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy said in a campaign statement. \"He even voted against a bipartisan measure, introduced by a Republican, to prevent people on the no-fly list from purchasing guns.\"","Murphy has a point that Rubio voted against a Republican-sponsored, bipartisan measure to ban people on the no-fly list from buying weapons. However, this ad omits that Rubio supported a separate Republican measure that also banned people on the no-fly list from buying guns but required a court hearing before the person was banned from buying a gun.","Murphy overstates the situation when he says Rubio voted against \"every\" bill that came up after the Orlando massacre. Rubio voted for Republican-sponsored legislation about background checks and adding restrictions to individuals on the terrorist list."]},{"id":"365.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"Barack Obama loves Che Guevara.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that \"Barack Obama loves Che Guevara\" is not supported by credible evidence. The presence of a Cuban flag with Che Guevara's image in one volunteer's office does not indicate Obama's personal admiration or support for Che Guevara. The claim is based on a single decoration in one office and has been widely debunked. It is an exaggeration and misrepresentation of the facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Dee Dee Myers, White House Press Secretary during the first two years of the Clinton administration, wanted to share the truth of what happened over in Libya to our Ambassador Stevens and the other 3 who died on 9\/11-12\/13.","The chain email forwarded an account purportedly written by Dee Dee Myers of how her cousin and Ambassador Chris Stevens were killed in the Benghazi attack, including being \"sodomized and beaten and cut and stabbed and burned.\"","But this email caught our eye because it was purportedly written by Dee Dee Myers, who once served as White House spokeswoman for President Bill Clinton. The email played up the significance of a well-known Democrat breaking with President Barack Obama over what had happened in Benghazi.","Chain email claims Dee Dee Myers says Amb. Chris Stevens and her relative were killed by mob abuse in Benghazi attack"]},{"id":"6525.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Betty Sutton and House Democrats gutted Medicare by $741 billion to pay for Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) included provisions that aimed to reduce Medicare spending, the statement exaggerates the impact and misrepresents the intent. The $741 billion figure refers to projected savings over a ten-year period, not a direct cut to Medicare benefits for seniors. These savings were primarily achieved through reductions in overpayments to private insurance companies and changes in payment models. The Affordable Care Act also implemented measures to improve Medicare services and extend the solvency of the program. Therefore, while there were changes to Medicare funding, the statement's claim of \"gutting\" Medicare by $741 billion is misleading and does not accurately reflect the overall impact on the program.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The State of Texas is funding \u2026 women\u2019s health services at historically high levels; they just increased their level another $50 million for the next two years.\"","Pojman said the state of Texas \"is funding \u2026 women\u2019s health services at historically high levels; they just increased their level another $50 million for the next two years.\"","Next, Pojman told the crowd, to cheers and applause: \"I just wanted to emphasize, the state of Texas is doing its part... The state of Texas is funding \u2026 women\u2019s health services at historically high levels; they just increased that level another $50 million for the next two years.\" Pojman noted that none of the $50 million would go to Planned Parenthood. \"Texas takes care of our people and Planned Parenthood is not part of that picture,\" he said.","By phone and email, White agreed the state has allocated what looks like a record level of money to the efforts singled out by Pojman though she speculated by email the spending bump might be less dramatic than available figures suggest. \"The focus on funding allocated for the four programs on Pojman\u2019s list,\" White said, \"does not entirely capture how some of the women\u2019s health services historically have been paid for. For example, primary care services for women that are now covered by EPHC were previously paid for using other state-administered and federal programs (not included on Pojman\u2019s list). By not factoring these programs into funding totals in previous years, the recent increase may seem larger than it actually is.\""]},{"id":"8481.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Were one of the only communities in the country that didnt lose population in the last census.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to the evidence provided, the claim that Chicago is one of the only communities in the country that did not lose population in the last census is incorrect. The Census data indicates that both the city of Chicago and the Chicago metropolitan area experienced population decline, and there were other communities across the nation that also faced population loss. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the facts and is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1097.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There were more job losses per month in the last three months under President Bush than in the past three months under President Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Comparing the average job losses over the last three months of President Bush's administration to the average job losses over the past three months under President Obama, it is evident that there were more job losses per month during the end of the Bush administration. The average job losses during Bush's three months were 673,000, while the average job losses under Obama were 436,000. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the comparison of job losses between the two presidents during those specific time periods.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12911.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the U.S. election system is rigged.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the U.S. election system is rigged is not accurate. The U.S. has a decentralized election system that is administered by county or city election officials, making it highly unlikely for a widespread, coordinated rigging of the entire system to occur. Multiple experts and organizations have refuted claims of systemic rigging, emphasizing the integrity and transparency of the U.S. election process. Such claims undermine public trust in democratic institutions without substantial evidence to support them.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8959.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Oregon and the federal government now have more than one million acres of burnt land and millions of trees are being left to rot.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Challstrom that Oregon and the federal government have more than one million acres of burnt land. However, the claim that millions of trees are being left to rot lacks sufficient evidence. While it is possible that there are significant numbers of trees affected by wildfires, the statement does not provide concrete evidence to support the claim that millions of trees are being left to rot. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cunningham, one of the sponsors of a resolution for that funding, strongly implied that the state budget for fiscal year 2012 cut the $140 monthly payments and that her resolution would restore that amount. She argued that taking away that money would lead individuals to turn to crime.","Cunningham acknowledged the monthly benefits were restored, but it is still ridiculous for her to claim people will commit crime in response to losing general assistance payments, when those payments aren\u2019t changing at all.","Cunningham strongly implied the state budget cut monthly general assistance payments, but the budget actually kept those payments intact. The senator also said losing that money could lead to more crime, but two experts said the payments wouldn\u2019t necessarily prevent criminal acts.","In fiscal year 2011, the general assistance program provided monthly benefits of $140 and $210 for recipients deemed \"employable\" and \"unemployable,\" respectively."]},{"id":"5539.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"This (Independent Payment Advisory Board) board can ration care and deny certain Medicare treatments so Washington can fund more wasteful spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) can ration care and deny certain Medicare treatments to fund wasteful spending is false. The law explicitly states that the IPAB cannot ration care or make decisions on individual patient treatments. Its purpose is to make system-wide recommendations to control the growth of Medicare spending within specific parameters. The IPAB was created to address spending growth within the Medicare program itself, not to divert funds to other budget items. The claim made in the statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10368.json","label":"false","statement":"The cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys have entertained more troops in the world than Bob Hope.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that the cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys have entertained more troops in the world than Bob Hope. The USO, which has information on the number of troops entertained by the Cowboys cheerleaders, stated that they had entertained more than 198,000 troops and military families since 2002. However, there is no information available regarding the specific number of troops entertained by Bob Hope. Without concrete data on the number of troops entertained by Bob Hope, it is not possible to make a valid comparison. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3784.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Scary fact about our national debt. In 1791 it was $75 million. Today, it rises by that amount in about an hour.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true in terms of the comparison between the national debt in 1791 and the rate at which it increases today. In 1791, the national debt was indeed around $75 million, and it is true that the debt now increases by that amount in approximately an hour. However, it's important to note that this comparison lacks context. The national debt has significantly increased over the years due to various factors such as economic growth, inflation, and government spending. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the numerical comparison, it fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex factors contributing to the growth of the national debt.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Democratic National Committee has also attacked McCain as being out of touch. In an Aug. 12 news release called \"Seven Months of Job Losses for Americans, Seven Houses for McCain,\" the DNC said McCain fails to understand the economic difficulties of Americans. Bloggers have repeated the claim and created video tours of the McCain properties.","1. The largest home is a creekside ranch near Sedona, Ariz., spread over more than six acres. That's where McCain entertained vice presidential prospects, including Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, over Memorial Day weekend. Records from Yavapai County Assessor's Office show it includes three houses and is worth about $1.1-million. CNN reported that McCain said there are six houses on the property. The owner is listed as the Cindy Hensley McCain Family Trust. If McCain is correct that there are six houses on the property and you counted each one, the total homes owned would rise to 13 (though again, when pressed by Politico about properties, McCain said he wasn't sure).","The Obama campaign has released two ads since McCain's gaffe saying that McCain owns seven homes. The Obama campaign doesn't mention that trusts and companies controlled by Cindy McCain generally own the properties. And their count is off by one; the McCain family actually owns eight.","UPDATED: How many homes John McCain owns became an unlikely campaign issue on Aug. 20, 2008, when he told the Politico Web site that he didn't know the answer."]},{"id":"10758.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Fifteen years ago, you couldnt even get a pizza delivered in that neighborhood.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates the situation by claiming that fifteen years ago, it was impossible to get a pizza delivered in that neighborhood. While it may have been challenging or less common to have pizza delivery services in that specific neighborhood at the time, it is highly unlikely that pizza delivery was completely unavailable. The statement overgeneralizes the situation and presents an extreme scenario that is not supported by evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Critics pounced on the Glock remark, saying Obama was making a misleading \u2014 or even outright false \u2014 comparison. But the White House said it had evidence to back up Obama\u2019s line.","Mitt Romney likes to say that if he\u2019s elected, he will repeal President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law \"on day one.\" During the Oct. 3, 2012, presidential debate, he predicted what would happen if he isn\u2019t elected: The Affordable Care Act would take full effect in 2014 and \"health premiums go up by some $2,500 per family.\"","One interpretation is whether a gun is cheaper to get than a book. Experts said the price of a \"street\" handgun can range between $50 and $500, depending on the local vagaries of supply and demand.","\u2022 A news report cited research about the relative lack of Internet access in low-income households. But another article the White House provided said that while teens in families making less than $50,000 a year are less likely to have access to a desktop or a laptop computer than teens in higher income groups, the rate even for the lower-income group is still pretty high: All told, eight of every 10 of these lower-income teens had access to a computer."]},{"id":"5263.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Romneycare is a top-down, government-run health care system.","reason":"Reason: While Romneycare, the health care legislation signed by Mitt Romney in Massachusetts, does include some top-down elements such as the individual mandate and employer requirements, it is not accurate to label it as a \"government-run\" health care system. A true government-run system involves direct government ownership of hospitals and employment of doctors, which is not the case in Massachusetts. The system heavily relies on private insurance and private medical providers. While there are elements of government regulation and intervention, it does not meet the criteria of a fully government-run system. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But since NATO action in Libya began, Obama has not sought or received approval from Congress. In fact, individual members of Congress have warned Obama that he can't continue military action unilaterally. That's what has caused the current face-off between the White House and Congress.","Under the War Powers Resolution, a president can initiate military action but must receive approval from Congress to continue the operation within 60 days. If approval is not granted and the president deems it an emergency, then an additional 30 days are granted for ending operations.","He added, \"As commander-in-chief, the president does have a duty to protect and defend the United States. In instances of self-defense, the president would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action.\"","However, in this item, we\u2019re not rating Obama\u2019s 2007 comment on the Truth-O-Meter. Instead, we\u2019re trying to judge whether Obama has changed his standards for initiating military action between then and now."]},{"id":"9179.json","label":"true","statement":"The Capitol rotunda was actually made to invite the people in and to accommodate protests.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. State Representative Chris Taylor correctly asserts that the Capitol rotunda was designed to invite people in and accommodate protests. This is supported by evidence that the Capitol has historically been a site for public gatherings, protests, and demonstrations. The design and layout of the rotunda, along with its historical significance, further reinforce its purpose as a space for public engagement and expression.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Some Republicans running for open U.S. Senate seats are being hit from the right with attack ads that accuse them of cozying up to China.","The other GOP candidates include U.S. Reps. Vicky Hartzler and Billy Long; Long\u2019s campaign gained attention for running an ad claiming that Democrats \"rigged\" the 2020 presidential election. Also among the GOP candidates are state Senate President Dave Schatz and attorney Mark McCloskey, who is best known for pointing a gun at protesters when they marched past his St. Louis home.","Biography: Walker, first elected in 2014, served three terms as a congressman before opting against reelection in 2020 after his district was redrawn. After announcing his run for U.S. Senate, Walker considered a run for Congress in the Greensboro area instead as North Carolina\u2019s election districts faced a judicial review. He ultimately decided to preserve his senate campaign, which he says frustrated Republicans who wanted him out of the race.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"721.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I said two years ago that the Fannie and Freddie thing was a very serious problem and we had to work on it.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes John McCain acknowledging the seriousness of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issue two years prior to the statement being made. However, it is important to note that simply recognizing a problem does not necessarily equate to actively working on it. Without further evidence of specific actions taken by McCain to address the issue during that time, the statement lacks sufficient context and may be misleading. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The latest job-creation number to catch our eye? TriMet, the metro area\u2019s transit agency, says that the $1.5 billion Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project created 1,525 direct jobs as of June 11, 2012. That includes 659 on-site construction jobs since April 2011, and 866 professional and technical jobs since March 2009. (The numbers have been revised up for July.)","Nor is it clear that all jobs are jobs that didn\u2019t exist before the light rail project. When we hear that a project created 1,525 direct jobs, we picture 1,525 new jobs that wouldn\u2019t have existed but for the project. But that may not be the case. We don\u2019t know how many of the contracted companies -- if any -- hired new people for new positions. TriMet doesn\u2019t know either. We should also note that about 100 jobs are in-house, with TriMet.","Economic development is obviously a big part of selling the the new light -rail line to the public. There\u2019s a web page devoted to the subject: \"The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project is essential to the long-term economic vitality of our region, helping to connect people to their jobs and higher education. It also is providing many short-term benefits for the regional economy.\"","But without knowing what the numbers mean or the definition of \"created,\" a reader could easily think the light-rail project resulted in more than 1,500 brand-new full-time, long-term jobs when really, it\u2019s far more accurate to say that the transit project has provided work for more than 1,500 people."]},{"id":"7690.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says he has yet to get a response from Barack Obama to his August 2010 letter making border security requests.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly shows that Rick Perry did receive a response from Barack Obama regarding his August 2010 letter on border security concerns. The response came in the form of a letter from John Brennan, then an assistant to President Obama, expressing appreciation for Perry's outreach and assuring him that the administration understood his concerns. The letter also mentioned the signing of the Southwest Border Security Act into law, which addressed border security issues. Therefore, the statement that Perry has yet to receive a response from Obama is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Earlier this month, in response to subpoenas being issued in the so-called \u2018Bridgegate\u2019 scandal, Christie said, \"The fact that one town has three lanes dedicated to it, that kind of gets me sauced.\"","\"The fact that one town has three lanes dedicated to it, that kind of gets me sauced,\" Christie said Dec. 2 in response to Democratic lawmakers subpoenaing the director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey -- which operates the bridge -- to appear before a state Assembly committee about the lane closures from Sept. 9-13. The closures caused massive traffic jams in Fort Lee, leaving some drivers stranded for hours.","\"There are no specific dedicated lanes,\" she said. \"There are lanes that come from local streets in Fort Lee, but all lanes come through Fort Lee because the bridge is there. There are some local streets where you don\u2019t have to get on the main highway.\"","Christie is way off here. Never mind that his claim makes it seem as if a significant part of the bridge\u2019s total number of lanes are dedicated to a borough with a land area only 2.5 square miles in size, with approximately 35,000 residents. The facts are that the George Washington Bridge is physically in Fort Lee and there are local access lanes from the bridge. But none of the lanes are dedicated for use only in or by the borough. All motorists are able to use them as an entry point to the span."]},{"id":"11389.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More preschoolers are shot dead each year than police officers are in the line of duty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI, in most years, more preschoolers are indeed shot dead each year compared to police officers who are killed in the line of duty. This is particularly true for children aged 0-4. However, it's important to note that there may be some variation in the data from year to year, and the statement may not hold true in every single year. Nonetheless, the overall trend supports the claim that more preschoolers are victims of firearm deaths compared to on-duty police officers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2858.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care reform law reduces the deficit by nearly $1.2 trillion over the next two decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The health care reform law does include provisions aimed at reducing the deficit, but the exact amount of deficit reduction is subject to debate and interpretation. While some estimates suggest that the law could result in deficit reduction of around $1.2 trillion over the next two decades, other analyses have projected different figures. It is important to note that these estimates are based on assumptions and predictions about future economic and healthcare trends. Therefore, while the statement captures one perspective on the potential impact of the health care reform law on the deficit, it should be acknowledged that there is ongoing debate and uncertainty surrounding the exact amount of deficit reduction that will be achieved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10713.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton erased all of her emails even though they were subject to recall and review by Congress.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton deleted a significant number of emails from her private server, it is incorrect to claim that she erased all of her emails. Approximately 30,000 emails were turned over to the State Department. Additionally, the statement inaccurately suggests that all of her emails were subject to recall and review by Congress. While there were legitimate concerns about the handling of her emails and the lack of transparency, it is important to clarify that not all of her emails were subject to congressional recall and review. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4155.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The 2011-13 state budget cuts overall funding for public schools by $1.6 billion","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were cuts to the overall state budget in Wisconsin during the 2011-2013 period, the statement that these cuts specifically targeted public school funding by $1.6 billion is not entirely accurate. According to fact-checking sources, the claim has been rated as mostly false. While there were reductions in education funding, it is important to note that Governor Scott Walker later increased state funds to schools in subsequent budgets, restoring a significant portion of the previous cuts. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the budgetary changes and does not provide the full context of the funding situation for public schools during that period.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For computer programmers, for instance, women earn 95 cents for every dollar a man earns. For cashiers it\u2019s 92 cents. For cooks and customer service representatives, it\u2019s 95 cents. Other occupations have more unequal ratios. Women who are personal financial advisers, for instance, earn just 58 cents of what men in that job earn. (The statistics come from the Institute for Women\u2019s Policy Research, a think tank focusing on women\u2019s issues.)","The Institute for Women\u2019s Policy research looked at pay parity for the top 20 occupations for women in 2011 using median weekly earnings. The center found the pay gap varied depending on the sector, though women lag in nearly every category. Nurses (96 cents for every dollar) and cashiers (90 cents) were closer than most; accountants (77 cents) and financial advisers (66 cents) were more divergent than most.","Hartmann\u2019s think tank analyzed pay parity for the top 20 occupations for women in 2011 using median weekly earnings. The center found the pay gap varies depending on the field, though women lag in nearly every category. Consider nurses (96 cents to every dollar), cashiers (90 cents), accountants (77 cents) and financial advisers (66 cents).","Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., invoked a well-worn statistic to illustrate how women earn less than men during her speech at the Democratic National Convention."]},{"id":"12055.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Americans havent had a raise in 15 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. When considering inflation-adjusted median household income, there has been a decline of 7 percent over the past 15 years, indicating that Americans have not experienced significant wage growth during this period. While there has been a modest increase of 2 percent in wages since 2000, it pales in comparison to the 6 percent increase observed between 1984 and 2000. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the overall trend of stagnant wages for Americans over the past 15 years.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9701.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a $12.5 million incentive deal she approved for Abbott Laboratories contained strong protections for taxpayers if job creation goals were not met.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that the $12.5 million incentive deal approved by Mary Burke for Abbott Laboratories contained strong protections for taxpayers if job creation goals were not met. While the campaign and Burke herself mentioned \"strong protections for taxpayers,\" there is no specific evidence or details provided to substantiate this claim. Without further information or documentation, it is not accurate to assert that the deal contained such protections.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"963.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"We had bipartisan legislation that got through the Senate\" that would have prevented bonuses like AIG's \"and then somehow mysteriously disappeared.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that there was bipartisan legislation in the Senate that aimed to prevent bonuses like those given by AIG. However, it is important to note that the legislation did not ultimately pass and was removed during the negotiation process between the House and Senate. While the term \"mysteriously disappeared\" may imply a deliberate or secretive action, it is more accurate to say that the provision was removed during the legislative process. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the language used could be more precise.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Pence: \"Joe Biden wants to repeal all of the tariffs that President Trump put into effect to fight for American jobs and American workers.\"","If Joe Biden were elected president and then stepped down, his vice president, Kamala Harris, would assume the office. She could then nominate Nancy Pelosi to become vice president, or someone else.","Joe Biden picked U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris to run as vice president on the Democratic ticket against President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.","Under the amendment, which was ratified after the assasination of President John F. Kennedy, whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the vice president, the president must nominate a vice president. That person must then be confirmed by a majority vote in both the House and Senate."]},{"id":"290.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Barack (Obama) has one of his biggest supporters in terms of funding, the Exelon Corporation, which has spent millions of dollars trying to make Yucca Mountain the waste depository.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Exelon Corporation has spent a significant amount of money on lobbying efforts related to Yucca Mountain, the statement implies a direct connection between Exelon's funding and Barack Obama's support. However, the evidence provided does not establish a direct link between Exelon's funding and Obama's stance on Yucca Mountain. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific information about the amount of funding from Exelon to Obama's campaign. Therefore, the statement is mostly-true in terms of Exelon's spending on Yucca Mountain but lacks sufficient evidence to support a direct connection to Obama's support.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Detailed data on campaign advertising has been kept since the 1996 founding of Campaign Media Analysis Group, which is part of Kantar Media, said Erika Franklin Fowler, assistant professor of government at Wesleyan University and co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project. The predecessor to the Wesleyan Media Project, the University of Wisconsin Advertising Project, did an analysis of that data for the 2008 campaign.","\"Sanders has an important message that is resonating with many. But that is not enough to win the nomination. Why spend money that will have little return on the investment?\" said John G. Geer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University who wrote In Defense of Negativity: Attack Advertising in Presidential Campaign and spoke with us in April.","\"During the final presidential debate Sen. John McCain argued that Obama had \u2018spent more money on negative ads than any political campaign in history,\u2019 while Barack Obama accused Sen. McCain of running an entirely negative campaign,\" the report said. \"In a way, both candidates were correct. .... At certain points in the campaign Barack Obama aired nearly as many negative or contrast ads as John McCain aired altogether. As a proportion, however, it is clear that most of McCain\u2019s ads were negative in tone.\"","Benoit said he has analyzed TV ads back to 1952, and the only campaign that came close to that was Dwight Eisenhower\u2019s 1952 campaign -- 69 percent of his statements were negative."]},{"id":"1451.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Bill White is discriminating. Hes taking jobs from African Americans and giving them to his friends.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Farouk Shami accusing Bill White of discriminating and taking jobs from African Americans to give to his friends is not supported by credible evidence. The article and sources provided do not offer any direct evidence or substantiation for this claim. Additionally, the statement seems to be based on personal opinions and feelings rather than verifiable facts. Without concrete evidence or specific examples, it is misleading and irresponsible to make such a serious accusation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["According to the voice-over, \"Mark Kirk: Lied about going to war. Opposed middle-class tax cuts. And said unemployment\u2019s not that big an issue.\"","The campaign website also claims Kirk has voted to cut taxes more than 40 times. We're not going to get into all those votes, but there's no evidence that Kirk opposed the middle-class tax cuts; he opposed the overall stimulus.","Okay, but what about the claim in the latest Giannoulias ad, that Kirk \"lied about going to war.\" In the background, an out-of-focus Mark Kirk appears to be saluting a crowd. On the screen, it states, \"Mark Kirk 'lied' about going to war\" and sources it to a June 2, 2010, story in Newsweek( \"story in Newsweek\").","We checked out the Newsweek story and it does, indeed, allege that Kirk \"lied.\" But the story doesn't claim Kirk lied \"about going to war.\" Rather, it calls Kirk out for \"explicitly, officially, and falsely claiming to have won the U.S. Navy's Intelligence Officer of the Year award for service during NATO's conflict with Serbia.\""]},{"id":"11935.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Arizona State Board of Educations failure to report teachers whose certifications have been revoked or suspended ... resulted in the death of a student.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual regarding the Arizona State Board of Education's failure to report teachers whose certifications have been revoked or suspended, which allegedly resulted in the death of a student. However, it's important to note that this claim has not been independently verified or substantiated by additional evidence. Without further information, it is challenging to determine the full extent of the board's failure to report and its direct impact on the student's death. Therefore, while the claim is based on a reported accusation, it should be regarded with caution until more evidence is available.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton told the Des Moines Register on Aug. 8, 2015: \"I will get the NRA shut down for good if I become president. If we can ban handguns, we will do it.\"","\"I will get the NRA shut down for good if I become president. If we can ban handguns, we will do it.\" -- Hillary Clinton, interview with the Des Moines Register , Aug. 8, 2015:","\"I will get the NRA shut down for good if I become president. If we can ban handguns, we will do it,\" the post quotes Clinton as telling the Register on Aug. 8, 2015.","A post spread via social media quotes Clinton as telling The Des Moines Register, \"I will get the NRA shut down for good if I become president. If we can ban handguns, we will do it.\""]},{"id":"4762.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama creates new tax on Christmas trees, fees get passed on to consumers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While there was a proposal to implement a 15-cent fee on Christmas trees, it was not initiated by President Obama. The idea originated within the Christmas tree industry itself. Additionally, whether the fee would be considered a tax and whether the cost would be passed on to consumers is a matter of debate and remains unclear. Therefore, the statement that Obama created a new tax on Christmas trees and that the fees would be passed on to consumers is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Staples wrote: \"To deprive\" underprivileged children \"of a meat-based protein during school lunch is most likely depriving them of their only source of protein for the day.\"","For Staples, excluding meat is not just a matter of taste \u2013 it\u2019s a blow to daily nutrition, especially if students are not well nourished at home. \"It is important to remember that for many underprivileged children the meals they eat at school often represent their best meals of the day. To deprive them of a meat-based protein during school lunch is most likely depriving them of their only source of protein for the day,\" Staples wrote.","\"It is however recognized that by pairing incomplete protein plant-based foods, such as beans and rice, that each complements the other, and the combination is also a good source of protein,\" he said.","Daily, schools must offer at least one meat or \"meat alternate\" option , the guidelines say. According to the Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, \"offering a meat\/meat alternate daily as part of the school lunch supplies protein, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc and magnesium to the diet of children, and also teaches them to recognize the components of a balanced meal. Menu planners are encouraged to offer a variety of protein foods (e.g., lean or extra lean meats, seafood, and poultry; beans and peas; fat-free and low-fat milk products; and unsalted nuts and seeds) to meet the meat\/meat alternate requirement.\""]},{"id":"12901.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"That 59 divisions in Philly had no votes for Romney in 2012 is (a) mathematical and statistical impossibility.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that 59 divisions in Philadelphia had no votes for Romney in the 2012 election is not a mathematical or statistical impossibility. It is important to note that these divisions are not equivalent to voting districts, but rather smaller subdivisions within the city. Philadelphia has nearly 1,700 divisions, and each division typically has a smaller number of registered voters. Therefore, it is entirely possible for a division to have zero votes for a particular candidate, especially considering factors such as voter demographics and political preferences within specific areas.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11944.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"About 70 percentof Republicans nationwide ...dont think Donald Trump is the right guy to take on Hillary Clinton in November.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Cruz's claim that approximately 70 percent of Republicans nationwide do not believe Donald Trump is the right candidate to take on Hillary Clinton in the November election. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm this statistic, it is based on Senator Cruz's statement, which suggests that there is a significant portion of Republicans who hold this belief. However, it is important to note that the exact percentage may vary and should be interpreted as an approximation rather than an exact figure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Hastings said in his resolution that the dog meat festival in Yulin, China threatens global public health. No evidence backs that up. A leading expert at the World Health Organization dismissed the idea, both for the festival in particular, and the practice of eating dog meat in general. Peer-reviewed studies in China find little connection between the dog meat trade and rabies.","\"While much can be said from the ethics and animal welfare points of view, we\u2019re not aware of scientifically justified arguments behind the claim that a dog meat festival in China or the practice of eating dog meat represent a global threat to public health,\" said Dr. Kazuaki Miyagishima, director of WHO\u2019s Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases. \"While it may pose a potential public health issue within China because of the lack of compliance with existing regulations, this would have no or very limited international impact.\"","There may be other reasons to condemn the festival, but the risk it poses to public health globally is not one of them.","Put simply, you may reject the dog festival as being cruel to animals or unethical, but you shouldn\u2019t suggest it poses a global health threat."]},{"id":"8027.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Women still earn about 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for working the same job.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is a gender wage gap, the statement that women earn about 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for working the same job is an oversimplification. The gender wage gap is a complex issue influenced by various factors such as occupation, education, experience, and discrimination. When comparing women's earnings to men's earnings, it is important to consider the overall average, rather than solely focusing on the same job. The 77 cents figure represents the overall gender wage gap, but it does not accurately reflect the wage difference for the same job. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Travis Tranel,\" a mail piece says, \"sides with those who want to privatize Social Security -- and risk our retirements on Wall Street.\"","The Greater Wisconsin Committee and its Greater Wisconsin Political Fund are using mailers and radio ads to target Republican candidates in key 2010 races for the Wisconsin Assembly. Democrats outnumber Republicans there, 52 to 46, with one independent.","Tranel , a Cuba City dairy farmer, is making his second attempt to unseat Garthwaite, a second-term Assembly Democrat. The mail piece that claims he \"sides with those who want to privatize Social Security\" says its proof is a newspaper article. In the article, Tranel expresses admiration for Ryan -- but there\u2019s no mention of Social Security.","Lest anyone miss the point, the flier includes a man -- presumably a fat-cat Wall Street banker or investor -- lighting his cigar with a Social Security card that\u2019s been set aflame."]},{"id":"7804.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas high school graduates must pass Algebra II to be eligible for automatic admission to states public universities.","reason":"Reason: While it is not a strict requirement for Texas high school graduates to pass Algebra II to be eligible for automatic admission to the state's public universities under the \"top 10 percent\" law, it is worth noting that most high-ranking graduates seeking admission have typically taken Algebra II. The law itself does not specifically mandate Algebra II as a prerequisite, but in practice, many students who rank in the top 10 percent of their class have completed this course. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully reflect the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9696.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Israel in the last three weeks haskilled more Palestinian children, more than 200, than the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in military operations since 2006.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, it is confirmed that in the last three weeks, Israel has killed more than 200 Palestinian children, which exceeds the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in military operations since 2006. The evidence supports the claim made, indicating a significant disparity in the number of casualties between Palestinian children and Israeli soldiers during this specific time frame.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10305.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Terrorist detainees were not covered by the Geneva Convention. They were unlawful combatants. And under those circumstances, they were not entitled to the normal kinds of courtesies and treatment.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is a debate surrounding the legal status and treatment of terrorist detainees, the statement oversimplifies the issue. The Geneva Conventions provide protections for individuals captured during armed conflicts, and there are differing interpretations regarding the applicability of these conventions to terrorist detainees. Some argue that they should be considered unlawful combatants and therefore not entitled to the same protections, while others argue that they should still be afforded certain basic rights. The statement fails to acknowledge the complexity of the legal and ethical discussions surrounding this topic.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13219.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy supports a gun ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms used for hunting, recreational shooting and self defense.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the NRA-ILA that Patrick Murphy supports a gun ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms used for hunting, recreational shooting, and self-defense. The evidence provided confirms that semi-automatic firearms are indeed used for these purposes. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or information about the extent of Murphy's support for such a ban or the specific details of his stance on gun control. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it lacks some nuance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6149.json","label":"true","statement":"Under current law, if you go on a dating website and you say youre 32 and youre actually 42, youve committed a misdemeanor.","reason":"Reason: Under current law, misrepresenting one's age on a dating website can indeed be considered a misdemeanor. This is because providing false information about one's age can potentially lead to fraudulent activities or deceptive practices. It is important to note that the severity of the offense and the specific legal consequences may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the circumstances involved.\nLabel: true","evidence":["There are other amounts that can be folded into the totals, but it\u2019s safe to say about two-thirds of the spending took place before Biden took office.","\"Tax hikes on consumers reduce disposable income and thereby reduce consumer spending,\" Leahy said. \"Tax hikes on business tend to reduce profits and thereby reduce investment. \"","The National Republican Senatorial Committee\u2019s ad begins with the narrator saying Kelly \"votes the party line in Washington and says the opposite when he\u2019s home in Arizona.\" The ad goes on to make a number of claims, including that Kelly voted \"for benefits to illegals.\"","One final point on inflation and tax policy: Scott talked about Democrats\u2019 \"tax and spending spree.\" While Biden has said he would like to raise taxes on corporations and on people making over $400,000 a year, that has yet to happen."]},{"id":"408.json","label":"true","statement":"Obama spent \"40 percent of the PAC money, 43 percent to be exact, on Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina politicians.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Obama spent 43 percent of the PAC money on politicians in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. The evidence provided supports this claim, and there is no contradictory information presented. Therefore, the statement can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Hagan spoke at a rally to support a moratorium banning the deep well injection of fracking waste after an 4.0 earthquake linked to the practice struck Youngstown on New Year's Eve. At the rally, Hagan linked the earthquakes to the Kasich administration saying, \"We never had an earthquake in Youngstown until John Kasich was governor.\"","Hagan's claim shook up the sensors at the Politifact Ohio monitoring center. Was Youngstown really earthquake-free until John Kasich became the state's chief executive on Jan. 10, 2011?","But regardless of the timing of the quakes, Hagan makes a rhetorical stretch to imply that the earthquake happened because Kasich was governor.","The injection wells are not something that Kasich is the first governor to allow -- they have been around for several decades. And Kasich did not weaken regulations on drilling regulations or do anything that could be construed as making it more likely the earthquake would happen."]},{"id":"7358.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Texas ranks last in the percentage of residents with high school diplomas.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Texas ranks last in the percentage of residents with high school diplomas. The editorial explicitly states that Texas ranks last in this regard. Additionally, the evidence mentions that the Texas rate matches the rates of Mississippi and California, and the margin of error is within 0.2 percentage points for both Texas and California. Therefore, based on the available information, it can be concluded that the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As support, Barrasso\u2019s office cited a letter signed by 22 governors, 21 of them Republicans and one Democrat, Laura Kelly of Kansas. The letter said:","Through a Department of State translator, we asked each of them if people walk 200 to 300 miles in order to vote in Africa. We didn't have to wait for the heard the laughter.","Evers spokeswoman Britt Cudaback said in a Feb. 1, 2022, email that the governor\u2019s office looked at the past 40 years. They also said they considered Evers contemporaries to be any previous governors still living today.","In Chad, a landlocked country with huge deserts in the north, the maximum distance you might have to walk is 5 kilometers (about 3.1 miles), added Mr. Baidessou Soukolgue, a program officer at the Chad office of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy."]},{"id":"2898.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the fall of 2009, only 21 percent of Texas high school graduates enrolled in a four-year public university.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Todd Staples that only 21 percent of Texas high school graduates in the fall of 2009 enrolled in a four-year public university. However, it's important to note that this statistic specifically applies to public universities in Texas and does not account for enrollment in private or independent colleges or universities, public two-year institutions, or out-of-state institutions. Therefore, while the statement is true for the specific context mentioned, it does not provide a complete picture of the overall enrollment patterns of Texas high school graduates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The shadowy video purports to show the actress portraying Clinton huddling with nervous advisers who say first that Trump has considerable weaknesses. \"He has the second-highest disapproval ratings of anyone running for president,\" an adviser says. Next, another pretend aide asks who has the highest (or worst) disapproval rating--and all eyes fall away.","So for recent history\u2019s sake, we decided to see if Cruz was right pre-departure about Trump having the second-highest disapproval ratings among all presidential hopefuls.","Some of the 22 polls contacted registered voters while others surveyed likely voters. In each one, Trump had the highest disapproval ratings among candidates of either party; Clinton ran second to Trump in unfavorability in 18 polls.","Television ratings have long been a fixation for former reality TV star President Donald Trump, so it\u2019s no wonder he shined a spotlight on the ratings for his first State of the Union."]},{"id":"2208.json","label":"true","statement":"The overall fact about illegal immigration is that its not actually getting worse.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rachel Maddow that illegal immigration is not actually getting worse. The evidence presented, including a graph showing decreasing apprehension rates of illegal immigrants, supports this assertion. While there may be differing opinions on the usefulness of apprehension rates as an indicator, the overall trend depicted in the graph aligns with the claim that illegal immigration is not increasing. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11163.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has been in office and in government longer than anybody else running here tonight.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While Hillary Clinton does have a significant amount of experience in government and public service, it is not accurate to claim that she has been in office and in government longer than anybody else running on the specific occasion mentioned. There may be other candidates who have comparable or even longer government experience. The statement oversimplifies the comparison and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the candidates' backgrounds and years of service.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"These guys have laid it out where they want us to be,\" Biden told attendees at the event in Tulsa, Okla., on Aug. 30, 2011. \"Paul Ryan laid out their budget. Their budget eviscerates -- it eliminates Medicare. They say it doesn't. It makes it a voucher program. I call that eliminating Medicare in the next 10 years.\"","\"Here's the most important thing you need to know about the Republicans' new budget plan: It abolishes Medicare within 10 years.\"","claimed that Ryan\u2019s budget plan \"abolishes Medicare within 10 years.\" The group provided no evidence that backs the claim. To be sure, the plan would change Medicare, significantly, starting in 2022. But for those who turn 65 before then, there would be no changes at all, even after 2022. And for the others, Medicare would change -- dramatically -- but it would still exist.","Biden says Ryan\u2019s plan \"eliminates Medicare\" in 10 years. In stating it that way in front of campaign donors, he strays from the \"as we know it\" qualifier even the president has used."]},{"id":"12498.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our population has grown from about 1 million in the 1970s to almost 7 million today.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect in terms of the population figures provided. The evidence suggests that the U.S. population was approximately 63 million in 1890 and around 323 million in 2016. However, the statement incorrectly states that the population grew from about 1 million in the 1970s to almost 7 million today. This discrepancy renders the statement inaccurate. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a speech on the House floor, Lopez said that under Virginia law \"ducks have more protection that people\" from assault gun violence. To drive the point home, he repeated it.","\"Since 1931, federal law prohibits me from having more than three shotgun shells in my shotgun when I\u2019m duck hunting,\" he said. \"That means that ducks have more protection than people in Virginia.","Code of Virginia, \" \u00a7 18.2-282. Pointing, holding, or brandishing firearm, air or gas operated weapon or object similar in appearance; penalty,\" assessed June 22, 2015.","Lopez told us he wasn\u2019t trying to argue that Virginia laws protect ducks better than people from being shot. \"I was talking about the number of bullets and shotgun shells,\" he said, adding that, perhaps, he could have been clearer in his speech. \"I was talking about high capacity guns.\""]},{"id":"7791.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says its estimated that 300 babies a year are sent home from the hospital with an unrecognized congenital heart defect; it is the most common birth defect in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Sen. Bob Deuell that an estimated 300 babies a year are sent home from the hospital with an unrecognized congenital heart defect, which is indeed considered the most common birth defect in America. While the evidence does not provide a specific source for the estimate, the claim aligns with the information provided by Sen. Deuell and is consistent with the prevalence of congenital heart defects as a leading birth defect in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The increase in the garbage tax that Mayor Allan Fung imposed in Cranston for some people has been as much as $200.\"","During a radio debate, Ken Block said, \"The increase in the garbage tax that Mayor Allan Fung imposed in Cranston for some people has been as much as $200.\"","When it was Block\u2019s turn to ask Fung a question, he said, \"You know, I\u2019ve heard from a number of Cranston residents, including a few CPAs, that the increase in the garbage tax that you\u2019ve imposed in Cranston for some people has been as much as $200 dollars. And for a number of people in Cranston, that\u2019s equivalent to what is in effect a five-percent increase in their property tax \u2026","Ken Block, a Republican candidate for governor, argues that the new program comes at an additional cost. He claims that Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, his gubernatorial primary opponent, has raised \"the garbage tax\" by \"as much as $200 for some residents.\""]},{"id":"3459.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since President Obama took office, gas prices have gone up 67 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that gas prices have increased since President Obama took office. However, the percentage increase provided is not entirely accurate. According to the evidence provided, gas prices have actually increased by 82.5 percent during Obama's tenure. Therefore, while the statement captures the general trend of rising gas prices, the specific percentage mentioned is incorrect.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["As state Commerce secretary, Mary Burke drafted, sponsored and promoted \"budgets that raised taxes by billions, created high structural deficits and raided funds to finance huge spending hikes. Mostly False.","State Republicans said that as state Commerce secretary, Burke drafted, sponsored and promoted \"budgets that raised taxes by billions, created high structural deficits and raided funds to finance huge spending hikes.\"","In this item, we\u2019ll examine whether Burke helped \"draft\" \"sponsor\" and \"promote\" budgets that \"raised taxes by billions, created high structural deficits and raided funds.\"","Burke had a hand in budgeting, as any cabinet member would, and lauded two Doyle budgets, which did indeed leave high structural deficits and bust into segregated funds. But it was a big overstatement to say she \"drafted\" two overall state budgets. In any event, those two budget proposals from Doyle raised taxes by $1.35 billion, not \"billions\" as claimed."]},{"id":"9105.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rick Scott tried to slash school funding by $3.3 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Rick Scott attempted to reduce school funding by $3.3 billion during his first year in office. While it is true that Scott's initial proposal did not come to fruition and the final budget cut was lower at $1.3 billion, it is important to note that the intent to reduce funding by the larger amount existed. The statement could benefit from additional context to clarify that the actual reduction in funding was lower than initially proposed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1099.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The health care reform bill would make it mandatory absolutely require that every five years people in Medicare have a required counseling session that will tell them how to end their life sooner.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The health care reform bill does not require or mandate that Medicare patients have counseling sessions every five years to learn how to end their life sooner. This claim, made by McCaughey, has been widely debunked. The bill does include provisions for Medicare to cover the cost of end-of-life counseling sessions, but these sessions are optional and intended to provide information and support for patients who wish to engage in end-of-life planning, such as creating living wills or appointing healthcare proxies. The statement misrepresents the purpose and content of the bill, spreading a false and sensationalized claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"wants to let people just pour in. You could have 650 million people pour in and we do nothing about it. Think of it. That\u2019s what could happen. You triple the size of our country in one week.\"","Trump said Clinton \"wants to let people just pour in. You could have 650 million people pour in, and we do nothing about it. Think of it. That\u2019s what could happen. You triple the size of our country in one week.\"","\"She wants to let people just pour in. You could have 650 million people pour in, and we do nothing about it. Think of it. That\u2019s what could happen. You triple the size of our country in one week,\" Trump said.","\"She wants open borders. We could have 600 million people pour into our country. Think of it. Once you have open borders like that, you don\u2019t have a country anymore,\" Trump said in Greeley, Colo., on Oct. 30, according to CBS News."]},{"id":"6177.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Before Act 10, the total cost of public sector employees employment was 29 percent higher than that in the private sector. After the act, its still 22 percent higher.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made regarding the cost of public sector employees' employment compared to the private sector before and after Act 10. However, it's important to note that the claim is based on a specific study conducted by conservative think tanks, Heritage and AEI. While the statement suggests that the study factors in equal educational experience and job classifications, it's crucial to consider that the study's methodology and findings may be subject to scrutiny and potential biases. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it should be approached with caution and further examination of the study's credibility is warranted.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"(Jeff) Atwater's busy helping his friends and wasting our tax dollars -- $48 million for a government building so lavish it's dubbed the 'Taj Mahal,' $100,000 for a golf musuem, and $110 million to build a private prison to help a big contributor.\"","\"Tallahassee's a mess, and Jeff Atwater's part of the problem,\" a narrator claims in the ad. \"Atwater's busy helping his friends and wasting our tax dollars -- $48 million for a government building so lavish it's dubbed the 'Taj Mahal,' $100,000 for a golf museum, and $110 million to build a private prison to help a big contributor.\"","\"Tallahassee's a mess, and Jeff Atwater's part of the problem,\" a narrator says in a TV ad Ausley unveiled Oct. 11, 2010. \"Atwater's busy helping his friends and wasting our tax dollars -- $48 million for a government building so lavish it's dubbed the 'Taj Mahal,' $100,000 for a golf museum, and $110 million to build a private prison to help a big contributor.\"","Democrat Loranne Ausley claims Republican Jeff Atwater helped his friends and wasted taxpayer dollars in the state Senate by backing a series of pet projects, including the $48 million \"Taj Mahal\" Tallahassee courthouse."]},{"id":"2929.json","label":"false","statement":"When President Franklin D. Roosevelt started Social Security, it only affected widows and orphans, and when Medicare began, it was a small program.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Social Security and Medicare have undergone changes and expansions over time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt did not start Social Security as a program exclusively for widows and orphans. Social Security was designed as a comprehensive social insurance program that provided benefits to retired workers, disabled individuals, and the dependents of deceased workers. Similarly, Medicare was not initially a small program but was established as a national health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older. The claim misrepresents the original intent and scope of these programs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here are the 37 instances we could find in which President Barack Obama or a top administration official said something close to, \u201cIf you like your plan, you can keep your plan,\u201d referring to health insurance changes under the Affordable Care Act.","\u2022 Remarks in St. Charles, Mo., March 10, 2010: \" If you like your plan, you can keep your plan. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.\"","President Barack Obama has several times said yes. We\u2019ve been skeptical of that claim (along with a few other claims from the law\u2019s supporters.) Last year, we rated his statement Half True.","\u2022 Remarks in St. Louis, Mo., March 10, 2010: \"If you like your plan, you can keep your plan. If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. I\u2019m the father of two young girls \u2013- I don\u2019t want anybody interfering between my family and their doctor.\""]},{"id":"4190.json","label":"true","statement":"The deficit was on track to top $1 trillion the year I took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that \"the deficit was on track to top $1 trillion the year I took office\" is supported by evidence. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected a deficit of $198 billion for 2009 in their budget projections from January 2008, which was before the impact of the housing bubble collapse became clear. However, the actual deficit for that year ended up exceeding $1 trillion. Therefore, President Obama's claim is accurate based on the available data and projections at the time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Many charter school supporters, including the governor, felt they were double-crossed last week when Georgia School Superintendent John Barge announced his opposition to a constitutional amendment aimed at creating more charter schools.","Barge broke ranks with other charter school supporters when he decided to oppose the amendment, but he did not quite flip-flop.","\"Asked whether he would campaign for the charter school question, state School Superintendent John Barge expressed a fondness for charter schools in an email, but added this: \u2018We will, of course, respect the will of the citizens of Georgia regarding how charter schools are authorized.\u2019\"","The 130-word lead-up to the question asked for the candidate\u2019s stance on funding for commission-approved charter schools, not the bill as a whole. It explained that under HB 881, if a student attends this kind of charter school, the per-pupil amount of local tax revenue that would have gone to the district for his or her education goes to the charter school instead."]},{"id":"11833.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As part of legislative fights over abortion rights,Mike Coffman co-sponsored a bill to redefine rape.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Mike Coffman co-sponsored a bill that aimed to redefine a ban on federal funding for abortions to exempt \"forcible rape.\" However, it's important to note that Coffman later voted for an amended version of the bill that removed the \"forcible\" modifier. While the initial co-sponsorship does indicate involvement in attempting to redefine the scope of rape, the subsequent vote suggests a change in position. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that Coffman's stance on the issue evolved during the legislative process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In an April 17 message on his campaign website, Kyrillos offered this biographical note: \"In my years in the State Legislature, I have never voted for a tax increase.\"","But that\u2019s just what Kyrillos, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, did in this April 17 statement on his campaign website: \"In my years in the State Legislature, I have never voted for a tax increase.\"","For example, when the Legislature agreed in July 2006 to increase the sales tax to 7 percent and expand it to various transactions, Kyrillos said no. Kyrillos also rejected a measure in June 2009 to temporarily increase certain state income tax rates.","In an interview with PolitiFact this week, Rubio offered two rebuttals: First, that he was only one member of the Legislature. And second, that he wasn't prepared to vote against the entire state budget only to make a point about the schools tax. Earlier this year, Rubio offered another explanation of his schools tax vote, saying that it wasn't a tax increase because the tax rate didn't go up."]},{"id":"7581.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In this city, there hasnt been a stadium thats lasted more than 27 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided does not explicitly mention the specific city being referred to, but it does mention the construction of a new Bills stadium by 2026. However, without further information, it is unclear if the city being referred to has a history of stadiums not lasting more than 27 years. Therefore, while the evidence supports the possibility of a new stadium being built, it does not provide sufficient information to verify the claim about the city's history of stadium longevity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12573.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When he served as governor, Schwarzenegger preserved more land than any other gubernatorial administration in Californias history.","reason":"Reason: According to Bonnie Reiss, the global director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, during Arnold Schwarzenegger's tenure as governor, his administration preserved more land than any other gubernatorial administration in California's history. State officials and researchers at the California State Library also confirmed that they are not aware of any other governor who protected larger collections of land. While it is challenging to definitively compare the land preservation efforts of different administrations throughout history, the evidence suggests that Schwarzenegger's administration made significant strides in land conservation. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4385.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Florida U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown, Alcee Hastings and Frederica Wilson are Socialists.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Florida U.S. Representatives Corrine Brown, Alcee Hastings, and Frederica Wilson are socialists is false. While they are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which advocates for progressive policies, it is important to note that being a member of this caucus does not equate to being a socialist. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim and rated it as \"Pants on Fire.\" It is misleading and inaccurate to label these representatives as socialists without credible evidence to support such a claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We wanted to know the source for Katz's claim, but he didn't respond to our phone calls or email. We assume Katz was referring to data published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation for fiscal 2006, which tallied mental health care spending for the District of Columbia and the 50 states. Texas was indeed ranked 50th for spending \u2014 per capita \u2014 though that was second to last.","Texas was last among the states in such per-capita spending in 2009, 2008 and 2007, according to Kaiser foundation charts for those years, though the 2007 chart shows no available data for Hawaii. The latest comparison: In fiscal 2010, which in Texas ran through August 2010, Texas spent nearly $980 million total on mental health services, placing ninth nationally, according to a foundation chart. Its per-person spending of $38.99 placed the state 49th -- not last -- among the states. Idaho, with per-capita spending of $36.64, was 50th, with Maine No. 1 at per-capita spending of $346.92. The national average was $120.56.","That story said Texas ranked last in the country in per-person mental health spending based on dollar amounts it attributed to the liberal, Austin-based Center for Public Policy Priorities. When we inquired, a center official told us they gave WFAA information about spending in fiscal 2009 as written up in an August 2012 report by the Texas-based Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. The Hogg Foundation, in turn, said its source was a listing of per-person mental health care spending data in 50 states by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.","We\u2019ve fact-checked something similar before, back in 2010 when a lieutenant governor candidate said Texas was last in mental health care spending. Back then, the numbers were close; data published on the Kaiser Family Foundation\u2019s website for fiscal year 2016 put Texas second to last, per capita."]},{"id":"11450.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rep. Peter Petrarca voted on two pieces of legislation that helped auto body shops ... and at that point I think there is a conflict of interest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Rep. Peter Petrarca voted on two pieces of legislation related to auto body shops. Given Petrarca's professional and personal connections to the auto body shop industry, his vote on these bills could be seen as creating at least an appearance of a conflict of interest. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific details about the content or impact of the legislation, so the extent to which the bills helped auto body shops or consumers is debatable. Therefore, while there is a valid concern about a potential conflict of interest, the statement lacks complete information to make a definitive judgment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Editor\u2019s note: PolitiFact will soon publish a series of reports outlining how President Barack Obama performed in keeping his campaign promises of 2008 and 2012. In-depth stories will look at the economy, health care, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, climate change and more. As a preview, this report outlines how Obama has performed on 25 specific pledges.","PolitiFact has tracked all of Obama\u2019s campaign promises (533, to be exact) over two elections, issuing ratings of Promise Kept, Compromise, Stalled, In the Works or Promise Broken.","The rich are paying more in taxes under Obama, but not as much as he wanted. In 2008, Obama proposed to allow the tax cuts enacted under his predecessor to expire. After agreeing to a two-year extension of the Bush-era rates, Obama came out with a Compromise. In late 2012, the White House and Congressional Republicans agreed to return the top marginal rate to 39.6 percent from 35 percent, but the income threshold was almost double what Obama proposed: $450,00 for joint incomes, rather than $250,000.","The language that's part of the president's National Security Council memo \"is identical to the language\" used by President George W. Bush in 2001 and President Barack Obama in 2009."]},{"id":"734.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obama says McCain went to Bermuda and \"pledged to protect tax breaks for American corporations that hide their profits offshore.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Obama campaign that McCain visited Bermuda and pledged to protect tax breaks for American corporations that hide their profits offshore. While the ad does not explicitly state a quid pro quo, it implies a connection between McCain's visit and the campaign contributions he received from insurance company executives and lobbyists benefiting from the tax scheme. The evidence confirms that McCain did visit Bermuda and that his comments during the visit were at odds with his previous statements on discouraging companies from moving overseas for tax purposes. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7363.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas is last in mental health expenditures.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Texas has consistently ranked low in per capita mental health services expenditures compared to other states. Multiple sources, including the State Mental Health Agency and the Kaiser Family Foundation, support this claim. Additionally, a report by Mental Health America in 2022 also ranks Texas last among states and the District of Columbia for access to mental health care. While there may be slight variations in rankings depending on the specific year and metric used, the overall trend of Texas ranking low in mental health expenditures is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3802.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the Obama Administration has fulfilled all of Texas requests for fire management assisting grants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Carney that the Obama Administration has fulfilled all of Texas' requests for fire management assisting grants. The evidence provided confirms that the administration has been responsive to Texas' requests and has provided 25 grants as requested. However, it's important to note that while the administration fulfilled the grant requests, it did not grant the disaster declaration that could have covered more counties and provided retroactive assistance. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding the fire management assisting grants, it lacks complete context regarding the denial of the disaster declaration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"977.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"The administration raises revenue for nationalized health care through a series of new taxes, including a light switch tax that would cost every American household $3,128 a year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The Obama administration did not propose nationalized health care, and the claim of a \"light switch tax\" costing every American household $3,128 a year is completely inaccurate. This claim has been widely debunked, and it is a distortion of the facts. The original ruling of \"Pants on Fire\" stands as the statement is intentionally false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["So we come back to Brown\u2019s claim that if Loughner \"had been identified with this mental illness, he would not have been able to buy this gun.\"","The big one: Those who voluntarily get institutional treatment and bypass the need for court action aren\u2019t barred from gun ownership, according to the groups with which we checked. That means that if community college officials, counselors or Loughner\u2019s parents had convinced Loughner to check in on his own, he still would have qualified to buy a gun. \"Just being mentally ill is not going to be the triggerer\" for the prohibition, said Becca Knox, the Brady Center\u2019s director of research.","And the shameful irony is that under a bill that President George W. Bush signed, \"if he had been identified with this mental illness, he would not have been able to buy this gun,\" U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said in a discussion of the mental health safety net during an appearance on MSNBC\u2019s \"Morning Joe\" program. \"I mean, the laws were there, but he fell through the system, he fell through the cracks, because he wasn\u2019t identified because when he left the community college, nobody approached him, apparently.\"","Under Arizona law, it would not have been hard to get Loughner committed, according to reviews by news organizations. \"Arizona has one of the least restrictive laws when it comes to detaining apparently mentally ill people against their will,\" Reuters, a wire service, reported on Jan. 13. \"Under the state's broad involuntary-commitment statute, the government can mandate in-patient treatment for anyone determined to be \u2018persistently or acutely disabled.\u2019 That could include a broad range of seemingly troubled individuals.\""]},{"id":"9249.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Constitution simply does not authorize the federal government to own any of this land (in the Western states).","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Constitution does not authorize the federal government to own any land in the Western states is false. Legal scholars and experts agree that the Constitution grants the federal government the power to own land, including in the Western states. This argument is based on a tenuous interpretation of constitutional language and disregards over a century of Supreme Court decisions. The federal government has the authority to own and manage land for various purposes, including conservation, national parks, and national forests. Therefore, the claim that the Constitution prohibits federal land ownership in the Western states is unfounded and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Two million federal workers negotiate zippo, zero,\" Kasich told radio host Dan Rivers on April 26 when discussing SB 5. \"There is no collective bargaining for federal employees.\"","It would be easy to rate Kasich\u2019s statement False. Federal workers may have limited collective bargaining powers. But that isn't \"zippo\" and \"zero.\"","There are about 1.6 million non-postal federal workers. Of those, about 1.1 million are represented by more than 90 labor organizations. Some workers in agencies such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission can negotiate wages. Others in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Government Accountability Office and other departments do not engage in collective bargaining.","Federal workers generally cannot collectively bargain pay and benefits, but they can negotiate working conditions, according to the Federal Labor Relations Authority, which administers the labor-management relations program for more than 1 million federal workers."]},{"id":"7975.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says $800,000 cost of Texas special legislative session would pay for 1.6 million condoms, 90,000 months of the pill or 20 full-time sexual health educators.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The sign carried by a protester at the Texas Capitol suggests that the $800,000 cost of the special legislative session could potentially fund 1.6 million condoms, 90,000 months of the pill, or 20 full-time sexual health educators. While the exact figures may vary slightly due to adjustments made in subsequent discussions, the overall comparison remains mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On Aug. 12, voted nay on H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which became law Aug. 16. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Inflation Reduction Act is expected to result in a net spending decrease of $58.1 billion from 2022 to 2031.","Congressional Budget Office, Estimated Budgetary Effects of the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to the American Rescue Plan Act, March 4, 2021","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","Miller-Meeks is right. According to AAA, the current national average price for a gallon of diesel is $4.878, up 47 percent from the national average a year ago of $3.326. Diesel reached a record high of $5.816 on June 19."]},{"id":"13435.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Deborah) Ross defends those who want to burn the American flag, and even called efforts to ban flag-burning ridiculous, yet refused to help a disabled veteran fly the flag.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the sources provided. According to the sources, Deborah Ross defended the right to burn the American flag and criticized efforts to ban flag-burning as \"ridiculous.\" Additionally, it is stated that she refused to help a disabled veteran fly the flag. However, it's important to note that the sources provided are from political ads, which may have a bias and may not provide the full context of the situation. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the information provided, it is advisable to seek additional sources for a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10791.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas agriculture is at 98 percent efficiency in water use and just about maxed out as to what we can do on the conservation end of it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Texas agriculture has achieved up to 98 percent irrigation efficiency, as stated by the Texas Water Development Board. However, the claim that Texas agriculture is \"just about maxed out\" on conservation efforts is not entirely accurate. While some farmers using drip irrigation methods may be close to reaching maximum efficiency, experts have noted that growers using sprinkler methods may achieve lower efficiency rates, ranging from 88 percent to 95 percent. Therefore, while Texas agriculture has made significant strides in water conservation, there is still room for improvement and further conservation efforts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This claim doesn\u2019t hold up in that far more people were working the past few years than in Carter\u2019s time as president. According to a government calculation, about the same share of adults was employed during each Democrat\u2019s presidency.","There is understandable concern about the country\u2019s long-term unemployed and discouraged workers. The economic recovery from the 2007-09 recession has been slow, which may have propelled people to go back to school, stay at home with their kids or give up on a search altogether when they could not find jobs in their field.","Second, the ad uses the term \"lowest workforce.\" The term \"workforce\" refers to an absolute number of people who are either employed or are seeking work. Using this statistic, the group\u2019s claim is way off, because of the nation\u2019s overall population growth during the last three decades as well as the expansion of women in the workforce through the 1990s.","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d"]},{"id":"146.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Going to public financing really disadvantages Democrats because you're not able to raise funds between the day you win the primaries and the time you're officially nominated.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Public financing does impose limitations on candidates' ability to raise funds between winning the primaries and being officially nominated. This is because public financing typically comes with spending limits and restrictions on accepting private donations during that period. However, it is important to note that the impact of this disadvantage may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the fundraising capabilities of individual candidates. While it can be a challenge for Democrats or any candidate relying on public financing, it does not necessarily guarantee a disadvantage in all cases.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5476.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"[E]mployment in Gwinnett is up more than 3 percent over last year, and unemployment is the lowest of the five core metro counties.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that employment in Gwinnett has increased by more than 3 percent compared to the previous year, and the unemployment rate in Gwinnett is the lowest among the five core metro counties. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific data or statistics to support these claims. Without more detailed information, it is difficult to verify the exact figures or compare them to other regions. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate based on the evidence provided, it could benefit from more specific data to strengthen its credibility.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Pocan claimed the poll showed 25 percent of Americans changed their email and phone habits because of the data collection allowed by the Patriot Act.","\"The Pew Foundation did a poll and what's interesting and I think a chilling effect -- 25 percent of people in the country have said they changed their email and phone habits because of this kind of collection.\"","Pocan also said the 25 percent of people \"changed their email and phone habits.\" But, as noted, the list had seven categories and did not pair any two of them together.","Much of that data collection grew out of the Patriot Act, which was signed by President George W. Bush shortly after the 9\/11 attacks, allowing government to monitor communication activity to prevent further acts of terrorism."]},{"id":"9258.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The average minimum wage worker is 35 years old.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the average minimum wage worker is 35 years old is mostly accurate, but it requires some clarification. While it is true that the average age of minimum wage workers is around 35 years old, it is important to note that this statistic does not imply that all minimum wage workers fall within this age range. The average age is influenced by a wide range of workers, including younger individuals just starting their careers, as well as older individuals who may be working minimum wage jobs due to various circumstances. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood in the context of a diverse range of workers encompassing different age groups.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2416.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ive been outspent by my opponents every time Ive run for U.S. Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided suggests that the candidate, Feingold, used twisted logic and math to claim that he has always been outspent by his opponents. However, this claim is debunked as it is revealed that he actually outspent one of his opponents. Therefore, the statement that the candidate has been outspent by opponents every time they ran for the U.S. Senate is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12329.json","label":"false","statement":"In the history of Republican primaries, Ive gotten the most votes in the history of the Republican party.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump received a significant number of votes during the Republican primaries, it is not accurate to claim that he received the most votes in the history of the Republican Party. Several previous Republican candidates, such as Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Richard Nixon, received more votes in their respective primary campaigns. Additionally, it is worth noting that Trump also received a substantial number of votes against his candidacy, and he did not receive the support of a majority of the party's primary voters. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1595.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"The Massachusetts Supreme Court...defined marriage as simply, quote,the establishment of intimacy ... I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Massachusetts Supreme Court did not define marriage as \"the establishment of intimacy.\" This claim has been widely debunked, as the court's ruling did not include such a definition. The statement is a misrepresentation of the court's decision and is intended to create an absurd and false association between same-sex marriage and marrying animals. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing legal matters and the court's rulings.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says that \"Susan Rice, the president's national security adviser, has already conceded that Iran will have a robust uranium enrichment capability.\"","Cotton said, \"Susan Rice, the president's national security adviser, has already conceded that Iran will have a robust uranium enrichment capability.\"","\"We don't know what the final terms of the deal are. But we know so far that Susan Rice, the president's national security adviser, has already conceded that Iran will have a robust uranium enrichment capability. The president has said this bill will have a sunset, perhaps as little as 10 years (from now). Those two terms alone make this deal unacceptable.\"","Cotton essentially puts words in Rice\u2019s mouth when he says she \"conceded\" that Iran will keep a \"robust\" enrichment capability. She didn\u2019t use those words in the AIPAC speech."]},{"id":"1632.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The federal health care plan \"costs Texas taxpayers $2.4 billion per year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that the federal health care plan \"costs Texas taxpayers $2.4 billion per year\" is barely true. While there are projected costs associated with the implementation of the federal health care plan in Texas, the specific figure of $2.4 billion per year is not accurate. The estimate provided by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst was based on an outdated version of the law and did not reflect the current projections. The latest cost projection from the Texas health commission is $27 billion over the period from 2014 to 2023, which averages to approximately $2.7 billion per year. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks precision and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Because there's no local option to allow communities to ban, limit or restrict the location of pot shops, if Amendment 2 passes you can expect the seedy elements of the pot industry to move in right next door to your neighborhood, your church, your business and even your child's school.\"","\"Because there's no local option to allow communities to ban, limit or restrict the location of pot shops, if Amendment 2 passes you can expect the seedy elements of the pot industry to move in right next door to your neighborhood, your church, your business and even your child's school,\" the pamphlet cautions.","Vote No On 2 said, \"Because there's no local option to allow communities to ban, limit or restrict the location of pot shops, if Amendment 2 passes you can expect the seedy elements of the pot industry to move in right next door to your neighborhood, your church, your business and even your child's school.\"","Vote No on 2 spokeswoman Christina Johnson pointed out to us that Amendment 2 does not include any language about a local option, and therefore doesn\u2019t guarantee the state will allow them. The group believes that if a community passes an ordinance, the issue will have to be settled in court due to the amendment\u2019s wording, and a right to access will trump local law."]},{"id":"4218.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Social Security didnt cause the debt crisis. Social Security had nothing to do with the debt crisis.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of fact-checking organizations such as PolitiFact and the Washington Post Fact Checker. Social Security did not cause the debt crisis, and it is not a direct contributor to the federal deficit. In fact, Social Security has its own trust fund with substantial credits, which have helped delay the debt crisis by subsidizing other spending and reducing the need for borrowing. While it is important to note that Social Security does have long-term funding challenges, it is not directly responsible for the debt crisis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But there\u2019s no precedent for Trump\u2019s rapid removals, experts told us. President Barack Obama fired one inspector general, according to the Washington Post. Trump, meanwhile, said he\u2019s suggested for years that his agencies fire any Obama-appointed investigators.","Petraeus was appointed by President George W. Bush to lead the multinational forces in Iraq. He became chief of the military\u2019s Central Command in 2007 and was appointed by Obama to be commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.","Ultimately, McChrystal got much of what he recommended. His downfall came when he allowed a Rolling Stone reporter to travel with him. When the article emerged, McChrystal and his staff were quoted making disparaging remarks about Biden and other top civilian administration officials.","McChrystal\u2019s story partly follows Fiorina\u2019s narrative. He did disagree with some of Obama\u2019s top advisers. On the other hand, Obama largely did what McChrystal wanted. We can\u2019t know the complete inside story, but the immediate issue that cost McChrystal his job wasn\u2019t that he spoke up, but that he spoke too publicly."]},{"id":"6752.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that in the U.S. House of Representatives weve had bipartisan support for the repeal of Obamacare for getting rid of cap and trade for building the Keystone Pipeline.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there has been bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives for the repeal of Obamacare, getting rid of cap and trade, and building the Keystone Pipeline. While the level of bipartisan support may vary for each specific issue, there have been instances where members from both parties have supported these measures. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["McConnell said that Clinton \"lied about her emails, she lied about her server, she lied about Benghazi, she lied about sniper fire \u2014 why she even lied about why her parents named her Hillary.\"","Clinton certainly said in 1995 that she was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, but Clinton was born a few years before the mountain climber became famous.","Census records show two women born in the early 1880s in Lackawanna County, Pa., named Hanna (or Hannah) Jones. But researchers chose the wrong Hanna Jones and ran with it, wrongly assigning Hillary Clinton\u2019s roots to that woman\u2019s parents and creating a false echo chamber ( PolitiFact can relate to the frustration).","During the brief meeting, Clinton \"confessed that her mother, Dorothy Rodham, had read an article about the intrepid Edmund Hillary, a one-time beekeeper who had taken to mountain climbing, when she was pregnant with her daughter in 1947 and liked the name,\" the Times wrote. \" \u2018It had two l's, which is how she thought she was supposed to spell Hillary,\u2019 Mrs. Clinton told reporters after the brief meeting on the tarmac, minutes before her Air Force jet flew past the peak of Everest itself. \u2018So when I was born, she called me Hillary, and she always told me it's because of Sir Edmund Hillary.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"6619.json","label":"false","statement":"We will spend $100 billion in Afghanistan this year, fixing roads, building bridges, training police officers, and more, [and] cutting the same things in our own country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the United States has allocated significant funds for various purposes in Afghanistan, including infrastructure development and security training, there is no evidence to support the claim that these expenditures directly result in cutting the same things in the United States. The budget allocation and spending decisions in one country do not necessarily have a direct correlation or impact on the budget and spending decisions in another country. Therefore, the statement inaccurately suggests a direct trade-off between spending in Afghanistan and domestic spending in the United States.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The ad calls the health care law \"the largest tax increase in history on the middle class.\" Actually, the law is not the largest tax increase in history, and most of its taxes fall on the wealthy and the health care industry.","The blogs said that 75 percent of the people who pay the penalty are in the middle class, so that makes it the biggest middle-class tax increase in history. This is a logical fallacy -- just because 75 percent of the households who pay the tax are in the middle class, that doesn\u2019t automatically make it the largest middle-class tax increase in history.","But one problem for Fitzgerald is that Matthews claims the reform law is the largest tax increase in history, not the largest on the middle class. He argues that not only is the law\u2019s penalty for not having health insurance a tax, but also that the requirement itself is a tax.","Finally, the health care law is not the largest tax increase in history. We looked into this topic in detail when we fact-checked Rush Limbaugh\u2019s statement that the health care law is \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\""]},{"id":"3226.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The war in Iraq was a major factor in blowing the top off the price of oil.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the war in Iraq had an impact on the price of oil, it is an oversimplification to state that it was a \"major factor\" in causing the price of oil to skyrocket. The price of oil is influenced by a multitude of complex factors, including global supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical tensions, market speculation, and economic conditions. While the war in Iraq did contribute to some volatility in the oil market, attributing the entire increase in oil prices solely to the war would be an oversimplification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10974.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries. It doesnt happen in other places with this kind of frequency.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States has experienced a higher frequency of mass violence compared to some other advanced countries, it is an oversimplification to claim that \"this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries\" or that it doesn't occur with a similar frequency. There have been instances of mass violence in other advanced countries as well, although the specific circumstances and frequency may vary. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the complexities of mass violence occurrences in different countries.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Under the Espionage Act, (Edward Snowden would not be) allowed to come into court and say \u2018I was justified in disclosing this information.\u2019 There is no whistleblower exception in the Espionage Act.\"","\"Under the Espionage Act, you're not allowed to come into court and say \u2018I was justified in disclosing this information\u2019,\" Greenwald said on CNN\u2019s The Lead. \"There is no whistleblower exception in the Espionage Act.\"","Greenwald said that if Snowden returned to the United States, he would have no protections under the Espionage Act and would not be allowed to justify his actions in court. In terms of the law, Greenwald is literally correct.","In 2012, a federal judge ruled that former CIA worker John Kiriakou could not present evidence about his reasons for going public with accounts of U.S. waterboarding during interrogations. Kiriakou was charged with disclosing classified information under the Espionage Act."]},{"id":"6404.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Mitt Romney did not pay taxes for 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Mitt Romney did not pay taxes for 10 years is based on an unsubstantiated statement made by an anonymous source to Harry Reid. This allegation has been widely criticized and debunked. There is no credible evidence to support the claim, and it is considered a baseless rumor. Labeling it as \"pants-fire\" reflects the complete lack of truthfulness in the statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We wondered whether he was correct that \"the median income in this country has declined 10 percent in the last four years.\"","Romney responded, \"America still is great, but we have a lot of people suffering. We have people that are underemployed that shouldn't be, unemployed that shouldn't be. Home values continue to go down. We have the median income in this country has declined 10 percent in the last four years. We're still a great nation, but a great nation doesn't have so many people suffering.\"","Between 2007 and 2010, the median declined by 6.3 percent, while between 2006 and 2010, the median declined by 5.1 percent. Both figures amount to considerably less than the 10 percent decline Romney specified. What gives?","\"The median income in America has dropped by 10 percent in the last four years,\" Romney told a sweat-drenched crowd at a manufacturing plant, \"even as gasoline prices have doubled and the prices on many things we buy have gone up and up and up.\""]},{"id":"1276.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A \"massive\" federal computer network will make your medical records available to \"millions of people\" with a \"complete lack of privacy and confidentiality,\" while doctors and hospitals who don't take part face \"stiff penalties.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that a \"massive\" federal computer network will make medical records available to \"millions of people\" without privacy and confidentiality. There is no evidence to support such a claim. While it is true that electronic health records have become more prevalent in healthcare systems, there are strict regulations and protocols in place to protect patient privacy and ensure confidentiality. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets standards for the privacy and security of health information, and healthcare providers who do not comply with these regulations may face penalties. However, the statement exaggerates the potential risks and fails to acknowledge the measures in place to safeguard patient data.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It's all about the schools,\" Wharton said. \"We will not ask for a tax increase to run city government. The budget I present will be clear. We'll operate city government on the same amount we used last year.\"","Memphis\u2019s mayor says that a property tax increase is not in fact a tax increase to fund core government services. Rather, it\u2019s a one-time assessment to cover the city\u2019s final year of court-ordered funding obligations for the city\u2019s dissolving school system.","And yet, while Wharton freely acknowledges he\u2019s asking for a tax increase, he claims core city government services would be funded with the same amount of property tax revenues in FY 2013 as they were in FY 2012.","Estimates of the revenue expected to be raised from that county sales tax increase have run between $60 million and $62 million -- it depends in part on projections of future economic activity. So $30-31 million per year would, in fact, be guaranteed for schools. The half that does not go to schools is returned to the municipalities where they were collected, and of that non-schools portion $23 million is expected to flow to Memphis."]},{"id":"5382.json","label":"true","statement":"Wrong precinct rules exacerbate our provisional ballot problems (and) HB 194 does nothing to solve the wrong-precinct problem.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that wrong precinct rules contribute to the issue of provisional ballot problems. This claim is supported by data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, which shows that wrong precinct voting is a significant reason for provisional voting. Additionally, the statement correctly states that HB 194, the legislation being referred to, does not address the wrong-precinct problem. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13310.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Donald Trump used undocumented labor to build the Trump Tower.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources confirm that undocumented workers were indeed hired to work on the construction of Trump Tower. While the extent of Donald Trump's personal involvement in the hiring process is not entirely clear, it is accurate to say that undocumented labor was utilized during the construction of the building. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Specifically, Reardon \"cut elementary school music classes... cut art instruction \u2026 cut teaching positions \u2026 cut basketball and volleyball programs.\" He \"even voted to raise school lunch prices.\" Truly, he must be a dreadful person opposed to the children. We had to know more.","Let\u2019s go to the next claim, that Reardon cut extracurriculars, including music, art, basketball and volleyball. Again, as a member of the board, Reardon voted to scale back athletics and extracurricular programs in the 1993-94 school year. (The following year some of those cuts were restored due to an increase in the budget, according to a 1994 news story in The Oregonian.)","Reardon, as a member of a school board, is absolutely responsible for every decision made by the board. We have no quibble with that, and wouldn\u2019t suggest otherwise. But the mailer states that \"Jeff Reardon\u2019s cuts devastated our schools and shortchanged our kids.\" Reardon did not personally or single-handedly deprive children of teachers, art classes or basketball programs.","In February 1988, the David Douglas schools superintendent proposed a $25.4 million budget for the 1988-89 school year, according to a news story in The Oregonian. The proposed budget eliminated eight teaching positions. Board minutes show that Reardon, as a member of seven-member board, approved the budget. (The Oregonian news story also noted that the superintendent said the reduction shouldn\u2019t raise the student-to-teacher ratio.)"]},{"id":"10660.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker has been rated Americas most factually-challenged politician.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that Gov. Scott Walker has been rated as America's most factually-challenged politician lacks credible evidence or sources to support it. Without specific information on the rating, the organization or individual responsible for it, and the methodology used, it is not possible to verify the claim. Therefore, the statement is unsubstantiated and should be considered false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9279.json","label":"false","statement":"On in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Larry Taylor or Robson voted to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition. The evidence suggests that there were proposals and discussions regarding in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants, but it does not confirm that these individuals specifically supported or voted for such measures. Additionally, the evidence indicates that no bills granting in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants reached Crist's desk during his tenure as governor. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While the omnibus bill gives no new funding to Planned Parenthood and doesn\u2019t designate money for the organization by name, it does allow Planned Parenthood to continue receiving money from the federal government.","Is it true that this spending bill -- which could shut down the government if it\u2019s not passed -- doesn\u2019t include any money for Planned Parenthood? We decided to find out.","\"Well, first of all, look, on Planned Parenthood -- there's no money in the short-term (spending bill) for Planned Parenthood,\" Cole said. \"Ninety percent of their money comes from Medicaid, not from anything we're going to do. And the remainder is awarded on what are called grants. They're all done in about April. There's none left to do this year, literally none. So, the idea that we're fighting over money for Planned Parenthood is -- it's a canard. It's just not true.\"","We noticed one argument made by several websites and columnists recently, that Planned Parenthood was awarded more money from the federal government than it spent."]},{"id":"12406.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Jacky Rosen has refused to tell us whether she supports Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. It states that PolitiFact was unable to find an instance where Jacky Rosen refused to answer questions about her presidential preference. Additionally, it mentions that Rosen has publicly stated her support for Hillary Clinton on at least two occasions. Therefore, the statement claiming that Rosen has refused to disclose her support for Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Last week, the House passed such a plan, and with bipartisan support. It\u2019s called the 'Cut, Cap, and Balance' Act. It cuts and caps government spending and paves the way for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, which we believe is the best way to stop Washington from spending money it doesn\u2019t have. Before we even passed the bill in the House, the president said he would veto it.\"","Boehner's description of \"Cut, Cap and Balance\" passing with \"bipartisan support\" got the attention of a lot of our readers, who tweeted and e-mailed us to urge us to fact-check the statement.","Rep. Ron Paul, Statement on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act( \"Statement on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act\"), accessed July 26, 2011","Rep. Michele Bachmann, Bachmann Statement on \"Cut, Cap and Balance\" Vote( \"Bachmann Statement on \u201cCut, Cap and Balance\u201d Vote\"), July 19, 2011"]},{"id":"7151.json","label":"true","statement":"The five economic indicators that the federal government tracks - for the first time since August 2006 - were positive this October.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee that the five economic indicators tracked by the federal government were positive in October, marking the first time since August 2006. While the evidence provided is limited, it supports the governor's assertion and suggests a positive trend in the economy during that specific month.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Under the subhead \"7 days,\" the GOP wrote that\u2019s \"How long it took Tim Kaine to break his campaign promise not to raise taxes.\"","The Republican Party of Virginia says that within a week of becoming governor in 2006, Kaine broke a promise not to raise taxes. Kaine indeed proposed a $1 billion transportation tax increase on his seventh day in office.","When he unveiled his transportation plan on Jan. 20, the GOP criticized Kaine for breaching his campaign pledge not to raise taxes for transportation without a lock. The Richmond Times-Dispatch noted, however, in its following-day story, that Kaine as a candidate \"refused to rule out new road taxes.\"","C-SPAN videoof the University of Virginia\u2019s Oct. 9, 2005 gubernatorial debate between Tim Kaine and Jerry Kilgore. (Exhange on taxes is just over 23 minutes into the debate.)"]},{"id":"3373.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In slashing $1.7 billion from Social Security, Rep. Jim Renacci may end up forcing the entire agency to ... shut down for a month, causing seniors to not get their benefits on time, halting claims processing, and forcing new retirees and disabled workers into a backlog.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that budget cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA) can result in furloughs and delays in processing new claims and appeals, the statement exaggerates the potential impact. Past instances of furloughs did not lead to a complete shutdown of the entire agency. Regularly scheduled benefit checks for seniors would still continue, but there could be backlogs and delays in processing new paperwork. Therefore, while there may be some disruptions and delays, the statement overstates the extent of the potential impact.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We were interested in checking Klobuchar\u2019s claim that kids who witness domestic violence are \"twice as likely to commit it themselves.\"","In other words, there\u2019s enough out there to suggest that children who witness domestic violence are more likely to perpetrate it, but saying something as precise as \"twice as likely\" is difficult.","That corroborates Klobuchar\u2019s larger point that parents\u2019 domestic violence has negative outcomes for their children, but that\u2019s not the same as these kids being \"twice as likely to commit it themselves.\"","Klobuchar, arguing that the NFL has a responsibility to hold its \"role models\" accountable to a \"different culture,\" said that kids who witness domestic violence in their households are \"twice as likely to commit it themselves.\""]},{"id":"5738.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Sen. Bill Nelson voted to spend $144,541 to see how monkeys react under the influence of cocaine.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Department of Health and Human Services allocated funds to Wake Forest University for a study on how monkeys react to cocaine, it is misleading to attribute this funding directly to Senator Bill Nelson's vote for the stimulus bill. The stimulus bill did allocate funds for scientific research, but there is no evidence to suggest that Senator Nelson specifically voted for or directed funds towards the monkey-cocaine study. Therefore, the statement inaccurately implies a direct connection between Senator Nelson's vote and the specific study in question.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Letter from Gov. Rick Perry to congressional leaders urging reauthorization of Export Import bank, June 25, 2014 (posted online by the Dallas Morning News )","U.S. Export Import Bank, \" Statement of Honorable Osvaldo Luis Gratac\u00f3s Inspector General Export-Import Bank of the United States before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services,\" June 25, 2014","Congressional Budget Office, \" Testimony on Estimates of the Cost of the Credit Programs of the Export-Import Bank,\" June 25, 2015","\"At a time when almost every major corporation in this country has shut down plants and outsourced millions of American jobs, we should not be providing corporate welfare to multi-national corporations through the Export-Import Bank,\" Sanders said in a statement. \"If the Export-Import Bank cannot be reformed to become a vehicle for real job creation in the United States, it should be eliminated.\""]},{"id":"1447.json","label":"false","statement":"\"What were the old annual deficits under Republicans have now become the monthly deficits under Democrats.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely implies that the monthly deficits under Democrats are equivalent to the annual deficits under Republicans. This oversimplification ignores the complexities of economic factors and the impact of the recession. The monthly deficits fluctuate and cannot be directly compared to annual deficits. Additionally, attributing the deficits solely to political parties overlooks the influence of various factors, including economic conditions and Congressional control. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Is the governor really calling on lawmakers to reduce public school funding in the biennial budget that starts July 1? (We\u2019ll explore McEachin\u2019s claim that pre-kindergarten programs are also being cut at a later date).","In the closing days of this winter\u2019s General Assembly session, Gov. Bob McDonnell unsuccessfully tried to build support for a $50 million cut in public education funding.","Democrats are complaining that Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican, stiffed education in a two-year state spending plan he submitted to the General Assembly last month.","\"Particularly short-sighted are cuts to pre-Kindergarten programs that put disadvantaged children on a path to success,\" said Sen. George Barker, D-Fairfax, in his party\u2019s response to McDonnell\u2019s state of the commonwealth address on Jan. 11."]},{"id":"7088.json","label":"true","statement":"Says a poll shows that without a name attached, Democrats are just one point behind Gov. John Kasich.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a poll that indicates that, without a specific Democratic candidate attached, Democrats are only one point behind Governor John Kasich in popularity. The poll suggests that Kasich's popularity has improved since his initial term, and he is now in a competitive position with potential Democratic challengers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["As he introduced his new running mate, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama lauded Delaware Sen. Joe Biden's legislative achievements, highlighting one that matters to a key voting group: women. \"Joe Biden wrote the Violence Against Women Act, so every woman would have a place to turn for support,\" Obama said in Springfield, Ill. \"The rate of domestic violence went down dramatically, and countless women got a second chance at life.\"","Since VAWA became law, domestic violence rates have dropped dramatically, according to the U.S. Justice Department. In 1993, 5.8 out of every 1,000 people age 12 or older reported being victims of nonfatal intimate partner violence. By 2005, that rate had dropped to 2.3 per 1,000, a decline that fits Obama's description: \"went down dramatically.\"","As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Biden shepherded a major crime bill through Congress in 1993 and 1994. One key piece was the Violence Against Women Act, a bill that Biden had been pushing for years. VAWA, as it's known in Washington, included provisions that authorized $1.6-billion in grants for programs to fight domestic violence, established a toll-free national hotline on family violence and created federal penalties for interstate stalking or domestic abuse. Congress has since renewed it twice.","In fact, the same federal crime statistics that show domestic violence rates dropping, also show the trends were similar in overall violent crime and in murder rates. A case can be made that domestic violence rates might have dropped without passage of the VAWA."]},{"id":"4362.json","label":"half-true","statement":"People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals estimates 200 animals will be spared annually as the result of former President Bill Clinton adopting a vegan diet.","reason":"Reason: While PETA conducted a study that determined the average meat-eating American is responsible for the deaths of 198 animals annually, there is no specific data or evidence to support the claim that former President Bill Clinton adopting a vegan diet would spare exactly 200 animals per year. The estimate provided by PETA is a general one and does not specifically account for the dietary choices of an individual. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate in highlighting PETA's estimate but lacks specific evidence to support the claim regarding Bill Clinton's vegan diet.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5000.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Texas did not bail out a loan program he oversaw as state agriculture commissioner.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly contradicts the statement. As the agriculture commissioner of Texas, Rick Perry did oversee a loan guarantee program called the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority. The program faced significant defaults, leading to the state having to stop guaranteeing bank loans to start-ups in the agribusiness. Ultimately, taxpayer money was used to bail out the program. The evidence provided directly refutes the claim that Texas did not bail out the loan program. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11206.json","label":"false","statement":"We spend almost twice as much per capita on health care as do the people of any other country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States spends more per capita on healthcare than any other country, the statement that \"we spend almost twice as much per capita on health care as do the people of any other country\" is false. The evidence and fact-checking sources indicate that the statement is an exaggeration. The United States does have higher healthcare spending, but it does not spend twice as much per capita as any other nation. It is important to accurately represent the data and avoid making exaggerated claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"8919.json","label":"false","statement":"On repealing the 17th Amendment","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that some candidates in the Republican primary, such as Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, expressed support for repealing the 17th Amendment. However, it is important to note that this does not represent the stance of all candidates. Other candidates, like Texas agriculture commissioner Todd Staples, have expressed opposition to repealing the amendment. Therefore, the statement that there is a consensus or widespread support for repealing the 17th Amendment is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve had the private sector more than double the investment that was made by the public sector\" at Quonset Business Park.","\"We\u2019ve had the private sector more than double the investment that was made by the public sector on the property,\" he said.","So, if state and federal investment comes to $666.4 million, for King to be right the private sector would have to have contributed $1.3 billion. Do the locals measure up?","Quonset spokesman David Preston said the corporation doesn\u2019t have precise figures on all private investment because some tenants chose to keep confidential how much they\u2019ve spent on their facilities."]},{"id":"8140.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We need to pass a carbon tax to stop climate change. Break up the Wall Street banks. And stop the government spying on innocent Americans. Cory Booker doesnt support any of these ideas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' position on the need for a carbon tax, breaking up Wall Street banks, and stopping government surveillance. However, the claim that Cory Booker doesn't support any of these ideas is not entirely true. While Booker may have different approaches or levels of support for these specific policies, it is not accurate to say that he doesn't support any of them. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In this item, we're checking the claim that \"women (are) paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men.\"","Another measure -- hourly rates -- shows a smaller degree of pay disparity. According to BLS data, women are paid 86 percent of the median hourly wages of men. This evaluation accounts for part-time (fewer than 35 hours) workers, which are more often women and are paid less than their salaried counterparts. Women paid by the hour made median hourly earnings of $11.83, compared to $13.76 for men.","( - Barack Obama ad says women are paid \"77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men\"&url=)","PolitiFact, \" Barack Obama ad says women are paid \"77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men,\" June 21, 2012"]},{"id":"12641.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says while serving in the city council, Rachel Zenzinger voted to use tax dollars to take a taxpayer-funded junket to China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that Rachel Zenzinger voted to use tax dollars for a taxpayer-funded trip to China while serving in the city council has been consistently made by a conservative group in political mailers. However, there is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support this claim. Multiple fact-checking organizations have debunked this accusation, and it has been rated as false. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Obama\u2019s ad says that \"for many middle-class families, Medicaid is the only way to afford nursing home care. But as a governor, Mitt Romney raised nursing home fees eight times.\"","It continues, \"for many middle-class families, Medicaid is the only way to afford the care. But as a governor Mitt Romney raised nursing home fees eight times, and as president his budget cuts Medicaid by one-third and burdens families with the cost of nursing home care.\"","The Romney campaign acknowledged the fee increases on nursing home licenses but took issue with the \"eight times\" characterization. We agree: The fees were not raised eight times -- they were raised once, on seven different levels of nursing homes in mid-2003, which was also when the user fee was implemented.","In a TV ad airing in Iowa, Rick Perry said Mitt Romney, \"raised business taxes 20 percent\" when he was governor of Massachusetts."]},{"id":"5402.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The governor is trying to take credit for recent actions taken by these companies. The problem is that for all three companies, the decision to move or stay in New Jersey happened before Chris Christie became governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It accurately highlights that the decisions made by the mentioned companies to move or stay in New Jersey occurred before Chris Christie became governor. While it is possible that Governor Christie may have taken some actions to support these companies during his tenure, the primary decisions regarding their location were made prior to his governorship. Therefore, attributing credit to Governor Christie for these decisions would be misleading.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Signed by party chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, the letter said, \"If this bill passes, someone living in El Paso would have to drive 550 miles each way to San Antonio for something as simple as cervical cancer screening at a clinic.\"","Hinojosa said that if the abortion legislation passed, an El Paso resident would have to make a 550-mile trip to San Antonio for simple services like a cervical cancer screening.","So, if Reproductive Services were to shut down, would El Paso women have to drive 550 miles to get a test for cervical cancer?","Byrd, who helped develop a intervention program being tested now in El Paso and other cities to increase the prevalence of cervical cancer screenings among Mexican American women, told us that if the abortion measure became law, \"the situation would stay about the same\" in El Paso regarding cervical cancer screening."]},{"id":"4643.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says more than 1 million Texans are jobless, the state has its highest unemployment rate in more than 20 years and joblessness doubled on Rick Perrys watch.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some accurate information but lacks important context. While it is true that more than 1 million Texans were jobless and the state had a high unemployment rate during Rick Perry's tenure, attributing the entire increase in joblessness solely to Perry is misleading. The global economic recession in the late 2000s played a significant role in the increase in joblessness, affecting many states across the country. Additionally, the statement does not provide a clear timeframe for the claim that joblessness doubled on Perry's watch, making it difficult to assess the accuracy of that specific assertion. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies the complex factors contributing to joblessness and lacks specific details to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ban said, the Paris Agreement \"is by far the largest number of countries ever to sign an international agreement on a single day.\"","\"Today is an historic day,\" Ban told reporters at a press conference following the opening ceremony of the signing event in New York. \"This is by far the largest number of countries ever to sign an international agreement on a single day.\"","Senior adviser to President Barack Obama Brian Deese attempted put the agreement into perspective in a post on Medium: \"Today, on Earth Day, nearly 170 countries will sign the Paris Agreement, reinforcing their commitment to the historic climate pact that was forged in December of last year. That\u2019s the largest number of countries that have ever signed an international agreement in one day.\"","The United States is now on its way to joining Syria (which was engaged in a deadly civil war during the negotiations) and Nicaragua (which said the agreement didn't go far enough) as the only signatories to the 1992 agreement that did not also sign the Paris agreement."]},{"id":"743.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"He has asked for $932-million of earmark pork-barrel spending, nearly a million dollars for every day that hes been in the United States Senate.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that the individual in question has requested $932 million of earmark spending. However, the claim that this amounts to \"nearly a million dollars for every day that he's been in the United States Senate\" is misleading. To determine the accuracy of this claim, we would need to know the exact number of days the individual has been in the Senate and calculate the average daily amount of earmark spending requested. Without that information, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the comparison made in the statement. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of the requested amount but lacks the necessary context to fully evaluate the comparison made.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1965.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Canada \"does spills into their water to practice in the event that this would happen. That is not allowed in the United States.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Canada does conduct spill exercises in their water to practice and prepare for potential spill incidents. However, it is important to note that the United States also conducts spill exercises and has protocols in place to respond to and mitigate spills. While the specific practices and regulations may vary between the two countries, both Canada and the United States prioritize spill prevention and response measures to protect their waterways.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Woonsocket needs a garbage-burning power plant because \"residents are paying through the nose for electricity that\u2019s fueled by foreign oil, at prices that are skyrocketing.\"","But it was his second point -- that the waste-to-energy plant is needed because \"residents are paying through the nose for electricity that\u2019s fueled by foreign oil, at prices that are skyrocketing\" -- that really jumped out at us.","( - Rep. Brien says Woonsocket needs garbage-burning power plant because of the high price of electricity generated by foreign oil&url=)","So we wondered how the Woonsocket waste-to-energy plant that Brien supports would have any effect on our dependence on foreign oil."]},{"id":"12413.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The geography of poverty has changed fundamentally in the last 15 years, with more of it concentrated in fragile and conflict states.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the changing geography of poverty in the last 15 years, with a greater concentration of poverty in fragile and conflict-affected states. This is supported by evidence from various sources, including the United Nations report mentioned, which highlights the reduction in extreme poverty globally. While the evidence does not explicitly mention the timeframe of 15 years, it does indicate a significant reduction in poverty rates over a similar time period. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Bloggers have said that \"by using a little-known loophole ... Obama minions are allowing Nestle Co. to export precious fresh water out of Lake Michigan.\"","\"By using a little-known loophole in the 2006 Great Lakes Compact, Obama minions are allowing Nestle Company to export precious fresh water out of Lake Michigan to the tune of an estimated $500,000 to $1.8 million per day profit. By draining the precious jewel of the Great Lakes in the middle of America, our federal water managers are allowing the export of our water out of our country across thousands of miles of oceans into the Asian basin plagued by huge population centers that are suffering from their constant lack of fresh water.\"","These days, President Barack Obama gets blamed for a lot of things -- the glitchy rollout of the website, an unusually slow economic recovery, an out-of-control electronic surveillance network. But is he also at fault for selling off Lake Michigan\u2019s water to the highest bidder?","!The sun peeks through the clouds over a icy Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. (Photo by Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) !The sun peeks through the clouds over a icy Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. (Photo by Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)"]},{"id":"435.json","label":"true","statement":"Says she is the subject of 60 books.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The evidence provided does not directly address the claim, but if it is stated that someone is the subject of 60 books, it can be assumed that the claim refers to the person being the subject of 60 published books. Without further context, it is difficult to determine the specific person being referred to, but if the claim is made, it can be considered true if there is evidence to support it.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Every 1 percent increase in the cost of health insurance today causes about 30,000 Georgians to be uninsured,\" said Sen. Judson Hill, a Republican from Marietta.","Still, PolitiFact Georgia wondered whether Hill was right about this claim. Do 30,000 Georgians lose their health insurance when there is a 1 percent increase in cost?","\"Our estimates suggest that a 1 percent premium increase results in a net increase in uninsured of 164,000 people. This compares with an estimate by the Lewin Group of 300,000 individuals losing employment-based coverage because of a 1 percent premium increase,\" the study found.","Even if we use the highest national estimate of the number of people who lose their insurance if costs increase by 1 percent, 500,000, the number of Georgians who would lose their insurance would be 15,000. That\u2019s based on 3 percent of Americans living in Georgia. Considering the recession\u2019s impact in Georgia and that a larger percentage of Georgians were uninsured between 2008 and 2010, maybe the total is higher."]},{"id":"4656.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The stimulus created zero jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the stimulus created zero jobs is false. While there may be debates about the effectiveness and impact of the stimulus package, numerous studies and analyses have shown that it did indeed create jobs. The claim made by Rick Perry during the Republican presidential debate was fact-checked and deemed false by PolitiFact. It is important to rely on accurate information and evidence when assessing the impact of policies such as the stimulus package.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Washington state has \"consistently ranked in the top five in the Forbes list of best states to do business \u2014 ahead of Texas.\"","Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire says that Washington has consistently ranked in the top five of Forbes' best states for business, ahead of Texas","So has Washington consistently come ahead of Texas on the Forbes list? Washington has ranked in the top five states to do business in four of the five years the publication has been in the ranking business. Texas has landed on that list twice, besting Washington both times.","( - Washington State Gov. Chris Gregoire says that Washington has consistently ranked in the top five of Forbes' best states for business, ahead of Texas&url=)"]},{"id":"11564.json","label":"true","statement":"Will Hurd tends to have a 96 percent straight Republican, straight party voting record.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Pete Gallego that Will Hurd tends to have a 96 percent straight Republican, straight party voting record. A closer look at Hurd's voting record confirms that he has voted with the Republican party 93.6 percent of the time, which is higher than the average for Republicans in the House during the same time period. While it's not the exact figure mentioned by Gallego, it is in line with the claim that Hurd has a high percentage of party unity in his voting record.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Sperling denied the administration had a \"magic number\" for how many people it wanted to see enrolled through the exchanges for health insurance coverage.","No one knows how many people need to sign up to make the health care law work. And Sperling has a point that the mix of individuals signing up is likely more important than the raw number.","PolitiFact wanted to know: Is Sperling trying to rewrite the past by saying Obama had \"no magic number\" for the number of people that need to sign up for coverage by the end of open enrollment in March?","In February 2013, CBO estimated 7 million people would sign up for health insurance through the federal and state marketplaces starting in October through the end of March, the deadline to enroll and avoid a tax penalty. By 2024, enrollment in the marketplaces would be 24 million, CBO said."]},{"id":"8530.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Chris Christie vetoed Planned Parenthood funding five times over the course of his governorship.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that Chris Christie vetoed Planned Parenthood funding five times during his governorship. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers, have confirmed that Christie did indeed veto Planned Parenthood funding multiple times. However, it's worth noting that the exact number of vetoes may vary depending on how they are counted. Some sources even suggest that Christie vetoed Planned Parenthood funding six times when considering his initial cut in funding. Overall, while the statement is mostly true, the specific number of vetoes may be subject to interpretation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The claim stems from the 2014 debacle at several VA hospitals, where veterans were found to have died waiting to have their benefits approved to receive care. After news of the scandal broke, lawmakers asked the inspector general to investigate the scale of the VA application backlog and the deaths that resulted.","\"Joe, you\u2019ve had 308,000 military people dying because you couldn\u2019t provide them proper health care in the military,\" Trump said Sept. 29 at the first presidential debate. \"So don\u2019t tell me about this.\"","\u201cDemocrats are voting to add an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will target middle class taxpayers and conduct at least 1 million more audits each year. \u201d","Trump\u2019s campaign didn\u2019t respond to our request for more information, but it\u2019s a safe bet that his statement was based on a Sept. 2 report by the VA\u2019s Office of Inspector General that denounced the agency\u2019s record-keeping system as \"inadequate.\""]},{"id":"12460.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ive cut the budget of the (lieutenant governors) office by more than half.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the budget of the lieutenant governor's office has been significantly reduced. However, it's important to note that the lieutenant governor does not have the authority to directly cut the budget themselves, as they do not introduce or write legislation, nor do they sign or veto bills. The reduction in the budget of the lieutenant governor's office would have been a result of broader budgetary decisions made by the administration. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the budget reduction, it should be clarified that the lieutenant governor themselves did not directly initiate the cut.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It didn't take long after Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced that he was running for president for Democrats to rekindle a favorite talking point: Perry, they say, wanted Texas to secede from the union.","!Texas Gov. Rick Perry says tort reform brought 21,000 doctors to Texas. !Texas Gov. Rick Perry says tort reform brought 21,000 doctors to Texas.","Obama, Dowd writes, batted away the Texan. Her column then quotes Carney telling her: \"We may disagree with our political opponents, but we certainly think they\u2019re all patriots \u2014 even those who wanted to secede from the union.\"","Austin American-Statesman, news article, \"Governor says Texas is one state that could leave union, though he's not pushing it,\" April 17, 2009"]},{"id":"2065.json","label":"true","statement":"Forty cents of every dollar being spent by the federal government is being borrowed from my children.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that forty cents of every dollar being spent by the federal government is being borrowed. The Congressional Budget Office, the fiscal 2012 federal budget summary, and the Treasury Department's revenue and spending report all indicate that a significant portion of government spending is funded through borrowing. While the exact percentage may vary slightly, the evidence confirms that a substantial portion of government expenditures is indeed financed by debt.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Hillary Clinton said in Sacramento, \"It is a fact that the economy does better when we have a Democrat in the White House.\"","It\u2019s similar to her March statement in Phoenix that \"The economy always does better when there\u2019s a Democrat in the White House.\"","\"It is a fact that the economy does better when we have a Democrat in the White House,\" Clinton said on June 5, 2016, speaking at Sacramento City College during her final push in the California primary.","\"The economy always does better when there\u2019s a Democrat in the White House,\" Clinton said March 21 at Carl Hayden Community High School in Phoenix."]},{"id":"11688.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One of the things I would immediately do is bring back the warrior class -- Petraeus, McChrystal, Mattis, Keane, Flynn. ... Every one was retired early because they told President Obama things that he didnt want to hear.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Carly Fiorina made the statement about bringing back the mentioned generals, the claim that all of them were retired early because they told President Obama things he didn't want to hear is an oversimplification. While there were policy differences and instances where some of the generals left their positions, it is inaccurate to attribute their retirements solely to telling President Obama things he didn't want to hear. The reasons for their departures were more complex and varied. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3273.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says under his budget-repair bill, collective bargaining is fully intact.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that collective bargaining is \"fully intact\" under the budget-repair bill is false. The bill introduced by Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin did significantly limit the collective bargaining rights of public employees. It restricted the scope of collective bargaining to only limited wage increases, eliminated bargaining for other benefits, and imposed restrictions on unions' ability to negotiate contracts. These changes were met with widespread protests and media attention, indicating the significant impact on collective bargaining rights. Therefore, the claim that collective bargaining remained \"fully intact\" under the bill is blatantly false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"They have repeatedly threatened to defund public education and their budget is proof of their true intentions. The proposed House budget cuts hundreds of millions in funding for public education, including gutting teacher pay raises by 20% and slashing tens of millions in funding for early childhood education.\"","The Democratic Party of Virginia said in a news release, \"The proposed House budget cuts hundreds of millions in funding for public education\u2026\"","!Gov. Scott Walker, shown here reading to first-graders at a private school in Milwaukee in September 2014, made historic cuts to public education funding but later restored some of the money. !Gov. Scott Walker, shown here reading to first-graders at a private school in Milwaukee in September 2014, made historic cuts to public education funding but later restored some of the money.","Those figures show Wisconsin was among 15 states that reduced state per-student spending from the previous year. Wisconsin's 0.6 percent reduction (adjusted for inflation) wasn\u2019t the largest cut, but rather the third-smallest. ( Alaska\u2019s 3.2 percent cut was the largest.)"]},{"id":"78.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"And it's going to be difficult for us to do this as long as we're spending $275 million a day on a war that should have never been authorized...\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the significant daily cost of the war, which is estimated to be around $275 million. However, the claim that the war should have never been authorized is subjective and open to interpretation. The decision to authorize a war involves complex factors, including national security concerns and geopolitical considerations. Different perspectives exist regarding the necessity and justification of the war. Therefore, while the cost figure is accurate, the subjective assertion about the authorization of the war makes the statement mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Waco Tea Party says the federal government threatened to impose a no-fly zone if Texas bars TSA officials from performing pat-downs","( - The Waco Tea Party says the federal government threatened to impose a no-fly zone if Texas bars TSA officials from performing pat-downs&url=)","Supporting legislation to bar federal officers from \"groping\" passengers during airport security screenings, the Waco Tea Party said in a May 25 email blast: \"The federal government has threatened Texas lawmakers with a no-fly zone if they pass\" the proposal.","!Texans show their support at the Texas Capitol on June 4 for legislation that would prohibit invasive pat-downs at airport security checkpoints. !Texans show their support at the Texas Capitol on June 4 for legislation that would prohibit invasive pat-downs at airport security checkpoints."]},{"id":"10600.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Today in Selma, Ala., the poverty rate is roughly nine times that of whites.","reason":"Reason: While there is indeed a significant racial disparity in poverty rates in Selma, Alabama, the statement exaggerates the extent of the gap. According to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, the documented poverty rates for blacks in Selma are a little over three times higher than those for whites, not nine times as stated. While the racial economic gap is a cause for concern, it is important to accurately represent the data to provide an informed perspective. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson says the State Board of Education is considering eliminating Christmas and the Constitution from textbooks&url=)","First, the board is hammering out changes to state curriculum standards, not textbooks. Second, the board is not considering removing Christmas from a list of various religious holidays. And third, the board has never considered removing the Constitution from history textbooks or the state's curriculum.","Moore corrected Carlson on one count \u2014 he said the board had made clear that it's not considering eliminating references to the Christian holiday. Carlson didn't acknowledge her goof.","Texas Education Agency, Fox inaccurately reporting State Board of Education action,( \"Fox inaccurately reporting State Board of Education action,\") March 10, 2010"]},{"id":"13359.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Obama was proposing pinprick strikes for military intervention in Syria.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Senator Rubio claimed that President Obama was proposing \"pinprick strikes\" for military intervention in Syria, there is no evidence to support this claim. Rubio made this assertion without providing any specific details or sources to substantiate his statement. It is important to note that the evidence provided does not confirm or support the existence of such a proposal by President Obama. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cSeveral years ago, he signed a law giving himself a $40,000 pay increase,\u201d White said. \u201cHe told you, the people in the press, that he wasn\u2019t going to take that pay increase. I don\u2019t think he kept that promise.\u201d","Bill White, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, lashed out at his GOP rival, Gov. Rick Perry, over his state-paid salary during a June 17 news conference, suggesting Perry had gone back on his word not to accept a five-figure raise.","Gov. Rick Perry homered on his promise to balance the state budget without a tax increase, but he struck out on vows to win a four-year freeze on college tuition and to send voters a proposed constitutional amendment raising the bar for future tax increases.","!PolitiFact Texas is tracking Gov. Rick Perry's campaign promises through the Perry-O-Meter. !PolitiFact Texas is tracking Gov. Rick Perry's campaign promises through the Perry-O-Meter."]},{"id":"6804.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Illinois Democrat David Gill would end Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that David Gill, an Illinois Democrat, would end Medicare is false. The ad by the National Republican Congressional Committee misrepresents Gill's position on healthcare. While Gill has expressed support for the new healthcare law and has proposed expanding access to government-run healthcare, there is no evidence to suggest that he intends to end Medicare. The claim made in the ad is misleading and exaggerated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7219.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says last year the graduation rate for our combined six-district footprint jumped 5.5 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sam Adams, the former Portland mayor, that the graduation rate for the combined six-district footprint increased by 5.5% in the specified year. However, it's important to note that the provided evidence does not provide a comprehensive picture of the graduation rates over multiple years or the overall trend. Without additional data, it is difficult to determine if this increase is part of a consistent upward trend or a one-time improvement. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of the specific claim made, it lacks the necessary context to assess the overall trend in graduation rates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1029.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obama's own director of national intelligence, Admiral Blair, put it this way: 'High-value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al-Qaida organization that was attacking this country.'","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Admiral Blair, President Obama's director of national intelligence, who acknowledged that \"high-value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al-Qaida organization.\" However, it's important to note that Blair later clarified that while the techniques did provide information, it is uncertain whether that information could have been obtained through other means. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of accurately quoting Admiral Blair, it lacks the full context of his subsequent clarification.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Carly Fiorina is fighting back against critics, including a cyber-squatter, who accuse the Republican presidential candidate of slash-and-burn tactics in her time as CEO of computer company Hewlett-Packard.","Given Fiorina\u2019s dismissal and other issues at HP, we were interested in that first claim -- that under her leadership, the company doubled in size.","\"Most executives would likely not use the phrasing \u2018doubled the size of the company\u2019 to describe their performance if the increase was all or mostly due to an acquisition,\" Morrissette said.","!On \"Meet the Press,\" Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said that the size of government had doubled in 10 years. Is he right? !On \"Meet the Press,\" Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said that the size of government had doubled in 10 years. Is he right?"]},{"id":"11312.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When he (Donald Trump) asked Florida to have casino gambling, we said no.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Jeb Bush's claim that Florida rejected Donald Trump's attempt to introduce casino gambling to the state. Multiple sources confirm that Jeb Bush opposed casino gambling in Florida and made it clear that he was against it, including on Indian property. While it is important to note that the specific details of Trump's request may vary, the overall claim made by Jeb Bush is supported by evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"179.json","label":"true","statement":"\"When Sen. Edwards ran in 2004, he wasn't for universal health care. I'm glad he is now.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that Senator Edwards was not in favor of universal healthcare during his presidential campaign in 2004 but later expressed support for it. This change in stance is well-documented and acknowledged by various sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8448.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Barbara Buono voted to raise her own pay 40 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Barbara Buono voted to raise her own pay by 40 percent. This is supported by evidence that Buono, along with her colleagues in the Legislature, passed a bill that resulted in a 40 percent increase in legislators' salaries. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context, such as the involvement of Republican colleagues in the decision. While the claim is mostly true, providing additional information would offer a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So, Boehner would have been on firm ground if he'd said that more Americans oppose the health care bill than support it. Instead, he said \"a majority of Americans still oppose this health care bill,\" something that was strictly true in only half the January polls we looked at.","In a live-blogging response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, wrote that \"a majority of Americans still oppose this health care bill.\"","Five out of the 10 polls found that a clear majority of respondents opposed the health care bill. From most recent to oldest, they were:","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d"]},{"id":"7471.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas has the most uninsured people of any state -- 6 million.","reason":"Reason: While Texas does have a significant number of uninsured residents, the statement that Texas has the most uninsured people of any state, specifically 6 million, is not accurate. As of the available data, Texas had the second-highest total number of uninsured individuals, with over 6 million uninsured. California had a higher number of uninsured residents at that time. Therefore, the statement is partially true in terms of Texas having a high number of uninsured individuals but is misleading in claiming that Texas has the most uninsured people among all states.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I just think it's a very dynamic process, and all these people haven't voted \u2014 most importantly Pennsylvania hasn't voted, so why do people want to shut it down? My husband didn't wrap up the nomination until June . . . \u2014 elections are dynamic.\"","\"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it,\" she told the editorial board of the Argus Leader, the newspaper that serves Sioux Falls, S.D.","Clinton is right that her husband didn't have the delegates needed for the nomination until June 1992. But her claim lacks context that makes the two races an unfair comparison.","So while Clinton is right that her husband's nomination process stretched until June, she doesn't account for his insurmountable lead long before then and the vast difference in election schedules when she makes her comparison."]},{"id":"11836.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ill be running against a career politician.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The term \"career politician\" generally refers to someone who has spent a significant portion of their professional life in politics or holding political office. If the speaker states that they will be running against a career politician, it implies that their opponent has a history of being involved in politics for an extended period. However, without specific information about the opponent's background, it is challenging to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, it is labeled as mostly true, as it reflects the speaker's perception or claim about their opponent's political career.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A reader asked us to check Hoyer\u2019s claim that the United States \"went from a $5.6 trillion surplus that George Bush inherited to over ... $11-plus-trillion debt when George Bush left office.\"","The \"premise\" of the debt ceiling vote, Hoyer said, \"was we have this debt because of President (Barack) Obama's policies. That's simply not true, and the world knows it's not true, and the Republicans know it's not true. We went from a $5.6 trillion surplus that George Bush inherited to over ... $11-plus trillion debt when George (W.) Bush left office. So to say it is Obama's debt and that the debt limit needs to be extended because of Obama is simply not true.\"","There is some merit in Hoyer\u2019s larger point -- that Bush came into office with a rosy fiscal outlook and left with one that was far less so. And he\u2019s pretty close when he says that Bush left an \"$11-plus trillion debt\" when he departed the Oval Office.","!House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said on MSNBC's \"Daily Rundown\" that George W. Bush inherited a $5.6 trillion surplus. We checked his math. !House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said on MSNBC's \"Daily Rundown\" that George W. Bush inherited a $5.6 trillion surplus. We checked his math."]},{"id":"1854.json","label":"false","statement":"Says EPA regulation of greenhouse gases will endanger 575 Texas dairy facilities, 58 swine operations, 1,300 corn farms and 28,000 beef cattle operations.","reason":"Reason: While Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples claims that EPA regulation of greenhouse gases will endanger numerous agricultural operations in Texas, there is insufficient evidence to support this assertion. The evidence provided does not offer a clear explanation of how or why the EPA's permitting would pose a threat to these specific operations. Additionally, the information presented is based on a letter from 2009, and it is unclear if the concerns raised at that time are still applicable. Without more current and substantial evidence, it is not accurate to claim that EPA regulation will directly endanger these specific agricultural facilities.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10704.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Facebook has unveiled new rules to stop their users from creatingposts related in any way to religion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or official announcement from Facebook indicating that they have implemented or plan to implement rules banning users from creating posts related to religion. The claim originated from a satirical website and has been debunked. Similar rumors about Facebook banning religion have circulated in the past, but they have been proven to be false. It is important to verify information from reliable sources before accepting such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"An Obscene Choice: Obama Taps Porn Lawyer for # 2 at Justice,\" blares a headline atop the Web site for Fidelis, a conservative group that has waged a PR campaign against Ogden's nomination.","As for Rove's claim that Obama used to be a lawyer for ACORN, yes, Obama once took on a case for ACORN. But Obama was never a staff attorney for ACORN. He did not do ongoing work for the organization. He handled o ne case along with two other attorneys. ACORN was one of several plaintiffs. And the U.S. Department of Justice sided with ACORN in the case. We think Rove's comment suggests a deeper legal relationship between Obama and ACORN than actually existed. And so we rule Rove's statement Half True.","We take LaBolt's point. And we think when some people hear Fidelis and others refer to Ogden as a \"porn lawyer\" they may assume that Ogden spent the better part of his career representing the pornography industry. That's just not the case. Ogden's work with adult-oriented companies came more than 15 years ago, and only reflects a fraction of his body of work as an attorney both in private practice and for the government. And we appreciate Ogden's point \u2014 made repeatedly in the hearing \u2014 that lawyers sometimes take a position on behalf of a client that doesn't necessarily reflect the views of the attorney.","\"I was representing a client as a lawyer in private practice,\" Ogden explained. \"A lawyer in private practice does not sit in judgment of his clients. His job is to present their views as persuasively and appropriately as possible.\""]},{"id":"13436.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Democrats are very sly. (in New Hampshire) we have same day voter registration, and to be honest, when Massachusetts elections are not very close, theyre busing them in all over the place.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely accuses Democrats of being \"very sly\" and engaging in fraudulent activities related to same-day voter registration in New Hampshire. The evidence provided shows that the claim made by Governor-elect Chris Sununu, which is similar to the statement, was debunked. The same-day registration law in New Hampshire was actually signed by a Republican governor, not Democrats. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Democrats are busing in voters from Massachusetts to manipulate elections. Such claims have been widely discredited.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Two days ago, he said he would take his pants off and moon everybody,\" Trump said Feb. 13. \"And that's fine -- nobody reports that. He gets up and says that. And then he tells me that, oh, my language was a little bit rough.\"","\"I could drop my pants,\" he said in an interview. \"Moon the whole crowd. Everybody would be aghast, except the press guys would never notice.\"","Bush did talk about mooning people. The Boston Globe reported on Feb. 6 that Bush said, \"I could drop my pants. Moon the whole crowd. Everybody would be aghast, except the press guys would never notice.\"","Bush did talk about mooning people, as Trump brought up during a South Carolina debate. Bush wasn\u2019t threatening to really moon people, but rather saying he felt he was getting no campaign coverage. And his comments were limited to an interview with the Boston Globe. The Globe reported on Feb. 6 that Bush said, \"I could drop my pants. Moon the whole crowd. Everybody would be aghast, except the press guys would never notice.\" Because Trump omitted Trump\u2019s statement was misleading, so we rated it Mostly False."]},{"id":"12338.json","label":"half-true","statement":"California has added twice as many jobs as Florida over the past year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that California has added more jobs than Florida over the past year, stating that it is \"twice as many\" is an exaggeration. The evidence provided does not explicitly mention the exact number of jobs added in California, making it difficult to determine the precise ratio. However, it does indicate that Florida added 119,700 jobs in a specific period, which suggests substantial job growth. Therefore, while California may have added more jobs than Florida, it is not accurate to claim that it is twice as many based on the given evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11973.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty claims to have taken a pay cut, but for 2016, he voted to raise his salary by 19.6 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks context. While it is true that Gerald Daugherty voted to raise his salary by 19.6 percent for 2016, it is important to note that he had previously taken an 8% pay decrease in each of the nine years he had been in office. So, while he did vote for a salary increase in 2016, it is not accurate to claim that he claimed to have taken a pay cut while doing so. The statement oversimplifies the situation and does not provide a complete picture of Daugherty's salary history.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Clinton said of Trump, \"He even said, on his very first day in office, he would require every school in America to let people carry guns into our classrooms.\"","\"He\u2019s even said, on his very first day in office, he would require every school in America to let people carry guns into our classrooms,\" Clinton said. \"How can anyone think our schools would be safer with more guns?\"","One final note: It\u2019s highly unlikely Trump could let people carry guns onto school property on his first day in office. Regulations against possessing or firing a gun in a school zone is written into federal law and would take congressional approval to overturn. Meanwhile, states have their own laws prohibiting guns in schools that would need to be repealed, as well.","\"I don\u2019t want to have guns in classrooms,\" he said. \"Although, in some cases, teachers should have guns in classrooms, frankly. Because teachers are, you know. Things that are going on in our schools are unbelievable. You look at some of our schools, unbelievable what\u2019s going on. But I\u2019m not advocating guns in classrooms. But remember, in some cases, and a lot of people have made this case, teachers should be able to have guns. Trained teachers should be able to have guns in classrooms.\""]},{"id":"8362.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Virginia is the number one state per capita in screening out people with mental illness from gun purchases.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly mention Virginia, it does highlight the importance of focusing on mental health in relation to preventing mass shootings. Additionally, it mentions the need to prioritize mental health over restricting gun ownership. However, without specific data or rankings related to Virginia's screening practices, it is difficult to verify the claim directly. Therefore, while the statement aligns with the broader context of mental health and gun purchases, it lacks specific evidence to support the claim about Virginia being the number one state per capita in screening out people with mental illness from gun purchases.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"These new regulations on carbon emissions will kill, according to the Chamber of Commerce, 244,000 jobs a year, every year, for the next 15 years and will cost the average family of four $1,200 a year on higher energy costs,\" he said.","Gillespie, during a visit to coal country, said new EPA \"regulations on carbon emissions will kill, according to the Chamber of Commerce, 244,000 jobs a year, every year, for the next 15 years and will cost the average family of four $1,200 a year on higher energy costs.\"","Similarly, Ed Gillespie, a Republican challenging Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in Virginia \u2014 a state with close ties to the coal industry in its western half \u2014 claimed the EPA regulations would kill \"244,000 jobs a year\" and cost average families \"$1,200 a year.\"","PolitiFact, \" Gillespie says EPA carbon rules will kill 244,000 jobs a year and hike bills by $1,200,\" June 9, 2014"]},{"id":"12325.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Missouri is the state with the lowest paid workers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement that Missouri is the state with the lowest paid workers. The evidence discusses the lowest state appropriations level per FTE for Missouri State University and the ranking of Missouri in terms of highway revenue per mile. These pieces of evidence do not provide a comprehensive overview of worker salaries across all industries and sectors in the state. To accurately assess the claim, additional evidence specifically addressing worker salaries across various industries in Missouri would be needed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["As they left office, each of the governors submitted hundreds of boxes of paper records to the records center, said Dolan, who now works at Northeastern University\u2019s Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy. The only electronic records and communications that were included were when the governor's staff included printouts of some of them, she said.","\"There has never been an administration (in Massachusetts) that has provided to the opposition research team, or to the public, electronic communications,\" he said. \"So ours would have been the first administration to have done so.\"","Romney\u2019s claims bring up two questions: Did his staff, which reportedly purchased 11 computers, follow the state public records law? And how have past Massachusetts governors treated electronic records? PolitiFact is on the case.","First, we took a look at Massachusetts' public records law. The law, which requires state officials to preserve records for a set amount of time, is fairly clear about electronic records. \"The Public Records Law applies to all government records generated, received or maintained electronically, including computer records, electronic mail, video and audiotapes,\" William Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, wrote in a 2009 guide to the state law."]},{"id":"9420.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average student loan debt in Texas is over $22,000...the cost of an average size pickup truck. But unlike car owners, students are not allowed to refinance their loans at lower rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Representative Gallego that the average student loan debt in Texas is over $22,000, which is equivalent to the cost of an average size pickup truck. It also correctly states that students are not allowed to refinance their loans at lower rates, unlike car owners who have the option to refinance. However, it's important to note that the comparison to car owners is used to highlight the lack of refinancing options for students and does not imply a direct similarity between student loans and car loans. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3007.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On whether the state should ramp up borrowing to build roads.","reason":"Reason: The statement is referring to the debate on whether the state should increase borrowing to fund road construction projects. While it is true that borrowing can spread out costs over time and potentially avoid immediate tax increases, it is also important to consider the potential drawbacks and long-term implications of increased debt. The evidence provided highlights the passage of a bill that authorized state borrowing for transportation improvements, indicating support for borrowing in that specific instance. However, it also mentions that there was debate and differing opinions on the matter, suggesting that not everyone may have been in favor of increasing borrowing for road construction. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it acknowledges the existence of a debate surrounding the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Florida Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum says politics isn't the reason for his legal challenge to the landmark health care bill signed into law by President Barack Obama.","McCollum, who is running for governor, claims that his constitutional challenge of the landmark health care bill passed by Congress is a \"bipartisan effort.\" That's pretty misleading when only one out of 13 attorneys general supporting the lawsuit is something other than a Republican. As such, we rate his claim Barely True.","Office of the Attorney General, \"Florida Attorney General McCollum Sues Federal Government Over Health Care Reform Legislation( \"Florida Attorney General McCollum Sues Federal Government Over Health Care Reform Legislation\"),\" Press Release, March 23, 2010","In his weekly address, President Barack Obama warned health insurance companies not to derail health care reform, and he praised the progress Congress has already made."]},{"id":"11877.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"People think AIDS is done --its not done.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the sentiment expressed by the individual quoted, who emphasizes that people mistakenly believe that the issue of AIDS has been resolved when it is still an ongoing concern. The evidence provided supports the notion that there is a declining concern about the disease and that the battle against AIDS is not yet over. While the statement may not be a literal representation of every person's belief, it captures the broader issue of complacency and the need to continue addressing the AIDS epidemic.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7995.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Electricity rates are 40 percent higher in states that have required utility companies to use a certain amount of renewable energy such as solar power.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, as there is evidence to suggest that electricity rates can be higher in states that have mandated a certain amount of renewable energy usage. However, it is important to note that the relationship between renewable energy mandates and electricity rates is complex and can be influenced by various factors. While renewable energy sources may require initial investments and infrastructure development, they can also lead to long-term cost savings and price stability. Therefore, while there may be instances where electricity rates are higher in states with renewable energy mandates, it is not a universal trend and can vary depending on specific circumstances and market conditions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This Facebook post claims that in 2017, ICE arrested 2,000 undocumented immigrants for murder. The number appears to stem from an ICE report detailing how many immigrants the agency arrested for being in the country illegally in fiscal year 2018.","A branch of ICE is on scene to support the investigation as needed. However, ICE officers who carry out immigration enforcement are not on scene to deport people.","It is illegal to do so, according to the American Immigration Council, with the first offense amounting to a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or up to six months in prison. The second offense, or illegal re-entry, is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison, but higher penalties can apply depending on the situation.","Bier said the only alternative to allowing people to use the Form I-200 would be to strand thousands of people in the city they are released in, far away from family or friends."]},{"id":"7732.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"South Carolina has a labor shortage, specifically in the meatpacking industry.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence of labor shortages in the meatpacking industry across the United States, the statement specifically claiming a labor shortage in South Carolina's meatpacking industry is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence focuses on empty store shelves in a Walmart in Columbia, South Carolina, which were attributed to mechanical issues and not a labor shortage. Therefore, the statement lacks direct evidence to support its claim about a labor shortage in South Carolina's meatpacking industry.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8501.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On day one, six people were able to sign up for health insurance through the federal marketplace.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly address the specific claim of \"six people signing up for health insurance through the federal marketplace on day one,\" it does mention that nearly 1 million people in Florida elected to get a plan through the federal marketplace. This suggests that there was indeed some level of enrollment on the first day, although the exact number of six cannot be confirmed based on the evidence provided. Therefore, while the statement may be accurate in conveying that there were initial sign-ups, the specific number mentioned lacks direct evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12262.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that in her speech to the pro-Israel group AIPAC, Hillary Clinton had one line on the Palestinian people.","reason":"Reason: While Bernie Sanders claimed that Hillary Clinton's speech to AIPAC had \"one line\" mentioning the Palestinian people, a closer analysis reveals that Clinton actually mentioned the word \"Palestinian\" or a variant seven times, spread across five sentences. Therefore, Sanders' statement that Clinton had only one line on the Palestinian people is not accurate. However, it is worth noting that the number of mentions alone does not necessarily reflect the depth or significance of the discussion on the Palestinian issue in her speech.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The president said 22 times, 22 times, that he couldn't do what he eventually did,\" House Speaker John Boehner said on CBS\u2019 Face the Nation.","\"Before taking executive action on immigration, President Obama stated 22 times that he does not have the authority to change immigration laws on his own.\"","Goodlatte said, \"Before taking executive action on immigration, President Obama stated 22 times that he does not have the authority to change immigration laws on his own.\"","\"Before taking executive action on immigration, President Obama stated 22 times that he does not have the authority to change immigration laws on his own,\" said Goodlatte, R-6th."]},{"id":"12462.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Florida has issued more than 3 million conceal carry permits in the past 30 years. Only 168 have been revoked.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that Florida has issued more than 3 million concealed carry permits in the past 30 years. However, it is important to note that the claim about only 168 permits being revoked lacks context. While it is true that only 168 permits have been revoked, it does not provide information about the reasons for revocation or the percentage of permits that have been revoked. Without this additional information, it is difficult to assess the significance of the number of revoked permits in relation to the total number issued. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Wisconsin has not had a spike in coronavirus cases that was \u201cstatistically significant related to the fact that they had voting.\u201d","\u2022 Presidential historians say that Joe Biden\u2019s first 100 days in office \u2014 a somewhat arbitrary but frequently cited milestone \u2014 have included an above-average number of major accomplishments.","\u2022 Experts also say that Biden has made significant, but more intangible, changes in tone that contrast sharply with the tensions of Donald Trump\u2019s presidency.","In addition, \"restoring the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to a place of prominence, having scientists speaking to the general public on a regular basis, this is all evidence that science is clearly a priority for the federal government and for the White House,\" said Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security."]},{"id":"5103.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that after she declared her candidacy for Congress, the redistricting process was manipulated to allow incumbent politicians to guarantee their re-election.","reason":"Reason: While the candidate claims that the redistricting process was manipulated to favor incumbent politicians and guarantee their re-election, the evidence suggests otherwise. The examination of the specific district in question, the 11th Congressional District, reveals that no changes were made to the district lines after the candidate declared her candidacy. Additionally, the fact-checking indicates that the new congressional districts were designed to lean towards one party or the other, but this was also true with the previous map. Therefore, the statement that the redistricting process was manipulated to ensure incumbent re-election is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We agree that real opportunity requires every American to get the education and training they need to land a good-paying job,\" he said. \"The bipartisan reform of No Child Left Behind was an important start, and together, we\u2019ve increased early childhood education, lifted high school graduation rates to new highs, (and) boosted graduates in fields like engineering.\"","U.S. Department of Education, \" U.S. High School Graduation Rate Hits New Record High,\" Dec. 15, 2015, accessed Jan. 12, 2016","Gov. Chris Christie recently cited Newark as an example of the problem with New Jersey\u2019s public school system, slapping a bulls-eye on the city\u2019s high school graduation rate.","There are several ways to calculate graduation rates and there is no solid consensus on whether one method is more credible than any other. New Jersey is moving to a federal standard of calculating graduation rates, but hasn\u2019t done so yet."]},{"id":"13415.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Chris Koster opposes right-to-work efforts because he has taken $8 million from union bosses.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Chris Koster opposes right-to-work efforts, the statement that he opposes them solely because he has taken $8 million from union bosses is an oversimplification. The evidence provided indicates that Koster has received significant campaign contributions from unions, totaling over $12 million according to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. However, it does not directly establish a causal link between these contributions and Koster's stance on right-to-work. Other factors, such as Koster's political beliefs and alignment with labor interests, may also contribute to his opposition to right-to-work efforts. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11239.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Bush Jr. handed Obama a $1.4 trillion deficit and Obama reduced Bush Jr.s deficit to just $492 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that George W. Bush left President Obama with a significant deficit, the claim that Obama reduced it to just $492 billion is misleading. The $1.4 trillion deficit mentioned refers to the deficit in 2009, which included the impact of the Great Recession. Obama did implement policies, including the stimulus plan, to address the economic crisis, which increased the deficit. Therefore, attributing the reduction solely to Obama is not entirely accurate. Additionally, the deficit figures mentioned may not account for all relevant factors and should be interpreted with caution. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The declaratory judgment process is a court-intensive process that involves the jurisdiction\u2019s filing a motion with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. A three-judge panel hears the request. Any appeals go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.","But Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia who has done studies on the impact of the Voting Rights Act in Georgia, said the administrative review route may be simple and inexpensive for trivial changes, such as moving a polling place from a fire station to a school. With more complex changes, such as redistricting plans, though, even the administrative review route can be complicated and carry indirect costs, he said.","\"But if you\u2019ve got a low-crime town, you probably don\u2019t need to arm every resident,\" Clark said. \"It doesn\u2019t seem like a necessary thing to do for peacekeeping purposes.\"","When viewed in the context of educational attainment alone, without also examining income level, the blog authors concluded that high school graduates are more Republican than non-high school graduates. But after that, the groups with more education tended to vote more Democratic. At the very highest education level tabulated in the survey, voters with postgraduate degrees leaned toward the Democrats."]},{"id":"9081.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Broward Countys unemployment rate of 5.3 percent is the lowest in Florida.","reason":"Reason: While Broward County does have a relatively low unemployment rate of 5.3 percent, it is not accurate to claim that it is the lowest in Florida. There are seven counties and two smaller metropolitan areas in Florida with lower unemployment rates. Broward County may have the lowest unemployment rate among large urban counties, but it is not the lowest overall in the state. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary qualification to accurately reflect the ranking of Broward County's unemployment rate in comparison to all counties in Florida.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In the \"do-nothing Senate,\" there are 352 House bills \"sitting on Harry Reid\u2019s desk awaiting action,\" including 55 introduced by Democrats.","Jenkins said that in the \"do-nothing Senate,\" there are 352 House bills \"sitting on Harry Reid\u2019s desk awaiting action,\" including 55 introduced by Democrats.","Jenkins offered a lot of statistics in a short statement, so to keep this fact-check manageable, we\u2019ll focus on her claim that in the \"do-nothing Senate,\" there are 352 House bills \"sitting on Harry Reid\u2019s desk awaiting action,\" including 55 introduced by Democrats.","Even Congress, it seems, is getting sick of Congress. Take Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., who recently laid some of the blame for D.C. gridlock on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. There are 352 House bills \"sitting on Harry Reid\u2019s desk awaiting action,\" she said, including 55 introduced by Democrats."]},{"id":"6208.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is a self-funded pension plan and its the money of the workers that funds it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks some important context. While it is true that the Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees receives funding from employee contributions, it is not entirely self-funded. The system also receives contributions from employers and investment returns. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that \"it's the money of the workers that funds it\" exclusively. The system operates through a combination of employee contributions, employer contributions, and investment earnings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We found the clip on YouTube by searching for the words in the title. On that platform, it was clearly identified as coming from the video game Arma 3.","\"There have been studies that say it impacts people and studies that say it does not. But I look at the common denominators, as a 60-some-year-old father and grandfather myself, what\u2019s changed in this country? We\u2019ve always had guns, we\u2019ve always had evil, but what\u2019s changed where we see this rash of shootings? And I see a video game industry that teaches young people to kill,\" Patrick said.","We looked for the most recent research on whether there is a link between violent video games and gun violence. We found little to back Trump\u2019s view.","Similarly, a 2018 study by Stetson and Florida State University researchers found that the role of violent video games \"in the development of youth psychopathology or crime is very little, if any.\""]},{"id":"10558.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ninety-five percent of the money used for union-operated worker training centers comes from employers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it oversimplifies the funding sources for union-operated worker training centers. While it is true that a significant portion of the funding comes from employers, the claim that 95% of the money used for these centers comes from employers is an exaggeration. The evidence provided suggests that employers do contribute a substantial amount, but it does not provide a specific percentage breakdown. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"937.json","label":"true","statement":"If we got solar energy from an area of the Southwestern desert 100 miles on a side, that would be enough, in and of itself, to provide 100 percent of all the electricity needs for the United States of America in a full year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The Southwestern desert in the United States has abundant solar energy potential. If an area of the desert measuring 100 miles on each side were utilized for solar energy production, it would indeed have the capacity to generate enough electricity to meet 100 percent of the country's electricity needs for a full year. The vast solar resources in the region make it a promising area for solar energy development.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I know that Hillary on occasion has said \u2014 just last year said this (NAFTA) was a boon to the economy.\"","\"I know that Hillary on occasion has said \u2014 just last year said this (NAFTA) was a boon to the economy,\" Obama said. \"I think it has been devastating, because our trade agreements did not have labor standards and environmental standards that would assure that workers in the U.S. were getting a square deal.\"","\"I know that Hillary on occasion has said \u2014 just last year said this (NAFTA) was a boon to the economy,\" Obama said during a Jan. 21, 2008, debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C. \"I think it has been devastating, because our trade agreements did not have labor standards and environmental standards that would assure that workers in the U.S. were getting a square deal.\"","He used the phrase in a recent mailing to voters in Ohio (the headline said Hillary Clinton believed NAFTA was 'a boon' to our economy\"), and he used it in a Jan. 21, 2008, debate in Myrtle Beach, S.C."]},{"id":"10790.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I helped pass what, if enacted, would be the largest tax cut in Texas history through the State Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The evidence provided confirms that the speaker, Taylor, claimed to have helped pass a tax cut through the State Senate that, if enacted, would be the largest in Texas history. However, it is important to note that the tax cut has not been enacted yet, meaning it is not currently the largest tax cut in Texas history. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Michael Sullivan says Texas Forest Service planted 6,000 trees in Dallas-Fort Worth area before Super Bowl for unknown reason at unknown cost","( - Michael Sullivan says Texas Forest Service planted 6,000 trees in Dallas-Fort Worth area before Super Bowl for unknown reason at unknown cost&url=)","On Feb. 3, conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan of Austin arched his brow about preparations for Super Bowl XLV, set for Sunday in Cowboys Stadium, writing in a Twitter post: \"Your Texas Forest Service planted 6,000 trees in (Dallas\/Fort Worth) area in advance of Super Bowl. Cost? Unknown. Why? Same. \"","At an unknown cost? For an unknown purpose? Not so, times two. Besides, \"your Forest Service,\" as Sullivan puts it, didn\u2019t plant the trees by its lonesome. Moreover, half the expenses were covered by private donations."]},{"id":"4115.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Ryan plan,those 54 and younger would receive the same kind of healthcare options now enjoyed by members of Congress.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that under the Ryan plan, individuals aged 54 and younger would have the ability to choose from a list of guaranteed coverage options, similar to the choices available to members of Congress, it is important to note that there are significant differences between the healthcare options provided to members of Congress and those proposed under the Ryan plan. The premium supports in the Ryan plan may not keep pace with rapidly increasing healthcare costs, and most seniors have lower incomes compared to members of Congress, limiting their ability to afford more expensive plans. Additionally, the protections against rising costs provided to members of Congress may not be replicated in the same way for individuals under the Ryan plan. Therefore, while there are similarities in terms of choice, the statement oversimplifies the disparities and potential limitations of the healthcare options under the Ryan plan compared to those enjoyed by members of Congress.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The ad, released Sept. 1, 2016, continues with words on the screen that say Feingold was the \"only senator to vote against military intelligence\" and the \"only senator to vote against Homeland Security.\"","!A PAC supporting Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson claims his opponent, former Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, was the only 'No' vote on creation of the Department of Homeland Security. (Getty images) !A PAC supporting Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson claims his opponent, former Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, was the only 'No' vote on creation of the Department of Homeland Security. (Getty images)","A PAC supporting Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson claims his opponent, former Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, was the only 'No' vote on creation of the Department of Homeland Security. (Getty images)","The two claims are essentially fleshed out by the narrator saying: \"Feingold voted against the Patriot Act and against creating the Department of Homeland Security.\""]},{"id":"8852.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"David Dewhurst is the first lieutenant governor in history to have a personal security detail.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that David Dewhurst is the first lieutenant governor in Texas history to have a personal security detail. Multiple sources, including former lieutenant governors and individuals who served in the position, have confirmed that they did not have a security detail during their tenure. While it is always challenging to definitively prove a historical claim, the available evidence strongly suggests that Dewhurst was the first lieutenant governor in Texas to have a personal security detail.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6078.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Overwhelming Democrat and Republican votes in 2011 for legislation in two special sessions on jobs demonstrated the bipartisan nature of the Wisconsin Legislature.","reason":"Reason: While there were indeed bipartisan votes on some legislation during the two special sessions on jobs in 2011, it is inaccurate to characterize the votes as overwhelmingly bipartisan. The official voting records indicate a mixed record of bipartisan votes, suggesting that there were instances of both bipartisan support and opposition. Therefore, the statement that the votes demonstrated the bipartisan nature of the Wisconsin Legislature is misleading and does not accurately reflect the overall voting patterns during those sessions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Bush said, \"ISIS didn't exist when my brother was President. Al-Qaida in Iraq was wiped out when my brother was president.\"","\"ISIS didn\u2019t exist when my brother was president. Al-Qaida in Iraq was wiped out when my brother was president. There were mistakes made in Iraq for sure, but the surge created a fragile but stable Iraq that the president could have built on.....\" He then criticized how Obama has handled Iraq.","Washington Post\u2019s The Fact Checker, \"Jeb Bush\u2019s claim that the Islamic state \u2018didn\u2019t exist when my brother was president,\u2019\" May 27, 2015","We decided to fact-check Bush\u2019s claims that ISIS did not exist under President George W. Bush and that al-Qaida was wiped out in Iraq. (The Washington Post \u2019s The Fact-Checker examined this issue as well.)"]},{"id":"6724.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Obama promised hed keep unemployment below 8 percent if the stimulus passed.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were claims made by critics that President Obama promised to keep unemployment below 8 percent if the stimulus bill passed, these claims have been fact-checked and rated as mostly false. The evidence suggests that President Obama did not explicitly make such a promise. However, it is worth noting that there were projections made by the Obama administration that estimated the stimulus would help keep unemployment below 8 percent. The actual outcome differed from those projections, and the unemployment rate exceeded 8 percent for an extended period. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the context and the distinction between claims and projections.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Do you know how many federal job training programs there are? 49 different federal job training programs that report to eight agencies,\" he said.","Romney said that there are \"49 different federal job training programs that report to eight agencies.\" The most recent comprehensive report we found on the matter found 47 job training programs under nine agencies. Also, a smaller subset of agencies account for a majority of spending on job training and number of people served. We rate Romney\u2019s statement Mostly True.","The agency conducted a thorough study on job training programs run by the federal government and published its findings in 2011. (The report studied fiscal year 2009.) The GAO concluded that the federal government had 47 programs run by nine different agencies, numbers very close to what Romney said.","Our point here is not to argue which job training approach is best, but rather to check the governor\u2019s claim that there are 77 programs spread through 13 agencies."]},{"id":"13507.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Indiana Gov. Mike Pence advocated diverting taxpayer dollars to so-called conversion therapy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom that Mike Pence advocated for diverting taxpayer dollars to so-called conversion therapy. However, it's important to note that while Pence has been associated with policies that some argue could indirectly support conversion therapy, there is no direct evidence of him explicitly advocating for the use of taxpayer funds for this purpose. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it accurately represents Newsom's claim, but it lacks the full context and specificity needed to support a definitive conclusion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6787.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ted Cruz has pledged to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, which would end federal aid to college students.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Paul Sadler's claim that Ted Cruz has pledged to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, which could potentially impact federal aid to college students. While it is true that the Department of Education includes federal student aid programs, it is important to note that the complete elimination of the department does not necessarily guarantee the immediate end of all federal aid to college students. The impact on federal aid would depend on the specific actions taken and the alternative measures put in place. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately represents Sadler's claim but does not provide the full context of the potential consequences.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We're in the worst state in the union when it comes to drunk driving and drunk driving fatalities,\" Acevedo said in an interview with the Austin American-Statesman and Austin's KVUE-TV, Channel 24. \"We lead the country in drunk driving fatalities.\" The interview aired Sunday Nov. 14.","Though Texas last year experienced one of the country's largest reductions in total traffic fatalities -- from 3,476 deaths in 2008 to 3,071 in 2009 -- more people still died on Texas roads than in any other state. As with drunk-driving deaths, that toll is influenced by factors such as Texas's size, population and number of miles traveled on its roads.","Our take: Several statistical approaches show Texas behind other states in the rate of alcohol-related driving deaths. But it's also reasonable to focus on the sheer number of deaths linked to drunk driving.","Online, NHTSA has posted state-by-state rates of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled for 2005 through 2008. We checked the rates over those years for the 10 states that had the most alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009--and found that Texas's rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, ranging from .55 in 2007 to a high of .59 in 2006, exceeded that of all but one of the states. South Carolina's rate, ranging from .81 in 2008 to .91 in 2007, was higher every year."]},{"id":"3830.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We are in the bottom 10 in dollars in the classroom and the top 10 in dollars in the bureaucracy and red tape.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the disparity between funding allocated to classrooms versus bureaucracy and red tape. It suggests that there is a higher allocation of resources towards administrative aspects rather than direct classroom funding. While the evidence provided does not directly support this specific statement, it does indicate a broader trend of income disparities and political affiliations. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it reflects a common concern regarding the allocation of resources in education.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We wondered whether Perry was right about the study and the Massachusetts mandate's impact on jobs in the state. Fortunately, PolitiFact previously looked into a similar Perry claim, made in an Oct. 10 video posted online by the Texan's campaign: \"Romneycare killed 18,000 jobs.\"","The ad says that the Massachusetts health law \"killed 18,000 jobs,\" which makes it sound like 18,000 actual jobs were eliminated. In fact, the report makes the more modest assertion that the law prevented 18,000 jobs from being created.","More significantly, the Perry ad says that the health care plan \"killed\" 18,000 jobs. That certainly makes it sound as if existing jobs were destroyed. Instead, a hypothetical 18,000 jobs were never created in the first place.","Both statements suggest that 18,000 actual jobs were eliminated because of the Massachusetts law. In fact, however, the Beacon Hill study makes the more modest assertion that the law prevented 18,000 jobs from being created."]},{"id":"11860.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"With 320,000 net Ohio manufacturing jobs lost, (Sen. Rob) Portman calls NAFTA a proven success.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the claim that Senator Rob Portman referred to NAFTA as a \"proven success.\" However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of Portman's position on NAFTA and the job losses in Ohio. While Portman did make positive remarks about NAFTA during his tenure as U.S. trade representative, it does not necessarily mean that he directly linked it to the specific job losses in Ohio. The evidence provided indicates that Ohio has experienced a significant loss of manufacturing jobs since NAFTA took effect, but it does not explicitly attribute these job losses solely to NAFTA. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the complete context, making it barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Joni Ernst would be another tea party vote in the Senate,\" the ad says in part. \"Ernst would privatize Social Security. ... Palin, Ernst: Too extreme for Iowa.\"","Now we\u2019re looking at a claim in Iowa\u2019s highly competitive open-seat Senate race, where the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee -- the party\u2019s Senate-campaign arm -- has opened up a new front against Republican nominee Joni Ernst.","Joni Ernst is a Republican senator from Iowa. A former state senator, she won the 2014 GOP primary for an open U.S. Senate seat and defeated Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley in November. She was sworn into Congress in January 2015, replacing long-time Senator Tom Harkin.","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d"]},{"id":"2227.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Kathryn Starkey only attended half of those meetings.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made regarding Kathryn Starkey's attendance at budget meetings. The evidence provided confirms that Starkey attended seven out of the 14 budget meetings, which is indeed half of the total meetings. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks the context that Starkey actively tried to lower the tax rate over a three-year period. This additional information provides a more complete understanding of her efforts. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it could benefit from including the contextual information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Allen West went scuba diving with a group of veterans, and the American flag, on June 12, 2011. !Allen West went scuba diving with a group of veterans, and the American flag, on June 12, 2011.","\"There's nothing really bad to say about Rep. Allen West going diving off the coast of Deerfield Beach with a bunch of military veterans -- except for the fact that he violated U.S. federal law in the process and provided a pictorial of himself doing so,\" the blog claimed. \"During his diving session Sunday, Lt. Col. West was photographed holding an American flag underwater, on top of an artificial reef -- which would be a violation of the United States Code.\"","The Daily Pulp, a blog of the Broward-Palm Beach New Times , reported on West's deep sea adventure June 14 with the headline: \"Allen West violates federal law during weekend diving trip.\"","The Miami Herald reported on West's June 12, 2011 dive with a group of Army, Navy and Marine Corps veterans and published a photo of West underwater in scuba gear, saluting the American flag. \"I think it's important wherever we are, that the flag flies,\" West, a 22-year veteran Army officer and experienced scuba diver, told the Herald. The veterans who joined him agreed."]},{"id":"7083.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mike Dovilla supports a plan that could allow a foreign corporation to take over the Ohio Turnpike \u0090","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mike Dovilla has been critical of the plan to lease the Ohio Turnpike, the statement inaccurately implies that he supports a plan that could allow a foreign corporation to take over the turnpike. Dovilla has explicitly stated that his vote in favor of the state operating budget was not a vote for privatization. The ads from the Ohio Democratic Party may be misleading by linking Dovilla to the potential involvement of a foreign corporation without sufficient evidence to support this claim. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Nationally, 21 percent (of those with HIV) are undiagnosed,\" she told colleagues. \"And in Oregon, only 41 percent of adults have ever been tested.\"","With that, we turn to our ruling. While speaking about a bill that seeks to raise the rate of HIV testing in Oregon, Keny-Guyer told colleagues that \"only 41 percent of adults have ever been tested.\" The most recent statewide number is actually a bit lower -- 37 percent. But Keny-Guyer used a correct statistic, it was just a year old. We don't consider that significant enough to downgrade our ruling. We rate the statement True.","According to that website, the testing figures for Oregon are slightly lower than what Keny-Guyer reported. Less than 37 percent of Oregonians between the ages of 18 and 64 have been tested for HIV. The national average is 40 percent.","Indeed, she noted, a study last year found that those who were being treated for HIV were 96 percent less likely to pass the infection on to their partners."]},{"id":"1368.json","label":"true","statement":"Charlie Crist broke the quarter \"record for fundraising in a U.S. Senate race in Florida.\"","reason":"Reason: According to the campaign manager of Charlie Crist, they broke the record for fundraising in a U.S. Senate race in Florida during the first quarter. This claim is supported by the information provided, which states that Crist raised $4.37 million in his first campaign fundraising quarter and has raised a total of $6.89 million through September. Comparisons to previous Senate races in Florida further support the claim, as the combined fundraising totals of previous candidates did not surpass the amount raised by Crist. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8688.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Murray-Ryan deal is the first divided-government budget agreement since 1986.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Paul Ryan initially claimed that the Murray-Ryan deal was the first divided-government budget agreement since 1986, it was later clarified that it was the first one with a divided Congress since 1986. However, there have been more than a dozen instances since 1986 where \"divided government\" produced a budget agreement, with 13 instances involving a unified Congress in opposition to the president and two instances with a divided Congress. Therefore, while the statement has some truth to it when considering a divided Congress, it is not entirely accurate when considering the broader context of divided government. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It was a more of a grassroots creation, Martinez said. Plus, the Democratic Party of the past is not the Democratic Party of today. From the 1930s onward, \"you think of the Democratic Party being considered the party of the disenfranchised,\" he said.","While some Democrats supported the KKK, there\u2019s no evidence the group was founded by their political party. And context matters\u2014the anti-black Democratic Party of yore is not the party that Hillary Clinton belongs to today.","Back in the mid-19th century, various Klans in the South acted as a \"strong arm\" for many local Democratic politicians, Emberton said. The Confederate general believed to be the KKK\u2019s first Grand Dragon even spoke at the 1868 Democratic National Convention. By the time the Civil Rights Act became law, the Democratic Party supported so-called liberal causes that \"had been the banner of the Republican Party.\"","\"Although the names stayed the same, the platforms of the two parties reversed each other in the mid-20th century, due in large part to the white \u2018Dixiecrats\u2019 flight out of the Democratic Party and into the Republican Party after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,\" she said."]},{"id":"1456.json","label":"false","statement":"For the hour after the (Jan. 14) debate, Debra Medina was the No. 1 search on Google and for the remainder of that night No. 3.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not conclusively support the statement that Debra Medina was the No. 1 search on Google for the hour after the debate and No. 3 for the remainder of the night. While Medina herself claimed this in an interview, a spokesman for Google stated that the company does not disclose specific rankings for searches on a particular day or on an hour-by-hour basis. The evidence provided, such as Google Trends and Insights for Search, does not directly confirm the specific rankings mentioned in the statement. Therefore, the claim cannot be verified and is considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["NARAL Pro-Choice America says that Walker \"said that forcing women facing abortion to get invasive ultrasounds was 'just a cool thing.'\"","Walker, according to the group, \"said that forcing women facing abortion to get invasive ultrasounds was 'just a cool thing.' \"","\"Scott Walker talks and talks about abortion. He said that forcing women facing abortion to get invasive ultrasounds was...\"; then, to finish the sentence, an audio clip is inserted with Walker saying: \"just a cool thing.\"","For example, the headline in the Washington Post was: \"Scott Walker, discussing abortion, says ultrasounds are \u2018just a cool thing out there.\u2019\" But the headline in the Huffington Post was: \"Scott Walker defends mandatory ultrasounds: they\u2019re a \u2018cool thing.\u2019\""]},{"id":"3813.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says state budget deal between Texas House and Senate leaders funds nursing homes, our public schools and universities and provides financial aid for college students.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Speaker Straus did claim that the state budget deal funds nursing homes, public schools, universities, and provides financial aid for college students. However, it's important to note that the evidence indicates a decrease in state aid to higher education and a reduction in state-backed college financial aid, which contradicts the claim of increased funding for universities and college students. Therefore, while some areas may receive funding as stated, other areas experience a decrease in funding, making the statement only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The party\u2019s ad replayed Crist\u2019s ad with a virtual remote pausing the video and offering reaction. After Crist\u2019s ad claims he cut taxes, the GOP responds: \"Fact: Crist raised taxes by $2.2 billion.\" A voiceover says, \"Nice try, Charlie; Crist raised taxes on the middle class by billions of dollars.\"","Crist said DeSantis raised \"taxes on the middle class by more than $1.5 billion\" and gave $624 million to \"big corporations.\"","The Republican Party of Florida has been saying that Crist actually raised taxes on the middle class $2.2 billion while in office. That actually came a year later, when he and the Republican-led Legislature raised taxes and fees, like $1 a pack tax on cigarettes, to close a budget hole in 2009. Other fees were increased on auto tags and fishing licenses.","DeSantis raised \"taxes on the middle class by more than $1.5 billion while giving away $624 million to big corporations,\" Crist said in an Aug. 25 tweet."]},{"id":"276.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Time magazine called him \"one of America's best governors.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Time magazine did refer to the governor as \"one of America's best governors.\" However, it's important to note that the context and specific details of the article are not provided. Nonetheless, the statement accurately reflects the claim made about the governor's recognition by Time magazine.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"602.json","label":"true","statement":"On supporting the Supreme Court abortion decision Roe v. Wade","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the support for the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade is a landmark ruling that established the constitutional right to an abortion in the United States. The evidence provided confirms that there are individuals who support the decision and believe it should remain the law of the land. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Sears said, \"Every year in the United States between 3,000 and 4,500 severe vaccine reactions are reported to the Centers for Disease Control. Not mild reactions. Severe reactions that land somebody in the hospital, the intensive care unit or cause a permanent disability or death.\"","\"Every year in the United States between 3,000 and 4,500 severe vaccine reactions are reported to the Centers for Disease Control,\" Dr. Bob Sears told CNN\u2019s Don Lemon. \"Not mild reactions. Severe reactions that land somebody in the hospital, the intensive care unit or cause a permanent disability or death.\"","We decided to fact-check Sears\u2019 claim that between 3,000 and 4,500 people report severe vaccine reactions that \"land somebody in the hospital, the intensive care unit or cause a permanent disability or death.\"","!Dr. Bob Sears, a California pediatrician, said on CNN that \u201cevery year in the United States between 3,000 and 4,500 severe vaccine reactions are reported to the Centers for Disease Control.\" !Dr. Bob Sears, a California pediatrician, said on CNN that \u201cevery year in the United States between 3,000 and 4,500 severe vaccine reactions are reported to the Centers for Disease Control.\""]},{"id":"5832.json","label":"false","statement":"After four years of a celebrity president 85% (of recent college grads are) moving back in with their parents.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the claim that 85% of recent college graduates are moving back in with their parents to the ad. The evidence provided indicates that 24% of adults ages 18 to 34 moved back in with their parents due to economic conditions, which is significantly lower than the 85% mentioned in the statement. While there may be a modest trend of college graduates moving back home, it is not accurate to claim that 85% of recent college grads are doing so. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3996.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Hispanic unemployment has been ticking down from an all-time high of 13.9 percent because of the policies weve implemented.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hispanic unemployment has decreased from its peak of 13.9 percent, it is an oversimplification to attribute this decline solely to the policies implemented. The statement fails to acknowledge the complex factors that contribute to changes in unemployment rates, including broader economic trends, market conditions, and various external factors. While policies may have played a role in the decrease, it is inaccurate to claim that they are the sole or primary reason for the decline in Hispanic unemployment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"4594.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry co-chaired Al Gores campaign for president.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims that Rick Perry co-chaired Al Gore's campaign for president, the evidence suggests that Perry did support Gore but was not the chairman of the campaign. Multiple sources, including news articles, have clarified that Perry was not the chairman but rather a supporter of Gore's campaign. However, there are instances where Perry acknowledged being involved in supporting Gore's campaign, but not in a leadership role. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it acknowledges Perry's support for Gore but incorrectly states his role as co-chairman.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Two years from now, though, we\u2019re going to be looking at the economy in New Jersey,\" Van Susteren said. \"And so far they\u2019ve had seven credit downgrades since the time he\u2019s been governor. That doesn\u2019t look good.\"","\"Governor #ChrisChristie has led New Jersey to a record-breaking 9 credit downgrades. Yes, you read that right: nine credit downgrades,\" Brazile tweeted on June 30, 2015.","Brazile said that Chistie led New Jersey to a record-breaking nine credit downgrades. Her tally is correct, Christie was the chief executive throughout and no other New Jersey governor has overseen so many reductions in the state credit rating. The previous record was six.","Do the nine downgrades set a record? Yes, for New Jersey. According to news reports, that is the highest number ever for a single New Jersey governor. The previous record was six credit downgrades, which happened while Democrat James McGreevey was governor. McGreevey presided over his drops in less than three years in office (2002-04); Christie is in his sixth year in office."]},{"id":"13024.json","label":"false","statement":"I was totally against the war in Iraq.","reason":"Reason: While President Trump has claimed to be \"totally against the war in Iraq,\" there is evidence that contradicts this statement. Prior to the invasion, Trump expressed some level of support for military action and did not explicitly speak against launching an attack. While he later voiced opposition to the war, it is not accurate to say that he was \"totally against\" it from the beginning. The evidence shows a more nuanced stance on the issue.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7494.json","label":"true","statement":"There have been literally hundreds of new tax preferences and loopholes added to the code since 1986, last time we did this.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence indicating that there have indeed been numerous new tax preferences and loopholes added to the tax code since the last major tax reform in 1986. While it is challenging to provide an exact count, experts agree that there have been significant additions. PolitiFact has confirmed the claim to be true, acknowledging that there have been \"literally hundreds\" of new tax preferences and loopholes added since 1986. While the exact number may vary, the evidence supports the assertion that there have been substantial additions to the tax code in terms of tax preferences and loopholes.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4773.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Suzanne Bonamici supports the $500 billion cut to Medicare passed last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Suzanne Bonamici's opponent, Rob Cornilles, claimed that she supports the $500 billion cut to Medicare passed last year, there is no credible evidence to support this claim. It appears to be a political talking point used by Republicans across the country, but it does not accurately reflect Bonamici's stance on the issue. It is important to fact-check such claims and rely on verified information before making assertions about a candidate's position.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1222.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gas will reach $4 a gallon under a cap-and-trade plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a study by the Heritage Foundation, which assumes that under the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade plan, gas prices will reach a minimum of $3 per gallon in 2035. However, it's important to note that this is a projection and not a definitive outcome. The actual impact on gas prices under a cap-and-trade plan can vary depending on various factors, including market conditions, policy implementation, and technological advancements. Therefore, stating that gas will reach $4 a gallon under a cap-and-trade plan is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent the complexity and uncertainty of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12656.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Were losing as many people to heroin and opioid overdoses as we lost to the AIDS epidemic at its peak.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the number of deaths from drug overdoses, including heroin and opioids, has been increasing significantly, the statement made by Governor Cuomo is not entirely accurate. The comparison between the number of deaths from heroin and opioid overdoses and the peak of the AIDS epidemic is not supported by the evidence. While the total number of drug overdose deaths may exceed the number of deaths during the peak of the AIDS crisis, the comparison specifically between heroin and opioid overdoses and the AIDS epidemic is not valid. The number of deaths from heroin and opioids alone has been rising, but it does not reach the same level as the peak of the AIDS epidemic.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The first budget that came out of our Republican leadership slashed funding to Planned Parenthood,\" Booker said. \"It resulted in, it resulted in the reduction of hours, the elimination of days, elimination of access to women in my city and all over my state.\"","\"It resulted in, it resulted in the reduction of hours, the elimination of days, elimination of access to women in my city and all over my state.\"","\"Now I want to be very clear. I come from a state where we\u2019ve seen what Republican leadership will do to things like Planned Parenthood,\" Booker told the crowd, according to a video posted on YouTube. \"We\u2019ve seen it. The first budget that came out of our Republican leadership slashed funding to Planned Parenthood.","Before the mayor made a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., Booker appeared at a Planned Parenthood rally and blasted the GOP for denying women access to health care."]},{"id":"9877.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Braley voted to cut $700 billion from Medicare to support Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Bruce Braley voted to cut $700 billion from Medicare to support Obamacare is partially true. While it is accurate that Braley voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which included reductions in projected Medicare spending, it is important to note that these reductions were primarily aimed at reducing inefficiencies and overpayments to healthcare providers, not directly cutting benefits for Medicare recipients. The claim lacks the nuance that the reductions were intended to improve the long-term sustainability of the Medicare program and enhance its efficiency. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it oversimplifies the impact of the vote on Medicare and may mislead some individuals.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Announcing a statewide tour in his campaign for reelection, a Johnson news release said Johnson \"started\" the Pacur plastics manufacturing company he owns.","!Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson announced his re-election bid on May 2, 2016 at Pacur, his plastics manufacturing company in Oshkosh, Wis. (Joe Sienkiewicz photo) !Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson announced his re-election bid on May 2, 2016 at Pacur, his plastics manufacturing company in Oshkosh, Wis. (Joe Sienkiewicz photo)","Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson announced his re-election bid on May 2, 2016 at Pacur, his plastics manufacturing company in Oshkosh, Wis. (Joe Sienkiewicz photo)","The statement suggests the company was started only by Johnson, or at least that he was main person who launched it."]},{"id":"11667.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says 25 percent of U.S. Muslims agreed that violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a poll conducted by the Center for Security Policy, which found that 25 percent of respondents agreed, to some extent, that violence against Americans in the United States can be justified as part of the global jihad. However, it's important to note that this poll represents the views of a specific subset of respondents and may not be fully representative of the entire U.S. Muslim population. It would be inaccurate to generalize this finding to all U.S. Muslims. Therefore, while the statement is based on a specific poll result, it lacks the necessary context and should not be taken as a definitive representation of the views of all U.S. Muslims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"403.json","label":"false","statement":"Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama want to raise taxes on all income brackets.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Obama proposed raising taxes on wealthy Americans, there is no evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama wanted to raise taxes on all income brackets. In fact, both Clinton and Obama have advocated for tax cuts for middle-class and lower-income individuals and have emphasized the need for a fair and progressive tax system. It is important to accurately represent their positions on tax policy without making broad and unsubstantiated claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Jolly defended his own record as a lobbyist when an audience member at a campaign event said there was talk that Jolly lobbied on behalf of oil-drilling interests. \"I have never lobbied for offshore oil drilling,\" Jolly said, but the record was a bit ambiguous.","\"I have never lobbied for offshore oil drilling, and I'd be interested in what information you might be suggesting because that's never happened,\" Jolly said. \"I'm not suggesting you are fabricating this, but if that information is in the public domain, it's a complete fabrication.\"","Congressional hopeful David Jolly\u2019s lobbyist past is a major target for his opponents. His response to an accusation that he lobbied for expanded offshore oil drilling is problematic for the Indian Shores Republican, however.","The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee accused the then-candidate of working to expand the practice in the Gulf, but Jolly claimed he \"never lobbied for offshore oil drilling.\" We rated Jolly\u2019s statement Mostly False."]},{"id":"7224.json","label":"false","statement":"U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss votes more with Democrats than with conservatives.","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss votes more with Democrats than with conservatives is false. Saxby Chambliss was a Republican senator from Georgia who consistently aligned with conservative positions during his time in office. His retirement announcement in 2014 was unrelated to his voting record and was a personal decision. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that he consistently voted with Democrats over conservatives.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10797.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the recall elections that aimed to remove him and other Republican officials from office cost tens of millions of dollars to run.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Walker claimed that the recall elections cost \"tens of millions of dollars,\" the actual cost was approximately $16.3 million. While this is a significant amount, it falls short of the \"tens of millions\" threshold. The statement exaggerates the cost of the recall elections, making it barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When they\u2019re full up over there, our local police officers -- if you\u2019ve got somebody who needs to be over at mental health because they\u2019re mentally ill, they may pose a danger to themselves, any of these different things -- if it\u2019s full, cops sit out there in their squad cars with a mentally ill patient in the back and they have to wait to unload and people will, in some cases, spend an entire shift out there doing that.\"","Sullivan said delays in admitting people to the Mental Health Complex for crisis care can be so long that police officers spend up to an entire shift with patients waiting for them to receive treatment. Hours-long delays were a problem some years ago. But the four largest police agencies in the county now say waits are short.","During a two-month period in 2004, more than 60 people with mental health emergencies waited for up to 60 hours to get treatment at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex. Some had to be kept under police guard until they could receive care.","In early 2008, police agencies continued to rack up thousands of dollars in overtime as officers waited in their squad cars or in hospital emergency rooms with patients who needed psychiatric crisis services."]},{"id":"12762.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"On gift taking,Bob McDonnell took a fraction of what (Tim) Kaine took.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. When comparing the gifts received by Bob McDonnell and Tim Kaine, there is no evidence to support the claim that McDonnell took only a fraction of what Kaine took. In fact, the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings involving McDonnell centered around his acceptance of gifts and favors, which led to his indictment and conviction. Kaine, on the other hand, did not face similar legal issues related to gift-taking. Therefore, the statement is not only false but also misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6893.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"By voting to approve [Question 1], we can . . . save 900 jobs at Twin River.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because it implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship between voting to approve Question 1 and saving 900 jobs at Twin River. However, the evidence provided does not establish a clear connection between the two. While voting in favor of Question 1 may have potential benefits for Twin River and its employees, such as creating a favorable business environment, the exact impact on job preservation is uncertain and cannot be definitively attributed to the act of voting alone.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Part of the problem here, she writes, is that \"abortion clinics in Oregon, as in most states, have no state oversight and are not held to basic health or safety standards.\" Even tattoo parlors and veterinary clinics follow state-imposed health standards, she wrote.","We wondered whether that was true. Do abortion clinics in Oregon really face no state oversight? Is it true that they don\u2019t have to meet basic health and safety standards?","We\u2019re looking into the factual basis of Atteberry\u2019s statement that abortion clinics in Oregon have no state oversight and are not held to basic health or safety standards. There is an element of truth to this statement. Some abortion clinics are not licensed in the way other outpatient medical offices are regulated.","Plus, the people who perform the abortions are licensed medical personnel subject to state oversight. While some abortion clinics are not subject to the state oversight that veterinary clinics or tattoo parlors receive, that doesn\u2019t mean they and the people who work in them are not held to basic health standards."]},{"id":"7895.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There hasnt been a Republican in the legislature or the City Council in Providence in over 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there hasn't been a Republican in the Providence City Council for over 22 years and in the Rhode Island legislature for over 19 years, it falls short of the claim of \"over 30 years.\" The evidence provided confirms that the last Republican on the City Council served 22\u00bd years ago and the last Republican in the legislature served 19\u00bd years ago. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks precision in terms of the timeframe mentioned.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5265.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ive never voted for a Democrat when there was a Republican on the ballot.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Romney is partially true. In the context of the specific situation described, where he was handed a Democratic ballot and there was no Republican candidate listed on it, it is accurate to say that he did not vote for a Democrat when there was a Republican on the ballot. However, it's important to note that Romney had the option to request a Republican ballot but chose not to do so. Therefore, while his statement is true in a technical sense, it does not fully reflect the available choices he had at the time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Specifically, Gingrich said: \"He voted for the unions over FedEx. I suspect most folks in the state don\u2019t know that. But in fact he was a big labor Republican in Pennsylvania and I suspect when you get to Memphis and you say to people, \u2018Gee, this is a guy who wanted to guarantee that FedEx give in to the unions,\u2019 Santorum won\u2019t be as popular the following morning.\"","!The record from a 1996 FAA reauthorization act shows that Rick Santorum was against a provision FedEx wanted before he was for it. !The record from a 1996 FAA reauthorization act shows that Rick Santorum was against a provision FedEx wanted before he was for it.","The record from a 1996 FAA reauthorization act shows that Rick Santorum was against a provision FedEx wanted before he was for it.","Finally, when the bill itself came up for a vote, with the FedEx provision intact, Santorum voted for it. The vote was 92-2. Only Specter and Paul Simon of Illinois voted against it."]},{"id":"6528.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson wants to give a new $265,000 tax cut to millionaires like himself while raising taxes on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tammy Baldwin that Tommy Thompson wants to provide a $265,000 tax cut to millionaires while increasing taxes on the middle class. However, it's important to note that the claim lacks some context. The evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine the accuracy of the claim. It is possible that Thompson has proposed tax policies that could benefit millionaires, but without further details or specific proposals, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true due to the lack of comprehensive evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Do you not realize that when Lincoln signed his (Emancipation) proclamation, there were over 300,000 slaveholders who were fighting in the Union army?\" Baldwin wrote. \"Check it out.\"","Baldwin said that 300,000 slaveholders fought in the Union army. The closest we can get to that figure is an estimate that 300,000 men from states that allowed slavery put on the Union blue uniform. But that provides no evidence that all of them owned slaves, either directly themselves or through their families.","\"It will be seen that the disloyalty of West Point was not as great as is generally supposed. In the navy about one-third of the officers came from slaveholding States, yet remained faithful to the Union; while one-eighth of the Union army, or 300,000 men, were contributed by the Southern States.\"","The chance that a few thousand slaveholders fought for the Union, rather than the 300,000 as Baldwin said, does little to keep this statement in the realm of reality. We rate it Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"922.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The (economic stimulus) legislation could open billions of taxpayer dollars to left-wing groups like the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that the economic stimulus legislation included funding for neighborhood stabilization, which could potentially be accessed by nonprofit organizations, including ACORN, the statement implies that the legislation specifically targeted left-wing groups like ACORN. However, the legislation did not mention ACORN by name, and the funding was not exclusively designated for ACORN or any particular organization. The statement misrepresents the intent and scope of the legislation, leading to an inaccurate portrayal of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Eighty-three law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty this year. Twenty-four of them were shot and killed in cold blood,\" he said.","\"Eighty-three law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty this year,\" Cagle said in the statement issued Sept. 8, \"Twenty-four of them were shot and killed in cold blood.\"","(In May of this year. the FBI released its preliminary stats for 2014 law enforcement deaths in the line of duty. It showed 51 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed, meaning they were killed with \"criminal intent, as opposed to by accident), an increase of almost 89 percent from 2013 when the death count was 27. Between 1980 and 2014, an average of 64 law enforcement officers died this way each year. The 2013 death count was the lowest in this 35-year period.)","\"In 2019, 89 officers died in the line of duty. While every death is tragic, almost half (41) were accidental. That same year, officers shot and killed 999 people. Police are 20.8 times more likely to kill than be killed by a criminal. We must drastically reduce the use of deadly force in this country.\""]},{"id":"10345.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Exposure to the electromagnetic fields from power lines has been associated with childhood leukemia and other diseases.","reason":"Reason: While there have been some associations between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from power lines and childhood leukemia, the evidence is not conclusive. The American Cancer Society categorizes this association as \"uncertain, unproven, or controversial.\" Studies have primarily shown a potential risk for magnetic fields, not electric fields, and even then, the risk is limited to children exposed to the highest fields. Therefore, while there is some association between EMF exposure and childhood leukemia, it is important to note that the evidence is not strong enough to establish a direct causal relationship. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During Clinton\u2019s 2016 run for president, her political opponents made a number of claims about her actions at the time of the attackst. We rated False a claim by Donald Trump, then the Republican nominee, that the Benghazi victims were \"left helpless to die\" as Clinton \"soundly slept in her bed.\" A claim by then-House Speaker Paul Ryan, that \"repeated requests for additional security in Benghazi were routinely denied\" by \"Clinton\u2019s State Department,\" was rated True.","The State Department\u2019s own Accountability Review Boardconcluded that the number of diplomatic security staff in Benghazi in the months leading up to the attacks was inadequate \"despite repeated requests\" from the Benghazi mission and the embassy in Tripoli for additional staffing.","A report from the State Department\u2019s Accountability Review Board in December 2012 noted that the number of diplomatic security staff in Benghazi the day of the attack was inadequate despite \"repeated requests \u2026 for additional staffing.\"","In May 2014, ahead of one of the congressional investigations into the Benghazi attacks, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., claimed the State Department \"not only failed to honor repeated requests for additional security, but instead actually reduced security in Libya.\""]},{"id":"7587.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed held not one conversation with the public about the new Falcons stadium project","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed made statements indicating there would be a \"big public conversation\" and that \"everything is going to be known\" about the new Falcons stadium project, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether he actually held conversations with the public. One source claims that the mayor did not hold any conversations with the public, while another source suggests that no one or group specifically requested a town hall meeting. Without further clarification or additional evidence, it is difficult to definitively determine whether Mayor Reed held conversations with the public about the stadium project. Therefore, the statement can be considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The next day, Perry agreed that the Legislature could take $3.1 billion from the fund to help cover a deficit in the current state budget, which runs through August. But he said he would not support tapping it for the 2012-13 budget being drafted by lawmakers.","Perry told the Republican Leadership Conference on June 18: \"To preserve our job-friendly climate, the Texas Legislature didn\u2019t raises taxes this last legislative session while balancing their budget and maintaining essential services. And I might add, that new budget leaves $6 billion in a rainy day fund.\"","For this article, we wondered if Perry\u2019s correct that the budget will ultimately leave $6 billion in the state\u2019s so-called rainy day fund, which has a current balance of $5 billion, according to the state comptroller\u2019s office. The fund is fed by state oil and gas oil production taxes.","In a recent New Orleans appearance, Texas Gov. Rick Perry recapped legislative action back home balancing the 2012-13 state budget while, he crowed, leaving billions in reserve."]},{"id":"12423.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The only two (Donald Trump tax returns) we have show that he hasnt paid a penny in taxes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were two years in the 1970s when Donald Trump did not pay federal income taxes, it is incorrect to claim that \"the only two tax returns we have\" show that he hasn't paid any taxes. Public records indicate that Trump did pay federal income taxes in three other years during that period. Additionally, it's important to note that the public records referred to by Clinton are not Trump's actual tax returns, and the details of his tax returns for those years remain unknown. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7444.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In a budget deal struck in 2011 a trillion dollars of cuts went into effect immediately, and then a special committee was set up ... to get agreement on another $3 trillion of cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a budget deal was struck in 2011, which included a trillion dollars of cuts that went into effect immediately. However, it is misleading to claim that the purpose of the special committee was solely to get agreement on another $3 trillion of cuts. The committee, known as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, was indeed established to find additional deficit reduction measures, but it did not ultimately reach an agreement on the proposed $3 trillion in cuts. Therefore, while the initial part of the statement is true, the implication that the committee was successful in achieving the additional $3 trillion in cuts is not accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Former and would-be governor Roy Barnes declared recently that it's possible to do what few politicians dare try: run a \"civil and polite\" campaign.","\"You know, it\u2019s a Southern tradition to be civil and polite. \u2026 just because we have differences, doesn\u2019t mean that we have to call each other names.\"","Barnes' ads are not nearly as nasty as those in the Republican gubernatorial runoff, but with each new TV commercial he has moved further from \"civil and polite\" territory.","\"I think that you can show differences without being mean,\" Barnes said Aug. 11. \"You know, it\u2019s a Southern tradition to be civil and polite. There are differences, but they\u2019re honorable people. And so just because we have differences doesn\u2019t mean that we have to call each other names."]},{"id":"3531.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Weve lost 26 million jobs since (Obamas) been president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that 26 million jobs have been lost during President Obama's presidency. In fact, the evidence suggests that job losses occurred before President Obama took office, and there is no data or credible source to substantiate the claim of 26 million job losses during his tenure. It is important to rely on accurate information and data when making claims about job numbers.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"654.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Whether in Illinois or Washington, Barack Obama has bridged partisanship to bring about significant reform.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Barack Obama has bridged partisanship to bring about significant reform is partially true. While it is true that Obama made efforts to bridge partisanship and implement reforms, the level of success and the extent of the reforms achieved can be subject to interpretation and debate. While some significant reforms were enacted during his presidency, such as the Affordable Care Act, there were also instances where partisan divisions hindered progress on certain issues. Therefore, while Obama made efforts to bridge partisanship, the extent and impact of the reforms achieved can vary depending on the perspective.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Monticello power plant just outside of Pittsburg TX has been closed since 2018 because of renewable energy,\" the post says. \"She alone can produce enough reliable power for over 500,000 homes. How is that green energy working out for y\u2019all?\"","The Monticello plant near Pittsburg, Texas \u2014 about two hours east of Dallas \u2014 once had an operating capacity of 1,880 megawatts, which is enough to power as many as about 940,000 homes depending on conditions. But it has been offline since January 2018. Luminant, the state\u2019s largest electricity generator, announced in October 2017 that it was retiring the plant.","Back in 2017, another Vistra spokesperson told the Dallas Morning News that the decision was \"purely economic \u2026 this is a coal plant operating in a market that\u2019s flooded with cheap natural gas.\"","An image spreading on social media during the storms suggested that renewable energy deprived half a million homes of power by causing the shutdown of a coal-powered plant."]},{"id":"8639.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I have cut taxes 63 times, including a 2006 property tax reduction that ranks as the largest in state history.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Dewhurst claimed to have cut taxes 63 times and that the 2006 property tax reduction was the largest in state history, it is important to note that this statement lacks context. The evidence suggests that while Dewhurst did implement significant tax cuts, there were also subsequent tax increases that offset some of those reductions. Therefore, the claim of cutting taxes 63 times may not accurately reflect the overall impact on taxpayers. The statement is partially true but fails to acknowledge the full picture of tax changes during Dewhurst's tenure.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["President Barack Obama \"has taken less vacation days than any other president in a generation,\" while Congress \"has taken more vacation days than any other Congress in history.\"","Occupy Democrats says Obama \"has taken less vacation days than any other president in a generation,\" while Congress \"has taken more vacation days than any other Congress in history.\"","Below a photograph of Obama are the words, \"Has taken less vacation days than any other president in a generation.\" Below an image of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan are the words, \"Have taken more vacation days than any other Congress in history.\"","Says President Barack Obama \"has taken 92 days of vacation since he was sworn in,\" compared to 367 for President George W. Bush at the same point in his presidency."]},{"id":"5930.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"New Jersey has the largest transit system in the entire country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true when considering the context of New Jersey's statewide transit system, NJ Transit. NJ Transit is indeed the largest statewide transit system in the country. However, if we consider the overall scale and size of transit systems, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York, which operates in multiple states, including New York and parts of Connecticut, is the largest transit system in terms of carrying the most people and having the most equipment. Therefore, while New Jersey does not have the largest transit system overall, the statement is accurate when referring specifically to NJ Transit as the largest statewide system.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Facebook posts said, \"In case you forgot. Two years ago today, we were experiencing the greatest economy in the history of the world.\"","The text-only post says, \"In case you forgot. Two years ago today, we were experiencing the greatest economy in the history of the world.\"","\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d","While the U.S. economy prior to the pandemic was in many ways stronger than it is today, we found general agreement that there\u2019s no support for the argument that it was \"the greatest economy in the history of the world.\""]},{"id":"10009.json","label":"false","statement":"New jobs numbers are in, and Wisconsin has fallen to dead last in Midwest job growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may have been claims made about Wisconsin's job growth being \"dead last\" in the Midwest, it is not supported by the available data. Evaluating job growth requires considering the timeframe and the measuring stick used. Without specific data or a clear timeframe, it is inaccurate to assert that Wisconsin has fallen to dead last in Midwest job growth. It is important to rely on accurate and up-to-date information when making claims about job growth statistics.\nLabel: false","evidence":["By suggesting that a fetus has the \"right to life,\" the bill challenges the Supreme Court\u2019s past support for a constitutional right to abortion. An act of Congress cannot overrule the constitution, meaning the Supreme Court would have to change its past positions on abortion. That\u2019s possible, but even if the bill is a vehicle to challenge Roe vs. Wade and subsequent decisions, it\u2019s not clear that the outcome would \"ban all abortions.\"","The claim is based on Gardner\u2019s cosponsorship of a bill that grants a fetus the same rights as a person from the moment of fertilization. It\u2019s clear that such personhood bills are anti-abortion measures, but there\u2019s a lot of uncertainty in the bill\u2019s language that would have to be sorted through, over time, by the court system, and it\u2019s not clear that it would ban all abortions.","The bill was introduced April 8, 2013, by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. According to the bill text, it would \"implement equal protection for the right to life of each born and preborn human person\" and \"declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being.\"","But because no state has passed a personhood bill, courts have not established a track record about how they would interpret such a measure and how the measure would affect abortions."]},{"id":"1198.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Under the Baucus bill ... federal funds would subsidize coverage of elective abortions.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided consists of claims made by individuals or organizations, but it does not provide any concrete evidence or verifiable information to support the assertion that federal funds would subsidize coverage of elective abortions under the Baucus bill. It is important to rely on factual information and official sources to accurately assess the provisions of a bill. Without such evidence, it is misleading to make claims about the bill's provisions regarding federal funding for elective abortions.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7756.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jerseys best teachers, and the most education funding ever.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in multiple sources, including campaign ads and statements, regarding the achievements of Governor Christie's administration in New Jersey. These claims include four consecutive balanced budgets without new taxes, the best job growth in 12 years, the creation of nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs, the implementation of merit pay for teachers, and increased education funding. However, it's important to note that the veracity of these claims may vary depending on specific metrics and interpretations. While the statement captures the main points accurately, additional context and analysis may be required to fully evaluate the extent and impact of these achievements.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Warner says millennials will make up 75 percent of the workforce a decade from now. Projections show that they\u2019re on track to make up about 44 percent of the workforce in 10 years.","\"Millennials are now 80 million strong. They pushed folks like me, the baby boomers, off the stage in terms of the percentage of the workforce. They\u2019ll be 75 percent of the workforce in the next 10 years,\" Warner said during a June 4 interview on CNBC.","Using that age definition for millennials means the generation, in 2025, will be 28 to 44 years old. The BLS projects that 10 years from now, there will be 73.9 million people aged 25-44 in the U.S. workforce. They\u2019ll make up 44 percent of a total labor force of 168.7 million.","The Journal noted in its analysis that even if younger people in the generation after millennials -- unofficially dubbed generation z -- are included, the proportion still wouldn\u2019t hit the three-quarters mark. The millennials and generation z workers would comprise 56 percent of the workforce in 2025."]},{"id":"1743.json","label":"true","statement":"\"By registration fewer than 20 percent of Florida voters are Independents.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. According to the provided evidence, as of the 2016 general election, Democrats made up 36.7 percent of registered voters in Florida, Republicans made up 35.8 percent, and those registered with no party affiliation accounted for 26 percent. This indicates that fewer than 20 percent of Florida voters are registered as Independents, as the combined percentage of Democrats and Republicans is already higher than 70 percent.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Over 60 percent of the provisional ballots cast in the 2012 election were disqualified because those folks were not duly registered as voters.\"","Secretary of State candidate John Carlevale said, \"Over 60 percent of the provisional ballots cast in the 2012 election were disqualified because those folks were not duly registered as voters.\"","\"Those folks who were not able to show valid ID were given a provisional ballot,\" he said. \"And what did we learn from that? Over 60 percent of the provisional ballots cast in that election were disqualified because those folks were not duly registered as voters.\"","We emailed Carlevale to ask for supporting evidence. Meanwhile, we called the state Board of Elections, where executive director Robert Kando reported that 2,357 provisional ballots were issued in 2012; 1,189 of those were ultimately disqualified because the person had not registered. That's 50.4 percent, not 60 percent as Carlevale reported."]},{"id":"12718.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As a senator, Hillary Clinton paid women less than the men in her office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that there were disparities in the salaries of women and men in Hillary Clinton's office during her time as a senator, it is important to note that these disparities were not due to gender-based pay discrimination. The claim fails to consider factors such as job positions, levels of experience, and other relevant factors that can influence salary discrepancies. Additionally, other sources have presented conflicting information, with some indicating that Clinton paid women and men equally. Therefore, the statement is overly simplistic and does not accurately represent the complexities of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Paul said, \"The Fourth Amendment was what we fought the Revolution over. John Adams said it was the spark that led to our war for independence.\"","\"I want to collect more records from terrorists, but less records from innocent Americans,\" said Paul, who has been a leading voice in his party for privacy from government intrusion. \"The Fourth Amendment was what we fought the Revolution over. John Adams said it was the spark that led to our war for independence, and I'm proud of standing for the Bill of Rights, and I will continue to stand for the Bill of Rights.\"","Taken in its most literal interpretation, this claim doesn\u2019t make much sense, since the Fourth Amendment was ratified in 1791, about a decade and a half after the American Revolution began. But it\u2019s pretty clear that Paul means that the issues embedded in the Fourth Amendment were a factor in the revolution, so that\u2019s what we\u2019re checking.","When we contacted Paul\u2019s campaign, spokeswoman Eleanor May said that Paul didn\u2019t claim that the Fourth Amendment was the only cause of the American Revolution."]},{"id":"9482.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Mark Warners record is one of acting against the Keystone XL pipeline.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances where Mark Warner has expressed support for the Keystone XL pipeline, there have also been instances where he has taken actions that could be interpreted as working against it. Warner did vote in favor of a Keystone resolution in 2013 and signed letters urging the project's expedited approval. However, it is important to note that the statement implies a consistent pattern of acting against the pipeline, which is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests a mixed record on the issue, with Warner expressing support at times and taking actions that align with pipeline opponents at other times. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context to accurately represent Warner's stance on the Keystone XL pipeline.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Axelrod\u2019s response: \"The majority of people in this country, the vast majority of people in this country, are keeping their plan. People who are uninsured are going to have choices they never had before.\"","Moments later, Axelrod made his point again: \"The majority of people in this country, the vast majority of people in this country, are keeping their plan. People who are uninsured are going to have choices they never had before.\"","Kaiser estimates that 15 million people are in the individual market. They are likely to have a very different experience from the \"vast majority\" cited by Axelrod. In New Jersey and Florida, hundreds of thousands of people have received cancellation notices and more are popping up across the country.","That certainly could mean people are not keeping their health care plan. How much of the blame should be shouldered by the health care law is a different matter."]},{"id":"12495.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ron Johnson voted to turn Medicare into a voucher program.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Ron Johnson supported a proposal from Paul Ryan to change Medicare into a voucher program. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact, have rated similar claims as mostly true. While the statement accurately reflects the voting record and positions of Ron Johnson, it is important to note that the term \"voucher program\" may be oversimplified. The proposed changes to Medicare involved implementing a premium support system, which some argue could function similarly to a voucher program. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is needed to fully understand the nuances of the proposed changes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11858.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders advocated putting Iranian troops into Syria to try and resolve the conflict there. Putting them right on the doorstep of Israel.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton and others that Bernie Sanders advocated for the presence of Iranian troops in Syria to resolve the conflict. However, it's important to note that the statement's assertion that this would put Iranian troops \"right on the doorstep of Israel\" may be slightly misleading. While Syria does share a border with Israel, the exact proximity of the potential Iranian troops to Israel is uncertain. Nonetheless, the statement captures the essence of the claim made by Clinton and provides a generally accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6214.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Toothpaste contains the poison substance of fluoride.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some toothpaste brands contain fluoride, it is misleading and incorrect to label fluoride as a \"poison substance.\" Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that, when used in appropriate amounts, is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the amount of fluoride allowed in toothpaste to ensure its safety. While excessive ingestion of fluoride can lead to health issues, toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed in large quantities. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the nature of fluoride and its role in dental hygiene.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"673.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Today, we import triple the amount of oil than we had on the day Senator McCain took office.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the United States imports three times the amount of oil compared to when Senator McCain took office. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a timeframe for when Senator McCain took office, so the specific comparison period is unclear. Nonetheless, the statement is true in conveying that oil imports have significantly increased during the period mentioned.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8351.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Shutdowns are a normal part of the constitutional process, with 12 shutdowns under Democratic House Speaker Tip ONeill and two during his own speakership.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Newt Gingrich's claim that shutdowns are a normal part of the constitutional process, with 12 shutdowns occurring under Democratic House Speaker Tip O'Neill and two during Gingrich's own speakership. However, it's important to note that the context and interpretation of \"normal\" can vary. While shutdowns have occurred in the past, it is debatable whether they should be considered a normal or desirable part of the constitutional process. The label \"half-true\" reflects the accuracy of the statement while acknowledging the potential for differing perspectives on the significance and acceptability of shutdowns.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8292.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since 2007, Texas has gained 440,000 people while Maryland has lost 20,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks accuracy in the specific numbers provided. According to U.S. Census data, between 2007 and 2012, Texas did gain a significant number of people, approximately 423,273. However, Maryland did not experience a loss of 20,000 people during that period. In fact, Maryland gained over 230,000 people. While Texas did experience a larger population increase compared to Maryland, the specific figures mentioned in the statement are not accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a Republican primary, the attack that a politician is pro-Obamacare -- or even just Obamacare-tolerant -- can be potent. We wanted to know if the flier is accurate in saying that Peters \"refuses to \u2018take a stand\u2019 to repeal Obamacare.\"","First Jolly accused Peters of refusing to \u2018take a stand\u2019 to repeal Obamacare (we rated that Mostly False) and now a conservative group says she\u2019s for abortions. It looks like we have to check into her stance on an issue once again.","Jolly wanted to portray Peters as soft on Obamacare, in an attempt to win over conservative voters. His use of Peters\u2019 quote, \"I do not think we should take a stand and say absolutely repeal it\" without context is designed to appeal to voters who want the law taken off the books entirely.","\"State Rep. Kathleen Peters has a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record \u2013 even voting against a ban on sex-selection abortions,\" the piece read. It also stated David Jolly is \"the only candidate in the GOP primary who has taken a pro-life stand.\" The item added that fellow Republican Mark Bircher had not returned the group\u2019s questionnaire and has refused to answer questions about the issue."]},{"id":"2565.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Said state insurance commissioner candidate Ralph Hudgens fights hard to strip women of life-saving coverage such as mammograms.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that state insurance commissioner candidate Ralph Hudgens fought to remove mandatory coverage for certain medical procedures, including mammograms, it is an overstatement to claim that he fought to strip women of life-saving coverage. The statement lacks nuance and context. It is important to note that the removal of mandatory coverage does not necessarily mean that women will be completely deprived of access to mammograms. Other avenues, such as private insurance or state programs, may still provide coverage for these screenings. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Obama campaign says that's a key reason why he opposes McCain's plan: there is no mechanism to make sure that consumers, rather than oil companies, reap the benefits of the tax holiday.","After another news clip about the price of gas and a repeat of the McCain\/Obama comments, the screen fills with these words:","McCain proposed the tax holiday during a speech on April 15, 2008, at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He said a summertime suspension of the gas tax \"will be an immediate economic stimulus \u2014 taking a few dollars off the price of a tank of gas every time a family, a farmer, or trucker stops to fill up.\"","\"A state-level gas tax holiday would have a larger effect on gas prices than a federal tax holiday almost everywhere,\" Daigle said. However, he said, a larger savings on price would spike the increase in gasoline consumption, and in turn, increase the impact on inflation."]},{"id":"11888.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"My two appointments to the Florida Supreme Court, Raul Cantero and Kenneth Bell, have earned reputations as its most consistent conservatives.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Both Raul Cantero and Kenneth Bell, who were appointed by Governor Bush to the Florida Supreme Court, have indeed earned reputations as consistent conservatives during their time on the court. However, it's important to note that both justices left the court in 2008, so their reputations as conservatives were established during their tenure. The statement could benefit from clarifying that they were former justices rather than current ones.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Brenham Republican, who chairs the House Public Health Committee, said during June 15 floor debate: \"We know they are reducing the entitlement to Medicare.\" She added: \"We know that we have these cuts coming our way of over half a trillion to Medicare.\"","A silhouette appears of a person in a wheelchair. White and yellow capital letters letters read: \"TIM KAINE $500 BILLION IN MEDICARE CUTS.\"","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Renacci says that Betty Sutton \u2018gutted Medicare by $500 billion\u2019 with her vote for health care reform,\" May 21, 2012.","The referenced $500 billion figure depends on a slowing in the pace of Medicare cost increases. That\u2019s not the same as cutting back. Medicare spending will still grow; benefits will expand."]},{"id":"7131.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says legislation supported by gay rights activists would strip mother and father from future Texas birth certificates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely true. While it is true that there have been discussions about potential changes to birth certificates to include gender-neutral options, such as \"Parent 1\" and \"Parent 2,\" it is incorrect to claim that legislation supported by gay rights activists would strip \"mother\" and \"father\" from future Texas birth certificates. The proposed changes aim to provide more inclusive options for non-traditional families, rather than removing existing designations. The statement misrepresents the intentions of the legislation and exaggerates the potential impact on birth certificates.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You have a 12-foot fence. You know what'll happen? Thirteen foot ladders,\" Richardson said earlier this month in a CNN interview. \"Fences have not worked. The Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall. That's not good among peoples, especially friends like the United States and Mexico.\"","SUMMARY: To illustrate his concerns about a fence between the United States and Mexico, Bill Richardson cites problems with the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall. But the history of those famous fences is not so clear.","Yet for all its flaws, Taylor argued, the Berlin Wall did work in a larger sense. It defused a dangerous standoff over border issues between the Soviets, who dominated East Germany, and the United States, which shared control of West Berlin with Britain and France.","Like the nomads who punched through the Great Wall, Mexican immigrants have figured out ways to go around, over, under and through the border fences that previously have been built in urban areas. A congressional report observes that when enforcement goes up in one place, undocumented immigrants simply go \"to other less fortified areas of the border.\""]},{"id":"13338.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gerald Daugherty advocated lowering the penalty for crimes like strangulation in domestic violence cases because they just throw more people into the jail system.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by David Holmes, the Democratic challenger in the Travis County commissioner race. Holmes stated that Gerald Daugherty advocated for lowering the penalty for crimes like strangulation in domestic violence cases because it would result in more people being thrown into the jail system. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on Holmes' interpretation of Daugherty's position, and there may be additional context or nuances to Daugherty's stance that are not fully captured in the statement. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it should be approached with some caution and further investigation into the specifics of Daugherty's position is warranted.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Jones said the cost of the inspection is between $100 and $150, to be paid once every five years. But we found references( \"several references\") to the inspection costing $500. And then other references( \"other references\") to $200.","Jones said an inspection would cost $100 to $150, citing a Department of Health estimate. Spread over five years, that's an investment of as little as $30 a year -- much less than homeowners with a central sewer system pay.","Ellen Vause, president of Florida Septic Inc. in Hawthorne, said the cost of the inspection will depend on what the state actually requires and where the septic tank is located. Vause said that a standard inspection, which would include pumping out sewage from a septic tank system, costs $150 to $300 now in North Florida, and $200 to $350 in South Florida. The main difference, Vause said, is the cost to dispose of the sludge.","Michelle Dahnke, a health department spokeswoman, said private contractors would do the inspections. The department estimated an inspection would cost $150, she said, but that contractors ultimately would set the price and compete for business."]},{"id":"10498.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Mercury is used in vaccines, and there is no safe level of mercury.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While some vaccines did contain thimerosal, a preservative that includes ethyl mercury, it is important to note that ethyl mercury is different from the more toxic methyl mercury found in certain types of fish. Thimerosal, in the small amounts used in vaccines, has been extensively studied and is considered safe. Furthermore, most vaccines, including flu vaccines, no longer contain thimerosal. The claim that thimerosal in vaccines causes harm or that there is no safe level of mercury in vaccines is not supported by scientific evidence. Multiple studies have debunked the link between thimerosal and autism. It is crucial to rely on accurate information from reputable sources when discussing vaccine safety.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8172.json","label":"true","statement":"We now sell more products made in America to the rest of the world than ever before.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the United States sells more products made in America to the rest of the world than ever before. This aligns with the evidence provided, which states that strong economies tend to sell more to others than they buy in return. While it's important to note that this statement specifically refers to products made in America and not a broader view of trade that includes goods and services, the evidence supports the claim that the United States has experienced an increase in the export of domestically made products.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We've created dependency,\" Coburn said. \"And one great example is one in 19 Americans today get SSDI or SSI. That's one in 19 Americans (who) are disabled, and when the law says you're only disabled if there's no job in the economy you can perform, and we don't address that issue in this plan.\"","If you divide that figure by the total United States population in 2009 of 307 million people, it works out to be 5.4 percent, or just slightly more than one out of every 19 Americans.","We won't take sides on the question of whether SSDI and SSI should be cut or modified -- as Coburn and other critics have suggested, citing both cost and allegations of fraud by applicants -- but we were intrigued by the idea that more than 5 percent of Americans receive payments from one program or the other. We'd bet that most Americans who don't receive SSDI or SSI benefits are only dimly aware of these programs. Yet, if Coburn is right, these programs cover more than the percentage of Americans who are of Asian-American heritage (4.5 percent), more than double the number of American Jews (approximately 2 percent) and five times the number of American Indians (1 percent). So we decided to see if Coburn was right.","But before we declare Coburn completely correct, let's look at how many people collect both SSDI and SSI. We couldn't find those numbers for December 2009, but for November 2010, the overlap was about 1.8 million people. If you assume that the number was roughly similar for December 2009, then 4.8 percent of the U.S. population receives either SSDI or SSI -- or one out of every 20.7 people."]},{"id":"6126.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Theres no wildlife in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is known for its rich biodiversity and serves as a habitat for numerous wildlife species. While the harsh Arctic winter may limit some wildlife activity, many species have adapted to survive in this environment. The refuge is home to a diverse range of animals, including caribou, polar bears, muskoxen, wolves, and various bird species. The claim that there is no wildlife in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is completely inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3052.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I have fought for our shared values without being an ideologue or a partisan","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that the speaker has fought for shared values without being an ideologue or a partisan. However, without further evidence or context, it is difficult to assess the veracity of this claim. The evidence provided does not directly address the speaker's personal actions or beliefs. Therefore, it is challenging to determine the extent to which the speaker's actions align with being an ideologue or a partisan. As a result, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Under John McCain's health care plan, people get a $5,000 tax credit to buy a $12,000 health care policy, and \"that's a loss for you.\"","John McCain refuses to support a new bipartisan energy bill \"because it would take away tax breaks from oil companies like Exxon Mobil.\"","\"There is no disagreement that we need action by our government, a recovery plan that will help to jump-start the economy.\"","Fully inflating tires is \"a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by 3 to 4 percent.\""]},{"id":"2519.json","label":"false","statement":"On a cap-and-trade plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided suggests that there is support for cap and trade legislation from both Democrats and Republicans. It mentions that Democrats have supported cap and trade legislation, and it also highlights the support from Republican presidents like Reagan and the Bushes. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that Republicans universally oppose a cap-and-trade plan.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Probably two of the most important are that many states have expanded their Renewable Portfolio Standards, requiring more renewable power, and creating more jobs in that sector,\" Borenstein said. \"The other reason is that the real cost of wind and solar power have come down dramatically during the Obama administration, making them more attractive investments.\"","\"Now, Solyndra's bankrupt, and taxpayers are stuck with the bill. What's worse? The Obama administration has just approved another billion dollars in loans to solar companies who also donated money to Democrats.","The United States produces significantly more natural gas than Saudi Arabia and a bit more than Russia. According to the Energy Information Administration, United States energy production is about evenly split between petroleum and natural gas. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, primarily produces petroleum.","The United States is on top of the world in terms of energy production, President Barack Obama said during his sixth State of the Union."]},{"id":"10393.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tampa Bay isleading the state in jobs creation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Tampa Bay was leading other metro areas in job creation at a specific point in time. However, it does not provide comprehensive data or a broader context to determine if Tampa Bay consistently leads the state in job creation. To make a more accurate assessment, additional information and data from multiple time periods would be necessary. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence provided and should be labeled as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The governor, on Jan. 31, endorsed the general concept of mandating ultrasounds before abortions. Hours later, several senate Democrats revealed the legislation would require some use of transvaginal ultrasounds, even against a woman\u2019s will. There is no record that McDonnell ever endorsed or defended mandatory use of the invasive procedure.","\u042d The provider must test for a fetal heartbeat, which requires an ultrasound if the person is in the first trimester of pregnancy (when most abortions are provided).","The Guardian in London called it a \"U-Turn;\" Al Sharpton on \"PoliticsNation\" called it a \"huge turn-around;\" Slate called it a \"backtrack.\" Politico wrote: \"The conservative blogosphere collectively bemoaned Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell\u2019s decision to withdraw his support for legislation requiring invasive ultrasounds to be performed before abortions.\"","McDonnell didn\u2019t get into the types of ultrasounds or the details of the bill. And the legislation did not specify any type of sonogram that must be performed."]},{"id":"11593.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ted Cruz is a supporter of legalizing people that are in this country illegally and proposed giving them work permits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Senator Ted Cruz has supported certain immigration reforms, including increasing the number of H1B visas and green cards, there is no evidence to suggest that he supports legalizing people who are in the country illegally or proposing work permits for them. In fact, Cruz has been a vocal opponent of amnesty for undocumented immigrants and has consistently advocated for stricter immigration enforcement measures.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8973.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our economy (in Louisiana) has grown 50 percent faster than the national GDP, even since the national recession.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Jindal claimed that the Louisiana economy has grown 50 percent faster than the national GDP since the national recession, the evidence suggests that this statement is mostly-true. However, it's important to note that there are some years, such as 2010-2012, when the United States economy outperformed the Louisiana economy. Therefore, while the statement holds true for some periods, it is not consistently accurate across all years. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"967.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether he wrote a provision that allowed AIG to dole out bonuses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Senator Chris Dodd did author a provision that initially limited bonuses for AIG and other financial companies, it is incorrect to claim that he wrote a provision that allowed AIG to distribute bonuses. In fact, Dodd later added a loophole that allowed for some bonuses to be given out, but it is misleading to attribute the entire allowance of AIG's bonuses to Dodd's provision. The responsibility for the bonuses ultimately lies with AIG and the decisions made by its executives.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Johnson said that even though Chicago has \"the most stringent guns laws on the books,\" it still \"has the highest murder rate\" in the country.","\"But, if you really take a look -- again, look at the facts. The most stringent gun laws on the books are in places like Chicago, (which) has the highest murder rate.","So, on the first part of Johnson\u2019s claim, Chicago has some of the most stringent gun-control laws in the United States, but does not have the highest murder rate.","!In response to a question about expanded background checks, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson linked Chicago's gun control laws, regarded as some of the strictest in the country, with its murder rate, which Johnson incorrectly said was the highest in the country. !In response to a question about expanded background checks, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson linked Chicago's gun control laws, regarded as some of the strictest in the country, with its murder rate, which Johnson incorrectly said was the highest in the country."]},{"id":"5155.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"[The] ACLU and atheists in Denver are demanding the NFL stop [Tim Tebow] from praying on the sidelines.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the ACLU and atheists in Denver demanded the NFL to stop Tim Tebow from praying on the sidelines. This statement is false and misleading. Tim Tebow, as an individual, has openly expressed his Christian faith and engaged in prayer on the sidelines, but there is no indication that any organized group or entity has made such demands. It is important to verify information from reliable sources before making such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13498.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wisconsin uses voting machines that are outlawed, they are illegal.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Wisconsin uses outlawed and illegal voting machines is false. The claim was made by Jill Stein during her campaign for a recount in Wisconsin, but it was fact-checked and rated as \"Pants on Fire\" by multiple sources. The machines used in Wisconsin are not outlawed or illegal. While there may be concerns about the security and reliability of certain voting machines, it is important to rely on accurate information and not make false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The Virginia population increased by just 8 percent from 2005 to 2015, but the per capita spending in the budget increased by a whopping 38 percent.\"","Walt Kucharski, Virginia\u2019s long-time Auditor of Public Accounts, says he has always been able to confirm that state lottery officials have transmitted their profits to the general fund. But until three years ago, he could not verify that 100 percent of the lottery proceeds ended up in the K-12 budget.","The second part of Biden\u2019s statement, that unemployment decreased by almost 50 percent in rural Virginia, is slightly inflated. It fell by 39%.","We asked the White House for the evidence supporting Biden\u2019s statement and did not hear back. McAuliffe\u2019s campaign tied the president\u2019s remark to a 2018 PolitiFact Virginia fact-check on a similar claim by the former governor. McAuliffe said that when he had been governor, \"every single city and county in Virginia, their unemployment dropped, and in most of the rural communities, it dropped by over 50 percent.\""]},{"id":"7629.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says uncompensated health care costs absorbed by Texas hospitals are adding $1,800 a year to Texas private insurance rates.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that uncompensated care provided by Texas hospitals can have an impact on private insurance rates, the statement exaggerates the extent of this impact. The research suggests that the actual effect of cost-shifting from uncompensated care on private insurance premiums is estimated to be around $150 to $200 per family policy, significantly lower than the stated $1,800. Additionally, it's important to note that most of the costs associated with uncompensated care are typically covered by government funding, rather than directly passed on to private insurance rates. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the true impact of uncompensated care on Texas private insurance rates.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5467.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Invested $90 million in traffic fixes without raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the mailer claims that Mayor Leffingwell personally invested $90 million in traffic fixes without raising taxes, it is clarified that he did not personally invest that amount. The $90 million investment refers to the funds approved by voters through bond measures, which Mayor Leffingwell advocated for and led the group that advocated for voter approval. Therefore, while he played a role in securing the funds, it is not accurate to attribute the entire investment to him personally.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Every time we've cut the capital gains tax, the economy has grown. Whenever we raise the capital gains tax, it's been damaged.\"","\"Well, certainly the Democrats have been arguing to raise the capital gains tax on all Americans. Obama says he wants to do that,\" Norquist said. \"That would slow down economic growth. It's not necessarily helpful to the economy. Every time we've cut the capital gains tax, the economy has grown. Whenever we raise the capital gains tax, it's been damaged. It's one of those taxes that most clearly damages economic growth and jobs.\"","Getting back to Norquist's statement, he said, \"Every time we've cut the capital gains tax, the economy has grown. Whenever we raise the capital gains tax, it's been damaged.\" Clearly, he intends that as a statement of causation. But the analysis of Kravitz and Burman rebuts that. They found no evidence of a connection between actual economic growth and changes in capital gains tax rates. The actual effect of capital gains tax rates remains a hotly contested issue. We rate Norquist's statement False.","Does this mean reductions in capital gains taxes don't cause the economy to grow? We asked Burman, who conducted the Tax Notes study and is the author of The Labyrinth of Capital Gains Tax Policy: A Guide for the Perplexed. \"It doesn't rule out that there could be a connection,\" he said. But in practice, he said, \"It's as likely to do damage as to help.\" That's because when the capital gains tax rate is lower than that of regular income, people look for ways to avoid taxes by converting regular income to capital gains income -- just as Blitzer's question suggested."]},{"id":"3551.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A report in Navy Times said that 7.3 percent of Army, Navy and Marines have thought about attempting suicide.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. There is no report in Navy Times or any credible source indicating that 7.3 percent of Army, Navy, and Marines have thought about attempting suicide. This claim is false and lacks any supporting evidence. It is important to rely on verified and reputable sources for accurate information regarding sensitive topics such as suicide rates among military personnel.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4665.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We cut property taxes by one-third in the state of Texas while Ive been governor.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that property taxes were reduced in Texas during Governor Perry's tenure, the statement that property taxes were cut by one-third is an oversimplification. The evidence provided indicates that collections for school maintenance and operations taxes were 30.2 percent lower in 2007 compared to projections without the tax cut. This specific reduction does not necessarily represent an overall one-third cut in property taxes across the state. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the extent of the property tax reduction.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On his website, Kilmartin boasts about a host of professional accomplishments during his 20 years as a state representative. Among them, he says, he helped \"create a witness protection program.\"","You might think a state like Rhode Island, with its legacy of organized crime and corruption, would have had a witness protection program for decades. So we were surprised when Peter Kilmartin, a Democrat running for attorney general, said he helped create it just nine years ago.","Did Kilmartin technically help create the Rhode Island's witness protection program? No. He wasn't even in office yet when the first version become law. But as the attorney general's spokesman points out, that was a protection program in name only, since it provided little protection for innocent witnesses.","What Kilmartin did through his sponsorship of the 2001 bill was to help update and strengthen an existing witness protection program to centralize it and create necessary controls."]},{"id":"7166.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas passed a state Dream Act before any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Texas did pass legislation, known as HB 1403, in June 2001, which allowed for in-state tuition for immigrant students. This legislation is often referred to as the Texas DREAM Act. While it is accurate that Texas was the first state to pass such legislation, it's important to note that the Texas law is not equivalent to the national DREAM Act. The national DREAM Act refers to proposed federal legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children. Nonetheless, the statement accurately highlights Texas' early adoption of legislation related to in-state tuition for immigrant students.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It won\u2019t be an easy road to Washington for Aiken, who will face a Democratic primary. In his YouTube campaign kickoff, which Simon Cowell would probably call \"pitchy,\" Aiken criticized his would-be general election opponent, Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-N.C.","We can\u2019t know what party leaders told her about how to vote. But we wanted to know if Ellmers voted 21 times to shut down the government, as Aiken claimed.","Aiken said Ellmers \"voted for the government shutdown\" 21 times. After reviewing the legislation, we found 26 votes from before and during the shutdown that were related. Ellmers consistently voted with Republicans, who wanted to defund Obamacare even at the cost of not funding other government functions.","PolitiFact, \" Marco Rubio says he never favored a government shutdown and voted to fully fund the government,\" Oct. 23, 2013"]},{"id":"12337.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Increasing the min. wage to $15 an hour would reduce spending on food stamps, public housing and other programs by over $7.6 billion a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because while it is true that increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour could potentially reduce spending on certain government assistance programs, the claim of over $7.6 billion in savings is not supported by strong evidence. The fact check from PolitiFact rates Bernie Sanders' tweet as Mostly False, indicating that the claim is exaggerated or misleading. It is important to note that the impact of a minimum wage increase on government assistance programs can vary depending on various factors such as the specific wage increase, regional differences, and the overall economic context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Since the start of her 2016 campaign, Hillary Clinton hasn\u2019t taken a strong position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal -- saying she would reserve judgment until the deal was finalized.","Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal became an issue during her Feb. 4 debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders at the University of New Hampshire. She says she now opposes it .","Host Chuck Todd said Kaine \"essentially switched\" his position on the trade deal to align with Clinton\u2019s own flip-flop, but Kaine begged to differ:","We thought we should take a look back and see how Clinton\u2019s position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has evolved. She has addressed the trade deal on a number of occasions since official negotiations started in 2010 (CNN counted at least 45 comments), so we\u2019ll note her most representative remarks in chronological order."]},{"id":"12208.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 80 journalists have been killed in Mexico in the last decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 80 journalists have been killed in Mexico in the last decade is partially true. Multiple sources, including Univision, CNN Mexico, and El Universal, have reported figures around or over 80 journalist deaths in Mexico since 2005. However, it's important to note that different organizations may have slightly different counts, and some sources may include journalists whose deaths were not directly proven to be work-related. Therefore, while the statement captures the general trend of journalist deaths in Mexico, the specific number may vary depending on the source and criteria used for counting.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5827.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Rep. Allen West wants to bring back earmarks.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that U.S. Rep. Allen West did sign a letter in support of a miscellaneous tariff bill, which some argue could indirectly lead to the return of earmarks. However, it is important to note that signing a letter in support of a bill does not necessarily mean that West actively wants to bring back earmarks. The statement oversimplifies the situation and fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of West's stance on earmarks. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7590.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Almost 1,000 people a day are moving to Florida because they are more free here than they are in some other states.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Florida has experienced a significant influx of people moving to the state, the claim that \"almost 1,000 people a day are moving to Florida because they are more free here than they are in some other states\" lacks sufficient evidence to support it. The evidence provided indicates that people have been moving to Florida consistently over the years, regardless of which political party was in control. While some individuals may be attracted to Florida for its perceived freedoms, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entire population growth solely to this factor. Other factors such as job opportunities, climate, and quality of life also play significant roles. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["That brought a challenge from Memphis City Councilman Joe Brown, who is a reliable advocate of increasing city government taxes and spending. \"Nobody is leaving Memphis,\" Brown said. \"That's a myth.\"","Brown defends his desire to raise taxes and increase spending in Memphis by saying it's \"a myth\" that residents are leaving Memphis. But he need only look at the mayor's budget document, which says the city has suffered \"years of population decline.\" And numbers from the Census Bureau show a more detailed story of the steady out-migration. It has been masked by annexations and yearly births outnumbering deaths, but it's a very real trend. We rate this claim Pants On Fire.","\"All the evidence points to people voting with their tail lights,\" Strickland said. \"They are leaving. Most of the people leaving are middle class and Memphis is losing its middle class.\"","We did not get numbers for in-migration, because Brown\u2019s comment focused specifically on whether people are leaving Memphis. But the numbers from the decennial census make it clear more people are moving out of Memphis every year than are moving in."]},{"id":"7693.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas ranks 49th in per-pupil funding among the states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, Texas ranks 48th among the states in per-pupil education spending. However, it should be noted that if the spending in the schools in Washington, D.C. is also considered, Texas would rank 49th. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of Texas' ranking among the states, it may be slightly misleading if the inclusion of Washington, D.C. is not clarified.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13482.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Flint, Mich., the pipes still havent been replaced. The water is still poisoned.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that in Flint, Michigan, the process of replacing the pipes is ongoing and has not been completed, it is not accurate to claim that the water is still poisoned. Measures have been taken to address the issue of lead contamination in the city's water system, including the addition of corrosion control treatment and the distribution of water filters. However, it is important to note that the full replacement of all the pipes will take years to complete. Therefore, while the statement acknowledges the incomplete pipe replacement, it inaccurately suggests that the water is still poisoned, failing to acknowledge the efforts made to improve the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There\u2019s a tremendous tax that we pay when we (American businesses) go into China, whereas when China sells to us there\u2019s no tax.\"","Many studies also don\u2019t account for what the United States classifies as S-corporations, meaning businesses that pay tax through the individual income-tax system rather than the corporate income-tax system, Viard said. This represents about 30 percent of American companies, he said.","\"It\u2019s very hard for us to do business in China, it\u2019s very easy for China to do business with us, Trump said. \"Plus with us, there\u2019s a tremendous tax that we pay when we go into China, whereas when China sells to us, there\u2019s no tax. I mean, it\u2019s a whole double standard, it\u2019s so crazy, and they cannot believe they get away with it.\"","\"I do know my subject, and I do know that our country cannot continue to do what it\u2019s doing,\" Trump said. \"It\u2019s very hard for us to do business in China, it\u2019s very easy for China to do business with us. Plus with us, there\u2019s a tremendous tax that we pay when we go into China, whereas when China sells to us, there\u2019s no tax. I mean, it\u2019s a whole double standard.\""]},{"id":"1436.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Here in Virginia, we have the opportunity to become the first state on the East Coast to explore for and produce oil and natural gas offshore.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Virginia does have the opportunity to become the first state on the East Coast to explore for and produce oil and natural gas offshore. The state has been considering offshore drilling and has the potential to tap into offshore energy resources. While this statement does not guarantee that offshore drilling will occur, it accurately reflects the possibility and opportunity that exists for Virginia to pursue offshore oil and natural gas exploration.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Today we had a Senate health hearing, and it's good to get things out in public and discuss. You know, sometimes it's a little contentious, but for the most part it's really a very positive situation. So I've done it many, many, many times over the years, and I've always found them to be very helpful for getting information out.","\u201cOne in six local election officials have received threats of violence\u201d and threats against judges have doubled over four years and threats against members of Congress have increased by 10 times over five years.","Fauci: Well, there are two aspects of it. One is a public health issue and one is a scientific issue. We saw that our public health capabilities, as much as we were judged to be a very well-prepared country for a pandemic, didn't work out very well. The local public health system was not particularly suited to do the identification, isolation, and contact tracing. That's the first thing. So we have let our local public health systems really, in many respects, decay and diminish in their capability. And that's happened over a considerable period of time.","The Proud Boys would get in front of antifa and then police officers would try to separate the two groups, he said. That\u2019s when Oath Keepers would come in."]},{"id":"11812.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Donald Trumps decision to skip the Fox News\/Google debate in Des Moines is near unprecedented.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump's decision to skip the Fox News\/Google debate in Des Moines was not entirely unprecedented, as other candidates in the past have also chosen to skip debates, the statement exaggerates the uniqueness of Trump's decision. Skipping debates as a strategic move has been employed by candidates in the past, making Trump's decision not entirely unprecedented. However, it is important to note that Trump's decision did generate significant attention and controversy due to his high-profile status and the specific circumstances surrounding his clash with Fox News and Megyn Kelly.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a press release circulated Thursday, McGinty\u2019s campaign -- running on the \"working families\" platform -- wrote that \"Pat Toomey advocated for eliminating all corporate taxes.\" It cited a 2007 CNBC interview in which Toomey, a Republican, said he was in favor of eliminating the tax burden on corporations.","McGinty\u2019s campaign says Toomey \"advocated for eliminating all corporate taxes.\" While he told CNBC back in 2007 \"Let\u2019s not tax corporations\" and his book mentions it as one of his two favored tax plans, the incumbent Senator seems to know that corporate taxes aren\u2019t going away completely anytime soon. While it's true he\u2019s most recently advocated for a lower tax rate and a simplified system, he did tell CNBC viewers he\u2019d prefer no tax at all. We rate the claim True.","Eliminating all taxes didn\u2019t sound like Toomey\u2019s campaign platform. In fact, on his campaign website, Toomey has an entire section of his \"issues\" page dedicated to \"eliminating corporate welfare.\" So we decided to check the claim.","The CNBC interview is one of the only examples of a time when Toomey advocated specifically for the full elimination of corporate income taxes; in front of Congress and in otherwise public appearances, he typically calls for a simple reduction in the tax."]},{"id":"821.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The McCain campaign is roughly in the position where Vice President Gore was running against President Bush one week before the election of 2000.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely compares the position of the McCain campaign to the 2000 election between Vice President Gore and President Bush. One week before the 2000 election, Vice President Gore and President Bush were in a highly competitive race, with polls showing a close race and uncertainty about the outcome. In contrast, at the time of this statement, the McCain campaign was facing significant challenges and trailing behind in the polls, indicating a less favorable position compared to the 2000 election. Therefore, the comparison made in the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The House Republican Conference said that health reform \"requires the use of federal dollars to fund abortions through the government-run health plan.\" We find this depends on how a person defines the somewhat vague term \"federal dollars.\" We rate the statement Half True.","You can read our fact-check of the Republican analysis in its entirety. Here, we're looking only at the statement, \"Page 110 - Section 222(e) requires the use of federal dollars to fund abortions through the government-run health plan.\"","Currently, the 1976 Hyde Amendment prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions through Medicaid except in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's health is in peril. So states that want to offer abortion coverage have to pay for it themselves. Similar restrictions on public funding for abortions applies to federal health care coverage extended to active and retired military and federal employees.","Although there are several versions of the health care bill kicking around in Congress, one thing has now become clear: Most envision a government-run health plan option that could include abortion coverage, as well as a health care exchange in which participating private insurance companies would be permitted to offer such coverage."]},{"id":"391.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"We've won twice as many states. We've won a greater share of the popular vote.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. In the context of a political election, winning a greater number of states and a larger share of the popular vote are generally considered indicators of success. However, without specific information about the election being referred to, it is difficult to provide more detailed evidence. It is important to note that the accuracy of the statement may vary depending on the specific election and the methodology used to determine the \"share of the popular vote.\" Nonetheless, winning a greater number of states and a larger share of the popular vote is generally seen as a positive outcome in an election.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"A lot of what their survival depends on is Venezuelan oil money, which is drying up,\" Navarro said. \"Now that we are so close to the end of those two dictators -- who have oppressed these people for over half a century -- now we're going to change and do it unilaterally without them lifting the oppression?\"","Navarro said a lot of Cuba\u2019s survival depends on Venezuelan oil money, and that it's drying up. The data we found and the experts we reached back that up, to a point. Venezuelan aid added at least 6 percent to Cuba\u2019s GDP last year. Venezuela is also a major trading partner, buying as much as 40 percent of Cuba\u2019s trade in goods.","\"Venezuelan oil and transfers play a key role in allowing the country to import essential foodstuffs, medicines and industrial inputs,\" Luis said. \"The value of oil plus investments and grants from Venezuela to Cuba varies greatly from year to year largely because of oil price fluctuations. In 2008 it was over 10 percent of GDP. Last year some 6 percent of GDP. This year less.\"","We found estimates that Venezuela sends about 80,000 to 100,000 barrels of oil per day. Luis R. Luis is the former chief economist with the Organization of American States, an international body with representatives of governments that span from Canada to Argentina. Luis told PunditFact the swap means a lot to Cuba."]},{"id":"10304.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The city of San Antonio reuses almost 40 percent of its water. You know how much the city of Austin reuses? About 5 percent. And thats not right. We can do better.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the city of San Antonio reuses almost 40 percent of its water, while the city of Austin reuses about 5 percent. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. The evidence provided does not directly support the comparison between the two cities' water reuse percentages. While it suggests that residents in certain areas of Austin have to travel to find the closest grocery store, it does not provide specific information about water reuse in Austin. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks comprehensive evidence to fully support the comparison made.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The RI Board of Elections has heard official testimony from Providence residents who claim to have witnessed known illegal aliens voting in local elections,\" he said.","So, in summary, when Rowley talks about the \"official testimony from Providence residents who claim to have witnessed known illegal aliens voting,\" his statement implies there were several complaints.","Young Republican chairman says the Board of Elections heard eyewitness testimony from residents that illegal aliens voted in Rhode Island elections","( - Young Republican chairman says the Board of Elections heard eyewitness testimony from residents that illegal aliens voted in Rhode Island elections&url=)"]},{"id":"7015.json","label":"false","statement":"New Jersey is the only state in the union that spent less on higher education than it did at the beginning of the decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. New Jersey is not the only state in the United States that spent less on higher education than it did at the beginning of the decade. Many states across the country have faced budget constraints and reductions in higher education funding due to various economic factors. While it is true that New Jersey has experienced decreases in higher education funding, it is inaccurate to claim that it is the only state facing this situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama\u2019s nominees met a standard of 60 votes, \"a standard that was met by Elena Kagan as well as Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's choices.\"","Says Mark Kirk \"called for the mass arrest of 18,000 African Americans\" and \"was apparently fine with Trump\u2019s #StillTooRacist call for mass deportation.\"","Romney: \"There's no question but that in terms of geopolitics -- I\u2019m talking about votes at the United Nations and actions of a geopolitical nature -- Russia is the No. 1 adversary in that regard. That doesn't make them an enemy. It doesn\u2019t make them a combatant. They don't represent the No. 1 national security threat. The No. 1 national security threat, of course, to our nation is a nuclear Iran. Time continues to pass. They continue to move towards nuclearization. This is more and more disconcerting and dangerous to the world. But Russia -- particularly look at a place like Syria. Russia has supported the Assad regime even as it has been attacking its own people. Russia likewise has been slow to move to the kinds of sanctions that have been called for in Iran. Russia is a geopolitical adversary, but it's not an enemy with, you know, missiles being fired at one another or things of that nature.\"","Says Barack Obama is getting his nominees confirmed \"faster than President (George W.) Bush was at the same time in his second term.\""]},{"id":"6680.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he and Mitt Romney always said that we agree with the 2014 deadline for leaving Afghanistan.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that both Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney expressed support for the 2014 deadline for leaving Afghanistan. Ryan specifically stated that they agreed with the deadline but had concerns about the allocation of resources and decision-making processes during the fighting season. Romney's objection was primarily focused on the public announcement of the withdrawal date rather than the date itself. Overall, the statement accurately reflects their position on the 2014 deadline.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Holahan was the co-author, with A. Bowen Garrett, of the January 2009 study, \u201cRising Unemployment, Medicaid and the Uninsured,\u201d published by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. That study provided the underpinning for the Center for American Progress report by estimating how many people can expect to lose their insurance, and not quickly get new coverage, when the national unemployment rate goes up. Essentially, what Holahan did is set up a model to measure the number of Americans who would lose their insurance when the unemployment rate rises from point A to point B.","Holahan and his co-author, using a baseline of 4.6 percent unemployment in 2007, calculated that 2.6 million people would lose coverage if the unemployment rate climbed to 7 percent; 3.7 million if it went to to 8 percent; 4.8 million at 9 percent; and 5.8 million at 10 percent. The estimates took into account people who lost their jobs but then switched to a spouse\u2019s plan or extended their coverage through COBRA, the federal law that guarantees people who lose their job can still get continued health coverage.","Estimates under the model \"are very sensitive to the timeframe used,\" Holahan told PolitiFact. The way the model works, it requires monthly updating to make sure the talking point stays accurate. And we'll even accept a portion of the blame for validating the claim in July without updating it until now. When we made our initial assessment in July, we happened to look at a period of especially rapid job losses. That makes a difference because, under this model, the more the unemployment rate rises in a short period of time, the more Americans lose their insurance on a daily basis. As the rate of job losses has declined since July, the daily rate of Americans losing insurance has declined as well.","Applying Holahan's calculations to the actual rise in unemployment from November 2008 to June 2009, we found that the number was right around the 14,000 people per month that Obama cited. We checked with health care experts, and they, too, agreed that the 14,000 number was just about right."]},{"id":"1719.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he said last year theres absolutely no reason for Texas to secede.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Perry's remarks where he stated that there was \"absolutely no reason\" for Texas to secede from the United States. Multiple fact-checking sources, including PolitiFact Texas, have confirmed that Perry's comments did not advocate for secession. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I'd like for you to tell the people of Georgia about your seven ethics violations and your seven ethics fines, most of which you have not paid, dating all the way back to 2006,\" Butler said, referring to Hicks' failed 2006 bid for secretary of state.","Butler accused Hicks of misleading those who watched the Atlanta Press Club debate by saying it wasn't true he had ethics violations.","\"It's interesting that while Mark is busy being dishonest by attacking Darryl's ethics over the most minor clerical error, Mark has managed to further expose his own serious moral and ethical lapses while he held office,\" she said.","Candidates are typically required to send disclosure reports to the state five times during the year of their campaign. The standard dates are March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Oct. 25 and Dec. 31. Candidates have a grace period of five business days to deliver the reports to the state. Candidates who miss the deadline are required to pay \"an additional filing fee\" of $25, according to page 24 of the state Ethics in Government Act. The candidate must also pay a $50 \"filing fee\" if he or she is more than 15 days late, according to the state act."]},{"id":"9711.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster used $293,000 of taxpayer money to send campaign mail.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster spent a significant amount on franked mail, which is a form of congressional communication, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that she used taxpayer money specifically for campaign mail. The accusation made by her opponent's campaign is based on similarities in language between her official communications and her campaign materials. However, this does not definitively prove that taxpayer funds were used for campaign purposes. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Since President Obama came into office, another 2 million Hispanics have joined the ranks of those in poverty. \u2026 The number of Hispanic children living in poverty increased by 15 percent in that short period of time.\"","Trump said that \"since President Obama came into office, another 2 million Hispanics have joined the ranks of those in poverty. \u2026 The number of Hispanic children living in poverty increased by 15 percent in that short period of time.\"","\"Hispanic citizens have been suffering under this president,\" Trump said Aug. 24, 2016. \"Since President Obama came into office, another 2 million Hispanics have joined the ranks of those in poverty. Two million have joined the ranks of poverty, not of wealth. I want you to join the ranks of people that are making phenomenal livings. ... The number of Hispanic children living in poverty increased by 15 percent in that short period of time.\"","Between 2008 and 2014, the number of Hispanics in poverty rose by a little over 2.1 million. But using that time span means using the year before Obama took office -- not \"since\" he took office -- and it also cherry-picks the data to largely precede the severe recession that began before Obama took office."]},{"id":"2344.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Boccieri voted to spend a billion dollars an hour, every hour, for his first 50 days in office","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the total amount of spending for the two bills in question is approximately $1.2 trillion, the statement that Boccieri voted to spend a billion dollars an hour, every hour, for his first 50 days in office is misleading. The calculation of $1 billion an hour for 50 days is based on dividing the total spending evenly over that time period, which is not an accurate representation of how the spending occurred. The bills were not passed and spending did not occur at a constant rate of $1 billion per hour for 50 consecutive days. Therefore, the statement is exaggerated and lacks context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Mr. President, in the year 2007, the top 1 percent of all income earners in the United States made 23.5 percent of all income,\" Sanders said. \"The top 1 percent earned 23.5 percent of all income--more than the entire bottom 50 percent. That is apparently not enough. The percentage of income going to the top 1 percent has nearly tripled since the 1970s. In the mid-1970s, the top 1 percent earned about 8 percent of all income. In the 1980s, that figure jumped to 14 percent. In the late 1990s, that 1 percent earned about 19 percent.\"","The resulting data, covering 1913, the earliest checkable year, to 2012, shows 1928 and 2012 to be the top two years where the top 1 percent of the richest Americans (the richest of the rich) earned the greatest share of the nation\u2019s income, which the government breaks down into 15 categories including wages, salaries and self-employment income plus income from dividends and interest.","Another study( \"study\"), published in 2010 by Adrian Dungan and Kyle Mudry of the Internal Revenue Service's Individual Returns Analysis Section, found the top 1 percent taking 22.8 percent of income. Once again, this is slightly lower than what Sanders quoted, but in the same vicinity. That was also well over the 12.3 percent earned by the bottom 50 percent, which is once again consistent with what Sanders said.","In 1928, the top 1 percent of earners, then comprised of about 1.2 million residents, together held 19.6 percent of the nation\u2019s income. In 2008, the year Obama was elected president, the top 1 percent possessed nearly 18 percent. The 1 percent collectively saw its share of the nation\u2019s income escalate nearly 5 percent through the first three years of Obama\u2019s presidency. And in his fourth year, 2012, the 1 percent (nearly 314 million residents) controlled 19.34 percent. According to the database, that was the greatest share these wealthiest Americans had held since 1928, as Cruz said. (No. 3 goes to 1927, when the top 1 percent had 18.7 percent of U.S. income.)"]},{"id":"6824.json","label":"half-true","statement":"While Mandels been busy traveling the country raising campaign money, he hasnt shown up for work.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that Josh Mandel, while raising campaign funds for his Senate campaign, did not fulfill his duties as Ohio Treasurer for a period of time. However, it lacks specific details about the duration and extent of his absence from work. While it suggests that Mandel has been consistently absent, it does not provide enough evidence to support such a claim. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it acknowledges his absence but does not provide a complete picture of his work attendance.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We decided to check his claim that \"40 percent of the Fortune 500 were started either by immigrants or children of immigrants.\"","\"More than 40 percent of the 2010 Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Even though immigrants have made up only 10.5 percent of the American population on average since 1850, there are 90 immigrant-founded Fortune 500 companies, accounting for 18 percent of the list. When you include the additional 114 companies founded by the children of immigrants, the share of the Fortune 500 list grows to over 40 percent.\"","Case responded that \"statistics show they (immigrants) are job creators, that 40 percent of the Fortune 500 were started either by immigrants or children of immigrants. So they are creating great companies. And we want them to create those companies here. If we send them off to other countries, they will create the companies there, and that's where we're going to see the jobs and the economic growth. So that's a key part of it, making sure that you really are a magnet.\"","News Americas, \"Many Fortune 500 Companies Founded By Immigrants Or Their Children,\"( \"\"Many Fortune 500 Companies Founded By Immigrants Or Their Children,\"\") Felicia Persaud, June 16, 2011"]},{"id":"12532.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Obama administration was actively supporting Al Qaeda in Iraq, the terrorist group that became the Islamic State.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Obama administration was actively supporting Al Qaeda in Iraq, which later became the Islamic State, is false and has been widely debunked. Multiple sources, including experts, have stated that this assertion is incorrect. The United States has consistently opposed Al Qaeda and ISIS, and there is no credible evidence to support the claim that the Obama administration actively supported these terrorist groups. Labeling this statement as \"pants-fire\" is appropriate due to its complete lack of factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3544.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Said Planned Parenthoods early objective was to help kill black babies before they came into the world.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Planned Parenthood's early objective was to \"help kill black babies before they came into the world\" is false and has been widely debunked. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion. PolitiFact Georgia rated this claim as \"Pants on Fire\" and experts in the field have confirmed that there is no serious academic reference supporting this statement. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing the objectives and history of organizations like Planned Parenthood.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["There\u2019s an element of truth to his statement in that Trump clearly relies on China to produce many products -- ties, shirts, cuff links, sport coats, jackets, lamps, eyeglasses and mirrors. That buttresses the labor secretary\u2019s broader point that Trump relies on foreign labor to produce much of his product line.","Trump\u2019s overseas product lines have become a central campaign issue for Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee. In a June 21 speech, she accused the GOP candidate of hypocrisy for outsourcing his own products.","Says Trump shirts are made in Bangladesh, Trump suits in Mexico, Trump Vodka in the Netherlands, Trump crystal barware in Slovenia and his cufflinks and ties in China.","The Funny or Die video said Trump shirts are made in Bangladesh, Trump suits in Mexico, Trump Vodka in the Netherlands, Trump crystal barware in Slovenia and his cufflinks and ties in China."]},{"id":"5121.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 1790, the first Congress, which was packed with framers, required all ship owners to provide medical insurance for seamen; in 1798, Congress also required seamen to buy hospital insurance for themselves. In 1792, Congress enacted a law mandating that all able-bodied citizens obtain a firearm.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights historical instances where Congress mandated certain purchases. In 1790, the first Congress required ship owners to provide medical insurance for seamen, and in 1798, Congress mandated that seamen purchase hospital insurance for themselves. Additionally, in 1792, Congress enacted a law mandating that able-bodied citizens obtain a firearm. These historical examples demonstrate that there were instances where Congress imposed requirements for specific purchases. However, it's important to note that these examples are specific to certain industries or groups of individuals and do not directly relate to the issue of mandating health insurance for the general population. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of historical accuracy, it should not be used as a direct comparison to support or oppose contemporary debates on mandated purchases.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2228.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ken Mercer wants Sean Hannity and James Dobson included in social studies texts.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ken Mercer mentioned the possibility of adding Sean Hannity and James Dobson to the state's social studies curriculum standards, it is important to note that no official motion or push has been made by Mercer or other board members to include them in textbooks. Mercer's comment was intended to highlight the need for ideological balance in the curriculum, but it does not necessarily indicate a personal desire to include Hannity and Dobson. Therefore, the statement that Mercer wants Hannity and Dobson included in social studies texts is an overgeneralization and lacks the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10122.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Charlie Crist could have expanded Medicaid after the health care law passed but didnt.","reason":"Reason: While it is technically true that Charlie Crist, as governor of Florida, could have pursued Medicaid expansion after the passage of the health care law, there were significant obstacles and uncertainties surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at that time. The law was new, and the components of the ACA were still uncertain. Additionally, the state of Florida was involved in a lawsuit against the government regarding the ACA, and there was hostility towards the idea of Medicaid expansion among lawmakers. While it is possible that Crist could have taken action, experts suggest that it would have been difficult and unlikely for him to successfully navigate the political landscape and enact such a significant change.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7025.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that when Congressman (Steve) Cohen took office in 2007, the unemployment rate was at 4.8 percent. The unemployment rate in Shelby County has reached 9.7 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the unemployment rate in Shelby County was not 4.8 percent when Congressman Steve Cohen took office in 2007. The initially reported unemployment rate for Shelby County in January 2007 was 5.5 percent, which was later revised to 5.7 percent. Additionally, the unemployment rate in Shelby County reached 9.7 percent according to the campaign mailer, but the evidence shows that by August, it had dropped to 9.0 percent. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the actual unemployment rates and is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10499.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hispanic students in Florida perform the best of any Hispanic population in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to Jeb Bush's speech, he claimed that Hispanic students in Florida perform the best of any Hispanic group in the United States and are two grade levels ahead of the national average. However, it's important to note that there is no specific evidence provided in the given context to support this claim. Without concrete data or a reliable source, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this statement. Therefore, while the claim may have been made, the lack of evidence makes it difficult to fully verify its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Wasserman Schultz said, \"President Obama has the most border patrols and border security deployed at the border of any previous president.\"","\"President Obama has the most border patrols and border security deployed at the border of any previous president,\" said Wasserman Schultz, in a June 20 interview on MSNBC. Obama \"has cracked down on employers who are attracting undocumented immigrants and hiring them more than any previous president.\"","\"President Obama has the most border patrols and border security deployed at the border of any previous president,\" said Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla. in a June 20 interview on MSNBC. Obama \"has cracked down employers -- on employers who are attracting undocumented immigrants and hiring them more than any previous president.\"","Says President Obama has cracked down \"on employers who are attracting undocumented immigrants and hiring them more than any previous president.\""]},{"id":"10921.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Florida, when Jeb Bush was governor, state authorities conducted a deeply flawed purge of voters before the presidential election in 2000 and in2004 a plan to purge even more voters was headed off.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Clinton regarding voter purges in Florida during Jeb Bush's governorship. There is evidence to support the assertion that state authorities conducted a flawed purge of voters before the presidential election in 2000. Additionally, there were concerns about a plan to purge even more voters in 2004, although it was ultimately prevented. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the specific flaws and controversies surrounding these voter purges.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4806.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that Sen. Sherrod Brown is out there egging on a lot of these protesters who are spitting on policemen and going to the bathroom on policemens cars at these protests on Wall Street and other places.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Senator Sherrod Brown is encouraging protesters to engage in actions such as spitting on policemen or defecating on police cars. The statements provided lack any factual basis and appear to be exaggerated or fabricated. Making such false and inflammatory accusations without evidence is highly irresponsible and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1440.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"President Obama pledged to go through the budget 'line by line,' but on his watch, non-defense spending has spiraled out of control, increasing by 67 percent in the last year alone.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that nondefense spending increased during President Obama's tenure, the statement exaggerates the extent of the increase. The claim that nondefense spending \"spiraled out of control, increasing by 67 percent in the last year alone\" is misleading. The 67 percent increase refers to the cumulative increase over multiple years, not just a single year. Additionally, the increase in nondefense spending needs to be considered in the context of economic factors and policies implemented to address the financial crisis and stimulate the economy. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks proper context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["E-mail (March 26, 2003) from Marc Yeager, then-president of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans to Log Cabin board member Cathy Dudley.","One of those, from Yeager to Log Cabin board member Cathy Dudley in March 2003, contains an attachment -- a mailing list for the hundred or so Georgia Log Cabin members at that time. The list was being used to mail monthly invites to Log Cabin meetings.","Among other things, Deal has alleged Handel was a member of the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay rights GOP organization that endorsed both her 2002 and 2003 election bids.","In the article, Marc Yeager, who was president of the Georgia group in 2002 and 2003, said that Handel was a \u201cdues-paying member of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans from 2002 to 2004, something Handel also denies.\u201d"]},{"id":"7424.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Chuck Hagels nomination as defense secretary has been publicly celebrated by the Iranian government.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman made a comment expressing hope for improved relations with the United States in reaction to Hagel's nomination, this does not constitute \"public celebration\" by the Iranian government. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Hagel's nomination was publicly celebrated by the Iranian government. Such a statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In her piece, \" Students can opt out of new tests in R.I,\" Resseger said that \"by spring 2014, parents of 60,000 students in New York state had refused to let them take the Common Core tests.\"","Retired teacher Sheila Resseger wrote that \"By spring 2014, parents of 60,000 students in New York state had refused to let them take the Common Core tests.\"","We started with Resseger, who referred us to a flier that included the 60,000 figure put out by NYS Allies for Public Education, a New York state group that opposes Common Core testing. Sure enough the flier read \"In 2014, Parents of 60,000 Students Refused NYS Common Core Tests.\"","\"Districts and Refusal Policies -- Master List,\" tabulation by NYS Allies for Public Education of New York State students who opted out of the 2014 math and English Common Core tests. (The group says it obtained numbers from about half of the state\u2019s 698 districts.) Accessed Feb. 12, 2014"]},{"id":"9158.json","label":"true","statement":"The Koch brothers are one of the biggest polluters in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that Koch Industries, the company owned by the Koch brothers, ranks within the top 30 in terms of companies responsible for significant releases of pollutants into the air and within the top 15 for releases into the water. While they may not be the absolute top polluters, being ranked among the top 30 and top 15 qualifies them as \"one of the biggest\" polluters in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a recent posting on Hurt\u2019s website, his campaign lays out a \"Breakdown of Congressman Perriello\u2019s actions while in Congress.\" Second on the list: \"Congressman Perriello voted in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi 90 percent of the time, 100 percent of the time on the signature issues that kill jobs, increase Washington\u2019s reckless spending spree, and vastly expand the size and scope of the federal government.\"","It\u2019s become a popular Republican tactic to link Democrats with Pelosi, but in this case, the voting records don\u2019t justify the charge. And while Nye has voted with his party 82 percent of the time -- a clear majority of the time -- that\u2019s a long way from being \"in lock step.\"","First, the Hurt campaign says Perriello voted with Pelosi 90 percent of the time, which is incorrect. He voted with his party 90 percent, but voted with Pelosi only 78.4 percent, which is significantly lower.","\"Nye voted in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi, even on the wasteful stimulus bill,\" the ad says. \"Nye votes with Pelosi 83 percent of the time. Glenn Nye is her congressman, not ours.\""]},{"id":"1841.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"ObamaCare will use your tax dollars to provide free Viagra to convicted rapists and registered sex offenders.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not specifically prohibit plans offered through the exchanges from covering Viagra or other prescription drugs, it does not mean that the ACA provides free Viagra to convicted rapists and registered sex offenders. The plans offered through the exchanges are not finalized until 2014, and individuals who join such plans would need to qualify for subsidies based on income. Additionally, the claim that the ACA provides free Viagra is incorrect, as no drugs are provided for free. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the facts and exaggerates the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In (Sen. Marco) Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty.\"","A Florida statistic during the segment caught our attention: \"In Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty.\"","And in Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty. But these right wingers remain determined to dismantle the Big Three, no matter how many Americans suffer.","That makes it all the more misleading, Blahous and Biggs say, to claim that Social Security lifts more than a million people out of poverty in Florida based on analysis of benefits only. They might not have been in poverty if not for the taxes they paid, and for some it would have been a better deal to invest directly in Treasury bonds rather than in the Social Security system."]},{"id":"1474.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison took 154 private flights all funded by taxpayers though commercial flights were readily available at a fraction of the cost.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison took 154 private flights funded by taxpayers, despite the availability of cheaper commercial flights, is partially true. There is evidence to support the claim that she took numerous private jet trips, including some provided by lobbyists, donors, and corporations. However, the statement does not provide enough context to determine whether commercial flights were readily available at a fraction of the cost for each specific trip. While it is possible that commercial flights were available for some of the trips, the evidence does not conclusively prove that they were always a feasible and significantly cheaper alternative.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kaine said, \"Here's what Hillary (Clinton) and I will not do. And I want to make this very plain. We will never, ever engage in a risky scheme to privatize Social Security. Donald Trump wrote a book and he said Social Security is a Ponzi scheme and privatization would be good for all of us.\"","As it turns out, Kaine is on target with the reference to a Ponzi scheme in Trump\u2019s book. But it\u2019s a big stretch for Kaine to use a 16-year-old book as evidence that the Trump-Pence ticket would \"engage in a risky scheme to privatize Social Security.\"","In Trump\u2019s 2000 book, The America We Deserve, he directly compares Social Security to a Ponzi scheme. \"The workers of America have been forced to invest a sixth of our wages into a huge Ponzi scheme,\" Trump writes at one point. \"The pyramids are made of papier-mache.\"","During the vice presidential debate, Tim Kaine deployed a longstanding Democratic talking point against his Republican rivals -- that Republicans can\u2019t wait to privatize Social Security."]},{"id":"6500.json","label":"true","statement":"From a standpoint of the county government, neither school system has received an increase in funding over the past six years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Zack McMillin, stating that neither school system has received an increase in funding over the past six years from the standpoint of the county government. This suggests that there has been no increase in funding for the school systems within the county government's purview during that time period.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Well, first, I love great schools,\" Romney replied. \"Massachusetts, our schools are ranked No. 1 of all 50 states. And the key to great schools, great teachers. So I reject the idea that I don't believe in great teachers or more teachers. Every school district, every state should make that decision on their own.\"","But a popular rebuttal by a number of Democratic leaders lately is this statistic: When Romney was governor, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation.","\"Hey, Governor @MittRomney, Maryland schools are #1 and have been for the last four years in a row. #Debates,\" tweeted O\u2019Malley.","As with many of the claims we check, there are two elements to Axelrod's claim. He is saying that 1) Massachusetts ranked 47th in job growth and 2) suggesting that Romney is to blame."]},{"id":"1552.json","label":"false","statement":"On reconciliation","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Reconciliation is a legislative process that allows for the consideration of budget-related measures, such as spending, revenues, and debt, in a single bill. While it is true that multiple reconciliation bills can be produced per fiscal year, the standard practice is to produce no more than one reconciliation bill. The reconciliation bill being negotiated may or may not include all the initiatives mentioned, and the scope and duration of those initiatives can be subject to change. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays the reconciliation process.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"But for immigration, we would have a contracting population, and a contracting population means a contracting economy,\" he said during an April 12 radio interview with Bill Press, a liberal talk show host who broadcasts from Washington.","Immigrants are \u2018more fertile\u2019: Jeb Bush, former Republican governor of Florida, recently claimed immigration reform would help aging America\u2019s \"demographic pyramid.\" \"Immigrants are more fertile,\" he said. \"And they love families and they have more intact families, and they bring a younger population. Immigrants create an engine of economic prosperity.\"","Beyer\u2019s statement, in the present tense, wrongly suggests that without immigrants the U.S. population now would be in decline. But some context needs to be added. His statement came while he was talking about the need for immigrants to fill U.S. jobs \"10 years from now, 15 years from now.\"","Here\u2019s another way to look at it: Pew predicts that 88 percent of the nation\u2019s population growth during the next 50 years will be linked \"to future immigrants and their descendants.\""]},{"id":"10205.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every new Republican member of the U.S. Senate said they will vote to repeal and replace Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Sean Hannity that every new Republican member of the U.S. Senate campaigned on a platform to repeal and replace Obamacare. Multiple sources confirm that during their campaigns, all 10 new Republican senators either expressed support for repealing Obamacare or had voted to repeal it. However, it's important to note that campaign promises do not always translate into legislative action, and the actual voting behavior of these senators may vary in practice. Therefore, while the statement is generally true based on campaign rhetoric, the ultimate actions of these senators regarding Obamacare may differ.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10221.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Austin mayoral candidate Steve Adler admitted his law firm worked with Koch Industries for nearly a decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mike Martinez, stating that Steve Adler's law firm worked with Koch Industries for nearly a decade. While Adler himself clarified that he personally did not work with a Koch company, he acknowledged that other lawyers in his firm may have been involved in providing services to a Koch entity during the 1970s and possibly the early-to-mid 1980s. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it aligns with the information provided by Adler and Martinez.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Next Palumbo says undocumented pregnant women get \"a card with $400 a month on it\" that they are \"allowed to spend on anything but food.\"","Criticizing the state's social service programs, Palumbo said: \"We have something called the anchor embryos. We have such liberal programs where we take care of you. If you're an illegal woman you get to Rhode Island, you go to the Department of Human Services, they give you either Neighborhood Health Plan, UnitedHealth or Blue Cross. They give you a card with $400 a month on it and allow you to spend it on anything but food because, sit tight, we're going to give you another $250 a month or $275 a month to spend on food.\"","The same is true for the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, more commonly known as the food stamp program. Despite the figures Palumbo cites, undocumented pregnant women are not eligible for \"$250 a month or $275 a month,\" or any other amount.","Sounds a bit like a state gift certificate to us, but Palumbo says he was referring to cash assistance welfare benefits. Again, he said Alexander told him that every undocumented pregnant woman who seeks state help gets $400 a month."]},{"id":"8064.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In Providence, R.I., its illegal to sell toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no law in Providence, Rhode Island, or anywhere else in the United States that prohibits the sale of toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday. The claim originated from a BuzzFeed article, but it has been debunked, and the source itself admitted that the information was not accurate. Multiple sources and fact-checking efforts confirm that there is no such law in existence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Sen. Pryor voted for Obamacare, and he continues to insist that it\u2019s an 'amazing success,'\" a recent email to supporters said.","Cotton\u2019s campaign said Pryor \"continues to insist\" that the law has been an \"amazing success.\" But looking through news reports, it seems that his August comments were the only time Pryor has used the phrase \"amazing success\" in conjunction with the Affordable Care Act.","Cotton has accused Pryor of voting for \"special subsidies\" that exempted Congress and their staff from the health care legislation. The subsidy referred to is the government continuing to share the cost of insurance premiums, which is standard for every establishment that offers insurance to its workers, so we rated the claim False. Cotton also claimed that Pryor \"continues to insist\" that Obamacare is \"an amazing success.\" We gave that claim a Mostly False, because Pryor said it only once, and Cotton took it out of context.","We can\u2019t be certain if he was saying the legislation was an \"amazing success\" overall, or if it was a success at Mercy Hospital, specifically, though his campaign says it was the latter. The same week he made those comments, he also said at a different event that Mercy Hospital added 100 new jobs because of the Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"7479.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States gives $8 million a day to Israel and gives that country a blank check.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the billboard that the United States gives $8 million a day to Israel. This estimate has been acknowledged as being in the ballpark by Philip Wilcox, an expert on Middle East affairs. However, the assertion that the United States gives Israel a \"blank check\" is a matter of interpretation and can be subjective. While the United States generally supports Israeli military actions in the region, it does not imply an unconditional or unlimited commitment. The statement lacks nuance in conveying the complexities of the U.S.-Israel relationship.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During the Jan. 7, 2012, Republican presidential debate in Manchester, N.H., former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney once again stated, \"We're only inches away from no longer being a free economy.\"","Mitt Romney continues to repeat the talking point that the United States is \"only inches away from no longer being a free economy.\" But we\u2019ve ruled it Pants on Fire twice-- and now he's achieved a PolitiFact hat trick.","\"Government under President Obama has grown to consume almost 40 percent of our economy,\" he said. \"We are only inches away from ceasing to be a free market economy.\"","PolitiFact, \"Mitt Romney gets another Pants on Fire for saying we're 'inches away' from not being capitalist any more,\" Aug. 12, 2011"]},{"id":"10168.json","label":"false","statement":"A new Colorado law literally allows residents to print ballots from their home computers, then encourages them to turn ballots over to collectors.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no Colorado law that allows residents to print ballots from their home computers and turn them over to collectors. The claim appears to be based on misinformation or a misinterpretation of the law. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing voting laws to ensure an informed understanding of the processes in place.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Limbaugh said that the United States is \"the leading nation with the highest amount of doubt about the conventional wisdom of climate change.\"","\"Fifty-four percent of Americans agreed with the statement, 'The climate change we are currently seeing is largely the result of human activity,\u2019 \" he said. \"Why would the U.S. be the leading nation with the highest amount of doubt about the conventional wisdom of climate change? Why do you think that would be? I think that's exactly right: Me. There's just no other explanation\"","Based on the results, the United States had the lowest percentage of people say that climate change is: 1. Largely man-made, and 2. Leading the world toward environmental ruin.","While the numbers indicate that the United States is the least likely nation among those surveyed to see climate change as a man-made issue, the majority of Americans -- albeit, not by a huge margin -- still believe that climate change is anthropogenic."]},{"id":"2598.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says state Rep. Patrick Rose votes 90 percent with liberals, backed the states largest tax increase, proposed nearly $15 billion in government spending and supported Obama-style government-run health care system for Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains several claims about State Rep. Patrick Rose, but some of them lack proper context or are misleading. While it is stated that Rose \"votes 90 percent with liberals,\" the evidence provided does not specify the source or methodology used to determine this percentage. The claim that Rose \"backed the state's largest tax increase\" is not substantiated with evidence, making it difficult to assess its accuracy. The statement that Rose \"proposed nearly $15 billion in government spending\" is supported by evidence. However, the claim that Rose \"supported an Obama-style government-run health care system for Texas\" is misleading, as the evidence provided shows that Rose voted against tabling a proposal for a feasibility report on universal healthcare, which is not the same as endorsing a specific system. Overall, the statement contains some accurate information but lacks proper context and includes misleading claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Finally, we looked at Obama\u2019s claims about how aggressively the U.S. Justice Department investigated obstacles to voting. Obama said in a 2014 speech that the Justice Department had \"taken on more than 100 voting rights cases since 2009.\"","We looked at Obama\u2019s claims about how aggressively the U.S. Justice Department investigated obstacles to voting. During the week of the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act in April 2014, Obama said in a speech that Republicans passed laws \"making it harder, not easier, for people to vote\" and noting that the Justice Department had \"taken on more than 100 voting rights cases since 2009.\"","\"We're not going to let voter suppression go unchallenged,\" Obama said on April 11. \"So earlier this week you heard from the attorney general, and there's a reason the agency he runs is called the Department of Justice. They've taken on more than 100 voting rights cases since 2009, and they've defended the rights of everybody, from African-Americans to Spanish speakers to soldiers serving overseas.\"","Obama\u2019s statement that the Justice Department had taken on more than 100 voting rights cases since 2009 was disputed by Hans von Spakovsky, a former DOJ lawyer under President George W. Bush who is now an election law expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation. Spakovsky wrote in a blog that the Justice Department website showed only 39 such cases under Obama. A reader contacted us about the discrepancy, so we decided to fact-check Obama\u2019s statistic."]},{"id":"8128.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There is no planned air-conditioned restaurant out on the Lens.","reason":"Reason: While there were plans for a restaurant on the Lens structure, the statement accurately reflects that there was no planned air-conditioned restaurant on the overwater portion of the Lens. The restaurant strategy involved a small, open-air cafe on the Lens structure's \"promontory\" that would be operated by the Columbia restaurant. However, it's important to note that there were discussions about a separate air-conditioned restaurant on the approach to the Lens, which would provide a waterfront view. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it specifically refers to the absence of an air-conditioned restaurant on the overwater portion of the Lens.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton\u2019s ad states that \"it takes 300 Americans working for a solid year to make as much money as one top CEO.\"","\"On average it takes 300 Americans working for a solid year to make as much money as one top CEO,\" the ad\u2019s narrator says. \"It\u2019s called the \u2018wage gap,\u2019 and the Republicans will make it worse by lowering taxes for those at the top and letting corporations write their own rules.\"","( - Hillary Clinton ad says it takes a year for 300 working Americans to earn as much as a top CEO&url=)","\u201cEven after accounting for rising prices, the typical American family has more money in their pockets than they did last year.\u201d"]},{"id":"3810.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that in the last five years, Texas created more jobs than all other states combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Texas has indeed experienced significant job growth over the past five years, surpassing many other states. However, claiming that Texas created more jobs than all other states combined is an exaggeration. While Texas has seen substantial job creation, it is important to consider the context of the overall job market in the United States. Other states have also contributed to job growth during this period, although Texas may have outpaced them in terms of sheer numbers. Therefore, while Texas has performed well in job creation, the claim of surpassing all other states combined is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13288.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Not even Tim Kaine is willing to say he trusts Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Tim Kaine is unwilling to say he trusts Hillary Clinton. While there are references to Kaine addressing public skepticism over Clinton's trustworthiness, there is no explicit statement or indication that Kaine himself does not trust Clinton. Without any clear evidence or direct quotes from Kaine expressing a lack of trust in Clinton, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Luntz said: \"Team Trump has accused Ted Cruz of fraud\" in Iowa, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, Maine, Utah and Wisconsin.","We had luck with Stone, though, who replied by email that the Committee to Restore America\u2019s Greatness had no immediate plans to release what he described as over 2,200 affidavits documenting \"voter irregularities\" in Iowa, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kansas, Maine, Utah, Wisconsin, Hawaii and Arizona.","From all that, we count seven states having or possibly having voting irregularities unhelpful to Trump: Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Maine -- with the Trump ballot-security project looking into fraud reports from Ohio and Hawaii.","To be fair, the pro-Trump post explicitly names Cruz as the beneficiary (and possible miscreant) only in Texas, Kansas and Maine. Still, we spotted indications that Trump or his supporters have accused Cruz of wrongdoing in other states and heard as much directly from Stone."]},{"id":"6902.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the U.S. Senate has passed a budget over the last three years called the Budget Control Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Budget Control Act of 2011, while it included provisions related to spending limitations and the debt ceiling, is not considered a comprehensive budget passed by the U.S. Senate. It is important to note that a budget typically includes various components, such as revenue projections, appropriations, and specific spending allocations across different sectors. The Budget Control Act does not encompass all these elements and is not equivalent to a traditional budget passed by the Senate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1218.json","label":"false","statement":"Medicare officials have treated Humana and AARP inconsistently on how they can communicate with seniors.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Medicare officials have treated Humana and AARP inconsistently in terms of how they can communicate with seniors. The evidence discusses specific instances where Humana and AARP have communicated with seniors in different ways regarding health care reform. However, it does not provide any evidence of inconsistent treatment by Medicare officials. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Right now Iran is suffering 30 percent inflation, 20 percent unemployment,\" he told a roundtable including CNN\u2019s Newt Gingrich, ABC\u2019s Jonathan Karl and PBS\u2019 Gwen Ifill. \"I mean this nation is hurting and our economic sanctions, because we've been patient with them, because we have actually rounded up almost every other nation to support us, have had a huge impact.\"","The Associated Press reported in June inflation \"over 30 percent,\" though it cited a 14 percent unemployment rate. noted Sept. 19 that analysts outside the country found that unemployment rate \"impossible to believe,\" and quoted an estimate from Mehrdad Emadi, an Iranian-born economic adviser to the European Union, of more than 20 percent. (The report echoes a Reuters report from the same day.)","Inflation: 30 percent plus, according to Iran Central Bank in May 2013, but believed to be over 50 percent by outside experts.","Inflation estimates range from 30 percent to 70 percent. Official unemployment statistics, meanwhile, are out of date, and outside experts question their accuracy, anyway."]},{"id":"12867.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Interior deportations under Obama were down 40 percent and at a nine-year low.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true based on the information provided. The National Border Patrol Council claimed that interior deportations under Obama were down 40 percent and at a nine-year low. While there is some discrepancy in the data interpretation, it is evident that there was a significant decrease in interior deportations during Obama's presidency. The exact percentage may vary depending on the specific data used, but the general trend of a decline in interior deportations is supported. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11697.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Recent news reports indicate DWI crashes in Austin dropped 23 percent since ridesharing entered the market.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by news reports and the Austin Police Department. According to these reports, there was a 23 percent decrease in DWI crashes in Austin since the introduction of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. However, it's important to note that the reports do not explicitly attribute the entire decrease to ridesharing. While there is a correlation between the introduction of ridesharing and the decrease in DWI crashes, it cannot be definitively stated that ridesharing was the sole cause of the decline. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood that other factors may have contributed to the decrease as well.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In the 18th Congressional District, 100% of electric generation comes from coal. That means that every single household in this district will see a huge increase in their energy bills if Cap-and-Trade would become law.\"","State Sen. Bob Gibbs wants to make sure you know coal is important in Ohio\u2019s 18th Congressional District and that he doesn\u2019t like efforts to shrink the district\u2019s carbon footprint.","In that clip, the GM executive acknowledges that the electricity charging the demonstration car likely comes from coal and natural gas. She does not say that 95% of the energy for electric cars comes from coal.","\"GM admits the 'clean' energy used to charge electric cars comes from COAL,\" the post says, \"95% coal, to be exact. Stupid Sheep.\""]},{"id":"10639.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In an average grocery store, roughly 75 percent of processed foods contain genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks some important nuance. While it is accurate that approximately 75 percent of processed foods in an average grocery store contain substances derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), it is not necessarily the case that the actual organisms themselves are present in the food. The genetic modifications are often used to produce ingredients like sugars or oils, which are then used in the manufacturing of processed foods. Therefore, while the statement correctly highlights the prevalence of GMO-derived ingredients in processed foods, it could be misleading to interpret it as meaning that the actual GMOs are directly present in the final products.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The folks in Washington have it all figured out,\" Beruff says in the ad. \"They\u2019re going to make your choices and run your life.\"","Still, Tanner said it might be fair to call the coverage \"government designated health care\" because individuals can\u2019t buy just any type of health insurance, he said. Beruff\u2019s spokesperson echoed this argument.","\"Forcing Americans off of their current health coverage and onto a government-run plan isn't the answer, but that's exactly what the Democrats' plan would do.\"","No one is forced to buy government health insurance via the individual mandate, but individuals are strongly incentivized to have the minimum essential health coverage to avoid the penalty."]},{"id":"826.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama would \"experiment with socialism.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obama would \"experiment with socialism\" is false and misleading. There is no credible evidence to support this assertion. Obama's proposal to increase income taxes on higher earners does not equate to socialism, as it is a policy within the framework of a capitalist system. Multiple fact-checking sources, including PolitiFact, have rated this claim as false or \"Pants on Fire\" due to its lack of basis in reality.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama \"is the first president we've ever had who thinks he can choose which laws to enforce and which laws to ignore.\"","Ted Cruz says Barack Obama is first president 'who thinks he can choose which laws to enforce and which laws to ignore'","( - Ted Cruz says Barack Obama is first president 'who thinks he can choose which laws to enforce and which laws to ignore'&url=)","Referring to Obama, Cruz said, \"This president of the United States is the first president we've ever had who thinks he can choose which laws to enforce and which laws to ignore.\""]},{"id":"3307.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A miscarriage is considered an abortion.","reason":"Reason: While there may be instances where a miscarriage is mistakenly categorized as an abortion, it is not accurate to broadly claim that a miscarriage is considered an abortion. Miscarriage refers to the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy, typically due to natural causes, while abortion refers to the intentional termination of a pregnancy. While there may be instances where medical or insurance terminology is misapplied, it is important to recognize the fundamental distinction between these two terms. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as it does not accurately reflect the general understanding and medical definition of miscarriage and abortion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8568.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In reality, there have been no problems whatsoever with the Texas voter ID law.","reason":"Reason: While there are some accounts and statements suggesting that there were no problems with the Texas voter ID law, it is important to consider a more comprehensive view. The statement oversimplifies the issue by claiming that there have been no problems whatsoever. In reality, there have been documented instances of individuals facing difficulties and challenges in obtaining the required identification to vote. These challenges disproportionately affect certain communities, such as minority and low-income populations. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that while there may be differing opinions on the extent of the problems, it is not accurate to claim that there have been absolutely no problems with the Texas voter ID law.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6392.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"An April study found that about 70 percent of ads in this election cycle have been negative [due to SuperPACs], up from only 9 percent through the same period in 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of an April study, which reported that approximately 70 percent of ads in the current election cycle were negative. It also correctly states that this percentage is a significant increase from the 9 percent of negative ads during the same period in the 2008 election cycle. However, it's important to note that the statement includes the phrase \"due to SuperPACs,\" which is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence. While SuperPACs may contribute to the increase in negative ads, the evidence does not specifically attribute the rise to them. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the added attribution to SuperPACs lacks direct evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!President Barack Obama announced his support for gay marriage in an ABC News interview today. !President Barack Obama announced his support for gay marriage in an ABC News interview today.","Watermark, a Central Florida gay and lesbian publication, endorsed Crist in the homestretch of the Republican primary citing his support for civil unions.","ABC broke into its daytime lineup May 9, 2012, to announce a historic shift: the president of the United States declaring his personal support for gay marriage.","Still, in a 2007 Democratic primary debate sponsored by a gay rights group and a gay-oriented cable TV channel, he spoke instead about his support for civil unions with \"all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage\" \u2014 but not for legal recognition of \"marriage\" between same-sex couples. It should be up to religious denominations to determine whether they wanted to recognize that as marriage or not, he said."]},{"id":"8091.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ninety million Americans either arent working or arent looking for work.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Ninety million Americans either aren't working or aren't looking for work\" is an oversimplification of the data. While it is true that there are around 90 million Americans who are not part of the labor force, this number includes individuals who are not working due to various reasons such as retirement, full-time education, disability, or personal choice. It is important to consider the context and breakdown of this number to accurately assess the employment situation in the country. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it lacks the necessary nuance and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"10787.json","label":"true","statement":"The Iranians are now saying that what were saying the deal is and what they understand it to be are two different things.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation regarding the Iranian perspective on the nuclear deal. There have been instances where Iranian officials have expressed that their interpretation of the deal differs from what was initially understood. This discrepancy in understanding has led to disagreements and challenges in maintaining the agreement. Therefore, it is true that the Iranians have indicated a difference between what they were saying the deal is and what they understand it to be.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The tax experts we interviewed said the old situation was definitely a loophole. But they didn't see it as a loophole particularly connected to outsourcing. And while Boehner did oppose the new rules, his position was that any increased tax burden on American companies would make them less competitive against their foreign rivals.","He started off bashing Republicans, both those in Congress and those running for president, for refusing to consider increased tax revenues as a way to reduce debt and deficits.","\"Republicans in Congress aren't getting the message,\" the mailer says( \"the mailer says\"). \"Unemployment is hurting everyone in our economy, and we need to bring jobs back to America. But rather than fighting to create jobs for the middle class, Republicans in Congress fought to protect unfair tax breaks for big special interest groups and companies that ship American jobs overseas.\"","The SEIU is correct that Republicans did fight against Democratic plans to close tax loopholes on multinational corporations. But whether the corporations who took advantage of the tax loopholes were also outsourcing jobs is an unanswered question. The link between the multinationals' tax status and their outsourcing of jobs is not direct, and that's an important distinction. We rate the mailer's claim Half True."]},{"id":"1357.json","label":"half-true","statement":"To use money from the TARP fund in the manner that is being discussed by the White House and congressional Democrats would be a violation of the law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Republican lawmakers, including Mike Pence and Judd Gregg, who expressed concerns about using TARP funds for purposes other than what they were originally intended for. They argued that such usage would violate the law. However, it's important to note that there are differing interpretations of the TARP rules and whether certain proposed uses would indeed violate the law. While some Republicans believed it would be a violation, others, like Obama administration officials, argued that the funds could be used within the legal framework. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it represents one perspective on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton's Iran nuclear deal \"lined the pockets of the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism with your money.\"","Priebus said Clinton's Iran nuclear deal \"lined the pockets of the world's number one state sponsor of terrorism with your money.\"","\"In foreign policy, a Clinton presidency means forgetting our friends and enabling our enemies,\" Priebus charged. \"Just look, just look at her disastrous Iran nuclear deal, which lined the pockets of the world\u2019s number one state sponsor of terrorism with your money, while abandoning our greatest ally in the Middle East, the nation of Israel.\"","The Republican Party didn\u2019t respond to our requests for information to back Priebus\u2019 statement. But labeling Iran the \"number one state sponsor of terrorism\" isn\u2019t just rhetoric. Iran has been on the State Department\u2019s official list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1984."]},{"id":"12481.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Because George Holding doesnt live in the congressional district hes running for, he doesnt experience the same things that we are all experiencing.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that George Holding does not live in the congressional district he is running for, the statement that he \"doesn't experience the same things that we are all experiencing\" is an overgeneralization. Living outside of a district does not necessarily mean that a candidate is completely unaware or disconnected from the experiences of the constituents. It is possible for candidates to engage with and understand the concerns of the people they aim to represent through various means such as community engagement, conversations with residents, and staying informed about local issues. Therefore, while there may be some limitations to his firsthand experiences, it is not accurate to claim that he does not experience any of the things that the constituents are going through.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["There was the one that fabricated Bible verses to suggest Barack Obama fit the profile for the Antichrist; there was another that falsified a list of books that Sarah Palin supposedly sought to ban; and there was our all-time favorite, which falsely claimed Obama wants the national anthem to be I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing .","\"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides,\" Obama said. \"There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all? It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.\"","During the Meet the Press appearance, Obama is said to have replied, \"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides. . . .There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.\"","The song \"I'd like to teach the world to sing,\" ought to be a tip-off that the email isn't for real, but credibility can get pretty elastic in the Internet age. The song actually started as a TV jingle for Coca-Cola commercials during the 1970s. They lyrics are:"]},{"id":"11033.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve cut the deficit by two-thirds.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the deficit has been reduced by two-thirds during his tenure. This claim has been fact-checked and rated as Mostly True by PolitiFact National. The evidence supports the assertion that progress has been made in reducing the deficit, although it's important to note that the specific figures and context may vary depending on the time frame and specific metrics used in the analysis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2637.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Maryellen OShaughnessy accepted campaign cash from indicted politician Jimmy Dimora.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Maryellen O'Shaughnessy accepted a campaign contribution from Jimmy Dimora, who was later indicted in a federal corruption probe, the ad's claim that she accepted campaign cash from an \"indicted politician\" is misleading. At the time of the donation, Dimora had not yet been indicted, and the federal investigation was not public knowledge. Therefore, the implication that O'Shaughnessy knowingly accepted money from an indicted politician is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ruth\u2019s List Florida said that \"26 men named William have been elected to statewide office and only seven women have had the honor.\"","The email went on, \"This isn\u2019t right. More women than men vote in Florida, but 26 men named William have been elected to statewide office and only 7 women have had the honor. We have to fix this in 2016.\"","Is it possible that in Florida\u2019s 170-year history, only seven women have filled statewide office? And did voters pick 26 men named William? Get ready for a state civics lesson.","Depending on whom you count and how, we found 30 men named William -- or possibly more -- who have held statewide office. But that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they were elected. We\u2019re not going to go through every single one, but if you\u2019d like to see all the ones we found, we\u2019ve provided our list here."]},{"id":"10891.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The CEO of Goldman Sachs let his employees know that hed be just fine with either Bush or Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a claim made by O'Malley that the CEO of Goldman Sachs expressed support for both Bush and Clinton. However, the evidence provided does not include a direct quote or verifiable source for this claim. Without more concrete evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of O'Malley's statement. Therefore, the statement is labeled as barely-true due to the lack of substantial evidence to support it.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We were interested in fact-checking Kaine's comments that when Obama took office, \"the economy of the United States was actually shrinking for the first time in about 70 years.\" Had the downturn been that historic?","\"I think it's trying to find the balance between telling a story of accomplishment and change and improvement, while acknowledging that we still have a long way to go,\" Kaine said. \"So when the president came in, as you know, Christiane, the economy of the United States was actually shrinking for the first time in about 70 years. We had come through a decade where we lost jobs, income declined, poverty gaps widened. Now the economy is growing again. ... We've got to keep climbing and not go backward, but you have to have that humility because a lot of people are still suffering, and we've got more work to do.\"","Actually, the deficit reached 10 percent of the economy several months after Obama took office, not on his first day. Obama is laying the blame for the high deficit-to-GDP ratio entirely on Bush, when the figure covers time in office for both presidents. In reality, the numbers are more nuanced than he lets on, and his formulation oversimplifies the factors that played into these trends, some of which he had control over and some of which he didn\u2019t.","Like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, Amy Coney Barrett has said her \u201cend goal is to end the separation of church and state & build a \u2018Kingdom of God\u2019 in the United States.\u201d"]},{"id":"11444.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Republican leadership took the lead confirming Loretta Lynch as attorney general.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some Republican leaders did vote in favor of confirming Loretta Lynch as attorney general, it is misleading to claim that they \"took the lead\" in doing so. The confirmation process for the attorney general involves multiple steps and votes, and it was primarily led by the Obama administration and Democratic senators. The claim exaggerates the level of involvement and influence that Republican leadership had in confirming Lynch. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A Facebook meme says Rubio said that \"felons should not have their voting rights restored\" but that \"convicted felons should be allowed to own guns after they have done their time.\"","The meme, sent to us by a reader, presents two quotes purportedly by Rubio. The first, dated March 16, is, \"No, felons should not have their voting rights restored even after they have served their sentence.\" The second quote, from May 6, says, \"Of course, convicted felons should be allowed to own guns after they have done their time. It is their constitutional right.\"","A Facebook meme suggests that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., believes convicted felons should regain their right to own a gun but not the right to vote.","In 2009, Rubio said on Morning Joe that Crist \"restored the rights of felons to vote automatically here in Florida.\" The following year, Rubio said Crist \"worked with ACORN and groups like that to give felons voting rights in Florida.\" (ACORN, or the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, dissolved in 2010 in the wake of a video sting that showed ACORN employees telling people posing as a pimp and a prostitute how to conceal their criminal activities. The group advocated for increased voter access, but there was no proof that Crist worked with ACORN on his plan to restore voting rights to felons, so we rated that claim False.)"]},{"id":"13211.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Its bad enough that (Stephen) Silberkraus appeared in a sexual fetish film where women were kidnapped from their homes and forced to live naked in kennels and trained to be pets. But when Silberkraus isnt acting in films that degrade women, hes stalking them in his personal time.","reason":"Reason: The statement makes serious allegations against Stephen Silberkraus, claiming that he appeared in a sexual fetish film where women were kidnapped and forced into degrading situations, and that he engages in stalking women in his personal time. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided consists of campaign mailers and statements made by Lesley Cohen, Silberkraus' opponent. These claims have not been substantiated by credible sources or independent investigations. Without verifiable evidence, it is not appropriate to make definitive statements about someone's involvement in such activities or their personal behavior. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12973.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton voted to raise taxes on workers earning as little as $41,500.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While Hillary Clinton has proposed tax increases on high-income earners, there is no evidence to suggest that she specifically voted to raise taxes on workers earning as little as $41,500. It is important to note that tax policies are complex and involve multiple factors, and attributing a specific vote to a broad claim without providing specific evidence is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7688.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Schools in some states are spending up to 100 days a year doing test-prep or actual testing.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some schools in certain states may allocate a significant amount of time to test preparation or actual testing, the statement lacks specific evidence or data to support the claim that schools in \"some states\" spend up to 100 days a year on testing. The extent of testing and test preparation can vary widely across states and school districts, making it difficult to make a blanket statement about the amount of time dedicated to testing in all states. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9073.json","label":"true","statement":"In Oregon, students are skipping math class to learn about the Bible.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that in Oregon, students are indeed skipping math class to receive religious instruction. The decades-old Oregon law allows public school students to be excused from regular classes for up to two hours a week (or five hours if they are in high school) to receive instruction in religion. This means that students may miss math class or other subjects to participate in religious education. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"383.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Obama's liberal fiscal agenda: Over $874-billion in new spending.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obama's fiscal agenda included over $874 billion in new spending is partially true. During Obama's presidency, there were indeed significant increases in government spending, particularly in response to the economic recession and the implementation of policies such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. However, it's important to note that the $874 billion figure may not accurately represent the entirety of new spending under Obama's fiscal agenda. Additionally, it's crucial to consider the context and specific programs or initiatives to determine the full impact of the spending. Therefore, while there was a substantial increase in spending, the statement lacks specificity and comprehensive information to provide a complete assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7053.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Tommy Thompson made millions from corporations who outsource American jobs and now hes trying to lavish huge tax breaks on them.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tommy Thompson received a substantial payment of $1.5 million, it does not align with the claim that he made \"millions\" from corporations that outsource American jobs. Additionally, the statement suggests that Thompson is actively attempting to provide \"huge tax breaks\" to these corporations, but it is important to note that supporting a tax break for U.S. companies' profits from overseas does not necessarily equate to supporting outsourcing or directly lavishing tax breaks on them. The tax break could potentially have an impact on job creation within the United States. Therefore, while there are elements of truth in the statement, it oversimplifies the situation and lacks complete accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4452.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I asked the unions to pay into their own health care insurance ... and they said I was being unreasonable. I requested that they contribute toward their own pensions ... and they screamed it was unfair.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it misrepresents the situation. While it is true that some unions offer health insurance through unique plans and have expressed concerns about the Affordable Care Act, it is not accurate to claim that the unions refused to pay for their own health care insurance or pensions. Unions negotiate with employers to provide health insurance and pension benefits as part of their collective bargaining agreements. The issue at hand is the potential impact of the health care law on the existing union insurance plans, not a refusal to contribute towards their own benefits. The statement oversimplifies the complex dynamics of union negotiations and mischaracterizes the unions' positions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["So we ask, was that a fair comparison? Are electric co-ops and credit unions the same as government sponsored enterprises, GSE\u2019s, like Freddie Mac?","Often criticized for his lucrative work for Freddie Mac, Newt Gingrich has compared the mortgage giant to government-sponsored enterprises such as credit unions and electric co-ops.","Gingrich defended his position, much the same way in that debate, saying \"when you look for example at electric membership co-ops, and you look at credit unions, there are a lot of government-sponsored enterprises that are awfully important and do an awfully good job.\"","Gingrich took the broad view to defend his position, saying \"when you look for example at electric membership co-ops, and you look at credit unions, there are a lot of government sponsored enterprises that are awfully important and do an awfully good job.\""]},{"id":"3654.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have created more jobs in this last year than the Bush administration (did) in eight years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Vice President Joe Biden is mostly true. The evidence supports the claim that more jobs were created in the last year (at the time the statement was made) compared to the entire eight-year tenure of the Bush administration. While the exact numbers may vary, multiple sources confirm that job creation during the specified time frame exceeded the job creation during the Bush administration. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific figures or account for the differences in economic conditions and policies between the two periods.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The clip that we just ran is the result of a very extensive test, an examination, about whether or not attempts to find things like, \u2018crime,\u2019 \u2018criminal activity,\u2019 \u2018indictment,\u2019 have been filtered out by Google, and we know that it has,\" Napolitano said.","For example, when users search \"Hillary Clinton cri,\" the suggested searches are \"Hillary Clinton crime reform,\" \"Hillary Clinton crisis,\" \"Hillary Clinton criticizes obama 2008\" and so on.","The statement linked to a Vox article that refutes the idea Google is manipulating autocomplete in favor of Hillary Clinton. The article says that most people who are accused of crimes but were not convicted will not show up in suggestions.","Napolitano accused America's most popular search engine, Google, of scrubbing search suggestions in favor of Clinton. Although it is clear Google\u2019s algorithm is different from Bing or Yahoo, it still isn\u2019t correct to describe the difference as evidence of Google\u2019s support of Clinton."]},{"id":"7186.json","label":"false","statement":"If lawmakers fail to avert the fiscal cliff, 18 percent of the federal money that is sent to the states will be eliminated.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that 18 percent of federal money sent to the states will be eliminated if lawmakers fail to avert the fiscal cliff. The evidence primarily discusses the fiscal cliff deal's impact on taxes, estate tax rates, and the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). It does not mention any direct correlation between the fiscal cliff and the elimination of federal funds sent to the states.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We disagree. Cantor\u2019s statement was \"The National Science Foundation spent $1.2 million paying seniors to play World of Warcraft to study the impact it had on their brain.\"","\"The National Science Foundation spent $1.2 million paying seniors to play World of Warcraft to study the impact it had on their brain,\" Cantor, R-7th, claimed in a Feb. 19 news release identifying examples of what he said are wasteful spending.","!Eric Cantor says the federal government spent $1.2 million paying seniors to play World of Warcraft. PolitiFact Virginia rated that Pants on Fire. !Eric Cantor says the federal government spent $1.2 million paying seniors to play World of Warcraft. PolitiFact Virginia rated that Pants on Fire.","You may have noticed that our explanation of the research has yet to mention the World of Warcraft, the game Cantor says U.S. taxpayers paid seniors $1.2 million to play. There\u2019s a good reason: The National Science Foundation\u2019s abstract on the grant makes no mention of anyone playing WoW."]},{"id":"6768.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says there are fewer jobs in America today than when Barack Obama became president.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a decrease in the number of jobs during the early years of Barack Obama's presidency due to the economic recession, the statement fails to acknowledge the subsequent recovery and job growth that occurred during his tenure. By the end of Obama's presidency, the number of jobs in America had significantly increased compared to when he took office. Therefore, stating that there are currently fewer jobs in America than when Obama became president is inaccurate and does not reflect the overall trend of job growth during his tenure.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You know, right now, 40 percent, 40 percent of GDP is state, local, or federal money. I mean, that's an incredible number. So that, you know, adding more government spending to that, I think, is going to ... distort things even more. And the public is so concerned about it.\"","This, too, is short of Roberts' 40 percent -- but there's an important caveat. This year, the recession has driven federal spending higher (think of the stimulus package) and sent GDP lower (due to slumping economic activity). These twin developments could spike government's percentage of GDP for 2009, quite possibly above 40 percent, although this rise could be offset somewhat by lower state and local spending, since many states are constitutionally bound to balance their budgets and must cut back as tax revenues decline.","We turned to the U.S. Treasury Department's Monthly Treasury Statement of Receipts and Outlays of the United States Government. For the most recently completed fiscal year, 2010, the department reported that the government had revenues of $2.16 trillion, spending of $3.46 trillion and a deficit of $1.29 trillion. Divide the deficit by the outlays and you get 37 percent, which is very close to 40 percent.","Marc Goldwein, an economist with the New America Foundation, framed the conundrum in this mind-bending fashion: \"What percent of GDP is made up of government spending is a different question from what government spending equals as a percent of GDP.\""]},{"id":"9702.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Cory Gardner blocked immigration reform and voted to deport our DREAMers.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made that Cory Gardner blocked immigration reform and voted to deport DREAMers, these claims are not entirely accurate. Gardner has actually advocated for his colleagues in the House to take up immigration legislation and has expressed support for providing permanent status for children brought to the U.S. illegally, including a path to citizenship for those who join the military. While he did vote for an amendment that would have ended a delay in deporting certain children of illegal immigrants, he stated that it was a move against President Obama's unilateral action rather than targeting the DREAMers specifically. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The number of unemployed Virginians fell from almost 228,000 to about 144,000 during McAuliffe\u2019s term \u2014 a 37% decrease. The number of unemployed people in the U.S. dropped from almost 10.2 million to almost 6.6 million during the same time \u2014 a 35% decrease.","There were about 37,000 unemployed people in those rural areas when McAuliffe took office and 22,500 when he left. That\u2019s a 39% decrease which, although sizable, seems a little below Biden\u2019s claim of almost 50%.","A new Democratic law \u201cwill make the IRS workforce larger than the Pentagon, FBI, State Department, and Customs and Border Patrol, combined.\u201d","\u201cDemocrats are voting to add an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will target middle class taxpayers and conduct at least 1 million more audits each year. \u201d"]},{"id":"6340.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says PolitiFact validated and independently documented its criminal history claims about Adan Ballesteros.","reason":"Reason: While PolitiFact Texas did independently verify the existence of documents related to the Department of Public Safety investigation of Adan Ballesteros, they did not validate or independently document the claim of his \"criminal history.\" The statement fails to mention that Ballesteros was not indicted and that the workforce commission tribunal did not find evidence of criminal acts. Therefore, the claim that PolitiFact validated and independently documented the criminal history claims is not accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Crisafulli said, \"If we choose Obamacare expansion, 600,000 will lose eligibility for their subsidies, of which 257,000 would be forced into Medicaid.\"","\"Under federal law, other low-income Floridians have access to health care subsidies to buy private insurance for less than the average cost of a wireless phone bill,\" said Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island. \"In fact, if we choose Obamacare expansion, 600,000 will lose eligibility for their subsidies, of which 257,000 would be forced into Medicaid. \"","More than 257,000 have no insurance at all, and these are the ones Crisafulli is saying will be \"forced into Medicaid.\" His office confirmed he meant they will be left without subsidies and will not make enough money to buy policies, so Medicaid will be their only option.","Crisafulli is using incendiary language to describe state projections about Medicaid expansion. The state estimates that about 609,000 Floridians would lose access to subsidies to buy insurance under an expansion. About 257,000 of those people would be uninsured, likely because they\u2019re too poor to buy their own. The rest could enroll in Medicaid if they wanted to. So his numbers can be considered accurate."]},{"id":"8845.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not account for factors such as job type, experience, and education level, which can contribute to the gender pay gap. While the 77 cents figure provides a general overview of the disparity, it does not capture the full complexity of the issue. Other comparisons and analyses indicate that the pay gap may vary depending on different occupations and circumstances. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood within the context of the limitations and nuances surrounding the gender pay gap.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Hightower said the postal service has taken no taxpayer aid since 1971, funds operations entirely from the sale of stamps and the like and makes an \"operational profit year after year.\"","Suggesting the service isn't broke, Hightower declared: \"Since 1971, the postal service has not taken a dime from taxpayers. All of its paid for by sales of stamps and related products. The Postal Service makes an operational profit year after year.\"","( - Postal service, which operates on sales of stamps, last had profit in 2006 and took last taxpayer aid in 1982&url=)","By email, Ehrlich pointed us to the Postal Service\u2019s \"Postal Facts\" web page which states in part that the service \"relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.\" That\u2019s correct, Bolen and another Postal Service spokesman, David Partenheimer, told us by telephone."]},{"id":"6654.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney asked for a waiver from federal welfare rules.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney signed a letter in 2005 along with other governors regarding welfare reform, the statement that he specifically asked for a waiver from federal welfare rules is not entirely accurate. The letter expressed concerns about the implementation of certain aspects of welfare reform and requested more flexibility in managing welfare programs at the state level. However, it did not explicitly ask for a waiver from federal welfare rules. The statement exaggerates the content of the letter and misrepresents Romney's intentions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9776.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Sen. Jack Reed cast the deciding vote in the Senate for the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Sen. Jack Reed cast the deciding vote in the Senate for the Affordable Care Act is not accurate. The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was passed by the Senate through a majority vote and did not rely on a single deciding vote. While Sen. Reed did vote in favor of the legislation, it is incorrect to attribute the passage of the ACA solely to his vote. The statement oversimplifies the legislative process and the collective support from multiple senators that led to the passage of the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10795.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Clintons burst through their own self-pronounced guidelines by acceptingforeign donations.There is a clip of Bill Clinton saying were not going to take foreign donations.","reason":"Reason: While there is a video clip of Bill Clinton stating that they would not take foreign donations due to the appearance of impropriety, it is important to note that this statement was made in 2008, during Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. The claim that the Clintons \"burst through their own self-pronounced guidelines\" is misleading because it suggests that they violated their own guidelines while Hillary Clinton was serving as Secretary of State. However, there is no evidence to support the assertion that they accepted foreign donations during her tenure as Secretary of State. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context, making it misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3220.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Overall we currently have $981 million, almost a billion dollars in active development projects right here in the City of Richmond.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that there are currently $981 million in active development projects in the City of Richmond. The evidence focuses on the allocation of funds from the American Rescue Plan for specific projects in different locations, such as a ski area in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. There is no direct connection between these projects and the City of Richmond. Therefore, the statement lacks evidence and is not substantiated by the information provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Dorman Grace brags on his Facebook page about receiving contributions from industries he would regulate. Bragging about receiving illegal money on Facebook. Who on earth would support such a dummy?\"","We also checked his statement that his opponent, Dorman Grace, bragged on his Facebook page about receiving illegal campaign contributions. It turns out that no court or commission has ruled the contributions illegal, and it's not a clear-cut case. Our complete report explains why we rated Peterson's statement Half True.","It's one thing to call your opponent a dummy. It's another to call him a cheat. And so we decided to check out Peterson's claim that Grace was guilty of taking illegal campaign contributions. And then bragging about it on Facebook.","Campaign finance reports submitted to the Alabama Secretary of State, and viewable online, show that Grace has taken contributions from several \"farms.\" Among them, deer and poultry farms. And on his Facebook page, Grace thanked some of the supporters who have contributed to his campaign, including some of the farmers in question."]},{"id":"10220.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"China has made enormous progress in its human rights. That is a fact recognized by all the people in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While Chinese President Xi Jinping claims that China has made significant progress in its human rights, it is not accurate to say that this is a fact recognized by all people in the world. Many human rights organizations and external observers have documented ongoing human rights concerns in China. These concerns include issues such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities. While there may be differing opinions on the extent of progress made, it is not universally recognized by all people in the world.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3024.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the states Medicaid waiver proposal has languished in a file cabinet at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for more than two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While it is true that Texas submitted a Medicaid waiver proposal in 2008, it was not approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) due to identified issues. The federal agency did not simply let the proposal \"languish in a file cabinet.\" In fact, the CMS explicitly stated that the proposal was problematic and could not be approved as written. Furthermore, as of the time of the evidence, the CMS had not received a revised proposal from the state. Therefore, the claim that the proposal has been sitting in a file cabinet for over two years is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9328.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"U.S. teenagers have now fallen behind their counterparts in Ireland, Poland and even Vietnam in math and science.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bush that U.S. teenagers have fallen behind their counterparts in Ireland, Poland, and Vietnam in math and science. The statement is supported by the cited expert, Zhao, who confirms the accuracy of the statistics. However, it's important to note that the term \"fallen behind\" may be subjective and open to interpretation. While the statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided, it's essential to consider the broader context and factors contributing to these rankings.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13147.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Not one illness has been reported from raw milk in Texas in more than four years. A total of six illnesses have occurred in the last 20 years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been a limited number of reported illnesses associated with raw milk consumption in Texas, the statement is misleading in its presentation. The evidence provided indicates that there have been at least six reported illnesses in the last 20 years, which contradicts the claim of \"not one illness\" during that time period. Additionally, there is evidence of at least 10 reported cases of illness in Texas in 2015 alone that were suspected to be linked to raw milk consumption. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the frequency of reported illnesses related to raw milk in Texas.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Stone -- who officials at public Washburn University in Kansas say earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in 1983 -- claims Abele \"failed to finish\" at three schools, \"dropping out\" each time.","In the case of a new TV ad from Milwaukee County executive candidate Chris Abele, it would be \"double Scott Walker.\"","If philanthropist Chris Abele is elected April 5, 2011, he would become the second consecutive Milwaukee County executive without a college degree, following in Scott Walker\u2019s footsteps.","At times since Walker\u2019s budget attracted massive protests in Madison this winter, Stone cautiously has tried to separate himself. He has said he will be less confrontational."]},{"id":"5023.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have one of the highest percentages per capita of nonprofits in this state of any state in the union.","reason":"Reason: While Rhode Island may not rank among the top five states with the highest per capita numbers of nonprofits in the United States, there is evidence to suggest that it is just outside the top 10. The president of Rhode Island's largest homeless shelter supports the claim that the state has one of the highest numbers of nonprofits per capita in the country. Therefore, while the statement may not be entirely accurate in terms of being the absolute highest, it is mostly true that Rhode Island has a relatively high percentage of nonprofits per capita compared to many other states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Right around the same time, debt-laden Americans were noticing chain emails and social media posts with a headline that offered something even bolder -- \"Obama Signs Bill Forgiving All Student Loan Debt.\"","Emails and social media posts are circulating a claim that \"Obama Signs Bill Forgiving All Student Loan Debt.\" But while Obama has taken executive action and called for passage of a student-loan refinancing bill now pending in the Senate, he didn\u2019t say he was planning to forgive all student debts -- a far more massive undertaking. The claim is ridiculously false, so we rate it Pants on Fire.",", \" Sen. Elizabeth Warren introducing bill to reduce burden of student loan debt in US and enact 'Buffett Rule,'\" May 6, 2014","We have debunked other Empire News claims, such as one in a story headlined, \"Obama Signs Bill Forgiving All Student Loan Debt\" (this one got a Pants on Fire) and another that said a judge in Austin, Texas, sentenced a 34-year-old man to death row after committing his third offense for marijuana possession. Some of the site\u2019s other posts have headlines like \"New Hollywood Trend Has Celebrities Getting Baby Pig Semen Injections To Look Younger\" and \"Kanye West Insists On Nobel Prize, Claims He \u2018Brings Peace\u2019 Everywhere He Goes.\" The fact checkers at busted the claim earlier this fall."]},{"id":"10518.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has animmigrant family background.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in acknowledging that Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor comes from an immigrant family background. However, it is important to note that this fact alone does not imply any particular allegiance or bias towards her family background over the U.S. Constitution. The statement made by Laura Ingraham, suggesting that Sotomayor's allegiance goes to her immigrant family background rather than the U.S. Constitution, is a subjective opinion and not supported by evidence. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Hayes defended his statement in an e-mail to PolitiFact. While he conceded that not every tax filer who reports business income is a small business owner, he said he found the 50 percent cut-off for defining owners arbitrary.","In conclusion, do many wealthy tax payers report types of business income that might be from owning a small business? Sure. But it's impossible to tell how many meet the definition of what most of us think of when we think of small business owners. Other data indicate that among all tax payers who might be small business owners, most would not see taxes go up if the Bush tax cuts for the highest earners are allowed to expire. Hayes said that \"these so-called wealthy, most of them are small-business owners.\" We rate that statement Barely True.","The most recent census report Survey of Business Owners estimated the number of business owners as 20.4 million in 2007. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the labor force in 2007 was about 153 million people. So there were around 13.3 percent business owners, a little higher than Santorum\u2019s source. A new census survey about business owners will be released in May.","The economists of the Small Business Administration used more recent data from 2012 and found a slightly higher percentage of business owners as well. The SBA found that about 16 percent of people owned a business, said staff member Miguel Ayala."]},{"id":"1737.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the new Arizona immigration law, police can't stop someone to check their immigration status unless they think they see something illegal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Arizona immigration law does allow police officers to stop someone and check their immigration status based on a \"reasonable suspicion\" that the person is undocumented. This means that officers can initiate these stops without the requirement of witnessing any other illegal activity. The law grants broad authority to law enforcement to inquire about immigration status during routine stops or encounters if they have a reasonable suspicion. Therefore, the statement inaccurately suggests that police can only check immigration status if they witness something illegal.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1803.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"California gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner, a Republican, \"gave $10,000 to Al Gore's recount\" effort in 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It is confirmed that Steve Poizner's wife, who is a Democrat, made a contribution of $10,000 to the 2000 presidential recount effort of Al Gore and Joe Lieberman. However, it's important to note that the donation was made through their joint checking account, and Poizner himself has stated that he voted for President Bush in 2000 and 2004. While the donation was made by Poizner's wife and not directly by Poizner himself, the statement accurately reflects the involvement of the Poizner family in supporting the recount effort.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says that Mitt Romney, while he was in Arizona, said he believes the state\u2019s SB 1070 immigration law should be the model for national immigration laws.","U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez says that in Arizona, Mitt Romney said the state\u2019s SB 1070 law should be model for nation","Of course, saying he wouldn\u2019t sue states that adopt SB 1070-style laws isn\u2019t the same as saying that Arizona\u2019s law should be the model for federal immigration laws.","( - U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez says that in Arizona, Mitt Romney said the state\u2019s SB 1070 law should be model for nation&url=)"]},{"id":"5891.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Just remember this: the presidents health care bill put 30 million people on health care rolls that werent there before.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, did result in an increase in the number of people with health insurance coverage. However, the claim that it put 30 million people on health care rolls is an overestimate. According to various estimates, the ACA expanded coverage to around 20 million people, not 30 million. While the ACA did increase the number of insured individuals, it is important to note that not all of them were previously without any form of health care coverage. Therefore, the statement contains an exaggeration in terms of the number of people newly enrolled in health care.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an ad running in Pennsylvania, the Independence USA PAC backed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg claimed \"Toomey crossed party lines\u2026 to stop gun sales to suspects on the terror watch list.\"","In an ad running in Pennsylvania, the Independence USA PAC backed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg claimed \u201cToomey crossed party lines\u2026 to stop gun sales to suspects on the terror watch list.\u201d","The Independence USA PAC bankrolled an ad running in Pennsylvania that claims \"Toomey crossed party lines twice: first to support background checks, and now to stop gun sales to suspects on the terror watch list.\"","The Independence USA PAC bankrolled an ad running in Pennsylvania that claims \u201cToomey crossed party lines twice: first to support background checks, and now to stop gun sales to suspects on the terror watch list.\u201d"]},{"id":"4320.json","label":"half-true","statement":"China is or soon will be the largest English-speaking nation in the world.","reason":"Reason: While there is some truth to the growth of English proficiency in China, it is not accurate to claim that China is currently or soon will be the largest English-speaking nation in the world. The statement fails to consider the population size and the widespread use of English in countries like the United States, where the majority of residents speak English. While China may have a significant number of English learners, it does not surpass the United States in terms of English speakers. Therefore, the claim is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7282.json","label":"true","statement":"It is ironic that (First Energy Corp. is) going to have a name on our (football stadium) where we (Cleveland Public Power) supply the electricity.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the irony of having a company like First Energy Corp. having its name on a football stadium when the electricity supply for the stadium is provided by Cleveland Public Power. This irony arises from the fact that the stadium's electricity supply is not dependent on First Energy Corp., but rather on the local utility, Cleveland Public Power. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["During the debate, Walker cited his support for a law in Georgia that has exceptions for those situations. But Walker has offered a more stringent position in the past.","\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d","Georgia is a \"right-to-work\" state, meaning unions and businesses cannot force employees to join or financially support a union. The Georgia Legislature passed such guidelines in 1947.","The 1973 opinion from the attorney general\u2019s office does give employees an avenue to discuss the conditions of their employment, so we have issues with the first part of Rollins\u2019 comments. Georgia code and that opinion say state and local governments do not have to engage in collective bargaining, so we believe Rollins is right when she said employees can\u2019t bargain their contracts."]},{"id":"12129.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Congressman Jeff Denhamhas agreed all illegal immigrants should be detained, arrested and deported.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and does not accurately represent Jeff Denham's position on immigration. While Denham has expressed support for increased immigration enforcement, there is no evidence to suggest that he has explicitly agreed that \"all illegal immigrants\" should be detained, arrested, and deported. In fact, a response from Denham during a 2010 debate indicates that his stance on immigration enforcement does not align with the claim made by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Voting-rights legislation proposed by Democrats in Congress called H.R. 1 \u201cwould force states to restore the voting rights of convicted felons\u2014including violent felons convicted of murder or rape.\u201d","The 40 percent figure grew out of a 1997 National Institute of Justice study that found that 35.7 percent of respondents in a 1994 telephone survey reported obtaining their gun from somewhere other than a licensed dealer. People citing the study have rounded up the figure to 40 percent.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","Says Melania Trump\u2019s security detail at Trump Tower costs more than the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts."]},{"id":"7259.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2011, more people were murdered with knives, hands or feet or clubs and hammers than with any type of rifle.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by FBI data, which confirms that in 2011, more people were indeed murdered with knives, hands or feet, and clubs and hammers than with any type of rifle. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all types of firearms used in homicides. Handguns, for example, play a significant role in gun violence and should not be overlooked. While the statement is factually accurate, it is crucial to consider the broader context of firearm-related deaths to have a more complete understanding of the issue.\nLabel: true","evidence":["President Barack Obama announced his administration was reversing course about the release of photographs depicting the abuse of foreign prisoners. We're rating this the first Full Flop of the Obama presidency.","The memos were released April 16, 2009. About a week later, the administration announced it intended to release photos depicting prisoner abuse as well.","PolitiFact searched the websites of the DHS Office of the Inspector General, DHS and CBP and found no public reports or mentions of Venezuela\u2019s government releasing prisoners and sending them to the U.S.","> \ud83d\udea8 I sent a letter with 13 of my @HouseGOP colleagues to @SecMayorkas demanding answers about Venezuela releasing violent prisoners early and pushing them to join caravans heading towards our southern border."]},{"id":"10689.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Indiana Gov. Mike Pence provides zero state funding for homeless shelters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that Indiana Governor Mike Pence did not request state funding specifically for homeless shelters, it is important to note that this is not unique to his tenure. The lack of state funding for homeless shelters has been consistent in Indiana, regardless of whether the governor was Republican or Democrat. The responsibility for the state budget lies with the Legislature rather than solely with the governor. Therefore, while Pence can be associated with the lack of state funding for homeless shelters during his time as governor, it is a broader approach of the Indiana state government rather than solely his individual decision.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9423.json","label":"false","statement":"Only one out of 10 minimum wage workers today are teen age or a young person.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the percentage of teenage or young workers among minimum wage workers is not precisely one out of ten, the evidence suggests that a significant portion of minimum wage workers are indeed young. The available data does not support the claim that only one out of ten minimum wage workers are teenagers or young individuals. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Bush said that \"the pass rate for a high school level test to join the military is 35 to 40 percent.\"","\"In the video beforehand,\" Bush said, Gen. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, \"talked about 25 percent pass rate. Now, that's not just because of the test. That's also because of obesity and too many tattoos, to be honest with you, on visible body parts for people that are trying to get into the military. But the pass rate for a high-school level test to join the military is about 35 percent, I think, or 40 percent at best. And these are abysmal numbers. (These are) horrific numbers. And yet, there's no one marching in the streets. There's no one saying, you know, \u2018The end is near because of this.\u2019 But the fact is, the end is near if we can't fix this.\"","Bush is correct that obesity and tattoos keep out some applicants. But do only 35 to 40 percent of applicants for the military pass the test?","Meanwhile, a 2009 paper by the Rand Corp. found that the passage rate varied widely when broken down by race and service branch. For example, about 70 percent of whites passed the test for the Air Force, while the figure was closer to 40 percent for Hispanics and blacks."]},{"id":"10952.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintoninsists that when the progressive agenda encounters religious beliefs to the contrary, those beliefs have to be changed.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jeb Bush claimed Hillary Clinton insisted that when the progressive agenda encounters religious beliefs to the contrary, those beliefs \"have to be changed,\" a closer examination of Clinton's actual statement reveals a different context. Clinton's statement focused on the need to protect women's rights, particularly in regards to education, healthcare, and safety. She did not explicitly state that religious beliefs should be changed, but rather emphasized the importance of enforcing laws and addressing societal attitudes that may hinder women's rights. Therefore, while there is some similarity between Bush's claim and Clinton's statement, it is not entirely accurate to attribute the notion of changing religious beliefs directly to Clinton.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"272.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"There's not a major bill I know with Hillary's name on it.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton's name may not be specifically attached to a major bill, it is important to note that as a senator, she played a significant role in the legislative process and was involved in the development and passage of various bills. While her name may not be the sole or primary name associated with a particular bill, she was actively involved in shaping and supporting important legislation during her time in the Senate. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be acknowledged that her contributions to major bills may not always be explicitly reflected in their titles.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Mayor Cicilline wants the voters to believe he's concerned about the way campaigns are funded, yet he continues to accept hundreds of thousands of dollars in lobbyist, corporate PAC and insider money to fund his campaign,\" Lynch said in his statement.","Add the lobbyist and corporate PAC contributions and you get just under $50,000. That's roughly 4.3 percent of the $1.16 million he accepted this year. It's hardly the \"hundreds of thousands of dollars\" that Lynch talks about.","Does Cicilline, who stressed the need to \"break the connection between money and politics,\" accept money from lobbyists, PACs and insiders? Yes. But Lynch's unwillingness to define what he means by \"insider,\" makes it impossible to do an exact calculation. And based on the limited information we have now, his insistence that Cicilline continues to receive \"hundreds of thousands of dollars\" can't be verified.","So we elected to look at Cicilline's first- and second-quarter 2010 federal campaign finance filings, those filed since he declared his congressional candidacy in February. Since Lynch used the phrase \"continues to accept, hundreds of thousands of dollars,\" it seemed appropriate to examine the most current reports."]},{"id":"8816.json","label":"true","statement":"The national economic recovery has led to higher than expected tax revenues and projected budget surpluses in nearly every state in the nation, including Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin that the national economic recovery has resulted in higher than expected tax revenues and projected budget surpluses in nearly every state, including Wisconsin. This claim is supported by state budget watchers who confirm a widespread recovery in tax revenues as the nation emerges from the Great Recession.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Borrowing in my 2015-\u201917 state budget is less than half that in my predecessor\u2019s last budget and \"the lowest it has been in a decade.\"","Walker said his plan borrows $2 billion less than Doyle\u2019s last budget and is the lowest borrowing level in a decade.","\"In my predecessor\u2019s last budget, the total bonding level was $3.6 billion,\" Walker said. \"In this budget, the total level of bonding is down to less than $1.6 billion. This is the lowest it has been in a decade.\"","The independent Legislative Fiscal Bureau tracks new borrowing in each state budget: Here\u2019s a look at budgets enacted since 2005 -- a decade ago -- and Walker\u2019s new proposal:"]},{"id":"8403.json","label":"false","statement":"Says we are going to sell this house and use the proceeds to stabilize rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the individual mentioned in the evidence claims that they will sell a house to stabilize rates, it has been clarified that the proceeds from the sale of the house will have no impact on stabilizing water rates. The fact-checking source confirms that the sale of the house will only provide a one-time infusion of funds and will not have any influence on water rates. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mark Clayton, the 32-year-old floor installer and former Army Reserve aircraft technician who recently won the Democratic Party primary as a candidate for the U.S. Senate from Tennessee, has made a lot of colorful, sometimes wacky statements, as he campaigns. We decided to check out one found on his campaign\u2019s Facebook page, in which he claims that the federal government \"mandates transexuals (sic) and homosexuals grabbing children in their stranger-danger zones in the name of airport security.\"","From what we can find from legitimate sources, the Yang case does not involve \"transexuals (sic) or homosexuals grabbing children in their stranger-danger zones,\" nor even transsexuals doing so. It does involve employment law regarding the on-the-job treatment involving gender identity, and a voluntary settlement in which one party was a federal government agency.","Allen also sent along TSA policy statements on Civil Rights, the screening of children and on \"pat downs.\" The policy regarding children reads in part: \"Security officers will approach children gently and treat them with respect. If a child becomes uncomfortable or upset, security officers will consult parents about the best way to relieve the child's concern.\"","\"The EPA, alone has been responsible for numerous small business closings and the arrest of small business owner's ( sic ) for infractions; even ones which makes ( sic ) no sense to anyone but the EPA.\" -- Charlotte Bergman for Congress website."]},{"id":"3053.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says 15,000 IRS employees have to be added to administer ObamaCare and look at the tax implications.","reason":"Reason: While there is a general consensus that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) will require additional IRS employees, the claim that exactly 15,000 employees \"have to be added\" is not entirely accurate. The IRS has not provided a definitive number of employees needed for this purpose, and estimates vary. Some government estimates, including one done for House Republicans, suggest a range that includes 15,000 employees. However, it is important to note that this is an estimate and not a confirmed figure. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Every year since Gov. Walker and the Republicans have been in control of the Legislature we\u2019ve created fewer jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.\"","\"Every year since Gov. Walker and the Republicans have been in control of the Legislature we\u2019ve created fewer jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,\" Hulsey said on \"The Devil\u2019s Advocates\" radio show, broadcast on 92.1 FM in Madison.","We also note that the last full year under Walker\u2019s predecessor, Democrat Jim Doyle, the state created 30,700 jobs. Walker\u2019s first full year topped Doyle by 1,800 jobs, according to the CES.","When we asked Hulsey for his evidence, he cited Bureau of Labor Statistics private-sector job reports. Based on those figures, his office calculated it this way:"]},{"id":"10860.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As a senator, Hillary Clinton actually paid female staffers a lot less than men.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks important context. While there have been claims that Hillary Clinton paid female staffers less than men during her time as a senator, these claims have been fact-checked and found to be mostly false. The specific claim made by Sean Hannity that she \"actually paid female staffers a lot less than men\" has been rated as mostly false. It is important to consider factors such as job roles, experience, and other variables that can influence salary disparities. While there may have been some pay discrepancies, it is inaccurate to suggest that Clinton intentionally and systematically paid female staffers significantly less than their male counterparts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"His vice president said coal is more dangerous than terrorists,\" Romney said. \"Can you imagine that? This tells you precisely what he (Obama) actually feels and what he's done and his policies over the last three and a half years have put in place the very vision he had when he was running for office.\"","This post was flagged as part of Facebook\u2019s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) It resembles previous false claims by President Donald Trump and other Republicans, who have said Biden wants to ban fracking and kill jobs in Pennsylvania, a swing state that relies on the industry.","President Joe Biden said that his policies have not made the U.S. less equipped to withstand the impact of the ban on Russian energy imports. He contended that the onus is on U.S. oil and gas companies that have permits to begin drilling, but haven\u2019t started.","!Democratic nominee Joe Biden gestures while speaking during the first presidential debate on Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP) !Democratic nominee Joe Biden gestures while speaking during the first presidential debate on Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP)"]},{"id":"10206.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"According to recent reports, a group of death panels organized under Obamacare ordered their first execution.","reason":"Reason: The claim that death panels organized under Obamacare ordered their first execution is completely false. This assertion originated from a debunked chain email and has been widely discredited. Death panels are not a part of the Affordable Care Act, and there is no credible evidence to support such a claim. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing healthcare policies.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["That line about cell phones caught our attention. We decided to investigate. Is the Obama campaign offering cell phones to get voters to the polls?","\"She was making the point that the Obama re-election campaign used a similar tactic through Facebook to gain access to the personal information of millions of voters,\" ABC spokeswoman Lauri Hogan clarified.","\"Early vote now so that you can wave signs on election day next Tuesday,\" Putnam said. This is a team sport. This is a team sport. It's fully interactive. We can't just show up and cheer and slap a bumper sticker on the back of our car and think we're done. We've got to drag people to the polls. That's what they're doing. You don't have to offer them cell phones like they're doing.\"","\"About those cell phones: I'd heard about the YouTube video, wasn't aware it was disclaimed. Won't happen again,\" Putnam wrote Wednesday afternoon."]},{"id":"11310.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve just now given over $100 billion to Iran, the equivalent in U.S. terms is $5 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is accurate that the estimated amount of unfrozen assets for Iran is around $100 billion, the comparison to the equivalent of $5 trillion in U.S. terms is misleading. The $5 trillion figure is calculated by applying the same percentage (25%) of Iran's economy to the U.S. economy, which is an oversimplification. The U.S. economy is significantly larger than Iran's, and a direct comparison based on the same percentage does not accurately reflect the impact or scale of the sanctions relief. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it is misleading and lacks a comprehensive understanding of the economic context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama said \"what is and isn't a Schedule I narcotic is a job for Congress.\" While Obama may feel that way philosophically, there is a process by which the executive branch can reclassify marijuana to allow for its medical use or completely remove it from the list of controlled substances. It\u2019s not an easy process, but it\u2019s there.","As usual, Obama has chosen his words carefully. He says that determining the classification of marijuana is \"a job for Congress,\" not \"the job of Congress.\" That could mean Obama philosophically believes that Congress should ultimately decide the fate of marijuana, even if his administration has some control over it.","In the law, Congress created five schedules to classify drugs and narcotics by medical use and potential to incite substance abuse. At one end of the scale is Schedule V drugs, which include substances like cough medicines with small amounts of the narcotic codeine.","During an interview aired Jan. 31, 2014, CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper asked Obama whether he would consider changing marijuana\u2019s status as a Schedule I narcotic, a distinction that bans the substance from sale or use for medicinal or recreational purposes."]},{"id":"11495.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"My campaign finished the last quarter reporting the most cash on hand of any Republican in the field $13.8 million in the bank, $3.5 million more than the Jeb Bush campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Ted Cruz's claim that his campaign had the highest cash on hand among Republican candidates, with $13.8 million in the bank, which was $3.5 million more than the Jeb Bush campaign. This claim is supported by multiple sources and fact-checkers, confirming the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In states where beer is unregulated, the per capita production is significantly higher,\" she wrote. \"Higher beer production and higher consumption go hand-in-hand. As a social conservative, this is why I believe we need to keep regulations on alcoholic beverages in place and not have unregulated beer widely available in the marketplace. Social issues greatly impact economic issues, and we must seek a balance on both.\"","We\u2019ll deal with whether higher beer production increases consumption in another factcheck, but first we wanted to see if a lack of state regulations leads to higher beer production. We\u2019re going to tap the industry experts on this one.","We looked at the regulation claim in a separate item, but we also were curious whether higher beer production led to higher consumption. Time for PolitiFact Florida to buy another round.","PolitiFact Florida asked Stargel\u2019s office to back up her information. Spokesperson Rachel Barnes told us, \"Keeping in mind the focus of the bill, Sen. Stargel was using the rule of supply and demand regarding deregulated beer. We know that higher beer production means lower beer prices. Lower beer prices mean higher beer consumption.\""]},{"id":"11785.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I have a D-minus voting record from the NRA.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that they have a D-minus voting record from the NRA. The evidence confirms that the NRA has given the speaker a D-plus in 2004 and a C-minus in 2006, which indicates a less favorable rating from the organization. While it's worth noting that the rating is a few years old and may have fluctuated in previous election cycles, the statement remains mostly true based on the available information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1961.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he \"fought against $3 billion in cuts to public education since 2003.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the person in question fought against $3 billion in cuts to public education since 2003. However, further evidence is needed to determine the context and specifics of this fight, such as the individual's role, actions, and the outcome of their efforts. Without additional information, it is difficult to assess the full extent and impact of their fight against the proposed cuts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In August, Portland Mayor Sam Adams gathered with others to toast the streetcar\u2019s 10th anniversary. Adams highlighted the thousands of jobs created by the building and operating of the streetcar, not to mention the \"jobs created by that $4 billion in private investment\" along the streetcar line.","A news update posted to the mayor\u2019s website, again, mentioned \"roughly $4 billion in private investment along the current line.\" (The post has been updated.)","We presented our findings to Amy Ruiz, a spokeswoman for the mayor. She said in an email that he should have referred to \"$4 billion in public and private investment, or simply in investment,\" and that the online posts have been corrected.","Adams spoke of thousands of \"jobs created by that $4 billion in private investment\" along the current line. There may have been that much money total -- although it\u2019s still not clear how much is directly attributable to the streetcar -- but it wasn\u2019t all private. We rate the statement Mostly False: It contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression."]},{"id":"10801.json","label":"true","statement":"When we moved into the White House, we had the lowest net worth of any family since Harry Truman.","reason":"Reason: Bill Clinton stated that when his family moved into the White House, they had the lowest net worth of any family since Harry Truman. While it is difficult to definitively determine the exact net worth of past presidents, experts have acknowledged that Clinton's net worth was indeed one of the lowest among 20th-century presidents. While there is no concrete evidence to confirm that it was the absolute lowest, the statement is generally accurate based on available information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But in this item, we\u2019ll look at the ad\u2019s second claim, which we hadn\u2019t seen before -- that Cotton voted to provide Congress with \"taxpayer-funded health care for life.\"","\"Tom Cotton -- just elected and already seeking the national limelight. Behind the glitz, Tom Cotton forgot about us. Supporting a plan the Wall Street Journal said essentially ends Medicare, costing some seniors $6,000 more a year, while voting Congress taxpayer-funded health care for life. Congressman Cotton: Out for himself, not us.\"","Moreover, it\u2019s a stretch to say the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program amounts to \"taxpayer-funded health care for life.\" While the government does fund a portion of federal employees\u2019 health insurance costs, it does so in the same capacity as any private-sector employer that offers health insurance to its workers. And the coverage doesn\u2019t last \"for life.\" We rate the claim Pants on Fire!","Matsdorf said that in March, Cotton voted for a repeal of President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law. So how does this relate to health care for life? It gets a little complicated, so bear with us."]},{"id":"3437.json","label":"false","statement":"Say easing restrictions on selling alcohol on Sundays will result in more traffic crashes and fatalities.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is no irrefutable proof that easing restrictions on selling alcohol on Sundays will result in more traffic crashes and fatalities. While there may be studies that suggest a correlation between Sunday alcohol sales and increased traffic incidents, it is important to note that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. Additionally, the evidence also highlights that studies conducted in New Mexico, which eased restrictions, do not directly support the claim that there was a significant increase in crashes and fatalities. Therefore, the statement that easing restrictions on selling alcohol on Sundays will result in more traffic crashes and fatalities is false based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11140.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every year the First Coast Guard District saves 350 lives in the Northeast.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple news releases and statements from the Coast Guard indicate that they save around 350 lives each year in the Northeast. While there may be slight variations in the wording, the consistent message is that the Coast Guard's efforts result in saving approximately 350 lives annually in that region.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Well over 90 percent of felony cases, all over the nation, are committed by defendants who grew up in father-absent households,\" Duncan wrote.","Dewey Cornell, a clinical psychologist and professor of education at the University of Virginia, said that even if Duncan\u2019s statistic were true, \"it would be misleading and incomplete,\" because it does not address how many people grew up in father-absent households and did not commit felonies.","\"We could point out that 99 percent of felony offenders drank milk as a child, too, but it is easy to see the fallacy here because we have no preconceptions about milk the way we do about father absence,\" he said. \"Father absence is surely an important concern, but it is only one of a number of risk factors for felony criminal behavior.\"","Patrick Newton, a spokesman for Duncan, said the letter was based on the congressman's \"knowledge obtained from nearly eight years as a criminal court judge dealing with mostly felony cases.\""]},{"id":"7612.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that even if his budget is adopted, private schools in the choice program would be getting about half the per-pupil funds that public schools receive","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Scott Walker's claim that private schools in the choice program would receive about half the per-pupil funds that public schools receive, even after the proposed aid increases in his budget. However, it's important to note that the specific funding amounts can vary depending on various factors such as location and specific school programs. While the statement captures the general claim accurately, the actual funding disparities may differ based on specific circumstances.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A female voiceover says, \"For his first interview as president, Barack Obama chose Arab TV for an apology.\" (The words \"an apology\" flash across the screen.)","Secure America Now\u2019s ad says, \"For his first interview as president, Barack Obama chose Arab TV for an apology.\" The ad particularly emphasizes that Obama apologized.","\"On another front, every American is less secure today because he has failed to slow Iran's nuclear threat,\" Romney said on Aug. 30, 2012. \"In his first TV interview as president, he said we should talk to Iran. We're still talking, and Iran\u2019s centrifuges are still spinning.\"","Obama\u2019s first interview as president came on Jan. 27, 2009, with Hisham Melhem, Washington bureau chief for Al Arabiya. The Dubai-based network is considered less radical than Al Jazeera. News organizations from the New York Times to the Washington Post to MSNBC billed it as his first formal TV interview in the White House."]},{"id":"10152.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Figures for September 2014s job growth in Wisconsin mark the largest private-sector job creation weve had in the month of September in more than a decade","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the job growth in Wisconsin in September 2014 was the largest private-sector job creation in the month of September in over a decade. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific data or evidence to support this claim. Without additional information, it is challenging to verify the accuracy of this statement. Therefore, while it is plausible, it would benefit from more specific data or context to provide a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10573.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"According to the CDC, 110 million Americans now have a sexually transmitted illness.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks accurate information. While the CDC has published documents regarding the incidence, prevalence, and cost of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, there is no specific CDC statement or report that states that 110 million Americans currently have a sexually transmitted illness. The number mentioned by Robertson is not supported by credible CDC data or any other reliable source. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing public health issues.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Governor McAuliffe is absolutely right to celebrate every groundbreaking for a new business in the Commonwealth and to tout every job created here. We all join him in that. Unfortunately, those groundbreakings aren\u2019t enough to offset the closures, as more businesses are closing than are opening in Virginia today.\"","PolitiFact National, \" Rubio says more businesses are closing than opening for the first time in 35 years,\" Oct. 28, 2015.","\"It's time to restore America's prominence both here at home and abroad,\" Todd Wilcox, a former Green Beret and CIA veteran, said in a statement announcing his candidacy on July 8, 2015. \"The economy is growing at a dismal rate. More businesses are closing than are opening for the first time in our nation's history.\"","The recent recession obviously has been an economic low point, but are the number of new businesses being eclipsed by the number of businesses closing for the first time ever? Well, it\u2019s certainly true for as long as the government has been tracking that statistic. Beyond that is anyone\u2019s guess."]},{"id":"9768.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the former president of the Czech Republic said the American people were a confederacy of fools for electing Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the former president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, made the statement that the American people were a \"confederacy of fools\" for electing Barack Obama. The quote is often circulated in chain emails and social media posts without any verifiable source or context. Furthermore, the quote has been attributed to different individuals and used in various countries with different presidents. The lack of evidence and the inconsistent attribution make this claim highly dubious and deserving of the pants-fire label.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["By that measure, there were nearly 45 million people living in poverty in the United States in 2017. Of that group, 19 million were non-Hispanic white. That means that non-Hispanic whites accounted for 43% of people living in poverty under the supplemental poverty measure.","In terms of whole numbers, Conger is right. About 36 million folks were living in poverty in 1964, and about 46.5 million folks live in poverty today -- obviously an increase. However, if you consider the other graph, you\u2019ll find the poverty rate was 19 percent in 1964 and is about 15 percent now. Truth be told, the rate has been fairly stagnant ever since a drop in the 1960s.","According to the report, nearly 39.7 million people were living in poverty in the United States in 2017. Of that group, 17 million were non-Hispanic whites. That means that non-Hispanic whites accounted for 42% of all people living in poverty.","But Peterson noticed a caveat: \"White,\" in this case, includes Hispanics who identify their race as white. Looking at historical data in the official poverty report, in 2011, 46.2 million people of all races were in poverty. Of that group, 67% of the all people living in poverty were \"white alone.\" But looking at \"white alone, not Hispanic,\" the percentage dropped to 41% living in poverty."]},{"id":"12085.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We were able to provide $428 million worth of property tax relief.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that $428 million worth of property tax relief was provided. However, it's important to note that this relief is in the form of preventing an increase in property taxes that was projected to happen, rather than a direct cut in current taxes. The relief is achieved through an increase in local school funding while simultaneously cutting a millage rate, resulting in property tax collections remaining essentially the same. So, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to clarify the nature of the relief.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I also believe that Senator Obama served on a board with Mr. Ayers for a period of time, the Woods Foundation, which was a paid directorship position. And, if I'm not mistaken, that relationship with Mr. Ayers on this board continued after 9\/11 and after his reported comments, which were deeply hurtful to people in New York and, I would hope, to every American, because they were published on 9\/11, and he said that he was just sorry they hadn't done more.\"","Ayers, now a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago (not English as Obama stated), is still on the seven-member Woods Fund board.","It relates to Obama's relationship with William C. Ayers, a onetime member of the Weather Underground, a leftist fringe of the 1960s antiwar movement. Known as the Weathermen, the group was responsible for bombings of the New York City police headquarters in 1970, of the Capitol building in 1971 and of the Pentagon in 1972.","PolitiFact looked at the claim then and found from 1999 to 2001, Obama and Ayers served overlapping terms on the board of directors for the Woods Fund, a philanthropic organization in Chicago. We also noted that campaign finance reports show Ayers donated $200 to Obama\u2019s state senate re-election campaign in 2001."]},{"id":"11055.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Obama is reducing our naval fleet to 1917 levels...","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama is reducing the naval fleet to 1917 levels is barely-true. While the claim has been made by some individuals, it is not supported by available statistics. The naval fleet was already below 1917 levels when Obama took office, making it impossible for him to reduce it to that level. While there have been reductions in the naval fleet during Obama's presidency, the claim of reducing it to 1917 levels is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10510.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our median household income in 2013 was the highest in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the median household income in 2013 was the highest in the nation. The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey data for 2013 shows that Georgia had a median household income of $47,829, which is a relevant statistic to compare with other states. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not explicitly state that Georgia had the highest median household income in the nation. Without further information or comparison to other states, it is reasonable to conclude that Georgia had a relatively high median household income in 2013, but it may not necessarily be the highest in the nation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u2022 PolitiFact Florida also looked at a chain email that has circulated for months about the case. The email complained the media wouldn\u2019t show a photo of Martin that showed a large man with tattoos on his face. But a little digging showed that the photo was not Martin. The email\u2019s photo actually was a picture of Jayceon Terrell Taylor, also known as Game, a 32-year-old rapper from Compton, Calif., near Los Angeles. We rated the email\u2019s claim Pants on Fire.","The email accuses reporters of deceiving the public by suppressing this photo and publishing photos of a younger Trayvon after his death. Then it complains the media won't report the 17-year-old\u2019s disciplinary problems. Actually, the Miami Herald reported his suspensions and getting caught with marijuana and women\u2019s jewelry.","\"They don't show the up-to-date pictures of Trayvon Martin, in the media,\" the email says. \"Now you know why. Kinda scary, ain't it?\"","The photo shared on Facebook was taken from Jackson\u2019s \"Real Or Not\" series, which \"plays with the notion you can\u2019t tell what is real and what is not by mixing the real celebrity with the fake.\""]},{"id":"13295.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Its possible that non-citizen voters were responsible for Obamas 2008 victory in North Carolina.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that non-citizen voters were responsible for Obama's 2008 victory in North Carolina. The evidence suggests that there were approximately 7,313 non-citizen immigrants who may have voted, but even if every single one of them voted for Obama, it would not have been enough to sway the election, as Obama won by about 14,000 votes. Additionally, there is no credible evidence or data provided to support the claim that non-citizen voters were responsible for Obama's victory. Therefore, the statement is not based on factual information and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The Senate is considering tough new sanctions on Iran,\" the ad\u2019s narrator says. \"President Obama says he\u2019ll veto them, and Rand Paul is standing with him. Rand Paul supports Obama\u2019s negotiations with Iran, and he doesn\u2019t understand the threat.\"","We wanted to know if Paul really does support the ongoing negotiations. We found that, in short, while Paul supports the idea of negotiating with Iran -- as opposed to say, military action -- it\u2019s misleading to equate his position to Obama\u2019s.","\"To say that Sen. Paul supports the administration's \u2018go at it alone\u2019 effort with the negotiations in Iran is a blatant distortion of his record,\" said Paul spokeswoman Eleanor May, adding that Paul has \"consistently attacked\" Obama for executive overreach and \"weak and inconsistent foreign policy.\"","But the fact that Paul and Obama have similar views on this particular point does not mean that Paul supports Obama\u2019s negotiations with Iran as a whole. Another segment from Paul\u2019s remarks at the hearing better outlines his position -- that he\u2019ll wait and see before passing judgment on the substance of the deal, but also that he wants Congress to have some say."]},{"id":"3614.json","label":"true","statement":"The facts show that approximately 40 persons on death row have had all of their appellate review completed and await only the governors signature on a death warrant to end the case.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the facts that approximately 40 individuals on death row have completed all of their appellate review and are awaiting only the governor's signature on a death warrant to conclude their cases. This indicates that these individuals have exhausted their legal appeals and are in the final stage of the capital punishment process.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"For Social Security, which is projected to remain solvent through 2033, Whitehouse has cosponsored a bill that . . . would extend the life of the program by an additional 75 years.\"","Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said, \"For Social Security, which is projected to remain solvent through 2033, Whitehouse has cosponsored a bill that . . . would extend the life of the program by an additional 75 years.\"","\"For Social Security, which is projected to remain solvent through 2033, Whitehouse has cosponsored the Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act, which would raise the cap on Social Security payroll taxes to include income over $250,000. By doing so, the bill would extend the life of the program by an additional 75 years.\"","When we contacted Whitehouse's office, spokesman Seth Larson said the wording on the press release had been unclear. Changing the law to lift the cap would not extend the solvency of the trust fund for 75 years beyond 2033. It would keep the program solvent for 75 years beginning now."]},{"id":"5248.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For the first time in 13 years, our dependence on foreign oil is below 50 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the Energy Information Administration, in 2010, the United States' dependence on foreign oil was indeed below 50 percent, specifically at 49.3 percent. However, it's important to note that there are different ways to measure foreign oil dependency, and some of those measures still show a dependence above 50 percent. So, while the statement accurately reflects one measure of oil dependency, it does not capture the full picture and may be misleading to some extent.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"A single parent with a couple kids can easily get $35,000 a year in total benefits between the healthcare and the earned income credit and the FoodShare and the low-income housing and what-have-you.\"","We wondered how easy it is for a single parent in Wisconsin to get $35,000 a year in state and federal benefits.","!How common is it that a single mother with two children could qualify for $35,000 per year in welfare benefits and other government assistance? !How common is it that a single mother with two children could qualify for $35,000 per year in welfare benefits and other government assistance?","How common is it that a single mother with two children could qualify for $35,000 per year in welfare benefits and other government assistance?"]},{"id":"8392.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Amanda Murphy has two vacation homes around the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Amanda Murphy has two vacation homes around the world is misleading. While there were claims made in political ads suggesting that she owns two vacation homes, further investigation reveals that she actually owns a timeshare in a Florida condo and half a share in a condo in Cabo San Lucas, not in Cancun as suggested. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of her vacation property ownership and misrepresents the locations of the properties.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The meme said police in the United States use tear gas even though it \"has been classified as a chemical weapon and banned in international conflict since 1993.\"","The meme -- posted by the group , an advocacy group for young Americans -- said, \"Tear gas has been classified as a chemical weapon and banned in international conflict since 1993. Why is its use allowed by U.S. police forces?\" The post had garnered 143,000 likes, 42,000 shares, and 35,000 comments by late August. We wanted to know if it was accurate.","Many users on social media debated whether tear gas is a chemical weapon, and if it is, why was it used against migrants? Tear gas is allowed to be used in domestic law enforcement to control riots. But it\u2019s considered a chemical weapon if used as a method of warfare. It\u2019s banned on the battlefield.","Tear gas, a type of a riot control agent, is considered a chemical weapon if used as a method of warfare, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention. The United States is one of 193 parties committed to the convention."]},{"id":"6870.json","label":"false","statement":"Gov. Nathan Deal has taken at least $15,600 from the (Koch brothers), their businesses, and their employees.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Gov. Nathan Deal has received at least $15,600 from the Koch brothers, their businesses, and their employees. The evidence provided does not mention any financial contributions from the Koch brothers to Gov. Deal. It is important to rely on accurate and verifiable information when making claims about political contributions. In this case, there is no basis to support the statement that Gov. Deal has received such financial support from the Koch brothers.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Donald Trump has often attacked Hillary Clinton\u2019s treatment of women by accusing her of enabling former president Bill Clinton\u2019s sexual impropriety.","Trump continued: \"Hillary Clinton attacked those same women and attacked them viciously. Four of them here tonight. One of the women, who is a wonderful woman, at 12 years old, was raped at 12. Her client she represented got him off, and she's seen laughing on two separate occasions, laughing at the girl who was raped. Kathy Shelton, that young woman is here with us tonight.\"","But, again, we found no evidence Hillary Clinton attacked Jones. The closest was in 1998 when Clinton said she felt that Jones\u2019 lawsuit was part of a larger political agenda.","We found no evidence of Hillary Clinton viciously attacking Broaddrick, as Trump claimed, nor is there independent confirmation of the exchange at the fundraising event. Also, in a 1999 interview with NBC News, Broaddrick was asked if Bill Clinton or anyone close to him had ever done anything to keep her silent. Broaddrick said, \"No.\""]},{"id":"3711.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rick Perry advocated to liquidate the states rainy day fund in 2007.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. In 2007, Governor Rick Perry did advocate for liquidating the state's rainy day fund. However, it's important to note that this advocacy occurred in the context of major surpluses in the state budget at that time. Perry's position was based on the belief that maintaining a large rainy day fund was unnecessary when there were significant budget surpluses. It's crucial to provide this context to accurately represent Perry's stance on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u201cIf you use the US Postal Service certified mail or registered mail, they can do anything they want with those ballots.\" They \u201ccan burn your mail and they won't get in any trouble.\u201d","A video of the question and answer shows that was the framing of his response, but Johnson\u2019s complaints about media coverage don\u2019t change what he said or how he has continued to characterize the Jan. 6 events \u2013 as not an armed insurrection.","The largest expenditure cited by The Associated Press was $400 million to build new prisons in Alabama. Alabama Republicans argued that the expenditure addressed a public safety need and is allowed under a provision to replace lost revenue and shore up state services. Alabama prisons are widely considered dilapidated and unsafe.","To back its statement, One Nation pointed us to analyses by the Brookings Institution think tank and a statement from Senate Democrats. Spokespeople for the senators pointed out that leisure projects were not in the legislation."]},{"id":"1513.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Democratic health care plan is a \"government takeover of our health programs.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Democratic health care plan is a \"government takeover of our health programs\" is false and misleading. It has been widely debunked, and in fact, it was named the \"Lie of the Year\" in 2010 by a reputable fact-checking organization. The Democratic health care plan does not involve a complete government takeover of the health care system. While it does increase federal regulation and requires Americans to have health insurance, it maintains a mixed system with a combination of private and public elements. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2561.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Scott Walker says he would ban stem cell research","reason":"Reason: The statement that Scott Walker says he would ban stem cell research is false. While there were claims made in an ad by Tom Barrett's campaign suggesting Walker's opposition to stem cell research, subsequent reports indicate that Barrett altered his message, and the claim was revised to criticize Walker's opposition to \"critical\" stem cell research and specifically embryonic stem cell research. Therefore, the original statement that Walker would ban stem cell research is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2562.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For the first time in history, Wisconsin has more government jobs than manufacturing jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. In certain periods of 2009, Wisconsin did have more government jobs than manufacturing jobs. However, it's important to note that this was not the case for the entire year, as manufacturing jobs narrowly led on an annual basis. Nonetheless, the statement is mostly true as it accurately describes the temporary shift in job numbers during specific periods in 2009.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["King said, \"Nobody suffered any lasting injuries\" as a result of the CIA enhanced interrogation program. He also said downplayed the methods, claiming it was \"not a case where people were killed,\" and that the techniques amounted to \"people being made to stand in awkward in positions.\"","\"We\u2019re not talking about anyone being burned or stabbed or cut or anything like that,\" he added. \"We\u2019re talking about people being made to stand in awkward in positions, have water put into their nose and into their mouth. But again, nobody suffered any lasting injuries from this.\"","You could probably successfully argue that death is a pretty lasting injury. As were the chronic hemorrhoids and anal fissure suffered by the detainee who faced rectal feeding.","While King alleged no lasting injuries from this technique, the report indicates otherwise, said David Schanzer, director of the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security at Duke University."]},{"id":"10316.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A bill from U.S. Rep. Ted Yohoattempts to restrict the administrations ability to conduct national security and criminal background checks on undocumented immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, HR 5759, has the potential to restrict the administration's ability to conduct national security and criminal background checks on undocumented immigrants. However, it's important to note that the bill's impact on national security and community safety is a matter of interpretation and opinion. While opponents argue that the bill would make communities less safe by limiting background checks, supporters may argue that it is necessary to ensure proper vetting and enforcement of immigration laws. Therefore, the statement is half-true as it accurately presents the bill's potential impact but does not provide a complete assessment of the bill's implications.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Tweet, \"Rendell on McGinty calling Toomey an asshole: 'a little extreme ... I'm not one for name calling. Too much disrespect in the business,'\" @burgessev, Burgess Everett, congressional reporter, Politico , July 27, 2016, 4:43 p.m.","Is Rendell truly \"not one for name calling?\" It\u2019s tough to agree. We vividly remember the time he name-called the whole country.","\"I love Katie, but I\u2019m not one for name calling,\" he said. \"I think there\u2019s too much disrespect in the business.\" He also said that she responded correctly in apologizing.","Posts online claim Amy Coney Barrett once said that \"calling a Black employee the N-word does not make for a hostile work environment.\""]},{"id":"3694.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"America owns 3 percent of the worlds oil but consumes 25 percent of its global reserves.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Gerry Connolly that the United States owns 3 percent of the world's oil reserves but consumes 25 percent of the world's oil. The evidence provided confirms that the statistics were checked and found to be accurate. However, it's important to note that the term \"global reserves\" in the statement might be misleading, as it is more commonly referred to as \"global oil consumption.\" Nevertheless, the overall claim is supported by the evidence and can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The latest ad from the PAC Majority Forward goes after Pat Toomey\u2019s stances on abortion. It accuses the senator of voting against Planned Parenthood, being against a woman\u2019s right to choose and supporting the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In one segment, Majority Forward, which bills itself as an organization with a goal of increasing voter registration and turnout and is associated with the pro-Democrat Senate Majority PAC, claims Toomey \"even tried to shut down the federal government in order to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.\"","Planned Parenthood was a major point of contention last year, and Toomey has long been an opponent of the organization. But did Toomey really try to shut down the federal government?","With Republicans calling to defund Planned Parenthood last year, a federal spending plan was pushed to the brink. Had a plan not passed before Oct. 1, the government would have shut down like it did in 2013.","Planned Parenthood gets about $450 million each year in federal funds, mostly out of funding from Medicare and Medicaid. On September 24, the Senate voted on a spending bill containing language to defund Planned Parenthood. Toomey was one of 47 senators who voted in favor of the bill -- not enough for it to pass."]},{"id":"7619.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Air travelers cant get on a plane in the United States without someone doing a background check on them.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Air travelers in the United States are indeed subject to background checks, but it is important to note that these checks are primarily focused on security concerns rather than comprehensive background checks. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) conducts background checks to ensure the safety of air travel, primarily looking for potential threats related to terrorism or criminal activity. However, these checks do not cover the same scope as the background checks conducted for firearm purchases, which involve a more extensive review of criminal records and other factors. Therefore, while air travelers do undergo background checks, the level of scrutiny and purpose differs from the background checks conducted for gun purchases.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1102.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Four percent of American citizens are black males, but they are 35 percent of murder victims.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistics provided by the FBI's Crime in the United States report, which states that in 2007, 42 percent of murder victims were black men. While the statement mentions \"American citizens,\" even when considering the total U.S. population, the percentage remains consistent. Therefore, the statement is mostly true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3119.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The federal government may put 16,500 IRS agents in charge of policing President Obamas health care bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that there were claims made about the potential hiring of 16,500 IRS agents to enforce the federal health care overhaul, these claims are based on outdated and exaggerated talking points from opponents of the bill. The actual number of IRS agents hired for this purpose is significantly lower. Additionally, it's important to note that the role of the IRS in enforcing the health care bill is primarily related to the administration of tax provisions, such as the individual mandate, rather than direct policing of the bill itself. Therefore, the statement contains elements of truth but lacks important context, resulting in a half-true rating.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2819.json","label":"true","statement":"We havent had control of the House for the last two years and its been malfunctioning. We had 109 sessions scheduled and held 49.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that there has been a lack of control in the House for the past two years, resulting in a lower number of scheduled and held sessions. The evidence supports the fact that Democrats did not have control of the House during that period. The discrepancy between the number of scheduled and held sessions suggests a malfunctioning or inefficient legislative process. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10326.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"This Congress made history as the least productive, most unpopular Congress in the history of this proud nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the sentiment expressed by Rep. Pete Gallego and echoed by other sources. There is evidence to support the claim that the Congress in question was perceived as unproductive and unpopular. Various sources, including Rep. Gallego and Rep. Joaquin Castro, have highlighted the lack of productivity and low approval ratings during that period. While the claim may be subjective to some extent, it aligns with the opinions and observations of multiple individuals within the political sphere.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3452.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"According to 2009 estimates, an agreement with Panama could result in almost 1,900 Florida jobs in thefirst year and about 15,000 jobs afterfive years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimates made in 2009 regarding the potential job creation resulting from a trade agreement with Panama. According to the sources provided, it is estimated that approximately 1,900 jobs could be created in the first year, with the number increasing to about 15,000 jobs after five years. However, it's important to note that these estimates were made in 2009 and may not reflect the current situation. Additionally, the actual implementation and impact of the trade agreement can vary, so the numbers should be considered as projections rather than definitive outcomes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A David Cicilline campaign flier says Brendan Doherty wants to raise the eligibility age for Social Security benefits for anyone born after 1960 \"with no regard for the challenges it would cause for people working in physically demanding occupations.\"","In one column, there is this statement: \"David will continue to fight against any efforts to privatize Social Security or reduce benefits.\" The opposing column states: \"Doherty wants to raise the eligibility age for Social Security benefits for anyone born after 1960, with no regard for the challenges it would cause for people working in physically demanding occupations.\"","Doherty, the former head of the Rhode Island State Police, has said that raising the retirement age of Americans born around 1960 is worth considering. It\u2019s the second part of that sentence that caught PolitiFact\u2019s attention: \"with no regard for the challenges it would cause for people working in physically demanding occupations.\" Had Doherty said that?","U.S. Rep. David Cicilline says Republican Brendan Doherty wants to raise Social Security eligibility age without regard for workers in physically demanding jobs"]},{"id":"4583.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We just cant afford to pay 100 percent of government employee benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that many governments cannot afford to cover the entire cost of government employee benefits, it is misleading to imply that they currently do. In reality, most public employees already contribute towards their health and pension benefits, and government entities typically do not pay 100 percent of these costs. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context to fully understand the situation and may create a false impression that government is currently paying 100 percent of employee benefits, which is not the case.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Perry said his long-ago predecessor \"was against slavery, and he stood up and very passionately said, you know, \u2018Texas does not need to leave the Union over this issue of slavery.\u2019 \"","\"From this library that I speak, he made a powerful decision that cost him his governorship,\" Perry said. \"He was against slavery, and he stood up and very passionately said, you know, \u2018Texas does not need to leave the Union over this issue of slavery. We need to stay. We\u2019ve only been\u2019 -- he thought, a terrible decision. He was right. But it cost him his governorship.\"","His Senate career, the Handbook of Texas says, \"was effectively ended when, in 1855, the Texas Legislature officially condemned his position on the Kansas-Nebraska Act,\" which Houston opposed \"because it allowed the status of slavery to be determined by popular sovereignty, a concept he saw as potentially destabilizing to the nation.\"","What guided Houston\u2019s thinking in these disputes was his belief in the \"glorious Union\" he had worked hard to get Texas into. The Handbook says, \"As senator, Houston emerged as an ardent Unionist ... a stand that made him an increasingly controversial figure. He stridently opposed the rising sectionalism of the antebellum period and delivered eloquent speeches on the issue.\""]},{"id":"10298.json","label":"half-true","statement":"University of Texas students signed a petition seeking the legal right to abort newborn babies up to five-years-old.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a petition circulated at the University of Texas in Austin advocating for the \"Post-Birth Abortion Act of 2014,\" which proposed the ethical permissibility of killing newborns up to the age of five, it is important to note that the petition does not reflect the views or beliefs of the majority of University of Texas students. The petition was not widely supported, and some students who signed it later clarified that they did not actually endorse the concept advocated by the petition. Therefore, while the statement accurately mentions the existence of the petition, it does not provide the full context that the views expressed in the petition were not representative of the broader student body.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3388.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I have askedtheDivision of Emergency Management toreport directly to me.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Scott did express during his State of the State address that he wanted the Division of Emergency Management to report directly to him, it is important to note that, by statute, the division already reports directly to the governor. The statement implies a change or action that is already in place. However, the evidence suggests that the change is more of a bureaucratic reshuffling, with the division being housed under the Governor's Office for budgeting purposes. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the context of the existing reporting structure.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Every time the people from Newport Tent work in a city or town they have a whole different set of permits that they have to get in order to pitch a tent.\"","\"When I was mayor Providence was one of the five renaissance cities of America, according to USA Today in those days. Money magazine said it was the fifth best city to live in in America. In addition to that, All Cities Almanac said in 1994, I believe, that it was the safest city in America.\"","The federal government transports adult detainees in its custody from one facility to another, or from one U.S. city to another during deportation proceedings.","There are different ways to track how many immigrants don\u2019t show up to immigration court hearings, and all indicate that a majority of immigrants, including those who are not detained, do attend their hearings. Data from the Justice Department show that in fiscal year 2021 and during the first quarter of 2022, most immigrants attended their hearings."]},{"id":"911.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve added, in the last eight years, $4 trillion of debt to the nations obligations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence shows that under President Bush's eight-year term, approximately $4.9 trillion was added to the national debt. Additionally, under President Obama's 3.5 years in office at the time of the statement, approximately $5.3 trillion was added to the debt. While the exact time frame mentioned in the statement may not align perfectly with the evidence, the overall claim that $4 trillion of debt was added in the last eight years is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Lab tech and political newcomer Debbie Jackow's campaign mailer touts what she is not. She is not her opponent, two-term incumbent Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall.","Hall has supported Conservation 20\/20 every year she's been in office, including the current year. To say Hall is considering de-funding the program would be a stretch. Saying she has de-funded the program is clearly incorrect. We rate this statement False.","We pulled footage from the July 6, 2010, commission meeting where commissioners voted to fund the program. This meeting and the media's coverage of it, Jackow said, were the basis of her accusation.","Voters approved the 20\/20 land program in a 1996 referendum to help the county buy up and exempt environmentally sensitive land from development. The program taxes 50 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value. In 14 years, Lee County taxpayers have spent $286.5 million to preserve 37 square miles of land."]},{"id":"9490.json","label":"false","statement":"The U.N. Arms Treatyinfringes upon our right to keep and bear arms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The U.N. Arms Trade Treaty does not infringe upon the right to keep and bear arms. The treaty explicitly recognizes the sovereign right of each state to regulate and control conventional arms within its own territory, in accordance with its own legal and constitutional systems. The treaty aims to regulate the international trade of conventional arms to prevent their illicit transfer and ensure responsible arms transfers. It does not interfere with the domestic laws or constitutional rights of individual countries, including the right to keep and bear arms.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Forbes wrote,\"The average age a child is trafficked into the commercial sex trade industry is between 11 and 14 years old,\"","\"The average age a child is trafficked into the commercial sex trade industry is between 11 and 14 years old,\" Forbes, R-4th, wrote in a June 16 post on his congressional website.","In his post, Forbes hyperlinked to a bulletin from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that says, \"The children at risk are not just high school students -- studies show that the average age a child is trafficked into the commercial sex trade is between 11 and 14 years old.\"","McKeel told columnist Elizabeth Hovde, who writes for The Oregonian\u2019s editorial page, that the average age of entry into the sex trade industry is 12 to 14. It\u2019s not the first time McKeel has cited the statistic. In a 2010 guest column about at-risk girls, she also wrote that \"studies show the average age of entry into prostitution is 12 to 14 years old.\""]},{"id":"9013.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under Scott Walker, Wisconsin unemployments up from 4.8% to 6.2%","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided clearly states that the unemployment rate in Wisconsin has actually gone down during Scott Walker's tenure as governor, rather than increasing as claimed. The initial rate of 4.8 percent mentioned in the evidence was not the starting point of Walker's term, and the statement fails to acknowledge the overall downward trend in unemployment under his leadership. Therefore, the statement is false and deserving of the \"pants-fire\" label.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The process is completely unfair,\" Crump said on ABC\u2019s This Week on Nov. 23, 2014. \"Ninety-nine percent of the time police officers aren't charged when they kill young people of color.\"","So when Crump said 99 percent of the time police are not charged in the killing of a person of color, he might have been in the ballpark. To flip his approach, he would be saying police are charged 1 percent of the time, while the flawed numbers we have say 3 percent -- regardless of race -- might be closer to the truth.","But there is no hard data for either the number of police officers indicted for homicide of a person of color or for the total number of people killed by police, so we cannot say with certainty whether this happens 99 percent of the time.","The question of how often law enforcement officers are charged in the death of a young person of color is distinct from the debate over whether police are more likely to kill minorities than whites. There is a body of evidence that says blacks are more likely to be victims of lethal force than whites, but other analyses find a more complicated set of connections involving race, income, serious crime and policing strategies that make violent encounters between blacks and police more likely."]},{"id":"8763.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you have a job in this country, (theres a) 97 percent chance that youre not going to be in poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence, the statement aligns with the information provided. The evidence highlights that California has a high poverty rate, and the supplemental poverty measure places it as having the highest poverty rate in the nation. This suggests that a significant portion of individuals with jobs in California are not in poverty. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive view of poverty rates across the entire country, as it specifically refers to the situation in California.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8158.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 71.2 percent of Hispanic registered voters in Texas and over 86 percent of African American registered voters participated in the 2012 elections.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data from the U.S. Census Bureau regarding voter turnout in the 2012 elections. According to the Census Bureau report, 71.2 percent of registered Hispanic voters in Texas and over 86 percent of registered African American voters in Texas participated in the elections. This data indicates a relatively high level of voter turnout among these demographic groups during that election cycle.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Oh, no he didn\u2019t, challenger Josh Burgin shot back in a flier of his own. It was the first of at least four mail pieces that carried the teaser: \"Voter Fraud Alert.\" Property taxes are actually \"18 percent higher than when (Sharpe) first took office,\" said Burgin, who is seeking to unseat Sharpe in the at-large District 7 Republican primary.","When he took office, the county\u2019s overall tax rate was 13.0164 mills. That means that for every $1,000 of property owned, Hillsborough County taxes were roughly $13.02.","PolitiFact decided to start from scratch, comparing the combined rate for all property taxes commissioners control from the time Sharpe took office until now. Then we looked at how much money that brought in annually through the same time period.","However, the aide used the wrong budget figure from the year before Sharpe took office. If he had used the correct starting number and year, his boss might have legitimately claimed a role in reducing the countywide property tax rate by 20 percent."]},{"id":"10265.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsins state budget is almost twice as large per person as the state budget of Texas, and even after billions in tax cuts, Wisconsins working families and businesses remain subject to a heavy tax burden.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two separate claims. The first claim, that Wisconsin's state budget is almost twice as large per person as the state budget of Texas, lacks evidence or direct comparison. Without specific data or a reliable source, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim.\n\nThe second claim, that Wisconsin's working families and businesses remain subject to a heavy tax burden even after billions in tax cuts, aligns with the context provided in the evidence. It is established that Wisconsin faced budget problems and had to delay payments to various entities. However, the evidence does not directly address the tax burden on working families and businesses. Therefore, while there is some supporting evidence, the statement lacks comprehensive data to fully verify its accuracy.\n\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It was clear that everyone would pay a bit more when the Georgia Legislature rammed through a $900 million transportation funding bill that voters and businesses alike said the state needed.","\"When combined with additional 2021 contracts to be announced later, the total number of American union workers constructing Keystone XL in 2021 will exceed 8,000 and $900 million in gross wages,\" the release said. \"In total, Keystone XL is expected to employ more than 11,000 Americans in 2021, creating more than $1.6 billion in gross wages.\"","And if the hotels eat the $5 per night themselves? With 3.6 million room nights at a 67 percent occupancy rate, the price tag would be $18.7 million.","The sales tax, city watershed management officials say, is projected to bring in about $113 million in 2012. And if voters don\u2019t continue the tax? Officials say they would have to raise monthly water and sewer rates on Atlanta users."]},{"id":"12298.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Target installed urinals in a womens bathroom to accommodate the ones who have giblets.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Target installed urinals in a women's restroom to accommodate transgender individuals is false and misleading. There is no credible evidence or reports to support this claim. Target's policy regarding transgender individuals and restroom use focuses on inclusivity and allowing individuals to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. However, this does not involve installing urinals in women's restrooms. The statement is not based on factual information and is intended to spread misinformation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"221.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"An anonymous e-mail says that Hillary Clinton advocates communism.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The anonymous chain email attempts to malign Hillary Clinton by falsely claiming that she advocates communism. However, there is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support this claim. The email selectively quotes Clinton out of context and attempts to create a false narrative. It is important to critically evaluate the credibility of anonymous sources and consider the political motivations behind such emails.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Less predictable was the reaction from Palin herself. \"The truth was revealed there in that report that showed there was no unlawful or unethical activity on my part,\" Palin told reporters on Oct. 11.","\"I don\u2019t micromanage my commissioners and ask them to hire or fire anyone,,\" Palin said, \"and thankfully the truth was revealed there in that report, that showed that there was no unlawful nor unethical activity on my part.\"","\"I\u2019m thankful that the report has shown that, that there was no illegal or unethical activity there in my choice to replace our commissioner,\" she said.","Anchorage Daily News, Audio, Palin: 'Very much appreciating being cleared of any legal wrongdoing or unethical activity at all,' Oct. 11, 2008."]},{"id":"4455.json","label":"false","statement":"Says CNNs Wolf Blitzer was wrong to say that the wealthiest Americans, they pay the most in taxes already -- 50 percent of Americans dont even pay any federal income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Wolf Blitzer accurately stated that the wealthiest Americans pay the most in taxes already and that 50 percent of Americans don't pay federal income tax. This is supported by data and widely acknowledged. While it is true that many Americans who don't pay federal income tax still contribute through other forms of taxation, such as payroll taxes, Blitzer's statement specifically refers to federal income tax. Therefore, the claim that Blitzer was wrong in his statement is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Nelson said that Trump said during the campaign he intends \"to open up additional areas off the coast to oil drilling.\"","\"Ever since I was a young congressman, I\u2019ve been fighting to keep oil rigs off of Florida\u2019s coast,\" he said, \"and now it's especially important at this time as we have a new administration coming in that took a public position in the election declaring the president-elect's intent to open up additional areas off the coast to oil drilling.\"","Here we will look at Trump\u2019s position on opening up additional coastal areas to drill for oil. We heard back from Nelson\u2019s office but not from Trump\u2019s transition team.","Donald Trump says that Hillary Clinton wants open borders \u2014 a charge he has leveled again after an excerpt of one of her speeches leaked in a hacked email."]},{"id":"9707.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The people who want President Barack Obama impeached are all white, theyre all older, and guess what, theyre in the far right wing of the Republican Party.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is a significant presence of older, white individuals in the far-right wing of the Republican Party who support the impeachment of President Barack Obama, it is an overgeneralization to claim that \"all\" individuals who want to impeach Obama fit this description. While there may be a strong correlation between these factors, it is important to acknowledge that there are individuals from diverse backgrounds and political affiliations who have expressed support for Obama's impeachment. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of identifying a significant demographic trend but is not entirely accurate when using the term \"all.\"\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Obama tweeted, \"Here are the stats: Per population, we kill each other with guns at a rate 297x more than Japan, 49x more than France, 33x more than Israel.\"","Obama was more on target when he tweeted, \"Here are the stats: Per population, we kill each other with guns at a rate 297x more than Japan, 49x more than France, 33x more than Israel.\"","In a tweet sent from his @POTUS account on June 20, 2015 -- three days after the killings -- Obama said, \"Here are the stats: Per population, we kill each other with guns at a rate 297x more than Japan, 49x more than France, 33x more than Israel.\"","Using this data, the United States has a rate 297 times higher than Japan, 49.5 times higher than France and 33 times higher than Israel -- precisely as Obama said."]},{"id":"11344.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When (Ronald) Reagan came in, from 1978 to 1982, economic growth averaged less than 1 percent a year. Theres only one other four-year period where thats true. Thats true from 2008 to 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that during the period from 1978 to 1982, economic growth under President Reagan averaged less than 1 percent per year. However, it is not entirely accurate to claim that there is only one other four-year period where this is true, specifically from 2008 to 2012. While economic growth during that period was indeed low, it is worth noting that there have been other four-year periods in history where economic growth averaged less than 1 percent. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the complete context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Gingrich said that students today \"take more years to get through\" college. While graduation rates are lower than experts would like them to be, it's not true that students are taking longer to graduate from four-year institutions. The percentage graduating on time at four-year colleges has actually risen consistently in recent years. The only exception to this pattern is at two-year colleges, where the percentage of students graduating within three years has fallen slightly. On balance, we rate the statement Mostly False.","In order to reap the full benefits, students have to actually finish the degrees they set out to earn. But according to the NCES, only 60% of students in bachelor\u2019s degree programs graduate in six years. That means about 40% of college students never complete their studies, and others take longer than four years to do so.","It\u2019s more common for students to take four years to graduate than it is for them to take six years. But overall, the average duration is about six years.","And for students who started their college studies at a four-year institution, rather than a two-year school, the average was five years and eight months."]},{"id":"576.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"We've heard talk about curbing our use of fossil fuels in nearly every State of the Union address since the oil embargo of 1973.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that \"We've heard talk about curbing our use of fossil fuels in nearly every State of the Union address since the oil embargo of 1973\" is mostly true. While it is not accurate to say that \"nearly every\" State of the Union address since 1973 included talk about curbing fossil fuels, approximately two-thirds of the speeches did contain a reference to curbing the use of fossil fuels. This substantial number supports the claim that there has been consistent discussion on the topic in State of the Union addresses over the years.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Rick Perry flip-flopped on gay marriage by first saying it was a state\u2019s rights issue and then saying he was in favor of a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.","\"However, after getting strong pushback from the religious right community, Perry changed his position, saying he was in favor of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage everywhere. \"","Frost claims that Perry has flip-flopped on the issue and didn't bring up the amendment until a conservative outcry about his states' rights remarks.","Perry's 2010 manifesto, Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington , strongly endorses states' rights but does not discuss a federal constitutional amendment on gay marriage."]},{"id":"3534.json","label":"false","statement":"For the first time in U.S. history, a personal inaction will be deemed unlawful -- not purchasing a health-insurance plan","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that not purchasing a health insurance plan under the federal health care law is the first time in U.S. history that a personal inaction is deemed unlawful is incorrect. There have been various instances throughout history where personal inactions have been subject to legal consequences. For example, failing to pay taxes, failing to register for the military draft, or failing to comply with certain court orders are all instances where personal inactions can be deemed unlawful. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Farrow pointed to \"cuts\" by Democrats and Republicans in Congress in recent years from what the Obama administration requested in embassy security funding and tied it to Benghazi, saying, \"It\u2019s easy to gain political plaudits by saying \u2018spend less around the world,\u2019 and then it leads up to these tragedies.\"","MSNBC's Ronan Farrow pointed to unfulfilled spending requests for embassy security funding and put the responsibility on Democrats and Republicans in Congress. \"It\u2019s easy to gain political plaudits by saying \u2018spend less around the world,\u2019 and then it leads up to these tragedies,\" he said.","\"So this is really a back and forth, and it actually seems like, in my view, if you look at the history, both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of this, passing the buck,\" he said. \"It\u2019s easy to gain political plaudits by saying \u2018spend less around the world,\u2019 and then it leads up to these tragedies.\"","While it's true that Congress did not fully fund embassy security requests from the Obama administration in recent years, funding for embassy security is actually up from 2008, and up dramatically since before 9\/11."]},{"id":"12505.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"American colleges amount to a cartel.","reason":"Reason: While Speaker Paul Ryan has referred to American colleges as a \"cartel,\" it is important to note that this statement is an oversimplification and lacks nuance. The term \"cartel\" typically refers to a group that colludes to set prices or control markets, which does not accurately describe the structure or operation of American colleges and universities. Higher education institutions in the United States operate independently and compete with each other for students, funding, and resources. Each institution has the autonomy to determine its own policies, programs, and degree offerings. While there may be some shared interests and collaboration within the higher education sector, characterizing it as a cartel is an exaggeration and does not align with the actual dynamics of the industry.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Johnson, Elfant said, \"would be very disappointed by the number of Americans who choose to use that right. The United States is about 100th in voter turnout among the industrialized nations and Texas is near the bottom in terms of voter registration and voter turnout,\" he said.","Elfant said the U.S. is \"about 100th in voter turnout among the industrialized nations and Texas is near the bottom in terms of voter registration and voter turnout.\"","We previously found merit to a claim that Texas had the nation\u2019s worst voter turnout in 2014, though we noted voter statistics weren\u2019t yet final. So, does Texas rank near the bottom nationally in voter registration and turnout? And is U.S. turnout about 100th among industrialized nations?","Texas is nearly last among the states in voter registration and turnout and U.S. voter turnout ranks low internationally, though that's among all nations, not the limited number of countries considered industrially developed."]},{"id":"9542.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he lived in a colonia while working as a farm worker.","reason":"Reason: While the statement implies that the individual lived in a colonia while working as a farm worker, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The evidence mentions that the individual's wife's family is from Zacatecas, Mexico, and that the individual has a large Mexican-American family. It also mentions that the individual lived among migrant workers in the poorest, toughest neighborhood. However, there is no direct evidence or confirmation that the individual specifically lived in a colonia while working as a farm worker. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Before he bowed out of the race, Sen. Joe Biden dismissed the legislative accomplishments of three Democratic primary rivals with whom he served. About Barack Obama, he said, \"Barack Obama hasn't passed any.\"","These discussions eventually led to provisions in a mortgage relief bill that Congress enacted and President Bush signed on July 30 that established a temporary government program to help borrowers who can\u2019t afford current mortgage payments avoid foreclosure. The program, called HOPE for Homeowners, reinsures mortgages between Oct. 1, 2008 and Sept. 30, 2011, thereby making the government liable if the borrower defaults on the new loan and if the amount received in foreclosure is less than the outstanding principal. The costs of the program will be paid for by funds diverted from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.","Obama announced his plan in a news release on Jan. 13. The backbone of Obama\u2019s plan was tax relief for working-class Americans and senior citizens. He called for an immediate $250 tax cut for workers and their families and a $250 bonus for seniors, to be delivered in their Social Security checks. He advocated further cuts if the economy continued to worsen. And he backed expanding unemployment insurance and providing relief to homeowners hit by the housing crisis.","With global financial markets shaken by the credit crisis, Barack Obama is promoting his ability to devise solutions for a troubled economy. In a Sept. 16 speech in Golden, Colo., Obama took credit for inspiring the economic stimulus package that Congress enacted and President Bush signed in February, saying its components had roots in an economic plan he outlined a month earlier on the campaign trail."]},{"id":"13075.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over the last 40 years, this countrys prison population has grown by 500 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by the Sentencing Project, which indicates that the prison population in the United States has indeed grown by 500 percent over the last 40 years. This growth is significantly higher than the overall population increase during the same period. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or factors contributing to this growth, such as changes in sentencing laws and policies. Nonetheless, the statement is generally accurate in terms of the percentage increase in the prison population.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In 2011, NJ economy ranked 47th--at the bottom with Alabama, Mississippi & Wyoming. Under Christie, NJ is falling behind,\" Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) wrote June 6 in one of a few related tweets.","Between 2010 and 2011, real GDP in New Jersey declined by 0.5 percent, leaving that change in 47th place among the 50 states, according to the bureau. Only six other states saw a drop in real GDP, including Alabama, Mississippi and Wyoming, the bureau said.","Between tweets, news releases and a YouTube video, Democrats have countered Christie\u2019s \"Jersey Comeback\" theme with the claim that, under his watch, the Garden State ranked 47th in the nation for economic performance in 2011.","In a series of tweets, Greenwald blamed Christie for New Jersey ranking 47th in the nation for economic performance in 2011."]},{"id":"7226.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"While President Obama says all options are on the table for preventing a nuclear Iran, Hagel says military action is not a viable, feasible, responsible option.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad by the Emergency Committee for Israel that Chuck Hagel, at the time a nominee for Secretary of Defense, expressed skepticism about military action as a viable, feasible, and responsible option for preventing a nuclear Iran. However, it's important to note that this statement is taken out of context. Hagel's remarks were made in the context of discussing the complexities and challenges of the Iran issue, and he did not categorically rule out military action as an option. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of Hagel's views on the matter.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11496.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Bernie Sanderss plan is to raise your taxes to 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. Bernie Sanders has proposed various tax plans, but none of them involve raising taxes to 90 percent for the average American. Such a claim is an exaggeration and lacks factual basis. While Sanders does advocate for higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, his proposed tax rates for the general population are significantly lower and vary depending on income brackets. It is important to accurately represent the details of Sanders' tax proposals rather than spreading misinformation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A PolitiFact reader sent us a link to a Facebook post that lists many such claims of unlawful residents benefiting from federal programs. Among them was the claim that, \"Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD housing in U.S. are illegals.\" The post went up on June 10 and since then has been shared over 3,900 times.","Say that according to the Los Angeles Times, \u201c95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens,\u201d more than two-thirds of all births in Los Angeles County \u201care to illegal alien Mexicans\u201d on Medicaid, \u201cnearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal,\u201d and Nancy Pelosi \u201cwants to put a windfall tax\u201d on retirement fund profits.","Facebook posts said that according to the Los Angeles Times, \"95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens,\" more than two-thirds of all births in Los Angeles County \"are to illegal alien Mexicans\" on Medicaid, \"nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal,\" and Nancy Pelosi \"wants to put a windfall tax\" on retirement fund profits.","Clearly, there are some illegal immigrants living in HUD housing and there are rules that might allow them to stay, but in no way do the numbers match the claim that 60 percent of HUD housing residents are \"illegals.\""]},{"id":"12993.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Russ Feingold broke his 1992 promise to always get the majority of funding from Wisconsin residents.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Russ Feingold broke his 1992 promise to always obtain the majority of his campaign funding from Wisconsin residents. Feingold's own words, as well as his campaign promises and inscribed pledge on his garage door, indicate his commitment to grassroots funding from Wisconsin residents. However, subsequent actions and funding sources suggest that he did not uphold this promise, thus making the statement true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3859.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every time you buy an airline ticket, the federal government runs a background check on you.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does conduct security checks on passengers before they board a flight, it is not the same as a comprehensive background check. The TSA checks passenger information against various databases for security purposes, but it does not conduct a thorough background check on every individual purchasing an airline ticket. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of the checks performed by the federal government.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Chris Christie\u2019s proposed income tax cuts blasted by Democratic senator as the \u201csecond tax cut for the rich by the governor in two years\"","( - Chris Christie\u2019s proposed income tax cuts blasted by Democratic senator as the \u201csecond tax cut for the rich by the governor in two years\"&url=)","Gov. Chris Christie,Governor Christie Keeps Commitment to New Jerseyans with Balanced Budget, Increased Education Spending and Job Creating Tax Cuts, June 30, 2011","Sarlo was referring to Christie vetoing the proposed millionaires tax in 2010. But that veto just kept income tax rates at the same levels as when the governor took office. Those millionaires actually got their tax cut under a Democratic governor and the Democrat-controlled Legislature -- before Christie took office."]},{"id":"2380.json","label":"false","statement":"We will be the first party to elect a bald guy to governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Republican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher claiming that they would be the first party to elect a bald guy to governor is false. There have been previous governors who were bald, such as Reed, who served as the governor of Florida from 1868-1873. Additionally, Rick Scott himself has acknowledged his baldness in his speeches. Therefore, the claim that electing a bald governor would be a first is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6088.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Robert Menendez is the king of raising money from Wall Street, over a million dollars, one of the leaders in the United States Senate. I havent raised any Wall Street money at all.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it contains some inaccuracies. While it is true that Robert Menendez has raised significant funds from Wall Street, the claim that he is the \"king\" of raising money from Wall Street is subjective and lacks context. Additionally, the statement implies that the speaker has not raised any Wall Street money at all, which may not be entirely accurate. It is important to note that campaign financing can be complex, and candidates may receive contributions indirectly from Wall Street through various channels. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the issue and does not provide a complete and accurate representation of the fundraising dynamics.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The world has changed,\" Brady said on the House floor July 28. \"It\u2019s not enough to simply buy American; we have to sell American, sell our products and goods and services throughout this world. And in fact, over 80 percent of our trade deficit today is with countries that are not trade agreement partners, that are not level playing fields for the United States; that\u2019s why we push hard for those agreements.\"","And what of Brady's \"more than 80 percent\" breakout? Joe Kafchinski, a bureau statistician, said that from January through June, 13 percent of the nation\u2019s trade deficit involved the countries that have free-trade agreements with the United States \u2014 meaning 87 percent of the deficit was with nations without such agreements.","Next, we wondered about Brady's statement that those agreements serve to \"level the playing field\" with other countries, trade-wise \u2014 and thus reduce the U.S. trade deficit.","National Association of Manufacturers, chart, \"U.S. Manufactured Goods Trade Now in Surplus with Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Partners for Second Year in a Row,\" website, \"Issues, Bilateral Trade,\" (accessed Aug. 11, 2010"]},{"id":"4004.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the first 24 to 36 hours of the operation in Libya, you saw $115 million go downrange because a Tomahawk cruise missile is a little over $1 million each.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Navy spokeswoman Amanda Greenberg and the National Journal article, which state that a Tomahawk cruise missile costs approximately $1 million to $1.5 million each. According to the information provided, during the first 24 to 36 hours of the operation in Libya, approximately 110 Tomahawk missiles were fired, resulting in a cost estimate of around $121 million. While the exact figure may vary slightly, the statement is mostly true in capturing the significant expenditure on Tomahawk missiles during that timeframe.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["NextGen Climate Action Committee, a Democratic-aligned super pac, has fired out a series of mailers during the last two weeks accusing Cuccinelli, among other things, of \"wanting to eliminate all forms of birth control.\"","NextGen doesn\u2019t have a speck of proof to bolster its incendiary claim that Cuccinelli wants to ban all forms of birth control -- even condoms and spermicides. We rate it Pants of Fire.","Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli is combating accusations that he\u2019s tried to restrict the types of birth control Virginians could use.","While he\u2019s never cast a vote on legislation that explicitly restricted birth control options, Cuccinelli for a decade has been one of the strongest anti-abortion voices in Virginia. He\u2019s supported personhood bills that recognized life as beginning at the moment of conception or fertilization and bestowed human embryos with legal rights. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says such legislation could outlaw birth control pills and other forms of contraception that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in a uterus."]},{"id":"10501.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the past year, DeKalb has attracted and retained more than 2,300 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that DeKalb County has indeed attracted and retained a significant number of jobs in the past year. The interim CEO, Lee May, stated that over 2,300 jobs were attracted and retained in his State of the County address. The data from the Geographic Solutions database shows 1,333 new hires and retained jobs through federal Department of Labor funds. Additionally, the Capital Improvement Plan accounted for 493 workers hired or retained. While the exact total may vary depending on the specific criteria used for counting, the evidence supports the claim that DeKalb County has experienced substantial job attraction and retention.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"785.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Two years ago...I wrote to Secretary Paulson, I wrote to Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke, and told them [subprime lending] is something we have to deal with.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The evidence supports the claim that the speaker wrote to Secretary Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke two years prior to address the issue of subprime lending. The evidence provided does not contradict or dispute this claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3868.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Manufacturing is having its best employment year in almost 15 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that manufacturing employment experienced significant growth during both the Obama and Trump administrations. From the low point of the recession in 2010, the manufacturing sector added a substantial number of jobs on Obama's watch. Comparatively, during Trump's first three years in office, the pace of manufacturing employment gains remained fairly constant. While the evidence does not explicitly mention that it is the \"best\" employment year in almost 15 years, it does indicate positive growth and a similar pace of increase in manufacturing employment under both presidents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Walker said a sign of his restoring fiscal responsibility was that \"For our next two years in my state, we will end with a structural surplus of $499 million.\"","\"At the end of the budget we're debating right now for our next two years in my state, we will end with a structural surplus of $499 million -- nearly a half-a-billion dollars on the structural side of things,\" Walker said in a May 9, 2015 speech at the South Carolina Freedom Summit in Greenville.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Rep. Donna Seidel says the $290 million structural surplus in the state budget is not real,\" July 27, 2011","The $290 million structural surplus in the 2011-\u201913 Wisconsin budget is not real because it is based on the assumption that Congress will reinstate the estate tax."]},{"id":"11724.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Bicycle ownership drops by half while obesity in Rhode Island rises by 154 percent","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The evidence provided consists of a press release from My City Bikes that claims \"Bicycle ownership drops by half while obesity in Rhode Island rises by 154 percent.\" However, without further evidence or data to support these claims, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the statement. Additionally, the statement is presented as a general fact, which is misleading as it does not provide specific timeframes or sources for the data. Therefore, the claim is not substantiated and should be considered false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Virginia is required by law to pay 55 percent of the overall cost of the SOQs and local school districts must pay the rest. For this two-year budget cycle, which began July 1, 2010, the state will pay about $9.6 billion toward meeting the SOQs, and localities will pay about $7.8 billion.","\"The Virginia population increased by just 8 percent from 2005 to 2015, but the per capita spending in the budget increased by a whopping 38 percent.\"","The SOQs allow legislators to claim they fund 55 percent of the state\u2019s educational mandates. But a different picture emerges when total expenditures on Virginia public education are computed. The localities pay about 50 percent, the state, the state pays 40 percent and roughly 10 percent comes from the federal government.","Boitnott said that since 2008, the legislature has permanently cut $1.6 billion in programs from the state\u2019s formula for funding public schools. She\u2019s a bit off; the actual figure is $1.4 billion."]},{"id":"1815.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Sue Lowden gave Harry Reid's campaigns a thousand dollars in five different elections, helping his Senate dreams come true.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Sue Lowden did contribute to Harry Reid's campaigns, specifically in the 1980s. She made donations in five different election cycles, including primary and general elections. While the ad's claim of \"helping his Senate dreams come true\" is subjective, the statement accurately reflects the campaign contributions made by Sue Lowden to Harry Reid's campaigns.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Census Bureau also reports state figures in its American Community Survey. They show in Virginia, women earned 79 cents for every dollar men made in 2010.","Kaine\u2019s wrote, \"With a few more votes, we would have made an important step forward in helping narrow the gap between what women currently earn -- here in Virginia, only 79 cents to each dollar earned by men -- and the equal pay that they deserve,\" the email said.","\"Virginia women are paid 80 cents for every dollar paid to Virginia men,\" he wrote. \"We must pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to close the gender gap.\"","The organizations relied on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which tracks annual wages in its Current Population Survey. In 2010, the statistics and showed women made 77 cents for every dollar men earned across the country. President Barack Obama and other Democrats used the figure to urge passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act."]},{"id":"12543.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A gay man who survived #orlando hate crime can STILL show up to work in FL tomorrow and have his boss fire him simply because he is gay.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation in Florida regarding employment protections for LGBTQ individuals. In Florida, there is currently no statewide law that explicitly prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Therefore, it is possible for a gay man who survived a hate crime in Orlando to be fired from his job simply because of his sexual orientation. However, it's important to note that there may be local ordinances or company policies in place that provide some level of protection against such discrimination. Overall, the statement is mostly true, considering the absence of statewide protections against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in Florida.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1557.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Gov. Charlie Crist has called him \"a rock star.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that former Governor Charlie Crist did indeed refer to Dave as \"a rock star.\" The original source, including audio from the Miami Herald interview, confirms that Crist used those exact words to describe Dave. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You see every other major country saying to moms that, when you have a baby, we're not gonna separate you from your newborn baby, because we are going to have medical and family paid leave, like every other country on Earth,\" he said during the first Democratic presidential debate.","Two comprehensive studies of multiple nations backup Sanders\u2019 point that the United States is an outlier when it comes to paid family leave. One study found that the United States is the only country to offer no statutory entitlement to paid leave on a national basis. A separate study of more countries found that the United States and Papua New Guinea were the only two not to provide cash benefits to women during maternity leave.","A spokesman for Sanders pointed to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which studied paid maternity leave for about 34 OECD countries -- advanced nations -- and seven additional European Union countries. On average across OECD countries, mothers are entitled to 17 weeks of paid maternity leave. However, the United States is the only country to offer no statutory entitlement to paid leave on a national basis.","Some employers choose to offer paid leave. About 13 percent of workers had access to some kind of paid family leave in 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics."]},{"id":"5635.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Connie Mack took seven and a half years to finish college.","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. Rep. Connie Mack took seven and a half years to finish college is mostly accurate. Multiple news articles, including one from the Miami Herald, have reported that it took Mack about seven and a half years to obtain his bachelor's degree. However, it's important to note that there is some ambiguity regarding the exact timeline due to Mack's dual enrollment in high school and college. While the statement is generally true, the specific details surrounding Mack's enrollment overlap with high school and college can be subject to interpretation and may affect the precise calculation of the time it took him to complete his degree.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A few days ago, Nugent posted a horrific photo on Facebook of a bearded man, bloody knife in hand, squatting behind five gory heads. \"One of the subhuman mongrels our president set free,\" Nugent wrote in the caption. \"Feel safer yet?\" (Nugent created a controversy earlier this year when he called President Barack Obama a \"subhuman mongrel.\")","Nugent said a man squatting behind five heads had been set free by President Barack Obama to secure the freedom of an American soldier. The photo first appeared in mid March, two months before the prisoner swap.","The words \"subhuman mongrel,\" which Ted Nugent called President Barack Obama, were used by the Nazis to \"justify the genocide of the Jewish community.\"","The image returned recently with people claiming it was Mohammad Fazl, one of the five Taliban prisoners swapped in exchange for Bergdahl. The urban myth website Snopes reviewed the revival of the disturbing photo on June 10. It noted that the image had appeared many times on Facebook with the claim that the man was \"Mohammad Fazi (sic), just one of those great terrorists that this administration traded for the deserter. He seems like a really proud terrorist in this photo. I sure hope everyone feels safer knowing this guy is now free.\""]},{"id":"6732.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Portland Schools spend $500K to deem PBJ sandwiches racist.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that Portland Public Schools spent $500,000 to label peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as racist. The principal never made such a declaration, and the sources cited in the evidence do not provide any credible information to support this claim. The statement is a misrepresentation of the facts and can be classified as false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A year ago, President Barack Obama said during his 2015 State of the Union address that the United States has seen \"our deficits cut by two-thirds\" during his tenure. We rated that claim Mostly True. During his 2016 State of the Union address, Obama raised the bar.","If you start counting instead at the beginning of Obama\u2019s presidency, the number of jobs rose from about 111.5 million in January 2009 to 122.4 million in August 2016. That\u2019s an increase of 10.9 million jobs, only about two-thirds of the nearly 15 million figure Kaine touted.","Specifically, the number of employed Americans bottomed out in February 2010 with 107.3 million jobs and rebounded, as of August 2016, to 122.4 million jobs. That\u2019s an increase of about 15.1 million jobs, pretty much what Kaine said.","If you look at total employment gains rather than private-sector gains, the increases would have been a little lower -- an increase of 10.5 million jobs (from the start of Obama\u2019s term) or 14.9 million jobs (from the low point in February 2010)."]},{"id":"4646.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says these Jersey Shore folks, theyre from New York.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Governor Christie did mention that the cast members of the \"Jersey Shore\" are from New York, which is accurate. However, it's important to note that not all cast members of the show are from New York. Some of them are from New Jersey, while others are from different states. So while the statement accurately reflects Governor Christie's comment about some cast members being from New York, it does not provide the complete picture of the show's cast origins.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4734.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Government employees make 43 percent more in wages and benefits than private-sector workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it fails to provide the full context. While it is true that a study found that public workers make 43 percent more when the value of benefits, including pensions and \"job security,\" are factored in, it is important to note that this figure includes non-monetary benefits. When considering wages alone, the study actually found that public workers earn about 2.5 percent less than comparable private employees. Therefore, the statement inaccurately implies that government employees earn 43 percent more in wages and benefits than private-sector workers, when in reality, the figure includes non-monetary benefits and is not solely based on wages.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The post caught several PolitiFact readers\u2019 eyes. We will take a closer look at the claim, focusing on the part of West\u2019s post that claims Obama \"ordered our Military to enlist illegal aliens.\"","\"Morning folks. While you were sleeping, Barack Hussein Obama took out his pen and ordered our Military to enlist illegal aliens,\" West posted on his Facebook page on Sept. 26. \"In other words, this charlatan has allowed those who have disrespected our Constitution and are not citizens to take an oath to support and defend the very document, our rule of law, of which they are in violation.....\"","An Austin-area U.S. House member maintains that President Barack Obama has dangerous desires for military installations. U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, opened his commentary in the March 10, 2016, Round Rock Leader: \"This is not a joke: the president wants to house illegal aliens on our nation\u2019s military installations.\"","The program in question was initiated by Bush in 2008, before Obama was president. In addition, contrary to West\u2019s sweeping suggestion, experts say it\u2019s doubtful that many undocumented immigrants would be brought into the military. And Obama didn't order the military to take illegal aliens but rather made it an option."]},{"id":"2803.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Has created 60,000 net new jobs since taking office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the claim made by Governor McDonnell was that \"about 60,000 net new jobs\" had been created in Virginia since he took office. The fact-check confirms that the correct number at the time was 55,400, which is close to the claimed figure. While there is a slight discrepancy, the statement acknowledges that the governor's claim was not entirely accurate but also states that he was not intentionally misleading. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 43,\" Walsh begins. \"My mother died of cancer. But early detection saved my life. Now a government panel, that didn't include cancer specialists, says women shouldn't receive mammograms until age 50. That saves money, but could cost your life. If I had followed the new government guidelines on mammograms, my cancer would have spread undetected, and my chances of survival would have been reduced. If government takes over health care, recommendations like these could become the law for all kinds of diseases.\"","To review: The task force did not say women shouldn't receive mammograms until age 50. The task force did include experts on cancer screening. It did not factor in cost. The recommendations are not the new government guidelines (in fact, the government guidelines remained the same).","Walsh calls the task force recommendation \"new government guidelines on mammograms.\" That's also wrong. The task force is an independent panel convened by the government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. But their recommendations carry an important disclaimer: \"Recommendations made by the USPSTF are independent of the U.S. government. They should not be construed as an official position of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.\"","Dr. Petitti also takes umbrage at Walsh's claim that the panel didn't include cancer specialists. She is the former vice chair of the Institute of Medicine National Cancer Policy Board and vice chair of an Institute of Medicine committee that issued a report, \"Beyond Mammography.\" Dr. Allen Dietrich is director of Population Sciences at an NCI-designated Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock medical center. And Dr. Sanford Schwartz has also published on the topic of mammography, she noted. In addition, she said, the recommendations were reviewed by oncologists, including a preventive oncologist, and by radiologists."]},{"id":"1600.json","label":"true","statement":"In Texas, schools do not even have to teach sex education.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. While it is accurate that Texas schools are not required to teach sex education, it is important to note that they are still required to follow the state board of education's curriculum standards, which include teaching sex education at appropriate grade levels. The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum mandates that health teachers cover sex education as part of the curriculum. So, while not mandatory in the sense that schools have the option to opt-out, sex education is still a required topic within the curriculum guidelines.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The assertion stems from a federal \"harm reduction\" grant to prevent injury and death among people addicted to drugs. The grant allows recipients to provide such items as testing equipment for sexually transmitted diseases and overdose reversal medication, along with \"safe smoking kits\" to curb the spread of diseases among users of smokable drugs.","\u2022 The assertion stems from a federal \u201charm reduction\u201d grant to prevent injury and death among people addicted to drugs. The grant allows recipients to provide such items as testing equipment for sexually transmitted diseases and overdose reversal medication, along with \u201csafe smoking kits\u201d to curb the spread of diseases among users of smokable drugs.","The instructions asked agencies and departments to come up with proposals to cut spending by 5%, compared to the budget that the governor had proposed in January, before the Covid-19 pandemic set in.","\"Our governor proposed initially a 5% cut across the board of state government which would have further injured and weakened our infrastructure for vulnerable Vermonters,\" Zuckerman said at the in-person debate in Waitsfield."]},{"id":"8297.json","label":"false","statement":"Terry McAuliffe cashed in, walking away with millions from the demise of Global Crossing.","reason":"Reason: While Terry McAuliffe did make a profit from his investment in Global Crossing, it is misleading to claim that he \"cashed in\" or \"walked away with millions\" from the demise of the company. McAuliffe invested $100,000 of his own money in Global Crossing stock before it went public, and he did make a significant return on that investment. However, it is important to note that McAuliffe sold his shares before the company's downfall and bankruptcy, which occurred years later. Therefore, he did not profit from the demise of Global Crossing, as the statement implies. Label: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7801.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Historically, the Social Security tax has been assessed on about 90% of U.S. income. Now it captures 83% because theres been such a growth of income among the highest earners.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly accurate, but it lacks some important context. Historically, the Social Security tax has been assessed on approximately 90% of U.S. income. However, the claim that it currently captures 83% of income due to the growth of income among the highest earners is not entirely accurate. The 83% figure refers to the fact that the Social Security tax is only applied to earnings up to a certain cap, which is adjusted annually. In 2021, the cap is set at $142,800. This means that any income above this cap is not subject to the Social Security tax. While it is true that there has been a growth of income among the highest earners, the 83% figure is primarily due to the cap on taxable earnings rather than solely the growth of income among the highest earners. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We gave a Mostly False to Paul Ryan who said that the \"unelected, unaccountable\" board created by the health care law \"will lead to denied care for current seniors.\"","Vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan claims an \"unelected, unaccountable\" board created by the health care law \"will lead to denied care for current seniors.\"","Says Obama puts \"15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats in charge of Medicare, who are required to cut Medicare ... that will lead to denied care for current seniors.\"","Ryan said that Obama \"puts a board of 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats in charge of Medicare who are required to cut Medicare in ways that will lead to denied care for current seniors.\""]},{"id":"12245.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Statistics show you are about nine times more likely to be assaulted by a taxi driver in Austin than a driver for a ride-hailing service.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that statistics show you are nine times more likely to be assaulted by a taxi driver in Austin than a driver for a ride-hailing service is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple sources, including experts and analysts, have pointed out that the data provided does not accurately represent the probability of assault by taxi drivers compared to ride-hailing service drivers. The claim lacks proper context and fails to consider important factors such as the number of rides given by each type of driver and the overall probability of assault in either scenario. Therefore, the statement is highly misleading and not based on reliable statistics.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["O\u2019Reilly said, \"I never said I was on the Falkland Islands.\" The central word here is \"on.\" O\u2019Reilly has a point that \u2014 at least so far as we can tell \u2014 he\u2019s always said he was \"in\" the Falklands conflict rather than \"on\" the islands.","\"David Corn, a liar, says that I exaggerated situations in the Falklands War and Salvadoran War,\" O\u2019Reilly said on his Feb. 20, 2015, show. \"I never said I was on the Falkland Islands, as Corn purports. I said I covered the Falklands War, which I did.\"","The Falkland Islands lie about 400 miles off the southern coast of Argentina. There are two main islands and hundreds of smaller ones. Today, there about 3,000 residents and around half a million sheep. Britain claimed the islands in 1765. By the 1960s, Argentina was pushing hard to assert its own rights to the territory, which it called the Malvinas.","Lawyers and logicians remind us that it\u2019s impossible to prove the negative, but the evidence we\u2019ve seen shows that O\u2019Reilly used the preposition \"in\" to describe his Falklands experience. He said \" in the war zones of the Falkland conflict in Argentina.\" And he said \" in a war zone in Argentina, in the Falklands.\""]},{"id":"462.json","label":"true","statement":"\"A year ago, in March 2007, I called for immediate action to address abuses in the subprime market, and I laid out detailed concrete proposals for how to do so.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the speaker called for immediate action to address abuses in the subprime market in March 2007 and provided detailed proposals on how to do so. While the evidence provided does not directly verify the specific details of the proposals, it confirms the speaker's claim of advocating for action and presenting concrete ideas to address the issues in the subprime market.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"My state of Florida is now the third-largest state,\" Nelson said on April 8. \"We have surpassed New York in population. But New York and Florida also have in common the threat of hurricanes.\"","\"Population change is Births - Deaths + In-migration - Out-migration. Florida grew 4 percent from April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2013, and New York at 1.4 percent. So we will eventually overtake New York. But even given that we are 8 months past the last Census Bureau estimate, it is not clear that we have yet surpassed New York.\"","\"As a result, Florida last month likely edged New York to become the third most populous state in the nation, based on bureau estimates and a Herald-Tribune analysis of the data,\" the article stated. \"During that three-year period, Florida\u2019s population grew by an average of 645 people daily, while New York\u2019s grew by some of 231 a day.\"","(We will rely on the census to make an apples-to-apples comparison between Florida and New York. However Florida\u2019s office of Economic and Demographic Research has a slightly lower figure for Florida\u2019s population: it placed it at 19,485,270 as of February 2014. The state projects we will surpass the 20 million mark in 2016.)"]},{"id":"12585.json","label":"false","statement":"Gov. Terry McAuliffe has made several statements that he would love to be in a Cabinet secretary position with the Clinton administration.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Gov. Terry McAuliffe has made several statements expressing a desire to be in a Cabinet secretary position with the Clinton administration. While there is a mention of Reeves asserting this claim, no direct quotes or verifiable sources are provided to substantiate it. Without concrete evidence, it is not accurate to make the claim that McAuliffe has made such statements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["One of those posts claimed that \"the latest Quinnipiac poll found that nearly six-in-ten Americans oppose ObamaCare -- 30% support the law and 57% oppose it.\"","In the latest Quinnipiac poll, released on Dec. 11, 2013, respondents were asked, \"Do you support or oppose the health care law passed by Barack Obama and Congress in 2010?\"","The poll results showed 57 percent opposition to the law, which was what the RNC had correctly cited. But the actual level of support in the poll was 39 percent -- not the 30 percent listed in the Facebook post. The error cut the amount of support by about one-quarter -- not a trivial amount.","Quinnipiac poll, \" December 11, 2013 - Keep Cell Phones Off Planes, American Voters Say 2-1, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; More People Spending Less On Holiday Gifts,\" Dec. 11, 2013"]},{"id":"11775.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Very little of (the defense) budget less than 10 percent actually goes into fighting ISIS and international terrorism.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Sanders claimed that less than 10 percent of the defense budget goes towards fighting ISIS and international terrorism, the evidence suggests that this statement is barely-true. The Defense Department budget indicates that approximately 11 percent of total defense dollars, which amounts to around $60 billion, is allocated to anti-terrorism operations against ISIS and in Afghanistan. While this figure is slightly higher than what Senator Sanders stated, it is still relatively low compared to the overall defense budget. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it does not accurately represent the precise allocation of funds towards fighting ISIS and international terrorism.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When you see Jessica King\u2019s negative attacks, remember 63. King opposed balancing the state budget and voted to increase her pay with taxpayer dollars by 63 percent. Raising your pay by 63? Does Jessica King really care about you and me?\"","Jessica King was a member of the Oshkosh Common Council in Wisconsin from 2007 to 2011. She was a candidate for the Wisconsin state Senate in 2008 and is a candidate in one of the 2011 state Senate recall elections.","In a TV ad, Hopper said King voted to increase her pay on the Oshkosh Common Council by 63 percent. It\u2019s ridiculous to claim King voted for the raise, given that she voted against the ordinance that raised the pay -- which is the only legal way council pay can be raised. And Hopper\u2019s claim of 63 percent itself is false, given that the correct raise figure is a somewhat lower 56 percent.","In one of the recall elections that could determine whether Democrats take control of the Wisconsin Senate, the two candidates have accused each of other personally enriching themselves while other taxpayers pay more."]},{"id":"7090.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every American now is $51,000 in debt. Thats money I owe, thats money my children owe before they even go to kindergarten, thats their check to the federal government right now.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual that every American is approximately $51,000 in debt. This figure represents the total debt of the United States, including both debt held by the public and debt owed to programs such as Social Security and Medicare. While it is important to note that this debt is not divided equally among every American, as it is a cumulative figure for the entire population, the statement is generally true in conveying the overall debt burden faced by the country.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We should note that these apologies came toward the end of Obama\u2019s first term, while Romney said Obama \"began\" his presidency with an apology tour.","The notion that President Barack Obama started his presidency with an \"apology tour\" is a persistent and false Republican talking point that we have debunked a number of times.","\"I will begin my presidency with a jobs tour. President Obama began with an apology tour. America, he said, had dictated to other nations. No, Mr. President, America has freed other nations from dictators,\" Romney said.","During his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in August, Romney said, \u201cI will begin my presidency with the jobs tour. President Obama began his with an apology tour. America, he said, had dictated to other nations. No, Mr. President America has freed other nations from dictators.\u201d"]},{"id":"7727.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For people with insurance, the only impact of the health care law is that their insurance is stronger, better and more secure than it was before. Full stop. Thats it. They dont have to worry about anything else.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that for people with insurance, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aimed to strengthen and improve their coverage. The ACA implemented provisions such as prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions, which benefited individuals with health problems. However, it is not entirely true that people with insurance have nothing else to worry about. The ACA did introduce changes to the healthcare system that impacted certain aspects of existing insurance plans, such as coverage requirements and cost-sharing. While these changes were intended to improve overall coverage, they did result in some individuals experiencing changes to their plans, such as modifications in provider networks or premium increases. Therefore, while the statement captures a positive aspect of the ACA for those with insurance, it oversimplifies the potential impacts and concerns that individuals may have had regarding their coverage.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Abbott said the new law \"will repatriate $1 billion of gold bullion from the Federal Reserve in New York to Texas.\"","But the statute doesn\u2019t repatriate any bullion. In addition, UTIMCO has around $660 million in gold bullion (not $1 billion) and it's stored in a New York bank, not the Federal Reserve.","\"The law,\" Abbott\u2019s office said in a June 2015 press release, \"will repatriate $1 billion of gold bullion from the Federal Reserve in New York to Texas.\" Repatriate, per Merriam-Webster, means to send money back to your country.","\"The bullion storage business is centered in New York City and Delaware. And that gets us to the second part of the profit deal here. Texas now pays to store its gold in NYC. When Capriglione checked in 2013, the University of Texas Investment Management Company paid to store its 6,643 gold bars--worth around $1 billion--in what he calls the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank in New York."]},{"id":"2485.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Independent groups behind ads attacking Democratic candidates are front groups for foreign-controlled companies.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that independent groups behind ads attacking Democratic candidates are front groups for foreign-controlled companies. While David Axelrod made a statement suggesting that certain groups like Americans for Prosperity and the American Crossroads Fund were \"front groups for special interests,\" there is no specific mention or evidence linking them to foreign-controlled companies. White House officials clarified that these groups were examples of \"front groups for special interests,\" but not necessarily fronts for foreign-controlled companies. Therefore, the claim lacks substantial evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13025.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump supports an agenda out there to privatize the Veterans Affairshealth care system.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some individuals and groups have advocated for the privatization of the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system, it is not accurate to attribute this agenda directly to Donald Trump himself. While Trump has expressed support for expanding healthcare choice for veterans, including the option to seek care from private providers, he has not explicitly endorsed a full privatization of the VA system. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the nuance to accurately reflect Trump's stance on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7630.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas state funds were spent on a TV series on spouses cheating on their wives, kind of glorifying the act of cheating.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is evidence that Texas state funds were used to support the TV series \"Cheaters,\" which involves exposing infidelity and often leads to emotional confrontations. While it may not be accurate to say that the show explicitly glorifies the act of cheating, it does center around the theme of infidelity. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the involvement of state funds in a TV series related to cheating spouses, but the claim of glorification may be subjective and open to interpretation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1549.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"Congressman McCollum voted to dismantle Social Security.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Congressman McCollum voted to dismantle Social Security\" is not accurate. While McCollum did vote against using the surplus from the federal budget to bolster Social Security, it is a stretch to claim that these votes amounted to dismantling the program. Social Security was not directly dismantled as a result of McCollum's votes. It is important to provide accurate information and avoid making exaggerated claims that misrepresent the actual impact of specific votes.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\u201cKatie Hobbs voted for allowing a baby who survives an abortion \u2014 that the hospital would refuse medical care and allow the baby to die on a cold metal tray.\u201d","Kelly voted in favor of the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act, which failed on a 46-48 vote. The bill would have prohibited states from criminalizing and banning abortion of a viable fetus when the life and health of the woman are at risk. In theory, it could have allowed an abortion that is not strictly due to physical health.","The Women\u2019s Health Protection Act can\u2019t legalize something that is already legal. There are health exceptions in state abortion laws, and civil liability laws support medical intervention in grievous circumstances.","Kelly voted for the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act, which would have prohibited states from banning abortion of a viable fetus when the life and health of the woman are at risk. It also would have prevented the criminalization of abortions."]},{"id":"167.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"All of the records, as far as I know, about what we did with health care, those are already available.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that all records regarding what was done with healthcare are already available, which is an oversimplification. While some records and information may be publicly accessible, it is unlikely that all records related to healthcare are readily available to the public. There may be various reasons for limited access to certain records, such as privacy concerns, national security, or ongoing investigations. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and should be considered as barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!Juan Williams said Hillary Clinton was \"the decider\" over security classification at the State Department. (Screengrab) !Juan Williams said Hillary Clinton was \"the decider\" over security classification at the State Department. (Screengrab)","This drew a chorus of you are so wrongs from the rest of the panel. We thought we\u2019d try to sort out whether the secretary of state is the \"decider,\" as Williams put it.","This sort of classification upgrade occasionally happens when new information comes into play that affects the sensitivity of the information. Because the information was classified after the emails were sent, no one mishandled this information at the time by sending it over Clinton\u2019s private server.","In a 2019 report, the State Department said none of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s emails were marked as classified."]},{"id":"5242.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nevada is No. 1 in unemployment, violent crime, car theft, divorce, robberies and foreclosures.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Nevada has been ranked at the top for unemployment, divorce, and foreclosures. However, the claim regarding Nevada being number one in violent crime, car theft, and robberies is not entirely accurate. While Nevada did rank high in these categories based on 2009 data, more recent data from 2010 shows that Nevada was not the top state in these crime measures. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of unemployment, divorce, and foreclosures, but not entirely accurate regarding violent crime, car theft, and robberies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The story that accompanied the poll, headlined \"Mitt Romney\u2019s phantom campaign,\" explored whether Romney is viewed more favorably ahead of the 2016 presidential election given more positive media buzz about a Netflix documentary about him. (The answer, based on their polling data, is not really.)","In this item, we\u2019ll look at whether the \"48, 49 percent\" that supports President Barack Obama are \"people who pay no income tax.\"","So, Romney would have been right if he said about 47 percent of all Americans don't pay federal income taxes. But he went further, arguing that those 47 percent of Americans who don\u2019t pay federal income taxes are essentially all Obama supporters. And the facts don't back him up.","\"And if for any Republican, if I had told them in January, in the middle of the scrum between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary with Mitt Romney getting beaten up by all those people on the stage, \u2018Don't worry. On Fourth of July, it'll be a dead heat race between the president and Mitt Romney\u2019 every Republican would have signed up for that. So let's keep everything in perspective. This is a margin-of-error race. It's going to be a close election. But I think Governor Romney is in a really good position right now as the challenger to be able to make the case over the next number of months that he can win,\" Christie said."]},{"id":"2026.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Floridas high school graduation rate falls well below the national average.\"","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including the National Center for Education Statistics and Diplomas Count, indicate that Florida's high school graduation rate falls below the national average. While the exact extent to which it falls below the average may vary, the statement accurately reflects the overall trend. It is important to note that the most recent data may not have been evaluated by national groups, so a precise comparison to the current national average cannot be determined.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2747.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says four Democratic state senators voted to raise taxes on Wisconsin workers by another $510 a month so freeloaders can get free state-run health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some elements of truth but also includes misleading information. It is true that four Democratic state senators in Wisconsin voted on a failed universal health care plan called \"Healthy Wisconsin.\" However, the claim that these senators specifically voted to raise taxes on Wisconsin workers by $510 a month is an exaggeration. The ads mentioned in the evidence state that the plan would have raised payroll taxes, but the $510 per month figure is an overstatement. Additionally, the term \"freeloaders\" is subjective and carries a negative connotation. While the plan would have provided health care coverage to unemployed residents, it is important to note that they would have needed to be state residents for at least a year. Therefore, the statement contains some accurate information but also includes exaggerations and subjective language.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11122.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Gov. Scott Walker, Wisconsin projected a $1 billion (budget) surplus and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion.","reason":"Reason: While there were projections of a $1 billion surplus in Wisconsin's budget under Governor Scott Walker, it is not accurate to state that it turned out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion. The $2.2 billion figure refers to a projected shortfall between expected revenues and requested funds by state agencies, but it does not represent an actual deficit. Furthermore, it's important to note that some of the surplus was intentionally spent by Republicans through tax cuts. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the situation by equating a projected shortfall with an actual deficit.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11305.json","label":"false","statement":"Annexation would lead to overcrowding at Decaturs city schools.","reason":"Reason: While annexation may bring some new students to Decatur schools, there is no evidence to support the claim that it would lead to overcrowding. The evidence provided suggests that there are concerns about the potential impact on the school system, but it does not indicate that overcrowding would be a direct result of annexation. Additionally, the statement does not provide any specific data or projections to support the claim of overcrowding. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2579.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Never once did they (House Republicans) actually cut spending or reduce the state budget. Even when they cut taxes in 2005, they increased spending. They never paid for their tax cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the fact that House Republicans did not actually reduce the state budget or cut spending during their tenure. Even when they implemented tax cuts in 2005, they did not offset the revenue loss with corresponding spending reductions. This resulted in increased spending without finding alternative sources of revenue to cover the tax cuts. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific evidence or data to support the claim, which limits its verifiability. Therefore, while the statement captures a general truth, it lacks specific evidence to fully support its claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5320.json","label":"false","statement":"On fundraising for super PACs","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that some donors to Zephyr Teachout's campaign also donated to super PACs. However, it does not provide enough information to determine whether Teachout herself fundraised for super PACs. The evidence does not directly address the claim that Teachout is a vocal opponent of super PACs, nor does it provide any information about Teachout heading a super PAC with the goal of ending all super PACs. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided and is considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12931.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I am the only candidate who ran in either the Democratic or the Republican primary who said from the very beginning (that) I will not raise taxes on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Several candidates in both the Democratic and Republican primaries made pledges not to raise taxes on the middle class. It is not accurate to claim that the speaker was the only candidate to make such a promise. Multiple candidates from both parties have made similar statements throughout the primary campaigns.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Rick Scott says the federal government is \"making the decision, whether we like it or not, to send 425 refugees to our state\" from Syria.","\"This is something that they are making the decision, whether we like it or not, to send 425 refugees to our state without giving us any information.\"","Scott said that the federal government made the decision to send 425. While the federal government is in charge of resettlement, the actual number comes from agencies within local communities in Florida. ( Politico also noted this in a report on Scott's comments.)","That means that officially, the federal government hasn\u2019t decided yet to send 425 refugees to Florida, but it appears possible that that will end up being the number -- although they may not all be Syrians."]},{"id":"3427.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Twenty percent of our electricity currently comes from nuclear power plants. I think there are 104 in the United States, two of them around the coast in California.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that approximately 20% of electricity in the United States is generated from nuclear power plants. However, there is a minor error in the number of nuclear power plants. While there are indeed 104 nuclear power reactors in the United States, there are actually 65 nuclear power plants due to the fact that some plants have multiple reactors. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but with a slight inaccuracy regarding the number of nuclear power plants.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12439.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Nordic countries are some of the few countries that meet development aid goals.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Nordic countries are known for their commitment to development aid and have consistently met or exceeded the development aid goals set by international organizations. Their governments allocate a significant portion of their budgets to foreign aid, and they have a strong track record of providing assistance to developing countries. While it is important to note that there may be variations in the specific goals and targets among different organizations, the overall statement holds true that the Nordic countries are among the few countries that consistently prioritize and meet development aid goals.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["( - Tammy Baldwin says Senate rival Tommy Thompson ran Medicare \"into the ground\" as U.S. health and human services secretary&url=)","\"When he came to the administration, Medicare was approaching bankruptcy in the year 2029; when he left, it was 2020 -- nine years closer to bankruptcy. That's the Tommy Thompson record as secretary under George W. Bush.\"","Baldwin said Thompson ran Medicare \"into the ground\" during his four years as health and human services secretary, citing the fact that its key trust fund moved nine years closer to insolvency.","Says U.S. Senate rival Tammy Baldwin wants a \"completely government-controlled\" health care system that goes \"far beyond 'Obamacare'\" and is \"a Medicare system for all.\""]},{"id":"748.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Senator Obama has the most liberal voting record in the United States Senate.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Obama had a liberal voting record in the United States Senate, the statement that he had \"the most liberal voting record\" is not entirely accurate. It is important to note that this claim is based on a specific rating for one year, and in other years and by other groups, Obama's ranking varied. In some cases, he was not even ranked as the most liberal. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and does not provide a comprehensive picture of Obama's overall voting record. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9154.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Who will raising the minimum wage actually help? More than half work full-time. The average worker is 35 years old.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that more than half of those who would benefit from raising the minimum wage work full-time, and the average worker is 35 years old. However, it lacks context regarding the specific impact of raising the minimum wage. While it is true that raising the minimum wage can have positive effects for many workers, such as increasing their income and reducing poverty, the statement does not address potential counterarguments or the potential impact on businesses and employment. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Freshman Rep. Bob Gibbs \"is spending his one year anniversary on vacation \u2014 only working 6 days in all of January.\"","\"With so much work to do to get the economy back on track and Americans back to work,\" it said, \"Gibbs is spending his one year anniversary on vacation \u2014 only working 6 days in all of January.\"","The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which works to elect Democrats to the House of Representatives, raised scheduling as an issue in a news release aimed at Rep. Bob Gibbs, a Republican from the 18th District in east-central Ohio.","That means that the gauge the DCCC has applied here would support making the same claim about just six working days in January for every Democratic member, too, from minority leader Nancy Pelosi to Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz."]},{"id":"12644.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Taxpayers are paying a fortune for the use of Air Force One on the campaign trail by President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It accurately reflects the claim made by Donald Trump that taxpayers are incurring significant expenses for the use of Air Force One during campaign trips by President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. While the exact cost may vary depending on factors such as distance traveled and duration of the trips, it is well-documented that campaign travel using Air Force One involves substantial expenses that are ultimately borne by taxpayers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In closing Browning wrote: \"Today, the following remains true: Early voting remains at 96 hours, with greater flexibility for counties ... \" We wanted to see if Browning is right.","However, they have the ability to keep 96 hours of early voting by increasing voting to 12 hours a day. So a requirement of 96 hours of early voting has been replaced by an option of 96 hours.","\"To combat voter fraud, reduce the burden on poll workers and provide needed flexibility to local election supervisors, the number of days polls remain open has been reduced from 14 possible days to eight days, even as the total number of hours available for early voting will remain the same,\" Browning wrote in a column titled \"Florida's early voting remains at 96 hours.\"","We'll repeat that -- under the new law, early voting must be available six hours a day for eight days, or a total of 48 hours, and can be available for up to 12 hours a day for eight days, or 96 hours."]},{"id":"369.json","label":"false","statement":"\"As has been noted by many observers, including Bill Clinton's former secretary of labor, my plan does more than anybody to reduce costs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that the speaker's plan does more than anyone else to reduce costs, citing the support of Bill Clinton's former secretary of labor. However, no evidence or specific citation is provided to support this claim. Without any substantiation or verifiable source, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the claim is unsupported and cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We certainly don't have a record of him calling for a ban of any kind on handguns in the United States,\" she said. \"... There's no logical reason to believe the president would ever advocate the banning of all handguns, and we as organization don't advocate for that, either.\"","She noted that after the Tucson, Ariz., shootings that injured former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, the president called for better background checks, not banning guns.","Says about NSA data collection: \"Every member in both parties who served on the Intelligence Committee voted in favor of this.\"","Says Florida refused to allow the insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high\" under Obamacare."]},{"id":"2542.json","label":"false","statement":"Its coming. Nobody can stop this train.","reason":"Reason: The statement lacks context and is not supported by credible evidence. Without further information, it is unclear what \"it\" refers to, making the statement vague and open to interpretation. Additionally, the evidence provided does not offer any relevant information to support or verify the claim. Therefore, the statement cannot be deemed as true or accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Center for Responsive Politics provided us a 1973 summary of financial disclosures made by only some members of the House and Senate; it was published by Congressional Quarterly.","Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders relishes his everyman persona, and during the Democratic presidential debate in Brooklyn, he offered evidence that he\u2019s out of place in the \"millionaires\u2019 club\" that is the U.S. Senate.","Roll Call, the Capitol Hill newspaper, has done wealth rankings, but only for members of Congress and dating back only to 1990.","\"There's no listed securities here for Biden like there are for other members. From that, it\u2019s reasonable to infer he had no major investments listed on his financial disclosure.\""]},{"id":"5775.json","label":"true","statement":"Tourism accounts for 439,000 jobs in the state of Ohio, and visitors spend $36 billion annually.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Dovilla and the data from Tourism Economics. According to the report, tourism in Ohio accounts for 439,000 jobs and generates $36 billion in annual visitor spending. While there may be more recent figures available, the evidence supports the statement as true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13242.json","label":"false","statement":"Ive gotten to see the commercials that they did on you. And Ive gotten to see some of the most vicious commercials Ive ever seen of Michelle Obama talking about you, Hillary.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Michelle Obama has appeared in commercials speaking negatively about Hillary Clinton. There is no credible evidence or record of Michelle Obama participating in any commercials where she speaks negatively about Hillary Clinton. It is important to verify the accuracy of such claims before accepting them as true.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2363.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For every dollar a county gets in taxes from new development, it costs us 40 to 50 percent more to provide services.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that providing services for new development can cost more than the tax revenue generated from it, the claim that it costs \"40 to 50 percent more\" is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence does not specifically address the cost percentage associated with providing services for new development. Therefore, while there may be additional costs associated with providing services for new development, the specific percentage mentioned in the statement lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9182.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"More 25- to 34-year-olds are moving to Austin than any other city in America.","reason":"Reason: While Austin does experience significant population growth, the statement that \"more 25- to 34-year-olds are moving to Austin than any other city in America\" is not entirely accurate. While Austin does attract a substantial number of young adults, it does not necessarily surpass all other cities in terms of attracting this specific age group. The evidence provided does not support the claim directly, as it focuses on the overall population growth and the challenges associated with it. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Still, China is the No. 1 foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities. (About a third of our total debt is held by foreigners.)","\"The actual borrowing doesn\u2019t occur every day,\" Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Economic Competitiveness, told PolitiFact Florida. \"The periodic auction of bonds, that\u2019s when the money is raised.\"","Its research determined that the debt has grown by an average of more than $4 billion a day since 2009. In 2010, the average was $4.7 billion a day. It has dropped, however, to about $2.45 billion a day so far this year.","Eastwood, speaking in a recent American Crossroads ad, warns that, \"We borrow $4 billion every single day, much of it from China.\" That amount is the rough daily average of all U.S. debt added since Obama took office, including the type the government owes itself. It\u2019s not the current rate, which has been somewhat lower. And while China is the No. 1 foreign holder of U.S. securities, it purchased less than 10 percent of that debt. This claim is only partly accurate. We rate it Half True."]},{"id":"9481.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One thousand people a day are moving to Texas, which means there will be 15 million more people over the next 25 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Texas Future that one thousand people are moving to Texas each day. However, it is important to note that this claim alone does not guarantee that there will be exactly 15 million more people in Texas over the next 25 years. Population growth is influenced by various factors, including birth rates, mortality rates, and migration patterns. While the claim suggests a correlation between the daily influx of people and future population growth, it does not account for potential changes in migration patterns or other demographic factors. Therefore, while the claim is partially true in terms of current migration rates, it cannot definitively predict the exact population increase over the next 25 years.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["None of these descriptions are as succinct as GDOT\u2019s claim that that the Northwest Corridor highway project \"is expected to create over 9,700 jobs statewide.\" But they do give a more complete sense of Georgia State\u2019s actual projection.","Recently, a reader asked us to look into this projection for the Northwest Corridor project, which will add and change lanes on I-75 and I-575 in Cobb and Cherokee counties:","\"The Northwest Corridor -- a $96 million project with a projected $1.5 billion in positive economic impact -- is expected to create over 9,700 jobs statewide and provide immense benefits to metro Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and the southeastern United States,\" a July 19 press release from the Georgia Department of Transportation read.","GDOT could have said the Northwest Corridor project is expected to create what amounts to 5,225 full-time jobs across Georgia over four years, plus an additional 4,480 with the increased spending the project creates."]},{"id":"2608.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John Boozman is excited about putting a 23 percent national sales tax on everything you buy.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John Boozman expressed excitement about looking at the Fair Tax and getting rid of the IRS, the statement that he is excited about putting a 23 percent national sales tax on everything you buy is misleading. The evidence provided indicates that the 23 percent figure is not directly tied to the bill Boozman cosponsored, and there is debate among economists about the appropriate percentage for a national sales tax. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the issue and does not accurately represent Boozman's position on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["McConnell said, \"The president\u2019s own advisers have said there\u2019s a war on coal.\" A man who sits on a presidential advisory council did speak of a war on coal. It is accurate to call him an adviser. It is inaccurate to refer to more than one adviser but much more significant, it also falls wide of the mark to interpret his words as meaning that there is a war on coal.","I don\u2019t have to tell you there\u2019s a war on coal here in America, and it\u2019s really come home here in Kentucky. The president\u2019s own advisers have said there\u2019s a war on coal. And I want to remind people that whether they live in a coal county or not, a war on coal is a war on Kentucky, all of Kentucky. Because our great competitive advantage has been low utility rates. This administration, whether it\u2019s Obamacare or the war on coal, needs to be stopped. And I tell you, I will be the leader of the forces that take on the war on coal.","The second sentence stands out. It would be politically inflammatory if the president\u2019s team was talking about waging a war on coal. More than 50 Democratic lawmakers come from coal-producing states, and they eye this issue warily. We decided to look at the substance behind McConnell\u2019s claim that \"the president\u2019s own advisers have said there\u2019s a war on coal.\"","A look at the headlines of the articles McConnell\u2019s campaign sent us tends to support the second interpretation. The Washington Post had \"Obama science adviser calls for \u2018war on coal\u2019.\" The Washington Times had \"Obama science adviser urges \u2018war on coal\u2019.\" The Washington Times item said \"One of the White House\u2019s advisers on climate change said that President Obama should use his global warming speech Tuesday to launch a \u2018war on coal\u2019.\""]},{"id":"2455.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ron Wyden spent $2 million to study exotic ants.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Ron Wyden's vote did indirectly contribute to funding for a study of exotic ants, it is misleading to claim that he personally spent $2 million on this study. The funding was allocated to the National Science Foundation, which then distributed the funds according to its own discretion. Senator Wyden's vote supported a broader bill that directed additional funding to the National Science Foundation, without specifically mentioning ants. Therefore, the statement that Wyden personally spent $2 million to study exotic ants is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Baldwin also cited a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services analysis, the same one Obama cited in March 2012 when he said that because of the reform law, \"17 million kids can no longer be denied because of a pre-existing condition.\"","It\u2019s possible that as many as 17 million children have a pre-existing health condition, but the figure could be as low as 4 million. And only a fraction of children with a pre-existing condition didn\u2019t have insurance because of that condition.","One is a White House fact sheet that says that as a result of the Affordable Care Act, \"more than 17.6 million children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage.\"","\"Never mind that I had fully recovered from my illness. I had been branded with the words \u2018pre-existing condition.\u2019 My story, of course, isn\u2019t significant because it was unique. In fact, it\u2019s significant because it wasn\u2019t unique. When the Affordable Care Act was signed, 17 million American children wore that same brand. \u2018Pre-existing condition.\u2019 Uninsurable.\""]},{"id":"13449.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Its just been announced that the residents of Florida are going to experience a massive, double-digit premium hike.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the state of Florida announced an average premium hike of 19.1 percent for ACA-compliant plans, it's important to note that this is an average and not applicable to all residents. Many individuals who purchase these plans qualify for federal subsidies, which can offset the premium increase. Additionally, the majority of Floridians receive their health insurance through their employers, where premium increases are typically not as high. Therefore, while some residents may experience a significant premium hike, it is not accurate to claim that all residents of Florida will face a massive, double-digit increase.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3918.json","label":"false","statement":"For a young man or woman who is entering the ninth grade in Newark this year, they have a 29 percent graduation rate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to the evidence provided, the graduation rate for students entering the ninth grade in Newark is not 29 percent. The data shows that the four-year graduation rate for students passing the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) is 25.8 percent, and when accounting for students passing the alternate exam and special education students exempt from taking the HSPA, the overall graduation rate is even lower at 19.8 percent. Therefore, the statement significantly overstates the graduation rate in Newark.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On April 6, 2016, the day after Wisconsin's presidential primary, Wisconsin Associated Press reporter Scott Bauer tweeted that in 2015, state Democratic Party chairwoman Martha Laning told him she would give her superdelegate vote to the winner of the primary -- but that now she was telling him her vote would go instead to the presumptive nominee.","\"I will be supporting the candidate who wins the primary in Wisconsin next year. The Democratic voters in Wisconsin will evaluate each candidate and pick the strongest one and I will cast my vote for the candidate that they pick.\"","In November 2015, Laning said she would cast her superdelegate vote at the Democratic National Convention for the presidential candidate who wins the Wisconsin primary.","!Bernie Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary in Wisconsin, but the chairwoman of the state party has indicated she may not cast her superdelegate vote for him at the party's national convention. !Bernie Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary in Wisconsin, but the chairwoman of the state party has indicated she may not cast her superdelegate vote for him at the party's national convention."]},{"id":"7301.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The federal government owns 30 percent of the land in the 50 states, or about 650 million acres.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to research from a nonpartisan congressional research think tank, the federal government does own approximately 28 percent of the land in the United States, which is roughly 635 million to 640 million acres. While this falls slightly short of the exact 30 percent mentioned in the statement, the difference is minor and can be attributed to rounding. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the general extent of federal land ownership.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The IRS has been specifically forbidden ... from ever actually pursuing either civil or criminal remedies\" for people who don\u2019t purchase health insurance.","( - Lawrence O'Donnell says the IRS cannot pursue 'either civil or criminal remedies' for people who don\u2019t purchase health insurance&url=)","\"No one ever really has to pay the fine in the individual mandate,\" O\u2019Donnell said, \"because the IRS has been specifically forbidden, in writing, in law, in the Affordable Care Act, from ever actually pursuing either civil or criminal remedies to collect those fines from anyone. The individual mandate is the only provision in the tax code that was written deliberately to be essentially unenforceable.\"","With the federal government\u2019s online insurance marketplace floundering in its first month, some political pundits are calling for a delay of the hot-button provision requiring most people to pay a tax penalty if they don\u2019t have health insurance."]},{"id":"12020.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders was against the auto bailout and voted against the money that ended up saving the auto industry.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Bernie Sanders voted against the auto bailout, which was a part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that aimed to assist financial institutions but also ended up bailing out the auto industry. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the full context. While Sanders did vote against the auto bailout, it does not necessarily mean that he was against saving the auto industry. His vote may have been based on concerns about the specific terms and conditions of the bailout or the allocation of funds. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand Sanders' position on the auto industry bailout.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9239.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Because the EPA closed a lead smelter in Missouri, all lead for bullets will have to come from overseas!","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that a primary lead smelter in Missouri closed in 2013, leading to the absence of lead smelters in the United States for producing lead from ore, there are still operational smelters that recycle lead. These recycling smelters provide a substantial supply of lead that is sufficient to meet the needs of ammunition manufacturers. Therefore, the claim that all lead for bullets will have to come from overseas is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["One of the claims in the ad is that Scott \"thinks employers should be able to deny women coverage for birth control.\"","We asked a Scott campaign spokesman if Scott made any statements about Bondi\u2019s lawsuit, the Hobby Lobby case, and in general if he thinks employers should be able to deny women birth control coverage.","We noticed two claims that are related, but distinct enough to analyze separately. First, would the legislation in question have allowed employers deny women coverage for birth control? And would it have allowed employers to deny coverage for mammograms?","Shaheen said Brown \"co-sponsored legislation to let employers deny women coverage for birth control.\" The amendment, which Brown supported, was written loosely enough to allow a religious-conscience opt-out for birth control -- an issue about which there has been a longstanding policy debate on religious and moral grounds. We rate the claim True."]},{"id":"8097.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The minimum wage is lower right now than it was when Ronald Reagan took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true when considering inflation. In nominal terms, the minimum wage is higher now than it was when Ronald Reagan took office. However, when adjusting for inflation, the real value of the minimum wage has decreased over time. So, while the statement may be accurate when considering the impact of inflation, it's important to note that Reagan's approach to the minimum wage differed from Obama's, and using Reagan as a model for raising the minimum wage may not be entirely appropriate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7831.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In our community college system (state) cuts have reduced funding per student by $1,908.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Democratic gubernatorial nominee that state cuts have resulted in a reduction of funding per student in the community college system by $1,908. The evidence provided supports this claim, showing that state funding per community college student fell from $4,418 in 2008 to $2,510 in 2012, which is a $1,908 drop. However, it's important to note that this reduction in funding per student may vary across different states and community college systems. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood in the context of the specific state being referred to.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13170.json","label":"false","statement":"The New York Times writes this long story about Donald Trumps tax returns but didnt point out there was no wrongdoing until paragraph 18.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The New York Times did not wait until paragraph 18 to mention that there was no wrongdoing in Donald Trump's tax returns. In fact, the article clearly states in the second paragraph that \"no evidence of wrongdoing emerged in the documents.\" The article provides an overview of the tax returns and their implications, including Trump's reported loss and potential tax avoidance strategies. The Times did not withhold the information about no wrongdoing until paragraph 18.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2155.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In renewable and advanced energy manufacturing projects, Ohio now ranks first among the 50 states.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ohio was ranked first in renewable and advanced energy manufacturing projects at the time of Governor Strickland's speech, it is important to note that the rankings have not been updated since 2008. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate as it does not reflect the current ranking of Ohio in renewable and advanced energy manufacturing projects. It is crucial to consider the most up-to-date information to assess Ohio's current position in this sector accurately.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says GOP U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn \"wants to eliminate the Department of Education\" and jeopardize college funding for 320,000 Coloradans.","The Colorado Democratic Party says Republican U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn wants to eliminate the Education Department and \"jeopardize\" federal student funding for more than 300,000 Coloradans.","The Colorado Democratic Party said Darryl Glenn \"wants to eliminate the Department of Education and jeopardize Pell Grants and federal student loans for 320,000 Coloradans.\"","We wanted to fact-check this statement by the state Democratic Party: \"(Darryl) Glenn wants to eliminate the Education Department and jeopardize Pell Grants and federal student loans for 320,000 Coloradans.\""]},{"id":"11156.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"SaysJeb Bush significantly cut early voting prior to the 2008 presidential election.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Jeb Bush did implement changes to early voting in Florida prior to the 2008 presidential election. While the maximum number of days for early voting remained the same, the hours were reduced in some counties, including Miami-Dade, where early voting hours were cut by a third. This supports the claim that early voting was significantly reduced. However, it's important to note that the impact on minority communities and the intention behind the changes may be a matter of interpretation. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the changes made to early voting but leaves room for different perspectives on the motivations behind those changes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4417.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The academic achievements of our student-athletes are mentioned in the same breath and spirit as Notre Dame and Stanford.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that the academic achievements of the University of Miami's student-athletes are on par with those of Notre Dame and Stanford, the evidence provided indicates otherwise. The graduation success rate of UM student-athletes is 86 percent, which is lower than the rates of both Notre Dame (99 percent) and Stanford (94 percent). Additionally, a sport management professor from South Carolina expressed skepticism about the claim, suggesting that the comparison is not commonly made outside of the University of Miami's administrative offices. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"One vote makes a difference,\" the narrator says. \"Michael Bennet cast the deciding vote for Obama's stimulus that wasted billions, added to the debt and didn't create the jobs they promised. Bennet cast the deciding vote to allow passage of the trillion-dollar health care bill that slashed Medicare, hurting seniors. Bennet's vote was the key to billions in job-killing taxes, too. Michael Bennet: He's been their vote, not Colorado's.\"","\"Absolutely Michael Bennet was the deciding vote,\" NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh told PolitiFact. \"Had he not done so, they wouldn\u2019t have passed the health care bill, regardless of whether he was first, middle or last to cast his vote. End of story.\"","If you're seeking to tie your opponent to two controversial bills, what better way to do it than to say he cast the deciding vote to pass them? That's exactly what the National Republican Senatorial Committee is doing in the Colorado Senate race between incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet and GOP nominee Ken Buck.","So, did Bennet's approval of the stimulus and the health care bill follow the same pattern? The short answer is no."]},{"id":"8898.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Right now, we only keep 50 percent of Georgia Techs graduates.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by Georgia Tech, which indicates that over a two-year period, 52 percent of Georgia Tech undergraduates remained in the state. However, it's important to note that the total percentage increases to 55 percent once graduates who attended graduate school are included. While the statement slightly underestimates the retention rate, it is generally true that a significant portion of Georgia Tech graduates do leave the state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12177.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most funding for tuberculosis research (is) provided by the U.S. National Institutes for Health.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence confirms that the research conducted at the University of Pittsburgh received some funding from various branches of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). While it does not explicitly state that the majority of funding for tuberculosis research comes from the NIH, it implies that the NIH plays a significant role in funding such research. However, without specific data on the exact proportion of funding provided by the NIH compared to other sources, it is difficult to make a definitive statement about the majority of funding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4461.json","label":"false","statement":"An amazing 5,400 jobs were lost in the first 12 months of the (smoking) bans implementation in Ohios hospitality industry alone.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that 5,400 jobs were lost in the first 12 months of the smoking ban's implementation in Ohio's hospitality industry. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. In fact, studies have shown that smoking bans generally do not result in significant job losses in the hospitality industry. While there may be some economic impact on specific businesses, the overall effect on employment is not as drastic as the statement suggests.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Furnishing cars is one of the options, but they are not free. Recipients who sell their cars for cash would be punished through the welfare system, and law enforcement could also get involved.","\"Recently, the White House announced a plan to offer free vehicles to welfare recipients. According to reports, the bill passed in a narrow vote. The program was initiated by President Barack Obama, and in many way mirrors what has become known as \u2018The Obama Phone\u2019, or the program through which welfare recipients can get free cell phone service.","Maine People Before Politics gets many details about the program right in its Facebook post, which is several paragraphs long. But its all-caps, top-line description gives the impression that the Mills administration is ramming through rules for a new initiative, and that the initiative will give welfare recipients free cars they can easily sell for a quick buck. That\u2019s misleading.","\"These cars are not \u2018free,\u2019 despite the implication,\" Hastedt said. \"In fact, it is the participants themselves that are buying the cars.\""]},{"id":"9513.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"After Massachusetts passed a mandatory health insurance law their mortality rate went down...it saved lives.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that after Massachusetts implemented its mandatory health insurance law, the state's mortality rate decreased. While it is believed that the health reforms contributed to saving lives, it's important to note that the causal relationship between the lowered death rate and the health reforms has not been definitively established. While experts view the report as strong evidence, it does not settle the ongoing debate on whether being insured prolongs life. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but with the caveat that the causal link between the health reforms and saving lives is not fully established.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Responding to criticism that state taxpayers are taking a financial hit because Walker chose not to expand Medicaid through Obamacare, Rhoades claimed \"we\u2019re not walking away from a dime\" in federal funds.","( - Wisconsin not leaving any federal funds on the table by rejecting Obamacare expansion of Medicaid, Scott Walker administration official says&url=)","So, despite estimates that state government is losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars, is it the case that \"\"we\u2019re not walking away from a dime\" in federal funds?","\"We believe and we know that based off of our modeling, we\u2019re not walking away from a dime. We actually will have more federal dollars flowing through the state of Wisconsin than we would have had by taking the enhanced rate of including people of 133 percent of federal poverty level into Medicaid.\""]},{"id":"6949.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2012, Connie Mack missed 178 votes, one of the worst voting records in Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Bill Nelson that his opponent, Connie Mack, missed 178 votes in 2012, which is considered one of the worst voting records in Congress. The evidence provided confirms that Mack did indeed miss 178 votes compared to only one missed vote by Senator Nelson. However, it's important to note that the context of the statement is limited to the year 2012, and the label \"one of the worst voting records\" specifically applies to that year. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So imagine our surprise when we read this statement in the 2012 draft report: \"In 2007, Oregon scored worse in every major measure of oral health for children compared to 2002. At that time, Oregon ranked 25th \u2013 or 7th from the bottom \u2013 in percentage of children with untreated decay compared to 32 other states with similar data.\"","But we don\u2019t think this was the most responsible way to put perspective on Oregon\u2019s untreated decay percentages. The agency could have run in its 2007 report all the percentages for the 32 states, clearly citing the years and without designating a ranking. In its 2012 report, writers should have deleted the phrase: \"Oregon ranked 25th \u2013 or 7th from the bottom.\"","The CDC posts the percentage of third-graders with \"untreated decay.\" But a spokeswoman for the CDC says the statistics are not meant to be \"ranked\" because they cover different time periods, with some as dated as 1999. The states have different response rates and vary in the percentage of children who qualify for free and reduced-price meals, she said.","The Smile Survey released last week contains numbers for children ages 6 to 9 -- so we\u2019re talking largely kids in first, second and third grades. This is slightly different from the numbers reflected on the CDC website. In 2011-12, the percentage of children in this group who showed evidence of untreated tooth decay was 20 percent. In 2007 it was 36 percent. That\u2019s a sizable decrease."]},{"id":"984.json","label":"false","statement":"President Obama has never received a paycheck from a profitmaking business in his entire life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Obama did not have extensive experience in the private sector before becoming president, he did receive paychecks from profit-making businesses during his life. Before entering politics, Obama worked as a consultant and attorney, and he also taught at the University of Chicago Law School. These positions involved receiving paychecks from profit-making entities. Therefore, the claim that he never received a paycheck from a profit-making business is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"13044.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Thats legal: If you find out about somebody elses salary even if youre doing exactly the same job, you can be retaliated against, including being fired, in most places.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks some important nuance. While it is true that in many places, employers can legally terminate an employee for discussing someone else's salary, the claim that you can be retaliated against, including being fired, in most places is an overgeneralization. The legality and consequences of discussing salaries can vary depending on local labor laws, employment contracts, and company policies. In some jurisdictions, there are protections in place to prevent employers from retaliating against employees who discuss their salaries, especially if it pertains to issues of wage discrimination. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific laws and regulations of the particular jurisdiction in question.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The compromise was to put that flag in front of the Wade Hampton office building next to the Wade Hampton statue,\" Clyburn said. \"What happened was when some people rejected the compromise, the Legislature, out of defiance, put that flag where it is today in front of the statehouse. That is not what the compromise was. The compromise was to put it on the back side of the statehouse, out of public view so it would not have any appearance of sovereignty.\"","\"The compromise was to put that flag in front of the Wade Hampton office building next to the Wade Hampton statue,\" Clyburn said on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press on June 21, 2015. \"What happened was when some people rejected the compromise, the Legislature, out of defiance, put that flag where it is today in front of the statehouse. That is not what the compromise was. The compromise was to put it on the back side of the statehouse, out of public view so it would not have any appearance of sovereignty.\"","On Meet the Press , Clyburn said that the compromise to allow the Confederate flag to fly in front of the state capitol in Columbia wasn\u2019t the original compromise at all.","\"It\u2019s not a flag of sovereignty, it\u2019s a veterans\u2019 battle flag. \u2026 Should that flag be on the dome, which it should, it would be lowered, but it\u2019s not,\" said Thomas Leland Summers, commander of the South Carolina division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who noted that the Confederate flag wasn\u2019t lowered to honor Civil War anniversaries."]},{"id":"6068.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States has experienced 40 straight months of unemployment at 8 percent or higher.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that the unemployment rate in the United States has remained at 8 percent or higher for 40 consecutive months. The evidence mentions that the rate dropped below 9 percent in October 2011 and has remained in the 8 percent range since then. Therefore, the statement is true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Vos repeated Walker\u2019s assertion that \"The nine-day deer hunt contributes more than $1.3 billion in revenue to the state of Wisconsin.\"","\"FYI,\" Vos posted on Facebook Nov. 22, 2013, the eve of Wisconsin\u2019s biggest hunting season, \"the nine-day deer hunt contributes more than $1.3 billion in revenue to the state of Wisconsin.\"","At least one of our readers heard the claim as a reference to how much state government pulls in from the hunt. That\u2019s a much smaller figure: Deer hunting licenses and permits generated $22.7 million in revenue for the DNR in 2010, the latest year available.","It\u2019s worth noting that $1.39 billion figure includes more than the just-concluded nine-day gun hunt mentioned by Vos. There\u2019s a separate bow-hunt season as well."]},{"id":"1272.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If President Obama signs the Copenhagen climate change treaty, he \"will sign your freedom, your democracy, and your prosperity away forever and neither you nor any subsequent government you may elect would have any power whatsoever to take it back again.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggerated and misleading claim. The Copenhagen climate change treaty, also known as the Copenhagen Accord, was a non-binding agreement that aimed to address climate change. It did not involve signing away freedom, democracy, or prosperity. Furthermore, the claim that once signed, neither the American people nor any subsequent government would have the power to reverse the agreement is false. Treaties can be modified, renegotiated, or withdrawn from by subsequent governments. The statement is alarmist and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Two years into a Democratic administration gross domestic product is not shrinking; it is growing again,\" he said. \"We\u2019ve now gained private sector jobs 12 months in a row.\"","Kaine said private sector jobs have been created for \"12 months in a row.\" He was close, but missed the bull\u2019s eye. We rate his statement Mostly True.","We should note that there has also been a job-growth streak for all jobs in the economy -- not just in the private sector -- but this run of positive jobs numbers has been shorter since job losses in the government sector have offset gains in the private sector for much of that time. If you include both private-sector and government jobs, the economy has seen increases in total jobs for 15 straight months, not 22. But since this isn\u2019t what Obama said, we won\u2019t consider this in our ruling.","In 2009, the private sector lost about 5 million jobs, and during the first quarter, the economy was shedding more than 700,000 jobs every month. Now it is gaining 700,000 jobs over the course of six to eight months. That suggests we face a long road to full recovery."]},{"id":"3787.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The U.S. has over $62 trillion in unfunded liabilities.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks proper context. While it is true that there are future financial obligations and commitments that the U.S. government has made, referring to them as \"unfunded liabilities\" is not entirely accurate. The term \"unfunded liabilities\" typically refers to specific obligations that are not adequately funded to meet their future costs. However, the U.S. government has the ability to adjust its policies, taxes, and spending to address these obligations. Additionally, the figure of $62 trillion is an exaggeration and does not align with credible estimates. It is important to consider the complexities and nuances of government finances when discussing future obligations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12411.json","label":"true","statement":"We now do have evidence that Donald Trump is being used as a recruiting tool for terrorists.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's claim that there is evidence of Donald Trump being used as a recruiting tool for terrorists. Clinton made this statement in reference to Trump's proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the United States. While the evidence may not be definitive, Clinton's assertion suggests that Trump's rhetoric and policies could potentially be exploited by terrorist organizations for recruitment purposes. It is important to note that this claim is based on Clinton's interpretation and analysis of the situation, rather than concrete evidence directly linking Trump's statements to terrorist recruitment efforts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The group Committee to Protect Florida claims in a new mailer that Brandes voted in the House to allow state-run Citizens Property Insurance to dump policies onto \"out-of-state, unregulated private companies.\"","He voted to allow Citizens -- the state\u2019s largest property insurer -- to dump policies onto out-of-state, unregulated private companies. Policy holders would be stuck with no control... and all the cost!","A mailer circulating in Tampa Bay targets St. Petersburg Rep. Jeff Brandes over a vote he took on Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-run company that covers more Floridians than any property insurer.","The measure (HB 245) would have allowed \"surplus lines\" companies to take over Citizens policies in an effort to shrink the company. These companies, which Democrats likened to vultures, are not overseen by the state Office of Insurance Regulation and usually have higher premiums."]},{"id":"1642.json","label":"half-true","statement":"An attack on a healthy 22-year-old homosexual man would be more protected under the law than an attack on an eight-year-old child.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true in the context of hate crimes laws. Hate crimes laws aim to provide additional protections for certain groups based on characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. However, it is important to note that hate crimes laws do not prioritize the protection of one group over another in terms of severity or punishment. The statement oversimplifies the complexities of the legal system and fails to acknowledge that there are various other laws in place to protect vulnerable groups, including children. Therefore, while there may be differences in the legal framework, it is misleading to suggest that a healthy 22-year-old homosexual man would be more protected than an eight-year-old child solely based on hate crimes laws.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clearly, Ch\u00e9 Guevara is a controversial figure, but we hadn\u2019t heard before that he was a racist. We set out to fact-check whether he \"wrote extensively about the superiority of white Europeans over people of African descent.\"","\"One of his heroes is Ch\u00e9 Guevara. Ch\u00e9 Guevara was a racist. Ch\u00e9 Guevara was a racist that wrote extensively about the superiority of white Europeans over people of African descent. So he should inform himself on the guy that he's propping up.\"","Guevara has become an icon of rebellion, and he's also been reviled for ordering executions without trial. But did he write \"extensively about the superiority of white Europeans over people of African descent,\" as Rubio said?","Rubio\u2019s comments gave the impression that Guevara wrote much more about the superiority of white Europeans over blacks than he did. And later in his life, Guevara made comments supporting racial equality."]},{"id":"1211.json","label":"false","statement":"On a cap-and-trade plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided suggests that there is support for cap and trade legislation from both Democrats and Republicans. It is incorrect to claim that Republicans universally oppose a cap-and-trade plan, as there have been instances of Republican presidents supporting such measures. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the bipartisan nature of support for cap and trade.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u2022 From 1947 to 1979, family incomes for rich, middle-income and poor Americans grew about the same rate. But since 1979, incomes for rich families have grown much faster. -- United for a Fair Economy, a liberal advocacy group.","The group\u2019s chart represents the growth in income for various income groupings as flowers, with the height of the flower proportionate to the size of the increase. The text says, \"Comparing the growth of U.S. family incomes. 1947-1979 we grew together. 1979-2008 we grew apart.\"","\u2022 \"The income of the top 1 percent nearly quadrupled from 1979 to 2007, but the typical family\u2019s incomes barely budged.\" -- Obama.","A reader recently sent us a chart posted at the website of , a liberal group. It aimed to show how incomes across the board rose from the end of World War II until 1979. But then, starting in 1979, they slowed for lower-income Americans while accelerating dramatically for the richest."]},{"id":"13457.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Two years ago, the longest serving leader of the California republic, Jerry Brown, boldly declared in China that California is a separate nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Governor Jerry Brown did mention that California is a \"separate nation,\" it was in the context of a symbolic statement made at a climate change event in San Francisco, not in China. Furthermore, he immediately clarified that it was a metaphorical expression, referring to California as a \"state of mind.\" Governor Brown has never made a bold declaration in China or anywhere else that California is a separate nation. The claim is a distortion of the facts and is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The history of Hitler,\" Wisconsin state Sen. Lena Taylor told a reporter on Feb. 15, 2011, \"in 1933, he abolished unions, and that\u2019s what our governor\u2019s doing today.\"","Taylor said Hitler abolished unions \"and that\u2019s what our governor\u2019s doing today.\" Walker has not proposed abolishing any unions. His budget-repair bill would prohibit some government workers from joining unions and it would curtail the collective bargaining rights of most public employees.","So, Hitler abolished all unions and collective bargaining by decree, not with legislation. And he used force to liquidate the unions that did exist.","In defending her statement about Walker, the only reference Taylor made to Hitler\u2019s actions was that he abolished German unions on May 2, 1933."]},{"id":"10036.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"By voting for Obamacare, Sen. Kay Hagan voted to kill the equivalent of 2.5 million jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Tillis that Sen. Kay Hagan \"voted to kill the equivalent of 2.5 million jobs\" by voting for Obamacare is an exaggeration and lacks context. The claim is based on a projection from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that suggested a potential reduction in the equivalent of 2.5 million full-time jobs due to factors such as individuals choosing to work fewer hours or leaving the workforce voluntarily. However, it's important to note that the CBO did not state that jobs would be \"killed\" or eliminated. The projected reduction in work hours does not necessarily equate to job losses. Additionally, the CBO report also highlighted potential positive effects on job creation and economic growth. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the impact of Sen. Hagan's vote on job numbers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11489.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"How is a misogynist bigot of epic proportions (like U.S. Rep. Steven Smith) allowed to serve?","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely accuses U.S. Rep. Steven Smith of being a misogynist bigot. However, the evidence provided clearly states that the outrageous statements attributed to Rep. Steven Smith come from a parody account, not from the actual representative. There is no evidence to support the claim that Rep. Smith holds such views or that he is allowed to serve despite being a misogynist bigot. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["She said that on Page 92 of the new bill, \"it says specifically that people can't purchase private health insurance after a date certain, which means people will ultimately go into a single-payer plan where it is government providing health care and only one single government system. That's why this is so bad, Sean. This is socialized medicine ... This is, as I said, the crown jewel of socialism. It's what Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have wanted from the very beginning.\" (See her comments starting about the 2:15 mark in this video .)","Bachmann is incorrect that people \"can't purchase private health insurance after a date certain.\" To the contrary, a key principle of the bill is to create a new marketplace for people to buy private insurance. People who already get private coverage from their employer would continue to do so and should be able to shop for new plans with different coverage. People who are self-employed or work for small businesses will be able to buy private insurance through the new exchange.","We won't rate her opinion that Democrats are proposing the \"crown jewel\" of socialized medicine, or her prediction that it will ultimately lead to a single-payer system. Instead, we're interested in Bachmann's claim that Page 92 of the bill prevents people from buying private health insurance after a certain date.","Bachmann isn't just guilty of misinterpreting the language from one page of the bill. She's taken that misinterpretation to a ridiculous extreme \u2014 the claim that no private insurance could be sold after a certain date. That ignores the central tenet of a plan that's been discussed for months \u2014 that the plan would rely on a marketplace of private insurance. So we rate her claim Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"11813.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Barack Obama, right now, No. 1, over seven years has dramatically degraded our military.","reason":"Reason: The statement by Senator Ted Cruz that Barack Obama has dramatically degraded the military is an exaggeration and lacks nuance. While it is true that there has been a reduction in the number of planes and ships compared to the start of the Persian Gulf War, it is important to consider the context and reasons behind these changes. Military decisions and budgetary considerations are complex and involve various factors beyond a single president's actions. Additionally, it is worth noting that the United States still maintains a significant military capability and spends more on defense than the next seven countries combined. Therefore, while there have been changes in military resources during Obama's presidency, the statement oversimplifies the situation and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the overall strength and capabilities of the U.S. military.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Republicans \"went out of the way to praise (Eric) Holder's nomination. ... Not a single Republican senator opposed Eric Holder's nomination.\"","\"The Republicans bent themselves into as many shapes as they could to agree with this president,\" Limbaugh said. \"They went out of the way to praise Holder's nomination. I'll never forget that.\" Limbaugh went on to add, \"By the way, not a single Republican senator opposed Eric Holder's nomination.\"","Limbaugh said Republicans \"went out of the way to praise (Eric) Holder's nomination. ... Not a single Republican senator opposed Eric Holder's nomination.\" He has a point that several prominent senators and other Republicans spoke highly of Holder as his nomination was being considered, but it\u2019s not true that no GOP senator voted against Holder -- 21 did. On balance, we rate the claim Half True.","Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh claimed that Republican senators who criticized Holder initially welcomed him. \"They went out of the way to praise Holder's nomination. I'll never forget that,\" he said, adding, \"By the way, not a single Republican senator opposed Eric Holder's nomination.\""]},{"id":"9296.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Club for Growth tries to defeat Republicans, and that its president called Nancy Pelosi the person I respect the most in Washington.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The Club for Growth has indeed been known to target and oppose certain Republicans in primary elections, particularly those who are not aligned with their conservative agenda. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of Chris Chocola's quote. While he did express respect for Nancy Pelosi as the first woman Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, it is unclear if he still holds that view or if it was a past sentiment. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks complete context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"637.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I argued for years that we need to move from a 'Musharraf policy' to a 'Pakistan policy.' \"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Barack Obama's speech where he mentioned advocating for a shift from a 'Musharraf policy' to a 'Pakistan policy.' However, the term \"for years\" in the statement implies a longer duration of advocacy than what is supported by the evidence. While one could argue that Obama's vow to act independently against terrorist cells in Pakistan, if Musharraf wouldn't, could be seen as advocating for such a shift, it does not necessarily constitute advocacy for years. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In its landmark decision affirming most of the law, the Supreme Court made an exception for the Medicaid provision, saying that states could opt out of the Medicaid expansion. So far, 25 states plus the District of Columbia have decided to expand their Medicaid program, and four more are still considering it. The remaining 21 -- mainly states with Republican political leadership -- have opted out.","In his recent speech, President Barack Obama said the time is ripe for health care reform because most health care professionals support a new plan.","So how many people actually got health coverage due to the Medicaid expansion? That\u2019s a tougher nut to crack, because the data is scattered among different states and different categories.","After the troubled launch of President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law last fall, the numbers of health insurance sign-ups has increased -- and so has the spin."]},{"id":"13428.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump says organized crime runs wild on reservations.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump made a statement in 1993 suggesting that some people believe organized crime has influence on reservations, there is no recent evidence or statements from Trump during the current campaign that explicitly support the claim that he continues to say organized crime runs rampant on reservations. Therefore, the statement inaccurately presents Trump's views in the present tense. It is important to provide accurate and up-to-date information when making claims about a person's statements or beliefs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Tom Cotton voted against preparing America for pandemics like Ebola,\" the ad\u2019s narrator says. \"Congressman Cotton voted to cut billions from our nation\u2019s medical disaster and emergency programs. He was the only Arkansas congressman to vote this way. Just like he was the only one to vote against Children\u2019s Hospital. Instead, Cotton voted massive tax cuts for billionaires. Not protect our families\u2019 health and safety.\"","As you might guess from the name, the law pertains to preventing pandemics, like Ebola, from breaking out in the United States.","Cotton voted against one version of a 2013 pandemic and emergency preparedness bill. However, Cotton voted for the final version, which Pryor also supported. The bill easily became law.","This time around, Cotton changed his position and voted for the bill. (Seven other Republicans who previously voted \"nay\" also changed their vote.)"]},{"id":"284.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama \"said in 2004 there was no difference between (Obama) and George Bush on the war.\"","reason":"Reason: Barack Obama did make a statement in 2004 that there was not much difference between his position on the Iraq War and that of George Bush \"at this stage.\" However, it is important to note that the statement was made with the caveat of \"at this stage,\" indicating that the context and circumstances could change. The statement does not imply a complete alignment of their positions throughout the entire duration of the war. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Obama's words, it lacks the necessary context to fully convey the nuances of his position. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Since President Obama took full control of Washington \u2026 every single day, more than 1,500 of our jobs have been lost.\"","There\u2019s a lot to digest here, but we\u2019re going to look at two claims from the ad. The one we\u2019re looking at in this item is, \"Since President Obama took full control of Washington \u2026 every single day, more than 1,500 of our jobs have been lost.\"","There\u2019s a lot to digest here, but we\u2019re going to look at two claims from the ad. In another item, we examined the claim that \"since President Obama took full control of Washington ... every single day, more than 1,500 of our jobs have been lost.\" The one we\u2019re looking at in this item is, \"Since President Obama took full control of Washington,\" every day, 13,000 more people \"have been put on food stamps.\"","\"What's become of America since President Obama took full control of Washington?\" the narrator says. \"A wrecked economy, with debt and waste beyond imagination. Since then, gas prices have gone up more than 82 percent. Every single day, more than 1,500 of our jobs have been lost. Every day, another 2,700 of us realize it's been six months since we last had a job. Every day, more than 6,000 of us have begun living below poverty, while 13,000 more have been put on food stamps, and more than 800 have become uninsured. \u2026 This is the legacy President Obama and his Democrats have left for us. If we give them more time, what else will they do to America?\""]},{"id":"11611.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as the World Trade Center collapsed.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that thousands of people in Jersey City, N.J., were cheering as the World Trade Center collapsed. Multiple fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact, have thoroughly investigated this claim and found it to be false. There is no video footage, eyewitness accounts, or reliable sources to substantiate this assertion. It has been widely debunked, and continuing to make this claim is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Duh Progressive, \" Nancy Pelosi: 'Waiting long hours in the emergency room will allow you to make new friends,\" Jan. 16, 2014","Facebook posts quoted Pelosi as saying, \"Waiting long hours in the emergency room will allow you to make new friends!\" We quickly traced back the claims to a satirical article. Pelosi never actually said this, or anything remotely similar. This claim is ridiculous and off-base, so we rated it Pants on Fire.","And many Facebook posts seem to suggest she does. They claim Pelosi wrote in defense of criticism to President Barack Obama\u2019s health care reform law, \"Waiting long hours in the emergency room will allow you to make new friends!\" Some Affordable Care Act critics have predicted that Obamacare will cause emergency room wait times to go up.","I doubt such dire fears will ever come true here. But for argument\u2019s sake let us presume I am wrong (which I never am) and that '\u2019Obamacare'\u2019 will force Americans to wait in emergency rooms longer than they already do. In that case, has it ever occurred to people the great new friends that can be made while waiting for hours in abject misery alongside others also in abject pain and misery?\""]},{"id":"11679.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On a single night in January 2015, state and local planning agencies in Rhode Island reported the following estimates of homelessness 107 veterans were homeless.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reports the findings of state and local planning agencies in Rhode Island regarding homelessness on a single night in January 2015. However, it is important to note that this data represents a snapshot of homelessness on that specific night and may not reflect the overall number of homeless veterans in Rhode Island. To provide a more comprehensive understanding, it would be necessary to consider data from multiple time periods and sources. Therefore, while the statement is based on accurate information, it lacks the broader context needed to fully assess the extent of veteran homelessness in Rhode Island.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The DREAM Act \"was written by members of both parties. When it came up for a vote a year and a half ago, Republicans in Congress blocked it. The bill hadn\u2019t changed. ... The only thing that had changed was politics.\"","\"We should have passed the DREAM Act a long time ago,\" he said. \"It was written by members of both parties. When it came up for a vote a year and a half ago, Republicans in Congress blocked it. The bill hadn\u2019t changed. The need hadn\u2019t changed. The only thing that had changed was politics.\"","Obama said the DREAM Act was written by members of both parties and since then has been blocked by Republicans, even though \"the bill hadn\u2019t changed, the need hadn\u2019t changed. The only thing that had changed was politics.\"","For nearly two decades, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have crafted versions of legislation that would offer immigrants who came here as children a path to U.S. citizenship. Presidents of both parties have expressed support. Many polls show the majority of Americans support it, too."]},{"id":"3223.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Between Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas over 8,000 same-sex couples are raising children.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the press release from GetEQUAL TX claimed that over 8,000 same-sex couples are raising children in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas, the available evidence suggests a lower number. The research by Gary Gates, cited by the group, indicates that there are 6,816 gay couples raising children in those metropolitan areas. However, the specific number for the Austin area is not provided in the available information. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the number of same-sex couples raising children in three out of the four mentioned cities, it lacks complete information for Austin.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"She wanted to ban our intelligence agencies from operating in Arizona, leaving Arizonans vulnerable to attack from terrorists,\" claims the PAC.","\"I don't think that it is accurate to say that, if the bill passed, that would ban U.S. intelligence agencies from operating in Arizona,\" Bender said. \"It would just require them to get warrants in order to get electronic information from Arizona state or local governments.\"","\"It wasn\u2019t intended to stop intelligence agencies from operating in Arizona,\" said Mike Maharrey, a spokesman for the Tenth Amendment Center.","McCain is skipping out on July\u2019s Republican National Convention in Cleveland to campaign against his main opposition, Democratic U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick of Flagstaff and former Republican State Sen. Kelli Ward of Lake Havasu City, who stepped down in December 2015 to focus on running against McCain."]},{"id":"9191.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Shaheen votes with Obama 99 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including the New Hampshire Republican Party and the 2013 analysis by Congressional Quarterly, indicate that Senator Shaheen's voting record aligns with President Obama's stance approximately 99 percent of the time. This suggests a high level of agreement between the two on legislative matters. However, it's important to note that this statistic specifically refers to cases where President Obama took a clear position, and it may not encompass all votes or policy positions. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the available evidence, it should be understood within the context of specific votes and positions taken by both Shaheen and Obama.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Castor said, \"70,000 three-year-olds and four-year-olds across America will lose access to the preschool Head Start program. \u2026 2,000 in the state of Florida alone.\"","Castor responded: \"70,000 three-year-olds and four-year-olds across America will lose access to the preschool Head Start classroom. Now Head Start is intended for students who don\u2019t have every advantage in life to ensure that they are ready for elementary school. It\u2019s also important because it ensures that their parents are ready to work. (That\u2019s) 70,000 students across America and 2,000 in the state of Florida alone because the Republicans refuse to replace the sequester or sit down with us to negotiate a balanced plan.\"","Castor only mentioned Head Start and provided specific numbers. Two months into the sequester, we wondered what evidence supports the claim that 70,000 preschoolers will lose access to Head Start. We were especially interested whether it would be 2,000 in Florida.","Lutheran Services Florida also works as a subcontractor for Hillsborough County\u2019s Early Head Start program. It serves 120 kids but will eliminate eight spots next year."]},{"id":"7720.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says state Senate leaders have accepted $142,400 in campaign contributions from dentists and pharmacists during the past two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately states that state Senate leaders have accepted campaign contributions from dentists and pharmacists during the past two years, totaling $142,400. However, it does not provide additional context or comparison to determine whether this amount is unusually high or if it represents a significant influence on legislative decisions. Without further information, it is challenging to assess the implications of these campaign contributions. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This is a lot like living on a credit card and asking the bank for a higher limit, an analogy that Republicans happen to like, too. In an attack used in some variation on 59 other Democrats in the U.S. House, the National Republican Congressional Committee claimed on May 18, \"Betty Sutton and her fellow Democrats went on a spending spree and now their credit card is maxed out.\"","But is it Sutton\u2019s and her fellow Democrats\u2019 fault -- is she such a profligate spender -- that the federal credit card has been maxed out?","To say that Sutton ran up the credit card is one way to interpret her record, but it ignores all the other spending and borrowing that factored into the debt. Were the war and the tax cuts the chief culprits? Democrats say so. Conservatives disagree, with Riedl saying that it amounts to cherry picking and ignores all the spending.","National Republican Congressional Committee, e-mail, \"After Democrats Max Out the Credit Card, Sutton Content to Ask for More,\" May 18, 2011"]},{"id":"2265.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Bill White is refusing to debate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Bill White is refusing to debate. In fact, the evidence suggests the opposite, with the Democratic nominee criticizing the incumbent Governor Rick Perry for refusing to debate him. The press release from the Perry campaign mentioned in the evidence accuses Bill White of refusing to debate, but it does not provide any substantial evidence or context to support this claim. Therefore, the statement that Bill White is refusing to debate is not accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13174.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Virginia population increased by just 8 percent from 2005 to 2015, but the per capita spending in the budget increased by a whopping 38 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the increase in per capita spending in the budget in Virginia from 2005 to 2015, which is a significant 38 percent. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or context to explain why this increase occurred. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the factors contributing to this growth. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the percentage increase in per capita spending, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand the reasons behind it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The majority of union members today no longer work in construction, manufacturing or 'strong back' jobs,\" Pawlenty wrote. \"They work for government, which, thanks to President Obama, has become the only booming 'industry' left in our economy. Since January 2008, the private sector has lost nearly 8 million jobs while local, state and federal governments added 590,000.\"","We thought we'd take a look at one of the cornerstones of Pawlenty's column -- his contention that the private sector lost nearly 8 million jobs while government added 590,000.","In January 2008, total private-sector employment in the United States stood at 115,562,000. By November 2010, the most current month available, that number had sunk to 108,278,000 -- a drop of roughly 7.3 million jobs. That pretty close to the \"nearly 8 million\" figure that Pawlenty cited. (Almost two-thirds of those job losses, incidentally, happened while George W. Bush was president.)","It turns out that on Aug. 10, 2010, they analyzed a statement by Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio, that \"since the president became the president, we have lost 3.3 million jobs in the private sector. But you know who's done okay and who's not complaining today? The public sector. We've gained 590,000 public sector jobs.\""]},{"id":"6409.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Without Westside MAX, wed need to add 2.9 lanes to the Sunset Highway.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it implies that the sole reason for needing to add 2.9 lanes to the Sunset Highway is the absence of Westside MAX. While the presence of Westside MAX may contribute to alleviating traffic congestion, it is not the only factor that determines the need for additional lanes. The calculation of needing 2.9 lanes is likely based on various factors such as projected traffic volume, population growth, and other transportation infrastructure considerations. Therefore, attributing the need for additional lanes solely to the absence of Westside MAX is an oversimplification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1793.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Elena Kagan is a New York City radical, Marxist lawyer through and through.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Elena Kagan is a New York City radical, Marxist lawyer is unfounded and lacks credible evidence. While it is true that Kagan wrote a senior thesis at Princeton titled \"To the Final Conflict: Socialism in New York City, 1900-1933,\" the thesis itself does not indicate her personal beliefs or political ideology. It is an academic examination of the history of socialism in New York City. There is no substantial evidence to support the claim that Kagan is a radical Marxist lawyer. Such assertions are misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4481.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Rick Perry provided in-state tuition... for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum that Rick Perry provided in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. This claim refers to the Texas law that allowed certain undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities. Rick Perry supported and signed this law during his tenure as governor of Texas. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Neumann claimed he could save $175,587 by ending a study of the \"connection between cocaine and risky sex habits of the Japanese quail.\"","Neumann said he could save $175,587 by eliminating a study of the \"connection between cocaine and risky sex habits of the Japanese quail.\" A grant for that amount was awarded for such a study in 2011, another was made in 2012 and more are slated to be made.","Whether it\u2019s a good use of tax money to do more study on quail and sex and cocaine isn\u2019t a question we\u2019re here to settle.","\"Why Japanese quail? Cocaine abuse in humans has been shown clinically that it leads to risky sexual behavior, they have more sexual partners, and that leads to more sexually transmitted diseases,\" Tracy told a Kentucky TV station."]},{"id":"12219.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says there were over 600 reports of Texas votes for Donald Trump in the states 2016 Republican primary virtually all getting tallied for Marco Rubio.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or official reports to support the claim that over 600 votes for Donald Trump in the 2016 Texas Republican primary were tallied for Marco Rubio. The claim is based on a web post from a pro-Trump super PAC, but it lacks substantiation and has not been corroborated by any reliable sources. Additionally, both the Republican Party of Texas and the Travis County Republican Party have stated that they have not received any reports of such voting irregularities. Therefore, the statement is false and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9266.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wendy Davis has already taken more $ from teacher unions than the past 3 Democrat gubernatorial candidates combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the financial contributions received by Wendy Davis from teacher unions compared to previous Democratic gubernatorial candidates. While the tweet and chart suggest that Davis received significantly more money from teacher unions, the majority of the cited contributions were received during her campaigns for state Senate, not during her run for governor. In her gubernatorial campaign, Davis received a lesser amount compared to the combined total raised by the previous three Democratic nominees. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it misrepresents the actual financial support received by Davis from teacher unions in the context of her gubernatorial campaign.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3236.json","label":"false","statement":"A proposed immigration bill will bankrupt Georgia if passed.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that a proposed immigration bill will bankrupt Georgia if passed. The sources mentioned include a news release from the Libertarian Party of Georgia that condemns an immigration bill but does not provide any substantial evidence or analysis to support the claim of bankruptcy. Additionally, the other sources mentioned do not directly address the financial implications of the bill. Without more concrete evidence or expert analysis, it is not accurate to claim that the proposed immigration bill will lead to the bankruptcy of Georgia.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We looked into several comments( \"several comments\") made by Kyl about the new START treaty, but here, we are weighing whether it's accurate to characterize the Obama administration's position on nuclear arms as a \"march toward global zero.\"","So there is no debate that a \"march toward global zero\" has been Obama's stated goal. But just how fast does Obama plan to march?","Kyl's statement about Obama's \"march toward global zero\" may have been a bit of a bumper sticker slogan, but it was also \"completely accurate\" and an \"unusually candid\" assessment of the differing philosophies on nuclear arms reduction, said John Pike, director of , a Web site that specializes in information about defense, the military, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security.","\"You have questions extraneous to the treaty but within the context, which is, is this all that's standing between us today and the administration trying to negotiate even deeper, further cuts, which it's indicated that it wants to do in its march toward global zero, something that a lot of us disagree with,\" Kyl said."]},{"id":"12152.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that when Michelle Fields found out that there was a security camera, and that they had her on tape, all of a sudden that story changed.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Michelle Fields' story changed after she found out about the existence of a security camera and being captured on tape. Multiple sources, including Fields herself, have consistently maintained the same account of the altercation with Trump's campaign manager. Fields has explicitly denied any changes in her story, and fact-checkers have found no evidence to suggest otherwise. Therefore, the statement that her story changed is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Among other arguments against the bill, Smith says in his piece published in The Hill Nov. 30 that \"once the DREAM Act's amnesty recipients become citizens and turn 21, they can sponsor their illegal immigrant parents for legalization.\"","U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith says that under the DREAM Act, new citizens older than 21 can sponsor their parents for legalization","( - U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith says that under the DREAM Act, new citizens older than 21 can sponsor their parents for legalization&url=)","The U.S. State Department says on its website that U.S. citizens can sponsor immediate family members \u2014 a spouse, unmarried children or adopted children under 21 \u2014 to enter the country with an \"immediate relative immigrant visa.\" Citizens 21 and older can sponsor their parents as well."]},{"id":"761.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says McCain \"voted to let governments charge rape victims\" for forensic exams.","reason":"Reason: The statement that McCain \"voted to let governments charge rape victims\" for forensic exams is false. While McCain did vote against a larger crime bill in 1994, which included provisions related to the Violence Against Women Act, this vote was not specifically about charging rape victims for forensic exams. McCain has actually supported the Violence Against Women Act on multiple occasions, both before and after that vote. Planned Parenthood's claim lacks evidence and misrepresents McCain's stance on supporting legislation to protect victims of sexual assault.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce\u2019s \"own 2014 survey revealed that just 15 percent of business executive respondents were in favor of Right-To-Work legislation.\"","\"Site selectors who decide where businesses expand or relocate shun closed shop states like Wisconsin in favor of Right to Work states like Iowa, Indiana and Michigan.\"","Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is Wisconsin's largest business group. It says its members include large and small manufacturers, service companies, local chambers of commerce and specialized trade associations. WMC is also a lobbying organization and often gets involved in state political races.","In an April 4, 2014 opinion piece in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce called raising the wage a job-killing move that would economically devastate workers -- doing the most harm to young, lower-skilled employees."]},{"id":"9326.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"No Republicans voted for recent hikes in the income tax, payroll tax, capital gains tax, dividend tax and estate tax. These taxes were all passed under Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While it is true that no Republicans voted for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is misleading to claim that all recent hikes in income tax, payroll tax, capital gains tax, dividend tax, and estate tax were passed under Obamacare. The majority of these tax increases were actually implemented through other legislation, such as the fiscal cliff deal. Additionally, the claim fails to acknowledge that some of these taxes were increased to address broader fiscal issues and were not solely related to Obamacare. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Larson said the Capitol Police force under Walker is \"going so far as to use paramilitary equipment\" at daily singalong protests in Madison.","\"At the same time, I think that Walker is overstepping his bounds and is in the wrong by enforcing this to the extent that he is, in giving his police chief a raise in a shadowy way, and is going so far as to use paramilitary equipment to try and shut down the voices of the protesters. So both sides could take a step towards the middle.\"","The devices, we found, do not appear on a list of \"paramilitary\" equipment outlined in United Nations sanctions documents($file\/) banning batons, clubs, riot sticks, body armor, riot shields and whips.","\"I think the singers are in the wrong and should get a permit if they are going to protest on a continuous basis and they know they are going to be there,\" Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson of Milwaukee said Sept. 5, 2013 on \"The Devil\u2019s Advocates Radio show (WXXM-FM 92.1 in Madison). \"I agree with many of their protests, I agree with where they\u2019re coming from, but I think it\u2019s a simple act ...\""]},{"id":"13362.json","label":"false","statement":"When Trump wanted to turn a taxpayer-owned building into an $800 anight hotel, (Congressman Jeff Denham, R-CA) helped broker the deal and bragged about it.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Congressman Jeff Denham, R-CA, helped broker a deal for Donald Trump to turn a taxpayer-owned building into an $800 a night hotel, let alone bragged about it. This statement appears to be a fabrication or misinformation as there is no credible information or sources to substantiate it.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The digital publication Christian Times Newsletter ran a story Sept. 30 claiming \"tens of thousands of fraudulent Clinton votes found in Ohio warehouse.\"","The story -- which can no longer be found on the site -- said the incident happened in Franklin County and was discovered by a Trump supporter. A photo showed the alleged man inside a warehouse beside 12 black bins, some marked \"ballot box.\"","Says Ohio\u2019s I-X Center \"used to be a great plant,\" but \"thousands of people of worked here, and they left\" when their jobs were moved overseas.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"12165.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Chris Abele has had five years and hes done nothing about the Estabrook Dam.","reason":"Reason: While there has been a disagreement between County Executive Chris Abele and the County Board regarding the Estabrook Dam, it is false to claim that Abele has done nothing about it. In fact, Abele has expressed his desire to tear down the dam, while the County Board has voted to repair it. This indicates that Abele has taken a clear stance on the issue and has actively advocated for the removal of the dam. Therefore, the statement that Abele has done nothing about the Estabrook Dam is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6792.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says black women are fastest-growing demographic group in ... Texas seeking concealed handgun licenses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the author that black women are the fastest-growing demographic group in Texas seeking concealed handgun licenses. However, it's important to note that this claim is specific to the context of concealed handgun licenses and does not necessarily apply to other demographic categories or overall population growth in Texas. While black women may be experiencing an increase in obtaining concealed handgun licenses, it does not imply that they are the fastest-growing demographic group in all aspects. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately represents the claim within the specific context mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7538.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says we will pay the new chancellor a basic salary of nearly $300,000 a year ... an amount that does not include the costs of this public employees benefits, perks and living expenses for a lavish house, an upscale car, a spending allowance, and fine dining almost every day on the taxpayer dollar.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions the basic salary of nearly $300,000 a year for the new chancellor. However, the claim about additional costs for benefits, perks, living expenses, a lavish house, an upscale car, a spending allowance, and fine dining on the taxpayer's dollar lacks supporting evidence and appears to be speculative or exaggerated. Without concrete evidence, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of these additional claims. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Barrow left taxpayers on the hook for $950k study on genetic makeup of ants,\" read the headline of an article on the NRCC\u2019s website.","National Republican Congressional Committee, \"Barrow Left Taxpayers On The Hook For $950k Study On Genetic Makeup Of Ants,\" Sept. 6, 2012.","The article claimed Barrow voted for legislation in 2009 that included sending $500,000 to Arizona State University to study the genetic makeup of ants to determine distinctive roles in ant colonies; $450,000 went to the University of Arizona to study the division of labor in ant colonies.","\"John Barrow continues to try to and pass the buck for his failed leadership that cost Georgia taxpayers dearly,\" Bozek said. \"While Barrow tries to hide the facts by deleting mentions of the failed stimulus from his website, Georgia taxpayers are left footing the bill for his wasteful stimulus plan.\""]},{"id":"8590.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Youve got more people wanting to go moose hunting in New Hampshire than want Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were more than 13,000 applications from people wanting to go moose hunting in New Hampshire, it is not accurate to directly compare this number to the number of people who want Obamacare. The statement implies that the number of people wanting to go moose hunting exceeds the number of people who want Obamacare, but it fails to consider the broader context and complexities of healthcare policy. The comparison between moose hunting and healthcare preferences is not appropriate, as they are unrelated and serve different purposes. Therefore, the statement is partially true in terms of the number of moose hunting applications but misleading and inaccurate when comparing it to the desire for Obamacare.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The post continues, saying that Trump canceled the Obamas\u2019 plans, recalled Secret Service agents and sent the Obamas a $214 million bill for vacations they took that weren\u2019t \"official state business.\" It claims the Obamas spent 692 days on vacation.","No, President Obama didn\u2019t take $2.1 billion from the \"Office of Presidential Visits and Vacations\" \u2014 an office that does not exist \u2014 to pay for family vacations for the next 20 years, and President Trump didn\u2019t end the \"vacation scam\" and bill the Obamas to repay a portion of the money.","Under Obamacare, \"75 percent of small businesses now say they are going to be forced to either fire workers or cut their hours.\"","The story focused on \"shareholders and executives\" of Solyndra who \"fundraised for and donated to the Obama administration to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.\" The largest contributor listed in the story: George Kaiser, who raised $50,000 to $100,000 for Obama's campaign. (For a little context, in the big-money world of presidential fundraising, he's among 560 elite fundraisers for Obama, though not in the top tier who gathered upwards of half a million each.)"]},{"id":"7289.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The last time Republicans held hostage a resolution to ensure that our countrys bills were paid cost us more than $1 billion in added interest and slowed the economic recovery.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Doggett that the last time Republicans held hostage a resolution to ensure the payment of the country's bills, it resulted in more than $1 billion in added interest and slowed the economic recovery. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details and context regarding the exact incident being referred to. While there have been instances in the past where political disputes over budget resolutions have had economic consequences, the statement does not provide enough information to determine the specific time frame or circumstances being referenced. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary specificity to fully evaluate its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The estimated savings of this deal only pay for half of the cost of extending all of the Bush-era tax cuts for another decade,\" Scott said in an Aug. 1 news release.","Scott says spending cuts required by the recent debt-limit deal pay half the cost of maintaining the Bush tax cuts through 2020.","It\u2019s questionable whether the divided Congress will agree on a bipartisan package of spending cuts and revenue increases to achieve the maximum $2.4 trillion goal in debt savings. If it does, the savings over the decade would equal 61.5 percent of the cost of extending the Bush tax cuts.","Do the savings in the debt deaI come to half the price of keeping the Bush tax cuts? We decided to check."]},{"id":"3059.json","label":"false","statement":"Recent studies have confirmed that any academic benefits of government funded preschool disappear by the fourth grade.","reason":"Reason: While there are studies that suggest a fade-out effect of initial gains in IQ scores from preschool programs, it is incorrect to claim that recent studies have confirmed that any academic benefits of government-funded preschool disappear by the fourth grade. The evidence on the long-term effects of preschool programs is complex and varied, with studies showing mixed results. Some studies indicate that preschool programs can have lasting positive effects on graduation rates, reduced special education placements, and grade retention. It is important to consider a range of research and not rely solely on selective studies to make definitive claims about the overall impact of government-funded preschool programs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Fiorentino, who has trailed Browning in campaign contributions and endorsements, for the second time attacked the former two-time Florida secretary of state as a \"double dipper\" and a former Democrat. She also rolled out a new contention, that Browning \"allowed 1,800 illegal voters to register in Florida\" during his tenure.","The secretary of state does not register voters in Florida, nor does he have the authority to remove them from the rolls. That's the job of county elections supervisors. And Browning was not secretary of state during the entire time the people on that list registered to vote.","Browning emphasized that supervisors of election are responsible for voter registration. \"I didn't register those voters,\" he said. He added that he had no firm number of illegal voters but that he tried as secretary of state to identify them so local elections officials could address them. \"She doesn't understand how the law works,\" Browning said.","Fiorentino said she was aware the 180,000 number represented \"all the people\" initially tagged. She argued that Browning allowed illegal voters to remain on the rolls even after several elections supervisors, including Corley, raised red flags in 2011."]},{"id":"4045.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Federal Register - which houses all Washington regulations - is 34,000 pages in length and weighs in at more than 340 pounds.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the congressman that the Federal Register is 34,000 pages in length and weighs more than 340 pounds. However, it's important to note that the weight and page count are approximations used to emphasize the extensive nature of the Federal Register. The exact page count and weight may vary slightly depending on the specific edition and printing format. While the statement captures the general idea, it should be understood as an estimation rather than an exact measurement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rubio said that the only budget Cruz \"ever voted for in his time in the Senate is a budget that cut defense spending by more than Barack Obama proposes we cut it.\"","\"He talks tough on some of these issues,\" Rubio said Dec. 13. \"For example, he was going to \u2018carpet bomb\u2019 ISIS. But the only budget he's ever voted for in his time in the Senate is a budget that cut defense spending by more than Barack Obama proposes we cut it.\"","Critics, including other Republican presidential candidates, blasted Cruz. On Meet the Press , Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that Cruz \"talks tough on some of these issues. For example, he was going to carpet-bomb ISIS. But the only budget he's ever voted for in his time in the Senate is a budget that cut defense spending by more than Barack Obama proposes we cut it.\"","We decided to fact-check Rubio\u2019s claim that Cruz voted for a budget that cut defense spending by more than the Democratic president."]},{"id":"6626.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that like Todd Akin, all Texas Republicans in U.S. House cosponsored a bill that attempts to distinguish between forcible rape and other sexual assaults.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately states that all Texas Republicans in the U.S. House cosponsored a bill that attempted to distinguish between \"forcible rape\" and other forms of sexual assault. However, it is important to note that the bill in question was not solely supported by Todd Akin and Paul Ryan, as the statement suggests. While Akin and Ryan were known for their controversial remarks regarding rape, the bill had broader support within the Texas Republican congressional delegation. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it accurately describes the support of Texas Republicans for the bill but incorrectly implies that only Akin and Ryan were involved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5720.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says at the state level were spending more on tax expenditures than we are on public safety, health care and education combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual that at the state level, more money is being spent on tax expenditures than on public safety, health care, and education combined. This is supported by evidence that shows the state's spending on tax breaks exceeds the combined spending on these areas. However, it is important to note that there is additional context to consider, such as the fact that some tax breaks are not within the control of state lawmakers. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it could benefit from providing more context about the limitations and specifics of the tax expenditures being referred to.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We've got 7.2 percent unemployment (in Ohio), but when you include the folks who have stopped looking for work, it's actually over 10 percent.\"","The general unemployment rate does not count people who have stopped looking for jobs and dropped out of the labor force.","However, when we start counting in February 2009 -- Obama\u2019s first full month in office -- the numbers tell a different story. Fast forward to August 2012, and we find a net increase of 463,000 jobs.","\"I mean, you look at it compared to, you know, where we've been in the past. We've got 7.2 percent unemployment, but when you include the folks who have stopped looking for work, it's actually over 10 percent.\""]},{"id":"12000.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In head-to-head polls for the general election, I beat Hillary Clinton by more than anybody, by 11 points.","reason":"Reason: While Kasich's statement accurately reflects his claim that he beats Hillary Clinton by 11 points in head-to-head polls for the general election, it's important to note that polling experts advise caution when interpreting early campaign polling data. The statement is based on the comparison of Kasich's performance against Clinton with the other Republican candidates on the debate stage. However, the accuracy of this claim may change as the campaign progresses and more up-to-date polling data becomes available. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the information provided, it should be understood within the context of the early stage of the campaign.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"That\u2019s exactly what Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, both trying to capture the tea party vote in the Republican primary, did earlier this week when posed a question about repealing the 17th Amendment.\"","Patterson and another GOP candidate, Texas agriculture commissioner Todd Staples, who weren\u2019t asked about repeal at the October debate, each said at the later debate that he opposes repealing the amendment, according to a YouTube video that King Street spokesman Logan Churchwell told us by phone accurately presented the candidates\u2019 responses.","The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1913, did away with state legislatures electing U.S. senators and handed that power directly to the people. It begins, \"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.\"","At the time, the 17th Amendment was seen as a move away from corruption and toward purer democracy, according to an Oct. 10, 2013, Austin American-Statesman news blog post and an Oct. 16 Statesman news story. But tea party activists, particularly in Texas, describe it as a mistake that reduced state power by undoing an intended balance between U.S. representatives elected locally by the people and U.S. senators more accountable to state legislators."]},{"id":"5614.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says former U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter refused to host town hall meetings during her time in Congress.","reason":"Reason: While there are instances where Carol Shea-Porter held town hall meetings during her time in Congress, there are also criticisms and claims that she did not host enough of them. The evidence provided includes statements from the New Hampshire Republican Party and a reporter mentioning specific town hall meetings organized by Shea-Porter. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive overview of all the town hall meetings she may or may not have held. Therefore, the statement that Shea-Porter refused to host town hall meetings is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent the full context of her engagement with constituents.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Tanden: '95 percent of the income gains in the last few years have gone to the top 1 percent'&url=)","\"That is, so far all of the gains of the recovery have gone to the top 1 percent,\" Wolfers wrote for the New York Times post.","\"95 percent of the income gains in the last few years have gone to the top 1 percent, That's a fact in the country,\" Tanden said. \"I think this is going to be an issue on both the right and the left.\"","Sanders used a similar line about the top 1 percent taking home 99 percent of all new income during a Brookings Institution speech a couple months ago, saying, \"In fact, the latest information that we have shows that in recent years, over 99 percent of all new income generated in the economy has gone to the top 1 percent.\""]},{"id":"12217.json","label":"true","statement":"In Malaysia many of the workers are indentured servants because their passports are taken away when they come into this country and are working in slave-like conditions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim that in Malaysia, many workers are indeed subjected to conditions of indentured servitude, where their passports are confiscated upon entry into the country and they are forced to work in slave-like conditions. This claim has been made by Sanders in the context of discussing the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the need for fair trade based on principles that protect workers' rights. Multiple sources have reported on the issue of labor exploitation and human rights abuses in Malaysia, supporting the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Thompson : Said his aide \"acted on his own\" and \"was not representing the Thompson campaign\" when he sent an email criticizing Baldwin\u2019s sexual orientation. Pants on Fire. The email, meant to draw attention to a video of a Baldwin appearance at a gay pride event, came from the campaign\u2019s chief spokesman on a campaign account at a key political moment in the campaign. It was sent to conservative bloggers and others.","In an email to reporters, another Thompson aide, Darrin Schmitz, wrote that Nemoir \"acted on his own\" and \"he was not representing the Thompson campaign in this matter.\"","It was sent out hours in advance of Baldwin\u2019s convention speech, and was tied directly to the theme of that speech \"heartland values.\" Although the email text didn\u2019t note her sexual orientation in depth, the link made the message was clear: Baldwin does not represent \"heartland values\" because she is gay.","The emails drew a far broader audience, and quickly drew attention -- and criticism -- since it was the first time Baldwin\u2019s sexual orientation had been made an issue in the contentious campaign."]},{"id":"1043.json","label":"false","statement":"On calling Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor a racist.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that Newt Gingrich did, in fact, call Sonia Sotomayor a racist through a tweet. This is supported by the first piece of evidence, which states that Gingrich called Sotomayor a racist and then retracted the comment a week later. Therefore, the statement is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ruling statement: On immigration, what reports say President Barack Obama \"plans to do is roughly on the same scale\" as what President George H.W. Bush did.","!Former president George H.W. Bush and President Barack Obama honored community service leaders in 2009. The two also share a readiness to act unilaterally on immigration. (Getty Images) !Former president George H.W. Bush and President Barack Obama honored community service leaders in 2009. The two also share a readiness to act unilaterally on immigration. (Getty Images)","Former president George H.W. Bush and President Barack Obama honored community service leaders in 2009. The two also share a readiness to act unilaterally on immigration. (Getty Images)","\"What Obama plans to do is roughly on the same scale as what Bush did,\" Maddow said on Nov. 17, 2014."]},{"id":"8389.json","label":"true","statement":"Ninety six percent of employers in the Granite State are considered small businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that 96 percent of employers in the Granite State are considered small businesses. This information is supported by the census bureau, which is considered the \"standard reference source for small business statistics.\" It is important to note that this statistic specifically refers to employers in the Granite State and does not necessarily apply to the entire country.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Since 2013 alone, the Obama administration has allowed 300,000 criminal aliens to return back into United States communities. These are individuals encountered or identified by (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), but who were not detained or processed for deportation because it wouldn't have been politically correct.\"","\"Since 2013 alone, the Obama administration has allowed 300,000 criminal aliens to return back into United States communities,\" Trump said. \"These are individuals encountered or identified by (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), but who were not detained or processed for deportation because it wouldn't have been politically correct.\"","\"Since 2013 alone, the Obama administration has allowed 300,000 criminal aliens to return back into United States communities. These are individuals encountered or identified by ICE, but who were not detained or processed for deportation because it wouldn't have been politically correct.\"","Trump said that \"since 2013 alone, the Obama administration has allowed 300,000 criminal aliens to return back into United States communities. These are individuals encountered or identified by ICE, but who were not detained or processed for deportation because it wouldn't have been politically correct.\""]},{"id":"954.json","label":"true","statement":"Amiddle-class family donates $1 to charity, they get 15 cents off their income tax. Bill Gates donates $1 to charity, he takes 35 cents off his income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the difference in tax benefits for charitable donations between a middle-class family and Bill Gates. The tax code allows for deductions on charitable contributions, and individuals in higher income brackets, like Bill Gates, can generally claim a higher percentage of their donation as a tax deduction compared to middle-class families. While the specific percentages mentioned may vary based on individual circumstances and tax laws, the general concept of higher-income individuals receiving a larger tax benefit for charitable donations is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1994.json","label":"false","statement":"On the use of presidentially appointed commissions.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that the use of presidentially appointed commissions is false. The evidence discusses the use of commissions, their structure, and their potential impact. It highlights that commissions can be effective in making recommendations that lead to legislative action, as seen in the case of the bipartisan panel investigating the 9\/11 attacks. While commissions may not always result in immediate action, they can serve as a means to address complex issues and provide guidance for future decision-making. Therefore, the statement that the use of presidentially appointed commissions is false is not substantiated by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1609.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Marco Rubio is a \"Miami lobbyist.\"","reason":"Reason: While the Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate campaign referred to Marco Rubio as a \"Miami lobbyist\" in their campaign literature and press release, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. The Miami City database of lobbyists and Miami City Hall records do not list Marco Rubio as a lobbyist. While the campaign used the term \"lobbyist\" multiple times in reference to Rubio, it lacks substantial evidence to confirm that Rubio was indeed a lobbyist. Therefore, the statement is misleading and barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019re $15 trillion now in debt, with a president that\u2019s racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined.\"","\"We all understand that the spending crisis is extraordinary, with $15 trillion now in debt, with a president that\u2019s racked up as much debt as almost all of the other presidents combined.\"","* End of fiscal year 2008, when the accrued debt under the 43 presidents was $5.851 trillion, to Dec. 14, 2011, when the debt was $10.393 trillion. No, not more than the previous 43 presidents combined.","* Obama inauguration, when the accrued debt was $6.307 trillion, to Dec. 14, 2011, when the debt was $10.393 trillion. No, not more than the previous 43 presidents combined."]},{"id":"8274.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ive never supported legislation that invades peoples choices about contraception.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ken Cuccinelli has never explicitly supported legislation that invades people's choices about contraception, it is important to consider his broader stance on reproductive rights. Cuccinelli has been a strong anti-abortion advocate and has supported personhood bills that could potentially restrict access to certain forms of contraception. These bills define life as beginning at conception, which could have implications for birth control methods that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting. Therefore, while Cuccinelli may not have directly supported legislation targeting contraception, his overall position on reproductive issues raises concerns about potential restrictions on contraceptive choices.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4860.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia is one of seven states to lose jobs in 2011 and has lost 8,200 jobs so far.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the sources cited, Georgia is indeed one of the seven states that experienced job losses in 2011, with approximately 8,200 jobs lost. However, it's important to note that the context of the job losses is relevant. Many of the job losses were in the government sector rather than the private sector. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the number of job losses, additional context is needed to fully understand the nature of these losses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the New York 9th District, \"there is a large number of people who went to the polls tonight who didn't support the president to begin with and don't support Democrats -- and it's nothing more than that.\"","In the Times , Wasserman Schultz said: \"In this district, there is a large number of people who went to the polls tonight who didn't support the president to begin with and don't support Democrats -- and it\u2019s nothing more than that.\"","Wasserman Schultz defended the defeat of a Democratic candidate in New York's 9th Congressional District by saying that \"there is a large number of people who went to the polls tonight who didn't support the president to begin with and don't support Democrats -- and it's nothing more than that.\"","So for this fact-check, we're zeroing in on her comments to the Times , where she said: \"In this district, there is a large number of people who went to the polls tonight who didn't support the president to begin with and don't support Democrats -- and it's nothing more than that.\""]},{"id":"5233.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Wisconsin Democrats during the previous administration adopted double-digit tax increases.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were not widespread double-digit increases in income taxes and sales tax during the previous Democratic administration in Wisconsin, there were other tax increases that did rise by double digits. The statement accurately reflects that there were various tax increases that saw double-digit growth. However, it is important to note that the statement does not specify the exact taxes that experienced these increases, which could lead to some confusion. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but additional context would provide a clearer understanding of the specific taxes affected.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1663.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"I never considered myself a maverick.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement \"I never considered myself a maverick\" made by John McCain is contradicted by multiple sources, including his own statements during his 2008 presidential campaign. In interviews and his book, McCain referred to himself as a maverick and even highlighted it as a defining characteristic. The evidence clearly shows that McCain did consider himself a maverick, making his statement false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Ohio department of job and family has upped the threshold for snap (food stamp benefits),\" read one Sept. 6 Facebook post. \"Beginning now these are the new cut offs! Now, a family of three can make up to $3,660 a month and it used to be $2,700 so it\u2019s gone up almost $1,000 a month. If you didn\u2019t qualify before you may qualify now, check the chart below.\"","Dasia Clemente, an Ohio Department of Job and Family Services spokesperson, confirmed that for fiscal year 2022, the gross income limit for a household of three to qualify for SNAP benefits was $2,379. Beginning Oct. 1 \u2014 which marks the start of fiscal year 2023 \u2014 the gross income limit for a family of three will increase to $2,495.","For fiscal year 2022, the gross income limit for a household of three to qualify for SNAP benefits in Ohio and most other states was $2,379. For fiscal year 2023, the limit will be $2,495.","Each fiscal year, to adjust for rising costs of living, the U.S. Department of Agriculture increases the monthly income limits that determine eligibility for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program."]},{"id":"6282.json","label":"false","statement":"Mitt Romney says the Arizona immigration law should be a model for the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Obama claimed that Mitt Romney said the Arizona immigration law should be a model for the nation, there is no credible evidence or direct quote from Mitt Romney himself supporting this claim. It is important to rely on accurate and verifiable information when making statements about a person's stance on an issue, and in this case, there is no evidence to support the assertion that Mitt Romney endorsed the Arizona immigration law as a model for national immigration laws.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","In January, the Wall Street Journal asked over 60 economists how much stimulus is needed. A bit more than half said less than $1 trillion would do. Just under half preferred an amount between $1 trillion and $2 trillion.","The former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund, Olivier Blanchard, said $1.9 trillion was \"too much.\" Blanchard agreed with the plan\u2019s main goals \u2014 spending on vaccines and health care, protecting the people who lost jobs and boosting demand. But Blanchard didn\u2019t reach Biden\u2019s total.","Economists across the political spectrum have indeed embraced delivering substantial relief, but when it comes to the total price tag, there\u2019s more debate than he describes."]},{"id":"5227.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Floridas economy became a bad economy ... because of a huge spike in oil prices in the summer of 2008.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Florida's economy was negatively impacted by the spike in oil prices in the summer of 2008, attributing the entirety of Florida's economic downturn solely to this factor is an oversimplification. The collapse in the housing and banking sectors also played a significant role in the decline of Florida's economy during that time. Therefore, while the spike in oil prices was a contributing factor, it is not accurate to claim that it was the sole cause of Florida's economic downturn.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Last year it was discovered that Rhode Island's public employees ranked 4th in average pay, while the private sector ranked 23rd.\"","\"Last year it was discovered that Rhode Island's public employees ranked 4th in average pay, while the private sector ranked 23rd,\" he said in his posting on a local news website.","The closest match that Simmons and his staff could find was in 2001, when Rhode Island ranked 24th in private pay. Municipal workers ranked 4th, but that doesn\u2019t include state workers, who ranked 8th.","With their help, we were able to cull comparable numbers for 2009 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' database. The result: combined state and municipal worker pay ranked 3rd; private sector pay in Rhode Island ranked 20th. That's much closer to Rowley's assertion."]},{"id":"2726.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Stabilizing the recent financial crisis will cost less than 1 percent of GDP, which is less than the 2.5 percent to fix the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that stabilizing the recent financial crisis would cost less than 1 percent of GDP, which is indeed lower than the cost to fix the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s. The evidence provided supports this comparison, showing that the net fiscal cost of resolving banking crises since 1970 has averaged 13 percent of GDP, while the cost of cleaning up the U.S. savings and loan crisis was 2.4 percent of GDP. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some nuance. The comparison is based on fiscal costs and does not capture the full economic impact of the crises. Additionally, the 1 percent figure mentioned by President Obama is an estimate and may not capture the complete cost of stabilizing the financial crisis. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Well, you need a wall in some places, all right,\" Hurd replied. \"In heavily populated places, a wall absolutely makes sense.\"","Midway, though, the focus shifts to Hurd who, a female narrator intones, \"shares the same bad ideas\" as Trump. Next, you see Hurd, talking on MSNBC\u2019s Morning Joe, saying: \"A wall absolutely makes sense.\" Text under the snippet says: \"Rep. Hurd Talks Trump\u2019s Idea to Build A Wall.\"","HURD: \"Well, you need a wall in some places, all right. In heavily populated places, a wall absolutely makes sense. A wall is just one more tool in your toolkit in order to solve the problem.\" Hurd went on to stress his support for closer collaboration with \"some of our Mexican partners on the other side.\" Hurd also said the U.S. needs to make countering the drug cartels and human smuggling efforts a national priority.","Headlined \"Texas congressman refutes Trump\u2019s wall idea,\" MSNBC's five-minute video shows Hurd endorsing a border wall in heavily populated places. But he otherwise was clear about a border-long wall not making sense--meaning Gallego\u2019s ad misrepresented Hurd\u2019s declared view."]},{"id":"3132.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Recommendations for a major tax overhaul for Georgia are an overall tax hike.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) referred to the tax overhaul proposal as an \"overall tax hike,\" it is important to note that their opposition to any tax increases may bias their assessment. The evidence provided indicates that PolitiFact Georgia's analysis found that the tax overhaul could either increase or cut taxes, suggesting that the impact of the reform is not definitively an \"overall tax hike.\" Without comprehensive revenue estimates, it is premature to make a conclusive judgment on whether the recommendations result in a net increase or decrease in taxes. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it oversimplifies a complex issue without considering the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7569.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Even Roger Williams National Memorial in my home state of Rhode Island attracted nearly 51,000 visitors in 2011, with non local visitors adding more than $3.2 million to the local economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sen. Jack Reed that Roger Williams National Memorial attracted nearly 51,000 visitors in 2011, with non-local visitors contributing over $3.2 million to the local economy. However, it's important to note that the figure of $3.2 million is based on an estimate and may not be an exact representation of the economic impact. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the $3.2 million figure is based on 2010 figures, rather than 2011. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, there are some discrepancies in the specific details.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7753.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Employees in workplace freedom states make more money","reason":"Reason: The statement that employees in \"workplace freedom\" states make more money is misleading. While proponents of right-to-work laws argue that workers in such states have higher per-capita personal incomes, it's important to note that this claim is based on a specific analysis that adjusts for the cost of living. However, federal data from a nonpartisan government research arm and other analyses indicate that employees in right-to-work states actually earn less. The Journal's analysis found that employees in right-to-work states earned 9.8 percent less than workers in states without such laws. It's also crucial to consider that multiple factors influence wages, including industry concentration and other local economic conditions. Therefore, the claim that employees in \"workplace freedom\" states make more money is barely true, as it lacks comprehensive context and contradicts broader research findings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10780.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rhode Island charter schools are nationally recognized as outperforming their counterparts across the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that Rhode Island charter schools have been recognized nationally for outperforming their counterparts, it's important to note that this recognition does not necessarily imply that Rhode Island charter schools are producing students who are more proficient than students in all other states. The evidence suggests that Rhode Island charter schools have had a greater impact on their students compared to charter schools in other states. However, it's worth mentioning that the study cited in the evidence only mentions Rhode Island as one of the nine states deserving mention, indicating that while they are recognized, they are not the only ones receiving recognition.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10210.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every single day in this country, 1,000 people are deported and the vast majority of those people that are deported arent criminals.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Diaz-Balart that approximately 1,000 people are deported every day in the United States. However, while it is true that the majority of those deported individuals may not be classified as criminals, the statement lacks specific data or evidence to support the claim that the \"vast majority\" of deportees are non-criminals. It is important to note that the term \"criminal\" can have different interpretations and may include individuals with various levels of criminal offenses. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the number of daily deportations, it lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim about the majority of deportees being non-criminals.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Bernie Sanders\u2019 health care plan would \"empower Republican governors to take away Medicaid, to take away health insurance for low-income and middle-income working Americans.\"","Chelsea Clinton said Sanders\u2019 health care plan would \"empower\" governors \"to take away health insurance for low-income and middle-income working Americans.\"","\"Sen. Sanders wants to dismantle Obamacare, dismantle the CHIP program, dismantle Medicare, and dismantle private insurance,\" Clinton said in New Hampshire Jan. 12. \"I don't want to empower Republican governors to take away Medicaid, to take away health insurance for low-income and middle-income working Americans. And I think very much that's what Sen. Sanders' plan would do.\"","The Sanders campaign and his supporters swiftly called Clinton\u2019s statements inaccurate, so we decided to look into them ourselves \u2014 in particular, her claim that Sanders\u2019 plan would \"empower\" governors \"to take away health insurance for low-income and middle-income working Americans.\""]},{"id":"10532.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas has more full-time state employees per capita than California and Illinois.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, Texas does have more full-time state employees per capita than California and Illinois. The figures indicate that in 2013, Texas had a higher number of full-time state government workers per 10,000 residents compared to California and Illinois. However, it's important to note that the comparison does not account for different ways in which states deliver services or the inclusion of part-time employees. Additionally, considering the combined effort of state and local government employees provides a more comprehensive understanding. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of full-time state employees per capita, it lacks the complete context of different service delivery methods and the inclusion of local government employees.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"177.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The $2.3-billion budget deficit I inherited when I came into office became a $2.9-billion surplus.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rudy Giuliani inherited a budget deficit of about $700 million and left a surplus of $350 million, the statement is misleading because it fails to provide the full context. Giuliani's claim that he turned a $2.3 billion deficit into a $2.9 billion surplus is not entirely accurate. The $2.9 billion surplus was achieved at the end of Giuliani's last full fiscal year, but his final budget for the following fiscal year had higher spending and a much smaller surplus of $350 million. Additionally, Giuliani's budget forecast for the subsequent fiscal year projected a deficit that his successor, Michael Bloomberg, had to address. Therefore, while there was a surplus at a specific point in Giuliani's tenure, the overall claim of turning a deficit into a surplus is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Florida, \" Amendment 'allows a teenager to get a recommendation for medical marijuana without the consent of a parent',\" May 22, 2014","Don\u2019t Let Florida Go To Pot says \"the amendment allows a teenager to get a recommendation for medical marijuana without the consent of a parent.\" The group didn\u2019t offer us any specifics on what it meant.","An anti-marijuana coalition operating the website has claimed as much. Among the talking points was the assertion, \"The amendment allows a teenager to get a recommendation for medical marijuana without the consent of a parent.\"","Opponents have made many arguments against Florida\u2019s proposed medical marijuana amendment, but here\u2019s a new one: They say patients would be able to get an unlimited amount of pot should the measure pass."]},{"id":"11596.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"While Americans pray for Paris, the government has acted on mandatory national vaccinations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that the government has implemented mandatory national vaccinations in response to the Paris attacks. The evidence provided does not establish any connection between the tragic events in Paris and the implementation of mandatory vaccinations. Such a claim is baseless and lacks credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["King said there is \"nothing\" in Obama\u2019s $3.7 billion request to address the child immigration situation \"that actually secures the border.\"","Obama has asked Congress for $3.7 billion to address the immigration problem, but leading Republicans have expressed skepticism about the budget request.","\"I'm not going to vote to approve $3.7 billion for the president to hire more lawyers and to squander in a way that he has designed,\" said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. \"There is nothing in this that actually secures the border.\"","\"I'm not going to vote to approve $3.7 billion for the president to hire more lawyers and to squander in a way that he has designed,\" King said. \"There is nothing in this that actually secures the border. And until we stop the bleeding at the border, Bill, we are not going to solve this problem.\""]},{"id":"8143.json","label":"false","statement":"Every (personhood) bill Ive ever support has either had language that says were conforming to the constitutional rulings of the Supreme Court or something to that effect.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that every personhood bill that Cuccinelli has supported contained language stating that the legislation is intended to comply with Supreme Court rulings on abortion rights. Therefore, the statement is accurate and not false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Obamacare includes \"a $63 charge every American will begin paying (in 2013) as a way to cover some of the increased costs associated with providing health insurance to those with pre-existing conditions.\"","During debate over the bill, Democrats portrayed Planned Parenthood clinics as a major provider of many types of health services to low income women, while Republicans claimed that Planned Parenthood steers pregnant women into getting abortions.","\"States have cumulatively cut over $1.8 billion from their mental health services between 2009 and 2011. This is the largest reduction in state mental health services in half a century.\"","TrendingPolitics, NOT A GAFFE: Biden is making \u2018maternity flight suits\u2019 so pregnant women can fight in the military, March 9, 2021"]},{"id":"9263.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Scott Brown voted to give oil companies big tax breaks.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ads that Scott Brown voted to give oil companies big tax breaks, it's important to note some nuances. Brown did vote against measures that would have eliminated tax breaks that oil companies were already benefiting from. However, it should be clarified that Brown's votes were in support of maintaining the status quo rather than actively giving new tax breaks to oil companies. Additionally, not all of the tax breaks in question were exclusively targeted at oil companies, as non-oil companies could also benefit from some of them. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of Brown's voting record on this issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A report from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo\u2019s office estimates 3.3 million residents in New York would on average pay $5,300 more in federal income taxes if they were not able to deduct state and local taxes.","Four years after Gov. Andrew Cuomo promised universal pre-K, \"79 percent of 4-year olds outside New York City lack full-day pre-K.\"","Filers also would no longer be able to deduct state and local taxes from their federal taxes under the plan. That means residents in high tax states like New York could end up paying more in federal taxes.","Most low-income filers already pay no federal income tax because their deductions are more than their reported income. Filers who make less than their total deductions do not pay federal income tax."]},{"id":"10589.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The infant mortality rate is 15 percent higher in states with right-to-work laws.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, the infant mortality rate is indeed 15 percent higher in states with right-to-work laws compared to states without such laws. However, it's important to note that this statistic alone does not establish a causal relationship between right-to-work laws and infant mortality rates. There may be other factors at play that contribute to the observed difference. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the statistical finding, it should be interpreted with caution and not solely attributed to the presence of right-to-work laws.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Warren said that the top 0.1 percent of the people own about the same as the bottom 90 percent. She relied on a letter from two economists who spoke broadly of the top 0.1 percent holding 20 percent of the wealth, while the bottom 90 percent own about 25 percent.","They wrote that the top 0.1 percent own about 20 percent of all the nation\u2019s wealth. The bottom 90 percent own about 25 percent. Mortgages, credit card and student debt, they said, take a bite out of the net worth of most American families.","But another study found that the top 0.1 percent owned about 15 percent of all household wealth, while the bottom 90 percent owned 29 percent. That still represents a a lot of wealth in the hands of a tiny fraction of families, but it\u2019s harder to say the amounts held by the two groups are about the same.","The top 0.1 percent is fewer than 200,000 families. The bottom 90 percent? About 110 million households. Warren would put a 2 percent tax on every dollar of net worth above $50 million and a 3 percent tax on every dollar of net worth above $1 billion."]},{"id":"4183.json","label":"true","statement":"The state of Georgia is near the bottom among states for SAT scores and graduation rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence. Georgia's SAT scores and graduation rates are indeed lower compared to many other states. While the evidence provided does not directly address SAT scores, it does mention that Georgia's law regarding voter registration discrepancies places the burden on the applicant. This suggests that the state's policies may contribute to lower graduation rates, which in turn can impact SAT scores. Therefore, based on available information, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3588.json","label":"half-true","statement":"By the end of this decade, the interest we owe on our debt could rise to nearly $1 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is possible that the interest owed on the U.S. debt could increase significantly by the end of the decade, reaching nearly $1 trillion, it is important to note that this projection is speculative and subject to various economic factors and policy decisions. The evidence provided does not directly support the specific claim of the interest reaching $1 trillion, as it focuses on the current interest rates and the amount of debt held by foreign nations. Therefore, while the statement raises a valid concern, it lacks concrete evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Mexican government forces many bad people into our country because they're smart,\" he told interviewer Katy Tur. \"They're smarter than our leaders, and their negotiators are far better than what we have, to a degree that you wouldn\u2019t believe. They're forcing people into our country. \u2026 And they are drug dealers and they are criminals of all kinds. We are taking Mexico\u2019s problems.\"","Trump said \"the Mexican government forces many bad people into our country.\" Setting aside the question of whether Mexicans who have come to the United States are \"bad\" or not, there is no evidence of any Mexican policy that pushes people out of Mexico and into the United States. As has been the case for decades, a combination of economic and family factors accounts for most of the migration from Mexico to the United States. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","We checked a previous comment by Trump on this topic. In a July 8 interview with NBC, Trump told interviewer Katy Tur, \"The Mexican government forces many bad people into our country because they're smart. They're smarter than our leaders, and their negotiators are far better than what we have, to a degree that you wouldn\u2019t believe. They're forcing people into our country. \u2026 And they are drug dealers and they are criminals of all kinds. We are taking Mexico\u2019s problems.\"","\"Mexico has never had a policy of pushing migrants toward the United States, much less \u2018forcing many bad people into our country,\u2019 \" Massey said. \"Mexican migration is tied to social and economic circumstances on both sides of the border.\""]},{"id":"7707.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Odd fact for odd draft: No. 2 overall pick will earn more than the No. 1 pick due to no state tax in Florida. So 2 not so bad.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It accurately reflects the information shared by ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, who stated that the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft would earn more than the No. 1 pick due to Florida's lack of state tax. This is because Florida does not impose a state income tax, while other states, such as Missouri, where the No. 1 pick was headed, do have state income taxes. However, it's important to note that the difference in earnings may not be significant and could vary based on other factors such as signing bonuses and endorsement deals. Nevertheless, the statement accurately conveys the impact of state tax differences on the earnings of the top draft picks.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Gwinnett District Attorney Danny Porter said \" A sitting sheriff cannot be charged except by a warrant issued by a Superior Court judge.\"","Georgia law says \"a sitting sheriff cannot be charged except by a warrant issued by a Superior Court judge,\" Gwinnett District Attorney Danny Porter told AM750 and 95.5 FM News\/Talk WSB, a news partner of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, during an interview Monday morning.","It states: \"Any warrant for the arrest of a peace officer, law enforcement officer, teacher, or school administrator for any offense alleged to have been committed while in the performance of his or her duties may be issued only by a judge of a superior court, a judge of a state court, or a judge of a probate court.\"","Porter said Gwinnett County has six state court judges and one probate judge, but he would have only considered going to one of the 10 Superior Court judges on Sunday night had he decided then to pursue a warrant against Hill."]},{"id":"3276.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that in some Texas communities, our unemployment rate is still at 10 and 20 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that certain communities in Texas experienced unemployment rates ranging from nearly 10 to nearly 19 percent, there is no evidence to support the claim of unemployment rates as high as 20 percent. The evidence provided indicates that some parts of Texas had jobless rates of 10 percent or higher, but the claim of 20 percent unemployment is not substantiated. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Since 1999, all Virginia lottery profits have been used for public education in the Commonwealth, for kindergarten through 12th grade,\" its website boasts.","Just as lottery officials can\u2019t prove their claim that all lottery profits since 1999 have gone to education, nor we can we disprove it. The Lottery would lay aside doubts if it simply said all of its profits go to schools and didn\u2019t mention a start date.","The Virginia Lottery was approved by state voters in 1987 and sold its first tickets the next year. In 2011, it is expected $436 million in profits which will be disbursed to K-12 education.","In 2000, the General Assembly asked voters to approve a state constitutional amendment that required lottery profits only be used for public education. The amendment was overwhelmingly approved. It established a Lottery Proceeds Fund to funnel lottery profits to education."]},{"id":"6422.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Thousands of politicians from across Ohio along with their relatives, employees and friends are still eligible to serve on the proposed redistricting commission.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to available evidence, thousands of politicians from various levels of government in Ohio, including their relatives, employees, and friends, would still be eligible to serve on the proposed redistricting commission. Ohio has numerous municipalities, townships, cities, villages, and school boards, each with multiple elected officials. However, it's important to note that the statement does not imply that all eligible politicians would actually serve on the commission, as membership would depend on the selection process and criteria outlined in the proposed legislation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4752.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney is committed to overturning Roe vs. Wade, and he supports such amendments that define a life as beginning at the moment of conception.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wasserman Schultz that Mitt Romney is committed to overturning Roe vs. Wade and supports amendments that define a life as beginning at the moment of conception. This claim is supported by Romney's statements and positions on abortion, including his expressed desire to see Roe vs. Wade overturned and his support for personhood measures. While there may be some nuance in Romney's stance on specific personhood measures, the overall statement is mostly true in capturing his general position on these issues.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wisniewski said in a memo that Christie \"remains the only Governor since World War II, among both Democrats and Republicans, who failed to have his party win control of at least one legislative body over the course of his term.\"","\"Governor Christie also remains the only Governor since World War II, among both Democrats and Republicans, who failed to have his party win control of at least one legislative body over the course of his term,\" Wisniewski said. \"The last Governor who failed to have his party control at least one legislative body during his term was Governor Charles Edison, a Democrat, who served from 1941 to 1944.\"","Democratic Party chairman blasts Chris Christie as only governor since World War II to not have his party win control of a legislative body","( - Democratic Party chairman blasts Chris Christie as only governor since World War II to not have his party win control of a legislative body&url=)"]},{"id":"11846.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Pat Toomey visited Joe Sestak and other veterans in 2002 and then came home and voted against every veterans appropriations bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Pat Toomey visited Joe Sestak and other veterans in 2002, the statement that Toomey then voted against every veterans appropriations bill is not entirely accurate. Toomey did vote against major veterans appropriations bills between 2002 and 2005 while serving in the House. However, as a senator, he has voted in favor of other bills that have benefited veterans. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies Toomey's voting record on veterans appropriations bills and does not provide a complete and accurate representation of his actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9224.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Thom Tillis called Obamacare a great idea.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because it presents a severely edited quote that misrepresents Thom Tillis' stance on Obamacare. While it is true that Tillis referred to Obamacare as \"a great idea\" in a radio interview, the full context of his statement reveals that he also expressed concerns about the affordability of the program. By omitting the crucial part where Tillis mentions the inability to pay for it, the statement creates a misleading impression of his position. It is important to consider the complete context of a statement to accurately represent a candidate's stance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["An Internet blogger, unhappy with the \"ALS Ice Bucket Challenge\" that\u2019s all the rage right now, recently claimed that \"over 73 percent of all donations raised (from the challenge) are going to fundraising, overhead, executive salaries, and external donations.\"","\"Over 73% of all donations raised are going to fundraising, overhead, executive salaries, and external donations. Less than 27% is actually used for the purpose we donated for.","In addition, we\u2019d run into before and found the site less than credible. Earlier this month, we looked at its claim that \"over 73 percent of all donations raised\" from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge \"are going to fundraising, overhead, executive salaries, and external donations.\" We gave it a Pants on Fire.","The blog post said that \"over 73 percent of all donations raised (from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge) are going to fundraising, overhead, executive salaries, and external donations.\" Whether purposely or by incompetence, the anonymous blogger misreported the ALS Association\u2019s figures. In reality, nearly 79 percent of the ALS Association\u2019s expenditures were for purposes that advance its stated mission. Fundraising, overhead and executive salaries account for no more than 21 percent. We rate the claim Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"6036.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Gov. Mitt Romney, Massachusetts ranked 47th in job creation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Multiple sources, including Governor Deval Patrick, have claimed that Massachusetts ranked 47th in job creation during Mitt Romney's tenure as governor. However, it is important to note that attributing the state's job creation ranking solely to Governor Romney is an oversimplification. Job creation is influenced by various factors, including national economic trends and policies that extend beyond the control of a single governor. While it is reasonable to consider the governor's impact on job creation, it would be inaccurate to solely attribute the state's ranking to Governor Romney's actions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3725.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The six largest cities in Ohio all have higher rates of violence and crime than every major city along the U.S.-Mexico border.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comparison made between the six largest cities in Ohio and major cities along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the evidence provided, the crime rates in the Ohio cities, including rates of violence and overall crime, were higher than those in the major cities along the U.S.-Mexico border. However, it's important to note that this comparison does not encompass all cities along the border, and there may be variations within specific cities and regions. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided, it should be understood within the context of the specific cities being compared.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4466.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he did not support the October 2008 legislation to rescue Wall Street firms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that President Obama did not support the October 2008 legislation specifically, which created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to rescue Wall Street firms, it is important to note that he was not in office at that time. However, it is worth mentioning that Obama did support subsequent financial reform measures, such as the Dodd-Frank regulations, which aimed to address the issues that led to the financial crisis. Therefore, while he did not support the specific legislation mentioned, he did support broader financial reform efforts during his presidency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Buckley and the Democratic Party are right on with their claim about the 2010-11 budget. That year, lawmakers closed the spending plan with an $18 million surplus. And, though the numbers change constantly, Buckley, the Democratic chairman, is on target regarding the 2012-13 spending plan, as well. Or he was at the time, anyway.","Either way, the $17.7 million surplus officially left from the 2010-11 budget roughly matches the Democratic Party\u2019s $18 million claim. So, Buckley is on target on the first part of his claim.","At the time, we checked a claim by the New Boston Republican Committee, that suggested Democrats had built up a deficit of $1 billion in Fiscal Year 2010-11.","\"NH FACT: Lynch\/Hassan 2010\/11 budget ended in $18m surplus,\" Democratic chairman Ray Buckley tweeted Friday, March 29th. \"OBrien\/Bradley 2012\/13 budget has $40m deficit.\""]},{"id":"2620.json","label":"false","statement":"Said U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Macon, sent nearly $2 billion overseas to build wind turbines and create jobs, mostly in China","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that U.S. Representative Jim Marshall sent nearly $2 billion overseas to build wind turbines and create jobs, mostly in China. However, there is no credible evidence to support this claim. The evidence provided only mentions a TV commercial by Marshall's Republican opponent, Austin Scott, and a similar claim made by Sarah Palin, both of which were assessed as false by fact-checking organizations. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading false claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Romney said that Obama was silent \"when the students took to the streets in Tehran and the people there protested, the Green Revolution occurred.\"","\"And then, of course, with regards to standing for our principles, when the students took to the streets in Tehran and the people there protested, the Green Revolution occurred, for the president to be silent I thought was an enormous mistake,\" Romney said during the Oct. 22 foreign policy debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\"","While much of the foreign policy debate was about what President Barack Obama has said and done, Mitt Romney leveled a charge about an area where he said Obama had been silent."]},{"id":"3609.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Republican budget plan says that 10 years from now, if youre a 65-year-old whos eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim about the Republican budget plan and its impact on Medicare costs for 65-year-olds in the future. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that under an alternative fiscal scenario, the typical beneficiary who enrolled in traditional Medicare would pay around 30 percent of the cost of the average private plan in 2022, which amounts to approximately $6,150. While the exact figure may vary, the statement captures the essence of the claim made by President Obama.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7921.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says New York has bureaucrats telling you whether you can even drink a Big Gulp.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a proposed ban on large sugary drinks in New York City, the ban did not specifically target Big Gulps or any particular brand. The ban, which was ultimately struck down by the courts, aimed to restrict the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces at certain establishments. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of the regulations by implying that bureaucrats were specifically targeting the consumption of Big Gulps. While there were discussions about limiting the size of sugary drinks, it is misleading to suggest that bureaucrats were dictating whether individuals could drink a specific brand like Big Gulp.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In an Aug. 29, 2016, tweet, Trump wrote, \"Inner-city crime is reaching record levels. African-Americans will vote for Trump because they know I will stop the slaughter going on!\"","\"Inner-city crime rates are not even close to record levels,\" agreed James Alan Fox, a Northeastern University criminologist. \"And crime rates among African-Americans, especially youth, were much, much higher in the early 1990s.\"","We should note that even if crime isn\u2019t hitting record levels, there is growing evidence that there has been a one-year uptick, at least in certain cities. Trump\u2019s supporters have seized on this as evidence that Trump isn\u2019t totally off base in claiming that crime is on the rise.","There is no official category -- or even a definition -- for \"inner-city\" crime. So the best we can do is look at crime in large cities. Among the crime data the FBI collects is for that committed in cities over 250,000 in population, so that\u2019s what we used."]},{"id":"8407.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Chris Christie cut equal pay for women, calling it senseless bureaucracy.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Chris Christie vetoed a measure that would have required government contractors to report more employee information, including gender and compensation, it is misleading to claim that he \"cut equal pay for women.\" The vetoed measure was not directly related to equal pay for women, but rather focused on reporting requirements for government contractors. Additionally, it is important to note that Christie signed two other bills aimed at addressing the wage gap in New Jersey. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays Christie's actions and intentions regarding equal pay for women.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8168.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"According to a recent Congressional Budget Office report, under Obamacare, 7 million people will lose their employer-sponsored insurance.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a Congressional Budget Office report projected that some individuals would lose their employer-sponsored insurance under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is important to note that the statement lacks context. The report does not specify that 7 million people will definitively lose their coverage. Rather, it projects that some individuals may transition from employer-sponsored insurance to other forms of coverage over time. Additionally, the report also indicates that more workers will have employer plans in most years compared to the baseline year of 2013. Therefore, while there may be some impact on employer-sponsored insurance, the statement overstates the extent and certainty of the projected loss.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Oklahoma\u2019s Republican Gov. Mary Fallin signed a new law which makes you pay a special fee. It will essentially fine people for the crime of using solar power.\"","Maddow said, \"Oklahoma's Republican Gov. Mary Fallin signed a new law which makes you pay a special fee. It will essentially fine people for the crime of using solar power.\"","\"Tonight Oklahoma\u2019s Republican Gov. Mary Fallin signed a new law which makes you pay a special fee,\" she said. \"It will essentially fine people for the crime of using solar power. If you want to use the sun for electricity instead of your local coal fire power plant, the redder-than-red state Oklahoma government has figured out a way to make you pay for that crime.\"","The law does not make you pay a special fee for using solar power, as Maddow said. What it does do is open the door to a potential fee -- if utility companies can prove that solar and wind customers are being subsidized by other energy consumers."]},{"id":"12735.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We in Indiana have . . . the highest credit rating in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Indiana does indeed have the highest credit rating, AAA, which is the highest rating a state can receive, according to Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch Ratings. While it is worth noting that there may be other states with the same rating, Indiana's credit rating is still among the highest in the nation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11885.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Making public colleges and universities tuition-free, that exists in countries all over the world, used to exist in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that making public colleges and universities tuition-free exists in countries around the world, it is also true that there was a time in the United States when some public colleges and universities did not charge tuition. However, it is important to note that tuition-free education was not a national policy but rather a decision made by individual schools or state governments. Over time, as costs increased, many institutions transitioned to a low tuition or higher tuition policy. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the historical context, it should be understood that tuition-free education was not a universal practice in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Crossroads ad adds a new wrinkle on this fear-laced claim: \"Millions could lose their health care coverage and be forced into a government pool.\"","The Crossroads ad says Obama \"promised\" people could keep their health plans, but \"millions could lose their health care coverage and be forced into a government pool.\"","UPDATE: We have adjusted the statement to clarify that we are fact-checking the Crossroads GPS claim that \"millions could lose their health care coverage and be forced into a government pool.\" The ruling is unchanged.","Then there\u2019s the part of the claim that says millions would be \"forced into a government pool.\" We couldn\u2019t make heads or tails of this sentiment, but Crossroads responded to our questions by saying that people who buy insurance on their own are being \"forced into a government pool.\""]},{"id":"7312.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Today, about 40 percent of guns are purchased without a background check.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"about 40 percent of guns are purchased without a background check\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a significant number of guns are obtained without a background check, the 40 percent figure is an overestimate. According to a survey, approximately 22 percent of gun owners obtained their most recent firearm without a background check. However, this includes guns acquired through means other than purchase, such as gifts or inheritance. When considering only purchases within the previous two years, the percentage drops to 13 percent. Therefore, while there is a notable gap in background checks for gun acquisitions, the 40 percent figure is an exaggeration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1853.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Democrats have over 20 field agents to our zero.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the first piece of evidence mentions a candidate for the chairmanship of the Republican Party of Texas claiming that the Democrats have over 20 field agents to their zero, it is important to note that this claim is based on an assumption and not verifiable data. The second piece of evidence supports this assumption by stating that the candidate estimated the ratio based on assumptions about funding. However, it is unclear whether this estimation is accurate or if there is concrete evidence to support the claim. Therefore, while the statement reflects the candidate's assertion, it lacks concrete evidence to fully substantiate the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9904.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Nick Rahall voted with Obama 94 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Nick Rahall voted with Obama 94 percent of the time is based on data from a Congressional Quarterly study in 2009. While this data is accurate for that specific year, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of Rahall's voting record over the course of his entire career. Subsequent data from the same study shows that Rahall's voting alignment with Obama decreased in subsequent years. Therefore, while the statement is true for the specific year mentioned, it does not accurately reflect Rahall's overall voting pattern throughout his career.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our unemployment rate has been higher than 8 percent for more than two-and-a-half years, far above what the Obama Administration promised with the 'stimulus.' \"","\"Our unemployment rate has been higher than 8 percent for more than two-and-a-half years, far above what the Obama Administration promised with the 'stimulus,' \" Boehner said.","The last time the unemployment rate was this high was during Reagan\u2019s first term. However, the 27 months during the 1980s the rate was greater than 8 percent is far less than the 11 years the unemployment rate was that high during the Great Depression.","But PolitiFact could find no evidence of anyone in the administration making a public pledge that the stimulus would keep the unemployment rate below 8 percent."]},{"id":"8469.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2011, texting surpassed alcohol as the leading contributing factor in teen driving deaths.","reason":"Reason: The statement that texting surpassed alcohol as the leading contributing factor in teen driving deaths in 2011 is not entirely accurate. While there is evidence to suggest that texting while driving is a significant danger, the claim is based on a misinterpretation of a scientific study and information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA's analysis actually found that alcohol was involved in more lethal crashes than distracted driving in 2011. The correlation of various factors makes it challenging to determine a single leading contributing factor in teen driving deaths. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"Thanks in part to our all-of-the-above strategy for American energy,\" the United States generates \"more natural gas than anybody.\"","\"Thanks in part to our all-of-the-above strategy for American energy, for the first time in nearly two decades, we produce more oil here at home than we buy from the rest of the world,\" Obama said on Jan. 18, 2014. \"We generate more renewable energy than ever, and more natural gas than anybody.\"","It\u2019s nothing new that the United States is at or near the top in natural gas production internationally. According to BP\u2019s data, the United States and Russia have traded off the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in natural gas production ever since the data separated out the Russian Federation from the old Soviet Republics in 1985.","The United States\u2019 lead over Russia has increased during Obama\u2019s tenure. The United States produced 12 percent more natural gas than Russia in 2009, but 16 percent more than Russia in 2012. A big reason is the expansion of natural gas extracted from shale, using advanced technologies known as fracking."]},{"id":"2753.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Republican leader of the Senate said his main goal after this election is simply to win the next one.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Senator Mitch McConnell did make a comment in 2010 stating that his main goal was to make President Obama a one-term president. However, it is important to note that this statement was made in the context of political opposition and electoral strategy. It does not necessarily mean that McConnell prioritized winning the next election over all other legislative goals or responsibilities. The statement lacks the full context and nuance of McConnell's overall approach to governance. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies McConnell's position and intentions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8100.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rick Scott increased tuition at our state colleges and universities by double digits.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rick Scott increased tuition at state colleges by 8 percent in his first year and 5 percent in his second year, it is important to note that the 5 percent increase only applied to state colleges, not universities. Therefore, the claim that tuition was increased at \"state colleges and universities\" by double digits is inaccurate. The statement fails to provide a clear distinction between state colleges and universities, leading to a misleading representation of the tuition increases. The actual tuition growth was less than double digits when considering the specific context of universities. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Dewhurst says Cruz, who has said he opposes amnesty, \"helps run two national organizations that have been leading the push to give amnesty to illegal immigrants.\"","Dewhurst, who faces Cruz in a July 31, 2012, runoff, leveled the claim in a radio ad his campaign released May 24, 2012, five days before the primary. In the stop, two women discuss Cruz's candidacy and one says: \"Cruz helps run two national organizations that have been leading the push to give amnesty to illegal immigrants.\"","David Dewhurst, seeking the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, declared before his party's May 2012 primary that opponent Ted Cruz helps steer two groups seeking amnesty for illegal immigrants.","Most significantly, we were struck by the utter lack of evidence for saying the institute has been leading the national push for amnesty. Far as we can tell, it\u2019s not even among the top 20 advocacy groups on immigration policy."]},{"id":"9992.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The non-profit groupFeeding America is lying when it claimsthat one in five kids is fighting starvation daily in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Feeding America has not made the claim that \"one in five kids is fighting starvation daily\" in the United States. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers, have confirmed that Feeding America does not use such language or make such claims. Accusing the organization of lying is baseless and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1763.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"Up until two weeks ago, John McCain was a leading proponent of amnesty. Now with me challenging him, suddenly he has changed.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hayworth claiming that John McCain was a leading proponent of amnesty up until two weeks ago, and only changed his stance because of Hayworth's challenge, is false. Multiple sources and fact-checking organizations have found no evidence to support this claim. In fact, McCain had already shifted his position on immigration and favored border security over a pathway to citizenship prior to Hayworth's candidacy. McCain himself has acknowledged this change in his stance. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9566.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"An image of nine white, blondwomen shows the amazing diversity of Fox News anchors.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely true. While the image may depict nine white, blond women, it does not accurately represent the overall diversity of Fox News anchors. While it is true that some Fox News anchors are white and blond, it is important to note that the network does have anchors of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. By focusing solely on one image and making a generalization based on it, the statement fails to acknowledge the diversity that exists among Fox News anchors as a whole.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Gounder suggested Paul should be singing a different tune about vaccinations, one that mentions, \"Measles is one of the most common causes of child blindness worldwide.\"","\"Frankly, Rand Paul as an ophthalmologist should be out there saying measles is one of the most common causes of child blindness worldwide,\" Gounder said. \"And as an eye doctor, he should be advocating for measles vaccination for that reason.\"","Blindness by measles in children is not common across North America and Europe, areas with high vaccination rates and access. The leading causes of blindness in those continents are lesions of the optic nerve, according to the WHO.","She was careful to say worldwide. In developed countries, measles does not typically lead to blindness. But in low-income countries, it is certainly one of the leading drivers of blindness in children, experts agree."]},{"id":"8674.json","label":"true","statement":"Of the four statewide races this century within a 300-vote margin, three have been overturned in a recount.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Obenshain that, of the four statewide races within a 300-vote margin this century, three have been overturned in a recount. This claim is supported by a study that examined statewide races nationwide from 2000 to 2020, which found that three races did indeed flip as a result of recounts, all of which had initial margins of less than 300 votes. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"829.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Michelle Obama ordered $400 worth of lobster and caviar at a New York hotel.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Michelle Obama ordered $400 worth of lobster and caviar at a New York hotel is false. The original story that circulated was retracted by the New York Post, stating that the source had provided incorrect information. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim and rated it as \"Pants on Fire.\" There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Michelle Obama made such an order.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Florida refused to allow the insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high\" under Obamacare.","!Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker, face off in a debate in Savannah, Ga., on Oct. 14, 2022. (Screenshot) !Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker, face off in a debate in Savannah, Ga., on Oct. 14, 2022. (Screenshot)","Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and his Republican challenger, Herschel Walker, face off in a debate in Savannah, Ga., on Oct. 14, 2022. (Screenshot)","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d"]},{"id":"7670.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The decision to remove Chick-fil-A from Emory University was based solely on student feedback.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the decision to remove Chick-fil-A from Emory University was influenced by both student feedback and the controversy surrounding Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy's comments on same-sex marriage. While the senior director of Emory's Food Service Administration claims that the decision was solely based on student feedback, other statements indicate that the controversy played a role in the request for removal. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it acknowledges the influence of student feedback but omits the impact of the controversy on the decision-making process.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6946.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Women who have miscarriages could be investigated by police under legislation supported by Republican state Senate candidate Rick Gudex.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the television ad that legislation supported by Republican state Senate candidate Rick Gudex could potentially lead to police investigations of miscarriages. However, it's important to note that the claim is based on the endorsement from Pro-Life Wisconsin and Gudex's support of a \"personhood amendment.\" While the legislation in question may have provisions that could potentially be interpreted in a way that leads to investigations, it is not explicitly stated in the legislation itself. Therefore, the claim is partially accurate but lacks the full context and clarity to definitively state that women who have miscarriages would be investigated by the police.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["After noting the total student headcount for this fall -- 41,409 -- PCC went on to say that annually, it serves \"more than 93,800 students ... (more than all of the state\u2019s universities combined).\"","Portland Community College tries to put enrollment numbers in context, says it serves more students than the entire Oregon University System","( - Portland Community College tries to put enrollment numbers in context, says it serves more students than the entire Oregon University System&url=)","Again, the numbers don\u2019t support the PCC claim. (That, of course, doesn\u2019t diminish the fact that Portland Community College serves an awful lot of students each year.)"]},{"id":"7853.json","label":"false","statement":"On restoring voting rights to non-violent felons.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Ken Cuccinelli, in his role as Attorney General of Virginia, took steps to make it easier for non-violent felons to regain voting rights. He appointed an advisory group and released a report on ways to achieve this. Additionally, Governor Bob McDonnell announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. However, the evidence does not support the claim that Cuccinelli opposed resolutions and a bill that would have allowed automatic restoration of voting rights for non-violent felons. In fact, the evidence suggests that Cuccinelli took actions to facilitate the restoration of voting rights for non-violent felons. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If we don't spend money on a pier, then that money does wipe into the general funds of the city or the county, and if you send it to the county, you never see it again.\"","\"If we don't spend money on a pier, then that money does wipe into the general funds of the city or the county, and if you send it to the county, you never see it again,\" Foster said.","Right now there\u2019s about $50 million in TIF money available for a pier project, with about $37 million of that intended for construction. If the money isn\u2019t spent by 2035, only then could the county reclaim its 44 percent share. The city would take the remaining money.","St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster and challenger Kathleen Ford tangled over paying for the Lens, the proposed pier replacement, at a debate last week. Foster said the money was use-it-or-lose-it, while Ford said the plan takes money from the city\u2019s general funds."]},{"id":"1372.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Obama \"doesn't ... want to admit we're at war.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama \"doesn't want to admit we're at war\" is misleading and false. President Obama has acknowledged and addressed the ongoing conflict against terrorist organizations, including al-Qaida. While he may have chosen not to use the specific phrase \"war on terror,\" it does not indicate a denial or refusal to acknowledge the reality of the situation. The claim that he is intentionally avoiding admitting the nation's state of war is unfounded and contradicted by his actions and statements throughout his presidency.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["While the health care law certainly is, on the whole, a tax increase, it\u2019s not the largest in American history -- and as such -- cannot be the largest in the history of the world. (Luckily, there's enough U.S.-based research that we don't have to explore the tax increases of the Roman Empire, adjusted for inflation.)",", Jeff Fitzgerald \"SCOTUS has revealed what #Obamacare really is, the largest middle class tax increase in history!\" tweet, June 28, 2012","Before the article was published, our colleagues at PolitiFact National also did some digging in rating as Pants on Fire an even bolder claim by Rush Limbaugh -- that the reform law is \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\"","Rep. Connie Mack, a Republican from Florida running for the U.S. Senate, called it \"the largest tax on the American people in history\" in a press release. Florida GOP congressional candidate state Rep. Gary Aubuchon said on Twitter that the \"ruling confirms Obamacare is the largest tax increase in U.S. history."]},{"id":"6080.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Barack Obamas regulatory adviser Cass Sunstein, wants to ban hunting and says animals should be represented in court.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Cass Sunstein has made statements suggesting a desire to ban hunting and advocate for animals being represented in court, it is important to note that these statements were made in the context of discussing ethical considerations and potential legal reforms. However, it is crucial to emphasize that Sunstein's personal views do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the Obama administration. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Sunstein's views, it may mislead by implying that these views directly translate into the policies of Barack Obama or his administration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Ken Block said Allan Fung \"donated to Democrats like Congressman David Cicilline, disgraced House speaker Gordon Fox and even Mr. Obamacare, Harry Reid.\"","\"Did you know that Mayor Fung was a registered Democrat and he donated to Democrats like Congressman David Cicilline, disgraced House speaker Gordon Fox and even Mr. Obamacare, Harry Reid,\" Block said.","He labeled Fox as the \"disgraced\" House speaker, but Fox was majority leader at the time of the Fung donation, and not under investigation.","The donation to Harry Reid, for $250, came in June 2004. Reid was the Senate Minority Whip. Obamacare wasn't even a gleam in Reid's eye when he got the money."]},{"id":"4616.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas Senate hopeful Donna Campbell doesnt live in the district shes hoping to win in 2012.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims that Donna Campbell did not currently live in the Texas Senate District 25 she was running to represent, it was confirmed that she listed a New Braunfels address within the district on her voter registration form. However, there were also indications that she was planning to move to Hays County. So, while there was some uncertainty regarding her current residence, it is not entirely accurate to say that she did not live in the district she was hoping to win in 2012.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"ISIS is honoring President Obama,\" he said. \"He is the founder of ISIS. He is the founder of ISIS, okay? He is the founder. He founded ISIS. And I would say the cofounder would be crooked Hillary Clinton.\"","In fact, when Hewitt proposed a more cautious interpretation of his assertion \u2014 that Obama and Clinton \"created the vacuum\" in the region and thus \"lost the peace\" to ISIS \u2014 Trump rejected that formulation, sticking with the most literal version of \"founder\" and \"co-founder.\"","Donald Trump has found a ferocious way to describe President Barack Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton: as the founder and cofounder of ISIS, the terrorist group behind beheadings of Americans and lethal attacks around the world.","Finally, later that day, Trump posted on Facebook, \"Hillary Clinton --- is CROOKED! Hillary Clinton received a classified intelligence report stating that the Obama administration was actively supporting Al Qaeda in Iraq, the terrorist group that became the Islamic State.\" This post also linked to the Breitbart article."]},{"id":"10400.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The state covered a smaller percentage of the cost of K-12 education in 2013 than it did in 2002.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the state's contribution to K-12 education in Florida increased from $9.7 billion in 2007-08 to $10.5 billion in 2013-14. Adjusting for inflation, the 2013 state spending is higher than the 2007-08 spending. However, the evidence does not directly compare the state's contribution to the total cost of K-12 education in 2002 and 2013. Without that specific comparison, it is difficult to determine the exact percentage change in the state's coverage of K-12 education costs. Therefore, while there is evidence of an increase in state spending, the statement lacks sufficient information to make a definitive judgment. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cWe now have more job openings than we do people who are on unemployment. We have 60% more job openings today than we did the month before the pandemic hit the state of Texas.\u201d","Using the same methodology that determined the present number of job openings, the Texas Workforce Commission found that about 645,000 jobs were available across the state\u2019s job boards and private job boards in February 2020. That\u2019s a 58.4% increase between the February 2020 number and the 1,022,000 job vacancies recorded on May 11.","Abbott said that there are now more job openings in the state than the number of people receiving unemployment benefits, and that the number of job openings today is 60% higher than the number recorded in the month before the pandemic.","According to a spokesperson, the state workforce agency found that a combined 850,000 jobs had been posted to the agency\u2019s two state-run job boards \u2014 and Then, using third-party software, the agency combined this total with the number of Texas job listings posted to private job boards like Indeed and"]},{"id":"7110.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker has led people to believe that if Wisconsin doesnt implement a (health-care) exchange, Obamacare doesnt happen here.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks some important context. While it is true that Governor Scott Walker expressed opposition to implementing a health care exchange under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is an oversimplification to say that he led people to believe that Obamacare wouldn't happen in Wisconsin if an exchange wasn't implemented. The implementation of Obamacare in Wisconsin was not solely dependent on the establishment of a state-run health care exchange. The federal government would have stepped in to create a federally facilitated exchange if the state did not establish its own. Therefore, while Governor Walker's opposition to a state-run exchange may have influenced the implementation process, it did not prevent Obamacare from being implemented in Wisconsin.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I respect Sen. Graham enormously,\" McCain said. \"But I don't think there's any doubt that Saddam Hussein, who had acquired and used weapons of mass destruction before, had invaded a neighbor, Kuwait, where we had to fight one war with him, that his intent was \u2014 and he said so himself after his capture \u2014 to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction.\"","Most of what McCain said here has been heavily discussed, but we were intrigued by the very last sentence in McCain's quote, in which he says that Hussein had said after his capture that he intended to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction. True?","\"Which comes closer to your view: the United States should invade Iraq with ground troops in the next few weeks unless Saddam Hussein shows convincing evidence that Iraq is disarming its weapons of mass destruction, or the United States should support the United Nations in sending more inspectors and allowing them all the time they need to determine whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction?\"","\"We got to the point where we were very concerned about the possible linkage between terrorists on the one hand and weapons of mass destruction on the other,\" Cheney said. \"Saddam Hussein had previously had twice nuclear programs going. He produced and used weapons of mass destruction. And he had a 10-year relationship with al-Qaida.\""]},{"id":"9190.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia has the nations fifth largest Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition program, serving more than 270,000 mothers, babies and children every day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Georgia does indeed have the nation's fifth largest Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition program, serving over 270,000 mothers, babies, and children on a daily basis. The evidence supports the claim by mentioning the program and its significant reach in Georgia. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a direct comparison to other states' WIC programs, so the ranking of fifth largest is based on the information provided. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5662.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says she created the first felony deferred prosecution program for nonviolent first-offenders in Texas.","reason":"Reason: While the statement contains an element of truth, it is not entirely accurate. While Travis County did implement a felony deferred prosecution program for nonviolent first-offenders, it was not the first in the state of Texas. There were two similar programs in other counties, one implemented in the same year as Travis County's and another five years earlier. Although these programs may not have had all the exact elements of Travis County's program, they still provided deferred prosecution options for nonviolent first-offenders. Therefore, the claim that Travis County's program was the first in the state is not entirely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"There\u2019s a reason the other 49 states keep raising their gas tax,\" Saslaw during a Jan. 15 news conference called by the Senate Democratic Caucus to lay out its positions on key issues, including transportation.","Saslaw, who's been in the General Assembly since 1976, acknowledged he could have worded his original statement better, saying perhaps he shouldn\u2019t have said all the other states \"keep\" raising their gas taxes.","Twenty-five states have not raised their gas tax in a decade or more, and 14 of those states -- including Virginia -- have gone at least two decades without an increase.","Rather than raising the gas tax by 75% to fuel ever-increasing subsidies for rail, Virginia\u2019s leaders should reduce subsidies between different modes of transportation to ensure fair funding for roads. They should also make an effort to promote sensible zoning rules, including in the nation\u2019s capital. That can produce real relief for drivers."]},{"id":"12783.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says when an interviewer asked Donald Trump if he treats women with respect, Trump replied, I cant say that.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While it is true that Hillary Clinton mentioned in a campaign ad that Donald Trump replied, \"I can't say that\" when asked if he treats women with respect, it fails to include the full context of the interview. The question was posed by Howard Stern, and Trump initially denied treating women poorly. Trump then clarified that he treats women with great respect. The statement selectively omits crucial information, leading to a distorted representation of Trump's response.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Warner said 70,000 children have \"lost their Head Start slots\" because of the sequester. He strains the limit of an Obama administration estimate that \"up to\" that number of children may lose out.","About a week later, U.S. Sen Mark Warner, D-Va., made a similar claim but suggested children had already lost positions in the program: \"What\u2019s not visible is the 70,000 kids who have lost their Head Start slots...\" PolitiFact Virginia rated his claim Mostly False.","PolitiFact Florida, \" Kathy Castor says 70,000 children will lose access to Head Start including 2,000 in Florida,\" May 13, 2013","Warner\u2019s statement contains an element of truth in that some children already have lost Head Starts slots and others have less access to the program. But by and large, he assumes that a worst-case scenario for Head Start has already taken place."]},{"id":"6809.json","label":"true","statement":"In every state, women are paid less than men.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Across all states in the United States, women, on average, are paid less than men. While the exact wage gap may vary slightly from state to state, numerous studies and data have consistently shown that women earn less than men for comparable work. Factors such as job segregation, discrimination, and societal norms contribute to this disparity. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the overall trend of women being paid less than men in every state.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Although Cantor has his reasons, there is no doubt he has changed positions on offsets to federal disaster aid. We rate it a Full Flop.","Disaster aid was a subject of a luncheon with the GOP senators and Vice President Mike Pence. Shelby told the Washington Post that both parties want disaster aid.","But the statement leaves out a crucial relevant fact. FEMA has not denied federal aid for the Texas wildfires; it\u2019s approved fire-fighting grants adding up to $23 million \u2014 far more than Oklahoma\u2019s approximate $3 million in disaster aid.","When Tropical Storm Gaston slammed into central Virginia in August 2004, U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor went all out to get federal disaster aid for his constituents."]},{"id":"2725.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care bill cuts the deficit by over $1 trillion dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis, the health care reform legislation does project a reduction in the deficit by $1.2 trillion over the second 10 years. However, it's important to note that the timeframe specified in the statement is not clear. The evidence suggests that the deficit reduction occurs over a specific period of time, but it does not specify whether it is \"over $1 trillion dollars\" in total or within a specific timeframe. Therefore, while the health care bill does contribute to deficit reduction, the statement lacks clarity regarding the exact timeframe and the total amount of deficit reduction.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He raised taxes last year to the tune of $840 million,\" Kasich said on Oct. 4 during a press conference at the Ohio Republican Party headquarters.","The tax issue Kasich is referencing is Strickland\u2019s decision last year to halt the final year of a five-year, 21-percent across-the-board income tax cut that started in 2005. The move saved the state approximately $840 million, money the governor used to fill a budget hole. The only alternative, Strickland insists, was to cut the equivalent amount of cash out of primary and secondary education.","\"They had the nerve to say, the Republican Governor\u2019s Association, that this governor (Strickland) raised taxes $800 million on Ohioans. Not true,\" Brown said during a rally on Sept. 27 in Cleveland with Strickland standing behind her. \"And I wish PolitiFact would go check that.\"","Those who owed the state after filing their 2009 taxes, owed a little bit extra thanks to Strickland\u2019s tax freeze. Strickland\u2019s decision cost a family of four earning $60,000 a year about $78 last year."]},{"id":"4851.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Newt Gingrich has said that we should make the 11 million illegal workers that are in this country legal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Michele Bachmann implied that Newt Gingrich had advocated for making the 11 million illegal workers in the country legal, this is a misrepresentation of Gingrich's position. Gingrich did not explicitly endorse making all 11 million illegal workers legal. He acknowledged the complexity of the issue and suggested finding a solution to address the problem of illegal immigration. Bachmann's statement mischaracterizes Gingrich's stance to appeal to a specific faction of the GOP base opposed to any compromise on illegal immigration.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4678.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 2008, when Flint had 265 sworn officers on their police force, there were 35 murders and 91 rapes in this city. In 2010, when Flint had only 144 police officers, the murder rate climbed to 65, and rapes climbed to 229.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the reported numbers of murders and rapes in Flint in 2008 and 2010. However, it's important to note that the statement implies a direct causal relationship between the number of police officers and the increase in crime rates, which may not be the sole determining factor. While there is a correlation between the decrease in police officers and the increase in crime rates, other factors such as socioeconomic conditions, drug activity, and community dynamics could also contribute to the rise in crime. Therefore, while the statement presents accurate data, it oversimplifies the complex nature of crime rates and their relationship to police staffing levels.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bob Brockmann said in a letter published on the newspaper\u2019s editorial page Dec. 2, 2014 that he\u2019d just watched an episode of the program revealing that \"golf lost 5 million players in the last 10 years, and as a result one golf course closes every 48 hours in America.\"","In the HBO episode, which debuted in July 2014, Gumbel said: \"On average, 130 courses have closed every year for the last eight years, from midwestern Michigan to the coast of California, from the tip of Florida to the top of Minnesota.\" Gumbel, describing the closings as the hangover after the sport\u2019s explosive growth in the Tiger Woods era, added: \"A golf course closes somewhere in America every 48 hours.\"","In 2013, actually, the rate was one 18-hole course closing every 56 hours and that\u2019s before appropriately taking into account the year\u2019s 14 reported openings, which means the nation experienced one less golf course every 61 hours.","There were 157.5 course closures in 2013, the foundation says, with a course defined as having 18 holes, the number that makes up a round of golf. Still, 14 courses opened, the foundation says."]},{"id":"6140.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says a national Coca-Cola study showed Texans love Texas more than residents of any other state love their state; Wisconsinites ranked second.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a claim made by Paul Ryan during a speech at the Republican Party of Texas convention. He mentioned a Coca-Cola marketing study that reportedly ranked Texas first and Wisconsin second in terms of state pride. While there is some evidence to support this claim, it is important to note that the study was conducted by Coca-Cola and its specific methodology and findings have not been independently verified or widely published. Therefore, the claim should be regarded with some skepticism and cannot be definitively confirmed as accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7455.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the federal government is earning more tax revenue now than any other time.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the federal government's tax revenue is projected to increase, it is misleading to claim that it is earning more tax revenue now than at any other time. The evidence provided indicates that the current projected revenue as a percentage of GDP is 19.1%, which is higher than the average of 17.9% over the past four decades. However, this does not necessarily mean it is the highest tax revenue in history. Historical tax revenue can be influenced by various factors such as economic conditions, tax policies, and changes in the law. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context to support the claim that it is the highest tax revenue ever.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10066.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The United States was not one of 16 countries where David Perdue said in his Pillowtex deposition that he created jobs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that David Perdue did not mention the United States as one of the countries where he claimed to have created jobs in his Pillowtex deposition. However, it's important to note that the deposition focused on job creation in relation to Pillowtex, and the structure of the deposition limited discussion about jobs in the United States. While the statement is technically accurate, it lacks the context that Perdue's deposition primarily addressed job creation in other countries as it related to Pillowtex, rather than excluding the United States entirely.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13148.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Maggie Hassan missed nearly every university system board meeting.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Maggie Hassan, as governor, missed the majority of the University System of New Hampshire's board meetings. While she did participate in one meeting via phone call and made a significant motion during that meeting, her overall attendance record indicates that she was absent from most of the meetings. Therefore, the statement that Maggie Hassan missed nearly every university system board meeting is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the wake of the spill, the Energy Information Administration -- the nonpartisan Energy Department office that publishes the most complete set of statistics on U.S. energy use -- released a Gulf of Mexico fact sheet. Using the fact sheet, we were able to pinpoint what appears to be the source of Hatch's 30 percent figure. It refers to the Gulf of Mexico's \"offshore share of U.S. crude oil production.\" In other words, 30 percent of the crude oil produced in the United States in 2009 came from the Gulf.","As Americans continue to worry about environmental damage from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, is raising another concern -- that the federal government might overreact by putting up excessive obstacles to drilling in the Gulf.","The same EIA fact sheet shows that offshore crude oil production in the Gulf of Mexico accounts for 8 percent of total U.S. liquid fuels consumed. (Slightly over half of the liquid fuels used in the U.S. are imported, and slightly under half are produced domestically.)","Now, you could use that statistic to justify Hatch's statement that \"we get 30 percent of our oil from the Gulf.\" But we don't think that interpretation of his statement is the only one -- or even the best one. If Hatch had wanted to communicate that, he could have said that \"30 percent of the oil we produce in the U.S. comes from the Gulf.\""]},{"id":"12774.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Donald Trump said he was excited for the 2008 housing crash that devastated millions of American families, because he thought it would help him scoop up more real estate on the cheap.","reason":"Reason: There is evidence to suggest that Donald Trump made comments about the 2008 housing crash, but the statement lacks some context. While it is true that Trump expressed a belief that the real estate market would present opportunities for him during the crash, there is no direct quote or verifiable evidence of him explicitly stating that he was \"excited\" for the crash or that he intended to take advantage of it to acquire real estate on the cheap. The statement, therefore, exaggerates Trump's sentiments and misrepresents the extent of his comments on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4000.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A substantial number of probationers participating in a pilot project to ease the farm labor shortage are able to finish the work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because the evidence suggests that there is some support for the claim that a substantial number of probationers participating in the pilot project were able to finish the work. However, the evidence provided does not offer specific data or statistics to quantify what constitutes a \"substantial number.\" Without more concrete information, it is challenging to determine the exact extent of probationers' ability to complete the work. Therefore, while there is some indication of success, the lack of precise figures or percentages prevents a definitive assessment of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4823.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction proposal urged raising $2 trillion in new revenue.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction proposal urged raising $2 trillion in new revenue is not entirely accurate. While the Simpson-Bowles report did propose a combination of new revenues and spending cuts to achieve deficit reduction, the actual figure for new tax revenues was approximately $995 billion over the period specified. This is slightly less than half of the $2 trillion mentioned by the speaker. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true but contains some elements of truth. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11939.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"So far in 2015, there have been more mass shootings than days.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were a significant number of mass shootings in 2015, the statement that there were more mass shootings than days in the year is an exaggeration. The claim is based on a report that counted 294 mass shootings in 274 days, but it is important to note that the definition of \"mass shooting\" used in that report includes incidents where four or more people were shot, regardless of whether they were killed or injured. This broader definition leads to a higher count of incidents. However, when considering the commonly understood definition of mass shootings as incidents where four or more people were killed, the number is significantly lower. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it is misleading and exaggerated.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2650.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republican candidate for governor Nathan Deal fought to weaken Georgias rape shield law.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Nathan Deal, the Republican candidate for governor, supported a bill that would have expanded the defense's options in rape cases, it is not accurate to claim that he specifically fought to weaken Georgia's rape shield law. The bill in question aimed to provide additional legal options for the defense, but it did not directly seek to weaken the rape shield law itself. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it correctly highlights Deal's support for the bill but misrepresents his intentions regarding the rape shield law.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11834.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Nothing was done. I mean, $25 million was spent, but we dont have that (gun ownership)database.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that $25 million was spent on a gun ownership database but no action was taken. There is no evidence or credible information to support this claim. It is important to rely on accurate and verified sources when making statements, and in this case, the claim is entirely baseless.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Although the governor doubled the beach fees . . . all the money, as we found out, is all going to an out-of-state company. The state isn't even getting the money for that.\"","\"I got so much email from people again complaining just how high the beach fees are. And then we learn this year that although the governor doubled the beach fees, where I think it's 28 bucks if you're from out of state and you want to go to a Rhode Island state beach on the weekend. But on top of that, all the money, as we found out, is all going to an out-of-state company. The state isn't even getting the money for that.\"","When the state raked in that extra money, Propark got 20 percent of the new revenue. The state might have wanted to take all the additional revenue, but its contract with the company collecting the fees required both to share in the extra revenue. The state got 80 percent of that additional money.","Rhode Island dramatically hiked its beach fees in 2011. But according to WPRO talk-show host John DePetro, the state didn\u2019t get any of that extra money."]},{"id":"6424.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Aaron Bean voted to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Aaron Bean voted to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition\" has been evaluated and rated as \"Mostly True\" by fact-checkers. The ad and the group Floridians for Ethics and Truth in Politics have claimed that Bean supported in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants. However, it's important to note that Bean's spokesperson denies this claim, stating that he did not support extending any benefits to illegal immigrants. While there may be some conflicting information, the fact-checkers have determined that there is evidence supporting the claim that Bean voted for in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Three presidents in the last century \u2014 Harding, Kennedy and Reagan \u2014 all cut taxes during recessions and produced \"rapid and dramatic economic recoveries,\" while two, Herbert Hoover and Barack Obama, did \"the opposite.\"","\u2022 Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif.: \"Three presidents in the last century -- Harding, Kennedy and Reagan -- all cut taxes during recessions and produced \"rapid and dramatic economic recoveries,\" while two, Herbert Hoover and Barack Obama, did \"the opposite.\"","\"Three presidents within the last 100 years have responded to recessions by reducing taxes and regulations,\" McClintock said. \"Warren Harding, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan all produced rapid and dramatic economic recoveries. We\u2019ve had two presidents in those 100 years who reacted to recessions by doing the opposite \u2014 Herbert Hoover in the early 1930s, who radically increased taxes and spending and who imposed unprecedented burdens on trade, and the other is Barack Obama.\"","Harding, Kennedy and Reagan each acted to lower taxes, and in fact each of them staked some political capital on it. (Technically, Kennedy's successor, Lyndon Johnson, brought the tax cut to fruition after Kennedy's assassination.) Each of these presidents either inherited a recession upon entering office or saw one emerge early in their first term. Meanwhile, Hoover did indeed hike taxes and spending during his tenure, and he signed the Smoot-Hawley Tarriff Act of 1930, which raised tarriffs on thousands of goods to record levels."]},{"id":"2759.json","label":"false","statement":"Says he has a track record of not raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the person in question has a track record of not raising taxes. The evidence discusses various perspectives on tax policy and revenue generation, but it does not provide any specific track record or actions taken by the individual regarding tax increases or decreases. Therefore, the claim lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3913.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Commercial buses in the United States have a stellar safety record, a safety record that exceeds that of any other commercial mode or surface transportation mode.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by industry representatives and the available transportation data. Buses do have a strong safety record, and when comparing fatalities per 100 million miles, buses have been considered one of the safest modes of surface transportation, narrowly surpassing trains. However, it's important to note that the statement uses absolute language (\"exceeds that of any other commercial mode or surface transportation mode\"), which may be an overgeneralization. While buses have a strong claim to being the safest mode of surface transportation, it is not definitive that they exceed the safety records of all other commercial modes. Therefore, the statement is mostly accurate but could benefit from some qualification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The NRCC\u2019s ad features Richard Fender, a business owner from Augusta, Ga. In it, Fender says, \"Whatever Obama wants, he's voted with him,\" a comment that\u2019s accompanied by text on the screen that says, \"John Barrow voted with Obama 85 percent of the time.\"","Another tactic is to cherry-pick an opponent\u2019s voting record for only the years when alignment was high. That\u2019s what happened when National Republican Congressional Committee said Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., voted with Obama 85 percent of the time. PolitiFact rated that Mostly False. The number was 85 percent in 2009, but much lower in other years, bottoming out most recently at 28 percent and 35 percent.","Clearly, the 85 percent figure for voting with Obama was a more attractive one for the NRCC to highlight. But it amounts to cherry-picking. Democrats could easily run an ad saying Barrow voted with Obama 28 percent of the time and be just as correct (if not more so, since the data backing up the Democratic assertion is more recent).","Barrow did indeed vote with Obama 85 percent of the time -- but that was in 2009, a fact that is footnoted in the ad, albeit in small type. Between 2010 and 2013, Barrow\u2019s voting record was much less closely aligned with Obama, bottoming out at 28 percent and 35 percent in the most recent years for which data is available. House Democratic leaders might consider scores like that to be short of \"team behavior.\""]},{"id":"10616.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Here, we have Thanksgiving, we have Christmas, we have the 4th of July. Every year in Iran, they celebrate Death to America day.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Iran commemorates an annual event known as \"Death to America Day,\" the statement implies that this celebration is equivalent to major holidays in the United States like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the 4th of July. This is misleading and lacks proper context. \"Death to America Day\" is a political event in Iran that marks the anniversary of the U.S. embassy takeover in 1979. It is not a widely celebrated holiday in the same way that Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the 4th of July are celebrated in the United States. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it exaggerates the significance of \"Death to America Day\" in Iran.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Let's remember what Scott said. He told CNN's T.J. Holmes that, \"Studies show that people that are on welfare are higher users of drugs than people not on welfare.\"","\"Studies show that people that are on welfare are higher users of drugs than people not on welfare,\" Scott said. He started to continue his thought -- but was cut off by host T.J. Holmes. (You can watch the entire exchange by clicking here.)","Last year, PolitiFact Florida touched on the survey while tackling a flip-side version of Deshotel's claim. In June 2011, Florida Gov. Rick Scott told an interviewer: \"Studies show that people that are on welfare are higher users of drugs than people not on welfare.\"","\"Absolutely,\" Scott responded. \"Studies show that people on welfare are using drugs much higher than other people in the population. But the bottom line is, if they're not using drugs, it's not an issue. Our taxpayers don't want to subsidize somebody's drug addiction. It's going to increase personal responsibility. It's the right thing to do for Floridians.\""]},{"id":"9849.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The pension fund in the city of Providence is only 30 percent funded, about the same level as when he [Taveras] took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the pension fund in the city of Providence is approximately 30 percent funded, which is consistent with the level when Taveras took office. The evidence confirms that the funded ratio remained relatively unchanged during Taveras' tenure, with a funded ratio of 31.39 percent after two and a half years in office. While the exact percentage may vary slightly, the statement captures the overall trend accurately.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4374.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says President Barack Obama delivered $2 billion to Brazil to help with offshore drilling projects.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Obama delivered $2 billion to Brazil to assist with offshore drilling projects is false. While there were discussions and agreements related to financing and support for Brazilian oil exploration, the claim misrepresents the nature of the assistance provided. The funds in question were not a direct payment or gift to Brazil but rather a loan guarantee from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to facilitate the purchase of U.S. goods and services by Brazilian oil companies. This loan guarantee aimed to support American businesses and jobs, not to provide financial assistance to Brazil for offshore drilling projects.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9829.json","label":"true","statement":"Opponent Glenn Hegar expressed pride in legislated cuts to public school funding.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that Glenn Hegar expressed pride in lawmakers balancing the budget without tapping into the rainy day fund or raising taxes, which indirectly resulted in cuts to public school funding. While Hegar's statement does not explicitly mention school cuts, it implies that the budget cuts were necessary and fiscally responsible. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects that Hegar expressed pride in legislated cuts to public school funding.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3492.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"One. Thats the number of new drilling permits under the Obama administration since they came into office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is factually incorrect and has been widely debunked. Multiple sources have confirmed that there were numerous drilling permits issued during the Obama administration, both before and after the Gulf oil spill. The claim of only one new drilling permit is a gross misrepresentation of the facts. The statement is highly misleading and deserves a pants-on-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"On (Rob Portman's) watch as Bush's trade czar, our deficit with China exploded\" and \"as Bush's budget chief, Portman oversaw a spending spree that doubled the deficit.\"","Instead, we'll focus on two other claims about Portman -- that \"on his watch as Bush's trade czar, our deficit with China exploded,\" and that \"as Bush's budget chief, Portman oversaw a spending spree that doubled the deficit.\"","\"Congressman Rob Portman knows how to grow the economy -- in China,\" the ad says. \"He voted for billions in tax breaks for companies that export jobs. On his watch as Bush's trade czar, our deficit with China exploded, sending 100,000 Ohio jobs overseas. As Bush's budget chief, Portman oversaw a spending spree that doubled the deficit. Outsourcing, bad trade deals, soaring deficicts. Congressman Portman -- a real economic plan, but not for Ohio.\"","Portman's camp counters that Bush's 2008 budget mapped out a plan for a fiscal 2008 budget deficit that was actually smaller than the fiscal 2007 budget deficit, with surpluses returning by fiscal 2012. The Portman campaign blames changes made by the Democratic-controlled Congress for busting the budget."]},{"id":"7294.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We just had someone last week in Neenah near a school kill someone with a bow and arrow.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that someone near a school in Neenah killed someone with a bow and arrow. The evidence only mentions incidents related to school shootings involving firearms and does not include any information about a bow and arrow incident near a school. Therefore, the statement is not based on factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A chain email lists Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine among 46 \"legistraitors\" in the U.S. Senate who voted to let the United Nations seize the guns of Americans.","What about the email\u2019s contentions that the treaty would \"let the U.N. take OUR guns,\" and \"implement and international gun registry ... on all guns and private ammo?\"","\"Folks: This needs to go viral,\" the email said. \"These Senators voted to let the UN take OUR guns. They need to lose their next election. We have been betrayed.\"","The U.N. treaty had long been opposed by the National Rifle Association and many other pro-gun groups, who said it could infringe on constitutional rights to own arms in the United States. Before the U.N\u2019s approval of the accord, the Senate passed legislation, by a 53-46 vote, stating opposition to the treaty. Warner and Kaine voted with the minority that favored the pact."]},{"id":"4897.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is making voting more difficult by closing Department of Motor Vehicles offices where low-income voters live.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were concerns raised about the potential impact of closing some state Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices on low-income voters, it is important to note that these closures did not specifically target low-income urban areas. The closures were part of a broader plan to consolidate DMV services and improve efficiency. The claim that Governor Scott Walker intentionally closed DMV offices in low-income areas to make voting more difficult is not supported by evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Our conclusion: The blog statement said Georgia ranks fifth among the states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories based on the cost of its WIC program. That was true for four years, through 2012. Once Politifact inquired, state officials said there was new data showing the state dropped to seventh for 2013. We rate the statement as Mostly True.","\"Georgia has the nation's fifth largest Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition program, serving more than 270,000 mothers, babies and children every day.\"","New data show that the Georgia program dropped to seventh in the rankings for 2013, she said. (The blogger was going on 2013 projections, not actual data for the year, Nydam said.)","Electric car sales in Georgia have dropped dramatically since a $5,000 tax credit was eliminated and a $200 annual registration fee was imposed July 1."]},{"id":"7750.json","label":"half-true","statement":"University of Wisconsin Systems reserves are in the mid- to low-range of comparable university systems.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The president of the University of Wisconsin System has asserted that the system's reserves are not out of line with those of comparable state university systems. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not clearly establish that the reserves are specifically in the \"mid- to low-range\" of comparable university systems. Without more concrete data or specific comparisons, it is difficult to determine the exact position of the University of Wisconsin System's reserves in relation to other university systems.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad from the Texas lieutenant governor shows video of Obama golfing or riding a golf cart along with snippets of others speaking about the nation\u2019s economic troubles. The video culminates with these claims, which appear in red letters: \"6.4 million more Americans living in poverty under President Obama\" and \"over 90 rounds of golf.\"","Under \"Americans in Poverty,\" the page says there were 39.8 million on Obama\u2019s inauguration day (Jan. 20, 2009) and are 46.2 million \"today.\" The difference: 6.4 million people.","As backup, Dewhurst\u2019s campaign sent us a January 2012 editorial from the conservative Washington Examiner that says \"there are 6.4 million more Americans in poverty today than when Obama took office.\"","We\u2019ve already checked the sporty part of that claim, rating as True the statement that Obama has played more than 90 rounds of golf since he became president. Here, we\u2019ll focus on Dewhurst\u2019s claim that the ranks of the poor have grown by 6.4 million."]},{"id":"199.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I won the South Carolina primary in 2004, and I was way behind in the polls at this stage in 2004.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by John Edwards is partially true. He correctly states that he won the South Carolina primary in 2004. However, the claim that he was \"way behind\" in the polls at this stage in 2004 is not fully supported by the evidence. While there were polls that showed Edwards trailing in South Carolina, there were also polls that indicated him as the leading candidate. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that the polls were mixed rather than stating that he was significantly behind. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["7 million people the Congressional Budget Office says won't have health insurance coverage under the Senate health care bill \"don't exist.\"","In the early 1990s, Clinton, as first lady, led the White House\u2019s push for a universal health care program. That effort failed amid a massive public relations campaign from the program\u2019s opponents. This time around, instead of advocating for a massive overhaul of the country\u2019s health system \u2014 which is what Sanders wanted \u2014 Clinton wants to build on Obama\u2019s Affordable Care Act and \"advance toward the goal of universal health care.\"","3. \"Stand up to Republican-led attacks on this landmark (health care) law\u2014and build on its success to bring the promise of affordable health care to more people and make a \u2018public option\u2019 possible.\"","Over the course of her political career, Clinton has supported more trade deals than she\u2019s opposed, and she is generally in favor of free trade. As president, Clinton says she would \"say \u2018no\u2019 to new trade agreements unless they create American jobs, raise wages, and improve our national security.\""]},{"id":"12673.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"(Big banks) have invested over $300,000 in (Joe Heck), and Heck has sponsored $44 million dollars in tax breaks for banks.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two separate claims. The first claim, that big banks have invested over $300,000 in Joe Heck, lacks evidence and cannot be verified. Therefore, it is difficult to determine its accuracy.\n\nThe second claim, that Joe Heck has sponsored $44 million dollars in tax breaks for banks, is partially accurate. While it is true that Joe Heck has sponsored tax breaks for banks, the specific amount of $44 million dollars is not supported by the evidence provided. Without further information or evidence, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of this claim.\n\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A South Texas state senator objected to Gov. Rick Perry\u2019s plans to send up to 1,000 National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border by suggesting crime in Texas\u2019 Rio Grande Valley isn\u2019t as bad as in other parts of the state.","Besides, Hinojosa said, \"we have less crime in the Valley than we do in other major Texas cities. If we were to use crime as a basis to deploy the National Guard then we should be sending the National Guard to other metropolitan areas in our state.\"","An FBI chart presents counts of reported offenses in the first half of 2013 for more than 20 Texas cities, rolling in several of the biggest cities (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin but not Fort Worth) and smaller cities including Brownsville and McAllen, key cities in the Rio Grande Valley, which consists of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties.","In the first half of 2013, each of the big cities had more total reported incidents of violent and property crime than the two valley cities. But that\u2019s arguably not surprising given that Houston, Dallas and the other non-valley cities are much more populous than their valley counterparts."]},{"id":"3238.json","label":"false","statement":"The alternative to higher state worker pension and health care payments is to look at 1,500 layoffs of state employees or close to 200,000 children who would be bumped off Medicaid-related programs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Governor Scott Walker did present a scenario where he claimed that the alternative to higher state worker pension and health care payments would be layoffs of state employees or removing 200,000 children from Medicaid-related programs. However, it is important to note that this scenario was presented by Governor Walker himself and does not necessarily reflect the only possible alternatives. It is a hypothetical scenario used to emphasize the potential consequences of not implementing the proposed changes. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the full range of alternatives available.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5956.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Right now, we have the lowest gas tax of anywhere in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Georgia does have one of the lowest gas taxes in the country, as supported by several charts and evidence. However, it's important to note that the statement could have been more precise by specifying that it refers to the excise gas tax. Other factors, such as local taxes or fees, may affect the overall cost of gasoline in Georgia. Nonetheless, in terms of the specific gas tax, Georgia does have one of the lowest rates in the nation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13120.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine want to shut down shale, and shut down natural gas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump claimed that Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine want to shut down shale and natural gas, this statement is not entirely accurate. While Clinton has expressed support for transitioning to cleaner energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, she has not explicitly called for shutting down shale or natural gas production. However, it is important to note that Clinton's energy agenda does include regulations and restrictions that could impact the production and use of natural gas. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it oversimplifies Clinton's position and exaggerates the extent to which she wants to shut down shale and natural gas.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve got 20-odd departments to watch over and \u2014 with nearly a million people coming to town in the next 20 years \u2014 incredible housing, land use, and transportation problems,\" the pair said in the piece placed online by the Austin American-Statesman on May 5, 2013.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","According to an April 27, 2022, report from the Pew Research Center, about 2.9 million encounters were logged between April 2020 and March 2022. Nearly 1.8 million of those encounters, or 61%, resulted in migrants being expelled from the U.S. under Title 42.","Experts say more immigrants are coming mostly because the weather is warming, there's political instability in other countries, and because former President Trump's policies created a backlog of people seeking asylum."]},{"id":"10670.json","label":"half-true","statement":"SaysBarack Obama voted for the very same language ofIndianas Religious Freedom Restoration Act when he was in the Illinois state Senate. Sexual orientation doesnt have anything to do with this law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Barack Obama did vote for a version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act when he was an Illinois state senator. However, it's important to note that the context and implications of the law can vary between states. While the language may be similar, the application and interpretation of the law in Indiana and Illinois may differ. Additionally, the statement that sexual orientation \"doesn't have anything to do with this law\" is misleading. The impact of religious freedom laws on the LGBTQ+ community has been a subject of debate and controversy, with concerns raised about potential discrimination. Therefore, while Obama did vote for a similar law, the statement oversimplifies the complexities and potential implications of the legislation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1487.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Among the money spent on health care in the United States, \"46 cents on every dollar spent is through Medicare and Medicaid.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Biden that \"46 cents on every dollar spent is through Medicare and Medicaid\" is partially true. While it is accurate that Medicare and Medicaid account for a significant portion of public spending on healthcare, it is not the entire picture. According to the Congressional Budget Office's report, public sources finance 46 percent of the total healthcare spending in the United States, which includes not only Medicare and Medicaid but also other federal programs like veterans' health care, military health care, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, as well as funds spent by state and local governments. Therefore, while Medicare and Medicaid do contribute a substantial portion, they do not account for the entire 46 cents on every dollar spent on healthcare.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4283.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Democratic state Sen. Jim Holperin voted against a property tax freeze in 2009 and then voted for a $1.5 billion property tax hike.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that GOP recall challenger Kim Simac claimed that Democratic state Sen. Jim Holperin voted against a property tax freeze in 2009 and then voted for a $1.5 billion property tax hike, the statement is misleading. Holperin did vote against a property tax freeze in 2009, but the claim that he voted for a $1.5 billion property tax hike is not entirely accurate. Holperin voted for the 2009-11 budget, which had provisions that impacted local tax levies. However, it is important to note that state actions have a significant influence on local tax levies, and lawmakers are aware of the estimated impact on local levies when approving a budget. Therefore, while there may have been indirect effects on property taxes, it is misleading to solely attribute a specific tax hike to Holperin's vote.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10429.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Middle-class Americans pay a higher tax rate than millionaires and billionaires.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that some middle-class Americans do pay higher tax rates than certain millionaires and billionaires, it is important to note that this does not apply to all middle-class individuals. The tax code is complex and includes various deductions, exemptions, and credits that can affect an individual's effective tax rate. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific data or statistics to support the claim, making it difficult to determine the extent of the disparity. Therefore, while there are instances where middle-class Americans may face higher tax rates than some wealthy individuals, it is not a blanket statement that applies universally.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3263.json","label":"false","statement":"On high-speed rail.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not offer any specific information or context regarding the statement about high-speed rail. It merely mentions that there are people fighting to keep high-speed rail on track in Florida and provides sources related to high-speed rail in the state. Without further details or specific claims, it is not possible to determine the accuracy or falsehood of the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In Texas, the foundation says, 24 percent of residents had no health insurance \u2014 and that was the highest uninsured rate for any state. Some 22 percent of Nevada residents and 21 percent of New Mexico residents lacked coverage, according to the foundation, while California and Louisiana were among five states where 20 percent of the population was uninsured.","In Texas in 2011, the foundation says, 24 percent of residents had no health insurance \u2014 and that was the highest uninsured rate for any state. Some 22 percent of Nevada residents and 21 percent of New Mexico residents lacked coverage, according to the foundation, while California and Louisiana were among five states where 20 percent of the population was uninsured.","Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents overall, about a quarter of its population, and has the most uninsured children (though not the highest rate of uninsured children).","Texas continues to have the nation\u2019s greatest share of uninsured residents. However, California has about 1 million more uninsured residents. This claim has an element of truth, yet it\u2019s wrong on the numbers. Mark it Mostly False."]},{"id":"12327.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Winning enough pledged delegates is not impossible.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is mathematically possible for a candidate to win enough pledged delegates to secure the nomination, the likelihood of achieving this can vary based on various factors such as the remaining delegate count, the distribution of delegates in upcoming contests, and the performance of the candidate in previous contests. In the case of Bernie Sanders, while it was technically possible for him to win enough pledged delegates, the proportional allocation rule and his performance in past contests made it highly unlikely for him to reach the required winning percentage. Therefore, while not impossible, the statement should be understood in the context of the practical challenges and probabilities involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We emailed the Richardson campaign, which sent us a link to a Feb. 7, 2014, article by Betsy Hammond, the state education reporter for The Oregonian. The article\u2019s headline: \"Oregon\u2019s high school graduation rate second-worst in nation.\"","State Rep. Dennis Richardson, in taking on Gov. John Kitzhaber, stated during a recent debate that Oregon ranks 49th in high school graduation rates.","He based the number on a news story that looked at state-by-state numbers for the 2011-12 school year from the U.S. Department of Education. The story\u2019s headline said Oregon had the nation\u2019s \"second-worst\" rate.","Still, she acknowledged that the four-year rate -- considered by both state and federal education officials as the correct way to measure graduation rates nationally -- places Oregon near the bottom."]},{"id":"8171.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Atlanta now has as many visitors as Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles. Orlando, Fla., and New York City still have more visitors.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that Atlanta now has as many visitors as Las Vegas, San Diego, and Los Angeles. However, it also acknowledges that Orlando, Florida, and New York City still have more visitors. This is supported by evidence from various sources, including the Los Angeles Times article titled \"Title 42 explained: The obscure public health policy at the center of a U.S. border fight\" and the New York Times report on migrants quarantining in San Diego hotels. While additional data or specific statistics would provide more context, the statement is generally accurate in comparing Atlanta's visitor numbers to those of other cities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Welcome to #Houston, the most #diverse city in #America. New posters up at City Hall and the airports,\" Turner said in July 2016.","Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner unveiled 60 welcome signs destined for the city\u2019s airports, libraries and convention center via a tweet saluting the city\u2019s diversity.","Houston comparatively looks less diverse, we determined, if you look at cities by themselves, not sweeping in adjoining areas. The Kinder Institute report also found two suburbs of Houston, Pearland and Missouri City, were more diverse than Houston itself.","We shared our diverse findings with Turner\u2019s office. In reply, spokeswoman Janice Evans pointed out by phone that however Houston ranks, it\u2019s \"very diverse. Anyone who lives here knows that.\""]},{"id":"6258.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Bill OBriens Tea Party legislature tried to repeal kindergarten and compulsory education, defund Planned Parenthood and eliminate insurance coverage for birth control.","reason":"Reason: While it is accurate to state that Bill O'Brien's Tea Party legislature attempted to defund Planned Parenthood, the other claims in the statement are not entirely true. The proposal to repeal kindergarten and compulsory education did not receive significant support and was quickly dismissed. The push to eliminate insurance coverage for birth control was not aimed at completely eliminating coverage but rather allowing certain employers to opt out of including birth control in their insurance plans. Therefore, the statement contains some inaccuracies and lacks the necessary context to fully represent the actions of Bill O'Brien's Tea Party legislature.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Huckabee, a former presidential candidate and now a talk show host, wrote on on his Facebook page, \"If you want a good job, you should\u2019ve gone into government.\" He noted that the total White House payroll went up $700,000 from the year before; it now stands at $37.8 million. Then, commenting on the timing of the administration\u2019s data dump -- late on a Friday afternoon -- he wrote, \"Maybe they just didn\u2019t want to explain their priorities, considering that we now know the White House has three staff calligraphers making between $86,000 and 97,000 dollars each, and just one National Security Director. She makes $55,000.\"","The Huckabee post notes that the staff payroll rose $700,000 since last year. That is accurate but it\u2019s also true that it is $1.3 million less than 2009, Obama\u2019s first year in office. For the record, the median salary around the White House is about $65,700.","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","Huckabee said that the National Security Director makes less than the three White House calligraphers. That\u2019s accurate, but the statement would have us believe that this particular national security job has a lot to do with policy. That is wrong. It is an administrative position and to suggest otherwise is misleading."]},{"id":"13162.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Proposition 205 blocks market entry for new marijuana dispensaries.","reason":"Reason: While Proposition 205 does provide an advantage to existing medical marijuana dispensaries in terms of entering the recreational marijuana market, it does not completely block new dispensaries from entering the market. The ballot language of Proposition 205 does give preference to existing dispensaries, but it does not prohibit new dispensaries from participating in the legal recreational marijuana market. Therefore, the statement that Proposition 205 blocks market entry for new marijuana dispensaries is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the provisions of the proposition.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8032.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This is the same (farm) bill we voted on a few weeks ago, with the exception of one or two sentences.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While the statement suggests that the current farm bill is nearly identical to the one voted on a few weeks ago, except for one or two sentences, this is not accurate. The farm bill is a complex piece of legislation that undergoes significant revisions and amendments throughout the legislative process. It is unlikely that the current version of the farm bill is almost identical to the previous one, with only minor changes. The statement oversimplifies the legislative process and the extent of modifications made to the bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3477.json","label":"true","statement":"Says none of the government programs targeted for elimination or severe cutback in House Republican spending plans appeared on the GAOs list of government programs at high risk of waste, fraud and abuse.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that none of the government programs targeted for elimination or severe cutback in House Republican spending plans appeared on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) list of government programs at high risk of waste, fraud, and abuse. This suggests that the House Republican spending plans did not specifically target programs that were identified as having significant issues of waste, fraud, or abuse according to the GAO's assessment.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve dedicated more money from (Washington County\u2019s) transportation budget to bike and ped projects under my watch than at any time in the history of Washington County.\"","\"We\u2019ve dedicated more money from (the county\u2019s) transportation budget to bike and ped projects under my watch than at any time in the history of Washington County,\" he said.","Together, those numbers show significantly more money is spent now for bike\/ped improvements than before Duyck became chairman. But can he fairly say that money is \"more than at any time in the history of Washington County\"?","Washington County board Chairman Andy Duyck, now running for re-election, claims that more money has been spent for bicycle and pedestrian improvements during his first term as chairman than at any time in Washington County history."]},{"id":"2630.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We refused to balance the budget on the backs of our children.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an expression of the speaker's refusal to balance the budget by negatively impacting children. However, it is important to note that the statement is figurative and not a literal description of the budgetary process. The budgeting process involves various factors and considerations, and while it is possible for budget decisions to indirectly affect children, the statement does not provide specific evidence or context to support the claim that the budget was intentionally balanced on the backs of children. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it lacks clarity and specificity.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3514.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A majority of the American people opposed the health care law when it was signed and still oppose it today.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that while there has been consistent opposition to the health care law, the level of opposition has fluctuated over time. Initially, a majority of Americans opposed the law when it was signed. While the exact percentage of opposition may vary depending on the poll, it is evident that a significant portion of the American people continue to oppose the law. Therefore, it can be concluded that a majority of Americans opposed the health care law when it was signed, and a significant portion still opposes it today. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the exact percentage of opposition, which may vary depending on the specific poll or time period considered.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["If Fox News' presidential debate rules had been in place during the 1992 election, \"Bill Clinton wouldn't have been on the stage.\"","Santorum said that if Fox News had applied its 2016 rules to a hypothetical Democratic primary debate in 1992, that Clinton would not have been on the stage.","\"We should have the opportunity for everyone to be heard,\" he told Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace on June 7, 2015. \"You know, if you would have taken the top two-thirds of the folks in 1992, Bill Clinton wouldn't have been on the stage.\"","Most of the top Democrats Clinton trailed in those early polls never actually declared as candidates. Under the Fox News rules, none of them would qualify to participate in its debate. And by the time the field was set in late 1991, Clinton\u2019s position in the polls suggested he was a viable candidate."]},{"id":"11544.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When Chuck Schumer and Marco Rubio tried to push amnesty, it was Ted Cruz who stopped them.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ted Cruz opposed the Gang of Eight immigration bill, which included provisions that some considered as amnesty, it is an oversimplification to say that he single-handedly stopped Chuck Schumer and Marco Rubio from pushing for amnesty. The bill faced opposition from multiple lawmakers and did not pass in Congress. While Cruz played a role in opposing the bill, attributing the entire defeat solely to him is misleading. It is important to acknowledge the collective efforts of various senators and the broader political landscape in shaping the outcome of the immigration bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7535.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Virginia, Florida and Georgia are the three states that are the principal source for gun trafficking.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to a report, for several years, including 2007 through 2009, Virginia, Florida, and Georgia ranked among the top states as the source for recovered firearms used in crimes in other states. Georgia consistently ranked first, while Virginia and Florida ranked second or third during that period. These three states, along with a few others, consistently appeared among the top source states for trafficked guns. However, it's important to note that the statement does not imply that these states are the exclusive or sole sources of gun trafficking, but rather that they are among the principal sources.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13383.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton shows up in Broward County and had a private meeting with elections supervisor Brenda Snipes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton had a private meeting with Brenda Snipes, the elections supervisor of Broward County. Both the Clinton campaign and Brenda Snipes herself have denied such a meeting taking place. Additionally, Roger Stone, who initially made the claim, later admitted that he was incorrect and lacked evidence for his claim. Therefore, the statement is baseless and deserves a \"pants-fire\" rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"California seniors are worried,\" the ad begins. \"Barbara Boxer voted to cut spending on Medicare benefits by $500 billion, cuts so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether. Boxer's cuts would sharply reduce benefits for some and could jeopardize access to care for millions of others.\"","\"California seniors are worried,\" the ad begins. \"Barbara Boxer voted to cut spending on Medicare benefits by $500 billion, cuts so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether. Boxer's cuts would sharply reduce benefits for some, and could jeopardize access to care for millions of others.\"","The ad then advises, \"Check the facts and take action. Call Boxer; stop the Medicare cuts.\" So we decided to step in. We're checking the ad's claim that Boxer voted \"to cut spending on Medicare benefits by $500 billion, cuts so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether.\"","At this point, let's take a minute to note a few factual conclusions: Yes, Boxer voted for the health care bill, but it didn't cut $500 billion out of the current Medicare program. Instead, it slowed growth over the next 10 years. And not all of that $500 billion applied to hospitals and nursing homes. It was only about $220 billion in prospective reduced payments that concerned the chief actuary. That's what the ad calls \"cuts so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether.\""]},{"id":"2384.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Clayton County has employed 1,300 people over the past seven months through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Clayton County has reported employing approximately 1,300 people over the past seven months through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, it is important to note that job creation and retention were not the primary objectives of the program. The purpose of the program was to buy foreclosed homes, renovate them, and resell them to new buyers. The statement lacks information regarding the duration and nature of employment for these individuals, as well as the breakdown of the work performed by each person. Therefore, while the number of people employed is accurate, the statement does not provide a complete picture of the program's impact on employment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["And what does Whitney think is a big-government \"scam\" and \"conspiracy\"? The video\u2019s title says it all: \"Global Warming is a Hoax.\"","An image spreading on social media ignores this and wrongly asserts that \"NASA admits that man-made climate change is a hoax!\"","\"30,000 scientists have come forward confirming that man-made climate change is a hoax perpetuated by the elite in order to make money.\"","\"In 1958, NASA first observed that changes in the solar orbit of the earth, along with alterations to earth\u2019s axial tilt, are both responsible for what climate scientists call \u2018global warming.\u2019 In no way, shape or form are humans warming the planet by using fossil fuels or eating beef.\""]},{"id":"7175.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Charlie Crist, Florida lost 825,000 jobs and the unemployment rate increased from 3.5 percent to 11.1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Scott that Florida lost 825,000 jobs and experienced an increase in the unemployment rate from 3.5 percent to 11.1 percent during Charlie Crist's tenure. The evidence provided supports these figures. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of the economic conditions during that period. While it is true that Florida faced significant job losses and an increase in unemployment, attributing these solely to Charlie Crist oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to economic fluctuations. Other external factors, such as the global financial crisis, also played a role in Florida's economic challenges during that time. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the complete context necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Talking up domestic energy resources, the Texas governor also said the country needs a president committed to \"pulling the regulations back, freeing this country to go develop the energy industry that we have in this country. I can promise you that we do that and we'll create an environment in this country where the manufacturing will come back to this country. We did it in Texas. We brought CHI Manufacturing, that had business in China, back to the state of Texas.\"","In any event, CHI still has products made in China. Ultimately, Perry\u2019s statement overreaches by indicating the company deserted China and by claiming that anyone besides Shami \"brought\" the jobs from abroad.","An Aug. 2, 2009, news article in the Houston Business Journal says Shami decided to move the manufacturing of the CHI and other Farouk Systems products from overseas to Houston for safety and economic reasons. \"Our employees are more efficient, and our quality control is superior,\" Shami said of U.S. workers. \"Plus, I\u2019m seeing more people in other countries wanting the American lifestyle and American products. They want to buy products made in the U.S.A.\"","Ironing all this out, it seems likely the manufacturer of the CHI hair iron moved some jobs from China to Texas. However, there\u2019s no indication that qualities specific to the Texas economy or actions by state government merit credit for the shift. It could be, too, that most of the moved jobs came from South Korea."]},{"id":"4404.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Massachusetts health care plan dealt with 8 percent of our population, far less than the 100 percent of American people affected by President Barack Obamas health care law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The Massachusetts health care plan, also known as Romneycare, aimed to address the issue of uninsured individuals in Massachusetts, which accounted for a specific percentage of the state's population. It did not cover 100 percent of the population. Similarly, while the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aimed to increase healthcare coverage for the entire American population, it did not cover every single individual due to certain exemptions and opt-outs. Therefore, the claim that the Massachusetts health care plan only dealt with 8 percent of the population, while the ACA affected 100 percent of the American people, is inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"This year, the Blackstone Valley Mayoral Academy, which serves students from Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln and Pawtucket, became the first public school in Rhode Island history to have 100 percent of its elementary-age students proficient in reading on state assessments.\"","So when Mayors McKee, Fung and Avedisian say that the Blackstone Valley Mayoral Academy is \"the first public school in Rhode Island history to have 100 percent of its elementary-age students proficient\" on a state reading assessment, they're right.","(Blackstone Valley Prep did have a class of fifth graders last year and those students took the NECAP test, with less impressive results -- 61 percent were proficient in reading and 48 percent were proficient in math, both below the state average. But Krieger said that doesn't reflect the quality of the school because the test was given in October 2010, before the students had spent much time there.","Mayors claim students in Blackstone Valley charter school were first in R.I. to achieve 100 percent proficiency in state reading tests"]},{"id":"12934.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"NAFTA, signed by Bill Clinton, has been a disaster for Pennsylvania.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that NAFTA was signed during President Bill Clinton's tenure, categorizing it as a \"disaster\" for Pennsylvania is an oversimplification. The impact of NAFTA on Pennsylvania, as well as other states, is complex and varied. While some industries may have faced challenges due to increased competition, others have benefited from expanded trade opportunities. It is important to consider the overall economic context and the various factors that contribute to the state's economic performance. Therefore, labeling NAFTA as a complete \"disaster\" for Pennsylvania is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the nuanced effects of the agreement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["So, back to 's claim that 2 million jobs will be lost under cap-and-trade. As we've shown, the job predictions are all over the map. Supporters of cap-and-trade predict an increase. CRA, which was hired by an opponent of the proposal, says jobs will be lost. The independent CBO characterizes it as a wash.","In an Oct. 4, 2009, ad in the Washington Post , the group said that \"2 million jobs lost\" is \"another unfortunate truth about Congress's climate bill.\"","And a second analysis done by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a group that is supporting the bill, estimates that the cap-and-trade bill could create anywhere between 600,000 and 1 million new jobs by 2030.","The group's ad cites a May 27 study of the House bill written for the National Black Chamber of Commerce, which opposes the bill, by private consulting firm CRA International. The study predicts that net job losses could be as high as 2.5 million by 2030 and 3 million in 2050."]},{"id":"7159.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Social Security has not contributed to the debt and the deficits.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Social Security has not directly contributed to the federal government's budget deficit, the statement oversimplifies the issue. Social Security has been running deficits since 2010, which means that the program has been paying out more in benefits than it receives in payroll taxes. To cover these deficits, the government has been using money from the Social Security Trust Fund, which is made up of bonds. These bonds are counted as part of the national debt. So, while Social Security itself does not directly contribute to the deficit, its deficits do have an impact on the overall debt situation of the country.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1851.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The American Power Act would cut our dependence on oil in half.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. VoteVets claims that the American Power Act would cut our dependence on oil in half, specifically referring to foreign oil. They cite a report from the Council that projects a similar bill would achieve this by 2050. However, it's important to note that the statement is based on an analysis of a different bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which is not the same as the American Power Act. Therefore, while there is evidence to suggest that a similar bill could potentially reduce dependence on foreign oil, the direct claim about the American Power Act itself is not fully supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I believe in Roe vs. Wade , and I come to that conclusion not because I'm proabortion, but because, ultimately, I don't think women make these decisions casually. I think they \u2014 they wrestle with these things in profound ways, in consultation with their pastors or their spouses or their doctors or their family members,\" Obama said. \"And so, for me, the goal right now should be \u2014 and this is where I think we can find common ground. And by the way, I've now inserted this into the Democratic Party platform, is how do we reduce the number of abortions? The fact is that although we have had a president who is opposed to abortion over the last eight years, abortions have not gone down and that is something we have to address.\"","In his Aug. 16, 2008, appearance with megachurch pastor Rick Warren, Sen. Barack Obama asserted that \"abortions have not gone down'' in the United States during the presidency of George W. Bush, a strong abortion opponent.","And the federal Centers for Disease Control reported in its latest Abortion Surveillance Report that in 2004 there were 839,226 legal abortions, down 1.1 percent from 2003. The abortion ratio of 16 per 1,000 women has been the same since 2000, it added.","The New York-based Guttmacher Institute reported in January 2008 that in 2005 the country's abortion rate fell to 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, continuing a trend that started after the abortion rate peaked in 1981 at 29.3. The institute, a think tank on reproductive health issues, reported that the number of abortions also fell, to 1.2-million in 2005, which it said was 25 percent below the record high of 1.6-million abortions in 1990."]},{"id":"12445.json","label":"false","statement":"Texas is one of only a handful of states that does not have an equal pay law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Texas does have statutory restrictions on pay discrimination, which places it among the majority of states that have some form of an \"equal pay\" law. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Texas is not among the few states that lack such legislation. While there may be room for improvement in the existing laws, it is incorrect to claim that Texas does not have any equal pay laws.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9238.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Charlie Crists campaign bashedSen. Bill Nelsons big-government solutions.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence provided in the given information to support the claim that Charlie Crist's campaign bashed Sen. Bill Nelson's \"big-government solutions.\" The statement seems to be a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of the information provided. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about political campaigns. Without any supporting evidence, the claim is baseless and should be considered false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The advocacy website FoodMentum said that Americans and Europeans waste 15 times as much food as the typical African. The number is on the high end of estimates and there are plenty of gaps in the data. But experts who study this say people in wealthier countries waste much more food than people in poorer ones.","While some work has been done in Europe and the United States, the U.S. Food and Agriculture Organization reported in 2013 that \"there are currently no published studies available related to the exact amount of food waste in developing countries.\"","The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization commissioned a benchmark study on both losses and waste in 2011. It concluded that the per-capita food waste by consumers in Europe and North-America is between 95 and 115 kilograms a year. In sub-Saharan Africa and south and southeast Asia, it\u2019s between 6 and 11 kilograms a year.","\"In the U.S. and Europe it's mostly on the consumer end,\" he said. \"While in places like Africa, it's much more on the production end due to factors like pests, lack of adequate storage, and lack of infrastructure.\""]},{"id":"8008.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says proposed anti-abortion legislation would force women facing the most personal of health decisions to endure a transvaginal ultrasound.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While some proposed anti-abortion legislation has included provisions for mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds, it is important to note that not all proposed legislation includes this requirement. The use of transvaginal ultrasounds as a requirement for women seeking abortions has been a subject of controversy and debate in various states. However, it is not accurate to claim that all proposed anti-abortion legislation would universally force women to undergo transvaginal ultrasounds. The statement should specify that it refers to specific instances or proposals rather than making a blanket statement about all anti-abortion legislation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On CBS\u2019 Face the Nation on Sunday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told host Bob Schieffer that he\u2019s not responsible for those cuts.","Some Republicans in the U.S. Senate aren\u2019t very happy that their old colleague, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, has now been nominated to be President Barack Obama\u2019s defense secretary.","Cornyn said the failed cloture vote on Hagel was \"not a filibuster.\" In fact-checking this statement, we\u2019re swayed by definitions of filibusters that say it\u2019s any move to prevent a measure or nomination from coming to a simple majority vote. The failed vote of Feb. 14 clearly delayed Hagel\u2019s nomination from moving forward. Whether a filibuster itself is a positive assertion of minority rights or a negative instance of obstruction is in the eye of the beholder.","U.S. Senate, On the Cloture Motion (Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Charles Timothy Hagel, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Defense), Feb. 14, 2013"]},{"id":"10884.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Two of the top three (rated) public high schools in Wisconsin Ronald Reagan College Prep and Rufus King International are MPS schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately identifies Ronald Reagan College Prep and Rufus King International as two of the top three rated public high schools in Wisconsin. However, it is important to note that the statement does not specify the exact ranking of these schools within the top three. While they are highly regarded schools, the label \"half-true\" is assigned due to the lack of clarity regarding their specific rankings within the top three.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2004.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says state Rep. Jim Keffer, a GOP lieutenant to House Speaker Joe Straus, \"did mail pieces for Democrat Mark Strama to help him defeat\" a Republican.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the evidence provided. According to the excerpt from Barton's letter, state Rep. Jim Keffer, who is a GOP lieutenant to House Speaker Joe Straus, did indeed participate in mail pieces that supported Democrat Mark Strama in his election campaign against a Republican opponent. This indicates that Keffer provided assistance to a Democrat in defeating a fellow Republican. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide further details or context regarding the extent or impact of Keffer's involvement. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Since February 2010, Virginia has added 67,900 net new jobs, the third-highest number in the nation. We ranked 35th in this same category in 2009.\"","We sensed some unspoken political score settling within the statement. After all, Democrat Tim Kaine was governor in 2009. And McDonnell, a Republican, was governor for all but the first two weeks of 2010.","McDonnell has used raw numbers to draw the starkest contrast with Kaine. Under that set of numbers, which measure total jobs gained or lost each year, the governor accurately said Virginia ranked 35th under Kaine and third under the McDonnell administration.","In February 2006, Kaine\u2019s first full month in office, 66.5 percent of the state\u2019s working age population had a job. By December 2009, Kaine\u2019s last full month, it dropped to 64.2 percent. Virginia\u2019s working-age population rose 275,496 during Kaine\u2019s term while the number of employed people only increased by 48,249."]},{"id":"1039.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Department of Justice, under the Obama administration, disagrees with the decision Judge Sotomayor made in the Ricci vs. DeStefano case.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Department of Justice, under the Obama administration, disagreed with Judge Sotomayor's decision in the Ricci vs. DeStefano case, it is important to note that this disagreement occurred when the case was being heard at the district court level, before it reached the Supreme Court. The Department of Justice filed a brief supporting the vacatur and remand of the case, which means they supported sending it back to the lower court for further consideration. Therefore, while the Department of Justice disagreed with Sotomayor's decision at that stage, it does not necessarily imply a complete disagreement with her overall stance on the case.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961, to Barack Obama Sr., who is Kenyan, and Ann Dunham, of Kansas.","A website revived suspicion of Barack Obama\u2019s birthplace by using a quote from the former president\u2019s recent visit to Kenya out of context.","During his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama made a pitch for an increase in the minimum wage to $10.10.","As usual, Obama has chosen his words carefully. He says that determining the classification of marijuana is \"a job for Congress,\" not \"the job of Congress.\" That could mean Obama philosophically believes that Congress should ultimately decide the fate of marijuana, even if his administration has some control over it."]},{"id":"7464.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that since 1975, redistricting by Texas lawmakers has always been found in violation of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to Martinez Fischer, every initial Texas House map drawn by lawmakers since 1975 has been found in violation of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. However, it's important to note that this claim specifically pertains to Texas House districts and does not encompass all redistricting efforts in Texas. The evidence provided does not explicitly state that every redistricting by Texas lawmakers across all levels has consistently violated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Martinez Fischer regarding Texas House districts, it does not provide a complete picture of redistricting in Texas as a whole.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In their state appropriations request for fiscal 2022, the regents noted that appropriations for higher education in 2021 were $63 million less than the appropriation in 2001.","We previously fact-checked a claim by Scott that Crist \"allowed college tuition to increase up to 15 percent every year\" and rated that Mostly True. (And we have fact-checked other claims in the race about higher education cuts.) Here we will fact-check the Republicans\u2019 claim that Scott cut the cost of prepaid college tuition by nearly $20,000.","\"You know college has become so expensive. Gov. Crist was a governor that was not looking out for Florida. Tuition skyrocketed. You know Charlie Crist made college cost more. Charlie Crist did not make education a priority,\" states the ad, as a 2009 Tampa Bay Times headline flashes on the screen citing a tuition increase of up to 15 percent.","According to a Pew Charitable Trusts study, funding for higher education has increasingly come from the federal government rather than the state government across the country since 1990. The study found that state funding, per student, in 1990 was almost 140 percent more than that of the federal government nationally. By 2015, state funding per student was only 12 percent more than federal levels."]},{"id":"13493.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There was serious voter fraud in New Hampshire.","reason":"Reason: Multiple election officials, including those from the New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office, New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Hampshire, have stated that they received no complaints or evidence of voter fraud in the most recent election. The claim of \"serious voter fraud\" in New Hampshire, as stated in the tweet, is unsubstantiated and lacks any credible evidence. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["At a debate in Austin Thursday night, the Democratic frontrunner reiterated a statement he has used numerous times on the campaign trail: \"We send a billion dollars to foreign countries every day because of our addiction to foreign oil.\"","According to the Energy Information Administration, the U.S. imported 10,102,000 barrels per day of oil during the week ending Feb. 15. The average world price for a barrel of oil that same week was $89.91. That means energy firms spent $908 million on foreign oil daily in mid-February.","To get that figure requires some simple multiplication: barrels of oil imports per day times the cost of barrel of oil equals how much U.S. spends daily purchasing oil abroad. So we dusted off our multiplication tables and checked Obama's math.","While the Energy Policy Act of 2005 did give the oil and gas industry tax breaks and incentives to boost production, the law also mandated 7.5-billion gallons of ethanol and other biofuels to be blended into gasoline by 2012 \u2014 the largest such mandate ever enacted and one widely credited with sparking an ethanol plant construction boom across the Midwest. The law also funneled hundreds of millions of dollars toward biomass research and the production of biofuels derived from the leaves, stems and stalks of a plant rather than corn kernels used to make ethanol."]},{"id":"3512.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Tallahassee is the ninth-rainiest (city) in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Tallahassee is ranked as the ninth-rainiest city in the United States. While there may be some variation in rankings depending on different sources, the evidence supports the claim that Tallahassee experiences a significant amount of rainfall. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Obama went on to say that \"since I came into office, just to give you some sense of perspective, we have increased the VA budget by 85 percent.\"","The White House confirmed that the 85 percent increase refers to the entire VA budget, including mandatory and discretionary spending. They said that the Obama administration did have an impact on the mandatory spending figure by enacting increased access to benefits, including expanding eligibility for benefits related to Agent Orange exposure.","It\u2019s also worth noting that when Obama uses the 85 percent growth figure, he\u2019s choosing the largest of several figures he could have used. There are so many choices because comparing budget growth in the way Obama did is more complicated than it seems at first glance.","So Obama\u2019s 85 percent figure is cherry-picked, although even the worst calculation for Obama shows a 67 percent increase, which is still pretty substantial."]},{"id":"7445.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Knopp says he upheld a campaign promise not to join the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which includes multiple sources confirming that Tim Knopp made a campaign promise not to join the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and that he followed through on that promise. The press release from his office, statements from Knopp himself, and his track record as a critic of PERS support the claim that he upheld his campaign promise.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Walking in the door (Sonia Sotomayor) would bring more experience on the bench, and more varied experience on the bench, than anyone currently serving on the United States Supreme Court had when they were appointed.\"","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","\"The Department of Justice, under the Obama administration, disagrees with the decision\" Judge Sotomayor made in the Ricci vs. DeStefano case.","\"Obama's Justice-designate Sotomayor threw out (the New Haven firefighters') lawsuit in a sneaky, unsigned opinion -- the judicial equivalent of 'talk to the hand.'\""]},{"id":"10419.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States is the only advanced country on Earth that doesnt guarantee paid maternity leave to our workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the United States is the only advanced country on Earth that does not guarantee paid maternity leave to its workers. While there may be some variations in the wording used by different sources, the overall sentiment remains consistent. It is important to note that while the United States does not have a federally mandated paid maternity leave policy, there are some state-level and employer-based initiatives that provide varying degrees of paid leave. However, compared to other advanced countries, the United States does not have a comprehensive nationwide guarantee of paid maternity leave.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13332.json","label":"half-true","statement":"ISIS is in 32 countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement that ISIS is in 32 countries is not entirely accurate. While it is true that ISIS has had a presence in multiple regions and has supporters in various countries, the exact number of countries where they are currently operating is uncertain and subject to change. The evidence suggests that the number could be larger than 32, as ISIS' strength and influence have fluctuated over time. However, it is important to note that the Congressional Research Service report identified only nine countries where ISIS had a significant presence. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete and up-to-date information on the exact number of countries where ISIS operates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It's what he did in the Illinois Senate, moving people from welfare to jobs, passing tax cuts for hard-working families, and making sure women get equal pay for equal work.\"","\"It's what he did in the Illinois Senate, moving people from welfare to jobs, passing tax cuts for hard- working families, and making sure women get equal pay for equal work.\"","Later in the ad, Obama says, \"I passed laws moving people from welfare to work, cut taxes for working families and extended health care for wounded troops who'd been neglected.\"","In 2000, the Illinois legislature created a state earned income tax credit, based on the federal earned income tax program, which is a tax credit for low-income working individuals and families. The program is meant \"to offset the burden of Social Security taxes and to provide an incentive to work,\" according to the Internal Revenue Service."]},{"id":"8183.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Global surface temperatures have been flat for 16 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that global surface temperatures have been flat for 16 years is partially true. While it is accurate that there has been a lack of significant warming in global surface temperatures over a 16-year period, it is important to note that this timeframe includes the exceptionally warm year of 1998, which was influenced by the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon. When starting from a particularly hot year, subsequent years may appear cooler in comparison. However, it is crucial to consider the long-term trend of global surface temperatures, which consistently show an overall increase over time. Therefore, while there has been a temporary plateau in warming, it does not negate the broader trend of global temperature rise.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Then came the historical note: \"Having law-abiding citizens having guns is a good thing,\" Patrick said. \"In fact, Chuck, every one of the mass shootings except two in America since 1950 have been\" in \"gun-free zones,\" his implication being that wrongdoers don\u2019t open fire in places where permitted citizens may have loaded handguns.","Stories, Mother Jones, \"What Exactly Is a Mass Shooting?,\" Aug. 24, 2012; \"The NRA Myth of Gun-Free Zones,\" April 1, 2013; \"A Guide to Mass Shootings in America,\" Dec. 3, 2015","So, how did Patrick determine that only two mass shootings since 1950 occurred in places that weren\u2019t gun-free zones? A spokesman, Alejandro Garcia, declined comment on that, but web searches and interviews identified the likely originator of the two-since-1950 claim as economist John Lott Jr., whose books include \"More Guns, Less Crime\" and \"The Bias Against Guns.\" Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, also is a Fox News columnist.","Before we delve into the numbers compiled by Lott, we will explain why it\u2019s complicated to make sweeping claims of mass shootings in gun-free zones."]},{"id":"11783.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the Democratic Party createda debate schedule to maximize the opportunity for voters to see our candidates.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Democratic Party created a debate schedule to maximize the opportunity for voters to see their candidates is false. Multiple fact-checks have found that the debate schedule set by the Democratic Party did not effectively provide ample opportunities for voters to see the candidates. The schedule of one debate per month for six months, along with limitations on the number of debates and their timing, did not allow for sufficient exposure and engagement with the candidates. This limited schedule was criticized for potentially restricting voter access to the candidates and their ideas.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7256.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States has an immigration system where only 6.5 percent of people who come here, come here based on labor and skill.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Rubio's view on the current immigration system in the United States. He expressed his belief that the immigration system needs to move towards a more merit and skill-based approach, as currently, only 6.5 percent of people who come to the United States do so based on labor and skill. While the exact percentage may vary depending on specific visa categories and employment types, the statement captures the general sentiment expressed by Senator Rubio.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The latest charge from Democratic challenger Charlie Crist comes from a campaign ad released July 31, 2014. In it, he attacked Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Scott\u2019s budget decisions. \"Rick Scott raised property taxes,\" the ad said. A narrator doubles down on the claim, saying Scott raised \"your\" property taxes.","Scott came into office promising to cut property taxes, so PolitiFact Florida thought this claim deserved an audit. Did Rick Scott raise Florida\u2019s property taxes? We\u2019ll budget some time to sort this one out.","PolitiFact Florida, \" Charlie Crist says Rick Scott cut K-12 by $1.3 billion in his first year and higher ed by $300 million in his second,\" Nov. 11, 2013","Critics (including the Crist campaign) have equated that rise in collections with a tax increase. Crist campaign spokesman Kevin Cate told PolitiFact Florida \"inaction is also an action. And in this case, Rick Scott\u2019s actions raised taxes.\""]},{"id":"9528.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Export-Import Bank doesnt cost taxpayers anything.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Export-Import Bank has made a net profit in recent years and has returned money to the U.S. Treasury, it is important to note that in the past, the bank has incurred losses and cost taxpayers money. The bank's revenue is affected by lower interest rates, which can result in a cost to taxpayers in terms of lost opportunity. Additionally, some economists express concerns about potential defaults and the long-term sustainability of the bank's revenue. Therefore, while the statement suggests that the Export-Import Bank doesn't cost taxpayers anything, it fails to acknowledge the potential risks and costs associated with the bank's operations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11171.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On allowing abortion in cases of rape or incest, I have never said that or advocated that.","reason":"Reason: While Rubio denies explicitly advocating for exceptions to abortion in cases of rape or incest, there is evidence that suggests otherwise. The statement overlooks instances where Rubio's position on exceptions has been more nuanced. While he strongly opposes abortion, there have been instances where he has expressed some flexibility or openness to certain exceptions. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate as it fails to acknowledge the complexity of Rubio's stance on this issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"72.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Half of all personal bankruptcies in America \"are caused by medical bills.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"half of all personal bankruptcies in America are caused by medical bills\" is mostly true. Numerous studies and research have shown that medical expenses are a significant contributing factor to personal bankruptcies in the United States. While the exact percentage may vary slightly depending on the study, it is widely acknowledged that medical bills play a substantial role in driving individuals and families into bankruptcy. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the general trend, although the specific percentage may differ slightly based on different sources and methodologies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"There\u2019s a section in the Constitution called the Emoluments Clause that says no one, nor their spouses, can take money from foreigners. (Hillary Clinton) has to be guilty of 70 or 100 counts just on that one charge.\"","Gingrich said, \"There\u2019s a section in the Constitution called the Emoluments Clause that says no one, nor their spouses, can take money from foreigners. (Hillary Clinton) has to be guilty of 70 or 100 counts just on that one charge.\"","\"There\u2019s a section in the Constitution called the Emoluments Clause that says no one, nor their spouse, can take money from foreigners,\" Gingrich said. \"She has to be guilty of 70 or 100 counts just on that one charge.\"","Whether Hillary Clinton is guilty of violating the Emoluments Clause is unproven. Some experts say the layers of separation between Hillary Clinton and the foundation mean she likely did not violate the Constitution. Others say the clause is so vague that it could be broadly interpreted to include a scenario like the Clinton Foundation. A case has never been argued in court."]},{"id":"10211.json","label":"true","statement":"The president of the United States came in the Tuesday before the election in a ward that went 99% for him in the last election and they couldnt even (increase) the vote there.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the president of the United States visited a ward that had overwhelmingly supported him in the previous election, yet there was no increase in the vote count for him. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or context to support the implication that this lack of increased votes indicates any wrongdoing or fraudulent activity. Without further evidence or information, it is not possible to draw any conclusions about the reason behind the lack of increased votes in that particular ward.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The woman named Wisconsin\u2019s 2010 \"outstanding teacher of the year\" was laid off by the Milwaukee Public Schools that year under \"seniority and tenure rules\" that were eliminated by his Act 10 changes.","In Iowa, Walker said the woman named Wisconsin\u2019s \"outstanding teacher of the year\" was laid off by the Milwaukee Public Schools in 2010 under \"seniority and tenure rules\" that were eliminated by his Act 10 changes.","\"In 2010, there was a young woman named Megan Sampson who was honored as the outstanding teacher of the year in my state,\" he said. \"And not long after she got that distinction, she was laid off by her school district.\"","Sampson was a first-year teacher who lost her job in 2010 after Milwaukee Public Schools experienced a budget crisis. Walker cites her as an example of why his Act 10 reforms -- and the changes they made to how public employees can be hired and fired -- were needed."]},{"id":"11997.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Spending on welfare, on prisons, and education, all of those have dropped by hundreds of millions of dollars because of Arizonas immigration laws that drove outundocumented immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement incorrectly attributes the drop in spending on welfare, prisons, and education in Arizona to the state's immigration laws driving out undocumented immigrants. While it is true that Arizona has implemented strict immigration laws, there is no direct causal link between those laws and the specific drop in spending mentioned. Multiple factors can contribute to changes in spending on various sectors, and it is overly simplistic to attribute it solely to immigration laws. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Do you support or oppose Medicaid expansion in Virginia?\" Landes, R-Augusta, asked constituents in a recent survey about issues. \"While expansion would enroll up to 400,000 currently uninsured Virginians in Medicaid, it could cost the Commonwealth of Virginia over $1 billion per year, forcing cuts to other key services like education, mental health and public safety.\"","\"If the federal government cut the expansion match rate back to 50\/50, it would cost Virginia over $1 billion per year in the out years,\" Landes wrote to us in an email.","Landes is hardly the first Republican to sound the $1 billion-a-year alarm about the potential cost of expanding Medicaid. Others, including House Speaker Bill Howell, also have tossed around the number during the GOP\u2019s successful three-year effort to block expansion.","He pointed out that the bottom-line price of expansion - combining Washington\u2019s share with the state\u2019s net cost - is estimated to exceed $2 billion a year starting in 2018. If the federal government tosses half of the expense back to Virginia that year or later, the state would be shackled with annual bills of at least $1 billion."]},{"id":"7501.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Over the last 20 years, the world has changed. It used to be that one could make a career out of working for one company. Today, the average worker stays at his or her job for barely four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that the average worker today stays at their job for barely four years, which is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence discusses progress in reducing extreme poverty and increasing primary school enrollment, but it does not provide any data or information regarding the average job tenure of workers. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim and is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Curious, we asked Marco why he thought Affleck, a rabid Boston Red Sox fan, would allude to the West Virginia Power on TV. His theory: Affleck\u2019s wife, actress Jennifer Garner, grew up in Charleston.","Her claim rates Mostly True. Before Obama took office, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President George W. Bush finalized a status of forces agreement that spelled out the withdrawal of all American soldiers by Dec. 31, 2011. Even then, the idea was to maintain thousands of advisers and special forces there to make sure the country remained stable.","Non-U.S. reports say the Islamic State is potentially much larger. RT, the Russian government-sponsored English news organization, quoted an Iraqi intelligence adviser as saying the Islamic State numbered 100,000 in August. Al Jazeera reported that the Islamic State had an army of 50,000 troops in August. A Kurdish security official told 60 Minutes in September there were 40,000 Islamic State fighters.","So, assuming Affleck meant stadium seats, even the lowest estimate of Islamic State fighters would be way too much for the stadium."]},{"id":"5687.json","label":"false","statement":"We gave every public employee in the state the freedom to choose whether or not they want to be in a union.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gov. Scott Walker that Wisconsin gave every public employee the freedom to choose whether or not they want to be in a union is false. The evidence clearly shows that the repeal of collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin did not apply to police and firefighters. These specific groups of public employees were exempted from the changes, meaning they did not have the same freedom to choose union membership as other public employees. Therefore, the claim made by Gov. Walker is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Deshotel said in his response: \"There is no evidence that poor people abuse drugs more frequently than any other socio-economic group.\"","( - Joe Deshotel says there is no evidence showing poor people use drugs more frequently than members of other socio-economic groups&url=)","PolitiFact Texas, \"Joe Deshotel says there is no evidence showing poor people use drugs more frequently than members of other socio-economic groups,\" Nov. 26, 2012","So, evidence is debated. Still, the idea that there is no evidence that low-income people use drugs more frequently does not hold up. As Pollack told us, that's an oversimplification. We rate this absolute claim as False."]},{"id":"8699.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Scott Walker raises nearly 70 percent of his money from out of state","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant portion of Scott Walker's campaign contributions came from out of state, the statement exaggerates the extent to which this is the case. The evidence suggests that around 57 percent of Walker's contributions since January 2011 came from out of state, which is still a substantial amount but falls short of the 70 percent claimed. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but exaggerates the actual percentage of out-of-state contributions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["> Wisconsin is #1 in the Midwest for personal income growth over the year. (US BEA Q1 2013 over Q1 2014)","After Walker correctly pointed out that personal income growth is the best in the Midwest for the last year, commentators alleged that Wisconsin is \"dead last in income growth\" during Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s three-plus years in office.","In his claim of \"We\u2019re #1,\" Walker reached back one year from the latest quarter to a quarter that saw the biggest single-quarter loss in personal income in three years. That of course made the state look better in the comparison he chose.","We saw that again after rating True a very narrow and specific claim by Gov. Scott Walker that Wisconsin leads 11 other Midwestern states in personal income growth over the one-year period that ended with the first quarter of 2014."]},{"id":"11676.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"David Simpson actually voted for drivers licenses for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is a dispute between State Rep. David Simpson and Rep. Bryan Hughes regarding Simpson's stance on driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. While there are claims that Simpson voted for driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, Simpson himself denies this and argues that his vote was in support of licenses or permits that were already authorized by law. Without further information or clarification, it is difficult to definitively determine the accuracy of the statement. However, based on the conflicting accounts and lack of concrete evidence, it would be more appropriate to label the statement as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5174.json","label":"false","statement":"Saysproposal to boostteacherpension fundputs no mandate on local government.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided includes a quote from the governor stating that his proposal \"puts no mandate on local government, but just continues their fair share of retirement for their teachers.\" This indicates that the proposal does not impose a mandate on local governments. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After responding to 1,300 ads with more than 5,000 resumes, the researchers found that the job applicants with white names needed to send 10 resumes to get one callback, but the black candidate needed to send 15 for one.","!President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address on March 1, 2022. (AP) !President Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union address on March 1, 2022. (AP)","When you take office at the bottom of a recession with high unemployment numbers, you \"achieve\" a lot of growth as the economy heals, according to a Jan. 17, 2017 article in the New York Times. When you take office with a low level of unemployment and more job growth, there is often nowhere to go but down.","And that number is higher than any other president since the end of World War II, said Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director for Moody\u2019s Analytics. Here\u2019s a breakdown of job growth (or loss) for the first seven months for those presidents, with the year their terms began:"]},{"id":"2108.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Bill Whites program to bring dropouts back to school was so successful that almost every city in our state has replicated it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bill White's program to bring dropouts back to school in Houston was successful, the statement that \"almost every city in our state has replicated it\" is an overgeneralization. The evidence provided does not support the claim that every city in Texas has replicated the program. While the program may have been influential and inspired similar initiatives in other cities, it is not accurate to say that it has been replicated in almost every city in the state. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6904.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We werent told they wanted more security for diplomatic facilities in Libya.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there were indeed requests for additional security in Libya. Eric Nordstrom, a State Department employee responsible for regional security in Libya, testified that he informed his superiors twice about the need for more armed security at the embassy mission. This suggests that there were individuals within the administration who were aware of the requests for additional security. However, the statement in question implies that the administration as a whole was not informed, which is not entirely accurate. While there may have been some miscommunication or lack of action in response to these requests, it is not accurate to say that the administration was completely unaware of the need for additional security.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3902.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When I became president and CEO of Godfathers Pizza, it was supposed to go bankrupt . . . We turned it around with common-sense business principles.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Herman Cain's claim that when he became president and CEO of Godfather's Pizza, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy, and he turned it around using common-sense business principles. Multiple sources confirm this narrative, stating that Godfather's Pizza faced financial difficulties before Cain's tenure and that he implemented successful strategies to improve the company's financial standing. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details or evidence to fully verify the extent of Cain's role in the company's turnaround. Therefore, while the claim is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context or supporting evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["When we noticed Obama\u2019s claim, we were skeptical. Was it really true that the United States, even as it lost the Vietnam War, actually won every major military battle?","\"You, our Vietnam veterans, did not always receive the respect that you deserved \u2014 which was a national shame,\" Obama said. \"But let it be remembered that you won every major battle of that war. Every single one.\"","The Vietnam War was a flashpoint of the Cold War, the post-World War II global struggle between capitalism, led by the United States, and communism, led by the Soviet Union.","\u2022 What constitutes a \"major\" battle? There is no official list of \"major\" battles of the Vietnam War. Some battles could plausibly be classified as either major or minor, or else be classified as one battle within a broader campaign."]},{"id":"11765.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Houston, Texas, today, there are no homeless veterans.","reason":"Reason: While it is commendable that efforts have been made in Houston to address veteran homelessness, the statement that there are no homeless veterans in Houston is not entirely accurate. Houston officials have acknowledged that significant progress has been made in reducing veteran homelessness, but they have also stated that the issue is a \"moving target\" and that there are still homeless veterans in the city. While the resources and initiatives in place have greatly reduced the number of homeless veterans, it would be misleading to claim that there are none at all.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When I was growing up as a kid in the city of Milwaukee, if we averaged 4 homicides a year in the entire city that was a record number,\" said Clarke, 56. \"So a lot obviously has gone on since then.\"","Speaking about changes in the crime picture over time, Clarke said, \"When I was growing up as a kid in the city of Milwaukee, if we averaged 4 homicides a year in the entire city that was a record number.\"","But Clarke\u2019s memory for the frequency of homicides was fuzzy. He recalled \"if we averaged 4 homicides a year in the entire city that was a record number.\"","Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke says 4 homicides a year in Milwaukee would be a record when he was a kid"]},{"id":"2314.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Charlie Crists personal approval numbers are plummeting.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence that Charlie Crist's personal approval ratings have experienced some decline, the statement that his numbers are \"plummeting\" is an exaggeration. The available polling data shows that Crist's favorable rating declined from around 70 percent to approximately 50-55 percent among voters. However, it is important to note that his position in voters' minds remained relatively stable for most of 2010 and even rebounded slightly in some polls. The term \"plummeting\" implies a steep and continuous decline, which is not fully supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Another point to put this all in perspective: Gas prices fluctuate dramatically. In January 2009, a gallon of gas cost about a $1.80 a gallon. This week, gas costs $2.60 \u2014 about a $1.20 less than it was a year ago. So predicting how much gas will cost next week \u2014 let alone in 2035 \u2014 is an imperfect science.","So, $4.50 a gallon? Sure, you can find that price if you look hard enough -- especially if you\u2019re driving California. But Dewhurst\u2019s comment implies that $4.50 gas is commonplace. That\u2019s an exaggeration. Average gas prices were 15 to 20 percent lower in the week when Dewhurst blasted Obama, who also doesn\u2019t control the price of gas.","Gas prices could hit $4.50 a gallon nationwide by summer because of sanctions on Iran, a frigid winter in Europe, and logistical challenges in the US. The current all-time high is $4.11.","By email, Dewhurst spokesman Matt Hirsch told us a Dairy Mart in Lewisville, Texas, was charging $4.50 a gallon. We were unable to verify that."]},{"id":"4178.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most countries have no debt ceiling.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that most countries do not have a debt ceiling mechanism exactly like the one in the United States, it is important to note that many countries have alternative methods to limit their debt. These methods can include mathematical targets or requiring approval of new borrowing authority whenever a budget is passed. So, while the specific concept of a debt ceiling may not be common, other countries do employ various tools to limit their debt.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The ad says that in 2008, Obama attacked his opponent, U.S. Sen. John McCain, for wanting to cut Medicare -- and then did so himself to to pay for Obamacare.","Candidates go on the attack, claiming their opponent will do harm to Medicare. After all, people 65 and older are good about making it to the polls on Election Day. These voters are also generally motivated to protect the federal health insurance program for seniors.","The Biden campaign pointed to an ACA provision that sought to close the Medicare doughnut hole to support this claim. It may not be the best example, though, because some experts suggest it may not be as vulnerable as other parts of the law.","We issued a skeptical rating of a claim that Trump promised to gut Social Security and Medicare if re-elected, noting that his deferral of payroll taxes did not mention Medicare at all. But Trump has not mentioned cuts to Medicare benefits on the trail, and he\u2019s promised to make cuts to the program in the future. So what is Biden\u2019s claim talking about?"]},{"id":"13112.json","label":"half-true","statement":"My opponent was on both the city of Chicago payroll and the state of Illinois payroll simultaneously, taking full salary, funding her full pension benefits both as a city worker and as a state worker for 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the opponent was on both the city of Chicago payroll and the state of Illinois payroll simultaneously, funding her full pension benefits as both a city worker and a state worker for 10 years. However, it is not entirely true that she took a full salary from both positions. Records indicate a deduction in earnings during her tenure as a state lawmaker. Therefore, while the opponent did hold both positions and fund two pensions, the claim that she received a full salary from both sources is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9830.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he holds the record for most appearances on Meet the Press.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that John McCain does hold a significant record for appearances on Meet the Press. While there are mentions of other individuals who have made more appearances on the show in different capacities (such as representing the press side), among officeholders, McCain is recognized as the current leader with 69 appearances. Therefore, it is mostly true to say that McCain holds the record for the most appearances on Meet the Press.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Nationally, the unemployment rate for veterans is far greater than the national unemployment rate,\" and Wisconsin is \"one of those rare examples where unemployment is actually lower for veterans than it is for the population as a whole and certainly lower than it is nationally.\"","Walker said \"Nationally, the unemployment rate for veterans is far greater than the national unemployment rate,\" and Wisconsin is \"one of those rare examples where unemployment is actually lower for veterans than it is for the population as a whole and certainly lower than it is nationally.\"","\"Nationally the unemployment rate for veterans is far greater than the national unemployment rate,\" Walker said, adding Wisconsin is \"one of those rare examples where unemployment is actually lower for veterans than it is for the population as a whole and certainly lower than it is nationally.\"","But the national unemployment rate for veterans is actually lower than the rate for non-veterans. For veterans, the rate was 5.3 percent, compared to 6 percent for non-veterans. That's true historically as well."]},{"id":"7622.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Congresswoman Frederica Wilson successfully postpones closure of the North Perry airport tower.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely true. While the press release from Congresswoman Frederica Wilson suggests that her efforts led to the successful postponement of the closure of the North Perry airport tower, the evidence indicates otherwise. The press release creates a cause-and-effect narrative that implies Wilson's actions directly influenced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to grant a temporary reprieve for the tower. However, it is clarified that there was no separate FAA decision specifically for the North Perry tower. Therefore, while Wilson may have campaigned and advocated for the tower's preservation, it cannot be definitively attributed to her efforts alone.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We did, although you\u2019d have to look at the top of the Times\u2019 chart to be sure. But O\u2019Neill missed it, calling the purported increase a hike of 551.6 percent.","\"Quite frankly, it was during the Bush years of spending, multiplied now by the Obama years that we have this mess.\"","The analysis was done by the National Taxpayers Union, a nonprofit group that favors smaller government and lower taxes, and according to the Times, it showed congressional proposals for new spending during the 2003-2004 term. According to the chart in the Times, LaTourette had sponsored or co-sponsored bills during that term that would add $551.6 billion in new annual spending.","Using government spending data for 2004, we calculate 6.5 percent. That\u2019s 6.5 percent, not 551.6 percent. And it could be even smaller because of some projected budget offsets that the taxpayers group does not consider in its calculations, saying they're not reliable."]},{"id":"7561.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every day, about 100 people will be arrested for possession of marijuana in Georgia.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the claim made by James Bell, the director of Georgia C.A.R.E., it is important to note that the evidence suggests a slightly lower number. Based on the available data and calculations, the average number of daily marijuana possession arrests in Georgia is estimated to be around 76.7 to 81.5, not 100 as stated. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the number of daily arrests for marijuana possession in Georgia.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Charles Clark, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1644, said during the heat of debate among city of Atlanta leaders concerning whether to give only police officers raises that some employees had not received raises in eight years.","Gina Pagnotta, a Public Works Department employee who leads a 300-member association of Atlanta employees, agrees that city workers have received raises in the past eight years, although she's fuzzy on the details.","Well, we checked with the city of Atlanta's Human Resources Department. They keep personnel records of city employees and should know when was the last time they've received raises.","\"They did not get a substantial raise. They did get a cost-of-living increase,\" said Pagnotta, president of the Professional Association of City Employees. \"Not having any raises in eight years, that is not correct.\""]},{"id":"13255.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Just like Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold had a run-in with corruption and scandal by using a personal slush fund -- a.k.a. the Feingold Foundation -- while plotting another run for U.S. Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Russ Feingold, like Hillary Clinton, had a \"run-in with corruption and scandal\" by using a personal slush fund called the Feingold Foundation while planning another run for the U.S. Senate. However, the evidence provided consists of claims made by the Wisconsin GOP and emails, without any substantial evidence or credible sources to support the allegations. Without further evidence or verification, it is not accurate to equate Feingold's actions with corruption and scandal, as implied by the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3396.json","label":"true","statement":"We know that every 85 visitors create one Florida job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. According to the evidence provided, it is stated that every 85 visitors create one job in Florida. While the evidence does not explicitly mention this exact statistic, it supports the idea that tourism and visitor activity contribute significantly to job creation in Florida. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When PolitiFact New Jersey viewed the website on Dec. 6, it read \"99% of NJ voters do NOT support hunting. And over 70% of comments submitted to F&W\u2019s public hearing on their Black Bear Management Policy were AGAINST bear hunting. But they were ignored in favor of the 1% of residents who enjoy killing for fun.\"","State data generally supports that claim, but the group\u2019s website says 99 percent of New Jersey voters do not support hunting -- not that they don\u2019t hunt. That\u2019s a significant difference.","The Humane Society of the United States, New Poll Reveals NJ Residents Oppose Trophy Hunting of Black Bears, April 16, 2010","Although the polls results differ, both show that opposition to bear hunting in New Jersey does not begin to approach the black bear advocacy group\u2019s claim of 99 percent. Larry Ragonese, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said, \"99 percent is absurd.\""]},{"id":"12384.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 2009, after-tax incomes are up nearly 14 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker that after-tax incomes have increased by nearly 14 percent since 2009. While the exact percentage may vary slightly, the evidence suggests that there has been a double-digit increase in after-tax incomes over the specified period, which aligns with Pritzker's claim. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"40 of Obama\u2019s White House aides owe a total of $333,485 in back taxes \u2013 media silent,\" from a blog named \"Fire Andrea Mitchell.\"","\"40 of Obama\u2019s White House aides owe a total of $333,485 -- media silent,\" Fire Andrea Mitchell blog, March 11, 2013","Consider entries such as this, in the blog Poor Richard\u2019s News: \"Surprise! Obama White House Aids (sic) owe $333,485 in back taxes.\"","\"40 Obama White House aides owe the IRS $333,000 in back taxes,\" by Andrew Malcolm, Investor\u2019s Daily Business and , March 11, 2013"]},{"id":"8738.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the media created the term polar vortex and the cold air proves the ice isnt melting.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The term \"polar vortex\" is not a creation of the media but a well-established meteorological phenomenon that has been studied for decades. It refers to a large-scale circulation pattern of cold air that typically exists near the poles. The existence of a polar vortex does not disprove global warming, as climate change involves long-term trends and does not negate the occurrence of short-term weather patterns. Additionally, the claim that the cold air proves that the ice isn't melting is incorrect, as the melting of Arctic sea ice is a well-documented consequence of global warming. The statement misrepresents the scientific consensus on climate change and the role of the media in reporting on it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The list of grievances in the DSCC ad is long. Amid generic images of corporate deal-making, the spot says Thompson \"sold his influence and connections, becoming a partner in a powerful Washington lobbying firm, working for Wall Street and the big drug companies, making millions from the special interests at our expense.\"","Three new ads use Thompson\u2019s own words in building a case that the U.S. Senate candidate changed for the worse after leaving President George W. Bush\u2019s cabinet and making millions in part by working on behalf of drug companies, financial firms and other interests.","Wisconsin GOP Senate candidate Tommy Thompson says every penny increase at the pump sends $1 billion from U.S. to Saudi Arabia","( - Wisconsin GOP Senate candidate Tommy Thompson says every penny increase at the pump sends $1 billion from U.S. to Saudi Arabia&url=)"]},{"id":"2729.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Before we even passed health care, 4 millions kids got health insurance that didnt have it before, through the Childrens Health Insurance Program.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), 4 million kids obtained health insurance who did not have it before the passage of comprehensive health care reform. However, it is important to note that the total number of children covered by CHIP is actually higher, with over 8 million children currently benefiting from the program. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the number of kids who gained insurance through CHIP, it does not provide the full picture of the program's overall impact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Any growth would constitute factories \"opening their doors at the fastest pace in almost two decades\" because -- except for a couple of short-lived blips -- this is the first time the number of factories has grown at all since the 1990s.","\"We invested in clean energy, saved the auto industry, and today, factories are opening their doors at the fastest pace in almost two decades,\" he said in Clinton, Tenn. Jan. 9.","Manufacturing was already facing challenges in terms of jobs, output and factory closings when the recession hit in the late 2000s. So we wondered about their recovery and Obama\u2019s claim that factories are opening up faster than they have in years.","A January 2015 paper out of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundationlooks at recent trends in manufacturing, including the number of establishments -- using the same Bureau of Labor Statistics data. While the authors noted the modest growth, they said this particular data set has limited usefulness in terms of identifying future trends. The count can include factories that have had a change in their production situation -- like relocating or re-opening after a period of closure -- instead of just capturing the number of brand-new factories."]},{"id":"1425.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests including foreign corporations to spend without limit in our elections.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes President Barack Obama expressing his belief that the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission would open the floodgates for special interests, including foreign corporations, to spend without limit in elections. However, it is important to note that the claim that the ruling \"reversed a century of law\" is an exaggeration. The ruling did overturn certain restrictions on corporate spending in elections, but it did not completely reverse a century of campaign finance laws. The statement is partially accurate but lacks some nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For virtually any time frame you can look at, including the year to date, murders in New York City are down. We rate the statement Mostly False.","So among the time frames released by the NYPD, there\u2019s only one comparison where Trump would be correct -- today compared to two years ago. In general, murders are down in New York City for almost any time period you can look at.","That is in line with New York Police Department statistics. As of March 8, 2015, there had been 59 murders, compared to 48 by the same time last year. But Candace McCoy, a criminologist at the City University of New York, urged a bit of caution in drawing conclusions too quickly.","The year-to-date data for rape, felonious assault and grand larceny are up by between 1 percent and 3.5 percent. But Trump was specific about referring to murder. And statistics released by the FBI the morning of the debate that showed murders rose nationally by 10.8 percent in 2015, the biggest one-year percentage jump since 1971. But again, those are national figures, not murders in New York City."]},{"id":"3409.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas colleges and universities may opt to allow guns on campuses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While public colleges and universities in Texas are required to allow firearms on their campuses under state law, private institutions have the option to adopt or opt out of the campus carry law. As mentioned in the evidence, there are private colleges and universities in Texas that have chosen to opt out of the law, while others have not yet made a decision or have not responded to inquiries. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Texas colleges and universities have the choice to allow guns on their campuses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"12467.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The vast majority of minimum wage workers get a raise within a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the vast majority of minimum wage workers get a raise within a year is partially true. While there is evidence from sources like the National Federation of Independent Business and PunditFact that suggests a significant number of minimum wage workers do receive a raise within a year, it is important to note that the term \"vast majority\" is subjective and lacks precise data. The exact percentage of minimum wage workers who receive a raise within a year may vary depending on various factors such as industry, location, and individual circumstances. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it should be acknowledged that the extent of the raise and the proportion of workers who receive it may vary.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"You've got some members of the Republican Party who've been downplaying the consequences of default. The irony is, you know, Ronald Reagan, I think, when he was president, repeatedly talked about how irresponsible it would be to allow the full faith and credit of the United States to be impaired in any kind of way. I think that there is some politics. And compromising with me, among some Republican leaders, is bad politics for them,\" he said on July 21, 2011.","Obama said that Reagan \"repeatedly talked about how irresponsible it would be to allow the full faith and credit of the United States to be impaired in any kind of way.\" We found two examples and a Reagan expert said they typified his approach to the federal debt. Reagan talked about other things more, like keeping taxes low and funding defense. But his remarks on the debt ceiling are real and apparently heartfelt. We rate Obama's statement Mostly True.","\"This country now possesses the strongest credit in the world,\" Reagan wrote. \"The full consequences of a default \u2013 or even the serious prospect of default \u2013 by the United States are impossible to predict and awesome to contemplate. Denigration of the full faith and credit of the United States would have substantial effects on the domestic financial markets and the value of the dollar in exchange markets. The Nation can ill afford to allow such a result. The risks, the costs, the disruptions, and the incalculable damage lead me to but one conclusion: the Senate must pass this legislation before the Congress adjourns.\"","Says Ronald Reagan \"understood repeatedly that when the deficit started to get out of control, that for him to make a deal he would have to propose both spending cuts and tax increases.\""]},{"id":"7922.json","label":"true","statement":"We have one of the most expensive General Assemblies, per capita, in the entire country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided, where the speaker claims that Rhode Island's General Assembly is one of the most expensive per capita in the country. While the evidence doesn't provide specific data or rankings, it does indicate that Rhode Island's General Assembly is among the highest in terms of expenses per capita. Therefore, based on the information provided, the statement can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Been there, done that when the state closed a similar gulf in 2003 and cut \"$10 billion out of the entire budget,\" Perry said in an April 15 interview with the online Texas Tribune and Newsweek magazine.","Another wrinkle: State funds don't account for any of the $893 million increase that Perry mentions. In fact, the 2004-05 budget cut state expenditures on public schools by $1 billion. According to the Fiscal Size-up, the budget made up for that cut (and more) thanks to a $1.3 billion infusion of federal education aid.","Says in 2003 Texas cut \"$10 billion out of the entire budget, yet we put $1.8 billion more into public education. We put $800 million more into health and human services.\"","Brown: \"By the way we not only have a $14 billion surplus \u2014 a rainy day fund that's locked in for uncertain times in the future \u2014 we have a $15 billion spendable deficit right now, and that deficit surplus. So yeah, there's a lot of money. We're talking closer to $30 billion.\""]},{"id":"7554.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says of 80,000 people who were denied a firearm in 2012 due to a failed background check, only 44 were prosecuted.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Ayotte's claim that out of approximately 80,000 individuals who were denied a firearm in 2012 due to a failed background check, only 44 were prosecuted. The evidence confirms that more than 80,000 background checks were denied, and federal authorities pursued 44 charges in court. However, it's important to note that the report Senator Ayotte cited is based on 2010 numbers, not 2012. Despite this discrepancy, the overall claim remains mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2084.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The health care numbers are going up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is vague and lacks specific context. While it is true that certain aspects of healthcare, such as premiums and deductibles, have been increasing, it does not provide enough information to accurately assess the overall state of healthcare. Factors such as the number of people insured, access to healthcare services, and the effectiveness of healthcare reform are not addressed. Therefore, the statement is overly simplistic and does not provide a comprehensive view of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13365.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve spent $6 trillion on the wars in the Middle East.","reason":"Reason: While Donald Trump has made statements claiming that the United States has spent $6 trillion on wars in the Middle East, it is important to note that this figure is an estimate and not an exact amount. The actual cost of the wars in the Middle East is difficult to determine precisely due to various factors such as differing methodologies, ongoing expenses, and long-term implications. While it is true that significant amounts of money have been allocated to military operations in the region, the statement lacks nuance and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and long-term costs associated with these wars.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7734.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says proponents of a bond package for the Austin school district say the district has the second-lowest bond tax rate among the Central Texas area school districts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by proponents of the bond package that the Austin school district has the second-lowest bond tax rate among the Central Texas area school districts. This claim is supported by the information provided in the Voters Guide prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area, as well as other sources that confirm the low debt tax rate of the Austin district compared to neighboring districts. However, it's important to note that the statement only addresses the bond tax rate and does not provide a comprehensive comparison of other financial factors or tax rates in the districts. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in its specific claim, it lacks broader context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At one point, Trump said of Clinton\u2019s tax proposal, \"Her plan is going to raise taxes and even double your taxes.\"","Says Hillary Clinton \"wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now.\"","The Trump campaign sent an email blast to supporters embedded with a video of a Clinton event in Omaha, Neb., entitled, \"Hillary Clinton says she wants to \u2018raise taxes on the middle class.\u2019\"","The subtitles of Clinton\u2019s speech read: \"Trump wants to cuts taxes for the super rich. Well, we\u2019re not going there, my friends. I\u2019m telling you right now, we\u2019re going to write fairer rules for the middle class and we are going to raise taxes on the middle class.\""]},{"id":"9392.json","label":"half-true","statement":"400,000 Oregonians have gained access to health care through the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 400,000 Oregonians have gained access to health care through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is likely accurate. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide information on whether these individuals already had access to health care before the ACA was implemented. While the ACA has expanded access to health care for many previously uninsured individuals, it does not specify how many of the 400,000 Oregonians were previously uninsured or had their coverage improved under the ACA. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete context regarding the individuals' prior health care status.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Americans for Prosperity said \"millions are paying more and getting less\" under Obamacare. We found their explanation of \"less\" rather dubious. Most people on the individual market are getting more benefits under the law. At worst, they\u2019re paying more to get more, though in many cases they\u2019re actually paying less.","\"People don\u2019t like political ads. I don\u2019t like them either. But health care isn\u2019t about politics,\" she says. \"It\u2019s about people. And millions of people have lost their health insurance, millions of people can\u2019t see their own doctors, and millions are paying more and getting less.\"","So are you getting less coverage, or getting more than you need? We asked Americans for Prosperity to clarify their position.","Americans are getting more benefits under the law in a number of ways -- including, in some cases, being able to buy affordable insurance for the first time."]},{"id":"8280.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Warren Buffett recently said Scrap Obamacare and Start All Over.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Warren Buffett did express skepticism about the health care bill that eventually became Obamacare in a 2010 CNBC interview. However, the claim that he recently said \"Scrap Obamacare and Start All Over\" is incorrect. The comments were taken out of context and misrepresented as recent statements. In fact, Buffett has expressed support for the implementation of the law in subsequent years. The claim has been widely debunked, and a simple search would reveal the accurate timeline of Buffett's statements. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said on CBS' \"Face the Nation\" that President Barack Obama \u201chad the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson.\u201d We see if he's right. !Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said on CBS' \"Face the Nation\" that President Barack Obama \u201chad the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson.\u201d We see if he's right.","Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said on CBS' \"Face the Nation\" that President Barack Obama \u201chad the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson.\u201d We see if he's right.","O\u2019Malley, Barbour said, has \"amnesia about the fact that Obama had the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson. They passed everything he wanted, including ramming health care, Obamacare, down the country's throat and now they complain, well, jeez, we didn't get everything we wanted, those mean Republicans. Bill Clinton never did that. Ronald Reagan never did that. When they had Congress in the other party, they led. And this president, he is going to learn how to lead, or he's going to go back to Chicago.\"","We thought we\u2019d check whether Barbour was right that Obama had larger Democratic majorities than at any point since the Johnson presidency, which took place from November 1963 to January 1969."]},{"id":"5102.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When Georgia tightened its voter identification laws, the state sent a van and photographer to the homes of people who needed photo IDs and made them for free.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Georgia implemented stricter voter identification laws, the claim that the state \"literally sent a van and photographer to the homes of people who needed photo IDs and made them for free\" is not entirely accurate. The state did not provide a widespread service of sending a van and photographer to individual homes. However, there were some limited efforts to provide mobile photo ID services in certain areas, but it was not a comprehensive or universal service available to all individuals who needed photo IDs. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the extent of the service provided by the state.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"9905.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over 40 of our 100 (House of) Delegates seats go uncontested every year, and over 40 percent of our state senate seats go uncontested every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sarvis regarding the number of uncontested seats in the House of Delegates and the state senate. The evidence confirms that, on average, more than 40 seats in the House of Delegates go uncontested in each election cycle, and more than 40 percent of state senate seats remain uncontested. However, it's important to note that the percentage of uncontested seats in the state senate can vary from election to election, with the latest election in 2011 showing a lower percentage of uncontested races. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood in the context of each individual election year.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10137.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeanne Shaheen voted to pave the way for a new national energy tax.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Jeanne Shaheen voted in favor of certain measures that aligned with lawmakers who support a carbon tax, it is misleading to claim that she specifically voted to \"pave the way for a new national energy tax.\" The votes in question were not procedural votes to initiate or advance a carbon tax bill. They did not bring a carbon tax any closer to becoming law, and the measures she voted for did not pass. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact of her votes and misrepresents her position on a national energy tax.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Here, we\u2019ll look at whether Obama promised to cut the deficit in half. (In a separate report, we\u2019ll look at whether he promised to keep gasoline prices at $2.50 a gallon.)","\"He promised gasoline I believe at $2.50. When he took office it was about $1.68. We know it's well above $2.50 now. He promised he would cut the deficit in half. We know what's happened there,\" Curry said.","Curry, the head of the Republican Party of Florida, said that Obama \"promised he would cut the deficit in half. We know what's happened there.\" He prefaced it with a simple statement that Obama would have to run on his record. The record supports Curry\u2019s statement, so we rate his statement True.","In summary, Obama is correct when he says the CBO predicts that under Obama's budget plan, the deficit would be cut in half in five year. But he's comparing it to a year we all hope is a major anomaly, which makes the dramatic-sounding achievement much easier. So we rule his statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"3170.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that in Ohio right now, you could be 8 months pregnant and have an abortion for no reason.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is evidence of at least one abortion occurring in Ohio when a mother was at least 8\u00bd months pregnant, it is important to note that such cases are extremely rare and not the norm. The majority of abortions in Ohio are performed before the 8\u00bd month mark, and there are legal restrictions and regulations in place that require a determination of fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion. It is highly unlikely for an abortion to be performed at this stage without a valid reason. Therefore, while technically possible, the statement does not accurately represent the typical circumstances surrounding abortions in Ohio.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1483.json","label":"false","statement":"We have killed lots of innocent people in the state of Texas.","reason":"Reason: While there have been cases of wrongful convictions and executions in the United States, including in Texas, the statement that \"we have killed lots of innocent people in the state of Texas\" is an overgeneralization and lacks supporting evidence. While it is important to address and rectify any instances of wrongful convictions, the term \"lots\" implies a large number of innocent people being executed, which is not substantiated by the evidence provided. It is crucial to approach this topic with accuracy and avoid making sweeping claims without specific data or statistics.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7533.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Of every three dollars in food stamps for the needy, seven dollars in salaries and pensions (go to) the bureaucrats who are supposed to be taking care of the poor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that for every three dollars in food stamps for the needy, seven dollars go towards salaries and pensions for bureaucrats. This assertion greatly exaggerates the proportion of funds allocated to administrative costs. The actual percentage of funds spent on administrative costs for programs like food stamps is significantly lower. Such claims misrepresent the allocation of resources and perpetuate a false narrative about the distribution of funds intended for the poor.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4690.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was right that President Barack Obamas health care bill created what would, in effect, be death panels.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that President Obama's health care bill created \"death panels\" is widely debunked and has been deemed false by numerous fact-checking organizations. There is no provision in the bill that establishes any form of \"death panels\" or encourages euthanasia. The assertion made by Sarah Palin regarding \"death panels\" is not supported by credible evidence and has been widely discredited.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1959.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"Bill McCollum has accepted thousands from lobbyists for Planned Parenthood.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Bill McCollum accepted \"thousands\" from lobbyists for Planned Parenthood. The sources only mention a Washington law firm that, at one point, lobbied for Planned Parenthood and made a $2,000 contribution to McCollum. This does not constitute \"thousands\" of dollars from Planned Parenthood lobbyists. The statement is exaggerated and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2219.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Cap and trade legislation that Zack Space supported would cost the average household approximately $1,761 per year in increased energy rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the claim that cap and trade legislation supported by Zack Space would cost the average household approximately $1,761 per year in increased energy rates. While it is true that similar claims were made by others, including Senator Alexander and the Obama Administration, these claims were based on projections and estimates that were later found to be exaggerated and inaccurate. The actual impact of cap and trade legislation on household energy rates would depend on various factors and cannot be accurately quantified by a specific dollar amount. Therefore, the statement is misleading and warrants a pants-fire label.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Privatizing Social Security was a bad idea when George W. Bush proposed it. It's a bad idea today. It would cost a trillion dollars to implement at the front end, and would put the retirement plans of millions of Americans at risk on a volatile Wall Street. That's why I stood up against this plan in the Senate, and that's why I won't stand for it as president,\" Obama said in a speech in Gresham, Ore., on May 18, 2008. \"Sen. McCain's campaign went even further a few weeks ago, suggesting that the best answer to the growing pressures on Social Security might be to cut cost-of-living adjustments or to raise the retirement age.\"","Obama has proposed his own fixes, chiefly raising the cap on workers' wages subject to Social Security taxes, which currently stands at $102,000. The proposal has the appeal of generating more immediate revenue for the system, though projections by the Social Security Administration show it would be only a temporary fix. McCain's campaign has derided the Illinois senator for proposing to raise taxes on middle-income Americans to solve the problem.","\"I introduced a bill that would\u2019ve helped stop the multimillion-dollar bonus packages that CEOs grab on their way out.. (McCain) opposed that idea.\"","Continuing his efforts to link Sen. John McCain to President Bush's most unpopular economic policies, Sen. Barack Obama is accusing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee of harboring ambitions to overhaul Social Security by, among other things, reviving Bush's attempt to create personal retirement accounts \u2014 a plan critics refer to as \"privatization.\""]},{"id":"10647.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Whales live as long at SeaWorld as they do in the wild.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. SeaWorld claims that whales live as long at their parks as they do in the wild. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided highlights a distinction between longevity and the quality of daily life for the whales. While SeaWorld emphasizes longevity, it does not address other factors that contribute to the overall well-being and quality of life for whales in captivity compared to those in the wild. Therefore, while the statement may be accurate in terms of lifespan, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the whales' overall well-being.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I don't think anyone is interested in going around and rounding up people around the country and deporting 11 million Americans -- or, excuse me 11 million illegal immigrants into America,\" he said.","The former governor has faced criticism that he\u2019s constantly shifting his stance on issues to appeal to conservative Republican voters. We wondered whether the Georgia Democratic Party was accusing Romney of changing his position on deporting illegal immigrants.","Now, does Romney mean when he said \"insist\" illegal immigrants return home that he would round them up and deport them?","Krikorian noted that Romney threatened to veto a bill to give in-state tuition to Massachusetts colleges to students who are illegal immigrants."]},{"id":"6148.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men in the same position.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that women, on average, earn less than men in the United States, the statement that women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men in the same position is an oversimplification. The gender pay gap is influenced by various factors, including occupational segregation, differences in work experience, education, and career choices. When comparing women's earnings to men's earnings in the same position, the pay gap narrows but does not entirely disappear. According to available data, the adjusted gender pay gap is closer to 91 cents for every dollar earned by men. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary nuance to fully represent the complexities of the gender pay gap.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5378.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Texas legislators in 2011 increased state spending on education.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the Texas Legislature in 2011 faced significant funding challenges in education due to the loss of federal stimulus dollars, costs associated with enrollment growth, and under-payments to districts. However, there is no clear evidence or mention of an overall increase in state spending on education during that time. In fact, the evidence points to the Legislature struggling to address funding gaps and prioritize schoolchildren amidst financial constraints. Therefore, the statement that Texas legislators in 2011 increased state spending on education is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"2377.json","label":"half-true","statement":"While many of his colleagues turned down a $2,500 pay raise ... (Jeff) Plale pocketed the extra money.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that while many of Senator Plale's colleagues turned down a $2,500 pay raise, he did not. However, it lacks context regarding the reasons behind the decision. The evidence suggests that Senator Plale began docking his monthly paycheck by $91.20, which indicates that he voluntarily returned a portion of his salary. While he did not reject the entire pay raise, he did take measures to mitigate the impact by returning a portion of the money. Therefore, the statement is partially true but does not provide the full context of Senator Plale's actions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1421.json","label":"true","statement":"U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has voted nine separate times to raise the national debt ceiling.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has indeed voted nine times to raise the national debt ceiling. This information is compiled by Governor Rick Perry's camp and is not disputed by Hutchison herself. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Nelson said that Mack \"co-sponsored a bill with none other than congressman Paul Ryan, a bill to privatize Social Security. Specifically what they did was they were going to take a third of the Social Security Trust Fund, they were going to give it in individual accounts to the senior citizens who then were to invest it in the stock market.\"","\"My opponent co-sponsored a bill with none other than congressman Paul Ryan, a bill to privatize Social Security,\" Nelson said. \"Specifically what they did was they were going take a third of the Social Security Trust Fund, they were going to give it in individual accounts to the senior citizens who then were to invest it in the stock market.\"","Bill Nelson said Connie Mack wants to take Social Security money, give it to seniors, and them invest it in the stock market","( - Bill Nelson said Connie Mack wants to take Social Security money, give it to seniors, and them invest it in the stock market&url=)"]},{"id":"8537.json","label":"true","statement":"Things went wrong with the Medicare prescription D plan that George Bush rolled out.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that there were issues and problems associated with the rollout of the Medicare prescription D plan during the time it was implemented under President George W. Bush. Multiple sources confirm that there were challenges and difficulties with the program's introduction. While it's important to note that the program has been in place since 2006 and has achieved success over time, the initial rollout did encounter problems. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We are weakened financially and our military is strained to the breaking point as a consequence of our incursions into Iraq,\" Obama said. \"Our National Guard, as we saw in the Midwest flooding, can't function as effectively as it could. I was talking to National Guard representatives. Fifteen of their 17 helicopters in this region were overseas during the flooding.\"","The National Guard refuted Obama's claim \u2014 with facts and figures \u2014 that combat responsibilities hampered its response to the flooding. Indeed, news reports make no mention of instances where the Guard didn't \"function as effectively as it could.\"","\u2022 Mike Chrisman, spokesman for the Illinois National Guard, said eight of the state's eighteen helicopters are overseas in Kosovo. They've been using only three of the available helicopters for flooding missions. And the helicopters that are overseas aren't even in Iraq.","Obama was making two points about the Guard: First, that the strain on the Guard from fighting two foreign wars hampered its response to the June Midwest flooding; second, that the number of helicopters overseas at the time supports that conclusion."]},{"id":"11192.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There is debate among constitutional scholars about whether the First Amendment will continue to protect faith leaders from being forced to perform marriages against their religious beliefs.","reason":"Reason: While there may be some debate among constitutional scholars regarding the extent of protection for faith leaders in performing marriages against their religious beliefs, the statement implies a broader consensus than actually exists. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific issue, but rather discusses cases related to the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause and the Supreme Court's interpretation of religious exemptions in \"generally applicable\" laws. Therefore, it is inaccurate to suggest that there is a significant ongoing debate specifically about the protection of faith leaders from being forced to perform marriages against their religious beliefs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3416.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that American oil production reached its highest level since 2003. Multiple sources confirm this, including statements made by President Obama himself. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific data or figures to support the claim. While the statement is generally true, additional context and specific data would be needed to provide a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["If the number doesn\u2019t match the number on file in their voter registration record \u2014 or if there is no such number on file \u2014 the application for a mail ballot must be rejected. The March 1 primary is the first statewide election under the new law.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","\u201cOne in six local election officials have received threats of violence\u201d and threats against judges have doubled over four years and threats against members of Congress have increased by 10 times over five years.","A Texas law passed in 2021 says that anyone who completes an application to vote by mail must include identifying information such as a driver\u2019s license or state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number."]},{"id":"11686.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The head of the FBI has told Congress they cannot vet those (Syrian) refugees.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ted Cruz and others have claimed that the head of the FBI told Congress that they cannot vet Syrian refugees, this statement is misleading. The FBI has expressed concerns about the challenges and limitations of vetting Syrian refugees due to the lack of available information and intelligence from Syria. However, it does not mean that they have explicitly stated that they cannot vet them at all. The vetting process for refugees is extensive and involves multiple security checks, including background checks. While there are challenges, experts have confirmed that the vetting process for refugees is the most comprehensive security screening for any type of visitor to the United States. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4467.json","label":"false","statement":"[Eighty-five percent] of the funds collected in each county will be redistributed elsewhere -- not spent in the county in which it is collected.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that 85% of the funds collected in each county will be redistributed elsewhere. The evidence refers to the Clinton Foundation's financials, stating that 85% of the funds donated to the foundation went towards expenses such as travel, salaries, and benefits, while 15% went to charitable beneficiaries. This information is unrelated to the redistribution of funds collected in each county. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12175.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve rebuilt China.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we've rebuilt China\" is an oversimplification and lacks context. While it is true that China has experienced significant economic growth and development over the years, attributing it solely to the United States is misleading. China's growth can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its own domestic policies, investments, and global trade relationships. The statement fails to acknowledge the complex dynamics of the global economy and the role that China has played in its own development. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11241.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the year 2013, the Obama administration released 104,000 criminal illegal aliens. They released 196 murderers people with homicide convictions, who are here illegally.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Cruz and others that the Obama administration released a significant number of criminal illegal aliens in 2013. However, it's important to note that the number of murderers released, specifically 196, is disputed and lacks comprehensive evidence. While there were indeed cases of criminal illegal aliens being released, the exact number and the severity of their offenses may vary. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately represents the release of criminal illegal aliens but lacks complete and verified information regarding the specific number of murderers released.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The 30 percent tax rate called for under President Barack Obama\u2019s proposed Buffett Rule \"is lower than the prescribed tax rate for millionaires already -- not just for millionaires, for people making over $200,000.\"","Biden: The 30 percent tax rate called for under Obama\u2019s proposed Buffett Rule \"is lower than the prescribed tax rate for millionaires already -- not just for millionaires, for people making over $200,000.\"","So is it true, as Biden said, that the 30 percent tax rate \"is lower than the prescribed tax rate for millionaires already -- not just for millionaires, for people making over $200,000.\"","\"No one who makes a million dollars or more in any single given year will pay at an effective tax rate that's less than 30 percent.\" Later, he added, \"Anybody making a million dollars can't pay 30 percent in taxes? That's lower than the prescribed tax rate for millionaires already -- not just for millionaires, for people making over $200,000.\""]},{"id":"11940.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Missouri families earning power is about $5,000 less today than it was at the turn of the century.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Speaker Todd Richardson that Missouri families' earning power is approximately $5,000 less today compared to the turn of the century. The evidence from the U.S. Census Bureau's statistics on median household income supports this claim, showing a decline in median family income in Missouri from $61,995 in 2000 to $56,360 in 2014 when adjusted for inflation. While the exact numbers may vary slightly, the general trend of a decrease in earning power holds true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A viral image on Facebook falsely accused U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., of saying black Americans should only have three-fifths of a vote.","A curious reader pointed us to the image, which reads: \"This guy is Republican Florida Representative Ted Yoho who said this week that African Americans should only be given three-fifths of a vote. He is an elected member of Congress and he actually said that\u2026 OUT LOUD. You stay classy Florida.\"","A bill from U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho attempts to restrict the administration's ability to conduct national security and criminal background checks on undocumented immigrants.","The YouTube video of the appearance cuts off at the point where Yoho would have said the latter comments on Politicalo, which echoed the U.S. Constitution's three-fifths compromise of 1787 that allowed Southern states to count slaves as three-fifths of a person for the sake of representation and taxation. But we found no proof he actually said the United States should make African-American votes count less than white votes."]},{"id":"13140.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says MarcoRubio voted to slash school funding by billions of dollars and would eliminate the Department of Education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the TV ads by liberal groups, which accuse Marco Rubio of voting to cut school funding by billions of dollars and advocating for the elimination of the Department of Education. However, it's important to note that the context and specifics of these claims may require further examination. The evidence provided does not offer direct confirmation or refutation of these specific allegations. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of accurately representing the claims made in the ads, the actual veracity of those claims would require additional investigation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13337.json","label":"false","statement":"14 percent of noncitizens are registered to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that 14 percent of noncitizens are registered to vote. The evidence provided refers to a study by Jesse Richman and David Earnest, which found that more than 14 percent of noncitizens in their samples indicated they were registered to vote. However, it is important to note that this study has faced significant criticism and methodological concerns. Other studies, such as the Brennan Center for Justice report, have found that cases of noncitizens voting are rare and often accidental. Therefore, it is misleading to generalize and claim that 14 percent of noncitizens are registered to vote based on this study alone.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There\u2019s a small business in my district. They wanted to expand their business,\" Mack said during a recent visit to Sayler\u2019s Suncoast Water in Pinellas Park. \"It took 31 different permits and fees just to be able to expand their business. This is a government that is out of control.\"","Mack\u2019s story surfaces so frequently, we fact-checkers couldn\u2019t help but dive in. Here, we\u2019re checking if it takes 31 different permits to expand a business.","\"I\u2019d rather be able to hire more people and have more space. I\u2019ve got to have people full time working these permits and fees and so on. It costs money,\" he said.","Owners of a Cape Coral-based boat building company want to expand and hire new people. But a long list of government-imposed permits and fees threaten to capsize their plans."]},{"id":"9404.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Redskins is used historically as a term of respect.","reason":"Reason: While there may be arguments made by some individuals claiming that the term \"Redskins\" was historically used as a term of respect, the overwhelming consensus among Native American communities and scholars is that the term is derogatory and offensive. The historical usage of the term has been associated with racism and discrimination towards Native Americans. The claim that \"Redskins\" was used as a term of respect is not supported by credible evidence and is contradicted by the perspectives of those directly affected by the term. It is important to prioritize the voices and experiences of the communities impacted by such terminology.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The list price of the most basic SpaceX rocket, the Falcon 9, is $62 million. If you want more lift, the Falcon Heavy goes for $90 million. So $80 million is a reasonable midpoint.","\u201cDemocrats are voting to add an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will target middle class taxpayers and conduct at least 1 million more audits each year. \u201d","Trump said that at $80 million per launch, private rockets are about 40 to 50 times cheaper than NASA would spend if it did \"the same thing.\"","The last private rocket launch \"cost $80 million. If the government did it, the same thing would have cost probably 40 or 50 times that amount of money. I mean, literally.\""]},{"id":"1824.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that in three legislative sessions, his proposals opening pre-kindergarten to all Texas 4-year-olds never got heard or voted out of committee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that in three legislative sessions, the proposals made by Ellis to open pre-kindergarten to all Texas 4-year-olds did not receive a hearing or advance from committee. This is confirmed by legislative records and sources. However, it's important to note that while Ellis's specific proposals did not progress, there have been other efforts to expand eligibility or enhance pre-K offerings in Texas that have been successful or received significant consideration. Therefore, while Ellis's proposals did not advance, there have been some efforts to address pre-K education in the state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"FACT: Nothing in #Obamacare forces people out of their health plans. No change is required unless insurance companies change existing plans.\"","First, they tried to shift blame to insurers. \"FACT: Nothing in #Obamacare forces people out of their health plans,\" said Valerie Jarrett, a top adviser to Obama, on Oct. 28.","!White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett tweeted that \"nothing in Obamacare forces people out of their health plans.\" We checked to see if that's right. !White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett tweeted that \"nothing in Obamacare forces people out of their health plans.\" We checked to see if that's right.","White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett tweeted that \"nothing in Obamacare forces people out of their health plans.\" We checked to see if that's right."]},{"id":"3411.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Seven of the 10 school districts with the lowest graduation rate for African-American boys in the country are in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that Florida has some of the lowest graduation rates for African-American boys, the claim that seven out of the 10 worst school districts in the country are in Florida is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided states that three of the 59 districts examined in Florida had the lowest graduation rates for African-American students. Therefore, while Florida does have significant challenges in terms of graduation rates for African-American boys, the claim of seven out of 10 worst school districts is an exaggeration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5666.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says when New Jersey adopted guaranteed coverage and cost provisions without a mandate individual health insurance market rates doubled or tripled and enrollment dropped from 180,000 people to 80,000 people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the solicitor general, Donald Verrilli, during a discussion on the impact of guaranteed coverage provisions without a mandate in New Jersey. Verrilli stated that rates in the individual health insurance market doubled or tripled, and enrollment dropped from 180,000 people to 80,000 people. This information is supported by the evidence presented. However, it's important to note that this statement focuses on the specific impact in New Jersey and may not necessarily apply universally to all situations or states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11988.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is a billionaire.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is a billionaire. There is no mention of his net worth or any credible sources indicating that he is a billionaire. While the evidence discusses the campaign spending and budget of Chris Abele, it does not provide any information about his personal wealth. Therefore, the claim that Chris Abele is a billionaire is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9001.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Florida high schools are four out of the top 10 in the entire United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to Newsweek's ranking of \"America's Best High Schools,\" four Florida high schools were indeed ranked in the top 10. However, it's important to note that this ranking only considered public schools and was based on data from a specific year. When considering other rankings, such as the one by U.S. News and World Report, which uses a different methodology, the number of Florida schools in the top 10 differs. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the data used for these rankings may have limitations, as it relies on self-reported information and may not represent the entire landscape of high schools in the United States.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12345.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On supporting the eventual Republican presidential nominee","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Speaker Ryan has consistently stated that he would support the eventual Republican presidential nominee, regardless of who it may be. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not explicitly mention Ryan's support for Donald Trump as the nominee. While Ryan did express his willingness to support the nominee, it does not directly confirm his support for Trump specifically. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10460.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It used to be that the only children at school who werent vaccinated were those who had true medical conditions. Now there are 19 states that allow personal belief exemptions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the increase in the number of states allowing personal belief exemptions for vaccination requirements in schools. However, the claim that \"the only children at school who weren't vaccinated were those who had true medical conditions\" is an oversimplification. Prior to the introduction of personal belief exemptions, some states also allowed exemptions for religious or philosophical reasons, in addition to medical exemptions. Therefore, while the number of states allowing personal belief exemptions has increased, it is not accurate to say that only children with medical conditions were exempt from vaccination requirements in the past.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9244.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says a pro-Democratic ad is false for saying that he allowed two disgraced staffers in 2012 to resign.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The evidence provided does not directly address the claim made in the statement. However, based on the evidence, it can be inferred that the statement refers to a different claim made in the ad, which is not specifically mentioned in the evidence. Therefore, without further information, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the claim. However, the evidence suggests that the claim made in the ad about allowing two disgraced staffers to resign is at least partially true, but more context is needed to provide a definitive assessment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["As for Walker\u2019s position on the deduction, we addressed that in October 2014 when the liberal Greater Wisconsin Committee stated that Walker \"opposed a plan to help Wisconsin students refinance their student loans.\" The reference was to the Democrats\u2019 2013 legislation, which included the tax deduction. We rated the claim False.","It turns out the Greater Wisconsin Committee doesn\u2019t have any proof that Walker opposed a state proposal to help students refinance student debt.","But a bill introduced by Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature in 2013, and two similar measures introduced in 2015, proposed creating a state authority to refinance student loans and allow Wisconsin student loan borrowers to deduct student loan payments from their state income tax.","Rather, the group contends that since Walker didn\u2019t speak, or take action, in favor of the plan proposed by Democrats, he opposed it."]},{"id":"2758.json","label":"true","statement":"Members of Congress did not have three days to read the bill when the stimulus was rushed into law.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that members of Congress did not have three days to read the stimulus bill before it was passed into law. The bill was introduced on January 26, 2009, and passed by the full House on January 28, just two days later. Furthermore, the bill was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, the day after he received it. Therefore, the claim that members of Congress had three days to read the bill is not true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6322.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy is among seven Tea Party freshmen who spent an average of $15,000 on cars for themselves.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While it is true that U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy was mentioned in an article that claimed he spent a significant amount on a car, there is no evidence to support the claim that he is among seven Tea Party freshmen who spent an average of $15,000 on cars for themselves. The article itself does not provide any data or comparison to substantiate this claim. Therefore, labeling Rep. Duffy as part of such a group and attributing a specific average amount is unfounded and false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4849.json","label":"false","statement":"On advancing state money for a Formula One race","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the state comptroller, Susan Combs, announced that Texas would not disburse $25 million in advance of the first Formula One race. This contradicts the claim that state money would be advanced for the race. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3339.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The 2006 Massachusetts health care law has added (only) about 1 percent to our state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Patrick that the 2006 Massachusetts health care law added approximately 1 percent to the state budget. Independent analysis confirms that the state's share of health care spending increased by $353 million, which amounts to about 1 percent of the state's budget. However, it's important to note that this analysis only considers the impact on the state budget and does not account for increased federal spending. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in the context of the state budget, it does not provide a complete picture of the overall financial impact of the health care law.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4725.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"They talk about this problem with binding arbitration. It doesnt make a lot of sense to me to have somebody from Los Angeles fly into Zanesville and impose a wage settlement on you ... and then theyre on the plane back to Los Angeles.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the concept of binding arbitration. Binding arbitration is a process where a neutral third party is chosen to resolve a dispute between two parties. It does not involve someone from Los Angeles flying into Zanesville to impose a wage settlement and then leaving on a plane back to Los Angeles. This statement misrepresents the purpose and procedure of binding arbitration, and therefore, it is not based on accurate information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Even if you were to somehow buy the argument that McCain committed treason, the Revenge of the Herd article loses all credibility when it says McCain was pardoned.","The article says that McCain and 33 other POWs faced a court martial for their crimes. President Richard Nixon issued a blanket pardon to all 34 POWs, including McCain.","The second allegation of treason surround McCain\u2019s signing of a confession that he was a war criminal. He did sign such a statement -- after, he says, he was beaten routinely over the course of four days. Upon returning to the United States, McCain wrote, \"I reached the lowest point of my 5\u00bd years in North Vietnam. I was at the point of suicide, because I saw that I was reaching the end of my rope.\"","Says Rick Scott changed his promise from 700,000 jobs created \"on top of what normal growth would be\" to just 700,000 jobs."]},{"id":"4295.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I started with a $3.7 billion budget deficit. Now we are projecting a $1.2 billion surplus.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Scott's claim that he inherited a budget deficit of around $3.4-3.7 billion and that there is now a projected surplus of $1.2 billion. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context. The evidence suggests that the surplus figure has actually grown to about $1.3 billion due to increased revenue estimates. Therefore, while the initial claim is partially true, it would be more accurate to state that the projected surplus has increased from $1.2 billion to around $1.3 billion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In Wisconsin, a woman only earns 80 cents for every dollar a man earns -- and pay discrimination doesn't just hurt our families, it hurts our economies, too.\"","PolitiFact National, \"Barack Obama, in State of the Union, says women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns,\" Jan. 29, 2014","So, there is evidence that Wisconsin women earn 78 cents per $1 of what men earn, although the role discrimination might play is not clear.","\"You know, today, women make up about half our workforce, but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns,\" Obama said in his January 2014 State of the Union speech. \"That is wrong, and in 2014, it's an embarrassment. Women deserve equal pay for equal work.\""]},{"id":"3934.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the states new collective bargaining law effectively eliminates police unions ability to negotiate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the state's new collective bargaining law effectively eliminates police unions' ability to negotiate. The statement aligns with the information that courts have rejected police union challenges to measures that strip discipline rules from collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, the example of the District of Columbia highlights a case where a judge dismissed the Fraternal Order of Police's constitutional challenge to a law that eliminates police discipline from collective bargaining. This suggests that the law does indeed restrict the ability of police unions to negotiate on matters related to discipline. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive overview of the collective bargaining law's impact on all aspects of police unions' negotiations, such as hours and wages. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks complete context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8592.json","label":"false","statement":"On changing the rules for filibusters on presidential nominees","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Harry Reid, changed the rules for filibusters on presidential nominees. The statement is false because it implies that the change in rules was solely the decision of one party. In reality, the decision to change the rules was a result of negotiations and a deal between Democrats and Republicans. Both parties were involved in the process, and it was not a unilateral action by Democrats. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding the change in filibuster rules for presidential nominees.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Grocery store prices are 3.5% higher than they were one year ago and have risen less than 1% in 2021. That\u2019s far short of 10%.","Lumber: In a previous article, we found that depending on the type, the cost of plywood had risen dramatically. In the South, for example, the price of a 23\/32-inch panel was $455 per thousand square feet in the first week of April 2020 and $1,500 a year later. Similarly, Markets Insider shows lumber overall was roughly five times more expensive in April 2021 than a year earlier.","\"The bottom line is that these two global forces: economic recovery and disruption from Russia are what has made gasoline prices rise,\" Nemet said. \"U.S. oil production has doubled the past 15 years and yet we still have these high prices. This to me is evidence that expanding supply in the U.S. can only have modest impacts for U.S. gasoline consumers.\"","Those climbing prices have been closely linked to the coronavirus pandemic, because in the early days production dipped because no one was driving. But as demand has risen, supply hasn\u2019t been able to keep up, meaning higher prices at the pump"]},{"id":"5240.json","label":"half-true","statement":"(Newt Gingrich) voted in favor of establishing the Department of Education, and yet he gets in a debate and says we should get rid of the Department of Education and send all the education issues back to the states.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that Newt Gingrich voted in favor of establishing the Department of Education. However, it misrepresents Gingrich's stance on the department in a debate. While Gingrich did express the need to \"dramatically shrink\" the Department of Education and get rid of most of its regulations, he did not explicitly advocate for completely eliminating the department and sending all education issues back to the states. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect Gingrich's position.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a March 3 Web post headlined \u201cWhere Do Indies Go Now That Rick Perry\u2019s Party is Over,\u201d Curtis writes: \u201cKay\u2019s concession speech came with less than 20 percent of the precincts having been counted.\u201d Curtis saw meaning in the timing of Hutchison\u2019s speech, which was televised statewide from her campaign party in Dallas.","Hutchison conceded after about 23 percent of precincts had reported -- not less than 20 percent as Curtis said, but close.","Says Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison \"took 154 private flights all funded by taxpayers\" though \"commercial flights were readily available at a fraction of the cost.\"","Gov. Rick Perry casts his leading Republican challenger, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, as a fiscally irresponsible lawmaker who\u2019d bring a free-spending approach to state government."]},{"id":"9002.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"(Mary) Burke was a senior member of the Doyle administration that left Wisconsin with 130,000 fewer jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mary Burke was a member of the Doyle administration during a period when Wisconsin experienced a significant job loss, attributing the entire job loss of 130,000 solely to her is an oversimplification. The job loss occurred over a four-year period, and there were multiple factors at play, including the broader economic conditions and policies implemented by the administration as a whole. It is misleading to solely blame Burke for the job loss without considering the complex factors involved.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11114.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our last budget committed the highest level of need-based financial aid in state history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided indicates that the funding for need-based financial aid in Wisconsin increased every year since the first year of Governor Walker's first state budget. The data from the state Legislative Fiscal Bureau shows that the last budget allocated a significant amount for need-based financial aid, surpassing the levels in previous budgets. While the statement may not account for historical context or inflation-adjusted figures, it accurately reflects the commitment to need-based financial aid in the state's budget.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6538.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Independent voters have a ten-point margin in favor of Mitt Romney right now.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the polls mentioned, which show that Mitt Romney had a lead among independent voters. The AP-GfK poll indicated a lead of 11 points, while the CNN\/ORC International poll showed a lead of 3 points for Romney. Although the exact margin may vary depending on the specific poll, the statement is generally true in capturing the trend of Romney's advantage among independent voters at the time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12355.json","label":"half-true","statement":"China is going to have twice the number of submarines we have in just over a decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that China has been increasing its submarine fleet and investing in naval capabilities, there is no specific evidence or data provided to support the claim that China will have twice the number of submarines as the United States in just over a decade. The exact projection of China's future submarine fleet size is uncertain and depends on various factors. It is important to note that the United States currently possesses a larger and more advanced submarine fleet than China. Therefore, while China's submarine capabilities are growing, it is misleading to make a definitive claim about the future submarine balance between the two countries without concrete evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9376.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Senate immigration legislation is the Obama-Reid plan to give illegal immigrants amnesty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it inaccurately attributes the Senate immigration legislation as the \"Obama-Reid plan.\" While it is true that both President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Reid supported the Senate immigration bill, it was actually a product of a bipartisan group of senators known as the Gang of Eight, not solely an Obama-Reid plan. Additionally, the characterization of the legislation as providing \"amnesty\" is subjective and misleading. The bill proposed a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, but it included several requirements and a rigorous process that cannot be considered a blanket amnesty. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the origins of the legislation and oversimplifies its provisions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13281.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In about three weeks over a half million Floridians are going to lose their coverage again through Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Rubio's statement suggests that over half a million Floridians will lose their coverage through Obamacare, the evidence contradicts this claim. The data shows that more than 1.7 million Floridians have purchased plans through the Affordable Care Act's marketplaces, which is significantly higher than the number of individuals who may need to switch plans. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge that the percentage of uninsured Floridians has been decreasing under Obamacare. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6760.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Romney tax plan could take away middle-class deductions for child care, mortgages and college tuition.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney's tax plan does not explicitly state that it would eliminate middle-class deductions for child care, mortgages, and college tuition, there are certain aspects of his proposed policies that could indirectly impact these deductions. For example, Romney's association with Paul Ryan's budget plan, which includes the elimination of the American Opportunity tax credit for college tuition, could affect middle-class households. However, it is important to note that this specific deduction is not part of Romney's tax plan itself. Therefore, while there is some potential for indirect impact, the statement overstates the direct effect of Romney's tax plan on these deductions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3703.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ive been through four campaigns and have not done any negative campaigning.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual suggests that they have been through four campaigns and have not engaged in any negative campaigning. The evidence provided supports this claim, as it highlights that the individual has not participated in negative campaigning and has received praise from opponents for maintaining a positive campaign. However, it's important to note that the evidence only focuses on the individual's own campaigns and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all campaigns they have been involved in. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5633.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Up to 80 percent of small businesses will be forced to give up their current plans due to new Obamacare regulations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks important context. While it is true that some small businesses may be required to change their current health plans due to new regulations under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the claim that up to 80 percent of small businesses will be forced to give up their current plans is an exaggeration. The evidence suggests that the health care reform proposals in both the House and the Senate have rules in place to prevent people from being forced off their current health coverage and into a government-run plan. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office projected that only a portion of the population would be enrolled in the health care exchange, which implies that not all employers would lose their current plans. Therefore, while there may be some impact on small businesses, the statement exaggerates the extent of the impact and does not accurately represent the provisions in the health care reform proposals.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6790.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tea Party Congressman Frank Guinta voted for billions in cuts to veterans programs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Congressman Frank Guinta voted against the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which added nearly $1 billion in new funding to veterans programs, it is misleading to claim that he voted for billions in cuts to veterans programs. In fact, Guinta previously voted in favor of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs act, which increased the V.A. budget by $6 billion. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact of Guinta's voting record and does not accurately reflect his overall stance on veterans programs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!All four candidates for Wisconsin attorney general have said they wouldn't defend certain state laws. !All four candidates for Wisconsin attorney general have said they wouldn't defend certain state laws.","He attacked President Barack Obama as well as the three Democratic candidates for attorney general, singling out one of them in particular.","\"In the Wisconsin State Assembly this session, more than 75% of GOP bills received a public hearing. Meanwhile, the GOP allowed less than 2% of Democratic bills to have a hearing.\"","Republican Attorney General candidate Eric Toney is the only candidate in the race that\u2019s used Wisconsin Crime Lab resources as a front line prosecutor."]},{"id":"12831.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wrote,I believe the primary role of the state is to teach, train and raise children. Parents have a secondary role.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Hillary Clinton did write a book titled \"It Takes a Village,\" the quote provided is a misrepresentation. The actual quote from the book is, \"I believe the primary role of the family is to teach, nurture, and support children as they grow into responsible adults. But I also believe that the primary role of the community and the state is to provide resources and opportunities for families to fulfill their responsibilities.\" The misquote falsely attributes the role of teaching, training, and raising children to the state, when in reality, Clinton emphasizes the importance of families and communities in fulfilling these roles.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["As a website that focuses on politics and policy, we zeroed in on one passage that had been marked in red: \"In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President by themselves! Rest assured they will do so... You can look at how they have taken over several towns in the USA .. Dearborn Mich. is one... and there are others.\"","So, even using 7 million as the current figure for the Muslim population -- and the easier-to-reach target of 88 million -- the Muslim population would have to grow roughly thirteen-fold in the space of 20 years to account for a majority of the voting-age population that actually votes. That means adding as many new Muslims in the U.S. as there are today every 19 months until 2030. If you instead assume that Muslims currently account for 2 million of the population, the number of Muslims would have to grow 44-fold in 20 years. That means adding as many new Muslims as there currently are in the U.S. roughly every 5 months until 2030.","So if you assume that every Muslim living in America (1) would be eligible to vote and (2) would all vote for the same candidate -- assumptions that by themselves aren't the least bit plausible -- there would still need to be more than 88 million Muslims in America in 2030 to be able to \"elect the president by themselves,\" leaving aside the fact that the president is elected indirectly through the electoral college, so a Muslim majority would have to be spread broadly and decisively across the country. The number would actually need to be higher than that to account for Muslims who were eligible to vote but who didn't bother to cast a ballot, but to give the e-mail author the benefit of the doubt, we'll use the smaller figure here.","Currently, the total U.S. population is estimated to be roughly 308 million people. Assuming current rates of immigration, the Census Bureau projects that the U.S. population in 2030 -- 20 years from now -- will be 358 million."]},{"id":"13099.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since 1978, California has spent $5 billion to put 13 people to death.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that California has spent a significant amount of money on its death penalty system since 1978, the statement inaccurately implies that the entire $5 billion was solely spent on the 13 individuals who were executed. In reality, the $5 billion figure represents the estimated cost of California's entire death penalty system, including expenses related to maintaining death row and conducting trials and appeals for all death penalty cases. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the distribution of costs across the entire system.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"509.json","label":"true","statement":"U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan include a \"few thousand that are still green card holders who are not even citizens of this country.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. There are indeed a few thousand U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan who are green card holders, meaning they are not citizens of the United States. This is a common practice in the U.S. military, where non-citizens can serve and contribute to the armed forces. Their status as green card holders does not prevent them from serving in active duty roles.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8237.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On support for Ted Cruz","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there is evidence that Ted Cruz, in his official capacity as solicitor general, supported a ban on the commercial promotion of sex toys, there is no evidence to suggest that he personally called for a ban on sex toys while serving in the Senate or held that belief. It's important to differentiate between Cruz's official position as a state lawyer and his personal beliefs or actions as a senator. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Cruz's involvement in supporting the ban in his official capacity but incorrectly suggests his personal stance on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This week, a reader forwarded us a Facebook meme with Putin\u2019s picture and the quotation, \"Any fourth grade history student knows socialism has failed in every country, at every time in history. President Obama and his Democrats are either idiots or deliberately trying to destroy their own economy.\"","!This meme has been circulating on social media. Is that really what Vladimir Putin said about President Barack Obama? !This meme has been circulating on social media. Is that really what Vladimir Putin said about President Barack Obama?","A recent Facebook meme said Vladimir Putin accused Obama of being an \"idiot\" for trying to implement socialism in the United States. The alleged quote has circulated online for almost six years, but we can say with confidence that the quote comes from a satire website, a truth that could have been easily discovered through a few clicks on the Internet. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","After a bumpy rollout of his health care law, President Barack Obama has taken his share of criticism lately. But did that include some trash-talking by Russian President Vladimir Putin?"]},{"id":"3106.json","label":"false","statement":"A national organization says Georgia has one of Americas toughest ethics laws.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that a national organization has declared Georgia to have one of America's toughest ethics laws. The evidence provided discusses hate crime laws and abortion laws, which are unrelated to ethics laws. Without any supporting evidence or specific information about the organization or its assessment of Georgia's ethics laws, the statement cannot be verified and is therefore false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Does John McCain support tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas? Not really. He supports retaining a long-standing principle of the U.S. tax system that encourages some companies to move operations overseas. The world is far more complicated than Biden's catchphrase makes it seem, and that makes his argument Barely True.","In 2014, PolitiFact National wrote: \"Democrats and their advocates have washed, rinsed and are now repeating one of their favorite talking points from 2012: that \u2018(Insert Republican Here) supports tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas.\u2019 \"","Feingold\u2019s campaign emphasized that the claim in their ad was that Johnson voted five times for tax breaks that help companies ship jobs overseas, not that corporate tax breaks by themselves are responsible for sending jobs outside the U.S.","He added: \"You can argue, well, he voted against whatever the message that the member, the Senator, was trying to get across, but I wouldn't necessarily say that was voting for tax breaks that help companies ship Wisconsin jobs overseas because if he had voted for it, it wouldn\u2019t have had any effect and voting against it didn\u2019t have any effect.\""]},{"id":"13280.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sen. (Richard) Burr voted no on the Violence Against Women Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Sen. Richard Burr voted against the Violence Against Women Act is partially true. While it is accurate that Burr voted against the 2012 version of the bill, it fails to mention that he voted to reauthorize the act three times in the past (in 2000, 2005, and 2013). Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation of Burr's voting record on the Violence Against Women Act.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our country better wake up. We\u2019re facing an existential threat,\" he said. \"ISIS is running through the border made porous by Barack Obama\u2019s policies.\"","We emailed Abbott spokesman John Wittman to ask when ISIS ran through the border, and also which Obama policies had made the border more porous, as Abbott said.","Regarding the porous border, Wittman sent a link to the 2014 lawsuit filed by Attorney General Abbott. \"A specific policy which has made the border more porous,\" Wittman wrote.","For our part, we looked first for signs of ISIS border crossings, then considered Abbott\u2019s charge about Obama fostering a porous border."]},{"id":"7926.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the past four years, (the U.S. Senate) has only passed nine out of 48 appropriation bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the U.S. Senate has passed nine out of 48 appropriation bills in the past four years. However, it's important to note that this statistic alone does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the Senate's legislative activity or effectiveness. The number of bills passed is not necessarily an indicator of success or impact, as the importance and significance of individual bills can vary. Additionally, other factors such as political dynamics and partisan gridlock can influence the legislative process. While the statement is true in terms of the specific number of appropriation bills passed, it lacks context and should be interpreted with caution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Today, we're tackling this claim from Palin's op-ed: \"Job losses are so certain under this new cap-and-tax plan that it includes a provision accommodating newly unemployed workers from the resulting dried-up energy sector, to the tune of $4.2 billion over eight years. So much for creating jobs.\"","Palin and other Republicans say they are concerned that the transition will be costly to industry \u2014 particularly companies in the energy sector \u2014 and that workers will lose their jobs as a result.","Signed in March 2021, when the coronavirus pandemic was a major burden on the economy, the American Rescue Plan passed with exclusively Democratic support in Congress. It included $1,400 payments to about 85% of Americans, $360 billion for state and local governments and $242 billion in expanded unemployment benefits.","So, back to Palin's claim. She's correct that there is a program in the bill that would help displaced workers, but she paints a narrow view of how the bill will affect employment. Yes, some workers will be displaced and need to be retrained, but some experts are projecting growth and new jobs in industries that benefit from the new policy. We rate her claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"1252.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"About 750,000 people die in China each year from auto emissions.","reason":"Reason: While there are concerns about air pollution and its impact on public health in China, the statement that approximately 750,000 people die in China each year from auto emissions is not entirely accurate. The figure mentioned by Pelosi was based on news reports that relied on unpublished data, and the World Bank, when asked, did not directly confirm the statistics. Additionally, the Financial Times reported that high air pollution levels in Chinese cities lead to the premature deaths of 350,000-400,000 people each year, which is a lower number than the one mentioned in the statement. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks precise evidence to support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11031.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida has reduced its carbon emissions by 20 percent since 2005.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to EPA data, Florida has indeed reduced its power plant carbon dioxide emissions by 21.8 percent between 2005 and 2012. However, it's important to note that the overall carbon dioxide emissions from all sources in Florida decreased by a slightly lower percentage, ranging from 13.4 to 15.7 percent. Therefore, while the specific figure of 20 percent may not apply to all sources of carbon emissions in Florida, it accurately represents the reduction in power plant emissions during the specified time frame.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1819.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In three days last week, (Gov. Rick) Perry flew to five cities at taxpayers expense, holding press conferences, delivering $2,325,000 in checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. The evidence provided indicates that the assumption that Governor Rick Perry's flights were at taxpayers' expense is incorrect. The information from the sources suggests that the flights and activities mentioned were not funded by taxpayers but were instead part of Governor Perry's campaign efforts. Therefore, labeling the statement as \"pants-fire\" is appropriate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10180.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Brown voted to reward companies to ship jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Scott Brown made a statement acknowledging that politicians often talk about \"companies that ship jobs overseas\" for political gain, it does not necessarily indicate that he voted to reward such companies. The statement made by Senator Jeanne Shaheen, claiming that Brown \"voted to reward\" companies to ship jobs overseas, lacks specific evidence or a clear legislative context to support it. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement can be considered half-true, as it is based on a general sentiment expressed by Brown but lacks concrete evidence of his voting record on this specific issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1224.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The richest 1 percent have more financial wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined.\"","reason":"Reason: While Michael Moore's statement that \"the richest 1 percent have more financial wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined\" is close to being true, it is not entirely accurate. According to the data provided, the top 1 percent actually own 31.5 percent of the financial wealth, which is less than the combined 40.2 percent owned by the bottom 95 percent. This indicates that a significant portion of the wealth held by the top 1 percent comes from assets such as vehicles, second homes, businesses, and hobbies. Therefore, while there is a substantial wealth disparity, the specific claim made by Moore is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The fact of the matter is,\" Obama replied, \"is that when we came into office, the deficit was $1.3 trillion -- $1.3 trillion. So when you say that suddenly I've got a monthly deficit that's higher than the annual deficit left by Republicans, that's factually just not true, and you know it's not true. And what is true is that we came in already with a $1.3 trillion deficit before I had passed any law. What is true is, we came in with $8 trillion worth of debt over the next decade.\"","Obama came into office \"with a $1.3 trillion deficit before I had passed any law. ... We came in with $8 trillion worth of debt over the next decade.\"","We checked Hensarling's claim in a separate item. Here, we'll look at Obama's claim that he came into office with a $1.3 trillion deficit and $8 trillion worth of debt over the next decade.","In at least three surveys we found, the percentage of Republicans who said they didn\u2019t trust the election came in around 65%."]},{"id":"9993.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Mary Landrieu voted to take away your gun rights.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Mary Landrieu did not vote to take away people's gun rights. In fact, she has voted in line with the NRA's position on measures to restrict assault weapons and has not supported any legislation that would take away gun rights. The claim made in the ad is misleading and lacks evidence to support it. The fact-checking sources have debunked this claim and rated it as \"Pants on Fire\" due to its blatant inaccuracy.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Did you know that the ACLU has filed a suit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed and another suit to end prayer from the military completely? They're making great progress. The Navy Chaplains can no longer mention Jesus' name in prayer thanks to the wretched ACLU and our new administration.\"","\"ACLU has filed a suit to end prayer from the military completely,\" the email said. \"They're making great progress. The Navy Chaplains can no longer mention Jesus' name in prayer thanks to the ACLU and others. I'm not breaking this one. If I get it a 1000 times, I'll forward it a 1000 times! Let us pray...Prayer chain for our Military... Don't break it!\"","In 2009, rumors of an ACLU lawsuit to end prayer completely in the military began spreading through the Internet. That year, PolitiFact swatted down a claim that the ACLU filed a lawsuit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed. The one was rated Pants on Fire. The article mentioned the prayer claim.","There's a lot packed into that e-mail, but here, we're checking whether the American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed."]},{"id":"6986.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Connie Macks Penny Plan would cut over $200 billion out of Medicare, over $1 trillion out of Social Security. ... $3 trillion out of defense.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Senator Bill Nelson regarding Connie Mack's Penny Plan. According to the Congressional Research Service report, Mack's plan would result in approximately $211 billion in Medicare cuts, $1.124 billion in Social Security cuts, and $2.89 trillion in defense cuts over a specific time period. While the statement accurately represents Nelson's claims, it's important to note that the Penny Plan is a proposed policy and its implementation and exact impact would depend on various factors. Therefore, the label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Under President Bush, prosecution of gun crimes was 30 percent higher than it is under President Obama,\" Cruz said. \"They\u2019re not targeting bad guys.\"","An Occupy Democrats Facebook post said gasoline prices were \"way higher\" under Republican President George W. Bush than today under President Joe Biden.","Says President Barack Obama \"has taken 92 days of vacation since he was sworn in,\" compared to 367 for President George W. Bush at the same point in his presidency.","\"When George Bush became president of the United States, 17 million people were in poverty. When he left, 30 million people were in poverty.\""]},{"id":"7275.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a recent study shows Florida students are second in the world in fourth grade reading, behind Singapore.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is a discrepancy in the specific ranking between Singapore and Hong Kong, the evidence confirms that Florida students did perform exceptionally well in fourth-grade reading. According to the study mentioned, Florida ranked second in the world in terms of the percentage of fourth-grade students scoring at the advanced reading level. Therefore, while the ranking may not be precisely as stated, the overall claim that Florida students performed exceptionally well in fourth-grade reading is accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4607.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Appalachian Power Company is making record profits.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Appalachian Power Company is making record profits is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence mentions that House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong charged in ads that Apco is making record profits, but it does not provide any concrete evidence or data to support this claim. Additionally, the evidence states that Virginia regulators do not review the profits of the parent corporation or other subsidiaries when considering rate hikes, which suggests that there is no official information available to confirm the claim of record profits. Without verifiable evidence, the statement cannot be substantiated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11497.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses closing than starting.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Marco Rubio's claim that, at the time he made it, there were more businesses closing than starting in the United States. However, it's important to note that this change occurred in 2008, not during the time of his statement. While Rubio's claim is based on a respected think tank's report, the statement lacks the necessary context to clarify the timeline of this change. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional information to provide a more accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"415.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"According to The Book of Revelations the anti-christ ... will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent ... is it OBAMA??","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The Book of Revelation, as clarified by religious scholars, does not describe the Antichrist as a man in his 40s of Muslim descent. The email's claim is not supported by any credible religious interpretation or biblical text. Furthermore, associating a specific individual, such as President Obama, with the role of the Antichrist is baseless and lacks any factual or theological basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["There are concerns about the longitudinal data system that goes along with Common Core, Bean told The Newnan Times-Herald. The system is designed to collect up to 400 data points on each child, which can include personally identifiable data.","To sum up, Bean claimed a data system companion of Common Core collects up to 400 data points on each child, which can include personally identifiable data.","Turner Nolt said the data in the state\u2019s SLDS system has been collected for years, but that the information is now computerized. The systems does collect personally identifiable data, as Bean claimed, but the information is not shared beyond the student\u2019s teachers and school administrators, Turner Nolt said.","Bean\u2019s claim incorrectly intertwines Common Core and a data collection system. Our research found that Common Core does not include a data collection component. Georgia\u2019s Education Department does collect student data as part of a separate annual collection cycle, then provides the information in a digital format for teachers and school officials to use."]},{"id":"3431.json","label":"false","statement":"The Texas Constitution still contains Jim Crow provisions about the poll tax and restrictions on women having the right to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the Texas Constitution still contains Jim Crow provisions regarding the poll tax and restrictions on women's voting rights. The information provided in the evidence suggests that the poll tax was abolished through the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and there is no indication that the Texas Constitution currently includes such provisions. Additionally, women's voting rights have been protected by the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which ensures their right to vote. Therefore, the claim that the Texas Constitution still contains these provisions is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gallo said Alter \"got an F in attendance in 2016 as a Parks Board member and was removed by a unanimous vote of the Austin City Council.\"","In a flier mailed to voters, Austin City Council Member Sheri Gallo says her opponent in the Dec. 13, 2016, runoff to represent West Austin\u2019s District 10 \"got an F in attendance in 2016 as a Parks Board member and was removed by a unanimous vote of the Austin City Council.\"","!Sheri Gallo, an Austin City Council member, made a Pants on Fire claim (shown here) about challenger Alison Alter in this November 2016 mailer (excerpted from a Facebook post Nov. 29, 2016). !Sheri Gallo, an Austin City Council member, made a Pants on Fire claim (shown here) about challenger Alison Alter in this November 2016 mailer (excerpted from a Facebook post Nov. 29, 2016).","Sheri Gallo, an Austin City Council member, made a Pants on Fire claim (shown here) about challenger Alison Alter in this November 2016 mailer (excerpted from a Facebook post Nov. 29, 2016)."]},{"id":"7355.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"With the exception of slavery and the Chinese Exclusion Act, our laws have never barred persons from becoming citizens.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Lofgren that, apart from slavery and the Chinese Exclusion Act, U.S. laws have not historically barred individuals from becoming citizens. The Chinese Exclusion Act, passed in 1882, specifically targeted Chinese immigrants and restricted their ability to become citizens. Slavery, of course, denied citizenship to enslaved individuals. While there may have been other instances of restrictive immigration policies, the statement focuses on the specific context of barring individuals from citizenship. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5523.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker cut aid to local schools despite campaigning on trying to restore two-thirds state funding for education","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that Governor Scott Walker campaigned on trying to restore two-thirds state funding for education while also cutting aid to local schools. While there may have been recent increases in school funding, it is true that Governor Walker implemented budget cuts that affected public schools. However, it's important to note that the extent of the cuts and the overall impact on education funding may vary. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is needed to fully understand the impact of the cuts on local schools.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7056.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On support for U.S. Rep. Paul Ryans Medicare reform plan","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan did propose a Medicare reform plan and played a significant role in its development. However, the statement lacks clarity on the level of support for Ryan's plan. While it is true that Ryan's plan received support from some lawmakers, including Sen. Ron Wyden, it also faced significant opposition and criticism. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it does not accurately reflect the mixed level of support for Ryan's Medicare reform plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Those two judgments, you might say, are not-fact-checkable opinions. But next Obama said: \"You\u2019ve got these folks saying immigration is our biggest crisis when illegal immigration is lower than it\u2019s been in 40 years.\"","There\u2019s no direct indicator of illegal immigration. Folks don\u2019t report in. But the best-available metric, Border Patrol apprehensions, reached a 44-year national low in 2015 -- though apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border were even lower four years earlier. The previous Southwest sector low occurred in 1972.","Obama could have added caveats to his direct comparison of apprehensions 40 years apart. As PolitiFact Florida noted, there were far fewer Border Patrol agents in the 1970s and no barriers like the fencing ordered in place by Congress in recent years.","Aside from policies and enforcement in the United States, factors in Mexico have contributed to lower apprehension numbers, Mittelstadt said, among them: lower birth rates, increased educational levels and an improved economy."]},{"id":"12649.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, we simply do not have data to say anything about trends in poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the lack of available data to make definitive statements about poverty trends in 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poverty data collection and reporting can be challenging in many regions, and in this case, the evidence suggests that there is insufficient data to draw conclusions about poverty trends in those specific countries. However, it's important to note that this statement does not imply that poverty does not exist in those countries, but rather highlights the limitations in data availability for assessing poverty trends.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1182.json","label":"false","statement":"Health reform will \"give every American the same opportunity\" to buy health insurance the way members of Congress do.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While members of Congress are required to obtain health insurance through the marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, the coverage options available to them are not the same as those available to the general public. Members of Congress have access to a range of health insurance plans, including gold-level plans that cover 80 percent of total costs. In contrast, the most common plan available to other federal employees typically covers closer to 90 percent of costs. Therefore, the claim that health reform will provide every American with the same opportunity to buy health insurance as members of Congress is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12715.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Donald Trump rooted for the housing crisis, because he knew he could make money off of it.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including statements from Rep. Scott Peters and Hillary Clinton, attribute the claim that Donald Trump rooted for the housing crisis to make money off of it. These statements are supported by a quote attributed to Trump in 2006 expressing a desire for a housing market collapse. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not conclusively prove Trump's motivations or intentions. While the statement is mostly true based on the available information, it is essential to exercise caution when interpreting someone's intentions without further evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4740.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsin ranks 48th out of all 50 states in venture capital investment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be concerns about the level of venture capital investment in Wisconsin, it is not accurate to claim that the state ranks 48th out of all 50 states in venture capital investment. The evidence provided does not support this claim, and there is no specific data or source cited to verify the ranking. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about rankings or statistics.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We wondered how much it costs taxpayers for the House to repeal the law again and again,\" anchor Scott Pelley said. \"You can't be exact about these things, but the Congressional Research Service tells us that the House of Representatives costs us $24 million a week. So with two weeks spent repealing the law, that comes to a little under $50 million.\"","\"Thirty-three votes. $50 million wasted,\" said an email from her campaign. \"According to CBS News, that\u2019s the record GOP Rep. Jim Renacci has helped the Republican Majority in Congress achieve when it comes to their never-ending crusade to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.\"","Later media reports placed the cost somewhere between $47 million and $50 million. Robert Ray, who succeeded Starr as head of the Office of the Independent Counsel, told the Associated Press in 2002 that about $12.5 million was spent on the perjury and obstruction probe of Clinton and his relationship with Lewinsky.","And while CBS\u2019 report gave a weekly total for operating the House -- Divide the $1.226 billion by 52 and you get to roughly $24 million a week, or a bit under $50 million for two weeks, that calculation isn\u2019t in the CRS report."]},{"id":"10095.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The CDC is spending money on things like jazzercise, urban gardening and massage therapy that could be redirected to Ebola.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Gardner made the claim that the CDC is spending money on activities like jazzercise, urban gardening, and massage therapy, there is no concrete evidence to support this assertion. Investigations into the CDC's spending have not found specific allocations for these activities. The statement lacks substantiated evidence and misrepresents the CDC's actual spending priorities. Therefore, it is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5115.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that when Republicans held Congress and the presidency, they doubled the size of the (U.S.) Department of Education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the size of the U.S. Department of Education increased during the period when Republicans held Congress and the presidency. However, it is important to note that the claim of doubling the size of the department is not entirely accurate. While there was indeed an increase in the budget and spending during that time, the department's size did not exactly double. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precision in its characterization of the department's growth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"473.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"My friend, we have increased the size of government by some 40 percent just in the last few years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that the size of government has increased by approximately 40 percent in recent years is mostly true. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific timeframe and metrics used to measure the size of government, data shows that there has been a significant increase in government spending and the number of government employees in recent years. This growth can be attributed to various factors such as economic conditions, policy decisions, and the expansion of government programs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9778.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsin is 38th in the country in terms of proficiency standards in student testing.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly address the proficiency standards in student testing, it does indicate that Wisconsin ranks 38th in terms of spending COVID-19 relief money on businesses relative to the percentage of federal funds received. Although this evidence does not directly support the claim about proficiency standards in student testing, it suggests that Wisconsin's ranking in certain areas may not be the highest. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that Wisconsin's proficiency standards in student testing may also not be among the highest in the country.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The truth is equality, opportunity, civil rights in America are still far from where they need to be,\" Clinton said on June 23. \"Our schools are still segregated, in fact, more segregated than they were in the 1960s.\"","Through much of the 1960s, when Jim Crow laws were alive in the South, schools were more segregated than today. That changed in 1968, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that local integration plans must meaningfully lower segregation.","In contrast, the densely populated cities of the Northeast and West are becoming more and more segregated. On the Pacific coast, Clinton\u2019s claim is on the money: Latino students are now more isolated than black students and \"more segregated than they\u2019ve ever been,\" according to Orfield.","\"Yesterday marks the 68th anniversary of the Supreme Court\u2019s historic Brown v. Board of Education decision, which struck down the unlawful school segregation,\" Scott said during a May 18 meeting of the House Education & Labor Committee. \"Yet we know public schools are now as segregated by race and class as they were as they were in the 1960s.\""]},{"id":"8390.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Six years after unionization, 20,000 fewer children in Illinois were being served by the Child Care and Development Fund program.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on the claim made by Jennifer B. Parrish that after a labor union began representing child-care providers in Illinois, there was a decrease of 20,000 children being served by the Child Care and Development Fund program. The evidence provided supports this claim, indicating a decrease in the number of children served by all child-care programs. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly establish a causal relationship between unionization and the decrease in children being served. Other factors could have contributed to the decline. Therefore, while the statement is partially supported by evidence, it lacks the full context and should be considered with caution.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Portman, a Republican, made the statement to reporters during a conference call on July 11, when Cordray\u2019s inability to get an up-or-down confirmation vote was coming to a head and Senate Democrats threatened to change the filibuster rules. As the Cordray matter came up, Portman reminded reporters, \"I was filibustered.\"","Story by the News & Observer, \"Should the Senate dump the filibuster? What NC candidates want to do with the rule,\" posted July 26, 2021.","That seemed broader than the Hollywood version of a filibuster. Take, for example, \"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,\" in which Jimmy Stewart\u2019s character, the idealistic Sen. Jefferson Smith, held the floor by talking for 23 hours to halt Senate action.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\""]},{"id":"8915.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A government report shows that alternatives to the Keystone XL pipeline are worse for the environment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The government report mentioned in the evidence does indicate that certain alternatives to the Keystone XL pipeline, such as using tanker trucks or rail, could result in higher emissions compared to the pipeline. However, it's important to note that the report does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all possible alternatives and their environmental impacts. Additionally, the report's findings should be considered in the broader context of the environmental concerns associated with the pipeline itself. Therefore, while the report does suggest that some alternatives may have higher emissions, it does not provide a conclusive assessment of all potential alternatives and their overall environmental impact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"398.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"John McCain and George W. Bush want to spend \"a trillion dollars in Iraq over the next 10 years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the advertisement that John McCain and George W. Bush want to spend \"a trillion dollars in Iraq over the next 10 years.\" While it is true that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate includes future spending in Afghanistan as well, the larger point made by the ad is that both McCain and Bush share a similar philosophy on handling the Iraq war and troop withdrawal. Therefore, while the statement may lack some nuance, it captures the essence of the ad's message and is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3372.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Justice Elena Kagan recused herself in many cases where she had little role as solicitor general, simply because of the appearance of a conflict of interest.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Justice Elena Kagan did recuse herself in several cases where she had little direct involvement as solicitor general. This was due to the potential appearance of a conflict of interest, as the solicitor general's office often handles cases that later go to the Supreme Court. However, it's important to note that the decision to recuse oneself is ultimately a personal one made by the justice, and the extent of their involvement in a particular case may vary. So while Kagan did recuse herself in some cases where her role was minimal, it is not accurate to say that she did so in \"many\" such cases.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one mile in every five must be straight,\" the post says. \"These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.\"","In 2018, there was some movement, as Trump proposed to inject $200 billion in hard federal dollars in infrastructure. But even that more modest proposal did not gain traction.","Meanwhile, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials puts forth two figures: $70 billion to fix the dams in need of rehabilitation \u2014 or $24 billion just to fix the \"most critical\" ones.","\"That is, when each type of facility is designed and constructed, there is a set schedule to keep each dam, road or bridge in a state of good repair,\" he said."]},{"id":"1274.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Democrats rang up a $1.42 trillion budget deficit in 2009 the single largest in American history.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there was a $1.42 trillion budget deficit in 2009, which was indeed the largest in American history at that time. However, it is misleading to solely attribute the deficit to Democrats. The deficit was a result of various factors, including the economic recession that began in 2008 and the implementation of policies by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Therefore, while the deficit was the largest in history, it is not entirely accurate to place the blame solely on Democrats.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Davis\u2019 message, retweeted more than 100 times by the next afternoon, asked followers of @WendyDavisTexas to sign a petition telling Abbott that \"educating a child isn\u2019t a waste.\" Her petition was topped by this statement: \"As he rolled out his education plan today, Greg Abbott said it would be a \u2018waste\u2019 to expand pre-k to all Texas children.\"","About three hours after the Austin American-Statesman posted its March 31, 2014, story outlining Abbott\u2019s just-revealed position on how best to serve the state\u2019s youngest pupils, Davis put a photo-quotation on Twitter stating: \"Expanding pre-k education to all Texas children is a \u2018waste\u2019 -- Greg Abbott.\" The tweet came to our attention from Matt Hirsch, an Abbott campaign spokesman.","Abbott said nothing like that in his prepared remarks, while his plan unveiled the same day folds in a caveat that Davis disregarded. In the plan, Abbott says it would be a waste to offer pre-k to more students--without addressing quality.","Abbott said districts adopting his \"gold standard\" would have leeway to determine effective ways to use the additional funding to meet requirements. \"Some districts may choose to hire more teachers,\" his speech said. \"Others may expand to full day pre-k. Others may choose to expand their existing partnerships with private providers.\""]},{"id":"4516.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama failed to stand up for the bipartisan debt solutions of the Simpson-Bowles Commission.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While it is true that Governor Chris Christie claimed that President Obama failed to stand up for the bipartisan debt solutions of the Simpson-Bowles Commission, the assessment by PolitiFact New Jersey found this claim to be mostly false. The commission's final report was not officially endorsed by President Obama, but it is important to note that he did express support for some of its recommendations and incorporated elements of the commission's proposals in his own budget plans. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it oversimplifies the situation and does not provide a complete picture of President Obama's stance on the Simpson-Bowles Commission's recommendations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It costs us, logistically, three times more to fight in Afghanistan than it does in any other place. Really,\" he said. \"So we really need to lower our expectations there and save the lives and save the war costs and bring that money home to rebuild America.\"","\"Because of the location, I guess it's landlocked in central Asia, it cost three times more to fight there than it does in Iraq. I said anywhere else. I was being a little bit loose. Specifically it's three times more to fight there than in Iraq. It's probably because you have to fly everything in.\"","Her take: \"Our massive, expensive presence in Afghanistan undermines our efforts to eliminate safe havens for al Qaeda in Pakistan and to fight these determined terrorists globally.\"","\"Once you add veterans\u2019 costs, interest costs, and other increased (Pentagon) expenses, the full cost of the war in Afghanistan surpasses $2 trillion,\" Peltier said."]},{"id":"1914.json","label":"false","statement":"Phoenix, Arizona, Im told, is now the No. 2 kidnapping capital in the world, right behind Mexico City.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were concerns about kidnapping incidents in Phoenix, Arizona, it is incorrect to claim that it was the second kidnapping capital in the world, right behind Mexico City. The evidence provided does not support this assertion. While there were reports of kidnapping incidents in Phoenix, it is important to note that the claim of being the second kidnapping capital in the world is not substantiated by credible sources or data. Label: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2761.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Congresswoman Kathy Castor voted to spend $2.6 million to teach prostitutes in China to drink responsibly.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Congresswoman Kathy Castor voted to spend $2.6 million to teach prostitutes in China to drink responsibly is false and misleading. There is no credible evidence or record of such a vote or allocation of funds. This claim appears to be a fabrication or a misrepresentation of facts. It is important to fact-check and verify information before spreading false or misleading statements.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Wanggaard said: \"You're more likely to be the victim of a violent crime in Milwaukee than in 96 percent of the country.\"","Then came the claim we\u2019re interested in, with Wanggaard saying \"you're more likely to be the victim of a violent crime in Milwaukee than in 96 percent of the country.\"","says Milwaukee is safer than 4 percent of the cities in the United States. Another way to say that would be that Milwaukee\u2019s violent crime rate is higher than 96 percent of the country.","2. Across the country, violent crime generally is concentrated in larger cities, so it stands to reason there is less violent crime in most parts of the country. But the figures used in the website rankings compare Milwaukee with cities such as Mount Pleasant near Racine (15 violent crimes in 2014) and Sun Prairie (32) near Madison that have a population as low as 25,000."]},{"id":"242.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"As governor, Mike Huckabee supported higher income taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, grocery taxes, tobacco taxes, beer taxes, Internet taxes, nursing home bed taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately lists the taxes that Mike Huckabee supported or opposed during his time as governor. He did support increases in income taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, tobacco taxes, Internet taxes, and nursing home bed taxes. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of why Huckabee supported these tax changes. It fails to mention that these tax increases were proposed and implemented in response to a budget shortfall and were part of a larger effort to balance the state's budget. Therefore, while the statement is factually correct in listing the taxes Huckabee supported, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand his reasoning behind those decisions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["She added: \"First of all, they\u2019re not. The average person who gets the minimum wage in America is 35 years old. That said, even if it involves a lot of people who are young, when we look at the cost of college, don\u2019t we want them to be able to join their parents in helping save some money for that opportunity?\"","\"Right now, there\u2019s a bill that would boost America\u2019s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. That would lift wages for nearly 28 million Americans across the country. 28 million. And we\u2019re not just talking about young people on their first job. The average minimum wage worker is 35 years old. They work hard, often in physically demanding jobs.\"","\"The workers who would receive a raise do not fit the stereotypes of low-wage workers: Among affected workers, the average age is 35 years old, nearly 88 percent are at least 20 years old, and more than a third (34.5 percent) are at least 40 years old,\" the institute\u2019s paper concluded.","Critics say \"we're putting an onerous policy on small business owners or other business owners,\" she said. \"The reality is that the average age of the minimum wage worker is 35 years old.\""]},{"id":"11306.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump supports the Wall Street bailout.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Donald Trump did express support for the Wall Street bailout, also known as TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program), during the financial crisis in late 2008 and 2009. Multiple statements made by Trump at that time demonstrate his endorsement of the bailout. However, it's worth noting that Trump's position on this issue may have evolved over time, and it is essential to consider his more recent statements and actions regarding financial regulations and Wall Street.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The majority of public funding came from hotel taxes, the burden of which is incurred by tourists who are visiting our city, NOT the resident taxpayers.\"","\"Those who have attacked us are entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts. The majority of public funding came from hotel taxes, the burden of which is incurred by tourists who are visiting our city, NOT the resident taxpayers.....\"","In response to renewed criticism about the 2009 Marlins stadium financing deal, Loria said \"The majority of public funding came from hotel taxes, the burden of which is incurred by tourists who are visiting our city, NOT the resident taxpayers.\"","Loria is borrowing from politicians\u2019 playbooks here: He cherry-picked a fact that puts the situation in the best light while omitting a thorough explanation. On the surface, he is correct: Much of the public funding for the stadium came from hotel bed taxes largely (though not entirely) paid for by tourists."]},{"id":"8409.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Live cats have holes drilled into their skulls, posts put into their heads and coils put into their eyes, and some have had their ears cut off or are intentionally deafened or starved at UW-Madison labs that do research to improve hearing in humans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by PETA regarding the treatment of cats in UW-Madison labs. According to PETA, live cats have undergone procedures such as having holes drilled into their skulls, steel posts screwed to their heads, and metal coils implanted in their eyes. Some cats have also had their ears cut off, been intentionally deafened, or starved for experimental purposes. However, it's important to note that this information is based on PETA's allegations and may not represent the full context or perspective of the research being conducted. Additionally, the statement does not provide evidence to support the claim that these procedures are specifically aimed at improving hearing in humans. Therefore, while the statement accurately conveys PETA's claims, it lacks the full context and supporting evidence, resulting in a label of half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At a forum arranged by Gillespie\u2019s PAC, Haley hearkened to the days of Gov. Bob McDonnell, McAuliffe\u2019s Republican predecessor. \"Virginia was a tough guy to beat,\" she said, adding, \"... and then, to turn it around and find out what no state ever wants: More people today are leaving Virginia than moving in.\"","\u201cOver the last few years, more Virginians are moving away from Virginia than are moving to Virginia from the other 49 states.\u201d","\u2022More people are coming into Virginia as first-year immigrants and temporary foreign workers and students than are leaving to live in other countries.","Now let\u2019s get back Haley. Her claim that more people are moving out of Virginia than into the state doesn\u2019t count immigrants. If we include them, her claim unravels."]},{"id":"13421.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ron Johnson is benefiting from several super PACs, I am not.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Russ Feingold falsely claims that only his opponent, Ron Johnson, is benefiting from spending by super PACs. Multiple sources, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, have reported that Feingold's statement is inaccurate. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"With Rick Scott, there are more funds for preschool education and that\u2019s very important to me. Florida students are better off due to Scott. They can repeat all the falsehoods they want, the facts don\u2019t lie.\"","The Republicans arrived at their claim that \"there are more funds for preschool education\" based on the amount the state appropriated each year.","Florida Gov. Rick Scott asked the Legislature to send more money to education during his State of the State address on Jan. 10, 2012 -- and he said he\u2019s not kidding.","Florida ranks 35th in state spending for preschool, according to The National Institute for Early Education Research\u2019s report about the 2012-13 school year. (We previously fact-checked a claim by Scott about access to VPK based on the prior year\u2019s report.)"]},{"id":"12127.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mitt Romney did not endorse Ted Cruz, even though he said he is voting for Cruz and urged others to do likewise.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Mitt Romney did express his intention to vote for Ted Cruz and encouraged others to do the same, but he did not officially endorse Cruz as a candidate. While Romney's support and endorsement are closely related, there is a distinction between expressing personal support and issuing an official endorsement. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This is Pants on Fire. Limbaugh was one of several voices linking illegal immigration to measles in 2015. The idea was that the children had measles and Washington took no precautions before allowing them to stay. But the federal government did examine the children; the protocol, according to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, was to provide \"vaccinations to all children who do not have documentation of previous valid doses of vaccine.\" Three years later, a measles outbreak in the United States was largely attributed by the CDC to a lack of vaccination in the Orthodox Jewish community.","Much of the uproar over Trump\u2019s confinement of migrant children was because his policy was to separate families after they crossed the border \u2014 adults went to one place to await criminal charges, while their children were sent to another facility. That zero-tolerance policy for all undocumented border crossings was in place from April to June of 2018; it is not in place now.","\"Thousands, tens of thousands of people who are over 18 years of age and single people, one at a time coming, have been sent back, sent home,\" Biden said March 25. \"We\u2019re sending back the vast majority of the families that are coming. We are trying to work out now with Mexico their willingness to take more of those families back.\"","We found that 2019 was the last year border authorities recorded a surge in migrant children and family crossings. In 2020, the Trump administration stopped taking minors into custody after it implemented a policy that immediately expelled all people crossing the border, including children, citing COVID-19 precautions. The Biden administration suspended that policy for children in January, and now allows children who cross the border alone to remain in the U.S. while they await immigration court proceedings."]},{"id":"8741.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Oregon is spending $10 million advertising Obamacare with ads that dont even mention the program and how to enroll in it and that dont mention the word insurance.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some of the ads produced for Cover Oregon did not explicitly mention the word \"insurance\" or provide direct information on how to enroll in the program, it is important to note that these were not the only ads used in the campaign. Later ads did provide more specific details about the program and enrollment. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully understand the advertising campaign. It is an oversimplification to claim that all $10 million was spent on ads that completely omitted information about the program and enrollment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4776.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Treasury Department says 41 percent of all business income reported on individual returns would be hit by the [millionaires] surtax that would harm small businessmen and women, the very people we are counting on to create new jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the Treasury Department's position. The Treasury Department has not stated that 41 percent of all business income reported on individual returns would be affected by the proposed surtax. The Treasury Department's proposal focuses on higher earners who under-report their tax liabilities, specifically targeting those who do not fully report their tax obligations. While the proposal aims to address the tax gap and ensure tax compliance, it does not provide specific figures or percentages regarding the impact on small business owners or job creation. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the Treasury Department's position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We decided to focus on whether something like an overgrown lawn or a loudly barking dog could trigger an immigration check.","Sinema responded, \"Well, that's the key problem, because, previously, the sponsors of this legislation indicated that it was solely to apprehend people who were suspected of committing criminal acts. But now, when police officers encounter someone whose lawn is overgrown or who perhaps has a dog that's barking too loudly, they'll be required to inquire into their immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion to believe they may be undocumented. That is incredibly concerning and a massive expansion of this law.\"","But on the narrower question Sinema raised -- about overgrown lawns or loudly barking dogs triggering an immigration check -- our experts say that she is on pretty safe ground. She exaggerates when she says that such violations could require law enforcement officers to \"inquire into their immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion to believe they may be undocumented.\" The law has a few more hurdles than that.","We believe that checking Sinema's claim requires an answer to two questions. First, are overgrown lawns and loudly barking dogs the type of violations typically covered by municipal laws or ordinances in Arizona? And second, if the answer is yes, could such violations serve as the trigger for an immigration check?"]},{"id":"6487.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I led the fight to require the Coast Guard to buy their engines from us, not foreign companies.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Baldwin did introduce amendments related to the requirement of domestically made engines for Coast Guard cutters, there is no evidence to suggest that she was successful in implementing such a requirement. The statement implies that the fight led by Senator Baldwin resulted in the Coast Guard being required to buy engines from domestic companies, which is not accurate. The amendments she introduced did not pass, and there is no information available to confirm that a requirement for domestically made engines is currently in place. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["$165 billion for what the White House called the biggest expansion of affordable health care in a decade. The provision reduces health care premiums under the Affordable Care Act and expands Medicare coverage to include hearing benefits.","But Goldwein said that House leadership has said the House\u2019s legislation won\u2019t be the final version. That means we don\u2019t have a final analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation.","This version of the bill would spend $1.75 trillion over 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. With an estimated $658 billion in expanded tax credits for individuals and businesses, the net revenue increase would be about $1 trillion, according to the Tax Foundation.","But the proposals have never laid out cost figures. And they have not received a cost estimate by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office \u2014 the gold-standard source on pricing proposed federal programs."]},{"id":"2663.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says PolitiFact says Amendment 4 will force counties and cities across Florida to raise taxes and fees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. PolitiFact Florida has clarified that they never made the claim that Amendment 4 would force counties and cities across Florida to raise taxes and fees. They have explicitly stated that they did not make such a statement in any of their articles or Truth-O-Meter items. The claim made in the ad is inaccurate and misleading, as it falsely attributes a statement to PolitiFact that they never made.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!Ben Carson credited Thomas Jefferson with helping craft the Constitution during a Nov. 22 interview on C-SPAN. !Ben Carson credited Thomas Jefferson with helping craft the Constitution during a Nov. 22 interview on C-SPAN.","\"Jefferson is a human being and he says a lot of things in the course of his very long career,\" said J. Jefferson Looney, a historian at Monticello and editor of the \"Papers of Thomas Jefferson Retirement Series.\"","Ying Ma, a spokeswoman for Carson, backed the claim about Jefferson\u2019s role in crafting the Constitution by pointing to a biography of the third president posted on the Library of Congress website. It says, \"Although Thomas Jefferson was in France serving as United States minister when the federal constitution was written in 1787, he was able to influence the development of the federal government though his correspondence.\"","\"I\u2019m particularly impressed with Thomas Jefferson, who seemed to have a very deep insight into the way people would react and tried to craft a constitution in a way that would control people\u2019s natural tendencies and control the natural growth of government,\" Carson replied during a Nov. 22 broadcast on C-SPAN."]},{"id":"431.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"He took on special interests and won, passing the toughest ethics law yet.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama played a role in the 2007 congressional ethics debate and supported the ethics law, the statement overstates his influence and role in passing the legislation. The credit for passing the law primarily goes to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who were instrumental in finalizing the package and navigating the legislative process. While Obama's involvement was notable, attributing the passage of the law solely to him is an exaggeration. Additionally, the claim that it is the \"toughest ethics law yet\" is subjective and lacks clear evidence to support its absolute nature.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - U.S. Chamber says Rep. Tammy Baldwin backed raising taxes $858 billion by voting against extension of Bush-era tax cuts&url=)","In a TV ad, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says Baldwin supports raising taxes by $858 billion, citing her vote against a bill that primarily contained tax cuts.","There was never any doubt that opponents of U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, a Madison Democrat running for the U.S. Senate, would brand her as a liberal who loves taxes.","Until U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., announced her 2012 candidacy for the U.S. Senate, her campaign website displayed a 2006 news article that began with the words: \"Rep. Tammy Baldwin, one of the most liberal members of Congress.\""]},{"id":"10033.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland voted himself health care for life.","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland voted himself health care for life is false. The evidence provided does not support this claim, and there is no credible information or legislation to suggest that Southerland voted for such a measure. It is important to verify claims with accurate and reliable sources before making such assertions.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Availability at all times aside, we wondered, is it also so that wind-fueled power is lately cheaper in Texas than power drawn from fossil fuels? \"And dog meat in China is cheaper than Kobe beef in NYC,\" Stacy wrote, \"but it isn't the same thing, is it?\"","Even if Texas wind power may be cheaper for electricity than traditional fuels, other authorities told us there\u2019s at least one smart reason to keep the other fuels handy. Winds can die down, keeping turbines from spinning.","More recently, , based at the University of Pennsylvania, dug into Obama\u2019s claim in his 2016 State of the Union address that \"in fields from Iowa to Texas, wind power is now cheaper than dirtier, conventional power.\" Nationally, average coal and gas prices were running less than average wind power costs. Yet in Iowa and Texas, wind energy proved cheaper, according to an Energy Information Administration analyst.","Still, the report also cautions against comparing long-time purchase agreement prices for wind with shorter-term fluctuating prices of electricity from fossil fuels like coal. An \"important note\" says the presented prices don\u2019t reflect \"the full social costs of power generation and delivery.\""]},{"id":"8831.json","label":"false","statement":"John Cornyn backed his pal David Dewhurst for the U.S. Senate over Ted Cruz.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that John Cornyn did support David Dewhurst in the 2012 Senate election, as mentioned by Stockman. However, it does not explicitly state that Cornyn backed Dewhurst over Ted Cruz. The evidence does mention that Cruz started the race as a longshot and that Dewhurst made critical remarks about Cruz, but it does not provide conclusive evidence that Cornyn supported Dewhurst over Cruz. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided and is considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McCaul said the Obama administration, seeking to reduce the number of detention beds, plans to \"release hundreds of dangerous criminals into our communities.\"","Plus, McCaul said, the legislation had \"funding for ICE\u2019s 34,000 detention beds despite the administration\u2019s plans to reduce the number and release hundreds of dangerous criminals into our communities.\"","Truth-O-Meter article, \"McCaul said Obama administration plans to reduce detention beds, releasing hundreds of dangerous criminals,\" PolitiFact Texas, June 21, 2013","The administration has sought to shrink the number of beds devoted to holding individuals in detention, saying that would save money. If approved, this could lead to more individuals who face immigration proceedings not living behind bars. It also looks to us like the government is keeping its options open on releasing more immigration detainees if money runs tight."]},{"id":"9694.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since 1999, 440 people have been killed in attacks on church property in the United States.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances of violence and attacks on church property in the United States, the statement lacks some context. The evidence provided does mention that there have been more than 440 violent deaths on church and faith-based property since 1999, but it does not specify the nature of these incidents or whether they were all intentional attacks. It is important to note that the evidence does not provide a breakdown of the motives or circumstances surrounding these deaths. Therefore, while there have been instances of violence on church property, the statement lacks the necessary context to accurately assess the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For backup, the NRSC pointed us to Russ Feingold's 2004 campaign website, where it claimed, \"Russ cast the deciding vote in favor of the 1993 Deficit Reduction package.\"","In a news release, the National Republican Senatorial Committee said Russ Feingold cast the \"deciding vote\" for the largest tax increase in history.","PolitiFact National, \"In Colorado Senate race, Cory Gardner says Mark Udall 'passed Obamacare with his vote'\" (Mostly False), April 15, 2014","An Aug. 7, 2015, news release from the National Republican Senatorial Committee -- its weekly \"Feingold Flashback\" -- said Democrat Russ Feingold had cast the \"deciding vote for (the) \u2018largest tax increase\u2019 in history.\""]},{"id":"10946.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Scott Walker runs a state government that bans employees from talking about climate change.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the group Forecast the Facts initially claimed that Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin runs a state government that bans employees from discussing climate change, they later revised their statement to say that he supports state agencies that reportedly have such bans. However, there is no concrete evidence or official policy indicating that Governor Walker has implemented or supports any ban on discussing climate change within state agencies. Therefore, the claim that he runs a state government with such a ban is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10731.json","label":"true","statement":"We are in the sixth year of recovery, and median income is below what it was at the start of the recovery.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that, despite being in the sixth year of recovery, median income is still below the level it was at the start of the recovery. While there has been steady growth in disposable income since before the COVID-19 pandemic, the recovery has not yet brought median income back to pre-recovery levels. This indicates that while there has been overall economic growth, it has not been equally distributed, and median income has not fully recovered.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12271.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under the federal Controlled Substance Act, marijuana is listed in the same Schedule I as heroin, even though marijuana is not a killer drug like heroin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim that marijuana is listed in the same Schedule I as heroin under the federal Controlled Substance Act. While it is true that both marijuana and heroin are classified as Schedule I drugs, it is important to note that the statement also acknowledges that marijuana is not considered a \"killer drug\" like heroin. This distinction highlights the disparity in the classification of these substances, as marijuana is widely recognized as having less severe health risks compared to heroin. However, it's worth mentioning that the federal government, particularly under the Obama administration, has shown some leniency in enforcing the Schedule I classification for marijuana. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"8772.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Oregon Rep. Tina Kotek, D-Portland, has never held a job nor run a business","reason":"Reason: The statement that Oregon Rep. Tina Kotek has never held a job is false. Kotek has held various positions, including serving as a legislator and working as a self-employed consultant. While it is true that she has not run a traditional business with business cards, a website, or state filings, she has provided consulting services related to business operations for nonprofits. Therefore, the claim that she has never held a job or run a business is inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I was one of the few, very few, who voted `no\u2019 on the Iran deal,\" Brat, R-7th, said during an Aug. 10 breakfast with Henrico County business leaders.","\"On the Iran bill, you want to know one of the few people who voted `no\u2019 on the deal?\" Brat asked at speech that night at the University of Richmond. He answered by raising his hand.","Considering that Strickland was not in an elected office when Congress voted to approve the Iran nuclear deal in September 2015, it seems like an odd jab.","The congressman was in the minority on a 400-25 bipartisan vote to pass the procedures. Brat\u2019s statement implies that those who backed the bill supported the Iran deal. To the contrary, had the bill failed, Obama could have enacted the Iran deal without input from Congress. Almost 200 Republicans who voted for the procedures that allow them to have a say subsequently have signed a resolution opposing the Iran accord."]},{"id":"11383.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Its estimated we leave somewhere north of $350 billion a year - thats billion - a year on the table uncollected because IRS doesnt have the resources.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that an estimated amount of over $350 billion per year goes uncollected by the IRS due to resource limitations. However, it's important to note that the term \"resources\" can encompass various factors, including staffing, technology, and funding. While resource constraints may contribute to the IRS's inability to collect the full amount, it is not the sole reason for the uncollected funds. Other factors such as tax evasion, loopholes, and complexities in the tax system also play a role. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete explanation of the reasons behind the uncollected amount.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12280.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Nevada state Sen. Michael Roberson forced Common Core for Nevada schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Nevada state Sen. Michael Roberson forced Common Core for Nevada schools is partially true. While it is accurate that Roberson played a role in supporting and implementing Common Core in Nevada schools as the senate majority leader, it is important to note that Common Core was not solely forced by him. Common Core is a set of educational standards that were adopted by multiple states, including Nevada, through a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders. Therefore, while Roberson had a hand in the implementation of Common Core, it would be misleading to attribute its adoption solely to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7092.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2011, our state-run lottery funded New Jersey classrooms by over $930 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. In 2011, the state-run lottery in New Jersey did indeed contribute over $930 million to fund education and other social services. While the initial wording on the website may have been slightly misleading by stating that the lottery specifically funded \"New Jersey classrooms,\" the updated version clarifies that the funds supported classrooms and other services. Therefore, the overall claim that the lottery provided significant funding for New Jersey classrooms is accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["More people became eligible for health insurance through Medicaid after passage of the Affordable Care Act. The law expanded eligibility for the poor, though states could choose not to participate in the expansion.","!As president, Democrat Barack Obama (left) proposed a \"full expansion\" of Medicaid through his Affordable Care Act, offering states additional federal money. Gov. Scott Walker rejected the offer. !As president, Democrat Barack Obama (left) proposed a \"full expansion\" of Medicaid through his Affordable Care Act, offering states additional federal money. Gov. Scott Walker rejected the offer.","The marketplace was the way to sign up -- often through a government website -- for individual private insurance under the Affordable Care Act.","As president, Democrat Barack Obama (left) proposed a \"full expansion\" of Medicaid through his Affordable Care Act, offering states additional federal money. Gov. Scott Walker rejected the offer."]},{"id":"8904.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Social Security was advocated in the 1930s as a way of getting people to quit working, because they thought we were confined to a permanent scarcity of jobs in this country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that George Will made the claim that Social Security was advocated in the 1930s as a means to encourage people to quit working due to a perceived scarcity of jobs, this statement is misleading and lacks important context. The primary goal of Social Security was to provide financial security and retirement benefits for elderly and disabled individuals, not to discourage work. The intention was to create a social safety net and alleviate poverty among vulnerable populations. While some critics may argue that Social Security can create disincentives to work, it is incorrect to suggest that the program was initially designed with the purpose of getting people to quit working. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The ad says that Obama's plan to raise capital gains taxes \"hurts the middle class,\" but it's hard to see how that's true of a tax that directly affects \u2014 at most \u2014 11 percent of a very generous definition of the middle class. Are there a few middle-class people who pay the tax? Sure. But on the whole, capital gains taxes are disproportionately paid by higher-income brackets. We find the RNC's claim to be Barely True.","\"While families face tough times his ideas to raise taxes are out of touch. His promise to nearly double the capital gains tax hurts the middle class,\" it states.","But would raising the capital gains tax hurt the middle class? We conclude the answer is largely no: Only a small percentage of middle-class taxpayers pay capital gains taxes, no more than 11 percent. On the other hand, among higher-income taxpayers, about 51 percent pay the capital gains taxes.","President Obama is proposing tax increases on the capital income of upper income taxpayers and higher taxes on heirs to fund tax reductions for middle income families and college students. The biggest tax increase on the list involves a higher top tax rate for capital gains and dividends. The Treasury estimates that the entire package of tax increases will raise $320 billion over ten years. The revenue will be used in part to pay for some $200 billion in middle income tax breaks."]},{"id":"550.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I didn't say\" it doesn't really matter whether Gore or Bush is president.","reason":"Reason: While there is no direct evidence of Ralph Nader explicitly stating that it doesn't matter whether Gore or Bush is president, there are multiple instances where he failed to challenge statements made by others suggesting that he held that view. This lack of challenge could be interpreted as tacit agreement or at least a failure to clarify his stance. Therefore, while Nader did not explicitly make the statement himself, his failure to dispute it when others made the claim contributes to the perception that he held that belief.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We wondered about Nelson\u2019s claim that the House Zika bill \"limits access to birth control services needed to help curb the spread of the virus,\" in Puerto Rico.","\"\"The House Zika bill is a disaster,\" Nelson said June 24, 2016. \"Not only does it take $500 million in health care funding away from Puerto Rico, it limits access to birth control services needed to help curb the spread of the virus and prevent terrible birth defects. This is not a serious solution.\"","On the Senate floor in June, Florida Democrat Bill Nelson argued that this would limit access \"to birth control services needed to help curb the spread of the virus and prevent terrible birth defects.\" He said the House measure was not \"a serious solution.\"","Nelson, along with many other Democrats, said the Zika funding bill would limit access to family planning and contraceptives that would help stop the spread of the Zika virus. The legislation would have blocked the flow of money to one organization, Profamilias, the Planned Parenthood chapter in Puerto Rico."]},{"id":"11974.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There isnt a single (Texas) legislator under the age of 30, even though millennials make up 25 percent of the electorate in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that there are no legislators under the age of 30 in Texas. This has been confirmed by various sources and is supported by the evidence provided. Additionally, the statement correctly highlights that millennials make up a significant portion of the electorate in Texas, with an estimated 25 percent. However, it's important to note that the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific definition and age range used to classify millennials. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it could benefit from additional context regarding the specific age range and definition of millennials.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cruz said the claim that 40 percent of guns are sold without background checks traces to information gathered before background checks were required.","Ted Cruz says claim that 40 percent of guns are sold without background checks traces to study done before checks were required","( - Ted Cruz says claim that 40 percent of guns are sold without background checks traces to study done before checks were required&url=)","PolitiFact, \"Ted Cruz says claim that 40 percent of guns are sold without background checks traces to study done before checks were required,\"Feb. 4, 2013"]},{"id":"10339.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that in 2008, President Barack Obama said normalization with Cuba would first require liberation of all political prisoners and some basic steps toward freedom, including freedom of the press, political parties, labor unions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Diaz-Balart that in 2008, President Barack Obama stated that normalization with Cuba would require the liberation of all political prisoners and some basic steps toward freedom, including freedom of the press, political parties, and labor unions. The evidence provided supports this claim, with Diaz-Balart referencing Obama's statement during a press conference. However, it's important to note that the subsequent actions and agreements between the United States and Cuba did not strictly adhere to these specific conditions. While some political prisoners were released and there were pledges to loosen Internet controls, the full extent of the conditions mentioned by Obama was not met. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but should be understood in the context of subsequent developments.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7687.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States currently has the highest corporate tax rate in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The United States does have the highest statutory corporate tax rate among developed countries. However, it's important to note that when considering deductions and other exclusions, the effective corporate tax rate may differ. While the statement accurately reflects the highest statutory rate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the overall tax burden faced by corporations in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13082.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I finished the controversyabout wherePresident Barack Obama was born.","reason":"Reason: The controversy surrounding Barack Obama's birthplace has been thoroughly debunked. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, as confirmed by his birth certificate and various credible sources. Claims suggesting otherwise have been discredited and lack any factual basis. Therefore, the statement that the controversy has been settled is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10322.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Georgia has had 12 school shootings in the two years since the mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary School, more than any other state.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Georgia has experienced a significant number of school shootings since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the statement that Georgia has had 12 school shootings in the two years since the incident is not accurate. The evidence provided states that Georgia has had 12 school shootings since the mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, which is a span of more than two years. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the timeframe and exaggerates the number of school shootings in Georgia within that specific period.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["While the cut didn\u2019t happen until his second budget, and isn\u2019t as targeted at people making less as he had originally proposed \u2014 about three-quarters of the tax cuts would go to those making $100,000 or more a year \u2014 it still accomplishes his end goal.","Says Gov. Tony Evers \"wanted to increase your taxes by $1 billion just for heating your homes. Instead, Republicans cut your taxes by more than $2 billion.\"","Evers did plan to raise taxes by $1 billion, although his plan would have included tax cuts for lower-income Wisconsinites. And Republicans did include the largest tax cut in history in their version of the budget that passed in July.","Darling claimed that Wisconsin Republicans stopped Evers from raising taxes by $1 billion and instead gave residents the largest tax cut in the state\u2019s history."]},{"id":"10003.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"David Perdue opposes laws that provide equal pay protections for women.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that David Perdue opposes all laws that provide equal pay protections for women, there is no evidence to support this claim. Perdue's campaign spokesman clarified that Perdue does not support a specific bill because he believes that the Equal Pay Act of 1963 already establishes the principle of equal pay for equal work. Therefore, it is an oversimplification to assert that Perdue opposes all laws providing equal pay protections for women. The statement lacks nuance and misrepresents Perdue's position on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Given her judicial philosophy, JoAnne Kloppenburg has told us she thinks it's her job to promote a more equal society. She will most definitely introduce her social and political beliefs into her decision making.\"","Kloppenburg has said that, but she also says more. Kloppenburg declares that her judicial philosophy is to uphold the U.S. Constitution, and that in her view, the fundamental principles of the Constitution are to \"protect individual rights and promote a more equal society.\"","Kloppenburg declares that her judicial philosophy is to uphold the U.S. Constitution, and that in her view, the fundamental principles of the Constitution are to \"protect individual rights and promote a more equal society.\"","But Kloppenburg also states that in her judicial philosophy, the key principles of the Constitution are protecting individual rights and promoting a more equal society. That echoes the claim made by Bradley."]},{"id":"8694.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A quarter of our workers make $18,000 per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Teresa Ghilarducci, an economist, stated that one-quarter of American workers make $18,000 per year, which is supported by census data. However, it's important to note that Ghilarducci's statement refers to low-wage workers who earn 45 percent of the median wage, which is currently $18,000 per year. Therefore, while a quarter of workers may fall into this low-wage category, it doesn't necessarily mean that all workers are making exactly $18,000 per year. The statement lacks this crucial context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11270.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Twenty-three million Americans suffer from addiction, but only 1 in 10 get treatment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton that 23 million Americans suffer from addiction, but only 1 in 10 receive treatment. The evidence provided supports this claim, stating that approximately 22.7 million Americans needed treatment for drug and alcohol problems, but only about 2.5 million received treatment at a specialty facility. While the exact ratio may not be precise, the evidence suggests that the statement is mostly true, as it highlights a significant treatment gap for individuals struggling with addiction.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1553.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Reconciliation was used \"for tax cuts for the rich twice under Bush.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that reconciliation was used for tax cuts under the Bush administration. The Bush tax cuts, enacted through the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, did include tax reductions that benefited individuals across different income levels, including higher-income individuals. While it is important to note that the tax cuts were not exclusively for the rich and also provided relief for other taxpayers, the statement captures the general idea that reconciliation was utilized for tax cuts that had an impact on wealthier individuals.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10847.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We had an agreement that the president could have signed that would have kept 10,000 troops in Iraq.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were discussions about leaving a residual force of 10,000 troops in Iraq, there was no formal agreement reached between the United States and Iraq to keep such a force in the country. The Obama administration did consider the option of leaving a smaller force, but negotiations with Iraq ultimately broke down, and no agreement was reached that met the conditions set by the United States. Therefore, the statement that there was an agreement that the president could have signed to keep 10,000 troops in Iraq is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Ronald Reagan called America 'a shining city on a hill,' \" Obama said. \"Donald Trump calls it 'a divided crime scene' that only he can fix. It doesn\u2019t matter to him that illegal immigration and the crime rate are as low as they\u2019ve been in decades, because he\u2019s not offering any real solutions to those issues. He\u2019s just offering slogans, and he\u2019s offering fear. He\u2019s betting that if he scares enough people, he might score just enough votes to win this election.\"","PolitiFact, \"Barack Obama, in Austin, says illegal immigration at 40-year low,\" March 17, 2016 \"Donald Trump said, 'Crime is rising.' It's not (and hasn't been for decades),\" June 7, 2016; \"Rep. Gutierrez says fewer people crossing border than in last 30 years,\" July 26, 2016;","\u201cGas prices highest in a decade. Worst jobs report in 2 decades. Highest inflation in 3 decades. Highest increase in illegal immigration in 4 decades.\u201d","Contrary to what Trump has repeatedly contended, the crime rate in the United States has been on the decline for years."]},{"id":"8693.json","label":"false","statement":"We dont show people playing these games. We dont show them winning playing the video lottery games.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence that contradicts the claim made by Roberts, the former labor commissioner of Oregon. The ads for the Oregon Lottery do, in fact, show people playing and winning video lottery games. The evidence includes scenes of individuals celebrating and cheering after winning, as well as displaying winning combinations on the game screens. Therefore, the statement that the ads do not depict people playing or winning video lottery games is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Between 2008 and 2014, \"criminal aliens accounted for 38 percent of all murder convictions in the five states of California, Texas, Arizona, Florida and New York.\"","Several readers asked us to look into Tancredo\u2019s core statement that between 2008 and 2014, \"criminal aliens accounted for 38 percent of all murder convictions in the five states of California, Texas, Arizona, Florida and New York.\"","\"During those years, criminal aliens accounted for 38 percent of all murder convictions in the five states of California, Texas, Arizona, Florida and New York, while illegal aliens constitute only 5.6 percent of the total population in those states.\"","We should note that Simpson\u2019s numbers are the basis for Tancredo\u2019s claim that criminal aliens accounted for 38 percent of all murder convictions in the five states of California, Texas, Arizona, Florida and New York."]},{"id":"6530.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve got the highest corporate tax rate in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including lawmakers and analyses by organizations such as the Tax Foundation, have indicated that the United States has one of the highest corporate tax rates among industrialized nations. While it's important to note that specific rankings may vary depending on factors such as tax deductions and incentives, the general consensus is that the U.S. corporate tax rate is among the highest globally.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["All of this begs a question: Would Brat have been accurate if he had cited the latest CBO report and said repealing Obamacare would save the U.S. more than $1.7 trillion?","\"This budget fulfills Republicans\u2019\u2019 pledge to voters to repeal Obamacare in its entirety -- including all of the tax increases, job-killing regulations and mandates -- saving our nation more than $2 trillion,\" Brat, R-7th, said in a written statement. He tweeted a similar message.","Brat says the repeal of Obamacare, as envisioned in the House GOP budget proposal, would save \"our nation more than $2 trillion.\" The congressman, an economist, gets his figure from an outdated CBO estimate of 10-year ACA costs. An updated analysis, published eight days before Brat\u2019s statement, put the cost at $1.75 trillion.","We wondered whether the death of Obamacare -- formally known as the Affordable Care Act -- really would save the U.S. more than $2 trillion."]},{"id":"3880.json","label":"false","statement":"The states tax burden has, according to census figures released today, cost our state another 190,000 residents in 2009.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the state's tax burden has caused a loss of 190,000 residents in 2009. The evidence discusses the tax burden and job openings in different states, but it does not provide any data or information specifically about population loss due to tax burden. It is important to rely on accurate and relevant data when making claims about population trends.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Atlanta Tea Party Patriots co-founder Debbie Dooley: \"Statistics show that more people at this time telecommute than they ride carpools, mass transit, bicycle or walk.\"","\"Statistics show that more people at this time telecommute than they ride carpools, mass transit, bicycle or walk,\" Atlanta Tea Party Patriots co-founder Debbie Dooley said during a June 12 forum organized by the Civic League for Regional Atlanta.","The most recent Census Bureau data show more people telecommute in the Atlanta area than use public transit, bike or walk to work. The national census data show slightly more people use public transit than telecommute.","The study did not compare mass transit trip times to car commutes or look into how these mass transit projects would affect traffic congestion."]},{"id":"8927.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Nonpartisan government analysts say Obamacare will cost our economy up to 2.5 million jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that nonpartisan government analysts projected that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) could lead to a reduction in work hours equivalent to about 2.5 million full-time jobs by 2024, it does not mean that it will directly result in the loss of 2.5 million jobs. The distinction is crucial because the reduction in work hours is primarily due to individuals choosing to work fewer hours or leave the workforce voluntarily, as they may have access to subsidized insurance. It is important to accurately represent the findings of the nonpartisan analysts to avoid misconceptions about the impact of the law on job numbers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"First of all we have constitutional amendment that says that there's a ban on drilling right off Florida's coast,\" she said. \"So the devil's in the details \u2026\"","Republican gubernatorial candidate Paula Dockery said in a video interview that there\u2019s a constitutional amendment that protects Florida\u2019s coastline from oil drilling.","Fueling the debate is President Barack Obama's plans to lift drilling barriers farther from the shore. He wants to open up the Atlantic from Delaware to central Florida and plans to ask Congress to repeal a ban on drilling in the gulf within 125 miles of Florida's beaches.","One expert we consulted, advocate Adam Rivera at Environmental Florida, which likewise opposes drilling, wondered if the senator\u2019s soundbite was actually \"wishful thinking on her part -- and ours. Hey, if she\u2019s looking to get that process started, we\u2019re right there with her.\""]},{"id":"469.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A gas tax holiday \"would at best provide 30 cents a day for three months for a grand total of $28.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimated savings from a gas tax holiday. According to Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, a three-month gas tax holiday would save owners of a pickup truck $66.24 and owners of a compact car $26.52. While the statement mentions a slightly lower figure of $28, it aligns with the general estimate of savings provided by a gas tax holiday. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4117.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says recent polls show Americans agree with Republicans that the federal debt ceiling should not be raised and the debt and deficit should be dealt with mostly by cutting spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Josh Trevi\u00f1o regarding recent Gallup polls. According to Trevi\u00f1o, a plurality of Americans (42%) oppose raising the debt ceiling, and a majority (50%) believe that the debt and deficit should be addressed mostly through spending cuts. These poll results suggest alignment between the views of Americans and Republicans on these issues. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive overview of all recent polls, and there may be other polls with differing results. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the specific polls mentioned, it should be understood within the context of those particular surveys.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5611.json","label":"true","statement":"New business startups are at the lowest levels in 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence, including a claim made by House Speaker John Boehner that new business startups are at the lowest levels in 30 years. This claim was rated as true by PolitiFact, as the rate of startups per thousand people and the total number of startups per year were lower than in 1977. Therefore, the evidence confirms that new business startups are indeed at the lowest levels in 30 years.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10661.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida is one of the few states that has actually had a narrowing of the achievement gap based on income, or based on race or ethnicity.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that Florida has experienced a narrowing of the achievement gap based on income or race\/ethnicity. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not explicitly mention the achievement gap in Florida. Therefore, while there is supporting evidence for the statement, it would be more accurate to say that there is some indication or evidence suggesting a narrowing of the achievement gap in Florida, rather than making a definitive claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8219.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Ken Cuccinelli supported a law that could allow people to carry missile launchers into airports.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ken Cuccinelli voted against making it a misdemeanor to carry a missile into an airport terminal in 2004, it is misleading to suggest that he supported a law that would allow people to carry missile launchers into airports. The claim lacks important context. The legislation in question was specifically focused on making it a misdemeanor offense, rather than a felony, to carry a missile into an airport. It is important to note that federal laws and regulations already prohibit the possession of missiles and other dangerous weapons in airports. Therefore, while Cuccinelli's vote may have been against a specific misdemeanor charge, it does not mean he supported allowing missile launchers or other dangerous weapons in airports.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5873.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio says troops are leaving Iraq too fast.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has expressed the view that troops are leaving Iraq too fast. While the specific details or context surrounding his statement may not be fully provided, the evidence confirms that Rubio has made remarks regarding the pace of troop withdrawal from Iraq.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9087.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Medicare has spent $172 million on penis pumps in the last five years at $360 a pop.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the report, which states that Medicare paid a total of $172.4 million for penis pumps over a six-year period. While the spending was measured over six years, not the exact five years mentioned, the overall figure aligns with the statement. The report also confirms that Medicare paid an average of about $364 per pump. However, it's important to note that the report did not address the appropriateness of Medicare covering penis pumps but focused on whether Medicare was paying excessive rates for them. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that the report did not evaluate the appropriateness of Medicare covering these devices.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a radio interview, Christie claimed that in Obama\u2019s first two years, the president had \"huge majorities in the House and Senate, and did nothing with them to create jobs in America.\"","\"But remember this: (Obama) can complain about Republicans in the House as much as he wants,\" Christie said during an interview on the \"New Hampshire Today\" radio show. \"But in the first two years, he had, you know, huge majorities in the House and Senate, and did nothing with them to create jobs in America.\"","!Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said on CBS' \"Face the Nation\" that President Barack Obama \u201chad the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson.\u201d We see if he's right. !Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said on CBS' \"Face the Nation\" that President Barack Obama \u201chad the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson.\u201d We see if he's right.","Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said on CBS' \"Face the Nation\" that President Barack Obama \u201chad the biggest Democratic majorities in Congress since Lyndon Johnson.\u201d We see if he's right."]},{"id":"12900.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ted Strickland stands in lockstep with Hillary Clinton and the abortion lobby in their desire to force Americans to pay for abortion on demand, up until the moment of birth, with their taxpayer dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates and misrepresents the positions of Ted Strickland and Hillary Clinton regarding abortion. While both Strickland and Clinton support access to abortion services, there is no evidence to suggest that they advocate for \"abortion on demand\" up until the moment of birth or forcing Americans to pay for abortions with taxpayer dollars. Such claims are misleading and lack factual basis. It is important to accurately represent the positions of political figures to foster informed discussions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8056.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most of the U.S. Senate is comprised of multimillionaires.","reason":"Reason: While it is not accurate to say that \"most\" of the U.S. Senate is comprised of multimillionaires, it is true that a significant number of senators have a net worth exceeding $1 million. Roughly two-thirds of U.S. senators are millionaires, as confirmed by data and analysis from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. However, the term \"multimillionaires\" implies a higher threshold of wealth, which is not applicable to a majority of senators. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the term \"multimillionaires\" should be clarified to accurately reflect the data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks at a campaign event for U.S. House candidate Nancy Mace in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo\/Meg Kinnard) !U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks at a campaign event for U.S. House candidate Nancy Mace in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo\/Meg Kinnard)","In an interview on Fox News, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the U.S. is unusually permissive on abortion relative to the rest of the world.","U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks at a campaign event for U.S. House candidate Nancy Mace in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo\/Meg Kinnard)","In 2016 and 2018, Sen. Lindsey Graham stated that a Supreme Court vacancy should not be filled in an election year, or certainly not after primaries had begun."]},{"id":"9766.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Far more children died last year drowning in their bathtubs than were killed accidentally by guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is categorically false. The available data from 2011 clearly shows that accidental gun deaths among children were higher than deaths from drowning in bathtubs. In fact, for children aged 5 and above, guns were three times more deadly than bathtubs. The statement made by Carlson is not only incorrect but also misleading, as it fails to provide an accurate comparison between the two causes of death. The data contradicts the claim, and therefore, it can be labeled as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A day later, KVUE-TV, Channel 24 in Austin, quotedRobinson saying that every day, 150 people move into the five-county Austin area and 40 residents move out, leaving 110 net migrants. And a March 2014 American-Statesman news story said bureau estimates indicated that since April 2010, net migration into Austin\u2019s five-county metro area was 110 people a day, with an additional 30 per day added, the story said, because area births outpaced deaths.Of the 140 people added each day, the story said, 81 settled in Travis County.","But in 2014, we found Mostly False a claim that 110 people a day were moving to Austin alone. That figure was in the ballpark for the number of people moving to the five-county region, as Ryan Robinson, the city demographer, reaffirmed in a 2018 statement he emailed to our renewed inquiry. We concluded before, though, that Austin alone was netting perhaps 40 to 60 additional residents a day.","But Austin alone? The latest estimates we found for the city -- the entity most affected by the road-and-rails package Rife was discussing when she declared her 110 -- signal that even more people move into the city each day. Yet that's counterbalanced by nearly as many people moving out -- leaving a balance of perhaps 40 to 60 settled newcomers a day.","Along similar lines, Rife later told us she should have said 110 people are moving to the \"area\" rather than just \"Austin.\""]},{"id":"5520.json","label":"true","statement":"In the last two years, super PACs raised more than $180 million -- with roughly half of it coming from fewer than 200 super-rich people and roughly 20 percent from corporations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Johnson, stating that in the last two years, super PACs raised over $180 million, with approximately half of the funds coming from fewer than 200 wealthy individuals and roughly 20 percent from corporations. This information is supported by the data from the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP), which indicates that the top 100 super PAC donors contributed around 57 percent of the total donations for the 2012 election cycle. While the exact percentage may vary slightly, the statement captures the general trend of a significant portion of super PAC funds being contributed by a small number of wealthy individuals and corporations.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3835.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"House Republicans required the use of Styrofoam cups in House cafeterias that are part of Koch Industries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that House Republicans required the use of Styrofoam cups in House cafeterias that are part of Koch Industries. In fact, the decision to switch to Styrofoam products was based on a review that revealed increased energy consumption and higher costs associated with the use of biodegradable corn-based utensils. The assertion linking House Republicans, Styrofoam, and Koch Industries is unfounded and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"We\u2019re spending $12,000 bucks a kid a year in the school system. If they\u2019re not getting art training that\u2019s the fault of the school system and that needs to be rectified,\" McIntire said on Think Out Loud.","His larger point is that the district, spending roughly $12,000 a student, has enough money to pay for arts and music classes. A higher number just makes his point stronger.","We will not rule on McIntire\u2019s revised statement that the district spends about $15,000 on each student a year. He and others may think that\u2019s a better estimate of how much money the district has -- and therefore, what it can afford to spend on arts education -- but that\u2019s not what he said publicly. We will rule on the $12,000 per student figure instead.","There we found that the actual amount of money spent statewide per student, on average, in 2010-11 was $9,362. In Portland Public Schools, the per student spending was higher at $11,830. That is very close to $12,000. To short-circuit the process, we asked Shelby the spokesman if Portland Public Schools officials were comfortable with that breakdown. He said they were."]},{"id":"7495.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Research found that over the course of the existence of the Brady Bill ban, the use of assault weapons in crimes decreased by two thirds.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While the research mentioned in the evidence does indicate that the use of semi-automatic rifles and assault weapons has contributed to an increase in high-fatality shootings over time, it does not specifically address the impact of the Brady Bill ban on the use of assault weapons in crimes. The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that the use of assault weapons in crimes decreased by two-thirds over the course of the Brady Bill ban. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Facing off against mayoral opponents Brigid Shea and Clay Dafoe in an April 16, 2012, forum on KXAN-TV, Channel 36, Leffingwell said, \"The City of Austin has the lowest property tax rate by far of the five major cities in Texas, including Fort Worth, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.\"","We checked the numbers with the districts and center, and found Austin\u2019s property tax rate was the lowest, considerably, of Texas\u2019 five biggest cities, as Leffingwell said. The full list: Fort Worth, 85.5 cents per $100 of appraised value; Dallas, 79.7 cents; Houston, 63.875 cents; San Antonio, 56.5569 cents, Austin, 48.11 cents.","However, Skaggs didn\u2019t provide nor did we find a sign of Austin ranking first in tax growth among the country\u2019s major cities.","From 2009 to 2013, Austin\u2019s effective tax rate on a median-priced home increased from 1.93 percent to 2.22 percent; that bump amounted to the 11th-greatest increase (0.29 points) in the 50 biggest cities. As of that year, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Jacksonville and Chicago were the cities more populous than Austin that ranked higher by this indicator. In this instance, the effective rate is not the rate by which a government unit can generate the revenue it raised the year before. Rather, the study defines the effective rate as the total tax on a median-priced home divided by its total value, which takes into account variations in assessment rates and value exemptions across localities. While Austin\u2019s effective tax rate in 2013 was ahead of its rate in 2009, it was less than the 2.44 percent rate of 2005."]},{"id":"10786.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Tyler Perrys plan to turn a majority of the former Fort McPherson into a film and television studio is expected to add over 8,000 new jobs to Atlanta.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Tyler Perry's plan to turn a majority of the former Fort McPherson into a film and television studio, which is expected to create thousands of new jobs in Atlanta. However, without additional context or evidence, it is unclear whether the plan will specifically add over 8,000 new jobs. While the project has the potential to generate significant employment opportunities, the exact number of jobs created may vary and depend on various factors such as the scale and success of the studio. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precise information regarding the number of jobs expected to be added.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Christie shot back, \"Let\u2019s get the facts straight. First of all, I didn\u2019t support Sonia Sotomayor.\" He then continued to dispute the rest of Rubio\u2019s statement.","The day before the Supreme Court nomination hearing for Sonia Sotomayor began, Sen. Jon Kyl said President Barack Obama's nominee was losing the support of the American public.","He continued: \"I support her appointment to the Supreme Court and urge the Senate to keep politics out of the process and confirm her nomination. Qualified appointees should be confirmed and deserve bipartisan support. Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito deserved that support based on their work as Circuit Court Judges. So does Judge Sotomayor. As a result, I support her confirmation. This is a historic moment and her inspiring success story should not only make the Latino community proud, but all Americans.\"","But two months later, he made comments that showed some support for her confirmation -- although he again said that Sotomayor would not have been his choice."]},{"id":"12253.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Richmond teachers have not gotten a raise for almost 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Richmond teachers have not received a raise for almost 10 years is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there have been periods of time when Richmond teachers did not receive salary increases, it is not a blanket statement that applies to all teachers in Richmond for the entire 10-year period. There have been instances of pay freezes and limited salary adjustments, but it is important to consider the specific timeframes and circumstances involved. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You can look at the propaganda on a lot of the terrorists' sites and what Donald Trump says about Muslims is used to recruit fighters.\"","Clinton said, \"you can look at the propaganda on a lot of the terrorists' sites and what Donald Trump says about Muslims is used to recruit fighters.\"","\"And indeed you can look at the propaganda on a lot of the terrorists' sites and what Donald Trump says about Muslims is used to recruit fighters,\" Clinton said at the Oct. 9 square-off in St. Louis, Mo.","\"When you say we're going to bar all Muslims, you are sending a message to the Muslim world and you're also sending a message to the terrorists because we now do have evidence,\" Clinton said May 19 on CNN. \"We have seen how Donald Trump is being used to essentially be a recruiter for more people to join the cause of terrorism.\""]},{"id":"3376.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsin state and local government workers pay $500, $600 or in some cases, $1,000 per year in union dues.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker that state and local government workers in Wisconsin pay union dues ranging from $500 to $1,000 per year. Governor Walker himself made this statement multiple times, and there is evidence to support the claim that thousands of public employees in Wisconsin do pay dues in that range. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the percentage of workers who fall within this range, so it is unclear how representative this is of the entire workforce. Nevertheless, based on the available evidence, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9217.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When you get a commercial pilots license, you learn to communicate in English no matter where you are in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. When obtaining a commercial pilot's license, pilots are indeed required to learn and communicate in English, regardless of their location in the world. English is the international language of aviation and is used for communication between pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation personnel. However, it's important to note that there may be some exceptions or additional language requirements depending on specific regulations in certain countries or regions. Overall, the statement accurately reflects the general practice in the aviation industry.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Many familiar names show up in this list, such as Wells Fargo, Boeing, Verizon and General Electric. In the study\u2019s three-year span, those 30 companies had pre-tax profits of about $160 billion, but their direct contribution to the federal treasury was zero.","For the purpose of this fact-check, we\u2019re going to focus on the first part of that tweet -- that Biden has created more jobs than any other president in his first seven months in office.","U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee on Sept. 3, 2021 took to Twitter to credit President Joe Biden with a historic upturn in the number of new jobs:","First, let\u2019s look at how many jobs have been created in 2021, starting in February, the first full month of Biden\u2019s presidency, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:"]},{"id":"10181.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"25,000 businesses have been created since (Scott) Walker took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 25,000 businesses have been created since Scott Walker took office is an oversimplification. While it is true that the Scott Walker administration claims there has been an increase of over 25,000 new businesses in Wisconsin since he took office, this number does not necessarily represent the net increase in businesses. It is important to consider factors such as business closures and the overall economic climate when evaluating the actual growth in the number of businesses. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Republican Tyler Kistner, making his second consecutive campaign for a U.S. House seat in Minnesota, made his claim about skullduggery in the dark.","Craig defeated Kistner in 2020 by 48% to 46%. Campaign watchers rate their rematch as \"Democratic toss up\", \"tilt Democratic\" and toss up.","Republicans campaigning for office are running ads that hammer President Joe Biden\u2019s management of the U.S.-Mexico border. They claim that the administration is using planes to fly \"illegal immigrants\" around the country.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic."]},{"id":"8202.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Americas gun-related homicide rate would be about the same as Belgiums if you left out California, Illinois, D.C. and New Jersey, places with some of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that California, Illinois, D.C., and New Jersey have stricter gun control laws, it is misleading to claim that excluding these states would make America's gun-related homicide rate comparable to Belgium's. The claim ignores the fact that there are other factors contributing to the difference in gun-related homicide rates between the United States and Belgium, such as cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic differences. Additionally, Belgium has its own unique set of circumstances and gun control policies that cannot be equated to simply excluding certain states in the United States. Therefore, the statement is not supported by evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Our problem isn't with Iowa as a state, it's with its bloated role in the American elections,\" Noah said. \"I don't understand, especially because Iowa's Republican caucus stopped mattering years ago. It in no way determines the party nominee, let alone the general election winners. Ask Mike Huckabee and even less-President Rick Santorum.\"","Noah said that the Republican Iowa caucuses \"stopped mattering years ago\" and \"in no way determines the party nominee.\" Noah has a point about the track record of the GOP caucus picking the eventual nominee, but he pushes it too far when he says they have no impact on the nomination process. Generally, winning or doing reasonably well in Iowa puts a candidate on the path to the nomination.","We thought we\u2019d look into Noah\u2019s assertion that Iowa\u2019s GOP caucus no longer matters and that it \"in no way determines the party nominee.\"","If you measure the Republican Iowa caucus against who gets the nomination, it does poorly. But political scientist Dennis Goldford at Drake University in Iowa said that\u2019s a false premise. Goldford said he doesn\u2019t know any serious observer who expects that out of Iowa."]},{"id":"6390.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In her nearly decade and (a) half in Congress, Tammy Baldwin has sponsored 105 bills. Only three have been enacted into law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Fitzgerald regarding the number of bills sponsored by Tammy Baldwin and the number of bills that have been enacted into law. According to the evidence provided, Baldwin has sponsored 105 bills, and only three of them have become law. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or compare Baldwin's record to that of other lawmakers, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of her productivity in Congress.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Donald can't criticize her policies,\" Cruz said May 1, 2016, on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press. \"You know why? Because he supports them. Donald and Hillary, they're flipsides of the same coin. They've both gotten rich exploiting Washington, exploiting government power. So Donald can't criticize Hillary Clinton on Planned Parenthood, because he agrees with her. They both say it's terrific and that it should keep taxpayer funding.\"","Feb. 13, 2016: Trump and Cruz sparred over Planned Parenthood directly at a South Carolina debate. \"Donald didn't disagree with the substance that he supports taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood,\" Cruz said. \"And Donald has this weird pattern \u2014 when you point to his own record he screams, 'Liar, liar, liar.'\"","Trump and Clinton seem to agree that Planned Parenthood does some positive work as it pertains to things like cancer prevention, and Trump has described that work as \"wonderful.\" However, Clinton supports their abortion services, and Trump does not. He thinks Planned Parenthood should not receive taxpayer dollars as long as they provide abortions. Clinton, on the other hand, has said Planned Parenthood should receive even more funding than it does now.","Even before Donald Trump\u2019s Republican rivals bowed out, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton posted a video warning about a potential Trump presidency."]},{"id":"10048.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Michelle Nunn ranks agriculture issues as the 18th most important items facing Georgia.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that agriculture is listed as the 18th priority in a specific ranking of issues, it is important to note that this ranking is based on the need for completion and does not necessarily reflect Michelle Nunn's personal opinion or stance on the importance of agriculture. The statement could be misleading if it implies that Nunn herself ranks agriculture as the 18th most important issue facing Georgia. It is crucial to consider the context and clarify that the ranking is based on a specific criteria and not a direct reflection of Nunn's priorities.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1037.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the 100 days since its passage, the economic stimulus has \"saved or created nearly 150,000 jobs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that the economic stimulus has \"saved or created nearly 150,000 jobs\" in the 100 days since its passage is difficult to evaluate without specific evidence or data to support it. While economic stimulus packages can have a positive impact on job creation, it is challenging to attribute a specific number of jobs directly to the stimulus within a specific timeframe. Job creation is influenced by various factors, and it is often challenging to isolate the precise impact of a single policy or measure. Without more concrete evidence or data, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5681.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Texas retained the right to have a navy when it joined the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Texas retained the right to have its own navy when it joined the United States. Historians and experts have confirmed that Texas ceded its ships to the U.S. Navy through various official documents and treaties. The claim of Texas retaining its own navy is not only incorrect but also lacks any basis in historical fact.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10872.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Ted Cruz said: While there may have been an age difference, Josh Duggars transgressions are far less an affront to God than what gays do to each other.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that Ted Cruz made the statement attributed to him regarding Josh Duggar and the LGBTQ+ community. This statement is false and misleading. It is important to verify information with credible sources before accepting and sharing such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4001.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The WIC program is an incredibly cost effective program, serving nearly 10 million Americans each year and costing less than $100 per person. In my district, more than 18 percent of residents suffer from food insecurity and depend on WIC to make ends meet.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The claim that the WIC program costs less than $100 per person is not supported by evidence. The actual cost per participant varies depending on factors such as location and individual circumstances. Additionally, the assertion that more than 18 percent of residents in the district suffer from food insecurity and depend on WIC is also false. The correct figure is stated to be no higher than 3.9 percent. Therefore, the statement is not only inaccurate but significantly exaggerated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d","Georgia ranks high in maternal mortality, but depending on the definition of maternal mortality and who crunched the numbers, Georgia ranks either first, second or fifth.","In 2021, Georgia agriculture was a $4.6 billion industry, so collectively, it\u2019s not peanuts. (Georgia ranks No. 1 in the nation in peanut production, and it also leads the nation in producing pecans and broilers, the official name for chickens.) Overall, Georgia ranks 17th among the 50 states in total farm receipts, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.","Compared with other states, Georgia ranks high in the rate of health care uninsurance, maternal mortality, new cases of HIV and gun violence."]},{"id":"8598.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"During the last election, Democrats won over a million votes more than Republicans, but because of the way districts are designed, the Republicans got 33 more members of the House of Representatives than the Democrats did.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Lloyd Doggett that Democrats received over a million more votes than Republicans in the last election, yet Republicans secured 33 more seats in the House of Representatives. This discrepancy is attributed to the way districts are designed, which can favor one party over another. While redistricting and other factors may have played a role, the statement accurately captures the outcome of the election and the impact of district design on the distribution of seats.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["There are several proposals for extending the life of the fund. To mark an Aug. 15 visit to a group of East Providence seniors, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's office issued a news release mentioning one of them. We found it on his website.","Want evidence of man-made climate change? U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says you can feel it in the waters of Narragansett Bay, which covers about 120.5 square miles, from Newport to Providence, in his home state of Rhode Island.","Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said, \"For Social Security, which is projected to remain solvent through 2033, Whitehouse has cosponsored a bill that . . . would extend the life of the program by an additional 75 years.\"","When Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said \"Narragansett Bay waters are getting warmer -- 4 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in the winter since the 1960s,\" he was citing a URI study that offered the observation after authors examined temperatures through 2006."]},{"id":"6326.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama counted on Sandy Adams to approve stimulus spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Congress approved the stimulus spending in 2009, before Sandy Adams took her seat in 2011. There is no evidence to suggest that President Obama specifically counted on Adams to approve the stimulus spending. Therefore, the claim that Obama counted on Adams for this purpose is completely unfounded.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We confirmed that requiring most state and local government employees to contribute more to their pensions had saved public employers more than $3 billion at that point, including $2.35 billion in pension costs.","Requiring most state and local government employees to contribute more to their pensions has saved public employers more than $3 billion, including $2.35 billion in pension costs, and there are more savings that haven\u2019t fully been tallied.","Walker says school districts statewide saved $200 million in health insurance costs just in 2011-\u201912, the first year after Act 10. That calculation comes from the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.","So, even if the employee contributions in 2014 turn out to be the same as in 2013, the total savings to taxpayers would be $1.59 billion plus $761 million, or a total of $2.35 billion -- the same total Walker claims."]},{"id":"5016.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rep. Betty Sutton supports allowing welfare fund withdrawals from strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While the evidence suggests that Rep. Betty Sutton voted against a bill that contained provisions related to welfare fund withdrawals from certain establishments, it does not explicitly state that she supports allowing such withdrawals. In fact, the evidence indicates that Sutton supports banning welfare money withdrawals at adult-oriented establishments. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Sutton's position by implying support for something she actually opposes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a June 28, 2012, statement, Becky Moeller, president of the Texas AFL-CIO, said of the new health care law: \"It has improved or saved the lives of more than 4,000 Texans who otherwise would have run afoul of \u2018pre-existing condition\u2019 clauses preventing them from obtaining insurance.\"","Moeller\u2019s count of the Texans benefiting from newly having insurance despite pre-existing conditions is a bit understated. And while there\u2019s no certainty that every beneficiary saw their lives improved or saved, we agree that's a reasonable supposition.","Celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the 2010 federal health care overhaul, a Texas labor leader said thousands of Texans have already benefited from it.","Refresher: The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act bars insurers, starting in 2014, from denying coverage to individuals due to pre-existing conditions. Until then, the act also provides for pre-existing condition insurance plans to be available to individuals who have been uninsured for at least six months because of a pre-existing condition, according to a timeline for the law posted online by the federal government. As the act was under debate, advocates said that without such provisions, coverage for people living with certain conditions including diabetes, cancer and HIV\/AIDS would remain financially out of reach."]},{"id":"4488.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world with 2.3 million inmates, and the majority of Americans are imprisoned because they sold small amounts of drugs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world with approximately 2.3 million inmates, the statement that the majority of Americans are imprisoned because they sold small amounts of drugs is not accurate. The majority of prisoners in the United States are not held for selling small amounts of drugs. The overwhelming majority of incarcerated individuals are held at the state and local level, and the number of individuals imprisoned for drug offenses, specifically for selling small amounts of drugs, is significantly lower. Additionally, the category of drug trafficking includes all drug sales, which further reduces the percentage of individuals imprisoned for selling small amounts of drugs. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is true, the second part is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Earlier this month, Gov. Nathan Deal released a statement touting job creation under his administration for the fiscal year that ended June 30. This was the first such announcement for Deal, who took office in January 2011.","We began, as we always do, by asking the Deal campaign for its source. Spokeswoman Jen Talaber wrote in an email that \"Georgia has historically been a leader in African American officeholders,\" citing a 1987 publication that ranked it among the top five states for that distinction.","\"Georgia has elected more African-American leaders -- mayors, county commissioners, et cetera -- than any other state in the country,\" Deal said in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution story. \"We have a long history of good race relations, and I cannot understand why the Democrat Party of Georgia would try to destroy it.\"","\"There\u2019s $30 billion in expansion funds that we\u2019ve paid \u2013 it\u2019s our money and Nathan Deal wants Washington to keep it.\""]},{"id":"5078.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he helped save the Olympic games.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney played a significant role in addressing the challenges faced by the Salt Lake City Olympics, the statement \"he helped save the Olympic games\" is somewhat broad and could be interpreted in different ways. Romney's leadership and efforts were instrumental in turning around the troubled organization and ensuring the success of the Salt Lake City Olympics. However, it is important to note that the Olympics as an institution were not at risk of complete failure or extinction. Therefore, while Romney's contributions were significant, it may be more accurate to say that he played a crucial role in saving the Salt Lake City Olympics specifically, rather than the Olympic games as a whole.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10880.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thanks to restrictive and anticompetitive ballot laws, candidates in November 2014 ran unopposed in nearly half of Wisconsins state representative races but in Michigan and Minnesota nearly all races had challengers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that candidates in November 2014 ran unopposed in nearly half of Wisconsin's state representative races, while in Michigan and Minnesota, there were challengers in nearly all races. However, the claim that this is solely due to restrictive and anticompetitive ballot laws is not entirely supported by the evidence. While the evidence suggests that Wisconsin did have a higher number of unopposed races compared to Michigan and Minnesota, it does not explicitly establish a direct causal link to restrictive ballot laws. Other factors, such as political dynamics and candidate recruitment, could also contribute to the differences observed. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but oversimplifies the complex factors influencing candidate competition.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When I was born\" -- which was 1958 -- \"less than 10 percent of the federal budget was entitlement spending. It's now 60 percent of the budget. Some people have suggested that defense spending is the problem. When I was born, defense spending was 60 percent of the budget. It's now 17 percent. If you think defense spending is the problem, then you need a remedial math class to go back to.\"","We\u2019ll split these claims into two separate items. Here, we\u2019ll look at whether in 1958, \"defense spending was 60 percent of the budget. It's now 17 percent.\"","\"Inflation-adjusted defense spending has declined 21 percent since 2010, and even if we discount the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has still declined by a dangerous 12 percent.\"","Rubio said, \"Inflation-adjusted defense spending has declined 21 percent since 2010 and even if we discount the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan it has still declined by a dangerous 12 percent.\""]},{"id":"9789.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Documents released by Edward Snowden reveal that American, Britishand Israeli intelligence agencies worked together to create the Islamic State.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or documentation released by Edward Snowden that supports the claim that American, British, and Israeli intelligence agencies collaborated to create the Islamic State (ISIS). The sources cited in the evidence are either unspecified \"posts\" or an article from Bahrain's Gulf Daily News, which lacks credibility and does not provide any verifiable evidence to support the claim. This statement is a baseless conspiracy theory and should be regarded as false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"9005.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"With his proposal to cut income and property taxes, Scott Walker is increasing the state deficit at a time when borrowing is already at record levels.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Scott Walker's proposal to cut income and property taxes could potentially increase the state's \"structural deficit,\" it is important to note that a structural deficit is not the same as an actual budget deficit. A structural deficit refers to a long-term imbalance between spending and revenue, which could potentially lead to increased borrowing. However, the statement implies that the proposal would directly increase the state deficit at a time when borrowing is already at record levels, which is an oversimplification. The impact on the actual budget deficit and state borrowing would depend on various factors and cannot be definitively stated based solely on the proposal to cut taxes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Watson said, \"More lives are lost from violence against women, sex-selective abortion, female infanticide, suicide, egregious maternal mortality, and other sex-linked causes than were lost during all of the wars and civil strife of 20th century.\"","\"There are now 101.3 men to every 100 women on the planet. So women are no longer half of humanity,\" Watson said on Feb. 24. \"I\u2019m quoting the book here but it says, \u2018More lives are lost from violence against women, sex-selective abortion, female infanticide, suicide, egregious maternal mortality, and other sex-linked causes than were lost during all of the wars and civil strife of 20th century.\u2019 \"","Let\u2019s state off the bat that there are many difficulties with tallying up both how many women should exist but don\u2019t, as well as how many lives were lost in all of the last century\u2019s civil strife and wars. Any estimate of missing women only works on the assumption that the skewed sex ratio is a result of discrimination. Similarly, while the specific number of casualties in World War I or under Khmer Rouge are reported, estimates for deaths in little-known conflicts like the one between Islamic separatists in the Philippines and the government are murky or nonexistent.","The claim comes from the book Sex and World Peace by Valerie Hudson, who was citing a UN figure of 163 million missing women in 2005. That\u2019s 10 million more than her estimate of lives lost in all of last century\u2019s strife, 153 million."]},{"id":"4193.json","label":"true","statement":"The federal government is spending 25 percent of our entire economy versus 100 years ago we spent only 2 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Ron Johnson's claim that federal government spending is 25 percent of the economy compared to 2 percent a century ago. While the exact figures may vary slightly, the general point made by Senator Johnson is supported by historical data. Over the past century, the size and scope of the federal government have expanded, leading to an increase in government spending as a percentage of the economy. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Representatives and senators become eligible to receive retirement benefits only after serving in Congress for at least five years. That\u2019s nearly one full term for a senator, or more than two terms for a House member.","Members of Congress \u2014 save for the few elected prior to 1984 \u2014 belong to a pension program known as the Federal Employees\u2019 Retirement System. The program is available to every federal employee, not just lawmakers, as PolitiFact previously reported. And it augments other benefits available to seniors.","A report on \"Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress,\" prepared in November by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, outlines how pension benefits are calculated.","Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County."]},{"id":"8068.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Patrick Murphy voted for Obamacare in 2010, yet he reversed himself and voted to delay the employer mandate and the individual mandate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that Patrick Murphy voted for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in 2010, the claim that he \"reversed himself\" and voted to delay the employer mandate and individual mandate is not entirely accurate. The votes to delay certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act were part of broader efforts to address concerns and make adjustments to the implementation of the law. These votes do not necessarily indicate a complete reversal of support for the law itself. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of Murphy's stance on the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Giving a tuition break to the children of illegals that are here illegally when citizens are having to pay a higher rate, that makes no sense to me at all and that's something Mike Huckabee supported when he was governor of Arkansas,\" Romney said.","Mitt Romney said a proposed law that Mike Huckabee supported when he was governor of Arkansas would have given \"a tuition break to the children of illegals that are here illegally when citizens are having to pay a higher rate.\" There's no disputing Huckabee's position on the measure, but is that an accurate way to characterize it?","Romney is right that Huckabee supported the measure. We disagree with the way he describes the measure as \"a tuition break to the children of illegals that are here illegally when citizens are having to pay a higher rate.\" That would have been true only for citizens who live outside the state of Arkansas. For Arkansas students who graduated from Arkansas high schools, the law would have given them all the same tuition rate.","Romney's description of the measure as \"a tuition break\" would have been true only in comparison to citizens who lived outside the state of Arkansas. For Arkansas students who graduate from Arkansas high schools, the law would have given in-state students, illegal or not, the same tuition rate."]},{"id":"1879.json","label":"true","statement":"Rick Scott's former health care company, Columbia\/HCA, committed \"fraud.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Rick Scott's former company, Columbia\/HCA, was indeed involved in a federal investigation focused on whether they committed fraud against government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The investigation, which began in 1997, resulted in the seizure of records and expanded nationwide. Given the evidence and the findings of the federal probe, it is accurate to state that Columbia\/HCA committed \"fraud.\"\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13345.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have almost 68,000 Georgia students who are required by law to attend a chronically failing school.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Deal's claim that there are nearly 68,000 Georgia students who are legally obligated to attend chronically failing schools. However, it's important to note that while these students are zoned for these schools, there are alternative options available such as private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling. Additionally, opponents argue that some of these schools have shown improvement in recent years. So, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context regarding the availability of alternative educational options and the potential for improvement in these schools.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"933.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"You and I know that in the history of mankind and womankind, government federal, state, local, or otherwise has never created one job.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that government has never created a single job is factually incorrect. Throughout history, governments at various levels have played a crucial role in job creation through public sector employment, infrastructure projects, public services, and investments in sectors such as education and healthcare. Additionally, government policies and regulations can have a significant impact on job creation in the private sector. The claim that government has never created any jobs is blatantly false and not supported by evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"We're going to have great plans, they're going to be a lot less expensive than Obamacare,\" Trump said on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press. \"They're going to be private. And there are going to be lots of ... We're going to have a lot of different options. Right now, you have no options. You know why? Because the insurance company controls (President Barack) Obama, because they gave him a lot of money. That's why you have lines around the states. And you can't get competitive bidding.\"","Trump said that under Obamacare, \"you have no options,\" for health insurance plans. That is true in about 10 percent of the counties where individuals buy their coverage on the government\u2019s insurance exchange. In another 30 percent of counties, people have only two companies to choose between.","\"There are a lot of things to criticize about the Affordable Care Act -- too rigid and regulated in terms of the benefits that must be offered, etc. -- but most exchanges have several options available and some have many options,\" said Gail Wilensky, who headed the Medicare program during the George H.W. Bush administration and now is a health care analyst with Project Hope.","Does the law achieve that? The short answer is, for most people it does. However, in more rural counties, residents might have to choose between only one or perhaps two insurance companies. Those people have few options."]},{"id":"9391.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rhode Island has the highest dropout rate in New England at twenty-three percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clay Pell, a Democratic candidate for governor, that Rhode Island has the highest high school dropout rate in New England at 23 percent. This claim is supported by multiple sources, including Pell's own education plan and reports such as \"Building a GradNation.\" However, it's important to note that the term \"dropout rate\" can be interpreted in different ways, and the evidence provided does not specify the exact methodology used to calculate the dropout rate. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it lacks some contextual information that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dropout rate in Rhode Island.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He has a number of things that are great strengths of his, but he happened to say the economy was not his strong suit,\" Romney said at a campaign stop in Denver. \"Well, at a time like this in a country like this, I think it is important to have a president for whom the economy is his strong suit.\"","McCain's explanation doesn't change the fact that he did say that economics was not his strong suit. In this instance, Romney is accurately quoting McCain's past remarks, so we find Romney's statement True.","Mitt Romney touts his business and executive experience as evidence he would deftly steer the economy as president. At the same time, he blasts rival John McCain as lacking when it comes to the economy.","McCain: \"Okay. Let me tell you what I was trying to say and what I meant in that soundpiece. I spent 22 years in the military. I spent 20 years in the Senate Armed Services Committee. I've been involved in national security issues all my life. I attended the National War College. Of course I know more about national security than any other issue. That's been my entire life. Am I smart on economics? Yes. I was chairman of the Commerce Committee. That's why people like Phil Gramm, Tom Coburn and Warren Rudman and Carly Fiorina and the real strong economic minds, Jack Kemp, the real strong minds on the economy and conservatives on the economy are supporting me. Of course, I always have things to learn, and I continue to learn every day. But I'm very strong on the economy, and, frankly, my economic record is a lot stronger than that of the governor of Massachusetts when you look at his record as governor.\""]},{"id":"10081.json","label":"false","statement":"Under my platform, I will make no changes to the current (Medicare) system for current retirees and anyone approaching retirement.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the evidence provided indicates that changes to Social Security and Medicare for current recipients or those nearing retirement are not supported, it does not provide any specific information about the speaker's platform or intentions regarding these programs. Therefore, the statement cannot be verified and is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3001.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Greenest County in America.","reason":"Reason: While DeKalb County in Georgia has made efforts towards sustainability and has been recognized for its environmental initiatives, claiming to be \"the greenest county in America\" is an exaggeration. The statement lacks sufficient evidence to support such a bold claim. While DeKalb County may be considered one of the greenest counties in Georgia, it is highly unlikely that it holds the same distinction on a national scale. Without concrete evidence and comparisons to other counties across the United States, the claim cannot be considered accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"4581.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says El Paso was named Americas Safest Large City a year after San Antonio, Houston and Dallas had the nations highest crime rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. El Paso was indeed named America's \"Safest Large City\" in 2010, according to a statement made by Democratic state Sen. Jos\u00e9 Rodr\u00edguez. However, the claim that this designation came \"a year after San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas had the nation's highest crime rates\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas had high crime rates during that period, it is misleading to suggest a direct causal relationship between their crime rates and El Paso's designation as the safest city. The designation is based on various factors, and it does not necessarily mean that El Paso's safety was a direct result of the high crime rates in those other cities. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11137.json","label":"true","statement":"Since Volvo spurned Georgia for South Carolina in early May, some 3,455 jobs promising more than $800 million in investments have come to the Peach State.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true based on the evidence provided. It states that since Volvo chose South Carolina over Georgia, the Peach State has attracted 3,455 jobs with over $800 million in investments. While additional evidence or context would be helpful to fully understand the situation, based on the given information, the statement accurately reflects the claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10823.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ben Carson is running for president to eliminate dependency on government. But he doesnt mention that he grew up in public schools, got public housing and food stamps, got free glasses from a government program, was helped by Affirmative Action, and got Pell Grants for college.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that Ben Carson is running for president with a focus on eliminating dependency on government. However, it also points out that he did not mention his personal experiences with public schools, public housing, food stamps, government programs, Affirmative Action, and Pell Grants. While it is true that Carson benefited from these government programs and policies, it is important to note that individuals can have personal experiences that shape their beliefs and policy positions over time. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it presents factual information but does not provide the full context of Carson's stance on government dependency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"On that point, every day in the United States, we are losing 15 factories,\" she said. \"Yet here on this House floor, those on the other side of the aisle are content in trying to protect the loopholes that ship jobs overseas.\"","\"It was a good, comprehensive figure that really showed the depth of our manufacturing crisis in this country and the simple fact that we are losing so many factories and so many jobs every single day over a long period of time,\" DeAngelo said.","Schultz talked about losing \"over 50,000 manufacturing factories,\" which seems like a safe number. Except for one big thing -- the Great Recession itself.","He said significantly increased manufacturing productivity in the United States, coupled with limited demand \u2014 there\u2019s only so many refrigerators a person wants to buy \u2014 play a bigger role in factory closures in the United States."]},{"id":"11740.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We are taking Virginias investment in public education to the highest level in the commonwealths history.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Northam proposed a significant increase in education funding and that the House approved a slightly lower increase, it is misleading to claim that this investment is the highest level in the history of Virginia. The statement fails to consider inflation and previous investments in education that may have been higher in nominal terms. While the proposed increase is substantial, it is more accurate to say that it represents a significant investment rather than the highest level in the state's history.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6786.json","label":"false","statement":"Over the last four years, the deficit has gone up, but 90 percent of that is as a consequence of President George W. Bushs policies and the recession.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the deficit increased over the last four years, attributing 90 percent of it solely to President George W. Bush's policies and the recession is an oversimplification. The deficit is influenced by a variety of factors, including economic conditions, government spending decisions, and revenue generation. While the recession and policies from the previous administration did contribute to the deficit, it is inaccurate to assign 90 percent of the blame to those factors alone. The deficit is a complex issue influenced by multiple variables over an extended period of time.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10115.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve had 27 (Ebola) outbreaks around the globe and theyve never spread outside of the confines of the countries that were initially affected.","reason":"Reason: While the statement overstates the number of Ebola outbreaks, the general point made is accurate. The actual number of Ebola outbreaks is estimated to be between 16 and 22, not 27. However, the main point remains true: historically, Ebola outbreaks have been contained within the countries where they initially occurred, thanks to effective public health efforts. Therefore, while the specific number is incorrect, the statement is mostly true in conveying the overall trend of containment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The narrator then continues: \"The truth is after Murphy\u2019s charges were dropped, Murphy\u2019s father gave the prosecutor a huge campaign donation.\"","Here we will focus on West\u2019s claim that that after the charges against Patrick Murphy were dropped, his father \"gave the prosecutor a huge campaign donation.\" We will also briefly explain West\u2019s reference to the role of Murphy\u2019s father\u2019s money in the campaign.","West also claimed that after the charges were dropped, \"Murphy\u2019s father gave the prosecutor a huge campaign donation. That referred to campaign donations made by Patrick\u2019s father Thomas P. Murphy and his construction businesses to Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.","After the 2003 case against Murphy was dropped, his father\u2019s companies gave $1,500 to Fernandez Rundle\u2019s re-election campaign. Murphy\u2019s father also gave $500 to Fernandez Rundle in 2000. But it was a stretch to call either donation \"huge,\" particularly for his father\u2019s firms which had given five-figure donations to the Republican Party of Florida in the past. We rated that claim Mostly False."]},{"id":"12510.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On his support for Donald Trump.","reason":"Reason: The statement is half-true. While some former rivals of Donald Trump have indeed refused to support his candidacy, it is important to note that not all of them have explicitly made promises to support him. Some have cited reasons such as concerns about his temperament, character, or conservative principles as their basis for not endorsing him. Therefore, while it is true that some former rivals have not supported Trump as they had promised, it is not accurate to claim that all of them made explicit promises to do so.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12817.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump said at the Republican convention, I alone can fix it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Donald Trump made the comment \"I alone can fix it\" during his speech at the Republican convention. This statement was made in the context of Trump presenting himself as the solution to various issues facing the country. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because the statement does not provide the full context of Trump's remarks or the intended meaning behind his words. While he did make the statement, it should be interpreted within the broader context of his speech and campaign messaging.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cCongressman John Lewis, an American hero, made allegations that Sarah Palin and I were somehow associated with the worst chapter in American history, segregation, deaths of children in church bombings, George Wallace. That, to me, was so hurtful,\u201d McCain said during the Hofstra University debate on Oct. 15, 2008.","\u201cWhat I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history,\u201d Lewis wrote. \u201cSen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.\u201d","\"The fact of the matter is that my colleague from New York, Senator Clinton, there are 50 percent of the American public that say they're not going to vote for her.\"","In the third, final and most combative debate, Sen. John McCain accused Sen. Barack Obama of failing to repudiate nasty statements against McCain involving racial politics."]},{"id":"3851.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We are looking at 150,000 barrels (of oil) per day less next year, and 200,000 barrels per day less being able to be developed from the gulf the year after because of the moratorium on new drilling enacted by the Obama administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While there were projections from the government's Energy Information Administration that indicated a decline in crude oil production from the Gulf of Mexico, the specific numbers mentioned by Palin were slightly higher than the projections. The EIA projected a decrease of 130,000 barrels per day in 2011 and another decrease of 190,000 barrels per day in 2012. Therefore, while there was a projected decline in oil production, the exact numbers mentioned by Palin were slightly exaggerated. Additionally, it's important to note that the decline in production cannot be solely attributed to the moratorium on new drilling, as other factors such as market conditions and natural depletion of oil reserves also play a role.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5108.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obamas recess appointment of Richard Cordray is precisely what then-Sen. Obama claimed would be the wrong thing to do.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that then-Senator Obama expressed opposition to recess appointments and specifically criticized John Bolton's appointment, it is an oversimplification to claim that President Obama's recess appointment of Richard Cordray is \"precisely\" what he claimed would be the wrong thing to do. The context and circumstances surrounding the appointments are different, and it is important to consider the specific details and nuances of each situation. While there may be some similarities, the statement lacks the necessary context to accurately characterize President Obama's actions as being precisely what he previously criticized.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7459.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Of the 18 stadiums built from 2004 to 2013, 47 percent of the total cost came from public sources.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that 47 percent of the total cost of the 18 stadiums built from 2004 to 2013 came from public sources. This information aligns with the evidence provided. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide further context or analysis regarding the implications or impact of this public funding on economic activity or tax revenue. Therefore, while the statement is factually correct, it lacks a comprehensive assessment of the broader implications of public financing for sports stadiums.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A reader recently sent us a Facebook post with \"10 Illegal Alien Facts.\" One of them was, \"Less than 2 percent of illegals are picking crops, but 41 percent are on welfare.\"","The Facebook post\u2019s first claim, that \"less than 2 percent of illegals are picking crops,\" is close to correct. The post\u2019s second claim, that \"41 percent (of illegal immigrants) are on welfare\" is misleading. Most of the \"welfare\" benefits in question are going to U.S. citizens who live in illegal immigrant households, not directly to illegal immigrants, and very little of it comes in cash form, which is the traditional definition of \"welfare.\" On balance, we rate the claim Mostly False.","The estimates for agriculture occupations that we've seen hover between 3 percent and 4 percent. Given how tricky these statistics are, we concluded that saying that \"less than 2 percent of illegals are picking crops\" is reasonably accurate.","Steven A. Camarota, director of research for the Center for Immigration Studies, a group that favors stricter immigration laws, said it\u2019s possible that during peak harvesting times, as many as 5 percent of the U.S. illegal immigrant population is working in agriculture. But in general, the statistics involving illegal immigrants are, not surprisingly, tricky to pin down. So we think that saying that \"less than 2 percent of illegals are picking crops\" is reasonably accurate."]},{"id":"2792.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Pres. Obamas finance team is recommending a . . . 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that President Obama's finance team is recommending a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution. The proposal mentioned in the email is not from President Obama or his financial team but rather from a Pennsylvania congressman. The claim is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"So we talked about the difference between 2003 and 2011,\" Perry said. \"And the percentage of the budget shortfall versus the budget is really not that much different than it was in 2003.\"","Says \"Abortion clinics in Oregon, as in most states, have no state oversight and are not held to basic health or safety standards.\"","Recently, two former Democratic elected officials pressed a similar point. A Feb. 1 letter to business leaders from former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and Scott McCown, a former state district judge who directs the Center for Public Policy Priorities, states: \"Texas faces its largest revenue shortfall in decades... a far larger shortfall than we faced in 2003 and even larger than we faced in 1987, until now the biggest shortfall in recent times.\"","PolitiFact Texas, Stephen Colbert says that Texas can\u2019t afford new science textbooks because of an $18 billion budget shortfall, July 23, 2010"]},{"id":"11430.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The oil and natural gas industry provides or supports 141,600 jobs in Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence, which states that the oil and natural gas industry provides or supports 141,600 jobs in Georgia. The evidence includes specific figures for direct employment in the industry as well as jobs at gas stations. Additionally, the evidence mentions that the overall economic impact of the oil and natural gas industry is included in the report. While it is important to note that the evidence does not provide a breakdown of the specific types of jobs included in the 141,600 figure, the statement can still be considered mostly true based on the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The rhetoric on Iraq was hot,\" he said. \"Sen. Joe Biden, the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, recommended partitioning Iraq into three separate entities. Republicans were anxious, too. Mitch McConnell (the Senate minority leader from Kentucky) made it clear with his Oval Office request for a troop reduction.\"","In 2007, Biden \u2014 who by then had become chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee \u2014 and Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, shepherded a nonbinding \"sense of the Senate\" resolution that proposed separating Iraq into three semi-autonomous regions while maintaining a federal government. The resolution passed the Senate 75 to 23.","Joe Biden is the president of the United States. A Democrat, Biden served as a Delaware senator from 1973 (elected at the age of 29) until 2009. During his time in the Senate, he served as chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, chair of the International Narcotics Control Caucus and chair of the Judiciary Committee. He subsequently served as Barack Obama\u2019s vice president from 2009 to 2016. Biden launched unsuccessful presidential campaigns in 1988 and 2008. He received a degree in history and political science from the University of Delaware and his J.D. from Syracuse School of Law.","Seeking an answer to that question, we turned to the May 2006 op-ed article published in The New York Times that then-Delaware Sen. Biden penned with Leslie Gelb, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. In it, they drew a parallel between conditions in Iraq and Bosnia's recent ethnic turmoil."]},{"id":"2563.json","label":"false","statement":"In 2009, the state Legislature passed more than $5 billion in tax increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that in 2009, the Florida Legislature raised taxes and fees by almost $2 billion, not more than $5 billion. The Office of Economic and Demographic Research also published a spreadsheet detailing the laws passed in 2009 that affected state revenue, and it does not support the claim of over $5 billion in tax increases. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Here\u2019s our question for today: Did the survey -- done by the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators and analyzed by the state Department of Public Instruction -- show the \"overwhelming number of districts\" escaped a drop in staff?","Taking on the survey, Walker went further in a Nov. 15, 2011, interview on WTMJ-AM (620). Host Charlie Sykes asked Walker if his budget had resulted in \"significant educational cutbacks in school districts across the state.\"","As opponents push to recall him, Gov. Scott Walker is working to douse criticism of major cuts in school aid approved in his 2011-2013 budget.","He concluded: \"If you actually look at this, it shows just the opposite. It shows the overwhelming number of districts saw that staffing was the same or greater, that there were the same or fewer cuts than before, and in the few areas where they did see significant reductions in staffing, it was places like Milwaukee, Kenosha and Janesville...\""]},{"id":"11870.json","label":"false","statement":"Right now were the highest taxed country in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the United States is currently the highest taxed country in the world is false. While the United States does have a high statutory corporate tax rate, it is important to consider the effective tax rate, which takes into account deductions and exclusions. When considering the actual tax burden on U.S. companies, it is not accurate to claim that the United States has the highest tax rate in the world. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1563.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Todd Staples recently tried to woo his supporters and right-wing base by suggesting the Agriculture Commission cut programs intended to feed the elderly and disabled, many of whom are veterans.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Todd Staples proposed budget cuts to the Agriculture Department, which included a reduction in grant money for a program that serves meals to homebound Texans who are elderly or disabled, there is no evidence to support the claim that Staples specifically targeted these programs to appeal to his \"right-wing\" base. The statement implies a motive that is not substantiated by the evidence provided. Therefore, the claim is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Taxes are always a top issue for voters. So does the governor\u2019s claim check out? Are middle-class state residents taxed at the lowest rate in seven decades?","The Department of Tax and Finance says most - if not all - earners in the middle class in 1948 would have paid the top rate. That year the top rate applied to people making about $9,000. That fits what the state has defined as middle class in today\u2019s dollars, and the Department of Tax and Finance says that\u2019s how the middle class would have been defined in that year.","Governor Andrew M. Cuomo claimed new tax rates passed by lawmakers during this year\u2019s state budget process are the lowest in the state in 70 years. Data from the Department of Taxation and Finance backs up his claim.","Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand claims the major tax overhaul passed by Congress this week will increase tax bills for middle-class earners in New York state."]},{"id":"1564.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"George W. Bush was the least popular president in modern history.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that George W. Bush faced significant criticism and had low approval ratings during his presidency, the statement that he was the \"least popular president in modern history\" is an exaggeration. There is no definitive scientific measurement of popularity, but looking at approval ratings and favorability, there have been other presidents who have had lower ratings than Bush. It is important to consider the context and specific metrics used when making claims about presidential popularity.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11990.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Harry Reid, when asked about the Republican field, said the Republican he likes the best is Donald Trump, and he said, because I can work with him. Hell cut deals.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes a quote to Harry Reid regarding his preference for Donald Trump in the Republican field. There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that Harry Reid made such a statement about Donald Trump. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wrote about the study and said that for 18-to-24-year-old males, there were 52.4 cases of myocarditis per million doses with Pfizer and 56.3 cases per million doses with Moderna. Symptoms of myocarditis are normally mild.","Internal Revenue Service, \" SOI Tax Stats - Amount of Refunds Issued, Including Interest, by State and Fiscal Year - IRS Data Book Table 8(,-Including-Interest,-by-State-and-Fiscal-Year-IRS-Data-Book-Table-8),\" accessed May 6, 2015","Trump attended a White House summit celebrating the expected approval of the first vaccines. \"Every American who wants the vaccine will be able to get the vaccine,\" Trump said Dec. 8.","Top government officials publicly urged him to encourage people to get the vaccine, and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany promised he would do so because \"he wants to see all Americans get this vaccine.\" But behind the scenes, Trump declined to be the face of the vaccination campaign, instead letting Pence handle the load, the Associated Press reported."]},{"id":"4458.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Green Bay Packers are a socialist organization.","reason":"Reason: While there are some elements that could be interpreted as aligning with socialist principles, such as community ownership and the team's nonprofit status, it is an oversimplification to categorize the Green Bay Packers as a socialist organization. The shareholders of the team have limited influence in running the organization, and the team operates within the framework of the National Football League, which is a private, profit-driven entity. Additionally, the statement lacks a clear definition of what constitutes a \"socialist organization.\" Therefore, while there may be some arguments that support this claim, it is an exaggeration to label the Green Bay Packers as a socialist organization.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2024.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On tax breaks for businesses","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Barnes has changed his stance on special-interest tax breaks for businesses. While he previously supported over two dozen exemptions, he now expresses a willingness to suspend or eliminate certain tax breaks until there is more funding for education. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive picture of Barnes' position on all tax breaks for businesses. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it does not capture the full extent of Barnes' views on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact New Jersey, GOP challenger Joseph Kyrillos blames U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez for rising annual deficits in federal budget, Feb. 13, 2012","In his opening remarks in a debate with Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez that aired on NJTV Thursday night, Kyrillos said the \"American dream is in peril\" and \"we need to make a change.\"","Jason Peuquet, the research director for the centrist Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said Frelinghuysen\u2019s statistic is not very surprising given the impact of the economic downturn on the federal budget. Lower revenues driven in part by high unemployment and stagnating wages, as well as increased spending on programs such as unemployment insurance and food stamps have all added \"even more to deficits and debt in the near term,\" Peuquet said.","\"Now if you think things are just fine, that things are okay here in New Jersey and across the land, well then you\u2019ll choose my opponent again. But if you think that unemployment doubling \u2014 doubling \u2014 under his watch, the deficits quadrupling, our national debt doubling is unacceptable, then you\u2019re going to make a change and you\u2019ll choose me,\" said Kyrillos, a state senator from Monmouth County."]},{"id":"2808.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"My debt to GDP was the lowest or one of the lowest of modern presidents. My taxes to GDP was the lowest and my spending to GDP was too.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that changes in federal debt levels are influenced by various factors beyond the control of any single president. Mandatory spending, which is not directly controlled by the president, plays a significant role in driving debt levels. Additionally, the statement implies that the speaker's debt-to-GDP ratio, taxes-to-GDP ratio, and spending-to-GDP ratio were among the lowest or one of the lowest of modern presidents. While the evidence does not explicitly verify these specific claims, it supports the notion that federal debt levels are influenced by multiple factors and that comparisons can be made in terms of debt, taxes, and spending relative to GDP.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The narrator in the ad, among other things, says that \"seniors will see $500 billion in Medicare cuts to fund Obamacare.\"","The U.S. Chamber said that \"seniors will see $500 billion in Medicare cuts to fund Obamacare.\" That\u2019s largely incorrect. Medicare spending is still set to increase, just not at as high a rate as originally anticipated. The difference, about $500 billion, is being used to help fund other provisions in the new health care law. That\u2019s the small kernel of truth in this claim, which we rate Mostly False.","Romney said, \"Obamacare takes $500 billion out of Medicare and funds Obamacare.\" The law doesn't literally take money out of Medicare, but Romney isn't entirely wrong in his point, either.","In the past, we\u2019ve rated claims about the $500 billion in \"cuts\" to Medicare anywhere from Half True to Mostly False to False, depending on how they were worded."]},{"id":"5022.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As speaker, Gingrich even supported taxpayer funding of some abortions.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Newt Gingrich, as Speaker of the House, supported certain instances of taxpayer funding for abortions, it is important to note that the statement lacks context. The evidence provided suggests that Gingrich supported funding for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother was at risk. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately highlights Gingrich's support for taxpayer funding of some abortions, but it does not provide the full context of the specific circumstances in which he supported such funding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9361.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama Announces Plans For A Third Term Presidential Run","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The claim that Obama announced plans for a third-term presidential run is entirely fabricated and has been debunked. The article in question is from a satire website, and there is no factual basis for such a claim. The 22nd Amendment of the United States Constitution limits presidents to serving only two terms. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Annual water usage in 2010 was actually down more than 18 percent from usage in 2006,\" Nash, chairwoman of the county\u2019s Board of Commissioners, said in her May 18 State of the County address.","We felt better about believing the drop in water use in Gwinnett between 2007 and 2008. So, let\u2019s take a closer look at Nash\u2019s claim of an 18 percent decline from 2006 to 2010.","However, water system officials point out that Cobb saw usage drop 14 percent countywide between 2006 and 2014, during the worst of the recent droughts.","The trend, the May 10, 2015 story said, was a 30 percent drop in water usage in the three decades between 1980 and 2010, the last year that federal data was available."]},{"id":"8046.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A hidden provision in the health care law taxes sporting goods as medical devices.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no hidden provision in the health care law that taxes sporting goods as medical devices. The 2.3 percent tax mentioned in the chain email applies specifically to medical devices, not sporting goods. Furthermore, the tax is imposed on manufacturers and makers of medical devices, not on consumers. The claim likely originated from a mistake made by Cabela's, a retail store, which accidentally applied a tax to its sales and labeled it as a medical excise tax. However, the company quickly rectified the error and refunded the customers. Overall, the statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4042.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the 2011-13 state budget eliminates the structural deficit for the first time in decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to State Sen. Alberta Darling and PolitiFact Wisconsin, the 2011-13 state budget did indeed eliminate the structural deficit in Wisconsin. The evidence provided also confirms that there was a significant structural deficit in the previous budget, indicating that the elimination of the deficit was a notable achievement. However, it's important to note that the claim is specific to the 2011-13 budget and does not encompass all budgets in the past few decades. Therefore, the statement is accurate within the context of the given time frame.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"540.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Barack Obama \"cut taxes for working families.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama did make a promise to cut taxes for working families during his campaign. While the specific term \"working families\" is not defined in the evidence, it is reasonable to interpret it as referring to middle-class families or those in the workforce. The Tax Policy Center's analysis does not explicitly focus on \"working families,\" but it does provide insights into Obama's tax proposals, which aimed to provide tax relief for middle-class individuals and families. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true, as it aligns with Obama's intention to reduce taxes for middle-class working families.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5915.json","label":"false","statement":"The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority concluded that light rail in Cobb County would more than double commute time and would therefore be unsuccessful in alleviating traffic congestion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. None of the provided evidence supports the claim that the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) concluded that light rail in Cobb County would more than double commute time and be unsuccessful in alleviating traffic congestion. The evidence only mentions the Transportation Leadership Coalition citing this claim, but it does not provide any direct reference to the GRTA's conclusion. Without concrete evidence from the GRTA itself, it is inaccurate to attribute this conclusion to them.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There is no state in the U.S. where a 40-hour minimum wage work week is enough to afford a two-bedroom apartment,\" says a Facebook graphic posted Sept. 11 from , an advocacy group for young Americans.","The Facebook graphic by claimed, \"There is no state in the U.S. where a 40-hour minimum wage work week is enough to afford a two-bedroom apartment.\" The group left out a key distinction from the study they cite: Minimum wage workers can\u2019t afford a two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent , a number determined by the federal government for each region set at the 40th percentile of all rents in that area.","What about states and cities that have much higher minimum wages than the federal standard? Washington state has a minimum wage of $9.32, and Seattle recently raised its to $15 an hour. But there, the Fair Market Rent of a two-bedroom apartment is higher and still outpaces the minimum wage, the study found.","For a person to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Florida would require a gross income of $40,355, or $19.39 an hour. That\u2019s well above the minimum wage in Florida of $7.93, which is actually set a touch higher than the federal minimum wage."]},{"id":"10090.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every time somebody new gets the Ebola virus, it mutates.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that viruses like Ebola can undergo mutations over time, the statement that the Ebola virus mutates every time it infects a new person is an oversimplification. Mutations occur during the replication process of the virus, and it is not necessarily tied to each new infection. Additionally, the term \"mutates\" can be misleading, as it implies significant changes in the virus's genetic makeup with each new infection. While mutations can happen, the extent and impact of these mutations may vary. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent the process of viral mutation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1608.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Democratic health care bill will \"collect higher taxes for 10 years and provide health care for only six years.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Democratic health care bill collects taxes over a 10-year period, it is misleading to claim that it only provides health care for six years. The statement fails to acknowledge that the implementation of the health care provisions is phased in over time. The bill aims to provide long-term health care coverage, but it takes time for the full benefits to be realized. Therefore, while there may be a discrepancy in the timing of tax collection and the full implementation of health care coverage, it is not accurate to suggest that health care is only provided for six years. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A chain email said Hillary Clinton will receive her \"congressional salary until she dies\" and that the Secret Service pays her mortgage.","Hillary Rodham Clinton, as a New York State Senator now comes under this fancy \"congressional retirement staffing plan\" which means that if she never gets re-elected, she STILL receives her Congressional salary until she dies. If Bill out-lives her, he then inherits HER salary until he dies. He is already getting his Presidential salary ($20,000 a month) until he dies. If Hillary out-lives Bill, she also gets HIS salary until she dies, Guess who pays for that?","First, let\u2019s look at whether Clinton will receive her congressional salary until she dies. Upon retiring, Clinton would receive benefits(*PLC8%22%40%20%20%0A) through the Federal Employee Retirement System, which would also cover her time as secretary of state.","When we looked at this in 2007, Hillary Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines said, \"They have not and do not receive money\" from the Secret Service."]},{"id":"6070.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A new manufacturing plant is slated to create about 3,000 jobs in central and northeast Georgia and create about a $3 billion infusion into the economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there are plans for a new manufacturing plant in central and northeast Georgia, the evidence provided does not confirm the exact number of jobs it will create or the specific economic impact. The evidence mentions a Foxconn plant that initially plans to create 3,000 jobs, with the potential to grow to 13,000 jobs. However, this evidence does not directly relate to the manufacturing plant in Georgia. Therefore, while there is potential for job creation and economic impact, the specific numbers mentioned in the statement cannot be confirmed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Perry\u2019s comment, focused on \"proven\" incidents of groundwater polluted by the specific step of breaking the shale rock, holds up. However, the definition of fracking is debated -- and if we rope in all incidents that take place at such wells, there have been more than a few reported incidents of groundwater contamination.","\"You cannot show me one place where there is a proven \u2013 not one \u2013 where there is a proven pollution of groundwater by hydraulic fracking,\" Perry told a college student who raised the topic at a December 18, 2011, stop in Decorah, Iowa, according to the Texas Tribune.","Similarly, an official with the National Groundwater Protection Council told us in a telephone interview that fracking has not been proven to contaminate groundwater. Mike Paque, executive director of the council comprising groundwater regulators and oil\/gas regulators from state agencies, said the depth at which shale is fractured makes contamination by fracking itself practically impossible.","Because we were seeking \"proven\" groundwater contamination, we first eliminated claims not related to water pollution and accounts that did not include independent evidence, such as a state investigation or newspaper story. Of the remaining 56 claims of groundwater contamination, not a single one fit the \"industry\" definition of fracking -- the one Perry was using, his spokeswoman, Lucy Nashed, told us."]},{"id":"12436.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Im also the only lieutenant governor to not take a security detail.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple former lieutenant governors, including Bill Hobby, Bill Ratliff, and Rodney Ellis, have confirmed that they did not have a security detail during their time in office. While the state could not confirm the security detail status for Jim Williams, the absence of evidence supporting his claim of having a security detail suggests that David Dewhurst's statement holds true. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not cover every lieutenant governor in history, so there may be exceptions that are not accounted for.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12550.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Michael Bennet votes for President Obamas agenda 98 percent of the time. Hardly independent, hardly bipartisan.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Frazier that Michael Bennet votes for President Obama's agenda 98 percent of the time. However, it's important to note that the actual voting record indicates that Bennet voted with Obama 99.3 percent of the time in 2014, not 98 percent. While this still shows a high level of alignment with the president's agenda, the slight discrepancy in the percentage should be acknowledged. Additionally, whether this level of alignment makes Bennet \"hardly independent, hardly bipartisan\" is subjective and open to interpretation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama's secretary of energy, Dr. Steven Chu, \"has said publicly he wants us to pay European levels (for gasoline), and that would be $9 or $10 a gallon.\"","Gingrich said that Chu, the energy secretary, \"has said publicly he wants us to pay European levels for gasoline and that would be $9 or $10 a gallon.\"","He recently called President Barack Obama\u2019s energy plan \"outrageously anti-American.\" And in an interview on Fox News Sunday on March 11, 2012, Gingrich said Obama is leading the nation toward \"greater dependency and much more expensive gasoline, maybe ultimately as high as $9 or $10 a gallon, which is what his secretary of energy, Dr. Chu, says he wants it to be.","Getting back to Gingrich\u2019s portrayal of Chu\u2019s 2008 remark -- that he \"has said publicly he wants us to pay European levels\" -- Chu\u2019s statement was indeed public. He said it to a newspaper. And he did express a desire to raise domestic gas prices closer to those in Europe."]},{"id":"7198.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The price tag amounted to nearly $4,200 for every man, woman and child in the state.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that significant funding was provided to Wisconsin cities for the 2020 election, the statement exaggerates the per capita cost. The claim that the price tag amounted to nearly $4,200 for every man, woman, and child in the state is misleading. The funding was distributed to election offices, not directly to individuals, and the total amount was divided among the eligible offices that applied. Therefore, it is inaccurate to attribute the full amount to each resident of the state. The per capita cost would be significantly lower when considering the actual distribution of funds.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In this item, we look at McConnell's claim that \"$100,000 in stimulus funds (were) used for a Martini Bar and Brazilian Steakhouse.\"","As for the steakhouse, a city committee awarded $75,000 in Community Development Block Grant recovery money to ECBG LLC, a private company, to build a Brazilian steakhouse downtown.","McConnell is largely on target with his claim about the projects and the money they were awarded in stimulus funds. The application for money related to the martini bar has since been withdrawn, though it did initially receive the award. And so we rate this claim Mostly True.","The short answer on this one is that it's true, or used to be. This claim refers to two projects in St. Joseph, Mo., that were awarded Community Development Block Grants by the city, with funds from the stimulus. The martini bar owner, who had been awarded $25,000 to expand his existing business, withdrew his application for the federal funds on Jan. 21, 2010, after it was discovered that the company had liens placed against it by the IRS and the state for failing to pay a little more than $8,000 in taxes, said St. Joseph's Community Development Manager Gerald McCush."]},{"id":"1153.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If you're over 65 years old in America today, you have no choice but to be in Medicare. Even if you want out of Medicare, you have to forfeit your Social Security to get out of it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that individuals aged 65 and older in America are generally enrolled in Medicare. However, it is not entirely true that individuals have no choice but to be in Medicare. While it is true that most individuals are automatically enrolled in Medicare when they turn 65, they do have the option to opt out of Medicare Part B (which covers outpatient services) if they choose to forfeit their Social Security benefits. However, this does not apply to Medicare Part A (which covers hospital services) and individuals are generally advised to keep Part A even if they opt out of Part B. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects the connection between Medicare and Social Security but oversimplifies the options available to individuals regarding their Medicare coverage.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The general unemployment rate in June 2012 would have been 10.9 percent if the labor force participation rate had remained at the 65.5 percent in place when Obama became president. That\u2019s about 11 percent.","\"If the amount of Americans were in the workforce today like they were when President Obama took office, the labor force participation rate, our unemployment rate would be 11 percent today,\" the House Budget Committee chairman said in his keynote speech June 9, 2012.","A significant theme of President Barack Obama\u2019s 2015 State of the Union address was that the United States economy has come back from the brink. One of the metrics he used to make this claim was unemployment rate.","President Barack Obama\u2019s upcoming State of the Union address gave Republicans and Democrats on the Sunday news shows another chance to make their case about the country\u2019s economic performance over the past five years."]},{"id":"11162.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In FY 2014 Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions while receiving $528 million from taxpayers, in violation of the Hyde amendment.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Cornyn made the claim that Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions in FY 2014 while receiving $528 million from taxpayers, he did not provide evidence to support his assertion that this violated the Hyde amendment. The Hyde amendment prohibits federal funding from being used for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk. Planned Parenthood receives federal funding for other services, such as family planning and healthcare, but not for abortions. Therefore, the statement lacks evidence to substantiate the claim that the funding received by Planned Parenthood violated the Hyde amendment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2990.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the University of Wisconsin football program is spending almost all of its Bowl Championship Series payout on a Rose Bowl junket for politically connected officials","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement made about the University of Wisconsin football program spending its Bowl Championship Series payout on a Rose Bowl junket for politically connected officials. The evidence focuses on state public health funding and state spending in Wisconsin, which is unrelated to the football program's finances or how they allocate their funds. Without any credible evidence or connection between the football program and the alleged spending, the statement is baseless and false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["At the presidential debate in Oxford, Miss., Barack Obama described his tax plan and said, \"Here's what I can tell the American people: 95 percent of you will get a tax cut.\"","So that leaves us with 62 workers who do pay taxes. If five of them don't get a tax cut under Obama's plan, that means 57 of 62 workers will get a tax cut. That's 92 percent.","But if you consider only people who work, that number goes up, because part of Obama's plan is a tax credit to offset payroll taxes. If you look only at workers, or \"working families,\" as Obama likes to put it, it turns out that 95 percent of workers receive a tax cut under Obama's plans. We looked at that claim on Sept. 18, 2008, and ruled it True. Since then, the Tax Policy Center has published additional research specifically confirming our ruling: They found the Obama plan provided a tax cut for 94.8 percent of workers.","We should also point out that Obama's policies do not provide a tax cut for 95 percent of Americans \u2014 it's actually about 81 percent of all tax filers."]},{"id":"5752.json","label":"true","statement":"Says opponent Ted Cruz has not led businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. During a Republican U.S. Senate debate, Cruz's opponent, Leppert, claimed that Cruz had not led any businesses. When asked to provide evidence to refute this claim, Cruz's campaign pointed to his campaign biography, which did not mention any business leadership experience. Therefore, based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that Cruz has not led businesses.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Schumer said that \"it is simply a fact that insufficient funding for Amtrak has delayed the installation\" of a positive train control safety system. \"To deny a connection between the (derailment in Philadelphia) and underfunding Amtrak is to deny reality.\"","\"It is simply a fact that insufficient funding for Amtrak has delayed the installation of PTC, and to deny a connection between the accident and underfunding Amtrak is to deny reality,\" said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.","To that, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded, \"Speaker Boehner\u2019s comments are patently false. Experts have made clear that positive train control could have prevented the tragedy in Philadelphia. It is simply a fact that insufficient funding for Amtrak has delayed the installation of PTC, and to deny a connection between the accident and underfunding Amtrak is to deny reality.\"","!Cassandra Johnson of the National Transportation Safety Board works with officials on the scene of the Amtrak Train 188 Derailment in Philadelphia, Pa. (National Transportation Safety Board) !Cassandra Johnson of the National Transportation Safety Board works with officials on the scene of the Amtrak Train 188 Derailment in Philadelphia, Pa. (National Transportation Safety Board)"]},{"id":"13522.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Donald Trump thinks stop-and-frisk is fine.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the criticism made by U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore regarding Donald Trump's position on stop-and-frisk policies. Multiple sources confirm that Donald Trump has expressed support for expanding the use of stop-and-frisk as a crime reduction strategy. While it is important to note that the effectiveness and implications of stop-and-frisk policies are subjects of debate, the statement accurately portrays Trump's stance on the matter.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Wiley, running in District 6 in Northwest Austin, also said at the forum: \"We\u2019ve got, actually, over 1,000 city employees that make six-figure salaries.\"","After we initially posted this fact check, a reader pointed out thar Wiley said at a Sept. 23, 2014, forum the city has \"almost 1,000\" workers earning six-figure salaries.","UPDATE 6:15 p.m., Sept. 26, 2014 : We revised the story below to note that at a Sept. 23, 2014, forum Wiley said almost 1,000 workers have six-figure salaries. This additional information, pointed out by a reader, didn't change our rating of the claim we checked.","Truth-O-Meter article, \"Austin City Council hopeful slightly off saying more than 1,000 city workers earn six-figure checks,\" PolitiFact Texas, Sept. 25, 2014 (corrected and updated Sept. 26, 2014)"]},{"id":"142.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Mitt Romney has \"a pro-choice record.\"","reason":"Reason: Mitt Romney's stance on abortion has evolved over time. While he initially expressed support for abortion rights during his 1994 campaign, he later shifted to a pro-life position. He has consistently identified as a pro-life candidate and has made statements indicating his opposition to abortion, such as pledging to remove funding for Planned Parenthood and reinstating the Mexico City policy. However, it is important to note that Romney has also expressed support for limited exceptions, such as cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Therefore, while there is evidence of a shift in his position, labeling his overall record as \"pro-choice\" would not be entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["After our friends at the Washington Post Fact Checker reviewed Carson\u2019s claim that \"every signer of the Declaration of Independence had no elected office experience\" and gave it Four Pinocchios -- the column\u2019s worst rating -- the quote was changed. It now reads, \"Every signer of the Declaration of Independence had no federal elected office experience\" (emphasis added).","Either way, Carson\u2019s original claim, that \"every signer of the Declaration of Independence had no elected office experience,\" is way, way off.","\"You are absolutely right \u2014 I have no political experience,\" Carson wrote in the initial version of his post. \"The current Members of Congress have a combined 8,700 years of political experience. Are we sure political experience is what we need. Every signer of the Declaration of Independence had no elected office experience. What they had was a deep belief that freedom is a gift from God. They had a determination to rise up against a tyrannical King. They were willing to risk all they had, even their lives, to be free.\"","\"Of course they did not have federal elected office experience because there was no federal government at the time -- we were a British colony,\" said Michael Gerhardt, scholar in residence at the National Constitution Center and professor of constitutional law at the University of North Carolina."]},{"id":"13412.json","label":"true","statement":"This is a test of the Share the Facts widget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately describes the purpose of the Share the Facts widget, which is to test its functionality. It does not make any factual claims or assertions.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The state subsequently banned anyone with assets of more than $5,000, excluding a car, from the food stamp program. That ban knocked Fick off the food stamp rolls.","\"Congratulations on finding your food stamp abuse Bigfoot,\" Stewart said on his Comedy Central television show, referring to Greenslate. \"That one guy you found is certainly not someone the food stamp program itself would point to as its greatest success story. But we make fun of you not for finding him, but for pretending that he somehow represents literally millions of Americans.\"","Last April, the USDA released a study of the dietary habits of some SNAP recipients once they joined the program. It found they ate more whole fruit and less of some vegetables, such as carrots. The recipients ate food with less sodium and saturated fat. It did not have a breakdown of their consumption of lobster. Most other studies found little or no change in the waistlines of recipients, contrary to thinking that food stamp use leads to obesity.","\"Free EBT cards.\" Electronic Benefit Transfer cards\u2019 most well-known use is for buying food, under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Immigrants illegally in the country are not eligible for the federal SNAP benefits. There is another federal food assistance program for which states can set eligibility requirements, and immigrants illegally in the country could apply for that assistance. That program is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly called WIC. Many state agencies have started issuing WIC benefits via EBT cards, said a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture."]},{"id":"4598.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsin bill grants drug companies and medical device manufacturers immunity from injuries and deaths caused by their products.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The bill in question does provide immunity to drug companies and medical device manufacturers, but it is important to note that this immunity only applies when the products have received FDA approval. The immunity does not extend to cases where the products were improperly marketed or if there was a failure to warn about potential risks. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the immunity granted, it should be clarified that this immunity is conditional upon FDA approval.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The agency will grow under the plan, but not as much as is being alleged. Half the current staff is close to retirement and about 50,000 are expected to leave in the next six years, said \u200b\u200bNatasha Sarin, the Treasury Department\u2019s counselor for tax policy and implementation.","The workforce of the Pentagon, State Department, FBI and Customs and Border Protection combined is nearly 199,000. That\u2019s about 34,000 more positions than the IRS would have if it added 87,000 new employees at once and none of its current 78,000 employees left.","Many of the new hires will be made over a 10-year period, and will come as the agency prepares for about 50,000 retirements over five to six years. For more than a century, the IRS has had a small armed division of agents who are assigned to respond to criminal investigations. The vast majority of IRS employees are not armed, however, and this funding will not change that. Routine audits are usually done by mail.","That report is not necessarily showing how the IRS plans to use new money today. The Treasury Department says it will be several months before it decides how to spend the money."]},{"id":"11487.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The federal government owns about half of the West, yet it continues to acquire more land.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jeb Bush that the federal government owns about half of the land in the West and continues to acquire more. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) overview confirms that the federal government owns and manages a significant amount of land, approximately 635 to 640 million acres, with the majority of it being managed by agencies such as the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service. While the exact percentage of land ownership in the West may vary slightly, the statement is generally true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11621.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After the Texas cutoff of aid to womens health care services including Planned Parenthood clinics, over 150,000 women lost the only health care they had. Our Medicaid birth rate shot up. It cost taxpayers over $130 million in one year alone in extra Medicaid birth costs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a significant drop in women participating in state-backed family planning and cancer screening programs after Texas reduced funding, the claim that over 150,000 women lost the only healthcare they had is not confirmed. Additionally, the assertion that the Medicaid birth rate shot up and cost taxpayers over $130 million in extra Medicaid birth costs lacks concrete evidence. In fact, there were fewer Medicaid-covered Texas births in 2014 compared to 2011. While there may have been negative impacts on women's healthcare access, the statement exaggerates the extent of the consequences and lacks sufficient evidence to support the specific numbers provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When I took office last year we faced historic budget deficits of $6 billion here in Virginia,\" McDonnell said on March 26 in delivering the Republican weekly radio address to the nation. \"And we closed those deficits by cutting spending, not raising taxes.\"","The governor says he faced a $6 billion budget shortfall when he took office in January 2010 and \"we closed those deficits by cutting spending.\"","One more note: McDonnell said that when he took office in January 2010 \"we faced historic budget deficits of $6 billion.\" That implies that the entire problem was solved under his watch.","Two of McDonnell\u2019s key advisers, Finance Secretary Ric Brown and Director of Communications Tucker Martin, told us in February that the governor\u2019s $6 billion figure refers to the cumulative shortfalls Virginia faced from July 1, 2008 through last year. They acknowledged that many of the actions by McDonnell and the General Assembly took to balance the budget involved maneuvering accounts and using stimulus dollars -- not cutting spending."]},{"id":"3661.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There are legitimate and widespread anomalies, and widespread questions about the conduct of (the Wisconsin Supreme Court) election, most visibly in Waukesha County, but also in counties around the state.","reason":"Reason: While there were indeed concerns and questions raised about the conduct of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, particularly in Waukesha County, the statement exaggerates the extent of the anomalies and widespread questions. The evidence suggests that the discrepancies and concerns were primarily focused on specific incidents, such as the Waukesha County incident, rather than being widespread throughout the state. It is important to accurately represent the scope and nature of the concerns to maintain a fair and balanced assessment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For instance, she said, \"all... student athletes get an iPad. They get a lot of things that the normal student does not.\"","We recognized another way that some student-athletes land iPads--as gifts to participants in football bowl games. Players in the 2012 Valero Alamo Bowl, which was won by the Texas Longhorns, received $550 worth of gifts including an iPad Mini, bowl spokesman Rick Hill told us by phone.","Voinis stressed that many student-athletes come to school already having computers, laptops or iPads. Still, he said, the option is there for those students to check out a laptop or iPad. \"Some check them out for a day or two, some for a semester,\" Voinis said, or the full year. He said the programs keeps 30 tablets, mostly iPads, available for checkout.","Web posts assert that the May 1, 2017, stabbing attacks at the University of Texas ended after a heroic student pulled out a handgun."]},{"id":"377.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Could I just point out that ... I seem to get the first question all the time?\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the speaker's observation that they consistently receive the first question. However, without further context, it is difficult to determine the significance or implications of this observation.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9775.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Marilinda Garcia supports $150 billion in new taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Marilinda Garcia supports $150 billion in new taxes is not accurate. The claim is based on a misinterpretation of Garcia's remark about closing tax loopholes that benefit large corporations. Even if one were to assume that Garcia intended to eliminate all corporate tax breaks, the resulting revenue would likely be significantly less than $150 billion. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not reflect Garcia's actual stance on taxation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3865.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Virginia is headed towards another surplus this year, unlike most states.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor McDonnell that Virginia is on track to achieve a surplus in the current fiscal year. The evidence supports this, indicating that Virginia had a surplus in the previous fiscal year and is projected to have another surplus this year. While it is true that state revenue is still below pre-recession levels, the statement focuses on the current trend of achieving a surplus compared to most other states. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive comparison with all states, so the label is adjusted to \"mostly-true.\"\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But the White House told PolitiFact that on \"his national security team are also numerous members of the (National Security Council) staff, like the deputy national security advisors, for example.\" The National Security Council also by law includes the vice president, and meetings are regularly attended by the Secretary of the Treasury and the national security adviser, as well.","The National Rifle Association is out with a Top 10-style list detailing why President Barack Obama is anti-gun. We\u2019re investigating several of the claims on the list. You can see all our fact-checks by clicking back here throughout the week.","Mahaffee said the members of the group McCain is referring to are generally called the \"principals\" who make up the core of the national security team. But other advisers, including those mentioned by the White House, are often powerful cogs in those meetings as well. President George W. Bush, for example, delegated a lot of national security authority to Vice President Dick Cheney, Mahaffee said, while President Richard Nixon made National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger his point man for those discussions.","Whether McCain exaggerated his point comes down to how you define the national security team. McCain\u2019s spokesman said, \"The Senate-confirmed heads of the Pentagon, State Department, CIA and uniformed military are generally considered a president's national security team.\""]},{"id":"3901.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Kasichs budget increases state spending from $50.5 billion to $55.6 billion. This is the second largest, two-year spending increase in Ohio history.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Kasich's budget increases state spending from $50.5 billion to $55.6 billion, which is indeed a significant increase. The evidence also confirms that this increase is the second largest, two-year spending increase in Ohio's history. While there may be some debate about the exact ranking of the increase, the evidence suggests that it is among the largest spending increases in Ohio's history. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8563.json","label":"true","statement":"The deficit this year could pay all of the 2013 salaries of every professional baseball player for the next 248 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ayotte that the deficit for that year could cover the salaries of professional baseball players for the next 248 years. This claim has been fact-checked and verified as true by multiple sources, including media organizations and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). While there may be slight variations in the exact number of years due to different estimates, the overall assertion remains accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8052.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The city of Brookhavens ordinance could cause the Pink Pony to close, thereby putting 300 Pink Pony employees out of work in this economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The ad claims that the city's ordinance could lead to the closure of the Pink Pony, potentially resulting in 300 employees losing their jobs. While it is possible that the ordinance could have an impact on the club's operations, leading to job losses, the exact number of employees affected is not definitively established. The ad's claim of 300 employees is disputed, as there are more than 300 licensed workers at the club. Therefore, while the potential for job losses exists, the specific number of employees at risk is uncertain.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1011.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The economic stimulus bill created a council that's \"modeled after the national board that controls Britains health system.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the economic stimulus bill created the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research, the statement in the ad that it is \"modeled after the national board that controls Britain's health system\" is incorrect. There is no evidence to support this claim, and in fact, President Obama has explicitly rejected the British model for healthcare. The purpose of the council is to coordinate research efforts and improve healthcare treatments, not to control or dictate healthcare choices like the British system. Therefore, the statement in the ad is misleading and does not accurately represent the nature and purpose of the council.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele says county buses are no less safe now than a year or two ago&url=)","But Abele\u2019s claim about buses being no less safe than a year or two ago flies in the face of the passenger altercation stats. Plus, Abele makes use of overly broad \"incident\" numbers that are highly misleading as a measure of crime.","Police were called in 12 percent more often in 2010 than in 2009, but those cases were on pace to fall about 5 percent in 2011 compared to 2010. So, buses were less safe this year than in 2009, but more safe this year than in 2010.","\"I think he\u2019s misrepresenting the facts,\" Abele told CBS 58 TV reporter. \"If the sheriff has given you the impression that transit is less safe than it was a year ago or the year before that, then he\u2019s giving the wrong impression.\""]},{"id":"4378.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson, John Lewis and other members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are socialists who are openly serving in the U.S. Congress.","reason":"Reason: The claim that U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson, John Lewis, and other members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are socialists openly serving in the U.S. Congress is false. While the Congressional Progressive Caucus does exist, it does not consist solely of socialists. The caucus includes a range of progressive members with diverse political ideologies. Additionally, the claim that the caucus was created by the Democratic Socialists of America is also false. The evidence provided by Sovereign Citizens United to support these claims is unreliable and has been debunked. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Right now, everyone pays 1.5 percent for healthcare,\" Sweeney, a Democrat who represents the southwestern part of the state, told host Eric Scott. \"For the average worker, government worker, for the first two years, on that grid that we created, they're not even impacted. They won't even feel it until the third year where they'll see any kind of an increase.\"","Sweeney said in a radio interview that the average worker won\u2019t pay higher health care costs until the third year of the new health benefits reform. But the senator\u2019s own figures prove him wrong, showing increases starting in the second year.","Senate President Stephen Sweeney claims average workers in New Jersey won\u2019t see payments rise until third year of new health benefits reform","Says \"how much money the government is collecting from terms of the gross domestic product\" is \"the lowest in 40, 50 years.\""]},{"id":"2538.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Oregon ranks 43rd in education.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Oregon ranks 43rd in education is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly support this specific ranking, it does indicate that Oregon's high school graduation rates are low, as mentioned by State Rep. Dennis Richardson, who stated that Oregon ranks 49th in high school graduation rates. Although this evidence does not provide the exact ranking for overall education, it suggests that Oregon's education system is not performing well compared to other states. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that Oregon's ranking in education would likely be below average, supporting the statement that Oregon ranks 43rd in education.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A third-party group supporting Young, who is facing Democrat Bob Buesing for state Senate in the newly created District 18, sent the mailer in the last weeks of September that says she \"voted for a statewide fracking ban to protect our water.\" The group, the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, paid for the mailpiece, but the mailer says that Young approved the message. So we are putting Young on the Truth-O-Meter.","Young reasoned that HB 191 could have been the first step to a permanent ban on fracking. However, the bill only called for a temporary moratorium on the process, not a \"ban\" like her mailer says.","The institute uses an economic-impact analysis model to measure how employment and economic activity statewide would change as a result of a ban on fracking. The analysis makes several assumptions to arrive at the job and GDP figures.","Though Joe Biden said in a March 2020 debate that he would support banning fracking in the U.S., his official platform says different."]},{"id":"3750.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There are not, nor have there ever been, any boycotts encouraged by our organizations.","reason":"Reason: While the statement from Neuenfeldt asserts that there have been no boycotts encouraged by their organizations, there is evidence to suggest otherwise. The state AFL-CIO, which is an umbrella group representing numerous local unions, has taken actions in support of boycott movements. This includes publicizing the withdrawal of funds from certain banks as a form of protest. While it is possible that the specific organizations mentioned by Neuenfeldt may not have directly encouraged boycotts, the broader umbrella organization has been involved in activities that align with boycott movements. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Planned Parenthood is \"the only health care that a significant number of women get. About 30 percent of women, that's their health care.\"","Planned Parenthood \"is the health care backbone for American women during their lives,\" Reid said. \"In fact, it's the only health care that a significant number of women get. About 30 percent of women, that's their health care.\"","Reid said Planned Parenthood is \"the only health care that a significant number of women get. About 30 percent of women, that's their health care.\" That\u2019s not the case -- Planned Parenthood saw 2.7 million patients in 2013, not the 39 million it would have needed to see for Reid\u2019s claim to be accurate. Even if every Planned Parenthood patient had no other health care options, the group would have seen about 2 percent of women, not 30 percent. His office acknowledged that Reid, making off-the-cuff remarks, got the talking point wrong. In this case, he really got it wrong. We rate the statement Pants on Fire.","( - Harry Reid is way off on claim that 30% of women rely only on Planned Parenthood for health care &url=)"]},{"id":"2086.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"It turns out that Texas has an $18 billion budget shortfall and cant afford its new science textbooks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Austin American-Statesman article that Texas has an $18 billion budget shortfall and is facing challenges in affording new science textbooks. The decision by the State Board of Education to delay purchasing new textbooks and instead update current ones with online material was influenced by the state's budget deficit. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context, such as the specific timeframe and the source of the budget shortfall. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the claim is based on a news article and may not reflect the most up-to-date information on the state's budget situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Accusing the Obama administration of significantly increasing the federal limousine fleet in the midst of a recession and spiraling deficits may make for a great red meat line on a Republican campaign stop. But Bachmann's claim that \"under Barack Obama the last two years the number of federal limousines for bureaucrats has increased 73 percent,\" is based on squishy figures from the GSA (according to the GSA itself). And it's also impossible to tell from the numbers exactly how many of the new \"limousines\" were ordered by the Obama administration, and how many were ordered by his predecessor. Given those qualifiers, we rate it Barely True.","It's also unclear how many of the new \"limousines\" can be tied to the Obama administration. The bulk of the limousine fleet increase occurred between the fiscal years of 2008 and 2009 (when the number jumped 47 percent -- from 238 to 349). When Obama took office in late January 2009, it was already nearly four months into the 2009 fiscal year. The GSA report doesn't note how many were ordered in the first four months as opposed to the final eight.","That's up from 17,499 border patrol agents at the end of September 2008, four months before Obama took office (an 18 percent increase).","\"I think everything needs to be on the table right now, every part of government,\" Bachmann said. \"I'll tell you one thing that should be on the table, under Barack Obama the last two years, the number of federal limousines for bureaucrats has increased 73 percent, in two years. I can\u2019t think of anything more reprehensible than seeing bureaucrats on their cell phones in the backs...73 percent increase in the number of federal limousines in the last two years, for heaven's sake.\""]},{"id":"4483.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says our taxes have doubled with Rick Perry in office.","reason":"Reason: The statement that taxes have doubled with Rick Perry in office is not supported by credible evidence. While there may have been an increase in taxes or government spending during Perry's tenure as governor of Texas, the claim that taxes have doubled is an exaggeration and lacks factual basis. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid making misleading statements.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","Mauro said the federal government doesn\u2019t need permission from Texas to create a park. \"That\u2019s just a fact,\" Mauro said. \"The federal government can condemn what it wants to condemn.\"","The unusual private donation for a government function has raised some legal and ethical questions, while state officials have pointed to laws that they say allow such a donation.","For example, in 2006, they all signed pacts with the federal government to allow National Guard personnel to help patrol the border area and support federal efforts as part of Operation Jump Start."]},{"id":"10297.json","label":"true","statement":"Mike Martinez cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid facing possible jail time and stuck us with his $24,657.50 legal bill.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Mike Martinez did indeed cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid potential jail time. The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Progress for Austin PAC, which states that Martinez avoided facing jail time and left the taxpayers with his legal bill amounting to $24,657.50. This information is supported by Martinez's own acknowledgment that he signed an agreement to potentially avoid jail time and the fact that he and other council members agreed to have the city pay their legal bills. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9928.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Michelle Nunn spent most of her childhood in Perry, Ga.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Michelle Nunn spent the first six years of her life in Perry, Georgia, before her father was elected to the U.S. Senate, the statement that she spent \"most\" of her childhood in Perry is not entirely accurate. According to the evidence provided, Nunn spent 12 years of her childhood living outside of Georgia, which is a significant portion of her formative years. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the timeline of her childhood.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"54.json","label":"true","statement":"Guantanamo detainees get taxpayer-paid-for prayer rugsthey had honey-glazed chicken and rice pilaf.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. There have been instances where Guantanamo detainees have been provided with prayer rugs and specific meals, such as honey-glazed chicken and rice pilaf, as part of their religious accommodations. This information has been reported by various sources and is supported by evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5139.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Mayor Barrett saved Milwaukee $25 million, thanks to Gov. Walkers reforms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The billboard claims that Mayor Tom Barrett saved Milwaukee $25 million, thanks to Governor Scott Walker's reforms. While the claim specifically refers to the savings resulting from the reforms tied to collective bargaining, it accurately states that Mayor Barrett was able to save money for the city as a result of these reforms. However, it's important to note that the statement focuses on a specific aspect of the city's budget and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of how Milwaukee fared overall.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Calling Obama the \"best food stamp president in American history,\" Gingrich said that \"more people have been put on food stamps under Barack Obama than anyone in American history.\"","PolitiFact, \"Newt Gingrich says \u2018more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history,\u2019 \" Jan. 17, 2012","It\u2019s possible to interpret Gingrich's statement that \"more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history\" as suggesting that Obama is forcing people into the program. In fact, it\u2019s a voluntary program.","There\u2019s a lot to digest here, but we\u2019re going to look at two claims from the ad. In another item, we examined the claim that \"since President Obama took full control of Washington ... every single day, more than 1,500 of our jobs have been lost.\" The one we\u2019re looking at in this item is, \"Since President Obama took full control of Washington,\" every day, 13,000 more people \"have been put on food stamps.\""]},{"id":"8972.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Travis County now has the highest urban county tax rate in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Travis County has historically had one of the highest tax rates among urban counties in Texas. While it may not currently have the highest tax rate, the statement implies that it has the highest tax rate at the present time. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate. However, it is worth noting that Travis County has consistently had high tax rates compared to other urban counties in the past.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"89.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Took on the Olympics and turned them around\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that someone \"took on the Olympics and turned them around\" lacks specific details and context. Without further information, it is challenging to determine the accuracy of the claim. However, if we consider instances where individuals or organizations have successfully managed and improved the operations, finances, or reputation of the Olympics, it is plausible that someone could have \"turned them around\" in certain circumstances. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true, but it would benefit from additional evidence or context to provide a more accurate assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Peters said that the United States launched airstrikes against terrorist targets at night \"to minimize terrorist casualties.\" He said the only reason for a night-time attack would be to hit empty buildings.","\"Well, it really, really mattered,\" Peters said. \"And I think the media were so enraptured with dramatic footage of the cruise missile launches and the before and after photos that they missed the fundamental point: that Obama had restrictions on this air operation to minimize not just civilian (casualties), but to minimize terrorist casualties.","While there is little doubt that the Defense Department is trying to minimize civilian casualties, \"I disagree on the point about desiring to minimize terrorist casualties,\" said retired Air Force Col. Mark Gunzinger, who works at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. \"I actually find that a rather strange comment.\"","\"He didn't want bloodshed, so we attacked in the middle of the night. Now the only reason you\u2019d attack in the middle of the night is if there is a forbidding air defense complex and you\u2019re worried about it -- there were no air defenses in the areas we attacked. The Syrians certainly weren't going to turn on anything they had. ISIS doesn't have them. You could have gone in there safely in a hang glider. But instead we went in the middle of the night. Why? Because the buildings were empty.\""]},{"id":"8875.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 85 percent of IDEA charter-school students come from low-income families and about 99 percent of its graduates go to college.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Abbott regarding IDEA charter-school students. According to Abbott, 85 percent of IDEA students come from low-income families, and approximately 99 percent of its graduates go on to college. These claims are supported by the information provided in the evidence, which includes statements from Abbott himself and background information about IDEA's vision and practices. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided is limited to Abbott's statements and the organization's own documentation, so it would be beneficial to consider additional sources for a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Nevadans will have a \"double-digit hike in their Obamacare premiums for the year\" and \"10 of Nevada\u2019s 16 counties will only have one Obamacare...exchange insurer\"","Trump said Nevadans will see a \"double-digit hike in their Obamacare premiums for the year\" and \"10 of Nevada\u2019s 16 counties will only have one Obamacare...exchange insurer\"","\"It\u2019s just been announced that the citizens of Nevada are going to experience a massive, massive -- in fact, I don\u2019t even want to tell you what the number is, I won\u2019t because you\u2019ll walk out of here depressed -- double-digit hike in their Obamacare premiums for the year,\" he said. \"Ten of Nevada\u2019s 16 counties will have only Obamacare, and think of it, you can have one, exchange insurer that you can choose from. They are in a very good position to negotiate with you, aren\u2019t they?\"","Regardless, a large percentage of Nevada counties (59 percent) only have one insurer to choose from. However, the majority of Nevadans enrolled through the exchange live in counties with more than one insurer."]},{"id":"10172.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gina Raimondo paid 70 million in taxpayer dollars to millionaire hedge fund managers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Gina Raimondo, as the Rhode Island General Treasurer, approved significant fees to hedge fund managers, the statement exaggerates by referring to them as \"millionaire hedge fund managers\" and implying that the fees were paid directly from taxpayer dollars. The fees were paid from the state's pension fund, which is funded by a combination of taxpayer contributions and investment returns. Additionally, the exact amount of fees paid is not specified, as it is estimated to be around $70 million based on historical data and projections. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context and exaggerates certain aspects.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Providence restaurateur John Elkhay says that if Rhode Island raises the state meal and beverage tax to 10 percent, it would be the fourth-highest in the nation","( - Providence restaurateur John Elkhay says that if Rhode Island raises the state meal and beverage tax to 10 percent, it would be the fourth-highest in the nation&url=)","Providence restaurateur John Elkhay, of the Chow Fun Food Group, was at the head of the march, leading the crowd in chants against the tax increase. At one point, he yelled out that a 10 percent meal and beverage tax in Rhode Island would be the \"fourth-highest in the nation.\"","Most meal taxes in other states are applied by cities and towns, so a comparison should take in those localized rates. And according to the most recent study from the Tax Foundation, a 10 percent rate in Rhode Island would be tied for fourth-highest in the nation."]},{"id":"7326.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says on the state level, we spend less today than Jon Corzine spent in fiscal year 2008, five years later.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Governor Christie accurately claims that on the state level, New Jersey spends less today than it did in fiscal year 2008 under Governor Jon Corzine. The fiscal year 2013 budget was nearly $2 billion less than the level of state spending in fiscal year 2008. However, it's important to note that state spending has still increased during Governor Christie's tenure, which the statement does not address. Therefore, while the claim is accurate in comparing spending levels between specific years, it lacks the broader context of overall spending trends.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Steve Munisteri, Republican Party of Texas chair, says Austin's League of Women Voters has no Republicans among elected officers oron debate committee","Urging two GOP candidates for the State Board of Education not to join a televised debate being organized by the Austin area's chapter of the League of Women Voters, the chairman of the Republican Party of Texas said Aug. 31 that the group's officers and debate committee members had voted in multiple Democratic primaries. \"How can the Austin chapter of the LWV claim to be non-partisan when there are no Republicans among their elected officers or on their debate committee?\" Chairman Steve Munisteri said.","( - Steve Munisteri, Republican Party of Texas chair, says Austin's League of Women Voters has no Republicans among elected officers oron debate committee&url=)","With help from Frances McIntyre, the chapter's president, we realized that Munisteri's statement--that no elected board members or debate committee members are Republicans--centers on 11 individuals, six identified as \"elected officers\" on the chapter's website and five McIntyre confirmed to us as its debate committee members; she said a sixth committee member was overlooked. Among the 11, the GOP summary says, six voted in all four Democratic primaries since 2004, four voted in three out of four Democratic primaries, one voted in two of the party's primaries--and none voted in a Republican primary."]},{"id":"7283.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas will be majority Hispanic in six years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Texas will be majority Hispanic in six years is an oversimplification and lacks context. While there is evidence to suggest that the Hispanic population in Texas is growing, it is important to consider various factors such as migration patterns, birth rates, and other demographic changes. Making a definitive prediction about the exact timeline for Texas to become majority Hispanic is challenging and subject to uncertainty. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and should be viewed with caution.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3727.json","label":"false","statement":"The Bush tax cuts created about 8 million jobs over the first 10 years that they were in existence. Weve lost about 5 million of those jobs during this recession.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by both the speaker and Boehner that the Bush tax cuts created approximately 8 million jobs over the first 10 years. However, it is incorrect to state that 5 million of those jobs were lost during the recession. The recession did result in a significant job loss, but it cannot be solely attributed to the expiration of the Bush tax cuts. The recession was caused by a complex set of factors, including the financial crisis and housing market collapse. Therefore, the statement is false as it inaccurately links the job losses during the recession directly to the expiration of the tax cuts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This table appeared in 2015, and some of its numbers might have been more accurate then. But fast-forward to 2019 and, by and large, the charities it warns about make much better use of their charitable donations today than the chart suggests. And most of them don\u2019t pay their CEOs as much as this claims.","With the call out for donations to help Bahamians recover from Hurricane Dorian\u2019s devastating hit, an old graphic showed up on Facebook again. It\u2019s a table that purports to show the charities that are \"the good guys,\" and those that play people for suckers, paying lavish salaries to their CEOs and spending a puny percentage to actually help people.","Says several well-known charities such as Goodwill and American Red Cross overpay their CEOs and spend a small percentage on helping people.","A recent Facebook post recirculated an outdated table that divided well-known charities into those that spent donations wisely and those that did not. Most of the numbers in the table were not just wrong, they were wildly wrong. The data inflated CEO salaries and lowballed the share of money going to charitable programs by factors ranging from two to 10."]},{"id":"3080.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We had a debate on whether ObamaCare was the way to go to fix up health care and the American voters said no -- emphatically.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks context. While it is true that there was significant debate surrounding the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is misleading to claim that the American voters emphatically rejected it. The ACA has undergone various changes and has both supporters and critics. The statement fails to acknowledge the complexities of the issue and the diverse opinions among American voters. Therefore, it is not an accurate representation of the nuanced views on the ACA.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["After listing plans by Apple, Visa and General Motors to add jobs, Obama told students and teachers assembled at the Manor New Tech High School: \"According to one report, the tech sector now drives more than one-quarter of Austin\u2019s economy. And all of this has helped to make Austin one of the fastest-growing cities in America.\"","The report says: \"While a respectable 9% of total employment is in technology (more than 100,000 jobs), more than one third of all jobs in the Austin economy are supported by the technology sector, including direct hiring and spin-off hiring activity.\"","Then again, the report also says jobs in the tech sector plus spin-off jobs amounted to more than a third of the region\u2019s total jobs, which strikes us as sufficient to make Obama's claim partly accurate. We rate it as Half True.","Kelsey said total estimated employment (full-time, part-time, and self-employment) in Austin's tech sector accounted for 105,667 jobs in 2012, roughly 9 percent of all jobs in Austin. \"That's direct jobs--i.e. people employed in the 53 industries. If you look at the direct employment and the spin-off activity it creates in other industries (the multiplier effect), the tech sector supports an estimated one-third of total employment in Austin--so a bit more than \u2018one-quarter,\u2019\" he said. He added that most of the data behind the report, including the jobs multiplier of 3.5, came from Idaho-based Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., a company that specializes in economic impact studies."]},{"id":"12207.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Rhode Island: 3% bigger at low tide.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rhode Island is 3% bigger at low tide is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence suggests that the fluctuation in size between tides is about 3.7 square miles at most, which is significantly less than 3% of the state's total area. Additionally, the evidence highlights the complexities involved in accurately measuring the size difference at low tide, including the need to establish specific measurement standards and conduct detailed surveys. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12792.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Immigrants start businesses at a faster rate; they seem to grow those businesses more successfully.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided. Multiple sources, including Clinton, an expert named Fairlie, and analysis from the nonpartisan Kauffman Foundation, support the claim that immigrants have a higher business start rate and that immigrant-owned businesses tend to grow more successfully compared to their native counterparts. While it's important to acknowledge that evidence on the success of immigrant-owned businesses is limited, the available data and expert opinions align with Clinton's statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2678.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio said that people who essentially dont agree with him, ought to leave the country, like Keith Olbermann.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Crist during a debate that Marco Rubio said people who don't agree with him should leave the country, similar to Keith Olbermann. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which includes direct quotes from both Crist and Rubio. It is important to note that this statement is a representation of Crist's accusation and does not necessarily reflect the actual views or statements of Marco Rubio.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3040.json","label":"true","statement":"Our spending has caught up with us, and our debt soon will eclipse the entire size of our national economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that the national debt in the United States is projected to surpass the size of the national economy. This situation has not occurred since World War Two, and it is a concerning development. The statement suggests that the spending and debt levels have become unsustainable, which is a valid concern given the projected trajectory. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific attribution or context regarding who is responsible for the current state of the debt. \nLabel: true","evidence":["This year, Gingrich \"has raised as much money as Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Sarah Palin, and Mike Huckabee combined,\" the article states.","We looked up American Solutions' Internal Revenue Services filings, plus the FEC filings for the PACs of Huckabee, Palin, Pawlenty and Romney.","Federal filings confirm that Gingrich has indeed raised more than the other candidates combined -- but with a very important caveat. Comparing 527 groups with PACs is not entirely fair because it's much easier for a 527 group to raise money.","Gingrich said that in 1992, Romney \"gave money to Democrats for Congress.\" We should note that for the past 20 years, Romney has given the majority of his donations to Republican candidates and committees. But Gingrich was specific in his attack here, and Romney did give money to three Democratic candidates that year. We rate Gingrich's claim True."]},{"id":"11364.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Honduras bans citizens from owning guns and has the highest homicide rate in the entire world. Switzerland, with a similar population, requires citizens to own guns and has the lowest homicide rate in the entire world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. While it is true that Honduras has a high homicide rate, it is not accurate to claim that the country bans citizens from owning guns. In fact, Honduras does allow gun ownership, although there are regulations and restrictions in place. On the other hand, Switzerland does not require all citizens to own guns. While Switzerland has a high rate of gun ownership, it also has a low homicide rate compared to many other countries, but it is not the lowest in the entire world. Therefore, the statement is false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Cain said, \"Over the last 40 years, real wage growth has been flatlined because of the policies of the Federal Reserve.\"","\"This is a fact, Stuart, over the last 40 years, real wage growth has been flatlined because of the policies of the Federal Reserve,\" Cain said. \"It had nothing to do with greedy CEOs, nothing to do with what companies wanted to do. It was all driven by the Federal Reserve trying to control unemployment with the faulty control of wage growth.\"","We\u2019ll start by assessing Cain\u2019s claim that real wage growth has flatlined over the past 40 years. Later we\u2019ll talk about the role of the Federal Reserve.","But Cain goes too far in blaming policies of the Federal Reserve, both conservative and liberal economists told us us. Various nonmonetary policy factors are much more likely to cause a lack of wage growth."]},{"id":"8582.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"8.5 million Americans have gotten rebate checks because their insurance companies were spending too much money on executive bonuses and administrative costs and not enough on health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by David Axelrod that 8.5 million Americans received rebate checks because their insurance companies were not meeting the required spending on health care and instead allocating excessive funds towards executive bonuses and administrative costs. The evidence confirms that insurance companies are required to spend a certain percentage of premiums on medical care, known as the medical loss ratio, and if they fail to meet this requirement, they must issue rebates to policyholders. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of the rebate checks, such as the average amount received or the specific time frame in which these rebates were issued. Adding these details would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For example, the national site rated Pants on Fire a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee claim that \"seniors will have to find $12,500 for health care because Republicans voted to end Medicare.\"","Democrats pounced. Just four days after the party-line vote, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released a Web ad that said seniors will have to pay $12,500 more for health care \"because Republicans voted to end Medicare.\"","Another problem with the ad is that it claims that participants would have to find $12,500 to pay for Medicare. That number is based on statistics compiled by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The ad doesn\u2019t mention, though, that the number includes money that would go to Medicare in any case. The CBO estimates beneficiaries would contribute about $6,150 in premiums in 2022 if the program isn\u2019t changed at all. So the extra money seniors need to pay under the Republican proposal is more like $6,350.","But to say the Republicans voted to end Medicare, as the ad does, is a major exaggeration. All seniors would continue to be offered coverage under the proposal, and the program\u2019s budget would increase every year."]},{"id":"3363.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas ranks third in teen pregnancies... and it is No. 1 in repeat teen pregnancies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true, but it lacks some precision in the terminology used. Texas does rank fourth in teen pregnancies, not third, as clarified by the evidence. However, it is accurate that Texas is indeed ranked first in repeat teen births. While the distinction between pregnancies and births is important, the overall claim that Texas has a high rate of both teen pregnancies and repeat teen pregnancies remains valid.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5973.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obamas flush with cash, returning to Wall Street for even more money. Wall Street sure supports President Obama.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama has received donations from individuals working in the financial industry, it is misleading to claim that \"Wall Street sure supports President Obama\" based solely on this fact. Political donations from individuals within the financial industry are not indicative of unanimous support from the entire Wall Street community. Additionally, it is important to consider that political donations can come from a variety of sources and may not necessarily reflect the preferences or interests of the entire industry. Therefore, the statement in question is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent the nuanced relationship between President Obama and Wall Street.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton has been given tens of millions of dollars by countries that \"treat women horribly ... and countries that kill gays.\"","Hillary Clinton has been given tens of millions of dollars by countries that \"treat women horribly ... and countries that kill gays.\"","Trump said that Hillary Clinton has \"been given tens of millions of dollars by countries that treat women countries that kill gays.\"","\"She's been given tens of millions of dollars by countries that treat women horribly,\" Trump said June 18. \"And countries that kill gays, they kill gays, they push them off of buildings.\""]},{"id":"1239.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"During the Reagan era, \"the richest Americans had their top income tax rate cut in half.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. During the Reagan era, the top marginal tax rate, which refers to the rate of income tax charged to an individual on their last dollar of earnings, did indeed decrease from 70 percent in 1980 to 28 percent in 1989. However, it's important to note that this reduction in the top income tax rate does not necessarily mean that the richest Americans had their overall taxes cut in half. The effective tax rate, which takes into account deductions and tax credits, provides a more comprehensive understanding of the actual percentage of income that people paid in income taxes. Therefore, while the top income tax rate was cut in half, the impact on the overall tax burden of the richest Americans may not have been as significant.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u2022 President Obama \"promised\" families making less than $250,000 a year would not see taxes go up, but \"Obamacare raises 18 different taxes.\" We rated that Mostly False. The health law did authorize new taxes on tanning and smoking, but most of the other taxes are on high-income people and the health care industry.","We should state at the outset that if you think Obama only meant he would not raise income taxes on people making less than $250,000, then you might think Obama is keeping his promise. The Bush tax cuts expire at the end of 2010, and Obama said he would extend those tax cuts for those making less than $250,000. We still have that promise rated In the Works. People who make more than $250,000 will likely see their taxes go up, just as Obama promised during the campaign.","Another part of our deliberation was that when Obama was on the campaign trail saying that \" no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase,\" his examples were all federal income or payroll taxes. Cigarette taxes are a federal excise tax, which is a tax on goods. (Other federal excise taxes are levied on things like alcohol, gasoline and firearms.) These are not taxes that affect people based on income level, but rather based on whether they purchase certain goods. So while some families who make less than $250,000 a year will be affected by cigarette taxes, the taxes are based on their decision to buy cigarettes, not based on their income.","But Obama's campaign rhetoric took him beyond just income taxes. \"Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes,\" Obama said. It's that \"not any of your taxes\" that is the sticking point."]},{"id":"11424.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Edward Snowden could have gotten all of the protections of being a whistleblower.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is a law, the 1998 Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act, that provides some protections for whistleblowers, the statement oversimplifies the situation. There is a significant legal debate over whether the issues Edward Snowden wanted to raise would fall under the protections of that law. Additionally, experts argue that the protections offered by the law may not have been sufficient to save Snowden from potential legal consequences under the Espionage Act. The Espionage Act does not provide a whistleblower exception, meaning Snowden would not have been allowed to argue that his disclosures were justified in court. Therefore, while there were potential avenues for Snowden to raise concerns, the statement fails to acknowledge the legal complexities and limitations surrounding his case.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9310.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Last year the (Medicaid Fraud Control Unit) in Virginia alone recovered over $200 million!","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it understates the actual amount recovered by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in Virginia. The evidence provided indicates that the recovery was actually $1 billion, not just $200 million. Therefore, the statement inaccurately represents the extent of the recovery and could mislead readers into thinking the recovery was significantly smaller than it actually was.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Do opinion polls show that more than half of Americans identify themselves as \"pro-life\" instead of \"pro-choice\" -- the terms abortion opponents and abortion rights supporters use to describe themselves?","\"They came to disrupt and shout down our rally,\" Bracy said. \"They claim to represent the 99 percent. Apparently they haven't seen the polls that show over half of Americans identify themselves as being pro-life. And they decided that they're about taking a stand for abortion, for public funding for abortion and they're about shouting down the pro-life movement.\"","Given the margin of error, the polls reveal a fairly even divide between the two sides. But the most recent polls show that, despite some surges of support, it is not correct to say that more than half of Americans call themselves \"pro-life.\"","\"There is an increasing amount of evidence from public polling that the highest number of Americans ever identify themselves as pro-life.\""]},{"id":"13381.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Jack Berry voted for a plan to cut $23.8 million from our schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. Jack Berry did vote in favor of a plan that recommended $23.8 million in cuts to the School Board's proposed budget. However, it is misleading to solely attribute the cuts to Berry, as the plan was developed by an 11-member advisory committee, and the City Council largely adopted it. The responsibility for the cuts lies with the committee as a whole, not solely with Berry. Therefore, while Berry did support the plan that included the cuts, it is not accurate to attribute the entire decision to him alone.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2014.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As Washington debates cracking down on the big Wall Street banks, Ive passed legislation that does so.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the speaker has passed legislation that actively cracks down on big Wall Street banks. While there may be some efforts to regulate and address issues related to Wall Street banks, the evidence provided does not directly support the claim that the speaker has successfully passed legislation that specifically cracks down on these banks. The evidence suggests that the speaker has sponsored bills and worked on legislation related to issues such as foreclosures and predatory lending, but it does not provide clear evidence of legislation specifically targeting big Wall Street banks. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"So I would support either reforming the reform, or if we had a bill that was going to work, repeal and replace.\"","Early in the new Congress, the GOP-led House scheduled a repeal vote on the federal health care reforms -- which many of its candidates had derisively dubbed \"ObamaCare.\"","The Wausau Daily Herald, in endorsing Duffy, said the former district attorney \"hasn't beaten the drum for repeal of health care reform.\"","In their first attempt since President Donald Trump took office, House Republicans failed to pass their bill to repeal and replace former President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law, after seven years of promising to do so. On March 24, the day Republicans killed their American Health Care Act, Trump said he would now turn his attention to tax reform and wait for Democrats to approach him about making changes to the Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"11930.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2005 and 2007, Joe Straus received a 100 percent rating by NARAL (the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League).","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are claims stating Joe Straus received a 100 percent rating from NARAL in 2005 and 2007, further investigation reveals that these claims are not entirely accurate. In 2005, Straus received a 45 percent rating from NARAL, not a 100 percent rating. In 2007, the 100 percent rating was based on a budget amendment vote, but records indicate that Straus was absent during the scored vote. Therefore, the statement that Straus received a 100 percent rating in both 2005 and 2007 is misleading and lacks complete accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6106.json","label":"true","statement":"Before I was governor, tuition was skyrocketing and we stopped that. We capped and then we froze college tuition.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that during Allen's tenure as governor, tuition costs in Virginia were indeed increasing significantly. He implemented measures to address this issue by capping and subsequently freezing college tuition. These actions were aimed at curbing the rising costs of higher education in the state. The evidence supports the claim made by Allen regarding his efforts to control and reduce tuition fees during his time as governor.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5784.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker signed abortion, sex education and discrimination bills in secret.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Gov. Scott Walker signed bills related to abortion, sex education, and discrimination, the claim that he did so \"in secret\" is an exaggeration. The bills were publicly debated and discussed before being signed into law. However, it is worth noting that the process and timing of signing the bills may have been subject to criticism or controversy, as suggested by the dueling TV ads and challenges from Democratic candidates. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to support the claim of secrecy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5862.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the mayors job is to make sure that if somebody is trying to build a set of water treatment plants to cure us from cryptosporidium we dont have, we dont say yes even if CH2M Hill wants us to.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the mayor's role is to prevent the construction of unnecessary water treatment plants. However, this is a false characterization of the mayor's responsibilities. The primary role of a mayor is to oversee the administration of a city, including making decisions that benefit the community's well-being and development. The decision to approve or reject the construction of water treatment plants would be based on factors such as public health, environmental considerations, and expert recommendations, rather than personal preferences or the influence of a specific company like CH2M Hill. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke said, \"This president has offered fewer executive actions than almost any other president preceding his presidency in recent history.\" !U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke said, \"This president has offered fewer executive actions than almost any other president preceding his presidency in recent history.\"","\"This president has offered fewer executive actions than almost any other president preceding his presidency in recent history,\" said Beto, who is from El Paso.","U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke said, \"This president has offered fewer executive actions than almost any other president preceding his presidency in recent history.\"","According to the American Presidency Project at the University of California Santa Barbara, Obama has so far signed fewer executive orders than every other president in the last 50 years except two -- Gerald Ford (who finished Richard Nixon\u2019s second term) and George H. W. Bush (who served one term). And he\u2019s signed fewer per day than every president back to Grover Cleveland, according to research by the Brookings Institution."]},{"id":"2870.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Eighty percent of the oil were discovering, were discovering in the deep Gulf of Mexico.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant portion of oil production in the Gulf of Mexico comes from deep-water sources, the statement that \"80 percent of the oil we're discovering, we're discovering in the deep Gulf\" is an oversimplification. The evidence provided indicates that in 2009, 80 percent of the oil produced in the Gulf of Mexico came from deep-water sources, but it does not specifically address the percentage of newly discovered oil. Additionally, the statement does not account for changes in oil discovery and production over time. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the current state of oil discovery in the deep Gulf of Mexico.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Well, I think that's true. I think Barack Obama and his team believe that the federal government is best prepared to handle virtually everything in our lives. I mean, they're socialists in every respect of the word and I think they'd like to take over everything in our lives if they could, including health care.\"","So, Neumann, a former House member, is claiming Obama and his team are \"socialists in every respect of the word.\" Having cast himself as the most conservative candidate in the GOP primary, he goes to the opposite end of the spectrum by using socialist.","Words matter, and Neumann\u2019s statement takes the hyperbole even further, branding not only Obama but also his entire team as socialists.","!Texas Gov. Rick Perry called President Barack Obama a \"socialist\" during a Jan. 8, 2012, debate in Concord, N.H. !Texas Gov. Rick Perry called President Barack Obama a \"socialist\" during a Jan. 8, 2012, debate in Concord, N.H."]},{"id":"10807.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We had the biggest drop of the rate of unemployment (in)all but 4 states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the evidence, Illinois did experience a greater drop in its over-the-year unemployment rate compared to the states referenced. However, it's important to note that the difference in reductions between Illinois and the other states is minimal. Additionally, the statement is misleading because it implies that Illinois had the biggest drop in unemployment rate among all states, which is not true. There were still 12 states with lower unemployment rates than Illinois during the referenced period. Therefore, while there was a significant drop in unemployment in Illinois, the claim of having the biggest drop among all but four states is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The plan lacks any data or methods proven to raise student achievement and should not be supported blindly,\" read Cropper\u2019s statement in part.","Ohio AFT union head Melissa Cropper said Mayor Frank Jackson\u2019s sweeping plan to improve Cleveland schools \"lacks any data or methods proven to raise student achievement\" as she labeled the proposal an attack on teachers. For PolitiFact Ohio, a key part of that statement is \"lacks any.\"","While the teacher federation leader\u2019s statement contains some element of truth \u2014 there\u2019s no specific study or data that proves definitively that Jackson\u2019s approach will raise student achievement \u2014 it ignores critical facts about the successes that have resulted in some places that have tried some of the elements of Jackson\u2019s plan. Those details could give a listener a different impression.","When Mayor Frank Jackson introduced his plan to radically reshape Cleveland public schools, it was almost inevitable that the union representing Cleveland teachers would push back."]},{"id":"34.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"In state after state, polls make clear that the American public understands the Kelo ruling is a disaster.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the sentiment expressed by the American public regarding the Kelo ruling. The Kelo ruling refers to the Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London, which dealt with eminent domain and sparked significant public backlash. Polls conducted in various states consistently showed that a majority of Americans viewed the Kelo ruling unfavorably and considered it a negative development. While the statement doesn't provide specific data or sources, the general sentiment expressed is supported by public opinion polls.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Unlike many statistics-driven claims we have seen, the union did not offer a specific number for a narrow period. Rather, it cited the more general \"less safe\" and pointed to the nearly four years since Walker took office.","Estimates done regularly by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau show that the hypothetical property tax bill on a typical Wisconsin home is $2,832 for 2017-\u201918 -- $131 lower than the year before Walker took office.","In January 2017, when Walker said that property taxes -- as a percentage of personal income -- were \"the lowest that they've been since the end of World War II,\" our rating was True. An analysis by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance showed that on the measure Walker cited, they were lowest since 1946.","The Wisconsin Professional Police Association union said: Data on violent crime shows Wisconsin \"has become less safe than it was when Scott Walker took office.\""]},{"id":"289.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he passed a bill to stop a military requirement that wounded soldiers pay for meals and phone calls.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there is no specific evidence provided to support the claim, it is accurate that Beto O'Rourke sponsored the \"Honor our Commitment Act,\" which expanded mental health care through the VA to veterans with 'other-than-honorable' discharges. However, the statement incorrectly suggests that this bill specifically addressed the issue of wounded soldiers paying for meals and phone calls. The bill focused on expanding mental health care, and there is no direct mention of provisions related to meals and phone calls in the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Since selling oil was the source of the Kremlin's wealth, my father got the Saudis to flood the market with cheap oil.","Michael Reagan said his father got Saudi Arabia to flood the market with oil in order to drive down prices and undermine the Soviet economy. The numbers on production and pricing show that Saudi production rose, then fell, and then rose again. In the middle of 1987, prices were close to what they had been at the beginning of 1986, although they fell again and never went as high as they had been in 1985.","According to newspapers at the time, Bush told King Fahd that the United States saw the hit on the domestic oil market as \"a threat to national security.\"","The pattern of production and prices do not fit neatly with Reagan\u2019s statement. We have no public documents to confirm that Reagan asked the Saudis to use oil as an economic weapon against the USSR."]},{"id":"4819.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry proposed a binational health insurance program with Mexico.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Rick Perry proposed a binational health insurance program with Mexico. While Perry signed a bill allowing a study on the topic and mentioned it in a speech in 2001, he did not take further action on the proposal, and there is limited evidence of him discussing the subject since then. However, it is important to note that the proposal did not materialize into an implemented policy. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately represents Perry's past proposal but does not account for the lack of subsequent action or current stance on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A social media meme says Barton once said, \"Wind is a finite resource and harnessing it would slow the winds down which would cause the temperature to go up.\"","Third, the meme overlooks that when Barton supposedly said that harnessing the wind \"would slow the winds down, which would cause the temperature to go up,\" he was actually asking the witness a question rather than stating his view.","A reader recently sent us a meme featuring a picture of Barton alongside the quotation, \"Wind is a finite resource and harnessing it would slow the winds down which would cause the temperature to go up.\" The meme\u2019s creator went on to comment, \"The only thing more stupid than this idiot heading the House-Senate energy conf(erence) is Michelle Bachmann's stint on the House 'Intelligence' Committee!\" (Michele Bachmann's name is misspelled.)","Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, is not popular among environmentalists. A former chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, Barton is a staunch advocate for fossil fuels and expressed skepticism about the role of manmade carbon emissions in climate change."]},{"id":"9401.json","label":"half-true","statement":"This generation, on average, is starting their careers, if theyve been to a four-year college, with just under $30,000 in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that, on average, graduates with a bachelor's degree have a debt level of over $25,000. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the most up-to-date information. The evidence suggests that the average debt level for bachelor's degree recipients is more than $25,000, but it does not specify the exact amount. Therefore, while the statement captures the general trend of high student debt, it lacks precision in terms of the specific average debt amount. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When considering all types of gun deaths, such as homicides, accidental shootings and suicides, people in the United States were 10 times more likely to die from a gun-related death than those in the other countries, the report said.","Widespread condemnation of police brutality has picked up once again after Kenosha police shot Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, seven times at close range as he attempted to get into his SUV late in the afternoon of Aug. 23, 2020.","In his Facebook post, Larson does the math: If criminal acts led to 48 officer deaths in 2019, and officers killed 999 people in the same year, that would make police approximately 20.8 times more likely to kill someone than be killed in a criminal act.","\"In 2019, 89 officers died in the line of duty. While every death is tragic, almost half (41) were accidental. That same year, officers shot and killed 999 people. Police are 20.8 times more likely to kill than be killed by a criminal. We must drastically reduce the use of deadly force in this country.\""]},{"id":"7937.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says TriMet spends $10.3 million in police contracts a year for 56 transit police who must respond to non-transit calls","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that TriMet spends $10.3 million per year on police contracts for 56 transit police officers who are required to respond to non-transit calls. The evidence confirms that these transit officers, being sworn officers, are obligated to respond to various calls, similar to other law enforcement personnel. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks information on the frequency of non-transit calls and the specific allocation of duties. Therefore, while the claim is mostly true, additional context is needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Murphy voted to keep Obamacare the law of the land but also voted to allow members of Congress to receive taxpayer-funded health care for life!\"","By voting against the resolution, \"Patrick Murphy voted to allow Members of Congress to receive taxpayer funded healthcare for life,\" NRSC spokesman Matt Connelly told PolitiFact Florida.","Included along with the resolution is a \"policy statement on responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars\" that states: \"Retirement benefits for Members of Congress should not include free, taxpayer-funded health care for life.\"","Did Murphy vote for permanent health care for members of Congress, including himself? Actually, no. Members of Congress do not get health care for life, and Murphy has never voted to give them health care for life."]},{"id":"12949.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says a CNN anchor said that Hillary Clinton has gotten a free ride so far from the media. Were the biggest ones supporting her campaign.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims that a CNN anchor made the statement that Hillary Clinton has received a \"free ride\" from the media and that they are the \"biggest ones supporting her campaign,\" there is no concrete evidence or direct quote provided to verify this claim. The statement lacks specific details about which CNN anchor made the comment and when it was said. Without more substantial evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The state is not adequately informing people of what the rules are,\" said Nick Warren, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. \"It\u2019s not right to set up this impossible to follow system and then trap people on the back end and threaten them with criminal charges.\"","In Florida, it would benefit everyone if state officials could vet eligibility on the front end, said Volz, the advocate for restoring felons\u2019 voting rights. (Volz, who was convicted of felony fraud in 2006 while working as a lobbyist, regained his voting rights in 2020.)","So that graphic showed the GOP had a 6-voter registration edge. However, the data appears to reflect all registrations in 10 counties, not just felons.","The impact of this provision will vary from county to county. The law doesn\u2019t change procedures in counties such as Miami-Dade that staffed drop boxes during early voting hours in 2020. But it will be a change for counties that relied on video surveillance rather than staff or offered more hours."]},{"id":"5878.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Obama White House recognizes a baby that has not been born for security purposes.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Obama White House recognizes a \"baby that has not been born\" for security purposes is misleading. While it is true that the White House may take security measures to protect the safety of individuals who are pregnant, it does not imply recognition of a legal or moral status of a \"baby that has not been born.\" The statement attempts to conflate security measures with the contentious issue of abortion, which is not accurate. Therefore, the claim is considered barely-true as it distorts the context and intent of the White House's security protocols.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Vaccines are very important. Certain ones,\" Carson said. \"The ones that would prevent death or crippling. There are others, there are a multitude of vaccines which probably don't fit in that category, and there should be some discretion in those cases.\"","Ben Carson, one of two medical doctors running for the GOP nomination, said during the second Republican debate that there is a \"multitude\" of vaccines for diseases that are not deadly or disabling.","Offit said vaccines have in rare cases been associated with adverse events, including the diseases they\u2019re meant to prevent, but that Kennedy\u2019s claim is \"just not true.\"","Most everyone likely knows about measles, the flu and the two types of hepatitis \u2013 and that all of those diseases can be deadly."]},{"id":"7306.json","label":"true","statement":"Spending of government money is 17 percent less than it was a decade ago.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that government spending is 17 percent less than it was a decade ago. The evidence mentions specific percentage reductions in government spending during different periods, indicating a decline in overall spending. While the evidence does not explicitly state the exact percentage reduction over a decade, it does establish a trend of decreasing government spending, which aligns with the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In February, the San Antonio Republican told a national TV audience: \"We don\u2019t have bars on campus in Texas. It\u2019s against the law... no alcohol allowed.\" He made the statement while defending his proposal requiring Texas colleges to allow concealed weapons on campus.","Wentworth called UT-Austin an exception. He said too that alcohol was prohibited on campus when he attended the Texas Tech University School of Law. Wentworth earned his law degree there in 1971.","Time to close our tab. We found two Texas universities that have bars on campus while other schools we contacted routinely serve alcohol in campus facilities.","Next we tried Wentworth\u2019s undergraduate alma mater, Texas A&M University. Spokesman Jason Cook said: \"We don\u2019t have bars on campus, in the common term, but alcohol is allowed on campus and is served on campus under special circumstances.\" The University Club, a campus dining facility, hosts a happy hour; the 21-and-older crowd can enjoy a $2 scotch or $3 sangria, among drink specials, from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, according to A&M\u2019s web page about the club."]},{"id":"11316.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One of the Planned Parenthood videos shows a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says, We have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Carly Fiorina made this claim during a debate, the statement itself is misleading. The videos released by the Center for Medical Progress, which Fiorina was referring to, were heavily edited and have been widely criticized for their lack of context and accuracy. The claim that a fully formed fetus was shown on a table with its heart beating and legs kicking, while someone discusses harvesting its brain, is not supported by any credible evidence or the full, unedited videos. Investigations into Planned Parenthood following the release of these videos found no evidence of illegal activities. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Smith said that since 1973, when the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade, there\u2019s been \"well over\" 54 million abortions.","( - Chris Smith says more than 54 million abortions have been performed since U.S. Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade &url=)","There have been more than 54 million abortions since 1973 and property taxes in New Jersey have increased 20 percent as a result of cuts to tax rebates, two lawmakers claimed recently.","PolitiFact New Jersey, Chris Smith says more than 54 million abortions have been performed since U.S. Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, March 18, 2012"]},{"id":"2178.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2009, the Small Business Entrepreneurship Council ranked Ohio 11th in the nation and 1st in the Midwest for overall business climate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the ranking of Ohio by the Small Business Entrepreneurship Council in 2009, placing it 11th in the nation and 1st in the Midwest for the overall business climate. However, it's important to note that this ranking is specific to the year 2009 and may not reflect the current business climate in Ohio. Additionally, the statement does not provide further context or specify the criteria used by the Small Business Entrepreneurship Council to determine the ranking. Nevertheless, based on the available evidence, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"257.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"...some of those (tax increases) were either court-ordered, or they were voted on by the people and approved by the people for (such) things as roads.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately states that some tax increases have been court-ordered or approved by the people for specific purposes such as roads. However, it does not provide a comprehensive view of all tax increases, as there are instances where tax increases are implemented for reasons other than court orders or direct approval by the people. Therefore, while the statement acknowledges one aspect of tax increases, it does not capture the full range of reasons behind them.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6944.json","label":"true","statement":"Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown shows someone can be bipartisan in Congress because he votes about 66 percent with his own party.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown has demonstrated bipartisan behavior in Congress by voting approximately 66 percent with his own party. This information is supported by research from Congressional Quarterly Roll Call, which ranks senators based on their party unity and opposition votes. While being bipartisan does not necessarily mean voting against one's own party the majority of the time, Brown's voting record indicates a significant level of cooperation across party lines.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A new campaign ad makes the startling claim that the new health care law will pay for Viagra for rapists -- and that Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., voted for the measure.","\"Hey, you have to check out the article I just sent you. Apparently convicted rapists can get Viagra paid for by the new health care bill.\"","Perlmutter did vote in favor of final passage of the health care law. But did Perlmutter vote for Viagra for rapists? The short answer is no.","During the final negotiations for the health care law in the Senate, Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., pointed out that because anyone can qualify for the tax breaks, it's possible that sex offenders will buy insurance policies with government subsidies. And they might ask for and be prescribed Viagra. That means tax dollars will be subsidizing Viagra for sex offenders, Coburn concluded."]},{"id":"2056.json","label":"false","statement":"He has ushered in $3 billion in new investment.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"he has ushered in $3 billion in new investment\" is false. While there may have been investments made in the city, the evidence provided does not support the claim that Congressman Cicilline personally ushered in $3 billion in new investment. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the entire annual budget of the city is less than $620 million, making it highly unlikely that a single individual could be solely responsible for bringing in such a substantial amount of investment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Construction of the stadium is well under way and has already resulted in more than $250 million worth of contracts to Cobb County businesses, Lee said.","County Commission Chairman Tim Lee said construction of SunTrust Park, the future home of the Atlanta Braves, has already resulted in the award of more than $250 million worth of contracts to Cobb County firms.","Here\u2019s the bottom line of what our research turned up: contracts awarded to Cobb County businesses currently total about $270 million, according to data we reviewed.","If you look at just on the stadium (site prep costs included), the value of the contracts issued to Cobb County firms is $220.5 million. (We were provided a document showing contracts worth $226.8 million. We disqualified a $6.3 million landscape contract that we confirmed had not yet awarded.)"]},{"id":"9254.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"David Perdue supports Common Core","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that David Perdue's stance on Common Core is nuanced. While he has expressed support for the initial intent of Common Core, which was for states to set their own educational goals, he has also expressed concerns about federal involvement in the initiative. Perdue's spokesman and his campaign have stated that he believes Common Core has become overreaching and should be abandoned. However, there are some conservatives who question Perdue's explanation and believe he still supports Common Core. Given the mixed nature of his statements and the differing interpretations, it would be more accurate to say that Perdue's position on Common Core is unclear or subject to interpretation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\u2022 Both before and after the league decided to move the All-Star Game away from Atlanta, Abrams threw cold water on the notion of a boycott \u2014 in a Twitter video, in comments to the leading newspaper in Atlanta, and in an op-ed in USA Today.","Before the boycott, which was announced on April 2, 2021, Abrams urged Major League Baseball not to move the game away from Atlanta, citing the economic harm to the metro Atlanta region. She repeated that concern after the game was moved away.","The Journal-Constitution reporter, Greg Bluestein, later tweeted that Abrams spoke to a Major League Baseball senior adviser \"and \u2018strongly\u2019 urged the league to keep the All-Star game in Atlanta before the decision to yank the event.\" A Major League Baseball spokesperson offered a similar characterization of the call to PolitiFact at the time.","Both before and after the league\u2019s boycott, Abrams threw cold water on the idea, saying in a Twitter video, \"To our friends across the country please do not boycott us.\" She echoed those comments to the leading newspaper in Atlanta and in an op-ed in USA Today. She also personally lobbied Major League Baseball not to take that step before the boycott was announced."]},{"id":"11480.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Because of Obamacare peoples premiums ...are going up 35, 45, 55 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some individuals may experience premium increases of 35, 45, or 55 percent under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is important to note that these figures represent the high end of premium changes. On average, premiums have risen by about 5.8 percent per year since the implementation of Obamacare, which is lower than the average increase in the nine years prior to Obama's presidency. Additionally, when examining finalized rates for marketplace plans, the average increase is not as significant as the figures mentioned. Therefore, while there are cases of substantial premium increases, the statement overstates the overall impact on premiums.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Ronald Reagan met with Gorbachev; Kennedy met with Khruschev; and Nixon met with Mao \u2014 and these were folks who have done horrendous damage not only to their own countries but to other countries.\"","So while Obama is right that American presidents have met with some contentious leaders, he's wrong to say that they all had horrendous records. Gorbachev stands out as the strongest exception. We give Obama a Mostly True.","Nikolas Gvosdev, editor of the National Interest and a senior fellow at the Nixon Center, said there were no public demands that the Soviet Union make concessions or change policy as a condition for Kennedy's 1961 summit with Khruschev or for the Reagan\/Gorbachev talks, the first held in 1985.","There's a strong consensus among scholars that Mao ranks among the great tyrants of the 20th century, who did indeed cause \"horrendous damage\" to his country and others."]},{"id":"10110.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When I go on Letterman the ratings go up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Analysis of available data indicates that when Bill O'Reilly appeared on David Letterman's \"Late Show,\" the ratings tended to increase compared to the average ratings for that day and time slot. This suggests that O'Reilly's appearances had a positive impact on the show's viewership. However, it's important to note that the statement may not apply universally to all instances or shows, as it specifically refers to O'Reilly's appearances on Letterman's show.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9816.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States is the only industrialized country that does not guarantee paid time off to care for a new child.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that the United States is the only industrialized country that does not guarantee paid time off for workers to care for a new child. While there may be individual states or employers that offer paid family leave, there is no federal law mandating this benefit nationwide. The evidence provided, including statements from politicians and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) study, supports this claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Governor Walker's budget increases state spending by over $1 billion, which is primarily paid for by tax increases on seniors, families with children, and home owners. His budget calls for raising property taxes by nearly \u2026 $500 billion.\"","Quinn said his Wisconsin counterpart had increased property taxes nearly $500 billion. That was explained as an old-fashioned typo. But even then, the $500 million is way off.","!Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to cut income and property taxes would increase the state's \"structural deficit,\" but that's not the same as an actual budget deficit. A higher structural deficit could lead to more state borrowing, but not necessarily. !Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to cut income and property taxes would increase the state's \"structural deficit,\" but that's not the same as an actual budget deficit. A higher structural deficit could lead to more state borrowing, but not necessarily.","Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to cut income and property taxes would increase the state's \"structural deficit,\" but that's not the same as an actual budget deficit. A higher structural deficit could lead to more state borrowing, but not necessarily."]},{"id":"8079.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Barack Obama has announced that he would not sign ANY spending bills this year unless sequestration spending cuts are eliminated.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by House Speaker John Boehner that President Obama announced he would not sign any spending bills unless sequestration spending cuts are eliminated. However, it's important to note that the claim is based on Boehner's interpretation of Obama's statements and actions, and there may be differing perspectives on the extent of Obama's commitment to this position. While Obama did express concerns about sequestration and its impact, it is not explicitly stated that he would refuse to sign any spending bills without the elimination of these cuts. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it should be understood as Boehner's interpretation rather than a direct quote or explicit statement from President Obama.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12351.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Obama administration has even joined Islamist governments in sponsoring a U.N. resolution that would shred our First Amendment by threatening to make discussion of radical Islamism potentially illegal.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sen. Ted Cruz is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that the Obama administration joined Islamist governments in sponsoring a U.N. resolution that would make discussion of radical Islamism potentially illegal and threaten the First Amendment. Such a resolution does not exist, and there is no credible information to suggest otherwise. This claim is baseless and lacks factual accuracy.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Perry said the Obama administration failed to respond to his 2012 letter flagging an uptick in unaccompanied children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.","Perry\u2019s May 4, 2012, letter to the president, covered at the time by the Texas Tribune and Dallas Morning News , accused the Obama administration of failing to work with the home countries of immigrant children to arrange for their return. His letter said in part, \"as your administration is fully aware, there is a surge of unaccompanied illegal minors entering the United States.\" It said later: \"Inaction encourages other minors to place themselves in extremely dangerous situations. The vast majority of these unaccompanied illegal minors come from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, as well as Mexico.\"","Gov. Rick Perry says that the Obama administration hasn't responded to his request for 1,000 National Guard members for more than a year","( - Gov. Rick Perry says that the Obama administration hasn't responded to his request for 1,000 National Guard members for more than a year&url=)"]},{"id":"6114.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Vagina. Because apparently, saying that word in the Michigan State House of Representatives can get you a two-day ban from speaking on the floor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the incident where a legislator in the Michigan State House of Representatives was banned from speaking on the floor for saying the word \"vagina.\" The incident received media coverage and sparked a debate about freedom of speech and the use of explicit language in legislative settings. However, it's important to note that the ban was specifically related to the use of the word and not a general restriction on speaking. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13194.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Mike Madigan made a fortune on tax appeals Saving his friends millions... Its an inside game played by people like Merry Marwig, Madigans hand-picked candidate. When Marwig thought her property taxes were too high she got them lowered at your expense. Saved so much she did it again. Marwig and Madigan: Profiting from the same corrupt system.","reason":"Reason: The statement makes several claims about Mike Madigan and Merry Marwig, implying that Madigan profited from tax appeals and that Marwig benefited from lowered property taxes at the expense of taxpayers. However, the evidence suggests that the connection between Madigan and Marwig is tenuous. While Madigan is known for his involvement in tax appeals, it is unclear if he directly represented Marwig or if she benefited from his influence. Additionally, the evidence indicates that Marwig and her husband handled their property tax reassessment without legal representation. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the broader issue of corruption in the tax appeal system, the specific claims linking Marwig and Madigan are not well-supported.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In August, the Senate passed a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure bill backed by Biden, winning the support of all Senate Democrats as well as 19 Republicans. The infrastructure bill now needs to be approved by the House before being sent to Biden\u2019s desk.","(The video suggests that Biden said \"legislators,\" even though the official White House transcript showed \"legislatures.\" We are checking what we heard him say.)","HR 1, called the For the People Act, is a bill that folds together previous proposals for absentee voting, in-person voting, campaign finance and ethics. Democrats say the goal of the legislation is to make it easier for everyone to vote.","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d"]},{"id":"820.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Barack Obama's plan gives a driver's license to any illegal who wants one.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that during Barack Obama's presidency, there were discussions and debates about immigration policies, including the issue of driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, it is incorrect to claim that his plan gave a driver's license to any illegal immigrant who wanted one. The specifics of any proposed plan or policy were subject to negotiation and were not as broad as the statement suggests. It is important to consider the nuances and details of immigration policies rather than making sweeping generalizations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It's clear Biden was among the earliest and most vocal members of Congress to advocate an end to the violence. But it's wrong for him to take sole credit for ending the genocide.","Indeed, it was former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke who was nominated for a 1995 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring the war in Bosnia to a close. It was Senate Majority Leader Dole who in 1995 filed the bill that Biden co-sponsored ending the arms embargo against Bosnia. Passage of that bill helped pave the way for President Bill Clinton to change his Bosnia policy.","Antony Blinken said the Nord Stream pipeline leaks presented an opportunity to ease European dependence on Russian energy supplies; he didn\u2019t say Joe Biden was responsible for the pipeline\u2019s leaks.","\"He was a constant pest to push people in that direction,\" said Ivo H. Daalder, a former director for European affairs on the National Security Council and author of the book Getting to Dayton: The Making of America's Bosnia Policy. \"There is no doubt that Joe Biden wanted to end the genocide and was willing to use force to end it before either the Bush or Clinton administrations.\""]},{"id":"10820.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Two-thirds of American families rely on the mothers income to stay above the poverty level.","reason":"Reason: While Maria Shriver's statement suggests that two-thirds of American families rely on the mother's income to stay above the poverty level, there is no concrete evidence provided to support this claim. The statement lacks specific data or a clear source to verify its accuracy. To accurately assess the percentage of families relying on the mother's income, more comprehensive research and data analysis would be necessary. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true due to the lack of substantial evidence supporting the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["An effort to repeal voting-reform legislation would be \"the first time in Ohio history where a bill has been passed to stop a referendum.\"","But some voting machines allow voters to override the notification and submit the ballot with the extra write-in. Those ballots will not be counted, said Matt McClellan, a spokesman at the Ohio secretary of state\u2019s office.","He said the reference to centrally counted ballots is another way of referring to absentee ballots. The law singles out absentee ballots because voting machines at the polls are supposed to notify voters if their ballot has a redundant write-in vote.","Three conditions must be satisfied. First, the ballots must be centrally counted (we\u2019ll explain this shortly). Next, the write-in name on the ballot must be the same as the candidate marked on the ballot. Finally, at least three of four board of elections members must agree that the name on the ballot is \"identical\" to the name the voter wrote in."]},{"id":"13043.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After 9\/11, Jim put us all first by serving for 23 months in Iraq, the wars longest tour.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jim Mowrer's unit was deployed for 23 months, the statement inaccurately implies that he personally served in Iraq for the entire duration. In reality, Mowrer served in Iraq for approximately 16 months, as confirmed by military records and his discharge papers. While the ad's claim may be technically correct in terms of his unit's deployment, it is misleading because it suggests that Mowrer himself served for the full 23 months. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3423.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Oil production from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico reached an all-time high in 2010.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that oil production from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico reached an all-time high. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided is from 2010, and the statement does not specify the timeframe. It is crucial to consider more recent data to assess the current status of oil production in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, while the statement was true at the time, it may not accurately represent the current situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Barack Obama\u2019s plan is working: Destroy Mitt Romney, run against Newt Gingrich,\" the ad says. \"Newt has a ton of baggage. He was fined $300,000 for ethics violations and took $1.6 million from Freddie Mac, before it helped cause the economic meltdown. Newt supports amnesty for illegal immigrants, and teamed with Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore on global warming. Maybe that\u2019s why George Will calls him the least conservative candidate. Check the facts at \"","The ad says Gingrich \"supports amnesty for illegal immigrants.\" That\u2019s a blunter claim than the statement we rated previously from Romney, that Gingrich\u2019s plan is \"a new doorway to amnesty.\" Romney\u2019s comment implied that there was something new about Gingrich\u2019s plan rather than being the same amnesty policies of the past. The ad, on the other hand, loses that nuance. So we rate its claim Half True.","Gingrich\u2019s vision for immigration policy is that it takes place in steps, with the first step of securing the border between the U.S. and Mexico. He also supports a program for guest workers, to allow foreign nationals into the United States to work. Finally, some illegal immigrants would be allowed to stay.","On his campaign website, Gingrich has a 10-step plan on immigration. He talks about creating a system of committees that would determine which illegal immigrants can stay and which ones must return to their homeland. Gingrich also says illegal immigrants who are criminals and\/or gang members should be deported promptly."]},{"id":"4263.json","label":"false","statement":"In the 80s, Democrats promised spending cuts, but delivered only tax hikes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that there were tax hikes during the debt ceiling debate in the 1980s, it is incorrect to claim that Democrats promised spending cuts but only delivered tax hikes. In reality, there were both spending cuts and tax increases as part of the compromise reached during that period. The claim made by Ron Paul in the ad oversimplifies the situation and misrepresents the actions taken by Democrats during the debt ceiling debate in the 1980s.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11178.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says hewas one of the chief architects of balancing the federalbudget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Kasich has consistently referred to himself as one of the chief architects of a balanced federal budget. While it is important to note that the budget was already in balance before some of the provisions came into effect, contemporary accounts from 1997 support Kasich's involvement in the process. Additionally, his claim of being \"one of\" the chief architects, rather than the sole mastermind, aligns with the historical record and is a more accurate representation of his role.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12522.json","label":"true","statement":"Only half of the murders in the city of St. Louis get solved.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hanaway that only half of the murders in the city of St. Louis get solved. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which highlights the high number of murders and violent crimes in St. Louis, as well as the city's high murder and violent crime rates. The data suggests that the clearance rate for murder cases in St. Louis is indeed around 50%, indicating that only half of the murders result in an arrest or conviction.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Instead of giving Dreamers an opportunity to go to college and build a future, Marco Rubio voted to deport them,\" the ad\u2019s narrator said.","\"We believe it is more than reasonable to assert that any Democrat who voted for December\u2019s CR without any protections for DACA recipients voted to help Trump deport immigrant young people whose DACA status will expire in the coming weeks,\" Regalado said.","Lawmakers voted to continue funding the government until Jan. 19, but there was no language in the legislation to deport Dreamers. Credo contends that voting for a bill that does not include protection for Dreamers is essentially a vote to deport them. That\u2019s an interpretation of the vote, but not an accurate representation of the content of the bill that was voted on.","Rubio did not literally vote to deport young immigrants protected by Obama\u2019s \"deferred action for childhood arrivals\" program. He voted in favor of an appropriations bill that would have stripped funding from the program, which might have resulted in future deportations if it had passed. But that\u2019s only speculation."]},{"id":"7515.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says indoor workers get less UV than outdoor workers, but they get more melanomas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that indoor workers generally receive less UV exposure than outdoor workers, it is not accurate to claim that indoor workers have higher rates of melanoma than outdoor workers. The available evidence suggests that outdoor workers have similar or lower incidences of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), a dangerous form of melanoma. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the relationship between UV exposure and melanoma and does not accurately reflect the current understanding of the topic.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Let me just say, A, there's no rationing in any of these bills, so we don't have to worry about that,\" Dean said on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos on Aug. 9.","\"That's the argument you hear people making (that the reform bills would lead to government rationing),\" Holahan said. \"But I think they have it backwards.\"","And so it's understandable that Dean would want to knock down these wild claims. But we think Dean goes too far when he says the bills have \"no rationing,\" because it ignores a hard reality of health care \u2014 there is rationing now and there would be rationing in the Democrats' plan too.","We note that while IMAC has been recommended by the Obama administration, it was not included in any of the House bills so far. It has been discussed as an option by the powerful Senate Finance Committee. Still, we think it's a little premature to suggest this is part of the health care reform plan."]},{"id":"12861.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Im beating (Kelly Ayotte) in the polls by a lot.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that he is \"beating Kelly Ayotte in the polls by a lot\" is not supported by the available evidence. In fact, the evidence suggests the opposite. Ayotte has been shown to be doing better than Trump in the polls in New Hampshire. The polls indicate that Ayotte is viewed more favorably by voters in the state, and she is also in a closer race against her Democratic challenger compared to Trump. Therefore, Trump's claim of leading Ayotte by a significant margin is not accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11199.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A majority in every state favors path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement that a majority in every state favors a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants is not entirely accurate. While the survey mentioned in the evidence shows that nationally, 60 percent of respondents support a path to citizenship, it does not provide a breakdown of support by state. Therefore, we cannot definitively conclude that a majority in every state holds this view. It is more accurate to say that a majority of Americans, as a whole, support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8569.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire has a Senator who was the deciding vote to pass Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that all 60 Democratic votes were needed to pass the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in the Senate, labeling Jeanne Shaheen as the \"deciding vote\" is an oversimplification. Shaheen had expressed support for the reform plan early on, unlike some other senators who were more uncertain. Therefore, attributing the entire passage of Obamacare solely to Shaheen is misleading. It is more accurate to say that Shaheen was one of the senators who voted in favor of the legislation, contributing to its passage. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Van de Putte, who has said she opposes high-stakes state-imposed student testing, said the company that scores the existing state tests \"goes on Craigslist to get examiners to read our students\u2019 essays.\"","After saying students in the top-notch Highland Park school district in Dallas had struggled on the state-imposed English II exam, Van de Putte added: \"Probably because our testing company that makes hundreds of millions of dollars goes on Craigslist to get examiners to read our students\u2019 essays.\"","In a debate at Austin's KLRU-TV, Channel 18, Democrat Leticia Van de Putte, her party\u2019s nominee for lieutenant governor, revisited her declared desire to battle the \"high stakes\" state-mandated exams imposed by law before students qualify to graduate from high school.","In January 2013, a couple of news reports said Pearson, the company hired by the Texas Education Agency to administer the state tests, had been using Craigslist to advertise openings."]},{"id":"10165.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If Cory Gardner gets his way, youd better stock up on condoms.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely implies that Cory Gardner, a political figure, wants to ban condoms. However, this claim is not supported by any credible evidence. In fact, Gardner has explicitly stated that he does not want to ban condoms and supports increased access to contraceptives. The ad's interpretation of Gardner's positions is incorrect, and the claim is deemed to be false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Virginia Democrats recently enforced voter ID rules that were \"considerably more stringent than those contained in the state law they denounce.\"","In rural Virginia, \"Sen. Warner ran 8-10 points ahead of a traditional Democrat -- ahead of Senator Kaine, ahead of Governor McAuliffe.\"","\"We have a system now where in 40 states, the highest-paid public employee is the state university\u2019s head football or basketball coach.\"","\"We have a system now where in 40 states, the highest-paid public employee is the state university\u2019s head football or basketball coach, and yet only 20 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision have athletic departments with revenue exceeding expenses,\" Moran said in a Facebook post."]},{"id":"5656.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says for the duration of this recession not a single person in government middle management has lost (a) job or taken a pay cut.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by any evidence and is factually incorrect. It falsely claims that not a single person in government middle management has lost their job or taken a pay cut during the recession. However, there is no credible information or data to support this claim. The impact of a recession can vary across different sectors and job levels, and it is inaccurate to make a blanket statement about the employment status or pay cuts of government middle management employees during a recession.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The other side of the mailer provides more details. It states: \"Dan Gelber: On the record against scholarships to help our needy children attend Jewish private schools. ... Call Dan Gelber and remind him that there is nothing pathetic about our children's right to obtain a Jewish education!\"","For this Truth-O-Meter, we will research, is Gelber \"on the record against scholarships to help our needy children attend Jewish private schools?\"","We asked Rudolph why he felt it was a fair statement to suggest that Gelber was \"on the record against scholarships to help our needy children attend Jewish private schools\" when in fact his votes related more broadly to private schools -- only a small fraction Jewish, less than 2 percent.","\"He voted directly against money that is going to help needy Jewish children attend Jewish day schools. There is no way to say he voted against the whole program but did not mean it for one specific group,'' Rudolph said in an interview. \"He voted against a program that funds needy Jewish children being able to afford to go to Jewish day schools. ... That's a fact.\""]},{"id":"4529.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gov. Chris Christie has now come up with a new agenda for ethics reform in September 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it inaccurately suggests that Governor Chris Christie came up with a new agenda for ethics reform in September 2011. The evidence provided indicates that Christie unveiled his ethics reform proposals a year prior to September 2011 and had been advocating for action on ethics reform earlier that year. The claim made by Wisniewski, that Christie was silent on the subject until September 2011, is not supported by the evidence. Therefore, while there may have been some developments or discussions related to ethics reform in September 2011, it is misleading to attribute a completely new agenda to Governor Christie during that time.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4786.json","label":"false","statement":"Gov. Scott Walker received a $7,300 pay raise.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Gov. Scott Walker received a $7,300 pay raise. The statements from the state Democrats' news release and the party chairman imply that Walker believes he deserves a raise, but they do not provide concrete evidence that he actually received one. Without clear evidence of an actual pay raise, the claim is unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The first part is especially worth a look - \"Tax revenues are the lowest they have been since World War II\" - because that claim and some variation of it will be heard often when Congress begins debating tax reform later this year.","Schrader has been preaching this for months. But in the newsletter he offered a new argument for re-working the tax code as part of the exercise. One big reason comprehensive tax reform is needed, he wrote is, \"Tax revenues are the lowest they have been since World War II and need to increase through comprehensive tax reform.\"","\"Property taxes -- as a percentage of our personal income in this state -- are the lowest that they've been since the end of World War II,\" the 49-year-old Republican said. \"Think about that -- since the end of World War II.\"","Wisconsin property taxes, as a percentage of personal income, \"are the lowest that they've been since the end of World War II.\""]},{"id":"12068.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says when Bernie Sanders was in college, Sanders said something very similar to what conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley had written as a college student in the 1990s -- that women have a legitimate role in date rape.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that Bernie Sanders made a comment similar to what Rebecca Bradley wrote about date rape. While there are claims made by McCoshen and others that Sanders said something \"very similar,\" there is no concrete evidence or direct quotes to support this assertion. It is important to rely on verified information, and without substantial evidence, it is misleading to equate the statements made by Sanders and Bradley. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9848.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Michigan U.S. Senate candidateTerri Lynn Land said guaranteeing equal pay for women who do the same job as men is not a good idea.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it misrepresents Terri Lynn Land's position on equal pay for women. While she did express opposition to the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is a specific piece of legislation, there is no evidence to suggest that she explicitly stated that guaranteeing equal pay for women who do the same job as men is not a good idea in general. The ad and statements provided do not offer conclusive proof that Land opposes the concept of equal pay for women, only that she opposed a specific bill. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7399.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he has repeatedly praised Chuck Hagels character, patriotism, bravery, and personal service defending our nation.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Senator Cruz did indeed praise Chuck Hagel's character, patriotism, bravery, and personal service defending the nation on multiple occasions. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context. While Senator Cruz did offer praise, he also made harsh attacks and raised critical questions during the confirmation hearings for Chuck Hagel's nomination as U.S. Secretary of Defense. Therefore, the statement is partially true but does not provide a complete picture of Senator Cruz's overall stance on Chuck Hagel.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9063.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate approved a bill denying veterans the right to recover their medical costs for cancers they developed while serving their country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. The bill mentioned does not specifically target veterans nor deny their right to seek compensation for cancer they developed while serving in the military. The bill is related to seeking compensation for asbestos-related cancer and does not single out veterans. While there may be debates about the impact of the bill on veterans, it is inaccurate to claim that it outright denies veterans the right to recover their medical costs for cancer. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6726.json","label":"false","statement":"The 48, 49 percent that supports President Barack Obama are people who pay no income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The percentage of people who support President Barack Obama does not exclusively consist of individuals who pay no income tax. The claim made by Mitt Romney in the provided evidence suggests that those who do not pay income tax are part of the group supporting President Obama. However, this is an oversimplification and misrepresentation of the demographics and political affiliations of individuals who do not pay income tax. It is important to note that political support is not determined solely by tax-paying status.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7719.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Accuses Ed FitzGerald of pay-to-play and corruption politics.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Ed FitzGerald is involved in pay-to-play and corruption politics. While there are statements made by political figures and organizations accusing FitzGerald of such behavior, the evidence does not provide any concrete examples or substantiated allegations to support these claims. Without substantial evidence or specific instances of pay-to-play or corruption, it would be inaccurate and misleading to label FitzGerald as engaging in such practices.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7624.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The vast majority of our public school students are receiving less state support than their private voucher peers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that in some cases private school voucher programs receive state support, it is not accurate to claim that the vast majority of public school students receive less state support than their private voucher peers. The level of state support for public school students varies across different jurisdictions and can depend on factors such as funding formulas, local policies, and the specific voucher program in question. It is important to consider the nuances and variations in state support when making such a comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Extending these benefits not only helps those who are in difficult straits because they lost jobs through no fault of their own, but it is also one of the best ways to stimulate our economy. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that for every $1 we spend on unemployment benefits, $1.90 is put into our economy,\" he said.","She also cited other studies where economists have offered very specific numbers that are closer to the $1.90 CBO estimate. For example, Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Analytics and a former adviser to John McCain during his 2008 presidential run, puts the benefit at $1.61.","If it cost us $1 to add only 70 cents to the GDP, does that mean we risk losing 30 cents for every dollar we spend on unemployment?","Signed in March 2021, when the coronavirus pandemic was a major burden on the economy, the American Rescue Plan passed with exclusively Democratic support in Congress. It included $1,400 payments to about 85% of Americans, $360 billion for state and local governments and $242 billion in expanded unemployment benefits."]},{"id":"3915.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ten percent of violent deaths in the U.S. each year are due to strangulation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there is evidence to suggest that strangulation is a significant factor in a portion of violent deaths in the United States, the actual percentage is disputed. The sources provided indicate varying rates, with one source stating 10 percent and another indicating a lower rate of 3.4 percent. Therefore, it is difficult to definitively determine the exact percentage of violent deaths attributed to strangulation. It is important to acknowledge the discrepancy in the data and exercise caution when making claims about the prevalence of strangulation in violent deaths.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The House health care bill pays for \"about six years of program with a decade of revenue, with the heaviest costs concentrated in the second five years.\"","Here, we wanted to look at the claim that the bill pays for \"about six years of program with a decade of revenue, with the heaviest costs concentrated in the second five years.\"","Immediately before and after President Barack Obama signed a landmark health care reform bill on March 23, 2010, critics -- mostly Republicans -- charged that the measure would lead to the hiring of more than 16,000 new Internal Revenue Service employees simply to enforce the bill's tax provisions, including the controversial requirement that almost all Americans secure health insurance or else face a tax penalty.","The bill also \"disguises hundreds of billions of dollars in additional costs with budget gimmicks,\" the editorial said. \"It 'pays for' about six years of program with a decade of revenue, with the heaviest costs concentrated in the second five years. The House also pretends Medicare payments to doctors will be cut by 21.5% next year and deeper after that, 'saving' about $250 billion.\""]},{"id":"6369.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate opponent Eric Hovde supported billions in stimulus for high-speed rail and billions more to bail out banks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. There is evidence that Eric Hovde supported the use of stimulus money for high-speed rail and expressed support for spending stimulus money on infrastructure projects. However, there is no clear evidence provided that he specifically supported \"billions more to bail out banks.\" While it is possible that Hovde may have supported certain measures related to bank bailouts, the statement lacks specific evidence to support the claim of \"billions more\" being supported by Hovde. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In trying to fend off criticism from the national Club for Growth, Thompson told a national TV audience he has been endorsed by Club for Growth Wisconsin in his U.S. Senate bid.","Perhaps the loudest voice in opposition to a Tommy Thompson candidacy for the U.S. Senate has been the conservative Club for Growth. The national anti-tax group has repeatedly accused him of spending too much as Wisconsin\u2019s governor and later supporting President Barack Obama\u2019s health care reform.","\"It\u2019s nice to point out that the state Club for Growth, the people in the state of Wisconsin, have endorsed me and support me and say that the national Club for Growth is just plain wrong in their assertions and accusations.\"","Thompson called the national Club for Growth\u2019s accusations -- made in statements, in an online ad and in a national TV ad -- false. Then he mentioned Club for Growth Wisconsin, saying:"]},{"id":"13017.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Young women, account for a shocking 74% of all new HIV infections among adolescents in Africa.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the disproportionate number of new HIV infections among young women in Africa. The claim is supported by a report from UNAIDS and the African Union, which states that in 2013, 74 percent of new HIV infections among people aged 15 to 24 in Africa occurred in adolescent girls. While the age range used in the report is slightly different from the statement, the overall message remains consistent. It is important to address the issue of HIV infections among young women in Africa and take appropriate measures to address this concerning trend.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"912.json","label":"false","statement":"U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on whether Senate Democrats would seat Roland Burris.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement. The evidence mentions Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's change in stance regarding the \"nuclear option\" and Roland Burris's appointment by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but it does not provide any specific statement from Harry Reid regarding whether Senate Democrats would seat Roland Burris. Therefore, without additional evidence, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"You know, there was a day John McCain was a maverick and would stand up to his party,\" Kirkpatrick said during the Oct. 10 debate. \"Now, he has taken more money from Wall Street than any other sitting senator.\"","That\u2019s fair because, overall, Obama and Clinton have taken the most money from Wall Street, former senators with presidential runs in their own right.","McCain, who was elected to the Senate in 1987, does appear to have taken the most contributions -- more than $22 million -- from Wall Street.","And in March, Clinton said President Barack Obama took more money from Wall Street during his 2008 campaign \"than anybody ever had.\" We rated it Mostly True -- Mitt Romney eventually broke the record in 2012."]},{"id":"11716.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Democrats in the Senate last year introduced a constitutional amendment to repeal the free speech protections of the First Amendment.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senate Democrats proposed a constitutional amendment related to campaign finance, it is misleading to claim that their intention was to repeal the free speech protections of the First Amendment. The proposed amendment aimed to regulate fundraising and spending in elections, which is a separate issue from the core free speech protections guaranteed by the First Amendment. Constitutional law scholars and experts have noted that the proposed amendment would have a limited or nonexistent effect on speech rights. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the intent and impact of the proposed amendment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4907.json","label":"true","statement":"The United States is numberonein the world in energyresources;Russia isnumber two.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that the United States holds the largest reserves of coal in the world and ranks fourth in natural gas reserves. Russia is indeed listed as the second-largest holder of energy resources. Therefore, the United States being number one in energy resources and Russia being number two is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The screen turns black and these words appear: \"Obamacare passed by just one vote in the Senate. It wouldn\u2019t have passed without Mark Warner\u2019s vote.\"","The bill, with Warner\u2019s support, passed by a 60-39 vote. But since it only required a simple majority in the 100-member Senate to approve the legislation, Warner\u2019s vote was not essential this time around. The actual Obamacare bill would have passed with or without him.","The next day, the Senate passed Obamacare with an identical 60-39 vote. But Warner\u2019s vote wasn\u2019t as important this time because only a simple majority was required to approve the legislation.","PolitiFact national noted in June 2012 the 60 Plus Association ran an ad claiming Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., cast \"the deciding vote\" that passed the law. In Ohio\u2019s senate race last year, Republican Josh Mandel said Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown cast \"the deciding vote.\""]},{"id":"10277.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2012, 123 African-Americans were shot dead by police. ... Same year, 326 whites were killed by police.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately cites the reported numbers of African-Americans (123) and whites (326) who were fatally shot by police in 2012. However, it's important to note that the statement does not account for the inclusion of white Hispanics in the figure for whites. When considering white Hispanics, the number of white people fatally shot by police in 2012 would be lower than the stated figure. Therefore, while the statement is based on reported numbers, it lacks the necessary clarification regarding the inclusion of white Hispanics, making it partially accurate but incomplete.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["LeMieux\u2019s campaign says that \"(Adam) Hasner\u2019s record includes \u2026 requesting over $92.2 million in earmarks.\" On the numbers, LeMieux is right -- from 2003-08 Hasner requested $92.2 million for projects through a process called Community Budget Issue Requests. But we think there are a couple of caveats worth noting.","\"The Masquerade Ball gown Hasner has chosen on the key issues of taxes and spending is a prime example. Hasner\u2019s rhetoric simply does not match his record. Hasner\u2019s record includes:","LeMieux campaign spreadsheet, \"Hasner Requested Over $92.2 Million in Community Budget Issue Requests, The Florida Legislature's Version Of The Earmark( \"Hasner Requested Over $92.2 Million in Community Budget Issue Requests, The Florida Legislature's Version Of The Earmark\"),\" accessed Aug. 4, 2011","The earmark claim caught our eye. Hasner, elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2002, served as majority leader from 2008-10 before term limits ended his run. That means plenty of time to rack up requests for pet projects. But did he request \"over $92.2 million in earmarks\"? And if he did, how did that compare with requests by other lawmakers?"]},{"id":"10452.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio was for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship before he was against it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. Marco Rubio did co-sponsor a 2013 Senate bill that included a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants. However, after the bill failed, Rubio shifted his approach and expressed support for immigration reform through piecemeal bills rather than comprehensive legislation. While he still favored legal status for undocumented immigrants, his stance on a pathway to citizenship became less clear. Therefore, it is not entirely accurate to say that Rubio was \"for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship before he was against it.\" The statement oversimplifies Rubio's evolving position on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It seems from all of the reporting, and from what I can gather, that up until very recently they (the Obama administration) didn\u2019t realize how bad this was going to go out,\" Stein said on MSNBC. \"And no one beta-tested the site, which is almost criminal when you think about it.\"","\"Beta testing\" is a very specific term in the tech world that most professional software goes through before launching. It comes after a product is in an \"alpha\" phase, or the earliest version of software that is subject to some tests to find any big issues. When a product reaches beta, it is tested by a larger group of people not connected to its development in an effort to gather feedback and make more fixes before a large-scale launch.","Health officials are still working to improve communication between and the insurance companies, and some systems must still be built and tested, particularly for more complex consumer transactions. That could take months.","Stein directed us to a Washington Examiner report with a headline that somewhat contradicted his statement, which he acknowledged: \"Troubled Obamacare website wasn\u2019t tested until a week before launch.\""]},{"id":"8051.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The ocean is now much more acidic . . . than it has been for many millions of years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that the ocean is currently more acidic than it has been in many millions of years, it is important to note that there have been periods in the past where the oceans were even more acidic than they are today. The evidence provided indicates that the current rise in ocean acidity is happening at a rapid rate, which is a cause for concern. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the statement does not fully capture the historical context of ocean acidity levels. Thus, the label \"half-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11016.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Less than 1 percent of all the education dollars that we spend are spent on private (school) voucher programs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, less than 1 percent of all education dollars are spent on private school voucher programs. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests this calculation includes the University of Wisconsin System, which might not be considered a traditional private school voucher program. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the proportion of education dollars spent on private school vouchers, it lacks clarity regarding the specific programs included in that calculation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Newark Mayor Cory Booker says for the first time in the history of the United States, the government cut taxes during wartime","( - Newark Mayor Cory Booker says for the first time in the history of the United States, the government cut taxes during wartime&url=)","But many argue the Kennedy tax cuts shouldn't count in Krugman's example because they came at a time when the United States did not anticipate the escalation of the war that followed.","\"If you want to talk firsts for Bush, this was the first time in American history that a president took us into a war and cut taxes.\""]},{"id":"8780.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The (New England) Patriots were led by an explosive offense that scored the second most points in the NFL.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the resolution claims that the New England Patriots scored the second most points in the NFL, the evidence provided indicates that they actually scored the third most points during the regular season. The Patriots scored 444 points, placing them behind the Chicago Bears and the Denver Broncos. However, it's important to note that this ranking is specific to the regular season, and if we consider the postseason alone, the Patriots rank fifth in point totals. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be clarified that it refers to the regular season performance of the Patriots.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6242.json","label":"false","statement":"Says New Jerseys tenure law has now been reformed to say that if teachers get two years of partially effective or ineffective ratings they lose tenure.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there have been reforms to New Jersey's tenure law, it is not accurate to claim that teachers will automatically lose tenure if they receive two years of partially effective or ineffective ratings. The tenure law allows for superintendents to defer filing tenure charges under certain circumstances, even if a teacher receives two consecutive partially effective ratings or an ineffective rating followed by a partially effective rating the next year. The tenure reform in New Jersey introduced changes to the evaluation system and increased accountability, but it does not result in automatic loss of tenure based solely on two years of partially effective or ineffective ratings.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"13489.json","label":"false","statement":"Says climate scientist James Hansen says we have until perhaps 50 years from now, or maybe a little longer and at that point, we are looking at 10, 20, 30 feet of sea-level rise.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes a specific claim to climate scientist James Hansen. There is no evidence to suggest that James Hansen made the statement regarding a specific timeline for sea-level rise. While climate scientists have warned about the potential consequences of climate change, including rising sea levels, the specific claim mentioned in the statement cannot be attributed to James Hansen or any credible scientific source.\nLabel: false","evidence":["State GOP leaders weighed in June 4 in a press release when they said this: \"Even when all other state agencies took cuts, Gov. Nathan Deal increased education spending.\"","In summary, the state Republican Party is correct to say Deal increased spending for education every year since taking office. But it\u2019s also important to know that while austerity cuts to schools are being reduced in the coming year by Deal, they still persist.","Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal spent a portion of his State of the State address discussing what\u2019s often a major issue in any election year.","Before Deal took office in January 2011, then-Gov. Sonny Perdue and the state Legislature approved a fiscal year budget that included about $7 billion for its public school students. Deal amended that year\u2019s budget, increasing education spending to about $7.1 billion. Last spring, Deal signed a fiscal year budget for a 12-month period that ends June 30 that included about $7.4 billion for education."]},{"id":"85.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"In every single country, she had a majority of the vote -- or more of those who'd already made up their minds.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that the individual in question had a majority of the vote or more among those who had already made up their minds in every single country. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide information about the overall election results or the total number of voters in each country. It only focuses on those who had already made up their minds. Therefore, while the statement is true within the specified context, it does not provide a complete picture of the election outcomes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Abrams told us she got the numbers from the U.S. Census, the actual count of people living in the United States that the government takes every 10 years.","In 2021, Georgia agriculture was a $4.6 billion industry, so collectively, it\u2019s not peanuts. (Georgia ranks No. 1 in the nation in peanut production, and it also leads the nation in producing pecans and broilers, the official name for chickens.) Overall, Georgia ranks 17th among the 50 states in total farm receipts, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.","The talk focuses broadly on the population growth in the state and just who has been moving in. The Democrats\u2019 idea: follow the Obama administration\u2019s successful playbook and win over those folks with voter registration and turnout efforts to capture their party\u2019s bid for U.S. Senate and governor.","The primary focus of that numerical snapshot is to decide the number of seats each state will get in the U.S. House of Representatives. For that reason, the total count is quite reliable."]},{"id":"11380.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Everyone on Californias roads is properly licensed, tested and insured.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"everyone on California's roads is properly licensed, tested, and insured\" is not accurate. The evidence provided includes a clarification from the author of the statement, acknowledging that it should have stated that \"everyone on California's roads will be properly licensed, tested, and insured.\" Additionally, the press release from Alejo, the DMV's commitment to implementing the law, and the context of the discussion about undocumented Californians obtaining driver's licenses all suggest that the statement is aspirational rather than reflective of the current reality. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In an advertisement in the Oct. 7, 2012, Austin American-Statesman , Raymond Frank, a former Travis County sheriff himself, says Democratic incumbent Greg Hamilton accepted $42,000 from strip-joint interests from 2005 to 2012 and $10,000 from local alcohol distributors from 2007 to 2012.","Frank says in another press release that Hamilton has accepted $10,000 toward his re-election from beer and alcohol distributors: Licensed Beverage Distributors Political Action Committee, $2,500; Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas Political Action Committee, $3,500; and Dan Brown of Austin\u2019s Brown Distributing, $4,000.","His math mostly holds, though it looks like up to $22,500 of the so-called strip-club total occurred after a donor no longer was shown as having an ownership stake in Sugar\u2019s. Removing these possibly post-ownership donations whittles down the amount Hamilton\u2019s campaign has gotten from such interests.","Next, we checked Frank\u2019s tally of contributions against Hamilton\u2019s campaign finance filings with the county, finding that Frank\u2019s figures mostly hold up, though the challenger did not note $1,000 donated to Hamilton\u2019s effort by the Wholesale Beer Distributors on Dec. 3, 2009. So, by Frank\u2019s reasoning, beer, wine and liquor interests have ponied up $11,000 to support Hamilton."]},{"id":"9298.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In some states, African-Americans are three times more likely to be sentenced to death than whites for the same crime.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Van Jones and echoed by Clinton that in some states, African-Americans are three times more likely to receive death sentences compared to whites for the same crime. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not specify the specific states or provide comprehensive data on the issue. While there is evidence of racial disparities in the criminal justice system, the statement lacks the necessary context to determine the extent and consistency of these disparities across all states. Therefore, the statement is partially true but would benefit from additional information for a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So Bedingfield is accurate to say that Obama \"has achieved or made progress on over 60 percent\" of his promises, but Obama himself was wrong to say in his original statement that his agenda is \"60 percent done.\" In the Works, which in some cases may consist only of tiny steps toward accomplishment, is not \"done.\"","\"By PolitiFact\u2019s own independent assessment, the president has achieved or made progress on over 60 percent of his agenda,\" Kate Bedingfield, a White House spokeswoman, told PolitiFact.","Obama\u2019s statement at the fundraiser was clearly in the past tense -- about having already \"done\" 60 percent of his promises in three years, and a White House spokeswoman made it clear he was relying on numbers from our Obameter. The White House\u2019s subsequent description -- that Obama \"has achieved or made progress on over 60 percent of his agenda\" -- is essentially accurate based on our data, but that\u2019s not what Obama himself said. By our numbers, the best he can claim for now is 39 percent. So we rate his statement False.","However, Bedingfield\u2019s standard -- \"achieved or made progress\" -- is different from what Obama said at the fundraiser, that he\u2019d gotten \"about 60 percent done.\" And that becomes a crucial difference as we rate Obama\u2019s original comment."]},{"id":"6145.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says GOP U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin voted twice to end Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that GOP U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy of Wisconsin voted twice to end Medicare is false. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. While there may have been debates and discussions regarding Medicare reforms, there is no record of Rep. Duffy voting to end the Medicare program. Making such an assertion is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Duffy wrote in the Rochester Business Journal that \"the economic indicators of upstate New York would be among the lowest in the country\" if the region split from downstate.","\"If we ever did that, the economic indicators of upstate New York would be among the lowest in the country,\" Duffy claimed. \"We do count on downstate to carry much of the load for the economic health of New York.\"","We compared national data on unemployment and wages to county-level data to rate his claim. With Duffy\u2019s definition of upstate New York, unemployment is close to the national average while wages and income are among the lowest in the country according to the latest data.","Downstate has a bigger population than upstate. The Assembly is comfortably in the hands of lawmakers from New York City and the surrounding area, most of whom are Democrats. The State Senate, meanwhile, is controlled by Republicans, mostly from upstate and Long Island."]},{"id":"7948.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The immigration bill includes free Obamacars, motorcycles or scooters.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the immigration bill includes provisions for free cars, motorcycles, or scooters is false and lacks credible evidence. While there may be provisions in the bill related to transportation and youth jobs programs, there is no mention of providing free vehicles. The original article from Breitbart News relies on an anonymous GOP Senate aide, and subsequent investigations have found no substantial evidence to support the claim. Labeling this statement as \"pants-fire\" indicates that it is blatantly false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Miller said that thanks to the law he authored authorizing hunters to shoot feral hogs from helicopters, \"we have 130 new businesses across Texas doing helicopter hog hunts.\"","As a Texas House member, the Stephenville Republican carried into law a 2011 measure enabling hunters to shoot at feral hogs or coyotes from helicopters, provided the landowner or his agent has given permission. \"It became law,\" Miller told Austin American-Statesman columnist Ken Herman during an office tour in June 2016, \"and we have 130 new businesses across Texas doing helicopter hog hunts. Took a liability and turned it into an asset. It\u2019s been great. It\u2019s been eradicating hogs ever since.\"","Separately, John Dumont, the managing partner and chief pilot for Helibacon, which vends helicopter hog hunts using automatic machine guns, said by phone that it competes with five to 10 similar Texas businesses.","Meantime, our web search for hog hunting services led us to Jay Decker, CEO of Texas-based Gunn&Hook, which was offering helicopter hog hunts starting at $775 as of mid-July 2016. To our inquiry, Decker sent an email listing 14 Texas firms, including Last Shadow, HeliBacon, Pork Choppers and Heli Gunner, that he said provide hog hunts by helicopter. After we shared the state\u2019s 2016 list of permit holders with Decker, he marked seven as businesses that vend helicopter hunts, commenting: \"I\u2019m very confident in my number of 10-20 outfitters that fly part of or all of the year and take customers flying and shooting.\""]},{"id":"970.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under Obama's budget plan, families making over $250,000 are going to lose their mortgage deduction, their charitable deductions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The evidence clearly indicates that the claim made by Republican Rep. Cynthia Lummis is alarmist and distorted. The Obama administration's budget proposal did not include any provisions to eliminate mortgage or charitable deductions for families making over $250,000. The statement is deemed as pants on fire, meaning it is entirely false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["When New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer wanted to \"provide driver\u2019s licenses to those who are undocumented. (Hillary Clinton) said don\u2019t do it.\"","Sanders said that \"Secretary Clinton prevailed upon the governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer, who wanted to do right thing and provide driver's licenses to those who are undocumented. She said don\u2019t do it, and New York state still does not do it.\"","\"Secretary Clinton prevailed upon the governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer, who wanted to do right thing and provide driver's licenses to those who are undocumented,\" Sanders said during the debate at Miami Dade College on March 9. \"She said \u2018don\u2019t do it\u2019, and New York state still does not do it.\"","In April 2015, a Clinton spokeswoman told the Huffington Post: \"Hillary supports state policies to provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.\""]},{"id":"5737.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I have always said that I would be for drilling.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence suggests that Mack's position on drilling has evolved over time, and there is no indication that he has consistently supported drilling. In fact, the evidence indicates that prior to 2006, the Florida delegation had bipartisan opposition to drilling, and Mack's stance on the issue has not always been in favor of drilling. Therefore, the claim that he has \"always\" been for drilling is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["How extreme? LaPierre said Sunstein is \"a man who wants to give legal standing to animals so they can sue you for eating meat.\"","The target: Cass Sunstein, a Harvard Law School professor who was tapped to head up the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a position better known as the administration's regulatory czar.","We have to admit: We don\u2019t know a whole lot about Cass Sunstein, Barack Obama\u2019s regulatory adviser, other than he\u2019s become kind of a whipping boy for conservative causes.","The attack leveled against Sunstein -- administrator of the White House\u2019s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs -- is that he \"wants to ban hunting and says animals should be represented in court.\""]},{"id":"3826.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he vetoed $250,000 from the budget for a program to learn how to catch rainwater.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the speaker vetoed $250,000 from the budget for a program related to learning how to catch rainwater. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because the statement lacks additional context. While the statement is factually correct, it does not provide information about the reasons behind the veto or any potential implications of the decision. Without further details, it is challenging to fully assess the significance or impact of the veto.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Since Obama became president, gas prices have nearly doubled,\" the ad says. \"Obama opposed exploring for energy in Alaska. He gave millions of tax dollars to Solyndra, which then went bankrupt. And he blocked the Keystone pipeline. So we will all pay more at the pump.","We\u2019ve fact-checked whether Obama opposed exploring for energy in Alaska (Half True -- he opposed it in some parts), whether he gave millions of dollars to Solyndra (a federal program for alternative energy did), and whether Energy Secretary Steven Chu said gas prices should be at European levels (yes, but it was before he joined the administration).","Getting back to today\u2019s pump prices, the experts we spoke with were dubious about the impact of any of the above issues -- drilling in Alaska, Solyndra, the Keystone pipeline -- on today\u2019s gas prices.","The ad\u2019s first claim is that Obama \"opposed exploring for energy in Alaska.\" We found in a previous fact-check that while Obama opposes exploration in some parts of Alaska, his administration has approved drilling in other parts."]},{"id":"8250.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the event of a U.S. strike on Syria, the Russians will replace the weapons immediately. Theyve said it on the record. Theyve suggested they might even replace it with better stuff.","reason":"Reason: While there are statements suggesting that Russia may replace Syrian weapons in the event of a U.S. strike, the evidence does not support the claim that they will do so immediately or with better weapons. The available information indicates that Russia has reserved the right to replace Syrian military hardware, but there is no definitive statement or evidence to support the assertion that they will do so immediately or with superior weaponry. Therefore, the claim is exaggerated and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11360.json","label":"true","statement":"The racial and ethnic makeup of the Gwinnett County Sheriffs Office mirrors the community it serves.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the racial and ethnic makeup of the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office is representative of the community it serves. While no specific evidence is provided in the given context, if there is supporting data or studies indicating that the demographics of the sheriff's office align with the demographics of the community, it would further validate the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A billboard sponsored by a local business owner notes that the price of gasoline was much lower when Obama took office -- $1.85 a gallon. That\u2019s about right.","During the Sept. 7, 2011, Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., offered a line she has used frequently in the past: \"The day that President Obama took office, gasoline was $1.79 a gallon.\" She added that \"it's entirely possible for us to get back to inexpensive energy.\"","There are really two parts to the billboard\u2019s claim -- the price when Obama took over and that the president is to blame for the increase.","But experts say the president and his policies have little effect on the prices. Demand is skyrocketing in China, and that pushes up prices. There\u2019s been ongoing turmoil in the Mideast. And locally, there have been supply disruptions that have all pushed prices higher. None of these were tied to Obama\u2019s policies."]},{"id":"708.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that the speaker fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history is partially true. While it is true that the speaker played a role in advocating for and supporting a significant infrastructure project, it is important to note that the claim of it being the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history requires further verification. Without specific details about the project and its scale, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement is considered half-true as it contains an element of truth but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim of being the largest project in North American history.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Democratic wag Paul Begala says Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell has been in office about as long as Sarah Palin was Alaska's governor","Begala continued: \"Now, quick: Who's the mayor of Austin? Turns out it's Lee Leffingwell. And Lee Leffingwell's been the mayor of Austin for about as long as Sarah Palin was governor of Alaska, but nobody is saying that Lee Leffingwell ought to be president.\"","( - Democratic wag Paul Begala says Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell has been in office about as long as Sarah Palin was Alaska's governor&url=)","We're not getting into the population contrast or Leffingwell's designs on the White House. But has he been hizzoner about as long as Palin was governor?"]},{"id":"11466.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Two years ago motorists in Ferguson, a city of 20,000 people, received 31,000 citations. Thats at least one citation per person plus 10,000 for visitors. The city is still surviving only on traffic tickets; theres virtually no industry there.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Representative Cleaver regarding the number of citations issued in Ferguson, with at least one citation per person and an additional 10,000 for visitors. However, the claim that the city is surviving solely on traffic tickets and has virtually no industry is an exaggeration. While it is true that Ferguson has faced financial challenges and has relied heavily on revenue from traffic tickets, it is not accurate to say that the city has no industry at all. Ferguson does have other sources of revenue and economic activity, although the reliance on traffic tickets has been a significant issue. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and nuanced understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["While discussing a pending increase in interest rates for student loans, Sires said in a speech on the House floor: \"Just in the past 10 years, college tuition has increased 28 percent.\"","\"Just in the past 10 years, college tuition has increased 28 percent,\" Sires said. \"Middle class families are struggling to send their sons and daughters to school. For many Americans, a college education is essential to future success.\"","But according to the College Board, average tuition and fees at public four-year institutions increased by about 72 percent over the last decade. A spokeswoman for the congressman said Sires meant to cite the cost increase at those institutions over the past five years.","Sires spokeswoman Erica Daughtrey told us the congressman meant to cite the increase over the past five years at public four-year institutions. During that timeframe, tuition and fees grew by roughly 28 percent at those colleges and universities, according to the College Board."]},{"id":"13335.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Californias proposed tobacco tax diverts 82 percent of the new taxes to line the pockets of wealthy special interests like insurance companies who dont have to help even one more patient.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that a portion of the proposed tobacco tax revenue in California would be allocated to healthcare-related programs, including Medi-Cal, which is California's Medicaid program, it is inaccurate to claim that the funds are solely benefiting wealthy special interests like insurance companies. The allocation of funds is intended to support healthcare services, prevention programs, and research related to tobacco use. While there may be differing opinions on the distribution of the tax revenue, characterizing it as solely benefiting wealthy special interests is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent the intended use of the funds.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Gov. Walker has yet to create a job, he gives away millions to his friends, and he raises taxes on working people.\"","In her statement, Taylor said \"Gov. Walker has yet to create a job, he gives away millions to his friends, and he raises taxes on working people.\"","Wisconsin Sen. Lena Taylor says Gov. Scott Walker hasn\u2019t created jobs, gives millions to friends and raises taxes on working people","( - Wisconsin Sen. Lena Taylor says Gov. Scott Walker hasn\u2019t created jobs, gives millions to friends and raises taxes on working people&url=)"]},{"id":"10910.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If you care about the environment, weve got record funding.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Scott that there is record funding for the environment is false. The fact-checking analysis reveals that the funding for environmental protection under Scott's tenure falls short of previous records set by his predecessors, including Governor Bush and Governor Crist. While Scott's statement may have referred to a specific proposal for springs protection, it does not accurately represent the overall funding for environmental projects. Therefore, the claim of record funding for the environment is misleading and false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5397.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After Arizona banned smoking in all public places in 2007, admissions for acute myocardial infarction stroke, asthma, [and] angina decreased following the implementation of the ban.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the study conducted by Patricia M. Herman and Michelle E. Walsh, which examined the impact of Arizona's comprehensive statewide smoking ban on hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction, stroke, asthma, and angina. The study found a decrease in admissions for these conditions following the implementation of the ban. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of the study, including the specific magnitude of the decrease or any potential limitations of the research. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the findings, it lacks the necessary context for a complete assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"70 percent of the people who voted\" on June 5, 2012, \"just didn\u2019t feel comfortable with the recall of the governor,\" weakening any idea that Wisconsin is \"fully behind this Walker agenda.\"","Barca asserted that \"70 percent of the people who voted just didn\u2019t feel comfortable with the recall of the governor\" weakening the notion Wisconsin is \"fully behind\" Walker\u2019s policy agenda.","\"The GOP is engaging in pure folly if they misread this election to think that the electorate of Wisconsin is fully behind this Walker agenda,\" Barca said. \"Because 70 percent of the people who voted just didn\u2019t feel comfortable with the recall of the governor.\"","In the wake of the failed effort to unseat Gov. Scott Walker at mid-term, top Wisconsin Democrats insisted the June 5, 2012, election results were not an endorsement of the Republican governor\u2019s political agenda."]},{"id":"10938.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A black male baby born today, if we do not change the system, stands a one-in-three chance (of) ending up in jail.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim that a black male baby born today has a one-in-three chance of ending up in jail if the system is not changed. While the statistic may not be precise in terms of exact numbers, it highlights a significant issue of racial disparities within the criminal justice system. Numerous studies and data support the existence of disproportionate incarceration rates among black males, indicating a systemic problem that needs to be addressed. Therefore, while the statement may not be entirely precise in terms of statistical accuracy, it captures the essence of the issue and is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The meme claims that a sign in Dearborn, Mich., purportedly hung by a group called the Advancement of Islamic Agenda for America says, \"Allah be praised. America we will kill you all and nothing you can do to stop it.\"","The meme was pasted into an email with the subject line, \"A sign in Dearborn, Michigan.\" (Dearborn has an unusually large Muslim population.) Headlined, \"This is what liberalism will buy you,\" the meme features a photograph of a sign with removable letters, purportedly advertising a group called the Advancement of Islamic Agenda for America. The sign reads, \"Allah be praised. America we will kill you all and nothing you can do to stop it. Allah be praised.\" The meme concludes with the line, \"Still think they are kidding.\" (The question mark for that last sentence was mysteriously missing.)","We searched for a group called Advancement of Islamic Agenda for America on the Web and found no trace of it. More importantly, the sign comes from a template on the website Church Sign Maker.","!A reader sent us this image from social media. But it doesn't depict a real sign. !A reader sent us this image from social media. But it doesn't depict a real sign."]},{"id":"3208.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Joe Straus is the first Jewish speaker of the Texas House.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Joe Straus, a Republican from San Antonio, became the first Jewish speaker of the Texas House. This fact is supported by multiple sources, including news segments and statements made by John Cook, a State Republican Executive Committee official. While there may be some individuals who expressed opposition to Straus based on his religion, it is important to note that his election as speaker demonstrates progress and diversity in Texas politics.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Limbaugh said the Obama administration planned the rapid influx of children attempting to get into the country. Not that the administration planned for the influx, but actually planned it. Limbaugh did not return our requests for comment, but his evidence was a request for contract services from early 2014 that projected that about 65,000 children would need to be moved to temporary shelters. Limbaugh viewed that estimate with suspicion.","The influx of children comes mainly from the most troubled nations in Central America. The claim that Obama\u2019s policy created the influx does not match the timeline and ignores other important factors.","\"You tell me this is not purposeful,\" Limbaugh said. \"Listen. Six months ago, the regime began planning how to transport tens of thousands of undocumented children from the border.\"","\"Obama administration kept illegal Mexican kids in detention camps as \u2018experiment,\u2019\" said a June 16, 2018 headline from the Lid, an online blog."]},{"id":"4070.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have provided at least 16 tax cuts to small businesses.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been tax cuts specifically targeted towards small businesses, it's important to consider the overall impact of tax policies. The evidence suggests that there have been targeted tax cuts for small businesses, but there have also been tax increases, such as penalties for businesses not providing sufficient health insurance and the tanning tax, which predominantly affects small businesses. Additionally, some of the tax cuts were not exclusively for small businesses but were made available to all businesses. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in acknowledging the existence of tax cuts for small businesses, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall impact of tax policies on small businesses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7043.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Charlie Bass supports Paul Ryan plan that forces seniors to pay $6,400 a year more for health care so millionaires can pay less in taxes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Charlie Bass voted for both Paul Ryan plans, the statement oversimplifies the impact of the plan on seniors and millionaires. The 2013 plan lacks sufficient details to accurately determine the exact increase in healthcare costs for seniors. Additionally, the claim that millionaires would pay less in taxes is a generalization and does not account for the specific provisions and changes in the plan. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the complexity of the plan and its impact on seniors and millionaires.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says \"if you are shot in the city of Newark, you have over an 80 percent chance that you've been arrested before an average of 10 times.\"","Booker said \"if you are shot in the city of Newark, you have over an 80 percent chance that you've been arrested before an average of 10 times.\"","\"We now sat down with Rutgers and have shown that if you are shot in the city of Newark, as the shooting demonstrates that we just saw, if you are shot in the city of Newark, you have over an 80 percent chance that you've been arrested before an average of 10 times,\" Booker said Oct. 13 on WBGO\u2019s \"Newark Today,\" just days after a daytime shooting spree in a public housing complex in Newark\u2019s Central Ward. \"So we know the players here. If you are getting shot or doing the shooting, overwhelmingly you've been involved in the criminal justice system and the correctional system is not correcting.\"","\"The exact numbers are... 85% of 165 murder victims in Newark between 2009 and 2010 were known to the criminal justice system before they were killed (\"known\" meaning that they were arrested at least once before the homicide event),\" Braga wrote in an email. And those \"victims, had, on average, 10 prior arrests on their criminal records.\""]},{"id":"12701.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump is a guy who has called for privatization of the Veterans Administration.","reason":"Reason: While there have been statements suggesting that Donald Trump supports giving veterans access to private providers, it is not accurate to claim that he has explicitly called for the privatization of the Veterans Administration (VA). Trump's plan emphasizes giving veterans more choices in their healthcare, which could involve seeking care outside of the VA system. However, this does not equate to complete privatization. It is important to distinguish between expanding options for veterans and advocating for the complete privatization of the VA. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Walker was True in asserting that most state employees could pay twice as much toward their health care premiums and it would still be half the national average. The conservative Club for Growth overreached in claiming that when it comes to taking cuts in tough budget times, Wisconsin \"state workers haven't had to sacrifice.\" We rated that Barely True.","The Club for Growth ad dramatically highlights \"frozen wages\" and \"pay cuts\" accepted by unions at the private companies -- and then says \"state workers haven\u2019t had to sacrifice.\"","The Club for Growth, lobbying for Walker\u2019s plan to trim state employee compensation, claims state workers \"have not had to sacrifice\" while the private sector has reeled from jobs losses, pay cuts and increased responsibility for pension and health care benefits.","\"But state workers haven\u2019t had to sacrifice. They pay next to nothing for their pensions, and a fraction of their health care. It\u2019s not fair. Call your state legislator and tell them to vote for Gov. Walker\u2019s budget repair bill. It\u2019s time state employees paid their fair share, just like the rest of us.\""]},{"id":"13015.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Undocumented workers crossing the border right now is at a 12-year low.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence supports the claim made by Johnson that the number of undocumented workers crossing the border is at a 12-year low. The data from Border Patrol figures shows a decreasing trend in apprehensions of Mexicans attempting to cross the border illegally, which indicates a decline in border crossings. However, it's important to note that the data only accounts for apprehensions and may not capture all instances of illegal border crossings that go unnoticed by authorities. Therefore, while the available data supports the claim, it is essential to consider the limitations of the data in providing a comprehensive picture of all undocumented border crossings.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Trump \"has been talking about the option of using a nuclear weapon against our Western European allies,\" the ad shows Turner saying.","Trump never explicitly talked about using nuclear weapons against America\u2019s allies in Europe -- but that he he is just leaving the option open.","Jim Walsh, an international security and research associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said he\u2019s \"seen nothing\" suggesting Trump would use nuclear weapons against America\u2019s European allies.","Matthews: \"So, can you take it off the table now? Can you tell the Middle East we are not using the nuclear weapon on anybody?\""]},{"id":"2062.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We had 2 percent of the global market (for advanced batteries) when he (Obama) started. We now have 16 percent, headed to 40 percent by 2015.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by David Axelrod and President Obama regarding the increase in the U.S. market share for advanced batteries. The evidence provided indicates that the U.S. had 2 percent of the global market for advanced batteries when Obama started, and it has since increased to 16 percent. Additionally, projections from the Deutsche Bank study suggest that the U.S. could potentially reach 40 percent market share by 2015. However, it's important to note that these figures are based on projections and may be subject to change. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be acknowledged that the 40 percent figure is a projection rather than a confirmed outcome.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"McCain intervened on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators tasked with preventing banking fraud, and championed legislation to delay regulation of the savings and loan industry \u2013 actions that allowed Keating to continue his fraud at an incredible cost to taxpayers.\"","\u201cMcCain intervened on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators tasked with preventing banking fraud,\u201d according to the Obama Web site, \u201cand championed legislation to delay regulation of the savings and loan industry \u2013 actions that allowed Keating to continue his fraud at an incredible cost to taxpayers.\u201d","So it's clear that McCain did \"intervene on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators\" \u2013 language lifted almost directly from the Senate committee report. And McCain also \"championed legislation to delay regulation of the savings and loan industry\" \u2013 as he acknowledged in his own book. It's debatable whether the first of those actions \"allowed Keating to continue his fraud,\" and the second certainly didn't, since the legislation didn't pass. But yes, Keating's fraud did exact a huge cost from taxpayers. We find this claim Mostly True.","But it is clear that indeed McCain \"intervened on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators tasked with preventing banking fraud,\" as the Obama campaign claimed."]},{"id":"8474.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"$6 billion water bond program voters passed in 2011 has yet to be tapped.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that the $6 billion water bond program approved by Texas voters in 2011 has not been utilized yet. The authorization allows the state water board to issue bonds up to $6 billion, but the actual borrowing and implementation of the program have not taken place. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the reasons behind the delay or the current status of the program. Additional context would be needed to fully understand the implications of the unutilized bond program.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10272.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Immigrants have captured all of the nearly 9 million jobs created since 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that immigrants have captured all of the nearly 9 million jobs created since 2000. While it is true that immigrants, both legal and illegal, have secured a significant number of new jobs, the claim fails to acknowledge that a substantial portion of these jobs were also filled by native-born individuals. The available evidence suggests that immigrants accounted for approximately 70% of the new jobs created since 2000, not the entire 100% as stated. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the distribution of job gains between immigrants and native-born individuals.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11116.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"All (Maryland) crabs are born in Virginia.","reason":"Reason: While the statement made by McAuliffe that all Maryland crabs are born in Virginia is not entirely accurate, it does hold some truth. The majority of Chesapeake Bay crabs are indeed born in Virginia waters. However, there is a small number of crabs that are born in Maryland coastal waters, particularly around Ocean City. Therefore, while the statement is not entirely true, it does reflect the fact that a significant portion of Chesapeake Bay crabs originate from Virginia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1869.json","label":"false","statement":"Every major study that has been done by a legitimate group ...shows that there are hundreds of thousands of jobs to be created if you pass our (cap-and-trade) legislation. And if you wind up pricing carbon.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are studies that suggest cap-and-trade legislation and pricing carbon could create jobs, it is not accurate to claim that every major study conducted by legitimate groups supports this conclusion. In fact, there are studies, such as the one conducted by the Marshall Institute, that indicate potential job losses resulting from cap-and-trade legislation. The existence of differing conclusions among legitimate groups demonstrates that there is not a unanimous consensus on the job creation aspect of such legislation.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11529.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas legislation would allow teachers to kill their students if they felt it was needed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. In 2015, a bill was introduced in Texas that aimed to provide greater legal protection to teachers if they used deadly force against a student. However, it is important to note that the bill did not explicitly grant teachers the authority to \"kill\" their students if they felt it was necessary. The bill proposed that teachers could use deadly force if it was justified under the existing penal code conditions, which include self-defense or defense of others. Therefore, while the bill did address the use of deadly force by teachers, it did not grant unrestricted permission to \"kill\" students based solely on the teacher's discretion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bush said, \"Why would our president close the embassy to the Vatican? Hopefully, it is not retribution for Catholic organizations opposing Obamacare.\"","Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is Catholic, tweeted on the day before Thanksgiving, \"Why would our president close the embassy to the Vatican? Hopefully, it is not retribution for Catholic organizations opposing Obamacare.\"","Schneck emphasized that the roots of the move predate Obama, since it stems from an inspector general recommendation during Bush\u2019s tenure. And he was dubious of the suggestion that the embassy move is retaliation for the Catholic bishops opposing the contraception mandate in Obamacare.","Did President Barack Obama close the embassy to the Vatican as a way of sticking it to them over Obamacare? That sounds like some un-divine intervention. But is it the truth? (It would be a venial sin to omit a hat-tip to the Washington Post Fact Checker, which ran a check on this earlier today. CNN also did a fact check earlier.)"]},{"id":"11188.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every poll said I won the debate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration. While there were some polls and surveys that indicated Trump won the debate, it is not accurate to claim that \"every\" poll supported this conclusion. Different polls and surveys can yield different results, and it is important to consider the methodology and sample size of each poll. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific information about which debate is being referred to, further complicating the claim. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"753.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"McCain \"said the other day that he would not meet potentially with the prime minister of Spain, because he . . . wasn't sure whether they were aligned with us.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that Senator McCain expressed uncertainty about meeting with the prime minister of Spain due to concerns about alignment. In an interview during the 2008 presidential campaign, McCain did express hesitation about meeting with the Spanish prime minister at the time, stating that he was unsure about the prime minister's alignment with the United States. However, it's important to note that the statement doesn't provide the full context of McCain's remarks, which were later clarified to indicate that he had simply misspoken and confused the Spanish prime minister with a different Latin American leader. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of accurately representing McCain's initial remarks, it lacks the complete context of his subsequent clarification.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Trump : \"I hate to say it, I have the No. 1 show on NBC. Is that a correct statement? I mean, The Apprentice is doing great -- The Celebrity Apprentice.\"","So in both categories, The Celebrity Apprentice ranks fifth behind a mix of scripted dramas, sitcoms, reality shows and Sunday football. By this standard, Trump is wrong to say he has \"the No. 1 on NBC.\"","Also, if a Fox News host appears on NBC and makes a claim that we fact-check, that rating would appear on the NBC page, not the Fox one. In this case, it\u2019s about the network that aired the content, not the person who said it.","Trump : \"It has a lot to do. It sounds so trivial, and I hate to even bring it up, but I'm not allowed to run during the show. You're not allowed to have the show on and be a declared candidate. It\u2019s a great show and it\u2019s got phenomenal ratings, and until that show is over, I can\u2019t declare, because otherwise, NBC would have to take the show off the air, and I think that would be very unfair to NBC.\""]},{"id":"5841.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Over the history of Austin, its always gotten more expensive.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Austin has experienced periods of increasing costs of living, the statement that Austin has \"always\" gotten more expensive over its history is an overgeneralization. The evidence provided indicates that there have been periods of nominal decreases in costs, such as during the Great Depression. Additionally, there is no specific information or data to support the claim that Austin has consistently become more expensive every year throughout its history. It is important to consider economic fluctuations and periods of economic difficulty that may have impacted the cost of living in Austin. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and lacks sufficient evidence to support its absolute nature.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg agreed to use a technicality to give a convicted sex offender a new hearing because \"he didn\u2019t understand the charge.\"","The Wisconsin Alliance for Reform says Kloppenburg agreed to use a technicality to give a convicted sex offender a new hearing because \"he didn\u2019t understand the charge.\"","So, did Kloppenburg agree to use a technicality to give a convicted sex offender a new hearing because \"he didn\u2019t understand the charge\"?","Kloppenburg agreed with two other appeals court judges in ordering that the sex offender get a hearing. They did not rule, however, that the offender didn\u2019t understand the charge he had pleaded guilty to. Rather, they ruled there should be hearing on the fundamental question of whether he did understand what he had pled to."]},{"id":"12940.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Neither Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump has a plan to address the civil war in Syria.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump has presented a comprehensive plan to address the civil war in Syria. While Clinton has provided more specifics compared to Trump, both candidates have not outlined a detailed strategy to address the conflict. This lack of a comprehensive plan is acknowledged by multiple sources, including the chief White House correspondent for the Associated Press. However, it's important to note that the statement does not account for any potential plans or strategies that may have been developed after the provided evidence was published.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo notified Congress of his plan to create the Contingency and Crisis Response bureau in October 2020, weeks before the presidential election.","The major disaster declaration Biden signed Sept. 29 unlocks the Disaster Relief Fund so FEMA can provide immediate aid, including temporary housing assistance. The declaration will result in billions of dollars flowing to Florida, said Steve Ellis, president of the government spending watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense. But if lawmakers want to provide more relief, they will need to pass supplemental appropriations.","\u201cAmerica now has a government that forbids border agents from using deadly force, but is training IRS agents to use SWAT-team tactics on law-abiding citizens.\u201d","Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Ron DeSantis have sought assistance from the Biden administration for disaster relief in Florida following Hurricane Ian."]},{"id":"6749.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says a voter-adopted constitutional amendment instructed a state board headed by Jerry Patterson to put $300 million in investment earnings into a fund supporting public school operations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The 2011 constitutional amendment did direct the School Land Board, headed by Jerry Patterson, to allocate a portion of investment earnings to the Available School Fund. However, it did not specifically mandate the allocation of $300 million. The amendment allowed for a portion of the earnings to be allocated, but the exact amount was not specified. Therefore, while the statement captures the general intent of the amendment, it inaccurately claims that it instructed the board to allocate precisely $300 million.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10075.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Greenlight Pinellas 1-cent sales tax is permanent, we never get to vote on this again.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks some important context. While there is no specific provision in the Greenlight Pinellas plan that guarantees a future vote on the sales tax increase, it is not entirely accurate to claim that the tax is permanent and that there will never be another opportunity to vote on it. The plan does not explicitly state that the tax increase is permanent, and there is a possibility for future changes or amendments to the plan that could include provisions for future votes. Therefore, while the statement implies permanence, it is not entirely accurate as there is a potential for future reconsideration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"437.json","label":"false","statement":"\"He's promising four more years of an administration that will push for the privatization of Social Security...\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the candidate is promising four more years of an administration that will push for the privatization of Social Security. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. The candidate's stance on Social Security privatization has not been stated, and there is no indication that such a policy is being advocated for by the candidate or their administration. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Paul said Clinton \"didn't provide the security, not just that day, for nine months,\" for the consulate in Benghazi, and she completely ignored \"dozens and dozens of requests for more security.\"","\"She didn't -- she didn't provide the security, not just that day, for nine months. Dozens and dozens of requests for more security, all completely ignored by Hillary Clinton.\"","\"She didn't provide the security, not just that day, for nine months,\" Paul said. \"Dozens and dozens of requests for more security, all completely ignored by Hillary Clinton.\"","The accuracy of his claim comes down to this: There is no hard proof that Clinton \"completely ignored\" \"dozens and dozens\" of requests for more staffing."]},{"id":"10578.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average person only pays about $1,800 in state taxes which is the lowest of all 50 states.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects Governor Scott's claim that the average person pays about $1,800 in state taxes, it's important to note that this figure refers to state taxes collected per capita, which includes individuals who pay little to no taxes, such as children and other residents. Therefore, it may not accurately represent the actual amount paid by the average taxpayer. However, in the context of Governor Scott's statement, the claim is mostly true as it aligns with the figure he mentioned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"There is no evidence to support the claim that Guantanamo is used as a recruiting tool or affecting relations with allies, both of which are being used to advance the president\u2019s flawed foreign policy goals,\" Heck said in a statement.","The Facebook video itself makes no mention of Guantanamo Bay and offers proof to support the claim. We found no news reports or credible evidence that she was taken there.","Heck saying there\u2019s \"no evidence\" that terrorist groups use the site as a \"recruiting tool\" directly contradicts one of the president\u2019s core arguments for closing the detention center, which made us wonder \u2014 do groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda use Guantanamo in any fashion to draw in potential terrorists?","\"It is possible that some jihadist somewhere was influenced in some way by Guantanamo,\" he said in an email. \"But the people who are arguing that it is being used as a recruiting tool, mainly President Obama and his administration, have not provided any evidence that it is explicitly being used as a recruiting tool (as opposed to passing mentions in propaganda).\""]},{"id":"9506.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Scott Brown voted with President Barack Obama 70 percent of the time in 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rubens that Scott Brown voted with President Barack Obama 70 percent of the time in 2011. Analysis by Congressional Quarterly supports this claim, indicating that Brown aligned with the president's position 69.6 percent of the time when Obama outlined a clear position. It's important to note that the president does not take a clear position on all legislation, and his position was outlined on only 38 percent of the roll call votes in 2011. However, considering the available data, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve doubled the stock market from where we started when he was sworn into office -- Bush had gotten it down to 6,500. It\u2019s double that today,\" Connolly said.","We went to the ticker tapes to see if the stock market really has doubled since Obama\u2019s inauguration on Jan 20, 2009. We were in deep recession then. The stock market took hits as the subprime mortgage crisis exploded. Catastrophic losses at Bear Stearns led to its sale to JPMorgan Chase in March 2008. Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection that September.","White said the two indexes Connolly\u2019s office used -- the blue-chip Dow and the tech-heavy Nasdaq -- are not the best measures of overall stock market performance. He suggested we look at two gauges that track a broader array of companies.","The Dow continued to plummet after Obama took office, hitting a low of 6,469.95 on March 6, 2009. It\u2019s at this point that the Connolly camp begins measuring the stock market\u2019s performance under Obama. The Dow increased 99 percent from that day through the day the congressman made his claim."]},{"id":"10531.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"ISIS lures women with kittens, nutella.","reason":"Reason: While there is some truth to the statement that ISIS uses various tactics to recruit women, including the manipulation of social media and online content, the claim that they specifically lure women with kittens and Nutella is an oversimplification and lacks sufficient evidence. The evidence provided suggests that the click-baity graphic used by CNN was misleading and incomplete. It is important to note that the recruitment strategies employed by ISIS are multifaceted and involve a range of ideological, social, and psychological factors. Therefore, to attribute the recruitment of women solely to kittens and Nutella is an exaggeration and does not accurately represent the complexity of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich went on Greta Van Susteren's Fox News show to clarify his remarks about the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Did his comments add up to a Full Flop? !Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich went on Greta Van Susteren's Fox News show to clarify his remarks about the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Did his comments add up to a Full Flop?","Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich went on Greta Van Susteren's Fox News show to clarify his remarks about the budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Did his comments add up to a Full Flop?","In addition to a testy exchange with an Iowa voter that was caught on video, a glitter attack by a gay-rights protester, revelations that he had owed a six-figure amount to the luxury retailer Tiffany\u2019s and a series of articles questioning the accuracy of his facts, Gingrich also took heat from conservatives for an alleged flip-flop on whether he supported the budget plan written by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and passed by the GOP-controlled House.","A recent campaign television commercial attacking U.S. Rep Charlie Bass, R-NH, features men and women holding handwritten signs up and down Main Street, quoting Bass calling GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan\u2019s Medicare plan \"A great statement of principle.\""]},{"id":"4503.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the past six years alone, changes to the pension formula have saved over half a billion dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that changes to the pension formula in the past six years have resulted in savings, the claim that these changes have saved over half a billion dollars needs further clarification. The evidence suggests that the projected savings over the lifetime of the beneficiaries would amount to over half a billion dollars. However, it is unclear how much of that projected savings has been realized in the past six years alone. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but could benefit from additional information to provide a more precise understanding of the savings achieved within the specified timeframe.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["McAuliffe said, \"When I became governor, I inherited a large deficit. \u2026 We just turned that into the largest surplus in Virginia history.\"","\"When I became governor, I inherited a large deficit,\" McAuliffe, a Democrat, said during a Nov. 2 interview on MSNBC\u2019s \"Hardball With Chris Matthews.\" \"You know what? We just turned that into the largest surplus in Virginia history.\"","The second part of McAuliffe\u2019s statement is that the shortfall was \"turned\" into the \"largest surplus in Virginia history.\" That stems from McAuliffe\u2019s announcement in July 2015 that Virginia ended the first year of its biennial budget $550 million in the black.","We decided to fact-check McAuliffe\u2019s claim, wondering how he could have inherited a deficit from his predecessor, Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, when the state constitution requires a balanced budget. We examined the two elements in the governor\u2019s full statement: 1) that he inherited a deficit and, 2) that it was turned into a record surplus."]},{"id":"8832.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas added 6,600 miles of highway from 2001-2012, more than any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to statistics from the Federal Highway Administration, Texas did add 6,660 new highway lane miles from 2001 to 2012, which was the largest increase in raw terms among all states. However, it's important to note that this statement only refers to lane miles and not necessarily total highway miles. Additionally, when considering the increase in lane miles relative to population and land area, Texas ranked lower, indicating that other states may have experienced a higher rate of growth in highway infrastructure during that time period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Walker said his performance in 2014 indicates that he appeals to young voters in a way \"that\u2019s largely unheard of for a Republican.\"","Franklin suggested comparing Walker\u2019s performance with young voters to that of other Republican governors who were up for re-election in November 2014. Here\u2019s a look at three such races:","\"Last year, when I was up for election -- again, for the third time -- we won again,\" Walker said. \"But we carried -- one of the polls, exit polls -- showed we went 49-48 amongst 18- to 24-year-olds. That's largely unheard of for a Republican.\"","But what about Walker\u2019s broader point, that his appeal to young voters in 2014 was unusually strong for a Republican candidate?"]},{"id":"9120.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Premeditation, in murder cases like the Oscar Pistorius case, can be formed in the twinkling of an eye.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that premeditation can occur quickly and in a short period of time, the statement implies that premeditation can be formed instantaneously, which is an oversimplification. The evidence provided mentions case law that supports the idea that premeditation can be formed momentarily, but it does not explicitly state that it can happen in the \"twinkling of an eye.\" Premeditation typically involves some level of planning or consideration before the act is committed, even if it happens relatively quickly. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the legal concept of premeditation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Finally, the health care law is not the largest tax increase in history. We looked into this topic in detail when we fact-checked Rush Limbaugh\u2019s statement that the health care law is \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\"","Before the article was published, our colleagues at PolitiFact National also did some digging in rating as Pants on Fire an even bolder claim by Rush Limbaugh -- that the reform law is \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\"","On the day the U.S. Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama\u2019s health care reform law, Rush Limbaugh called the law \"the largest tax increase in the history of the world.\"","The ad calls the health care law \"the largest tax increase in history on the middle class.\" Actually, the law is not the largest tax increase in history, and most of its taxes fall on the wealthy and the health care industry."]},{"id":"6287.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every major newspaper in Texas calls David Dewhurst a moderate.","reason":"Reason: The statement that every major newspaper in Texas calls David Dewhurst a moderate is not entirely accurate. While there may be some instances where newspapers have referred to Dewhurst as a moderate, it is not a consistent or unanimous characterization across all major Texas newspapers. The claim ignores critical facts and gives the impression that all major newspapers routinely and consistently describe Dewhurst as a moderate, which is not the case. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4541.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Last year, Korea sold nearly half a million cars in our country. ... The United States, you know how much we sell to them? Six thousand. What kind of deal is that?","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the significant disparity in car sales between Korea and the United States. It states that Korea sold nearly half a million cars in the United States, while the United States only sold 6,000 cars in Korea. This highlights an imbalance in the trade relationship between the two countries in the automotive industry.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10505.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A married couple that use the same last name is rarer and rarer in our country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it implies that married couples using the same last name are becoming increasingly rare in the country. While it is true that there has been a shift in recent years towards more diverse naming practices, such as hyphenating or keeping separate last names, it is still common for married couples to share the same last name. The statement overgeneralizes the trend and fails to acknowledge the continued prevalence of couples sharing the same last name.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It sounded to us like Rogers claimed there are thousands of Westerners and Americans in Syria and Iraq fighting with extremists. His office confirmed that\u2019s what he meant.","Rogers : \"This is as dangerous as it gets. Why? We have thousands of Westerners and Americans in both the eastern Syria and Iraq who have Western passports. This is like \u2014\"","Rogers said there are \"thousands of Westerners and Americans in both the eastern Syria and Iraq who have Western passports\" fighting with extremists. The highest estimates put the figure between 2,000 and 3,000, which would make it technically accurate, but somewhat exaggerated, to say \"thousands.\" A March estimate from the U.S. government said there were about 1,000 Westerners in Syria. Only a few dozen of them are from the United States, though, and you might not get that impression from Rogers\u2019 comment.","As turmoil breaks out in Iraq two and a half years after U.S. troops left the country, are Westerners \u2014 including Americans \u2014 flocking there to help extremists in the fight?"]},{"id":"982.json","label":"false","statement":"Claims that former Sen. Tom Daschle said, \"Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the quote, \"Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them,\" to former Sen. Tom Daschle. The quote actually comes from an opinion piece by Betsy McCaughey, not Daschle. It is important to verify the accuracy of quotes and properly attribute them to the correct individuals.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3000.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The tax-cut deal adds more than $800 billion to the deficit over two years -- more than the cost of TARP and more than the cost of the Recovery Act and about the same as health care reform.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the tax-cut deal adds over $800 billion to the deficit over two years. While it compares this figure to the costs of TARP, the Recovery Act, and health care reform, it's important to note that the comparison is not entirely precise. The costs of these programs may vary depending on the specific timeframe and calculations used. However, the statement captures the general magnitude of the deficit increase resulting from the tax-cut deal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I can assure you that I am not very close to Hillary Clinton,\" Cotton responded. \"She has been responsible for many of the worst decisions of the Obama administration. She was literally present when we pressed the reset button with Russia just a few months after Russia had invaded Georgia.\"","And while Cotton said the Americans hit the \"reset\" button \"a few months\" after the Russian invasion, the reality is it took place almost six months after the week-long conflict had ended.","\"Russia had had a longstanding role as part of a peacekeeping force separating the Georgians and South Ossetians,\" Allen said. \"Yes, Russia invaded Georgia, and, yes, there is a lot more to the story.\"","As part of that initiative, on March 6, 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov a red button. The button was supposed to have word \"reset\" written on it in Russian. But the Americans got it wrong -- the word translated to \" overcharged.\""]},{"id":"5138.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney runs away from Ronald Reagan.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Mitt Romney \"runs away from Ronald Reagan\" is not entirely accurate. While there may have been instances where Romney distanced himself from Reagan's policies during his 1994 Senate campaign, it is important to consider the context and evolution of Romney's political views over the years. Romney has expressed admiration for Reagan and has often referenced him positively in his political speeches. Therefore, characterizing Romney as consistently running away from Reagan is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect his overall stance on Reagan's legacy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12704.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have the lowest percentage of Americans actually holding a job in 40 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence confirms that the percentage of Americans holding a job is currently at its lowest in approximately 40 years, with a rate of 62.7 percent. This figure is comparable to the levels seen in February 1978, which is slightly over 38 years ago. While it's not an exact match to the 40-year timeframe mentioned, it aligns closely enough to support the claim that the current employment rate is the lowest in four decades.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3250.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says John Kitzhabers proposed budget for upcoming biennium represents 8 percent increase over last","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John Kitzhaber's proposed budget for the upcoming biennium appears to represent an increase of 8 percent over the previous budget, it is important to note that this increase does not necessarily account for inflation or other factors that may affect the purchasing power of the funds. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge that the school system may still face challenges and have to make adjustments to accommodate potential cost savings in the future. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["As for the other claims listed in the advertisement -- liens being placed against West\u2019s home and being ordered by a judge to pay more than $5,000 in credit charges -- we checked court and county tax records for proof of those claims.","On the credit card issue, according to documents from the Broward County Clerk of Courts and the Broward County Tax Collector\u2019s Office, a judge ordered West to pay $5,541.43 on Sept. 1, 2006, to American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. On June 12, 2009, he was ordered to pay $ 2,832.26 to Midland Funding LLC, a representative of Citibank.","So back to the question: Did the IRS file \"an $11,000 lien against West for back taxes\" as Klein\u2019s ad states? It's important to remember that income tax records are private and we won't know what the IRS dispute involved. West says the lien was filed in error, but his campaign isn't able to provide us with any documentation showing that. If the campaign offers it later, we will review this item then.","We asked Klein\u2019s camp to provide us with documentation supporting their claim, and they provided us with a copy of an IRS Notice of Federal Tax Lien filed against \"Allen B West & Angela M Graham West.\" The document, filed on Nov. 17, 2005, with the Marion County Recorder\u2019s office in Indianapolis shows an \"Unpaid Balance of Assessment\" for $11,081.05."]},{"id":"12885.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Undocumented immigrantspay $12 billion a year into Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement that undocumented immigrants pay $12 billion a year into Social Security is partially true. The $12 billion figure is based on contributions from both undocumented immigrants and their employers, as noted by the Social Security Administration. However, it's important to clarify that undocumented immigrants are not eligible to receive most Social Security benefits. While they contribute to the system, they do not have the same access to the benefits as legal residents or citizens. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the monetary contributions made by undocumented immigrants, it may give the impression that they receive the same benefits in return, which is not the case.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In the Water Bureau, I probably this year wouldn\u2019t have worked to fund some of the projects that are going to invest in covering our reservoirs. For instance, the Powell Butte project that is going up. I think we started too early on that. We could have saved ourselves the cost.\"","Could we have saved ourselves the cost? This is the kind of statement that perturbs Water Bureau officials, who argue they had to prepare to comply.","Brady, a longtime advocate of leaving Portland\u2019s water alone, says she would have pushed to halt money for the Powell Butte project. After all, her campaign says, look at U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, who complained about the one-size-fits all nature of the mandate. The EPA agreed to review the rule.","In response, the Portland Water Bureau agreed to build underground water storage facilities elsewhere and to take open reservoir water offline. Asked about rising utility rates, Eileen Brady said she wouldn\u2019t have spent money complying with the requirement:"]},{"id":"6283.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says raising the state income tax rate on millionaires to offset property taxes for other residents is not a tax increase. Its a tax shift.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and incorrect. Raising the state income tax rate on millionaires to offset property taxes for other residents would indeed be a tax increase for millionaires. It would result in a higher tax burden for those individuals, which contradicts the claim that it is merely a \"tax shift.\" The term \"tax shift\" implies a redistribution of tax burden without an overall increase in taxes, which is not the case in this scenario.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Houston, unrelated to the historical figure of the same name, includes this on his campaign website: \"As a practicing Texas attorney with 26 years of experience, Sam Houston would enter the Attorney General\u2019s office with almost twice the actual experience practicing law than did Greg Abbott.\"","Sam Houston, a Houston lawyer unrelated to the historical figure of the same name, includes this on his campaign website: \"As a practicing Texas attorney with 26 years of experience, Sam Houston would enter the Attorney General\u2019s office with almost twice the actual experience practicing law than did Greg Abbott.\"","Houston, who\u2019s nearing 27 years of private practice, said he would have \"almost twice the actual experience practicing law\" that Abbott did on taking office.","The only Democrat running for Texas attorney general claims more experience in practicing law than the incumbent started the job with."]},{"id":"9367.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since 2000, Texas has reduced harmful pollutants in the air like nitrogen oxide by 62.5 percent, and ozone by 23 percent--a reduction that is 12 percent greater than the national average.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Texas has reduced harmful pollutants in the air, such as nitrogen oxide and ozone, by significant percentages since 2000. However, it is important to note that the comparison to the national average is not provided with specific data or evidence. Without this information, it is difficult to determine the exact extent to which Texas' reduction surpasses the national average. Therefore, while the statement is true regarding the reduction of pollutants in Texas, it lacks complete information to support the claim of being 12 percent greater than the national average.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad goes on to charge that when Hassan was the majority leader of the state Senate \"she pushed 33 tax and fee increases for the rest of us on top of our property taxes.\"","\"After pushing 33 tax and fee increases as Majority Leader, (Maggie Hassan) was voted out of office,\" a narrator charges in the ad, \"Hiding,\" released this month on New Hampshire airwaves.","Lamontagne campaign officials declined to release their list of nearly 100 increases, which covered Hassan\u2019s three two-year terms in office. Instead we looked at the governors association figure, which targeted her two years as Senate Majority Leader.","In its assessment, the budget assistant reported that the 2010-11 spending plan, supported by Hassan both in its initial form and in the final version, included 33 total tax and fee hikes, the same number cited by the governor\u2019s association ad."]},{"id":"6575.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wealthy taxpayers, not middle-income earners, get most of the deductions in the tax code.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Wealthier taxpayers generally receive more deductions in the tax code compared to middle-income earners. This is because higher-income individuals often have more sources of income, investments, and business activities that qualify for deductions. Additionally, they may have access to more complex tax planning strategies. However, it's important to note that the extent of deductions received by wealthy taxpayers can vary depending on the definition of \"wealthy\" and individual circumstances. Nonetheless, the overall claim that wealthier individuals benefit more from deductions in the tax code is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Republican lobbyist Dominic \u2018Dom\u2019 Chavez is a Rick Perry Republican,\" Spelman says, also asking whether \"we really want\" Chavez to \"push a Rick Perry agenda for Austin\" on the council.","!Gov. Rick Perry and Dominic Chavez when Perry visited Texas troops in Iraq in July 2009 (Photo courtesy of Dominic Chavez). !Gov. Rick Perry and Dominic Chavez when Perry visited Texas troops in Iraq in July 2009 (Photo courtesy of Dominic Chavez).","Gov. Rick Perry and Dominic Chavez when Perry visited Texas troops in Iraq in July 2009 (Photo courtesy of Dominic Chavez).","In a mailer we spotted May 8, 2012, Austin City Council member Bill Spelman urges recipients not to be fooled by a challenger."]},{"id":"8456.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Saysthere are actually more people in poverty now than there were when we started the War on Poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is difficult to definitively determine the success or failure of the War on Poverty, there is evidence to support the claim that there are currently more people in poverty than when the initiative began. The statement aligns with the assertion made by the speaker that the number of people living in poverty has increased since the inception of the War on Poverty. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the complex factors contributing to poverty rates and the effectiveness of anti-poverty programs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["First, some background about how the unemployment rate is put together. Using a survey of Americans, the Bureau of Labor Statistics determines which respondents are working (either full or part time), which respondents are not working but are looking for work and which ones are not looking for work. The unemployment rate is determined by taking the number of people who are unemployed but are looking for work, and dividing it by the sum of two categories -- those who are employed, plus those who aren\u2019t employed but who are looking for work.","What this means is that either of two factors could combine to push the unemployment rate lower -- either more people become employed or more people could stop looking actively for work.","Bloggers and pundits have said that 90 million Americans either aren\u2019t working or aren\u2019t looking for work. That\u2019s a real number, but it includes high schoolers, college students and retirement-age Americans, leaving perhaps 20 million a better approximation. We rate the claim Mostly False.","Gingrich also erred by using the wrong survey in his numerical comparison. (We feel for him: Until Burtless straightened us out, we had thought Gingrich had reported the numbers accurately.) Using the appropriate survey data, the decline in the unemployment rate stemmed in roughly equal parts from job creation and a shrinking labor force. He can't put the blame \"only\" on people who stopped looking for work. So we rate his statement Mostly False."]},{"id":"10138.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Georgia has elected more African-American leaders than any other state in the country.","reason":"Reason: While Georgia has a history of electing African-American leaders and consistently ranks among states with a significant number of elected African-American officials, it is not accurate to claim that Georgia has elected more African-American leaders than any other state in the country. The statement lacks supporting evidence and is contradicted by available data. While Georgia has made significant strides in electing African-American leaders, other states with higher African-American populations, such as Mississippi, have also seen substantial representation of African-Americans in elected positions. Therefore, the claim is only partially true and lacks the necessary context to support the assertion of being the top state in terms of electing African-American leaders.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9293.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There are over 200 documented cases where (Obama) has lied.","reason":"Reason: The claim that there are over 200 documented cases where President Obama has lied is unsubstantiated and lacks credible evidence. The statement is based on Wayne Rogers' assertion without providing any proof or specific examples. The sources mentioned in the evidence do not offer verifiable documentation to support such a claim. It is important to critically evaluate and fact-check allegations before accepting them as true. In this case, the claim is not supported by reliable evidence and is therefore deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We rated Half True her claim that Walker cut \"taxes for the wealthiest\" and raised taxes \"on 140,000 Wisconsin families.\" That claim left out important information, namely that Walker has also cut income taxes across the board.","Walker cut taxes for wealthier residents and raised taxes for people on the lower end of the scale. But he also made tax cuts that applied across the board.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Group says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget has tax breaks for corporations, the rich \u2018that will cost the State of Wisconsin taxpayers $2.3 billion over the next decade,\u2019\" July 6, 2011","Tamarine Cornelius, an analyst with the Wisconsin Budget Project, which is part of the liberal advocacy group Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, said most of the 140,000 who lost their credits would not save enough from the reduction in income tax rates to make up for that loss. In other words, they\u2019d be paying more in income taxes or be getting a smaller refund. Dale Knapp, research director of the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, said he believes most of the 140,000 would benefit to some extent from the tax rate cuts, but that he didn\u2019t know whether that savings would offset the lost tax credit."]},{"id":"11806.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Ted Cruzs tax plan, businesses will now have to pay 16 percent on the money they make. They will also have to pay 16 percent on the money they pay their employees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by multiple sources, including Senator Marco Rubio, regarding Ted Cruz's tax plan. According to these sources, under Cruz's plan, businesses would be subject to a 16 percent tax on their profits and also a 16 percent tax on the wages they pay to their employees. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context, such as whether there are any exemptions or deductions within Cruz's tax plan that could affect the overall tax burden on businesses. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the tax rates mentioned, it could benefit from additional information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the plan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Schumer said a new minimum wage of \"$10.10 is important for one reason \u2026 It's the bare minimum. You work 40 hours a week, you get out of poverty.\"","Raising the minimum wage to $10.10, Schumer said, \"is important for one reason, and very important to us, which is, it's the bare minimum. You work 40 hours a week, you get out of poverty.\"","\"No one should work 40 hours a week and live below the poverty wage,\" he told CBS\u2019 Norah O\u2019Donnell in an interview that aired Super Bowl weekend. \"And if you're making less than $15 an hour, you're living below the poverty wage.\"","!We checked a claim by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., about how raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would affect the number of households in poverty. !We checked a claim by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., about how raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would affect the number of households in poverty."]},{"id":"11263.json","label":"false","statement":"The most recent survey of climate scientists said about 57 percent dont agree with the idea that 95 percent of the change in the climate is caused by CO2.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence or credible survey that supports the claim that 57 percent of climate scientists disagree with the idea that 95 percent of climate change is caused by CO2. This claim appears to be a misrepresentation or a fabrication. The scientific consensus is clear that human activities, including the emission of CO2, are the primary drivers of climate change. Multiple studies and reports from reputable scientific organizations support this consensus. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing scientific matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This claim stood out to us right away. Could half of all newborn babies tested at this particular hospital really have marijuana in their system?","And in 2015, the hospital saw 519 births. Of the 93 newborn babies tested for marijuana, 31 came up positive for marijuana. That\u2019s a rate of 33 percent.","That hospital -- St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center -- did have more than 45 percent of their newborn babies tested test positive for marijuana in their systems.","Ciara Archer, a spokeswoman for the anti-pot group, also pointed us to a July 2016 CBS Denver story on the hospital. The article notes that the head of the neonatal unit, Dr. Steve Simerville, is reporting a \"dramatic increase\" in newborns with marijuana in their system."]},{"id":"12082.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republicans control the U.S. Senate with 54 seats, but those 54 senators were elected by only two-thirds the number of voters who elected the Democrats. In the Senate, the majority party represents a minority of the people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Republicans control the U.S. Senate with 54 seats, but it requires some clarification. While it is true that the total number of votes received by Republican senators is less than the total number of votes received by Democratic senators, this is due to the nature of the Senate's representation system, where each state is represented by two senators regardless of population size. Therefore, it is important to note that the Senate is designed to give equal representation to each state, regardless of population. While the statement highlights a disparity in the distribution of votes, it does not fully capture the underlying principles of the Senate's structure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Look no further than the inclusion of the Akin amendment in the Republican Party platform, which bans abortion, even for rape victims,\" Crist wrote.","On Aug. 26, former Gov. Charlie Crist, R-Fla., endorsed President Barack Obama in this fall\u2019s election. Crist, in a column in the Tampa Bay Times, wrote that the GOP has included \"the Akin amendment in the Republican Party platform, which bans abortion, even for rape victims.\"","The platform clearly opposes most abortions but is vague on the details. It does not specifically say that it bans abortion for rape victims.","The Democrats have been attacking Mitt Romney and the Republicans for their opposition to abortion rights. On the eve of the Republican convention in Tampa, they got some help from Republican turned independent Charlie Crist, the former governor of Florida."]},{"id":"4061.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty percent of union members voted Republican in 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided in the evidence, which indicates that 39 percent of voters from union households voted for the Republican presidential nominee John McCain in 2008. While the evidence does not explicitly state that 40 percent of union members voted Republican, it does show that there was a significant portion of union members who voted for the Republican candidate. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that around 40 percent of union members voted Republican in 2008.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a mailer backing Kathie Tovo over incumbent Austin City Council Member Randi Shade, the Better Austin Today political action committee recently said: \"Under Randi Shade we have had ... the highest city debt per person in Texas.\"","( - Political group says Austin has had highest cost of living among big Texas cities under City Council Member Randi Shade&url=)","Randi Shade, elected to the Austin City Council in 2008, did not win re-election in 2011. She's the former founding executive director of the Texas Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service, according to information on her campaign website.","Topping the leaflet\u2019s charges: Under Shade, who joined the council in 2008, \"we have had the highest cost of living of any large Texas city.\""]},{"id":"6502.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under the presidents plan, he cuts Medicare by $716 billion, takes that money out of the Medicare trust fund and uses it to pay for Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mitt Romney during his campaign that President Obama's plan included a $716 billion cut to Medicare, with the intention of using that money to fund Obamacare. However, it's important to note that the context and implications of this claim are more nuanced. The $716 billion reduction in Medicare spending was not a direct cut to benefits for seniors but rather a reduction in projected future spending growth, achieved through changes in provider reimbursements and other cost-saving measures. Additionally, the savings were not specifically earmarked to fund Obamacare but were intended to help finance the overall healthcare system reforms. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of Romney's claim, it lacks some important context and may lead to a misunderstanding of the actual impact on Medicare and the funding of Obamacare.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12883.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Scott cut nearly $1 million from mosquito control and closed down the states mosquito research lab a few years ago.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Rick Scott did make significant budget cuts during his tenure, including vetoing $615 million from the state budget, there is no evidence to support the claim that he specifically cut nearly $1 million from mosquito control or closed down the state's mosquito research lab. The statement appears to be an exaggeration or misinformation, as there is no substantial information or credible sources to validate these specific claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4487.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is denying Democrats the right to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is denying Democrats the right to vote is not supported by credible evidence. While there have been debates and controversies surrounding voting laws and policies in Wisconsin, it is inaccurate and misleading to claim that Governor Walker is actively denying Democrats the right to vote. Such a claim is exaggerated and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5708.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Lean, finely textured beef is the proper name [not pink slime], and it is a safe, widely used product.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black that lean, finely textured beef is the proper name for the product commonly referred to as \"pink slime,\" and that it is considered safe and widely used. While there has been controversy and public concern surrounding the use of this product, it is important to note that the USDA does not require disclaimers for lean, finely textured beef on meat labels, indicating that it is considered a legitimate beef product. However, it is worth mentioning that public perception and opinions on the safety and desirability of this product may vary.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Not surprisingly, it didn\u2019t take long for the Fox video to make the rounds on the Internet. More than 70,000 people viewed the video on YouTube. Many blogs picked up the story and ran with it under headlines such as \u201cBarack Obama Loves Che Guevara\u201d at this site and \u201cBarack Obama is a Che Fan\u201d at this one. And the photos have been widely spread via chain e-mails that suggest Obama supports Che Guevara.","The question is whether or not it's accurate to say \u201cObama Loves Che Guevara,\u201d or any of the many variations of that theme now floating around the Internet, based upon this one decoration in this one office put up by this one volunteer. We say no. We say Pants on Fire.","This one originates with a local Fox 26 story in Houston. The camera follows two Obama volunteers whooping it up as they enter a new campaign office. The reporter talks about the importance of the Hispanic vote in Houston. Though it went unmentioned, many viewers had a moment of \u201cWait, is that a....?\u201d Yep, a large Cuban flag with the image of Che Guevara on it can be seen prominently hanging behind the desk of one of the volunteers.","Her name is Maria Isabel and on an Obama Web page she describes herself as a precinct captain for Barack Obama in Houston. When asked about the flag, Isabel said, \u201cIt\u2019s a distraction. I don\u2019t have time to talk about the Cuban flag.\u201d"]},{"id":"1956.json","label":"false","statement":"\"When George Bush took office, President Clinton, a Democrat, and the Democratic Congress at the time had left an annual budget that was in surplus.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Clinton's final year in office saw a budget surplus, it is incorrect to claim that the surplus was left by President Clinton and a Democratic Congress. In fact, during the last six years of Clinton's term, the Republican Party controlled both the House and the Senate. Therefore, the surplus was a result of bipartisan efforts and cannot be solely attributed to the Democrats. It is important to accurately represent the political landscape and the contributions of both parties when discussing the budget surplus during that time.\nLabel: false","evidence":["PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Renacci says that Betty Sutton 'gutted Medicare by $500 billion' with her vote for health care reform,\" May 21, 2012","\"We all know that our seniors were slapped with an estimated $500 billion blow to Medicare in 2010 when President Obama and Betty Sutton pushed through their healthcare law, which ended Medicare as we know it,\" the message said. \"Now, revised estimates by the Congressional Budget Office reveal Democrats gutted even more from Medicare than we first knew, taking $741 billion from seniors to fund ObamaCare.\"","The Republican response has been to attack back. In a series of news releases dealing with the national health care reform law, the National Republican Congressional Committee on Aug. 14 claimed 37 House Democrats are \"gutting $741 billion from Medicare\" to pay for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.","Renacci's email said: \"Revised estimates by the Congressional Budget Office reveal Democrats gutted even more from Medicare than we first knew, taking $741 billion from seniors to fund Obamacare.\""]},{"id":"1700.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the new health care law delivers a $13 billion tax increase on families with special needs.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the new health care law delivers a $13 billion tax increase specifically on families with special needs is false. There is no evidence or credible information to support this assertion. In fact, the statement has been refuted by inquiries and the lack of supporting numbers from Rep. John Carter's office. Labeling it as \"pants-fire\" reflects the complete lack of truth in this claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1942.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Tampa Bay Rays prices have been judged the most affordable in all of professional sports.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, the Tampa Bay Rays' prices have been judged to be the most affordable in all of professional sports. However, it's important to note that this judgment may vary depending on the specific criteria used for comparison. While the evidence supports the claim that the team's prices are considered highly affordable, it does not provide specific details or sources to further validate the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019re one of the only communities in the country that didn\u2019t lose population in the last census, the median age for which went down, and any economist will tell you that\u2019s good news.\"","In Lightfoot\u2019s case, however, it's not clear exactly what she means. She keeps repeating an incorrect statement that is wrong whether taken literally or figuratively. The Chicago metropolitan area is far from the only one in the country to lose population last year, according to the Census. And the city of Chicago by itself is far from the only city to lose population--though as the spokeswoman later pointed out, it is the only one among the nation\u2019s very biggest cities.","But we were surprised by Abele\u2019s broader population claim, which compares us with communities across the nation. Just what numbers was he using?","But the \"metropolitan area\" extends far beyond the city of Chicago, not just in colloquial terms but in those clearly recognized by the nation\u2019s official head-counters at the U.S. Census Bureau. So the claim that the Chicago metropolitan area was the only one out of hundreds in the U.S. to lose population struck us as a demographic head-scratcher worth checking out."]},{"id":"9929.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The U.S. State Department has ordered 160,000 Hazmat suits for Ebola, prompting concerns that the federal government is anticipating the rapid spread of the virus.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the U.S. State Department has ordered 160,000 Hazmat suits, it is misleading to claim that this order reflects the federal government's anticipation of a rapid spread of the Ebola virus. The evidence suggests that this order is in line with the efforts of USAID and does not necessarily indicate an imminent or extraordinary increase in the spread of Ebola. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it lacks important context and may lead to an exaggerated interpretation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10062.json","label":"false","statement":"We were told there would never be a case of Ebola in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Sen. John McCain that \"we were told there would never be a case of Ebola in the United States\" is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that such a statement was made by health officials or experts. In fact, during the Ebola outbreak in 2014, health officials acknowledged the possibility of cases occurring in the United States and took proactive measures to prevent and respond to any potential cases. It is important to rely on accurate information and not propagate false claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cWe have lost 200,000 less jobs per month than Bush lost in his last three months in office, over the last three months.\u201d His syntax was a bit spotty, but the point was clear \u2014 that the scale of job losses was greater during the end of the Bush administration than it has been over the past few months under President Barack Obama.","There are two ways to look at these numbers. While Hoyer\u2019s language leaves some room for interpretation about what he meant, the most reasonable measurement may be to average the three months for each president and then compare the result. Calculated this way, the average job losses under Bush\u2019s three months were 673,000, versus 436,000 for Obama. Subtract Obama\u2019s number from Bush\u2019s and you find that Obama had, on average, 237,000 fewer monthly job losses \u2014 meaning that Hoyer was correct. In fact, he understated the difference.","Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, responded by saying job losses were worse under President George W. Bush.","On the day of the final release of jobs numbers before the presidential election, liberal filmmaker Michael Moore tweeted a comparison of how the job market has fared under President Barack Obama and his predecessor, President George W. Bush."]},{"id":"6108.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says her congressional district has 10,000 medical-device industry jobs and 1,000 will be lost because of health-care law tax.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marsha Blackburn claimed her congressional district has 10,000 medical-device industry jobs and that 1,000 of those jobs would be lost due to a tax imposed by the health-care law, the evidence suggests that she exaggerated the number of jobs in her district. Fact-checkers have found that the actual number of medical device manufacturing jobs in her district is lower than the figure she stated. Additionally, the estimate of 1,000 job losses is based on a study from 2009 and applies to the entire state, not just her district. Therefore, while there may be some job losses, the statement is misleading and lacks accurate context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A big reason to doubt Trump\u2019s assertion about a rigged presidential election is that the U.S. has a decentralized election system that is largely administered by county or city election officials.","Donald Trump preemptively challenged the results of the November presidential election, claiming in media appearances and rallies that the entire system is \"rigged.\"","\"That\u2019s not an indication of the system being rigged. That\u2019s an indication that it\u2019s lost its calibration,\" said Pamela Smith of Verified Voting, which monitors technological issues in elections.","Says Melania Trump\u2019s security detail at Trump Tower costs more than the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts."]},{"id":"4412.json","label":"true","statement":"Two days of interest we pay to China is enough to buy one joint strike fighter [jet].","reason":"Reason: Based on the information provided, it is accurate to say that two days of interest payments made by the United States to China would be sufficient to purchase one joint strike fighter jet. The evidence suggests that the United States pays approximately $73.9 million per day in interest to China, and this amount would indeed cover the cost of a joint strike fighter jet. It's important to note that this statement assumes a direct conversion of the interest payment into the cost of the jet and does not account for other financial factors or considerations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a recent website statement, Challstrom wrote, \"Oregon and the federal government now have more than one million acres of burnt land and millions of trees being left to rot.\"","Challstrom, as part of his 2014 gubernatorial campaign, said Oregon, as a result of forest fires, has \"more than one million acres of burnt land and millions of trees left to rot.\"","( - Do Oregon and the federal government have more than 1 million acres of burnt land with millions of rotting trees?&url=)","Since 51 percent of Oregon\u2019s land is owned by the federal government, he said, he applied that to the 2.7 million acre number and ended up with the 1.4 million acres he\u2019s characterizing as \"burnt land.\" (The Congressional Research Service puts federal ownership of lands in the state at 53 percent.)"]},{"id":"5865.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the average Ohio student graduates from a four-year college or university with nearly $27,000 in tuition debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The average debt for students graduating from a four-year college or university in Ohio is indeed nearly $27,000, as stated. However, it's important to note that this figure only represents the average debt for students who graduate with debt, not the entire population of graduating students. The statement does not provide information about the percentage of students who graduate with debt, which is a crucial aspect to consider when discussing the overall financial situation of Ohio students. Therefore, while the average debt amount is accurate, the statement lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the debt situation for all Ohio students.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad makes several claims, but here, we\u2019re going to specifically fact-check Boone\u2019s claim that the IPAB \"can ration care and deny certain Medicare treatments so Washington can fund more wasteful spending.\"","\"This IPAB board can ration care and deny certain Medicare treatments so Washington can fund more wasteful spending. Your choices could be limited and you may not be able to keep your own doctor. ... Washington politicians, like Bill Nelson, are ignoring the problem, putting their own re-elections first. Call Sen. Nelson. Urge him to support real Medicare reform and protect our seniors.\"","Since the ad is again airing in Buckeye State, PolitiFact Ohio decided to take a look at another one of its claims: that the independent payment advisory board created by the Affordable Care Act \"can ration care and deny certain Medicare treatments.\"","Boone said, \"This IPAB board can ration care and deny certain Medicare treatments so Washington can fund more wasteful spending.\" Actually, the law specifically states that the board cannot ration care. The board doesn\u2019t look at individual patients or deny individual treatments. Instead, it makes system-wide recommendations to rein in the future growth of Medicare spending, and it makes those recommendations within limited parameters. It also was created to stop runaway spending growth within the Medicare program itself, not to divert money to other budget items. We rate Boone\u2019s statement Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"1288.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A new federal program provides subsidized \"Obama phones\" with 70 free minutes of cell phone service every month.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While there is a government program called Lifeline that provides discounted phone service to low-income individuals, the program predates President Obama's tenure. The term \"Obama phones\" is a misnomer and misleading, as it suggests that the program was created by President Obama, which is not the case. Additionally, the number of free minutes provided through the program varies depending on the participant's location, so the claim of 70 free minutes every month is not accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Separately, USO spokeswoman Sharee Posey emailed that since 2002, the Cowboys cheerleaders had entertained more than 198,000 troops and military families. Posey said USO does not have information on Hope's appearances.","UPDATE, 4 p.m., Jan. 13, 2015: We updated this story Jan. 12, 2015, to correct the spelling of a USO official's name and to fold in that group's count of the troops entertained by the Cowboys cheerleaders since 2002. We updated it afresh the next day to add an Air Force mention of Hope entertaining millions of troops. These changes did not affect the rating of the statement.","Document, page on Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from Dallas Cowboys media guide, 2014 (received by email from Joe Trahan, media relations coordinator, Dallas Cowboys, Jan. 9, 2015)","By telephone, though, USO spokeswoman Gayle Fishel said she was uncertain the organization had a tally of the number of troops Hope ultimately entertained."]},{"id":"13164.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Not one penny of (Californias Prop 67) bag ban tax goes to the environment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the revenue generated from the bag ban in California does not directly go to the environment, it is important to note that the purpose of the bag ban is to reduce plastic waste and promote environmental conservation. The revenue collected from the minimum 10 cent charge on paper or thicker plastic reusable bags is intended to be retained by the stores and not allocated to a specific government agency or environmental cause. Therefore, while the statement is correct in stating that the tax does not go to the environment, it fails to acknowledge the broader environmental goals and intentions behind the bag ban.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 \"Scary\" fact about our national debt. In 1791 it was $75 million. Today, it rises by that amount in about an hour","\" 'Scary' fact about our national debt. In 1791 it was $75 million. Today, it rises by that amount in about an hour.\"","Hasner tweeted his claim on May 10, 2011. That's important because he says the debt rises by $75 million in about an hour \"today.\"","We decided to investigate the first claim, which required a little arithmetic. Does the debt really grow at $75 million an hour today?"]},{"id":"5161.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In campaigns in the past with Sen. McCain and President George W. Bush and others, they have tended to release tax records in April.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is accurate to say that in past campaigns, Senator McCain and President George W. Bush, among others, have released tax records in April. However, the statement does not provide a complete picture as it implies that this is a consistent practice for all campaigns, which is not the case. While some candidates have chosen to release their tax records in April, it is not a universal or mandatory practice. Each campaign has its own timeline and approach regarding the release of tax records, and it can vary from candidate to candidate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11455.json","label":"false","statement":"On support for the Export-Import Bank","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not offer a clear consensus on the level of support for the Export-Import Bank. While some argue that the bank makes American companies more competitive globally and incentivizes foreign buyers, others criticize it as corporate welfare that benefits select companies while disadvantaging those that do not use the bank. Without more specific information or data on the overall level of support, it is difficult to make a definitive statement on the matter.\nLabel: false","evidence":["TikTok users may just be discovering the edit but it was under discussion as many as six years ago on Reddit.","\"I\u2019m wondering who could explain why a movie I watched as a kid that was made almost 20 YEARS AGO suddenly made its way into Disney+ and his this specific \u2018modification,\u2019\" the post says. \"I\u2019m. Disgusted.\"","Says Amy Coney Barrett \u201chas a written track record, disagreeing adamantly with the Supreme Court\u2019s decision to uphold the ACA. In fact, she publicly criticized Chief Justice Roberts\u2019 opinion upholding the law eight years ago.\u201d","\"They had to be very innovative to compete with the big three and with the little guys. They couldn\u2019t rest on their laurels,\" said John Correll, a Michigan-based pizza industry consultant. \"For a number of years, Herman Cain and his management team were able to pull that off.\""]},{"id":"6642.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The stimulus program cut taxes for 95 percent of the American people.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the stimulus program cut taxes for 95 percent of the American people is partially true. Both President Clinton and President Obama have claimed that taxes were cut for a significant portion of the population. However, it's important to note that the percentage mentioned does not encompass the entire American population. The tax cuts primarily targeted working families, small businesses, first-time homebuyers, parents caring for children, and individuals paying for college. Therefore, while a substantial number of Americans did receive tax cuts, it does not apply to the entire population.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Massachusetts plan ... looks NOTHING like a true \u2018government-run health care system... the VA\u2019s health system where the government owns the hospitals and employs doctors directly,\" he said.","The individual mandate and the requirement that employers offer health insurance might be considered top-down, though it is still a system that relies heavily on private insurance and private medical providers. But there\u2019s no case to for calling it \"government-run.\" A real government-run system has doctors on the payroll. Massachusetts does not. We rate Santorum\u2019s claim Mostly False.","During a Republican primary debate on Jan. 26, 2012, Rick Santorum said that the health care legislation Mitt Romney signed as governor of Massachusetts is \"a top-down, government-run health care system.\"","What does an actual government-run system look like? Oberlander pointed to the truly socialized system of Great Britain -- as well as to one in our own backyard."]},{"id":"6314.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Gov. Bill Haslam is making our Economic Development department Sharia compliant by hiring a woman who specializes in Sharia compliance. Thats what her job is.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Governor Bill Haslam is making the Economic Development department Sharia compliant by hiring a woman who specializes in Sharia compliance. The assertion is based on unfounded speculation and conspiracy theories. It is important to rely on factual information and credible sources when making such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["State Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) leads off with this statement: \"The Capitol rotunda was actually made to invite the people in and to accommodate protests.\"","While Taylor argues the Capitol was actually designed for protests and gatherings, the state has argued it is primarily a place of business.","\"Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol and walked through Statuary Hall, showed people in an orderly fashion staying between the stanchions and ropes taking videos and pictures,\" Clyde said during a May committee hearing. \"If you didn't know the TV footage was a video from Jan. 6, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit.\"","The daily singalongs are an outgrowth of the massive protests that engulfed the Capitol in early 2011 after Gov. Scott Walker unveiled his plan to curtail collective bargaining for most public employees."]},{"id":"5.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"New Mexico moved \"up to\" sixth in the nation in job growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement that New Mexico moved \"up to\" sixth in the nation in job growth is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not explicitly mention New Mexico's ranking, it does highlight the job growth in various states, including Florida, Texas, and California. Considering that New Mexico is not mentioned as one of the top three gaining states, it is reasonable to infer that New Mexico's job growth may have propelled it to sixth place in the national rankings. However, without specific data or rankings for New Mexico, we cannot definitively confirm its exact position. Therefore, the statement is labeled as mostly true, acknowledging the potential for New Mexico's improved job growth ranking.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Appearing on CNN's American Morning on Sept. 16, 2008, McCain sought to blame much of the crisis on Wall Street greed and inept or corrupt government regulators. \"Ask any American citizen who has been the victim of a bureaucrat or a bureaucracy,\" McCain said. \"I said two years ago that the Fannie and Freddie thing was a very serious problem and we had to work on it. And I have always opposed greed of Wall Street and I know how we can fix this.\"","McCain echoed his remarks later in the day during a speech in Tampa, saying, \"Two years ago, I warned the administration and the Congress that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac needed to be fixed. It turns out, the problem was even bigger. They waited too long, and now we have a housing crisis, three bailouts with taxpayers' money, and a financial crisis.\"","Before he bowed out of the race, Sen. Joe Biden dismissed the legislative accomplishments of three Democratic primary rivals with whom he served. About John Edwards, he said, \"John doesn't have a record in the Senate. John's only passed four bills. They're all about post offices.\"","\"You can't hold it against him that his bills don't pass as they flow from his pen,\" former Rep. Bill Frenzel, R-Minn., a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said in assessing Edwards' record after he was tapped to be John Kerry's running mate in 2004. \"Major bills come from committee chairmen and occasionally ranking members. . . . If a younger member has an idea, those ideas are often incorporated into a larger bill in committee.\""]},{"id":"7054.json","label":"false","statement":"Bill Nelson actually voted in favor of higher taxes 272 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Bill Nelson voted in favor of higher taxes 272 times is false. While it is true that Nelson has voted in favor of tax-related measures, it is misleading to claim that all of these votes were for higher taxes. The number provided in the statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect Nelson's voting record. It is important to consider the specific context and details of each vote rather than making a blanket statement about higher taxes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Brennan\u2019s letter, on White House letterhead, opened: \"Thank you for your August 9, 2010, letter to President Obama regarding security concerns on our Southwest border. On behalf of President Obama, I wish to assure you that we understand your concerns and appreciate your outreach.\"","!Rick Perry and Barack Obama, howdying, in August 2010 in Austin (Derek Stout\/The Daily Texan). !Rick Perry and Barack Obama, howdying, in August 2010 in Austin (Derek Stout\/The Daily Texan).","\"Absolutely,\" Perry said. \"As a matter of fact, I handed him a letter some two or three years ago on the tarmac at the Austin airport about that issue, about border security. And yet to get a response.\"","Brennan\u2019s letter further said that securing the border had been an Obama priority. The letter did not embrace any of Perry\u2019s requests, but noted that a few days after his Austin stop, Obama signed the Southwest Border Security Act into law, enabling the \"addition of substantial and varied law enforcement resources to enhance security on our southern border.\" As an example, the letter said, additional National Guard troops and \"other security resources\" would serve. \"It is anticipated that Texas will have over 20 National Guardsmen serving as criminal investigative analysts in fusion centers and over 225 Guardsmen conducting ground surveillance,\" in National Entry Identification Teams the letter said."]},{"id":"13506.json","label":"true","statement":"We spend less than 2 percent more every year. That is the lowest increase in spending since they have been keeping numbers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Nick Gillespie, stating that emergency care accounts for less than 2 percent of American health care spending. This information is supported by the American College of Emergency Physicians, which acknowledges that emergency care represents a relatively small portion of overall health care spending. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"In America, more preschoolers are shot dead each year (82 in 2013) than police officers are in the line of duty (27 in 2013), according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI,\" Kristof wrote in an Oct. 3, 2015 op-ed.","Kristof said that more preschoolers are shot dead each year than are on-duty police officers. For children aged 0-4, that is accurate for the past six years. For children aged 3-5, the statement is true in most years, but not in every year.","For the age range Kristof used, firearm deaths of preschoolers exceeded those of law enforcement officers in every year back to 2008. For the more restricted CDC age range, his statement held up in four out of the past six years.","The Federal Bureau of Investigation tracks the deaths of law enforcement officers, whether they serve in the smallest sheriff\u2019s department or a large federal agency. In 2013, 26 officers died in shootings. (Kristof was off by one because he included a non-shooting death.)"]},{"id":"11099.json","label":"false","statement":"President Barack Obama said at the beginning of the negotiations that the basic approach was to dismantle Irans nuclear program in exchange for dismantling the sanctions.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that President Barack Obama stated at the beginning of the negotiations that the basic approach was to dismantle Iran's nuclear program in exchange for dismantling the sanctions. The statement misrepresents the actual intent of the negotiations. The objective was to limit and monitor Iran's nuclear program to ensure it remains peaceful, not to dismantle it entirely. The negotiations aimed to reach a comprehensive agreement that would address Iran's nuclear activities while gradually lifting sanctions based on Iran's compliance with the terms of the agreement. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Democrats can and have made these tough choices \u2013 most recently with the enactment of Health Care Reform, which provides the largest benefit to the middle class since the enactment of Social Security and at the same time reduces the deficit by nearly $1.2 trillion over the next two decades,\" Scott says.","Amid all the debate over health care reform, we wondered whether the new law really would slice the deficit by $1.2 trillion.","U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez claims health care reform will mean $250 million in savings over the first 10 years, $1.2 trillion over the second decade","Based on a 4 percent GDP increase each year with the deficit being reduced by half a percent, the deficit would actually be reduced to $1.4 trillion by 2030.e to the $1.2 trillion."]},{"id":"7911.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The United States has never stood by and seen innocent people slaughtered to the extent thats happening in Syria.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the United States has never stood by and witnessed the extent of innocent people being slaughtered as in Syria is false. There have been instances in history where the United States did not intervene or take significant action despite large-scale civilian casualties. Examples include conflicts such as the Rwandan genocide and the Bosnian War, where the death toll exceeded that of the Syrian conflict. Therefore, the claim is factually incorrect and warrants a \"pants-fire\" rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"You've seen in polls and in discussions across the country a feeling that Hillary Clinton is just not trustworthy,\" Romney said April 12, 2015. \"This whole story about her having erased all of her emails even though they were subject to recall and review by Congress, I think that's made people remember that with the Clintons, it's always something.\"","Romney said that Clinton \"erased all of her emails even though they were subject to recall and review by Congress.\" Romney got it wrong when he spoke of all of her emails. We know that about 30,000 emails were turned over to the State Department.","\"Clinton's decision to destroy all emails that she and her private attorneys unilaterally decided were not federal records is both shocking and suspicious,\" Cox said. \"But the problem is that not all of her emails were \u2018subject to recall and review by Congress.\u2019 There is plenty of justifiable criticism for Clinton's actions, but that does not appear to be one of them.\"","Romney\u2019s words about recall and review by Congress are ambiguous. In terms of preserving records, legal experts agree that Congress has no direct role. That is a function of the executive branch. In terms of a congressional investigation, a legal expert told us Clinton did respond to congressional subpoenas, and there is no proof she destroyed evidence subject to a congressional investigation."]},{"id":"1268.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"U.S. taxpayers paid $71,500 per job created by the stimulus bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. taxpayers paid $71,500 per job created by the stimulus bill is mostly true. According to the report mentioned, the stimulus bill added or saved approximately 2.4 million jobs at a cost of $666 billion. Dividing the total cost by the number of jobs gives an average cost of around $278,000 per job. However, it's important to note that this is an average figure, and the actual cost per job may vary depending on various factors and specific programs funded by the stimulus bill. Therefore, while the statement provides a rough estimate, it should be understood as an approximation rather than an exact figure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10057.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"David Perdue did not support the 2014 farm bill that U.S. Sens. Isakson and Chambliss did.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that David Perdue did not support the 2014 farm bill, while U.S. Senators Isakson and Chambliss did support it. The evidence confirms that both Isakson and Chambliss backed the bill and even advocated for its passage. This contrast in positions on the farm bill between Perdue and the two senators is a valid point of distinction in their positions on agricultural policy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To flesh this out, here\u2019s what we found in a 2011 fact check on a similar claim \u2014 that Walker\u2019s 2011-\u201913 budget \"cuts overall funding for public schools by $1.6 billion.\" We rated it Mostly False.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Rep. Jennifer Shilling says the state\u2019s 2011-\u201913 state budget cut public school funding by $1.6 billion,\" July 25, 2011","Scott's two-year spending plan would shrink the overall state budget from $70.3 billion to $65.9 billion in 2011-2012 and to $63.3 billion in 2012-2013. Cuts were expected almost everywhere -- except in the area of education, where Scott has said that funding would remain the same.","But that wasn\u2019t the first time Walker has increased state funding to schools. In fact, in each budget since the 2011 budget that reduced school funding, he has increased state funds to schools. The total restored is about $1 billion."]},{"id":"1715.json","label":"true","statement":"\"By the end of Governor Rick Perry's term, he will have drained Texas taxpayers ... of more than $360,000 to pay for the rental mansion he has been living in while the historic Governor's Mansion is repaired.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Governor Rick Perry has used taxpayer funds amounting to over $360,000 to cover the cost of the rental mansion he resided in while the historic Governor's Mansion was being repaired. The evidence includes statements from White, Perry's opponent, who criticized the use of taxpayer dollars for the rental home. Additionally, it is mentioned that the Governor's Mansion required renovation due to damage from an arson fire. The evidence also confirms that significant expenses were incurred for utilities and other preparations related to the rental residence. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I know a lot of Americans are angry about the economy, and for good cause,\" Clinton said. \"Americans haven\u2019t had a raise in 15 years.\"","Clinton said, \"Americans haven\u2019t had a raise in 15 years.\" Using inflation-adjusted median household income, she\u2019s right. There has actually been a decline of 7 percent over that period.","Using this measure, wages are up slightly since 2000. That\u2019s a raise, but it\u2019s a pretty modest one of 2 percent over the past 15 years. That compares to a 6 percent increase between 1984 and 2000.","Specifically, median household income, adjusted for inflation, rose from $48,664 in 1984 to $57,843 in 1999 -- a 19 percent increase over 15 years."]},{"id":"367.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama \"suggested bombing Pakistan.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and a distortion of Obama's remarks. In his speech, Obama did not suggest bombing Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of taking action against terrorists who posed a threat to the United States and its allies, including if actionable intelligence was available and the Pakistani government failed to act. However, this does not equate to suggesting bombing Pakistan as a general or indiscriminate strategy. The claim that Obama supported bombing Pakistan is a serious distortion and is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Burke\u2019s campaign said the $12.5 million incentive deal she approved for Abbott Laboratories contained \"strong protections for taxpayers if job creation goals were not met.\"","\"The grant,\" she continued, \"contained strong protections for taxpayers if job creation goals were not met or infrastructure was not developed for economic development.\"","Walker\u2019s ad says that Mary Burke \"wasted 12.5 million dollars on a vacant lot,\" a move that \"could cost taxpayers nearly $25 million.\"","We spoke to Tom Evenson, a Walker campaign spokesman, about the ad\u2019s claim that \"taxpayers\" could be out $25 million through the $12.3 million deal."]},{"id":"4988.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Obama helped more than half a million veterans and military family members go to college through the Post-9\/11 G.I. Bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. President Obama did play a significant role in expanding the Post-9\/11 G.I. Bill, which provided educational benefits to veterans and their family members. Under his administration, more than half a million veterans and military family members were able to access these educational benefits. However, it's important to note that the expansion of the G.I. Bill was not solely attributed to President Obama. It was a bipartisan effort that involved Congress and various advocacy groups. Therefore, while President Obama did contribute to the expansion of the G.I. Bill, it is not accurate to attribute the entire achievement solely to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think finally, we'll get it done,\" he said. \"The tragedy is it should have been done a month ago when we had bipartisan legislation that got through the Senate and then somehow mysteriously disappeared.\"","Just like before, if unions got more than 30 percent of the employees to sign cards, they could ask for a secret-ballot election. But if they got more than 50 percent, the union would win automatically. The employer would no longer have the right to insist on a secret-ballot election and would have to negotiate with the union.","\"Back in early February, you and Senator Snowe added an amendment to the stimulus bill that, I think, would have prevented AIG from giving out these millions of dollars worth of bonuses,\" Maddow said to Wyden. \"That amendment was taken out of the bill. Am I right that your amendment would have stopped what we are experiencing right now?\"","They appear to have succeeded. On Feb. 12, the Associated Press reported: \"The provision was removed as House and Senate negotiators hammered out final details of the $789 billion economic stimulus legislation this week.\""]},{"id":"3718.json","label":"true","statement":"From 2008 to 2011, the pages in the conforming bills have gone from 400 pages to 2,200.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the increase in the number of pages in conforming bills from 400 pages to 2,200 pages between 2008 and 2011. This information is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7144.json","label":"false","statement":"Public employees receive something like 25 percent of the paychecks that are issued in Rhode Island.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that public employees in Rhode Island receive approximately 25 percent of the paychecks issued. The evidence discussed in the provided context pertains to Wisconsin, not Rhode Island. It is important to rely on accurate and relevant information when making claims about specific regions or states.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We asked a spokesman for Exelon if they've spent \"millions\" promoting Yucca Mountain. We were told they don't track their spending by project. Public records, though, indicate the company has spent more than $10-million on lobbyists between 2002 and 2007, with Yucca Mountain listed among its top issues. That doesn't count previous years; the Yucca Mountain project has been debated for more than 20 years.","The Obama campaign points to several mitigating factors: Obama opposes Yucca Mountain. Exelon is one of the largest companies and employers in Obama's hometown of Chicago. Obama has sponsored legislation specifically targeting Exelon after unplanned waste releases in Illinois. Obama has not accepted any money from Exelon lobbyists or Exelon's political action committee; rather, the contributions are from people who work at Exelon.","Barack Obama got more campaign contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac \"than any other member of Congress, except for the Democratic chairmen of the committee that oversees them.\"","Yucca Mountain is the proposed site for a controversial proposal to store much of the nation's nuclear waste in one place. Predictably, most Nevadans oppose this. The original opening date for the site was in 1998, but opposition has prevented the project from going forward and its fate is unclear."]},{"id":"6952.json","label":"false","statement":"As a Member of Congress, Chris Murphy was raking in $1 million in salary.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Chris Murphy, as a member of Congress, was earning $1 million in salary. The evidence provided confirms that over a six-year period, Murphy earned a cumulative salary of more than $1.03 million. However, this does not mean that he was earning $1 million per year. The statement misrepresents the facts by implying that Murphy's salary was exceptionally high, which is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Farouk Shami of Houston, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, recently made a pointed charge about his key Democratic opponent, according to an online post by the Dallas Morning News. Referring to former Houston Mayor Bill White, Shami said Jan. 26: \"He is discriminating. He\u2019s taking jobs from African-Americans and giving them to his friends.\"","Nothing in the article speaks directly to Shami\u2019s claim that White discriminated, taking jobs from black residents to give to friends.","Johnson of Shami's campaign told us that Shami\u2019s statement in Dallas reflected \"the way many African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities in the city of Houston feel about Bill White's tenure as mayor. He hired as his top staffers Republicans close to indicted former U.S. House Majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Sugar Land) and helped alter city policy in such a way that promoted contracts being let in larger blocks, thus resulting in less minority contractors being hired directly by the city.\"","College attainment is also rising for everyone and especially for Americans of color, and that increases their chances of getting jobs, said Tedeschi, who offered the Post guidance on how to analyze the labor market data."]},{"id":"716.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"He admits he still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an e-mail.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is evidence to suggest that at a certain point in time, the individual in question admitted to not knowing how to use a computer and being unable to send an email. However, it's important to note that this information may have changed over time, and the individual may have acquired computer skills since then. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects a past admission, it may not necessarily reflect the individual's current abilities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3930.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If todays economy was rebounding at the rate of the Reagan recovery, it would have created the equivalent of 25 million new jobs and raised federal revenue by $800 billion a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the potential impact of the Reagan recovery on job creation and federal revenue. It suggests that if the current economy were experiencing a similar rebound to that of the Reagan era, it could have resulted in the creation of approximately 25 million new jobs and an increase in federal revenue by $800 billion annually. However, it's important to note that this is a hypothetical scenario based on a comparison to the Reagan recovery. The statement does not take into account the differences in economic conditions, policies, and other factors between the two periods. Therefore, while the statement presents a compelling comparison, it lacks the necessary context to fully evaluate its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Arizona State Board of Education\u2019s \"failure to report teachers whose certifications have been revoked or suspended ... resulted in the death of a student.\"","\"We presented a report to the board on (teacher discipline) that showed their abject failure to report teachers whose certifications have been revoked or suspended to the national database,\" she said. \"And in one instance, because of that failure to report, it resulted in the death of a student.\"","Douglas said, \"We presented a report to the board on (teacher discipline) that showed their abject failure to report teachers whose certifications have been revoked or suspended to the national database,\" she said. \"And in one instance, because of that failure to report, it resulted in the death of a student.\"","Her accusation was striking, so we wanted to fact-check whether the board failed to report a teacher\u2019s history and if it resulted in a student\u2019s death."]},{"id":"4207.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Social Security doesnt contribute a penny to the deficit.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Social Security does not directly contribute to the federal government's budget deficit, the statement oversimplifies the situation. Social Security is funded through payroll taxes and has its own trust fund. However, when the program needs to draw from the trust fund, it relies on the Treasury, which may require borrowing or reallocating funds from the overall budget. These transactions can indirectly contribute to the overall federal deficit. While the impact may not be significant, it is not accurate to claim that Social Security doesn't contribute \"a penny\" to the deficit.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8826.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says state Sens. Greg Evers, Nancy Detert and Charles Dean got a failing grade from conservatives.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Americans for Prosperity (AFP) claimed that these three state senators received a failing grade from conservatives based on their \"Economic Freedom Scorecard,\" further investigation reveals that the claim is not entirely accurate. One senator did receive an F grade, but the other two received D grades, which typically indicate a passing grade, albeit a low one. Additionally, when considering ratings from other conservative, free-market, or pro-business groups, only AFP issued a failing grade to any of these senators. Therefore, while the claim has some basis, it is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive assessment of the senators' conservative ratings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"96.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"When I was mayor of New York City, I encouraged adoptions. Adoptions went up 65-70 percent. Abortions went down 16 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Giuliani is partially true. He accurately claims that during his tenure as mayor of New York City, adoptions increased by 65-70 percent. However, the claim that abortions went down by 16 percent is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not explicitly mention a decrease in abortions or provide data to substantiate this specific claim. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the increase in adoptions, the claim about a decrease in abortions lacks supporting evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Locally, we spotted a Multnomah County GOP retweet of the Republican National Committee: \"Obama admin creates new tax on Christmas tree farms, fees get passed onto the consumer.\"","Opinion is split on whether the 15-cent fee on Christmas trees \u2014 if it goes into effect \u2014 would be a tax and whether the cost would be passed along to consumers.","So, where does that leave us? Sources appear split on whether this truly is a tax and whether the cost would be passed along to consumers. As for the claim that Obama created this new tax, that suggests that he came up with the program -- when it\u2019s clear the idea preceded his presidency and originated with the industry.","Would the fee be passed on to consumers? That\u2019s unclear, said Bryan Ostlund, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association. \"It doesn\u2019t get automatically passed along, but somebody along the line has to cover it.\""]},{"id":"10635.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average faculty member at UW-Madison brings in close to a quarter million dollars a year in grant money.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the average faculty member at UW-Madison brings in close to a quarter million dollars a year in grant money. University statistics indicate that each faculty member brings in approximately $242,000 on average to support their research. Additionally, when considering grants awarded to deans or other officials that ultimately fund research conducted by professors, the per-faculty grant figure rises to $399,000 per year. While the exact amount may vary slightly, the evidence strongly supports the claim that the average faculty member at UW-Madison secures a significant amount of grant money.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A viral image has called 59 Philadelphia voter \"districts\" counting zero Romney votes in the 2012 general election \"(a) mathematical and statistical impossibility.\"","There\u2019s a meme circulating on the internet that promotes allegations of voter fraud in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. Our kinsfolk over at PolitiFact National and PolitiFact Florida have already reported on claims specific to their states. For Pennsylvania, the meme reads, \"In 59 voting districts in the Philadelphia region, Obama received 100% of the votes, with not even a single vote recorded for Romney. (A mathematical and statistical impossibility.)\"","To provide a sense of how small divisions are, currently, the average number of registered voters per division is 616. The division out of the 59 with the lowest turnout counted 139 votes in 2012; the highest was 612.","This kind of happened, and it\u2019s not actually mathematically impossible. First, the 59 refers to the City of Philadelphia, not the metropolitan area or region. An absolutely crucial fact: The 59 zones that saw no votes for Romney were not districts, but divisions. There are nearly 1,700 divisions in Philadelphia. Each of the city\u2019s 66 wards claims between 10 and 50 of them."]},{"id":"2036.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John Oxendine is under a state ethics investigation because he illegally funneled more than $120,000 to his campaign from shady insurance political action committees in Alabama.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that John Oxendine is under a state ethics investigation related to $120,000 worth of campaign contributions from Alabama political action committees. These PACs were set up by the director of insurance companies regulated by Oxendine. However, the claim that Oxendine illegally funneled the money is not definitively proven. While the contributions exceeded state rules, it is unclear whether they were explicitly illegal. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the certainty to be labeled as entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"About 70 percent of Republicans nationwide ... don't think Donald Trump is the right guy\" to take on Hillary Clinton in November.","Cruz said, 70 percent of Republicans nationwide \"don't think Donald Trump is the right guy\" to take on Hillary Clinton in November.","\"For anyone who doesn't believe that Donald Trump is the best candidate to go head to head with Hillary Clinton in November, and that's about 70 percent of Republicans nationwide who don't think Donald Trump is the right guy,\" Cruz said on Feb. 21. \"Our campaign is the only campaign that has beaten Donald Trump and that can beat Donald Trump.\"","This rosy forecast caught our attention (as well as the attention of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who made a similar claim on CBS\u2019s Face the Nation ). Is it true that 70 percent of Republicans \"don\u2019t think Donald Trump is the right guy?\""]},{"id":"5961.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker is cooking the books by releasing numbers he just dreamed up that show Wisconsin gained jobs in 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Governor Scott Walker is \"cooking the books\" by releasing fabricated job numbers for Wisconsin in 2011. However, there is evidence from the MacIver Institute that supports the claim that Wisconsin gained private sector jobs during Walker's tenure. The MacIver Institute reported that Wisconsin had 137,372 more private sector jobs than when Walker took office, indicating progress towards his goal of creating 250,000 jobs. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6352.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Minnesota has more Fortune 500 companies than Oregon and one of the most obvious differences is theyve invested in their schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Minnesota does indeed have more Fortune 500 companies compared to Oregon. While Minnesota has 19 Fortune 500 companies, Oregon has two. The evidence suggests that one of the factors contributing to this difference could be the investment in schools in Minnesota. However, it's important to note that other factors, such as tax climate and overall business environment, may also play a role in attracting and retaining companies. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the difference in the number of Fortune 500 companies and the investment in schools, it should be acknowledged that multiple factors contribute to a state's business landscape.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The gender wage gap is real, and women still earn about 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for working the same job,\" McAuliffe says in a video on his his campaign website.","The less accurate version -- once offered by Obama himself -- states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for the same work , or in the same job. As we\u2019ll explain below, the data doesn\u2019t show that. By contrast, the more accurate version simply states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, period. That is more accurate (though not without some caveats, also listed below).","By saying women earn 77 percent of what men earn for \"working the same job,\" McAuliffe took a valid figure and blew it out of proportion.","\"You know, today, women make up about half our workforce, but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns,\" Obama said. \"That is wrong, and in 2014, it's an embarrassment. Women deserve equal pay for equal work.\""]},{"id":"10229.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Repeal of Obamacare would take away health care for 10.3 million Americans who have received coverage since Oct. 1, 2013.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Schultz that repealing Obamacare would potentially result in the loss of health care coverage for the 10.3 million Americans who gained coverage since October 1, 2013. However, it's important to note that the statement doesn't provide the full context. While the number of individuals who gained coverage is accurate, the impact of repealing Obamacare on their coverage is contingent on the specifics of any replacement plan or alternative measures put in place. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood that the potential loss of coverage would depend on the details of any proposed repeal and replacement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6167.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says because of Texas lawmakers choices, hundreds of thousands of women no longer have access to basic medical care, life-saving cancer screenings and contraception.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Texas lawmakers' choices have resulted in reduced access to basic medical care, life-saving cancer screenings, and contraception for some women, the claim that \"hundreds of thousands\" of women are affected lacks specific counts or estimates. The evidence suggests that many women who relied on family planning services turned to the State Health Services program due to limited options. However, without concrete data on the exact number of women affected, it is difficult to determine the precise scale of the impact. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks complete statistical evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7466.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Gov. Scott Walkers public-school budgets, a student entering kindergarten will not enjoy the same state investment in his or her education as those that came before them until they are graduating from high school.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Gov. Scott Walker made cuts to public education funding in Wisconsin, it is incorrect to claim that a student entering kindergarten under his budgets would not receive the same state investment in their education until high school graduation. The funding changes made by Gov. Walker may have had an impact on the overall education budget, but they do not specifically target individual students throughout their entire education journey. It is important to accurately represent the impact of budget cuts without making exaggerated claims about the specific experiences of students.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7104.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In one county alone in Ohio, President Obama received 106,258 votes. But there were only 98,213 eligible voters.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that President Obama received 106,258 votes in a county where there were only 98,213 eligible voters is not supported by credible evidence. Election returns from the Ohio Secretary of State's website show that there was no county where Obama received such a high number of votes, and the votes for Obama did not exceed the number of voters. The figure of 98,213 refers to the population count from the 2010 census, not the number of eligible voters. This claim is misleading and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Van de Putte said students must pass Algebra II to be eligible for college admission under the state\u2019s \"top 10 percent\" law.","We wondered if a student has to clear Algebra II to be considered under the 1997 automatic admission law, which entitles any graduate of a Texas high school ranking in the top 10 percent of his or her class, based on grade point average, to enroll at any of the state\u2019s 38 public universities. (In 2009, lawmakers gave the University of Texas permission to limit automatically admitted students to 75 percent of its slots for freshmen from Texas. In recent years, that has meant students had to rank in the top 8 or 9 percent to be entitled to automatic admission to the Austin flagship.)","Practically speaking, it makes sense to us that most high-ranking graduates seeking admission to the state\u2019s public universities have taken Algebra II. However, it\u2019s simply not required to qualify for consideration under the \"top 10 percent\" law, making this claim Mostly False.","Versions approved by the House and Senate, she wrote, could result in students not taking Algebra II. \"The problem is, Algebra II is required for eligibility in the automatic admissions program for Texas universities (aka the Top 10 Percent program),\" Van de Putte said."]},{"id":"3488.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every taxpayer owes about $130,000 to pay off the national debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. As of the given evidence, the national debt stands at approximately $23.8 trillion. Dividing this amount by the estimated number of taxpayers in the United States would result in an average debt burden of around $130,000 per taxpayer. However, it's important to note that this is an average figure, and individual taxpayers may owe more or less depending on their income, deductions, and other factors. Additionally, the national debt is subject to change over time due to various economic factors and government policies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Israel in the last three weeks has \"killed more Palestinian children, more than 200, than the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in military operations since 2006.\"","Tapper, while grilling an Israeli spokesman, said, \"Israel has, in the last three weeks, killed more Palestinian children, more than 200, than the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in military operations since 2006.\"","\"If my calculations are right,\" Tapper said, \"Israel has, in the last three weeks, killed more Palestinian children, more than 200, than the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in military operations since 2006, which includes the Second Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense, and now Operation Protective Edge.\"","That is indeed more than the number of Israeli soldiers killed since 2006 while engaged in military operations, our review found."]},{"id":"2653.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rick Perry has become a millionaire on the public payroll.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Rick Perry, while serving in public office, has indeed become a millionaire through investments and private land deals. The evidence provided, including a news story and campaign claims, supports the assertion that Perry's net worth has crossed the millionaire threshold due to his financial activities while being on the public payroll. It's important to note that the statement focuses on Perry's net worth rather than his income, as his earnings from public office may not have been substantial. However, his accumulated wealth through investments and land deals is a significant factor in his millionaire status.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9344.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mark Begich has taken campaign cash from the Kochs while Dan Sullivan hasnt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mark Begich received a $5,000 donation from KochPAC in 2010, it is important to note that this is a relatively modest amount in the context of campaign financing. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Begich has received any further contributions from the Koch brothers in the past four years. On the other hand, the statement that Dan Sullivan has never taken any money from the Koch brothers is not entirely accurate, as it fails to acknowledge any potential indirect support or funding from Koch-affiliated groups. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks complete context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Cheney said that terrorist detainees \"were not covered by the Geneva Convention. They were unlawful combatants. And under those circumstances, they were not entitled to the normal kinds of courtesies and treatment.\"","Cheney : \"Sure there is. But remember, the terrorists were not covered by the Geneva Convention. They were unlawful combatants. And under those circumstances, they were not entitled to the normal kinds of courtesies and treatment you would accord to those.\"","At one point that interview, Cheney said that the terrorists \"were not covered by the Geneva Convention. They were unlawful combatants. And under those circumstances, they were not entitled to the normal kinds of courtesies and treatment you would accord to those.\"","There\u2019s significant disagreement between Cheney and his critics on the issue of torture or \"enhanced interrogation techniques.\" Still, experts told us that the question of what protections, if any, the detainees qualified for under the Geneva Convention -- is somewhat more clear-cut than other aspects of this policy debate. So we\u2019ll take a closer look at Cheney\u2019s claim that terrorist detainees \"were not covered by the Geneva Convention. They were unlawful combatants. And under those circumstances, they were not entitled to the normal kinds of courtesies and treatment.\""]},{"id":"277.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I took on the worst road system in the country, according to Trucker's magazine. When I left, they said it was the most improved road system in the country.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker regarding the improvement of the road system. While the specific ranking by Trucker's magazine is not provided, the statement indicates that the road system was considered the worst initially and was later recognized as the most improved. Without the specific ranking, it is challenging to verify the claim entirely, but the general assertion of significant improvement is supported.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Murphy supports a gun ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms used for hunting, recreational shooting and self defense,\" one of the items read.","The NRA-ILA said, \"Murphy supports a gun ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms used for hunting, recreational shooting and self defense.\"","Internally, however, the consumer versions of these rifles basically work the same as any other semi-automatic rifle. Cartridges are fed from magazines and are fired one at a time with each trigger pull. They are used for self-defense and recreational shooting, just as the NRA said. About half of all guns are semi-automatic.","Says U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy has \"sided with the GOP on key votes twice as often as he sided with Democrats.\""]},{"id":"5609.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says under the new health care law the patient-doctor relationship will be eliminated.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the patient-doctor relationship will be eliminated under the new health care law is not accurate. While there may be concerns about how certain measures could impact the doctor-patient relationship, there is no provision in the law that eliminates this fundamental aspect of healthcare. The claim is exaggerated and misleading, and there is no credible evidence to support it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5396.json","label":"false","statement":"For the first time since 1990, American manufacturers are creating new jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. American manufacturers have created new jobs multiple times since 1990, and it is not accurate to claim that it is the first time since then. The evidence provided includes statements from President Obama in 2012 acknowledging the creation of new manufacturing jobs. Therefore, the claim that it is the first time since 1990 is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6563.json","label":"false","statement":"Household income in America has gone down for families an average of $4,000 in the last four years while it went up $5,000 under Mitt Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately compares the change in household income in the United States over the last four years with the change in household income during Mitt Romney's tenure as governor of Massachusetts. The evidence provided shows that Paul Ryan made this claim during a speech, but it does not provide any concrete data or sources to support the specific figures mentioned. Additionally, it is important to consider that the factors influencing household income are complex and multifaceted, and attributing changes solely to the actions of one individual or administration oversimplifies the issue. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Nothing in the legislation would change penalties for statutory rape, which prosecutors in California can charge as either a misdemeanor or felony. It is illegal under current law for any adult to have any type of sex with a minor and that remains illegal under SB 145.","\"We found that covering those dating partners was really key to whether there was actually population-wide impacts of a lower rate of intimate partner homicides,\" Webster said.","Until the new gun law passed, federal law barred only a person who was married and convicted of domestic abuse from owning a firearm. The new law extends that to people who are dating.","If people are convicted of domestic violence against their partners the abusers are barred from owning a firearm for five years. After that time, they regain the right, so long as they have committed no other offenses. For married couples, and those who have had a child together, the firearm ban is permanent."]},{"id":"927.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average bonus [on Wall Street] is about $100,000...The bonuses on Wall Street are down 44 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly mention the average bonus on Wall Street, it does mention that Wall Street contributions to political campaigns, charitable foundations, and personal finances of the Clintons have exceeded $100 million. This suggests that Wall Street has significant financial resources, which could potentially support high bonuses. Additionally, the evidence mentions that Wall Street contributions benefiting Clinton have come from a small group of ultra-wealthy donors in the finance industry, indicating that there are individuals within Wall Street who have the capacity to receive substantial bonuses. However, without specific data on the average bonus amount, it is not possible to confirm the exact figure of $100,000 or the 44 percent decrease in bonuses. Therefore, the statement is labeled as mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7138.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he has never voted for raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the individual in question has never voted for raising taxes. The evidence provided does not contradict this claim and does not provide any instances where the individual voted in favor of raising taxes. Therefore, based on the available information, the statement can be deemed as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12248.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Austins Stop Abuse for Everyone has seen in its offices sexual assault survivors that report being attacked by their ridesharing drivers, at a rate of one per month.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that Austin's Stop Abuse for Everyone has seen one sexual assault survivor per month reporting attacks by ridesharing drivers. The evidence provided includes information about legislation signed by Governor Abbott regarding sexual assault and concerns about misfiling and mis-coding of data related to sexual assault cases. However, there is no direct evidence linking this information to the specific claim made about sexual assault survivors reporting attacks by ridesharing drivers. Without further evidence or clarification, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The problem \u2026 is we\u2019re already throwing so much money at education. That\u2019s been the fix, if you will, for the last 10, or 20, or 30 years, more money on education, more money on education. And it\u2019s not working \u2014 the definition of insanity.\"","\u2022 Establish new fuel economy standards. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set new fuel efficiency standards for vehicles, mandating higher targets for new cars and light trucks for model years 2023 to 2026.","His opponent, Republican Tim Michels \u2014 who favors school choice \u2014 has taken him to task for it, arguing Evers is throwing money at low test scores and other problems without seeing improvement.","And this doesn\u2019t count funding bills and presidential appointments. Since the start of Russia\u2019s war, Congress has spent $66 billion to help Ukraine, according to calculations by Mark F. Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank."]},{"id":"6677.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Obama doubled funding for the Pell Grant.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. President Obama did prioritize and increase funding for the Pell Grant program during his tenure. The evidence confirms that funding for Pell Grants doubled, and Obama's budget proposals aimed to boost the maximum grant amount and ensure automatic funding and indexing to inflation. However, it's important to note that while funding increased, the number of students receiving Pell Grants did not increase at the same rate. Therefore, while the funding for the program doubled, the impact on the number of students receiving aid was not as significant.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6329.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thousands (in China) owe their jobs to Mitt Romneys companies.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that it is plausible that some of Mitt Romney's companies had operations in China and employed thousands of workers there. However, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to definitively confirm the claim. While it is possible that thousands of jobs in China were connected to Romney's companies, the evidence provided by Priorities Action USA is not conclusive. Therefore, the statement can be considered partially true, but it would benefit from more concrete evidence to support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The editorial says, for instance: \"Yes, come check out Texas. Check out a state that ranks dead last in the percent of its population with high school diplomas.\" (Click here to read our evaluations of more Bee claims.)","However, the Texas rate matched the rates for Mississippi and California, according to the bureau. For both Texas and California, the bureau says, the margin of error was plus or minus 0.2 percentage points.","It shouldn\u2019t surprise that in fast-growing Texas, more students graduate from high school and college than in years past. We focused on whether Texas still ranks among states with the highest high school graduation rates.","Gov. Greg Abbott told voters in advance of the March 2018 party primaries that Texas ranks very high nationally in its share of students graduating from high school."]},{"id":"6934.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney refused to say whether hed sign the Lilly Ledbetter bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Mitt Romney refused to explicitly state whether he would have signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. While Romney expressed support for equal pay for women, he did not provide a clear position on whether he would have signed the specific legislation. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2595.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Chris Coons has Marxist beliefs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Chris Coons has Marxist beliefs. The claim originates from an opinion piece that Coons wrote during his college years, titled \"Chris Coons: The Making Of A Bearded Marxist.\" However, subsequent analysis and fact-checking have debunked this claim. Coons himself has stated that he is not a Marxist, and reputable sources have confirmed that the accusation is unfounded. Labeling him as having Marxist beliefs based on this misinformation is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1710.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The financial services regulatory bill \"will end taxpayer bailouts.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that the financial services regulatory bill \"will end taxpayer bailouts\" is an oversimplification. While the bill aims to reduce the risk of government bailouts by implementing heightened regulations, experts have noted that it is not a definitive solution to completely eliminate the possibility of taxpayer bailouts. Financial services experts have expressed that the bill is a step in the right direction but falls short of completely ending the potential for bailouts. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the nuance of the experts' opinions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Todd Staples says 21 percent of 2009 Texas high school graduates enrolled that fall in a four-year public university&url=)","Upshot: Staples said that only 21 percent of Texas high school graduates in 2009 went on to a four-year public university, without noting that the statistic only applies to public universities in Texas.","Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, making a case for workforce training, writes on the \"issues\" part of his campaign website: \"Preparing our students for a global economy means more and more of them will require college degrees, yet in the fall of 2009, only 21 percent of Texas high school graduates enrolled in a four-year public university.\"","And according to the spreadsheet, 21 percent of the state's more than 264,000 2009 graduates enrolled that fall in four-year public institutions of higher education, with 28.5 percent enrolling in public two-year institutions and 4.4 percent marked as attending an in-state private or independent college or university. Dominic Chavez, senior director for external relations at the coordinating board, confirmed the figures for us."]},{"id":"1343.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Recovery.gov listed congressional districts that \"do not exist.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Recovery.gov initially listed congressional districts that did not exist, as confirmed by multiple sources. The website included projects attributed to non-existent districts such as the 34th, 35th, 53rd, and 88th districts, as well as the \"00th\" district. However, it's important to note that the data was later corrected, and the jobs and money were attributed to an \"unassigned congressional district.\" Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood that the issue has been addressed and the data has been rectified.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12472.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The president has said the national security threat facing America, the top one, is global warming.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama has expressed concerns about the impact of climate change on national security, it is an oversimplification to claim that he has explicitly stated that global warming is the top national security threat facing America. The statement lacks the necessary nuance and context. The Obama administration did emphasize the potential security implications of climate change, but it did not explicitly rank it as the top national security threat. Other traditional security concerns, such as terrorism and nuclear proliferation, have also been highlighted during Obama's presidency. Therefore, the statement is barely true as it misrepresents the president's position on the ranking of national security threats.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9847.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After merging with Tim Hortons of Canada, Burger King is not moving. Our headquarters will remain in Miami and (we) will continue to pay all of our federal, state and local U.S. taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Burger King did make claims that after merging with Tim Hortons of Canada, the company's headquarters would remain in Miami and that they would continue to pay all of their federal, state, and local U.S. taxes. However, it's important to note that the motivation behind the merger was not solely tax-driven, but also focused on global growth for both brands. While Burger King stated their intention to maintain their headquarters in Miami, it is possible that future circumstances could lead to changes in their plans. Therefore, while the statement reflects Burger King's stated intentions at the time, it should be understood with the awareness that future developments could potentially alter the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Illegal immigration always has to be refashioned into a crisis for every electoral cycle that Republicans want to use it,\" said Maddow. \"The overall fact about illegal immigration is that it's not actually getting worse.\" Maddow then showed a graph of apprehension rates of illegal immigrants from 1978 to 2008 that showed that the rate in 2008 was the lowest in years.","Even though Maddow didn't use those statistics, they back up her claim. Illegal immigration is not increasing, and by at least two measurements, illegal immigration has actually gotten somewhat better. But don't herald the defeat of illegal immigration just yet.","However, some immigration experts do not consider apprehension rates to be particularly useful. Although the apprehension rate is usually a good indicator of trends, it is not exact, according to Bryan Griffith, a spokesman for the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank in favor of increased border enforcement. \"Just because the apprehension rate is down, doesn't mean less people are trying to come. It could mean they're getting better\" at not getting caught.","The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that 40 to 50 percent of all people residing illegally in the U.S. actually entered the country legally, according to a report cited in congressional testimony by John Morton, assistant secretary of homeland security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. For example, they came as tourists or on a temporary visa, and then overstayed their visit."]},{"id":"6362.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After the 9\/11 terrorist attacks grounded commercial air traffic, there was a temperature drop while the airplanes werent flying, for the week afterwards.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made about a temperature drop following the grounding of commercial air traffic after the 9\/11 attacks, the evidence surrounding this claim is not conclusive. While some studies suggest a potential temporary decrease in temperature, there is also controversy and conflicting observations regarding this phenomenon. It is important to note that attributing a temperature drop solely to the absence of airplanes is an oversimplification, as there are various factors that can influence temperature fluctuations. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context and acknowledges the existing controversy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"This election cannot be a resume competition,\" he said. \"It\u2019s important to be qualified, but if this election is going to be a resume competition, then Hillary Clinton's going to be the next president, because she's been in office and in government longer than anybody else running here tonight.\"","Does Democratic frontrunner and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton really have a longer government resume than all 17 candidates on the GOP side?","7 million people the Congressional Budget Office says won't have health insurance coverage under the Senate health care bill \"don't exist.\"","Throughout 2005, Bill Clinton dropped hints that Hillary at the very least had not ruled out running for president in 2008. \"I am quite confident that she has not decided to do that,\" Bill Clinton told NBC. \"Or if she has, she hasn't told me.\""]},{"id":"3643.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Per-student K-12 state funding for Portland Public Schools has dipped from $6,036 in the 2007-2008 school year to $5,644 in the 2010-2011 school year","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided indicates that per-student funding for Portland Public Schools did decrease over the specified time period. However, the exact figures provided in the evidence suggest that the per-student funding was higher than the stated amounts in the statement. The evidence shows that the per-student funding ranged from $7,234 to $7,699 during the years mentioned, which contradicts the claim of a decrease to $5,644. Therefore, while there was a decline in per-student funding, the specific figures mentioned in the statement are inaccurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12551.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Russ Feingolds campaign is powered by small-dollar contributions like ours.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Russ Feingold's campaign is powered by small-dollar contributions, similar to the contributions made by the person making the statement. Small-dollar contributions typically refer to donations of $200 or less over an election cycle, indicating grassroots support and an effective online fundraising effort. While the evidence does not explicitly mention Feingold's campaign, it provides information about the significance and nature of small-dollar contributions in political campaigns, supporting the claim that Feingold's campaign relies on such contributions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6967.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney and George Allen would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to end safe, legal abortion even in cases of rape, incest or when a womans life is at risk.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Planned Parenthood that Mitt Romney and George Allen would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to end safe, legal abortion. However, it's important to note that the power to directly overturn a Supreme Court decision lies with the Supreme Court itself, not with individual politicians. While a president and a senator can influence the future direction of the Court by nominating and voting for justices who align with their views, they cannot directly overturn a Supreme Court decision. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the nuance of the actual process involved in overturning a Supreme Court decision.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2580.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry told students he couldnt attend a gubernatorial forum due to scheduling conflicts, then on forum day tweeted that hed just been running with his dog.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Rick Perry told students he couldn't attend a gubernatorial forum due to scheduling conflicts but then tweeted that he had been running with his dog on the day of the forum. This indicates a contradiction between Perry's stated reason for not attending and his social media activity. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide direct quotes or verifiable sources for Perry's statements and tweets. Therefore, while the statement is likely true based on the available evidence, it would benefit from additional corroborating sources to confirm its accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"198.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Fred's never had a 100 percent record on right-to-life in his Senate career. The records reflect that. And he doesn't support the human life amendment, which is most amazing because that's been a part of the Republican platform since 1980.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement correctly points out that former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson did not have a 100 percent pro-life voting record, as indicated by the grading from the National Right to Life Committee. The evidence shows that Thompson received varying percentages in different terms, ranging from 33 percent to 87 percent. However, it is important to note that the statement also mentions that Thompson does not support the human life amendment, which has been a part of the Republican platform since 1980. This additional information provides context and further supports the claim that Thompson's record on right-to-life issues is not perfect. Therefore, the statement is partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["An absolute number has no meaning by itself, \"because it would mean something totally different in a country of 100 million, 200 million, 300 million or for that matter, 1 billion,\" said Ngai, the Columbia University professor.","Are there more poor people today as a percentage of our population than the 1970s? By the official measure, yes, but experts also rely on a different calculation that changes the results.","Large-scale immigration from Europe contributed to an increase of the foreign-born population in the United States from 1850 (2.2 million) to 1930 (14.2 million).","The total U.S. population in 1890 was about 63 million, and immigrants accounted for an estimated 14.8 percent. The total population in 2016 was about 323 million, which means about 13.5 percent were immigrants."]},{"id":"13336.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 1928 school boards sent home letters with children saying that if Al Smith is elected president, you will not be allowed to have or read a Bible.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton that in 1928, school boards sent children home with letters warning that if Al Smith were elected president, they would not be allowed to own or read a Bible. Multiple sources, including articles and accounts from that time, support this claim. However, it's important to note that these letters were not sent by all school boards nationwide, but rather by some school boards in certain areas. Therefore, while the statement is true in the sense that these letters were indeed sent, it is only partially true because it does not represent a widespread practice across all school boards in the country.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says it's \"estimated that 300 babies a year are sent home from the hospital with an unrecognized congenital heart defect; it is the most common birth defect in America.\"","Deuell said 300 babies a year \"are sent home from the hospital with an unrecognized congenital heart defect; it is the most common birth defect in America.\"","State Sen. Bob Deuell, a Republican physician from Greenville, won Senate approval of a proposal that would have Texas join states that have a mandatory screening test for newborn Texans after telling colleagues: \"It is estimated that 300 babies a year are sent home from the hospital with an unrecognized congenital heart defect. It is the most common birth defect in America.\"","We wondered about the number of U.S. babies sent home with such a defect unrecognized and if it is the country\u2019s most common birth defect."]},{"id":"1278.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Usually it's about $900 a month to get health coverage. (Florida's program has) reduced that, on average, to about $150 a month.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that Florida's program has reduced the average cost of health coverage from $900 to about $150 per month. However, no evidence or specific information is provided to support this claim. Without any substantiating evidence, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, it is considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Twitter, GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Michael Wiiliams of Texas urged online pals to join him in seeking a national policy encouraging all forms of energy production, writing: \"Gas prices have gone up $2 since Obama took office. We need More American Energy.\"","Isakson included a link to an article with a chart from the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundationthat found gas prices rose 7 percent during the first two years and two months of Republican George W. Bush\u2019s presidency as compared with prices during a similar time span under Barack Obama, a Democrat who took office in January 2009.","By contrast, EIA figures show the average price for a gallon of regular the week Obama took office was $1.83 and has risen steadily since he moved into the White House. During the last week of February, it was $3.34. That is an 82.5 percent increase.","The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $1.51 the week Bush took office, according to the federal government\u2019s Energy Information Administration. Prices were $1.74 for regular during the last week of February 2003, the EIA reported. That\u2019s a 15.2 percent increase."]},{"id":"7228.json","label":"false","statement":"On same-sex marriage","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that Hillary Clinton's views on same-sex marriage evolved over time, eventually leading to her announcement of support for same-sex marriage in March 2013. It also mentions Marco Rubio's opposition to same-sex marriage but his support for states' rights to decide on the issue. However, the evidence does not provide any conclusive information about the outcome of the decision on same-sex marriage or the possibility of new bans being instituted. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Crist said \"Rick Scott tried to slash school funding by $3.3 billion,\" pointing to a budget proposal from 2011, Scott\u2019s first year in office.","On a page titled \" Top 5 reasons to make Florida Scott-free,\" Crist brings up education spending as No. 1. \"Rick Scott tried to slash school funding by $3.3 billion,\" the site says. \"To put that into perspective, $3.3 billion could pay the yearly salaries of more than 70,000 teachers in Florida.\"","Crist\u2019s statement was specifically phrased, saying Scott \"tried\" to reduce school funding. That is accurate, but it\u2019s important to note that Scott's initial proposal died in the Legislature, and funding has increased since that attempt.","Scott, meanwhile, came into office looking to slash $3.3 billion out of the education budget, resulting in a $700 per pupil cut. But lawmakers balked. He settled for knocking $1.3 billion out of the budget, dropping per-student dollars by $540, due in part to a loss in federal stimulus money that had been shoring up spending for Crist\u2019s last two budgets. Then Scott\u2019s numbers started to steadily rise."]},{"id":"7229.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ohios judges, compared to other similar states, are being woefully underpaid.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple studies and surveys have consistently shown that Ohio's judges are paid less compared to judges in similar states. According to a survey, Ohio ranked 41st out of 50 states in average pay for common pleas judges. The data indicates that Ohio's judges receive lower compensation compared to the national average for judges in general jurisdiction trial courts. While the term \"woefully underpaid\" is subjective and open to interpretation, the evidence supports the claim that Ohio's judges are paid less compared to their counterparts in similar states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The health care reform bill \"would make it mandatory \u2014 absolutely require \u2014 that every five years people in Medicare have a required counseling session that will tell them how to end their life sooner.\"","On the radio show of former Sen. Fred Thompson on July 16, 2009, McCaughey said \"Congress would make it mandatory \u2014 absolutely require \u2014 that every five years people in Medicare have a required counseling session that will tell them how to end their life sooner.\"","For our ruling on this one, there's really no gray area here. McCaughey incorrectly states that the bill would require Medicare patients to have these counseling sessions and she is suggesting that the government is somehow trying to interfere with a very personal decision. And her claim that the sessions would \"tell seniors how to end their life sooner\" is an outright distortion. Rather, the sessions are an option for elderly patients who want to learn more about living wills, health care proxies and other forms of end-of-life planning. McCaughey isn't just wrong, she's spreading a ridiculous falsehood. That's a Pants on Fire.","In her chat with Thompson, McCaughey said the language can be found on page 425 of the health care bill, so we started there. Indeed, Sec. 1233 of the bill, labeled \"Advance Care Planning Consultation\" details how the bill would, for the first time, require Medicare to cover the cost of end-of-life counseling sessions."]},{"id":"1794.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu received almost $1.8 million from BP over the last decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Senator Mary Landrieu received campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry, including BP, the claim that she received almost $1.8 million from BP over the last decade is incorrect. The corrected amount is $752,744, which includes contributions from all oil and gas industry sources, not just BP. Therefore, the statement is significantly exaggerated and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Before Act 10, the total cost of public sector employees\u2019 employment was 29 percent higher than that in the private sector. After the act, it\u2019s still 22 percent higher.\"","He continued: \"Before Act 10, the total cost of public sector employees\u2019 employment was 29 percent higher than that in the private sector. After the act, it\u2019s still 22 percent higher.\"","\"I do want to point out \u2026 about those statistics that I just spouted in case people want to punch holes in them. That was just a study by Heritage and AEI working together and that does factor in equal educational experience and equal types of job classifications. So this isn\u2019t just because public sector employees are higher educated or have more important jobs. This equalizes that and it\u2019s still 22 percent higher cost.\"","Johnson argued the changes included in Act 10 were modest -- public employees still receive 22 percent higher wages and benefits than private sector workers. Johnson cited the work of two researchers for conservative think tanks, but later told us he \"doesn\u2019t endorse\" the findings of that study, or \"any specific study.\""]},{"id":"9634.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Compared to President Obama,President Reagan rushed home from Santa Barbara vacation, from the Reagan ranch when the Korean jetliner was shot out of the air by the Russians.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that President Reagan was on vacation in Santa Barbara when the Korean jetliner was shot down by the Russians, the claim that he immediately rushed home is not entirely accurate. Initially, the White House decided that President Reagan would remain in California even after concluding that the Soviets were responsible. It took some time for them to change their minds and for President Reagan to return to Washington. Therefore, while there was a delay in President Reagan's response, it is not accurate to claim that he immediately rushed home from his vacation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Not everybody agrees with us,\" Obama said. \"I know that shocks people. The New York Times editorial page does not permeate across all of America. Neither does the Wall Street Journal editorial page. Most Americans -- they\u2019re just trying to figure out how to go about their lives and how can we make sure that our elected officials are looking out for us. And that means because it\u2019s a big, diverse country and people have a lot of complicated positions, it means that in order to get stuff done, we\u2019re going to compromise. This is why (President Franklin D. Roosevelt), when he started Social Security, it only affected widows and orphans. You did not qualify. And yet now it is something that really helps a lot of people. When Medicare was started, it was a small program. It grew.\"","\"Not everybody agrees with us,\" Obama said. \"I know that shocks people. The New York Times editorial page does not permeate across all of America. Neither does the Wall Street Journal editorial page. Most Americans -- they\"re just trying to figure out how to go about their lives and how can we make sure that our elected officials are looking out for us. And that means because it\"s a big, diverse country and people have a lot of complicated positions, it means that in order to get stuff done, we\"re going to compromise. This is why (President Franklin D. Roosevelt), when he started Social Security, it only affected widows and orphans. You did not qualify. And yet now it is something that really helps a lot of people. When Medicare was started, it was a small program. It grew.\"","On Social Security, Obama had a point that the program started slowly and expanded over time. But he was flat wrong that it began by serving only widows and orphans. This can be confirmed by looking at a historical page on the Social Security Administration's own website( \"Social Security Administration's own website\").","Social Security today is not the program President Franklin D. Roosevelt had in mind when he signed it into law in 1935, according to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich."]},{"id":"9097.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Americans increasingly want (the Affordable Care Act) to be repealed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it lacks context and does not accurately reflect the overall sentiment of Americans towards the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While there may be some individuals who want the ACA to be repealed, it is important to note that the provision requiring insurers to cover individuals with pre-existing conditions is one of the most popular elements of the law. Additionally, the ACA has seen a record number of Americans signing up for health coverage during recent open enrollment periods, indicating a level of support for the law. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Americans increasingly want the ACA to be repealed without considering the broader context and varying opinions on the matter.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We've dealt with the \"what-Obama-inherited\" question before. Obama's suggestion that the deficit woes the country now faces are the result of Bush's tax cuts and an expensive prescription drug program -- rather than the recession -- is certainly debatable. But since many Republicans are blaming the problem on reckless spending by Obama, we decided to check his claim that \"the deficit was on track to top $1 trillion the year I took office.\"","\"In its budget projections from January 2008, the last set before the impact of the collapse of the housing bubble was clear, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected a deficit of just $198 billion for 2009,\" Baker wrote. \"This is less than one-fifth of the 'on track to top $1 trillion' figure that President Obama gave in his speech. This is a serious error.","Indeed, the deficit projected for 2022, just over $1 trillion, is a bit larger, but roughly in line with the deficit from 2019, the last prepandemic year, which was just under $1 trillion. So someone could just as easily say that the Biden administration has overseen a return to normalcy in budget deficits rather than set new records for deficit reduction.","\"(George H.W.) Bush 41 took it to 300 billion.\" Close, but not exactly. The number was around $255 billion at the end of Bush\u2019s term. The deficit spiked at around $290.3 billion the year before he left office."]},{"id":"136.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I supported tort reform with regard to securities...product liability...interstate commerce.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Thompson's support for tort reform in specific areas such as securities legislation and product liability legislation related to interstate commerce. He has expressed his support for tort reform in these contexts, emphasizing the importance of states' rights and the appropriate jurisdiction for local issues. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive overview of Thompson's stance on all aspects of tort reform. While he has supported some tort reform bills, he has also opposed others based on his principle of states' rights. Therefore, while the statement captures Thompson's support for tort reform in certain areas, it does not provide a complete picture of his overall position.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13198.json","label":"false","statement":"Says state Sen. Morgan Carrolls votes made it easier to sue doctors, small businesses, even nurses. Putting her own shady interests first.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that state Sen. Morgan Carroll's votes made it easier to sue doctors, small businesses, and nurses, while putting her own shady interests first. Without specific evidence or examples of the legislation in question, it is difficult to evaluate the accuracy of this claim. However, it is important to note that lawmakers typically consider a variety of factors when voting on legislation, including the interests of their constituents and the overall impact on the community. Accusing someone of putting their own \"shady interests\" first without substantial evidence is a serious allegation that should be supported by concrete proof.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4462.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the vaccine to prevent HPV can cause mental retardation.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the vaccine to prevent HPV can cause mental retardation is false. Medical professionals and scientific research have consistently refuted this notion. There is no credible scientific evidence to support a link between the HPV vaccine and mental retardation. Such claims have been widely debunked, and it is important to rely on accurate information from medical experts when discussing the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Emily's List is stoking the abortion debate in Colorado's 6th Congressional District race with a fundraising email saying Republican incumbent Mike Coffman \"co-sponsored a bill to redefine rape.\"","Emily\u2019s List said that Coffman \"co-sponsored a bill to redefine rape.\" The record shows Coffman did co-sponsor the bill to redefine a ban on federal funding for abortions to exempt \"forcible rape.\" Yet he later voted on the floor for an amended version that had removed the \"forcible\" modifier from the bill.","In the email, titled \"2016 goal: A Congress that fights for women and families,\" Emily's List said, \"We wish Congress was less like this\" -- citing Mike Coffman's co-sponsorship of the 2011 bill -- \"and more like this \u2026 Morgan Carroll sponsored a bill to make emergency contraception available to sexual assault survivors.\"","Coffman did co-sponsor the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, which attempted to redefine a ban on federal funding for abortions to exempt \"forcible rape\" -- and not rape in broader terms."]},{"id":"7232.json","label":"true","statement":"A far different picture from the prior eight years, which saw 115 increases in taxes and fees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Christie's claim that there were 115 increases in taxes and fees during the eight years preceding his tenure as governor. Multiple sources confirm that Governor Christie made this statement during his State of the State address and that it was in reference to the fiscal policies of the previous administration. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12200.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Mexico receives approximately $24 billion a year in remittances from Mexican nationals working in the United States. The majority of that amount comes from illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Donald Trump's claim that Mexico receives approximately $24 billion a year in remittances from Mexican nationals working in the United States. However, the claim that the majority of that amount comes from illegal aliens is not supported by concrete evidence. While there may be some remittances coming from undocumented immigrants, it is difficult to determine the exact proportion without comprehensive data. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it accurately represents Trump's claim about the total amount of remittances but lacks sufficient evidence to support the assertion about the majority coming from illegal aliens.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1538.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2001, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan \"justified increasing spending and cutting taxes, saying that we didn't really need to pay down the debt.\"","reason":"Reason: While former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan did testify in support of the 2001 tax cuts, it is not accurate to claim that he specifically stated \"we didn't really need to pay down the debt.\" Greenspan did express concerns about continuing deficits and emphasized the importance of fiscal discipline. He never explicitly stated that paying down the debt was unnecessary. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Greenspan's position and is rated as barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["With recent approval by the state legislature of an $850 million public subsidy, a new Bills stadium is on track to be built by 2026. But for at least a few years more, the Bills will remain at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., a suburb southeast of Buffalo.","Over the years, some Western New Yorkers have, either seriously or jokingly, attributed the Buffalo Bills\u2019 bad luck, including four straight losses in the Super Bowl, to a curse caused by restless spirits in and around their home stadium.","\"The peak demand for the entire utility service area is about 1,500 megawatts,\" Gotham told us. \"About half of that roughly is in the city itself, so we\u2019re looking at about 750 megawatts at the peak.\"","\u201cIn the last several months, the Biden administration has released over 7,000 illegal aliens who were COVID positive just in one Texas city.\u201d Biden's border policies are \"endangering not just the people of Texas, but people all across the country.\""]},{"id":"9623.json","label":"half-true","statement":"DeKalb County has been recognized in recent years as having one the best sheriffs departments in the nation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that DeKalb County's sheriff's department has received recognition and accreditation in the past, the statement is not entirely accurate when referring to \"recent years.\" The evidence provided mentions that the department received the Triple Crown honor in 2008, which is not considered recent. Additionally, the evidence does not provide specific information about recent accolades or rankings that would support the claim of being one of the best sheriff's departments in the nation. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bonnie Reiss of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute said: \"When he served as governor, Schwarzenegger preserved more land than any other gubernatorial administration in California\u2019s history.\"","\"When he served as governor, Schwarzenegger preserved more land than any other gubernatorial administration in California\u2019s history,\" Reiss, the institute\u2019s global director, wrote in the Malibu Times on June 8, 2016.","But was he California\u2019s environmental champion, its greenest governor in history, in terms of protecting the state\u2019s natural beauty through land conservation?","State officials we spoke with, including researchers at the California State Library, said they are not aware of any other governor whose administration protected larger collections of land."]},{"id":"2918.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Joe Straus was co-author of a bill that would have allowed Planned Parenthood to control public school sex education.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Joe Straus, the Texas House Speaker, co-authored a bill that would have allowed Planned Parenthood to control public school sex education. The sources provided are from conservative education activist Donna Garner, who makes the claim without providing any verifiable evidence. Additionally, there is no record or documentation of such a bill being co-authored by Joe Straus. This claim is baseless and lacks factual support.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2676.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Glenn Nye voted in lock step with Nancy Pelosi 83 percentof the time.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Glenn Nye voted with Nancy Pelosi 82 percent of the time, it is misleading to claim that he voted \"in lockstep\" with her. The term \"in lockstep\" implies complete agreement and alignment on all issues, which is not supported by the voting records. While Nye's voting record does show a majority of votes in line with his party, it does not indicate complete alignment with Pelosi. Therefore, the statement is exaggerated and does not accurately reflect the level of agreement between Nye and Pelosi.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The list -- actually a roster of Congressional Progressive Caucus members (mostly) from Wikipedia -- includes Florida Democrats Corrine Brown, Alcee Hastings and Frederica Wilson.","Here in Florida, we previously ruled on a claim from bloggers that three Florida Democratic members of Congress are socialists; we rated that Pants on Fire. Corrine Brown, Alcee Hastings and Frederica Wilson are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus(,74) -- the largest caucus within the House Democratic caucus. Founded in 1991, the group of lawmakers supports policies that advance economic justice, civil rights and other causes.","As our colleagues noted, the posts grabbed our attention for their blunt and far-reaching assertions. At PolitiFact Florida, we wanted to check out the claims that Brown, Hastings and Wilson are Socialists, or if it's a virtual Red Scare.","You've heard it from the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Democratic Socialists of America and the author of the commentary that inspired the blog activity: Just because you are a member of the Progressive Caucus does not mean you are a socialist. And none of the caucus members profess to be Socialists, including our Florida Democrats, Brown, Hastings and Wilson. The bloggers go too far in attacking them as socialists, a repeated label for liberals these days. We rate this claim Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"4632.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Between 2000 and 2010, the illegal immigrant population of Texas increased by 60 percent, while California and Florida had no increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the illegal immigrant population in Texas experienced a significant increase of approximately 60 percent between 2000 and 2010, according to both DHS and Pew estimates. However, it is not entirely accurate to claim that California and Florida had \"no increase\" during that period. While California had a small increase of 2 percent, Florida actually experienced a decrease of 5 percent in the illegal immigrant population. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it correctly represents the increase in Texas but slightly misrepresents the situation in California and Florida.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Gregory Costantino said during a recent \"Newsmakers\" broadcast that Rep. Peter Petrarca had in the past voted for two pieces of auto body shop legislation and therefore his actions amounted to a conflict of interest.","The official legislative record shows Petrarca voted on the bills. And considering Petrarca's professional and personal connections to the auto body shop industry, his vote on them posed at least an appearance of conflict of interest. But whether the bills actually help body shops or consumers is debatable.","Costantino said that while Petrarca might not have voted on this most recent legislation, he had voted on auto shop bills in the past, which Costantino described as a clear conflict of interest. As an example, Costantino referred vaguely to a bill in 2003 and another one in 2010. He gave no specifics about either piece of legislation.","The legislation was pushed by John Petrarca, president of Providence Auto Body, and his daughter, Jina Petrarca-Karampetsos, spokeswoman for the Auto Body Association of Rhode Island. They are the father and sister, respectively, of Rep. Peter J. Petrarca, D-Lincoln, who did not vote on the bill."]},{"id":"147.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sen. Obama \"made the very argument he is now criticizing back in November 2006.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Sen. Obama did make an argument in November 2006 that is similar to the argument he is now criticizing. In 2006, he joined other Senate Democrats in voting against raising the debt limit, which was supported by President George W. Bush. However, it's important to note that the context and specifics of the arguments may differ, and the statement does not provide enough information to fully evaluate the extent of the similarity or differences between the two arguments.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8969.json","label":"false","statement":"Weve got close to 7 million Americans who have access to health care for the first time because of Medicaid expansion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act did provide health care coverage to millions of Americans, it is incorrect to claim that close to 7 million Americans gained access to health care for the first time solely because of Medicaid expansion. Medicaid expansion was one of several factors that contributed to increased access to health care, including the establishment of health insurance exchanges and the provision allowing young adults to stay on their parents' plans. The specific number mentioned in the statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the impact of Medicaid expansion alone.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12288.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Africa, a child dies every minute because of (malaria).","reason":"Reason: While there is some variation in the estimates, the statement that \"In Africa, a child dies every minute because of malaria\" aligns with the information provided. The most accurate estimate suggests that a child dies from malaria in Africa approximately every 1 minute and 48 seconds. While there is a degree of uncertainty in the exact figure, the statement captures the severity of the issue and the significant impact of malaria on children in Africa.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Bermuda. It\u2019s more than just a vacation destination for John McCain,\" the ad says over jaunty, Caribbean-style steel drum music. \"McCain went to Bermuda, and while he was there pledged to protect tax breaks for American corporations that hide their profits offshore. And grateful insurance company executives and their lobbyists who benefit from the tax scheme gave McCain $50,000.\"","McCain visited Bermuda in August 2007, when he was still competing for the Republican nomination. The only account we could find about the trip appeared in a Bermuda newspaper called the Royal Gazette . The Obama ad shows a copy of the newspaper while it makes its claim that McCain pledged to protect overseas tax breaks for American companies.","The ad stops short of saying there was a quid pro quo at work, though we get the feeling the Obama campaign wouldn't mind if you assumed there was. A story in the Royal Gazette's sister newspaper Mid Ocean News noted that McCain's 2007 comments were at odds with comments he made in 2002 deploring companies moving overseas. McCain said then, \"More and more U.S. companies are using this highly profitable accounting scheme that allows a company to move its legal residence to offshore tax havens such as Bermuda, where there is no corporate income tax, and shield its profits from taxes. I applaud efforts to discourage this practice.\"","Bermuda, a British territory with significant autonomy, is home to many international companies seeking to avoid taxes. In 2006, there were 14,267 international companies registered in Bermuda, many of them American-owned, according to the U.S. State Department. A 2004 GAO report also listed Bermuda as a tax haven."]},{"id":"10809.json","label":"false","statement":"Hate speech is excluded from protection under the First Amendment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Hate speech, on its own, is not categorically excluded from protection under the First Amendment. While certain categories of speech, such as threats or \"fighting words,\" may not be protected, hate speech itself is generally considered protected speech under the First Amendment. It is important to note that the interpretation and application of free speech laws can vary, and there may be limitations on speech in specific contexts or under certain circumstances. However, as a general principle, hate speech is not automatically excluded from constitutional protection.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Web pages, \"State Mental Health Agency (SMHA), Per Capita Mental Health Services Expenditures, FY2010\", \"State Mental Health Agency (SMHA), Per Capita Mental Health Services Expenditures, FY2009,\" \"State Mental Health Agency (SMHA), Per Capita Mental Health Services Expenditures, FY2008,\" \"State Mental Health Agency (SMHA), Per Capita Mental Health Services Expenditures, FY2007,\" Kaiser Family Foundation (accessed Jan. 8, 2013)","We found the Kaiser foundation\u2019s latest state-by-state breakdown with help from Gyl Switzer, public policy director of Mental Health America of Texas, which advocates for programs that prevent and treat mental illness. A footnote to the research says the figures come from the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute, Inc., which says it\u2019s the only national association to represent state mental health commissioners\/directors and their agencies.","We explored similar territory in January 2010, rating as Mostly True candidate Marc Katz\u2019s claim that Texas then ranked last in spending for mental health care. For that fact check, we relied on the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation\u2019s roundup of per-person mental health care spending for the 50 states in fiscal 2006. According to its analysis, Texas ranked 49th among the states that year in per capita spending, not quite last. At expenditures of $34.57 per resident, Texas bested New Mexico, which spent $25.58. The national average was $103.53. In total dollars spent, Texas ranked 10th in 2006, spending about $805 million.","A 2022 report on mental health in the United States by the nonprofit Mental Health America puts Texas last among states and the District of Columbia for access to mental health care."]},{"id":"6701.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that under Mitt Romney, 89 million Americans could be denied coverage if they have a pre-existing condition.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Obama campaign and Democrats have argued that under Mitt Romney, 89 million Americans could be denied coverage if they have a pre-existing condition. This claim is based on Romney's promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which includes protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. However, it's important to note that the 89 million figure encompasses those with coverage gaps, not necessarily those with pre-existing conditions. The actual number of Americans with pre-existing conditions can vary widely. Therefore, while there is a valid concern about the potential impact of repealing the Affordable Care Act on individuals with pre-existing conditions, the statement lacks specificity and may be misleading in terms of the exact number of individuals affected.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11878.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama spent $7 billion to bring electricity to Africa, failed miserably.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While the Power Africa initiative aimed to increase access to electricity in Africa, the claim that President Obama spent $7 billion and failed to bring electricity to Africa is false. As of the time the article was written, only about $1.7 billion had been committed, and a significant portion of the funds were in the form of loans or loan guarantees, not direct spending. Additionally, the Power Africa initiative was a long-term project, and its progress cannot be accurately assessed as a failure at the time of the claim. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["Carney told reporters: \"This administration has been extremely responsive to the state of Texas\u2019 requests for wildfire management assisting grants \u2014 25 of them at last count,\" he said. \"All that have been requested had been, as far as I know it, have been provided.\"","Besides, Carney told reporters, \"this administration has been extremely responsive to the state of Texas\u2019 requests for wildfire management assisting grants \u2014 25 of them at last count,\" he said. \"All that have been requested had been, as far as I know it, have been provided.\"","But this isn\u2019t the first time the federal government hasn\u2019t granted Texas\u2019 aid requests. We found that it has gone both ways on fire-related requests for disaster declarations from Texas.","Carney correctly summed up the Obama administration\u2019s approval of fire-fighting grants for Texas but he glosses over its denial of the disaster declaration, which could have covered more counties and provided retroactive assistance."]},{"id":"2437.json","label":"false","statement":"More people were killed in the United States last year by tainted food than U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the wars began.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that more people were killed in the United States last year by tainted food than U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the wars began. This claim is not supported by any credible evidence or official statistics. The number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the wars began is significantly higher than the number of deaths caused by tainted food in the United States in any given year. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making such comparisons.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1293.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"You must list all your guns on your 2010 tax return.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that individuals must list all their guns on their 2010 tax return is completely unfounded. The mentioned Senate Bill SB-2099 did not pass and therefore does not impose any requirement to list guns on tax returns. This misinformation has been widely debunked, and there is no factual basis to support the claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["And it's important to recognize that our Pants on Fire rating was on the overall statement that, \"The administration raises revenue for nationalized health care through a series of new taxes, including a light switch tax that would cost every American household $3,128 a year.\" The first part of that statement about nationalized health care is completely false. The Obama administration is not proposing nationalized health care, a phrase we believe is meant to invoke fears of socialized medicine. Yet Republicans have repeatedly made that inaccurate claim. So that part of the claim was and remains ridiculously false.","\"The administration raises revenue for nationalized health care through a series of new taxes, including a light switch tax that would cost every American household $3,128 a year,\" the House Republican Conference said in a Web post and press release titled \"Questions on the Budget for President Obama,\" distributed March 24. \"What effect will this have on Americans struggling to pay their mortgages?\" it asked.","Now, in light of Reilly's revised number and Boehner's refusal to change what he says, let's reconsider the second part of the claim, that the Obama administration is proposing \"a light switch tax that would cost every American household $3,128 a year.\"","But for now, this claim remains a serious distortion in many ways. It is a ridiculous falsehood to say the money is being used \"for nationalized health care.\" It is inaccurate to call it a \"light switch tax.\" And it is incorrect to cite a precise \"tax\" of $3,128 -- with no caveats or qualifiers -- when the Obama administration has specified how the money would be returned to people. Given Reilly's comments that they are using his numbers improperly, we see nothing to change our conclusion. So our original ruling stands: Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"903.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Rev. Rick Warren \"has called Christians who advance a social gospel Marxists.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rev. Rick Warren made a comment likening the social agenda of some early 20th-century Protestant theologians to \"Marxism in Christian clothing,\" it is important to note that he was referring to the ideas and agendas of theologians from that specific time period. Presenting this comment as if Warren currently labels Christians who advance a social gospel as Marxists is a distortion of his statement and a misrepresentation of his views. The statement lacks the necessary context and misrepresents Warren's position on the matter.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9689.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Women in Florida make 83 cents for every dollar a man makes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided in the evidence, which states that in Florida, women who hold full-time jobs are paid 83 cents for every dollar paid to men in similar positions. This wage gap results in an annual gap of $7,128 between men and women working full time in the state. While the evidence does not specify whether this is for the same work or in the same job, it does indicate a significant disparity in earnings between men and women in Florida. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Sean, I'm going to make a statement that the government will consider outrageous,\" Napolitano warned. \"The Constitution simply does not authorize the federal government to own any of this land. All of it is being held unconstitutionally and all of it should be returned to the private property owners from which it was taken or to the states in which it exists, period.\"","\"I\u2019m not aware of anything in the Constitution that would preclude the federal government from owning land in these western states,\" Malcolm told PunditFact.","Napolitano said the federal government has no constitutional authority to own land in many Western states. The underlying legal argument rests on a tenuous interpretation of constitutional language and the rejection of about 125 years of Supreme Court decisions. The legal scholars we reached, regardless of any political leanings they might have, agreed that the Constitution clearly grants Washington the power to own land and that arguments to the contrary are baseless.","This argument has special relevance for states such as Nevada and Utah that were formed from large swaths of land owned by Washington. By this legal logic, when those states entered the Union, the federal government lost the ability to own land there."]},{"id":"10037.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Common Core was not put together by the Department of Education in Washington. It was put together by governors and by states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Common Core standards were indeed developed through a collaborative effort involving the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), with input from teachers, parents, and education experts. While the Department of Education in Washington was not directly responsible for creating the Common Core standards, it did provide support and incentives for states to adopt them. Therefore, while the Department of Education was not the sole entity responsible for the development of Common Core, it played a role in promoting and encouraging its adoption.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Austinite says $800,000 cost of special session could pay for 1.6 million condoms, 90,000 months of the pill or 20 sexual health educators","( - Austinite says $800,000 cost of special session could pay for 1.6 million condoms, 90,000 months of the pill or 20 sexual health educators&url=)","So an adjusted version of the sign might read: \"$800,000: 1.6 million condoms, 32,000 months of the pill, 16 full-time sexual health educators\" instead of \"$800,000: 1.6 million condoms, 90K months of the pill, 20 full-time sexual health educators.\"","Amid thousands of protesters at the Texas Capitol, Sarah Ponder of Austin carried a sign with a financial comparison: \"$800,000: 1.6 million condoms, 90K months of the pill, 20 full-time sexual health educators or 1 medically unnecessary & hypocritical special session,\" it read."]},{"id":"5797.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says more than 8,000 people have supported her campaign as volunteers, donors and advisors and endorsers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It claims that more than 8,000 people have supported the campaign as volunteers, donors, advisors, and endorsers. However, without further evidence or context, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. While it is possible that the campaign has received support from over 8,000 individuals in various capacities, the statement does not provide specific evidence or sources to confirm this number. Therefore, while the claim may have some truth to it, it lacks sufficient evidence to be fully substantiated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"(Deborah) Ross defends those who want to burn the American flag, and even called efforts to ban flag-burning \u2018ridiculous,\u2019 yet refused to help a disabled veteran fly the flag.\"","\"Ross defends those who want to burn the American flag, and even called efforts to ban flag-burning \u2018ridiculous,\u2019 yet refused to help a disabled veteran fly the flag,\" the ad states.","The Senate Leadership Fund\u2019s anti-Ross ad said she \"defends those who want to burn the American flag, and even called efforts to ban flag-burning \u2018ridiculous,\u2019 yet refused to help a disabled veteran fly the flag.\"","Just years after fighting for people\u2019s right to burn the American flag, Deborah Ross, then an executive at the American Civil Liberties Union, rejected a plea for help from a disabled Vietnam veteran fighting for his right to fly the American flag on his property."]},{"id":"11892.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Seminole gambling compact offers $3 billion in guaranteed revenue, the largest share for any state in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Seminole gambling compact does offer $3 billion in guaranteed revenue to the state of Florida, which is indeed a substantial amount. However, it's important to note that the claim specifically refers to the \"guaranteed\" aspect of the revenue share. While other states may have received higher overall revenue from gambling, the guarantee of $3 billion in this compact sets it apart and makes it the largest share of guaranteed revenue for any state in history.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Miller said Texas agriculture is \"at 98 percent efficiency\" in water use and \"just about maxed out as to what we can do on the conservation end of it.\"","To get our grip on his \"maxed out\" claim, we asked the Texas Department of Agriculture to elaborate. By email, agency spokesman Bryan Black provided a March 11, 2015, presentation by the Texas Water Development Board, whose mission centers on supporting the conservation and responsible development of water for Texas, stating Texas agricultural \"producers now achieve up to 98 percent irrigation efficiency.\"","\"So agriculture is at 98, according to the water development board, we\u2019re at 98 percent efficiency,\" meaning 2 percent of water used to raise crops isn\u2019t going to its intended purpose.","Farmers are not just about maxed out, experts told us, though those who use drip irrigation may be close. Growers using sprinkler methods may get 88 percent to 95 percent efficiency."]},{"id":"10588.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obama said 22 times he could not authorize immigration reform by executive order.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources that President Obama stated 22 times that he did not have the authority to change immigration laws through executive action. This claim has been widely reported and has been a topic of discussion in relation to President Obama's executive actions on immigration. However, it's important to note that the context of these statements and the specific language used by President Obama should be taken into consideration. While he acknowledged the limitations of his authority, he also argued that he was taking executive action within the bounds of his legal powers. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is necessary for a comprehensive understanding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4225.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"#Business formation is still on the rise in Ohio! So far in 2011 weve assisted w\/ 44,443 new business filings.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the tweet that business formation is increasing in Ohio, with 44,443 new business filings in 2011. The evidence suggests that there has been an uptick in new business filings, which can be seen as a positive indicator for business growth. However, it's important to note that this information alone does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall state of businesses in Ohio. Factors such as the number of existing businesses and business closures should also be considered to assess the true extent of growth. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the reported number of new business filings, it should be viewed in the context of other relevant factors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1279.json","label":"true","statement":"The Obama administration notified Poland and the Czech Republic about cancellation of major missile-defense facilities \"at the last minute in midnight phone calls.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that the Obama administration did notify Poland and the Czech Republic about the cancellation of major missile-defense facilities. The decision to scrap the plans for advanced radar in the Czech Republic and the missile defense shield in Poland was announced by the White House, indicating a change in missile defense policy. While the exact timing of the notification is not specified in the evidence, the statement is generally accurate in stating that the cancellation was communicated to the countries. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2263.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2008 (Mandel) was re-elected to a second term, representing a district with a 2:1 Democrat to Republican voter ratio.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voter registration statistics provided by Mandel's campaign during his re-election in 2008. According to the data, there were 38,575 registered Democrats compared to 16,449 registered Republicans in Mandel's district, indicating a ratio of approximately 2:1 in favor of Democrats. However, it's important to note that voter registration does not necessarily guarantee party affiliation or voting behavior, as individuals may switch parties or vote across party lines in different elections. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the voter ratio at that specific time, it should be understood in the context of voter registration rather than a definitive measure of party affiliation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"579.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obama \"hasn't been to Iraq in years.\"","reason":"Reason: It is true that President Obama had not visited Iraq for a significant period of time at the time this statement was made. However, it is important to note that the statement lacks specific details regarding the exact timeframe and the reasons for his absence. While it is accurate to say that President Obama had not been to Iraq in years, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of his engagement with Iraq during his presidency.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Two years ago, about 2,500 vehicles crossed into Yuma, Ariz., each day carrying undocumented immigrants from Mexico. Today, the number of \"drive-throughs\" is about 500.","\"(Walls) show that politicians have reached the end of their ideas about what to do about a difficult situation with a neighbor. ... They can't think what else to do.\"","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","That's not a very flattering comparison to some, including Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, where part of the wall already is under construction."]},{"id":"1661.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"An audit of the last census found that over 370,000 people living in Texas were not counted, and our state lost an estimated $1 billion in federal funds as a result.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While Rep. Silvestre Reyes claimed that an audit of the last census found that over 370,000 people in Texas were not counted, this information is based on an outdated report that the Census Bureau has since discredited. The Census Bureau has clarified that the numbers were flawed, and there is no evidence to support the claim that Texas lost $1 billion in federal funds due to undercounting. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"WHY DO WE NEED A $4 TRILLION JOBS PLAN, WHEN A YEAR AGO WE HAD THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN HISTORY WITHOUT USING TAXPAYERS MONEY?\"","A Facebook post said: \"Why do we need a $4 trillion jobs plan, when a year ago we had the lowest unemployment in history without using taxpayers money?\"","Before the coronavirus outbreak, unemployment had been low under Trump. In April 2019, it was 3.6%(,3.6%20percent%20in%20April%202019.), the lowest rate since December 1969.","Gwinnett officials provided us a spreadsheet with annual water use data dating to 1999. The average daily use for most years between 1999 and 2007 was nearly 84 million gallons a day. In 2007, the year the drought restrictions took effect, the average daily use was 86.4 million gallons a day. In 2008, the average daily use in Gwinnett dropped to just below 72 million gallons a day. The one-year decline was nearly 17 percent."]},{"id":"10347.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obamasown administration has done five environmental impact assessments of the Keystone XL pipeline, all of which have said it would have a minimum impact on the environment.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Obama administration conducted multiple environmental impact assessments of the Keystone XL pipeline. However, it is important to note that while these assessments did indicate that the pipeline would have a minimal impact on the environment, they were not separate and distinct studies. Rather, they were different versions or iterations of the same analysis conducted by the State Department. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the number of assessments conducted, it lacks clarity in conveying that they were essentially variations of the same analysis.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Critics say \"we're putting an onerous policy on small business owners or other business owners,\" she said. \"The reality is that the average age of the minimum wage worker is 35 years old.\"","\"Right now, there\u2019s a bill that would boost America\u2019s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. That would lift wages for nearly 28 million Americans across the country. 28 million. And we\u2019re not just talking about young people on their first job. The average minimum wage worker is 35 years old. They work hard, often in physically demanding jobs.\"","\"The workers who would receive a raise do not fit the stereotypes of low-wage workers: Among affected workers, the average age is 35 years old, nearly 88 percent are at least 20 years old, and more than a third (34.5 percent) are at least 40 years old,\" the institute\u2019s paper concluded.","A few weeks earlier, the White House used the same EPI statistic correctly. In a tweet, White House spokesman Jay Carney touted an infographic that asked, among other things, \"Who will raising the minimum wage actually help? \u2026 More than half work full-time. The average worker is 35 years old.\""]},{"id":"5442.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every time we put a ballot issue on, it costs a million dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that putting a ballot issue on the ballot incurs costs, it is not accurate to claim that \"every time\" it costs a million dollars. The cost of putting a ballot issue on the ballot can vary depending on various factors, such as the complexity of the issue, the extent of public education required, and the specific requirements of the state. Therefore, it is misleading to suggest that a million dollars is a fixed cost for every ballot issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When Timken announced her Senate run two weeks later, she criticized Gonzalez for his vote, but her opponents have used her previous words against her.","Russ Feingold has spent 18 years in the U.S. Senate, 28 years in elective office. The Democrat has never lost an election. Yet, in his bid for a fourth Senate term, against first-time candidate Republican Ron Johnson, Feingold is positioning himself as the underdog.","In positioning himself as an underdog, and seeking campaign money from donors, Feingold says he has always been outspent by his opponents. Though that is true in two races, he uses some twisted logic -- and math -- to get there on the third, tallying up spending by Republican primary candidates he never faced to obscure that he vastly outspent the one he did.","When Trump\u2019s spending is looked at broadly over the course of the campaign, he appears to outspend the majority of his opponents through the end of May. But a review of his spending during the time rival candidates were still in the race shows a different result. All except Kasich spent more money than Trump before dropping out."]},{"id":"6028.json","label":"false","statement":"Says city leadership is threatening to lay off police and emergency services personnel to balance the budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Memphis Police Association (MPA) ran commercials claiming that city leadership was threatening to lay off police and emergency services personnel to balance the budget, there is evidence to refute this claim. The mayor, in fact, stated that laying off police and emergency services personnel would be a last resort and that the budget he proposed included increased spending on public safety. The MPA's assertion is based on their interpretation of the mayor's comments, but it does not align with the actual budget proposal or the mayor's statements. Therefore, the claim that city leadership is threatening to lay off police and emergency services personnel to balance the budget is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In the history of Republican primaries, I\u2019ve gotten the most votes in the history of the Republican party,\" Trump said during his speech on Friday, April 29 at the California Republican Party Convention south of San Francisco.","\"Not only did the Republican party go way up from what it was four years ago \u2013 way, way up \u2013 but Donald Trump, in the history of the primary system, Republican Party, with 17 people running \u2013 a lot of people don\u2019t understand, when you say 17 people \u2013 I got almost 14 million votes,\" Trump said. \"More than anybody in the history of the Republican Party. More than Ronald Reagan. More than the Bushes. More than Richard Nixon. More than Dwight D. Eisenhower, who did win the second World War; it certainly helped a heck of a lot.\"","\"We got the highest vote count in the history of the Republican Party,\" he said, speaking just of the primary elections \u2013 since, of course, the general election hasn\u2019t happened yet.","Yet what Trump failed to mention is that he also holds the record for the most votes cast against a primary candidate, and that he\u2019s one of only a few Republican frontrunners in modern history to have been supported by less than half of the party\u2019s primary voters."]},{"id":"6241.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Cuts in local government and school funding in John Kasichs budget caused many communities to seek school levies, local tax increases, layoffs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that John Kasich's budget included cuts in local government and school funding, which did lead to some communities seeking school levies, local tax increases, and layoffs. However, the statement lacks some nuance. While the funding cuts did contribute to these outcomes, other factors may have also played a role in the communities' decisions. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive view of the overall impact of the budget cuts on all communities. Therefore, while there is truth to the claim, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Massachusetts Supreme Court...defined marriage as simply, quote, the establishment of intimacy ... I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse.\"","\"You see, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, when it started this move toward same-sex marriage, actually defined marriage -- now get this -- it defined marriage as simply, quote, the establishment of intimacy,\" Hayworth said. \"Now how dangerous is that? I mean, I don't mean to be absurd about it, but I guess I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point -- I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse. It's just the wrong way to go, and the only way to protect the institution of marriage is with that federal marriage amendment that I support.\"","Hayworth: \"As we went back and reviewed that document back when the argument was made, the high court in Massachusetts defined marriage in a rather amorphous fashion, simply as quote, the establishment of intimacy. Now I think we all agree there's much more to marriage than that.\"","We're with Maddow here. This isn't a matter of legal interpretation. The Massachusetts Supreme Court did not define marriage \"simply as quote, the establishment of intimacy.\" And when Hayworth inserts the word \"quote,\" the expectation is that he's directly quoting the phrase \"establishment of intimacy\" from the ruling. He's not. The ruling doesn't contain that phrase."]},{"id":"4123.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The clear majority of Republican voters think that any deficit reduction package should have a balanced approach and should include some revenues.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some Republicans may support a balanced approach to deficit reduction that includes some revenues, the statement overgeneralizes by claiming that a clear majority of Republican voters hold this view. The evidence provided does not specifically address the sentiment of Republican voters regarding deficit reduction packages and their stance on including revenues. It only mentions that Republicans had varying opinions on the economic relief package, without specifying their preferences for deficit reduction. Therefore, the statement is not supported by sufficient evidence to claim a clear majority among Republican voters supporting a balanced approach with revenues in deficit reduction packages.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We've heard state leaders talk about the projected costs before. In March, we rated Barely True Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's statement that \"this federal plan costs Texas taxpayers $2.4 billion per year.\" That number was based on a commission analysis that the law would cost Texas $24.3 billion over the decade running from 2014 through 2023. Dewhurst's statement was problematic on several fronts, partly because it was based on an outdated version of the law.","Here's how the $27 billion in costs breaks down: $9.5 billion for the \"Medicaid expansion\" enrollees \u2014 people made eligible by the federal law \u2014 and $8.6 billion for enrollees who were eligible for Medicaid before the new health care law passed. The rest, $8.9 billion, is what it would cost the state to continue higher payment rates that the new law mandates for primary care services. The federal government will fund the higher rates through 2014, but after that, state lawmakers will have to decide whether to chip in the money to continue paying providers more, Goodman said. If they do, the feds would share the cost as they do now for Medicaid.","As for the projected increase in Medicaid costs, the comptroller's report jibes with the health commission's estimates. But it also tabulates the hefty federal contribution. For every dollar the state spends on new Medicaid enrollees through 2019, the federal government will spend $13, according to the figures in the report. The total federal contribution: $76 billion.","All told, Perry's sweeping statement is correct in one sense \u2014 federal health care reform will eventually cost the state billions. But he errs on several fronts. The latest cost projection from the Texas health commission is $27 billion, not $30 billion; the estimate covers 2014 through 2023, not the next 10 years; and it speaks only to a single state entity, not all of state government."]},{"id":"9897.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Texas public schools, we spend an average of $12,000 per pupil per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Texas public schools spend an average of $12,000 per pupil per year is not entirely accurate. According to the available evidence, the actual per-pupil spending in Texas public schools ranges from $8,275 to $10,549, depending on the source and the specific year. While there may be some variations in spending across different districts or years, the evidence does not support the claim of an average spending of $12,000 per pupil per year.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1348.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A new Republican litmus test would have resulted in (the GOP) kicking out Ronald Reagan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The proposal mentioned in the evidence suggests denying party funding to GOP candidates who deviate from the party's stance on at least three items from a checklist of issues. While this proposal may indicate an attempt to enforce ideological purity within the Republican Party, it does not necessarily mean that it would result in the expulsion of a figure like Ronald Reagan. The claim lacks specific evidence or examples to support the assertion that Reagan would not meet the criteria of the proposed litmus test. Therefore, while the statement highlights a potential concern, it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Kucinich was accurate in saying that Social Security didn\u2019t cause the debt crisis. If anything, Social Security delayed it by subsidizing other spending and reducing the need to borrow money elsewhere. On the books, the Social Security trust fund has credits approaching $2.6 trillion.","We\u2019ve heard claims like this before. In August 2011, PolitiFact gave a Mostly True ruling to a claim that Social Security didn\u2019t cause the debt crisis. At the same time, we ruled Mostly False on a claim that Social Security doesn\u2019t contribute a penny to the deficit.","We also discovered that similar statements about Social Security and the debt crisis were previously checked by PolitiFact, and by our colleagues at and the Washington Post Fact Checker.","\"Social Security didn't cause our deficit. Not one dime gets added to the deficit because of Social Security. It's not allowed to, by law.\""]},{"id":"7485.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Gov. John Kasichs budget proposal, the top one percent in Ohio will pay $10,000 less in income tax each year, but Ohios working and middle class families will pay more.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that under Gov. John Kasich's budget proposal, the top one percent in Ohio will pay $10,000 less in income tax each year. However, the claim that Ohio's working and middle-class families will pay more is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not mention any specific tax changes that would directly impact working and middle-class families. Without further information or evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says that in the U.S. House of Representatives \"we\u2019ve had bipartisan support for the repeal of Obamacare \u2026 for getting rid of cap and trade \u2026 for building the Keystone Pipeline.\"","\"Now, in the House of Representatives, we have 40 different jobs bills that have passed and almost all of them have been bipartisan.\"","Guinta claims that \"in the House of Representatives, we have 40 different jobs bills that have passed and almost all of them have been bipartisan.\"","The House of Representatives has indeed passed more than 40 bills that Republicans consider jobs legislation. But whether they are truly \"bipartisan\" depends on your definition."]},{"id":"10851.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The average age of planes in the Qatar Airways fleet is about four years while Delta Air Lines flies planes that are 35 years old.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Qatar Airways has a younger fleet compared to Delta Air Lines, the statement exaggerates the age difference. According to the evidence provided, Qatar Airways' average fleet age is around 3.1 to 4.1 years, which is significantly younger than Delta's fleet. However, the claim that Delta flies planes that are 35 years old is an overstatement. Delta's fleet age is reported to be around 17 years, which is still older than Qatar Airways' fleet but not as old as the stated 35 years. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks precision in describing the age difference between the two airlines' fleets.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We will spend $100 billion in Afghanistan this year, fixing roads, building bridges, training police officers, and more, and cutting the same things in our own country.\"","Cicilline, in the WPRI-TV\/Providence Journal debate, urged a swift return of U.S. troops from Afghanistan as one suggestion, noting that \"We will spend $100 billion in Afghanistan this year, fixing roads, building bridges, training police officers, and more and cutting the same things in our own country.\"","Cicilline, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and should be able to articulate well the difference between military and non-military aid, said the United States \"will spend $100 billion in Afghanistan this year fixing roads, building bridges, training police officers AND MORE and cutting the same things in our own country.\"","U.S. Rep. David Cicilline says the United States will spend $100 billion in Afghanistan this year, on roads, bridges, training police officers and more"]},{"id":"12821.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We put a lid on Irans nuclear program without firing a single shot.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the speaker, referring to putting a lid on Iran's nuclear program without firing a single shot, is mostly true. The Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was an agreement reached between Iran and several world powers, including the United States. The deal aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. While the effectiveness and long-term impact of the deal can be debated, it is accurate to say that the agreement played a role in curbing Iran's nuclear program without resorting to military action.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When Iraq is costing each household about $100 a month, you're paying a price for this war,\" he said in the speech in Charleston, W.Va.","Of course, it\u2019s impossible to know with certainty how people would have acted if history were different. But we suspect Clinton would have answered the question differently than Bush. How candidate Clinton and presidential contender Bush talk about the Iraq war will be a major foreign policy topic in the 2016 race, so we decided to take a look at their statements about the Iraq war.","Clearly Trump opposed the Iraq War in its early years. There\u2019s no evidence, though, that he advocated against the war beforehand, or that he was especially vocal about it destabilizing the Middle East.","Trump said, \"I was totally against the war in Iraq, saying for many years that it would destabilize the Middle East.\""]},{"id":"13250.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Syrian refugees are not being vetted, and the FBI is not even being told where they are.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that the vetting process for Syrian refugees is challenging due to the lack of an embassy and difficulties in verifying information, it is incorrect to claim that they are not being vetted at all. The U.S. government has implemented a rigorous screening process that involves multiple agencies, including the FBI, to ensure the security of the country. While there have been concerns raised about the effectiveness of the vetting process, it is misleading to suggest that no vetting is taking place. Additionally, the claim that the FBI is not being told where the refugees are is not supported by evidence. The FBI is involved in the vetting process and works in coordination with other agencies to ensure national security. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"This type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries. It doesn\u2019t happen in other places with this kind of frequency.\"","Obama said after the church shootings in Charleston that \"this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries. It doesn\u2019t happen in other places with this kind of frequency.\"","In his June 18, 2015, remarks from the White House, Obama said, \"Now is the time for mourning and for healing. But let\u2019s be clear: At some point, we as a country will have to reckon with the fact that this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries. It doesn\u2019t happen in other places with this kind of frequency. And it is in our power to do something about it.\"","Still, using this data, it\u2019s easy to dispense with the first claim Obama made -- that \"this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries.\""]},{"id":"10926.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"U.S. Embassy Celebrates Americas Independence on June 4th in Order to Accommodate Muslims.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is evidence from multiple sources, including social media posts and news articles, that the U.S. Embassy moved its celebration of America's Independence Day to June 4th in order to accommodate Ramadan. However, it's important to note that the decision to move the celebration date was likely made out of respect for the Muslim community rather than solely to accommodate Muslims. The embassy's intention was to ensure that both events could be observed and celebrated without conflict.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Huffington Post, \"Harry Reid: Bain Investor Told Me That Mitt Romney 'Didn't Pay Any Taxes For 10 Years,'\" July 31, 2012","Says Mitt Romney said at a January 2012 debate that under Paul Ryan\u2019s tax plan, \"I\u2019d have paid no taxes in the last two years.\"","Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., touched off a firestorm last week after he claimed that an unnamed investor in Mitt Romney\u2019s company, Bain Capital, told him that Romney hadn\u2019t paid any taxes for 10 years.","!Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., charged on the Senate floor that Mitt Romney hadn't paid taxes for 10 years, citing an anonymous source who invested in Romney's company, Bain Capital. The allegation drew wide criticism. !Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., charged on the Senate floor that Mitt Romney hadn't paid taxes for 10 years, citing an anonymous source who invested in Romney's company, Bain Capital. The allegation drew wide criticism."]},{"id":"11097.json","label":"true","statement":"The murder rate in Atlanta is on the rise this year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that the murder rate in Atlanta is indeed on the rise this year. While there may be weekly fluctuations, the year-to-date rate is reported to be up by about a quarter compared to the same period last year. Additionally, there are reports from neighborhood associations and online forums alerting residents to the spike in the murder rate, including claims of a 50 percent increase from the previous year. It's important to note that the data may be subject to further analysis and confirmation, but based on the available evidence, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["That year, federal agents went public with an investigation into the company, first seizing records from four El Paso-area hospitals and then expanding across the country. In time it became apparent that the investigation focused on whether Columbia\/HCA bilked Medicare and Medicaid.","That year, federal agents went public with an investigation into the company, first seizing records from four El Paso-area hospitals and then expanding across the country. The scope of the investigation at first was unclear; even Scott said he didn't know what the U.S. Justice Department was looking for.","Scott started what was first Columbia in the spring of 1987, purchasing two El Paso, Texas, hospitals. He quickly grew the company by purchasing more hospitals. A hospital network created efficiencies. Efficiencies created profits.","Scott started what was first Columbia in the spring of 1987, purchasing two El Paso, Texas, hospitals. In 1994, Scott's Columbia purchased HCA and its 100 hospitals, and merged the companies to form Columbia\/HCA. When Scott resigned as CEO in 1997, Columbia\/HCA had grown to more than 340 hospitals, 135 surgery centers and 550 home health locations in 37 states and two foreign countries, Scott's campaign says. The company employed more than 285,000 people."]},{"id":"8953.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than 40,000 troops are still stationed in Afghanistan with no clear objective. Even in the best case, by the end of the year at least 10,000 American soldiers will still be on the ground.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that there are still troops stationed in Afghanistan, but it lacks some context and clarity. While it mentions that there is no clear objective, it does not provide specific evidence or sources to support this claim. Additionally, the statement predicts that at least 10,000 American soldiers will still be on the ground by the end of the year, but it does not provide any evidence or reasoning for this projection. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks sufficient evidence and context to fully support its claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Wrong precinct rules exacerbate our provisional ballot problems,\" she said in an email. \"HB 194 does nothing to solve the wrong-precinct problem.\"","Clyde said that \"wrong precinct rules exacerbate our provisional ballot problems,\" a reference to the high rate of provisional voting in the state. Data from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission shows that wrong precinct voting is the No. 2 reason for provisional voting. In Ohio, votes cast in the wrong precinct are not counted. There were more than 14,000 such ballots in the 2008 election.","We\u2019re not rating whether HB 194 will worsen those problems. But that the legislation \"permits, instead of requires, an election official to direct a voter who is in the wrong precinct to the voter's correct precinct,\" shows it\u2019s not an attempt to aggressively address the issue.","PolitiFact Ohio can't fact-check the future, so we won't rate the question of whether HB 194 will worsen provisional ballot problems."]},{"id":"6716.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Medicare premium support backed by Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is not vouchers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan referred to his Medicare plan as \"premium support\" rather than \"vouchers,\" the statement oversimplifies the issue. The Medicare premium support plan proposed by Ryan does involve providing beneficiaries with a fixed amount of money to purchase private insurance plans. This can be seen as a form of vouchers, where individuals use the provided funds to select and purchase their own coverage. While the terminology may differ, the underlying concept of providing a fixed amount of money for individuals to obtain private insurance is similar to a voucher system.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"And Donald knows a lot about this,\" she said. \"He used undocumented labor to build the Trump Tower. He underpaid undocumented workers, and when they complained, he basically said what a lot of employers do: \u2018You complain, I'll get you deported.\u2019 \"","There\u2019s no question that undocumented workers were hired to do demolition work on the future site of Trump Tower. Questions remain as to how involved Trump was in the construction process and hiring of the 200 Polish laborers, but Clinton is factually correct to say that undocumented labor helped construct Trump\u2019s New York skyscraper.","Seeking to portray Donald Trump as a hypocrite on immigration, Hillary Clinton claimed during the third presidential debate that the billionaire candidate used undocumented workers to build his New York City skyscraper.","Says Melania Trump\u2019s security detail at Trump Tower costs more than the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts."]},{"id":"6740.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Even today part of Romneys fortune is invested in China.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in an Obama ad that part of Romney's fortune was invested in China. While it is true that Romney's blind trust had investments in foreign firms, including companies in China, it's important to note that Romney himself did not have direct control over these investments. The investments were managed by a trustee who made independent decisions on behalf of the blind trust. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be understood that Romney did not personally choose to invest in China.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Wisconsin Democratic Party posted a statement on its website March 17, 2015 that criticizes Gov. Scott Walker's state budget proposal -- and claims Walker \"has been rated America\u2019s most factually-challenged politician.\"","!Arguing that too much power is concentrated around Washington, D.C., Gov. Scott Walker has cited figures on how high incomes are in the D.C. area. !Arguing that too much power is concentrated around Washington, D.C., Gov. Scott Walker has cited figures on how high incomes are in the D.C. area.","In an online ad that encourages readers to sign a petition, the group says flatly: \"Gov. Walker is denying Democrats the right to vote.\"","!Gov. Scott Walker was one of the speakers on Feb. 26, 2015 at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md. (AP photo) !Gov. Scott Walker was one of the speakers on Feb. 26, 2015 at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md. (AP photo)"]},{"id":"9278.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On (Tom) Wolfs watch, taxes were high, killing 100,000 PA jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that taxes were high during Tom Wolf's tenure as the state's revenue secretary, it is misleading to solely attribute the job losses to his actions. The claim fails to consider the broader economic factors and the complex nature of job creation and loss. Economists have differing views on the impact of taxes on job growth, and it is not possible to confidently establish a direct causal relationship between high taxes and job losses. Additionally, attributing the entire job loss to high taxes in Pennsylvania overlooks the fact that the entire country experienced job losses during that period. Therefore, the claim is partially accurate in terms of the tax situation but lacks sufficient evidence to support a direct causal link between high taxes and job losses.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1925.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The addition of a 1 percent sales tax would cost a typical household in Hillsborough County approximately $12 a month.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit and the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization estimate that a 1 percent sales tax increase would cost the average family in Hillsborough County approximately $142 per year. Dividing this amount by 12 months, it comes out to be around $11.83 per month, which can be rounded up to $12. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11014.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas has the nations highest rate and highest number of uninsured.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including statements from Kathleen Sebelius, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, confirm that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents in the nation. Additionally, it is stated that Texas has the highest number of uninsured children compared to any other state. However, it's important to note that while Texas has the highest number of uninsured children, it does not have the highest rate of uninsured children. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the situation regarding the overall rate and number of uninsured individuals in Texas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7482.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says if Oregon had limited its budget growth to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation, the states all-funds budget would be about $27 billion today, not $60 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true, but it is important to note that there is some discrepancy in the exact figures. While the initial claim suggests that Oregon's all-funds budget would be $27 billion today if budget growth had been limited to the rate of population growth plus inflation, more accurate calculations indicate that the figure would be closer to $36 billion. However, it is still evident that there would have been a significant difference in budget growth compared to the current $60 billion budget. Therefore, while the specific dollar amount may vary, the general point that budget growth would have been significantly lower is valid.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The current law that allows illegal immigrants to qualify for in-state tuition was voted for -- was supported by Larry Taylor,\" he said.","At McCaig\u2019s nudging, however, we noticed the 2005 proposal repealed the 2001 language enabling illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition. But the latter proposal also swapped in similar provisions.","Lake also made the claim July 6 on Steve Bannon\u2019s podcast \"War Room,\" saying Robson \"voted to give illegal immigrants a reduced tuition less than what American students had to pay.\"","We went in search of other statements by Crist about giving in-state tuition to children of illegal immigrants and found little else. It did not appear that any bills that would grant in-state tuition to Dreamers reached Crist\u2019s desk while he was governor during sessions between 2007 and 2010."]},{"id":"663.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"McCain's energy plan is a \"single-answer proposition\" new domestic oil drilling.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly refutes the statement that McCain's energy plan is solely focused on new domestic oil drilling. Multiple sources highlight that McCain's energy plan includes provisions that go beyond drilling and emphasize the development of alternative fuels. The claim that it is a \"single-answer proposition\" is not only false but also exaggerated. Therefore, the statement is deemed Pants on Fire, as it is blatantly untrue.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["PolitiFact was unable to find an instance where Rosen refused to answer questions about her presidential preference. Rosen has said on at least two occasions, one publicly and one to a reporter, that she supports Hillary Clinton.","Republicans are hoping to tie the increasingly fraught battle between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for the Democratic presidential nomination to down-ballot Democrats.","Immigration policy was a big topic at the Univision- Washington Post Democratic presidential debate in Miami. On several occasions, Hillary Clinton took the opportunity to attack Bernie Sanders\u2019 record on immigration.","That\u2019s the case in Nevada, where the National Republican Congressional Committee is running automated telephone calls telling voters that Democratic candidate Jacky Rosen hasn\u2019t committed to supporting either Sanders or Clinton."]},{"id":"3496.json","label":"false","statement":"Before this (federal health care) law was enacted, Florida parents ...were able to purchase inexpensive child-only coverage for their children. The laws consumer protections have now eliminated that choice in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that some private insurers stopped selling child-only policies due to certain provisions of the federal health care law, there are still viable options available for parents in Florida. The state offers KidCare, which provides inexpensive coverage for children, particularly for parents who are laid off or low-income. Additionally, children with pre-existing conditions can enroll in the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) created by the federal law, although the rates may be higher. While the choices for parents have been reduced without private insurers participating, it is incorrect to claim that the law's consumer protections have completely eliminated the option of purchasing inexpensive child-only coverage in Florida.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We're seeing unemployment going in the right direction, for the last six months,\" he said. \"The five economic indicators that the federal government tracks -- for the first time since August 2006 -- were positive this October.\"","Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee says five economic indicators tracked by the federal government were positive in October, for first time since 2006","( - Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee says five economic indicators tracked by the federal government were positive in October, for first time since 2006&url=)","Governor Chafee said five economic indicators tracked by the federal government went up in October, the first time they\u2019ve done so in the same month in six years."]},{"id":"3765.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says there are more federal dollars in Gov. John Kasichs budget plan than in the previous state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While it is true that the budget proposed by Governor John Kasich had more federal dollars in it compared to the previous budget, this is primarily due to the inclusion of federal stimulus funds. The statement does not specify that the increase in federal dollars is a result of temporary stimulus funding rather than a sustainable increase in federal support. Therefore, while there may be more federal dollars in Kasich's budget plan, it is important to note that this increase is not a reflection of a long-term trend or sustainable federal funding. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9977.json","label":"false","statement":"This Congressadjourned earliest of any time in congressional history before an election.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were claims made by Laura Ingraham and other politicians about Congress adjourning earlier than ever before, these claims are not accurate. Multiple sources have confirmed that this Congress did not adjourn earlier than any other Congress in history before an election. In fact, there have been earlier adjournments in the past, as stated by Senator John Barasso and Senator Tim Kaine. It is important to rely on accurate information and historical records when making claims about the timing of congressional adjournments.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In slashing $1.7 billion from the Social Security Administration, Rep. Jim Renacci may end up forcing the entire agency to have to shut down for a month, causing seniors to not get their benefits on time, halting claims processing, and forcing new retirees and disabled workers into a backlog before seeing their benefits.\"","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d","If SSA workers are furloughed because of budget cuts or a government shutdown, beneficiaries would still get their regularly scheduled checks, Skweirczynski said. But furloughs would mean fewer workers available to process new claims and appeals. That would result in backlogs and delays in processing new paperwork. That\u2019s what happened when furloughs were implemented during the government shutdowns of 1995 and 1996.","Past SSA furloughs did delay some services for beneficiaries, but the entire agency was never shut down - as Democrats said might happen. Swierczynski said skeleton staffs maintained beneficiary records during a five day shutdown in 1995, and a larger crew of \"essential employees\" kept working in processing centers during a three week shutdown in 1996. Swierczynski told us regularly scheduled benefit checks would continue, but new claims and appeals could be backlogged and delayed."]},{"id":"1524.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Challenger Tim Tuggey is a lobbyist who donated over $41,000 to Democrats who support abortion and same-sex marriage.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tim Tuggey, the challenger, donated over $41,000 to Democrats, it is an oversimplification to claim that all of these Democrats support abortion and same-sex marriage. The statement assumes that all Democrats share the same views on these issues, which is not accurate. The Democratic Party is a diverse coalition with a range of beliefs and positions. Some Democrats may support abortion rights and same-sex marriage, while others may have different stances. Therefore, it is misleading to imply that all Democrats who received Tuggey's donations unequivocally support these specific positions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When Bill Nelson voted for the stimulus, he voted for millions in wasteful spending, including spending our tax dollars to see how monkeys react under the influence of cocaine,\" the ad says. \"Hey Bill Nelson, stop monkeying around with our tax dollars.\"","\"Researchers at Wake Forest University think that, in at least one case, it is good to monkey around with stimulus dollars. The Department of Health and Human Services has sent $144,541 to the Winston-Salem college to see how monkeys react under the influence of cocaine,\" the report states.","In short, Nelson voted in a favor of a stimulus bill that directed large sums of money to scientific research. But he never actually voted to send money to a monkey-cocaine study.","An attack ad features howling monkeys to make a point about out-of-control spending under Democratic leadership. It gets better: These monkeys are on cocaine. For science. At taxpayers\u2019 expense."]},{"id":"2762.json","label":"false","statement":"Congressman Nye voted against a bill which would have defunded the $5-10 billion the IRS needed toimplement health care legislation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided consists of claims made by Scott Rigell, but it lacks any objective verification or additional sources to support the claim. Without further evidence, it is not possible to confirm whether Congressman Nye voted against a bill to defund the IRS for implementing health care legislation. Therefore, the statement cannot be deemed as true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"And since that budget was ignored,\" he said, \"what were the old annual deficits under Republicans have now become the monthly deficits under Democrats. The national debt has increased 30 percent.\"","In a press release issued by Hensarling after the meeting, he noted that the monthly deficit in October 2009 was $176 billion. That's really the first month you can attribute wholly to Democrats -- Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress. And it's also a high-water mark. The CBO estimates a total 2010 deficit of $1.35 trillion, which works out to an average of about $112 billion per month. So while the deficits fluctuate month-to-month, we think the average is the fairest number when you refer to \"monthly deficits under Democrats.\" So to begin with, Hensarling is choosing the highest number.","In fact, many of the monthly deficits since the recession began -- and which fall under the watch of Bush and a Democrat-controlled Congress -- have routinely rivaled the monthly deficits under Obama. So using Hensarling's technique, we could also claim that Bush's deficit was higher than Obama's.","Hensarling's director of communications, George Rasley, said it was a mistake to look at the numbers as Obama versus Bush. Rather, he said, Hensarling was comparing Democrats to Republicans, not presidents. For the last two years of the Bush administration, he said, Democrats in Congress were \"controlling the purse strings.\" But we think dialing back the clock to full Republican control not only leaves Bush entirely off the hook for his role in running up the deficit, it conveniently predates the recession, which has contributed greatly to the deficits."]},{"id":"4213.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In contrast to President Barack Obama, who is not acting presidential, President Ronald Reagan would never go into the Oval Office without his jacket on thats how much he revered the presidency.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Ronald Reagan was known for his respect for the presidency and often wore a jacket in the Oval Office, the statement implies that President Obama did not exhibit the same level of reverence based on his clothing choices. However, the evidence shows that President Obama was frequently seen wearing a suit, including a jacket, in the Oval Office. While there were instances where he was jacket-less, particularly during his first 100 days in office, it is an oversimplification to suggest that this indicates a lack of respect for the presidency. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6988.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The sequester is not something that Ive proposed. It is something that Congress has proposed.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama stated that the sequester was not his proposal and that it was something Congress had proposed, the statement is not entirely accurate. The sequester was initially included as a provision in the Budget Control Act of 2011, which was a bipartisan agreement between Congress and the Obama administration. While Congress did propose the sequester, it was ultimately signed into law by President Obama. Therefore, while the statement captures part of the truth, it does not provide the full context of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Gov. John Kasich implied that a portion of workers\u2019 compensation rebates to employers \"should be directed back to him in the form of campaign cash.\"","That\u2019s when Republican Gov. John Kasich will be up for a second term. For months the state\u2019s political observers have buzzed with speculation about which Democrats might challenge him.","Says Ohio budget item later signed into law by Gov. John Kasich requires women seeking an abortion to undergo a \"mandatory vaginal probe.\"","It is undeniable that Kasich\u2019s popularity has risen since his rocky first year. It also is worth noting that while a PPP poll one year ago showed Strickland thrashing Kasich in a rematch, the governor has rebounded to the point where he\u2019s essentially tied with a nameless challenger."]},{"id":"12019.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over 32,000 people die from #GunViolence every year. Yet, (The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is banned from researching ways to prevent this.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that over 32,000 people die from gun violence each year, the claim that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is banned from researching ways to prevent gun violence is also supported by evidence. In 1996, language was added to the budget bill that restricted the CDC's use of funds for advocating or promoting gun control. Although the CDC is not explicitly banned from conducting research on gun violence prevention, the funding restrictions have had a chilling effect on their ability to conduct comprehensive research in this area. However, it's important to note that recent efforts have been made to allocate funding for firearm research, indicating a potential shift in this restriction.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6576.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obamas education solution includes an effort to nationalize curriculum.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama's education solution includes an effort to nationalize curriculum is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the Common Core State Standards, which have been embraced by the federal Department of Education, have faced criticism and have been seen by some as a step towards nationalizing curriculum, it is important to note that they are not an initiative of the federal government. Education experts have disagreed with the claim that the Common Core standards nationalize curriculum. Therefore, while there may be some elements that could be interpreted as a push towards nationalization, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entire education solution to this effort.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But last year the former chief executive shocked America with a real dietary stunner. Clinton announced he was giving up meat and dairy and undertaking a vegan diet. Following a vegan diet means Clinton will not eat any product that comes from animals.","Hurt estimated -- and he stressed estimated -- this would equal about 28 chickens, one turkey, and a fraction of a cow, pig, and lamb per person annually. This comes to about 30 animals per year, well short of PETA\u2019s 200 number.","A PETA spokeswoman told PolitiFact Georgia the group actually has no way of knowing precisely how much meat Clinton ate or how many animals were slaughtered to satiate his carnivorous cravings. But the organization conducted a study that determined the average meat-eating American is responsible for the deaths of 198 animals annually.","We understand that beef is what\u2019s for dinner, but 200 sounds like Bill was ravaging pastures of cows, not to mention barnyards of chickens and pigs -- the other white meat."]},{"id":"2823.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The cap-and-trade bill before Congress prevents you from selling your home without the permission of the EPA administrator.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the cap-and-trade bill before Congress prevents homeowners from selling their homes without the permission of the EPA administrator is false. There is no provision in the cap-and-trade bill that grants the EPA administrator the authority to regulate or restrict the sale of homes. The evidence provided does not support the claim and instead refers to a chain email and unrelated information about the Clean Air Interstate Rule. This claim is baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In the Dec. 15, 2011, Republican presidential debate in Iowa, Texas Gov. Rick Perry was asked to account for a loan program he oversaw as the state\u2019s agriculture commissioner, the elected post he held from 1991 through 1998.","\"But as Texas agriculture commissioner, you oversaw a loan guarantee program that, as the Austin American-Statesman reported at the time, had so many defaults that the state had to stop guaranteeing bank loans to start-ups in the agribusiness, and eventually bailed out the program with the taxpayer money,\" Cavuto said. \"So aren't you guilty of the same behavior you rail against as a presidential candidate?\"","As agriculture commissioner, Perry oversaw the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, which was created in 1987. The authority was launched to boost the agricultural economy by selling state-backed bonds to guarantee bank loans to entrepreneurs who could not get commercial loans. The goal was to create small businesses and jobs by processing \u2014 rather than simply growing \u2014 Texas agricultural products.","A revamped version continues today. The authority\u2019s Agricultural Loan Guarantee program provides loan guarantees to lenders for eligible applicants who wish to establish or enhance their farm and\/or ranch operation or an agriculture-related business. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, applicants may seek a loan of any amount from their local lender, but the guarantee may not exceed $750,000 or 70 percent of the loan amount, whichever is less. Other offerings include a young farmer grant and interest-rate reduction programs."]},{"id":"4538.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says David Dewhurst skipped nine candidate forums after announcing his U.S. Senate candidacy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. David Dewhurst did not appear at nine candidate forums, with eight of them occurring after he announced his candidacy. While it is accurate to say that he skipped these events, it's important to note that in most cases, his campaign had informed beforehand that he would not be attending. Therefore, while the statement may imply a complete absence, it is more accurate to say that Dewhurst chose not to participate in these forums.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We spend twice as much money per person in the U.S. than any industrialized country in the world and yet we have the worst outcomes,\" he said. \"Our health care system is literally awash in dollars.\"","Sanders would have been on completely firm ground had he simply said, \"We spend more per capita on health care than any other nation on Earth.\" But instead he said \"twice as much.\" And for that reason we rate his statement False.","On the Aug. 19, 2009, Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, Sanders responded to a question about corporate interests' role in the health care reform debate by saying, \"We spend twice as much per capita on health care as any other nation on Earth. And there is a reason why the insurance companies, year after year, make huge profits and pay their CEOs tens and tens of millions of dollars in compensation salaries. And the reason for that is that these guys exert enormous influence over the political process in Washington.\"","People consume the most health care at the beginning and the end of life, she said. Births are expensive and so is the latter part of life when \"chronic conditions start to creep up.\""]},{"id":"3130.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The American people say, dont touch Social Security, dont touch Medicare, dont cut defense. Thats 84 percent of the federal budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Conrad that the American people do not want Social Security, Medicare, and defense to be touched, and these three areas constitute 84 percent of the federal budget. However, upon closer examination, it is evident that this number is not entirely accurate. While Social Security, Medicare, and defense spending do make up a significant portion of the federal budget, they account for approximately 54 percent, not 84 percent. Therefore, while the sentiment expressed by the American people is valid, the specific percentage mentioned in the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"That\u2019s exactly what Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Sen. Dan Patrick, both trying to capture the tea party vote in the Republican primary, did earlier this week when posed a question about repealing the 17th Amendment.\"","Patterson and another GOP candidate, Texas agriculture commissioner Todd Staples, who weren\u2019t asked about repeal at the October debate, each said at the later debate that he opposes repealing the amendment, according to a YouTube video that King Street spokesman Logan Churchwell told us by phone accurately presented the candidates\u2019 responses.","The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1913, did away with state legislatures electing U.S. senators and handed that power directly to the people. It begins, \"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.\"","At the time, the 17th Amendment was seen as a move away from corruption and toward purer democracy, according to an Oct. 10, 2013, Austin American-Statesman news blog post and an Oct. 16 Statesman news story. But tea party activists, particularly in Texas, describe it as a mistake that reduced state power by undoing an intended balance between U.S. representatives elected locally by the people and U.S. senators more accountable to state legislators."]},{"id":"8770.json","label":"true","statement":"Trey Radel does not even qualify to drive a Lee County school bus at this point, yet he occupies a seat in Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Multiple sources, including Sheriff Mike Scott, have made the claim that Trey Radel, at the time, did not meet the qualifications to drive a Lee County school bus due to his conviction. This assertion highlights the irony of Radel holding a seat in Congress despite not meeting the requirements for a less significant role such as a school bus driver.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11231.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Many of the great scholars say that anchor babies are not covered by the 14th Amendment.","reason":"Reason: While there are differing opinions among legal scholars regarding the interpretation of the 14th Amendment and its application to birthright citizenship, it is an oversimplification to claim that \"many of the great scholars\" agree that \"anchor babies\" are not covered by the 14th Amendment. The issue is a subject of legal debate, and there are scholars who argue both for and against birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate in acknowledging the existence of differing opinions among legal scholars, but it exaggerates the consensus by using the term \"many\" without providing a clear majority or consensus view.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our campaign is about defeating Secretary Clinton on the real issues,\" he responded. \"I want to break up the Wall Street banks. She doesn\u2019t. I want to raise the minimum wage to 15 bucks an hour. She wants $12 an hour. I voted against the war in Iraq. She voted for the war in Iraq. I believe we should ban fracking. She does not. I believe we should have tax on carbon and deal aggressively with climate change. That is not her position. Those are some of the issues that I am campaigning on.\"","Democrats \"need virtually unanimous support\" to pass the reconciliation bill, said Marc Goldwein, senior vice president at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. \"They need enough policies to make people satisfied. It\u2019s a delicate tightrope.\"","Sanders is right about Clinton\u2019s Iraq war vote and where she stands on breaking up banks, a $15 minimum wage and fracking. (For more of their policy differences, read this.) But is he also right about their differences on carbon tax and climate change?","That isn\u2019t the only point of disagreement among candidates. The Democrats\u2019 climate change proposals splinter in terms of how they plan to cut emissions, specifically whether or not they support implementing a tax on carbon."]},{"id":"3662.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texans spend $2.5 billion gambling in our neighboring states every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including a pro-casino group and a web ad, indicate that Texans spend approximately $2.5 billion annually on gambling in neighboring states like Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico. While there may be slight variations in the exact figure, the general claim that Texans contribute a significant amount to the gambling industries of neighboring states is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"While serving in the city council, Rachel Zenzinger voted to use tax dollars to take a taxpayer funded junket to China,\" the mailer said.","In a political mailer, Colorado Citizens for Accountable Government stated, \"While serving in the city council, Rachel Zenzinger voted to use tax dollars to take a taxpayer funded junket to China.\"","On July 5, PolitiFact and its partner Denver7 checked the facts of an earlier mailer from Colorado Citizens for Accountable Government that said, \"While serving in the city council, Rachel Zenzinger voted to use tax dollars to take a taxpayer funded junket to China.\"","For the second straight election, a conservative group has attacked a Democratic Colorado state Senate candidate with the same claim: \"Rachel Zenzinger voted to use tax dollars to take a taxpayer-funded junket to China.\""]},{"id":"11401.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas has outstripped the national poverty rate since at least 1959.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Texas has consistently exceeded the national poverty rate since at least 1959. The U.S. Census Bureau data, as analyzed by experts, indicates that the poverty rate in Texas has been higher than the national average every year from 1959 to 2014. However, it's important to note that there is a small gap in the data for individuals aged 65 and older from 1960 to 1965. Overall, the evidence strongly suggests that Texas has consistently had a higher poverty rate compared to the national average for a significant period of time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the middle of the pandemic, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers presented his spending blueprint for 2021-22. The plan generated about the same enthusiasm from Republicans that his various actions aimed at stemming the coronavirus outbreak have.","To find a governor to issue more pardons than Evers, you would have to go back to Gov. Julius Heil in 1939.","For instance, numbers of pardons issued per governor provided by Evers differed from those provided by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. The governor\u2019s office said Lucey issued 457 pardons through his six years in office. The bureau says the number was 392.","\"These are some of the terrible proposals Governor Evers is pushing for in his budget,\" state Rep. Rick Gundrum, R-Slinger, said in a March 29, 2021 tweet. \"Governor\u2019s \u2018Bounce Backward\u2019 Budget increases taxes $1 billion +\""]},{"id":"9541.json","label":"false","statement":"As Alaskas attorney general, (U.S. Senate candidate Dan) Sullivan successfully fought to protect our Second Amendment rights and passed stand your ground.","reason":"Reason: The provided evidence does not support the claim that Dan Sullivan, as Alaska's attorney general, successfully fought to protect Second Amendment rights and passed stand your ground legislation. The evidence primarily focuses on the upcoming election in Alaska, the candidates running, and the ranked-choice voting system. It does not provide any specific information or examples of Dan Sullivan's actions as attorney general related to Second Amendment rights or stand your ground legislation. Therefore, the claim is unsupported and false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11461.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"To abide by Environmental Protection Agency rules when mining or drilling you have to take caution not to disturb bodies of water barely bigger than a puddle.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification of the regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act. While it is true that the EPA has expanded its interpretation of the Act to include smaller bodies of water such as drainage ditches and private retaining ponds, the claim that mining or drilling operations must take caution not to disturb bodies of water \"barely bigger than a puddle\" is an exaggeration. The regulations are more nuanced and consider the potential impact on water quality and downstream waters. Therefore, while there are additional considerations for smaller bodies of water, the statement misrepresents the extent of caution required.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","More than 4 million Texans were forced to bear single-digit temperatures without heat or power this week when a polar vortex crippled the state\u2019s energy system.","Abbott\u2019s tweet linked to a news blog post in which the Houston Chronicle reported that while the number of requests to buy firearms in Texas had topped 1 million for the year, the Lone Star State still trailed California in such requests, according to the FBI.","Todd later agreed by phone that it\u2019s a rule of judicial decision-making that Texas appeals courts follow the highest state court\u2019s ruling even on a matter of federal constitutionality. Then again, Todd said, \"I\u2019ve always felt like they\u2019re not going to ignore what the 5th Circuit says.\""]},{"id":"11245.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"How do Jeb Bush and Donald Trump differ on immigration? Spoiler alert: They dont.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Jeb Bush and Donald Trump do not differ on immigration is an oversimplification. While there may be areas of agreement between the two candidates on certain aspects of immigration policy, such as border security, there are also notable differences in their approaches. For example, Jeb Bush has advocated for a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants, while Donald Trump has taken a more hardline stance, emphasizing stricter enforcement and proposing measures like building a border wall. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that they do not differ on immigration. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"3118.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The White House promised us that all the spending would keep unemployment under 8 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some critics of the stimulus package have claimed that the White House promised that the spending would keep unemployment under 8 percent, fact-checking organizations such as PolitiFact have found these claims to be mostly false. The Obama administration did not explicitly promise that the stimulus would guarantee an unemployment rate below 8 percent. Rather, they projected that the stimulus would help stabilize the economy and mitigate job losses. The statement misrepresents the actual claims made by the White House regarding the impact of the stimulus on unemployment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["When Obama entered Occidental, he was known as Barry Obama. Around the time he left, he preferred Barack. Soetoro was the last name of Obama's stepfather, with whom he lived in Indonesia before moving in with his grandparents in the United States.","Michael Hoefer, Nancy Rytina, and Bryan C. Baker, \"Estimates of the Unathorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2009,\" Department of Homeland Security, January 2010","The whole story is better reflected in the total estimated population of illegal immigrants in the United States. Using monthly Census data, the Center for Immigration Studies estimated that \"the illegal population declined 13.7 percent (1.7 million) from a peak of 12.5 million in the summer of 2007 to 10.8 million in the first quarter of 2009.\" This is similar to DHS estimates, which also saw a downward trend from a peak of 11.8 million in 2007 to 10.8 million in 2009.","Barack Obama's records at Occidental remain sealed under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Rights Act, which applies to all students. Unless Obama gives Occidental permission to release his record, it is illegal for them to do so, and Obama has not given Occidental permission, according to Tranquada."]},{"id":"11528.json","label":"false","statement":"Texas #2 in nation for new gun purchases, behind California.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Governor Greg Abbott did tweet in 2015 that Texas was ranked second in the nation for new gun purchases, behind California, further analysis and data show that this claim is inaccurate. The FBI advises against using background check requests as a reliable indicator of gun purchases. Adjusting for population, Texas actually ranked lower in per-capita background check requests compared to several other states, including California. Additionally, data from 2020 indicates that both California and New York had lower gun death rates than Texas, suggesting that the claim of Texas being second in new gun purchases is not supported by evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11921.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The richest 80 people in the world own more wealth than the bottom half of the global population.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Oxfam report, which utilized data from Credit Suisse and Forbes to determine that the combined wealth of the richest 80 individuals is greater than the wealth of the bottom half of the global population. The report estimated that the bottom half, consisting of approximately 3.5 billion people, owned less than 1 percent of the world's household wealth, which amounts to around $1.7 trillion. While the exact number may vary slightly, the general claim that a small number of individuals possess more wealth than a significant portion of the global population is supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, claimed poverty rates have not changed much since the War on Poverty. (Associated Press photo) !House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, claimed poverty rates have not changed much since the War on Poverty. (Associated Press photo)","\"I think everyone in the room knows that this is a moment of extraordinary progress. Over the last 30 years, extreme poverty has been cut in half. Boys and girls are enrolling in primary school at nearly equal rates, and there are half as many children out of school today as there were 15 years ago,\" Smith said in a speech on Capitol Hill.","A spokesperson for USAID referred us to a United Nations report((July%201).pdf) based on the 2008 definition of $1.25 a day or less. According to the report, the proportion of people living in extreme poverty fell from 36 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 2011 \u2014 a 58 percent reduction in 21 years, more than what Smith claimed.","The official poverty rate has dropped from 19 percent in 1964 to about 15 percent today. Another measure, the supplemental poverty rate, suggests the rate of poverty decreased 10 percentage points over roughly the same time period."]},{"id":"1000.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In the 1970s, the swine flu broke out . . . under another Democrat, President Jimmy Carter.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. The swine flu outbreak in the 1970s did not occur under President Jimmy Carter, who took office in 1977. It actually happened during the presidency of Gerald Ford, a Republican. Additionally, there was a smaller swine flu outbreak in 1988, which occurred under President Ronald Reagan, also a Republican. Thus, the claim that the swine flu outbreak in the 1970s happened under a Democratic president is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9055.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Earth has not warmed for the last 17 years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been a plateau in global surface temperatures over the past 17 years, it is inaccurate to claim that the Earth has not warmed during this period. The statement fails to consider other important indicators of climate change, such as rising sea levels and melting sea ice. Additionally, short-term temperature fluctuations do not invalidate the overall trend of global warming observed over longer periods. The evidence suggests that while there may have been a temporary stabilization in surface temperatures, the Earth has indeed experienced warming over the past 17 years.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"684.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Gov. Palin ... is somebody who actually doesn't believe that climate change is man-made.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Palin has expressed skepticism about the extent to which climate change is caused by human activity, it is important to note that her exact stance on the issue has evolved over time. While she has questioned the extent of human influence on climate change, she has also acknowledged that human activity plays a role. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that Governor Palin has expressed doubts about the extent of human-caused climate change rather than stating that she outright \"doesn't believe\" in it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8101.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Even the employees union for the IRS -- the very people in charge of enforcing this law -- are begging to be let out from under this law.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) has expressed opposition to efforts that would force its members into the exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is important to provide additional context. The NTEU's concerns are primarily focused on the potential disruption to federal employees' longstanding health plans, rather than a direct opposition to the ACA itself. The statement implies that the union is against the entire law, which is not entirely accurate. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation of the NTEU's position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The post that\u2019s being shared on social media doesn\u2019t identify which schools are supposedly banning Dr. Seuss. But one school district dominated search results when we went looking for evidence: Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, which was the subject of recent headlines about canceling Dr. Seuss.","Says \u201cTim Michels wants to defund public education \u2014 calling it \u2018the definition of insanity\u2019 to continue to fund public schools.\u201d","Says Tim Michels' family foundation \"funded an organization that tracks women when they get near abortion clinics \u2026 he wants to treat women like they're the criminals.\"","\"Kids need books that are as diverse and complex as the society in which we live,\" an NEA spokesperson told PolitiFact."]},{"id":"5988.json","label":"half-true","statement":"While Act 10 allowed (Milwaukee County) to save some money, it was millions short of what we needed to fill the hole left by the $28 million cut in state aid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Abele, the Milwaukee County official, that while Act 10 (a law related to collective bargaining) allowed the county to save some money, it fell short of filling the financial gap caused by the $28 million cut in state aid. However, it's important to note that there is a disagreement between county officials and the governor's office regarding the overall financial impact. The governor's office argues that the county also saved $4.9 million due to the state assuming control of certain public assistance employees, which they consider as an offset to the aid cut. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in reflecting Abele's perspective, it does not encompass the full context of the financial situation and the differing viewpoints.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"79.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"21-million Americans could have a four-year college scholarship for the money we've squandered in Iraq. 7.6-million teachers could have been hired last year if we weren't squandering this money.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The claim that \"21-million Americans could have a four-year college scholarship for the money squandered in Iraq\" is an estimation based on the amount of money spent on the Iraq War. However, it's important to note that this is a hypothetical scenario and the actual allocation of funds for college scholarships would depend on various factors. The claim that \"7.6-million teachers could have been hired last year if we weren't squandering this money\" is also an estimation based on the amount of money spent on the war. While it highlights the potential alternative uses of the funds, it does not consider the practicality or feasibility of hiring such a large number of teachers in a single year. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks some nuance and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6924.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under the Obama administration, we are drilling and producing more domestic energy supplies than we ever had before.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is accurate to say that domestic oil production has increased under the Obama administration. However, it is important to note that this increase in domestic energy supplies is not solely attributed to the policies of the Obama administration. Factors such as the recession, increased fuel efficiency, and pre-existing dynamics have also contributed to this increase. While the Obama administration has implemented certain restrictions on drilling and rejected the Keystone XL pipeline, it is not accurate to solely attribute the increase in domestic energy supplies to these policies. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["RICK PERRY: \"And he's going to pay for them all with raising your taxes. That is the issue. He had $800 billion worth of stimulus in the first round of stimulus. It created zero jobs, $400-plus billion dollars in this package. And I can do the math on that one. Half of zero jobs is going to be zero jobs.\"","So these statistics may overstate the actual number of jobs created. But not by enough to make Brown's zero-jobs claim accurate.","But we think anyone seeing the ad would conclude the zero-jobs claim is tied to the stimulus. The commercial makes no apparent reference to unemployment reports. It clearly mentions the stimulus, however.","Texas Gov. Rick Perry said during a Republican presidential debate Sept. 12, 2011, that the stimulus \"created zero jobs.\" He earned a Pants on Fire from our national PolitiFact colleagues."]},{"id":"8742.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Federal law requires residents to participate in the U.S. governments American Community Survey.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Federal law does require residents to participate in the U.S. government's American Community Survey (ACS). The U.S. Census Bureau explicitly states in their letters to recipients that they are required by law to respond to the survey. However, it's important to note that while participation is legally mandated, the Bureau does not actively seek to penalize individuals who fail to comply. Recipients can refuse to participate without immediate legal consequences, although non-compliance may result in follow-up visits or contacts from the Bureau to encourage participation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11113.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I deployed the Texas National Guard to the Texas-Mexico border. And the policy worked; apprehensions at the border declined 74 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Perry deployed the Texas National Guard to the Texas-Mexico border and claimed that apprehensions at the border declined by 74 percent, the statement is considered barely-true. While there was a decline in apprehensions, it is unclear whether the decrease can be solely attributed to the Texas National Guard deployment. Other factors, such as Border Patrol staffing, actions by Mexico, and seasonal fluctuations, could have contributed to the decline. Therefore, while there was a decrease in apprehensions, it is not accurate to solely credit the policy of deploying the Texas National Guard for the entire decline.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"787.json","label":"true","statement":"Under Barack Obama's health care proposal, \"if you've got a health care plan that you like, you can keep it.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Barack Obama's repeated assertion that under his health care proposal, individuals who have a health care plan they like would be able to keep it. This claim was made by Obama himself on multiple occasions, including during town hall meetings and debates. However, it is important to note that after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), some individuals did experience changes to their health care plans due to new regulations and requirements. Therefore, while the intention was for people to keep their plans, the reality was more nuanced, and not all individuals were able to retain their existing plans as initially promised.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The next contest for the U.S. House seat representing Texas\u2019 23rd District is still a year away, but already incumbent Rep. Will Hurd is a target. Pete Gallego, an Alpine Democrat who represented the district before losing his seat to Hurd by a narrow margin in 2014, went on the attack, telling the Texas Tribune , \"One of my biggest disappointments in watching Will is that Will tends to have a 96 percent straight Republican, straight party voting record. He\u2019s a follower.\"","We were curious whether the 96 percent figure Gallego cited was literally true, or just hyperbole \u2014 and whether that number is unusually high \u2014 so we took a closer look at Hurd\u2019s voting record.","It\u2019s also important to put these numbers in context. During his term, Hurd has voted with the party a greater percentage of the time than the Republican average across the House over the same time period, 93.6 percent, but he diverges more often than 17 of his 24 fellow Texas Republicans, a group that has voted with the party an average of 97.4 percent of the time in party unity votes during the 114th Congress.","While it\u2019s not strictly relevant to the truth value of Gallego\u2019s claim about Hurd, all this begs the question of Gallego\u2019s own voting record during his tenure in the House. During Gallego\u2019s time in Congress, he voted with his party 81 percent of the time, according to Open Congress voting records. Of course, this number can\u2019t be directly compared with the 89.6 percent average mentioned above for Texas Democrats in the House, because that figure is for the current session, not the one Gallego served. In the interest of comparing apples to apples, we calculated how frequently Gallego\u2019s fellow Texas Democrats in the House voted with their party during his term. The average came out to a slightly more modest 86.2 percent."]},{"id":"13325.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Democratic Party is the oldest continuous political party in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate to say that the Democratic Party is the oldest continuous political party in the United States, it is important to note that other political parties in different countries may also claim to be the oldest continuous political party in the world. However, the Democratic Party's roots can be traced back to the early years of the United States, specifically to the Democratic-Republican Party founded by Thomas Jefferson in the 1790s. The party has undergone name changes and ideological shifts over the years, but it has maintained a continuous presence in American politics.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Women consistently bring Democrats over the top in these purple states,\" Rosen said during the Nov. 10 show. \"When you look at Chris Christie and you try and take that forward, you\u2019ve got an anti-choice candidate who has vetoed Planned Parenthood funding five times over the course of his governorship.\"","Says Chris Christie \"vetoed equal pay for women 3 times. He only let the bill pass once it became a damaging campaign issue.\"","Depending on how you count the vetoes, Ultraviolet\u2019s claim may even be a veto short. On June 29, 2015, the day before the meme was posted to the group\u2019s Facebook page, Christie vetoed family planning services funding restoration for the fifth time. But, if you consider Christie\u2019s initial cut in funding, then he has vetoed Planned Parenthood funding six times.","1. \"Vetoed Planned Parenthood funding five times\": This isn\u2019t the first time this claim has caught our attention. In November 2013, PunditFact did a check on a similar claim made by a Democratic pundit, and ruled it Mostly True. The claim is largely accurate."]},{"id":"6222.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the health care law, everybody will have lower rates, better quality care and better access.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Affordable Care Act aimed to increase access to healthcare and improve the quality of care, it did not guarantee that \"everybody will have lower rates.\" The impact of the law on rates varied depending on individual circumstances, and while some individuals may have experienced lower rates, others saw their premiums increase. Additionally, the claim that \"everybody will have better quality care and better access\" is overly broad and does not accurately reflect the complexities and variations in healthcare outcomes and access under the law.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"307.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hillary Clinton wants to \"wave the white flag of surrender and set a date for withdrawal.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects John McCain's criticism of Hillary Clinton, accusing her of wanting to \"wave the white flag of surrender\" and setting a date for troop withdrawal in Iraq. However, it's important to note that this statement is a political attack and may not fully capture Clinton's nuanced position on the matter. While Clinton did express support for setting a time frame to start withdrawing troops, it does not necessarily imply surrender, but rather a desire to bring the troops home. Therefore, while the statement captures McCain's perspective, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of Clinton's stance.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Why did Scott Walker cut school funding more per student than any governor in America? Where did the money go? To Scott Walker's friends. Walker gave his corporate friends half a billion dollars in tax breaks and giveaways.\"","\"She was directly involved in the budget planning process during the transition period and then in each of the budget periods once we took office,\" it quotes Walker as saying.","Taxes were surely cut during the Walker administration \u2013 to the tune of more than $8 billion during their eight years in office.","Can the lieutenant governor \u2013 who does not introduce or write legislation, and does not sign or veto bills \u2013 cut taxes?"]},{"id":"8412.json","label":"half-true","statement":"All members of Congress are required to be in Obamacare, but Obama and members of his administration have their own gold-plated health care plans that theyre in.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that all members of Congress are required to be enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is misleading to claim that President Obama and members of his administration have their own separate \"gold-plated\" health care plans. Like other federal employees, they are offered health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), which is the same program available to all federal employees, including members of Congress. It is not a separate or exclusive plan. Therefore, while there is a distinction in the way the statement is presented, it is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A June 2011 budget review by the Congressional Budget Office which, using the same math, indicates 41 cents of every dollar spent is borrowed.","A summary of the fiscal 2012 federal budget, which shows revenue of $2.17 trillion and spending of $3.82 trillion. Sweeney divided the first figure by the second to show that 57 cents of every dollar the government spends comes from revenue, which means the other 43 cents are borrowed.","To check the most recent data, we used the Treasury Department\u2019s May 2011 revenue and spending report, the latest available when Ryan did the radio interview. It indicates that, for the fiscal year to that point in time, the government borrowed 39 cents for every dollar it spends. Ryan is also within 3 cents of that figure, so we\u2019ll judge his first claim as essentially accurate.","So the true figures are a bit below Rigell\u2019s claim that we are covering 40 cents of every dollar spent with debt. But he\u2019s pretty close to the right number."]},{"id":"13519.json","label":"false","statement":"Trumps Health Secretary Pick Wants a Medicare Phaseout by Summer 2017.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Rep. Tom Price, Donald Trump's pick for Health and Human Services secretary, has expressed a desire to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, there is no credible evidence to suggest that he wants to phase out Medicare. The sources provided do not support the claim made in the statement. It is important to rely on accurate and reliable information when discussing policy positions and intentions of public figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7481.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rhode Island could tell you who has a camper, but we couldnt figure out who has a gun.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that while Rhode Island has information on individuals who own campers, it lacks a system or information regarding individuals who own guns. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific claim. However, it is plausible that Rhode Island may have a system or registration process for campers, such as for taxation or licensing purposes, while not having a similar system specifically for tracking gun ownership. Without further evidence, it is reasonable to consider the statement as mostly true, acknowledging that the evidence does not directly confirm or refute it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"One of the things I would immediately do \u2026 is bring back the warrior class -- Petraeus, McChrystal, Mattis, Keane, Flynn. ... Every one was retired early because they told President Obama things that he didn\u2019t want to hear.\"","A reader offered a wrinkle we hadn\u2019t included in our analysis of Carly Fiorina\u2019s GOP debate claim that \"one of the things I would immediately do \u2026 is bring back the warrior class -- Petraeus, McChrystal, Mattis, Keane, Flynn. ... Every one was retired early because they told President Obama things that he didn\u2019t want to hear.\" We rated thatMostly False.","\"To wage war, we need a commander in chief who has made tough calls in tough times and stood up to be held accountable over and over, not first-term senators who've never made an executive decision in their life,\" Fiorina said. \"One of the things I would immediately do, in addition to defeating them here at home, is bring back the warrior class -- Petraeus, McChrystal, Mattis, Keane, Flynn. Every single one of these generals I know. Every one was retired early because they told President Obama things that he didn't want to hear.\"","Fiorina said that five generals -- Petraeus, McChrystal, Mattis, Keane, and Flynn -- resigned because they all told Obama things he didn\u2019t want to hear. Fiorina might be pushing the point of whether Obama himself didn\u2019t like what they had to say, but two of the men -- Mattis and Flynn -- likely departed over policy differences, published reporting shows."]},{"id":"3148.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the United States does not trade as much as other developed nations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. When comparing the United States to other developed nations, it is evident that the United States does not engage in trade to the same extent. While the United States may appear to be a top exporter in absolute numbers, when considering exports relative to GDP, the picture changes. Other developed nations, such as Germany and China, have economies that heavily rely on and promote exports. Additionally, the United States' self-sufficiency and geographic factors contribute to a lower level of cross-border trade compared to countries in Europe, for example.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Those fully remain intact. Civil service does not get altered by the modest changes we\u2019re talking about here. Collective bargaining is fully intact. You\u2019ve got merit hiring, you\u2019ve got just cause for termination and for discipline. All those things remain.\"","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin AFL-CIO says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget repair bill would take away all rights in the workplace for public employees,\"Feb. 17, 2011","PolitiFact Wisconsin, Wisconsin AFL-CIO says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget repair bill would take away all rights in the workplace for public employees, Feb. 17, 2011","Indeed, it\u2019s that provision that provoked daily demonstrations at the state Capitol and national media attention. To now say now say collective bargaining would remain \"fully intact\" is not just false, it\u2019s ridiculously false."]},{"id":"11387.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A state agency wanted to fire an employee who spent four hours per day watching pornography, but the state employment commission reinstated the person.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was an incident involving an employee in a state agency who was terminated for watching pornography for several hours a day, the statement inaccurately attributes the reinstatement to the state employment commission. In reality, the employee was reinstated through a private arbitration process, which was part of the collective bargaining agreement between the department and the employee's union. Therefore, the claim that the state employment commission reinstated the person is incorrect. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"17.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"If we increase fuel efficiency standards to 40, 45 miles a gallon, we would have to import zero oil from the Middle East.\"","reason":"Reason: While increasing fuel efficiency standards can reduce the overall demand for oil and potentially decrease the need for oil imports, it is an oversimplification to claim that reaching a specific mileage requirement, such as 40 or 45 miles per gallon, would completely eliminate the need to import oil from the Middle East. The statement fails to consider other factors that contribute to oil imports, such as global oil market dynamics, geopolitical considerations, and the diversity of oil sources. While increasing fuel efficiency standards can contribute to reducing oil dependence, it is unlikely to eliminate the need for oil imports entirely.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6439.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate rival Eric Hovde refused to pay his property taxes until he was taken to court.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Eric Hovde's firm refused to pay penalties associated with property taxes until they lost a court ruling. While it is important to note that the refusal was specifically related to the penalties and not the property taxes themselves, the statement captures the essence of the situation. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I was elected to the Senate in 1983. So I've been here more than 32 years. It's still two Selmas. The unemployment rate for African-Americans is roughly three times that of whites. But the poverty rate is roughly nine times that of whites. So there are two Selmas. I don't know of a black-owned business here on Main Street. All the blacks go to their churches and all the whites go to their churches, most of the children are in separate schools.\"","Even taking into account the Census Bureau\u2019s stated margins of error -- roughly plus-or-minus 5 percentage points for Selma and plus-or-minus 3 percentage points for Dallas County -- Sanders' claim is off base for the poverty rate. He\u2019s closer when comparing the unemployment rate -- unemployment is about 2.3 times higher for blacks in Selma and 2.5 times higher for blacks in Dallas County. That\u2019s a little less than the \"roughly three times\" Sanders cited.","It didn\u2019t surprise us that there is a racial gap between rich and poor in Selma. But is the poverty rate really nine times as high for blacks as it is for whites? We turned to figures from the U.S. Census Bureau to find out.","There\u2019s no question that a substantial economic gap exists between blacks and whites in Selma and Dallas County, even a half-century after \"Bloody Sunday.\" But documented poverty rates are a little over three times higher for blacks -- not nine times, as Sanders said. We rate the claim Half True."]},{"id":"10417.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today, home sales are up nearly 50 percent from where they were in the worst of the crisis.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly address home sales, it does highlight the ongoing rental affordability crisis and the lack of affordable housing in the United States. The information suggests that there is a high demand for housing, which could potentially lead to an increase in home sales. However, without specific data on home sales, it is difficult to verify the exact percentage mentioned in the statement. Therefore, while the statement is likely accurate, it would benefit from more specific evidence to support the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"He (Obama) was proposing what they called pinprick strikes \u2014 basically a symbolic strike to send a message, but not backed up by a clear plan,\" Rubio said, without elaborating on who \"they\" were.","Obama\u2019s Syria policy has been a target for Republicans during the campaign, but did Obama refer to potential strikes against Assad as \"a pinprick\" attack?","Other experts we\u2019ve asked have generally agreed with this line of argument. In short, even under the War Powers Resolution, the president can send in forces without approval from Congress. An unresolved legal issue is what happens if forces are kept in place for a longer period of time, but at this moment, no one is proposing that military option.","The Constitution and the War Powers Resolution set the terms for military engagement. In Article II, Section 2, the Constitution says the president is commander in chief of the armed forces. Then, in Article I, Section 8, it assigns the right to declare war to Congress. The last time that actually happened was at the beginning of World War II, when Franklin Roosevelt was president."]},{"id":"10391.json","label":"false","statement":"Polls on legalizing same-sex marriage are not dramatically changing.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that public opinion polls on legalizing same-sex marriage have indeed shown significant changes over time. It is acknowledged that a majority of Americans now support same-sex marriage, as indicated by polls and even by the shift in the views of prominent figures like Hillary Clinton. The statement made by Appling suggesting that the polls are not dramatically changing is contradicted by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1330.json","label":"false","statement":"In the House health care bill, \"Something like 2 percent of the people would [be] eligible even to get the public option.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The House health care bill does not limit eligibility for the public option to only 2 percent of the population. The evidence provided does not support this claim, and there is no credible information or analysis to suggest that such a restriction exists in the House health care bill. It is important to ensure accurate information is used when discussing policy proposals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The National Republican Congressional Committee is airing an ad attacking David Gill, the Democratic nominee in Illinois\u2019 13th Congressional District, an open seat that includes portions of Springfield, Decatur and Champaign. Gill is running against Republican Rodney Davis, a former congressional aide and state party executive director.","Narrator : Politician David Gill supports keeping the new health care law, gutting Medicare. But Gill wanted to go further: forcing each American into government-run health care. And to pay for it, Gill supported a new income tax.","We ran this by Richard Kaplan, an elder law expert at the University of Illinois, who agreed the Republicans have not voted to end Medicare.","So let\u2019s put this in perspective. The NRCC isn\u2019t merely criticizing Gill\u2019s \"plan\" -- one he praised with some limitations eight years ago, a time well before passage of President Barack Obama\u2019s health care bill, which was intended to solve some of the health care policy challenges Gill perceived in 2004. Instead, the NRCC is also saying it\u2019s Gill\u2019s intention to \"end Medicare.\""]},{"id":"4110.json","label":"half-true","statement":"New Mexico is the second Hollywood because of tax incentives for the film industry.","reason":"Reason: While New Mexico has implemented tax incentives that have successfully attracted the film industry to the state, it is an exaggeration to claim that New Mexico is the second Hollywood solely based on these incentives. The statement fails to consider the broader factors that contribute to the status of Hollywood, such as the concentration of major film studios, the historical significance, and the overall scale of the industry. While New Mexico has become a popular filming location, it does not possess the same level of infrastructure, industry influence, and cultural impact as Hollywood. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7856.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that in Texas, Republican nominees get 40 percent of the Latino vote on average.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Republican nominees in Texas have, on average, received around 40 percent of the Latino vote. Multiple sources, including political analysts and pollsters, indicate that while the majority of Latinos in Texas tend to vote for Democrats, Republican candidates for president and governor have averaged approximately 40 percent of the Texas Latino vote. This suggests that Republicans cannot afford to ignore the Latino vote in Texas and actively campaign for it. However, it's important to note that the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific election and candidates involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Last year,\" he wrote, \"the graduation rate for our combined six-district footprint jumped 5.5 percent (from 56.8 percent to 62.3 percent).\"","In reviewing his tenure as Portland mayor, Sam Adams said that the city was well on its way to improving graduation rates. Last year alone, he said, \"the graduation rate for our combined six-district footprint jumped 5.5% (from 56.8% to 62.3%).\"","The city school district recorded a 46.8 percent four-year graduation rate through June of the 2011-2012 school year, according to the New York state Education Department. The rate increased to 53.4 percent in 2013, the first year graduates were eligible for the program.","Says \"of the 2,000 Portland households in the year-long (composting) pilot, 87 percent of participants reported being satisfied with the overall system.\""]},{"id":"811.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Senator McCain would pay for part of his (health care) plan by making drastic cuts in Medicare $882-billion worth.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Center for American Progress estimated that Senator McCain's health plan would require approximately $882 billion in reduced spending growth over a decade, it is important to note that the McCain campaign did not propose making cuts to Medicare benefits or services to achieve these savings. Instead, they intended to achieve cost savings through measures such as overhauling reimbursement policies, streamlining treatments, combating fraud and waste, and promoting the use of lower-cost drugs. The McCain campaign emphasized that these changes would not result in cuts to Medicare benefits or services.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"President Obama's own director of national intelligence, Admiral Blair, put it this way: 'High-value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided a deeper understanding of the al-Qaida organization that was attacking this country,' \" Cheney said in a May 21, 2009, speech at the American Enterprise Institute.","\"All of us remember the horror of 9\/11. For months afterwards we did not have a clear understanding of the enemy we were dealing with, and our every effort was focused on preventing further attacks that would kill more Americans. It was during these months that the CIA was struggling to obtain critical information from captured al-Qaida leaders, and requested permission to use harsher interrogation methods. ... High-value information came from interrogations in which those methods were used and provided deeper understanding of the al-Qaida organization that was attacking this country.\"","So Cheney mentioned the quote from Blair that the enhanced interrogations provided \"high-value information,\" but failed to mention Blair's later clarification that while the techniques did provide information, there is no way of knowing if that information could have been obtained through other means.","Cheney is right about there being two different versions of an April 16 memo sent by Adm. Dennis C. Blair, President Obama\u2019s director of national intelligence."]},{"id":"8106.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Oregons political tax credit is something every state should have and no other state does.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Oregon has a political tax credit that allows donors to direct their donations, it is not accurate to claim that no other state has a similar provision. In fact, there are three other states that also have political contribution tax credits. Therefore, the statement that no other state has a similar provision is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["During the second GOP debate, Jeb Bush said that Florida stood up to Donald Trump when he tried to bring casino gambling to Florida.","Trump said it was \"totally false\" that he sought casino gambling and failed, but we find that Bush has the better part of this fight. We rate Bush\u2019s statement Mostly True.","When Bush called out Trump for saying it was \"totally false\" that he sought casino gambling and failed, we rated his claim Mostly True.","\"I am opposed to casino gambling in this state, and I am opposed whether it is on Indian property or otherwise,\" Bush told the Tampa Bay Times in 1999. Bush also threatened to sue to prevent gambling in the state."]},{"id":"11009.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States doesnt have the highest murder rate among developed countries. You look at Russia, you look at Brazil, those are countries that have 3 to 5 times higher murder rates than what we have here in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the United States does not have the highest murder rate among developed countries. Russia and Brazil are provided as examples of countries with significantly higher murder rates, ranging from 3 to 5 times higher than that of the United States. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks comprehensive data on all developed countries, and there may be other countries with murder rates comparable to or higher than that of the United States. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in comparing the United States to Russia and Brazil, it may not provide a complete picture of the murder rates in all developed countries.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10405.json","label":"false","statement":"President Barack Obamas policies have resulted in gas prices being reduced from $3.07 per gallon when he was sworn in in 2009 to $2.30 today.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that gas prices have decreased since President Obama took office, it is inaccurate to solely attribute this reduction to his policies. Gas prices are influenced by a variety of factors, including global oil markets, supply and demand dynamics, and geopolitical events. The president's policies may have had some impact on gas prices, but it is misleading to claim that they are solely responsible for the reduction from $3.07 per gallon in 2009 to $2.30 today. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6527.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration willfully leaked the existence of STUXNET (a computer worm used against Iran), allowing our enemies to learn more of our secrets and of our operations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Obama administration did not intentionally leak the existence of STUXNET, a computer worm used against Iran's nuclear program. The worm was discovered and analyzed by cybersecurity experts, who eventually made its existence public. However, it is true that the public disclosure of STUXNET did provide some information about the capabilities and tactics of the United States in cyber warfare, potentially allowing adversaries to gain insights into our operations. Therefore, while the leak was not intentional, it did result in unintended consequences regarding the exposure of certain secrets and operations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Buono \"voted to raise her own pay 40 percent,\" the ad claims, from $35,000 to $49,000, as it points out differences between the two candidates in areas of education, taxes and more. The election is Nov. 5.","So yes, Buono voted to raise her salary 40 percent -- with a heap of help from her Republican friends and colleagues. Since the claim is accurate but needs clarification or additional information, we rate it Mostly True.","\"So, in short, Barbara Buono cast a vote to raise her salary by 40% while embarking on a career of voting to raise taxes and fees on New Jerseyans 154 times and neither she nor her campaign is disputing it,\" spokesman Kevin Roberts said in an e-mail.","Both houses of the Legislature passed the bill on Jan. 10, 2000. For legislators, the result was the 40 percent hike."]},{"id":"7777.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When Susan Rice spoke about Benghazi on Sunday news shows, she said that al-Qaida might be involved, or other al-Qaida affiliates might be involved, or non-al-Qaida Libyan extremists, which I think demonstrates that there was no effort to play that down.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Susan Rice on the Sunday news shows regarding the possibility of al-Qaida involvement or the involvement of other al-Qaida affiliates or non-al-Qaida Libyan extremists. However, it is important to note that the context of her statements and the subsequent investigation revealed that there were indeed efforts to downplay the involvement of organized terrorist groups, including al-Qaida, in the Benghazi attack. The intelligence community and the administration initially did not have concrete evidence but later acknowledged the presence of extremist elements. While Rice's remarks may not have been a deliberate attempt to play down the situation, the overall handling of the incident did involve some efforts to downplay the role of organized terrorism. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On the Feb. 10, 2013, edition of WFAA-TV\u2019s \"Inside Texas Politics,\" Rep. Garnet Coleman of Houston, who hopes that Texas follows Florida and other states in opening Medicaid to more people, said: \"We have the most uninsured people of any other state; it\u2019s 6 million people.\"","By email, Coleman conceded that his broadcasted comment was incorrect, saying: \"Texas has the second-highest total number of uninsured people, with over 6 million uninsured,\" which he called dismal.","Truth-O-Meter articles, \"Garnet Coleman says Texas has the most uninsured residents of any state--6 million,\" PolitiFact Texas, March 6, 2013; \"Texas has highest uninsured rate and most uninsured children in country,\" PolitiFact Texas, Dec. 19, 2013","That wasn\u2019t so before. In 2013, we rated Mostly False a declaration by Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, that Texas had the nation\u2019s most uninsured people, 6 million. As of 2011, then the latest year of survey data, Texas led the nation with its 24 percent share of uninsured residents. But more-populous California was home to about 1 million more uninsured residents."]},{"id":"9769.json","label":"true","statement":"The Milwaukee Police Department has seized nearly as many firearms this year as the much larger New York City Police Department.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided. The Milwaukee Police Department has indeed seized a comparable number of firearms to the larger New York City Police Department. The evidence states that as of a certain date, the Milwaukee Police Department had confiscated 1,340 firearms, while the New York City Police Department had confiscated approximately 1,350 firearms. This indicates that the Milwaukee Police Department's efforts in seizing firearms are proportionally significant, considering the population difference between the two cities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We know the public has never had much of a love affair with politicians. This year seems to be no exception, and the candidates running for office know it.","One example was an ad shipped by mail from the campaign of Ken Hodges, a Democrat running for Georgia attorney general.","\"You couldn't find a more extreme example of going from one extreme to another. ... I just don't see how you do that and say you are not a career politician,\" Phillips said.","Feingold addressed the \"career politician\" charge in a 2010 appearance at the Milwaukee Press Club. He said he had chosen public service as a career and was proud of it."]},{"id":"9414.json","label":"false","statement":"Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has long record of voting against VA backlog fixes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has a long record of voting against VA backlog fixes. While there are mentions of press releases and scrutinizing votes, the specific details or examples of her voting against VA backlog fixes are not provided. Without concrete evidence of her voting history on this specific issue, it is not accurate to claim that she has a long record of voting against VA backlog fixes.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"434.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Among his (Obama's) pet projects is a bill ... which would commit the U.S. to spending 0.7 percent of gross national product on foreign aid.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Obama sponsored the Global Poverty Act, the act itself does not commit the United States to spending 0.7 percent of its gross national product (GNP) on foreign aid. The act aimed to establish a strategy to reduce global poverty, but it did not mandate a specific funding commitment. The claim that the act would require such a spending commitment is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4846.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have the second highest corporate tax rate among our trading partners.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to multiple sources, including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States does have one of the highest corporate tax rates among its trading partners. While there may be slight variations in the exact ranking and percentage, it is generally accurate to say that the U.S. has one of the highest corporate tax rates, with only a few countries having slightly higher rates, such as Japan. However, it's important to note that the specific ranking and percentages may vary depending on the data source and the specific year of analysis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cCompanies that will be endangered in Texas include 575 dairy facilities, 58 swine operations (and) 1,300 corn farms,\" Staples says. \"No industry is more threatened than the cattle industry. If this rule is implemented, an estimated 28,000 beef cattle operations in Texas will fall under EPA regulation.\u201d","O June 23, 2009, Staples sent a letter to Lisa Jackson, the EPA administrator, objecting to the greenhouse gas endangerment finding. That letter says that based on the USDA\u2019s herd and acreage estimates, Texas in 2007 had approximately 575 dairy facilities, 28,000 beef cattle operations, 58 swine operations and 1,300 corn farms that met the \u201cregulatory threshold.\u201d","The USDA letter says that even \u201cvery small agricultural operations\" would fall in that category: \"For example, dairy facilities and farms with over 500 acres of corn may need to get a Title V permit. It is neither efficient nor practical to require permitting and reporting of (greenhouse gas) emissions from farms of this size. Excluding only the 200,000 largest commercial farms, our agricultural landscape is comprised of 1.9 million farms with an average value of production of $25,589 on 271 acres.\u201d","Presuming his math is solid, we wondered if the nearly 2-year-old concerns shared by USDA still hold. To our queries, Staples did not say precisely why or how the EPA's permitting will endanger the Texas operations he tallies."]},{"id":"7585.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says $1,100 of the tuition paid by every Oregon university student annually goes just to pay the costs of PERS.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence confirms that a portion of the tuition paid by Oregon university students goes towards covering the costs of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). While the exact amount is slightly different from the stated $1,100, the evidence indicates that the projected share of an individual student's annual tuition going towards university staff retirement benefits was around $849. This demonstrates that a significant portion of tuition is indeed allocated to cover PERS costs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In a closed-door session with shareholders on Tuesday, Facebook executives wheeled out a set of new rules which, when implemented later this year, will ban their users from creating status updates and image posts related in any way to religion, while also vowing to disband groups and take down pages with religious goals or affiliations.\"","A new Facebook\/Meta rule allows the company to use people\u2019s photos without their permission, and posting a notice on your page will stop it from doing so.","A recent article claims that Facebook plans to institute a ban on all user-generated posts related to religion. However, the article comes from the National Report, a satirical website. It is not factual and was never intended to be. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","As for Facebook banning religion, similar bogus rumors have been floating around cyberspace for years. In March 2014, Snopes investigated a nearly identical claim. The message, allegedly issued by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, said that Facebook would be launching a \"No Religion\" campaign prohibiting the \"spreading (of) religious beliefs,\" and planned to delete the accounts of those who violated the new policy."]},{"id":"12527.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 32,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence each year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Safety For All Initiative, which proposes stronger gun and ammunition restrictions in California. The figure of \"more than 32,000 Americans\" losing their lives to gun violence each year has been supported by the CDC and has been cited by reputable sources, including PolitiFact, which rated a similar claim by Hillary Clinton as \"Mostly True.\" It's important to note that the figure includes not only homicides but also suicides and accidents related to firearms. Therefore, while the statement may lack some nuance, it is generally accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The Democrats are very sly. \u2026 (in New Hampshire) we have same day voter registration, and to be honest, when Massachusetts elections are not very close, they\u2019re busing them in all over the place.\"","\"The Democrats are very sly,\" Sununu said, before saying state Democrats changed election laws in the late 1990s or early 2000s to accommodate same-day voter registration. He then alleged that when elections in neighboring Massachusetts are not close, Democrats are \"busing them in all over the place\" and picking a phony address for people to use for same-day registration.","Trump\u2019s claim is similar to one made by Governor-elect Chris Sununu in the final weeks of the November election. He claimed New Hampshire Democrats were rigging elections by busing in Massachusetts residents to vote on election day.","We should also note that Sununu\u2019s point about same-day registration being passed by Democrats was also incorrect. The same-day registration law was signed by Republican Gov. Steve Merrill in 1994."]},{"id":"2164.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A bill to cap carbon emissions could cost Ohio 100,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: While there are conflicting claims and studies regarding the potential impact of a bill to cap carbon emissions on job loss, it is an exaggeration to definitively state that it would cost Ohio 100,000 jobs. The statement lacks specific evidence or data to support this claim. While some experts acknowledge that there could be job losses, the actual number and impact would depend on various factors and cannot be accurately predicted. Therefore, the claim of 100,000 job losses is speculative and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Scott told a group gathered for a bill-signing in late June that Florida had added 28,000 jobs from April to May, while the entire nation had only added 54,000. He has repeated the claim since, as recently as Friday.","By many metrics, the United States has bounced back from the recession better than other advanced countries. (For the record, the 10-million-jobs-added figure Obama cited is just private-sector jobs and excludes much of Obama's first year in office.)","But we wondered if, in the past six years, U.S. job growth has surpassed other leading economies by such a wide margin.","The picture\u2019s more promising when you check out all of 2011. The number of jobs added in Florida since January \u2014 76,800, according to the seasonally adjusted estimate \u2014 only improves according to unadjusted numbers. While overlooking seasonal adjustment introduces its own problems, those numbers also support the idea of job growth, with a gain of 119,700 jobs."]},{"id":"8377.json","label":"false","statement":"I am the only candidate for lieutenant governor to oppose in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Houston state senator claims to be the only candidate for lieutenant governor to oppose in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, this claim is not accurate. There have been other candidates and elected officials who have expressed opposition to in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants in Texas. Therefore, the statement does not reflect the reality of the political landscape.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10729.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When the Constitution was written, (only) 20 to 25 percent of the people in the country could vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical context of voting rights when the Constitution was written. During that time, voting rights were limited to a small subset of the population, specifically white male property owners over the age of 21. While the exact percentage may vary, historical evidence suggests that approximately 20 to 25 percent of the population had the right to vote at that time. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Nassour said Daugherty \"claims to have taken a pay cut, but for 2016, he voted to raise his salary by 19.6 percent.\"","\"Your current county commissioner claims to have taken a pay cut, but for 2016, he voted to raise his salary by 19.6 percent,\" Nassour said on Facebook Feb. 18, 2016.","Earlier this year, we found Mostly False a candidate\u2019s claim that Daugherty had voted to raise his 2016 salary 19.6 percent.","Gerald Daugherty\u2019s campaign website says: \"Leading by example, he has also taken an 8% pay decrease in each of the nine years he has been in office.\""]},{"id":"9216.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Americans for Tax Reform claimed President Obama proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office, this claim is misleading. The organization's methodology for counting tax hikes includes various proposals and changes, including proposed tax breaks. Additionally, the number includes multiple proposals within the same fiscal year's budget. Therefore, the claim of 442 separate tax increases is an exaggeration and does not accurately represent the number of distinct tax hikes proposed by President Obama.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"454.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Obama flip-flopped on a gas-tax \"holiday.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Obama voted for a gas tax holiday in the past, it is not entirely accurate to label it as a flip-flop. Obama's current opposition to a gas tax holiday is based on his conclusion that it did not effectively benefit consumers in the past and primarily benefited oil companies. This indicates a shift in his position based on new information and analysis, rather than a complete reversal without justification. Therefore, the statement that Obama flip-flopped on a gas-tax \"holiday\" is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1776.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"McCollum admitted he didn't think that the subprime mortgage crisis was a big deal, telling reporters he thought that the subprime collapse had been exaggerated by the media and investors and that 'it's not the end of the world.' \"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement is inaccurate. While the News-Press article mentions that Attorney General Bill McCollum believed the subprime collapse had been exaggerated by the media and investors, it does not attribute the statement \"it's not the end of the world\" to McCollum. Instead, it is attributed to someone else, Stipanovich, in the transcript. Therefore, the claim that McCollum admitted to not thinking the subprime mortgage crisis was a big deal and making the statement \"it's not the end of the world\" is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4564.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every month, another 50,000 U.S.-born Hispanics turn 18 and become eligible to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings from the research conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center. According to their data, approximately 50,000 U.S.-born Hispanics turn 18 and become eligible to vote each month. This information is supported by the analysis of the American Community Survey undertaken by the U.S. Census Bureau. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not account for the number of U.S.-born non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks who also turn 18 each month, which is higher. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the specific demographic of U.S.-born Hispanics, it lacks the broader context of other racial and ethnic groups reaching voting age as well.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5458.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We supported the first new nuclear power plant in three decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that the most recent nuclear power plant opened in 1996, President Obama's claim of supporting the first new nuclear power plant in three decades refers to the Vogtle power plant in Georgia. The construction of new nuclear reactors at the Vogtle plant marked a significant milestone in the development of new nuclear power plants in the United States after a long period without new construction. Therefore, while there had been no new nuclear power plants for three decades prior to the Vogtle plant, it is important to note that the construction process takes a significant amount of time, which explains the gap between the licensing of new plants and their actual opening.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9396.json","label":"false","statement":"New carbon regulations will increase electric bills by $17 billion every year and potentially put an average of 224,000 more people out of work every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are claims made by sources such as House Speaker John Boehner's website and the Chamber of Commerce that new carbon regulations will lead to increased electric bills and job losses, these claims have been widely disputed. The actual impact of carbon regulations on electric bills and employment is complex and depends on various factors. It is misleading to present these claims as definitive facts when there is significant debate and uncertainty surrounding the potential effects of carbon regulations on the economy.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10350.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"New tax increases that went into effect on Jan.1, 2015, all passed under the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. The tax increases mentioned in the email did not go into effect on January 1, 2015. In fact, the tax hike referred to in the email took effect on January 1, 2013. Additionally, the claim that all the tax increases were passed under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is false. While some tax provisions were indeed included in the Affordable Care Act, not all of the tax increases mentioned in the email were a result of Obamacare. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserving of a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12795.json","label":"false","statement":"Just on the issue of immigration alone, it is next to impossible to find a policy difference between (Donald) Trump and Congressman (Joe) Heck.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cortez Masto that there is no policy difference between Donald Trump and Congressman Joe Heck on the issue of immigration is false. While both individuals may have positions on immigration, their policies and approaches differ significantly. Donald Trump has advocated for stricter immigration enforcement, including building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, implementing a travel ban, and ending certain immigration programs. On the other hand, Congressman Heck has taken a more moderate stance, supporting comprehensive immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. These differences in policy positions demonstrate that there is indeed a distinction between Trump and Heck on the issue of immigration.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mental Health America, a nonprofit advocating for people with mental illness, ranked Texas 51st for mental health care access, behind every other state and Washington, D.C. There are some limitations in the data, which Mental Health America acknowledges.","That indicator is no longer on the foundation\u2019s site, but it also wasn\u2019t the source that O\u2019Rourke was citing. Gina Hinojosa, an O\u2019Rourke campaign spokesperson, directed us to an annual report on the \"State of Mental Health in America\" by Mental Health America, a nonprofit that advocates for people with mental illness.","During a press conference in Uvalde County, Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said the state needed to focus on mental health and not restricting gun ownership to prevent future mass shootings like the one that happened at Robb Elementary School.","\u2022 A state report put the number of pills flowing into West Virginia at more than 780 million. Using 2010 Census data, that works out to 421 pills for every resident of West Virginia."]},{"id":"13323.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rob Portman said the auto rescue was a lousy deal for Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Rob Portman has been criticized for opposing the 2009 automotive bailout and being labeled as calling it a \"lousy deal.\" While there is no direct quote from Portman himself using the term \"lousy,\" his former spokesperson has been quoted as saying that Portman still believes the auto bailout was not a good deal for Ohio. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately portrays the criticism and viewpoint surrounding Portman's stance on the auto rescue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the factbook, Missouri State University has the lowest state appropriations level per FTE among public four-year universities in the state.","\"While per student appropriations often fluctuate year-by-year,\" Dancy said, Missouri State University ranked among the lowest in the state over the past 10 years.","CLARIFICATION, April 22, 2017 : This article has been updated to clarify which state workers didn't pay a portion of their salary to the pension program. This change did not affect the ruling.","Missouri ranks 48th in highway revenue per mile. Though Missouri ranks 26th in total highway funding revenue, this measure does not take into consideration the amount of road a state must maintain. Revenue per mile is the best measure to evaluate highway funding, taking into account the amount of roads in a state in addition to the number of dollars spent. With this evaluation, Missouri does have one of the lowest levels of highway funding."]},{"id":"543.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I've always said it's (offshore drilling) up to the states and I still say that.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The individual has consistently maintained the position that the decision regarding offshore drilling should be left up to the states. However, it is important to note that there may be instances where the individual's stance or position on offshore drilling could have evolved or been influenced by other factors. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects their general position, it is advisable to consider any potential updates or changes in their stance on a case-by-case basis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The average student loan debt in Texas is over $22, cost of an average size pickup truck.\" But unlike car owners, \"students are not allowed to refinance their loans at lower rates.\"","Gallego said the \"average student loan debt in Texas is over $22, cost of an average size pickup truck.\" But unlike car owners, he said, \"students are not allowed to refinance their loans at lower rates.\"","\"The average student loan debt in Texas is over $22,000,\" the Texas Democrat wrote in a May 14, 2014, email blast. \"That also happens to be the cost of an average size pickup truck!\"","\"But here\u2019s what\u2019s truly alarming: students are NOT allowed to refinance their loans at lower rates -- the same way car owners can,\" Gallego wrote."]},{"id":"11494.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Smog was invented in Los Angeles. It was. The name was invented. There was a fellow at Caltech and he came up with the idea and they called it smog.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The term \"smog\" was indeed coined in Los Angeles by a scientist at Caltech to describe the combination of smoke and fog that created the city's air pollution. However, the statement lacks context and implies that smog itself was invented in Los Angeles, which is not accurate. Smog, as a form of air pollution, has existed in various forms in different parts of the world throughout history. The term \"smog\" was simply coined to describe the specific type of air pollution prevalent in Los Angeles. Therefore, while the statement contains some truth, it is misleading in its presentation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10134.json","label":"false","statement":"Says property insurance rates are going up because Rick Scott signed a bill preventing the state from regulating insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there have been changes in insurance regulations during Rick Scott's tenure as governor, it is incorrect to attribute the increase in property insurance rates solely to a bill he signed. The bill mentioned in the evidence, SB 1842, actually suspended the power to regulate health insurance, not property insurance. Additionally, there were other bills signed by Scott that aimed to reduce the number of Citizens policies and promote private insurance, which some argue contributed to rising premiums. However, it is an oversimplification to solely blame Scott's actions for the increase in property insurance rates.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We stop on April 4 when the General Assembly, after months of angry debate, passed a bill that empowered unelected authorities to impose regional taxes to build roads in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, established a $1,050 fine for going 20 miles over the speed limit, and authorized $3 billion in state borrowing to improve transportation.","To build roads and do other large-scale projects, the state takes on debt. The rationale for it is well understood: Costs can be spread out over years, so that future users of a new highway, for example, help pay the tab for building it. Borrowing, instead of paying cash for a major project, can also alleviate the need for a tax increase.","Armstrong, who is exploring a run for statewide office, has amped his rhetoric this year. But we have a hard time concluding he\u2019s made a u-turn on borrowing to build roads. Although McDonnell is correct that Armstrong voted for the 2007 bill, it\u2019s a stretch to say the minority leader \"applauded\" the bill.","McDonnell\u2019s office is accusing Armstrong of flip flopping, saying the Democrat doesn\u2019t want to issue bonds to build roads that he \"voted for and applauded just three short years ago.\""]},{"id":"6667.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"$500 billion of the extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy goes to 120,000 families.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Vice President Biden's claim that $500 billion of the extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy goes to 120,000 families. The calculation is based on a budget projection and the estimated tax savings for the top 0.1 percent of earners within the group affected by the tax cuts. While there may be some variation in the exact figures, the statement aligns with the information provided by experts and the data available.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The comment was intended as a wake-up call that there is declining concern about the disease,\" McKiernan said. \"It was not intended to be a literal, global comment that all people think the AIDS crisis is over.\"","\"The battle against AIDS is not a last decade issue,\" he told the Irish Times. \"It\u2019s going to be the next decade issue. We need to finish the job, get new companies, new interest. It\u2019s kind of annoying and sometimes upsetting that these global health issues can become creatures of fashion. People think AIDS is done \u2013 it\u2019s not done.\"","PolitiFact : Okay. So we have a question in the chat from Haley who said she wants to hear your thoughts on how misinformation and disinformation about HIV and AIDS, that epidemic, influenced how you're navigating this one. And we do have a lot of questions, if you could think about it kind of briefly.","Fauci : Well, I think the one that got the most publicity, I think was the issue when people who had no medical experience at all were claiming that certain interventions work. Then I guess the prototype of that was the hydroxychloroquine, when you had people coming in with no experience or training in medicine were saying, well these studies clearly show that this is a drug that's absolutely saving lives. You know, well, the answer is it doesn't. But then when they claim that by not promoting that drug that you are causing people to die, I mean, that takes it to the next step. And that to me was really profoundly disturbing."]},{"id":"356.json","label":"true","statement":"John McCain \"said publicly that Hillary Clinton would make a good president.\"","reason":"Reason: There is evidence to support the statement that John McCain publicly expressed that Hillary Clinton would make a good president. In an interview on the Imus in the Morning radio show, Donald Trump stated that John McCain is a hero and that he likes him. This indicates a positive sentiment towards McCain, which suggests that McCain may have made positive comments about Clinton's potential as a president. However, it's important to note that the specific statement made by McCain endorsing Clinton as a good president may require further evidence for complete verification.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In the United States, 40% of electricity is generated by natural gas, 20% by nuclear, 20% by renewables, including wind and solar, and 19% by coal, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.","\"California has some of the highest rates, but they also have some of the lowest consumption per customer, so they have lower bills than most states,\" said Marc Hanish, an EIA expert on state electricity profiles.","But that\u2019s not the case for all charging stations. The electricity supply for electric cars depends on whatever the local sources of energy are where they\u2019re being charged. Some regions don\u2019t have coal-fired power plants. And nationwide, coal has been eclipsed over the past several years by natural gas as the biggest source of energy for electricity generation, with renewable sources such as wind and solar also playing a larger role.","\"Batteries probably shouldn\u2019t be in the total,\" said energy economist Kenneth Gillingham with Yale University. \"They are not actually generating electricity. They are simply storing it for use at other times.\""]},{"id":"1838.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The federal government only ordered BP to pay \"to do one of those six segments\" of sand barriers for Louisiana.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Bobby Jindal's claim that the federal government only ordered BP to pay for one out of six segments of sand barriers in Louisiana. However, it's important to note that the federal government's hesitation to support the construction of sand barriers was primarily due to concerns about their effectiveness and potential diversion of resources from other response efforts. While BP was indeed ordered to fund one segment, the decision was influenced by broader considerations. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is necessary to fully understand the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Although this post doesn\u2019t go that far, the claim that these empty store shelves showed a meat shortage at a Walmart in Columbia, South Carolina, is not accurate. We rate it False.","These images show meat department coolers that were being repaired because of mechanical issues at a Walmart in Columbia, South Carolina.","When two shoppers at a Walmart in Columbia, South Carolina, headed to the meat section, they were met with rows upon rows of empty shelves.","Before the pandemic, American food prices changed little from month to month, sometimes rising or falling by a fraction of a percent. Then the virus hit. When infections caused meatpacking plants to close, the price of food eaten at home shot up 2.5% in one month."]},{"id":"11143.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Austin is effectively imposing a ban on barbecue restaurants.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Austin is effectively imposing a ban on barbecue restaurants is false. The evidence provided does not support this claim. While Rush Limbaugh made the assertion on his show and referenced a web post, there is no credible evidence to substantiate the claim that the Austin City Council voted to ban BBQ restaurants. This statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10289.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Female students at UVA have a 20 percent chance of being sexually assaulted.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Saslaw cited a Rolling Stone article that states \"one in five women is sexually assaulted in college,\" it is important to note that this statistic is a national average and not specific to UVA. The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that female students at UVA have a 20 percent chance of being sexually assaulted. Additionally, the statement does not consider the limitations and variations in data collection methods and definitions of sexual assault. Therefore, the claim is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context to make a specific assertion about UVA.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In addition, the continuing economic recovery played a role in expanding the pool of insured people, by increasing the number of Americans who were employed and who, as a result, were able to secure health insurance through their employment.","In response to the Republicans\u2019 ad, the Crist campaign sent reporters a copy of a recent Tampa Bay Times editorial that cited numbers that show health care reform is working in Florida -- including that nearly 1 million have elected to get a plan through the federal marketplace.","As the Baby Boom generation ages, more and more Americans transition into guaranteed health care under Medicare -- about 10,000 a day. Because of this, some previously uninsured people would suddenly be counted as being insured upon turning 65. For this, they have Medicare to thank, rather than the Affordable Care Act.","Some Americans do qualify for federal subsidies to help them pay for health insurance plans, but there isn\u2019t a magic free health insurance card forthcoming."]},{"id":"4162.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Federal law requires that hospitals treat people whether or not they can pay. So someone (who) doesnt have health insurance -- they can go to the hospital and get free care.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that federal law requires hospitals to provide emergency medical treatment regardless of a patient's ability to pay, the statement oversimplifies the concept of \"free care.\" While hospitals are obligated to stabilize emergency conditions, they are not required to provide ongoing or non-emergency care for free. Uninsured individuals may receive emergency care, but they can still be billed for the services rendered, and the cost burden often falls on the patient or is absorbed by the hospital or the healthcare system as a whole. Therefore, the statement's claim of \"free care\" is misleading and does not accurately reflect the full financial implications for uninsured individuals seeking medical treatment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11396.json","label":"half-true","statement":"380 Americans have been killed in 294 mass shootings in 2015 alone.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the number of Americans killed in mass shootings in 2015, which is reported as 380. However, the statement does not provide the full context. It fails to mention that the number of mass shootings in 2015 is reported as 294, which suggests that not all of these incidents resulted in fatalities. Therefore, while the number of deaths is accurate, the statement could be misleading without the additional context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When Stephanopoulos asked whether he thought Clinton has ignored the suffering of the Palestinian people, Sanders reiterated that her AIPAC speech had \"one line on the Palestinian people.\"","We wondered whether Sanders\u2019 was right that Clinton \"had one line on the Palestinian people\" in her AIPAC speech. So we looked closely at her address.","Sanders told Stephanopoulos that he thinks President Barack Obama has \"done much better than his predecessors\" in taking the kind of approach he prefers, but added that \"I think we still have a way to go. And I was not criticizing President Obama. I was criticizing (former Secretary of State Hillary) Clinton. She gave a speech to AIPAC\" -- referring to the most prominent pro-Israel group in the United States. \"It's a long speech. It was one sentence, I believe, that even mentioned the Palestinians.\"","This section includes the word \"Palestinian\" or a variant seven times, over the course of five sentences. So Sanders is wrong that Clinton \"had one line on the Palestinian people.\" She had -- using the strictest definition possible -- five lines."]},{"id":"6144.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Atlanta Tea Party co-founder Debbie Dooley wants gas taxes raised.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Debbie Dooley, co-founder of the Atlanta Tea Party Patriots, opposes the transportation plan that involves a sales tax increase, there is no evidence provided to support the claim that she specifically wants gas taxes raised. The evidence suggests that Dooley has proposed alternative ideas to ease traffic congestion without using taxpayer funds, but it does not specifically mention her advocating for an increase in gas taxes. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13514.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"NAFTA allows a lot of trucks from Mexico, for example, to leave there and ... drive straight through without even being inspected.","reason":"Reason: While NAFTA does facilitate the movement of goods between the United States and Mexico, the statement exaggerates the extent to which trucks from Mexico can enter the U.S. without inspection. According to a CBP officer, all arriving trucks are met and processed by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, and while some trucks may undergo non-intrusive or physical exams, not all trucks are able to drive straight through without inspection. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the inspection process for trucks coming from Mexico.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2629.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under the new health care law, the first person (a) patient has to go to is a bureaucrat. That is called a panel.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. Under the new health care law, there is no requirement for patients to go to a bureaucrat or a panel as the first point of contact. The claim that the first person a patient has to go to is a bureaucrat is false. The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) mentioned in the evidence does not interact with individual patients or serve as a first point of contact. Its purpose is to make recommendations on cost-containment measures, not to determine individual patient care. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the facts and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["He said there are four factors that influence the number of gun permits in a state: the amount of fees, hours of required training, how many places people can or can\u2019t carry their firearms and how many years the rules have been in effect. For example, Pennsylvania has one of the lower fees, while Florida has higher fees but close to average in terms of training requirements.","\u201cOne in six local election officials have received threats of violence\u201d and threats against judges have doubled over four years and threats against members of Congress have increased by 10 times over five years.","A spokesman for Bush\u2019s PAC referred us to an August 2014 article in the Washington Times , which stated Florida led the nation with 1.3 million in concealed carry permits while Texas came in second with just over 708,000. We sought to independently find current statistics.","\"Today there are well over 1.3 million law-abiding Floridians with a valid concealed weapons permit, 1.3 million. That\u2019s the most in the nation -- nearly double that of the second state, which is Texas. Sorry, Gov. Perry.\""]},{"id":"5097.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As a result of welfare reform, poverty levels went down to the lowest level ever for ... African-American children.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rick Santorum claimed that poverty levels went down to the lowest level ever for African-American children as a result of welfare reform, this statement is only partially true. The evidence provided indicates that the number of households living on $2 per person per day or less has actually increased since the 1996 welfare reform. Additionally, the child poverty rate for African-Americans remains high, with estimates ranging from 35.3 percent to around 38 percent. Therefore, while welfare reform may have had some positive impacts, it is not accurate to claim that poverty levels for African-American children reached their lowest level ever as a direct result of the reform.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9114.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wisconsin wages are declining at double the rate of other states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there was a period in 2012 where private-sector wages in Wisconsin experienced a decline of 2.2%, it is incorrect to claim that Wisconsin wages are declining at double the rate of other states. More recent data does not support this claim, and there is no evidence to suggest that Wisconsin's wage decline is consistently and significantly worse than that of other states. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Last month, I filed to run for Congress with the intention to take on the status quo and give voters an opportunity for change. Since then, two things have happened,\" Turner said in an emailed statement. \"First, the redistricting process was manipulated to allow incumbent politicians to guarantee their re-election. And, the primary election was set for March 6, 2011, a date which gives challengers little time to wage competitive campaigns.\"","In a telephone interview, Turner said she intended the first half of her withdrawal announcement as a \"broad statement\" about the redistricting process, \"not just the 11th Congressional District.\"","But when PolitiFact Ohio looked closely at the 11th District, Version 2.0, it looked an awfully lot like Version 1.0. Because it is. State legislators made no changes there. The separate House bills that created the first map and its replacement confirm that the 11th District lines in place the day that Turner declared her candidacy were the same lines in place the day she withdrew.","There is an element of truth in her statement. The new congressional districts were drawn to lean solidly toward one party or the other. All but one has at least one incumbent running for election. But that was true with the September map, as well."]},{"id":"12835.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama said black males are two times more likely to be shot by a law enforcement officer than white males and that is a lie because there is no data.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While Sheriff Clarke is correct that President Obama made a statement about African-Americans being more likely to be shot by law enforcement officers than whites, it is important to note that the president did not specifically mention black males. Additionally, there is data available that supports racial disparities in police shootings, although the specific claim of black males being two times more likely to be shot than white males may not be supported by the available data. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies the issue and lacks complete accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On Sept. 30, Democrat Chris Koster and Republican Eric Greitens faced off in a debate in Branson. Greitens challenged Koster on several of his policies and political history, claiming that Koster is a \"career politician\" who opposes right-to-work efforts because he has taken \"$8 million from union bosses.\"","Says Chris Koster \"fell silent\" as attorney general in pursuing a case against a free classified service accused of promoting prostitution after accepting \"over $12,000 in campaign contributions' from people affiliated with the service.\"","There is no doubt Koster opposes right-to-work laws. And Greitens actually understates the total amount of Koster\u2019s labor donations. He has received more than $12 million from unions, according to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.","The Greitens campaign directed us to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry\u2019s \"Money Trail\" page. According to this page, as of Oct. 30, Koster had received $12.2 million from what the Chamber says falls under the \"unions\" category."]},{"id":"2059.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I said no to higher taxes and fees.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Evers pledged not to raise taxes on multiple occasions during his campaign, it is important to note that he did express openness to considering tax increases if necessary. Additionally, he acknowledged the implementation of certain tax increases, such as the gas tax, to address specific budgetary needs and fulfill the demands of the people of Wisconsin for improved education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Therefore, the statement \"I said no to higher taxes and fees\" is an oversimplification and does not fully reflect Governor Evers' stance on taxes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We\u2019ll set aside the bigger point and just focus on the numbers and the challenge of awarding credit or placing blame on the person in the Oval Office. In particular, we zero in on the claim that \"Bush Jr. handed Obama a $1.4 trillion deficit\" and Obama \"reduced Bush Jr.\u2019s deficit to just $492 billion.\"","Occupy Democrats said that George W. Bush \"handed Obama a $1.4 trillion deficit\" and Obama reduced Bush\u2019s \"deficit to just $492 billion.\" The post picked certain years to back that up, and for those years, its numbers were accurate.","That\u2019s because instead of using the actual 2009 deficit of $1.4 trillion, Obama lowers it by the $200 billion in increased deficit spending that he -- not Bush -- pushed through in the stimulus plan to address the crisis that became the Great Recession. That resulting figure is what Obama calls the deficit he \"inherited\" from Bush.","Rivero said the number for the first President Bush should be a deficit of $255 billion, or $14 billion less than stated."]},{"id":"690.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Governor Palin is the most popular governor in the country.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided. The McCain campaign's press release explicitly states that Governor Palin is the most popular governor in the country. While there may not be a specific poll that directly compares the approval ratings of all governors in every state, the evidence suggests that Palin enjoyed significant popularity as the governor of Alaska. Therefore, based on the information provided, the statement can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1790.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John Mica's brother is an oil lobbyist and his daughter represents the natural gas industry.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is accurate that John Mica's brother has been identified as an oil lobbyist, and his daughter has represented the Consumers Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas, which advocated for increased natural gas drilling. However, it is important to note that the statement does not specify the extent of their influence or their direct connection to John Mica's political activities. While there is a familial association with the oil and natural gas industries, it does not necessarily imply that John Mica himself is directly influenced or controlled by their interests. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks the complete context of the relationship between John Mica and his family members' affiliations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our unemployment rate is at 5.3 percent, the lowest in Florida, and it has remained that way for more than a year now,\" Sharief said.","It turns out that among all of Florida\u2019s 67 counties, Broward does pretty well in this regard -- it ranks eighth-lowest statewide -- but this doesn\u2019t make Broward\u2019s rate \"the lowest in Florida.\" Here\u2019s the list of Florida\u2019s eight lowest county-wide unemployment rates for December 2013. All of the counties ranking better than Broward, with the exception of Monroe, are in the northern part of the state:","The rate -- which is indeed 5.3 percent -- is the lowest in Florida among large urban counties. But it\u2019s not the lowest in Florida. Seven counties and two smaller metropolitan areas have lower unemployment rates in the most recent data. Because she phrased her otherwise accurate talking point inaccurately in her speech, in a way that makes the county seem to be No. 1 when it's not, we rate the claim Mostly False.","The news release said, \"Overall Broward excelled in many areas such as low unemployment, where at 5 percent, has remained the lowest unemployment rate among large urban counties in Florida for more than a year.\""]},{"id":"11819.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Last year, there were an additional 81,000 pages of government regulations. If you stack that up, it would be a three-story building.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Carson regarding the number of additional pages of government regulations published in the Federal Register. However, it is important to note that the comparison of stacking the pages to a three-story building is a visual analogy and does not provide a precise measurement of the physical height of the stack. While the figure of 81,000 pages is accurate, the statement's emphasis on the three-story building analogy may be misleading as it does not provide an exact representation of the height or volume of the stack.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4808.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The largest number of gamblers are from the poorest segments of the population.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that poorer gamblers tend to gamble more frequently, the largest number of gamblers, by any reasonable definition, does not come from the poorest segments of the population. Research indicates that the richest Americans, who make up approximately 10 percent of the population and have higher incomes, are more likely to engage in gambling due to their greater disposable income. Additionally, problem gamblers may be more prevalent in the poorest segments of society, but this does not necessarily mean that the largest number of gamblers overall come from those segments. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context and can be misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is \"a self-funded pension plan\" and \"it\u2019s the money of the workers\u2019 that funds it.\"","Beil said the Wisconsin Retirement System for public employees is \"a self-funded pension plan\" and \"it\u2019s the money of the workers\u2019 that funds it.\"","Beil went on: \"It\u2019s really the employees\u2019 money, and that has to be told, and has to be told to legislators, to neighbors and friends -- that this really is a self-funded pension plan. It\u2019s the money of the workers\u2019 that funds it.\"","Is Beil right that the system is \"self funded\" by employee contributions and \"it\u2019s the money of the workers that funds it?\""]},{"id":"4330.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Scott cut state funding for PBS.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including statements from individuals and politicians, indicate that Governor Rick Scott cut state funding for PBS. The evidence provided includes a direct quote from a caller expressing their disappointment with the state's decision to cut funding for PBS. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide specific details about the extent or timing of the funding cuts. Further information would be necessary to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"From the training perspective, it\u2019s great that some of these unions do train -- not all of them do -- the trades do,\" Bauer countered. \"But it\u2019s paid for by employers. That won\u2019t change -- 95 percent comes from employers.\"","Bauer\u2019s claim is that this is largely irrelevant, since nearly all the money for training comes not from unions, but employers.","Scott Manley, vice president of governmental relations for WMC, said the best evidence the training money comes from employers is the tax returns filed by the nonprofit entities that the unions use to manage the training money.","Lyons noted that many skilled trades such as carpenters, plumbers and operating engineers provide training to their members at union-run centers across the state -- and argued such training would be hurt if the state passes a right-to-work law."]},{"id":"9712.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Attorney General Eric Holders own Justice Department precleared the voting changes in the 2011 law about early voting in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that Attorney General Eric Holder's Justice Department precleared the voting changes in the 2011 law regarding early voting in Florida. However, it is important to note that this statement does not provide the full context. While the Justice Department did preclear the changes, it does not necessarily imply an endorsement or approval of the law. Preclearance is a process required by the Voting Rights Act to ensure that changes to voting laws do not have a discriminatory impact on minority voters. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the nuance of the preclearance process and its purpose.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"By 2030, we\u2019ll have 950 million solar panels operating in the United States,\" he said Aug. 16. \"120,000 wind turbines operating. We\u2019ll have 2,300 battery plants to store clean energy.\"","The closer you read the National Report item, the more obvious the satire becomes. It turns out that the Wyoming Institute of Technology only exists as a website, with an obviously fake backstory. \"WIT,\" according to the website, was originally founded in 1943 as the Wyoming Institute of Education and Nuclear Energy Research (WIENER, get it?) and has purportedly invented such technologies as \"smellovision,\" the \"space toilet,\" the world\u2019s first computer virus, \"the world\u2019s first 100% organic artificial nose, which was created for pop-star Michael Jackson in 1999,\" and the \"E-condom.\"","\u201cThe national debt is now bigger than our economy. That hasn\u2019t happened since World War Two \u2013 and we\u2019re in peacetime. Joe Biden is digging a hole America can never fill.\u201d","Gohmert, R-Texas, went on the One America News channel on Aug. 11 to criticize the infrastructure bill and compared its green energy provisions to the Green New Deal:"]},{"id":"7615.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The city of Nelson, Ga., is quieter than Mayberry.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the city of Nelson, Georgia, is quieter than Mayberry is partially true. The comparison is based on the limited crime and police presence in both Nelson and the fictional town of Mayberry. However, it's important to note that the reference to Mayberry is fictional, and crime statistics for Nelson are not reported by official sources such as the FBI or GBI. While the statement captures the sentiment of Nelson being a peaceful town, it lacks concrete data for a comprehensive comparison. Therefore, it can be considered partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Taylor said he \"helped pass what, if enacted, would be the largest tax cut in Texas history through the state Senate.\"","The Plano Republican\u2019s March 25, 2015, press release, said he\u2019d \"helped pass what, if enacted, would be the largest tax cut in Texas history through the State Senate,\" providing $4.6 billion in property and business tax relief.","By email and telephone, Vance Ginn, an economist for the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, and Chris Bryan, spokesman for State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, each said the Senate-supported measures amount to the largest potential tax cuts in Texas history.","Crist has often touted his tax-cutting record and repeatedly said he and the Republican Legislature passed \"the largest tax cut\" in the state's history. He's made that claim in news releases, political speeches and in the first radio ad for his U.S. Senate campaign. We first put it to our Truth-O-Meter in September 2009."]},{"id":"7981.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Currently, it takes up to 25 years to obtain U.S. citizenship legally but the Senate bill would allow immigrants who came to the United States illegally to obtain citizenship in just 13 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner that it currently takes up to 25 years to obtain U.S. citizenship legally, and the Senate bill would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain citizenship in just 13 years. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. The 25-year timeframe refers to the overall process of obtaining citizenship, which includes meeting residency requirements, obtaining legal status, and going through the naturalization process. The 13-year timeframe mentioned in relation to the Senate bill may refer to a specific pathway or provisions outlined in the bill. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it could benefit from additional clarification and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Under Ryan plan, \"those 54 and younger would receive the same kind of healthcare options now enjoyed by members of Congress.\"","Rigell laid out a series of \"facts,\" the first of which reads: \"Under the Path to Prosperity, there are no changes to Medicare for anyone 55 and older; those 54 and younger would receive the same kind of healthcare options now enjoyed by Members of Congress.\"","Here\u2019s how Ryan\u2019s plan explains it: \"When younger workers become eligible for Medicare, they will be able to choose from a list of guaranteed coverage options, enjoying the same kind of choices in their plans that members of Congress enjoy today. Medicare would then provide a payment to subsidize the cost of the plan. In addition, Medicare will provide increased assistance for lower-income beneficiaries and those with greater health risks.\"","We concluded that while Ryan\u2019s Medicare proposal is only a broad outline right now, it is fundamentally different from the kind of employer-provided health insurance that members of Congress receive. At a minimum, the premium supports will not keep pace with the historic record of rapidly increasing health care costs. Additionally, most seniors make significantly less income than members of Congress and will likely not have the same options to buy more expensive plans. And, finally, they will not get the same protection against rising costs that \"Fair Share\" provides members of Congress. We rated Pence\u2019s statement Barely True."]},{"id":"12429.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Will Hurd cosponsored a bill that would militarize our border and allow 200 miles of new roads to be built in the Big Bend region -- cutting up our beloved park.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Will Hurd co-sponsored a bill, the Secure Our Borders First Act, which aimed to enhance border security and included provisions for the construction of new roads in the Big Bend region. However, it is important to note that the bill did not specifically aim to \"militarize\" the border, and the claim that the roads would \"cut up\" the beloved park is subjective and lacks specific evidence. While the bill did raise concerns about potential environmental impacts and the waiver of certain environmental protection laws, the statement could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10178.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Attorney general candidate Brad Schimel is in cahoots with Wisconsin Right to Life to make abortion a crime in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: While there is a connection between Brad Schimel and Wisconsin Right to Life, the statement that he is actively working with them to make abortion a crime in Wisconsin is not supported by evidence. Schimel has stated that he would not defy Supreme Court decisions such as Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion. However, it is worth noting that Wisconsin Right to Life has promoted strategies that could potentially lead to abortion being illegal in the state in the future. Therefore, while there is a connection between Schimel and Wisconsin Right to Life, the claim of active collaboration to make abortion a crime is not substantiated.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["At a Jan. 27, 2014, debate, hosted by KERA-TV, Channel 13 in Dallas, Staples, the state agriculture commissioner, said: \"I wish the lieutenant governor was more focused on what we\u2019re spending in public schools rather than... being the first lieutenant governor in history to have a personal security detail. I would be more worried about what\u2019s going on in the security of our schools rather than having a personal security detail that drives you from place to place and sweeps rooms before you go in.\"","( - David Dewhurst appears to be first lieutenant governor with state security detail, but he's said he initially declined it&url=)","Todd Staples, among challengers to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in this year's Republican primary, said during a debate last week that Dewhurst is the first lieutenant governor of Texas to have a security detail.","Bill Hobby, who held the gavel-wielding job from 1973 into 1991, told us he never had a detail. Former state Sen. Bill Ratliff said the same per his service as acting lieutenant governor from late 2000 through 2002. Ratliff added that Bullock, lieutenant governor from 1991 through 1998, \"almost certainly\" never had a security detail. Sen. Rodney Ellis, the Houston Democrat who briefly served in the post after Perry resigned to become governor in 2000, did not have a security detail, his spokesman, David Edmonson, said."]},{"id":"10712.json","label":"false","statement":"The founders of New Hampshire came up with the motto Live Free or Die.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The motto \"Live Free or Die\" was not coined by the founders of New Hampshire. It was actually written by General John Stark in 1809, long after New Hampshire became a state. While the sentiment of the motto aligns with the principles of freedom and independence cherished by the founders, it was not their original creation.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1788.json","label":"true","statement":"Bill McCollum explained his lack of action on mortgage fraud by saying, \"You can't do everything.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bill McCollum's response to a question about his actions on mortgage fraud. When asked why he hadn't done more on mortgage fraud, McCollum replied, \"It's not the only thing we do. You can't do everything.\" This response was reported by the Herald-Tribune in an interview. The statement provides an accurate representation of McCollum's explanation for his lack of action on mortgage fraud.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Walker said bipartisanship was on display in \"overwhelming Democrat and Republican votes\" in 2011 for legislation passed in two special legislative sessions on jobs.","\"In January and February last year, we had overwhelming Democrat and Republican votes for our special session on jobs and we had them again in the fall,\" Walker said.","A total of 29 bills identified as part of the two special \"jobs sessions\" came to a vote in at least one full chamber of the Legislature in 2011:","We checked the Legislature\u2019s official voting records and found a decidedly mixed record of bipartisan votes. We found a decidedly mixed record of bipartisan votes."]},{"id":"8687.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States is behind many countries in Europe in terms of the ability of every kid in America to get ahead.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Steven Rattner that the United States lags behind many European countries in terms of the ability of every child to succeed. This assertion is supported by various studies that highlight lower rates of income mobility in the United States compared to countries in Europe, particularly Nordic countries. While the statement is generally true, it's important to note that the term \"many\" is subjective and could vary depending on the specific comparison being made. Nonetheless, the evidence supports the notion that the United States faces challenges in providing equal opportunities for upward mobility.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7430.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"New Jersey has lost over half of our pharmaceutical jobs to states you know, not low-tax states like in the South, but high-tax states like New York.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Buono is mostly true. Multiple sources confirm that New Jersey has indeed lost a significant number of pharmaceutical jobs to other states, including high-tax states like New York. The reasons for this job loss are attributed to factors such as the lack of funding for education, the absence of research partnerships, and the attraction of well-regarded universities in other states. While the statement doesn't provide an exact figure or specify the time frame, the evidence supports the claim that New Jersey has experienced a substantial loss of pharmaceutical jobs to high-tax states like New York.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says that President Obama said if Congress passed the economic stimulus bill, \"we would have unemployment at 8 percent and no higher. And it went higher.\"","The claim that the White House \"promised\" the stimulus would keep unemployment under 8 percent has been popular among Republican critics of the stimulus. PolitiFact first checked it in July 2009 when then House Republican Whip Eric Cantor said: \"We were promised. The president said we would keep unemployment under 8.5 percent (if the stimulus passed).\" PolitiFact rated his claim Mostly False.","\"Our unemployment rate has been higher than 8 percent for more than two-and-a-half years, far above what the Obama Administration promised with the 'stimulus.' \"","\"Our unemployment rate has been higher than 8 percent for more than two-and-a-half years, far above what the Obama Administration promised with the 'stimulus,' \" Boehner said."]},{"id":"10453.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Super Bowl has one of the highest levels of human sex trafficking activity of any event in the country.","reason":"Reason: While there have been campaigns and claims suggesting that the Super Bowl is a major event for human sex trafficking, the available research does not support the assertion that it has one of the highest levels of such activity compared to any other event in the country. Experts in the field have stated that there is no clear correlation between the Super Bowl and increased levels of sex trafficking. While it is important to address and combat human trafficking, it is misleading to single out the Super Bowl as having exceptionally high levels of such activity without sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Newsom, a prominent LGBTQ rights supporter, said Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Pence \"advocated for diverting taxpayer dollars to so-called conversion therapy.\"","California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Indiana Governor and now Vice President-Elect Mike Pence \"advocated for diverting taxpayer dollars to so-called conversion therapy.\"","Newsom, a prominent LGBT rights supporter, said Republican Indiana Gov. and now Vice-President Elect Mike Pence \"advocated for diverting taxpayer dollars to so-called conversion therapy.\"","California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Indiana Governor and Republican Vice Presidential candidate Mike Pence \"advocated for diverting taxpayer dollars to so-called conversion therapy.\""]},{"id":"11371.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker said he wouldnt touch the state civil service system but now supports overhauling it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Scott Walker did not explicitly promise to never touch the state civil service system, there were statements made by him that led some to believe he would not make significant changes to it. However, it is also true that Governor Walker did support a proposal to overhaul the civil service system for state employees. So, while the statement accurately reflects the change in his position, it could be misleading to suggest that he explicitly stated he would never touch the system. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["And in a Sept. 26, 2012, press release, Sadler zeroed in on what he called Cruz\u2019s desire to eliminate federal aid to college students. The release says Cruz has pledged to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, \"which would result in the loss of many programs used by Texas students.\"","Sadler said Cruz wants to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and that federal college student aid would vanish as a result.","( - Paul Sadler says Ted Cruz pledges to shut down Department of Education, which would shutter federal aid to college students&url=)","In the release, Sadler says: \"The Department of Education includes federal student aid. If we eliminate it, then we truly make college education unaffordable for a large segment of our population in every single country, every single city, every single town.\""]},{"id":"12099.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Senate Democrats have never held up a Supreme Court nomination.","reason":"Reason: While Senate Democrats have not always held up Supreme Court nominations, there have been instances where they have attempted to do so. The failed nomination of Robert Bork in 1987 and the symbolic attempt to hold up the confirmation of Samuel Alito in 2005 are examples of Senate Democrats opposing and delaying the confirmation process. However, it is important to note that these instances are not representative of the entire history of Supreme Court nominations. The statement could be more accurately phrased as Senate Democrats have rarely held up Supreme Court nominations. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[", \"Median Household Income (In 2012 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)\" and \"Per Capita Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2011 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars),\" U.S. Census Bureau, accessed Jan. 9, 2014","The earnings data misses income from a second part-time job that many low-wage earners rely on. But more significant are the dollars it misses on the high end.","\"If Republican economic policies are so great for America, how come 9 out of the 10 poorest states are Red states?\"","By all three measures, 9 out of the 10 poorest states voted Republican in the last presidential election. (In fact, they voted Red in the last four elections.)"]},{"id":"11868.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Regarding the Iraq War, I was the one that said, Dont go, dont do it, youre going to destabilize the Middle East.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump expressed opposition to the Iraq War before it began, the statement lacks some nuance. Trump's public statements on the Iraq War were not consistently clear and unequivocal. While he did voice some skepticism and concerns about the potential destabilization of the Middle East, there are instances where he made ambiguous or noncommittal remarks about the war. Therefore, while he did express some reservations about the war, the statement implies a stronger and more consistent stance than what is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"With 320,000 net Ohio manufacturing jobs lost, Portman calls NAFTA a \u2018proven success,\u2019 \" the post says. \"With 160,000 auto jobs saved, Portman called the auto rescue a \u2018lousy deal.\u2019 \"","Portman indeed called NAFTA a \"proven success\" when he was the U.S. trade representative under President George W. Bush in a 2006 news release. The news release didn\u2019t say anything about lost jobs, though, so we kept digging.","In the report, Public Citizen claims, \"Ohio has endured a net loss of more than 323,000 manufacturing jobs \u2013 one out of every three \u2013 since the 1994 NAFTA and the World Trade Organization agreements took effect.\" (The group has since reduced the figure of 323,000 jobs lost to 307,000 in a revised version.)","Rob Portman\u2019s main knock on his Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, is that Ohio has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs during his watch. Portman frequently mocks Fisher as Ohio\u2019s \"Job Czar,\" pointing out the state\u2019s net job losses since Fisher entered office in January 2007."]},{"id":"11286.json","label":"false","statement":"The Iran deal trusts the Iranians to inspect themselves.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Iran deal does not trust the Iranians to inspect themselves. While there may be some provisions that allow Iran to have a role in certain inspections, the agreement includes a robust framework for inspections by international inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). These inspections are designed to ensure Iran's compliance with the terms of the deal and to verify the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. The claim that the deal solely relies on Iranian self-inspection is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Of 12 budget meetings she could have attended, Starkey attended seven (five of those seven were the final votes). That attendance record is more than half \u2014 by a hair.","We looked at the claim that \"As a member of the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board, Kathryn Starkey had the opportunity to fight for lower taxes in 14 separate budget meetings between 2002 and 2008. But ... She only attended half of those meetings!\"","Of the seven budget meetings she attended, the board voted six times to keep the tax rate the same. Starkey voted with her colleagues five out of those six times (She cast a dissenting vote in 2006). So overall, she voted over 70 percent of the time to keep the same tax rate.","But it leaves out the important context that Starkey tried over three years to lower the tax rate. We rate this Half True."]},{"id":"2237.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than three-quarters of the oil is gone.","reason":"Reason: While Carol Browner, the former director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, claimed that more than three-quarters of the oil from the spill was gone, there is significant debate and uncertainty surrounding this statement. While some oil may have been dispersed or degraded by natural processes, it is inaccurate to claim that it is entirely \"gone.\" The estimate provided by Browner was based on formulas and assumptions rather than hard data, and some scientists have criticized the figures as having a significant margin of error. Therefore, while there may have been some reduction in the amount of oil, it is misleading to suggest that more than three-quarters of it is completely gone.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10901.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Were the only nation in the world that does not use the military to secure our border.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There are numerous countries around the world, including Germany, that do not use their military to secure their borders on a day-to-day basis. Most countries rely on national law enforcement agencies and border patrol forces to police and secure their borders, similar to the United States. The use of military forces for border security is typically reserved for countries facing severe instability, lawlessness, or open warfare. Therefore, the claim that the United States is the only nation in the world not using the military to secure its border is inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4913.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have more natural gas in this country than Saudi Arabia has oil.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the United States does produce more natural gas per year than Saudi Arabia produces oil, it does not have more natural gas reserves than Saudi Arabia has oil reserves. In terms of reserves, Saudi Arabia has larger proven and technically recoverable oil reserves compared to the United States' natural gas reserves. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the comparison between the two countries' energy resources.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6067.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Massachusetts is reporting a trend far below the national trend in the escalation of health-care costs in this year.","reason":"Reason: While Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts claimed that Massachusetts is reporting a trend far below the national trend in the escalation of healthcare costs, it's important to consider the context and the data from multiple years. The evidence suggests that during the years when health insurance reform was in effect in Massachusetts, the trend was that insurance rates and overall costs of healthcare went up faster than the national average. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate as it fails to acknowledge the overall trend over multiple years and focuses only on a specific year.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6523.json","label":"true","statement":"Initial efforts to strip airport contractors of their special diversity status has no effect on the contracts or the citys diversity goals.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that initial efforts to remove the special diversity status of airport contractors do not have any immediate impact on the contracts or the city's diversity goals. The contracts of the disadvantaged businesses would remain in effect until the process of revoking their status is completed. Furthermore, the regulations do not require the city to meet a specific diversity quota but rather to act in good faith to achieve diversity goals. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Now Dovilla has signed on to a dangerous plan that could allow a foreign corporation to take over the Ohio Turnpike,\" said a mailer paid for by the Ohio Democratic Party. A separate ad from Democrats states that because of Dovilla, \"you could pay a foreign corporation every time you drive the turnpike.\"","Dovilla called The Plain Dealer to cry foul, claiming he has been a frequent critic of the plan to lease the turnpike. The foreign corporation reference in the ads is in reference to the fact that Indiana within the past decade leased its toll road to a foreign company for a whopping payday. Ohio has cited Indiana as an example of what could occur here.","Republican incumbent Ohio House Rep. Mike Dovilla lists himself among those conservatives not standing with the governor on this issue. But the Ohio Democratic Party isn\u2019t buying it.","He insists, \"my vote in favor of the state operating budget, HB 153, was not a vote for privatization.\" McCarthy begs to differ and says Dovilla\u2019s first vote signals his true intentions. So, who\u2019s right?"]},{"id":"11890.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"While states used to have regulatory power over fishing, federal law now regulates down to the tenth of the inch the minimum size of fish that anglers can keep.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. Federal law does not regulate the minimum size of fish that anglers can keep down to the tenth of an inch. Fishing regulations, including minimum size limits, are primarily determined and enforced by state governments, not the federal government. While there may be some federal regulations related to fishing, they generally focus on broader issues such as conservation and protection of certain species, rather than specifying precise minimum size limits. Therefore, the claim that federal law regulates fish size down to the tenth of an inch is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"In our first quarter we broke the record for fundraising in a U.S. Senate race in Florida,\" Crist campaign manager Eric Eikenberg wrote Dec. 18 in a campaign update to supporters. \"And we have met our goals time and again thanks to many of you who have invested in the Governor's message and vision of commonsense conservative leadership.\"","Charlie Crist is running as a Democrat in the race for Florida governor in 2022. He served as a U.S. congressman from St. Petersburg since 2017 and resigned Aug. 31, 2022 to focus on his campaign. As a Republican, Crist served as governor from 2007 to 2011. Crist left the Republican Party in 2010 to mount a campaign for the U.S. Senate as an independent. Crist lost the race to Marco Rubio. In 2012, he endorsed President Barack Obama and announced that he had registered as a Democrat. He lost his race as a Democratic candidate for governor in 2014.","According to them, Florida's overall Senate fundraising benchmark was set in 2006 by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. Nelson raised a little more than $18 million for his re-election campaign against Republican Katherine Harris.","Crist raked in $4.37 million in his first campaign fundraising quarter and has raised $6.89 million through September. Nelson raised $6.53 million for his entire 2000 race, compared with $8.66 million for that year's GOP candidate, Bill McCollum. In the 1998 campaign between Crist and former Sen. Bob Graham, the candidates combined to raise about $7 million."]},{"id":"8535.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Social Security took seven years before anybody got the first check.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the original Social Security Act stated that people would have to wait until January 1, 1942, before receiving monthly checks, Congress later amended the Act in 1939 to expedite the issuance of monthly checks. As a result, the first monthly Social Security check was actually issued in 1940, not seven years after the passage of the Act. Therefore, the statement that Social Security took seven years before anybody received the first check is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"This is the first divided-government budget agreement since 1986,\" Ryan told reporters Dec. 10, 2013, when announcing the deal alongside Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.","At the initial news conference, Ryan said the current deal \"is the first divided-government budget agreement since 1986.\" He later clarified his statement to note it\u2019s actually the first one \"with a divided Congress\" since 1986.","So, if you analyze Ryan\u2019s words literally, he\u2019s wrong: There are actually 15 instances since 1986 in which \"divided government\" produced a budget agreement, 13 with a unified Congress in opposition to the president and two with a divided Congress.","The first claim is wrong -- there are actually more than a dozen instances since 1986 in which \"divided government\" produced a budget agreement. And while the second version of Ryan's claim is right, it's not very significant, since Congress has been under divided-party control for just four years out of the past 28. On balance, we rate Ryan\u2019s claim Mostly False."]},{"id":"10990.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama told the U.S. Coast Guard Academy that the number one threat to the military and the world today is global warming.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama made climate change a focus of his June 2015 commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, it is an oversimplification to claim that he specifically stated that global warming was the number one threat to the military and the world. The speech emphasized the importance of addressing climate change and its potential impact on national security, but it did not explicitly rank it as the top threat. The statement misrepresents the nuance of Obama's remarks and exaggerates his position on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8856.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Marshawn Lynch is second all-time in terms of average yards per rush only to Terrell Davis.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that Marshawn Lynch is second all-time in terms of average yards per rush in the playoffs, with Terrell Davis holding the top spot. However, it's important to note that this statistic is based on a minimum of 100 rushing attempts in the playoffs. While Lynch's average of 5.1 yards per rush is impressive, it does not account for other factors such as the number of games played or the overall performance of other players who may have had fewer rushing attempts but higher averages. Therefore, while Lynch ranks highly in terms of average yards per rush, the statement could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"For the hour after the (Jan. 14) debate, 'Debra Medina' was the No. 1 search on Google and for the remainder of that night No. 3.\"","Medina subsequently told a reporter for Dallas radio station KERA: \"For the hour after after the debate, 'Debra Medina' was the No. 1 search on Google and for the remainder of the night No. 3.\"","Google Trends, \"Debra Medina, January 2010\", \"Hot Searches (USA), Jan. 14, 2010\" and \"Debra Medina, Hour by Hour, Jan. 14, 2010\"","A spokesman for Google said the company doesn't reveal top searches for particular days or on an hour-by-hour basis, so he couldn't speak to whether Medina was the No. 1 or No. 3 search term the night of the first debate. He guided us to Google's online Insights for Search feature, though, which calculates interest in topics over longer time periods."]},{"id":"5847.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When housing and transportation costs are combined, Atlantas cost of living -- typically perceived as relatively low -- ranks as 7th worst out of 51 metros nationally.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that when housing and transportation costs are combined, Atlanta's cost of living ranks as the 7th worst out of 51 metros nationally. However, it's important to note that this ranking specifically pertains to transportation costs and does not include housing costs. While transportation costs do contribute significantly to the overall cost of living, the statement could be misleading as it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the combined cost of housing and transportation in Atlanta. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Speaker Straus says state budget deal \"funds nursing homes, our public schools and universities, and provides financial aid for college students\"","( - Speaker Straus says state budget deal \"funds nursing homes, our public schools and universities, and provides financial aid for college students\"&url=)","Straus elaborated in a May 20 press release: \"The agreement that we reached with the Senate today funds nursing homes, our public schools and universities, and provides financial aid for college students while keeping substantial revenue in reserves and avoiding any new taxes.\"","We ran the higher education numbers by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, whose spokesman, Dominic Chavez, said state aid to higher ed is actually slated to drop about 8 percent in 2012-13. He said all state-backed college financial aid will decrease 23 percent, with 43,258 fewer students benefiting."]},{"id":"3635.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Over the last 10 years, Georgias public health has declined.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Georgia's public health situation over the past decade has been mixed, rather than experiencing a clear decline. While the state's health rankings have consistently been low compared to other states, it does not necessarily indicate a decline. The passage of House Bill 214, which aims to prioritize public health, suggests a recognition of the importance of addressing health issues in Georgia. Therefore, while there are concerns about Georgia's public health, it would be inaccurate to state that it has declined definitively.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12103.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"North Carolina spends $855 less per student than it did before the Great Recession, and we have one of the lowest per pupil spending levels in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is some discrepancy in the exact amount of the decrease in per-student spending, the evidence supports the claim that North Carolina's per-pupil spending has decreased since the Great Recession. The NEA data shows that North Carolina's per-pupil spending is lower than it was before the recession, and the state ranks among the lowest in per-pupil spending compared to other states. While the exact figure of $855 may not be precise, it falls within the range of the decrease in per-pupil spending, as reported by the NEA.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["By that time, the aforementioned 250 National Guard troops had been sent to Kenosha, so the ad is way off base when it claims state help did not come until after the deaths.","To this point, the spokesperson argued that because a majority of OB-GYNs are women and some OB-GYNs perform abortions, it\u2019s fair to say Michels supports treating women like criminals. That\u2019s a linguistic reach at best.","One such ad from the Alliance for Common Sense \u2014 which is backed by the Democratic Governors\u2019 Association \u2014 paints a dramatic picture of Michels\u2019 views on abortion.","When asked for evidence of the claim, a Democratic Governors\u2019 Association spokesperson said the ad drew on two points: first, that Michels has said he supports Wisconsin\u2019s abortion ban, and second, the donation to the anti-abortion group mentioned above."]},{"id":"5503.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The fact is 90-percent of Down Syndrome children were aborted in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an overgeneralization and lacks nuance. While there have been localized studies indicating high abortion rates for pregnancies with a Down Syndrome diagnosis, there is no standardized, national data to support the claim that 90% of Down Syndrome children are aborted in the entire country. The statement fails to consider regional variations and individual circumstances. It is important to rely on accurate and comprehensive data when discussing sensitive topics like abortion rates, rather than making broad claims based on localized studies.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The complexities of the law and the murkiness of the decision had people asking whether the court had overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that recognizes the constitutional right to an abortion.","Oz has campaigned as being \u201c100% pro-life.\u201d He has said he personally opposes abortion and supports overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that provides the national right to an abortion.","So Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land. The Supreme Court's ruling \"did not overturn Roe v. Wade as a matter of law,\" Sanger said.","Rep. Don Beyer of Northern Virginia is among the many Democrats disappointed by a draft opinion showing the U.S. Supreme Court has tentatively voted to strike down its 49-year-old Roe v. Wade decision establishing a right to an abortion."]},{"id":"8321.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over the past 35 years, Florida families have paid into the (National Flood Insurance Program) over $16 billion, four times more than the amount they have received in claim reimbursements.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the study and the information provided by Governor Scott. According to the study and the governor's letter, Florida families have paid over $16 billion in premiums to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) over the past 35 years, which is approximately four times more than the amount they have received in claim reimbursements. However, it's important to note that the statement is based on historical data and does not account for recent years or potential changes in the program. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the available information, it may not fully capture the current state of the NFIP.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We zeroed in on one claim in the ad -- that \"after four years of a celebrity president \u2026 85% (of recent college grads are) moving back in with their parents.\"","\u2022 Among adults ages 18 to 34, 24 percent moved back in with their parents in recent years after living on their own, due to economic conditions.","The ad attributes the claim to a Time magazine story dated May 10, 2011. We found the article in question, which was headlined, \"Survey: 85% of New College Grads Move Back in with Mom and Dad.\"","The Pew report does show modest support for a trend of grads moving back home. It found that in 2010, almost 22 percent of adults ages 25 to 34 lived in a \"multigenerational household,\" up from about 16 percent in 2000; of these, the vast majority were living with their parents. (\"Multi-generational households\" are defined to include parents living with children 25 and older, or households with three or more generations.)"]},{"id":"9499.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama said when we got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Barack Obama declared the terrorism problem solved after the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011. The statement is false. While the successful operation against bin Laden was a significant milestone in the fight against terrorism, President Obama and his administration have consistently acknowledged that the threat of terrorism persists and requires ongoing efforts to address it.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We wondered whether Reid was correct that \"Hispanic unemployment has been ticking down from an all time high of 13.9 percent because of the policies we\u2019ve implemented.\"","Reid responded, \"Just this week in Las Vegas, we inaugurated a transportation center at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hispanics make up a large portion of the Nevada labor force. And the Lilly Ledbetter Act, which we passed last Congress, provides additional tools to protect Latinos from job discrimination. Hispanic unemployment has been ticking down from an all-time high of 13.9 percent because of the policies we\u2019ve implemented. But we want to accelerate this trend. ...\"","Is it appropriate to say that whatever change there has been in Hispanic unemployment is \"because of the policies we\u2019ve implemented\"?","However, it\u2019s taken a zig-zagging route to get there. In fact, the last three months of that time period -- March, April and May 2011 -- have shown an upward trend, from 11.3 percent to 11.8 percent to 11.9 percent. Looking at those numbers, you could easily argue that Hispanic unemployment is now ticking upward."]},{"id":"12013.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every year there is a slightly smaller percentage of American households owning guns.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been a long-term downward trend in the percentage of American households owning guns, it is not accurate to claim that this decline occurs every year. The evidence suggests that the percentage of gun-owning households has remained relatively stable since 2000, with slight fluctuations. However, when considering a longer time frame, such as since the early 1970s, there has been a noticeable decline in gun ownership. Therefore, while the statement captures the overall trend correctly, it is not accurate to claim that the decline occurs consistently every year.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It\u2019s a legend of Texas politics and a hatchet for foes of Gov. Rick Perry, front-running candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. The story goes that as a Democratic legislator, Perry chaired Democrat Al Gore\u2019s presidential campaign in Texas.","!A new ad from Ron Paul says Rick Perry was Al Gore's \"Texas cheerleader.\" We dig into the legend of Perry and Gore and find that while Perry supported Gore, he was not chairman of the campaign, as many have claimed. !A new ad from Ron Paul says Rick Perry was Al Gore's \"Texas cheerleader.\" We dig into the legend of Perry and Gore and find that while Perry supported Gore, he was not chairman of the campaign, as many have claimed.","A new ad from Ron Paul says Rick Perry was Al Gore's \"Texas cheerleader.\" We dig into the legend of Perry and Gore and find that while Perry supported Gore, he was not chairman of the campaign, as many have claimed.","In a Sept. 15, 1998, Dallas Morning News article, Sharp is quoted making the \"co-chairman\" claim again. Perry acknowledged that, the story says, but said there was a \"push to get a conservative Southerner\" elected president."]},{"id":"13315.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A World Health Organization report shows that more people are dying of TB.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The World Health Organization has reported that approximately 1.5 million people die from tuberculosis each year. However, it is important to note that this statistic refers to the annual number of deaths from TB, rather than indicating an increase in TB deaths over time. Without additional information, it is unclear whether the statement implies a specific increase in TB deaths or is comparing TB deaths to deaths from other causes. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump said, \"I was totally against the war in Iraq, saying for many years that it would destabilize the Middle East.\"","\"I was totally against the war in Iraq, saying for many years that it would destabilize the Middle East,\" he said April 27, 2016.","\"I was totally against the war in Iraq,\" Trump said during the NBC News event. \"You can look at Esquire magazine from '04. You can look at before that.\"","Trump said he was \"totally against the war in Iraq.\" While he came to that position when the war became difficult, earlier on he was more accepting of military action. In 2002, asked if America should go to war, he said, \"I guess so.\" Less than three months before the invasion, Trump said the president should be more focused on the economy, but he didn\u2019t speak against launching an attack."]},{"id":"5117.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than a quarter of mortgage borrowers are underwater, and 11 percent of all homes are vacant.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the figures provided by the source, stating that more than a quarter of mortgage borrowers are underwater and 11 percent of all homes are vacant. However, it's important to note that the vacancy rate does not solely indicate foreclosures, as there are various reasons for homes being unoccupied. Additionally, the term \"underwater\" refers to borrowers who owe more on their mortgages than the current value of their homes, which can be a result of declining home values or increasing mortgage debt. While these statistics provide insight into the challenges faced by mortgage borrowers and the housing market, they do not exclusively represent the impact of foreclosures.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So Portman, after all of this, appears to be correct: There have been \"literally hundreds of new tax preferences and loopholes added to the code since 1986, last time we did this.\"","The bad news for Beckel: Experts told us it\u2019s neither practical nor useful to tally the number of deductions in the tax code, and that they hadn\u2019t seen any study that tried. PolitiFact, our sister site, checked a claim in 2013 that \"there have been literally hundreds of new tax preferences and loopholes added to the code since 1986.\" Based on the best estimates available, we ruled that True, but that\u2019s a much more limited claim than the one Beckel made.","We are still without a precise count of the number of loopholes and preferences added after the 1986 tax reform. Brill, however, took a stab at it, telling us, \"Certainly it less than 15,000,\" but well more than the other numbers mentioned here.","When we asked by email about those 15,000 changes and whether they included more than loopholes and preferences, Feldstein replied, \"I\u2019m sorry but I don\u2019t know. I believe that many were added in the Clinton administration as a way of achieving increased government spending through the tax code.\""]},{"id":"6856.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If Gov. Romneys plan goes into effect the average senior would have to pay $460 a year more in tax for their Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it misrepresents the impact of Governor Romney's plan on the average senior's tax burden for Social Security. The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that the average senior would have to pay $460 more in tax for their Social Security under Romney's plan. The evidence primarily focuses on tax cuts for millionaires and the impact on different income groups, but it does not specifically address the impact on seniors' Social Security taxes. Without more specific information or evidence directly linking Romney's plan to an increase in Social Security taxes for seniors, the claim remains unsupported.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["And yet, there it was, during a speech he delivered Wednesday: \"Senator Bonamici says she supports the $500 billion cut to Medicare passed last year.\"","Cornilles did make this claim against her in his Nov. 8 speech, the day after winning the special primary election: \"Sen. Bonamici says she supports the $500 billion cut to Medicare passed last year.\"","Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat, has expressed outrage that Rob Cornilles, the Republican, has picked up a favorite talking point of Republicans across the country: That Democrats favored a $500 billion cut to Medicare by supporting President Obama\u2019s Affordable Care Act.","Naturally, we were a little surprised, then, when Rob Cornilles, the Republican candidate for the open 1st congressional district seat, accused state Sen. Suzanne Bonamici, his Democratic opponent, of supporting a $500 billion cut."]},{"id":"8137.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Twenty four states have voter ID or comparable restrictions; before Barack Obama was elected, it was two.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there has been an increase in the number of states with voter ID or comparable restrictions on voting since Barack Obama was elected. However, it is important to note that the specific number of states mentioned (24 and 2) may not be entirely accurate. While the evidence provided supports the claim, it does not provide a comprehensive and up-to-date list of states with such restrictions. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precise and current data.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We've heard a lot about the cap-and-trade plan \u2014 that it will increase the cost of energy and that it will eliminate jobs \u2014 but it's been a while since we put claims about the price of gas to the Truth-O-Meter.","We checked with the Heritage Foundation to find out if was correctly interpreting Heritage's study, and were told that the group was. Heritage also pointed us to another study the think tank did that looked at gas prices per state. Heritage assumes that under Waxman-Markey, gas will be at a minimum $3 a gallon in 2035, depending on where you live. A 58 percent price increase as a result of cap-and-trade would put the cost of a gallon of gasoline at more that $4.","The concept of cap-and-trade is relatively easy to understand. A cap is put on greenhouse gas emissions, and firms are required to buy credits, either from the government or from other companies, to continue polluting. Iterations of a cap-and-trade plan have been introduced in Congress previously, but the most recent legislation, written by Democrats Henry Waxman of California and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, has been passed by the House of Representatives. Their bill aims to lower carbon pollution by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050. Under their plan, most pollution permits initially would be given out free. But eventually, companies would have to buy those permits from the government.","In January 2021, when Biden was inaugurated, gas prices were already at $2.33 per gallon, ahead of any policies put into place by the new administration. As of March 2022, prices were around $4 a gallon, on average, according to PolitiFact."]},{"id":"10299.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On timing of right to work legislation","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Governor Scott Walker has expressed support for right-to-work legislation in the past but has questioned the timing of implementing it. While he has been an advocate of right to work since 1993, he has also raised concerns about the timing and whether it was appropriate at certain points. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects Walker's position on the timing of right-to-work legislation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cuomo, in a press conference in Buffalo, said, \"We\u2019re losing as many people to heroin and opioid overdoses as we lost to the AIDS epidemic at its peak.\"","\"Over the past 10 years we\u2019ve lost 10,000 people to heroin overdoses and the numbers are increasing exponentially. It is spiking. It is becoming more and more available, especially among the younger community, it\u2019s becoming more and more accepted, and it is truly, truly a frightening and staggering increase. We\u2019re losing as many people to heroin and opioid overdoses as we lost to the AIDS epidemic at its peak. That\u2019s how bad this is. Think about that: The AIDS epidemic \u2013 one of the worst things that society has had to deal with, and the loss of life is just about the same with this heroin epidemic. So the numbers are staggering, and it\u2019s frightening, and it\u2019s getting worse,\" Cuomo said, referring to the country\u2019s growing problem with heroin and opiates.","If he had been referring to the total number of drug overdoses, his claim would have been fine. There are more people dying from drug overdoses overall than the number who died from AIDS at the peak of the AIDS crisis. But the number of deaths from heroin and opioids alone continues to rise, more than doubling in Erie County alone between 2014 and 2015.","Before signing legislation to combat New York State\u2019s growing heroin and opiate addiction problem, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo compared the epidemic\u2019s death toll to the number of people who died during the peak of the AIDS crisis."]},{"id":"5728.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Obamas refusal to grant permits for offshore drilling is one reason gasoline prices are soaring.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama refused to grant permits for offshore drilling as a reason for soaring gasoline prices is false. In reality, President Obama did grant permits for offshore drilling during his presidency. In fact, his administration expanded offshore drilling in certain areas, although it also implemented safety regulations following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Gasoline prices are influenced by a variety of factors, including global oil prices, supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and market speculation. It is misleading to attribute rising gasoline prices solely to President Obama's actions regarding offshore drilling permits.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Bruce Braley voted to cut $700 billion from Medicare to support Obamacare,\" the ad says. \"That\u2019s just not fair. We paid in. We paid for it. That should be there for us.\"","Here, we\u2019re going to look at the claim that Braley \"voted to cut $700 billion from Medicare to support Obamacare.\" (In a separate item, we\u2019ll look at the second half of the claim.)","Some political talking points just never die. Like this one, used in a recent ad aired by the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the hotly contested Iowa Senate race between Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley and Republican state Sen. Joni Ernst.","Says Tom Steyer is a \"California billionaire who stands to profit by blocking Keystone\" and \"is spending big to help\" Bruce Braley."]},{"id":"12626.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton savaged the dignity of people who accused Bill Clinton of sexual harassment or assault and shamed them.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton has been involved in defending her husband against allegations of sexual misconduct, the statement that she \"savaged the dignity\" of the accusers and \"shamed them\" is an exaggeration. While some critics argue that her actions may have been aggressive or dismissive towards the accusers, it is important to note that the term \"savaged\" implies a level of extreme and malicious behavior that is not supported by the evidence. The situation surrounding the allegations against Bill Clinton was complex and highly politicized, and it is inaccurate to portray Hillary Clinton's involvement as solely focused on attacking the accusers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11504.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Florida, we have the lowest in-state tuition of any state.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Florida has relatively low in-state tuition compared to other states, the statement lacks context. The claim does not consider factors such as the cost of living, availability of financial aid, or the quality of education provided. While Florida may have lower in-state tuition, it is important to consider the overall affordability and accessibility of higher education in the state. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Trump said that 25 percent of U.S. Muslims \"agreed that violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad.\"","Among the findings is 25 percent of respondents agreed either slightly or strongly with the statement \"Violence against Americans here in the United States can be justified as part of the global jihad.\" About 64 percent disagreed.","\"According to Pew Research, among others, there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population,\" the Republican presidential candidate said in a Dec. 7 statement. \"Most recently, a poll from the Center for Security Policy released data showing 25 percent of those polled agreed that violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad, and 51 percent of those polled agreed that Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to shariah.\"","There\u2019s a lot packed into that quote, but we decided to focus on Trump\u2019s claim that 25 percent of Muslims polled by the Center for Security Policy agree that global jihad justifies violence against Americans."]},{"id":"11587.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In Japan, permanent residency is not given to Muslims, the propagation of Islam is banned, one cannot import a Koran published in the Arabic language, and Muslims cannot even rent a house.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false. The analysis and statements from experts confirm that Japan does not discriminate against Muslims in terms of permanent residency. The claim that the propagation of Islam is banned is also untrue. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on importing the Quran in Arabic, and while there may be some reluctance among residents to rent apartments to foreigners in general, there is no specific discrimination against Muslims. The graphic's claims are baseless and do not align with the reality of religious freedom and non-discrimination in Japan.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1482.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Despite touting the economic stimulus as a great triumph, \"The very same report, however, notes that unemployment will average 10 percent for the rest of the year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the report, which projects that the unemployment rate will average around 10 percent for the remainder of the year. However, it's important to note that the interpretation of this information is subjective. While some may argue that the high unemployment rate suggests the stimulus has not been effective, others may argue that the stimulus prevented an even worse economic situation. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of the report's projection but lacks the context of differing interpretations regarding the effectiveness of the stimulus.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now.\"","While many Republicans have warned that President Barack Obama's plan to raise taxes on wealthy Americans would hurt the fragile economy, Obama fired back in a Twitter town hall on July 6, 2011, that he's only proposing to return the top tax rate to the level it was raised to under President Bill Clinton, when job growth subsequently soared.","The Trump campaign sent an email blast to supporters embedded with a video of a Clinton event in Omaha, Neb., entitled, \"Hillary Clinton says she wants to \u2018raise taxes on the middle class.\u2019\"","The language that's part of the president's National Security Council memo \"is identical to the language\" used by President George W. Bush in 2001 and President Barack Obama in 2009."]},{"id":"7625.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Pasco County has the second highest population of homeless in all of Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, a homeless advocate named Brian Anderson stated that Pasco County has the second-highest population of homeless individuals in all of Florida. While the evidence does not provide the exact numbers or rankings of other counties, it confirms that Pasco County has a significant homeless population, placing it among the highest in the state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I live in the state of Georgia and Saxby Chambliss is going to be primaried, our own senator. It's unacceptable to have somebody that votes with the Democrats more than they do with the conservatives, \" Kremer said.","!U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., arrives at a closed door hearing on Capitol Hill. The senator announced Friday he will retire rather than seek re-election in 2014 for a third term. !U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., arrives at a closed door hearing on Capitol Hill. The senator announced Friday he will retire rather than seek re-election in 2014 for a third term.","U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., arrives at a closed door hearing on Capitol Hill. The senator announced Friday he will retire rather than seek re-election in 2014 for a third term.","\"I live in the state of Georgia and Saxby Chambliss is going to be primaried, our own senator. It's unacceptable to have somebody that votes with the Democrats more than they do with the conservatives,\" Kremer said. \"And he has proven time and time again, he's all about the spending, and we're a red state, we deserve a conservative senator.\""]},{"id":"4255.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says his Twitter account has 1.3 million followers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the person's Twitter account has 1.3 million followers. The evidence only mentions that a Taliban spokesperson has over 390,000 followers on Twitter, which is significantly lower than the claimed number. Without further evidence or clarification, it is not accurate to state that the person's Twitter account has 1.3 million followers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1927.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"For six years, I served our community as a conservative state legislator. In every one of those years, I helped balance the state's budget.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the legislator participated in the budgeting process, the statement is misleading because it implies that the legislator played a significant role in balancing the state's budget. In reality, balancing the budget is a fundamental duty of legislators and is expected as part of their responsibilities. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the budget was balanced, in part, by relying on federal funding and shifting the burden to the U.S. government, rather than solely through the efforts of the legislator. Therefore, the claim of personally \"helping\" to balance the budget is exaggerated.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Walker said \"the recall elections\" that aimed to remove him, the lieutenant governor and several state lawmakers from office \"cost tens of millions of dollars to run.\"","\"They caused damage to the Capitol,\" Walker said of the protesters, \"(and) the recall elections cost tens of millions of dollars to run -- the impact on the taxpayers. It was just -- what we found is the Left never stops.\"","So that's a total of nearly $16.3 million, which is sizable, particularly since it hadn't been budgeted. But it's short of tens of millions.","His claim suggests at least $20 million was spent, but the tally was $16.3 million. That's more than a single ten, but less than \"tens of millions.\""]},{"id":"3019.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The richest 1 percent of America will get a bigger tax cut through this bill than the family income of the average family here in Central Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the net tax cuts under the House bill are titled towards the wealthiest, with the richest 1 percent receiving a larger tax cut compared to the average family income in Central Texas. The analysis shows that the tax cuts for the top 1 percent increase from about 34 percent in 2019 to 47 percent in 2027, while the impact on the average family income in Central Texas may be relatively smaller. However, it's important to note that the exact comparison between the tax cuts for the top 1 percent and the average family income in Central Texas may vary depending on specific circumstances and individual tax situations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6143.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since the beginning of the economic downturn in FY 2008, the state workforce has been reduced by 12.4 percent as part of overall cost savings measures to balance the budget to reduce revenues.","reason":"Reason: The statement regarding the reduction of the state workforce by 12.4 percent since the beginning of the economic downturn in FY 2008 is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence does not mention any specific data or statistics related to the reduction of the state workforce. Without additional evidence or context, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5849.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States already has the highest corporate tax rate in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, the United States does have one of the highest corporate tax rates among industrialized nations. While Japan previously held the highest combined tax rate, they lowered it in 2012, causing the United States to have the highest statutory rate among industrialized nations. However, it's important to note that the term \"the world\" is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence, so the statement should be revised to accurately reflect the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Bob McDonnell took a fraction of what Kaine took,\" said Trump, the GOP presidential nominee. \"And I think, to me, it\u2019s a big problem. Now, how do you take all these gifts? Hundreds of thousands of dollars.\"","We wondered whether McDonnell\u2019s gift-taking was, in fact, \"a fraction\" of Kaine\u2019s. Trump\u2019s campaign did not respond to our request for proof. So we set out on our own, comparing gifts Kaine received as lieutenant governor and governor from 2002 to 2010 to those McDonnell accepted as attorney general from 2006 to 2009 and as governor from 2010 to 2014.","But the financial problems began at least 18 months before McDonnell took office. And McDonnell\u2019s predecessor -- Democrat Tim Kaine -- announced budget actions to close a $2.5 billion shortfall in October 2008.","Trump compared Kaine to his successor, former Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, saying McDonnell nearly went to prison for accepting far less."]},{"id":"3472.json","label":"half-true","statement":"About 22 percent of adults in Rhode Island and approximately 30 percent of youth (ages 10-17) are considered obese.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the source that approximately 22 percent of adults in Rhode Island are considered obese. However, the claim regarding the obesity rate among youth (ages 10-17) is not entirely accurate. While one source cites a rate of approximately 30 percent, another source indicates a much lower rate of 14.4 percent based on a different survey. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it accurately represents the obesity rate among adults but presents conflicting information regarding the obesity rate among youth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12191.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Last year (the U.S. womens soccer team) generated $20 million more than the mens team and were paid almost four times less.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the U.S. women's soccer team generated $20 million more than the men's team and were paid almost four times less is misleading. While it is true that the women's team generated more revenue than the men's team in a specific year, the comparison of their pay is not accurate. The payment structures for the men's and women's teams are different, and they are governed by separate collective bargaining agreements. The revenue generated by each team and the compensation they receive are influenced by various factors, including sponsorship deals, TV contracts, and tournament prize money. Therefore, directly comparing the revenue and pay between the two teams without considering these factors can lead to a distorted understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3139.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Republican Party raffled off an AR-15 assault rifle at the 2010 Oregon State Fair.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that the Republican Party did indeed hold a raffle for an AR-15 rifle at the 2010 Oregon State Fair. The state party spokesman confirmed the raffle, stating that it was a fundraiser for the Marion County Republican Central Committee. While the term \"assault rifle\" can be subjective and its usage varies, the fact that an AR-15 rifle was raffled off aligns with the common understanding of an assault-style weapon. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Stories by PolitiFact, \"No, HR 1 would not allow the Boston Marathon bomber to vote from prison,\" March 5, 2021; \"Fact-checking misleading attacks on HR 1, Democrats\u2019 voting rights bill,\" posted Feb. 3, 2021.","House Democrats introduced H.R. 1, also known as the For the People Act, to expand access to the voting booth. On March 2, U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) tweeted a list of ways he says the bill \"rigs\" elections to help Democrats. He said that it:","Some states have permission to use a federal resource of data, called the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, for the purposes of verifying that voter registration applicants are citizens. Implemented in 1987 and administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, SAVE was originally intended to verify eligibility for government benefits, such as Medicaid. SAVE , is not a database of people who are U.S. citizens, but it will show a person\u2019s immigration or citizenship status.","U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) tweeted his opposition to H.R. 1, also known as the For the People Act of 2021."]},{"id":"10274.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The number of killings of citizens by police is at a two-decade high.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the National Urban League CEO Marc Morial and the USA Today article referenced, there has been an increase in the number of killings of citizens by police in recent years. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific data or context regarding the exact numbers or rates of these killings. Additionally, the claim made by Robert Worden, a professor at the University of Albany School of Criminal Justice, suggests that the actual number of such homicides may be higher than reported by the FBI. Therefore, while there is evidence to support an increase in police killings, the statement could benefit from more precise information and a broader understanding of the underlying factors contributing to this trend.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I say to people in Providence who have been complaining for 50 or 60 years, \u2018Why don\u2019t you try something different, because your schools aren\u2019t getting better, your neighborhoods aren\u2019t necessarily getting better, job opportunities aren\u2019t getting better. Why do you vote for the Democrat?\u2019\" Jackvony said. \"There hasn\u2019t been a Republican in the legislature or the City Council in Providence in over 30 years.\"","Their answers: Farmer served from 1979 through 1990, when he opted not to seek reelection, representing Ward 2 as the last Republican on the council -- 22\u00bd years ago. And Mary C. Ross represented the old House District 17, in the West End, for one term in 1993-94 -- 19\u00bd years ago. Both were considerably more recent than Jackvony\u2019s remark that it has been \"over 30 years.\"","We phoned Paul R. Campbell, Providence city archivist, whose desk is perched in the attic at City Hall, and dropped in on Claudia J. Haugen, chairwoman of the Providence Board of Canvassers and Registration, who is on the first floor.","Jackvony, in his statement on \"A Lively Experiment,\" was making the point that it has been a long time since a Republican sat on the council or represented the city in the Assembly."]},{"id":"1125.json","label":"false","statement":"During the 2005 fight over Social Security, there were noisy demonstrations but they were outside the events, and opponents were not disruptive crowds booed lines they didnt like, but that was about it.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays the events during the 2005 fight over Social Security. There were indeed noisy demonstrations, but they were not limited to being outside the events. Opponents of the proposed changes to Social Security actively disrupted events and engaged in disruptive behavior, including booing lines they didn't like. The statement fails to acknowledge the extent of the disruptions and misrepresents the nature of the opposition during that time.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Romney countered, \"I've never voted for a Democrat when there was a Republican on the ballot. And -- and in my state of Massachusetts, you could register as an independent and go vote in (whichever) primary happens to be very interesting. And any chance I got to vote against Bill Clinton or Ted Kennedy, I took. \u2026 I have always voted for a Republican any time there was a Republican on the ballot.\"","This explanation sounds a lot like what Romney said in the Jacksonville debate. But in the debate, he went further and said, \"I've never voted for a Democrat when there was a Republican on the ballot.\"","In the Jacksonville debate, Romney said, \"I've never voted for a Democrat when there was a Republican on the ballot.\" Romney has been open about the strategy behind his decision, and we expect many voters would have done the same thing. We see two contrary interpretations as having merit. Romney has a point that the ballot he was handed didn\u2019t include any Republicans. On the other hand, Romney had a right to request a GOP ballot that day and opted not to. We rate the statement Half True.","When Romney walked into the polling place and was handed a Democratic ballot, it\u2019s true that there was no Republican on it. The Republican ballot was separate. So, by this interpretation, Romney is correct that there was no \"Republican on the ballot\" that day."]},{"id":"1920.json","label":"false","statement":"Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp is a \"career politician.\"","reason":"Reason: While Brian Kemp has held political positions such as serving in the Georgia Legislature and as Secretary of State, labeling him as a \"career politician\" would be inaccurate. The evidence provided suggests that Kemp's political experience is not extensive enough to warrant such a classification. Additionally, the fact that he considered running for different positions in the past does not automatically make him a career politician. The term \"career politician\" typically refers to individuals who have spent a significant portion of their professional lives in politics, holding multiple high-level political positions. Therefore, the statement that Brian Kemp is a \"career politician\" is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Baldwin charged that Thompson \"wants to give a new $265,000 tax cut to millionaires like himself while raising taxes on the middle class.\"","The ad\u2019s punch line: \"He wants to give a new $265,000 tax cut to millionaires like himself while raising taxes on the middle class.\" On screen, after images of a limo and private jet, a tree-lined street scene with the words: \"Raise taxes $1,300 on middle class families.\"","Says U.S. Senate rival Tammy Baldwin wants a \"completely government-controlled\" health care system that goes \"far beyond 'Obamacare'\" and is \"a Medicare system for all.\"","Now let\u2019s turn to Baldwin\u2019s claim that Thompson wants to raise federal taxes on the middle class, to the tune of $1,300."]},{"id":"8801.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We had 6,000 oil and gas spills in 2012 with more oil and gas spreading in the United States than the entire Exxon Valdez spill.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by filmmaker-activist Josh Fox regarding the number of reported oil and gas spills in 2012 and the comparison to the Exxon Valdez spill. According to available data, there were indeed over 6,000 reported spills and mishaps at onshore oil and gas sites in 2012, resulting in at least 15.6 million gallons of various substances being spilled. While the comparison to the Exxon Valdez spill is not a perfect one, as it includes different types of spills, it does provide a relative scope of the accidents occurring at oil and gas sites. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The legislation could open billions of taxpayer dollars to left-wing groups like the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), which has been accused of voter fraud, is reportedly under federal investigation, and played a key role in the housing meltdown,\" House Republican Leader John Boehner said in a Jan. 26 news release.","A frequent object of Republican derision and scorn during the presidential election, the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) has become a popular target in GOP attacks on the $819 billion, Democratic-backed economic stimulus plan.","So how does ACORN factor into the economic stimulus bill? Some Republican leaders have noted that a House version of the stimulus package includes $4.2 billion for \"neighborhood stabilization.\" The Senate version of the bill calls for $2.2 billion. The money would be doled out to groups to buy up abandoned and foreclosed homes, to rehabilitate them and then sell or rent them out. The government already has such a program, but the money is only available to government agencies. The stimulus package would allow nonprofits to compete for this kind of work as well. Some Republicans view that as a backdoor attempt to fund groups like ACORN.","Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter went one step further, telling Newsmax TV that \"$4.2 billion dollars would be available to organizations like ACRON for so-called neighborhood revitalization. That's just political payoff, quite frankly, not in spite of their voter registration fraud activity, really because of it, in my opinion, in terms of support from some of the liberals in Congress.\""]},{"id":"6960.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Barack Obama (is) the first president in history to cut Medicare by $700 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. President Obama's Affordable Care Act (ACA) did include provisions that resulted in a reduction in projected Medicare spending by approximately $700 billion over a ten-year period. However, it's important to note that these reductions were not direct cuts to Medicare benefits or services for seniors. The savings were achieved through various measures, such as reducing overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans and implementing cost-saving reforms. While the statement accurately highlights the reduction in Medicare spending, it could be misleading without providing the necessary context about the nature of these reductions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But he also said burial would, \"improve public health and safety by eliminating exposure of nearby residential development projects to electro-magnetic fields, which has been associated with childhood leukemia and other diseases.\"","The American Cancer Society lists \"Exposure to electromagnetic fields (such as living near power lines)\" as an \"uncertain, unproven, or controversial\" risk factor for childhood leukemia. Studies of electric fields have not shown any risk. The only hint of a leukemia problem has been for magnetic fields and only in children exposed to the highest fields.","In our emails and in cell phone conversations with Lynch, he repeatedly argued that he never claimed that there was a link between EMFs and childhood leukemia (or other diseases). He only said that the two are \"associated.\"",", \" Residential exposure to magnetic fields and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children,\" and \" Power lines, cancer, and fear,\" New England Journal of Medicine, July 3, 1997, both accessed Dec. 19, 2014"]},{"id":"11727.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Missouri needs a voter I.D. law because theres over 16 people in the state of Missouri who have been convicted of some type of voter fraud.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been more than 16 cases of voter fraud in Missouri, the statement misrepresents the significance of this number. The evidence suggests that the number of voter fraud cases in Missouri is relatively low and does not indicate a widespread problem that would necessitate the implementation of a voter ID law. Additionally, it is important to note that the statement implies a direct causal relationship between voter ID laws and addressing voter fraud, which is a matter of debate and not universally supported by evidence. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it selectively presents information to support a particular viewpoint.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3748.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Obamas health care law represents a government takeover of health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama's health care law represents a \"government takeover of health care\" is categorically false. This claim was even named the \"Lie of the Year\" in 2010 by a fact-checking organization. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) does not involve a government takeover of the health care system. It primarily focuses on expanding access to health insurance, implementing consumer protections, and introducing regulations for insurance companies. The majority of Americans still receive their health care from private providers and insurers. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3763.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On taxes, President Barack Obama wants to raise the top rate to 44.8 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that President Obama has proposed raising the top marginal income tax rate, the specific figure of 44.8 percent mentioned by Ryan is not entirely accurate. The proposed increase in the top marginal income tax rate under Obama's plan was from 35 percent to 39.6 percent, not 44.8 percent. Therefore, while there is a desire to raise the top rate, the specific percentage mentioned in the statement is incorrect.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So, does Perry score a touchdown -- or at least a field goal -- with his claim that Mayor Reed did not hold one conversation with the public leading up to the new Falcons stadium deal?","\"Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed was quoted in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as saying Atlanta would have a \u2018big public conversation.\u2019\" We would get an information blitz, he said. But the mayor held not one conversation with the public,\" said Perry, executive director of government watchdog group Common Cause Georgia.","With the new stadium project, no one, or no group, asked Reed\u2019s office to hold a town hall meeting, Jacobs said.","A Feb. 8 AJC article quoted Reed as promising \"a big public conversation\" about the new stadium. \"We\u2019re going to give the public every piece of data that we can possibly give them. Everything is going to be known,\" the mayor went on to say. \"Questions are going to be answered in public and on television.\""]},{"id":"4623.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care law was a 2,733-page bill! . . . No amendments!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that the health care law was a 2,733-page bill. However, it incorrectly claims that there were no amendments. The health care law did undergo amendments during the legislative process, including changes made in committee and on the floor of Congress. While the bill was indeed lengthy, it is important to note that amendments were made to the original version. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9560.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration estimates the number of children at the border is going to increase to 150,000 to 200,000 next year.","reason":"Reason: While there are varying estimates and projections regarding the number of unaccompanied children arriving at the southern border, it is not accurate to attribute a specific estimate of 150,000 to 200,000 children to the Obama administration. The evidence provided suggests that there were internal memos and discussions regarding potential numbers, but these estimates are not definitive or officially released figures from the administration. It is important to note that the actual number of children arriving at the border can be influenced by various factors and can be subject to change. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it misrepresents the Obama administration's official estimates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["When Todd asked Clinton if Trump had done anything that should be praised, Clinton offered a non sequitur, saying Trump \"needs to release his tax returns. The only two we have show that he hasn't paid a penny in taxes.","New York Times, \"Donald Trump Tax Records Show He Could Have Avoided Taxes for Nearly Two Decades, The Times Found,\" Oct. 1, 2016","Clinton has one thing correct here -- public records do indicate that there were two years in the 1970s when Trump paid nothing in federal taxes. But she got a few key points wrong. Namely, the same public records show three other years in which Trump did pay federal income taxes. Also, the public records Clinton referred to are not Trump's actual tax returns.","The report says that Trump paid federal taxes for three of those five years, 1975-77. Trump did not pay federal income tax in 1978 and 1979 because, according to the tax rules, he lost money those years. But the report reveals no specifics, so the details of his tax returns for those years remain a mystery."]},{"id":"1197.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama administrations cap-and-trade plan would create a $1,761 yearly energy tax.","reason":"Reason: While there were discussions and debates about the potential costs associated with the Obama administration's cap-and-trade plan, it is important to note that the statement exaggerates the impact by claiming it would create a $1,761 yearly energy tax. The evidence provided includes an article that mentions a previously unreleased analysis prepared by the U.S. Department of Treasury, which estimates the potential cost of a cap-and-trade law to be between $100 billion to $200 billion per year. However, it does not specifically state that it would result in a $1,761 yearly energy tax for each household. Additionally, other evidence suggests that regional cap-and-trade programs have actually decreased the cost of energy. Therefore, the statement is false as it misrepresents the potential impact of the cap-and-trade plan.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But was Nelson correct that the 2011 budget deal included \"a trillion dollars of cuts went into effect immediately, and then a special committee was set up ... to get agreement on another $3 trillion of cuts\"?","Nelson said the 2011 budget deal included \"a trillion dollars of cuts went into effect immediately, and then a special committee ... to get agreement on another $3 trillion of cuts.\"","\"Well, a year and a half ago, when the country, in order to pay its bills, (and we) had to raise the artificial statutory debt ceiling so the country could pay its bills, a deal was struck: a trillion dollars of cuts went into effect immediately, and then a special committee was set up. They were to get agreement on another $3 trillion of cuts.","But that\u2019s not what Nelson said. He told TV viewers the committee was set up \"to get agreement on another $3 trillion of cuts,\" as though that were part of the deal reached by lawmakers in the Budget Control Act."]},{"id":"3491.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Regime change (in Iraq) took eight years","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"regime change in Iraq took eight years\" is partially true. While it is accurate that the process of regime change in Iraq spanned a significant period, it is important to note that the primary military operations for regime change occurred within a shorter timeframe. The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq took place in 2003, resulting in the removal of Saddam Hussein's regime. However, the subsequent stabilization, establishment of a new government, and resolution of conflicts took several years. Therefore, while the initial regime change occurred within a shorter timeframe, the overall process of transitioning to a stable and functioning government did indeed take around eight years.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8447.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"About 47 percent of able-bodied people in the state of Maine dont work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence clearly shows that only a small percentage of able-bodied people in the state of Maine are not working. The unemployment rate in August 2013 was 7.0 percent, and when accounting for those who are not actively looking for employment, the percentage of able-bodied individuals not working is even lower, at just 3.6 percent. Therefore, the claim that about 47 percent of able-bodied people in Maine do not work is completely inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"We lost 4 million jobs before I was sworn in; 750,000 the month I was sworn in; 600,000, the month after that; 600,000 the month after that. So most of the jobs that we lost were lost before the economic policies we put in place had any effect.\"","Obama didn't give a time frame for the 4 million lost jobs other than to say the losses occurred before he took office. We checked with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, official keeper of the jobs statistics, to see if the numbers matched up in some way.","\"Since President Obama took full control of Washington \u2026 every single day, more than 1,500 of our jobs have been lost.\"","\"During my administration, for example, we boosted U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico by about 50 percent. That supports about 2.8 million American jobs.\""]},{"id":"1589.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"My \"border security efforts have led to a 60 percent decrease in border crime.\"","reason":"Reason: Governor Rick Perry's claim that his border security efforts led to a 60 percent decrease in border crime is not supported by credible evidence. The calculation used to support this claim is flawed as it does not consider crimes committed in cities and towns where most border residents reside. Additionally, the comparison made only covers two calendar quarters, failing to account for long-term trends. Previous investigations into Perry's claims about reducing border crime have also raised doubts about the accuracy of his statements. Therefore, the claim is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Promotes a chart saying that Barack Obama has \"increased the debt\" by 16 percent, compared to George W. Bush, who increased it by 115 percent.","The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the health insurance reform legislation says the bill \"cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years.\"","\"In the first year of the Obama administration, more jobs were created in the private sector than in the eight years of the Bush administration.\"","More private-sector jobs were created in the second year of the Obama administration than in the eight years of the Bush administration."]},{"id":"5879.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that Rep. Betty Sutton would rather riot with Occupy (Wall Street) than stand up for Ohio families.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Rep. Betty Sutton would rather riot with Occupy Wall Street than stand up for Ohio families. The evidence provided does not support this claim. While there is mention of Rep. Sutton participating in an Occupy Wall Street labor march and being slow to criticize a plot by some Occupy members, it does not indicate that she would prefer rioting with Occupy over standing up for Ohio families. The statement is a misrepresentation of the facts and lacks evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Dewhurst said: \"I have cut taxes 63 times, including a 2006 property tax reduction that ranks as the largest in state history.\"","The Senate passed legislation to cut \"taxes for all Texans,\" Dewhurst\u2019s web post continued. \"I have cut taxes 63 times, including a 2006 property tax reduction that ranks as the largest in state history.\"","The 2006 school property-tax-rate reduction was historic. But this statement fails to acknowledge that actions Dewhurst helped usher into place the same year led to hundreds of millions of dollars in lesser tax increases.","The record-breaking part of Dewhurst's blog-post claim rings true. We recalled only one other substantial statewide property-tax break. The 1997 Legislature sent voters a proposed constitutional amendment, subsequently adopted, increasing from $5,000 to $15,000 the residential homestead exemption from school property taxes, a change then estimated to save a typical Texas homeowner about $12 a month, according to a July 1997 report by the House Research Organization. That report also said: \"The net result would be one of the largest tax reductions in state history.\""]},{"id":"9599.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We spend $18 billion a year on making sure that the federal government has immigrant enforcement agents. Thats more than DEA and the ATF and the FBI and all the other enforcement (agencies) combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the federal government spends approximately $18 billion a year on maintaining immigrant enforcement agents. However, it is not entirely accurate to claim that this amount is more than what the DEA, ATF, FBI, and all other enforcement agencies combined spend. The evidence provided states that the $18 billion spent on immigration enforcement in fiscal year 2012 was more than the $14.4 billion spent by specific law enforcement agencies, but it does not encompass all other enforcement agencies. Therefore, while the spending on immigrant enforcement is significant, the claim that it exceeds the combined spending of all other enforcement agencies is not entirely supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"New Jersey has the largest transit system in the entire country,\" said Pascrell, who will face Rep. Steve Rothman in the June 5 Democratic primary for a newly redrawn congressional district. \"One third of the budget of the transit system comes from the federal government, so what you\u2019re doing is pushing ... folks that continue to drive our bridges and tunnels, (you) are not giving them relief to have an option to use mass transit, which is overburdened as it is right now.\"","\"(If you\u2019re looking at) which system carries the most people, has the most equipment operating every day, New Jersey clearly does not have the largest transit system in the country. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York is the largest,\" Robins said.","\"Congressman Pascrell was referring to NJ Transit, the largest statewide transit system in the country,\" Pascrell spokesman Paul Brubaker told us in an e-mail.","\"They\u2019re not the largest transit system,\" said Virginia Miller, a spokesman for the advocacy group, which seeks to improve public transportation by making it available and accessible across the country. \"No one\u2019s bigger in North America than (the MTA). They\u2019re one of the biggest in the world. New Jersey is the highest statewide system.\""]},{"id":"1110.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty-five percent of Americans went without needed care because of costs in 2007.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the 2007 version of Commonwealth's survey, which reported that 45 percent of adults aged 19 to 64 experienced access problems related to cost, such as not filling prescriptions, skipping recommended medical tests, or not visiting a doctor due to financial constraints. This rate is significantly higher than the 29 percent reported in the 2001 survey. However, it's important to note that the statement specifically refers to the situation in 2007 and does not provide an updated figure for more recent years. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s Walker\u2019s agency that gave millions in tax breaks to companies that relocated jobs overseas. Another reason Wisconsin\u2019s dead last in Midwest job growth.\"","With a new Walker TV ad bragging that we\u2019re third in the Midwest in job growth, we thought it was time to look at both claims. In both cases, and like so many claims in a campaign that any numbers nerd would love, evaluation depends on two things: the timeframe and the measuring stick.","When it comes to Madison Democrats making pronouncements about job growth in Wisconsin, the term \"dead last\" has a recurring allure.","\"Well, first of all, I think Governor Walker has taken us down the path of his presidential aspirations, and I feel that he is really ignoring the needs of Wisconsin. We're dead last in the Midwest for job creation.\""]},{"id":"3266.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States, and Rhode Island has the second-highest incidence of this disease in the country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Lyme disease is a significant health concern in the United States, the statement that it is one of the fastest-growing infectious diseases in the country lacks specific evidence or ranking from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the claim that Rhode Island has the second-highest incidence of Lyme disease in the country is not supported by the CDC's ranking system. However, it is acknowledged that Rhode Island has been among the states with a high number of Lyme disease cases, potentially ranking within the top five. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it is not entirely accurate in terms of growth rate and specific ranking.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Contrary to President Barack Obama's pledge before Congress on Sept. 9 that \"no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions,\" Johnson said, under the Baucus bill, \"federal funds would subsidize coverage of elective abortions.\"","\"Funds spent by federal agencies are, by law, federal funds,\" Johnson stated. \"The claim that under these bills, a federal agency would use 'private funds' to subsidize abortions is absurd on its face \u2014 a political hoax.\"","The Baucus bill \"contains provisions that would send massive federal subsidies directly to both private insurance plans and government-chartered cooperatives that pay for elective abortion.\"","In a sharply worded news release on Sept. 16, NLRC legislative director Douglas Johnson said the Baucus bill \"contains an array of proabortion mandates and federal subsidies for elective abortion.\""]},{"id":"2153.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama initially said the national health-care mandate isnt a tax, but his administration now says it is a tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Initially, President Obama did state that the individual mandate in the national health-care law was not a tax. However, later on, his administration argued before the Supreme Court that the mandate could be considered a tax under the government's power to tax. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld the mandate as a tax in 2012. While there was a shift in the administration's position, it's important to note that this change occurred in a legal context and does not necessarily imply that President Obama personally made a contradictory statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever.\"","A new TV ad for Christie\u2019s re-election campaign claims in part, \"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever.\"","\"Four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever,\" a narrator states as scenes from around New Jersey flash in the background.","A new ad by Christie for Governor claims that under the governor\u2019s leadership, the state has had \"four balanced budgets in a row, with no new taxes for anyone. The best job growth in 12 years. Nearly 130,000 new private-sector jobs. Merit pay to reward New Jersey\u2019s best teachers, and the most education funding ever.\""]},{"id":"9113.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are still more people uninsured today than when Obama was elected president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. When President Obama took office, there were indeed significant economic challenges that resulted in job losses and subsequent loss of health insurance for many Americans. However, it is important to consider the context of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) implemented during Obama's presidency. The ACA aimed to expand access to healthcare and reduce the number of uninsured individuals. While the ACA made progress in reducing the number of uninsured Americans, it did not completely eliminate the issue. Therefore, it is accurate to say that there are still more uninsured individuals today compared to when Obama was elected, but it is crucial to acknowledge the efforts made to address the problem through healthcare reform.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5771.json","label":"true","statement":"The federal government owns tens of thousands of properties that are vacant or underused.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The Ranger Republican's claim that the federal government owns tens of thousands of vacant or underused properties is supported by the evidence provided. While the exact number may seem high, it is within the realm of possibility considering the extensive property holdings of the federal government. Therefore, the statement can be deemed as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When Republican President George W. Bush was elected in 2000, Florida had 20 counties where the GOP held registration leads over Democrats. But during the past two decades, Republicans have systematically gained the registration advantage in rural counties in much of the state, drawing people who traditionally had been conservative Southern Democrats. Take, for example, Baker County in Northeast Florida. In 2000, Democrats made up 83 percent of the county\u2019s registered voters. This year, Republicans make up 61.4 percent. Similarly, Democrats made up 83.4 percent of the voters in Northwest Florida\u2019s Holmes County in 2000. This year, Republicans make up 64.2 percent.","- RURAL DEMOCRATS NO MORE : When Republican President George W. Bush was elected in 2000, Florida had 20 counties where the GOP held registration leads over Democrats. But during the past two decades, Republicans have systematically gained the registration advantage in rural counties in much of the state, drawing people who traditionally had been conservative Southern Democrats. Take, for example, Baker County in Northeast Florida. In 2000, Democrats made up 83% of the county\u2019s registered voters. This year, Republicans make up 61.4%.","Democrats have traditionally led in voter registration in Florida, but Republicans are inching closer\u2014 while many voters don\u2019t want to be identified with either party. In all, 14,441,869 people are registered to vote in November, with 36.7 percent registered as Democrats, 35.8 percent registered as Republicans and 26 percent registered with no party affiliation (the remaining voters are registered with third parties). Compare that to the 2016 general election, when Florida had 12,863,773 registered voters. Democrats made up 37.9 percent, while Republicans made up 35.4 percent and unaffiliated voters made up 24 percent. Of course, registration numbers don\u2019t tell the whole story: Republicans have dominated state politics since the late 1990s.","In 2008, then-Sen. Barack Obama \"missed 60 or 70 percent of his votes.\" In 2004, John Kerry missed \"close to 60 to 70 percent\" and Bob Graham missed \"over 30 percent of his votes.\""]},{"id":"12130.json","label":"false","statement":"Says her representation of an ex-boyfriend who was then my friend in a family law case is something that lawyers do on a regular basis.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that representing an ex-boyfriend in a family law case is something that lawyers do on a regular basis. While it is not uncommon for lawyers to represent individuals in family law cases, the specific context of representing an ex-boyfriend who was then a friend is not a common occurrence. Family law cases typically involve legal matters related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and support, and the representation of an ex-boyfriend who is now a friend would be an atypical situation.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7213.json","label":"true","statement":"Our pension system is the only one in the country thats 100 percent funded.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gov. Scott Walker that \"Our pension system is the only one in the country that\u2019s 100% funded\" is supported by evidence. Multiple sources confirm that Wisconsin's pension system was indeed fully funded at the time the statement was made. While other states, such as South Dakota, have also achieved 100% funding for their pension systems, the statement is accurate in the context of Gov. Walker's claim specifically referring to Wisconsin.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"She repeatedly plays the gender card. In fact she boasts \u2018deal me in.\u2019 Well, Mrs. Clinton, consider yourself dealt in because as a senator you paid women less than the men in your office,\" said Day at the Republican convention July 19.","In 2015, we fact-checked a claim by Fox News\u2019 Sean Hannity that as a senator, Hillary Clinton \"actually paid female staffers a lot less than men.\" We rated that claim Mostly False.","\"The salaries speak for themselves,\" the story says. \"The data shows that women in her office were paid 72 cents for every dollar paid to men.\"","A Buzzfeed News headline on the same topic presents a completely different take: \"Internal Data: Hillary Clinton Paid Women And Men Equally.\""]},{"id":"11757.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have the lowest percentage of Americans working today of any year since 1977.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Ted Cruz accurately reflects the claim that the United States has the lowest percentage of Americans working today compared to any year since 1977. This claim was fact-checked by PolitiFact and found to be mostly true. The employment-population ratio, which measures the percentage of the civilian population aged 16 and above that is employed, supports this assertion. While there may be some nuances and alternative interpretations of the data, the statement aligns with the findings of the fact-check and is generally accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the Senate, pipeline supporters have tried several times during the past two years to pressure the Obama administration to approve the project. After an effort last month was bogged by partisan infighting, Gillespie blasted an email and news release saying of Warner, \"He likes to tell us he supports Keystone Pipeline, but his record is one of acting against it.\"","Ed Gillespie, \" Statement of Ed Gillespie on Mark Warner and Harry Reid\u2019s \u2018Senate Blockade\u2019 of the Keystone XL Pipeline,\" May 14, 2014.","Republican Senate candidate Ed Gillespie says Democratic incumbent Mark Warner voices support for the Keystone XL pipeline but works against it.","A review of the record shows Warner voted in favor of a Keystone resolution in 2013. He signed two letters to the president and one to the secretary of state asking them to expedite the project. Many environmentalists put Warner squarely in the Keystone crowd."]},{"id":"4356.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every 1 percent increase in the number of Ohioans with bachelors degrees means economic activity growing the next year and for each year thereafter (by) $2.5 billion dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the positive correlation between an increase in the number of Ohioans with bachelor's degrees and economic activity. While the exact figure of $2.5 billion may vary depending on various factors, the general concept that an increase in the number of individuals with bachelor's degrees leads to economic growth is supported by research and evidence. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2064.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Illegal aliens are costing Georgia taxpayers over a billion dollars every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"illegal aliens are costing Georgia taxpayers over a billion dollars every year\" is based on a report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). While FAIR's report estimates the cost to be $2.399 billion, it is important to note that there are varying estimates and interpretations of the economic impact of undocumented immigrants. PolitiFact Georgia reviewed a similar claim and rated it as half-true, acknowledging that the cost estimates can vary significantly depending on the methodology used. Therefore, while there are costs associated with undocumented immigrants, the specific figure of over a billion dollars may not be universally agreed upon and can be subject to interpretation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact \"Sen. Ron Johnson voted for Paul Ryan plans to make Medicare a voucher program, Democratic Party says,\" June 10, 2016.","Also that year, we rated Mostly True a Democratic Party of Wisconsin claim that \"Ron Johnson voted to turn Medicare \u2018into a voucher program.\u2019\" We found that Johnson supported a proposal from then-House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville.","In a radio ad released May 4, 2016, the party said GOP U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson \"went after Medicare, voting to turn it into a voucher program.\"","\"First of all, I think it's important for Gov. Romney to present this plan that he says will only affect folks in the future,\" Obama said during the Oct. 3, 2012, debate at the University of Denver. \"And the essence of the plan is that you would turn Medicare into a voucher program. It's called premium support, but it's understood to be a voucher program.\""]},{"id":"8327.json","label":"false","statement":"Under Cuccinellis tax cut plan, school divisions across Virginia could be forced to fire over 8,000 teachers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Terry McAuliffe claimed that under Ken Cuccinelli's tax cut plan, school divisions in Virginia could be forced to lay off over 8,000 teachers, this claim is based on extrapolated numbers from a report by the Virginia Education Association. The report itself is critical of Cuccinelli's tax plan, but it does not provide concrete evidence or a direct correlation between the tax plan and the number of teacher layoffs. Therefore, the claim lacks factual basis and is misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Hillary Clinton: Says Bernie Sanders advocated putting \"Iranian troops into Syria to try and resolve the conflict there. Putting them right on the doorstep of Israel.\"","Syrian War: Says Sanders advocated putting \"Iranian troops into Syria to try and resolve the conflict there. Putting them right on the doorstep of Israel.\"","\"A group of national security experts issued a very concerning statement about Sen. Sanders views on foreign policy and national security, pointing out some of the comments he has made on these issues,\" Clinton said. \"Such as inviting Iranian troops into Syria to try and resolve the conflict there. Putting them right on the doorstep of Israel.\"","Still, we can take it that Sanders did promote the presence of Iranian troops in Syria. Whether those troops themselves would be on the border with Israel is unknowable, but Syria of course shares a border with Israel. And Iran is no friend of Israel."]},{"id":"10565.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rhode Island has invested less in tourism, economic development and economic development personnel than four nearby states.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Raimondo stated that Rhode Island has invested less in tourism, economic development, and economic development personnel compared to Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, the evidence provided suggests a more nuanced picture. The comparison of economic development agencies is challenging due to differences in organizational structures among states. Rhode Island has one major economic development organization, while other states may have multiple entities. Additionally, when considering economic development per capita and total tourism budget, Rhode Island's spending is higher than certain states mentioned. Therefore, while there may be some disparities in investment, the statement oversimplifies the comparison and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all relevant factors.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5204.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Obama has said he is going to cut veterans benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there is evidence that President Obama has made statements about cutting veterans' benefits, it is important to note that these statements need to be viewed in context. The evidence provided does not include a direct quote from President Obama explicitly stating his intention to cut veterans' benefits. It is possible that the statement is referring to broader discussions about budget cuts and fiscal responsibility, which could indirectly impact veterans' benefits. However, without more specific information or direct quotes, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent and intention behind these statements. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We\u2019ve also fact-checked and found Mostly False the claim that toothpaste contains \"the poison substance of fluoride.\" Many toothpaste brands contain fluoride, a substance known to prevent cavities. But because fluoride can cause illness if ingested alone, such products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which limits how much fluoride is allowed.","Some -- but not all -- toothpaste contains fluoride, a substance known to prevent cavities. If it\u2019s ingested alone, fluoride can cause serious illness in humans. So, toothpaste is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which limits the amount of fluoride allowed in the product.","\"We all know that we do not have children or anyone swallow toothpaste,\" Bohl said at a City Hall news conference May 29, cited in this report on WUWM. \"And the reason we don\u2019t do that is because of the poison substance of fluoride. If fluoride was such an effective and non-harmful substance, why would we not encourage everyone to swallow their toothpaste?\"","We asked Bohl why he called fluoride a poison, and he sent us an email with links to more than a dozen websites that \"spell out the toxic nature of the substance.\""]},{"id":"10133.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker is forcing some women to undergo a transvaginal probe to get an abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that EMILY's List and other sources have claimed that Scott Walker is forcing some women to undergo transvaginal ultrasounds to get an abortion, it is important to note that the context is crucial. During Scott Walker's tenure as governor of Wisconsin, he did sign a law that required women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound, but it did not specify the type of ultrasound. Transvaginal ultrasounds are one type of ultrasound that can be used, but they are not the only option. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the claims made by EMILY's List, it should be clarified that the law does not explicitly mandate transvaginal ultrasounds for all women seeking abortions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The fact of the matter is that my colleague from New York, Senator Clinton, there are 50 percent of the American public that say they're not going to vote for her.\"","\"Congressman John Lewis, an American hero, made allegations that Sarah Palin and I were somehow associated with ... the worst chapter in American history. ... And, Senator Obama, you didn't repudiate those remarks.\"","\"One of the other inaccuracies ... is that we have raised taxes multiple times and run up the budget. Absolutely not true. One tax increase since I\u2019ve been in office. It was a quarter mill tax in the unincorporated area only.\"","\"The downsizing of Pinellas County government resulted in about 1,200 people being laid off in a 12 percent unemployment market. \u2026 I can tell you that every one of them was hired from the time that Ms. Latvala went into office in 2000.\""]},{"id":"10718.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ninety percent of American workers dont own their own business.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Santorum that 90 percent of American workers do not own their own business is mostly true. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2009, businesses with fewer than 100 employees employed about 35 percent of American workers. This means that the majority of American workers are indeed employed by businesses rather than being business owners themselves. While the exact percentage may not be precisely 90 percent, the statement accurately reflects the general trend that a significant majority of American workers are not business owners.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Shutdowns are \"a normal part of the constitutional process,\" with 12 shutdowns under Democratic House Speaker Tip O\u2019Neill and two during his own speakership.","Gingrich said shutdowns are \"a normal part of the constitutional process,\" with 12 shutdowns under Democratic House Speaker Tip O\u2019Neill and two during his own speakership.","\u2022 Shutdowns are \"a normal part of the constitutional process,\" with 12 shutdowns under Democratic House Speaker Tip O\u2019Neill and two under Newt Gingrich, said Gingrich. Half True.","\"Tonight there is an amazing amount of hysteria and vitriol over what is a normal part of the constitutional process,\" Gingrich said during the Sept. 30, 2013, edition of the show. \"The government shut down 12 times under Democratic House Speaker Tip O'Neill. It was only shut down twice while I was speaker.\""]},{"id":"4027.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Protesters caused $7.5 million in damage to the Wisconsin State House","reason":"Reason: The claim that protesters caused $7.5 million in damage to the Wisconsin State House is not supported by credible evidence. While there were protests and demonstrations in Wisconsin, there is no substantial evidence to suggest that the damage caused amounted to such a significant financial loss. The statement appears to be exaggerated and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Gingrich said that since 2007, \"Texas has gained 440,000 people\" while \"Maryland has lost 20,000.\" O\u2019Malley countered that Maryland has added 230,000 people.","Gingrich : \"Let me ask you this. As an objective fact, in the five years you've been governor, Texas has gained 440,000 people. According to the U.S. Census, Maryland has lost 20,000. Now, if we're having all this upward trajectory, why is Texas doing 22 times better in population migration over the last five years than Maryland?\"","The Census figures show that between 2007 and 2012, Maryland has lost a net of 22,774 people. Over the same period, Texas has gained 423,273 people. That\u2019s less than Gingrich had indicated, but all in all, it\u2019s pretty close.","Using these numbers, O\u2019Malley is correct. Maryland didn\u2019t lose 20,000 people in the past five years; as O\u2019Malley correctly noted, Maryland gained just over 230,000 people during that period. O\u2019Malley was also essentially correct about the percentage increase for Maryland -- 4.1 percent."]},{"id":"9621.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says a 9-year-old girl was recently raped in Austin, Texas, by a guy previously caught four times and released.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some inaccuracies. While it is true that a man, Israel Andrade, was arrested for entering a house and fondling a 9-year-old girl in Springtown, Texas, it is important to note that the incident did not involve rape, as stated in the statement. Additionally, the location of the incident was not in Austin, but rather in Springtown, which is approximately 20 miles northwest of Fort Worth. Furthermore, the statement implies that the perpetrator had been caught four times and released, suggesting a connection to immigration status, but the evidence does not provide information on the perpetrator's previous arrests or immigration status. Therefore, the statement contains some elements of truth but also includes significant inaccuracies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Why would we vote for an insurance commissioner who fights -- and fights hard -- to strip women of life-saving coverages like mammograms?\" Squires asked Morris News Service.","But saying Hudgens fought to \"strip women of life-saving coverages like mammograms\" is an overstatement. He fought to take away mandatory coverage.","If you believe Democrats, state Sen. Ralph Hudgens, the Republican candidate for insurance commissioner, is trying to get between women and their mammograms.","News release, \"Insurance Commissioner Candidate Mary Squires Calls on Ralph Hudgens to Stop Blaming Women for High Costs of Insurance,\" Mary Squires for Insurance Commissioner"]},{"id":"6673.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Weve doubled our use of renewable energy.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama claimed that the United States had doubled its use of renewable energy, the evidence suggests otherwise. While there has been significant progress in expanding wind and solar energy, the overall increase in all types of renewables was approximately 25 percent, falling far short of doubling. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge the contribution of hydroelectric and biomass sources, which have remained relatively flat during the same period. Therefore, the claim is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Bush said, \"My two appointments to the Florida Supreme Court, Raul Cantero and Kenneth Bell, have earned reputations as its most consistent conservatives.\"","\"I have a proven record of appointing conservatives to the Florida judiciary as governor, and my administration devoted substantial time to vetting nominees,\" Bush wrote in an article for Medium. \"We sought judges who had shown humility, courage, an appreciation of the duties of a judge, a respect for the will of the people, and devotion to full application of the law without equivocation. My two appointments to the Florida Supreme Court, Raul Cantero and Kenneth Bell, have earned reputations as its most consistent conservatives. Additionally, two of the appellate judges I named as governor, Charles Canady and Ricky Polston, are now serving with distinction on the Florida Supreme Court.\"","We wondered whether Bush was right that Cantero and Bell \"have earned reputations as its most consistent conservatives.\" Our research suggests that Bush has a point, though the case is stronger for Bell than for Cantero.","Second, due to a grammatical misfire, what Bush wrote was somewhat misleading. Saying that Bell and Cantero \"have earned reputations as (the court\u2019s) most consistent conservatives\" suggests that Bell and Cantero continue to serve as justices. That\u2019s not the case -- both left the court to take positions in the private sector in 2008, almost eight years ago."]},{"id":"12116.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over the last 30 years, extreme poverty has been cut in half.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the progress made in reducing extreme poverty over the last 30 years. According to World Bank figures, extreme poverty has been reduced by 58 percent using the 2008 definition and 74.1 percent using the 2015 definition. While there may be some methodological issues and debates surrounding the definition and measurement of extreme poverty, the overall trend of significant reduction supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The leader of a conservative group launched this year warns that legislation supported by gay rights advocates would amend every future birth certificate.","Saenz said in the TV interview: \"So if you wanted them, any parent wants them,\" meaning birth certificates, \"they\u2019re not going to have \u2018mother\u2019 and \u2018father\u2019 on there. So this isn\u2019t just about the homosexual lobby wanting their rights. It\u2019s partly about that issue, but this change in the law would impact everyone\u2019s birth certificates.\"","In a Nov. 19, 2012, interview with Austin\u2019s KTBC-TV, Channel 7, Jonathan Saenz, president of Texas Values, which says it seeks to preserve and advance a culture of family values, said he doesn\u2019t expect the measure to pass into law. But \"if this change is made in the law,\" Saenz said, \"it affects everyone\u2019s birth certificates. That means the birth certificates the way they are now, the forms, would not say \u2018mother\u2019 and \u2018father.\u2019\"","She replied: \"The answer may be no if we can find a way to add \u2018or parent\u2019 \u2018or co-parent\u2019 or some other additional category along with \u2018mother\u2019 and \u2018father\u2019 to provide the gender-neutral option provided by the (legislation) on all certificates such as \u2018Mother or Parent 1\u2019 and \u2018Father or Parent 2.\u2019 This may be an issue of space on the certificates, so it\u2019s unclear at this point if this is an option.\""]},{"id":"12797.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2009, his first year as mayor, Julin Castro received a seven-figure referral fee that smells like a dirty financial gift from notorious personal injury lawyer Mikal Watts, a major Obama donor.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Juli\u00e1n Castro received a seven-figure referral fee from personal injury lawyer Mikal Watts, the statement's assertion that it \"smells like a dirty financial gift\" and implies wrongdoing is speculative and lacks concrete evidence. The evidence provided suggests that the fee was controversial and may raise questions, but it does not definitively prove any illegal or unethical behavior on Castro's part. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of a \"dirty financial gift.\"\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Gerald Daugherty advocated lowering the penalty for crimes like strangulation in domestic violence cases because \"they just \u2018throw more people into the\u2019\" jail \"\u2018system.\"","Holmes said Daugherty advocated lowering the penalty for crimes like strangulation in domestic violence cases because \"they just \u2018throw more people into the\u2019\" jail \"\u2018system.\u2019\"","David Holmes, a mediator and former legislative aide seeking to represent Precinct 3 covering western parts of the county, said in an Oct. 17, 2016, Facebook post: \"Strangulation family violence crimes have arisen as an issue in my campaign for county commissioner after my opponent advocated lowering the penalty for such crimes because,\" Holmes wrote, \"they just, \u2018throw more people into the system.\u2019\"","The Democratic challenger in a Travis County commissioner race says incumbent Republican Gerald Daugherty has urged a reduction in penalties tied to strangulation attempts in domestic violence attacks."]},{"id":"1206.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Our own National Security Agency says that (Iran's) nuclear ambitions are advancing, and at the same time ... we are slashing our own nuclear arsenal.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sean Hannity that the National Security Agency (NSA) has stated that Iran's nuclear ambitions are advancing, while the United States is reducing its own nuclear arsenal. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support or refute this claim. The evidence mentions Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust and Iran's progress in uranium enrichment, but it does not specifically mention the NSA's assessment of Iran's nuclear ambitions. Therefore, while the statement is based on Hannity's assertion, the evidence does not provide direct confirmation of the claim. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One widely circulated Internet post from 2012 by Mike Adams, editor of , repeated that childhood shots contain mercury, a powerful neurotoxin with no safe level of use.","An alert reader was skeptical of one Facebook post, reviving a 2012 story that purports to list \"10 outrageous (but true) facts.\" It starts with the claim that helped spur the anti-vaccination movement, despite being repeatedly debunked: Childhood shots contain mercury, a powerful neurotoxin with no safe level of use.","MERCURY - This is a reference to thimerosal, a preservative that inactivates any contaminants that might have escaped the production process. Thimerosal contains ethyl mercury, which decomposes rapidly, quickly passes through the body and is widely considered safe, unlike its poisonous cousin, methyl mercury, which is found in certain kinds of fish. Most flu vaccines no longer contain thimerosal and the ones that do -- packaged for multiple doses -- contain an amount too minuscule to cause harm. Vaccine opponents say thimerosal contains poisonous mercury and may cause autism. There is no evidence that the thimerosal in vaccines is harmful and numerous studies have disproven the claim that it causes autism.","Adams also confuses the issue with the interchangeable use of the term \"mercury\" for both ethyl mercury and the more problematic methyl mercury."]},{"id":"9043.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the recent House special election in Florida, Democrats got outspent in a Republican district.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Democratic National Committee claimed that Democrats \"got outspent in a Republican district\" during the House special election in Florida, the evidence suggests that the claim is exaggerated. The available data indicates that the financial position of the Democratic candidate was comparable to, or even slightly better than, that of the Republican candidate. Therefore, while there may have been some differences in campaign spending, it is not accurate to definitively state that Democrats were outspent in the Republican district.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8003.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a growing number of extremely premature babies survive into healthy childhood.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the survival rates for extremely premature babies have increased, the statement that a growing number of them survive into healthy childhood requires more nuanced consideration. The evidence provided suggests that survival rates have improved, but the long-term outcomes and overall health of these children are still uncertain. Studies are needed to assess the health and well-being of extremely premature babies as they grow into school-age children, adolescents, and adults. Therefore, while there is progress in survival rates, it is not conclusive whether a growing number of extremely premature babies are experiencing healthy childhoods.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12192.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When mentioning Villanovas buzzer-beating win in the national championships, Hillary Clinton said: I love those come-from-behind victories.","reason":"Reason: While Hillary Clinton did mention Villanova's buzzer-beating win in the national championships, there is no evidence to suggest that she specifically said, \"I love those come-from-behind victories.\" The statement attributed to her is not supported by the evidence provided. It is important to ensure accuracy when attributing quotes to individuals, especially in a political context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Generally speaking, strong economies sell more to others than they buy in return. This is an area where countries like China and Germany historically have done quite well and where the U.S. has struggled. When President Obama cheered the record level of sales for American products, that didn\u2019t address the country\u2019s trade deficit. However, while the U.S. is still in the red on trade, the news here also is slightly better than in the past.","To recap Biden's promise, during the campaign, he complained that \"loopholes in the law allow products to be stamped 'made in America' for purposes of federal procurement even if barely 51% of the materials used to produce them are domestically made.\"","It\u2019s worth noting that the president specifically referred to \"products made in America\" in contrast to a broader view on trade that blends both goods and services. The data check on Obama\u2019s claim is straightforward.","\"Today, loopholes in the law allow products to be stamped 'made in America' for purposes of federal procurement even if barely 51% of the materials used to produce them are domestically made. Biden will tighten these rules to require more legitimate American content \u2014 so when we deem something made in America, it reflects the work and output of American workers.\""]},{"id":"10728.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Howard Zinn, an anti-American Marxist, wrote the most popular textbook thats taught in our high schools in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While Howard Zinn's book, \"A People's History of the United States,\" has gained popularity and influence among certain educators and readers, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that it is the most popular textbook taught in American high schools. The American Textbook Council, an organization that evaluates textbooks, has stated that there is no definitive way to determine the most popular history instructional materials used in U.S. high schools. Additionally, labeling Zinn as an \"anti-American Marxist\" is a subjective characterization that does not provide a comprehensive understanding of his work or influence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is located in Alaska's northeast corner. Photo courtesy !The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is located in Alaska's northeast corner. Photo courtesy","We\u2019re guessing most Floridians don\u2019t know much about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, located about 5,000 miles away from us in Alaska\u2019s northeast corner.","The Arctic\u2019s long, dark winter isn\u2019t conducive to a lot of wildlife, but several kinds of animal species stick it out during those months, Payer said.","Congress has never approved that. Several environmental groups urged Obama to declare the refuge a national monument so that it never happens. He has not."]},{"id":"8671.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Harry Reid has a better voting attendance record than these three Congressmen!","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the comparison conducted by PolitiFact Georgia, Eugene Yu's claim that Harry Reid has a better voting attendance record than the three Georgia congressmen (Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey, and Jack Kingston) is supported by the numbers. The analysis looked at the voting records of the four individuals during the same time period, taking into account their different years of joining Congress. Therefore, based on the available evidence, it can be concluded that Harry Reid indeed had a better voting attendance record compared to the mentioned congressmen.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10522.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"ISIS is now the predominantIslamist group in Benghazi.","reason":"Reason: The statement that ISIS is the predominant Islamist group in Benghazi is not entirely accurate. Experts and reports indicate that Ansar al-Sharia, a different terror group, holds that distinction in Benghazi. While there have been reports of Ansar al-Sharia Derna pledging allegiance to ISIS, it does not necessarily mean that ISIS is the predominant group in Benghazi. ISIS has a presence in various cities in Libya, but they only have a significant foothold in Derna, not necessarily in Benghazi. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["UC Berkeley\u2019s David Broockman and Microsoft Research\u2019s David Rothschild presented research on partisan television news diets and echo chambers, which they found to be more partisan and persistent than ones from online news consumption.","Rothschild, meanwhile, wanted to better understand the echo chamber built by these partisan news diets, how long people lasted in them and what information the people were seeing.","On partisan television, debate is limited and legitimacy is lacking, Rothschild said. He specifically pointed to journalists like Shep Smith and Chris Wallace leaving Fox News as a crucial loss.","The study, a piece of research discussed in a first-day session of United Facts of America: A Festival of Fact-Checking, was a firsthand look at how television news can form stronger partisan bubbles than news gleaned from the internet."]},{"id":"3114.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As many as a quarter of our students arent even finishing high school.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided indicates that Iowa leads the nation in the percentage of community college enrollment coming from high school students, with 37% of community college students in Iowa still being in high school. However, the evidence does not explicitly mention that a quarter of students aren't finishing high school. It states that two out of every five community college students in Iowa are high school students, which is equivalent to 40%, not 25%. Therefore, while there is a significant percentage of high school students enrolled in community colleges, the statement exaggerates the number of students who are not finishing high school.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10330.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The reason why Cubans dont have access to 21st century telecommunications like smart phones, like access to the Internet is because it is illegal in Cuba.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the reason why Cubans lack access to modern telecommunications such as smartphones and internet access. It is indeed illegal in Cuba, as confirmed by multiple sources, including Senator Rubio. While there have been some limited openings for American telecommunications companies and donations of telecommunication devices, the overall restrictions and limitations imposed by the Cuban government have significantly hindered widespread access to 21st-century telecommunications technology for the Cuban people.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wasserman Schultz, who represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, said rising sea levels and flooding will make part of her district uninhabitable in the future. She called for politicians to reach across the aisle in search of solutions, singling out a cap and trade plan as an area where the parties could agree.","Democrats did support cap and trade legislations at different points along the way. But we found a strong tradition of support from Republican presidents for cap and trade, which uses markets to try to reduce pollution.","They noted the contributions under Reagan and both Bushes to argue that cap and trade should be embraced by Republicans as well as Democrats.","\"When I was fighting against cap and trade, the speaker was sitting down with Nancy Pelosi on a sofa encouraging it.\""]},{"id":"10420.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since 2010, America has put more people back to work than Europe, Japan, and all advanced economies combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence confirms that since 2010, the United States has created more jobs than all other advanced economies combined. However, it's important to consider the context of the labor force participation rate, which has declined during this period. This suggests that while jobs have been created, there has also been a decrease in the number of people actively participating in the workforce. Therefore, while the United States has experienced job growth, it does not necessarily mean that \"more people\" have been put back to work, as some individuals may have dropped out of the workforce altogether.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8577.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Barack Obamas approval rating is right in the average for second-term presidents at this point.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that Barack Obama's approval rating is not \"right in the average\" for second-term presidents, the evidence suggests that his approval rating is within the range of historical averages. Different methods of calculating approval ratings may yield slightly different results, and the interpretation of what constitutes the \"average\" can vary. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not support the claim that Obama's approval rating is impressive given the polarized political climate. Overall, the statement oversimplifies the complexity of comparing approval ratings and fails to provide a comprehensive analysis of the data.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11640.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says there are ample means to tell when someone is a Christian in the Middle East ... by name, by where theyre born, their birth certificates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true in the sense that names and birth certificates can sometimes provide indications of a person's religious background or affiliation. However, it is important to note that relying solely on names and birth certificates is not a foolproof method for determining someone's religious beliefs or practices. Religion is a personal and complex matter, and individuals may identify with a particular faith or have religious beliefs that differ from those associated with their names or place of birth. Therefore, while names and birth certificates can provide some insight, they should not be the sole basis for determining someone's religious identity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5268.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2006, I went out and authored a letter with 24 other senators asking for major reform of Freddie and Fannie, warning of a meltdown and a bubble in the housing market.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Santorum's claim that he authored a letter with 24 other senators in 2006, calling for major reform of Freddie and Fannie and warning of a potential housing market meltdown and bubble. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness and impact of this letter in bringing about the desired reforms are not clear. While Santorum asserts that he \"tried to get a reform,\" the statement lacks evidence of concrete actions taken or the outcomes of those efforts. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient context to fully evaluate its impact or effectiveness.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Tampa Bay Times , \"Florida's unemployment rate tumbles to 5 percent, with Tampa Bay leading metro areas in job creation,\" Dec. 18, 2015","St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times ), \" A closer look at Rick Scott's jobs plan shows his challenges,\" Dec. 22, 2010","PolitiFact Florida, the fact-checking website of the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald , is monitoring 57 campaign promises Scott made in 2010, including his pledge to create 700,000 jobs.","There is some recognition from the administration that the jobs being created aren't necessarily high-paying, sustainable positions. In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times in December, outgoing director of the Department of Economic Opportunity Jesse Panuccio said Scott has started to focus on quality over quantity."]},{"id":"5916.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Marcy Kaptur has attacked his military service and training in the Air Force, showing disrespect for veterans.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence provided to support the claim that Marcy Kaptur attacked the military service and training of the individual making the statement. The evidence provided discusses the congressman's opposition to a specific spending bill and his explanation for voting against it. There is no mention of any personal attacks or disrespect towards veterans. Therefore, the statement is unfounded and lacks credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11193.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Emails released to the public show Hillary Clinton discussed the location of Ambassador Stevens, who of course was murdered, in Libya.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton received emails that discussed the location of Ambassador Stevens in Libya, the statement lacks some crucial context. The emails in question do mention Stevens' location, but the terms used are vague and do not provide specific details. For example, they mention that he was in Benghazi at an unidentified hotel. Therefore, while there were discussions about Stevens' location, the emails do not provide explicit or detailed information that directly contributed to his murder. It is important to consider the limitations of the information contained in the emails when evaluating the significance of these discussions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rubio said Cruz \"is a supporter of legalizing people that are in this country illegally\" and \"proposed giving them work permits.\"","So, is Rubio right that Cruz supports giving a legal status to people living here illegally \u2014 and even proposed work permits for them?","\"Ted, you support legalizing people who are in this country illegally,\" Rubio said. \"Ted Cruz supported a 500 percent increase in the number of H1B visas, the guest workers that are allowed in this country. And Ted supports doubling the number of green cards.\"","But Rubio suggested in South Carolina that when the Senate was debating its plan, Cruz was on board with giving immigrants legal status. \"In fact, when the Senate bill was proposed,\" Rubio said, Cruz \"proposed legalizing people that were here illegally. He proposed giving them work permits. He\u2019s also supported a massive expansion of the green cards. He's supported a massive expansion of the H-1B program, a 500 percent increase. So, if you look at it, I don't think our positions are dramatically different.\""]},{"id":"3173.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The city building code violations on my properties only involve exterior issues; within the households, its fine.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly contradicts the statement made by Holloway. Inspection records indicate that there are indeed interior issues within the properties, including roaches, faulty fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and other violations. Additionally, there were 200 outstanding violations on Holloway's properties, some of which were issued on the same day as the candidate forum. Therefore, the claim that the building code violations only involve exterior issues and that the interior is fine is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We wondered whether it\u2019s correct that Louisiana has \"grown 50 percent faster than the national GDP, even since the national recession.\"","Jindal responded, \"Well, the great thing is, we're doing exactly what the president has not. Cut taxes, reform debt, make some investment in workforce training, make it easier for businesses to create jobs. And here's the record. In Louisiana, we now have more people working, highest incomes in our state's history. Larger population than ever before. And the president can't say all those things about the country. Our economy has grown 50 percent faster than the national GDP, even since the national recession.\"","If you look at it this way, the United States economy has grown faster (or shrunk less) in three of these years, compared to two years when the Louisiana economy did better, which undercuts Jindal\u2019s claim.","And he\u2019d also be wrong for 2010-12, when the United States economy grew (4.1 percent) and the Louisiana economy actually shrank (by 1.2 percent)."]},{"id":"4878.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"People can use food stamps for anything, including to go to Hawaii, and even millionaires can qualify.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. Food stamps, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can only be used to purchase eligible food items and cannot be used for non-food items or services such as airline tickets. Additionally, the claim that millionaires can qualify for food stamps is incorrect. Eligibility for SNAP is based on income, and individuals with incomes exceeding 130 percent of the poverty line do not qualify. While there may be isolated cases of individuals who do not meet the income criteria receiving benefits due to administrative errors, it is not accurate to claim that millionaires can receive food stamps.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Dodd was actually the author of a provision that limited bonuses for AIG and other financial companies, though it's true that he later added a loophole that allowed some bonuses.","The extra line allowed AIG to hand out $165 million in bonuses for 2008 to executives of a division that lost piles of money that year.","\"Senator Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, placed an amendment in the \u2018stimulus\u2019 bill that allowed for banks bailed out with taxpayer money \u2014 including AIG \u2014 to hand out huge bonuses.\"","\"We had bipartisan legislation that got through the Senate\" that would have prevented bonuses like AIG's \"and then somehow mysteriously disappeared.\""]},{"id":"7286.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Milwaukee County Boards staff grew from four workers to 38 over four decades and now costs taxpayers a lot more, while the total county workforce was more than cut in half in the same period.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by County Executive Chris Abele that the Milwaukee County Board's staff has grown from four workers to 38 over four decades. It also states that the cost to taxpayers has increased, while the total county workforce has been reduced by more than half in the same period. The evidence supports these assertions, indicating that the County Board's staff has indeed expanded, and the cost to taxpayers has risen, while the overall county workforce has decreased significantly.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Talk radio host John DePetro said, while discussing quarterback Tim Tebow, that the \"ACLU and atheists in Denver are demanding the NFL stop him from praying on the sidelines.\"","\"Look at the mindset you're dealing with,\" the radio host said. \"ACLU and atheists in Denver are demanding the NFL stop him from praying on the sidelines. He's not forcing anyone to join him. He's off in the zone. You see players sitting with their head down. He happens to kneel on one knee. But that is the mindset we're dealing with in 2012.\"","With the playoff game between New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos looming, DePetro lamented that things have gotten so bad, \"There are atheists in Denver and they're asking the NFL to stop Tim Tebow from praying on the sideline.\"","Talk radio host John DePetro: The American Civil Liberties Union and atheists demanded that the National Football League stop Tim Tebow from praying on the sidelines during games"]},{"id":"9976.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has launched twice as many strikes (on)countries that are predominantly Muslim than President George W. Bush.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is evidence to support the claim that President Barack Obama launched more strikes on countries that are predominantly Muslim compared to President George W. Bush. While the exact number may vary depending on the specific metrics used, multiple sources have reported that Obama authorized a higher number of drone strikes and military actions in predominantly Muslim countries during his presidency. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the broader context, such as the specific objectives, circumstances, and geopolitical factors that influenced these military actions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10535.json","label":"false","statement":"Nine hundred people have been fired since I became secretary (of Veterans Affairs). Weve got 60 people that we fired who have manipulated wait times.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Robert McDonald, is accurate. He stated that 900 people have been fired since he became secretary, and out of those, 60 individuals were fired specifically for manipulating wait times. The evidence provided confirms the Secretary's statement, and there is no contradictory information to suggest otherwise.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Wisconsin uses voting machines that have been outlawed. They are illegal to use them because they are so prone to tampering and hacking. They are an invitation, really, for malfeasance. Those are used in the state of Wisconsin.\"","Stein raised millions of dollars over the Thanksgiving holiday to pay for presidential election recounts in Wisconsin and two other states. She also said Wisconsin uses illegal voting machines, which we rated Pants on Fire.","It seems like something more serious than a recount would be under way if outlawed voting machines had been used to help Republican Donald Trump win, if not in a landslide, the White House.","Stein\u2019s campaign told us the candidate was actually referring to California banning electronic, touch-screen voting machines, but acknowledged that the machines are not banned in Wisconsin."]},{"id":"6194.json","label":"false","statement":"President Obamashealth care law is a government takeover of healthcare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama's healthcare law is a government takeover of healthcare is false. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced significant reforms to the healthcare system, it did not result in a complete government takeover. The ACA expanded access to healthcare through a combination of private insurance market reforms, Medicaid expansion, and the establishment of health insurance exchanges. It aimed to increase coverage and regulate the insurance industry rather than nationalize healthcare. The characterization of the ACA as a government takeover is a political claim that does not align with the actual provisions and structure of the law.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5408.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says private-sector job growth in 2011 places New Jersey in the top third among all of the states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. New Jersey's private-sector job growth in 2011 does place it in the top third among all states when considering net jobs gained. However, it's important to note that the ranking of 12th place specifically refers to net jobs gained, not the overall growth rate or percentage increase. While New Jersey's job growth was positive and notable, it does not necessarily mean that the state's job growth rate or percentage increase was among the top third in the nation. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of net job gains, it lacks clarity regarding other aspects of job growth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Wolff then said it\u2019s estimated that some $1,800 is added to \"your private insurance rates\" due to uncompensated care given by \"hospitals throughout Texas,\" a figure we spotted in Patricia Kilday Hart\u2019s April 2, 2013, Houston Chronicle column on the press conference.","By telephone, Hadley told us the research drew on hospital spending on uncompensated care over 20 years and looks at how much privately insured patients were charged for care. He said private insurance costs were more likely to be affected by Medicare rates or the relative concentration of hospitals in communities than ups and downs in expenditures on uncompensated care.","Summing up, Hadley said, it does not follow that family private insurance policies in Texas cost $1,800 more due to cost shifting, though he sees a public-relations appeal to such statements. The actual effect of cost-shifting might be $150 to $200 per private family policy, he said. In contrast, he said, most uncompensated care is paid for by government, meaning tax revenue.","Vicki Anderson of Austin, who helped write a January 2013 report commissioned by Texas Impact and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. on projected local tax effects of expanding Medicaid, told us by email that pinning down the impact of uncompensated care on private insurance rates is challenging in part because such calculations inevitably start from varying amounts of spending attributed to uncompensated care, causing the estimated effect on private insurance premiums to vary as well."]},{"id":"9193.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Rhode Island, Nearly 9 percent of covered employees go out on short term disability every year, with an average outage from work of almost 12 weeks each.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ken Block regarding the percentage of covered employees in Rhode Island who go out on short-term disability each year and the average duration of their absence. However, it is important to note that this statistic alone does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation. While the high utilization rates may indicate potential systemic problems with the program, it does not necessarily mean that Rhode Island has a \"very sick\" workforce. Additional factors and context would be needed to fully assess the situation and determine the extent of any systemic issues.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a telephone interview, Leffingwell agreed he did not personally invest $90 million in traffic fixes. His mailer was vague on this, listing among his accomplishments: \"Invested $90 million in traffic fixes without raising taxes.\"","Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, seeking re-election in May, invited residents to the grand opening of his campaign headquarters in a mailer touting accomplishments such as luring jobs to Austin -- and investing \"$90 million in traffic fixes without raising taxes.\"","\"I\u2019m contending the whole thing is traffic fixes,\" all $90 million worth, Leffingwell said. \"A traffic fix is something that in some way or another makes mobility better than it was before.\"","Leffingwell told us: \"Obviously, it was ultimately the voters that invested $90 million,\" though he pointed out that he led the group that advocated for voter approval after encouraging the Austin City Council to put the proposed bonds on the ballot."]},{"id":"8792.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2011, Carlos Lpez-Cantera staunchly supported a Florida bill modeled after Arizonas immigration law","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Carlos L\u00f3pez-Cantera initially expressed support for the anti-immigrant bill in 2011, but later changed his position and planned to vote against it. While he initially referred to the bill as \"common sense\" and \"reasonable,\" his subsequent statement opposing the bill demonstrates a shift in his stance. Therefore, the statement that L\u00f3pez-Cantera staunchly supported the bill is not entirely accurate, as it does not reflect his change in position. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3083.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggest that the Texas budget gap is worse than New Yorks, about as bad as Californias, but not quite up to New Jersey levels.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, as cited in multiple sources. According to the data, the Texas budget gap is indicated to be worse than New York's, approximately on par with California's, but not as severe as New Jersey's. However, it's important to note that budget comparisons among states can be complex, and additional factors may need to be considered to fully understand the fiscal situations of each state. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the available information, it is always advisable to delve deeper into the specific details and context of each state's budgetary challenges.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9129.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Two-thirds of the people who receive the minimum wage are female.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, two-thirds of the people who receive the minimum wage are indeed female. This information is supported by the statement made by Roberts on NPR's Morning Edition. However, it's important to note that the Forbes article disputes the claim, stating that the real figure is 51 percent. While there may be some discrepancy in the exact percentage, the evidence suggests that a significant majority of minimum wage earners are women.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A screenshot of what looks like a Military Times news headline warning of a COVID-19 vaccine risk prevalent among members of the U.S. Navy is being shared on social media, but it\u2019s fake.","\"There was a recent report out that the premiums for Medicare and the payroll withholdings are only paying about half the program. So it is not financially solvent.\"","\"The Navy, they train their people well,\" said Kurt Zwally, National Wildlife Federation global warming solutions manager. \"The Navy's safety record is admirable. But there is a different safety record with plants in the U.S.\"","The Navy is one thing, Lyman said. \"Are they going to be able to run the commercial sector with that kind of discipline? I doubt it.\""]},{"id":"11285.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Any Republican that has led for two months and led every state has won the GOP nomination.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Historically, it is accurate to say that any Republican candidate who has consistently led in polls and won the majority of states during the first two months of the primary season has gone on to secure the GOP nomination. However, it is important to note that this is a general trend and not an absolute rule. There may be exceptions or unique circumstances in which a candidate who led initially did not ultimately win the nomination. Therefore, while the statement holds true in most cases, it is not an ironclad guarantee.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We cut property taxes by one-third in the state of Texas while I've been governor,\" he told a crowd Oct. 1, 2011 at a \"We the People\" forum in Hampton, New Hampshire.","Huffines has pledged to eliminate property taxes if elected governor. He justifies this pledge by claiming that Texas has \"some of the highest property taxes in the nation.\"","Next, we went to the Texas Education Agency. It offered data showing that collections for school maintenance and operations taxes were indeed 30.2 percent lower in 2007 than the state projected they would have been without the tax cut.","But Perry\u2019s shorthand statement that property taxes were cut by a third, which has been repeated by other politicians, is an oversimplification."]},{"id":"11304.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Donald Trumps polling numbers show that hes the highest with Hispanics that any Republican has ever been.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Donald Trump's polling numbers show that he is the highest with Hispanics that any Republican has ever been is false. There is no credible evidence or reliable data to support this claim. While it is true that presidents' approval ratings can vary, there is no basis to assert that Trump's numbers among Hispanics are the highest among Republicans. Without verifiable data or specific sources, this claim lacks credibility.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Asked by the Dallas Morning News in a Nov. 8, 2012, interview whether demographics will soon change the state\u2019s Republican hue, Hern\u00e1ndez said, \"No, because I see Texas Republicans moving very quickly to incorporating Hispanics.\" Among his examples: \"Texas passed a state DREAM Act before any other state in the nation,\" he said. \"So Texas is different.\"","Yes. \"In June 2001, Texas (HB 1403) was the first state to pass legislation allowing in-state tuition for immigrant students,\" says the NCSL site in a report updated Nov. 28, 2012.","Since Texas passed the DREAM Act, 17 other states have followed suit, despite long-standing debates about it. Many lawmakers and politicians believe the act may encourage fraud, as some American-born citizens can say they are undocumented immigrants and receive in-state tuition rates. Others against the act state that the bill is an educational initiative in disguise and a way to offer citizenship to undocumented immigrants.","Hern\u00e1ndez agreed the Texas law is not equivalent to the national legislation. When he was helping advocate the state law, he told us, \"we didn\u2019t call it the Dream Act.\""]},{"id":"2535.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Marco Rubio wants to raise the Social Security retirement age, and cut benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Marco Rubio has expressed concerns about the long-term financial sustainability of Social Security and Medicare, and he has supported measures such as raising the retirement age and reducing future Medicare spending as part of broader budget plans. However, it is important to note that Rubio has not explicitly advocated for cutting Social Security benefits. While his proposed changes to these programs could indirectly impact benefits, it is inaccurate to claim that he explicitly wants to cut Social Security benefits. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3513.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Discretionary spending has increased over 20-some percent in two years if you dont include the stimulus. If you put in the stimulus, its over 80 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Cantor regarding the increase in discretionary spending. He stated that if the stimulus is not included, discretionary spending has increased over 20-some percent in two years. However, the claim that including the stimulus would result in an increase of over 80 percent is not supported by the evidence. In reality, including the stimulus would result in an increase of 44 percent, which is significantly lower than the stated 80 percent. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is true, the second part is not accurate, leading to a label of half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Increasing the min. wage to $15 an hour would reduce spending on food stamps, public housing and other programs by over $7.6 billion a year,\" Sanders tweeted.","Sanders tweeted, \"Increasing the min. wage to $15 an hour would reduce spending on food stamps, public housing and other programs by over $7.6 billion a year.\"","A side effect of the rush to increase minimum wage targets became clear to us in a recent fact check. We rated Mostly False a tweet by Bernie Sanders that said, \"Increasing the min. wage to $15 an hour would reduce spending on food stamps, public housing and other programs by over $7.6 billion a year.\"","PolitiFact, \"Bernie Sanders says minimum wage hike to $15 would reduce federal assistance by $7.6 billion a year,\" May 5, 2016"]},{"id":"12377.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has 2.8 students per faculty member, tied for second-lowest in its history since 1994.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and incorrect. The ratio of 2.8 students per faculty member mentioned in the evidence refers specifically to individualized instruction, such as independent study or thesis research, and not the total number of students per faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The statement misrepresents the data and falsely implies that this ratio represents the overall student-to-faculty ratio at the university. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["After Univision's Jorge Ramos told NPR's Steve Inskeep that 80 journalists had died in Mexico in the last decade, he gave us his main sources, two groups that separately track such.","\"When you have 80 journalists who have been killed in Mexico, for instance, in the last decade, yeah, you realize how lucky we are here in the United States in which you can go to the White House, talk to the president and go back to your house,\" Ramos said. \"And then you can take a bike ride and go to the supermarket and no one is going to kill you. No one is going to do anything against you. That's a huge difference.\"","Ramos also pointed to articles he\u2019d seen with numbers around 80. One, published by Univision on Dec. 23, 2012 , says 82 journalists have been killed in the country since 2005, citing the Comisi\u00f3n Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDH), Mexico\u2019s national human rights commission. Others from CNN Mexico and El Universal, a newspaper in Mexico, both citing Reporters Without Borders, put the count at or over 80 \u2013 though we noticed these reported figures didn\u2019t reflect the group\u2019s lower tallies as of April 2016.","For starters, a person who declined to give her full name on the Reporters Without Borders\u2019 Latin America desk emailed a list of 52 journalists it says it confirmed as killed in Mexico from 2006 into 2016 in connection with their work. Then again, Emmanuel Colombi\u00e9, the head of Reporters Without Borders\u2019 Latin America desk, said in an email that the group has previously gotten to a count of 80 deaths by counting all journalists killed in Mexico -- including those whose deaths weren't proved as work-related."]},{"id":"12913.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On the Iran nuclear deal","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aimed to restrict certain Iranian nuclear activities for a specified period and implement more intrusive monitoring measures. It also included provisions to prevent Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons in the future. However, it is important to note that the deal did not completely eliminate the possibility of Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb in the long term. The restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities were time-limited, and some provisions would expire after 10 to 25 years. Additionally, the deal provided relief from economic sanctions for Iran. Therefore, while the deal had measures to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, it did not entirely eliminate the potential for Iran to pursue them in the future.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The DCCC said that West\u2019s signature on a letter with dozens of House Republicans calling for a miscellaneous tariff bill means that he wants to bring earmarks back.","The battle between U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, and Democratic opponent Patrick Murphy has featured dueling ads in which they portray each other as criminals.","\"According to Politico, Representative Allen West (FL-22) has been caught \u2018begging\u2019 Republican leaders to bring back earmarks. West signed a letter in support of earmarks \u2018even though it runs counter to the earmark ban Republicans campaigned on in 2010 and instituted when they took power.' \"","U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, was one of 65 freshmen Republicans who signed an April 20 letter calling for support of the \"miscellaneous tariff bill\u2019\u2019 which would reward these breaks. (Other Florida members who signed included Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, and Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City.)"]},{"id":"2481.json","label":"false","statement":"On charging a toll for motorists to use Ga. 400 after it was slated to expire","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that there were discussions among board members of the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority about continuing tolls on Ga. 400, even though they were originally set to expire in 2011. Therefore, the statement that there was no plan to charge a toll after the expiration date is false. The evidence clearly contradicts this claim by indicating that there were discussions and proposals to continue the tolls beyond the initial expiration date.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Weatherford said almost 1,000 people a day are moving to Florida \"because they are more free here than they are in some other states.\"","\"You may not know this, but today almost 1,000 people a day are moving to the state of Florida,\" he said at a rally by Americans for Prosperity Florida on March 19, 2013. \"Do you know why they're coming here? Because they are more free here than they are in some other states.\"","We should note that people have been moving to Florida since the state was founded. In the 1980s, when Democrats controlled most every branch of state government, about 875 people on average moved to Florida every day, according to census figures. In the 1970s -- while Democrats were in control -- an average of 810 people moved to Florida every day. In the 2000s, during the economic crisis and under Republican control, an average of around 772 people moved to Florida every day.","Duffy honed in on one line: \"Moody's is among those predicting Florida's population will swell by 360,000 this year.\" Weatherford divided 360,000 by 365, which comes out to 986.3 (or \"almost 1,000 people a day\")."]},{"id":"8397.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A $10 million fire fee proposal in St. Petersburg was inspired by Gov. Rick Scott.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that the $10 million fire fee proposal in St. Petersburg was inspired by Governor Rick Scott. The proposal was put forward by incumbent Mayor Bill Foster as a means to address budget gaps and maintain necessary services. There is no indication that Governor Scott had any direct involvement or influence in the creation of this proposal. Therefore, the claim that the fire fee proposal was inspired by Governor Rick Scott is unfounded.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Truth-O-Meter article, \"Wendy Davis says Texas ranks 49th in what it is doing in per-pupil education spending,\" PolitiFact Texas, April 18, 2013","Texas ranks 48th among the states, according to preliminary figures, and 49th only if one also considers spending in the schools in Washington, D.C., which is not a state.","Texas \u201cranks 50th in baby wellness checks, ranks 50th in clinical care for infants, ranks 50th in uninsured women, ranks 43rd in maternal mortality, ranks 44th in school funding per child, and ranks 46th in child hunger.\u201d","The original Occupy Democrats post said that Texas \"ranks 50th in baby wellness checks, ranks 50th in clinical care for infants, ranks 50th in uninsured women, ranks 43rd in maternal mortality, ranks 44th in school funding per child, and ranks 46th in child hunger.\""]},{"id":"9750.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The startup rate of Hispanic businesses is three times the national rate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the evidence indicates that Hispanic-owned businesses have experienced a higher growth rate than the national average at certain points in time, it's important to note that the growth rate has varied over different periods. The evidence mentions that between 1997 and 2002, the growth rate for Hispanic-owned businesses was three times the national rate. However, more recent data suggests that the growth rate of Hispanic-owned businesses is closer to twice the national rate. Therefore, while Hispanic-owned businesses have shown a higher growth rate compared to the national average, it is not consistently three times higher. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"593.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"He made time to go to the gym, but canceled a visit with wounded troops. Seems the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama canceled a scheduled visit with wounded troops, the statement incorrectly suggests that he did so because the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras. The Obama campaign vehemently denies this claim. The cancellation of the visit was due to concerns raised by the Pentagon about potential political overtones, not specifically about cameras. It is important to note that Obama could have chosen to conduct a private visit with the wounded troops even after the Pentagon raised objections. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the reasons behind the cancellation and exaggerates the role of cameras in the decision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Is Moore correct that in Flint, \"the pipes still haven't been replaced. The water is still poisoned\"? The frustration he\u2019s channeling is understandable. But he glosses over the progress that has been made in ameliorating this long-lasting problem. (Moore did not respond to our inquiries.)","\"Barack Obama, who I loved, and voted for twice, and I will miss dearly -- he showed up in Flint five months ago and he drank the water, when it was still not fixed,\" Moore said on MSNBC\u2019s Morning Joe. \"The pipes were still not replaced. He drank the water to say, \u2018It's all okay, everyone.\u2019 And it was like a knife in the heart of the people of Flint, a black city, to see the president do this. I saw everybody just deflate. The pipes still haven't been replaced. The water is still poisoned. How many shows on Flint since he drank the water?\"","She\u2019s referring to the woes of Flint, Mich., where a switch in water sources was improperly handled, leading to unsafe levels of lead in the city\u2019s water system.","It will take years to complete the replacement of Flint\u2019s pipes. Officials have replaced a few hundred pipes, with thousands more to go."]},{"id":"7130.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Broward Republican Executive Committee had the liberal League of Women Voters Guide removed from the Broward Supervisor of Elections website.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Broward Republican Executive Committee claimed that they had the League of Women Voters Guide removed from the Broward Supervisor of Elections website. However, it is important to note that the claim of the League of Women Voters being \"liberal\" is subjective and not supported by concrete evidence. The label of \"liberal\" is a political characterization and may vary depending on individual perspectives. Therefore, the claim that the Broward Republican Executive Committee had the guide removed is accurate, but the characterization of the League of Women Voters as \"liberal\" is subjective and lacks objective evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"8807.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"People on potshoot each other ...stab each other ...strangle each other, drive under the influence, kill families.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggerated and sensationalized claim. While it is true that some individuals under the influence of marijuana may engage in risky behavior or impaired driving, the statement implies a direct causation between marijuana use and violent actions such as shooting, stabbing, and strangling others, which is not supported by credible evidence. The claim lacks nuance and fails to acknowledge that such behaviors are not solely attributed to marijuana use but can be influenced by various factors, including individual predispositions, mental health issues, and other substances. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["So Trump\u2019s decision to skip the Fox News debate, while rare, isn\u2019t unique. And what\u2019s more, experts said, bowing out is an old strategy for moving forward.","!Rick Perry and Mitt Romney spar during the Fox News\/Google Republican presidential debate Thursday in Orlando. !Rick Perry and Mitt Romney spar during the Fox News\/Google Republican presidential debate Thursday in Orlando.","Trump\u2019s war with Kelly led to him boycotting the Fox News\/Google debate in Iowa. An hour before the other candidates took the stage, Trump insisted on CNN his absence was due to a mocking Fox News press release and he \"never once asked that (Kelly) be removed.\"","Donald Trump says he will sit out Thursday\u2019s presidential debate after clashing with Fox News over the network\u2019s inclusion of Megyn Kelly as a moderator."]},{"id":"6581.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that as Providences mayor, David Cicilline said the city had a world-class school system. Not only did Providence not have a world-class school system but as measured, was amongst the last school system in the entire country.","reason":"Reason: The evidence presented consistently supports the claim that David Cicilline, while serving as the mayor of Providence, described the city's school system as \"world-class.\" However, it is also consistently stated that Providence did not have a world-class school system and, in fact, ranked among the lowest in the country. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"5895.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Georgia crackdown on illegal immigration costs state farmers $400 million last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks some important context. While there is evidence that the labor shortage resulting from Georgia's crackdown on illegal immigration had an economic impact on farmers, the claim that it directly cost them $400 million is not entirely accurate. The figure of $400 million includes both direct and indirect impacts, as mentioned in the evidence. The direct impact on farmers was calculated to be $391 million, which is close to $400 million, but it's important to note that this includes both the impact on farmers themselves and the broader economic impact on the state. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks clarity and may mislead readers into thinking that farmers directly lost $400 million due to the crackdown.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1695.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Americans now spend 100 days out of the year working for government before we even start working for ourselves.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concept of Tax Freedom Day, which is the date when Americans have earned enough money to pay their tax obligations at the federal, state, and local levels. The Tax Foundation, a reputable organization, calculates Tax Freedom Day based on the average tax burden for the entire U.S. economy. While the exact number of days may vary slightly each year, the statement's approximation of 100 days aligns with the Tax Foundation's calculation. However, it's important to note that the statement does not account for the variation in tax burdens among individuals based on income levels and other factors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2200.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ive shut down pill mills.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Pam Bondi, as a prosecutor, has been involved in efforts to shut down pill mills, the statement \"I've shut down pill mills\" oversimplifies her role and the complexity of the issue. Bondi's involvement in prosecuting pill mills does not mean that she single-handedly shut down all pill mills in the state. The problem of pill mills is multifaceted and requires a collective effort from various agencies and stakeholders. While Bondi has contributed to the efforts to combat pill mills, it would be inaccurate to attribute the complete shutdown of all pill mills solely to her actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The city of San Antonio reuses almost 40 percent of its water. You know how much the city of Austin reuses? About 5 percent. And that's not right. We can do better.\"","The site of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport was annexed by the City of Austin in 1990. After that, most recently in 2013 , the city added more Del Valle territory to the east. (Map excerpted from City of Austin map of Austin City Council districts .)","Delia Garza, newly elected to the Austin City Council, said during her campaign that Austinites on the city\u2019s southeastern fringe have to leave town and drive to the next county to find the closest grocery store.","\"Families in Del Valle, who are City of Austin residents, have to drive to Bastrop to go to the closest grocery store.\""]},{"id":"12707.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We defied the stand-down orders during the Benghazi attack.","reason":"Reason: Multiple members of the team involved in the Benghazi attack have claimed that they defied \"stand-down\" orders to rush and stop the attack. However, it's important to note that these claims have been disputed and are not universally accepted. Investigations into the Benghazi attack have found no evidence of a stand-down order being given. While some individuals involved in the attack may have acted independently and bravely, the overall assertion that they defied stand-down orders is not fully substantiated.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8868.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 2002, Iran was more or less an American ally.","reason":"Reason: While there was a limited period of cooperation between the United States and Iran in 2002 regarding shared goals in Afghanistan, it would be inaccurate to describe Iran as \"more or less an American ally\" during that time. The cooperation was specific to the context of Afghanistan and did not reflect a broader alliance or a deepening of ties between the two countries. It is important to note that the relationship between the United States and Iran has been historically complex and characterized by periods of tension and hostility. Therefore, the statement is partially true in terms of the limited cooperation in Afghanistan but does not accurately capture the overall nature of the U.S.-Iran relationship in 2002.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10389.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"About 30 percent of those released from Guantanamo have re-entered the fight.","reason":"Reason: The statement that about 30 percent of those released from Guantanamo have re-entered the fight is based on claims made by various individuals, including Senator John McCain, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and Senator James Inhofe. However, it's important to note that determining the exact number of individuals who have re-engaged in terrorist activities after being released from Guantanamo is challenging due to the lack of transparency and the government's refusal to release the names of individuals on its list. The claim is based on estimates and is not supported by concrete evidence. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says \"the governor is going around the state talking about how we should fund an income tax cut\" that benefits higher income earners and not lower income earners","PolitiFact New Jersey found Sweeney\u2019s claim is off. But as Skip Burzumato, assistant director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, put it: \"divorce rates are such slippery statistics,\" which can vary dramatically depending on age, sex, race and education.","\"As marriage rates have decreased and cohabitation has become more common, marriage has become more selective of adults who are better off socioeconomically and have more education, and divorce rates have leveled,\" a May 2011 report said.","New Jersey housed 23,810 people in all of its correctional facilities, including halfway houses and county jails, as of Jan. 3, according to data from the state department of corrections."]},{"id":"8787.json","label":"true","statement":"(M)ore Georgians have jobs than at any other time since October 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that the number of jobs in the United States has returned to a level near pre-recession levels. This suggests that more people in Georgia have jobs compared to any other time since October 2008. The evidence supports the claim that job numbers have improved, indicating a positive trend in employment.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"We've always said that we agree with the 2014 deadline. We've always agreed with where we are headed on Afghanistan on 2014,\" Ryan said on ABC\u2019s This Week on Sept. 9, 2012. \"But where we've taken issue is making sure that the generals on the ground get the resources they need throughout the entire fighting season so that they can keep our soldiers safe and operating counterinsurgency strategy. And I fear that this is not what's happening. I fear that there have been more political decisions made in troop strengths during this fighting season.","\"And so we beg to differ with the president on parts of his Afghanistan policy. But we support the 2014 deadline.\"","It's clear that Ryan was speaking for the Romney\/Ryan ticket in his This Week interview. But we also looked for his own comments on the war. An op-ed, written shortly after he visited Afghanistan, reflected general support for the 2014 timetable while leaving open the possibility of a longer-term commitment:","His most pointed criticism centered on the 2014 deadline, but Romney objected to Obama\u2019s public announcement of the withdrawal date, not the date itself."]},{"id":"5948.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A Florida judge ruled parts of Obamacare unconstitutional.","reason":"Reason: It is true that a Florida judge ruled parts of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) unconstitutional. However, it is important to note that this ruling is not the final say on the matter, as other judges have upheld the law, and the Supreme Court ultimately has the authority to make the final decision. Therefore, while the statement is technically accurate, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand the ongoing legal debate surrounding the constitutionality of Obamacare.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Perry, in explaining his remarks, claimed that he said there was \"absolutely no reason to secede.\" That earned a Mostly True.","\"I always like to try to clear that up,\" Perry tells Smith. \"It was asked as a, you know, what do you think about the people who shout out the word 'secede.' And I say that we live in an incredibly wonderful country and I see absolutely no reason for that to ever happen\u2026\"","But it\u2019s also False to say Perry\u2019s 2009 remarks advocated secession, PolitiFact Texas found in 2010 and 2011. Perry said there was \"absolutely no reason\" to leave the U.S., we wrote in another 2010 fact-check. He\u2019s made similar statements since the November 2012 petition to-do.","Earlier this year, PolitiFact Texas checked out another claim that went back to Texas\u2019 entrance to the United States. A chain email said Texas reserved the right to have its own navy, which was far enough out to sea that we called it Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"6452.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We do know that Romney personally approved over $70 million in fictional losses to the IRS as part of the notorious Son of Boss tax scandal, one of the largest tax avoidance schemes in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that Romney personally approved over $70 million in fictional losses as part of the \"Son of Boss\" tax scandal. However, it's important to note that the term \"fictional losses\" implies that the losses were fabricated or illegitimate, which may not be entirely accurate. While the \"Son of Boss\" tax strategy was controversial and considered a tax avoidance scheme, the legality and legitimacy of the losses are subject to interpretation and legal analysis. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it should be understood that the term \"fictional losses\" carries a subjective connotation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!One of the postcards U.S. Rep Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, sent out using taxpayer money. !One of the postcards U.S. Rep Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH, sent out using taxpayer money.","The campaign staff for one of Kuster\u2019s GOP opponents, Marilinda Garcia, accused Kuster of using taxpayer money to send campaign mail, which would be a violation.","Marilinda Garcia\u2019s campaign said that Kuster uses taxpayer money to send campaign mail. Kuster did spend a good deal more on franked mail than other members of New Hampshire\u2019s congressional delegation, and some of the language that appears in those communications is similar or identical to language used in her campaign materials.","Press release from the office of U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, \" Kuster: Focus On Bipartisan Reform, Not Old Political Battles,\" July 17, 2013."]},{"id":"5715.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Barack Obama has doubled the size of government since he took office.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Obama has doubled the size of government since taking office is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations, have debunked this claim. While there may have been increases in government spending during Obama's presidency, the size of the government, in terms of the number of employees or the overall budget, did not double. This statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Boccieri voted to spend a billion dollars an hour, every hour, for his first 50 days in office,\" Renacci's campaign website says.","Jim Renacci rips Rep. John Boccieri's votes to 'spend a billion dollars an hour' ... 'for his first 50 days in office'","( - Jim Renacci rips Rep. John Boccieri's votes to 'spend a billion dollars an hour' ... 'for his first 50 days in office' &url=)","It is true that the total for those two bills is about $1.2 trillion. And that can be broken down to $1 billion an hour, every hour, for 50 days. And Congress voted to spend that total."]},{"id":"11021.json","label":"true","statement":"The House of Representatives just voted 300-131 to remove country-of-origin labeling on chicken, pork, and beef sold in the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The House of Representatives did vote 300-131 to remove mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on ground and muscle cuts of chicken, pork, and beef sold in the United States. The purpose of the bill was to repeal the requirement for COOL, which was deemed unfair by Canada and Mexico and threatened retaliatory tariffs. However, it's important to note that the fate of the labeling law is still pending in the Senate, and there is a possibility of making COOL voluntary rather than completely removing it.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Ohio Treasurer Josh \"Mandel first claimed bank fraud in June 2010 but did nothing for more than a year while raising money for his (Republican) Senate campaign.\"","\"As Ohio treasurer, Josh Mandel loaned your money to Chinese business interests, and Mandel opposed a bill holding Communist China accountable when they cheated and stole American jobs.\"","The campaign did not provide information about the other people in the photo, and the Marine Corps said it was not able to do so. But if the photo shared by the campaign really is 18 years old, then \"that makes it less likely to have been digitally manipulated,\" Farid said.","Josh Mandel's Senate campaign shared what they said was an original version of the photo from his recent ad. (Josh Mandel for U.S. Senate)"]},{"id":"7377.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his administration has made progress on border enforcement by putting more boots on the southern border than at any time in our history and reducing illegal crossings to their lowest levels in 40 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. President Obama did claim that his administration made progress on border enforcement by increasing the number of boots on the southern border and reducing illegal crossings to their lowest levels in 40 years. This claim was supported by evidence from PolitiFact, which confirmed that there were indeed more boots on the ground near the U.S.-Mexico border and that illegal crossings had significantly decreased since the peak in 2000. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of border enforcement, such as the effectiveness of specific policies or the overall state of border security. Therefore, while the claim is partially true, it lacks some context and should be considered in conjunction with other factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9843.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Russia has more diversity in its governmental representation than we do in Texas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Russia has more political parties represented in its legislative body compared to Texas, it is misleading to equate party diversity with overall governmental representation diversity. In Russia, despite the presence of multiple parties, there are limitations on the diversity of political ideologies and viewpoints allowed within those parties. Additionally, the level of inclusivity and representation of marginalized groups in the Russian government is a significant factor to consider when assessing diversity. Therefore, while there may be a higher number of parties in Russia, the claim that Russia has more diversity in its governmental representation than Texas is an oversimplification and does not accurately capture the complexities of diversity in both contexts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11604.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Russ Feingold wanted to get money out of politics. Now hes profiting from that same dark money.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Russ Feingold did express a desire to get money out of politics, which suggests a commitment to campaign finance reform. However, the claim that he is now \"profiting from that same dark money\" is not fully substantiated. The evidence provided does not conclusively prove that Feingold is benefiting from dark money or that he has directly contradicted his previous stance on campaign finance reform. While there may be some valid concerns or connections to explore, the statement as it stands lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim fully.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2387.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"DeWine took $1.9 million from big banks, supported legislation that helped Bernie Madoff make millions and protected predatory lenders while families lost their homes.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some inaccuracies and lacks context. While it is true that Mike DeWine received campaign contributions from financial service companies, the claim that he took $1.9 million from \"big banks\" is misleading because it lumps together various financial institutions. Additionally, the statement implies a direct connection between DeWine's support for legislation and Bernie Madoff's financial gains, which is not substantiated. Furthermore, the claim that DeWine protected predatory lenders while families lost their homes lacks specific evidence or examples. Overall, the statement exaggerates and oversimplifies the situation, making it barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Finally, later that day, Trump posted on Facebook, \"Hillary Clinton --- is CROOKED! Hillary Clinton received a classified intelligence report stating that the Obama administration was actively supporting Al Qaeda in Iraq, the terrorist group that became the Islamic State.\" This post also linked to the Breitbart article.","A day later, Trump tweeted, \"An: Media fell all over themselves criticizing what DonaldTrump \"may have insinuated about @POTUS.\" But he's right.\" The tweet then linked to a Breitbart story that began, \"Hillary Clinton received a classified intelligence report stating that the Obama administration was actively supporting Al Qaeda in Iraq, the terrorist group that became the Islamic State.\"","As expected, Todd and Obama had a long discussion about the administration\u2019s strategy for dealing with Islamic State, the terrorist group responsible for the beheading of two American journalists, with Obama stating \"we\u2019re going to defeat them.\"","That\u2019s different from the argument made by Trump -- that the U.S. was actively supporting ISIS or its predecessors. In fact, experts say that assertion is flat wrong. The implication that the Obama administration was actively helping the United States' enemies is ridiculous. It has always been U.S. policy to oppose AQI and ISIS, and the United States has aggressively fought the group for years. We rate Trump\u2019s assertion Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"11232.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Bobby Jindals parents used his birthright citizenship to become Americans, making him an anchor baby.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Bobby Jindal's parents did not use his birthright citizenship to become Americans. Jindal's parents arrived in the United States before he was born, and they became American citizens through their own individual processes, not through any reliance on Jindal's citizenship. The term \"anchor baby\" is often used to refer to a child born in the United States to undocumented immigrant parents with the intention of securing legal status for the parents. However, this does not apply to Jindal's situation as his parents were not undocumented immigrants and did not rely on his citizenship for their own naturalization.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["PolitiFact Georgia on April 8 checked a claim by Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain that Planned Parenthood\u2019s early objective was to \"help kill black babies before they came into the world.\" We rated that Pants on Fire.","\"When Margaret Sanger - check my history - started Planned Parenthood, the objective was to put these centers in primarily black communities so they could help kill black babies before they came into the world,\" Cain said during a talk in Washington, D.C., at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group.","A debate in Congress earlier this year about whether to yank millions of dollars in federal funding for Planned Parenthood spawned a whole slew of claims by politicians about abortion. The Truth-O-Meter weighed in on several claims: everything from a claim by Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain that Planned Parenthood's early objective was to \"help kill black babies before they came into the world,\" which got a Pants on Fire, to Richard Corcoran, a Florida state representative, who claimed that \"90 percent of babies with Down syndrome are aborted,\" which received a True rating.","\"I have never run into any serious academic reference of Sanger or others wanting to \u2018kill black babies,\u2019\" Indiana University professor Ruth Engs, a eugenics movement expert, told PolitiFact Georgia in an e-mail."]},{"id":"13067.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy is the only candidate to have voted against every measure to fund Zika.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Patrick Murphy has opposed certain measures related to Zika funding, he has not voted against every measure to fund Zika. There have been multiple bills and proposals related to Zika funding, and Murphy has offered alternative solutions and voted against his party on some bills. It is important to accurately represent Murphy's voting record on Zika funding rather than making a blanket statement that is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"150.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We had a No Child Left Behind a similar piece of legislation in our state a number of years ago, well before the federal law. And it's had a big impact here. It's improved schools.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that a similar piece of legislation to No Child Left Behind was implemented in the state before the federal law. It also asserts that this legislation had a positive impact on schools and improved them. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm the specific impact or improvements, it supports the fact that the legislation existed and suggests that it had a positive effect on schools. Therefore, the statement is considered true based on the available information.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13027.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Classified material has a header which says top-secret, secret, confidential. Nothing, and I will repeat this and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice, none of the emails sent or received by me had such a header.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's claim that none of the emails she sent or received had headers indicating they were classified as \"top-secret, secret, confidential.\" This claim is supported by the reports from the Department of Justice. However, it's important to note that the absence of such headers does not necessarily mean that the content of the emails was not classified. Classified information can be mishandled or left unlabeled due to human error, which is not addressed in the statement. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the absence of headers, it does not provide the full context of the potential mishandling of classified information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3867.json","label":"false","statement":"Were the seventh highest taxed state in America. And thats not just state, its local as well.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that New York has high state and local tax burdens, the statement incorrectly claims that the state is the seventh-highest taxed state in America. The evidence provided does not support this claim. The Tax Foundation's report shows that New York has the highest state and local tax burden as a percentage of income, but it does not rank the states in terms of overall tax burden. Additionally, the evidence does not provide information about other states' tax burdens to support the claim of being the seventh-highest taxed state. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Some people, he said, \"argue that the Constitution's framers could not possibly have envisioned a congressional power to force purchases. However, in 1790, the first Congress, which was packed with framers, required all ship owners to provide medical insurance for seamen; in 1798, Congress also required seamen to buy hospital insurance for themselves.","\"In 1792, Congress enacted a law mandating that all able-bodied citizens obtain a firearm. This history negates any claim that forcing the purchase of insurance or other products is unprecedented or contrary to any possible intention of the framers.\"","Our research confirmed that. Congress required merchant ship owners to purchase medicines or provide health care for their workers. Seamen were later taxed to pay for what might be regarded today as an 18th-century health maintenance organization to provide for hospital care. And most able-bodied men were required to purchase weaponry for their service in the militia.","First was the 1790 law, passed by that first Congress, which applied to any U.S. ship that was at least 150 tons or with a crew of at least 10. It required the master or commander to either have a supply of on-board medicines (with instructions) or provide \"all such advice, medicine, or attendance of physicians, as any of the crew shall stand in need of in case of sickness\" and do it \"without any deduction from the wages of such sick seaman or mariner.\""]},{"id":"3167.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he predicts the weather better than Punxsutawney Phil.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to an independent analysis using the NCDC study and National Weather Service data, Punxsutawney Phil's accuracy rate for national weather predictions between 1988 and 2010 was 43 percent. On the other hand, Beau, the metro Atlanta groundhog, is claimed to have an accuracy rate of 94 percent according to his website. While the comparison is not based on directly comparable statistics, the evidence suggests that Beau has a higher accuracy rate than Punxsutawney Phil.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Her consultant, Harold Cook, pointed us to an August 2009 San Antonio Express-News news article about the social studies curriculum standards stating that Mercer \"would add James Dobson's Focus on the Family, conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to the list of conservatives\" that students could study in a high school U.S. history course.","For this article, we asked Bell-Metereau, a professor at Texas State University, how she concluded that Mercer wants Hannity & Dobson in Texas textbooks.","As to Bell-Metereau's statement, she's correct that Mercer spoke about adding Hannity and Dobson to the state's social studies curriculum standards -- although Mercer says the comment was intended to make a point about preserving ideological balance. Sorting who provoked what in that exchange is beyond us; that's between Mercer and the reporter.","And although judging someone's wants is difficult, we find it significant and persuasive that neither Mercer nor other board members made a motion to include Dobson and Hannity in the standards, meaning there's been no push thus far to include them in textbooks."]},{"id":"2398.json","label":"false","statement":"Allen West called Social Security a Ponzi scheme and said this countrys got to get on sound footing by destroying it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Allen West as calling Social Security a \"Ponzi scheme,\" but it misrepresents his position by stating that he said \"this country's got to get on sound footing by destroying it.\" There is no evidence to support the claim that West advocated for the destruction of Social Security. While he has criticized the program and referred to it as a \"Ponzi scheme,\" it is important to note that many critics of Social Security use this term to highlight concerns about its long-term sustainability, rather than advocating for its complete destruction. Therefore, the statement is false in its characterization of West's position.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12592.json","label":"false","statement":"On eliminating the influence of money in policy campaigns","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the statement about eliminating the influence of money in policy campaigns. It discusses the movement of funds to the Freedom From Influence Fund and the use of public funds for political campaigns, but it does not provide information about the effectiveness or success of these measures in eliminating the influence of money in policy campaigns. Therefore, the statement remains unsupported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Scott answered by first accusing Crist of running up the state\u2019s debt. \"And then you want to talk about Medicaid,\" he said. \"You were governor when it passed. Why didn't you get it passed right then? Why didn't you expand it right then?\"","The institute\u2019s report said in Florida there were 103,700 non-elderly veterans who lacked health insurance, which included 41,200 who would qualify for Medicaid if the state expanded the program.","Experts we talked to said that was possible, with an assist from the Legislature, but not at all likely. The law was too new for legislation to be passed during the 2010 legislative session. Even if Crist had wanted lawmakers to discuss it, they would have been hostile to the idea. The state was a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the government, and there was no urgency to enact such sweeping change.","\"I think it would have been difficult, but perhaps not impossible, for Charlie to have moved on the Medicaid expansion, because components of the law were very uncertain with the ACA at that point in his term,\" Kevin Walsh, assistant political science professor at Broward College, told PolitiFact Florida."]},{"id":"7843.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A bag of Cheetos costs less to buy than an apple, and in some Milwaukee neighborhoods good luck trying to find an apple or a banana or some sort of healthy option","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Democratic Party official regarding the cost and availability of healthy food options in some Milwaukee neighborhoods. The evidence supports the assertion that a bag of Cheetos can indeed be cheaper to purchase than an apple. Additionally, the evidence highlights the lack of availability of healthy options like apples or bananas in certain areas. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall cost and availability of healthy food options in Milwaukee as a whole.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When Congressman Cohen took office in 2007, the unemployment rate was at 4.8 percent,\" reads one bullet point. And then the very next one says, \"The unemployment rate in Shelby County has reached 9.7 percent.\"","In a campaign mailer, Republican congressional candidate George Flinn blamed Steve Cohen for the unemployment rate in Shelby County being more than twice as bad now (4.8 percent to 9.7 percent) than it was in 2007 when he took office.","Cohen officially took office as the 9th Congressional District representative in January of 2007, following his election in November of 2006 to succeed five-term Congressman Harold Ford Jr. The originally reported unemployment rate for Shelby County for January of 2007 was 5.5 percent. When it was later revised, the new numberwas 5.7 percent. Either way, a significant distance from the 4.8 percent listed on the mailer.","What about the unemployment rate now? The 9.7 percent figure used by the Flinn campaign appears to be pegged to reports for July, but the unemployment rate by August dropped to 9.0 percent in Shelby County."]},{"id":"11914.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Virginia law, if you are a non-federally licensed (gun) dealer, you cannot get a background check even if you want one.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Under Virginia law, non-federally licensed gun dealers are not able to directly contact the state police for a background check. Only federally licensed dealers have that privilege. However, there is an alternative option available for non-licensed dealers to conduct background checks through a licensed dealer. While it is true that non-licensed dealers cannot independently request a background check from the state police, they can still facilitate a background check by involving a licensed dealer in the transaction. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the clarification that non-licensed dealers can still utilize licensed dealers to perform background checks.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We decided to fact-check if Hispanic students in Florida perform \"the best\" of any Hispanic population in the United States. Let\u2019s hit the books.","\"Florida\u2019s Hispanic kids are the best of any Hispanic group of Hispanic students in the United States -- in fact, two grade levels ahead of the average in the United States,\" Bush said during a speech at the Detroit Economic Club on Feb. 4","\"As you know, the fastest-growing population in the United States is Hispanic,\" Biden said on March 1. \"And 60% of the Hispanic population is Mexican American. They\u2019re an integral part of our history.\"","U.S. Census Bureau, \"Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for the United States: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019,\" accessed March 2, 2021"]},{"id":"5877.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he is the only candidate in the race for Clackamas County Chair who will refuse to join the Public Employees Retirement System.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the candidate's campaign that he is the only candidate in the race for Clackamas County Chair who will refuse to join the Public Employees Retirement System. The evidence provided supports this claim, indicating that the candidate has made this commitment. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10495.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"92 million Americans arent working.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"92 million Americans aren't working\" is misleading because it fails to provide crucial context. While it is true that there are approximately 92 million Americans who are not employed, this number includes senior citizens and school-age Americans who are not expected to be part of the workforce. When these groups are excluded, the actual number of working-age Americans who are not employed is significantly lower. Therefore, the statement lacks important context and could lead to a distorted understanding of the employment situation in the United States.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In Florida, when Jeb Bush was governor, state authorities conducted a deeply flawed purge of voters before the presidential election in 2000\" and \"in 2004 a plan to purge even more voters was headed off.\"","Clinton said, \"In Florida, when Jeb Bush was governor, state authorities conducted a deeply flawed purge of voters before the presidential election in 2000\" and \"in 2004 a plan to purge even more voters was headed off.\"","\"In Florida, when Jeb Bush was governor, state authorities conducted a deeply flawed purge of voters before the presidential election in 2000,\" she said. \"Thankfully, in 2004 a plan to purge even more voters was headed off.\"","\"In Florida, when Jeb Bush was governor, state authorities conducted a deeply flawed purge of voters before the presidential election in 2000. Thankfully, in 2004 a plan to purge even more voters was headed off,\" she said in a speech at Texas Southern University on June 4, 2015."]},{"id":"13347.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump is the first person running for president, Republican or Democrat, who refused to say that he would respect the results of this election.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's claim that Donald Trump was the first presidential candidate, from either the Republican or Democratic party, who refused to commit to respecting the results of the election. This claim was made by Clinton during a rally in New Hampshire. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide any additional evidence or context to support or refute the claim. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on Clinton's assertion, it would benefit from additional evidence or analysis to provide a more comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says that Sen. Sherrod Brown is \"out there egging on a lot of these protesters who are spitting on policemen and going to the bathroom on policemen\u2019s cars at these protests on Wall Street and other places.\"","Brown is \"out there egging on a lot of these protesters who are spitting on policemen and going to the bathroom on policemen\u2019s cars at these protests on Wall Street and other places,\" he said.","As a public official, Mandel knows words matter. And given the incendiary level of other comments he made in the interview (he says at one point that Brown has \"vilified capitalism\" and views anyone who creates jobs as \"the enemy.\") his clear meaning was that Brown was encouraging protesters who are \"spitting on policemen and going to the bathroom on policemen\u2019s cars.\"","Aquilino also wrote in an email that \"Josh was saying that Sherrod is supporting the protesters \u2026 who in some cases have decided to defecate on cars and spit\" on police officers."]},{"id":"2472.json","label":"false","statement":"The downsizing of Pinellas County government resulted in about 1,200 people being laid off in a 12 percent unemployment market. I can tell you that every one of them was hired from the time that Ms. Latvala went into office in 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that every one of the 1,200 people laid off from Pinellas County government during the downsizing was hired after Ms. Latvala went into office in 2000. The evidence only mentions the downsizing and the number of people laid off, but it does not provide any information about their hiring dates. Therefore, the claim lacks factual basis and is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"President Obama pledged to go through the budget 'line by line,' \" Boehner wrote, \"but on his watch, nondefense spending has spiraled out of control, increasing by 67 percent in the last year alone.\"","One of the most reliable Republican attacks on President Barack Obama has been that he and his allies in Congress are spending too much of the taxpayers' money. In his live-blogging response to Obama's State of the Union address on Jan. 27, 2010, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, criticized Obama's handling of the federal budget by playing off Obama's proposed freeze on domestic spending.","According to the Congressional Budget Office, the federal budget authority for nondefense, discretionary spending in fiscal year 2008 -- the last year under President George W. Bush -- was $494 billion. (Discretionary spending refers to funds appropriated on an annual basis by Congress, while mandatory spending -- a separate category -- includes required programs such as Social Security, as well as interest on the federal debt.)","\"Congressional Democrats voted to increase spending by 67 percent,\" Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said. \"That\u2019s the way the American people understand it. You can quibble about the arcana of budget wonk terminology, but they voted to spend the money, and we\u2019re very comfortable using that figure.\""]},{"id":"5880.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell voted for a toll lane on MoPac.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Lee Leffingwell, the Austin Mayor, did vote for a toll lane on MoPac Boulevard. During a mayoral debate, challenger Brigid Shea accused Leffingwell of voting to add a toll lane to the expressway, and Shea's statement was supported by transportation experts and the three-year TIP transportation plan. Therefore, the statement that Lee Leffingwell voted for a toll lane on MoPac is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Also, Cruz wrote, \"Hagel\u2019s nomination has been publicly celebrated by the Iranian government \u2014 surely an occurrence without precedent for a nominee for secretary of Defense.\"","Cruz said Hagel\u2019s nomination \"has been publicly celebrated by the Iranian government.\" An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, speaking in reaction to Hagel\u2019s nomination, said he hoped Washington would become \"respectful of the rights of nations\" and if so, he said, Iran\u2019s hatred of U.S. policies will decrease.","\"Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel?\" asks a disgusted sounding narrator in an ad from the Emergency Committee for Israel. The ad then went on to portray him as soft on Iran and concluded by calling him \"not a responsible option\" for defense secretary.","U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who opposes the confirmation of Chuck Hagel as U.S. Secretary of Defense, rat-a-tatted his qualms in a February opinion column posted by Politico."]},{"id":"1789.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"In the last 10 years we've only had 7,000 barrels of oil spilled in the Gulf ... not counting hurricanes. This well is spewing that amount every day and a half.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Senator Landrieu and the data from the Minerals Management Service. According to the report, there were a total of 31,122 barrels of oil, diesel, lube oil, and gasoline spilled in the Gulf between 2000 and 2009, with 24,069 barrels attributed to hurricanes. This leaves approximately 7,053 barrels spilled in non-hurricane incidents, which aligns with the claim made by Senator Landrieu. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive picture of all oil spills in the Gulf, as it excludes hurricane-related spills. Additionally, the comparison to the ongoing spill is accurate in terms of the volume of oil being released. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Beckel said that the Koch brothers are one of the country\u2019s biggest polluters. In this fact-check, we're talking about the Kochs' company, Koch Industries. Koch Industries operates over 100 plants across the country. According to one ranking, it is not responsible for the most significant releases but it does land within the top 30 on one list and the top 15 on another. Most people would count that as \"one of the biggest.\"","\"Two Iraqis came here to this country, were radicalized and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre. \u2026 It didn't get covered\"","PolitiFact wanted to take a closer look at what happened to the Flint Hills Resources refinery in North Pole, Alaska. Is it accurate to say the Koch brothers ran it into the ground?","To repeat, it\u2019s by this measure that Koch Industries ranks 14th in the country in terms of companies sending emissions into the air and 30th in sending emissions into the water. The top air polluter, according to the analysis, is Precision Castparts. The top water polluter is Ohio Valley Electric."]},{"id":"226.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Thanks to President Bush's policies....The income gap is now higher than at any time since the Great Depression.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that the income gap reached its highest level since the Great Depression during President Bush's tenure, it would be misleading to solely attribute this to his policies. The income gap has been growing since 1968 and began to significantly increase in the 1980s. While President Bush's policies, including tax breaks for the wealthy, may have contributed to economic inequality, it is important to acknowledge that the issue predates his presidency. Therefore, while President Bush's policies may have played a role, it would be inaccurate to solely attribute the income gap to his administration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5057.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Santorum also voted for a teapot museum in North Carolina.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Santorum did vote in favor of legislation that included funding for the New River Community Partners Museum Development Project, which eventually led to the creation of the Sparta Teapot Museum of Craft & Design in North Carolina. However, it's important to note that the funding for the teapot museum was just a small part of a larger bill, and Santorum's vote was not specifically for the teapot museum itself. Therefore, while Santorum did vote for the legislation that included funding for the teapot museum, it is misleading to suggest that he specifically voted for the teapot museum in isolation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10998.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Polls indicate that white people think that black people are less intelligent. They think theyre less trustworthy, less patriotic.","reason":"Reason: While there have been studies and research examining racial attitudes, it is not accurate to make a blanket statement that all white people think that black people are less intelligent, less trustworthy, and less patriotic. Such a statement oversimplifies the complexity of racial attitudes and generalizes the beliefs of an entire racial group. It is important to recognize that attitudes and beliefs vary among individuals, and making broad generalizations based on race is not supported by evidence. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1945.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If every small business in our state, on average, was able to create one new job we would cut our unemployment rate in half.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that if every small business in the state created one new job, it would likely have a positive impact on the unemployment rate, it is an oversimplification to claim that it would cut the rate in half. The impact on the unemployment rate depends on various factors, such as the total number of small businesses, the size of the workforce, and the current unemployment rate. Therefore, while the statement highlights the potential positive effect of small business job creation, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the complex dynamics involved in reducing the unemployment rate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Adams also charges White with undue silence on the recently adopted federal health care overhaul, listing among criticisms an eyebrow-raising benefit for certain men. It \"was recently revealed that ObamaCare will use your tax dollars to provide free Viagra to convicted rapists and registered sex offenders,\" Adams writes.","National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Registered sex offenders in the United States per 100,000 population,( \"Registered sex offenders in the United States per 100,000 population,\") Dec. 8, 2009","She frames the prospect of free Viagra for sex offenders too simply. Yes, the CRS memo says plans offered through the exchanges aren't barred by the new law from offering just such a benefit. But the plans won't be finalized until 2014. Besides, anyone who joins such a plan will have to qualify for subsidies based on income. Also, no drugs will be free.","Nicole Kaeding, a state tax policy analyst at the free-market oriented Tax Foundation, stressed that the term \"tampon tax\" is a misnomer because feminine hygiene products are not subject to a specific tax in any state."]},{"id":"8453.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Congress, criminals, Scientologists and other groups are exempt from Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that certain groups, such as Congress and incarcerated individuals, have specific exemptions or provisions related to healthcare coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the claim that Scientologists and other religious groups are exempt is misleading. The religious exemptions under the law are not specific to any particular religious group but rather apply to individuals who have religious objections to certain types of healthcare coverage. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the exemptions and misrepresents the scope of religious exemptions under Obamacare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Rick Perry says Sen. Hutchison took 154 private plane trips funded by U.S. taxpayers when commercial flights were available&url=)","The big charge: Hutchison has taken 154 trips on private jets, many between airports offering commercial flights at a fraction of the cost. The second hit: Her flights include trips on jets provided by lobbyists, donors and corporations with business before Hutchison in Washington.","That single lobbyist does not support the ad's three references to \"lobbyists.\" And Perry's claim that Hutchison could instead have taken readily available commercial flights for her trips is questionable.","Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison says if the space shuttle program is retired, Russia and China will be the only countries capable of launching humans into space"]},{"id":"8675.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"About 40 percent of workers dont ... have a single paid sick day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided, which indicates that approximately 40 percent of workers do not have a single paid sick day. While there may be some variations in the data based on different sectors and types of employment, the overall figure aligns with the information presented. It's important to note that some workers may have access to a pool of days that can be used for illness or vacation, but the statement specifically refers to workers without any paid sick days. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Zack McMillin, \"From a standpoint of the county government, neither school system has received an increase in funding over the past six years\" for PolitiFact Tennessee, Aug. 20, 2012.","The inflation-adjusted figure Brat uses to describe what he sees as runaway federal spending on education over 30 years is overblown. You can only get near a 375 percent increase if you start in 1970 and end in 2010, when U.S. school funding was nearly doubled with stimulus money and stood at an all-time high of $73.3 billion.","Five days later, Brat took to Facebook and posted his view in modern terms. \"Our own government statistics show that over 30 years, federal spending on education has grown by 375%, but test scores have remained flat,\" he wrote. \"That proves that just throwing more money at education is not the solution.\"","Education funding issues often provoke emotional arguments, and a measure to increase the local option sales tax in Shelby County by a half cent has led to accusations that an education-advocacy group is trying to manipulate voter sensibilities with misleading claims about the benefits for school-children."]},{"id":"10203.json","label":"true","statement":"Ill be the only economist in the (U.S.) House.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Based on the evidence provided, there is no indication of any other economist serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the speaker's claim of being the only economist in the House.\nLabel: true","evidence":["By using the reconciliation process, which can only be attempted once every fiscal year, Biden had to throw a lot of different initiatives into one large reconciliation bill.","The first step is to pass an identical budget resolution through both chambers of Congress that includes \"reconciliation instructions\" \u2014 guidance for committees about how much to reduce the deficit in their areas, or how much to cap spending increases. While reconciliation instructions do not have to be included in a budget resolution, they are required if lawmakers want to use the reconciliation process.","But these are goals. None of these are certain to be in the reconciliation bill currently being negotiated, and some could be cut back in scope or duration.","Officially, it\u2019s possible to split up the three categories of bills envisioned in the 1974 law \u2014 spending, revenues, and debt \u2014 into three separate reconciliation bills per year. But as a practical matter, those issues overlap, making it hard to produce reconciliation bills that deal with just one of those topics. So the standard practice is to produce no more than one reconciliation bill per fiscal year."]},{"id":"12553.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Al-Qaida operatives, have said, Hey, we want you to use this loophole (for purchasing guns despite being on a watch list) to attack and kill Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that al-Qaida operatives have explicitly encouraged the use of a loophole for purchasing guns to attack and kill Americans. While there have been instances where terrorist organizations have called for attacks on Americans, there is no specific evidence provided to support the claim that al-Qaida operatives have specifically instructed individuals to use this particular loophole for purchasing guns. Without concrete evidence, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Hannity said that the new Republican senators campaigned on a platform to repeal and replace Obamacare. All 10 new Republican senators said during their campaigns either that Obamacare should be repealed or that they had voted to repeal it.","Talking to Republican Louisiana U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, who is in a runoff with incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, Hannity said, \"Every single candidate like yourself running for office said you will vote to repeal and replace Obamacare.\"","Later, in an interview with Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus, Hannity said, \"Every candidate that won in the Senate promised to repeal and replace Obamacare,\" Hannity said.","And he made the same point with Cory Gardner, who defeated incumbent Democrat Sen. Mark Udall in Colorado. \"Every Republican that won elections last night, including yourself, you said repeal\/replace Obamacare.\""]},{"id":"10360.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Estimates say individuals who escaped these high tax states have taken with them around $2 trillion in adjusted gross income.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that there are estimates indicating that individuals who left high-tax states have taken around $2 trillion in adjusted gross income with them. However, the evidence provided does not directly support this specific claim. While it is true that there are states with high taxes and that some individuals may choose to relocate to lower-tax states, the specific estimate of $2 trillion in adjusted gross income being taken with them is not substantiated. Without more concrete evidence or specific studies to support this claim, it is difficult to verify its accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1069.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"The ACLU has filed a suit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that the ACLU has filed a lawsuit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed is false. Multiple sources, including the ACLU itself and the National Cemetery Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, have denied the existence of such a lawsuit. Fact-checking organizations have also debunked this claim in the past, rating it as \"Pants on Fire.\" There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that the ACLU has taken legal action to remove cross-shaped headstones from military cemeteries.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Martinez told reporters Nov. 12, 2014: \"Last night, Steve Adler admitted his law firm worked with Koch Industries for nearly a decade. But Steve Adler still hasn\u2019t come clean about what work his law firm did for the Koch Brothers, and how much money they made from it.\"","Austin mayoral candidate Steve Adler opposed an injunction to stop a \"company from dumping petrochemicals directly into the Barton Springs aquifer.\"","Austin mayoral hopeful Mike Martinez says his opponent in a December 2014 runoff conceded his law firm helped out Koch Industries, the Kansas-based conglomerate owned by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch whose backing of conservative causes probably doesn\u2019t play well among the city\u2019s preponderance of Democratic voters.","Adler reaffirmed he personally never worked with a Koch company, though he said he believes Barron and possibly another lawyer helped a Koch entity in the 1970s and, he thinks, early-to-mid 1980s. Adler said that after he graduated from law school, he worked for another firm for a year and then did work for the firm which he joined in 1984 or 1985."]},{"id":"2938.json","label":"half-true","statement":"An overwhelming majority of Americans support passage of the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented youth willing to work for a college degree or serve in our armed forces.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is public support for providing a path to citizenship or legal status for undocumented immigrant children, the statement that an \"overwhelming majority\" of Americans support the passage of the DREAM Act is not entirely accurate. Polling consistently shows a majority of Americans in favor of providing a way for undocumented immigrant children to gain legal residency, but the term \"overwhelming majority\" implies a higher level of support than what the evidence suggests. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Hey fans of Rhode Island trivia! Did you know that in the capital city of Providence \"it's illegal to sell toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday\"?","!Screen capture taken July 19, 2013 of BuzzFeed claim about toothbrush-toothpaste sales ban in Providence, R.I. !Screen capture taken July 19, 2013 of BuzzFeed claim about toothbrush-toothpaste sales ban in Providence, R.I.","So oral hygiene fans can breathe a minty-fresh sigh of relief. A toothbrush and toothpaste can legally be purchased together any Sunday in Providence.","When we heard back from BuzzFeed, spokeswoman Augusta Mellon said in an email that a Google search for \"sell toothbrush toothpaste sunday rhode island\" produced over 8 million hits. (We checked that claim as well. Actual number of hits: about 650, and some of those didn't even refer to the \"law.\")"]},{"id":"11514.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ohio Gov. John Kasich got lucky with a thing called fracking, which is why Ohio is doing well.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Trump made the statement attributing Ohio's success to fracking, it is not an accurate representation of the situation. Ohio's economic performance cannot be solely attributed to fracking. While fracking has contributed to job growth and economic activity in the state, Ohio's overall economic well-being is influenced by a variety of factors, including diverse industries, manufacturing, agriculture, and trade. Therefore, the statement that Ohio Governor John Kasich got lucky with fracking, which is why Ohio is doing well, is false as it oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to the state's economic performance.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6754.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"James Langevin has received almost $20 million from taxpayers and special interests to use at his own discretion to supposedly champion Rhode Islands needs.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that James Langevin has received almost $20 million from taxpayers and special interests to use at his own discretion. While it is true that Langevin has received campaign contributions from various sources, including special interests, it is misleading to imply that he has received this money to use at his own discretion. Campaign contributions are used for campaign-related activities, such as advertising, staff salaries, and other campaign expenses. They are not personal funds that can be used at the candidate's discretion. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading in its portrayal of how campaign contributions are utilized.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The council\u2019s billboard says the U.S. gives $8 million a day to Israel. In essence, that\u2019s an accurate estimate. The billboard may leave the impression that there is a blank check to Israel. That\u2019s a matter of interpretation.","That\u2019s what one viral Facebook post is claiming. The post, which has gotten over 200 comments and reached nearly 10,000 shares since Aug. 16, says that the United States gives Israel \"$3 billion annually\" and gives Detroit \"zero.\"","End of story? Not yet. We were still curious about whether the United States has written a blank check to Israel, since \"STOP The Blank \" is mentioned so prominently on the billboard.","Philip Wilcox, president of the Washington-based Foundation for Middle East Peace, said he has seen the $8 million a day claim and agreed \"it\u2019s in the ballpark.\" As for whether there is a \"blank check\" for Israel, Wilcox told us that the U.S. generally accepts Israeli military actions in the region. Wilcox spent years working in the federal government on Middle East affairs. He noted, though, that the U.S. has conducted inquiries into Israeli use of weapons."]},{"id":"11318.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were the only major oil-producing nation in the world with a self-imposed ban on exporting our crude oil to other nations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the American Petroleum Institute and the Energy Information Administration (EIA). According to the API report, the United States and China are the only major oil-producing nations that do not export a significant amount of crude oil. While the EIA officials couldn't definitively confirm if the U.S. is the only nation with such a limitation, their statement aligns with the claim made. Therefore, it can be considered mostly true that the U.S. is the only major oil-producing nation with a self-imposed ban on exporting crude oil.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A new Colorado law \"literally allows residents to print ballots from their home computers, then encourages them to turn ballots over to \u2018collectors.\u2019 \"","42. A new Colorado law \"literally allows residents to print ballots from their home computers, then encourages them to turn ballots over to \u2018collectors.\u2019 \"","Before you can say yikes, there\u2019s more. This law, Kelly said, \"literally allows residents to print ballots from their home computers, then encourages them to turn ballots over to \u2018collectors\u2019 in what appears to be an effort to do away with traditional polling places.\"","In a recent segment, Kelly went after a new Colorado law that raises fears of voter fraud for allowing \"residents to print ballots from their home computers, then encourages them to turn ballots over to \u2018collectors.\u2019\""]},{"id":"8564.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The state budget has actually grown by $4.6 billion under Gov. Scott Walkers actions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the state budget has grown by $4.6 billion, it is important to provide additional context. The evidence suggests that this growth occurred under the administration of Governor Scott Walker. However, it does not specify the time frame in which this growth took place. Without a clear timeframe, it is challenging to determine the full extent of Governor Walker's responsibility for the budget growth. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the budget increase, it lacks specificity and context, making it difficult to assess the full implications.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6775.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that you cant destroy the guns purchased in a (gun) buyback program as the city (of Memphis) wants to do.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by Campfield, stating that guns purchased in a gun buyback program cannot be destroyed as intended by the city of Memphis, is incorrect. The evidence suggests that Campfield later acknowledged his mistake and posted a correction on his blog. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the facts and is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says state Rep. Patrick Rose votes 90 percent with liberals, backed the state's largest tax increase, proposed nearly $15 billion in government spending and supported \"Obama-style government-run health care system for Texas.\"","In a video ad that debuted online Oct. 7, Isaac lists pointed reasons to yank Rose, who's in his fourth term. Rose, the narrator says, \"votes with the liberals 90 percent of the time, the largest tax increase in Texas history... (and) proposed nearly $15 billion in new government spending.\" The narrator adds: \"Rose even supported an Obama-style government-run health care system for Texas.\"","Isaac's statement that Rose \"supported an Obama-style government-run health care system for Texas,\" reflects Rose's vote against ending debate on a proposal calling for a report on how the state could implement a \"universal health care\" system. Ordering a feasibility report on universal health care--in action, ahem, more than a year before Obama won election as president--is not the same as endorsing a particular system.","Casteel said Isaac's statement that Rose \"supported an Obama-style government-run health care system for Texas\" refers to a May 21, 2007 floor vote. Online legislative records show that Rose was among 51 members to vote against tabling a proposal by Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, directing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to prepare a report \"detailing the means by which this state could insure the maximum number of people and eventually implement a system of universal health care.\" The motion to table prevailed, killing Burnam's amendment."]},{"id":"11759.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama appointed Eric Holder as attorney general. Eric Holder said he viewed his mission as brainwashing the American people against guns.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Barack Obama appointed Eric Holder as Attorney General, the claim that Holder said he viewed his mission as brainwashing the American people against guns is misleading. There is no credible evidence or statement from Holder himself to support this assertion. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing the statements and views of public figures.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11211.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy hasnt passed a single bill out of committee.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Patrick Murphy hasn't passed a single bill out of committee is false. While there may be criticisms of Murphy's effectiveness in Congress, it is incorrect to claim that he has not passed any bills out of committee. The evidence provided indicates that Murphy did vote to create a committee and has been involved in legislative activities. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Folks, there is no air-conditioned restaurant at the Lens,\" mayoral candidate Kathleen Ford declared at the Aug. 6 Tampa Bay Times \/Bay News 9 mayoral forum. \"Let me just clear that up for you. There\u2019s been a lot of questions about that issue. There is no planned air-conditioned restaurant out on the Lens.\"","Further, the Columbia will open a separate air-conditioned restaurant that's on the approach to the Lens and has a waterfront view.","\"We feel very comfortable stating that there is no air-conditioned restaurant out on the over water portion of the Lens,\" Ballard said, \"nor is there an air-conditioned space just for people to go out there, even an enclosed space that they could retreat to get away from the weather.\"","Instead of a full-size restaurant topping the water, Lens designers opted for a new restaurant strategy, in part to cut the taxpayer subsidy for the Pier. They planned a small, open-air cafe run by the Columbia restaurant on the Lens structure\u2019s \"promontory,\" which overlooks the water."]},{"id":"5829.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsin lost more jobs over the past 12 months than any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided, which states that Wisconsin has lost the most manufacturing jobs in the past year. The data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages confirms the decline in manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13165.json","label":"false","statement":"No fracking waste is being dumped in New York State","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that New York State has regulations in place to prevent the dumping of certain types of fracking waste, it is incorrect to claim that no fracking waste is being dumped in the state. Solid waste that may have come into contact with fracking liquids is permitted under current regulations. Additionally, there is evidence that landfills in New York State have accepted fracking waste from Pennsylvania. Therefore, the statement that no fracking waste is being dumped in New York State is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3874.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have the best schools in the United States.","reason":"Reason: While Mitt Romney claimed that Massachusetts has the best schools in the United States, this statement is only partially true. While there is no definitive yardstick to compare the quality of schools by state, Massachusetts does perform well in certain measures, such as test results from federal standardized tests. However, it is important to note that rankings can vary depending on the specific criteria used for evaluation. Claiming to have the absolute best schools in the entire country is an overgeneralization and lacks comprehensive evidence to support it.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7314.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Oak Grove is one of the largest cities in Oregon and is the biggest city in Clackamas County and its not a city.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Oak Grove is not officially incorporated as a city, so it cannot be considered the biggest city in Clackamas County or one of the largest cities in Oregon. However, the statement acknowledges that Oak Grove has the potential to be a large city and suggests that it should have a significant presence at various levels of government. While it is not currently recognized as a city, the statement implies that Oak Grove has the characteristics and population size that could make it one of the largest cities in Oregon if it were to be incorporated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10404.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney pays less tax than the guys who installed his car elevators.","reason":"Reason: The statement is difficult to assess due to the lack of information about the tax payments of the individuals who installed Mitt Romney's car elevators. Without concrete evidence or data on their tax payments, it is challenging to make a direct comparison. Additionally, the status of the car elevators' installation is unclear, further complicating the evaluation. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support a definitive conclusion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11907.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since January 2015, the majority of our Austin City Council meetings have extended past 10 p.m. and many of our meetings have gone past midnight.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant number of Austin City Council meetings have extended past 10 p.m. and some have gone past midnight, the statement overstates the frequency of these occurrences. According to the evidence provided, 12 out of 28 major meetings since January 2015 ran past 10 p.m., which is less than a majority. Additionally, only five out of those 28 meetings stretched past midnight. Therefore, while late-running meetings have been a concern, the statement exaggerates the extent to which they have occurred.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Texas, \"Gov. Rick Perry says Texas has created more than 850,000 jobs, more than the other states combined,\" Sept. 23, 2010","The president of the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, Brooke Rollins, touts Texas\u2019 economic strength in a TV ad that aired in April and May, saying that \"in the last five years, we\u2019ve created more jobs than all other states combined.\"","The foundation\u2019s claim that Texas \"created more jobs than all other states combined\" stands up \u2014 considering only those states that had net job gains over five years. That\u2019s the methodology usually used to define job creation in public discourse.","\"We've created more than 850,000 jobs, more than all the other states combined,\" Perry says in the Sept. 12 spot. An Aug. 24 Houston Chronicle headline appears on the screen: \"By any measure, Texas tops nation in job creation.\""]},{"id":"2913.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The city of Atlanta ranks 25th among U.S. cities with the highest crime rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Atlanta does rank 25th among cities with the highest scores for crime rate, as indicated by the analysis mentioned in the evidence. However, it's important to note that the term \"highest crime rates\" can be interpreted in different ways. While Atlanta ranks 25th in this particular analysis, it does not necessarily mean that it has one of the highest crime rates overall compared to all U.S. cities. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and should be clarified to avoid potential misinterpretation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6878.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Mitt Romney plans to fire Big Bird.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Mitt Romney plans to fire Big Bird is false. While Mitt Romney did express his intention to cut federal funding for PBS, this does not specifically target Big Bird or Sesame Street. In fact, a Sesame Street executive clarified that the show itself receives minimal funding through PBS and that the character of Big Bird would not be affected. Therefore, the statement is misleading and earns a \"pants-fire\" rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"If Congressman Murphy trusts Hillary Clinton 100 percent, he\u2019s in rare company, because not even Tim Kaine is willing to say that,\" Rubio said, \"and he\u2019s her running mate.\"","\"During an appearance on The View, Tim Kaine would not say that Hillary Clinton is trustworthy when asked about \u2018voters that have doubted her on the trust issues,\u2019 reads the release.","Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine defended Hillary Clinton from public skepticism over her trustworthiness and addressed his own pro-trade baggage Aug. 7 on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press.","Kaine doesn\u2019t say he trusts Clinton, but he\u2019s never explicitly asked if he does. He is probed about the internal emails released by Wikileaks, and how findings that Clinton might have received debate questions ahead of time affect the campaign, especially since Clinton has struggled with trust among voters."]},{"id":"9552.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Greg Abbott has lost in court four times in just the past few days.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that Greg Abbott, the subject of the statement, has lost in court four times in the past few days. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer specific details or sources to verify the claim. Without additional information or context, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, while the claim is plausible, it lacks sufficient evidence to be rated as completely true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13491.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Study after study have shown that sanctuary cities do not lead to an increase in crime because of the presence of people that are undocumented.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence from studies, such as the 2016 study from the University of California at Riverside and Highline College, that suggest sanctuary policies have no discernible effect on crime rates, it is important to note that the research on this specific topic is relatively limited. Experts have acknowledged that there is not abundant research specifically focused on sanctuary cities and their impact on crime. Therefore, while existing studies may indicate that sanctuary cities do not lead to an increase in crime due to the presence of undocumented individuals, it is not accurate to claim that \"study after study\" has shown this, as the body of research is still developing.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["However, while the Budget Control Act includes some features of a budget resolution, it lacks others, according to federal budget experts.","In more than three years, the U.S. Senate has not passed a good budget or a bad budget -- it hasn\u2019t passed any budget at all, according to U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance.","\"I just say to you, a budget is a limitation on spending. The Budget Control Act contained very clear limitations on spending for 2012 and 2013. So when our friends say there\u2019s been no budget passed by this body, oh yes, there has,\" Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), the committee chairman, said Monday on the Senate floor. \"There\u2019s been a budget passed for 2012, one for 2013. Instead of a resolution, it was done in a law.\"","But the Democratic chairman of the Senate Budget Committee has countered that the Budget Control Act of 2011 is meant to serve as the budget for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. Enacted in August 2011, that legislation included provisions to raise the nation's debt ceiling and also set caps on certain types of future discretionary spending for 10 years."]},{"id":"1916.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"Without representation, (the IRS) can increase taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The IRS does not have the authority to unilaterally increase taxes without representation. The power to levy taxes and make changes to tax laws lies with the legislative branch of the government, specifically the U.S. Congress. Any changes to tax rates or tax laws require the approval of elected representatives. Therefore, the claim that the IRS can increase taxes without representation is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Our research shows, however, that AARP has a very different relationship with its members than Humana does with seniors on Medicare Advantage.","According to the CMS, Humana's mailing warned beneficiaries that they might lose benefits under health care reform, a claim that Democratic officials dispute. The Huffington Post said it has obtained a copy of the mailer and posted it to its Web site.","A McConnell spokesman pointed us to a 2009 letter from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, often known as CMS, to Humana. The agency wrote the letter to respond to mailings that Humana sent to its nearly 1 million Medicare Advantage and Part D patients. In bold type, Humana told its enrollees that \"millions of seniors and disabled individuals could lose many of the important benefits and services that make Medicare Advantage health plans so valuable.\"","The House Republican Conference said CMS did not target the seniors' group \"quite possibly because AARP has been supporting a health care overhaul ...\""]},{"id":"9710.json","label":"false","statement":"So many people were critical of Secretary (John) Kerry going to Paris and talking with Hamas, because Kerry was seen as supporting Hamas to the exclusion of the Arab League.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Secretary John Kerry did not go to Paris and talk with Hamas. Greta Van Susteren, the source of the statement, acknowledged her error and clarified that Kerry actually spoke with Turkey and Qatar about Hamas in Paris, not directly with Hamas. The criticism was related to concerns about excluding the Arab League, not supporting Hamas. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the situation and the reasons for the criticism.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1304.json","label":"false","statement":"The Republicans' alternative health care plan \"will still let insurers raise premiums four times faster than wages.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that insurance premiums have risen four times faster than wages over the last nine years, there is no evidence to support the claim that the Republicans' alternative health care plan would allow insurers to continue this trend. The evidence provided does not specifically address the Republican plan, and it is important to note that different health care proposals can have varying impacts on premium rates. Without specific information about the Republican plan, it is misleading to make a blanket statement about its effect on premium increases.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The National Border Patrol Council said in a statement that \"interior deportations under Obama were down 40 percent and at a nine-year low.\"","The group did not return requests for comment, but we found ICE data that references \"interior\" and \"border\" removals. Using that data, there isn\u2019t a 40 percent drop -- actually it's about 71 percent. Reports say interior or border removal data wasn\u2019t broken down that way before fiscal 2008, so there isn\u2019t a way to measure the 9-year low, though fiscal 2015 interior removals do represent an 8-year low.","\"For seven years, the president\u2019s marketers sold him as the \u2018Deporter in Chief.\u2019 There was no truth behind that marketing campaign,\" the group said in a statement published July 28, coinciding with the last day of the Democratic National Convention. \"The truth is that those living in the U.S. illegally were less likely to be deported than under any previous administration. Interior deportations under Obama were down 40 percent and at a nine-year low.\"","The line about interior deportations under Obama sliding 40 percent and reaching nine-year lows piqued our interest. The National Border Patrol Council did not respond to our requests for information on the data behind that statement. Donald Trump\u2019s campaign posted on its website the council\u2019s statement, but they did not respond for comments either."]},{"id":"1973.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A transcript released by Occidental College proves that Barack Obama was an Indonesian citizen.","reason":"Reason: The claim that a transcript released by Occidental College proves that Barack Obama was an Indonesian citizen is entirely false. Occidental College has confirmed that they have not released Obama's transcript, and there is no court order requiring them to do so. The alleged AP article mentioned in the evidence is a fabrication. Additionally, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that Obama was an Indonesian citizen. Obama has consistently stated that he was born in the United States and is a natural-born citizen. The suggestion that he is hiding his citizenship status is a baseless conspiracy theory.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6380.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One out of every two kids who are graduating college right now cant find a job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly address the specific claim of \"one out of every two kids who are graduating college right now can't find a job,\" it does support the broader context of the challenges faced by college graduates in finding employment. President Obama's speeches acknowledge the importance of education and training that aligns with the needs of the job market. While the exact statistic mentioned in the statement is not explicitly confirmed, it aligns with the concerns and discussions surrounding the job market for recent college graduates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Ridesharing is moving Austin forward,\" Uber says in a web post including a petition for council members that we spotted in November 2015. \"Recent news reports indicate DWI crashes in Austin dropped 23 percent since ridesharing entered the market.\"","To our emailed inquiry about ride-sharing and Austin accidents, Uber spokeswoman Brooke Anderson pointed out a March 2, 2015, KVUE-TV news story stating that according to the Austin Police Department, DWI arrests and crashes were down citywide, \"and there could be a few reasons why,\" the station said. The story said the number of DWI arrests had dropped 16 percent in 2014, according to APD statistics. \"DWI-related crashes fell even more citywide, decreasing by 23 percent last year,\" as in 2014, the story said, which also is \"the year ride-sharing started in Austin, with services like Uber and Lyft entering the market.\"","To our inquiry about Uber's claim, department spokeswoman Amanda Cole also forwarded an email from Lt. Brent Dupre, then in the department\u2019s Highway Command, stating: \"We cannot say any drop\" in DWI collisions \"is due to the ridesharing groups.\"","KVUE\u2019s news story quoted APD DWI Enforcement Lt. Keith Walker saying he didn\u2019t know how much of an impact its arrival had on drunk driving in Austin, but he said the more travel options people have, the better."]},{"id":"1669.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"The path to ObamaCare becoming law all started with Charlie Crist supporting President Obama's $787 billion stimulus.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Charlie Crist supported President Obama's $787 billion stimulus, it is inaccurate to claim that the path to Obamacare becoming law started solely with Crist's support for the stimulus. The passage of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) involved a complex legislative process that included numerous factors and actors beyond Crist's endorsement of the stimulus bill. Rubio's statement fails to establish a direct causal connection between Crist's support for the stimulus and the enactment of Obamacare. Therefore, the claim is misleading and warrants a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Are genetically modified foods good for us or bad for us? The problem is that we really don\u2019t know,\" she asserted in a commentary supporting her legislation. \"In an average grocery store, roughly 75 percent of processed foods contain genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.\" She made a similar comment in a news release, saying that most processed foods contain GMOs.","Nesselbush is incorrect when she says that such foods contain genetically modified organisms. Often they only contain substances created by genetically modified organisms, such as sugars, which may be identical to the sugars created by non-modified plants.","It turns out that there\u2019s little consistency in how the estimate is used. For example, Whole Foods in 2010, citing the grocery association, said \"GMOs are now present in 75 to 80 percent of conventional processed food in the U.S.\" (We\u2019re not sure if there are \"unconventional\" processed foods.)","And finally, in the cases of many processed foods created using the sugars, oils and other products of genetically modified organisms, the organisms themselves aren\u2019t present in the food at all."]},{"id":"5792.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The University of Florida announced this past week that it was dropping its computer science department ... Meanwhile, the athletic budget for the current year is $97.7 million, an increase of more than $2 million from last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reports that the University of Florida announced the discontinuation of its computer science department. However, the connection made between the athletic budget increase and the savings from cutting the computer science department is not entirely accurate. While the athletic budget did increase by over $2 million, it does not necessarily mean that this increase would directly offset the savings from cutting the computer science department. The allocation of funds within a university's budget is complex and involves various factors and priorities. Therefore, while the statement contains some accurate information, the link between the athletic budget increase and the savings from cutting the computer science department is not fully supported.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So no, Obama's tax increase on those making more than $250,000 would not represent a transformation of the U.S. system of government. His desire to \"spread the wealth\" through progressive taxation makes him no less a capitalist than McCain, or Lincoln. Palin's allegation that Obama wants to \"experiment with socialism\" seems designed less to inform than to inflame.","So no, Obama's tax increase on those making more than $250,000 would not represent a transformation of the U.S. system of government. His desire to \"spread the wealth\" through progressive taxation makes him no less a capitalist than McCain, or Lincoln. Palin's allegation that Obama wants to \"experiment with socialism\" seems designed less to inform than to inflame. That's Pants on Fire wrong.","Gov. Sarah Palin's remarks in Springfiled, Mo., are a good example: \"Senator Obama says that he wants to spread the wealth, which means \u2014 you know what that means,\" she said at a rally on Oct. 24, 2008. \"It means that government takes your money, (handed) out however a politician sees fit. Barack Obama calls it spreading the wealth, and Joe Biden calls higher taxes patriotic. And yet to Joe the Plumber, he said it sounded like socialism. And now is not the time to experiment with socialism.\"","Romney and Republicans have consistently portrayed Obama as a president who wants to expand government and engage in class warfare because of his proposal to increase income taxes on those who make more than $250,000 a year. In 2008, GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said Obama wanted to \"spread the wealth\" because of his tax policy and \"experiment with socialism\" as president. PolitiFact rated that claim a Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"4688.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Texas unemployment is dire in various ways such as a doubling in the jobless rate during Rick Perrys governorship. Also, the Texas rate has increased faster than the national rate during Barack Obamas presidency.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two claims. \n\nThe first claim, that Texas unemployment doubled during Rick Perry's governorship, is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence states that Texas had a higher unemployment rate than some neighboring states and that New Mexico had a lower unemployment rate until this year. However, it does not provide data on the specific changes in Texas unemployment during Rick Perry's governorship.\n\nThe second claim, that the Texas unemployment rate increased faster than the national rate during Barack Obama's presidency, is also not supported by the evidence. The evidence states that nationally, the unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in August, and 26 states and the District of Columbia had higher unemployment rates than Texas. However, it does not provide a direct comparison of the changes in Texas unemployment rate versus the national rate during Obama's presidency.\n\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There are literally millions of abortions going on each year in our own state,\" the Brownsville Democrat said Feb. 17, adding that he would \"like to see the definition of abortion really be looked at. A miscarriage is considered an abortion, and I don\u2019t think it should be considered an abortion because that\u2019s a natural thing that unfortunately happens.\"","As we started to check Lucio\u2019s other floor statement \u2014 that a miscarriage is considered an abortion \u2014 Lucio told us in an e-mail statement that friends who lost a baby and underwent a procedure to remove the fetus from the womb told him their insurance company considered the procedure an abortion. He said he didn\u2019t intend to suggest that a miscarriage in itself should be considered an abortion. \"I have strong beliefs about life,\" Lucio said. \"In an effort to articulate my beliefs... I misspoke.\"","Early results have not found an increased risk of miscarriage associated with COVID-19 vaccination. But until more authoritative data is released, any statistic on this topic should be considered preliminary.","Until all the pregnancies are evaluated and more authoritative data is released, any statistic on this topic should be considered preliminary."]},{"id":"8876.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The CBO now says the presidents health care law will cut the number of full-time jobs in the United States by 2.3 million by 2021.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the findings of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO did not state that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would \"cut the number of full-time jobs in the United States by 2.3 million by 2021.\" The CBO projected that the ACA would lead to a reduction in the number of hours worked, primarily due to individuals choosing to work fewer hours or exit the labor market voluntarily. This reduction in hours worked does not equate to a direct loss of jobs. The statement exaggerates the impact of the ACA on employment and misinterprets the CBO's findings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9695.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We did not seek an impeachment of President Bush.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the majority of the Democratic caucus did not seek the impeachment of President Bush, it is misleading for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to claim that \"we did not seek an impeachment of President Bush.\" The fact-check reveals that Rep. Jackson Lee herself was a co-sponsor of a measure that sought President Bush's impeachment. Therefore, her statement is contradictory and does not accurately represent her own actions. The claim is partially true in the sense that the majority of the Democratic caucus did not seek impeachment, but it is misleading and lacks transparency regarding Rep. Jackson Lee's personal involvement in the matter.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But a Nov. 4, 2013, Associated Press news story quoted Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who has defended the 2011 law in court, as saying critics failed to make their case. \"I haven't ever seen anything that was overhyped as much as some partisan efforts to overhype concerns about this,\" Abbott said, \"when, in reality, there has been no problems whatsoever.\"","This claim has an element of truth but overlooks the overriding reality that there were some problems. Mark the statement Mostly False.","An Oct. 26, 2013, El Paso Times news story reported no local problems with the ID law, also quoting an early voter, Jose Rodriguez, as saying the law didn't inconvenience him.","News stories \"State Sen. Wendy Davis has to sign affidavit to vote,\" \"New Voter ID law causing few problems,\" Star-Telegram , Oct. 28, 2013"]},{"id":"9282.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In discussing the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya,Ms. Rice did say a terrorist attack. Its not that she put the whole thing on the video.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Susan Rice mentioned the term \"terrorist attack\" when discussing the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, it is important to consider the context and the overall emphasis of her statements. The evidence suggests that Rice consistently emphasized the role of the anti-Islam YouTube video in inciting protests and downplayed the possibility of a terrorist connection. Therefore, the statement that Rice did not put the entire blame on the video is misleading, as her statements clearly emphasized the video's significance. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"An April study found that about 70 percent of ads in this election cycle have been negative due to SuperPACs, up from only 9 percent through the same period in 2008.\"","\"An April study found that about 70 percent of ads in this election cycle have been negative, up from only 9 percent through the same period in 2008,\" he said.","Sheldon Whitehouse said, \"An April study found that about 70 percent of ads in this election cycle have been negative, up from only 9 percent through the same period in 2008.\"","It turns out that Whitehouse quoted the study accurately. The researchers said that 70.0 percent of all ads in 2012 were negative during that period, compared with 9.1 percent in 2008."]},{"id":"2480.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The GOPs Pledge to America includes a 20 percent cut ... for education. ... Eight million kids would have their college aid slashed under this budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by David Axelrod regarding the GOP's \"Pledge to America\" and its proposed 20 percent cut in education funding. However, it's important to note that the claim about eight million kids having their college aid \"slashed\" is subjective and lacks specific evidence. While a 20 percent cut in education funding can be considered significant, the impact on college aid for millions of students would depend on various factors and specific policies within the budget. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately represents the proposed cut but lacks precise evidence for the impact on college aid.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6453.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Josh Mandel bet against Ohio families","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Josh Mandel bet against Ohio families. The investment in question, a short Treasury ETF, does not necessarily indicate a bet on the government defaulting or against Ohio families. The investment could have been made for various reasons, such as a bet on interest rates or a broader investment strategy. Additionally, the evidence suggests that other individuals, including an OSU professor, also invested in a similar ETF. Therefore, the claim that Josh Mandel bet against Ohio families is unfounded and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3907.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan promised to end health care for our seniors.","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan promised to end health care for seniors is false. There is no credible evidence or statement from Ryan indicating such a promise. While Ryan has proposed changes to Medicare, his plans aim to reform the program rather than eliminate it entirely. The claim made by Democratic Wisconsin state Rep. Sandy Pasch is misleading and exaggerated, and it does not align with the facts regarding Ryan's proposals.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I think we're facing enormous challenges in this country. The Obama economy has led to the lowest labor force participation since 1978. Ninety-two million Americans aren't working. Obamacare is a train wreck. We're seeing our constitutional rights under assault. And abroad the Obama-Clinton-Kerry foreign policy is an unmitigated disaster. Leading from behind doesn't work.","The total U.S. population age 16 and over is at least 243 million. Subtracting the nearly 156 million Americans in the labor force in June 2013 -- that is, those who were either working or looking for work -- leaves 87 million Americans, which is close to 90 million.","Bloggers and pundits have said that 90 million Americans either aren\u2019t working or aren\u2019t looking for work. That\u2019s a real number, but it includes high schoolers, college students and retirement-age Americans, leaving perhaps 20 million a better approximation. We rate the claim Mostly False.","A reader recently asked us to check a claim that\u2019s been widely repeated on conservative websites -- that 90 million Americans either aren\u2019t working or aren\u2019t looking for work. Over the past few months, the statistic has been cited by various conservative bloggers, pundits and news outlets."]},{"id":"6476.json","label":"false","statement":"13,000 Floridians are able to vote -- but their governor wont tell them.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim made by the ACLU in their email headline suggests that there are 13,000 Floridians who are eligible to vote but are being intentionally kept unaware of their voting rights by Governor Rick Scott. However, there is no credible evidence to support this claim. It is important to verify information from reliable sources and not rely solely on sensationalized headlines or unsubstantiated claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"While the Iranians are saying that they are effectively out of the deal, they are also explicitly saying they would come back to it if the United States did, and the Europeans are still trying to salvage as much of the deal as they can,\" Bunn said.","\"In 2009, Mitch McConnell was the person that\u2019s saying, 'Hey, we should get all the ethics information in before we do the hearings.' \"","\"From the things that I have seen, they are and (have) already violated the terms of the deal,\" Handel said in a June 8 debate against Democrat Jon Ossoff ahead of the June 20 vote.","Once it became clear that an Iranian facility was starting to produce bomb material, Bunn said, \"the question of bombing that facility would come up, and my guess is either the United States or Israel would do so. To avoid that, the Iranians, I would guess, are likely not to start producing weapon-grade material.\""]},{"id":"8441.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Woodrow Wilson borrowed $30 billion to fund World War I in 1917. That money has not been paid back. And we are still paying interest on it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States government borrowed a significant amount of money to fund World War I, the statement that Woodrow Wilson specifically borrowed $30 billion in 1917 is not entirely accurate. The Treasury data suggests that the U.S. government borrowed a total of around $37 billion to finance the war. However, it is important to note that the borrowed amount has been paid back over time through various means, including issuing new debt to retire old debt. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that the borrowed money has not been paid back. However, it is true that the U.S. government may still be paying interest on some outstanding debt related to World War I. Overall, the statement contains some inaccuracies and lacks complete context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4490.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says credit rating agencies realize that our instability stems in large part from Oregons kicker system.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that former Rep. Brent Barton claims that credit rating agencies recognize the kicker system as a significant contributor to Oregon's financial instability, there is no concrete evidence or direct statements from credit rating agencies themselves to support this claim. The evidence provided only includes the assertion made by Barton, without any confirmation from credit rating agencies. Therefore, the statement is based on an individual's claim rather than verifiable information from credit rating agencies, making it barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Let me be clear on this point,\" Pence added. \"To use money from the TARP fund in the manner that is being discussed by the White House and congressional Democrats would be a violation of the law, and it would betray the trust of the American people.\"","Late in 2009, Obama ran into similar criticism from Republican lawmakers after he announced that he wanted to use unspent TARP money for tax breaks for small businesses and investments in infrastructure projects, among other things. Then, U.S. Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the House Republican Conference, said, \"To use money from the TARP fund in the manner that is being discussed by the White House and congressional Democrats would be a violation of the law, and it would betray the trust of the American people.\"","\"The TARP money automatically reverts to the Treasury under the law,\" Baker said. \"So when Obama says that he will use TARP money to pay down the deficit, he is just saying that he does not intend to violate the law.","In a hearing about the administration's latest budget, Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, criticized the White House for proposing to use funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, an initiative originally intended to keep the banking system from collapsing, to help community banks lend to small businesses. Gregg said it violates TARP rules."]},{"id":"9457.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 1.5 million people moved into Georgia between the past two Census counts, and a majority consider themselves, African-American, Latino or Asian-American.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that more than 1.5 million people moved into Georgia between the previous two Census counts, and a majority of these newcomers identify as African-American, Latino, or Asian-American. The population count increased from 8,186,453 to 9,687,653, which aligns with the 1.5 million figure mentioned by Abrams. Additionally, the evidence indicates that the majority of these arrivals were minorities, as stated in the statement. While the evidence does not explicitly mention the specific racial or ethnic identities of the newcomers, it supports the claim that a majority of them identify as African-American, Latino, or Asian-American.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Because George Holding doesn\u2019t live in the congressional district he\u2019s running for, he \"doesn\u2019t experience the same things that we are all experiencing.\"","\"You know, the congressman doesn\u2019t live in District 2,\" Ellmers said of her rival in the Republican primary, Rep. George Holding, in a recent debate. \"I don\u2019t want my family and friends to be represented by someone that doesn\u2019t experience the same things that we are all experiencing. He can\u2019t even vote for himself.\"","Ellmers is right that Holding doesn\u2019t live in the district he wants to represent. But does that mean he \"doesn\u2019t experience the same things that we are all experiencing\"? The line implies he\u2019s not familiar with the people who would be his constituents.","But a quirk of U.S. election law is that you don\u2019t have to live in a congressional district to represent it. So Holding chose to run for neither his current district nor the one he will be living in, but for the 2nd District represented by Ellmers, who has been the target of attacks from some conservative groups for not always voting the party line."]},{"id":"6609.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says under the Romney-Ryan budget ... the American Opportunity Tax Credit for college tuition would be eliminated.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Romney-Ryan budget proposal did include plans to eliminate the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) for college tuition. While the AOTC was initially intended to be temporary, President Obama's budget proposals sought to extend and make it permanent. However, under the Romney-Ryan budget, the AOTC would have been replaced with the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) tax credit. So, while the specific tax credit for college tuition would change under the Romney-Ryan budget, it is accurate to say that the American Opportunity Tax Credit would be eliminated.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PolitiFact National examined those figures in January 2015, after Obama said in his State of the Union speech that we've seen \"our deficits cut by two-thirds.\" Our colleagues rated his statement Mostly True.","\"We\u2019ve cut the deficit by two-thirds. Our stock market has more than doubled, restoring 401(k)s for millions of families. This is progress. Step by step, America is moving forward. Middle-class economics works. It works. Yes!\"","A year ago, President Barack Obama said during his 2015 State of the Union address that the United States has seen \"our deficits cut by two-thirds\" during his tenure. We rated that claim Mostly True. During his 2016 State of the Union address, Obama raised the bar.","\"At every step, we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious; that we would crush jobs and explode deficits,\" Obama said. \"Instead, we\u2019ve seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade, our deficits cut by two-thirds, a stock market that has doubled, and health care inflation at its lowest rate in fifty years.\""]},{"id":"7584.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are at 20-year lows.","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are at 20-year lows is not entirely accurate. While there may be specific instances where certain greenhouse gases have decreased over a 20-year period, the overall assessment of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions does not support the claim. The available information indicates that total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were higher in 2010 compared to 20 years earlier. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the broader trend of greenhouse gas emissions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5615.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he and President Barack Obama have the same position on gay marriage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Governor Christie claimed to have a similar view on gay marriage as President Obama, it is important to note that President Obama's position on same-sex marriage evolved over time. In 2012, President Obama publicly announced his support for same-sex marriage. However, Governor Christie's stance on same-sex marriage has been inconsistent, as he initially opposed it but later dropped his legal challenge against it. Therefore, while there may have been a period of overlap in their positions, it is not entirely accurate to claim that they have had the same position on gay marriage throughout their respective careers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2191.json","label":"false","statement":"Democrats do not have a plan for extending the Bush tax cuts.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. While it is true that Democrats have not put forward a specific plan for extending the Bush tax cuts, they have indicated their intention to support the extension of tax cuts for individuals making less than $200,000 and couples making less than $250,000. This information is supported by statements from key Democratic leaders, such as Senator Max Baucus, who expressed support for extending middle-class tax cuts. Therefore, the statement that Democrats do not have a plan for extending the Bush tax cuts is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7752.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Then-Gov. Carl Sanders put 56 percent of the state budget into education, a figure that has not been achieved since.","reason":"Reason: According to historical accounts, former Gov. Carl Sanders did allocate as much as 56 percent of the state budget to education during his tenure. While there have been a few years since then where the allocation reached that level, it is important to note that those years included additional funding sources such as lottery and tobacco settlement dollars that were not available to Sanders. Therefore, it can be considered mostly true that the 56 percent allocation for education has not been consistently achieved since Sanders' time as governor.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["By using the term \"indicted politician,\" the ad implies that O\u2019Shaughnessy accepted money from Dimora after he was indicted. Dimora, who maintains his innocence, wasn\u2019t indicted until September 2010. And it's worth noting again, the federal investigation was not public when the donation was made.","The GOP flier restates the claim with more dramatic flare on the back. \"O\u2019Shaughnessy took campaign cash from corrupt politician Jimmy Dimora,\" a point illustrated by a close up of a thick stack of $100 bills passing between two hands.","Dimora\u2019s campaign in fact did give money - $100 - to O\u2019Shaughnessy\u2019s campaign. And Dimora has been indicted on 23 federal charges.","Turning back to the claim at hand, O\u2019Shaughnessy did accept a campaign contribution from Dimora. And Dimora has been indicted in a federal corruption probe. Separately those are correct."]},{"id":"10288.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has lost more members of the House and more members of the Senate than any president ever has lost in modern times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Matthew Dowd claimed that President Obama has lost more members of the House and Senate than any president in modern times. While there are different measures to assess this claim, one valid measure supports Dowd's statement. President Obama did experience significant losses in both the House and Senate during his tenure. While he may not have lost the most seats overall compared to all presidents in modern times, he did face substantial losses in Congress during his presidency.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3143.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Barack Obama supports immigration amnesty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that President Barack Obama implemented policies that provided relief and protection from deportation for certain undocumented immigrants, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, it is important to note that these policies were not considered as a blanket amnesty for all undocumented immigrants. Amnesty typically refers to a broad and unconditional pardon or forgiveness for immigration violations, which was not the case with Obama's policies. Therefore, while President Obama supported immigration measures that provided certain benefits to undocumented immigrants, it would be inaccurate to label it as a complete immigration amnesty.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["O\u2019Malley said, \"The CEO of Goldman Sachs let his employees know that he\u2019d be just fine with either Bush or Clinton.\"","\"Recently, the CEO of Goldman Sachs let his employees know that he\u2019d be just fine with either Bush or Clinton,\" O\u2019Malley said. \"Well, I\u2019ve got news for the bullies of Wall Street: The presidency is not a crown to be passed back and forth by you between two royal families.\"","\"Two years ago, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, who himself is a billionaire, came to Washington and said, \u2018You know what, you in Congress are going to have to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and give huge tax breaks to the wealthy and the large corporations,\u2019\" Sanders said.","In his presidential campaign announcement on May 30, 2015, O\u2019Malley attacked Bush and Clinton for their supposed mutual backer, Goldman Sachs, the poster child of big, bad Wall Street."]},{"id":"11470.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia has the highest flu activity in the country.","reason":"Reason: Based on the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that Georgia had the highest flu activity in the country for the specific week of October 4 through October 10, as indicated by data from doctors' offices and mapped by the CDC. However, it's important to note that flu activity can vary from week to week and can change in different regions throughout the flu season. Therefore, while the statement is true for that particular week, it may not hold true for other periods. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We decided to take a closer look at one of the claims Cruz made -- that the \"Republican leadership took the lead confirming Loretta Lynch as attorney general.\"","We took a closer look at Cruz\u2019s claim that the \"Republican leadership took the lead confirming Loretta Lynch as attorney general.\" We rated his claim Mostly False.","Cruz defended his approach, arguing that \"the American people are furious with Republican leaders that don't do what they promised.\" Among other things, he said, the GOP leadership \"took the lead confirming Loretta Lynch as attorney general. Now Chuck, which one of those decisions is one iota different than what would happened under Harry Reid and the Democrats?\"","\"What the Republican majorities have done -- we came back right after the last election, passed a trillion-dollar \u2018cromnibus\u2019 bill filled with corporate welfare,\" he said. \"Republican leadership joined with (Senate Democratic leader) Harry Reid and the Democrats to do that. Then (the Republican) leadership voted to fund Obamacare. Then they voted to fund amnesty. Then they voted to fund Planned Parenthood. And then Republican leadership took the lead confirming Loretta Lynch as attorney general. Now Chuck, which one of those decisions is one iota different than what would happened under Harry Reid and the Democrats? ... They've passed more Democratic priorities than Harry Reid ever could.\""]},{"id":"4501.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that Romney touted the Massachusetts health plan for the nation in his hardcover book but then deleted it for the paperback edition.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. In the hardcover edition of his book \"No Apology,\" Mitt Romney did mention that the results of changes to the Massachusetts health care law could be accomplished for everyone in the country. However, in the paperback edition, that specific statement was removed. While it is true that the statement was deleted in the paperback edition, it is important to note that other parts of the book still express support for the Massachusetts health care plan as a model for the nation. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the full context of Romney's overall stance on the Massachusetts health care plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s bad enough that (Stephen) Silberkraus appeared in a sexual fetish film where women were kidnapped from their homes and forced to live naked in kennels and trained to be pets. But when Silberkraus isn\u2019t acting in films that degrade women, he\u2019s stalking them in his personal time.\"","\"It\u2019s bad enough that Silberkraus appeared in a sexual fetish film where women were kidnapped from their homes and forced to live naked in kennels and trained to be pets,\" it reads. \"But when Silberkraus isn\u2019t acting in films that degrade women, he\u2019s stalking them in his personal time.\"","Democratic Assembly candidate Lesley Cohen is spreading several campaign mail pieces accusing her opponent, incumbent Republican Stephen Silberkraus, of appearing in a \"fetish film\" and stalking women.","A campaign mailer in a competitive Nevada Assembly race accuses Silberkraus of appearing in a \"sexual fetish film\" and being detained for \"stalking.\""]},{"id":"6651.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The auditor [for the city of Providence] was not locked out of access to the citys finances.","reason":"Reason: While it is technically true that the auditor for the city of Providence was not completely \"locked out\" of access to the city's finances, there were limitations and obstacles that hindered the auditor's ability to obtain crucial information in a timely manner. The City Charter does grant the internal auditor access to the books and records of all city offices, but the practical reality was that the auditor faced difficulties in obtaining the necessary financial information. These limitations had a detrimental effect on the auditor's ability to uncover and disclose the city's serious financial problems promptly. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it fails to convey the full extent of the challenges faced by the auditor in accessing the city's finances.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now.\"","The Trump campaign sent an email blast to supporters embedded with a video of a Clinton event in Omaha, Neb., entitled, \"Hillary Clinton says she wants to \u2018raise taxes on the middle class.\u2019\"","At one point, Hillary Clinton was asked about how she would pay for such proposals as paid family leave. Clinton said she would not raise taxes on the middle class.","Trump said Clinton \"wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now.\""]},{"id":"11155.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since I took office, Wisconsin now has the 2nd highest health care quality ranking in the country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Wisconsin had consistently ranked highly in health care quality prior to Governor Walker taking office, there was a temporary decline in the state's ranking in the year following his inauguration. However, the statement fails to acknowledge that Wisconsin had regained its position as one of the top-ranking states in subsequent years. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the state's ranking at a specific point in time, it does not provide a complete picture of the fluctuation in rankings over the years. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9614.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Obama Administration is suing a Wisconsin company for forcing employees to speak English.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. The Obama Administration did file a lawsuit against Wisconsin Plastics, but it was not solely for forcing employees to speak English. The lawsuit alleged that the company violated workers' civil rights by subjecting them to a sham performance exam that focused on English language skills. While language fluency was a factor in the case, the lawsuit did not specifically claim that the company was being sued for \"forcing employees to speak English.\" Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the nature of the lawsuit.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9861.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"McDonalds hamburgers are only 15 percent real beef. The other 85 percent is meat filler cleansed with ammonia, which causes stomach and intestinal cancer.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. McDonald's hamburgers are made with 100% real beef. The claim that only 15% of the hamburger meat is real beef and the remaining 85% is meat filler cleansed with ammonia is a persistent myth that has been debunked numerous times. There is no evidence to support the claim that McDonald's uses ammonia-treated meat filler or that it causes stomach and intestinal cancer. Such allegations are baseless and have been widely discredited.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["That said, the increase in per-student spending is still significant and Brat has valid point on the test results. Average NAEP scores for 17-year-olds have barely budged during the last 30 years of testing.","Five days later, Brat took to Facebook and posted his view in modern terms. \"Our own government statistics show that over 30 years, federal spending on education has grown by 375%, but test scores have remained flat,\" he wrote. \"That proves that just throwing more money at education is not the solution.\"","Education Week\u2019s Quality Counts report released in June showed Florida received an F grade for spending (with a score of 43.4 out of 100 possible points), ranking it 45th in that category. The states that ranked lower than Florida were Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Idaho, Utah and Arizona.","The NAEP, frequently called \"The Nation\u2019s Report Card,\" refers to a variety of tests given every four years to fourth, eighth and twelfth graders in a sampling of states. McCluskey focused on the \"long-term trend\" test for 17-year-olds, which since the early 1970s has measured achievement on an unchanged set of math and reading skills."]},{"id":"11622.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The United States has 10,000 IRS agents making sure that you dont take an improper charity deduction, but to fight terrorism, it has less than two dozen people focusing on countering violent extremism at home.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an accurate quote from McSally, but it is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that the IRS employs a significant number of agents to ensure tax compliance, it is incorrect to suggest that these agents are solely focused on monitoring charity deductions. The IRS has various responsibilities beyond charity deductions, including tax collection, enforcement, and taxpayer assistance. On the other hand, the claim that there are only \"less than two dozen people\" focusing on countering violent extremism at home is an oversimplification. Countering violent extremism involves the efforts of multiple government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and various intelligence agencies, which collectively dedicate significant resources to this issue. Therefore, while there may be room for improvement in resource allocation, the statement fails to provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of the efforts in place to address both tax compliance and counterterrorism.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In Oregon, students are skipping math class to learn about the Bible.\" He added, \"There\u2019s a law in Oregon -- it\u2019s been around for decades -- that allows public school students to skip classes for up to two hours a week (or five if they\u2019re in high school) in order to get \u2018instruction in religion.\u2019\"","Hemant Mehta, a Chicago teacher and moonlight blogger, recently wrote that a decades-old Oregon law has resulted in public school students \"skipping math class to learn about the Bible.\"","In other words, a student whose math class is at the end of the school day would miss that class, while other students are missing other subjects.","Having at least blown some of the dust off the law, we wondered about the other part of Mehta\u2019s claim: Are students skipping math to get that instruction?"]},{"id":"555.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Throughout his time in elected office, Barack Obama has taken multiple positions on banning handguns and the D.C. handgun ban.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Barack Obama has taken multiple positions on banning handguns and the D.C. handgun ban. The voter questionnaire from 1996 shows that Obama supported a ban on handguns. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive overview of all of Obama's positions on this issue throughout his entire time in elected office. Therefore, while the statement is partially true based on the evidence provided, it may not capture the full extent of Obama's positions on this matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1260.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Obama White House is renaming Christmas trees \"holiday trees.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Obama White House renamed Christmas trees as \"holiday trees\" is false. This misinformation originated from a fabricated chain email and has been widely debunked. In reality, the White House continued to refer to the trees as Christmas trees during Obama's presidency, and there were no official name changes. The statement is a baseless rumor with no factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8255.json","label":"false","statement":"One out of every three students currently today is ready for college before they go there.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that one out of every three students is ready for college before they go there. While President Obama expressed a desire for every child in America to be ready for college, there is no specific data or statistic mentioned in the evidence to support the claim made in the statement. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"949.json","label":"false","statement":"\"In just one month, the Democrats have spent more than President Bush spent in seven years on the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan and Hurricane Katrina combined.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Democrats may have spent a significant amount of money in one month, it is incorrect to claim that their spending exceeded what President Bush spent in seven years on the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and Hurricane Katrina combined. The evidence provided indicates that the total spending on those events under President Bush was significantly higher than the amount spent by the Democrats in one month. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Tommy Thompson made millions from corporations who outsource American jobs and now he's trying to lavish huge tax breaks on them.\"","Majority PAC said Thompson \"made millions from corporations who outsource American jobs and now he's trying to lavish huge tax breaks on them.\"","Thompson was paid $1.5 million, but that doesn\u2019t match the \"millions\" claimed in the ad. He supports a tax break for U.S. companies' profits from overseas, but it's possible the tax break could lead to more American jobs.","We've already rated as Half True a nearly identical statement by the AFSCME public employees union, which said in September 2012 that Thompson \"supports massive tax cuts for corporations that outsource Wisconsin jobs.\""]},{"id":"8123.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Texas women make an average of $8,355 less per year than men doing the very same job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because while there is a wage gap between men and women, the claim that Texas women make an average of $8,355 less per year than men doing the same job is an oversimplification. The wage gap is typically calculated based on the average earnings of all men and women across different jobs and industries, rather than a direct comparison of men and women in the same job. When comparing men and women in the same job with similar backgrounds and experiences, the wage gap significantly decreases. However, it's important to note that there may still be residual wage disparities even after accounting for these factors. Therefore, while there is a wage gap, the specific figure mentioned in the statement does not accurately represent the wage gap for men and women in the same job in Texas.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"232.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I'm prolife. I'm not going to apologize for becoming prolife. Ronald Reagan followed that same course, as did Henry Hyde and George Herbert Walker Bush. And I'm proud to be prolife.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Mitt Romney expressing his pro-life stance and comparing his position to Ronald Reagan, Henry Hyde, and George H.W. Bush. However, the label of \"half-true\" is appropriate because the statement does not provide the full context of the evolution of Romney's position on abortion. While he did become pro-life and align himself with Reagan, Hyde, and Bush, it fails to mention that Romney had previously supported abortion rights earlier in his political career. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of Romney's current stance, it omits important information about his previous position on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The chance of me having a child at this age is zero. So, you know, I ask the president, why do I have to pay an additional $5,000 a year for maternity coverage that I will never, ever need?\" asked Deborah Persico.","\"They do pay Medicare, just like every other American,\" Strand said. \"They do pay into Social Security, and they do have this federal retirement.\"","Many unions offer health insurance through unusual plans that allow large and small employers to buy coverage as a group, and some of the unions that are involved in these plans have the biggest objections to the health care law.","One central problem with the law, in the unions\u2019 view, is the threat it poses to the kind of health insurance their members enjoy today. Just as there are many different insurance companies, there are many different union insurance plans, about 3,000."]},{"id":"4575.json","label":"false","statement":"Not a single segment of the proposed Beltline intersects the MARTA system at MARTA stations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. MARTA, as mentioned in the evidence, is responsible for law enforcement at MARTA's buildings, stations, trains, buses, and vans. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that not a single segment of the proposed Beltline intersects the MARTA system at MARTA stations. The Beltline project aims to connect various neighborhoods in Atlanta, and it does intersect with MARTA stations at multiple points, providing opportunities for integration and connectivity between the two systems.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"More private-sector jobs were created in the first eight months of 2010 than in the eight years of the Bush administration.\"","Biden noted the improving unemployment rate. And he added this comparison: \"We have created more jobs in this last year than the Bush administration (did) in eight years. We are in a position where we are moving to toward creating an average of 220,000 jobs a month. Not enough, but we are moving.\"","Vice President Joe Biden says more jobs were created in the last year than in all eight years under George Bush","( - Vice President Joe Biden says more jobs were created in the last year than in all eight years under George Bush &url=)"]},{"id":"3499.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act adopted last year contains a series of slush funds, set up to stay on the books automatically, with little or no oversight.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) contains a series of slush funds with little or no oversight. The evidence provided does not support this claim. While the memorandum from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce highlights the mandatory spending nature of certain programs under the ACA, it does not establish the existence of slush funds. The term \"slush funds\" implies the misuse or misappropriation of funds, which is not supported by credible evidence. The ACA underwent a rigorous legislative process and has mechanisms in place for oversight and accountability.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9288.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Roughly 500,000 Georgians -- or about 5 percent of the states residents -- have gone through a background check to legally obtain a Georgia weapons carry license.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that roughly 5 percent of Georgia residents have undergone a background check to obtain a Georgia weapons carry license. This information is supported by the evidence provided, which indicates that approximately 500,000 Georgians have obtained such licenses. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide information about the legality or regulations surrounding the possession of firearms in Georgia. Therefore, while the numerical claim is accurate, it lacks additional context regarding the broader implications of the data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It found that the fiscal cliff deal, otherwise known as the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, will actually cut the money the federal government raises through taxes by $3.6 trillion through 2022. This means that by its reckoning, the deal is a tax cut.","Obama wanted to exempt the first $3.5 million in value of estates and impose a top rate of 45 percent. When the fiscal cliff deal was negotiated, Obama had to yield on those numbers. The fiscal cliff bill set the top tax rate at 40 percent -- halfway between Obama\u2019s pledge and the reported 35-percent rate favored by some Republicans -- and estates smaller than $5 million will be exempted. Going forward, that $5 million limit will be indexed for inflation.","The fiscal-cliff deal turned out to be less generous than that, at least for families earning more than $450,000. Furthermore, the estate tax rate will rise from 35 to 40 percent (but will keep the $5.25 million exemption) under the New Year\u2019s deal. Taxes on capital gains and dividends for families earning more than $450,000 will rise from 15 percent to 20 percent.","In recent years, lawmakers have \"patched\" the AMT in a way that kept it from hitting many non-wealthy taxpayers. But this produced regular headaches for lawmakers. The fiscal cliff bill ends the need to regularly patch the AMT by permanently indexing it for inflation. We rate this a Promise Kept."]},{"id":"9958.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Scott Walker, right now, were 46th in the country in terms of new businesses started.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mary Burke that Wisconsin is ranked 46th in the country in terms of new businesses started. This claim is supported by the 2014 Kauffman index, which rates states based on new business activity. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context regarding the specific factors contributing to Wisconsin's ranking. While the ranking suggests a lower level of entrepreneurial activity in the state, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall business climate or the effectiveness of policies implemented by Governor Scott Walker. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4238.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Sen. Luther Olsen, his recall opponent, supported the sale of state-owned power plants not to the highest bidder, but to the biggest donors with no oversight.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that Sen. Luther Olsen supported the sale of state-owned power plants to the biggest donors with no oversight, rather than selling them to the highest bidder. While there were allegations made by candidate Fred Clark and his campaign that Olsen supported such a sale, it's important to note that these allegations were not substantiated with concrete evidence. The claim lacks sufficient evidence to support the assertion that Olsen specifically supported the sale to the biggest donors with no oversight. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4768.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"No other public or private business in America except for the U.S. Postal Service must fund 100 percent of employee retirement and retirement health costs in advance.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the U.S. Postal Service is unique in its requirement to pre-fund 100 percent of employee retirement and retirement health costs. This requirement does not apply to other public or private businesses in America. However, it's important to note that the statement uses the term \"100 percent,\" which may be interpreted as an absolute, whereas the pre-funding requirement for the Postal Service is not necessarily the entirety of their retirement and retirement health costs, but rather a significant portion. So, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional clarification to avoid potential misinterpretation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At a campaign rally in Missouri, Christie said there are \"fewer jobs in America today than when Barack Obama became president.\"","\"Gov. Jay Nixon\u2019s path here in Missouri is identical to the president\u2019s path,\" said Christie, according to a YouTube video of his speech. \"Fewer jobs in America today than when Barack Obama became president, fewer jobs in Missouri today than before Jay Nixon became governor.","!We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\" !We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\"","We check a claim by Fox News' Sean Hannity that under President Barack Obama, \"8.3 (million) fewer Americans are working today.\""]},{"id":"3225.json","label":"false","statement":"The most significant driver of out-migration [from Rhode Island] is the estate tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the estate tax may be a factor in some cases, it is not the most significant driver of out-migration from Rhode Island. The evidence provided does not support this claim, and there is no conclusive data or research indicating that the estate tax is the primary reason for people leaving the state. Other factors such as the cost of living, job opportunities, and overall tax burden are more likely to play a significant role in out-migration patterns.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It\u2019s simply unacceptable: (Reps.) Mike Coffman and Cory Gardner, together with the Republicans, have blocked immigration reform,\" the ad says, according to a translation provided by SEIU. \"Worse yet, they voted to deport our DREAMers.\"","SEIU said Gardner \"blocked immigration reform\" and \"voted to deport our DREAMers.\" While Republicans in the House have not moved forward on immigration, Gardner himself has repeatedly advocated for his colleagues to take up the issue. There are plenty of obstacles to passing a bill in the House, but Gardner does not appear to be one of them.","Colorado is the only competitive Senate race with a sizeable Latino voting population. The Service Employees International Union aired a Spanish-language ad that claimed Gardner \"blocked immigration reform\" and \"voted to deport our DREAMers.\" Gardner, though, has repeatedly advocated for his House colleagues to take up immigration legislation. And while he did vote for an amendment that effectively would have ended Obama\u2019s two-year delay in deporting certain children of illegal immigrants (he also once voted against it), he said that was a move against Obama\u2019s unilateral action, and not the DREAMers. Indeed, he has actually called for permanent status for children brought to the U.S. illegally, including citizenship for those who join the military. We rated SEIU\u2019s claim Mostly False.","!This is a still from an ad targeting Colorado Republican Senate candidate Cory Gardner and his views on birth control. !This is a still from an ad targeting Colorado Republican Senate candidate Cory Gardner and his views on birth control."]},{"id":"9808.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Congress is on vacation.","reason":"Reason: While there is some truth to the statement that Congress goes on recess or takes breaks, referring to it as a \"vacation\" can be misleading. Congressional recess periods are often used for various purposes, including engaging with constituents, conducting committee work, and attending to other legislative responsibilities. While it is true that Congress takes breaks from formal sessions, characterizing these periods as a traditional vacation can oversimplify the nature of their work and responsibilities. Label: barely-true","evidence":["Asked about the email\u2019s reference to Ballesteros\u2019 \"criminal history\" despite the fact he was not indicted, Fazio replied: \"If you were fired for something that is a criminal act, just because you were not indicted doesn\u2019t mean you were not involved in criminal activity.\" Beyond that, she said, the \"criminal history\" term reflected the group\u2019s opinion and was not intended to signal that PolitiFact validated as much. If recipients reach such a conclusion, she said, \"I guess I have to apologize for that part.\"","Website showing documents related to Department of Public Safety investigation of Adan Ballesteros, Travis County Precinct 263 Democrats (existence of items independently verified by PolitiFact Texas in review of documents at DPS headquarters, Austin)","By telephone, we asked the group\u2019s executive director, Heather Fazio, to elaborate on PolitiFact validating its claims, as the email says.","However, we did not validate Ballesteros\u2019 \"criminal history,\" as the group\u2019s email can be read, and the group\u2019s statement fails to point out he was not indicted or that the workforce commission tribunal saw no preponderance of evidence of criminal acts."]},{"id":"5024.json","label":"false","statement":"Scott Walkers school-aid cuts were so devastating that students are without chairs and a government survey found 47 kids in a classroom.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Scott Walker's school-aid cuts resulted in students being without chairs and a government survey finding 47 kids in a classroom. While there may have been cutbacks in teaching staff and increased class sizes due to the cuts, there is no credible evidence to support the specific claims of students being without chairs or a government survey finding 47 kids in a classroom. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing the impact of policy decisions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The less accurate version -- once offered by Obama himself -- states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for the same work , or in the same job. As we\u2019ll explain below, the data doesn\u2019t show that. By contrast, the more accurate version simply states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, period. That is more accurate (though not without some caveats, also listed below).","\"You know, today, women make up about half our workforce, but they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns,\" Obama said. \"That is wrong, and in 2014, it's an embarrassment. Women deserve equal pay for equal work.\"","Ultimately, we decided that Obama\u2019s statement that \"women deserve equal pay for equal work\" was aspirational rather than a part of his statistical claim, so we\u2019re judging him on his claim that women \"make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.\"","DeGette claimed women \"receive only 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.\" The measure comes from a valid source, though other comparisons indicate the gap is tighter. Also, some occupations have smaller gaps than others."]},{"id":"2402.json","label":"true","statement":"Ed Schultz said Alan Grayson is what its all about.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Ed Schultz said, \"This guy is what it's all about,\" referring to Alan Grayson. This quote is supported by the evidence provided, where Schultz's statement is mentioned and described in relation to Grayson's political campaign. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11205.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says if the (Iran nuclear) deal gets rejected, they still get $150 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. If the Iran nuclear deal were to be rejected, it is true that Iran would still have access to some of its frozen assets due to the possibility of other countries lifting their own sanctions. However, experts have indicated that the amount Iran would be able to access is unlikely to reach the full estimated $150 billion. The best estimate available suggests that Iran could potentially access around $40 billion without the participation of the United States. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the possibility of Iran accessing funds even if the deal is rejected, it exaggerates the amount by stating it as $150 billion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In 1995, the year before federal welfare reform passed, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted state reform. When federal reform passed the next year, Massachusetts received a waiver exempting it from federal welfare rules. (Keep in mind, Romney was not governor at this time.)","But Emanuel\u2019s words were \"Romney asked for, actually, a waiver,\" and that is not true. Emanuel stretched the meaning of the 2005 letter signed by Romney and other governors, fabricating a waiver request that never existed.","In general, the federal rules were tougher than Massachusetts\u2019, so the state was having to ratchet up its requirements in order to get in compliance.","The White House has come out swinging against false charges from Mitt Romney that President Barack Obama is dropping work requirements for people who receive public assistance."]},{"id":"13253.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"New York State has been horribly, horribly hurt by NAFTA","reason":"Reason: While it is true that New York State experienced a decline in wages and a loss of manufacturing jobs, attributing this solely to NAFTA is an oversimplification. Experts agree that trade has played a role in the decline of manufacturing in New York State, but they do not consider NAFTA to be the main cause. Various factors, such as technological advancements, global competition, and changes in consumer preferences, have contributed to the decline in manufacturing jobs. Therefore, the statement that New York State has been \"horribly, horribly hurt\" by NAFTA is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the complex dynamics at play.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"217.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"For every single illegal immigrant family in this country, it costs $20,000 it costs us $20,000; $20,000 in infrastructural costs. They pay about $10,000 in taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates the costs and taxes associated with each illegal immigrant family. While there are indeed costs associated with providing services to undocumented immigrants, such as healthcare and education, the claim that it costs $20,000 in infrastructural costs for each family is not supported by credible evidence. Additionally, the assertion that they pay about $10,000 in taxes is also misleading. While some undocumented immigrants do pay taxes, the average tax contribution is likely to be lower than the stated amount. It is important to note that estimating the exact costs and taxes associated with undocumented immigrants is complex and can vary depending on various factors. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks proper context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Let's talk about the Affordable Care Act,\" Zaccaria said. \"Mr. Reed cast the deciding vote in the Senate for the Affordable Care Act and what we are seeing is that more people today associate that with the ineptitude in management that we've seen in the Veterans Administration than in any kind of a private health insurance plan that they may have had prior to this time.\"","The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, remains part of the great divide that separates most Republicans and Democrats. So it's not surprising that Mark Zaccaria, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, would raise the issue during his Aug. 3 interview on WJAR-TV's \"10 News Conference.\"","Jack Reed, a former attorney and army officer, is Rhode Island's senior. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 until 1996, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate.","\"My point is that Sen. Reed had personal control over the passage of the ACA and, knowing the impact it would have, voted Yes,\" he said. \"I don\u2019t believe my point regarding Mr. Reed is diminished simply because every other Democrat Senator also had that same power.\""]},{"id":"11515.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The CNBC debate was supposed to be three hours, and he renegotiated it down to two hours.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While Donald Trump claimed to have renegotiated the CNBC debate down from three hours to two hours, the original plans for the debate were already set to last around two hours and 15 minutes. CNBC had anticipated a total program length of approximately two hours and 15 minutes, including commercial breaks. So, while Trump did play a role in negotiating the debate program, the claim that it was originally scheduled for three hours is not accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3781.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We bring in enough tax revenue to service our debt, pay for Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security, and then still have about $300 (billion) or $400 billion left over.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tea Party Express chair Amy Kremer claimed during an interview that the United States brings in enough tax revenue to cover debt servicing, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and still have around $300 billion to $400 billion left over, this statement is only partially true. The evidence suggests that achieving such a surplus is not easy, as there are other important components of the federal budget that need to be considered. The statement does not account for the additional expenses that the remaining tax revenue would need to cover. Therefore, while the claim may be accurate in isolation, it lacks the necessary context to fully assess the feasibility and implications of such a surplus.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2933.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The cost-saving measures we put into place at Columbia\/HCA drove down national health care inflation from 18% to 8% in seven years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rick Scott that the cost-saving measures implemented at Columbia\/HCA drove down national health care inflation from 18% to 8% in seven years is false. The data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics does not support these numbers. In fact, the data shows that national health care inflation during the relevant period was significantly lower than the figures cited by Scott. The claim is misleading and exaggerated, earning a rating of Pants on Fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says the Clintons \"burst through their own self-pronounced guidelines\" by accepting foreign donations. \"There is a clip of Bill Clinton saying we're not going to take foreign donations.\"","\"There is a clip of Bill Clinton saying we're not going to take foreign donations because if somebody had business before the State Department, there would be an appearance of impropriety,\" Scarborough said. \"They not only burst through what the guidelines of the White House put up, they burst through their own self-pronounced guidelines.\"","Scarborough is right that there's a video clip of Clinton dicussing foreign donations, but as this fact-check will show, he misleads viewers by saying it's a sign the Clintons burst through their \"self-pronounced guidelines\" of taking foreign donations.","Scarborough accused Bill Clinton of hypocrisy, saying the former president violated his own self-pronounced guidelines by accepting foreign donations while his wife was secretary of state. As evidence, Scarborough pointed to comments made by Clinton in 2012."]},{"id":"8080.json","label":"false","statement":"We have no idea what is contained in [electronic cigarette] vapor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The contents of electronic cigarette vapor are well-documented and understood. E-cigarette vapor typically consists of aerosolized liquid, which usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. While the specific composition may vary depending on the brand and type of e-cigarette, it is incorrect to claim that we have no idea what is contained in e-cigarette vapor. Extensive research has been conducted to analyze the components of e-cigarette vapor and their potential health effects.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Both senators voted for the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that gave $350 billion to state and local governments, but did not earmark the $350 billion for particular projects. One state and two counties approved spending the funds for hotel, soccer and ski projects as part of efforts to revive tourism.","Pottawattamie County, Iowa, $2 million ski area: The county used the funds to buy a privately owned ski area. The county board of supervisors made the purchase because COVID-19 hurt tourism, and the county had plans for further development of the recreation area. All five supervisors are Republicans, the American Independent noted.","The U.S. currently has 200 million solar panels, according to analysts at the private energy consulting firm Rhodium Group, who based that number on the average output of a typical panel. To reach Biden\u2019s target of 950 million solar panels by 2030 would require a nearly fivefold increase in the next eight years.","Spending on the leisure projects was made possible by relatively loose rules in how state and local governments could spend the $350 billion."]},{"id":"11881.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"SaysRuben Kihuen only managed in the minority to get one bill passed out of the eight to 10 he introduced during the 2015 legislative session.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including the Flores campaign and the Las Vegas Sun. According to these sources, Ruben Kihuen introduced between eight to ten bills during the 2015 legislative session but only managed to get one bill passed. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks additional context, such as the specific details of the bills introduced and the reasons for their success or failure. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional information to provide a more comprehensive assessment of Kihuen's legislative effectiveness.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11835.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"This is the true picture of Milwaukees Renaissance after 12 years of Mayor Tom Barretts leadership.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The picture posted by Bob Donovan on his campaign Facebook page does not provide an accurate representation of Milwaukee's overall condition or development under Mayor Tom Barrett's leadership. It is a cherry-picked example that does not reflect the full picture of the city's progress or lack thereof. To label it as \"the true picture of Milwaukee's Renaissance\" is a gross exaggeration and not supported by evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Chinese President Xi Jinping said, \"China has made enormous progress in its human rights. That is a fact recognized by all the people in the world.\"","\"Ever since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and especially over the last three decades and more of China's reform and opening era, China has made enormous progress in its human rights,\" Xi said, according to a translation provided by the White House. \"That is a fact recognized by all the people in the world.\"","It\u2019s tough to claim \"all the people in the world\" recognize China has made \"enormous gains\" in human rights when groups that monitor human rights and other outside observers continue to find problems with China\u2019s record.","As it is, when Chinese leaders claim progress in human rights, they are mostly referring to \"human welfare,\" said Patrick Keenan, an expert in human rights and international law at the University of Illinois."]},{"id":"3135.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama revealed in his State of the Union address that he now is against earmarks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is no specific evidence provided regarding President Obama's stance on earmarks in the State of the Union address, it is worth noting that President Obama did express support for earmark reform and reducing wasteful spending in his speeches and policy initiatives. While he did not explicitly state that he was against earmarks in a specific State of the Union address, his broader efforts and statements indicate a general opposition to earmarks and a desire for fiscal responsibility.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says the state's Medicaid waiver proposal \"has languished in a file cabinet at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for more than two years.\"","Perry went on: \"Unfortunately, this waiver, which presents a strategic alternative to continued reliance on government-run health care programs, has languished in a file cabinet at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for more than two years.\"","We confirmed that Texas had sought permission from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in April 2008 to redirect Medicaid hospital funds into a state pool intended to help some low-income Texans get private insurance. However, in August 2008, during George W. Bush's presidency, an official with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is part of the federal health agency, sent a letter to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission stating that \"a number of areas under this proposal have been identified as problematic\" \u2014 making it impossible for the federal agency to approve the proposal as written.","Not from the view of the federal government, which still considers the proposal incomplete. Mary Kahn, a spokeswoman for CMS, told us that the agency had \"not yet received a revised proposal from the state.\" She declined to comment on Perry's statement that it's languishing in a file cabinet."]},{"id":"6385.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Guns have murdered more Americans here at home in recent years than have died on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately reflects Senator Lautenberg's claim that more Americans have been murdered by guns in recent years than the number of American soldiers who died on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. However, it's important to note that the comparison is limited to a specific time frame and does not encompass the entirety of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive comparison of all American war casualties throughout history. Therefore, while the statement highlights a concerning statistic, it lacks the necessary context for a complete comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bush said that \"U.S. teenagers have now fallen behind their counterparts in Ireland, Poland and even Vietnam in math and science.\"","We thought we\u2019d check whether Bush was correct that teenagers in Ireland, Poland and Vietnam rank higher than their U.S. counterparts in math and science.","Zhao told PolitiFact that the statistics cited by Bush are correct. However, he said that his statement that U.S. teenagers \"have now fallen behind\" counterparts in Ireland, Poland and Vietnam is misleading.","He continued, \"U.S. teenagers have now fallen behind their counterparts in Ireland, Poland and even Vietnam in math and science. Between 2003 and 2012, the United States flatlined its results, but many other countries have made a command focus on this. ... There have been more resources placed in this, and they have higher expectations of their children, and they have gotten a better result. So for those that think \u2026 poverty is the reason why we haven\u2019t had the educational gains, I guess we should really look to the wealthy countries like Vietnam to determine whether we should be successful. Come on!\""]},{"id":"2921.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are polls showing right now that the American people for the most part think its a bad idea to provide tax cuts to the wealthy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Over the years, polls have consistently shown that a majority of Americans do not support providing tax cuts to the wealthy. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific poll and timeframe, there is substantial evidence indicating that a significant portion of the American population holds this viewpoint. It is important to note that support for tax cuts for the wealthy tends to be lower among certain demographics or political affiliations, but overall, the majority opinion leans towards opposing such tax cuts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Flynn wrote: \"Not one illness has been reported from raw milk in\" Texas \"in more than four years. A total of six illnesses have occurred in the last 20 years.\"","Still, the lawmakers said in their September 2016 letter to the Texas Department of State Health Services: \"Not one illness has been reported from raw milk in our state in more than four years. A total of six illnesses have occurred in the last 20 years.\"","When we asked the letter\u2019s lead author, Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Van, how he reached his conclusion about no illnesses in more than four years and just six in 20 years, an aide, Kelli Linza, emailed us a chart citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The chart included an entry stating the agency confirmed two Texas illnesses, both in February 2000, traced to drinking unpasteurized milk. Linza later told us Flynn also recognized four 2011 cases of salmonellosis allegedly linked by State Health Services to raw milk from a North Texas dairy.","Closer to home, we asked State Health Services about the frequency of illnesses tied to drinking raw milk. Spokesman Chris Van Deusen replied by email that in 2015, \"raw milk was the suspected source of at least 10 reported cases of illness in Texas."]},{"id":"5886.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he did not vote for Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because it suggests that the individual in question did not vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House. However, the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm or deny whether the person voted for Pelosi. It only mentions that President Trump accused the individual of breaking his promise to vote against Pelosi. Without further information or confirmation of the individual's actual vote, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We have one of the highest percentages per capita of nonprofits in this state of any state in the union,\" she said on the show that aired Nov. 27. \"There is a limited amount of funding, a limited number of donors out there, and that waters it all down.\"","Whether Rhode Island has one of the highest per capita numbers of nonprofits is open to interpretation. The state isn\u2019t among the top five in the country. It\u2019s just outside the top 10.","President of Rhode Island\u2019s largest homeless shelter says the state has one of the highest numbers of nonprofits per capita in the U.S.","( - President of Rhode Island\u2019s largest homeless shelter says the state has one of the highest numbers of nonprofits per capita in the U.S.&url=)"]},{"id":"11279.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Unions did not create the eight-hour work day and the 40-hour work week. Henry Ford did.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Henry Ford did play a role in implementing the eight-hour work day and raising wages at his company, it is incorrect to claim that unions did not contribute to these labor standards. In fact, labor unions were instrumental in advocating for and organizing workers to achieve the eight-hour work day and the 40-hour work week. The efforts of unions in the 1860s and beyond were crucial in pushing for these reforms, and Ford's adoption of these policies was, in part, a response to the demands of the labor movement. While Ford's actions were significant, it is important to recognize the broader historical context and the contributions of unions in shaping modern working-hour standards.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4241.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As a percentage of our gross domestic product, the defense budget remains just 3.6 percent. This figure is low by all historical standards.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Forbes that the U.S. defense budget, as a percentage of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), stands at 3.6 percent. However, the label \"low by all historical standards\" requires further examination. While it is true that defense spending as a percentage of GDP has been lower in certain historical periods, such as the 1930s, it is also important to consider the specific context and challenges of each era. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from acknowledging the historical fluctuations in defense spending relative to GDP.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Her duty is to defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and that\u2019s what she says?\" Ingraham said during a Feb. 4, 2014, broadcast of her radio show. \"Why do we have a Supreme Court Justice whose allegiance obviously goes to her immigrant family background, not the U.S. Constitution?\"","!Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks to elementary students in Berkeley, Calif. Radio host Laura Ingraham said Sotomayor came from an immigrant family. (Berkeley Unified School District) !Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks to elementary students in Berkeley, Calif. Radio host Laura Ingraham said Sotomayor came from an immigrant family. (Berkeley Unified School District)","Sonia Sotomayor is a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. She was President Barack Obama\u2019s first Supreme Court nominee, and was confirmed by the Senate in 2009 to fill the seat of retiring Justice David Souter.","Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks to elementary students in Berkeley, Calif. Radio host Laura Ingraham said Sotomayor came from an immigrant family. (Berkeley Unified School District)"]},{"id":"10533.json","label":"true","statement":"Last year, we saw the first reduction in the federal prison population in 32 years.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that there was indeed a reduction in the federal prison population, as stated by the Attorney General. The statement is accurate, although there is a minor discrepancy regarding the exact number of years since the last reduction (it was 33 years, not 32). However, this does not significantly impact the overall accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The new Arizona immigration law \"says that any police officer can stop anyone who appears to them to be reasonably suspicious of being an undocumented person.\"","Matthews: \"Under the law you passed and was signed by the governor this week, can a police officer who spots a car with five or six people in it, who he thinks because of instinct, experience, whatever, evidence, whatever you use -- can he stop that car and say, I think these people are here illegally, I'm going to stop and check them? Can he under the law do that, without any crime involved? Can he do that?\"","Under the Arizona immigration law, police are required to check immigration status if someone's \"lawn is overgrown\" or if a dog is \"barking too loudly.\"","On April 30, Brewer signed a package of changes to the law that were intended to clarify what sorts of actions could trigger immigration-related questions. Here's the new version of the language telling police the circumstances under which they will be expected to check on an individuals' immigration status:"]},{"id":"2486.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"It takes as much energy to make a solar panel as it likely generates in its entire life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The energy required to manufacture a solar panel is significantly less than the energy it generates over its lifetime. Solar panels are designed to be energy-efficient and have a positive energy payback period, meaning they produce more energy during their operational life than the energy used in their manufacturing process. Numerous studies have confirmed the positive environmental impact of solar panels in terms of energy production and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9498.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has deputies collecting overtime while sitting passively in chairs watching courthouse security personnel work.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made about Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke and the use of overtime pay for deputies at courthouse security checkpoints. While there is no dispute that deputies are being paid overtime to work at the checkpoints, the extent to which they are actively engaged in the security process is not entirely clear. Some deputies may be observing visitors pass through the checkpoints, while others may be more actively involved in screening and monitoring. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be noted that the level of activity and engagement of the deputies may vary in this context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One ad, aired by Whitman beginning in midMay, attacks Poizner's fitness to be the Republican nominee in part by charging that he gave $10,000 to the 2000 presidential recount effort of Al Gore and Joe Lieberman, the Democratic nominees for president and vice president. The ad asks, \"How liberal is Steve Poizner?\" then answers its own question by proposing a litany of evidence, including the charge that Poizner \"gave $10,000 to Al Gore's recount.\"","Steve Poizner is the former state insurance commissioner of California. He was a Republican candidate for governor in 2010, losing in the primary to Meg Whitman.","\"As Steve has made clear numerous times over the last 10 years, his wife is a Democrat,\" Poizner campaign press secretary Bettina Incl\u00e1n told PolitiFact. \"Steve\u2019s wife supported Al Gore and contributions were made through their joint checking account. Steve voted for President Bush in 2000, worked for President Bush, and voted for President Bush again in 2004.\"","It also bears mentioning that, for someone the campaign describes as still being \"a Democrat,\" Carol Poizner has donated an awful lot of money to the GOP. Ever since she gave $2,000 to Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in 2001, she has, in her own name, donated almost $90,000 to such recipients as the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the Republican National Committee and the California Republican Party."]},{"id":"12675.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Independent analysts say (Donald Trump) would add $30 trillion to the national debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that independent analysts have estimated that Donald Trump's tax plan could add a significant amount to the national debt, the statement lacks some important context. The estimate of $30 trillion is a long-term projection that includes interest costs and assumes no major spending cuts would be made. Additionally, the estimate covers a period up to 2036, which is not explicitly mentioned in the statement. Therefore, while there is a basis for concern about the potential impact on the national debt, it is important to note that the estimate is a long-term projection and depends on various assumptions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Another big change in the American Health Care Act is the end of the insurance mandate. Today, nearly everyone must buy insurance or face a tax penalty. The Republicans do away with that, although their bill would allow insurance companies to charge a one-year 30 percent premium fee for those who had failed to buy insurance when they could have.","Trump\u2019s promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act stalled when the GOP\u2019s bill died in March without a vote after different factions of the Republican Party couldn\u2019t agree on the bill. The AHCA retains some parts of Obamacare, but eliminates the insurance mandate and modifies the size and recipients of subsidies. By 2026, the AHCA would increase the number of uninsured people by 24 million, according to the Congressional Budget Office\u2019s March analysis.","CBO\u2019s estimate is broadly in line with a number of other independent estimates. A study by the Urban Institute projected a decline of about 500,000 people. The Lewin Group predicted a decline of about 3 million people. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services actuary pegged the number at about 1 million fewer people. And the RAND Corp. projected that about 4 million more individuals would be covered by employment-based coverage by 2016.","First, a March 2012 study by the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan number-crunching arm of Congress, projected that 3 million to 5 million fewer non-elderly people would obtain coverage through their employer each year from 2019 through 2022 than would have been the case before the law was passed. Including those with individually purchased policies enlarges that decline by an additional 1 million to 3 million Americans."]},{"id":"8129.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Unemployment has been on the rise throughout Wisconsin as Paul Ryan stepped up his advocacy of immigration increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that the June unemployment figures showed an increase in unemployment in many cities and counties in Wisconsin, it does not provide sufficient evidence to directly link this rise in unemployment to Paul Ryan's advocacy of immigration increases. The statement implies a causal relationship between Ryan's advocacy and the rise in unemployment, but it fails to establish a clear cause-and-effect connection. Other factors, such as broader economic trends or local factors, could contribute to changes in unemployment rates. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary evidence to support a strong correlation between Ryan's advocacy and the rise in unemployment throughout Wisconsin.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13124.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump was one of the people who rooted for the housing crisis. He said back in 2006, Gee, I hope it does collapse because then I can go in and buy some and make some money.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including statements from Hillary Clinton, Rep. Scott Peters, and others, confirm that Donald Trump made a comment in 2006 expressing a desire for the housing crisis to occur so that he could potentially profit from it. While the exact wording may vary slightly, the overall sentiment remains consistent across these sources. However, it's important to note that this statement alone does not provide a complete picture of Trump's stance on the housing crisis or his involvement in it. Additional context and information would be necessary to fully evaluate his actions and intentions during that time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10766.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The money the Clinton Foundation took from from foreign governments while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state is clearly illegal. The Constitution says you cant take this stuff.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While there is a clause in the Constitution that prohibits U.S. officials from receiving gifts or emoluments from foreign governments, it is important to note that the donations in question were made to the Clinton Foundation, not directly to Hillary Clinton herself. As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was not involved in the day-to-day operations or decision-making of the Clinton Foundation, which was founded by her husband. While there have been concerns raised about potential conflicts of interest, there is no clear evidence to support the claim that the donations to the Clinton Foundation while Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State were illegal under the Constitution.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"160.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Dodd brought both parties together to pass the Family and Medical Leave Act.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Senator Chris Dodd played a significant role in bringing both parties together to pass the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Dodd was one of the primary sponsors of the FMLA and worked diligently to garner bipartisan support for the legislation. His efforts were instrumental in the passage of the act, which provides job-protected leave for eligible employees to care for their own or a family member's serious health condition. \nLabel: true","evidence":["When an audience member who had recently traveled to China asked Huntsman for his thoughts about the \"huge imbalance\" between the millions of Chinese studying English and the far fewer number of U.S. students studying Chinese, Huntsman replied: \"Would you like the answer in Chinese or English? It\u2019s interesting to note that the largest English-speaking nation today, or soon to be, is China.\"","For Huntsman\u2019s statement to be accurate, China, with a population of more than 1.3 billion, would need roughly 300 million English speakers to best the United States, which has the third-largest population in the world. That\u2019s because most, though by no means all, U.S. residents (population 309 million in the 2010 Census) speak English.","There is some truth to Huntsman's underlying point that there is tremendous growth in English proficiency in China. But it's important to note there is a significant difference between English learners and speakers. The statistics and our interviews with experts indicate China is still far away from having the largest number of speakers. We rate his claim Half True.","Yo, it\u2019s painful enough that our blenders are made in China, but could this mean that even our slang is soon to be imported from Guangzhou?"]},{"id":"3854.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Planned Parenthood raked in more than $300 million in profits over the past four years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Planned Parenthood has reported significant revenue over the past four years, the statement inaccurately characterizes it as \"profits.\" Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization, and its financial statements show that it has reported losses in some years. The exact investment gains or losses for the specified period are not definitively stated. Therefore, while Planned Parenthood has generated substantial revenue, it is misleading to label it as \"profits\" without considering the organization's overall financial performance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6391.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Romney would add trillions to the deficit while Obama would cut the deficit by $4 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Obama campaign ad claimed that Mitt Romney would add \"trillions\" to the deficit, while Barack Obama would \"cut the deficit by $4 trillion.\" However, it's important to note that these claims are based on campaign promises and projections, which may not always align with actual outcomes. While Obama did propose a plan to reduce the deficit by $4 trillion, the effectiveness and implementation of such a plan can be subject to debate. Similarly, the claim that Romney would add \"trillions\" to the deficit is a projection based on his proposed policies. The actual impact on the deficit would depend on various factors and the implementation of those policies. Therefore, while the statement captures the claims made in the Obama campaign ad, it should be understood that these are campaign promises and projections that may not fully reflect the reality of deficit reduction efforts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think that's where we're going,\" he said. \"We're not going to make it illegal to charge your car at any particular time, but it's going to be cheaper to charge it when the grid actually is more plentiful with electricity and more expensive when the grid is tight.\"","But that\u2019s not the case for all charging stations. The electricity supply for electric cars depends on whatever the local sources of energy are where they\u2019re being charged. Some regions don\u2019t have coal-fired power plants. And nationwide, coal has been eclipsed over the past several years by natural gas as the biggest source of energy for electricity generation, with renewable sources such as wind and solar also playing a larger role.","Usually, the alerts ask that residents conserve power during evening hours, when people are still awake and using electricity but some energy sources, such as solar power, are not available.","\"We are going to have to build up capacity here as well,\" Borenstein said. \"But we probably aren't going to have to build up capacity nearly as much because everybody doesn't have to charge at the same time.\""]},{"id":"9347.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Canadian middle class incomes are now higher than in the United States. They are working fewer hours for more pay, living longer on average, and facing less income inequality.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate to say that Canadian middle-class incomes are now higher than in the United States, it's important to note that this is a generalization and may not apply to every individual or specific demographic group. Various studies and reports have indicated that the Canadian middle class has experienced higher income growth and lower income inequality compared to their American counterparts. Additionally, factors such as working fewer hours, longer life expectancy, and reduced income inequality have been observed in Canada. However, it's crucial to consider that economic conditions can vary across regions and different segments of the population, so the statement should be understood as a broad comparison rather than an absolute truth for every circumstance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee claimed GOP Rep. Jeff Denham \"has agreed all illegal immigrants should be detained, arrested and deported.\"","In an effort to tie Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) to Donald Trump\u2019s extremist views on immigration, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently claimed: Denham \"has agreed all illegal immigrants should be detained, arrested and deported.\"","During the 2010 debate, the candidates are asked: \"Do you believe that anyone who is here (in the United States) right now as an illegal immigrant should be detained, arrested and deported?\"","A response from Denham to a question later in that same 2010 debate adds some clarity. He\u2019s asked how the nation should pay for increased immigration enforcement. His answer stops well short of agreeing that \"all illegal immigrants\" should be deported, as the DCCC attributes to him."]},{"id":"2259.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republican candidate for Georgia governor dabbled in birther conspiracy theories.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence to suggest that the Republican candidate for Georgia governor, former Sen. David Perdue, entertained or engaged with birther conspiracy theories to some extent, it is important to note that the evidence does not support the claim that he fully embraced or actively promoted these theories. PolitiFact Georgia found no evidence that Perdue is a birther, and there is proof to the contrary. However, Perdue's actions or statements may have given the impression to some birthers that he was taking their theories seriously. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that Perdue's involvement with birther conspiracy theories was not definitive or conclusive.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In 2011, more people were murdered with knives, \"hands or feet\" or \"clubs and hammers\" than with any type of rifle. (True) FBI data backs this claim \u2014 though limiting it to \"rifles\" ignores a significant number of deaths from handguns.","The post uses data selectively, ignoring the significant role of handguns in gun violence. But the statistics it mentions are solid. FBI data backs up the Facebook post\u2019s claim that in 2011, more people were murdered with knives, \"hands or feet\" or \"clubs and hammers\" than with any type of rifle. We rate the statement True.","One reader forwarded us a statistics-heavy Facebook post that echoes others we\u2019ve received. It says, \"Facts gun control advocates don\u2019t want you to know. According to the FBI, in 2011, 1,694 were murdered with knives, 726 with hands or feet, 496 with clubs or hammers, 323 with rifles of any type. But Obama wants to ban semi-automatic rifles?\"","Like an older Facebook item, Abbott\u2019s tweet uses data selectively, ignoring the significant role of handguns in gun violence. That said, it is correct that FBI data indicates that in 2011, more people were killed with \"clubs and hammers\" than with any type of rifle."]},{"id":"1092.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration has spent millions of taxpayer dollars for roadside signs to tout the economic stimulus.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is difficult to determine the exact amount of money spent on roadside signs to promote the economic stimulus, there is evidence that some taxpayer dollars were indeed used for this purpose. However, without specific data on the exact amount spent, it is challenging to confirm the claim that \"millions\" of taxpayer dollars were allocated for these signs. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1728.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Links jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff to Rep. C.W. Bill Young.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is no credible link between Rep. C.W. Bill Young and jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The sources mentioned do not discuss any direct connection between the two individuals, and the only mention of Young is in relation to a campaign contribution from an Abramoff client, which does not establish a link between them. Therefore, the statement that links Jack Abramoff to Rep. C.W. Bill Young is unfounded and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The activist group US Uncut said Gov. Mike Pence provided zero state funding for homeless shelters. While the state budget and summaries from the experts and staffers we contacted confirmed that, it\u2019s really an approach of the Indiana state government more than that of any particular person.","\"There has never been state funding directly for homeless shelters or programs,\" said Brad Meadows, communications director for the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.","So Pence has not requested funding homeless shelters, but it\u2019s worth noting that\u2019s far from unique in Indiana. The state budget ultimately is the work product of the Legislature, not the governor. And the lack of state funding has been consistent under Republican and Democratic leadership. (Indiana had Democratic governors from 1989-2005, before electing Republican Mitch Daniels and then Pence.)","Indiana\u2019s Religious Freedom law quickly turned into a political and economic minefield for Republican Gov. Mike Pence. One activist group, US Uncut, took the moment to cast Pence as a man who defended religion while acting in ways that fell short of Christian charity."]},{"id":"7536.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wall Street megabanks that received bailouts in 2009 now get taxpayer-funded advantages not available to community banks in Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that Wall Street megabanks that received bailouts in 2009 do have certain advantages not available to community banks in Ohio. These advantages stem from the implicit guarantee of government support in case of financial emergencies, which gives the megabanks a cost advantage in borrowing. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the nature or extent of these advantages. Additionally, while the statement implies that these advantages are ongoing, it does not provide evidence to support this claim. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks specific information to fully assess the extent and current status of the advantages enjoyed by Wall Street megabanks.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5979.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Prince William County has cut violent crime in half since instituting a crackdown on illegal immigration.","reason":"Reason: While there has been a decrease in violent crime in Prince William County, it is not accurate to solely attribute this decline to the crackdown on illegal immigration. The claim is only partially true because the decrease in violent crime cannot be solely attributed to the immigration crackdown. The reduction in crime began before the crackdown, and other factors such as community policing efforts and overall crime reduction strategies likely contributed to the decline. Additionally, the percentage of crimes committed by illegal immigrants remains relatively small to modest. Therefore, while there may be a correlation between the crackdown and a decrease in crime, it is not the sole or primary factor in cutting violent crime in half.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3876.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the Ohio Consumers Council office employs 74 lawyers and that the funding them is wasteful duplication.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Ohio Consumers' Counsel office does not employ 74 lawyers. The speaker's spokesperson clarified that it was a slip of the tongue and that the intended statement was about the number of employees, not lawyers. Additionally, the claim of wasteful duplication is misleading because the funding for the Ohio Consumers' Counsel does not come from general tax revenues but rather from fees levied on utilities. Therefore, the statement is not only factually incorrect but also misrepresents the funding structure of the office.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Listen, this is smart economics, it\u2019s good politics, and it\u2019s morally right,\" she said. \"First of all, only one out of 10 minimum wage workers today are teen age or a young person.\"","So that\u2019s closer to one in 10, though it doesn\u2019t factor in young adults in their 20s and it\u2019s measuring workers who might benefit from raising the minimum wage -- not who is making the minimum wage today.","Age bracket | Percent of workers making the minimum wage | Percent of workers making less than the minimum wage | Percent of workers making at or below the minimum wage","She added: \"First of all, they\u2019re not. The average person who gets the minimum wage in America is 35 years old. That said, even if it involves a lot of people who are young, when we look at the cost of college, don\u2019t we want them to be able to join their parents in helping save some money for that opportunity?\""]},{"id":"4635.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I dont think Ive ever hired an illegal in my life.","reason":"Reason: While Mitt Romney claimed that he had never hired an illegal immigrant, evidence suggests otherwise. The Boston Globe conducted an investigation and found that Romney had hired a landscaping company that employed individuals who were in the United States illegally. Although Romney argued that he hired the company and not the specific workers, the fact remains that the workers were performing hired work on his property. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"insists that when the progressive agenda encounters religious beliefs to the contrary, those beliefs \u2018have to be changed.\u2019 \"","Bush said, \"Secretary Clinton insists that when the progressive agenda encounters religious beliefs to the contrary, those beliefs \u2018have to be changed.\u2019 \"","\"These have been rough years for religious charities and their right of conscience, and the leading Democratic candidate hinted of more to come,\" Bush said during his announcement speech at Miami Dade College on June 15. \"Secretary Clinton insists that when the progressive agenda encounters religious beliefs to the contrary, those beliefs \u2018have to be changed.\u2019 That is what she said. That is what she said. And I guess we should at least thank her for the warning.\"","But her statement is somewhat different from Bush\u2019s claim. She didn\u2019t say that a \"progressive agenda\" should dictate religious beliefs -- her overall point was that countries need to do more to help protect women\u2019s rights to education, health care, and to live safely -- and that to do so requires enforcing laws and changing religious beliefs."]},{"id":"6770.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Obama sent $450 million to China to build a wind farm in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obama sent $450 million to China to build a wind farm in Texas is false. The flyer from Americans for Tax Reform misrepresents the situation by suggesting that taxpayer money was directly sent to China. In reality, the project in question involved a Chinese company investing in a wind farm in Texas, not the transfer of funds from the U.S. government to China. The Chinese company received a loan guarantee from the U.S. government, which is not the same as sending money to China. The claim is misleading and lacks factual accuracy.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6808.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"George Allen voted to end Pell Grants for 84,000 students.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tim Kaine claimed George Allen voted to end Pell Grants for 84,000 students, there is conflicting information regarding the accuracy of this statement. Allen's campaign argued that he voted for an education appropriation bill that increased total spending for Pell Grants and the number of recipients. However, without further clarification on the specific vote in question, it is difficult to determine the complete accuracy of Kaine's claim. Therefore, the statement is categorized as mostly-true, acknowledging the claim made by Kaine but also acknowledging the conflicting information provided by Allen's campaign.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Here's a man who brags about how he made the city safe. It was the Biden crime bill that became the Clinton crime bill that allowed him to do that.\"","\"In the 1990s, the Biden Crime Bill added 100,000 cops to America's streets. As a result, murder and violent crime rates went down eight years in a row.\"","John McCain said \"he wouldn't even sit down with the government of Spain, a NATO ally that has troops in Afghanistan with us now.\"","\"One percent of the American people make over 21 percent of all the income in America. That wasn\u2019t the way before George Bush became president.\""]},{"id":"11311.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Amajority of the men and women on this stage have previously and publicly embraced amnesty. I am the only candidate on this stage who has never supportedamnesty.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cruz is mostly true. He claimed that a majority of the candidates on the stage have previously supported amnesty, while he himself has never supported it. While the exact number of candidates who have supported amnesty is not specified, it is evident that Cruz positioned himself as the only candidate who has consistently opposed amnesty. This aligns with his opposition to the 2013 bipartisan Senate immigration proposal, which he considered a form of amnesty. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects Cruz's stance in comparison to the majority of candidates on the stage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Then the party added this: \"The national economic recovery has led to higher than expected tax revenues and projected budget surpluses in nearly every state in the nation, including Wisconsin.\"","The Democratic Party of Wisconsin generated this claim: \"The national economic recovery has led to higher than expected tax revenues and projected budget surpluses in nearly every state in the nation, including Wisconsin.\"","We asked Democratic Party spokesperson Melissa Baldauff to back up the claim of \"higher than expected tax revenues and projected budget surpluses in nearly every state.\"","State budget watchers confirm a widespread recovery in tax revenues as the nation continues to edge out of the Great Recession."]},{"id":"8417.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We went from $160 billion deficit spending in (President George W.) Bushs last year to $1.6 trillion the following year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. The deficit did increase significantly from around $160 billion in President George W. Bush's last year to approximately $1.4 trillion the following year under President Obama. However, it is important to note that the increase was not solely due to Obama's policies but also resulted from the economic recession that began during the Bush administration. The recession led to decreased tax revenues and increased government spending to stimulate the economy. Therefore, attributing the entire increase in the deficit to Obama alone is misleading and oversimplifies the complex factors involved.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Then, in an article posted on the bureau\u2019s website, he added this: \"We are going to sell this house and use the proceeds to stabilize rates.\"","PolitiFact appreciates Fish\u2019s making the best of the political haunted house he inherited from Leonard, but any effect the sale of the Water House will have on water rates is going to be a tiny drop in a very large bucket. Further, the fact that those proceeds will represent a one-time-only infusion blunts any effect even more. Money from the Water House\u2019s sale will have no ability to stabilize water rates.","Says Joe Biden\u2019s \u201ccapital gains tax means that when you sell your home you\u2019ll owe taxes of 40% of your profit!\u201d","On his official campaign website, Biden says he would double the long-term capital gains rate from 20% to 39.6%. His administration would use that money to help pay for Biden\u2019s health care plan."]},{"id":"5264.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A proposed mine in Wisconsin is about two-thirds the size of Lake Winnebago.","reason":"Reason: The statement comparing the proposed mine in Wisconsin to Lake Winnebago is misleading and barely true. The size of a lake is typically measured in terms of surface area, while the size of a mine is measured in terms of volume or area of excavation. Lake Winnebago has a surface area of approximately 215 square miles, whereas the proposed mine's size is not specified in the evidence. Without specific information on the size of the proposed mine, it is not accurate to compare it to Lake Winnebago in terms of size. Therefore, the statement is barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On the Dec. 27, 2010, edition of PBS Newshour, the Horicon Republican claimed that \"from the IRS standpoint, 15,000 new employees have to be added just to, you know, administer ObamaCare and look at the tax implications.\"","( - Wisconsin Assembly speaker Jeff Fitzgerald says the IRS has to add 15,000 employees to administer the new health care law&url=)","Fitzgerald claimed that 15,000 IRS employees \"have to be added\" to manage the health care reform law, as if it\u2019s a settled point. There\u2019s little question more IRS workers will have to be added, but the agency has not set a number. And there is no evidence that 15,000 will be the final number, though it is within the range of one government estimate, albeit one done for House Republicans.","Republicans with the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, which handles federal tax legislation, used the high end of the IRS\u2019 rough budget number to estimate 16,500 employees might be hired to implement the bill."]},{"id":"3389.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Scotts proposed budget would lay off 20,000 teachers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott's proposed budget could result in some teacher layoffs, there is no explicit mention in the budget document itself that suggests a specific number of 20,000 teacher layoffs. The statement made by Smith exaggerates the potential impact of the budget by stating that it would lay off 20,000 teachers without providing concrete evidence to support this claim. While there may be concerns about potential teacher layoffs, the specific number mentioned in the statement is not substantiated by the available evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["As Fox News host Sean Hannity put it: \"As senator, she actually paid female staffers a lot less than the men.\"","Clinton has been the target of these types of charges before in her time as a U.S. senator. Sean Hannity\u2019s claim that Clinton \"actually paid female staffers a lot less than men\" rated Mostly False.","Sean Hannity previewed a panel discussion about the story on the May 14 episode of Hannity on Fox News, saying, \"As senator, she actually paid female staffers a lot less than the men.\"","That\u2019s the question raised by some conservative commentators after a Washington Free Beacon story said Clinton paid her female Senate staffers 72 cents for every dollar earned by a male counterpart."]},{"id":"4758.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A bill supported by Gov. Scott Walker makes it so that drunk drivers who kill have an easier time of it.","reason":"Reason: The statement that a bill supported by Gov. Scott Walker makes it easier for drunk drivers who kill is an oversimplification. While the bill in question does introduce changes related to drunk driving cases, it does not directly make it easier for drunk drivers who kill. The changes actually require prosecutors to provide more evidence to ensure accuracy and reliability in these cases. While it may create additional work for prosecutors, it does not diminish the seriousness of the offense or make it easier for drunk drivers who cause fatalities. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!A report on the Internet claimed that Dorothy Zborknak was the first victim of Obamacare death panels. !A report on the Internet claimed that Dorothy Zborknak was the first victim of Obamacare death panels.","The chain email claimed that Dorothy Zborknak was ordered executed by an Obamacare death panel. We ruled on this topic five years ago, but we\u2019ll repeat it again: Death squads are not a part of the Affordable Care Act, and you can still catch Dorothy on Golden Girls reruns most nights. We rate this claim Pants on Fire!","\"Following a hearing by the president\u2019s Patient Resource Efficiency Board (PREB), 86-year-old Dorothy Zborknak has been ordered to death. The reason? According to the administration, she is no longer useful.","We\u2019ll offer a quick diagnosis: This claim is not accurate. Back in 2009, the myth of death panels was our inaugural Lie of the Year. Almost five years later, death panels are still not a part of U.S. health care law."]},{"id":"10581.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"SaysPresident Obama is using executive actions to impose gun control on the nation, targeting the top-selling rifle in the country ... with a ban on one of the most-used assault rifle bullets.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama took executive actions related to gun control, the statement misrepresents the specific details. The claim that he targeted the top-selling rifle in the country and banned one of the most-used assault rifle bullets is inaccurate. The proposed ban referred to a specific type of ammunition known as the \"green tip\" or M855 ammunition, which is primarily used in AR-15 pistols, not rifles. The ban did not target the rifle version of the AR-15. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the scope and impact of the executive actions, leading to a misleading portrayal of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["According to the World Bank, Iran\u2019s economy is $415 billion. So the $100 billion in sanctions relief amounts to about 25 percent of the economy. The United States\u2019 economy is about $17 trillion. Twenty-five percent of that is $4.25 trillion -- a little low but not too far off from Huckabee\u2019s $5 trillion.","Estimates of the value of Iran\u2019s foreign assets start as low as $25 billion, and they run as high as $150 billion. Most experts we\u2019ve interviewed on this question peg the amount of unfrozen assets at about $100 billion, but no one is 100 percent sure of the amount.","The deal contains other elements, but a key one is that all of the European Union and most American sanctions against Iran were lifted. Critics say that effectively amounts to a $150 billion check (though some say it\u2019s more like $100 billion) to Iran -- a reference to the amount of Iran\u2019s assets frozen in foreign banks.","Experts say $150 billion is the high end of estimates or, as Malloy put it, \"what it could possibly be in the broadest imagination.\" Most peg the the total value of Iranian assets at around $100 billion, but Iran probably still won\u2019t be able to access all of it."]},{"id":"5421.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Without U.S. Senate action, Texas will have more federal judicial vacancies this year than any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Texas did have a significant number of federal judicial vacancies at the time of the claim, it is not accurate to say that Texas will have more vacancies than any other state without U.S. Senate action. According to the information provided, New York and California are expected to have more vacancies than Texas by the end of the year. Therefore, Texas would rank third among states with current or expected vacancies. It's important to consider the context and future projections when making such claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["My campaign \"finished the last quarter reporting the most cash on hand of any Republican in the field \u2026 $13.8 million in the bank, $3.5 million more than the Jeb Bush campaign.\"","Cruz said his campaign \"finished the last quarter reporting the most cash on hand of any Republican in the field\u2026 $13.8 million in the bank, three and a half million dollars more than the Jeb Bush campaign.\"","Cruz said: \"And we finished the last quarter reporting the most cash on hand of any Republican in the field\u2026 $13.8 million in the bank, $3.5 million more than the Jeb Bush campaign.\" Cruz added that if he\u2019d predicted such an outcome relative to Bush six months before, reporters would have laughed aloud. Early in 2015, Bush drew headlines for raising money at a vigorous clip.","No giggling here. But was Cruz right about his campaign having the biggest pile of cash on hand and exceeding Bush\u2019s balance by $3.5 million?"]},{"id":"8591.json","label":"false","statement":"On changing the rules for filibusters on presidential nominees","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Harry Reid, did change the rules for filibusters on presidential nominees. This change, often referred to as the \"nuclear option,\" eliminated the requirement of a 60-vote supermajority for executive nominations. The evidence provided confirms that Senate Republicans had used filibusters to target a disproportionate number of President Obama's nominees, leading to the decision to change the rules. Therefore, the statement inaccurately claims that the rules were not changed.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I have a D-minus voting record from the NRA,\" he said. \"Does that sound like a tool of the NRA? D-minus.\"","The NRA slightly warmed to Sanders in the mid 2000s, giving him a D-plus in 2004 and a C-minus in 2006, his first bid for the Senate.","It\u2019s worth noting that the grade is a few years old, and that his rating has been higher in previous election cycles. Still, a D-minus is far from a full-throated endorsement.","A flier mailed to some Floridians by the NRA\u2019s Institute for Legislative Action compares Nelson\u2019s record on gun control with that of his Republican opponent in the U.S. Senate race, U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV."]},{"id":"12930.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gonzales losing campaign against me last spring was funded with more than $1 million from supporters and allies of Governor Bruce Rauner.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. Multiple sources confirm that Gonzales' campaign against Madigan received significant funding from supporters and allies of Governor Bruce Rauner. However, without specific information on the exact amount of funding, it is not possible to confirm whether it exceeded $1 million. While the statement implies that the funding was solely from Rauner's supporters and allies, it is important to note that it does not provide a comprehensive breakdown of all the sources of funding for Gonzales' campaign. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks specificity and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["And this doesn\u2019t count funding bills and presidential appointments. Since the start of Russia\u2019s war, Congress has spent $66 billion to help Ukraine, according to calculations by Mark F. Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.","\u201cBlack women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die (from maternal mortality) even when they have the insurance and the income.\u201d","Today, the CDC says wearing a mask \"can help prevent severe illness\" and recommends(,People%20may%20choose%20to%20mask%20at%20any%20time.,with%20COVID%2D19%20Data%20Tracker.) wearing masks in indoor public transportation settings, if a person is at high risk for getting very sick or indoors with someone at high risk of getting very sick. More guidance on when to wear a mask or respirator in connection with COVID-19 is on the CDC\u2019s website.(,People%20may%20choose%20to%20mask%20at%20any%20time.,with%20COVID%2D19%20Data%20Tracker.)","President George W. Bush signed a major tax cut, the No Child Left Behind education bill, and the national security-oriented Patriot Act after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Greenberg said."]},{"id":"2882.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Over half of the foreign-born population in Rhode Island is white.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence indicates that approximately 45.2 percent of the foreign-born population in Rhode Island identifies as white. While this falls short of the \"over half\" claim, it is close enough to suggest that a significant portion of the foreign-born population in Rhode Island is indeed white. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a precise percentage or account for the racial diversity within the remaining portion of the foreign-born population.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bill Clinton urged Americans to remember the Clintons\u2019 more modest beginnings with his family\u2019s fattened finances in the limelight, saying, \"When we moved into the White House, we had the lowest net worth of any family since Harry Truman.\"","\"I'm grateful for our success,\" Clinton told NBC News\u2019 Cynthia McFadden in an interview that aired May 4. \"But let me remind you. When we moved into the White House, we had the lowest net worth of any family since Harry Truman.\"","Without a doubt, Clinton\u2019s net worth was one of the lowest of 20th century presidents, experts told us. Whether it was the lowest is hard to say, and we could not find information to support it. There\u2019s a good case to be made that Truman entered the White House with a (albeit unknown) smaller net worth.","It was Truman\u2019s post-White House flirtation with bankruptcy that inspired Congress to pass presidential pensions, said Aaron Crawford, a post-doctoral student at Southern Methodist University."]},{"id":"6698.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After hearing the frustrations parents and teachers have with the FCAT, next year we begin improving our testing system.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the intention to improve the testing system after hearing the frustrations of parents and teachers with the FCAT. However, it lacks specific details about the improvements and does not provide a clear timeline or plan for implementation. Therefore, while there is a commitment to address the concerns, the statement is only partially true as it lacks specific information about how the testing system will be improved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Georgia found no irrefutable proof that easing Sunday alcohol restrictions \"will result\" in more traffic crashes and fatalities as some Georgia state senators argued earlier this week.","Drexel University associate professor Mark Stehr has done several studies on the impact of easing so-called \"blue laws.\" In June, he released a study called \"The Effect of Sunday Sales of Alcohol on Highway Crash Fatalities.\"","As governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue used New Mexico as a basis for his opposition to changing Georgia\u2019s blue laws in a 2008 op-ed. He cited a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (not conducted by Stehr) that found a 29 percent increase in Sunday crashes and a 42 percent rise in traffic fatalities after New Mexico changed its laws.","Sen. Joshua McKoon, R-Columbus, cited a study that found an increase in crashes and fatalities after Sunday liquor sales were eased in New Mexico."]},{"id":"7516.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are 3.6 million jobs sitting vacant, in part because there arent enough qualified applicants to fill them.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Virginia Foxx that there are 3.6 million job vacancies, and there is indeed a shortage of qualified applicants to fill them. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some nuance. The fact check points out that the statistic doesn't consider the duration of job openings, which is an important factor. While it's true that there is a skills mismatch contributing to job vacancies, the phrase \"sitting vacant\" might suggest that these jobs are permanently unfilled, which is not necessarily the case. So, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9226.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Last election, the Koch brothers spent three times what the top 10 unions spent combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence confirms that the network linked to the Koch brothers did spend significantly more than the top 10 unions in the last election, specifically three and a half times more. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify whether it refers to the Koch brothers themselves or the network associated with them. If the statement is specifically referring to the Koch brothers individually, then it would be inaccurate. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"525.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John McCain says he never supported the privatization of Social Security, even though video shows he did.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there is evidence in the form of video footage showing John McCain expressing support for the privatization of Social Security, it is important to consider the context and timeline. McCain's position on this issue has evolved over time, and he has made statements both in favor of and against privatization. Therefore, it is accurate to say that he has expressed support for privatization in the past, but it is also true that he has stated he never supported it. The statement lacks clarity on the specific timeframe and context of McCain's statements, leading to a partially true assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But the news release did conclude with this: \"Every year the First Coast Guard District saves 350 lives in the Northeast.\"","And of course this summer, a news release concerning the fishing boat that sank 150 miles out at sea concluded: \"Every year the First Coast Guard District saves 350 lives in the Northeast.\"","In a news release in 2013, the agency claimed that it saves 350 lives \"each year.\" In 2014, it sent out a release saying, \"In an average year, the Coast Guard assists 3,300 lives and saves 350 lives across the Northeast.\"","In a 2012 news release, a public-affairs officer declared that the Coast Guard saves \"more than 350 lives\" in the Northeast \"per year.\""]},{"id":"2846.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Because of (U.S. Sen.-elect Ron) Johnsons leadership, Senate Republicans adopted a caucus ban on earmarks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights Senator Ron Johnson's leadership in advocating for a caucus ban on earmarks within the Senate Republicans. This ban on earmarks refers to the practice of allocating specific funds for particular projects or purposes, often criticized for potential misuse or wasteful spending. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific evidence or sources to support this claim. While it is generally true that Senator Johnson played a role in advocating for the earmark ban, additional information or sources would strengthen the statement's credibility.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Walker said that even after the aid increases in his proposed budget, choice schools would be getting \"about half\" the per-pupil funds that public schools receive.","\"Not even close,\" the release continued. \"Public schools in Wisconsin receive, on average, $12,775 per pupil in total funds. Under Gov. Walker\u2019s budget, choice schools will get about half of that per student.\"","Can it be true that even after those increases, choice schools still would get about half what public schools get in funds per pupil?","Gov. Scott Walker says choice schools would get only half as much as public schools even after the aid increases in his budget"]},{"id":"8001.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Most Americans want traditional marriage, as defined by the Defense of Marriage Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"most Americans want traditional marriage, as defined by the Defense of Marriage Act\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defined marriage as between one man and one woman, public opinion on the matter has evolved over time. Various polls and surveys indicate that support for same-sex marriage has been steadily increasing in recent years, with a majority of Americans now in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that \"most Americans\" still want traditional marriage as defined by DOMA.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"WI is 4th in the Midwest for private sector job creation & % growth (CES BLS Aug 2013 - Aug 2014).\"","\"Well, the latest job numbers are in and Wisconsin created more private-sector jobs than Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, and Illinois. That means we ranked third in the Midwest.\"","But when Burke made a similar statement in September and framed it around the latest numbers showing the drop, we rated her claim False -- a rating Walker highlights in his new ad.","5. Scrutinize the sector: Most claims focus on just the private sector, but sometimes partisans will add in public employees if it suits their purpose."]},{"id":"7645.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In 2012, 1 in 4 Wisconsin schools had a subpar score on the Department of Public Instructions recent report cards and are failing the children they serve.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While it is true that in 2012, approximately 25% of Wisconsin schools received a subpar score on the Department of Public Instruction's report cards, it is incorrect to claim that these schools are \"failing\" the children they serve. The report cards provide a comprehensive assessment of schools based on various factors, and a subpar score does not necessarily equate to failure. The term \"failing\" implies a much more severe and definitive judgment, which is not supported by the report cards or the evidence provided.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Robertson\u2019s CDC statistic certainly got our attention, since the entire U.S. population was roughly 309 million in 2012, according to the Census Bureau. This would mean that, for Robertson to be right, well over one-third of Americans must have a \"sexually transmitted illness.\" And once you subtract children under 15, the percentage would rise to 44 percent.","\"I got my facts from the CDC the day before yesterday,\" Robertson told the crowd on Feb. 27, 2015. \"One hundred and ten million -- 110 million! -- Americans now have a sexually transmitted illness. One hundred and ten million? I\u2019m looking at it, I said\" -- here Robertson sighs -- \"I don\u2019t want you, America, to get sick. I don\u2019t want you to become ill. I don\u2019t want you to come down with a debilitating disease. I don\u2019t want you to die early.\"","The CDC did not provide us the number of Americans who have a sexually transmitted infection, and it's not clear that such a number exists.","The CDC prominently uses the number 110 million in reference to sexually transmitted diseases. In February 2013, the CDC published a document titled \"Fact Sheet: Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States.\""]},{"id":"388.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We are bogged down in a war that John McCain now suggests might go on for another 100 years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the claim that John McCain suggested the war might go on for another 100 years to Barack Obama. In reality, it was Barack Obama who made that statement during a Democratic debate in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2008. John McCain, on the other hand, made comments about a long-term U.S. presence in Iraq, not a prolonged war. It is important to accurately attribute statements to the correct individuals to maintain factual integrity.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A chain email said the former president of the Czech Republic said the American people were a \"confederacy of fools\" for electing Obama.","Without providing any context, the email quotes Vaclav Klaus, former president of the Czech Republic, as saying the American people must be a \"confederacy of fools\" to have elected Obama.","\"The danger to America is not Barack Obama, but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools, such as those who made him their president.\"","Possibly the most often-occurring version after the American one is from South Africa. It replaces Obama\u2019s name with Jacob Zuma, their president, elected in 2009. Many people posting that version have attributed it to a Czech economics professor named Ken Peters. We can\u2019t find an economics professor by that name -- Czech or otherwise -- associated with anything other than that quote."]},{"id":"118.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We spent approximately $20-billion of that money on pork barrel, earmark projects. Maybe if we had done it right, maybe some of that money would have gone to inspect those bridges and other bridges across the country.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that approximately $20 billion of the mentioned money was spent on pork barrel and earmark projects. This implies that the funds were allocated to specific projects that may not have been directly related to inspecting bridges or addressing infrastructure needs. Therefore, it suggests that if the allocation had been done differently, some of that money could have been used for inspecting bridges and other bridges across the country. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You can go home and say that under President (Andy) Gardiner, we were able to provide $428 million worth of property tax relief,\" Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said on the Senate floor.","But Gaetz was careful to say \"tax relief,\" not tax cut. There\u2019s a lot of leeway in how you could define that. In the end, that\u2019s $428 million homeowners will not be paying in any event.","The $428 million, meanwhile, is preventing an increase that is projected to happen, not cutting current taxes that people are paying now.","The Legislature approved an increase to local school funding while cutting a key millage rate used to calculate the Required Local Effort. That will keep property tax collections essentially the same. The $428 million is an infusion of general revenue cash that will cover the boost in the education budget."]},{"id":"1706.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Dubai is the only country with huge amounts of imported workers that's actually passed legislation to give these immigrant workers a better deal in the Middle East.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the UAE has passed labor laws aimed at protecting immigrant workers, it is not accurate to claim that Dubai is the only country in the Middle East to have done so. Bahrain, for example, has also taken steps to improve labor conditions and change sponsorship laws. Furthermore, human rights groups have raised concerns about the enforcement of labor laws in the UAE, suggesting that exploitation of immigrant workers remains a significant issue. The statement oversimplifies the situation and fails to acknowledge the efforts and challenges faced by other countries in the region.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Jackson says Obama \"is reducing our naval fleet to 1917 levels.\" Even if we give Jackson a break and start his comparison at the end of 1916 -- prior to the U.S. entry into World War I -- his statement has significant problems.","\"(Obama) is reducing our naval fleet to 1917 levels, while China establishes naval hegemony over the Pacific,\" Jackson wrote in an Independence Day email announcing the formation of a veterans group seeking better treatment of active and former service members.","Graham said something similar at an April event in New Hampshire, and at the same event, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker tweaked the talking point a bit, saying that the United States Navy is currently at half the ship level it had under President Ronald Reagan. As recently as July 4, 2015, a former lieutenant governor nominee in Virginia, a naval stronghold, said President Barack Obama \"is reducing our naval fleet to 1917 levels.\"","So available statistics show it would be impossible for Obama to reduce the Navy to 1917 levels because the fleet, in raw numbers, was already below that level when Obama took office."]},{"id":"12018.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"NAFTA, supported by the Secretary (Clinton), cost us 800,000 jobs nationwide.","reason":"Reason: While there are differing opinions and studies on the impact of NAFTA, it is not accurate to definitively state that NAFTA \"cost us 800,000 jobs nationwide.\" The liberal Economic Policy Institute has indeed estimated that NAFTA resulted in the loss of over 800,000 jobs, but other nonpartisan reports have found conflicting results. The effects of NAFTA on job losses or gains are complex and difficult to isolate from other economic factors. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the issue and does not provide a complete and accurate representation of the impact of NAFTA on job numbers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3862.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Democratic Reps. Cicilline, Boswell, Carnahan and Critz demanded that Congress vote to increase the nations debt limit without making any spending cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks context. While it is true that Democratic Representatives Cicilline, Boswell, Carnahan, and Critz called for a vote to increase the nation's debt limit without making any spending cuts, it is important to note that this statement does not capture the full extent of their positions or the complexities of the issue. It is possible that these representatives had additional considerations or proposals related to the debt limit and spending cuts that are not mentioned in the statement. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the representatives' positions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In the U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s just-released 2013 American Community Survey, Georgia had a median household income of $47,829 in 2013, inflation-adjusted dollars.","For median household income, the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures for counties are estimates for 2013. The figures were released in December 2014.","The latest U.S. census estimates for median household income, for 2013, bear that out. Six of the top 10 counties were in D.C. suburbs in Maryland or Virginia.","PolitiFact Ohio, \"Jim Jordan says seven of the nation's 10 wealthiest counties are in the Greater Washington area,\" Jan. 14, 2013"]},{"id":"9638.json","label":"false","statement":"Last year, I was involved with an effort to to help prosecutors get their first pay raise in more than 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence provided to support the claim that the speaker was involved in an effort to help prosecutors receive their first pay raise in over 10 years. Without any substantiating evidence or context, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this statement. Therefore, it cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["There were approximately 650,000 immigrants in North Carolina in 2008, about a quarter of whom were citizens. That means there were approximately 487,500 non-citizen immigrants. Surely they weren\u2019t all adults, but let\u2019s pretend they were.","If 1.5 percent of them voted, that would mean 7,313 non-citizens voted in North Carolina in 2008. Obama won the state by about 14,000 votes, so even if every single one of them had voted for Obama, their illegal voting would not have been enough to sway the election.","Says there are thousands of registered voters over 110 years old in North Carolina, including one who is 219 years old.","In 2008, North Carolina reported 23 allegations of non-residents either voting or registering to vote. Elections board spokesman Pat Gannon said while the office currently tracks such allegations after referring them to the courts, it did not in 2008, so it\u2019s unclear how many of those 23 reported cases were actually illegal."]},{"id":"9729.json","label":"false","statement":"Ive either balanced every budget or we turned back a surplus.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Scott is false. While it is true that the state of Wisconsin is required to pass a balanced budget, it does not mean that every budget has resulted in a surplus. In fact, there have been instances where the state has faced shortfalls or projected deficits due to declining revenue. The evidence provided clearly indicates that the state's budgets have not always resulted in surpluses, and the claim of consistently balancing every budget or turning back a surplus is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Warning signs of SADS conditions include family history of sudden, unexplained death under age 40, fainting or seizure during exercise, excitement or startle, and consistent or unusual chest pain and\/or shortness of breath during exercise, the SADS foundation said.","There are a number of issues here. First: the data itself. While the study that the post described as \"International Olympic Committee data\" only reflects sudden deaths, the 769 figure it is being compared with incorporates deaths and cardiac arrest episodes that did not result in death. PolitiFact\u2019s review of some of the reports that were counted in that figure also found the number included reports of cases that didn\u2019t involve any emergency medical episodes at all.","According to the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation, SADS conditions are genetic heart problems that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy, people.","A review of the articles Sharp sent over also showed that the reports aren\u2019t consistent. Some cite medical professionals who ruled out vaccination as a cause. Others don\u2019t include any information on the athlete\u2019s vaccination status. And some were about athletes that neither collapsed nor experienced a cardiac event."]},{"id":"10489.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One Texas city has a law that says that women can only have six dildos.","reason":"Reason: While there was a law in Texas that regulated the sale of sex toys, it was a statewide law and not specific to any particular city. The law was intended to restrict the sale of such devices rather than limit ownership. However, it's important to note that the law was struck down by a federal appeals court over six years ago, rendering it invalid. Therefore, the statement that a Texas city has a law limiting women to owning only six dildos is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"For the first time in 13 years, our dependence on foreign oil is below 50 percent,\" the announcer says on the ad.","That\u2019s a debate for the industry and environmentalists. We\u2019re sticking with the facts, and the fact is that part of Obama\u2019s claim is correct: Our dependence on foreign oil is below 50 percent.","The Obama campaign is correct that U.S. oil dependence is below 50 percent. According to his own source, the energy administration, it was 49.3 percent in 2010. That\u2019s down from a high of 60.3 percent in 2005.","There are several ways to measure foreign oil dependency, the agency adds, and some of the other measures also show a decline but still have U.S. dependence above 50 percent. But we are writing for the general public, not petroleum engineers and economists, and the energy agency itself, staffed by professional analysts, not politicians, certainly includes the broadest measure (net crude and oil product imports as a share of U.S. total demand)."]},{"id":"4132.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Florida Legislature has not filed a lawsuit to fight Amendments 5 and 6.","reason":"Reason: While it is technically true that the Florida Legislature did not file the lawsuit against Amendments 5 and 6, it is important to note that the Florida House did join the lawsuit as an intervenor seeking to have Amendment 6 declared unconstitutional. This means that the Florida Legislature, through the involvement of the Florida House, is actively participating in the legal challenge against the amendments. While the statement may be accurate in a narrow sense, it fails to provide the full context of the Legislature's involvement in the lawsuit.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7121.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When you look at the number of crashes before the cameras were installed compared to after, theyre virtually the same.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided. The analysis of over 20 red light camera studies showed that, overall, there was not a significant difference in the number of crashes before and after the installation of red light cameras. While there may be variations in specific types of crashes (such as a decrease in fatal red light running crashes), the overall number of crashes remained relatively unchanged. However, it's important to note that this conclusion may vary depending on the specific location and context of the study.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It continues: \"It's bad enough we can't trust Amanda Murphy with our money, but with two vacation homes around the world, can Amanda Murphy really relate to the challenges we face?\"","So the claim she has \"two vacation homes around the world,\" including in Cancun, is misleading. It suggests Murphy owns the homes when in fact she owns a time share in a Florida condo and half a share in a condo in Cabo San Lucas \u2014 not in Cancun, which is on the Yucat\u00e1n Peninsula about 1,480 miles to the east.","One claims that Democrat Amanda Murphy is out of touch with average voters and wouldn't be available, literally, because she'll be at her \"Cancun vacation home.\"","Here, we'll examine the ad claiming that Murphy has two vacation homes. (We'll look at the attack on Gunter's views on public education in a separate fact-check.)"]},{"id":"5092.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Paul Ryans Medicare plan provides pretty much the same coverage that members of Congress receive.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that both Paul Ryan's Medicare plan and the health insurance received by members of Congress involve a premium support model, there are significant differences in the coverage and cost to beneficiaries. Members of Congress receive employer-based insurance, which includes a salary to help pay for their insurance. On the other hand, Ryan's Medicare plan, as outlined, may not keep pace with rapidly increasing healthcare costs, and seniors, who typically have lower incomes than members of Congress, may not have the same options to purchase more expensive plans. Additionally, members of Congress have certain protections against rising costs that may not be available under Ryan's plan. Therefore, while there are similarities in the basic model, the statement oversimplifies the differences in coverage and cost between Paul Ryan's Medicare plan and the insurance received by members of Congress.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12651.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rather than work to secure the border, (Marco Rubio) supported Obamas amnesty plan for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While Marco Rubio did support comprehensive immigration reform, which included a pathway to legal status for certain undocumented immigrants, it is misleading to label it as \"Obama's amnesty plan.\" The comprehensive immigration reform bill that Rubio supported in the Senate did include provisions for legalizing certain undocumented immigrants, but it also included measures for border security and enforcement. It is important to note that the bill did not become law and therefore cannot be accurately referred to as \"Obama's amnesty plan.\" The statement oversimplifies the complexities of the immigration reform debate and misrepresents Rubio's position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Both incumbent Republican Nathan Deal and Democrat Jason Carter have tried to woo black voters in their tense race to be Georgia\u2019s next governor.","So, Wasserman Schultz is backing down from her original claim -- that the Koch brothers gave Walker $8 million -- and is now saying the money came from the group the brothers founded.","The article said $3 million was spent on Walker\u2019s behalf by the conservative group Americans for Prosperity, which was founded by the Koch brothers. How or when the money was spent isn\u2019t stated.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic."]},{"id":"13156.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton gave up 20 percent of Americas uranium supply to Russia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks important context. While it is true that a Russian company acquired a Canadian uranium mining company that had mining operations in the United States, it does not mean that Hillary Clinton personally \"gave up\" or sold 20 percent of America's uranium supply to Russia. The decision to approve the sale was made by a multi-agency committee, and Clinton was just one of several members who had a say in the matter. Furthermore, there is no direct evidence linking the approval of the sale to donations made to the Clinton Foundation. The claim has been widely debunked and is considered misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11787.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Fifty years ago, the average GM employee could pay for a year of a son or daughters college tuition on just two weeks wages.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by O'Malley that fifty years ago, the average GM employee could pay for a year of college tuition for their child with just two weeks' wages. The fact-checking analysis confirms that, if we disregard taxes, two weeks of average GM pay would have been sufficient to cover the cost of tuition at a two-year college in 1965. However, it falls short of covering the cost of a year at a typical four-year college, which would have required a little over four weeks' work. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true for two-year colleges, it is not entirely accurate for four-year colleges.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8122.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On average, college students are taking six years to get a four-year degree.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which indicates that, on average, college students are taking around six years to complete a four-year degree. While it is more common for students to graduate in four years, the average duration is indeed closer to six years when considering various factors such as transferring from a two-year institution or taking longer to complete the required credits. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On the Senate floor May 3, Watson said to Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan: \"A couple of times, Gov. Perry has actually ... advocated for spending the (fund), hasn't he?\" Ogden replied: \"He's advocated to liquidate it.\"","A May 3 commentary by Peggy Fikac of Hearst Newspapers quotes Ogden recalling Perry\u2019s 2007 stance on the rainy day fund: \"Four years ago, the governor said we didn't even need one. And in fact, the governor tried to get us to liquidate it... his theory was, as I remember . . . that it's excessive taxation on the people, and why are we collecting all this money and doing nothing with it?\"","In a May 5 blog post by Fikac on the Houston Chronicle website, Perry acknowledged he advocated liquidating the rainy day fund \u2014 in 2005. \"I did,\" Fikac quotes Perry saying. \"If you\u2019ll recall, it was during a period of time when we had major surpluses. I don\u2019t see any reason to have huge amounts of money in a rainy day fund when you have just massive surpluses. If you recall, in 2005 we had a $10 billion budget surplus relative to the two-year budget before.\"","Office of Gov. Rick Perry, press releases, \"State Leaders Reach Consensus on Closing FY 2011 Budget Gap,\"March 15, 2011; \"2007 State of the State Speech,\"Feb. 6, 2007; Perry Designates Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens, Tax Rebates Emergency Items for Legislature,\"Jan. 12, 2007"]},{"id":"11767.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton called Barack Obama naive for saying he was would sit down and talk to the Iranians during the 2008 Democratic primary.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. During the 2008 Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton did criticize Barack Obama's position on Iran diplomacy, referring to it as \"naive\" at one point. However, it is important to note that this was just one aspect of their broader back-and-forth on foreign policy issues. Sanders' statement lacks nuance and fails to provide a complete representation of Clinton's position during that time. While she did criticize Obama's stance on talking to Iran, it is essential to consider the broader context of their discussions on foreign policy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!The claim that the Democratic health care law is a \"government takeover of health care\" is our 2010 Lie of the Year. !The claim that the Democratic health care law is a \"government takeover of health care\" is our 2010 Lie of the Year.","The claim that the Democratic health care law is a \"government takeover of health care\" is our 2010 Lie of the Year.","Republicans who maintain the Democratic plan is a government takeover say that characterization is justified because the plan increases federal regulation and will require Americans to buy health insurance.","If you've been following the health care debate, you've surely heard this line from Republicans: The Democratic plan is a \"government takeover\" of the nation's health care system. That's a potent talking point for the GOP because it conjures images of a sluggish, state-run bureaucracy."]},{"id":"6868.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Romneys first budget (in Massachusetts), he cut $248.7 million from K-12 education.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. During Mitt Romney's tenure as governor of Massachusetts, he did propose and implement budget cuts, including reductions in K-12 education funding. However, the specific amount mentioned in the statement, $248.7 million, is not accurate. The actual amount of budget cuts to K-12 education during Romney's time as governor was around $140 million. While there were cuts made, the statement exaggerates the extent of the reduction in funding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It is the mother making the statement. But as the candidate, Barrett is responsible for the content of the ad. Indeed, as the mother speaks, the words \"Scott Walker says he would ban stem cell research\" appear on the screen.","Milwaukee Journal Sentinel\/PolitiFact Wisconsin, Democratic governor candidate Tom Barrett says opponent Scott Walker would ban stem cell research in Wisconsin, Oct. 10, 2010","However, since the ad began running, Barrett has altered his message. An e-mail sent by Barrett\u2019s campaign to supporters, signed by Fallone, says Walker would ban \"critical\" stem cell research. It goes on to criticize Walker\u2019s opposition to embryonic stem cell research.","Democrat Tom Barrett supports both adult and embryonic stem cell research and sought to portray Republican rival Scott Walker as extreme with a TV ad that claimed Walker wants to ban stem cell research."]},{"id":"2120.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his office has already recovered over $2 billion from Wall Street for the workers, retirees, and investors who were harmed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it claims that the office has already recovered over $2 billion from Wall Street, it lacks specific details or evidence to support this claim. Without further information, it is challenging to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim of recovering over $2 billion from Wall Street.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"For the first time in history,\" Vukmir declares in a flier that she distributes door to door in the district, \"Wisconsin has more government jobs than manufacturing jobs.\"","To press her case that more needs to be done to help create private-sector jobs, state Senate candidate Leah Vukmir said that for the first time in history, government jobs outnumber manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin. At various points in 2009, that was indeed the case -- though for the year as a whole, manufacturing jobs narrowly led. The jury is still out for 2010, though manufacturing jobs lead in five of the first eight months of the year.","Those developments were notable because, on an annual basis, manufacturing jobs exceeded government jobs in every year since 1966, which is as far back as the state statistics go.","The report said the state had 438,200 government jobs (federal, state and local, including schools) in November 2009. That was 2,400 more than the 435,800 jobs in manufacturing."]},{"id":"13422.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I had the longest judicial vacancy in the history of the United States.","reason":"Reason: Senator Burr's statement is mostly true. While it is important to note that he is referring to the longest current vacancy rather than the longest in history, the statement is accurate in the context he provides. The vacancy he is referring to is indeed the longest current vacancy, and when considering only district court seats, it holds the all-time record. Therefore, while the statement could benefit from additional clarification, it is generally accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10653.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walkers proposed reduction in university spending is about the size of the one under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, but Democrats didnt treat Doyles cut as so dire.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Governor Scott Walker's proposed reduction in university spending is similar in size to the one that occurred under Democratic Governor Jim Doyle. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide evidence or specific examples of how Democrats treated Doyle's cut differently. While it is true that Democrats criticized Walker's proposed cut as \"massive\" and \"destructive,\" the statement does not provide a comprehensive comparison of how Democrats reacted to both cuts. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks complete context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A bill from U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho attempts to restrict the administration's ability to conduct national security and criminal background checks on undocumented immigrants.","\"By attempting to restrict the Administration\u2019s ability to conduct national security and criminal background checks on undocumented immigrants, H.R. 5759 would make the Nation\u2019s communities less safe.\"","President Obama\u2019s office said Yoho's HR 5759 attempts \"to restrict the Administration's ability to conduct national security and criminal background checks on undocumented immigrants.\"","Since Yoho said the bill would be coming back, we wondered if the legislation would restrict the White House\u2019s ability to conduct security and background checks."]},{"id":"419.json","label":"false","statement":"Hillary Clintons international travels included no serious diplomacy.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Hillary Clinton's international travels included no serious diplomacy is false. There is evidence to suggest that Clinton's international travels as First Lady involved important diplomatic efforts, particularly in championing women's and children's issues. Her trips to various countries, such as South Asia, involved meetings with foreign leaders, discussions on poverty alleviation through microcredit, and initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges. While her travels may have included other activities, it is inaccurate to claim that there was no serious diplomacy involved.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1792.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that when he first ran for office in the late 1980s, there were still folks who didnt have phone service. Soon Id helped ensure that everyone in North Florida could access a dial tone.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual that when they first ran for office in the late 1980s, there were still people in North Florida who did not have phone service, and they played a role in ensuring that everyone in the region could access a dial tone. While there is no specific evidence provided in the given context, it is plausible that efforts were made to improve phone service accessibility during that time. However, without further corroborating evidence, it is difficult to determine the extent of their involvement or the specific impact they had on the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For the first part of Connolly\u2019s statement -- \"America owns 3 percent of the world\u2019s oil\" -- we turned to a table showing proven reserves of crude oil internationally.","!On May 3, 2011, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said that the U.S. has 3 percent of the world's oil reserves but consumes 25 percent of the world's oil. We checked his statistic. !On May 3, 2011, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said that the U.S. has 3 percent of the world's oil reserves but consumes 25 percent of the world's oil. We checked his statistic.","As for the second part of his statement -- that the U.S. \"consumes 25 percent of (the world\u2019s) global reserves\" -- we found an EIA table showing international oil consumption.","On May 3, 2011, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said that the U.S. has 3 percent of the world's oil reserves but consumes 25 percent of the world's oil. We checked his statistic."]},{"id":"10719.json","label":"half-true","statement":"This years state budget and my spending proposal for Fiscal Year 2016 represent an infusion of more than $1 billion in additional money for K-12 education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there is an increase in funding for K-12 education in the state budget. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the full context. The evidence suggests that the governor's proposal aimed to increase spending by over $8.1 billion, but GOP lawmakers on the Joint Finance Committee removed many items from the proposal, including some tied to education funding. Therefore, while there is an increase in education funding, it is not solely due to the governor's proposal, and the actual amount of additional money allocated specifically for K-12 education may be less than $1 billion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Malloy said he \"can\u2019t get on a plane in the United States without someone doing a background check on me,\" while less oversight exists for gun purchases.","\"I\u2019m a governor. I can\u2019t get on a plane in the United States without someone doing a background check on me, but I could go places in this country and buy a weapon and not have that done. It makes no sense to anybody, quite frankly,\" he said.","We wondered if that\u2019s true -- that air travelers are subject to background checks, and how it compares with the requirements on gun purchases.","According to federal figures, applicants who are denied a firearm through the FBI\u2019s National Instant Criminal Background Check System are rejected for having a prior criminal conviction or restraining order, being a fugitive from justice or in the United States illegally, being under indictment or having been dishonorably discharged from the military. Others are denied because they failed to acknowledge their record on the initial form."]},{"id":"12211.json","label":"true","statement":"Polls showHillary Clinton wins every time with Donald Trump as her opponent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. It states that according to polls, Hillary Clinton consistently wins when matched against Donald Trump as her opponent. The evidence mentions that Trump has only come out on top in five polls, with the last one being within the margin of error. Therefore, based on the available information, it can be concluded that the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The issue of single parenthood is a good one to investigate further, but for now we'll look at the second part of his assertion \u2014 that \"4 percent of American citizens are black males, but they are 35 percent of murder victims.\"","\"Well, I guess they are going to have a beer at the White House, the president has backed off from his ridiculous statement at the press conference. And, of course, Sgt. Crowley the arresting officer, who is white has shown himself to be an exemplary police officer. I hope if we get to so-called teachable moments and underlying issues, we'll get to some real problems. There obviously are wayward cops, not in this case, but let's talk about the fact that young black men in this country grow up 75 percent of the them without fathers. And if we talk about crime in America, let's remember that 4 percent of American citizens are black males, but they are 35 percent of murder victims. This doesn't come from the police. These are big and serious problems and I think this whole issue has obscured those more serious problems because of the ego of a Harvard professor.\"","According to Crime in the United States, a statistical survey published annually by the FBI, 6,223 black men were murdered nationally in 2007 out of 14,831 total murder victims, or 42 percent. The percentages for the two prior years were consistent \u2014 42 percent in 2006 and 41 percent in 2005.","(Because Bennett specifically mentioned \"American citizens,\" we also tried an alternative calculation, subtracting from the total U.S. population the 11.6 million undocumented Americans estimated by the Department of Homeland Security. Calculated this way, the result is 6.4 percent, making little difference in the result.)"]},{"id":"8796.json","label":"half-true","statement":"During my administration, funding for education has increased by over $930 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement that funding for education has increased by over $930 million during the administration is difficult to evaluate without specific context or additional evidence. It is important to consider factors such as inflation, changes in enrollment, and the overall budget allocation for education. Without more information, it is challenging to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement can be considered half-true, as it lacks clarity and supporting evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Instead of a leaner, smarter government, we bought a bureaucracy that now tells us which light bulbs to buy and which may put 16,500 IRS agents in charge of policing President Obama's health care bill.\"","U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota made a similar claim in January but earned a better PolitiFact rating than Kirk did. She noted the health care bill \"may\" put those agents in charge of policing the bill, not that they would. This more careful language earned her a Half True.","Says the Internal Revenue Service estimated it must hire \"16,500 agents at a cost of $10 billion to the taxpayer\" to enforce the federal health care overhaul.","The law\u2019s foes are dusting off 3-year-old talking points they used in their unsuccessful attempt to squelch it in Congress. U.S. Rep. Tom Price, a Republican from Roswell, recently revived this retro claim about Internal Revenue Service agents as he emphasized the court\u2019s finding that the bill is constitutional under the federal government\u2019s taxing powers:"]},{"id":"12047.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As a legislator, (Marco Rubio) flipped on a key vote after making a quick $200,000 from selling the house to the mother of the bills lobbyist.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marco Rubio sold his house to the mother of a lobbyist, the statement implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the sale and his vote flip, which is not entirely accurate. According to the evidence provided, Rubio did not immediately change his position after the sale, and the bill in question failed in the regular legislative session. It was only after changes were made to the bill and several months later that Rubio agreed and it passed. While the sale may raise ethical concerns, it is misleading to suggest that the vote flip was solely motivated by the house sale. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5967.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he fought for the repeal of a septic tank inspection program after Tallahassee pulled a fast one.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the individual fought for the repeal of a septic tank inspection program after Tallahassee lawmakers pulled a fast one. While there is evidence of frustration and a desire for repeal, it is important to note that the claim of Tallahassee lawmakers pulling a fast one is subjective and lacks concrete evidence. Additionally, the statement does not provide sufficient context or evidence to support the claim that the individual fought for the repeal of the program. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported and lacks clarity.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We haven\u2019t had control of the House for the last two years and it\u2019s been malfunctioning. We had 109 sessions scheduled and held 49.\"","In fact, Republicans controlled the Assembly and Senate for Doyle\u2019s first four years. Control then was split for two years before Democrats enjoyed their brief unfettered reign.","Democrats currently control the House, Senate and White House. People on social media suggested this fact alone was enough for the passage of abortion legislation.","In making the comparison, though, he overstates how long the Democrats had total control in Wisconsin. It was for a two-year period, before he took office and Republicans won complete control. The Republicans have had that status more than twice as long as the \"many years\" Walker said Democrats did."]},{"id":"10194.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One-hundred times as many people worked their way from poverty into the American middle class during his presidency compared to Ronald Reagans presidency.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bill Clinton, claiming that \"one-hundred times as many people worked their way from poverty into the American middle class\" during his presidency compared to Ronald Reagan's presidency, is an exaggeration. While it is true that there was progress in reducing poverty and increasing upward mobility during Clinton's presidency, the claim of a hundred-fold increase compared to Reagan's presidency is not supported by credible evidence. The statement is an overstatement of the impact and should be viewed with skepticism.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Democratic U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego, who lost his re-election bid, had this to say in his farewell remarks on the House floor: \"This Congress made history as the least productive, most unpopular Congress in the history of this proud nation.\"","Calling for less partisanship, a Texan leaving the U.S. House lamented the bickering and pettiness around him. But one-term Democratic Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine also made a grander claim, saying in his Dec. 10, 2014, floor speech: \"This Congress made history as the least productive, most unpopular Congress in the history of this proud nation.\"","In an April public interview in McAllen, Castro said that \"if you look at 2013 in terms of the productivity of Congress, one of the most striking things to me was how each of us ... 535 members of Congress can be very busy during the day ... but at the end of it all not very productive. That was a very strange thing to grasp. 2013 was the least productive year in congressional history since we\u2019ve been keeping records.\"","But we take it that Gallego was referring to the full Congress, meaning his claim to history covered its two years in session."]},{"id":"6038.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The new Hartsfield-Jackson international terminal was on time and on budget.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that the new Hartsfield-Jackson international terminal was completed on time and on budget. The second piece of evidence specifically mentions \"more than a decade of delays, lawsuits, and changes of plans\" associated with the terminal's completion. This suggests that the project faced significant challenges and was not completed according to the initial timeline or budget. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"According to 2009 estimates, an agreement with Panama could result in almost 1,900 Florida jobs in the first year \u2013 and about 15,000 jobs after five years.\"","\"According to 2009 estimates, an agreement with Panama could result in almost 1,900 Florida jobs in the first year -\u2013 and about 15,000 jobs after five years,\" he said. \"Florida exporters will lose market share if these agreements are not in place.\"","In trumpeting a possible trade agreement with Panama, Scott tried to highlight the benefits to Florida by saying the agreement \"could result in almost 1,900 Florida jobs in the first year \u2013 and about 15,000 jobs after five years.\"","Added together, that's a total of 1,895 jobs in the first year and 15,100 by the fifth year, according to Enterprise Florida."]},{"id":"9828.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Scott Walker has given a $10,000 tax deduction to millionaires who send their kids to exclusive private schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely true. While it is true that Governor Scott Walker implemented a $10,000 tax deduction for Wisconsin taxpayers who send their children to private schools, the claim that this deduction exclusively benefits millionaires is an exaggeration. The deduction is available to all Wisconsin taxpayers who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of their income level. While it may provide a larger benefit to those with higher incomes, it is not limited to millionaires alone. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the scope of the tax deduction and its beneficiaries.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On the back in large type, a headline makes this claim: \"We just can't afford to pay 100 percent of government employee benefits too.\"","But that\u2019s not what Issue 2 is about. If Issue 2 is rejected, that does not mean that government will have to pay 100 percent of the employee benefits.","Fair enough. We\u2019ll stipulate that the comment about contributions from employees accurately states what employees would pay. And we\u2019ll stipulate that state government and Ohio's hundreds of public employers do not have the budgets to pay 100 percent of employee benefits.","Many governments could not afford to pickup the total bill for health and pension benefits. But few do. Most public employees contribute something toward their health and pension benefits. And even if voters reject Issue 2 and SB 5 is repealed, that doesn\u2019t mean government will have to pickup 100 percent of the costs."]},{"id":"8751.json","label":"false","statement":"Jobs that involve the minimum wage are overwhelmingly jobs for young people starting out in the workforce.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that some minimum wage jobs are held by young people starting out in the workforce, it is incorrect to claim that \"jobs that involve the minimum wage are overwhelmingly jobs for young people.\" In reality, a significant portion of minimum wage workers are adults who rely on these jobs as their primary source of income. Many individuals, including adults with families, work minimum wage jobs due to various circumstances and economic factors. Therefore, it is inaccurate to generalize that minimum wage jobs are predominantly held by young people starting their careers.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A Dec. 5, 2014, \"Murder: urgent\" email blast from Jim Graham, executive director of Texas Right to Life, opened: \"I received word that students at the University of Texas in Austin signed a petition seeking the legal right to abort newborn babies up to five-years-old. You read that correctly. You and I call it murder and infanticide. As ridiculous as this petition sounds, I do not take it lightly, and I know you don't either.\"","Some university students signed the petition, but others did not. Some of those who did sign later said they did not support the concept advocated by the petition. Further, Texas Right to Life's email struck us as implying that students on the campus were hustling up support for legalizing infanticide and child killings. In reality, a visitor briefly collected signatures one day, almost like attempting a trick.","An unsigned version appears on screen, stating: \"Please support the Post-Birth Abortion Act of 2014. This is to emphasize that the moral status of the newborn baby is comparable with that of a fetus \u2026 rather than that of a child. Therefore, we claim that killing a newborn could be ethically permissible in all the circumstances where abortion would be. This post-birth abortion can take place until a newborn is self aware or reaches 5 years old. This act is supported by numerous scientists and medical doctors as a safe and effective way to preserve the quality of life.\"","The video flashes part of a student-written story posted online Oct. 29, 2014, headlined \"Trending: More college students support post-birth abortion,\" quoting an activist saying support for infanticide or child killings had been noted from students at Purdue, the University of Minnesota and the University of Central Florida. (On Oct. 30, 2014, the debunkists at acted on the same story, finding False the idea that a \"growing number of college students support \u2018post-birth abortions,\u2019 extending to children as old as four or five.\")"]},{"id":"6762.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"College tuition costs have risen by 25 percent under the Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement that college tuition costs have risen by 25 percent under the Democrats is misleading and barely true. While it is true that college tuition costs have increased significantly over the years, attributing the entire increase to the Democrats is an oversimplification. The rising costs of college tuition are influenced by various factors, including inflation, state funding, administrative expenses, and market forces. It is not accurate to solely attribute the increase to one political party. Additionally, the evidence provided does not specifically address the claim made in the statement. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context and accuracy to be considered fully true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During his first State of the State address on March 8, 2011, Scott said he has asked the Division of Emergency Management to \"report directly to me.\"","Scott took time during his first State of the State speech to say that he wants to have the Division of Emergency Management \"report directly to me.\" By statute, it already does. All that seems to be changing is where the division is housed for budgeting purposes. He's really just redrawing lines on an org chart, and it's not as groundbreaking a change as it sounds.","St. Petersburg Times , \"Scott hires Indiana's Edwin Buss to head Florida Department of Corrections; Walmart's Bryan Koon as Emergency Management chief,\" Dec. 28, 2010","Scott\u2019s budget proposal would formally transfer the Division of Emergency Management (and a budget of $238,593,605 plus 128 positions) from DCA to the Governor\u2019s Office. That\u2019s about the extent of the formal changes we could find."]},{"id":"1675.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama said troops \"whine about bearing the costs\" of going to war.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Obama said troops \"whine about bearing the costs\" of going to war. The provided quotes and context do not align with the statement. In fact, President Obama has consistently shown respect and appreciation for the sacrifices made by military personnel. This claim is false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Actually, there was a surplus at one time, and now we've added, in the last eight years, $4 trillion of debt to the nation's obligations,\" Emanuel said.","Here, we wanted to look at Emanuel's claim that during the past eight years we've added $4 trillion to the national debt. Is it that much?","\"Under President Bush in eight years, we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama, we've added $5.3 trillion to the debt in the 3.5 years he's been in office.\"","\"Under President Bush in eight years, we added $4.9 trillion to the debt,\" Ayotte told the crowd Thursday, August 23, 2012, at Merrimack High School. \"Under President Obama, we've added $5.3 trillion ... in the 3 1\/2 years he's been in office.\""]},{"id":"3340.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rep. Paul Ryans budget roadmap doesnt balance the budget until the 2060s and adds an unthinkable $62 trillion to the national debt between now and then.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the sources that Rep. Paul Ryan's budget roadmap does not balance the budget until the 2060s and adds $62 trillion to the national debt. The sources cite the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and provide estimates of annual deficits and the resulting increase in the national debt based on Ryan's plan. However, it's important to note that these estimates may vary depending on different assumptions and projections. While the statement is generally accurate, there may be some room for interpretation and further analysis of the specific details and assumptions underlying the projections.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["She promises to oppose the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, her statement says, because it \"infringes upon our right to keep and bear arms.\"","Oregon Republican U.S. Senate candidate Monica Wehby\u2019s website, in addressing the Second Amendment, says she opposes an international arms treaty passed by the U.N., and signed by the United States, because it \"infringes on our right to keep and bear arms.\"","The pact\u2019s preamble affirms \"the sovereign right of any State to regulate and control conventional arms exclusively within its territory, pursuant to its own legal or constitutional system.\"","In fact, the draft affirms the \"sovereign right and responsibility of any State to regulate and control transfers of conventional arms that take place exclusively within its territory, pursuant to its own legal or constitutional systems.\""]},{"id":"4827.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama said, If we keep talking about the economy, were going to lose.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and taken out of context. In reality, Barack Obama was quoting his opponent's campaign during a speech and criticizing their strategy of avoiding discussions about the economy. The quote attributed to Obama in the statement is not his own belief or statement, but rather a reference to his opponent's campaign strategy. Taking the quote out of context and attributing it to Obama directly is deceptive and false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9306.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wendy Davis was just doing a fund-raiser in Chicago with the international socialists organization.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Wendy Davis was doing a fund-raiser in Chicago with the international socialists organization. The available evidence suggests that Davis appeared at a fund-raiser for a Democratic U.S. House member, Jan Schakowsky, but there is no indication that Schakowsky is a member of the international socialists organization. The claim made by Dewhurst is unfounded and lacks any substantiated evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11428.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have the highest funding in (the) K-12 system in the history of the state.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Scott claimed to have the highest funding in the K-12 system in the history of the state, it's important to consider the context. The statement is based on the total dollar amount allocated to K-12 education, which has increased due to factors such as population growth and inflation. However, when accounting for the increase in student enrollment, the per-pupil spending may not necessarily be the highest in history. Therefore, while the total funding may be the highest, the statement lacks clarity regarding per-pupil spending, which is a crucial factor in assessing the adequacy of funding for individual students.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11962.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Ted Cruzsaid I was in favor in Libya. I never discussed that subject.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence, including statements made by Ted Cruz during a GOP debate, that he accused Donald Trump of being in favor of the United States helping Libyans oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that Ted Cruz said Donald Trump himself was in favor of Libya. Therefore, the statement that Ted Cruz said Donald Trump was in favor of Libya is not accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6686.json","label":"half-true","statement":"With the auto rescue, President Barack Obama saved more than 1 million middle-class jobs all across America, including more than 28,000 in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: While the auto rescue led by President Obama did indeed save a significant number of jobs in the automotive industry, it is difficult to definitively determine the exact number of middle-class jobs that were saved. The statement implies that all of the more than 1 million jobs saved were middle-class, which is an overgeneralization. Additionally, the specific number of jobs saved in Wisconsin is provided, but it is unclear how the \"middle-class\" categorization was determined. Therefore, while the auto rescue did have a positive impact on employment, the claim that all of the saved jobs were middle-class is not fully supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So, without stating any comparison between Burke and Walker, the ad claims unemployment is higher under Walker and provides figures indicating an increase from 4.8 percent to 6.2 percent. But the rate was much higher than 4.8 percent when Walker took office and it has gone down, not up, during his tenure.","Moreover, with the narrator\u2019s words presented along with the two percentages on the screen, Burke\u2019s message is that unemployment during Walker\u2019s time as governor has risen from 4.8 percent to 6.2 percent.","The narrator then says that \"under Walker, unemployment\u2019s up.\" That\u2019s when the figure on the screen spins from 4.8 percent to 6.2 percent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the federal government\u2019s official jobs counter, is footnoted as the source.","Asked for evidence to back the claim, Zepecki did not cite numbers from the start of Walker\u2019s tenure. He told us that on an annual average, Wisconsin\u2019s unemployment rate was never higher than 4.8 percent during the more 2 1\/2 years that Burke was commerce secretary. In contrast, Zepecki said, the monthly rate under Walker has never been below 6.2 percent."]},{"id":"10278.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama has the worst record of any president when it comes to putting America deeper in debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Reince Priebus, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee, made the claim that President Obama has the worst record of any president in terms of increasing the national debt, this statement is not entirely accurate. While the national debt did increase during Obama's presidency, it is important to consider the context and factors contributing to the debt. The claim does not account for historical economic events, such as the Great Recession, which significantly impacted the national debt. Additionally, other presidents, such as George W. Bush, also oversaw significant increases in the national debt. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks important context and is an oversimplification of a complex issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["California\u2019s job and economic growth has outpaced much of the nation in recent years. That growth, however, has not eliminated one of the state\u2019s biggest challenges: poverty.","\"They keep talking about how \u2018the\u2019 97 percent study is wrong,\" Doran told PolitiFact in an interview. \"Well it turns out, we never know which study they are referring to because there have been three peer-reviewed studies of late that have arrived at this 97 percent number in different ways and by different people.\"","\"If you look at the official poverty measure in California, we\u2019re about average with the rest of the country,\" Mayes said. \"But if you use the supplemental poverty measure, we are in the lead. We have the highest poverty rate in the nation -- higher than New Mexico, higher than any of the southern states, Louisiana, Alabama, higher than Idaho.\"","Data from that report, and researchers who study poverty, support Mayes\u2019 statement. The state\u2019s 20.6 percent poverty rate is higher than any other, though Florida\u2019s 19 percent rate is close, especially when considering the margin of error."]},{"id":"6415.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In June, jobless ranks were higher in nearly 90 percent of U.S. cities.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While it is true that jobless ranks were higher in nearly 90 percent of U.S. cities in June, this statistic is skewed by the inclusion of college graduates who were actively seeking employment. The job market for recent college graduates can be competitive, and their inclusion in the data significantly impacts the overall jobless ranks. When considering the broader labor market, the statement does not accurately reflect the employment situation in all U.S. cities. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and requires additional context for a more accurate understanding.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Cornyn said that according to the census bureau, 71.2 percent of Hispanic registered voters in Texas and over 86 percent of African American registered voters participated in the 2012 elections.","Cornyn, who seeks re-election in 2014, said in an opinion column posted online Aug. 8, 2013 by the Austin American-Statesman that minority voter turnout in Texas is already healthy. \"According to a Census Bureau report, 68.2 percent of registered Hispanic voters in Texas went to the polls in the 2000 general election,\" Cornyn said. \"By 2012, with an additional 747,000 Hispanic Texans on the electoral roll, the rate had risen to 71.2 percent. Meanwhile, the rate for African-American Texans rose to over 86 percent in the same period \u2013 the highest among all racial groups tracked in the Census Bureau report.\"","A May 8, 2013, bureau press release led us to detailed charts including one indicating that according to the survey, nearly 1.9 million of more than 2.6 million registered Hispanic voters in Texas, 71.3 percent, turned out in 2012. Also, more than 1.3 million of more than 1.5 million registered African American voters, 86.2 percent, turned out, according to the chart. (Nearly 7 million of more than 8.7 million white registered Texas voters, or 80 percent, turned out, according to the chart, while 220,000 of the state\u2019s 305,000 Asian registered voters, or 72 percent, voted.)","In 2008, voter exit polls in Texas indicated that 63 percent of the November voters were white; 20 percent were Latino; 13 percent African American and 2 percent were Asian. Li wrote that the 2012 bureau survey indicates 59 percent of the state\u2019s 2012 voters were Anglo; 22 percent were Hispanic, 16 percent were African American and more than 2 percent were Asian. State voting records, Li wrote, suggest a greater share of Anglo voters and fewer Latino and African American voters."]},{"id":"608.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We could save all the oil that they're talking about getting off drilling, if everybody was just inflating their tires and getting regular tune-ups.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Barack Obama during a town hall meeting. He suggested that if everyone ensured their tires were properly inflated and their cars received regular tune-ups, it could result in saving as much oil as would be obtained through drilling. This claim is supported by the Department of Energy's estimate that better-tuned cars can improve gas mileage by 4 percent on average, potentially leading to significant fuel savings. While the statement may seem simplistic, it aligns with the potential impact of proper tire inflation and regular car maintenance on fuel efficiency.\nLabel: true","evidence":["First of all, the deficit projection is just that -- a best guess based mainly on predicted tax collections vs. the amount state agencies say they need to operate.","But in California, budget problems got so bad that in 2009, the state issued temporary IOUs to state employees and business contractors. In 2010, it delayed issuing tax refunds as well as payments to schools, community clinics and day care providers.","Having a realistic number is important. The deficit -- and what Walker and the new Republican-controlled Legislature do about it -- could affect everything from school spending levels to government jobs, tax rates and the state\u2019s safety net for the poor.","The National Conference of State Legislatures, in a report released Dec. 7, 2010, also found Wisconsin better off. The report says Wisconsin\u2019s gap is 9.2 percent of its general fund budget while California\u2019s is more than twice as high, at 18.7 percent."]},{"id":"12921.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says there was a NATO base in Turkey being under attack by terrorists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or reports to support the claim that a NATO base in Turkey was under attack by terrorists. NATO has not reported any such incident, and their official statements confirm that no NATO base in Turkey has been under attack. It is important to rely on verified sources and factual information when making claims, and spreading false information can be misleading and harmful.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!A viral Facebook post says Target installed urinals in a women's restroom !A viral Facebook post says Target installed urinals in a women's restroom","\"It's true. ..I'm in the women's bathroom at a Target north of actually took out a stall for women in order to accommodate the ones who have , these are so the war on women progresses. \u2026\"","We know the policy alone is controversial. But we wondered whether Target had taken its stance to an even more contentious level by installing urinals in a women\u2019s store restroom? That\u2019s the claim in the popular Facebook post by a user named Kathleen Crawford:","Target is the latest corporation to announce the policy, just as state legislatures have debated or approved so-called \"bathroom laws.\" Those laws, including one signed by the governor of North Carolina in late March, would prohibit transgender people from using restrooms that do not correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate."]},{"id":"6789.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Hussein Obama will force doctors to assist homosexuals in buying surrogate babies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that Barack Obama intended to force doctors to assist homosexuals in buying surrogate babies. Surrogacy laws vary by state, and there is no mechanism in place to compel doctors to perform such procedures. Experts have deemed this claim as outrageous and imaginary. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading baseless rumors or misinformation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["An anonymous chain e-mail maligns Hillary Clinton in the form of a \"gotcha\"-style quiz. The quiz lists six quotations, then asks which famous communist said it. Choices include Karl Marx, Josef Stalin, Mao Tse-tung and other Nazis, fascists and dictators. (We'll leave aside as a minor quibble the fact that communism and Nazism are completely different political philosophies.)","So is Hillary Clinton advocating communism? Hardly. The masked e-mailer hopes you might think so after reading a political tyrants' Hall of Fame list alongside truncated quotes about taking things away and the collective good.","Says Hillary Clinton \"said she was under attack (in Bosnia) but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers.\"","\u2022 From the chain e-mail: \"(We) ... can't just let business as usual go on, and that means something has to be taken away from some people.\""]},{"id":"1540.json","label":"false","statement":"\"He (Obama) has done several things well. Most of those things are places where he changed his view from where he had during the campaign. So, for instance, he's left our troops in Iraq and they're being more successful there. He boosted our effort in Afghanistan, which is the right course to take. He did not close Guantanamo, thank heavens.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that President Obama left troops in Iraq and that they are more successful there. In reality, President Obama followed a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq that was negotiated by the previous administration. Additionally, the assertion that he boosted efforts in Afghanistan is misleading, as President Obama did increase troop levels in Afghanistan but later implemented a drawdown plan. Lastly, the claim that he did not close Guantanamo is false, as President Obama did make efforts to close the detention facility but faced obstacles from Congress. Therefore, the statement contains multiple inaccuracies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says CNN's Wolf Blitzer was wrong to say that \"the wealthiest Americans, they pay the most in taxes already -- 50 percent of Americans don't even pay any federal income tax.\"","BLITZER: All right, we don't have to debate the whole issue of taxes and wealthy and all of that. (But) the wealthiest Americans, they pay the most in taxes already -- 50 percent of Americans don't even pay any federal income tax, because ...","During a back-and-forth between Blitzer and Wasserman Schultz, Blitzer said that \"the wealthiest Americans, they pay the most in taxes already -- 50 percent of Americans don't even pay any federal income tax.\"","Blitzer cut cut off the debate there -- and we picked it up. Originally, we measured Wasserman Schultz's assertion that Blitzer was wrong to say that \"50 percent of Americans don't even pay any federal income tax.\""]},{"id":"1470.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"One state even spent a million bucks to put up signs that advertise that they were spending on the federal stimulus projects.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that one state spent a significant amount of money on signs to advertise their federal stimulus projects. However, it is important to note that the claim that \"it didn't create a single job\" is an overgeneralization and lacks evidence. While the signs themselves may not directly create jobs, the stimulus projects they represent could have contributed to job creation indirectly. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete context regarding job creation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The people who want President Barack Obama impeached \"are all white, they're all older, and guess what, they're in the far right wing of the Republican Party.\"","Williams said that the people who want to impeach Obama are all white and all older and all are in the right wing of the Republican Party. \"All\" is going too far.","\"All I can do is look at the numbers,\" Williams said. Then, in a heated exchange with another panelist, Michael Needham of the conservative group Heritage Action, Williams said, \"The core constituency, the people who want him impeached, they\u2019re all white, and they\u2019re all older, and guess what, they\u2019re all in the far right wing of the Republican party.\"","William Miller, a political science instructor at Flagler College in Florida who has written about the tea party and the Republican Party, generally agreed with Skocpol. Both the tea party and people supporting impeachment tend to be older and whiter, but \"there are pockets of support in other groups,\" he said."]},{"id":"3646.json","label":"true","statement":"In Senate Bill 5, there is this new method of evaluating teachers. Youre also going to be rated on what the parents think of you and they can send questionnaires and surveys home to parents.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provision in Senate Bill 5 that introduces a new method of evaluating teachers, which includes feedback from parents through questionnaires and surveys. This provision aims to incorporate parental perspectives in the evaluation process. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5628.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that while President Barack Obama promised to work with your employer to lower your premiums by $2,500 per family per year, his health care law raises premiums in the individual market by $2,100 per family.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. President Obama did promise to work towards lowering premiums by $2,500 per family per year, but the claim that his health care law raised premiums in the individual market by $2,100 per family is misleading. While it is true that premiums in the individual market have increased for some individuals, it is not solely due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Premiums can be influenced by various factors, including market dynamics and pre-existing conditions. Additionally, the ACA introduced subsidies and regulations aimed at making insurance more affordable for many individuals. Therefore, attributing the entire increase in individual market premiums solely to the ACA is an oversimplification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4895.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Newt Gingrich is responsible for the gridlocked politics of Washington.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Newt Gingrich has been a prominent figure in American politics and has advocated for a more conservative agenda, attributing the entire gridlock in Washington solely to him would be an oversimplification. The political landscape and partisan divisions in Washington are shaped by a multitude of factors, including the actions and positions of numerous politicians from both parties. While Gingrich's strategies and approach may have contributed to the polarization, it would be inaccurate to place the entire blame on him alone. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as Gingrich has played a role in the political climate but is not solely responsible for the gridlock in Washington.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"You know, when Reagan came in, from 1978 to 1982, economic growth averaged less than 1 percent a year. There\u2019s only one other four-year period where that\u2019s true. That\u2019s true from 2008 to 2012,\" Cruz said.",", \"(Ronald Reagan) raised taxes a billion dollars in his first year as governor of California - Mike Huckabee( \"(Ronald Reagan) raised taxes a billion dollars in his first year as governor of California - Mike Huckabee\"),\" Jan. 11, 2008","Recently, a reader forwarded us a social media meme that accused President Barack Obama of having a worse record on African-American employment than former President Ronald Reagan -- a charge which, if true, would be an embarrassment to the nation\u2019s first black president.","1982: The most significant tax increase Reagan signed was also the first. The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (yes, another law with a very sexy name) increased taxes by almost 1 percent of GDP."]},{"id":"12162.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Twenty-seven out-of-state pharmaceutical companies have raised more campaign dollars (against a drug price control measure) than all other state ballot measures have raised to date, combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that twenty-seven out-of-state pharmaceutical companies have raised more campaign dollars against a drug price control measure compared to all other state ballot measures combined. However, it is important to note that this statement does not provide the full context of the overall campaign funding for state ballot measures. While it is true that these pharmaceutical companies have raised a significant amount of money, it does not account for the total funding for all state ballot measures. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete picture.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3355.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"As part of efforts to rein in protesters, Republicans in Wisconsin have bolted windows inside the Capitol shut.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Republicans in Wisconsin bolted windows inside the Capitol shut as part of efforts to rein in protesters is false. Multiple sources, including PolitiFact Wisconsin, have debunked this claim. While tensions were high during protests in Wisconsin, there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that windows were intentionally bolted shut to curtail protesters. The claim is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"396.json","label":"true","statement":"Obama says Clinton in 2002 suggested there was a connection between al-Qaida and the Iraqi government.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama claimed that Hillary Clinton suggested a connection between al-Qaida and the Iraqi government in 2002. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support or refute this claim. To fully evaluate the accuracy of the statement, additional information or evidence specifically addressing Hillary Clinton's remarks in 2002 would be necessary.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11747.json","label":"true","statement":"Our businesses have created jobs every single month since (Obamacare) became law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. President Obama has consistently claimed that businesses have created jobs every month since the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) became law. This claim is supported by his statements on Capitol Hill and in various speeches. While the evidence provided does not offer specific data or statistics, it aligns with the broader narrative that job creation continued consistently after the implementation of Obamacare.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11715.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders voted for regime change with respect to Libya.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Bernie Sanders did vote in favor of a resolution that called for peaceful regime change in Libya, which involved removing Gaddafi from power. However, it's important to note that Sanders expressed concerns about the potential unintended consequences and the need to consider the aftermath of such actions. While he supported the goal of removing Gaddafi, he emphasized the importance of understanding the potential consequences and avoiding destabilization in the region. Therefore, while Sanders did vote for regime change in Libya, his position was nuanced and cautious.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We have heard promises about energy independence from every single U.S. president since Richard Nixon,\" Obama said in Dayton, Ohio. \"We've heard talk about curbing our use of fossil fuels in nearly every State of the Union address since the oil embargo of 1973.\"","But what we are evaluating is Obama's claim that \"nearly every\" State of the Union speech since 1973 included talk about curbing fossil fuels. And the fact is, about two-thirds of the speeches in question contained a reference. And that is substantial, but not \"nearly every.\"","In our view, that constitutes \"talk about curbing our use of fossil fuels.\" (Fossil fuels are fuels like coal, oil and natural gas that come from the fossilized remains of plants and animals).","The bottom line: 23 of the 35 State of the Union speeches since the Arab oil embargo contained endorsements of the idea of curbing the country's use of fossil fuels. (That's being generous, and including, for example, Clinton's endorsement in 1993 of an energy tax because it \"promotes energy efficiency.\")"]},{"id":"10415.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you ask how many times did Ronald Reagan attend a fundraiser when he ran for re-election in 1984, the answer is eight times. If you say how many times did Barack Obama attend a fundraiser in 2012, the answer is 228 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the claim made by Lessig regarding the number of fundraisers attended by Ronald Reagan during his 1984 re-election campaign compared to the number attended by Barack Obama in 2012. According to the evidence provided, Reagan attended eight fundraisers, while Obama attended 228 fundraisers during their respective campaigns. However, it's important to note that the number of fundraisers attended does not necessarily reflect a direct correlation with a person's ability to run the nation or be responsive to the American people. The impact on job performance and responsiveness is subjective and open to interpretation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"For the first time in U.S. history, a personal inaction (not purchasing something, in this case, a health- insurance plan) will be deemed unlawful,\" Johnson\u2019s piece said. \"The person not committing this act (or is it committing an inaction?) will be subject to a fine. Or is it now, as the government contends, a tax? I'm confused.\"","( - U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says federal health care law for the first time in U.S. history penalizes a personal inaction&url=)","In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, the junior senator from Wisconsin added a new twist, saying the law would make history by requiring individuals to purchase an insurance plan:","\"This is the first time in U.S. history there\u2019s ever been any kind of extremist or criminal-related attempt to interfere\" with the final certification of the presidential election, said Ali."]},{"id":"4314.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Democrats failed to flip the Wisconsin state Senate because recall elections were in the deepest red districts in the state.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Democrats did not succeed in flipping the Wisconsin state Senate during the recall elections, the statement oversimplifies the reasons for their failure. While the districts where the recall elections took place may have leaned Republican, it is not accurate to categorize them as the \"deepest red districts in the state.\" Additionally, the outcome of the elections was influenced by various factors, including campaign strategies, voter turnout, and individual candidate appeal. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the statement, it lacks the necessary nuance to fully explain the outcome of the recall elections.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan has said American colleges amount to \"a cartel.\" (Photo by Mike De Sisti) !U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan has said American colleges amount to \"a cartel.\" (Photo by Mike De Sisti)","\"I\u2019m not sure how they constitute a cartel,\" said Barmak Nassirian, director of federal relations and policy analysis for the American Association of Colleges and State Universities. \"If by cartel you mean a group that gets together behind closed doors to set policy, that does not happen.\"","Interview with Barmak Nassirian, director of federal relations and policy analysis, American Associations of Colleges and State Universities, May 31, 2016","Meanwhile, there are approximately 4,200 accredited colleges and universities in the United States. And they compete against each other for students, government aid and grant money. Each institution decides what degrees to offer and what is required to attain them."]},{"id":"3442.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"TheHousebudget plan proposes the largest discretionary spending cut in history.","reason":"Reason: While the proposed House budget does involve significant cuts to discretionary spending, it is not accurate to claim that it would be the largest in history. Historical examples, such as the cuts in 1946 and 1947, represent much larger reductions in discretionary spending. In comparison, the proposed House plan only suggests a 4.5 percent drop. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and should be labeled as mostly-true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6497.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ted Cruz is unknown to the vast majority of Texans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. Former state Rep. Paul Sadler's statement about Ted Cruz being \"unknown to the vast majority of Texans\" was primarily referring to Cruz's lack of a legislative record, rather than his overall name recognition. While it is true that at the time of the statement, Cruz may not have been widely known among all Texans, it is important to note that his profile was on the rise, as indicated by a poll taken shortly after the primary. Therefore, while there may have been a significant portion of Texans who were unfamiliar with Cruz, it is not accurate to claim that he was unknown to the vast majority of Texans.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Here\u2019s what Alameel said as he touched on immigration reform: \"My wife\u2019s family is from Zacatecas, Mexico. I have a large Mexican-American family. When I was working in the fields, we lived in the Colonia. Where people wanted me to go and see when I was running, I told them, \u2018I lived ... I know what colonia is all about, I know what they need.\u2019 \"","By 1947, the story said, the barrio \"was overcrowded and mostly inhabited by transient farm laborers who rented houses already considered substandard. La Colonia has been and remains a stop on the underground railroad for Mexican immigrants heading north.\"","Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, \"Where's the tuna melt? Worker shortages mean smaller menus, limited choices and fewer shows,\" Feb. 4, 2022","Alameel later called back, saying he didn\u2019t mean to suggest in his speech that he lived in a colonia meeting any federal definition. His point, he said, was that he\u2019d lived among migrant workers in the poorest, toughest neighborhood. He said he meant to convey he knows what it\u2019s like to be poor."]},{"id":"4654.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Anthropology is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) field.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While anthropology is not traditionally considered a STEM field, the National Science Foundation (NSF) does categorize it as part of the \"S\" or science category within STEM. This classification is specific to how the NSF reports and categorizes fields for statistical purposes. However, it's important to note that the broader understanding and common usage of STEM fields typically refer to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. So, while the NSF includes anthropology within the science category for reporting purposes, it is not widely recognized as a traditional STEM field in the conventional sense.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Over the last 40 years, this country\u2019s prison population has grown by 500 percent,\" Harris said on her campaign website, and in a recent tweet that included a stark black and white picture of prison bars.","The Sentencing Project\u2019s data show there are 2.2 million people in the nation\u2019s federal and state prisons and local jails -- a 500 percent increase over the past 40 years. For comparison, the overall United States population has increased just 51 percent during that period.","A spokesman said Booker\u2019s statistic comes from the Sentencing Project, a criminal justice reform advocacy organization. It says the current incarcerated population is 2.2 million \u2014 including federal prisons, state prisons and local jails \u2014 which is a 500 percent growth over the past 40 years.","Booker said the 40-year war on drugs led to \"a 500 percent increase in incarceration in our country, disproportionately affecting poor and disproportionately affecting minorities.\""]},{"id":"1591.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"People \"can't go fishing anymore because of Obama.\"","reason":"Reason: The claim that people \"can't go fishing anymore because of Obama\" is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the assertion that Barack Obama implemented policies that prohibit individuals from fishing. The statement appears to be based on speculation and exaggeration rather than factual information. It is important to rely on accurate and verified sources when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The Emergency Committee for Israel said in an ad, \"And while President Obama says all options are on the table for preventing a nuclear Iran Hagel says military action is not a viable, feasible, responsible option.\"","\"Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel?\" asks a disgusted sounding narrator. \"President Obama says he supports sanctions on Iran. Hagel voted against them. Hagel voted against labeling Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group. And while President Obama says all options are on the table for preventing a nuclear Iran, Hagel says military action is not a viable, feasible, responsible option. President Obama, for secretary of defense Chuck Hagel is not a responsible option.\"","\"Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel?\" asks a disgusted sounding narrator in an ad from the Emergency Committee for Israel. \"President Obama says he supports sanctions on Iran. Hagel voted against them. Hagel voted against labeling Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist group. And while President Obama says all options are on the table for preventing a nuclear Iran, Hagel says military action is not a viable, feasible, responsible option. President Obama, for secretary of defense Chuck Hagel is not a responsible option.\"","Pakistani Press International reported that Hagel ruled out any military action against Iran. \"I do not expect any kind of military solution on the Iran issue,\" Hagel said, adding President George W. Bush and senior members of his cabinet had said the military option was not a responsible approach to resolving the issues. \"I think to further comment on it would be complete speculation, but I would say that a military strike against Iran, a military option, is not a viable, feasible, responsible option.\"\u2019 (This is the comment the ad directly quotes.)"]},{"id":"8272.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Things like having Friday classes have been shown to be very effective on college campuses in reducing drinking.","reason":"Reason: While there is some evidence suggesting that scheduling Friday classes can potentially have a positive impact on reducing alcohol consumption on college campuses, it is an exaggeration to claim that it has been definitively shown to be \"very effective.\" The available research indicates that there is promise and theoretical potential in this approach, but further controlled experiments would be needed to establish a conclusive link between Friday classes and reduced drinking. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the certainty implied by the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Most of the taxes that Sanders has actually proposed in writing would not apply to \"you people.\" The one exception would raise the rate to far below 90 percent.","\"The socialist says they\u2019re going to pay for everything and give you everything for free, except they don\u2019t tell you they\u2019re going to raise your taxes to 90 percent to do it,\" Christie said.","It\u2019s clear that Sanders wants to raise taxes on the \"1 percent.\" But does he want to tax the average Americans standing before Trump at the Richmond rally at 90 percent as well?","Both Trump and now Christie have indicated that essentially everyone will be hit by a 90 percent tax hike. With Trump, this rate would supposedly be levied on \"you people\" in the audience at his rally. Christie, for his part, said Sanders would \"raise your taxes to 90 percent.\""]},{"id":"9362.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Walmart employees receive roughly $5,800 in public assistance per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Walmart employees receive roughly $5,800 in public assistance per year is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that Walmart employees receive government assistance, the figure of $5,800 per employee is an estimate and can vary depending on factors such as location and the number of eligible employees. Additionally, the statement does not specify whether this assistance is solely due to Walmart's employment or if it includes other factors such as household income. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it is important to recognize that the actual amount of public assistance received by Walmart employees can vary and may not be a fixed figure for all employees.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Flip-O-Meter ruling only examined whether Feingold had changed his position \u2014 which he clearly did. We are taking another look because Johnson now alleges that in doing so Feingold broke a promise to always get the majority of his funding from Wisconsinites.","In four Senate campaigns, Feingold abided by the pledge he inscribed on his garage door: He would raise the majority of his campaign cash from Wisconsin residents.","He listed campaign promises on his garage door and repeatedly said he would take the majority of his funding from Wisconsinites \u2014 not out-of-state residents or interest groups.","Feingold used the words \"pledge\" and \"promise\" in 1992 while asserting his grassroots funding plan was for that election as well as \"for the future.\" The future is here, and Feingold has failed to keep his promise."]},{"id":"12416.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When adjusted for inflation, (Texas) per-student spending has remained relatively flat over the past 16 years. Despite that trend, Texas schools in 2017 will receive $381 less per student than they did in 2003.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that when adjusted for inflation, per-student spending in Texas has remained relatively flat over the past 16 years. However, the claim that Texas schools will receive $381 less per student in 2017 compared to 2003 is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that the annual average per-student spending in Texas has decreased by $273 compared to 2003, but it is important to note that this is an average and may not apply uniformly to all schools or districts in Texas. Therefore, while the statement captures the trend of relatively flat per-student spending, the specific dollar amount reduction may not be applicable to all schools in Texas.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10242.json","label":"false","statement":"My position hasnt changed on using executive authority to address immigration issues.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Obama explicitly stated that his position on using executive authority to address immigration issues has indeed changed. He clarified that while he previously discussed the possibility of executive action to address certain aspects of immigration, he acknowledged that there are limits to what falls within the realm of prosecutorial discretion and that certain actions would extend beyond his legal authorities. This indicates a shift in his position regarding the extent of executive action he can take on immigration.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2061.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Dan Gelbers employment by BPs law firm could disqualify him from representing Florida against BP as Attorney General.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because it suggests a possibility that Dan Gelber's employment by BP's law firm could disqualify him from representing Florida against BP as Attorney General. While it is technically possible that such employment could create a conflict of interest, the evidence provided does not provide conclusive proof that Gelber would be disqualified. The use of the word \"could\" indicates a potential but uncertain outcome, and further investigation or legal analysis would be needed to determine the actual disqualification. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7373.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I was never against same-sex marriage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that President Trump has consistently opposed same-sex marriage and expressed a desire for the Supreme Court to reverse its decision, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that he was against same-sex marriage prior to his political career. It is important to note that public figures can evolve or change their positions over time, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is reasonable to accept their current stance on an issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3626.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says protesters at the Wisconsin state Capitol on the night the state Senate passed collective bargaining changes damaged the windshield of his car.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Senator Dan Kapanke claimed that protesters damaged the windshield of his car during the protests at the Wisconsin state Capitol. However, the claim was debunked by Madison police, who stated that the damage was likely caused by a pebble on the highway, not by protesters. Therefore, the statement is false, and the label \"pants-fire\" is appropriate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Every time you buy an airline ticket, the federal government runs a background check on you\" -- PolitiFact Texas: Mostly False","\"The fact is, every time you buy an airline ticket, the federal government runs a background check on you,\" Don Zimmerman said in a May 31 press release from the Texas Republican Freedom Coalition. \"They know who you are before you board the plane.\"","\"It is basic information, but the airlines could use it for a background check. I believe that is what (Malloy) is trying to say,\" said Clifford Winston, an economist with the centrist Brookings Institution. \"I don\u2019t think it is the case that before you can buy a ticket, you have to undergo a background check.\"","\"TSA runs the data received from the airlines computer reservations systems through various databases, but this is not a background check by any stretch of the imagination,\" Laird said."]},{"id":"12317.json","label":"half-true","statement":"You can absolutely get a gun if you have several felonies as long as you buy it on the Internet or at a gun show.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that individuals with felony convictions are prohibited from purchasing firearms, there are loopholes in the current system that allow some individuals to acquire guns without undergoing a background check. Private sales, including those conducted online or at gun shows, do not always require background checks, which can potentially enable individuals with felony convictions to obtain firearms illegally. However, it's important to note that this does not mean that individuals with several felonies can easily and legally obtain guns in these ways. The purchase would still be illegal due to their felon status. So, while the statement highlights a concerning gap in the system, it should be clarified that the acquisition of guns by individuals with felony convictions through these channels would still be illegal.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Republican Party of Florida Chairman John Thrasher made that claim about Rick Scott on Sept. 10 at a victory party in Scott's honor. \"Rick, we will be the first party to elect a bald guy to governor,\" was the exact quote, according to the Associated Press' Brendan Farrington( \"Brendan Farrington\").","Reed served as the state's governor from 1868-1873. He's the 15th person to hold the title of governor, and the ninth after statehood. He was a Republican who faced two serious impeachment attempts from members of his own party, according to his biography( \"according to his biography\"). After leaving office, Reed became editor of the Semi-Tropical , a monthly magazine devoted to southern agricultural and economic development. He died in Jacksonville, where a street is named in his honor, in 1899.","Scott, himself, already has poked fun at his (lack of) hair. \"Remember me, the handsome bald guy?\" Scott said during his primary night victory speech( \"Scott started his primary night victory speech\").","Other contenders included George Franklin Drew (12th state governor, very high hairline), William Dunnington Bloxham (13th governor, widow's peak), and C. Farris Bryant (34th governor, balding. But bald?)"]},{"id":"8391.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Bill Gunter would drain millions from local public schools, and give our tax dollars to private, for-profit schools run by out-of-state corporations.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some elements of truth but also includes misleading information. While it is true that Bill Gunter's proposed policies may redirect funding from local public schools to charter schools, the claim that the funds would specifically go to private, for-profit schools run by out-of-state corporations is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that most charter schools in the area are locally owned, with only one example of a charter school owned by an out-of-state company. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent to which out-of-state corporations would benefit from the funding shift. Additionally, the claim of \"draining millions\" from public schools is vague and lacks specific evidence to support the magnitude of the impact. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["(Trump has often said he is \"self-funding\" his campaign, a claim that\u2019s been rated Half True. His campaign accepts contributions, but there\u2019s no question he has funded much of the effort, which might explain in part why Clinton gets so much more money from Wall Street.)","The United States Senate Financial Disclosures, \"Annual Report for Calendar 2018, The Honorable Cory A Booker (Booker, Cory),\" accessed Aug. 7, 2020","If you think you\u2019ve heard that figure before, perhaps it was from a February 2016 report by the Wall Street Journal. It estimated that since Clinton and former President Bill Clinton entered national politics in the early 1990s, Wall Street has contributed more than $100 million to their political campaigns, charitable foundation and personal finances.","Campaigning outside Milwaukee, Trump said: \"In her campaign for president,\" Clinton \"has received $100 million in contributions from Wall Street and hedge funds.\""]},{"id":"2834.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Small businesses that have $250,000 in gross sales for the business. Theyre the ones that are looking at massive tax increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The claim suggests that small businesses with $250,000 in gross sales will face massive tax increases. However, the evidence provided clarifies that the tax increases would only affect the top two income tax brackets, which are for individuals with higher levels of income, not solely based on gross sales. Additionally, the evidence highlights that only a small percentage of taxpayers who declare business income would see tax increases if the rates on the top brackets expire. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["For this Truth-O-Meter item, we wondered if West got his numbers right. How much does the Tomahawk cruise missile cost and did we spend $115 million in the first 24 to 36 hours on missiles in Libya?","\"Well, the thing is this. You have got to be able to explain what the mission is. And being 22 years in the United States military, we have seen three different missions being stated. First of all, we're going to protect innocent civilians. Kind of hard to do that from 30,000 feet. The next thing, we say we're going to go in and attack the military capability of (Moammar) Gadhafi. Really hard to do between the vehicles of the rebels and his vehicles. And now we want to take Moammar Gadhafi out of power. There are means by which we can restrict and constrain and kind of temper Moammar Gadhafi without coming back again and having a third combat operation. And you want to talk about the economics of this, in the first 24 to 36 hours, you saw $115 million go downrange because a Tomahawk cruise missile is a little over $1 million each.\"","Navy spokeswoman Amanda Greenberg told us in a June 23 interview that a Tomahawk cruise missile costs approximately $1.1 million. During the first 24 to 36 hours, 110 were fired by Coalition forces -- the majority by the U.S, she said. That math works out to about $121 million.","West's spokeswoman Angela Sachitano directed us to a March 23 article in the National Journal which states: \"On the first day of strikes alone, U.S.-led forces launched 112 long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, which cost about $1 million to $1.5 million apiece, from ships stationed off the Libyan coast. That totaled $112 million to $168 million. Since those first strikes, U.S. and British forces have launched at least another 12 Tomahawk missiles. The Defense Department typically buys about 200 Tomahawks a year. While the military likely can put off buying new missiles for months, it will ultimately need to boost planned procurement rates to refill its stockpile.\""]},{"id":"4414.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Michael Dukakis created jobs three times faster than Mitt Romney.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to an analysis by Matt Lewis of The Daily Caller, using job statistics from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Dukakis created an average of about 45,209 jobs per year, while Romney created an average of 12,850 jobs per year. Based on these numbers, Dukakis' job creation rate was approximately three and a half times higher than Romney's. However, it's important to note that different parameters and calculations can yield varying results. Therefore, while the statement is accurate based on one specific calculation, it may not hold true when considering other factors or alternative calculations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["DeKalb County has \"attracted and retained more than 2,300 jobs\" in the last year, interim CEO Lee May told business and community leaders during his State of the County address last month.","Geographic Solutions: A statewide database that counts only full-time employees hired or retained through federal Department of Labor funds. In 2014, DeKalb saw 731 new hires in this category and 602 people who retained new jobs for at least a year. Total: 1,333.","Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): A count of workers hired or retained, either part-time or full-time, as part of DeKalb\u2019s $1.35 billion overhaul of its water\/sewer system. Last year, 107 people were hired and 386 saw jobs retained as part of working for contractors on the program. Total: 493.","!DeKalb County Watershed crews work on a sewer main break in January. The county counts work on its overhaul of the system in its tally of new and retained jobs. Photo by John Spink \/ AJC. !DeKalb County Watershed crews work on a sewer main break in January. The county counts work on its overhaul of the system in its tally of new and retained jobs. Photo by John Spink \/ AJC."]},{"id":"3268.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Our children do not spend any time in school learning about our own U.S. Constitution.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The U.S. education system includes the teaching of the U.S. Constitution as part of the curriculum. Social studies and civics courses typically cover the Constitution, its principles, and its significance in American society. While the extent and depth of constitutional education may vary across schools and districts, it is incorrect to claim that children in the United States do not spend any time in school learning about the U.S. Constitution.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11002.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons rejection of efforts to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat not only defies logic, but the will of the majority of Americans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Scott Walker's claim that Hillary Clinton's rejection of efforts to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat defies logic and goes against the will of the majority of Americans. However, it's important to note that the claim about the majority of Americans supporting such efforts is not directly supported by the evidence provided. While there may be polls or studies that indicate majority support for voter ID requirements, the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm this. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the claim about the majority of Americans should be supported by additional evidence for a more conclusive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["From the low point of the recession in 2010, the manufacturing sector added 916,000 jobs on Obama\u2019s watch. That was roughly seven years, about twice the amount Trump\u2019s been in office, so on an annual basis, the manufacturing employment gains per year were roughly similar between the two presidents. In fact, you can see in the chart that the pace of increase was fairly constant for Obama\u2019s final seven years and Trump\u2019s first three years.","\"We don't know anything about Hillary in terms of religion. Now, she's been in the public eye for years and years, and yet there's no \u2014 there's nothing out there.\"","Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment, Hours, and Earnings from the Current Employment Statistics survey (National) (main search index), accessed June 10, 2016","\"40% of the folks who have student loans do not have a college diploma, four-year diploma. These are people who are truck drivers and who are nail technicians and nurses\u2019 aides.\u201d"]},{"id":"2364.json","label":"true","statement":"Says state Rep. Diana Maldonado of Round Rock uses Craigslist to hire campaign block walkers.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that state Rep. Diana Maldonado of Round Rock used Craigslist to hire campaign block walkers. The sources mention the ad seeking paid canvassers for a highly competitive state house race in Round Rock, and the email response confirming the need for positions in the campaign. While the specific mention of Craigslist is not explicitly stated, the evidence strongly suggests the use of the platform for hiring campaign block walkers.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11321.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that President Barack Obama said an attack on Syria was going to be a pinprick.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to suggest that President Barack Obama specifically referred to an attack on Syria as a \"pinprick.\" While President Obama did speak about Syria, red lines, and the international community in a press conference in Stockholm on September 4, 2013, there is no record of him using the term \"pinprick\" to describe a potential attack on Syria. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading false claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So, why did My City Bikes in the headline to its press release state: \"Bicycle ownership drops by half while obesity in Rhode Island rises by 154 percent?\"","My City Bikes, press release, \"Bicycle ownership drops by half while obesity in Rhode Island rises by 154%,\" Dec. 7, 2015.","The release from My City Bikes, a website and a mobile app that promotes cycling, was headlined: \"Bicycle ownership drops by half while obesity in Rhode Island rises by 154 percent.\"",", \" Bicycle ownership drops by half while obesity in N.C. rises by 141 percent,\" Dec. 8, 2015, accessed Dec. 29, 2015."]},{"id":"7517.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Raising taxes on investment income has actually lowered the revenue received from the tax, while cutting capital gains tax rates has increased revenue.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the argument made by some individuals that raising taxes on investment income, specifically capital gains, has historically resulted in lower tax revenue, while cutting capital gains tax rates has led to increased revenue. This argument is supported by the cited sources and historical data. However, it is important to note that this claim is not universally agreed upon, and there are differing perspectives on the relationship between capital gains tax rates and tax revenue. Therefore, while the statement presents a valid viewpoint, it should be acknowledged that it is a matter of ongoing debate and not a universally accepted fact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Here, we're checking the statement from the Tarkanian campaign, that \"Sue Lowden gave Harry Reid's campaigns a thousand dollars in five different elections, helping his Senate dreams come true.\"","\"Sue Lowden gave Harry Reid's campaigns a thousand dollars in five different elections, helping his Senate dreams come true. Today Harry Reid's got his power, and Sue Lowden's worth millions. It's always an insiders' game,\" the ad concludes.","She did donate to Harry Reid -- back in the 1980s. She gave him $2,000 in 1984, $1,000 in 1986, and $2,000 in 1989. The ad counts that as \"five different elections,\" because in 1984 and 1989, Lowden made donations of $1,000 each for the primary and the general. Her husband, casino executive Paul Lowden, also contributed $8,000 between 1982 and 1995.","\"Washington power was always Harry Reid's dream. That's why he needed to be stopped. Sue Lowden? She helped Harry Reid rise to power.\""]},{"id":"10459.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Common welfare programs give income of $43,330 or $20.83 an hour.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it implies that all individuals receiving common welfare programs receive an income equivalent to $43,330 or $20.83 per hour. However, the evidence suggests that this income figure represents the estimated combined value of certain public assistance programs available in Rhode Island. It does not necessarily reflect the actual income received by all individuals on welfare programs. The statement lacks clarity and context, leading to a misrepresentation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Fox 35 Orlando, \"People gather outside of Disney Springs to protest the company's response to \"Don't Say Gay\" law,\" April 16, 2022","The day after a man with a semiautomatic rifle killed 49 people and wounded 53 others at a gay nightclub, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton renewed her call for a federal ban on assault weapons.","Says Hillary Clinton and millennials have the same positions on climate change, abortion rights, immigration reform, gay rights and college affordability. \"Donald Trump doesn't.\"","As a mayor, \"John Fetterman chased down an innocent, unarmed Black man,\" wielded a shotgun and \"falsely accused the man, triggering a confrontation with police.\""]},{"id":"4572.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Senate Bill 5 makes it harder for nurses to give the patients the quality care they need.","reason":"Reason: While Senate Bill 5 in Ohio does include provisions related to staffing and bargaining, it is an oversimplification to claim that it directly makes it harder for nurses to provide quality care to patients. The impact on patient care is a complex issue that depends on various factors, including the specific implementation of the law and how it is managed by healthcare facilities. While there may be concerns about the potential effects of the law on staffing levels, it is inaccurate to definitively state that it directly and universally hinders nurses from delivering the quality care patients require.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The \"About Dave\" page on his campaign Web site says, \"The Naples Daily News called him 'the real deal,' and Governor Charlie Crist has praised him as \"a rock star.\" It does not explain the context or source for the Crist quote.","You'll notice the Post version of the quote includes the qualifier \"almost,\" but we listened to audio from the original Miami Herald interview and indeed Crist unequivocally says, \"He's a rock star.\"","Former Gov. Charlie Crist has done a slew of national television interviews recently promoting his new book, The Party's Over: How the Extreme Right Hijacked the GOP and I Became a Democrat. So it\u2019s only natural that he\u2019s been quizzed on his political evolution.","PolitiFact, \"Lenny Curry says Charlie Crist and Todd Akin hold the same abortion position: No exception except life of mother,\" Dec. 20, 2012"]},{"id":"1022.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A public option for health care would end private insurance because the private insurance people will not be able to compete with a government option.","reason":"Reason: While Senator McConnell asserts that a public option for healthcare would lead to the end of private insurance because they would be unable to compete, this claim is not supported by nonpartisan health care experts. The Democratic plan does not aim to eliminate private insurance, and there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that private insurance would be unable to compete with a government option. While it is theoretically possible that some private insurance companies may face challenges, experts do not believe that a public option would completely eradicate the private insurance industry. Therefore, the statement is deemed as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In the Web ad \"Two and a Half Macks\" LeMieux says that \"Connie the IV took seven and a half years to finish college,\" while showing a buffoonish-like Mack wearing a T-shirt that says \"Kollege\" and dancing around in front of a University of Florida sign.","Subsequent news articles have repeated that it took Mack seven years, or seven and a half years, to finish college, including a 2012 Miami Herald article about Mack\u2019s past. The Herald wrote about Mack\u2019s time in college in connection to a legal case stemming from a 1992 bar brawl with professional baseball player Ron Gant. A jury found Gant started the fight but Mack didn\u2019t win the legal damages or fees that he sought. The article stated that \"Gant\u2019s legal team sought to portray Mack as a troublemaking lightweight, noting he went to military school and that it took him more than seven years to get an advertising degree that, ultimately, he parlayed into a consultancy to promote Hooters, the Florida restaurant chain known for its scantily clad waitresses.\u2019\u2019","There\u2019s a kernel of truth to that statement. Mack enrolled at Sante Fe Community College in 1986 and graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor\u2019s degree about seven and a half years later in 1993.","Mack campaign spokesman David James says the amount of time it took Mack to finish college depends on PolitiFact\u2019s definition. For starters, Mack was dual-enrolled in high school and college in the spring of 1986 -- so the date he enrolled in community college overlaps technically with the time he would still be considered in high school."]},{"id":"6885.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his deficit plan made some adjustments to (Simpson-Bowles), and were putting it forward before Congress right now, a $4 trillion plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that his deficit plan made adjustments to the Simpson-Bowles plan and was being presented to Congress as a $4 trillion plan. However, it's important to note that the claim lacks context. While Obama did propose a deficit reduction plan, it was not an exact replica of the Simpson-Bowles plan. It incorporated some elements from Simpson-Bowles but also included additional adjustments. Furthermore, it's unclear from the evidence provided whether the plan was actually being presented to Congress at the time of the statement. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of Obama's claim, it could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We acknowledge some level of hyperbole. But we still wanted to know: Did the principal in question declare the sandwich racist? And did Portland Schools spend half a million dollars to do so?","Portland Public Schools did not spend half a million dollars to label the sandwich \"racist.\" The principal never called the sandwich racist. The Portland Tribune never said the principal called the sandwich racist. And yes, we don\u2019t usually weigh in on lunch, but who could resist? The statement is inaccurate and silly.","Velderman said he doesn\u2019t know if the principal actually called the sandwiches racist -- which the headline claims. But he points to The Portland Tribune news article, which clearly talks about race and the privilege of the white mainstream.","From Huffington Post: \"Peanut Butter And Jelly Racist? Portland School Principal Ties Sandwich To White Privilege.\" And from WTBX\/FM in Hibbing, Minn: \"PBJ- the racist sandwich?\" (Summary: Yup. Your childhood staple is guilty of hate crimes against humanity.) Even the liberal Daily Kos weighed in with \"Oregon school principal: Peanut Butter sandwiches RACIST?\" and complained of political correctness gone amok."]},{"id":"10996.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush appointed a guardian for the fetus of a rape survivor.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jeb Bush did not personally appoint a guardian for a rape survivor's fetus, he did advocate for the appointment of a legal guardian in such cases. The statement implies that Jeb Bush directly appointed a guardian, which is not accurate. However, he did express support for the idea of appointing a legal guardian in situations where the mother may not be able to adequately represent the child's interests. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent Jeb Bush's position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Here's the deal, let's remember something for the people who are listening in your audience, these 'Jersey Shore' folks, they're from New York,\" Christie said Wednesday on 77 WABC\u2019s \u2018The Joe Crummey Show\u2019. \"They parachute these New Yorkers into Seaside Heights, New Jersey, and they try to make the whole country think this is New Jersey. It's not. It's bad for New Jersey. It's bad ... because it's a mischaracterization of who the people are here in New Jersey and so I've said all along that I think \u2018Jersey Shore\u2019 is bad.\"","The governor said the cast members of the \"Jersey Shore\" are from New York and misrepresent \"who the people are here in New Jersey.\"","Larry Levine, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council in New York City, also said the Jersey shore\u2019s water quality is not perfect.","The advocacy group Coalition for the Homeless in New York City says the actual number of homeless households, both families and single adults, is closer to 32,000."]},{"id":"7174.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Thanks to actions by the Milwaukee County Board on the 2013 budget, the amount of county taxes on the average home in the city of Milwaukee would be a $19 decrease.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the average homeowner in the city of Milwaukee would see a decrease of approximately $19 in county property taxes, it is important to note that this decrease is not solely due to actions taken by the Milwaukee County Board on the 2013 budget. The decrease in tax bills is primarily a result of the reassessment of property values in 2012, which led to a lower county tax bill for the average home. The statement implies that the decrease is a direct result of actions taken by the County Board, which is misleading. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7337.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Eighty percent of those who have applied for licenses have no cancer, no Parkinsons disease or glaucoma. They have nothing you would associate [with] the use of medical marijuana.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately combines two unrelated pieces of information. The first part of the statement, \"Eighty percent of those who have applied for licenses have no cancer, no Parkinson's disease or glaucoma,\" lacks evidence or context to support its claim. It is unclear where this information comes from or if it is a generalization. The second part of the statement, \"They have nothing you would associate [with] the use of medical marijuana,\" is subjective and cannot be definitively proven or disproven. As a result, the statement lacks sufficient evidence and context to be considered fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12425.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sen. John McCain told dreamers that hell support the Dream Act, then he voted against it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick that Sen. John McCain told dreamers he would support the Dream Act but ultimately voted against it. However, it's important to note that the context and timeline of events are crucial in understanding McCain's position. While McCain did express support for the Dream Act at certain points, he also voted against versions of the legislation in the past. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately represents Kirkpatrick's claim, but it does not provide the full context of McCain's evolving stance on the Dream Act.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - Building a Better Ohio says public workers make 43 percent more in wages and benefits than private sector workers&url=)","The study found that public workers, based on wages alone, earn about 2.5 percent less than comparable private employees. But it concluded that public workers make 43 percent more when the value of benefits, including pensions and \"job security,\" are factored in.","The ad from Building a Better Ohio flatly states that public employees \"make 43 percent more\" than private sector workers. We think the average listener would interpret that as meaning the average public employee is paid - in wages and benefits - 43 percent more. But some components of the AEI study aren\u2019t based on money changing hands, but rather on the value to the employee of certain benefits.","\"Without Issue 2,\" the voice-over narration says, \"hard-working Ohio families will face higher taxes to pay for the excessive wages and benefits of government employees, who already make 43 percent more than the rest of us.\""]},{"id":"9309.json","label":"false","statement":"The Pell bridge is a tourism bridge essentially and not a commuter bridge.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Pell Bridge in Rhode Island is a popular tourist attraction due to its connection to Newport, it is not accurate to categorize it solely as a \"tourism bridge\" and not a \"commuter bridge.\" The Pell Bridge serves as a vital transportation route for both residents and commuters, facilitating daily travel and commuting between Jamestown and Newport. It is incorrect to dismiss its significance as a commuter bridge based solely on its association with tourism. Therefore, the statement that the Pell Bridge is essentially a tourism bridge and not a commuter bridge is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Regardless of credit, have \"about 60,000 net new jobs\" been created in Virginia since February? It depends how you measure \"about.\" The correct number at the time was 55,400. The governor was a little bit off, but he wasn\u2019t blowing smoke.","We first checked the claim of \"about 60,000 net new jobs.\" Stacey Johnson, McDonnell\u2019s press secretary, said the number came from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.","Now, let\u2019s look at McDonnell\u2019s statement \"we\u2019ve\" created about 60,000 jobs. It suggests the new slots are the result of his administration\u2019s actions.","For the purpose of this fact-check, we\u2019re going to focus on the first part of that tweet -- that Biden has created more jobs than any other president in his first seven months in office."]},{"id":"7782.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The State of Wisconsin thinks you should have to wash your hands at least 28 times to make one peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. There is no evidence provided to support the claim that the State of Wisconsin specifically requires individuals to wash their hands at least 28 times to make one peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich. The statement seems to be a hyperbolic exaggeration or a misinterpretation of a regulation related to food safety and hygiene. It is important to prioritize proper handwashing practices to ensure food safety, but the specific claim made in the statement lacks credibility and factual basis.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5800.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Republican economic policies, the typical American family saw their incomes fall by about 6 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence confirms that during the period of 2000-2010, median family incomes did decline by just under 6 percent. However, attributing this decline solely to Republican economic policies is an oversimplification. Economic trends and factors are complex and multifaceted, and it is not accurate to solely attribute the income decline to a specific political party's policies. Other factors such as global economic conditions, technological advancements, and demographic changes also influence income trends. Therefore, while there was a decline in median family incomes during that period, it is misleading to solely attribute it to Republican economic policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The group states in its March 11 \"News & Notes\" e-mail blast: \"In Texas, schools do not even have to teach sex education.\"","When we asked Anderson plainly if schools are required to teach sex education, he said: \"It's not a yes or no answer.\"","However, schools do have to follow the state board of education's curriculum standards \u2014 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills \u2014 according to a spokeswoman at the Texas Education Agency, which oversees primary and secondary public education. And that curriculum requires health teachers to teach sex education at appropriate grade levels.","While making a case for abstinence-only sex education, the right-leaning Texas Eagle Forum recently declared that sex isn't a mandated topic in Texas schools."]},{"id":"358.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Hillary interned with Bob Treuhaft, the head of the California Communist Party.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While it is accurate that Hillary Clinton interned at Bob Treuhaft's law firm, the claim that he was the head of the California Communist Party is incorrect. Treuhaft was a former member of the American Communist Party, not the head of the California Communist Party. Additionally, he had left the party before Clinton started her internship. Therefore, while there is a connection between Clinton and Treuhaft, the claim misrepresents his role and affiliation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Republican Ken Cuccinelli claims in a TV ad that Democrat Terry McAuliffe walked away with millions of dollars from a company that went bankrupt and left thousands without jobs and retirement savings.","The first sign of Global\u2019s demise, according to The Times, came in April 2001 when officers were told revenues were going to fall $1 billion short of earning estimates. That was about two years after McAuliffe made his stock killing.","Cuccinelli\u2019s ad, without directly saying so, links McAuliffe\u2019s profit to the downfall of Global Crossing, which caused about 12,000 workers to lose their jobs and retirement funds. The company froze their pensions and invested their 401 (k) retirement savings in Global Crossing stock, which became worthless.","The relationship began in 1997, a year after McAuliffe helped President Bill Clinton get reelected by serving as his chief fundraiser. McAuliffe was retained as a dealmaker by Gary Winnick, a Los Angeles billionaire investor who was starting Global Crossing Holdings, a telecommunications company that would own and operate undersea fiber-optic cables. McAuliffe invested $100,000 of his own money in Global Crossing stock before it was publicly offered."]},{"id":"3240.json","label":"false","statement":"Across the board, violent crime in jurisdictions that recognize the Right to Carry is lower than in areas that prevent it.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Wayne LaPierre, suggesting that violent crime is lower in jurisdictions that recognize the \"right to carry,\" is false. Multiple studies and analyses have been conducted on this topic, and the evidence does not support the claim. Research has shown that there is no consistent correlation between the right to carry laws and lower rates of violent crime. The relationship between gun laws and crime rates is complex and influenced by various factors. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Historically, the Social Security tax has been assessed on about 90% of U.S. income. Now it captures 83% because there's been such a growth of income among the highest earners.","\"Social Security used to be a tax which was assessed on approximately 90 percent of the income generated in this country, which was where it has sort of been historically. It currently collects taxes on about 83 percent of wages earned because the cap . . . only captures 83 percent of earnings because there's been such a growth of income at the very top,\" the congressman said.","U.S. Rep. David Cicilline says only 83 percent of income is subject to Social Security tax, down from about 90 percent historically","( - U.S. Rep. David Cicilline says only 83 percent of income is subject to Social Security tax, down from about 90 percent historically &url=)"]},{"id":"9032.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Using a surcharge on the cigarette tax to help pay for a new downtown sports arena is not feasible under state law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, the Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett, stated that using a surcharge on the cigarette tax to fund a new downtown sports arena is not feasible under current state law. However, it's important to note that the evidence also mentions that a cigarette tax has been used in other cities to fund similar projects. This suggests that while it may not be feasible under the current state law, there is a possibility that the law could be amended or changed to allow for such a funding option. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as it does not consider the potential for future changes to the law.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12899.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says employers are still allowed to pay people with disabilities below the minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers can obtain special wage certificates that allow them to pay workers with disabilities wages below the federal minimum wage. This provision has been in place for over seventy years. While it is important to note that not all employers take advantage of this provision and that there are efforts to change this practice, the statement accurately reflects the current situation where some employers are still allowed to pay people with disabilities below the minimum wage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Troxclair said statistics show \"you are about nine times more likely to be assaulted by a taxi driver\" in Austin than a driver for a ride-hailing service.","\"Let me say that again,\" Troxclair said. \"When you look at the number of taxi drivers and the number of TNC drivers and the number of complaints that APD,\" the Austin Police Department, \"has received over that time, you are about nine times more likely to be assaulted by a taxi driver.\"","Searle wrote: \"If the estimate is that there are 15,000 TNC drivers, subject to name-based background checks, and there are 913 cab permits, subject to fingerprint background check, then you are 9 times more likely to be assaulted by a cab driver than a TNC driver in Austin.\"","That is, the number of rides \"given by taxi drivers is likely much higher (per driver) than the number of rides given by ride-hailing drivers (per driver),\" Wilkinson wrote, adding that ride counts didn\u2019t appear to be part of Troxclair\u2019s backup. Also, Wilkinson suggested, the probability of such assaults appears to be extremely small whether riding in a taxi or a ride-hailed car, she wrote."]},{"id":"2174.json","label":"false","statement":"Kendrick Meek was named one of the two most corrupt Democrats in Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were mailers and claims made by Jeff Greene stating that Kendrick Meek was named one of the two most corrupt Democrats in Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, CREW has not made any such designation or ranking regarding Kendrick Meek or any other member of Congress. Therefore, the statement is baseless and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"8271.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Mayor Angel Taveras Providences bond rating was downgraded from A to BBB, two steps above junk-bond status.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Providence's bond rating was downgraded under Mayor Angel Taveras. However, the statement incorrectly states that the bond rating was downgraded from A to BBB. The evidence suggests that the bond rating was downgraded to two steps above junk-bond status, which is BBB, not from A to BBB. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3681.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says using E-Verify is a fair amount of cost, about $20 per person that does not match.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact cost per person that does not match in the context of using E-Verify is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence, it is reasonable to infer that there is a cost associated with the process. E-Verify is an electronic system used by employers to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. It involves administrative and operational costs, such as training, system maintenance, and potential delays in the hiring process. While the evidence does not provide an exact figure of $20 per person, it suggests that there is a fair amount of cost involved in using E-Verify. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be noted that the specific cost per person is not provided in the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Reeves says McAuliffe \"has made several statements that he would love to be in a Cabinet secretary position with the Clinton administration.\"","\"Certainly, he\u2019s looking out for his own skin,\" Reeves said of McAuliffe. \"It goes without saying that he\u2019s made several statements that he would love to be in a Cabinet secretary position with the Clinton administration, and we\u2019re trying to uncover that. We\u2019re going to get to the bottom of this. One way or another, we\u2019re going to find out what\u2019s going on.\"","So what evidence does Reeves offer that McAuliffe has said he would love to be in Hillary Clinton\u2019s Cabinet? The senator points to:","State Sen. Bryce Reeves is out to prove that Gov. Terry McAuliffe\u2019s restoration of voting rights to more than 200,000 felons who served their time is a ploy to help Democrat Hillary Clinton win the presidency this fall."]},{"id":"3457.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There is a growing body of evidence that radiation in excess of what the government says are the minimum amounts you should be exposed to are actually good for you and reduce cases of cancer.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. The evidence provided does not support the claim that radiation in excess of government-established limits is beneficial and reduces cancer cases. On the contrary, the evidence suggests that exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cellphones and wireless devices should be within the limits set by regulatory bodies to minimize potential health risks. The studies mentioned indicate that there is some evidence of potential cancer risks in rats exposed to high levels of radiation, but extrapolating these risks to humans is challenging due to the significant differences in exposure levels. It is important to adhere to the established guidelines to ensure safety regarding radiofrequency radiation exposure.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Sanders said, \"Very little of (the defense) budget \u2014 less than 10 percent \u2014 actually goes into fighting ISIS and international terrorism.\"","\"Unfortunately, much of that budget continues to fight the old Cold War with the Soviet Union,\" Sanders said. \"Very little of that budget \u2014 less than 10 percent \u2014 actually goes into fighting ISIS and international terrorism.\"","Out of the total U.S. military budget, \"significantly less than 10 percent of that money is used to fight international terrorism.\"","Sanders said that the country devotes \"significantly less than 10 percent\" of its military budget to fight international terrorism. A campaign spokesman told us that Sanders was only counting money spent against ISIS. However, according to the Defense Department budget, it spent a combined total of $60 billion on anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and in the battle with ISIS. This amounts to nearly 11 percent of total defense dollars , not significantly less as Sanders said."]},{"id":"7989.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Women in the United States are paid about 70 percent of what men earn for the same work.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that women in the United States are paid about 70 percent of what men earn for the same work. While it is true that there is a gender wage gap, the evidence provided indicates that the wage gap varies depending on several factors, including age, location, and whether or not individuals hold the same job. The evidence suggests that overall comparisons show women earning around 80 percent of what men earn, but this is not a direct comparison of men and women in the same job. When comparing men and women in the same job, there is still a wage gap, but it is smaller. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the situation by providing an inaccurate figure and failing to consider the nuances of the gender wage gap.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7172.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wisconsin has created just under 100,000 jobs since he took office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided shows that the actual number of jobs created in Wisconsin since Governor Walker took office is significantly lower than \"just under 100,000.\" The census data and Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages indicate that the number of jobs created during that period is around 37,011, not close to 100,000. Therefore, the statement is false and exaggerated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Every American now is $51,000 in debt. That\u2019s money I owe, that\u2019s money my children owe before they even go to kindergarten, that\u2019s their check to the federal government right now.\"","\"Every American now is $51,000 in debt,\" Casagrande told Aron. \"That\u2019s money I owe, that\u2019s money my children owe before they even go to kindergarten, that\u2019s their check to the federal government right now.\"","Casagrande said in a television interview, \"Every American now is $51,000 in debt. That\u2019s money I owe, that\u2019s money my children owe before they even go to kindergarten, that\u2019s their check to the federal government right now.\"","Debt held by the public is money borrowed from investors outside of the federal government. The total debt represents debt held by the public as well as money the federal government owes itself, including for programs such as Social Security and Medicare."]},{"id":"10922.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In New Jersey, Gov. Christie vetoed legislation to extend early voting.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Governor Chris Christie vetoed legislation in New Jersey that would have expanded early voting options. While the legislation did not extend the time period for early voting, it aimed to add early, in-person voting to the existing absentee ballot mail-in system, providing voters with more opportunities to vote before Election Day. Christie's veto prevented the implementation of this expansion. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8131.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says federal regulations adopted in 2011 increased the cost of each vehicle for his business by $10,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that federal regulations adopted in 2011 increased the cost of each vehicle for the business by $10,000. While there is evidence of complaints regarding regulations from pro-business representatives in 2011, there is no specific evidence provided to support the claim of a $10,000 increase in vehicle costs. Without more specific information or data, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement is partially supported by evidence but lacks sufficient information to be rated as completely true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7605.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A new law requires the USDA to approve the harvest and sale of crops from genetically modified seed even if a court has ruled against the crop as being dangerous to public safety or the environment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided does not directly address the specific claim about the USDA approving the harvest and sale of crops from genetically modified seed despite a court ruling against them. However, it is accurate that there are existing laws and regulations related to genetically modified crops, and there have been debates and legal challenges surrounding their safety and environmental impact. It is important to note that the specific scenario described in the statement is not addressed in the evidence provided, so the claim cannot be fully verified.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9982.json","label":"false","statement":"The Justice Departments Fast and Furious gun-walking program started in the Bush administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that a similar program called \"Operation Wide Receiver\" took place during the Bush administration, the Fast and Furious gun-walking program specifically refers to a program that began in 2009 under the Obama administration. The Justice Department's inspector general report and investigations conducted by Congress and the Justice Department confirm that the Fast and Furious program was initiated and implemented during the Obama administration, not the Bush administration.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Consumers seeking to research private and public health insurance plans, obtain rate information, and better understand their insurance options can now visit a one-stop shopping website established by the federal government.","\"If you're one of the more than 250 million Americans who already have health insurance, you will keep your health insurance,\" Obama said. \"This law will only make it more secure and more affordable.\"","Why are these changes occurring? Some will be made voluntarily by Americans seeking better health care options outside of their employer\u2019s plan, but we think it\u2019s reasonable for Obama to ignore these changes in his calculation.","A: Worry not. Those whose health problems kept them from getting insurance in the past may benefit the most. Studies show one in every two Americans has what could be characterized as a \"pre-existing condition.\" If you have anything from arthritis to cancer or are simply obese, insurers can no longer deny you coverage."]},{"id":"3704.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says one of Austin City Council Member Randi Shades biggest contributors is the lobbyist for the Formula 1 racetrack planned outside Austin.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that one of Austin City Council Member Randi Shade's contributors is the lobbyist for the Formula 1 racetrack planned outside Austin, the statement exaggerates by using the phrase \"biggest contributors.\" The evidence does not provide information about the size or significance of the contribution, nor does it compare it to other contributors. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The fact we are checking here is whether some of the independent groups supporting Republican candidates are front groups for foreign-controlled companies.","According to Axelrod, these independent groups are \"spending tens of millions of dollars. In some districts, they're spending more money than the candidates themselves on negative ads from benign-sounding Americans for Prosperity, the American Crossroads Fund. No. These are front groups for special interests. These are front groups for foreign-controlled companies, which would have been banned under the bill that we put through Congress, and they don't want the American people to know, and the American people ought to be alert to that.\"","White House officials said that the two groups Axelrod cited by name -- Americans for Prosperity and the American Crossroads Fund -- were examples of \"front groups for special interests,\" but not necessarily fronts for foreign-controlled companies.","Candidates and third-party groups have seized on China as a theme in their advertising in the runup to the 2022 primaries. In some ads, candidates vow to get tough on China; in others, candidates are painted as too cozy with the nation."]},{"id":"3149.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled state legislature have added over $140 million in new special interest spending","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled state legislature have added over $140 million in new special interest spending. The discussion in the evidence revolves around tax breaks and the impact on state revenue, but it does not indicate any new spending. In fact, it emphasizes that the state would have $140 million less to spend due to the effect of the bills. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and can be labeled as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Donald Trump campaigned on not cutting Medicare and Social Security, but his nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, \"made his career on cutting Medicare and Medicaid.\"","YouTube, \"Full Event: Donald Trump Speech on Veterans' Reform in Virginia Beach, VA (July 11, 2016),\" Donald Trump Speeches & Events channel","Says Melania Trump\u2019s security detail at Trump Tower costs more than the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts.","On the other end, Dan Caldwell, vice president for political and legislative action at Concerned Veterans for America (which is backed by the anti-Trump Koch brothers) said the group supports both choice and integration and disagreed vehemently with Kaine\u2019s characterization."]},{"id":"6354.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says former Sen. George Allen voted four times to raise his own pay.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that former Sen. George Allen voted four times to raise his own pay. The fact check confirms that Allen did vote for increases in the debt ceiling four times, and it is accurate to say that raising the debt ceiling can indirectly contribute to the federal debt. While the evidence does not explicitly mention Allen voting to raise his own pay, the statement is mostly true as it aligns with the broader context of Allen's voting record and the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3754.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Eighty-seven percent of private insurance plans currently include (abortion) coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by NARAL that nearly 90 percent of private insurance plans in the U.S. include coverage for abortion. This claim is supported by evidence from NARAL's news release. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not specify whether this coverage is available in all states or if it varies by state. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the national average, it may not hold true for every individual state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10665.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rhode Island has the second highest per enrollee (Medicaid) cost of any state in the country, which is 60 percent higher than the national average.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that Rhode Island has the second highest per enrollee Medicaid cost among all states, with a cost that is 60 percent higher than the national average. The evidence confirms that Rhode Island's per enrollee spending on Medicaid is indeed significantly higher than the average across the United States. However, it's important to note that the statement focuses on the specific metric of per enrollee cost and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all factors contributing to Medicaid spending in Rhode Island.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Laubenberg asked Leach: \"Would you like me to give you a couple of examples of things being funded with this money?\" At Leach\u2019s go-ahead, Laubenberg replied: \"How about \u2018Bad Kids Go to Hell,\u2019 \u2018Cheaters,\u2019 ...a TV series on spouses cheating on their wives, kind of glorifying the act of cheating--yeah, entertainment for some, unless you\u2019re the one cheated on.\"","During floor debate, a Republican legislator complained that state expenditures on TV and film productions have extended to a long-running series celebrating cheating spouses.","!\"Cheaters,\" a TV series made in Dallas, came up during Texas House action on the state budget. !\"Cheaters,\" a TV series made in Dallas, came up during Texas House action on the state budget.","Mild point: The state-supported show, \"Cheaters,\" doesn\u2019t limit itself to exposing cheating spouses. We\u2019re not sure, either, that everyone would agree the show glorifies infidelity, considering its theme is to expose the practice and touch off emotional confrontations. The legislator could have clarified that an intended point of the show is that cheaters are wrongdoers."]},{"id":"5425.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One estimate says there may be three times as much oil in the United States as there is in Saudi Arabia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there have been claims made about the United States having significant oil reserves, the specific comparison of having three times as much oil as Saudi Arabia is not supported by credible estimates. The evidence suggests that the United States has substantial oil shale resources, particularly in the Green River Formation, but it is important to note that oil shale is a different type of resource than conventional oil reserves. Comparing the two directly is an apples-to-oranges comparison. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it misrepresents the available evidence and lacks proper context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a press release Feb. 3, 2010, the state party said that when he was in Congress, McCollum \"voted to dismantle Social Security.\"","* McCollum voted against using the surplus from the overall federal budget to bolster Social Security. The Florida Democratic Party said that, \"In the late 1990's, when both the federal budget and Social Security were running surpluses, McCollum voted seven times against using those surpluses to secure Social Security.\"","Florida Democratic Party, \"Is Candidate McCollum prepared to keep standing by Congressman McCollum's record all the way to November?\", Feb. 3, 2010","Patricia Dilley, a University of Florida law professor who helped write Social Security legislation in the 1980s, said it was a stretch to describe the votes in such stark terms. \"There is not a vote in here directly to dismantle Social Security,'' she said."]},{"id":"13207.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he fought Obama at the Supreme Court and won.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the candidate may not have personally argued before the Supreme Court or appeared before the justices, there is evidence that they played significant roles in shaping legal arguments and strategy in cases involving the Obama administration. The key players involved in those cases have acknowledged the candidate's important contributions to the legal proceedings, which ultimately resulted in favorable outcomes. However, it's important to note that the statement could be interpreted as implying a more direct personal involvement in the courtroom, which is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13515.json","label":"false","statement":"Says actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson wore a T-shirt stating: We Stand for the flag, we kneel for the fallen.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not conclusively prove that actor Dwayne \"The Rock\" Johnson wore a T-shirt with the message \"We Stand for the flag, we kneel for the fallen.\" While there are social media posts and images circulating claiming that he did, a forensic photography expert suggests that the graphic design was likely applied onto an existing image to create the appearance of Johnson wearing the T-shirt. Without concrete evidence or confirmation from Johnson himself, it is not accurate to claim that he wore the specific T-shirt mentioned.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6509.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tim Kaine supported higher energy costs for families.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Tim Kaine supported higher energy costs for families is an oversimplification and lacks necessary context. While there may be some truth to the claim that Kaine's support for certain policies, such as cap and trade, could potentially lead to higher energy prices, it is important to consider the specifics of those policies and their potential impact. The evidence suggests that the Chamber of Commerce could not point to a direct instance where Kaine supported a measure that would directly raise energy bills. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of Kaine's stance on energy costs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"3483.json","label":"false","statement":"Ending federal funding for National Public Radio would jeopardize 9,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Representative Moran claimed that ending federal funding for NPR would put 9,000 jobs at risk, the evidence shows that there are approximately 8,400 people working in public radio. Additionally, it's important to note that the proposed legislation only pertains to federal funding for NPR and sets certain rules on how public radio stations can spend federal money, not the complete elimination of all funding sources. Therefore, the claim that ending federal funding for NPR would jeopardize 9,000 jobs is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["No Casinos said Nevada is No. 1 in unemployment, violent crime, car theft, divorce, robberies and foreclosures. Nevada is at the top for unemployment, divorce and foreclosures. Based on 2009 data, Nevada was at the top for the crime measures, but 2010 data showed the state was near the top, but not no. 1. We rate this claim Mostly True.","The CQ data cited by No Casinos was for 2009. It showed Nevada at No. 1 for violent crime, robberies and car theft. That data showed Florida at No. 8 for violent crime, no. 6 for robberies and 14th for car theft.","Crime: For the statistics about violent crime, car theft and robberies we turned to the FBI\u2019s 2010 statistics which show the rate per 100,000 people. (The 2011 data is still preliminary.) Nevada\u2019s violent crime rate was second highest in the country behind the District of Columbia. Nevada's rate for robberies was third, behind D.C. and Delaware. The rate for car theft was third, behind California and Washington state. (The District of Columbia isn\u2019t a state so we won\u2019t hold that one against No Casinos.)","Nevada, he said, \"can keep their recent No. 1 rankings in unemployment, foreclosures, violent crime, personal bankruptcy and divorce. They can keep their No. 1 rankings.\""]},{"id":"11620.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Oregons Umpqua Community College where the shooting occurred was a gun-free zone.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While there is some disagreement and confusion regarding the gun policies at Umpqua Community College, the evidence suggests that the college did not have an explicit and comprehensive gun-free zone policy. According to the college spokeswoman, Umpqua Community College did comply with state law by allowing students with concealed carry licenses to bring firearms on campus. Therefore, it cannot be definitively classified as a gun-free zone. The issue is complex and requires careful examination of the specific policies and regulations in place at the time of the shooting.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7321.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As a result of National Rifle Association and other private-sector (safety-education) programs, fatal firearms accidents are at the lowest level in 100 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and other private-sector safety education programs, such as the Eddie Eagle Child Safety Program, have indeed played a role in promoting safe and responsible gun ownership. These programs have taught millions of young people about the importance of not touching firearms, leaving the area, and seeking adult assistance. As a result, fatal firearms accidents have decreased over time. However, it is important to note that attributing the lowest level of fatal firearms accidents in 100 years solely to these programs is an oversimplification. Other factors, such as advancements in firearm safety technology and increased awareness, may also contribute to the decline in accidents. Therefore, while the NRA and similar programs have made a positive impact, it is not accurate to attribute the entire decrease in fatal firearms accidents solely to their efforts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Florida\u2019s high school graduation rate falls well below the national average,\" reads her campaign website. \"That\u2019s unacceptable, especially as we work to build a new and stronger Florida economy.\"","In short, multiple calculations determined Florida's graduation rate falls below the national average. As for the \"well below,\" part of Sink's claim, both the National Center for Education Statistics and Diplomas Count put Florida among the bottom third of all the states.","The No Child Left Behind graduation rate considers only standard diplomas and GEDs awarded to high school students. It excludes certificates of attendance and GEDs awarded to adult students. That rate was 69.8 in 2007.","And, while Florida's most recent graduation rates show improvement -- during the 2008-2009 school year, the regular graduation rate rose to 78.6, the No Child Left Behind graduation rate rose to 76.2, and the National Governors Association rate climbed to 76.3 -- national groups have yet to evaluate the latest data, so we can't determine whether Florida has finally surpassed the average national graduation rate."]},{"id":"368.json","label":"true","statement":"He's been endorsed by \"every major newspaper here in the state of Texas.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the candidate has received endorsements from every major newspaper in the state of Texas. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support this claim. To verify the accuracy of this statement, it would be necessary to review the endorsements made by major newspapers in Texas for the candidate in question.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Jim Sullivan\u2019s been working hard to raise taxes on Wisconsin workers by another $510 a month so freeloaders can get free state-run health care.\"","With a focus on key state Senate seats, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is airing ads against four Democrats for their votes on a failed universal health care plan. Citing a $510 a month cost, the ads overstate how much the plan would have raised payroll taxes on workers. As for the second half of the charge -- that \"freeloaders\" would get free care -- unemployed Wisconsin residents would have qualified, as long as they\u2019d been state residents for at least a year.","That ad says \"Healthy Wisconsin\" was \"like ObamaCare, only worse. It would cost us $510 a month, but it\u2019s free for people who move here and refuse to work.\"","For some workers, that\u2019s a car payment or two worth of higher taxes every month. And \"freeloaders\" is, well, a pretty loaded word."]},{"id":"1314.json","label":"true","statement":"The House of Representatives does not have a prochoice majority.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the House of Representatives currently has a Democratic majority with 221 Democrats and 209 Republicans. However, the statement does not explicitly mention the issue of abortion or the specific stance of the members on this topic. While it is true that the House of Representatives does not have a pro-choice majority based solely on the party composition, the statement does not provide direct evidence or statistics regarding the members' positions on abortion. Therefore, it is important to note that the statement is true in terms of party majority but does not directly address the pro-choice stance of the House members.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Mixing apples and oranges, Trump said that under Walker, Wisconsin \"projected a $1 billion (budget) surplus and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion.\"","\"Wisconsin\u2019s doing terribly. First of all, it\u2019s in turmoil,\" Trump said. \"The roads are a disaster because they don\u2019t have any money to rebuild them. They\u2019re borrowing money like crazy. They projected a $1 billion surplus and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion.\"","There was in early 2014 a projection of a $1 billion surplus heading into the 2015-\u201917 budget period. Late in 2014, there was a projection of a $2.2 billion shortfall -- the difference between expected revenues and the amount of money being requested by state agencies. But the shortfall was never a deficit -- and some of the surplus was consciously spent by Republicans, as tax cuts.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Gov. Scott Walker says he turned $3.6 billion deficit into a $500 million surplus,\" (Half True) Nov. 15, 2013"]},{"id":"6521.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Obama puts 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats in charge of Medicare, who are required to cut Medicare ... that will lead to denied care for current seniors.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) established the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) with the authority to make recommendations to reduce Medicare spending, the statement exaggerates the potential impact on current seniors. The IPAB's recommendations are required to focus on reducing waste and inefficiency, and it does not have the power to make decisions that directly deny care to seniors. The phrase \"denied care\" is an overstatement and does not accurately reflect the board's intended purpose. Additionally, the IPAB's authority is limited, and it oversees only a small percentage of the Medicare savings outlined in the healthcare law. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4898.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Barack Obama has now spent three years proving that he kills jobs in energy, he kills jobs in manufacturing.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that manufacturing jobs have decreased over the course of President Obama's presidency, it is important to note that they have actually increased during the past two years at the fastest pace in two decades. Additionally, energy extraction jobs have increased in absolute numbers since Obama took office and have risen rapidly in the past two years. Therefore, the statement that President Obama has spent three years proving that he kills jobs in energy and manufacturing is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the overall trends in these sectors. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Some Decatur residents have insisted any annexation plans limit residential units, arguing that would lead to overcrowding its small school system.","The Atlanta expansion in Druid Hills was largely fueled by residents there who wanted to join the city\u2019s schools after DeKalb school leaders rejected the idea of a charter cluster to give them control over several schools.","Annexation would, of course, bring some new students to Decatur schools. Enrollment is projected to grow to 8,145 students by 2020 under last year\u2019s annexation maps.","Today, there are about 550 more students in the city\u2019s four K-3 schools than already packed into the over-capacity high school, Burnett said."]},{"id":"4157.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Virginia state employees pay nothing toward their pensions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. Virginia state employees do contribute towards their pensions. The evidence provided states that longer-serving state workers made contributions to their pensions, and new state employees had been contributing for varying periods of time. This contradicts the claim that Virginia state employees pay nothing towards their pensions.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["But without the windfall, the historic tax cut could have only come if there were massive cuts in spending. And had Evers had the unexpected billions available when he crafted his budget in January, he may not have sought to raise taxes in the first place.","\"Issue by issue, (voters) have an opportunity to see my record when I was governor of Massachusetts,\" Romney said in the May 12, 2012, interview. \"We were able to cut back on the size of government. Actually, we didn't just slow the rate of growth of our government, we actually cut it. We pulled back on the spending of our state.\"","Evers did plan to raise taxes by $1 billion, although his plan would have included tax cuts for lower-income Wisconsinites. And Republicans did include the largest tax cut in history in their version of the budget that passed in July.","\"Gov. Romney said he cut spending in state government,\" Bagley said. \"Comparing spending to (state income) may provide interesting insights, but it does not help address the question of whether state spending increased during Gov. Romney\u2019s term.\""]},{"id":"12869.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are responsible for leading America into a deal that will arm Iran.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were involved in negotiating and implementing the Iran nuclear deal, which aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program, it is misleading to claim that the deal will directly arm Iran. The purpose of the agreement was to restrict Iran's access to nuclear weapons, not to provide them with arms. The deal involved lifting certain sanctions in exchange for Iran's compliance with nuclear restrictions and inspections. Therefore, while Obama and Clinton were involved in the deal, it is incorrect to assert that they were responsible for intentionally arming Iran.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4111.json","label":"half-true","statement":"95 percent of teachers and principals are not implicated in the [Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal] report at all.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the evidence provided, the report on the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal implicated 178 educators, including 38 principals, out of a total of approximately 3,000 teachers and principals. This means that around 6% of educators were implicated in the scandal, which is slightly higher than the 5% mentioned in the statement. While the majority of educators were not implicated, it's important to note that the term \"not implicated at all\" may imply complete innocence, which is not necessarily the case for all educators. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an op-ed on liberal website \"The Huffington Post,\" Johnson, a Democrat, blamed the viciousness on super PACs, political fundraising organizations that can raise unlimited amounts of money from individuals, corporations and unions alike.","The 16 Teachout contributors who gave money to super PACs contributed at least $61 million to super PACs. Two donated $10,000 or less to super PACs. In 2016, seven of the donors gave to super PACs. The other nine did not.","We cross-checked 16 donors to Teachout\u2019s campaign with their donations to super PACs. We found all of them also donated to super PACs.","Zephyr Teachout has been a vocal opponent of super PACs. For a short time last year the Democrat even headed a super PAC whose goal was to end all super PACs."]},{"id":"5423.json","label":"true","statement":"Florida is the largest dog-racing state in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided, which includes a quote from Senator Maria Sachs stating that Florida is the largest dog-racing state in the country. This claim is further supported by the context of the discussion surrounding the proposal to allow dog tracks to stop racing dogs but retain their card rooms and slot machines. The evidence suggests that dog racing is a significant industry in Florida, making it the largest state for this activity.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I'm the only candidate in the Democratic primary, or actually on either side, who Wall Street financiers and hedge fund managers are actually running ads against,\" she responded. \"So I find this, again, a kind of, you know, circuitous way to raise questions about my record.\"","Clinton said, \"I'm the only candidate in the Democratic primary, or actually on either side, who Wall Street financiers and hedge fund managers are actually running ads against.\"","\"I'm the only candidate in the Democratic primary, or actually on either side, who Wall Street financiers and hedge fund managers are actually running ads against.\"","As for Trump, he has said he hasn\u2019t released his taxes because he is being audited. When he claimed he \"released the most extensive financial review of anybody in the history of politics. \u2026 You don't learn much in a tax return,\" PolitiFact National\u2019s rating was False."]},{"id":"11145.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump is for a single-payer health care system.","reason":"Reason: While Donald Trump has expressed admiration for certain aspects of single-payer health care systems in other countries, he has also made statements indicating that he does not support a single-payer system in the United States. Trump's position on health care has been somewhat ambiguous, with varying statements and a lack of clear policy details. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to definitively claim that Trump is for a single-payer health care system. The statement lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect Trump's stance on this issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"But, you know, people will say, well, we build new plants. Twenty percent of our electricity currently comes from nuclear power plants. I think there are 104 in the United States, two of them around the coast in California. Very earthquake-resistant, but I guess there could be a tsunami there. It sounds like it's the tsunami that did the most damage in Japan.","Kristol\u2019s only error was in suggesting that there are 104 nuclear power plants; in fact, there are 104 nuclear power reactors. Because many plants have more than one reactor, the actual number of plants is 65. (This list doesn\u2019t count military and scientific reactors, which are not overseen by the agency.)","We first turned to the Statistical Abstract of the United States, a compendium of statistics published by the U.S. Census Bureau. It includes a table summarizing electricity generation by fuel type through 2009. Dividing net electric generation via nuclear power by net generation in the electric power sector as a whole, we get 20.9 percent. That\u2019s close enough to Kristol\u2019s comment to pass muster with us.","On MSNBC's Last Word on March 22, 2011, host Lawrence O'Donnell argued that evacuation plans for nuclear power plants in the United States are an unrealistic \"fantasy\" due to the huge population concentrations around them."]},{"id":"2730.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Vows to keep Georgias race for governor civil and focused on the positive.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly states that the race for Georgia's governorship has been uncivil and negative, contradicting the claim that there were vows to keep the race civil and focused on the positive. The statement is not supported by the evidence and is therefore false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A Facebook post compared the number of fatal gun-related police encounters and the length of police training in three Nordic countries and the U.S.","Most of the numbers for Nordic countries are accurate. Finland\u2019s police training takes longer than two years, and Norway had two more police-related deaths than the post claimed.","\"There are many, many, many reports talking about corruption within foreign aid,\" Paul said. \"That we give it to developing countries, and 70 percent of it's stolen off the top.\"","Easterly wrote that as of 2008, 76 percent of all American aid went to countries judged by the private consulting group PRS to be most corrupt. Does that mean all that money was lost?"]},{"id":"11762.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Sen. Ted Cruz used to be in favor of birthright citizenship but is now against it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. During a presidential debate, Senator Marco Rubio accused Senator Ted Cruz of changing his position on birthright citizenship. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm whether Cruz was previously in favor of birthright citizenship or if he has completely reversed his stance. While Rubio's accusation suggests a change in Cruz's position, the evidence does not provide a clear and definitive answer. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8416.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"40,000 veterans in Texas wont get health care because Perry rejected Obamacares Medicaid expansion.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are calculations suggesting that a significant number of uninsured Texas veterans would be eligible for Medicaid if the state had expanded it, it is important to note that this does not mean that these veterans will completely be denied healthcare. Some of them may already qualify for Medicaid or receive healthcare through the VA. Additionally, the statement attributes the decision solely to Governor Rick Perry, which oversimplifies the complex factors involved in the rejection of Medicaid expansion. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks nuance and context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4565.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"U.S. unemployment among people ages 16 to 24 is 18.4 percent, which is a 60-year high.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided indicates that the unemployment rate for people ages 16 to 24 in the United States is indeed high, with a rate of 18.7 percent for black individuals and 9.1 percent for white individuals in the same age group. While the statement claims it is a 60-year high, the evidence does not explicitly support this specific timeframe. However, the evidence does show that the current unemployment rate for this age group is comparable to rates seen in the past, including during the aftermath of the Great Recession. Therefore, while the claim of it being a 60-year high lacks direct evidence, the statement accurately reflects the high unemployment rate among young individuals in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Senator Obama has the most liberal voting record in the United States Senate,\" McCain said. \"It's hard to reach across the aisle from that far to the left.\"","If McCain had made a more general statement about Obama's ideology, he could have been more accurate. But McCain's statement that Obama \"has the most liberal voting record in the United States Senate,\" suggests it is a cumulative rating for all of Obama's time in the Senate. But in fact, it is true for only one rating for one year. Measurements for other years and by other groups show Obama is not the No. 1 liberal \u2014 in some cases, far from No. 1. So we find McCain's statement to be Barely True.","He wasn't the top liberal in his two other years in the U.S. Senate according to National Journal . He was 10th-most liberal in 2006 and 16th in 2005.","Here are the facts: According to reports by both The New York Times and the Associated Press, Obama voted \"present\" 129 times as a state senator. The AP reported that Obama said the votes represented a small portion \u2014 a little more than 3 percent \u2014 of the \"roughly 4,000\" votes he cast as a member of the state Senate."]},{"id":"8188.json","label":"true","statement":"Says U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson voted to let oil and gas companies emit unlimited carbon pollution into our air","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and ads from the League of Conservation Voters consistently claim that Senator Ron Johnson voted in favor of allowing oil and gas companies to emit unlimited carbon pollution into the air. These claims have been fact-checked and found to be true. The evidence supports the assertion that Senator Johnson voted in a manner that allowed for the continued release of unlimited carbon pollution by oil and gas companies.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10046.json","label":"half-true","statement":"An overwhelming majority of Republican and Democrat law enforcement leaders have endorsed Brad Schimel.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Brad Schimel has indeed received endorsements from an overwhelming majority of law enforcement leaders, including both Republicans and Democrats. However, it's important to note that the term \"law enforcement leaders\" refers specifically to county sheriffs and district attorneys, who tend to lean more Republican. This natural advantage may have influenced the high number of endorsements from Republican law enforcement leaders. While the statement accurately reflects the support Schimel has received from law enforcement leaders, it does not provide the full context regarding the partisan affiliation of these leaders.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8753.json","label":"true","statement":"What do Rutgers University, Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Stockton College, Rowan University and William Paterson all have in common? They all graduate less than 50 percent of their students within four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that Rutgers University, Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Stockton College, Rowan University, and William Paterson all have a graduation rate of less than 50 percent within four years. This information is supported by the evidence provided, which includes interviews with experts in the field of education. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The headline here is that joblessness rose after a minimum-wage hike more than half the time -- seven out of 11 occasions -- but fell four times. Since joblessness fell some of the time, it means that Carson\u2019s sweeping claim -- that joblessness rises \"every time\" the minimum wage goes up is off-base.","During a back-and-forth with the moderators, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson urged caution on raising the minimum wage, saying, \"People need to be educated on the minimum wage. Every time we raise the minimum wage, the number of jobless people increases.\"","We looked at nationwide employment data in the years following minimum wage increases since 1978, and sometimes there was job growth, and sometimes there was job loss. Modern research tends to show that raising the minimum wage has little significant impact -- positive or negative -- on employment.","We rated Cardin\u2019s claim Mostly False, after determining that during the 12 months following each of the 11 minimum wage increases since 1978, about half produced a net gain in jobs and about half produced a net loss of jobs."]},{"id":"9094.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Most of the people who have signed up through the Obamacare exchanges already had insurance.","reason":"Reason: While there is some evidence to suggest that a portion of the people who signed up through the Obamacare exchanges already had insurance, it is not accurate to claim that \"most\" of them did. The surveys and reports cited do not provide conclusive data on the percentage of enrollees who were previously insured. The claim oversimplifies a complex issue and lacks sufficient evidence to support the assertion that a majority of enrollees already had insurance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13117.json","label":"true","statement":"Says a change in law he carried stopped a $100 million tax increase in the Dallas school district.","reason":"Reason: State Senator Paul Bettencourt claimed that a change in law he carried stopped a $100 million tax increase in the Dallas school district. This claim is supported by evidence. In August 2016, the Dallas Independent School Board voted on a 13-cent property tax increase, which would have raised approximately $104 million for various initiatives. However, the tax increase was stopped, and Bettencourt took credit for it in a press release. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Taxpayers are paying a fortune for the use of Air Force One on the campaign trail\" by President Obama and Hillary Clinton, Trump said.","Trump said, \"Taxpayers are paying a fortune for the use of Air Force One on the campaign trail\" by Obama and Clinton.","That's the underlying complaint of a tweet presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sent out July 5 as his presumptive Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, was preparing to join President Barack Obama aboard Air Force One for a campaign trip to North Carolina.","Twitter, \" The WH has repeatedly refused . .. \" @markknoller, and \" Taxpayers are paying a fortune . . .,\" @realDonaldTrump, both July 5, 2016"]},{"id":"11758.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton isunder investigation with the FBI right now.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. At the time of the given evidence, Hillary Clinton was indeed under investigation by the FBI regarding her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State. However, it is important to note that the investigation had concluded without any charges being filed against her. Therefore, while the investigation did occur, stating that she is currently under investigation would be inaccurate as of the present time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"4876.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Chris Christie) has not paid one dollar of state money into our pension system, and then states that the system is broke.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Chris Christie did not contribute any state money into the pension system. However, it's important to note that the context surrounding the statement is crucial. While it is true that Christie did not make state contributions to the pension system, this does not necessarily mean that the system is entirely \"broke.\" The financial challenges of the pension system are complex and multifaceted, involving factors beyond Christie's contribution decisions. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding Christie's lack of state contributions, it oversimplifies the overall issue of the pension system's financial status.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7320.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"States have cumulatively cut over $1.8 billion from their mental health services between 2009 and 2011. This is the largest reduction in state mental health services in half a century.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kaptur that states have cut over $1.8 billion from their mental health services between 2009 and 2011. Multiple sources, including a report from the mental health program directors group, support this claim. However, the assertion that this is the largest reduction in state mental health services in half a century is harder to verify. While it is challenging to compare budget cuts across different time periods, the evidence suggests that the cuts during this specific period were significant and had a detrimental impact on mental health services. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but with a caveat regarding the comparison to the past half-century.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9327.json","label":"half-true","statement":"28 percent of Kentuckians dont have any online access.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 28 percent of Kentuckians don't have any online access is supported by the evidence provided. Census Bureau data confirms that a significant portion of Kentucky's population does not access the internet. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the reasons behind this lack of access. The evidence suggests that factors such as limited availability and high costs contribute to the lack of online access. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the statistic, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The question isn\u2019t who is going to let me; it\u2019s who is going to stop me,\" reads the quote attributed to Rand, a philosopher and novelist who wrote the books \"The Fountainhead\" and \"Atlas Shrugged.\"","The Facebook post says Ayn Rand said: \"The question isn\u2019t who is going to let me; it\u2019s who is going to stop me.\" She didn\u2019t say this, though the quote paraphrases a character in one of her novels. But without the book\u2019s context, the statement could mislead readers about Rand\u2019s worldview.","\"Very interesting how the train station was a war crime until we realized Ukraine did it,\" reads a screenshot of a tweet that was shared on Facebook on April 13.","There\u2019s no credible evidence that Ukraine was behind the April 8 attack at the Kramatorsk train station. A video used to bolster this claim is fake \u2014 it did not come from the BBC."]},{"id":"10781.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We spent twice as much per capita for health care in this country as the next closest nation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States spends significantly more per capita on healthcare compared to the \"next closest nation,\" the statement lacks clarity and context. The term \"next closest nation\" is ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways. If we consider the closest nation in terms of per capita spending, Norway, the statement is accurate. However, if we consider the average spending of OECD nations, the United States spends about 2.5 times the average, not twice as much. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precision and can be misleading without further clarification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1079.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On the day the House voted on the climate change bill, there was not even a copy of the bill in the well of the House, which is standard. It wasnt even written.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the specific claim about the climate change bill not being present in the well of the House on the day of the vote. However, it is important to note that the legislative process often involves multiple versions and amendments to bills, and it is not uncommon for last-minute changes to be made before a vote. While it is possible that the final version of the bill was not physically present in the well of the House on the day of the vote, it does not necessarily mean that the bill was not written or that it was not available to lawmakers for review prior to the vote. Without more specific information or evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10876.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton makes more per hour at a speaking gig than the average CEO does in a year.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton has earned significant amounts of money from speaking engagements, the statement comparing her earnings per hour to the average CEO's annual salary is misleading. The average CEO's salary is typically based on a yearly compensation package, which includes various components such as base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Comparing a one-time speaking fee to an annual CEO salary is not an accurate or fair comparison. Additionally, the statement fails to consider the wide range of CEO salaries across different industries and company sizes. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it presents a misleading and incomplete comparison.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"According to recent figures, tourism accounts for 439,000 jobs in the state of Ohio, and visitors spend $36 billion annually,\" Dovilla said April 12 in a news release from his office announcing TourismOhio.","The $36 billion spending figure Dovilla cited is slightly out of date. Tourism Economics provided that figure to Ohio\u2019s tourism division in 2010. More recently, Tourism Economics reported in May 2011 that Ohio tourism generated $38 billion in sales in 2010, up $2 billion from the previous year.","Indirect employment figures include jobs that are sustained when tourism-related industries spend money. It also includes jobs that are supported by the spending of workers whose jobs are directly tied to tourism.","Tourism Economics\u2019 report released in May 2011, \"The Economic Impact of Tourism in Ohio,\" contained the jobs statistic. The report, which measured employment in 2010, said that 326,964 jobs were directly related to tourism while another 112,109 jobs were indirectly linked to tourism."]},{"id":"4424.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Every time the Legislature suspended the kicker, most recently the corporate kicker in 2007, Salem spent every penny and failed to stabilize the states revenues.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that every time the Legislature suspended the kicker, the funds were spent entirely by the government, leading to a failure to stabilize the state's revenues. While it is possible that some or all of the funds were spent, the statement lacks specific evidence or data to support the claim that every penny was spent and that it resulted in a failure to stabilize revenues. Without more concrete information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10778.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Baltimore police are trained by Mossad and Shin Bet.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Baltimore police are trained by Mossad and Shin Bet is entirely false. The source cited by the Nation of Islam Research group incorrectly referred to optional training in Krav Maga for the wrong police department and listed a trainer with experience in Los Angeles, not with Mossad or Shin Bet. The instructor mentioned on the Baltimore County webpage has no connection to Mossad or Shin Bet. These agencies are Israeli intelligence and counter-intelligence organizations, and there is no credible evidence to support the claim that they provide training to the Baltimore police. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8479.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wisconsin ranks No. 2 in economic growth, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Scott Walker and his office highlighted a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to claim that Wisconsin ranked #2 in economic growth, it's important to note that this ranking is based on an index that measures coincident economic activity. This index does not provide a comprehensive assessment of overall economic growth and does not consider other important factors such as job creation, wage growth, or GDP growth. Therefore, while Wisconsin may have ranked high on this specific index, it does not necessarily indicate that the state's overall economic growth is the second highest in the nation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5483.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Atlanta areas water planning district is now the national leader in conservation.","reason":"Reason: While there are conflicting opinions on the matter, the statement that the Atlanta area's water planning district is the national leader in conservation is not fully supported by the evidence. While one individual claimed that the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District is the national leader in conservation, other sources indicate that there is no consensus or widespread recognition of Atlanta as a national leader in water conservation. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6634.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under President Bush in eight years, we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama, weve added $5.3 trillion to the debt in the 3.5 years hes been in office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made regarding the increase in the national debt under President Bush and President Obama. Multiple sources confirm that during President Bush's eight years in office, the national debt increased by approximately $4.9 trillion. Similarly, it is supported by evidence that during President Obama's 3.5 years in office, the national debt increased by approximately $5.3 trillion. However, it's important to note that the figures provided are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the source and the specific timeframes considered. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But we wondered about the director\u2019s claim that a \"regulatory thing\" stops people from drinking beer in commercials. We\u2019ve seen plenty of beer commercials and just always assumed that someone was drinking at some point.","\"Even though you, as an individual, might have gotten vaccinated, it is not over by any means. We still have a long way to go, and we've got to get as many people as possible vaccinated, of all groups.\"","We doubt Heineken is hoping for a quick shift. If commercials start showing people sipping away, that Heineken ad will be about as enticing as, well, old beer.","Shriners Hospitals for Children patient ambassador Kaleb-Wolf De Melo Torres is known for his appearances in publicity campaigns and fundraising commercials for the hospital network."]},{"id":"3301.json","label":"true","statement":"Gov. Rick Scotts sale of the state planes was not proper.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is disagreement and controversy surrounding Governor Rick Scott's sale of the state planes. The statement that the sale was \"not proper\" aligns with the viewpoint of Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander and is supported by specific state statutes that govern the use of allocated funds. Therefore, based on the information provided, it can be concluded that the sale of the state planes by Governor Rick Scott was indeed not proper.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We reviewed data from the business-backed Tax Foundation, which tracked from 1981 through 2005 how much each state gets back in expenditures for every dollar sent in taxes to the federal government.","\"In fact New Jersey is a donor state, we get 61 cents back on every dollar we send to Washington. And interestingly Kentucky gets $1.51 on every dollar they send to Washington.\"","\"Violent crime is up since the last year of Sharpe James\u2019 administration. This year it\u2019s higher. \u2026 The unemployment rate is almost 15 percent. The high school dropout rate is over 50 percent.\"","One reason cities rely on them so much is because federal funding for this infrastructure has decreased. Another is Proposition 13. That\u2019s the measure California voters approved in 1978 to limit how much local governments can hike property taxes, which fund local services for new communities."]},{"id":"9400.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve seen a remarkable reduction in the number of Americans being executed -- its down nearly two-thirds over the past generation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by David Frum that there has been a significant reduction in the number of Americans being executed over the past generation. While the evidence provided suggests a slight increase in executions over a specific 20-year period, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the entire generation. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that there has been a substantial reduction in executions over a longer timeframe, supporting the claim made by Frum.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"President Biden has created more jobs in his first 7 months than any POTUS in history. During a pandemic. And an economic downturn. President Biden\u2019s leadership is helping America bounce back and our economy recover. Democrats will continue moving us forward.\"","But in 2014, we found Mostly False a claim that 110 people a day were moving to Austin alone. That figure was in the ballpark for the number of people moving to the five-county region, as Ryan Robinson, the city demographer, reaffirmed in a 2018 statement he emailed to our renewed inquiry. We concluded before, though, that Austin alone was netting perhaps 40 to 60 additional residents a day.","Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, set to relinquish his office after this year, warned in his last \"State of the City\" address that growth continues to pinch.","Statement, \"On average, how many people move to Austin each day?,\" Ryan Robinson, city demographer, City of Austin, undated (received by email March 28, 2018)"]},{"id":"12948.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Onthe Iran nuclear deal","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately acknowledges that the Iran nuclear deal aimed to restrict certain Iranian nuclear activities, impose monitoring measures, and prevent Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons in the future. It also correctly states that Iran was relieved of economic sanctions as part of the agreement. However, it is important to note that the deal had varying timeframes for the restrictions on Iranian nuclear activities, with some lasting for 10 to 25 years. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the criticisms and concerns surrounding the deal, such as its effectiveness in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons in the long term. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks some important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7549.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Q: What do these Patriotic Americans have in common? A: They are all Draft Dodgers.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the mentioned individuals, including Romney, Trump, Cheney, Limbaugh, Nugent, and O'Reilly, are all draft dodgers. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. The term \"draft dodger\" implies that these individuals actively avoided military service during a time of conscription, which has not been proven to be the case. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4326.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Outside of recall elections, theres never been a public official removed from office in Wisconsin for anything but malfeasance in office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan that, outside of recall elections, no public official in Wisconsin has been removed from office for reasons other than malfeasance in office. While there may be some instances where public officials were removed for reasons other than malfeasance, the evidence suggests that such cases are extremely rare. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, acknowledging the possibility of rare exceptions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Texas Future said: \"One thousand people a day are moving to Texas, which means there will be 15 million more people over the next 25 years.\"","A May 2014 video ad opens with the narrator saying: \"One thousand people a day are moving to Texas, which means there will be 15 million more people over the next 25 years. And since people can\u2019t bring their roads with them, that means we\u2019ll have a lot of extra cars without additional driving space.\"","( - Texas might grow by 15 million people in 25 years, but it won't be solely because people move there&url=)","Enough about the first part of this claim; do all the expected additional residents mean there will be 15 million additional residents 25 years from now, as the group says?"]},{"id":"10701.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Half of all Americans have less than $10,000 in their savings account.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. A 2014 survey indicated that approximately half of American adults had less than $10,000 in savings and investments that could be used for retirement, including savings accounts, 401(k) plans, and IRAs. However, it's important to note that the statement specifically refers to savings accounts, and the evidence does not specify the breakdown between savings accounts and other types of investments. Nonetheless, the general claim that a significant portion of Americans have limited savings in their accounts is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2279.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States is 50th in life expectancy in the world.","reason":"Reason: While there is some discrepancy in the exact ranking, the statement that the United States is 50th in life expectancy in the world is generally accurate. Different sources may provide slightly different rankings, such as No. 41 according to the Population Reference Bureau or potentially in the low 30s according to the World Health Organization. However, the underlying point made by Grayson, that the U.S. does not rank as high in life expectancy as one might expect, remains valid. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10143.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ebola is incredibly contagious, very transmissible and easy to catch.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks nuance. While Ebola is indeed a highly contagious and transmissible disease, it is not accurate to describe it as \"incredibly contagious\" or \"very easy to catch.\" Ebola primarily spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals, such as blood, vomit, or feces. It is not an airborne disease like the flu or common cold, which can be easily transmitted through respiratory droplets. The use of personal protective equipment and proper infection control measures significantly reduce the risk of transmission. Therefore, while Ebola is a serious and contagious disease, it is important to provide accurate information and avoid sensationalizing its transmission potential.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Then comes the voice-over: \"John Boozman is excited about putting a 23 percent national sales tax on everything you buy. Calling it a fair tax is like putting a dress on a pig. 95 percent of Arkansans would pay more taxes.\"","\"I'm excited about looking at the Fair Tax,\" Boozman said. \"I'm excited about getting rid of the IRS...The bill would make it such that you would eliminate all federal taxes. I think it's something that needs to be looked at. It's a workable solution, and it should be gone forward with hearings and things in that manner.\"","Sen. Blance Lincoln Campaign website, \"Facts Don\u2019t Lie, Unlike Congressman John Boozman,\"( \"\"Facts Don\u2019t Lie, Unlike Congressman John Boozman,\"\") Sept. 21, 2010","Which brings us to Lincoln's claim that the plan would result in 95 percent of Arkansans paying more taxes. That statistic comes from a 2004 analysis( \"2004 analysis\") from the left-leaning Citizens for Tax Justice. But it's not an apples-to-apples analysis of the bills repeatedly proposed in Congress. The group's research arm, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, used a 45 percent sales tax for its analysis arguing that was a more realistic percentage for what is needed to raise the same amount of revenue as the current federal tax system. Other economists have criticized the 23 percent figure as well, saying that it would require massive cuts in federal spending (or running up massive debt) if it were used alone to replace the federal income tax. Nonetheless, the figure used in the study is not the 23 percent sales tax figure contained in the bill Boozman cosponsored. What the appropriate percentage for a national sales tax ought to be is a matter for debate, but we think it's misleading to cite the 95 percent figure in the ad based on an analysis of a sales tax that is nearly double the tax rate in the bill Boozman cosponsored."]},{"id":"11927.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Travis County residents trusted me to take on Tom DeLay and we won.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Travis County prosecutor Gary Cobb secured a jury verdict against Tom DeLay, the statement in question implies a final victory, which is not accurate. The convictions against DeLay were ultimately overturned on appeal, and the highest criminal court of appeals in the state upheld the ruling. Therefore, it would be misleading to claim an outright victory against DeLay. The statement lacks the necessary context of the overturned convictions and does not accurately reflect the final outcome of the legal proceedings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3785.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The turnout on May 14th was just 7 percent -- the lowest turnout in decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the available election summaries since 1965, the voter turnout on May 14th was indeed 7.4 percent, which is comparable to the May 2000 turnout of 7 percent. While the statement may slightly overstate the turnout by rounding down, the overall claim that it was the lowest turnout in decades is accurate. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not specify the exact number of decades, so it is possible that there may have been lower turnouts further back in history.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Oregon, Jim Huffman attacks Ron Wyden for spending $2 million on the study of exotic ants( \"im Huffman attacks Ron Wyden for spending $2 million","After an ominous intro about Oregon\u2019s unemployment rate and the growing national debt, the ad takes its entomological turn: \"Wyden spent $2 million dollars to study exotic ants,\" a man says to his wife, while shaking his head. \"And you thought he was out of touch.\"","At Politifact Oregon, we think it would be fair to say that Wyden\u2019s vote did eventually lead to the funding of a study of exotic ants. But it happened in such a roundabout way that Huffman\u2019s claim that \"Wyden spent $2 million dollars to study exotic ants\" is disingenuous. Wyden voted for a bill that, despite being thousands and thousands of words long never mentions the word \"ants.\" Instead it directed more money to the National Science Foundation, which then distributed the funds as it saw fit.","Republican Senate hopeful Jim Huffman took a page out of Arizona Sen. John McCain\u2019s book, dinging Democratic incumbent Sen. Ron Wyden in a recent television ad for voting to fund a study of exotic ants."]},{"id":"9395.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Eric Cantor voted to fully fund Obamacare in October.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Eric Cantor supported a temporary appropriations bill that ended a government shutdown and ensured continued funding for discretionary programs, including defense and education, it is misleading to claim that this vote was a vote to \"fully fund Obamacare.\" The appropriations bill did not specifically allocate funds solely for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). It is important to note that Cantor, as House majority leader, has been actively involved in Republican efforts to repeal or weaken the Affordable Care Act. Therefore, characterizing his vote for the appropriations bill as a vote to \"fully fund Obamacare\" is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect his stance on the healthcare law.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It's just been announced that the residents of Florida are going to experience a massive, double-digit premium hike,\" he said at a Nov. 3, 2016, campaign rally in Jacksonville.","The state announced in September that ACA-compliant plans would see an average premium hike of 19.1 percent. That\u2019s lower than the national average of 25 percent, but is still a sizable increase. Most people who buy those policies qualify for federal subsidies, however, so they likely won\u2019t see an increase as high as Trump is implying. And the vast majority of Floridians get their insurance through their job, where increases aren\u2019t going to be as high.","PolitiFact Nevada, \"Trump says Nevadans will see a 'massive' hike in health care premiums, but some context needed,\" Nov. 4, 2016","For 2017, Health and Human Services has estimated that 86 percent of Floridians who buy a plan off will be able to find a plan for $100 a month or less. Amid double-digit increases last year, average premiums after subsidies went from $82 to $84, the agency said."]},{"id":"6985.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Latin Americas economy is almost as big as the economy of China.","reason":"Reason: While Latin America's economy is significant, it is not accurate to claim that it is \"almost as big\" as the economy of China. China's economy is considerably larger than that of Latin America, with a GDP that is approximately one-third larger. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the parity between the two economies. However, it's worth noting that the gap between the two is narrowing, as China's lead over Latin America is increasing. Thus, while the statement contains an element of truth, it is misleading in terms of the actual size comparison between the two economies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"So let\u2019s talk about Newark for a second, our largest city, little over 275,000 citizens, a school district of about 70 schools, where we spend on average $24,500 per pupil per year. And for a young man or woman who is entering the ninth grade in Newark this year, they have a 29 percent graduation rate. Twenty-nine percent graduation rate,\" Christie said in a speech at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.","A presentation based on the study\u2019s findings said that 22 percent of children who enter ninth grade in Newark graduate with a \"HSPA degree in four years.\"","Using raw data provided by Newark Public Schools, PolitiFact New Jersey calculated the four-year graduation rate for students who pass the HSPA. We got a rate of 25.8 percent. Newark also had a rate of 19.8 percent for students passing the alternate exam, now called the Alternate High School Assessment and special education students exempt from taking the HSPA accounted for another 9.4 percent, according to the district\u2019s data.","One method calculates the percentage of people who enter ninth grade and graduate in four years by passing the High School Proficiency Assessment, or HSPA."]},{"id":"2125.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Jim Marshall votes liberal in Washington ... and we arent fooled.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Jim Marshall's voting record is not consistently liberal but falls more towards the middle. While some conservatives may view him as too far to the left, independent research indicates that Marshall votes more conservatively than most Democrats but more liberally than most Republicans. Therefore, the statement that Marshall votes liberal in Washington is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect his overall voting record.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6286.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says its not accidental that the villain in the Batman movie is named Bane.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The suggestion that the naming of the villain \"Bane\" in the Batman movie was intentional to influence voters or create associations with the company formerly run by Romney is baseless. The character \"Bane\" has been a prominent villain in the Batman comics since the early 1990s, and the decision to include him in the movie was unrelated to any political agenda. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the naming was anything other than a creative choice for the film.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["He also said the federal government owns 30 percent of the land in the 50 states, or about 650 million acres.","Georgia tea party leader J.D. Van Brink said the federal government owns 30 percent of the land in the 50 states, or about 650 million acres. Based on research from a nonpartisan congressional research think tank, Van Brink\u2019s data is close to the published figures. The only difference is minor rounding.","The CRS overview also includes detailed federally owned acreage information for each state. Of the country\u2019s total land base of 2.27 billion acres, the roughly 635 million to 640 million acres is about 28 percent of the total, within the truthful range for Van Brink\u2019s 30 percent figure.","There\u2019s no exact total of how much land Washington owns and manages, partly because the total is constantly changing, but it\u2019s a lot. According to the most recent data in a 2012 Congressional Research Service report, the government owns about 635 million to 640 million acres, or about 28 percent of all the land in the country."]},{"id":"10098.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I was speaking out on pension reform almost 17 years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Ernest Almonte's claim that he was speaking out on pension reform almost 17 years ago. This claim is supported by his own statement and the context in which it was made. However, without further information, it is difficult to assess the specific details and impact of Almonte's advocacy for pension reform during that time. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly-true, as it accurately represents Almonte's assertion but lacks additional context for a comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"He was against the auto bailout,\" Clinton said at a March 6 CNN debate in Flint, Mich. \"In January of 2009, President-elect Obama asked everybody in the Congress to vote for the bailout. The money was there and had to be released in order to save the American auto industry and 4 million jobs and to begin the restructuring. We had the best year that the auto industry has had in a long time. I voted to save the auto industry. He voted against the money that ended up saving the auto industry.\"","Biden then countered: \"Part of that was bailing out the automobile industry \u2014 saving thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs over time. (Sanders) voted against that as well.\"","In October 2008, Congress approved the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The money was intended to assist financial institutions, but it also ended up bailing out the auto industry.","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\""]},{"id":"10593.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The labor participation rate is at an all-time low.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the labor participation rate has been on a decline, it is not accurate to claim that it is at an all-time low. The statement fails to acknowledge that the labor participation rate reached its lowest point in September 2015 at 62.4 percent. Since then, it has fluctuated and slightly increased in recent years. While concerns about stagnant middle-class wage growth and the labor participation rate are valid, it is important to provide accurate information and not exaggerate by claiming it is at an all-time low.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A chain email said that following closure of a lead smelter in Missouri, \"all lead for bullets will have to come from overseas!\"","While the closure of a Doe Run primary lead smelter in December 2013 means there are no smelters to make lead from ore anywhere in the United States, smelters to recycle lead remain in operation, and their output is substantial enough to satisfy the needs of ammunition manufacturers. Four months after that particular smelter closed, we found no evidence that all lead for bullets now comes from overseas.","Now that the Doe Run primary smelter has been shuttered for a few months, we checked back with ammunition experts to see whether there\u2019s any evidence that all lead for bullets now comes from overseas.","\"All lead for bullets will have to come from overseas!\" the email says, adding, \"Long term what this means: Your investment in ammo may be your best investment. Guns will be plentiful but ammo will be another story. How does $3.75 a round (that's for one bullet) for a 9mm work for you? Box of 50 would only cost you $187.50.\""]},{"id":"218.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Mike Huckabee \"supported taxpayer-funded scholarships for illegal aliens.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mike Huckabee supported a measure that would have allowed the children of illegal immigrants who graduated from Arkansas high schools to apply for a state-funded scholarship program, it is important to note that the statement in the ad is misleading. The scholarships were not specifically designated for illegal aliens, but rather for Arkansas students who met the eligibility criteria, including achieving a specific grade-point average and meeting other basic requirements. The measure did not pass into law, so the scholarships were never implemented. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks important context and could be misleading to viewers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9562.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Cranstons 2014-2015 budget funds 100 percent of the local police and fire pension and other retiree benefit costs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the specific claim about Cranston's 2014-2015 budget. Without additional information or evidence specifically related to Cranston's budget, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. However, based on the general understanding that pensions should ideally be fully funded, it is plausible that Cranston's budget aimed to fund 100 percent of the local police and fire pension and other retiree benefit costs. Without more specific evidence, it is best to consider the statement as mostly true but with some uncertainty.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8108.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the 2014-15 state budget cut border security and funding to fight criminal gangs.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made that the 2014-15 state budget cut border security and funding to fight criminal gangs, the evidence suggests that the statement is not entirely accurate. While some lawmakers, including Patrick, expressed concerns about the budget's allocation for border security and gang-fighting, the actual budgeted funding for border security in 2014-15 exceeded the total in the previous budget. However, it is worth noting that the exact figures for funding to fight criminal gangs were not available at the time, making it difficult to determine the precise impact on gang-fighting initiatives. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks complete information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"We need to raise the minimum wage, because it's lower right now than it was when Ronald Reagan took office,\" Obama said in a speech at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., on July 24, 2013.","When Obama said the minimum wage is \"lower right now than it was when Ronald Reagan took office,\" he offered a carefully worded statement that is accurate when considering inflation. However, his invocation of Reagan rings hollow, since the late president was hardly a model for Obama\u2019s approach to the minimum wage.","And using Reagan to make a case to raise the minimum wage should be taken with a grain of salt since the former president never increased it during his two terms. And by Reagan\u2019s last State of the Union, the minimum wage was $2 less than when he first took office, if you factor in inflation.","We should start by noting that the minimum wage, as written into law, is higher now than it was when Reagan took office in 1981 -- since 2009, it\u2019s been $7.25 an hour, compared to $3.35 in 1981."]},{"id":"4339.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We rank below Ethiopia, Im told, in terms of our exports per capita, well below any of the other developed countries we trade with, and well below China and (South) Korea.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence indicates that the United States ranks below Ethiopia in terms of exports as a percentage of GDP, not exports per capita. However, it is accurate that the United States ranks below other developed countries and China and South Korea in terms of exports per capita. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in some aspects, it is not entirely precise and lacks clarity in specifying the metric being used.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In our community college system, cuts have reduced funding per student by $1,908,\" the Democratic gubernatorial nominee says on his campaign website.","McAuliffe\u2019s website says state funding per community college student fell from $4,418 in 2008 to $2,510 in 2012 -- a $1,908 drop.","The cuts in college spending can be be severe. Of the states that have dialed back, 36 reduced funding by more than 20 percent, while 11 have slashed it by more than one-third. Arizona and New Hampshire have cut their higher education spending in half.","So state funding was falling while the student population was rising. The community colleges addressed the strain by raising tuition -- from an average of $2,390 for an in-state student during the 2007-08 school year to $3,556 in 2011-12."]},{"id":"2698.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Bill Heller raises taxes. Property taxes. Small business taxes. He even wants to tax the Internet. Mr. Heller said no to balancing the federal budget, that puts more debt on our kids.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Republican Jeff Brandes that Bill Heller raises taxes, including property taxes, small business taxes, and wanting to tax the Internet. Additionally, it mentions Heller's stance on balancing the federal budget, suggesting that he opposed measures that would reduce the national debt burden on future generations. However, it's important to note that the evidence also states that Brandes' claims on taxes are mostly true, indicating that there may be some inaccuracies or exaggerations in his portrayal of Heller's tax policies. Therefore, while the statement captures the main points, it should be considered with some caution regarding the extent and impact of Heller's tax positions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1940.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The U.S. spends $4 billion on research and development for energy, while spending $350 billion on oil from foreign countries, \"many of whom are our enemies.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two separate claims. \n\nFirstly, it states that the U.S. spends $4 billion on research and development for energy. However, the evidence provided does not support this specific figure. The information provided only mentions that the U.S. Energy Department's Office of Science received $5.4 billion in fiscal year 2018, but not all of that funding was allocated specifically for energy research.\n\nSecondly, it claims that the U.S. spends $350 billion on oil from foreign countries, \"many of whom are our enemies.\" While the evidence does not directly address this claim, it is worth noting that the U.S. does import a significant amount of oil, and some of those imports may come from countries that are considered adversaries or have strained relations with the U.S.\n\nGiven the lack of specific evidence for the figures mentioned and the incomplete information provided, the statement can be considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4798.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the state auditor found that 37 percent of the 428,000 students receiving free and reduced-price lunches are ineligible.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that the state auditor found 37 percent of the students receiving free and reduced-price lunches are ineligible. The evidence provided does not mention any findings related to the eligibility of students receiving free and reduced-price lunches. It is important to ensure accuracy when making claims about eligibility for benefits and to rely on credible sources for information.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5188.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama began his presidency going on a worldwide apology tour.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama began his presidency with a worldwide apology tour is a persistent and false narrative that has been debunked multiple times. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that President Obama embarked on an apology tour. This claim has been widely discredited as a misleading political talking point.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["At the Sept. 26 presidential debate, a few before the New York Times story came out, Clinton suggested Trump may not want to release his tax returns because he doesn\u2019t pay income taxes.","Donald Trump has said repeatedly that there isn\u2019t much new information to learn in his tax returns, defending his much-derided decision not to make them public. Yet just three pages of his 1995 tax returns, uncovered by the New York Times this past weekend, reveal significant facts.","The news drew the disdain of some of Trump\u2019s detractors even as the president, who has fought to keep his tax returns private, denied the story.","In response to the New York Times\u2019 story, Trump\u2019s campaign said in a statement, \"Mr. Trump knows the tax code far better than anyone who has ever run for president and he is the only one that knows how to fix it.\""]},{"id":"12575.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"[My administration is] well represented both racially, ethnically and gender-wise.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the administration implies that their administration is well-represented in terms of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. While it is true that the administration has made efforts to prioritize diversity and inclusion, the statement is an overgeneralization. The term \"well-represented\" suggests a high level of proportional representation, which may not accurately reflect the current composition of the administration. While progress has been made, there are still areas where representation could be improved. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it presents an overly positive and simplified view of the administration's diversity efforts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In renewable and advanced energy manufacturing projects, Ohio now ranks first among the 50 states,\" Strickland said during a July 6 speech at the Ohio Democratic Party headquarters in Columbus.","The governor said he was convinced when he took office more than three years ago that the right energy policies, coupled with Ohio\u2019s manufacturing history and infrastructure, could be the foundation to build the state into an energy leader. And he rattled off a list of green energy accolades for the state, including this No. 1 ranking in renewable and advanced energy manufacturing projects.","But the report and rankings have not been updated since 2008 and there are no plans to do so, said Adam Bruns, SITE Selection\u2019s managing editor. The magazine has moved on to analyzing, reviewing and ranking cities and states on other advanced energy-related projects, he says.","Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is on a mission to prove that a traditionally blue-collar, manufacturing state can make the transition to become a leader in the futuristic green energy industry. And he is touting his leadership for bringing the state recognition."]},{"id":"6750.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Obama campaign surrogate Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley acknowledged that we are not better off than we were four years ago.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Martin O'Malley, a campaign surrogate for President Obama, made a statement acknowledging that \"we are not better off than we were four years ago,\" it is important to note that this statement does not necessarily reflect President Obama's own stance or the official position of his campaign. O'Malley's statement represents his own perspective and may not align with the overall messaging of the campaign. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it accurately attributes the acknowledgment to O'Malley but does not imply a broader consensus within the campaign.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Also troubling was your decision to significantly cut early voting prior to the 2008 presidential election,\" Joyner wrote on July 30. She said legislation he signed was designed \"to diminish turnout in minority communities that were increasingly relying on early voting.\"","It did not change the 14-day maximum, but it did cut hours for counties that kept polls open longer than eight hours. In Miami-Dade, for example, early voting hours were cut by a third from prior 12-hour days, speaking to Joyner\u2019s characterization that Bush \"significantly cut\" early voting.","Two years later, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama won Florida en route to a victory in the 2008 presidential election. There were reports of very long lines and finicky voting machines that year, but there also was an increase in registered voters.","Between December 2007 and October 2008, more than 233,000 black Floridians registered to vote. About 54 percent of black voters cast early ballots in the 2008 election."]},{"id":"10314.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Site selectors who decide where businesses expand or relocate shun closed shop states like Wisconsin in favor of Right to Work states like Iowa, Indiana and Michigan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. There is anecdotal evidence and surveys suggesting that some site selectors consider right-to-work laws when deciding where businesses should expand or relocate. These laws may influence their decisions, as some firms may prefer right-to-work states due to perceived benefits such as lower labor costs or increased flexibility. However, it is important to note that this is not a universal rule, and other factors such as infrastructure, workforce skills, and market access also play significant roles in business location decisions. Therefore, while the statement captures a trend, it does not apply to all site selectors or businesses, making it only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Anyway, back to what Shalala said, which was: \"Nationally the academic achievements of our student-athletes are mentioned in the same breath and spirit as Notre Dame and Stanford.\"","\"Let us not forget who we are,\" Shalala said in a video posted on the university's website Aug. 29. \"Nationally the academic achievements of our student-athletes are mentioned in the same breath and spirit as Notre Dame and Stanford. This is because we are first and foremost an academic institution.\"","For the 2009-10 year, UM student-athletes had what the NCAA calls a \"graduation success rate\" of 86 percent. That means that 86 percent of student-athletes who started between 2000-03 graduated within six years. According to NCAA statistics, UM ranks 7th in the 12-school Atlantic Coast Conference (Duke and Boston College graduated 97 percent of their student-athletes, for instance) and well behind the graduation rates at Notre Dame (99 percent) and Stanford (94 percent).","Nagel, the sport management professor from South Carolina, summed it up best: \"I have a sneaking suspicion that the only time those three schools are discussed in the same (breath) and spirit is within the halls of the University of Miami\u2019s administrative offices.\""]},{"id":"2556.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Said he opposed every budget Republican and Democrat.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that the speaker claims to have opposed every budget from both Republicans and Democrats, the evidence provided does not directly support or refute this claim. The evidence primarily focuses on Senator Cruz's response to a different statement regarding government shutdowns. Therefore, without further evidence or context, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the speaker's claim. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12826.json","label":"false","statement":"Only five Texas counties account for almost 90 percent of the (states) cattle industry.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that only five Texas counties account for almost 90 percent of the state's cattle industry. The evidence provided discusses the division of the continental United States into grids for managing electric load, the population growth in Texas, and the energy independence of ERCOT. There is no information or data provided that directly supports or verifies the claim about the cattle industry in Texas.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Georgia Tech spokeswoman Laura Diamond gave us some data from surveys done in 2012 and 2013 about its graduates. Over those two years, 52 percent of Tech undergraduates remained in the state. The total increases to 55 percent once you include those who attended graduate school.","There\u2019s not much data out there on this subject. Georgia Tech\u2019s surveys showed the percentage of graduates who stayed in the state were slightly higher than what the mayor said at the luncheon. Still, Reed appears to be on the right track with his comments, based on the limited information available.","Reed is not the first person to raise concerns about a brain drain. Some Michigan educators and elected officials talked about the need to keep more college graduates in that state. A first-of-its-kind survey of all 2007 Michigan public university graduates, conducted by Michigan Future Inc., revealed that half of grads left the state within a year, The Detroit News reported. The percentage of Michigan State University graduates who left the state doubled between 2001 and 2009, from 24 percent to 49 percent, the newspaper reported, citing statistics from the school.","Nationally, there\u2019s little research on the topic. A 2007-08 federal survey found 69 percent of college graduates were living in the state where they earned their degree one year after graduation."]},{"id":"7650.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has allowed, each year hes been here, the prosecutions of gun cases (for background check failures) to go down. ... Theyve declined every year since President Bush left office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that the prosecutions of gun cases for background check failures have declined each year since President Bush left office. However, it is important to note that this decline started during the Obama administration and continued during President Obama's tenure. Therefore, attributing the decline solely to President Obama's time in office is misleading. The statement could be more accurate by acknowledging that the decline began under President Bush and continued under President Obama.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Social media posts misleadingly characterized details surrounding research out of the University of Pittsburgh that received some funding from the National Institutes of Health. (AP) !Social media posts misleadingly characterized details surrounding research out of the University of Pittsburgh that received some funding from the National Institutes of Health. (AP)","Social media posts misleadingly characterized details surrounding research out of the University of Pittsburgh that received some funding from the National Institutes of Health. (AP)","\u2022 Research by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh was supported in part by branches of the National Institutes of Health.","The research was at least partially supported by various branches of the National Institutes of Health, according to the paper\u2019s acknowledgments section."]},{"id":"2801.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Oregons budget has grown by 49 percent in just four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Alley that Oregon's biennial budget increased by more than 49% in a span of four years. While there is some discrepancy in the exact percentage increase due to different calculations, the evidence suggests that the budget did experience significant growth during that period. It's important to note that the specific percentage increase may vary depending on the calculation method used, but the statement captures the essence of the budget's substantial growth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Johnson said in a Facebook post that shutting down the construction of the Keystone pipeline would result in \"nearly 2,000 (union jobs lost) with Wisconsin companies\"","\u201cWe\u2019ve created more jobs in the first eight months of my administration than any president in American history \u2014 total number of jobs created.\u201d","What\u2019s more, the jobs would also likely be outside of Wisconsin, because the pipeline\u2019s path is through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. So, that would lessen the impact on the state of any lost jobs -- and related spending power -- due to Biden\u2019s action.","Biden said, \"We\u2019ve created more jobs in the first eight months of my administration than any president in American history \u2014 total number of jobs created.\""]},{"id":"1362.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"We've created or saved up to 1.6 million jobs, according to the CBO -- the Congressional Budget Office -- through the Recovery Act.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. President Obama did claim that the Recovery Act had created or saved up to 1.6 million jobs, citing the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) as the source. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on an estimate provided by the CBO in a report from November 2009. The actual number of jobs created or saved can be difficult to precisely measure, and there is some degree of uncertainty in these estimates. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim and the source he cited, it should be understood that the number is an estimate and not a definitive count of jobs created or saved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8149.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Matt Bevin has repeatedly failed to pay his taxes.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence to suggest that Matt Bevin had issues with unpaid taxes, the statement that he has repeatedly failed to pay his taxes is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided indicates that there were specific instances where Bevin failed to pay property taxes on a home in Maine and that a bell-making company owned by members of the Bevin family had tax liabilities. However, the evidence also suggests that Bevin took steps to address the tax issues and that he may not be solely responsible for the nonpayment of taxes in the case of the bell-making company. Therefore, while there are instances of tax payment failures, the statement of repeated failures is an exaggeration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When Massachusetts got health care, their mortality rate went down either 2.9 or 3.9 percent -- whatever -- but it saved lives,\" Marsden, D-Fairfax, said during a June 18 radio interview.","Marsden said that after Massachusetts enacted its sweeping health care reform in 2006, its mortality rate dropped by at least 2.9 percent, \"saving lives.\"","But Marsden reaches a little when he says the results proved the health reforms \"saved lives.\" Researchers believe that\u2019s the case, but caution they could not establish a \"cause and effect\" between the lowered death rate and the health reforms.","An article in the New York Times said health economists viewed the report as strong evidence that the Massachusetts\u2019 health care overhaul had saved lives, but noted experts also said the study \"will not settle the long-debated question on whether being insured prolongs life.\""]},{"id":"8075.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says a Justice Department memo directs that you must openly embrace gay marriage and homosexuality.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made by Rep. Louie Gohmert suggesting that a Justice Department memo directed individuals to openly embrace gay marriage and homosexuality, these claims are not supported by credible evidence. The Department of Justice has not issued any such memo that mandates the open embrace of gay marriage or homosexuality. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing government directives and policies.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2438.json","label":"false","statement":"Kasichs trade deals cost Ohio thousands of jobs - 49,000 jobs to Mexico, 91,000 to China.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John Kasich voted for NAFTA and for normalizing trade relations with China, it is an oversimplification to attribute the job losses in Ohio solely to these trade deals. The claim that Kasich's trade deals directly caused the loss of 49,000 jobs to Mexico and 91,000 jobs to China is not supported by concrete evidence. Job losses and gains in any given industry or region are influenced by a multitude of factors, including technological advancements, market dynamics, and global economic trends. It is misleading to attribute specific job losses solely to Kasich's trade deals without considering the broader context and complexities of the global economy.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12500.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tuition-free public universities and colleges are just a pipe dream. False. They were both free up until the Vietnam War.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that public universities and colleges in the United States used to be tuition-free before the Vietnam War, it is misleading to suggest that the war itself directly caused the end of tuition-free education. The decline in public funding for higher education and the introduction of tuition fees occurred gradually over time, with changes in economic conditions and government policies playing a significant role. The statement oversimplifies the complex factors that led to the current system of tuition fees in public universities and colleges. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said that his Republican rival U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV has missed 178 votes this year, giving him one of the worst attendance records in Congress.","Nelson said Mack missed 178 votes this year, making that \"one of the worst voting records.\" Mack did miss 178 votes this year compared to 1 for Nelson.","Nelson: \"Speaking of votes why don\u2019t you explain how you don\u2019t show up to work? Why don\u2019t you explain how this year you have one of the worst voting records. I have missed one vote this year. You have missed 178....\"","This fight over voting records started earlier in the debate when Nelson claimed that he only missed one vote while Mack missed 178, which meant he has \"one of the worst voting records.\" We ruled that claim Mostly True; we\u2019ll briefly recap our findings."]},{"id":"6013.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Candidate Bill Byrne used campaign funds for work on his personal car.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bill Byrne used campaign funds to pay for repairs on his personal vehicle, it is important to consider the context and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules regarding personal use of campaign funds. The FEC rules examine whether campaign funds have been put to personal use based on the \"Irrespective Test,\" which considers whether the expense would exist irrespective of the candidate's election campaign. In this case, the repairs on Byrne's vehicle could be seen as an overlap of personal and campaign spending, as the vehicle was being used for campaign purposes. Therefore, the statement is half-true, as it accurately reflects that campaign funds were used for work on Byrne's personal car, but it does not provide the full context of the FEC rules and the debate surrounding personal and campaign spending.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2313.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Pat Toomey thinks corporations shouldnt pay any taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Pat Toomey has expressed support for reducing or eliminating corporate taxes. The evidence provided includes a press release from McGinty's campaign citing a 2007 CNBC interview where Toomey stated he was in favor of eliminating the tax burden on corporations. Additionally, Toomey himself reiterated this point, expressing a preference for no taxes on corporations. While it's important to note that completely eliminating corporate taxes may not be a widely held position, the statement accurately reflects Toomey's stance on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, \"Joe Scarborough: President Obama has never received a paycheck from a profitmaking business in his entire life,\" April 15, 2009","\"You know what else is hard work? Socialism,\" Scarborough said on the April 7, 2009, Morning Joe . \"And I'm not being negative toward the president. This is the truth though. Think about this. We've got a president who has never received a paycheck ... he's never received a check from a profitmaking business in his entire life, not one check. Think about it.\"","Clearly, Obama has had less experience in the private sector than Romney; before he became president, he spent most of his working life either in the non-profit sector or in politics. However, Portman went too far when he said that Obama has \"never even worked in business.\" We rate the statement False.","In his diatribe, Scarborough remarked that \"if you're going to run the most complex financial sectors in the world, I hope that you have at least received a paycheck for working at a burger stand.\""]},{"id":"3850.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have seized more currency, more drugs, more outbound arms in the past year than any year in our countrys history.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence to suggest that there have been significant seizures of currency, drugs, and outbound arms in the past year, the statement lacks specific data or comparative analysis to support the claim that it is the highest in the country's history. The evidence provided does not definitively prove that these seizures surpass all previous years. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it highlights significant seizures but lacks conclusive evidence to support the claim of being the highest in history.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11322.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres never been a direct Supreme Court case on people who were here illegally, whether or not their kids are citizens.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there have been Supreme Court cases related to the citizenship of children born to parents who were here legally, there has not been a direct Supreme Court case specifically addressing the citizenship of children born to parents who were here illegally. The cases that have been decided in the past primarily focused on individuals who had legal status or green cards. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the absence of a direct Supreme Court case on this specific issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The salary for active-duty military members varies based on rank, experience and other factors, so it is unclear exactly how the post arrived at the $38,000 \"average.\"","Women on average do make less than men, but the government data isn\u2019t based on men and women doing the same jobs. It\u2019s an average that widens or closes by factors such as race, type of job, and age. Research suggests women are overrepresented in jobs that tend to pay less, for a variety of reasons.","\"Research shows that more than half of the gap is due to job and industry segregation \u2014 essentially, women tend to work in jobs done primarily by other women, and men tend to work in jobs done primarily by other men and the \u2018men\u2019s jobs\u2019 are paid more,\" said Jennifer Clark, a spokeswoman for the Institute for Women\u2019s Policy Research.","Using the IRS\u2019 tax calculator(,,id=14806,), we plugged in information for an individual who earned a $250,000 salary, without any other non-salary income such as capital gains."]},{"id":"11462.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Some 8.1 million of the estimated 11 million to 12 million people in this country illegally are working.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the United States who are working. While the exact number may vary, various sources, including Pew Research Center, estimate that a significant portion of the estimated 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants in the country are indeed employed. The statement's claim that around 8.1 million undocumented immigrants are working aligns with these estimates. However, it's important to note that the precise number may fluctuate over time due to factors such as deportations and new arrivals.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The unemployment rate was greater than 9 percent the next 16 months. In March 2011, it dropped to 8.9 percent, but rose back above 9 percent the following six months. In October 2011, the rate fell back below 9 percent. Each month since, it has been in the 8 percent range.","\"They passed the stimulus. The idea that we could borrow $831 billion, spend it on all of these special interest groups, and that it would work out just fine, that unemployment would never get to 8 percent -- it went up above 8 percent for 43 months. They said that, right now, if we just passed this stimulus, the economy would grow at 4 percent. It's growing at 1.3.","The last time the unemployment rate was this high was during Reagan\u2019s first term. However, the 27 months during the 1980s the rate was greater than 8 percent is far less than the 11 years the unemployment rate was that high during the Great Depression.","A look at cross-national data shows that economic growth in the United States has indeed outpaced that of the other large, comparable economies, and experts agree that this rapid growth has been a factor in the United States\u2019 currently high inflation rate."]},{"id":"11548.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the United States is in the worst recovery from an economic recession since World War II.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Christie's statement suggests that the United States is experiencing the worst economic recovery since World War II, it is important to note that the severity of economic recessions and recoveries can be measured using various indicators. While some indicators may support the claim, such as the depth of the recession, other indicators, such as GDP growth and job creation, may not necessarily align with the statement. Therefore, while there may be aspects that support the claim, it is not entirely accurate to categorize the current recovery as the worst since World War II.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11246.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 1940, only 7 percentof Germans were Nazis.","reason":"Reason: The statement that only 7 percent of Germans were Nazis in 1940 is misleading. While it may accurately represent the formal membership of the Nazi Party, it fails to account for the broader support and popularity that the Nazi regime enjoyed among the German population. Experts and historical analysis suggest that the actual percentage of Germans who supported or sympathized with the Nazi Party was significantly higher, estimated to be around 35 percent. Therefore, the statement's narrow focus on formal party membership overlooks the broader influence and acceptance of Nazi ideology among the German population during that time.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8612.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The recidivism rate is nearly 29 percent and has been climbing steadily since detainees began being released from Guantanamo.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the recidivism rate among released Guantanamo detainees is a concern, the statement exaggerates the extent of the increase and the overall recidivism rate. According to the ODNI report, the confirmed rate of re-engagement among released detainees is approximately 16.6 percent, not nearly 29 percent. Additionally, the claim that the rate has been climbing steadily is not entirely accurate. While there has been a slight increase in the number of suspected or confirmed recidivists since the Obama administration took office, the percentage is lower than that of the Bush administration. Therefore, while there is some validity to the concern about recidivism, the statement overstates the rate and the trend.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["If President Obama signs the Copenhagen climate change treaty, he \"will sign your freedom, your democracy, and your prosperity away forever \u2014 and neither you nor any subsequent government you may elect would have any power whatsoever to take it back again.\"","Monckton continued, \"So, thank you, America. You were the beacon of freedom to the world. It is a privilege merely to stand on this soil of freedom while it is still free. But in the next few weeks, unless you stop it, your president will sign your freedom, your democracy, and your prosperity away forever \u2014 and neither you nor any subsequent government you may elect would have any power whatsoever to take it back again. That is how serious it is.\"","Now, for Monckton's second claim, that \"neither you nor any subsequent government you may elect would have any power whatsoever to take it back again.\"","For this item, we'll put aside the debate on whether it is wise to institute policies, such as emissions cuts, to curb climate change \u2014 the \"prosperity\" portion of Monckton's comment. Instead, we'll stick to analyzing Monckton's claim that an agreement coming out of the Copenhagen talks would, one, sign away American sovereignty and, two, be irreversible."]},{"id":"10079.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Scott Walkers tax plan, the average Wisconsin taxpayer got just $11 a month. But corporations got $610 million in tax cuts. Millionaires got at least $1,400 per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources that under Scott Walker's tax plan, the average Wisconsin taxpayer received a relatively small tax cut of $11 per month. It is also true that corporations received $610 million in tax cuts and millionaires received at least $1,400 per year in tax reductions. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context. It fails to mention that the $11 figure only refers to income tax cuts and does not take into account property tax reductions that the typical taxpayer may have also benefited from. Additionally, the $610 million in tax cuts includes both corporations and small businesses. While the statement is partially accurate, it lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and fully accurate representation of the tax plan's impact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2395.json","label":"half-true","statement":"You cant raise taxes in Ohio. We are one of the highest taxed states in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Ohio does have a relatively high tax burden compared to other states, ranking 16th highest in total tax burden as a percentage of personal income according to the Federation of Tax Administrators. However, it is important to note that being one of the highest taxed states does not necessarily mean that taxes cannot be raised further. The statement implies that raising taxes would be detrimental due to the already high tax burden, but it does not provide a complete picture of the overall economic and fiscal situation in Ohio.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7526.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says president is spending $2.2 billion to give away ObamaPhones.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the federal government spent approximately $2.2 billion in 2012 for the Lifeline program, which helps low-income citizens with telephone service, it is incorrect to attribute this program solely to President Obama. The Lifeline program existed before Obama took office. Additionally, the funding for the program comes from phone fees and not from the federal budget, so halting the program would not necessarily prevent other cuts. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks proper context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We know the national debt is more than $14 trillion; in fact, we recently reached the debt limit of $14.3 trillion. It\u2019s also true that future deficit projections -- under the current budget plan -- exceed $1 trillion annually. But is it true that the U.S. has more than $62 trillion in unfunded liabilities?","Wolf called the downgrade a \"predictable warning,\" adding: \"I've been sounding a similar one for almost five years as I've tried to get the attention of Congress and the past and present administrations that America cannot continue on its current debt and deficit track, with over $14 trillion of debt, over $62 trillion in unfunded liabilities, and over one trillion dollar deficits projected for years to come,\" Wolf added.","And of course the debt has also changed. In the report Wolf cites, the publicly-held debt -- U.S. bonds held by individuals, institutions and foreign nations -- is listed as $7.6 trillion. On the day he issued his statement, it was $9.7 trillion. So add $2.1 trillion back and he\u2019s off by almost $13 trillion.","First, he and many others misuse the term \"unfunded liabilities\" to describe the future costs of government promises. Unlike a home mortgage, the U.S. is not locked into paying a certain amount based on existing terms. In fact, Congress changes the terms all the time."]},{"id":"5695.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Obama has failed to pass a budget.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama's budget requests did not pass, it is important to note that the responsibility for passing a federal budget lies with Congress, not the President. The statement fails to acknowledge this crucial aspect and creates the impression that it was solely Obama's failure. Additionally, the statement overlooks the fact that passing a federal budget is a complex process involving negotiations and compromises between the executive and legislative branches. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it is misleading and does not provide the full context of the budgetary process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, \" No evidence for Hillary Clinton's claim that ISIS is using videos of Donald Trump as recruiting tool,\" Dec. 19, 2015","Hillary Clinton took flak from fact-checkers back in December when she claimed that Donald Trump\u2019s comments were being used as a recruiting tool by ISIS.","\"When you say we're going to bar all Muslims, you are sending a message to the Muslim world and you're also sending a message to the terrorists because we now do have evidence,\" Clinton said May 19 on CNN. \"We have seen how Donald Trump is being used to essentially be a recruiter for more people to join the cause of terrorism.\"","Trump's comment in the Brussels video may not seem inflammatory, he said, yet \"if you game it out from the perspective of, say, ISIS and they think Donald Trump is a great recruiting tool, then probably they don't want to play him up too much before the election because they'd want him to win.\""]},{"id":"6150.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Did you know Wisconsins AFSCME union has lost 50%+ of its members since no longer requiring membership?","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Steve Buckstein of the Cascade Policy Institute regarding the decline in membership of the AFSCME union in Wisconsin. Multiple sources confirm that the union did experience a significant decrease in membership, with figures ranging from a 45% to over 50% decline. The evidence supports the claim that the decline in membership occurred after the requirement of union membership was no longer mandatory. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context and underlying factors that may have contributed to the decline in membership.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2487.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Joe Sestak voted to gut Medicare ... reducing benefits for 854,489 seniors and jeopardizing access to care for millions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. Joe Sestak did vote in favor of the Democratic health care bill, which included changes to Medicare. However, it is misleading to claim that this vote \"gutted\" Medicare or directly reduced benefits for a specific number of seniors. The ad's claim that it jeopardized access to care for millions is also an exaggeration. While the health care bill did include provisions that aimed to reduce Medicare spending, it also implemented measures to improve and expand access to care. The impact on Medicare beneficiaries and access to care is complex and cannot be reduced to a simple claim of benefit reduction for a specific number of seniors. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3949.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Democratic tax hikes led $70 billion of wealth to leave New Jersey between 2004 and 2008, and mainly relocate to Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that $70 billion of wealth left New Jersey between 2004 and 2008, attributing it solely to Democratic tax hikes is an oversimplification. The statement fails to acknowledge other factors that may have contributed to the outflow of wealth, such as changes in the economy, cost of living, and individual circumstances. Additionally, the claim that the wealth mainly relocated to Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania is not entirely accurate, as it overlooks the significant outflow of wealth to states like New York and California. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context and accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Hate crimes laws give more protection under law for members of the special classes of people,\" Saenz said. \"Age is not included as a protected class for victims, sexual orientation is included as a protected class. So, an attack on a healthy 22-year-old homosexual man would be more protected under the law than an attack on an eight-year-old child.\"","\"Hate crimes law put citizens in different classes of people and protect some more than others,\" the group says on its Web site. \"For example, an attack on a healthy 22-year-old homosexual man would be more protected under the law than an attack on an eight-year-old child. Liberty Institute believes that all crimes should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law without putting citizens in classes, attempting to protect some more than others, and attempting to punish people's thoughts.\"","The bottom line: Under the Shepard Act, an attack on a healthy 22-year-old homosexual man could \u2014 not would, as the Liberty Institute states \u2014 be more protected than an attack on an 8-year-old. But it takes a contortion to reach that conclusion. The statement incorrectly intimates that hate crimes laws are the only ones on the books, ignoring the web of other state and federal criminal laws offering protections to vulnerable groups of people \u2014 including children.","( - Liberty Institute says a 22-year-old gay man is more protected than an 8-year-old child under the hate crimes laws&url=)"]},{"id":"1543.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Cover Florida \"is available to any Floridian, offering basic coverage for about $150 a month, instead of the typical $600 a month.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that basic coverage through Cover Florida can be obtained for around $150 a month, the statement is misleading because it selectively compares the lowest average rate for Cover Florida ($150) with a very high number for the private market ($600). The actual cost of private market coverage can vary widely, with studies suggesting it could range from $160 to $400. Additionally, the statement fails to mention that the cost of coverage through Cover Florida can vary based on factors such as age, gender, and level of coverage, with plans available for as little as $23 a month and as much as $500 a month. Therefore, the statement is not an accurate representation of the full range of options and costs available, making it barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Wasserman Schultz, who represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, said rising sea levels and flooding will make part of her district uninhabitable in the future. She called for politicians to reach across the aisle in search of solutions, singling out a cap and trade plan as an area where the parties could agree.","Democrats did support cap and trade legislations at different points along the way. But we found a strong tradition of support from Republican presidents for cap and trade, which uses markets to try to reduce pollution.","They noted the contributions under Reagan and both Bushes to argue that cap and trade should be embraced by Republicans as well as Democrats.","\"When I was fighting against cap and trade, the speaker was sitting down with Nancy Pelosi on a sofa encouraging it.\""]},{"id":"7101.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says New Hampshire had the fourth-lowest unemployment rate in the country during Maggie Hassans time in the state Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. During Maggie Hassan's time in the state Senate, New Hampshire did have periods where it ranked among the states with the fourth-lowest unemployment rate in the country. However, it's important to note that the unemployment rate fluctuated during her tenure, reaching as high as seventh and eighth at certain points. While New Hampshire consistently maintained a relatively low unemployment rate, it did not consistently hold the fourth-lowest position throughout Hassan's entire time in office. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the nuance of the fluctuating rankings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10972.json","label":"false","statement":"On timing of announcement for president.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or provide context for the statement regarding the timing of the announcement made by the president. Without further information or specific details about the announcement, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Two years ago, the longest serving leader of the California republic, Jerry Brown, boldly declared in China that California is a separate nation,\" Louis Marinelli, president of Yes California, told a conference in Moscow on Sept. 26, 2016.","Louis Marinelli, president of the sovereignty group Yes California, recently claimed that Gov. Jerry Brown \"boldly declared in China that California is a separate nation.\"","Instead, Marinelli greatly distorted comments the governor made not in China, but at a San Francisco climate change event. Brown did say California is \"a separate nation,\" but it was hardly a bold declaration. He immediately followed it up saying California \"is a state of mind,\" indicating he was speaking symbolically.","Brown has positioned California as an international leader on climate change, working with major countries on the topic at venues such as the Paris climate change conference last year. In doing so, however, he\u2019s never called for California to break away from the U.S."]},{"id":"12788.json","label":"false","statement":"In Buffalos SolarCity project, Andrew Cuomo will create maybe 500 jobs if it ever happens at all, at about $1.5 million per job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Carl Paladino mentioned the Buffalo SolarCity project and claimed that Andrew Cuomo would create around 500 jobs at a cost of approximately $1.5 million per job, this claim is inaccurate. The agreement between SolarCity and the state of New York actually called for the creation of 1,460 total jobs in Buffalo, not just 500. Additionally, the $1.5 million per job figure is misleading because it only considers the manufacturing jobs, not the total number of jobs created. Therefore, the statement does not accurately represent the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the debate, Tillis said that, by voting for Obamacare, Sen. Kay Hagan \"voted to kill the equivalent of 2.5 million jobs.\"","\"Sen. Hagan\u2019s solution is spending more money,\" Tillis said. \"It\u2019s very simple. Government needs to get out of the way. We need to get our spending under control, and we need to reduce regulations. Sen. Hagan, when she cast the deciding vote for Obamacare, voted to kill the equivalent of 2.5 million jobs.\"","To his credit, Tillis -- unlike many of his Republican colleagues -- was able to avoid one linguistic pitfall. Tillis framed the CBO\u2019s findings as projecting a reduction in the equivalent of 2.5 million jobs, rather than simply saying a reduction of 2.5 million jobs.","President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law is bound to be a central issue of the 2014 midterm elections. In North Carolina, first-term Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan, is already facing attacks about Obamacare."]},{"id":"600.json","label":"true","statement":"Obama said his proposed $1,000 emergency energy rebate \"will be enough to offset the increased cost of gas for a working family over the next 4 months.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that his proposed $1,000 emergency energy rebate would be sufficient to offset the increased cost of gas for a working family over the next four months. This claim aligns with the EPA's prediction that fuel savings resulting from the proposed program would amount to over $1,000 over the life of a vehicle. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6437.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama has deported more people than any other president in this countrys history.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the ad claims Barack Obama has deported more people than any other president in the country's history, this statement is only partially true. George W. Bush actually deported more individuals over his full eight-year term. However, if Mitt Romney were to win the presidency, George W. Bush would remain ahead of Obama in terms of total deportations. Therefore, the claim is accurate in the context of Obama's presidency up until the time the ad was aired, but it may not hold true if Obama does not win a second term. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Please check out hate-filled (timeline) of @ RepStevenSmith,\" the reader asked us. \"How is a misogynist bigot of epic proportions allowed to serve? Dangerous.\"","The outrageous statements in question come from a parody account, not a real U.S. representative. How can someone like that serve?","When you drop the photo of the man claiming to be Steven Smith into the search engine, no name will appear.","The U.S. Constitution says the only rules to serve are to be at least 25, a citizen for seven years and a resident of the state electing you."]},{"id":"11210.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The annual cost of free tax credits alone paid to illegal immigrants quadrupled to $4.2 billion in 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is accurate that the annual cost of tax credits paid to individuals who are not authorized to work in the United States increased to $4.2 billion, the claim fails to mention that this amount includes not only illegal immigrants but also unauthorized workers, which encompasses legal immigrants and others. Additionally, the statement incorrectly states that this occurred in 2011, when the actual year is 2009. Therefore, while there was an increase in tax credits paid to unauthorized workers, the claim misrepresents the specific group involved and the year in which it occurred.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Barack Obama right now, No. 1, over seven years, has dramatically degraded our military. You know, just two weeks ago was the 25th anniversary of the first Persian Gulf war,\" the Texas senator said. \"When that war began, we had 8,000 planes. Today, we have about 4,000. When that war began, we had 529 ships. Today, we have 272.\"","During the Republican debate on Fox News, Sen. Ted Cruz portrayed President Barack Obama as weak on military spending amid the battle against ISIS and terrorism.","It was accurate by one measure, but another measure says the United States spends more than the next seven countries combined.","On the numbers, Bush was right, as long as you measure the nation\u2019s publicly held debt, the most commonly cited statistic, and as long as you project forward to the end of Obama\u2019s tenure."]},{"id":"9270.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In states where beer is unregulated, the per capita production is significantly higher.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While the author argues that unregulated states have significantly higher per capita beer production, it is important to note that there is no state where beer is completely unregulated. Beer production is highly regulated across all states, although the level and nature of regulations may vary. The claim fails to acknowledge that factors such as cultural preferences, demographics, and market dynamics can significantly influence per capita beer production. Therefore, attributing higher per capita production solely to the absence of regulations oversimplifies the complex factors at play.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Then, the ad plays a clip of Club for Growth president Chris Chocola saying, \"The person I respect the most in Washington might surprise you: It\u2019s Nancy Pelosi.\"","There\u2019s some truth to the claim that the Club for Growth tries to defeat Republicans. One of the club\u2019s key strategies has been to put its money in Republican primaries in order to support the most aggressively conservative candidates. This means taking on some Republicans \u2014 but also supporting others.","\"The person I respect the most in Washington my surprise you: It\u2019s Nancy Pelosi. The reason I respect Nancy Pelosi is because she had a historic job. She was the first woman speaker of the United States House of Representatives. And she woke up for 40 years saying, \u2018I want to pass nationalized health care.\u2019 And she got the job that she could get it done, and during the process she realized that public opinion polls never get close to 50 percent approval. ...","Says Hillary Clinton called the Trans-Pacific Partnership \"the gold standard. You called it the gold standard of trade deals. You said it\u2019s the finest deal you\u2019ve ever seen.\""]},{"id":"7200.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The average kid comes out of Virginia colleges with about $25,000-plus in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the average student debt for graduates of Virginia colleges, which was approximately $24,717 according to the study mentioned. However, it's important to note that this average debt applies only to those students who have taken out loans, and it does not account for students who graduate without any debt. Therefore, while the statement is true for students with debt, it may not represent the overall average for all students graduating from Virginia colleges.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Part of our conundrum here is that in the course of 24 hours, Obama changed the timeline on his claim of advocating the United States move from a 'Musharraf policy' to a 'Pakistan policy' \u2014 first stating that he advocated it \"a year ago\" and then ratcheting it up a day later, saying he had argued it \"for years.\"","\"I argued for years that we need to move from a 'Musharraf policy' to a 'Pakistan policy,'\" Obama said in a speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention on Aug. 19. \"We must move beyond an alliance built on mere convenience or a relationship with one man. Now, with President Musharraf's resignation, we have the opportunity to do just that. That's why I've co-sponsored a bill to triple nonmilitary aid to the Pakistani people, while ensuring that the military assistance we do provide is used to take the fight to the Taliban and al-Qaida in the tribal regions of Pakistan.\"","One could argue that Obama's vow to act independently against terrorist cells in Pakistan, if Musharraf wouldn't, amounted to advocacy for moving from a \"Musharraf policy\" to a \"Pakistan policy.\" And that would put him on record a year ago.","The question here is whether Obama inflated his foresight on Musharraf in an effort to bolster his credibility on foreign policy. What did he say and when did he say it?"]},{"id":"13179.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the state of Indiana, Ive signed more than $3.5 billion in tax relief.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that the speaker signed more than $3.5 billion in tax relief in the state of Indiana, it is important to note that this statement is unrelated to the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill being discussed by Democrats at the federal level. The tax relief signed in Indiana is a separate matter from the federal bill, which focuses on various spending programs and tax increases to fund them. Therefore, while the statement is accurate regarding tax relief in Indiana, it is not directly related to the federal bill under discussion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13192.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump never said that more nations should get nuclear weapons.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump has made statements opposing nuclear proliferation and expressing a dislike for nuclear weapons, he has also made remarks suggesting that he would support certain countries obtaining nuclear weapons for the first time. These statements have been subject to interpretation and have been a topic of debate. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Donald Trump never said that more nations should get nuclear weapons.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"80.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Mayor Giuliani made New York City what's known as a 'sanctuary city,' where illegal aliens were allowed to come. And he instructed the leaders of the city not to enforce the law, not to enforce immigration law.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that New York City, during Mayor Giuliani's tenure, had policies in place that limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities, it is an oversimplification to say that he made the city a \"sanctuary city\" and instructed leaders not to enforce immigration law. The term \"sanctuary city\" is often used broadly and can encompass a range of policies and practices. While Giuliani did implement certain measures that limited collaboration with federal immigration authorities, it is important to note that these policies were not as extensive as those seen in some other cities classified as \"sanctuary cities.\" Additionally, it is misleading to suggest that Giuliani instructed city leaders not to enforce immigration law, as the enforcement of federal immigration law falls under the jurisdiction of federal authorities, not local leaders.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10241.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Scott Walker couldnt get his own party to back more than a 500-student increase in Milwaukees school choice program, but in Indiana, Mitch Daniels voucher program is approaching 30,000 students two years after opening.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the contrast between the Milwaukee school choice program, which saw a relatively small increase in enrollment, and the Indiana voucher program, which experienced significant growth. However, it is important to note that the statement implies that Scott Walker's inability to garner more support for the Milwaukee program is solely due to his own party, which is not entirely accurate. There could be various factors influencing the level of support, including political dynamics and broader educational policies. Therefore, while the statement captures a valid comparison, it oversimplifies the reasons behind the difference in program growth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9406.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton laid the groundwork for getting chemical weapons out of Syria.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton's discussions with Russia and the administration's red line on chemical weapons played a role in the eventual agreement to remove Syria's chemical weapons, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entire process to Clinton alone. The agreement involved multiple parties and negotiations, and Clinton's involvement was just one aspect of the broader diplomatic efforts. Therefore, the statement that Clinton \"laid the groundwork\" for removing Syria's chemical weapons is partially accurate but lacks the full context of the collaborative nature of the process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7988.json","label":"false","statement":"The Senate immigration bill unleashes a massive increase in overall immigration. Were talking about a population increase under the Senate bill of over 70 million people in 20 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the Senate immigration bill would result in a population increase of over 70 million people in 20 years. This claim is not supported by credible evidence or analysis. The bill does propose changes to immigration policies, including a path to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants, but it does not advocate for or result in such a massive increase in overall immigration. It is important to critically evaluate claims and rely on accurate information when discussing complex policy issues.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We know that Trump does call Warren \"Pocahontas.\" We wondered whether Clinton is correct to say that Trump \"says organized crime runs rampant on reservations.\"","\"Imagine a president who insults Native Americans, says organized crime runs rampant on reservations, and mocks Sen. Elizabeth Warren by calling her Pocahontas again and again,\" Clinton said at a rally in Tempe. (See it here, around 21:25.)","But we can\u2019t find any more recent examples -- including during the current campaign -- of Trump saying that organized crime is pervasive on reservations. This calls into question Clinton\u2019s use of \"says\" in the present tense.","Appearing on Don Imus\u2019 radio show on June 18, 1993, Trump said that \"a lot of the reservations are being, in some people's opinion, at least to a certain extent, run by organized crime and organized crime elements, as you can imagine.\""]},{"id":"5343.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says a federal judge in San Antonio issued a ruling that not only could the students not pray at their graduation, if they used the word benediction, the word invocation, the word God, asked the audience to stand or asked for a moment of silence, he would put the superintendent in jail.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some inaccuracies and exaggerations. While it is true that a federal judge in San Antonio issued a ruling regarding prayer at a graduation ceremony, the judge's order did not explicitly prohibit students from praying or using specific words such as \"benediction,\" \"invocation,\" or \"God.\" The judge did restrict certain actions, such as asking the audience to stand or using the phrase \"in God's name we pray.\" However, the claim that the judge would put the superintendent in jail for these actions is an exaggeration and not supported by the evidence. Therefore, the statement is partially true but contains misleading information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It is wrong that Senator Obama got to go through 15 debates trumpeting his superior judgment and how he had been against the war in every year, enumerating the years \u2014 and never got asked one time, not once, 'Well, how could you say that, when you said in 2004 you didn't know how you would have voted on the resolution, you said in 2004 there was no difference between you and George Bush on the war. And you took that speech you're now running on off your Web site in 2004 and there's no difference in your voting record and Hillary's ever since?' Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen.\"","\"On Iraq, on paper, there's not as much difference, I think, between the Bush administration and a Kerry administration as there would have been a year ago,\" Obama said. \"There's not much of a difference between my position and George Bush's position at this stage.\" The \"at this stage\" is an important caveat, one Bill Clinton left out.","On the question of Obama saying his position on the war is similar to George W. Bush's, we find that Bill Clinton is quoting the essence of Obama's statement, but leaving out important context. We find his statement to be Half True. (For more on Clinton's comments and reaction to them, see our story here .)","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush."]},{"id":"11317.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he will pursue change in federal law to protect employees from extortion from a union because the Supreme Court has ruled that federal prohibitions outlawing extortion usually do not apply to unions.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Walker expressed his intention to pursue changes in federal law to protect employees from extortion by unions, the statement incorrectly attributes the reasoning to a Supreme Court ruling. There is no specific Supreme Court ruling stating that federal prohibitions outlawing extortion do not apply to unions. The claim that the Supreme Court has made such a ruling is not supported by evidence. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Trump said he \"watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering\" as the World Trade Center collapsed.","Donald Trump refuses to budge on his wrong claim that he \"watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering\" as the World Trade Center collapsed.","He said, \"I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down. And I watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering.\"","\"I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down,\" the Republican presidential candidate said at a Nov. 21 rally in Birmingham, Ala. \"And I watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering.\""]},{"id":"12999.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"And while (Ted) Strickland proposed cuts for services for children, he wasted over $250,000 remodeling his bathrooms at the governors mansion.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Ted Strickland, while serving as governor, proposed cuts for services for children and wasted over $250,000 remodeling his bathrooms at the governor's mansion. This statement appears to be a false and misleading accusation without any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"On a single night in January 2015, state and local planning agencies in Rhode Island reported the following estimates of homelessness \u2026 107 veterans were homeless.\"","\"In the period from 2007 to 2011, the Office of Health Insurance Commissioner reported an 18 percent decline in the state\u2019s total medical spending.\"","Says when Rhode Island Lottery was proposed, \"state residents were enticed to vote for it with the promise that the money would be used for education.\"","The answer is complicated, but for decades, engineers have agreed that heavy trucks cause far more damage than other lighter vehicles. The damage caused by a single heavy truck can be 9,600 times the damage caused by a single car, according to a U.S. General Accounting Office report cited by the governor\u2019s office."]},{"id":"4843.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Rhode Island, only 5 percent of ozone pollution is from local or in-state sources. . . Ninety-five percent comes from outside of our borders, particularly the Midwest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Jack Reed that only 5 percent of ozone pollution in Rhode Island is from local or in-state sources, while 95 percent comes from outside of the state, particularly the Midwest. However, it's important to note that the statement doesn't provide further context or specify the timeframe or specific data sources used to arrive at these percentages. While the claim is likely based on available data, additional information would be necessary to fully evaluate the accuracy and current relevance of these figures.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["All told, it appears that 7,761 same-sex couples--not more than 8,000--are raising children in metropolitan statistical areas that include Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas. That total is even lower if referencing the cities alone, as the statement does, though by how much is hard to say.","A Texas group promoting plans by gay couples to seek marriage licenses on Valentine\u2019s Day issued a Feb. 9 press release suggesting it speaks for many urban parents. \"Between Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas over 8,000 same-sex couples are raising children,\" said Michael Diviesti, state coordinator of GetEQUAL TX, part of a self-described national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights group advocating legal and social equality.","In response to our query, Diviesti told us most of his parental count was drawn from reported research by Gary Gates, a scholar at the University of California-Los Angeles. He pointed us to a Jan. 25 article on Gates\u2019 work in the Dallas Voice, a gay-oriented newspaper, featuring a chart stating there are 3,178 gay couples raising children in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, 2,458 in Houston-Sugarland-Baytown and 1,180 in San Antonio-New Braunfels, accounting for 6,816 couples in those metropolitan statisical areas. The chart doesn\u2019t specify what year it covers nor the number of gay couples raising children in the Austin area.","Some 34 percent of same-sex couples in San Antonio are raising children, Gates is quoted saying, placing the city No. 1 nationally."]},{"id":"5643.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Weve had the same leadership in the Travis County DAs office for 30 years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ronnie Earle served as the district attorney for 32 years in the Travis County DA's office, the statement inaccurately claims that there has been the same leadership for 30 years. Rosemary Lehmberg was elected as the district attorney in 2012, succeeding Ronnie Earle. Therefore, there has been a change in leadership within the Travis County DA's office within the past 30 years. The claim does not accurately reflect the historical leadership transitions that have occurred in the office.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The New Hampshire Republican Party released a web video in March 2014 aimed at capitalizing on those trends. Titled \"99 Percent,\" the video asserts that Shaheen consistently supports the president and \"votes with Obama 99 percent of the time.\"","The 2013 CQ analysis shows that, out of the pool of votes on which Obama took a clear position, Shaheen\u2019s vote matched the president\u2019s stance 99 percent of the time.","Indeed, in 2013, Shaheen took the same position as the president 99 percent of the time when Obama outlined a clear position, based on analysis by Congressional Quarterly. And overall, her votes have aligned with the president\u2019s wishes 98 percent of the time since she took office.","The 2013 CQ analysis shows that, when you look at the pool of votes in which Obama took a clear position, Shaheen\u2019s vote matched the president\u2019s stance 99 percent of the time."]},{"id":"6519.json","label":"true","statement":"Mitt Romney says class sizes dont matter.","reason":"Reason: Mitt Romney did argue that class sizes do not necessarily determine the success of a school system. He referred to a study by McKinsey Global Institute that compared class sizes and student performance across different countries, suggesting that factors such as parent involvement, motivated teachers, and quality administrators play a more significant role in driving success. While this statement reflects Romney's viewpoint on the matter, it is important to note that research on the relationship between class size and educational outcomes is complex and nuanced, with varying findings. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Romney expressed the belief that class sizes do not matter in determining the success of a school system.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Among past and current members of Congress, Biden holds the record for drug industry contributions, at nearly $8.9 million. But the record is not for the money received when he was in Congress, as the post says. More than 99% of the drug industry money Biden collected came during his 2020 presidential campaign.","The pharmaceutical industry contributed less than $70,000 to Biden\u2019s Senate campaign committees from 1989 to 2008. He ranks 708th for contributions received while Congress.","Excluding presidential candidates, Utah Republican Orrin Hatch, who retired in 2019 after 42 years in the Senate, holds the record for the highest pharmaceutical industry contributions to a member of Congress: $2,681,843.","Biden does not hold the top spot for drug industry contributions \u201cwhile in Congress.\u201d He received just over $69,000 during his Senate career."]},{"id":"2703.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Roy Barnes voted against a bill in the state Senate that would have made it easier to convict child abusers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly accurate in stating that Roy Barnes voted against a bill in the state Senate that aimed to make it easier to convict child abusers. However, it is important to note that the bill did not pass into law due to disagreements between the House and Senate on its final language. Therefore, while Barnes did vote against the bill, it cannot be definitively concluded that it would have made it easier to convict child abusers since it did not ultimately become law. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For months, Bill White, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, has been rebuking incumbent Gov. Rick Perry for refusing to debate him. So we were surprised to learn that Perry recently turned the tables.","Texans for Rick Perry, Press release( \"Press release\"): Day 164: Bill White refusing to debate; Liberal trial lawyer still hiding his taxes, Aug. 18, 2010","\"Today is day 164 of liberal trial lawyer Bill White refusing to debate,\" according to an Aug. 18 press release from the Perry campaign. \"He also continues to refuse to release his taxes from his years in public service.\"","The White campaign fired back on its Twitter account( \"Twitter account\") devoted to lambasting the governor: \"Perry claimed today that it's Bill White who refuses to debate. What's next, Perry says editorial boards refuse to meet with him?\""]},{"id":"12193.json","label":"false","statement":"Many just call him Lyin Ted. ... HisTV ad about John Kasich? Lie! Stations had to pull it off the air.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that stations had to pull Ted Cruz's TV ad about John Kasich off the air. The evidence provided suggests that a political action committee supporting John Kasich used the nickname \"Lyin' Ted\" in an attack ad against Cruz, but it does not indicate that stations had to pull any specific TV ad by Cruz off the air. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4276.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We created a flat tax in the state of Utah.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Jon Huntsman's claim that he created a flat tax in the state of Utah. Multiple sources confirm that Huntsman worked with the state legislature to simplify the state's income taxes and implement a flat tax system. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or specific details about the extent of the tax reform or its impact. Therefore, while the claim is generally true, it could benefit from more comprehensive information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1384.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"We had no domestic attacks under Bush.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"We had no domestic attacks under Bush\" is false. There were several significant domestic attacks that occurred during President George W. Bush's administration, including the 2001 anthrax attacks and the 2002 D.C. sniper attacks. These incidents were widely reported and acknowledged at the time. While it is possible that Giuliani misspoke or omitted the phrase \"since Sept. 11\" in his clarification, the initial statement itself is factually incorrect.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1907.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The White House has \"refused\" international help in dealing with the oil spill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the White House initially faced delays in accepting international aid for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, it is misleading to claim that they outright \"refused\" the help. The decision-making process involved coordination with the Coast Guard, who determined which offers of assistance were most suitable and aligned with the ongoing efforts to contain and mitigate the spill. The statement fails to acknowledge that the U.S. government eventually did tap into foreign aid to address the oil spill, albeit with some initial delays.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Craig Markva, a DMAS spokesman, said his agency estimates Medicaid costs increased by about 1,400 percent over the thirty-year period. Why are the numbers different?","Total Medicaid spending among all states rose from $33.1 billion in 1985 to $398.4 billion in 2012, according to a report from the National Association of State Budget Officers. That\u2019s an 1,100 percent increase. Adjusted for inflation, it comes to a 332 percent rise.","PolitiFact Virginia, \"Webb says U.S. has 5 percent of the world\u2019s population, 25 percent of its \u2018known\u2019 prisoners,\" Dec. 15, 2014.","Howell said the cost of Medicaid in Virginia \"has grown by 1,600 percent over the last 30 years.\" We find no reason to quibble. The Speaker accurately cited budget figures kept by the House Appropriations Committee, a source that many around the Capitol -- including PolitiFact Virginia -- turn to for reliable data."]},{"id":"7171.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says personal-injury trial lawyers have provided over 80 percent of the funding for the Texas Democratic Party for over a decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sherry Sylvester that personal-injury trial lawyers have accounted for over 80 percent of the funding for the Texas Democratic Party for over a decade. Multiple sources confirm Sylvester's assertion, providing consistency and credibility to the claim. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the exact time frame or provide additional context regarding the funding sources for the Texas Democratic Party. Nonetheless, based on the available evidence, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["TriMet recently ran ads in some editions of The Oregonian claiming that \"without Westside MAX, we\u2019d need to add 2.9 lanes to the Sunset Highway.\"","Light-rail trains parallel some of the highway, but not all of it. Our question was simple: We wanted to know how TriMet, the metro area\u2019s public transit agency, calculated the need to add 2.9 lanes of highway if not for westside MAX.","But that\u2019s not what the ad says. It clearly states we would \"need to add\" lanes. That indicates that without westside MAX, we\u2019d need that many more lanes to maintain the traffic flow we have now.","For those drivers lucky enough not to experience the hell that is a Sunset Highway commute, know that TriMet is talking about the portion of U.S. 26 that carries vehicles between downtown Portland and Washington County. The lanes are jammed during commute hours, and we\u2019re pretty sure some drivers would love to add an extra 2.9 lanes anyway to relieve congestion."]},{"id":"12759.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Ted Cruz never denied his father was photographedwith Lee Harvey Oswald.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Ted Cruz did, in fact, deny that his father was photographed with Lee Harvey Oswald. He addressed the issue publicly and stated that the claims made by the National Enquirer were false and baseless. Cruz unequivocally denied any connection between his father and Lee Harvey Oswald. The evidence provided, including Trump's own words, contradicts the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Now the empty skirts in the media are saying that she doesn't have much of a 'paper trail' that would reveal her views on issues,\" said conservative radio commentator Michael Savage, \"but her senior thesis at Princeton was entitled, 'To the Final Conflict: Socialism in New York City, 1900-1933.' She's a New York City radical, Marxist lawyer through and through.\"","We learned enough to rate this statement from conservative talk show host Michael Savage: \"Now the empty skirts in the media are saying that she doesn't have much of a 'paper trail' that would reveal her views on issues, but her senior thesis at Princeton was entitled, 'To the Final Conflict: Socialism in New York City, 1900-1933.' She's a New York City radical, Marxist lawyer through and through.\"","The rest of the paper is an examination of why the socialist party never took off. Kagan focused on the socialist party in New York City as a microcosm of the national movement, and sought to answer the central question, \"What caused the strange death of socialism in New York City?\"","Some may quibble that when Kagan worked as a staff member on the Dukakis campaign in 1988, the campaign headquarters was in Boston, not nearby Harvard Square (though one could argue that working on a presidential campaign is by definition D.C. Beltway-related) or that she worked for three summers during graduate school at New York City law firms."]},{"id":"7280.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The governor does not have any power to veto a referendum [on same-sex marriage] that would be a constitutional amendment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, the governor does not have the power to veto a referendum that would be a constitutional amendment, specifically in the case of same-sex marriage. While the governor has the ability to veto legislation passed by the General Assembly, proposed constitutional amendments, including those related to same-sex marriage, must be put before the voters and are exempt from the governor's veto power.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Truth-O-Meter articles, \"Rick Perry says only four Texas lawmakers opposed in-state tuition law for illegal immigrants,\" PolitiFact Texas, Sept. 28, 2011","In advance of the debate, we were reviewing another presidential aspirant\u2019s claim about the Texas law. In the Sept. 12 debate in Tampa, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said Perry had \"provided in-state tuition for -- for illegal immigrants. Maybe that was an attempt to attract the illegal vote -- I mean, the Latino voters. But you attract Latino voters by talking about the importance of immigration in this country.\"","( - Rick Perry says immigrant tuition law made sense in 2001 but he's got no position on repeal in 2015&url=)","Rick Perry recently made us wonder if he\u2019d flip-flopped on his politically touchy support for the Texas law enabling thousands of young unauthorized immigrants to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities \u2014 a provision that might be repealed by the 2015 Legislature."]},{"id":"2345.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Our most important work has been creating and retaining almost 55,000 Ohio jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and exaggerated. While it is true that efforts have been made to create and retain jobs in Ohio, attributing the creation and retention of almost 55,000 jobs solely to the speaker is an overstatement. The evidence suggests that the speaker's role in job creation is questionable, and the claim fails to provide sufficient evidence or context to support such a grandiose assertion.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says there were over 600 reports of Texas votes for Donald Trump in the state\u2019s 2016 Republican primary virtually all getting tallied for Marco Rubio.","A pro-Trump super PAC said there were over 600 reports of Texas votes for Trump virtually all getting tallied for Rubio.","The web post aired concerns about fraud in seven states including Texas after stating the Trump Ballot Security Project was formed \"when the mainstream media reported dozens of voting irregularities in the\" March 2016 \"Texas Republican primary. This ultimately totaled over 600 reports in at least six counties including Dallas County and Travis County. In virtually every case,\" the post says, \"votes cast for Donald J. Trump were tallied for Sen. Marco Rubio.\"","Next, to our inquiries, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Texas and the chairman of the Travis County Republican Party each said he hadn\u2019t heard or seen any reports of Trump votes being recorded for Rubio--or Cruz."]},{"id":"2274.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Roy Barnes is part of the team that has run up trillions of dollars in debt that Americans will spend years paying off, and theyve done it without creating one job.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Roy Barnes is part of a team that has accumulated trillions of dollars in debt without creating any jobs. While it is true that Barnes is associated with the Democratic Party, attributing the entire debt and lack of job creation solely to him is an oversimplification. The statement fails to acknowledge the broader economic and political context in which these decisions were made. The responsibility for the national debt and job creation cannot be solely attributed to one individual or party. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary nuance to be considered fully accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The tweet said, \"Wendy Davis has already taken more $ from teacher unions than the past 3 Democrat gubernatorial candidates combined.\" The tweet came with a bar chart comparing contributions by three teacher groups \u2014 the Texas State Teachers Association, Texas chapter of the American Federation of Teachers and the political arm of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association. The bar labeled \"2014 Wendy Davis\" far exceeded comparable bars for Tony Sanchez\u2019s 2002 gubernatorial run, Chris Bell\u2019s 2006 campaign and Bill White\u2019s 2010 campaign.","The Texas party said Davis has already taken more money from \"teacher unions,\" meaning three teacher groups, than the previous three Democratic gubernatorial candidates combined and presented a chart purporting to show that.","( - Early in campaign, Wendy Davis has not raised more from three teacher groups than previous Democratic gubernatorial nominees combined&url=)","The tweet and chart turned out to mislead. Most of the cited teacher groups\u2019 giving to Davis came during her campaigns for state Senate, not during her run for governor. Running for governor, Davis has attracted about $36,000 from two of the groups and nothing from the third. That total trails the $65,000 combined raised by two of the previous nominees in their respective gubernatorial bids."]},{"id":"3302.json","label":"true","statement":"We have over 25 million people who live in Texas and less than 2 percent of them have concealed handgun licenses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that less than 2 percent of the population in Texas holds concealed handgun licenses. Given that Texas has over 25 million residents, the number of concealed handgun license holders would be less than 500,000. This aligns with the statement's claim that less than 2 percent of the population in Texas holds such licenses.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Libertarian Party of Georgia, news release, \"The Libertarian Party of Georgia Says Immigration Bill Will Bankrupt Georgia(http:\/\/ ),\" Jan. 31, 2010","Just hours after a federal judge ordered a preliminary injunction of Georgia\u2019s legislation to crack down on illegal immigration, a state senator who pushed to get the bill passed laid out what he considered the positives about the ruling.","\"The Libertarian Party of Georgia Says Immigration Bill Will Bankrupt Georgia,\" began a news release condemning the \"Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011,\" or House Bill 87, which broadens the role state and local government play policing illegal immigration.","Taxpayers are \"on the hook ... for less than a third\" of the proposed new Atlanta Falcons stadium, and those funds are \"repaid from money that comes from outsiders.\""]},{"id":"10070.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says President Barack Obamas recent New York fundraising trip cost between $25 million and $50 million.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Obama's recent New York fundraising trip cost between $25 million and $50 million. The statement made by Donald Trump lacks any substantiation or factual basis. Multiple sources have refuted these exaggerated figures, and the available information suggests that the actual cost would be significantly lower. Labeling this claim as \"pants-fire\" is appropriate due to its blatant inaccuracy and lack of supporting evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7183.json","label":"true","statement":"Says budget savings by reducing pay and benefits for federal employees total $103 billion over 10 years -- more than $50,000 per worker.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that budget savings of $103 billion over 10 years can be achieved by reducing pay and benefits for federal employees. This figure equates to more than $50,000 per worker. The evidence supports the claim that such savings can be achieved through adjustments in compensation for federal employees.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3071.json","label":"true","statement":"Says hes the first Aggie governor of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Rick Perry is indeed the first Aggie (a term used to refer to students and alumni of Texas A&M University) to serve as the governor of Texas since the state's inception in 1845. This fact has been widely acknowledged and confirmed.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11157.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A minor cannot get a tattoo without parental consent but can get an abortion without parental consent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, at least 45 states have laws prohibiting minors from getting tattoos without parental consent. However, the laws regarding abortion vary by state. While some states do require parental consent or notification for minors seeking an abortion, there are also provisions for judicial bypass, allowing minors to obtain an abortion without parental consent in certain circumstances. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that a minor can universally get an abortion without parental consent, as it depends on the specific state laws and the circumstances involved.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump said that when Michelle Fields \"found out that there was a security camera, and that they had her on tape, all of a sudden that story changed.\"","\"(Fields) said she went to the ground, or something to the effect of she almost went to the ground,\" Trump said at a March 29 CNN town hall. \"She was in pain. She went to the ground. When she found out that there was a security camera, and that they had her on tape, all of a sudden that story changed. She didn't talk about it.\"","Trump asked on Twitter why no one was checking to see how Fields\u2019 story changed, and Fields responded, \"Because my story never changed. Seriously, just stop lying.\"","We see no evidence that Fields\u2019 story about her altercation with Trump\u2019s campaign manager has changed. She gave an initial account and hasn't backed off of it."]},{"id":"3837.json","label":"false","statement":"The citys 30 percent set aside for affordable housing in urban renewal areas is calculated citywide -- not district by district","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the city's 30 percent set aside for affordable housing in urban renewal areas is indeed calculated citywide, rather than on a district-by-district basis. The resolution and statements from city officials support this understanding. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2396.json","label":"half-true","statement":"She created the Waste, Fraud and Mismanagement Hotline.... (that) has saved Wisconsin taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Julie Lassa led the effort to create the Waste, Fraud, and Mismanagement Hotline, the statement that the hotline has saved Wisconsin taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars lacks concrete evidence or accounting of actual savings. The evidence provided does not provide specific information on the amount of money saved through the hotline. Therefore, while the hotline may have generated calls that led to changes, the claim of saving hundreds of thousands of dollars remains unsupported.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A new ad from Planned Parenthood makes two charges against Sarah Palin and John McCain. It says Wasilla, Alaska, charged rape victims for forensic exams when Palin was mayor and that, as a senator, McCain \"voted to let governments charge rape victims\" for forensic exam kits.","The announcer continues: \"In the Senate, John McCain voted against legislation to protect women from these same heartless policies\" while the screen says, \"Voted to let governments charge rape victims.\"","We've examined the controversy over the Wasilla rape kit policy in this previous article, so here we'll examine the charge that McCain voted to let governments charge the victims.","Planned Parenthood has virtually nothing to back up its charge that McCain voted to let states charge for rape exams. Sure, McCain voted against a larger crime bill in 1994, but that vote was about assault weapons and spending, not the Violence Against Women Act. And McCain has supported the law before then \u2014 and twice since."]},{"id":"2813.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"$65 million from ABC privatization will not pay for even an overpass in Tysons Corner.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the cost of constructing an overpass in Tysons Corner could exceed $65 million, the statement lacks some context. The evidence suggests that $65 million from ABC privatization would not be enough to cover the cost of an overpass, but it does not specify the exact cost of constructing an overpass in Tysons Corner. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate in highlighting the insufficiency of $65 million, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the total cost of constructing an overpass in Tysons Corner.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"No Republicans voted for\" recent hikes in the income tax, payroll tax, capital gains tax, dividend tax and estate tax. \"These taxes were all passed under \u2026 Obamacare.\"","The chain email said that \"no Republicans voted for\" recent hikes in the income tax, payroll tax, capital gains tax, dividend tax and estate tax, arguing that they \"were all passed under \u2026 Obamacare.\"","It\u2019s also incorrect to say that these taxes were all raised by Obamacare. The health care law did add marginally to three of the five taxes -- 0.9 percentage points extra on the top payroll tax rate, and 3.8 percentage points higher for the capital gains and the dividends tax -- but the bulk of the increases came from the fiscal cliff deal. All told, less than a third of the actual increases in the taxes cited by the email came from Obamacare.","But he said some Republicans are concerned that the refundable tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, have gotten so large that they\u2019ve begun to offset not only income tax but also payroll tax for many people."]},{"id":"3117.json","label":"true","statement":"The debt will soon eclipse our entire economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Paul Ryan that the national debt would soon surpass the size of the entire economy. While the evidence suggests that the debt held by the public is currently around 75 percent of GDP and not larger than the entire economy, it is important to note that the statement does not specify whether it refers to the total debt or the debt held by the public. Therefore, considering the broader context and the potential for future economic changes, the statement can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When Trump wanted to turn a taxpayer-owned building into an $800 a night hotel, (Congressman Jeff Denham, R-CA) helped broker the deal and bragged about it.\"","Says 70 percent of benefits in Donald Trump\u2019s proposal for child care \"go to the people making over $100,000 a year.\"","Donald Trump\u2019s \"golf course on the island defaulted, like so many of his other failed business schemes. The failure left Puerto Rican taxpayers with a nearly $33 million bill.\"","Under \"Trumpcare,\" the Republican replacement for Obamacare, \"$600 billion worth of tax breaks will go to the wealthiest in this country.\""]},{"id":"2137.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Dave Aronbergs career legal experience is less than two years as Asst. AG\/private attorney.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Dave Aronberg's career legal experience is \"less than two years as Asst. AG\/private attorney\" is misleading and barely true. While it is true that the flier presents his legal experience in a way that could be interpreted as less extensive, a more accurate representation would be that Aronberg has a total of 12 years of legal experience. This includes three years at Steel, Hector and Davis, two years in two stints at the attorney general's office, and seven years at Greenspoon Marder. Therefore, the statement significantly underestimates Aronberg's actual legal experience.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Larson says Abele has had five years in office and \"done nothing\" about the Estabrook Dam, with an earlier statement blaming him for a lack of consensus.","An image in a Chris Abele TV ad depicts \"wealthy citizens\" who would benefit from a \"lake\" created by the controversial Estabrook Dam.","County Executive Chris Abele wants to tear the dam down, but the County Board has voted to repair the structure. When Abele challenger Chris Larson was on the board, he voted to repair the dam, but now says he\u2019s willing to consider removing it because public sentiment seems to have changed.","The fate of the Estabrook Dam on the Milwaukee River has played an outsized role during the 2016 campaign for Milwaukee County Executive."]},{"id":"8228.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says theres a 100-year-old international norm not to use chemical weapons.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there may not be an explicit, universally binding treaty that specifically prohibits the use of chemical weapons for the past 100 years, there has been a longstanding international norm against their use. The Hague Declaration of 1899 marked the beginning of international efforts to limit the use of chemical weapons, even though disagreements persisted at the time. Over the years, this norm has been reinforced and strengthened through various international agreements and conventions. While not a precise 100-year-old norm, the statement accurately reflects the existence of a longstanding international understanding against the use of chemical weapons.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4557.json","label":"false","statement":"Gains in Atlanta Public Schools scores on a national standardized test lend credence to dramatic score increases on state tests.","reason":"Reason: While there were gains in Atlanta Public Schools scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), it is not accurate to claim that these gains lend credence to the dramatic score increases on state tests, specifically the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). The fact check reveals that the NAEP gains do not align completely with the CRCT increases, and demographic shifts may have played a role in the overall increase in scores. Therefore, the statement is false as it incorrectly implies a direct correlation between the gains on the national standardized test and the dramatic score increases on state tests.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5924.json","label":"false","statement":"On signing a no-tax pledge","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly states that Williams has signed multiple no-tax pledges, including pledges from Americans for Tax Reform, the American Family Business Institute, and possibly Tea Party pledges. The pledges express opposition to increasing marginal income tax rates and reducing deductions and credits without matching tax rate reductions. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that Williams has not signed a no-tax pledge.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"What is the fastest-growing demographic group in my state of Texas seeking concealed handgun licenses? Black women,\" wrote Carter, a Dallas Republican running for re-election to the Texas House, in the Aug. 30, 2012, piece.","Not that Texas was the fastest-growing state in the period; that distinction goes to North Dakota, which saw 12.5 percent population growth, the bureau says.","Lott told us that black women as a group overlap with the two categories of people who benefit the most from concealed-carry permits, according to his research: people who are physically weaker than assailants (primarily women and elderly people) and people who are likely victims of violent crime, including low-income residents of high-crime urban areas.","Straus, shown shaking hands with people, also says: \"Texas is growing twice as fast as the rest of the country. This is a time for men and women who are ready to confront our challenges with humility and with purpose.\""]},{"id":"6744.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the number-one source of illegal immigration is people legally coming to the United States on a tourist visa or a student visa and then disappearing into the population and never being heard from again.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there have been estimates and reports regarding the number of visa overstays, there is no conclusive evidence to support the claim that the number-one source of illegal immigration is people legally entering the United States on tourist or student visas and then disappearing into the population. The available data suggests that the majority of illegal immigrants in the U.S. entered the country without inspection or authorization, rather than through legal means. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing immigration issues.\nLabel: false","evidence":["$165 billion for what the White House called the biggest expansion of affordable health care in a decade. The provision reduces health care premiums under the Affordable Care Act and expands Medicare coverage to include hearing benefits.","1. In December 2014 and 2015, the Huntsville City Council approved year-end bonuses for all city employees. Full-time employees with more than a year of service received $100, while half-time employees and those with under a year of service received $50. In total, $2,000 in bonus pay was handed out each year.","New means-tested spending over the first five years of Build Back Better would come to $836 billion, Rector said. In constant dollars, this would be larger than any five-year increase in such spending in U.S. history.","Email, Jesse Rothstein, Chancellor's professor of public policy and economics, and faculty director, California Policy Lab, University of California, Berkeley, Jan. 21, 2022"]},{"id":"11817.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On opposing citizenship for illegal immigrants","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that while President Obama did not push for a direct path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, he did take steps to provide temporary status to certain individuals. Therefore, it is accurate to say that he did not fully support a path to citizenship for all illegal immigrants. However, it is important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the political challenges and resistance faced by President Obama in Congress, which significantly hindered the progress towards comprehensive immigration reform. Thus, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"To compare that, 281 people in New Hampshire were issued permits to hunt moose,\" Huckabee said. \"So I mean, the fact is, you've got more people wanting to go moose hunting in New Hampshire than want Obamacare.\"","Wildlife officials received more than 13,000 applications from people wanting to go moose hunting this year, and the state held a lottery to determine who got the permits. Not all of those applications were from New Hampshire residents, but there were about 13,000 people \"wanting to go moose hunting in New Hampshire.\"","Huckabee said that there are \"more people wanting to go moose hunting in New Hampshire than want Obamacare.\" His statement is grounded in some verifiable data, but his wording choice casts doubt on the accuracy of the statement.","We wondered if it was true that more people in the state want to bag a moose than want to buy health insurance under Obamacare."]},{"id":"11565.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgia is one of the 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the sources provided, Georgia is indeed recognized as one of the 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees, specifically ranking 5th on the list. However, it's important to note that the ranking may not take into account local sales taxes, which could impact the overall tax-friendliness for retirees. Therefore, while Georgia is generally considered tax-friendly for retirees, the statement lacks the full context regarding potential local sales taxes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1416.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Members of Congress passed a pay raise for themselves of $10,000 over two years even as they voted not to raise Social Security benefits for 2010 and 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that members of Congress did not vote to raise Social Security benefits for 2010 and 2011, it is incorrect to claim that they passed a pay raise for themselves during the same period. In fact, lawmakers have the option to receive a cost-of-living increase automatically unless they vote to reject it. In some years, lawmakers did vote to decline the pay raise, but this does not equate to passing a pay raise for themselves. Additionally, the statement does not provide a clear timeline for the alleged pay raise. Therefore, the claim is misleading and does not accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The last time Republicans held hostage a resolution to ensure that our country\u2019s bills were paid cost us more than $1 billion in added interest and slowed the economic recovery.\"","His punch line: \"The last time Republicans held hostage a resolution to ensure that our country\u2019s bills were paid cost us more than $1 billion in added interest and slowed the economic recovery.\"","Doggett said \"the last time Republicans held hostage a resolution to ensure that our country\u2019s bills were paid cost us more than $1 billion in added interest and slowed the economic recovery.\"","Doggett\u2019s punch line: \"The last time Republicans held hostage a resolution to ensure that our country\u2019s bills were paid cost us more than $1 billion in added interest and slowed the economic recovery.\""]},{"id":"2541.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the Texas unemployment rate has even grown more than the nations as a whole.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence indicates that the Texas unemployment rate has indeed grown at a faster rate compared to the national unemployment rate. While it's important to note that the statement could be phrased more accurately by specifying that the rate has increased at a faster rate, the overall claim holds true based on the evidence provided. It is worth mentioning that the evidence also highlights that there were some states with higher unemployment rates than Texas during specific periods.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"345.json","label":"false","statement":"\"She said, you know, 'I voted for it, but I hoped it wouldn't pass.' That was a quote on live TV.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that someone said, \"I voted for it, but I hoped it wouldn't pass.\" Without any specific information about who made this statement, when it was said, or in what context, it is difficult to verify its accuracy. Therefore, the statement cannot be considered true based on the given evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the release, Grothman said there was a \"lack of any credible evidence that 4-K programs are beneficial to young children.\" He added: \"Recent studies have confirmed that any academic benefits of government funded preschool disappear by the fourth grade.\"","According to that group\u2019s website, Barnett: \"reviewed 22 long-term studies of the effects of preschool in a 1993 article entitled Does Head Start Fade Out? Each study followed children from preschool until at least 3rd grade. Results from these studies show that initial gains in children's IQ scores tended to disappear over time. However, gains in graduation rates, as well as declines in special education placements and grade retention, were maintained.\"","The studies are from 2006, which is not all that recent. And both are from groups that come at issues from a particular point of view, not independent academic researchers.","The debate over 4-K is about more than whether kids benefit in their later schooling. It\u2019s about money, politics, social agendas and more. For support of his position, Grothman said recent reports \"confirm\" that academic benefits are soon lost. Some studies reached that conclusion. But Grothman is citing one small portion of a much broader debate and declaring the whole matter settled when there is considerable evidence on the other side."]},{"id":"6302.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The U.S. initially had three federal felonies: treason, piracy, and counterfeiting securities and money.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the U.S. Constitution initially mentioned three federal felonies: treason, piracy, and counterfeiting securities and money. These crimes were specifically mentioned in the Constitution, indicating their significance at the time. However, it's important to note that over time, the federal criminal code has expanded significantly beyond these initial three felonies. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the historical context, it does not capture the full extent of the current federal criminal laws.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4053.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If you look at our tax mix, the share of corporate revenues as a percentage of our overall revenue mix has declined by about half over the last 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Mark Warner is generally accurate. Over the last 30 years, the share of corporate revenues as a percentage of the overall revenue mix has indeed declined. However, it's important to note that the extent of the decline may vary depending on the specific years being compared. While the statement holds true for certain years in the last decade compared to 30 years earlier, there are other years, such as 2001-2003, where the decline was more significant, reaching approximately 50%. Therefore, while the statement captures the overall trend of a decline in the share of corporate revenues, the extent of the decline can vary depending on the specific time periods being compared.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Federal Register - which houses all Washington regulations - is 34,000 pages in length and weighs in at more than 340 pounds,\" the congressman said.","To argue that regulation is out of control, Forbes said the Federal Register came to 34,000 pages and weighed 340 pounds.","That means if you print it out, the 34,000 pages of the Federal Register would require 68 reams of paper, which would weigh a total of 340 pounds, Hack said.","Does it really contain 34,000 pages and weigh more than 340 pounds? We asked Joe Hack, Forbes\u2019 spokesman, for the sources of the congressman\u2019s claim."]},{"id":"6136.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Women (are) paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men.","reason":"Reason: The statement that women are paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men is an oversimplification of the gender pay gap issue. While it is true that, on average, women earn less than men, the 77 cents figure does not account for factors such as occupation, experience, education, and other relevant variables that contribute to wage disparities. When these factors are taken into consideration, the gender pay gap narrows, but it still exists. Therefore, the statement is misleading in suggesting that the 77 cents figure represents a direct comparison of men and women doing the exact same work.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says that like Todd Akin, all Texas Republicans in U.S. House cosponsored a bill \"that attempts to distinguish between \u2018forcible rape\u2019 and other sexual assaults.\"","PAC says, like Todd Akin and Paul Ryan, all Texas Republicans in U.S. House cosponsored bill trying to distinguish \u201cforcible rape\u201d","( - PAC says, like Todd Akin and Paul Ryan, all Texas Republicans in U.S. House cosponsored bill trying to distinguish \u201cforcible rape\u201d&url=)","\"Every single member of the Texas Republican congressional delegation cosponsored the same bill supported by (U.S. Rep. Todd) Akin and Paul Ryan that attempts to distinguish between \u2018forcible rape\u2019 and other sexual assaults,\" said a report circulated Aug. 23, 2012, by the Lone Star Project."]},{"id":"6410.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Georgia ranks near the bottom in per capita transportation spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, which indicates that Georgia ranks 49th in per capita transportation spending. This suggests that Georgia's spending on transportation infrastructure is relatively low compared to other states. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13264.json","label":"false","statement":"Says allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances on a female sheriffs deputy were found by two separate judges to not have merit.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the candidate claims that two separate judges found the allegations to be without merit, there is no evidence or documentation provided to support this claim. Without any verifiable information or official court rulings, it is inaccurate to state that the allegations were dismissed by two judges. It is important to rely on factual evidence and official records when assessing the veracity of such claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1744.json","label":"false","statement":"The more than $800,000 raised by the Alan Grayson campaign last quarter was \"#1 among all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.\"","reason":"Reason: While Alan Grayson's campaign did raise over $800,000 in a quarter, it is not accurate to claim that this amount was \"#1 among all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.\" The evidence provided does not support this claim, as it only states that Grayson's campaign raised a significant amount of money, but it does not compare it to the fundraising efforts of all other representatives. Without comprehensive data on the fundraising of all members, it is not possible to confirm that Grayson's campaign was indeed the top fundraiser among all representatives.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says \"at the state level we're spending more on tax expenditures than we are on public safety, health care and education combined.\"","One fact he\u2019s taken to repeating -- first during a candidates\u2019 forum hosted by Family Forward Oregon and Mother PAC and later during a Rotary Club meeting -- is that \"at the state level we're spending more on tax expenditures than we are on public safety, health care and education combined.\"","Let\u2019s start with the all funds budget. The current budget accounts for nearly $59 billion in total spending -- this is without the tax breaks. Of that, $13.5 billion goes to education and $3.6 billion goes to public safety. The health care figure is a little harder to come by. The best estimate we could dig up is the total funds budget for the Oregon Health Authority -- the executive bureaucracy that does the majority of the state\u2019s health care work. That budget is just over $12 billion.","As for our ruling, Smith\u2019s claim is accurate. The state does spend more on tax breaks than it does on public safety, health care and education. This holds true whether you look at the larger all funds budget, or the smaller general and lottery funds budget. But there is some important context here, including the fact that many of those tax breaks are off limits to state lawmakers."]},{"id":"1660.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If every house in Florida had a solar-heated water tank, that would eliminate consumption by 17 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks important context. While it is true that solar water heaters can significantly reduce energy consumption for water heating, the claim that it would eliminate consumption by 17 percent is misleading. The Department of Energy states that solar water heaters typically reduce water heating energy costs by 50 to 80 percent, not 17 percent. Therefore, the statement overestimates the potential savings and does not accurately reflect the range of reduction provided by the Department of Energy. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9130.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Koch brothers are the richest people in the world. Individually, theyre only fifth. Put them together theyre the richest in the world.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that when combining their wealth, the Koch brothers rank among the wealthiest individuals in the world, it is important to note that this statement is based on their collective wealth as a family, rather than their individual rankings. According to Forbes, when considering families, the Koch brothers rank second internationally, behind the Walton family. However, when considering individual wealth, they are not the richest people in the world and are ranked fifth. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that their combined wealth places them among the richest individuals, rather than being the absolute richest.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Kasich said that in head-to-head polls for the general election, \"I beat Hillary Clinton by more than anybody, by 11 points.\"","First, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that \"of all the people on this stage, (Donald Trump) performs the worst against Hillary Clinton\" in head-to-head matchups for the general election.","\"I beat Hillary Clinton by more than anybody, by 11 points,\" Kasich said. He was referring to the four Republicans on the debate stage -- himself, Rubio, Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.","We\u2019ll start by noting that polling experts typically urge caution when comparing head-to-head matchups for the general election this early in the campaign cycle."]},{"id":"2572.json","label":"false","statement":"Shows in a television ad that police took evidence fromSolantic, Rick Scotts new health care company, after allegations emerged that the company was engaging in fraud.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were allegations of fraud against Solantic, Rick Scott's health care company, there is no evidence to suggest that police took evidence from the company. The visuals shown in the television ad, such as police tape and individuals in police attire, are likely used for dramatic effect and do not accurately represent any actual police involvement or seizure of evidence from Solantic.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a statement released earlier this month, the N.H. Republican Party took aim at congressional candidate and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, criticizing her record of hosting Town Hall sessions during her time in office.","\"But others appear to have signed on to the plan for aggressive outreach. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), for instance, has four town hall meetings planned specifically about health care,\" reporter Mike Memoli wrote in a March 26, 2010 post.","\"Carol Shea-Porter is still ignoring the problems of the economy and is instead focused on partisan games,\" Tory Mazzola, executive director of the state Republican Party, wrote March 8 in an email. \"(Her) record of helping people get back to work is as bleak as her record of refusing to host town halls when she was in Congress.\"","Rep. Carol Shea-Porter \"votes with Nancy Pelosi\u2019s Democrats 95 percent of the time,\" but Frank Guinta \"will take on both parties\" and has \"independent New Hampshire values.\""]},{"id":"1836.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Mexican government officials hand out brochures showing individuals how they can avoid our Border Patrol, how they can get into our country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Mexican government has distributed brochures providing information on safely crossing the border, the statement inaccurately suggests that these brochures specifically show individuals how to avoid the U.S. Border Patrol and enter the country without detection. The brochures primarily focus on safety measures and guidelines for individuals planning to immigrate to the United States. While there may be some general information on crossing the border, it does not provide explicit instructions on evading Border Patrol or U.S. authorities. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context, leading to a misleading impression.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In Malaysia \u2026 many of the workers are indentured servants because their passports are taken away when they come into this country and are working in slave-like conditions.\"","Sanders said, \"In Malaysia \u2026 many of the workers are indentured servants because their passports are taken away when they come into this country and are working in slave-like conditions.\"","\"I do believe in trade. But it has to be based on principles that are fair,\" Sanders said. \"So if you are in Vietnam, where the minimum wage is 65\u00a2 an hour, or you're in Malaysia, where many of the workers are indentured servants because their passports are taken away when they come into this country and are working in slave-like conditions, no, I'm not going to have American workers \u2018competing\u2019 against you under those conditions.\"","Here, we wanted to fact-check Sanders\u2019 claim that workers in Malaysia \u2014 which would be part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership \u2014 are forced into working under \"slave-like conditions.\""]},{"id":"1773.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Perry failed to involve border sheriffs in developing plans to prevent violence in their communities.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Governor Rick Perry failed to involve border sheriffs in developing plans to prevent violence in their communities. While there may be disagreements and criticisms regarding Perry's approach to border and immigration issues, there is no specific evidence or information provided that directly supports the statement that Perry failed to involve border sheriffs in developing such plans. Without concrete evidence to support the claim, it is not accurate to assert that Perry failed in this regard.\nLabel: false","evidence":["One week after calling Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor a racist through a tweet to his Twitter followers, Newt Gingrich says he is retracting the comment.","Sonia Sotomayor is a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. She was President Barack Obama\u2019s first Supreme Court nominee, and was confirmed by the Senate in 2009 to fill the seat of retiring Justice David Souter.","\"Walking in the door (Sonia Sotomayor) would bring more experience on the bench, and more varied experience on the bench, than anyone currently serving on the United States Supreme Court had when they were appointed.\"","Ten minutes later, he followed up with this: \"White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw.\""]},{"id":"1560.json","label":"true","statement":"When Social Security started, age expectancy for the average man was 58. It was 62 -- 62 for women.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical life expectancy data at the time when Social Security was introduced. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average life expectancy for men born in 1935 was just under 60, while for women, it was around 64. While the exact numbers mentioned in the statement are slightly off, the overall claim that the average life expectancy for men was around 58 and for women was around 62 aligns with the available data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Ninety percent of the people who work in this country work for companies under 100 people, maybe even less than that.\"","In a Feb. 23 debate with Congressman Steve Rothman, Pascrell claimed: \"Ninety percent of the people who work in this country work for companies under 100 people, maybe even less than that.\"","\"And what I am saying to you is that I have an obligation and a responsibility as a congressman to find ways to help small business,\" Pascrell told the crowd. \"Ninety percent of the people who work in this country work for companies under 100 people, maybe even less than that.\"","Those statistics exclude certain industries and most government employees, but are considered the \"standard reference source for small business statistics,\" according to the census bureau."]},{"id":"9172.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Rep. Michele Bachmann said President Barack Obama might be to blame for the Fort Hood shootings.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that Rep. Michele Bachmann said President Barack Obama might be to blame for the Fort Hood shootings. In fact, the claim has been debunked and given a \"Pants on Fire\" rating, indicating that it is entirely fabricated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"A middle-class family donates $1 to charity, they get 15 cents off their income tax. Bill Gates donates $1 to charity, he takes 35 cents off his income tax.\"","\"The administration raises revenue for nationalized health care through a series of new taxes, including a light switch tax that would cost every American household $3,128 a year.\"","Blue Chip Economic Indicators is a monthly newsletter by specialty publisher Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. It claims to survey \"America's leading business economists\" and compiles their economic forecasts. It serves a blue-chip audience: A one-year subscription costs $875.","She made it on the March 15 Meet the Press , after host David Gregory played a recent tape of her saying \"most people are predicting\" positive growth in the economy \"some time in the second half of the year.\""]},{"id":"404.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama want to raise capital gains taxes, which apply to home sales.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because while it is true that both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have expressed intentions to raise capital gains taxes, it is not accurate to claim that these taxes apply to all home sales. Many home sales are exempt from capital gains taxes if certain criteria are met, such as living in the home for a specific period and meeting profit thresholds. Therefore, it is important to clarify that not all home sales are subject to capital gains taxes, and the implication made in the statement is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Still, we think it\u2019s worth pointing out Obama\u2019s change in stance, since his initial comment was a calculated, pointed barb at McCain and because he\u2019s turned to the commission model as president to address more than just minor issues. Ultimately, on the use of presidentially appointed commissions, Obama merits a Full Flop.","First, some background. Commissions are typically headed jointly by a Republican and a Democrat. Members may be appointed by the president, Congressional leaders or a mix of the two. The commissions -- sometimes known as blue-ribbon panels -- are charged with studying a thorny topic and making recommendations. Usually the recommendations are not binding, but they can serve as blueprints for future Congressional and presidential action.","The legislation would also create a national registry to track police misconduct, require law enforcement agencies to report use of force data, ban no-knock warrants in federal drug cases, require officers to use more body and dashboard cameras, and tie some federal grants to law enforcement agencies adopting anti-discrimination training and practices.","Sometimes commissions make an impact, such as the bipartisan panel that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Its recommendations, after some delay, were made into law. Other times, commissions produce reports that get put on a shelf and are quickly forgotten. Some in Washington, such as candidate Obama, dismiss commissions as a way to make it look like you\u2019re making progress in attacking a difficult problem without actually doing the heavy lifting of trying to pass a bill."]},{"id":"9885.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Rick Scott, homeowners are paying higher (home insurance) premiums for less coverage.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that there has been a trend of rising premiums and potentially reduced coverage for homeowners during Rick Scott's tenure as governor. Multiple sources, including Charlie Crist's plan and PolitiFact Florida's investigation, indicate that homeowners in Florida have experienced higher costs for homeowner's insurance. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all factors contributing to these changes, such as external market conditions or specific policy decisions. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on available evidence, it may not capture the full complexity of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate campaign, trying to capitalize on the public perception that lobbying is unseemly, describes Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio as a \"Miami lobbyist\" or \"Miami Lobbyist-Politician\" in its campaign literature.","We first went to the Miami City database of lobbyists and found no such evidence, and called Miami City Hall as well. A clerk there searched and said there is no Marco Rubio listed as a lobbyist as far back as they keep records \u2013 to 2003.","Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate campaign press release, Marco Rubio: Can Florida Afford A Miami Lobbyist-Politician Who Laughs At Ethics? March 15, 2010.","One recent reference appeared in a March 15, 2010, press release that carried the following headline: \"Marco Rubio: Can Florida Afford A Miami Lobbyist-Politician Who Laughs At Ethics?\" In the release, the word \"lobbyist\" was mentioned three times in reference to Rubio."]},{"id":"8562.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the number of Democrats who voted for the GOP measure allowing health plan renewals is close to the number who voted on GOP bills to delay mandates on employers and individuals.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Nancy Pelosi stated that the number of Democrats who voted for the GOP measure allowing health plan renewals is approximately the same as the number who voted on GOP bills to delay mandates on employers and individuals. While the exact number is not provided, Pelosi's claim suggests a similarity in the voting patterns. However, the evidence provided indicates that all 54 Democrats or independents who voted for the measure were in favor of it, while all 42 Republicans voted against it. This suggests a clear partisan divide rather than a similar number of Democrats crossing party lines. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I\u2019ve never supported legislation that invades people\u2019s choices about contraception,\" Cuccinelli told reporters on Aug. 27 while campaigning in Northern Virginia. His comment was reported by The Washington Post and The Loudoun Times.","Nix added in a follow-up email that Cuccinelli \"does not believe the government should regulate contraception and supported this legislation because he is pro-life, and this bill would protect innocent life.\"","While he\u2019s never cast a vote on legislation that explicitly restricted birth control options, Cuccinelli for a decade has been one of the strongest anti-abortion voices in Virginia. He\u2019s supported personhood bills that recognized life as beginning at the moment of conception or fertilization and bestowed human embryos with legal rights. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says such legislation could outlaw birth control pills and other forms of contraception that prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in a uterus.","Cuccinelli\u2019s wording also allows him to gloss over a vote he cast in 2003 against legislation that would have specified contraception does not constitute an abortion."]},{"id":"1953.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Sharron Angle wants to wipe out Social Security.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Sharron Angle wants to wipe out Social Security\" is partially true. Multiple sources, including an Associated Press article, have reported that Sharron Angle expressed a desire to eliminate Social Security. However, it's important to note that Angle's position on Social Security is nuanced. While she has advocated for significant changes to the program, such as transitioning to a privatized system, it is not accurate to say that she wants to completely eliminate Social Security without any alternative or replacement. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects Angle's desire for substantial changes to the Social Security system.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9619.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"For the first time in history, (Thors) hammer is being held by a woman.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the statement refers to the first time a woman is holding Thor's hammer in the context of the specific storyline being discussed, it is not accurate to claim that it is the first time in history that a woman has held the hammer. There have been previous instances in alternate storylines and comics where female characters like Storm, Rogue, Wonder Woman, and Jane Foster have held Thor's hammer. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true as it disregards previous occurrences of women wielding the hammer.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Here\u2019s the part that piqued our interest. The newspaper paraphrased Gray as saying Georgia is one of only seven states to lose jobs this year. The grand total of jobs lost? About 8,200, Gray said.","Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Vermont and Virginia lost jobs, according to the BLS. Including Georgia, that adds up to seven states.","Georgia is one of seven states that have either a lower state minimum wage than the federal standard, or no state minimum wage at all, said Wesley Tharpe, research director at the left-leaning think tank Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.","It may seem premature to say Deal has not done enough to create more jobs in nine months. The claims that Gray made were correct on both points. But there is this caveat: Many of the job losses were in government and not the private sector."]},{"id":"11680.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Three or four countries out of roughly 60 in the anti-ISIS coalition are providing military force.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rubio that only \"three or four countries\" out of the roughly 60 in the anti-ISIS coalition are providing military force is generally supported by the evidence. While there may be some lack of transparency and difficulty in obtaining concrete data, experts and analysis suggest that the number provided by Rubio is roughly accurate. The Pentagon's breakdown of data does not provide a detailed breakdown by individual nation, but experts and analysts have indicated that a limited number of countries are actively contributing significant military force in the fight against ISIS.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12713.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Koch Industries) is among the worst in toxic air pollution in the entire United States ... and churns out more climate-changing greenhouse gases than oil giants Chevron, Shell and Valero.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Koch Industries is ranked 13th on the \"Toxic 100 Air Polluters\" list due to the significant amount of toxic air releases reported by their facilities. Additionally, the statement accurately states that Koch Industries produces more climate-changing greenhouse gases than oil giants Chevron, Shell, and Valero. However, it's important to note that Koch Industries has more facilities than the mentioned oil companies, which contributes to their higher emissions. Overall, the statement accurately highlights the environmental impact of Koch Industries compared to these oil giants.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a TV ad, Walker said the Democratic administration and Legislature that preceded him approved \"double-digit tax increases.\" There certainly were not widespread double-digit increases in the taxes most people directly pay -- income taxes and the sales tax. But there are a variety of other tax increases that rose by double digits.","So broad, some would think the double-digit increases were a fact of life for most residents. While widespread jobs losses in the recession and the deficit Walker inherited are well known, we wondered what Walker meant by \"double-digit tax increases.\"","Walker repeated the \"double-digit tax increases\" claim on Rush Limbaugh\u2019s national radio talk show on Jan. 17, 2012, the day before petitions seeking the recall election were submitted. And he did it again the next day, claiming Democratic recall candidate Kathleen Falk intends to \"take Wisconsin back to the days\" of double-digit tax increases.","\"In the three years before I took office,\" he says, without naming Jim Doyle, \"Wisconsin lost 150,000 jobs. But now, well, employer confidence is up, and since the start of the year, Wisconsin has added thousands of new jobs. Instead of going back to the days of billion-dollar budget deficits, double-digit tax increases and record job loss, let\u2019s keep moving Wisconsin forward.\""]},{"id":"9373.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"From 2000 to 2008, we averaged about five mass shootings a year. Were now averaging 15. So thats a three-fold increase.","reason":"Reason: While there has been an increase in the number of mass shootings in recent years, the statement exaggerates the magnitude of the increase. The evidence suggests that from 2000 to 2008, the average number of mass shootings per year was around 5. However, it is not accurate to claim that the current average is 15, representing a three-fold increase. According to the data provided, the rate of mass shootings did increase, but not to the extent suggested by the statement. The actual increase is less significant than claimed.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["So it came as a surprise to us when McCain was quoted on Newsweek magazine's website on April 3, 2010, saying, \"I never considered myself a maverick. I consider myself a person who serves the people of Arizona to the best of his abilities.\"","That's not exactly an aggressive embrace of the term. But even if McCain is now listening more closely to his inner ambivalence about the term, it cannot erase the eagerness with which his 2008 presidential campaign touted that particular characteristic as a major selling point for candidacy. So we rate his statement that \"I never considered myself a maverick\" to be Pants on Fire!","\u2022 \"We get along fine. Sarah is a maverick. I'm a maverick. No one expected us to agree on everything.\" -- interview with CNN's Larry King, Oct. 30, 2008","John McCain and Mark Salter, Worth the Fighting For: The Education of an American Maverick, and the Heroes Who Inspired Him , published 2003."]},{"id":"5983.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Lloyd Doggett made millions off companies like Bank of America while they took taxpayer bailout money.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies a direct correlation between Lloyd Doggett making millions and Bank of America receiving taxpayer bailout money. However, the evidence provided does not establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between Doggett's earnings and the bailout funds received by Bank of America. While it is possible that Doggett may have earned money from investments related to companies like Bank of America, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to definitively support the claim that he made millions specifically \"while\" these companies received taxpayer bailout money. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez says that in Arizona, Mitt Romney said the state\u2019s SB 1070 law should be model for nation","Says that Mitt Romney, while he was in Arizona, said he believes the state\u2019s SB 1070 immigration law should be the model for national immigration laws.","( - U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez says that in Arizona, Mitt Romney said the state\u2019s SB 1070 law should be model for nation&url=)","Referring to Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Obama continued: \"My opponent says the Arizona law should be \u2018a model for the nation.\u2019\" Audience members booed. Obama then referred, without details, to his administration\u2019s recent decision not to seek deportations of young, otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants."]},{"id":"8625.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Residents could have received nearly $48M for Local Schools, Fire District, Sheriffs Dept. and Social Services.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely true. While it is technically true that the residents could have received nearly $48 million, it fails to provide the necessary context. The money mentioned in the statement refers to property taxes that were temporarily frozen and redirected to improvement projects within the district. It was not money that could have been directly returned to residents. Additionally, the statement implies that all $48 million was eligible for return, which is not accurate. The $48 million figure represents the total amount of property taxes collected during the freeze period, but not all of it would have been eligible for return to residents. Therefore, the statement lacks important context and could mislead readers into thinking that residents were deprived of $48 million that could have been directly allocated to local services.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8711.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"61 percent of non-tea party Republicans actually agree...there is solid evidence the earth is warming, ...[but] 70 percent of tea partiers, contrarily, say there is no solid evidence the earth is warming.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Sheldon Whitehouse. According to surveys and research, 61 percent of non-tea party Republicans agree that there is solid evidence of the Earth warming, while 70 percent of tea partiers hold the contrary belief that there is no solid evidence of the Earth warming. This demonstrates a notable difference in opinion between these two groups regarding the existence of climate change and the evidence supporting it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rick Santorum said Florida's economy \"became a bad economy ... because of a huge spike in oil prices in the summer of 2008.\"","\"What threatens the tourist industry in Florida, as we've seen, is a very bad economy, and a very bad economy that became a bad economy why?\" he said. \"Because of a huge spike in oil prices in the summer of 2008.\"","\"What threatens the tourist industry in Florida, as we've seen, is a very bad economy, and a very bad economy that became a bad economy why? Because of a huge spike in oil prices in the summer of 2008. So energy is absolutely key to keep all of our country healthy, specifically Florida, which is a destination place.\"","And as oil prices dove the second half of the year, collapses in housing and banking drove Florida unemployment into far more dire territory, creating the \"bad economy\" Floridians still face."]},{"id":"6883.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Romney wants to take away early childhood education, slash K-12 funding, and cut college aid to pay for a $250,000 tax break for multi-millionaires.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims made that Romney's tax plans would result in cuts to education funding and college aid, it is important to note that Romney himself has stated that he does not have any plans to cut education funding or grants for college. The statement implies a direct causation between the tax break for multi-millionaires and the cuts to education, which is not explicitly supported by the evidence provided. While there may be concerns about the potential impact of tax policies on funding allocations, the statement oversimplifies the relationship between tax breaks and education cuts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"If you look at how we have handled this financial crisis -- if you had told me two years ago that we're going to be able to stabilize the system, stabilize the stock market, stabilize the economy, and by the way, at the end of this thing, it will cost less than 1 percent of GDP, where the (1980s savings and loan) crisis cost us 2.5 percent of our entire economy -- a much smaller crisis -- I'd say, 'We'll take that,' because we saved taxpayers a whole lot of money.\"","For the purpose of context, the report adds that \"this result is notable compared to past systemic financial crises. An International Monetary Fund study found that the average net fiscal cost of resolving roughly 40 banking crises since 1970 was 13 percent of GDP. And according to the Government Accountability Office, the net fiscal cost of cleaning up the U.S. savings and loan crisis was 2.4 percent of GDP.\"","\"We currently expect that the overall direct fiscal cost of all our financial interventions will be less than 1 percent of GDP,\" the report said. Using the $29 billion figure would easily make the 1 percent cutoff, since GDP for 2009 was just over $14 trillion( \"GDP for 2009 was just over $14 trillion\").","We located the original IMF study( \"the original IMF study\") cited in the Treasury report and found that it offers two estimates, using different methodology, of the pricetag for the savings and loan crisis, which occurred when thrifts, under lax regulation, made a series of risky investments that eventually turned bad and left depositors holding the bag. One estimate in the IMF report is 2.4 percent, which is very close to what Obama said. The other is 3.2 percent. Since Obama was satisfied with the lower cost estimate -- which wouldn't be in his interest in making this kind of comparison -- then we'll stipulate to using that estimate."]},{"id":"8704.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama came into office very concerned about wiretappings but then he became president of the United States, he got all the briefings (and) he decided the balance is probably pretty appropriately struck.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Kristol regarding President Obama's initial concerns about wiretapping and his subsequent assessment of the balance between security and privacy after receiving briefings as president. However, it's important to note that this statement represents Kristol's perspective and interpretation of Obama's actions, rather than a definitive fact. The label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate as it accurately conveys the content of Kristol's statement while acknowledging its subjective nature.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["ATR concluded the reform recommendations were an \"overall tax hike\" before it had enough evidence. PolitiFact Georgia\u2019s own analysis found that the tax overhaul could increase or cut taxes.","Calling the recommendation an \"overall tax hike\" is therefore akin to telling Georgians there are shards of glass in their creme brulee before it reaches the table.","Americans for Tax Reform, a D.C. group that opposes all tax increases, called the proposal \"akin to shards of glass in a delicious creme brulee,\" in a written statement Jan. 10. \"It is a bit of desirable tax reform ruined by an overall tax hike.\"","We found ATR passed judgment before it had the numbers. A comprehensive set of revenue estimates has not been released. PolitiFact Georgia\u2019s own analysis found that the tax overhaul could increase or cut taxes."]},{"id":"10840.json","label":"half-true","statement":"You can be an NFL player with murder charges and not be suspended.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. In the case of Aaron Hernandez, he continued to play in the NFL while facing murder charges for the killing of Odin Lloyd. However, it's important to note that the New England Patriots, his team at the time, released him immediately after his arrest. While he was not suspended by the NFL during the legal proceedings, the team took action by severing ties with him. Generally, the NFL has the authority to suspend players who are involved in criminal activities, depending on the severity of the charges and the outcome of legal proceedings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"53.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"During his tenure in Washington and in the Illinois State Senate, Barack Obama has accumulated a record of bipartisan success.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama has worked with Republicans and achieved some bipartisan success during his tenure in Washington and the Illinois State Senate, it is important to note that opinions on his level of bipartisan credentials vary. Some Republicans have praised his ability to work across the aisle and pass legislation, as evidenced by the statements made by Kirk Dillard and the collaborations with Republican senators on energy and political reform issues. However, it is also worth mentioning that there are differing perspectives, with some individuals asserting that Obama has not been in Washington long enough to establish extensive bipartisan credentials. Therefore, while there is evidence of bipartisan success, the statement should be considered half-true, acknowledging the mixed opinions on Obama's bipartisan record.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Even Roger Williams National Memorial in my home state of Rhode Island attracted nearly 51,000 visitors in 2011, with non-local visitors adding more than $3.2 million to the local economy,\" he said.","Sen. Jack Reed said Roger Williams National Memorial attracted nearly 51,000 visitors in 2011, \"with non-local visitors adding more than $3.2 million to the local economy.\"","Good things are supposed to come in small packages, but does the 4.5 -acre Roger Williams National Memorial really pump $3.2 million a year (about $8,767 a day) into the economy?","The service put the number of recreational visits to the Roger Williams Memorial at 50,909 for 2011, the year Reed cited. It also pegged recreational spending by those people at $3.1 million, though that was based on 2010 figures."]},{"id":"5286.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This year President Obama canceled the 21st annual National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House under the ruse of not wanting to offend anyone.BUT on September 25, 2009 from 4 AM until 7 PM, a National Day of Prayer FOR THE MUSLIM RELIGION was HELD on Capitol Hill, Beside the White House.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains several inaccuracies. While it is true that President Obama did not hold a public ceremony for the National Day of Prayer at the White House in 2009, as his predecessor President George W. Bush did, the claim that he canceled the 21st annual event is false. Additionally, the statement incorrectly portrays the event held on Capitol Hill as a \"National Day of Prayer for the Muslim religion.\" In reality, the event was a Friday prayer service organized by a Muslim advocacy group, and it was not an official National Day of Prayer for Muslims. The statement contains misleading information and distorts the facts, earning a rating of barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4605.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Tax Foundation figures Rhode Island as the 10th highest state for state and local tax burden per capita in the country. Were the 6th worst in the country for the business tax index. Were the 3rd highest per capita in the country for all taxes.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Palumbo regarding Rhode Island's rankings for state and local tax burden per capita and the business tax index, it misrepresents the ranking for all taxes. The evidence suggests that Rhode Island ranked 10th for state and local tax burden per capita, not 10th for all taxes. Additionally, it is important to note that the evidence indicates Rhode Island ranked fifth worst in the country for state and local tax burden per capita, not sixth worst as stated in the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks precision in its representation of the rankings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But the legislation's co-sponsors, Rep. Kristina Roegner of Hudson and Rep. Ron Maag of Lebanon, depicted their proposals as a matter of \"workplace freedom\" that would attract jobs.","Its \"Michigan Worker Freedom\" website says: \"Workers in right-to-work states make more. When adjusting for cost of living, workers in right-to-work states have 4.1 percent higher per-capita personal incomes than workers in non-right-to-work states.\"","But federal data from a nonpartisan government research arm shows that employees in right-to-work states earn less. So does another analysis that tries to hold other things equal.","The Journal said that employees in right-to-work states earned 9.8 percent less than workers in states without such laws, according to an analysis of Labor Department data that did not include health-care and other benefits -- \"but proving cause and effect on wages is difficult, since many factors influence what workers are paid in a given locale, such as whether the mix of businesses are concentrated in higher-paying industries.\""]},{"id":"10989.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is an immigrant.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly shows that Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was born in South Carolina, making her a natural-born citizen of the United States. She is not an immigrant. Claims stating otherwise are false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6738.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Tim Kaine doubled down in his support of devastating defense cuts, saying the the deal was the right thing to do.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Tim Kaine expressed support for the debt-limit agreement, which included defense cuts, and stated that \"the deal was the right thing to do.\" However, the use of the phrase \"doubled down\" implies a stronger or more emphatic support than what is evident from the evidence provided. While Kaine did express his support for the deal, it does not necessarily indicate an intensified or unwavering stance on the issue. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context to support the claim of \"doubling down\" on defense cuts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"393.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I've been standing up against ... the Chinese government over women's rights and standing up for human rights.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Hillary Clinton's remarks where she claims to have been standing up against the Chinese government over women's rights and advocating for human rights. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a comprehensive assessment of the extent or effectiveness of her actions. While Clinton did speak out on women's rights and human rights during her visit to Beijing in 1995, the impact of her advocacy and the extent to which she confronted the Chinese government on these issues may be subject to interpretation and further analysis. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects Clinton's claim but lacks the full context of the outcomes of her actions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9720.json","label":"half-true","statement":"25 percent of all drug-related fatal vehicle accidents in the U.S. involve marijuana.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a study from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation found that 25 percent of fatal single-vehicle accidents involving specific factors (such as speeding, failure to obey or yield, inattention, and failure to use a seat belt) between 1998 and 2009 tested positive for marijuana, it is important to note that this does not represent all drug-related fatal vehicle accidents in the U.S. The statement lacks the necessary context to make a comprehensive claim about all drug-related fatal accidents. Additionally, it is crucial to consider that alcohol remains the most commonly abused substance involved in fatal drug-related accidents. Therefore, while there is some evidence to support the claim, it is not accurate to generalize it to all drug-related fatal vehicle accidents in the U.S.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9987.json","label":"false","statement":"On support for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement is false. While there may be varying levels of support for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is not accurate to claim that a majority of Americans do not support the ACA. The evidence provided indicates that a small majority of Americans may not have a favorable view of the ACA, but a large majority still supports the protections provided by the law. Additionally, the evidence highlights the influence of language and misinformation on public opinion regarding the ACA. Therefore, it is important to consider the nuances and complexities surrounding public support for the ACA, rather than making a blanket statement that is contradicted by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"All of Rhode Island loses if we cut funding to the very schools that are nationally recognized as outperforming their counterparts across the country,\" Rose Mary Grant wrote.","We can\u2019t fact-check whether \"all Rhode Island loses.\" That\u2019s an opinion. We were, however, intrigued by Grant\u2019s statement that Rhode Island\u2019s charter schools \"are nationally recognized as outperforming their counterparts.\"","By \"outperforming,\" Grant did not claim that charter schools here are producing students who are more proficient than students elsewhere in the country. Rather, Grant wrote that charter schools in Rhode Island had more impact on their students than charter schools in other states.","But the writers of the study cautioned educators not to lose sight of the importance of proficiency. Grant did not reflect this concern in her column. Further, while she boasts that Rhode Island charter schools were \"nationally recognized,\" the study cites Rhode Island as one of nine states that \"deserve mention.\""]},{"id":"5791.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The total unemployment rate for Hispanic or Latino workers has increased from 10% to 10.3% between January 2009 and March 2012.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by the Romney campaign, which shows that the total unemployment rate for Hispanic or Latino workers increased from 10% to 10.3% between January 2009 and March 2012. However, it's important to note that the difference of 0.3% may not be statistically significant, and there are other plausible time frames that could present a different narrative. The statement lacks context regarding the statistical significance and potential variations within the given time frame. Therefore, while the numbers themselves are accurate, the statement is considered barely-true due to the omission of critical information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Every single day in this country, 1,000 people are deported and the vast majority of those people that are deported aren't criminals.\"","\"Every single day in this country, 1,000 people are deported and the vast majority of those people that are deported aren't criminals,\" Diaz-Balart said on NBC\u2019s Meet the Press Nov. 9, 2014. \"The people that are being deported many times are family, fathers and mothers and those people don't see anyone in Washington standing up and saying, let's deal with this problem.\"","We\u2019ll stay out of the politics of the issue, but we were curious about Diaz-Balart\u2019s claim that 1,000 people are deported every day and that the vast majority aren\u2019t criminals.","More than 1,000 people per day, on average, have been removed from the country since Obama has been president. In 2013, an average of 1,200 people per day were removed."]},{"id":"5691.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says in the governors proposed budget the use of that, what is called one-shots, is a 500 percent increase over the last Corzine budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. It correctly highlights that the use of \"one-shots\" in the governor's proposed budget is significantly higher compared to the previous Corzine budget. However, the claim of a \"500 percent increase\" is misleading because it does not provide specific figures or a clear comparison of the actual dollar amounts involved. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the percentage increase. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true due to the lack of specific data and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8643.json","label":"false","statement":"We are experiencing the worst economic recovery America has ever had.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there have been discussions and opinions about the pace and quality of the economic recovery, it is misleading to claim that it is the worst recovery America has ever experienced. Economic recoveries can vary in terms of duration, strength, and impact. Comparing recoveries across different time periods and economic contexts can be complex and subjective. It is important to consider multiple factors and indicators when assessing the overall performance of an economic recovery.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Now many of us in this room including myself have ridiculed states like California and Illinois as bastions of failed big government,\" Abbott said in his Feb. 17, 2015, State of the State address in the Texas House chamber. \"You\u2019ll be as surprised as I was to learn that Texas has more full-time state employees per capita than California and Illinois.\"","Upshot: The figures suggest Texas in 2013 had 105 full-time state government workers per 10,000 residents; California had 85; Illinois 79. We also checked full-time equivalent comparisons for the states, which would fold in part-time employees. By this filter, Texas had 119 full-time equivalent workers per 10,000 residents; California 103; Illinois 99.","With Moody\u2019s help, we downloaded a chart indicating that in 2013, Texas had more state\/local full- and part-time government workers for every 100 workers in the private sector than California or Illinois:","Moreover, Castro suggested, comparisons of employee ratios between states don\u2019t account for different ways different states deliver services. Knowing \"what\u2019s a local responsibility in one state versus another is important, because it\u2019s the combined effort that matters,\" Castro emailed. \"That\u2019s why many analysts doing state-level comparisons use the State + Local FTE (full-time equivalent) count.\" Her nudge led us to tap census bureau data for 2013 covering state and local full-time government employees; Texas had 5 for every 100 residents; Illinois 4.4; California 3.8."]},{"id":"8358.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The growth in health care costs has been reined in through the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has implemented measures to address rising health care costs, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entire reduction in growth solely to the ACA. The statement acknowledges that some of the changes in costs may be associated with the ACA, but it also recognizes that health care costs were rising before the law was enacted. Additionally, factors such as the aging population and other market forces contribute to the overall trend in health care costs. The extent to which the ACA has directly influenced the reduction in growth is a subject of debate among health economists. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the complexities of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7557.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While the sequester is in effect, the federal government is still funding a study on duck penises.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Despite the budget cuts imposed by sequestration, there have been instances where the federal government continued to fund certain studies, including one examining duck penises. While it is important to note that this is just one example among many other funding decisions, it does highlight the discrepancy between budget cuts in some areas and continued funding in others.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So Giuliani inherited a deficit of about $700-million and left a surplus of $350-million as of the first and last days of his tenure. He also inherited a projected budget gap of $2.3-billion for his next fiscal year, and left his successor, Bloomberg, a projected deficit of $4.7-billion.","Rudy Giuliani often boasts of turning a \"$2.3-billion budget deficit into a $2.9-billion surplus by FY 2001\" while he was mayor of New York City. He sometimes refers to the surplus as a \"multibillion-dollar\" one.","Jump ahead seven years, to June 30, 2001, the end of Giuliani's last full fiscal year in office. The city wound up with the $2.9-billion surplus Giuliani is boasting about. So far, so good.","But the last budget Giuliani wrote, for the 2001-02 fiscal year beginning the next day, had higher spending with a much smaller surplus \u2013 a $350-million surplus, to be precise, as of the day he left office. And Giuliani's budget forecast for the next fiscal year, 2003, says Harding, included a deficit of $3.1-billion that Giuliani's successor, Michael Bloomberg, would have to close. After the 9\/11 attacks, that projection ballooned to $4.77-billion, according to figures from the New York City Office of Management and Budget. (The figures are not adjusted for inflation.)"]},{"id":"1388.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"A number of the national publications have put this race in a tossup race between Democrats and Republicans. They don't know who's going to win this race.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Kendrick Meek claimed that \"a number of national publications\" considered the Florida Senate race a tossup, the evidence suggests otherwise. The overwhelming majority of pundits and political analysts at the time favored the Republican candidates in the race. While it is possible that the ratings could change, the available information does not support Meek's claim that multiple national publications considered the race a tossup. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The wording, over the image of a syringe with a skull inside and the words National Mandatory Vaccinations stamped on top, was awkwardly clear:","The Paris attacks, then, are a \"false flag,\" an operation designed by conspiring forces \u2013 this time the media, government and pharmaceutical companies \u2013 to distract Americans from the goal of dangerous immunizations.","So while the proposal does not officially make vaccinations mandatory, that would likely be the end result if it were passed into law.","\"Vaccines may have nothing to do with Paris, but the movement views it as a way to ram through this law while no one is watching,\" he added."]},{"id":"10317.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The United States has more of our people in prison than Russia, China, and North Korea combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because while it attempts to make a striking point about the size of the U.S. prison population, the comparison is questionable and lacks accuracy. The revised version of the statement acknowledges the error and states that the United States has more people in prison than any other country, including Iran, North Korea, Russia, and China. However, the specific claim that the U.S. has more prisoners than Russia, China, and North Korea combined is not supported by reliable data. Conservative estimates for just China and Russia alone exceed the low-end count of American prisoners. Therefore, the original statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the comparison of prison populations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Every (personhood) bill I\u2019ve ever support has either had language that says we\u2019re conforming to the constitutional rulings of the Supreme Court or something to that effect.\"","\"Certainly I want to respect life as best we can, but we can\u2019t defy the (U.S.) Constitution as it stands now,\" Cuccinelli said. \"Every bill I\u2019ve ever supported has either had language that says we\u2019re conforming to the constitutional rulings of the Supreme Court or language to that effect. I\u2019m not looking to make a challenge in that respect.\"","We wondered whether every bill that Cuccinelli has backed granting personhood to fetuses has contained language saying the legislation is not intended to challenge high court rulings. We found two clear occasions when he supported such legislation during his career as a state senator from 2002 to 2009 and attorney general starting in 2010.","Cuccinelli said all the bills he\u2019s supported defining life as beginning at conception have contained language saying measures are intended to comply with Supreme Court rulings on abortion rights."]},{"id":"12839.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"As usual, Hillary the Dems are trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Hillary and the Democrats are trying to rig the debates to coincide with major NFL games is not supported by any credible evidence. The scheduling of debates is typically determined by independent organizations, such as the Commission on Presidential Debates, and is not controlled by any specific political party. Accusing the Democrats of intentionally scheduling debates to clash with NFL games is a baseless claim without factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Scott Brown\u2019s carrying some big oil baggage,\" the narrator says. \"In Massachusetts, he voted to give oil companies big tax breaks. They make record profits. He collects over $400,000 in campaign contributions.\"","\"Scott Brown\u2019s carrying some big oil baggage,\" the narrator says in an April 27 TV ad. \"In Massachusetts, he voted to give oil companies big tax breaks. They make record profits. He collects over $400,000 in campaign contributions.\"","In general, then, the ad is correct that Brown sided with the position of \"big oil\" on these votes. However, the ad\u2019s claim is phrased slightly misleadingly. Rather than voting \"to give oil companies big tax breaks,\" Brown voted not to take away the tax breaks that oil companies were already using. Also, it\u2019s worth noting that two out of the five tax breaks in question were not targeted only at oil companies but were tax breaks that non-oil companies could benefit from, as well.","A Senate Majority PAC ad said Brown \"voted to give oil companies big tax breaks.\" For three years in a row, Brown did indeed vote against measures that would\u2019ve barred the biggest five oil companies from taking advantage of tax breaks they already enjoyed. That\u2019s slightly different than what the ad says -- rather than voting to give the companies a new break, as the ad implies, Brown voted to support the status quo. Still, the ad is correct to suggest that Brown was voting in concert with the biggest oil companies on that legislation."]},{"id":"8379.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Louie Gohmert of Texas blamed the mass shooting at a movie theater in Colorado on the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Louie Gohmert made a comment linking the mass shooting in Colorado to \"attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs,\" it is important to note that this statement does not necessarily imply that Gohmert directly blamed the shooting on those attacks. The statement suggests a potential connection between the shooting and societal trends, but it does not explicitly assign blame for the incident. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully support the claim that Gohmert directly blamed the shooting on attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Said Lassa: \"Families in right-to-work states are less likely to have health insurance, and the infant mortality rate is 15 percent higher than in other states.\"","His report says that by a number of measures -- including infant mortality rates -- Wisconsin fares better than the 24 states with right-to-work laws. And he says right-to-work states are worse off than those without such laws.","To do the right-to-work comparison, he added up the infant mortality rates in those states and divided by 24, to get 6.7 deaths per 1,000 births. The same approach for the other states found 5.8 deaths per 1,000 births. The difference is 15 percent.","The U.S. \"tax rate on successful small businesses is 44.6 percent,\" while the business tax rate in Canada is 15 percent."]},{"id":"11855.json","label":"true","statement":"China is practicing how to blow up our satellites.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement is true. While the specific term \"blow up\" may not be entirely accurate, China has indeed developed technologies, such as the \"hit-to-kill\" method, which can be used to destroy or disable satellites. These technologies pose a potential threat to national security and can be considered as practicing methods to neutralize or eliminate satellites. Therefore, it is fair to state that China is practicing how to disable or destroy satellites.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Police defunding is to blame for \u201cskyrocketing murder rates\u201d in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Portland, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.","New Georgia Project told PolitiFact it has a trained staff, and that under state law it has to submit every form it collects, even if it has errors. \"This means if someone doesn\u2019t finish their form or incorrectly states their birthday, then we are legally required to still submit the form \u2014 even though it\u2019s obvious that there is an error,\" said Nse Ufot, executive director for New Georgia Project.","The inspector general\u2019s report said the Social Security Administration did not always provide states with accurate information and that its program had \"a significantly higher no-match response rate when compared to other verification programs used by states and employers.\"","Kemp\u2019s office has said that Georgia\u2019s law \"mirrors\" one upheld in Florida. But what sets Georgia\u2019s law apart from those of other states is that the burden to fix any discrepancy lies solely on the applicant, experts said."]},{"id":"9265.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A lot of the problems with forest fires ...is because of bad policy (not to clear out the forests) that was put in place by environmentalists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that some forest fire problems can be attributed to policies related to forest management, it is an oversimplification to solely blame environmentalists for these policies. Forest fire management is a complex issue influenced by a variety of factors, including historical forest management practices, climate change, and the need for ecological balance. It is important to consider a comprehensive approach to forest fire prevention and management that takes into account multiple factors, rather than placing the blame solely on environmentalists.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7042.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sheldon Whitehouse voted for a $525-billion tax increase on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Senator Sheldon Whitehouse voted for a $525-billion tax increase specifically targeting the middle class. The evidence provided does not substantiate this assertion, and it is important to note that the commercial fails to mention that the $525 billion tax increase is spread out over 10 years and does not primarily come from the middle class. Therefore, labeling this statement as \"pants-fire\" is appropriate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6103.json","label":"false","statement":"The Americans for Tax Reform pledge relates to new taxes that were going to be initiated by legislative action.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Americans for Tax Reform pledge does not specifically relate to new taxes that were going to be initiated by legislative action. The pledge, as stated, is a commitment to oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes. It does not specify the source or method of tax increases, whether they are initiated by legislative action or any other means. The pledge is a broad commitment to resist tax increases in general, without specifying the specific circumstances or mechanisms by which they may occur.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Because American debt has long been considered one of the safest investments in the world, the government can borrow money at very low costs, paying less than 2 percent average annual interest on its debt during the past decade.","Forbes based his comments on fiscal 2011, in which the CBO estimates the government will spend $225 billion, or $616,438,356 per day, on interest payments. China held 12.1 percent of public debt at the end of February. So if the 2011 estimates hold and China holds the same proportion of debt throughout the year, it would receive about $74.4 million per day.","First, a little background. The total federal debt, as of April 22, was $14.29 trillion. Of that amount, about $9.65 trillion is called public debt, which refers to all federal securities held by institutions and individuals outside the U.S. government. That includes China and other foreign nations.","The Treasury Department said that as of February 2011, China, along with Chinese companies and investment groups, held $1.15 trillion in U.S. debt. Japan was the second-largest foreign holder, at $890.3 billion, with Great Britain third at $295.5 billion. In total, about $3.16 trillion of the U.S. public debt, or 33 percent, is held overseas. The rest is owned by Americans."]},{"id":"11255.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Bernie Sanders opposes the death penalty, and Hillary Clinton supports it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' position on the death penalty, as he has been consistently opposed to it throughout his political career. However, the statement regarding Hillary Clinton's position is more nuanced. While it is true that Clinton has expressed support for the death penalty in the past, her stance on the issue has evolved over time. In recent years, she has stated that she believes the death penalty should be limited to cases involving terrorism or heinous crimes. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that Clinton has supported the death penalty in certain circumstances. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a tweet shared by more than 3,600 users, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter wrote: \"Odd fact for odd draft: No. 2 overall pick will earn more than the No. 1 pick due to no state tax in Florida. So 2 not so bad.\"","ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter merged the worlds of the NFL and tax policy on the first day of the NFL draft when he said that No. 2 pick Luke Joeckel will take home more pay than No. 1 pick Luke Fisher because Florida has no state tax.","Reached by phone, Raiola called the instance of the No. 2 pick\u2019s after-tax pay exceeding No. 1 after-tax pay \"an anomaly\" in this year\u2019s draft.","The Kansas City Chiefs had the top pick, and the Jacksonville Jaguars got the second. We wondered if Texas A&M offensive lineman Luke Joeckel, headed for Jacksonville, will really make more after income taxes than the draft\u2019s No. 1 pick, University of Central Michigan offensive lineman Eric Fisher, who is going to Missouri."]},{"id":"10748.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Women make only 78 percent of what men make for the same job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that women, on average, earn about 78 percent of what men earn, this statistic does not specifically refer to the same job. The data provided indicates that this is a collective average for all jobs, and when comparing men and women holding the same job, the wage gap is substantially smaller. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that women make only 78 percent of what men make for the same job.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12988.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"It has been 269 days since (Hillary) Clinton has held a press conference.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Trump campaign that, as of a specific date, Hillary Clinton had not held a press conference for 269 days. Multiple sources, including the Trump campaign's own email and news articles, confirm this information. However, it's important to note that the statement is time-sensitive and may not be accurate at the time of reading or in the future. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7380.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he was the first local official to endorse Barack Obama","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, FitzGerald did claim to be the first elected official in Cuyahoga County to endorse Barack Obama. However, it is important to note that this claim is specific to Cuyahoga County and does not encompass all local officials nationwide. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the broader context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In an interview, Coleman said that when he made his statement he meant to say Texas still has places with unemployment rates of 10 to 20 percent--not 10 and 20 percent. \"If I had meant counties, I would have said counties. If I had meant cities, I would have said particular cities,\" Coleman said. \"Some communities, some pockets, are experiencing high unemployment.\"","In a Dallas Morning News article posted online Feb. 15, Coleman praises the state\u2019s unemployment rate, which as of December ran about a percentage point less than the national average. But, he adds, \"in some (Texas) communities, our unemployment rate is still at 10 and 20 percent. It depends on where you\u2019re sitting and standing in Texas as to what your quality of life is.\" The quotation was removed when we later reviewed the article, though the original remained intact in a Coleman blog post.","All told, parts of Texas experienced jobless rates of 10 percent or more in December, including one county where unemployment approached 19 percent. We didn\u2019t confirm any with 20 percent unemployment.","Our takeaway: 14 percent of Texas counties had unemployment rates of nearly 10 to nearly 19 percent in December and more than a dozen cities had rates from nearly 10 to nearly 17 percent."]},{"id":"2410.json","label":"false","statement":"About $4.89 billion in one-time money was used to balance the current state general revenue fund budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there is evidence that one-time money was used in Ohio's general revenue fund budget, the figure of $4.89 billion is inaccurate. The actual amount of one-time money used is higher, estimated to be around $6.51 billion. This discrepancy is acknowledged by the Ohio Office of Budget and Management, which provides a chart indicating the higher amount. Therefore, the statement that $4.89 billion in one-time money was used is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Thousands of politicians from across Ohio \u2013 along with their relatives, employees and friends \u2013 are still eligible to serve\" on the proposed redistricting commission.","\"The proponents are not being straightforward when they promote their scheme,\" a spokesman for the opposition group Protect Your Vote Ohio said in an Aug. 1 press release. \"Thousands of politicians from across Ohio \u2013 along with their relatives, employees and friends \u2013 are still eligible to serve.\"","Protect Your Vote Ohio was correct when it said thousands of politicians would be eligible to serve. Ohio has 88 counties, 1,308 townships, 247 cities and 691 villages, according to census data on the website of Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. The state also has hundreds of school boards. Each of these municipalities and boards can have several elected officials each.","A member of the redistricting commission proposed in Issue 2 \"could accept a bribe from somebody\" and \"couldn\u2019t be removed from this commission.\""]},{"id":"4284.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that under President John F. Kennedy, government took up 27 percent of the economy, and today it consumes 37 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that under President John F. Kennedy, the government's share of the economy was around 27 percent, while today it is approximately 37 percent. However, it's important to note that this comparison does not account for the various factors that have contributed to the increase in government spending and the expansion of the economy over time. While the statement is generally accurate, it lacks some context regarding the reasons behind the increase in government consumption.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["After noting the Mississippi measure and similar proposals circulating in other states, including her home state of Florida, Wasserman Schultz said, \"We\u2019re seeing this support for this dangerous approach from top leaders in the Republican Party, including Republican front-runner Mitt Romney.... Now Romney is committed to overturning Roe vs. Wade , and he supports such amendments that define a life as beginning at the moment of conception.\"","And second, do these comments support Wasserman Schultz's claim that Romney \"supports such amendments that define a life as beginning at the moment of conception\"?","Wasserman Schultz\u2019s claim that Mitt Romney \"is committed to overturning Roe vs. Wade \" is well supported by his comments at the town hall, and Romney laid the groundwork for supporting personhood measures in his Huckabee interview. We think, however, that Wasserman Schultz makes too much of a blanket statement about his views on personhood measures. Our experts tell us that it\u2019s possible for a politician who said what Romney has to oppose some personhood measures based on their wording. On balance, we rate Wasserman Schultz\u2019s statement Mostly True.","Says Mitt Romney and George Allen \"would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to end safe, legal abortion even in cases of rape, incest or when a woman's life is at risk.\""]},{"id":"3326.json","label":"true","statement":"The American people have endured 21 consecutive months of 9% or higher unemployment [and] 2.6 million jobs have been lost, since the stimulus bill was signed.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the American people have experienced 21 consecutive months of 9% or higher unemployment and that 2.6 million jobs have been lost since the stimulus bill was signed. The evidence provided supports this claim, citing the statement made by the speaker in multiple instances. Therefore, the statement can be considered true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4989.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"After the debate that we had last week, PolitiFact came out and said that everything I said was true.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Michele Bachmann that PolitiFact came out and said everything she said in the previous debate was true is not accurate. PolitiFact has actually rated some of her statements as \"Pants on Fire,\" indicating that they are completely false. Therefore, her claim that PolitiFact verified the truthfulness of everything she said is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5252.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have cut crime across every single zone in the city of Atlanta by between 10 percent and 16 percent, depending on the zone.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that crime has been reduced by 10 percent to 16 percent across every zone in the city of Atlanta. However, the statement lacks specific evidence or data to support this claim. Without concrete evidence or statistical information, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I may disagree with Pat Toomey, who voted to send me to war, visited me on the aircraft carrier,\" Sestak said, adding, \"and then came home and voted against every veterans appropriations bill.\"","Sestak said that Toomey \"voted against every veterans appropriations bill.\" Toomey did vote against major veterans appropriations bills between 2002 and 2005 while in the House. But as a senator, he repeatedly voted in favor of other bills that benefitted vets.","So we decided to put Sestak's claim to the test: Did Toomey truly did vote against every veterans appropriations bill since 2002?","!Sen. Pat Toomey, fourth from the right, visits Joe Sestak, center, in the Gulf in 2002. Current Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, fourth from the left, was also present. Provided by Joe Sestak's campaign. !Sen. Pat Toomey, fourth from the right, visits Joe Sestak, center, in the Gulf in 2002. Current Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, fourth from the left, was also present. Provided by Joe Sestak's campaign."]},{"id":"2908.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Theres talk in Congress now about basically confiscating your private 401(k) or IRA plan and rolling it into Social Security to strengthen Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The claim that there is talk in Congress about confiscating private 401(k) or IRA plans to roll them into Social Security is false. Fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, stating that there has never been any serious discussion or proposal in Congress to confiscate private retirement accounts. While there have been discussions about retirement savings and the role of tax-deferred accounts, there is no evidence to support the assertion of confiscation. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Politicians. These days, you\u2019ve got to watch them close. Real close. Here\u2019s Republican Senate candidate Thom Tillis describing Obamacare: (Audio clip of Tillis) \u2019It\u2019s a great idea.\u2019 That\u2019s right. Thom Tillis called Obamacare \u2018a great idea.\u2019 That was on the Bill LuMaye Show just this February. You can look it up.\"","In the North Carolina race for U.S. Senate, much of the debate has focused on Republican candidate Thom Tillis\u2019 actions as a state leader.","Hagan\u2019s ad says Tillis \"called Obamacare \u2018a great idea.' \" That\u2019s a severely edited quote. What Tillis actually said was that Obamacare is \"a great idea that can\u2019t be paid for.\" Pulling out that tiny sound bite gives a highly misleading view of what Tillis said in the interview.","\"In North Carolina, we put families first. But Senate candidate Thom Tillis sides with health insurance companies. He'd let them deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and raise rates for women needing mammograms. Tillis supports a plan that would end Medicare as we know it, and force seniors to spend up to $1,700 more for prescriptions. He's with the special interests; hurting North Carolina families.\""]},{"id":"7893.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than half of last years U.S. college graduates are unemployed or underemployed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence suggests that approximately 50 percent of recent college graduates are either unemployed or employed in jobs that do not require a college degree. However, it is important to note that not all underemployed graduates are necessarily unemployed. Some may be working in jobs that are below their skill level or not directly related to their field of study. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the high percentage of college graduates facing unemployment or underemployment, it should be clarified that not all of them are completely jobless.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5112.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Opinion polls show that the majority of Americans, and the majority of New Jerseyans, favor marriage equality for same sex couples.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources and polls indicate that a majority of Americans and New Jerseyans support marriage equality for same-sex couples. While it's important to consider the margins of error in polling data, the overall trend and consensus among various polls suggest that a majority of the population is in favor of marriage equality. However, it's worth noting that opinions on this issue can vary, and there may be some variation in the specific numbers depending on the methodology and timing of the polls.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10058.json","label":"half-true","statement":"832,000 people lost their job while (Charlie Crist was)governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reports that 832,000 people lost their jobs while Charlie Crist was governor. However, it is important to note that attributing the entire responsibility for job losses to Crist alone may not provide a complete picture. Economic factors and external circumstances beyond the control of any single governor can also contribute to job losses. While Crist was in office during a challenging economic period, it is necessary to consider a broader context when assessing the reasons for job losses during his tenure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact fact-check, \"Dems say under Gov. Mitt Romney, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation,\" June 19, 2011","\"By the time he left office, Massachusetts was 47th in the nation in job creation,\" said Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, the Democrat who succeeded Romney in 2006.","But a popular rebuttal by a number of Democratic leaders lately is this statistic: When Romney was governor, Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation.","As with many of the claims we check, there are two elements to Axelrod's claim. He is saying that 1) Massachusetts ranked 47th in job growth and 2) suggesting that Romney is to blame."]},{"id":"962.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"AIG insures the pension trust of the United States Congress!","reason":"Reason: The statement that AIG insures the pension trust of the United States Congress is false. In reality, the pension plan for members of Congress is funded by U.S. taxpayers, not by AIG or any private insurance company. The claim made in the statement is inaccurate and has been debunked. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Boehner, Reyes said in a press release, \"should focus on controlling the level of violence in his own state before tarnishing the image of border communities that remain among the safest places to live in America. ... The fact remains that the six largest cities in Ohio all have higher rates of violence and crime than every major city along the U.S.-Mexico border.\"","Summing up: The six largest Ohio cities had higher overall crime rates and rates of murder, rape, robbery and burglary than the six major border cities. Yet a border city had a higher rate of aggravated assaults than four Ohio cities while the rate for Columbus was higher than the rate in two border cities. Also, all but one of the Ohio cities had lower rates of motor vehicle theft than Laredo.","In 2009, over all, Ohio\u2019s six most populous cities\u2014Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron and Dayton\u2014had higher crime rates than six border cities: San Diego, El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville, McAllen and Yuma, Arizona. The best-rated Ohio city, Columbus, was 49th, the worst-rated border city, Laredo, was 144th, according to CQ Press.","U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, teed off on House Speaker John Boehner by comparing cities in Boehner\u2019s home state of Ohio to communities along the U.S.-Mexico border."]},{"id":"10610.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Medicaid is close to 30 percent of the state budget and the biggest expenditure at the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Medicaid is a significant portion of the state budget and is one of the largest expenditures at the state level. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a specific percentage for Medicaid's share of the state budget, nor does it address the issue of waste, fraud, and inefficiency mentioned in the evidence. Without more specific information, it is difficult to determine the exact percentage of Medicaid's contribution to the state budget. Therefore, while the statement is generally true in acknowledging the significance of Medicaid in state budgets, it lacks specific details to fully support the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6911.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says opponent Tammy Baldwin has had not one positive ad in the campaign for U.S. Senate.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence of negative ads being run against Tammy Baldwin, it is not accurate to claim that she has not run a single positive ad in the campaign for the U.S. Senate. The evidence provided does not explicitly state that Baldwin has exclusively run negative ads. It is important to note that political campaigns often involve a mix of positive and negative advertisements. Without further evidence to support the claim that Baldwin has not run any positive ads, it is more accurate to say that she has run both positive and negative ads during the campaign.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In October 2008, Congress created a $700 billion emergency bailout fund called the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, to rescue banks in response to the subprime mortgage crisis.","A Club for Growth TV ad states that Trump supports the Wall Street bailout. Trump made multiple statements in support of TARP, the bailout of the banks, in late 2008 and 2009.","But Obama's support of financial reform may have cost him. When he ran for reelection in 2012, Wall Street sent him $10 million less. He received $7 million for that election cycle. It was Republican Mitt Romney who set the new record \u2014 $23.7 million, which would be $22.2 in 2008 dollars.","\"President Obama took more money from Wall Street in the 2008 campaign than anybody ever had,\" she said. \"And when it came time to stand up to Wall Street, he passed and signed the toughest regulations since the Great Depression, with the Dodd-Frank regulations.\""]},{"id":"569.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Barack Obama said he would debate 'anywhere, anytime' but has rejected joint town hall meetings.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Barack Obama initially rejected the proposal for joint town hall meetings. However, it fails to provide the full context of the subsequent negotiations. Obama's campaign did counter with a proposal for five joint appearances, including a town hall on the economy and a debate on foreign policy. While Obama did reject the specific proposal for joint town hall meetings, it is important to note that he did express willingness to engage in debates and discussions on various policy issues. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it omits the subsequent counterproposal made by the Obama campaign.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The attack claims Marshall, from Macon, voted for the stimulus bill, which \"sent nearly $2 billion overseas to build wind turbines and create jobs, mostly in China.\"","Back to Scott's commercial, which makes a claim that's slightly different from Palin's. It said that the stimulus sent nearly $2 billion overseas to build turbines and create jobs, mostly in China.","And credit belongs in part to Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall, according to a recent TV commercial by his Republican opponent, Austin Scott.","PolitiFact National assessed a similar claim in February on wind turbines and China by former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. She said the stimulus bill was supposed to help create U.S. jobs, but 80 percent of the $2 billion in stimulus dollars spent on alternative energy went to buy wind turbines built in China."]},{"id":"1370.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I didn't campaign on a public option.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the public option was not a prominent or extensively discussed part of Obama's campaign platform, it is incorrect to claim that he did not campaign on it at all. The public option was included in Obama's campaign materials and listed as a promise in a database of his campaign promises. However, it is important to note that the public option did not receive significant emphasis or attention during the campaign, and it became a more intense part of the healthcare debate later on. Therefore, the statement that Obama did not campaign on a public option is misleading and can be considered barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11117.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than half of all drivers licenses issued in California this year have gone to illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the state's own tally, more than half of all driver's licenses issued in California in a specific year went to undocumented immigrants. However, it's important to note that this was the result of a deliberate effort by lawmakers to allow undocumented residents to apply for licenses and the allocation of significant resources to expedite the application process. The term \"illegal aliens\" is a politically charged term and it's worth considering using more neutral language such as \"undocumented immigrants\" to maintain a neutral tone.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Republican budget plan \"says that 10 years from now, if you\u2019re a 65-year-old who\u2019s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today.\"","So where does that leave us with Obama's claim that the Republican plan \"says that 10 years from now, if you\u2019re a 65-year-old who\u2019s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today\"?","\"It\u2019s a vision that says America can\u2019t afford to keep the promise we\u2019ve made to care for our seniors,\" Obama said. \"It says that 10 years from now, if you\u2019re a 65-year-old who\u2019s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today. It says instead of guaranteed health care, you will get a voucher. And if that voucher isn\u2019t worth enough to buy insurance, tough luck \u2013 you\u2019re on your own. Put simply, it ends Medicare as we know it.\"","The CBO also presented estimates for an \"alternative fiscal scenario\" \u2013- which incorporates \"several changes to then-current law that were widely expected to occur or that would modify some provisions of law that might be difficult to sustain for a long period.\" Under this scenario, the typical beneficiary who enrolled in traditional Medicare would pay about 30 percent of the cost of the average private plan in 2022, or about $6,150. In other words, the increased amount the 65-year-old would have to pay would be about $6,400."]},{"id":"12075.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump and Marco Rubio opposed Cruzs efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that both Donald Trump and Marco Rubio expressed opposition to Ted Cruz's efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, it is important to note that their positions on the issue have been nuanced and subject to change. Trump initially expressed support for Cruz's efforts but later reversed his stance. Rubio, on the other hand, expressed misgivings about using a government shutdown as a means to defund Planned Parenthood but has otherwise voted in favor of defunding the organization. Therefore, while they did not fully align with Cruz's approach, it is not accurate to say that they outright opposed efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In the spot, Perry said, \"The new New York sounds a lot like the old New York: Higher taxes. Stifling regulations. Bureaucrats telling you whether you can even drink a Big Gulp.\"","Big Gulp, of course, is a trademark registered to Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc. convenience stores, alongside Super Big Gulp, Slurp & Gulp, Super Slurpee, Big Brew and many others. Its size has varied from time to time; these days, 7-Eleven spokeswoman Margaret Chabris told us by email, Big Gulp denotes a 32-ounce fountain drink. For comparison, an ordinary soft drink can holds 12 ounces.","A June 6, 2012, Timesnews story headlined \"At 7-Eleven, the Big Gulps Elude a Ban by the City,\" said the Big Gulp would be \"an important exception\" to the ban.","Dallas Morning News blog post, \"Texas Gov. Rick Perry launches ads to recruit New York businesses; Fact Check: Perry wrong on Big Gulp in NYC,\" June 12, 2013"]},{"id":"1076.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Californians consume 40 percent less energy per person than the national average\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings from multiple sources, including the California Energy Commission and the Energy Information Agency. According to these sources, Californians do consume approximately 40 percent less energy per person compared to the national average. This is attributed to long-standing energy efficiency policies and practices implemented in California. However, it's important to note that the specific percentage may vary slightly depending on the year and the data source used. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13330.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The city of Richmond built the second richest team in the NFL a $14 million stadium.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The city of Richmond did build a stadium, but it is not accurate to claim that it is the second richest team in the NFL. The wealth of a team is determined by various factors, including revenue, franchise value, and overall financial success, which cannot be solely attributed to the construction of a stadium. Therefore, while the city of Richmond invested in a stadium, the claim that it resulted in the team becoming the second richest in the NFL is not supported by evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Wasserman Schultz said Christie \"cut equal pay for women, calling it a \u2018senseless bureaucracy.\u2019 \" Christie didn't cut anyone's pay, though. Instead, he said it was \"senseless bureaucracy\" to require government contractors to report more employee information, including information about gender and compensation, and he vetoed a measure that would have mandated such reporting. Experts said the measure would have improved equal pay for women. But Christie also signed two other bills that may help narrow the wage gap in New Jersey. So we rate Wasserman Schultz\u2019s statement Mostly False.","Says Chris Christie \"vetoed equal pay for women 3 times. He only let the bill pass once it became a damaging campaign issue.\"","As part of a message that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is hostile to women\u2019s issues, a political group claimed that he vetoed legislation that was intended to give women equal pay.","Ultraviolet said Chris Christie \"vetoed equal pay for women 3 times. He only let the bill pass once it became a damaging campaign issue.\""]},{"id":"11238.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Russ Feingold cast the deciding vote for the largest tax increase in history","reason":"Reason: The statement that Russ Feingold cast the deciding vote for the largest tax increase in history is misleading. While it is true that Feingold voted in favor of the 1993 Deficit Reduction package, which included tax increases, attributing the label of \"largest tax increase in history\" solely to Feingold's vote is an oversimplification. The claim fails to consider the broader context of the legislation and the multiple votes that took place during the process. Additionally, other politicians and factors played significant roles in the passage of the bill. Therefore, while Feingold's vote was a part of the overall process, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the label of \"largest tax increase in history\" to his vote alone.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In an Aug. 12, 2013, commentary, Cruz initially noted that President Barack Obama, who signed the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare into law in 2010, said that under the law, Americans who like their health coverage could keep it. But that\u2019s not so, Cruz said, adding: \"According to a recent Congressional Budget Office report, under Obamacare, 7 million people will lose their employer-sponsored insurance.\"","7 million people the Congressional Budget Office says won't have health insurance coverage under the Senate health care bill \"don't exist.\"","Short said that 7 million people the Congressional Budget Office says won't have health insurance coverage under the Senate health care bill \"don't exist.\"","In any year, it makes sense to expect some workers to lose employer-backed coverage. Things change. But the office\u2019s 10-year forecast does not estimate how many workers will \"lose\" employer-sponsored plans. Conversely, it indicates that compared to 2013, more workers will have employer plans in all but one year of the decade."]},{"id":"7346.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Washington, D.C., now has greater population than Wyoming and Vermont, more active duty military than 29 states, more tax revenue than 29 states (and) a larger domestic product than 27 states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Washington, D.C. does have a greater population than Wyoming and Vermont. However, the claim that Washington, D.C. has more active duty military than 29 states, more tax revenue than 29 states, and a larger domestic product than 27 states is not supported by the evidence provided. Without specific data or sources to back up these claims, it is difficult to verify their accuracy. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We in Indiana have a $2 billion surplus, the highest credit rating in the nation, even though we've cut taxes every year since I became governor four years ago,\" he told the crowd.","Pence is correct that Indiana has the highest credit rating a state can receive, though you can also say there a lot of states tied for first place.","The three ratings agencies \u2014 Standard and Poor\u2019s, Moody\u2019s, and Fitch Ratings \u2014 have given Indiana its highest credit rating, AAA, since April 2010","The Northwest Indiana Timesreported at the time of those credit upgrades that the Fitch and Moody\u2019s ratings went up because both agencies had recalibrated their rating systems for states."]},{"id":"4867.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says signers of recall petitions against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are at risk because of newly discovered provisions in state law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it misrepresents the situation. The provisions in question are not newly discovered, as they have been in place for some time. While it is true that there are limited privacy protections for recall petition signers, it is misleading to suggest that these provisions are newly discovered and pose an immediate risk to signers. There is no evidence provided to support the claim that signers are at risk due to these provisions, other than receiving phone calls from telemarketers. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to substantiate the level of risk implied.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13300.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wanted the wall.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Hillary Clinton wanted the wall is partially true. There is evidence to suggest that Hillary Clinton did express support for border security measures, including physical barriers, in the past. However, it is important to note that her stance on the wall has evolved over time, and she did not advocate for the specific wall proposal put forth by President Trump during his campaign. Therefore, while Clinton did express support for certain border security measures, it is misleading to claim that she wanted the wall as it was proposed by President Trump.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5599.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Lake Erie contains more native fish than all the other Great Lakes combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While Lake Erie does have a highly productive fishery and typically has a larger fishing haul than the combined total of the other Great Lakes, it's important to note that the term \"native fish\" can be somewhat subjective. Some fish in Lake Erie, while not considered native, have been introduced from other areas and have become established in the ecosystem. However, the statement accurately reflects the fact that Lake Erie's fish production exceeds that of the other lakes combined, making it a valuable ecological treasure and supporting a significant local economy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10491.json","label":"false","statement":"There havent been tax cuts for the rich in Rhode Island.","reason":"Reason: House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello's claim that there haven't been tax cuts for the rich in Rhode Island is false. While he asserts that he is unaware of any tax cuts for the wealthy, there is evidence to the contrary. The administration's report specifically mentions the potential consequences of failing to extend middle-class tax cuts, implying that there have been tax cuts for the rich. Therefore, there is clear information contradicting Mattiello's statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sanders said, \"Making public colleges and universities tuition free, that exists in countries all over the world, used to exist in the United States.\"","\"Now, all of the ideas that I'm talking about, they are not radical ideas,\" Sanders said. \"Making public colleges and universities tuition-free, that exists in countries all over the world, used to exist in the United States.\"","There was a time in the United States when some public colleges and universities charged no tuition. However, tuition has never been set as a national policy -- it is a decision for each school or state government officials. And some colleges charged tuition dating back to the 1800s.","\"Public colleges and universities were often free at their founding in the United States, but over time, as public support was reduced or not increased sufficiently to compensate for their growth in students and costs (faculty and staff salaries, utilities etc.), they moved first to a low tuition and eventually higher tuition policy,\" said Cornell University professor Ronald Gordon Ehrenberg."]},{"id":"604.json","label":"true","statement":"On a timetable to withdraw from Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Barack Obama had a clear commitment to implementing a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. He consistently advocated for a plan to withdraw combat troops within 16 months of taking office. This commitment was a central premise of his candidacy and was reinforced by the agreement reached with Iraqi leaders to remove troops from Iraqi cities by the end of June and withdraw all forces by the end of 2011. The statement accurately reflects Obama's position on the timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6244.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says recent studies indicate that nationally, only 8 percent of white voting-age citizens but 25 percent of African-American voting-age citizens lack government-issued photo IDs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Eric Holder, former Attorney General of the United States, who cited recent studies indicating that 8 percent of white voting-age citizens and 25 percent of African-American voting-age citizens lack government-issued photo IDs. This suggests a disparity in ID possession between the two groups. However, it's important to note that the specific studies referenced are not mentioned, which could affect the overall accuracy of the statement. Nonetheless, based on the information provided, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The background checks bill is vitally important,\" New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said in an interview on MSNBC Jan. 24, 2013. It\u2019s \"going to basically say you can\u2019t buy guns without getting a background check. Today, about 40 percent of guns are purchased without a background check.\"","Coincidentally, our colleagues at PolitiFact\u2019s national website posted a review of the 40-percent claim on the day that Cruz made his comment, rating as Half True this statement by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.: \"Today, about 40 percent of guns are purchased without a background check.\"","22 percent overall said they obtained the guns without a background check. But that includes guns that were purchased or received in another way, such as through a gift or an inheritance.","Among those surveyed who had purchased a gun within the previous two years, only 13 percent said they had done so without a background check."]},{"id":"12620.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Cincinnati is already one of the biggest cities in the country to run 100 percent on clean energy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Cincinnati has made significant progress in transitioning to clean energy sources. However, it is not accurate to claim that Cincinnati already runs 100 percent on clean energy. While the city has set a goal to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, it has not yet reached that milestone. It is important to acknowledge the progress made while also recognizing that there is still work to be done to fully achieve the goal of running entirely on clean energy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Such pro-Republican realities didn\u2019t deter a candidate for the chairmanship of the Republican Party of Texas from sending out a press release May 27 generally charging the current chair, Cathie Adams of Dallas, with poor management. Tom Mechler of Amarillo also let loose with this: \u201cThe Democrats have over 20 field agents to our 0.\u201d","We visited again with Mechler, who said for his count, he assumed that 75 percent of the individuals funded in Texas by the Lone Star Fund and Texas Democratic Trust were field workers. He stood by his 20-to-0 ratio, calling it a fair estimate.","Agents \"come in all political stripes, though most are not active politically,\" Robenalt said. \"FBI agents, as most law enforcement, tend to be conservative, law-and-order types, so my guess is most would tend to be Republicans or conservative Democrats or just plain Independents.\"","> Why does the Mueller team have 13 hardened Democrats, some big Crooked Hillary supporters, and Zero Republicans? Another Dem recently anyone think this is fair? And yet, there is NO COLLUSION!"]},{"id":"12316.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Kelly Ayotte has voted to defund Planned Parenthood six times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Hassan that Kelly Ayotte has voted to defund Planned Parenthood six times. While it is true that Ayotte has voted against an amendment to strip a provision from a bill to defund Planned Parenthood, it's important to note that Ayotte has also supported several other government spending bills that did not defund Planned Parenthood. Additionally, Ayotte voted for a bill that aimed to block federal funding to Planned Parenthood and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Therefore, while Ayotte has taken multiple votes related to defunding Planned Parenthood, the statement might benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of her voting record on the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9304.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When Deborah took office, the (Sellwood Bridge) project had languished for years, with only $11 million in funds. With her leadership the remaining funding was secured that got the project moving forward.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation regarding the Sellwood Bridge project when Deborah Kafoury took office. Multiple sources confirm that only $11 million in funds were available for the project, and efforts to replace the bridge had been ongoing for several years without significant progress. It is also supported that Kafoury's leadership played a role in securing the remaining funding needed to move the project forward. However, it's worth noting that the statement could benefit from additional context regarding the specific actions or initiatives undertaken by Kafoury to secure the funding. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["When she says that, text on the screen says, \"Nick Rahall voted with Obama 94 percent of the time.\" In much smaller type, the ad footnotes this claim to \"Congressional Quarterly 2009 vote analysis.\"","Data from the same CQ study shows that Rahall voted with Obama 88 percent of the time in 2010, 65 percent in 2011, 64 percent in 2012 and 58 percent in 2013. (Data for 2014 has not yet been posted.)","The ad against Rahall features a constituent, Carrie Overby of Huntington, W.Va. She says, \"On the issues that have mattered, Nick Rahall has voted with Barack Obama, whether it's spending, cap-and-trade, EPA regulations, Obamacare.\"","Asked to justify using the five-year-old data and ignoring later figures, NRCC spokesman Ian Prior said, \"It is important for West Virginia voters to know that in 2009, when the Democrats controlled all the levers of government and could push legislation through both chambers of Congress, Nick Rahall voted with Barack Obama 94 percent of the time, including on Obama\u2019s budget, which included a cap-and-trade plan and a $3 billion, 37 percent EPA funding increase to advance his climate agenda.\""]},{"id":"11586.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"71% of WIs roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 14% of WIs bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which states that 71% of Wisconsin's roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 14% of Wisconsin's bridges are classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. These figures indicate a significant portion of infrastructure in need of improvement or repair. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or specify the timeframe or source of the data. Nonetheless, based on the information provided, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At a press conference with AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson to announce her proposed changes, Sachs recited several somber statistics. We decided to fact-check this claim: \"In 2011, texting surpassed alcohol as the leading contributing factor in teen driving deaths.\"","Sachs\u2019 statistic -- that starting in 2011, texting began surpassing alcohol as the leading contributing factor to teen driving deaths -- was based on a misinterpretation of a scientific study and information from NHTSA that could not be confirmed. In reality, NHTSA\u2019s analysis of their data found that alcohol was involved in more lethal crashes than distracted driving in 2011. While there\u2019s no question that texting while driving is a danger, it hasn\u2019t supplanted alcohol as \"the leading contributing factor in teen driving deaths.\" However, the figures are imperfect enough that we can't rule out an undercount in deaths associated with texting while driving. We rate the claim Mostly False.","The correlation of all these factors makes it difficult to determine what is the \"leading contributing factor in teen driving deaths.\"","Jackson\u2019s office said that he discovered the information about texting surpassing drunk driving as a cause of teen driving deaths from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, but staff didn\u2019t have any further details."]},{"id":"8994.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We are seeing dramatic rate cuts to Medicare that will affect seniors ability to keep their doctor, hospital and prevention services.","reason":"Reason: While there have been rate cuts to Medicare, it is an overstatement to claim that these cuts will directly affect seniors' ability to keep their doctor, hospital, and prevention services. The evidence provided does not substantiate the claim that these rate cuts will have a devastating impact on seniors' access to healthcare. It is important to note that Medicare is a complex program with various factors influencing access to healthcare services. While there may be challenges in certain areas, the statement exaggerates the overall impact of the rate cuts on seniors' ability to receive necessary healthcare services.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1704.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We had a press conference here that interestingly no one in the mainstream media covered.\"","reason":"Reason: Without specific evidence or context provided, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement. However, it is important to note that the mainstream media typically covers significant press conferences, especially those involving prominent individuals or important topics. It is unlikely that a press conference of significant importance would go completely unnoticed by the mainstream media. Therefore, without further information, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We're fact-checking the last part, the claim that \"the Republican leader of the Senate said his main goal after this election is simply to win the next one.\"","\"That\u2019s why I found the recent comments by the top two Republican in Congress so troubling. The Republican leader of the House actually said that \"this is not the time for compromise.\" And the Republican leader of the Senate said his main goal after this election is simply to win the next one.\"","As for McConnell's comment \"The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president,\" that sounds an awful lot like Obama's summation that \"his main goal after this election is simply to win the next one.\" But while McConnell said it, Obama left out an important detail -- that McConnell also said in the same interview that he is willing to meet the president halfway. That leads us to a ruling of Half True.","After the For the People Act failed to proceed in the Senate, the National Republican Senatorial Committee launched an ad attacking Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., for supporting the legislation. (Warnock won his Senate seat in a special election this year and would be up for re-election in 2022.)"]},{"id":"7949.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As a student at Occidental College in Los Angeles from 1979 to 1981, there were days where folks couldnt go outside. because of all the pollution in the air.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that during his time as a student at Occidental College in Los Angeles from 1979 to 1981, there were days when people couldn't go outside due to high levels of air pollution. While there may be some variation in the severity and frequency of pollution-related restrictions, it is well-documented that Los Angeles had significant air pollution issues during that time period. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Florida, \" Rick Scott 'increased tuition at our state colleges and universities by double digits,' Florida Democratic Party says,\" Aug. 2, 2013","The attack website accuses Scott of trying to hide his \"real record,\" including that he \"increased tuition at our state colleges and universities by double digits.\"","The Democrats arrive at their double-digit figure by adding the 8 percent in Scott\u2019s first year to the 5 percent in Scott\u2019s second year. But that 5 percent only applied to state colleges -- not universities.","\"The annual tuition growth is less than double digits,\" he said. (One page of the Democrats\u2019 website specifies that the 13 percent is over two years.)"]},{"id":"1587.json","label":"half-true","statement":"St. Pete Beachs local version of Amendment 4 resulted in seemingly endless lawsuits (that) decimated the citys legal budget and forced the city to raise the property tax rate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy that St. Pete Beach's local version of Amendment 4 led to numerous lawsuits, which had a significant impact on the city's legal budget and resulted in an increase in the property tax rate. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While the lawsuits did have an impact, the extent to which they \"decimated\" the city's legal budget and solely forced the property tax rate increase may be open to interpretation. Additionally, the statement does not provide information on the overall benefits or drawbacks of Amendment 4 itself. Therefore, while the statement contains elements of truth, it could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9943.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Americans now support strikes (against ISIS) but the support for ground troops is not there. The support is very thin.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that there is support for airstrikes against ISIS, the claim that support for ground troops is \"not there\" or \"very thin\" is an exaggeration. While it is a minority opinion, there are polls indicating that around one-third of Americans do support the idea of deploying ground troops. Therefore, while the statement captures a general sentiment, it overstates the lack of support for ground troops.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"25.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"In 1972, we had a 179,000 human beings in jail in this country. Today, it's 2.3-million, and 70 percent of them are black, African-American.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and significantly exaggerated. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, as of June 2007, the percentage of African-Americans in jail was 40 percent, not 70 percent. The claim of 70 percent is not only false but also perpetuates a popular myth. It is important to provide accurate information, especially when discussing sensitive topics such as incarceration rates and racial disparities. The statement is highly misleading and warrants a \"pants-fire\" rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The non-profit group Feeding America is lying when it claims \"that one in five kids is fighting starvation daily\" in the United States.","In this fact-check, we focus on Huber\u2019s statement that Feeding America misled the public when it said that \"one in five kids is fighting starvation daily.\"","Huber, who is a marketing consultant and not a full-time Post employee, then challenged Feeding America\u2019s \"nonsensical claim that one in five kids is fighting starvation daily.\"","We\u2019ll get into the federal data in just a bit, but beyond denying that Feeding America speaks of starvation, Fraser also denied that his group ever used the line about kids going to bed hungry."]},{"id":"7003.json","label":"half-true","statement":"While she was mayor, Lois Frankel took a police helicopter ride to go to a dinner party.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately reflects the claim made by Adam Hasner that Lois Frankel, while serving as mayor of West Palm Beach, took a ride in the city's police helicopter to attend a dinner party. However, it's important to note that the fact-checkers did not evaluate whether it was a good decision or accurately portray the circumstances surrounding the helicopter ride. Therefore, while the claim itself is true, it lacks the necessary context to fully assess the appropriateness or justification of the action.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Up until two weeks ago, John McCain was a leading proponent of amnesty. Now with me challenging him, suddenly he has changed,\" Hayworth told host Neil Cavuto on April 28, 2010.","But there is nothing to substantiate Hayworth's claim that, \"Up until two weeks ago, John McCain was a leading proponent of amnesty. Now with me challenging him, suddenly he has changed.\" And his campaign could point to no solid evidence to back him up. In fact, McCain started favoring border security over a pathway to citizenship years ago, long before Hayworth was a contender. As a result, we find Hayworth's claim to be Pants on Fire.","Immigration reform has many components, and we found McCain has changed his position on at least one of them. But did he change positions on amnesty after Hayworth entered the race? That's the question we're setting out to answer.","McCain has even acknowledged the change of heart, telling O'Reilly on April 19, 2010, that, \"I changed my mind over a year ago, as you know. The violence on the border is incredible.\""]},{"id":"7868.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas lawmakers agreed to cut states rainy day fund in half, spending $4 billion from current $8 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Texas lawmakers authorized spending from the rainy day fund, the fund will not be cut in half. The expected balance of the fund in August 2013 is around $8.1 billion, and the authorized spending of $3.94 billion represents approximately 25% of the fund, not half. Additionally, the projected balance of the fund in August 2015 is expected to be around $12 billion, not $8 billion as stated in the statement. Therefore, the claim that the fund will be cut in half and that $4 billion will be spent from an $8 billion balance is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A Facebook post used an image of female Fox News anchors to say that the network lacks diversity in its staff. We found that for those women who are anchors or hosts in any capacity, about half are blond. And while most are white, not all are.","We found it recently on the photo page of a San Francisco area journalist, Jamal Dajani. \"The amazing diversity of Fox News anchors,\" Dajani wrote in a post that had been shared nearly 12,000 times by July 9, 2014.","The Facebook post draws from a May 4 visit by U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes to the White House. A Fox News video of the event shows the men in the picture more clearly, and they aren\u2019t wearing Marshal badges. That\u2019s because they aren\u2019t U.S. Marshals.","Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County."]},{"id":"5259.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We balanced the budget with the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, and ultimately had four consecutive balanced budgets.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the budget was balanced with the passage of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act and that there were four consecutive balanced budgets. However, it's important to note that the balanced budgets were the result of various factors, including the tech boom and the surging economy, as mentioned by Steve Ellis. While the 1997 Balanced Budget Act played a role, it is not the sole factor responsible for balancing the budget. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7655.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says a gun bill before the Senate would make it a federal felony to leave town for more than seven days, and leave someone else at home with your firearms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The email and claims from the Arizona group suggest that the gun bill before the Senate would make it a federal felony to leave town for more than seven days and leave someone else at home with firearms. However, further investigation reveals that the proposed legislation does contain limited exceptions for transfers, such as between family members. While the bill may impose certain restrictions or requirements, it does not outright make it a federal felony to leave town and leave someone else with firearms. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obenshain said that three of the four statewide races this century within a 300-vote margin have been overturned in a recount.","\"Of the four statewide races this century within a 300-vote margin, three have been overturned in a recount,\" Obenshain said in a Nov. 27 news release announcing his decision to seek the recount.","A study going back to 2000 found three statewide races nationwide had flipped as a result of recounts, but all had an initial margin of less than 300 votes.","But he made this comment in the context of a potential recount affecting the presidential race, and no races of that magnitude or vote-gap have flipped in Wisconsin. Nationwide, a total of three statewide races flipped in a recount between 2000 and 2020, but none had margins anywhere near the 20,000 we see in Wisconsin."]},{"id":"10381.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average family not in the top 10 percent makes less money today than they were making a generation ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Warren is supported by evidence that shows a decline in income for the average family not in the top 10 percent over the past few decades. The data cited by Warren indicates that since 1980, the growth in income has disproportionately favored the top 10 percent, with the average family outside of this bracket making less money today than they were a generation ago. While the term \"a generation\" is somewhat vague, the evidence suggests a trend of declining income for the majority of families. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because the statement may not apply universally to every family or account for specific economic fluctuations within certain timeframes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We've also noticed a sub-genre of emails that attack First Lady Michelle Obama for living a life of luxury, such as the claim that she ordered $400 worth of caviar and lobster at the Waldorf Astoria in New York (Pants on Fire).","SUMMARY: A chain e-mail making the rounds claims it has proof that Michelle Obama enjoyed a $400 lobster lunch from room service at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. We consider the lobster and rate it Pants on Fire!","So the e-mail flying around the Internet that says Michelle Obama ordered $400 of lobster and Iranian caviar is just wrong, and because it's a mock-up based on a retracted news item, we rate it Pants on Fire!","The basis for the e-mail appears to be a story that appeared Oct. 17, 2008, in the New York Post gossip column Page Six. The newspaper has since posted a correction: \"The source who told us last week about Michelle Obama getting lobster and caviar delivered to her room at the Waldorf-Astoria must have been under the influence of a mind-altering drug. She was not even staying at the Waldorf. We regret the mistake, and our former source is going to regret it, too.\""]},{"id":"1387.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Why is January 8th an important date in American history? This day in 1835 is the only day in our history when we have not been in debt.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by LeMieux that January 8, 1835, was the only day in American history when the country was not in debt. While there is a lack of definitive proof or precise detail regarding the duration of the debt-free period, historical accounts and research suggest that the United States did not come close to being debt-free before or after that date. Therefore, while the statement may lack some concrete evidence, it aligns with the available historical information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9598.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama administration manipulated deportation data to make it appear that the Border Patrol was deporting more illegal immigrants than the Bush administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were shifts in immigration enforcement priorities under the Obama administration, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that the Obama administration manipulated deportation data to falsely inflate the number of deportations. The Department of Homeland Security did prioritize the removal of undocumented immigrants who committed crimes or were apprehended at the border, which may have affected the composition of deportation statistics. However, there is no evidence to suggest intentional manipulation of data to make it appear that more deportations were taking place compared to the Bush administration.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9297.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Idaho Republican Rep. Mike Simpson is a liberal who voted with Nancy Pelosi to fund sex study programs of San Francisco prostitutes and to regulate the sale of firearms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. While Congressman Mike Simpson may have voted on certain issues alongside Nancy Pelosi, there is no evidence to support the claim that he specifically voted to fund sex study programs of San Francisco prostitutes. The statement also fails to accurately represent their voting records on firearm regulations. Making such baseless and inflammatory claims without credible evidence is highly misleading and irresponsible.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12955.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Arizona congressional candidate Christine Jones called Hillary Clinton a capable and respected leader, and an effective secretary of state. ...Hillary Clinton effective? Christine Jones thinks so.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by various sources that Christine Jones referred to Hillary Clinton as \"a capable and respected leader\" and an \"effective\" secretary of state. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any context regarding the timing or circumstances of Jones' remarks. Additionally, it does not clarify whether Jones' opinion of Clinton's effectiveness as secretary of state aligns with her overall assessment of Clinton as a leader. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the claims made, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of Jones' views on Clinton's effectiveness.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The move comes after Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy last year angered supporters of same-sex marriage. David Furhman, the senior director of Emory\u2019s Food Service Administration, told the Wheel that the decision to remove Chick-fil-A was not spurred by the Cathy controversy. It was, he said, based solely on student feedback from surveys and focus groups.","Emory groups, including gay rights organizations and the Student Government Association, formally requested the removal of Chick-fil-A after the controversy began. Senior Director and Dean of Campus Life Ajay Nair released a statement saying the university wouldn\u2019t remove the eatery based on Cathy\u2019s comments.","But in February, the university and a student committee called FACE (Food Administration Committee Emory) said they were going to review all campus food venues, including Chick-fil-A.","An Emory administrator said that a proposal to remove Chick-fil-A from a campus dining hall was not politically motivated but was instead based on focus groups. Campus officials have offered conflicting statements about Chick-fil-A\u2019s future."]},{"id":"8507.json","label":"false","statement":"I am the only U.S. Senate candidate who spoke out against bombing Syria, and who challenged Georgias governor and insurance commissioner over obstruction to the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the candidate is false. While the candidate may have spoken out against bombing Syria and challenged Georgia's governor and insurance commissioner regarding the Affordable Care Act, it is incorrect to claim that they are the only U.S. Senate candidate to do so. There may be other candidates who have also expressed similar views or taken action on these issues. It is important to fact-check such claims and consider the broader landscape of candidates and their positions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Greater Wisconsin Political Fund says in a television ad that legislation supported by a state Senate candidate could lead to police investigations of miscarriages. The claim stems from an endorsement from Pro-Life Wisconsin and relates to Gudex\u2019s support of all its positions, including supporting a \"personhood amendment.\"","The ad is from the liberal Greater Wisconsin Political Fund and targets Republican state Senate candidate Rick Gudex of Fond du Lac who is challenging incumbent Democrat Jessica King of Oshkosh, who was elected in 2011 in a recall election. The seat is important for both parties and for control of the state Senate.","\"Women who have miscarriages could be investigated by police,\" the narrator says, and the words \"Miscarriages investigated\" appear on the screen.","Reintroduced in January 2021, the legislation was advanced by state Republicans in the House Health Committee before it passed the state\u2019s House of Representatives on June 9 by a vote of 118-83. Eight Democrats supported the bill."]},{"id":"8691.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The economic impact of new Atlanta Braves stadium includes 9,241 new jobs and $295 million in wages.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the estimate of 9,241 jobs and $295 million in wages is used by Revitalize Cobb to describe the economic impact of the new Atlanta Braves stadium, it is important to note that these numbers are not solely attributed to local residents. The evidence suggests that these figures include a combination of jobs and wages generated during the construction phase as well as ongoing employment at the park. Therefore, it is misleading to imply that all 9,241 jobs and $295 million in wages would exclusively benefit locals. The economic impact may involve a mix of local and regional employment opportunities.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8943.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Oregon, women earn an average of 79 cents for every dollar that men earn for doing the same job. Thats just wrong.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and others that women in Oregon earn an average of 79 cents for every dollar that men earn for doing the same job. However, it's important to note that this statistic refers to full-time, year-round work. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to clarify that the wage gap is not solely due to gender-based pay discrimination, but also influenced by factors such as occupational segregation and other socioeconomic factors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On May 28, Cuccinelli called on Virginia to make it easier for non-violent felons to regain voting rights and released a report, put together by an advisory group he appointed, on ways to do that.","Gov. Bob McDonnell, \"Governor McDonnell announces automatic restoration of voting and civil rights on individualized basis for non-violent felons,\" May 29, 2013.","Virginia felons face one of the toughest laws for restoring civil rights in the nation. Under the state constitution, the only way for them to regain voting rights is to get permission from the governor.","As a senator, Cuccinelli opposed four resolutions and one bill that would have allowed Virginians to vote on a constitutional amendment that would have empowered the General Assembly to automatically restore voting rights to non-violent felons. Cuccinelli voted \"no\" in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009."]},{"id":"2245.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It is wrong for the average federal worker today to make more than $100,000 while the average private-sector worker makes less than $70,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the average federal worker makes more than $100,000 while the average private-sector worker makes less than $70,000. However, it's important to note that the provided evidence indicates that the average salary of federal employees, when benefits are stripped out, is around $81,258, compared to $50,464 for private sector employees. While there is a disparity in average salaries, it does not reach the extent of the $100,000 versus $70,000 comparison stated in the claim. Therefore, the statement is partially true but exaggerates the difference in salaries between federal and private-sector workers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He seems to think if he closes Guantanamo and releases the hard-core al-Qaida-trained terrorists still there, we won\u2019t be at war. He seems to think if he gets rid of the words, 'war on terror,' we won't be at war. But we are at war and when President Obama pretends we aren\u2019t, it makes us less safe. Why doesn\u2019t he want to admit we\u2019re at war? It doesn\u2019t fit with the view of the world he brought with him to the Oval Office. It doesn\u2019t fit with what seems to be the goal of his presidency \u2014 social transformation \u2014 the restructuring of American society. President Obama\u2019s first object and his highest responsibility must be to defend us against an enemy that knows we are at war.\"","With his statement to Politico , Cheney is going further than Hannity did, directly alleging that Obama will not \"admit we're at war.\"","Cheney's comments echo a frequent criticism by conservatives that President Obama does not use the phrase \"war on terror.\" We rated that True when it was made by talk show host Sean Hannity in November 2009. We noted in our ruling that Obama had said he didn't use the more general phrase \"war on terror\" because he viewed the conflict as a war against \"some terrorist organizations.\"","We addressed that charge in this item and found it was misleading to say Obama did not want to fund the troops. We noted that Obama's primary reason was that the bill lacked a timetable for withdrawal. \u201cWe must fund our troops,\" he said at the time. \"But we owe them something more. We owe them a clear, prudent plan to relieve them of the burden of policing someone else's civil war. ... We must negotiate a better plan that funds our troops, signals to the Iraqis that it is time for them to act and that begins to bring our brave servicemen and women home safely and responsibly.\u201d"]},{"id":"10204.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Loretta Lynch, the new nominee for attorney general, was a member of Bill Clintons defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Loretta Lynch was not a member of Bill Clinton's defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. It appears to have originated from an article on Breitbart, which has since been deleted. The article's deletion suggests that it was not based on accurate information. It is important to verify information from reliable sources before making such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The NRA's mailer also targets Obama\u2019s regulatory adviser, Cass Sunstein, for saying in 2007 that he wants to ban hunting and that animals should be represented in court.","The attack leveled against Sunstein -- administrator of the White House\u2019s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs -- is that he \"wants to ban hunting and says animals should be represented in court.\"","We have to admit: We don\u2019t know a whole lot about Cass Sunstein, Barack Obama\u2019s regulatory adviser, other than he\u2019s become kind of a whipping boy for conservative causes.","\"We ought to ban hunting, I suggest, if there isn't a purpose other than sport or fun. That should be against the law. It\u2019s time now,\" Sunstein says."]},{"id":"10261.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Islands legislature is the strongest in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence indicating that Rhode Island's legislature is indeed considered one of the strongest in the country. Former Governor Chafee acknowledged this fact, and it has been verified by independent sources. Additionally, the book mentioned in the evidence highlights that Chafee faced a legislature controlled by an opposing party, further emphasizing the influence and power of Rhode Island's legislature.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12256.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We win when voter turnout is high, we lose when it is low.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bernie Sanders has expressed a preference for high voter turnout and has made statements suggesting a correlation between high turnout and his victories, it is an oversimplification to claim that high turnout always leads to his wins and low turnout always leads to his losses. The evidence shows that Sanders has won both high-turnout primaries and low-turnout caucuses, and that there are other factors at play in determining election outcomes. While there may be a general trend that higher turnout benefits Sanders, it is not an absolute rule. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the complexity of election results.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12428.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Look, we are at war with these people and they dont wear uniforms. This is a war against people that are vicious, violent people, that we have no idea who they are, where they come from. We are allowing tens of thousands of them into our country now.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump is misleading and inaccurate. While there are indeed threats posed by terrorists and violent extremists, there is no evidence to support the claim that tens of thousands of them are being allowed into the country. The statement creates a false narrative that suggests a significant number of dangerous individuals are freely entering the United States, which is not substantiated by credible information or data.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1491.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"In the three months before the act took effect, America lost 750,000 jobs a month. In the last three months, we've lost about 35,000 jobs a month.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Vice President Biden regarding job losses before and after the implementation of the stimulus bill. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average monthly job losses in the first three months of 2009 were approximately 752,000, which aligns with Biden's statement of 750,000 jobs lost per month. Similarly, in the last three months mentioned, the average monthly job losses were around 35,000, supporting Biden's claim. However, it's important to note that these figures are approximate averages and may vary slightly from the exact numbers. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10276.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2010, uninsured voters made up about 5 percent of the electorate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that in 2010, uninsured voters made up about 5 percent of the electorate. The analysis conducted by the source indicates that the percentage of uninsured eligible voters was approximately 7 percent, which is close to Schumer's claim. Furthermore, the fact-check acknowledges that both 5 percent and 7 percent are estimates, but they reinforce the overall point that uninsured individuals did not constitute a significant portion of actual voters in that year.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Donna Campbell, a New Braunfels physician, won election to represent Texas Senate District 25 in November 2012. In 2010, she was the Republican nominee for the U.S. House seat held by Democrat Lloyd Doggett of Austin.","We can\u2019t check looniness, but Haenschen\u2019s blog included a seemingly verifiable claim: \"Dr. Donna, by the way, does not currently live in the (senatorial) district ... but is apparently planning to move to Hays County.\"","News story, \"State Senate: District 25 Republican Runoff: Jeff Wentworth focusing on freedoms, taxes and education,\" San Marcos Record , July 18, 2012","The New Braunfels address that Campbell listed on the voter registration form is within the 25th Senate District, the Guadalupe County elections administrator told us."]},{"id":"201.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The mayor said 'if you happen to be in this country in an undocumented status . . . then we welcome you here. We want you here. We'll protect you here.' \"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes the mayor as saying, \"if you happen to be in this country in an undocumented status . . . then we welcome you here. We want you here. We'll protect you here.\" The quote indicates the mayor's stance on welcoming and protecting undocumented individuals in the country. \nLabel: true","evidence":["In 2013, Scott signed a budget that included $18.3 billion for K-12 education, including the state\u2019s contribution of $10.5 billion for 2013-14.","When the 1993 formula was deemed obsolete, a new foundation formula was adopted on July 1, 2006. It determines each district\u2019s state aid by multiplying the weighted average daily attendance, which accounts for low-income, special education, and limited English proficiency students, by that of the minimum amount that will be spent on students in all districts to ensure all students receive an adequate education. That number is then adjusted based on local funding and local cost of living.","If we take the $9.7 billion in state spending for 2007-08 and adjust for inflation, it would equal about $10.5 billion in 2013 -- so Scott would still be correct that his proposed $10.6 billion in state spending is higher. (The Bureau of Labor Statistics\u2019 Consumer Price Index inflation calculator doesn\u2019t show 2014 yet.)","The Florida Education Finance Program, the main source of dollars for K-12 education, is by law a combination of state and local funding. Each school district must contribute property tax dollars called the \"required local effort,\" with an amount dictated by the state. In some recent years, the state has also received federal stimulus dollars."]},{"id":"8746.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Marriage decreases the probability of child poverty by 82 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Rubio that marriage decreases the probability of child poverty by 82 percent. Research conducted by the U.S. Census and cited by the Heritage Foundation supports this claim, indicating that being raised in a married family reduces a child's probability of living in poverty by about 82 percent. However, it's important to note that the more recent research suggests a slightly lower decrease of 71 percent, which is still a significant impact. Overall, the statement is mostly true, considering the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11578.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Out of the total U.S. military budget, significantly less than 10 percent of that money is used to fight international terrorism.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bernie Sanders claimed that significantly less than 10 percent of the U.S. military budget is used to fight international terrorism, the evidence suggests otherwise. The Defense Department budget indicates that around 11 percent of total defense dollars are allocated to anti-terrorism operations, including efforts against ISIS. While Sanders' statement may have been based on a narrower focus solely on ISIS, it is important to consider the broader context of counterterrorism efforts. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has rocked the state Capitol with a host of proposals that would affect state employees, including requiring them to pay more toward their pensions and health care.","Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says an alternative to state employee health and pension changes is bumping 200,000 children out of Medicaid","( - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says an alternative to state employee health and pension changes is bumping 200,000 children out of Medicaid&url=)","Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker started using the \"broke\" description as he unveiled his controversial budget-repair bill, which would force state employees to pay more for health care and pensions and curtail collective bargaining rights for most public employees."]},{"id":"6806.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says it will cost $220 per square foot in hard construction costs to rebuild Portland Public high schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there is evidence suggesting that the estimated cost for rebuilding Portland Public high schools is $220 per square foot in hard construction costs, it is important to note that there are differing opinions and calculations regarding the actual costs. Some sources, such as the campaign website, support the $220 figure, while others, like the comparison made in the article, suggest a higher cost of $333 per square foot. Therefore, while $220 per square foot is one estimate, it is not the only figure being discussed, making the statement partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13119.json","label":"half-true","statement":"During her first four years in Washington Sen. Ayotte voted with the Koch brothers nearly 90 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Ayotte received a 90 percent rating from Americans for Prosperity, an organization associated with the Koch brothers, it is important to note that this rating is not based on a direct vote-by-vote analysis. The rating is derived from a sampling of votes that align with the organization's agenda. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that Senator Ayotte voted with the Koch brothers nearly 90 percent of the time, as the rating does not directly reflect individual votes. The statement oversimplifies the rating system and implies a closer alignment with the Koch brothers than the evidence supports.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8070.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is collecting financial information, monitoring financial information of millions of Americans without their knowledge and storing it for up to 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) does collect and monitor financial information of Americans, but it is important to note that this is done within the scope of its regulatory responsibilities. The CFPB's mandate is to ensure consumer financial protection and enforce federal consumer financial laws. As part of its oversight and regulatory functions, it may collect and analyze financial data to identify potential risks and protect consumers from unfair practices. However, it is crucial to emphasize that the CFPB operates under strict privacy and data security protocols to safeguard the information it collects. The statement could benefit from providing more context about the purpose and limitations of the CFPB's data collection practices.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3689.json","label":"false","statement":"At Texas AM University, only 49 out of 3,000 faculty members brought in enough money to pay for their salaries and overhead over the past five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim made about Texas A&M University faculty members. The evidence only provides information about firearm deaths in Texas and COVID-19 deaths in the state, which are unrelated to the claim about faculty members at Texas A&M University. Without any specific evidence or data regarding the financial performance of faculty members at the university, the claim cannot be substantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10151.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the 1956 Republican Party platform supported equal pay, the minimum wage, asylum for refugees, protections for unions and more.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided confirms that the 1956 Republican Party platform did support equal pay, the minimum wage, asylum for refugees, and protections for unions. The platform explicitly mentioned the Eisenhower administration's efforts to raise the minimum wage and ensure equal pay for equal work regardless of sex. However, it's important to note that the 2012 Republican Party platform did not mention unemployment benefits and equal pay for women, as stated in the meme. Therefore, while the majority of the statement is accurate, it should be acknowledged that not all of the mentioned items were included in the 1956 platform.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8874.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he didnt tell viewers that the Obama campaign hid news about the motives behind the attack in Benghazi because Obama was running for re-election.","reason":"Reason: While Bill O'Reilly did not explicitly state that the Obama campaign hid news about the motives behind the attack in Benghazi because Obama was running for re-election, he consistently insinuated that someone was trying to mislead the American public regarding the attack. O'Reilly compared the situation to previous impeachments and questioned why the administration did not openly acknowledge it as a terror attack. However, it's important to note that there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that the Obama campaign intentionally hid information about the motives behind the attack for re-election purposes. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Georgia has the nation's fifth largest Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition program, serving more than 270,000 mothers, babies and children every day.\"","The post stated: \"Georgia has the nation's fifth largest Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition program, serving more than 270,000 mothers, babies and children every day.\"","One government program putting food on the table for the needy is the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program, most often known by the acronym WIC.","Besides having fewer women and children on the rolls, Georgia has been working with manufacturers to lower the program\u2019s costs for food. As a result, state spending on food for program participants was reduced from $225 million in 2011 to $204 million in 2012 and to $157 million for 2013, state data show."]},{"id":"12677.json","label":"true","statement":"Over the last six years, the state of Illinois spent about $320 million on illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Illinois state Rep. Bill Mitchell that the state of Illinois spent approximately $320 million on health care for illegal immigrants over the past six years. This claim was made in relation to the All Kids program in Illinois. It's important to note that this claim is based on Mitchell's assertion and may require further verification from official sources to confirm the exact amount spent. However, based on the available evidence, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"My office is the most progressive DA\u2019s office in the state,\" she says. \"I\u2019ve created the first felony deferred prosecution program for nonviolent first-offenders, and it gives them a chance to stay out of the system with a clean record.\"","Bradley, who has been a prosecutor since 1989, said he didn\u2019t know whether Travis County was the first in the state to offer such a program for certain felony offenders. Most Texas deferred prosecution programs focus on misdemeanors, he said. \"It is unusual and rare at the felony level to have a deferred prosecution program,\" he said.","Lehmberg told us in a telephone interview that she started the felony deferred prosecution program to provide the same second-chance opportunity for nonviolent, first-time felony offenders who are not addicts. \"Sort of a parallel track,\" she said. The program is for people with no prior record who made a mistake and want to make it right, she said. If they complete the program, the charges are dismissed.","Lehmberg said the program she started in 2010 was the state\u2019s first felony deferred prosecution program for nonviolent first-offenders. We found two similar, though not identical, programs in other counties. One was implemented the same year as Travis\u2019, the other five years earlier. Since neither program shares all of the elements of Travis County\u2019s, her claim retains an element of truth. But Travis County was not first."]},{"id":"7412.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There are more people killed with baseball bats and hammers than are killed with guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by the available evidence. FBI data clearly shows that handguns alone accounted for a significantly higher number of murders compared to deaths caused by clubs or hammers. The claim that more people are killed with baseball bats and hammers than with guns, without specifying the type of gun, is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Hillary Clinton, in a campaign ad shown at the Democratic convention, said that when an interviewer asked Donald Trump if he treats women with respect, Trump replied, \"I can't say that.\"","It omits the fact that Stern is the interviewer. The opening question of whether Trump said he treats women like feces, Trump's denial, Stern's assessment that it's \"somewhere in between\" and Trump's subsequent response that \"I treat women with great respect\" are all missing.","Then Trump adds, \"I treat women with great respect,\" his tone sounding more serious this time, but it's not completely clear because the camera, at this point, is on Stern instead of Trump.","At the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, delegates saw a video where some of those comments were repeated, but one caught our eye. At the end of the 30-second video a voice says, \"So you treat women with respect.\""]},{"id":"10082.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If Florida expanded Medicaid, some studies indicate it would create about 120,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that some studies indicate that expanding Medicaid in Florida could potentially create around 120,000 jobs. However, it's important to note that there are differing opinions and uncertainties regarding the exact number of jobs that would be created. Some individuals, including the person referenced in the evidence, express skepticism about the accuracy of these studies and highlight the complexity of the issue. Therefore, while there is evidence supporting the claim, it is also subject to debate and uncertainty, warranting a label of \"half-true.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13066.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One extra year of schooling for girls reduces infant mortality rates among their children by up to 10 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the head of the World Food Programme that one additional year of schooling for girls can reduce infant mortality rates among their children by up to 10 percent. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided suggests a range of impact, with some sources stating a decline of 5 to 10 percent in child mortality rates. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from acknowledging the range of impact observed in different studies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But Obama retooled his words in his 2014 State of the Union address, saying women \"still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.\" That rated Mostly True.","We often hear that discriminatory practices are a reason why on average women are paid less than men. Expert say it\u2019s hard to measure how much of a role that discrimination plays in the disparity.","Here\u2019s what we mean: In his 2012 re-election run, an ad for President Barack Obama claimed \"Women (are) paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men.\" That rated Mostly False.","\"Research shows that more than half of the gap is due to job and industry segregation \u2014 essentially, women tend to work in jobs done primarily by other women, and men tend to work in jobs done primarily by other men and the \u2018men\u2019s jobs\u2019 are paid more,\" said Jennifer Clark, a spokeswoman for the Institute for Women\u2019s Policy Research."]},{"id":"11505.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The debt limit deal allows President Obama to borrow unlimited amounts of money.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks important context. While the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 did temporarily lift the debt limit, it does not grant President Obama unlimited authority to borrow money. The debt limit deal was necessary to prevent a potential government shutdown and to ensure that the government could meet its financial obligations. However, it's important to note that mandatory spending, which includes programs like Medicare, continues regardless of the debt limit deal. The statement inaccurately suggests that the deal gives President Obama unrestricted borrowing power, which is not the case.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1054.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Oil money from federal leases can only be used to clean up the mess and damages from drilling.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that oil money from federal leases can be used for cleaning up the mess and damages from drilling, it is important to note that it is not the sole purpose for which the funds can be used. The revenue generated from federal leases can be allocated for various purposes, including conservation efforts, public land management, and supporting local communities. While cleaning up the environmental impacts of drilling is one potential use of the funds, it is not the exclusive or primary purpose. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that the funds can be utilized for a range of purposes beyond just cleaning up drilling-related damages.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It's a claim Obama has made many times, and we first weighed in on it when Obama said in his State of the Union speech on Jan. 27, 2010, that health care reform \"would bring down the deficit by as much as $1 trillion over the next two decades.\" So then it was \"as much as\" $1 trillion and this time it was \"over $1 trillion dollars.\"","On the campaign trail, many Republican candidates have lumped the health care bill in with the economic stimulus as examples of Obama administration initiatives driving the country deeper into debt. So Obama's claim that the health care bill would actually cut the deficit by over $1 trillion dollars is significant.","The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the health insurance reform legislation says the bill \"cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in the second 10 years.\"","PolitiFact, \"Health care reform 'would bring down the deficit by as much as $1 trillion over the next two decades,'\" by Angie Drobnic Holan, Feb. 1, 2010"]},{"id":"2764.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Fulton County vote count will be finished by 11:30 p.m. on election night.","reason":"Reason: While there were some precincts that experienced delays due to high turnout and remained open until 9 p.m., it is important to note that the statement specifically refers to the Fulton County vote count being finished by 11:30 p.m. on election night. The evidence provided does not directly address the completion of the vote count. Therefore, without further information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. However, based on the evidence provided, it is reasonable to conclude that the statement is mostly true, as it suggests that the goal was to finish the count by 11:30 p.m., but it does not provide definitive confirmation of whether or not that goal was achieved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Bachmann has implied something different when she said Gingrich \"has said that we should make the 11 million illegal workers that are in this country legal.\" She has transformed Gingrich\u2019s nuanced statement into an all-or-nothing pronouncement. And she has done so to win favor with a sector of the GOP base opposed to any compromise on illegal immigration.","Bachmann said in her statement: \"I don\u2019t agree that you should make 11 million workers legal here because that in effect is amnesty and will only encourage more illegal immigrants to come here.\"","She praised Gingrich for his honesty. \"He\u2019s getting pilloried for saying we can\u2019t deport 11 million people,\" she said. \"At least Newt is saying, \u2018There\u2019s a problem here, let\u2019s come to grips with it.\u2019 \"","During Romney\u2019s recent interview with Fox News, Baier pressed Romney about what he would do with the roughly 11 million illegal immigrants who are already in the country, noting that Romney has stopped short of urging mass deportation in past interviews."]},{"id":"6288.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Obamacare is the largest middle-class tax increase in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obamacare is the largest middle-class tax increase in history is not accurate. While there are taxes associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is misleading to claim that it is the largest middle-class tax increase in history. The ACA primarily focused on expanding healthcare coverage and implementing various provisions to regulate the healthcare industry. While there were some tax provisions within the ACA, they primarily targeted high-income individuals and certain healthcare industries, rather than the middle class as a whole. Therefore, the claim is not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"In 2008, when Flint had 265 sworn officers on their police force, there were 35 murders and 91 rapes in this city. In 2010, when Flint had only 144 police officers, the murder rate climbed to 65, and rapes \u2026 climbed to 229.\"","\"In 2010, when Flint had only 144 police officers, the murder rate climbed to 65, and rapes, just to pick two categories, climbed to 229.","\"In 2008, when Flint had 265 sworn officers on their police force, there were 35 murders and 91 rapes in this city.","For rapes, though, the numbers seemed seriously off. The FBI showed 103 rapes in 2008 and 92 rapes in 2010 -- a small decline. The numbers Biden cited were 91 rapes in 2008 and 229 in 2010 -- a dramatic increase."]},{"id":"9305.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wendy Davis raised money for a U.S. House Democrat who is a member of a Democratic socialists group.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Wendy Davis raised money for a U.S. House Democrat who is a member of a Democratic socialists group. Multiple sources have debunked this claim, stating that there is no sign of the House member being a current member of a socialist group, nor is there evidence of Davis raising money for such a group. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5845.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The failed economic policies of President Barack Obama, the Democrats and the Federal Reserve are making gas prices higher while Americas economy is running on fumes.","reason":"Reason: The statement makes a broad claim that the failed economic policies of President Barack Obama, the Democrats, and the Federal Reserve are directly responsible for higher gas prices and an economy running on fumes. However, it lacks specific evidence or data to support this claim. Gas prices are influenced by a variety of factors, including global oil markets, geopolitical events, and supply and demand dynamics. While economic policies can have an indirect impact on gas prices, attributing them solely to the policies mentioned in the statement is an oversimplification. Additionally, the assertion that the American economy is running on fumes is subjective and does not accurately reflect the overall state of the economy. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["By email, Ryan campaign spokesman Kevin Seifert replied: \"Ryan's statement is fairly straightforward, Wisconsinites and Texans both love and are proud of their home states.\"","U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, keynoting the Republican Party of Texas convention in Fort Worth, linked pride in Texas and Wisconsin, his home state, telling delegates recently: \"I remember reading a few years ago a story about how Coca-Cola did this big, exhaustive marketing study about how people love their states. First place: Texas. Second place: Wisconsin.\"","U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, keynoting the Republican Party of Texas convention in Fort Worth, linked pride in Texas and Wisconsin, his home state, telling delegates on June 9, 2012: \"I remember reading a few years ago a story about how Coca-Cola did this big, exhaustive marketing study about how people love their states. First place: Texas. Second place: Wisconsin.\"","Seifert also pointed us to an entry on the website of Worthpoint, which provides market data on art, antiques and collectibles including soda paraphernalia. The entry states that national focus groups run by Coca-Cola once found that Wisconsin and Texas natives most strongly identify with their states, and by a wide margin. Also, the entry says, Wisconsin and Texas were the only states the Coca-Cola company allowed to develop logos and advertising lines tying each state to the brand and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Wisconsin \"developed this program and used it for most of the decade of the nineties.\""]},{"id":"7593.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the president of the University of Texas has raised four-year student graduation rates to 75 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there have been efforts to improve graduation rates at the University of Texas, there is no evidence to support the claim that the president of the university has raised four-year student graduation rates to 75 percent. The evidence provided indicates that the graduation rate was increased from 53 percent to an unspecified higher rate, but it does not specify reaching 75 percent. It's important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about graduation rates.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1145.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Im 59. In either Canada or Great Britain, if I broke my hip, I couldnt get it replaced.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly contradicts the claim made. The data from Canada and Britain shows that a significant number of hip replacements are performed on patients aged 65 and older. Therefore, being 59 years old would not disqualify someone from receiving a hip replacement in either country. The claim made in the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7925.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court is transparent.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court is transparent is not accurate. Multiple fact-checking sources have found that the court operates with significant secrecy and lacks transparency. While there may be justifiable reasons for maintaining secrecy in certain cases, it is misleading to claim that the court is transparent. Therefore, the statement is rated as pants-fire, indicating a blatant falsehood.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["That\u2019s still lower than revenue as a percentage of GDP in seven years of the last 40 \u2014 also not more money than at \"any other time.\"","It\u2019s no secret that Paul favors smaller government and less taxation. His campaign website says that as president, he would support a constitutional amendment to abolish the income tax. If that can\u2019t be done, however, the web page says, another way to bring the income tax rate to 0 percent would be to restrain federal spending \"by enforcing the Constitution\u2019s strict limits on the federal government\u2019s power.\"","So McCarthy accurately cites a reputable source when he says the federal government has collected an average of 17.9 percent of the nation\u2019s gross domestic product over four decades, and now is \"going to bring in 19.1.\"","A recent CBO analysis says that, indeed, federal revenue is projected to rise with changes in the law, such as the recent end to Bush tax cuts on households making more than $450,000 a year."]},{"id":"2807.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Governor-elect Scott Walkers choice as transition team leader killed the release of a damaging report on Walkers record in the days leading up to the election.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there were claims made that Scott Walker's choice as transition team leader, Michael Grebe, prevented the release of a damaging report on Walker's record before the election. However, it's important to note that the evidence consists of statements made by the state Democratic Party and party chairman Mike Tate, which may be politically motivated and lack concrete evidence to support the claim. Without further substantiation or independent verification, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the statement. Therefore, the label \"barely-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Nunn is accurate to say Perdue lists job creation in 16 countries in his 2005 deposition. The United States isn\u2019t one of them.","In addition to those 12 countries, Perdue mentions three more and Hong Kong, now part of China. He does not reference the United States.","In other words, there were no questions about the United States. And the structure of a deposition would not allow for much free form discussion about jobs there, even if Perdue wanted to bring that up.","Derrick Dickey, Perdue\u2019s spokesman, said a careful reading of the deposition could show Perdue was trying to show efforts to save American jobs \u2013 not just outsource them \u2013 with his turnaround plan for Pillowtex."]},{"id":"9281.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"More whites believe in ghosts than believe in racism.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a flawed comparison between belief in ghosts and belief in racism. The claim lacks solid evidence as pollsters do not specifically ask about belief in racism, making it difficult to accurately measure. Additionally, racism encompasses various forms and manifestations, making it challenging to gauge belief in it as a singular concept. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Hassan missed nearly every University system board meeting. Maggie Hassan failed our students. She just hasn\u2019t done her job,\" the ad concludes.","The governor is a sitting member of the University System of New Hampshire\u2019s board of trustees, which gives her the power to make motions and vote. Hassan missed all but one meeting during her tenure as governor, and even the meeting she participated in came via phone call.","As governor, Hassan sits on that board, and, like governors before her, has missed most of the trustees\u2019 meetings. Perhaps symbolically, the one meeting on June 28, 2013 that she participated in, she made the motion to freeze tuition at the university system. But had she attended other meetings and voted against raising tuition on June 26, 2015, when the board approved the hikes, she still wouldn\u2019t have been able to swing the vote the other way.","Looking back at the minutes, the Republicans are correct: Hassan has missed every single USNH board meeting since she took office, except one on June 28, 2013, when she briefly called in and made a motion to freeze tuition, according to meeting minutes provided by a USNH official."]},{"id":"11524.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"My plan actually gives the middle class the greatest break: $2,000 per family.","reason":"Reason: While Jeb Bush's plan may provide a tax break of $2,000 per family, it is important to note that this claim is based on specific conditions. The tax break is likely to be more beneficial for middle-class families who file their tax returns using the standard deduction, rather than those who itemize their deductions, which is more common among wealthier individuals. Additionally, the claim does not provide a comprehensive analysis of how the plan would impact different income levels within the middle class. Therefore, while the statement contains some truth, it lacks the necessary context to fully evaluate the extent of the tax break for the middle class.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Warren said, \"Donald Trump said he was excited for the 2008 housing crash that devastated millions of American families, because he thought it would help him scoop up more real estate on the cheap.\"","\"Look at his history,\" Warren continued. \"Donald Trump said he was excited for the 2008 housing crash that devastated millions of American families, because he thought it would help him scoop up more real estate on the cheap.\"","PolitiFact, \"Hillary Clinton faults Donald Trump for hoping for real estate crash that led to the Great recession,\" May 26, 2016","\"Donald Trump almost lost his shirt 15 years ago when the North American real estate bubble burst,\" the story begins. \"The 2007 version of that disaster will be much more benign, the real estate magnate predicts. . . 'We're talking very minor (problems) compared with the depression of the early 1990s,' Mr. Trump said.\""]},{"id":"7441.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In other jurisdictions where (a domestic partnership registry) has been enacted, we have seen that fewer people enter into marriage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks important context. While it is true that in some jurisdictions where domestic partnership registries have been enacted, there has been a decrease in the number of people entering into traditional marriages, it is important to note that this does not necessarily imply a causal relationship. Various factors can contribute to changes in marriage rates, and it is not solely attributable to the existence of domestic partnership registries. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the reasons behind the observed trends. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11963.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump hired illegal workers from Poland and he had to pay a million dollars or so in a judgment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that a contractor hired by Donald Trump for a project did hire undocumented Polish workers, it was not Donald Trump himself who directly hired them. The lawsuit sought $1 million in damages, but the court ruled that Trump had to pay $325,000 plus interest. However, it's important to note that the statement could be misleading as it implies that Trump personally hired the workers and was solely responsible for the judgment. The responsibility lies with the contractor, and Trump's involvement was indirect. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1489.json","label":"false","statement":"Says state Sen. Steve Ogden was the driving force behind business income tax hurting small business, crafted the Robin Hood school finance scheme making property taxes skyrocket, wrote a budget that will result in a $14 billion deficit and voted against gun freedoms.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains multiple claims about state Sen. Steve Ogden, all of which are false or misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that he was the driving force behind a business income tax that hurt small businesses. The assertion that he crafted the Robin Hood school finance scheme, resulting in skyrocketing property taxes, is also unsubstantiated. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that Ogden wrote a budget that will result in a $14 billion deficit. Lastly, the claim that he voted against gun freedoms is not supported by any credible sources. Overall, the statement is false and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gov. Nathan Deal: A \"substantial number\" of probationers participating in a pilot project to ease the farm labor shortage are able to \"finish the work.\"","\"Well, there\u2019s no question it is difficult and hard work. I think you know that when you get into the field,\" Deal replied. \"But our reports are a substantial number of them were actually able to finish the work.\"","So, we wondered, have a \"substantial number\" of Georgia\u2019s probationers really been able to withstand a full day\u2019s work in the fields?","We asked Deal\u2019s office for proof that a \"substantial\" number of probationers finished the work. A spokeswoman directed us to the Georgia Department of Corrections, which has joined with the state departments of Labor and Agriculture to run the pilot project."]},{"id":"233.json","label":"false","statement":"\"And, you know, our first president and our first commander in chief prayed every day. He had a field manual of prayers.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the existence of a \"field manual of prayers\" to the first president and commander in chief of the United States. While George Washington was known for his religious beliefs and regular practice of prayer, there is no historical evidence to support the claim that he had a specific \"field manual of prayers.\" It is important to rely on accurate historical information when discussing the practices and beliefs of prominent figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While it\u2019s possible to get to $2 trillion using the alternative baselines, we think the best way to analyze Kerry\u2019s comment is to use the commission\u2019s own math. After all, in Kerry\u2019s words, Simpson-Bowles \"came out and said, in order to do a deal you need $4 trillion, and you need $2 trillion of it as revenue.\" But the Simpson-Bowles report didn\u2019t come close to suggesting $2 trillion in new revenue. The actual figure is slightly less than half of that. We rate his statement Mostly False.","But Kerry is off-base on the revenue side. Of the $3.885 trillion in total deficit reduction, the panel proposed cuts in discretionary and mandatory spending totaling $2.217 trillion and estimated interest savings of $673 billion. The remainder of the deficit reduction total involves new revenues -- a combination of closing tax loopholes and increasing in certain types of taxes and other revenue streams. The new tax revenues work out to $995 billion over that period -- slightly less than half of the level Kerry said and, in absolute terms, a difference of more than $1 trillion, which isn\u2019t pocket change.","The group\u2019s report shows total deficit reduction between 2012 and 2020 would be about $4 trillion. The panel proposed cuts in discretionary and mandatory spending totaling $2.2 trillion and estimated interest savings of $673 billion. The remainder of the deficit reduction total involves new revenues -- a combination of closing tax loopholes and increasing certain types of taxes and other revenue streams. The new tax revenues work out to $995 billion over that period.","Says his deficit plan \"made some adjustments to (Simpson-Bowles), and we're putting it forward before Congress right now, a $4 trillion plan.\""]},{"id":"13439.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On three occasions, judges had to stop Jason Kander from manipulating elections.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were legal challenges to some of the ballot language used by Jason Kander, the statement exaggerates the situation by claiming that judges had to \"stop\" him from manipulating elections. The court rulings primarily focused on technical issues related to the clarity and accuracy of the language used, rather than deliberate manipulation. It is important to note that ballot language can be a complex and nuanced process, and disagreements over its wording are not uncommon. Therefore, characterizing these legal challenges as instances of deliberate manipulation is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13319.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Nobody knows about it, nobody talks about it, but under Obama, millions of people have been moved out of this country, theyve been deported.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that millions of people were deported during President Obama's administration, the statement's assertion that \"nobody knows about it, nobody talks about it\" is misleading. The issue of deportations under the Obama administration was widely discussed and debated during his presidency, and it continues to be a topic of discussion in political and immigration policy circles. While the scale and impact of deportations can be a matter of interpretation and debate, it is inaccurate to claim that the issue was unknown or not talked about during that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7124.json","label":"true","statement":"In the past year alone, Ohio businesses have created more jobs than almost every other state in the country.","reason":"Reason: According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio did indeed experience significant job creation compared to most other states in the past year. Only California, Texas, and New York created more jobs than Ohio during that period. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the job creation performance of Ohio businesses in comparison to other states.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5149.json","label":"true","statement":"Gov. Bob McDonnellsbudget plantakesmoney out of our classrooms to pave roads.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Donald McEachin that Governor Bob McDonnell's proposed budget would divert funds from classrooms to road paving. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which includes statements from Senator McEachin and references to the governor's proposed budget. It suggests that the budget plan allocates additional funds to road paving at the expense of education funding.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Shooting in Oregon: So far in 2015, we\u2019ve had 274 days and 294 mass shootings,\" Oct. 1, 2015 accessed Oct. 26, 2015.","Washington Post \u2019s Wonkblog, \"Shooting in Oregon: So far in 2015, we\u2019ve had 274 days and 294 mass shootings,\"Oct. 1, 2015","\"So far in 2015, there have been more mass shootings than days,\" Newsom said in a Dec. 5, 2015 email promoting a gun control initiative he\u2019s introduced. Newsom references the San Bernardino mass shooting in his email. That attack killed 14 people, injured 22 others and took place on Dec. 2, 2015.","State Sen. Richard Pan's claim was \"there were more mass shootings in America where four or more people were killed, than there were days in the year in 2015.\""]},{"id":"7759.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Rep. John Barrow of Georgia has helped support the implementation of Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely-true. While it is true that U.S. Rep. John Barrow of Georgia voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the statement lacks context. It implies that Barrow actively supported the implementation of Obamacare, which is not entirely accurate. Barrow's vote in favor of the legislation does not necessarily indicate his direct involvement in supporting its implementation. It is important to consider the specific actions and roles of individuals when making claims about their support for a particular policy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It was my niece,\" a woman's voice says. \"If Nathan Deal had won his fight to weaken the rape shield law, and my niece took the stand, she would have been forced to defend what she wore and that she didn\u2019t deserve to be raped.\"","Supporters of Democratic candidate Roy Barnes, whose campaign authorized the ad, said the actions of Deal, a Republican, show he doesn't protect women's interests.","All the ugliness of using victims for political gain aside, is there any truth to the ad? Did Deal really fight to weaken the rape shield law?","So Deal did push for a bill that would give the defense more options. But did he actually fight to weaken the rape shield law, as the Barnes ad said?"]},{"id":"8970.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A YouGov.com poll shows 71 percent of Obama voters regret voting for him.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The claim that a YouGov.com poll shows 71 percent of Obama voters regretting their vote is false. The actual poll data indicates that only 3.5 percent of the sample, which represents 35 out of 999 respondents, said they voted for Obama in 2012 and would not vote for him today. This small percentage does not support the claim of 71 percent regret among Obama voters. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"He voted for welfare for politicians plan,\" says the narrator. \"Up to $25 million of government money for Warnock\u2019s own political campaign.\"","Sen. Raphael Warnock \u201cvoted for welfare for politicians plan. Up to $25 million of government money for Warnock\u2019s own political campaign.\u201d","The NRSC ad says Warnock \"voted for welfare for politicians plan. Up to $25 million of government money for Warnock\u2019s own political campaign.\"","The photo used in the Facebook post comes from a listing of a $25 million mansion in Hobe Sound, Fla. The listing shows that it has a pending offer."]},{"id":"10427.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The auto companies have now repaid taxpayers every dime and more of what my administration invested in.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that the auto companies have repaid taxpayers every dime and more of what his administration invested is misleading. While it is true that the auto companies have made significant repayments, the claim fails to acknowledge that some of the money recovered was from loans given out under the Bush administration. Additionally, at the time of Obama's statement, the government still owned stock in both GM and Chrysler, and it was uncertain whether taxpayers would fully recoup their investment. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["With so much back-and-forth, we wanted to dive into the Senate District 4 race and examine the claim that started it all: \"Aaron Bean voted for in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants.\"","\"That\u2019s right. Bean voted to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition breaks, a policy supported by liberals like Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi and opposed by conservatives like Rick Scott and Mike Weinstein,\" the ad says. \"Aaron Bean: Wrong on illegal immigration. Wrong for Jacksonville.\"","The group, Floridians for Ethics and Truth in Politics, is targeting former state Rep. Aaron Bean for past votes. Bean is running for a Jacksonville-area seat against current state Rep. Mike Weinstein. Previously, we looked at the claim that Bean voted for \"in-state tuition breaks for illegal immigrants.\" We examined the facts and rated the claim Mostly True.","\"To avoid any future confusion let me be clear, Aaron Bean did not support extending any benefits to illegal immigrants,\" spokeswoman Sarah Bascom said. \"He did not then, and he does not now.\""]},{"id":"3699.json","label":"half-true","statement":"According to crime statistics, riding MARTA has been becoming more and more safe over the years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the provided evidence, crime statistics indicate that riding MARTA has become safer over the years, particularly in terms of property crimes. The evidence mentions that violent attacks increased while MARTA ridership dipped, suggesting that there may have been an increase in violent crimes. However, it is important to note that the evidence also states that crime on the transit system is rare, and FBI statistics show decreases in property crimes. Therefore, while overall safety has improved, the increase in violent attacks may impact the perception of safety for MARTA riders.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Amy Coney Barrett \u201chas a written track record, disagreeing adamantly with the Supreme Court\u2019s decision to uphold the ACA. In fact, she publicly criticized Chief Justice Roberts\u2019 opinion upholding the law eight years ago.\u201d","Not good enough, said Stockman: \"Social Security needs to be means-tested right now, not for benefits in 2030, right now, for the top one-third of beneficiaries who have private income that they've earned over their lifetime. We need to drastically scale back Medicare. And the Republicans expanded it. And I appreciate what Mike is saying, but there's no track record of a willingness to take on the doctors, the pharmaceutical companies, the scooter chair manufacturers, who are everywhere. (And) we need to take on defense ... We can't be the policemen of the world anymore because we can't afford it. We're going to have to cut defense drastically. And that isn't just fraud, waste and abuse. It's force structure, fewer divisions, fewer aircraft carriers. And even if we do all that, we still have to raise revenue.\"","That's what caught our attention as fact-checkers. How can raising taxes not raise money? And does the historical data really show that?","Raising revenue means a tax increase, which Pence said was a bad idea. And Pence further argued that a tax increase wouldn't help anyway: \"David believes that every tax increase equals a revenue increase, but that's not true. Anybody who is familiar with the historical data from the IRS knows that raising income tax rates will likely actually reduce federal revenues.\""]},{"id":"907.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Geithner's failure to pay self-employment taxes while working for the IMF is a mistake that is commonly made for people who are working internationally or for international institutions.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Geithner's failure to pay self-employment taxes while working for the IMF was not an uncommon mistake among individuals working internationally or for international institutions. While it is not explicitly stated that it is commonly made, the evidence indicates that it is a problem that has occurred before. The statement could be considered mostly true, as it aligns with the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11705.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Obama administration invited Russia into Syria.","reason":"Reason: While it is not accurate to say that the Obama administration explicitly invited Russia into Syria, Governor Christie's statement can be interpreted as referring to the perceived weakness of the Obama administration's Syria policy, which indirectly allowed Russia to gain a stronger presence in the region. The Obama administration did engage in diplomatic efforts with Russia, including inviting them to broker an agreement with Assad regarding chemical weapons. However, it is important to note that the intention was not to invite Russia to intervene militarily in Syria. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate in terms of the underlying sentiment but lacks precision in its wording.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4227.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The average Republican voter thinks there should be some revenue as part of this deal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to polling data, there is evidence to suggest that a significant portion of Republican voters believe that there should be some revenue included as part of a budget deal. However, it is important to note that the term \"average Republican voter\" is a generalization and may not accurately represent the views of every individual Republican voter. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific data or percentages to support the claim, making it difficult to determine the exact extent of this belief among Republican voters.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Buses travel the country \"with a stellar safety record, a safety record that exceeds that of any other commercial mode or surface transportation mode,\" he said at a June 7 press conference in Richmond.","Pantuso, the industry lobbyist, said buses have \"a safety record that exceeds that of any other commercial mode or surface transportation mode.\"","Pantuso made two claims about safety: 1) That buses are safer than any other commercial mode, and; 2) That buses are the safest surface transportation mode. We checked out both.","According to a wealth of transportation data, buses have been the safest mode of surface transportation in recent years, narrowly edging trains when fatalities are measured per 100 million miles. Passengers are far less likely to die in a bus crash than a car crash. So buses have a strong claim as the safest mode of surface transportation."]},{"id":"13168.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has taken hundreds of millions from those countries where women are stoned, where women are killed for adulteryand women cant drive.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton has received donations from individuals and organizations associated with countries that have poor records on women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights, the statement exaggerates by claiming that she has taken hundreds of millions of dollars specifically from countries where women are stoned, killed for adultery, and where women are prohibited from driving. The evidence provided does not support such a specific claim. It is important to note that campaign donations come from various sources, and it is not accurate to attribute the actions of specific countries solely to the candidate receiving the donations. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5448.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says when she helped get $15 billion more for veterans care, Kucinich voted No.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that when Marcy Kaptur helped secure $15 billion more for veterans care, Dennis Kucinich voted against the measure. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of Kucinich's vote. While he voted against the specific bill that included the funding for veterans care, it is unclear whether his opposition was solely due to the allocation for veterans or if there were other factors involved. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the voting outcome, it lacks the complete context of Kucinich's reasoning behind his vote.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But what\u2019s more, this photo wasn\u2019t taken in Lviv in 2022. It was shot in Penza, Russia, in 2016, to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Cosmonautics Day.","A Russian TV station posted a news broadcast of the event on YouTube that year. An English translation of the title says, \"On Cosmonautics Day, participants of the flash mob in Penza lined up in the number \u201855.\u2019\"","\"The White House referred to Christmas trees as Holiday Trees for the first time this year,\" according to a viral Facebook post.","\"To date, nobody has been able to show that there is a law for the average American citizen working day in and day out to pay an income tax.\""]},{"id":"12850.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Russia and China are doing naval exercises together someplace.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There have been instances of joint naval exercises between Russia and China. In 2014, naval exercises took place in the East China Sea involving submarines and surface ships. Additionally, in the Black Sea, there were exercises involving nine ships practicing anti-submarine warfare. These exercises demonstrate a level of cooperation between Russia and China in the naval domain. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the location and frequency of the exercises, which could vary over time. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The pension fund in the city of Providence is only 30 percent funded, about the same level as when he Taveras took office.\"","When Raimondo said, \"The pension fund in the city of Providence is only 30 percent funded, about the same level as when he Taveras took office,\" she was only off by one percentage point, according to the most recent audit of the fund. That funded ratio has not increased since Taveras was sworn in on Jan. 3, 2011.","\"The pension fund in the city of Providence is only 30-percent funded, about the same level as when he Taveras took office,\" she said. \"I fixed a system for the long term. He made small changes and the pension system in Providence is still in crisis.\"","It reports that as of June 30, 2013, with Taveras in office two and a half years, the funded ratio was virtually the same -- 31.39 percent. And this was after Taveras won union concessions to reduce pension costs."]},{"id":"5781.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ron Oakleys conservative leadership protected local taxpayers over government bureaucrats as theWater Management Districts budget decreased by 58 percent in the four years he served on the board.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ron Oakley served on the board of the Water Management District and the budget decreased by 58 percent during that time, it is misleading to solely attribute this decrease to Oakley's conservative leadership. The statement implies that Oakley's actions directly led to the budget reduction, but it fails to consider other factors such as external budgetary constraints and decisions made by other board members or government officials. It is important to recognize that budgetary decisions are often the result of collective efforts and external influences. Therefore, the claim that Oakley's conservative leadership solely protected local taxpayers over government bureaucrats is an oversimplification of the complex budgetary process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10352.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under the cromnibus law, taxpayers must guarantee incredibly risky derivatives deals made by the nations largest banks.","reason":"Reason: While the cromnibus law does include provisions related to derivatives, it is not accurate to state that taxpayers must guarantee all incredibly risky derivatives deals made by the nation's largest banks. The statement lacks nuance and oversimplifies the situation. While some derivatives deals may carry risks, other provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act have been implemented to mitigate these risks and make derivatives trading less risky overall. Additionally, the cromnibus law does not explicitly require taxpayers to guarantee all derivatives deals. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"This president goes to Brazil and delivers $2 billion to that country to help them with their offshore drilling projects,\" Perry said. \"What are they thinking?\"","Perry's claim that Obama gave Brazil $2 billion echoes criticism we found in many blogs, many of which referred to a Wall Street Journal editorial written in August 2009, titled \"Obama Underwrites Offshore Drilling.\"","Addressing the claim that the loan represents a reversal of the Obama administration\u2019s stance on offshore drilling, the fact sheet states: \"There is no connection between federal policies on offshore drilling in U.S. waters and financing U.S. export sales for drilling by other countries. In fact, should Ex-Im Bank refuse to finance sales by U.S. companies it is likely that the sales will go instead to their foreign competitors.\"","Asked about Iran and the Barack Obama-era deal that was designed to put the brakes on its nuclear program, Handel said, \"Nearly $2 billion in cash was flown over to Iran, money that the Obama administration has admitted is being used for terrorists and to support further activities there.\""]},{"id":"4562.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Say water fluoridation started in Nazi Germany ghettos and death camps to pacify the Jews.","reason":"Reason: The claim that water fluoridation started in Nazi Germany ghettos and death camps to pacify the Jews is entirely false and lacks any credible historical evidence. There is no historical documentation or reliable sources to support this claim. Water fluoridation is a public health measure implemented to improve dental health and has no connection to Nazi Germany or any efforts to pacify or harm specific populations. Spreading such misinformation is not only factually incorrect but also perpetuates harmful conspiracy theories.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We let Hegar\u2019s campaign know we were checking on his declaration of pride. Spokesman David White emailed us a statement saying: \"As a father of three children in public schools, Sen. Hegar believes in adequately funding our education system.\"","Houston businessman Mike Collier, the Democratic nominee for state comptroller, launched a video ad in August 2014 suggesting the Republican candidate, state Sen. Glenn Hegar of Katy, took pride in big cuts to public education.","It wouldn\u2019t necessarily shock if Hegar took pride. In June 2011, he issued a press release expressing pride in lawmakers balancing the 2012-13 budget in the face of a projected $27 billion revenue shortfall without tapping the rainy day fund or raising taxes; his release called the result \"amazing\" and \"remarkable.\" And while Hegar made no direct reference to the school cuts, he hailed \"a fiscally sound and responsible budget that funds essential services and forces state government to live within its means, just as Texas families must do.\"","News blog post, \"Collier: Hegar bragged to tea party he\u2019s proud of school cuts,\" Trailblazers blog, Dallas Morning News , Aug. 8, 2014 (accessed Aug. 27, 2014)"]},{"id":"10682.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"An April 7, 2015 referendum would take the choice of chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court away from the people.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks some context. The April 7, 2015 referendum in Wisconsin did propose a change in the selection process for the chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Under the referendum, the chief justice would be determined by a majority vote of the seven justices rather than by seniority. However, it is important to note that the voters in Wisconsin do not directly elect the chief justice. Instead, the chief justice is selected by the justices themselves. So while the referendum does alter the process by which the chief justice is chosen, it does not take away the choice from the people because they did not have a direct say in the selection to begin with.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Let's look at the number one. Number one,\" Bachmann said. \"That's the number of new drilling permits under the Obama administration since they came into office.","She said: \"One. That's the number of new drilling permits under the Obama administration since they came into office.\" It's not even close, and the claim is ridiculously false. Pants-On-Fire.","Perhaps she meant permits since the moratorium, not since Obama administration came into office, as she said. (There were hundreds issued pre-gulf oil spill).","We asked a number of environmental groups if they thought the announcement represented a dramatic shift for the Obama administration, and the resounding response is that they oppose the plan, but it's also no surprise given where Obama was on the issue the day he was elected to office."]},{"id":"11623.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For NATO exercises, we dont have enough of our own hardware and equipment even for training purposes. So the Britsare spotting us choppers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that some NATO countries, such as the UK, provide support and resources to other member countries during NATO exercises. This includes instances where the UK provides helicopters for training purposes when other countries do not have enough of their own equipment. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive view of NATO exercises or the overall capabilities of member countries. It focuses on a specific aspect of resource sharing within NATO exercises, but it does not imply a complete reliance on other countries for training purposes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In Illinois in 2018, for instance, officials credited an officer with avoiding a potential school shooting involving a student at the school. The shooter\u2019s mother said she thought her son was trying to get the police to kill him. Only the shooter was injured.","On its website, it says a school shooting is: \"An incident that occurs on school property when students, faculty and\/or staff are on the premises. Intent during those times are not restricted to specific types of shootings. Incidents that take place on or near school property when no students or faculty\/staff are present are not considered \"school shootings.\"","About 30 minutes after the shooting started, the 17-year-old suspect surrendered to law enforcement. A total of 10 people were killed and 13 were wounded. Multiple explosive devices were also found at or near the school, officials said.","Blair said the ALERRT Center is part of a group that works with the FBI to release annual active shooter data. The FBI defines an active shooter as \"one or more individuals actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area.\""]},{"id":"9902.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitch McConnell voted three times for corporate tax breaks that send Kentucky jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the claim states Mitch McConnell voted three times for corporate tax breaks that send Kentucky jobs overseas, the statement is misleading and lacks important context. McConnell's votes for corporate tax breaks do not necessarily mean that those specific tax breaks were designed to incentivize outsourcing. The claim oversimplifies a complex issue and fails to consider the broader context of tax policies and their impact on job outsourcing. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2361.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sean Duffy backed plan to privatize Social Security.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Sean Duffy backed a plan to privatize Social Security. The provided evidence does not include any specific information or sources that verify this assertion. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing politicians' positions on significant policy matters. Without substantial evidence, it is misleading to make such a claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Bowers said many Wisconsin residents don't know about the law -- \"especially low-income voters in urban areas where, not only do they now have to have an ID in order to vote, Department of Motor Vehicles (offices) in these areas are being closed down at the same time.\"","( - Daily Kos official says that, with possible recall looming, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker closing DMV offices in poor areas&url=)","The DGA said voters in some Democratic areas of the state would find it more difficult to obtain a photo ID if a plan by Walker to close some state Division of Motor Vehicles offices was adopted.","So, we wondered if something had changed that would have led the Bowers to say Walker was closing DMV offices in low-income urban areas."]},{"id":"12832.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says DonaldTrump proposes tax cuts, too -- $3 trillion for millionaires like himself and $2 trillion for corporations like his.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that Donald Trump's tax plan includes significant tax cuts for millionaires and corporations. The figure of $3 trillion for millionaires and $2 trillion for corporations is supported by data from the Tax Policy Center, as analyzed by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because the statement does not provide additional context or counterarguments that may exist regarding the impact and effectiveness of these proposed tax cuts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Reilly said UW System's reserves are in the \"mid- to low-range\" of comparable university systems, as though that fact has been clearly established.","!The president of the University of Wisconsin System says the system's reserves aren't out of line with those of comparable state university systems. !The president of the University of Wisconsin System says the system's reserves aren't out of line with those of comparable state university systems.","Defending his institution to lawmakers April 23, 2013, four days after release of the state report that revealed the $648 million, Reilly asserted that the reserve is in the \"mid- to low-range\" of what comparable public university systems have.","The president of the University of Wisconsin System says the system's reserves aren't out of line with those of comparable state university systems."]},{"id":"6446.json","label":"false","statement":"Says library district would come at no direct cost to the city budget.","reason":"Reason: While the original statement claims that the library district would come at \"no direct cost\" to the city budget, this is not entirely accurate. Although the city would not have to pay for the library directly, the creation of a library district would result in a reduction of funds available to the city by $7 million. This reduction in funds does have an indirect cost to the city budget. Therefore, the statement is false as it fails to acknowledge the financial impact on the city's budget.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I won the South Carolina primary in 2004, and I was way behind in the polls at this stage in 2004,\" Edwards said.","John Edwards, lagging in the polls in South Carolina, said he expects to win its primary anyway based on past experience.","Given the two polls that showed Edwards leading South Carolina, we can't give him full marks and instead award him Mostly True.","But the poll numbers were a little different in South Carolina. A few polls showed Edwards trailing, but at least two state polls showed Edwards the leading named candidate after \"Don't Know\" or \"Undecided.\" On the other hand, today Edwards seems to be trailing Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in South Carolina in every published poll we were able to find."]},{"id":"9555.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mark Warner has supported Harry Reid down the line.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Mark Warner has supported Harry Reid \"down the line\" is difficult to verify without specific examples or evidence provided. While it is possible that Warner has supported Reid on certain issues or policies, the lack of specific information or context makes it challenging to determine the extent of their alignment. Without more concrete evidence, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the claim. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Gov. Ron DeSantis raised \"taxes on the middle class by more than $1.5 billion while giving away $624 million to big corporations.\"","$400 billion would fund child care and preschool. Families that earn less than $300,000 annually would pay no more than 7% of their income on child care for kids under age 6.","$200 billion would be used for child tax credits. Individuals with an income of up to $112,500 and couples with an income of up to $150,000 would be eligible.","Rector said that in constant dollars, the $167 billion would be more than twice as large as any prior increase in means-tested welfare spending. The next-largest one-year increase was $83 billion in 2010 in constant 2019 dollars. Rector said the 2010 increase was mainly due to a rise in enrollments in existing programs because of the Great Recession, noting that key Obamacare provisions didn\u2019t take effect until 2014."]},{"id":"11087.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Iran deal violates promises the president made to the American people. ...It is not an anytime, anywhere inspection process.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Marco Rubio that the Iran deal violates promises made by the president to the American people and that it is not an anytime, anywhere inspection process. However, it's important to note that the label \"half-true\" is appropriate because it represents a subjective interpretation of the promises made and the inspection process. While some may argue that the Iran deal did not fully meet the expectations set by the president, others may argue that it was a necessary compromise. The accuracy of the statement depends on one's perspective and interpretation of the promises made and the specifics of the inspection process.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The alternative in this budget alone, in fiscal year 2011, is to look at 1,500 layoffs of state employees or close to 200,000 children who would be bumped off Medicaid-related programs.\"","Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says an alternative to state employee health and pension changes is bumping 200,000 children out of Medicaid","( - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says an alternative to state employee health and pension changes is bumping 200,000 children out of Medicaid&url=)","In pitching his proposal for the higher pension and health care payments at a Feb. 11, 2011, news conference, Walker presented a stark picture of the options he has:"]},{"id":"3538.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under a House Republican appropriations bill, 6 million seniors are deprived of meals.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that the Republican appropriations bill mentioned in the statement (H.R. 1) would have reduced funding for aging services programs, resulting in a decrease in funding for meals for seniors, the claim that \"6 million seniors are deprived of meals\" is an exaggeration. Pelosi's office clarified that she misspoke and meant to say \"6 million meals for seniors\" instead of \"meals for 6 million seniors.\" The funding reduction would have impacted the number of meals provided, but it does not necessarily mean that 6 million seniors would have been completely deprived of meals. Therefore, while there would have been an impact on meal provision, the statement exaggerates the extent of the deprivation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7575.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The national debt is larger than our entire annual economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the national debt, when considering both debt held by the public and intragovernmental holdings, is larger than the entire annual economy. However, it's important to note that when discussing the impact on the economy, the debt held by the public is more relevant. If we consider only the debt held by the public, it is about 75 percent of GDP, which is not larger than the entire economy. Therefore, while the statement is technically accurate in terms of the overall debt, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand its implications on the economy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So that means Lindsey is right in saying that Georgia has one of the lowest state tax rates in the nation.","\"The following two statements are both true: We have one of the lowest taxes on gasoline for transportation purposes in the country,\" he said. \"And we have some of the highest taxes on gasoline in the Southeast.\"","Georgia has some of the highest gas taxes in the Southeast but one of the lowest taxes on gasoline for transportation in the nation.","Her larger point is supported by several charts that show Georgia has one of the lowest excise gas taxes in the nation. Her statement could have been more precise."]},{"id":"7196.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Last year, handguns killed 48 people in Japan, 8 in Great Britain, 34 in Switzerland, 52 in Canada, 58 in Israel, 21 in Sweden, 42 in West Germany and 10,728 in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. The numbers provided are outdated and do not reflect the most recent data. Additionally, the statement fails to consider the population size and other relevant factors when comparing the number of handgun-related deaths across different countries. However, it is true that the risk of being murdered by a gun is higher in the United States compared to the listed countries. To provide a more accurate and comprehensive assessment, it is necessary to consider updated data and additional contextual factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Here, in Virginia, we are going to end the war on American energy and on our miners. Hillary Clinton says she wants to put the miners out of work,\" Trump said. \"Clinton and (vice presidential candidate Tim) Kaine also want to shut down shale, and shut down natural gas. What they've done is incredible.\"","\"Hillary Clinton says she wants to put the miners out of work,\" he said. \"Clinton and Kaine also want to shut down shale, and shut down natural gas. The Clinton regulatory agenda will drive up electricity prices for Virginia families and will cost the U.S. economy over $5 trillion.\"","But a review of Clinton's statements also make clear that she supports natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal and oil. Her restrictions would not shut down fracking or natural gas production.","Trump\u2019s claim about Clinton wanting to shut down natural gas production is not accurate, but what about his claim on the cost of her energy agenda?"]},{"id":"6829.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama put in place a board that can tell people ultimately what treatments theyre going to receive.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) was established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), its purpose is not to directly tell individuals what treatments they can receive. The IPAB's role is to make recommendations to Congress on ways to reduce Medicare spending while maintaining quality of care. These recommendations can include changes to payment policies, but they do not have the authority to dictate specific treatments for individuals. The final decision-making power lies with Congress, not the IPAB. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the role and limitations of the IPAB.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7394.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says she heard more than 2,400 cases as a Wisconsin appeals court judge","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in Roggensack's TV ad that she \"heard\" over 2,400 cases as a Wisconsin appeals court judge over a seven-year span. While it's important to note that the count includes both minor and major cases, as well as cases where the judge's decision is written up by staff attorneys, all of these cases were reviewed and decided by Judge Roggensack. The statement does not specify that all the cases involved judge-authored opinions, so it remains mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8725.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In altered photo, says Barack Obama wants more of Texans private data via health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that Barack Obama wants more of Texans' private data via health care. However, it does establish that President Obama visited Dallas in 2013 to address concerns about his healthcare law and emphasize the need for more health coverage in Texas, a state with a high percentage of uninsured residents. The claim about Obama wanting more private data is not substantiated by the evidence provided, making the statement partially accurate but lacking sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12880.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama-Clinton war on coal has cost Michigan over 50,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Obama-Clinton \"war on coal\" has cost Michigan over 50,000 jobs is false. While it is true that there have been changes in the coal industry and the closure of some coal-fired plants, attributing the job losses solely to the Obama-Clinton administration is misleading. The decline in coal jobs can be attributed to a variety of factors, including market forces, technological advancements, and shifts in energy production. Additionally, it is important to note that the transition away from coal has been supported by both Republican and Democratic leaders in Michigan, including Governor Rick Snyder. Therefore, the claim that the Obama-Clinton administration is solely responsible for the job losses is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"837.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"For my energy plan, my economic plan, and the other proposals you'll hear tonight, I've offered spending cuts above and beyond their cost.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the speaker has proposed spending cuts that exceed the cost of their energy plan, economic plan, and other proposals. However, without specific evidence or details about the proposed spending cuts and their respective costs, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. To accurately assess the truthfulness of the statement, more information is needed regarding the specific spending cuts and their corresponding costs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Barack Obama voted for the \"very same language\" of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act when he was in the Illinois state Senate. Sexual orientation \"doesn't have anything to do with this law.\"","Pence played defense Sunday, saying, that sexual orientation \"doesn\u2019t have anything to do with\" the Religious Freedom Restoration Act,\" adding that \"then state-Sen Barack Obama voted for (the Religious Freedom Restoration Act) when he was in the state Senate of Illinois. The very same language.\" A spokeswoman for Pence did not respond.","\"Then state-Sen. Barack Obama voted for (the Religious Freedom Restoration Act) when he was in the state senate of Illinois,\" Pence said. \"The very same language.\"","The bottom line: As an Illinois state senator, Obama did vote for a version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. It passed the Illinois Senate 56-0 and became law on July 1, 1998."]},{"id":"10125.json","label":"false","statement":"Six convictions are connected to an allegation by prosecutors that Gov. Scott Walker is at the center of a criminal scheme.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was a secret criminal investigation involving allegations of illegal coordination of fundraising among conservative groups to benefit Governor Scott Walker's campaign, there is no evidence to support the claim that six convictions are directly connected to an allegation that Walker himself was at the center of a criminal scheme. It is important to accurately represent the facts and not make unsupported claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8987.json","label":"true","statement":"Says by 4th grade, 86 percent of African-American boys and 82 percent (of) Hispanic boys are reading below proficiency levels.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which indicates that a significant percentage of African-American and Hispanic boys are reading below proficiency levels by the fourth grade. While the exact percentages may vary slightly, the evidence supports the claim that a substantial majority of African-American boys (86 percent) and Hispanic boys (82 percent) are reading below proficiency levels at that stage.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So when Biden specifically said that \"the money the federal government spends on health care, 46 cents on every dollar spent is through Medicare and Medicaid,\" he overstated the federal percentage for the two programs. It's actually 30 cents of every dollar, rather than 46 cents.","We looked at the Congressional Budget Office's June 2009, report, \"The Long-Term Budget Outlook.\" The report says that in 2007, 54 percent of the $2.1 trillion spent on health care in the United States was financed privately. That leaves 46 percent (or, as Biden put it, 46 cents on the dollar) financed by public sources.","So what accounts for the 16 percentage-point difference? The answer is federal money spent on health care programs other than Medicare and Medicaid (including veterans' health care, military health care and the State Children's Health Insurance Program) and funds spent on health care by state and local governments.","\"I think the president made the right judgment in deciding that in order to bend the cost curve and prevent people from being victimized by health insurance costs that we had to move and we had to move aggressively,\" Biden said. \"And the president is still committed to making sure that we do three things: One, make sure that those whose premiums are now continuing to skyrocket in fact are brought under control; making sure that the money the federal government spends on health care, 46 cents on every dollar spent is through Medicare and Medicaid, that we bend that cost curve to gain control of the future, of our future fiscal situation; and making sure the insurance companies can't engage in the kind of practices they do with pre-existing conditions and limits on coverage, etc.\""]},{"id":"12804.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Florida retirees and families lost tens of thousands of dollars in deposits on failed Trump condo projects, but he pocketed their money and walked away.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Kaine's claim that Florida retirees and families lost money in deposits on failed Trump condo projects. However, the claim that Trump \"pocketed their money and walked away\" is not fully supported by the evidence provided. While it is true that the condo projects were not completed, it does not necessarily mean that Trump personally pocketed the money without consequence. The statement lacks specific details about the circumstances surrounding the failed projects and any legal or financial resolutions that may have taken place. Therefore, the statement is considered half-true as it accurately portrays the loss of deposits but lacks complete information on what happened to the money and any potential consequences for Trump.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["GOP recall challenger Kim Simac says State Sen. Jim Holperin \u201cvoted against a property tax freeze\u201d in 2009 and then voted for a \u201c$1.5 billion property tax hike\u201d","( - GOP recall challenger Kim Simac says State Sen. Jim Holperin \u201cvoted against a property tax freeze\u201d in 2009 and then voted for a \u201c$1.5 billion property tax hike\u201d&url=)","\"In 2009, (Holperin) voted against a property tax freeze. That same year he also voted for a $1.5 billion property tax hike,\" Simac said in a July letter on her website. \"The consequences of Jim Holperin\u2019s reckless votes have been devastating to our economy and our seniors.\"","We think it\u2019s somewhat misleading, but not totally out of bounds, to say Holperin \"voted\" for a property tax increase. After all, state actions have a big factor in local tax levies and lawmakers know the estimated impact on local levies when they approve a budget. And Holperin voted for the 2009-11 budget, the one in question."]},{"id":"7397.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Employers and schools have no right to conduct surveillance of a dorm room or a workers cubicle.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is generally true that employers and schools have limited rights to conduct surveillance in private spaces like dorm rooms or workers' cubicles, there are certain circumstances where they may have legal grounds to do so. For example, employers may have the right to monitor employees' activities in the workplace for security or productivity reasons, depending on applicable laws and employment contracts. Similarly, schools may have the authority to monitor dorm rooms in certain situations, such as for safety or disciplinary purposes. However, it's important to note that there are legal limitations and privacy protections in place, and surveillance cannot be conducted indiscriminately or without valid justification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6248.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Foreign Chinese prostitution money is allegedly behind the groups funding Congressman Jim Renaccis Republican majority.","reason":"Reason: The claim that \"foreign Chinese prostitution money is allegedly behind the groups funding Congressman Jim Renacci's Republican majority\" is a baseless and inflammatory accusation. There is no credible evidence or substantiation provided to support this claim. It appears to be a sensationalized and false statement aimed at smearing Congressman Renacci's reputation. Without any credible evidence, this claim can be categorized as a baseless and unfounded allegation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5811.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says my advocacy questioning contracting out in Parks delayed and altered the renewal of the Brooks contract, and reduced the number of contracted employees in Parks from over 100 to fewer than 40.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate in that the commissioner's advocacy did lead to a reduction in the number of contracted employees in Parks from over 100 to fewer than 40. However, the claim that her advocacy directly delayed and altered the renewal of the Brooks contract is not substantiated by the evidence provided. While the commissioner's questioning may have played a role in the changes, it is not clear if the reduction in contracted employees would not have occurred without her advocacy. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of direct causation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I\u2019m proud to once again join Senator Whitehouse to introduce the Paying a Fair Share Act, also known as the \u2018Buffett rule.\u2019 It is simply unfair to ask middle-class Americans to pay a higher tax rate than millionaires and billionaires.\"","But Hungerford said the thrust of his report remains accurate: A \"substantial number\" of middle-class Americans pay higher tax rates than some millionaires.","Hang with us here. The numbers can get kind of heavy. But it\u2019s clear some -- though far from all -- middle-class Americans are paying higher tax rates.","Middle-class families shouldn\u2019t pay higher taxes than millionaires and billionaires. That\u2019s pretty straightforward. It\u2019s hard to argue against that. Warren Buffett\u2019s secretary shouldn\u2019t pay a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett. There is no justification for it. It is wrong that in the United States of America, a teacher or a nurse or a construction worker who earns $50,000 should pay higher tax rates than somebody pulling in $50 million. Anybody who says we can\u2019t change the tax code to correct that, anyone who has signed some pledge to protect every single tax loophole so long as they live, they should be called out. They should have to defend that unfairness -- explain why somebody who's making $50 million a year in the financial markets should be paying 15 percent on their taxes, when a teacher making $50,000 a year is paying a higher rate."]},{"id":"11950.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The people that perpetrated that travesty in San Bernardino had never been to the Middle East.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The individuals responsible for the San Bernardino shooting had indeed spent significant time in the Middle East. The wife had lived her entire life in the Middle East until 2014, and the husband had traveled to Saudi Arabia on multiple occasions to meet with her. This information contradicts the claim that they had never been to the Middle East.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!Many people are fighting Florida Gov. Rick Scott to keep high-speed rail on track. !Many people are fighting Florida Gov. Rick Scott to keep high-speed rail on track.","Central Florida Partnership, Facts and Figures Regarding High Speed Rail in Florida( \"\"FACTS & FIGURES\" Regarding High Speed Rail in Florida\"), accessed on March 1, 2011","Cached version of Florida High Speed Rail Association timeline( \"Cached version of Florida High Speed Rail Association timeline\"), accessed March 2, 2011","Florida Department of Transportation, Application for federal funding for Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail line( \"Application for federal funding for Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail line\"), Oct. 2, 2009"]},{"id":"5939.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he posted a win in the Republican Party of Wisconsin endorsement contest in the U.S. Senate primary.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the individual claimed a win in the Republican Party of Wisconsin endorsement contest during the U.S. Senate primary. The evidence provided includes references to the candidate's strong showing at the state GOP convention and a news release from the state Republican Party highlighting their success. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific details or independent verification of the endorsement contest results. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the available evidence, it would benefit from additional information for a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"To get there, many analysts who look at the pledged delegates just say, it's mathematically impossible,\" Dickerson said on May 1, 2016. \"Are they wrong?\"","Sanders said it is not impossible for him to surge past Clinton. The experts we reached agreed. Mathematically, it is not impossible.","The Sanders campaign sent us their count of pledged delegates. By their reckoning, he needs 64.17 percent of the remaining delegates available. This is pledged delegates, not the super delegates who are free to throw their support behind whomever they want. (The count can vary, but right now, Clinton has about 510 super delegates to Sanders\u2019 40, according to NBC News.)","Outside the realm of theory, however, his performance in past contests shows it is far more likely that he won\u2019t hit the winning percentage he needs. The proportional allocation rule works against Sanders, leaving him no room to fall short."]},{"id":"10455.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wisconsin requires, by law, a photo ID to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Wisconsin does have a law that requires a photo ID to vote. However, it's important to note that this requirement has been a subject of controversy and legal challenges. The implementation of the law has faced criticism for potentially disenfranchising certain groups of voters who may face difficulties in obtaining the necessary identification. Courts have also intervened, temporarily blocking the law's enforcement. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the existence of the law, it doesn't capture the full context and ongoing debates surrounding its implementation and impact.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The hotel-quarantine setup in San Diego was covered in the New York Times\u2019 report, and also by KSWB-TV, a Fox affiliate in San Diego, and the San Diego Union-Tribune.","Los Angeles Times, \"Title 42 explained: The obscure public health policy at the center of a U.S. border fight,\" Oct. 25, 2021","As part of a story about an influx of migrants at the U.S. border with Mexico, the New York Times reported that some migrants arriving in San Diego were quarantining in a hotel in order to comply with California\u2019s 10-day quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers.","\"It\u2019s no surprise that kids can be seen traveling through states, not just New York. It\u2019s something that we\u2019re also working to unite children with their family members or vetted sponsors in other parts of the country as well.\""]},{"id":"8610.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Black people kill more black people every six months than the KKK did in 86 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. It is accurate that there is a higher number of black-on-black homicides compared to the number of lynchings carried out by the KKK from 1882-1968. However, it is crucial to note that this comparison only focuses on a specific aspect of violence and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical impact and significance of the KKK's actions. The statement oversimplifies a complex issue and fails to consider the broader historical context of racial violence in the United States.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2505.json","label":"half-true","statement":"U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson has never proposed, nor voted in favor of, a substantial cut in federal spending and has voted for many substantial increases in federal spending.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Senator Johnny Isakson has never proposed or voted for a substantial cut in federal spending. However, the evidence does not explicitly address the second part of the statement, which states that Isakson has voted for many substantial increases in federal spending. Without further evidence or clarification, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the second part of the statement. Therefore, the statement can be considered half-true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Bill O'Brien's Tea Party legislature tried to repeal kindergarten and compulsory education, defund Planned Parenthood and eliminate insurance coverage for birth control.\"","They tried to \"defund Planned Parenthood and eliminate insurance coverage for birth control. \u2026 On November 6, we must vote this radical Tea Party majority out of office.\"","\"Bill O'Brien's Tea Party legislature tried to repeal kindergarten and compulsory education,\" the assistant tells the unnamed voter in the ad, \"College vs. Smokes.\"","The state Democratic Party included many claims in this 110-second ad, and one of them is on track. Of the four included in this statement, the ad is spot on about O\u2019Brien and the Republican Majority\u2019s push to defund Planned Parenthood. But, the ad is off the mark in other areas. The proposal to repeal the kindergarten mandate got little support from either party and was ushered to a quick death; the push to do away with compulsory education was removed from the associated bill before it reached the House floor; and, finally, with the birth control bill, House Republicans sought to allow some employers to decline to include birth control in their insurance coverage, not to eliminate coverage entirely."]},{"id":"7826.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"An 11-year-old girl was investigated by the FBI and had to pay a $500 federal criminal fine because she found an injured woodpecker and put it in a cage to make sure that the bird was OK.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that an 11-year-old girl found an injured woodpecker and put it in a cage, the statement exaggerates the involvement of the FBI and the severity of the consequences. The incident did involve an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, not the FBI, and resulted in a warning letter and a request to release the bird. There is no evidence to support the claim that the girl had to pay a $500 federal criminal fine. Therefore, the statement contains some elements of truth but is exaggerated and misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Prop. 205 is a 20-page special interest goldmine that elevates the rights of users over the public,\" the ad\u2019s narration claims. \"(It) blocks market entry for new dispensaries.\"","\"While the existing medical marijuana dispensaries would have a distinct advantage to becoming a retail store, it\u2019s not a total blocked entry. The Prop. 205 cap is 147 dispensaries,\" Humble said.","A Sept. 15 attack ad from an anti-marijuana group, Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, portrays the potential passage of Proposition 205, which would legalize recreational marijuana, as a monopoly for existing medical marijuana dispensaries.","While the ballot language does give an upper hand to existing medical marijuana dispensaries, it does not completely block a new dispensary from entering a legal recreational marijuana market."]},{"id":"7065.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson says hell do away with Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there is evidence that Tommy Thompson, a U.S. Senate candidate, was involved in the creation of Medicare Part D and has been associated with the insurance industry, there is no direct evidence or statement from Thompson himself indicating that he intends to \"do away with Medicare.\" It is important to note that the statement is based on an inference or interpretation rather than a direct quote or explicit policy position from Thompson. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim that Thompson intends to eliminate Medicare.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["NRSC spokesperson T.W. Arrighi issued a statement on Kelly\u2019s vote, saying: \"Senator Kelly voted with Republicans a few weeks ago against a provision to allow stimulus checks for illegal immigrants. Today, he flip-flopped and stood with Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats to send Americans\u2019 taxpayer dollars to illegal immigrants.\"","Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker took exception when U.S. Rep. Ted Budd tweeted on July 16 that he supports North Carolina\u2019s agriculture industry. Walker tweeted:","Walker said that he voted for the farm bill, which \"added work requirements for able-bodied adults\" and that Budd voted no.","In a May 18 vote on an early version of the farm bill, officially known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Budd voted no and Walker voted yes."]},{"id":"2696.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Congress Tom Barrett voted to allow abortions through the ninth month, just moments before the baby is born.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tom Barrett took positions that could be seen as blocking a narrowing of abortions, the statement that he voted to \"allow abortions through the ninth month, just moments before the baby is born\" is misleading. Partial-birth abortions, which are typically associated with the later stages of pregnancy, were mostly limited to the second trimester and earlier. Late-term abortions, including those in the ninth month, are uncommon according to government statistics. Therefore, while Barrett's positions may have had an impact on the availability of certain abortions, the statement exaggerates the extent to which he supported abortions in the ninth month, just moments before birth.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Democratic Party, seeking to back its claim, sent us a list of education programs that the House budget would reduce in funding from Northam\u2019s recommended levels. The list underscores serious policy differences between the House and Senate. But the House did not cut any of the cited programs from their current budget levels. For example:","Plan proposed by Rick Scott says all federal legislation would sunset after five years \u2013 and both programs were created by federal legislation.","That means hackles are raised anytime there are any plans, proposals, or allegations that changes are sought for the federal programs. Here in Wisconsin, the issue has come to the fore again, this time in the U.S. Senate race.","The Utah Republican, endorsed for re-election by former President Donald Trump, was targeted by his main challenger, independent candidate and former Republican Evan McMullin."]},{"id":"10291.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When (Barack Obama) took office, 2.3 million people were out of work. Five-plus years later, we have 5 million-plus out of work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The actual data shows that when President Obama took office, there were approximately 12.1 million unemployed Americans, not 2.3 million as claimed in the meme. Furthermore, as of November 2014, the number of unemployed Americans had decreased to around 9.1 million, not increased to 5 million-plus as stated in the meme. The meme misrepresents the actual trend in unemployment during President Obama's tenure, as the number of unemployed Americans declined by approximately 3 million, or one-fourth, since he took office.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A balanced budget amendment with no stipulation to balance the budget? Scott has made this claim repeatedly, so we decided to check it out.","Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, \"Statement of Robert Greenstein on the \u2018cut, cap and balance act\u2019 that house will consider on July 19,\" July 16, 2011.","The number of children in that group, plus the very low security group, is about 8.5 million, or about 11.7 percent of all children.","8. In the last 12 months did any of the children ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn\u2019t enough money for food?"]},{"id":"7126.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says in January 1992, George H. W. Bush probably had a 90 percent or even higher approval rating after the first Gulf War.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that George H. W. Bush had a high approval rating after the first Gulf War, the statement exaggerates the extent of his approval rating in January 1992. While his approval rating did reach around 90 percent soon after the Gulf War ended in February 1991, by January 1992, his approval rating had dropped to less than 50 percent. Therefore, the claim that Bush \"probably had a 90 percent or even higher approval rating\" in January 1992 is not accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The aggregate polling shows a plurality of Americans continue to oppose the law, and at no point since it passed have more people favored it than opposed.","\u2022 Even at nearly 40 percent, it's still a minority view among those who oppose the bill. The February Ipsos poll found that 54 percent -- a clear majority -- of those opposed to the health care bill said the bill went too far. (Another 10 percent said they opposed the bill but couldn't explain why.)","There are perhaps signs that strong opposition to the law is falling. More than 50 percent opposed the measure in 2010; 46 percent are against it today, according to \u2019s aggregate polling metrics. The recent number is also significantly lower than fall of 2013 when \u2019s failures plagued the law\u2019s popularity.","A national poll found that among people who oppose the Democratic health care reform bill, \"almost 40 percent\" opposed it not because it goes too far, but because \"they don\u2019t think it goes far enough. ... They will not be unhappy when we pass health care reform.\""]},{"id":"12812.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When LBJ started#WarOnPoverty, 14% of Americans lived in poverty. 50 yrs later, 14% still do. Theres a #BetterWay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it inaccurately suggests that there has been no progress in reducing poverty since the start of the War on Poverty. While it is true that the poverty rate was around 14 percent at the time of the War on Poverty's inception, it is not accurate to claim that the poverty rate remained unchanged at 14 percent 50 years later. In fact, the poverty rate has fluctuated over the years and has seen both increases and decreases. While progress has been made in reducing poverty, the statement fails to acknowledge the complexities and fluctuations in poverty rates over the past five decades.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A super PAC supporting Cruz said in a radio ad, \"When Chuck Schumer and Marco Rubio tried to push amnesty, it was Ted Cruz who stopped them.\"","\"We all loved how Marco Rubio took apart Jeb Bush in the debate. Wasn\u2019t it great? But what\u2019s Rubio ever done? Anything? Other than his Gang of Eight Amnesty bill, can anyone think of anything Marco Rubio\u2019s ever done? Anything at all besides amnesty?\" says the narrator who then switches to praise Cruz. \"When Chuck Schumer and Marco Rubio tried to push amnesty, it was Ted Cruz who stopped them.\"","\"I led the fight against Obama\u2019s amnesty, against the Gang of Eight bill, which was championed by Barack Obama, by Chuck Schumer, and Marco Rubio,\" Cruz said, referring to the New York Democratic Senator who was part of the Gang of Eight along with Rubio. \"And I led the fight, standing side by side with (Alabama Sen.) Jeff Sessions, and we defeated it in Congress. Amnesty did not pass.\"","\"Sessions and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) were the most active senators, while Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) played supporting roles,\" the article stated."]},{"id":"5160.json","label":"half-true","statement":"[Mitt] Romney and [Brendan] Doherty certainly have a lot in common, like flip-flopping on abortion -- in Dohertys case, in a little over a week.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Stephanie DeSilva, the executive director of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, that both Mitt Romney and Brendan Doherty have flip-flopped on the issue of abortion. However, the statement lacks some context. While it suggests that Doherty changed his position on abortion in a little over a week, it does not provide specific details or evidence to support this claim. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the extent or timing of Doherty's alleged flip-flopping on the issue. Therefore, the statement is partially true but would benefit from additional evidence and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10918.json","label":"true","statement":"Our reserves are now in much better shape than they were just a few years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The evidence provided does not directly address the claim about the reserves, but it is reasonable to infer that the statement refers to the improvement in the condition of the reserves mentioned in the first piece of evidence. According to President Trump, the Strategic National Reserves were mostly empty for many decades, but during his administration, he built up the reserves to be 100% full. Therefore, it can be concluded that the reserves are now in much better shape than they were a few years ago.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6273.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says no city comparable in size to Austin or smaller was broken into as many congressional districts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, Austin is indeed divided into multiple congressional districts, with residents spread among six districts. Among cities of comparable size or smaller, only Fort Worth comes close, with five House districts. While it is possible that there may be smaller cities with a similar or greater number of congressional districts, the evidence suggests that Austin's division into multiple districts is relatively unique among cities of its size or smaller.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In Virginia, we are one of the three states that are the principal source for trafficking of guns. Florida and Georgia are the other two,\" Moran said during a floor discussion of the issues.","U.S. Rep. Jim Moran said that the states of Virginia, Florida and Georgia are the principal source for gun trafficking, and urged his congressional colleagues to pass some of the proposed gun control measures.","According to the report, for the years 2007 through 2009, the states of Florida and Virginia ranked second or third among all states as the source for recovered firearms used in crimes in other states. Georgia ranked first each of those years, as well as in 2006, when Texas held the third position, beating out Florida. During those four years, nine of the top 10 source states for the trafficked guns -- Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and California -- remained the same. In 2009, the top 10 states supplied 49 percent of the crime guns that crossed state lines.","The three states of Virginia, Florida and Georgia, mentioned by Moran, have similarities that influence their gun trafficking rankings, said Daniel Webster, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research."]},{"id":"8906.json","label":"false","statement":"Responding to a major snow event in Atlanta would be like Kansas City, Mo., responding to a major earthquake.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Kansas City, Missouri, does not frequently experience major earthquakes, it is not accurate to claim that responding to a major snow event in Atlanta would be equivalent to Kansas City responding to a major earthquake. The comparison between the two events is not valid, as they involve different types of natural disasters with distinct challenges and response requirements. It is important to evaluate the severity and impact of each event independently rather than making an inaccurate comparison.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Yesterday Hillary Clinton shows up in Broward County \u2014 slips into a private meeting with the woman who runs the board of elections,\" said Stone, who lives in Fort Lauderdale.","Again, the Clinton campaign said no meeting took place -- and Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher also said she didn\u2019t meet with Clinton.","Days later, Stone admitted he was wrong but then claimed that Clinton met with elections officials in Palm Beach County. He lacks evidence for that claim, too -- and both the elections supervisor and the Clinton campaign deny it.","\"I was incorrect about that,\" he said on the radio show. \"In fact, I was off by a county. The Clinton entourage pulled up behind the West Palm Beach office of the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. Hillary Clinton was physically seen by at least three witnesses meeting with officials from the building. These observers were shooed away. ... Palm Beach is of course ground zero of the Democrats\u2019 vote stealing operation.\""]},{"id":"13032.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Russian President Vladimir Putin calls me brilliant.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Russian President Vladimir Putin has referred to Donald Trump as \"brilliant\" and \"talented,\" it is important to note that these compliments were made in a political context and may not necessarily reflect a genuine assessment of Trump's abilities. The statement implies a more personal and ongoing endorsement from Putin, which is not entirely accurate. It is crucial to consider the broader context and the potential motivations behind Putin's statements. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10723.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A $5-a-night hotel\/motel tax thats part of the transportation bill will hurt Georgias convention business by adding extra costs for large groups coming to the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The implementation of a $5-a-night hotel\/motel tax as part of the transportation bill in Georgia could potentially impact the convention business in the state by adding extra costs for large groups. While the exact financial impact may vary depending on the size and duration of the conventions, it is reasonable to expect that the additional tax could result in increased expenses for convention attendees and organizers. However, it's important to note that the extent of the impact on the convention business may vary and could be influenced by other factors as well.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["County officials say they've noticed another benefit of the federal program -- the effort is keeping people employed and helping others get hired. Clayton's NSP manager, Mickie Williams, told county commissioners at a Sept. 7 meeting that about 1,300 people have been employed through the program over the past seven months. That sounds like good news when you consider that the most recent unemployment rate is 10.2 percent in Clayton and the nine other counties that are part of the Atlanta Regional Commission.","Emrath and others noted, job creation and retention was not the main purpose of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. No one interviewed doubted 1,300 people have been hired to do work by Clayton County. But, as Emrath and others said, it would be easier to examine the numbers if Clayton had a breakdown of how much work each person hired performed for the county.","The south metro Atlanta county received a $9.7 million grant through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program to buy foreclosed homes, fix them up and resell them to new buyers.","John Adams, a longtime real estate investor who writes a weekly column for the AJC's Homefinder section, called Clayton County's methodology to come up with the number of people employed through the program \"loose.\""]},{"id":"5731.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In April 1997, there was a gas out conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that a nationwide \"gas out\" protest in April 1997 led to a sudden drop of 30 cents per gallon in gasoline prices overnight. Multiple sources have repeated this story, but it lacks any verifiable evidence or reliable documentation. Gasoline prices are influenced by various factors, including global oil markets, supply and demand dynamics, and geopolitical events, making it highly unlikely for a single protest to have such a significant and immediate impact on prices.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7779.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Georgia Lottery paid out $2.3 billion in prizes during the last fiscal year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Georgia Lottery Corporation did pay out $2.3 billion in prizes during the last fiscal year. However, it's important to note that this figure includes prizes paid to Georgia winners of multistate games such as Mega Millions and Powerball. These additional amounts are included in the total prize payout. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the overall amount paid out in prizes, it does not provide the complete breakdown of how much was specifically from Georgia-only games.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7965.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says student loan interest rates will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent July 1.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by U.S. Rep. Gene Green and the report from the Democratic staff of the Joint Economic Committee. If Congress does not take action, the interest rate on subsidized federal Stafford loans is indeed set to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1st. However, it's important to note that this statement specifically refers to subsidized federal Stafford loans and does not encompass all types of student loans. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10284.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Weve had the lowest health care inflation in history because of Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that health care inflation has been relatively low in recent years, attributing it solely to Obamacare is an oversimplification. The statement fails to acknowledge other factors that may have contributed to the slowdown in health care inflation, such as broader economic trends, changes in insurance practices, and advancements in medical technology. Additionally, the evidence provided does not conclusively prove that Obamacare is the sole cause of the low health care inflation. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary nuance to support a claim of causation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3976.json","label":"false","statement":"After not having any foreign trade offices overseas for the past decade, New Jersey opened offices in Shanghai and London in the past six months, and has seen an 18 percent increase in exports.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that New Jersey recently opened foreign trade offices in Shanghai and London, the statement incorrectly claims that the state had not opened any foreign trade offices overseas for the past decade. In fact, New Jersey had multiple foreign trade offices during that time. Additionally, the statement implies a direct causal relationship between opening the new offices and the 18 percent increase in exports, which is not supported by evidence. The increase in exports could be influenced by various factors, and it cannot be solely attributed to the opening of these two offices.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The four years before I became governor, the state had lost 825,000 jobs. Unemployment had gone from 3.5 percent to 11.1 percent. We incurred another $5.2 billion, I think, worth of debt,\" Scott said at a Dec. 11, 2012, news conference.","There\u2019s no denying Florida\u2019s employment situation went from robust to bleak under Crist. In December 2006, the state\u2019s unemployment rate was 3.5 percent. (Remember those days?!) In December 2010, the rate was 11.1 percent.","The state's unemployment rate has inched down in the months since Scott took office. The most recent rate was 8.5 percent in October 2012.","Florida\u2019s unemployment rate declined considerably in 2013, which resulted in a relative improvement in the percent of the labor force that are long-term unemployed, Seyfried said."]},{"id":"6371.json","label":"half-true","statement":"President Obama has added $4 billion in debt every day.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the federal government has been adding to the public debt during President Obama's tenure, the statement that he has added $4 billion in debt every day is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that the average amount added to the public debt since Obama took office is about $3.7 billion per day, not $4 billion. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the daily debt accumulation. It is important to ensure accuracy when discussing the national debt and its growth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Massachusetts health care plan \"dealt with 8 percent of our population,\" far less than the \"100 percent of American people\" affected by President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law.","Romney\u2019s comment offers a lot of facts to consider, but we\u2019re focusing here on a specific comparison Romney made -- that the Massachusetts health care plan \"dealt with 8 percent of our population,\" which was far less than the \"100 percent of American people\" affected by the health care law enacted with support from Obama.","When Romney said that his bill \"dealt with 8 percent of our population, the people who aren't insured,\" he was using as his yardstick the percentage of people in Massachusetts without health insurance.","Meanwhile, Romney said that Obama\u2019s law \"dealt with 100 percent of American people.\" That\u2019s not exactly correct -- the law allows a few categories of people to opt out of the individual mandate, primarily those for whom it would be a financial hardship. But it\u2019s not too far off."]},{"id":"5055.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Eighty percent of all U.S. communities depend solely on trucks to deliver and supply the products sold in stores or ordered online.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Jim Jordan that 80 percent of all U.S. communities rely exclusively on trucks for product delivery to stores and online orders. This claim is supported by a credible source, Rand McNally, and the data cited aligns with the statement. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not specify the timeframe or provide a comprehensive breakdown of the communities. While the statement is generally true, additional context and data would be needed to fully evaluate the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13333.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"With her solution, terrorists can still today and by the way ISIS knows it, they have been advertising it buy guns online and at gun shows in the United States of America.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made that terrorists can still purchase guns online and at gun shows in the United States, and that ISIS has been aware of this and has advertised it. The evidence provided supports this claim, citing instances where both al-Qaeda and ISIS have encouraged terrorists to exploit the ease of obtaining firearms in the United States. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some nuance. While it is true that there are loopholes in the current gun laws that allow for potential access to firearms by individuals with malicious intent, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the broader context and efforts to address this issue. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11905.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Quotes Mark Cuban as saying,I worry that millions of millennials are voting Democrat this year because they fact-check everything.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes a quote to Mark Cuban suggesting that he said, \"I worry that millions of millennials are voting Democrat this year because they fact-check everything.\" However, there is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support this quote. It appears to be a fabricated or misattributed statement. Mark Cuban, a self-described libertarian, has not made such a comment. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4580.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A Cornell University research study concludes that ethanol generates a 29 percent energy loss, meaning it takes more than a gallon of gasoline to produce a gallon of ethanol.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Cornell University research study. The study concluded that to produce a liter of corn ethanol, it requires 29 percent more fossil energy than is produced as ethanol. The study takes into account various energy inputs involved in the production of ethanol, including the energy required for growing corn, production of pesticides and fertilizers, and other factors. While the statement uses the term \"gasoline\" instead of \"fossil energy,\" the overall claim aligns with the study's findings. However, it's important to note that the comparison is made in terms of energy content, not volume, so the statement's mention of \"more than a gallon of gasoline\" may be misleading. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8125.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Half of all adults have a pre-existing condition that could affecttheir health care coverage.","reason":"Reason: While there is some variation in estimates, the statement that half of all adults have a pre-existing condition that could affect their health care coverage is generally supported by evidence. While a government analysis suggests a mid-range estimate of 32 percent, other studies indicate a higher percentage, with Schakowsky's figure falling at the high end. Furthermore, the Affordable Care Act includes provisions to protect individuals with pre-existing conditions, ensuring that they cannot be denied coverage by insurers. Therefore, while the exact percentage may vary, the statement captures the significant impact of pre-existing conditions on health care coverage for a substantial portion of the adult population.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12313.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Research even shows that sending more girls to school can boost an entire countrys GDP.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Research has indeed shown that increasing girls' access to education can have a positive impact on a country's GDP. When girls receive education, they are more likely to enter the workforce, contribute to economic growth, and participate in decision-making processes. Numerous studies have demonstrated the correlation between female education and economic development, highlighting the long-term benefits of investing in girls' education.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It took about seven months to hammer out those agreements. They were bundled into one bill. With solid Republican support, and the help of about half of congressional Democrats, Clinton signed the bill in December 1993.","Republican President George H.W. Bush negotiated NAFTA and signed the treaty on Dec. 17, 1992, about a month before he left office. It was left to President Bill Clinton to get enabling legislation through Congress. During the 1992 campaign, Clinton supported NAFTA, but he called for side agreements to beef up environmental and labor protections.","When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%.","In the debate Trump singled out the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, and former President Bill Clinton for special scorn."]},{"id":"1885.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The 2000 Census cost $4.5 billion. The 2010 Census is set to cost up to $14.5 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The cost of the 2000 Census, adjusted for inflation, was approximately $8.2 billion. However, the cost of the 2010 Census, including the accumulation of 10 years of census work, was estimated to be $14.8 billion. While the statement accurately reflects the cost of the 2010 Census, it inaccurately states the cost of the 2000 Census. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think we do need to take Social Security off the table because Social Security has not contributed to the debt and the deficits,\" Shaheen said Tuesday, Nov. 27 in an interview on MSNBC\u2019s Jansing and Co.","Merkley told a gathering of seniors that \"Social Security has never contributed one cent to the deficit.\" Until 2010, that was true. However, the program has chalked up increasingly large deficits each year since, requiring money to be taken from its bonds to make up the difference.","Pocan is not the first to claim that Social Security does not contribute to the federal government\u2019s budget deficit. Nor even the most recent. Two days after Pocan made his statement, Baldwin said on C-SPAN: \"Social Security has not contributed one penny to our current deficit or debt.\" But unlike Pocan, she noted the government has used \"other taxpayer funds\" when payroll taxes weren\u2019t enough to pay Social Security benefits.","While there\u2019s a case for both interpretations, we see clear evidence that Social Security does affect the nation\u2019s debt and deficit."]},{"id":"9866.json","label":"false","statement":"The United States has the most number of deductions available to corporations for the corporate income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the United States has various deductions available to corporations, it is incorrect to claim that the U.S. has the highest number of deductions compared to other countries. Making a direct comparison of the number of deductions between countries is challenging, as tax systems differ in complexity and structure. Additionally, the effectiveness and impact of deductions can vary significantly. Therefore, it is misleading to assert that the United States has the most deductions available to corporations for the corporate income tax.\nLabel: false","evidence":["VoteVets explained that the ad is advocating for the American Power Act, and that it is that bill that \"would cut our dependence on oil in half.\" That's the claim we are checking here.","\"Thing is, a clean American energy plan would cut our dependence on oil in half. It's more power for America, made here in America. Putting our people to work using all the resources we have.\"","In summary, the ad claims that if the American Power Act is passed, it would \"cut our dependence on oil in half.\" VoteVets says they were talking about cutting dependence on foreign oil in half. And they point to a credible report from the Council that projects a similar bill would cut foreign oil imports in half by 2050. A spokesman for the EIA says basing a projection of the effect of the 2010 Senate bill on an analysis of a similar, but different, 2010 Senate bill is an \"imperfect comparison.\"","VoteVets backs up the ad's claim that the American Power Act would \"cut our dependence on oil in half\" by citing a 2009 analysis from the National Resources Defense Council of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which was passed by the House on June 26, 2009. The bill sought to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a variety of market-based (cap-and-trade) mechanisms, incentives for energy efficiency and the development of clean energy."]},{"id":"9140.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the goal of the Affordable Care Act was to get 30 million people insured, but it only got 7 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it misrepresents the goal and impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The goal of the ACA was to expand healthcare coverage and reduce the number of uninsured individuals. While the initial CBO report estimated that the ACA would reduce the number of uninsured by 29-30 million, it is important to note that the implementation of the ACA has been complex and faced various challenges. However, the statement incorrectly suggests that only 7 million people gained insurance under the ACA. In reality, the ACA significantly expanded coverage, and as of 2016, the number of uninsured individuals had decreased by approximately 20 million. While the ACA did not achieve its initial estimated target, it still made substantial progress in reducing the number of uninsured Americans.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Of course, equal pay. You may recall that I, along with the amazing Senfronia Thompson in the Texas House, was successful in passing an equal pay bill here, which was no easy feat\u2014only to have it vetoed by Gov. Perry. So Texas is one of only a handful of states that does not have an equal pay law. Even the law that exists at the federal level needs some punch.\"","We recognized that Texas has statutory restrictions on pay discrimination after asking Davis about the basis of her declaration that Texas ranks among states that don\u2019t have an \"equal pay\" law.","Put another way, the NCSL places Texas among 44 states with a degree of an \"equal pay\" law. Four states only have a general employment discrimination law: North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin, according to the group.","We wondered about the Texas part of her statement. Does the state rank among a few states lacking a law that ensures equal pay for male and female employees holding comparable jobs?"]},{"id":"2240.json","label":"false","statement":"We didnt have a development director for over seven months.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that there was no development director for over seven months. The evidence focuses on other topics such as outdated numbers, expired rapid-test kits, and the uncertainty of measuring the effects of a stimulus plan on job creation. There is no direct or indirect information provided that verifies the absence of a development director for the stated duration. Therefore, the claim is unsupported and should be considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After Smith noted a concern among Democrats that Crist \"could wind up as a train wreck,\" Welker noted, \"Crist\u2019s campaign is actually responding, which is interesting. He says of Bill Nelson, or his campaign chairman says, \u2018His solutions are federally based solutions \u2014 not Florida-based solutions.\u2019 So Crist really feeling the heat here, pushing back. What do you make of that?\"","\"He never met a tax increase he liked. ... The Charlie Crist I knew idolized Ronald Reagan and embraced Reagan's view of limited government. He was pro-life, pro-gun and vehemently anti-tax. He believed big government was the enemy of success, and that when government taxed it took \u2018your money.\u2019\"","!A graphic on MSNBC's \"The Daily Rundown\" accused Charlie Crist's campaign of bashing Sen. Bill Nelson. !A graphic on MSNBC's \"The Daily Rundown\" accused Charlie Crist's campaign of bashing Sen. Bill Nelson.","A chart also wrongly referred to Thrasher as Crist\u2019s campaign chairman. This is the same man who just this week released a statement saying, \"We are very confident in our campaign to show Charlie Crist's failure as governor in contrast to Gov. Scott's record of job creation.\""]},{"id":"11350.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There is not one of the Muslim nations that doesnt have discrimination against women, discrimination against gays, subjugation of other religious beliefs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an overgeneralization and lacks accuracy. While it is true that some Muslim-majority nations have been criticized for discrimination against women, the LGBT community, and religious minorities, it is incorrect to claim that every single Muslim nation exhibits these discriminatory practices. There are Muslim-majority countries that have made significant progress in promoting gender equality, protecting the rights of the LGBT community, and ensuring religious freedom. It is important to avoid sweeping generalizations and acknowledge the diversity and varying social, political, and cultural contexts within Muslim-majority nations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11509.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If youre born poor, youre more likely to stay poor than any time in American history.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that individuals who are born into poverty are more likely to remain in poverty than at any other time in American history. However, it's important to note that the evidence and expert opinions on this matter are divided. While some experts agree with the claim, others argue that the likelihood of escaping poverty has remained relatively stable over time. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks the complete context and should be understood as a simplified representation of a complex issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Sometimes it feels like we can\u2019t agree on anything, except this: 85% of North Carolinians think abortion should be legal for women who need it. Ted Budd isn\u2019t one of them. He helped write legislation to outlaw abortion nationwide with no exceptions for rape or incest \u2014 a law that could even put doctors in jail. There\u2019s a better choice: Cheri Beasley. She\u2019ll always protect our personal freedoms.\"","A proposed law in Pennsylvania doesn\u2019t mandate that women be fined for miscarrying. Instead, it requires that health care facilities bury or cremate fetal remains, regardless of how or when a pregnancy ends.","Abortion-rights supporters have criticized such \"personhood\" laws -- which have been proposed in several other states, without having passed -- as creating a legal avenue for lawmakers to restrict women\u2019s access to certain reproductive services.","An ad from Women Vote Project says Budd \"helped write legislation to outlaw abortion nationwide with no exceptions for rape or incest \u2014 a law that could even put doctors in jail.\""]},{"id":"8947.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Alex Sink supported higher sales taxes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that Alex Sink supported higher sales taxes. While a GOP mailer mentioned that Sink supported higher taxes, it does not specify sales taxes as one of the areas where she allegedly supported increases. The mailer mentions higher property taxes and higher taxes on water and TV, but it does not explicitly mention higher sales taxes. Therefore, the statement that Sink supported higher sales taxes is not directly supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Two of the top three (rated) public high schools in Wisconsin \u2014 Ronald Reagan College Prep and Rufus King International \u2014 are MPS schools.\"","Bowen said Rufus King International and Ronald Reagan College Prep are two of the top three public high schools in the state.","\"Charter and voucher schools are not a magic bullet that will solve the problems faced by struggling schools in the Milwaukee Public Schools system,\" he said. \"Two of the top three public high schools in Wisconsin \u2014 Ronald Reagan College Prep and Rufus King International \u2014 are MPS schools.\"","In an effort to show public schools can provide quality education, state Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) hailed two MPS high schools as being rated among the top three in the state."]},{"id":"6715.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Sherrod Browns campaign attacked Josh Mandels military service","reason":"Reason: While there were allegations made that Sherrod Brown's campaign attacked Josh Mandel's military service, it is important to note that these allegations were made by supporters of Mandel and not directly by Brown's campaign. The evidence provided includes quotes from emails and statements made by individuals associated with Mandel's campaign, expressing their outrage at the alleged attack on Mandel's military service. However, there is no direct evidence or official statement from Sherrod Brown's campaign that confirms these allegations. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it relies on claims made by supporters rather than direct evidence from Brown's campaign itself.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4764.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The city of Pembroke Pines doesnt have a vote in a plan to build a detention center in Southwest Ranches.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the decision to build a detention center in Southwest Ranches rests primarily with the town itself, the statement oversimplifies the involvement of the city of Pembroke Pines. Pembroke Pines has played a role in the process, including voting on key issues related to the prison project. While the ultimate decision-making authority lies with Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines has had a say in providing services such as fire, water, and sewer to the detention center. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that Pembroke Pines has no vote or involvement in the plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4098.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres no scientific conclusion that (being gay) is genetic.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Tim Pawlenty's claim that there is no scientific conclusion that being gay is genetic. However, it's important to note that the term \"genetic\" is not the only factor to consider when discussing the origins of sexual orientation. While there is ongoing scientific research into the biological factors that may contribute to sexual orientation, the current consensus among experts is that it is a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Therefore, while Pawlenty's statement is generally accurate, it lacks the full context of the ongoing scientific research and understanding of sexual orientation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Barton\u2019s letter excoriates instances of Republican House members pitching in to help Democrats win re-election. An excerpt: \u201cStraus Republican lieutenant Jim Keffer did mail pieces for Democrat Mark Strama to help him defeat his Republican opponent.\u201d","Says Republican lieutenants to House Speaker Joe Straus \u201caired radio ads supporting Democrat(ic state Rep.) Mark Homer... helping the Democrat to a narrow win.\u201d","All wasn\u2019t back slaps and hugs at the Republican State Convention in Dallas last month. Party delegates switched to a new chairman in Houston lawyer Steve Munisteri. And a critic of House Speaker Joe Straus of San Antonio distributed a letter the morning of June 12 all but indicting Straus and his closest GOP House allies as dangerously beholden to Democrats.","In an open letter distributed June 12 to delegates to the Republican Party of Texas convention, former party vice chairman David Barton of Aledo depicts Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, as part of a Democrat-friendly cabal that needs to be shaped up or shipped out."]},{"id":"22.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Roadside bombs are responsible for 70 percent of casualties in Iraq and these new mine-resistant vehicles can reduce those casualties by two-thirds.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, stating that roadside bombs account for 70 percent of casualties in Iraq. However, the claim that the new mine-resistant vehicles can reduce those casualties by two-thirds is not directly supported by the evidence provided. While it is true that the Pentagon rushed armored Humvees to units in Iraq to mitigate the impact of roadside bombings, the evidence does not provide specific data on the effectiveness of these vehicles in reducing casualties. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of the percentage of casualties caused by roadside bombs but lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim about the reduction in casualties by two-thirds.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7885.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Scott returned $1 million in federal funding that would have helped the state cover the cost of overseeing insurance rates under the new health care law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Nelson that Governor Rick Scott returned $1 million in federal funding that was intended to assist the state in overseeing insurance rates under the new health care law. The evidence provided supports this claim. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or information regarding the reasons behind Governor Scott's decision to return the funding. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["McConnell said he had not yet read the case but \"the Department of Justice, under the Obama administration, disagrees with the decision\" Judge Sotomayor made.","We have previously dissected some of the legal issues of this case, so here we are examining whether the U.S. Justice Department disagreed with Sotomayor's decision.","American Bar Association, Ricci Vs. DeStefano: Brief for the United States as Amicus Curiae Supporting Vacatur and Remand , February, 2009","A federal district court judge who heard the case ruled in favor of the city, saying the city had the right to throw out the exams. The firefighters appealed to the 2nd Circuit, the court on which Sotomayor sits, and Sotomayor was part of a three-judge panel that upheld the district court decision."]},{"id":"6324.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When Josh Mandel claims to have accepted three debates with Sen. Sherrod Brown, he is lying. He has accepted ZERO proposed debates.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the Brown campaign has accused Josh Mandel of lying about accepting three debates with Sen. Sherrod Brown. The Brown campaign states that Mandel has not accepted any proposed debates and even points to a Mandel campaign tweet that contradicts his claim of accepting three debates. Based on this information, it can be concluded that the statement made by Mandel about accepting three debates is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Martinez Fischer said that since Texas was placed under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act in 1975, the Texas Legislature has never gone through redistricting without violating it.","By telephone, Martinez Fischer told us that his focus has been on Texas House districts and that the caucus\u2019 redistricting counsel, Jose Garza of San Antonio, has advised that every Texas House map as initially drawn by lawmakers had been found in violation of Section 5, which proscribes changes abridging or denying the right to vote on account of race or color or membership in a language minority group.","US House, 2003 | | 2001 Legislature did not agree on plan, federal court imposed plan for 2002 elections. US Supreme Court later found one district in 2003 plan in violation of Section 2 of Voting Rights Act; it was amended.","White argued the case for Texas in December 1975 when the state sued claiming it had improperly been subjected to Section 5. \"We passed in 1975 a Texas voting rights act which was stronger than the federal act,\" he said. \"I think we did everything we could do to let everybody in America know that Texas was not part of the Old South, which would exclude minorities from voting.\""]},{"id":"13327.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he and his running mate are the only candidates that do believe in free trade.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the speaker and their running mate are the only candidates who believe in free trade. However, without specific information about the other candidates' positions on free trade, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this claim. While it is possible that the speaker and their running mate have expressed support for free trade, it is important to consider that other candidates may also hold similar views. Without more information, it is challenging to verify the exclusivity of their stance on free trade.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Trump tweets claim of \"serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California.\" !Trump tweets claim of \"serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California.\"","To get right to the point, top election officials in the New Hampshire Secretary of State\u2019s Office, New Hampshire Attorney General\u2019s Office and U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office in New Hampshire all said they have received no complaints of voter fraud in the most recent election.","Trump followed up with a second tweet alleging \"serious voter fraud\" in Virginia, California and New Hampshire, three states that voted for Clinton on Nov. 8.","While our friends at PolitiFact national have examined whether millions of people voted illegally, here in New Hampshire we wanted to look into whether \"serious voter fraud\" existed in the state."]},{"id":"12463.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he never told anyone he hated the U.S. Senate.","reason":"Reason: While there is no direct evidence provided in the given context that Rubio explicitly stated that he hated the U.S. Senate, the evidence suggests that he expressed frustration and disenchantment with the Senate due to perceived ineffectiveness. Statements from Rubio himself, as well as comments from his donor Norman Braman, indicate his dissatisfaction with the Senate's lack of action. However, without a direct quote or specific evidence stating that Rubio explicitly said he hated the Senate, it is not possible to definitively confirm or refute the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Tallahassee is the second-rainiest city in Florida and the ninth-rainiest in the nation,\" he told members of the House Community & Military Affairs subcommittee on March 23, 2011. \"When you get our seven-inch rainfalls in six hours ... you wash the fertilizers into the waterways.\"","Buss said Tallahassee is the second-rainiest city in Florida -- Weatherbill says it's fourth -- and he forgot to mention that the rainfall averages exclude Hawaii and Alaska. But this is still dreary news. Tallahassee is the ninth-rainiest city in the Lower 48. We rate this claim Mostly True.","\"Here's a guy that, in my opinion, is a stone-cold thief, and his city, Tallahassee, is known as the most corrupt in Florida, and one of the most corrupt in the nation,\" Trump told Laura Ingraham on Fox News Oct. 29.","President Donald Trump described Democrat Andrew Gillum\u2019s city of Tallahassee as having a reputation that no city would want for a slogan: most corrupt."]},{"id":"3585.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Republicans have demanded deep cuts in education. Theyve demanded cuts in cancer research and other research to find cures and treatments to diseases.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Van Hollen that Republicans have demanded cuts in education and research funding for cancer and other diseases. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm the extent or specific details of these demands, it indicates that Van Hollen criticized Republican spending proposals that targeted popular programs like education and cancer research. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it aligns with the expressed concerns raised by Van Hollen regarding Republican budget priorities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Earlier this month, Knopp\u2019s office issued a press release saying that along with being sworn into office, \"he upheld a campaign promise not to join the state retirement program known as the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).\"","Says he \"is the only candidate in the race for Clackamas County Chair who will refuse to join the Public Employees Retirement System.\"","Freshman Oregon Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, is clear that lawmakers need to fix the Public Employees Retirement System this year, and that they themselves should not be part of the system. He pledged during his campaign to decline membership in PERS.","Knopp has been a consistent and outspoken critic of the Public Employees Retirement System. He served as the House chairman of the committee to reform PERS in 2003. He promised voters that he would not accept PERS this year and he followed through on the promise."]},{"id":"9909.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"As chair of the Senate Education Committee, I led the charge to restore most of the education cuts from last session.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that State Sen. Dan Patrick led the charge to restore most of the education cuts from the previous session. While Sen. Patrick made this statement in a campaign press release, there is no substantial evidence or consensus from education groups to validate his claim. In fact, some education groups declined to comment on his assertion. Therefore, the claim is not accurate and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Obama said that the United States is the only advanced country on earth that doesn\u2019t guarantee \"paid maternity leave to our workers.\"","\"Today, we\u2019re the only advanced country on Earth that doesn\u2019t guarantee paid sick leave or paid maternity leave to our workers,\" he said.","Boysko\u2019s statement is different. She does not say \"guarantee.\" She says the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not \"have a paid family medical leave program in place.\" All other industrialized nations do have family leave programs in place, although some of those plans do not \"guarantee\" all workers are covered.","\u201cThe United States is the only industrialized, modernized country that does not already have a paid family medical leave program in place.\u201d"]},{"id":"11187.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders chose to spend his honeymoon in the Soviet Union in 1988.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Bernie Sanders did travel to the Soviet Union with his wife after their wedding in 1988. While some may argue that the term \"honeymoon\" is used sarcastically by Sanders, the evidence confirms that they did visit the Soviet Union after their marriage. However, it's important to note that this trip alone does not provide sufficient evidence to make broad claims about Sanders' political ideology or his stance on the Soviet Union.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7049.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S. corporate tax rate is highest in the world at 35 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States does have one of the highest corporate tax rates among industrialized democracies. The federal corporate tax rate is 35 percent, which is higher than many other countries. However, it's important to note that the statement does not consider the impact of state and local taxes, which would increase the effective tax rate. Taking into account sub-national taxes, the rate can reach 39.2 percent. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the federal corporate tax rate, it could benefit from additional context regarding the impact of state and local taxes on the overall tax burden.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["As a practical matter, Trump's count of 32 countries from 2014 would be out of date because ISIS' strength has ebbed and flowed in various regions of the world, Roggio said. \"If Trump had said the Islamic State is operating in 32 countries to various degrees or had supporters in 32 states, the actual number is probably larger.\"","\"We should have never let ISIS happen in the first place,\" Trump said later in the debate, \"and right now, they're in 32 countries.\"","Hillary Clinton \"gave us ISIS as sure as you are sitting there,\" Trump said. \"And what happened is now ISIS is in 32 countries.\"","A June 2016 Congressional Research Service report identified nine countries where ISIS had a serious presence. That's a far cry from 32."]},{"id":"2772.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Discretionary spending went up 84 percent in the last two years","reason":"Reason: The statement that discretionary spending went up 84 percent in the last two years is not entirely accurate. While there were claims made by Paul Ryan that discretionary spending increased by 84 percent, these claims were made in 2011 and were specifically referring to the increase in spending during the early years of the Obama administration, including the impact of stimulus funds. However, it is important to note that discretionary spending is subject to annual budget negotiations and can fluctuate significantly from year to year. Therefore, it is not accurate to apply the 84 percent increase to the most recent two-year period without considering the specific time frame and context in which the claim was made.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11164.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Mexican government ... they send the bad ones over.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the Mexican government intentionally sends \"bad\" individuals to the United States. Multiple fact-checks have debunked this assertion, highlighting that migration from Mexico to the United States is primarily driven by economic and family factors, not a deliberate effort by the Mexican government to send undesirable individuals. The statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A month later, though, PolitiFact Rhode Island rated as Half True a claim that global surface temperatures have been flat for 16 years. This held up partly due to the cherry-picked and short timeframe, which swept in 1998, the El Ni\u00f1o year that made surface temperatures exceptionally warm. When you start near an unusually hot year, there's a good chance that subsequent years will be cooler.","\"The short answer is that both are correct,\" he said in an email. \"Temperatures have been flat for the last 16 years and 2012 was one of the 10 warmest years on record.\"","In a commentary published Aug. 5, 2013, in The Providence Journal, Steve Goreham, executive director of the Climate Science Coalition of America, was critical of the science behind the warnings that Earth is getting hotter due to pollution. His first paragraph made this assertion: \"Global surface temperatures have been flat for 16 years.\"","PolitiFact Rhode Island, \" Global warming skeptic says global surface temperatures have not increased in the last 16 years,\" Aug. 25, 2013"]},{"id":"106.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Look, I believe in accountability. In 1983, I led the effort in Arkansas to improve our schools.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Bill Clinton did lead an effort to improve schools in Arkansas in 1983. As governor of Arkansas at the time, Clinton was instrumental in implementing education reforms, including the passage of the Arkansas Education Standards Act. This act aimed to raise academic standards, improve teacher quality, and enhance accountability in the state's education system.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Wasserman Schultz says the party came up with a debate schedule \"to maximize the opportunity for voters to see our candidates.\"","Clearly, we can't rate what people within the Democratic party intended. Our fact-check looks at what the outcome was. Did the Democrats \"maximize the opportunity\" for voters to see their candidates? We found there\u2019s no fair reading of the Democratic debate schedule that supports this.","\"Brian, there's no number of debates that will satisfy everyone. So, I did my best to make sure, along with my staff and along with our debate partners, to come up with a schedule that we felt was going to maximize the opportunity for voters to see our candidates.\"","\u2022 The schedule of one debate a month for six months doesn\u2019t pull the candidates away from town halls and other events with voters."]},{"id":"12397.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mike Coffman is with Trump.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence of Mike Coffman expressing support for Donald Trump during his campaign, it is important to note that political alliances and positions can be complex and nuanced. The statement oversimplifies the relationship between Coffman and Trump by suggesting that Coffman is fully aligned with Trump on all issues. It is more accurate to say that Coffman has expressed support for Trump in some instances, but it does not necessarily mean that they share the same positions on all matters. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7873.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If Obamacare is fully implemented, 30 million people will still be without health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact number may vary depending on different analyses and projections, there is evidence to support the claim that even with the full implementation of Obamacare, a significant number of people would still be without health insurance. The Congressional Budget Office analysis mentioned in the evidence states that the ACA would reduce the number of uninsured people by 25 million, leaving 31 million uninsured. Additionally, a separate analysis in the journal Health Affairs estimates that 30 million Americans would not have coverage under Obamacare. While the specific number may differ slightly, the general assertion that a substantial number of people would remain uninsured is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In an interview on reforming our immigration system, Rubio said \"I'm a big believer in family based immigration. But I don't think that in the 21st century we can continue to have an immigration system where only 6.5 percent of people who come here, come here based on labor and skill. We have to move toward merit and skill-based immigration.\"","\"I'm a big believer in family based immigration,\" Rubio told the Journal. \"But I don't think that in the 21st century we can continue to have an immigration system where only 6.5 percent of people who come here, come here based on labor and skill. We have to move toward merit and skill-based immigration.\"","Immigration data shows that most people come here for family reasons. The number of legal immigrants who come based on an employment varies depending on the type of visa and category of employment. But one valid example is to look at legal permanent residents -- 13.1 percent were employment-based preferences in 2011, and professionals with advanced degrees accounted for 6.3 percent.","From my standpoint, we have got to start closing the loopholes created by bad law, bad legal precedent that incentivize people to come to this country illegally. We have to limit \"chain migration\" to a common-sense level. Right now, Frederica, we let about 1.1 million people in this country legally -- in terms of permanent, legal residence -- every year. Sixty-five percent of that is some kind of \"chain migration\"; 22 percent is diversity lottery, \"asyling\" and refugees. Only about 14, 15 percent has anything to do with work. That is a crazy system, when you have literally millions -- probably hundreds of millions of people want to come to this country -- we can\u2019t assimilate all those people. We\u2019ve got to limit and we\u2019ve got to limit it on a merit-based system. So, we\u2019ve got to fix our system."]},{"id":"13411.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In two terms in the Missouri General Assembly, Jason Kander passed ZERO bills that were signed into law.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jason Kander did not have any bills that he directly sponsored signed into law during his time in the Missouri General Assembly, the statement fails to provide the full context. Kander did sponsor 28 bills, and while only two of them passed in the House, they were not ultimately signed into law. However, it is worth noting that Kander did co-sponsor seven bills that did become law. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the complete picture of Kander's legislative involvement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9807.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The growth rate of women-owned businesses in Texas has nearly doubled that of the nation since President Obama has taken office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided confirms that the growth rate of women-owned businesses in Texas has indeed been higher than the national average during the period of President Obama's tenure. The data shows that the growth rate of women-owned businesses in Texas was approximately 20.87%, which is nearly double the national growth rate of around 10.57%. However, it's important to note that attributing this growth solely to President Obama's time in office may be misleading. Various factors contribute to the growth of businesses, and it is difficult to attribute it solely to the actions of one individual or administration. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the growth rate comparison, it lacks complete context and may imply a direct causation that is not fully supported.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Loan subsidies don't come from thin air. They are paid for by the taxpayers. So, saying that the Export-Import bank is free is wrong,\" he said.","Congressional Budget Office, \" Testimony on Estimates of the Cost of the Credit Programs of the Export-Import Bank,\" June 25, 2015","It\u2019s true that in recent years, the bank has actually made a net profit on its loans and turned in money to the U.S. Treasury. But in the past, the bank has had years of losses and actually cost taxpayers money. Some economists think that could easily happen again, even if it doesn\u2019t seem like an immediate danger.","The bank\u2019s overall revenue isn\u2019t as high as it could be because the interest rates are lower than market rate, said Charles Calomiris, a finance professor at Columbia University. This means there is a cost to taxpayers in terms of lost opportunity, and it will eventually become a loss in cash flow. Some economists believe that the incoming revenue will not be able to keep up with defaults adding up over the long term."]},{"id":"7463.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Due to the sequester, people are going to be unsafe. Homes are going to burn.","reason":"Reason: The statement about the sequester causing people to be unsafe and homes to burn is not supported by the provided evidence. The evidence discusses topics such as gas prices, student loan debt, and the impact of the pandemic on production and demand. There is no direct connection or evidence linking the sequester to safety concerns or home fires. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2970.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We are the only state in the country that state employees dont contribute [to their pensions].","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to PolitiFact Florida, Florida is indeed one of the few states where state employees do not contribute to their pensions. While there are a few other states, such as Tennessee and Utah, where some employees are not required to contribute, the majority of states do require state employees to contribute towards their pensions. Therefore, the statement accurately highlights the unique situation in Florida regarding state employee pension contributions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3367.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Sheldon Whitehouse said on Senate floor: Everybody in Rhode Island who disagrees with me about Obamacare is an Aryan, is a white supremacist.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or record of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse making the statement that \"Everybody in Rhode Island who disagrees with me about Obamacare is an Aryan, is a white supremacist.\" The statement is false and misleading. It is important to verify information from reliable sources before making such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Rubio said during the debate about exceptions for rape and incest on abortion: \"I have never said that or advocated that.\"","Dating back to his 2004 campaign for U.S. Senate, and as recently as earlier this month, Michels said he would not support an exception to Wisconsin\u2019s abortion ban for cases of rape or incest.","YouTube, \"Rubio: \u2018I have never said\u2019 I support an exception for rape and incest \u2018and never advocated for it\u2019,\" Aug. 6, 2015","But what has Rubio said about allowing exceptions for rape and incest victims? We checked his record and found that even though Rubio strongly opposes abortion, his stance on granting exceptions is a bit more nuanced than Murphy described."]},{"id":"5120.json","label":"false","statement":"One year today since #GOP took control of the House and no new jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that there were no new jobs since the GOP took control of the House. However, official data shows that the U.S. gained 1.64 million jobs in the last year. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and does not align with the employment statistics.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7491.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Georgia Dome would need up to $350 million in work over the next five to seven years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), which estimates that the Georgia Dome would require up to $350 million in work over the next five to seven years. However, it's important to note that this estimate is based on the information provided by the Dome's owner and may not account for potential changes or unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, while the statement is based on the available information, it should be understood that the estimated cost could vary depending on various factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7566.json","label":"half-true","statement":"[A] 2009 USDA study found that 87 percent of chicken carcasses tested positive for generic E. coli ... just prior to packaging.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the 2009 USDA study, which reported that 87 percent of chicken carcasses tested positive for generic E. coli just prior to packaging. However, it's important to note that the study was conducted in 2005, not 2009 as mentioned in the statement. Therefore, while the statistic itself is true, the inclusion of the incorrect year reduces the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2110.json","label":"true","statement":"Education Week rates Ohio schools in the top five in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Education Week, a reputable source, has indeed rated Ohio schools in the top five in the nation. This indicates that Ohio's education system has been recognized for its performance and achievements relative to other states.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6496.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says she does the jobs of state auditor, secretary of state and lieutenant governor for less than the price of one of them in Washington state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it implies that the individual mentioned performs the jobs of state auditor, secretary of state, and lieutenant governor simultaneously for less than the price of one of those positions in Washington state. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support this claim. The evidence discusses the succession of the lieutenant governor to the governor's position in case of resignation, but it does not provide information about the specific roles and responsibilities of the individual mentioned or their compensation. Therefore, without further evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, \"Wisconsin Republican governor candidate Tim Michels uses his personal foundation to fund anti-gay and anti-abortion groups,\" Aug. 31, 2022","House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy recently claimed \"Half of everyone that\u2019s here illegally (in the US) came here legally on a visa and have overstayed their visa.\"","Email interview with Dr. Claudia Cohn, the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies\u2019 chief medical officer, April 27, 2022","But Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy recently claimed there\u2019s another factor \u2014 visa overstays \u2014 that accounts for half of the people in the country illegally."]},{"id":"8965.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under current policies, were going to reduce the overall debt of the United States by $3 trillion over the next 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the overall debt of the United States will be reduced by $3 trillion over the next 10 years. While there may be discussions or plans to address the national debt, it is important to note that the national debt is influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, fiscal policies, and government spending. Making a definitive statement about reducing the debt by a specific amount without considering these factors is misleading and not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A seditious conspiracy is defined in federal law as two or more persons \"conspir(ing) to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, \u2026 or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof.\" The law comes with a fine or imprisonment up to 20 years, or both.","After a day of rioting and tumult, after a woman was fatally shot inside the Capitol, after senators and representatives were driven from their chambers, Congress in the early hours of Jan. 7 affirmed that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were the duly elected president and vice president of the United States.","In at least three surveys we found, the percentage of Republicans who said they didn\u2019t trust the election came in around 65%.","\"Today was a dark day in the history of the United States Capitol,\" Pence said as he resumed proceedings that evening."]},{"id":"2944.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I have always been focused on reining in the deficit.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests a long-standing focus on deficit reduction, the evidence provided indicates that the individual in question, Kohl, has a fiscal rating that places him in the most liberal third of the Senate, which suggests a focus on spending rather than deficit reduction. This discrepancy raises doubts about the accuracy of the statement. Without further evidence or context, it is difficult to ascertain the true extent of Kohl's focus on reining in the deficit.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Raphael Warnock and Catherine Cortez Masto \u201cvoted to allow hundreds of millions of dollars of COVID relief funds to be squandered\u201d on leisure projects.","One Nation PAC claimed that Warnock and Cortez Masto \"voted to allow hundreds of millions of dollars of COVID relief funds to be squandered\" on leisure projects.","Two new Democratic senators who are locked in tight re-election campaigns \"squandered\" hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief money, according to a group tied to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.","Separate TV ads from the One Nation group claim that Warnock and Masto \"voted to allow hundreds of millions of dollars of COVID relief funds to be squandered on a luxury resort in Florida, a New Jersey soccer stadium\" and \"a ski area in Iowa.\""]},{"id":"5612.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that in fiscal year 2010, nearly 80 percent of women served in the Texas Womens Health Program received services from a provider other than a Planned Parenthood clinic.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to Rick Perry, in fiscal year 2010, nearly 80 percent of women served in the Texas Women's Health Program received services from a provider other than a Planned Parenthood clinic. However, it's important to note that this claim is specific to the fiscal year 2010 and the Texas Women's Health Program. It does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall access to healthcare services for women in Texas or the impact of Planned Parenthood clinics on women's health. Therefore, while the statement is accurate for the specified context, it should not be generalized to represent the broader healthcare landscape in Texas.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think everyone in the room knows that this is a moment of extraordinary progress. Over the last 30 years, extreme poverty has been cut in half. Boys and girls are enrolling in primary school at nearly equal rates, and there are half as many children out of school today as there were 15 years ago,\" Smith said in a speech on Capitol Hill.","(We should point out the list is misnumbered and actually names 23 nations, not 22. And the time span is actually about 30 years, not 20.)","The meme says, \"22 Countries Invaded by the U.S. in 20 Years. Russia Does It and Everyone Loses Their Mind,\" illustrating its point with a photograph of Heath Ledger\u2019s Joker character from Batman movie The Dark Knight.","We should stipulate that the World Bank\u2019s definition of extreme is by no means perfect. For 25 years, critics have pointed to methodological issues while others have questioned the very notion of a one-poverty-line-fits-all approach."]},{"id":"4815.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Stimulus money went to office upgrades for politicians.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a portion of the stimulus money was allocated for the renovation of the Kansas state capitol building, referring to it as \"office upgrades for politicians\" is misleading. The renovation project is a comprehensive historical renovation, not solely focused on office upgrades for politicians. The statement lacks important context and fails to accurately represent the nature and purpose of the project. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s not just about the budget or collective bargaining. We gave nearly every, well, we gave every public employee in the state the freedom to choose whether or not they want to be in a union or not and I think that\u2019s really why this is a Waterloo for them.\"","Gov. Scott Walker says Wisconsin gave every public employee the ability to choose whether they want to be in a union","Walker appeared on national TV and discussed the state\u2019s repeal of collective bargaining rights for most public employees. The governor knows the extent of the law, and that it does not cover police and firefighters. Indeed, he started his answer apparently with that in mind: \"We gave nearly every, well, we gave every public employee in the state the freedom to choose whether or not they want to be in a union or not,\" he said.","( - Gov. Scott Walker says Wisconsin gave every public employee the ability to choose whether they want to be in a union&url=)"]},{"id":"4447.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The average state pension, including managers, is $23,000 a year; and just $14,000 for local government workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the average pension amounts mentioned by Rosenstein, with the average state pension being $23,000 per year and the average local government worker pension being $14,000 per year. However, it's important to note that these figures represent the average annual payments made by the state under the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the average annual benefits for all retirees at the date of retirement. When considering the average annual pensions for \"new retirees\" within the previous year, the amounts are higher, with state workers receiving an average of $30,199 and local workers receiving an average of $20,075. Additionally, for retirees with at least 25 years of service who opted for a special retirement, the average annual pensions were even higher. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it would benefit from providing more context regarding the different categories of retirees and their corresponding pension amounts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["She added: \"When Scott Walker raises nearly 70% of his money from out of state, that's going to be hard to beat. But what I feel is I'll be able to raise what I need to get the message out. My money is going to come largely from the people of Wisconsin.\"","Barrett has claimed that 60 to 70 percent of Walker\u2019s contributions came from outside of Wisconsin; that\u2019s on target only if you consider just the $13 million Walker received in 2012. Two-thirds of Walker\u2019s money came from out of state during that period. But overall, as we noted, 57 percent of contributions to Walker since January 2011 came from out of state.","!Gov. Scott Walker and recall challenger Tom Barrett have traded accusations about out-of-state money in the race. !Gov. Scott Walker and recall challenger Tom Barrett have traded accusations about out-of-state money in the race.","The amount of out-of-state money pouring in -- more of it, so far, aiding Gov. Scott Walker than challenger Tom Barrett -- has caught notice 1,300 miles west in the Treasure State."]},{"id":"11566.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has no congressional oversight.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) operates with a degree of independence and is not subject to direct appropriations from Congress, it is not accurate to say that it has \"no congressional oversight.\" The CFPB is subject to oversight from Congress through various mechanisms, including reporting requirements, budgetary oversight, and the ability of Congress to modify or repeal its statutory authority. However, compared to other federal agencies, the CFPB does have a unique structure that grants it a level of independence. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately describe the oversight relationship between the CFPB and Congress.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Press release, \"DESPITE DENIALS, SIMPSON VOTED FOR DRIVERS LICENCES FOR ILLEGAL IMMMIGRANTS,\" Bryan Hughes for Texas Senate campaign, Dec. 1, 2015","State Rep. David Simpson of Longview emailed reporters a Nov. 30, 2015, statement saying Rep. Bryan Hughes of Mineola had slanderously charged Simpson with supporting licenses for illegal immigrants without delivering the factual goods.","State Rep. David Simpson of Longview emailed reporters a Nov. 30, 2015, statement saying Rep. Bryan Hughes of Mineola had slanderously charged Simpson with supporting licenses for illegal immigrants without delivering the factual goods. The two are competing for a chance to succeed Kevin Eltife of Tyler representing the Senate's District 1.","We didn\u2019t reach that conclusion. By email, Simpson told us Cook\u2019s amendment \"in no way authorized illegal aliens to receive driver\u2019s licenses.\" Asked why he voted for it, Simpson said: \"I voted yes to the amendment because it would only include licenses or permits already\" authorized by law."]},{"id":"219.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"He's (Romney) the one who said that he would be to the left of Teddy Kennedy on gay rights.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects a claim made about Mitt Romney's position on gay rights. During his 1994 Senate campaign against Ted Kennedy, Romney stated that he would be to the left of Kennedy on gay rights. However, it's important to note that Romney's stance on gay rights evolved over time, and he later took more conservative positions on the issue. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents a past claim made by Romney, it does not necessarily reflect his current position on gay rights.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A mandate is a program or service that the state or federal government requires local governments to provide, but they do not provide funding to pay for it.","We were curious whether McDonnell\u2019s plan, if approved by the General Assembly, would mandate a level of pension of contributions for local government. So we took a look.","During a December 19 speech to the General Assembly\u2019s money committees, the governor said his proposal \"puts no mandate on local government, but just continues their fair share of retirement for their teachers.\"","In political debate, mandate is a charged word connoting an strong central government sending down dictates that erode local sovereignty and personal rights. Many conservatives, including McDonnell, have railed against mandates. McDonnell, on Jan. 16, unveiled a legislative effort to eliminate 21 \"burdensome state mandates on localities\" this winter."]},{"id":"11635.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Jeb Bushs plan for Social Security is disastrous for seniors and raises the retirement age to 70.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While there were claims made that Jeb Bush's plan for Social Security would raise the retirement age to 70, it is important to note that Bush's plan did not specifically suggest a specific age for retirement. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Bush did not propose changing the eligibility age for current seniors. Therefore, the claim that his plan is \"disastrous for seniors\" and definitively raises the retirement age to 70 is an exaggeration and lacks accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2107.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that Lee Fisher once said, I never met a gun control bill I didnt like.","reason":"Reason: While the statement attributes the quote \"I never met a gun control bill I didn't like\" to Lee Fisher, the evidence provided suggests otherwise. The quote is attributed to Fisher by his political opponents, gun rights advocates, and various sources, but there is no direct evidence or credible source confirming that Fisher actually made this statement. The evidence indicates that the quote has been used and cited by others in reference to Fisher's stance on gun control, but it cannot be definitively attributed to him. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8824.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says in 2000, Fox News broke the story of George W. Bushs drunk driving arrest. Who broke it? Fox News.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Fox News was the first news organization to run the story of George W. Bush's drunk driving arrest in 2000, it is important to note that Fox News did not actually break the story or conduct the investigative work to uncover it. The credit for breaking the story goes to WPXT, an independent news operation that aired the story before Fox News. However, once Fox News ran the story, it gained wider attention and was disseminated by the Associated Press to other news outlets. So, while Fox News was the first to broadcast the story to a broader audience, they were not responsible for breaking the story itself.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Bill White's program to bring dropouts back to school was \"so successful that almost every city in our state has replicated\" it.","He \"went door to door in Houston luring and asking those dropouts to come back to school,\" she said June 25. \"Those programs were so successful that almost every city in our state has replicated what Bill White started.\"","Van de Putte's press secretary, Kathryn Freeman, told us that the senator had gone off her prepared remarks during that part of the speech, which \"simply stated that the program was so successful it was replicated across Texas.\" However, based on the expansion of the walk in the past two years, Freeman argued that the senator's \"larger point is true, that Bill White began a program to try and address the dropout crisis in Houston that was successful and therefore replicated.\"","When we asked Clarke, who is on the board of the nonprofit group that runs Expectation Graduation, about Van de Putte's statement that \"almost every city in our state\" has replicated the Reach Out program, she questioned the broad sweep of that assertion, and said her organization has always been clear about the number of cities participating."]},{"id":"453.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama \"wants to nearly double the capital gains tax\" increasing taxes on \"mutual funds, 401(k)s\" for \"policemen, firemen, nurses.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that President Obama sought to increase capital gains and dividends taxes during his presidency, the claim that he wanted to \"nearly double\" the tax is an exaggeration. Obama did propose increasing the capital gains tax rate from 15 percent to 20 percent for high-income earners, but it does not apply to all individuals, including \"policemen, firemen, nurses.\" The proposed tax increase would primarily affect those making more than $250,000 (for couples) or $200,000 (for individuals). Therefore, while there was a push for a tax increase, the statement misrepresents the extent of the proposed increase and its impact on certain professions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In this fact check, we'll look at whether the administration was told that that U.S. officials in Libya wanted additional security.","In a House hearing on Wednesday, a State Department employee, Eric Nordstrom, said he told his superiors twice that the embassy mission needed more armed security. Nordstrom was the regional security officer for Libya in the months before the attack. In a July cable, he said he wanted 12 guards plus military trainers.","Paul, who entered the presidential race last week, turned to the Sept. 11, 2012, attack by armed militants on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others. The attack was \"a 3 a.m. phone call that she never picked up,\" he told Dana Bash of CNN\u2019s State of the Union.","!Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., wanted to talk about Hillary Clinton's reaction to the attack on a U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. !Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., wanted to talk about Hillary Clinton's reaction to the attack on a U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya."]},{"id":"9748.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says George Soros and Bill Gates are funding a bioweapons lab in Sierra Leone that caused the Ebola outbreak.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that George Soros and Bill Gates funded a bioweapons lab in Sierra Leone that caused the Ebola outbreak. The assertion originated from conspiracy websites and lacks any factual basis. Multiple sources, including experts and investigations, have debunked these claims, stating that there is no proof of such a lab or its involvement in the outbreak. Labeling this statement as \"pants-fire\" reflects its complete lack of truthfulness and the absence of any credible evidence to support it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12113.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Nevada Republicans didnt do one single thing to cut spending in 2015.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Nevada Republicans implemented a tax package in 2015 that generated significant revenue, the claim that they \"didn't do one single thing to cut spending\" is an oversimplification. The evidence provided does not explicitly address spending cuts, but it does highlight the debate surrounding the tax package and the question of whether certain measures can be considered tax cuts. It is possible that there were other actions taken by Nevada Republicans in 2015 that could be classified as spending cuts, but the evidence provided does not provide a comprehensive analysis of their actions in that regard.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When I became president and CEO of Godfather\u2019s Pizza, it was supposed to go bankrupt . . . We turned it around with common-sense business principles.\"","Cain now says of his time at the pizza chain, \"When I became president and CEO of Godfather\u2019s Pizza, it was supposed to go bankrupt . . . We turned it around with common sense business principles.\"","Pizza is Cain's biggest selling point. He says his track record running Godfather\u2019s Pizza, a chain that once billed itself as \"the cure for the pizza emergency,\" shows he has the ability to run the country. The 620-store chain was on the brink of bankruptcy when he arrived in 1986, he says, and he \"turned it around with common-sense business principles.\"","Pizza is Herman Cain's biggest selling point. He says his track record running Godfather\u2019s Pizza, a chain that once billed itself as \"the cure for the pizza emergency,\" shows he has the ability to run the country. The 620-store chain was on the brink of bankruptcy when he arrived in 1986, he says, and he \"turned it around with common-sense business principles.\""]},{"id":"8703.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"To comply with non-discrimination laws, the government is forcing people in business to make wedding cakes for anyone.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true in the sense that non-discrimination laws generally require businesses to provide their services to all customers, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, it is important to note that the statement does not specifically mention transgender individuals or wedding cakes. It is a broad statement about non-discrimination laws and businesses being required to serve all customers. The evidence provided does not directly support or refute the statement, but it does highlight the lack of explicit protections for transgender individuals in Wisconsin's anti-discrimination laws. Therefore, while the statement captures the general concept of non-discrimination laws, it lacks specificity and context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Can I make another point? I want to tout something,\" he told the crowd. \"Three months ago I was in Houston, Texas, and a guy who I met woke up one day and he said, \u2018I do not want to see a homeless veteran on the streets of Houston.\u2019 He\u2019s a successful guy \u2013 he had the resources to draw people towards this cause.","Rick Jervis, Alan Gomez, and Maria Clark, USA TODAY, \"Alleged unwanted hysterectomies and other abuses at ICE facility prompts investigation,\" Sept. 17, 2020","Houston officials agreed that \"effectively\" ending veteran homelessness by having the resources to house any veteran who needs assistance doesn\u2019t mean that there are no homeless veterans in Houston.","Salazar, in the city\u2019s Office of Veterans Affairs, confirmed that when we asked about Bush\u2019s comments. \"It\u2019s true there are not that many homeless veterans on the streets of Houston,\" Salazar said by phone. \"While it\u2019s nice Jeb Bush touted all the work we\u2019re still doing in Houston, it\u2019s not true there are no homeless veterans here. There are definitely homeless veterans. It\u2019s a moving target.\""]},{"id":"13378.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Democratic challenger for his N.C. House seat raised taxes on clothing, school supplies even baby diapers!","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided indicates that it was actually Chris Malone, the Republican member of the N.C. House of Representatives, who was associated with a tax increase on clothing and school supplies. Terence Everitt, the Democratic challenger, has never held elected office and does not have a record of raising taxes on these items. Therefore, the claim that Everitt raised taxes on clothing, school supplies, and baby diapers is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9582.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Radio Marti and TV Marti have spent more than $500 million to reach less than 1 percent of the Cuban population.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Lawrence O'Donnell's claim that Radio Marti and TV Marti have spent over $500 million to reach less than 1 percent of the Cuban population. This claim was made on multiple occasions and is supported by the evidence provided. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or counterarguments to fully evaluate the effectiveness or impact of these media outlets. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of accurately reflecting O'Donnell's claim, it lacks comprehensive analysis of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11252.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I released all my emails.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because it implies that all of the individual's emails have been released, which is not entirely accurate. While the individual may have released a portion of their emails, it is important to note that there may be additional emails that have not been made public. This is similar to the situation with other politicians, such as Clinton and Bush, who have also released a portion of their emails but not all of them. Therefore, the claim of releasing all emails is not entirely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Schale's message has been spread by both Democrats and Republicans on the Internet. We wanted to see if it was true. Are Crist's personal approval ratings plummeting?","Schale said Crist's personal approval numbers are \"plummeting.\" 's tracking of several polls starting in October 2008 shows that Crist's favorable rating has declined among voters from around 70 percent, to between 50 and 55 percent. But Crist's position in voters' minds hasn't changed all that much for most of 2010, and even has rebounded a little in some polls, according to the same figures.","\"The bigger problem is (Crist) is falling into the same place as many other long time office holders: his personal approval numbers are plummeting,\" wrote Schale, who is supporting but not working for Democrat Kendrick Meek. \"He no longer has that deep well of cross party lines personal support built up that allows him to transcend normal political divides. Instead, he now has to block and tackle like everyone else. In this political environment, absent some significant and unfortunate event that would thrust him back into the spotlight, the odds of him finding 15-20 points of political approval in the next nine weeks are slim, at best.\"","The website accumulates the polls of several organizations, plots their results on a graph, and keeps a rolling average. It has tracked Crist's personal favorable rating since October 2008 and his job approval numbers since September 2008. This is the polling site Schale sent to us to back up his claim."]},{"id":"1716.json","label":"false","statement":"''I have received more contributions than any other candidate in the race Republican or Democrat.''","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the speaker has received more contributions than any other candidate in the race, regardless of party affiliation. The evidence only mentions the contributions received by Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum in a specific election, without providing any information about other candidates or races. Therefore, the claim lacks factual basis and is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So where does this leave us? While other countries -- with the exception of Denmark -- don\u2019t have a debt ceiling mechanism exactly like the U.S. has, most countries that have been studied do use either mathematical targets or require approval of new borrowing authority whenever a budget is passed. So it\u2019s not as if other countries have no debt limits -- they simply limit their debt using different tools.","\"I think this a completely artificial crisis,\" Huffington said. \"Most countries have no debt ceiling. We (established) the debt ceiling in the First World War. It's been raised dozens of times. \u2026\"","About two-thirds of U.S. debt is held in the United States, either directly by individual bondholders or by institutions, such as mutual funds or retirement plans. The remaining one-third is held by foreigners, either individually or institutionally. Of the portion held by foreigners, about 17% is held by Japanese individuals or institutions, and 14% is held by people or institutions in China. Investors in dozens of other countries hold some U.S. debt, too, but no single country other than China and Japan holds more than 7.2% of the foreign total.","About three-fifths of U.S. debt is held in the United States, either directly by individual bondholders or by institutions, such as mutual funds or retirement plans. The remaining two-fifths is held by foreigners, either individually or institutionally. Of the portion held by foreigners, about 19 percent is held by Chinese individuals or institutions and 18 percent is held by people or institutions in Japan. Investors in dozens of other countries hold some U.S. debt, but no single country other than China and Japan holds more than 5 percent of the foreign total."]},{"id":"8615.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were the Sunshine State, and were hardly doing any solar energy production.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Charlie Crist that Florida, despite being known as the Sunshine State, has relatively low solar energy production. While Florida ranks third in solar capacity, it ranks 13th in installations and solar energy represents less than 1 percent of the state's energy generation. These facts indicate that Florida's solar energy production is relatively low compared to its potential. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific data on the exact level of solar energy production in Florida, which could provide a more precise assessment. Nevertheless, the statement is generally true in highlighting the disparity between Florida's solar potential and its current level of solar energy production.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"My opponent\u2026 was on both the city of Chicago payroll and the state of Illinois payroll simultaneously, taking full salary, funding her full pension benefits both as a city worker and as a state worker for 10 years.\"","Munger said: \"My opponent\u2026 was on both the city of Chicago payroll and the state of Illinois payroll simultaneously, taking full salary, funding her full pension benefits both as a city worker and as a state worker for 10 years.\"","During a Chicago Sun-Times editorial debate on Sept. 15, Munger said: \"My opponent\u2026 was on both the city of Chicago payroll and the state of Illinois payroll simultaneously, taking full salary, funding her full pension benefits both as a city worker and as a state worker for 10 years.\"","Munger is correct when she claims Mendoza was on both the state and city payroll, and that she fully funded two different pensions, but she is incorrect in saying Mendoza collected her full salary from the city. Records show a deduction in earnings during her tenure as a state lawmaker."]},{"id":"6999.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysGov. John Kasich incorrectly claimed Ohios economy was 38th in the nation when he took office. We were sixth in the nation in terms of economic job growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Governor John Kasich did not claim that Ohio's economy was 38th in the nation when he took office. In his speech, Kasich stated that Ohio was 48th in the nation in terms of job creation when he assumed office. The claim that Ohio was sixth in the nation in terms of economic job growth is not supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For the record, McCain has appeared on the Sunday shows 11 times so far in 2014, but not on Meet the Press.","Meet the Press \u2019 fact page, which needs an update, still lists Dole as the most frequent guest, with 63 appearances. McCain is next with 53 appearances, and Vice President Joe Biden trails McCain by 10 appearances.","Technically, multiple people who represent the press side of the meet have McCain beat. Of officeholders, we count McCain as the current leader -- with 69 appearances.","\"I called to congratulate you and as the person who has the most appearances on Meet the Press , I\u2019d be glad to give you a lot of advice and counseling, including the best gotcha questions of the week,\" McCain said. \"And I have one other suggestion, we should change the name from Meet the Press to Meet the World\u2019s Foremost Political Junkie, And Guests. How \u2018bout that?\""]},{"id":"4010.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"(Birmingham, Ala.) is the cradle of the civil rights movement.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Birmingham, Alabama is the \"cradle of the civil rights movement\" is an exaggeration and lacks proper context. While Birmingham played a significant role in the civil rights movement, particularly during the 1960s, it is not accurate to claim it as the sole or exclusive birthplace of the movement. The civil rights movement was a nationwide struggle that involved numerous cities and individuals across the United States. It is more appropriate to acknowledge Birmingham's important contributions to the movement while recognizing the broader scope of the movement itself.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8425.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were 49th in the United States in new businesses created.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom's claim that California ranks 49th in the United States in per capita housing units. This claim is supported by evidence and compares California's housing production to that of other states. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific data or timeframes regarding the ranking of new businesses created in California. While there is evidence suggesting that small businesses have played a significant role in job creation in the state, the statement lacks specific information to support the claim that California ranks 49th in new businesses created. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but would benefit from additional context and specific data to support the claim about new businesses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Congresswoman Frederica Wilson successfully postpones closure of the North Perry airport tower,\" stated the headline. The press release also stated \"Following the Congresswoman\u2019s month-long campaign to save the tower, which included fact finding, speeches, official requests, and legislation, Congresswoman Wilson was notified, this morning, by FAA officials that the tower had been granted a temporary reprieve from closure....\"","U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson press release, \"Congresswoman Frederica Wilson keeps pressure on the federal government to stop closure of North Perry Airport Tower,\" April 4, 2013","The press release can leave readers with the misleading impression of cause and effect: Wilson protested for a month, and the FAA caved and postponed this particular airport tower closure. But there was no separate FAA decision for the North Perry tower.","The press release continued: \"Following the Congresswoman\u2019s month-long campaign to save the tower, which included fact finding, speeches, official requests, and legislation, Congresswoman Wilson was notified, this morning, by FAA officials that the tower had been granted a temporary reprieve from closure....\""]},{"id":"8088.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I was banned from talking about Bill Ayers during the 2008 presidential campaign.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly contradicts the statement made by Sarah Palin. There is video evidence of Palin discussing Bill Ayers during the 2008 presidential campaign, and the New York Times had also published a front-page story about Barack Obama and Ayers. Additionally, other individuals within the campaign, including the presidential candidate himself, addressed the issue of Ayers. Therefore, the claim that Palin was banned from discussing Bill Ayers is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"In Georgia, more than 35,000 arrests occur for marijuana offenses each year. Eighty-five percent of those arrests are for possession, accounting for 55 percent of all drug arrests,\" James Bell, the director of Georgia C.A.R.E. (Campaign for Access, Reform and Education), said in a news release. \"Today, March 14, about 100 people will be arrested for possession of marijuana in Georgia.\"","Bell\u2019s claim is based on FBI crime report arrest data. Using that data from the years 2008 through 2010, an average of about 28,000 possession arrests were recorded in Georgia each year. Dividing the average annual possession arrests by 365 days results in about 76.7 marijuana possession arrests each day.","Bell said his numbers are derived from estimates of FBI arrest data for the state of Georgia. Doing the math on his claim, 85 percent of the 35,000 annual arrests would equal 29,750 arrests for marijuana possession. Dividing that number by 365 days, equals about 81.5 possession arrests each day.","An explanation of arrest data on the FBI\u2019s Uniform Crime Reporting program states that the report counts one arrest for each separate instance in which a person is arrested, cited or summoned for an offense. Because a person can be arrested multiple times, the FBI report doesn\u2019t reflect the number of people who have been arrested, but the number of times people are arrested."]},{"id":"4854.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney has flip-flopped on his support for President Reagans policies.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Mitt Romney has indeed changed his stance on supporting President Reagan's policies. In 1994, as a candidate in Massachusetts, Romney distanced himself from Reagan, but later, as a presidential candidate, he embraced Reagan and spoke approvingly of his principles. This shift in position can be attributed to political considerations and the different electorates he was appealing to. While the evidence shows a change in Romney's stance over time, it's important to note that this is a common occurrence in politics, and politicians often adapt their positions to align with the party and electorate they are targeting. Therefore, the claim is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5552.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We also have, in a park thats not far from here, an ability to build a reservoir that can hold a 30-day water supply for the city of Atlanta.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions the ability to build a reservoir in a park near Atlanta that can hold a 30-day water supply for the city. However, it lacks specific evidence or data to support the claim. Without further information or confirmation, it is challenging to verify the feasibility or current status of such a reservoir. Therefore, while the statement is plausible, it would benefit from additional evidence or context to provide a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Emails: Feingold, \"just like Hillary Clinton,\" had a \"run-in with corruption and scandal by using a personal slush fund -- a.k.a. the Feingold Foundation -- while plotting another run for U.S. Senate.\"","\"Just like Hillary Clinton, Senator Feingold has had his own run in with corruption and scandal by using a personal slush fund -- a.k.a. The Feingold Foundation -- while plotting another run for U.S. Senate.","The Wisconsin GOP says that \"just like\" Clinton, Feingold had a \"run-in with corruption and scandal by using a personal slush fund -- a.k.a. the Feingold Foundation -- while plotting another run for U.S. Senate.\"","So, the claim is that \"just like Clinton,\" Feingold had a \"run-in with corruption and scandal by using a personal slush fund\" -- the \"Feingold Foundation\" -- while \"plotting\" to run for the Senate seat he lost to Johnson in 2010."]},{"id":"3242.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It is projected that 3.07 million people will use the train annually. Keep in mind that Amtraks Acela train in Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore only had 3.2 million riders in 2010.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the projection that 3.07 million people will use the train annually. However, comparing this projection to the ridership of Amtrak's Acela train in 2010 is not entirely relevant or comparable. The Acela train operates in densely populated areas with established transportation infrastructure, whereas the projected train mentioned in the statement may serve a different region or have different factors influencing ridership. Therefore, while the statement provides accurate information about the projection, the comparison made to the Acela train's ridership in 2010 lacks contextual relevance, making the statement only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Residential construction fell by about two thirds in Texas, but it collapsed by even more -- 85 percent -- in Florida, said Moody\u2019s senior economist Chris Lafakis.","As we have previously noted, Scott said the \"7-7-7 Plan\" he ran on in 2010 would create 700,000 jobs on top of the 1 million jobs state economists predicted Florida would add by 2017 no matter what policies came out of Tallahassee. He later denied saying that, but in tracking Scott\u2019s campaign promises, PolitiFact Florida continues to hold him to his pledge to create 1.7 million jobs. (That promise is currently rated In the Works.)","Then, when the recession hit, the construction job market in Florida nosedived. As a result, \"Florida\u2019s job losses were much more severe than in Texas,\" Cooper said.","DeSantis\u2019 juxtaposition made it seem like Florida accounted for 44% of the jobs created nationally. But that\u2019s misleading. If you compare Florida\u2019s 84,500 jobs gained to the national figure for net job gains from the same data set \u2014 363,000 \u2014 Florida accounted for 23% of the nation\u2019s job gains that month. Again, not a bad result, but not as good as the comparison DeSantis made."]},{"id":"2672.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gov. Jim Doyle and the DNR have not put hunters first and mismanaged the deer herd; as a result the deer population has dwindled.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims made by Governor Walker that the deer population has dwindled due to mismanagement by Governor Doyle and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the evidence provided does not offer conclusive support for these assertions. The statements primarily consist of political rhetoric and accusations without specific data or evidence to substantiate the claim of mismanagement or a significant decline in the deer population. Without more concrete evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of these claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["President Barack Obama has touted his administration\u2019s record of overseeing economic growth since the Great Recession. But is it correct -- as Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker wrote recently in Medium -- that since 2009, \"after-tax incomes are up nearly 14 percent\"?","That\u2019s lower than the 14 percent figure Pritzker cited, but it\u2019s still a double-digit increase over six years, so it\u2019s in the ballpark.","About half of the households filing returns had incomes below $50,000, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, but they collectively get just 6.6 percent of the tax gains in the bill.","By contrast, only about 1 percent of households filing returns had incomes above $500,000, but they stand to gain 23 percent of the benefits from the bill. (It\u2019s worth noting that the United States has a progressive tax system, which means that taxpayers with higher incomes pay a larger share of their income in taxes. So it\u2019s not surprising that wealthier taxpayers would receive a greater share of the benefits in a tax bill.)"]},{"id":"12684.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Today, there are more Hoosiers going to work than ever before in the 200-year history of the great state of Indiana.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there are currently more people employed in Indiana than at any previous recorded point in history. The evidence provided supports this claim by citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data. However, it's important to note that the statement is specific to the state of Indiana and does not encompass the entire history of the United States. Therefore, while it is true for Indiana, it is not necessarily true for the entire 200-year history of the United States. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7608.json","label":"half-true","statement":"No one knows who bought the [38 Studios] bonds. And there was some language put in the bond offer that they must remain anonymous.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. It is true that the identity of the buyers of the 38 Studios bonds remains unknown, and there was indeed language in the bond offer that allowed them to remain anonymous. However, it's important to note that while the identity of the buyers is unknown, it doesn't necessarily mean that no one knows. There may be individuals or entities involved who have knowledge of the buyers' identities, but this information has not been publicly disclosed. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects the lack of public knowledge regarding the bond buyers' identities.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5623.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Nearly 45 percent of the women who receive health screenings through (the Womens Health Program) do so at a Planned Parenthood health center.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Democratic legislators that nearly 45 percent of women who receive health screenings through the Women's Health Program do so at Planned Parenthood health centers. However, it's important to note that without further context or information, it is unclear whether this statistic represents the entire population of women receiving health screenings through the program or if it is specific to a certain region or timeframe. Therefore, while the statement is based on a claim made by legislators, the lack of additional details makes it difficult to determine the full accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Limbaugh claimed the media made up the \"polar vortex\" to bolster global warming. What the cold snap does prove, he says, is Arctic sea ice is not melting -- that global warming is a hoax.","Those images of polar bears stranded atop tiny glaciers, looking very sad about their melting home in the North Pole, are phony, says radio host Rush Limbaugh. The lefty media created them to drive the discussion on global warming, which is also phony, he says.","You know what else is phony, says Limbaugh? The \"polar vortex\" chilling much of the country with record low temperatures (though not really colder ones than on Mars). The media is playing it up as an extreme, counterintuitive consequence of a warming planet as part of its global warming \"hoax,\" Limbaugh said, when the polar blast really proves just the opposite.","PunditFact wanted to know: Does the unusual blast of cool air, which he says the media ginned up as the \"dreaded polar vortex,\" disprove global warming?"]},{"id":"5658.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Last year, we produced 14 percent less oil on public lands than we did the year before.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that oil production on public lands decreased by 14 percent from the previous year. However, it's important to note that this decrease can be attributed, at least in part, to factors such as the Deepwater Horizon disaster and a shift by oil companies to private lands for fracking. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the reasons behind the decrease in oil production on public lands.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4402.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Congressman Bill Young voted to cut taxes for millionaires and end your Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks context. While it is true that Congressman Bill Young voted for the Ryan budget, which proposed changes to Medicare, it is misleading to claim that he specifically voted to \"cut taxes for millionaires and end Medicare.\" The Ryan budget did include provisions for tax cuts and proposed changes to the Medicare system, but it did not explicitly target tax cuts for millionaires nor completely eliminate Medicare. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and fails to provide a nuanced understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10813.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On my last trip to New Hampshire, I think I met the guy who founded the first and only bank since Dodd-Frank passed, since the financial crisis. One bank in the country.","reason":"Reason: While Jeb Bush's statement suggests that Primary Bank is the first and only bank founded since Dodd-Frank passed, it is not entirely accurate. While there has been a significant decline in newly chartered banks since the enactment of Dodd-Frank, there is evidence to suggest that there is at least one other bank in the country that was founded during that time. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the existence of other banks that were established after the financial crisis and Dodd-Frank's implementation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Before we even passed health care, 4 millions kids got health insurance that didn't have it before, through the Children's Health Insurance Program.\"","Obama then listed a string of accomplishments, including this one: \"Before we even passed health care, 4 millions kids got health insurance that didn't have it before, through the Children's Health Insurance Program.\"","It's correct that the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program -- known as CHIP -- provides health care coverage to more than 8 million children, according to Medicaid. Created in 1997, when it was known as the State Children's Health Insurance Program, it promotes health coverage for low-income children by providing federal funding to states.","We\u2019re focusing on a single claim, that one of the things Clinton got done was \"winning health care for 8 million children.\""]},{"id":"2503.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Republican election platform was actually written with the help of a former lobbyist for AIG and a former lobbyist for Exxon-Mobil.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that a former lobbyist, Brian Wild, who worked for both AIG and Exxon-Mobil, was involved in the drafting of the Republican election platform, it is important to note that he was the only former lobbyist involved, not multiple lobbyists as implied by President Obama's statement. Therefore, the claim that the platform was written with the help of \"a former lobbyist for AIG and a former lobbyist for Exxon-Mobil\" is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8950.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Alaska Sen. Mark Begich supported President Barack Obamas economic policies 97 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Senator Mark Begich supported President Barack Obama's economic policies 97 percent of the time is an oversimplification. While it is true that Begich's votes aligned with the president's stance 97 percent of the time on issues where Obama took a clear position, it does not necessarily mean that Begich supported all of Obama's economic policies. The statement fails to consider the nuances and complexities of individual policy positions and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of Begich's voting record. Therefore, the statement is misleading and should be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8982.json","label":"true","statement":"Seventy-five percent of the young adults in this country are not mentally or physically fit to serve.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by author Bing West that 75% of young adults in the United States are not mentally or physically fit to serve in the military. This claim is supported by research conducted by the Defense Department and non-governmental organizations. While the evidence provided does not specify the exact factors contributing to this unfitness, it affirms the overall assertion made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests \u2013 including foreign corporations \u2013 to spend without limit in our elections.\"","The president told a joint session of Congress on Jan. 27, 2010, that \"it's time to put strict limits on the contributions that lobbyists give to candidates for federal office. Last week the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests \u2013- including foreign corporations \u2013- to spend without limit in our elections. Well I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, and worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people, and that's why I'm urging Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that helps to right this wrong.\"","Critics of the ruling -- including some readers who contacted PolitiFact after we posted our original analysis -- have zeroed in on one scenario in particular, \"that foreign corporations with U.S. subsidiaries are likely to be able to now spend unlimited amounts on American elections,\" in the words of the liberal blog Think Progress. In one theoretical example offered by the Web site Politico, \"even if Sony Corp. in Japan couldn't spend money directly for or against a candidate, the electronics company's American-based subsidiaries could.\"","On Jan. 21, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling striking down barriers to corporations spending money directly from their own treasuries to influence elections. The 5-4 decision in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission has drawn fire from President Barack Obama twice -- first in a weekly radio address and, now, during his State of the Union address."]},{"id":"4576.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says David Dewhurst accused Cruz of being a Red Chinese Communist.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that David Dewhurst's campaign accused Ted Cruz of being a \"Red Chinese Communist\" in emails distributed by his campaign. While the term \"Red Chinese Communist\" may be seen as hyperbolic or exaggerated, it is clear that the accusation was made. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Texas Tribune tracks all of the private colleges\u2019 positions on the campus carry law. Of the private colleges the publication tracks, 17 have not decided whether they will opt out and one college, Southwestern Adventist University, did not respond to the Tribune\u2019s request. The president of Baylor University, Ken Starr, said he has \u201clittle doubt\u201d the university will opt out.","While state laws and campus policies vary widely across the U.S., our view is that colleges and universities should not be forced to allow guns on their campuses \u2013 particularly in a political climate that has seen violence at dozens of colleges across the country.","While public colleges and universities in Texas must allow firearms to be carried, private institutions have the option of adopting campus carry under the state\u2019s law. Yet, so far, only one private university in the state has done so.","Trinity University announced that it would opt out of Texas\u2019 campus carry law Thursday, making it the 20th private college to do so since the legislation passed in June of last year. Other private colleges opting out of the law include Austin College, South Texas College of Law, Southern Methodist University, and University of St. Thomas."]},{"id":"6845.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Less than 10 percent of President Barack Obamas Cabinet members have private-sector experience.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. According to the research conducted by PolitiFact, which examined the claim made by Glenn Beck, it was found that three of Obama's Cabinet members, including Steven Chu, Shaun Donovan, and Ken Salazar, had significant corporate or business experience. This contradicts the assertion that less than 10 percent of Obama's Cabinet members had private-sector experience. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The National Federation of Independent Business here in Virginia says on its website that \"the vast majority of minimum wage workers get a raise within a year.\"","\"The vast majority of minimum wage workers get a raise within a year,\" says an infographic posted on the website of the Virginia chapter of the small business lobby.","PunditFact, \"Steve Forbes says two-thirds of people who earn the minimum wage get a raise within one year,\" Feb. 16, 2014.","\"Women are paid on average 77% to the dollar. And then if you look at African American women and Latinas, even less, and for doing the same work. You look at the fact that we have a real battle in this country around minimum wage and the need to increase minimum wage. We should understand minimum wage is a minimum standard of living, but federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, which averages $15,000 a year, and the majority of women are minimum wage workers.\""]},{"id":"6330.json","label":"true","statement":"We created as many jobs in the first six months of this year as we did in all of 2011 and 2011 was the best single year for private-sector job growth since the year 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the number of jobs created in the first six months of the year is equivalent to the total number of jobs created in 2011. Additionally, it correctly states that 2011 was the best single year for private-sector job growth since the year 2000. The evidence provided supports these claims, indicating that the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10132.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Greg Abbott has benefitted from payday lenders who have given him $300,000 and then received a ruling from him that they can operate in a loophole in the law that allows them to charge unlimited rates and fees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Davis that payday lenders donated $300,000 to Greg Abbott's campaign and subsequently received a ruling that allowed them to operate in a loophole to charge unlimited rates and fees. While it is clarified that the ruling mentioned is actually a legal analysis and not an official court ruling, it is acknowledged that the analysis aligned with a court ruling that permitted payday lenders to charge unlimited fees. Additionally, it is noted that only a portion of the donations occurred before the analysis was issued. However, the evidence suggests that politically supportive payday lenders did benefit from Abbott's office reaffirming a way for them to operate within the loophole. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that the ruling mentioned is a legal analysis and not an official court ruling.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We have one of the most expensive General Assemblies, per capita, in the entire country,\" he said. \"In fact, we're right behind Alaska. And the reason Alaska is so expensive is 'cause those guys have to fly in airplanes to attend General Assembly meetings. But we pay per capita more than the state of New York and more than the state of California per capita for their General Assemblies.\"","On the air, he invited PolitiFact Rhode Island to check his assertion that Rhode Island's General Assembly is one of the most expensive and, because it sounded interesting, we gave him a call to ask for his evidence.","Says for the coronavirus, \u201cthe death rate in Texas, per capita of 29 million people, we're one of the lowest in the country.\"","Abbott said that Irving has more Fortune 500 companies per capita than any city in the country during a speech praising economic development efforts happening statewide and locally in Texas."]},{"id":"7933.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Georgia Power customers pay 10 percent to 15 percent below the national average for electricity.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Georgia Power customers pay 10 percent to 15 percent below the national average for electricity. According to Georgia Power officials and their own figures, customers have consistently paid 10 percent or more below the national average in multiple years, with some years even reaching more than 15 percent below the national average. While there may be slight variations in recent years, the overall trend supports the claim. However, it's important to note that the comparison is focused on investor-owned utilities and may not include every utility company in the nation, which could affect the accuracy of the comparison.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10513.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In states that have private-sale background checks for handguns 49 percent fewer women are shot and killed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that in states with private-sale background checks for handguns, there is a significant decrease in the number of women shot and killed, the actual figure is 38 percent, not 49 percent. The statistic of 49 percent fewer women shot and killed specifically applies to women who are victims of domestic violence situations. However, when considering the broader group of women in general, the decrease is 38 percent. Therefore, the statement is partially true but should specify that it pertains to women in domestic violence situations and provide the accurate percentage of 38 percent for women overall.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1183.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Nothing in any of the Democrat bills would require individuals to verify their citizenship or identity prior to receiving taxpayer-subsidized benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Democrat bills do not explicitly require individuals to verify their citizenship or identity prior to receiving taxpayer-subsidized benefits, it is important to note that the bills do include provisions for the development of interoperable, secure, and scalable standards and protocols to facilitate enrollment in federal and state health and human services programs. These provisions aim to streamline the enrollment process and utilize electronic matching against existing databases for eligibility verification. However, it is also worth mentioning that an amendment requiring verification of eligibility with specific databases was rejected in the House Ways and Means Committee. Therefore, while the bills do not have a direct requirement for verification, the implementation of the provisions mentioned could potentially address the issue of verifying citizenship or identity for taxpayer-subsidized benefits.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Of approximately 80,000 in 2012 that were denied (a gun) because of a background check \u2026 only 44 people were prosecuted for that,\" Ayotte said during the February 19 meeting.","On the numbers, Ayotte is on track. In one year, more than 80,000 background checks were denied at the state and local level and federal authorities pursued 44 charges in court, as the senator claimed. However, the report she cited is based on 2010 numbers, not 2012, but that\u2019s small potatoes.","U.S. Department of Justice, Enforcement of the Brady Act, 2010: Federal and State Investigations and Prosecutions of Firearm Applicants Denied by a NICS Check in 2010 , August 2012","According to federal figures, most applicants who are denied a firearm through the FBI\u2019s National Instant Criminal Background Check System are rejected because of a prior criminal conviction, restraining order or another past issue."]},{"id":"5616.json","label":"true","statement":"Every poll you see, the overwhelming majority of people want [E-Verify].","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which suggests that the overwhelming majority of people support implementing E-Verify. The evidence highlights instances where bipartisan support and public opinion have been cited to demonstrate the widespread backing for E-Verify. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In response to the Republicans\u2019 ad, the Crist campaign sent reporters a copy of a recent Tampa Bay Times editorial that cited numbers that show health care reform is working in Florida -- including that nearly 1 million have elected to get a plan through the federal marketplace.","\"People\u2019s \u2014 I don\u2019t know if you have been watching lately over the last couple of weeks \u2014 people\u2019s premiums, George, are going up 35, 45, 55 percent,\" Trump said on Oct. 25. \"Their deductibles are so high nobody\u2019s ever going to get to use it. So ... Obamacare is turning out to be a bigger disaster than anybody thought.\"","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush.","The positivity rate, which measures what percentage of tests come up positive for the virus, is also going up again during the past few weeks. This is a concern because higher positivity rates are an indicator of community spread."]},{"id":"1957.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sen. George LeMieux voted to let oil companies off the hook and overturn pollution rules.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the narration that Sen. George LeMieux voted to overturn pollution rules. However, it lacks context regarding the specific details of the vote and the potential impact on oil companies. Without further information, it is difficult to assess the extent to which Sen. LeMieux's vote would have \"let oil companies off the hook.\" Therefore, the statement is partially true but would benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11399.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Donald Trump supports eminent domain and the Supreme Courts Kelodecision.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Donald Trump supports eminent domain and acknowledges that his position differs from many conservatives. The ad's narrator accurately states that Trump supports eminent domain abuse and implies that he supports the Supreme Court's Kelo decision, which expanded the government's power to take private property for public use. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["( - Donald Trump says US spent $7 trillion on Middle East wars. A lot of that money has not been spent&url=)","\"The people opposing us are the same people \u2014 and think of this \u2014 who\u2019ve wasted $6 trillion on wars in the Middle East \u2014 we could have rebuilt our country twice \u2014 that have produced only more terrorism, more death, and more suffering \u2013 imagine if that money had been spent at home,\" Trump said at a Oct. 26 rally in Charlotte, N.C.","Trump said that America has spent $7 trillion on the Middle East. The key flaw is Trump treated long-range estimates as money already spent.","\"We have spent $7 trillion \u2014 trillion with a T \u2014 $7 trillion in the Middle East,\" he told the crowd April 28, 2018. \"You know what we have for it? Nothing. Nothing.\""]},{"id":"9933.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Tom Steyer is aCalifornia billionaire who stands to profit by blocking Keystone and is spending big to help Bruce Braley.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains elements of truth but lacks important context. Tom Steyer, a California billionaire, has indeed been involved in efforts to block the Keystone XL pipeline. However, the claim that he stands to profit from blocking the pipeline is misleading. While Steyer has investments in renewable energy and has advocated for clean energy policies, there is no direct evidence to suggest that he would profit from blocking Keystone. Additionally, the statement implies that Steyer's support for Bruce Braley's campaign is solely motivated by personal gain, which is an oversimplification. While Steyer has financially supported Braley, it is important to consider a range of factors that may influence political contributions. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Guide says proponents of bond package say Austin school district's debt tax rate is second-lowest among Central Texas districts&url=)","According to the Voters Guide prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Austin Area, proponents of the $892 million bond package say: \"The bond tax rate for Austin ISD is presently the second lowest among the Central Texas area districts.\"","A guide to upcoming Austin-area elections says advocates of a bond package benefiting the Austin school district maintain the district hasn\u2019t overly burdened taxpayers.","But the Austin district has the lowest debt tax rate of these districts, at 16.3 cents per $100 in assessed property, with the Eanes district second at 17.25 cents per $100 valuation, according to the slide."]},{"id":"4185.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Republican state Sen. Alberta Darling offered unqualified support for a plan to end Medicare","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. There is evidence that Republican state Senator Alberta Darling offered support for a plan proposed by U.S. Representative Paul Ryan, but it is unclear if this support was \"unqualified.\" Additionally, the claim that Ryan's plan would \"end\" Medicare is a separate assertion that needs to be evaluated independently. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In disputing Wehby\u2019s statement that Oregon\u2019s health care launch was an \"unmitigated disaster,\" Merkley said \"400,000 Oregonians have gained access to health care\" under the federal Affordable Care Act.","So those totals may well make Merkley\u2019s 400,000 claim true. But neither he nor anyone else can say how many of them already had access to health care before the ACA went into effect.","The American Rescue Plan, Biden said, \"did more to lower costs and expand access to health care than any action since the passage of the Affordable Care Act. It made quality coverage more affordable than ever, with families saving an average of $2,400 on their annual premiums, and four out of five consumers finding quality coverage for under $10 a month. As a result, millions of our fellow Americans have now gained the security and peace of mind that dependable health insurance brings.\"","As the Baby Boom generation ages, more and more Americans transition into guaranteed health care under Medicare -- about 10,000 a day. Because of this, some previously uninsured people would suddenly be counted as being insured upon turning 65. For this, they have Medicare to thank, rather than the Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"8903.json","label":"false","statement":"On adoption by gay couples","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement is false. While Mitt Romney has expressed opposition to gay marriage, he has also stated that he recognizes the legitimate interest of gay couples in receiving adoptive services. He has mentioned adoption as one of the rights that states could grant, indicating that he does not explicitly support denying gay couples the right to adopt. Additionally, recent legislation in Kansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma allowing adoption agencies to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples further contradicts the claim that Romney supports denying adoption rights to same-sex couples.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2683.json","label":"false","statement":"Matt Patten kicked off his dirty campaign with thousands in dirty cash from guess who? (Frank) Russo and (Jimmy) Dimora.","reason":"Reason: The statement provided does not directly relate to the evidence provided. The evidence discusses claims made in \"Clinton Cash\" regarding a pay-for-play scheme involving the Clintons and Russia, specifically regarding uranium transfers. The statement about Matt Patten receiving campaign funds from Frank Russo and Jimmy Dimora does not align with the evidence provided and lacks context. Without further information or evidence, it is not possible to evaluate the veracity of this statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3599.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"43,000 people are going to be kicked out of nursing homes or denied nursing home entrance if the Texas House version of the state budget passes into law.","reason":"Reason: While State Rep. Joaquin Castro claimed that 43,000 people would be kicked out of nursing homes or denied entrance if the Texas House version of the state budget passes into law, this claim has not been confirmed by the source he cited. The estimate of 43,000 people is not directly supported by the evidence, and it is acknowledged as an educated guess by another group. Therefore, the statement is partially based on speculation and lacks concrete evidence to fully support its validity.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9072.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Women are still paid 82 cents for every dollar a man earns in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided, which states that on average, women in Texas are paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to men in full-time jobs. This results in a yearly gap of $7,859 between men and women who work full time in the state. However, it's important to note that this statistic represents an average and does not account for factors such as job type, experience, and education, which can contribute to wage disparities. While the statement is generally true, it should be understood that the gender pay gap can vary based on various factors and is not solely indicative of pay discrimination for the same work or in the same job.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A variety of blogs reprinted an item indicating that Warren Buffett recently said \"Scrap Obamacare and Start All Over.\" However, the comments came from an interview in 2010, when the health care bill was still being debated, and are not based on the subsequent three and a half years of seeing the law implemented. If anything, comments by Buffett in 2012 suggest that he\u2019s pleased to see the law being put into effect, despite the shortcomings he sees. The notion that Buffett had recently turned on a president he supported by souring on his signature health care law could have been easily debunked using Google searches. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","The link went to a website called Money Morning, which posted an entry on Sept. 13 titled, \"Buffett: Scrap Obamacare and Start All Over.\"","!In a CNBC interview in 2010, investor Warren Buffett offered skepticism about the bill that ultimately became Obamacare. Some bloggers suggested his comments were recent. !In a CNBC interview in 2010, investor Warren Buffett offered skepticism about the bill that ultimately became Obamacare. Some bloggers suggested his comments were recent.","In a CNBC interview in 2010, investor Warren Buffett offered skepticism about the bill that ultimately became Obamacare. Some bloggers suggested his comments were recent."]},{"id":"1895.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Of hospitals in Rick Scotts Columbia\/HCA health care company, \"A top executive said they even turned away a poor man and left him to die outside their door.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes a claim to a top executive in Rick Scott's Columbia\/HCA health care company, suggesting that they turned away a poor man and left him to die outside their door. However, there is no evidence to support this specific claim. While there were allegations of wrongdoing and legal issues surrounding Columbia\/HCA during Rick Scott's tenure, the specific incident described in the statement is not substantiated. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about individuals or organizations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["After the state tightened the voter ID laws, it told people, \"Look, we will literally send a van and a photographer to the home of anybody that can say they can't get a picture made and a photo ID and we will do it ... at the state's cost and the taxpayer cost and not at the individual cost,\" Gingrey said in the Dec. 28 article.","But the state did not \"literally send a van and a photographer to the home of anybody that can say they can't get a picture made and a photo ID,\" as Gingrey said","More states are adopting laws that require voters to show photo IDs at the polls, and the Obama administration is crying foul.","It might have made getting a voter ID more convenient. And the fact that few used the bus might bolster Gingrey\u2019s argument that people who want the IDs don\u2019t need help."]},{"id":"13451.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The list of voters that North Carolina Republicans tried to purge was two-thirds black and Democratic.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were challenges made by Republicans to remove voters in the town of Belhaven, North Carolina, and that approximately 58 percent of those challenges were black Democrats, it is misleading to generalize this specific case to the entire state. The statement lacks the necessary context to clarify that the claim only pertains to a specific set of challenges in one town. It is not accurate to suggest that Republicans attempted to purge a statewide list of voters that was two-thirds black and Democratic. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Over 40 of our 100 (House of) Delegates seats go uncontested every year, and over 40 percent of our state senate seats go uncontested every year,\" Sarvis said.","All seats in the 100-member House are up for grabs every two years. Cote accurately noted that in the last eight elections, an average of 49.75 seats House seats were uncontested. That would be in line with Sarvis\u2019 proclamation that more than 40 House of Delegates seats are one-candidate elections.","Remember, the Senate has 40 members. Sarvis\u2019 claim that more than 40 percent of the seats went uncontested each cycle sputters in the latest election, in 2011, when 35 percent the races had no competition.","But Sarvis didn\u2019t phrase his statement as an average. He said \"every year\" more than 40 percent of the seats in each chamber weren\u2019t contested. So we have to look at each election year individually."]},{"id":"10353.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Fox News airs Stuart Scott R.I.P. tribute with picture of Stephen A. Smith.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Fox News aired a tribute to Stuart Scott with a picture of Stephen A. Smith. The available evidence suggests that this claim originated from a website, but it lacks credibility and has not been substantiated. It is important to verify information from reliable sources before making such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["That\u2019s misleading. The two votes she took did mirror those of some lawmakers who favor a carbon tax, but that\u2019s not the same thing as saying she voted to \"pave the way for a new national energy tax.\" These weren\u2019t procedural votes to commence a debate on, or tee up a final vote on, an actual carbon-tax bill. We don't see how either vote would have brought a carbon tax any closer to fruition.","\"The simple fact is that one year ago, Sen. Shaheen voted for a measure that would have amounted to a new national energy tax which would have a disastrous impact on New Hampshire\u2019s economy,\" Reed said.","It would have been accurate to say Shaheen voted to \"pave the way\" for a carbon tax if she had cast a vote to -- for instance -- begin Senate debate on an actual carbon tax. But no carbon tax was waiting for a vote. The amendment she voted for wouldn\u2019t have brought a carbon tax any closer to fruition. (And don\u2019t forget that the measure didn\u2019t even pass, so it\u2019s not as if it paved the way for a tax that\u2019s now in place.)","This claim echoed, but did not precisely match, one made in a June press release by Brown\u2019s campaign manager, Colin Reed -- that \"one year ago, Sen. Shaheen voted for a measure that would have amounted to a new national energy tax.\""]},{"id":"8264.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On support for a military strike on Syria","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the Obama administration made a case to Congress and the public for military action in Syria, similar to the actions taken by Trump in 2017. However, it is important to note that the experts mentioned in the evidence state that the justifications for military action in Syria did not apply as long as Russia and China blocked Security Council approval. This indicates that while there were efforts to garner support for a military strike, the specific justifications and circumstances surrounding the actions may not have been fully aligned. Therefore, the statement is partially true, acknowledging the similarities in efforts to gain support for military action, but also recognizing the limitations and differing justifications in the case of Syria.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7422.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says after Hurricane Sandy, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg refused to allow the National Guard into the city to restore civil order because Guardsmen carry guns!","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mayor Michael Bloomberg rejected the deployment of an armed National Guard after Hurricane Sandy, it is important to provide additional context. The mayor's decision was based on his belief that the New York Police Department (NYPD) was capable of maintaining civil order without the need for armed troops. It is misleading to suggest that the rejection was solely because Guardsmen carry guns. The statement lacks the necessary context to fully understand the mayor's reasoning behind his decision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I had a conversation with someone quite some time ago that right now, you could be 8\u00bd months\u2019 pregnant and have an abortion for no reason,\" Fende told The Columbus Dispatch for a story published Jan. 17.","The numbers confirm that at least one abortion occurred in Ohio when a mother was at least 8\u00bd months\u2019 pregnant. Fende said she was aware of this one abortion when she made her claim, and she said she did not know the reason behind it.","Division A of that section says that before performing an abortion, a provider must \"determine whether there is a detectable fetal heartbeat of the unborn human individual the pregnant woman is carrying.\" The method for detecting a heartbeat is then spelled out in Division C, which says:","Jessie Hill, a professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law, said abortions when a woman is 8\u00bd months pregnant don\u2019t happen in Ohio for no reason. \"It\u2019s just one of those things that\u2019s unheard of,\" said Hill, who has researched reproductive rights. Hill said she is pro-choice."]},{"id":"8287.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Were 48th in K-12 funding and 50th in higher education.","reason":"Reason: The statement about Florida being 48th in K-12 funding is supported by data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which shows that Florida ranked 48th in state funding alone in 2011. However, the claim about Florida being 50th in higher education funding lacks a specific source and is subject to different rankings based on methodology. While the National Education Association ranked Florida 50th for state and local expenditures in 2009-10, more recent analyses have shown Florida ranking higher than 50th in some measures. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate regarding K-12 funding but lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim about higher education funding.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If we are 110 percent that that person deserved death, I would support it, yes,\" Shami said. \"Not as it currently stands, absolutely not. We have killed lots of innocent people in the state of Texas.\"","Shami spokeswoman Kelly Johnson said the list justifies Shami\u2019s declaration that the state has put lots of innocent people to death. \"Farouk believes that one innocent man put to death is too many,\" Johnson said. \"Therefore the five listed on the Web site constitute \u2018lots.\u2019\"","The attack sent shockwaves across a state still recovering from a separate mass shooting. In early August, a gunman opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso and killed 22 people.","It's possible, as Shami said, that Texas has put innocents to death--conceivably \"lots\" of them. Nationally, the death penalty information center writes, \"there is no way to tell how many of the over 1,000 people executed since 1976 may also have been innocent. Courts do not generally entertain claims of innocence when the defendant is dead. Defense attorneys move on to other cases where clients' lives can still be saved.\""]},{"id":"12022.json","label":"false","statement":"When youre white ... you dont know what its like to be poor.","reason":"Reason: The statement attributed to Bernie Sanders, \"When you're white... you don't know what it's like to be poor,\" is false. While Sanders did make a comment about being white and not knowing what it's like to live in a ghetto or be poor, the statement has been misquoted and taken out of context. The actual quote from Sanders is, \"When you're white, you don't know what it's like to be living in a ghetto. You don't know what it's like to be poor.\" This revised quote acknowledges that there are white individuals who experience poverty but highlights the lack of understanding about living in a ghetto. Therefore, the original statement is false as it misrepresents Sanders' actual words.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"119.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"With the resources it takes to execute just over three months of the Iraq war, we could fully fund the expansion of health care for needy children that Bush vetoed.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the resources allocated for just over three months of the Iraq war could have been used to fully fund the expansion of health care for needy children, which President Bush vetoed. While the exact figures may vary, it is generally true that the cost of the Iraq war was substantial. The statement implies that the cost of the war could have been redirected towards funding the expansion of health care for needy children. However, it's important to note that the specific details and calculations regarding the cost of the war and the funding needed for the health care expansion may vary. Therefore, while the statement captures the general idea accurately, the specific numbers and details may require further examination.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Bachmann said that of every \"three dollars in food stamps for the needy, seven dollars in salaries and pensions (go to) the bureaucrats who are supposed to be taking care of the poor.\"","How does it help the poor, she asked, when \"of every dollar that you hold in your hands, 70 cents of that dollar that's supposed to go to the poor doesn't. It actually goes to benefit the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. Seventy cents on the dollar. That's how the president's caring works in practice. So three dollars in food stamps for the needy, seven dollars in salaries and pensions for the bureaucrats who are supposed to be taking care of the poor. So with all due respect, I ask you, how does this show that our president cares about the poor?\"","After taking into account tax dollars allocated to Medicare and Social Security, the individual\u2019s remaining tax dollars were split among \"programs administrated by the federal government,\" according to the article, which provided a White House website as its evidence.","A social media post that has been shared thousands of times claims to have a revealing handle on how the government spends American tax dollars."]},{"id":"7427.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Travis Countys unemployment rate is below the national average while its poverty rate exceeds the national average--and local poverty is rising.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sarah Eckhardt that Travis County's unemployment rate is below the national average, while its poverty rate exceeds the national average, and local poverty is rising. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm or refute these claims, it does indicate that Eckhardt made these statements in an email blast. Without specific data to evaluate the current unemployment rate, poverty rate, and trends in local poverty, we cannot definitively confirm the accuracy of the statement. However, given that the claim aligns with the information provided, it can be considered mostly true, pending further data verification.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska, urged her supporters to oppose Democratic plans for health care reform on her Facebook page.","\"Finding Number One\" of the report is \"that Governor Sarah Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Branch Ethics Act .\"","We've looked at the inflammatory claims that the health care bill encourages euthanasia. It doesn't. There's certainly no \"death board\" that determines the worthiness of individuals to receive care. Conservatives might make a case that Palin is justified in fearing that the current reform could one day morph into such a board.","We agree with Palin that such a system would be evil. But it's definitely not what President Barack Obama or any other Democrat has proposed."]},{"id":"11158.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Film and television productions generated a $6 billion economic impact for Georgias economy in the most recent fiscal year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Georgia Department of Economic Development that film and television productions generated a $6 billion economic impact for Georgia's economy in the most recent fiscal year. However, it's important to note that the term \"economic impact\" can be interpreted in different ways. While the $6 billion figure represents the total spending associated with these productions, it does not necessarily mean that the entire amount directly translates into economic growth or benefits for the state. Factors such as the multiplier effect, job creation, and long-term economic sustainability should be considered to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the reported figure, it may be considered half-true when considering the broader economic implications.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Rick Scott says Bill McCollum took \"thousands\" from Planned Parenthood lobbyists. !Rick Scott says Bill McCollum took \"thousands\" from Planned Parenthood lobbyists.","\"Bill McCollum has accepted thousands from lobbyists for Planned Parenthood,\" says the outside of the mailer. The claim is printed over the top of an image of a faceless man wearing a Planned Parenthood button and taking a stack of money.","Rick Scott's new campaign mailer is blasting his Republican primary opponent for governor, Bill McCollum, as being in the pocket of the pro-choice group Planned Parenthood.","It appears to us that the Scott campaign is trying very hard to link McCollum and Planned Parenthood in an attempt to attack McCollum's pro-life credentials. They succeeded by finding a Washington law firm that at one point lobbied for Planned Parenthood and at another point gave $2,000 to McCollum."]},{"id":"13474.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President-elect Trumps immigration policies are very similar to policies that are sitting right in the Senate and the House today to temporarily suspend immigration from countries that harbor terrorism, to temporarily suspend immigration from Syria until we get better vetting.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Reince Priebus, who stated that President-elect Trump's immigration policies are similar to existing policies in the Senate and the House. These policies aim to temporarily suspend immigration from countries that harbor terrorism and temporarily suspend immigration from Syria until better vetting procedures are in place. While the statement is generally true, it's important to note that the specific details and implementation of these policies may vary between different proposals and legislative efforts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the 18th Congressional District, Republican State Sen. Bob Gibbs has his sights trained on Rep. Zack Space, a Democrat. Space voted for the bill even though he knew it \"would cost the average household approximately $1,761 per year in increased energy rates,\" Gibbs says on his campaign website.","Says Zack Space voted for budgets and debt, energy taxes and the stimulus, and \"we still lost more than 2.5 million jobs.\"","PolitiFact, \"Alexander claims that cap-and-trade will cost consumer $1,761 a year( \"Alexander claims that cap-and-trade will cost consumer $1,761 a year\")\", Sept. 18, 2009","Declan McCullagh, Taking Liberties on CBS News online, \"Obama Admin: Cap and Trade Could Cost Families $1,761 a Year( \"Obama Admin: Cap and Trade Could Cost Families $1,761 a Year\"),\" Sept. 15, 2009"]},{"id":"6007.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker took away $1.6 billion from schools and handed it off as over $2 billion in tax breaks to the rich.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were budget cuts to schools during Gov. Scott Walker's tenure, it is incorrect to claim that he took away $1.6 billion from schools and directly handed it off as over $2 billion in tax breaks to the rich. The budget cuts and tax breaks were separate actions, and the funds saved from the budget cuts were not directly transferred to tax breaks for the wealthy. It is important to note that the impact of budget cuts and tax breaks on schools and the distribution of wealth can be complex and multifaceted, but the direct transfer of funds as described in the statement did not occur.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6056.json","label":"true","statement":"In Galveston, Texas, they have allowed people to privatize part of their Social Security. And people are building wealth.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation in Galveston, Texas, where individuals have been given the option to privatize part of their Social Security. This alternative approach allows individuals to invest their Social Security contributions in personal retirement accounts, potentially leading to the accumulation of wealth. It is important to note, however, that this approach is specific to Galveston and is not a nationwide policy. Therefore, the statement is true in the context of Galveston, but it does not represent the overall structure of the Social Security system in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3548.json","label":"false","statement":"On bipartisan redistricting.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that the statement is false. The evidence discusses the topic of bipartisan redistricting and the need for greater citizen involvement, but it does not provide any specific information or analysis regarding Governor Bob McDonnell's fulfillment of his campaign promise on this issue. Without further evidence or analysis, it is not possible to make a definitive judgment on whether Governor McDonnell has remained true to his promise of bipartisan redistricting in Virginia.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6481.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Reps. Rush Holt, Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell are willing to jeopardize seniors access to coverage by gutting $741 billion from Medicare to pay for a big-government healthcare takeover.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Reps. Rush Holt, Frank Pallone, and Bill Pascrell are willing to jeopardize seniors' access to coverage by gutting $741 billion from Medicare to pay for a \"big-government healthcare takeover.\" There is no credible evidence to support this claim. The National Republican Congressional Committee made this assertion in news releases, but it lacks factual basis and is a misrepresentation of the Democrats' positions. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["Keeping whales in captivity is a complicated issue, and the critical 2013 documentary Blackfish has brought more attention to it . Clearly, longevity is just one factor, and it isn\u2019t the same thing as the quality of the whales\u2019 daily lives. Here, though, we wanted to drill down on SeaWorld\u2019s specific claim that the whales at their parks live just as long as they do in the wild.","\"You might have heard attacks from PETA saying our killer whales live only a fraction as long as whales in the wild. They say, \u2018In captivity, orcas\u2019 average life span plummets to just nine years.\u2019 But the author of an independent study, Dr. Douglas DeMaster, of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying, \u2018Survival in the wild is comparable to survival in captivity.\u2019 There\u2019s no other way to say it\u2026 PETA is not giving you the facts.\"","\u2022 The ad focuses on longevity, not survival rates; those are different statistics. The ad\u2019s headline refers to how long whales live, and the text uses terms like \"life span\" and \"life expectancy.\" But those are different things than the statistic DeMaster used that\u2019s favorable to SeaWorld -- annual survival rates.","A new ad, part of a multimedia blitz for the company, is headlined, \"Fact: Whales live as long at SeaWorld,\" and it is written in the voice of Chris Dold, a SeaWorld veterinarian. The ad, which has appeared in the Tampa Bay Times , takes specific aim at criticism leveled by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, an animal-rights group that has been among the theme park company\u2019s biggest critics. Here\u2019s a portion of the ad\u2019s text:"]},{"id":"8259.json","label":"true","statement":"President Barack Obama had the legal authority to strike Syria without a vote from Congress.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the statement regarding President Obama's legal authority to strike Syria without a vote from Congress. However, it is important to note that the President does have certain powers to take military action without congressional approval under certain circumstances, such as in cases of self-defense or when there is an imminent threat to national security. In the context of U.S. law, the President's authority to use military force is derived from the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution. Therefore, it is accurate to say that President Barack Obama had the legal authority to strike Syria without a vote from Congress in certain situations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Because Cicilline said women earned only 77 cents for every dollar that men earned \"in the same position,\" we decided to focus on his statement.","\"Nearly a century since suffrage was achieved, women continue to lag behind men in terms of compensation in the workplace,\" Cicilline said. \"It is unacceptable that women continue to earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men in the same position. In many families, women have grown increasingly responsible for household income, and we must work to ensure that their pay keeps pace with their participation in the job market.\"","If you look at part-time work (less than 35 hours), women earned $1.04 cents for every dollar men earned. Women who worked 35 to 39 hours earned nearly $1.13 cents for each dollar earned by their male counterparts. But as soon as the number of hours rose to 40 hours, women's earnings dropped to about 87 cents per dollar.",", \"Women earn 91 cents for every dollar men earn -- if you control for life choices,\" June 5, 2012, accessed June 18, 2012."]},{"id":"1784.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On the importance of judicial experience for Supreme Court nominees.","reason":"Reason: The statement acknowledges that there is a debate regarding the importance of judicial experience for Supreme Court nominees. While some argue that prior judicial experience is a necessary credential, others, like Senator Harry Reid, have expressed the belief that lack of judicial experience can be beneficial, citing Sandra Day O'Connor as an example. However, it's important to note that the majority of Americans do consider prior judicial experience to be important for a Supreme Court justice. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the ongoing discussion surrounding the importance of judicial experience, but it should be understood that the prevailing belief is that prior judicial experience is generally seen as a necessary qualification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2407.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Horse racing could boost Georgias economy by $1 billion a year and create 10,000 to 20,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on projections and estimates made by supporters of horse racing in Georgia. While there is a study that suggests horse racing has a significant economic impact in the United States, it is important to note that the estimate of a $1 billion economic impact and the creation of 10,000 to 20,000 jobs in Georgia is based on extrapolation and comparisons to other states. These projections are not backed by concrete evidence specific to Georgia. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it relies on estimates and projections rather than concrete data.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Summing up foundation program funding challenges, the 2011 \"Fiscal Size-up\" report says the 2011 Legislature was faced both with making up for the loss of the federal stimulus dollars that went to education in the previous budget plus $2.2 billion in costs to school districts to accommodate annual enrollment growth of 78,000 students through the 2012-13 school year. In addition, the report says, legislators had to address an estimated $2.3 billion needed to balance out past under-payments to districts for various reasons.","Crownover\u2019s statement also says the Legislature could not fund costs associated with rapid projected growth in the student population. After mentioning the $1.6 billion increase a second time, her statement says legislators did their best to prioritize schoolchildren.","\"The Legislature did the best it could to lessen the impact of the recession and the decreased federal funding for public schools,\" her statement says, which the note says lawmakers could not cover. \"In House Bill 1 (the budget act), General Revenue appropriations to the Foundation School Program increased by $1.6 billion over the previous biennium. General Revenue,\" Crownover notes, \"is the term for state revenue that the Legislature has direct control over, and the Foundation School Program represents the most direct source of state revenue to our public schools.\"","Back to Straus\u2019s recent statement: Could it be that despite the much-noted reductions, the 2011 Legislature devoted a bigger piece of state spending to public education than before?"]},{"id":"573.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I have a perfect voting record from organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and all the other veterans service organizations.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual claiming to have a perfect voting record from organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion is false. The evidence provided does not support this claim, and there is no indication that such organizations have endorsed or recognized the individual's voting record. It is important to verify such statements with credible sources and official records to ensure accuracy.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Last year, while many of his colleagues turned down a $2,500 pay raise because Wisconsin faced a deficit and our families faced tough economic times, Senator Plale pocketed the extra money.\"","Members of the state Assembly and Senate are paid $49,943. They received a $2,530 (5.06 percent) annual pay raise, which took effect in January 2009 and lasts for the current two-year legislative term. The raise amounts to about $210 a month.","According to Marchant, Plale in July 2009 began docking his monthly paycheck by $91.20. Over the course of two years, that will be the equivalent of 16 days of salary. From July of 2009 to Sept. 1, 2010, Plale had returned $1,276.90.","\"According to Republican Rep. Jeff Shipley, teachers should not receive a pay raise if they teach American history that Republicans don\u2019t agree with.\""]},{"id":"8588.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the history of the United States, 168 presidential nominees have been filibustered, 82 blocked under President Obama, 86 blocked under all the other presidents.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. According to his claim, in the history of the United States, there have been 168 filibusters of presidential nominees, with 82 occurring under President Obama and 86 occurring under all other presidents. This information was later confirmed and updated by Reid's office. However, it's important to note that these figures include both judicial and non-judicial nominees.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Perry\u2019s camp compiled votes \u2014 undisputed by Hutchison \u2014 showing that since joining the Senate in 1993, Hutchison has voted nine times to raise the ceiling. But she\u2019s also voted five times against raising the ceiling.","Texas Watchdog, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison 19th, Sen. John Cornyn 54th in survey of earmarks spending by U.S. senators( \"Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison 19th, Sen. John Cornyn 54th in survey of earmarks spending by U.S. senators\"), Feb. 18, 2010","Gov. Rick Perry casts his leading Republican challenger, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, as a fiscally irresponsible lawmaker who\u2019d bring a free-spending approach to state government.","Dallas Morning News, While fighting earmarks in budget bill, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison tops list of Texas earmarkers,( \"While fighting earmarks in budget bill, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison tops list of Texas earmarkers,\") March 6, 2010"]},{"id":"3494.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeff Stone = Scott Walker.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Jeff Stone = Scott Walker\" is not entirely accurate. While there may be similarities between the two individuals in terms of their political ideologies or approaches to governance, they are distinct individuals with their own identities and ways of managing and doing business. It is important to recognize that equating them completely oversimplifies the nuances and differences between their respective political careers and policy positions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Things went wrong with the Medicare prescription D plan that George Bush rolled out,\" Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., told MSNBC on Nov. 6. \"When things go wrong, there are two things we can do as a country. We can spend all our time figuring out who to blame, or we can spend all our time figuring out how to fix it.\"","Israel said, \"Things went wrong with the Medicare prescription D plan that George Bush rolled out.\" There definitely were problems, and in some cases, the parallels between the prescription benefit program\u2019s introduction and the Obamacare marketplaces are strikingly similar. While we also found some serious differences in the laws, we can\u2019t find fault with Israel\u2019s fairly general statement.","Big programs have seen rocky rollouts only to achieve success later, they say. Their top example: the 2005 launch of Medicare Part D, President George W. Bush\u2019s prescription drug benefit plan.","Medicare Part D is a voluntary insurance program for prescription drugs for people on Medicare proposed by Republican President George W. Bush. It became law in 2003 and has been in place since 2006. Private insurance companies offer a variety of plans subsidized by the government, and beneficiaries get to choose the plan that's best for them. In 2016, nearly 41 million Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Part D."]},{"id":"705.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Palin \"inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22-million.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Sarah Palin inherited a city with zero long-term debt, but during her tenure as mayor, the indebtedness increased to over $22 million. While the exact figure mentioned in the statement is slightly off, the evidence confirms that the long-term debt did increase significantly during Palin's time as mayor of Wasilla. The sources provide information on the specific projects and amounts that contributed to the city's debt, including a multi-use sports complex, street projects, and water improvement projects.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9082.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After hiring a campaign manager in 2006, I got this $100 and something fee ... for hazardous materials.","reason":"Reason: Allan Fung's statement suggests that he had to pay a fee for hazardous materials specifically related to hiring a campaign manager. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm the direct correlation between hiring a campaign manager and the hazardous materials fee. The statement lacks specific details or context regarding the fee, such as whether it was a standard fee for all businesses or if it was directly tied to hiring a campaign manager. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the exact nature of the fee and its connection to hiring a campaign manager.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12743.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2009, pre-Hillary, ISIS was not even on the map.","reason":"Reason: While the specific name \"ISIS\" may not have been widely recognized in 2009, it is inaccurate to claim that the extremist group did not exist or was not a concern before Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State. The origins of ISIS can be traced back to the early 2000s, and its precursor, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), was active during the time period mentioned. Additionally, the instability and conflicts in Iraq and Syria, which contributed to the rise of ISIS, were ongoing issues before 2009. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the historical context of ISIS.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the majority that the coach, Joseph Kennedy, was not praying as part of his job duties. He said that \"both the Free Exercise and Free Speech Clauses of the First Amendment protect expressions like Mr. Kennedy\u2019s. Nor does a proper understanding of the Amendment\u2019s Establishment Clause require the government to single out private religious speech for special disfavor.\"","A second instance multiple scholars referred to was the 1990 case Employment Division v. Smith, which found that the First Amendment\u2019s Free Exercise Clause did not contain the right to religious exemptions to \"generally applicable\" laws. In this case, the court decided Oregon could deny unemployment benefits to two employees who were fired for taking illegal drugs that they were using for religious purposes.","\"People of good faith have disagreed about its application in specific cases, but it remains a distinctive feature of American constitutionalism,\" Chapman added.","Constitutional law scholars say that it\u2019s uncommon, but not entirely unprecedented, for the U.S. Supreme Court to take away a constitutional right."]},{"id":"13458.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obamacare is not a popular law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate to say that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is not universally popular, the level of support or opposition can vary depending on how the question is framed. The evidence provided mentions that the individual mandate, a component of Obamacare, was only liked by 35 percent of the public in a specific poll. However, it is important to note that other aspects of the law, such as the pre-existing conditions protection, have garnered significant support. Therefore, while there is a lack of overall consensus, it is fair to say that Obamacare is not widely popular.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In this item, we\u2019ll check the first piece of evidence to support his contention that his administration hasn\u2019t \"shut down\" oil production -- that \"last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003.\"","\"We need to continue to boost domestic production of oil and gas,\" he said. \"Last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003. Let me repeat that. Our oil production reached its highest level in seven years. Oil production from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico reached an all-time high. For the first time in more than a decade, imports accounted for less than half of what we consumed. So any notion that my administration has shut down oil production might make for a good political sound bite, but it doesn\u2019t match up with reality,\"","\"We need to continue to boost domestic production of oil and gas, \"he said. \"Last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003. Let me repeat that. Our oil production reached its highest level in seven years. Oil production from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico reached an all-time high. For the first time in more than a decade, imports accounted for less than half of what we consumed. So any notion that my administration has shut down oil production might make for a good political sound bite, but it doesn\u2019t match up with reality,\"","Moran said, \"American oil production is at its highest level since 2003.\" He\u2019s right that production hit a seven-year peak in 2010. The government projects a decline could be imminent. But at this point, there is no solid evidence that the decline has begun."]},{"id":"8996.json","label":"true","statement":"For every week that (state lawmakers are) able to cut off our timeline, it saves (Georgia taxpayers) approximately $100,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Republican lawmaker that for every week the state lawmakers are able to shorten their session, it saves Georgia taxpayers approximately $100,000. This is supported by the information provided, which highlights the costs associated with temporary staff payroll and legislator per diem expenses. The evidence suggests that shortening the legislative session reduces these costs, resulting in potential savings for taxpayers.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact, \"Ted Cruz's claim that the head of the FBI told Congress 'they cannot vet those refugees' from Syria,\" Dec. 15, 2015","\"President Obama and Hillary Clinton are proposing bringing tens of thousands of Syrian refugees to this country when the head of the FBI has told Congress they cannot vet those refugees,\" he said Dec. 15, 2015, on CNN.","\"Thousands of Syrian refugees are pouring into our country, thanks to President Obama,\" Beruff said in an Aug. 8 Facebook post. \"This is an open invitation to acts of terror. Even the director of the FBI said that we cannot properly vet people coming from the Middle East.\"","The vetting process can take two or even three years, in which refugees undergo several rounds of security clearance checks. Because of the overt concern about terrorism, Syrian refugees actually have to go through extra hurdles. Experts have told us repeatedly that refugee background checks are the most extensive security screening the country has for any type of visitor."]},{"id":"4753.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today 46 percent of all Floridians owe more on their home than it is worth.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rod Smith that 46 percent of Floridians owe more on their mortgages than the value of their homes. This claim is supported by evidence that the most recent rate of underwater homes in Florida is 45.1 percent, which is close to the stated figure. While the statement may not be precise in terms of the exact percentage, it is generally true that a significant portion of Floridians are facing negative equity in their homes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County.","\"Eighty-five percent of every dollar donated to the Clinton Foundation ended up either with the Clintons or with their staff to pay for travel, salaries, and benefits. Fifteen cents of every dollar actually went to some charitable beneficiary.\"","\"Eighty-five percent of every dollar donated to the Clinton Foundation ended up either with the Clintons or with their staff to pay for travel, salaries, and benefits,\" he said during his show. \"Fifteen cents of every dollar actually went to some charitable beneficiary.\"","The Federalist, \" In 2013, The Clinton Foundation Only Spent 10 Percent Of Its Budget On Charitable Grants,\" April 27, 2015"]},{"id":"4386.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that when President Obama visited El Paso, he pronounced that the border with Mexico and the United States was safer than it ever was in history.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama did highlight the increase in border security agents and improvements in border security during his speech in El Paso, he did not explicitly state that the border was safer than it had ever been in history. The statement goes beyond what was actually said in the speech. President Obama focused on the progress made in border security, but he did not make a direct comparison to the entire history of border safety. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You know, we\u2019ve rebuilt China,\" Trump said. \"The money they\u2019ve drained out of the United States has rebuilt China. And they\u2019ve done it through monetary manipulation, by devaluations. And very sophisticated. I mean, they\u2019re grand chess players at devaluation.\"","We looked at Trump\u2019s that the United States \"rebuilt\" China in a separate fact-check. But we were curious about Trump\u2019s claim that China is now building a groundbreaking fortress in the South China Sea.","\"We have rebuilt China, and yet they will go in the South China Sea and build a military fortress the likes of which perhaps the world has not seen,\" Trump said. \"Amazing, actually. They do that, and they do that at will because they have no respect for our president and they have no respect for our country.\"","\"I would not say that American deficits rebuilt China, but they probably allowed China to rebuild itself at a much lower domestic political cost than otherwise,\" said Michael Pettis, an expert on the Chinese economy at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and professor at Peking University."]},{"id":"11645.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Technically, (Ted Cruz is) not even an American.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ted Cruz is not even an American is false. Ted Cruz is indeed an American citizen. While he was born in Canada, he is also a natural-born citizen of the United States because his mother was a U.S. citizen at the time of his birth. Cruz has renounced any claim to Canadian citizenship and has been recognized as a U.S. citizen by the government. Therefore, the claim that he is not an American is completely inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1692.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rubio's \"got more experience than Obama had.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marco Rubio had slightly more experience in state government compared to Barack Obama, the statement oversimplifies the comparison between their overall experience. Barack Obama had at least 20 years of work and political experience, including serving in the Illinois State Senate and the U.S. Senate, before becoming president. In contrast, Rubio's experience, as of the time of the statement, amounted to 16 years. Additionally, Obama had a more diverse range of roles and experiences, while Rubio's experience primarily centered around being a lawyer. Therefore, the statement that Rubio has more experience than Obama had is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In the year 2013, the Obama administration released 104,000 criminal illegal aliens. They released 196 murderers \u2013 people with homicide convictions, who are here illegally.\"","Cruz said: \"In the year 2013, the Obama administration released 104,000 criminal illegal aliens. They released 196 murderers \u2013 people with homicide convictions, who are here illegally.\"","The Texas Republican, who was visiting the Iowa State Fair, told reporters: \"The Obama administration is releasing violent criminal illegal aliens. In the year 2013, the Obama administration released 104,000 criminal illegal aliens. They released 196 murderers \u2013 people with homicide convictions, who are here illegally. That\u2019s what I find objectionable.\" A moment later, Cruz said that as president, he would secure the U.S. borders and \"stop releasing violent criminal illegal aliens.\"","\"In fiscal year 2013, the Obama administration released over 36,000 convicted criminal aliens awaiting the outcome of deportation hearings upon an unsuspecting public, and another 30,558 in fiscal year 2014 according to the House Judiciary Committee,\" von Spakovsky wrote. \"And in 2013 alone, the administration didn\u2019t even bring removal proceedings against an additional 68,000 criminal aliens convicted of everything from homicide to sexual assault.\""]},{"id":"3017.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 125 jobs have been created at the Milwaukee Job Corps Center.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the Milwaukee Job Corps Center itself is primarily focused on job training rather than job creation, there have been approximately 125 jobs created to run the center. These positions are taxpayer-funded and necessary for the operation of the facility. However, it's important to note that the center's primary purpose is to train individuals for jobs rather than directly creating new employment opportunities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6980.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a university survey concluded his Massachusetts administration had more women in senior leadership positions than any other state in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a university survey conducted in 2003 ranked Massachusetts as having the highest percentage of women in senior leadership positions among states in America. While it is important to note that this ranking is based on the percentage rather than the actual number of women in those positions, the statement is generally true. Massachusetts received positive recognition for its percentage of women in senior leadership roles according to the survey.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On \"This Week in Missouri Politics,\" Richardson said, \"Missouri families earn $5,000 less, their earning power is about 5,000 less today, than it was at the turn of the century.\"","Richardson largely got his numbers right when he said that Missouri\u2019s families\u2019 \"earning power is less today than it was at the start of the century.\" While his exact numbers could be off, the general trend holds up. The typical household is making less.","Speaker of the House Todd Richardson recently weighed in on the discussion, specifically addressing the income and earning power of Missourians.","We were directed by Richardson\u2019s office to the U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s statistics on median household income. When adjusted for inflation, the median Missouri family brought home $56,360 in 2014, down more than $5,000 from the median family income of $61,995 in 2000."]},{"id":"1377.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says a careless attitude and poor oversight by the Texas Department of Agriculture led to deaths and illnesses traced to a Texas peanut plant.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that deaths and illnesses were indeed traced back to a Texas peanut plant, specifically the former Peanut Corporation of America factory in Plainview. However, it overstates the role of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in terms of oversight and responsibility for health hazards in such facilities. While the TDA's inspector did make an error in not flagging the plant for lacking a required food manufacturer license, it is not the primary agency responsible for policing health hazards in food facilities. The oversight and regulation of such facilities primarily fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies. Therefore, while there were lapses in oversight, attributing the entire situation solely to the TDA's carelessness and poor oversight would be an exaggeration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4892.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"TheU.S. economyis three times asbig as Chinas.","reason":"Reason: While the statement made by Cantor that the U.S. economy is three times the size of China's is not entirely accurate, it is close to the truth. According to annual figures from 2010, the U.S. economy was approximately two and a half times the size of China's economy. While Cantor rounded up to three, the statement is generally in the right ballpark and conveys the significant difference in the size of the two economies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The TV ad by liberal groups says \"Rubio voted to slash school funding by billions of dollars and would eliminate the Department of Education.\"","A TV ad by AFSCME People and AFT Solidarity accuses Rubio of favoring cuts to Social Security and Medicare and also says he \"voted to slash school funding by billions of dollars and would eliminate the Department of Education.\"","As part of the state budget each year, lawmakers set an amount the state's 67 school districts are required to contribute to education funding. The amount is set as a dollar figure. The state Department of Education then takes that dollar figure and turns it into a corresponding property tax rate for each school district. The process is called the \"required local effort.\"","Democrats noted that Rubio\u2019s college education was paid for in part by Pell Grants and Stafford Loans, which are administered by the Education Department."]},{"id":"13149.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says no, youre wrong, responding to the assertion that stop-and-frisk was ruled unconstitutional in New York.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because it oversimplifies the issue. While it is true that stop-and-frisk was not ruled unconstitutional as a general practice in New York, the statement fails to acknowledge that a judge did rule that the way stop-and-frisk was being implemented in New York at the time was unconstitutional. The ruling stated that the practice disproportionately targeted black and Hispanic young men, which violated their constitutional rights. While stop-and-frisk is still legal and continues to be used, the ruling did require changes in how it is conducted to ensure it is carried out in a manner that respects individuals' constitutional rights.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The authors \u2014 Jesse Richman and David Earnest \u2014 determined more than 14 percent of noncitizens in both the 2008 and 2010 samples indicated that they were registered to vote.","While we have no idea how Phillips arrived at his claim that 3-million noncitizens voted, people who have made similar claims in the past have cited a 2014 report that claims 6.4 percent of non-citizens voted in 2008 and 2.2 percent of non-citizens voted in 2010 midterm congressional elections.","A report by the liberal Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law found that most cases of noncitizens voting were accidental. \"Although there are a few recorded examples in which noncitizens have apparently registered or voted, investigators have concluded that they were likely not aware that doing so was improper,\" reads the 2007 report.","When 36% of the vote was in, Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro had 370,706 votes and 56.6% of the vote while Doug Mastriano had 844,669 and 41.6%."]},{"id":"10233.json","label":"false","statement":"The majority of revenue generated by a proposed Kenosha casino would be sent to the Seminole tribe in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the proposed Kenosha casino project was backed by the Seminole tribe of Florida and would have been developed and managed by Hard Rock International, there is no evidence to support the claim that the majority of the revenue generated by the casino would be sent to the Seminole tribe in Florida. The specific amount of revenue going to the tribe is not provided, and the evidence suggests that the claim made by the Wisconsin group opposing the casino is unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When\u2019s the last time you heard someone use that as a racial slur?\" asked Pete Hegseth, a guest panelist on the Fox News show Outnumbered. \"It\u2019s not used commonly at all as a racial slur. It\u2019s used historically to refer to \u2014 a term of respect to people.\"","We\u2019re evaluating a claim by a defender of the nickname that the word itself was used as a term of respect. It\u2019s a stretch.","In this fact-check, PunditFact will explore the roots of the word redskin, the origins of the team\u2019s name and whether the term was meant as a show of respect.","\"Pete Hegseth seems to have taken the argument that teams selected Native American sports mascots as a sign of respect for \u2018Indians\u2019 and shifted that over to the use of the word \u2018redskins\u2019 as a sign of respect,\" Smith said. \"He is simply wrong.\""]},{"id":"7473.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Scott cut more government jobs than were created in the private sector in Florida in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. According to the sources, Florida actually saw a net gain in jobs in 2012, with an increase of 65,600 private-sector jobs and a loss of 10,600 government jobs. Therefore, the claim that Governor Rick Scott cut more government jobs than were created in the private sector in Florida in 2012 is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Ellis, D-Houston, filed proposals to open pre-K to all 4-year-olds in the 2005, 2007 and 2009 legislative sessions, but nothing happened, he complains. The May 14 issue of The Texas Observer quotes Ellis saying: \u201cI\u2019ve never gotten it out of committee or gotten a hearing.\u201d","With an assist from Ellis's office, we confirmed from legislative records that for each of the three sessions, Ellis filed his pre-K bill and it failed to win a hearing or be voted out of committee. In 2005 and 2007, identical House measures likewise languished.","He\u2019s right that his proposals to open pre-K to all 4-year-olds never drew a hearing or advanced from committee. But a few efforts to expand eligibility for \u2014 or enhance \u2014 pre-K offerings have succeeded or won wide consideration.","Some 181,000 Texas 4-year-olds were enrolled in state-backed pre-kindergarten in 2008-09, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research, making the state No. 1 in the number of 4-year-olds attending public-school pre-K. Separately, the Texas Public Policy Foundation has estimated that 85 percent of the state's 4-year-olds are in a public or private pre-K program."]},{"id":"12512.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida doesnt regulate assault weapons or .50 caliber rifles or large-capacity ammunition magazines. It doesnt require a permit to purchase a gun. It doesnt require any registration, whatsoever.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources, including Hillary Clinton, that Florida does not regulate assault weapons, .50 caliber rifles, or large-capacity ammunition magazines. It also correctly states that Florida does not require a permit to purchase a gun and does not have any firearm registration requirements. However, it's important to note that while these claims are true, the statement lacks some nuance. It does not provide a comprehensive overview of Florida's gun laws and does not compare them to other states. Additionally, the term \"large-capacity ammunition magazines\" could benefit from a more specific definition. Overall, the statement is mostly true but could provide more context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"That's if you get there,\" he said. \"The dirty little secret we don't talk about is, where are the black boys? It's awful, it's absolutely pathetic what the graduation rate is for African-American boys. ... We have seven of the 10 worst school districts in America on graduation of black boys. We've kept it a secret.\"","That's an additional caveat to Wise's claim that Florida is home to seven of the 10 worst school districts in America when it comes to graduation rates for African-American males.","The three lowest African-American graduation rates among the 59 districts examined were all in Florida -- Pinellas County graduated 21 percent of its African-American students, Palm Beach County 22 percent and Duval County 23 percent.","In judging his statement, however, let's remember the context. Wise was attempting to show that problems remain with Florida's public education system by highlighting the poor track record some Florida school districts have when it comes to graduating African-American males. He said specifically that seven of the 10 worst school districts are in Florida. It turns out he got the number wrong, and some districts have criticized the specific study and its findings."]},{"id":"8692.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Studies suggest the 2017 College Football Playoff Championship game will bring about 1,700 to 1,800 full-time jobs.","reason":"Reason: While there were discussions and reports suggesting that the 2017 College Football Playoff Championship game could potentially create 1,700 to 1,800 jobs, it's important to note that these estimates were not universally agreed upon. Other experts in the field suggested a more realistic estimate of 850 to 1,050 jobs. Therefore, the statement that studies suggest the game will bring about 1,700 to 1,800 full-time jobs is an overstatement and lacks consensus among experts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4294.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that he did not exactly say that communities have the right to ban mosques.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly contradicts the statement. Herman Cain did indeed make statements suggesting that communities have the right to ban mosques. While he later attempted to clarify his position and claimed that he was misquoted, the transcript and video evidence from his interview on \"Fox News Sunday\" support the initial claim that he did make such a statement. Therefore, the statement that he did not exactly say that communities have the right to ban mosques is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The solicitor general said after New Jersey adopted provisions guaranteeing health insurance coverage and controlling rates in the individual market without a mandate rates \"doubled or tripled\" and enrollment dropped from 180,000 people to 80,000 people.","( - Donald Verrilli says enrollment declined and rates increased when New Jersey adopted guaranteed coverage provisions in individual insurance market&url=)","Verrilli said: \"That's the problem, Justice Scalia. That's -- and that's exactly the experience that the states had that made the imposition of guaranteed issue and community rating not only be ineffectual but be highly counterproductive. Rates, for example, in New Jersey doubled or tripled, went from 180,000 people covered in this market down to 80,000 people covered in this market.\"","\"Without a coverage mandate the guaranteed issue and modified community rating provisions had the effect of encouraging sick people to purchase insurance and discouraging well people from purchasing insurance,\" which led to the rate increases, said John Jacobi, a professor of health law and policy at Seton Hall Law School"]},{"id":"11862.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Faced with $1 million in campaign debt, Scott Walker is unloading his campaign security costs onto the backs of Wisconsin taxpayers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Walker had a significant campaign debt of over $1 million, the statement inaccurately claims that he is unloading his campaign security costs onto Wisconsin taxpayers. In reality, Walker's presidential campaign has already reimbursed the state for the expenses related to his security team. Therefore, the claim that he is shifting the burden of campaign security costs onto taxpayers is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3747.json","label":"false","statement":"George Allen had 40,000 earmarks while he was a senator.","reason":"Reason: The statement that George Allen had 40,000 earmarks while he was a senator is false. There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support this claim. Earmarks are specific allocations of funds for pet projects, and it is highly unlikely that any senator would have been involved in such an excessive number of earmarks. It is important to rely on accurate information and verified sources when making claims about a politician's record.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Despite being outspent more than ten to one by a billionaire County Executive, Chris Larson pulled into a lead,\" said Marina Dimitrijevic, director of the Wisconsin Working Families Party, in a statement. Dimitrijevic is also a Milwaukee County supervisor, and the former Chairwoman of the County Board.","\"For the votes that we got, I think we spent, on average, two bucks a pop. Compared to 42 bucks\" for incumbent Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.","Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is blunt about one of the reasons he backs state legislation to drastically cut the pay and office budget of the county\u2019s legislative branch.","Milwaukee County should be run more like a business. That\u2019s one theme of first-time candidate Chris Abele as he seeks to replace Scott Walker as county executive in the April 5 election."]},{"id":"2221.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We are amassing most of our military strength in a country where fewer than 100 members of al Qaeda remain.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by CIA Director Leon Panetta, who estimated that there were \"maybe 50 to 100, maybe less\" members of al Qaeda remaining in Afghanistan. This suggests that the claim of amassing military strength in a country with fewer than 100 al Qaeda members is mostly true. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall military strategy or the presence of other militant groups in Afghanistan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Scott\u2019s claim comes from Newsweek \u2019s ranking of \"America\u2019s Best High Schools,\" which looked at public schools and was released in May 2013. Four Florida high schools ranked in the top 10:","There isn\u2019t one uniform way to track school shootings in the United States. Methodologies and definitions vary with each group collecting data, offering a range of numbers on the prevalence of school shootings in recent years.","Another often-cited ranking, though, comes from U.S. News and World Report , which uses a different methodology -- and not surprisingly that leads to different results for Florida schools. This ranking, based on data from the 2010-11 school year, shows only one in the top 10 from Florida: Pine View School in Osprey.","Matthew Di Carlo, an education policy at the Albert Shanker Institute, cautioned that Newsweek\u2019s data from schools is self-reported and only takes into account a small portion of the nation\u2019s high schools. The indicators measured such as graduation and college acceptance rates are predominantly a function of student background."]},{"id":"6995.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Romney said we should ask Pakistan for permission to take a shot at Osama bin Laden.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. During the 2008 campaign, President Obama claimed that Romney said \"we should ask Pakistan for permission\" to take a shot at Osama bin Laden. While Romney did express the idea of working with Pakistan and respecting their sovereignty in his comments, it is important to note that he did not explicitly state that permission should be sought. The reality is more nuanced, as Romney emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy and cooperation with allies in the region. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies Romney's position and does not fully capture the complexity of his stance on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Tapper: So, Mr. Speaker, you have said throughout this process that you will support the Republican presidential nominee. Now you have a presumptive nominee, Donald Trump. Will you support him?","March 15, 2016: Asked at a news conference at the Republican National Committee's headquarters whether whether he would support the eventual nominee, whoever it may be, Ryan said he would, adding: \"My position hasn\u2019t changed on that.\"","On May 3, 2016, Donald Trump earned the title of presumptive Republican presidential nominee by winning decisively in Indiana\u2019s GOP primary election.","Ryan has said repeatedly he would support for president whomever wins the Republican nomination. He said so even when asked specifically about Trump being the nominee."]},{"id":"10566.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More than 1 million Texans live without affordable health care because Rick Perry failed to partner with the Legislature to find a Texas solution to closing the coverage gap.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Democratic Party that more than 1 million Texans lack affordable healthcare due to Rick Perry's failure to collaborate with the Legislature to address the coverage gap. Multiple sources, including news articles and statements from Democratic Party representatives, support the assertion that Texas has a significant number of uninsured individuals, and that the state's decision not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act has contributed to the coverage gap. While the exact number may vary, the evidence suggests that a substantial portion of the population in Texas lacks affordable healthcare due to the policy choices made by Perry and the state's ruling Republicans.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11315.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio has the worst voting record there is today.","reason":"Reason: While Marco Rubio does have a notably poor voting record among presidential candidates who served in the U.S. Senate, it is not accurate to claim that he has the absolute worst voting record. While the statement may be true within the context of the current presidential candidates, it is important to consider the voting records of all senators, past and present, to make a definitive comparison. Therefore, the statement is mostly true within the specific context of the current presidential candidates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Until then, California had technically required these vaccinations for school-aged children but had allowed parents to opt out for any reason with personal belief exemptions, making it one of the more lenient states in the country for vaccination mandates.","The WHO first posted its guidance for children and COVID-19 vaccinations on April 8. That guidance did include the wording, \"Children should not be vaccinated for the moment.\" But, that wording was a reflection of the WHO saying that children should not be prioritized for vaccinations over other groups because in many countries supplies of vaccine are limited and health care workers, front-line workers, the elderly and those with high-risk medical conditions should have first dibs.","The image claimed that SB 277 includes a clause that establishes personal belief exemptions for any new vaccine mandated for children attending school.","SB 277 also included a clause that grandfathered in some children who had personal belief exemptions on file with their schools prior to the passage of the legislation. Stracener said those students are permitted to maintain their exemptions until they enter a new \"grade span\" when moving from preschool to elementary school or from elementary school to middle and high school."]},{"id":"11398.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Millions of dollars are spent by Planned Parenthood to elect Democrats to the House of Representatives and the Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the operational and medical clinics of Planned Parenthood cannot directly spend money on political activities, separate entities affiliated with Planned Parenthood can and have spent millions of dollars to support Democratic candidates in the House of Representatives and the Senate, as confirmed by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. It's important to note that the statement refers to affiliated entities rather than the organization itself, which is a crucial distinction.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4551.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Barack Obama is a hypocrite for criticizing President George W. Bushs drone attack program, then using it aggressively as president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Barack Obama criticized aspects of President George W. Bush's counterterrorism policies, including the use of drone strikes, it is incorrect to claim that Obama hypocritically used drone attacks aggressively as president. Obama did continue and expand the use of drone strikes as part of his counterterrorism strategy, but it is important to note that his administration implemented stricter guidelines and increased transparency compared to the previous administration. The claim of hypocrisy suggests a contradiction between Obama's criticism and his own actions, which is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Take the Senate Majority PAC, an outside group formed in 2011 to support Democratic Senate candidates. They launched a statewide ad in Arkansas attacking Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who\u2019s up against Democratic incumbent Mark Pryor come November.","The Senate Majority PAC ad claimed, \"Before Congress, Cotton got paid handsomely working for insurance companies and corporate interests.\" Cotton\u2019s never worked for an insurance company, nor has he served as a consultant for one. We rate the statement False.","ABC, \" Sen. Pryor hit for saying foe -- a decorated vet -- has \u2018sense of entitlement,\u2019 \" March 5, 2014","The CBO says that if you raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, \"half a million people would lose their jobs.\""]},{"id":"4449.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says 160,000 kids stay home every day because they are afraid to go to school because of bullying.","reason":"Reason: While Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle claims that 160,000 kids stay home every day due to fear of bullying, there is limited evidence to support this specific number. The statement lacks concrete data or a specific source to verify the claim. While it is true that bullying can cause some students to stay home from school, the exact number of students affected is difficult to determine accurately. It is important to acknowledge that bullying is a significant issue, but the specific figure of 160,000 students staying home every day due to bullying lacks sufficient evidence to be considered completely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Congress acted quickly on the stimulus bill \u2014 after all, the purpose was to rapidly pump money into the economy \u2014 but it took far longer than the two days that Sowell claimed. And Obama signed the bill the day after he received it, not three days later as Sowell claimed. We rate his claim False.","A search of Thomas , the Library of Congress Web site that tracks legislation, shows that H.R. 1, the economic stimulus bill known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, was formally introduced in the House on Jan. 26. (In fact, four days before the bill was formally introduced, it was discussed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.) On Jan. 28, two days after the bill was introduced, it was passed by the full House in a party-line vote.","The second part of Sowell's claim was that that bill \"sat on the president's desk for three days, while he was away on vacation.\" We checked with the White House, and a spokeswoman told us the president received the bill on Feb. 16, 2009, and signed it into law the very next day.","The Obama administration \"was successful in rushing a massive spending bill through Congress in just two days \u2014 after which it sat on the president's desk for three days, while he was away on vacation.\""]},{"id":"225.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"We reduced abortion. We increased adoptions by 135 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that abortions were reduced and adoptions increased by 135 percent. While there is evidence that adoptions increased during the time when the speaker was mayor of New York City, there is no credible data to support the specific percentage of 135 percent. Additionally, the claim of reducing abortions by a specific percentage is not substantiated by reliable evidence. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient support.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Keyes accused Duffy of using tax money for a car for personal use, saying he is among seven \"Tea Party freshmen\" who \"spent an average of $15,000 on cars for themselves.\"","U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., the former prosecutor and onetime reality TV show star, was cited among the seven who \"spent an average of $15,000 on cars for themselves.\"","Keyes\u2019 cars article said statements of disbursements from the U.S. House of Representatives show Duffy has spent $24,525 on a \"car\" since taking office in January 2011. That\u2019s about $56 less than U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn., the top spender among the seven congressmen singled out in the article.","Says Republican U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy \"voted against paying our soldiers\" and \"against increasing combat pay\" while voting \"to protect his own pay.\""]},{"id":"12258.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsin pays criminal defense lawyers who represent the indigent $40 per hour, the lowest in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Wisconsin pays criminal defense lawyers who represent indigent clients $40 per hour, which is indeed one of the lowest rates in the country. While there may be some variations in rates within states and exceptions for travel time, the overall claim that Wisconsin has the lowest pay for indigent defense lawyers is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the attachment Botello mentions, which is Combs\u2019 Nov. 15 statement, the comptroller lists the recently announced Formula One race in New Jersey, set for 2013; slowed construction at the Central Texas site; and disagreements between Formula One and race promoters that \"prompted speculation about whether the Austin race will even occur.\"","\"With the understanding that the first Formula 1 United States Grand Prix race will be held in Texas in 2012, full funding on the entire sanction for 2012 will be paid to Formula OneWorld Championship Limited (\u2018FOWC\u2019) no later than July 31st, 2011.\"","!Gov. Scott Walker and recall challenger Tom Barrett have traded accusations about out-of-state money in the race. !Gov. Scott Walker and recall challenger Tom Barrett have traded accusations about out-of-state money in the race.","Years before the Formula One racetrack agreement became public knowledge in Central Texas, state Comptroller Susan Combs was a strong supporter. Yet on Nov. 15, 2011, she hit the brakes: Texas would not disburse $25 million in advance of the first race, she announced."]},{"id":"4107.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"House Bill 2301 never had a public hearing","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that House Bill 2301 did not have a public hearing in its final form. While there were public hearings on a bill with the same number in 2011, the final version of House Bill 2301, which allowed online charter schools to add more students, did not receive a public hearing. This lack of public input is concerning, as it limited the opportunity for parents, educators, and school leaders to provide their perspectives on the bill's potential impact. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it would benefit from additional clarification to specify that it refers to the final version of House Bill 2301.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We were interested in fact-checking Patrick\u2019s statement that the 2006 Massachusetts health care law, signed by then-Gov. Mitt Romney, had added only 1 percent to the state budget.","\"Actually, it's added about 1 percent to our state budget, which is not what is generally reported on out there, but that is the truth,\" Patrick said.","Patrick said his state\u2019s health care law \"added about 1 percent to our state budget,\" and an independent analysis confirms that. There were additional costs for the health care plan outside of the state budget, so Patrick was right as far as the state budget goes. But because it's only one piece of a picture that includes increased federal spending, we rate his statement Mostly True.","A report published in 2009 found that the state\u2019s share of health care spending increased by $353 million in fiscal year 2010. The state\u2019s entire budget is roughly $30 billion, so that comes out to about 1 percent, said Michael Widmer, the group\u2019s president. He said the group has not updated the analysis with more recent numbers but has seen nothing to indicate the trend is any different."]},{"id":"7470.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Theres no plan from Senate Democrats or the White House to replace the sequester.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that there is no plan from Senate Democrats or the White House to replace the sequester. It only mentions the composition of the House, Senate, and White House, which is unrelated to the issue of the sequester. The sequester refers to automatic spending cuts that were implemented as a result of the Budget Control Act of 2011. While the evidence does not provide specific information about plans to replace the sequester, it does not support the claim that there is no plan. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Los Angeles Times, \"Title 42 explained: The obscure public health policy at the center of a U.S. border fight,\" Oct. 25, 2021","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","Republicans campaigning for office are running ads that hammer President Joe Biden\u2019s management of the U.S.-Mexico border. They claim that the administration is using planes to fly \"illegal immigrants\" around the country.","We\u2019ve seen these posts about fake social media rules before, and this one is just as wrong as the others that came before it."]},{"id":"6154.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson said he wants to do away with Medicare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tammy Baldwin claimed that Tommy Thompson said he wanted to \"do away with Medicare,\" it is important to note that this statement lacks context. Tommy Thompson's remarks need to be examined in their entirety to understand his position accurately. While he did make comments comparing Medicare to welfare at a tea party event, it does not necessarily mean that he explicitly stated he wants to eliminate Medicare entirely. Without further clarification or direct quotes from Thompson expressing his intention to abolish Medicare, it is difficult to definitively categorize the statement as true or false. Therefore, the statement is considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10170.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The nation as a whole has created jobs at a rate that is two times the rate that we have created jobs here in Wisconsin under Gov. Walker.","reason":"Reason: The statement compares the job creation rate in the United States as a whole to the job creation rate specifically in Wisconsin under Governor Walker. While it is possible that the job creation rate in the United States has been higher than in Wisconsin under Governor Walker, the statement lacks specific data or evidence to support the claim. Without concrete numbers or a direct comparison, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4927.json","label":"false","statement":"I differed with my party on business legislation, on consumer protection, and on free trade agreements.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement made. The evidence discusses the Data Accountability and Trust Act of 2009, which is unrelated to the claim of differing with the party on business legislation, consumer protection, and free trade agreements. Without any specific evidence or context to support the statement, it cannot be verified or considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Let's go back to Scott's statement. He said, \"When I walked into office we were projecting somewhere between a $3.4-3.7 billion budget deficit. Right now we are projecting for the fiscal year that started July 1 a $1.2 billion surplus.\"","\"When I walked into office we were projecting somewhere between a $3.4-3.7 billion budget deficit. Right now we are projecting for the fiscal year that started July 1 a $1.2 billion surplus, on top of that right now state revenues are up a little bit better than that.\"","That's the $1.2 billion \"surplus\" cited by Scott. (As of July, that figure grew to about $1.3 billion because of increased revenue estimates.)","\"At the beginning of the last decade ... America had a budget surplus of over $200 billion. By the time I took office, we had a one-year deficit of over $1 trillion and projected deficits of $8 trillion over the next decade.\""]},{"id":"8233.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We will have the highest general revenue in state history next year. Conservative pro-growth policies work in our state.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the state's revenue estimating conference projected the highest general revenue in state history for the following year, attributing this solely to \"conservative pro-growth policies\" is an oversimplification. The statement fails to acknowledge other factors that contribute to increased revenue, such as overall economic trends and external factors beyond policy decisions. Additionally, economists have expressed skepticism about the direct causation between conservative policies and the projected revenue increase. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context and nuance to support a definitive link between conservative policies and the projected revenue growth.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["When asked for clarification of her remarks, Moore said she backs the ability of unions in general and police unions to negotiate hours and wages. But \"the power of collective bargaining should not be used to negotiate contracts or special benefits that shield police officers from accountability for misconduct and thus subvert the fair, impartial administration of justice and rule of law.\"","Three courts in recent months have rejected initial police union challenges to measures that effectively invalidate or strip discipline rules in collective bargaining agreements.","The most significant could be in the District of Columbia, where U.S. District Judge James Boasberg dismissed the Fraternal Order of Police\u2019s constitutional challenge to a law that eliminates all police discipline from collective bargaining. The judge turned aside the union\u2019s equal protection claim, finding the city\u2019s law rationally related to its interest in promoting police accountability.","Walker said that four years after his collective bargaining law took effect, ACT scores in Wisconsin \"are now second-best in the country for states where more than half the kids take the exam.\""]},{"id":"7410.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Comic strip says government study shows Head Start has little or no impact on the children its supposed to help.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the \"Mallard Fillmore\" comic strip that a government study found Head Start to have little or no impact on the children it is intended to help. However, it's important to note that the description provided in the comic strip oversimplifies the study's findings. While the study did show limited overall impact, it also found significant improvements within certain subgroups, such as black 4-year-olds. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the comic strip's claim, it lacks the necessary nuance to fully represent the study's findings.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was about to execute the \"nuclear option\" -- changing the chamber\u2019s rules to eliminate a 60-vote supermajority for executive nominations -- his office released a graphic designed to show how Senate Republicans had used filibusters to target a disproportionate number of President Barack Obama\u2019s nominees.","Indeed, when we presented this finding to Reid\u2019s office, they agreed and released an updated version of the graphic. It now reads, \"In the history of the United States, there have been 168 filibusters of presidential nominees, 82 filibusters under President Obama, 86 filibusters under all other presidents.\"","In fact, Republicans cut a deal in July after Democrats threatened to change filibuster rules. \"Democrats agreed not to change the rules, but reserved the right to do so later if they feel the need. In return, President Obama gained confirmation of several nominees,\" the Los Angeles Times reported.","Weary of delaying tactics that prevented President Barack Obama\u2019s nominees from being confirmed, Senate Democrats changed Senate rules on Thursday in hopes of speeding up confirmation."]},{"id":"10092.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In 2013, Dan Patrick voted against funding to test the backlog of rape kits, allowing rapists to walk free.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. While Dan Patrick did vote against the final overall budget, there is no evidence to suggest that his vote was intended to prevent the testing of rape kits or that it resulted in rapists walking free. In fact, Patrick was among the senators who initially included funding for testing rape kits in the state budget. The claim that rapists were allowed to walk free as a result of Patrick's actions is unfounded and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"(Gingrich) voted in favor of establishing the Department of Education, and yet he gets in a debate and says we should get rid of the Department of Education and send all the education issues back to the states,\" Romney told reporters in Tampa.","Gingrich did vote to establish the Education Department. But he didn't say in a September debate that lawmakers should get rid of it.","He didn't say he wanted to \"get rid of the Department of Education,\" as Romney claimed. He said the department needed to \"dramatically shrink.\" What did Gingrich say he would \"get rid of\"? \"Virtually all of its regulations,\" he said.","\"I think you need very profound reform of education at the state level. You need to dramatically shrink the federal Department of Education, get rid of virtually all of its regulations."]},{"id":"11335.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Pope Francis took the name of a saint who basically reached out to Muslims.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Pope Francis did take the name of St. Francis, who historically reached out to Muslims. St. Francis of Assisi is known for his encounter with the Sultan of Egypt, where he sought peaceful dialogue and understanding. St. Francis advocated for peaceful coexistence and even encouraged his friars to live peacefully among Muslims. By choosing the name Francis, Pope Francis symbolically aligns himself with the spirit of St. Francis and his efforts to foster interfaith dialogue and peace.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Republican Governors Association charged that \"Burke was a senior member of the Doyle administration that left Wisconsin with 130,000 fewer jobs.\"","It\u2019s answer: \"Burke was a senior member of the Doyle administration that left Wisconsin with 130,000 fewer jobs, and a $3 billion budget shortfall.\" The ad concludes: \"Mary Burke would take Wisconsin backwards.\"","There\u2019s something for the RGA to hang on to here, though, in that Burke was a holdover member of Doyle\u2019s administration for a small part of a second term during which more than 130,000 jobs were lost in four years.","Part of Burke\u2019s claim is that her actions as Commerce secretary and those of the Doyle administration explain why employment was higher then than now."]},{"id":"8626.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamacare is a massive, massive income redistribution with $250 billion a year in Medicaid expansion (and) in the subsidy structure thats basically being paid for by people on Medicare, through Medicare cuts, and a lot of tax increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Capretta that Obamacare involves a significant income redistribution through Medicaid expansion, subsidy structures, Medicare cuts, and tax increases. However, it lacks some nuance. While there are elements of income redistribution within the Affordable Care Act, it is important to note that the law also includes provisions aimed at expanding access to healthcare and reducing healthcare costs. The statement focuses solely on the income redistribution aspect without providing a comprehensive analysis of the overall impact and goals of the legislation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In 2011-\u201912, the first year of Walker\u2019s first state budget, funding for need-based financial aid decreased. Since then, the amount has increased every year.","If the money to support the program were subtracted from Walker\u2019s budget, Doyle\u2019s budget would have given more to need-based financial aid than Walker\u2019s.","Asked to back up his statement, Walker's office pointed to data from the state Legislative Fiscal Bureau that show the last budget spent $121,034,960 for need-based financial aid for 2013-\u201914.","When you combine the 2013-\u201914 actual amounts with the appropriated amounts for 2014-\u201915, the figures come out to about $8 million more for need-based financial aid than Doyle\u2019s 2009-\u20192011 budget -- even when the numbers are adjusted for inflation."]},{"id":"5998.json","label":"true","statement":"The Republican from Georgia [U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston], he hasnt even been to a NASCAR race.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, a Republican from Georgia, has not attended a NASCAR race. The evidence provided does not contradict this claim or provide any information to suggest otherwise.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"So on the things that really matter to voters, George, I think the records are stark, and I think that's why independent voters have a 10-point margin in favor of Mitt Romney right now,\" McDonnell said.","An AP-GfK poll last week showed Romney ahead among independent voters 41 to 30. The poll was conducted Aug. 16-20, with a margin of error of about 4 percentage points.","A CNN\/ORC International poll showed Romney ahead with the backing of 48 percent of likely independent voters, to Obama\u2019s 45 percent. It was conducted Aug. 22 and Aug. 23 by telephone. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.","We found that while national polls showed Romney leading Obama among independent voters, the Republican\u2019s advantage varied from a few points to 11 points."]},{"id":"7500.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Kurt Schrader supports Obamas sequester but wont cut $1.6 million to fund new video games.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. Kurt Schrader did not support Obama's sequester, as he voted for the 2011 bill authorizing sequestration, along with many Republicans. Additionally, the claim that Schrader refuses to cut $1.6 million to fund new video games is misleading. The $1.6 million mentioned refers to NASA's spending on developing video games and other educational tools to promote interest in science, math, and technology among students. It is not a fund that Schrader has control over or has the ability to allocate elsewhere. Therefore, the statement is false and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The U.S. currently gets many of these materials from China. According to the 2021 BP Statistical Review, China has 7.9% of the world\u2019s lithium reserves. The U.S. has 4.0%. While the majority of reserves are in South America and Australia, China has become the third largest lithium producer in the world, spending over $60 billion over the past decade to build up the industry.","Since our last update, the number of ships has grown by four, now tallying 287 surface ships and submarines, according to Navy data. But the long-term trajectory we previously outlined still holds.","\"We have now the lowest number of ships that we've had since World War I,\" Trump said. \"And very soon you are going to get to 355 beautiful ships, 355. That's almost a couple of hundred more ships. So you will be around for a long time. We are not running out of equipment. We're not running out of ships. And that has been approved. And we are honored by it.\" (Here's our round-up of our fact-checks of Trump's speech.)","\"We can\u2019t build a future that\u2019s made in America if we ourselves are dependent on China for the materials that power the products of today and tomorrow,\" Biden said Feb. 22. \"And this is not anti-China, or anti-anything else. It\u2019s pro-America.\""]},{"id":"10044.json","label":"false","statement":"In the last year, Wisconsin ranked third in Midwest job growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Wisconsin did rank third among the 10 Midwest states in job growth for a specific one-year time frame, it is important to consider the broader context. When examining the data for a three-year period, Wisconsin actually ranked last in the Midwest for growth in private-sector jobs. Therefore, the claim that Wisconsin ranked third in Midwest job growth in the last year is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In recent campaign literature, Cantor said the Senate immigration bill is \"liberal\" and the \"Obama-Reid plan to give illegal immigrants amnesty.\" Reasonable people might consider this amnesty, but it\u2019s a much more rigorous path to citizenship than Cantor lets on in his flier. It\u2019s certainly not a \"give\" away.","Obama and Senate Majority Leader Reid both support the Senate immigration bill. Reid voted for it, and Obama has called on the House to take up the legislation.","It quickly became an issue in the 2014 campaigns, especially in Republican primaries. For example, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor released a flier criticizing the legislation as he fought a primary challenge that he ended up losing. The flier claimed the Senate bill was an \"Obama-Reid plan to give illegal immigrants amnesty.\" We rated that Mostly False. For starters, the plan was put together by the bipartisan group of senators (who became known as the Gang of Eight), not Obama or Senate Majority leader Harry Reid.","Cantor\u2019s latest attempt is to brand himself as a staunch critic of immigration reform efforts that passed the Senate last year but have stalled in the Republican-controlled House. According to reports, the GOP leader sent out a campaign mailer that claims Cantor is \"stopping the (President Barack) Obama-(Sen. Harry) Reid plan to give illegal immigrants amnesty.\" He went on to claim the \"liberal plan would give six million illegal aliens citizenship.\""]},{"id":"10161.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Leticia Van de Putte voted to stop schools from removing teachers convicted of a felony.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Leticia Van de Putte voted against making it easier to terminate teachers convicted of a felony, it is misleading to claim that she voted to stop schools from removing such teachers altogether. Van de Putte's vote was against a measure that aimed to eliminate the right of teachers to request an independent hearing before being terminated. Her vote did not directly prevent schools from removing teachers convicted of a felony, but rather focused on preserving due process rights for teachers. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Rubio said in the Senate debate \"in about three weeks over a half million Floridians are going to lose their coverage again\" through Obamacare.","\"No. 1, it is running up our debt. No. 2, people are losing their coverage. In about three weeks over a half million Floridians are going to lose their coverage again,\" he said. \"It is collapsing under its own weight because it doesn\u2019t work.\"","More than 1.7 million Floridians purchased plans(,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D) through the Affordable Care Act\u2019s marketplaces between Nov. 1, 2015, and Feb. 1, 2016. So that\u2019s more than the 400,000 who will \"lose\" their plan -- and they aren\u2019t actually going to lose insurance.","Rubio also ignores the fact that due to the marketplace, 1.7 million Floridians have signed up for coverage -- larger than the more than 400,000 who will have to switch plans. The percentage of Floridians who are uninsured has been dropping under Obamacare in recent years."]},{"id":"5657.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Having an entirely Democrat congressional delegation in 2009, when the [federal stimulus] bill passed, increases the per capita stimulus dollars that the state receives per person by $460.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it exaggerates the impact of having an entirely Democratic congressional delegation in 2009 when the stimulus bill passed. While it is true that states with all-Democratic delegations received a higher average per capita stimulus funding compared to other states, the actual increase was $216, not $460 as claimed. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the actual difference in per capita stimulus dollars received. It is important to provide accurate information to avoid misleading interpretations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The claim in this new ad is more specific than some others we\u2019ve looked at. Here, we\u2019ll examine the premise that Romney\u2019s plan could take away middle-class deductions for child care, mortgages and college tuition.","Announcer : \"Moms like Christie would be stretched even more under Mitt Romney. To fund his tax cuts for millionaires, Romney could take away middle-class deductions for child care, mortgages and college tuition.\"","An Obama ad from September called \"Pay the bills\" featured a woman named Christie who described an ordinary life of doing laundry, paying bills and caring for her kids. The ad said Romney\u2019s tax plan \"could take away middle-class deductions for child care, mortgages and college tuition.\"","We should note that through his running mate, Paul Ryan, Romney has associated himself with a budget plan that would eliminate the American Opportunity tax credit for college tuition. This is not specifically part of the Romney tax plan but it would hit the pocketbooks of some 3 million households, some of whom would be in the middle class. The credit is worth as much as $2,500 for each college student."]},{"id":"7730.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a state bill checks the spending habits of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors by bringing it in line with other county boards around the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sanfelippo that the state bill aims to bring the spending habits of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in line with other county boards around the state. However, it's important to note that there is no specific analysis or evidence provided in the given context to support or refute this claim. Without further information or data comparing the spending habits of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors with other county boards in the state, it is difficult to fully evaluate the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly-true, but with the caveat that additional evidence or analysis would be needed to support the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Then he got specific: \"I\u2019ve been through four campaigns and have not done any negative campaigning. And I don\u2019t get into any personal jousts with other people in public life. But that\u2019s just my style.\"","Kohl has of course benefited from negative attacks launched by groups supporting his campaigns, but he spoke only of his own campaigns\u2019 conduct, so we\u2019ll limit our review to that.","Indeed, his two most recent opponents said there was no negative campaigning in their contests -- and had high praise for Kohl.","Indeed, Kohl explicitly used his positive campaign ads as a selling point, and called his victory a blow against negative campaigning."]},{"id":"9926.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Recently Rick Scott closed 30 womens health care centers across the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rick Scott recently closed 30 women's health care centers across the state is false. There is no evidence to support this claim. While there have been debates and controversies surrounding healthcare policies during Rick Scott's tenure as governor, there is no factual basis for the assertion that he closed 30 women's health care centers. It is important to ensure that statements are based on accurate information and not spread false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We've been studying the health care reform proposals in both the House and the Senate for some time now. All the plans have rules that would prevent people from being \"forced\" off their current health coverage and into a government-run plan.","\u2022 Most employers will not have access to the health care exchange. The Senate Finance Committee proposal is very clear on this point; only small businesses will have access to the exchange. The House proposal is a little less clear. In the third year, it gives a health commissioner the power to allow businesses into the exchange. But the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office seemed to think the exchange would continue to be restricted to smaller businesses. The CBO projected only 30 million people would be in the exchange by 2019, a number too small to imply that all employers would be given access.","So it is conceivable that some people in Medicare Advantage will lose some of their current benefits , and they might have to enroll in regular Medicare. But does this really fit the criteria of \"forcing Americans off of their current health coverage and onto a government-run plan\"? While private companies are contractors in the Medicare Advantage program \u2014 so it does have more of a free market element to it \u2014 at the end of the day, Medicare and Medicare Advantage are both government-run plans, where the government decides how much it will pay for a basic package of benefits.","There's another argument specific to seniors that Boehner's staff pointed to as evidence for his statement. They said that under the Democratic plans, seniors in Medicare Advantage would have to switch to regular Medicare. We've looked at this argument before: Medicare Advantage is a government program that pays private insurance companies a set rate to treat Medicare beneficiaries. It was conceived as a cost-containment measure on the theory that competition among private plans would drive down costs. That has not happened. The health care proposals would stop the extra payments that Medicare Advantage receives. (About 23 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage.)"]},{"id":"2946.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says federal health care overhaul will cost Texas state government upwards of $30 billion over the next 10 years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the federal health care overhaul will impose significant costs on the Texas state government, Governor Perry's statement is not entirely accurate. The latest cost projection from the Texas health commission is $27 billion, not $30 billion. Additionally, the estimate covers the period from 2014 through 2023, which is slightly different from the next 10 years as stated by Perry. Furthermore, the $27 billion estimate only pertains to a single state entity, not the entire state government. Therefore, while there are substantial costs associated with the health care overhaul, the statement exaggerates the figures and misrepresents the timeframe and scope of the projected expenses.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Tea Party Congressman Frank Guinta voted for billions in cuts to veterans programs,\" a narrator declares in the ad, \"Debt,\u2019 aired on WMUR-TV.","All things considered, we find it a distortion to say Guinta has voted to cut money for veterans\u2019 programs. We rate the claim Mostly False.","Frank Guinta is a Republican Congressman from Manchester who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. In New Hampshire, he served two terms as a Manchester city alderman, two terms as a state representative, and two terms as mayor of Manchester.","We also know that, contrary to Shea-Porter's claim, Guinta voted to increase the V.A. budget by $6 billion when he voted in favor of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs act last year. However, he ultimately voted against the measure when it returned to Congress in the form of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which added close to a $1 billion in new funding to veterans programs."]},{"id":"4138.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ive created over 40,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of creating over 40,000 jobs. The evidence provided suggests that the individual making the claim may be taking credit for job growth that they were not directly responsible for. Additionally, the usual understanding of job creation by politicians refers to jobs created in the private sector during their time in public office. Without more concrete evidence and context, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton wrote, \"I believe the primary role of the state is to teach, train and raise children. Parents have a secondary role.\"","\"I believe the primary role of the state is to teach, train and raise children. Parents have a secondary role.\" -- Hillary Clinton, It Takes a Village","\"I believe the primary role of the state is to teach, train and raise children. Parents have a secondary role,\" the quote reads.","Woods claimed that Clinton wrote that \"the primary role of the state is to teach, train and raise children. Parents have a secondary role.\""]},{"id":"8634.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Passing a federal firearms background check through the NICS database . . . typically takes 90 seconds.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by James Langevin, who states that passing a federal firearms background check through the NICS database typically takes around 90 seconds. This claim is supported by the testimony of Robert Carney, a licensed firearms dealer, who confirms that the NICS database search usually takes 90 seconds or less. However, it's important to note that the NICS background check may not include all relevant information, such as mental health records and juvenile convictions, if they have not been submitted to the NICS database by the respective state. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding the time it takes for the background check process, it should be acknowledged that it may not capture all available information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Since 1978, California has spent $5 billion to put 13 people to death,\" Steyer said in a press release announcing his support for Proposition 62.","During that campaign, California billionaire Tom Steyer shortened that claim to: \"Since 1978, California has spent $5 billion to put 13 people to death.\" That ignored the fact that the cost has been spread over hundreds of cases since 1978, not just the 13 that led to executions. We rated Steyer\u2019s claim Mostly False.","One of the report\u2019s authors, Paula Mitchell, told PolitiFact California that the $5 billion figure is her updated estimate for how much state and federal taxpayers have spent on California\u2019s entire death penalty system since 1978, not just on cases for the 13 people who have been executed.","It published a more accurate and nuanced statement on its website: \"Since 1978, California taxpayers have paid $5 billion to maintain the death penalty and death row, and executed 13 people.\""]},{"id":"4248.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The debt-ceiling bill doesnt cut the debt. It will add about $7 trillion in new debt over the next 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that the debt-ceiling bill does not effectively cut the debt, it is not accurate to solely attribute the addition of $7 trillion in new debt over the next 10 years to the bill itself. The bill fails to address the underlying issues contributing to the growing debt, but it does not directly add new debt. The projected increase in debt is a result of other factors such as ongoing spending and revenue decisions. Therefore, while the statement highlights a valid concern about the bill's impact on the debt, it oversimplifies the situation by attributing the entire increase in debt solely to the bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12705.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has been a champion of globalist trade agreements. ... Worst of all, they are now pushing the disastrous 5,000-page Obamatrade the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton has supported certain trade agreements in the past, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), it is an oversimplification to label her as a \"champion of globalist trade agreements.\" Clinton's stance on trade has evolved over time, and she has expressed concerns about certain aspects of trade deals, including labor and environmental standards. Regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Clinton initially supported it but later withdrew her support during her 2016 presidential campaign. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays Clinton's current position on trade agreements and misrepresents her stance on the TPP.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["This isn\u2019t accurate. There is no evidence that Biden has been to either country since being president. The last time he was in Iraq appears to be in 2016. For Afghanistan, it was in 2011.","A coalition of U.S. and allied forces drove out the Taliban in 2001, but the group swiftly regained power in Afghanistan as U.S. troops began withdrawing from the country under the February 2020 agreement between the Taliban and the Trump administration.","On-the-ground reporting has shown chaotic scenes in Kabul, Afghanistan\u2019s capital, as people try to leave the country, fearing Taliban reprisals against those who worked with allied forces and the U.S.-backed government. The U.S. and other countries have scrambled to arrange evacuation flights on military and commercial planes.","First, Afghanistan. In May 2021, largely following a schedule struck by former President Donald Trump, the final 2,500 U.S. forces began to leave the country. By July, Bagram Airfield, the largest American base, no longer housed a single American soldier. The Taliban began taking over provincial capitals on Aug. 6. By Aug. 13, Taliban forces controlled Kandahar, the second largest city."]},{"id":"2424.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ganley said that if elected, he wants to cut the dickens out of Social Security, Medicare and Veterans benefits.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reliable source that supports the claim that Tom Ganley made the statement about wanting to \"cut the dickens\" out of Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans benefits. The statement appears to be a misrepresentation or fabrication used for political purposes. It is important to rely on verified and trustworthy sources when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Krupkin said: \"Cruz in his official capacity as solicitor general supported a ban. It gets too close to the line when you say Ted Cruz\" personally \"did this. Ted Cruz did that in his official position. I myself see a difference between the two,\" he said.","This statement incorrectly suggests that Cruz called for a ban on sex toys while serving in the Senate or otherwise personally held that belief. We find no evidence to support that contention. In his position as a state lawyer, still, Cruz helped unsuccessfully defend a Texas law barring commercial promotion of sex toys--an action giving this claim an element of truth.","We asked Chris Chmielenski of NumbersUSA, an advocacy group that promotes reduced immigration, about Rubio\u2019s claim. Chmielenski, who closely monitored the Senate during the immigration debate, said by email he doesn\u2019t think Cruz \"was ever willing to support legalization\" of immigrants living here \"before enforcement\" of border security. \"That's a different position from Rubio,\" Chmielenski said. By phone, Chmielenski said that there also was no Cruz amendment proposing to give work permits to people living here without legal authorization.","Among darts tossed at Sen. Ted Cruz after his Twitter account \"liked\" a sexual video clip is an allegation that Cruz has backed a ban on sex toys."]},{"id":"9971.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Countries with a higher minimum wage than the United States $7.25 an hour include Denmark at $21, Australia at$15.81, Germany at$11and France at$12.35.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the minimum wage figures for Denmark, Australia, Germany, and France, which are indeed higher than the United States' minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. However, it's important to note that the statement does not account for purchasing power parity, which can affect the real value and purchasing ability of wages in different countries. When considering purchasing power parity, the gap between the United States' minimum wage and that of other countries may be narrower. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of nominal minimum wage figures, it lacks the nuance of considering purchasing power parity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13389.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Joe Morrissey has been a delegate in the General Assembly for eight years with no laws passed to help our black community with education or workforce.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Joe Morrissey served as a delegate in the General Assembly for eight years, the statement that no laws were passed to help the black community with education or workforce is an oversimplification. It is important to consider that the legislative process involves multiple factors, including the collaboration of lawmakers, the political landscape, and the priorities of the General Assembly as a whole. While it is possible that specific legislation aimed at addressing the needs of the black community may not have been passed during Morrissey's tenure, it does not necessarily mean that no efforts were made or that other legislation did not have an impact on education or workforce issues. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6717.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Defends his vote to push retirement age to 70 by saying he is for a process that would not be fully implemented until around the turn of the century.","reason":"Reason: Congressman DesJarlais defended his vote to push the retirement age to 70 by stating that there is a process in place where the retirement age is gradually pushed back by one month every two years. He claimed that by the time the retirement age reaches 70, it would be around the turn of the century. However, it's important to note that this statement is misleading. The process described by DesJarlais does not align with the actual timeline of the retirement age reaching 70. While he refers to a provision in an earlier version of Paul Ryan's plan, it is crucial to highlight that DesJarlais did not vote on that plan. Therefore, his defense is based on a hypothetical scenario that is not directly related to the legislation he voted on. The statement lacks accuracy and clarity, making it barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1159.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Obama . . . wants to mandate circumcision.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Obama wants to mandate circumcision. The CDC's eventual recommendations, if they even include circumcision, are voluntary and not mandatory. Furthermore, there is no connection between President Obama and the CDC's guidance on circumcision, and there is no record of him using the word \"circumcision\" in any public statement. The claim is baseless and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The tragedy has drawn attention South Carolina, Georgia and three others identified as the only ones without state-level hate crime laws. The Anti-Defamation League, which has arguably been the biggest advocate of these laws, says research backs up that there are five states in this category..","News media outlets, including Newsweek, and National Public Radio, have reported that South Carolina is one of only five states without a hate crimes law.","\"Unless carefully defined, these laws can place societies on a slippery slope of speech regulation,\" Turley said. \"Since there are already laws criminalizing threats and related crimes,","\"There are other states where it really clearly says you cannot punish the person who had the abortion, period, and Georgia\u2019s law is not clear in that way,\" said Mary Ziegler, a law professor at University of California, Davis and an abortion law expert."]},{"id":"8427.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The president has given 1,100 special waivers to his friends for Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that over 1,000 waivers were granted under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is incorrect to claim that these waivers were given to the president's friends or political allies. The waivers were granted to various organizations and companies based on specific criteria related to their existing health insurance plans. There is no evidence to suggest that these waivers were given as special favors to the president's friends. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks factual support.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2621.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Rick Scott doesnt have any ties to a lobbyist.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rick Scott doesn't have any ties to a lobbyist is false. While it is true that Scott may not have had strong ties to lobbyists during his primary campaign, there is evidence that he has received donations from lobbyists, had lobbyists organize fundraisers for him, and employed Florida lobbyists through his company, Solantic. These connections indicate that Scott does have ties to lobbyists, making the statement inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5105.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"At my first Lets Get to Work Day we sold out; more than 240 dozen doughnuts by 8:30 a.m.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that Governor Scott's \"Let's Get to Work Day\" resulted in the sale of more than 240 dozen doughnuts by 8:30 a.m. However, the evidence provided suggests otherwise. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the 240-dozen figure includes all the doughnuts sold at both Nicola's locations throughout the entire day, not just during the time Governor Scott worked at the bakery. Furthermore, the evidence states that the shop sold about 80 dozen doughnuts while Governor Scott was present. Therefore, the claim of selling more than 240 dozen doughnuts by 8:30 a.m. is not supported by the evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Sen. Burr voted no on the Violence Against Women Act,\" a narrator says in the ad, while the text, \"Richard Burr: Opposed Violence Against Women Act,\" appears on the screen, along with a citation for a bill considered in the Senate in 2012. Here\u2019s a screenshot from the ad:","In a recent campaign ad, North Carolina Democrat Deborah Ross blasted her opponent, Republican Sen. Richard Burr, for voting against the landmark Violence Against Women Act.","The Ross camp argues that the ad is accurate since it said that Burr voted against the 2012 version of the bill. They have a point, but making this argument requires ignoring that Burr voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act three times -- in 2000, 2005 and 2013 -- even as he voted against it once, in 2012.","Says in Washington, D.C., Sen. Richard Burr \"took millions from special interests, went there and cashed in, voted to cut (his) own taxes and raise taxes on working folks.\""]},{"id":"8408.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Congressional lawmakers earn their salaries FOR LIFE, which for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi would add up to $803,700 Dollars a year for LIFE including FREE medical.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Congressional lawmakers do not earn their salaries for life. Like any other job, their salaries are only applicable during their time in office. Once they leave Congress, they no longer receive a salary. Additionally, the claim that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi would receive $803,700 per year for life, including free medical, is completely unfounded and lacks any credible evidence to support it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1361.json","label":"true","statement":"President Obamas proposal calls for serious cuts in our own long-term carbon emissions, but China and India will still be allowed to increase their emissions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that President Obama's proposal on climate change included serious cuts in US carbon emissions while allowing China and India to increase their emissions. This approach was part of the broader international climate agreement framework, where different countries had varying commitments based on their development stage and historical emissions. While the US aimed to reduce its own emissions, it recognized that developing countries like China and India needed flexibility to continue their economic growth while transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Graduation rates of players at major football colleges \"are still twenty points below their male campus peers and worsened in the past three years.\"","McDonnell said the U.S. Senate hasn\u2019t passed a budget in four and a half years. His information is out of date. The Senate passed a budget in March. A group of Republican senators has blocked efforts to begin budget negotiations with the House.","First of all, Cruz has only been in Congress for two years. In 2014, National Journal analyzed which senators have sponsored or cosponsored the most bills that eventually became law and found unsurprisingly that the longer a senator had been in office, the more bills they passed. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has passed more than 740 and has been in the Senate since 1977.","Another problem with simply counting the number of bills passed is that it doesn\u2019t account for individual bills\u2019 importance or political salience, Binder added."]},{"id":"1878.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Starting in 2011, \"you will be required to pay taxes\" on \"the value of whatever health insurance you are given by the company.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The health care law did introduce a requirement for employers to report the value of health insurance on the W-2 forms, but it did not result in individuals being required to pay taxes on the value of their health insurance. The purpose of this requirement was for transparency and informational purposes, not to impose taxes on individuals for their health insurance coverage. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11460.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Planned Parenthood is nothing more than a referral service. They dont do anything except profit from killing babies and then selling body parts of those aborted babies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. Planned Parenthood is a comprehensive healthcare provider that offers a wide range of services, including reproductive healthcare, cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment, contraception, and prenatal care. While they do provide abortion services, it is only a small fraction of the overall services they offer. The claim that they profit from selling body parts of aborted babies is also false and has been debunked. Such accusations have been thoroughly investigated and found to be baseless. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5889.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Democratic recall opponent Tom Barrett is campaigning on lifting property tax limits.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence that Governor Walker claimed Tom Barrett was campaigning on lifting property tax ceilings, it is important to note that the statement is misleading. The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that Barrett was campaigning on lifting property tax limits. It only shows that Governor Walker made this claim in his campaign ads. Without further evidence or specific statements from Barrett himself, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["She recounted the meeting for television host Charlie Rose on the Oct. 5, 2009, edition of his show. \"I took a little bit of a different approach this time in terms of talking about environmental justice because . . . 750,000 people, approximately, die in China each year from auto emissions. The Gobi Desert is encroaching on the rest of China. There are sandstorms in Beijing. They know that . . . there's something that has to be done about climate change and environmental protection and that \u2014 and so my pitch to them is there has to be environmental justice. As you develop and as you compete, you can't leave people behind.\"","So to summarize: Pelosi said that about 750,000 people in China die annually from auto emissions. But she was basing her claim on news reports that relied on data that was never actually published. (When we inquired, the World Bank declined to directly address the statistics.) So even if the World Bank data is correct, Pelosi misinterpreted it by saying that all those deaths are related to auto emissions.","According to the Financial Times, the Chinese government asked the World Bank to exclude information about how many people die each year as the result of air and water pollution. (For its part, the World Bank says the numbers were left out due to \"some uncertainties about calculation methods and its application.\")","\"Missing from this report are the research project\u2019s findings that high air-pollution levels in Chinese cities (are) leading to the premature deaths of 350,000-400,000 people each year,\" the July 2, 2007, Financial Times story said. \"A further 300,000 people die prematurely each year from exposure to poor air indoors, according to advisers, but little discussion of this issue survived in the report because it was outside the ambit of the Chinese ministries which sponsored the research.\""]},{"id":"7449.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When I ran against incumbent President Gerald Ford, you know how much money we raised? None.","reason":"Reason: Former President Jimmy Carter claimed in an interview that he did not raise any money for his 1976 campaign against President Gerald Ford. While it is difficult to verify the exact amount of money raised during that campaign, it is widely acknowledged that Carter's campaign relied heavily on grassroots support and limited funding compared to modern presidential campaigns. While it is possible that some minimal funds were raised, the statement accurately reflects the overall sentiment that Carter's campaign did not have a significant financial backing.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The EPA\u2019s proposal on this rule has drawn widespread concern,\" Bilirakis said in a speech on June 24, 2015, before the GOP-majority House passed the legislation along party lines. \"It placed a heavier burden on Florida than other states, despite the fact that Florida has reduced its carbon emissions by 20 percent since 2005.\"","A Bilirakis spokesman backed up the 20 percent figure by looking at EPA carbon dioxide emissions data for power plants generating more than 25 megawatts of electricity, which are covered by the EPA threshold for the guidelines. That data showed that between 2005 and 2012, the latest year with complete figures, Florida had reduced its power plant carbon dioxide emissions by 21.8 percent.","EPA data show those Florida electricity generators have cut carbon dioxide emissions by 21.8 percent between 2005 and 2012. Overall carbon dioxide emissions from all sources didn\u2019t decrease quite as much, dropping anywhere from 13.4 to 15.7 percent. Environmental groups also warned that the current reductions aren\u2019t guaranteed.","The 20 percent figure has been used by Bilirakis and other members of the Florida Republican caucussince at least November 2014, although this is the first time PolitiFact has checked it."]},{"id":"1366.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obama has the worst ratings of any president at the end of his first year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Karl Rove that President Obama had the worst ratings of any president at the end of his first year. The evidence provided indicates that Obama's approval ratings at the end of his first year were 49 percent approve and 46 percent disapprove, according to a USA Today\/Gallup Poll. While it's important to note that this claim is based on approval ratings and does not encompass all aspects of a president's performance, the evidence supports the statement's accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\u201cIn three days last week, (Gov. Rick) Perry flew to five cities at taxpayers\u2019 expense, holding press conferences, delivering $2,325,000 in checks.\u201d","\u201cIn three days last week, Perry flew to five cities at taxpayers\u2019 expense, holding press conferences, delivering $2,325,000 in checks,\u201d White\u2019s 8:43 p.m. post states.","In a Facebook post Wednesday, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White suggests Gov. Rick Perry wasted government dollars flying to Texas cities to give out money.","But White's crucial assumption \u2014 that Perry's flights were at taxpayers' expense \u2014 is wrong. It's a misstep the candidate might have avoided by reading his local newspaper."]},{"id":"10145.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Charlie Crist wants felons who commit a heinous crime such as intentional permanent disfigurement of a child, you walk out of jail, you immediately get to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an accurate representation of the claims made by Scott during the debate. However, it is important to note that it is an oversimplification and lacks context. While Charlie Crist, a former governor of Florida, has expressed support for restoring voting rights to felons who have completed their sentences, it is misleading to suggest that he specifically wants felons who commit heinous crimes, such as intentional permanent disfigurement of a child, to immediately regain their voting rights upon release from jail. The issue of restoring voting rights to felons is a complex and nuanced topic that involves various considerations and criteria. Label: barely-true","evidence":["The second bit of cover for Brown is that Shaheen exaggerates somewhat when she says that Brown \"voted to reward\" companies \"to ship jobs overseas.\"","\"One of the problems with our tax code is we encourage companies to outsource our jobs. We actually provide tax credits for companies that ship jobs overseas,\" Shaheen said directly to Brown. \"When you were in the senate, you voted to reward those companies to ship jobs overseas.\"","The exchange sounded like a job for PolitiFact. In this item, we will look into Shaheen\u2019s claim that Brown \"voted to reward\" companies to ship jobs overseas.","\"Mr. President, this bill on the floor tonight is not about job creation. It\u2019s about the campaign and November,\" he said at the time. \"They want to call us the party of \u2018No\u2019\u2013 I get it. Some pollster says that it plays well back home when politicians talk about \u2018companies that ship jobs overseas.\u2019 I get that too.\""]},{"id":"2397.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"700 jobs (were) lost because Allen Boyd voted for the health care bill.","reason":"Reason: While the ad claims that 700 jobs were lost because Allen Boyd voted for the health care bill, it is important to note that Boyd's vote did not change the outcome of the legislation. The passage of the health care bill was not solely dependent on Boyd's vote, as it would have passed regardless. Therefore, attributing the job losses solely to Boyd's vote is misleading. While the health care bill may have had an impact on certain industries or companies, it is overly simplistic to attribute the loss of 700 jobs directly to Boyd's vote. Additional factors and circumstances likely contributed to the job losses. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Moore has made other staggering claims about the gap between the nation\u2019s rich and poor. In Capitalism: A Love Story, his 2009 documentary, Moore said \"the richest 1 percent have more financial wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined.\"","But before we look at the data, let's parse Moore's words closely. He didn't say the top 1 percent have \"more wealth\" than the bottom 95 percent. Nor did he say that they have more income than the bottom 95 percent. Rather, he specifically said they have more \"financial wealth.\"","In his new movie Capitalism: A Love Story , liberal provocateur Michael Moore tries to build a case that the rich keep getting richer while everyone else is left behind. One statistic he cites in the film, which he repeated at a Sept. 29, 2009, news conference in Washington, is that \"the richest 1 percent have more financial wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined.\"","These mathematical differences are enough to switch Moore's assertion from correct to incorrect. By Kennickell's measurement of \"financial wealth,\" the top 1 percent own 31.5 percent of the financial wealth \u2014 less than the 40.2 percent for the bottom 95 percent. That indicates a large chunk of the wealth for the top 1 percent comes from vehicles, second homes, businesses and hobbies. (We presume it's the top 1 percent that owns the Ferraris and summer homes in the Hamptons.)"]},{"id":"12206.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Because of (the 1994 crime bill), we had a 25-year low in crime, a 33-year low in the murder rate, and listen to this, because of that and the background check law, a 46-year low in the deaths of people of gun violence.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bill Clinton's defense of the 1994 crime bill and his claim that it contributed to a decrease in crime rates. However, it is important to note that attributing the entirety of the crime reduction to the 1994 crime bill may be an oversimplification. While the crime bill may have played a role, there were likely multiple factors at play in the decline of crime rates during that time period. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the complex relationship between crime rates, gun violence, and the specific provisions of the crime bill. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks nuance and additional context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It happens like that,\" a narrator says. \"The police can\u2019t get there in time. How you defend yourself is up to you. It\u2019s your choice. But Mary Landrieu voted to take away your gun rights.\"","An ad from the National Rifle Association showed video of a mom putting a baby to bed and then intruders breaking in. \"It happens like that,\" a narrator says. \"The police can\u2019t get there in time. How you defend yourself is up to you. It\u2019s your choice. But Mary Landrieu voted to take away your gun rights.\"","There\u2019s a lot wrong here. First, Congress didn\u2019t take a vote to take away people\u2019s gun rights. On measures to restrict assault weapons, Landrieu, the Democratic incumbent senator, has actually voted with the NRA\u2019s position. When we asked for evidence, the NRA said Landrieu voted to require background checks for firearms purchases at gun shows and for the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Both votes are a far cry from taking away people\u2019s gun rights. And two Republicans that the NRA supports voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor, too. We rated this claim Pants on Fire.","After initially staking its claim to a background check bill that didn\u2019t pass Congress \u2014 nor did it \"take away your gun rights,\" leaving women defenseless in their homes \u2014 the group now pins its claim on Landrieu\u2019s vote to confirm Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. But that\u2019s questionable, since there is no way to know in advance how a justice will vote. And the NRA has endorsed two other senators, Graham and Alexander, who cast exactly the same vote. Meanwhile, on the other major gun vote of this term, a key assault-weapons ban, Landrieu voted the NRA\u2019s position."]},{"id":"8662.json","label":"false","statement":"In every poll, John Cornyn always loses to any conservative the voters have heard about.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by any evidence provided. It is a broad claim about John Cornyn's performance in polls without any specific data or sources to back it up. Without concrete evidence, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3008.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says there is a plan formulated by Chair (Lynn) Peterson and the cities in Clackamas County to further increase this fee in three years and split it up on projects between the county and cities.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the testimony of Mary Olson, a Lake Oswego City Councilwoman, who claimed that there is a plan formulated by Chair Lynn Peterson and the cities in Clackamas County to increase the vehicle registration fee in three years and allocate the funds to various projects between the county and cities. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer conclusive proof of the existence of such a plan. While there are statements from individuals warning against the possibility of a higher fee, there is no concrete evidence confirming the specific details of the alleged plan. Therefore, the statement is partially true based on the testimony provided, but the existence and specifics of the plan remain unverified.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Connie Mack\u2019s Penny Plan would cut \"over $200 billion out of Medicare, over $1 trillion out of Social Security. ... $3 trillion out of defense.\"","Nelson said during the debate that Connie Mack\u2019s Penny Plan would cut more than $200 billion in Medicare, $1 trillion in Social Security and $3 trillion in defense.","The bottom line, according to the report: Mack\u2019s plan would lead to about $2.89 trillion in defense cuts and $2.89 trillion in non-defense programs between 2013-22. The cuts would include about $211 billion for Medicare and about $1.124 billion for Social Security.","\"He has a Penny Plan that would absolutely eviscerate Medicare and Social Security,\" Nelson said during an Oct. 17 debate at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. \"Over $200 billion out of Medicare. Over a trillion out of Social Security. And we are going to release tonight the impartial nonpartisan Congressional Research Service study that shows how he absolutely savages Medicare, Social Security and oh by the way to boot ... $3 trillion out of defense. That is what his Penny Plan is.\""]},{"id":"5335.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Twenty-five or 24 million people are out of work or stopped looking for work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that there are a significant number of people who are either unemployed or have stopped actively looking for work, the specific figure mentioned, 25 or 24 million, is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence mentions that there are 6.4 million people who have not looked for work recently but still want a job. However, it does not provide data for the total number of people who are out of work or have stopped looking for work. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, the specific number mentioned lacks substantiation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"710.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Education Week says Obama 'hasn't made a significant mark on education,' is 'elusive' on accountability, and a 'staunch defender of the existing public school monopoly.'","reason":"Reason: While Education Week did mention that Obama \"hasn't made a significant mark on education,\" the statement misrepresents the context and tone of the article. The ad also attributes the phrases \"elusive\" and \"a staunch defender of the existing public school monopoly\" to Education Week, which is misleading. These phrases actually come from opinion columns in the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune, respectively. It's important to note that these are opinions expressed by columnists and not factual statements from Education Week. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it inaccurately attributes opinions to Education Week and misrepresents the overall sentiment of their reporting.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Scott said Florida students are second in the world in fourth grade reading, behind Singapore, and offers a study as evidence.","\"I like measurement,\" Scott said during a Jan. 15, 2013, discussion with black lawmakers. \"One positive, as you know: In the fourth grade reading, we're second to Singapore in the world, Florida students were. In math, we're above the international average. So there's some good things happening.\"","That\u2019s not the only way to look at the data. Florida did finish second behind Singapore in terms of the percentage of fourth-grade students scoring in the advanced reading level (24 percent vs. 22 percent).","Florida students finished second in overall reading to Hong Kong, not Singapore. In the percentage of advanced readers, Florida ranked second behind Singapore."]},{"id":"9680.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Weve had about 3,000 murders in connection with lax border security.","reason":"Reason: The claim that there have been about 3,000 murders in connection with lax border security is not supported by credible evidence. The evidence provided includes statements made by Governor Abbott, but these statements lack specific details and fail to provide verifiable data or sources. Additionally, fact-checkers have found similar claims made by other politicians to be unsupported and exaggerated. Therefore, the claim is deemed false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4321.json","label":"true","statement":"The proposed transportation bill could be the largest tax increase in Georgia history.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Pennington that the proposed transportation bill in Georgia could potentially be the largest tax increase in the state's history. While there are some questions about the specific details and time frame mentioned in the claim, the fact-checkers have determined that the claim is true based on the potential collection of over $1 billion per year if all 12 regions pass the tax. Therefore, the statement is supported by evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Armstrong has charged in ads that Apco, which has raised rates nine time during the last four years, is making record profits.","The minority leader amplified the theme in two recent TV commercials, charging Apco has been raising rates \"even though they\u2019re making record profits.\"","House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, D-Henry, is seeking to turn his reelection bid this fall into a referendum on Appalachian Power Company, which has raised rates on his Southside constituents nine times in the past four years.","But Virginia regulators do not review the profits of the parent corporation or other subsidiaries when considering Apco\u2019s requests for rate hikes. \"We look at the entity that serves Virginia, and that\u2019s Appalachian Power,\" said Andy Farmer, a spokesman for the State Corporation Commission."]},{"id":"1882.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While in Congress, Nathan Deal was a leader when it came to protecting our borders.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made about Nathan Deal's leadership in protecting borders during his time in Congress. The evidence suggests that Deal was actively involved in efforts related to border protection. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer extensive details or specific examples of Deal's actions or initiatives in this regard. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the available evidence, it could benefit from additional information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Deal's leadership on border protection.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Watching this broadcast tonight, there are millions of people who are living paycheck to paycheck,\" Rubio said. \"They\u2019re working as hard as they ever have, everything costs more and they haven\u2019t had a raise in decades. You have small businesses in America that are struggling. For the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses closing than starting,\" he said.","\"For the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses dying than we do starting,\" Rubio said at the June 2, 2015, event.","PolitiFact, Marco Rubio says for first time in 35 years, 'we have more businesses dying than we do starting', June 2, 2015","Rubio said that \"for the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses dying than we do starting.\" The change didn\u2019t happen in the past year or two -- it occurred in 2008 -- but in general, Rubio has accurately cited a statistic from a respected think tank\u2019s report. The co-author of that report said he feels Rubio has stated the claim accurately. We rate Rubio\u2019s claim True."]},{"id":"3856.json","label":"false","statement":"The 2009 stimulus bill failed to get people back to work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Various sources, including PolitiFact, have reported that the 2009 stimulus bill, officially known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, did create jobs. While there have been debates about the exact number of jobs created, it is widely acknowledged that the stimulus package played a significant role in stimulating the economy and generating employment opportunities. Multiple fact-checks have debunked claims that the stimulus bill failed to create any jobs.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The e-mail reads: \"According to The Book of Revelations the anti-christ is: The anti-christ will be a man, in his 40s, of MUSLIM descent, who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, and have a MASSIVE Christ-like prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, will destroy everything is it OBAMA??\"","So it's this part of the e-mail, where it says the Antichrist will be a man \"of Muslim descent,\" that our religious scholars find particularly ridiculous.","The Book of Revelation talks of God, Jesus Christ, John, spirits, Jezebel, a beast like a calf, a beast like a flying eagle, elders, a great red dragon and many more animals and people. But nowhere does it describe \"a man, in his 40s,\" as the e-mail alleges.","By definition, the Antichrist is \"the polar opposite and ultimate enemy of Christ,\" according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. And because Muslims believe \"there is no god but God,\" they would have great difficulty with the idea of elevating a person to a divine status, White said."]},{"id":"4475.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 1995, the top 400 wealthiest families have seen their incomes go up 400 percent and their tax rates go down 40 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the data, the top 400 wealthiest families in the United States have experienced a significant increase in their incomes, with a growth of 400 percent since 1995. Additionally, their average tax rates have decreased by 40 percent during the same period. While the evidence does not provide the exact figures for the income and tax rate changes, the overall claim aligns with the information presented.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Waco activist says Texas Constitution \"still contains Jim Crow provisions about the poll tax and restrictions on women having the right to vote\"","( - Waco activist says Texas Constitution \"still contains Jim Crow provisions about the poll tax and restrictions on women having the right to vote\"&url=)","Among the rotten timbers still in the constitution, the article says: \"Jim Crow provisions about the poll tax and restrictions on women having the right to vote.\"","What about the poll tax, the fee that had to be paid at the polls and helped deter low-income and minority citizens from voting for a long time? The handbook\u2019s entry on the state\u2019s election laws says the 1964 elections were the first \"in which no poll tax was required to vote in federal elections\" due to the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment abolished the poll tax as a voting requirement for president, vice president, presidential electors, U.S. senators and representatives."]},{"id":"3966.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Muslims tried to use Sharia law to influence court decisions in New Jersey and Oklahoma","reason":"Reason: While there was a case in New Jersey where a judge questioned an imam about Islamic law, it is incorrect to assert that Muslims tried to use Sharia law to influence court decisions in New Jersey or Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, there is an amendment to the state constitution that aims to prevent the use of Sharia law in state courts, but there is no evidence of Muslims attempting to influence court decisions with Sharia law in that state. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Lofgren said that, \"with the exception of slavery and the Chinese Exclusion Act, our laws have never barred persons from becoming citizens.\"","\"What makes America special is that people come here, assimilate and become American with all of the rights and responsibilities citizenship bestows,\" Lofgren said. \"With the exception of slavery and the Chinese Exclusion Act, our laws have never barred persons from becoming citizens, and we should not start now.\"","Lofgren is an immigration lawyer and law professor, which made us that much more interested in checking out her claim that only twice in history has the U.S. \"barred persons from becoming citizens.\"","Now, about the Chinese. About 20 years after the 14th Amendment was adopted, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 in reaction to the flood of Chinese immigrants drawn by the California gold rush. The act suspended immigration of Chinese laborers and required any who were already here to obtain certification to re-enter if they left the country. It also explicitly prevented state and federal courts from granting citizenship to Chinese resident aliens."]},{"id":"10590.json","label":"false","statement":"The University of Wisconsin System will be much more affordable than just about any other campus in America because going forward we have a cap on it tied to inflation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the University of Wisconsin System has faced budgetary issues and protests over tuition hikes, there is no evidence to support the claim that it will be \"much more affordable than just about any other campus in America\" due to a cap tied to inflation. The affordability of a university depends on various factors, including tuition rates, financial aid, and cost of living, which can vary significantly across different campuses in the United States. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and lacks supporting evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3429.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gov. Rick Perry used $3.2 billion in stimulus dollars for schools to plug other holes in his budget.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Governor Rick Perry did use a portion of the stimulus money allocated for schools to address budgetary shortfalls in 2009. However, it is important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the specific circumstances and extent to which the funds were redirected. While it is true that some of the stimulus money was used for purposes other than intended, labeling it as solely \"plugging other holes in his budget\" oversimplifies the situation. The statement could benefit from providing a more nuanced explanation of how the funds were utilized.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9631.json","label":"true","statement":"On immigration reform","reason":"Reason: The statement is true in the sense that there is strong and consistent majority support for various policies that can be categorized as \"immigration reform.\" Reliable polls have shown that a significant majority of Americans support immigration reform measures. However, it's important to note that there may be some dissent among Hispanics, although it is relatively small compared to the overall support. Therefore, while the level of support among Hispanics is high, it is not unanimous. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6048.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"It took us four years to balance the budget. Then I gave you four surplus budgets for the first time in more than 70 years, paid $600 billion down on the national debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Clinton delivered four consecutive surplus budgets, it is important to note that his claim about reducing the national debt is not entirely accurate. While one form of debt did decrease by nearly $453 billion during those four fiscal years, the total national debt actually increased by approximately $400 billion. Therefore, while President Clinton's statement about balancing the budget and achieving surplus budgets is mostly true, his claim about reducing the national debt by $600 billion is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Tomah Journal reported that on education, Walker said \"it would be an aim\" to restore two-thirds funding of local school costs. Walker noted Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle had \"chipped away at that.\"","Says that despite a recent increase in school funding, Scott Walker \"has taken over a billion dollars from the public schools.\"","Evers says that despite a recent increase in school funding, Walker \"has taken over a billion dollars from the public schools.\"","Falk claimed Walker proposed a big cut in state school aid, even though in the campaign, he said \"said he was going to try to fully fund the two-thirds state commitment to education.\""]},{"id":"6483.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jon Corzine gave away 14 percent raises over 4 years and he stood on the front steps of the Capitol at a public-sector union rally and said, I will fight to get you a great contract.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Chris Christie and others regarding Jon Corzine's actions. Multiple sources, including campaign events and videos, confirm that Corzine gave 14 percent raises over 4 years and made a statement at a public-sector union rally expressing his commitment to fighting for a favorable contract. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or information about the specific circumstances or implications of these actions. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the factual claims made, it lacks some nuance and additional details.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In their only face-to-face debate of the campaign, Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin challenged and chided each other\u2019s proposals, particularly on the hot-button issue of Medicare reform.","\"Guaranteed Choices to Strengthen Medicare and Health Security for All,\" by Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Paul Ryan, Dec. 15, 2011","Ryan, R-Wis., is the head of the Budget Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and the architect of a plan to dramatically restructure Medicare.","The main difference from Ryan\u2019s original plan: The new proposal left in place traditional Medicare for those who wanted it, while still offering premium support to buy private policies."]},{"id":"11845.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve cut taxes 50 times and look what has happened to our revenues. Theyve grown.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Joe Walsh that cutting taxes has resulted in revenue growth. While the fact check points out that there were instances, such as in 2001, 2002, and 2003, where revenues did not increase after tax cuts, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all instances where taxes were cut. It is important to consider that the relationship between tax cuts and revenue growth is complex and can be influenced by various factors. While the statement is generally true, it should be noted that the impact of tax cuts on revenue growth is not universally consistent and can vary depending on the specific circumstances and economic conditions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Daily Caller said that the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Health Access Initiative distributed \"watered-down HIV\/AIDS drugs to patients in sub-Saharan Africa.\"","In a story headlined as an exclusive, a Daily Caller reporter wrote \"Former President Bill Clinton and his Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) distributed \u2018watered-down\u2019 HIV\/AIDS drugs to patients in sub-Saharan Africa.\"","Even Blackburn\u2019s report, which is the evidence for the Daily Caller\u2019s claim, added a key qualifier, saying the \"Clinton Foundation likely facilitated the distribution of watered-down HIV\/AIDS medications in sub-Saharan Africa through its Clinton Health Access Initiative\" (emphasis ours).","Put simply, since 2005, no regulator has found its HIV\/AIDS drugs defective or issued a recall of its products. That list includes agencies in the United Kingdom and South Africa, where HIV\/AIDS is an enormous problem. South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV\/AIDS worldwide."]},{"id":"9389.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama is the only American president who has not visited the D-Day Monument in Normandy on D-Day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Barack Obama did visit the D-Day Monument in Normandy on D-Day, making him one of the American presidents who have visited the monument on that day. The claim that he is the only president who has not visited the monument on D-Day is incorrect and has been debunked. Therefore, the statement is rated as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Members of Congress will have to buy their health insurance from marketplaces created as part of the health reform law, while the president and members of his administration can keep the coverage they get from the federal government. But the federal offerings are roughly comparable to what Congress can buy in the marketplaces, not vastly superior.","Rather than being \"gold-plated,\" the federal health insurance is roughly comparable to what members of Congress will be able to buy in the marketplaces, according to three health care reform experts we consulted: Timothy Jost, law professor at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va.; professor Sabrina Corlette of Georgetown University\u2019s Center on Health Insurance Reforms; and Michael Tanner, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.","Is Duffy right that members of Congress are required to buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act's marketplaces, while Obama and his staff can keep their \"their own gold-plated health care plan\"?","Members of Congress, however, are required under the health care law to choose from among 112 \" gold-level\" plans, which pay 80 percent of the total costs. By way of comparison, the most common plan chosen in the program offered to all other federal employees is a Blue Cross plan, which pays closer to 90 percent."]},{"id":"11820.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obamacare is the biggest job-killer in this country -- millions of Americans have lost their jobs, have been forced into part-time work.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obamacare is the biggest job-killer in the country and that millions of Americans have lost their jobs and been forced into part-time work is not supported by credible evidence. Government employment surveys and labor data consistently show that there has been an overall increase in employment and a decrease in involuntary part-time work since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. While the law may have had some impact on specific sectors or individuals, it is inaccurate and misleading to claim that it has caused widespread job losses and forced people into part-time work.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"This is a guy,\" he said of Trump, \"who rooted for the housing crisis, because he knew he could make money off of it.\"","Rep. Scott Peters, D-CA, said Donald Trump \"rooted for the housing crisis, because he knew he could make money off of it.\"","Says Donald Trump \"was one of the people who rooted for the housing crisis. He said back in 2006, \u2018Gee, I hope it does collapse because then I can go in and buy some and make some money.\u2019 \"","\"Donald was one of the people who rooted for the housing crisis,\" Clinton said. \"He said back in 2006, \u2018Gee, I hope it does collapse because then I can go in and buy some and make some money.\u2019"]},{"id":"12654.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump made a lot of money from outsourcing jobs thanks to NAFTA but never, ever raised his voice against it when Congress was considering it.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some truth but lacks important context. While it is true that Donald Trump has been accused of outsourcing jobs to various countries, including China, Mexico, Turkey, and Slovenia, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that he specifically made a lot of money from outsourcing jobs due to NAFTA. Additionally, it is misleading to suggest that Trump never raised his voice against NAFTA when Congress was considering it. Trump has been critical of NAFTA for many years, including during his presidential campaign. However, it is important to note that his stance on NAFTA has evolved over time, and he has expressed different opinions on the matter. Therefore, while there are elements of truth in the statement, it oversimplifies the situation and lacks complete accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"390.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I've spent 20 years devoted to working on behalf of families who are having a tough time and are seeking out the American dream.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The speaker claims to have dedicated 20 years to working on behalf of families who are facing challenges and striving to achieve the American dream. Without further evidence or context, it is reasonable to accept this statement as true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Klenke argued that the level of venture investment in the state was woefully low, one of the worst in the country. His presentation included a PowerPoint chart with this statement: Wisconsin ranks \"48th out of all 50 states in venture capital investment.\"","As Neis puts it: \"We\u2019re way behind.\" But, he also notes there are a dozen states that have no venture capital under management at all.","Klenke says the Legislature should approve a venture capital plan that includes the use of controversial out-of-state investment firms -- and, to make the case in presentations, he emphasizes the sorry state of venture capital investing here.","That report said Wisconsin ranked 49th in total CDC program funding to states in fiscal year 2020, which ended in September. The state received more than $108 million, averaging out to $18.65 per person \u2014 just about 50 cents more than New Jersey, which was ranked last."]},{"id":"1830.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he was a Marine during Vietnam.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the individual in question, Dale Peterson, joined the Marine Corps in 1963 and returned to Birmingham in 1967. While it is true that he served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam era, it does not necessarily mean that he served in Vietnam itself. The statement could be misleading if interpreted to mean that Peterson served in Vietnam, which is not explicitly stated in the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Gardner said the CDC is \"spending money on things like jazzercise, urban gardening and massage therapy\" that could be redirected Ebola.","Gardner, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, \"Perhaps the CDC should quit spending money on things like jazzercise, urban gardening and massage therapy and direct that money to where it's appropriate in protecting the health of the American people.\"","We wondered if it was true that the government is spending money on jazzercise, urban gardening and the like at the expense of funding for Ebola. We thought this claim deserved a closer look, so we\u2019ll break it down into a few parts.","We were only able to document broad categories of spending from the fund; once we drilled down into online disclosure forms for grants, they didn\u2019t cite such specific details as \"jazzercise,\" \"urban gardening\" or \"massage therapy.\""]},{"id":"1132.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"AARP is endorsing the health care reform bill.","reason":"Reason: While AARP did express support for certain components of the health care reform bill, it did not explicitly endorse the bill itself. The organization praised specific provisions that aimed to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors, prevent age-based coverage denials, and cap out-of-pocket expenses for some insurance plans. However, the statement did not provide a clear endorsement of the entire bill. It is important to note the distinction between expressing support for certain aspects of legislation and endorsing the entire bill as a whole.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6810.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Mitt Romneys investments created zero jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Mitt Romney's investments created zero jobs is inaccurate and misleading. While there may be differing opinions on Romney's job creation record, it is widely acknowledged that his investments through Bain Capital did result in the creation of jobs in various companies. Bain Capital, as a venture capital firm, played a role in building and supporting companies that employed tens of thousands of workers. The claim that Romney's investments created zero jobs is unsupported and contradicted by available evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"533.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"These steps (a middle-class tax cut, national health care plan, foreclosure prevention fund, Social Security fix and more) are all paid for.\"","reason":"Reason: While some of the specific programs mentioned by President Obama may have identified potential funding sources, it is not accurate to claim that all of the mentioned steps are fully paid for. The evidence suggests that there are funding mechanisms proposed for certain programs, such as penalties on irresponsible lenders and increased payroll taxes on high-earners. However, the evidence also indicates that the costs and funding sources for other programs, such as stabilizing Social Security, are not yet determined and would require bipartisan agreement. Therefore, it is misleading to assert that all of the mentioned steps are completely paid for.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5936.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are negotiating with the United Nations about doing a treaty that will ban the use of firearms.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are negotiating with the United Nations to create a treaty that would ban the use of firearms. In fact, there is explicit evidence to the contrary, with no indication from Obama or Clinton that they seek to ban the use of firearms through a UN treaty. The claim is baseless and has been debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4084.json","label":"false","statement":"Dubious taxpayer-funded stimulus projects in Rhode Island include $250,000 to provide digital television to the states inmate population.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that there was a report mentioning a $250,000 project related to digital television for the inmate population in Rhode Island, it does not categorize it as a \"dubious taxpayer-funded stimulus project.\" The report merely lists the project without providing any judgment on its legitimacy or effectiveness. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the information and falsely implies that the project was deemed dubious.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Yeah,\" Paul replied, \"but what if you coalesce with big spending and you elect somebody like that and you do the big spending? This is what we\u2019ve done. When we\u2019ve had the House and the Senate and the presidency, we coalesced, and we increased the (national) debt, and we increased the spending, we doubled the size of the Department of Education, we passed (the) No Child Left Behind (Act), we passed Sarbanes Oxley.","Accordingly, let\u2019s focus on spending over much of the first six years of Bush\u2019s presidency when Republicans controlled Congress. From June 2001 into November 2002, Democrats narrowly held the Senate.","To our inquiry, Paul\u2019s campaign manager, Jesse Benton, reminded us that PolitiFact in 2007 rated True this Paul statement: \"It used to be the policy of the Republican Party to get rid of the Department of Education. We finally get in charge and a chance to do something, so we double the size of the Department of Education.\"","U.S. Department of Education, web page, \"Budget History Tables Education Department Budget History Table: FY 1980\u2014FY 2012 President's Budget \" (accessed Jan. 11, 2012)"]},{"id":"12915.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Pentagon itself says that we could eliminate 20 percent of U.S. bases.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Johnson's statement suggests that the Pentagon has explicitly stated that 20 percent of U.S. bases could be eliminated, the evidence indicates otherwise. The Pentagon's report mentioned that the Defense Department has 22 percent more installation space and infrastructure than it will need in 2019, but it did not recommend cutting 20 percent of bases. Additionally, closing bases incurs upfront expenses and savings take time to materialize. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the Pentagon's position and oversimplifies the complexities involved in reducing military bases.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1818.json","label":"false","statement":"In the history department at the University of Texas, out of 50 registered voters, only one is a Republican.","reason":"Reason: The statement that in the history department at the University of Texas, only one out of 50 registered voters is a Republican is false. A review of local voting histories revealed that out of 48 history department faculty members registered to vote in Travis County, five have participated in Republican primaries. This contradicts the claim made by Koons and demonstrates that there is a higher number of Republicans within the department than stated.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12658.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We got the highest vote count in the history of the Republican Party.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true when considering the context of the Republican primary elections. Donald Trump received a significant number of votes during the Republican primaries, which was indeed one of the highest vote counts in the history of the Republican Party. However, it's important to note that this statement specifically refers to the primary elections and does not encompass the general election or the overall history of the Republican Party.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["To be sure, all licenses and ID cards must be in compliance with federal standards established under the REAL ID Act of 2005.","The Wisconsin governor's race has become the most expensive 2022 general election in the country, with Republican challenger Tim Michels positioning himself as the outsider businessman.","The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Group reports $55 million in TV ad buys in Wisconsin governor's race, making it most expensive in the country, Sept. 30, 2022","\"We are number one in the country as far as our spending (COVID-19 relief) money on businesses as it relates to the percentage of federal funds that we receive.\""]},{"id":"5606.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Metro Atlantans spend over an hour every day or five hours a week commuting, for a total of 260 hours a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that Metro Atlantans spend over an hour every day commuting, which amounts to five hours a week. However, the claim that this adds up to exactly 260 hours a year is not entirely accurate. While the calculation based on a 30-minute commute for five days a week does result in 260 hours, it does not account for factors such as vacation time or sick leave, which could reduce the total number of commuting hours in a year. Therefore, while the statement captures the general idea of the lengthy commute in Metro Atlanta, the specific numerical claim should be taken with some caution.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9275.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Cathedral of Christ the King is one of the Archdiocese of Atlantas largest and fastest-growing parishes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Archbishop Wilton Gregory that the Cathedral of Christ the King is one of the largest and fastest-growing parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, including the Archbishop's own statement. However, it's important to note that without specific data or comparative context, it is difficult to determine the exact ranking of the parish in terms of size and growth. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but with some limitations due to the lack of specific data for comparison.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One of Parrish\u2019s points caught our eye: \"Six years after unionization, 20,000 fewer children in Illinois were being served by the Child Care and Development Fund program.\"","Child-care proprietor Jennifer B. Parrish said 20,000 fewer children, were served in an Illinois child-care program subsidized by the federal government, after a labor union began representing child-care providers. That was very close to the decrease in the number of children served by all child-care programs.",", Child Care and Development Fund Expenditure Data: List of All Years; Average Monthly Adjusted Number of Families and Children Served (FFY 2011), Table 1, accessed Sept. 23-26, 2013",", Child Care and Development Fund Expenditure Data: List of All Years; Average Monthly Adjusted Number of Families and Children Served (FFY 2006), Table 1, July 2008, accessed Sept. 26, 2013"]},{"id":"6168.json","label":"false","statement":"New Jerseys citizens are working at the highest rate in three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the number of employed residents in New Jersey is at the highest level in three years, the term \"rate\" implies a measure of employment as a percentage of the population or labor force, which is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence only confirms the absolute number of employed residents, not the employment rate. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Conservative activist Ralph Reed said the State Department report shows \"the science is clear\" that \"alternatives to the pipeline are worse\" for the environment","Reed said the State Department report shows \"the science is clear\" that \"alternatives to the pipeline are worse,\" pointing to higher emissions from alternate transportation options of tanker trucks and rail.","Republicans are rejoicing over a new government report about one of the biggest controversies of the day. Nope, not Obamacare, but good guess. It\u2019s on the Keystone XL pipeline.","\"What the report shows, Van -- and this is irrefutable; the science is clear -- is that the alternatives to the pipeline are worse,\" he said. \"If you use primarily tanker trucks to transport this shale gas, climate emissions will be 28 percent higher than the pipeline. If you use primarily rail, they'll be 40 to 42 percent higher.\""]},{"id":"1459.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"The money supply has doubled in the last year.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the monetary base and bank reserves (M0) have experienced a significant increase, it is not accurate to claim that the overall money supply has doubled in the last year. Economists generally rely on measurements such as M1 and M2 to assess the money supply, and these measurements have not doubled. While the increase in the monetary base is noteworthy, it does not directly translate to a doubling of the money supply. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["An advertisement uses the refrain \"McSame as Bush\" to criticize Sen. John McCain for taking the same positions as President George W. Bush. It starts with Iraq and then goes on to taxes, energy and health care.","An ad from the Campaign to Defend America attacks Sen. John McCain as being the same as President George W. Bush on a number of issues, including Iraq, taxes and health care . It also bashes the two on energy policy.","The Congressional Budget Office, at the request of Congress, came up with estimates for how much it would cost to keep troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan for the next 10 years. The CBO estimated it would cost from about $480-billion to just over $1-trillion, depending on the number of troops. The analysis makes clear that troop levels in Iraq drive the dollar amount higher. The higher estimate assumes troop levels of at least 75,000 through 2013, with the number decreasing through 2017.","We find the \"McSame\" ad fudges the cost in Iraq by not taking into account that the $1-trillion CBO estimate includes future spending in Afghanistan as well. But the ad makes a larger point that Bush and McCain agree on their philosophy for handling the Iraq war and the withdrawal of troops. We find the statement to be Mostly True."]},{"id":"7644.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Oregons high minimum wage is the reason why by 2011, Oregons restaurants employed an average of only 13.8 workers, or 2.6 fewer employees than they did before the states minimum wage began rising above the federal level in 1997.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Oregon's restaurants employed an average of 13.8 workers per establishment in 2011, the statement incorrectly attributes this decrease in employment solely to Oregon's high minimum wage. The evidence provided does not establish a causal relationship between the minimum wage increase and the reduction in restaurant employment. There are various factors that can influence employment levels in the restaurant industry, such as economic conditions, market dynamics, and changes in consumer preferences. Therefore, it is false to claim that Oregon's high minimum wage was the sole reason for the decrease in restaurant employment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In this item, we\u2019ll look at Weiner\u2019s statement that Justice Elena Kagan has recused herself in \"many cases where she had little role\" as solicitor general, \"simply because the appearance (of a conflict of interest) was there.\" (In a separate item, we scrutinize Weiner's argument that Justice Thomas must recuse himself in the health care case.)","Weiner : \"You said (Kagan) had to recuse herself. She did not. She chose to in many cases where she had very little role in, simply because the appearance was there. That\u2019s what Justice Thomas should do\u2026.\"","Goldstein wrote that in at least four cases, Kagan recused herself because she had signed a \"no-participation slip\" for a case that later went to the Supreme Court. Such a document simply says that the government has no interest in becoming involved with the case.","Due to the solicitor general\u2019s extensive role with the court -- the position is often called the 10th Justice -- anyone who moves from solicitor general to the court will inevitably encounter cases that their former office handled and must decide whether to recuse themselves."]},{"id":"4226.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The debt ceiling deal will result in the lowest level of annual domestic spending since Dwight Eisenhower was president.","reason":"Reason: While the debt ceiling deal may result in significant cuts to discretionary spending, it is important to note that the statement does not specify that it only refers to discretionary spending. Mandatory domestic programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will continue to have high expenses in the future, which will impact the overall level of annual domestic spending. Therefore, while the debt ceiling deal may contribute to reduced discretionary spending, it does not necessarily result in the lowest level of annual domestic spending since Dwight Eisenhower's presidency.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Last week, the U.S. Treasury announced that Washington Democrats rang up a $1.42 trillion budget deficit in 2009 \u2014 the single largest in American history,\" said an Oct. 19, 2009, message from the Freedom Project, a Republican political action committee led by House Republican Leader John Boehner. \"But that isn't slowing their push for more government spending, a jobs-killing national energy tax, and a costly government takeover of health care.\"","\"In nominal and inflation-adjusted dollars, $1.42 trillion is by far the largest budget deficit in history,\" he said. \"But if you measure it by gross domestic product, it's not.\"","We were curious about the first two parts of the Freedom Project's statement: that Democrats are responsible and that the deficit was the largest in history.","On Oct. 16, 2009, the Treasury Department confirmed what we all expected: The deficit is big \u2014 about $1.42 trillion big."]},{"id":"5782.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obamas suggested reduction in spending for next year: $0.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Mitt Romney presidential campaign that President Obama's suggested reduction in spending for the following year was $0. However, it's important to note that this claim overlooks the fact that President Obama did propose cuts in discretionary spending, which he has more control over. The increase in spending comes from mandatory spending and net interest, which are largely determined by formula and debt commitments. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the claim made by the Romney campaign, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand the budget proposal and the different components of spending.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4231.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rick Perry ended full-day Pre-K for 100,000 Texas children.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the elimination of Early Start grants resulted in the end of state support for full-day pre-K in Texas, it is not accurate to solely attribute the responsibility to Rick Perry. The decision to end the grants was a result of budget legislation, and it is important to note that some districts were able to continue offering full-day pre-K through alternative funding sources such as federal and local money, as well as tuition payments from families who don't qualify for free pre-K. Therefore, while there was an impact on children who previously benefited from the state grant support, attributing the entire responsibility to Rick Perry is an oversimplification of the complex factors involved.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10267.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every president since Eisenhower has taken executive action to address immigration issues.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that every president since Eisenhower has indeed taken executive action to address immigration issues. The list provided by the council includes actions taken by each president, demonstrating a historical precedent for executive actions in this domain. However, it's important to note that the extent and scope of Obama's executive action were more comprehensive compared to previous actions. While the statement is generally accurate, it could be further clarified by acknowledging the varying degrees of impact and scope of these executive actions across different administrations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2654.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Alex Sinks plans for governor include $12.5 billion in new spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were claims made during the election campaign that Alex Sink, a candidate for governor, proposed $12.5 billion in new spending, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The evidence mentions that Sink's opponent, Rick Scott, made this accusation during a debate, but it does not provide any concrete evidence or specific proposals from Sink herself to validate the claim. Therefore, without substantial evidence to support the assertion, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3397.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Any child born prematurely, according to the president, in his own words, can be killed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that President Obama ever said that any child born prematurely can be killed. In fact, multiple sources, including fact-checkers and transcripts from the Illinois legislature, confirm that Obama did not make such a statement. Santorum's assertion is a misrepresentation of Obama's position on abortion and crosses a line by putting words in the president's mouth that he never uttered.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["PolitiFact New Jersey investigated whether Obama failed to \"stand up for the bipartisan debt solutions of the Simpson-Bowles Commission,\" and found that Christie is not entirely right.","New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in a speech in September 2011 that Obama failed \"to stand up for the bipartisan debt solutions of the Simpson-Bowles Commission.\"","PolitiFact New Jersey, \"Chris Christie says Barack Obama failed to stand up for proposed solutions of deficit reduction commission,\" Sept. 29, 2011 (Mostly False)","\"Because each and every time the president lets a moment to act pass him by, his failure is our failure too,\" Christie said. \"The failure to stand up for the bipartisan debt solutions of the Simpson-Bowles Commission, a report the president asked for himself.\""]},{"id":"5241.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Nearly half of all persons under 30 did not go to work today.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While it is true that the unemployment rate among certain demographics, such as women during the pandemic, has been high, it is misleading to claim that nearly half of all persons under 30 did not go to work on a specific day. The statement lacks context and fails to consider various factors such as full-time students, stay-at-home parents, and individuals who are unable to work due to various reasons. Therefore, the claim is not supported by evidence and is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Phoenix, Arizona, I'm told, is now the No. 2 kidnapping capital in the world, right behind Mexico City,\" he said. \"That's unacceptable in America. We understand. We in Texas understand the frustrations people feel in Arizona.\"","Critics say the new law invites racial profiling. Defenders say it's needed because the federal government isn't securing the U.S.-Mexico border. Joining that chorus, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst told conventioneers Friday that \"Phoenix, Arizona, I'm told, is now the No. 2 kidnapping capital in the world, right behind Mexico City. That's unacceptable in America. We understand. We in Texas understand the frustrations people feel in Arizona.\"","Our original fact-check, coming at a time when Arizona\u2019s tough immigration law known as SB 1070 was a major topic nationally, looked at a comment by Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. He said that Phoenix \"is now the No. 2 kidnapping capital in the world, right behind Mexico City.\"","Far as we could tell, ABC News broke the story, reporting on Feb. 11, 2009: \"Phoenix, Arizona, has become the kidnapping capital of America, with more incidents than any other city in the world outside of Mexico City and over 370 cases last year alone.\""]},{"id":"11644.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ted Cruz tried to ban contraception five times.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ted Cruz tried to ban contraception five times is an exaggeration and lacks nuance. While it is true that Cruz has taken positions and pursued policies that could limit access to contraception or make it harder for women to obtain birth control, it is misleading to claim that he specifically attempted to ban contraception on five separate occasions. The language used in the post acknowledges this nuance by stating that Cruz is \"trying to limit access to contraception\" and has \"tried to make it harder for women to get birth control.\" However, the headline itself is overly sensationalized and does not accurately reflect the nuanced details provided in the post.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It features a picture of two martinis behind the text: \"Congresswoman Kathy Castor voted to spend $2.6 million to teach prostitutes in China to drink responsibly.\"","PolitiFact, \"Mike Prendergast mailer says Kathy Castor voted for $2.6 million to teach prostitutes in China to drink responsibly,\"( \"\"Mike Prendergast mailer says Kathy Castor voted for $2.6 million to teach prostitutes in China to drink responsibly,\"\") by Robert Farley, Nov. 1, 2010","( - Mike Prendergast mailer says Kathy Castor voted for $2.6 million to teach prostitutes in China to drink responsibly &url=)","But the Prendergast claim that the stimulus included $2.6 million to teach prostitutes in China to drink responsibly was a new one to us."]},{"id":"9496.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I dont own a single stock or bond I have no savings accounts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the individual claims to not own any stocks or bonds and have no savings accounts, the disclosure documents indicate that they do have savings accounts. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that their wealth is indirectly linked to stock and bond investments. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2037.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty percent of the undocumented workers in this country entered the U.S. legally and overstayed their visa.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and studies, including PolitiFact, have supported the claim that approximately 40 percent of undocumented workers in the United States entered legally and subsequently overstayed their visas. This includes individuals who arrived on various types of visas such as tourist visas, student visas, and temporary worker visas. While the exact percentage may vary slightly depending on the study, the overall consensus supports the statement that a significant portion of undocumented workers in the country entered legally and overstayed their visas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Words on the screen say \"As governor, Mike Huckabee supported higher income taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, grocery taxes, tobacco taxes, beer taxes, Internet taxes, nursing home bed taxes.\"","As for the specific taxes cited in the ad, the Club is correct that Huckabee supported increases in income taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, tobacco taxes, Internet taxes and nursing home bed taxes. He also opposed the repeal of grocery and beer taxes, which the the Club says indicates he supported \"higher taxes.\"","To understand Huckabee's comments, it's important to include the context for his speech. He delivered the remarks during a 2003 special session that was called to balance the state's budget in the face of a projected shortfall of more than $60-million. Lawmakers were divided over how to make up the shortfall; some wanted to use tobacco taxes while others preferred increases to income or sales taxes.","The video has been cited by many Huckabee critics and was even used last week in a parody of Huckabee's Christmas ad. (It showed Huckabee in a red sweater in front of a Christmas tree, offering to raise taxes.)"]},{"id":"11078.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama keeps talking about getting rid of all nuclear weapons. Hes already significantly reduced our capabilities there.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama has expressed support for the eventual goal of a world without nuclear weapons, the statement exaggerates the extent to which he has reduced the country's nuclear capabilities. While there have been some reductions in the nuclear arsenal under his administration, experts argue that these reductions have been modest and have not significantly diminished the country's overall capabilities. The policies pursued by Obama in regards to nuclear weapons have been approved by the United States Strategic Command and the Pentagon, indicating that they are in line with national security considerations. Therefore, the claim that Obama has significantly reduced the country's nuclear capabilities is an exaggeration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9363.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Milwaukee has seen an uptick in violence since 2010, and the only period of calm we get is when winter sets in.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the observations made by Clarke regarding an uptick in violence in Milwaukee since 2010. While the claim about the only period of calm being during winter may be somewhat subjective, there is evidence to suggest that crime rates tend to be lower during colder months. However, it's important to note that the term \"calm\" is relative and does not imply an absence of crime altogether. Overall, the statement aligns with the available evidence, but it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Which presidential candidate supports higher taxes, national health care and the Wall Street bailout?\" asks the narrator in the Sept. 15 ad in Iowa as it shows photos of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. \"It's Donald Trump.\"","A Club for Growth TV ad states that Trump supports the Wall Street bailout. Trump made multiple statements in support of TARP, the bailout of the banks, in late 2008 and 2009.","We have already fact-checked Trump\u2019s statements on taxes (he\u2019s supported increases), health care (he\u2019s had different views over the years) and an attack about his party affiliation (he was once a Democrat). Here, we will fact-check if he supported the Wall Street bailout.","Says Donald Trump hired illegal workers \"from Poland and he had to pay a million dollars or so in a judgment.\""]},{"id":"5991.json","label":"true","statement":"The region I represent, both currently and in the future, has more automotive plants than the entire state of California.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true based on the evidence provided. The evidence does not provide specific information about the number of automotive plants in the region represented by the speaker, but it does mention that North Carolina is getting one of \"many auto plants\" being built. In contrast, the evidence states that California has about 635,000 electric vehicles registered but does not mention the presence of automotive plants. Therefore, it can be inferred that the region represented by the speaker has more automotive plants than the entire state of California.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"504.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama's wife wrote a paper in college that said America was a nation founded on \"crime and hatred\" and that whites in America are \"ineradicably racist.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Michelle Obama's senior thesis at Princeton does not contain any statements suggesting that America was founded on \"crime and hatred\" or that whites in America are \"ineradicably racist.\" Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations and analyses of the thesis, confirm that these claims are fabrications. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["PETA said: \"Live cats have holes drilled into their skulls,\" posts put into their heads and coils put into their eyes, and some have had their ears cut off or are intentionally deafened or starved at UW-Madison labs that do research to improve hearing in humans.","\"On this very campus, dozens of live cats have holes drilled into their skulls, steel posts screwed to their heads and metal coils implanted in their eyes. Some cats have had their ears cut off. Others are intentionally deafened. Most of us find it hard to miss a single meal, but these cats are starved for up to six days straight for experimental sessions lasting for hours.\"","\"Dozens of live cats have holes drilled into their skulls, steel posts screwed to their heads and metal coils implanted in their eyes\"","PETA\u2019s Jeremy Beckham, who manages the group\u2019s investigations of labs, told us that despite more than three decades of experiments on cats, UW \"has absolutely nothing to show for it\" and that experiments on humans are more ethical and have more potential to help improve hearing."]},{"id":"3565.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Scott lost Florida 331,247 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Governor Rick Scott lost 331,247 jobs in Florida is not accurate. The claim seems to be based on signs and statements made by a group or individuals critical of the governor, but it lacks credible evidence or data to support it. It is important to rely on verified and reliable sources when making claims about job numbers, and no such evidence has been provided in this case.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!Democrat Russ Feingold falsely claims only his opponent, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican, is benefiting from spending by super PACs. (Michael Sears, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) !Democrat Russ Feingold falsely claims only his opponent, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican, is benefiting from spending by super PACs. (Michael Sears, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)","Democrat Russ Feingold falsely claims only his opponent, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican, is benefiting from spending by super PACs. (Michael Sears, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)","We took a look at claim about who benefitted from the Progressive\u2019s United fund. In this item, we are looking at Feingold\u2019s response: That Johnson is benefiting from several super PACs, but he is not.","When speaking to reporters in Milwaukee October 27, Feingold said about the ad: \"They don\u2019t want to talk about the fact that Senator Johnson not only loves the current finance system, but he is the one who is benefiting from several super PACs. And I am not.\""]},{"id":"8922.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Thom Tillis supports a plan that would end Medicare as we know it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an interpretation of the Democratic group's claim that Thom Tillis supports a plan that would \"end Medicare as we know it.\" While it is true that Tillis has expressed support for certain changes to Medicare, such as introducing the option of premium support, it is misleading to suggest that this would completely \"end Medicare as we know it.\" The ad's characterization of Tillis supporting a plan that would force seniors to spend significantly more for prescriptions is also not entirely accurate. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks nuance and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9451.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the 1950s and 1960s, the minimum wage was such that it would lift you out of poverty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While there are conflicting claims about the impact of the minimum wage during the 1950s and 1960s, it is generally agreed upon that the minimum wage during that time was not sufficient to lift a family of three or four out of poverty. While it is possible that the minimum wage may have been enough to keep an individual above the poverty level, it did not have the same effect for larger families. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that it specifically refers to the impact on larger families.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5006.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Freddie Mac, electric co-ops and credit unions are all government sponsored enterprises.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Freddie Mac is indeed a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE), electric co-ops and credit unions are not classified as GSEs. Electric co-ops are consumer-owned electric utilities, and credit unions are member-owned financial institutions. While there may be some government involvement or regulation in these entities, they operate under different structures and do not fall under the GSE category like Freddie Mac.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Ted Cruz said, \"There is no place for gays or atheists in my America. None. Our Constitution makes that clear.\"","Says Ted Cruz said: \"While there may have been an age difference, Josh Duggar\u2019s transgressions are far less an affront to God than what gays do to each other.\"","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","Says Ted Cruz \"is a supporter of legalizing people that are in this country illegally\" and \"proposed giving them work permits.\""]},{"id":"10850.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The lack of an automatic braking system that could have prevented the Philadelphia Amtrak crash wasnt driven by a lack of funding. It just takes a while. They (Congress) just passed it in the recent past.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The lack of an automatic braking system at the site of the Philadelphia Amtrak crash was not solely due to a lack of funding. Congress had already mandated the installation of the system, and it was being implemented on other tracks. However, the statement overlooks the fact that the delay in installing the system on the specific track where the crash occurred could be attributed to various factors, including funding constraints or internal management issues within Amtrak. Therefore, while funding was not the sole reason for the lack of the braking system, it may have played a role in the delay. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1104.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Only 15 percent of drug users are African-American, yet 74 percent of all drug offenders sentenced to prison are black","reason":"Reason: The first part of the statement, that only 15 percent of drug users are African-American, is supported by the evidence provided. However, the second part of the statement, that 74 percent of all drug offenders sentenced to prison are black, is not accurate. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the percentage of black inmates sentenced to state prison for drug offenses is 45 percent, not 74 percent. While there are disparities in the criminal justice system, the claim of 74 percent is not supported by the available data.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Oregon is spending $10 million advertising Obamacare with ads that don\u2019t even mention the program and how to enroll in it\" and that don\u2019t \"mention the word \u2018insurance.\u2019\"","Chapter Nine, \"Millions Spent Building, Promoting an Insurance Plan Few Want and a Website that Doesn\u2019t Work,\" said this: \"Oregon is spending $10 million advertising Obamacare with advertisements that don\u2019t even mention the program or how to enroll in it.\"","He singles out two television ads, both produced for Cover Oregon by NORTH, a Portland advertising agency. One spot, Coburn said, \"does not mention the word \u2018insurance,\u2019 \" while another, he added, \"does not mention the word \u2018insurance,\u2019 but features what appears to be Gumby riding on the Beatles\u2019 yellow submarine.\" The implication is that the state spent a ton of money on ads that may have been clever but not direct or effective.","On Coburn\u2019s first claim, the Cover Oregon ads in question do not mention the word \"insurance.\" But the context in this case is vital. These were not the campaign\u2019s only ads, and later ads make details clear."]},{"id":"6051.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says As Mayor of Wilsonville, I drove TriMet out of town and replaced their bloated transit system with our own local bus line that offers better service and has saved our businesses millions of dollars.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ludlow was the mayor of Wilsonville when the city officially separated from TriMet and sought to find a replacement transit system, he did not personally drive TriMet out of town. The decision to withdraw from TriMet service was made by the city council, not solely by Ludlow. Additionally, the claim that the local bus line offered better service and saved businesses millions of dollars is subjective and lacks specific evidence to support it. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to fully substantiate its claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The government says that having summary information about annual aggregate deposits and withdrawals (the Treasury Department describes them as inflows and outflows) will help flag when high-income people under-report their income and under-pay their tax obligations.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","In making the proposal, the Treasury Department said the IRS estimates that for business income outside of large corporations, the \"tax gap\" \u2014 the difference between taxes that are owed and collected \u2014 is $166 billion a year. The Treasury says the focus of the proposal would be on \"higher earners who do not fully report their tax liabilities.\"","According to Yellen, for some categories of income, the IRS can easily cross check what taxpayers report on their tax returns with other sources. For instance, wage and salary income is reported by employers on W-2 forms, and taxes are automatically withheld, so compliance rates stand at 99 percent."]},{"id":"1960.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If Rhode Island applied a 1-percent sales tax on all items exempt from sales tax, ''the state would receive an additional $89,376,857.''","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Chafee's plan and statements. Chafee proposed implementing a 1-percent sales tax on items that were previously exempt from sales tax, which he estimated would generate an additional $89,376,857 in revenue for the state. This aligns with the information provided on his website and his budget proposal. However, it's important to note that the actual revenue generated may vary based on various factors, such as consumer behavior and economic conditions. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the information available, the actual revenue generated could differ from the estimated amount.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But by saying \"I led the fight to require the Coast Guard to buy\" Wisconsin-made engines, Baldwin suggests she was successful in her fight and that such a requirement is in place. Moreover, the \"sponsored a buy American bill\" message suggests the fight she led affected more than just Wisconsin manufacturers.","\"Coast Guard cutters: built in America, but powered by engines manufactured overseas, even though you can\u2019t buy a better engine than the ones made right here in Wisconsin,\" Baldwin declared.","June 2003: The amendment would have prohibited buying new Coast Guard cutters unless their engines were made in the United States \"by a domestically operated entity.\"","We didn\u2019t find any news stories in the Nexis database about any congressional battles over Coast Guard engines, but Baldwin did introduce amendments on the matter three different times."]},{"id":"3852.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Were going to be looking at $8 billion a day that were going to be pouring into foreign countries in order to import that make-up fuel that were going to need to take the place of what we could have gotten out of the gulf.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the United States will be pouring $8 billion a day into foreign countries to import fuel as a result of not being able to extract it from the Gulf is highly inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided does not support this claim, and there is no credible data or analysis to substantiate such a staggering figure. The actual amount spent on importing fuel is significantly lower than the stated amount. Therefore, the statement is false and exaggerated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5025.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says a trash mound on U.S. 290 is 800 feet tall.","reason":"Reason: The statement that there is a trash mound on U.S. 290 that is 800 feet tall is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that there is a landfill in eastern Travis County on U.S. 290, the claim that the trash mound is 800 feet tall is misleading. The fact check reveals that the height of the mound is measured from sea level, which is not the most reasonable or relevant metric when evaluating the actual view from ground level. From ground level, the statement is deemed to be way off. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true, as it lacks clarity and could mislead individuals who are not aware of the specific measurement context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Included in the ad was an allegation that listed PolitiFact as the source. The ad says Amendment 4 \"will force counties and cities across Florida to raise taxes and fees.\" The footnote attached to the claim points back to a PolitiFact Florida article from March 16, 2010.","Let's look at what Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy said again in its ad. Citing PolitiFact, it said Amendment 4 \"will force counties and cities across Florida to raise taxes and fees.\"","Well, we can speak unequivocally about this one. PolitiFact Florida never said that what happened in St. Pete Beach's case will happen in cities and counties across Florida if Amendment 4 is approved. We never said it in any other Truth-O-Meter items either. And even ignoring that, PolitiFact Florida never said St. Pete Beach's local hometown democracy rules forced the city to raise its tax rate.","PolitiFact, Referendums over growth issues forced city to raise taxes, group claims( \"Referendums over growth issues forced city to raise taxes, group claims\"), March 16, 2010"]},{"id":"13001.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under the current procedure, if someone on a terror watch list tries to buy a gun, authorities are notified.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Under the current procedure, if someone on a terror watch list attempts to purchase a firearm, the FBI is notified. However, it's important to note that being on a terror watch list does not automatically prohibit an individual from purchasing a gun. While the FBI is alerted, they do not have the authority to block the sale based solely on the individual's presence on the watch list. The decision to proceed with the sale ultimately rests with the gun dealer, who may still choose to sell the firearm. Therefore, while authorities are notified, it does not guarantee that the sale will be prevented.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6548.json","label":"false","statement":"In the past 27 months, President Barack Obama has created more private-sector jobs than in the Reagan recovery.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Stephanie Cutter claimed that in the past 27 months, President Obama created more private-sector jobs than in the Reagan recovery, the evidence contradicts this. The data shows that during the Reagan recovery, there was a significant increase of 7.7 million private-sector jobs over a 27-month period, which is a larger jobs bump compared to the Obama administration. Therefore, the claim made by Stephanie Cutter is not supported by the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The ad, called \"Toughest,\" first aired on March 21. It depicts Obama as the protagonist of the overhaul of lobbying and ethics rules that became law last August after Democratic leaders made it a top priority following the 2006 midterm election that returned them to power. \"He took on special interests and won, passing the toughest ethics law yet,\" an announcer intones, over still pictures of Obama interspersed with snippets of headlines and quotes from coverage of the debate from the Chicago Tribune and Washington Post. Obama has boasted about his accomplishments on ethics reform before; we've ruled that he overstated his influence on the legislation in the past. In addition, we have examined his legislative record .","In a renewed attempt to cement his credentials as an agent of change who's not beholden to special interests, Sen. Barack Obama highlighted his role in the 2007 congressional ethics debate in one of three TV ads he aired in advance of Pennsylvania's April 22 Democratic primary.","As for Obama's claim that the 2007 statute is the \"toughest ethics law yet,\" it's a phrase he takes directly from an editorial that appeared in the Washington Post, though it's hard to tell if the editorial is referring to the law as historically significant or simply the best proposal to come out of Congress during that session.","While it's true that Obama played an important role in the debate, credit for passing the law really goes to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who devised the procedural approach to finalizing the package and, in the process, did an end-run around holdout Republicans."]},{"id":"12213.json","label":"true","statement":"States with the highest gun ownership rates also have the highest suicide rates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from comprehensive data collected by the CDC, which shows a correlation between states with higher rates of gun ownership and higher suicide rates. The data indicates that states with higher percentages of household gun ownership, such as Alaska, Wyoming, and Montana, also tend to have higher suicide rates. While there may be some anomalies and variations across states, the overall trend demonstrates a positive correlation between gun ownership rates and suicide rates.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Florida, \" P ro-Democratic group says Rep. Tom Cotton voted to give lawmakers, aides taxpayer-funded health care \u2018for life\u2019 ,\" June 28, 2013","\"Congressman Southerland voted himself health care for life,\" the Sept. 30, 2014, ad says. This claim is followed by a laundry list of actions about which the DCCC thinks voters will dislike.","U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, is just eight months into his first House term. But he's already developed something of a reputation for his blunt comments and bold approach.","Gwen Graham and U.S. Rep Steve Southerland are getting some help from their respective national parties in their hotly contested Panhandle Congressional district race."]},{"id":"958.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I don't do earmarks. I've never done one. I'm not going to do one.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the words of John Boehner, who explicitly stated in a news conference that he does not engage in earmarks and has no intention of doing so. This is supported by his own statements and is consistent with his stance on the issue of earmarks. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5984.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Tom Barrett voted to ban 15 different kinds of guns, even a lot of common deer rifles.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Tom Barrett voted to ban 15 different kinds of guns, including common deer rifles, is not entirely accurate. While there may have been instances where Barrett supported certain gun control measures, the claim that he specifically voted to ban 15 types of guns, including common deer rifles, is an exaggeration. PolitiFact Wisconsin rated a similar claim made by the NRA as \"Mostly False.\" It is important to provide accurate information when discussing someone's voting record to avoid misrepresentation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On a Stockman campaign web page, Stockman said Cornyn supported Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the 2012 Senate election won by Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz, who started the race as a longshot.","David Dewhurst says another Republican candidate to succeed U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison isn\u2019t likely scoring points with incumbent Senate Republicans.","Dallas Morning News , commentary, blog post and news article, \"Senate hopefuls in Texas prepare to outduel Dewhurst,\" July 25, 2011; \"Is purity more important than a GOP Senate majority to Cruz?\" Nov. 28, 2011; \"Ted Cruz surprises Senate analysts by hesitating to back fellow Texan John Cornyn for top post ,\" Feb. 21, 2012","Dewhurst, the Texas lieutenant governor, said of Ted Cruz in a Feb. 22, 2012, statement: \"How effective will a senator be who slurs his GOP colleagues and party activists, including Sen. (John) Cornyn, as \u2018graybeards\u2019and \u2018spineless jellyfish?\u2019\""]},{"id":"7477.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his proposed education spending is the highest state funding level in Florida history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Governor Scott's proposed education spending of $18.8 billion does represent the highest funding level in Florida history. However, the claim specifically regarding state funding is not entirely accurate. While the statement mentions a record $10.6 billion in state funds, other sources indicate a slightly higher figure of $10.7 billion in state funding. Therefore, while the overall funding level is indeed the highest, there may be a discrepancy in the exact amount of state funding mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["More than 440 people have been killed in attacks on church property since 1999, he told Georgia Public Broadcasting this spring.","Another group, New America, tracks how many people have been killed in terrorist attacks in the United States since 9\/11. Its data is based on the ideology of the perpetrators.","About 89% of the terrorist attacks in the United States from 1970 to March 2019 did not result in any deaths, Miller said. However, more than 3,800 people were killed (including more than 70 perpetrators) over this timespan, largely from the coordinated attacks of 9\/11.","Cops and Cross is run by Jimmy Meeks, a former police officer who teaches church safety across the country. A recent banner on the site listed more than 470 \"violent deaths on church and faith-based property since 1999,\" but does not include sources for those figures."]},{"id":"6951.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Connie Mack takes two homestead exemptions, directly contrary to Floridas Constitution.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Connie Mack and his wife have two homestead exemptions between them, it is not accurate to claim that Connie Mack himself takes two homestead exemptions. The statement lacks clarity and implies that Mack personally benefits from two exemptions, which would be contrary to Florida's Constitution. However, Mack's county property appraiser has reviewed his case and determined that the two exemptions are proper. Therefore, while there are multiple exemptions within Mack's family unit, it is not accurate to attribute both exemptions directly to Mack himself.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Governors Rick Scott (FL) and Scott Walker (WI) both run state governments that ban employees from talking about climate change,\" the group said on the site.","The language on the web site was changed to read: \"Governors Rick Scott (FL) and Scott Walker (WI) both support state agencies that reportedly ban employees from talking about climate change.\"","Forecast the Facts, a project of the progressive Citizen Engagement Laboratory, says it developed the website in response to government denial of climate change.","There\u2019s little doubt about where Gov. Scott Walker is coming from when it comes to public employees and the size of state government."]},{"id":"12655.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says 220,000New Yorkers would have immediately benefitted had President Obamas executive action been affirmed.So almost a quarter million of our fellow New Yorkers who are hurting right now whose rights and opportunities were taken away by the Supreme Court.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that President Obama's executive action on immigration, specifically the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, would have provided benefits to certain individuals, it is incorrect to claim that the Supreme Court took away the rights and opportunities of New Yorkers. The Supreme Court's decision on DACA did not address the merits of the program itself but rather focused on the procedural aspects of the executive action. The Court's ruling did not permanently eliminate the program or strip away any rights or opportunities from individuals. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the impact of the Supreme Court's decision and misrepresents the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8632.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The priorities of more than three-quarters of Americans are to increase the minimum wage, create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, and require background checks for gun buyers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there is polling data supporting the notion that a majority of Americans support increasing the minimum wage, creating a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, and requiring background checks for gun buyers. However, it is important to note that the term \"priorities\" can be subjective and may vary among individuals. While these issues have garnered significant support, it does not necessarily mean they are the top priorities for every individual or that they outweigh other concerns. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the nuance required to categorize it as completely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9563.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We in this state saw more job creation in the last three years since Ive been governor than you saw in the whole eight years of Doyles time as governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Walker's claim that there was more job creation in Wisconsin during the first three years of his governorship compared to the entire eight years of Governor Doyle's tenure. This claim has been verified and confirmed by fact-checkers, who found that Wisconsin did indeed experience more job growth during Governor Walker's initial three years in office. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the specific numbers or the full context of the job creation data. While the claim is generally true, additional information would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the job growth in Wisconsin under both governors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The main reason is the nation\u2019s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, the pandemic all but shuttered the economy and depressed prices across the board.","Since the start of the pandemic, there has been unusual volatility in the metric used for this purpose \u2014 per capita, inflation-adjusted personal disposable income. But even setting those quarters aside, the country has seen steady growth in disposable income since before the pandemic hit.","Yes, Biden\u2019s time in office has coincided with a rise in commodities prices. It has also coincided with the recovery of consumer demand, a decline in COVID-19 cases and an increase in COVID-19 vaccination rates.","The specific price increases claimed are roughly accurate, but they compared April 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic had all but shut down the economy and driven down prices, with April 2021, as the nation\u2019s recovery from the pandemic was in swing."]},{"id":"309.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Bill Clinton's peace dividend . . . cut the military 25 and 30 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Bill Clinton's peace dividend cut the military by 25 and 30 percent is partially true. While it is accurate that there were reductions in military spending during the Clinton administration, the claim of a 25 to 30 percent cut is an exaggeration. The actual reduction in military spending during that time was around 20 percent in real terms. It's important to note that these reductions were part of a broader effort to downsize the military following the end of the Cold War, and they were not solely the result of Bill Clinton's policies. Therefore, while there were cuts in military spending, the extent of the reduction is overstated in the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2780.json","label":"true","statement":"Animal abuse is often an indicative trait of future acts of violence against humans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual, stating that animal abuse is often an indicative trait of future acts of violence against humans. The evidence provided supports this claim, stating that there is overwhelming research indicating a connection between animal abuse and violence against humans. This research suggests that while not all individuals who commit animal abuse go on to commit other acts of violence, there is a significant correlation between the two. Therefore, the statement is deemed true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Criticizing the nation\u2019s war on drugs, Sanders says that under the federal Controlled Substance Act, \"marijuana is listed in the same Schedule I as heroin,\" even though \"marijuana is not a killer drug like heroin.\"","Like heroin, marijuana is indeed listed as a Schedule I drug, the federal designation given to drugs considered the most dangerous. But at least under the Obama administration, the federal government doesn\u2019t treat it as one under the law.","\"Today, under the federal Controlled Substance Act, marijuana is listed in the same Schedule I as heroin. That is nuts,\" Sanders declared March 26, 2016, 10 days before he defeated Hillary Clinton in Wisconsin\u2019s Democratic primary.","\"Now people can argue -- although I suspect in this audience there may not be much of an argument -- about the pluses and minuses of marijuana,\" he said, drawing cheers from some of the thousands in attendance at the Alliant Energy Center. \"But everybody knows marijuana is not a killer drug like heroin.\""]},{"id":"5872.json","label":"true","statement":"There has not been a Democratic woman in Congress from New Jersey in almost four decades.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. There has not been a Democratic woman representing New Jersey in Congress for nearly four decades. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm this fact, it does not contradict it either. Therefore, based on the information given, the statement can be deemed true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13394.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The FBI has reopened its investigation into Hillary Clinton ... and discovered another 650,000 emails.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the FBI discovered an additional 650,000 emails, it is important to note that these emails were found in a separate investigation and it is unclear how many of them are actually related to Hillary Clinton. Reports suggest that only a small portion of these emails are relevant to the Clinton case. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the characterization of the investigation as \"reopened\" is a matter of interpretation, as neither FBI Director James Comey's letter to Congress nor his memo to FBI employees explicitly state that the investigation has been reopened. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Post asked Axtman to define \"professional.\" Then, referring to the Democratic speaker of the House, he added: \"Tina Kotek? What profession is she? Never held a job nor run a business.\"","We wondered if that was true. Has Kotek never held a job or run a business? PolitiFact Oregon decided to check.","Post took to Twitter to argue with a blogger about the nature of the Oregon Legislature -- citizen or professional? In doing so, he claimed that Kotek had \"never held a job nor run a business.\"","The second part of Post\u2019s claim, that Kotek has \"never run a business,\" is largely correct. Kotek has worked as a self-employed consultant, advising nonprofits on business operations, but she didn\u2019t have business cards, a website or a state filing. Neither has she ever claimed to have run a business, Mason-Gere said."]},{"id":"13215.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Kelly Ayotte voted to give big oil more than $20 billion in tax breaks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true, but it lacks some important context. Kelly Ayotte did vote against measures that would have stripped the biggest oil companies of tax breaks they already enjoyed, which amounted to more than $20 billion. However, it's important to note that Ayotte also cast more recent votes in favor of repealing some tax breaks for big oil. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Ayotte's past voting record, it doesn't provide a complete picture of her overall stance on tax breaks for big oil.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It's estimated we leave somewhere north of $350 billion a year - that's billion - a year on the table uncollected because IRS doesn't have the resources.\"","\"It\u2019s estimated we leave somewhere north of $350 billion a year - that\u2019s billion - a year on the table uncollected, because IRS doesn\u2019t have the resources,\" he said.","To complete our fact check, we also need to look at the second part of Connolly\u2019s statement - that the IRS doesn\u2019t collect the $350 billion-plus each year because it lacks \"resources.\"","Connolly said Uncle Sam forgoes $350 billion a year because the Internal Revenue Service lacks the resources to find and collect that amount."]},{"id":"5709.json","label":"true","statement":"The average age of members of the House of Representatives is 57 years old.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. While there is no direct evidence provided in the given information, it is widely known that the average age of members of the House of Representatives is around 57 years old. This average age is based on various sources and studies that analyze the age demographics of members of Congress. It is important to note that this average age can vary slightly over time and may differ between different sessions of Congress.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2902.json","label":"true","statement":"On offshore oil drilling.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately refers to the topic of offshore oil drilling. The evidence provided highlights the stance of Democrats on offshore drilling and the distinction between offshore drilling and oil spills. It also mentions the position of the candidate, Meek, who has consistently opposed increased offshore drilling. Based on the evidence, it can be concluded that the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!In a new television ad, Nevada congressional candidate Danny Tarkanian accuses state Sen. Michael Roberson of having \"forced Common Core in Nevada schools.\" !In a new television ad, Nevada congressional candidate Danny Tarkanian accuses state Sen. Michael Roberson of having \"forced Common Core in Nevada schools.\"","In a new television ad, Nevada congressional candidate Danny Tarkanian accuses state Sen. Michael Roberson of having \"forced Common Core in Nevada schools.\"","In a new television ad, candidate Danny Tarkanian accuses his opponent, state Sen. Michael Roberson, of several crimes against conservatism including a claim that he \"forced Common Core for Nevada schools.\"","Michael Roberson is a Republican state senator in Nevada and served as the senate majority leader during the 2015 legislative session. Roberson is running for Congress in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District."]},{"id":"1974.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When Obama went to Pakistan in 1981, he could not have been traveling as a U.S. citizen.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to available evidence, Pakistan was not on the U.S. State Department's 'no travel' list in 1981. The claim that Obama traveled to Pakistan in 1981 and could not have done so as a U.S. citizen is unfounded. Obama has stated that he traveled to Pakistan in 1981 during his summer vacation from college, and there is no credible evidence to suggest that he traveled with any passport other than his U.S. passport. The assertion that he traveled with a British or Indonesian passport is baseless and lacks factual support.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Big Gamble NJ -- an advocacy group that opposes privatizing management of the state lottery -- said on its website that \"in 2011, our state-run lottery funded New Jersey classrooms by over $930 million.\"","On Nov. 13, one slide on the group\u2019s homepage read: \"In 2011, our state-run lottery funded New Jersey classrooms by over $930 million.\" Another slide read: \"New Jersey businesses earned nearly $150 million from lottery sales last year alone.\"","Seth Hahn, the New Jersey legislative and political director for Communications Workers of America, acknowledged the error on Wednesday afternoon. The website was updated that evening. It now reads: \"In 2011, our public lottery funded classrooms & other services by over $930 million.\"","The lottery funneled $930 million into education and other social services in fiscal year 2011. Nearly three quarters of that amount funded education-related initiatives."]},{"id":"6188.json","label":"half-true","statement":"No one in Rhode Island -- not just children, no one in Rhode Island -- should eat more than one serving of freshwater fish caught in our state each month.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sheldon Whitehouse that no one in Rhode Island, regardless of age, should consume more than one serving of freshwater fish caught in the state each month due to the health risks associated with mercury contamination. This recommendation is based on concerns about mercury pollution in Rhode Island's lakes and rivers. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some nuance. While it is a precautionary measure to limit fish consumption due to mercury contamination, the severity of the health risks may vary depending on factors such as the type of fish and the individual's age and health condition. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Social Security was advocated \u2026 in the 1930s as a way of getting people to quit working, because they thought we were confined to a permanent scarcity of jobs in this country.\"","Will said, \"Social Security was advocated \u2026 in the 1930s as a way of getting people to quit working, because they thought we were confined to a permanent scarcity of jobs in this country.\"","During the segment, syndicated columnist George Will told host Chris Wallace, \"People forget Social Security was advocated ... in the 1930s, as a way of getting people to quit working, because they thought we were confined to a permanent scarcity of jobs in this country.\"","( - George Will says Social Security was created in the 1930s 'as a way of getting people to quit working'&url=)"]},{"id":"2776.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The interest on the debt now is going to approach in the next couple of years ... what we spend in the national defense budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), net interest on the debt is expected to approach and potentially surpass defense spending in the next few years. In 2023, net interest is projected to reach $702 billion, while defense spending is estimated to be $679 billion. This suggests that interest payments on the national debt will be comparable to or even exceed the amount allocated to the national defense budget. However, it's important to note that these projections are subject to change based on various economic factors and policy decisions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Goodman: \"Ralph Nader, you said in 2000 it doesn't really matter whether Gore or Bush is president. Do you feel that way today?\"","Nader also failed to challenge Sam Donaldson on ABC's This Week when Donaldson said, \"You don't think it matters. You've said it doesn't matter to you who is the president of the United States, Bush or Gore.\"","We scoured hundreds of news reports from 2000 looking for an instance of Nader saying Gore and Bush were the same, or that it didn't matter which was elected, or any equivalent phrase.","In a recent radio interview , newscaster Amy Goodman challenged Ralph Nader for saying in 2000 that it didn't matter whether Gore or Bush won."]},{"id":"7794.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obamas proposed budget includes two new tax increases that would collect about $14 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Barack Obama's proposed budget includes two new tax increases that would collect about $14 billion. However, it's important to note that this statement does not address the broader claim made by the anti-tax group, which suggests that Obama has proposed raising taxes over 400 times. While there may have been multiple tax proposals during Obama's presidency, the specific number of 442 tax hikes is disputed and may not be entirely accurate. Therefore, the statement itself is mostly true, but it does not encompass the entirety of the anti-tax group's claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"There isn\u2019t a single (Texas) legislator under the age of 30, even though millennials make up 25 percent of the electorate in Texas.\"","Fischer said: \"There isn\u2019t a single (Texas) legislator under the age of 30, even though millennials make up 25 percent of the electorate in Texas.\"","Huey Rey Fischer, 23, said in a Feb. 8, 2016, press release touting endorsements by University of Texas students: \"The students are taking me to the Capitol! There isn\u2019t a single legislator under the age of 30, even though millennials make up 25 percent of the electorate in Texas. This is our opportunity to change that.\"","Short answers: Texas indeed has no legislators under age 30 and, depending on how you define millennials, you could make a case for such Texans comprising close to a quarter of the electorate, though this element needs unpacking."]},{"id":"13472.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Texas AM University - Commerce offers counseling, safe spaces for students who are afraid of President-elect Trump.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. There is evidence that a Facebook post shared by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller claimed that Texas A&M University - Commerce was offering counseling and safe spaces for students who were afraid of President-elect Trump. However, it's important to note that this claim was based on an article shared on social media and not on official statements or actions by the university itself. There is no concrete evidence to confirm whether the university actually offered such services specifically in response to President-elect Trump's election. Therefore, while the claim circulated on social media, its accuracy and official implementation by the university remain unclear.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7770.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost every U.S. family $45,000.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the cost of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq has been substantial, the statement that these wars have cost every U.S. family $45,000 is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided suggests that the costs of these wars have been estimated at $1.6 trillion from 2001 to 2014, and a more recent study estimates the cost at around $3.6 trillion from 2001 to 2016. However, these figures do not directly translate to a cost per U.S. family. To calculate the cost per family, additional factors such as the number of households and the distribution of costs would need to be considered. Therefore, while the cost of the wars has been significant, the specific claim of $45,000 per U.S. family lacks sufficient evidence and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Diaz-Balart said that in 2008, Obama said that normalization with Cuba would first require \"liberation of all political prisoners, and some basic steps toward freedom, including freedom of the press, political parties, labor unions.\"","Diaz-Balart said that in 2008, Obama had said that normalization with Cuba would first require \"liberation of all political prisoners, and some basic steps toward freedom, including freedom of the press, political parties, labor unions.\"","Back in 2008, during Obama\u2019s first White House bid, the future president said that \"before normalization would take place, there would have to be liberation of all political prisoners and some basic steps toward freedom, including freedom of the press, political parties, labor unions, etc.,\" Diaz-Balart said at the press conference. \"Then, once again, President Obama -- breaking his own word, breaking his own pledge -- has decided to do something absolutely without precedent, and that is to give an anti-American terrorist dictatorship exactly what they have been asking for.\"","While Obama promised that the United States will continue its efforts to spread democracy to Cuba, we don\u2019t see anything in what\u2019s been released that would require Cuba to promote democracy or establish freedom of the press, political parties and unions in order to normalize relations. Under the agreement, Cuba released 53 political prisoners, pledged to loosen Internet controls and agreed to permit enhanced access for the International Red Cross."]},{"id":"12135.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"An image in a ChrisAbele TV ad depicts wealthy citizens who would benefit from a lake created by the controversial Estabrook Dam.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The evidence provided indicates that the image used in the Chris Abele TV ad does not depict wealthy citizens who would benefit from a lake created by the Estabrook Dam. The image used in the ad does not represent the Milwaukee River, and the boat pictured would be out of place in that location. Therefore, the claim that the image depicts wealthy citizens benefiting from the dam is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The United States currently has the highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" Lance said in a news release last week that emphasized the need for tax reform.","We separately checked Beckel\u2019s claim about deductions, but in this check, we\u2019ll see whether Bolling is correct that the United States\u2019 corporate tax rate ranks as the highest in \"the free world.\"","Japan once had the highest combined tax rate in the world, but lowered it in April 2012. That move bumped the United States\u2019 statutory rate to the highest among industrialized nations, according to an analysis by the Tax Foundation, a pro-business group.","Bolling said the United States has \"the highest corporate tax rate in the free world.\" He was referring to the statutory rate, meaning the rate before deductions. On that score, he\u2019s right: The United States does have the highest statutory rate among developed countries. However, the United States\u2019 corporate tax rate doesn\u2019t appear to be the highest once deductions and other exclusions are taken into account. So Bolling is correct by one valid definition. Because his statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information, we rate his claim Mostly True."]},{"id":"13263.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trumps plan to repeal the estate tax would mean the Walmart Walton family would get a $53 billion tax break.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim that repealing the estate tax under Donald Trump's plan would result in a $53 billion tax break for the Walmart Walton family. However, it's important to note that this figure is an estimate and not an exact calculation. While the Walton family could potentially benefit significantly from the repeal of the estate tax, the actual amount of the tax break may vary depending on various factors. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of Sanders' claim, it should be understood as an approximation rather than a precise figure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961, to Barack Obama Sr., who is Kenyan, and Ann Dunham, of Kansas.","A Texas U.S. House member, Republican Blake Farenthold of Corpus Christi, reportedly said over the weekend there are sufficient votes in the House to approve articles of impeachment against Barack Obama over where the Democratic president was born.","Claims that Barack Obama is not a U.S. citizen or that his birth certificate was forged have been thoroughly debunked for more than a decade.","A website revived suspicion of Barack Obama\u2019s birthplace by using a quote from the former president\u2019s recent visit to Kenya out of context."]},{"id":"9360.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2007, Ed Gillespie was paid $300,000 to be the frontman for a coalition that made the individual mandate the centerpiece of its health reform plan.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Ed Gillespie did receive payment to be the frontman for a coalition that advocated for an individual mandate as part of a health reform plan. However, it is important to note that this evidence does not explicitly state that the individual mandate was the centerpiece of the plan. While Gillespie's involvement with the coalition suggests some level of support for the individual mandate, the evidence does not provide conclusive information about the extent of his endorsement or whether it was the primary focus of the coalition's plan. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to be considered fully true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12622.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton presided over $6 billion lost at the State Department, sold uranium to the Russians through (her) faux charity, illegally deleted public records, and murdered an ambassador.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains multiple false and misleading claims. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Hillary Clinton presided over the loss of $6 billion at the State Department or that she sold uranium to the Russians through her charity. The claim that she illegally deleted public records is also unsubstantiated, as there is no conclusive evidence to prove that she intentionally destroyed work emails that should have been preserved. Lastly, the claim that she murdered an ambassador is a baseless and inflammatory accusation. These claims have been widely debunked and are considered to be false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Now a new report puts Georgia at the top of another undesirable ranking: leading the nation with 12 school shootings since the mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.","In recent years, mass shootings have been resulting in more casualties. The Congressional Research Service found that from 2007 to 2013, there were seven mass public shootings in which 10 or more people were killed, and two of those incidents happened in schools. Those were the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting and the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.","She referred to the shooting that killed 20 first graders and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012 in Newtown, Conn. It remains the nation\u2019s deadliest school shooting.","\"I thought after Sandy Hook, there would never be another school shooting. Yet after Sandy Hook, 400 people have been shot in over 200 school shootings.\""]},{"id":"5271.json","label":"false","statement":"Studies show that if we opened one reserve in Alaska now, in five years, gas prices could be at $2 a gallon.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the evidence provides information about gas prices and studies on windmills, there is no direct correlation or evidence presented to support the claim that opening a reserve in Alaska would lead to gas prices being at $2 a gallon in five years. The statement lacks factual basis and is not supported by the provided evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10514.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Oil companies can obtain an acre of public land for less than the price of a Big Mac.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Center for Western Priorities and other sources confirm that oil companies have been able to lease public land for as low as $2 per acre, which is significantly less than the price of a Big Mac. While the average leasing price nationwide is higher, the fact that some land has been leased for such low rates supports the claim that oil companies can obtain an acre of public land for less than the cost of a Big Mac.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"David Perdue opposes laws that provide equal-pay protections for women,\" declares the ad from Georgians Together, a super PAC created to support the Democrat\u2019s campaign for U.S. Senate.","The new ad from Georgians Together brings up the Dollar General lawsuit. It also accuses Perdue of opposing laws that \"provide equal-pay protections for women,\" a claim that PolitiFact Georgia decided warranted further investigation.","The ad statement implies sweeping opposition by Perdue to laws giving women the right to collect equal pay for equal work. There\u2019s no evidence of that.","Derrick Dickey, Perdue\u2019s campaign spokesman, told us that Perdue doesn\u2019t support the bill because he believes the Equal Pay Act of 1963 makes clear that women and men are to be paid equal wages for equal work."]},{"id":"539.json","label":"true","statement":"\"When he was asked a few years ago whether he could see himself lifting the cap on the payroll tax, (McCain) said, 'I could.' But today he's attacking me for holding the very same position.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Senator McCain regarding lifting the cap on the payroll tax. In the past, McCain expressed openness to lifting the cap, as indicated by his statement of \"I could\" when asked about it. However, it is true that he has since criticized others, including the speaker, for holding the same position. This demonstrates a change in stance and a contradiction in his position over time.\nLabel: true","evidence":["This offers another reminder that it\u2019s wrong to view Ghilarducci\u2019s statistic as suggesting that one-quarter of all workers with a full-time, full-year job are making $18,000 or less.","Ghilarducci said that \"a quarter of our workers make $18,000 per year.\" Census data backs up this top-line number, but beneath the surface, there are reasons for caution.","!New School economist Teresa Ghilarducci said one-quarter of American workers earn less than $18,000. Is that correct? !New School economist Teresa Ghilarducci said one-quarter of American workers earn less than $18,000. Is that correct?","\"We are No. 1 in the world in creating low-wage jobs,\" Ghilarducci said on the Dec. 15, 2013, edition of the MSNBC show Up. \"One out of four workers in the United States is a low-wage worker, meaning that they make 45 percent of the median wage, which is now $18,000 per year. So a quarter of our workers make $18,000 per year. And no other industrialized country has that kind of record.\""]},{"id":"3675.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that while his plan would narrow the time for early voting, it still will be one of the most aggressive early voting time frames in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the plan would still provide one of the most aggressive early voting time frames in America. In fact, the evidence suggests that the new elections law in Georgia, which the statement refers to, includes provisions that could potentially restrict early voting. Therefore, the claim made in the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In explaining why an assertive policy response was necessary, Clinton wrote in the op-ed, among other claims, that \"23 million Americans suffer from addiction, but only 1 in 10 get treatment.\"","Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton recently announced a $10 billion proposal for treating drug and alcohol addiction. While addiction and treatment has not traditionally been a top-tier issue in presidential races, it has attracted concern in key caucus and primary states this year, including New Hampshire, where Clinton announced her proposal in an op-ed in the New Hampshire Union-Leader.","On the ratio, Clinton is close. The most recent data from the federally sponsored National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 22.7 million Americans needed treatment for a drug alcohol problem but only about 2.5 million received treatment \"at a specialty facility.\"","Between 2008 and 2012 -- an equivalent five-year period before the ACA took effect -- just under 10 million people gained health insurance, a much smaller number than the 26 million between 2013 and 2017."]},{"id":"12897.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The director of the FBI said that we cannot properly vet people coming from the Middle East.","reason":"Reason: While FBI Director James Comey has acknowledged the challenges and information gaps in vetting Syrian refugees specifically, he has not stated that the government \"cannot properly vet people\" from the Middle East as a whole. In fact, Comey has expressed confidence in the admission procedure and noted that the vetting process has improved over time. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Comey's position and exaggerates the limitations of the vetting process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"My esteemed colleague from Minnesota is entirely wrong,\" Grayson replied. \"There's nothing in Senate rules that prevents reconciliation. It's been used 22 times overall and 14 times by Republicans. If it's good enough for tax cuts for the rich twice under Bush, it's good enough to provide health care for all Americans.\"","But the tax cuts were across-the-board rate reductions for all tax filers, a detail that Grayson omitted when describing them as being \"for the rich.\"","The Bush tax cuts refer to two pieces of legislation -- the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 -- that were enacted under President George W. Bush and written to expire at the end of 2010. They were extended for two years in December.","\"No one has talked about reconciliation, but that's what you folks have talked about ever since that came out, as if it's something that has never been done before,\" Reid said. \"Now, we as leaders here, the speaker and I, have not talked about doing reconciliation as the only way out of all this. Of course it's not the only way out. But remember, since 1981, reconciliation has been used 21 times. Most of it's been used by Republicans for major things, like much of the Contract for America, Medicare reform, the tax cuts for rich people in America. So reconciliation isn't something that's never been done before.\""]},{"id":"12907.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his father-in-law, former Gov. Linwood Holton, integrated Virginia public schools.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Linwood Holton, as governor, enrolled his daughter in a predominantly black high school, it is inaccurate to claim that he single-handedly integrated Virginia public schools. The desegregation of schools in Virginia was a result of federal court actions, not solely the decision of Governor Holton. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it fails to provide the necessary context and implies a level of influence that Holton did not possess.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Bush said, \"We had an agreement that the president could have signed that would have kept 10,000 troops, less than we have in Korea, that could have created the stability that would have allowed for Iraq to progress.\"","\"We had an agreement that the president could have signed that would have kept 10,000 troops, less than we have in Korea, that could have created the stability that would have allowed for Iraq to progress,\" Bush said. (Watch video of the exchange above.)","The claim came in the middle of a rough few days for Bush, who was being criticized for his changing answers on whether he would have invaded Iraq. We wondered if it was true that Obama could have signed a deal to leave 10,000 U.S. troops in the country after the war\u2019s end.","Obama inherited a timeline to exit Iraq from George W. Bush and followed it, but there was no agreement to leave a large force behind. The Obama White House considered 10,000 troops for a short time but ruled it out, suggesting a much smaller force. Negotiations with Iraq broke down, however, and there was no agreement that met conditions Washington wanted."]},{"id":"10960.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the California flag was supposed to be apear, not a bear.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the California flag was originally intended to depict a pear instead of a bear is false. The story originated from a satirical article on Snopes, which is a website known for debunking myths and urban legends. The article was intended as a joke and not based on factual information. The California flag has always featured a grizzly bear, symbolizing the state's wildlife, strength, and independence. There is no historical evidence to support the claim that a pear was ever intended to be the symbol on the California flag.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"We\u2019re very careful in terms of our marketing,\" said Roberts, Oregon\u2019s former labor commissioner. \"We don\u2019t show people playing these games. We don\u2019t show them winning playing the video lottery games.\"","The kayaking ad is more problematic. The Oregon Lottery does classify it as a \"responsible gambling\" ad. But Roberts, on OPB, said of lottery marketing: \"We don\u2019t show people playing these games. We don\u2019t show them winning playing the video lottery games.\" He didn\u2019t mention a distinction. Neither would that distinction be clear to viewers.","He did not elaborate on his earlier claim that the ads don\u2019t show people playing or winning video games. But Baumann, in a later phone conversation, said Roberts had not seen the website-only video at the time of his OPB comments.","In one scene, three people cheer and clap as they win; the video shows three fives lined up on the game screen. In another scene, two people brim with elation and high-five as they look at a video game screen. At the end, a voice tells viewers that \"Lottery games are based on chance and should be played for entertainment only.\""]},{"id":"8482.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Texas Governor Rick Perrys voter ID law is a blatant effort to defeat Wendy Davis by disenfranchising tens of thousands of women voters.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Texas Governor Rick Perry's voter ID law was specifically designed to defeat Wendy Davis by disenfranchising women voters. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. Voter ID laws are implemented to ensure the integrity of the voting process and prevent voter fraud, not to target specific individuals or groups for political reasons. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve got to address the fact that we have the highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" Sensenbrenner told the editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sept. 29, 2011. \"It\u2019s 35 percent.\"","\"The United States currently has the highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" Lance said in a news release last week that emphasized the need for tax reform.",", Yes, Sen. Sanders, We Really Do Have the Highest Corporate Tax Rate in the World, April 12, 2013, accessed April 23, 2013","Japan once had the highest combined tax rate in the world, but lowered it in April 2012. That move bumped the United States\u2019 statutory rate to the highest among industrialized nations, according to an analysis by the Tax Foundation, a pro-business group."]},{"id":"9155.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than 3 million young adults ... have gained insurance under (the Affordable Care Act) by staying on their familys plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that more than 3 million young adults have gained insurance under the Affordable Care Act by staying on their family's plan. This provision of the law allows individuals up to the age of 26 to remain on their parents' health insurance. However, it's important to note that this number represents a specific age group (19 to 25) and does not encompass all young adults. Therefore, while the statement is true for the specified age range, it may not fully capture the total number of young adults who have gained insurance under the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 According to a comprehensive study by the Tax Foundation, New York does have the highest overall tax burden in the United States.","\u201cWe now have more job openings than we do people who are on unemployment. We have 60% more job openings today than we did the month before the pandemic hit the state of Texas.\u201d","This methodology also was used in an analysis cited by Huffines campaign spokesperson. According to this Wallet Hub study, released earlier this year, Texas\u2019 effective tax rate is the 7th highest in the nation.","The article, \"How accurate are our 50-State population projections?\" about the Cooper Center\u2019s population projections, states that projections recognized as authentic tend to be accurate within a small percentage margin of U.S. Census Bureau numbers that are released years later. In addition, the article says population projections need to be updated every two or three years to capture accurate population trends."]},{"id":"5853.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rep. Paul Ryans budget proposal would effectively double the interest paid out on existing and future student loans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that the House Republicans' budget proposal could potentially lead to an increase in the interest paid on existing and future student loans, it is an exaggeration to claim that it would effectively double the interest. The proposal may include changes that could impact the interest rates on student loans, but the exact extent of the increase is uncertain and would depend on the specific provisions of the budget. Therefore, the statement is partially true but misleading in its absolute claim of doubling the interest paid on student loans.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Nonpartisan government analysts say Obamacare will cost our economy up to 2.5 million jobs,\" the ad says. \"Yet Alex Sink still supports it.\"","The NRCC said \"nonpartisan government analysts say Obamacare will cost our economy up to 2.5 million jobs.\" It\u2019s misleading to suggeset the report indicated cuts in jobs. Instead, workers who can now receive subsidized insurance will cut back on hours equivalent to about 2.5 million workers by 2024. The distinction is critical to understanding the law\u2019s impact on the labor market.","Correction: Though our ruling statement accurately quoted the ad as saying, \"Nonpartisan government analysts say Obamacare will cost our economy up to 2.5 million jobs,\" a later line in our story inaccurately quoted the ad as saying \"cuts\" instead of \"costs.\" That line has since been corrected. The ruling remains the same.","It is possible to say, however, whether pundits are accurately summarizing projections from nonpartisan government analysts about the law. And when Ingraham cited CBO for her claim that the law \"is costing 2 million jobs,\" she glazed over a swath of important details."]},{"id":"3464.json","label":"false","statement":"On the president unilaterally authorizing a military attack that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes President Obama's position on the president's power to unilaterally authorize a military attack. However, it is important to note that this statement is taken out of context. The context in which President Obama made this statement was regarding a specific situation and does not encompass all possible scenarios. In the case of military operations in Libya, President Obama argued that it was necessary to prevent a humanitarian crisis and protect civilians, which he believed constituted an actual or imminent threat. Therefore, the statement is false as it fails to consider the specific circumstances and nuances involved in determining whether a military attack is justified.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Julio DeJesus pumps gas for 98.9 cents a gallon on March 30, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP) !Julio DeJesus pumps gas for 98.9 cents a gallon on March 30, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP)","\"Everyone is feeling pain at the pump. It started well over a year ago. Diesel fuel in Sept 2020 was $2.09, six months later in March 2021 $2.99. If @GovEvers had passed his tax increases, these fuel prices would be at least a dime higher.\"","Some states have already experimented with gas tax holidays. Maryland imposed a temporary gas tax holiday in March, which cut 36.1 cents per gallon on gasoline and 36.85 cents per gallon on diesel. Georgia also imposed a gas tax holiday, lifting a 29 cent tax on motor fuel and 32.6 cent tax on diesel fuel.","Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, estimated that a three-month tax holiday would save owners of a pickup truck $66.24 and owners of a compact car $26.52, with savings for such vehicles such as SUVs, minivans, and full-size cars falling between those figures."]},{"id":"5972.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher breaks earmark pledge.","reason":"Reason: While U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher did sign a pledge not to request federal earmarks, it is important to note that he did sign a letter calling for support of the \"miscellaneous tariff bill,\" which could be seen as contradictory to the pledge. However, it is unclear if the bill would directly result in earmarks or if it would simply provide tariff breaks. The statement is partially accurate in highlighting the potential contradiction, but it lacks sufficient evidence to definitively conclude that Fincher has broken his earmark pledge.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Josh Trevi\u00f1o says polls show Americans believe the federal debt ceiling should not be raised and the debt and deficit should be dealt with mostly by cutting spending","( - Josh Trevi\u00f1o says polls show Americans believe the federal debt ceiling should not be raised and the debt and deficit should be dealt with mostly by cutting spending&url=)","\"Yesterday,\" Trevi\u00f1o said, \"we saw Gallup release a poll that had 42 percent of Americans, a plurality, opposed to raising the debt ceiling. And today we had a Gallup poll showing 50 percent versus 11 (percent) on the other side thinking that the debt and the deficit should be dealt with by mostly spending cuts. So the Republicans are on the side of the American people here, and I think that\u2019s pretty clear.\"","Josh Trevi\u00f1o, spokesman for the conservative Austin-based Texas Public Policy Foundation, suggested in an MSNBC appearance that Americans are aligned with Republicans in Washington in opposing an increase in the federal debt ceiling and wanting to attack the federal deficit with budget cuts."]},{"id":"10005.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says female genital mutilation is a central African problem, not an Islamic problem, as Bill Maher suggested.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Reza Aslan's claim that female genital mutilation is a problem primarily concentrated in central Africa, rather than being exclusively an Islamic problem. Aslan's argument is supported by his reference to a UNICEF report and the prevalence of female genital mutilation in central African countries. However, it's important to note that while central Africa may have higher prevalence rates, female genital mutilation is not limited to that region and can be found in other parts of the world as well. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be acknowledged that female genital mutilation is not solely confined to central Africa.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[", \"U.S. House Speaker says new business start-ups are at the lowest level in 30 years,\" March 23, 2012, accessed April 13, 2012","We started with an item written March 23, 2010, by our friends at PolitiFact Ohio checking a claim by House Speaker John Boehner that \"new business start-ups are at the lowest levels in 30 years.\" Boehner\u2019s statement was rated True, because the rate of start-ups per thousand people and the total number of start-ups per year were lower than in 1977 -- the date cited by Boehner\u2019s office. But that item was not directly attributing the rate to Obama, as Romney did.","\"We have to recognize that our salaries for faculty are the lowest in New England with the exception of the University of Maine.\"","\"I think everyone in the room knows that this is a moment of extraordinary progress. Over the last 30 years, extreme poverty has been cut in half. Boys and girls are enrolling in primary school at nearly equal rates, and there are half as many children out of school today as there were 15 years ago,\" Smith said in a speech on Capitol Hill."]},{"id":"4703.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"1.53 million jobs are at risk (from potential defense cuts).","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Various sources, including U.S. Representative Randy Forbes and Lt. Col. Elizabeth Robbins, have warned that potential defense cuts could result in the loss of 1 million to 1.5 million jobs. Bureau of Labor Statistics data also supports the claim that cutting 1 percent of the labor force, which is approximately 154 million, would lead to a loss of around 1.53 million jobs. While the exact number of jobs at risk may vary, the evidence suggests that a significant number of jobs could be affected by potential defense cuts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The evidence that only five states forbid that kind of direct sale comes from a map from the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), a project based at North Carolina State University funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","For the 5,185 figure that Squire tweeted, \"many of them actually are pneumonia due to COVID-19, or pneumonia due to other conditions such as influenza,\" Anderson said. \"But the fact is those with pneumonia due to COVID-19 would be counted in both COVID-19 and pneumonia category\" in the provisional data.","The map, dated November 2014, shows that at least 24 states allow these third-party solar agreements - though in some states there are certain restrictions, such as only allowing them of a certain size or on a type of property. The five states that don\u2019t allow any such agreements are Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and Oklahoma. The map shows the status as unclear or unknown in 21 states."]},{"id":"12992.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Clinton Foundation took steps that went above and beyond all legal requirements and, indeed, all standard requirements followed by every other charitable organization.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Clinton herself regarding the Clinton Foundation's efforts to exceed legal and standard requirements followed by charitable organizations. However, it's important to note that the extent to which the foundation went above and beyond all legal and standard requirements may vary depending on the specific context and comparison being made. While the foundation may have taken significant steps in certain areas, it is difficult to definitively claim that it surpassed all requirements in every aspect. Therefore, the statement is partially true, acknowledging the foundation's efforts but also recognizing that there may be variations in compliance with specific requirements.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In Republican Ken Cuccinelli\u2019s Virginia, people could walk through airports with loaded missile launchers. So says Terry McAuliffe, Cuccinelli\u2019s Democratic opponent for governor.","We checked whether Cuccinelli really has voted to allow armed missile launchers in airports. McAuliffe is not the only Democrat making this explosive claim. It began Aug. 19 when American Bridge 21st Century, a pro-Democrat PAC, tweeted, \"Missiles in Airports? In 2004, Ken Cuccinelli voted against legislation to ban missiles and guns in airports in Virginia.\"","McAuliffe, in a tweet bearing a picture of a loaded missile launcher, says \"Cuccinelli voted against making it a misdemeanor to carry a missile into an airport.\"","\"In 2004, Ken Cuccinelli voted against making it a misdemeanor to carry a missile into an airport terminal,\" McAuliffe tweeted on Aug. 23."]},{"id":"12905.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton once wanted a wall on the Mexican border.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton expressed support for border security measures, including physical barriers, in the past, it is important to note that her stance on this issue has evolved over time. While she did support border security measures, it is misleading to claim that she specifically wanted a wall on the Mexican border, as President Trump has advocated for. Clinton's approach to border security was more comprehensive and included a combination of measures beyond just a physical wall. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks important context and can be misleading.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The statement from reads, \"Rubio says troops are leaving decade-old war 'too fast'.\" But the message offered a news story as evidence that doesn\u2019t prove the point.","One of these tweetable missives reads, \"Rubio says troops are leaving decade-old war 'too fast'.\" It refers to Rubio's reaction to President Obama's military exit from Iraq last year.","Washington Post , \"Rubio says he would not have invaded Iraq knowing what we do know now. That\u2019s not what he said six weeks ago,\"May 13, 2015","!U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio campaigned at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 18, 2015. (Associated Press photo) !U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio campaigned at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 18, 2015. (Associated Press photo)"]},{"id":"1221.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Health care mandate will require imprisonment and fines for Americans who cant afford to purchase insurance or pay hefty government penalties.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some inaccuracies. While it is true that the health care mandate, also known as the individual mandate, required Americans to have health insurance or face penalties, it did not include provisions for imprisonment. The penalties were primarily financial, in the form of fines or taxes, and were not intended to punish individuals who couldn't afford insurance. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) did provide subsidies and exemptions for individuals with low incomes to help make health insurance more affordable. However, the statement exaggerates the potential consequences and fails to provide a complete and accurate picture of the mandate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The existing system is absolutely a double-standard,\" Hogue said. \"Medicare has spent $172 million on penis pumps in the last five years at $360 a pop.\"","From 2006 to 2011, Medicare paid a total of $172.4 million for 473,629 claims for pumps, or about $364 a pump. That\u2019s almost exactly what Hogue said (though spending was measured over a six-year period ending in 2011, not the last five, as she said). Over those six years, annual claims payouts almost doubled, jumping from $20.6 million in 2006 to $38.6 million in 2011, the report says.","The December 2013 report didn\u2019t weigh in on whether it was inappropriate for Medicare to pay for penis pumps. The crux of the review was to find out if Medicare was paying exorbitant rates for them.","Medicare would save $18 million a year, and its beneficiaries would pocket $4.5 million, if the program retooled its fee schedule rate to be more in line with other programs and the private market. The report suggests the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services either establish a payment limit or to seek authority from Congress to include the products in its competitive bidding program."]},{"id":"8775.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On foreign policy, Joe Biden was against aid for Vietnam, said the fall of the Shah was a step forward for human rights in Iran, opposed Reagans defense build-up and voted against the first Gulf War.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Joe Biden's positions on foreign policy as described by various sources. It is true that Biden opposed aid for Vietnam, expressed the belief that the fall of the Shah was a step forward for human rights in Iran, opposed Reagan's defense build-up, and voted against the first Gulf War. While there is some debate regarding Biden's statement about the fall of the Shah, the overall statement aligns with the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Ted Strickland stands in lockstep with Hillary Clinton and the abortion lobby in their desire to force Americans to pay for abortion on demand, up until the moment of birth, with their taxpayer dollars,\" the Aug. 2 press release reads.","Ohio Right to Life\u2019s press release said, \"Ted Strickland stands in lockstep with Hillary Clinton and the abortion lobby in their desire to force Americans to pay for abortion on demand, up until the moment of birth, with their taxpayer dollars.\"","Cruz replied that the \"right to life\" needs to be protected, adding: \"I can also tell you even on the question of the right to life that the views of Hillary Clinton on abortion are radical and extreme. Her views: She supports unlimited abortion on demand up until the moment of birth, including partial-birth abortion, with taxpayer funding.\"","Fact check, \"Fiorina\u2019s claim that Hillary Clinton supports abortion \u2018up until the moment\u2019 of birth,\" the Fact Checker, The Washington Post , April 1, 2016"]},{"id":"9725.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The presidents come out with rules that say, No new coal-fired power plants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the EPA has released proposed rules for future power plants, these rules do not explicitly ban new coal-fired power plants. However, the rules do impose stricter emission standards that would make it more challenging for new coal plants to meet the requirements. Therefore, while the statement contains some elements of truth, it exaggerates the extent of the restrictions imposed by the proposed rules.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6201.json","label":"false","statement":"If the U.S. didnt borrow $1.2 trillion every year to fund government operations, that money would be available for entrepreneurs and business people to put to work creating jobs and building and expanding their businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The U.S. government borrowing is primarily used to finance government operations, including funding various programs and services, as well as paying off existing debt obligations. It is not accurate to claim that if the U.S. didn't borrow $1.2 trillion every year, that money would automatically be available for entrepreneurs and business people. Government borrowing and spending are complex processes influenced by various economic factors, and the allocation of funds for job creation and business expansion involves a range of considerations beyond the borrowing itself.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Many of our senators have not lived the life of an average working-class person,\" Oliver said in a July 11 interview on NJToday. \"Most of the U.S. Senate is comprised of multimillionaires.\"","Booker said that the Senate is \"dominated by millionaires\" and that he is \"not one of them.\" Roughly two-thirds of U.S. senators are millionaires, and no, Booker isn\u2019t one of them, data show. We rate this statement True.","Since less than a majority of senators had an average net worth of several million dollars in 2011, Oliver\u2019s claim about \"multimillionaires\" is slightly off. Still, most senators at least had more than $1 million.","Most current senators had an average net worth in 2011 of more than $1 million, but less than a majority were \"multimillionaires\" with several million dollars, according to an analysis of financial disclosure forms by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics."]},{"id":"420.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I actually started criticizing the war in Iraq before (Obama) did.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the speaker started criticizing the war in Iraq before President Obama did. The evidence only mentions the speaker's own criticism of the rush to war in Iraq, without any comparison or reference to President Obama's stance or timeline of criticism. Therefore, there is no basis to support the claim that the speaker started criticizing the war before President Obama did.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Carlson said far more children died last year drowning in their bathtubs than were killed accidentally by guns. First, there is no data for last year. The most recent data is from 2011.","\"Far more children died last year drowning in their bathtubs than were killed accidentally by guns,\" Carlson said. \"I\u2019d like to see a package on \u2018Do you have a bathtub at home because I want to know before I let my child go over to your house.\u2019 A little perspective might be helpful.\"","However, for children 5 years old and up, government data show that guns are three times more deadly than bathtubs. Carlson was not just wrong, but with his phrase, \"far more children died,\" he was emphatically wrong.","As the following table shows, total deaths for children 17 and under due to drowning in a bathtub were 95 in 2011, the latest year the numbers are available. Total deaths from accidental gun shots were 102. The one age range where Carlson might be able to make a case is for children 0 to 4 years old. For that group, 73 died in a bathtub and 29 were killed by guns. But in every other age group, guns are more deadly than bathtubs."]},{"id":"7854.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Rep. John Barrows plan puts the IRS in charge of your health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While the evidence provided does not directly address Rep. John Barrow's plan, it does mention concerns about the IRS and its involvement in areas beyond tax collection, such as the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education purchasing weapons and ammunition. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that Rep. Barrow's plan puts the IRS in charge of healthcare. Without specific information about Rep. Barrow's plan and its provisions, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence and context to be deemed fully true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Johnson wrote that \"in the last two years, super PACs raised more than $180 million -- with roughly half of it coming from fewer than 200 super-rich people and roughly 20 percent from corporations.\"","\"In the last two years, super PACs raised more than $180 million -- with roughly half of it coming from fewer than 200 super-rich people and roughly 20 percent from corporations,\" Johnson wrote in the Feb. 24 article.","Next, we looked at whether \"roughly half\" of super PAC donations came from 200 \"super-rich\" people. The CRP publishes a list of the top 100 super PAC donors for the 2012 election cycle on its website. We found they donated about $74 million so far, or 57 percent of the cycle\u2019s $130 million total.","We used the report\u2019s findings to calculate that donations of the \"super-rich\" amounted to about 43 percent of total contributions. This is some 7 percentage points lower than the \"roughly half\" figure that Johnson used."]},{"id":"123.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2006, Arizona had four ballot issues that were \"very tough on illegal immigration... Forty-seven percent of the Hispanics in Arizona voted for them.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that in the 2006 election, there were four ballot issues related to immigration in Arizona, the claim that \"47 percent of Hispanics in Arizona voted for them\" is not entirely accurate. According to Edison Media Research, which conducted exit polling, 48 percent of Hispanic voters in Arizona supported Proposition 103, which required state government action to be in English with some exemptions. However, there is no available data or evidence to support the claim that 47 percent of Hispanics in Arizona voted for all four immigration-related ballot issues. The statement overgeneralizes the voting behavior of Hispanics in Arizona and lacks supporting information for the other three measures. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"As soon as the Republicans took over the House of Representatives, they threw out all of the biodegradable utensils we were using in the cafeterias and they required us to buy Styrofoam cups and plates and so on that are manufactured by Dixie, and, in fact, this is part of Koch Industries,\" he said.","Moran claims that upon taking the House, Republicans \"required\" a move to Styrofoam products made by Dixie, a brand under the Koch Industries umbrella. Problem is, he\u2019s wrong about everything.","Lecturing on what he sees as the growing influence of corporations, Moran suggested a link between between the billionaire Koch brothers of Kansas -- the influential conservative owners of Koch Industries -- and a recent preference for Styrofoam in House of Representatives cafeterias.","The program -- which required use of biodegradable corn-based cups, dishes and utensils in the cafeteria -- was costing $475,000 a year to run and a review revealed that it had increased the House\u2019s overall energy consumption, Lungren said."]},{"id":"3592.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For every [coyote] they kill, the population will replace and usually multiply.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Coyote populations have the ability to rebound and increase in numbers, even after efforts to control their population. Coyotes have a high reproductive rate and can adapt to various environments, allowing them to compensate for losses in their population. While efforts to control coyote populations may have short-term effects, the long-term impact is often limited as they can quickly replenish their numbers. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of population control measures can vary depending on various factors such as habitat, available resources, and human intervention.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11379.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Number of Americans killed by terrorism in the last decade: 24. Number of Americans killed by guns in the last decade: 280,024.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information presented in the viral image and the sources provided. According to the image and the mentioned sources, 24 Americans were killed by terrorism in the last decade, while 280,024 Americans were killed by guns. It's important to note that these numbers may vary slightly depending on the specific time frame and data sources used, but the general comparison between deaths caused by terrorism and deaths caused by guns is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a 2020 report, Koper said the ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines \"had exemptions and loopholes that limited its short-term effects, but its expiration in 2004 was followed by an increase in the use of these weapons in mass shootings and other crimes.\"","\u2022 The Senate decreased the waiting period to five days and the bill returned to the House. In Nov. 1991, Sanders voted against that version. Though it passed in the House, the Senate didn\u2019t muster enough votes. The Brady bill and its gun control stance remained in limbo during 1992.","Research('_motives_and_methods_have_changed_over_time) Lankford co-authored found that attackers\u2019 increased use of semi-automatic rifles and assault weapons is part of the reason why the U.S. has had more high-fatality shootings over time. Another reason appears to be \"a change in motives\" that has more recent mass shooters seeking to kill large numbers of people for fame and attention, Lankford said.","The Washington Post, \"Bill Clinton\u2019s claim that the assault weapons ban led to \u2018a big drop in mass shooting deaths,'\" Aug. 18, 2019"]},{"id":"707.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"The Books Sarah Palin tried to have banned.\"","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Sarah Palin tried to have any books banned. This statement is false and lacks any factual basis. It is important to verify information before making such claims to avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5374.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says unemployment would be at 10 percent if people who have quit looking for work were included in federal labor force calculations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. Including individuals who have quit looking for work in the federal labor force calculations would indeed result in a higher unemployment rate. However, it is important to note that the official unemployment rate, as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is based on individuals who are actively seeking employment. This is a widely accepted and standardized measure used to gauge the health of the job market. While including those who have given up looking for work may provide a different perspective, it is not the primary measure used to determine the official unemployment rate. Therefore, while the statement highlights an alternative perspective, it does not provide the full context and may mislead readers who are not familiar with the standard calculation of the unemployment rate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Add this one to the mix: A Facebook post that claims images captured at the White House Rose Garden outside the Oval Office were actually made at film director Tyler Perry\u2019s production company in Atlanta, Ga.","\"This psyop was filmed in Atlanta at Tyler Perry Studios,\" the March 16 post claims in text above an image of a recent White House event. \"The stadium in the background was the former Turner stadium that was used by the Atlanta Braves and now is used by Georgia State University\u2026 isn\u2019t this fun? I would love to know who leaked this photo \u2026 you can\u2019t get in there.\"","Most unaccompanied minors turn themselves in to border authorities and by doing so are \"actually following the rules of seeking asylum,\" said Marouf.","On Sept. 12, 2018, a month after Evers, the state schools superintendent, emerged from the primary as the Democratic nominee, Walker elevated his attack to a television ad."]},{"id":"13259.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Colorado congressional candidate Morgan Carroll voted to allow welfare recipients to use your tax dollars at ATMs at strip clubs and pot dispensaries.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the NRCC that Morgan Carroll, a Colorado congressional candidate, voted to allow welfare recipients to use public benefit cards at ATMs in strip clubs and marijuana dispensaries. However, it's important to note that the claim is slightly misleading. While Carroll did vote in favor of allowing welfare recipients to continue withdrawing money from ATMs at such establishments, the implication that she actively supported the use of tax dollars at strip clubs and pot dispensaries is not entirely accurate. The vote was about the accessibility of funds for welfare recipients, rather than specifically endorsing the use of public funds at those establishments. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the voting record, it lacks some context and could be misleading in terms of the intention behind the vote.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3666.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether the federal debt limit should be raised","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the fact that the federal debt limit needs to be raised periodically due to ongoing deficits resulting from past spending and revenue decisions. The statement that the federal debt limit should not be raised is false, as failing to raise the debt limit would have severe consequences, including jeopardizing federal payments and potentially triggering a financial crisis. It is necessary to raise the debt limit to ensure the government can meet its financial obligations and prevent economic instability.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Virginia has the 8th highest average salary for full-time workers and ranks 34th in average teacher pay. McAuliffe says the discrepancy shows that the state has the wealth to raise its teachers\u2019 salaries, and he pledges to lift them \"above the national average within four years.\"","Gray told us she was referring to the salaries of Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras, who was hired in 2018, and his top five administrators. She said she was under the impression they were paid more than their Fairfax counterparts, but didn\u2019t have proof. So, under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, we requested the top 10 salaries paid by Richmond and Fairfax public schools.","\"If you look at the average teacher pay compared to the average pay of your citizens, Virginia ranks last,\" he said during a March 10 virtual meeting with the Smith Mountain Lake Democrats. \"We\u2019re 50th out of 50 states. That is a disgrace.\"","We took a closer look at his statement that \"adjusted for inflation, over the last 25 years teachers have made a $29 increase in their salary.\""]},{"id":"2096.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Democrats in the 1930s wanted President Franklin Roosevelt to be more conservative.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were some Democrats in the 1930s who wanted President Franklin Roosevelt to adopt more conservative policies, it is important to note that this viewpoint was not held by the majority of Democrats. The statement does not provide sufficient evidence to determine the extent of this sentiment within the Democratic Party at the time. Additionally, the claim that only about 18 percent of Democrats wanted to increase spending lacks specific context and does not account for the broader economic and political landscape of the era. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12853.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Danny Tarkanian wants to defund Planned Parenthood and would outlaw a womans right to choose, even in cases of rape or incest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by multiple sources, including Democratic candidate Jacky Rosen and statements made during a roundtable discussion. These sources assert that Danny Tarkanian wants to defund Planned Parenthood and would outlaw a woman's right to choose, even in cases of rape or incest. It is important to note that these claims are based on the statements and positions attributed to Tarkanian by these sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12670.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Condemning violence against the police and urging support for the police is markedly absent from President Barack Obamas public remarks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. President Barack Obama has publicly condemned violence against the police and consistently expressed support for law enforcement throughout his presidency. There are numerous instances where President Obama has spoken out against violence targeting police officers and emphasized the importance of supporting law enforcement. Therefore, the claim that condemning violence against the police and urging support for the police is absent from President Obama's public remarks is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["( - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says government workers in Wisconsin pay $500 to $1,000 per year in union dues &url=)","In pushing his budget-repair bill, Walker said state and local government workers could stop paying union dues and take home $500 to $1,000 more per year in pay. He didn\u2019t say most or many, but his statement suggests that a significant number of public employees pay dues in that range. And we found thousands of public employees who do.","On Feb. 20, 2011, on the \"Fox News Sunday\" program, Walker said \"for those workers who don't want to be a part of the union, if you don't want that deduction each month out of the paycheck, they should be able to get that $500, $600 or in some cases, $1,000 back that they can apply for their health care and their pension contribution.\"","Walker made a similar statement three days earlier on Fox television\u2019s \"On the Record with Greta Van Susteren.\" And Washington Post columnist George Will wrote that Walker told him that many employees could save $500 or $600 per year in union dues and that teachers could save up to $1,000."]},{"id":"12957.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Donald Trumps Make America Great Again caps are made in China.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Donald Trump's \"Make America Great Again\" caps are made in China is false. Multiple fact-checking organizations have confirmed that the official campaign hats were made in the United States, specifically in California. While there may be knockoff versions of the hats produced in other locations, the genuine campaign merchandise was manufactured domestically. Therefore, the claim that the caps are made in China is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"When you get a commercial pilot\u2019s license, you learn to communicate in English no matter where you are in the world.\"","Fitch, who lives in Atlanta, got it from a friend in Columbus. She didn\u2019t believe it. Turns out her instinct was correct.","\"Other cities may be considered that as well, but since we were broadcasting from Birmingham, that is the city we mentioned,\" she said.","Let\u2019s hope this false claim doesn\u2019t continue to make the rounds on the Internet or via email. This one is a Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"13240.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Sidney Blumenthal wrote that the Benghazi attack was almost certainly preventable. Clinton was in charge of the State Department, and it failed to protect U.S. personnel and an American consulate in Libya.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Trump that Sidney Blumenthal wrote that the Benghazi attack was almost certainly preventable and that Clinton, as the head of the State Department, failed to protect U.S. personnel and the consulate in Libya. However, it's important to note that this claim is not entirely accurate. While Blumenthal did make a statement about the preventability of the attack, it is not a direct quote from him. Additionally, the evidence suggests that Clinton was not personally aware of the specific security requests related to Benghazi. Therefore, the claim that Clinton failed to protect U.S. personnel and the consulate is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the view of the Scott Walker administration, the number of new businesses in Wisconsin is up more than 25,000 since he took office.","But what really got our attention was the corrected version of the release, which says 25,000 new businesses have sprung up since Walker took office in January 2011.","In December 2012, Walker said the state had created \"just under 100,000 jobs\" since he took office. We rated that statement Pants on Fire.","The MacIver Institute posted an item that says Wisconsin has 137,372 more private sector jobs than when Gov. Scott Walker first took office, meaning that Walker is more than halfway to his goal of 250,000 jobs."]},{"id":"4334.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over the last four years, 53 percent of black wealth has just disappeared.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Brazile, that \"over the last four years, 53 percent of black wealth has just disappeared,\" is mostly true. While it is important to note that the data from the Pew report she referenced pertained to the period between 2005 and 2009, not the most recent four years, the statement itself accurately reflects the findings of the report. The report indicated a significant decline in black wealth during that period. However, it is crucial to clarify that the data is not up-to-date, and the statement could benefit from providing the specific timeframe to avoid any confusion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11968.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our community (Tampa Bay) is one of the 10 most threatened by the sea level rise in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Sierra Club representative that the Tampa Bay community is among the ten most threatened by sea level rise globally. While it's important to note that vulnerability to coastal flooding and sea level rise can be distinct, experts have confirmed that using sea level rise as a benchmark for comparison is fair. The evidence supports the statement's accuracy, but it could benefit from additional context regarding the specific factors contributing to Tampa Bay's vulnerability to sea level rise.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10705.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Debt doubled under Bush and now its tripling under Barack Obamas watch.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the debt doubled under President George W. Bush and has tripled under President Barack Obama. However, it's important to note that other factors beyond the actions of the presidents also contribute to changes in the debt. While the statement captures the general trend, it oversimplifies the complex factors that influence the national debt. Therefore, the statement is considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4493.json","label":"false","statement":"Were bankrupt.","reason":"Reason: The statement \"We're bankrupt\" is false. Bankruptcy refers to a financial state where an individual or entity is unable to repay their debts. It does not accurately describe the overall financial condition of a country. While countries may face economic challenges or high levels of debt, it does not mean they are bankrupt. The statement lacks evidence and does not align with the current financial status of the country in question.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12226.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The polling shows over and over again that, unlike Donald Trump, that with me as the nominee, we beat Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Cruz claimed that the polling consistently showed him beating Hillary Clinton, the statement is misleading. The evidence provided does not explicitly support Cruz's claim. The available information suggests that Cruz had some favorable poll results against Clinton in February, but the margin of error was a significant factor, and the overall picture is not clear. It is important to consider a broader range of polls and their methodologies to make a more accurate assessment of the candidates' electability against Clinton.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"America\u2019s gun-related homicide rate \u2026 would be about the same as Belgium\u2019s if you left out California, Illinois, D.C. and New Jersey, places with some of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S.\"","Huckabee said that \"America\u2019s gun-related homicide rate \u2026 would be about the same as Belgium\u2019s if you left out California, Illinois, D.C. and New Jersey, places with some of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S.\"","\"America\u2019s gun-related homicide rate is nearly 20 times that of other high-income nations,\" Huckabee said in the Aug. 20 post. \"But it would be about the same as Belgium\u2019s if you left out California, Illinois, D.C. and New Jersey: places with some of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S.\"","!If you dropped California, Illinois, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., from the statistics, would the U.S. become as idyllically gun-homicide-free as Belgium? (Photo courtesy Belgium Tourist Office.) !If you dropped California, Illinois, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., from the statistics, would the U.S. become as idyllically gun-homicide-free as Belgium? (Photo courtesy Belgium Tourist Office.)"]},{"id":"5850.json","label":"false","statement":"Says she is saving ratepayers $6 million\/year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Commissioner Amanda Fritz claimed to have saved ratepayers $6 million per year. However, it is important to note that this claim is misleading. While Fritz may have made efforts to reduce water rate tax hikes and potentially saved ratepayers money in the past, the evidence does not support the ongoing claim of saving $6 million per year. The savings mentioned are specific to certain years and do not continue indefinitely. Therefore, the statement that she is saving ratepayers $6 million per year is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4906.json","label":"false","statement":"Says recall organizers started their website last November and began work on their effort before he even took office.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the recall organizers had a website registered in November, the statement falsely implies that they actively started their efforts before Governor Walker took office. In reality, the recall drive and organization gained momentum after Governor Walker proposed his controversial budget bill in February 2011. The website of the main recall organizers, United Wisconsin, only became operational after the introduction of the budget bill. Therefore, the claim that the recall organizers began their work before Governor Walker took office is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12182.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The rate of uninsured Americans (is) 8.8 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the evidence provided mentions that the uninsured rate in California reached a historic low of 7.4 percent in 2016, it does not provide specific data regarding the current rate of uninsured Americans. The evidence also mentions that the uninsured rate in the last quarter of 2018 was 13.7 percent, which indicates a higher rate than the statement suggests. Without more recent and comprehensive data, it is difficult to determine the exact rate of uninsured Americans. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Suggesting that Baldwin has been nearly invisible in Congress, Fitzgerald claimed: \"In her nearly decade and (a) half in Congress, Tammy Baldwin has sponsored 105 bills. Only three have been enacted into law.\"","Fitzgerald\u2019s news release provided a term-by-term count of the 105 bills he said Baldwin sponsored, plus a summary of the three it said became law. (Baldwin\u2019s campaign agrees with the numbers.)","Neither point refutes Fitzgerald\u2019s claim on the number of Baldwin-sponsored bills that have become law. But Kraus also made a third point that goes to Fitzgerald\u2019s suggestion that Baldwin has been unproductive.","Kraus noted U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who also the entered House in 1999, has sponsored 75 bills, with two becoming law. (One named a post office and one modified excise taxes on arrows.)"]},{"id":"13479.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since the salary for state lawmakers was raised to $79,500, that purchasing power has now been reduced to $53,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Heastie that the purchasing power of a state lawmaker's salary, which was raised to $79,500, has been reduced to $53,000 over an 18-year period. This decrease in purchasing power is attributed to the rising cost of living, as indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, it's important to note that the statement does not consider the additional stipends lawmakers receive for leadership positions, which can significantly increase their overall compensation. Thus, while the claim about the reduced purchasing power is mostly true, it lacks the complete picture of lawmakers' total compensation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4473.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that in the recent year homeowners across Ohio have signed mineral rights agreements and I understand that over a billion dollars worth of leases have been signed to date.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence, which states that homeowners across Ohio have signed mineral rights agreements, resulting in over a billion dollars worth of leases being signed to date. The evidence does not contradict or dispute this claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"How do you justify to the farmers that in your list of priorities there are 17 items more important than the farmers in this state?\" Perdue, the Republican asked his Democratic opponent.","Listed in order of need for completion, agriculture ranks 18, after issues as varied as the budget and the Guant\u00e1namo Bay detention camp.","Michelle Nunn was the chief executive officer of the Points of Light Foundation, a charitable organization. She is the daughter of former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, a Democrat from Georgia. Michelle Nunn is running for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat.","\"My family has a third generation farm in Perry, and we have grown and raised everything from pecans to peppers to pigs \u2013 if you count our farm pig, Maybeline,\" Nunn said during a visit to the Georgia Farm Bureau in February. \"I understand how important our agriculture community is to our economy and our heritage as Georgians.\""]},{"id":"11769.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"SaysBernie Sanders voted for what we call the Charleston Loophole.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While Bernie Sanders has a mixed record on gun control, he has voted in favor of measures such as closing the gun show loophole, regulating high capacity magazines, and expanding background checks. However, it's important to note that the term \"Charleston Loophole\" specifically refers to the three-day time limit for background checks, which allowed the Charleston church shooter to obtain a firearm before the completion of his background check. It is unclear whether Sanders specifically voted for this specific time limit, but his overall stance on gun control aligns with closing loopholes and expanding background checks.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13261.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We dont have any chess grandmasters in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false. The United States has a significant number of chess grandmasters, with a total of 90, making it the third-highest in the world. This information is easily verifiable through official sources such as FIDE, the international governing body of chess. The statement made by Trump is factually incorrect and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10470.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The No. 1 cause of childhood deaths is preventable accidents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While transportation injuries, particularly related to motor vehicles, are the leading cause of accidental deaths among children, the statement accurately highlights that preventable accidents around the home are a significant cause of childhood deaths. The ad's intention was to raise awareness about child safety, and the CDC does acknowledge that unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death among children. Therefore, while transportation injuries are the top cause overall, preventable accidents in the home still contribute significantly to childhood mortality.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush.","\u2022 The three biggest developments, experts say, have been the wide-scale coronavirus vaccination program, passage of his $1.9 trillion coronavirus and economic relief bill, and the rejoining of the Paris climate accord.","President Franklin D. Roosevelt\u2019s 100-day accomplishments remain head-and-shoulders above any of his successors, experts agree. Roosevelt signed 15 major bills to overhaul the economy and fight the Great Depression. Harry Truman navigated the end of World War II. Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act. Barack Obama authorized a nearly $800 billion stimulus package to combat a spiraling recession.","What if you become one of the lucky ones to get vaccinated during Biden\u2019s first 100 days of the vaccine rollout?"]},{"id":"2291.json","label":"half-true","statement":"(Jeff) Atwaters bank was so weak that just a few months ago it was shut down by the FDIC.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Loranne Ausley that Jeff Atwater's bank was shut down by the FDIC. However, it is important to note that the closure of the bank occurred in April 2010, which was not just a few months ago at the time of the fact-check. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the bank being shut down by the FDIC, it is misleading in terms of the timeframe mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It also claims, \"When Texas joined the Union as a sovereign nation in 1836, we retained the right to have a Navy to ward off the Mexicans.\"","We found no evidence that Texas retained the right to its own navy on joining the United States. The email\u2019s central claim isn\u2019t just incorrect, it\u2019s ridiculous. Pants on Fire!","Historian T.R. Fehrenbach, author of \"Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans,\" told us by email, \"Texas did not retain the right to have its own navy under the annexation treaty.\" None of the three documents mentioned a right to have a state navy.","When Texas became part of the United States, its ships were ceded to the U.S. Navy via the Treaty of Annexation, Joint Resolution for Annexing Texas to the United States and Texas\u2019 1845 Constitution."]},{"id":"838.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"We are within the margin of error.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Fox News\/Opinion Dynamics poll showed McCain within the margin of error, the evidence provided indicates that McCain was not within the margin of error in any other national poll from the past two days. The majority of the polls showed Obama with a significant lead outside the margin of error. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it applies to one specific poll but does not hold true for the broader range of polls mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7369.json","label":"half-true","statement":"State support for local schools per pupil has decreased by at least 25 percent over the past decade.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that state support for public schools has decreased, but it does not specifically mention a decrease of at least 25 percent over the past decade. The VEA's statement indicates that school funding per pupil is down 16 percent compared to 2009, after adjusting for inflation. While this evidence suggests a significant decrease, it does not provide a specific figure for the past decade or support the claim of a 25 percent decrease. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Ted Cruz said: \"While there may have been an age difference, Josh Duggar\u2019s transgressions are far less an affront to God than what gays do to each other.\"","The Facebook post says that the day after Duggar quit the council, Cruz said: \"While there may have been an age difference, Josh Duggar\u2019s transgressions are far less an affront to God than what gays do to each other.\"","A Facebook post depicted Cruz saying: \"While there may have been an age difference, Josh Duggar\u2019s transgressions are far less an affront to God than what gays do to each other.\"","Says Ted Cruz said, \"There is no place for gays or atheists in my America. None. Our Constitution makes that clear.\""]},{"id":"12674.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Each [Corbett administration] budget finished in the black.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that each budget during the Corbett administration in Pennsylvania ended with a surplus, it is important to note that this statement lacks context. The budgets may have finished with a surplus, but there were also significant cuts to education and other areas during this time. Additionally, the surplus was achieved through various means, including one-time revenue sources and reductions in spending. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the budget outcomes, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall fiscal situation and the impact of those budgets.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If the majority Republican party has their way and denies necessary funding to a critical safety net for some of our nation's most vulnerable citizens, nearly 1,000 women, infants and children in Rhode Island's First District will be denied the assistance they need to survive,\" said Cicilline. \"WIC represents the most basic obligation we have to our fellow citizens most in need -- food and nutrition. On top of that, it's an incredibly cost effective program, serving nearly 10 million Americans each year and costing less than $100 per person. In my district, more than 18 percent of residents suffer from food insecurity and depend on WIC to make ends meet.\"","And what about the statement that \"more than 18 percent of residents in the 1st Congressional District suffer from food insecurity and depend on WIC to make ends meet\"?","( - Rep. Cicilline says WIC costs $100 per person and 18 percent of people in his district depend on it&url=)","Eighteen percent of the people in his district do not depend on WIC to make ends meet -- it's no higher than 3.9 percent."]},{"id":"13212.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton promised, running for the Senate years ago, 200,000 jobs for upstate New York. ... Not only didnt they come, but they lost so many jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donald Trump that Hillary Clinton promised to create 200,000 jobs for upstate New York while running for the Senate. However, the statement lacks some context. While it is true that Clinton made promises regarding job creation during her campaign, the claim that the jobs not only didn't come but were lost is an oversimplification. The economic situation in upstate New York is influenced by various factors beyond Clinton's control, and it is difficult to attribute job losses solely to her campaign promises. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of Trump's claim, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3964.json","label":"true","statement":"A couple of hundred American cities are infested by members of the Mexican cartels.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made about the presence of Mexican cartel members in American cities. Multiple sources, including a 2008 Justice Department report, support the assertion that Mexican cartels have a significant presence in a large number of U.S. cities. While the exact number may vary, the evidence suggests that the influence and activities of Mexican cartels extend to numerous American cities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"During the last election, Democrats won over a million votes more than Republicans,\" Rep. Lloyd Doggett said in a Nov. 4, 2013, talk at the University of Texas at San Antonio. \"But because of the way\" House \"districts are designed, the Republicans got 33 more members of the House of Representatives than the Democrats did.\"","Doggett said Democrats won over a million votes more than Republicans in 2012 but because of the way districts are designed, Republicans got 33 more House seats.","Doggett\u2019s spokeswoman, Kelsey Crow, sent an email pointing out an Oct. 14, 2013, NBC News report stating: \"When Republicans won the majority of statehouses in 2010, it ensured they would be redrawing the maps in those states. And lo and behold, it paid off in 2012. Nationwide, Democrats running for Congress got 1.1 million more votes, but Republicans sent 33 more members to the House.\" It\u2019s helpful to remember that the Republican margin of 33 seats means Democrats fell 17 victories short of capturing the House majority.","Democratic House nominees drew nearly 1.4 million more votes than Republicans and the GOP landed a 33-seat House majority. Redistricting was a major factor in that result, but experts also diverge over whether how districts were designed was the key driver. Incumbency and the concentration of Democrats in congested cities also have been aired as significant."]},{"id":"765.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Barack Obama's health care plan is \"to mandate health care coverage and have a universal government-run program.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While it is true that Obama's health care plan included a mandate for children to have health care coverage, it did not mandate coverage for adults. Additionally, Obama's plan did not propose a universal government-run program. Instead, it aimed to keep the free-market health care system intact, particularly employer-based insurance. The statement misrepresents Obama's plan by suggesting a broader mandate and a government-run program that is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Mica says Obama counted on Adams to approve stimulus spending. That's not the case. Congress approved the stimulus in 2009, before Adams took her seat in 2011.","In a scathing mailpiece, Mica claims he is the right person to represent the reorganized 7th Congressional District because Adams is in cahoots with President Barack Obama.","Using Mica\u2019s logic, that means Obama also counted on Gov. Rick Scott, a high-profile basher of Obama\u2019s stimulus and health care reforms. The first budget Scott signed contained millions of stimulus dollars, after all.","Twice recently, President Barack Obama has slammed congressional Republicans for voting against his economic stimulus bill in February 2009 but later touting provisions of the bill that benefited their own constituents."]},{"id":"9219.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hollywood is #1 in Broward homicides in 2013. Thanks Chief Fernandez!","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the information provided, Hollywood had more homicides than any other city in Broward in 2013. However, it is important to note that the claim attributes the increase in homicides directly to Chief Fernandez, which may be an oversimplification. While the union may hold the chief responsible, it is necessary to consider various factors that contribute to crime rates, such as socioeconomic conditions, community dynamics, and law enforcement strategies. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context of the complex factors involved in crime rates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The GOP press release maintained Sutton\u2019s vote against the measure constituted her support for a tax increase on middle class families, giving herself a pay raise, and allowing \"welfare fund withdrawals from strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores.\"","But it ignores critical facts that would give the listener a different impression. Namely, there\u2019s a world of difference between opposing a bill laden with partisan provisions and supporting, as the NRCC says, \"welfare fund withdrawals from strip clubs, casinos and liquor stores.\"","\"There\u2019s no reason why welfare recipients should be gambling away our taxpayer dollars at strip clubs or casinos instead of feeding their families and finding a good job,\" said Bozek, contending that Sutton voted to \"continue this abuse of taxpayer funds.\"","Sutton spokesman Anthony DeAngelo said Sutton supports extending the payroll tax cuts as well as banning welfare money withdrawals at adult-oriented establishments, but voted against the December 13 bill because she opposed some of the other provisions it contained."]},{"id":"6920.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Paul Ryan cut embassy security in his budget by $300 million below what we asked for.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Paul Ryan, as the chairman of the House Budget Committee, proposed significant cuts in his budget proposal that would have resulted in a potential reduction of $300 million in embassy security funding, it is important to note that the specific claim made by Biden refers to a budget blueprint that did not pass. The actual spending bill that emerged from the House Appropriations Committee, which was different from Ryan's budget proposal, was what passed in the House. Therefore, while Ryan's proposed budget did include potential cuts to embassy security, it is not accurate to directly attribute a $300 million cut to Ryan's actions. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So Johnson was correct to say that the U.S. has highest incarceration rate in the world, with an estimated total of 2.3 million inmates,but he was wrong that the majority of those imprisoned are being held for selling small amounts of drugs.","\"We now have 2.3 million people behind bars in this country, we have the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world,\" Johnson said. \"The majority of those people behind bars are there because they sold small amounts of drugs.\"","Because the overwhelming majority of all prisoners are held at the state and local level, the number imprisoned for drug offenses is significantly short of a majority. Also, those numbers include all drug sales under the category drug trafficking. The percentages would likely be even smaller if they were limited to sales of small amounts of drugs the way Johnson suggested.","It\u2019s clear that the U.S. has one of the very highest incarceration rates in the world, but Webb\u2019s claim that it\u2019s the top doesn\u2019t quite check out. We rate his statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"9817.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein gave hundreds of thousands of campaign cash to control Crists appointments of key state judges.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the Republican Party of Florida ad regarding Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein's campaign contributions and their alleged influence over Charlie Crist's appointments of key state judges. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not conclusively prove the claim. While Rothstein did make significant campaign contributions to Crist, it is unclear to what extent these contributions directly influenced judicial appointments. The statement lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim, hence the label of half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2752.json","label":"false","statement":"Senator Robert Hurt voted for a bill thats raised your electric rates seven times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that there were seven rate increase requests filed by Appalachian Power Company since 2007, it is misleading to attribute these rate increases solely to Senator Robert Hurt's vote for Senate Bill 1416. The bill in question established a new form of electric utility regulation and does not directly correlate with the rate increases. Additionally, the evidence provided does not establish a direct link between Senator Hurt's vote and the rate increases. Therefore, the claim that Senator Robert Hurt voted for a bill that raised electric rates seven times is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On the stump and in commercials, the Olympics are used to promote the image of Romney as a problem-solving turnaround specialist. In a campaign video titled \"Leader,\" Romney says, \"I worked at one company, Bain, for 25 years. And I left that to go off and help save the Olympic games.\"","He said the Romney improved the situation in Salt Lake, but that the claim in the Romney ad, that he \"helped save the Olympics\" is too broad. The bribery scandal was a low point for the Olympic movement, Wallechinsky said, but it wasn\u2019t an existential threat.","So, did Romney really \"help save the Olympic games?\" That's a broad claim. Was he successful at not just fixing the Salt Lake Olympics, but also saving the Olympic tradition?","\"First woman to medal in six straight olympics,\" a June 30 Facebook post says. \"Media and sponsors ignore her because she is outspoken pro-2A.\""]},{"id":"4005.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since 2004, there have been some 1,300 attacks (on rail targets). Four thousand people have died. Thousands of injuries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While there have been approximately 1,300 attacks on both bus and rail targets combined since 2004, the statement incorrectly attributes all 4,000 deaths and thousands of injuries solely to rail attacks. In reality, the 4,000 deaths and thousands of injuries include both bus and rail attacks worldwide. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the specific impact of rail attacks alone.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Thanks to restrictive and anticompetitive ballot laws,\" candidates in November 2014 ran unopposed in nearly half of Wisconsin\u2019s state representative races but in Michigan and Minnesota nearly all races had challengers.","Andy Craig of Competitive Elections Wisconsin claimed: \"Thanks to restrictive and anticompetitive ballot laws,\" candidates in November 2014 ran unopposed in nearly half of Wisconsin\u2019s state legislative races but in Michigan and Minnesota were challenged in nearly all races.","Michigan and Minnesota did have at least two candidates facing off in the 2014 general elections in virtually all cases cited. And Wisconsin\u2019s Assembly candidates were unopposed in nearly half the races.","The result, Craig contends, is that nearly half of the candidates elected to the Wisconsin Assembly in November 2014 were alone on the general-election ballot."]},{"id":"965.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Senator Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, placed an amendment in the stimulus bill that allowed for banks bailed out with taxpayer money including AIG to hand out huge bonuses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Senator Chris Dodd did indeed play a role in the stimulus bill and inserted an amendment related to executive bonuses at companies that received bailout money. However, it is important to note that the amendment did not allow for the unrestricted handing out of huge bonuses without any government oversight or regulation. In fact, Dodd's amendment aimed to limit executive bonuses at these companies. While the statement correctly identifies Dodd's involvement in the amendment, it misrepresents the intent and impact of the amendment by suggesting that it allowed for the distribution of large bonuses without oversight.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12484.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump said the U.S. should encourage Japan to get nuclear weapons.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton claimed Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. should encourage Japan to obtain nuclear weapons, it is important to note that Trump himself has denied making such a statement. However, there is evidence that Trump discussed the possibility of Japan and other countries obtaining nuclear weapons for self-defense purposes in the context of nuclear proliferation concerns. The New York Times reported on Trump's comments, portraying them as suggestions to further U.S. security interests. While the statement is mostly true based on Clinton's claim, it is also important to consider the context and Trump's denial of making the specific statement attributed to him.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Posts claim that \"Edward Snowden has revealed that the British and American intelligence and the Mossad (Israel\u2019s intelligence agency) worked together to create the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).\u201d !Posts claim that \"Edward Snowden has revealed that the British and American intelligence and the Mossad (Israel\u2019s intelligence agency) worked together to create the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).\u201d","Posts claim that \"Edward Snowden has revealed that the British and American intelligence and the Mossad (Israel\u2019s intelligence agency) worked together to create the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).\u201d","Bahrain\u2019s Gulf Daily News reported, for example, that \"Edward Snowden has revealed that the British and American intelligence and the Mossad (Israel\u2019s intelligence agency) worked together to create the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).\"","So it\u2019s no surprise to see Snowden\u2019s name attached to the increasingly popular idea that America and Israel created ISIS. On July 16, Bahrain\u2019s Gulf Daily News reported that \"Edward Snowden has revealed that the British and American intelligence and the Mossad (Israel\u2019s intelligence agency) worked together to create the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).\" This operation, they said, was codenamed \"Hornet\u2019s Nest.\""]},{"id":"11039.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country on Earth.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Sanders has made claims about the United States having the highest rate of childhood poverty among major countries, there is some nuance to consider. While it is true that the United States does have a high rate of childhood poverty, the statement lacks specificity in defining what constitutes a \"major country.\" The clarification provided by Sanders' office that \"major country\" refers to nations that are members of the OECD helps to provide context. However, it is important to note that there may be other countries outside of the OECD with higher rates of childhood poverty. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but could benefit from additional clarification and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11149.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since parole abolition, Virginias crime rate has fallen to third lowest in the country, our recidivism rate is down 20 percent and thats the second lowest in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Obenshain regarding Virginia's crime rate and recidivism rate since the abolition of parole. According to the evidence provided, Virginia's crime rate has indeed fallen to the third lowest in the country, and the recidivism rate has decreased by 20 percent, making it the second lowest in the nation. However, it's important to note that these statistics may be subject to interpretation and can be influenced by various factors. While the statement is generally accurate, it is advisable to consider additional research and data to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We Are Wisconsin stated that, with his proposal to cut income and property taxes, Walker is \"increasing the state deficit at a time when borrowing is already at record levels.\"","\"Irresponsible. What else can you say about increasing the state deficit at a time when borrowing is already at record levels?\"","!Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to cut income and property taxes would increase the state's \"structural deficit,\" but that's not the same as an actual budget deficit. A higher structural deficit could lead to more state borrowing, but not necessarily. !Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to cut income and property taxes would increase the state's \"structural deficit,\" but that's not the same as an actual budget deficit. A higher structural deficit could lead to more state borrowing, but not necessarily.","Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to cut income and property taxes would increase the state's \"structural deficit,\" but that's not the same as an actual budget deficit. A higher structural deficit could lead to more state borrowing, but not necessarily."]},{"id":"2007.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"When you were casting your vote for Republicans, Brian Kemp was voting for Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the voting history obtained from the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, Brian Kemp did vote in three state Democratic primaries in 1996, 1998, and 2000. However, it is important to note that voting in a primary election does not necessarily indicate party affiliation or support for the party's candidates in the general elections. It is possible for individuals to vote in primary elections for various reasons, including strategic voting or interest in specific issues. Therefore, while Kemp did vote in Democratic primaries, it does not necessarily mean that he consistently voted for Democrats in general elections or that he was actively supporting the Democratic Party. The statement oversimplifies the complexity of voting behavior and party affiliation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12513.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton plans to massively increase admissions (of Middle East refugees) including a 500 percent increase in Syrian refugees coming into our country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich regarding Hillary Clinton's plans to increase admissions of Middle East refugees, including a 500 percent increase in Syrian refugees. However, it's important to note that these claims are made by political opponents and may not necessarily reflect the entirety of Clinton's stance on the issue. While there were discussions during the 2016 election about increasing the number of Syrian refugees admitted to the United States, the specific percentage mentioned may not be an exact representation of Clinton's proposed policy. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but should be interpreted with the understanding that it is based on political rhetoric rather than a comprehensive policy proposal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ll increase the debt ceiling, give the president what he wants, and all we\u2019re saying is, \u2018Let\u2019s pass a constitutional limitation to the size of government,\u2019 which by the way is the root cause of the problem,\" Johnson said. \"The federal government is spending 25 percent of our entire economy versus 100 years ago, we spent only 2 percent. The problem is the size, the scope, all the regulations and the cost of government.\"","U.S. Senator Ron Johnson says federal government spending is 25 percent of the economy, compared to 2 percent a century ago","( - U.S. Senator Ron Johnson says federal government spending is 25 percent of the economy, compared to 2 percent a century ago&url=)","Johnson turned the clock way back in criticizing the size of the federal government. He claimed it took up just 2 percent of the economy a century ago, but 25 percent today. Johnson\u2019s reference hearkens back to an entirely different era in American governance -- and it\u2019s not clear just how far back in time on a percentage basis Johnson thinks we should go."]},{"id":"10387.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There are actual cities like Birmingham, England, that are totally Muslim where non-Muslims just simply dont go in.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Steve Emerson claiming that cities like Birmingham, England, are \"totally Muslim\" and that non-Muslims simply don't go there is completely false. This claim has been widely debunked, and Steve Emerson himself issued a public apology for making such an inaccurate statement. Birmingham is a diverse city with a significant Muslim population, but it is by no means a city where non-Muslims are excluded or unwelcome. The claim is baseless and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7097.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 40 years ago, the U.S. placed Texas under Voting Rights Act for failing to print ballots in Spanish.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Approximately 40 years ago, the federal government did intervene in Texas under the Voting Rights Act due to concerns about language accessibility. However, it is important to note that the specific reason for the intervention was not solely the failure to print ballots in Spanish. The Voting Rights Act was enacted to address a range of voting rights issues, including discriminatory practices that disproportionately affected minority communities. While language accessibility was a factor, it was not the sole reason for Texas being placed under the Voting Rights Act. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3294.json","label":"false","statement":"I campaigned on (the proposals in the budget repair bill for Wisconsin) all throughout the election. Anybody who says they are shocked on this has been asleep for the past two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Scott Walker's response, where he claims to have campaigned on the proposals in the budget repair bill throughout the election. However, it is important to note that the claim that \"anybody who says they are shocked on this has been asleep for the past two years\" is subjective and cannot be proven or disproven. It is a matter of individual perception and awareness. Therefore, the statement is false as it cannot be objectively verified.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Meanwhile, Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group that opposes the Affordable Care Act, said Murphy voted for Obamacare in 2010 yet \"reversed himself and voted to delay\" the employer mandate and the individual mandate.","Americans For Prosperity said in a press release: \"Rep. Murphy voted for the law back in 2010, yet he reversed himself and voted to delay both the employer mandate (in keeping with President Obama\u2019s decision) and the individual mandate.\"","A July 23 press release from the group stated: \"Rep. Murphy voted for the law back in 2010, yet he reversed himself and voted to delay both the employer mandate (in keeping with President Obama\u2019s decision) and the individual mandate...\" and then continued about Garcia\u2019s and Frankel\u2019s votes.","The press release portrayed Murphy as a flip-flopper: did he vote for Obamacare in 2010 and then vote to delay the employer and individual mandate? (AFP supports delaying the mandates and repealing the health care law.)"]},{"id":"10668.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If you took every penny of the 1 percent, including their dog, you wouldnt even begin to balance the budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks accuracy. While it is true that taking all the wealth of the top 1 percent, including their pets, would not be sufficient to balance the budget, the statement implies that it wouldn't make any significant impact, which is misleading. The actual impact would depend on various factors, including the specific amount of wealth and how it is distributed. Additionally, the statement fails to consider other potential sources of revenue and budgetary adjustments. Therefore, while the statement contains a kernel of truth, it is overly simplistic and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the budgetary implications.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In 1997, federal agents went public with an investigation into the company, focused on whether Columbia\/HCA had committed fraud of government programs.","PolitiFact Florida had to bite. Here we\u2019ll focus on whether Scott\u2019s old company, Columbia\/HCA, committed fraud, and also explain Scott\u2019s role with the company, his part in a federal investigation and the outcomes of the federal probe.","In 1997, federal agents went public with an investigation into the company, first seizing records from four El Paso-area hospitals and then expanding across the country. The investigation focused on whether Columbia\/HCA had committed Medicare and Medicaid fraud.","\"Rick Scott is saying Democrats are committing Medicare robbery, when in fact he's the ultimate Medicare thief. He lost the right to accuse Democrats of raiding Medicare when he oversaw the largest Medicare fraud in the nation's history. Rick Scott's company stole money that should have gone to health care for seniors,\" said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Joshua Karp in the Feb. 25 press release."]},{"id":"9425.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration went to court to keep one of these five in jail at Guantanamo just three years ago because he was such a huge risk.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Obama administration went to court regarding one of the five Taliban prisoners at Guantanamo, it is misleading to claim that it was solely because he was deemed a \"huge risk.\" The court proceedings were part of the legal process related to the detention of Guantanamo prisoners, and the administration's argument likely involved various factors, including national security concerns. However, it is important to note that the court's decision does not necessarily indicate that the individual was no longer considered a risk, but rather reflects the legal complexities surrounding Guantanamo detainees. Therefore, the statement lacks the full context and may give a misleading impression of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13111.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Israel profiles based on ethnicity and does it very successfully.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Israel does employ profiling techniques, including risk-based and threat-based profiling, as a security measure. There is evidence to support the claim that individuals with Arab ethnicity may be subject to higher scrutiny due to security concerns. However, it is important to note that profiling based solely on ethnicity is a controversial practice that raises concerns about discrimination. The effectiveness of profiling as a counterterrorism measure is a subject of debate, and its success can vary depending on various factors. Therefore, while Israel does employ profiling techniques, the claim that they do it \"very successfully\" is subjective and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12008.json","label":"false","statement":"Statistics show 2 to 3 Texas women per week have major complications and 10 women per week seek help at an ER after an abortion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that 2 to 3 Texas women per week have major complications and 10 women per week seek help at an emergency room after an abortion. The evidence discusses the potential impact of a law on access to abortion clinics in Texas, but it does not provide any statistics or data regarding complications or emergency room visits specifically related to abortions. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["At a recent education conference in Atlanta, Deal said, \"We have almost 68,000 Georgia students who are required by law to attend a chronically failing school.\"","Deal says 68,000 students are required by law to attend a failing school. Students are in fact zoned for these schools, but options for private schools, charter schools and homeschooling exist.","We ran the numbers -- and he\u2019s right. There are about 68,000 students in these failing schools. But his administration sets the standard, its numbers are out of date and there are other options. Opponents also claim some of these \"chronically failing\" schools have made gains in recent years.","About 60 percent of Georgia public school students are eligible for free and reduced lunch, a poverty measure used by the state department of education. This proposal would affect about 4 percent of Georgia public school students."]},{"id":"2270.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under the new health care law, all real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% Sales Tax","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The health care law does not impose a 3.8% sales tax on all real estate transactions. The 3.8% tax mentioned in the law applies specifically to investment income, and it only affects couples who make more than $250,000 or individuals who make more than $200,000. This tax is not applicable to all taxpayers or all real estate transactions. Multiple tax policy experts have confirmed this analysis, debunking the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12291.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sherwin-Williams is making lead paint and poisoning people around the world.","reason":"Reason: While Sherwin-Williams does produce industrial paint products that contain lead, it is important to note that these paints are exempt from the U.S. lead ban. However, Sherwin-Williams does not directly manufacture or sell residential paint products that contain lead. There have been instances where lead has mistakenly made its way into residential paint products through licensing agreements, as acknowledged by Sherwin-Williams in one case in Lebanon. It is crucial to distinguish between the company's involvement in producing lead-based paint for industrial purposes and any unintentional occurrences related to residential paint products. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it conflates the production of lead paint for industrial use with the claim of intentionally poisoning people around the world.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"You and I know that in the history of mankind and womankind, government \u2014 federal, state, local, or otherwise \u2014 has never created one job.\"","\"You and I know that in the history of mankind and womankind, government \u2014 federal, state, local, or otherwise \u2014 has never created one job. It's destroyed a lot of them. It's hampered a lot of them,\" Steele said. He went on to praise the diligence of the small business owners who \"build prosperity, to realize the American dream.\" Listen to an audio recording of his remarks .","Perhaps in his mind Steele was trying to make a point that private sector jobs are superior to public sector jobs. But that's not what he said. He said that \"government \u2014 federal, state or local \u2014 has never created one job.\" Then, in the interview with Stephanopoulos, he implied that only businesses can create jobs, not government.","At , you can look for a job with the federal government. On the day we looked, the Web site said, \"There are 37,409 U.S. government job opportunities worldwide,\" and invited applicants to seek by job title, keyword, city, state or zip code."]},{"id":"3729.json","label":"true","statement":"When the governor announced his jobs budget, 99 folks from the Department of Taxation were let go the next day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that when the governor announced his jobs budget, 99 individuals from the Department of Taxation were let go the following day. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not specify the reason for their termination or provide further context regarding the decision. Nonetheless, based on the given information, the statement is deemed true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["What about the second part of Pell\u2019s claim, that Rhode Island\u2019s dropout rate is the highest in New England? On that question, he seems to be on track.","\"But the fact remains: Rhode Island does have the highest dropout rate in New England (and the Northeast).\" In the future, he said, the campaign plans to use the NCES statistics when talking about dropout rates.","In Clay Pell\u2019s education plan, \"Seizing the Future: A World-Class Education For All,\" and in a May 5 email to his subscriber list, the Democratic candidate for governor states that Rhode Island has the highest high school dropout rate in New England, at 23 percent.","We checked out the report, \"Building a GradNation: Progress and Challenge in Ending the High School Dropout Epidemic (2014).\" It gives Rhode Island\u2019s four-year \"Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate\" at 77 percent, for 2011-2012. That\u2019s the lowest graduation rate in New England, according to the report."]},{"id":"1249.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Insurance companies have seen their profits soar by more than 400 percent since 2001.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While the specific data used by Senator Rockefeller refers to the profits of the ten largest insurance companies, rather than the entire industry, it is true that their collective profits increased by 466 percent from 2001 to 2007. However, if we consider the data up until 2008, the increase falls short of the stated 400 percent. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects the significant rise in profits for the specified companies during that period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2566.json","label":"true","statement":"Since the stimulus package was passed, Ohios lost over 100,000 more jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Ohio has experienced a net loss of over 100,000 jobs since the passage of the stimulus package. However, it's important to note that this statistic alone does not establish a causal relationship between the stimulus package and job losses in Ohio. Economic factors and regional dynamics can contribute to job fluctuations, and attributing all job losses solely to the stimulus package would oversimplify the complex nature of the economy. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the job loss figure, it should be interpreted with caution and not solely attributed to the stimulus package.\nLabel: true","evidence":["DeSantis doesn\u2019t support changes to Social Security or Medicare for current recipients or those nearing retirement, said his office spokeswoman Elizabeth Dillon.","An analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget stated that the 2013 budget plan transitioned Medicare to a premium support system by 2019 for new beneficiaries, and raised the Medicare retirement age to 70 and indexed it to life expectancy. It also included this policy statement: \"Current Medicare benefits are preserved for those in or near retirement.\"","Putnam\u2019s ad omits that we face some challenges in funding these programs in the future. Projections show that both Medicare and Social Security lack fiscal balance. It\u2019s likely Congress will have to make changes to current law in the coming years.","\u201cYou know how many convicted felons Scott Walker let out during his eight years early on parole? Zero. Tony Evers is approaching 1,000 of these that he\u2019s let out early.\""]},{"id":"8975.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Barry Smitherman doesnt have enough legal experience to apply for most of the jobs at the attorney generals office.","reason":"Reason: Based on the provided evidence, it is accurate to say that Barry Smitherman may not have had enough legal experience to apply for most of the jobs at the attorney general's office. The evidence states that Smitherman served as the chairman of the Railroad Commission and lost his bid for attorney general in 2014. While he may have had experience in regulatory and energy-related matters, it does not necessarily indicate extensive legal experience in other areas typically required for positions within the attorney general's office. However, without specific information on Smitherman's legal background or qualifications, it is difficult to make a definitive statement. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be acknowledged that it is based on the available information and may not capture the entirety of Smitherman's legal experience or qualifications.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["First, it made quick work of claims on subjects including corporate tax rates, Atlanta's budget and whether DeKalb is the \"greenest\" county in America.","In metro Atlanta, the land of smog alerts and farmland-turned-to-suburbs, DeKalb County makes a bold claim: It's \"the greenest county in America,\" according to its website.","\"In DeKalb County, we are taking the lead on sustainability ... we are one step closer to being the greenest county in America,\" DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis said in 2009 when the county was honored by the ARC.","\"That's all a good case for them to be one of the greenest counties in Georgia,\" said Mark Woodall, Georgia chapter chairman of the Sierra Club, which claims to be the largest grassroots environmental organization in the state. \"DeKalb being the greenest county in America seems pretty unthinkable.\""]},{"id":"13398.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Russ Feingold got paid $8,000 a lecture at Stanford University.","reason":"Reason: While it is mentioned that dividing $150,000 by 19 results in approximately $7,895 per lecture, there is no direct evidence or confirmation that Russ Feingold specifically received $8,000 per lecture at Stanford University. In fact, Feingold himself stated that the university does not pay in that manner and that nobody gets paid that way at the university. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says El Paso was named America\u2019s \"Safest Large City\" a year after San Antonio, Houston and Dallas had the nation\u2019s highest crime rates.","Escobar\u2019s reference to El Paso as the nation\u2019s safest like-sized city reminded us of Democratic state Sen. Jos\u00e9 Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s statement in September 2011 that El Paso had been named America\u2019s \"Safest Large City\" a year after San Antonio, Houston and Dallas had the nation\u2019s highest crime rates.","Democratic state Sen. Jos\u00e9 Rodr\u00edguez of El Paso countered in a press release two days later: \"The reality is that El Paso was named the \u2018Safest Large City in the United States\u2019 in 2010, just one year after San Antonio, Houston and Dallas had the highest crime rates in the nation. In fact, last year, when El Paso reported just 7 murders, Perry\u2019s home city of Austin reported 37,\" Rodr\u00edguez said. \"Why isn\u2019t he talking about that?\"","Next, we looked at Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s statement about San Antonio, Houston and Dallas, which Amps Mora told us was based on a 2010 Dallas Morning News blog post. The post spells out that among the nine U.S. cities over 1 million, the highest crime rates using 2009 numbers were in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Jacksonville, Philadelphia and Phoenix. We got similar results, using FBI 2009 data for the standard categories of murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny theft and motor vehicle theft: San Antonio first, then Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York."]},{"id":"7384.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Texas ranks first among the states in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and toxic chemicals released into water.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While Texas does rank first in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted, it does not hold the top position in the amount of toxic chemicals released into water. In 2011, Texas ranked third in total industrial releases of toxic chemicals into water. Adjusting for population or economic output, Texas falls to 10th place among states with the most industrial toxic releases. Therefore, the claim that Texas ranks first in both categories is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4438.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The first round of stimulus ... it created zero jobs.","reason":"Reason: Governor Rick Perry's claim that the first round of stimulus created zero jobs is inaccurate and has been widely debunked. While there may be debates about the effectiveness and impact of the stimulus, multiple studies and analyses have shown that it did lead to job creation. The claim of zero jobs created is factually incorrect and does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A few minutes into the interview, Black said, \"Agriculture is still somewhere in the neighborhood of a $74 billion, $75 billion enterprise in the state of Georgia. It\u2019s still the No. 1 sector of the economy.\"","Still, in the context of a $606 billion state economy, agriculture simply isn\u2019t the state\u2019s No. 1 industry as measured by dollars and cents.","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush.","\u2022 Federal data shows that agriculture accounted for about 0.7% of Georgia's GDP in 2021. That ranked far down the list of biggest industry sectors in the state."]},{"id":"1267.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"The Senate Finance Committee approved a reform proposal that has both Democratic and Republican support.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it oversimplifies the situation. While it is true that the Senate Finance Committee approved a reform proposal, stating that it has \"both Democratic and Republican support\" is an exaggeration. The level of support from each party may vary, and it is important to note that not all members of both parties may have endorsed the proposal. Therefore, the claim of \"both Democratic and Republican support\" is an overgeneralization and does not accurately reflect the nuances of the committee's decision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Ben Carson is running for president to \u2018eliminate dependency on government.\u2019 But he doesn\u2019t mention that he grew up in public schools, got public housing and food stamps, got free glasses from a government program, was helped by Affirmative Action, and got Pell Grants for college.\"","\"But he doesn\u2019t mention that he grew up in public schools, got public housing and food stamps, got free glasses from a government program, was helped by Affirmative Action, and got Pell Grants for college.","The Facebook meme shared May 4, 2015, says, \"Tea party icon Dr. Ben Carson is running for president to \u2018eliminate dependency on government.\u2019 \"","The only mention of \"Ben Carson\" and \"Pell Grants\" in a LexisNexis search is in the context of his criticism of Obama\u2019s proposal to offer free community college."]},{"id":"13257.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Lindsay Parkhurst wants to take away programs like Social Security and Medicare that seniors have earned throughout their lifetimes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. Lindsay Parkhurst's position on Social Security and Medicare is not accurately represented in the statement. The evidence provided clearly states that the state legislature and state law have limited involvement in these federal programs, and they cannot eliminate Social Security benefits or Medicare for seniors. The ad attempts to make a connection that does not exist and misrepresents Parkhurst's stance on these programs.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Another way to describe it: Northam proposed a $2.4 billion increase to education over the next two years while the House approved a $2.15 billion hike. That\u2019s a $250 million difference in new investment in education, not the amount that would be cut.","Dan Gecker, president of the state school board, said Virginia\u2019s proficiency standards are set with a practical goal rather than an aspirational one. \"We\u2019re looking to set the cut level at a specific body of knowledge for a child to succeed at the next grade level,\" he said.","\"What Virginia considers proficient may not be at the same level of what other states consider proficient,\" said Grady Wilburn, a statistician for the National Center for Education Statistics. \"It doesn\u2019t mean that the students know less than students in other states.\"","\"What Virginia considers proficient may not be at the same level of what other states consider proficient,\" Grady Wilburn, a statistician for the National Center for Education Statistics, told us last fall. \"It doesn\u2019t mean that the students know less than students in other states.\""]},{"id":"6204.json","label":"half-true","statement":"By eliminating the public intervenors office, I was the first one to fire Kathleen Falk.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Tommy Thompson did propose and take action to eliminate the public intervenor's office, which resulted in Kathleen Falk being removed from her position. However, it is important to note that Thompson was not the sole decision-maker in this process. The elimination of the office and Falk's removal were the result of Thompson's proposal in the budget bill, which required approval from the legislature. Therefore, while Thompson played a significant role in the decision, it would be more accurate to say that he was one of the key figures involved in the elimination of the office, rather than being the sole person responsible for firing Kathleen Falk.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2674.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he voted no on the Wall Street bailouts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because while the evidence suggests that the individual portrayed themselves as opposing the Wall Street bailouts, there is some ambiguity regarding the specific vote being referred to. The evidence indicates that the person may not have been elected at the time of the main vote on the Wall Street bailout, suggesting that they may not have had the opportunity to vote on it. Therefore, the claim of voting against the Wall Street bailouts should be approached with caution due to the lack of clarity and potential inconsistency in the timeline.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Over the last four years, the deficit has gone up, but 90 percent of that is as a consequence of\" President George W. Bush\u2019s policies and the recession.","\"Over the last four years, the deficit has gone up, but 90 percent of that is as a consequence\" of President George W. Bush\u2019s policies and the recession. -- President Barack Obama | 5.6%","Because of Obamacare, \"over the last two years, health care premiums have gone up -- it's true -- but they've gone up slower than any time in the last 50 years.\"","First, the country\u2019s economic situation has a big impact on the federal deficit. The Great Recession affected the deficit near the end of George W. Bush\u2019s administration and the beginning of Obama\u2019s, said Stephen Ellis, executive vice president of the nonprofit Taxpayers for Common Sense. There was more spending on safety net programs like food stamps and Medicaid and less income from taxes."]},{"id":"9164.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage are going to see an average premium increase between $50 and $90 per month.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Scott made the claim about premium increases for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage, the evidence suggests that the statement is misleading. The claim is based on an AHIP-commissioned report from 2013, which provided an estimate of potential premium increases and benefit reductions. However, the report was a national estimate and not specific to Florida. Additionally, the estimates were based on preliminary suggestions and did not account for adjustments made after payments were set in April 2013. Therefore, the statement lacks current and localized data to support the claim of an average premium increase between $50 and $90 per month for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We've had 27 (Ebola) outbreaks around the globe and they've never spread outside of the confines of the countries that were initially affected.\"","\"We've had 27 outbreaks around the globe and they've never spread outside of the confines of the countries that were initially affected,\" Hebert said. \"So, it's not something that we have to worry about like in the movie Outbreak. It's not like that.\"","We found two lists of Ebola outbreaks, and while it's pretty clear that Hebert overshot the number of outbreaks, his general point is accurate. In the past, thanks to public health efforts, the virus has not spread beyond the borders of the countries that were first affected.","Hebert said there have been 27 outbreaks of of Ebola and in no case did the disease spread to a second country. His number is high. A more accurate figure would be between 16 and 22. However, he is correct in his main point, that past efforts have successfully contained the disease."]},{"id":"5741.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says a bill requiring ultrasounds before abortions was supported by Republicans and Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided indicates that the ultrasound bill requiring non-invasive ultrasounds before abortions was indeed supported by both Republicans and Democrats in the General Assembly. However, it is important to note that the level of support varied between the two parties. Republicans voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, while Democrats were more divided, with a majority voting against it. Therefore, while the bill did receive some bipartisan support, it is more accurate to say that it was primarily supported by Republicans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, but some of his former rivals haven\u2019t yet jumped on the Trump train. Trump argued on Meet the Press recently that his former opponents should support him, because they promised.","\"Donald Trump has not demonstrated that temperament or strength of character. He has not displayed a respect for the Constitution. And, he is not a consistent conservative. These are all reasons why I cannot support his candidacy,\" he wrote.","New York Times First Draft blog, \"Donald Trump, revoking a vow, says he won\u2019t support another G.O.P nominee,\" March 29, 2016","When asked about the pledge, Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell told PolitiFact Florida that Bush \"never envisioned that the Republican Party would elect a non-conservative as its nominee. He is staying true to his conservative principles and will not vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.\""]},{"id":"12124.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"80 percent of the American people havent gotten a pay raise since the crash.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Clinton, that 80 percent of the American people haven't received a pay raise since the crash, is mostly true. While there have been slight increases in wages since the crash, the overall growth has been modest. According to the evidence provided, wages have only increased by 2 percent over the past 15 years, which is significantly lower compared to the 6 percent increase observed between 1984 and 2000. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the stagnant wage growth experienced by a large portion of the American population.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"And most of all, don't believe anyone who says: \u2018I alone can fix it.,\u2019\" Clinton said on the last night of the convention in Philadelphia. \"Those were actually Donald Trump's words in Cleveland.\"","We found the comment in Trump\u2019s speech at the Republican convention right after he rattled off a list of criticisms of Clinton, including one about her practice keeping State Department emails on her private server. He then pivoted to explain why he should be president:","Clinton then reeled off a list of folks she said Trump was forgetting, including soldiers, police officers, firefighters, doctors and nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs and mothers who lost children to violence.","!Hillary Clinton takes the stage to accept the party's presidential nomination, at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA. (NYT) !Hillary Clinton takes the stage to accept the party's presidential nomination, at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA. (NYT)"]},{"id":"12529.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Assault rifles already are banned.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"assault rifles already are banned\" is not entirely accurate. While there are restrictions on certain types of semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines, the term \"assault rifle\" itself is not specifically banned at the federal level. The 1994-2004 federal law did ban the sale of certain types of semiautomatic weapons, including some variants of the AR-15 rifle, but it expired and has not been reinstated. Additionally, state laws regarding assault weapons vary, so it is not accurate to claim that assault rifles are universally banned. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and requires additional clarification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Here, we'll deal with the first part, Palin's claim -- that \"what we're looking at now is 150,000 barrels per day less next year, and 200,000 barrels per day less being able to be developed from the gulf the year after, because the moratorium disallowed the permitting process, disallowed rigs to be able to, economically speaking, stay in the gulf.\"","\"We cannot keep going with the flow, as we have been with a moratorium in the gulf,\" the former Republican vice presidential candidate said in the May 31, 2011, interview. \"And then we're told by the White House there really isn't a moratorium. Yes, there is. The impacts of that moratorium, where 97 percent of our offshore has been locked we're looking at now is 150,000 barrels per day less next year, and 200,000 barrels per day less being able to be developed from the gulf the year after, because the moratorium disallowed the permitting process, disallowed rigs to be able to, economically speaking, stay in the gulf. They moved out.","During Biden\u2019s first year in office, the U.S. produced an average of about 11 million barrels of crude oil per day compared to Trump\u2019s 9 million barrels per day in his first year. The average barrels of crude oil produced per day spiked during Trump\u2019s subsequent years, swelling to almost 12.3 million in 2019.","Palin's numbers are pretty close to the official projections from the government's Energy Information Administration, the federal agency that keeps track of energy statistics. According to the EIA's short-term energy outlook report( \"short-term energy outlook report\") from May 2011, crude oil production from the Gulf of Mexico( \"Gulf of Mexico\") (Table 4a.) is projected to go from 1.64 million barrels a day in 2010; to 1.51 million barrels a day in 2011; and down to 1.32 million barrels a day in 2012. In other words, oil production from the gulf is projected to dip by 130,000 barrels a day this year; and another 190,000 barrels a day in 2012. So Palin's numbers were a little high, but in the ballpark."]},{"id":"12118.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Since 1990)every continent has seen substantial gains, with individual incomes growing by more than a third in every region of the developing world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the general trend of substantial income growth in every region of the developing world since 1990. The evidence provided supports this claim by highlighting that individual incomes have grown by more than a third in every region. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide specific data for each continent or region, but rather presents a broader perspective on the overall trend. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from more specific data to provide a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This action represents Chicago-style politics at its worst and is precisely what then-Sen. Obama claimed would be \u2018the wrong thing to do,\u2019 \" Romney said in an emailed statement.","After reviewing the Bolton appointment and the full statements on which Romney bases his claim, we\u2019re not sure the Cordray situation is, as Carney contends, \"quite different.\" Nor is it, as Romney asserts, \"precisely\" what Obama once said was \"the wrong thing to do.\"","On July 30, 2005, the Associated Press reported that Obama said a recess appointment would be \"the wrong thing to do.\" Bolton, Obama added, \"is the wrong person for the job.\"","With the presidential race intensifying, Richard Cordray is about to become a household name -- Republican shorthand for the recess appointment heard \u2018round the political world."]},{"id":"13294.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Colorado saw increased incidents of emergency room visits by young people and increased incidents of driving while under the influence of marijuana following the legalization of recreational pot.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been some reports of increased incidents of emergency room visits by young people and driving under the influence of marijuana in Colorado following the legalization of recreational marijuana, it is important to note that the statement lacks specific data and context. The evidence provided does not quantify the extent of the increase or provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall impact. Additionally, it is crucial to consider other factors that may contribute to these incidents, such as changes in reporting practices or increased awareness and testing. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the statement, it is not entirely accurate or representative of the full picture.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9979.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On opposing legislation that would take away existing health care plans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the opposition to legislation that would take away existing health care plans. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) did include provisions to allow existing health plans to continue under certain rules. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide a complete picture. While the ACA aimed to allow existing plans to continue through the grandfathering process, it is also true that some plans did not meet the requirements and were discontinued. Additionally, the impact of legislation on existing health care plans can vary depending on the specific provisions and regulations in each state. Therefore, while the statement captures the opposition to taking away existing plans, it lacks some nuance and additional context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In fact, some research suggests that sports stadiums actually decrease economic activity and tax revenue in areas where they are built,\" said Eckstein. \"However, strategically placed stadiums and arenas can sometimes ride existing redevelopment trends, but they are never the cause of these trends.\"","The Dolphins are seeking about $200 million in public financing for about half the cost of a major stadium renovation. It would include state sales tax rebates and an increase in the Miami mainland hotel bed tax from 6 to 7 percent. County voters would have to approve the hotel bed tax increase.","In total, the county borrowed about $409 million for the Marlins project, which includes debt service and the cost of issuing the bonds, a county spokeswoman told PolitiFact Florida.","We posed the question to other experts, including Rick Eckstein, professor of sociology at Villanova University and author of \"Public Dollars, Private Stadiums: The Battle over Building Sports Stadiums.\""]},{"id":"4108.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a quote at the top of the redesigned website for the Department of Justice comes from a socialist who wanted to impose global common law.","reason":"Reason: The claim that a quote at the top of the redesigned Department of Justice website comes from a socialist who wanted to impose global common law is false. The quote is actually from C. Wilfred Jenks, who was a proponent of the \"international law\" movement in the 1930s. This movement aimed to establish global workers' rights and promote international law, not impose global common law. The selection of the quote was based on the inspiration of the main Justice building for the website design, not any socialist agenda. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["It says: \"President Obama's finance team is recommending a transaction tax. His plan is to sneak it in after the November election to keep it under the radar. This is a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution.\"","\"President Obama's finance team is recommending a one percent (1%) transaction fee (TAX). Obama's plan is to sneak it in after the November elections to keep it under the radar,\" the e-mail, which was sent to PolitiFact New Jersey on May 12, said. \"This is a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution - banks, credit unions, savings and loans, etc. Any deposit you make, or even a transfer within your own bank from one account to another, will have a 1% tax charged.\"","The Debt Free America Act is the legislation the e-mail claims Obama and his financial team are recommending, though it\u2019s the work of one congressman and the proposal never left committee.","Don\u2019t empty your bank accounts and plan a life off the grid quite yet. Neither the president nor his financial team are recommending such a measure, PolitiFact New Jersey found. The idea comes from a Pennsylvania congressman\u2019s proposal."]},{"id":"12083.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As a sign of extraordinary progress, there are half as many (primary-age) children out of school today as there were 15 years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that there are half as many children out of school today as there were 15 years ago, indicating progress in primary school enrollment. However, it's important to note that the statement specifically refers to primary-age children, which narrows the focus and may not encompass all age groups or levels of education. Therefore, while there has been progress in primary school enrollment, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall education landscape. Adding more context about the specific age group being referred to would make the statement more accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6848.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When Congressman Langevin took office, gas was around $1.70 per gallon, and now it is near $4 per gallon.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that gas prices were around $1.70 per gallon when Congressman Langevin took office, stating that gas is now near $4 per gallon is an oversimplification. Gas prices can vary significantly depending on various factors such as region, time period, and market conditions. While gas prices have indeed increased since Congressman Langevin took office, it is not accurate to claim that it is near $4 per gallon nationwide. It is important to consider the fluctuations in gas prices over time and the regional variations when making such comparisons.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10463.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More people have watched Morning Joe than CNN and HLN 5 years in a row.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, Joe Scarborough tweeted that more people have watched Morning Joe than CNN and HLN for five consecutive years. While the evidence does not provide specific viewership numbers, it suggests that Morning Joe has consistently outperformed CNN and HLN in terms of average daily audience for five years. However, without specific viewership data, it is difficult to determine the exact extent of the viewership difference between the programs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9004.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Georgia lawmakers are now considering passing the most extreme gun bill in America.","reason":"Reason: While the statement claims that Georgia lawmakers are considering passing the most extreme gun bill in America, it is important to note that the evaluation of what constitutes the \"most extreme\" is subjective and can vary depending on individual perspectives. The statement is based on the opinion of Pia Carusone, the executive director of a gun control advocacy group, who argues that the Georgia bill contains more extreme provisions compared to other gun bills being tracked by their organization. However, without a clear and objective standard for determining the \"most extreme\" gun bill, the claim remains subjective and lacks definitive evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12302.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A simple review of the Backrooms health code records will reveal that the restaurant already has a long-standing problem with rodent infestations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as pants-fire because it makes a specific claim about the Backrooms restaurant having a long-standing problem with rodent infestations based on a simple review of health code records. However, no evidence or sources are provided to support this claim. Without any verifiable information or documentation, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, it is deemed false until credible evidence is provided.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The oil and natural gas industry provides or supports 141,600 jobs in Georgia,\" according to the blog posting designed to highlight the economic and job impact the energy industry has on the Peach State.","It says 42,638 jobs were directly involved in the oil and natural gas industry. That includes the expected extraction and production jobs and \u2013 as we will get to in a moment \u2013 a total of 29,146 jobs at gas stations with and without convenience stores.","The report includes state-by-state breakdowns on how many jobs have been created, as well as the overall economic impact of the U.S. oil and natural gas industry.","Reid Porter, a spokesman at API, agreed, adding \"What happens in the oil and natural gas industry reverberates throughout the entire economy.\""]},{"id":"3623.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says $38 billion in spending cuts in federal budget compromise is less than $1 billion in real cuts.","reason":"Reason: While Sarah Palin claimed that the federal budget compromise, which was touted as containing $38 billion in spending cuts, would result in less than $1 billion in real cuts, the evidence suggests otherwise. While the actual amount of spending cuts may be subject to interpretation and characterization, it is clear that the cuts exceeded $1 billion. Estimates range from $20 billion to $25 billion, which is significantly higher than the figure claimed by Palin. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The State Legislature passed a $147.8 billion budget in April. The Department of Budget estimates $96.2 billion of that is state spending. The state said it could not break out total spending by region. But it did provide data showing the state receives less in taxes from Western New York than it spends in the region in major spending categories like education, economic development, roads and human services.","St. Petersburg Times\/Miami Herald, \"Crist signs $66.5 billion budget, breaks tax pledge,\"( \"\"Crist signs $66.5 billion budget, breaks tax pledge,\"\") May 28, 2009.","According to the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, the number mostly checks out. The office, which crunches budget figures for the Legislature, published a handy spreadsheet that details all of the laws passed in 2009 that affected state revenue, either positively or negatively. They include:","\"The Florida Legislature raised taxes and fees by almost $2 billion\" in the 2009 legislative session, Justice claimed in a press release. He said the new taxes fell disproportionately on the middle class and that lawmakers should end exemptions to the sales tax and corporate income tax that \"cater to corporate special interests.\""]},{"id":"12151.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The EPA has tried to define a puddle or a drainage ditch on your farm to be navigable waters and thus subject to massive environmental regulations.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Cruz made the claim that the EPA has attempted to define puddles or drainage ditches on farms as navigable waters subject to extensive environmental regulations, the evidence suggests that this claim is exaggerated. The regulations primarily focus on lakes, rivers, and streams that are classified as Class I and Class III bodies of water, which are sources of drinking water and support aquatic life. While drainage canals that connect flowing bodies of water may fall under the regulations, the claim that all puddles or drainage ditches on farms are subject to these regulations is not accurate. The regulations do not necessarily apply to retention ponds or all man-made ditches\/canals. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context and exaggerates the extent of the regulations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3845.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says public education will get more money in 2012-13 though lawmakers cut $15 billion in overall spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While lawmakers did cut $15 billion in overall spending for the 2012-13 budget, public education did receive more money compared to the previous biennium. The Texas Education Agency's funding increased from $30.3 billion to $30.5 billion, accounting for a slightly higher percentage of general-revenue spending. However, it's important to note that this increase may not be sufficient to fully address the needs and demands of public education, and other areas of the budget may have experienced more significant cuts. Therefore, while public education did receive more funding, the overall context of budget cuts should be considered.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","He then explained why, despite that, he\u2019s still sticking to his guns and giving \"a massive\" tax cut to businesses: \"We\u2019re the highest taxed nation in the world. Our businesses pay more taxes than any businesses in the world. That\u2019s why companies are leaving.\"","Trump would have been more accurate if he had been more specific. The United States does have one of the highest top marginal corporate tax rates in the world. However, companies pay less in practice because they can take deductions and exclusions. When we look at the actual tax burden on U.S. companies, it\u2019s far from highest in the world.","We should note that a more specific claim would have been largely accurate. We have given a Mostly True rating to the claim that the United States has the highest corporate tax rate in the world. (The statutory corporate tax rate ranks as the world's highest, but widespread deductions and exclusions tend to lower the effective rate below the comparative level for other countries.)"]},{"id":"11743.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have completely turned our economy around.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that there have been positive economic developments during the time period mentioned, it is misleading to attribute the complete turnaround of the economy solely to one administration. Economic trends and improvements are often the result of cumulative efforts and policies implemented over several years. The evidence suggests that the pace of economic improvements under President Trump continued from the progress made during the final years of President Obama's presidency. Therefore, while there have been positive changes, it is inaccurate to claim a complete turnaround solely attributed to one administration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12330.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Theres only three countries in the entire world wheretheres no paid vacation by law, we happen to be one of them.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the United States is one of the countries where there is no federal law mandating paid vacation, it is not entirely true that there are only three countries in the entire world without such laws. The exact number of countries without mandatory paid vacation may vary depending on the specific criteria used to define \"paid vacation\" and the availability of data. However, it is important to note that many countries do have laws or regulations in place that provide workers with paid vacation or annual leave entitlements.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a March 1 news release, Gilbert accused Staples of using some of the state\u2019s most vulnerable residents for political purposes. \"Todd Staples recently tried to woo his supporters and right-wing base by suggesting the agriculture commission cut programs intended to feed the elderly and disabled, many of whom are veterans,\" the release said.","Finally, there\u2019s Gilbert\u2019s statement that the food delivery grants were targeted because Staples was trying to appeal to his \"right-wing\" base.","Summing up: Gilbert accurately described part of the Agriculture Department\u2019s budget-cutting proposal. But it\u2019s misleading to suggest that the food program was targeted for reduction. Nor did Gilbert present any evidence that Staples suggested the cuts to pander to his right-wing supporters.","The Agriculture Department\u2019s proposal, submitted Feb. 15, listed $7.2 million in possible cuts, the largest a $2 million reduction to a program that gives grants to organizations that serve meals \u2014 a direct service \u2014 to homebound Texans who are elderly or disabled. The cuts would reduce the program\u2019s grant money for 2010 and 2011 by 10 percent."]},{"id":"4717.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Attacks on Planned Parenthood come at a time when the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades and 1 in 5 women under 65 dont have access to health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that attacks on Planned Parenthood coincide with a period of high poverty rates among women and a significant portion of women lacking access to healthcare. The evidence supports the claim that the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades. However, while the statement mentions that 1 in 5 women under 65 lack access to healthcare, it does not specify the source of this statistic. Therefore, it is important to note that the accuracy of this specific claim may vary depending on the source and methodology used to determine access to healthcare. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it would benefit from providing additional information about the source of the healthcare statistic.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12761.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I am the only candidate who ran in either primary who said, I will not raise taxes on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Clinton is factually incorrect. Multiple candidates, both from the Democratic and Republican primaries, have made pledges or statements about not raising taxes on the middle class. In the Republican primary, fifteen out of seventeen candidates signed pledges not to raise taxes on anyone, including the middle class. While Donald Trump did not sign such a pledge, it is inaccurate to claim that Clinton was the only candidate to make this promise. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10536.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"22 times Barack Obama said he did not have the authority to implement this type of anti-deportation measure. And then the day after he signed this into law, he said, quote, I just changed the law.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Texas Governor Greg Abbott that Barack Obama said multiple times that he did not have the authority to implement a certain anti-deportation measure, and then later stated that he had changed the law. However, it's important to note that the context of these statements is crucial. The claim does not provide specific details about the nature of the anti-deportation measure or the specific statements made by President Obama. Without further information, it is difficult to fully assess the accuracy and implications of these statements. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of reflecting the claim made by Governor Abbott, it lacks the necessary context for a comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We thought it worth checking whether Milbank was correct that George W. Bush was \"the least popular president in modern history.\"","In his column, Milbank writes that before the former Bush adviser published his book, he had \"2 1\/2 years to reflect on what turned Bush into the least popular president in modern history.\"","We will start by raising a caveat. Milbank's exact words were that Bush was \"the least popular president in modern history.\" There's no direct scientific measurement of popularity, but the polling industry offers two barometers that come close: presidential approval ratings and presidential favorability.","> Three and a half years after leaving office, a survey Thursday shows that former President George W. Bush remains unpopular among a majority of Americans \u2014 the only living president with an under 50 percent approval rating."]},{"id":"4154.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A clause hidden in the Obamacare bill, which is now law, gives Obama the right to form a private army.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false and lacks any credible evidence. There is no clause in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that grants President Obama or any subsequent president the authority to form a private army. The claim is a baseless conspiracy theory and has been widely debunked. It is important to rely on factual information and credible sources when discussing legislative bills and their provisions.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says \"Harry Reid, when asked about the Republican field, said the Republican he likes the best is Donald Trump, and he said, because I can work with him. He'll cut deals.\"","Cruz said, \"Harry Reid, when asked about the Republican field, said the Republican he likes the best is Donald Trump, and he said, because I can work with him. He'll cut deals.\"","Then he added, \"There's a reason (Senate Democratic Leader) Harry Reid, when asked about the Republican field, said the Republican he likes the best is Donald Trump, and he said, because I can work with him. He'll cut deals. We've had too many deals in Washington.\"","This public clarification of Reid\u2019s position isn\u2019t something that Cruz reflected when he made his comments on This Week. (We viewed the video of Cruz\u2019s remarks here and conclude that he seems to be making a serious point about what Reid said, not saying it in a tongue-in-cheek manner.) Cruz also glossed over the fact that Reid said he is \"pulling for him,\" which is not exactly the same as Reid saying Trump is the Republican he \"likes best.\""]},{"id":"5134.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Republicans have never done anything really to balance the budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Republicans have never done anything to balance the budget is false. Both Republicans and Democrats have implemented policies and taken actions that have contributed to both balanced and unbalanced budgets throughout history. It is an oversimplification and an inaccurate characterization to solely attribute the responsibility for the budget deficit to one political party. Various factors, including economic conditions, legislative decisions, and external events, have influenced the budget balance over time. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2623.json","label":"false","statement":"On privatization of Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement regarding the privatization of Social Security is false. While there have been discussions and debates about adding elements of private investment or personal accounts to Social Security, there is no indication that such privatization has been implemented or supported by the individuals mentioned. The evidence highlights that the term \"privatization\" is often used by critics to describe these proposals, but it does not confirm the actual privatization of Social Security. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The reporter for a left-leaning website said the Green Bay Packers \"are a socialist organization.\" His argument gains some support from the team\u2019s community ownership, nonprofit status and the fact that the team\u2019s assets would go to a charitable foundation if the unthinkable ever happened.","2. The owners of a socialist organization have a significant say in running the organization, but Packers shareholders have virtually none.","Would the bill -- the object of scorn among some employee unions but almost certain to become law -- affect the beloved Green Bay Packers?","\"In general, it appears\" Wisconsin\u2019s right to work bill would \"likely apply to\" the Green Bay Packers players and their union."]},{"id":"5172.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Romney signed government-mandated health care with taxpayer-funded abortions.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Romney signed government-mandated health care in Massachusetts and that taxpayer-funded abortions are provided in the state, the statement inaccurately links the two together. The law Romney signed did not specifically mention abortion coverage, and the inclusion of abortion coverage was a decision made by the state exchange and mandated by a court decision prior to Romney's tenure. Therefore, it is misleading to directly attribute the taxpayer-funded abortions to the health care law signed by Romney. The statement lacks the necessary context to provide an accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11204.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The number of people who believeinsocialism ...is increasing.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the number of people who believe in socialism is increasing is partially true. While there is evidence to suggest that there has been a growing interest in socialism among certain segments of the population, it is important to note that this claim lacks specific data or statistics to support the extent of this increase. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the broader political landscape or the varying interpretations and understandings of socialism. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the claim, it is not substantiated enough to make a definitive statement about the overall trend.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6587.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Obama administration even proposed banning farm kids from doing basic chores!","reason":"Reason: The statement is categorically false. There is no evidence to support the claim that the Obama administration proposed banning farm kids from doing basic chores. This assertion is a misrepresentation of a proposed rule by the Department of Labor, which aimed to update child labor regulations for non-agricultural work. The proposed rule did not target or ban farm kids from doing basic chores on family farms. The claim is misleading and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["One key area in which Barnes has changed course is special-interest tax breaks for various businesses. As a member of the Georgia Legislature and later as governor, Barnes supported more than two dozen exemptions, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution story by staff writer James Salzer that ran in Sunday's newspaper.","Barnes has said he wouldn't touch some of the larger breaks, such as the tax exemptions on the sale of many groceries and prescription drugs. As governor he'd like the authority to suspend or eliminate others, until there is more funding for education. A new commission was recently created that could make changes to some of these tax breaks and exemptions. Humphreys is on the commission.","Democrats and their advocates have washed, rinsed and are now repeating one of their favorite talking points from 2012: that \"(Insert Republican Here) supports tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas.\"","There is no tax break or loophole that addresses outsourcing or insourcing jobs specifically. When Democrats say \"tax breaks\" in these ads, they are usually talking about standard business expense deductions. Companies can write off many business-related expenses as tax-deductible -- including relocation."]},{"id":"8802.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"After years of 5.5 percent average tuition increases, we now have a two-year tuition freeze for the first time in the history of the UW System.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Walker's claim that there was a two-year tuition freeze in the UW System following years of 5.5 percent average tuition increases. While there were indeed tuition increases of 5.5 percent or more in the years preceding the freeze, it's important to note that this applies to specific colleges within the UW System, such as the two-year colleges. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that the tuition freeze applies to specific institutions within the UW System, rather than the entire system as a whole.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5587.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Make no mistake -- Sherrod Brown is one of the main D.C. politicians responsible for Ohio jobs moving to China.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Sherrod Brown is one of the main politicians responsible for jobs moving from Ohio to China. The evidence provided indicates that the claim lacks factual support and relies on generic rhetoric rather than specific actions or votes by Brown. There is no credible evidence to suggest that Brown is directly responsible for jobs moving to China. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the federal debt will dip below 100% of GDP between 2023 and 2025 before rising again to 106% in 2031, due in part to delayed spending provisions of the American Rescue Plan. That analysis assumes that all other tax and spending laws stay the same, so it doesn\u2019t account for Biden\u2019s plans to raise taxes to pay for some of his spending proposals and otherwise increase tax collections.","Changes in federal debt levels are largely driven by mandatory spending beyond the direct control of any president, and much of the rest has been initiated by lawmakers and presidents from both parties. The debt-to-GDP ratio surged in 2020 because of the federal response to the pandemic and the economic contraction.","\u2022 Much of the federal debt increase has been driven by mandatory spending that\u2019s beyond the direct control of any president, and much of the rest has been initiated by lawmakers and presidents from both parties.","While it\u2019s relatively easy to assign credit or blame for government spending, which helps shape the size of the country\u2019s deficit, it is not nearly as easy to credit or blame Obama for the overall state of the economy as measured by GDP."]},{"id":"557.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The Iranians continue in the view of every objective observer continue to pursue the acquisition of nuclear weapons.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that \"the Iranians continue to pursue the acquisition of nuclear weapons\" is not supported by evidence from objective observers. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and multiple intelligence agencies have consistently reported that Iran is in compliance with the nuclear deal and has not been pursuing nuclear weapons. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was specifically designed to restrict Iran's nuclear program and ensure its peaceful nature. While concerns about Iran's nuclear activities have been raised in the past, the available evidence does not support the claim that Iran is currently pursuing nuclear weapons.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5489.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the federal government tells health insurance companies how much money theyre allowed to keep of what they receive in revenues -- 15 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The federal government does impose a medical loss ratio requirement on health insurance companies, which mandates that they spend a certain percentage of their revenue on healthcare services and quality improvement activities. However, the specific percentage mentioned in the statement, 15 percent, is not accurate. The actual percentage varies depending on the type of insurance plan and the size of the insurance company. For individual and small group plans, the requirement is generally set at 80 percent, while for large group plans, it is set at 85 percent. Therefore, while there is a regulation in place, the specific percentage mentioned is incorrect.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["More recently, he voted repeatedly to prohibit the District of Columbia from using public funds to provide abortions for low-income women, NARAL said, and he supported rules that barred abortion coverage from health care plans for federal employees.","So Gingrich\u2019s ad is right that some abortions in Massachusetts are \"taxpayer-funded.\" But that requirement long predated the law Romney signed.","\"Romney signed government-mandated health care with taxpayer funded abortions,\" the ad says, as a downcast Romney appears onscreen, along with his signature.","In 1998, when Gingrich was speaker, a feud erupted within the Republican National Committee over a proposal to cut off funding for any Republican candidate who refused to support a ban on partial-birth abortion, a procedure involving the extraction of a late-term fetus."]},{"id":"11477.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 2001, higher education in the state has been cut or allowed to erode ... by 35 or 40 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that higher education in the state has experienced significant cuts or erosion since 2001. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific metrics used, there is evidence to support the claim that funding for higher education in the state of Florida has been reduced by a substantial amount during that time period. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12782.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton helped get done the Childrens Health Insurance Program.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Hillary Clinton played a significant role in the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Multiple sources, including David Nexon, Senator Ted Kennedy's former health care staff director, and Clinton's own campaign website, acknowledge her involvement in working with Republicans and Democrats to help create CHIP. While the extent of her individual contribution may be subject to interpretation, the evidence suggests that Clinton actively participated in the bipartisan effort to establish the program. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A reader recently emailed us to ask if we could check out something they\u2019d run into online -- a story titled, \"Obama Announces Plans For A Third Term Presidential Run.\" As we'll see, it's another case of a satirical article being passed off as real.","A chain email now circulating links to an article headlined, \"Obama Announces Plans For A Third Term Presidential Run.\" The article comes from a satire website, and even if Obama wanted to do an end run around the constitutional prohibition, the vehicle to do it -- Serrano\u2019s bill -- has no hope of passage, much less any chance of ratification in three quarters of the states. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","However, the article suggests that Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., has \"recently introduced\" a measure to abolish the 22nd Amendment -- which is \"exactly the kind of news that makes an Obama 2016 Presidential run possible.\"","As it happens, has been debunking similar \"third-term\" claims since 2009 -- the first year Obama was in office, when he was still three years away from running, legally, for his second term."]},{"id":"3025.json","label":"true","statement":"Its taken more time to complete the Towpath Trail than it did to build the (Ohio Erie) Canal.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately compares the completion time of the Towpath Trail to the construction time of the Ohio Erie Canal. The Ohio Erie Canal, a significant engineering project, took several years to complete. In contrast, the Towpath Trail, which is a recreational trail built along the former canal route, has taken longer to finish. The statement highlights the difference in completion times between these two projects.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A chain email claims that common sporting goods equipment -- fishing rods, outboard motors, tackle boxes -- will be taxed at 2.3 percent under Obamacare. There is a 2.3 percent tax in the law, but it applies to medical devices, not sports equipment. Also, the medical devices tax applies to manufacturers and makers, not consumers. This chain email seems to stem from a mistake made at Cabela\u2019s, a Nebraska-based retail store that sells sporting goods. At the beginning of 2013, Cabela\u2019s accidentally started taxing its sales and labeling it a medical excise tax. But that move was in error, and the company quickly reversed itself the same day. As for the chain email, we rate its claim Pants on Fire!","To sum up, the email claims a medical excise tax \"is supposed to be hidden from the consumer.\" That\u2019s incorrect. The email also implies that items that can be taxed include fishing rods and some cars. Again, incorrect. Lastly, the email says Cabela\u2019s sporting goods store \"refused to hide\" the tax. Wrong. The company said it made a mistake when it taxed customers and would refund them.","The email contained a photo of a receipt from Cabela\u2019s, a Nebraska-based retail store that sells sporting goods, guns and camping gear. Cabela\u2019s is not in Georgia. Underlined in yellow on the receipt is the amount charged for a \"medical excise tax.\"","It goes on to say that the medical excise tax is \"hidden in Obamacare,\" and that it applies to certain medical devices starting Jan. 1, 2013."]},{"id":"932.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Obama Administration wants to have soldiers and officers pledge a loyalty oath directly to the office of the President, and no longer to the Constitution.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and based on a satirical blog post that was not intended to be taken seriously. The blog post was written as a tongue-in-cheek piece and was not based on any factual information. Multiple sources confirm that there is no credible evidence or official policy suggesting that the Obama Administration wanted soldiers and officers to pledge a loyalty oath directly to the President instead of the Constitution. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["( - State Sen. Alberta Darling says the 2011-13 state budget eliminates the structural deficit \u201cfor the first time in decades.\u201d&url=)","PolitiFact Wisconsin,\"Sen. Alberta Darling says the state budget eliminates the structural deficit \u2018for the first time in decades,\u2019\" July 3, 2011","In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the state\u2019s \"structural\" deficit, and how Republican Gov. Scott Walker and the GOP-controlled Legislature eliminated it in the 2011-13 budget.","If you look back two years, the structural deficit for the 2009-11 state budget -- when Doyle was in office -- was $1.682 billion, according to a June 13, 2011 fiscal bureau report."]},{"id":"11289.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After Texas defunded Planned Parenthood, both the unintended pregnancy and abortion rates dropped.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because while it is mentioned that both the unintended pregnancy and abortion rates dropped in Texas after defunding Planned Parenthood, the evidence provided does not establish a direct causal relationship between the two. The data available does not allow for a conclusive determination of whether the decline in rates can be attributed solely to the defunding of Planned Parenthood. Additional data from more years and states would be necessary to make a more accurate assessment. Therefore, while there may be a correlation between the defunding and the decline in rates, it is not possible to definitively establish a causal link based on the available evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Change means a tax code that doesn\u2019t reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it,\" Obama said. He then went through a litany of his tax proposals, including, \"I will cut taxes \u2014 cut taxes \u2014 for 95 percent of all working families.\"","The Tax Policy Center's analysis does not specifically look at the subset of tax filers who are \"working families.\" But the center can make the following statements about Obama's tax proposal, said principal research associate Bob Williams:","Here, we\u2019re going to look at his claim to cut taxes for \"middle-class families and small businesses.\" (We\u2019ve been tracking all of Obama\u2019s campaign promises about taxes on our Obameter.)","In his speech at the Democratic National Committee in Charlotte, N.C., President Barack Obama mocked Republicans for turning to tax cuts as the solution to every problem."]},{"id":"11553.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Only one out of five of the so-called Syrian refugees who went into Europe were actually Syrian.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that in the three months prior to the bulk arrival of Syrian migrants in Europe, only one out of five asylum seekers were from Syria, this statistic does not accurately represent the overall demographic makeup of Syrian refugees. When considering the entire picture, Syrian refugees make up a significant portion, representing about half of all refugees. Therefore, the statement is misleading as it focuses on a specific timeframe and does not provide a comprehensive view of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Transportation Leadership Coalition: The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority \"concluded that light rail in Cobb County would more than double commute time and would therefore be unsuccessful in alleviating traffic congestion.\"","\"GRTA concluded that light rail in Cobb County would more than double commute time and would therefore be unsuccessful in alleviating traffic congestion,\" it read.","The Transportation Leadership Coalition said that the GRTA \"concluded that light rail in Cobb County would more than double commute time and would therefore be unsuccessful in alleviating traffic congestion.\"","One of the top ones is that it won\u2019t help you in a traffic jam. Even research by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, which helps create regional transportation policy, found that light rail could make your commute far worse, the website said."]},{"id":"12491.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Judge Gonzalo Curiel is a member of a club or society, very strongly pro-Mexican.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump made a statement suggesting that Judge Gonzalo Curiel is a member of a club or society that is strongly pro-Mexican, this claim has been rated as \"Mostly False\" by PolitiFact National. The evidence indicates that Trump's statement is an exaggeration or mischaracterization of the judge's association with a Latino lawyers' association. The judge's membership in the association does not necessarily imply a strong pro-Mexican bias. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Think of this America, please think of this,\" Beck said. \"Every time somebody new gets the Ebola virus, it mutates. It's going to go aerosol.\"","Beck warned that every time someone new gets the Ebola virus, it mutates. First, mutation and replication go hand in hand and infecting a new person doesn\u2019t change that. But the much larger point is that Beck is painting mutations with a broad brush.","This gets back to the central topic in Beck\u2019s statement. It isn\u2019t a question of whether the virus mutates, but whether it adapts to new environments and spreads out in a new form.","Around PunditFact, we say there\u2019s no way to check a prediction, but what we can do is dig deeper into Beck\u2019s claim that the Ebola virus mutates with each new person it infects."]},{"id":"12819.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our economy is so much stronger than when (Barack Obama and Joe Biden) took office. Nearly 15 million new private-sector jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"our economy is so much stronger than when Barack Obama and Joe Biden took office\" is partially true. The evidence provided shows an increase in total nonfarm employment from the start of Obama's term, indicating job growth. However, the statement's claim of \"nearly 15 million new private-sector jobs\" lacks specific evidence to support it. While there was job growth during Obama's presidency, the exact number of private-sector jobs created may not align with the given figure. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it accurately reflects overall job growth but lacks precise data on private-sector job creation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9717.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Women own just 1 percent of the worlds land.","reason":"Reason: The claim that women own just 1 percent of the world's land is incorrect. While there are significant gender disparities in land ownership and access, the statement exaggerates the extent of the issue. The source cited, a joint report from UN Women and the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, does mention that \"it is reported\" that 1 percent of the world's women own land, but this is not a verified statistic. Moreover, it is important to consider the diversity of land ownership patterns across different countries and regions, making it challenging to provide a single global figure. Therefore, the claim that women own just 1 percent of the world's land is highly misleading and not supported by reliable evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"134.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Senator Clinton tried to spend $1 million on the Woodstock Concert Museum.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Senator Clinton advocated for a $1 million earmark to be allocated towards the Woodstock Concert Museum, officially known as the Museum at Bethel Woods. The funds were intended to support the purchase and borrowing of exhibits, as well as audio-visual presentations, computer interactive displays, and films for the museum. However, the earmark was ultimately redirected to a different program by an amendment introduced by Tom Coburn. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a House floor speech on March 16, 2010, Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., said that Democrats claim \"that the Obama health care bill will reduce the debt and help balance the budget, but reviewing those calculations shows that they\u2019re going to collect higher taxes for 10 years and provide health care for only six years. Imagine that. Isn\u2019t that a little misleading? Four years of health care taxes with no health care.\"","We decided to look at whether the Democratic bill does in fact provide just six years of coverage while drawing on 10 years of taxes.","Indeed, of the total $409.2 billion in increased taxes over the 10-year window, only 10 percent of that amount is raised in the first four years -- the period when, according to Republicans, the government is collecting taxes without providing care.","We thought we'd look into one of the comments she made about the issue of the day: the Democratic health care reform plan."]},{"id":"728.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama ad contends that John McCain endorses Rush Limbaugh's comments about immigration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence suggests that the Obama ad does not contend that John McCain endorses Rush Limbaugh's comments about immigration. The ad features a cameo from Rush Limbaugh, but it does not imply or state that McCain endorses Limbaugh's comments. The inclusion of Limbaugh in the ad is unrelated to McCain's stance on immigration. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["And in a news release, Foxconn was notably more measured than Walker was, using the word \"potential\" in saying the plant would \"create 3,000 jobs with the potential to grow to 13,000 new jobs.\"","A large graphic then pops up and lingers -- \"Create 3,000 jobs in China\" -- as the narrators says: \"Democrat senators said the bill will create 3,000 jobs in China alone.\"","Leaving aside the term \"high-tech,\" Foxconn is a long way from even breaking ground on a plant that was only announced the same day Walker made his statement. And the company itself has been more measured, saying the planned plant initially will create 3,000 jobs, \"with the potential to grow to 13,000 new jobs.\"","In March 2010, the project announced that its Chinese manufacturing partner would build turbines at a plant in Nevada, creating up to 300 jobs there. The plant, which will have other manufacturing uses, could create a total of 1,000 jobs, project officials estimated."]},{"id":"8293.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obamacare will question your sex life.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obamacare will question your sex life is false. There is no provision in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that requires doctors to ask patients about their sexual activity. The claim appears to be based on a misinterpretation or misinformation regarding electronic health records and incentives for their adoption, which were separate from Obamacare. The health care law does not mandate or involve any inquiries about an individual's sex life.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2214.json","label":"true","statement":"Ive taken on the federal government and won.","reason":"Reason: Without specific context or evidence provided, it is difficult to assess the veracity of the statement. However, if the speaker has indeed successfully challenged or won a legal battle against the federal government in the past, then the statement can be considered true. It is important to note that additional information would be required to fully evaluate the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1289.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Democrats' health care bill \"gives a new Health Choices Commissioner the right to look at an individual's tax return to determine what medical benefits or subsidies that person qualifies for.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While the health care bill does allow the Health Choices Commissioner to access certain information from an individual's tax return, such as filing status, number of dependents, and modified adjusted gross income, it is misleading to suggest that the commissioner has the right to look at the entire tax return. Additionally, the purpose of accessing this information is to determine eligibility for subsidies, not to determine specific medical benefits or deny treatment based on tax return information. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it exaggerates the extent of the commissioner's access to tax information and misrepresents the purpose of using that information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9557.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons health care plan from the 1990s had a broader provision in favor of corporate right to back out of providing contraceptive coverage than the one created by the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Newt Gingrich claimed that Hillary Clinton's health care plan from the 1990s had a broader provision in favor of corporate rights to back out of providing contraceptive coverage compared to the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision, experts have refuted this claim. The provisions in Hillary Clinton's health care plan did not grant broader rights for corporations to refuse contraceptive coverage based on religious beliefs. The Hobby Lobby decision, on the other hand, allowed closely-held corporations with religious objections to opt-out of providing certain contraceptive coverage. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays the scope and implications of both the 1990s health care plan and the Hobby Lobby decision.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - David Dewhurst appears to be first lieutenant governor with state security detail, but he's said he initially declined it&url=)","The only one we could find who said he did not have security detail was Jim Williams, lieutenant governor from 1975-79. The state could not confirm one way or another.","Bill Hobby, who held the gavel-wielding job from 1973 into 1991, told us he never had a detail. Former state Sen. Bill Ratliff said the same per his service as acting lieutenant governor from late 2000 through 2002. Ratliff added that Bullock, lieutenant governor from 1991 through 1998, \"almost certainly\" never had a security detail. Sen. Rodney Ellis, the Houston Democrat who briefly served in the post after Perry resigned to become governor in 2000, did not have a security detail, his spokesman, David Edmonson, said.","At a Jan. 27, 2014, debate, hosted by KERA-TV, Channel 13 in Dallas, Staples, the state agriculture commissioner, said: \"I wish the lieutenant governor was more focused on what we\u2019re spending in public schools rather than... being the first lieutenant governor in history to have a personal security detail. I would be more worried about what\u2019s going on in the security of our schools rather than having a personal security detail that drives you from place to place and sweeps rooms before you go in.\""]},{"id":"12076.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The fact is voter fraud is rampant.","reason":"Reason: The statement that voter fraud is rampant is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple fact checks and experts have refuted this claim, stating that voter fraud is not widespread or rampant in Texas or the United States. While instances of voter fraud do occur, they are relatively rare and have not been shown to have a significant impact on election outcomes. Labeling voter fraud as rampant is misleading and not based on factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11629.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2008, Maggie Hassan voted against legislation to prevent sanctuary cities in New Hampshire.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Maggie Hassan voted against a 2008 bill that aimed to prevent New Hampshire from serving as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. However, it's important to note that at the time of the vote, there were no active efforts to establish sanctuary cities in New Hampshire, and there have been no such efforts since then. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the voting record, it lacks the context that the legislation was mostly symbolic since there were no actual sanctuary city policies being proposed or implemented in the state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"988.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obama is actually increasing Bush-era defense spending by $21 billion in the new fiscal year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Keith Olbermann on his MSNBC program. President Obama did increase defense spending by $21 billion in the new fiscal year compared to the final year of the Bush administration. This increase in defense spending indicates that the accusation of President Obama gutting the Pentagon's budget is false. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall defense budget or take into account other factors that may impact defense spending.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Frazier said, \"Michael Bennet votes for President Obama's agenda 98 percent of the time. Frazier cited the frequency of Bennet voting with the president as proof he is \"hardly independent, hardly bipartisan.\"","\"You see, Michael Bennet votes for President Obama's agenda 98 percent of the time. Hardly independent, hardly bipartisan,\" Frazier stressed. (Watch debate video clip, courtesy KKTV)","So let\u2019s look deeper at Frazier\u2019s claim that Bennet votes for Obama's agenda 98 percent of the time, and whether that makes him \"hardly independent, hardly bipartisan.\"","But the NRSC statement misstated the percentage for Bennet\u2019s 2014 votes with Obama as \"100 Percent Of The Time.\" CQ\u2019s Vote Watch database says Bennet voted with Obama 99.3 percent of the time in 2014."]},{"id":"11225.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 56 percentof (the U.S.-Mexico) border is not under our control.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to a report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, approximately 56 percent of the U.S.-Mexico border was classified as \"not acceptable for border security\" due to resource and infrastructure limitations. However, it's important to note that this does not mean there is an utter lack of control over that portion of the border. While the agency's ability to detect and respond to crossings may be hampered, there are still measures in place to maintain some level of control. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the percentage mentioned, it should be clarified that the border is not completely uncontrolled.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["He and Republicans have trained their fire \u2013 and ire \u2013 on the $8.8 million that went to the state's five largest cities, which are home to many Democratic voters. That\u2019s about 90 percent of the total distributed in the state.","Five Wisconsin cities received money for the 2020 election from Mark Zuckerberg, which amounted to \"a wave of massive election bribery.\"","Gableman said five Wisconsin cities received money for the 2020 election from Mark Zuckerberg, which amounted to \"a wave of massive election bribery.\"","The group told PolitiFact Wisconsin it issued nearly 2,500 grants nationwide and that every eligible office that applied received at least some money. More than half went to election offices that serve less than 25,000 registered voters."]},{"id":"3277.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"At protests in Wisconsin against proposed collective bargaining changes, phony sick notes (were) passed out to excuse striking union members.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that doctors were distributing sick notes to public employees attending protests in Wisconsin, it is important to note that these employees were not on strike. The term \"striking union members\" in the statement is misleading because the public employees were participating in demonstrations but had not engaged in an official strike. Therefore, the statement is mostly true regarding the distribution of sick notes but inaccurate in characterizing the employees as striking union members.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2689.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Since Rep. John Boccieris election, Ohio has lost 600,000 jobs and his districts unemployment has doubled.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided clarifies that the number mentioned by Rep. Renacci was not in reference to job losses but rather Ohio's unemployment rate. The unemployment rate measures the percentage of people actively seeking employment, regardless of when they lost their jobs. Additionally, the evidence indicates that Rep. Boccieri lost the election in 2018, making it impossible for him to have any impact on job losses or changes in unemployment rates since then. Therefore, the statement is false and deserving of a \"pants-fire\" label.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says \"Did you know that if you accepted the District's proposal today you would have NO pay increase for 4 years? Seven years of frozen wages = Disrespect.\"","Both the Medicare Rights Center and AARP, the national organization for seniors, verified that hospital admittance has to do with billing under parts A or B of Medicare, the government health plan for seniors 65 and older. The Affordable Care Act reduces Medicare payments to hospitals with readmissions within 30 days for certain conditions, such as pneumonia, but that\u2019s not based on who admits the patient.","According to a chain email making the rounds, people over 75 years old will be denied cancer treatment under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, after President Barack Obama.","\"Well, clearly, I'm pretty shocked. By objecting to this bill, my colleague is suggesting that it\u2019s acceptable for the government to deny Social Security checks to American seniors and checks to those who are physically disabled because they made a personal medical choice to not receive the vaccine. This is not far-fetched. The Biden administration\u2019s already doing it to companies and people that have a job. The Social Security system is meant to help those who have spent their lives working in this country and disability checks are designed to help those who cannot work. These checks are not a tool for government to impose its will on the people, just as it shouldn't be the position of the Biden administration to require companies to enforce a vaccine mandate. But if you're on Social Security, or your parent is receiving Social Security checks, this is what my colleague is suggesting by blocking this legislation \u2014 get the vaccine or go broke.\""]},{"id":"7250.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I sponsored the amendment that expanded the hours of early voting so that people who have irregular work schedules could vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the individual claims to have sponsored an amendment that expanded the hours of early voting, the evidence provided does not explicitly support or refute this claim. It is possible that the individual did sponsor such an amendment, but without further evidence, it cannot be confirmed. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4072.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"By the end of his first term, President Obama will have added as much debt as all the prior 43 presidents combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in terms of the fact-checking rating provided by PolitiFact, which rated a similar statement by Mitt Romney as \"Mostly True.\" However, it's important to note that the accuracy of this claim depends on the specific timeframe being considered. The statement refers to the end of President Obama's first term, and while the national debt did increase significantly during his presidency, it is not accurate to attribute the entire increase solely to his policies. Factors such as economic conditions, legislation passed by previous administrations, and other external factors also contribute to changes in the national debt. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in the context of the rating provided, it should be understood that the debt increase cannot be solely attributed to President Obama.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6551.json","label":"true","statement":"Half the kids coming out of college this year cant find a job, or a job thats consistent with a college degree.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the reality that a significant portion of recent college graduates struggle to find employment or secure jobs that align with their college degrees. Multiple sources confirm that around 50 percent of recent college graduates are either unemployed or employed in positions that do not require a college degree. While the exact percentage may vary slightly, the statement captures the overall trend of the challenging job market for recent college graduates.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9159.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Charlie Crist raised taxes in 2009 and wont rule out raising taxes again.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by the Republican Party of Florida regarding Charlie Crist's tax policies. In 2009, Crist, along with the Republican-led Legislature, raised taxes and fees, including a $1 per pack tax on cigarettes, to address a budget deficit. While it is true that Crist raised taxes during his tenure, the statement's assertion that he won't rule out raising taxes again is not explicitly supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the part about Crist's future stance on raising taxes lacks clear evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cornyn said: \"In FY 2014 Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions while receiving $528 million from taxpayers, in violation\" of \"the Hyde amendment.\"","Cornyn said in an Aug. 3, 2015, tweet brought to our attention by a reader: \"In FY 2014 Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions while receiving $528 million from taxpayers, in violation\" of \"the Hyde amendment.\"","Later in the day, after our initial inquiry, Cornyn deleted the tweet and posted a new one that left out mention of the Hyde amendment while saying that in 2013, Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions; and in fiscal year 2014 received $528 million from taxpayers.","We asked how Cornyn concluded Planned Parenthood received such money in violation of the Hyde amendment, which struck us as a potentially consequential no-no. Cornyn\u2019s office did not say."]},{"id":"2866.json","label":"false","statement":"The payday loan industry does not exist in a state like Minnesota.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence, including statements from lawmakers and analysts, that indicate the existence of the payday loan industry in Minnesota. Lawmakers like Grothman and Davis have expressed concerns about the industry and its practices, indicating that it does exist in the state. Additionally, the email from analyst Ann Baddour and the online post by Ace Cash Express further support the presence of payday lenders in Minnesota. Therefore, the claim that the payday loan industry does not exist in a state like Minnesota is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The State Health Access Data Assistance Center, a program of the Robert Wood Johnson program at the University of Minnesota, assembles a yearly ranking of per-person state public health funding.","The nearly $88 billion spending plan would cut taxes by more than $3 billion, end an eight-year freeze on tuition at University of Wisconsin schools and lower property taxes by about $100 for the owner of a typical home.","Wisconsin ranks 42nd in the nation, plus Washington, D.C., in state spending on public health, spending about $18 per person in 2020.","\"(Wisconsin) is 49th in public health spending,\" Erpenbach tweeted. \"We just had a pandemic and will be vulnerable to the next one because Republicans are not investing in public health.\""]},{"id":"11638.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Heres the simple and undeniable fact: The overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Cruz that the \"overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats\" is not supported by credible evidence. The source cited points out that the paper Cruz referred to did not provide a breakdown of ex-felons based on the nature of their crimes, making it impossible to support this claim. Additionally, it is important to note that political affiliation is not a determining factor in criminal behavior. Making broad generalizations about the political affiliations of violent criminals is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During the April 13, 2012, Republican U.S. Senate debate at WFAA-TV in Dallas, Cruz asked Leppert to comment on another candidate\u2019s position on wage taxes. Leppert didn\u2019t go there, instead replying: \"The reality of it is that you have been a terrific staffer in the attorney general\u2019s office. But the reality of it is you haven\u2019t led businesses. So when you start talking about these issues, on how they impact business, to you it\u2019s really an academic exercise. To me, it\u2019s a career.\"","We asked Cruz\u2019s campaign if Leppert\u2019s claim about his not leading any businesses holds up. Spokesman James Bernsen pointed to Cruz\u2019s campaign biography.","Says he \"did not try to leave the scene of the accident\" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz."]},{"id":"6805.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rep. Charlie Bass, R-NH voted to raise his own pay eight times","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Rep. Charlie Bass voted to raise his own pay eight times. While it is true that there have been instances where Bass voted on issues related to congressional pay, such as ordering the previous question on a bill that included a pay raise, it does not necessarily mean that he voted to raise his own pay. The evidence also mentions that Bass has voted for extended freezes to congressional pay, which contradicts the claim that he voted to raise his own pay multiple times. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Moore: He\u2019s shared a lot of stuff with us. He thinks stop-and-frisk is fine! (Former New York Mayor) Rudy Giuliani thinks it\u2019s fine. And I don\u2019t know where they\u2019ll land in his administration. According to him, a lot of things he said and did were just Hollywood and bluster and now he\u2019s going to be presidential.","!U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, criticized president-elect Donald Trump for his position on stop-and-frisk. !U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, criticized president-elect Donald Trump for his position on stop-and-frisk.","Here\u2019s their exchange, prompted by Donald Trump\u2019s suggestion that police should expand the use of \"stop and frisk\" policies to curb crime.","Donald Trump has been pushing for cities to expand stop-and-frisk policies in order to combat crime, but some argue it\u2019s a form of racial profiling."]},{"id":"12339.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Bruce Springsteen only had 8,000 tickets sold for a Greensboro show and canceled after they didnt get the ticket sales they wanted.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Multiple sources, including the concert promoter and fact-checking organizations, have confirmed that there were significantly more than 8,000 tickets sold for Bruce Springsteen's Greensboro show. In fact, there were fewer than 100 tickets remaining when the concert was canceled, indicating strong ticket sales. The claim that the cancellation was due to unsatisfactory ticket sales is also contradicted by the evidence. Therefore, the statement is not supported by factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I think I\u2019ve said time and again that I\u2019m a pro-life candidate and I\u2019ll be a pro-life president,\" Romney told reporters in Ohio. \"The actions I\u2019ll take immediately is to remove funding for Planned Parenthood. It will not be part of my budget. And also I\u2019ve indicated that I will reverse the Mexico City position of the president. I will reinstate the Mexico City policy which keeps us from using foreign aid for abortions overseas.\"","In 2007, Romney said on ABC\u2019s Good Morning America \"\u2018You know, I do support the Republican platform, and I support that being part of the Republican platform and I\u2019m pro-life.\u2019\"","In a debate during his 1994 race against Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy, Romney said, \"I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country.\" Referring to the 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in every state, Romney added, \"I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years, it should be sustained and supported. And I sustain and support that law and support the right of a woman to make that choice.\"","\u2022 \"I am pro-life and believe that abortion should be limited to only instances of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. I support the reversal of Roe vs. Wade , because it is bad law and bad medicine.\""]},{"id":"726.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"In January, I outlined a plan to help revive our faltering economy, which formed the basis for a bipartisan stimulus package that passed the Congress.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the speaker outlined a plan that directly led to a bipartisan stimulus package passing in Congress. However, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The evidence discusses John Edwards' involvement in a health care debate, the passage of an ethics legislation, and President Bush's signing of a bill related to India's energy demands. There is no direct connection between the speaker's plan and the bipartisan stimulus package mentioned. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks evidence to support its accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The addition of Beyond the Truth-O-Meter is a reminder that there's lots of new content on PolitiFact every day. So make sure you bookmark our home page and check it daily.","We'll feature the five most recent links on our home page. If you miss a day or two, you can get the full list in our Beyond the Truth-O-Meter archive.","Sunday's edition of ABC's This Week had lots of interesting claims to check. We've completed two Truth-O-Meter items on the show and have two others in the works.","Beyond the Truth-O-Meter, which appears on the right side of the PolitiFact home page beneath the tally of campaign promises, will be updated every day with the work of , the Washington Post 's FactChecker and other news organizations."]},{"id":"5625.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"TheCBO saysthe cost of health care reform will rise to $1.8 trillion, increasing the price to far greater than the $900 billion originallyprojected.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it implies that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) definitively states that the cost of health care reform will rise to $1.8 trillion, exceeding the original projection of $900 billion. However, the evidence provided does not include a direct quote or specific report from the CBO supporting this claim. It is important to note that the cost estimates of health care reform can vary over time due to changing factors and assumptions. While there have been discussions and debates about the potential increase in costs, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim that the CBO definitively states the cost will rise to $1.8 trillion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Shockingly,\" Kraig added, \"one bill in the current session dangerously grants drug companies and medical device manufacturers immunity from injuries and deaths caused by their products.\"","We previously ruled Mostly True a health care advocate's claim that one of the bills \"grants drug companies and medical device manufacturers immunity from injuries and deaths caused by their products.\"","Kraig said a bill proposed by a Wisconsin lawmaker \"grants drug companies and medical device manufacturers immunity from injuries and deaths caused by their products.\" He acknowledged that his statement was \"over broad,\" in that immunity applies only when FDA approval has been granted.","We asked Kraig for evidence to back what essentially was a blanket statement that the bill \"grants drug companies and medical device manufacturers immunity.\""]},{"id":"4658.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the national heath care reform is a government takeover of health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the national health care reform is a \"government takeover of health care\" is widely recognized as false. Multiple news organizations and fact-checkers, including PolitiFact, have debunked this claim. The health care reform law does expand federal involvement, but it is not a complete government takeover of the health care system. The law is primarily built upon the existing private health insurance industry and includes various regulations and provisions aimed at increasing access and affordability. Labeling it as a \"government takeover\" is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13497.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There was serious voter fraud in Virginia.","reason":"Reason: The claim that there was serious voter fraud in Virginia is not supported by credible evidence. The top state election official in Virginia has stated that the charge is unfounded, and even the former chairman of Trump's Virginia campaign is unaware of any massive voter fraud on Election Day. The assertion made in Trump's tweet lacks substantiation and has been widely disputed. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9603.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In New York, your chances of getting murdered are 1 in 25,000. In Honduras, its 1 in 14.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Cokie Roberts and others who claim that the chances of getting murdered in New York are 1 in 25,000 and in Honduras are 1 in 14. However, it's important to note that the statistics provided in the evidence contradict these claims. The evidence suggests that the chances of being murdered in Honduras are significantly higher than in New York, with a rate of 1 in 1,100 per year in Honduras compared to 1 in 20,000 per year in New York. Over a lifetime, the chances of being murdered in Honduras are 1 in 15, compared to 1 in 250 in New York. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the claims made, it fails to provide the complete and accurate context of the statistics, leading to a misleading impression.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8454.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgia spends in the top 10 nationally on education, yet, most of our education metrics hover in the bottom five.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Georgia ranks in the top 10 nationally in terms of education spending, it is important to note that education metrics in the state tend to rank lower. However, the statement lacks specific evidence or data to support the claim that \"most\" education metrics in Georgia hover in the bottom five nationally. Without further information or specific metrics to evaluate, it is difficult to fully assess the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is deemed as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6586.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Mitt Romneys platform ...wont protect the mortgage interest (tax) deduction for middle-class families.","reason":"Reason: While there were reports of a battle within the Republican Party over the mortgage interest deduction in their party platform, the platform itself explicitly expresses support for preserving the mortgage interest deduction. Mitt Romney's platform does not explicitly state that it won't protect the mortgage interest deduction for middle-class families. However, it does propose limiting some tax deductions in exchange for rate cuts, without specifying which deductions would be affected. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent Romney's position on the mortgage interest deduction.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12730.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Just 9 percent of Muslims in Pakistan viewISIS favorably. Unfortunately, that 9 percent is 16 million people. And thats just one country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that 9 percent of Muslims in Pakistan view ISIS favorably. However, it's important to note that the statement then goes on to claim that this 9 percent amounts to 16 million people. While the population of Pakistan is indeed large, with over 200 million Muslims, the calculation provided in the statement is incorrect. 9 percent of the Muslim population in Pakistan would not equate to 16 million people. Therefore, while the initial claim is accurate, the subsequent calculation is incorrect, leading to an inaccurate representation of the number of people who view ISIS favorably in Pakistan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The federal government owns about half of the West, yet it continues to acquire more land,\" Bush said in the plan, which calls federal holdings \"a liability to economic freedom and growth.\" He advocated more state and local control over these lands.","The CRS overview states that the federal government owns and manages roughly 635 million to 640 million acres of land, which is the latest data available. The majority of this land (about 609 million acres) is managed by four agencies: the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service. Most of the land is in the West and Alaska.","The federal government has owned land throughout the country\u2019s history. From the Louisiana Purchase to the wide-open areas of the West, the government has held the title.","White also pointed out a federal park service web page on the Big Bend park, which she described as demonstrating the federal government asked permission from the state to acquire land for a park. The cited passage:"]},{"id":"5133.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"New energy standards will take away our freedom of choice and selection in the light bulbs we have in our homes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Energy Independence and Security Act mandated higher energy efficiency standards for light bulbs, including the promotion of LED technology, it is misleading to claim that these standards take away freedom of choice and selection in light bulbs. The law does not ban any specific type of light bulb, but rather sets efficiency standards that manufacturers must meet. This has led to advancements in LED technology and increased availability of energy-efficient options. Consumers still have a range of choices when it comes to selecting light bulbs, including LED bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, and certain specialized incandescent bulbs that are exempt from the standards. Therefore, the claim that the new energy standards take away freedom of choice is exaggerated.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5543.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says David Rivera received a $5,000 campaign contribution from Congressman Spencer Bachus, who is currently under House Ethics investigation for insider trading.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Garcia that David Rivera received a $5,000 campaign contribution from Congressman Spencer Bachus, who was under House Ethics investigation for insider trading at the time. The evidence provided supports this claim. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because it does not directly address the veracity of the claim but rather assesses its overall accuracy. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1951.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia has more illegal aliens than the state of Arizona.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence provided, including statements from Republican candidates during a GOP debate and the claim made by candidate Jeff Chapman, a state senator, that Georgia has surpassed Arizona in the number of undocumented immigrants. Additionally, the larger population of Georgia compared to Arizona suggests that it is plausible for Georgia to have more undocumented immigrants. However, it's important to note that the term \"illegal aliens\" is considered outdated and dehumanizing. The preferred term is \"undocumented immigrants.\"\nLabel: true","evidence":["After the Texas cutoff of aid to women\u2019s health care services including Planned Parenthood clinics, \"over 150,000\u2026 women lost the only health care they had. Our Medicaid birth rate shot up. It cost taxpayers over $130 million in one year alone in extra Medicaid birth costs.\"","Davis said that after the Texas cutoff of aid to women\u2019s health services including Planned Parenthood clinics, \"over 150,000\u2026 women lost the only health care they had. Our Medicaid birth rate shot up. It cost taxpayers over $130 million in one year alone in extra Medicaid birth costs.\"","The funding shifts that Republicans seek nationally, Davis charged, will diminish women\u2019s access to breast cancer screenings, contraceptive care and other health services. Looking back, Davis said that after Texas reduced funding for family planning care, \"over 150,000 real women lost the only health care that they had. Our Medicaid birth rate shot up. It cost taxpayers over $130 million in one year alone in extra Medicaid birth costs. So, not only does it harm real women, it costs taxpayers more.\"","There was about that much of a drop-off in women participating in state-backed family planning and cancer screening programs. But Davis didn\u2019t provide nor did we find confirmation all the women lost the only care they had or that Medicaid-funded birth costs actually spiked by the predicted $130 million-plus. In fact, there were fewer Medicaid-covered Texas births in 2014 than in 2011."]},{"id":"12107.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More people were killed by terrorists in 2015 than in any other year ever, after an 80 percentincrease from 2014.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly support the claim about 2015 specifically, it does indicate that there has been a significant increase in the number of people killed by terrorists. The Washington Post report suggests that between 65,800 and 88,600 terrorists were killed since the early 2000s, with Obama being responsible for a significant portion of those deaths. Additionally, the report from Brown University indicates a higher number of Taliban deaths during the Obama administration compared to the Bush administration. While the evidence does not provide specific data for 2015, it does support the claim that there has been a substantial increase in terrorist-related deaths, making the statement mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"There are legitimate and widespread anomalies,\" said Kloppenburg, a state Justice Department attorney, \"and widespread questions about the conduct of this election, most visibly in Waukesha County, but also in counties around the state.\"","Given the outrage over the Waukesha incident, Kloppenburg seems on solid ground suggesting that there are \"widespread questions\" about the election.","Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg declared victory on election night when preliminary, unofficial returns put her 204 votes ahead of Justice David Prosser.","That process -- plus a special state probe of Waukesha County -- is now complete and state officials say the Waukesha and Winnebago discrepancies have been cleared up."]},{"id":"11717.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty percent of illegal immigrants are people coming legally on visas and overstaying their visas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Cruz's claim that 40 percent of illegal immigrants in the U.S. are individuals who entered legally on visas but overstayed their visas. While the estimate may be an approximation and the data supporting it may be dated, it is widely accepted as the most commonly cited figure in discussions on this topic. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1141.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nearly 46 million Americans don't have health insurance coverage today.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Barack Obama that nearly 46 million Americans lack health insurance coverage. However, it's important to note that the number includes noncitizens, which accounts for approximately 9.7 million of the uninsured population. Therefore, the number of uninsured Americans is closer to 36 million. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from the additional context regarding the inclusion of noncitizens in the data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["That's a pretty big hole in this e-mail from the get-go. We didn't find the word in reading the text and our second scholar confirms this critical point.","\"There is no part of that anywhere in the Bible, not in those forms,\" said White, who was a co-writer and historical consultant for the 1999 PBS documentary, Apocalypse! Time, History, and Revolution. \"That's all a jigsaw puzzle of bits and pieces all filtered through the kind of end-of-world scenarios we get in the theology that is the underpinning of the Left Behind novels.\"","\"The word Antichrist is not used in the Book of Revelation so this is important to point out,\" said Dr. James D. Tabor, professor and chair of the religious studies department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. \"Everybody thinks the word is used.\"","\"Of course, they never bothered to read the Scriptures carefully ... so it's kind of a system of interpretation. That if you start with that presupposition. ... it's all there you can just find it,\" White said."]},{"id":"4527.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Tommy Thompson pushed such strict laws that abortion providers faced potential life imprisonment and women were forced to cross state lines in order to receive attention for life-threatening issues.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tommy Thompson, as governor, supported and implemented strict laws related to abortion in Wisconsin, the claim that abortion providers faced potential life imprisonment is an exaggeration. The laws did impose significant restrictions on abortion providers, leading some to temporarily stop performing abortions. However, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that women were forced to cross state lines specifically to receive attention for life-threatening issues. While the laws did create obstacles for access to abortion services, the statement overstates the extent of the impact on women seeking medical attention for life-threatening issues.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Lambert also criticized his major opponent in the GOP primary, state Rep. Marilinda Garcia, asserting that Garcia supports \"$150 billion in new taxes.\"","Lambert claimed that Garcia supports $150 billion in new taxes. His statement was based on a remark Garcia made about closing tax loopholes that help big corporations.","To get to the bottom of it, PolitiFact New Hampshire asked Lambert\u2019s campaign for an explanation of where the $150 billion figure came from.","Even if one accepts the premise that Garcia wants to end all tax breaks for corporations, the expenditures she\u2019s referring to would probably be valued at less than $150 billion, unless Garcia also supported ending tax breaks that are available to both companies and individuals."]},{"id":"7484.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Governor Christie, his idea of jumpstarting the economy is to propose a trickle-down income tax cut last year and in his budget address this year, he stated his support for it again.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Christie proposed a trickle-down income tax cut last year and expressed support for it again in his budget address this year, it is important to note that he ultimately dropped his original proposal in favor of a Democratic tax-cut plan. The statement fails to mention that Governor Christie supported the Democratic plan since July, which significantly alters the impression of his stance on the issue. Therefore, the statement is misleading as it omits a critical fact that would provide a different perspective. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019re headed towards another surplus this year, unlike most states,\" McDonnell said in a Skype interview from Beijing with NBC 12 reporter Ryan Nobles.","With 10 months of revenue data in hand, Virginia is on track to post a surplus in the 2011 fiscal year. That would follow a surplus in 2010, but state revenue is still below pre-recession levels.","Haggerty pointed out that states try to match spending to revenue as closely as possible, and posting a surplus means those estimates were off. Still, he said, it is \"better to be off towards a surplus rather than a deficit.\"","Virginia\u2019s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Last summer, McDonnell announced the state closed the 2010 budget with a $403 million surplus. About $175 million came from lower-than-expected spending by stage agencies. The rest came from tax revenues that were higher than projected."]},{"id":"1943.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"In fact, oil spills from tankers are far more common than the very rare leaks from rigs or pipelines.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the American Petroleum Institute (API) report, the number of spills from tankers in U.S. waters is nearly two-and-a-half times higher than those from offshore oil pipelines and platforms combined. Additionally, tankers also release more than three times the amount of oil. However, it is important to note that the statement refers to spills being \"far more common\" from tankers compared to \"very rare\" leaks from rigs or pipelines. While the data supports the claim that spills from tankers are more frequent, the term \"very rare\" may be subjective and could vary depending on the specific time frame and context being considered. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Kasich\u2019s budget increases state spending from $50.5 billion to $55.6 billion. This is the second largest, two-year spending increase in Ohio history.\"","\"Despite the dramatic cuts targeted at schools and local communities, Kasich\u2019s budget increases state spending from $50.5 billion to $55.6 billion,\" Budish wrote in a letter the newspaper published May 14. \"This is the second largest, two-year spending increase in Ohio history.\"","Kasich\u2019s proposal represents a $5.1 billion spending increase for a state still limping back from a crippling economic recession and deficit somewhere between $4 billion and $8 billion. The largest spending increase since 1968 came under Republican Gov. Bob Taft. The 2000-01 budget, which spent $40.4 billion, was $5.3 billion greater than the previous budget.","Since information prior to 1968 is difficult, at best, to completely recapture, PolitiFact Ohio wanted to add some perspective for the numbers that are available. The 1968-69 budget spent just $2.4 billion, so it appears safe to assume that never in Ohio\u2019s history prior had the state witnessed a spending increase greater than $5.1 billion from one budget to the next. From that perspective, Budish\u2019s statement seems logical."]},{"id":"13063.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Youve got a medical report on me that meets the same standard as Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Clinton is mostly true. He asserts that his medical report meets the same standard as the medical reports of Mitt Romney and Barack Obama when they ran for president. While the evidence does not explicitly provide the details of the medical reports, it suggests that Clinton's medical report is comparable in terms of meeting the same standard as those of Romney and Obama. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true, as it implies that Clinton's medical report adheres to the same level of scrutiny and disclosure as his presidential counterparts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Ayotte said the deficit this year could pay \"all of the 2013 salaries of every professional baseball player for the next 248 years.\"","The deficit, she said, could pay \"all of the 2013 salaries of every professional baseball player for the next 248 years.\"","Ayotte has used that example before, including a January town meeting in Goffstown. And she has used other colorful examples to illustrate the size of our nation\u2019s deficit, telling voters in 2013 that it could pay \"all of the 2013 salaries of every professional baseball player for the next 248 years.\" (That was True, by the way.)","Using numbers from other media organizations, the deficit instead can pay baseball salaries for 238 years or 244 years. Meanwhile, using the CBO\u2019s estimate from September brings the years to 236 or 242."]},{"id":"334.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"In her short time in the United States Senate, the senator from New York, Senator Clinton, got $500-million worth of pork barrel projects.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator McCain's claim that Senator Clinton secured $500 million worth of pork barrel projects during her time in the United States Senate. The McCain campaign based this figure on news reports that highlighted the earmarks and federal money obtained by Senator Clinton, specifically citing amounts of at least $500 million. While there may be some variations in the exact amount, the evidence supports the claim that Senator Clinton secured a significant sum of federal funds for various projects in New York.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The city of Brookhaven\u2019s ordinance could cause the Pink Pony to close, thereby \"putting 300 Pink Pony employees out of work in this economy.\"","\"FACT,\" the ad says in red letters. The ad said the city\u2019s ordinance would put \"300 Pink Pony employees out of work in this economy.\"","So, there are more than 300 people currently licensed to work at the club, which is more than what the Pink Pony claimed in its ad.","\"Throughout the approximately twenty-two years of operation, Pink Pony has never been cited for any violation of any ordinance or state law,\" Pink Pony attorneys wrote in their complaint against the city."]},{"id":"8110.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For several days in July of 2012, Greenland surface ice cover melted more than at any time in 30 years of satellite observation. During that month, an estimated 97% of the ice sheet thawed.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Brian Schatz regarding the melting of Greenland's surface ice cover in July 2012. According to NASA, an estimated 97% of the ice sheet surface had thawed by July 12 of that year. However, it's important to note that this extreme melting event occurred over a few days and not for the entire month. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents the claim, it could benefit from additional clarification to avoid potential misconceptions about the duration of the melting event.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Deep inside the stimulus bill Congress buried an innocent-sounding board, the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research,\" Scott says in the ad. \"It's not so innocent. It's the first step in government control over your health care choices. This federal council is modeled after the national board that controls Britain's health system.\"","Getting back to the ad: It is right that the economic stimulus bill created the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research. But the ad is wrong that it is \"modeled after the national board that controls Britain\u2019s health system.\" We see no evidence for that. In fact, the president has specifically rejected the British model, while praising comparative effectiveness research as an acceptable way to rein in spending. Because the ad significantly distorts the reason for the board's existence, we rate its claim Barely True.","The ad is correct that the stimulus bill includes language creating the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research. But to say it's modeled after the British health system is wrong. The board is simply an effort to pull together disparate federal agencies to find the best health treatments.","This stands in sharp contrast to the British system, where government entities run the health care system and a national board, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Evidence, determines whether particular treatments are covered or not."]},{"id":"943.json","label":"true","statement":"The omnibus spending bill has 9,427 pork barrel items.","reason":"Reason: According to Senator McCain's statement and confirmation from his office, the omnibus spending bill contained 9,427 member-sponsored projects, which are commonly referred to as pork barrel items. These projects are specific allocations of funds for various purposes, often at the request of individual members of Congress. Therefore, the statement that the omnibus spending bill had 9,427 pork barrel items is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5675.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In his very first budget, (Milwaukee) Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes and has continued increasing taxes and fees ever since.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Republican Governors Association (RGA) that Mayor Tom Barrett broke his pledge to keep a lid on property taxes in his first budget and has continued increasing taxes and fees since then. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While the evidence suggests that property taxes have increased by more than 20 percent and fees have doubled, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the entire tenure of Mayor Barrett. It is unclear if taxes and fees have increased every single year since his first budget. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context to support the claim of continuous increases in taxes and fees throughout Mayor Barrett's term.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A Pennsylvania-based group called Sovereign Citizens United claimed on its website that members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are \"socialists who are openly serving in the U.S. Congress.\" The 77-member caucus includes longtime U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a Democrat from Atlanta, and U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a DeKalb County Democrat.","\"The Progressive Caucus in Congress WAS CREATED BY the Democratic Socialists of America,\" they wrote us in one e-mail. \"Because of this tie, any member of Congress who is a member of the Progressive Caucus is indeed arguing with sic the Democratic Socialists of America.\"","Sovereign Citizens United believes it has evidence that shows the Congressional Progressive Caucus thinks like socialists and is under the thumb of the Democratic Socialists of America. The evidence is rather flimsy and, in some cases, bogus. The DSA doesn\u2019t boast on its website that it created the caucus, as the sovereign group claims.","In 2009, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a self-described Democratic Socialist, wrote an op-ed in the Huffington Post arguing that no one else in Congress thinks similarly."]},{"id":"11147.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"SayPresident George W. Bush borrowed $1.37 trillion of Social Security surplus revenue to pay for his tax cuts for the rich and his war in Iraq and never paid it back.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President George W. Bush used Social Security surplus revenue to fund tax cuts and the Iraq war, the statement that he \"never paid it back\" is misleading. The Social Security surplus revenue was invested in special-issue Treasury bonds, which are considered part of the overall U.S. debt. These bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government and are regularly redeemed to provide funds for Social Security benefits. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that the borrowed funds were never repaid. However, it is important to note that the repayment of these funds is part of the broader fiscal responsibility of the U.S. government and not specifically tied to President Bush's actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7855.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We cut taxes 24 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement that taxes were cut 24 times is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Governor Rick Scott initially claimed to have cut taxes 24 times, the count was later increased to 40. However, the evidence provided also includes a statement from Scott himself claiming to have cut taxes 75 times. This discrepancy suggests that the actual number of tax cuts is higher than the initial claim of 24. Therefore, the statement that taxes were cut 24 times is only partially true, as it does not reflect the updated count of tax cuts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12308.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When President Obama landed in Cuba on Air Force One, no leader was there, nobody, to greet him -- perhaps an incident without precedent in the long and prestigious history of Air Force One.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that no leader from Cuba was present to greet President Obama when he landed in Cuba on Air Force One, it is important to provide context. The White House clarified that it was not expected for one of the Castros to greet Air Force One at the airport. Therefore, while the absence of a leader to greet President Obama may have been unusual, it was not necessarily an incident without precedent in the history of Air Force One. The statement lacks this crucial context, leading to a somewhat exaggerated claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5863.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says I never billed a single hour of my time to the City of Portland in the last 10 years -- so, no revolving door.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Charlie Hales did not bill the City of Portland for his work with HDR, the statement overlooks the fact that he was involved in trying to secure a contract with the city. Hales' office confirmed his involvement in submitting bids for projects in Portland during his time away from City Hall. Therefore, while he may not have directly billed the city, his efforts to secure contracts with the city indicate a potential revolving door situation. The statement fails to provide a complete and accurate representation of Hales' business relationship with the city.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["More broadly, the coalition says the report is biased in its preference for statewide education measures, something that penalizes Oregon, where local control in setting policies is generally preferred.","State Rep. Dennis Richardson, in taking on Gov. John Kitzhaber, stated during a recent debate that Oregon ranks 49th in high school graduation rates.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","Says he \"did not try to leave the scene of the accident\" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated."]},{"id":"2864.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Red light camera installed to promote public safety.","reason":"Reason: While the statement claims that the red light camera was installed to promote public safety, the evidence suggests otherwise. Studies and crash data from the city of Atlanta indicate that the installation of the red light camera did not lead to a significant improvement in safety at intersections. While it is true that red light cameras may increase the fear factor among some motorists and potentially slow down their driving, it is important to consider the overall impact on accident rates and other factors such as an increase in rear-end collisions. Therefore, the claim that the red light camera was installed to promote public safety is misleading and does not align with the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2276.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obamas stimulus, passed in his first month in office, will cost more than the entire Iraq War.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the stimulus package passed during President Obama's first month in office had a significant cost, the claim that it will cost more than the entire Iraq War is not entirely accurate. The comparison between the two is complex and depends on various factors such as the duration of the war and the long-term costs associated with it. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the total cost of the stimulus package to be $814 billion, while the estimated funding for the war in Iraq from 2003 to 2010 was $709 billion. However, when considering factors like inflation, ongoing costs of troops in Iraq, and long-term military expenses, it is likely that the total costs of the war will exceed the stimulus package. Therefore, the claim is deemed barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4612.json","label":"true","statement":"According to Wikipedia, there are only five countries in the entire planet that are more unequal than the United States in the distribution of our wealth.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Grayson that, according to Wikipedia, there are only five countries in the world with a higher level of wealth inequality than the United States. This claim is supported by peer-reviewed data and the Gini coefficient, which measures wealth distribution. The evidence confirms that the United States ranks fifth in terms of wealth inequality, trailing behind Denmark, Namibia, Switzerland, and Zimbabwe. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Neuenfeldt said \"there are not, nor have there ever been, any boycotts encouraged by our organizations.\" He notes the statewide group is barred under federal law from engaging in boycotts.","\"We have no knowledge beyond un-evidenced assertions made to the media by the Wisconsin Grocers Association of any such campaign, but let's be crystal clear -- there are not, nor have there ever been, any boycotts encouraged by our organizations.\"","Indeed, the state AFL-CIO is an umbrella group. But it includes about 1,000 affiliated local unions, which represent 250,000 members in the state. And Neuenfeldt\u2019s statement was \"there are not, nor have there ever been, any boycotts encouraged by our organizations.\"","But his statement also applied to the organizations within the state AFL-CIO and not only to organizing boycotts, but also encouraging them. And unions clearly have been taking actions to support the anti-Walker boycott movement. Indeed, the state AFL-CIO called a news conference to highlight to the public it was taking a step that some of its member groups were withdrawing money from M&I Bank."]},{"id":"9738.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Michelle Nunns foundation directed grants to an Islamic group tied to radical terrorists.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Michelle Nunn's foundation directed grants to an Islamic group tied to radical terrorists is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence. While it is true that the non-profit organization Points of Light, which Nunn was associated with, allowed individuals to choose charities, including Islamic Relief USA, to receive donated funds, there is no credible evidence linking Islamic Relief USA to radical terrorism. The ad's claim implies a direct connection between Nunn's foundation and radical terrorists, which is not supported by the facts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Still, another claim caught our ear: \"It turns out that Texas has an $18 billion budget shortfall and can't afford its new science textbooks,\" he said, as a May 18 Austin American-Statesman article flashed on the screen.","Colbert cherry-picked the higher figure of the budget board's latest shortfall projection \u2014 $18 billion \u2014 but so did the education agency in explaining the education board's decision to delay buying new science textbooks.","Austin American-Statesman, New science textbooks face budget snag: State Board of Education will decide whether to proceed with $1.4 billion plan or delay books,( \"New science textbooks face budget snag: State Board of Education will decide whether to proceed with $1.4 billion plan or delay books,\") May 15, 2010","\"The state's looming budget deficit, estimated to be $18 billion in the next biennium,\" pushed the board's decision, according to TEA, and members instead decided to update the current textbooks with supplemental online material that covers the new science curriculum standards the board approved last year for science classes in fifth through eighth grade, plus biology, chemistry, physics and integrated physics and chemistry."]},{"id":"418.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As first lady, Clinton would travel to places that were \"too small, too poor or too dangerous\" for the president.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton traveled to various countries as the first lady, the statement that she specifically traveled to places that were \"too small, too poor, or too dangerous\" for the president is an exaggeration. The evidence suggests that her travel itinerary included both small and large countries, both wealthy and poor countries, and both safe and potentially dangerous countries. While she did visit some countries that may fit those descriptions, her overall travel was not limited to such places. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["At the Sept. 12, 2011, CNN\/Tea Party Express Republican presidential debate, Paul continued: \"I'm a taxpayer there. My taxes have gone up. Our taxes have doubled since he's been in office. Our spending has gone up double. Our debt has gone up nearly triple.\"","For instance, state spending from all sources went up nearly 79 percent between 2000-01 and 2010-11, though adjusted for population and inflation, the increase was 18.2 percent. Also, as we noted last year, raw debt doubled, though last month we rated Mostly True(..\/..\/..\/..\/texas\/statements\/2011\/aug\/06\/rick-perry\/rick-perry-says-texas-has-lowest-capita-state-debt\/) Perry\u2019s claim that Texas has the fourth-lowest per-person debt of any state in the nation and the lowest per-person debt of the big states.","Gov. Rick Perry says he's not overlooking any means of closing the state's widely expected revenue shortfall \u2014 except higher taxes, according to an Oct. 15 interview with the Texas Tribune.","U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, asked if he credits Texas Gov. Rick Perry for job gains in their home state, replied : \"Not quite.\""]},{"id":"12078.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"70 percent of Americans believe that we are on the wrong path.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by House Speaker Paul Ryan that 70 percent of Americans believe the country is on the wrong path. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on a specific measure and may not represent the current sentiment of the entire population. The evidence suggests that in October 2011, there was a period when 70 percent of Americans expressed this sentiment. It's crucial to consider the context and timeframe when evaluating the accuracy and applicability of this claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The PAC said Martinez \"cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid facing possible jail time and stuck us with his $24,657.50 legal bill.\"","\"Politician Mike Martinez cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid facing possible jail time and stuck us with his $24,657.50 legal bill,\" the Progress for Austin PAC\u2019s mailer says.","By phone, Martinez said any insinuation council members cut a deal to avoid jail time isn\u2019t accurate in that no charges were filed. If charges had been leveled, he said, a judge or jury would have determined guilt or innocence as well as any penalties, he said, not the county attorney.","Martinez, like fellow council members who\u2019d routinely conferred before public meetings despite restrictions in law, signed an agreement arguably heading off the possibility of jail time, though the county still would have had to file charges before winning a conviction and a sentence. Council members including Martinez also went along with the city paying related legal bills."]},{"id":"2589.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Lincoln Chafee settled a union strike by giving the teachers a 19-percent-raise.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately states that Lincoln Chafee settled a union strike involving teachers. However, the claim that he gave the teachers a 19-percent raise is an understatement. The actual pay increase received by the teachers was reported to be 19.4 percent, which slightly exceeds the 19-percent figure mentioned. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of the situation, it does not provide the complete and accurate information regarding the exact percentage of the raise.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Daughter of Sam and Colleen Nunn,\" the bio section read, \"Michelle was born in 1966 in Macon, near her grandparents\u2019 farm in Perry, Ga., where she spent most of her childhood.\"","Even accounting for summer vacations and holidays, any claim that she spent \"most\" of her childhood here is inconsistent with the facts.","Childhood, by any reasonable definition, ends at least at age 18. And the facts are clear: Nunn spent 12 of those years living outside of Georgia.","Nunn spent the first six years of her life in Perry, before her father was elected to the U.S. Senate. The family still owns a farm in the area."]},{"id":"8114.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Obamacare, people who have a doctor theyve been seeing for the last 15 or 20 years, they wont be able to keep going to that doctor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks context. While it is true that some individuals may experience changes in their healthcare providers under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is not accurate to claim that everyone who has been seeing a doctor for 15 or 20 years will be unable to continue seeing that doctor. The impact on individuals' ability to keep their current doctors can vary depending on factors such as the specific insurance plan, network restrictions, and individual circumstances. While some individuals may need to change doctors due to changes in their insurance coverage, it is not a blanket statement that applies to everyone.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2233.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Perrys proposal on driver licenses and high school dropouts has been state law since 1989.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a school-attendance requirement was passed in 1989 in Texas, which aimed to address high school dropouts and driver's licenses, it does not necessarily mean that Rick Perry's specific proposal on this issue has been state law since 1989. The evidence suggests that Bill White, the Democratic nominee, and Bill Hammond, a former State Rep., believed that Perry's proposal was redundant because there was already a law in place. However, it is important to note that Perry's proposal may have included additional or different provisions, and it would require further investigation to determine the exact details and scope of his proposal. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12342.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump promised to repeal Obamacare, build a wall, ban Muslims, and more.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects some of the promises made by Donald Trump during his campaign. Trump did promise to repeal Obamacare, build a wall along the Mexican border, and implement a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States. However, it's important to note that the implementation and execution of these promises may vary in reality. While the statement captures the essence of Trump's campaign pledges, it does not provide a comprehensive list of all his promises or account for any potential changes or modifications that may have occurred since the campaign. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One way Obama wanted to close the facility was by moving detainees to U.S. facilities, which Congress blocked through legislation. Some have argued that Obama did have other options to close Guantanamo, but they were unpopular even within his own party, and it\u2019s not at all clear they would have been successful. We\u2019ll recap the history.","Congress made it hard for Obama to fulfill his promise, blocking Obama from transferring detainees to U.S. prisons. Obama was allowed to transfer detainees to other countries, and did transfer many of them. But he ran out of time at the end of his presidency, keeping the prison open with 41 detainees.","The Obama administration also could have been more aggressive about transferring prisoners to other countries. \"Biden ignores the fact that you can close Guantanamo without bringing them to the U.S. and violating a congressional statute,\" Stimson said. \"It\u2019s always been an option and preferred option to send detainees to their home countries and third party countries. Any administration including this one could do that today. It\u2019s difficult, it presents challenges, but it is possible.\"","\"Under Article II of the Constitution, the president has exclusive authority to determine the facilities in which military detainees are held,\" they wrote. \"Obama has the authority to move forward. He should use it.\""]},{"id":"11451.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"HIV\/AIDS is dramatically on the rise in the U.S. South.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence indicates that the U.S. South is the region most dramatically affected by the HIV\/AIDS epidemic. While there may be some variations in the data and factors contributing to the rise, the CDC data from 2012-13 shows an increase in new HIV diagnoses in most parts of the country, with the largest increase occurring in the South. It is important to note that the overall lack of substantial decreases in new HIV infections is a significant public health concern, regardless of specific regional variations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wisconsin Club for Growth says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett saved $25 million in the city budget thanks to Governor Scott Walker's reforms","( - Wisconsin Club for Growth says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett saved $25 million in the city budget thanks to Governor Scott Walker's reforms&url=)","Those billboards around Milwaukee featuring Mayor Tom Barrett\u2019s mug and a claim he \"saved Milwaukee $25 million\" are clever if you slow down to read the punch line.","But the billboard refers to Walker\u2019s \"reforms,\" which is the changes tied to the collective bargaining issue. It is making a narrower claim, on how much was saved from the reforms, not how the city fared overall."]},{"id":"1401.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Governor (Perry), you were a Democrat, having worked for Al Gore as his campaign manager...","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the claim that Rick Perry worked as Al Gore's campaign manager is not accurate. Multiple sources, including news articles and fact-checking organizations, have concluded that Perry did not hold the position of campaign manager or chairman for Al Gore's presidential campaign in Texas. However, there is evidence that Perry supported Gore and was involved in his campaign to some extent. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth regarding Perry's support for Gore, it is misleading and exaggerated to claim that he was the campaign manager. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2097.json","label":"half-true","statement":"By 12th grade, more than 3 out of 10 girls have been pregnant at least once.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the data provided, which indicate that approximately 3 out of 10 girls have been pregnant at least once by the 12th grade. However, it's important to note that this statistic may vary depending on the specific population and region being considered. While the evidence supports the claim, it's crucial to recognize that this is not a universal statistic and may not apply to all girls in all contexts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["It\u2019s not unusual for a candidate to bemoan taxes. Still, Andy Brown\u2019s claim in a mailer stopped us short: \"Travis County now has the highest urban county tax rate in Texas.\"","We noticed another wrinkle in that Travis County has long had one of the highest tax rates among the urban counties. There wasn\u2019t a change in this respect in Eckhardt\u2019s time as a commissioner.","According to the information compiled by the counties\u2019 association, Travis County had the highest total rate among the five most populous counties every year from 1996 through 2012. Travis County\u2019s total rate even exceeded the Hidalgo County rate from 1996 through 1999, the chart indicates, though Hidalgo has had a higher rate every year since.","We took our own, broader look. Online, the Texas Association of Counties drew on data collected by the state comptroller\u2019s office to create a chart listing the \"general fund property tax rates\" for every Texas county for 1996 through 2012. Among the 15 most populous counties, the chart and our own web research suggested that in 2012 and 2013, Travis County had the second-highest total property tax rate--topped only by Hidalgo County, which is home to McAllen near the Texas-Mexico border. Hidalgo County\u2019s rate of $0.59 per $100 valuation in 2012 and 2013 compared with Travis County\u2019s respective rates of $0.5001 and $0.4946 per $100 valuation. Among these 15 counties, Travis-neighboring Williamson County had the third-highest 2013 rate, $0.49029 per $100 valuation."]},{"id":"10788.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States is about to have the smallest Army since before WWII, the smallest Navy since WWI and the smallest Air Force ever.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Multiple sources, including former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, have expressed concerns about the potential reduction in the size of the military due to budget cuts. They have warned that if these cuts continue over a significant period, the United States could have the smallest ground force since 1940, the smallest number of ships since 1915, and the smallest Air Force in its history. However, it is important to note that these projections are based on potential future scenarios and are not reflective of the current state of the military. Therefore, while there are valid concerns about the potential downsizing of the military, it is not accurate to state that the United States is currently on the verge of having the smallest Army since before WWII, the smallest Navy since WWI, and the smallest Air Force ever.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"4530.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"[Federal] law says that you cant give in-state tuition to an illegal alien unless you first offer it to any other student regardless of their state of residence.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While federal law does not explicitly prohibit offering in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, it does require that if a state chooses to offer in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, it must also offer the same benefit to all students, regardless of their state of residence. This means that the state must provide the same opportunity to out-of-state U.S. citizens as it does to undocumented immigrants. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it fails to mention the requirement of offering the same benefit to all students.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Abbott said 85 percent of IDEA students come from low-income families and about 99 percent of its graduates go to college.","The Dec. 17, 2013, story continued: \"Abbott pointed out that 85 percent of IDEA students come from low-income families, many from colonias. However, about 99 percent go on to college.\"","Abbott, the state\u2019s attorney general, further said that his \"goal of seeing the Texas education system rise to the No. 1 ranking in the country is achievable. When you have a school (IDEA) that can have such a large population of low-income students, including students from colonias, be able to come to the school, get a great education, have the dream of going to college and actually go on to college at the rate of 99 percent of the graduates, you see that the No. 1 ranking is within our grasp.\"","A background section of the document says the organization\u2019s vision is to become the \"number one producer of low-income college graduates in Texas.\" Starting in middle school, it says, students are taken on college field trips; parents go to college-centric workshops. High school seniors are coached on applying to, and enrolling in, college, the document states. \"We do not rest until every IDEA graduate sets foot on their college campus the fall following high school commencement,\" the section closes."]},{"id":"8093.json","label":"false","statement":"The most realistic estimates for jobs created by Keystone XL are maybe 2,000 jobs during the construction of the pipeline.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While President Obama initially claimed that the most realistic estimates for job creation from the Keystone XL pipeline were around 2,000 jobs during the construction phase, this claim has been debunked. The State Department's environmental impact statement on the project estimated that the pipeline would create approximately 3,900 jobs per year during the construction process, which is significantly higher than the figure mentioned by President Obama. Therefore, the statement does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A TV commercial for Allan Fung says that Gina Raimondo paid $70 million in taxpayer money to cover fees to hedge fund managers.","The commercial doesn\u2019t say that, but that may be reasonable over the longer haul. If the 2014 fees are as much as they were in 2013, the two-year total would easily reach $70 million. (And even though the Fung campaign didn\u2019t mention it, let\u2019s not forget the $16 million paid in hedge fund fees in fiscal 2012.)","\"Looking at the history of the pension fund and the information known about the rates of return and fee calculations, a conservative estimate of the total fees paid is equal to or exceeds the $70 million claim in the ad,\" he told us.","When we asked Coupe about the figure this week, he said that it\u2019s actually a sum of the $45 million paid in hedge fund fees for fiscal 2013 and an unspecified estimate for fiscal 2014."]},{"id":"5157.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When [Mitt Romney] was the governor of Massachusetts, he performed 100 and Im not sure this number is right, but my mind says its about 180 gay marriages.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect and misleading. Mitt Romney's tenure as governor of Massachusetts did not involve performing any same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts in 2004 due to a court ruling, and it was not performed by Governor Romney or under his authority. The claim is baseless and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In response to a caller during New Jersey 101.5\u2019s \"Ask the Governor\" program, Christie claimed that \"on the state level, we spend less today than Jon Corzine spent in fiscal year 2008, five years later.\"","\"Now we\u2019re making a difference. Because you know why? We\u2019re capping spending,\" Christie said on New Jersey 101.5\u2019s \"Ask the Governor\" program. \"We\u2019re saying you\u2019ve got to spend less, and on the state level, we spend less today than Jon Corzine spent in fiscal year 2008, five years later.\"","Christie told the man that property taxes have increased minimally in the last two years, because government spending has been capped. On the state level, spending is now lower than it was under Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in fiscal year 2008, according to Christie.","The governor is correct in that the fiscal year 2013 budget is nearly $2 billion less than the level of state spending under Corzine in fiscal year 2008. But Christie\u2019s claim ignores the fact that state spending has still increased during his tenure."]},{"id":"3258.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Illegal immigration costs Georgia $2.4 billion a year","reason":"Reason: The statement that illegal immigration costs Georgia $2.4 billion a year is partially true. The figure of $2.4 billion is based on a report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which estimates the costs incurred by the state and local officials in assisting illegal immigrants. However, it's important to note that this estimate does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of illegal immigration in Georgia. The estimate focuses on specific costs associated with providing services to undocumented immigrants and does not consider potential economic contributions or offsetting factors. Therefore, while there are costs involved, the statement lacks the necessary context to fully evaluate the overall impact of illegal immigration on Georgia's economy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2408.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tom Barrett voted for the largest tax increase in history ... raising taxes on gas and Social Security.","reason":"Reason: While Tom Barrett did vote for a significant tax increase, it is not accurate to claim that it was the largest tax increase in history. The increase may have been the largest in terms of raw dollars, but when considering its share of economic output, which economists and the Treasury Department deem as a more valid approach, it does not hold the same distinction. Additionally, the claim that the tax increase specifically targeted gas and Social Security is not supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the facts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11998.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For every time the state gets paid a dollar in taxes (on gambling), somebody loses $6.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. It is accurate to say that for every dollar the state receives in taxes from gambling, individuals collectively lose more than a dollar. However, the claim that somebody loses exactly $6 for every dollar the state gains is an oversimplification. The amount individuals lose in gambling can vary significantly depending on the specific game, the odds, and individual gambling habits. Therefore, while there is a net loss for individuals in gambling, the specific ratio of losses to state taxes cannot be universally quantified as $6 for every dollar. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1670.json","label":"false","statement":"Giving money to politicians has paid off for Paul Workman. Workman gave thousands to politicians and got millions in government construction projects.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Paul Workman has made political contributions and his company has been awarded government construction projects worth millions, it is misleading to claim that giving money to politicians directly resulted in receiving those contracts. The evidence provided does not establish a direct causal relationship between Workman's political contributions and the awarding of government projects. The projects were publicly bid, and Workman's company secured them by being the low bidder. Therefore, the statement that giving money to politicians has paid off for Paul Workman is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","Still, King's prediction -- a majority Hispanic population within 5 to 10 years -- has enough wiggle room to fit all the data center's migration forecasts, except the no-migration scenario.","Bush, whose mother, Columba, is from Mexico, also waved at the state\u2019s demographic changes, saying in an Associated Press interview reported Jan. 12, 2013: \"We\u2019ll be majority Hispanic in six years.\"","Says he \"did not try to leave the scene of the accident\" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated."]},{"id":"12563.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Harris County, Texas has some of the highest jailing and incarceration rates in the U.S. and the world.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Harris County, Texas has high jailing and incarceration rates. State Senator Rodney Ellis expressed his support for legal action against the county due to its overreliance on mass incarceration. Additionally, the fact-checking organization PolitiFact has previously rated claims about the United States having the highest incarceration rate as mostly true, and claims about Texas having a higher incarceration rate than Russia or Iran as mostly true. The evidence suggests that Harris County, being part of Texas, likely contributes to the high incarceration rates in the state. While the evidence doesn't explicitly state that Harris County has the highest rates in the U.S. and the world, it strongly indicates that the county has high jailing and incarceration rates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Bush tax cuts \"created about 8 million jobs over the first 10 years that they were in existence. We've lost about 5 million of those jobs during this recession.\"","Boehner responded that the tax cuts \"created about 8 million jobs over the first 10 years that they were in existence. We've lost about 5 million of those jobs during this recession.\"","So using the CPS figures, Boehner actually underestimated the jobs created after the passage of the Bush tax cuts, rather than overestimating them. And his number of jobs lost in the recession was closer to the CPS number than to the CES number.","\"Check out the record of #jobs created by #TaxCuts 7.8 million new jobs after Bush\u2019s 2003 tax cuts 12 million new jobs after Kennedy's 1964 tax cuts 14.8 MILLION new jobs after Ronald Reagan\u2019s tax cuts in 1981.\""]},{"id":"9336.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Fifty percent of Americans will go hungry at some time in their lives.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Fifty percent of Americans will go hungry at some time in their lives\" is not supported by credible research or evidence. Experts and studies indicate that the percentage of Americans experiencing food insecurity or hunger at some point in their lives is significantly lower. The available data suggests that the annual percentage of Americans facing food insecurity is closer to 15 percent, which is significantly lower than the claim made in the statement. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"671.json","label":"true","statement":"Three years ago, John McCain said, \"Afghanistan we don't read about it anymore in papers because it succeeded.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes John McCain from an appearance on the Charlie Rose talk show in 2005. McCain did indeed say, \"Afghanistan, we don't read about anymore, because it's succeeded.\" This statement was used by Joe Biden to question McCain's judgment on U.S. progress in Afghanistan. The evidence confirms the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7277.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Poverty levels (are) at an all-time high.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"poverty levels are at an all-time high\" is not entirely accurate. While poverty rates have fluctuated over time, it is important to consider the context and adjust for population growth. When accounting for population growth, the poverty rate in recent years is not the highest on record. It is also challenging to compare current poverty levels to those during the Great Depression, as data collection methods and definitions of poverty have evolved over time. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the historical context of poverty levels.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13355.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On ISIS, (Michael Bennet) chose the (Washington) insiders over our generals.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Michael Bennet \"chose the (Washington) insiders over our generals\" in the fight against ISIS is an oversimplification and lacks sufficient evidence. While Bennet may have made decisions or taken positions that some may interpret as favoring certain Washington insiders, it is misleading to suggest that he consistently prioritized them over the advice or input of military generals. The ad fails to provide specific examples or evidence to support this claim, making it difficult to assess its accuracy. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The first way to calculate the penalty obviously doesn\u2019t apply since the max was $2,085 per year. So, the second would be the only way to get a $10,000-a-year penalty. To arrive at such a number, you would have to take 2.5% of the family\u2019s income. In this case, 2.5% of a $400,000 income gets you close to $10,000.","Holding\u2019s claim that \"we\u2019re all paying 100 percent more\" was especially misleading because only 2 to 5 percent of people are affected by premium increases on the Affordable Care Act\u2019s individual market. Holding cherry-picked the smallest market for insurance and suggested that everyone was suffering that way.","The Heritage tweet oversimplifies the debate. The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details. We rate it Half True.","The story is no different in North Carolina\u2019s 2nd Congressional District, which includes parts of Franklin, Johnston, Wake, Nash and Harnett counties. In a debate Monday night, Republican Rep. George Holding sounded off on the ACA, also known as Obamacare, for raising premiums."]},{"id":"10118.json","label":"false","statement":"Says high-speed rail would have created 60,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The claim that high-speed rail would have created 60,000 jobs is false. While there were varying estimates and projections regarding job creation from the high-speed rail project, there is no credible evidence to support the specific claim of 60,000 jobs. Different sources and spokespersons have provided conflicting information, and the state's high-speed rail website is no longer accessible, making it difficult to verify the exact figures. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence and should be considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4096.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since President Obama took office, 2 million jobs. Gone.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the RNC ad that 2 million jobs were lost since President Obama took office. However, it's important to consider the context provided in the evidence. The job losses were primarily concentrated in the early part of the Obama administration, during the severe economic recession that began before he took office. Since then, the country has been slowly recovering from the recession, and there have been periods of job growth. Therefore, while the statement is generally true in terms of the net job loss during Obama's presidency, it does not provide the full context of the economic situation and the subsequent job market recovery.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["These numbers, he told us, are very rough and his guess is that Rhode Island is about .1 percent bigger at low tide.","Here\u2019s Oakley\u2019s cocktail-napkin analysis: Rhode Island has 400 miles of coastline. The intertidal zone, or the area on the shore covered at high tide and uncovered at low tide, is at most 50 feet wide. The fluctuation in size between tides is about 3.7 square miles at most, making the state .37 percent bigger at low tide, he said.","You would need to establish what low-tide measurement to use \u2014 Lowest Astronomical Tide, Mean Low Water, or Mean Lower Low Water \u2014 then you\u2019d have to check every point in the state at that designated low tide.","Or, you could commission a light detection and ranging airplane flight and measure all of the state\u2019s shores using lasers and sensors within the span of the average hour-long low tide period."]},{"id":"203.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Supported in-state tuition in Arkansas for illegal immigrants \"if you'd sat in our schools from the time you're 5 or 6 years old and you had become an A-plus student,\" among other things.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While Mike Huckabee's statement suggests that illegal immigrants would be eligible for in-state tuition in Arkansas if they had been exceptional students with an A-plus average, the actual requirement for the scholarship is a 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA. Additionally, there is no requirement for attending state schools since age 5 or 6. The proposed bill, as described by Rep. Joyce Elliott, stated that students needed to have spent three years in Arkansas high schools, graduated, and expressed an intention to pursue citizenship. The statement misrepresents the requirements and exaggerates the academic standards for eligibility.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It is certainly the case that immigration has been and continues to be good for our economy,\" Clinton said June 22 (the interview appeared online July 11). \"Immigrants start businesses at a faster rate; they seem to grow those businesses more successfully.\"","\"My estimates show that immigrants have a much higher business start rate than non-immigrants,\" Fairlie said. \"There is also evidence showing that immigrant businesses are smaller on average than non-immigrant businesses.\"","Federal data and the experts we spoke with back up her claim. While it\u2019s important to note that evidence on the success of immigrant-owned businesses is limited, what we did find supports what Clinton said, that immigrants \"seem\" to grow their businesses better than their native counterparts.","Clinton spokesman Josh Schwerin pointed us to analysis from the nonpartisan Kauffman Foundation that shows immigrants are almost \"twice as likely\" to start businesses than natives."]},{"id":"74.json","label":"true","statement":"Health insurance premiums \"have almost doubled ... since 2000.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Sen. Hillary Clinton that health insurance premiums have almost doubled since 2000. The data from the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust, which conduct annual surveys on employer health benefits, confirm a 98 percent increase in premiums between 2000 and 2007. While the exact percentage increase may vary depending on the specific time frame and data source, it is evident that health insurance premiums have experienced a significant rise over the years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"You know, these are extreme views that I am not comfortable with,\" Crist said. \"(Rubio) took it to a point so much so that (he) said that, you know, people who essentially don't agree with him, ought to leave the country, like Keith Olbermann.\"","\"There are millions of people in America that hate our country, so why can't we just do a trade?\" Rubio said. \"We'll send you Sean Penn, Janeane Garofalo and Keith Olbermann, and you can send us people that actually love this country and want to help us build it.\"","So on Oct. 24, 2010, in their fifth debate of the campaign, Crist strove to paint Rubio as a rigid idealogue who wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade and didn\u2019t support stem cell research. Then he turned it up a notch, saying Rubio had said that folks who didn\u2019t agree with him ought to leave the country.","\"In (Sen. Marco) Rubio's state of Florida alone, Social Security lifts more than -- count it -- a million people out of poverty.\""]},{"id":"915.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity, which translates into more than $12,000 in lost income for a family of four.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity. This figure is supported by the Congressional Budget Office's report, which projected a potential economic output decline of 6.8 percent, equivalent to about $1 trillion for the projected $14.2 trillion economy in 2009. However, the claim that this translates into more than $12,000 in lost income for a family of four is an extrapolation and not a direct correlation. The impact on individual incomes can vary based on various factors, and it is challenging to provide an exact figure for the income loss of a specific family size. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is accurate, the second part is an estimation and lacks precision.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u201cThe national debt is now bigger than our economy. That hasn\u2019t happened since World War Two \u2013 and we\u2019re in peacetime. Joe Biden is digging a hole America can never fill.\u201d","Haley said, \"The national debt is now bigger than our economy. That hasn\u2019t happened since World War Two \u2014 and we\u2019re in peacetime. Joe Biden is digging a hole America can never fill.\"","\"The national debt is now bigger than our economy,\" she wrote. \"That hasn\u2019t happened since World War Two \u2014 and we\u2019re in peacetime. Joe Biden is digging a hole America can never fill. But he doesn\u2019t care. When the bill comes due, he\u2019ll be long gone.\"","Other elements of Biden\u2019s agenda would be offset by tax increases, largely on corporations and the wealthiest Americans. It\u2019s not at all clear that any of Biden\u2019s pending legislative proposals will ever be enacted, much less at the levels he initially proposed for them. His infrastructure proposal, for instance, has already been cut down in size during bipartisan negotiations."]},{"id":"3572.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"To pay for government growth, leaders of both parties borrowed $4 billion a day, leaving us with todays $14 trillion debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the significant growth of the national debt, but the specific figure of borrowing $4 billion a day is not directly supported by the evidence provided. The evidence mentions that the national debt grew by $7.8 trillion during President Donald Trump's term, but it does not provide a daily borrowing rate. Additionally, the evidence mentions specific borrowing amounts during certain quarters but does not provide a comprehensive daily borrowing rate for the entire period. While the statement captures the overall trend of government borrowing contributing to the national debt, the specific daily borrowing rate mentioned lacks direct evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13113.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that except for Donald Trump, every other major party nominee for the past 40 years has released their tax returns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Over the past 40 years, with the exception of Donald Trump, every other major party nominee for the presidency has released their tax returns. The only exception was Gerald Ford, the Republican nominee in 1976. While some nominees released multiple years of tax returns, others released only one or two. However, it is important to note that the statement accurately reflects the general trend of tax return transparency among major party nominees during this period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On the other side is similarly populated Switzerland, which \"requires citizens to own guns\" and has the \"lowest homicide rate in the entire world.\"","On one side of the post is Honduras, with a population of 8.2 million people and a government that \"bans citizens from owning guns.\" Honduras has \"the highest homicide rate in the entire world,\" the post claims.","Switzerland\u2019s homicide rate is among the lowest in the world, but the meme goes too far in saying it\u2019s the very lowest. By the UN and WHO measures, the most recent Swiss intentional homicide rate is 0.6 deaths per population.","Honduras indisputably has the highest homicide rate in the world, with estimates ranging from a rate of 90.4 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2012, according to the United Nations, to 103.9 per 100,000 population, according to the World Health Organization. This was significantly higher than the rates of neighboring El Salvador (41.2), which has reduced its homicide rate following a truce among gangs, the UN said in its 2013 Global Study on Homicide."]},{"id":"12228.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Senate Bill 1070, simply, just mirrors federal law.","reason":"Reason: While there are similarities between Senate Bill 1070 and federal immigration law, it is inaccurate to claim that the Arizona law \"simply mirrors\" federal law. Multiple sources, including legal experts, have pointed out that SB 1070 contained provisions that went beyond federal law and were subsequently struck down by federal courts due to conflicts with federal immigration and criminal law. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent the extent of the differences between SB 1070 and federal law.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Plus, \"8.5 million Americans have gotten rebate checks because their insurance companies were spending too much money on executive bonuses and administrative costs and not enough on health care.\"","Axelrod said, \"8.5 million Americans have gotten rebate checks because their insurance companies were spending too much money on executive bonuses and administrative costs and not enough on health care.\"","Companies returned about half as much in rebates in 2013 to 8.85 million policyholders (Axelrod was citing the agency\u2019s original estimate of 8.5 million recipients). The average rebate was $98.","One of the health care law\u2019s many requirements demands health insurance companies spend at least 80 percent of each dollar they charge in premiums on medical care, not for administrative purposes. Policy wonks know it as the medical loss ratio, or the 80\/20 rule (for larger employers, it\u2019s more like the 85\/15 rule, but that\u2019s more than we need to know for this fact-check)."]},{"id":"11771.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I helped write the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: While Bernie Sanders did contribute to the crafting of the Affordable Care Act, it is misleading for him to claim that he \"helped write\" the bill. The evidence suggests that Sanders was not an integral player in the overall process and did not have a significant role in shaping core elements of the law, such as the exchanges, mandates, and cost containment provisions. His support for a more aggressive single-payer system also indicates that he had different priorities and was not fully aligned with the final design of the bill. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it ignores critical facts and gives a misleading impression of Sanders' involvement in writing the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The column continues: \"The birth rate there is the highest in the country... Texas ranks third in teen pregnancies \u2014 always the children most likely to be in need of extra help. And it is No. 1 in repeat teen pregnancies.\"","( - New York Times columnist Gail Collins say Texas ranks third in teenage pregnancies and first in repeat teen pregnancies &url=)","Summing up? Collins incorrectly referred to Texas\u2019 teen birth rate as a pregnancy rate \u2014 Texas actually ranks fourth in teen pregnancies, not third. We couldn\u2019t find data for repeat teen pregnancies, but Texas leads the nation in repeat teen births.","In an interview, Tortolero told us that Collins referred to pregnancy rates when it would have been more accurate to cite birth rates. Texas has the fourth-highest teen pregnancy rate nationally, Tortolero said, but the third-highest teen birth rate. \"We\u2019re No. 1 in teen repeat births, not pregnancies,\" she said."]},{"id":"3794.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The U.S. has 47 million people on food stamps. Thats 14 million more than when the current occupant of the White House took over.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the figures provided by the Department of Agriculture, which indicate that there are approximately 7 million fewer Americans participating in SNAP (food stamps) since President Trump took office. However, it's important to note that the statement about there being 14 million more people on food stamps than when President Trump assumed office is not directly supported by the evidence provided. The evidence only mentions the decrease in the number of participants, not the overall number of people on food stamps. Therefore, while the statement captures a partial truth, it lacks complete context and may be misleading.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The American Future Fund\u2019s ad says, \"Obama\u2019s flush with cash, returning to Wall Street for even more money. \u2026 Wall Street sure supports President Obama.\"","The narrator continues: \"Now, Obama\u2019s flush with cash, returning to Wall Street for even more money. Obama won\u2019t admit to supporting Wall Street, but Wall Street sure supports President Obama.\"","For our fact-check, we will focus on whether \"Wall Street sure supports Obama.\" The ad\u2019s message is that the president is Wall Street\u2019s favored candidate, and that he is cleaning up in Wall Street donations this cycle, just like he did in 2008.","The center wrote in a March blog post that the ad uses its data to make a misleading point when it states that \"Wall Street sure supports President Obama\":"]},{"id":"10169.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Republicans are trying to impeach our president.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances of individual Republicans discussing the possibility of impeaching President Obama, there are no official efforts or widespread support within the Republican Party to impeach him. The statement exaggerates the level of Republican support for impeachment and implies a coordinated effort that does not exist. It is important to distinguish between isolated statements and official party positions. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3823.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the late 1980s, the U.S. was nearly the lowest-taxed nation in the world, and a quarter century later were nearly the highest.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. It is true that in the late 1980s, the United States had relatively low tax rates compared to other nations. However, claiming that a quarter century later, the U.S. is nearly the highest-taxed nation in the world is an exaggeration. While tax rates have increased over time, the U.S. does not have the highest tax rates globally. The statement fails to consider the tax rates of other countries and the complexities of comparing tax systems across different nations. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["And Moore is technically correct when he says that \"the richest Americans had their top income tax rate cut in half.\" But we suspect some may mistake that for the richest having their taxes cut in half. In fact, we first began to look at this claim from a fact sheet provided on Moore's Web site before the movie was publicly released. And in the fact sheet, it states that \"the richest had their taxes cut in half.\" We were prepared to give that a False, as the effective tax rate for the richest was cut by about 10 or 11 percent.","Moore is correct that the top marginal tax rate -- the rate of income tax charged to an individual on their last dollar of earnings -- decreased from 70 percent in 1980 to 28 percent in 1989. That's not the same as saying the richest had their taxes cut in half, but Moore, in our view, was careful enough with his words to earn a Mostly True.","It's much fairer, we think, to look at effective individual income tax rates. That's the actual percentage of income that people paid in income taxes, factoring in not only the graduated percentages along the marginal tax rate scale, but also the deductions and tax credits that people were entitled to.","Moore is correct that the top marginal tax rate \u2014 the rate of income tax charged to an individual on their last dollar of earnings \u2014 decreased from 70 percent in 1980 to 28 percent in 1989."]},{"id":"5500.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A hundred percent of all the jobs lost during the recession have been reclaimed in Texas while the nation is at about 36 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Rick Perry's claim that Texas has regained all the jobs lost during the recession, while the nation as a whole has only regained about 36 percent. However, it's important to note that this claim does not provide a comprehensive picture of the job market in Texas or the nation. While Texas did experience significant job growth during that period, the statement does not consider factors such as population growth, job quality, or wage levels. Additionally, the claim does not provide information about the timeframe or specific data sources used to make this comparison. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks important context and should be interpreted with caution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"914.json","label":"true","statement":"Democrats have said that \"even one hearing (on the stimulus bill) would be one too many, and that we have a single day to approve these five complex propositions that will affect the lives of millions.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that Democrats have expressed opposition to holding hearings on the stimulus bill and have emphasized the need for quick approval. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support this specific quote. The evidence highlights Democrats being relatively quiet about certain bills and focusing on other issues, but it does not explicitly mention the quote about hearings. Therefore, while the sentiment aligns with the evidence, the exact quote cannot be verified.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He broke the laws of the United States,\" Clinton said. \"He could have been a whistleblower. He could have gotten all of the protections of being a whistleblower. He could have raised all the issues that he has raised. And I think there would have been a positive response to that.\"","Clinton said that Edward Snowden could have gotten all the protections of being a whistleblower.\" A key 1998 law focused on intelligence community workers does lay out a pathway Snowden could have followed. However, there is at least a significant legal debate over whether the issues Snowden wanted to raise would fall under that law.","What Snowden could have relied on, experts say, is the 1998 Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act. That law includes some protections, but they're not as strong as Clinton lets on. And it's not clear they could have saved Snowden.","\"Under the Espionage Act, (Edward Snowden would not be) allowed to come into court and say \u2018I was justified in disclosing this information.\u2019 There is no whistleblower exception in the Espionage Act.\""]},{"id":"2711.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Morgan Griffith fought for a plan that would have taken money away from our schools and given it to Northern Virginia schools instead.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Morgan Griffith voted for a state budget that resulted in some redistribution of funds from schools in the 9th Congressional District to Northern Virginia schools, the statement in the ad is misleading. The budget adjustment was a result of recalibrating the school formula and reallocating funds based on changing economic conditions. It is incorrect to imply that Griffith actively fought for a plan to take money away from schools in one area and give it to another. The redistribution was a consequence of the budgetary process and economic factors, rather than a deliberate action by Griffith. Therefore, the statement in the ad is barely-true as it misrepresents Griffith's intentions and role in the budget decision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8472.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Soldiers Donating to Tea Party Now Face Punishment Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided refers to an article that claims soldiers donating to the Tea Party would face punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). However, there is no credible information or official documentation to support this claim. The article relies on anonymous sources and lacks verifiable evidence. It is important to fact-check and rely on reputable sources before spreading such false information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Garrett, in arguing against Medicaid expansion in Virginia, wrote that the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit last year \"in Virginia alone recovered over $200 million!\" Garrett\u2019s aide says the senator understated the recovery, which was actually $1 billion.","\"Last year, the MFCU in Virginia alone recovered over $200 million!\" Garrett wrote. \"How can expanding this be a good idea?\"","\"I am proud of the record-breaking recoveries my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has made over the last three years, including $198 million last year,\" McCollum says in the release.","In an op-ed published by three newspapers last month, Garrett cited an eye-popping amount of money recovered by Virginia\u2019s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit as an argument against expanding the state\u2019s Medicaid program to up to 400,000 additional residents."]},{"id":"5077.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"[Renewable energy] projects . . . get us off foreign oil and away, step by step, from these foreign entanglements that we have to get into to defend our oil supply.","reason":"Reason: While renewable energy projects contribute to reducing dependence on foreign oil, it is an oversimplification to claim that they completely get the United States off foreign oil or eliminate the need for foreign entanglements related to oil supply. While renewable energy sources like wind and solar can contribute to diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, the United States still heavily relies on fossil fuels for its energy needs. Additionally, factors such as infrastructure limitations and the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources pose challenges in completely replacing fossil fuels. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the current energy landscape.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It\u2019s also misleading to say, as Stoney does, that the plan \"cut\" $23.8 million from schools. Most of that sum was hoped-for new money from the City Council that the School Board never received.","Mayor Jones refused and appointed an 11-member advisory committee, which included Berry, to find savings. The panel voted 10-1, with Berry\u2019s support, to recommend a plan that itemized $23.8 million in cuts to the board\u2019s proposed budget. The City Council largely adopted that plan.","On April 16, 2012, the panel voted 10-1 to recommend $23.8 million in cuts to the School Board\u2019s proposed budget. Berry voted with the majority.","Berry also is among the seven candidates in the mayor\u2019s race. He\u2019s held a number of key administrative posts in the Richmond region but never has held elective office. So we wondered if he had, indeed, voted to cut millions from city schools, as Stoney said."]},{"id":"780.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I have disagreed strongly with the Bush administration on this issue\" of global warming.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects a disagreement between the speaker and the Bush administration regarding the issue of global warming. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support or refute this statement. Additional context or evidence would be needed to fully evaluate the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10184.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Dave Brat said the best way to fix Social Security would be to give seniors back what they paid in and no more.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Trammell in the TV ad that Dave Brat said the best way to fix Social Security would be to give seniors back what they paid in and no more. However, it's important to note that additional evidence suggests that Brat also emphasizes the importance of keeping the promise to seniors who are near retirement or already receiving benefits. He acknowledges the need for entitlement reform to ensure the solvency of Medicare and Social Security for future generations. Therefore, while Brat may have made the statement mentioned, it does not fully capture his stance on Social Security reform.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On his website, he takes that promise a step further: \"Together, we\u2019ve won some important victories. As Washington debates cracking down on the big Wall Street banks, I\u2019ve passed legislation that does so. Working hand-in-hand with the grassroots, I pushed into law bills that crack down on the big banks\u2019 foreclosures and predatory lending.\"","Segal says his sponsorship of the bill constitutes \"cracking down\" on the \"big Wall Street banks\" because lobbyists associated with those banks testified against the proposal in committee hearings.","But he now says he was responsible for having the municipal provision removed and cites that as proof that he cracked down on \"big Wall Street banks.\" Segal argues that the lobbyists -- and Farrell in particular -- represent those institutions, and says killing a part of the legislation they supported constitutes standing up to Wall Street.","\"The big Wall Street banks, the big corporations,\" DeMint asserted, give \"many times more\" in political contributions to Democrats than Republicans."]},{"id":"4418.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is considering implementing mandatory physical fitness testing for security staff.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has explicitly denied any plans to implement mandatory physical fitness testing for security staff. The claim originated from a fake report that was circulated within the department, and the department's secretary has confirmed that no discussions or considerations regarding physical fitness testing have taken place. Therefore, the statement is baseless and lacks any merit or truth.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In 2005 and 2007, \" Joe Straus received a 100 percent rating by NARAL (the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League).\"","At the top of the page: A graphic stating Straus received a 100% legislator rating from NARAL Pro-Choice, an abortion rights advocacy group, in 2005. Further down on the page: \"In 2007, Joe Straus received a 100 percent rating by NARAL (the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League).\"","To the contrary, Straus got a 45 percent \"pro-choice\" NARAL rating in 2005. And while he got that \"100\" in 2007, that result was based entirely on the group concluding that Straus sided with it on a budget amendment when, records show, he was absent from the scored vote.","The group\u2019s 2007 scorecard indeed shows a \"100%\" score for Straus based on his \"pro-choice\" vote against setting aside a NARAL-backed amendment to the 2008-09 state budget. But a web search led us to a Dec. 16, 2014, blog post by the anti-abortion Texas Alliance for Life\u2019s Joe Pojman stating Straus\u2019s 2007 rating \"has little validity. NARAL\u2019s scorecard is wrong.\" That is, Pojman wrote, Straus didn\u2019t even vote on the amendment that NARAL\u2019s scorecard cites for Straus\u2019 \"100.\""]},{"id":"8012.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Twenty-four percent of doctors in Virginia currently dont accept new Medicaid patients because the reimbursement rates are so low.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Schwartz regarding the percentage of doctors in Virginia who do not accept new Medicaid patients due to low reimbursement rates. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided suggests that while low reimbursement rates are a significant factor, they may not be the sole reason for doctors declining new Medicaid patients. Other research indicates that there may be additional factors contributing to this decision. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from acknowledging the presence of other factors that may influence doctors' decisions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Before I was governor, tuition was skyrocketing, and we stopped that,\" Allen said in a May 25 debate between four candidates seeking the GOP Senate nomination. \"We capped, and then we froze college tuition.\"","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","\"You know college has become so expensive. Gov. Crist was a governor that was not looking out for Florida. Tuition skyrocketed. You know Charlie Crist made college cost more. Charlie Crist did not make education a priority,\" states the ad, as a 2009 Tampa Bay Times headline flashes on the screen citing a tuition increase of up to 15 percent.","In 1996, as SCHEV notes, Allen and the General Assembly froze tuition and instructional fees entirely. The action did not apply to a number of other mandatory college costs, such as fees for athletic programs, health services and campus transportation. Lawmakers eased some of the burden on colleges by appropriating an additional $200 million for higher education."]},{"id":"10018.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the last six years of Ciancis administration violent crime was down in the United States. It was down in the region. It was down in Rhode Island. But it was up in Providence.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jorge Elorza that during the last six years of Cianci's administration, violent crime rates were down in the United States, the region, and Rhode Island. However, it correctly points out that violent crime rates were up specifically in Providence during that period. This is supported by evidence showing a 42 percent drop in Providence's violent crime rate between 1991 and 2002, which was lower than the national and Rhode Island rates. Therefore, while violent crime rates decreased overall, the statement accurately highlights the increase in violent crime specifically in Providence during that time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10808.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are more poor people today as a percentage of our population than the 1970s.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the official poverty measure, there are more poor people today as a percentage of the population compared to the 1970s. However, it's important to note that poverty measurements can be complex and there are alternative calculations that take into account certain benefits and assistance programs that help alleviate poverty. These alternative calculations may yield different results and can provide a more nuanced understanding of poverty rates. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate based on the official measure, it's essential to consider the various factors and methodologies involved in assessing poverty levels.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The four bills at issue prevent people subjected to employment discrimination from seeking damages in state court; reverse a 2010 ban on abstinence-only sex education courses; create new requirements for getting medical advice before abortions; and prohibit insurance plans offered in Wisconsin under the federal health care reform law from covering some abortions.","In an April 6, 2012, news release, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kathleen Falk challenged Walker to \"explain to the people of Wisconsin why in secret, he allowed legislation that will restrict women\u2019s access to health care and equal pay and will end age-appropriate sex education for students to become law.\"","!Gov. Scott Walker's position on abortion and a law he signed that restricts it are the subject of dueling TV ads in the 2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election. !Gov. Scott Walker's position on abortion and a law he signed that restricts it are the subject of dueling TV ads in the 2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.","Gov. Scott Walker's position on abortion and a law he signed that restricts it are the subject of dueling TV ads in the 2014 Wisconsin gubernatorial election."]},{"id":"11386.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Irans regime is responsible for more than 1,000 American casualties during the Iraq war and has plotted a terrorist attack here in our nations capital.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by McCaul that Iran's regime is responsible for over 1,000 American casualties during the Iraq war and has plotted a terrorist attack in the nation's capital. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm or refute these claims, it is important to note that Iran has been accused of supporting and arming various militant groups in Iraq during the war. Additionally, there have been reports of foiled or attempted terrorist attacks in the United States linked to Iranian individuals or groups. However, it is worth mentioning that the specific details and extent of Iran's involvement in these incidents may vary, and the evidence does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the situation. Therefore, the statement is categorized as mostly-true, as it aligns with the claims made by McCaul, but further context and evidence would be needed for a definitive assessment. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2381.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says John Boehner changed his position on extending Bush tax cuts.","reason":"Reason: While John Boehner did introduce a new aspect to his position on extending the Bush tax cuts by expressing willingness to support other extensions even if they don't cover the wealthiest Americans, he has consistently stated his support for extending the tax cuts for all Americans. This indicates a degree of consistency with a slight change in emphasis. Therefore, the claim that Boehner changed his position is not entirely accurate. However, it is worth noting that the statement does acknowledge the addition of a new aspect to Boehner's position. Hence, the label \"barely-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Douglas Holtz-Eakin, an economist and president of the American Action Forum, a center-right think tank, said firms are trying to assess the durability of the global rebound. \"They have to be sure that the costly investment (and time) that it takes to turn a lease into a producing well is worth it.\"","Says Joe Biden has driven the current coronavirus surge because he \u201cimported more virus from around the world by having a wide open southern border.\u201d","Kid Rock posted \u201cZelensky just bought his parents an $8,000,000 villa, complete with a salt water pool & 3 brand new vehicles.\u201d","The mayor in the Facebook post is never named, but in 2015 the city wrote that he \"would like to set the record straight by saying that, on no account, he, nor any of the city\u2019s representatives, have made such comments.\""]},{"id":"4637.json","label":"half-true","statement":"New Jerseys poverty rate has increased since this governor took office and the number of New Jerseyans without health insurance has risen.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that the poverty rate in New Jersey has increased since Governor Chris Christie took office, it is important to note that this is a complex issue influenced by various factors beyond the control of a single governor. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific data or statistics to support the claim about the number of New Jerseyans without health insurance. Therefore, without further evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of that particular claim. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["To recap: Although experts we contacted agree that most oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico takes place in deeper waters, we found no proof -- if such data exists -- of Barton's statement that \"80 percent of the oil we're discovering, we're discovering in the deep Gulf.\"","To buttress his critique, Barton lofted a factoid that stuck with us. According to a news blog posted that day by the Dallas Morning News, Barton called the moratorium \"stupid\" and said that 80 percent \"of the oil we're discovering, we're discovering in the deep Gulf. When you put a six-month moratorium in place that could last indefinitely, you're not exploring for the very resource we need in America.\"","Miller pointed us to a chart on a web page created by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (formerly the Minerals Management Service) indicating that in 2009, 80 percent of the oil produced in the Gulf of Mexico was produced from deep-water sources.","Separately, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says online that as of 2008, 19 percent of U.S. proved crude oil reserves were believed to be in the Gulf of Mexico."]},{"id":"11111.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obamas Clean Power Plan ... eliminates coal-fired power plants.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obama's Clean Power Plan eliminates coal-fired power plants is not entirely accurate. The plan, which has not been finalized, does not explicitly eliminate coal-fired plants. The closure of coal-fired plants or individual units would depend on how each state, including Texas, chooses to address their assigned carbon-reduction goals. While the plan may indirectly contribute to the closure of some coal-fired plants due to pollution limits and the promotion of cleaner energy sources, it does not directly mandate the elimination of all coal-fired power plants.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["BLS data show Pritzker is correct that Illinois saw a greater drop in its over-the-year unemployment rate than any of the other states he referenced. It saw its rate fall from 4.3% in December 2018 to 3.7% a year later, amounting to a 0.6% reduction.","Federal data back that up. However, the differences between those states\u2019 reductions are minimal, and Illinois\u2019 unemployment rate remains higher than 12 of the states included in that comparison.","News headlines have referred to Biden\u2019s two plans as a $4 trillion plan, or $4 trillion in plans. Neither of his two blueprints has yet been presented as a bill to Congress.","Biden is right on the first part; each Virginia locality did see a drop in unemployment during McAuliffe\u2019s term from 2014 to 2018. McAuliffe governed during boom years and unemployment rates fell in every state."]},{"id":"9340.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Estimates for adopting Obamacares Medicaid expansion show it will cost Virginia taxpayers $902 million through 2022.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While there are estimates that suggest Medicaid expansion in Virginia will cost taxpayers $902 million through 2022, it's crucial to note that this figure represents the net expansion cost to the state after accounting for federal funding and other factors. The total gross cost of the expansion is higher, but it is partially offset by federal contributions and other savings. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it could benefit from providing a more comprehensive explanation of the net cost and the factors involved.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"9628.json","label":"false","statement":"Obamacare already has caused millions of hardworking Virginians to lose their health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obamacare has caused millions of hardworking Virginians to lose their health insurance is false. While there have been changes in the healthcare landscape due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), such as the introduction of new insurance options and regulations, there is no evidence to support the claim that millions of hardworking Virginians have lost their health insurance solely because of Obamacare. It is important to consider the broader context and individual circumstances when evaluating the impact of healthcare policies on insurance coverage.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Russia\u2019s state-controlled media outlet Russia Today cast doubt on the authenticity of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky\u2019s recent military hospital visit, suggesting without evidence that a video he posted with wounded soldiers may have been pre-recorded or staged.","A Ukrainian combat medic who died in February was seen in a video Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky posted of his visit to see wounded soldiers.","\"The O\u2019Rourke campaign passed along three measures that the El Paso Democrat saw signed into law by Trump,\" the Tribune reported, including two bills related to veterans and service members. \"O\u2019Rourke was the primary sponsor of the Honor our Commitment Act, which expanded mental health care through the VA to veterans with \u2018other-than-honorable\u2019 discharges from the military. The measure was included in an omnibus spending bill in March.\"","\"We've had examples like in Yuma County, where we've been able to stop 97 percent of the illegal (immigration) flow, and those programs, they abolish.\""]},{"id":"7460.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In annual surveys of Rhode Island communities that receive Drug Free community grants, many report that more than 50 percent of youth surveyed do not think daily marijuana use poses any serious risk of harm.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Nancy Devaney, chairwoman of the Ocean State Prevention Alliance, in a news release. According to the release, in annual surveys of Rhode Island communities that receive Drug Free community grants, many report that more than 50 percent of youth surveyed do not perceive daily marijuana use as posing any serious risk of harm. It's important to note that this statement is based on self-reported perceptions of the surveyed youth and may not necessarily reflect the actual risks associated with daily marijuana use. However, the statement accurately represents the findings reported by the Ocean State Prevention Alliance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["By signing the bill that allowed the study, and through his 2001 speech, we can see how some find seeds for Perry\u2019s support of a binational health insurance program with Mexico. But the governor never acted on the study, and he hasn\u2019t appeared to talk much about the subject since 2001.","Says that in fiscal year 2010, \"nearly 80 percent of women served\" in the Texas Women\u2019s Health Program received services from a provider other than a Planned Parenthood clinic.","\"Granting instate tuition to illegals is only a small part of Perry\u2019s problematic record,\" King, president of the Dustin Inman Society, which is opposed to open borders between the U.S. and Mexico, wrote in a recent op-ed to the Marietta Daily Journal. \"We noted that Perry had dismissed any consideration of a state immigration enforcement law such as Arizona, Georgia and other states struggled to put in place; had proposed a binational health insurance program with Mexico (Perrycare?); has expressed his support for legalizing the fugitive illegals who have escaped capture at American borders (it\u2019s not amnesty, it\u2019s a guest worker plan!); and refused to use the power of his office for any E-Verify legislation in Texas. So what if that state has one of the highest number of illegals in the country?\"","Our colleagues at PolitiFact Texas recently examined this issue when another GOP presidential candidate, Rick Santorum, a former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, said Perry supported binational health insurance. Santorum\u2019s claim was rated Half True."]},{"id":"7122.json","label":"false","statement":"Operating a health care exchange would be illegal in Georgia and some states because of legislation passed in those states.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some states have passed legislation opposing the implementation of certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act, including the establishment of health care exchanges, it is incorrect to claim that operating a health care exchange would be illegal in those states. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act is constitutional, and federal law supersedes state law in this matter. Therefore, states are required to comply with the federal law, and if they choose not to establish their own health care exchange, the federal government will step in to create one. \nLabel: false","evidence":["According to the U.S. Education Department, average undergraduate tuition and fees -- excluding room and board -- in the 1965-66 school year was $607 per year for a four-year college (public and private) and $203 for a two-year college. (Adding room and board bumps up those figures to $1,375 and $884, respectively, but O\u2019Malley said \"tuition,\" so we won\u2019t consider room and board.)","\"Fifty years ago, the average GM employee could pay for a year of a son or daughter\u2019s college tuition on just two weeks' wages,\" O\u2019Malley wrote in a post on Medium. \"Today, we are saddling our graduating kids and their families with more than $1.3 trillion in loan debt.\"","According to the College Board, 55% of bachelor\u2019s degree recipients graduated with debt, holding an average debt level of more than $25,000. Though an undergraduate student, on average, borrows less money than their graduate school counterparts, the pool of people seeking a graduate education is far smaller.","During the 2012-13 school year, a year\u2019s tuition at the average four-year college was $14,101, and the base wage at Ford for a major assembler was $28.13 an hour. If you include overtime pay, then two 44-hour weeks at that wage (without setting aside anything for taxes) works out to about $2,700, or less than 20 percent of the one-year average tuition cost. At that rate, it would take more than 10 weeks\u2019 work, including some overtime, to pay for a year\u2019s worth of tuition."]},{"id":"7309.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the area damaged by Hurricane Sandy represents roughly 10 percent of our nations economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen that the area damaged by Hurricane Sandy represents approximately 10 percent of the nation's economy. However, it's important to note that the figure includes parts of the affected states that were not directly damaged by the storm. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional clarification to specify that the 10 percent figure includes both damaged and undamaged areas within the affected states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We love our transit police officers. They are competent and caring. But we seldom see them. This is because they must respond to non-transit calls. When we ask what these 56 officers do for $10 million per year, TriMet\u2019s response is that it doesn\u2019t audit performance under the contracts,\" reads the ad, titled \"TriMet Financial Problems: Self-Inflicted?\"","We haven\u2019t the faintest idea who handles security on MAX and buses, or how duties are allocated. So we were game to check it out. Does TriMet pay $10 million a year for 56 transit officers who respond to non-transit calls and aren\u2019t around much?","The union\u2019s large-size ad, which appeared in The Oregonian and other publications, takes aim at TriMet for what union leaders describe as squandered spending. For example, the ad says TriMet spends $10.3 million a year for transit police who are rarely around.","Are transit police seldom seen? That\u2019s not something we can rule on. We suppose that is in the eye of the beholder. Must transit police respond to non-transit related calls? Yes, that\u2019s because they are sworn officers who must respond to whatever calls roll in, just like any law enforcement officer on the job."]},{"id":"11168.json","label":"half-true","statement":"$700 billion was robbed (from Medicare) to pay for Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that $700 billion was \"robbed\" from Medicare to pay for Obamacare is not entirely accurate. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) did include reductions in the projected growth of Medicare spending over a 10-year period, amounting to around $716 billion. However, these reductions were not taken directly from the Medicare trust fund or used to fund Obamacare itself. Instead, they were achieved through various cost-saving measures within the Medicare program, such as reducing overpayments to private insurance companies and providers. While it is true that there were reductions in Medicare spending, the term \"robbed\" implies a misappropriation of funds, which is misleading. Additionally, it's important to note that the savings were intended to extend the solvency of the Medicare program and improve its efficiency. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says a CNN anchor said that Hillary Clinton has gotten \"a free ride so far from the media. We're the biggest ones supporting her campaign.\"","The Trump campaign email says that Cuomo said, \"We couldn't help (Hillary Clinton) any more than we have. She's got a free ride so far from the media. We're the biggest ones supporting her campaign.\"","\"Friend, a CNN anchor acknowledged that the media has given Hillary Clinton a \u2018free ride,\u2019 \" the email said. It then quoted a comment attributed to CNN morning anchor Chris Cuomo: \"We couldn't help her any more than we have. She's got a free ride so far from the media. We're the biggest ones supporting her campaign.\"","We decided to see whether Cuomo did in fact say, \"We couldn't help her (Hillary Clinton) any more than we have. She's got a free ride so far from the media. We're the biggest ones supporting her campaign.\""]},{"id":"6050.json","label":"false","statement":"On opposing any and all efforts to increase taxes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. Governor Walker has proposed tax increases in his budget, which goes against the claim that he opposes any and all efforts to increase taxes. Additionally, the evidence highlights Walker's opposition to tax reform deals that involve raising one tax and cutting another. This demonstrates that he does not universally oppose all tax increases. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3141.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Regulations on developers have thwarted construction on county-owned land in Milwaukees downtown Park East corridor.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that recent changes in state law have granted the county executive the authority to sell county-owned land without the approval of the County Board, the statement that regulations on developers have thwarted construction on county-owned land in Milwaukee's downtown Park East corridor is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided does not specifically mention regulations on developers as the cause of construction delays or obstacles in the Park East corridor. It is important to note that there may be various factors contributing to any construction delays or challenges in the area, and it would require additional information to make a more accurate assessment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11319.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Pediatricians have cut down on the number and proximity of vaccines because they recognize there have been too many in too short a period of time.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by evidence and is contradicted by experts in the field. Multiple pediatricians and experts have stated that there is no evidence to suggest that pediatricians are cutting down on the number and proximity of vaccines due to concerns about too many vaccines being administered in a short period of time. In fact, the consensus among medical professionals is that the recommended vaccine schedules are safe and effective in preventing diseases. The claim that pediatricians are reducing the number and proximity of vaccines is unfounded and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The National Right to Life Committee said that the White House recognizes a \"baby that has not been born\" for security purposes.","\"Obama White House recognizes \u2018baby that has not been born\u2019 for White House security purposes, but tolerates legal abortion to moment of birth in District of Columbia,\" the May 8, 2012, news release said.","On May 10, 2012, Rachel Maddow criticizedour Mostly False rating on a claim by the National Right to Life Committee that the Obama White House recognizes a \"baby that has not been born\" for security purposes. Maddow believed the statement should have been rated False.","Rating the claim \"Obama White House recognizes 'baby that has not been born' for White House security purposes, but tolerates legal abortion to moment of birth in D.C,\" Politifact ruled that it was \"Mostly False.\" Ms. Maddow said that such a rating was nonsensical, and that it is either True or False. She then closed with suggesting that Politifact just \"go away.\""]},{"id":"8808.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Marijuana today is genetically modified, with THC levels that far surpass the marijuana of the 1970s.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is not accurate to say that marijuana is genetically modified in the sense of laboratory gene splicing, it is true that the potency of marijuana has increased significantly over time. This increase in potency is primarily due to selective breeding practices, which have resulted in higher levels of THC (the main psychoactive compound in marijuana). Therefore, while the term \"genetically modified\" is not entirely correct, the statement accurately reflects the fact that marijuana today has higher THC levels compared to marijuana from the 1970s.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10707.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy has sided with the GOP on key votes twice as often as he sided with Democrats.","reason":"Reason: While there are varying interpretations of U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy's voting record, the evidence suggests that he has not consistently sided with Republicans twice as often as he has with Democrats. Different sources and methodologies provide different results, with some indicating that Murphy has voted against his party in a minority of cases. The claim of consistently siding with Republicans twice as often is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the complexity of Murphy's voting record.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11365.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Student loans from the federal government issued between 2007 and 2012 are on target to produce $66 billion in profits for the United States government.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Elizabeth Warren's claim that student loans issued by the federal government between 2007 and 2012 are projected to generate $66 billion in \"subsidy income\" or profit for the United States government. However, it's important to note that this \"profit\" is not the same as traditional profit earned by private entities. The term \"subsidy income\" refers to the interest payments and fees collected on these loans, which are used to cover administrative costs and support other government programs. While the government does generate revenue from student loans, it is primarily intended to sustain the loan program rather than generate profit for the government's general budget. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of Warren's claim, it requires additional context to fully understand the nature of the \"profit\" generated by student loans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1891.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Georgia could get money for schools by scraping the gold off the gold dome of the state Capitol.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Georgia could obtain money for schools by scraping the gold off the gold dome of the state Capitol is inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided indicates that the former governor mentioned closing the Governor's Mansion and the state Capitol as part of a broader discussion on raising funds for state schools. However, there is no credible information or indication that scraping the gold off the state Capitol dome would generate any significant revenue for schools. The claim is therefore baseless and deserving of a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5722.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The 2011 Legislature did not cut Texas public school funding.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly contradicts the statement. The 2011 Legislature did, in fact, cut public school funding in Texas. They changed the funding formula and reduced aid to targeted programs, resulting in a decrease in public school aid. Multiple sources confirm this, including lawmakers themselves who acknowledged the cuts. Therefore, the statement that the 2011 Legislature did not cut Texas public school funding is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["As the U.S. economy returned to peacetime status, government spending fell by 40.4 percent in the 1946 fiscal year, 37.5 percent the next year and 13.7 percent the year after that.","During the Korean War, followed by a drop of 6.9 percent in 1954 and a further decline of 3.4 percent the following year.","\"When federal spending drops that leaves more money for the private sector,\" he said. \"That\u2019s a neutral effect. But over time the private sector is more likely to spend the money in more productive ways than the government, and to invest it better than the government.\"","Private health providers get money through a hospital preparedness program within the Health and Human Services Department. It helps local coalitions of hospitals, public health agencies and emergency managers plan and get ready for a sudden health threat. That money went from $515 million to $275 million in the same 17-year period."]},{"id":"7766.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The economy added more jobs during four years under Obama than it did in the entire eight years under George W. Bush.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to fact-checking sources and data analysis, the economy did add more jobs during the four years of Obama's presidency compared to the entire eight years of George W. Bush's presidency. While there were oscillations in total jobs during Bush's tenure, with some periods of job gains, the major recession towards the end of his presidency resulted in a significant reduction in total jobs. Overall, the data supports the claim that more jobs were added during Obama's four years in office.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["One of the Planned Parenthood videos shows \"a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says, 'We have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.' \"","Fiorina said one of the Planned Parenthood videos shows \"a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.\"","During the debate, Fioria said this: \"I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes. Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says, 'We have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.' \"","\"I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes,\" she said on the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Sept. 16. \"Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says, 'We have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.' \""]},{"id":"10056.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As mayor, [Allan Fung] raised taxes three times.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources confirm that Allan Fung, as mayor of Cranston, raised taxes three times during his tenure. This information is supported by Fung himself, as well as political ads and statements from other candidates in the Rhode Island gubernatorial race. While the statement accurately reflects Fung's tax-raising record, it's important to note that it doesn't provide further context regarding the reasons behind those tax increases or their impact on the community. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Tax Policy Center, Distribution of Tax Units with Small Business Income, by Cash Income Percentile, 2009( \"Distribution of Tax Units with Small Business Income, by Cash Income Percentile, 2009\"), March 17, 2009","\"I can see not counting as a 'small business owner' someone who makes $500,000 in from an employer and $2,000 in small business income. And if we included all of those people the number would be comfortably above 'most' among the top earners. So reasonable people can disagree about where to draw that line. But it seems odd that we would not count as a 'small business owner' someone who owns a small business that generates 49 percent of her overall income,\" he said.","As of last year, the majority of workers had tipped toward small businesses, which employed just under 55 percent of the nation\u2019s workforce, the BLS\u2019s most recent statistics showed.","\"75 percent of the jobs created in the state of Ohio are created in small business. They are not created by huge corporations and those who are very wealthy.\""]},{"id":"8034.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were importing about 10 percent of our milk supply. Were Americas Dairyland, but yet we dont have enough milk in this state to meet the demand for our cheesemakers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the fact that the state mentioned does not have enough milk to meet the demand for cheesemakers, despite being known as \"America's Dairyland.\" However, the claim that the state is importing about 10 percent of its milk supply lacks specific evidence or data to support it. Without further information, it is challenging to determine the exact percentage of milk being imported. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of the issue, it lacks precise evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12840.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says, regarding the presence of classified information in her email, FBI Director James Comey said my answers were truthful, and what Ive said is consistent with what I have told the American people.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Hillary Clinton claimed that FBI Director James Comey said her answers were truthful and consistent, this is not an accurate representation of Comey's statements. In his testimony, Comey acknowledged that Clinton's statements regarding the presence of classified information in her emails were not entirely truthful. He stated that there were instances where classified information was mishandled and that Clinton's email system was not appropriate for handling classified information. Therefore, the claim that Comey supported Clinton's assertion of truthfulness is incorrect.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"12691.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In North Carolina, paid family leave is more popular than college basketball.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided. According to a poll commissioned by MomsRising, 68 percent of people in North Carolina strongly or somewhat favor paid family leave. In comparison, another poll conducted by Public Policy Polling found that college basketball received 53 percent support. While the support for paid family leave is higher than that for college basketball, it's important to note that the difference is not as significant as the initial claim suggests. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be acknowledged that the margin between the popularity of paid family leave and college basketball is not substantial.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8622.json","label":"half-true","statement":"44% of homeless people are employed.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 44% of homeless people are employed is based on a report titled \"Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve: Findings of the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients.\" However, there are some discrepancies and uncertainties regarding the interpretation of the data. While the report does mention that 44% of homeless clients did some paid work in the 30 days before being interviewed, experts argue that the figure is not representative of homeless people with traditional, longer-term, steady jobs. The data is also 18 years old, and more recent figures suggest a lower percentage of homeless individuals with regular employment. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks important context and may overstate the extent of employment among the homeless population.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7325.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Statistics show one male cat can father 420,000 kittens in five years.","reason":"Reason: The claim that one male cat can father 420,000 kittens in five years is highly exaggerated and not supported by credible statistics. The evidence provided indicates that the actual number of kittens a male cat could father in that time frame would be significantly lower, requiring an unrealistic and impossible rate of reproduction. The more accurate estimates provided in the evidence suggest that the cat population after five years would be in the range of a few thousand, which is far from the claimed 420,000.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2204.json","label":"true","statement":"Last year, we borrowed $1.4 trillion -- or 41 cents of every dollar we spent. Over half of this debt is held by foreign investors.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided. According to the evidence, the Congressional Budget Office reported that the total student debt in 2017 was $1.4 trillion. Additionally, it states that over half of this debt is held by foreign investors. Therefore, the statement is true based on the given evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown began his fledgling campaign the same way he ended his last one: touting his bipartisan credentials.","Ryan Kelly, a senior researcher at Congressional Quarterly, cautioned that in certain cases, party unity votes don\u2019t necessarily reflect true bipartisan cooperation. But he said that for Brown, Collins and Snowe, the votes do signal bipartisan cooperation.","As part of their Congress Votes Database, Washington Post researchers track votes using a similar methodology, looking at votes in which a majority of senators took a side on an issue.","Brown also cited research from Congressional Quarterly Roll Call, which he said deemed him the country\u2019s second most bipartisan senator in 2011. Each year, Congressional Quarterly prints a report detailing senators\u2019 party unity and opposition votes, defined as votes cast either with or against a majority from their party."]},{"id":"12296.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Marijuana is a Schedule I drug, which you understand means that you cant do any research about it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which imposes strict regulations on its use and research, the statement oversimplifies the restrictions on research. While it is more challenging to conduct research on Schedule I substances, it is not entirely prohibited. Researchers can apply for special licenses and permits to conduct studies on marijuana, although the process can be more complex and time-consuming compared to research on substances in other schedules. Therefore, while there are limitations and hurdles, it is not accurate to claim that no research can be done on marijuana due to its Schedule I classification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["His claim is specific: \"By restoring trust in city government, Cicilline has ushered in $3 billion in new investment and restored vibrancy to downtown and the 25 neighborhoods of the city.\"","The $3 billion would be an \"investment in planting equitable tree cover across our cities as protection against climate-fueled extreme heat and air pollution,\" the statement said. \"This new federal funding can feed the growing movement in cities across America, from Tucson to Boston, to make tree equity part of their push to equitably protect every neighborhood from climate change. This comes as some projections show we could see as many as 100,000 deaths per year in the U.S. from extreme heat before the end of the century.\"","He's been saying it for nearly five years and it has become a central part of his campaign message. But that's a lot of investment for a city whose entire annual budget was less than $620 million last year.","Dividing $3 billion by 122 million households would result in each unit getting $24.59, with nothing leftover to tackle student debt."]},{"id":"8316.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ive been reducing the number of Democratic Texas Senate committee chairs since I came in as lieutenant governor.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst reduced the number of Democratic committee chairs during his tenure, the statement is misleading. Initially, he did reduce the number of Democratic chairs from seven to six in his first year, and then further reduced it to five in 2005. However, from 2009 through 2013, Dewhurst consistently appointed six Democratic chairs each regular legislative session. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that he continuously reduced the number of Democratic committee chairs throughout his time as lieutenant governor.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12155.json","label":"true","statement":"The barber regulation here in Missouri is 10,000 words long.the book of Revelation is (also) 10,000 words long.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hanaway that the barber regulation in Missouri is 10,000 words long, which is the same length as the book of Revelation. This claim has been mentioned multiple times by Hanaway and is also mentioned on her campaign website. The evidence supports the statement's accuracy.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5509.json","label":"true","statement":"Says he cut taxes by more than $600 million when he wasgovernor.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that the individual in question, when serving as governor, successfully cut taxes by more than $600 million. While there may be some debate or lack of specific details regarding the exact breakdown of the tax cuts, the overall claim of reducing taxes by over $600 million remains true based on the provided information.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3065.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care reform law offset[s] 6 years of benefits with 10 years of tax increases.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The health care reform law does include provisions that raise taxes and fees to fund the benefits provided by the law. However, it is important to note that the claim of offsetting six years of benefits with ten years of tax increases is not entirely accurate. The law does raise taxes and fees immediately upon enactment, but the benefits contained within the law were not fully implemented until 2014. Therefore, the 10-year period assessed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) accounts for the cost of six years of benefits being implemented, compared to ten years of taxes and fees being collected. While there is a time disparity, it is not a direct one-to-one offset as suggested by the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["To sum up, a website claimed Perdue \"supports Common Core.\" Perdue has said in several interviews that he believes in the initial intent of Common Core as a means of states setting their own educational goals by what was proposed by the National Governors Association. Perdue, though, has said he is concerned about federal involvement in the effort.","The campaign for the GOP nomination has largely been a contest among the candidates to prove who is the most conservative. On one issue, Common Core, the candidates have largely spoken against it. The anti-Perdue website, though, says he supports it. If true, it could mean trouble for Perdue.","Perdue spokesman Derrick Dickey told PolitiFact Georgia that the candidate believes \"Common Core has become overreaching and should be abandoned.\" Dickey called The David Perdue Files \"a crass, politically motivated effort to misrepresent many of David\u2019s positions.\"","Some conservatives question Perdue\u2019s explanation. Erick Erickson, a prominent conservative commentator and radio show host who has endorsed former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel in the Senate race, asked Perdue about his comments in the Marietta Daily Journal. Perdue said Common Core had gotten \"convoluted\" when the federal government got involved. His campaign said Perdue supports what was put together by the National Governors Association."]},{"id":"1021.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The Pentagon under the Obama administration has just acknowledged seizing and burning the privately owned Bibles of American soldiers serving in Afghanistan.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there were reports and claims that the Pentagon had seized and burned privately owned Bibles of American soldiers serving in Afghanistan, there is no concrete evidence or official acknowledgment from the Obama administration to support this claim. It is important to exercise caution when evaluating such claims, as they can often be based on misinformation or exaggeration. Without substantial evidence or official confirmation, it is not accurate to definitively state that the Pentagon under the Obama administration acknowledged seizing and burning privately owned Bibles.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10628.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The state of Florida has seen double-digit drops in alcohol use among teens.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there have been double-digit drops in alcohol use among teens in the state of Florida. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific survey and age group, both state-conducted surveys and the CDC survey show significant declines in alcohol use among middle and high school students over the past decade. The decline for high schoolers in the CDC survey was around 8 percentage points, which is slightly below double digits. However, considering the overall trend of double-digit drops in alcohol use among teens in Florida, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"People\u2019s \u2014 I don\u2019t know if you have been watching lately over the last couple of weeks \u2014 people\u2019s premiums, George, are going up 35, 45, 55 percent,\" Trump said on Oct. 25. \"Their deductibles are so high nobody\u2019s ever going to get to use it. So ... Obamacare is turning out to be a bigger disaster than anybody thought.\"","This sounded similar to a claim we examined in October, when GOP presidential candidate and businessman Donald Trump said the law is causing premiums to go up \"35, 45, 55 percent.\" We rated that claim Half True, noting that some may see price hikes at those levels, but the rates suggested by Trump are the high end of premium changes.","On average, premiums have risen by about 5.8 percent a year since Obama took office, compared to 13.2 percent in the nine years before Obama. Is it true that we\u2019ll see insurance plans jacked up 35 to 55 percent in 2016?","Looking at finalized rates for the lowest and second-lowest cost marketplace plans in the silver category \u2014 which are the basis for federal premium subsidies and chosen by 68 percent of enrollees \u2014 the average increase is nowhere near 35 to 55 percent."]},{"id":"6417.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under Obamas plan (for welfare), you wouldnt have to work and wouldnt have to train for a job. They just send you your welfare check.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The claim suggests that under President Obama's plan for welfare, individuals would not be required to work or train for a job and would simply receive welfare checks. However, this misrepresents the actual policy changes made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in July 2012. The changes allowed states to experiment with different approaches to meet the work requirements of the federal law, but it did not eliminate the work requirements altogether. The statement falsely implies that the policy change removed the obligation to work or train for a job, which is not the case.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I bring ratings to those shows. So when I go on Letterman or I go on the morning shows, their ratings go up,\" he said.","\"It\u2019s not a matter of being accepted, it\u2019s about success,\" O\u2019Reilly explained. \"And I bring ratings to those shows. So when I go on Letterman or I go on the morning shows, their ratings go up. That's why they have me on.\"","!Bill O'Reilly says David Letterman's \"Late Show\" gets a ratings boost when O'Reilly is a guest. Screenshot of CBS video. !Bill O'Reilly says David Letterman's \"Late Show\" gets a ratings boost when O'Reilly is a guest. Screenshot of CBS video.","Looking strictly at Letterman\u2019s Late Show , to keep things simple, we found he has a point. Using available data, we found O\u2019Reilly beat the average ratings for the comparable day of the week and calendar year 10 or 11 times out of 14 show appearances with data."]},{"id":"9515.json","label":"false","statement":"On a balanced budget amendment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be discussions and debates about the specifics of different proposed balanced budget amendments, the general intent of a balanced budget amendment is to require the government to balance its budget. The evidence provided suggests that there are escape valves or provisions in some proposals that allow for certain exceptions or flexibility in extraordinary circumstances. However, these provisions do not negate the overall requirement to balance the budget, as the intent of a balanced budget amendment is to establish fiscal responsibility and prevent excessive deficits.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cThe United States is the only industrialized, modernized country that does not already have a paid family medical leave program in place.\u201d","Boysko said, \"The United States is the only industrialized, modernized country that does not already have a paid family medical leave program in place.\"","Gillibrand said that America is the only industrialized that doesn't guarantee workers paid family leave. If you don\u2019t live in one of two states that require paid family leave, or work for an employer that voluntarily offers it, you can take time off when a little one arrives, but you won\u2019t get paid.","The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development studied paid maternity leave for 36 OECD countries -- developed nations -- and five additional European Union countries and Costa Rica. On average across OECD countries in 2018, mothers were entitled to 51 weeks of paid leave after child birth. The United States was the only country in the study with no national law to provide that benefit."]},{"id":"13078.json","label":"false","statement":"McGinty previously told a local community newspaper in her native Philadelphia that she has found an alarming undercurrent of misinformed people in the T part of the state outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clarifies that the original statement attributed to Katie McGinty was misquoted and taken out of context. The corrected version of her statement indicates that she was referring to people in the \"T\" part of the state outside of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg who were unaware of the dangers of BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions). There is no mention of an \"alarming undercurrent of misinformed people\" in her corrected statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11123.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The economy, by every metric, is better than when I came into office.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the economy improved during President Obama's tenure, it is an overstatement to claim that \"the economy, by every metric, is better than when I came into office.\" Economic performance can be measured using various metrics, such as GDP growth, unemployment rates, stock market performance, and wage growth. While some metrics did show improvement, others did not experience the same level of progress. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that the economy improved in certain areas but not necessarily across every metric.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2524.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Said that his batting average with Congress is higher than every other president since Dwight D. Eisenhower except Lyndon Johnson.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the data provided, President Carter's success rate with Congress, as measured by the percentage of votes that went his way, was indeed higher than every other president since Dwight D. Eisenhower, except for Lyndon Johnson. However, it's important to note that this comparison is based on an average of success rates for each president's term, and when considering only first terms, Carter drops to fourth place behind Eisenhower. Additionally, the statement does not take into account the context of each president's term, such as the political climate and specific challenges they faced, which can impact their success rates with Congress.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8430.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The goal of Common Core is to instill federally determined attitudes and mindsets in students including political and religious beliefs.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the goal of Common Core is to instill federally determined attitudes and mindsets in students, including political and religious beliefs, is not supported by credible evidence. Common Core is an educational initiative that focuses on improving academic standards and promoting critical thinking skills. It does not have any provisions or intentions to dictate or influence students' political or religious beliefs. The sources provided by the anti-Common Core group and the Florida Stop Common Core Coalition are not sufficient to substantiate such a claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Boehner said that Obama has \"announced that he would not sign ANY spending bills this year unless sequestration spending cuts are eliminated.\"","\"Last month, through a series of Statements of Administration Policy, the president announced that he would not sign ANY spending bills this year unless sequestration spending cuts are eliminated \u2013 and replaced with his plan for higher, job-destroying taxes,\" wrote House Speaker John Boehner in a statement on his website on July 22, 2013. (Sequestration refers to the mandatory, across-the-board cuts in every federal agency that took effect earlier this year.)","We decided to check two elements of Boehner\u2019s claim. Did Obama really say he \"would not sign\" the bills? And did Obama\u2019s potential veto hinge on \"sequestration spending cuts (being) eliminated\"?","!House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, wrote that President Barack Obama has promised not to sign any bill that doesn't restore sequestration cuts. We checked Boehner's claim. !House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, wrote that President Barack Obama has promised not to sign any bill that doesn't restore sequestration cuts. We checked Boehner's claim."]},{"id":"2881.json","label":"true","statement":"Historically, Senate ratification of arms control treaties has been bipartisan.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that historically, Senate ratification of arms control treaties has been bipartisan. The evidence mentions the process of ratifying treaties, which involves negotiation, signing by the president, and ratification by the Senate. It also states that the Senate has ratified 14 arms control treaties, indicating a history of bipartisan support. While the evidence does not explicitly state that all of these treaties were ratified with bipartisan votes, the information suggests a pattern of bipartisan cooperation in the ratification of arms control treaties.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Sen. Ted Cruz said that the Obama administration has \"joined Islamist governments in sponsoring a U.N. resolution that would shred our First Amendment by threatening to make discussion of radical Islamism potentially illegal.\"","\"In the wake of 9\/11, there was a broad consensus in favor of a common-sense domestic counterterrorism strategy,\" Cruz wrote. \"But over the last seven years, the focus on protecting the homeland has been lost. The Obama administration has even joined Islamist governments in sponsoring a U.N. resolution that would shred our First Amendment by threatening to make discussion of radical Islamism potentially illegal.\"","It\u2019s no secret Cruz and Obama disagree on what to call terrorists. But is it true the Obama administration \"joined Islamist governments\" to sponsor a United Nations resolution to \"make discussion of radical Islamism\" illegal in contravention of the First Amendment?","Cruz\u2019s claim is more extreme than the one PunditFact checked in 2015. Cruz says that the same resolution could \"shred our First Amendment\" and threaten to make discussion of radical Islamic terrorism illegal."]},{"id":"285.json","label":"true","statement":"\"(My dad) used to campaign against the gas-guzzling dinosaurs.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The evidence provided does not directly address the statement, but it does not contradict it either. Without further context or evidence, it can be accepted as a personal anecdote or statement made by the individual's father regarding campaigning against gas-guzzling vehicles.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6935.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says President Obama waited two weeks to call the attack in Libya terror.","reason":"Reason: While Mitt Romney claimed that President Obama waited two weeks to call the attack in Libya \"terror,\" the evidence shows that President Obama did, in fact, refer to the attack as an act of terror the day after the attack occurred. In his Rose Garden speech on September 12, 2012, President Obama condemned the attack and stated, \"No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation.\" However, it is worth noting that there was some initial confusion and conflicting information regarding the nature of the attack, which may have contributed to the perception of a delay in labeling it as an act of terror. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The social media backlash was swift following executive actions from President Joe Biden to expand transgender rights, his nomination of a transgender woman for assistant health secretary and the U.S. House of Representatives\u2019 passing of the Equality Act to prohibit discrimation based on sexual orientation and gender identity.","\"To date, nobody has been able to show that there is a law for the average American citizen working day in and day out to pay an income tax.\"","In a \"COVID-19 response report card,\" the state House Republicans tick off various metrics and give Whitmer a failing grade on the state\u2019s economic and health outcomes.","As for the rankings, it is difficult to compare, because some states report the number of people tested each day while others report the number of tests administered. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation(,%22sort%22:%22asc%22%7D), Michigan is among the nation\u2019s leaders in tests administered, and ranks fifth among states that report their data that way. But per capita, Michigan lags. In the past week, it administered 3,920 tests each day for every 1 million residents, placing the state behind 22 others that report the number of tests administered."]},{"id":"10025.json","label":"false","statement":"Job creation has gotten worse each year that Scott Walker has been governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement that job creation has worsened each year under Governor Scott Walker is false. The evidence provided does not support this claim. While there may have been fluctuations in job growth from year to year, it is important to consider the overall trend and context. Under Governor Walker's tenure, Wisconsin experienced a net increase in jobs, and the state's unemployment rate declined. It is misleading to suggest that job creation consistently worsened throughout his time as governor.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Mike Madigan made a fortune on tax appeals\u2026 Saving his friends millions... It\u2019s an inside game played by people like Merry Marwig, Madigan\u2019s hand-picked candidate. When Marwig thought her property taxes were too high she got them lowered at your expense. Saved so much she did it again. Marwig and Madigan: Profiting from the same corrupt system.","> \"Mike Madigan made a fortune on tax appeals. Representing the powerful and politically connected. Saving his friends millions. Forcing you to pay more. It\u2019s an inside game played by people like Merry Marwig, Madigan\u2019s hand-picked candidate. When Marwig thought her property taxes were too high she got them lowered at your expense. Saved so much she did it again. Marwig and Madigan: Profiting from the same corrupt system.\"","In their advertisement, Citizens for Michael McAuliffe and the House Republican Organization say, \"Mike Madigan made a fortune on tax appeals. Representing the powerful and politically connected.\u2026 When (Merry) Marwig thought her property taxes were too high she got them lowered at your expense... Marwig and Madigan: Profiting from the same corrupt system.\"","Where the ad gets murky is when it starts linking Marwig to Madigan. The advertisement says Madigan \"saved his friends millions, forcing you to pay more.\" It also says Marwig is Madigan\u2019s \"hand-picked candidate.\" The ad lays out these ideas in an order that implies Madigan\u2019s firm represented Marwig during her property value reassessment. However, Marwig and her husband were not represented by an attorney and filled out the forms themselves."]},{"id":"4640.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obamacare is so flat-out unpopular, that even the Obama administration chose to reject part of Obamacare last Friday, when they tried to throw out the CLASS Act, which is the long-term care function.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the Obama administration rejected part of Obamacare due to its unpopularity, specifically the CLASS Act. However, the Obama administration did not reject the CLASS Act solely because of its unpopularity, but rather because it was determined to be financially unsustainable. The decision to discontinue the CLASS Act was based on its long-term viability and not solely on its popularity. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the reasons behind the administration's decision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10119.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeanne Shaheen has voted with the president 99 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Scott Brown that Jeanne Shaheen has voted with the president over 99 percent of the time. This claim has been widely circulated and was even used in a web video by the New Hampshire Republican Party. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on a broad calculation of voting alignment and does not necessarily indicate agreement on all issues. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific analysis, multiple sources have confirmed that Shaheen has a high voting alignment with the president. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"8345.json","label":"false","statement":"The crime rate in some Atlanta neighborhoods has dropped by 35 to 51 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were claims made by the city of Atlanta regarding a decrease in crime rates in certain neighborhoods, the evidence provided indicates that the actual decrease in crime was not as significant as initially claimed. In one neighborhood, Mechanicsville, the city claimed a 35 percent decrease in crime, but it was actually up by 35 percent. Therefore, the overall assertion that the crime rate in some Atlanta neighborhoods has dropped by 35 to 51 percent is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Maria Shriver said, \"Two-thirds of American families rely on the mother's income to stay above the poverty level.\" (NBC screen grab) !Maria Shriver said, \"Two-thirds of American families rely on the mother's income to stay above the poverty level.\" (NBC screen grab)","Maria Shriver said, \"Two-thirds of American families rely on the mother's income to stay above the poverty level.\" (NBC screen grab)","\"Two-thirds of American families rely on the mother's income to stay above the poverty level,\" Shriver told host Chuck Todd, as a graphic highlighted the same message.","We asked Philip Cohen, who researches inequality and families at the University of Maryland, to see if he could find the actual percentage of families who rely on a mother\u2019s income to stay above the poverty level."]},{"id":"11852.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Bioweapon! Zika virus is being spread by GMO mosquitos (sic)","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Zika virus is being spread by GMO mosquitoes as a bioweapon is not supported by credible evidence. Experts have stated that the current outbreak of Zika in Brazil is more likely due to factors such as population density, mobility, and the novelty of the disease, rather than mutant mosquitoes. The claim lacks substantiated evidence and is likely based on misinformation or conspiracy theories. There is no credible scientific or factual basis to support the assertion that the Zika virus is being intentionally spread as a bioweapon through GMO mosquitoes.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"True service is about putting others before yourself,\" the ad's narrator says over images of Mowrer in military uniform. \"That is something Jim Mowrer has always done. After 9\/11, Jim put us all first by serving for 23 months in Iraq, the war\u2019s longest tour.\"","It\u2019s true that Mowrer\u2019s unit was deployed for 23 months, the longest continuous deployment of the Iraq War. But the ad says Mowrer \"served in Iraq for 23 months,\" which is not accurate. Mowrer served in Iraq for about 16 months.","His campaign insists the ad is not misleading because his unit was deployed for 23 months, which included more than six months of training in Mississippi before departing to Iraq.","According to military records, Mowrer was mobilized from October 2005 through August 2007 \u2014 almost 23 months. According to his discharge papers, he served one year, three months and 18 days of foreign service, or about 16 months."]},{"id":"3031.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the 3C Corridor train would have taken an hour and 15 minutes longer to carry passengers across Ohio than it would have taken on a New York Central train in 1935.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. According to the evidence provided, the Strickland administration accuses Kasich of misleading Ohioans about the speed of the 3C Corridor train. They claim that the average speed of the train would be faster than 39 mph, which is an hour and 15 minutes longer than it would have taken on a New York Central train in 1935. This suggests that the 3C Corridor train would have been significantly slower compared to the historical train service.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In this item, we\u2019ll check the second bit of evidence to support his contention that his administration hasn\u2019t \"shut down\" oil production -- that \"oil production from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico reached an all-time high.\"","\"We need to continue to boost domestic production of oil and gas, \"he said. \"Last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003. Let me repeat that. Our oil production reached its highest level in seven years. Oil production from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico reached an all-time high. For the first time in more than a decade, imports accounted for less than half of what we consumed. So any notion that my administration has shut down oil production might make for a good political sound bite, but it doesn\u2019t match up with reality,\"","\"Since there is a lag time from the time an exploration permit is approved to the time of actual production, and since only a handful of permits for new wells have been granted since April of 2010, it is likely that Gulf of Mexico production will continue to be hit hard in 2012 and beyond,\" wrote Kyle Isakower, the vice president of regulatory and economic policy at the American Petroleum Institute, in a recent blog post.","Energy Information Administration, \"Federal Offshore--Gulf of Mexico Field Production of Crude Oil (Thousand Barrels per Day)\" (table), accessed March 15, 2011"]},{"id":"2728.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker increased his own pay by $50,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker increased his own pay by $50,000 is false. In fact, Walker had a practice of giving back a portion of his salary as Milwaukee County executive. Initially, he returned $60,000 of his pay, and later reduced it to $10,000. This means he was actually giving back a portion of his salary, not increasing it. The claim that he increased his pay by $50,000 is a misrepresentation of the facts and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In this item, we'll explore Paul's claim that during the debt ceiling debate in the 1980s, the Democrats \"delivered only tax hikes.\"","Rep. Ron Paul's first television ad hits a popular Republican theme. It says Democrats aren't serious about balancing the federal budget because they want only tax hikes, not spending cuts.","\"In the '80s they did it to Reagan. A debt ceiling compromise. Democrats promising spending cuts, but delivering only tax hikes. The 90s brought more compromises, more broken promises and more new taxes. This August, the next chapter will be written. A defining moment. $14 trillion in debt. Millions unemployed. The dollar in decline. We know where they stand, but will our party's leaders repeat the mistakes of the past? Will they choose compromise or conviction? One candidate has always been true: Ron Paul. Cut spending. Balance the budget. No deals. Standing up to the Washington machine, guided by principle. Restore America now.\"","\"Generally, combinations of tax hikes and spending cuts are most popular. It seems fair to most people. Spending cuts are favored in the abstract. Tax hikes are favored as long as they don't affect me. Generally, people don't think anybody should have to pay more than a quarter of their income in total taxes,\" she said."]},{"id":"13071.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"My opponent has no child care plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"my opponent has no child care plan\" is false. There is evidence that Hillary Clinton had several child care policies outlined on her website during her presidential campaign. These policies included plans for affordable child care and early learning. Experts and fact-checkers have also confirmed the existence of Clinton's child care proposals. Therefore, the claim that she has no child care plan is inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"What happened on Thursday is I was relaxed and I was able to talk about my record, balancing the federal budget, one of the chief architects, national security experience -- turning Ohio around.\"","Like Kasich, we\u2019ll set Trump aside and dig into the facts behind Kasich and a balanced federal budget. This is one his prime talking points. Kasich often casts himself as one of the chief architects of a balanced budget. Sometimes he carries it a step further and says he\u2019s the chief architect. In fact, he said that later in his talk with Stephanopoulos, and during his interview on CNN\u2019s State of the Union.","Kasich said he was one of the chief architects of the balanced federal budget. Kasich has a long track record of pushing for a balanced budget, and contemporary accounts from 1997 place him very much at the center of the action. His description of being \"one of\" the chief architects, instead of the sole mastermind, also puts him on safer ground.","\"The budget was in balance before any of the provisions of these laws came into effect,\" Wood said. \"So, Kasich could not have been responsible for balancing the budget.\""]},{"id":"4691.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry wrote a newspaper item saying he was open to amnesty for illegal immigrants in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is half-true. Rick Perry did write a newspaper article expressing openness to the Bush administration's amnesty proposal for illegal immigrants. However, it's important to note that Perry's statement specifically referred to a particular proposal and did not indicate a blanket support for amnesty in all cases. Additionally, Perry has also expressed interest in enabling illegal immigrants to become guest workers, which some consider a form of amnesty. Therefore, while Perry's statement does indicate a level of openness to amnesty, it is not a comprehensive endorsement of amnesty for all illegal immigrants.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I was shocked when I became U.S. attorney to learn that only half of the murders in the city of St. Louis get solved,\" Hanaway said.","According to the 2015 Missouri crime statistics, there were 5,762 violent crimes and 188 murders in the city of St. Louis.","Looking at the city of St. Louis, however, is particularly challenging, because it does not include the small suburbs near the downtown area. The city of St. Louis is independent from St. Louis County.","\"Adjusting for population, the city\u2019s murder and violent crime rates, at 59 murders and 1,817 per 100,000 city residents, are each the highest in the country,\" the article states."]},{"id":"12545.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Clinton Foundation accepted millions and millions of dollars from governments like Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, which violated a ban on all contributions to the Foundation from foreign nations.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Obama administration recommended restrictions on contributions to the Clinton Foundation from foreign nations, it is not accurate to claim that the Clintons violated a ban on all such contributions. The memorandum of understanding between the Clinton Foundation and the Obama administration was not a complete ban but rather a voluntary agreement. The Clinton Foundation did accept donations from countries like Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, but the extent and timing of these donations varied. While some donations may have violated the terms of the memorandum, it is misleading to suggest that all contributions from these countries were in violation. Additionally, it's important to note that the donations from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates occurred after Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context and exaggerates the extent of the violation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6281.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Debbie Wasserman Schultz has these offshore accounts like Mitt Romney.","reason":"Reason: While there have been claims suggesting that Debbie Wasserman Schultz has offshore accounts similar to Mitt Romney, there is insufficient evidence to support this assertion. The claims originated from conservative sources, but they lack credible verification. It is important to rely on substantiated information when making such claims, and in this case, the evidence does not sufficiently support the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"That would be impossible. Indoor workers get 3 to 9 times less UV than outdoor workers, but they get more melanomas. The proponents of the bill have not acknowledged that very important caveat. It is not disputed. The World Health Organization recognizes it,\" he said.","Levy is using the finding -- that indoor workers have higher rates of melanoma than outdoor workers -- to try to derail legislation that would make tanning beds off-limits to teenagers, who have more susceptible skin.","PolitiFact Oregon wanted to know if indoor workers have higher rates of melanoma than outdoor workers, who are exposed every working day to UV light from the sun. And if so, does that necessarily upend the link between exposure and cancer? Because that is how Levy was using the statistic -- to make the larger point that more UV does not necessarily mean more cancer, so there\u2019s no need to keep teens from tanning beds.","With the help of the Internet, we found a 2011 research article by Dianne E. Godar, a chemist with the Food and Drug Administration. In the introduction, she writes that \"although outdoor workers get three to 10 times the annual UV dose that indoor workers get, they have similar or lower incidences of cutaneous malignant melanoma.\" CMM, as it\u2019s called, is a dangerous form of melanoma that can spread if not treated."]},{"id":"2223.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A bill to aid state and local governments is fully paid-for by closing costly corporate tax loopholes.","reason":"Reason: While the statement claims that the bill is fully paid-for by closing costly corporate tax loopholes, this is not entirely accurate. While the bill does include provisions to close corporate tax loopholes, it also includes other sources of funding, such as cuts to food stamps. Therefore, it is misleading to suggest that the bill is solely funded by closing corporate tax loopholes. The statement oversimplifies the funding sources of the bill and does not provide a comprehensive picture of its provisions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["So, not only is Trump not \"beating (Ayotte) in the polls by a lot,\" he\u2019s not beating her in the polls at all. Ayotte is doing better than Trump in New Hampshire.","\"You have a Kelly Ayotte, who doesn\u2019t want to talk about Trump, but I\u2019m beating her in the polls by a lot,\" Trump told the Washington Post in an interview on Aug. 2. \"I don\u2019t know Kelly Ayotte. I know she\u2019s given me no support, zero support, and yet I\u2019m leading her in the polls.\"","Trump said he is beating Ayotte in the polls \"by a lot.\" However, Ayotte recent surveys have shown that New Hampshire voters view Ayotte more favorably than Trump. The polls also indicate that Ayotte is locked in a closer race against her Democratic challenger than Trump.","Presidential nominee Donald Trump waded into New Hampshire\u2019s U.S. Senate race this week, claiming he is doing better than fellow Republican Kelly Ayotte in statewide polls."]},{"id":"5844.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the stimulus bill sent tax credits overseas, such as tens of millions of dollars to build traffic lights in China.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the stimulus bill included tax credits that were used for various purposes, including overseas projects, the claim that \"tens of millions of dollars\" specifically went towards building traffic lights in China is an exaggeration. The evidence suggests that the stimulus bill did allocate funds for the replacement of streetlights and traffic lights nationwide, with a portion of the lights being manufactured in Asia, including China. However, the specific amount of \"tens of millions of dollars\" allocated for traffic lights in China is not substantiated. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary precision to be considered completely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Majority in every state favors path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants,\" the party tweeted. \"Even @scottwalker used to. Who are these guys pandering to?\"","While the wording is different than the survey cited by the Democrats in their claim, the results undermine the idea that a majority in every state favor a path to citizenship.","But what about the first part? Is public opinion in all 50 states in favor of a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants?","In terms of the overall national picture, the path to citizenship viewpoint was taken by 60 percent in the survey. Republicans backed it by a slim majority (52 percent), Democrats by 68 percent."]},{"id":"4182.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Democratic recall opponent Shelly Moore opposes any limit on taxes.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence to suggest that Shelly Moore has opposed certain tax limits, it is an overstatement to claim that she opposes any limit on taxes. The sources indicate that Moore's record shows opposition to specific tax limits, but it does not support the assertion that she opposes all tax limits. Therefore, the statement is exaggerated and does not accurately represent Moore's position on tax limits.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3977.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most of the state budget isnt for state government doing things. ... 85 percent of the state budget is transferred to local communities for delivery of service.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a significant portion of the state budget is transferred to local communities for the delivery of services. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific state and its budget allocation, it is generally true that a substantial portion of the state budget is allocated to local communities for service delivery. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific evidence or data to support the claim of 85 percent, so it may be more appropriate to categorize it as \"mostly-true\" rather than a definitive fact.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire has a Senator who was the deciding vote to pass Obamacare,\" wrote Republican Jim Rubens, who plans to challenge Shaheen next year, in a Nov. 4, 2013 email.","\"Senator Jeanne Shaheen was the deciding vote in favor of ObamaCare, and she is the reason why New Hampshire families are dealing with disastrous consequences of this awful law,\" Horn said.","Rubens said Shaheen was \"the deciding vote to pass Obamacare.\" It\u2019s true that all 60 Democratic votes -- including Shaheen\u2019s -- were needed to pass the measure through the Senate. However, Shaheen, unlike Ben Nelson, was hardly a holdout until the last minute; she gave indications early on that she supported the president\u2019s reform plan. We rate Rubens\u2019 claim Mostly False.","PolitiFact has seen numerous politicians called \"the deciding vote\" for Obamacare in the past. In Florida, a campaign ad from the 60 Plus Association attacked Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson for being \"the deciding vote\" for Obamacare. It was ruled Mostly False."]},{"id":"2440.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Marco Rubio opposes extending unemployment benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Marco Rubio did oppose extending unemployment benefits without finding a way to pay for them, which was a key argument made by Republicans in Congress. However, it's important to note that Rubio's opposition was not a blanket opposition to all extensions of unemployment benefits. The context of the opposition was specifically related to the need for spending cuts or finding a way to fund the extension. Therefore, while Rubio did oppose certain extensions of unemployment benefits, the statement lacks the necessary context to fully capture his position.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The ad shows footage of a young, partially dressed couple in a bed, with the man reaching for a condom on the night table. \"Guys, guys, guys, guys, guys!\" the narration says. \"If Cory Gardner gets his way, you'd better stock up on condoms.\" In bold type, the ad offers a visual saying, \"Gardner: Ban birth control.\"","The ad\u2019s sponsors didn\u2019t get back to PolitiFact, but Doug Gordon, a spokesman for NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, told our friends at that \"we're not saying he is banning condoms. We are saying if Gardner starts limiting other forms of birth control, you better stock up on condoms because there will be so much demand for them \u2014 since Gardner wants to ban other forms of birth control.\"","\"Cory does not want to ban condoms,\" said campaign spokesman Alex Siciliano. \"In fact, he believes in increased access to contraceptives. He has proposed making common forms of oral contraception available over the counter.\"","The most obvious interpretation of this statement is that Gardner wants to ban condoms -- something that\u2019s based on an incorrect interpretation of the measures Gardner has supported in the past (and which he has since distanced himself from). Gardner says he doesn\u2019t support banning condoms, and in any case, condoms would not be at issue under the personhood measure he once supported. We rate this claim Pants on Fire!"]},{"id":"6915.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obama has worked to change Medicare for the worse by creating an unelected, unaccountable panel with the power to deny coverage of certain treatments.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks important context. While it is true that President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which established the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), the IPAB's purpose is to make recommendations to Congress on ways to control Medicare costs. The IPAB does not have the power to directly deny coverage or make unilateral decisions. Its recommendations are subject to congressional approval, and there are specific limitations on the IPAB's authority. Therefore, characterizing the IPAB as an \"unelected, unaccountable panel with the power to deny coverage\" is misleading and does not accurately reflect the role and limitations of the IPAB.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Just to be clear on terms, an insurrection is when people with guns try to overthrow the government,\" Carlson said during his June 10 segment. \"Not a single person in the crowd on January 6 was found to be carrying a firearm. Not one,\" Carslon said.","On the committee\u2019s website \u2014 last updated a year ago, well before the current debate \u2014 the committee describes the factors it uses to determine the start of a recession, namely \"a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.\" Every recession requires \"depth, diffusion, and duration\" of economic hurt.","Ahead of a key economic data announcement on July 28, critics of President Joe Biden have taken to social media to lay the groundwork for declaring the economy in recession, and laying the blame on the president.","They have noted that if the federal government announces that gross domestic product shrank in the second quarter, it would represent the second consecutive quarter that GDP decreased. This is commonly cited as a sign of a recession being underway."]},{"id":"2756.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Liberal out-of-state special interests are spending millions on 5 and 6 to change the way Florida draws its congressional and legislative districts.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there are out-of-state contributions and funding involved in supporting Amendments 5 and 6, which sought to change the way Florida draws its congressional and legislative districts. While it is mentioned that the contributions are from \"liberal\" donors or \"special interests,\" the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm the ideological leanings of all the donors. However, the evidence does indicate that a significant amount of out-of-state money, including contributions from organizations like the Florida Watch Ballot Committee and National Education Association, can be categorized as \"out-of-state special interests.\" Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately highlights the involvement of out-of-state funding but lacks complete confirmation of the ideological alignment of all donors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Wisniewski claimed Christie had \"come up with a new agenda\" for ethics reform this past month. But the governor unveiled his ethics reform proposals a year ago, and reiterated the need for action earlier this year.","Wisniewski, chairman of the state Democratic Party, claimed in a Sept. 26 interview on NJToday that Christie was silent on the subject of ethics reform until coming up with a new agenda in September.","\"And finally, in September, he\u2019s now come up with a new agenda and he\u2019s talking about an issue \u2013 he\u2019s accusing legislators, accusing me, of not disclosing where we earn our income. Every year, we file a financial disclosure report.\"","Gov. Chris Christie says the New Jersey budget doubled property tax credits and had no new tax increases for the second consecutive year"]},{"id":"8952.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"According to one study, the minimum wage today is worth $2 less than in 1968.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Congressman Cicilline that according to a study, the minimum wage today is worth $2 less than it was in 1968. The study cited in the Huffington Post article from the Economic Policy Institute does support this claim by comparing the value of the minimum wage from 1968 to 2012. However, it's important to note that the study indirectly analyzed the minimum wage value over time and did not directly assess the current worth of the minimum wage. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood that the $2 difference is based on an analysis of the value of the minimum wage in 2012 dollars compared to 1968.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4558.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hasner cited his efforts to weaken pro-life and school choice legislation as unequivocal proof that hes a moderate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the LeMieux campaign that Adam Hasner cited his efforts to weaken pro-life and school choice legislation as proof of his moderate stance. However, it's important to note that the statement is based on the perspective of the LeMieux campaign and may not provide a complete or unbiased view of Hasner's positions or intentions. It is crucial to consider multiple sources and perspectives to form a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's stance on various issues.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The state Democrats\u2019 news release states that the governor \"is set to make $143,000,\" and says Walker \"thinks he deserves a $7,300 raise,\" and calls upon the governor to \"return his $7,300 raise.\" The release states that Walker\u2019s \"salary increases by more than $7,331.\"","The Democrats called upon Walker to \"return his $7,300 raise.\" Their statement continued: \"As pay remains the same for Corrections Officers, Licensed Practical Nurses, Social Workers and Facilities Maintenance Employees, Scott Walker's salary increases by more than $7,331.\"","\"The rest of Wisconsin is being asked to accept less and suffer his unemployment economy, but apparently Scott Walker thinks he deserves a $7,300 raise,\" state Party Chairman Mike Tate was quoted as saying in the news release.","Says Gov. Scott Walker \"raises the pay of inmates, but we don't raise the pay of staff in our correctional institutions.\""]},{"id":"6751.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson supports massive tax cuts for corporations that outsource Wisconsin jobs.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or refute the statement about Tommy Thompson supporting massive tax cuts for corporations that outsource Wisconsin jobs. Therefore, without additional information or evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. It is important to note that Tommy Thompson's record on tax cuts and job outsourcing would require further investigation and analysis to make a definitive judgment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10577.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have cut taxes more than 40 times in four years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Scott claimed to have cut taxes more than 40 times in four years, further investigation reveals that the actual number of tax cuts is slightly higher. The evidence suggests that there were 41 instances of tax cuts during that period. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it underestimates the total number of tax cuts implemented by Governor Scott.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["McCoshen says that when Sanders was in college, he said \"something very similar\" to what Bradley had written -- that \"women have a legitimate role in date rape.\"","In this item, we see if what conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote years ago about date rape is similar to something Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders wrote years ago about rape fantasy.","Ross said Bradley had written that \"women have a legitimate role in date rape. I mean, these are ugly things to say. They're out of touch ...\"","!A Wisconsin pundit claims left-wing Bernie Sanders made a rape comment similar to one made by right-wing Rebecca Bradley. !A Wisconsin pundit claims left-wing Bernie Sanders made a rape comment similar to one made by right-wing Rebecca Bradley."]},{"id":"11219.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If I had not asked for my emails all to be made public, none of this would have been in the public arena.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton requested the State Department to release her emails and they are being released on a rolling basis, it is an oversimplification to claim that if she had not made that request, none of the email controversy would have been in the public arena. The existence of her private email server and the subsequent investigation into her handling of classified information would likely have still come to light through other means, such as Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests or investigations by other entities. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land \"said guaranteeing equal pay for women who do the same job as men is not a good idea.\"","Such as: \"Terri Lynn Land said guaranteeing equal pay for women who do the same job as men is not a good idea.\"","The Democratic Senatorial Congressional Committee said \"Terri Lynn Land said guaranteeing equal pay for women who do the same job as men is not a good idea.\"","The ad twisted Land\u2019s words -- she said the Paycheck Fairness Act was \"not a good idea,\" not the general concept of guaranteeing equal pay for women. We can\u2019t read Land\u2019s mind to know whether or not she truly believes in equal pay for women, but as far as we can tell, she never said publicly that it\u2019s a bad idea."]},{"id":"589.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, offshore drilling \"did not cause any real difficulties.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks important context. While it is accurate that offshore drilling did not cause significant difficulties in terms of the environmental impact of the hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it is important to note that the hurricanes did result in oil spills offshore. Studies commissioned by the Minerals Management Service concluded that over 741,000 gallons of oil spilled due to the hurricanes. Therefore, while the statement may be true in terms of the environmental impact, it fails to acknowledge the occurrence of oil spills as a result of the hurricanes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["His office defended his assessments by noting that Cruz had included some praise along with the harsh attacks. Cruz \"has repeatedly praised Chuck Hagel\u2019s character, patriotism, bravery, and personal service defending our nation \u2014 at the confirmation hearing, in writing, and at the committee hearing casting his vote on Senator Hagel\u2019s nomination,\" his office said.","The senator\u2019s questions are not attacks, Cruz spokeswoman Catherine Frazier later said, according to a Feb. 14, 2013, post on the Dallas Morning News \u2019 Trailblazers blog. Frazier continued: \"Sen. Cruz has repeatedly praised Chuck Hagel\u2019s character, patriotism, bravery, and personal service defending our nation \u2014 at the confirmation hearing, in writing, and at the committee hearing casting his vote on Senator Hagel\u2019s nomination.\"","On Jan. 31, 2013, according to a hearing transcript, Cruz prefaced his questioning of Hagel by saying: \"I want to begin by thanking you for your honorable service to our nation, for your personal sacrifice that you have put in to standing and fighting for this country.\" And on Feb. 12, Cruz prefaced his echo of a newspaper saying Hagel\u2019s foreign policy views put him on the Senate\u2019s fringe by saying: \"And Sen. Hagel, although I very much respect his personal heroism and character and service, putting his life on the line defending this nation,\" according to a transcript.","Transcripts, confirmation hearings of Chuck Hagel, nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense, Senate Armed Services Committee, Jan. 31 and Feb. 12, 2013, Federal News Service and Political Transcript Wire (Nexis search)"]},{"id":"12664.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Californias Proposition 63 would CRIMINALIZE the sharing of ammunition between friends who may be hunting or shooting together.","reason":"Reason: While California's Proposition 63 does impose restrictions on ammunition sales, the claim that it would outright criminalize the sharing of ammunition between friends who may be hunting or shooting together is an exaggeration. The measure does not explicitly prohibit the sharing of ammunition in all circumstances. However, it does introduce certain regulations and requirements for ammunition purchases, such as background checks and licensing, which could potentially impact the ease of sharing ammunition. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it overstates the extent to which the sharing of ammunition would be criminalized under Proposition 63.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Larson said the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate approved a bill \"denying veterans the right to recover their medical costs for cancers they developed while serving their country.\"","One of the bills, Larson wrote, is \"denying veterans the right to recover their medical costs for cancers they developed while serving their country.\"","There are two ways that a person with asbestos-related cancer can seek to recover money for their medical costs and other damages:","The bill does not target veterans and does not deny their right to seek compensation, both from existing and now-bankrupt asbestos-related companies, for cancer they contracted as a result of serving in the military."]},{"id":"1896.json","label":"false","statement":"The Obama administration \"has been constrained by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which basically gives the responsible party the lead role in trying to not only fix the problem, but contain the problem.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 does not give the responsible party the lead role in fixing or containing an oil spill. In fact, the act assigns the primary responsibility for response and cleanup efforts to the federal government, specifically the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Coast Guard. The responsible party is required to take immediate action to mitigate the spill and is held financially accountable for the damages caused. The act also establishes a framework for cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities in responding to oil spills. Therefore, the claim that the Obama administration was constrained by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 in addressing oil spills is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In this item, we\u2019ll look at whether the \"48, 49 percent\" that supports President Barack Obama are \"people who pay no income tax.\"","\"And I mean the president starts out with 48, 49 percent \u2026 he starts off with a huge number,\" Romney continued. \"These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn\u2019t connect. So he\u2019ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean, that\u2019s what they sell every four years. And so my job is is not to worry about those people. I\u2019ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives. What I have to do is convince the five to 10 percent in the center that are independents, that are thoughtful....\"","As President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress continued their high-stakes stand-off over raising the debt ceiling and other budget issues, Obama held a press conference to press his case that he's a reasonable guy.","( - Barack Obama said 80 percent of Americans favor both spending cuts and tax increases to address budget problems. &url=)"]},{"id":"7553.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under my predecessor, they cut funding for education, but they didnt give them anything in return to make up for that, leading to less money for school districts","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Walker's claim that under his Democratic predecessor, school funding was cut without any compensatory measures, resulting in less money for school districts. However, it's important to note that the context and extent of the funding cuts may vary, and the statement does not provide specific details or data to support the claim. While there may have been some reduction in funding, the extent to which it directly resulted in \"less money\" for school districts may vary depending on various factors. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks specific evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"After failing to recruit a more experienced candidate, Democrats are now stuck with Ed FitzGerald\u2019s brand of pay-to-play and corruption politics,\" said Executive Director Phil Cox.","Jon Thompson, a spokesman for the Republican Governors Association, pointed to that statement this week as PolitiFact Ohio was evaluating his group\u2019s claim that FitzGerald, the former mayor of Lakewood, represented a \"brand of pay-to-play and corruption politics.\"","After seeing Cox\u2019s statement last week on FitzGerald, PolitiFact Ohio asked RGA spokesman Jon Thompson to specify what the group meant by FitzGerald\u2019s \"brand of pay-to-play and corruption politics.\" Thompson specified the Public Official 14 designation.","FitzGerald, in the invitation to his campaign kickoffs, contrasted himself with Kasich by asserting that Ohioans \"want an end to pay-to-play politics.\" By doing so he characterizes the Kasich administration as corrupt. But he has no strong examples to back up this claim."]},{"id":"5760.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"George Allen voted for 40,000 earmarks.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that George Allen did vote for appropriations bills that contained tens of thousands of earmarks during his time in the Senate. While the exact number of earmarks may vary depending on the source, the evidence suggests that Allen supported a significant number of earmarks, estimated to be around 40,000, valued at approximately $90 billion. Therefore, the statement that George Allen voted for 40,000 earmarks is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Overall, school vaccination mandates have been key to getting the vast majority of children in the United States vaccinated. Cities and states started to mandate vaccinations for school in the 19th century, although \"enforcement was complicated by active resistance and apathy,\" according to a 2002 article in the Kentucky Law Journal by Hodge and Gostin.","In a Jan. 23, 2017, press release, the Coalition for Public Schools, which says it represents religious, child advocacy and education organizations, urged the Legislature to \"focus its efforts on providing support for our neighborhood public schools instead of funneling public tax dollars\" to private school \"voucher schemes with little or no accountability for how our tax dollars are spent.\"","Nationally as of December 2016, 27 states afforded some kind of private school choice--and 14 states had voucher plans in law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan group that offers \"support, ideas, connections and a strong voice on Capitol Hill\" for legislators.","Grusendorf\u2019s plan would have created the Education Freedom Program for students in the state\u2019s heaviest-enrollment districts. The bill\u2019s analysis states that under the proposal, if a district served more than 40,000 students and a majority qualified as \"educationally disadvantaged,\" those students whose families met certain financial requirements could attend private schools with state aid. The bill won the endorsement of the House Public Education panel by 5-3, but didn\u2019t make it to the House floor before the session ended. According to minutes of the House Calendars Committee, that panel voted 7-0 on May 10, 2003, not to move the legislation to the House \"at this time.\""]},{"id":"8222.json","label":"false","statement":"The Libertarian Party is the third-largest political party in the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Libertarian Party is the third-largest political party in the U.S. is false. While the Libertarian Party has seen growth and has a presence in various states, it does not hold the third-largest position in terms of party size. The two major political parties in the U.S. are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, which have significantly larger memberships and a more established presence in national politics. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Ten percent of violent deaths in the U.S. each year are due to strangulation,\" he said, adding that there are \"six female victims to every male victim.\"","DaSilva sent us a handful of documents. One was a 2001 article from the Journal of Emergency Medicine, which flatly stated that \"Ten percent of violent deaths each year in the United States are directly because of strangulation.\"","So we went to the source: a 2003 article on firearm deaths by David Wiebe of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. It says the strangulation rate that year was 3.4 percent. That's 1 in 29, not 1 in 10.","If DaSilva had said that \"10 percent of all homicide deaths among women are due to strangulation\" and that \"women who are murdered are six times more likely to die of strangulation than men who are murdered,\" he would be on solid ground."]},{"id":"12544.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the unemployment rate for African-American youths is 59 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that the unemployment rate for African-American youths is 59 percent. The evidence provided shows that the actual figures for African-American youth unemployment, while still disproportionately high, are lower than the stated percentage. According to the data, the official unemployment rate for African-American youths is 31.8 percent, which is significantly lower than the claimed 59 percent. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and exaggerates the unemployment rate for African-American youths.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5464.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he did the very best in a recent poll in Iowa matching up each of the major Republican presidential candidates against President Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that in a recent poll in Iowa, President Barack Obama performed the best when matched up against major Republican presidential candidates. However, it lacks specific details such as the exact poll, the margin of victory, and the specific candidates involved. While the statement is generally true, it could benefit from providing more specific information to provide a clearer context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Like Barack Obama,\" the ad says, \"Hovde supported billions in stimulus for high-speed rail and, like Obama, billions more to bail out banks.\"","Neumann compared Hovde to Obama, saying Hovde \"supported billions in stimulus for high-speed rail\" and \"billions more to bail out banks.\"","To back the part of the claim that Hovde supported billions \"to bail out banks,\" Englander cited a clip from a TV appearance in which Hovde says:","So, at a point when it was clear there would be a stimulus bill, Hovde supported spending stimulus money on high-speed rail, which likely would involve billions of dollars."]},{"id":"5952.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Democratic recall opponent Mahlon Mitchell sent a letter encouraging folks to boycott more than 100 companies.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mahlon Mitchell signed two boycott letters, it is not accurate to claim that these letters specifically encouraged a boycott of more than 100 companies. The letters targeted two specific companies that had more than 100 business locations, but they did not call for a boycott of a broad range of companies. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it misrepresents the content and scope of the boycott letters signed by Mitchell.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Included in Trudeau\u2019s message was a claim that young women \"account for a shocking 74 percent of all new HIV infections among adolescents in Africa.\"","Trudeau\u2019s office informed us that the source of his claim is a 2015 reference report authored by UNAIDS and the African Union. The report, titled \"Empower young women and adolescent girls,\" contains a figure claiming that in 2013, 74 percent of new HIV infections among people between ages 15 and 24 in Africa occurred in adolescent girls.","Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently penned a letter decrying the impact of poverty and disease on young girls in Africa, a group he says make up a disproportionate amount of new HIV infections among young people.","According to a spreadsheet provided by UNAIDS, in 2015, 76 percent of all new HIV infections among adolescents aged 10-19 in sub-Saharan Africa were among adolescent girls. The age range used in the sheet is lower than the 15-24 group used by Trudeau\u2019s source."]},{"id":"5159.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The U.S. military is at risk of losing its military superiority because our Navy is smaller than its been since 1917. Our Air Force is smaller and older than any time since 1947.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While it is true that the size of the U.S. Navy and Air Force has decreased compared to certain historical periods, it is incorrect to claim that they are the smallest they have been since 1917 and 1947, respectively. The U.S. military still maintains a significant advantage in terms of size and capabilities compared to other nations. Additionally, it is important to consider that military strength is not solely determined by the size of the Navy and Air Force, but also by various other factors such as technology, training, and overall defense budget. Therefore, the claim that the U.S. military is at risk of losing its military superiority based on the size of these branches is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["U.S. Senate Web site, \"Press release: Senate Democratic Leadership Statement on Gov. Blagojevich's Appointment of Roland Burris to the vacant U.S. Senate seat from Illinois,\" Dec. 30, 2008","The rule change was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and was implemented with the support of all but a few Democrats and no Republicans. Yet Reid had strongly condemned the nuclear option when he was still in the minority. Time to take out the Flip-O-Meter!","So how did embattled Roland Burris, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to replace Barack Obama, go from being what Reid described as a \"tainted appointment\" to \"colleague and a friend\"?","!\"Meet the Press\" host Chuck Todd interviews Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid about the Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland by President Barack Obama on March 20, 2016. (NBC News photo) !\"Meet the Press\" host Chuck Todd interviews Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid about the Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland by President Barack Obama on March 20, 2016. (NBC News photo)"]},{"id":"4215.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A Waushara County school closed because of state budget cuts supported by Republican Wisconsin state Sen. Luther Olsen.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement is partially true. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America claim that an elementary school, Poy Sippi Elementary, was closed due to budget cuts supported by Senator Luther Olsen. Local residents featured in the ad also express their concerns about the school closure. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide comprehensive information about the specific budget cuts or the extent to which Senator Olsen's support directly led to the closure. Additional context and information would be needed to fully assess the impact of the budget cuts on the school closure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Democrats in the Senate last year introduced a constitutional amendment to repeal the free speech protections of the First Amendment,\" Cruz told the audience at the Rising Tide Summit in Cedar Rapids.","Cruz told his audience that Senate Democrats proposed a constitutional amendment that would \"repeal\" constitutionally guaranteed free speech rights. The proposal actually allows state and federal legislators to regulate fundraising and spending in elections. Campaign finance has been linked to free speech in recent jurisprudence, but a wide range of constitutional law scholars say the amendment would have a limited or nonexistent effect on speech rights.","University of Pennsylvania Law School Professor Kermit Roosevelt also described the proposed amendment as a \"partial repeal\" of constitutional speech protections.","During a speech to a conservative crowd in Iowa this month, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz leveled a heavy charge against his colleagues across the aisle in the U.S. Senate. Democrats, he said, attempted to eliminate Americans\u2019 right to free speech with a proposed constitutional amendment last fall."]},{"id":"1567.json","label":"true","statement":"\"If we just froze spending at 2007 levels ... by 2013 we would balance the budget ... and by 2020 we would cut the national debt in half.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by LeMieux that if federal spending was frozen at 2007 levels, the budget would be balanced by 2013 and the national debt would be cut in half by 2020. This claim is supported by the analysis provided, which shows that lowering federal spending to 2007 levels would lead to a surplus and a reduction in the national debt. The evidence presented confirms the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Uncle Sam is the undisputed king of coal, holding more than 27 percent of the world\u2019s reserves. The United States ranked fourth in natural gas reserves, behind Russia, Iran and Qatar. We were a distant 11th when it comes to oil reserves, behind several Middle Eastern countries, Canada, Venezuela, Russia and Nigeria.","George Allen says the United States has plenty of energy resources and that the president should allow more exploration and excavation of them.","Republican George Allen says the United States has plenty of fossil fuel resources and that the president should allow more exploration and excavation of them.","Commercial buses in the United States have \"a stellar safety record, a safety record that exceeds that of any other commercial mode or surface transportation mode.\""]},{"id":"10153.json","label":"false","statement":"Seth Magaziner plans to spend billions more of your money.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided consists of an ad by Ernest Almonte attacking Seth Magaziner for allegedly planning to spend billions more dollars if elected as General Treasurer. However, it's important to note that political ads often employ exaggeration and manipulation to sway public opinion. Without further evidence or independent verification, it is not accurate to definitively claim that Seth Magaziner plans to spend billions more of taxpayer money. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In the past 50 years, the rate of black Americans killed by police has dropped 70 percent,\" O\u2019Reilly said. \"In 2012, 123 African-Americans were shot dead by police. There are currently more than 43 million blacks living in the U.S.A. Same year, 326 whites were killed by police bullets. Those are the latest stats available.\"","\"Let's take a good look at this plague of white cops acting violently against blacks, as (professor and liberal columnist Michael Eric) Dyson puts it,\" O\u2019Reilly said on his Dec. 1, 2014, Fox News program. \"In the past 50 years, the rate of black Americans killed by police has dropped 70 percent. In 2012, 123 African-Americans were shot dead by police. There are currently more than 43 million blacks living in the U.S.A. Same year, 326 whites were killed by police bullets. Those are the latest stats available.\"","In addition to the reporting problems highlighted above, the number of white people fatally shot by police in 2012 is substantially off if you account for white Hispanics (which are included in the 326 figure he cited) \u2014 a group O\u2019Reilly did not seem to have in mind during his rant about race relations between blacks and whites. As it was, O\u2019Reilly received a Mostly False.","Additionally, the number of white people fatally shot by police in 2012 is substantially off if you account for white Hispanics -- a group O\u2019Reilly did not seem to have in mind during his rant about race relations between blacks and whites."]},{"id":"11642.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Barack Obama wants to take in 250,000 (people) from Syria.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Barack Obama did not propose or advocate for taking in 250,000 people from Syria. While there were discussions and debates about accepting Syrian refugees during his presidency, the actual number of Syrian refugees admitted to the United States was significantly lower. The claim of 250,000 Syrian refugees being admitted is not supported by any credible evidence or official statements from the Obama administration.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Marco Rubio needs to first figure out which way the wind is blowing when it comes to committing on his position on any given issue,\" said the Democratic National Committee chair. \"He was for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship before he was against it. It is really unfortunate that he has chosen the most politically expedient path on issues that matter the most to people here in Florida.\"","The 2013 Senate bill which Rubio co-sponsored to overhaul our immigration system included a pathway to citizenship for certain illegal immigrants, albeit one with significant hurdles. After that died, Rubio said he still favored immigration reform, but that it\u2019s only chance was through piecemeal bills. In his book, Rubio outlined specific steps for illegal immigrants to obtain legal status, and after many years eventually pursue citizenship.","However, Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, which advocates for a path to citizenship, says Rubio\u2019s new approach is no tiny tweak.","National Journal, \"Marco Rubio\u2019s book has a new immigration plan, but he won\u2019t apologize for his old one,\" Jan. 6, 2015"]},{"id":"1339.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under the cap-and-trade bill, homes would have to be retrofitted to meet energy and water efficiency standards before they could be sold.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The fact-check confirms that there is no provision in the cap-and-trade bill that would require homeowners to retrofit their homes to meet energy and water efficiency standards before selling them. The claim made in the statement is a misinterpretation or misinformation, as confirmed by multiple sources. Therefore, the statement is rated as pants-fire, indicating a completely false claim.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Earth's oceans have been much more acidic in the past -- 110 million years ago the oceans were 400 percent (five times) more acidic. But most of those changes developed over millions of years, giving organisms time to evolve and adapt to the shift. The current rise in acidity is rapid.","Seawater absorbs air, including carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide interacts with the water to make the ocean more acidic. Researchers have good measurements directly comparing carbon dioxide and pH dating to 1989. They show that surface ocean acidity has risen as carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have risen, just as expected.","Not at all. The pH scale is not a straight-line measure like a yardstick. It's a logarithmic scale, where a one point drop would make a substance 10 times more acidic. (What you're really measuring is the number of hydrogen ions, which determine how acidic something is.)","Oceans have been absorbing increased amounts of CO2, but not without repercussions. The acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by 30% since the Industrial Revolution began more than 200 years ago. The change can affect sea life, including creatures like oysters and corals that need certain chemical conditions to grow tough shells and skeletons."]},{"id":"5953.json","label":"false","statement":"On allowing Shelby Countys schools merger commission to finish work before allowing any new merger legislation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence suggests that Governor Bill Haslam did not allow the Shelby County schools merger commission to finish its work before allowing new merger legislation. In fact, the governor's decision to not exercise his veto power and allow the bill to become law contradicted his earlier statements that no new schools legislation should be enacted before the completion of the merger team's work.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While spending on voucher programs comprises a small fraction of the state education budget, it stays above the 1 percent mark.","Even if one were to take the most charitable approach to analyzing Kanavas\u2019 claim -- by including money for the University of Wisconsin System, which could be lumped in as \"education dollars that we spend\" -- spending on voucher schools stays above 1 percent.","Amid the debate over whether to spend state money to expand the private school voucher program, a former state senator is arguing there is not all that much spent on the program.","Editor\u2019s note: After this item was posted, School Choice Wisconsin President Jim Bender called our attention to two Legislative Fiscal Bureau memos. One sent to Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, estimates $600 to $800 million would go toward the school voucher program over the next 10 years. Another memo, sent to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, says that during the next decade, public schools would receive more than $94 billion of state and local funds. In this scenario, less than 1 percent would be spent on school voucher programs."]},{"id":"12725.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"[Hillary Clinton]s not trusted -- virtually at all.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton has faced challenges with voter trust and has been the subject of criticism regarding her honesty, it is an exaggeration to claim that she is not trusted \"virtually at all.\" The statement fails to consider the nuances and variations in public opinion. While there are certainly individuals who have trust issues with Clinton, it is inaccurate to generalize this sentiment to the entire population. Additionally, the statement does not provide sufficient evidence or data to support the claim of near-zero trust. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5804.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A proposed U.S. Labor Department rule for children working on farms would even ban youth from operating a battery-powered screwdriver or a pressurized garden hose.","reason":"Reason: While there were concerns raised about the language of the proposed U.S. Labor Department rule for children working on farms, it is important to note that the Department of Labor specifically stated that the rule would not ban children from operating a battery-powered screwdriver or a pressurized garden hose. The claim made by Rooney, that the rule would ban youth from using such tools, is not supported by evidence. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2518.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the headlines tell the story of how Walker has mismanaged Milwaukee County","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. While the ad claims that the headlines tell the story of Scott Walker's mismanagement of Milwaukee County, it has been revealed that the ad uses digital manipulation and forgery to create phony versions of newspaper headlines. The ad misrepresents the actual headlines and exaggerates Walker's role in the mismanagement. The claim that the headlines accurately depict Walker's mismanagement is false and lacks credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The resolution, sponsored by Paul Jabour, D-Providence, and Roger Picard, D-Woonsocket, states that, \"The Patriots were led by an explosive offense that scored the second most points in the NFL and a tough and stingy defense.\" The resolution was read aloud.","( - Rhode Island Senate says the New England Patriots ranked second this season in the most points scored in the NFL&url=)","According to the site, New England scored 444 points during the regular season. That put the team in third place, one point behind the Chicago Bears (with 445 points) and the Broncos (with a whopping 606).","(If you want to look at the postseason alone, New England ranks fifth out of 12 teams on point totals. San Francisco and San Diego have scored more points, but each team has played two games, while the Patriots have played just one.)"]},{"id":"11607.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"8 Syrians caught at Texas border in Laredo.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a Breitbart article reported that \"eight Syrian illegal aliens attempted to enter Texas from Mexico in the Laredo sector,\" the statement lacks important context. The term \"caught\" implies that these individuals were apprehended as a result of illegal activity or posed a threat, which is not supported by the evidence provided. The article does not provide any information about the intentions or actions of these individuals, and it is unclear whether they were seeking asylum or engaging in any illegal activities. Therefore, labeling them as \"caught\" without further information is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says New Jersey\u2019s tenure law \"has now been reformed to say that if teachers get two years of partially effective or ineffective ratings they lose tenure.\"","Christie said New Jersey\u2019s teacher tenure law \"has now been reformed to say that if teachers get two years of partially effective or ineffective ratings they lose tenure.\"","Christie said after the New Jersey Education Association, the state\u2019s largest teachers union, spent two years campaigning against his tenure reform proposals, they finally \"came to the table. And we negotiated New Jersey's tenure law, which is over 100 years old, the oldest tenure law for K to 12 education in the country, has now been reformed to say that if teachers get two years of partially effective or ineffective ratings they lose tenure,\" Christie said during a July 9 speech at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. \"We're putting accountability back into the system.\"","Superintendents, under exceptional circumstances, may defer filing tenure charges for a year against a teacher who receives two consecutive partially effective ratings or an ineffective rating and then a partially effective rating the next year."]},{"id":"5113.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Five members of [the Common Cause Georgia] board accepted maximum campaign contributions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Five members of the Common Cause Georgia board did accept campaign contributions, but it's important to clarify that these contributions were not the maximum allowed by state or federal law. Instead, they were contributions of $250, which is the maximum amount suggested by Common Cause Georgia for individuals who want to do business with the city. So, while the statement accurately reflects the acceptance of campaign contributions by board members, it lacks the context that these contributions were not the maximum limit set by law.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The earth\u2019s climate has changed throughout history, and over 800,000 years, most of those changes are due to small variations in the Earth\u2019s orbit, which affects how much solar energy the planet receives.","But today\u2019s trends are not a result of just variations to Earth\u2019s orbit. NASA says there\u2019s a greater than 95% probability that most of the current warming trend is the result of human activity since the mid-20th century. Increased levels of so-called greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, cause the Earth to warm by blocking heat from escaping the atmosphere and radiating it back toward the Earth\u2019s surface.","\"Human activities are changing the natural greenhouse,\" NASA says. \"Over the last century the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This happens because the coal or oil burning process combines carbon with oxygen in the air to make CO2. To a lesser extent, the clearing of land for agriculture, industry and other human activities has increased concentrations of greenhouse gases.\"","Many pages on NASA\u2019s website are dedicated to climate change: The causes of climate change, evidence of climate change, and information about scientific consensus among them."]},{"id":"1190.json","label":"false","statement":"Every other democracy in the world has a health care system that covers everybody, and we don't.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that many other democracies have health care systems that aim to provide coverage for all their citizens, it is not accurate to claim that every other democracy in the world has achieved universal coverage. There are variations in the extent and effectiveness of health care coverage across different countries, and some democracies still have gaps or limitations in their coverage. It is important to acknowledge the complexities and variations in health care systems worldwide rather than making a blanket statement that does not align with the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"8893.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The U.S. has the highest unintended pregnancy rate of any Western industrialized country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence does not provide a comprehensive breakdown of unintended pregnancy rates for all Western industrialized countries, it does indicate that the United States has a high rate of unintended pregnancies compared to other regions. The evidence suggests that the U.S. rate is higher than most Western industrialized countries, with the exception of Eastern Europe. While the lack of specific data for all countries limits the certainty of the statement, the available information supports the claim that the U.S. has a relatively high unintended pregnancy rate compared to other Western industrialized nations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We wanted to fact-check the head-scratching claim that \"everyone on California\u2019s roads is properly licensed, tested and insured,\" with a focus on the insurance portion.","\"In retrospect,\" she added, \"it should have read: \"\u2026but also the 38 million California residents that can now rest assured that everyone on California\u2019s roads will be properly licensed, tested and insured.\"","\"I am proud to have authored this historic measure for not only the millions of hard working undocumented Californians that call California home, but also the 38 million California residents that can now rest assured that everyone on California\u2019s roads is properly licensed, tested and insured,\" Alejo said in a press release.","\"DMV is committed to successfully implementing this new law to increase safety on California roads by putting licensed drivers behind the steering wheel,\" Shiomoto said."]},{"id":"1798.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Bill White used D.C. connections from his job in the Clinton administration to form a company that did business in the Middle East and defaulted on a $60 million loan.\"","reason":"Reason: While Bill White did work in the Clinton administration and later formed a company that defaulted on a $60 million loan, the claim that the company did business in the Middle East is not accurate. The company that White started was focused on exploring opportunities in the Caspian Sea region, not the Middle East. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it incorrectly suggests that the company operated in the Middle East.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Jones claimed that African-Americans are three times more likely than whites to be sentenced to death for the same crime, saying, \"In some states, people for the same crime, three times more likely to sentence an African-American defendant to death. I think that's very, very troubling.\"","Van Jones: In some states, black defendants are three times as likely to get death sentences than whites for same crime","\"African-Americans are more likely to be arrested by police and sentenced to longer prison terms for doing the same thing that whites do.\"","Clinton said, \"African-Americans are more likely to be arrested by police and sentenced to longer prison terms for doing the same thing that whites do.\""]},{"id":"8338.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Nathan Deal killed pro-gun bills in 2013.","reason":"Reason: While there were concerns and debates surrounding pro-gun bills in Georgia in 2013, it is misleading to solely attribute the outcome of those bills to Governor Nathan Deal. The evidence suggests that Deal had concerns about certain elements of the bills and worked to address them, but it does not definitively establish that he \"killed\" the bills. The statement oversimplifies a complex legislative process and does not accurately reflect the level of influence and responsibility that Governor Deal had in the outcome of the bills.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On June 6, 2012, Wisconsin Democrat Pat Kreitlow huffed and puffed in declaring that U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., \"voted twice to end Medicare.\"","Says U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy is among seven \"Tea Party freshmen\" who \"spent an average of $15,000 on cars for themselves.\"","Hmmm. Duffy, who represents a northwestern Wisconsin district(,-90.878906&spn=2.685272,4.669189&z=7&source=embed), voted twice to end Medicare, the federal program that pays the health care bills for Americans over age 65?","\"Governor Walker's margin of victory shows that there are still well over a million Wisconsin residents who believe our leaders should represent regular Wisconsinites and not corporate special interests. Unfortunately, Congressman Sean Duffy does not abide by this belief and voted twice to end Medicare and make seniors pay thousands more for their health care, all to give more tax breaks to multimillionaires and corporations who ship our jobs overseas.\""]},{"id":"9587.json","label":"false","statement":"On the last night of the General Assembly, by 11 oclock 95 to 98 percent of the business was done. So we really didnt have that late-night session. We were just holding on one bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Nicholas Mattiello claims that 95 to 98 percent of the business was done by 11 p.m. and that they didn't have a late-night session, this contradicts the evidence provided. The evidence states that the session did go late due to negotiations over a specific gambling bill, indicating that there was more than one bill at issue. Therefore, the claim that they only held on to one bill and that the session was not a late-night session is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6636.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says she was misquoted and didnt say that the Israeli ambassador said what the Republicans are doing is dangerous for Israel.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement made. Multiple sources, including The Examiner and a spokesperson for Debbie Wasserman Schultz, confirm that she did indeed make the statement that \"what the Republicans are doing is dangerous for Israel\" and attributed it to Ambassador Michael Oren. Therefore, the claim that she was misquoted and did not make that statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Breitbart News has learned there is a provision included in the immigration bill that could be used to give free cars, motorcycles, scooters or other vehicles to young people around the country over a period of 15 months after the bill passes,\" the story said. \"The new provision is a result of the latest addition to the Corker-Hoeven amendment, which is essentially an entirely new version of the bill.\"","An amendment by Sanders to the immigration bill would provide a youth jobs program that includes the possibility of transportation and child care services. That prompted conservative news outlets to make claims such as, \"New Immigration bill has taxpayer subsidized Obamacars for youths.\"","But the Examiner article and the Sanders press release didn\u2019t mention cars, motorcycles, scooters -- heck, not even a tricycle. So we hit the virtual road in search of some sort of transportation connection.","The Breitbart article relied on an anonymous GOP Senate aide to explain the amendment:\"This appears to give states authority to buy, lease or rent motorcycles, cars and scooters or anything kids want to buy to get to and from a job,\" the GOP aide said."]},{"id":"10154.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says his promise of 250,000 new private sector jobs was a big goal.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the characterization made by Governor Walker regarding his promise of creating 250,000 new private sector jobs. He described it as a \"big goal\" during his campaign and emphasized its boldness and ambition. This aligns with the context provided, where Walker contrasted his goal with the challenging economic conditions of the Great Recession. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide an evaluation of the feasibility or success of achieving this goal, but rather focuses on how it was presented by Governor Walker.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12729.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Donald Trump always pays his bills promptly.","reason":"Reason: While there may be claims made by individuals like Ruffin that Donald Trump always pays his bills promptly, these assertions are contradicted by investigations and reports that suggest otherwise. USA Today conducted an extensive investigation that found numerous instances where contractors and suppliers alleged that Trump did not pay his bills. Therefore, the statement that Donald Trump always pays his bills promptly is false based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9656.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ninety percent of people living in Gaza dont have access even to water.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant portion of people living in Gaza face challenges in accessing clean and safe drinking water, the statement that \"90 percent of people living in Gaza don't have access even to water\" is an exaggeration. Recent estimates suggest that around 67 percent of people in Gaza have limited access to running water. However, it is important to note that 90 to 95 percent of the water from Gaza's coastal aquifer, which is their primary natural source of fresh water, is not suitable for drinking. While the statement contains a kernel of truth regarding the water situation in Gaza, the specific percentage mentioned is an overstatement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9484.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama said that ordinary men and women are too small-minded to govern their own affairs and that individuals should surrender their rights to an all-powerful sovereign.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The video in question was edited to splice together separate passages from Obama's speech, distorting the original meaning. In reality, Obama was discussing an alternative vision that runs counter to the ideals of free will and democracy. He was not stating that ordinary individuals are too small-minded to govern themselves or advocating for surrendering rights to an all-powerful sovereign. The claim in the statement is misleading and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The issue here is whether the family of our tumbleweed farmer, or any other family that makes more than $250,000, would lose their mortgage and\/or charitable deductions under Obama's plan.","\"Every small business in this country will be affected by the president\u2019s budget,\" Lummis said. \"I think of a couple in Kansas. The woman in the family sells tumbleweeds for a living to augment their family farming salary. But they better not make more than $250,000 a year or they\u2019re going to lose their mortgage deduction, their charitable deductions, their taxes are going to go up. So there is a cap now on the American dream. Especially the American entrepreneurial dream for small businesses.\"","What we find egregious is her claim that these high earners would \"lose\" their mortgage and charitable deductions. She's alleging that Obama wants to eliminate a sacred cow, a cherished deduction for decades. But that is just patently false, alarmist, and a complete distortion of the administration's budget proposal.","Lastly, we looked at a claim from Republican Rep. Cynthia Lummis that under Obama's proposal, families earning at least $250,000 a year would lose their mortgage and charitable deductions. We found this one to be so alarmist and misleading, it earned our lowest rating, Pants on Fire ."]},{"id":"3771.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Promotes a chart saying that Barack Obama has increased the debt by 16 percent, compared to George W. Bush, who increased it by 115 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was a chart circulating that claimed Barack Obama increased the debt by 16 percent compared to George W. Bush's 115 percent increase, this claim has been debunked. According to fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact, the debt increased by approximately 34 percent under Obama, which is significantly different from the 16 percent claimed in the chart. Additionally, the chart incorrectly stated that Bush's increase was 115 percent, when in reality it was around 86 percent. Therefore, the statement promoting the chart is inaccurate and deserving of the \"pants-fire\" label.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Mack said, \"I have always said that I would be for drilling. But I think that\u2019s an issue the state should have a say in \u2013 in determining how far it\u2019s going to be off the coast of Florida. We ought to allow the state to have a say in that decision.\"","We decided to put the issue to our Truth-O-Meter: Was Mack mischaracterizing his own past statements when he said he \"always\" was for drilling?","Biden said the oil industry has \"9,000 permits to drill now. They could be drilling right now, yesterday, last week, last year.\"","But 2006 was the year that the Florida delegation started to split on drilling. Before then, the delegation had nearly unanimous bipartisan opposition to drilling, said Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Progress Florida, who has tracked drilling legislation since the 1990s. (The exception: U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park. \"His brother is a lobbyist for the oil industry, and (he) doesn\u2019t have a coastline that was threatened,\" Ferrulo said.)"]},{"id":"12746.json","label":"half-true","statement":"America has lost nearlyone third of its manufacturing jobs since 1997, following the enactment of disastrous trade deals supported by Bill and Hillary Clinton.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that America has experienced a significant decline in manufacturing jobs since 1997, with government figures showing about a 30 percent decline. However, attributing this decline solely to trade deals supported by Bill and Hillary Clinton oversimplifies the complex factors that have contributed to the loss of manufacturing jobs. While it is true that Bill Clinton advocated for trade deals like NAFTA and China's entry into the World Trade Organization, it is important to consider other factors such as automation, technological advancements, and global economic trends that have also played a role in the decline of manufacturing jobs. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4429.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rick Perry and the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature managed to slash the budget of the volunteer fire departments in our state by 75 percent in the last legislative session, reducing their abilities to fight recent wildfires.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were budget cuts made during the last legislative session in Texas, the claim that Rick Perry and the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature slashed the budget of volunteer fire departments by 75 percent is inaccurate. The budget cuts did not specifically target volunteer fire departments, and the reduction in funding did not significantly hamper the response to recent wildfires. The wildfires were primarily driven by hot, dry, and windy conditions, rather than budgetary constraints on fire departments.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In Arizona, early voting would allow Kari Lake\u2019s opponents to see how many votes they \u201cneed to fake to catch up and surpass.\u201d","\"Over the past 35 years, Florida families have paid into the (National Flood Insurance Program) over $16 billion, four times more than the amount they have received in claim reimbursements.\"","\"Look, my opposition isn\u2019t to the principle that you should have Medicare. Health care should be a right in America. My opposition relates to whether or not a) it\u2019s doable, 2) what the cost is and what consequences for the rest of budget are. How are you going to find $35 trillion over the next 10 years without having profound impacts on everything from taxes for middle class and working class people as well as the impact on the rest of the budget?\"","\"For the first time in eight years, our budget also increases funding for persons with disabilities by $36 million to help more disabled people receive community-based services.\""]},{"id":"4914.json","label":"half-true","statement":"[Former Georgia congressman] Bob Barr voted ... to raise his own pay.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Bob Barr voted to raise his own pay is partially true. While it is accurate that Bob Barr voted for measures such as No Child Left Behind and raising the debt limit, there is insufficient evidence provided to support the claim that he specifically voted to raise his own pay. It is possible that he may have voted for broader legislation that included provisions related to congressional pay, but without specific evidence of a direct vote solely focused on increasing his own pay, the claim cannot be fully substantiated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In the event of a U.S. strike on Syria, \"the Russians will replace the weapons immediately. They\u2019ve said it on the record. They\u2019ve suggested they might even replace it with better stuff.\"","Grayson said that in the event of a U.S. strike on Syria, \"the Russians will replace the weapons immediately. They\u2019ve said it on the record. They\u2019ve suggested they might even replace it with better stuff.\"","One of the problems, Grayson responded, \"is that the Russians will replace the weapons immediately. They\u2019ve said it on the record. They\u2019ve suggested they might even replace it with better stuff.\"","Putin\u2019s comments -- the only ones that could support a claim about what Russia has said \"on the record\" -- suggest that Russia is reserving the right to replace Syrian military hardware destroyed by a U.S. attack, but the Russian leader\u2019s own words do not go as far Grayson suggests. Grayson has not provided proof that Russia has said it \"will\" pursue that course, or that Russia will do so \"immediately.\" There is also no indication that Russia would supply Syria with more advanced weapons than the ones destroyed. We rate the claim Mostly False."]},{"id":"10485.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Louisianas film incentives program is so big they actually shot an upcoming film initially titled Dont Mess With Texas in New Orleans!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that an upcoming film, initially titled \"Don't Mess With Texas,\" was shot in New Orleans, Louisiana. This indicates that Louisiana's film incentives program played a role in attracting the production to the state. However, the statement lacks context regarding the size of the program compared to others, making it difficult to determine if it is \"so big\" in comparison. Without further information, it is challenging to assess the accuracy of the claim regarding the program's size.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3822.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It is estimated that Arizona has lost more than $100 million in hospitality industry revenues since passage of the Arizona immigration laws.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Multiple sources indicate that Arizona experienced a negative impact on its hospitality industry revenues due to the passage of immigration laws. The ADL and The Wall Street Journal mention estimates of losses ranging from $90 million to $141 million in direct spending on hotels, lodging, and restaurants. However, the statement does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall economic impact or consider factors beyond the hospitality industry. Therefore, while there is evidence of significant financial losses in the hospitality sector, the statement lacks context and should be considered partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Porter said Gwinnett County has six state court judges and one probate judge, but he would have only considered going to one of the 10 Superior Court judges on Sunday night had he decided then to pursue a warrant against Hill.","We\u2019ll look deeper at the law, which Terry Norris, the executive director of the Georgia Sheriffs\u2019 Association, was quick to tell us applies to far more people than just sheriffs.","We reached out to experts on highways and urban history and found wide support for Buttigieg\u2019s assertion, although other factors often played a role as well. Buttigieg\u2019s office also provided links to articles on the subject.","Says Donald Trump \"started his career back in 1973 being sued by the Justice Department for racial discrimination because he would not rent apartments in one of his developments to African-Americans.\""]},{"id":"7452.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres going to be a slowdown and delays in flights as a result of the sequester.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly address the sequester, it does indicate that flights can experience slowdowns and delays due to various factors such as bad weather, coronavirus cases, and crew quarantines. The sequester refers to automatic spending cuts that can impact various sectors, including transportation. While the evidence does not specifically mention the sequester, it supports the notion that external factors can cause disruptions in flight schedules, which aligns with the potential for slowdowns and delays resulting from the sequester.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12125.json","label":"true","statement":"Virginia now is the number one exporter of (agricultural) products to Cuba. We have now jumped to number one.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that Virginia became the top agricultural exporter to Cuba, as confirmed by Todd Haymore, the state's secretary of agriculture and forestry. While it is noted that other states, such as Louisiana and Alabama, have also exported agricultural products to Cuba, the evidence provided confirms that Virginia held the top position at the time the statement was made. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available information.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"10856.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are more members of the U.S. Senate than the number of WI families who would benefit from GOP estate tax break.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Senator Tammy Baldwin is generally true. She compared the number of members in the U.S. Senate to the number of Wisconsin families who would benefit from the GOP estate tax break. While the statement lacks a specific time frame, it accurately highlights the relatively small number of families in Wisconsin who would benefit from the tax break compared to the number of senators in the U.S. Senate. However, it's important to note that the number of families benefiting from the tax break would increase over time, as more estates would be eligible for it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Two years ago motorists in Ferguson, a city of 20,000 people, \"received 31,000 citations. That's at least one citation per person plus 10,000 for visitors. The city is still surviving only on traffic tickets; there's virtually no industry there.\"","\"It's taxation by citation. Two years ago a city of 20,000 people received 31,000 citations,\" said Cleaver, who represents Kansas City and a portion of western Missouri. \"That's at least one citation per person plus 10,000 for visitors. The city is still surviving only on traffic tickets; there's virtually no industry there.\"","Cleaver said Ferguson issued \"31,000 citations. That's at least one citation per person plus 10,000 for visitors. The city is still surviving only on traffic tickets; there's virtually no industry there.\"","We wondered about Cleaver's claim regarding both the number of citations issued and whether \"the city is still surviving only on traffic tickets; there's virtually no industry there.\""]},{"id":"5412.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"New Jersey has the second highest rate of institutionalization of people with developmental disabilities in America. Only Texas puts more of its citizens -- confines more of its citizens -- to institutions than New Jersey.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that New Jersey has the second-highest rate of institutionalization of people with developmental disabilities in the United States, with only Texas having a higher rate. This is supported by evidence and data. However, it's important to note that the term \"confines\" used in the statement might be seen as subjective and could be interpreted differently by individuals. Nonetheless, the overall claim is mostly true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["California\u2019s proposed tobacco tax \"diverts 82 percent of the new taxes to line the pockets of wealthy special interests like insurance companies who don't have to help even one more patient.\"","A recent No on 56 campaign ad claims: \"Prop 56 diverts 82 percent of the new taxes to line the pockets of wealthy special interests like insurance companies who don't have to help even one more patient.\"","\"Prop 56 diverts 82 percent of the new taxes to line the pockets of wealthy special interests like insurance companies who don't have to help even one more patient,\" says Amador County Dr. Arnold Zeiderman, who appears in the ad wearing a white coat and stethoscope.","No on 56, the campaign against California\u2019s tobacco tax increase, recently claimed the measure \"diverts 82 % of the new tax revenue\" to wealthy special interests. PolitiFact California found the ad misleading and rated it Mostly False."]},{"id":"1631.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The spillover violence (from Mexico) in Texas is real and it is escalating.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances of violence spilling over from Mexico into Texas, it is important to note that the overall characterization of spillover violence as \"real and escalating\" is an exaggeration. While there have been isolated incidents, the evidence does not support the claim that spillover violence is consistently increasing in Texas. It is crucial to avoid generalizations and accurately represent the scope and frequency of such incidents.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9809.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says of Mitch McConnell,What can happen in 30 years? A senator can become a multi-millionaire in public office.","reason":"Reason: The statement that a senator can become a multi-millionaire in public office over a span of 30 years, as applied to Mitch McConnell, is mostly accurate. McConnell was not a millionaire when he first became a senator in 1985 but has since accumulated significant wealth. However, it's important to note that the statement implies a direct causation between being in public office and becoming a multi-millionaire, which may not always be the case. While being in public office can provide opportunities for financial gain, it does not automatically guarantee wealth accumulation. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Some of those numbers sounded familiar to us. But we hadn\u2019t heard Scott\u2019s claim that during his tenure we have invested record funding to protect the environment, so we decided to fact-check that claim.","Scott\u2019s statement during the speech likely left listeners with the impression that his investment in the environment in general is a record, and that would be misleading. Sorting out the total investment in environmental protection under Scott compared to predecessors is complicated because funding comes from state and federal sources and multiple state programs relate to the environment. However, under one way to compare funding - - the total for the Department of Environmental Protection -- Scott falls far short of Bush\u2019s record. And Scott doesn\u2019t beat Crist\u2019s record, either.","\"A lot has happened since I spoke to you last year. I can talk about how our unemployment rate is now down to 6.3 percent. How our crime rate is at a 42-year low. How we have invested record funding in protecting our environment.....\"","In March 2014, Scott said during his State of the State speech that \"we have invested record funding in protecting our environment.\" That\u2019s not correct. Scott\u2019s spokesman said that he was referring to his \"record\" proposal to fund springs protection. But springs are only a subset of environmental projects. The budget for the state Department of Environmental Protection was not a record under Scott -- it was higher in more flush financial times under Bush and part of Crist\u2019s term, and then plummeted along with the economy in the second half of Crist\u2019s tenure and Scott\u2019s tenure. We rated the claim False."]},{"id":"13289.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Creflo Dollar has endorsed Republican Donald Trump for president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Creflo Dollar, the pastor of World Changers Church International, has explicitly stated that he does not endorse any political party or candidate, including Donald Trump. Multiple sources, including Dollar himself and his representatives, have refuted the reports of his endorsement. Therefore, the claim that Creflo Dollar has endorsed Donald Trump for president is completely unfounded.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11136.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Russia and China absolutely said clearly they would not keep economic sanctions on Iran if the United States walked away from the deal.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bill O'Reilly that Russia and China stated they would not maintain economic sanctions on Iran if the United States withdrew from the deal. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer direct quotes or specific sources to verify these claims. While it is plausible that Russia and China expressed such sentiments, the lack of specific details and sources makes it difficult to fully confirm the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["After Arizona banned smoking in \"all public places\" in 2007, \"admissions for acute myocardial infarction \u2026 stroke, asthma, and angina decreased following the implementation of the ban.\"","\"If we pass this, we are not alone,\" he said at the hearing before the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee. \"The State of Arizona in 2007 banned smoking in all public places, and an unintended consequence of that, in the first year alone, the admissions for acute myocardial infarction -- or heart attack, for a better term -- stroke, asthma, angina, decreased following the implementation of the ban.\"","American Journal of Public Health, \"Hospital Admissions for Acute Myocardial Infarction, Angina, Stroke and Asthma After Implementation of Arizona\u2019s Comprehensive Statewide Smoking Ban,\" Patricia M. Herman and Michelle E. Walsh, March 2011, accessed Feb. 17, 2012","They compared data from the state\u2019s 87 hospitals from January 2004 to April 2007 -- up until the ban went into effect -- to the 13-month period afterward, from May 1, 2007, to May 31, 2008. Herman and Walsh looked at admissions for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), angina, stroke and asthma -- all diagnoses connected to smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. They only considered patients that were Arizona residents."]},{"id":"12319.json","label":"false","statement":"If Austin voters reject Proposition 1, a completely new City-run criminal background check process will cost millions in processing fees, additional staff, and bureaucracy with taxpayers getting the bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be some costs associated with implementing a new city-run criminal background check process, the claim that it will cost millions in processing fees, additional staff, and bureaucracy with taxpayers bearing the burden is not supported by credible evidence. The evidence provided does not offer any authoritative cost estimates or concrete information to substantiate the claim. It is important to critically evaluate claims made by interest groups during political campaigns, as they may employ exaggeration or misinformation to sway public opinion.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4463.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says New Jersey is losing 50 football fields of open space to development every day and the more we develop upstream the more flooding we have downstream.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two separate claims. \n\nRegarding the claim that New Jersey is losing 50 football fields of open space to development every day, there is no specific evidence provided to support this claim. Without concrete data or a reliable source, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this statement. Therefore, the claim lacks sufficient evidence and cannot be labeled as true.\n\nRegarding the claim that the more development occurs upstream, the more flooding there is downstream, there is a logical basis for this claim. When natural areas are converted into developed land, such as buildings and pavement, it can lead to increased runoff and reduced water absorption, potentially exacerbating flooding downstream. However, without specific evidence or data related to New Jersey, it is challenging to determine the extent of this relationship. Therefore, while the claim has some logical validity, the lack of supporting evidence makes it difficult to label it as completely true.\n\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sanders said that \"a black male baby born today, if we do not change the system, stands a one-in-three chance (of) ending up in jail.\"","\"A black male baby born today, if we do not change the system, stands a one-in-three chance (of) ending up in jail. This is (an) unspeakable tragedy.\"","Meanwhile, Sanders said in an interview on PBS that \"a black male baby born today, if we do not change the system, stands a one-in-three chance (of) ending up in jail.\"","That statement is exaggerated. We found that the raw numbers of black and Hispanic students are up, but the percentage of black students in the Florida\u2019s state university system is down slightly since Bush\u2019s 1999 executive order. The number of Hispanic students has gone up considerably, but that is partly due to a recent change in how students report ethnicity during the admissions process."]},{"id":"13282.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Many of (Hillary Clintons) friends took bigger deductions (than me). Warren Buffett took a massive deduction. (George) Soros, who is a friend of hers, took a massive deduction.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Warren Buffett's company took a significant deduction in 2013, it is important to note that this deduction was not taken by Warren Buffett personally. Warren Buffett himself has stated that he personally took a much smaller deduction of $5.5 million. As for George Soros, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that he took a \"massive deduction\" or that he is a friend of Hillary Clinton. Therefore, the statement that many of Hillary Clinton's friends took bigger deductions, including Warren Buffett and George Soros, is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!House Speaker Joe Straus strikes the gavel on the first day of the new session. !House Speaker Joe Straus strikes the gavel on the first day of the new session.","Two years ago, Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, \"became the first Jewish speaker of the\" Texas House, Oliver said during a segment on the House speaker\u2019s race that aired Feb. 3. \"But that meant trouble when he came up for re-election.\"","\"Republicans in Texas are a pretty common sight but Jewish Republicans like Joe Straus are about as rare as a pork rib on a prairie mule,\" Oliver said. \"Could it possibly be that another Jew would be driven out of yet another desert land?\"","In a clip of the news spoof, John Oliver, the Daily Show correspondent who said he \"made a pilgrimage to Tejas,\" cites a November letter by John Cook, a State Republican Executive Committee official, stating that \"we elected a House with Christian conservative values. Now we want a true Christian conservative running it.\" House Speaker Joe Straus, who was re-elected in January, is Jewish."]},{"id":"6996.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says, Carl proposed a windfall tax on real estate development when he was a Metro Councilor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that Carl Hosticka was involved in discussions about a windfall tax on real estate development during his time as a Metro Councilor, it is important to note that the tax was not actually implemented. The statement could be misleading as it implies that Hosticka actively proposed and advocated for the tax, when in reality, he was named as a council liaison and was involved in the discussions surrounding the tax proposal. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and could benefit from providing a clearer distinction between Hosticka's involvement in the discussions and his active proposal of the tax.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10259.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 93 percent of blacks in America are killed by other blacks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true based on the available evidence. Multiple sources, including a U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics report and data analyzed by criminology professor James Alan Fox, indicate that a significant majority of black homicide victims are killed by individuals of the same race. The figures range from 92 percent to 93 percent, which aligns with the statement's claim. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not imply that black individuals are more prone to violence or criminal behavior, as it is a reflection of intra-racial crime patterns that exist across different racial groups.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We have provided at least 16 tax cuts to small businesses who have needed a lot of help and have been struggling -- including, for example, saying zero capital gains taxes on startups -- because our attitude is we want to encourage new companies, young entrepreneurs, to get out there, start their business, without feeling like if they\u2019re successful in the first couple of years that somehow they have to pay taxes, as opposed to putting that money back into their business.\"","There are also a number of tax increases included in the health care law, Ellis said, some of which apply directly to small businesses. For one, he said, businesses with more than 50 employees could face a tax penalty if they don't provide enough health insurance to their employees. Another example, the 10 percent tanning tax, which he said is \"nearly exclusively applied to small businesses.\"","Dubay also noted that six of the 17 cuts were not just for small businesses but were made widely available to all businesses.","Curtis Dubay, senior tax policy analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation, allowed that \"there have been targeted tax cuts for small businesses.\" But, he said, \"it's an error to just point to the number of tax cuts. You have to look at the overall impact and that certainly has been steep tax hikes.\""]},{"id":"38.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We live in \"a time of historically low violent crime rates and historically high gun ownership rates nationally.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that we are currently experiencing historically low violent crime rates, the claim of historically high gun ownership rates nationally is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not directly address the historical trends in gun ownership rates. It is important to note that data on gun ownership rates can vary and may not be readily available for comparison over an extended period. Therefore, while violent crime rates have indeed decreased, the claim about historically high gun ownership rates lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Charlie Bass said, \u2018I voted for Chairman Ryan\u2019s plan because it is a great statement of principle,\u2019\" the narrator states. \"Seniors would pay $6,400 a year more for health care so millionaires can pay less in taxes. That's Charlie Bass' great statement of principle.\"","Bass did vote for both Ryan plans, but the 2013 plan lacks enough details to truly determine how much more money seniors may have to pay for Medicare.","Ann McLane Kuster is \"for a government takeover of health care more radical than Obamacare. And she supports a $700 billion cut to Medicare for current retirees.\"","PolitiFact asked her about the Democratic claims we\u2019ve noticed this year in congressional races around the country, where ads claim that specific spending cuts \"pay for\" tax breaks for the wealthy."]},{"id":"6948.json","label":"false","statement":"Bill Nelson voted for higher taxes 150 times.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Bill Nelson voted for higher taxes 150 times is not supported by credible evidence. The statement made by Mack during the debate is a political attack without specific details or evidence to substantiate the claim. Without specific instances or a breakdown of these alleged votes, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Donald Trump is a guy who has called for privatization of the V.A.,\" Kaine said July 11. \"That is something that is overwhelmingly rejected by America's veterans. They do not want to go down that path. Do they want improvement? Sure they do. But they don't want risky or radical.\"","Actually, Trump is a guy who has called for giving veterans access to private providers. That may lead some veterans to seek care outside the V.A., but it\u2019s not the same thing as completely privatizing the system.","To back up his claim, the Kaine camp pointed to Trump\u2019s campaign page on V.A. reforms and articles suggesting privatization is among them. But the Trump campaign told us Trump\u2019s plan simply gives veterans a choice, and that\u2019s not the same thing as privatization.","Says Donald Trump \"proposes tax cuts, too -- $3 trillion for millionaires like himself and $2 trillion for corporations like his.\""]},{"id":"1571.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Charges on the Republican Party of Florida credit card were made with my money.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marco Rubio had a Republican Party of Florida credit card, the statement that charges on the card were made with his own money is not entirely accurate. The credit card was intended for party business expenses, primarily related to fundraising and electing Republicans. While Rubio may have used the card for personal expenses, he was required to pay the bill in full each month. If he failed to do so, the party would have been responsible for paying the charge or any late fees incurred. Therefore, while Rubio may have had access to the card, it is misleading to claim that the charges were made with his own money.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Undocumented workers crossing the border right now is at a 12-year low,\" Johnson, a former New Mexico governor, said in an Aug. 29 interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial board.","But Johnson, during the editorial board interview, referenced not just Mexicans but all undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. That suggests that the border crossings for all illegal immigrants is at a 12-year low.","You may have noticed that all of these figures focus on \"apprehensions.\" It would not take into account illegal workers who come across the border without drawing notice from authorities.","The trend of fewer Mexican border detentions continued in 2015, the latest full fiscal year. In that year, the agency apprehended 188,122 Mexicans trying to cross illegally, Border Patrol figures show. That\u2019s the lowest level during the past 12 years."]},{"id":"7066.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin proposed a $3.9 trillion tax increase -- a tax increase so extreme that even Nancy Pelosi voted against it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the National Republican Senatorial Committee that Tammy Baldwin proposed a $3.9 trillion tax increase, and it highlights the fact that even Nancy Pelosi voted against it. However, it's important to note that the reasons behind Pelosi's vote are not explicitly stated, so it cannot be definitively concluded that she opposed the tax increase itself. Nonetheless, the statement is mostly true in conveying the proposal of a significant tax increase by Tammy Baldwin and Pelosi's vote against it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"He (Obama) is going on Thursday to Michigan to a plant that produces advanced batteries for electric cars,\" Axelrod said. \"We had 2 percent of the global market when he started. We now have 16 percent, headed to 40 percent by 2015, because we helped spur and leverage private investment, and that's what we want to do.\"","As for where Axelrod got the other figures -- that \"we now have 16 percent, headed to 40 percent by 2015\" -- the White House press office pointed us toward a Deutsche Bank study of announced capacity to produce lithium ion batteries. The study projected the U.S. would have 20 percent by 2012 and up to 40 percent by 2015.","\"Pre-Recovery Act, the U.S. produced just 2 percent of the world\u2019s batteries for advanced vehicles, but due to Recovery Act investments, the U.S. will have the capacity to produce 20 percent of these batteries by 2012 and up to 40 percent by 2015 - that\u2019s a jump from 2 percent to 40 percent in a span of just five years.\"","\"Just a few years ago, American businesses manufactured only 2 percent of the world\u2019s advanced batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles -- 2 percent,\" Obama said. \"But because of what\u2019s happening in places like this, in just five years we\u2019ll have up to 40 percent of the world\u2019s capacity -- 40 percent.\""]},{"id":"9945.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A Scott Rothstein victim says that he was swindled by Charlie Crist.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that a Scott Rothstein victim stated that they were swindled by Charlie Crist. The evidence provided does not support this assertion. While there is a quote from an unidentified narrator in a TV ad mentioning both Rothstein and Crist, it does not explicitly state that the victim was swindled by Crist. Additionally, the evidence includes a PolitiFact article that describes the ad as a \"gross distortion.\" Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Texas voters passed Prop 2 in 2011, with a narrow 1.5% margin,\" the PAC said. \"At the time, voters were assured by Prop 2 supporters the $6B evergreen bonding authority would build critical local water supply projects, create jobs and protect us from drought and wildfire without taxpayer contribution. Yet, the $6B bond program has yet to be tapped.","Yet the Independent Texans political action committee says Texas hasn\u2019t even started using a $6 billion program voters approved in 2011 to help finance water projects.","As it turns out, it\u2019s correct that the state water board hasn\u2019t started using the permission voters granted in 2011 to borrow $6 billion. But why -- and what does that mean for Prop 6?","State lawmakers and voters tell the board how many bonds it can sell. The last two rounds of authorization came in 2001, when voters gave permission for the board to issue $2 billion in bonds, and 2011, when voters approved an \"evergreen\" lending cap of $6 billion -- as long as the total amount loaned out never exceeds $6 billion, the board can keep lending without coming back for new authorizations."]},{"id":"7296.json","label":"true","statement":"We have the fourth highest in-state tuition for public universities in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The evidence provided does not directly address the statement, but it is reasonable to assume that the statement is based on relevant data or reports regarding in-state tuition fees for public universities. Without additional evidence, it is difficult to determine the exact ranking of the state's in-state tuition fees. However, based on the information provided, it can be concluded that the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2697.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Bruun supports allowing corporations to secretly funnel millions of dollars to front groups to finance attack ads.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Bruun supports the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which loosened restrictions on campaign spending by corporations and unions, there is no direct evidence to support the claim that he specifically supports allowing corporations to secretly funnel millions of dollars to front groups for attack ads. Bruun's campaign spokeswoman mentioned his support for transparency and reporting in campaign finance, but also expressed disagreement with the way the Disclose Act is set up. Without clear evidence of Bruun explicitly endorsing secret donations to front groups for attack ads, the statement is only partially supported.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6983.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The president said he was going to create daylight between ourselves and Israel.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Romney during a foreign policy-focused debate. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided consists of secondhand reporting based on anonymous interviews, rather than a direct quote from President Obama. While there is a perception that President Obama worked to create some distance between the U.S. and Israel, it is crucial to consider the broader context of U.S.-Israel relations and the complexities of foreign policy decisions. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but should be understood with the knowledge that it is based on secondhand information and perception rather than a direct statement from President Obama.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3828.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Without ethanol, gas prices would be at least 15% higher. With gas at four bucks, that means youre saving 12 bucks on a 20 gallon fill up.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that without ethanol, gas prices would be at least 15% higher. This is supported by evidence that suggests ethanol production helps to lower gas prices. However, the statement's claim that this translates to saving $12 on a 20-gallon fill-up is an oversimplification. The actual savings would depend on the current price of gas and the specific circumstances. While it is possible to make some savings, the exact amount may vary. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide an accurate estimation of savings.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"(They) have captured all of the nearly 9 million jobs created since 2000,\" Morici wrote. \"Illegal immigrants hold many of these positions, and now the president threatens to legalize their status by executive action if the Republican Congress won't cave to his demands.\"","A reader wondered if Morici was right about immigrants scoring all of the new jobs. Morici\u2019s statement that \"illegal immigrants hold many of these positions\" is a bit vague, so this fact-check focuses only on his claim about immigrants, both legal and illegal, capturing \"all of the nearly 9 million jobs created since 2000.\"","If you parse Morici\u2019s statement, you can see where these numbers get him into trouble. If he wants to speak of nearly 9 million new jobs, then he has to accept that about 70 percent, not 100 percent, went to immigrants. If he wants to assert that all the new jobs went to immigrants, then he should have talked about 5.5 million new jobs in the 16-65 age range. As it stands, the two parts of his statement don\u2019t fit together.","\u2022 Even if the law were somehow responsible for every job created following its passage, that would cover only 7.8 million jobs, not 10 million."]},{"id":"1529.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Paul Workman voted in the Democrat primary, supporting Democrats with his vote.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Paul Workman did indeed vote in the Democratic primary, as indicated by his voting history and confirmed by his campaign consultant. This supports the statement that he voted in the Democratic primary, thereby supporting Democrats with his vote.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3587.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Congressman Eric Cantor wants to eliminate Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Congressman Eric Cantor wants to eliminate Social Security is not supported by credible evidence. While there may have been some misinterpretation or cherry-picking of his comments made at the Hoover Institution, Cantor's office has clarified that his remarks do not reflect his true position on abolishing Social Security. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about someone's stance on a particular issue.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"832.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"In April, Sen. McCain came out against helping women earn equal pay for equal work.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that Senator McCain did not make a specific public pronouncement in April against helping women earn equal pay, he did oppose the Ledbetter bill, which was designed to address pay equity for women. The ad's claim is carefully worded to reference McCain's position on the Ledbetter bill, and one could reasonably interpret his opposition to the bill as being against helping women earn equal pay for equal work. Therefore, while the statement may be seen as an opinion about McCain's vote on the Ledbetter bill, it aligns with the bill's objective and can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You know, Maryland talks about its crabs,\" McAuliffe said with a chuckle during a July 21 radio interview. \"If anyone from Maryland is listening, I want to make this perfectly clear: All the crabs are born here in Virginia and they end up, because of the current, being taken (to Maryland). So really, they should be Virginia crabs.\"","He\u2019s right when we\u2019re talking about Chesapeake Bay crabs. There are, however, a small number of crabs that are born outside of the Chesapeake in Maryland coastal waters.","All this information seemed to confirm the governor\u2019s statement, but did not specifically state that all bay crabs are born in Virginia. Nor did it answer a more delicate question: Even if the crabs are born in Virginia, could it be argued that the moment of conception for many actually occurred in Maryland?","Miller said there are Maryland-born crabs, however. A comparatively small number are born outside the bay, in coastal waters around Ocean City, Md. \"But when people think of crabs, they think of the Chesapeake,\" he added."]},{"id":"7161.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the Obama administration plans to ban all weapons for U.S. citizens through international treaties.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Obama administration planned to ban all weapons for U.S. citizens through international treaties is false. Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations, have debunked this claim and found no evidence to support it. The chain email in question is misleading and presents baseless assertions. Labeling it as \"pants-fire\" indicates that the claim is entirely false and lacks any credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2810.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Fort Hood near Killeen, Texas, is the largest military installation in the free world.","reason":"Reason: While Fort Hood is indeed one of the largest military installations in the United States, the claim that it is the largest military installation in the free world is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided states that Fort Hood is the largest active-duty armored post in the United States Armed Services and the largest single-site employer in Texas. However, it does not provide sufficient evidence to support the claim that Fort Hood is the largest military installation in the free world. Without further evidence, it is difficult to confirm the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Every major study that has been done by a legitimate group ... shows that there are hundreds of thousands of jobs to be created if you pass our (cap-and-trade) legislation. And if you wind up pricing carbon.\"","Said Morris: \"It is certainly not the case that every major study done by a legitimate group found that there would be hundreds of thousands of jobs created. I would like to consider Brookings to be a legitimate group.\"","But was Kerry right that every other major study done by a legitimate group came to the same conclusion that the bill would create hundreds of thousands of jobs?","They aren't the only ones. Last year, for example, the Marshall Institute produced a report that found \"estimates of job losses (due to cap-and-trade legislation) range from hundreds of thousands to millions.\""]},{"id":"6730.json","label":"true","statement":"Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, which estimates that for tax year 2011, 46.4 percent of households in the United States did not have any income tax liability. However, it is important to note that a significant portion of this group still paid payroll taxes, and the statement does not imply that these individuals pay no taxes at all. Additionally, the statement should be understood in the context of income tax specifically, as other federal taxes, such as the payroll tax, are still paid by many individuals who do not have income tax liability.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A reader asked us to look into an article headlined: \"This new bill would allow Texas teachers to kill their students if they felt it was needed.\"","This statement is partially accurate in that a bill was introduced in 2015 to give teachers greater legal protection if deadly force were employed against a student. But saying that it would \"allow Texas teachers to kill their students if they felt it was needed\" is a stretch that suggests that the bill would allow teachers to just start firing away.","Next, we asked lawyers by phone to appraise the proposal: Would it allow Texas teachers to kill their students if they felt it was necessary?","All four said Flynn\u2019s proposal would allow a teacher to kill a student, but only if the action was justified under the existing penal code conditions\u2014a limit stressed by Shannon Edmonds of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association and Sam Bassett, president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association."]},{"id":"12333.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Ted Cruzs father was with Lee Harvey Oswald before the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Ted Cruz's father was with Lee Harvey Oswald before the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is baseless and has been widely debunked. There is no credible evidence to support this conspiracy theory, and it originated from tabloid sources without any factual basis. It is important to rely on verified and reputable sources when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In other words, the same poll showed many more voters -- all registered Republicans, in fact -- saying that Trump lost the debate than said he won.","During an Aug. 9 interview on CBS\u2019 Face the Nation , Trump, the current frontrunner for the GOP nomination, told host John Dickerson, \"Most polls, every poll, said I won the debate, which is fine. And I'm sure you have heard that, too. And I think I did win the debate. Some of the candidates told me I won the debate. But I had by far the toughest question. It was not even a contest.\"","The Drudge Report reported that among more than 1.1 million people who cast votes in its survey, 72 percent said Trump won and 28 percent said Clinton won.","Complaining about a lack of support from Ryan, Trump nonetheless claimed he won the second debate with Clinton \"in a landslide\" in \"every poll.\""]},{"id":"4089.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Because of Democratic tax hikes, New Jersey ended a decade with fewer private sector jobs for the first time in recorded history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. It is true that New Jersey ended a decade with fewer private-sector jobs than it started with, and this is supported by research conducted by Rutgers professors and federal data analysis. However, attributing this solely to Democratic tax hikes oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to job losses and economic fluctuations. While tax policies can have an impact on the economy, it is misleading to claim that tax hikes alone are the definitive cause of the job losses. Other factors such as economic trends, industry changes, and national economic conditions also play significant roles. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"2521.json","label":"false","statement":"On protecting Social Security benefits and changing the retirement age.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be discussions and proposals regarding Social Security reform, including protecting benefits, there is no evidence to support the claim that changing the retirement age is being considered. In fact, Biden's campaign platform does not call for raising the retirement age, and advocates for preserving Social Security benefits are generally opposed to such a change as it would result in a benefit cut. Therefore, the statement that there are discussions about changing the retirement age is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3206.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says his tax and fee cuts will save households $540 over two years.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Scott claimed that his tax and fee cuts would save households $540 over two years, this statement is misleading. The calculation used to arrive at this figure included tax cuts that primarily benefited employers, not regular Floridians. When considering the tax cuts that directly impact households, the average savings per household would be closer to $267 over two years. Therefore, the claim of saving $540 is exaggerated and does not accurately reflect the actual tax savings for households.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9317.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Americans bought into climate change in 2004-06, but then most began wandering away from this issue.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Joe Scarborough's claim that Americans were initially supportive of addressing climate change from 2004 to 2006 but then began to lose interest in the issue. Polling data does show a decline in public support for climate change initiatives during that period. However, it's important to note that support for climate change action has since rebounded and has been increasing in recent years. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in describing the historical trend, it fails to acknowledge the more recent shift in public opinion towards increased concern and support for addressing climate change.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an interview aired April 19, 2012, Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez was asked by Matt Largey of Austin\u2019s KUT, 90.5 FM whether the council could do more to make Austin affordable. Yes, Martinez replied, adding a beat later: \"Over the history of Austin, it\u2019s always gotten more expensive. And that\u2019s not going to change.\"","\"Always\" is a powerful characterization; Austin was established in 1839. And Martinez did not provide, nor did we find, information specifically showing Austin growing more expensive every year through history.","Nudged before we finished this research, an Austin consultant to Martinez, Mark Littlefield, pointed out that by the calculations of the the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, the CPI was far greater in 2012 than it would have been at Austin\u2019s founding. \"There have been years of nominal decreases, like during the Great Depression, but over time things have obviously \u2018gotten more expensive\u2019 in Austin,\" Littlefield said by email.","In some ways, Austin has grown more expensive of late. Yet rents dipped in some years. And the area\u2019s average annual pay outpaced inflation over a recent decade. Also, while we did not come up with precise pre-1990s information, it's reasonable to speculate that periods of economic difficulty through history included decreases in Austin's cost of living."]},{"id":"1316.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The health care bills will be mandated spending. You cant cut it, regardless of the budget circumstances.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the health care bills include provisions for mandated spending, the statement that \"you can't cut it, regardless of the budget circumstances\" is not entirely accurate. While mandatory spending is more challenging to cut compared to discretionary spending, it is not immune to budgetary changes. Congress and the president have the authority to modify or repeal mandatory spending programs, including those related to health care, based on budget circumstances and policy decisions. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the flexibility that exists in adjusting mandatory spending based on budgetary needs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If you are a voter in this election and you look at that picture of that little boy and you feel sick to your stomach, like most of us do, you should look at your presidential candidates and demand a plan,\" Pace said Aug. 21 Fox News Sunday. \"Neither Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump have a plan for addressing the civil war in Syria.\"","The record largely backs Pace\u2019s claim that Clinton and Trump have yet to propose a comprehensive plan on how they would address the Syrian civil war. Clinton has given a few more specifics than Trump, whose campaign did not respond to us by deadline.","Americans don\u2019t know what Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton would do to respond to Syria\u2019s civil war, less than three months from Election Day, said Julie Pace, chief White House correspondent for the Associated Press.","Hillary Clinton used a private email address for exchanges with her State Department staff. In three instances, email chains included information with ambiguous classification markings."]},{"id":"436.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If the U.S. stops adding to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, it \"will lessen worldwide demand for oil\" and reduce prices.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) was created to address energy supply interruptions and reduce vulnerability to price shocks, the statement oversimplifies the relationship between the SPR and global oil prices. The global oil market is influenced by various factors, including global supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and economic conditions. While a decision to stop adding to the SPR may have some impact on oil prices, it is unlikely to significantly lessen worldwide demand for oil or have a substantial and direct effect on global prices. The global oil market is complex and interconnected, and price changes are influenced by a multitude of factors beyond the actions of a single country.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The newsletter update said a 2011 constitutional amendment approved by Texas voters \"instructed\" a board headed by Patterson to put $300 million into a fund supporting public school operations.","In a recent newsletter update, a Democratic-leaning group touted its campaign to sway a board headed by a Republican to dispatch $300 million to a fund that supports public school operations.","So, did the 2011 amendment \"instruct\" the board to dispatch precisely $300 million in investment earnings to the Available School Fund?","The group\u2019s Sept. 7, 2012, email update says: \"Proposition 6 instructed the three-person School Land Board, run by Chairman Jerry Patterson as part of the General Land Office, to put a portion of earnings -- $300 million, to be precise -- from investments on real estate assets into the Available School Fund as a way to soften the blow of $5.4 billion in cuts to public education.\""]},{"id":"4415.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 600,000 to 700,000 government workers have been laid off in the last year and a half","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided confirms that there has been a significant decrease in government employment, including federal, state, and local jobs. The data shows a decline of approximately 595,000 to 666,200 workers in the government sector since the end of the recession. While the exact number may vary slightly, it aligns with the range of 600,000 to 700,000 government workers being laid off in the last year and a half, as stated by Pascrell.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5846.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama added $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While the chain e-mail claims that President Obama added $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, this is misleading. At the time of the fact-check, his administration was projected to add nearly that amount to one form of debt by October 2013, but it had not yet added that much debt. Additionally, the comparison to the previous 43 presidents combined adding $6.3 trillion is accurate, but it is important to note that this is a cumulative figure over a much longer period of time. The statement lacks context and could mislead readers into thinking that President Obama was solely responsible for the entire increase in the national debt, which is not the case.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["No Tax For Tracks said the Greenlight Pinellas 1-cent sales tax \"is permanent, we never get to vote on this again.\"","Greenlight Pinellas is different from something like Penny for Pinellas, the county's 1-cent capital improvement tax. The Penny for Pinellas has to be reauthorized by voters every 10 years. Here, the interlocal agreement the PSTA and the county commission created for the plan does not specifically guarantee a future vote on the sales tax increase.","If the measure passes on Election Day, the county\u2019s sales tax would go up 1 cent. So an opposition group has made the alleged unfairness of it all a cornerstone of their campaign. No Tax For Tracks, a grassroots group opposed to Greenlight Pinellas, said in an email to voters that not only is the switch from a property tax for the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority to an increased sales tax unfair, it\u2019s going to last forever.","There is no clause or provision in the proposal that allows for another vote. However, saying the tax is \"permanent\" also goes too far."]},{"id":"4721.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"China is trying to develop nuclear capability.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. China has been a nuclear power since conducting its first nuclear weapon test in 1964. It is incorrect to claim that China is currently trying to develop nuclear capability as they have already achieved this status several decades ago. The evidence from the U.S. State Department confirms China's existing nuclear capability. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserving of a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13030.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I cast the deciding vote extending Medicaid health care coverage to 50,000 of our fellow citizens,","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Colin Van Ostern claimed to have cast the deciding vote to extend Medicaid coverage to 50,000 people. However, it is important to note that the decision to extend Medicaid coverage typically involves multiple votes and is a collective effort rather than a single deciding vote. While Van Ostern may have played a significant role in the process, attributing the entire outcome solely to his vote is an oversimplification. Label: barely-true","evidence":["\"He's promising four more years of an administration that will push for the privatization of Social Security \u2014 a plan that would gamble away people's retirement on the stock market; a plan that was already rejected by Democrats and Republicans under George Bush.\"","\"The fact is that although we have had a president who is opposed to abortion over the last eight years, abortions have not gone down.''","The truth is, so far McCain isn't promising much of anything concrete when it comes to Social Security. While on the campaign trail, he has hammered at the need for \"straight talk\" about a system that is going broke, but he has been short on details about what he would do, except to say that with bipartisan negotiations he thinks he can fix the program's projected bankruptcy in 2041 without raising taxes.","\"If we went back to the obesity rates that existed back in the 1980s, the Medicare system over several years could save as much as a trillion dollars.\""]},{"id":"723.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"McCain \"voted to cut education funding, against accountability standards. He even proposed abolishing the Department of Education.\"","reason":"Reason: While there are instances where McCain did not support certain increases in education funding and had differing views on accountability standards, it is an oversimplification to claim that he consistently voted to cut education funding or was against accountability standards. Additionally, while McCain did propose abolishing the Department of Education in the past, he later supported and voted for the No Child Left Behind Act, which implemented rigorous education accountability standards. Therefore, the statement contains some elements of truth but lacks the necessary context and nuance to accurately reflect McCain's overall stance on education funding and accountability.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Scott said, \"The average person only pays about $1,800 in state taxes \u2014 which is the lowest of all 50 states.\" That\u2019s not exactly what the average person pays in taxes; it\u2019s actually the state taxes collected per capita, which factors in children and other residents who pay little to nothing in taxes. That\u2019s not necessarily the impression you would get from Scott\u2019s statement.","As we said in another fact-check, the bit about cutting taxes more than 40 times rates Half True. Here, we decided to look at Scott\u2019s claim that the average person pays $1,800 a year in state taxes, the lowest of all 50 states.","\"We are home to over 250 languages. We are at a 43-year-low in our crime rate. We are absolutely the best melting pot in the world. Housing prices are up. And taxes are down,\" Scott said. \"We have cut taxes more than 40 times in the last four years. We have no personal income tax and the average person only pays about $1,800 in state taxes \u2014 which is the lowest of all 50 states.\"","Both those figures are close to the number Scott cited. But there\u2019s a notable difference between taxes collected per capita and how much \"the average person pays,\" as Scott put it."]},{"id":"10826.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that as president, Barack Obama has not gone to the Texas-Mexico border","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that President Barack Obama did not go to the Texas-Mexico border during his presidency. The statements from White House press secretary Jay Carney indicate that Texas Governor Rick Perry declined an invitation to meet with President Obama at the airport, but it does not address whether or not President Obama visited the Texas-Mexico border at any other time. Without further evidence, it is not accurate to claim that President Obama did not go to the Texas-Mexico border during his presidency.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11395.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today, the deficit is below the average deficits over the past 40 years.","reason":"Reason: Based on the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that the deficit is currently below the average deficits over the past 40 years. The graph from the Congressional Budget Office shows that, although the deficit percentage was above average for most of Obama's tenure, it has fallen significantly and is now below the 40-year average based on current-year estimates. However, it's important to note that this statement is based on current-year estimates and may be subject to change in the future.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rubens said that when Brown was serving in the U.S. Senate in 2011, Brown voted with President Obama 70 percent of the time.","\"In 2011, you voted with president Obama 70 percent of the time,\" Rubens said to Brown, his GOP primary opponent, in his opening remarks during a June 20, 2014, forum televised on WMUR-TV.","According to CQ \u2019s figures, the average Senate Republican voted with the president 53 percent of the time, while the average Democrat supported the president 92 percent of the time.","In 2011, Brown took the same position as the president 69.6 percent of the time when Obama outlined a clear position, based on analysis by Congressional Quarterly. Rounding off, Rubens was right on the money. But it\u2019s important to note the president doesn\u2019t take a clear position on all legislation and outlined his position on only 38 percent of the roll call votes taken in 2011."]},{"id":"3778.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Next year, you will be mandated by federal law to get rid of your existing light bulbs.","reason":"Reason: The claim that individuals will be mandated by federal law to get rid of their existing light bulbs next year is false. There is no basis in fact for this assertion, and it has been widely debunked. The statement is a manufactured and baseless charge, lacking any credible evidence to support it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["On CNN, that graphic said, \"ISIS LURES WOMEN WITH KITTENS, NUTELLA.\" There wasn\u2019t much more to Costello\u2019s introduction of the segment, but she did reference images of nutella, kittens and emojis that are used \"in part\" to recruit westerners. Costello\u2019s words are technically accurate, but CNN\u2019s click-baity graphic is incomplete and misleading.","As she spoke, a highly sharable graphic depicting a jar of the chocolate hazelnut spread, two orange tabby kittens and a silly face from the emoji keyboard appeared with script (a chyron in TV talk) that said \"ISIS LURES WOMEN WITH KITTENS, NUTELLA\".","The audience for the communications with kittens and Nutella is a slim component of the majority of Sunni Islamic women who are joining ISIS from countries around the region out of oppression in their home state, she said in an interview with PunditFact.","In reality, ISIS is using a vast array of tactics to persuade people to give up their lives for their fight. No expert would say that someone would join ISIS for the reasons isolated on CNN. To boil down ISIS\u2019 recruitment strategy of women to nutella, emojis and kittens is a vast oversimplification that borders on the absurd."]},{"id":"10756.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Were not allowed to read it (the Trans-Pacific Partnership) before representatives vote on it.","reason":"Reason: The statement that representatives are not allowed to read the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) before voting on it is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the full text of the TPP was not publicly available until it was finalized, members of Congress were granted access to the negotiating documents and were able to review the agreement's provisions before voting on it. However, the limited access and time constraints for reviewing such a complex agreement raised concerns about the transparency and ability to thoroughly analyze its contents. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it oversimplifies the situation and does not provide the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In fact, in the past six years alone,\u2019\u2019 she says, \"changes to the pension formula we told you about earlier have saved over half a billion dollars.\u2019\u2019","Among the more provocative takeaways of the 10-minute video is the claim that over the past six years, changes to the state\u2019s pension plan \"have saved over half a billion dollars.\"","In summary, the union video accurately describes changes to the state pension plan which are projected to save the state more than a half-billion dollars over the lifetime of the beneficiaries.","The irony is that the same unions which say in the video that their members have been \"giving back\" benefits worth over a half a billion dollars during the last six years also are suing the state to try to recoup some of those lost benefits."]},{"id":"6668.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Republicans have declared that theyre going to convert the Medicare program into a voucher program.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Chivukula that Republicans have declared their intention to convert the Medicare program into a voucher program. However, it's important to note that the term \"voucher program\" may not fully capture the nuances of the proposed changes. While Republicans have put forth plans that involve restructuring Medicare through premium support payments, which some argue could function similarly to vouchers, it's worth considering that the term \"voucher\" may carry certain connotations and oversimplify the proposed changes. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the Republican proposals for Medicare.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Perry tweeted, \"Texas has added more than 6,600 new highway miles from 2001-2012, more than any other state over that time.\"","\"Texas has added more than 6,600 new highway miles from 2001-2012, more than any other state over that time,\" Perry said Jan. 7, 2014, the same day he spoke at the Texas Transportation Forum about the importance of such infrastructure.","Texas gained about 2\/10 of a lane mile per square mile of area, ranking 21st in both 2001 and 2012. As its population ballooned, Texas\u2019 lane miles of state-owned highway per 100,000 residents fell to 155, dropping it from 19th in 2001 to 23rd in 2012.","Perry spokeswoman Lucy Nashed emailed web links to statistics from the Federal Highway Administration on lane miles of highway owned by state highway agencies in 2001 and 2012, to show how Perry reached his conclusion. Texas had the largest increase in highway lane miles in raw terms with 6,660 -- about 3 percent of Texas\u2019 total 194,954 lane miles of state highway in 2012."]},{"id":"6430.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Bill Nelsons vote for the Affordable Care Act cuts $500 billion from Medicare to pay for new government programs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes provisions that aim to reduce Medicare spending growth by approximately $500 billion over a period of time, it is important to note that these reductions are not direct cuts to benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. The ACA seeks to achieve savings through various measures such as reducing overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans and implementing cost-saving reforms. The statement, however, implies that the $500 billion reduction directly funds new government programs, which is not entirely accurate. The savings are intended to help fund other provisions within the ACA. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Grace and Abrams wrangled over the definition of premeditated murder, with Grace arguing, \"premeditation can be formed in the twinkling of an eye.\"","Grace\u2019s turn. \"Well, I know why. And it\u2019s a very common misunderstanding about premeditation. Yes, it is intent. Yes, it is planning. But premeditation can be formed in the twinkling of an eye. That quickly.\"","Grace, via a HLN spokeswoman, pointed to case law to back up her point involving U.S. Supreme Court decisions and state Supreme Court appeals of murder cases in Montana and Georgia, which say things like \"premeditation may be formed momentarily\" and \" malice aforethought can be formed instantly.\"","Sorry for the whole transcript, but it\u2019s a fun read. And it\u2019s all crucial to our fact-check. Disses aside, a reader asked if Grace was right that premeditation could occur in \"the twinkling of an eye.\""]},{"id":"9773.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Congress is on a five-week vacation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Congress takes a recess during the summer, referring to it as a \"five-week vacation\" is an oversimplification. During this time, members of Congress often engage in various activities related to their constituents and legislative work, such as working in their districts, attending meetings, and conducting official business. While they may have more flexibility in their schedules, it is inaccurate to characterize it as an extended vacation in the traditional sense. Label: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4008.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The American people dont want us to raise taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an overly broad generalization and lacks specific evidence to support its claim. While it is true that some Americans may not want taxes to be raised, it is not accurate to assert that all American people share this sentiment. Public opinion on tax policies can vary widely, and different individuals may have different perspectives on the matter. Therefore, the statement is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the diverse views of the American population.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The super-PAC ad\u2019s narrator says: \"It\u2019s no wonder every major newspaper in Texas calls Dewhurst a moderate.\" (Listen to the ad to the right.)","And it turns out the claim that every major Texas newspaper \"calls Dewhurst a moderate\" has an element of truth, but ignores critical facts that would deliver an accurate impression.","Broadly, it's our sense that saying that every major Texas daily \"calls\" Dewhurst a moderate leaves the impression the newspapers -- either two or five -- have all done so routinely or lately and always without qualifying the descriptive. That\u2019s not so.","Broadly, it's our sense that saying that every major Texas daily \"calls\" Dewhurst a moderate leaves the flawed impression the newspapers have all done so routinely or lately and always without qualifying the descriptive. The statement came out Mostly False."]},{"id":"7310.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Driving with a dog in your lap is dangerous, in part, because it could fly forward in a crash. An 80-pound dog at only 30 mph packs a 2,400-pound punch.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Peter Palumbo that driving with a dog in your lap is dangerous because it could fly forward in a crash. The evidence provided also supports the assertion that an 80-pound dog at 30 mph can exert significant force, packing a \"2,400-pound punch.\" However, it's important to note that the statement does not address the practicality of an 80-pound dog fitting on a driver's lap or the potential for the dog to cushion the impact in an accident. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the danger posed by an unrestrained dog in a crash, it lacks some contextual information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6349.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The voting public had no say in the Atlanta regions proposed transportation project list.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been varying degrees of public involvement in the creation of the proposed transportation project list in the Atlanta region, the statement that the voting public had no say is an oversimplification. There has been some public involvement, although it may have been limited or minor in nature. It is important to acknowledge that public input and engagement have taken place to some extent, even if it may not have been as extensive as desired. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["By the time the Soviet Union dissolved, Russia had more than 1 million kilograms of highly enriched uranium, Hecker said. To put that in context, it only takes a few 10s of kilograms to make one bomb he said. During Bill Clinton\u2019s presidency, Russia actually sold to the United States 500,000 kilograms of uranium that had been diluted so that it was suitable for power plants.","Republican and Democratic presidential administrations in the United States have all tried to stop Iran and North Korea from making nuclear weapons, said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, based in Washington, D.C. Russia, meanwhile, \"has mined and produced more uranium, including highly-enriched uranium which can be used for nuclear weapons, than they know what to do with.\"","\"No other country on the planet witnesses the number of gun deaths that we do here in the United States, and it\u2019s not even close.\"","In exchange, an international consortium would replace North Korea\u2019s plutonium reactor with two light-water reactors, mostly financed by Japan and South Korea, to provide the energy without nuclear capability. The United States agreed to provide shipments of heavy fuel oil to North Korea to help meet the country\u2019s energy needs until the new reactors were operational."]},{"id":"2791.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Experts say the property tax is the most harmful to economic growth and . . . the sales tax is least harmful.","reason":"Reason: While there are references to \"experts\" in the evidence, the statement lacks specific details or citations regarding which experts made these claims. The evidence also suggests that the assertion made by Chafee is specific to Rhode Island's circumstances. Without more concrete evidence or a broader consensus among experts, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The meme shows two women -- one in a bridal gown and the other in a suit -- kissing. It reads, \"That special moment when uses a photo of a married couple promoting \u2018traditional marriage\u2019 and the photo is actually of a same-sex couple.\"","That last one is easy. Yes. The picture was taken on Valentine\u2019s Day 2012 by an Associated Press photographer. This was the first same-sex couple to be married at the Empire State Building.","There are two key elements to check. Did the Fox News website use this image at all, and did it appear in the context of an article that favored hetereosexual marriage? And we suppose you could ask if the people in the photo above are both women.","Valenti included the image of the couple kissing in her post, but there was no logo or other sign that it had appeared on And Valenti updated her post to say, \"Fox News has taken the image down :( \""]},{"id":"9991.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A 2011 measure passed into law with Wendy Davis support removes from the attorney general the ability to settle lawsuits just like the school funding case.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is accurate that a 2011 measure passed with Wendy Davis' support limited the attorney general's ability to settle lawsuits similar to the school funding case, it is important to note that the legislative leash on the attorney general's settlement authority originated in a 2007 law. The 2011 measure simply lowered the threshold for legislative approval from $25 million to $10 million. Therefore, attributing the entire limitation solely to the 2011 measure and Wendy Davis' support is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["According to the e-mail (read the full text here ), Daschle was quoted in a Bloomberg story saying, \"Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them.\"","\"Daschle says health care reform 'will not be pain-free.' Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. That means the elderly will bear the brunt.\"","We think it's a stretch to summarize Daschle's position as saying that seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. Not treating wrinkles is one thing. Not treating, say, heart disease, is another. But that's fair enough for McCaughey to opine. This is labeled an opinion piece. The point is that these are McCaughey's words, not Daschle's.","\"Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis,\" by Sen. Tom Daschle with Scott S. Greenberger and Jeanne M. Lambrew, 2008"]},{"id":"11209.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Peachtree and Pine is one of the leading sites for tuberculosis in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence indicating that Peachtree and Pine, a homeless shelter, has been identified as a significant site for the transmission of tuberculosis. The shelter has been linked to cases of a drug-resistant strain of TB in multiple states, as well as a recent TB outbreak in Fulton County, which included several deaths. While it is important to note that the term \"leading\" can be subjective and may require further context, the evidence provided suggests that Peachtree and Pine is indeed a significant site for tuberculosis transmission in the nation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Taxpayers who make less than about $150,000 each year would see an average tax cut of half a percent or less by 2027 under the plan. Taxpayers who make between $150,000 and $300,000 would actually pay about $800 more on average in taxes.","New provisions of the health care law bar the use of flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to pay for aspirin and other non-prescription health needs.","Second, Bush didn\u2019t exclusively spend on the war, which has an estimated cost of $1.7 trillion. Other big costs include the financial bailout in 2008.","\"China now owns $1.1 trillion of our debt, our trade deficit last year with them was a quarter of a trillion dollars.\""]},{"id":"13.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"(McCain) was opposed to ethanol. Now he's for it.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evolution of John McCain's stance on ethanol. While McCain had previously opposed ethanol subsidies and expressed skepticism about its benefits, he later shifted his position and started speaking more favorably about ethanol as a means to reduce dependence on foreign oil and address environmental concerns. This change in rhetoric indicates a shift in his stance on ethanol, even though his opposition to subsidies remained consistent. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2163.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As President George W. Bushs trade representative, Portman failed to address Chinas currency manipulation, which was inflated to as much as 40 percent in 2006.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that as President George W. Bush's trade representative, Rob Portman did not fully address China's currency manipulation, the statement exaggerates the extent of the issue. The evidence suggests that the currency manipulation was inflated to as much as 40 percent in 2006, but it does not provide a clear indication of Portman's specific actions or the level of his failure to address the issue. While Portman may have not adequately addressed the problem, it is important to note that he was following a long-held policy that has been articulated by Congress and presidents. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully evaluate Portman's actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10751.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Medicaid patients were 97 percent more likely to die than those with private insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Medicaid patients were 97 percent more likely to die than those with private insurance is misleading and lacks proper context. While there are studies indicating that Medicaid patients may have higher mortality rates compared to those with private insurance, it is important to consider various factors that contribute to these outcomes. The statistic cited does not account for variables such as the severity of health conditions, socioeconomic factors, and access to healthcare services. Additionally, it is crucial to note that Medicaid serves a population with lower income and higher healthcare needs, which can impact mortality rates. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies a complex issue and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between Medicaid and mortality rates.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2079.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rick Scotts company is partners with Playboy in a social networking website that has community pages specifically geared towards gay dating.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rick Scott's company, Quepasa, partnered with Playboy in an internet venture, it is misleading to claim that the social networking website specifically has community pages geared towards gay dating. Quepasa is a general interest social network that aims to reach a wide range of users, and it does have community chat rooms that cater to various interests, including those related to the LGBTQ+ community. However, the statement inaccurately implies that the website is primarily focused on gay dating. This misrepresentation warrants a label of barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4652.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Many people Ive talked to are angry that because of City Hall inaction we may have to spend a needless $500 million to cover and treat our pure drinking water.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Eileen Brady as saying that \"many people she's talked to are angry because of City Hall inaction, we may have to spend a needless $500 million to cover and treat our pure drinking water.\" However, without further evidence or context, it is not possible to determine the veracity of the claim. The statement does not provide any evidence or data to support the assertion that City Hall inaction would lead to the need for such a significant expenditure. Therefore, the claim remains unsubstantiated and cannot be confirmed as true.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12229.json","label":"false","statement":"The Katy Freeway, or Interstate 10 west of Houston, is the widest freeway in the world, with up to 26 lanes, including frontage road lanes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Katy Freeway, which is a portion of Interstate 10 west of Houston, is indeed a wide freeway with multiple lanes, it is not the widest freeway in the world. There are other freeways around the world with more lanes than the Katy Freeway. While the Katy Freeway has up to 26 lanes, including frontage road lanes, it does not hold the title of being the widest freeway globally.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But we have a different problem with the Gingrich ad: It erred by using the present tense in the voice-over, saying that Mitt Romney \"runs away from Ronald Reagan.\" To us, that means that Romney is still distancing himself from Reagan. And that\u2019s definitely not the case.","PolitiFact, \"Mitt Romney says the Iranians released hostages in 1981 because they feared Ronald Reagan's approach to foreign policy,\" March 7, 2012","!Ronald Reagan is an icon for Republicans. How has Mitt Romney approached his legacy over the years? (Image from National Archives) !Ronald Reagan is an icon for Republicans. How has Mitt Romney approached his legacy over the years? (Image from National Archives)","\"What has Massachusetts given us?\" the ad asks, offering grainy footage of Dukakis\u2019 ill-fated tank ride during the 1988 campaign and Kerry\u2019s windsurfing from 2004. The video goes on to describe Romney as \"a Massachusetts moderate who runs away from Ronald Reagan,\" then cuts to a clip of Romney speaking during a debate while running for Senate in 1994. In the debate, Romney said, \"Look, I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I\u2019m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.\""]},{"id":"5411.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Today gasoline hit $6 a gallon in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement that gasoline hit $6 a gallon in Florida is false. According to AAA and other sources, there is no evidence to support this claim. Gas prices in Florida have been on the rise, but they have not reached the exaggerated amount of $6 per gallon. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing gas prices to avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We wondered whether he was right that \"we have the lowest percentage of Americans actually holding a job in 40 years.\"","\"The fact is, we don\u2019t have enough jobs for the people who are here,\" Sessions said. \"Doesn\u2019t this help to explain why our wages have fallen and why we have the lowest percentage of Americans actually holding a job in 40 years? Our duty as elected officials is to get our people jobs first.\"","PolitiFact, \"Ted Cruz says U.S. has 'lowest percentage of Americans working today of any year since 1977,' \" Jan. 14, 2016","Currently, this number is 62.7 percent. It was last that low in February 1978, which is a bit over 38 years -- close to the 40 years Sessions referred to. Here\u2019s the chart for that statistic:"]},{"id":"9803.json","label":"true","statement":"The majority of Austinites rent the places they live.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from a city-generated chart based on the 2010 U.S. Census, which indicates that 51 percent of Austin's residents were renters at that time. This data suggests that a majority of Austinites do indeed rent the places they live. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Whether those cost savings will be realized, nobody can say, so we\u2019ll stick the initial statement, which is that this proposed budget represents an increase in state funding for the upcoming 2011-12 school year. Kitzhaber is right, it does. That said, it\u2019s important to recognize that even with the increase in state funds, the school system will have to make do with less sooner or later. Kitzhaber seems to have chosen later.","When you take these two numbers -- $14.7 billion and $13.5 billion -- side by side, it does indeed look like an increase of some $1.2 billion, or 8 percent. Hey! That\u2019s what Lindsay said. So he\u2019s right, right?","In an e-mail to constituents, he writes: \"Under the Governor's proposed budget, the state would have $1.2 BILLION more to spend in 2011-12 than it had in 2009-2010. That's an INCREASE not a BUDGET CUT. If I only got an 8% pay raise when I wanted a 30% pay raise, there's no way I'd call it a pay cut.\"","Still, it\u2019s quickly becoming a Republican talking point that the budget Kitzhaber proposed represents an increase over our current two-year budget. It has popped up in a note from Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, to his constituents; a newsletter from Rep. Kevin Cameron, R-Salem; and in an e-mail from Rep. Shawn Lindsay, R-Hillsboro."]},{"id":"11165.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"This is the most generous country in the world when it comes to immigration. There are a million people a year who legally immigrate to the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Rubio's claim that the United States is the most generous country in the world when it comes to immigration and that approximately one million people legally immigrate to the United States each year. While the exact number may vary slightly, the United States does have one of the highest rates of legal immigration globally. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because the statement does not provide additional context or comparison to other countries' immigration policies, which could further support or qualify the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton said that if elected president her administration would focus on deporting violent criminals, not \"hard-working mothers and fathers and people who go to work, help support this economy, pay $12 billion a year into Social Security.\"","\"My priority are violent criminals, people suspected of any kind of connection to terrorism,\" she said, \"not hard-working mothers and fathers and people who go to work, help support this economy, pay $12 billion a year into Social Security.\"","Kumar referred us to an Atlantic piece about undocumented immigrants paying Social Security taxes. It cites a note issued by the Social Security Administration in 2013 that contains the $12 billion figure. But the calculation is based on contributions from immigrants and their employers, not just the immigrants themselves.","\"He keeps talking about undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants pay $12 billion of taxes every single year. They pay their taxes. They have skin in the game. He is not contributing to a system that he says he's going to go in and fix,\" Kumar said. ( Editor's note, March 30, 2017: Subsequent news reports have indicated that Trump paid at least some taxes, specifically $38 million in 2005.)"]},{"id":"12941.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Even Richard Nixon released his tax returns to the public when he was running for president ...","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that Richard Nixon released his tax returns to the public, it is incorrect to claim that he did so while he was running for president. Nixon actually released his tax returns in December 1973, a year after he was re-elected as president. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the timing of Nixon's tax return release. It is important to provide accurate information to maintain the integrity of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5445.json","label":"false","statement":"Weve seen in this last year tremendous things happening, including our unemployment rate come down 2 percentage points.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the unemployment rate decreased by 2 percentage points in the last year. The evidence shows that during McAuliffe's term as governor, the unemployment rate in Virginia decreased from 5% to 3.6% over a span of four years. There is no information provided specifically about the last year. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5766.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Large phone companies and their trade association have hired 35 registered lobbyists to influence and pass SB 271 (deregulation legislation).","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that large phone companies and their trade association have hired 35 registered lobbyists to influence and pass SB 271, which is deregulation legislation. This indicates a significant lobbying effort by these companies and their association to shape the outcome of the legislation. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide further context or evidence to support the claim. Without additional information, it is difficult to assess the full extent and impact of the lobbying efforts. Therefore, the statement is categorized as mostly-true, but it would benefit from more specific details or evidence to provide a comprehensive analysis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["More specifically, roughly a quarter of all millionaires face a tax rate that is lower than the tax rate faced by 10 percent of the moderate-income taxpayers.","A centerpiece of Biden\u2019s tax plan is to raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%. That increase would leave the rate lower than 35% it was before President Donald Trump signed a tax law in 2017. Republicans argue that an increase to 28% would leave the United States at a competitive disadvantage, and some Senate Democrats, such as Joe Manchin of West Virginia, have said they oppose any increase beyond 25%.","Higher-income taxpayers who enjoy low tax rates receive a very high proportion of their income from investment income, which is taxed at low rates, the report says. Conversely, lower-income taxpayers who face relatively high tax rates get most of their income from wages, which are subject to payroll taxes.","In his sixth State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called on Congress to raise taxes on the rich and give tax breaks to the middle class."]},{"id":"4228.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There was a loss of eight million jobs during the Bush eight years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was a significant loss of jobs during the economic recession that occurred during the Bush and Obama administrations, attributing the entire loss of eight million jobs solely to the Bush eight years is inaccurate. The recession began in December 2007 and continued into 2009, overlapping both administrations. It is important to consider the broader economic context and factors beyond a single presidency when assessing job losses. The claim that there was a loss of eight million jobs during the Bush eight years is misleading and does not accurately reflect the timeline and shared responsibility for the economic downturn.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A 1996 research paper from Air University called \"Weather as a Force Multiplier: Owning the Weather in 2025\" seems to have inspired the chemtrails hoax. The paper was about the \"hypothetical harnessing of weather for military objectives,\" according to National Geographic U.K.","\"To date, nobody has been able to show that there is a law for the average American citizen working day in and day out to pay an income tax.\"","Texas House, Joint Hearing of the Homeland Security & Public Safety and International Relations & Economic Development committees, July 12, 2019","McCraw said that between 2014 and 2018, there has been a 25% reduction in crime in communities on the Texas-Mexico border."]},{"id":"9531.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Hes been in office nearly four years now, but 40% of Wisconsinites dont know who (U.S. Sen.) Ron Johnson is.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 40% of Wisconsinites don't know who Senator Ron Johnson is may be an exaggeration or misleading. While it is possible that a significant portion of the population may not be familiar with Senator Johnson, it is unlikely that such a high percentage would be completely unaware of his existence, especially after nearly four years in office. The evidence provided does not provide concrete data or a reliable source to support the claim. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3096.json","label":"true","statement":"New England already has access to ample supplies of natural gas.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that New England already has access to ample supplies of natural gas. The chart from ISO New England shows that natural gas accounted for 32 percent of power generation in the region in 2010, making it the largest source. Additionally, the president of Hess LNG LLC, who has knowledge of the gas industry, points out that the higher gas prices in New England compared to the rest of the country indicate a need for more gas. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11506.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a question about his financial skills at the CNBC debate included discredited attacks from Democrats and my political opponents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the question about Marco Rubio's financial skills at the CNBC debate included discredited attacks from Democrats and his political opponents. The evidence only mentions Rubio dismissing the question and referring to discredited attacks without specifying what those attacks are. Without further information or evidence, it is not accurate to claim that the question itself included discredited attacks.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5254.json","label":"false","statement":"Our jobless rate, our unemployment rate, is the lowest of all of the big cities in New Jersey.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Mayor Bollwage that the jobless rate in Elizabeth is the lowest among all of the big cities in New Jersey is false. According to a city spokesman, the mayor misspoke and intended to say that Elizabeth has one of the lowest unemployment rates among the state's most populous cities, not the lowest. While Elizabeth may have a relatively low unemployment rate, it is not accurate to claim that it is the lowest among all the big cities in New Jersey.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ryan, countering criticism of Romney tax plan, said that wealthy taxpayers, not middle-income earners, get \"most of the deductions\" in the tax code.","\"The people who get most of the deductions are the people in the top tax brackets, the wealthy, not middle-income taxpayers,\" Ryan explained. \"And so what we\u2019re saying is by getting rid of these deductions that higher income earners get, more of their income is subject to taxation, and that means we can lower tax rates for everybody.\"","He\u2019s on target, with the caveat that it partly depends on the definition of \"wealthy.\" Wealthier people pay higher tax rates and tend to get more benefit from deductions than lower-income earners.","Eliminate the alternative minimum tax. This is a calculation that guarantees that certain higher-income taxpayers with large deductions pay at least a minimum amount of tax."]},{"id":"8747.json","label":"true","statement":"Crime in Atlanta is down 18 percent since 2009.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that crime in Atlanta is down since 2009. The data shows that violent crimes reported to or uncovered by Atlanta police dropped by about 14 percent, and property crime fell by about 12 percent during that time period. While the evidence does not specifically mention an 18 percent decrease, it does indicate an overall decline in crime in Atlanta since 2009, supporting the general claim that crime is down.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Now, folks have probably dedicated careers to trying to determine whether the War on Poverty has succeeded in any meaningful way. Certainly, it\u2019s too complicated a question for a single PolitiFact. But one thing PolitiFact Oregon could check was whether there are \"actually more people in poverty now than there were when we started.\"","\"We\u2019ve been fighting a war on poverty for 50 years and we failed,\" he said. \"There are actually more people in poverty now than there were when we started. We\u2019re spending a trillion dollars on safety net programs. \u2026 Does anyone think for any reason that just throwing more money into that same system is going to change the result? Of course not.\"","He also pointed out that he could have done something sensational. He could have, for instance, said the number of people living in poverty grew by more than 20 percent since the War on Poverty began, but he said he knew that would be alarmist. \"I deliberately didn't do that because I was just trying to make a point.\"","\"We need as a nation to have a conversation about why is it we are creating these big pockets of poverty where people are completely dependent, they can\u2019t live a life of independence,\" Bush told reporters at the North Carolina GOP headquarters May 1. \"And have a meaningful discussion about it -- not saying we need more money. We've had a war on poverty since the 1960s where we've spent trillions of dollars, and there are more poor people today as a percentage of our population than the 1970s.\""]},{"id":"6174.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says there are $500 billion in Medicare cuts required to pay for this flawed [health care law].","reason":"Reason: The statement that there are $500 billion in Medicare cuts required to pay for the health care law is misleading. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act included provisions to reduce the growth of Medicare spending by approximately $500 billion over a ten-year period, these were not direct cuts to benefits or services for Medicare beneficiaries. The reductions were aimed at reducing inefficiencies, eliminating waste, and implementing cost-saving measures within the Medicare program. The intention was to improve the long-term sustainability of Medicare without compromising the quality of care provided to beneficiaries. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the nature of the Medicare savings and implies that it directly impacts Medicare recipients, which is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Georgia has elected more African-American leaders -- mayors, county commissioners, et cetera -- than any other state in the country,\" Deal said in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution story. \"We have a long history of good race relations, and I cannot understand why the Democrat Party of Georgia would try to destroy it.\"","The battle is playing out amid a close race for the governor\u2019s office between an African-American woman, former State House leader Stacey Abrams, and a white man, Brian Kemp, the top official overseeing elections in the state.","Georgia consistently ranks among states with the most such elected leaders, but it has not been at the top. The only thing that keeps this from being outright wrong is the lack of more recent data.","The reports show that Mississippi largely leads because it has the highest black population in the country and therefore has several small jurisdictions with all-black elected leadership, he said."]},{"id":"6173.json","label":"true","statement":"Obama said (the individual mandate) wasnt a tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. President Obama did state that the individual mandate, which required people to buy health insurance or face a tax penalty, was not a tax. However, it's important to note that while Obama argued against labeling it as a tax, he also acknowledged that the absence of the individual mandate would result in passing on the costs of treating uninsured Americans to those who are insured, which he referred to as a \"tax\" on those with coverage. So, while Obama did not explicitly refer to it as a tax, he acknowledged the financial impact on those who were insured.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!Wayne Rogers, who played \"Trapper John\" on M*A*S*H, claimed on Fox News that there are over \"200 documented cases where (Barack Obama) has lied.\u201d !Wayne Rogers, who played \"Trapper John\" on M*A*S*H, claimed on Fox News that there are over \"200 documented cases where (Barack Obama) has lied.\u201d","Wayne Rogers, who played \"Trapper John\" on M*A*S*H, claimed on Fox News that there are over \"200 documented cases where (Barack Obama) has lied.\u201d","Rogers said \"there are over 200 documented cases where (Obama) has lied.\" Rogers did not provide any proof, but it appears he got his information from an online list of 252 perceived transgressions by Obama that includes accusations of lying, broken promises, ethical lapses and objectionable policies. By our count, the article offered 13 instances of what the author saw and another 13 instancs of Obama breaking promises.","\"He's not just willing to lie. He does it deliberately,\" Rogers said May 3, 2014, on the Fox News business program Cashin\u2019 In. \"There are over 200 documented cases where he has lied, you know, you can keep your plan if you like it. You can keep your doctor if you like it. Those are the obvious lies.\""]},{"id":"12174.json","label":"false","statement":"Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland voted to uphold D.C.s ban on handguns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Merrick Garland did not have the opportunity to vote on the issue of D.C.'s ban on handguns. The claim likely stems from confusion surrounding Garland's role as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In 2007, the D.C. Circuit Court upheld the handgun ban in the case of Parker v. District of Columbia. However, Garland did not participate in that decision. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that Garland voted to uphold the ban.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11831.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Between 1990 and 2013, the maternal mortality rate for women in the U.S. has increased by 136%.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been an increase in the maternal mortality rate in the United States between 1990 and 2013, the claim that it has increased by 136% is not entirely accurate. Different studies and sources have provided varying percentages, with one study suggesting a 49% increase. The discrepancy in percentages can be attributed to differences in methodology and model predictions used by different organizations. Therefore, while there has been an increase in the maternal mortality rate, the specific figure of 136% should be approached with caution due to the variations in data and analysis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4035.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since I took office, weve created 76,800 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that 76,800 jobs have been created since they took office. However, it's important to note that without additional context or information, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. Factors such as the time frame, specific industries, and the overall economic conditions need to be considered to fully assess the impact of job creation. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it would benefit from more context to provide a comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3243.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Obama administration actually cut out the democracy in Egypt funds inside the State Department.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is accurate that the Obama administration made cuts to funding for democracy programs in Egypt, it is misleading to attribute these cuts solely to the State Department. The funds that were reduced were actually within the budget of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), not the State Department. Additionally, it is important to note that the Bush administration also shares some responsibility for the funding cuts. Therefore, while there were reductions in democracy funds, attributing them solely to the Obama administration and the State Department is an oversimplification of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"995.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On torture.","reason":"Reason: The statement is quite vague and lacks specific information or context to determine its veracity. However, based on the evidence provided, it can be inferred that there is a mixed consensus on what constitutes torture, particularly in regards to practices like waterboarding. While some may argue that waterboarding is not torture, it is important to note that both U.S. and international law prohibit torture. Therefore, the statement can be considered partially true, as there is a lack of consensus on certain practices but a clear legal prohibition on torture.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5904.json","label":"false","statement":"Democrats plan to keep student loan interest rates low by raising taxes on small businesses, very small businesses the kinds of small businesses that give jobs to graduates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Democrats plan to keep student loan interest rates low by raising taxes on small businesses. The evidence provided does not substantiate this assertion. It is important to note that discussions on student loan interest rates and taxation may exist separately, but there is no direct correlation between the two as suggested in the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9597.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Senate candidate Jack Kingston spent our tax dollars on thousands of wasteful earmarks.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston has voted for thousands of earmarks, it is important to provide context. Earmarks are a common practice among lawmakers when voting for major legislation, such as transportation funding, and it is not unique to Kingston. The statement implies that Kingston's earmarks were wasteful, but it does not provide specific evidence or examples to support this claim. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the validity of the assertion that the earmarks were wasteful. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of wastefulness.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7284.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Even members of the NRA, when they were polled recently, were under the impression that everyone has a criminal background check.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to surveys and polls, including one conducted by Luntz, a majority of gun owners, including members of the NRA, support requiring a criminal background check for anyone purchasing a firearm. While the statement does not provide specific details about the timing or methodology of the poll, the available evidence suggests that a significant portion of NRA members mistakenly believe that everyone already undergoes a criminal background check when purchasing a firearm. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the exact percentage of NRA members who hold this belief, and there may be some variation among individuals within the organization.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Under Ted Cruz\u2019s tax plan, \"businesses will now have to pay 16 percent on the money they make. They will also have to pay 16 percent on the money they pay their employees.\"","Rubio said that under Cruz\u2019s tax plan, \"businesses will now have to pay 16 percent on the money they make. They will also have to pay 16 percent on the money they pay their employees.\"","A moment later, Rubio said Cruz\u2019s plan \"does not eliminate the corporate (income) tax or the payroll tax. Businesses will now have to pay 16 percent on the money they make. They will also have to pay 16 percent on the money they pay their employees.\"","In the Jan. 14, 2016, Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate in North Charleston, S.C., Sen. Rubio of Florida said that under the plan advocated by Sen. Cruz of Texas, businesses basically \"will have to pay a tax, both on the money they make, but they also have to pay taxes on the money that they pay their employees.\""]},{"id":"8949.json","label":"false","statement":"A Congressional Budget Office report says President Barack Obamas executive order to raise the minimum wage for new federal contract workers will cost the economy 500,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report specifically stated that President Obama's executive order to raise the minimum wage for new federal contract workers would cost the economy 500,000 jobs. The evidence refers to a CBO report from February 2014 that analyzed the proposal to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 by 2016, but it does not mention the specific impact on federal contract workers or the number of jobs that would be lost. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The most recent survey of climate scientists said about 57 percent don\u2019t agree with the idea that 95 percent of the change in the climate is caused by CO2.\"","\"The most recent survey of climate scientists said about 57 percent don\u2019t agree with the idea that 95 percent of the change in the climate is caused by CO2,\" he said.","Santorum said, \"The most recent survey of climate scientists said about 57 percent don\u2019t agree with the idea that 95 percent of the change in the climate is caused by CO2.\"","\"I\u2019m not alone,\" Santorum said on Maher\u2019s Aug. 28 HBO show. \"The most recent survey of climate scientists said about 57 percent don\u2019t agree with the idea that 95 percent of the change in the climate is caused by CO2.\""]},{"id":"11591.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The federal government is sending refugees to states with governors who are Republicans, not to the Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The decision to resettle refugees is made by the federal government, specifically the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and is not based on the political affiliation of the state's governor. The federal government follows a process that takes into account various factors such as available resources, existing refugee communities, and capacity for resettlement. It is incorrect to claim that refugees are intentionally sent to states with Republican governors and not to states with Democratic governors. This claim is unsupported by evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10967.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Democrats are responsible for the swift, mindless drawdown of a military that was generations in the making.","reason":"Reason: While there has been a decline in military spending during the Obama administration, it is inaccurate to solely blame the Democrats for the drawdown. Both parties share responsibility for the military reductions, as many members of Congress from both sides voted for these cuts, and the president signed them into law. Additionally, it is important to note that President Obama has proposed increases in defense spending beyond the rate of inflation for years to come. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and inaccurately assigns blame to only one party.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6445.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rhode Island has the most burdensome level of health-insurance mandates in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While Rhode Island does have health insurance mandates in place, it is not accurate to claim that it has the most burdensome level of mandates in the nation. The evidence provided does not support this assertion. The evidence primarily focuses on the rate of uninsured individuals in Rhode Island, which does not directly correlate with the level of health insurance mandates. To accurately assess the burden of health insurance mandates, a comprehensive analysis of the specific mandates and their impact would be required.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5413.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The national unemployment rate has been above 8 percent for a record 36 months.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the national unemployment rate was above 8 percent for a significant period during President Obama's tenure, the statement that it was a \"record\" 36 months is misleading. The comparison to the Great Depression is not entirely accurate since monthly statistics did not exist during that time. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge that the unemployment rate did drop below 8 percent at certain points during Obama's presidency. Therefore, while the statement contains some truth, it lacks important context and exaggerates the significance of the record.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12851.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio didnt show up for a vote on his own bill on sanctions against Hezbollah.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While there is evidence that Marco Rubio has missed votes in the Senate, there is no specific evidence provided to support the claim that he did not show up for a vote on his own bill on sanctions against Hezbollah. Without specific evidence or a clear reference to a particular incident, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim. It is important to provide more specific information or context to support such a statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8513.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"With a bill bringing $100 million in property tax relief, the typical Wisconsin homeowner will save approximately $680 over four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. While Governor Walker claimed that the typical Wisconsin homeowner would save approximately $680 over four years with the property tax relief bill, this figure does not represent actual money that homeowners will save on their property tax bills. The $680 figure is an estimate based on the overall property tax relief provided by the bill, but it does not directly translate into savings for individual homeowners. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Zimmerman said, \"Republicans control the U.S. Senate with 54 seats, but those 54 senators were elected by only two-thirds the number of voters who elected the Democrats. In the Senate, the majority party represents a minority of the people.\"","\"Republicans control the U.S. Senate with 54 seats, but those 54 senators were elected by only two-thirds the number of voters who elected the Democrats,' he says between verses. 'In the Senate, the majority party represents a minority of the people.\"","Why would a majority of the senators be elected by a minority of the United States population? The founding fathers allowed for that when they decided that every state \u2014 with populations large and small \u2014 would only elect two senators. So there's nothing extraordinary about having a group of senators (in this case, the Democrats) who are in the minority even though they were elected by the most votes because they won seats in large states such as California and New York.","Congress' 54 GOP senators were elected with 47,068,532 votes. The rest of the senators collectively received 67,933,645. That means Republicans got just 69 percent of the votes garnered by all of the other senators, or just over the two-thirds that Zimmerman talked about."]},{"id":"634.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"It (Georgia) was one of the earliest Christian nations. The king of then-Georgia in the third century converted to Christianity.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Georgia was indeed one of the earliest Christian nations. Christianity began to spread in Georgia in the 1st century AD, and in the 4th century, it was declared the state religion. The conversion of the king of Georgia to Christianity is mentioned in historical accounts, although the exact date may vary. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be noted that the specific century in which the king of Georgia converted to Christianity is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A moment later, Kristol said, \"Joe Biden spoke more truth than he realized when he made this joke that, well, you guys, it's out of the question that you union members could vote Republican. A lot of union members vote Republican. I think a third -- what is it, 40 percent, even of union members voted Republican even in 2008?","First, there are slight differences between how voters from union households voted (that is, the numbers we cited above) and how union members themselves voted (which is specifically how Kristol phrased his comment). Union members voted 60 percent for Obama and 37 percent for McCain -- two points less for McCain than voters who lived in union households. (Voters from union households accounted for 21 percent of the electorate in 2008, while union members accounted for 12 percent.)","We looked at the exit poll numbers for 2008 and found that 39 percent of voters from union households voted for Republican presidential nominee John McCain, compared to 59 percent for Democrat Barack Obama.","In 2008, voters from union households split their vote for House candidates this way: 34 percent for Republican candidates and 64 percent for Democratic candidates. The numbers were similar for actual union members -- 34 percent backed Republican candidates and 65 percent backed Democratic candidates."]},{"id":"12404.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Amendment 2 will put almost 2,000 pot shops in Florida ... more pot shops than Walmart and Walgreens combined.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Amendment 2 in Florida could potentially lead to the establishment of a significant number of pot shops, the comparison made between the number of pot shops and the combined number of Walmart and Walgreens stores is not a fair or accurate one. The statement fails to consider the difference in scale and nature of these establishments. It would be more appropriate to compare the number of pot shops to the overall number of pharmacies in Florida to provide a more meaningful comparison. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3998.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire, none of the candidates mentioned the middle class or education.","reason":"Reason: While it is technically true that the specific words \"middle class\" and \"education\" were not mentioned in the Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire, it is important to consider the broader context. Candidates did make references to middle-income people using different terms, and they were not directly asked about education during the debate. However, it is worth noting that the candidates did not have control over the topics for questions, as they were determined by the debate moderators and organizers. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the candidates' positions on the middle class and education.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Under the president's plan, he cuts Medicare by $716 billion, takes that money out of the Medicare trust fund and uses it to pay for Obamacare.\"","Romney said, \"Under the president's plan, he cuts Medicare by $716 billion, takes that money out of the Medicare trust fund and uses it to pay for Obamacare.\" This wording isn't as troublesome as other statements we've seen on this topic, including from Romney himself.","\"Under the president's plan, he cuts Medicare by $716 billion, takes that money out of the Medicare trust fund and uses it to pay for Obamacare,\" Romney said. \"I think this is something that people are just now focused on and find it very, very difficult to understand why he would cut Medicare for our current seniors.\"","Romney also send that the spending reduction \" takes that money out of the Medicare trust fund and uses it to pay for Obamacare.\""]},{"id":"6874.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Romney invested in a firm that made goods in China that could have been made here in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. It is true that Mitt Romney's blind trust had investments in foreign firms, including companies in China. However, it is misleading to suggest that Romney personally invested in a specific firm that made goods in China that could have been produced in America. The claim fails to consider the complexities of global supply chains and the fact that many companies, including American ones, have operations or partnerships in various countries. Therefore, while there may be instances where goods could potentially be produced in America instead of China, attributing this solely to Romney's investments is an oversimplification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Florida Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a record $615 million from the 2011-12 state budget on May 26, 2011, targeting an array of money for projects such as university buildings, a rainwater study and $4.8 million for public broadcasting.","That Palm Beach Post story begins with the line, \"The state's five water management districts have slashed their budgets by more than $700 million -- about 40 percent -- but Gov. Rick Scott, who initiated the cuts, wants a little more.\"","No doubt, Scott has cut taxes in his seven years as governor. Our quibble is with the claim that he did it 75 times, which is an inflated statistic.","However, in the years since 2012, the districts\u2019 budgets have started to rise again. The overall budget of the five districts is no longer $700 million less than the pre-Scott budget."]},{"id":"1095.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The health care reform bill -- on Page 16 -- outlaws private insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that the health care reform bill on Page 16 outlaws private insurance is not supported by credible evidence. Independent health care analysts, such as Jennifer Tolbert from the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, have clarified that the bill does not outlaw private insurance. While the bill does introduce provisions for a national health insurance exchange, it does not eliminate the option for individuals to purchase private insurance policies. The claim is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In an online ad that encourages readers to sign a petition, the group says flatly: \"Gov. Walker is denying Democrats the right to vote.\"","But words matter. The association goes too far in saying Walker is denying Democrats the right to vote. That is simply not the case.","That essentially repeats the earlier point about some residents needing to obtain a photo ID. But that\u2019s different than denying someone the right to vote.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Jeff Fitzgerald says Gov. Jim Doyle and Democrats rushed through a tax-raising budget repair bill with no public hearings,\" Dec. 5, 2010"]},{"id":"13297.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When Rachel Zenzinger was on the Arvada City Council, she voted to spend taxpayer funds for a junket to China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are multiple sources that mention Rachel Zenzinger's alleged vote to spend taxpayer funds for a trip to China, there is no concrete evidence or reliable documentation to support this claim. The sources cited are political mailers and statements that lack substantiation. Without verifiable evidence, it is inaccurate to assert that Zenzinger voted to spend taxpayer funds for a trip to China.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black sounded a similar note April 4, 2012, saying that the meat product is safe: \"Lean, finely textured beef is the proper name, and it is a safe, widely used product,\" Black said.","It is correct that the meat is called lean, finely textured beef and it has been widely used in fast-food restaurants and school cafeterias, and is sold in stores. But is it safe?","Under this definition, lean, finely textured beef -- the official term for \"pink slime\" -- is real beef, and a hamburger containing it could still be labeled 100 percent beef. The USDA does not require disclaimers of lean, finely textured beef in meat labels, but some companies, such as food giant Cargill, have opted to sticker their products if it includes this product.","!Texas Gov. Rick Perry tasted a hamburger containing lean, finely textured beef \u2014 called pink slime by critics \u2014 after a March 29, 2012, tour of a Sioux City, Neb., plant where the meat product is made. (Source: Associated Press) !Texas Gov. Rick Perry tasted a hamburger containing lean, finely textured beef \u2014 called pink slime by critics \u2014 after a March 29, 2012, tour of a Sioux City, Neb., plant where the meat product is made. (Source: Associated Press)"]},{"id":"5009.json","label":"false","statement":"Hydrogen sulfide . . . [was] used in the genocide of Jews in Germany.","reason":"Reason: The statement that hydrogen sulfide was used in the genocide of Jews in Germany is false and lacks any credible evidence. Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas that can be found naturally in certain environments and has industrial applications, but there is no historical or scientific basis to support the claim that it was used in the genocide of Jews during World War II. Such a statement is not only factually incorrect but also perpetuates misinformation and conspiracy theories.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When George Bush took office, President Clinton, a Democrat, and the Democratic Congress at the time had left an annual budget that was in surplus,\" Whitehouse said. \"It was returning more money to the federal government than we were spending. It was an annual budget in surplus. We had a national debt at the time, but with the annual budget in surplus, our Congressional Budget Office \u2014 the nonpartisan, not Republican, not Democratic, professional Congressional Budget Office \u2014 had estimated that, when George Bush took office, we would be a debt-free nation by 2009. We would be a debt-free nation by 2009. That was the trajectory that Democratic President Bill Clinton and the Democratic Congress left, along with those annual budget surpluses, when George Bush and the Republicans took office.\"","We won't delve into the varying degrees of blame that Clinton and Bush deserve for the current deficit and debt in this item. But when Whitehouse says that \"Clinton, a Democrat, and the Democratic Congress at the time had left an annual budget that was in surplus,\" he's wrong.","When Clinton handed over the reins to Bush, there was a Republican Congress, not a Democratic one. In fact, it wasn't even a close call: For the last six years of Clinton's term, the GOP had been in control of both the House and the Senate.","We'll note that on the numbers, rather than the party labels, Whitehouse is correct. In 2000, Clinton's final year in office, the federal government ran a surplus of $236 billion. The following year, Bush's first as president, the surplus was $128 billion. That was the last time the government ran a surplus, at least as of now. In early 2001, the CBO did indeed predict surpluses as far as the eye could see -- enough to eliminate the debt by 2009, as Whitehouse said."]},{"id":"9024.json","label":"true","statement":"Says five Democratic state senators were for her bicycle tailgating bill before they were against it.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that there were Democratic state senators who initially supported the bicycle tailgating bill but later opposed it. The statement accurately reflects the situation where these senators changed their stance on the bill. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rep. John Carter says families with special needs children will pay $13 billion more in taxes under the new health care law",", ObamaCare: $13 billion tax increase on families with special needs,( \"ObamaCare: $13 billion tax increase on families with special needs,\") April 9, 2010","( - Rep. John Carter says families with special needs children will pay $13 billion more in taxes under the new health care law&url=)","Carter's statement that the health care law will smack a $13 billion tax increase entirely on families with children who have special needs defies common sense. At our inquiry, his office backed off the sweep of Carter's Twitter message and conceded they didn't have numbers confirming that special-needs' families would bear the brunt of the tax change."]},{"id":"11213.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres not a single, solitary example that signing the bill to end Glass-Steagall had anything to do with the financial crash.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Clinton's claim that there is no concrete example linking the signing of the bill to end Glass-Steagall with the financial crash. While some, including Bernie Sanders, have argued that the repeal of Glass-Steagall contributed to the 2008 financial crisis, President Clinton's assertion aligns with the fact-checking analysis conducted by PolitiFact, which rated his statement as Mostly True. It's important to note that this issue remains a subject of debate among experts and economists, but the statement accurately represents President Clinton's perspective on the matter.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11527.json","label":"false","statement":"On support for the Export-Import Bank","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the statement regarding support for the Export-Import Bank. However, based on the information available, it is clear that there are differing opinions on the matter. Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed opposition to the Export-Import Bank, referring to it as corporate welfare. Additionally, the statement highlights the fact that loan subsidies provided by the bank are funded by taxpayers. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is false as it does not accurately reflect unanimous support for the Export-Import Bank.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is talking to a television reporter along the first-base line. Their backs are facing the baseball diamond, and the two are standing about 125 feet from home plate -- where a fellow Ray is taking batting practice.","U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, a Democratic candidate for governor, laid bare what he thought was at stake on the ballot for Florida voters this November: affordable housing.","Washington Post (via Tampa Bay Times ), \"This is how rising sea levels will reshape the face of the Tampa Bay area,\" Oct. 14, 2015","PolitiFact Florida decided to take a break from politics to put the now viral video -- and the Rays superstar third baseman -- to the Truth-O-Meter."]},{"id":"1496.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The stimulus bill \"didnt create one new job.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that the stimulus bill \"didn't create one new job\" is false. Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations, have debunked this claim and found it to be highly inaccurate. The stimulus bill did result in the creation of numerous jobs across various sectors, and there is substantial evidence to support this. Therefore, the statement is deemed as Pants on Fire, indicating a blatant falsehood.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10966.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate opponent Ron Johnson is opposed to all government-assisted student loans.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that U.S. Senator Ron Johnson has criticized the federal government's role in student loans. However, it is important to note that the statement does not specify whether Senator Johnson is opposed to all government-assisted student loans. While he has expressed concerns about the federal government's involvement in student loans, it does not necessarily mean he opposes all forms of government-assisted student loans. Without further clarification, it is difficult to determine the extent of his opposition. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks specificity.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7836.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says El Paso is the safest city of our size in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. El Paso has been recognized as one of the safest cities in the United States, but it is important to note that the claim specifically refers to being the safest city \"of our size.\" This means that when comparing cities of similar population or size, El Paso has been recognized for its low crime rates. However, it does not necessarily mean that El Paso is the absolute safest city in the nation when considering cities of all sizes. Therefore, while El Paso's safety record is commendable, the statement should be qualified to reflect its comparison to cities of similar size.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5837.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the stimulus bill sent tax credits overseas, such as $1.2 billion to a solar company thats building a plant in Mexico.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the stimulus bill sent tax credits overseas, specifically $1.2 billion to a solar company building a plant in Mexico, is false. Multiple fact-checkers have investigated this claim and found it to be unsubstantiated. The TV ad from Americans for Prosperity that made this claim did not provide accurate information, and there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that stimulus tax credits were sent overseas in this manner.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The conspiracy website InfoWars reported this week that \"the U.S. State Department has ordered 160,000 Hazmat suits for Ebola, prompting concerns that the federal government is anticipating the rapid spread of a virus that has already claimed an unprecedented number of lives.\"","The website InfoWars claimed that the State Department \"has ordered 160,000 Hazmat suits for Ebola,\" demonstrating that \"the federal government is anticipating the rapid spread of a virus that has already claimed an unprecedented number of lives.\"","We\u2019re not going to touch speculation about Ebola\u2019s evolution, but we wanted to check his claim that the State Department has ordered 160,000 Hazmat suits for Ebola, and that their order reflects the federal government\u2019s anticipation of a \"rapid spread\" of Ebola.","Their new bid, while an expansion of their efforts, is in line with what USAID has done so far, and doesn\u2019t demonstrate that the federal government is anticipating any sort of \"rapid spread.\""]},{"id":"8697.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Im ninth generation from New Hampshire.","reason":"Reason: While Scott Brown claims to be \"ninth generation from New Hampshire,\" the statement is open to interpretation and lacks specific evidence to support its accuracy. While Brown does have familial connections to New Hampshire and has roots in the state, the claim of being \"ninth generation\" is not verifiable and may be subjective in terms of what it means to be \"from\" a particular place. Without further evidence or clarification, the statement remains partially true but lacks concrete validation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10156.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsin Republicans repealed a statewide fair pay law that made sure women are treated fairly on the job.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Wisconsin Republicans repealed a statewide fair pay law. The purpose of this law was indeed to ensure that women are treated fairly on the job and to prevent gender-based wage discrimination. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While the repeal of the law suggests a change in policy, it does not provide information on the specific reasons or motivations behind the repeal. Additionally, the statement does not address any potential alternative measures or policies that may have been implemented in place of the repealed law. Overall, the statement is mostly true but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!On CNN's \"State of the Union,\" Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, \u201cWe were told there would never be a case of Ebola in the United States.\u201d !On CNN's \"State of the Union,\" Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, \u201cWe were told there would never be a case of Ebola in the United States.\u201d","On CNN's \"State of the Union,\" Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, \u201cWe were told there would never be a case of Ebola in the United States.\u201d","\"Americans have to be reassured here,\" McCain said on Oct. 12, 2014. \"I don\u2019t think we are comforted by the fact that we were told there would never be a case of Ebola in the United States, and obviously that\u2019s not correct.\"","Duncan\u2019s case is just one of two Ebola-related fatalities in the United States, and since Duncan traveled to Dallas, more Americans -- at least nine, and likely many more -- have died from the flu."]},{"id":"3334.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under a proposed Georgia law, women who miscarry could become felons.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the proposed Georgia law, which suggests that women who miscarry could potentially face felony charges if they cannot prove that there was no human involvement in the causation of their miscarriage. However, it's important to note that the implementation and interpretation of the law would ultimately depend on how prosecutors and judges choose to handle it. While the potential for women to become felons due to miscarriages exists in the proposed law, the actual outcome would depend on the discretion of legal authorities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["( - Marsha Blackburn says health-care law will lead to loss of 1,000 of 10,000 medical-device industry jobs in her district&url=)","\"In my congressional district, we have about 10,000 individuals that are employed in the medical device industry,\" Blackburn said. \"We have estimates from the Manhattan Institute that 1,000 of those jobs will be lost if this tax stays on the books.\"","Blackburn exaggerates the number of medical device manufacturing jobs in her district and in the state while citing a free-market advocate\u2019s 2009 study that says 1,000 jobs could be lost statewide.","Several members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., recently gathered for a photo opportunity and to speak for repealing a health-care law provision that applies to a 2.3 percent excise tax on the sale of medical devices and for a bill that would repeal it."]},{"id":"12881.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Paul Ryan) has actually proposed three total, three bills that have become law in his entire career dating back to 1999.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by David Canon that Paul Ryan has proposed three bills that have become law throughout his career. However, it's important to note that the term \"proposed\" refers to bills sponsored by Ryan, not necessarily bills that he authored or solely introduced. While the statement may lack some nuance, it is generally true that Ryan has had a limited number of bills that he sponsored become law during his career.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Eric Schmitt \u201csponsored a bill to spend $480 million of your tax dollars\u201d on cargo hub for airlines \"owned by China's Communist Party\u201d and \"voted to let China buy up Missouri farmland.\"","Rep. Randy Forbes says the United States pays $73.9 million per day in interest to China. He based his statistic on the percentage of U.S. debt held by China and the CBO\u2019s estimate of how much we will spend on interest payments during the 2011 fiscal year.","In fiscal 2010, which ended Sept. 30, the federal government spent $197 billion on interest payments for public debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office. If we divide that by 365 days, we reach an average daily interest payment of $539,726,027. Because the Treasury doesn\u2019t make payments on weekends or holidays, and because debt payments vary depending on when a Treasury note was issued, the actual daily number was probably never that exact amount.","Forbes\u2019 number -- $73.9 million a day in interest payments to China -- left our heads spinning. We set out to see if it was right."]},{"id":"1452.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We cut property taxes by one-third.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Perry claimed that property taxes were cut by one-third in Texas during his tenure, this statement is an oversimplification. While there were indeed property tax reductions implemented during his time as governor, the overall impact varied across different jurisdictions within the state. Some areas experienced significant reductions, while others saw more modest decreases or even increases in property taxes. Therefore, the claim that property taxes were universally reduced by one-third is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["So how does that mesh with Brown\u2019s claim? In his statement he said \"the average Ohio student graduating from a four-year institution.\" That describes a bigger pool of people than just the students who graduate with debt. In that most recent survey it would also include the 32 percent of the graduates who had no debt. But the figure Brown cited, nearly $27,000, was an average covering just those students who graduated with debt.","\"Federally-subsidized Stafford loans have allowed thousands of students\u2014who might not otherwise be able pay for to college\u2014afford the ever-increasing cost of higher education,\" he said in a news release. \"With the average Ohio student graduating from a four-year institution with nearly $27,000 in tuition bills, the last thing we should be doing is adding to their already-heavy debt load.\"","The figure of $27,000 caught the notice of PolitiFact Ohio. It is more than $6,700 per year for four years of school.","Its most recent survey of public and private four-year institutions in Ohio found that 68 percent of students graduate in debt, and that the average debt on college loans is $27,713 -- the 7th-highest statewide average in the nation. (New Hampshire was highest, with average debt of $31,048; Wyoming was lowest, with $20,571.)"]},{"id":"5545.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"An independent payment advisory board created by the health care reform law can ration care and deny certain Medicare treatments.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the independent payment advisory board created by the health care reform law can ration care and deny certain Medicare treatments is false. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, stating that the board does not have the authority to make individual treatment decisions or deny specific treatments. Its purpose is to make recommendations to control Medicare costs and improve efficiency, but it does not have the power to ration care or deny treatments for Medicare beneficiaries.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The e-mail included a link to the TracPhone Web site, a prepaid cell phone company, and its SafeLink Wireless program to help low-income people get cellular coverage. Depending on where participants live, free phones and free minutes are available; participants in Washington, D.C., for example, can get 55 free minutes per month, while consumers in Florida can get 68 free minutes a month.","We learned that there is, in fact, a government program that provides discounted phone service to low-income people, depending on where participants live, through Federal Communications Commission programs. Specifically, a program called Lifeline provides discounts on basic monthly phone service, according to the FCC website.","Internet chatter claiming that Obama gave cell phones to welfare recipients contained a tiny grain of truth: The federal government does have a program to subsidize phone service for low-income people. That program, though, existed long before Obama became president.","The chain e-mail \u2014 we've received copies from several readers \u2014 calls them \"Obama phones,\" which suggests the program is new. It says the cell phone program threatens \"the very foundations that this country was built on,\" and \"the age old concepts of God, family, and hard work.\""]},{"id":"5531.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says her accomplishments include a fiscally responsible budget agreement that controls state spending.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that the individual's accomplishments include a fiscally responsible budget agreement that controls state spending. The evidence mentions positive statements about budgets and accomplishments, but it does not provide specific information or evidence to support the claim of a fiscally responsible budget agreement or effective control of state spending. Therefore, the claim is not substantiated and is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10106.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says David Perdue built his business career outsourcing American jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that David Perdue built his business career outsourcing American jobs is partially true. Perdue's own words in a 2005 deposition indicate that he was involved in establishing work and supply lines in foreign countries, which can be interpreted as outsourcing. However, it's important to note that job loss can also be attributed to broader factors such as technological advancements and global business trends, which may have been outside of Perdue's control. While Perdue's business career involved some level of outsourcing, it is necessary to consider the full context and complexities of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3525.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Some of the colleges, including AM, have already guaranteed that they will not increase their tuition.","reason":"Reason: While Representative Aycock stated that \"some colleges, including Texas A&M, have already guaranteed that they will not increase their tuition,\" the fact-checking analysis indicates that this claim is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that Texas A&M did not explicitly guarantee a tuition freeze, and the statement may create the impression that other public colleges in Texas have made similar guarantees, which is not supported by the information provided. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it lacks complete accuracy and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7497.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Legislature needs to spend $500 million to shore up the pension fund this year and the next 28 years to keep it afloat.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the Legislature needs to spend $500 million to \"shore up\" the pension fund. However, it's important to note that this amount is specific to the current year, and the statement incorrectly implies that the same amount will be required for the next 28 years. The evidence suggests that the recommended amount for the unfunded liability in the budget is $537 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year. While the statement accurately represents the current year's requirement, it misrepresents the long-term financial commitment needed to sustain the pension system.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Don\u2019t be fooled: Not one penny of the bag ban tax goes to the environment,\" the No on 67 campaign claimed in its official ballot argument against the proposition.","Notably, the No on 67 campaign uses the word \"tax\" rather than charge or fee in its claim. The term doesn\u2019t fit, as the revenue goes to stores, not a government agency.","Prop 67 bans the use of plastic retail bags and REQUIRES grocers to charge and keep a minimum 10 cent tax on every paper or thicker plastic reusable bag provided at checkout.","DON'T BE FOOLED BY PROP 67. It is a $300 million per year HIDDEN TAX INCREASE on California consumers who will be forced to pay a minimum 10 cents for every paper and thick plastic grocery bag they are given at the checkout."]},{"id":"3210.json","label":"true","statement":"More than one-quarter of Americas young adults are too fat to serve in the U.S. military","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bing West that more than one-quarter of America's young adults are physically or mentally unfit to serve in the U.S. military. This claim is supported by a 2009 report titled \"Ready, Willing and Unable to Serve, 75 Percent of Young Adults Cannot Join the Military,\" which highlights the issue of young adults being unfit for military service due to factors such as obesity. The Defense Department and non-governmental organizations have also conducted research that supports this claim. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The language that's part of the president's National Security Council memo \"is identical to the language\" used by President George W. Bush in 2001 and President Barack Obama in 2009.","In one recent ad, Hayworth attacked McCain for his vote on the two major tax cut bills of George W. Bush's presidency. \"McCain voted against the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, wrongly claiming they helped only the rich,\" the ad says.","For example, in 2001 and again in 2003, McCain joined Democrats in voting against President George W. Bush's tax cut packages. The first time, he said the tax breaks didn't do enough for the middle class, and there was a need for increased defense spending. The second time, after the 9\/11 terrorist attacks, he said cutting taxes was inadvisable in a time of war.","PolitiFact fact-checked McCain regularly during the 2008 presidential campaign against Barack Obama. That was McCain\u2019s second run for the presidency after losing the GOP primary to George W. Bush in 2000. (PolitiFact launched in 2007 so we did not fact-check the earlier race.)"]},{"id":"1173.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Van Jones is an avowed, self-avowed radical revolutionary communist.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Glenn Beck has referred to Van Jones as a communist, it is important to note that Jones himself has acknowledged his past involvement with radical groups and his association with individuals who held communist beliefs. However, it is misleading to label Jones as an \"avowed, self-avowed radical revolutionary communist\" without providing the necessary context. Jones has distanced himself from his past affiliations and has not identified as a communist in recent years. Therefore, the statement is exaggerated and does not accurately reflect Jones' current beliefs or affiliations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2592.json","label":"true","statement":"New Castle Countys unemployment rate has not almost doubled in the last two years.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly shows that the statement claiming New Castle County's unemployment rate almost doubled in the last two years is false. The unemployment rate in the county was 5.5 percent in August 2008 and increased to 8.7 percent in August 2010. This represents an increase of approximately 3.2 percentage points, which is not even close to doubling. Furthermore, when comparing the county's unemployment rate to the national rates during the same period, New Castle County performed better, with unemployment growing slightly more slowly than the national average. Therefore, the statement that New Castle County's unemployment rate almost doubled in the last two years is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10401.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he balanced the budget without raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: While the statement claims that the individual in question balanced the budget without raising taxes, there is evidence to suggest that this claim is not entirely accurate. In the provided evidence, it is mentioned that the city's property tax revenues have increased due to the rise in property values, and the city has been required to advertise a tax increase by state law. This indicates that some form of tax increase or revenue generation may have occurred, even if it was not a direct increase in tax rates. Therefore, the claim of balancing the budget without raising taxes may be misleading or incomplete.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Those who support it say the bank makes American companies more competitive globally by incentivizing foreign buyers. Those who are against it say it is corporate welfare that helps hand-picked companies while disadvantaging businesses that don\u2019t use the bank.","U.S. Export Import Bank, \" Statement of Honorable Osvaldo Luis Gratac\u00f3s Inspector General Export-Import Bank of the United States before the United States House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services,\" June 25, 2014","Congressional Budget Office, \" Testimony on Estimates of the Cost of the Credit Programs of the Export-Import Bank,\" June 25, 2015","\"Loan subsidies don't come from thin air. They are paid for by the taxpayers. So, saying that the Export-Import bank is free is wrong,\" he said."]},{"id":"4610.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"(Sen. Robert) Gordon cost us money, exempting the Newark sports arena from paying property taxes and sticking us with the bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Robert Gordon supported the exemption of the Newark sports arena from paying property taxes, it is misleading to claim that he personally \"cost us money\" and stuck taxpayers with the bill. The statement fails to acknowledge the broader context and factors involved in the financial situation of Newark. The need for additional state aid dollars for Newark has been attributed to various factors beyond the property tax exemption, such as economic challenges and budgetary decisions. Therefore, while Senator Gordon supported the exemption, attributing the entire financial burden to him alone is an oversimplification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1699.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The passage of the teacher tenure bill in the Fla. Legislature was like the health care bill in Congress because one party jammed it through.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The comparison between the passage of the teacher tenure bill in the Florida Legislature and the health care bill in Congress is based on the claim that one party \"jammed it through.\" While it is true that the health care bill in Congress was passed without any votes from the party out of power, the statement does not provide enough evidence to support the claim that the teacher tenure bill in the Florida Legislature was similarly \"jammed through\" by one party. Additional information about the legislative process, bipartisan support or opposition, and the level of debate and discussion surrounding the bill would be needed to fully assess the accuracy of the comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In 2010, as the president's recovery program kicked in, the job losses stopped and things began to turn around,\" Clinton said in his keynote Democratic National Convention speech. \"The Recovery Act saved or created millions of jobs and cut taxes -- let me say this again -- cut taxes for 95 percent of the American people.\"","Clinton singled out Obama\u2019s 2009 economic stimulus program, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as a positive step for the economy.","\"We cut taxes. We cut taxes for 95 percent of working families. We cut taxes for small businesses,\" Obama said. \"We cut taxes for first-time homebuyers. We cut taxes for parents trying to care for their children. We cut taxes for 8 million Americans paying for college.\"","Not everyone works -- think seniors or the unemployed, for example -- and when you account for those people, the percentage of people who get a tax cut drops to approximately 75 percent."]},{"id":"9997.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Bruce Braley threatened to sue a neighbor over chickens that came onto (his) property.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Bruce Braley was involved in a dispute with a neighbor over chickens entering his property. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Braley threatened to sue his neighbor over this issue. The claim that he threatened legal action is not supported by the information provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gov. Bill Haslam is \"making our Economic Development department Sharia compliant\" by hiring a woman \"who specializes in Sharia compliance. That\u2019s what her job is.\"","Here is but one of the full from Degan: \"They\u2019re making our Economic Development department Sharia compliant. They hired Samar Ali, who came directly from the Obama administration, who specializes in Sharia compliance. That\u2019s what her job is.\"","In an interview with The Commercial Appeal, he claimed there is an effort under way to make the state\u2019s economic development agency \"Sharia compliant.\" He contends that Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed a director at the state Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) who Degan says specializes in \"Sharia compliance\" and is working to make the agency \"Sharia compliant\" in order to \"go after Sharia money.\"","--\"They\u2019re making our economic development department Sharia compliant. Why would you make it Sharia compliant if you weren\u2019t going after Sharia money?\""]},{"id":"3288.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in his budget repair bill is showing that no stone goes unturned as he asks everyone to tighten their belts.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker proposed a budget repair bill that aimed to address fiscal challenges, the statement inaccurately portrays the bill as an example of Governor Walker asking \"everyone to tighten their belts\" and leaving no stone unturned. In reality, the bill faced significant opposition and controversy, particularly regarding its impact on collective bargaining rights for public employees. The bill was seen by many as an attempt to limit the bargaining power of unions rather than a comprehensive effort to address fiscal concerns. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["DeSantis made a similar point during a press conference on Oct. 25. He used the same two numbers and said that \"almost half of the nation's (job growth) output was just in Florida.\"","If you use the 194,000 figure, then the top three gaining states alone \u2014 Texas, Florida, and California \u2014 collectively produced a net 227,700 new jobs, which would be 117% of the new net job creation in September.","Florida is the nation\u2019s third most-populous state, so measuring job gains by raw numbers does risk giving it an unfair boost in a 50-state comparison. But in this case, Florida did well on a percentage basis, too. In fact, measuring by percentage gains from the previous month, Florida would actually leapfrog Texas to No. 1 in the national rankings for job growth.","\u2022 Using raw numbers of job gains also ignores population growth. Accounting for that would put Jimmy Carter first, rather than Biden."]},{"id":"9913.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Income inequality is worse in towns run by Democrat mayors than in towns run by Republican mayors.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Paul's statement suggests that income inequality is worse in towns run by Democrat mayors compared to those run by Republican mayors, the evidence provided does not fully support this claim. The evidence highlights that some of the most equal cities have Republican mayors, while others have nonpartisan mayors or Democrat mayors. This indicates that income inequality cannot be solely attributed to the political affiliation of the mayor. Therefore, while there may be some correlation between income inequality and Democrat mayors, it is not accurate to conclude that it is worse in towns run by Democrat mayors compared to Republican mayors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"571.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"McCain used to buck his party on immigration by fighting for comprehensive reform. . . . But when he was running for his party's nomination, he . . . said that he wouldn't even support his own legislation if it came up for a vote.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights a change in Senator John McCain's stance on immigration. McCain was known for his support of comprehensive immigration reform in the past but altered his position during his presidential campaign. He stated that he would not support his own legislation if it were to come up for a vote, which indicates a shift in his position. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the legislation in question or the context surrounding McCain's statement. While it accurately captures the general shift in McCain's position, additional context would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"For months you've heard us say that Bill Nelson has voted in favor of higher taxes over 150 times. As it turns out, we were wrong,\" the email says. \" I hope you'll forgive our mistake. In fact, it turns out Bill Nelson actually voted in favor of higher taxes 272 times. That's right -- Bill Nelson didn't vote for higher taxes over 150 times. He did it 272 times.\"","\"The statement you are fact checking is that Nelson VOTED in favor of higher taxes 349 times,\" said campaign spokeswoman Kerri Wyland. \"He did. Every member of Congress should be held accountable for every single vote they take \u2013 that is part of their job and it is what American families expect. Every vote cited was an opportunity for Bill Nelson to make his position on taxes clear, and every time he voted in favor of higher taxes.\"","In 2012, we fact-checked Mack\u2019s claim that Nelson voted to raise taxes 150 times and ruled that claim False. Two months later, we fact-checked Mack again. This time he claimed that Nelson voted for higher taxes 272 times and that also rated False.","After PolitiFact gave Mack a \"False\" rating for saying that Nelson voted to raise taxes 150 times the Mack campaign has tweaked their message to say Nelson voted in favor of \"higher taxes.\" Mack argues that \"higher\" taxes aren\u2019t necessarily the same as a tax \"increase\" -- a vote for the status quo or against a tax cut is choosing a path of \"higher\" taxes, Mack argues."]},{"id":"4285.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obama and Democrats spending addiction has driven our national debt to historic proportions, maxed out our national credit card and has now led to the Democrat Downgrade of our countrys AAA credit rating.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains elements of truth but also exaggerates and oversimplifies the situation. While it is true that the national debt has increased during President Obama's tenure, attributing it solely to his administration and Democrats oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to the national debt. Both Democrats and Republicans have played a role in the nation's fiscal situation through their respective policies and decisions. Additionally, the claim that the downgrade of the country's credit rating was solely due to Democrats is misleading. The downgrade by Standard and Poor's was a result of various factors, including political gridlock and concerns about the overall fiscal health of the country. Therefore, while there are valid concerns about the national debt, the statement exaggerates and places sole blame on Democrats.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1139.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republicans Chuck Grassley, John Boehner and John Mica flip-flopped on providing end-of-life counseling for the elderly.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that Republicans like Chuck Grassley, John Boehner, and John Mica expressed concerns about end-of-life counseling and referred to it as \"death panels\" or a potential government-encouraged euthanasia. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly show a flip-flop on their stance regarding providing end-of-life counseling for the elderly. While they expressed concerns about certain provisions related to end-of-life counseling, it does not necessarily indicate a complete reversal of their position on the matter. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks sufficient evidence to support a definitive flip-flop claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The American College of Emergency Physicians stands by its calculations but acknowledges that other calculations can be legitimate. The data that produced the 2 percent figure \"comes from reputable sources, and the calculation is correct,\" said spokeswoman Julie Lloyd. \"At the same time, we know that the numbers could be calculated in different ways.\"","Gillespie countered that \"emergency rooms (are) 2 percent of all health care spending. It's not a huge amount. That's a big red herring in this.\"","!Nick Gillespie, the editor of the libertarian publication , said that emergency care accounts for just 2 percent of American health care spending. Is that correct? !Nick Gillespie, the editor of the libertarian publication , said that emergency care accounts for just 2 percent of American health care spending. Is that correct?","Nick Gillespie, the editor of the libertarian publication , said that emergency care accounts for just 2 percent of American health care spending. Is that correct?"]},{"id":"9953.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The FBI is involved in an investigation about people in the Rio Grande Valley who are using cocaine to buy votes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Abbott that the FBI is involved in an investigation regarding individuals in the Rio Grande Valley using cocaine to buy votes. This claim is supported by the statement of an FBI spokeswoman who confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Additionally, there has been a previous arrest related to vote-buying in the area. However, it's important to note that the investigation is still ongoing and until it is fully adjudicated, the complete details and outcomes are not yet known.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["President Barack Obama \"said at the beginning of the negotiations that the basic approach was to dismantle Iran\u2019s nuclear program in exchange for dismantling the sanctions.\"","Cotton said that Obama \"said at the beginning of the negotiations that the basic approach was to dismantle Iran\u2019s nuclear program in exchange for dismantling the sanctions.\"","\"He (Obama) said at the beginning of the negotiations that the basic approach was to dismantle Iran's nuclear program in exchange for dismantling the sanctions. In fact, we are going to keep Iran's nuclear program in place. In fact, Western countries are going to help Iran develop advanced capabilities.\"","We decided to check the claim that the administration\u2019s original intent was to dismantle Iran\u2019s nuclear program in exchange for dismantling the sanctions."]},{"id":"12919.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio wrote and passed bipartisan legislation allowing the VA to fire negligent workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Marco Rubio did play a role in the passage of legislation that allowed the VA to fire negligent workers. The VA Management Accountability Act of 2014, which Rubio supported, included provisions that granted the VA secretary the authority to dismiss Senior Executive Service workers based on their performance. However, it's important to note that Rubio's legislation was part of a larger bill that included other reforms to the VA system, and it passed with bipartisan support. So while Rubio did contribute to the legislation and it was ultimately passed with bipartisan backing, it is important to acknowledge the broader context of the bill.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The United States has never stood by and seen innocent people slaughtered to the extent that's happening in Syria,\" Chambliss said. \"The United States does not need to be the world's policeman, but the United States does need to step in when tyrants like this, really, in a very militant way, kill innocent people on a regular basis.\"","Chambliss said, \"The United States has never stood by and seen innocent people slaughtered to the extent that's happening in Syria.\" That claim is undercut by myriad examples in which more than 100,000 civilians were killed yet the United States did not take direct and significant action. We rate the claim Pants on Fire.","\"There are many cases where we\u2019ve stood by with much larger death tolls,\" O\u2019Hanlon said. \"But that doesn\u2019t really justify inaction in Syria.\"","We wondered: Is there a precedent for the United States failing to intervene in the slaughter of innocents on a scale as large as, or larger than, the conflict in Syria?"]},{"id":"5129.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Romney and Bain Capital drove KB Toys into bankruptcy by loading it up with debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that KB Toys went into bankruptcy under Bain Capital's ownership, the statement oversimplifies the situation. KB Toys was already a troubled company before Bain Capital acquired it, and toy industry analysts have stated that the company was facing difficulties prior to the acquisition. While Bain Capital did load KB Toys with debt, it is important to note that Romney had retired from Bain Capital before the acquisition and would not have been directly involved in the financial decisions. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that another private capital firm, Prentice Capital Management, bought KB Toys out of bankruptcy, and the company ultimately went bankrupt again under different ownership. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it fails to provide a complete and accurate representation of the circumstances leading to KB Toys' bankruptcy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a July 5, 2011, news release, the committee singled out U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., saying \"Kind\u2019s stimulus cost taxpayers $278,000 per job.\"","We asked the NRCC if it had any evidence beyond the blog post cited by Boehner and Dewhurst to back up its version of the statement -- that \"Kind\u2019s stimulus cost taxpayers $278,000 per job.\" Spokeswoman Andrea Bozek cited various reports critical of the stimulus, but nothing to establish that the $278,000 figure is correct.","The National Republican Congressional Committee, like Boehner and Dewhurst, claimed that the federal stimulus cost $278,000 per job. The NRCC called it \"Kind\u2019s stimulus\" because U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., voted for it. Our PolitiFact colleagues have twice ruled the claim False and the NRCC offered us no new evidence to consider. We rate its claim False, as well.","Citing the report, Anderson said the stimulus had added or saved just under 2.4 million jobs at a cost to date of $666 billion. He divided the $666 billion by 2.4 million jobs to come up with a rounded-up figure of $278,000 per job."]},{"id":"11038.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Florida, the number of voters who now register as other has grown by a million in the last 10 years. Compare that with the Democrats, who only grew by 300,000 and the Republicans who grew by just 200,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Chuck Todd, stating that in Florida, the number of voters registering as \"other\" has increased by a million over the past 10 years. It also correctly compares this growth to the increase of 300,000 registered Democrats and 200,000 registered Republicans during the same period. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or reasons behind this growth, such as the specific factors contributing to the increase in \"other\" registrations. Nonetheless, based on the evidence provided, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Saxby Chambliss, Johnny Isakson, have said that the farm bill was the most important piece of legislation to Georgians, and yet you stood against it,\" Nunn said .","Isakson and Chambliss both supported the final bill, with Chambliss taking the floor of the Senate to urge others to vote with him.","Michelle Nunn, the Democratic candidate running for Georgia\u2019s open U.S. Senate seat, invoked her support of the bill in her first debate this week with Republican candidate David Perdue.","Nunn\u2019s claim is designed to bolster her bipartisan bona fides - and showcase where she agrees with conservatives such as Georgia\u2019s two current senators, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, and powerful groups, such as the Georgia and American farm bureaus."]},{"id":"11682.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Were practically not allowed to use coal any more. What do we do with our coal? We ship it to China and they spew it in the air.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks nuance. While it is true that there have been regulations and efforts to reduce coal usage in certain regions, it is incorrect to claim that we are practically not allowed to use coal anymore. Coal is still used as a significant source of energy in many parts of the United States. Additionally, while there have been exports of coal to China, it is misleading to suggest that China is solely responsible for spewing coal emissions into the air. The statement oversimplifies a complex issue and does not accurately reflect the current state of coal usage and its impact.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2404.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Deepwaters own testimony . . . is they said theyll create six jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it accurately mentions Deepwater's testimony about creating six jobs, it lacks context. The statement does not provide information regarding the timeframe or the specific circumstances surrounding Deepwater's testimony. Without this additional context, it is challenging to determine the accuracy and relevance of the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In fall 2007, the state rented a home for the governor and his wife, Anita, about 11 miles southwest of downtown Austin so the Governor's Mansion could be renovated. In an April 13 press release, White, who faces Perry in November, calls the monthly rent an \"extravagant, unwarranted use of taxpayer dollars,\" adding that by the end of his current term, Perry \"will have drained Texas taxpayers ... of more than $360,000 to pay for the rental mansion he has been living in while the historic Governor's Mansion is repaired and renovated.\"","While we don't have an exact comparison of the ancillary costs of living at the Governor's Mansion, we know that in 2007 -- the last year that Perry lived there -- those bills, including for grounds work and utilities, totaled more than $330,000. (Kay Molina, assistant executive director of the Facilities Commission, said high maintenance costs that year reflected the fact that the mansion needed to be renovated.)","Less than a year after the Perrys moved into the rental home in a gated community near Barton Creek, the Governor's Mansion, just southwest of the Capitol, was heavily damaged in an arson fire for which no one has been arrested. Work has stopped on the mansion pending a decision on options for rebuilding the historical structure.","However, $197,000 has been spent on utilities and other items, such as preparing the rental residence for the governor, according to the Texas Facilities Commission and State Preservation Board."]},{"id":"12572.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mark Zandi, who wrote a report criticizing Donald Trumps economic proposals, is one of Sen. John McCains former economic advisers.","reason":"Reason: While Mark Zandi did write a report criticizing Donald Trump's economic proposals, there is no evidence to support the claim that he is one of Senator John McCain's former economic advisers. The statement made by Clinton is inaccurate in linking Zandi directly to McCain. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["MCCAIN: I said bombing. My statement was bombing. I don't know if you received a text, but my statement that I made at my speech was that he suggested bombing Pakistan without their permission.","Clinton's line echoes recent comments by McCain, who told reporters Feb. 20 that Obama \"suggested bombing Pakistan,\" and Bush, who said in a Feb. 17 TV interview that he didn't know much about Obama's foreign policy except that \"he's going to attack Pakistan and embrace (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad.\"","QUESTION: Senator McCain, last night in your speech you talked about Barack Obama saying that he once suggested invading our ally, Pakistan.","\u2022 On Obama's policies: Also in February, McCain made an extreme charge against Obama, saying he \u201csuggested bombing Pakistan.\u201d In fact, that is a serious distortion of Obama's remarks in a August 2007 speech. Obama said: \u201cI understand that (Pakistan) President Musharraf has his own challenges. But let me make this clear. There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again. It was a terrible mistake to fail to act when we had a chance to take out an al-Qaida leadership meeting in 2005. If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won\u2019t act, we will.\u201d So it is a serious distortion to say Obama supports \u201cbombing Pakistan.\u201d (Indeed, all Obama said was that he would \u201cact.\u201d) That\u2019s Pants-on-Fire wrong."]},{"id":"1213.json","label":"true","statement":"Goldman Sachs was Barack Obama's \"No. 1 private contributor.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Goldman Sachs was indeed one of Barack Obama's top contributors during his presidential campaigns. While it may not be accurate to label them as the absolute \"No. 1 private contributor,\" as there were likely other significant contributors as well, the evidence supports the claim that Goldman Sachs held a prominent position among Obama's campaign donors. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says that President Obama said, \"Nobody made these guys go to war. ... Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?\"","If he thinks he will ever get another vote from an Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard service member or veteran of a military service he ought to think it over ... If you or a family member is or has served their country please pass this to them.","In the case of this chain e-mail, Semmens wrote his report in March 2009 after the White House abandoned a plan to bill veterans' private insurers for their war-related injuries. It was intended as a cost-savings measure, to save the Veterans Administration $540 million a year.","Did you get this e-mail? It says President Barack Obama said the troops \"whine about bearing the costs of their choice\" and that \"Nobody made these guys go to war.\""]},{"id":"11541.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he balanced the Milwaukee County budget without raising taxes five years in a row.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the statement claims the individual balanced the Milwaukee County budget without raising taxes for five consecutive years, it is important to consider the context. The evidence suggests that the budgets did not increase the tax levy from the previous year, which implies that the tax rates remained constant. However, it is worth noting that the property tax revenues did increase due to the rise in the total value of property in the city. Additionally, the city was required by state law to advertise a tax increase during those years. Therefore, while the statement captures a partial truth regarding the tax levy, it fails to provide a complete picture of the overall tax situation and the impact on tax revenues.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5506.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A clear majority of Americans support removing the cost-sharing requirement for prescription contraceptive coverage.","reason":"Reason: Multiple polls and sources indicate that a clear majority of Americans support removing the cost-sharing requirement for prescription contraceptive coverage. The CBS News\/New York Times poll found that 66 percent of Americans support the plan requiring private health insurance plans to cover the full cost of birth control. Additionally, a health tracking poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 63 percent of respondents support the new federal requirement for private health insurance plans to cover the cost of birth control. While there may be slight variations in the exact percentage, the evidence consistently shows that a majority of Americans are in favor of removing the cost-sharing requirement for contraceptive coverage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Gov. Kathy Hochul said that she has passed more than 400 bills since she became governor in a recent campaign ad.","The ad, called \"Hard Work,\" starts: \"It\u2019s late at night, and a light is on in the Governor\u2019s office. Kathy Hochul is hard at work, and it shows. Since taking office, she\u2019s passed over 400 new bills.\"","A lot of the introduced bills, however, don\u2019t have sponsors in both the Senate and the Assembly. They are known as one-house bills. Both houses must pass a bill for it to be sent to the governor. Some of these one-house bills are introduced every year and have a slim chance of ever becoming law.","We asked Reeher about Hochul\u2019s use of the word \"passed\" in her campaign ad. He said technically she didn\u2019t pass those bills, the legislature did. But the language is plausible, because they became law after she signed them. (Under certain circumstances(,-While%20the%20Legislature&text=Signed%20bills%20become%20law%3B%20vetoed,the%20reason%20for%20their%20disapproval.), bills that have been passed by the legislature can become law even without the governor\u2019s signature.)"]},{"id":"9757.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he voted for even stronger protections (in the Violence Against Women Act)than Obamas agenda will allow.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitch McConnell voted for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and claimed to have supported stronger protections than what President Obama's agenda allowed, it is important to note that the statement lacks context. The claim that McConnell's supported bills had \"stronger protections\" is subjective and depends on one's interpretation of the legislation. The VAWA has undergone multiple reauthorizations, and there have been debates and differences in opinion regarding the specific provisions and scope of the act. Therefore, it is misleading to make a definitive statement about the strength of the protections in McConnell's supported bills compared to Obama's agenda without considering the nuances and complexities of the legislation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Keefe did his own earlier analysis of Wisconsin public-private pay using data from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. That report, issued in February 2011 as Act 10 was unveiled, found Wisconsin public employees earn 4.8 percent less in total compensation per hour than comparable full-time employees in Wisconsin\u2019s private sector.","Johnson argued the changes included in Act 10 were modest -- public employees still receive 22 percent higher wages and benefits than private sector workers. Johnson cited the work of two researchers for conservative think tanks, but later told us he \"doesn\u2019t endorse\" the findings of that study, or \"any specific study.\"","\"Before Act 10, the total cost of public sector employees\u2019 employment was 29 percent higher than that in the private sector. After the act, it\u2019s still 22 percent higher.\"","He continued: \"Before Act 10, the total cost of public sector employees\u2019 employment was 29 percent higher than that in the private sector. After the act, it\u2019s still 22 percent higher.\""]},{"id":"9743.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The cost of college education has gone up 1,200 percent since 1978.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the cost of college education has significantly increased since 1978, the statement that it has gone up by 1,200 percent is not entirely accurate. When accounting for inflation and changes in the cost of living, the increase in college costs is not as drastic as stated. The evidence suggests that the average college bill has increased by approximately 194 percent when adjusting for inflation. While this is still a substantial increase, it is significantly lower than the 1,200 percent claimed. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4421.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ben Bernanke has been the most inflationary chairman in the history of the Federal Reserve.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ben Bernanke has been the most inflationary chairman in the history of the Federal Reserve is an exaggeration and lacks sufficient evidence. While there may be differing opinions on Bernanke's performance as the chairman of the Federal Reserve, it is important to note that the Federal Reserve's primary mandate includes maintaining price stability and controlling inflation. Bernanke's tenure as chairman coincided with a period of economic challenges, including the 2008 financial crisis, which required unconventional monetary policies. Evaluating the impact of these policies on inflation is complex and subject to various interpretations. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the historical context and complexities of Bernanke's tenure.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The narrator asks, \"Why is Congressman Chris Murphy lying to you about Linda McMahon and Social Security? Because while Murphy was raking in $1 million in salary, he voted to cut Medicare for current recipients by $716 billion.\"","Chris Murphy is a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from Connecticut. He previously represented a district in the U.S. House of Representatives.","We checked a Congressional Research Service paper(*2%404P\/%3A%22%40%20%20%0A) on lawmakers\u2019 salaries and found that if you add up the salary earned by Murphy over the six-year period since he was elected to Congress, it does come to more than $1.03 million.","\"He\u2019s been in Congress six years, and he\u2019s cumulatively been paid $1 million dollars,\" said Todd Abrajano, communications director for the McMahon campaign. \"It\u2019s pretty clear and straightforward.\""]},{"id":"7717.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Milwaukee County Board approved a reform package by a 15-3 vote, meaning Board Supervisors salaries will be cut by 20 percent and the Boards budget will be cut by 50 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While the exact figures mentioned in the statement (20 percent salary cut and 50 percent budget cut) do not align with the evidence provided, there is evidence of proposed legislation to cut Milwaukee County supervisors' pay by 70 percent and the County Board budget by 85 percent. However, it is important to note that the legislation is still in draft form and has not been approved or implemented yet. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the current status of the reform package, leading to a label of half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"12636.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have lower family incomes in Illinois today than we had 17 years ago in Illinois ...because of the control of (House) Speaker (Michael) Madigan and his Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rauner about lower family incomes in Illinois today compared to 17 years ago is not entirely accurate. The fact-checking source points out that the Census Bureau does not have the data for 2015, which is the timeframe being referred to. Therefore, it is premature to make a definitive statement about the current state of family incomes in Illinois. While there may be valid concerns about the economic situation in the state, attributing it solely to the control of Speaker Madigan and his Democrats oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to economic conditions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","!Fox News' George Will perpetuated a debunked claim that Ronald Reagan created 1 million jobs in one month. !Fox News' George Will perpetuated a debunked claim that Ronald Reagan created 1 million jobs in one month.","\"During the Reagan recovery there were 23 months of job creation over 300,000,\" Will said on Fox News Sunday. \"Reagan had a month of job creation of 1 million, and this was at a time when there were 75 million fewer Americans.\"","By this measure, too, the current recovery is not the weakest. Three recoveries actually saw an increase in the unemployment rate after 23 months (ones under George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Carter\/Reagan), while another (under President Richard Nixon) produced a smaller decline in the unemployment rate than the current recovery has. (Because a budding recovery can entice discouraged workers back into the labor force, it\u2019s not unusual for the unemployment rate to rise in a recovery.)"]},{"id":"12286.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Before taking executive action on immigration, President Obama stated 22 times that he does not have the authority to change immigration laws on his own.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Representative Goodlatte that President Obama stated 22 times that he lacked the authority to change immigration laws on his own before taking executive action on immigration. This claim is supported by a blog post by former House Speaker John Boehner, which listed instances where President Obama made similar statements. However, it's important to note that the exact wording and context of these statements may vary, and there may be differing interpretations of their implications. While the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context and clarification to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["However, when Social Security draws from its trust fund, as it did last year and will again this year, it is asking Treasury for money that has to come from the overall budget. And these transactions contribute to the overall federal deficit--not much perhaps, but more than a penny.","We\u2019ve heard claims like this before. In August 2011, PolitiFact gave a Mostly True ruling to a claim that Social Security didn\u2019t cause the debt crisis. At the same time, we ruled Mostly False on a claim that Social Security doesn\u2019t contribute a penny to the deficit.","In asking its members to call their senators, the Alliance for Retired Americans said: \"Social Security faces an immediate threat from politicians in Washington\" who want to cut the program\u2019s cost-of-living inflation adjustment \"to reduce the deficit. But Social Security doesn\u2019t contribute a penny to the deficit.\"","Pocan is not the first to claim that Social Security does not contribute to the federal government\u2019s budget deficit. Nor even the most recent. Two days after Pocan made his statement, Baldwin said on C-SPAN: \"Social Security has not contributed one penny to our current deficit or debt.\" But unlike Pocan, she noted the government has used \"other taxpayer funds\" when payroll taxes weren\u2019t enough to pay Social Security benefits."]},{"id":"11024.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"After actions by Gov. Scott Walker and Republicans, Wisconsin is dead broke.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Wisconsin is \"dead broke\" after actions by Governor Scott Walker and Republicans is not accurate. While there have been budget challenges and policy decisions made by the Wisconsin government, the claim of being \"dead broke\" is an exaggeration. The state's budget deficits and financial situation are complex and influenced by various factors, including economic conditions and policy choices. It is misleading to attribute the state's financial situation solely to the actions of Governor Walker and Republicans. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["AFP said that Sens. Evers, Detert and Dean \"got a failing grade from conservatives.\" Detert did receive an F from the group, but the others received Ds -- a grade that, while not very good, usually suggests barely passing rather than \"failing.\" Meanwhile, the American Conservative Union gave all three a rating higher than F. On balance, we rate the claim Mostly False.","In the videos, Americans for Prosperity said that each of the three legislators \"got a failing grade from conservatives.\" The group says this claim referred to the organization\u2019s \"Economic Freedom Scorecard\" for 2013, which grades state legislators on how they voted on 20 amendments and bills.","The advertising campaign was directed at state Sens. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, and Greg Evers, R-Baker, and it included YouTube videos, mailers, TV advertising and social media.","When we looked into other conservative, free-market or pro-business groups that had rated Florida legislators, we found that only AFP issued a failing grade to any of these three senators."]},{"id":"3420.json","label":"true","statement":"Georgia still has one of the richest programs in terms of scholarships for students to go to college.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence indicating that Georgia is one of the top five states in terms of awarding grants and scholarships for college students. The National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGAP) confirms that Georgia's scholarship program is among the most generous in the country. Therefore, it is accurate to say that Georgia still has one of the richest programs in terms of scholarships for students to go to college.\nLabel: true","evidence":["It's a point he has made before. During the May 3, 2007, Republican debate, he said this: \"When I was mayor of New York City, I encouraged adoptions. Adoptions went up 65-70 percent; abortions went down 16 percent.\"","Giuliani arrives at his 65 to 70 percent increase by taking adoption rates for the six years before ACS was created and comparing them to the six years after.","About 14-million African-Americans went to the polls in November 2004, according to the U.S. Census. A 30 percent increase would put that number at more than 18-million. That would translate to a black turnout close to 75 percent.","More recently, Giuliani has used a much more flattering number than the one he started with. His staff compared adoptions in all eight of his fiscal years against all eight of his predecessors'. This works out to a whopping 133 percent increase in adoptions."]},{"id":"8635.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamacare medical device tax has led to the loss of thousands of jobs in U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Opponents of the medical device tax in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) argue that it has placed a financial burden on medical device manufacturers and could potentially lead to job losses. Some estimates suggest that the tax could result in the loss of thousands of jobs in the industry. However, it's important to note that the actual impact of the tax on job losses is a subject of debate, and the extent to which it has directly caused job losses is not definitively proven. Therefore, while there is some evidence to support the claim, it should be acknowledged that the relationship between the medical device tax and job losses is complex and not fully established.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Barca added: \"The average faculty member at UW-Madison brings in close to a quarter million dollars a year. So you cut them and they\u2019re leaving. They have plenty of opportunities to go to Harvard or Princeton or Stanford.\"","\"Research is central to their jobs. According to university statistics, each faculty member is bringing in approximately $242,000 on average to support their research in a highly competitive national environment. Faculty and staff brought in more than $500 million in federal research awards in 2012-13, money that would not otherwise come to Wisconsin.\"","There\u2019s another $355 million in grants that are not awarded to individual professors, but to a dean or other official even though professors end up doing the research. When you add those in the per-faculty grant figure rises to $399,000 per year, Milner said.","The university says it uses the total number of faculty when calculating the per-professor grant haul because all faculty members are expected to do research."]},{"id":"3601.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Human error, such as skipping a community in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, is common in (the vote-tabulation) process.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Nickolaus that human error, including skipping a community in the vote-tabulation process, is common. However, it's important to note that while human errors can occur in the election process, it is not common or acceptable for an entire community's votes to be skipped or excluded from the tabulation. Such errors are significant and should be addressed to ensure the integrity of the election. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in acknowledging the existence of human errors, it is misleading to suggest that skipping a community is a common occurrence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3407.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"At Twin River, were more than competitive with nearby casinos in slot machine payouts.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Twin River is \"more than competitive\" with nearby casinos in terms of slot machine payouts. The comparison of payout percentages between Twin River and Foxwoods shows that Twin River consistently had a higher payout percentage over the past year. While the evidence doesn't explicitly mention Mohegan Sun, it states that whether Twin River's competitiveness applies to Mohegan Sun depends on the month. Therefore, based on the evidence provided, it can be concluded that Twin River is indeed competitive with nearby casinos in terms of slot machine payouts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2916.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Understand, this is unemployment insurance. Its not welfare, as a lot of my Republican colleagues like to suggest it is. You pay into it when youre working. You get help when youre not.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately describes unemployment insurance as a system where individuals contribute while employed and receive assistance when they are unemployed. It highlights the distinction between unemployment insurance and welfare, emphasizing that unemployment insurance is a form of social insurance rather than a welfare program. However, it's important to note that while individuals contribute to the unemployment insurance system, the benefits received are not solely based on personal contributions but also depend on factors such as employment history and state regulations. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it could benefit from additional context regarding the eligibility criteria and the role of state regulations in determining benefit amounts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11793.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In reality, gas produced by fracking is worse for the climate than coal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the sources provided, there is a consensus among some experts that methane emissions from fracked shale gas are significantly high and contribute to climate change. These sources argue that, in the short-term, gas produced by fracking may have a more detrimental impact on the climate compared to coal. However, it's important to note that the long-term effects and overall comparison between the two energy sources are more complex and can vary depending on various factors, such as extraction methods, transportation, and combustion efficiency. Therefore, while the statement holds some truth regarding short-term climate impact, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the broader context and long-term implications.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"John Oxendine is under a state ethics investigation because he illegally funneled more than $120,000 to his campaign from shady insurance political action committees in Alabama,\" it said.","Oxendine's troubles began with 10 campaign contributions made in late 2008. The $120,000, which is about 10 times what state rules allow, was given by 10 Alabama political action committees set up by Donald V. Watkins, a director of State Mutual Insurance.","The bulk of Handel's statement is accurate. Oxendine is under a state ethics investigation. It does concern $120,000 worth of questionable campaign contributions that came from Alabama PACs. Those PACs were set up by the director of two insurance companies regulated by Oxendine and headed by Yancey, one of his friends.","With the help of unflattering photographs and excerpts from newspaper articles, the mailer aired the dirty laundry of her three biggest primary opponents. One was the race's behemoth: state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine."]},{"id":"5046.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Say in November 2010, voters overwhelmingly supported the idea of creating a (library) district.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is stated that voters overwhelmingly supported the idea of creating a library district in November 2010, there is no evidence provided to support this claim. Without any specific data or references, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the claim lacks sufficient evidence to be considered fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The MacIver Institute posted an item that says Wisconsin has 137,372 more private sector jobs than when Gov. Scott Walker first took office, meaning that Walker is more than halfway to his goal of 250,000 jobs.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is a bogus figure,\" Feb. 25, 2011","( - MacIver Institute says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is more than halfway to goal of creating 250,000 private sector jobs&url=)","Critics ranging from the AFL-CIO to talk show host Al Sharpton to the Wisconsin Democratic Party have accused Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker of voter suppression efforts."]},{"id":"12028.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Donald Trump has described Hillary Clinton as one of the best secretaries of state in history.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances where Donald Trump has made positive remarks about Hillary Clinton's performance as Secretary of State, such as stating that she did well or performed above and beyond others, there is no clear evidence of him explicitly describing her as one of the best secretaries of state in history. In fact, there are instances where Trump has criticized Clinton's work and referred to her as the worst secretary of state in history. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Minnesota has more Fortune 500 companies than Oregon and \"one of the most obvious differences is they've invested in their schools.\"","\"And the biggest difference has not been tax rates -- they've been paying more taxes -- one of the most obvious differences is they've invested in their schools.\"","We also tried Tim Duy, a University of Oregon economist. He agreed that education is a potential draw for companies as they seek to hire employees of a high caliber. That said, he wasn\u2019t so sold on the idea that Fortune 500 companies might pick Minnesota over Oregon for the schools, however good they may be.","Smith was right on a couple things: Oregon has two Fortune 500 companies, while Minnesota has 19. Meanwhile, Oregon\u2019s tax climate is friendlier to businesses and Minnesota spends more per student. He was off on the figures from 1980, however."]},{"id":"7075.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says under President Barack Obama, the United States has created five million jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Barack Obama claimed to have presided over the creation of 5 million jobs, the statement is only partially true. The number of jobs created can vary depending on the start date chosen for analysis. If a specific start date is cherry-picked, the number of jobs created may indeed be around 5 million. However, it is important to consider the broader context. The decline in manufacturing jobs over the years and the overall economic shifts in the United States have impacted job numbers. Additionally, it is worth noting that there were larger increases in manufacturing jobs during the 1990s. Therefore, while there has been job growth during President Obama's tenure, the statement lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate picture.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Republican agenda seems to want to reverse everything on health care,\" Schultz said on Nov. 13, 2014. \"This is what (Sen. Minority Leader Mitch) McConnell wants to repeal. 10 million people. 10.3 uninsured Americans have received coverage since Oct . 1, 2013. That's a hard number that can be verified.\"","Schultz picked Oct. 1, 2013, because that was the day the federal health insurance exchange opened (as best it could) for business.","Says a man opted out of Obamacare after the marketplace launched on Oct. 1, 2013, and was informed he owed a $4,000 fine.","If Romney wins the election and acts to repeal Obamacare on Day 1, there is no accounting that shows 50 million people losing their insurance right away. Obama didn\u2019t say so, but his statement referred to projections out to 2022."]},{"id":"5945.json","label":"half-true","statement":"National debt plus unfunded liabilities adds up to $520,000 per American household.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the national debt is over $14 trillion and that there are future deficit projections exceeding $1 trillion annually, the claim that the U.S. has over $62 trillion in unfunded liabilities is not entirely accurate. The term \"unfunded liabilities\" refers to the projected future costs of programs like Social Security and Medicare, but it does not necessarily equate to immediate debt or obligations. Additionally, the statement that the national debt plus unfunded liabilities adds up to $520,000 per American household is an oversimplification. It does not account for various factors such as the distribution of wealth and the number of households. Therefore, while there are concerns regarding the long-term financial obligations of the U.S., the statement lacks nuance and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says because of Texas lawmakers\u2019 choices, \"hundreds of thousands of women no longer have access to basic medical care, life-saving cancer screenings and contraception.\"","Among the examples in the Fort Worth Democrat\u2019s speech: \"Hundreds of thousands of women no longer have access to basic medical care, life-saving cancer screenings and contraception.\"","We asked the senator how she knows hundreds of thousands of women no longer have access to such services from any providers. Davis said, \"The women accessing health care through family planning services turned to the DSHS services because they have no other options. That option no longer exists.\"","Separately, we tried -- and failed -- to get a sense of how many women have no resource for health care including cancer screenings and contraception other than the State Health Services family planning program, but did not come up with specific counts or estimates."]},{"id":"9693.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says three Ukrainians recently captured on a West Texas ranch are among individuals from countries that have strong terrorist ties being apprehended near the states border with Mexico.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that three individuals from Ukraine were apprehended on a ranch in West Texas, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that they are among individuals from countries with strong terrorist ties being apprehended near the border with Mexico. The statement implies a direct link between the Ukrainians and terrorism, which is not substantiated by any reliable information. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it accurately states the capture of three Ukrainians but falsely suggests their connection to countries with strong terrorist ties.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Gov. Scott Walker, shown here reading to first-graders at a private school in Milwaukee in September 2014, made historic cuts to public education funding but later restored some of the money. !Gov. Scott Walker, shown here reading to first-graders at a private school in Milwaukee in September 2014, made historic cuts to public education funding but later restored some of the money.","Gov. Scott Walker, shown here reading to first-graders at a private school in Milwaukee in September 2014, made historic cuts to public education funding but later restored some of the money.","About a third of Wisconsin\u2019s high schools \"are missing the mark of graduating young adults who are college ready,\" a \"pass rate of 66.6%.\"","\"Why did Scott Walker cut school funding more per student than any governor in America? Where did the money go? To Scott Walker's friends. Walker gave his corporate friends half a billion dollars in tax breaks and giveaways.\""]},{"id":"460.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rev. Wright said \"that al-Qaida and the American flag were the same flags.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement that Rev. Wright said \"that al-Qaida and the American flag were the same flags.\" While Rev. Wright's controversial statements have been widely discussed, the evidence does not specifically mention this particular statement. Therefore, without further context or evidence, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the statement. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4168.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average 401(k) in America of a person whos 60 years old is under $100,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is some variation in the data, multiple sources, including Fidelity Investments, report that the average 401(k) balance for individuals aged 60 is below $100,000. However, it's important to note that this is an average, and individual circumstances can vary significantly. Factors such as income, contribution rates, investment strategies, and market performance can all impact the size of an individual's 401(k) balance. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it's important to consider the broader context and individual variations within the data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7150.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"November 2012 was a record year of turnout. More people voted before Election Day using absentee ballots and voting early than ever before in our history.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that November 2012 had a record turnout in terms of the sheer number of voters, with 8.5 million people casting their ballots. It is also true that more people voted before Election Day using absentee ballots and early voting than ever before in Florida's history. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the percentage of voter turnout or compare it to other states or elections outside of Florida. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in the context of Florida's history, it may not hold true when compared to other specific elections or states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Created on Nov. 10, the petition says: \"It has become blatantly obvious the voter fraud that was committed during the 2012 Presidential elections. In one county alone in Ohio, which was a battleground state, President Obama received 106,258 votes. But there were only 98,213 eligible voters. It's not humanly possible to get 108 percent of the vote!\"","\"In 2012, 106,258 people in Wood County are registered to vote out of an eligible 98,213. ... Mr. Obama did indeed win Wood County, along with its 108 percent of voters.\"","Election returns posted on the website of Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted showed no county in which Obama received 106,258 votes, or similar number. Less surprisingly, it showed that the vote for Obama nowhere exceeded the number of voters.","The blog posting's count of people eligible to vote in Wood County -- 98,213 -- is the 2010 census count of the population age 18 and over."]},{"id":"7944.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you are born poor in America, we rank ninth or tenth in our citizens ability to climb up through that ladder and get themselves into the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the United States ranks ninth or tenth in terms of citizens' ability to move up from poverty into the middle class. While the exact ranking may vary depending on the specific data and methodology used, there is evidence to suggest that the United States does have relatively low social mobility compared to other developed countries. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific evidence or sources to support the claim, which could have strengthened its credibility.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Biden said, \"My Treasury Department is planning to pay down the national debt this quarter, which never happened under my predecessor.\"","\"My Treasury Department is planning to pay down the national debt this quarter, which never happened under my predecessor,\" Biden said at the White House on May 10. \"Not once. Not once.\"","One is that the same Treasury memo that announced the upcoming debt pay-down noted that during the first quarter of 2022, the government needed to borrow $668 billion, and during the third quarter of 2022, it expects to borrow $182 billion.","One of the positive signs, Biden said, was that under his administration, the federal government was poised to pay down a portion of the $23.8 trillion federal debt for the first time in several years."]},{"id":"5553.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"By the time Obama took office, The Bush administration had given the car companies $13 billion and the money was now gone.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Bush administration provided financial assistance to the car companies before Obama took office. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. The $13 billion provided by the Bush administration was not completely exhausted by the time Obama took office. The Obama administration then provided additional financial assistance to the car companies as part of the broader bailout package. So, while the statement is mostly true in acknowledging the previous financial support, it could benefit from additional information to provide a more complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Rick Perry has become a millionaire on the public payroll,\" the narrator says in a TV ad that was posted on YouTube Oct. 4. \"He's a career politician who's taken a government check for 25 years, and today, he's a millionaire.\" The words \"Murky land deal mark Gov. Rick Perry's past\" and \"Gov. Perry wealth fueled by land deals\" appear on the screen.","To back up White's claim about Perry becoming a millionaire while working for taxpayers, White spokeswoman Katy Bacon pointed us to a Sept. 26, 2009 AP news story cited in the ad. \"Gov. Rick Perry never had much money growing up,\" the story says, \"and he has spent most of his adult life in public office, drawing a part-time salary as a legislator and relatively modest earnings in statewide office for the last quarter century. But thanks to his investments and a series of private land deals, some that took advantage of his political connections, Perry has squeaked over the millionaire line.\"","But income doesn't factor into this millionaire equation. White's campaign told us it gauges Perry's 'millionaire' status based on his net worth \u2014 his assets minus his liabilities.","This year's Democratic gubernatorial nominee, whose campaign is called \"Bill White for Texas,\" has latched onto the idea that GOP Gov. Rick Perry is for ... Rick Perry."]},{"id":"8956.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamacare will mean 2.1 million fewer jobs by 2021.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report, which projected that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) would result in a reduction of full-time equivalent workers by 2.1 million by 2021. However, it's important to note that this reduction is not equivalent to job losses in the traditional sense. The CBO's analysis suggests that individuals may choose to work fewer hours or exit the workforce due to factors such as eligibility for subsidies or Medicaid. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents the CBO's projection, it should be understood that the figure represents a reduction in work hours rather than direct job losses.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The next week Sullivan released a radio ad: \"Dan Sullivan has never taken a dime from the Koch brothers,\" the narrator said. \"It\u2019s Begich who has taken campaign cash from the Kochs.\"","Sullivan said Mark Begich \"has taken campaign cash from the Kochs\" but that Sullivan \"hasn\u2019t taken a dime.\" In 2010, KochPAC donated $5,000 to a Begich-affiliated PAC. But that's a modest amount by campaign-finance standards, and Begich hasn\u2019t received any more in the past four years.","!Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan attacked his opponent, Sen. Mark Begich, in this social-media meme. !Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan attacked his opponent, Sen. Mark Begich, in this social-media meme.","Dan Sullivan, the Republican Senate candidate in Alaska, is charging that his opponent, Sen. Mark Begich, is an ineffective lawmaker compared to other Alaska senators."]},{"id":"4524.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"President Obama has declared disasters in 48 of 50 states this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama declared disasters in 48 out of the 50 states in a given year. The evidence provided mentions the high number of disasters that occurred across the country, including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and other events that prompted federal assistance. While the specific year is not mentioned, the evidence supports the claim that a significant number of states experienced disasters that led to federal declarations. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks a specific timeframe and may not be applicable to the current year or any specific year mentioned in the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11650.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Each vegan spares more than 100 animals every year.","reason":"Reason: The statement that each vegan spares more than 100 animals every year is misleading and lacks proper context. While it is true that a vegan diet avoids the consumption of animal products, the claim fails to specify which animals are being referred to. The evidence suggests that the number primarily includes marine animals, rather than the barnyard animals commonly associated with meat consumption. Additionally, the specific number of animals spared can vary depending on individual dietary choices and consumption patterns. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the complexity of the issue and does not provide an accurate representation of the impact of veganism on animal welfare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Some experts expressed concerns about how such measures will influence the doctor-patient relationship, but it\u2019s clear that relationship isn\u2019t eliminated. Whether treatments are covered by insurance or result in out-of-pocket costs is another matter -- and not a new one.","There\u2019s a slew of claims in that paragraph, including PolitiFact\u2019s 2010 Lie of the Year about the government takeover of health care, but one jumped out at us: \"the patient-doctor relationship will be eliminated.\"","\"The fears are unanimous. ObamaCare is too expensive. It is a government takeover of our healthcare system. Services will be diminished. The patient-doctor relationship will be eliminated. It will not make healthcare more affordable. And it will bankrupt small businesses,\" Kyrillos said in the March 15 e-mail.","In another e-mail he said: \"To the extent that Medicare drives all health care services, one could make the argument that the relationship as we once knew it will be 'eliminated.\u2019 Primarily due to two new federal bureaucracies - IPAB and Preventive Services Task Force.\""]},{"id":"2433.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I have given $30,000 of my unused travel expenses over the years to supplement the school systems general budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the individual has given $30,000 of their unused travel expenses over the years to supplement the school system's general budget. While this claim may be true, the evidence provided does not directly support or verify this specific statement. The evidence discusses the tax deductions available for teachers' school supplies and the ability of billionaires to write off the entire cost of a private jet. There is no direct connection between these pieces of evidence and the individual's claim of donating unused travel expenses to the school system. Without additional evidence or context, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6231.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Sixteen thousand new Internal Revenue Service agents will be empowered to enforce the new health care legislation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the IRS will need to hire additional personnel to implement and enforce certain provisions of the health care legislation, the statement exaggerates the number of new agents. The actual estimate provided by the IRS is 16,500 additional agents, not 16,000. Additionally, it is important to note that these new hires are not solely focused on enforcement but also include administrators and other personnel needed to handle the increased workload associated with the new tax credits, taxes, and rule changes. Therefore, the statement contains a kernel of truth but exaggerates the number and misrepresents the sole focus of these new hires.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7525.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Chinese government provides their people no access to the Internet.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the situation regarding internet access in China. While it is true that the Chinese government imposes restrictions and censorship on internet usage, it is incorrect to claim that the government provides no access to the internet for its people. Chinese citizens can access the internet through various means, including home computers, internet cafes, and smartphones. However, there are limitations and censorship in place, with certain foreign websites and platforms being blocked or filtered. Therefore, the statement is misleading and should be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"For the first time since 1990, American manufacturers are creating new jobs,\" the president said on Feb. 15, 2012, as he praised Master Lock for bringing jobs back from China.","\"For the first time since the 1990s , American manufacturers are creating new jobs, which is good for companies up and down the supply chain. You\u2019ve all heard enough about outsourcing. Well, more and more companies like Master Lock are now insourcing.\"","\"American manufacturers are hiring for the first time since 1990,\" Obama said in repeating the claim two days later at a Boeing plant in Washington state.","Critics of that law now say it also added to inflationary pressures that are dampening the economy. And although economists told PolitiFact the American Rescue Plan helped boost job creation to some extent, they said Biden is exaggerating the bill\u2019s impact by crediting it with creating 10 million jobs."]},{"id":"36.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Sen. Clinton said \"the surge of troops in Iraq was 'working.' Now.... Sen. Clinton says the surge 'has failed' and that we should 'begin the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.'\"","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents Senator Clinton's position on the surge in Iraq. While it is true that she initially made comments acknowledging that the surge was working, it is important to note that she also expressed skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of a military solution and emphasized the need for a political resolution. Her subsequent statement clarified that the surge had failed to achieve the intended political progress. The statement in question selectively presents her evolving stance on the surge without providing the full context of her position. Therefore, it is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent her views.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Household income in America has gone down for families an average of $4,000 in the last four years\" while it \" went up $5,000\" under Mitt Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts","\"Household income in America has gone down for families an average of $4,000 in the last four years,\" Ryan said in Janesville, Wis., on Aug. 27, 2012. \"When Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, unemployment went down and household incomes went up $5,000.\"","Also in June, we looked at a Romney surrogate\u2019s claim that \"the average income for a family in Massachusetts went up by $5,500\" when Romney was governor from 2003-2007.","Ryan said in a convention send-off speech that Obama deserves blame for household incomes nationally tumbling $4,000, while Romney deserves credit for incomes growing a substantial $5,000 in Massachusetts when Romney governed that state."]},{"id":"7429.json","label":"half-true","statement":"What concerns me is there is only two sentences that have been written about minority business.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that there is a concern about the limited attention given to minority businesses in the context mentioned, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not explicitly support the claim. The evidence focuses on the impact of the shutdown on minority-owned businesses and the disproportionate effect on Black, Latino, and Asian business owners. However, it does not directly address the amount of coverage or attention given to minority businesses in written content. Therefore, while the concern may be valid, the evidence provided does not directly support the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["If you think you\u2019ve heard that figure before, perhaps it was from a February 2016 report by the Wall Street Journal. It estimated that since Clinton and former President Bill Clinton entered national politics in the early 1990s, Wall Street has contributed more than $100 million to their political campaigns, charitable foundation and personal finances.","Campaigning outside Milwaukee, Trump said: \"In her campaign for president,\" Clinton \"has received $100 million in contributions from Wall Street and hedge funds.\"","The center generally considers \"Wall Street\" and hedge funds to be the securities and investment industry. However, other industries could be added, as well.","It\u2019s also worth noting, as the Center for Responsive Politics has reported, that most of the \"Wall Street\" contributions benefiting Clinton \"have come from a tiny group of ultra-wealthy, liberal donors who work in finance. Wall Street more broadly doesn\u2019t have any outsized affection for Clinton, but a relative handful of donors who work in the industry have invested heavily in her.\""]},{"id":"4173.json","label":"false","statement":"On campaign contributions from electric utilities.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the statement is false. The information shows that the Majority Leader, Armstrong, did receive campaign contributions from electric companies, contradicting the claim made. It is important to note that the evidence does not provide information about any change in Armstrong's position on accepting contributions from electric utilities. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["It's a system, says state Rep. Adam Fetterman, D-Port St. Lucie, that helps perpetuate a belief that Tallahassee lawmakers aren't raising taxes, when they actually are.","\"Obama voted to raise taxes on people making just $42,000,\" an announcer says in a television ad. \"He promises more taxes on small business, seniors, your life savings, your family.\"","It's worth noting that Rubio later argued as a member of the Legislature that local governments were raising taxes while being able to claim they were keeping the tax rate the same.","\u2022 In 2008, the Rubio-led House originally passed a budget that did not raise the schools tax -- the increase came later during budget negotiations between the House and Senate. Rubio praised that year's final budget as being balanced \"without raising taxes.\""]},{"id":"170.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Our children's safety is potentially at risk because nearly half of the apple juice consumed by our children comes from apples grown in China.\"","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately highlights the concern about the safety of apple juice consumed by children, the claim that \"nearly half\" of the apple juice consumed by children comes from apples grown in China is not entirely accurate. Approximately 38 percent of apple juice consumed in the United States is sourced from China, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While the number is significant, it falls short of the \"nearly half\" claim. However, the statement's underlying point about the potential risk to children's safety due to the significant amount of apple juice imported from China remains valid.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8995.json","label":"true","statement":"Over the past three years, deep poverty has reached its highest level on record.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of Paul Ryan's committee report, which states that the percentage of Americans living in \"deep poverty\" has reached its highest level on record over the past three years. The report defines \"deep poverty\" as households making less than 50 percent of the poverty line. While it's important to note that the poverty rate has fluctuated over the past five decades, the claim specifically refers to the highest level on record within the given timeframe.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When reached for comment, Abbott\u2019s campaign listed legislation Abbott signed regarding sexual assault, such as 2019 legislation to reduce the rape kit backlog and 2021 legislation to codify recommendations from The Sexual Assault Survivors\u2019 Task Force, administered by the governor\u2019s office.","\"Even officially in Texas, in Austin, because we are aware already of some misfiling, mis-coding, miscalculation of data already around this topic. We know that there were cases that were exceptionally cleared by the police department and that should not have been coded in that way,\" Juliana Gonzales, senior director of Sexual Assault Services at The SAFE Alliance said. SAFE is an Austin-based organization that serves survivors of sexual assault and exploitation.","Each month, the Austin Police Department posts to its website the Chief\u2019s Monthly Report, which tallies the number and category of crimes officers respond to each month. The 2,983 burglaries cited in the KVUE article comprise 9% of all property crimes recorded through August. Other crimes that fall into this category include shoplifting, credit card fraud, embezzlement and vandalism.","Eight out of 10 cases of rape are committed by someone known to the victim, according to Department of Justice data shared by the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, or RAINN, an anti-sexual violence organization. Among child and teen victims, that rate is even higher at 93%. Most of these crimes are not perpetrated by unknown assailants, as Abbott\u2019s statement suggests by characterizing rapists on \"the streets.\""]},{"id":"11452.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders is going to tax you people at 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that Bernie Sanders intends to impose a 90 percent tax rate on the general population. This assertion has been debunked by multiple sources, including Bernie Sanders himself, who has stated that he does not support a 90 percent tax rate. Such claims are often used as exaggerated rhetoric to misrepresent Sanders' tax proposals and create fear among voters. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2604.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Pam Bonditold a group of lobbyists shell side with corporate special interests as attorney general.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Pam Bondi explicitly told a group of lobbyists that she would side with corporate special interests as attorney general. However, there is no concrete evidence provided to support this claim. The Bondi campaign spokeswoman denies the allegation, and there is no verifiable proof or direct quote provided to substantiate the statement. Without substantial evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6842.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Romney wants to add $2 trillion to the defense budget that the military hasnt asked for.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources confirm that President Obama stated that Mitt Romney wanted to increase defense spending by $2 trillion, which the military had not requested. This claim is supported by statements made by President Obama himself and other sources that reference Romney's plan to increase defense spending by that amount. The statement accurately reflects this claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Kal Penn correctly stated Obama doubled funding for the Pell Grant. It\u2019s true Obama has made maintaining the maximum award for these grants a priority over his tenure, and the result has been a whole lot more spending. To help pay for this spending, though, the federal government has changed some of the program\u2019s eligibility requirements, so that it\u2019s more difficult to get the grants. We rate this claim Mostly True.","While funding has doubled, the number of students who receive Pell Grants has increased more slowly. In 2008, the grants assisted 6.1 million students, while in 2012, 9.7 million students received aid, an increase of 59 percent.","Obama's budget outline, released Feb. 26, 2009, proposes enough money to boost the maximum Pell Grant to $5,550 for 2010. In addition, his budget would require Pell Grants to receive automatic funding each year and index the grants to inflation. That indexing was a key part of his promise.","He kicked off his Pell Grant efforts by signing the stimulus bill, which sent an additional $15.6 billion to the grants and another $200 million to work-study programs. Taken together with other previously approved funding, the maximum Pell Grant per student would be $5,350 for the school year starting in 2009."]},{"id":"7943.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey wants public schools to teach women to stay in their place.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey wants public schools to teach women to \"stay in their place.\" The email that made this claim was based on a misinterpretation and did not provide any direct quotes from Gingrey. Video evidence of Gingrey's comments also confirms that he did not use the phrase or express such a sentiment. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\u2022 Do they employ thousands in China today? This is only relevant because the ad says, \"Thousands (in China) owe their jobs to Mitt Romney's companies\" -- note how \"owe\" is in the present tense. But this is an even more speculative claim than whether these companies ever employed thousands of workers. Here, too, Priorities Action has not provided sufficient evidence.","\"Welcome to the Olympics,\" the voiceover says. \"There\u2019s Mitt Romney, who ran the Salt Lake City games, waving to China, home to a billion people. Thousands owe their jobs to Mitt Romney\u2019s companies.\" The announcer continues with claims about countries where Romney has had bank accounts or corporations.","\u2022 Did these companies collectively employ \"thousands\" of people in China? It\u2019s plausible. Just counting the three companies where the case is strongest -- Holson Burnes, ChipPAC and Modus Media -- it\u2019s certainly possible that they had employees in the thousands. But nothing we\u2019ve seen reported confirms that, including Priorities Action USA\u2019s backup material.","For each company, we\u2019ll ask two questions: Is it accurate to call them \"Mitt Romney\u2019s companies\"? And did the company have operations in China?"]},{"id":"13005.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As the election tracker FiveThirtyEight has reported, whoever wins Pennsylvania will be our next President.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that FiveThirtyEight has reported on the election and provided live results and coverage, it is an oversimplification to state that \"whoever wins Pennsylvania will be our next President.\" The outcome of the presidential election is determined by the Electoral College, which takes into account the results from all states, not just Pennsylvania. While Pennsylvania is a crucial battleground state, it is not the sole determinant of the presidency. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary nuance and context to accurately reflect the election process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Romney, on the other hand, \"has refused to say whether he would have vetoed or signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,\" the graphic says.","The relevant point for Julia isn't whether Romney would sign the bill \u2014 it's already the law \u2014 but his decision not to change it. Romney also said he \"certainly support(s) equal pay for women,\" and has \"no intention of changing that law.\"","Says Florida refused to allow the insurance commissioner to \"negotiate lower rates with companies or refuse rates that are too high\" under Obamacare.","Equal pay is just one reason Julia, a character created by the Obama campaign, would be better off under the president than under Mitt Romney, a Web graphic claims."]},{"id":"12444.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"No one in American history has moved from a June 16 announcement to a May 26 winning of a majority. Trumps achievement is remarkable.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that no one in American history has moved from a June 16 announcement to a May 26 winning of a majority is not accurate. There have been instances in American history where candidates have announced their campaigns in June and went on to secure a majority before May 26. Therefore, the claim is not supported by historical facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The Amherst Student, \"Chris Coons: The Making Of A Bearded Marxist,\"( \"\"Chris Coons: The Making Of A Bearded Marxist,\"\") by Chris Coons, May 23, 1985","Media Matters, \"Un-bearded: Chris Coons did not describe himself as a 'Marxist.'\"( \"\"Un-bearded: Chris Coons did not describe himself as a 'Marxist.'\"\") by Shauna Theel, Sept. 20, 2010","The origin of the Marxism charge is an opinion piece Coons wrote for the Amherst College student newspaper during his senior year. The headline: \"Chris Coons: The Making Of A Bearded Marxist.\"( \"\"Chris Coons: The Making Of A Bearded Marxist.\"\")","\"I would be remiss not to bring up the fact that my opponent has recently said that it was studying under a Marxist professor that made him become a Democrat,\" O'Donnell said. \"So when you look at his position on things like raising taxes, which is one of the tenets of Marxism; not supporting eliminating death tax, which is a tenet of Marxism -- I would argue that there are more people who support my Catholic faith than his Marxist beliefs, and I\u2019m using his own words.\""]},{"id":"11666.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S.tax rate on successful small businesses is 44.6 percent, while the business tax rate in Canada is 15 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ryan that the tax rate on successful small businesses in the United States is 44.6 percent, while the business tax rate in Canada is 15 percent. This comparison highlights the disparity in tax rates between the two countries, suggesting that American businesses face a significantly higher tax burden compared to their Canadian counterparts.\nLabel: true","evidence":["So, if we use our preferred definition, does the bill truly \"end taxpayer bailouts\"? We spoke to a variety of financial-services experts, and most (though not all) agreed that the bill would be a step in the right direction, in all likelihood reducing the risk of the government having to undertake another bailout. That's the case in part because the bill aims to heighten regulation in advance so that problems don't emerge in the first place.","After This Week aired on April 25, we asked several financial services experts whether Brown, like Reid, was too definitive in saying that too-big-to-fail would \"end\" with enactment of this bill. All agreed that Brown was indeed too definitive.","First, some background on the financial regulations now under consideration in the Senate, with the caveat that the bill is something of a moving target. There are separate House and Senate versions, and once a unified version becomes law, there may be specific regulatory aspects delegated to federal agencies.","The battle over financial reform continued on the Sunday morning shows on April 25, 2010, including the pivotal question of whether a pending bill in the Senate would end the notion that some giant financial services companies could receive special government protection because they are \"too big to fail.\""]},{"id":"7014.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ann McLane Kuster is for a government takeover of health care more radical than Obamacare. And she supports a $700 billion cut to Medicare for current retirees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks accuracy. The claim that Ann McLane Kuster supports a government takeover of healthcare more radical than Obamacare has been previously debunked and ruled as false. Additionally, the assertion that she supports a $700 billion cut to Medicare for current retirees is also misleading. The $700 billion figure refers to savings in Medicare spending over a ten-year period as a result of the Affordable Care Act, not a direct cut to benefits for current retirees. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10157.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"You cannot get (Ebola) from just riding on a plane or bus.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to multiple sources, including President Obama and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ebola is not transmitted through the air like the flu. Simply riding on a plane or bus without direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person is an unlikely route of transmission for Ebola. However, it's important to note that the CDC advises individuals experiencing symptoms to limit contact with others and avoid public transportation as a precautionary measure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We selected the state of Florida and noted, before the data was changed, that it listed congressional districts that don't exist. There are 25 Congressional districts in the state, but the site listed projects in the 34th, 35th, 53rd, and 88th districts. It also listed one project in the \"00th\" district. (See the page we archived here .)","Here, we're verifying Miller's statement that listed congressional districts that do not exist. That was indeed the case until news reports brought attention to the wrong data. Officials removed the data the evening before Miller posted his newsletter, so that now the jobs and money are attributed to \"unassigned congressional district.\" So we rate Miller's statement Mostly True.","But it's also been a target for stimulus critics who contend that the site uses sloppy bookkeeping and overly generous assumptions to present data that they say is simply political propaganda. The critics were quick to highlight an ABC News report that the Web site shows jobs for Congressional Districts that don't exist.","So Miller was correct about the errors on congressional districts, though they're fixed now. But was he right that Democratic districts are receiving more money than Republican districts?"]},{"id":"3172.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We currently have one guy who is in charge of painting the entire Milwaukee County parks system.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately states that there is currently one person responsible for painting the entire Milwaukee County parks system. However, it lacks context regarding the specific role and responsibilities of this individual. While it may be true that one person oversees the painting, there could be additional staff or contractors involved in the maintenance and upkeep of the parks system. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from providing a more comprehensive understanding of the overall staffing and management structure of the parks system.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11027.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Hundreds of thousands of (illegal immigrants are) going to state and federal penitentiaries.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"hundreds of thousands\" of illegal immigrants are going to state and federal penitentiaries is not supported by conclusive data. While there is uncertainty and limited data available, the evidence suggests that the number of incarcerated illegal immigrants, including both legal and undocumented individuals, is below 100,000 in federal and state prisons. It's important to note that some of these individuals may be held for immigration violations rather than other crimes. Therefore, the statement is exaggerated and lacks solid evidence to support the claim of \"hundreds of thousands\" of illegal immigrants in penitentiaries.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Gov. Romney, I'm glad that you recognize that al-Qaida is a threat, because a few months ago when you were asked what's the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia, not al-Qaida. You said Russia ... the 1980s, they're now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War's been over for 20 years,\" Obama said.","Correction : At PolitiFact, we say words matter. So when we get the words wrong, it stings. At Monday\u2019s presidential debate, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama got into a back-and-forth over whether Romney called Russia America\u2019s No. 1 \"geopolitical threat.\" But we fact-checked something different, whether Romney said Russia was America\u2019s No. 1 \"geopolitical foe.\" We mischaracterized the president\u2019s remarks, which affected our ruling. We have updated the item with the exact quote and changed our ruling accordingly.","So Romney revised his own remarks, this time calling Russia \"a\" geopolitical foe, when to CNN he said \"our No. 1 geopolitical foe.\" But he\u2019s right that in the same interview he called Iran the top national security threat.","\"The president is exercising his authority to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports in order to protect our national security,\" the White House said in a statement."]},{"id":"11413.json","label":"false","statement":"President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry agreed to lift Irans economic and arms sanctions without any proof of change in conduct.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry agreed to lift Iran's economic and arms sanctions without any proof of change in conduct. The evidence only mentions their involvement in discussions and negotiations regarding the Iran nuclear deal, but it does not provide any information about the conditions or proof required for lifting the sanctions. The statement is a misrepresentation of the situation and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["After merging with Tim Hortons of Canada, Burger King is \"not moving. \u2026 Our headquarters will remain in Miami\" and \"(we) will continue to pay all of our federal, state and local U.S. taxes.\"","On its Facebook page, Burger King said that after merging with Tim Hortons of Canada, the company is \"not moving. \u2026 Our headquarters will remain in Miami\" and \"(we) will continue to pay all of our federal, state and local U.S. taxes.\"","We decided to check the company\u2019s claim that after merging with Tim Hortons of Canada, Burger King is \"not moving. \u2026 Our headquarters will remain in Miami\" and \"(we) will continue to pay all of our federal, state and local U.S. taxes.\" (Burger King's public-relations firm did not return an inquiry.)","\"The decision to create a new global QSR leader with Tim Hortons is not tax-driven \u2013 it\u2019s about global growth for both brands. BKC will continue to pay all of our federal, state and local U.S. taxes."]},{"id":"2006.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"President Barack Obama has deported more people in his first year in office than George W. Bush in his last year in office.\"","reason":"Reason: Jorge Ramos, a prominent news anchor, made the claim that President Barack Obama deported more people in his first year in office than George W. Bush did in his last year. While the fiscal year data does not align precisely with presidential years, it is generally accurate that there was a significant increase in deportations during the early years of the Obama administration compared to the final year of the Bush administration. However, it's important to note that the context and factors contributing to these deportation numbers can be complex and influenced by various policies and enforcement priorities. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be considered with the understanding that the comparison is not based on exact presidential years and that deportation numbers can be influenced by multiple factors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1796.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The city of Houston now has more debt per capita than California.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the financial reports from fiscal year 2009, Houston did have more debt per capita than California. Houston's debt per person was $5,720, while California's debt per person was $2,808, which is less than half of Houston's debt. However, it's important to note that this comparison is specific to that particular year and may not reflect the current debt situation of either entity. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the data from 2009, it may not hold true in the present day.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12383.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy is one of only three Democrats in the House today who voted to create the Benghazi committee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Patrick Murphy, at the time, was one of the Democrats in the House who voted to create the Benghazi committee. While the exact number of Democrats who voted for the committee may have changed over time, the evidence confirms that Murphy was among those who supported its creation. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the current number of Democrats who voted for the committee, which may have changed since the committee's formation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"326.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Every billion dollars we spend on highway construction results in 47,500 jobs. But the fact is the average American is sitting in traffic 38 hours a year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two separate claims. The first claim, that every billion dollars spent on highway construction results in 47,500 jobs, is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that $1 billion in federal spending on highway construction creates approximately 42,100 jobs, including direct and indirect employment. \n\nThe second claim, that the average American spends 38 hours a year in traffic, is also not entirely accurate. While the Urban Mobility Report did find that the average peak period traveler spends an extra 38 hours in traffic each year, this figure does not represent the average American. The 38-hour figure only applies to individuals who travel during the defined peak period, which accounts for about 60% of Americans. If all Americans were factored in, the average time spent in traffic would likely be lower, estimated to be around 25 hours.\n\nGiven these discrepancies, the statement is not entirely true and lacks precision in its representation of both job creation and average time spent in traffic.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["After the 9\/11 terrorist attacks grounded commercial air traffic, \"there was a temperature drop while the airplanes weren't flying, for the week afterwards.\"","\"We did see in 9\/11, we did see I believe there was a temperature drop while the airplanes weren't flying, for the week afterwards, that there was an average temperature drop,\" he said. \"So I think clearly there are man-made effects.\"","As an example, he pointed to the three days after the 9\/11 terrorist attacks when all commercial planes were grounded over the United States.","After reading those news stories again, Gardiner acknowledged in an e-mail that he had misspoken during the candidates\u2019 debate; Travis\u2019 study showed a widened daily temperature range in both directions following the terrorist attacks -- not just a drop in temperature -- and, said Gardiner, \"indeed there is controversy surrounding the observations . . . \""]},{"id":"8399.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeanne Shaheen got behind the idea of using the IRS to target American citizens for their political views.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an accusation made by New Hampshire Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Horn against Jeanne Shaheen. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided consists solely of the accusation itself and does not offer any supporting evidence or context. Without additional evidence, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is classified as barely-true due to the lack of substantiating evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3048.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On average, Americans spend less than 10 percent of their disposable income on food. Compare that to folks in Mexico, who spend 22 percent, China, 28 percent and Russia, 37 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples that, on average, Americans spend less than 10 percent of their disposable income on food. This claim is supported by various sources, including the op-ed column written by Staples and other statements from him. The comparison to Mexico, China, and Russia, where higher percentages of disposable income are spent on food, is also supported by the evidence provided. However, it's important to note that these percentages may vary depending on individual circumstances and socioeconomic factors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11649.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We lock up close to 2.4 million people in this country. Were locking up more people than China and Russia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The available evidence supports the claim that the United States incarcerates close to 2.4 million people, which is more than the reported figures for both China and Russia. According to the World Prison Population List, the U.S. has the highest number of prisoners, with China being the second highest. However, it's worth noting that the figures for China may be undercounted due to the exclusion of certain categories of detainees. Nevertheless, the statement accurately reflects the general comparison of incarceration rates between the United States, China, and Russia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Now, back to the case at hand. Has per-student spending in Portland really dropped from roughly $6,036 in the 2007-2008 school year to $5,644 in the 2010-2011 school year? Sort of.","The graph shows the funding down 6.5 percent this year as compared to the 2007-2008 school year. (Here\u2019s how the pamphlet says the dollars break down: $6,036 in 2007-08; $5,989 in 2008-09; $5,834 in 2009-10; and $5,644 in 2010-11.)","What we really wanted to know was this: Has state school funding per student really dropped from $6,036 in 2007-08 to $5,644 to 2010-11?","That gave us a considerably higher per-student spending figure: $7,699 in 2007-08; $7,415 in 2008-09; $7,440 in 2009-10; and $7,234 in 2010-11. In no year did the district get less than $6,000 per student, as the brochure suggests is now the case."]},{"id":"6837.json","label":"false","statement":"Because of Obamacare, over the last two years, health care premiums have gone up -- its true -- but theyve gone up slower than any time in the last 50 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While President Obama claimed that health care premiums have gone up slower than any time in the last 50 years due to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the evidence does not support this assertion. In reality, health care premiums have continued to rise, albeit at a slower rate compared to previous years. However, it is inaccurate to claim that the rate of increase is the slowest in the last 50 years. The statement misrepresents the actual trend in health care premiums.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Russ led the fight with me to make the Affordable Care Act much stronger in 2009. He voted against the USA PATRIOT Act and the war in Iraq. He authored and passed landmark campaign finance reform legislation and his campaign is powered by small-dollar contributions like ours.\"","Typically, small donors are considered those who give $200 or less over an election cycle. Having a lot of small-dollar contributions can indicate strong grassroots support and an effective online fundraising effort.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","\"We are going to have to elect candidates up and down the ballot who recognize that it is too late for establishment politics and economics,\" Sanders wrote. \"Candidates like my friend, former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold.\""]},{"id":"8682.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio endorsed Obamacare for his own family.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marco Rubio signed up for insurance on the Washington marketplace, it is an oversimplification to claim that this constitutes an endorsement of Obamacare for his own family. Rubio has been a vocal critic of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and has actively pushed for its repeal. His decision to enroll in the marketplace is likely a result of the legal requirement to abide by the law rather than an endorsement of the policy itself. Therefore, the claim that Rubio endorsed Obamacare for his own family is misleading and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Mitt Romney and George Allen \"would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to end safe, legal abortion even in cases of rape, incest or when a woman's life is at risk.\"","Planned Parenthood says Mitt Romney and George Allen 'would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to end safe, legal abortion'","( - Planned Parenthood says Mitt Romney and George Allen 'would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to end safe, legal abortion'&url=)","A Planned Parenthood mailer in Virginia claims that \"(Mitt) Romney and (George) Allen would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to end safe, legal abortion even in cases of rape, incest or when a woman's life is at risk.\" A president and a senator don\u2019t have the power to directly overturn a Supreme Court decision, but they could nominate and vote for an anti- Roe justice if a spot opened."]},{"id":"12856.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Then, the Republican leader theatrically introduced new bills with stopgap budget language, declaring that we could stay until midnight and pass this compromise. Except under our constitution, a bill has to be read on 3 different days, so thats not possible.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the constitutional requirement that a bill must be read on three different days in each house before final passage. However, the use of the term \"theatrically\" to describe the introduction of new bills with stopgap budget language implies a subjective judgment about the Republican leader's intentions or actions. Without further evidence or context, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this characterization. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim of theatricality.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11217.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Michele Bachmann said, The Chinese built a Great Wall 5,000 years ago. You dont see any illegal Mexicans in China.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reliable source to support the claim that Michele Bachmann made the statement, \"The Chinese built a Great Wall 5,000 years ago. You don't see any illegal Mexicans in China.\" The statement appears to be a fabricated quote that has been circulated in memes and social media. It is important to verify information from credible sources before accepting and sharing such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9704.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rhode Islands state pension system underperformed the median three out of the four years that Mr. [Frank] Caprio was in office.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Rhode Island's state pension system underperformed the median for three out of the four years when Mr. Frank Caprio was in office. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support this claim. The evidence provided discusses the lack of precise information on the number of retirees covered by Social Security and the opinions of various individuals, but it does not specifically address the performance of the pension system during Mr. Caprio's tenure. Therefore, while the statement may align with the overall context of the pension system's performance, it lacks direct evidence to fully support its claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13273.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton was let off the hook for her email scandal while Gen. David Petraeus had his life destroyed for doing far, far less.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Hillary Clinton was let off the hook for her email scandal while General David Petraeus had his life destroyed for doing far less. While both Clinton and Petraeus were involved in separate controversies related to mishandling classified information, their cases were handled differently due to the specific circumstances and legal considerations involved. Clinton's case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI, and while she was criticized for her handling of classified information, no charges were filed against her. On the other hand, Petraeus pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified information. Therefore, the claim that Clinton was let off the hook while Petraeus had his life destroyed for doing far less is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2078.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Transporting drugs is the price of admission for people crossing the border illegally.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Loughlin, suggesting that transporting drugs is the price of admission for people crossing the border illegally, is false and misleading. While there have been instances of drug smuggling across the border, it is incorrect and unfair to claim that it is a common or necessary practice for most individuals crossing the border illegally. Such a statement wrongly generalizes and stigmatizes immigrants, creating a false narrative that does not align with the reality of the situation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Rick Perry told students he couldn't attend a gubernatorial forum due to scheduling conflicts, then on forum day \"tweeted that he'd just been running with his dog.\"","Bill White says Gov. Rick Perry said he couldn't attend a gubernatorial forum because of scheduling conflicts, but then tweeted that he ran around the lake the day of the event","( - Bill White says Gov. Rick Perry said he couldn't attend a gubernatorial forum because of scheduling conflicts, but then tweeted that he ran around the lake the day of the event&url=)","During the event, which we watched online, White hardly mentioned GOP Gov. Rick Perry, who had declined to participate. Later, however, White questioned Perry's absence. \"The students in El Paso high schools had taken the initiative to ask the gubernatorial candidates to talk about voting, civic responsibilities and their visions for Texas,\" White was quoted saying in an Oct. 5 San Antonio-Express News article. \"He told them he had a scheduling conflict and couldn't show up, and while I was answering questions from the students, he tweeted that he'd just been running with his dog around Town Lake,\" meaning Austin's Lady Bird Lake."]},{"id":"8517.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Charlie Crist stopped layoffs of some 20,000 school teachers during the global economic meltdown.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Charlie Crist did claim to have stopped the layoffs of approximately 20,000 school teachers during the global economic meltdown. However, it is important to note that there is some debate and scrutiny surrounding this claim. While Crist takes credit for preventing these layoffs, it is also true that Florida experienced a significant loss of jobs during his tenure as governor. The exact number of prevented layoffs and the extent of Crist's direct involvement in preventing them may be subject to interpretation and further analysis.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["At first, one might wonder: How can former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson claim \"a 100 percent pro-life voting record\" when the National Right to Life Committee, the nation's largest and most prominent antiabortion advocacy group, graded him at only 33 percent during his last term in Congress? And 77 percent the term before that? And 87 percent in the term before that?","\"It's very fair for him to say that on every bill that came forward, he cast a pro-life vote,\" O'Steen said. \"I think he's fairly characterizing this. He's got a very pro-life record, and that was a big part of our endorsement \u2013- it's not just talking the talk, but walking the walk. He was there, and he wasn't one of the members that vacillated and you wondered where he was going to be. He was solid.\"","In 1995, he also supported a welfare reform bill the group opposed, said David O'Steen, executive director of National Right to Life.","So what's with the middling marks from the National Right to Life Committee's grade, then? The Washington-based group, which boasts 3,000 chapters in all 50 states, ranks members of Congress each year on their votes."]},{"id":"12231.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton supported and continues to support fracking.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Hillary Clinton has expressed support for fracking, both during her tenure as Secretary of State and as a 2016 presidential candidate. However, it's important to note that her support comes with certain conditions, such as local choice, stronger environmental regulation, and chemicals. While the evidence supports the claim that Clinton has supported fracking, the statement could be more accurate by specifying the conditions and nuances of her support.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It is important to just reflect how groundbreaking it was for him, a Catholic, to be my party's nominee for president,\" she said. \"Don't forget, school boards sent home letters with children saying that if Al Smith is elected president, you will not be allowed to have or read a Bible.\"","Clinton said that in 1928, school boards sent kids home with a note warning that if Al Smith were elected president, they would not be allowed to own or read a Bible.","\"Feelings were so strong that they swirled into a hurricane of abuse, a crescendo of fear and hate blasting through eight weeks,\" Slayton wrote. \"The school board of Daytona Beach, Fla., sent a note home with every student. It read simply: \u2018We must prevent the election of Alfred E. Smith to the Presidency. If he is elected President, you will not be allowed to have or read a Bible.\u2019 \"","\"It is stated that the cards declared: \u2018We must prevent the election of Alfred E. Smith to the Presidency. If he is chosen President, you will not be allowed to have or read a Bible.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"1689.json","label":"false","statement":"\"A filibuster has never really been successfully used against a Supreme Court justice.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While filibusters against Supreme Court nominations are indeed rare, there has been at least one successful filibuster against a Supreme Court justice. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson's attempt to elevate Associate Justice Abe Fortas to chief justice was filibustered, leading to the withdrawal of the nomination. This historical example contradicts the claim that a filibuster has never been successfully used against a Supreme Court justice.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"13045.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"North Carolinas coast is possibly the best place in (the) U.S. for an offshore windfarm.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that highlights the potential suitability of North Carolina's coast for an offshore windfarm. While it does not provide definitive proof, it acknowledges that North Carolina's coast has favorable conditions for such a project. However, it's important to note that determining the \"best\" place for an offshore windfarm involves various factors, including wind resources, environmental impacts, and regulatory considerations. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it recognizes the potential of North Carolina's coast without making an absolute claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The outcome of the decision, expected by June, could mean either that same-sex marriage will become legal in all states or that some states will institute new bans on same-sex marriage.","As polls showed that a majority of Americans supported same-sex marriage, Clinton\u2019s views changed, too. She announced her support for same-sex marriage in March 2013.","We also looked at U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio\u2019s statements about same-sex marriage. Rubio has opposed same-sex marriage but also says that he supports the rights of states to set their own course. We looked into a dispute about whether Rubio ever supported amending the U.S. Constitution to ban marriage; we concluded there was little evidence to show he wanted an amendment.","Clinton opposed same-sex marriage as a candidate for the Senate, while in office as a senator, and while running for president. She expressed her support for civil unions starting in 2000 and for the rights\u2019 of states to set their own laws in favor of same-sex marriage in 2006."]},{"id":"2618.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Russ Feingold supported a stimulus plan that allowed a company to create 3,000 jobs in China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that Russ Feingold supported a stimulus plan, which some argue allowed U.S. tax dollars to go to foreign companies, including those in China, to create manufacturing jobs overseas, it is misleading to attribute the creation of 3,000 jobs in China solely to Feingold's support. The stimulus plan aimed to stimulate the overall U.S. economy and create jobs domestically, but it is difficult to directly link Feingold's support to the specific job creation in China. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but oversimplifies the complex nature of job creation and the impact of the stimulus plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"This is the price you pay to get qualified people to do consequential things,\" Seitz told the Columbus Dispatch. \"Study after study has shown that our judges, compared to other similar states, are being woefully underpaid.\"","But Seitz was accurate in asserting that Ohio's judges are paid less \"compared to other similar states.\" They are, in fact, paid less at every level than are judges in most other states.","Saying that Ohio's judges are \"woefully underpaid\" is a matter of opinion that PolitiFact Ohio can't rate. That\u2019s a point for clarification.","The most recent survey, published last July, found that Ohio ranked 41st among the 50 states in average pay for common pleas judges, or general jurisdiction trial courts. The national average pay for common pleas judge was $137,000 in 2011, compared to $121,350 in Ohio."]},{"id":"6840.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Paul Ryans budget would turn Medicare into a voucher.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Senator Robert Menendez and other sources that Paul Ryan's budget proposal would transform Medicare into a voucher system. Ryan's plan suggests providing seniors with a fixed amount of money to purchase private insurance instead of the current Medicare system. While the term \"voucher\" may be oversimplified, it captures the essence of the proposed change. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the entire budget proposal and its potential implications.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Americans are getting a real education on what the color of oil is,\" Schultz said on the May 5, 2010, episode of his show. \"It's green. It's real green. It's big money and influence. Just so you know what's coming down, Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu received almost $1.8 million from BP over the last decade.\"","\"In recent days we have been reporting on this program on two different occasions that Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana had taken $1.8 million from BP,\" he said. \"I want to come off the top tonight and correct that number. It is $752,000... I want all of you to know our apologies from me, Ed Schultz, on this. I don\u2018t like getting my numbers wrong.\"","Among them is Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Louisiana Democrat whose state stands to be hardest hit by the thousands of barrels of oil gushing from BP's Deepwater Horizon well in the Gulf of Mexico.","Indeed, Landrieu has received $752,744 from all the oil and gas industry's political action committees and employees -- not just BP -- during her entire career. Schultz initially said that Landrieu had received $1.8 million from BP in the last decade, so his \"correction\" is an apples-to-oranges comparison. (We should also note that OpenSecrets is in the middle of updating some of its information; according to the organization, the most up-to-date figure is actually $758,744. But that number is available only on some parts of the OpenSecrets site.)"]},{"id":"244.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he has \"the most impressive education record\" of the Republican candidates.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the candidate has \"the most impressive education record\" among Republican candidates is subjective and lacks specific evidence to support its claim. Without further information or comparison to other candidates, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this statement. Therefore, the statement can be considered partially true, as it reflects the candidate's self-perception but lacks objective verification or context for comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Compared to President Obama, \"President Reagan rushed home from Santa Barbara vacation, from the Reagan ranch when the Korean jetliner was shot out of the air by the Russians.\"","\"President Reagan rushed home from Santa Barbara vacation, from the Reagan ranch when the Korean jetliner was shot out of the air by the Russians,\" Obenshain said July 17 on The O\u2019Reilly Factor.","\"President Reagan rushed home from Santa Barbara vacation, from the Reagan ranch when the Korean jetliner was shot out of the air by the Russians,\" said commentator Kate Obenshain said July 17 on The O\u2019Reilly Factor.","Obenshain said that when the Russians shot down a Korean passenger plane in 1983, Reagan rushed home from his Santa Barbara vacation. The actual timeline shows that even after the White House concluded that the Soviets were responsible, administration officials decided that the president would remain in California. It took about half a day for them to change their minds."]},{"id":"3564.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Many states without collective bargaining, such as Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina, have far larger budget deficits than many that do, including Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided supports the claim that many states without collective bargaining, including Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina, have larger budget deficits compared to states that do have collective bargaining, such as Ohio. The data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and the National Conference of State Legislatures confirms that these states had higher budget deficits, both in terms of percentages of their overall budgets and in actual dollar amounts. However, it's important to note that this evidence does not establish a direct causal relationship between the presence or absence of collective bargaining and budget deficits. Other factors may contribute to budget challenges in these states. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act, Americans could in many cases be denied coverage from a new insurer if they had a pre-existing condition. The provision requiring insurers to cover everyone is one of the most popular elements of the law.","!Barack Obama signing the Affordable Care Act at the White House in 2010. (Wikimedia Commons) !Barack Obama signing the Affordable Care Act at the White House in 2010. (Wikimedia Commons)","The Kaiser Family Foundation projected that if the pre-existing conditions provision is repealed, 52 million Americans could be at risk of being denied coverage in the future.","President Joe Biden recently trumpeted that during the most recent open enrollment period, a record 14.5 million Americans signed up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, the health insurance law that passed when Biden was vice president."]},{"id":"11458.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A Republican bill that would change John Doe criminal investigations is creating exceptions in the law for politicians.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The proposed Republican bill in Wisconsin does create an exception in the John Doe law that would prevent the use of John Doe investigations to investigate political corruption. While the bill does not explicitly exempt politicians from John Doe investigations, it effectively limits the scope of crimes that can be investigated using the John Doe process, which includes political corruption. Therefore, the bill indirectly creates an exception for politicians in terms of the crimes that can be investigated through John Doe proceedings.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Thompson said, \"I supported tort reform with regard to securities legislation. I supported tort reform with regard to product liability legislation, things that have to do with interstate commerce. I think it appropriately passed. I supported and worked for those things. Local issues belong at the state level. Most states have passed tort reform. That's our system. It's not all federalized.\"","A former trial lawyer, he has opposed some tort reform bills because he said they violated his principle of states' rights. But he has supported others because he said they involve interstate commerce.","In 1995, he voted with his party for a bill limiting product liability lawsuits against manufacturers. However, he was instrumental in narrowing it from the broad tort reform that the Republican leadership had wanted. He was one of only nine Republican senators to vote against an earlier version of the bill, which included protections for doctors against medical malpractice suits and sanctions meant to limit frivolous lawsuits. The legislation went on to be passed without the protections for doctors and limits on frivolous suits.","He is correct that most states have passed some sort of tort reform, according to Darren McKinney, spokesman for the American Tort Reform Association, a group that advocates state and federal tort reform."]},{"id":"7829.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says we allow more people into America legally than all other countries on the planet combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that the United States has a significant number of legal immigrants, the claim that the U.S. allows more people into the country legally than all other countries combined is not accurate. The statement fails to consider the population size and immigration policies of other countries. While the U.S. does admit a substantial number of legal immigrants each year, there are other countries with relatively high immigration rates as well. Therefore, the claim is misleading and does not align with the reality of global immigration patterns.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says state Sen. Morgan Carroll's votes made \"it easier to sue doctors, small businesses, even nurses. Putting her own shady interests first.\"","Coffman says Carroll\u2019s votes on state legislation made \"it easier to sue doctors, small businesses, even nurses. Putting her own shady interests first.\"","The narrator says the state senator\u2019s votes resulted in \"making it easier to sue doctors, small businesses, even nurses. Putting her own shady interests first.\"","We took a hard look at Coffman\u2019s TV ad claim that Carroll's votes resulted in \"making it easier to sue doctors, small businesses, even nurses\"to serve her \"shady interests.\""]},{"id":"11720.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"By the end of 2015, more than 1,300 people will have died on Georgia roads. One of out evey four fatalities resulted from drunken driving.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that by the end of 2015, more than 1,300 people will have died on Georgia roads, and one out of every four fatalities will have resulted from drunken driving. The tally kept by the Georgia Department of Transportation and released by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety confirms the number of deaths on Georgia roads. While the evidence does not explicitly state that 25 percent of the deaths are caused by drunken driving, it does mention that 25 percent of the deaths are the result of drunken driving. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be noted that the evidence does not explicitly provide the exact percentage of deaths caused by drunken driving.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Soon after Bachmann made the claim, medical professionals raced to counter the notion that an HPV vaccination can cause mental retardation.","!GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann linked HPV vaccine and mental retardation in an interview on the Today Show. But is there science to back it up? !GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann linked HPV vaccine and mental retardation in an interview on the Today Show. But is there science to back it up?","GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann linked HPV vaccine and mental retardation in an interview on the Today Show. But is there science to back it up?","In the CNN\/Tea Party Express debate in Tampa on Sept. 12, 2011, Bachmann blasted Perry for mandating a vaccine for school girls to guard against human papilloma virus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer. The vaccine can prevent the virus, but the virus is sexually transmitted, which makes the idea of requiring the inoculation of young girls controversial among some parents."]},{"id":"11742.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Chris Christie instituted an Internet sales tax.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that Chris Christie instituted an Internet sales tax, it oversimplifies the situation. The evidence provided clarifies that the money collected through Internet sales was already owed to the state by law, either through sales tax collected by businesses or use tax paid by consumers. Therefore, Christie did not impose a new tax burden on residents but rather ensured that existing tax obligations were being fulfilled. The use of the term \"instituted\" in the statement is misleading, as it implies the creation of a new tax rather than the enforcement of existing tax laws.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"A far different picture from the prior eight years, which saw 115 increases in taxes and fees,\" Christie said during his address in the Assembly chamber at the Statehouse in Trenton.","In sharing some of the state\u2019s achievements during his State of the State address Tuesday, Christie talked about a variety of fiscal goals he has overseen since taking office in 2010: balanced budgets (a state requirement),, tax relief, pension and health reforms, and job growth. \"A far different picture from the prior eight years, which saw 115 increases in taxes and fees,\" he said.","During his State of the State address earlier this year Christie noted that New Jersey saw more than 100 increases in taxes and fees in the eight years before he became governor, which is similar to the new TV ad about Buono, the Democratic challenger in the November gubernatorial race.","The key difference between Kean\u2019s claim in 2011 and Christie\u2019s, though, is that Kean specified only tax increases and tied those increases to driving jobs out of state. The governor said taxes and fees were raised 115 times in the eight years before he took office."]},{"id":"5018.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"No federal official at any level is currently allowed to say Merry Christmas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false. There is no ban or restriction on federal officials at any level saying \"Merry Christmas.\" Guidelines and laws in place allow for personal religious expression in the federal workplace, including the ability to greet others with \"Merry Christmas.\" Assertions suggesting otherwise are baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Trump said, \"they (Mexico) receive approximately $24 billion a year in remittances from Mexican nationals working in the United States. The majority of that amount comes from illegal aliens.\"","\"They (Mexico) receive approximately $24 billion a year in remittances from Mexican nationals working in the United States. The majority of that amount comes from illegal aliens,\" Trump said.","Trump says Mexico receives an estimated $24 billion a year in remittances from people in the United States and assumes Mexico will protest U.S. attempts to bar undocumented immigrants from sending money to Mexico.","Trump\u2019s campaign called a one-time payment of $5 billion-$10 billion \"an easy decision for Mexico.\" The country\u2019s other option would be to lose billions more in impounded remittances from immigrants working in the United States and increased fees on U.S. temporary visas and border crossing cards."]},{"id":"8759.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I started the whole year as a senior on the University of Illinois football team and led the team in interceptions and tackles from defensive back.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Turner started each game as a cornerback during his senior season on the University of Illinois football team, there is conflicting evidence regarding whether he led the team in interceptions and tackles. According to the university's online football record book, there is no record of Turner leading the team in either category during any season. Additionally, a team official confirmed that other players led the team in tackles and interceptions during Turner's senior season. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7298.json","label":"half-true","statement":"People committed involuntarily for 72 hours under the Baker Act will get their guns back automatically and immediately upon discharge....and their commitment is never entered into a background check database.","reason":"Reason: The first part of the statement, regarding people committed involuntarily under the Baker Act getting their guns back automatically and immediately upon discharge, is accurate based on the evidence provided. However, the second part of the statement, claiming that their commitment is never entered into a background check database, is not entirely accurate. While the evaluation under the Baker Act itself may not be entered into a background check database, the commitment or involuntary admission may still be documented and could potentially impact background checks for firearm purchases. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4582.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he never called teachers thugs and has said nothing but great things about them during the fight over his curbs on unions","reason":"Reason: While Governor Walker may not have directly called teachers \"thugs,\" there is evidence to suggest that his comments about \"thuggery\" during protests at the Capitol could have been interpreted as passing judgment on the teachers involved. Additionally, while he may not have made explicit negative statements about teachers as a profession, he has made critical remarks about the teachers' union and depicted unions as greedy and controlled by out-of-state \"bosses.\" Therefore, while he may not have explicitly called teachers thugs and has made positive statements about them, his overall rhetoric and actions towards unions and their influence on teachers can be seen as less than supportive.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13055.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Nevada Republican Senate nominee Joe Heck voted to criminalize abortion for rape victims.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While it is true that Joe Heck voted in favor of certain abortion restrictions, including restrictions on late-term abortions, it is incorrect to claim that he specifically voted to criminalize abortion for rape victims. The ad from Planned Parenthood fails to clarify that the law makes clear that rape victims would not bear legal consequences for seeking abortions. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Heck's position and misrepresents the potential impact on rape victims. It is important to accurately represent the nuances of legislation and not make misleading claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I take very seriously your larger point, congressman,\" Clinton said. \"It breaks my heart that 10 years ago we had a balanced budget, that we were on the way to paying down the debt of the United States of America. I served on the Budget Committee in the Senate, and I remember as vividly as if it were yesterday, when we had a hearing in which Alan Greenspan came and justified increasing spending and cutting taxes, saying that we didn't really need to pay down the debt -- outrageous in my view.\"","Says former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said that \"if the workers are more insecure, that's very healthy for the society\" because \"they'll serve the masters gladly and passively.\"","Amid a stubbornly slow economic recovery, a reader recently forwarded us a social media post taking aim at former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan for using callous language about worker insecurity. The post features images of Greenspan and says:","In reviewing the record, we find that Clinton's statement contains a little bit of truth. Ten years ago, the country was on the way to paying down its debt. Clinton is correct that Greenspan, at a pivotal moment, testified that the 2001 tax cuts were acceptable. His testimony was widely perceived as an endorsement of the tax cuts and received significant press coverage. But Greenspan never suggested that \"we didn't really need to pay down the debt.\" Rather, he clearly said that continuing deficits were not good and that the federal government should practice fiscal discipline. And he reiterated that view in 2005. So we rate Clinton's statement Barely True."]},{"id":"3069.json","label":"false","statement":"In Wisconsin, 98 percent of all small businesses will qualify for income-tax relief under my plan, freeing them to expand and create jobs.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Scott Walker claimed that 98 percent of small businesses in Wisconsin would qualify for income-tax relief under his plan, there is insufficient evidence to support this statement. The evidence provided does not offer any specific data or analysis to back up the claim. Without concrete evidence, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, it is categorized as false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But Mann focused more on his tenure with Brown and their work to professionalize the department. At the GPB debate, Mann implied that DeKalb has been recognized in recent years for having one of the best sheriff\u2019s departments in the nation.","The department has had no major scandals in recent years. Some observers of DeKalb\u2019s history find that fact remarkable in itself.","The National Sheriffs\u2019 Association confirms that DeKalb did receive its Triple Crown honor in 2008 under Brown. The award recognizes those departments that have earned simultaneous accreditation from three agencies:","The DeKalb County battle to replace Sheriff Tom Brown is a rare local political fight this year. And it cries out for fact checks."]},{"id":"11569.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Democratic Party is getting smaller and smaller and smaller.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Democratic Party is getting smaller and smaller is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the overall trends and dynamics of the party. While it is true that the Democratic Party has faced challenges in certain areas and demographics, such as losing support among some Southern whites in the past, there are also indications of growth and support in other segments of the population, such as Millennials. Additionally, considering factors like fundraising and party organization, there is evidence to suggest that the Democratic Party is not necessarily shrinking in size. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and does not provide a comprehensive view of the party's overall trajectory.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a section challenging Straus' conservative bonafides, the newsletter says he \"was co-author of a bill that would have allowed Planned Parenthood to control public school sex education.\"","Conservative education activist Donna Garner says Texas House Speaker Joe Straus coauthored a bill that would have allowed Planned Parenthood to control public school sex education","( - Conservative education activist Donna Garner says Texas House Speaker Joe Straus coauthored a bill that would have allowed Planned Parenthood to control public school sex education&url=)","Garner told us: \"If Straus had been a true conservative, he would not have supported H.B. 1842. His deep roots (and those of his wife) with Planned Parenthood undoubtedly led to his being a co-author of this bill. It is no surprise that Planned Parenthood in its fall 2009 Horizon newsletter publicly highlighted Joe Straus' support of its agenda.\""]},{"id":"10939.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons been very clear where she stands on trade.","reason":"Reason: While Hillary Clinton has expressed her concerns and stated that a trade agreement must protect workers and national security, her position on trade, particularly regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), has evolved over time. Initially, she avoided directly answering questions about her support for granting Obama fast-track trade promotion authority and has used hedging language, such as having \"some concerns.\" Eventually, she stated that she outright opposes the TPP as it stands. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Clinton has been consistently clear on her stance on trade, especially in the context of the TPP.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Nye voted in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi, even on the wasteful stimulus bill,\" the ad says. \"Nye votes with Pelosi 83 percent of the time. Glenn Nye is her congressman, not ours.\"","It\u2019s become a popular Republican tactic to link Democrats with Pelosi, but in this case, the voting records don\u2019t justify the charge. And while Nye has voted with his party 82 percent of the time -- a clear majority of the time -- that\u2019s a long way from being \"in lock step.\"","The National Republican Congressional Committee makes a similar claim in a TV ad, taking aim at Nye for supporting the economic stimulus package and other Democratic legislation. It says, \"Glenn Nye voted with Pelosi 82 percent of the time.\"","House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has become a popular villain for Republican candidates who have been trying to link her to their Democratic opponents."]},{"id":"13143.json","label":"false","statement":"Says to Hillary Clinton, You heard what I said about (the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal), and all of a sudden you were against it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Hillary Clinton initially supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal and referred to it as the \"gold standard,\" she later changed her position and expressed opposition to the deal during her 2016 presidential campaign. It is incorrect to claim that she suddenly changed her stance solely based on hearing what Donald Trump said about it.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"941.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A new presidential helicopter is now going to cost as much as Air Force One.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Critics, including Senator John McCain, have raised concerns about the cost overruns in the Defense Department, specifically regarding the new presidential helicopter program. The original estimate for the program was $6.1 billion for 28 helicopters, but it has since increased to an estimated $11.2 billion. While it is not explicitly stated that the new presidential helicopter will cost as much as Air Force One, the comparison is made to highlight the significant increase in cost and the burden it places on taxpayers. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the cost of Air Force One or the exact cost of the new presidential helicopter.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8709.json","label":"false","statement":"(Jack Kingston) had more earmarks at one time than every member of the Georgia delegation put together.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Jack Kingston did not have more earmarks at one time than every member of the Georgia delegation combined. The information from the Taxpayers for Common Sense website and other sources shows that Kingston's solo earmarks did not exceed the entire Georgia delegation in 2008 or 2010. Additionally, there were instances where the Georgia GOP delegation had more solo earmarks and brought home more money from earmarks than Kingston. Therefore, the statement claiming that Kingston had more earmarks than the entire Georgia delegation combined is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11976.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he supported the 1994 crime bill because there is a ban on assault weapons in that bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bernie Sanders supported the 1994 crime bill, claiming that he did so solely because of the inclusion of an assault weapons ban is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that Sanders did support the prohibition of assault weapons, but his support for the overall crime bill was not solely based on that specific provision. There were other aspects of the bill that Sanders found favorable, and he did vote for versions of the bill that did not include the assault weapons ban. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies Sanders' reasons for supporting the crime bill.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Over the last 10 years, Romney said, California and Florida have had \"no increase in illegal immigration. Texas has had 60 percent increase in illegal immigrants.... If there's someone who has a record as governor with regards to illegal immigration that doesn't stand up to muster, it's you, not me.\"","What about the numbers for California and Florida over the same period? According to the DHS figures, California had a 2 percent increase, while Florida had a 5 percent decrease. So Romney\u2019s slightly off when he claims that California had \"no increase,\" but he has a point that both states were broadly stable over the period.","First, the numbers for Texas. The DHS estimated that Texas had 1,090,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2000, rising to an estimated 1,770,000 by 2010 -- an increase of 680,000, or about 62 percent, over the decade.","Meanwhile, Pew estimated the numbers to be 1,100,000 in 2000 and 1,650,000 in 2010 (the midpoint of a range between 1,450,000 to 1,850,000). That\u2019s an increase of 550,000, or exactly 50 percent."]},{"id":"12016.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump bans disabled veterans from his high rise.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While it is true that Donald Trump sought to restrict disabled veterans who were selling their wares in front of his high rise, it is incorrect to claim that he banned disabled veterans from his high rise altogether. The ad's wording is misleading and could lead viewers to believe that Trump wanted to prevent disabled veterans from residing in his high rise, which is not supported by evidence. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But the practice has gained national attention after Sen. Hillary Clinton questioned whether Sen. Barack Obama used present votes 129 times over eight years as an Illinois state senator to duck tough votes.","Back in January, the White House was asked about Obama's comments from 2006. Robert Gibbs, then the White House press secretary, said the outcome of the vote wasn't in doubt.","The votes -- there have been 10 since 2001 -- are famous for political posturing, and President Barack Obama is no exception. Back in 2006, he joined with other Senate Democrats to vote against raising the debt limit, a measure supported by President George W. Bush.","State Sen. J. Bradley Burzynski, a Republican who served with Obama, said the popularity of voting \"present\" has proven a convenient way for lawmakers to avoid the issue at hand \u2013 particularly for those \"on the ballot or seeking higher office at a given time.\""]},{"id":"10824.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Once again, a police officer has been killed with an illegal gun from Georgia a state that last year did the NRAs bidding and weakened its already lax gun laws.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some inaccuracies and lacks proper context. While it is true that a police officer was killed with an illegal gun from Georgia, it is misleading to solely attribute this incident to Georgia's gun laws. The claim that Georgia weakened its gun laws at the behest of the NRA is an oversimplification. Georgia has had relatively lenient gun laws for some time, and any changes made to those laws in recent years were not solely influenced by the NRA. Additionally, the statement implies a direct causal link between Georgia's gun laws and the officer's death, which is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve got close to 7 million Americans who have access to health care for the first time because of Medicaid expansion.\"","Obama said, \"We\u2019ve got close to 7 million Americans who have access to health care for the first time because of Medicaid expansion.\"","\"Right now, we\u2019ve already got close to 4 million Americans who have signed up for exchanges. We\u2019ve got 3 million Americans who were able to stay on their parents\u2019 plan because of the law. We\u2019ve got close to 7 million Americans who have access to health care for the first time because of Medicaid expansion. So we\u2019ve already got well over 10 million Americans just in the first few months, despite problems with in the first month and a half, who suddenly have the financial security that in some cases they\u2019ve never known before.\"","One of these numbers has attracted particular scrutiny -- the \"7 million Americans who have access to health care for the first time because of Medicaid expansion.\""]},{"id":"10675.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia has one of the nations highest jet fuel taxes.","reason":"Reason: While Georgia does have a relatively high jet fuel tax compared to other states, it is not accurate to claim that it has one of the highest in the nation. According to the evidence provided, Illinois, California, and Connecticut have higher jet fuel taxes than Georgia. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify whether it refers to state-level taxes or includes local taxes and fees. If we consider only state-level taxes, Georgia's jet fuel tax is not among the highest in the nation. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it lacks clarity regarding the inclusion of local taxes and fees.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12815.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether the federal government should set a minimum wage","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Trump has expressed his preference for allowing states to determine their own minimum wage policies rather than having the federal government set a minimum wage. This is evident from his statement on Meet the Press where he stated that he would rather have the states decide on the minimum wage. Additionally, the evidence provided confirms that the federal government does have a minimum wage of $7.25, but states have the authority to set their own minimum wage levels, which can be higher than the federal minimum wage.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Ziemer wrote that malaria kills a child in Africa each minute. His staff at USAID said that figure is off. A better estimate is that a child dies every 1 minute 48 seconds. But even that figure comes with a measure of uncertainty. The actual death rate could be higher or lower.","From that, the middle estimate shows one child dies every 1 minute 48 seconds, or close to once every two minutes.","So it was curious to see a post in January on Medium from the head of the President\u2019s Malaria Initiative, rear admiral Tim Ziemer, with the statement that \"in Africa, a child dies every minute because of the disease.\" The initiative is one of the government\u2019s largest global health efforts. It began under President George W. Bush and has been carried forward by President Barack Obama.","Malaria\u2019s toll among African children is a touchstone for many health activists, but the numbers can vary. Our colleagues at Africa Check spotted a range of statements. One organization claimed a child died every 30 seconds, another said once every two minutes, and in between was Ziemer\u2019s figure."]},{"id":"13495.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2015 roughly 10,000 political arrests occurred in Cuba. That is five times as many as occurred in 2010, when there were only about 2,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Cruz regarding the number of political arrests in Cuba. While there is some discrepancy regarding the specific years being compared, experts agree that the number of political arrests in Cuba has generally increased since 2010. While the exact figures may vary, the statement captures the overall trend of a significant increase in political arrests in Cuba between 2010 and 2015.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Supreme Court has ruled that certain categories of speech are excluded from constitutional protection, such as a threat or \"fighting words.\" Sometimes, speech can be both a threat and hate speech, in which case it would not necessarily have First Amendment protection.","But hate speech on its own -- such as on a picket sign or a blog -- is not excluded from protection. It may only be incidentally excluded.","In response, Cuomo, who has a law degree, said, \"It doesn't. Hate speech is excluded from protection. Don\u2019t just say you love the Constitution \u2026 read it.\"","However, sometimes hate speech can also be considered \"fighting words\" or a threat. In those cases, hate speech would be excluded from protections offered by the First Amendment, said James Weinstein, an expert in free speech at Arizona State University\u2019s Sandra Day O\u2019Connor Law School."]},{"id":"973.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obama's proposed budget doubles the debt in five years, triples it in 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by critics of Obama's proposed budget at the time. They argued that the budget would lead to a significant increase in the national debt, with some claiming it would double in five years and triple in ten years. However, it's important to note that these claims were made based on projections and assumptions about future spending and economic conditions. The actual outcome may vary depending on various factors. Therefore, while the statement aligns with the claims made by critics, it should be understood as a projection rather than a definitive outcome.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2749.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Of the states that have a lieutenant governor, many are currently discussing the need for such an obsolete office.","reason":"Reason: The statement that many states that have a lieutenant governor are currently discussing the need for such an obsolete office is not supported by the evidence provided. According to the sources, there is no substantial evidence to suggest that these states are actively engaged in discussions regarding the necessity of the lieutenant governor position. While there may be occasional opinions or discussions on the topic, it does not meet the criteria of active and ongoing discussions as implied by the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Obama campaign says that under Romney, 89 million Americans could be denied coverage if they have a pre-existing condition. Democrats point to Romney\u2019s promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act as evidence, along with Romney\u2019s statements that people should be protected from denial only if they have been continuously insured.","The idea is that if some of those 89 million happened to have a pre-existing condition, a gap in their health insurance could mean \"denied coverage\" later. But it\u2019s not that simple.","A recent image posted to the team\u2019s Facebook page pairs photos of President Barack Obama and Romney under the label \"The Choice.\" Then it contrasts two numbers. \"Number of Americans who could be denied coverage if they have a pre-existing condition\" under Obama? Zero. Under Romney? 89 million.","\u2022 The 89 million encompasses those with coverage gaps \u2014 not necessarily those with pre-existing conditions. Estimates of how many Americans actually have pre-existing conditions vary widely."]},{"id":"10907.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 2010, eight children in Georgia have died due to vehicular heatstroke.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that eight children in Georgia have died due to vehicular heatstroke since 2010. The evidence does not contradict this claim, and there is no information provided that disputes the accuracy of this statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Obama spent $7 billion to bring electricity to Africa, failed miserably,\" went the headline in Greenfield\u2019s piece, which was originally published July 31, 2015, but has continued to make the rounds.","Greenfield said that Obama had spent $7 billion and failed to bring electricity to Africa. The projected dollar total was correct, but the statement missed the reality that as of August 2015, only about $1.7 billion had been committed. And a lot of the money that will be committed will be in the form of loans or loan guarantees, not gifts.","We\u2019ll get to problems of the grid and reliability in a bit, but the larger issue, and the focus of this fact-check, is whether the Obama administration has actually spent $7 billion to boost electric capacity in Africa.","The Power Africa initiative is the starting point for statements about Obama spending $7 billion on electric projects in Africa. The key flaw in Greenfield\u2019s assertion is the program has been slow to get off the ground. When Greenfield wrote his piece, only about a quarter of the total funds had been committed."]},{"id":"6888.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Bill Nelson sold agricultural land for home development, pocketing at least $1.4 million.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bill Nelson leased land that he owned for agricultural purposes and took advantage of an agricultural tax loophole, the claim that he sold the land for home development and pocketed at least $1.4 million is not entirely accurate. The land in question, a 55-acre pasture, is still being used as a pasture and was not sold for home development. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the situation and misrepresents the nature of the land transaction.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["No national statistics are kept on the number of people killed by people who are in the United States illegally, but available estimates indicate it\u2019s far fewer than 4,000 per year.","A widely recirculated Facebook post claimed: \"Less than 500 people a year killed by all rifles combined\" and \"4,000 a year killed by illegals.\"","But the combined offenses noted in those two years didn\u2019t necessarily involve homicide cases from those years. They were people who had been charged with or convicted of homicide in the United States at some time in the past \u2014 ICE data doesn\u2019t indicate when. So the claim of 4,000 homicides a year is not supported by ICE data.","\"Less than 500 people a year killed by all rifles combined. Let\u2019s ban them,\" the post said, above a picture of an assault-style gun. \"4000 a year killed by illegals. Let\u2019s give them assistance and register them to vote and keep the border WIDE OPEN.\""]},{"id":"11478.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says John Kerry is the first secretary of state to rely primarily on a government account.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Secretary of State John Kerry is indeed the first secretary of state to primarily rely on a government account for his official emails. This implies that previous secretaries of state may have used non-government accounts for their official correspondence. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm this fact, but rather highlights Kerry's distinction as the first secretary of state to prioritize the use of a government account.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Now 'all Guns' must be listed on your next (2010) tax return! As if we didnt sic have enough to get upset about! If you have a gun, I hope it isn't registered! Senate Bill SB-2099 will require us to put on our 2009 1040 federal tax form all guns that you have or own. It will require fingerprints and a tax of $50 per gun.\"","\u2022 The bill didn't pass. Indeed, it died in committee, as most bills do. The e-mail wrongly says the law will take effect with your \"next tax return.\" The bill would have required people to register handguns in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, the government would have shared that information with law enforcement agencies, and guns would have been taxed when they were manufactured or sold. But again, the bill did not pass.","The IRS buys guns and ammunition yearly for IRS Criminal Investigation, the division that has jurisdiction over federal tax crimes. The people who work there are not the typical auditors that Americans facing routine audits(,be%20contacted%20initially%20by%20mail.) will encounter. The vast majority of those audits are done by mail.","The division in which agents are armed was established in 1919, when it was called the Intelligence Unit, according to the division\u2019s 2019 report. The unit famously investigated gangster Al Capone, who was convicted on tax evasion charges. It was renamed the IRS Criminal Investigation in 1978."]},{"id":"10124.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. troops are getting only 4 hours of Ebola training before deployment to Liberia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that there is a specific briefing on Ebola that may last around four hours, this is just a component of the overall training provided to U.S. troops before their deployment to Ebola-affected areas. The training also includes additional time spent practicing with protective clothing and learning about general medical threats. The total duration of training varies depending on the specific posting and responsibilities of the service members. Therefore, stating that troops receive only four hours of Ebola training is misleading and does not accurately represent the comprehensive training they undergo.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"He has recently compared marriage by loving and committed same-sex couples to incest and pedophilia,\" the release states. And, \"He has called Christians who advance a social gospel Marxists.\"","Warren did liken the social agenda of some early 20th century Protestant theologians to \"Marxism in Christian clothing.\" But Warren is referring to the ideas and agendas of theologians at a time when socialism and Marxism were part of the national dialogue. To put Warren's comment in the present tense \u2014 saying Warren \"has called Christians who advance a social gospel Marxists\" \u2014 is a serious distortion of his comment.","President-elect Obama's selection of evangelical Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration drew sharp rebuke from some of Obama's liberal supporters due to Warren's hard line against abortion and gay marriage.","People for the American Way, Press release: \"People For the American Way 'Profoundly Disappointed' that Rick Warren Will Give Invocation,\" Dec. 17, 2008"]},{"id":"6478.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Paul Ryan wants to cut Pell Grant scholarships for nearly 10 million students.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Obama campaign that the Ryan plan would cut Pell Grant scholarships for nearly 10 million students. However, it's important to note that Paul Ryan has expressed a desire to target Pell Grants more towards lower-income students rather than eliminating them entirely. While the statement is true in terms of the potential impact on the number of students receiving Pell Grants, it lacks the nuance of Ryan's intention to reform the program rather than completely eliminate it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Women in Florida make 83 cents for every dollar a man makes,\" Crist said in a campaign email sent out July 29, 2014, the same day he announced his First Day of Fairness plan.","The factsheet reads, \"In Florida, on average, a woman who holds a full-time job is paid $33,823 per year while a man who holds a full-time job is paid $40,951 per year. This means that women in Florida are paid 83 cents for every dollar paid to men, amounting to a yearly gap of $7,128 between men and women who work full time in the state.\"","PolitiFact has checked many claims about women making less than men, especially the past few years. Is Crist right about them making only 83 cents on the dollar in Florida, or is he short-changing voters? Time to check the paychecks.","The less accurate version -- once offered by Obama himself -- states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for the same work , or in the same job. As we\u2019ll explain below, the data doesn\u2019t show that. By contrast, the more accurate version simply states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, period. That is more accurate (though not without some caveats, also listed below)."]},{"id":"9218.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One thing that is much more unpopular than the Affordable Care Act is repealing the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Polls generally indicate that more people are against the idea of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) than those who are against the ACA itself. This suggests that while the ACA may have its critics, the idea of completely repealing it is even less popular. The statement accurately reflects the sentiment that people are tired of the ongoing fight over the ACA and prefer efforts to make it work better rather than outright repeal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Is Hagan correct that \"Common Core was not put together by the Department of Education in Washington. It was put together by governors and by states\"?","In the North Carolina debate, Hagan said, \"Common Core was not put together by the Department of Education in Washington,\" she said. \"It was put together by governors and by states.\"","\"The Common Core was not put together by the Department of Education in Washington,\" she said. \"It was put together by governors and by states, setting high expectations for students all across this country so that we could not only compete against one another within our states but we would be more competitive on a global basis.\"","Two years later, in 2009, the council and the National Governors Association agreed to create Common Core with input from teachers, parents and education experts. The final guidelines were released in 2010, and states were free to implement them or not."]},{"id":"11693.json","label":"false","statement":"Says carpet bombing means bombing not a city, but the location of the troops, with embedded special forces to direct the air power.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Carpet bombing refers to a military strategy that involves indiscriminate bombing over a large area, typically targeting cities or densely populated areas. It does not involve specifically targeting the location of troops or utilizing embedded special forces to direct air power. Ted Cruz's proposed approach, as described in the evidence, does not align with the definition of carpet bombing. Instead, he suggests targeting specific locations where ISIS troops are located, with the assistance of embedded special forces. This approach is different from carpet bombing, which involves widespread and indiscriminate bombing of an area.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12365.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Brady Campaign has given me a 100 percent, not 99, 100 percent rating.","reason":"Reason: It is true that the Brady Campaign gave Loretta Sanchez a 100 percent rating in their most recent rankings, indicating her alignment with their gun control advocacy. However, it is important to note that this rating only covers the 2013-14 Congress. In the past, Sanchez had a lower lifetime score of 81 percent according to the same organization. Therefore, while she received a perfect rating in the specific time frame mentioned, her overall rating from the Brady Campaign has not always been 100 percent.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8020.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A little-known unit of the Department of Justice, the Community Relations Service, was deployed to Sanford, FL, following the Trayvon Martin shooting to help organize and manage rallies and protests against George Zimmerman.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Community Relations Service (CRS) of the Department of Justice was deployed to Sanford, FL following the Trayvon Martin shooting, the evidence does not support the claim that their purpose was to help organize and manage rallies and protests against George Zimmerman. The CRS was sent to work on marches, demonstrations, and rallies related to the shooting and death of Trayvon Martin, with the aim of facilitating dialogue and reducing tensions in the community. Their role was focused on conflict resolution and community engagement, rather than actively organizing or managing rallies against George Zimmerman. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the purpose of the CRS deployment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The ad begins with a confusing claim. First there is what is a mock \"For Sale\" sign with Barrett\u2019s picture on it, that reads, \"90% of my state campaign donors are from special interests.\" Beneath that, it says, \"Tom Barrett for Congress.\" At the same time, a narrator says 90% of Barrett\u2019s donors \"were\" \u2014 not \"are\" \u2014 from \"special interests, including corporate PACs.\"","But House Majority PAC says its ad refers to the amount of donations Barrett has received, not the number of donors \u2014 even though the ad says \"90% \u2026 of donors.\"","It also says both that Barrett\u2019s donors \"are\" and \"were\" special interests, directly noting his congressional campaign in an image \u2014 but not explaining what it means by \"state campaign donors.\" Although House Majority PAC contends that phrase clearly indicates donations to his campaigns as a Michigan legislator, the ad never mentions that he is a state legislator, though it does, later in the ad, mention that he \"sponsored a bill\" and contains an image of the state Capitol in Lansing.","About 180 groups of American citizens and military volunteers are working to get Afghans who helped the United States get out of Afghanistan."]},{"id":"10375.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The CIA paid two psychologists $81 million to develop and run their torture program.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report, which states that the CIA contracted with two psychologists to develop, operate, and assess its interrogation program. The report confirms that the CIA paid the contractors a total of $81 million prior to the termination of the contract in 2009. However, it's important to note that the contractors formed a company specifically for this purpose, and the total value of the CIA's base contract with the company was in excess of $180 million. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from providing additional context regarding the total contract value.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5216.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"[N]early one in three primary care doctors are forced to limit the number of Medicare patients they see.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the AMA's online survey, which reported that 31 percent of primary care doctors \"restrict\" the number of Medicare patients in their practice. This indicates that nearly one in three primary care doctors do indeed limit the number of Medicare patients they see. However, it's important to note that the term \"forced\" might imply external factors beyond the control of the doctors, which is not explicitly addressed in the evidence provided. Nonetheless, the statement aligns with the survey data and can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11195.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubios proposed college affordability overhaul would specifically benefit for-profit colleges.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Marco Rubio has proposed an overhaul of college affordability, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that his plan specifically benefits for-profit colleges. Rubio's plan includes revamping the accreditation process to allow for more innovative providers, but the specific schools or programs that would benefit from this change have not been specified. While some for-profit colleges are already accredited, it is unclear which ones would potentially benefit from Rubio's plan. Therefore, the statement that his proposed overhaul would specifically benefit for-profit colleges is not adequately supported by the available information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Seminole Tribe of Florida said their new gambling compact offers \"$3 billion in guaranteed revenue, the largest share for any state in history.\"","\"The governor authorized a new and unprecedented Seminole compact: Nearly 20,000 new Florida jobs; $3 billion in guaranteed revenue, the largest share for any state in history; and for the first time, empowering the Legislature to limit expansion to keep Florida's entertainment options family friendly,\" the commercial said.","These factors affect how the Seminoles have negotiated with the state. The new Seminole compact offers the guaranteed $3 billion in rising increments, from $325 million the first year up to $550 million in the seventh year.","Is that $3 billion in guaranteed revenue to Florida the most any state has ever gotten, as the Seminoles\u2019 commercial says? It\u2019s the \"guaranteed\" part that tips the tribe\u2019s hand."]},{"id":"628.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On Obama, \"The press warns the 'Taxman Cometh.'\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it presents an editorial from a conservative newspaper as representative of \"the press\" as a whole. Editorials reflect the opinions of the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the views of the entire press or the general consensus. It is important to distinguish between editorials and news stories when discussing the stance of \"the press\" on a particular issue. Label: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12781.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Human trafficking is the third-biggest criminal enterprise in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that human trafficking has grown to become the third largest criminal enterprise globally. The evidence highlights that trafficking is a significant and expanding issue, with vulnerable populations being exploited and trafficked from less developed regions to more profitable regions. While the exact ranking of criminal enterprises may vary slightly depending on the source, the evidence supports the claim that human trafficking is a major criminal enterprise on a global scale.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Before taking executive action on immigration, President Obama stated 22 times that he does not have the authority to change immigration laws on his own.\"","Goodlatte said, \"Before taking executive action on immigration, President Obama stated 22 times that he does not have the authority to change immigration laws on his own.\"","\"Before taking executive action on immigration, President Obama stated 22 times that he does not have the authority to change immigration laws on his own,\" said Goodlatte, R-6th.","In February, we looked for such Obama declarations afresh after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said: \"22 times ...Obama said he did not have the authority to implement this type of\" anti-deportation \"measure. And then the day after he signed this into law, he said, quote, \u2018I just changed the law.\u2019\" Texas has been leading more than 20 states challenging the immigration order in federal court."]},{"id":"601.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On offshore drilling.","reason":"Reason: The statement lacks specific information or context to determine its veracity. However, based on the evidence provided, it can be inferred that the statement is partially true. While Kaine has been a supporter of offshore drilling in the past, he has recently expressed support for banning offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast. This suggests a change in his stance on the issue. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it acknowledges Kaine's previous support for offshore drilling while also highlighting his more recent position in favor of a ban.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12739.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every single strawberry that is served to Members of Congress will have passed through the rough hands of an undocumented immigrant.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that California has a higher rate of undocumented workers and is a major producer of strawberries, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that every single strawberry served to Members of Congress has passed through the hands of an undocumented immigrant. The statement lacks concrete data or specific information about the sourcing and labor practices of the strawberries served to Members of Congress. Without further evidence, it is not accurate to make a blanket statement about the origin of every strawberry consumed by Members of Congress.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Also, it\u2019s impossible to calculate the number of new businesses without knowing what is happening to existing businesses. If, for instance, new filings increased by 5,000 but 6,000 businesses failed, the uptick in filings, by itself, would create a misleading sign of growth.","\"The number of new business selecting Ohio as a place to do business is heading in the right direction,\" Husted said in the news release.","Narrowing the focus, the January-through-June average total filings for the years leading up to the start of the recession is 41,994; the January-through-June average total filings during the recession is 40,909, or about a 2.5 percent fewer. So how does that compare to the 2011 January-through-June figure that inspired the tweet?","PolitiFact Ohio was intrigued by the tweet and specifically whether the increase in business filings is an indicator of an upswing in business as the message -- and its exclamation point -- suggests."]},{"id":"7649.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A proposed bill in the Florida Legislature would authorize the public hoarding of cats by feral cat activists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The proposed bill in the Florida Legislature does involve authorizing people to neuter and release feral cats, which could potentially lead to the establishment of cat colonies. However, the term \"public hoarding\" used in the statement is misleading and exaggerates the situation. The bill does not explicitly promote hoarding, but rather focuses on managing feral cat populations through neutering and release programs. It is important to note that concerns have been raised regarding the potential public health and property value impacts, as well as the impact on native animal populations. Therefore, while the statement contains some truth, it also presents a distorted view of the bill's intentions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"For instance, you reconsider putting in our missile defense system back into the Czech Republic and Poland, as we once planned,\" Romney said of steps he\u2019d take if he were in the White House. \"And as you recall, we pulled that out as a gift to Russia.\"","Bush, taking advice from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, pushed for an initiative to install 10 interceptor missiles on the ground in Poland and an advanced radar system in the Czech Republic to fend long-range missiles from Iran.","Fast-forward nearly three years to Sept. 17: The White House announced a shift in missile defense policy that called for scrapping the plans for advanced radar in the Czech Republic as well as the missile defense shield in Poland. Instead, the announcement said, President Obama called for a reshaped system designed to shoot down short- and medium-range missiles from sites closer to Iran.","Lance Janda, chairman of the Department of History and Government at Cameron University, told us Romney\u2019s comments are partially accurate. Yes, Obama ended the missile shield planned in Poland and Czech Republic, but the U.S. will address the ballistic missile threat with Aegis missiles in Eastern Europe by 2018, he said by email."]},{"id":"11393.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Pope Francis uses a modest compact car to get around, while Creflo Dollar drives an expensive sports car.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there have been viral images circulating on social media suggesting that Pope Francis drives a modest compact car and Creflo Dollar drives an expensive sports car, these images are misleading and do not reflect the actual vehicles owned by the individuals in question. Pope Francis is known for his preference for modesty and simplicity, and he typically uses a modified Ford Focus for transportation. On the other hand, Creflo Dollar is known for his luxurious lifestyle and has been reported to own multiple expensive cars, including a Rolls-Royce. Therefore, the statement that Pope Francis uses a modest car while Creflo Dollar drives an expensive sports car is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"In 2008 (Mandel) was re-elected to a second term, representing a district with a 2:1 Democrat to Republican voter ratio,\" according to the online biography on Mandel\u2019s campaign website.","Mandel, of Lyndhurst, was first elected in 2006 to represent the 17th House District, made up of more than a dozen suburbs in eastern Cuyahoga County. He was re-elected in 2008, securing 72 percent of the vote.","And depending on the races in a primary election, voters may switch parties. Consider this scenario: A moderate voter opts to vote in the hotly contested 2008 primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Even if that voter had supported Republicans in the past and even if he voted for Republican John McCain in the general election, that voter remains a Democrat on county voting records until opting for Republican ballot in another primary.","Mandel\u2019s campaign cited voter registration statistics recorded at the time of his re-election in November 2008. They showed 38,575 registered Democrats in Mandel\u2019s district compared to 16,449 registered Republicans."]},{"id":"4279.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Tax increases could come into play as a result of the debt ceiling deal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that tax increases could potentially be part of the debt ceiling deal. While the exact details and specifics of the deal are not provided in the evidence, it is mentioned that the estimated savings from the deal would only cover half of the cost of extending all of the Bush-era tax cuts. This implies that additional measures, such as tax increases, may be necessary to address the remaining portion of the cost. However, without further information on the specific provisions of the debt ceiling deal, it is challenging to provide a definitive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"4026.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama said that if he doesnt turn the economy around after three years in office, hell be a one-term president.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's statement regarding the national debt and his potential re-election. During his campaign, President Obama did mention that if he didn't turn the economy around within three years, it could be a one-term proposition. However, it's important to note that this statement specifically refers to the economy and not the deficit. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of President Obama's remarks, it does not directly address his promise to halve the annual deficit by the end of his first term.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The El Paso Democrat states in a March 11 e-mail: \u201cAn audit of the last census found that over 370,000 people living in Texas were not counted, and our state lost an estimated $1 billion in federal funds as a result.\u201d","Rep. Silvestre Reyes says census audit found more than 370,000 Texans were missed by 2000 census, costing $1 billion in federal aid","( - Rep. Silvestre Reyes says census audit found more than 370,000 Texans were missed by 2000 census, costing $1 billion in federal aid&url=)","More importantly, Reyes relies -- as have other entities -- on an outdated report based on numbers the Census Bureau has said were flawed. The bureau long ago yanked the statistical rug out from under the claim that more than 370,000 Texas residents were not counted and that Texas stood to miss out on $1 billion in aid as a result."]},{"id":"6595.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Barack Obama has weakened the respect for America abroad.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Barack Obama weakened the respect for America abroad is an oversimplification. While it is true that opinions about the United States can vary across different regions and countries, it is not accurate to solely attribute any changes in global perceptions to President Obama's actions alone. Pew Research Center's findings indicate that America's image improved in some nations following Obama's election, particularly in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. However, it also notes that there were fluctuations in opinions during his presidency. Therefore, it is misleading to attribute the entirety of changes in global perceptions to President Obama's actions alone.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama's own administration has done five environmental impact assessments of the Keystone XL pipeline, \"all of which have said it would have a minimum impact on the environment.\"","Thune said that the administration had done five studies that all found that the Keystone XL pipeline would have a minimal impact on the environment. The State Department produced five documents, but in reality, all were versions of the same analysis.","Speaking about the pipeline on Fox News Sunday, Thune said, \"We think the president ought to sign that into the law. His administration has done five environmental impact statements, all of which have said it would have a minimal impact on the environment, and his own State Department said it would support 42,000 jobs.\"","Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said one of the first acts of the new Senate will be to force President Barack Obama\u2019s hand on the Keystone XL pipeline."]},{"id":"283.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The fact is it's not amnesty.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"it's not amnesty\" is true based on the provided evidence. Amnesty typically refers to a pardon or forgiveness for a specific group of individuals who have violated immigration laws. The evidence does not indicate any specific amnesty program being discussed. The first two pieces of evidence mention the welcoming and protection of undocumented individuals, but it does not explicitly mention amnesty. The third piece of evidence mentions the popularity of the name \"Jose\" in Texas, which is unrelated to the concept of amnesty. Therefore, based on the evidence provided, the statement that \"it's not amnesty\" is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["An effort to repeal voting-reform legislation would be \"the first time in Ohio history where a bill has been passed to stop a referendum.\"","But Husted specifically said \"ballot issue,\" which on its face would include more than just referendums to repeal legislation. And he presented the $1 million figure as a rule of thumb, which it is not.","The group supporting Issue 2, Voters First Ohio, sued to challenge a summary of Issue 2 that would appear on voters\u2019 ballots. The Ohio Ballot Board, as it does with all state ballot issues, approved a summary ballot language.","We called Husted\u2019s office and a spokesman said the million-dollar price tag is due to the state\u2019s responsibility to educate the public about the law on the ballot."]},{"id":"12315.json","label":"true","statement":"After my first year as governor, I was one of the most unpopular governors, maybe the most unpopular governor in the country. ... It changed.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Kasich's claim that after his first year as governor, he was one of the most unpopular governors, possibly even the most unpopular governor in the country. While there may be some variation in the exact ranking depending on the specific time frame and methodology used to measure popularity, the evidence supports the general assertion that Kasich faced significant unpopularity during his initial year in office. Kasich attributes the change in public perception to his administration's efforts in job creation, budget balancing, and outreach to the people.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11949.json","label":"half-true","statement":"People (are) paying more in taxes than they will for food, housing and clothing combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that some wealthier individuals may pay a significant portion of their income in taxes, the claim that \"people\" in general are paying more in taxes than for food, housing, and clothing combined is misleading. The tax burden varies greatly depending on income level, deductions, and other factors. For the majority of taxpayers, the amount paid in taxes is not likely to exceed their combined expenses for food, housing, and clothing. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context to provide an accurate representation of the overall tax burden for the general population.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The subject -- commercials being aired by the Memphis Police Association, the union representing Memphis\u2019s police officers. The ads claim the city\u2019s \"leadership\" has used city tax money and offered tax breaks to companies like Mitsubishi and Electrolux, and then warns that \"city leadership is threatening to lay off police and emergency services personnel to balance the budget.\"","In trying to influence the Memphis budget hearings, the Memphis Police Association ran commercials claiming that a mayor who still has never proposed cuts in public safety areas was \"threatening to lay off police and emergency services personnel to balance the budget.\"","Though the mayor said he was \"not going to rule out anything\" he never said there were serious plans to lay off cops or emergency services personnel. In fact, he said such moves would be a \"last resort\" and the budget he eventually proposed calls for increased spending on public safety.","In an email response, MPA vice president Essica Littlejohn confirmed that by \"city leadership,\" the MPA was referring to Wharton, providing links to two TV news reports featuring interviews with the mayor. She names Wharton specifically and says that he \"expressed that police and fire would not be exempt from layoffs as in years past, although that option would be a last resort. It is our belief that Mayor Wharton planted the seed of police and fire layoffs to soften the blow regarding the need for a property tax increase. So to answer your question, yes, there were definitely threats made to lay off police and fire personnel.\""]},{"id":"9194.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A lot of the move to free the slaves ... did not come from the federal government. It came from a growing movement among the people, particularly people of faith.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a significant movement among people, including those of faith, to abolish slavery, it is an oversimplification to claim that the federal government played a minimal role in the emancipation of slaves. The abolitionist movement did play a crucial role in raising awareness and advocating for the end of slavery, but it was ultimately the federal government that enacted the Emancipation Proclamation and passed the Thirteenth Amendment, which formally abolished slavery. The statement neglects the significant legislative and executive actions taken by the federal government to bring about the emancipation of slaves.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Cuts in local government and school funding in John Kasich\u2019s budget caused \"many communities to seek school levies, local tax increases, layoffs.\"","\"Kasich slashed local government and school funding to the bone,\" the statement said, \"causing many communities to seek school levies, local tax increases, layoffs\" to offset budget cuts.","Let's get back to the statement we're checking: \"Kasich slashed local government and school funding to the bone,\" causing many communities to seek tax increases and lay off workers.","Kasich's budget did cut funding for local governments significantly. Some school districts and municipalities have sought, considered or passed tax issues to deal with budget shortfalls to which the funding cuts have contributed. And the Ohio Democrats can provide anecdotal evidence that some budget shortfalls have threatened or led to layoffs."]},{"id":"4065.json","label":"false","statement":"Says many public-employee unions falsely told their Wisconsin members his budget-repair bill sought 12 percent to 13 percent of their incomes for health insurance premiums.","reason":"Reason: Governor Scott Walker stated that public-employee unions falsely informed their members that his budget-repair bill sought 12 percent to 13 percent of their incomes for health insurance premiums. However, there is evidence to contradict this claim. The plan actually aimed to require most state and local public employees to pay at least 12 percent of the cost of their health insurance premiums, not a percentage of their incomes. Therefore, the statement that many public-employee unions falsely conveyed the income percentage is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9473.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"$3 billion over the next five years will be taken out of our public schools and be put into vouchers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rich claimed $3 billion would be taken out of public schools and put into vouchers, the statement is labeled as barely-true because it lacks important context. The fact-check reveals that there is no guarantee that the money allocated for vouchers would have otherwise been directed to public schools. Additionally, private school vouchers often cost less than public school education, which further complicates the calculation of taxpayer expenses if students were to switch from private to public schools. Therefore, while there may be a redirection of funds, the exact impact on public schools cannot be definitively determined based on the information provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The question did not include the $1.9 trillion price tag, or mention Biden\u2019s name. A subsequent question asked respondents if they think the economic relief package is \"too much,\" \"not enough\" or \"about the right amount.\" Among Republicans, 38% said the package is too much, while 27% said not enough and 34% said about the right amount.","The Department of the Treasury explains it like this: The deficit is the difference between the money that the government makes and the money it spends. If the government spends more than it collects in revenues, then it\u2019s running a deficit.","Polls in late January and February found that most Americans do support Biden\u2019s $1.9 trillion plan. But when we fact-checked his claim that a majority of Republicans support it, we found those who identify as Republican were generally less favorable to the aid package, even if they supported some elements of it.","\"To be clear, I agree with those who say that government should have provided these funds, not private citizens,\" Zuckerberg wrote in October 2020."]},{"id":"5208.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the D.C.citycouncilpasseda lawbanninglethalrat trapping.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the D.C. City Council passed a law banning lethal rat trapping. The evidence only mentions discussions about trapping rats and exempting certain species, but there is no mention of a law specifically banning lethal rat trapping. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11340.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"California has more kids in poverty ... than virtually any other state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the California Poverty Measure, a joint research effort by the Public Policy Institute of California and the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality. According to their analysis, California had a child poverty rate of 24.9 percent in 2012, which is higher than the national average. While the statement does not provide a direct comparison with every other state, the use of \"virtually any other state\" suggests that California's child poverty rate is among the highest in the country, which is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2953.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Obama-GOP compromise raises taxes, it raises the death tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Obama-GOP compromise raises taxes and the death tax is barely true. While it is true that the compromise plan did set new policy on the estate tax, imposing a 35 percent estate tax rate with an effective exemption of $5 million, it is important to note that this policy was already in place before the compromise. The compromise did not raise the estate tax or introduce any new taxes. Therefore, the claim that the compromise raises taxes and the death tax is misleading and does not accurately reflect the impact of the compromise.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a Sept. 8, 2014, opinion column in the Austin American-Statesman , Mackowiak asked how much is enough to spend on education. He continued: \"The Dallas Morning News reports that \u2018Texas spends nearly $60 billion a year on its schools, which includes billions in federal funding and local property tax revenue.\u2019 Texas has five million students in public schools. So,\" Mackowiak wrote, \"we spend an average of $12,000 per pupil per year. That is more than some four-year colleges. Is that not sufficient?\"","A teacher lobby group, the National Education Association, annually estimates combined state and local school spending. In its latest report, released in March 2014, the association said Texas schools spent an average of $8,275 per student enrolled in the fall of the 2012-13 school year. That was the fifth-lowest amount among the states; Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah and Arizona spent less while nationally the average was $10,938 per student, the group said. According to another chart in the report, Texas was expected to spend at least $8,399 per student in 2013-14.","By email, spokeswoman Debbie Ratcliffe guided us to an agency chart indicating that in 2012-13, the latest available year of actual expenditure data, Texas schools spent $10,549 per student from state, local and federal sources. That year, 5,057,960 students attended the public schools.","Next, we looked for other estimates of per-pupil spending. The Federal Education Budget Project, part of the Washington-based New America Foundation, a nonpartisan public policy institute, ranked Texas 43rd in public education spending per student for the 2007-08 school year, averaging $8,350."]},{"id":"10855.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush once held $1 million in family planning grants hostage until the programs receiving the money agreed not to discuss birth control at all.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jeb Bush sought to allocate $1 million of the state Department of Health's family planning funds towards education grants for chastity counseling, there is no evidence to support the claim that he held the grants \"hostage\" or required programs to agree not to discuss birth control at all. The programs that received the funds focused on promoting abstinence until marriage without discussing birth control methods, but this does not imply a complete prohibition on discussing birth control. The statement exaggerates the situation by using the term \"held hostage\" and misrepresents the extent of the restrictions placed on the programs. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Yet the notion that the election wasn\u2019t fairly decided remains potent with Republican voters, polls show. And it\u2019s shaping up as a litmus test for Republican candidates.","To enforce ideological purity, a proposal before the Republican National Committee would deny party funding to any GOP candidate who bucks the party's stance on at least three items from a 10-point checklist of issues. The idea has sparked controversy within the Republican Party, and Democrats have seized on it as ammunition for their claim that the GOP has become too rigidly doctrinaire to appeal to many American voters.","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d","\"Last time was just a test run,\" the narrator says over footage from the attack. \"Donald Trump is putting people in place now to dictate the outcome of the next presidential election, in Congress and in states all around the country\u2026 . Every vote we take this November is a vote against Trump.\""]},{"id":"8206.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority was supposed to exist only until the bonds used to build the Newport Bridge were paid off through tolls. Once the bonds were paid, the Newport Bridge was to be transferred to the State of Rhode Island and become toll-free.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by commentator Steven Frias that the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority was initially intended to exist only until the bonds used to construct the Newport Bridge were paid off through tolls. Once the bonds were fully paid, the Newport Bridge was supposed to be transferred to the State of Rhode Island and become toll-free. This claim is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"82.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The Republican governor who stood up and cut spending instead of raising taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately portrays the Republican governor as someone who prioritized cutting spending rather than raising taxes. However, it fails to provide specific details or context regarding the governor's actions or the outcomes of those spending cuts. Without further information, it is challenging to assess the effectiveness or consequences of the governor's approach. Therefore, while the statement captures one aspect of the governor's actions, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12660.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Ron Johnson supported a plan to cut benefits and raise the retirement age for Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While it is true that Ron Johnson has expressed openness to considering options for shoring up Social Security, including cutting benefits and raising the retirement age, it is important to note that he has not explicitly supported a specific plan to do so. Additionally, the statement implies that Johnson actively supported a plan to cut benefits and raise the retirement age, which is not entirely accurate. While he has expressed openness to these ideas, it does not necessarily mean he actively supported a specific plan to implement them. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\u201cDemocrats are voting to add an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will target middle class taxpayers and conduct at least 1 million more audits each year. \u201d","Wood notes that at least on paper, the 1997 law did trim spending by $127 billion between 1997 and 2002. He also points to the Tax Reduction Act of 1997 that, among other steps, reduced the capital gains tax from 28 to 20 percent, and child tax credits. But Wood says the timing of the surpluses and key elements of those two laws don\u2019t line up.","!Ohio Gov. John Kasich fields a question during the first Republican presidential debate on Aug. 6, 2015. (Scott Olson\/Getty Images) !Ohio Gov. John Kasich fields a question during the first Republican presidential debate on Aug. 6, 2015. (Scott Olson\/Getty Images)","During the Republican presidential debate on his home turf of Cleveland, Ohio Gov. John Kasich touted his economic record in the state."]},{"id":"254.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Mitt Romney says the next president doesn't need foreign policy experience.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney made statements suggesting that the next president doesn't necessarily need foreign policy experience, it is important to note that context is crucial. Romney's argument was that leadership and decision-making skills are more important than specific foreign policy experience. However, it is also worth mentioning that having a strong understanding of foreign policy and international relations can be valuable for a president in effectively navigating global challenges. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood within the broader context of Romney's argument.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1298.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The GOP health care plan \"would allow health insurance companies to continue engaging in unfair and discriminatory practices like denying coverage to people because of a pre-existing medical condition.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Vice Chair Wasserman Schultz that the GOP health care plan does not prohibit health insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. This is supported by the analysis of the 219-page Republican plan, which does not include provisions to prevent such denials. However, it's important to note that the issue of pre-existing conditions and health insurance coverage is complex, and there are arguments from insurance companies regarding the need for mandates to offset the costs associated with covering individuals with pre-existing conditions. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I am delighted that (CEO) Richard Anderson of Delta is not here,\" Al Baker said in an interview March 16. \"First of all, we don\u2019t fly crap airplanes that are 35 years old. The Qatar Airways average fleet (age) is only four years and one month.\"","They include recent remarks from Akbar Al Baker, chief of Qatar Airways, suggesting that his airline flies airplanes that are superior to those flown by Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines by virtue of their age.","Al Baker was conservative in saying that Qatar Airways had a fleet of airplanes that was 4.1 years on average. The age of Qatar\u2019s 152 passenger and cargo airplanes is actually on average 3.1 years.","The average age of the fleet is shown as slightly higher -- 17 years --- on Delta\u2019s quarterly filing to the federal Securities and Exchange Commission. That\u2019s largely a reflection of change -- new Boeing 737s being purchased; planes being moved into retirement; and others salvaged for parts, Banstetter said."]},{"id":"4474.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says New Jerseys $1 billion horse racing industry employs 13,000 individuals and ensures the preservation of 176,000 acres of horse farmland.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Sen. Raymond Lesniak that New Jersey's horse racing industry employs 13,000 individuals and preserves 176,000 acres of horse farmland. This claim is supported by a report that found the equine industry in the state has an annual economic impact of $1.1 billion, generates 13,000 jobs, and spans 176,000 acres of farmland. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context regarding the overall economic impact and sustainability of the industry. While the numbers provided are accurate, they do not provide a comprehensive picture of the industry's challenges and long-term viability.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I'm proud that we put a lid on Iran's nuclear program without firing a single shot,\" she told the crowd in Philadelphia. \"Now we have to enforce it, and keep supporting Israel's security.\"","Since the United States has not had any military skirmishes with Iran in the past year, what she said about not firing a shot is clearly true. But what about the part about putting \"a lid on Iran\u2019s nuclear program\"?","As long as you define \"put a lid on\" as \"keep in check\" -- a definition we think is reasonable -- rather than \"ensure something will never, ever happen,\" then Clinton has a plausible case. We rate her statement Mostly True.","Richard Nephew, a research scholar and program director for economic statecraft, sanctions and energy markets at Columbia University, told PolitiFact in 2015 that the deal definitely impedes Iran\u2019s nuclear program."]},{"id":"8718.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The No. 2 owner of Fox News is Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who said, A strong American Government is not good for us.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a Facebook meme and lacks credible evidence to support its claim. While Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has been a significant shareholder of Fox News in the past, there is no verifiable source or reliable documentation to confirm that he made the statement attributed to him in the meme. Without concrete evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim, making it barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["McCrory said Trump \"does stand strong on certain issues that need to be said, especially from outside Washington, D.C. The Syrian refugee situation is a disaster. I personally talked to the FBI \u2013 one of the top leaders of the FBI \u2013 and they kind of laughed when they said they\u2019re checking the backgrounds of the Syrian refugees. No, they aren\u2019t. There\u2019s no embassy to check. There\u2019s no qualifications. So when Hillary Clinton says they\u2019re doing a vetting process of these Syrian refugees coming into our state, the FBI is not even being told where they are.\"","McCrory\u2019s claim that \"no, they aren\u2019t\" being vetted is in line with Carson\u2019s Mostly False claim that we don\u2019t have the ability to check the backgrounds of these refugees.","And his claim that \"the FBI is not even being told where they are\" reminds us of a Mostly False claim by Sen. Ted Cruz that \"the head of the FBI has told Congress they cannot vet those refugees.\"","We\u2019re not sure why an FBI official might have told McCrory that the agency \"is not even being told where they are,\" but we can fill the governor in."]},{"id":"5360.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Congressional Budget Office said unemployment could top 9 percent in 2013","reason":"Reason: While there were predictions from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that unemployment could reach as high as 9 percent in 2013, it's important to note that this was just one of the projected scenarios presented by the CBO. The CBO provided a range of possibilities, with the unemployment rate predicted to fall between 7.4 percent and 8.9 percent. Therefore, stating that the CBO said unemployment could \"top\" 9 percent in 2013 is an exaggeration and does not accurately represent the full range of projections provided by the CBO.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"U.S. Embassy Celebrates America\u2019s Independence on June 4th in Order to Accommodate Muslims,\" reads one typical headline on the website Young Conservatives.","Various social media posts recently offered headlines like this one: \"U.S. Embassy Celebrates America\u2019s Independence on June 4th in Order to Accommodate Muslims\"","So, there\u2019s a solid basis for the social-media claims that (1) the embassy moved the date of its celebration of July 4, and (2) that it did it in order to accommodate Ramadan.","Gateway Pundit, \"US Embassy Moves Its \"Go Green\" Independence Day Celebration to June 4th Out of Respect for Ramadan,\" June 6, 2015"]},{"id":"11822.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I have never supported cap and trade.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rubio is generally accurate. He has consistently denied supporting cap and trade and has been vocal about his opposition to the policy. While it is always challenging to definitively prove someone's thoughts or beliefs, Rubio's consistent denial and public statements against cap and trade lend credibility to his claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At one point, the murder rate did spike that high, though with weekly fluctuations, the year-to-date rate is up about a quarter from this time last year.","The most recent census population estimate for Atlanta was 432,427 in 2011. If we use that population estimate for 2012, that year wins as the city\u2019s lowest felony crime rate. The Census Bureau\u2019s 2012 estimate will not come out until March, we were told. Census estimates usually rise each year.","Now it\u2019s also generating posts in online forums, where one neighborhood association alerted Atlanta residents that the city\u2019s murder rate was spiking and had even reached a 50 percent increase from a year ago.","For instance, only two women have been reported murder victims in Atlanta this year. While that may suggest the city has a better handle on domestic violence murders, a single such death could skew the data to suggest the exact opposite."]},{"id":"5754.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office concluded ObamaCare will cost the U.S. more than 800,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the mailer that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) concluded that ObamaCare would cost the U.S. more than 800,000 jobs. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on a specific interpretation of the CBO's findings. The CBO did project that there would be a reduction in employment due to the Affordable Care Act, but it did not state that it would \"cost\" the U.S. jobs. The reduction in employment was primarily attributed to factors such as individuals choosing to work fewer hours or leaving the workforce voluntarily. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it lacks important context and could be misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.","You've followed a link to a page that broke for some reason. Hmmm ... Give us a minute to see if anyone's meddling with the Truth-O-Meter and try it again. If it still doesn't work, try the search bar above or one of our navigation links to start over."]},{"id":"471.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There are prototype cars that get between 100 and 150 miles per gallon and \"we could have those cars in your garages in a couple of years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it inaccurately conflates two different metrics: miles per gallon (MPG) and miles per charge. MPG is a measure of fuel efficiency for conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, while miles per charge is a measure of the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge. Electric vehicles do not use gallons of fuel, so it is not appropriate to compare their efficiency in terms of MPG. Additionally, the claim that prototype cars getting 100-150 MPG could be available in a couple of years is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence only discusses the average daily mileage of residents in certain areas, which does not directly relate to the claim about prototype cars. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, gestures during a Republican presidential debate on Sept. 12, 2011, in Tampa. !Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, gestures during a Republican presidential debate on Sept. 12, 2011, in Tampa.","\"Our solution to preserve, protect and save Medicare does not affect your benefits,\" Ryan, Romney\u2019s vice presidential pick, said during an Aug. 18, 2012, stop at The Villages. \"Let me repeat that -- our plan does not affect the benefits for people who are in or near retirement.\"","But our calculations show Paul\u2019s military-connected contributions for the three months more than double such contributions to all the other Republican presidential candidates -- and they also exceed Obama\u2019s.","He wanted to reassure the seniors in the crowd about the Republican presidential ticket\u2019s plans for Medicare, the government health insurance program serving 39 million seniors."]},{"id":"12502.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"30,000 Arizonans may have no choice on Affordable Care Act coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that 30,000 Arizonans may have limited choices for Affordable Care Act coverage. The departure of UnitedHealthCare, a major insurer, from the state's marketplace does reduce the number of options available for individuals seeking coverage. However, it's important to note that this number represents an estimate and may not be an exact figure. Additionally, it's worth considering that there may still be other insurance providers offering coverage in Arizona, albeit with potentially fewer choices compared to before. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context regarding the remaining options for Arizonans seeking Affordable Care Act coverage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We also reviewed an Obama claim from an ad in September 2012 that said, \"Even today part of Romney\u2019s fortune is invested in China.\"","The Obama ad gets personal. It says \"Even today part of Romney\u2019s fortune is invested in China.\" We wondered if that attack was on the money.","That trustee, R. Bradford Malt, issued a statement, cited in the New York Times, that he had put the money into the Bain fund before it purchased Uniview. Malt said the Romneys had no say in the matter and that he himself had no control over the fund\u2019s choice of investments.","Romney later explained that, yes, he understands that his blind trust has invested in foreign firms, including companies in China. Then he confronted Obama."]},{"id":"7774.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ohios lost more jobs in March than any other state in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence, which states that Ohio lost more than 20,400 jobs in March, leading the nation in monthly job loss. However, it's important to note that this statistic is specific to the month of March and does not necessarily indicate a long-term trend. Additionally, the evidence suggests that Ohio had experienced job gains in the preceding months and still showed a net job gain for the year. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true for the specific time frame mentioned, it should be considered in the context of the overall job market dynamics in Ohio.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wolf \"conveniently left out of his ads that he was the state\u2019s revenue secretary in Harrisburg. You know, the top tax collector. And Wolf was a job-killing bureaucrat. On Wolf\u2019s watch, taxes were high, killing 100,000 PA jobs, and our unemployment went up almost 50 percent. But the real insult? Wolf is a millionaire, but he fought to increase taxes on average Pennsylvanians, including higher taxes on home heating and the sales tax. Tom Wolf: high taxes, fewer jobs.\"","That\u2019s a lot of claims for a brief ad, but for this fact-check we\u2019re going to focus on the claim that \"on Wolf\u2019s watch, taxes were high, killing 100,000 PA jobs.\" For claims like this one, we take into account two factors -- whether the statistics cited are accurate, and whether it\u2019s reasonable to assign credit or blame to the target of the ad. So we\u2019ll take this claim point by point. With this ad, the statistics quoted are reasonable, but the blame is off-base -- especially the cause of Pennsylvania's job loss.","Why does this matter? Because the ad said that \"on Wolf\u2019s watch, taxes were high.\" This suggests that Wolf is to blame for the state\u2019s overall tax structure, rather than just for proposing marginal expansions. In reality, most of the state\u2019s tax structure was already well-established before Wolf was even sworn in, so it\u2019s a stretch to lay the blame for \"high taxes\" at his feet.","While she acknowledged that tax policy can affect job growth, Sinclair added that \"economists disagree wildly on the \u2018job-killing\u2019 effects of taxes. So, confidently drawing any line of causation is impossible. And throw in that the entire country lost about 2.3 million jobs over that period. I don't think it was the high taxes of Pennsylvania that caused the job losses.\""]},{"id":"11551.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Income inequality seems to be worst in cities run by Democrats.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Rand Paul made the claim that income inequality seems to be worse in cities run by Democrats, it is important to note that this statement lacks comprehensive evidence and oversimplifies a complex issue. Income inequality is influenced by various factors, including economic policies, demographics, and historical context, which cannot be solely attributed to the political party in power. While there may be instances where income inequality is more pronounced in cities governed by Democrats, it is not accurate to generalize this statement to all cities run by Democrats. Therefore, the statement is partially true but requires more nuanced analysis and evidence to provide a complete assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a brochure outlining how rapid transit can boost the economy and ease traffic congestion, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit says the tax will cost the average family $12 a month.","That figure comes from the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization\u2019s long-range transportation plan. It puts the cost of a 1 cent sales tax for the average family at $142 a year, and the average for a single person at $85 a year.","After decades of fits and starts, Hillsborough County commissioners agreed to ask voters to consider a 1 percent sales tax increase for expanded bus service, light rail and road improvements. The issue will appear on the November ballot.","We plugged those figures into the IRS calculator and it showed the average family would pay $141.83 a year in local sales tax, which currently is 1 percent. A single person would pay $91.50."]},{"id":"10030.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The states that have raised the minimum wage (this year) have had faster job growth than the states that havent raised the minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, President Obama claimed that states that raised the minimum wage experienced faster job growth compared to states that did not raise the minimum wage. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on a specific time frame and does not account for other factors that may have influenced job growth in those states. While there may be a correlation between raising the minimum wage and job growth, it does not necessarily imply a direct causal relationship. Therefore, the statement is partially true but requires additional context and analysis to fully understand the relationship between minimum wage increases and job growth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1341.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I have never voted for a tax increase.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual claiming to have never voted for a tax increase is false. Multiple sources, including the candidate's own campaign website, confirm that they have indeed voted for certain tax increases. The evidence contradicts the claim, making it inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9163.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Reps. Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston have even changed votes to what I voted, multiple times.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that U.S. Reps. Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston have changed their votes multiple times to align with the speaker's voting record. However, there is no evidence provided to support this claim. Without specific instances or documented proof of such vote changes, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the claim is deemed barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6193.json","label":"false","statement":"(Environmentalists) said Were only going to stop coal mining above 2,000 feet. ... Well guess where all the coal in the state of Tennessee is? Above 2,000 feet.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes the claim made by environmentalists that they would only stop coal mining above 2,000 feet. However, the conclusion that all coal in the state of Tennessee is above 2,000 feet is not accurate. While it is true that higher-grade coal is typically found above 2,000 feet, there are coal deposits in Tennessee that are below that elevation. Therefore, the statement falsely suggests that all coal mining in Tennessee would be stopped if the legislation were passed.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents overall, about a quarter of its population, and has the most uninsured children (though not the highest rate of uninsured children).","\"Texas has the highest rate of uninsured in the nation. ... And there are more uninsured children in Texas than in any other state.\"","Sebelius said, \"Texas has the highest rate of uninsured in the nation. ... And there are more uninsured children in Texas than in any other state.\"","\"Texas has the highest rate of uninsured in the nation. ... And there are more uninsured children in Texas than in any other state,\" Sebelius wrote in a Dec. 15, 2013, opinion column in the Dallas Morning News."]},{"id":"4726.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Proof of citizenship isnt necessary before you register to vote in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. In Florida, new voter applicants are not required to provide physical proof of citizenship when registering to vote. However, they are required to sign a sworn statement attesting to their citizenship. While this attestation does not require physical proof, willfully lying on the voter registration form about citizenship status can lead to felony charges. Additionally, it's important to note that the most common method of voter registration in Florida is through the process of obtaining a driver's license, during which individuals are asked to verify their citizenship. Therefore, while proof of citizenship is not explicitly required before registering to vote in Florida, there are mechanisms in place to verify citizenship during the registration process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says if Oregon had limited its budget growth to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation, the state\u2019s all-funds budget would be about $27 billion today, not $60 billion.","Whitsett said that if we had curbed budget growth 20 years ago by pegging it to population growth and inflation, our budget would be about $27 billion today instead of $60 billion. He was referring to an inaccurate calculation made by a typically unimpeachable source. The figure is actually closer to $36 billion.","\"Oregon spent about $20 billion in all-funds budgets 20 years ago,\" he wrote. \"With this spending limit in place, the state\u2019s all-funds budget would be about $27 billion today.\"","That, of course would still mean about $18 billion in less budget growth over 20 years. That is no small thing -- but it\u2019s still a lot closer to the current all-funds budget than the initial $27 billion Whitsett mentioned."]},{"id":"3665.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Florida is one of a few or perhaps the only state that has a statewide review of local land use and zoning decisions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Florida does have a statewide review process for certain local land use and zoning decisions. However, it is not the only state with such a process. Other states also have mechanisms in place for reviewing and potentially overturning local land use and zoning decisions. Therefore, while Florida does have a statewide review, it is not accurate to claim that it is the only state with this practice.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Some may argue that McCain's plan doesn't do enough to develop alternative fuels, or that his plan for new domestic oil drilling perpetuates the country's dependence on oil, but that doesn't mean McCain's energy plan is \"a single-answer proposition\" built around new oil drilling. It clearly is not. In fact, McCain's energy plan includes many provisions that have nothing to do with drilling. Schweitzer's claim isn't just false, it's ridiculously so. Our ruling is Pants on Fire!","Even as he delivered a speech from an oil rig platform in the Gulf of Mexico on Aug. 19, 2008, McCain stressed that more domestic oil drilling is only part of his energy plan.","\"We can't simply drill our way to energy independence,\" Schweitzer said. \"That single-answer proposition is a dry well. And here's why: America consumes 25 percent of the oil but has less than 3 percent of the reserves. You don't need a $2 calculator to figure that one out. There just isn't enough oil in America \u2014 on land or offshore \u2014 to meet America's full energy needs.\"","In a spirited oratory during the second night of the Democratic National Convention, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer \u2014 the animated guy wearing the bolo tie \u2014 attacked Sen. John McCain's energy plan as reliant on more domestic oil drilling."]},{"id":"168.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"My husband has not withheld a single document.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"My husband has not withheld a single document\" is not entirely accurate. While it is possible that the person making the statement believes it to be true, there have been instances where documents have been withheld or not fully disclosed. It is important to consider that the statement may be based on the person's perspective or lack of awareness of any withheld documents. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Before this (federal health care) law was enacted, Florida parents ... were able to purchase inexpensive 'child-only' coverage for their children. The law\u2019s 'consumer protections' have now eliminated that choice in Florida.\"","\"Before this law was enacted, Florida parents who were laid off or who couldn't get dependent coverage at work were able to purchase inexpensive 'child-only' coverage for their children,\" Scott wrote. \"The law's 'consumer protections' have now eliminated that choice in Florida and 17 other states.\"","While elements of the law that took effect in 2010 have prompted private insurers to stop selling child-only policies, the state continues to offer a viable option for parents in the form of KidCare. For parents who are laid off or low-income, the KidCare rates are inexpensive. And children with pre-existing conditions can also seek enrollment in the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) created by the federal law -- though the rates are higher. Without private insurers participating, the choices for parents have certainly been reduced. But eliminated, as Scott said? No.","Except, unlike the \"health care for all\" provisions set for 2014, the child-only provisions did not include language requiring insurers to write insurance policies for children. In other words, they couldn't deny a child coverage based on a pre-condition -- but the law doesn't require them to sell a child-specific policy in the first place."]},{"id":"6107.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Say Portland Public Schools central administration makes up less than 4 percent of the staff.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the central administration of Portland Public Schools makes up less than 4 percent of the total staff. Multiple sources, including a KPMG audit and statements from board members, support this claim. However, it is important to note that the term \"central support\" may not encompass the entirety of administrative employees within the school district. Nevertheless, based on the given evidence, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["House Democrats tried to turn the tables on that GOP argument during the seven-hour-long floor debate May 5, 2011, over the next state budget. They did so by noting that the state budget proposed by Republican Gov. John Kasich actually had more federal dollars in it then the one crafted by Democrats in 2009.","\"I think it\u2019s important to note that even accounting for the federal stimulus dollars, there are more federal dollars in this biennial than there are federal dollars in the previous biennial budget,\" said Rep. Jay Goyal, a Mansfield lawmaker. \"I think that\u2019s an important fact to note.\"","Add this to our previous pile of federal money and you have about $17.3 billion in federal dollars that flowed into Ohio in the last budget cycle -- roughly $1.26 billion more than the budget proposed by Kasich.","State budget document for 2012-13 listing federal deposits for this budget and previous budget (Click on book 3 titled Budget in Summary and see page 7 for federal money listed)"]},{"id":"10604.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If President Barack Obama strikes a nuclear deal with Iran, the next president could revoke such an executive agreement with the stroke of a pen and future Congresses could modify the terms of the agreement at any time.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the letter written by Senator Tom Cotton, which suggests that a future president could revoke an executive agreement on Iran's nuclear deal with the stroke of a pen, and future Congresses could modify the terms of the agreement. However, it's important to note that the experts mentioned in the evidence state that the process of undoing or modifying an agreement is not as clear-cut and easy as the letter implies. While there is a possibility for a future president or Congress to take action, it would likely involve a more complex and lengthy process. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Ingraham said Congress had adjourned earlier this year than in any time in \"Congressional history before an election.\" Technically, Congress is in recess and hasn\u2019t adjourned.","\"The Congress adjourned earliest of any time in congressional history before an election,\" conservative radio host Laura Ingraham claimed on ABC\u2019s This Week. \" They didn't take a vote on this because, just like with immigration reform, we have a lot of profiles in the opposite of courage on Capitol Hill. They don't want to be held accountable. Article 1, Section 8 (of the Constitution) vests the power solely in Congress \u2026 to declare war.","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\"","On Fox News Sunday , Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barasso said, \"This is the earliest Congress has adjourned in over 50 years.\" On CBS\u2019 Face the Nation , Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine called it \"the second-earliest recess before a midterm since 1960.\""]},{"id":"6734.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obama has no plan to reduce the deficit, let alone pay down the debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama's plans did not result in a budget surplus or a significant reduction in the national debt, it is incorrect to claim that he had no plan to address the deficit. President Obama did propose various measures aimed at reducing the deficit, including a combination of spending cuts and tax increases. However, the effectiveness and impact of these plans in reducing the deficit were a subject of debate. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the efforts made by the Obama administration to address the deficit.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10669.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres just one piece of legislation that is now law with Sen. Ted Cruzsname on it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate to say that there is only one piece of legislation that has been enacted into law with Sen. Ted Cruz's name on it, it is important to note that senators often work collaboratively and support bills that are not solely attributed to them. While Cruz may have sponsored or co-sponsored other bills, the statement correctly highlights that only one bill with his name on it has become law.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Ken Mercer, member of State Board of Education, says challenger gave more than $41,000 to Democrats who back abortion and same-sex marriage","( - Ken Mercer, member of State Board of Education, says challenger gave more than $41,000 to Democrats who back abortion and same-sex marriage&url=)","Mercer said the second part of his blast\u2014that the Tuggey-assisted Democrats \"support abortion and same-sex marriage\" is based on the Democratic Party platform.","The spot opens with Mercer\u2019s two daughters calling him a rock-solid conservative. \"But what about Dad\u2019s opponent?\" one says, without naming the foe, lobbyist Tim Tuggey."]},{"id":"3259.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Constitution doesnt allow the governor to not-spend appropriations funds.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Constitution does not grant the governor the authority to unilaterally withhold or refuse to spend appropriated funds. However, there may be certain circumstances where the governor has limited discretion in the execution of the budget, such as in cases of emergencies or when there are legal or constitutional concerns. Therefore, while the governor cannot completely disregard appropriations funds, there may be situations where their ability to spend those funds is constrained.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Congressman Nye voted against a bill which would have defunded the $5-10 billion\" the IRS needed to implement health care legislation.","Scott Rigell says Glenn Nye voted against bill that would have defunded $5 billion-$10 billion the IRS needed to implement health care legislation","The release says that \"on June 24, 2010, Congressman Nye voted against a bill which would have defunded the $5-10 billion required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to implement and enforce the health care legislation, including thousands of new IRS agents and employees.\"","( - Scott Rigell says Glenn Nye voted against bill that would have defunded $5 billion-$10 billion the IRS needed to implement health care legislation&url=)"]},{"id":"12962.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One third of all federal prisoners today are illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there is no precise data available on the exact percentage of federal prisoners who are illegal immigrants, the evidence suggests that the claim is an exaggeration. The Bureau of Justice Statistics report mentioned states that about 4 percent of prisoners in state and federal correctional facilities are non-U.S. citizens, but it does not differentiate between legal and illegal immigration status. Therefore, it is not possible to definitively conclude that one-third of all federal prisoners are illegal immigrants based on the available information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In contrast to President Barack Obama, who \"is not acting presidential,\" President Ronald Reagan \"would never go into the Oval Office without his jacket on \u2014 that's how much he revered the presidency.\"","\"Ronald Reagan would never go into the Oval Office without his jacket on \u2014 that's how much he revered the presidency. This guy (Obama) worked like hell to be president, okay? He\u2019s got it. Behave like a president.\"","Langone\u2019s comment is heavily opinionated, and at PolitiFact we make it our policy not to fact-check opinions. However, Langone used a vivid example that we think is checkable -- namely, whether it\u2019s true that Reagan \"would never go into the Oval Office without his jacket on.\" As we look into that question, we\u2019ll compare Reagan\u2019s sartorial habits in the Oval Office with Obama\u2019s to see whether Langone is justified in using Obama\u2019s clothing choices to support his view that Obama is \"not acting presidential.\"","We found that in the great majority of Oval Office photographs during his presidency, Obama was seen wearing a suit. We did find that Obama was likelier to be jacket-less during his first 100 days in office, with 13 instances during that period."]},{"id":"7986.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says under the Senate immigration bill, newly legalized immigrants will pay every tax possible, but you dont get a single benefit for 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions outlined in the Senate immigration bill. Under the bill, newly legalized immigrants with provisional status are required to pay taxes but are not eligible for means-tested benefits such as food, housing, or medical assistance for a period of 10 years. While they may still receive certain benefits like emergency medical care, the statement correctly highlights the limited benefits available to newly legalized immigrants during the specified timeframe.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"First of all, the sequester is not something that I've proposed. It is something that Congress has proposed. It will not happen,\" Obama said. \"The budget that we are talking about is not reducing our military spending. It is maintaining it.\"","Obama said that the sequester -- and the defense cuts that would result from it -- was not his proposition. \"It is something that Congress has proposed,\" he said in the debate.","We recently looked at a Romney campaign ad that blamed Obama for the sequester and talked to several experts about who is more responsible for the looming cuts -- Congress or the president. Some say that the Obama White House proposed sequestration, so that means Obama owns it.","President Donald Trump has proposed a significant increase in defense spending as he promised on the campaign trail -- though fully keeping his promise will depend on what Congress does to implement his vision."]},{"id":"9826.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Each Georgia taxpayer would have to send $5,000 to the treasury to cover the states debt.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence, it is important to note that the $5,000 figure is an average and not an exact amount that each Georgia taxpayer would have to pay. The summary of the study mentioned in the evidence suggests that in order to fill the financial hole, each taxpayer would have to send $5,000 to the state's treasury. However, this figure is an estimation and does not take into account individual tax situations, exemptions, and other factors that may affect the actual amount each taxpayer would contribute. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of the study's findings, it should be understood as an approximation rather than an exact requirement for each taxpayer.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Over 32,000 people die from #GunViolence every year. Yet, (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is banned from researching ways to prevent this.\"","While the center survived, new language in the 1996 budget bill said that \"none of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control.\" In some ways the statement was redundant, as general funding cannot be used for advocacy.","In January, she co-sponsored legislation to appropriate $10 million to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over the next five years for firearm research.","In the second part of her claim, Baldwin said the CDC is \"banned from researching ways to prevent\" gun violence. Her tweet linked to a news release that pointed to a 1996 piece of legislation as evidence."]},{"id":"4476.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney wrote that if Social Security was done in the private sector, it would be called criminal.","reason":"Reason: While Rick Perry claimed that Mitt Romney wrote that if Social Security were done in the private sector, it would be called criminal, there is no direct evidence to support this statement. The evidence provided only includes Perry's claim without any specific reference to a book or publication by Mitt Romney where he made such a statement. Without further evidence, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of Perry's claim. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"A solid education should be the second rung on the ladder to success, but the system is failing. President Obama's solution has been to deny parents choice, attack private schools and nationalize curriculum and student loans. Mitt Romney believes that parents and the local community must be put in charge -- not the Department of Education.\"","We interviewed five education experts about Santorum\u2019s claim and they all disagreed that Common Core standards nationalize curriculum. Our experts included education professors at the University of Florida, Columbia and Harvard; Chester Finn, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Education in the 1980s who is president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which works to reform education; and Andy Rotherham, co-founder and partner at Bellwether Education Partners. All of them disagreed with Santorum\u2019s claim.","Has Obama tried to \"nationalize curriculum\"? We could not track down Santorum to ask him to explain his statement, but Education Week wrote that his statement was \"an apparent dig at the Common Core State Standards, which are not an initiative of the federal government, but have been embraced by the federal Department of Education.\"","Santorum said Obama has tried to \"nationalize curriculum.\" Santorum appears to be adopting an argument from critics of the Common Core standards."]},{"id":"12490.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says its not true that Florida black bears are an apex predator.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Florida black bears do not fit the traditional definition of an apex predator, as they primarily consume plants, insects, and a small portion of animal matter, it is important to consider the context in which the term \"apex predator\" is being used. In a figurative sense, where the implication is that bears may pose a threat to humans or actively hunt animal prey, the statement holds true. However, if we strictly adhere to the scientific definition of an apex predator as an organism at the top of the food chain, the statement would be false. Therefore, the label \"half-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The reason, according to the e-mail, is that homes, including mobile homes, will be required to meet new federal energy standards before being sold. \"In effect, this bill prevents you from selling your home without the permission of the EPA administrator.\"","Library of Congress, \"Bill Summary & Status, 111th Congress (2009-2010) H.R. 2454( \"Bill Summary & Status, 111th Congress (2009-2010) H.R. 2454\"),\" accessed Nov. 15, 2010",", \"Chain e-mail claims cap-and-trade will require home retrofits, license before sale( \"Chain e-mail claims cap-and-trade will require home retrofits, license before sale\"),\" Nov. 23, 2009","In 2005, the EPA under President George W. Bush issued the Clean Air Interstate Rule, which aimed to achieve \"the largest reduction in air pollution in more than a decade\" using cap and trade, wrote Stavins and Schmalensee."]},{"id":"4731.json","label":"false","statement":"A state bill would end a longstanding requirement that local governments repair highways and sidewalks -- and block injured citizens from suing over neglected maintenance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Wisconsin Association for Justice, a trial lawyers group, claims that a state bill would change a 162-year-old state law and no longer require local governments to repair roads, bridges, and sidewalks. Additionally, they assert that injured citizens would no longer be able to sue for damages resulting from neglected maintenance. However, it is important to note that this claim is made by a biased source and may not accurately represent the actual provisions and implications of the bill. To determine the veracity of the statement, it would be necessary to review the specific details and language of the bill itself.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4859.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson voted with the Democrats in Congress nearly 95 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson voted with the Democrats in Congress nearly 95 percent of the time is not entirely accurate. According to multiple sources, including the Washington Post database and OpenCongress, Nelson's voting record aligns with his party around 90-94 percent of the time. While this is a high percentage, it falls short of the claimed 95 percent. Therefore, the statement is partially true but slightly exaggerated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["--Cruz said Dewhurst skipped nine candidate forums after announcing his candidacy. It was correct that Dewhurst did not appear at nine forums, eight of them after the night he announced his candidacy. But it\u2019s a mite questionable to say he outright skipped the events. In most cases, his campaign said beforehand Dewhurst wasn\u2019t going to appear. Mostly True.","In an online video ad, U.S. Senate hopeful Ted Cruz likens Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to the mythical chupacabra, saying his opponent -- the Republican frontrunner for the seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison after 2012 -- isn\u2019t engaging with his opponents. Specifically, the narrator says: \"Since he entered the race on July 21, Dewhurst has skipped nine candidate forums.\"","Our take: Dewhurst did not appear at nine forums, eight of them after the night he announced his candidacy. But it\u2019s a mite questionable to say he outright skipped the events. In most cases, his campaign said beforehand Dewhurst wasn\u2019t going to appear.","Ted Cruz, among Republicans running for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison, likens his leading opponent, David Dewhurst, to a chupacabra in a web video we've re-posted to the right."]},{"id":"5674.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Richard Hayne, president and CEO of Urban Outfitters (is) a supporter of Rick Santorum and donated over $13,000 to him.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Richard Hayne, the president and CEO of Urban Outfitters, has indeed been reported to be a supporter of Rick Santorum, a former Republican senator. However, there is no clear evidence provided to support the claim that Hayne personally donated over $13,000 to Santorum. While it is possible that Hayne made donations to Santorum's campaign, without concrete evidence, it is not accurate to state the specific amount donated. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The American people say, don't touch Social Security, don't touch Medicare, don't cut defense. That's 84 percent of the federal budget.\"","\"The American people say, don't touch Social Security, don't touch Medicare, don't cut defense,\" Conrad said. \"That's 84 percent of the federal budget. If you can't touch 84 percent of the federal budget -- and, by the way, they also don't want to touch revenue -- you're down to 16 percent of the budget at a time we're borrowing 40 cents of every dollar we spend.","We wanted to check Conrad's numbers on the budget, particularly his statement that Social Security, Medicare and defense constituted 84 percent of the federal budget. That number seemed alarmingly high. As we dug into the numbers, though, we found a few discrepancies that needed explaining.","You have to include those other programs to get to 84 percent. Strictly speaking, Medicare, Social Security and defense spending only make up 54 percent of spending."]},{"id":"10149.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker gave $6 million in tax breaks to a corporation and told them that they can keep that money even if they lay off half their workforce.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement that Scott Walker gave $6 million in tax breaks to a corporation with the condition that they can keep the money even if they lay off half their workforce. There is no specific mention of this scenario in the evidence. However, it is worth noting that tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy were a part of Scott Walker's budget, as stated in the evidence. To determine the accuracy of the specific claim about the $6 million tax breaks and the condition of layoffs, additional evidence or information would be required. Therefore, the statement cannot be fully verified and can only be considered partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a Facebook post vowing to advocate for Radel\u2019s replacement, Scott said, \"The sad reality is that Trey Radel does not even qualify to drive a Lee County school bus at this point, yet he occupies a seat in Congress.\"","\"While Radel returned to his congressional office following a microwave stint in rehab and a gaggle of rehearsed apologies, I have hundreds of inmates in our jail that are unable to return to their home due to similar or lesser drug offenses,\" Scott said on Facebook. \"The sad reality is that Trey Radel does not even qualify to drive a Lee County school bus at this point, yet he occupies a seat in Congress.....\"","Shark Tank, \"Sheriff blasts Trey Radel: \u2018he does not even qualify to drive a Lee County school bus,\u2019\" Jan. 14, 2014","On the unlikely chance that Radel plans to apply to be a Lee County school district bus driver, would his conviction mean he wouldn\u2019t qualify?"]},{"id":"10868.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Democrat Russ Feingold announced his Wisconsin Senate run today fromCalifornia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Russ Feingold announced his Wisconsin Senate run from California. The evidence provided does not mention any such announcement or location. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The parents have to come in legally,\" Trump said, talking to reporters in New Hampshire Aug. 19. \"Now we\u2019re going to have to find out what\u2019s going to happen from a court standpoint. But many people, many of the great scholars say that anchor babies are not covered (by the 14th Amendment). We\u2019re going to have to find out.\"","Donald Trump says his plan to roll back birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants will pass constitutional muster because \"many of the great scholars say that anchor babies are not covered.\"","We won\u2019t dig into who\u2019s a \"great\" scholar, but we will look at how widespread this position is and if \"many\" say the 14th Amendment isn\u2019t an impediment to Trump\u2019s plan.","In case you need a refresher on birthright citizenship: As it stands now, any person born on U.S. soil is a citizen -- regardless of the parents\u2019 immigration status -- because of the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment. Trump has recently advocated for pulling back citizenship for illegal immigrants\u2019 children. Some, like Trump, refer to these children as \"anchor babies.\""]},{"id":"11295.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Inspections of abortion centers around Virginia have found multiple violations of parental consent laws but Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his administration have done nothing.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances of violations of parental consent laws in Virginia abortion centers, it is misleading to claim that Governor Terry McAuliffe and his administration have done nothing in response. The evidence provided does not support the assertion that no action has been taken. It is important to note that enforcement actions and responses to violations may vary depending on the specific circumstances and legal procedures. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context to make a definitive judgment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5692.json","label":"false","statement":"Says gubernatorial recall candidate Tom Barrett supported passage of Gov. Scott Walkers bill stripping collective bargaining of state employees.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence that suggests Tom Barrett, the gubernatorial recall candidate, made suggestions on how to break the stalemate during the debate over collective bargaining rights for public employees, it is not accurate to claim that he supported the passage of Governor Scott Walker's bill to strip collective bargaining rights. The evidence provided does not support the statement that Barrett explicitly supported the bill. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3262.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says some in Congress are trying to create a separate government for those with a drop of Native Hawaiian blood.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Rick Perry's claim that some members of Congress are attempting to create a separate government for individuals with Native Hawaiian ancestry. However, it's important to note that this claim is subjective and controversial. The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, also known as the Akaka Bill, has been proposed in Congress with the intention of establishing a process for Native Hawaiians to form a self-governing entity. While some critics argue against the bill, it is not accurate to claim that the intention is to create a completely separate government solely based on Native Hawaiian ancestry. The proposed legislation aims to address the unique historical and cultural circumstances of Native Hawaiians. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to fully understand the complexities of the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Do Texans spend $2.5 billion gambling in other states each year? !Do Texans spend $2.5 billion gambling in other states each year?","The proclaimed expenditures by Texans sounded familiar to us because in April 2011, we checked a claim by a pro-casino group that Texans \"spend $2.5 billion gambling in our neighboring states every year.\"","Next, a narrator says: \"Fellow Texans, this has to stop. Yet we Texans spend $2.5 billion a year gambling in neighboring states like Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, funding their schools, roads and hospitals with our money.\"","A banner web ad \"thanking\" Texans for annually spending $2.5 billion gambling in neighboring states also drew our attention. So much money wagered just outside Texas every year?"]},{"id":"8265.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he opposed the presidents decision to go into Iraq in 2003.","reason":"Reason: While Secretary of State John Kerry did express opposition to President Bush's handling of the Iraq War and criticized the failure of diplomacy, it is important to note that he did vote to authorize the use of force in Iraq in 2002. While he may have opposed the specific timing and approach of the invasion, stating that he \"opposed the president's decision to go into Iraq\" oversimplifies his nuanced position. It is more accurate to say that Kerry had concerns about the administration's handling of the war and the failure of diplomatic efforts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Not news? Well, Moorhead, executive director of the Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy\/Texas Impact, also wrote that according to U.S. Census Bureau figures, \"Texas once again outstripped the national poverty rate\" in 2014, \"as we have done since at least 1959.\"","Moorhead did not delve into poverty rates for every year from 1959 on, so we asked Daniel Dillon of the University of Texas Child and Family Research Partnership for a look. Drawing from CPS data, he put together a chart suggesting the Texas poverty rate exceeded the national rate each year from 1959 through 2014.","Charts, U.S. Census Bureau, \"PERSONS BY POVERTY STATUS IN 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, AND 1999 BY STATE,\" \"Poverty Status of People by Family Relationship, Race, and Hispanic Origin: 1959 to 2014,\" \"Number of Poor and Poverty Rate, by State: 1980 to 2014\" (downloaded from the bureau\u2019s website, Oct. 6, 2015)","The second number was a bit harder to verify. The U.S. Census Bureau did not begin tracking the poverty rate until 1959. On top of that, data for individuals aged 65 and older are not available for the years 1960 through 1965."]},{"id":"1604.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Federal Reserve system has presided over about a 95... percent decline in the U.S. dollar.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Federal Reserve system has presided over a 95% decline in the U.S. dollar is an exaggeration and lacks proper context. While it is true that the value of the U.S. dollar has declined over time due to inflation and other economic factors, attributing the entire decline solely to the Federal Reserve system is misleading. The value of the U.S. dollar is influenced by various complex factors, including global economic conditions, trade policies, and market forces. The Federal Reserve plays a role in managing monetary policy and controlling inflation, but it is not solely responsible for the decline in the U.S. dollar. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8232.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker hasnt done a public event this entire year.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Gov. Scott Walker hasn't done a public event the entire year is false. There is evidence that contradicts this claim, including Governor Walker's attendance and participation in public events such as the Wisconsin State Fair and a Martin Luther King Jr. ceremony. These events were attended by hundreds of people, and Governor Walker actively engaged with the public during these occasions. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserving of a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"530.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obama \"wants a windfall profits tax on oil to go along with the new taxes he also plans for coal and natural gas.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects John McCain's claim that Barack Obama supports a windfall profits tax on oil and new taxes on coal and natural gas. While there is evidence supporting Obama's support for a windfall profits tax on oil, the details regarding new taxes on coal and natural gas are less clear. While there is no explicit mention of new taxes on coal and natural gas on Obama's campaign website, there is a focus on incentivizing clean coal. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding the windfall profits tax on oil, the claim about new taxes on coal and natural gas lacks clear evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On this ballot, there will be 48 candidates, including former Republican Gov. Sarah Palin; Nick Begich III, a Republican from a well-known Alaska family of Democratic politicians; Al Gross, a nonpartisan candidate who ran for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat in 2020 but lost to Republican Dan Sullivan; and state Sen. Josh Revak, who has been endorsed by Young\u2019s widow.","FairVote, the leading national group that supports ranked choice voting, found that between 1992 and 2019, 49 senators have been elected with less than 50% support. In fact, in Alaska, no candidate has garnered more than 50% of the vote in the general election for a U.S. Senate seat since 2002.","For the general election, voters will rank the candidates by their first, second, third and fourth choice. The lowest-finishing candidates are eliminated, with their voters\u2019 second, third and fourth choices reallocated to those candidates\u2019 totals. The candidate who wins 50% plus 1 vote, wins the election, going as many rounds as it takes.","Alaskans on Aug. 16 will vote for one candidate in the U.S. Senate primary, and the top four vote-getters will advance. Kelly Tshibaka, Trump\u2019s endorsed candidate who is challenging Sen. Lisa Murkowski, is expected to be among them."]},{"id":"1764.json","label":"true","statement":"If you will go look up the definition of act of God, weve used it in legal terms for a long time in this state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The phrase \"act of God\" has been used in legal terms for a significant period of time to refer to events or circumstances that are beyond human control and are considered to be caused by natural forces or disasters. It is a commonly recognized legal term used in various jurisdictions to describe events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or other natural calamities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Rubio said that to abide by EPA rules when mining or drilling you have \"to take caution not to disturb bodies of water barely bigger than a puddle.\"","\"The EPA has unilaterally changed how the Clean Water Act is interpreted. Now it not only protects rivers and lakes, but also drainage ditches and private retaining ponds. So when mining or drilling, Jerry and Tom now have to take caution not to disturb bodies of water barely bigger than a puddle.\"","We wondered: Does the Clean Water Act allow the government to regulate how mining and drilling affects bodies of water \"barely bigger than a puddle?\"","!The Clean Water Act regulates streams that flow into downstream waters. (Environmental Protection Agency) !The Clean Water Act regulates streams that flow into downstream waters. (Environmental Protection Agency)"]},{"id":"12102.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Donald Trump promised to take care of everybody (through government-run healthcare and) the governments going to pay for it.","reason":"Reason: While Donald Trump did make statements expressing his intention to \"take care of everybody\" and provide better healthcare, there is no evidence to support the claim that he specifically promised government-run healthcare and that the government would pay for it. In fact, Trump's healthcare proposals during his presidential campaign focused on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) with a market-based approach that emphasized competition and choice. Therefore, the statement is false as it misrepresents Trump's healthcare plans.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12747.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wants sanctuary cities.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Hillary Clinton has expressed support for sanctuary cities, which are jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. She has defended these policies as a means to promote public safety. However, it's important to note that supporting sanctuary cities does not necessarily equate to wanting open borders. The term \"sanctuary cities\" refers to specific policies related to immigration enforcement within certain jurisdictions, rather than advocating for completely unrestricted borders. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Clinton's support for sanctuary cities, it should not be interpreted as a direct endorsement of open borders.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1931.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Health reform eliminates co-pays, deductibles, and other costs for preventative care and provides for free annual wellness checkups starting next year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions of the health reform regarding preventative care for seniors. The evidence confirms that health reform eliminates co-pays, deductibles, and other costs for preventative care for Medicare beneficiaries, including free annual wellness checkups. The sources provided support this claim, stating that preventative services will be free for Medicare beneficiaries and that free annual wellness visits will be provided starting in the specified year. However, it's important to note that the exact details and implementation of these provisions may vary, so it is advisable to consult the specific legislation and guidelines for comprehensive information.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"How do Jeb Bush and Donald Trump differ on immigration? Spoiler alert: They don't,\" her campaign wrote in an Aug. 25th tweet.","Spoiler alert: the candidates\u2019 statements on immigration policy cover a broad range of laws and topics and can\u2019t be boiled down to a tweet or short video. While Bush and Trump agree in some areas, they have also shown sharp contrasts on immigration policy.","We asked spokespersons for the Bush and Trump campaign to cite areas where they differ on immigration policy but did not get a reply from Trump\u2019s campaign. Here\u2019s a few key examples of where they differ:","!Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Donald Trump announced for their candidacy in June. (Associated Press and Getty Images photos) !Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Donald Trump announced for their candidacy in June. (Associated Press and Getty Images photos)"]},{"id":"7317.json","label":"true","statement":"Says according to the FBI, more people are killed each year with hammers and clubs than rifles.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the FBI data covering the years 2005 through 2011, which indicates that more people were killed with blunt objects such as hammers and clubs than with rifles alone. While the statement does not consider other significant firearm categories or the role of handguns in gun violence, it accurately reflects the specific comparison between hammers\/clubs and rifles based on the mentioned FBI data.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The claim that the White House \"promised\" the stimulus would keep unemployment under 8 percent has been popular among Republican critics of the stimulus. PolitiFact first checked it in July 2009 when then House Republican Whip Eric Cantor said: \"We were promised. The president said we would keep unemployment under 8.5 percent (if the stimulus passed).\" PolitiFact rated his claim Mostly False.","\"Unfortunately, the president's strategy for recovery was to spend a trillion dollars on a failed stimulus program, fueled by borrowed money,\" Bachmann said. \"The White House promised us that all the spending would keep unemployment under 8 percent. Not only did that plan fail to deliver, but within three months, the national jobless rate spiked to 9.4 percent. It hasn't been lower for 20 straight months. While the government grew, we lost more than 2 million jobs.\"","The claim that the White House \"promised\" the stimulus would keep unemployment under 8 percent has been a popular attack line, cited repeatedly by Fox's Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and other conservative pundits. And we have fact-checked it twice, first in July 2009 when then House Republican Whip Eric Cantor said, \"We were promised. The president said we would keep unemployment under 8.5 percent (if the stimulus passed)\" and again when columnist George Will( \"George Will\") said something similar in July 2010.","In her Tea Party Express-sponsored rebuttal to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., repeated an oft-used attack on the economic stimulus -- that the White House promised it would keep unemployment under 8 percent (and failed)."]},{"id":"8524.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott cut education by $1.3 billion in his first year, then in his second year he decreases funding by $300 million to our state universities.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Charlie Crist regarding Rick Scott's education funding decisions. Crist asserts that Scott cut education funding by $1.3 billion in his first year and decreased funding by $300 million to state universities in his second year. While the evidence provided supports Crist's claim, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or consider other factors that may have influenced these funding decisions. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it would benefit from a more comprehensive analysis of the overall education budget and the reasons behind these specific funding changes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12396.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Trade deals are negotiated in secret and, unlike corporate interests,politicians never invite the leaders of the AFL-CIO or steelworkers or the mine workers to come in and sit down in these meetings.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that trade deals are often negotiated in secret, without direct involvement from labor unions or specific worker representatives like the AFL-CIO, steelworkers, or mine workers. However, it is a generalization to claim that politicians never invite these leaders to participate in the negotiations. While it may be true that labor unions are not always directly involved in the negotiation process, it is important to note that there are various channels through which labor interests can be represented and have their voices heard, such as through lobbying efforts or consultations with government officials. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it oversimplifies the complexity of trade negotiations and the potential involvement of labor representatives.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11696.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Regarding the USA Freedom Act, There is nothing we are allowed to do under this bill that we could not do before.","reason":"Reason: The statement correctly refers to the USA Freedom Act, which combines the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. However, the claim that there is nothing allowed under this bill that could not be done before is not entirely accurate. The USA Freedom Act aims to establish rules that prevent states from passing discriminatory voting laws and expands voting rights protections. While some provisions may align with existing laws, the bill introduces new measures to safeguard voting rights and address voting-related issues. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context of the bill's intended impact and the changes it introduces.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Greg Abbott is embarrassed? So the Texas governor said in this October 2015 tweet: \"I'm EMBARRASSED: Texas #2 in nation for new gun purchases, behind CALIFORNIA. Let's pick up the pace Texans.\"","In 2020, both California and the state of New York had lower gun death rates than did Texas. Both California and New York have tougher gun laws than Texas, and both are surrounded by states with tougher gun laws compared to a large portion of the rest of the country.","Hold fire: The FBI counsels against using requests for instant background checks to estimate gun purchases, which was Abbott\u2019s basis for his statement. Besides that, Texas ranked third behind Kentucky and California in the number of checks requested for gun purchases through the first 10 months of 2015. Adjust for population and among the 10 states with the most requested background checks, Texas tied with Florida for 8th place with both states and seven others accounting for more per-capita requests for background checks than California.","States like New York and California with lower gun death rates are for the most part surrounded by states with tougher gun laws."]},{"id":"2351.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Our law enforcement agencies have found bodies in the desert, either buried or just lying out there, that have been beheaded.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Jan Brewer that law enforcement agencies have found beheaded bodies in the desert is not supported by credible evidence. County medical examiners along Arizona's border with Mexico have stated that they have no records or evidence of such incidents. Jan Brewer herself later acknowledged that she \"misspoke\" and corrected her statement. The claim of finding beheaded bodies in the desert is false and lacks any substantiated evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2483.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he took down the mob in Northeast Ohio","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Tom Ganley made a claim of taking down the mob in Northeast Ohio. However, the fact-checking organization PolitiFact Ohio rated this claim as Barely True, suggesting that it is exaggerated or lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the assertion. Therefore, the statement that Ganley took down the mob in Northeast Ohio is not entirely accurate and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9764.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he invested over $100 million in worker training.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Governor Walker did direct over $100 million towards various worker training programs. However, it is important to note that there were also cuts in general aid to technical colleges, which are utilized for worker training as well. While the overall investment in worker training is significant, the statement could benefit from acknowledging the cuts in general aid that could have impacted some aspects of worker training programs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The issue of wealth and income inequality is the great moral issue of our time,\" Sanders said. \"It is the great economic issue of our time and the great political issue of our time. Truthfully, there is something profoundly wrong when the richest 80 people in the world own more wealth than the bottom half of the global population, 3.5 billion people.\"","Oxfam used Forbes' list of billionaires and counted how many people it would take to reach $1.7 trillion -- the figure representing the wealth of the bottom half of the global population.","Sanders said that 80 people own as much as half the world\u2019s population. The statement was in line with the latest Oxfam report available at the time Sanders spoke. The Oxfam analysis was based on a report from Credit Suisse and the Forbes list of billionaires.","Analysts hired by Credit Suisse estimated total personal wealth at $263 trillion. From there, analysts estimated that the bottom half of the world\u2019s population (approximately 3.5 billion people) owned less than 1 percent of all wealth. To be precise, (and you can find this on page 110 of the full Credit Suisse databook) the bottom half of the world\u2019s population own .72 percent of world household wealth, which comes out to about $1.7 trillion."]},{"id":"9688.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, skipped an important VA reform hearing to attend three fundraisers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. It is accurate that Rep. Bruce Braley skipped a significant number of veterans affairs committee hearings, as stated in the ad. However, the claim that he specifically skipped an important VA reform hearing to attend three fundraisers is not fully substantiated. While it is true that Braley missed committee hearings and attended fundraisers, the ad does not provide sufficient evidence to directly link his absence from the VA reform hearing to the fundraisers. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swine flu broke out then under another Democrat president, Jimmy Carter. And I'm not blaming this on President Obama, I just think it's an interesting coincidence.\"","\u2022 I n the 1970s, \"the swine flu broke out . . . under another Democrat, President Jimmy Carter.\" First, it was Gerald Ford, a Republican, not Carter who was in charge during the 1976 outbreak. Another Republican, Ronald Reagan, was president during a much smaller outbreak in 1988. But in addition to being wrong, we decided that Bachmann was being ridiculous in suggesting a partisan link and a deadly disease. We rated it a Pants on Fire( \"Pants on Fire\").","Well, at least she's right about the decade. Yes, the last big swine flu scare occurred in the 1970s. But other than that, her statement is utterly false.","Swine flu also surfaced briefly in 1988, killing a woman in Wisconsin who had visited a swine exhibit at a county fair. The president at the time was Ronald Reagan \u2014 a Republican."]},{"id":"7507.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jennifer Horn, chairwoman of the N.H. Republican Party, owes $92,000 in back taxes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Jennifer Horn, chairwoman of the N.H. Republican Party, owed $92,000 in back taxes at least 20 months ago. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide information on whether or not Horn has since paid off the back taxes. Therefore, the statement is mostly true based on the available evidence, but it does not provide the current status of her tax obligations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PunditFact wanted to know if the Earth has not warmed for the last 17 years, and what it means if anything for the theory of climate change.","Moore said the whole theory of climate change is called into question because \"it has not warmed for the last 17 years.\"","\"Basically, they're just saying weather these days,\" Moore said. \"They're saying the weather is climate change, but that's not true. Weather is just weather, like the cold weather we're getting this year. It has not warmed for the last 17 years. We know that for sure. And that brings into question the whole hypothesis.\"","As the chart shows, Earth\u2019s land-ocean temperatures accelerated their increase in the 1970s, setting off a new era of rising sea levels and melting sea ice. Temperatures spiked about 17 years ago in 1998 and have plateaued at similarly high levels ever since."]},{"id":"8900.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The median net worth of American households hasnt changed much over the past decades, its about $20,000 ... but Congress average median net worth has ballooned, more than doubled.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the contrasting trends between the median net worth of American households and the average median net worth of Congress members. The evidence confirms that the median net worth of American households has not changed significantly over the past decades and is around $20,000. However, it's important to note that the figure relies on a peculiar definition of net worth that excludes the value of people's homes. On the other hand, the average median net worth of Congress members has indeed increased significantly, more than doubling over time. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the disparity between the two, it could benefit from providing more context regarding the specific definition of net worth used for American households.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11903.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Scott Fisher tried to expand Obamacare in Texas and even voted for an official resolution to force 1 million Texans into Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Scott Fisher tried to expand Obamacare in Texas or voted for a resolution to force Texans into Obamacare. The provided evidence consists of statements made in political ads and by individuals involved in the campaign, but it lacks verifiable facts or reliable sources. Without concrete evidence, it is misleading and inaccurate to make such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Even the employees\u2019 union for the IRS -- the very people in charge of enforcing this law -- are begging to be let out from under this law.\"","Referring to President Barack Obama\u2019s health care law, Rubio said, \"Even the employees\u2019 union for the IRS -- the very people in charge of enforcing this law -- are begging to be let out from under this law.\"","Rubio said that \"even the employees\u2019 union for the IRS -- the very people in charge of enforcing this law -- are begging to be let out from under this law.\" He has a point that the National Treasury Employees Union has asked its members to oppose efforts to force its members into the exchanges created by Obama\u2019s health care law. But he ignores a lot of context that would give a listener a different impression.","The union\u2019s quarrel is not with Obamacare itself, but rather with efforts by the law\u2019s opponents to uproot federal employees from their longstanding health plans, a change the union views as punitive. By contrast, Obamacare was written to keep as many Americans as possible on their existing insurance plans, with the exchanges envisioned as a way for people without insurance or with inadequate insurance to purchase a plan. On balance, we rate the claim Mostly False."]},{"id":"4767.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In April 2009 the Democrats were in control, and the congressional (approval) rating was 40 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pelosi is partially accurate. While it is true that the Democrats were in control in April 2009, the claim that the congressional approval rating was 40 percent is not entirely accurate. The average approval rating during that month was just under 32 percent, and no individual poll within that month reached 40 percent. However, there were instances in the surrounding months where the approval rating did exceed 40 percent. Therefore, while the statement contains some inaccuracies, it does have some elements of truth to it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"While Act 10 allowed us to save some money, it was millions short of what we needed to fill the hole left by the $28 million cut in state aid,\" Abele said in an April 12, 2012, statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.","County officials say the various aid cuts in the 2011-\u201913 state budget added up to $28.7 million. Those included trims to shared revenue, transportation aid, child support enforcement and money for locking up juvenile offenders.","The governor\u2019s staff doesn\u2019t dispute any of that. However, they argue the county also saved $4.9 million because the state assumed control of more than 300 county public assistance employees and that number should be counted as an offset to the aid cut.","The governor\u2019s office maintains that despite more than $28 million in state cuts, Milwaukee County wound up with an extra $10 million on its balance sheet in 2012, thanks to Walker\u2019s collective bargaining \"tools.\""]},{"id":"13399.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that hes responsible for Austinincluding Anderson Mill Road in the citys proposed transportation bond package.","reason":"Reason: While Jimmy Flannigan has claimed responsibility for including Anderson Mill Road in Austin's proposed transportation bond package, the evidence suggests that his claim is exaggerated. The decision to include Anderson Mill Road in the bond package was made by the city staff based on their assessment of the project's importance and the available funding. While Flannigan may have advocated for the inclusion of the road, it is misleading to solely attribute its inclusion to his efforts. The decision involved multiple factors and stakeholders. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"If we manufactured 5-million of these 2.5-meg windmills across the country, we could electrify the entire nation \u2014 the entire nation.\"","\"In 1972, we had a 179,000 human beings in jail in this country. Today, it's 2.3-million, and 70 percent of them are black, African-American.\"","Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.","Mike Gravel is a former senator from Alaska. Gravel served as senator from 1969 until 1981 and ran an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2008.. He is also a former lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving from 1951 to 1954. Gravel received a bachelor\u2019s degree in economics from Columbia University School of General Studies. In 2019, he announced he is running for the Democratic nomination for president."]},{"id":"4889.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Department of Defense changed its definitions of al-Qaeda and the Taliban making it so almost anybody can be loosely associated with the groups.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While there was a change in language regarding \"associated forces\" in relation to the Taliban and al-Qaeda, it was not specifically done by the Department of Defense as claimed. The change in language was actually part of a House-approved measure, which expanded the scope of permitted U.S. targets. However, this change does not mean that \"almost anybody\" can be loosely associated with these groups. The language primarily pertains to individuals who are directly involved or affiliated with these organizations. Therefore, while there was a change in language, the statement exaggerates the potential impact and misrepresents the intention behind the change.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Obama said the United States is producing more oil domestically than it\u2019s importing from the rest of the world for the first time in nearly two decades. That claim is on the money. However, a lot of this has been in the works for awhile, including dynamics that pre-date the Obama administration. Experts told us the new dynamic is due to factors like the recession, increased fuel efficiency and ramped up domestic oil production. As a simple statement on where we stand on oil exports vs. imports, though, Obama\u2019s claim is accurate. We rate it True.","Obama has long faced Republican criticism for keeping oil reserves in Alaska\u2019s Arctic National Wildlife Reserve off limits, restricting some drilling off Alaska\u2019s shore and in the Gulf of Mexico and rejecting the proposed Keystone XL pipeline expansion that would connect Canadian oil to Texas refineries.","A spokesman offered up this White House blog post that touches on Obama\u2019s point in more detail. Domestic crude oil production surpassed crude oil imports in October 2013 for the first time since 1995.","\"It doesn\u2019t take an economist to figure out how a gallon of gasoline has increased by $1.62 in four years. The liberal anti-free market policies of the Obama administration discourage the exploration of American sources of energy and hinder production and job growth.\""]},{"id":"6443.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Art Robinson says Social Security should be ended through attrition.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Art Robinson has indeed expressed the view that Social Security should be ended through attrition. He has stated that entitlement programs like Social Security need to be ended, but not by violating existing contracts. Instead, he advocates for gradually phasing out the programs by not enrolling new participants and allowing time to pass. While the statement accurately reflects Robinson's position, it's important to note that it does not provide a comprehensive view of his stance on Social Security, including any potential replacement systems he may propose.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Report, \"Comparison of the American Community Survey Voluntary versus Mandatory Estimates,\" U.S. Census Bureau, Sept. 27, 2011 (accessed Jan. 7, 2014)","\"In a few days you will receive an American Community Survey questionnaire in the mail,\" the bureau said in a letter to Cole. The letter said: \"Because you are living in the United States, you are required by law to respond to this survey.\" Cole gave us a copy of a bureau envelope with this nudge outside: \"Your response is required by law.\"","\"In a few days you will receive an American Community Survey questionnaire in the mail,\" the bureau said in a letter to Cole, which he said he received in late 2013 or early in the new year. The letter said: \"Because you are living in the United States, you are required by law to respond to this survey.\" Cole gave us a copy of a bureau envelope with this nudge outside: \"Your response is required by law.\"","Federal law mandates as much, but the bureau also doesn't seek to penalize individuals who fail to participate. The reality appears to be that recipients can refuse to comply."]},{"id":"11488.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Unlike Benghazi, there were no investigations of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, none about key aspects of the 9\/11 attacks and the Iraq War, and none about embassy attacks under George W. Bush.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that there were no specific commissions established solely to investigate the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, key aspects of the 9\/11 attacks, and the Iraq War, it is incorrect to claim that there were no investigations at all. Various investigations, inquiries, and reports were conducted regarding these events, although they may not have taken the form of dedicated commissions. Additionally, it is important to note that there were investigations into embassy attacks under George W. Bush, although they may not have received the same level of attention as the Benghazi attack. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Perry said: \"I deployed the Texas National Guard\" to the Texas-Mexico border. \"And the policy worked; apprehensions at the border declined 74 percent.\"","Texas national guard: Perry said, \"I deployed the Texas National Guard\" to the Texas-Mexico border. \"And the policy worked; apprehensions at the border declined 74 percent.\" His statistic holds up, but Perry didn\u2019t provide, nor did we find proof, that the decrease resulted from the Texas surge. PolitiFact Texas rated this claim Mostly False.","\"And because of that threat \u2026 posed by drug cartels \u2026 and transnational gangs,\" Perry continued, \"I deployed the Texas National Guard. And the policy worked. Apprehensions at the border declined 74 percent. If you elect me your president, I will secure that border.\"","To be specific, Border Patrol apprehensions in the targeted part of the border region declined more than 70 percent through the second half of 2014. Unproven, however, is why that happened--and Perry\u2019s statement crediting the Texas deployment ignored potentially substantive factors such as the Border Patrol staffing up, Mexico cracking down and, perhaps, a typical summer-to-winter flux."]},{"id":"4427.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"$360 million of our tax dollars went straight to ... the Taliban.","reason":"Reason: While the statement that $360 million of tax dollars went \"straight to ... the Taliban\" is not entirely accurate, it is mostly true. The money did not directly go to the Taliban but instead involved a complex process of money laundering. Additionally, some of the funds ended up in the hands of bad actors other than the Taliban. However, it is important to note that the Taliban and insurgent groups did receive a portion of the funds, albeit a relatively small percentage. Therefore, while the statement is not entirely precise in its wording, it captures the essence of the situation accurately.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1463.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether he supports 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not offer any direct information or quotes regarding the individual's stance on the \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\" policy. Without further context or statements from the person in question, it is not possible to determine their support or opposition to the policy based on the given evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["At a town hall meeting in New Hampshire on Aug. 11, 2009, President Barack Obama repeated a line he's used many times in describing his health care proposal: \"If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan.\"","\"No. 1, let me just repeat, if you've got a health care plan that you like, you can keep it,\" Obama said. \"All I'm going to do is help you to lower the premiums on it. You'll still have choice of doctor.\"","Barack Obama defended his health care plan during a debate in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 7, 2008. His opponents have attacked his plan as \"government-run\" health care.","Here are the 37 instances we could find in which President Barack Obama or a top administration official said something close to, \u201cIf you like your plan, you can keep your plan,\u201d referring to health insurance changes under the Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"8574.json","label":"false","statement":"A Census Bureau worker says he was told to skew information to bring the unemployment rate down as we headed into an election season.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or confirmation from the Census Bureau or any reliable source to support the claim that a Census Bureau worker was instructed to manipulate information in order to lower the unemployment rate during an election season. It is important to rely on verified and factual information when making claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6062.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When I started in Ohio it was terrible. Now, were getting bipartisan support for our bills. And thats called leadership.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by former Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus that bipartisan support for bills in Ohio has increased during his tenure, indicating effective leadership. This claim is supported by the information provided by Niehaus' spokesperson, Angela Meleca, who cited that approximately 79 percent of the bills passed in the Senate had bipartisan support. However, it's important to note that without further information or data, it's challenging to fully assess the extent of the improvement or the specific impact of Niehaus' leadership on achieving bipartisan support. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We decided to take a stroll through the history books to see if Kaine was right about the Democratic Party being the oldest continuous political party in the world.","\"Now, she was saying that partly because of me, but, but she was saying it because it was a historic night for the oldest continuous political party in the world, and for the first time in the history of the United States, to have a woman nominated for president.\"","\"The Democrats have established their claim that they\u2019re the oldest continuous political party because the name changes less,\"Jillson said. \"The (two sides\u2019) agendas, though, go all the way back to the first Washington administration in the 1790s.\"","\"The two parties grow out of that (those arguments) and so it\u2019s right to say that the Democrats are the oldest continuous party but the Republicans could make the claim that under three different names their party is just as old,\" he said."]},{"id":"3896.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Chris Christies decision to close the Elizabeth MVC saved no money.","reason":"Reason: While it is stated that the closure of the Elizabeth MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission) by Governor Chris Christie saved no money, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The statement is based on a news release from a political opponent, which may be biased. Additionally, the evidence states that the actual amount saved from the closure has not been provided, making it difficult to definitively conclude that no money was saved. Without concrete evidence or further information, it is not accurate to assert that the closure resulted in no cost savings.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7074.json","label":"true","statement":"Sixty percent of New Jersey doctors do not accept Medicaid patients.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the study mentioned, which estimated that approximately 60 percent of physicians in New Jersey do not accept Medicaid patients. The study indicates that the percentage of physicians accepting Medicaid patients in the state is likely between 28 percent and 53 percent. This suggests a significant portion of doctors in New Jersey do not participate in the Medicaid program, highlighting the issue of Medicaid underpayment as a contributing factor.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"They will ask for repeal,\" Pelosi said.\"Repeal of all the things I said that help children, help young adults, help seniors, help men or women who may have prostate cancer, breast cancer, whatever it is, any precondition. And everybody will have lower rates, better quality care and better access.\"","In five years, the law has steadily navigated toward its overall goal of decreasing the number of uninsured Americans, without dramatically disrupting the overall health care industry, for better or worse. Yet.","Why are these changes occurring? Some will be made voluntarily by Americans seeking better health care options outside of their employer\u2019s plan, but we think it\u2019s reasonable for Obama to ignore these changes in his calculation.","But in its study, the CBO number crunchers actually predict that a large number of people will want to buy better insurance. They would opt for a lower deductible, lower co-pays and a wider range of benefits. That personal choice would cause their total premiums to rise some 27 to 30 percent. For a policy covering just one person, the difference would be about $600 a year, before accounting for any of the subsidies the law provides; over half the people in the individual market would qualify for those subsidies."]},{"id":"2074.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As a Congressman, J.D. Hayworth was an avid earmarker who supported such pork as $220,000 to renovate a Maine Blueberry farm and $5.8 million for a Vermont snowmobile trail.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that J.D. Hayworth, as a Congressman, supported earmarks including $220,000 for renovating a Maine blueberry farm and $5.8 million for a Vermont snowmobile trail. However, it's important to note that these earmarks were part of larger appropriations bills and did not receive individual up or down votes. Additionally, the statement could be improved by clarifying that the blueberry farm funding was for a university-run blueberry research facility. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but it could provide more context regarding the nature of the earmarks and their inclusion in larger bills.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["John McCain has attacked Hillary Clinton, saying she wants to \"wave the white flag of surrender\" in Iraq. He said it again in response to a question about Iraq at the Jan. 24, 2008, Republican debate in Boca Raton. (His comments come near the end of the YouTube video, at 9:45.)","McCain is right that Clinton is setting a time frame to start withdrawing troops, and that does imply giving up and waving a metaphorical white flag. Saying there is no military solution as she does could be seen as a form of surrender. But technically, there is no ruling army to surrender to, which is really what a white flag means. Clinton just wants the troops to come home.","\"We have no country if we have no border. Hillary wants to give amnesty,\" Trump said during the debate held at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Oct. 19. \"She wants to have open borders.\"","Donald Trump says that Hillary Clinton wants open borders \u2014 a charge he has leveled again after an excerpt of one of her speeches leaked in a hacked email."]},{"id":"23.json","label":"true","statement":"\"At least Obama didn't marry his cousin,\" as Giuliani did.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Rudy Giuliani did marry his second cousin, Regina Peruggi, in 1968. This fact is supported by multiple sources, including news reports and Giuliani's own acknowledgment of the marriage. The statement made in the video, \"At least Obama didn't marry his cousin,\" accurately reflects this information.\nLabel: true","evidence":["All members of Congress are required to be in Obamacare, but Obama and members of his administration \"have their own gold-plated health care plans that they're in.\"","Duffy said: All members of Congress are required to be in Obamacare, but Obama and members of his administration \"have their own gold-plated health care plans that they're in.\"","!U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy says President Barack Obama and members of his administration get to keep \"their gold-plated health care plans\" under the Affordable Care Act. !U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy says President Barack Obama and members of his administration get to keep \"their gold-plated health care plans\" under the Affordable Care Act.","U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy says President Barack Obama and members of his administration get to keep \"their gold-plated health care plans\" under the Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"3310.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obama came to Ohio 12 times to try to defeat me and guess what? He didnt win.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama visited Ohio multiple times during his presidency, it is an exaggeration to claim that he specifically came to Ohio 12 times with the sole intention of defeating Kasich. Obama did visit Ohio on 12 occasions, but not all of those visits were directly related to Kasich's campaign. Some visits were for other purposes such as promoting policy initiatives or supporting other candidates. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of Obama's visits and misrepresents their purpose.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Trump\u2019s Health Secretary Pick Wants a Medicare Phase Out by Summer 2017,\" reads a headline on a Winning Democrats article posted Dec. 1. Over the next week the post generated 14,000 likes.","Donald Trump\u2019s pick for Health and Human Services secretary, Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., has a plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. But a Democratic website says he wants to go further and nix Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors and the disabled.","The suggested plan would be similar to the Medicare Advantage program. Beneficiaries would pick from a list of government-approved plans and the government would make a payment to the insurers to help cover the cost of the plan.","That quote originally appeared in a Nov. 17 Talking Points Memo article, \"Rep. Tom Price Reveals Republicans Eyeing Medicare Overhaul In 2017.\""]},{"id":"9166.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Of all the jobs President Obama claims to have created since he started, only 38.5 percent are women. So 61.5 percent have gone to men.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bolling that 38.5 percent of the jobs President Obama claimed to have created went to women, while 61.5 percent went to men. However, it's important to note that this statistic alone does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall job market or the impact of job creation efforts. The statement fails to consider the context of the job losses during the recession, where a significant proportion of job losses affected men. Additionally, the statement does not account for the overall gender makeup of employment in the United States. While the statistic presented is accurate, it lacks important context and can be misleading when assessing the impact of job creation efforts under President Obama.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5492.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If you look up the dictionary definition of happiness at the time of our founders happiness was not doing what you want to do but doing what you ought to do.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the concept of happiness during the time of the founders had a different emphasis compared to modern interpretations, the statement oversimplifies the complexities of the historical understanding of happiness. The founders did have a broader understanding of happiness that encompassed moral virtue and fulfilling one's duties, but it is not accurate to claim that the dictionary definition of happiness at that time explicitly stated that it was not about doing what you want to do. The definition of happiness during that era was multifaceted and included elements of personal fulfillment and well-being. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the historical context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10216.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Amendment 2 on medical marijuana won a higher percentage of the vote than the last six Florida governors, including Jeb Bushs 2002 landslide.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Amendment 2 on medical marijuana did indeed receive a higher percentage of the vote in Florida than the last six governors, including Jeb Bush's 2002 landslide victory. The evidence confirms that the amendment garnered a higher percentage of the vote compared to the winning percentages of the last six Florida governors, as clarified by the tweet and the analysis of the last six elected governors. However, it's important to note that this comparison is based on the winning percentages of the governors, not the specific issue of medical marijuana. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the comparison of vote percentages, it does not directly address the specific issue of medical marijuana itself.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2340.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgias U.S. senators voted for legislation that would gut clean air protections and increase oil dependence.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it claims that Georgia's U.S. senators voted for legislation that would weaken clean air protections and increase oil dependence, it does not provide specific details about the legislation in question. It is possible that Georgia's senators have voted on bills related to clean air and oil dependence, but without specific information, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We had our doubts about some of the other items on the Rhode Island list. (For example, we couldn't find any reference in state law to BuzzFeed's contention that \"It is illegal to throw pickle juice on a trolley in Rhode Island.\")","We also checked Rhode Island law to see if there was a toothpaste-toothbrush statute that applied to Providence (or any community). We came up with nothing.","(Get updates from PolitiFactRI on Twitter. To comment or offer your ruling, visit us on our PolitiFact Rhode Island Facebook page.)","(If you have a claim you\u2019d like PolitiFact Rhode Island to check, e-mail us atemail protected And follow us on Twitter: @politifactri.)"]},{"id":"8410.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"No doctors who went to an American medical school will be accepting Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The claim that \"no doctors who went to an American medical school will be accepting Obamacare\" is entirely false. There is no provision in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that prevents doctors who graduated from American medical schools from accepting patients with insurance obtained through the law's marketplaces. This claim is baseless and has been widely debunked. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing healthcare policies and their impact on healthcare providers.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Comparing trade numbers can yield the same kind of distortion. Looking just at absolute numbers, a large country like the United States can appear to be in the top tier of exporting nations. But if you compare exports to the GDP, you get a much different picture.","Boysko\u2019s statement is different. She does not say \"guarantee.\" She says the U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not \"have a paid family medical leave program in place.\" All other industrialized nations do have family leave programs in place, although some of those plans do not \"guarantee\" all workers are covered.","Economists say there are logical reasons for this disparity. The United States is rich with resources and largely self-sufficient. It borders only two other countries, whereas cross-border trade in Europe grew out of necessity as well as custom. Germany and China have developed economies that specifically promote and rely on exports. And as the World Trade Organization notes other factors, including the price of fuel and exchange rates, can affect the ratios.","According to the International Labor Organization, an agency of the United Nations, the United States joins New Guinea as the two countries out of 170 that provide no cash benefits of any kind to women during maternity leave."]},{"id":"4121.json","label":"false","statement":"The $290 million structural surplus in the 2011-13 Wisconsin budget is not real because it is based on the assumption that Congress will reinstate the estate tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. The $290 million structural surplus in the 2011-13 Wisconsin budget was indeed based on the assumption that Congress would reinstate the estate tax. However, it is important to note that this assumption did not come to fruition, making the surplus projection unrealistic. Therefore, the surplus was not real as initially anticipated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Walker said a state agency wanted to fire an employee who spent four hours per day watching pornography, but the state \"employment commission reinstated the person.\"","\"In one of our state agencies, where an employee on average was spending more than four hours a day watching pornographic things on their website. That's something that, even though the agency wanted to terminate that person, the employment commission reinstated the person.\"","The Department of Corrections in 2005 did terminate a state probation and parole agent who had been watching pornography on his computer for hours a day. The employee was given his job back not by a state commission, but by a private arbitrator, who was chosen jointly by the department and the employee\u2019s union per a collective bargaining contract.","The porn-watching employee did get his job back -- but because of the decision of a private arbitrator, not a state commission."]},{"id":"9207.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Dan Patrick changed his name from Danny Goeb to hide from his debts.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Dan Patrick changed his name from Danny Goeb to hide from his debts is false. While it is true that Dan Patrick legally changed his name, he did so in 2003, long after his debt troubles had already been resolved. The accusation that he changed his name to hide from his debts lacks factual support and has been debunked by multiple sources. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"3545.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were paying out-of-state residential facilities hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, to house children in state custody","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Rep. Roberto DaSilva that out-of-state residential facilities are being paid significant amounts of money to house children in state custody. While the exact amount may vary and could potentially reach millions of dollars, the claim of \"hundreds of thousands\" is supported by the evidence. DaSilva's concern about the expenditure of taxpayer dollars and the potential to provide necessary treatment within the state further supports the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson is \"a big corporate lobbyist\" and has been \"lobbying during the middle of the campaign.\"","When we asked Lansing to respond to Thompson\u2019s claim, he reiterated the point about fighting city hall. He also said Hovde hadn\u2019t refused to pay property taxes, but paid the settlement over the penalties after losing the court ruling.","Hovde\u2019s firm didn\u2019t refuse to pay property taxes, per se. But it did refuse to pay -- until losing a ruling in court -- penalties that were assessed for having the benefit of paying lower taxes without actually farming land, as required.","Tommy Thompson and Eric Hovde continue bashing each other ahead of the Aug. 14, 2012 Republican primary for a Wisconsin U.S. Senate seat."]},{"id":"9730.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The per-pupil cost in the [Blackstone Valley Prep] Mayoral Academy far outweighs the per-pupil cost in Cumberland public schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely-true. While Ralph Mollis claims that the per-pupil cost in the Mayoral Academy Blackstone Valley is higher than in Cumberland public schools, the evidence provided does not support this assertion. The evidence only mentions that Mollis focused on costs without providing any specific data or comparison between the two schools. Without concrete figures or a direct comparison, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support the assertion that the per-pupil cost in the Mayoral Academy outweighs that of Cumberland public schools.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1016.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act bill would create special protection for pedophiles.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act does not provide special protection for pedophiles. The act aims to address hate crimes motivated by factors such as race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It does not condone or protect illegal activities such as pedophilia. The claim made by Rep. Steve King that the act would provide special protection to pedophiles is baseless and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Over the years, the renters\u2019 burden has not improved. Former HUD secretary Shaun Donovan in 2014 pushed for housing finance reforms, saying, \"This is the worst rental affordability crisis this country has ever known,\" according to HousingWire\u2019s reporting.","\"I believe something is wrong in America today when you've got millions of families paying 40, 50, 60% of their limited incomes to put a roof over their heads,\" Sanders said.","Martin cited a study from May 2018 by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which found 75 percent of the people on the street in Los Angeles County had a home in that same county before they lost it. It also showed that 65 percent of the unsheltered homeless had lived in that county for at least 20 years. Only 13 percent were from out of state.","City and state leaders are paying more attention to California\u2019s surging homeless population. The total topped 134,000 last year, up 14 percent from 2016. They\u2019re pushing for more housing and money to curb a crisis made worse by the state\u2019s lack of affordable housing."]},{"id":"3521.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg put an 80-year-old farmer in jail for refusing to plant native vegetation on his farm.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. It wrongly attributes the action of putting an 80-year-old farmer in jail to JoAnne Kloppenburg, a Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate. However, as clarified by the evidence, it is impossible for Kloppenburg or any attorney to directly put someone in jail. The claim is a misrepresentation of the facts and lacks credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In saying a do-over of the state\u2019s 2006 referendum legalizing only opposite-sex marriages would again pass, Appling said public opinion polls on gay marriage \"are not dramatically changing.\"","\"They argue all the time, \u2018the polls are changing,\u2019 \" Appling said to guest host Mike Siegel on the Charlie Sykes show on WTMJ-AM (620) on Jan. 6, 2015. \"Well, the truth is, the polls are not dramatically changing.\"","As polls showed that a majority of Americans supported same-sex marriage, Clinton\u2019s views changed, too. She announced her support for same-sex marriage in March 2013.","Pollsters sometimes throw in other options when asking about how to handle the marriage question. They will ask respondents what is closer to their own view: legalizing same-sex marriage, giving civil recognition to such unions, or giving no legal recognition to them."]},{"id":"12111.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Superdelegates have never been a determining factor in who our nominee is since theyve been in place since 1984.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wasserman Schultz that superdelegates have not been a determining factor in selecting the Democratic nominee since their implementation in 1984. While there is some debate and differing opinions on the extent of their influence, historical analysis suggests that superdelegates have not single-handedly determined the outcome of the nomination process. However, it's important to note that they can play a role in influencing the outcome in certain situations. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be acknowledged that superdelegates can have some impact on the nomination process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1908.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the Republican state convention is actually larger than the Republican National Convention.","reason":"Reason: While Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst claimed that the Republican state convention in Texas was larger than the Republican National Convention, the evidence suggests that this claim is mostly true. The comparison was based on the number of delegates and alternates attending the respective conventions. The GOP state convention in Texas had more delegates and alternates than the 2008 Republican National Convention. However, it's important to note that the overall number of attendees, including protesters and reporters, may be higher at the national convention. Therefore, in terms of delegate count, the statement is accurate, but in terms of overall attendance, the national convention may draw more people.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["By any CBO projection and under any proposed legislation, Medicaid spending will increase over the next decade \u2014 because health care costs are increasing. The House health care bill limits that increase to 20 percent, while maintaing the status quo requires a 60 percent increase, according to the CBO.","So, Schultz is right that less than 2 percent -- indeed, less than 1 percent -- of Americans would be subject to the millionaire's tax, at least at the beginning. But while making estimates is tricky, it's likely that many more people will choose to pay the individual penalty, most likely pushing the numbers above the 2 percent level Schultz cited. And if we had chosen to include the device tax, the percentages would climb higher still. So we rate his statement Barely True.","On the show, Schultz didn't specify whether he was referring to the House or Senate health care reform bill. However, a spokeswoman contacted by PolitiFact said he was referring to the House bill, so we will judge him on that basis here.","One is a 2.5 percent tax on most durable medical devices, which the Joint Committee on Taxation, a bipartisan arm of Congress, expects to generate $2 billion to $3 billion most years -- approximately one-twentieth of the amount collected by the \"millionaire's tax.\" But while this is technically a tax on companies, it would almost certainly be passed along to consumers, and the number of people affected would be substantial. Because many people use medical devices in any given year, this tax would likely hit more than 2 percent of the population, even accounting for overlap with the other taxes included in the bill."]},{"id":"8055.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In his book, (Ken) Cuccinelli questions whether Medicare and Social Security should exist.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by the Democratic Party of Virginia and others regarding Ken Cuccinelli's book. In the book, Cuccinelli questions the origins and motivations behind the creation of Social Security and Medicare, suggesting that they were driven by politicians seeking to expand government power. However, it is important to note that questioning the origins and motivations behind these programs does not necessarily equate to questioning their existence. While Cuccinelli raises concerns about the intentions behind these programs, there is no explicit statement in the evidence provided that directly questions whether Medicare and Social Security should exist. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Jeff Begun of the Santa Monica, Calif.-based The Incentives Office, which tracks inducements from various states for the film-production industry, said by e-mail that New Mexico \"is not the second Hollywood -- particularly with the new $50 million \u2018rolling cap\u2019 per year\" recently imposed on available tax credits in the state.","\"They passed a film incentive bill in New Mexico. The idea was to make New Mexico the second Hollywood. I signed the bill. I said I'm going to sign this bill but doesn't everyone see that we could be doing this for every business in New Mexico? ... It will happen. This will happen. But why the film industry? Why not all of us that have been here working all this time,\" Johnson said.","In an e-mail, the Johnson campaign\u2019s communications director, Joe Hunter, wrote: \"While quantifying -- or even determining how to quantify -- that New Mexico or any other state is the \u2018second Hollywood\u2019 is obviously imprecise, Governor Johnson\u2019s statement was made in the context of having signed into law tax credits that were tremendously successful in attracting the film industry to the state. Those tax credits worked, and New Mexico is consistently identified as one of the best locales for film production.\"","Similarly, Joe Chianese, the senior vice president of tax production planning and business development at Entertainment Partners in Burbank, Calif., said calling New Mexico the new second Hollywood \"is probably being a bit overdramatic.\""]},{"id":"4311.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are 500 million Internet users and 80 million bloggers who are driving discussions in China. So youve got a lot of people voicing frustration and discontent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the significant number of internet users and bloggers in China who are actively participating in discussions and expressing their frustrations and discontent. While the exact numbers may vary, there is substantial evidence to support the claim that China has a large online population and a significant number of bloggers who contribute to shaping public discourse.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4664.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"My son had to resign his job because of federal regulations that Washington has put on us.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Unemployment payments are typically provided to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, such as when a business closes or downsizes. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the federal regulations that led to the son's resignation. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the exact circumstances and whether they would qualify for unemployment benefits. It is advisable to consult the specific regulations and eligibility criteria to determine if the son would be eligible for unemployment payments.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Look, in Texas we get 40 percent of the Latino vote on average,\" Rove said. \"And that\u2019s because every Republican is comfortable campaigning everywhere in Texas and because we go out of our way to recruit qualified Latino candidates and run them for office.\"","Aside from the presidential race, the 2012 Texas ballot had four statewide races pitting Republicans against Democrats. Cruz topped other GOP victors with 36 percent of El Paso County\u2019s vote. Counting Romney, the GOP nominees carried an average of 27 percent of El Paso County\u2019s vote; 28 percent in Hidalgo County; and 32 percent in Cameron County.","By email, New York pollster Micheline Blum, whose clients have included newspapers including the Austin American-Statesman , said by email: \"While the majority of Latinos vote for Democrats in Texas as in other states, the Republican candidates for president and for governor have been averaging approximately 40\" percent of the Texas Latino vote. \"Candidates cannot afford to ignore the Latino vote in Texas\u2014and they don\u2019t,\" Blum wrote. \"Also, Texas is more conservative than the country as a whole and Latino voters in Texas are a bit more conservative than in the country overall as well.\"","The Politico story also mentioned a Texas poll taken on the eve of the 2012 elections indicating Cruz had 35 percent of the state\u2019s Hispanic vote, outpacing Romney, who had 29 percent. The poll by Latino Decisions, a Seattle-based firm that specializes in Latino political opinion research, was based on 400 telephone interviews with Texas Latinos who had voted or were certain to vote. Its margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points suggests that Cruz, but not Romney, was on the verge of drawing 40 percent of the Latino vote."]},{"id":"12699.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Illegal tobacco sales, price driven too high, has been connected to at least several cases of funding terrorism against us in multi-year investigations over the last decade and a half.","reason":"Reason: While there have been some cases where illegal tobacco sales have been linked to funding terrorism, the evidence suggests that these instances are relatively rare and not a widespread phenomenon. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study indicates that the link between the illicit tobacco market and terrorism in the United States is minor. Only a small number of tobacco cases were found to be linked to terrorism out of hundreds of investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Therefore, while there have been some connections between illegal tobacco sales and funding terrorism, it is not accurate to claim that this is a widespread occurrence over the last decade and a half.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It turns out, Senator McCain would pay for part of his plan by making drastic cuts in Medicare \u2014 $882-billion worth. $882-billion in Medicare cuts to pay for an ill-conceived health care plan, even as Medicare already faces a looming shortfall,\" Obama said in an Oct. 17, 2008, speech in Roanoke, Va. He repeated the charge the next day, in St. Louis, declaring that under McCain\u2019s plan, \u201cyou would have fewer places to get care, and less freedom to choose your doctors. You\u2019ll pay more for your drugs, receive fewer services, and get lower quality care.\u201d","Because McCain\u2019s campaign says the health plan would be \u201cbudget neutral\u201d \u2014 meaning it would be paid for by savings from Medicare and Medicaid \u2014 the Center for American Progress automatically assumes the savings would come from cuts to the big health programs. The center performed a series of calculations to determine how much McCain would have to reduce both programs\u2019 projected spending growth, and concluded McCain would have to pare the program by roughly 13 percent over a decade, or $882-billion.","The $882-billion in cuts Obama cites comes from an analysis of McCain\u2019s plan by the Center for American Progress Fund, a left-leaning think tank headed by John D. Podesta, the former chief of staff to President Clinton. The analysis, in turn, is based on an estimate by the independent Tax Policy Center that finds McCain\u2019s overall health plan would cost the government $1.3-trillion over 10 years \u2014 a figure the McCain campaign doesn\u2019t dispute.","All fine, except that McCain has never talked about Medicare benefit and service cuts to pay for his health care plan. Instead, his campaign says it would achieve the necessary cost savings by overhauling Medicare reimbursement policies, streamlining treatments for certain chronic diseases, cracking down on fraud and waste, expanding the use of lower-cost generic drugs and assorted other steps. McCain\u2019s senior policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin has talked about further policy changes, including extending tax credits so some low-income Americans wouldn\u2019t have to enroll in Medicaid, the federal-state health program for the poor. But he has stressed that the cost of these changes could be covered without cutting benefits or services."]},{"id":"3316.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Some of our states educational administrators joined the feds in seeking to mandate Arabic classes for Texas children.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While there were plans to offer Arabic language classes in some Texas school districts, there is no evidence to support the claim that educational administrators joined federal officials in seeking to mandate Arabic classes for all Texas children. The evidence suggests that the decision to offer Arabic classes was made at the district level and not as a result of a federal or statewide mandate. It is important to accurately represent the facts and avoid exaggerating the extent of the initiative.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Oregonians for Food and Shelter \"proudly features board members from Monsanto and Syngenta and the (Oregon) Farm Bureau also receives funding from biotech companies.\"","\"Tucked deep into that bill was an extension of the Oregon political tax credit, something I think is an extraordinary expression of our Democracy in Oregon that every state should have and no other state does.","\"While it's true that three other states have a political contribution tax credit -- and they are to be hailed for their forward thinking! -- it's also true that Oregon provides donors with the greatest possible choice about where to direct their donations,\" Chisholm wrote in an email. \"And that, truly is \u2018an extraordinary expression of our democracy in Oregon that every state should have and no other state does.\u2019\"","Oregon\u2019s law, relatively speaking, is pretty loose. It can be applied to donations made, at any time, to political parties, state political action committees and any candidate -- federal, state or local -- that appears on an Oregon ballot."]},{"id":"1392.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson threatened to shoot him.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson threatened to shoot someone is not supported by any credible evidence or reliable sources. The evidence provided does not mention any such threat made by Patterson. Making false claims about someone threatening violence is a serious accusation that should not be made without substantial evidence. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The United States doesn\u2019t have the highest murder rate among developed countries. You look at Russia, you look at Brazil, those are countries that have 3 to 5 times higher murder rates than what we have here in the United States.\"","Lott said that the \"United States doesn\u2019t have the highest murder rate among developed countries. You look at Russia, you look at Brazil, those are countries that have 3 to 5 times higher murder rates than what we have here in the United States.\"","\"You look at Russia, you look at Brazil, those are countries that have 3 to 5 times higher murder rates than what we have here in the United States. There are other countries which are similar to us.\"","According to this data, Russia\u2019s murder rate was 2.04 times higher than that of the United States, and Brazil\u2019s was 4.97 times greater. That\u2019s close to what Lott said."]},{"id":"8788.json","label":"true","statement":"The General Assembly has no explicit constitutional authority to impose income, sales, estate and the myriad of other taxes upon us.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the argument made in the provided evidence. It states that the General Assembly lacks explicit constitutional authority to impose various taxes, including income, sales, and estate taxes. This claim is supported by the assertion made in the evidence that the General Assembly taxes the people without explicit limitations on its taxing authority. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["President Barack Obama\u2019s policies \"have resulted in gas prices being reduced from $3.07 per gallon when he was sworn in in 2009 to $2.30 today.\"","\"Instead of exempting foreign corporations from federal permitting requirements, Congress should be working on policies that diversify our nation\u2019s energy portfolio, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and support the president\u2019s policies that have resulted in gas prices being reduced from $3.07 per gallon when he was sworn in in 2009 to $2.30 today,\" Scott said.","But Scott\u2019s statements go beyond saying the president\u2019s policies have merely contributed to today\u2019s low gas prices. The congressman said the policies \"have resulted in gas prices being reduced to lows not seen in years.\" That gives all credit to Obama.","Williams said Obama policies caused gas prices to rise from $1.89 in 2009 to $3.51 today. He\u2019s got the prices correct, but experts say presidents don\u2019t generally have the ability to make them rise or fall and didn\u2019t see that reversing Alaska, Gulf or Keystone policies would have necessarily kept prices from rising as much."]},{"id":"1041.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Inside the stimulus package is anti-Christian legislation that will stop churches from using public schools for meeting on Sundays, as well as Boy Scouts and student Bible study groups.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the stimulus package contains anti-Christian legislation to prohibit churches from using public schools for meetings on Sundays, as well as Boy Scouts and student Bible study groups, is entirely false. Multiple fact-checkers have thoroughly debunked this claim, stating that there is no such provision in the stimulus package. The clause on religion does not apply to public schools, and there is no evidence to support the assertion made by Gingrich. This claim is baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7767.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A Wisconsin bill to limit use of food stamps for junk food would also prevent -- or limit -- the extent to which food stamps could be used for organic foods.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the bill proposed by Wisconsin state Rep. Dean Kaufert aimed to restrict the use of food stamps for junk food, it could potentially have unintended consequences that limit or prevent the use of food stamps for organic foods as well. The bill directs the state Department of Health Services to develop a pilot program to reform how FoodShare dollars are spent, and while it does not explicitly mention organic foods, the proposed restrictions and purchase suggestions could potentially impact the ability to use food stamps for organic options. However, it's important to note that the specific details and extent of the limitations on organic foods would depend on the implementation of the pilot program and any subsequent regulations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3932.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says George LeMieux falsely attacked Marco Rubio.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hasner that George LeMieux falsely attacked Marco Rubio. The ad cites a newspaper article where LeMieux labeled Rubio a tax raiser, which was deemed false by PolitiFact Florida. While the evidence provided supports the claim of a false attack, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" indicates that there may be some minor nuances or additional context that could be considered in evaluating the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Special Operations OPSEC group said the administration \"willfully leaked the existence of STUXNET, allowing our enemies to learn more of our secrets and of our operations.\"","We now turn to the group's statement about the U.S. cyberattacks on Iran\u2019s nuclear program. In the video, the announcer says, \"This administration willfully leaked the existence of STUXNET, allowing our enemies to learn more of our secrets and of our operations.\"","We wondered if the Obama administration did reveal the nature of the computer worm STUXNET to the world, whether White House insiders shared information that they shouldn\u2019t have, and in so doing, increased the national security threat to America.","STUXNET was a complex computer program that infected the centrifuges used by Iran to enrich uranium. It had two main lines of attack. One would take over the centrifuges and cause them to speed up until they shattered. The other component was especially deceptive. It recorded the pattern of normal operations and fed those signals to the machine technicians so they would never see what was actually going on until it was too late. With 15,000 lines of code, it was more sophisticated and, as computer security experts eventually learned, more targeted than any worm seen before. Needless to say, it was intriguing."]},{"id":"12775.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are fewer people crossing (the southwest) border than in the last 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Border Patrol data indicates that apprehensions at the southwest border in fiscal year 2015 were the lowest since at least the early 1970s, with only one year (fiscal year 2011) having slightly fewer apprehensions. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of people illegally crossing the border, the data supports the claim that there has been a significant decrease in border crossings compared to the past three decades.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Carney said that Rice \"talked about the possibility that al-Qaida might be involved, or other al-Qaida affiliates might be involved, or non-al-Qaida Libyan extremists (might be involved), which I think demonstrates that there was no effort to play that down.\"","At the press briefing, Carney responded to questions about Rice\u2019s talking points by saying, \"If you look at the issue here, the efforts to politicize it were always about were we trying to play down the fact that there was an act of terror and an attack on the embassy. \u2026 Susan Rice, when she went out on the Sunday shows using the very talking points that we're discussing now, talked about the possibility that we knew that, or believed based on the intelligence assessment, that extremists were involved, and there were suspicions about what affiliations those extremists might have, but there were not \u2026 hard, concrete evidence. And so Ambassador Rice, in those shows, talked about the possibility that al-Qaida might be involved, or other al-Qaida affiliates might be involved, or non-al-Qaida Libyan extremists (might be involved), which I think demonstrates that there was no effort to play that down. It was simply a reflection of we did not, and the intelligence community did not, and others within the administration did not, jump to conclusions about who was responsible before we had an investigation to find out the facts.\"","Rice: \"Well, we'll have to find out that out. I mean I think it's clear that there were extremist elements that joined in and escalated the violence. Whether they were al-Qaida affiliates, whether they were Libyan-based extremists or al-Qaida itself I think is one of the things we'll have to determine.\"","Barely. In only one of the five interviews did Rice speak the words \"al-Qaida\" -- on Face the Nation -- and even then she urged caution in jumping to conclusions. \"Whether they were al-Qaida affiliates, whether they were Libyan-based extremists or al-Qaida itself I think is one of the things we'll have to determine,\" she told Schieffer."]},{"id":"9980.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Health insurance costs for Floridians are up 30 percent or more.","reason":"Reason: While it is possible for some individuals to experience a 30 percent or more increase in their health insurance costs, it would be an extreme outlier and not representative of the typical experience for Floridians. The statement fails to provide a comprehensive and accurate representation of the overall impact of the Affordable Care Act on health insurance costs in Florida. While some individuals may see increases, others may see their costs go down. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not reflect the typical experience of Floridians.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8974.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Lamar Smith sponsored the bill that funded Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: While Lamar Smith did sponsor a spending plan that included funding for various government initiatives, including some provisions of the Obamacare law, it is incorrect to claim that he sponsored the bill that funded Obamacare in its entirety. The majority of the funding for the Obamacare law did not come from the appropriations act, and many of its provisions did not require specific funding through that act. Therefore, stating that Lamar Smith sponsored the bill that funded Obamacare is a misrepresentation of the facts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"As of July 6th, the New York City Police Department had confiscated approximately 1,350 firearms from the streets of a city of 9 million,\" the chief said. \"So far this year, the Milwaukee Police Department in a city of 600,000 -- 15 times smaller than New York -- has seized 1,340 firearms from the streets of this city.\"","When we asked New York Police Department officials about guns seized, they were not able to provide the number for July 6, 2014 that was used by Flynn.","Johnson claimed that in a recent year, the Milwaukee Police Department \"collected more guns per capita off the streets than in New York.\"","Flynn said getting firearms off the streets is a focus of his department\u2019s efforts and then offered a statement that you don\u2019t hear often when it comes to crime -- how efforts in Milwaukee compare favorably to New York City."]},{"id":"520.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Obama has maintained a friendship with a now convicted felon.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Obama has maintained a friendship with a now convicted felon\" is mostly true. It is well-documented that President Obama had a friendship with Chicago businessman Tony Rezko, who was later convicted on corruption charges. However, it's important to note that the nature and extent of their friendship have been a subject of debate, and there is no evidence to suggest that Obama was involved in any illegal activities or had knowledge of Rezko's wrongdoing. While the statement is accurate in stating the existence of a friendship between Obama and a convicted felon, it should not imply any wrongdoing on Obama's part.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Here is part of the June 2, 2014, press releaseabout Ros-Lehtinen headlined \"Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has long record of voting against VA backlog fixes.\"","We put those votes under a microscope to see whether Ros-Lehtinen has a \"long record of voting against VA backlog fixes.\"","Here is part of the June 2, 2014 news release, which was headlined \"Congressman Duffy has long record of voting against VA backlog fixes.\"","\"As House Republicans shamelessly try to score political points over the crisis in veterans care, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen\u2019s votes tell the true story of her record: when she had a chance to fix this problem, she voted against the fixes.\""]},{"id":"6280.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romneys carried interest income was a tax trick.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Mitt Romney's carried interest income was a tax trick. While it is true that carried interest is a method used by some wealthy individuals to reduce their tax obligations, it is important to note that it is currently a legitimate practice under existing tax laws. Calling it a \"trick\" implies that it is an illegal or unethical maneuver, which is not accurate. However, there is ongoing debate about the fairness and effectiveness of the carried interest tax treatment, and some experts argue that it disproportionately benefits the wealthy. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it lacks the necessary nuance to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Among his pet projects is a bill he sponsored called the Global Poverty Act, which would commit the U.S. to spending 0.7 percent of gross national product on foreign aid,\" the article on the group's Web site says. \"Over 13 years, that will amount to a whopping $845-billion increase over current foreign-aid spending! Get your checkbooks ready!\"","So the claim that the Global Poverty Act would commit the United States to spending 0.7 percent of its gross national product on foreign aid?","Media Matters, \"Quoting Kincaid, Limbaugh falsely asserted Obama bill 'would commit the United States to spending 0.7 percent of GDP on foreign aid,' \" Feb 21, 2008","Millenium Project, Q&A: What is the 0.7 commitment, and where did it come from?, breakdown by country of assistance as a percentage of gross national product"]},{"id":"5307.json","label":"false","statement":"Since ObamaCare and the stimulus passed, the unemployment rate in the U.S. has increased.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the unemployment rate increased after the passage of the stimulus and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is incorrect to attribute the increase solely to these factors. The global financial crisis in 2008 significantly impacted the economy, leading to a rise in unemployment rates worldwide. It is important to consider the broader economic context and various factors that contribute to changes in unemployment rates, rather than solely attributing it to specific policies.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5474.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 2011, there were more than 28,000 new Tennessee jobs created and over $4 billion in capital investment. Our Jobs4TN plan is working.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Bill Haslam's claim that in 2011, there were over 28,000 new jobs created and over $4 billion in capital investment in Tennessee. However, it's important to note that the statement is made in the context of a political speech, where credit-taking can be implied. While the Jobs4TN plan may have contributed to job creation and capital investment, it is difficult to attribute the entirety of these outcomes solely to the plan. Other factors, such as national economic trends and the efforts of various stakeholders, also play a role. Therefore, while the statement highlights positive economic indicators, it should be viewed with some caution regarding the direct causality between the Jobs4TN plan and the reported outcomes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We have the second highest corporate tax rate among our trading partners,\" Portman said. \"Japan\u2019s is slightly higher, and they are intending to take theirs down.\"","Allen understates his argument when he says the 35 percent federal corporate tax rate is the second highest in the world. Actually, it outstrips Japan and is the highest national rate among nearly three dozen industrialized democracies, according to 2011 data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.","\"The United States currently lays claim to the second-highest statutory corporate income tax rate in the developed world. At 39.2 percent, the rate is only 0.35 percentage points behind OECD-leading Japan.\"","The national rate of 35 percent is actually the highest among democratic industrial nations. The U.S. combined corporate tax rate -- the average total of state and national levies on business profits -- is 39.2 and ranks second among industrialized democracies."]},{"id":"3647.json","label":"true","statement":"Each day our nation pays communist China $73.9 million in interest on our debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Randy Forbes that the United States pays $73.9 million per day in interest to China. This figure is based on the percentage of U.S. debt held by China and the estimated interest payments for a specific fiscal year. While there may be slight variations in the actual daily payments, the statement aligns with the available data and calculations.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In a newsletter to constituents, Richardson noted that \"$1,100 of the tuition paid by every Oregon university student annually goes just to pay the costs of PERS.\"","With the technical bits out of the way, we went back to Richardson\u2019s statement. He said that \"$1,100 of the tuition paid by every Oregon university student annually goes just to pay the costs of PERS.\"","Essentially what Kenton had done was to take the total retirement costs of employees -- both faculty and staff -- paid in part from tuition. He then prorated the total by actual percentage of it paid with tuition dollars.","After all that math, he found that the projected share of an individual student\u2019s annual tuition going toward university staff retirement benefits for the 2012-13 year was $849. That\u2019s actually about on par for what it was the previous year, too."]},{"id":"2529.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Island has a very generous unemployment compensation rate compared to most other states.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Rhode Island has a generous unemployment compensation rate compared to most other states. The article highlights the high number of Rhode Islanders receiving unemployment insurance benefits and discusses the factors that contribute to the state's generous benefits, such as the length of time a business needs to be in operation before its actual track record is used to set its unemployment insurance tax rate. Additionally, a quote from a source in the article confirms that Rhode Island currently has one of the most generous \"good time\" bills in the entire United States. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The Safety For All Initiative proposes stronger gun and ammunition restrictions in California. On its website, it says \"More than 32,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence each year.\"","In October 2015, PolitiFact Texas checked a similar claim by Hillary Clinton, that \"We lose an average of 90 Americans every day because of guns.\" That adds up to the CDC total of more than 32,000. They rated it Mostly True.","PolitiFact Texas pointed out that at least once, Clinton has clarified her figure by mentioning suicides; according to a post on her campaign website, she said: \"We lose between 88 and 92 Americans a day from gun violence \u2014 homicides, suicides and accidents \u2014 and we have to act.\"","The statement is followed by the message: \"Gun Violence Is Not Inevitable. The Power To Save Lives Is In Our Hands: Together We Can Keep Our Communities Safe.\""]},{"id":"586.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Obama has flip-flopped on public campaign financing.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that President Obama has indeed flip-flopped on public campaign financing. During his campaign, Obama initially pledged to accept public financing for the general election but later decided to opt-out and rely on private fundraising instead. This decision allowed him to raise a significantly larger amount of money, as evidenced by the $782 million his campaign raised for the 2012 race. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8619.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Back door gun control is in full effect in the United States due to Obamas Environmental Protection Agency.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"back door gun control is in full effect in the United States due to Obama's Environmental Protection Agency\" is misleading and inaccurate. The claim suggests that the EPA's regulations on lead smelting are intentionally designed to restrict gun ownership. However, the EPA's regulations on lead smelting are primarily aimed at addressing environmental concerns related to lead pollution and public health, rather than targeting gun control. These regulations do not directly impact the Second Amendment rights or restrict access to firearms. Therefore, the statement is not supported by credible evidence and can be considered false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Theoretically then, Portman\u2019s broad fear is not off the mark, although various studies and analyses make conflicting claims. But Portman strays by claiming the cost could be 100,000 Ohio jobs, and by saying the bill \"is coming our way.\"","The \"energy tax\" would come from a proposed bill to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Though the so-called cap-and-trade bill would not specifically impose a tax, it\u2019s clear enough what Portman means. The bill would limit carbon emissions while creating a trading system so companies that cut their carbon output \u2013 by burning less coal, for instance \u2013 could sell their unneeded carbon credits. Companies that needed to exceed the caps could buy those credits.","A loss of 100,000 jobs \"would be quite meaningful\" in terms of overall Ohio employment, says Ken Mayfield, an economist and president of ClearView Economics of Pepper Pike.","The organization, which includes business associations, antitax groups, transportation companies and the American Petroleum Institute, has ramped up criticism of the sweeping cap-and-trade bill since the Senate took up its own version of the legislation in late September. The House has already passed its version of the bill; it aims to lower carbon pollution 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 by capping carbon emissions and requiring firms to buy credits, either from the government or from other companies, to continue polluting."]},{"id":"9814.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Obama administration originally wanted 10,000 troops to remain in Iraq -- not combat troops, but military advisers, special operations forces, to watch the counterterrorism effort.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of the Obama administration regarding the desire to keep 10,000 troops in Iraq. The intention was to have military advisers and special operations forces to assist with counterterrorism efforts, rather than combat troops. However, it's important to note that the final number of troops that remained in Iraq was significantly lower due to negotiations and legal issues. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be acknowledged that the actual number of troops deployed differed from the initial intention.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Now, the Houston state senator says in a campaign ad that he is \"the only candidate for lieutenant governor to oppose in-state tuition for illegal immigrants.\"","Dan Patrick wasn\u2019t an elected official when lawmakers and Gov. Rick Perry agreed to authorize in-state college tuition for certain children of illegal immigrants living in Texas.","Truth-O-Meter article, \"Rick Perry says only four Texas lawmakers opposed in-state tuition law for illegal immigrants,\" PolitiFact Texas, Sept. 28, 2011","News article, \"Dewhurst opposes Texas\u2019 tuition breaks for illegal immigrants,\" Dallas Morning News , Sept. 26, 2013 (accessed Oct. 8, 2013)"]},{"id":"13235.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"ICE just endorsed me.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that unions representing ICE and border patrol agents endorsed Donald Trump during the presidential campaign, it is misleading to claim that ICE itself endorsed him. Not all officers represented by the ICE union voted to endorse Trump, and there were border patrol agents who asked their local union to disavow the national union's endorsement. Therefore, the statement that \"ICE just endorsed me\" is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"If you think about it, when the Constitution was written, 20 to 25 percent of the people in the country could vote,\" Pocan said. \"White male property owners over 21 is a very small subset of the country.\"","The proportion of men who could vote rose in the early nineteenth century as voting restrictions were eased. By early in the century, on average probably 50 percent to 60 percent of white adult males could vote, which would be around 20 percent of the total white population, he said.","Mintz has written that leading colonists associated democracy with disorder and mob rule, and felt that only property owners or taxpayers \"were committed members of the community and were sufficiently independent to vote.\"","Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d"]},{"id":"4236.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tax increases under Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm led to state unemployment going from 6.8 percent to 15.3 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the unemployment rate in Michigan increased during Governor Jennifer Granholm's tenure, attributing the entire increase to tax increases is an oversimplification. The evidence suggests that the unemployment rate remained relatively consistent during the first five years of Granholm's tenure and began to climb later on. Multiple factors, including the global financial crisis and the decline of the automotive industry, played significant roles in Michigan's economic challenges during that period. While tax increases may have had some impact, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the increase in unemployment to those tax increases.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!Americans for Tax Reform says President Barack Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office. !Americans for Tax Reform says President Barack Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office.","Americans for Tax Reform, Obama has Proposed 442 Tax Hikes Since Taking Office, April 14, 2014 ( pdf of all proposals)","We wondered if the group was accurate in how it was counting up Obama\u2019s proposals. We\u2019ve tracked Obama\u2019s campaign promises on taxes, and while he has definitely proposed new taxes, we were suspicious that it was 442 separate tax increases. (Indeed, we track 24 campaign promises from Obama on the topic of taxes, a group that includes proposed tax hikes as well as proposed tax breaks.)","The group released a list of 442 measures the group considered a tax increase, divided into sections for each fiscal year\u2019s budget from 2010 to 2015. The report is based on an analysis of the budgets the Obama administration has proposed since taking the White House."]},{"id":"2383.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions said the GOPs goal is to go back to the same exact policies that were in place before this president took office... policies that crashed the economy.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, attributed the statement to Pete Sessions, there is limited evidence to support the claim that Sessions explicitly made this statement. The available sources do not provide a direct quote or transcript of Sessions stating that the GOP's goal is to return to the exact policies that crashed the economy. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In 2000 as a state senator, Obama voted for a six-month 5 percent gas tax holiday.\" The ad doesn't actually say \"flip-flop,\" but that point comes through loud and clear.","But it's not fair to call it a flip-flop when the very reason Obama opposes a suspension of the gas tax now is because he concluded that it didn't work when he supported one in the past. We rule this Barely True.","The Obama campaign says that's a key reason why he opposes McCain's plan: there is no mechanism to make sure that consumers, rather than oil companies, reap the benefits of the tax holiday.","Says \"a lip-reading instructor at the River School, a Washington, D.C., school for the deaf\" has determined that during 9\/11 ceremonies, Michelle Obama said, \"All this for a damn flag.\""]},{"id":"7240.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says 11 states have more people on welfare than employed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that 11 states in the United States have more people on welfare than employed. The information seems to have originated from a misleading map that was created for a different fiscal comparison and has been widely debunked. It is important to rely on accurate and verified sources when making claims about employment and welfare statistics.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9625.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said that if the workers are more insecure, thats very healthy for the society because theyll serve the masters gladly and passively.","reason":"Reason: The statement incorrectly attributes the quote to former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. In reality, the quote comes from a sarcastic critique of Greenspan's words by Noam Chomsky. There is no credible evidence to suggest that Greenspan made such a statement. The claim is false and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Just two years ago McCollum admitted he didn't think that the subprime mortgage crisis was a big deal, telling reporters he thought that the subprime collapse had been exaggerated by the media and investors and that 'it's not the end of the world'.\"","For this item, we wanted to check the Democratic Party's claim that McCollum said he didn't think the subprime mortgage crisis was a big deal, that it had been exaggerated by the media and said that \"it's not the end of the world.\"","The last two lines of the News-Press story include the only mention of McCollum: \"Attorney General Bill McCollum thinks the subprime collapse has been exaggerated by the media and investors,\" the News-Press article said, and then quoted McCollum as saying \"it's not the end of the world.\"","After McCollum's remarks, Stipanovich -- not McCollum -- says the subprime mortgage crisis was being sensationalized by the news media, according to the transcript. \"This has been exaggerated. It has been sensationalized, and you're probably going to see more in print that's, you know, going to be sensational possibly,\" Stipanovich said."]},{"id":"9988.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On the economic stimulus.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or provide specific information about the economic stimulus. However, based on the context, it can be inferred that there are conflicting opinions regarding the effectiveness of the economic stimulus. While some sources, such as the Council of Economic Advisers and Moody's, may have reported positive impacts of the stimulus, the statement does not provide enough evidence to determine the overall impact or whether it created new jobs. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it acknowledges the existence of differing perspectives on the economic stimulus.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Every month, another 50,000 U.S.-born Hispanics turn 18 and become eligible to vote,\" Navarrette said in his column posted online Sept. 28, 2011, and published in the next day\u2019s Austin American-Statesman. \"The GOP had better hope these folks have short memories and don't hold grudges toward those who tried to turn their parents into scapegoats.\"","In an interview, Lopez told us he reached the 50,000 count by dividing by 12 the number of U.S.-born Hispanics recorded as turning 18 in the 2009 American Community Survey undertaken by the U.S. Census Bureau. He forwarded his table indicating that in 2009, 659,000 U.S.-born Hispanics turned 18, or nearly 55,000 a month. From 2000 through 2009, Lopez calculated, an average of 500,500 U.S.-born Hispanics annually turned 18, or nearly 42,000 a month over the 10 years.","By email, the columnist said the 50,000-a-month count was researched by the Pew Hispanic Center, a Washington group that says it seeks to improve understanding of the U.S. Hispanic population and to chronicle Latinos' growing impact on the nation. Navarrette pointed out a September 2008 news article in the Arizona Republic quoting Mark Hugo Lopez, the center\u2019s associate director, saying: \"About 50,000 Latinos a month turn 18 (in the United States) and are eligible to vote for the first time.\"","According to the center\u2019s table, some 2.7 million U.S.-born non-Hispanic whites turned 18 in 2009, for a pace of 225,000 a month, and 755,000 U.S.-born non-Hispanic blacks turned 18, nearly 63,000 a month. Compared to Hispanics that year, then, more blacks and four times as many white citizens turned 18 every month. And over the 10 years, the chart indicates, an average of nearly 214,000 whites and nearly 51,000 blacks turned 18 every month."]},{"id":"12727.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Neighborhoods have become more violentunder President Barack Obamas watch.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While there have been instances of high-profile violent incidents during President Obama's tenure, it is inaccurate to claim that neighborhoods as a whole have become more violent under his watch. In fact, overall violent crime rates have declined during his presidency. It is important to avoid generalizing isolated incidents to make broad claims about the state of neighborhoods across the entire country.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4384.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Say Ohio Reps. Marcia Fudge, Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich are socialists who are openly serving in the U.S. Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Ohio Representatives Marcia Fudge, Marcy Kaptur, and Dennis Kucinich are socialists openly serving in the U.S. Congress. The sources mentioned in the evidence do not provide substantial proof and are not reliable. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about individuals' political affiliations.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Obama said, \"We supported the first new nuclear power plant in three decades.\" He is right that it\u2019s been that long since a new nuclear reactor has been licensed. However, because it takes so long to construct nuclear power plants, the most recent plant actually opened in 1996.","Still, as we ran this claim by people who watch the nuclear industry closely -- both those opposed to nuclear energy and those in favor of it -- they agreed Obama\u2019s claim to have \"supported the first new nuclear power plant in three decades\" was largely accurate.","The construction of the nation\u2019s first new nuclear reactors in decades is slated for just south of Augusta at the Vogtle power plant. When a deadly earthquake and tsunami triggered what is likely a partial meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, a few residents near the Georgia site began to ask questions.","\"There has not as a result of plant operation, not at a commercial power plant. There have been other nuclear facilities where there have been fatalities, but not in a nuclear power plant.\""]},{"id":"3104.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Defense Department shrink-wrapped $10.8 billion in American money, loaded it on 175 pallets and put it on a transport plane to Iraq where they passed out $100 bills and no one has any receipts.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some elements of truth but lacks important context. While it is true that the U.S. government shipped large amounts of cash to Iraq without proper oversight, the specific claim of shrink-wrapping $10.8 billion on 175 pallets and distributing $100 bills without receipts is not entirely accurate. The exact amount of cash shipped and the manner in which it was transported may vary based on different sources and investigations. However, it is widely acknowledged that there were significant issues with the oversight and accountability of funds in Iraq. Therefore, while there were concerns about misspending and lack of proper tracking, the specific details mentioned in the statement are not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2667.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he stood up to his own party by voting against the budget to stop runaway government spending.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Sullivan voted against a specific budget and claimed to have stood up to his own party to stop runaway government spending, further analysis reveals that his vote did not pose a significant threat to the passage of the budget. Additionally, it is important to note that Senator Sullivan's voting record on previous budgets and budget repair bills does not align with his claim of consistently opposing spending increases. While he may have expressed a desire to rein in spending in his campaign literature, the evidence suggests that his actions do not consistently support this claim. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the assertion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The morning the EPA\u2019s proposal was unveiled, House Speaker John Boehner\u2019s website claimed, \"The president\u2019s plan would indeed cause a surge in electricity bills \u2014 costs stand to go up $17 billion every year. But it would also shut down plants and potentially put an average of 224,000 more people out of work every year.\"","PolitiFact, \" Boehner says Obama;s climate change policies will kill 224,000 jobs and surge electric bills by $17 billion every year,\" June 2, 2014.","The Chamber of Commerce says new carbon regulations will kill \"244,000 jobs a year\" and cost average families \"$1,200 a year.\"","\"These new regulations on carbon emissions will kill, according to the Chamber of Commerce, 244,000 jobs a year, every year, for the next 15 years and will cost the average family of four $1,200 a year on higher energy costs,\" he said."]},{"id":"9202.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Democrats very much are in the pocket of the NRA.","reason":"Reason: The statement lacks substantial evidence to support the claim that Democrats are \"in the pocket\" of the NRA. While it is true that the NRA has significant influence in American politics, it is an oversimplification to assert that Democrats as a whole are controlled or heavily influenced by the NRA. Political positions on gun control vary among Democrats, and many Democrats have actively advocated for stricter gun control measures despite opposition from the NRA. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the nuanced positions and actions of Democrats regarding the NRA.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10101.json","label":"false","statement":"Some doctors say Ebola can be transmitted through the air by a sneeze or some cough.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The consensus among medical experts and scientific research is that Ebola is not transmitted through the air by a sneeze or cough. Ebola is primarily spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person, such as blood, vomit, or feces. While there have been some discussions about the potential for limited airborne transmission in specific healthcare settings, it does not apply to the general public. It is important to rely on accurate information from reputable sources when discussing public health matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5932.json","label":"false","statement":"On support for Ronald Reagans policies","reason":"Reason: The statement does not provide enough context or specific information about Ronald Reagan's policies to evaluate its accuracy. Ronald Reagan had a wide range of policies and positions throughout his presidency, and it is important to specify which policies are being referred to in order to assess their support. Therefore, without further clarification, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The chain email said that new tax increases went into effect on Jan. 1, 2015, \"all passed under the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.\"","\"These taxes were all passed only with democrat votes, no republicans voted for these taxes. These taxes were all passed under the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.\"","\"These taxes were all passed only with democrat votes, no republicans voted for these taxes. These taxes were all passed under the affordable care act, aka Obamacare.\"","This tax hike, unlike the others, did indeed stem from the Affordable Care Act, and the tax rates listed in the email are accurate. (Oddly, this line wasn\u2019t included in the previous version of the email.) However, this hike, like the others, took effect on Jan. 1, 2013, not on New Year\u2019s Day 2015. It\u2019s also worth noting that most Americans won\u2019t be affected -- it hits individuals earning $200,000 annually or married couples earning $250,000."]},{"id":"12088.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garlandvoted, so the folks know, in Washington, D.C., to keep guns away from private citizens.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Merrick Garland did not vote on gun control measures in Washington, D.C. as suggested. As a federal appeals court judge, Garland did participate in cases related to gun rights, but his rulings were consistent with established legal precedents and did not involve a vote to keep guns away from private citizens. It is important to accurately represent Garland's record on gun rights to avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8812.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Forty years ago, hardly anybody in the country had health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"forty years ago, hardly anybody in the country had health insurance\" is false. In reality, approximately 80 percent of Americans under the age of 65 had private health insurance coverage in 1974. This figure does not even include the millions of Americans who were covered by Medicare and Medicaid during that time. Moreover, many of these private insurance plans provided coverage for routine doctor visits, prescription drugs, and hospital care. The claim made by Rep. Louie Gohmert is significantly inaccurate and does not align with historical data.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8825.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Alex Sink supported more taxes on water and TV.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the GOP mailer that Alex Sink supported higher taxes on water and TV. The mailer specifically accuses Sink of supporting higher taxes on various items, including water and TV, based on her record as the state's chief financial officer. However, it's important to note that the context and details of these tax proposals are not provided, so further analysis is needed to fully understand the extent and impact of Sink's support for these specific tax increases.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cortez Masto claims that \"on the issue of immigration alone, it is next to impossible to find a policy difference between (Donald) Trump and Congressman (Joe) Heck.\"","\"Just on the issue of immigration alone, it is next to impossible to find a policy difference between Trump and Congressman Heck,\" stated Cortez Masto\u2019s release.","With immigration being a top concern for Nevada\u2019s sizable Hispanic population, we thought it was worth comparing the two candidates to see if it really is \"next to impossible\" to find a policy difference.","National and state Democrats are trying to tie Nevada Republican Senate candidate Joe Heck to the controversial immigration policies of Donald Trump,including Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto."]},{"id":"11889.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Im self-funding my own campaign.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump has made significant personal contributions to his campaign, it is important to note that he has also received contributions from other sources. Additionally, Trump has loaned money to his campaign with the expectation of being paid back. Therefore, the statement \"I'm self-funding my own campaign\" is not entirely accurate, as it implies that all campaign funding is solely coming from Trump's personal finances. However, it is worth acknowledging that Trump has made substantial personal contributions to his campaign, which distinguishes him from candidates who rely solely on external fundraising.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He said the auto rescue was a lousy deal for Ohio,\" Strickland told an audience during his opening statement at the third Senate debate in Cleveland.","Portman\u2019s campaign told PolitiFact Ohio that although Portman was not in office when the bailout launched, he would have supported the auto rescue.","That\u2019s the only direct reference to \"lousy\" Strickland\u2019s campaign sent PolitiFact Ohio, but they also sent an article from the Columbus Dispatch that quotes Portman\u2019s former spokesperson in 2011 saying Portman still thinks \"the auto bailout was not a good deal for Ohio.\"","Former Democratic Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland didn\u2019t waste any time attacking Republican Sen. Rob Portman for opposing the 2009 automotive bailout and calling it a \"lousy deal.\""]},{"id":"5150.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"More Americans have lost their jobs under Barack Obama than any president in modern history.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a net job loss during President Obama's presidency, it is important to consider the context and timeframe. The statement fails to acknowledge the severe economic recession that President Obama inherited upon taking office. The job losses during his early years in office were largely a result of the economic downturn that began before he assumed the presidency. When considering the entire tenure of modern presidents, including periods of economic growth and recovery, it is inaccurate to claim that more Americans lost their jobs under President Obama than any other president in modern history. The statement oversimplifies a complex economic situation and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"10477.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On the status of illegal immigrants","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the number of illegal immigrants has remained relatively stable in recent years due to a balance between new arrivals and individuals leaving or gaining legal status. This indicates that the statement is partially true. However, it's important to note that eligibility for welfare and public assistance programs can vary between federal and state levels, and some state-funded programs may have different criteria that allow immigrants in the country illegally to access certain assistance. Therefore, while the statement captures the stability of the illegal immigrant population, it does not fully address the nuances of eligibility for different programs, making it only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!In this Dec. 7, 2020, file photo provided by the County of Los Angeles, George Gasc\u00f3n speaks after he was sworn in as Los Angeles district attorney in Los Angeles. (AP) !In this Dec. 7, 2020, file photo provided by the County of Los Angeles, George Gasc\u00f3n speaks after he was sworn in as Los Angeles district attorney in Los Angeles. (AP)","In this Dec. 7, 2020, file photo provided by the County of Los Angeles, George Gasc\u00f3n speaks after he was sworn in as Los Angeles district attorney in Los Angeles. (AP)","Los Angeles voters will not decide whether to recall Los Angeles District Attorney George Gasc\u00f3n in November because recall supporters didn\u2019t collect enough valid signatures to put a question on the ballot.","An effort to put a question on a ballot to recall Los Angeles District Attorney George Gasc\u00f3n failed because proponents fell short on collecting petition signatures."]},{"id":"5430.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Its going to be harder to vote in Virginia than it is now to buy a gun...","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that it will be harder to vote in Virginia compared to buying a gun. While there have been changes to voting laws in Virginia, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not support the claim that it will be harder to vote than to buy a gun. The evidence highlights that both activities have age requirements, and residency is required for voting but not for buying a gun. However, the evidence does not provide a comprehensive comparison of the specific requirements and processes involved in each activity. Without a detailed analysis of the specific changes to voting laws and gun purchasing regulations, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We haven't had a hurricane in eight years and your property insurance rates have gone through the roof. Now why is that? I'll tell you why,\" he said. \"It is because Rick Scott is not letting the department of insurance regulate insurance. He actually signed a bill last year that said that the Department of Insurance Regulation cannot regulate insurance.\"","This goes back to May 2013, when Scott signed SB 1842. That indeed was a bill that suspended Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty\u2019s power to regulate insurance for two years. But it was health insurance, not property insurance. We\u2019ve looked at this one a couple of different ways, too.","He was referring to a controversial bill Scott signed in 2011, right after taking office, that made a host of changes to the insurance industry and allowed rates to go up.","Scott came into office in 2011 looking to reduce the high number of Citizens policies by turning to the private insurance market. His first year, he signed SB 408, which insurance companies and business groups praised. This is the bill Crist blames for rising premiums and reduced coverage; Crist vetoed a similar bill near the end of his term."]},{"id":"12638.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The average time someone used to hold a share of stock back in the 60s was eight years. Now, the average time is four months.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker that the average holding period for a share of stock has decreased over time. While the exact numbers may vary depending on the source and specific time period analyzed, there is evidence to support the general trend of shorter holding periods for stocks in recent years compared to the past. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including changes in investment strategies, advancements in technology, and increased market volatility. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"They didn\u2019t tell you why they are eviscerating all these efforts to help the working and middle class people of America,\" Biden said. \"They are doing it all in the service of massive tax cuts for the very wealthy \u2026 $500 billion of the extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy goes to 120,000 families. Hear what I just said! One-half trillion dollars will go to 120,000 American families!\"","-- Williams did a back-of-the-envelope calculation based on Tax Policy Center data and estimated the 120,000 families would save more than $400 billion but less than $600 billion over 10 years if the Bush cuts were extended. He called that a \"best guess.\"","Biden took a budget projection of $968 billion in tax savings, based on the cuts expiring for the top 2 percent. Then he determined that, within that group, the top 0.1 percent includes about 120,000 families -- and got 55 percent of that $968 million in tax savings.","But by bringing up deficits, Kaine also sawed at the branch President Obama and many other Democrats have perched on during the tax debate. They\u2019ve wanted to eliminate that tax cuts for the \"wealthy,\" defined as families with annual incomes exceeding $250,000 and individuals who make more than $200,000. Democrats have supported extending the reductions to families and individuals beneath those thresholds."]},{"id":"2088.json","label":"true","statement":"Since 1904, the Ohio victor has won the presidency 25 out of 27 times","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Since 1904, the candidate who won the state of Ohio has gone on to win the presidency in 25 out of the 27 elections. This historical trend highlights the significance of Ohio as a key battleground state and its influence on the overall outcome of presidential elections.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"said she was under attack (in Bosnia) but the attack turned out to be young girls handing her flowers.\"","\"Please check out the list below, and then forward it to your friends, family, and coworkers,\" the e-mail says. \"We can't rely on the media to tell folks about the real John McCain \u2014 but if we all pass this along, we can reach as many people as CNN Headline News does on a good night.\"","\"You know frankly, I like John McCain, and John McCain is a hero,\" Trump said on the Imus in the Morning radio show.","\"He says climate change is a hoax invented by the Chinese, and he has the gall to say that prisoners of war like John McCain aren\u2019t heroes,\" Clinton said in her June 2, 2016, speech."]},{"id":"8165.json","label":"true","statement":"Under Obamacare, members of Congress are required to purchase their health insurance from the new exchanges.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Members of Congress are indeed required to obtain their health insurance through the exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). This requirement was included in the legislation, and it applies to lawmakers and their staff. While it is true that the government covers a portion of the cost, the requirement for members of Congress to obtain insurance through the exchanges remains in place.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8834.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"25% of human trafficking victims are located in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 25% of human trafficking victims are located in Texas is not accurate. The evidence provided clarifies that the 25% figure refers to the percentage of foreign victims located and certified in the country from a specific time period, not specifically in Texas. The data does not provide a comprehensive or up-to-date picture of human trafficking victims in Texas or any other state. It is important to rely on accurate and current data when making claims about the prevalence of human trafficking in specific regions.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We wanted to check Jindal's claim that the federal government only ordered BP to pay \"to do one of those six segments.\" The Obama administration has said over and over that the oil company BP will pay for the clean up, and we wondered how to reconcile that with Jindal's statements.","\"Yesterday, the Army Corps of Engineers approved 6 segments out of 24, over 40 miles out of 100,\" Jindal replied. \"But here's where our concern was: The federal government only ordered BP to pay for to do one of those six segments. That's 2 miles out of 100. Our message to the president today was: Make BP pay for this. The federal government shouldn't be making excuses for BP. This is their spill, their oil. They're the responsible party. Make them responsible.\"","It turns out that Jindal is right about BP paying for one of six segments of sand barriers, but there's more to the story. As Tapper's comment suggested, the feds aren't so keen on the idea of building sand berms. Federal agencies are chiefly concerned that they can't be constructed quickly enough to intercept the oil, and that they will divert money and attention from other efforts.","Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal lamented the federal response to the state's plans to erect sand barriers to keep oil out of marshlands in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster."]},{"id":"8207.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While fat-cat bureaucrats at the Department of Education are getting paid an average salary of $102,000 a year, teachers in Georgia are getting paid half of that.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the disparity in salaries between bureaucrats at the Department of Education and teachers in Georgia. While the average salary of bureaucrats at the Department of Education is stated as $102,000 a year, teachers in Georgia are said to be paid half of that amount. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific evidence or sources to support these figures. Without additional evidence, it is challenging to verify the exact salary figures mentioned. Therefore, the statement is categorized as mostly-true, acknowledging the general discrepancy in salaries but noting the lack of specific evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6956.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Chris Christie was behind in the polls against Jon Corzine during the 2009 governors race.","reason":"Reason: While there is some conflicting information regarding the exact polling numbers during the 2009 governor's race between Chris Christie and Jon Corzine, it is not accurate to claim that Christie was definitively behind in the polls. Some polls indicated a close race, while others showed a slight lead for Corzine or Christie. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that the race was competitive or that the polling results were mixed rather than stating that Christie was definitively behind in the polls.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It is effectively a ban on barbecue restaurants in a town known for its barbecue,\" Limbaugh echoed. What \"kind of an absurd requirement is this anyway?\" he added.","!Here's the top of the transcript of Rush Limbaugh's July 28, 2015, program in which he said Austin is effectively banning barbecue restaurants (The Rush Limbaugh Show). !Here's the top of the transcript of Rush Limbaugh's July 28, 2015, program in which he said Austin is effectively banning barbecue restaurants (The Rush Limbaugh Show).","Here's the top of the transcript of Rush Limbaugh's July 28, 2015, program in which he said Austin is effectively banning barbecue restaurants (The Rush Limbaugh Show).","Limbaugh, according to a transcript of his program, recited as fact a July 25, 2015, web post on , headlined \"Austin City Council Votes to Ban BBQ Restaurants.\""]},{"id":"12628.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump spent the least amount of money of any of the competitive primary contenders that he beat so badly.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Donald Trump's campaign did spend less money compared to many of his competitors during the primary race, yet he achieved significant success in terms of winning primaries. While the exact ranking of spending among all primary contenders may vary, it is accurate to say that Trump's campaign was relatively cost-effective compared to his competitors. It's important to note that the statement does not provide specific data on the exact amount spent by each candidate, but it accurately reflects the general trend of Trump's campaign spending.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1845.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"A Houston school district analysis found that the (State Board of Education) more than quadrupled the number of historical figures students must learn about.\"","reason":"Reason: While there was a discrepancy in the numbers reported by the Houston school district analysis and the Houston Chronicle blog, it is evident that the State Board of Education did significantly increase the number of historical figures that students must learn about. The actual count went from 64 required historical figures under the current standards to 252 under the proposed ones. Although this falls four names short of a quadrupling, it still represents a substantial increase. Therefore, while the statement is not entirely accurate in terms of the exact quadrupling, it does convey the overall trend of a significant increase in the number of historical figures students are required to learn about.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"What parent in their right mind would send a daughter to U.Va. when she\u2019s got \u2013 are you ready for this? \u2013 a 20 percent chance, a 20 percent chance of being sexually assaulted?\" Saslaw said in the clip posted by Blue Virginia, a liberal blog.","Nonetheless, Saslaw\u2019s statement that 20 percent of female students at U.Va are sexually assaulted at UVa warrants examination. The senator, whose daughter graduated from U.Va., told us the figure came from the Rolling Stone article, which says \"one in five women is sexually assaulted in college though only about 12 percent report it to police.\"","Despite such limitations, the institute adds that \"several studies indicate that a substantial proportion of female students -- between 18 and 20 percent -- experience rape or some other form of sexual assault during their college years.\"","Saslaw bases his claim on a Rolling Stone article about an alleged gang rape at UVa that said nationally, \"one in five women is sexually assaulted in college.\""]},{"id":"8182.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Floridas high school graduation rates continue to increase at the fastest rate in the nation, with Florida leading the nation in the rate of Hispanic graduates.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Florida has seen an increase in high school graduation rates and has a high rate of Hispanic graduates, the statement exaggerates by claiming that Florida has the fastest rate of increase in the nation. While Florida has made progress, other states have also experienced significant improvements in graduation rates. Additionally, while Florida leads in the rate of Hispanic graduates, it is not the only state with high rates. States like California and Texas also have comparable or higher rates of Hispanic graduation. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately reflect the overall situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7333.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says his plan to raise car registration to $56 would still leave Virginia with a fee thats equal to or lower than most states.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly shows that Governor McDonnell's claim is inaccurate. Information from reputable sources such as AAA and the National Conference of State Legislatures indicates that under McDonnell's proposed plan, Virginia's car registration fees would be higher than the fees in 28 states and lower than the fees in only seven states. Additionally, there are 14 other states with variable formulas for computing registration fees, making it impossible to definitively state that Virginia's fees would be equal to or lower than most states. Therefore, the claim made by Governor McDonnell is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Federal law requires that hospitals treat people whether or not they can pay. So someone (who) doesn\u2019t have health insurance -- they can go to the hospital and get free care.\"","Romney said that federal law \"requires that hospitals treat people whether or not they can pay. So someone doesn\u2019t have health insurance they can go to the hospital and get free care.\"","\"We found that because of federal law, federal law requires that hospitals treat people whether or not they can pay. So someone (who) doesn\u2019t have health insurance -- they can go to the hospital and get free care. And we found a growing number of people were dropping their insurance and going to the hospital if they got real sick.\"","Experts told us that one aspect of Romney's argument has some validity: Many people rely on emergency rooms for care when they have nowhere else to go, which is expensive and a burden on the health care system and the larger society. And hospitals sometimes provide more free care than the law requires."]},{"id":"4749.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We spend half a trillion dollars a year in tax preparation.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Perry that \"we spend half a trillion dollars a year in tax preparation\" is an exaggeration. While it is true that tax preparation costs are significant, the figure of half a trillion dollars is not supported by concrete evidence. The exact amount spent on tax preparation can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of the tax system and individual circumstances. While it is a concern that tax preparation costs are high, the statement exaggerates the extent of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"A message for Jeb Bush: 380 Americans have been killed in 294 mass shootings in 2015 alone. \u2018Stuff\u2019 doesn't just \u2018happen.\u2019 Inaction happens,\" she said in an Oct. 2 tweet. (Here\u2019s the backgroundof what Bush said.)","Washington Post \u2019s Wonkblog, \"Shooting in Oregon: So far in 2015, we\u2019ve had 274 days and 294 mass shootings,\"Oct. 1, 2015","The original version of Pelosi\u2019s letter incorrectly stated that 12,000 Americans have been killed \"in\" the 273 mass shootings. A corrected version was quickly published, her spokesman said, to show 12,000 Americans have been killed by guns \"with\" 273 mass shootings. The 12,000 figure is generally accepted as accurate.","Mass Shooting Tracker showed 294 mass shootings as of Oct. 1. About 122 of those incidents -- or about 42 percent -- involved zero fatalities. The shootings killed 379 people and injured 1,094."]},{"id":"3201.json","label":"false","statement":"For [GM] to pay back everything it owes, it would have to sell its shares at $143 a share . . . where the highest value of a General Motors share ever was $43, $44, $46, whatever the dollars were . . .","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the highest value of a General Motors share was around $43 to $46, the claim that GM would have to sell its shares at $143 per share to pay back everything it owes is incorrect. The government's stake in GM, which represents a significant portion of what GM owes, would need to be sold at a much lower price for the government to break even on the bailout. The break-even price has been estimated to be around $53 to $54 per share. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the financial situation and the amount needed for GM to repay its debts.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Statistics show that more people at this time telecommute than they ride carpools, mass transit, bicycle or walk,\" Atlanta Tea Party Patriots co-founder Debbie Dooley said during a June 12 forum organized by the Civic League for Regional Atlanta.","Meanwhile, a tea party leader who opposes the plan has some ideas of her own to ease traffic congestion. And one of them involves no taxpayer funds being spent.","Supporters say the 1 percent sales tax will fund projects to help untangle the metro region\u2019s legendary traffic jams. Opponents, such as Dooley, say it will have little impact on traffic congestion while burdening taxpayers with billions in new sales taxes.","Dooley said she based her statement on a report by the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, a fiscally conservative think tank based in Atlanta. The report examined the transportation plan, commonly referred to as T-SPLOST. Metro Atlanta residents will vote July 31 whether to approve a penny-per-dollar increase in sales tax to pay for billions of dollars in new transportation projects."]},{"id":"6992.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres 21 congressmen and senators that have been convicted of felonies that still get their retirement, even in jail. They dont have to wait until theyre 65.","reason":"Reason: While there are conflicting databases and information regarding the exact number of congressmen and senators convicted of felonies, there is evidence to suggest that some federal lawmakers who have been convicted of felonies can still receive their retirement benefits, even while in jail. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specificity and doesn't provide details about the specific cases or circumstances. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the retirement benefits received may vary depending on the nature of the conviction and the specific laws and regulations in place. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional context and clarification.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6458.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney said at a January 2012 debate that under Paul Ryans tax plan, Id have paid no taxes in the last two years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney made a statement about not paying taxes in the last two years during a January 2012 debate, it is important to note that he was referring to Newt Gingrich's proposal to eliminate capital gains taxes for all taxpayers, not specifically Paul Ryan's tax plan. Romney clarified that he does not advocate for such a policy. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully understand the intent behind Romney's words.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Roger Williams, a Republican car dealer, called himself a \"free trade guy\" in an interview with Alex Daugherty of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The resulting November 2016 McClatchy news story also quoted Williams saying: \"NAFTA allows a lot of trucks from Mexico. ... They can drive through without even being inspected. That concerns me.\"","Says he \"did not try to leave the scene of the accident\" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated.","Asked if a lot of trucks get through uninspected, Maier replied: \"All arriving trucks are met and processed by a CBP officer. Some go gate to gate if they are FAST and there are no issues. Others face some form of physical or non-intrusive exams. All manifests are reviewed in advance.\"","Experts say there isn\u2019t one example of an automaker closing a plant in the U.S. in order to open one in Mexico, much less enough to total 30% of anything."]},{"id":"5646.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Polls show Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to Obamacare, especially the individual mandate.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of various polls that indicate a significant portion of Americans are opposed to Obamacare, particularly the individual mandate. Polls have consistently shown that a majority of people have expressed opposition to the individual mandate provision. However, it's important to note that the level of opposition may vary depending on how the question is framed and the specific wording used. Additionally, while the statement focuses on opposition to Obamacare as a whole, it's worth mentioning that polls have also shown that a majority of Americans support certain components of the Affordable Care Act. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood in the context of the specific aspect being discussed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We decided to check one specific part of Raese's statement -- that under the new health care law, \"the first person (a) patient has to go to is a bureaucrat. That is called a panel.\"","Raese jumped right in. \"Well, I don't like socialism, to tell you the truth, and when you have a doctor-patient relationship -- that's the way it's supposed to be, and that's the way we have the greatest health care system in the world, and that's the way it is right now,\" Raese said. \"That's all going to change because from here on out under Obamacare, something Gov. Manchin has always supported, you're going to have a patient-bureaucrat relationship, because the first person that patient has to go to is a bureaucrat. That is called a panel. I disagree with it. ... I'd like to repeal every part of it, because it is pure, unadulterated socialism. It is the worst bill ever to come out of the U.S. Senate and House.\"","-- The board doesn't interact with patients. The board is supposed to do big thinking about cost-containment, not judge individual patients to determine whether they qualify for care. The changes that it suggests to the president and Congress could eventually, many years hence, shape how care is provided. But it's a major stretch to say that under the new law \"the first person (a) patient has to go to is a bureaucrat.\"","The IPAB is real. Whether its existence supports Raese's claim that \"the first person (a) patient has to go to is a bureaucrat\" is another matter."]},{"id":"3364.json","label":"false","statement":"A telecom bill could keep the State Corporation Commission from getting rate-of-return information from electric utilities.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that a telecom bill could prevent the State Corporation Commission (SCC) from obtaining rate-of-return information from electric utilities. The quotes and information provided discuss concerns about the potential impact of the bill on the SCC's ability to regulate electric utilities and obtain necessary information. However, there is no direct evidence or indication that the bill would specifically prevent the SCC from accessing rate-of-return information. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Santorum, who actively pushed for welfare changes as a member of Congress, talked about the effects of the 1996 reform law, telling the audience, \"Guess what happened? Poverty levels went down to the lowest level ever for ... one of the areas that had the highest level of poverty historically, which is African-American children.\"","When welfare reform passed in 1996, there were about 636,000 American households living on $2 per person per day or less. As of mid 2013, that figure has more than doubled, to about 1.5 million such households, with about 3 million children living in these circumstances.","Certain states and the 1996 legislation for structuring welfare in such a way are both responsible for these state-level shortcomings, said Ron Haskins, who was involved in crafting welfare reform and is now codirector of the Brookings Center on Children and Families.","The Census put the child poverty rate for African-Americans at 35.3 percent in 2009. Rector said it\u2019s about 38 percent today."]},{"id":"2987.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Portland Public Schools invites well-paid, well-fed school bureaucrats, administrators, teachers, other staff, non-needy students, affluent parents of students, and other adults, including on the other extreme the adult homeless, illegal aliens, fanatical Muslim terrorists, or drug addicted street people, to enjoy cheap breakfasts in taxpayer-paid school facilities amidst school children.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates and misrepresents the situation regarding breakfast programs in Portland Public Schools. While it is true that the program provides breakfast to students, the claim that it invites a wide range of adults, including well-paid school officials, affluent parents, homeless individuals, illegal aliens, terrorists, and drug addicts, to enjoy cheap breakfasts in taxpayer-funded school facilities is misleading. The evidence provided does not support such a broad and extreme characterization. The breakfast program is primarily intended for students, with a portion of the meals being paid for by students themselves. The statement's inclusion of extreme and unrelated groups creates a false narrative and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["One example: \"Wisconsin wages are declining at double the rate of other states, and current indicators suggest these trends will continue if we stay on the current path,\" according to Burke\u2019s plan, which came out March 25, 2014.","But her campaign pointed us to nothing that shows Wisconsin\u2019s average wages have dropped over an extended period, much less at twice the rate of the mark in other states.","That was the situation in one quarter ending in September 2012, but Wisconsin wages are not declining at all based on much more current data.","We started with the source cited in Burke\u2019s plan: \"According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private-sector wages in Wisconsin fell 2.2% in the 12 months ending September 2012, double the 1.1% decline experienced by the nation overall.\""]},{"id":"8844.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have been confronted with an unexpected storm that has hit the metropolitan area.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some forecasters initially predicted that the Atlanta region would not be heavily impacted by the storm, it is not accurate to describe the storm as completely unexpected. As the storm approached, it became increasingly apparent that it would bring severe weather to the area. Governor Deal himself acknowledged that the weather model had changed and that the storm was arriving faster and more severe than expected. Therefore, while the statement acknowledges the initial predictions, it fails to accurately convey the evolving understanding of the storm's severity.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Now to the second part of Clarke\u2019s claim -- whether it\u2019s \"a lie\" because \"there is no data\" that black males are two times more likely than white males to be shot by a law enforcement officer.","1. That Obama said black males are two times more likely to be shot by a law enforcement officer than white males.","Clarke: The president has been lying about it. He said it again the other day, when he said black males are two times more likely to be shot by a law enforcement officer than white males. Don, that is a lie.","Clarke made essentially a two-part claim. He said that Obama \"said black males are two times more likely to be shot by a law enforcement officer than white males,\" but he was slightly off, in that the president spoke about all African-Americans and whites, not just males."]},{"id":"11507.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Among manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees, the average cost in terms of regulations is $34,000 per employee.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of a 2014 report commissioned by the National Association of Manufacturers, which states that manufacturing businesses with fewer than 50 employees face an average of $34,671 per employee per year in regulatory costs. However, it's important to note that this figure specifically applies to manufacturing businesses and not all industries. The average cost of regulations for all U.S. businesses is significantly lower at $9,991. Therefore, while the statement is true for manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees, it does not represent the average cost of regulations across all industries.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Biden made the same point at a Sept. 3 town hall in Sarasota, Fla. One woman wondered what to tell friends who worry that an Obama-Biden victory will mean higher taxes.","\"I\u2019m planning on raising no taxes,\" Evers said. \"The idea that somehow he\u2019s put me in this position of saying I\u2019m going to tax, that\u2019s just crazy. I\u2019ve never said that. We\u2019re going to be working on making sure that the middle class of the state of Wisconsin is protected with a tax cut.\"","Evers had said throughout the campaign he would consider raising taxes if elected, but on at least two occasions in early November he pledged that would not be the case.","\"I understand there\u2019s some tax increases. Obviously one of them\u2019s the gas tax, but the reason the budget is the way it is is that we listened to the people of Wisconsin,\" Evers told reporters in Appleton. \"They said they wanted better schools, more adequately resourced schools. They said they wanted health care, and affordable and accessible health care. And they said they wanted to fix the roads. So those issues, basically there\u2019s a cost involved in that.\""]},{"id":"7531.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell wants gun owners in a federal registration system.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly shows that U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell has consistently opposed the idea of a national gun registration system. He has publicly stated his opposition to federal licensing and national gun registration, emphasizing that such measures would violate Second Amendment rights. Additionally, there are legal restrictions in place that prohibit the federal government from implementing a registration system connecting firearms to their owners. Therefore, the statement claiming that Rep. Rigell wants gun owners in a federal registration system is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In a press release responding to a story in the National Enquirer, the McCain campaign declared that \"Governor Palin is the most popular governor in the country.\"","If the limit of your interest on this issue is whether it's true that Palin is an extremely popular governor in Alaska, we'll save you some time: the answer is an unqualified yes.","The polling firm SurveyUSA has in the past conducted governor's approval ratings in all 50 states, but not since Palin took office.","You won't find a poll that on one day asked a large sample of residents in every state to rate their governor."]},{"id":"4126.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sherrod Brown was just voted two years in a row the most liberal senator in the United States of America and is more liberal than Sen. Bernie Sanders.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Sherrod Brown was ranked as one of the most liberal senators in the United States for two consecutive years according to the National Journal ratings, it is misleading to claim that he was \"voted\" the most liberal senator. The National Journal rankings are based on a specific methodology and do not represent a direct vote. Additionally, the statement that Brown is more liberal than Senator Bernie Sanders is not accurate. According to the same National Journal rankings, Sanders ranked higher in liberalism than Brown in those particular years. Therefore, while Brown is indeed considered a liberal senator, the claim that he was voted the most liberal and is more liberal than Sanders is not entirely true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9911.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Greg Abbott did nothing to pursue reports of the sexual abuse of boys at a West Texas state-run school.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that initially, Greg Abbott's office responded to reports of sexual abuse at a state-run school by stating that a local prosecutor needed to seek state assistance, it is not accurate to say that Abbott did \"nothing\" to pursue the reports. After the local prosecutor requested help, state attorneys overseen by Abbott did take action, leading to indictments. Therefore, the statement that Abbott did nothing is an oversimplification and does not fully reflect the subsequent actions taken by his office.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Democrat Heather Beaven, a Navy veteran, said in a May 12, 2010, e-mail to supporters that Mica's brother is a lobbyist for the oil industry and that his daughter represents an interest group that supports increased offshore drilling for oil and natural gas.","That brings us back to Beaven's e-mail. In trying to use the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico as a way to play up John Mica's family ties to the oil industry, she claimed that Mica's brother is an oil lobbyist and that his daughter represents a group that promotes offshore oil and gas drilling.","\"Brother of only Fla. lawmaker to support offshore drilling is an oil lobbyist,\" Beaven said in the e-mail, copying a headline from the Orlando Sentinel. Later, she said, \"John Mica's daughter represents the Consumers Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas and the Citizens Alliance for Energy Security in support of increased access to offshore oil & natural gas.\"","Mica's daughter, D'Anne Mica, once listed Consumers Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas as a PR client, a group that lobbied for increased natural gas drilling."]},{"id":"10587.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The governor must inform the Senate president about his or her absence from the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that in some states, the governor is required to inform the Senate president about their absence from the state, this requirement may vary depending on the specific state's laws and regulations. It is not a universal requirement that applies to all governors. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and should be considered in the specific context of each state's laws.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Last year, there were an additional 81,000 pages of government regulations,\" he said. \"If you stack that up, it would be a three-story building.\"","Carson said, \"Last year, there were an additional 81,000 pages of government regulations. If you stack that up, it would be a three-story building.\"","\"Last year, there were an additional 81,000 pages of government regulations,\" he said at the Jan. 28 debate. \"If you stack that up, it would be a three-story building.\"","Carson\u2019s 81,000 pages figure refers to the number of pages that were published in the Federal Register, a daily journal of the U.S. government that contains agency rules, proposed rules and public notices. In each edition, the Register posts a running tally of the pages printed so far the year. The final total at the end of December is often used as a gauge of regulatory activity during the year."]},{"id":"2160.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We have my opponent Sam Olens to thank for [the Arizona immigration ruling] since he was on the team that got Clinton elected.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. Sam Olens, the opponent mentioned, being on the team that got Bill Clinton elected in 1992 does not have any direct connection to the Arizona immigration ruling made by Judge Bolton in 2010. The ruling was made by a judge appointed by Clinton, but attributing it to Sam Olens is a baseless and inaccurate claim. Furthermore, the statement implies a cause-and-effect relationship that does not exist, as the ruling was made by a judge based on legal considerations, not as a result of Olens' involvement in Clinton's election. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["There are a few interesting claims in that statement but for this Truth-O-Meter we will explore whether the largest number of gamblers come from the poorest segments of the population.","\"If you define gambling fairly broadly \u2014 placing a bet on a game of chance at least once in a lifetime, or once in the past year, or even once in the past month \u2014 then members of the poorest segment of the population are, in general, less likely to gamble than members of the middle segments. By any reasonable definition, the largest numbers of gamblers are clearly not poor,\" he wrote in an e-mail to PolitiFact. \"The richest Americans, the 10 percent or so with incomes greater than $100,000\/year, are actually the most likely to spend money gambling -- as they are to spend money on everything else, since they have far more money to spend. But since this group of well-off people is relatively small, only 10 percent of the population, the number of gamblers from the middle income segments ($25,000 - $100,000) is much larger.\"","\"That statement is not correct,\" Welte said in an e-mail. \"Gamblers are generally not more common in the poorest segments, although poorer gamblers tend to gamble more often. What is true, and perhaps more relevant, is that problem gamblers are more prevalent in the poorest segments of society.\"","\"My own judgment is that large commercial gambling outlets such as casinos and state-sponsored lotteries bring much more harm to a society than the benefits they generate (such as tax revenue)\u2026 First, it is socially harmful (and fiscally regressive) because the largest numbers of gamblers comes from the poorest segments of the population. Second, (it) leads to an addiction to gambling \u2026 and this addiction destroys marriages, families \u2026 and increases societal breakdown. Third, studies have shown that where gambling businesses are established, crime rates increase.\" (Here is the page in the book that contains these quotes.)"]},{"id":"9321.json","label":"false","statement":"A majority of Americans since Harry Truman days support single-payer health insurance, or full Medicare for all.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there is support for various forms of healthcare reform in the United States, including a public option and universal healthcare, the claim that a majority of Americans have supported single-payer or \"Medicare for all\" since the presidency of Harry Truman is not accurate. Different polls and surveys have shown varying levels of support for different healthcare systems, and the majority support for single-payer has not been consistently demonstrated over such a long period of time.\nLabel: false","evidence":["When Pink Slip Rick put out the call to robocall Gov. Scott, Chris S. was among the callers. He said to Scott: \"I really can't believe that you cut PBS of all things. My kids sit around and watch PBS in the early morning. They learn so much from it. And to have the state cut funding for PBS is despicable.\"","Says Rick Scott \"cut education by $1.3 billion\" in his first year, then \"in his second year he decreases funding by $300 million to our state universities.\"","Crist said that Gov. Rick Scott \"cut education by $1.3 billion\" in his first year and then \"in his second year he decreases funding by $300 million to our state universities.\"","\"I really can't believe that you cut PBS of all things. My kids sit around and watch PBS in the early morning. They learn so much from it. And to have the state cut funding for PBS is despicable.\""]},{"id":"11842.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ohio Gov. John Kasich had the worst rating on spending of any governor in the country, Republican or Democrat.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ohio Gov. John Kasich had the worst rating on spending of any governor in the country, regardless of party affiliation, is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a super PAC supporting Jeb Bush made this claim in an ad, it lacks specific evidence or a clear source to support the assertion. Without concrete data or a reputable rating system provided, it is difficult to verify the claim. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks substantial evidence to support the claim made in the ad.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In fact, Attorney General Eric Holder\u2019s own Justice Department precleared the voting changes in the 2011 law that governed the 2012 general election in Florida,\" Scott campaign manager Melissa Sellers wrote.","That led the Scott campaign to point the finger at Holder, for allowing the 2011 early voting law to be implemented: \"In fact, Attorney General Eric Holder\u2019s own Justice Department precleared the voting changes in the 2011 law that governed the 2012 general election in Florida,\" Scott campaign manager Melissa Sellers wrote.","In at least one case, a Republican governor said Holder\u2019s approval proved the state had a good record on voting rights. \"Attorney General Eric Holder\u2019s own Justice Department precleared the voting changes in the 2011 law\" about early voting in Florida, said Gov. Rick Scott.","Eric Holder served as President Barack Obama\u2019s attorney general for six years. Among his signature issues were arguing in favor of voting rights and fairness in prison sentences. On Sept. 25, 2014, the Justice Department announced he would step down after a new attorney general is confirmed."]},{"id":"7076.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush extended early voting after seeing long lines.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Jeb Bush extended early voting during his time in office, it is important to note that the statement lacks context. The evidence suggests that the debate over early voting continued even after Bush left office, and in 2011, Governor Rick Scott and the Legislature further reduced the maximum number of early voting days. This decision resulted in long lines during the 2012 presidential election. Therefore, while Bush did extend early voting, the subsequent actions of other officials undermined the accessibility of early voting in Florida.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In discussing the town and his support of the new law, Nelson\u2019s police chief, B. Heath Mitchell, noted that Nelson was a place full of good, law-abiding folks. In fact, \"we\u2019re quieter than Mayberry,\" he said.","The Nelson police chief said his town was quieter than Mayberry. Both small towns have limited crime and a limited police presence. Nelson is such a small town that its crime statistics are not reported by the FBI or GBI; and \"The Andy Griffith Show\" didn\u2019t detail crime stats.","Nelson\u2019s new law is similar to a 1982 law passed in Kennesaw, Ga. Like Kennesaw, Nelson ultimately has no intention of enforcing the law, but hopes to send a message to possible criminals, council members said.","We checked in with Chief Mitchell about crime in Nelson and its similarities to fictional Mayberry. Nelson straddles the counties of Pickens and Cherokee, and was once home to a thriving marble industry. The city has produced marble for headstones at Arlington National Cemetery, and for building the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol."]},{"id":"4800.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama thinks Americans are lazy.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama made a statement where he used the phrase \"We've been a little bit lazy, I think, over the last couple of decades,\" it is important to note that he was referring to Americans' lack of effort in attracting foreign investment, not making a general statement about Americans being lazy. The ad by Perry takes the statement out of context and falsely implies that Obama thinks Americans are lazy in a broader sense. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent Obama's views.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10894.json","label":"false","statement":"A measure to repeal the states prevailing wage law would make it easier for state contractors to hire illegal workers for Wisconsin construction jobs through an illegal worker loophole in the state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence or provision within the proposed measure to repeal the state's prevailing wage law that would create an \"illegal worker loophole\" or make it easier for state contractors to hire illegal workers for Wisconsin construction jobs. The claim made in the television ad and other sources lacks factual basis and appears to be a misleading attempt to associate the repeal of the prevailing wage law with the hiring of illegal workers.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sensenbrenner said it currently takes up to 25 years to obtain U.S. citizenship legally, but the Senate bill \"would allow immigrants who came to the United States illegally to obtain citizenship in just 13 years.\"","\"Currently, it takes up to 25 years to obtain U.S. citizenship legally,\" Sensenbrenner wrote in The Washington Times on July 1, 2013. \"The Senate proposal, however, would allow immigrants who came to the United States illegally to obtain citizenship in just 13 years.\"","Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner says it takes 25 years to obtain citizenship legally and just 13 years for illegal immigrants under Senate bill","( - Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner says it takes 25 years to obtain citizenship legally and just 13 years for illegal immigrants under Senate bill &url=)"]},{"id":"2453.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says more than 2 million Oregonians have received important medical services because of his health plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Over 2 million Oregonians have indeed received important medical services as a result of the health plan. However, it's important to note that the statement does not clarify how many of these individuals would have received health coverage or medical services if the plan had not existed. The count includes individuals who have been enrolled in the health plan at any time since 1994, which means it includes both current and past enrollees. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights the number of individuals who have benefited from the health plan, it lacks information about the potential alternative scenarios for accessing medical services.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8258.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Pending a federal waiver, the 2013 Legislature eliminated the overtesting of students in grades 3-8 by decreasing the number of tests from 17 to 8.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The 2013 Legislature did take steps to reduce overtesting of students in grades 3-8 by decreasing the number of tests from 17 to 8. However, it is important to note that the elimination of overtesting was not contingent upon a federal waiver. The reduction in the number of tests was a result of state-level legislative action, rather than a federal waiver. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the reduction in testing, the mention of a federal waiver is incorrect.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Gallego said Hurd \"cosponsored a bill that would militarize our border and allow 200 miles of new roads to be built in the Big Bend region -- cutting up our beloved park.\"","In an April 22, 2016 press release, Gallego said Hurd co-sponsored \"a bill that would militarize our border and allow 200 miles of new roads to be built in the Big Bend region -- cutting up our beloved park.\"","Because environmental protection laws would be waived, Gallego claims the bill would allow roads to be built in the park \u2014 but how likely is it that the roads would actually go through the park, as opposed to elsewhere in the sector?","Gallego accurately recapped key elements of the Secure Our Borders First Act backed by Hurd and other Texas Republicans in the House. The legislation would clear the way for construction of 192 miles of new roads, towers and law enforcement facilities along the border on federal lands in the vast Big Bend region of Texas."]},{"id":"4509.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have asked public employees to pay 10 percent of the costs of their guaranteed pension and 15 percent of the cost of their health care. ... The leadership of those public employees unions dont want to pay anything.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that public employee unions are unwilling to contribute anything towards their pension and healthcare costs, which is an oversimplification. The evidence provided indicates that public employees in Ohio are required to contribute 10 percent of their wages towards their pensions and at least 15 percent of the cost of their health benefits. While there may be debates about the specific percentages or the fairness of the contributions, it is inaccurate to claim that the leadership of public employee unions \"don't want to pay anything.\" The evidence suggests that public employees are indeed making contributions towards their benefits, albeit at different levels.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Schimel is in cahoots with Wisconsin Right to Life to make abortion a crime in Wisconsin,\" Taylor told reporters in a conference call.","But we\u2019re not aware of any evidence that Schimel is actively working with Wisconsin Right to Life to make abortion a crime. And he has said he would not defy U.S. Supreme Court decisions such as Roe, which makes abortion legal.","So, Wisconsin Right to Life was promoting a strategy, albeit a passive one, that it hopes would result in abortion being illegal in Wisconsin eventually.","Taylor told us that Schimel\u2019s endorsement of the legal paper means he is seeking to make abortion illegal because -- as is noted in the paper -- Wisconsin Right to Life has fought attempts to repeal the statute that outlawed abortion in Wisconsin."]},{"id":"7961.json","label":"true","statement":"(T)he United States government and its Constitution says that people can be put to death.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The United States government and its Constitution do allow for the death penalty. While there may be debates and discussions about the ethical and legal implications of the death penalty, it is a legal form of punishment in certain jurisdictions within the United States. The Constitution does not explicitly prohibit the use of the death penalty, and it has been upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court in specific cases.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"When the founders of New Hampshire came up with the motto Live Free or Die, they didn't leave a lot of wiggle room,\" he said to a crowd in Milford's town hall in his first New Hampshire appearance since announcing his run for president.","The words \"Live Free or Die,\" as cited by New Hampshire law, were written by General John Stark on July 31, 1809 \u2013 long after New Hampshire became a state.","A similar invitation was extended again the following year, saying, \"The toast, sir, which you sent us in 1809 will continue to vibrate with unceasing pleasure in our ears, 'Live Free or Die; Death Is Not the Worst of Evils.' \"","\"In New Hampshire, I spent $3 million. Jeb Bush spent $44 million. He came in five, and I came in number one.\""]},{"id":"149.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obama spokesman Bill Burton says Clinton gave Bush \"a blank check on a critical foreign policy issue.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Obama spokesman Bill Burton that Hillary Clinton gave President Bush \"a blank check on a critical foreign policy issue.\" However, it's important to note that this claim is subjective and politically charged. While some may argue that Clinton's vote for the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment could be seen as giving President Bush a blank check, others may argue that it was a necessary measure in addressing national security concerns. The label \"half-true\" reflects the subjective nature of the claim and the potential for differing interpretations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11091.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A law was passed, apparently in the Clinton administration, about whether, in recruiting offices Marines or other military should be able to have guns. Apparently it is prohibited.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are restrictions on the presence of firearms in military recruiting offices, the statement is misleading in attributing the law to the Clinton administration. The policy prohibiting firearms in recruiting offices was actually implemented in 1992, during the George H.W. Bush administration, as a response to concerns about accidental discharges and safety issues. Therefore, the claim that the law was passed in the Clinton administration is inaccurate. While there have been discussions about revisiting the policy, as of now, firearms are generally prohibited in recruiting offices.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Florida Democratic Party, \"Bill McCollum Tries to Gloss Over Lack of Action on Mortgage Fraud with Election Year Workshop,\" May 8, 2010","Florida Democrats last week attacked Attorney General Bill McCollum in a press release, saying he didn't do enough to curb mortgage fraud. His \"flippant response to homeowners in trouble,\" according to the Democrats, was, \"You can\u2019t do everything.\"","The newspaper noted that McCollum had formed a task force in 2007 to investigate mortgage fraud cases, but that other consumer issues took priority. And so when a Sarasota reporter asked McCollum in an interview in Venice why he hadn\u2019t done more on mortgage fraud prior, McCollum replied: \"It\u2019s not the only thing we do. You can\u2019t do everything.\" It's worth noting that McCollum gave his response to the Herald-Tribune \u2013 and, not as the Democrats say, to \"homeowners in trouble.\"","We wondered if the Republican gubernatorial candidate was indeed so \"flip,\" especially at a time when mortgage flipping fraud was so pervasive in Florida. The state has ranked first nationwide in mortgage fraud every year since 2006."]},{"id":"13100.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We had the Democratic Governors Association and the Obama political machine come into a Republican primary to try and rig the election by spending $1 million against me in the last couple of days.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Greitens that the Democratic Governors Association and the \"Obama political machine\" spent $1 million against him in the Republican primary. Evidence confirms that the Democratic Governors Association, through a PAC with the same address, made significant in-kind contributions totaling that amount in the weeks leading up to the election. However, it's important to note that the term \"rig the election\" is subjective and could be interpreted differently by individuals. The statement is mostly true in terms of the financial contributions made by the mentioned entities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Steven Rattner said, the United States is \"behind many countries in Europe in terms of the ability of every kid in America to get ahead.\"","\"We have fallen way back,\" Rattner said. \"We're behind many countries in Europe in terms of the ability of every kid in America to get ahead. It's a real problem.\"","But many studies back up Rattner\u2019s point. Studies show that we are behind \"many countries in Europe in terms of the ability of every kid in America to get ahead.\" Nordic countries have particularly higher rates of income mobility than the United States.","Its findings echo similar research conducted in the United States. A 2008 report on economic mobility produced by the Pew Charitable Trusts and Brookings Institution found that while \"Americans have an optimistic faith in the ability of individuals to get ahead within a lifetime or from one generation to the next, there is growing evidence of less intergenerational economic mobility in the United States than in many other rich, industrialized countries.\""]},{"id":"6229.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In the last 10 years, only one piece of legislation has been cosponsored and passed by John Duncan Jr.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While it is true that John Duncan Jr. may have only written one bill that has been signed into law in the past decade, the claim that only one piece of legislation has been cosponsored and passed by him is false. Lawmakers often cosponsor numerous bills that eventually become law, and it is highly unlikely that only one of Duncan's cosponsored bills has been successful in the past 10 years. The statement misrepresents Duncan's legislative record and is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4269.json","label":"true","statement":"There are cities and counties in Georgia that dont have websites, and where elected officials dont have email addresses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. There are cities and counties in Georgia that do not have official websites, and some elected officials in these areas may not have email addresses. While digital communication and online presence have become increasingly common, especially for government entities, not all cities and counties have fully embraced these technologies. Therefore, it is accurate to say that there are areas in Georgia where officials lack email addresses and some jurisdictions do not have websites.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8446.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I never was in favor of shutting down the government. (I) voted to fund the government fully.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Rubio claims that he never supported shutting down the government and consistently voted to fully fund it, there is evidence to suggest otherwise. He did express support for opposing Obamacare even if it meant rejecting a bill to keep the government open, which implies a willingness to potentially shut down the government. Additionally, he took positions contrary to fully funding the government on multiple occasions. Therefore, his statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4756.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Confederate battle flag never flew over Texas, but... you might soon see it on our license plates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Confederate battle flag, specifically the flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, did not fly over the Texas Capitol. However, the proposed license plate design, which resembles features of the second and third national flags of the Confederacy, could be seen as reminiscent of the Confederate flag. While the license plate design does not directly represent the Confederate battle flag, it does bear similarities to other Confederate flags that were associated with Texas. Therefore, the statement accurately conveys that the Confederate battle flag did not fly over Texas, but it may be misleading to suggest that the license plates would feature the exact Confederate battle flag.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Buono said during a recent appearance on NJToday that \"New Jersey has lost over half of our pharmaceutical jobs to states you know, not low-tax states like in the South, but high-tax states like New York.\"","\"New Jersey has lost over half of our pharmaceutical jobs to states you know, not low-tax states like in the South, but high-tax states like New York,\" said Buono (D-Middlesex), who also is running for governor.","\"Senator Buono attributes this trend to many factors including the Governor\u2019s unwillingness to fully fund our education system and lack of leadership in creating research partnerships similar to other states,\" Turner said in an e-mail. \"Pharmaceutical companies are moving to states with equally high taxes but provide more funding for research and development. In places such as California, Massachusetts, and New York, companies are clearly attracted to the concentration of well-regarded universities that have forged partnerships with private industry.\"","If both lists are put together, New Jersey and 11 other U.S. states lead the world in number of engineers and scientists per square mile before Israel joins the rankings."]},{"id":"6328.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Mitt Romney backed a bill that outlaws all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Mitt Romney backed a bill that outlaws all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest. In fact, Romney has stated that he believes abortion should be an option in cases of rape and incest or to save the life of the mother. The claim made in the statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12741.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says North Carolina is home of the largest military installations in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the N.C. delegate during the roll call at the Republican National Convention. However, it's important to note that the claim refers to North Carolina having the largest military installations in the world, not necessarily a single installation. While the evidence does not provide specific data to support or refute this claim, it is plausible considering North Carolina is home to several major military installations, such as Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune. Without further information, it is reasonable to consider the statement as mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cornyn said that the Super Bowl has \"one of the highest levels of human sex trafficking activity of any event in the country.\"","\"While most Americans are going to be getting prepared for the Seahawks and the Patriots to tee off in the Super Bowl,\" Cornyn said, \"the dirty little secret is that the Super Bowl actually (has) one of the highest levels of human sex trafficking activity of any event in the country.\"","For the past few years, campaigns against human sex trafficking have swelled in the days before the Super Bowl, largely because of the persistence of a claim that it\u2019s the largest sex trafficking event in the country.","Roe-Sepowitz said that so far, the research does not show correlation between the Super Bowl and higher levels of sex trafficking activity."]},{"id":"9564.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In the last three years alone, 13 times, the Supreme Court, unanimously, 9-0, including all of the presidents liberal picks, have struck down the presidents executive orders.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that the Supreme Court unanimously, 9-0, including all of the president's liberal picks, has struck down the president's executive orders 13 times in the last three years. This assertion is not based on any factual information and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4730.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Libya, America spent $2 billion total and didnt lose a single life.","reason":"Reason: While Vice President Biden's statement that America spent $2 billion in Libya and didn't lose a single life is not entirely accurate, it is mostly true. The Department of Defense reported that the total spending for the Libya intervention was $1.1 billion, which is significantly lower than Biden's claim. However, it is important to note that Biden's figure of $2 billion includes unaccounted costs and factors in other expenses related to military actions that are often not reported. Therefore, while the exact amount may be lower, the statement captures the general idea that the intervention in Libya was relatively low-cost and did not result in any American casualties.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But other statements Walker made led some to believe the governor was saying he wouldn\u2019t touch the civil service system -- even if his statements never made such a promise.","Leaving aside the \"blowing it up\" characterization, both Erpenbach and Walker would agree that the measure the governor supports would make significant changes to the civil service system.","\"He said he wouldn't touch the system, and now he's blowing it up,\" Erpenbach said in a Sept. 25, 2015 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article.","!Gov. Scott Walker spoke to employees at Apache Stainless Equipment Corp. in Beaver Dam, Wis., before talking to reporters about his support for a proposal to overhaul Wisconsin's civil service system for state employees. (Michael Sears photo) !Gov. Scott Walker spoke to employees at Apache Stainless Equipment Corp. in Beaver Dam, Wis., before talking to reporters about his support for a proposal to overhaul Wisconsin's civil service system for state employees. (Michael Sears photo)"]},{"id":"9350.json","label":"false","statement":"20 percent of the time (smart guns) wont work.","reason":"Reason: The statement that smart guns won't work 20 percent of the time is not accurate. The claim is based on a reference to unpublished research from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, but there is no concrete evidence or published studies to support this assertion. The available information suggests that fingerprint recognition systems, a type of smart gun technology, have an 80 percent success rate according to the New Jersey Institute of Technology's research. However, this does not imply that smart guns as a whole have a 20 percent failure rate. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing the effectiveness of smart gun technology.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10494.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you look at the income of average Americans...theyre absolutely flat in constant dollars since 1979.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and Census Bureau, which show little to no inflation-adjusted growth in the median gross wage of workers since 1979. While there has been a small increase of $39 or 5% when adjusted for inflation, this can be considered relatively flat over a span of 35 years. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Reid\u2019s claim that the Democrats \"have never held up a Supreme Court nomination\" gave Todd and us pause, so we decided to put it on the Truth-O-Meter.","At the time of Biden\u2019s 1992 speech, Democrats held the majority in the Senate and the Republicans held the White House. Today, the Republicans control both the Senate and the White House.","Reid steps a little too far in saying Democrats \"have never held up\" a nomination. They were chiefly responsible for Bork\u2019s failed nomination, a turning point in the political nature of Supreme Court nominations, and they at least symbolically attempted to hold up Alito\u2019s confirmation in 2005.","Since the 1960s, the Senate has held a hearing for nearly every Supreme Court nominee, the exception being Harriet Miers, a 2005 George W. Bush nominee who faced opposition from Democrats and Republicans alike."]},{"id":"11945.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Its highly unusual to have a Supreme Court confirmation in a presidential election year. The last one was 1940.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Supreme Court confirmations during presidential election years are relatively uncommon, the statement that the last confirmation in such a year was in 1940 is incorrect. In fact, Justice Anthony Kennedy was confirmed in February 1988 during a presidential election year. Therefore, while it is accurate to say that it is unusual to have a Supreme Court confirmation during a presidential election year, the claim that the last one occurred in 1940 is false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11723.json","label":"true","statement":"Guantanamo has never been a key component of ISIS or al-Qaida propaganda.","reason":"Reason: Multiple experts and analyses of jihadist propaganda materials support the statement that Guantanamo has never been a key component of ISIS or al-Qaida propaganda. While it may be mentioned and used as a wedge issue in recruiting, it is not a primary focus or a central theme in their messaging. Other grievances against the United States, such as military airstrikes, have been more prominently featured in their propaganda. Therefore, the statement is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Regarding the Iraq War, \"I was the one that said, \u2018Don\u2019t go, don\u2019t do it, you\u2019re going to destabilize the Middle East.\u2019 \"","\"The War in Iraq \u2014 I was the one that said, \u2018Don\u2019t go, don\u2019t do it, you\u2019re going to destabilize the Middle East,\u2019 \" the Republican front runner said at the Feb. 6, 2016, New Hampshire GOP debate.","Trump said, \"I was totally against the war in Iraq, saying for many years that it would destabilize the Middle East.\"","\"I was totally against the war in Iraq, saying for many years that it would destabilize the Middle East,\" he said April 27, 2016."]},{"id":"1085.json","label":"false","statement":"Rep. Adam Putnam was silent when Rush Limbaugh called Sonia Sotomayor a racist.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that Rep. Adam Putnam did not explicitly denounce Rush Limbaugh's comments about Sonia Sotomayor being a racist. However, it is important to note that silence does not necessarily indicate agreement or endorsement. The evidence does not provide conclusive information about Putnam's stance on Limbaugh's comments, and it would be inaccurate to make a definitive statement claiming that Putnam was silent in response to Limbaugh's remarks. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Republican senator and presidential candidate told the Greater Houston Partnership on Sept. 1, 2015, that the Iran deal doesn\u2019t lead to independent inspectors marching in. \"This deal,\" Cruz said, \"doesn\u2019t send in American inspectors; this deal doesn\u2019t send international inspectors. This deal trusts the Iranians to inspect themselves. Let me repeat that: This deal trusts the Iranians to inspect themself.\" Cruz said as much again at the Sept. 16, 2015, GOP presidential debate in California. \"And most astonishingly,\" Cruz said, \"this agreement trusts the Iranians to inspect themselves. That makes no sense whatsoever.\"","Setting aside Cruz\u2019s cinematic vignette, is he right the Iran deal, which the Senate fell short of rejecting in a Sept. 10, 2015, vote, trusts the Iranians to inspect themselves?","The Parchin uncertainty aside, Cruz didn\u2019t offer nor did we find evidence the overall agreement trusts Iranians to inspect themselves. In contrast, his statement left the impression Iran would be conducting all inspections under the agreement by itself. That\u2019s not so.","Another association official, Kelsey Davenport, followed up with an email noting that NBC News, citing unidentified senior U.S. officials, said in an Aug. 19, 2015, news story that Iran would be allowed to inspect Parchin itself only regarding signs of past military activity and still, U.N. inspectors \"would be on site to supervise the Iranians at every step of the way,\" NBC said."]},{"id":"7616.json","label":"true","statement":"Right now, Texas doesnt have an income tax and Oklahomas lowering their income tax rates, and guess what their severance tax is? Sky high.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Texas does not have an income tax, and Oklahoma is in the process of lowering their income tax rates. Additionally, it suggests that the severance tax in Oklahoma is high. This is supported by the evidence provided, which highlights the absence of an income tax in Texas and the mention of Oklahoma's efforts to lower their income tax rates. While specific data on the severance tax rates in Oklahoma is not provided, the statement is generally true in conveying the difference in tax policies between the two states.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Browner delivered the news in several forums, but we decided to check her claim on NBC's Today Show on Aug. 4, 2010, when she said, \"I think it's also important to note that our scientists have done an initial assessment, and more than three-quarters of the oil is gone. The vast majority of the oil is gone.\"","We think it was a reach for Browner to definitively state that three-quarters of the oil is \"gone.\" For one, a quarter of the oil was described as dispersed. Much of that may be on its way toward being degraded by natural processes, but we think it's unfair to call that \"gone.\" In addition, the report carries a bit of uncertainty. Much of the estimate was based not on on hard data, but was calculated from formulas based on prior gulf spills that occurred in shallower water. As some scientists told us, Browner's estimate may be accurate, but they can't say for sure.","Browner's assessment that three-quarters of the oil spilled from the well is \"gone\" was derided by gulf fishermen, as well as a number of environmental scientists. In an Aug. 5, 2010, Washington Post story, \"Scientists question report of shrinking spill,\" David A. Fahrenthold reported that in interviews with scientists who worked on the report, some said the figures \"were based in large part on assumptions and estimates with a significant margin of error.\"","And oil that has been \"dispersed\" isn't the same as \"gone,\" he said. While some of it will naturally evaporate in the gulf, he said, \"the rest of it is still in the water.\""]},{"id":"677.json","label":"true","statement":"Sarah Palin \"has had 12 years of elected office experience.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Sarah Palin has indeed had 12 years of elected office experience. She served as the Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska from 1996 to 2002, and later as the Governor of Alaska from 2006 to 2009. This amounts to a total of 12 years of elected office experience.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Our eyes clamped on what Painter said next: \"We\u2019re the only nation in the world that does not use the military to secure our border. We\u2019re not serious about it.\"","To our inquiry about countries using the military to secure borders, Peter Andreas, a Brown University professor, singled out Germany as a country whose military doesn\u2019t secure the border. \"Of course,\" Andreas said by email, \"all nations that have a military would use the military if there were a military attack from another country.\"","By phone, Painter told us the United States is one of the few nations in the world not using the military to secure the border. He said he based his declaration on news reports showing military forces on the borders of other countries. \"All you\u2019ve got to do is look at the news on TV,\" Painter said. \"You see it.\" He said he didn\u2019t remember which countries he saw on those news reports.","Janda followed up by email, calling the sheriff\u2019s statement \"demonstrably false. Most countries in the world use national law enforcement to police their borders just like we do.\" He added: \"The only countries that rely on their military to police\/defend their borders are nations facing severe instability involving lawlessness and\/or refugees in neighboring countries and\/or open warfare.\""]},{"id":"7522.json","label":"half-true","statement":"DEP has 2,812 employees, the lowest level since the mid-80s.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is correct that the proposed staffing level for the DEP in the fiscal year 2014 budget was 2,812 employees, the actual current staffing level at the time was 2,734 employees, which is 78 workers less than the figure mentioned. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the proposed staffing level but does not accurately represent the current staffing level. It is important to note that the statement does not provide the most up-to-date information on the DEP's staffing level.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But Huntsman would be correct if he was speaking about production, Grape said. \"We don\u2019t have more natural gas in this country than Saudi Arabia has oil, but we produce more natural gas in this country per year than Saudi Arabia produces oil.\"","Thompson campaign spokeswoman Lisa Boothe said Thompson \"clearly meant to say was that we produce more natural gas in this country every year than Saudi Arabia produces oil.\"","The U.S. produces more natural gas than Saudi Arabia produces oil. But in terms of reserves -- those that are proved and those that are technically recoverable -- Saudi Arabia leads.","3. The U.S. leads Saudi Arabia only when comparing current production levels -- the U.S. produces more natural gas every year than Saudi Arabia produces oil."]},{"id":"12519.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are tens of thousands of homes right here in California where you turn on the faucet but you cant drink the water.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the issue of water quality problems in some homes in California. However, without specific evidence or data to support the claim that there are \"tens of thousands\" of such homes, it is difficult to verify the exact magnitude of the problem. While there are documented cases of water contamination in certain areas of California, the statement lacks the necessary context and evidence to provide a comprehensive assessment of the situation statewide. Therefore, the statement is partially true but would benefit from more specific information to support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Massachusetts is reporting a trend far below the national trend in the escalation of health-care costs in this year,\" she said.","During a debate in which she argued that the health-care overhaul in Massachusetts has brought down costs, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts said, \"Massachusetts is reporting a trend far below the national trend in the escalation of healthcare costs in this year.\"","We wondered if the increase in health-care costs in Massachusetts -- where residents are required to have health insurance or pay a penalty -- was really far below the U.S. trend this year.","And during the other three years when health insurance reform was in effect in Massachusetts, the trend was that insurance rates and overall costs of health care went up faster than the national average."]},{"id":"11999.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Marco Rubio has the No. 1absentee record in the United States Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Marco Rubio did have a significant number of missed votes during his time in the United States Senate, which was widely reported by various sources, including the Tampa Bay Times. While it may not be accurate to claim that he had the absolute \"No. 1 absentee record,\" as there may have been other senators with similar or slightly higher absentee rates, Rubio's missed votes were notable and garnered attention during his presidential campaign.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Initial efforts to strip airport contractors of their special diversity status \"has no effect\" on the contracts or the city\u2019s diversity goals.","Jacobs has it right. If GDOT begins proceedings to revoke the disadvantaged business status of these four businesses, their status will stand until the efforts are finished. And even then, their contracts could remain in effect.","If the airport doesn\u2019t meet its goals, that may be fine as well. The city doesn\u2019t have to meet a diversity quota, according to the regulations. It simply has to act \"in good faith\" to get there.","If a disadvantaged business wins a city contract, it counts toward the airport\u2019s diversity goals, which helps the city stay in the good graces of the federal DOT."]},{"id":"8494.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If your plan is the result of collective bargaining, no subsequent changes by anybody -- insurance companies, Obamacare -- can force your grandfathered policy to change.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that collective bargaining agreements can protect certain health insurance plans from immediate changes, the statement oversimplifies the situation. The provision mentioned in the evidence does provide some protection for plans that were included in collective bargaining agreements ratified before March 23, 2010. However, it is important to note that these plans can still be subject to changes in the future. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge that union-negotiated self-insured plans are treated similarly to regular employer plans, and they are not exempt from potential changes. Therefore, the claim that \"no subsequent changes by anybody\" can force a grandfathered policy to change is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the provisions of the law.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4890.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Oregon has the sixth highest combined death tax rate in the country.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Oregon has a combined death tax rate, the statement that Oregon has the sixth highest combined death tax rate in the country is misleading. According to the evidence provided, Oregon shares the sixth spot with 11 other states, meaning there are multiple states with the same combined death tax rate. Additionally, the ranking only covers the high end of the range, and it does not consider states with lower combined death tax rates. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a January declaration promoting a restoration of powers to the states, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott complained, \"While states used to have regulatory power over fishing, federal law now regulates down to the tenth of the inch the minimum size of fish that anglers can keep.\"","\"Over the last two centuries, the federal Congress has steadily expanded its reach into every nook and cranny of every Americans' life \u2014 and kicked the states to the curb in the process,\" Abbott said. Among examples, Abbott elaborated: \"While states used to have regulatory power over fishing, federal law now regulates down to the tenth of the inch the minimum size of fish that anglers can keep.\"","So, have the feds really pushed the states aside as the arbitrator of minimum fish lengths down to the tenth of an inch?","In other words, the federal government has taken no regulatory authority away from the states when it comes to minimum fish lengths."]},{"id":"10782.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The man who killed a motorist who fatally struck a 2-year-old was back on the street because he had received a 13-year sentence for bank robbery but only served two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately conflates two separate cases. The first part of the statement refers to the case of Chase Legleitner and Lamar Lloyd, where Legleitner received a two-year jail sentence and Lloyd received a 26-year prison sentence for separate crimes. The second part of the statement introduces a different case involving a person who received a 13-year sentence for bank robbery but allegedly served only two years. However, there is no evidence provided to support this claim, and it is not directly related to the Legleitner and Lloyd case. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Social Security took seven years before anybody got the first check,\" Leno said. \"It was seven years before anyone got anything.\"","In the few years of this temporary program, about 441,000 people got checks and the total payments were more than $25 million.","The original Social Security Act, in Section 202, said people would have to wait until Jan. 1, 1942, before they could start receiving monthly checks. That would be seven years after passage.","But Congress amended the Social Security Act in 1939 to move up the issuance of monthly checks, the Social Security Administration told PunditFact. The first monthly check was issued in 1940, the Social Security Administration told us."]},{"id":"9939.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When I left office, there was a $7-million surplus in Providence, but in 2008, the city had a $110-million deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. When former Mayor Cianci left office, there was indeed a $7-million surplus in Providence. However, it is also true that in 2008, the city faced a $110-million deficit. The deficit occurred after Cianci left office, during the tenure of another mayor. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is accurate, the second part incorrectly attributes the deficit to Cianci's time in office. It's important to clarify that the deficit occurred after Cianci's term as mayor.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8364.json","label":"half-true","statement":"This year, the federal government will have more revenue than any year in the history of our country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the federal government is projected to have higher revenue for the current year compared to previous years, it is important to note that this increase is primarily due to the extraordinary circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic and the unprecedented government response. The increase in revenue is not indicative of a long-term trend or a sustainable level of revenue. Therefore, while the statement is true for the current year, it lacks the context of the exceptional circumstances contributing to this increase.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Walker said Obama told the Coast Guard Academy \"that the number one threat to the military and the world today is global warming.\"","!President Barack Obama made climate change the focus of his June 2015 commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Gov. Scott Walker says Obama told the graduates that global warming was the top threat facing the military and world. (AP photos) !President Barack Obama made climate change the focus of his June 2015 commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Gov. Scott Walker says Obama told the graduates that global warming was the top threat facing the military and world. (AP photos)","President Barack Obama made climate change the focus of his June 2015 commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Gov. Scott Walker says Obama told the graduates that global warming was the top threat facing the military and world. (AP photos)","\"You know, I think about how mixed up this Obama-Clinton doctrine is when it comes to foreign policy,\" Walker said. \"We've got a president who, earlier this year -- at the graduation ceremony for the Coast Guard Academy -- stood up and actually told the graduates that the number one threat to the military and the world today is global warming."]},{"id":"10426.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama is not paying women equally by his own measures in his own White House.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been a gender pay gap in the United States, the statement that President Barack Obama is not paying women equally by his own measures in his own White House is misleading. The claim is based on a comparison of average salaries between men and women in the White House, which does not take into account factors such as job roles, experience, and qualifications. It is important to note that President Obama has been an advocate for equal pay and has taken steps to address the gender pay gap, including signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. While there may be disparities in specific roles or positions, it is inaccurate to suggest that President Obama intentionally paid women less for equal work in his administration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8909.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that as a U.S. senator, Scott Brown delivered for Wall Street, saving big banks $19 billion in taxes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Brown opposed a specific $19 billion tax proposal related to Dodd-Frank, characterizing it as him delivering a tax break for big banks is misleading. Brown's overall support for Dodd-Frank, which included significant taxes and fees on the financial sector, contradicts the claim that he solely worked to save big banks money. The statement fails to provide a comprehensive view of Brown's actions and the broader context of financial regulation. Therefore, the claim is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Really, all they care about is that his production continues in the direction that it's going,\" Klatt said. \"When you talk about postseason, second all-time in terms of average yards per rush only to Terrell Davis. So this guy can definitely play.\"","How has Lynch performed in the playoffs? He has rushed 109 times for 560 yards or an average of 5.1 yards per rush. (Nearly 12 percent of Lynch\u2019s playoff yards came on one 67-yard run in the 2011 playoffs. That one run raises Lynch\u2019s average rush by more than half a yard.)","Among players with a minimum of 100 attempts, Lynch is currently second, Labombarda said. The Seahawks running back is sandwiched between Davis -- at 5.6 yards -- and former Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs running back Marcus Allen, who played for 16 seasons and in 15 playoff games, averaging 5 yards per rush in the postseason.","That is indeed less than former Davis, the former Denver Broncos running back, who averaged a whopping 5.6 yards per rush over 204 carries."]},{"id":"11202.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The rate in which people are working (in Wisconsin) is almost five points higher than it is nationally.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Walker accurately reflects the data regarding the employment rate in Wisconsin compared to the national average. The evidence confirms that as of June 2015, Wisconsin's employment rate was approximately 5.3 percentage points higher than the national rate. Additionally, historical data from 2010 also supports the claim that Wisconsin consistently had a higher employment rate compared to the national average. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When housing and transportation costs are combined, Atlanta\u2019s cost of living -- typically perceived as relatively low -- ranks as 7th worst out of 51 metros nationally.\"","\"When housing and transportation costs are combined, Atlanta\u2019s cost of living -- typically perceived as relatively low -- ranks as 7th worst out of 51 metros nationally,\" the ad said.","Sixteen out of 51 isn\u2019t great. And it reinforces the group\u2019s overall point that transportation costs significantly add to the cost of living in metro Atlanta.","But this particular H+T ranking addresses transportation costs only -- not housing and transportation costs combined. The group, however, does have that information."]},{"id":"12590.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Hillary Clinton surged the trade deficit with China 40% as Secretary of State, costing Americans millions of jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Hillary Clinton \"surged\" the trade deficit with China by 40% as Secretary of State is an exaggeration. While it is true that the trade deficit with China increased during the time she served as Secretary of State, attributing the entire increase solely to her actions is misleading. Trade deficits are influenced by various factors, including global economic conditions and policies implemented by multiple administrations. It is inaccurate to solely blame Clinton for the trade deficit increase, and the claim that it directly resulted in the loss of millions of jobs is unsupported. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Overall, Georgia\u2019s health hasn\u2019t truly \"declined\" in the past decade as Deal said. It\u2019s consistently low compared with other states, and during the past 10 years, our record has been mixed.","Abrams told us she got the numbers from the U.S. Census, the actual count of people living in the United States that the government takes every 10 years.","Deal made the claim after the passage of House Bill 214, which would create a new Georgia Department of Public Health. The legislation elevates public health to a Cabinet-level position, which supporters think will give the health of Georgians the attention it needs.","\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d"]},{"id":"6189.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ann Kuster said the debate over Americas debt limit is not an important issue of the day.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes a claim to Ann Kuster, stating that she said the debate over America's debt limit is not an important issue of the day. However, there is no evidence or citation provided to support this claim. It is important to ensure that statements are accurately attributed and supported by credible sources.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2216.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On whether to eliminate the state income tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the mixed positions and statements regarding the elimination of the state income tax. While there have been discussions and statements from individuals like Youngkin expressing a desire to eliminate the state income tax, there is no concrete plan or commitment to do so. Additionally, there have been conflicting statements, such as Youngkin's recent statement indicating a change in his stance on eliminating the state income tax. Therefore, the statement accurately captures the uncertainty and varying positions on the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"North Carolina spends $855 less per student than it did before the Great Recession, and we have one of the lowest per pupil spending levels in the nation,\" Cooper\u2019s plan reads.","However, those NEA numbers show North Carolina\u2019s per-pupil spending is actually higher than it was in 2007 and only slightly lower than in 2008, certainly not $855 lower. So what about Cooper\u2019s claim that North Carolina spends $855 less per student than before the recession?","Those numbers show North Carolina has been falling further behind the national average. NEA\u2019s 2015-16 report isn\u2019t out yet, but in 2014-15 it ranked North Carolina 46th out of 51, counting all the states and Washington, D.C., in per-pupil expenditure. That backs up Cooper\u2019s claim that \"we have one of the lowest per pupil spending levels in the nation.\"","The combined per-pupil spending is down $1,118. State spending by itself is down $481. So Cooper\u2019s claim of \"$855 less\" is right in the middle of that range."]},{"id":"10527.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"ISISsends out 90,000 social (media)messages a day.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources confirm that ISIS and its supporters produce a significant number of social media messages each day, with estimates reaching or exceeding 90,000. While it is challenging to obtain precise data on the exact number, the evidence suggests that the claim is mostly true. The high volume of social media messages allows ISIS to disseminate its propaganda and reach a wide audience, contributing to their digital presence and influence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the interview, DeWine was asked about Santorum\u2019s comments about pre-natal screenings and abortion. But his claim, that it\u2019s a fact that \"90-percent of Down syndrome children were aborted in this country,\" made no such mention of screenings and a Down Syndrome diagnosis. His statement would also include, for example, Down syndrome children born to mothers who had no prenatal testing.","\"The fact is 90-percent of Down syndrome children were aborted in this country,\" DeWine responded. \"Maybe some people don\u2019t think that is a problem. I\u2019m shocked by it. I think it\u2019s a sad commentary. And what he was simply saying is the government should not compel every insurance policy that is written to cover that.\"","A number of scientific studies have shown an abortion rate from 80 percent to 90 percent -- close to what Santorum said -- but all have been localized. Since there\u2019s evidence that the decision to abort can vary by region, we think it\u2019s an overstatement for Santorum to say that after prenatal diagnosis, \"90 percent of Down syndrome children in America are aborted.\" There are no standardized, national numbers, so his use of the term \"in America\" is problematic. On balance, we rate his statement Half True.","During an interview on CBS News' Face the Nation on Feb. 19, 2012(;contentBody), Rick Santorum got into a lengthy discussion of prenatal issues with host Bob Schieffer. We\u2019re looking at two claims from that exchange; but here we\u2019re focusing on here is that \"90 percent of Down syndrome children in America are aborted.\""]},{"id":"2995.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Unemployment and the housing and auto industry crises can be fixed by giving a million dollars to every worker over age 50 to retire.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that giving a million dollars to every worker over the age of 50 to retire would fix the issues of unemployment and the crises in the housing and auto industries. However, this proposal is highly unrealistic and lacks any basis in economic or policy analysis. It is not a feasible or practical solution to address these complex issues. Therefore, the statement is deemed as highly exaggerated and not grounded in reality.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Scott said \"Over the past 35 years, Florida families have paid into the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) over $16 billion, four times more than the amount they have received in claim reimbursements.\"","\"Over the past 35 years, Florida families have paid into the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) over $16 billion, four times more than the amount they have received in claim reimbursements,\" Scott wrote in a Sept. 17 letter.","In Florida, \"policyholders paid $16.1 billion in premiums but collected only $4.5 billion in claims reimbursements: that is, premiums paid over time were about 3.6 times the insurance reimbursements,\" according to the study.","A study from the Wharton Center concluded that Florida\u2019s \"policyholders paid $16.1 billion in premiums but collected only $4.5 billion in claims reimbursements: that is, premiums paid over time were about 3.6 times the insurance reimbursements.\" That statistic from the study covered 1978-2008, but it\u2019s likely the trend has continued through 2012."]},{"id":"8462.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Emergency rooms account for 2 percent of all health care spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Nick Gillespie that emergency rooms account for 2 percent of all health care spending. While there may be different ways to calculate this figure, experts have confirmed that it is a credible estimation. Additionally, even if the exact percentage may vary, other calculations still place emergency room spending in the single digits. Therefore, while the statement could benefit from additional context or clarification, it is generally accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Dick Cheney said that \"the number of terrorists out there\" has doubled and that President Barack Obama said when \"we got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved.\" !Dick Cheney said that \"the number of terrorists out there\" has doubled and that President Barack Obama said when \"we got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved.\"","Dick Cheney said that \"the number of terrorists out there\" has doubled and that President Barack Obama said when \"we got bin Laden, terrorism problem solved.\"","\"The scope of the problem, in part, is based upon an unwillingness by the president to recognize we have a problem,\" Cheney said. \"They're still living back in the day when they claimed we got (Osama) bin Laden, terrorism problem solved. That wasn\u2019t true then, it\u2019s even less true today.\"","The question for us in this fact-check: Did Obama declare the terrorism problem solved after special forces killed bin Laden in 2011?"]},{"id":"6928.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy is trying to hide his drunken assault of a police officer.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately characterizes the incident involving Patrick Murphy and the police officer. While Murphy was arrested for disorderly intoxication and possession of a stolen driver's license, there is no evidence to support the claim that it was a \"drunken assault\" on a police officer. The fact-checking sources indicate that Murphy was not charged with assault, the case was ultimately dropped, and there is no evidence to suggest that he tried to hide the incident. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not align with the available information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The NRA and the gun manufacturers know that every year there is a slightly smaller percentage of American households owning guns,\" Clinton, a Democrat, said during the Feb. 24 speech at the Hippodrome theater.","But contrary to Clinton\u2019s claim, the percentage of households possessing firearms hasn\u2019t decreased every year. Since 2000, the percentage has been fairly static, bobbing slightly up and down.","Although polls on gun-owning households are erratic, you can make a plausible argument they show a long-range downward trend. Clinton cites a series of surveys by the University of Chicago that show a drop of 19 percentage points since the early 1970s.","We wondered whether Clinton was correct that, every year, there\u2019s a slow and steady decline in the proportion of households that own guns."]},{"id":"3853.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We had (a bill) in Florida where we now are prohibiting doctors to talk -- particularly pediatricians -- to talk to their patients about gun safety in the home.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it misrepresents the intent and impact of the Florida law. The law in question did not outright prohibit doctors, including pediatricians, from discussing gun safety with their patients. Instead, it limited the circumstances in which healthcare providers could inquire about gun ownership, stating that they should refrain from making written inquiries or asking questions unless they believed in good faith that the information was relevant to the patient's medical care or safety. While the law imposed some restrictions on these discussions, it did not outright prohibit them as the statement suggests.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The World Health Organization has published a global tuberculosis report every year since 1997. But in 2020, the global TB report isn\u2019t just being used for educational purposes; it\u2019s also being used to mislead social media users about the severity of COVID-19.","\u2022 Each year, 10 million people worldwide contract tuberculosis and 1.5 million people die from TB, according to the World Health Organization.","\"Almost 4500 people lose their lives to tuberculosis EVERY SINGLE DAY. 30,000 people fall ill with tuberculosis EVERY SINGLE DAY. Last year alone, 10 million fell ill from TB and 1.5 million died,\" the post reads, pointing to the World Health Organization as a source. \"Why don\u2019t we wear masks for TB? Because CNN hasn\u2019t instructed you to.\"","The Union, an international organization that aims to help countries develop, implement and assess \"anti-tuberculosis, lung health and non-communicable disease programmes,\" created a frequently asked questions document about COVID-19 and TB."]},{"id":"6139.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Most of Ted Cruzs money comes from Washington, from outside the state of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"most of Ted Cruz's money comes from Washington, from outside the state of Texas\" is not accurate. According to the available evidence, Cruz had gathered less than 10 percent of his campaign's itemized contributions from Washington donors and less than 40 percent from outside Texas. While it is true that some of Cruz's funding came from outside the state, the statement exaggerates the extent to which his money originated from Washington and out-of-state sources.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Remnants of the foreclosure crisis linger everywhere,\" said Fudge, citing home values pummeled by the plague of blighted and abandoned houses. \"More than a quarter of mortgage borrowers are underwater and 11 percent of all homes are vacant.\"","Her statement that 11 percent of the nation\u2019s homes are vacant is technically accurate. But there are many reasons that those homes are unoccupied and a researcher for the source of her figure, the U.S. Census Bureau, cautioned that its survey of vacant homes would not accurately measure foreclosures.","Borrowers can end up underwater on their mortgages if their homes decline in value or if their mortgage debt increases. Sometimes the two factors combine. Negative equity makes borrowers more vulnerable to foreclosure because it makes it harder to sell or refinance their houses if they can\u2019t keep current on their mortgage payments.","Underwater borrowers who can still afford their mortgage payments sometimes walk away from the loss and allow their homes to enter foreclosure. Such \"strategic defaults\" add to the glut of vacancies and further drag down home prices."]},{"id":"10837.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The 2005 round of military base closings has not yet resulted in savings.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the 2005 round of military base closings has not yet resulted in savings, it is important to note the context. The primary goal of the 2005 round was to transform installations to better support military forces, rather than solely focusing on saving money and space. Therefore, it may not be an accurate gauge of the savings that could be achieved through another Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. The statement should be understood in the context of the specific goals and objectives of the 2005 round.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8686.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Florida has experienced positive job growth for 39 consecutive months.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is correct that Florida has seen year-over-year job growth for 39 consecutive months, it is misleading to claim that the state has experienced positive job growth for 39 consecutive months without providing the full context. In reality, Florida has gained jobs in 29 out of the 34 months for which data is available during Governor Scott's term. This means that there were five months during this period where Florida experienced job losses. Therefore, while there has been significant job growth in Florida, it is not accurate to claim uninterrupted positive job growth for 39 consecutive months.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"796.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"AIG executives ... (took) a junket for over $400,000. Twice.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that AIG organized a weeklong conference for brokers at a luxurious California resort after receiving a bailout, the statement that the executives took a junket for over $400,000 twice is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided does not explicitly mention the exact cost of the junket, nor does it mention that it occurred twice. The evidence only states that AIG paid more than $147,000 for banquets, $23,000 for spa services, and $6,900 for golf at the resort. While the expenses were criticized for their extravagance, the specific claim of the executives taking a junket for over $400,000 twice lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The \"current law\" analysis shows even bigger gains for millionaires. By this method, the average tax cut for someone with cash income north of $1 million a year would be $390,876, according to the Tax Policy Center.","\"For example, a couple with two children earning less than $26,400 will pay no federal income tax this year because their $11,600 standard deduction and four exemptions of $3,700 each reduce their taxable income to zero,\" Roberton Williams, a scholar with the Tax Policy Center, wrote last year. \"The basic structure of the income tax simply exempts subsistence levels of income from tax.\"","In a May 5, 2012, campaign speech in Columbus, Ohio, Obama said, \"My opponent won\u2019t tell us how he\u2019d pay for his new, $5 trillion tax cut -- a tax cut that gives an average of $250,000 to every millionaire in this country.\"","And the higher you go on the income scale, the bigger the tax cuts become. Under the center\u2019s more restrictive \"current policy\" method, the top one-tenth of 1 percent of taxpayers -- those earning $2,868,534 a year -- would get an average tax cut of $725,716. That accounts for 19.4 percent of all the tax cuts\u2019 benefits."]},{"id":"4201.json","label":"false","statement":"Harry Reids plan is basically giving the president a blank check.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Harry Reid's plan is giving the president a blank check. There is no evidence to support this assertion. Harry Reid, as the Senate Minority Leader, did not have the power to unilaterally give the president a blank check. The statement appears to be a misrepresentation or an exaggeration of Reid's actions or proposals.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2254.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Jim Renacci supports a national sales tax of 23 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence indicates that Jim Renacci has expressed support for a national sales tax rate of 23 percent. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive understanding of Renacci's stance on the issue. It suggests that there may be additional context and nuances to his position that are not fully explored. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Renacci's support for a 23 percent national sales tax, it lacks the complete picture of his views on the matter.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["James Vincent said 24 states today require voter IDs or impose some other restrictions on voting, while only two states had such limits before Barack Obama was elected.","The only comparable pre-Obama metric we could find, from the National Conference of State Legislatures, involves voter photo identification, so we'll stick with that.","\"I think within five minutes, both Texas and North Carolina couldn't wait to restrict voting rights,\" said Vincent. \"Let's face it. I think there's 24 states that have voting IDs or some form of restrictions in terms of who can vote and who can't vote, and I think before President Obama was elected, I think it was two.\"","NAACP Providence President Jim Vincent says 24 states have restrictive voting laws now, compared with 2 before President Obama was elected"]},{"id":"5927.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On gun policy","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research claims that their scientific research is not influenced by any funding source, it is important to note that the funding landscape for gun research has shifted. Nonprofits that advocate against gun violence have become the main funders for gun research, and these organizations often have clear positions on gun policy. While the Center for Gun Policy and Research may strive to maintain independence, the broader funding environment suggests that some research in the field may be influenced by the positions of these advocacy groups.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I've never said that I didn't think it was a good idea,\" Walker told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. \"I've just questioned the timing in the past and whether it was right at that time.\"","Walker has been an advocate of right to work dating back to 1993, when he sponsored such legislation as a Wisconsin state lawmaker.","There had been no dramatic change by Vos on the timing of lawmakers considering right to work. Even after the November 2014 elections, he seemed reluctant to let another contentious debate over unions take precedence over the rest of his agenda. But we found he was no longer talking about years of waiting before legislators take up the issue.","!Before saying he would sign right-to-work legislation in Wisconsin's 2015 legislative session, Gov. Scott Walker said he would not support it during that session. !Before saying he would sign right-to-work legislation in Wisconsin's 2015 legislative session, Gov. Scott Walker said he would not support it during that session."]},{"id":"465.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama ... gave almost a million dollars to the (Kenya) opposition campaign who just happened to be his cousin, Raila Odinga.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obama gave almost a million dollars to the Kenyan opposition campaign led by Raila Odinga, who is his cousin, is false. The Obama campaign has denied this allegation, and there is no credible evidence to support it. Both the Obama campaign and Raila Odinga's spokesman have confirmed that Obama did not provide any financial support to Odinga's campaign. This claim is a baseless and unfounded rumor.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A robocall we received last week, recorded by Fox News host and former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, claims that President Obama\u2019s refusal to grant permits for offshore drilling is a key reason why gasoline prices have been rising.","Mike Huckabee is telling people who receive his robocall that Obama has refused to issue offshore drilling permits -- one reason, he says, why gasoline prices are soaring.","Huckabee says the call is on behalf of the conservative group Presidential Coalition. In it, he claims \"the potential for $5- or $6-a-gallon gasoline this year terrifies Barack Obama, and it's an issue that we can lay directly on his doorstep. Obama's veto of the Keystone pipeline, his refusal to drill in Alaska or grant permits for offshore drilling, his cozying up to the Middle East and weakness on the energy issue, that's the reason gas prices are soaring, and don't let anyone tell you different.\"","But we were more interested in checking one of the other key parts of Huckabee\u2019s claim -- that the president had refused to grant permits for offshore drilling."]},{"id":"11483.json","label":"false","statement":"Sixty-one percent of our bridges are in trouble.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that 61 percent of our bridges are in trouble is false. No evidence or context is provided to support this claim, and it contradicts the available data and expert opinions on the state of bridges in the United States. While there may be concerns about the condition of some bridges, the claim of 61 percent being in trouble is unsubstantiated and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3766.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The new beverage tax will increase the cost of sodas, juice drinks, sports drinks, iced teas, and flavored water up to 50%.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the new beverage tax will increase the cost of certain drinks, including sodas, juice drinks, sports drinks, iced teas, and flavored water. However, the claim that the increase will be up to 50% is not supported by the evidence provided. Without specific information on the exact percentage increase, it is difficult to determine the precise impact on prices. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in acknowledging the increase in costs, the specific percentage mentioned lacks substantiation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5851.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says an unchecked Democratic Majority in Trenton is responsible for years of diversions from the states unemployment insurance trust fund.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that fund diversions did occur in New Jersey, the statement inaccurately attributes the responsibility solely to an unchecked Democratic majority in Trenton. The evidence provided indicates that both political parties were responsible for fund diversions, with the Republican-controlled Legislature between 1992 and 1997 accounting for a significant portion of the diverted funds. Therefore, it is misleading to solely blame the Democratic majority for the years of diversions from the state's unemployment insurance trust fund.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The ad further misleads by saying Hillary Clinton \"savaged\" the dignity of people who accused Bill Clinton of sexual harassment or assault \"and shamed them.\"","Referring to Bill Clinton's accusers, the ad claims that Hillary Clinton \"stage-managed their destruction from a White House war room. She savaged their dignity and shamed them.\"","The ad says, \"When Bill Cosby was accused of sexual assault, Mrs. Clinton tweeted, \u2018Every survivor of sexual assault deserves to be believe.\u2019 \"","Bill Clinton certainly has been accused of sexual assault and having affairs. The record shows Hillary Clinton played a role in defending her husband, and that the Clintons\u2019 first presidential campaign deployed tough tactics to defend against stories of consensual sex."]},{"id":"10171.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nathan Deal saved the HOPE scholarship program.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Governor Nathan Deal played a significant role in addressing the financial challenges faced by the HOPE scholarship program in Georgia. While it is important to note that the program did undergo changes and modifications under his administration, it is accurate to say that Governor Deal took steps to ensure the program's sustainability and availability for future generations. His efforts helped to stabilize the HOPE scholarship program and maintain its accessibility for students seeking college education or technical training.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"There are a number of reasons for the wide variation in published tuition and fees by state \u2014 state tuition philosophy, aid policy, economic conditions, and funding for higher education,\" said Jennifer Ma, the College Board\u2019s policy research scientist. \"For example, New Hampshire, which has the highest published tuition and fees for the public four-year sector in 2014-15, does not have a state grant aid program and has the lowest state appropriations on a per-student basis.\"","\"We don't need the federal government to be involved in this, because when they do, we create a $1.2 trillion debt,\" said the former Florida governor. \"In Florida, we have the lowest in-state tuition of any state, because there's accountability, just as John (Kasich) said. You'll create a much better graduation rate at a lower cost, and you won't indebt the next generation with recourse debt on their backs.\"","\"We don't need the federal government to be involved in this, because when they do, we create a $1.2 trillion debt,\" said the former Florida governor during the Oct. 28 debate in Boulder, Colo. \"In Florida, we have the lowest in-state tuition of any state, because there's accountability, just as John (Kasich) said. You'll create a much better graduation rate at a lower cost, and you won't indebt the next generation with recourse debt on their backs.\"","A viral post on Facebook described Florida as the \"3rd most populous state, 4th largest state economy, the 45th in state education funding.\" We saw the post the same week thousands of teachers and activists rallied in Tallahassee at the outset of the state legislative session for better funding."]},{"id":"234.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"The estate tax, which came into being by Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt and others ... is there for a real simple reason: In America, we've never liked the idea of massive inherited wealth.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the estate tax has historical roots and was supported by Republicans like Teddy Roosevelt, the statement oversimplifies the reasons for its existence. The estate tax was initially implemented as a means to generate revenue for war efforts, such as World War I. While the sentiment of not favoring massive inherited wealth has been a factor, it is not the sole reason for the estate tax's existence. The statement could benefit from acknowledging the broader historical context and the various reasons behind the implementation and evolution of the estate tax.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The graphic says that in Japan, \"permanent residency is not given to Muslims,\" the \"propagation of Islam\" is banned, \"one cannot import a Koran published in the Arabic language,\" and \"Muslims cannot even rent a house.\"","We wondered whether the graphic is accurate. To streamline our analysis, we focused mostly on these four claims -- that in Japan, \"permanent residency is not given to Muslims,\" the \"propagation of Islam\" is banned, \"one cannot import a Koran published in the Arabic language,\" and \"Muslims cannot even rent a house.\"","He said Japan doesn\u2019t discriminate in permanent residency on the basis of religion and that \"propagation\" of Islam is not banned. He added that the Koran or other religious books in Arabic can be imported.","As for renting a residence, he said there may be some reluctance among residents of Japan to rent apartments to foreigners as a general rule, but he said there\u2019s no specific animus toward Muslims."]},{"id":"7318.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I had to lay off 48 people last year, which has exacerbated the lack of law enforcement officers in the county that respond quickly to crime calls.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies a direct link between the speaker's layoff of 48 people and the lack of law enforcement officers in the county. However, there is no evidence provided to establish a causal relationship between these two events. The lack of law enforcement officers responding quickly to crime calls could be influenced by various factors, such as resource allocation, recruitment challenges, or changes in law enforcement policies. Without further evidence connecting the layoff to the shortage of law enforcement officers, the statement lacks sufficient support.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Washington Democrats still don\u2019t get it,\" House Republican Leader John Boehner wrote in a press release. \"Two days after the president brushed off Republicans' concerns that Democrats' job-killing policies are causing great uncertainty for small businesses, the White House is now declaring in a new report that the trillion-dollar 'stimulus' will be one of history\u2019s 'great triumphs.' The very same report, however, notes that unemployment will average 10 percent for the rest of the year. The Obama administration promised the trillion-dollar 'stimulus' would create jobs 'immediately' and keep joblessness below 8 percent.\"","The report does, in fact, project that the unemployment rate will hover at about 10 percent through this year. With many press accounts of the economic report highlighting the forecast that job gains for 2010 will average 95,000 a month, those two facts may seem at odds. They are not.","But Boehner's statement includes an assumption masquerading as a fact: It's that the stimulus has failed if unemployment rates remain at 10 percent through the year.","In other words, just because the unemployment rate may stay at a whopping 10 percent, \"doesn't mean that the stimulus didn't prevent an even worse catastrophe,\" Burtless said."]},{"id":"7249.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The fiscal cliff deal increased spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the fiscal cliff deal did lead to an increase in spending, it is important to note that the deal also included provisions that resulted in lower taxes for many individuals compared to if the nation had gone off the fiscal cliff. Therefore, while the deal did increase spending, it also had other effects on the overall fiscal situation. It is crucial to consider the full context of the deal and its impact on both spending and taxes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Pasco County has the second highest population of homeless in all of Florida,\" said Brian Anderson, a homeless advocate from Hudson, on April 9, 2013, before the Senate Rules Committee.","A homeless advocate named Brian Anderson came to Tallahassee to support a bill that would allow people at the DMV to check a box indicating they wanted to donate $1 to homeless programs. Anderson, of Hudson, evoked his home county in his plea, saying \"Pasco County has the second highest population of homeless in all of Florida.\"","At nearly 69 percent, California\u2019s share of unsheltered homeless people was the highest in the nation, the report found. Oregon had the second-highest share at about 62 percent.","Hillsborough County, by a large margin, has the most homeless residents. In second, over more populous counties, is Pasco, at 4,442 residents in 2011 and 4,502 residents in 2012. (Not all counties count the homeless in even years, so some 2012 numbers are repeated from 2011.)"]},{"id":"12123.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today, the United States has, sadly, one of the lowest voter turnouts of any major country on earth.","reason":"Reason: Bernie Sanders' statement accurately reflects the concern he has raised about low voter turnout in the United States. While the term \"major country\" is subjective, it is generally accepted that the voter turnout in the United States is lower compared to many other developed nations. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific data or a direct comparison to support the claim. Therefore, while the statement captures the overall sentiment regarding voter turnout, it could benefit from additional context and evidence to provide a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["WHO supports the use of vaccines for children and says that there is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine has killed children.","One Taliban spokesperson, Suhail Shaheen, has over 390,000 followers and recently tweeted that the group welcomes Afghans who have previously worked with the U.S. or the Afghan government\u2019s administration. The Taliban has promised this before, but some Afghans believe they will be executed if the Taliban finds out about their previous work.","\"Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has left training camp and says he will \u2018not play another down in the NFL\u2019 until the team changes their name.\u201d","Says Novak Djokovic said of Simone Biles: \u201cPressure is a privilege, my friend. ...If you are aiming to be at the top of the game you better start learning how to deal with pressure\u2026\u201d"]},{"id":"1490.json","label":"true","statement":"During the recent global warming summit in Copenhagen, Nancy Pelosi and others stayed at a five-star hotel on a trip costing nearly $10,000 per person.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that during the global warming summit in Copenhagen, Nancy Pelosi and others did stay at a five-star hotel, and the trip did incur significant costs. While the exact cost per person is not explicitly mentioned, the evidence suggests that the expenses for food and lodging alone for Pelosi amounted to $4,406. Additionally, the evidence highlights that the host hotel required guests to pay for a minimum of six nights, regardless of their actual stay duration. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the trip cost was close to $10,000 per person, as stated in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3503.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that during the first 19 months of the Obama administration, the U.S. detained people from nations designated as state sponsors of terrorism on the southwestern border.","reason":"Reason: Senator John Cornyn claimed that during the first 19 months of the Obama administration, the U.S. detained people from nations designated as state sponsors of terrorism on the southwestern border. While it is true that at least four nations designated as state sponsors of terrorism were included in the arrests, the statement lacks specific data or statistics to provide a comprehensive understanding of the scale or frequency of these detentions. Without more information, it is difficult to assess the extent of this occurrence and determine if it was a significant issue or an isolated incident. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks crucial context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Any legislator who participated in the session helped balance the budget. And unlike elementary school, there's no award for attendance in Georgia politics.","Cox's claim was misleading. Not only did he leave out the crucial fact that balancing the state's budget is a legislator's duty. He and his colleagues \"helped\" pass a budget that's reliant on money from the federal government, which is deep in debt. In effect, Georgia's in the black thanks in large part to the deficit spending Cox rails against.","If the budget isn't balanced, the spring legislative session doesn't end, said Katherine Willoughby, a professor of public management and policy at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. If the budget goes out of balance during the course of the fiscal year, the governor must call a special session.","Still, avoiding tax increases wasn't the accomplishment Cox makes it out to be. He and other legislators didn't cut enough spending for state government to pay for itself. Cox was among those who voted for a fiscal 2011 state budget with almost $13 billion in federal funding, according to a recent article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The budget was balanced, in part, by shifting the burden to the U.S. government."]},{"id":"1586.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rubio admitted he \"would have accepted the stimulus money.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Marco Rubio stated he would have accepted portions of the stimulus money that would not have put Florida in a worse position in the future. This is based on an interview with Keith Cate of WFLA-TV in Tampa. However, it's important to note that the context of the statement is crucial. Rubio's position on the stimulus was critical overall, but he expressed willingness to accept certain portions of the money that would not harm Florida's future. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood in the context of Rubio's overall stance on the stimulus.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But just because the average taxpayer would get a cut doesn\u2019t mean that all taxpayers would. The Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center says that by 2027, roughly 25 to 30 percent of middle-class households would face a tax increase relative to current law. That\u2019s because a family tax credit created by the bill would expire after 2022 and the because law uses a slower-growing measure of inflation for things such as the standard deduction, which has the effect of raising taxes over time.","The Tax Foundation found that, comparing the House bill to current law, the average taxpayer in the middle class would see an increase in their after-tax income -- that is, a tax cut -- in each year from 2018 through 2027.","A $300-per-parent family credit that would be created with the House bill does expire in 2023. But the credit would be available to all families, not just the middle class, though arguably it means more to middle-class families than to higher-income ones.","The net tax cuts going to the richest 1 percent increases from about 34 percent in 2019 to 47 percent in 2027 under the House bill, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. That\u2019s partly because the tax cuts titled to the wealthiest are permanent."]},{"id":"9161.json","label":"true","statement":"Drone technology now allows an individual to be recorded in their homes by drones as small as birds and immediately uploaded to the internet.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the capabilities of drone technology. Drones can indeed be as small as birds and have the capability to record individuals in their homes. Furthermore, the statement does not specify whether this recording is legal or ethical, but rather highlights the technological capability of drones in capturing such footage. It is important to note that the legality and ethical considerations surrounding drone usage vary by jurisdiction and specific circumstances.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"830.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"McCain is \"selectively editing Joe Biden's words...Biden actually said about Barack Obama: 'They're gonna find out this guy's got steel in his spine.'\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the McCain campaign selectively edited Joe Biden's words, the statement in question, \"They're gonna find out this guy's got steel in his spine,\" was indeed said by Biden about Barack Obama. However, the Obama ad implies that the editing was more egregious than it actually was, suggesting an outrageous lapse that is not supported by the evidence. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks context and exaggerates the significance of the editing.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"How can we compete in the world if millions of American parents, especially moms, can\u2019t join the workforce because they can\u2019t afford the cost of child care or elder care? They have to stay home,\" Biden said in the Oct. 5 speech.","\u201cTitle 42 has fueled the border crisis. In 2019, 7 percent of illegal border crossings were repeated crossings. Today the rate is 27 percent.\u201d","Since the 1990s, the downturn has been driven mostly by \"married women with a college degree, particularly those married to high-earning men,\" said Stefania Albanesi, an economist at the University of Pittsburgh. Albanesi said her research suggests that a rise in earnings of college-educated men, particularly those at the top of the income distribution, has reduced the pressure for married women to take paying work outside the home.","\"President Biden has created more jobs in his first 7 months than any POTUS in history. During a pandemic. And an economic downturn. President Biden\u2019s leadership is helping America bounce back and our economy recover. Democrats will continue moving us forward.\""]},{"id":"13386.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Donald Trumps strategy is pretty simple. They have even said in his campaign its to get women to stay home, get young people to stay home, get people of color to stay home, and get a lot smart, intelligent men to stay home, too.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately portrays Donald Trump's strategy without providing any specific evidence or sources to support the claim. While it is true that there have been instances where Trump has made controversial statements or faced criticism regarding his remarks about women, minorities, and other groups, it is an oversimplification to suggest that his campaign explicitly aims to discourage these groups from voting. Without concrete evidence or direct quotes from Trump or his campaign, the statement lacks sufficient support and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The United States currently has the highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" Lance said in a news release last week that emphasized the need for tax reform.","\"The United States already has the highest corporate tax rate in the world,\" the freshman congressman wrote in a blog post on his website on April 24, 2012.","We separately checked Beckel\u2019s claim about deductions, but in this check, we\u2019ll see whether Bolling is correct that the United States\u2019 corporate tax rate ranks as the highest in \"the free world.\"","Japan once had the highest combined tax rate in the world, but lowered it in April 2012. That move bumped the United States\u2019 statutory rate to the highest among industrialized nations, according to an analysis by the Tax Foundation, a pro-business group."]},{"id":"5452.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The U.S. has a record number of oil rigs operating right now more working oil and gas rigs than the rest of the world combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that the United States has experienced a significant increase in oil production under the Obama administration and has reached an eight-year high in oil production, the claim that the U.S. has a \"record number of oil rigs operating right now\" and \"more working oil and gas rigs than the rest of the world combined\" is not entirely supported by evidence. While the U.S. does have a substantial number of oil rigs in operation, it is unclear if it surpasses the combined total of the rest of the world. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"About 22 percent of adults in Rhode Island and approximately 30 percent of youth (ages 10-17) are considered obese,\" he is quoted as saying in a legislative news release.","Lang also cited survey estimates of how many people in Rhode Island need treatment for substance abuse, but aren\u2019t getting it. For ages 12 and up, Rhode Island was in the \"highest\" group (ranking second at 3.9 percent). Again, we checked the rate for those ages 12 to 17, and the state remained in the top fifth, in sixth place at 4.9 percent.","The 2009 report also offers statistics for children age 10-17. That's where we found a Rhode Island number of 30.1 percent, matching McNamara\u2019s number.","To get the correct number for obese children, we went to the 2010 version of the report, which shows that the obesity rate for Rhode Island's youth, based on a 2007 survey, is much lower than McNamara states -- 14.4 percent."]},{"id":"456.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Bill Clinton invited him (the Rev. Wright) to the White House when he was having his personal crises.\"","reason":"Reason: There is evidence to support the claim that Bill Clinton invited the Rev. Wright to the White House during a time when Clinton was facing personal crises. While the specific details and context of the invitation are not provided, it is known that Wright visited the White House during Clinton's presidency. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific information about the nature of the personal crises or the purpose of Wright's visit, which could affect the overall accuracy and context of the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Last year (the U.S. women\u2019s soccer team) generated $20 million more than the men\u2019s team and were paid almost four times less.\"","An image shared by The Other 98 Percent said \"Last year (the U.S. women\u2019s soccer team) generated $20 million more than the men\u2019s team and were paid almost four times less.\"","\"Five All-Star Women\u2019s World Cup Champions just sued the U.S. Soccer Federation for pay equity,\" reads an image posted on Facebook by The Other 98 Percent, a liberal advocacy group. \"Last year, they generated $20 (million) more than the men\u2019s team and were paid almost four times less.\"","The Other 98 Percent\u2019s claim \u2014 that the women\u2019s soccer team made $20 million more for U.S. Soccer than the men yet were paid four times less \u2014 comes from news reports about the equal pay complaint, filed by players Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn."]},{"id":"7797.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Fulton County government hasnt raised its millage rate since 1991.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that the general fund millage rate for Fulton County government has not been raised since 1991. However, it's important to note that there have been increases in the millage rate for the South Fulton Special Services Fund, which impacts a specific portion of the county's population. Therefore, while the overall millage rate for Fulton County government has remained unchanged, there have been increases in specific areas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13525.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Obamacare, premiums have doubled and tripled in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Johnson that under Obamacare, premiums in Wisconsin have doubled and tripled. This claim is supported by a study conducted by the conservative Manhattan Institute, which found that the average premium for individuals who purchase their own health insurance in the Obamacare marketplace nearly doubled from 2013 to 2017. While the statement is generally true, it's important to note that the impact of premium increases can vary depending on individual circumstances and specific insurance plans.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"371.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"We have seen hate crimes skyrocket in the wake of the immigration debate.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that hate crimes have skyrocketed in the wake of the immigration debate is partially true. While it is accurate to say that hate crimes have increased, the term \"skyrocket\" may be an exaggeration. There has been a documented rise in hate crimes targeting certain marginalized communities, including immigrants, during periods of heightened immigration debates. However, the extent of the increase may vary depending on the specific time frame, location, and available data. It is important to note that hate crimes are a complex issue influenced by various factors, and the statement should be understood within that context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5481.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Connie Macks only real job in the real world was as events coordinator for Hooters!","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Connie Mack worked as an \"events coordinator\" for Hooters, labeling it as his only \"real job in the real world\" is an oversimplification. Mack's professional experience extends beyond his role at Hooters, as he has also been involved in political and public service positions. It is important to consider the entirety of his career and not solely focus on one specific job when evaluating his real-world experience.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A reader suggested PolitiFact Oregon take this on, and we found the topic interesting enough to tackle. Is a semiautomatic AR-15 an assault rifle? And were members of the Republican Party raffling one off at the Oregon State Fair?","\"I volunteer at the Democratic booth at the state fair. Last summer, as is my custom, I walked over to the Republican booth. The differences between the two parties couldn't be better illustrated than what I encountered,\" she wrote. \"While we were passing out free ice water, the Republicans were raffling off an AR-15 assault rifle.\"","We called Greg Leo, our go-to man at GOP state party headquarters, and asked about the rifle raffle. The state party spokesman said, \"It is true.\" How we love easy confirmations.","Leo went on to explain that the raffle was a fundraiser to benefit the Marion County Republican Central Committee. The state fair was just one of the locations where people could buy a $5 raffle ticket, and the rifle (.223 caliber) was not on site. The winner was directed to a dealer, who processed the paperwork and handled the transaction. Gun raffles, apparently, are not uncommon. The Oregon Firearms Federation is in the midst of raffling off five AR-15 rifles."]},{"id":"452.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Denies that he said the Obama campaign \"played the race card.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to suggest that President Obama denied saying that the Obama campaign \"played the race card.\" The claim is unsubstantiated and lacks any credible sources or evidence to support it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["After the grand jury decision, National Urban League president Marc Morial said, \"The number of killings of citizens by police is at a two-decade high.\"","Another issue up for debate is the use of deadly force by police. On this topic, we heard a noteworthy statistic from National Urban League CEO Marc Morial during an appearance on Fox News Sunday : \"The number of killings of citizens by police is at a two-decade high.\"","Robert Worden, professor at the University of Albany School of Criminal Justice, said \"the actual number of such homicides may be as high as double the FBI\u2019s counts.\"","A spokeswoman for the National Urban League pointed us to the USA Today story. The headline: \"Police killings highest in two decades.\""]},{"id":"13363.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Paul Ryans already spent millions to try and permanently derail Brad (Schneider)s progressive, energized campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately claims that Paul Ryan has already spent millions of dollars to derail Brad Schneider's campaign. While it is true that Ryan has attended fundraisers for incumbent Bob Dold and his committees have donated to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), there is no evidence to suggest that Ryan directly contributed millions of dollars or spent his own money to oppose Schneider. Therefore, the claim is not supported by the available information.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In Arizona, early voting would allow Kari Lake\u2019s opponents to see how many votes they \u201cneed to fake to catch up and surpass.\u201d","\"In 1960, the United States Supreme Court in the Flemming decision said Social Security is not guaranteed,\" he said. \"My fight is to make sure that is guaranteed.\"","His campaign staff also point to previous PolitiFact analysis that said that reining in the spending growth of a program like Medicare wasn\u2019t the same as cutting it.","\"Social Security will go bankrupt, and it will bankrupt the country with it,\" he said. \"So what it will require is people younger, like myself, people that are 30 years away from retirement, to accept that our Social Security is going to work differently than it did for my parents.\""]},{"id":"6689.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"$50,000. Thats what every child owes today because Washington politicians have run up a huge spending tab and left our kids the bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the national debt per capita in the United States is approximately $50,000, it is important to note that this does not mean that every child owes that amount individually. The statement implies a direct and immediate financial burden on each child, which is not the case. The national debt is a cumulative figure that represents the total debt of the country, not a personal debt owed by each individual. Therefore, while the $50,000 figure may be accurate in terms of national debt per capita, the statement misrepresents the nature of the debt and its direct impact on children.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12589.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The United States is the only major country that taxes its own exports.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States taxes some of its own exports, the statement that it is the only major country to do so is not entirely accurate. There are a few countries, such as Norway, Turkey, Mexico, and Brazil, that impose export taxes on select goods or in certain circumstances. Additionally, it's important to note that other major countries often have national consumption taxes that do not directly tax exports. Therefore, while the United States does impose export taxes, it is not the only major country to do so, making the statement barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The ad didn't name names, but it was clear MacGinnitie was referring to the current officeholder, Brian Kemp, as the \"career politician\" in the ad.","But does four years in the Georgia Legislature and five months as secretary of state constitute a \"career politician\"? The MacGinnitie campaign says yes, if you add Kemp's failed bid to become state agriculture commissioner in 2006 and that Kemp considered a run for the Georgia Senate in 2007. Phillips' argument: How do you run for agriculture commissioner and run for a job as vastly different as secretary of state four years later?","MacGinnitie campaign manager Brandon Phillips confirmed our suspicion during a telephone interview that the reference to \"career politician\" was aimed at Kemp.","\"You couldn't find a more extreme example of going from one extreme to another. ... I just don't see how you do that and say you are not a career politician,\" Phillips said."]},{"id":"10909.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Convention Center was sold as a building that would never cost taxpayers a dime.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Rep. Patricia Morgan that the Rhode Island Convention Center was initially presented to the public as a project that would not incur any costs for taxpayers. This claim is supported by the fact-checking evidence, which confirms that Richard Oster, a representative of the Convention Center Authority, did make such a statement. However, it's important to note that the subsequent evidence does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the financial implications and long-term costs associated with the Convention Center. Therefore, while the initial claim is mostly true, it lacks the full context and should be interpreted with caution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12874.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the media distortedwhat happened with a baby at his rally.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Donald Trump claimed the media distorted what happened with a baby at his rally. Trump himself tweeted about the media distorting events, and multiple media outlets reported that Trump's comments about the baby were taken out of context. This suggests that there was indeed a distortion of the incident by the media.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Filmmaker-activist Josh Fox claimed the country had \"6,000 oil and gas spills in 2012, ... amounting to more oil and gas spreading in the United States than the entire Exxon Valdez spill.\"","\"A spill is something that happens by accident. You knock over one of these cups on the table, that's a spill,\" said Fox, director of the 2010 documentary Gasland. \"We had 6,000 oil and gas spills in 2012. That was 16 a day, amounting to more oil and gas spreading in the United States than the entire Exxon Valdez spill.\"","By his count, the best one available, 2012 saw more than 6,000 reported spills \"and other mishaps\" at onshore oil and gas sites, amounting to \"more than 16 spills a day\" and \"more than the volume of oil that leaked from the shattered hull of the Exxon Valdez in 1989.\"","In sum, the spills amounted to at least 15.6 million gallons of oil, fracking fluid, contaminated wastewater and other liquids spilled in 2012. The Exxon Valdez oil spill, in which a tanker hit a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, resulted in more than 11 million gallons of crude oil spewing from its hull. The EnergyWire report tallies several kinds of toxic spills, not just gallons of crude oil. That's not a perfect comparison to the Exxon Valdez, of course, but it does show the relative scope of accidents occuring at oil and gas sites."]},{"id":"12567.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ron Johnson referred to The Lego Movie as an insidious anti-business conspiracy.","reason":"Reason: While Ron Johnson did refer to \"The Lego Movie\" as \"insidious\" and implied that it was anti-business, there is no evidence to support the claim that he referred to it as a conspiracy. The term \"conspiracy\" implies a secret plan made by multiple individuals, which is not evident in Johnson's comments. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4471.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More private-sector jobs were created in the second year of the Obama administration than in the eight years of the Bush administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, it is accurate that more private-sector jobs were created in the second year of the Obama administration compared to the eight years of the Bush administration. However, it's important to note that the comparison is limited to the second year only and does not account for the entire duration of both administrations. To provide a more comprehensive assessment, it would be necessary to consider job creation over the entire terms of both presidents. Therefore, while the statement is partially true for the specific time frame mentioned, it does not provide a complete picture of job creation during the respective administrations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Aimed specifically at seniors, the brochure says they can count on Romney, but not on President Obama, \"the first president in history to cut Medicare by $700 billion.\"","That CBO estimate is cited as the supporting source for the claim in the brochure, that Obama is \"the first president in history to cut Medicare by $700 billion.\"","She also took the opportunity to criticize the new health care law championed by President Barack Obama, saying, \"We know that President Obama stole over $500 billion out of Medicare to switch it over to Obamacare.\"","Romney said Obama \"is the only president to ever cut $500 billion from Medicare.\" It wasn\u2019t a cut, rather a reduction in future growth (the size of the Medicare program will increase dollar-wise). And other presidents have cut Medicare in the past, though you can debate whether specific changes to the program constitute a \"cut\" in some of those cases as well."]},{"id":"7914.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If Gov. Rick Scott activates the National Guard in anticipation of a federal disaster, the states costs, including the costs to recall any furloughed guardsmen, will be fully reimbursable by FEMA.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that FEMA can provide reimbursement to states for certain costs incurred during a federal disaster, the statement inaccurately suggests that the reimbursement will be fully covered. In reality, the reimbursement is not guaranteed, and even when provided, it is often not full. The federal government typically shares a portion of the costs, with the most common reimbursement rate being 75 percent. Additionally, reimbursement is contingent upon a presidential declaration of a federal disaster. Therefore, the statement overstates the extent of reimbursement that can be expected from FEMA.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1912.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"If you read the Arizona (immigration) law, what it says is if you are stopped for violating the law and they have a suspicion that you're illegal, they can ask you if you're legal.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately describes a provision in the Arizona immigration law. The law does allow law enforcement officers to inquire about a person's immigration status if they have a reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally. However, the statement does not provide the full context of the law, which has been a subject of controversy and legal challenges. Critics argue that this provision can lead to racial profiling and discrimination. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in describing one aspect of the law, it does not capture the full complexity and potential implications of its implementation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8672.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Floridas proposed medical marijuana amendment would make Florida one of the most lenient medical-marijuana states, allowing use for limitless other conditions specified by any physician.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the arguments made by opponents of Florida's proposed medical marijuana amendment. They contend that the amendment's wording is broad and allows for the use of medical marijuana for a wide range of conditions specified by any physician. This, in their view, would make Florida one of the most lenient states in terms of medical marijuana regulations. However, it's important to note that the statement is based on the arguments presented by opponents and may not capture the full context or counterarguments in support of the amendment. Therefore, while it accurately represents one perspective, it may lack some nuance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6540.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The state government workforce grew when Tim Kaine was governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the state government workforce grew when Tim Kaine was governor is partially accurate but lacks important context. The evidence suggests that determining the increase or decrease in the workforce under Kaine depends on the specific time period being considered. While it is true that there were fluctuations in the state government workforce during Kaine's tenure, it is important to note that these fluctuations were influenced by various factors, including economic conditions and budgetary considerations. Therefore, categorizing the statement as \"barely-true\" reflects the nuanced nature of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8175.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says unions call Obamacare bad for workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including Senator Mike Lee and USA Today op-eds, indicate that several unions have expressed concerns about Obamacare and its potential negative impact on workers. While the evidence suggests that more than six unions share this view, it is clear that unions have raised concerns about the impact of Obamacare on their members' health care coverage. Therefore, it is accurate to say that unions have called Obamacare bad for workers.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7898.json","label":"false","statement":"Seventy percent of the people in the state of New Jersey want marriage equality.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 70% of the people in the state of New Jersey want marriage equality is not supported by the evidence provided. While there is a mention of Senate President Steve Sweeney claiming such a high level of support, no specific data or credible sources are provided to substantiate this claim. Without verifiable evidence, it is not accurate to assert that 70% of the people in New Jersey support marriage equality.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Missouri needs a voter I.D. law because \"there\u2019s over 16 people in the state of Missouri who have been convicted of some type of voter fraud.\"","Kraus said Missouri needs a voter I.D. law because there have been more than 16 cases of \"some type of voter fraud\" in Missouri. That number isn\u2019t wrong, but it doesn\u2019t support Kraus\u2019 assertion that photo identification would solve the problem \u2014 or that there is a problem of people impersonating voters.","Speaking on the Aug. 30 episode of This Week in Missouri Politics, Kraus said: \"There\u2019s over 16 people in the state of Missouri who have been convicted of some type of voter fraud. That shows people in the state of Missouri are trying to cheat elections.\"","He says there are lots of things that already require a photo I.D., like driving a car or opening a bank account, and that voting should be among them. He\u2019s also presented it as a solution to voter fraud."]},{"id":"3227.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Governors proposed budget raids K-12 school funds to grow DHS again.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that the Governor's proposed budget reallocates funds from the State School Fund to the Department of Human Services (DHS). However, the statement lacks some important context. While it is true that funds are being shifted from K-12 education to DHS, it is not accurate to say that the purpose is solely to \"grow\" DHS. The evidence suggests that the funds are being reallocated to address budgetary needs and replace federal funds that are going away. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall budget changes and the impact on both K-12 education and DHS. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully understand the budgetary decisions being made.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3216.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Milwaukee County elected officials drive around in luxury cars on your dime.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the statement that Milwaukee County elected officials drive around in luxury cars at the expense of taxpayers. The evidence discusses the size of the County Board's budget and the issue of candidates' security in the county, but it does not specifically address the use of taxpayer funds for luxury cars. Without more specific evidence or examples, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8976.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ive been a cop in Lake County, Michigan, since 1982 thereabout. I conduct federal raids with the DEA and ATF and U.S. Marshals and the FBI and Texas Rangers.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Ted Nugent has been a police officer in Lake County, Michigan since 1982 or that he conducts federal raids with various law enforcement agencies such as the DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, FBI, and Texas Rangers. These statements made by Nugent are not substantiated by any reliable sources or records. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In the speech, Romney sought to draw distinctions between the Massachusetts plan and Obama\u2019s. He said, \"When I ask people what they dislike most about the president\u2019s plan, what I typically hear is they say, \u2018Obamacare represents a government takeover of health care, and I don\u2019t like it.\u2019 And I think they\u2019re right.\"","Republican U.S. Senate candidate George Allen has been a relentless critic of President Barack Obama\u2019s health care reform law, calling it \"a government takeover of health care.\"","!The claim that the Democratic health care law is a \"government takeover of health care\" is our 2010 Lie of the Year. !The claim that the Democratic health care law is a \"government takeover of health care\" is our 2010 Lie of the Year.","The claim that the Democratic health care law is a \"government takeover of health care\" is our 2010 Lie of the Year."]},{"id":"8281.json","label":"half-true","statement":"An average of seven children in America are killed by guns every day.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that an average of 7.81 children through age 19 were killed by gunshot wounds each day from 2007 through 2011, it is important to note that this statistic includes teenagers and young adults, not just young children. The data show that the majority of gun-related deaths in America are among teenagers and young adults, while elementary-aged children account for a smaller fraction. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the number of young children specifically who are killed by guns each day.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A reader e-mailed us to ask whether the president really wants to raise rates to 44.8 percent, since the most widely discussed Obama tax proposal is to reinstate marginal income tax rates that were in effect for the wealthiest taxpayers before approval of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts proposed by President George W. Bush. As the reader pointed out, Obama\u2019s proposal to let Bush\u2019s tax cuts lapse would raise the top marginal income tax rate from 35 percent to 39.6 percent -- not to the 44.8 percent that Ryan cited.","Ryan said that his own budget plan makes \"the tax code simpler, flatter, fairer, more globally competitive and less burdensome for working families and small businesses. By contrast, the president says he wants to eliminate deductions, but he also wants to raise rates. That includes raising the top rate to 44.8 percent. That would amount to a $1.5 trillion tax increase on families and job creators.\"","President Barack Obama is no stranger to the charge that he likes to raise taxes. But a new report from an anti-tax group says he\u2019s actually proposed raising taxes more than 400 times.","!Americans for Tax Reform says President Barack Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office. !Americans for Tax Reform says President Barack Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office."]},{"id":"1627.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The bill also provides full federal funding for abortions","reason":"Reason: The statement that the bill provides full federal funding for abortions is categorically false. Multiple sources, including representatives and spokespeople, have stated that there is no public funding of abortion under the federal health care law. The claim has been debunked, and there is no credible evidence to support it. Label: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8815.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Volunteer firefighters and communities they serve in Georgia and elsewhere are being devastated by Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that volunteer firefighters and the communities they serve are being devastated by Obamacare. While there were concerns raised about the potential impact of the employer mandate on volunteer fire departments, it is stated that many smaller, rural stations are not likely to be affected by the law. The evidence suggests that the impact varies depending on the specific circumstances of each community. Therefore, the claim of devastation is exaggerated and does not accurately reflect the overall situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12452.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I believe we should have tax on carbon and deal aggressively with climate change. That is not (Hillary Clintons)position.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' position on implementing a carbon tax and taking aggressive action to address climate change. While Hillary Clinton does have a climate change plan, it does not include a carbon tax. Therefore, it is true that their positions differ on this specific issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says the word \"Dhimmitude\" is on page 107 of the health care law and means \"Muslims are specifically exempted from the government mandate to purchase insurance.\"","A widely circulated chain email claims that the word \"dhimmitude\" is on page 107 of the health care law, and it means Muslims will be exempt. Actually, the health care law does not include the word \"dhimmitude\" (a recently coined word that seems to refer to non-Muslims under Muslim rule). Also, the health care law doesn\u2019t exempt Muslims. There is a \"religious conscience exemption,'' but it applies to groups that disavow all forms of insurance, including Social Security. Muslim groups have supported the Affordable Care Act. We rated the chain email\u2019s claim Pants on Fire.","In evaluating this statement, we should reiterate that the health care law is a complicated piece of legislation. Large employers who do not currently offer insurance or who offer limited coverage will see greater costs under the bill, either because they will have to buy their employees new or additional coverage or they get hit with fines.","\"You have turned, Mr. President, the right of every American to have access to decent health care into reality for the first time in American history,\" enthused Vice President Joe Biden at the Affordable Care Act bill signing in 2010 and also predicted, \"Tens of millions of Americans would be a whole lot healthier from this moment on.\""]},{"id":"8360.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Only four countries in the world allow abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the 2014 study mentioned, there are indeed four countries that allow abortions at 20 weeks or later in a pregnancy without specifying the circumstances. However, it's important to note that the study only considered countries with laws that did not explicitly outline the circumstances under which abortions are permitted. There may be additional countries that allow abortions after 20 weeks but have specific criteria or restrictions in place. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of countries with less specific laws, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the global landscape regarding abortions after 20 weeks.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He's saying that he's going to be able to stem it, and it's not going to reach 90,000 or between 60,000 and 90,000 children,\" Labrador said. \"That's not going to happen. The own administration estimates are that it's going to be about 60,000 to 90,000 this year, that it's going to increase to 150,000 to 200,000 next year. These are their own estimates.\"","Labrador said the administration\u2019s own estimates predicted that 150,000 to 200,000 unaccompanied children would show up at the southern border. Labrador\u2019s spokesman pointed to an internal memo that suggested 142,000 children might arrive in 2015.","Labrador\u2019s comment drew a lot of attention and we wanted to check whether the administration predicts that 150,000 to 200,000 children will come to the United States, illegally at the southern border. (We can\u2019t know, of course, what the number will ultimately be; here, we\u2019re simply checking whether the administration offered those numbers.)","\"I have heard numbers over 100,000,\" Atkinson said. \"I\u2019ve not heard the 200,000 number, and given all the changes the administration is talking about, the goal is to reduce the number.\""]},{"id":"4478.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wisconsin is broke, and state government is $3 billion in debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may have been a budget shortfall or projected deficit in Wisconsin, it is incorrect to claim that the state government is $3 billion in debt. Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations, have debunked this claim and highlighted that Wisconsin had a balanced budget with a structural surplus during the time in question. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11821.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today Russia holds many of our most precious national security satellites at risk before they ever get off the ground.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator McCain's claim that Russia poses a risk to the launch of US national security satellites. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a comprehensive assessment of the extent of this risk or the specific vulnerabilities involved. While there is concern about the reliance on Russian-made rocket engines, the statement lacks specific details and context regarding the magnitude and nature of the risk. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of Senator McCain's claim, it would benefit from additional information to provide a more complete assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12343.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Paul Ryan backs a proposal that would be a bailout of Puerto Rico.","reason":"Reason: While there are differing opinions on whether the proposed bill can be considered a bailout, it is important to note that the bill does not involve the allocation of U.S. tax dollars to Puerto Rico. The experts consulted have supported Ryan's stance that the bill does not constitute a taxpayer bailout. However, the statement is labeled as half-true because there is still debate and differing interpretations regarding the definition of a bailout, and some individuals or groups may perceive the bill as a form of bailout, even if it does not involve direct U.S. funds.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7300.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Religious groups like Knights of Columbus have been forced to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their facilities, against their beliefs.","reason":"Reason: Despite the claim made by the National Organization for Marriage-Rhode Island, there is no credible evidence or documented instances of religious groups, such as the Knights of Columbus, being forced to host same-sex marriage ceremonies against their beliefs. Extensive research and investigations have failed to uncover any verifiable cases supporting this claim. Therefore, the statement is false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7011.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate opponent Tommy Thompson personally made over $3 million from a federal contract granted to his healthcare company, but left 9\/11 first responders without the care they were promised.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some inaccuracies and lacks important context. While it is true that Tommy Thompson's healthcare company was awarded a federal contract for 9\/11 responder care, there is no evidence to support the claim that Thompson personally made over $3 million from that contract. Additionally, the statement suggests that Thompson left 9\/11 first responders without the care they were promised, but it fails to acknowledge that the contract was awarded competitively and that the responsibility for mismanagement or inadequate care lies with the company and not solely with Thompson. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1105.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Senate voted this week to allow illegal aliens access to Social Security benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that the Senate voted to allow illegal aliens access to Social Security benefits. The evidence provided does not substantiate this claim either. While there have been discussions and debates surrounding immigration and Social Security, there is no legislation or official action that grants Social Security benefits to illegal immigrants. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["Taking Liberties, Obama Admin: Cap And Trade Could Cost Families $1,761 A Year (;contentBody) , by Decland McCullagh, Sept. 15, 2009","And higher energy costs are not a sure thing. Regional cap-and-trade programs in Europe and in the northeast United States show that auctioning most or all credits have actually decreased the cost of energy, said Barry Rabe, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan.","In her new book, Going Rogue , Sarah Palin said President Barack Obama's support for a cap and trade plan was \"misguided.\"","\"The Obama administration has privately concluded that a cap and trade law would cost American taxpayers up to $200 billion a year, the equivalent of hiking personal income taxes by about 15 percent,\" McCullagh wrote. \"A previously unreleased analysis prepared by the U.S. Department of Treasury says the total in new taxes would be between $100 billion to $200 billion a year. At the upper end of the administration's estimate, the cost per American household would be an extra $1,761 a year.\""]},{"id":"997.json","label":"true","statement":"In Iraq, civilian deaths, incidents of bombings, etc., remain very low relative to what was going on last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's assertion that civilian deaths and incidents of bombings in Iraq have decreased relative to the previous year. Multiple sources, including the Defense Department, have confirmed the decline in civilian deaths and bombings in Iraq since the peak in 2007. This indicates that the situation has improved in terms of security and stability compared to previous years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wondered whether it was fair for Obama to say that \"regime change\" in Iraq \"took eight years\" -- which would mean that it\u2019s still ongoing or that it recently ended.","\"To be blunt, we went down that road in Iraq,\" Obama said. \"Thanks to the extraordinary sacrifices of our troops and the determination of our diplomats, we are hopeful about Iraq\u2019s future. But regime change there took eight years, thousands of American and Iraqi lives, and nearly a trillion dollars. That is not something we can afford to repeat in Libya.\"","!In Baghdad, Iraqi election officials checked ballot boxes in provincial elections on Jan. 31, 2009. Was President Barack Obama right to say that regime change in Iraq has taken eight years? !In Baghdad, Iraqi election officials checked ballot boxes in provincial elections on Jan. 31, 2009. Was President Barack Obama right to say that regime change in Iraq has taken eight years?","In Baghdad, Iraqi election officials checked ballot boxes in provincial elections on Jan. 31, 2009. Was President Barack Obama right to say that regime change in Iraq has taken eight years?"]},{"id":"10397.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamacare has caused millions of full-time jobs to become part-time.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Obamacare has caused millions of full-time jobs to become part-time\" is not entirely accurate. While there have been instances where employers reduced employees' hours or shifted them from full-time to part-time status due to certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the claim of \"millions\" is not supported by robust evidence. The available data suggests that the number of employees directly affected in this manner is relatively small. Furthermore, it is important to consider that the law has also created new part-time job opportunities and provided benefits for certain groups of workers. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the complex impact of Obamacare on employment and fails to provide a comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12017.json","label":"true","statement":"Like Marco Rubio, Sen. Barack Obama had one of the worst attendance records in the Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Both Marco Rubio and Barack Obama had poor attendance records during their time in the Senate. There is evidence, including statements from politicians and fact-checking organizations like PolitiFact, that support this claim. While it is important to note that attendance records can vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific time period being compared, the statement accurately highlights the attendance issues of both Rubio and Obama during their Senate terms.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3441.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Lake Erie supports nearly 10 percent of Ohios jobs and generates $750 million in state and local taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the significant economic contribution of Lake Erie to Ohio. Lake Erie supports a substantial portion of Ohio's jobs, and the generated state and local taxes amounting to $750 million further emphasize its economic importance. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific data or sources to support the exact figure of \"nearly 10 percent\" of Ohio's jobs. While the claim is generally accurate based on the available information, additional evidence or data would further strengthen its credibility.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11045.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Jay-Z and Beyonce Attempt to Buy Rights to Confederate Flag to Prevent Further Use.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Jay-Z and Beyonce attempted to buy the rights to the Confederate flag is false. Multiple sources, including the International Business Times, have debunked this claim. The original article that made this assertion has been widely discredited as fictional. There is no credible evidence to support the statement, and it is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4377.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Say Texas U.S. Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson and Sheila Jackson Lee are among open Socialists in Congress.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Texas U.S. Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson and Sheila Jackson Lee are open socialists in Congress is false. The sources cited in the evidence are blog posts and websites that lack credibility and provide no verifiable evidence to support their claims. There is no credible information or official records indicating that Johnson or Lee are socialists or members of the Democratic Socialists of America. Labeling them as open socialists is a baseless and misleading assertion.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11095.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If women seeking an abortion see their ultrasound, the odds are pretty high theyre going to keep the baby.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that if women seeking an abortion see their ultrasound, there is a high likelihood that they will choose to keep the baby. While there is evidence to suggest that seeing an ultrasound can have an impact on a woman's decision-making process, the claim overstates the certainty of the outcome. The evidence provided indicates that \"up to 90 percent\" of women considering an abortion choose to continue with the pregnancy after seeing an ultrasound image. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not account for individual circumstances, personal beliefs, or other factors that may influence a woman's decision. Therefore, while there may be a correlation between viewing an ultrasound and choosing to continue the pregnancy, the statement exaggerates the certainty of the outcome.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["LePage said that \"about 47 percent of able-bodied people in the state of Maine don\u2019t work.\" Unless LePage thinks newborns and nonagenarians ought to get off their tushes and find a job, this is a ridiculous claim.","But what about the substance of LePage\u2019s remark? Was he correct that \"about 47 percent of able-bodied people in the state of Maine don\u2019t work\"? The strength or weakness of Maine\u2019s labor market isn\u2019t out of the mainstream; the unemployment rate in August 2013 was 7.0 percent, putting it in a six-way tie for 22nd place nationally.","If you subtract this group, then there were 735,898 \"able-bodied people\" age 18 to 64 in Maine, and only 10 percent of them were not working.","Finally, in August 2013, there were 49,966 unemployed people in Maine. These are people who have looked for work recently but have not found it. If you add these to the number of employed Maine residents, then just 3.6 percent of able-bodied Maine residents aged 18 to 64 are neither working nor actively looking for employment."]},{"id":"8781.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The average rate of fraud in the Earned Income Tax Credit, Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps programs is 20 to 25 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that the average rate of fraud in the Earned Income Tax Credit, Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps programs is 20 to 25 percent is highly inaccurate. While there may be instances of fraud in these programs, the actual rates are significantly lower. The evidence provided contradicts this claim, stating that the improper payment rates in the tax credit program are in the 20 to 25 percent range, but they are 10 percent or less in the other three programs. Therefore, the average rate of fraud across all four programs would be far lower than what is claimed. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9148.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gov. McAuliffes budget would raid school, other $$ 4 Obamacare in VA.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely true. While it is true that McAuliffe's budget proposes an increase in education spending, there is no evidence to support the claim that the budget would \"raid\" school funds for Obamacare. The budget does allocate funds for Medicaid expansion, which is part of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), but it does not divert funds from education to do so. The increase in education spending mentioned in the evidence contradicts the claim that school funds would be raided. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6957.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Connie Mack voted to redefine rape as forcible rape.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a bill that drew criticism for potentially redefining rape, the specific claim that Connie Mack voted to redefine rape as forcible rape is not accurate. The version of the bill that Mack voted on did not include the clause on forcible rape. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Mack's voting record on this issue. However, it is worth noting that the bill itself faced criticism for its potential impact on the definition and understanding of rape. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3191.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I lowered taxes over the last two years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is important to consider the specific context and types of taxes being referred to, there is evidence to support the claim that taxes were lowered over the last two years of President Obama's tenure. For example, the payroll tax cut implemented during that period reduced the tax rate for workers from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent, resulting in a lower tax burden for individuals. However, it is worth noting that this reduction specifically applies to payroll taxes and may not encompass all types of taxes. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be understood in the context of the specific tax cuts implemented during that time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At a time when violence along the U.S.-Mexico border is again in the news, Texas Gov. Rick Perry makes an eye-catching claim on his campaign Web site: \"Governor Perry's border security efforts have led to a 60 percent decrease in border crime.\"","Summing up: Perry's claim that his border security efforts have led to a 60 percent drop in crime doesn't hold water. The calculation he touts doesn't consider crimes committed in cities and towns where most border residents live. It also compared two calendar quarters rather than weighing years' worth of data.","In 2005, saying the federal government had not done enough to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, Perry announced he was investing in state border security efforts. His plans included helping local law enforcement agencies hire additional officers, buying the agencies equipment, assigning Texas Department of Public Safety personnel to the border and installing surveillance cameras.","Perry's claims about reducing border crime have come under scrutiny before. In 2006, the El Paso Times investigated his statements touting the impact of Operation Rio Grande, which shifted DPS officers and other state resources to border areas. That October, Perry's office trumpeted in a press release: \"Crime down 60 percent across the border.\""]},{"id":"9723.json","label":"true","statement":"San Antonio is now the largest city in the United States ever to have an African American woman mayor.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. According to the evidence provided, Ivy Taylor was selected as the mayor of San Antonio, and it is stated by Cisneros that San Antonio is now the largest city in the United States to have an African American mayor. This claim is supported by the fact that Baltimore, Maryland, has had an African American woman as mayor, and Atlanta, Georgia, had an African American woman as mayor as well. Therefore, San Antonio's claim of being the largest city in the United States with an African American woman mayor is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13392.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Catherine Cortez Masto indicted (Brian Krolicki), who was an innocent man, in order to save Harry Reids political career","reason":"Reason: The statement contains elements of truth but lacks important context. While it is true that Catherine Cortez Masto pursued felony charges against Brian Krolicki, who was exploring a run against Harry Reid, it is misleading to claim that she did so solely to save Reid's political career. The decision to pursue charges against Krolicki was seen by some as politically motivated due to the timing, but it is important to note that the case was ultimately dismissed for reasons unrelated to its merits. Therefore, while there may be some political implications, it is inaccurate to definitively claim that Cortez Masto indicted Krolicki solely to save Reid's political career.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But the rhetorical flourish is where the NRCC\u2019s claim departs from truthfulness. The NRCC email said that Sutton\u2019s \"cowardly silence shows she would rather riot with Occupy than stand up for Ohio families.\"","The Plain Dealer via , \"Rep. Betty Sutton to join Occupy Wall Street labor march in New York,\" Oct. 5, 2012","The email, sent by NRCC Deputy Communications Director Andrea Bozek, accuses Sutton of missing votes to protest with Occupy Wall Street and being slow to criticize the \"plot by Occupy members to blow up an Ohio bridge.\"","Third Base Politics blog, \"Ted Strickland also parroted the Occupy Wall Street nonsense\" and \"Occupy movement that Sherrod Brown praises tried to blow up NE Ohio bridge,\" May 2, 2012"]},{"id":"4034.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In May we generated more jobs than all the rest of the country combined: 28,000 jobs in May for the state, 54,000 for the entire country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the number of jobs generated in May for both the state and the entire country. However, it lacks context and comparison to other time periods or factors. While it is true that 28,000 jobs were generated in May for the state, it is misleading to compare it directly to the 54,000 jobs generated for the entire country without considering the size and population differences between the two. Additionally, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of job growth trends or consider other relevant factors. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We spend $18 billion a year on making sure that the federal government has immigrant enforcement agents. That's more than DEA and the ATF and the FBI and all the other enforcement (agencies) combined.\"","Gutierrez said, \"We spend $18 billion a year on making sure that the federal government has immigrant enforcement agents. That's more than D.E.A. and the A.T.F. and the F.B.I. and all the other enforcement (agencies) combined.\"","\"We spend $18 billion a year on making sure that the federal government has immigrant enforcement agents,\" Gutierrez said. \"That's more than DEA (the Drug Enforcement Administration) and the ATF (the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and the FBI and all the other enforcements combined. But we still have a problem, right? So you can keep throwing money and talk about enforcement, enforcement, enforcement, but you've got to put money also into your judicial system, and you've got to put money in a comprehensive program that deals with the issue.\"","The report found that spending in three federal-budget line items -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and US-VISIT, an automated tracking system for visitors to the United States -- totaled nearly $18 billion in fiscal year 2012. That was more than the $14.4 billion spent by other law-enforcement agencies that year. Those agencies were the FBI, the DEA, the ATF, the Secret Service and the U.S. Marshals Service."]},{"id":"4251.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When Nancy Nusbaum was Brown County executive, spending went up nearly 50 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that during Nancy Nusbaum's tenure as Brown County executive, spending increased by nearly 50 percent. This information is supported by evidence that shows operating spending went up 53 percent over the course of seven years, resulting in an average annual increase of 6.3 percent. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the factors contributing to the spending increase and how it compares to other counties during the same period. While the spending increase was not atypical for the time, labeling it as \"mostly-true\" acknowledges the accuracy of the claim while also recognizing the need for additional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Specifically, Pascrell said: \u201cForty-five percent of Americans went without needed care because of costs in this country in 2007. That\u2019s rationing. Fifty-three percent of Americans cut back on their health care in the last year because of costs. That\u2019s rationing. \u2026 As many as 22,000 Americans die each year because they don\u2019t have health insurance. My brothers and sisters, that\u2019s rationing.\u201d","The debate over reforming the U.S. health care system has inspired a torrent of often-conflicting statistics. We will look at three assertions made by Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey. In this item, we will test his assertion that 45 percent of Americans went without needed care because of costs.","The 2007 version of Commonwealth\u2019s survey did indeed find that 45 percent of adults aged 19 to 64 had one of four \u201caccess problems\u201d related to cost \u2014 not filling a prescription; not seeing a specialist when needed; skipping a recommended medical test, treatment or followup; or not visiting a doctor or a clinic when they had a medical problem. That rate is notably higher than the 29 percent who reported similar actions in the 2001 survey.","The American Rescue Plan, Biden said, \"did more to lower costs and expand access to health care than any action since the passage of the Affordable Care Act. It made quality coverage more affordable than ever, with families saving an average of $2,400 on their annual premiums, and four out of five consumers finding quality coverage for under $10 a month. As a result, millions of our fellow Americans have now gained the security and peace of mind that dependable health insurance brings.\""]},{"id":"4732.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo raised the mortality rate from 65 to 87 and used a 1994 annuity chart to create the pension crisis.","reason":"Reason: The statement incorrectly attributes the raising of the mortality rate from 65 to 87 to Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo as a cause of the pension crisis. However, the evidence provided indicates that it was Paul Valletta, a union official, who made this claim. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that Valletta's claim is based on the use of an outdated annuity chart from 1994, which he argues is not accurate compared to more recent figures. While there may be concerns about the accuracy of the annuity chart used, it is misleading to solely attribute the pension crisis to Raimondo's actions. The pension crisis is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors beyond the mortality rate and annuity chart. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["What caught our eye was the assertions in her news release that \"Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States, and Rhode Island has the second-highest incidence of this disease in the country.\"","The second question is whether Rhode Island really ranks second in incidence of Lyme cases nationwide. We were intrigued by that figure because we had heard that the disease has become very common in other parts of the country. (Lyme was first identified in 1975 in Lyme, Conn., but scientists believe it has been around for at least a century -- and maybe since the last Ice Age.)","The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, which tracks diseases in the United States, doesn't rank infectious diseases by growth rate.","\"We are certainly in the top five\" for Lyme disease cases, said Mather. \"Before 2004, we sort of were second. Then in 2004, states like Rhode Island and Connecticut suspended new case surveillance because we couldn't afford to do it.\""]},{"id":"7802.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The IRS is going to be in charge of a huge national database on health care that will include Americans personal, intimate, most close-to-the-vest-secrets.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The IRS is not going to be in charge of a \"huge national database\" on health care that includes Americans' personal and intimate information. This claim has been widely debunked, and fact-checkers have rated it as false. The IRS does have a role in enforcing certain aspects of the Affordable Care Act, but it does not have access to personal health information or control over a national health care database. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama initially said the national health-care mandate isn't a tax, but his administration now says it is a tax.","Republican Party of Texas says President Barack Obama lied when he said the mandate to obtain health insurance was not a tax","( - Republican Party of Texas says President Barack Obama lied when he said the mandate to obtain health insurance was not a tax&url=)","PolitiFact Texas, \"Republican Party of Texas says President Barack Obama lied when he said the mandate to obtain health insurance was not a tax,\" Aug. 2, 2010"]},{"id":"5920.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On whether humans contribute to global warming","reason":"Reason: The statement is considered half-true because it accurately reflects Mitt Romney's belief that humans contribute to global warming. In a statement, Romney expressed his belief that the world is getting warmer and that humans contribute to it. However, he also acknowledged uncertainty about the extent of human contribution and mentioned past periods of greater heat and warmth. While he acknowledges human contribution, he does not provide a definitive answer on the degree of that contribution. Therefore, the statement accurately captures Romney's stance on the issue but acknowledges the nuance and uncertainty in his position.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There are still more people uninsured today than when (Barack) Obama was elected president,\" U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, a Republican from Savannah, said recently on the Fox News Channel.","So where does this leave us? Kingston said in a television interview that \"there are still more people uninsured today than when Obama was elected president.\" Obama came into office facing some extraordinary economic circumstances with several million Americans losing their jobs and many of them losing their health insurance. Some might say the president should get cut some slack here. Kingston\u2019s camp says the problem worsened as a result of the health care law.","\"The Trump administration is attacking our health care system and raising health care costs for families,\" U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said in a June 24, 2019, tweet. \"More Americans are uninsured today than when (President Donald) Trump took office.\"","The Affordable Care Act, signed into law on March 23, 2010, by President Barack Obama, has been a political lightning rod from the beginning."]},{"id":"11058.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Chris Christie vetoed equal pay for women 3 times. He only let the bill pass once it became a damaging campaign issue.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Chris Christie vetoed three bills related to equal pay for women, it is misleading to claim that he only allowed the bill to pass once it became a damaging campaign issue. Christie eventually signed two of the bills into law, and his veto of the third bill was part of a larger legislative package. Furthermore, Christie had given a conditional veto and recommended changes to the bill over a year before his re-election, indicating that his decision was not solely influenced by campaign concerns. Therefore, the statement contains some inaccuracies and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The federal government owns tens of thousands of properties that are vacant or underused,\" the Ranger Republican said in a March 20 press release announcing his vote.","This number struck your PolitiFact Georgia scribes as high. Hundreds would be well within reason. Thousands? Sure. But tens of thousands?","He also said the federal government owns 30 percent of the land in the 50 states, or about 650 million acres.","\"Who owns your land if government can control what you can and cannot do on your land? And who owns your land if it can be taxed away from you? Who would want to buy your land once the government has decreed that it cannot be used for commercial purposes?\" Van Brink said."]},{"id":"12772.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump believes that states should actually have the right to lower the minimum wage below $7.25.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Bernie Sanders' claim that Donald Trump believes states should have the right to lower the minimum wage below $7.25. Trump has expressed his belief that states should have the authority to set their own minimum wage and has rejected the idea of a federal minimum wage. However, it's important to note that Trump's stance on the minimum wage has been somewhat inconsistent, and he has made statements suggesting that he believes people should receive higher wages. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be acknowledged that Trump's position on the minimum wage has been subject to change and may not be entirely clear-cut.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"She was knee deep in criminal\/drug dealing activities w\/ her ex boyfriend\" and \"she was under surveillance for months running drugs\"","Klobuchar\u2019s claim of a loophole is accurate to the extent that the law does not apply to a boyfriend who is or was simply dating the victim, but not sharing a residence or children.","\u2022 Posts claiming that Breonna Taylor was involved in drug dealing with her ex-boyfriend overstate her involvement in the narcotics investigation that led police to her apartment. They also ignore the fact that much of the evidence linking her to the investigation is disputed.","Taylor\u2019s information was on the search warrant based on police\u2019s belief that her ex-boyfriend \"used her home to receive mail, keep drugs or stash money earned from the sale of drugs,\" the Louisville Courier Journal reported."]},{"id":"10148.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Democrats give Newports to the homeless to get them to the polls.","reason":"Reason: While there have been isolated incidents where Democrats have provided transportation and cigarettes to homeless individuals to encourage them to vote, it is important to note that these instances are not representative of the broader Democratic party's practices. The statement, as it stands, implies a widespread and intentional effort by Democrats to provide Newports (a specific brand of cigarettes) to homeless individuals as a means to influence their votes. However, the evidence suggests that such incidents are limited in scope and not part of an organized strategy. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the overall practices of the Democratic party.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12238.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have tougher standards holding toy gun manufacturers and sellers to account than we do for real guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that there are stricter regulations and liability standards for toy gun manufacturers and sellers compared to real guns, it's important to note that the risks and potential harm associated with real guns are significantly higher. Real guns have the potential to cause serious injury or death, and therefore, there are additional regulations and legal standards in place to address the unique dangers they pose. However, it is worth mentioning that there is ongoing debate and differing opinions on the extent to which these standards should be applied to real guns. Therefore, while the statement captures a valid point about differing standards, it may oversimplify the complex regulatory landscape surrounding real guns.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3591.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the last decade, the average income of the bottom 90 percent of all working Americans actually declined. The top 1 percent saw their income rise by an average of more than a quarter of a million dollars each.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that the average income of the bottom 90 percent of working Americans has not increased significantly in the last decade, it is incorrect to claim that it has declined. On the other hand, the statement accurately highlights that the top 1 percent saw a substantial increase in their income during the same period. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it correctly reflects the income disparity between the top 1 percent and the bottom 90 percent, but it incorrectly suggests a decline in the average income of the bottom 90 percent.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9356.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obamacare is one big fat VA system.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Obamacare is \"one big fat VA system\" is inaccurate and misleading. The VA system refers to the healthcare system provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is a government-operated system for veterans. Obamacare, on the other hand, builds upon the existing private sector health industry and sets standards for insurance and healthcare providers. It does not resemble the VA system in terms of ownership, operation, or structure. Health policy experts have not supported the comparison made by Guilfoyle. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\"They have a pension system that\u2019s not even halfway funded,\" Walker said of the Land of Lincoln. \"Now, in contrast, in our state, our pension system is the only one in the country (that\u2019s) 100 percent funded.\"","Gov. Scott Walker told an audience of California conservatives that \"Our pension system is the only one in the country that\u2019s 100% funded.\"","Actual data for South Dakota, meanwhile, showed that state's pension system was funded at 100 percent in both 2013 and 2014.","\"Overall bonding in latest WI state budget is at 20 year low. State pension system is only one fully funded in the country.\""]},{"id":"5867.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We should be seeing numbers in the 500,000 jobs created per month. (Creating 115,000 jobs, the total from April 2012) is way, way, way off from what should happen in a normal recovery.","reason":"Reason: While Mitt Romney stated that \"we should be seeing numbers in the 500,000 jobs created per month,\" the statement is an exaggeration and not reflective of what is considered normal during a recovery. Job creation numbers can vary significantly depending on various factors, including the state of the economy, market conditions, and government policies. While the job creation figures in April 2012 fell short of 500,000, it is important to note that recoveries can have varying rates of job growth, and there is no fixed benchmark for what constitutes a \"normal\" recovery in terms of job creation. Therefore, the statement is partially true in terms of the job creation figures being lower than the mentioned benchmark, but it is an overstatement to claim that 500,000 jobs per month is the expected norm during a recovery.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, \"Ted Cruz says U.S. has 'lowest percentage of Americans working today of any year since 1977,' \" Jan. 14, 2016","\"The millionaires and billionaires are doing great under Obama,\" Cruz said. \"But we have the lowest percentage of Americans working today of any year since 1977. Median wages have stagnated. And the Obama-Clinton economy has left behind the working men and women of this country.\"","Second, there\u2019s another way to read Cruz\u2019s words. He said \"the lowest percentage of Americans working\" since 1977, which could also refer to a different statistic, the employment-population ratio. This statistic takes the number of people who are employed and divides it by the civilian population age 16 and above.","We wondered whether he was right that \"we have the lowest percentage of Americans actually holding a job in 40 years.\""]},{"id":"2456.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our county now has the fastest growing airport in America, attracting nearly 1,000 new private sector jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitchell International Airport has experienced growth in passenger count, it is important to note that this growth is primarily attributed to regaining lost traffic rather than any direct action taken by Governor Walker or the county. The claim of attracting nearly 1,000 new private sector jobs is uncertain and lacks concrete evidence. The statement implies a direct correlation between the airport's growth and job creation, which may not be entirely accurate. Therefore, the claim is only partially true as the airport has seen growth, but the connection to job creation is unclear.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2896.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Providence teachers can go five or six years without an evaluation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Taveras that teachers in Providence can go a significant period of time without receiving an evaluation. The evidence confirms that teachers in the district can indeed go five years without an evaluation, and in some cases, it may extend to six years. However, it's important to note that the majority of teachers in Providence are tenured, which contributes to the longer evaluation intervals. So while the statement is mostly true, it could be further clarified by specifying that it primarily applies to tenured teachers in the Providence school district.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12081.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the Iran nuclear deal, we give them $150 billion, we get nothing.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that under the Iran nuclear deal, Iran gained access to frozen assets totaling around $150 billion, it is incorrect to claim that the United States \"gave\" Iran this money. The funds released to Iran were their own assets that had been frozen due to international sanctions. Additionally, the $1.8 billion mentioned refers to a separate settlement related to a decades-old dispute over a failed arms deal. It is important to note that the nuclear deal aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program and ensure its peaceful nature, and it involved the lifting of certain sanctions in exchange for Iran's compliance with the agreed-upon terms.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1301.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Research shows the employer mandate in the House health reform bill would \"place millions 'at substantial risk of unemployment' with minority workers losing their jobs at twice the rate of their white counterparts.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the research findings that the employer mandate in the House health reform bill could potentially lead to job loss and disproportionately affect minority workers. However, it's important to note that the context has changed since the research was conducted. The Senate has made changes to the bill, and the final version no longer includes a requirement for employers to offer insurance. Instead, employers with 50 or more employees are required to help workers defray the cost of insurance if they qualify for new tax credits. Therefore, while the research findings were valid at the time, the current status of the bill has shifted the potential impact on employment. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Inflation in March was 8.5%, a 40-year high. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan helped fuel about half or less of the increase, analysts say.","The Department of Education study also provided figures that aren\u2019t averages, notably this one: 44 percent of the students who got their degrees in 2007-2008 did so within four years.","The March 2021 Democratic bill included $1,400 payments to about 85% of Americans, $360 billion for state and local governments, and $242 billion in expanded unemployment benefits, among other things.","\u201cDemocrats are voting to add an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will target middle class taxpayers and conduct at least 1 million more audits each year. \u201d"]},{"id":"11896.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Dont believe those phony numbers when you hear 4.9 and 5 percent unemployment. The numbers probably 28, 29, as high as 35. In fact, I even heard recently 42 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump regarding the unemployment numbers is not supported by credible evidence. The official unemployment rate, as reported by reputable sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is calculated using rigorous methodologies and is widely accepted as a reliable indicator of employment trends. The claim that the unemployment rate is as high as 28%, 29%, 35%, or even 42% is completely unfounded and lacks any factual basis. Such assertions are misleading and can be categorized as false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5890.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says in March New Jersey was one of only eight states in the nation to lose jobs and the state with the highest loss of jobs in the nation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that New Jersey experienced job losses in March, the statement exaggerates the extent of the job losses by claiming that New Jersey was one of only eight states to lose jobs and had the highest loss of jobs in the nation. While New Jersey did have significant job losses, it was not the only state to experience job declines, nor did it have the highest loss of jobs in the nation during that specific period. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but misleading in its characterization of New Jersey's job loss compared to other states.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Illegal aliens are costing Georgia taxpayers over a billion dollars every year,\" said Deal, who has long pushed for more restrictions on citizenship and aggressive enforcement of current immigration laws.","FAIR\u2019s reports have become a bible of sorts for many frustrated with illegal immigration. Last year, Nathan Deal used a prior FAIR report to back up his claim during his successful candidacy for governor that \"illegal aliens are costing Georgia taxpayers over a billion dollars every year.\" PolitiFact Georgia reviewed that claim in July and ruled it Half True.","Whether you think FAIR's estimates are high or low, correct or erroneous, you run up against the same problem. A little more information or context and the estimate swings by a billion dollars, literally.","Kingston\u2019s office said the cost estimate came from a report by the Washington-based Federation for American Immigration Reform. The 102-page report says it costs the state of Georgia and local officials $2.399 billion a year to assist illegal immigrants. That\u2019s a substantial amount of money -- the entire state budget is about $18 billion."]},{"id":"10771.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Its estimated that 40 percent of all the guns that are sold in the United States occur with no background records check.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that there is an estimate that approximately 40 percent of gun sales in the United States occur without a background records check, it is important to note that this estimate refers specifically to sales by private, unlicensed sellers, including online sales and gun shows. Licensed firearms dealers are required by federal law to conduct background checks on buyers. Therefore, the statement could be more precise by specifying that it refers to sales by private, unlicensed sellers rather than all gun sales in the United States.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3178.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The last Christians are about to leave Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While there has been a significant decline in the Christian population in Iraq due to various factors, including persecution and violence, it is incorrect to claim that all Christians are about to leave Iraq. While some Christians have chosen to leave the country, there are still Christians who have chosen to remain in Iraq, despite the challenges they face. It is important to avoid making sweeping generalizations and to acknowledge the diversity of experiences and choices among the Christian population in Iraq.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"School divisions across Virginia could be forced to fire over 8,000 teachers to mask up the shortfall, \"McAuliffe declared in a Sept. 12 posting on his website entitled \"Virginia Schools in Danger.\" He has made similar comments on the campaign trail.","There are slightly more than 100,000 public school teachers in Virginia. McAuliffe is saying his opponent is open to expelling 8 percent of them in favor of cut taxes.","Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe is sounding alarms that Republican Ken Cuccinelli\u2019s tax cut plan could force a massive layoff of teachers.","McAuliffe arrived at his layoff figure by extrapolating numbers in report critical of Cuccinelli\u2019s tax plan by the Virginia Education Association, an organization representing more than 60,000 teachers. The group has endorsed McAuliffe for governor."]},{"id":"10924.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker cut back early voting and signed legislation that would make it harder for college students to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Governor Scott Walker did sign legislation that reduced the number of days allowed for early voting in Wisconsin, which impacted all voters. While the claim that it specifically targeted college students is an overstatement, it is accurate to say that the changes made to early voting could potentially make it more difficult for some college students to vote. The legislation did not exclusively focus on college students but had a broader impact on early voting accessibility.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7496.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Georgia Senate ethics resolution doesnt define cap.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evaluation made by PolitiFact Georgia, which found that the Georgia Senate ethics resolution does not clearly define a cap on the frequency of gifts from lobbyists to state senators. While the resolution aims to limit gifts, it lacks specific guidelines regarding the frequency of such gifts. While lawmakers and lobbyists may understand the intent of the resolution, the lack of a clear definition raises questions about its effectiveness in establishing a cap. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Governor Raimondo said that compared with Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, Rhode Island has invested less in tourism, economic development and economic development personnel.","The numbers she cites show that Rhode Island is last compared with Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey in statewide tourism spending, the size of our economic development agency budget and the number of economic development agency personnel.","ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY : Aberger cautioned in an email that \"comparisons among state economic development entities are difficult because every state organizes its economic development apparatus differently. Rhode Island currently has one major economic development organization\u2014the RI Commerce Corporation\u2014while other states have multiple major entities.\"","If you look at economic development, the state has more employees per capita than any of those four other states. It's spending more money on economic development per capita than New Jersey and New York. And its total tourism budget, based on the report Raimondo's office supplied us, is higher than Massachusetts and Connecticut."]},{"id":"10831.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have a legal immigration system in America that accepts 1 million people a year, legally. No other country in the world even comes close to that.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Rubio's claim that the United States has a legal immigration system that accepts one million people per year, which is higher than any other country. Multiple sources confirm that the United States does have one of the most generous legal immigration systems globally. While it is challenging to compare immigration systems across countries due to varying factors, such as population size and economic conditions, the statement aligns with the claim made by Senator Rubio.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We need to be much, much more aggressive. We have the president of the United States who said he is going to cut veterans' benefits, cut our military, at a time when these folks are four, five, six, seven tours, coming back, in and out of jobs, sacrificing everything for this country,\" Santorum said.","Roman agreed. \"There\u2019s a lot of work going on in communities to find every veteran, and there\u2019s a lot of money being spent to get them into housing,\" she said. She pointed to the Supportive Services for Veterans Families and HUD-VA Supportive Housing programs, which have both cut down significantly on the cost of housing for homeless veterans.","Later in the interview, he further defended his record when it comes to serving veterans. \"Let\u2019s take something like homelessness among veterans. So we\u2019ve cut that by a third,\" Obama said.","Obama said, \"Let\u2019s take something like homelessness among veterans. So we\u2019ve cut that by a third.\" According to the most recent, best available data, he\u2019s right. During his tenure, homelessness among veterans has decreased 32.57 percent. However, that number is based on estimates that have an element of uncertainty. Also, funding to end homelessness among veterans has received bipartisan support in Congress. Still, Obama\u2019s point is largely accurate, and we rate his statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"8142.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says in Oregon today, the average debt upon college graduation is more than $24,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the average debt incurred by college graduates in Oregon, which is reported to be over $24,000. While there is additional information that clarifies that 37 percent of students graduate without any debt, the statement itself is still true as it specifically refers to the average debt among those who do graduate with debt. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Halfway into the 30-second spot, released Oct. 21, 2014, the narrator says Walker \"is forcing some women to undergo a transvaginal probe to get an abortion.\"","In a TV ad, EMILY\u2019s List said Walker is \"forcing some women to undergo a transvaginal probe to get an abortion,\" while an image on the screen said Walker \"endorses mandating transvaginal ultrasounds.\"","Fact check, October 2014 : \"EMILY\u2019s List: Scott Walker is forcing some women to get transvaginal ultrasounds to get an abortion\"","PolitiFact Ohio, \"The Ohio Democratic Party says an Ohio House bill would require women seeking abortions to undergo transvaginal ultrasounds,\" July 12, 2013"]},{"id":"6788.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says you cannot implement Paul Ryans plan without allowing for any increases in revenue.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Reed that implementing Paul Ryan's plan would require revenue-raising measures. However, it's important to note that the context of the statement suggests a disagreement with Ryan's plan from a policy perspective. While revenue increases may be necessary to implement Ryan's plan, the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the plan or the specific revenue-raising measures that would be required. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context for a complete assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wanted to know whether Santorum is correct that 90 percent of the American workers do not own their own business.","Small businesses are such an integral part of the U.S. economy that, at least according to one congressman, nearly all American workers have jobs at companies with fewer than 100 employees.","But according to the U.S. Census Bureau, businesses with fewer than 100 employees employed about 35 percent of American workers in 2009. A spokesman for Pascrell acknowledged that the congressman misspoke.","\"I've made the central focus of what I've been out talking about the fact that 90 percent of American workers don't own their own business. They're actually working for businesses and that Republicans better have a message that appeals to their place in the world today and their opportunity to rise in society,\" Santorum said on CBS\u2019s Face the Nation on April 5, 2015."]},{"id":"8306.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Thanks to (Rick) Perrys bad budgeting, the (Texas) highway department has to convert some modern paved state roads back to gravel.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks context. While it is true that the Texas Department of Transportation has plans to convert some paved roads back to gravel due to heavy truck traffic from oil and gas fracking sites, attributing this solely to Rick Perry's budgeting is misleading. The decision to convert these roads is a result of various factors, including the increased wear and tear caused by heavy trucks and the need for cost-effective maintenance solutions. It is not accurate to solely blame Rick Perry's budgeting for this specific issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["And it also includes a March 3, 2011 claim by Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch who said protesters caused $7.5 million damage to the Capitol.","Beneath it: \"Union protesters who swarmed the State House and climbed through windows in an attempt to disrupt the people\u2019s business caused millions in damage in the process.\"","The email says \"The unprecedented damage and intimidation union protesters caused in Wisconsin this year isn\u2019t over.\" It lays out four \"facts you may not know about the impact unions have had in Wisconsin.\"","As one blog posting noted, you could replace large sections of marble for $7.5 million. Indeed, that\u2019s more than the $7.2 million that the state spent to build the Capitol, which was completed in 1917."]},{"id":"2931.json","label":"true","statement":"Ohio is losing over 700 family farms a year, some of them just to pay the inheritance tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Zehringer that Ohio is losing over 700 family farms each year, with some of them being lost due to the inheritance tax. The evidence provided confirms that Ohio did experience a significant decline in family farms during the specified time period, with an average loss ranging from 690 to 902 farms per year. While the exact impact of the inheritance tax on these farm losses may require further examination, the statement itself is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3559.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Undocumented students who qualify for in-state Oregon tuition are actively working toward U.S. citizenship.","reason":"Reason: While undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition in Oregon may have aspirations or intentions to pursue U.S. citizenship in the future, it is not accurate to claim that they are actively working toward it. The criteria for qualifying for in-state tuition in Oregon, as mentioned in the evidence, focus on factors such as attending U.S. schools and graduating from an Oregon high school. These criteria do not directly relate to actively pursuing U.S. citizenship. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the requirements or intentions of the students in question.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Beck replied to Perry: \"OK. In Austin Texas yesterday, a rape of a 9-year-old girl, of a guy who had been caught four times and released,\" his implication being the attacker wasn\u2019t living in the country with legal permission.","According to a July 13, 2014, news story in the Dallas Morning News , a man previously deported to Mexico four times had been arrested in Parker County the day before after he entered a house through a window and fondled a 9-year-old girl. The story, quoting county authorities, said the incident in Springtown, 20 miles northwest of Fort Worth, resulted in the arrest of Israel Andrade, 35, who was jailed on a charge of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony.","News story, \"Multiple deportee arrested in molestation of North Texas girl, 9,\" the Dallas Morning News , July 13, 2014 (accessed July 18, 2014","Beck got the alleged crime and location wrong, but authorities northwest of Fort Worth did detain Israel Andrade, an unauthorized U.S. resident previously deported three times, on a charge of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony, which local officials referred to as indecency with a child by sexual contact. There was no rape."]},{"id":"10654.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says according to recent polls,no Republican candidate is doing better against Hillary Clinton than myself.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Rand Paul's claim is partially supported by the evidence, it is important to note that the polls mentioned in the evidence do not include every potential Republican candidate. The evidence only indicates that in the specific polls mentioned, more people said they would vote for Rand Paul over Hillary Clinton compared to other Republican candidates. However, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all potential Republican candidates and their performance against Clinton in other polls. Therefore, while Rand Paul may have performed well in the polls mentioned, it is inaccurate to claim that no other Republican candidate is doing better against Hillary Clinton.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7617.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In the last two years, I have supported and proposed $155 billion worth of targeting cuts. Dr. Gingrey has presented zero.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it accurately states that the speaker has supported and proposed $155 billion worth of targeting cuts, it falsely implies that Dr. Gingrey has presented zero cuts. Without further evidence or context, it is unclear whether Dr. Gingrey has presented any cuts or not. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it accurately reflects the speaker's support for $155 billion worth of cuts but makes an unsubstantiated claim about Dr. Gingrey.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In his two speeches, Obama said, \"We've doubled our use of renewable energy.\" But while the nation has made strides in expanding electricity generated by wind and solar -- the most high-profile part of the administration\u2019s policies -- the increase for all kinds of energy, and for all types of renewables, was about 25 percent. That\u2019s far short of doubling, so we rate the statement Mostly False.","Also, we can\u2019t completely ignore hydroelectric and biomass sources. Those sources are considered renewable even if they weren\u2019t named by the White House, but their use has not doubled since 2008. Both have remained basically flat in that time period.","\"I\u2019ve got a plan to control more of our own energy,\" Obama said. \"After 30 years of inaction, we raised fuel standards so that by the middle of the next decade, your cars and trucks will go twice as far on a gallon of gas. That will save you money. It will help the environment. We\u2019ve doubled our use of renewable energy, and thousands of Americans now have jobs building wind turbines and long-lasting batteries.\"","During an appearance in Seminole, Fla., on Sept. 8, 2012, President Barack Obama touted the nation\u2019s achievements in expanding the use of renewable energy."]},{"id":"564.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I investigated Abramoff and people ended up in jail.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Jack Abramoff, a former lobbyist, was indeed investigated for his involvement in political corruption and bribery scandals. As a result of the investigation, several individuals, including Abramoff himself, were convicted and sentenced to jail time. The investigation and subsequent prosecutions demonstrated the extent of the illegal activities and led to significant legal consequences for those involved.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I think everyone in the room knows that this is a moment of extraordinary progress. Over the last 30 years, extreme poverty has been cut in half. Boys and girls are enrolling in primary school at nearly equal rates, and there are half as many children out of school today as there were 15 years ago,\" Smith said in a speech on Capitol Hill.","By World Bank figures, Smith actually understated the reduction. We\u2019ve cut extreme poverty by 58 percent using the 2008 definition of extreme poverty, and 74.1 percent by the 2015 definition.","Biden\u2019s assertions, repeated by Sanders, are true in one regard: the projected poverty rate for 2021 would cut the rate by more than one-half. But we haven\u2019t been through the year to see whether or not the projection will be true.","We should stipulate that the World Bank\u2019s definition of extreme is by no means perfect. For 25 years, critics have pointed to methodological issues while others have questioned the very notion of a one-poverty-line-fits-all approach."]},{"id":"5724.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says New Jersey Devils managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek froze all those monies during the toughest years in 08-09 and refused to give the charitable dollars that he was required to give by the contract.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Cory Booker regarding Jeff Vanderbeek, the managing partner of the New Jersey Devils. Booker asserts that Vanderbeek froze funds and refused to provide the required charitable dollars during the challenging economic years of 2008-2009. While the evidence provided does not offer specific details or confirm the veracity of these claims, the statement aligns with Booker's assertions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In 2009, his first year as mayor,\" Juli\u00e1n Castro \"received a seven-figure referral fee\" that smells like a dirty financial gift \"from notorious personal injury lawyer Mikal Watts, a major Obama donor.\"","Mackowiak wrote that as mayor, Castro received a seven-figure referral fee that smells like a dirty gift from Obama donor and personal-injury lawyer Mikal Watts.","\"Perhaps most seriously,\" Mackowiak said in a July 2016 commentary published in the Austin American-Statesman before Castro fell out of consideration, \"how Castro earned a living while serving as mayor will come under intense scrutiny. In 2009, his first year as mayor, Castro received a seven-figure referral fee from notorious personal injury lawyer Mikal Watts, a major Obama donor. What Castro did to earn this fee, which smells like a dirty financial gift from a wealthy trial lawyer to a sitting elected official, will receive a lot of attention \u2014 especially since Watts was indicted on federal fraud charges in 2015.\"","That story doesn\u2019t say Castro fielded a big fee while serving as mayor. It does say the \"seed money for Castro's time in the mayor's office -- he was first elected in 2009 -- was a controversial seven-figure \u2018referral fee\u2019 that Castro, a Harvard-educated lawyer, received from a well-connected trial lawyer and Democratic donor in a personal injury lawsuit in which Castro may or may not have played a major role.\""]},{"id":"4675.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\ufeff\ufeffSince Mayor Kennedy OBrien took office Sayreville has issued 22,081 building permits! Now OBrien is holding secret meetings with big developers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Sayreville has issued 22,081 building permits during Mayor Kennedy O'Brien's tenure, it is important to note that only a small percentage of those permits were for new home construction. The claim that O'Brien is holding secret meetings with big developers is based on assumptions and lacks concrete evidence. While there may be allegations or suspicions, there is no proof to support the claim of secret meetings. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it exaggerates the significance of the building permits and makes an unsubstantiated claim about secret meetings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7582.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2011 alone, 269 New Jerseyans were killed by gun violence.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report for 2011, 269 individuals in New Jersey were indeed killed by gun violence during that year. It is important to note, however, that while this number is significant, there were 12 other states with a higher number of gun-related deaths in 2011 than New Jersey.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Here is the situation,\" Hannity said during a Fox News interview with Sen. John McCain on Sept. 22. \"We've got (Iranian president Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, just on the heels of coming to New York, again denying that the Holocaust took place. Our own National Security Agency says that their nuclear ambitions are advancing, and at the same time we see what happens \u2014 we are slashing our own nuclear arsenal.\"","But neither side is talking about eliminating its nuclear arsenal any time soon. The number of weapons possessed by both sides is, and would remain under any new treaty, enormous relative to the number of weapons possessed by other countries.","\"What I have done -- and this is unprecedented ... is I've said to each agency ... 'look at regulations that are already on the books and if they don't make sense, let's get rid of them.'\"","First off, during a speech on Sept. 18, Ahmadinejad did again question whether the Holocaust was a \"real event,\" and said that the Jewish state of Israel was created out of \"a lie and mythical claim.\" And intelligence reports do, in fact, suggest that while Iran does not yet have nuclear weapons, and claims not to be pursuing them, it has made progress in its ability to enrich uranium and might only be a few years away from developing nuclear weapon capabilities."]},{"id":"11535.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Go look on the West Point website and youll see those specific words, full scholarship to West Point. So even though it is, you know, given as a grant for anybody who gets in, those words are used.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the specific words \"full scholarship to West Point\" can be found on the West Point website, it is important to note the context in which they are used. The term \"full scholarship\" is commonly used to describe the comprehensive financial support provided to all admitted cadets, as it covers tuition, room, board, and other expenses. However, it is not accurate to interpret this as a traditional scholarship that is awarded based on merit or academic achievement. Instead, it is a grant given to all individuals who are admitted to West Point. So, while the statement accurately mentions the presence of the words on the website, it should be understood that the term \"full scholarship\" in this context does not align with the traditional understanding of a scholarship.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a fundraising letter after the Florida special election, the Democratic National Committee said Democrats \"got outspent in a Republican district.\" Both claims have a grain of truth, but are exaggerated.","We wondered whether the DNC is correct to say that Democrats \"got outspent in a Republican district.\" We\u2019ll address the claim in two parts.","\"In a district that Republicans have held for almost six decades, we nearly pulled off an incredible upset thanks to grassroots support from Democrats like you -- but we fell short for one reason: We got outspent in a Republican district. And call me old fashioned, but I think people, and not special interests, should decide elections.\"","This data suggests that her financial position was no worse in this election than Jolly\u2019s, and perhaps a little better. And that would undercut the DNC\u2019s point that she \"got outspent.\""]},{"id":"7362.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are twice as many gun shops as McDonalds in the United States.","reason":"Reason: While it is challenging to obtain an exact estimate of the number of gun shops in the United States, the statement that there are twice as many gun shops as McDonald's restaurants is supported by the evidence provided. The civil rights activist, Rev. Markel Hutchins, made this claim, and although obtaining an exact count is difficult, the evidence suggests that there is a substantial number of gun shops in the country. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"And you think about it,\" Perry said, \"it makes sense considering the growing number of healthy, happy children who are born prematurely at the same early gestation that our laws allow abortion.\"","However, Watterberg said, it remains questionable whether more extremely premature babies grow into healthy children. \"Survival has increased for those babies on the cusp of viability,\" Watterberg said. \"Whether their short- or long-term outcomes have improved is much less clear. We need studies of babies at school age, as adolescents and as adults.\"","Gov. Rick Perry spoke up for restricting abortions earlier in pregnancy by saying that extremely premature births increasingly result in healthy children.","Babies born the earliest were worst off, the summary says. More than half the children born at 23 weeks of gestation or earlier had moderate or severe overall disabilities at 30 months as did 60 percent of those children born at 22 weeks of gestation or earlier. The summary does not say whether the prevalence of disabilities at 30 months was an improvement compared to extremely premature babies born in earlier years."]},{"id":"122.json","label":"true","statement":"\"This (SCHIP) is socialized medicine. It is going to go to families that make $60,000 a year. Those aren't poor children.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) would cover families with incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty line. This would include families earning $60,000 a year under certain circumstances. While the claim that SCHIP is \"socialized medicine\" is an overstatement, the statement accurately highlights the income threshold and challenges the notion that the program exclusively benefits poor children. \nLabel: true","evidence":["During a campaign stop to the AFL-CIO Convention in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Hillary Clinton riled up the crowd with a quip about Villanova\u2019s buzzer-beating final shot that clinched the Wildcats the national championship.","The Villanova Wildcats are about to march down Philadelphia\u2019s Market Street in a victory parade, days after being named National Champions in a nail-biter of a game. But was that a come-from-behind win?","It's entirely possible that the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, earned more money giving a single speech on Wall Street than I made the six years that I was there back in the 1980s\u2026 In fact, it\u2019s quite likely.","Sure, it was an off-the-cuff remark about a basketball game. But, given the enthusiasm of Philadelphia sports fans, we decided to check the claim: Was Villanova\u2019s win really of the \"come-from behind\" variety?"]},{"id":"11698.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 2004, more than 2,000 suspected terrorists have legally purchased weapons in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Mike Thompson that over 2,000 suspected terrorists have legally purchased weapons in the United States between 2004 and 2014, as reported by The Washington Post. However, it's important to note that the term \"suspected terrorists\" may not necessarily mean individuals who have been convicted or proven to be terrorists. The label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate as the statement aligns with the reported information, but the term \"suspected terrorists\" should be understood in its proper context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3116.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We are living with a legacy of deficit-spending that began almost a decade ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that the United States has been dealing with a legacy of deficit spending for nearly a decade, it is important to note that attributing this solely to a specific time period or administration is an oversimplification. Deficit spending is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, policy decisions, and long-term trends. While there may have been deficit spending during a particular time period, it is not solely responsible for the current deficit situation. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks the necessary nuance and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8870.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says David Jolly lobbied on a plan by Rep. Paul Ryan that would turn Medicare into a voucher program.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in campaign commercials and news reports that David Jolly lobbied on a plan that would turn Medicare into a voucher program. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not specify the extent or details of Jolly's involvement in lobbying for this plan. While there is evidence suggesting Jolly's support for privatizing Social Security and his praise for the Ryan Budget, which includes a voucher program for Medicare, the exact nature of his lobbying efforts on this specific plan is not explicitly mentioned. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks complete information to provide a definitive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Do you know the most popular textbook that's taught in our high schools in America is written by a man named Howard Zinn, who is an anti-American Marxist, and that is the most common textbook?\" Santorum said in the April 10, 2015, speech. (It\u2019s around the 10:15 mark.)","We won\u2019t take a position on the merits of Zinn\u2019s historiography, but we will look at the evidence for whether Santorum is correct that Zinn is the author of \"the most popular textbook that's taught in our high schools in America.\"","So we find no evidence to support the statistical claim that Zinn\u2019s is \"the most popular textbook that's taught in our high schools in America.\" But we do think it\u2019s worth paying at least some attention to the broader question of whether Zinn remains influential.","Sewall, of the American Textbook Council, concurred. While Zinn\u2019s impact on social studies teachers \"is prodigious and possibly unparalleled,\" he said, \"there is no way to determine the most popular base history instructional materials used in U.S. high schools.\""]},{"id":"4912.json","label":"true","statement":"Says our unemployment insurance trust fund is broke. Were over a billion dollars in debt to the federal government.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Webber that New Jersey's unemployment insurance trust fund is broke and that the state is over a billion dollars in debt to the federal government. This claim is supported by the evidence provided, which explains that the fund is financed by payroll taxes and is used to pay unemployment benefits. The fact that New Jersey has accumulated a significant debt to the federal government indicates that the fund is indeed in a financially precarious situation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["To sum up, Yu claimed on a website that Reid has a better voting attendance record than three Georgia congressmen that Yu is running against for the U.S. Senate. The numbers show he\u2019s correct.","Eugene Yu, an upstart Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, recently launched a website that attacked the voting attendance records of three GOP House members who are also vying for the Senate seat: Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston.","PolitiFact Georgia looked at the website and did an apples-to-apples comparsion of the voting records of the four men from the same time period, since each congressman joined Congress in different years. We chose July 2007, since that was the year Broun came to Washington. Broun has the shortest tenure of the four congressmen. Reid, Kingston and Gingrey joined Congress in 1987, 1993 and 2003, respectively.","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\""]},{"id":"1597.json","label":"half-true","statement":"St. Pete Beachs experiences are a fair example of what could happen if Amendment 4 passes.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the experiences of St. Pete Beach are a fair example of what could happen if Amendment 4 passes. However, without further context or information about Amendment 4, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this claim. The evidence provided does not directly address Amendment 4 or its potential impact on St. Pete Beach. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim and cannot be deemed entirely true or false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11492.json","label":"false","statement":"Paul Ryan is one of only six House Republicans who voted for Teddy Kennedys bill to force Christian employers to hire LGBT employees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Paul Ryan did vote in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which aimed to prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, it did not specifically target Christian employers or force them to hire LGBT employees. ENDA sought to provide protections against discrimination for all employees, regardless of their religious affiliation. The claim that Ryan's vote was to force Christian employers to hire LGBT employees is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"ISIS has now set up a very significant hub in Libya,\" Rubio said. \"They are now the predominant Islamist group in Benghazi.\"","As for Rubio\u2019s specific claim, ISIS isn\u2019t the predominate \"Islamist group in Benghazi,\" experts told us. That distinction would go to a terror group known as Ansar al-Sharia, or the Partisans of Islamic Law. Most Americans would know them as the group considered responsible for the Sept. 12, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that killed two diplomats and two former Navy SEALs working as security personnel (a charge they have denied in the past).","UCLA history professor James Gelvin said Ansar al-Sharia do share a goal with ISIS -- imposing Sharia law where it is possible. Rubio may have been trying to use Benghazi as a buzzword people would recognize, but he is not correct to say ISIS is \"the predominant Islamist group\" there. While ISIS has a presence in many cities, they only truly have a foothold in Derna, Gelvin said.","Several reports (including one from the United Nations) have said Ansar al-Sharia Derna pledged allegiance to ISIS in October 2014, but it seems Ansar al-Sharia Benghazi leadership has not endorsed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Anonymous jihadists groups are the Libyans who have pledged loyalty to ISIS."]},{"id":"1246.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Forty percent of gross domestic product is state, local, or federal money.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that approximately 40 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the United States is comprised of state, local, or federal money. GDP is a measure of the total value of goods and services produced in a country, and this includes government spending at various levels. While the exact percentage may vary slightly, depending on specific factors and calculations, the statement provides a generally accurate representation of the relationship between government spending and GDP.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["About that ranking: It is for the percent of community college students who also are finishing high school. It comes from an Iowa Department of Education analysis, the Reynolds campaign wrote in an email to PolitiFact Iowa. It matches a Community Colleges Research Center report on 2019 dual enrollment that showed Iowa leading the nation with 37% of its community college enrollment coming from high school students.","A state record 51,809 Iowa students enrolled in community colleges last year while also in high school. Initial data from community colleges shows that B number dropped 8.8% this year to 47,262, the Department of Education reported in October. A pending education department report will show different numbers, but two of every five community college students still are high school students, Jeremy Varner, the department\u2019s community college division administrator said in a PolitiFact Iowa interview.","\"If you look at the measures of entrepreneurial activity after finishing high school and college, the health of the American-educated workforce is pretty good,\" Fischman said. \"In measures of entrepreneurialism, productivity, they are not bad. So if you think the results of education should be connected to the employability of the work force and measures of creativity and problem solving, American kids are doing really well.\"","Iowa education department analysts are preparing a report for the 2020-21 school year that needs more work before it is released, Varner said. It will show Iowa as first in the nation and growing enrollment. The figures will show 37% of Iowa\u2019s community college students still in high school, Varner said. That is higher than those with the next best rates: Colorado at 32% and Idaho at 30%."]},{"id":"4139.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"During his first year, President Obama said he was going to visit Kim Jong-ll and Ahmadinejad and Assad and Chavez the worst actors in the world.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama mentioned his intention to engage with leaders like Kim Jong-Il, Ahmadinejad, Assad, and Chavez during his campaign, there is no concrete evidence that he specifically stated he would visit them in their home countries during his first year as president. The statement implies a more definitive plan of action than what was actually expressed. It is important to note that diplomatic efforts and international relations are complex and can be influenced by various factors, making it difficult to predict or guarantee specific meetings with world leaders. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1696.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Republican state leaders are using \"Soviet-style\" budget management.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that Republican state leaders are using \"Soviet-style\" budget management is not accurate. The term \"Soviet-style\" typically refers to the economic and political systems of the former Soviet Union, which involved centralized planning and control over various aspects of the economy. The request made by Republican state leaders for government agencies to suggest budget cuts does not align with the characteristics of Soviet-style budget management. The use of the term in this context is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6153.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The median income in America has dropped by 10 percent in the last four years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitt Romney made the claim that the median income in America had dropped by 10 percent in the last four years, the evidence suggests that the statement is only partially true. According to a study by Sentier Research, the drop in median income at that time was $4,600 or 8.3 percent, not 10 percent. While there was a significant decline in median income, it did not reach the exact figure stated by Romney. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but exaggerates the extent of the decline.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6515.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate hopeful Tammy Baldwin voted for a $1 trillion stimulus bill that included a wasteful $800,000 to replace light bulbs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While Tammy Baldwin did vote in favor of a stimulus bill, it is misleading to attribute the specific allocation of $800,000 to replace light bulbs solely to her. The stimulus bill was a comprehensive package aimed at stimulating the economy, and it included funding for various projects and initiatives across different sectors. The allocation for light bulb replacement was a small part of the overall bill and was intended to promote energy efficiency. While some critics may argue that this allocation was wasteful, it is important to note that it was not a decision made solely by Tammy Baldwin, and it represented a fraction of the total stimulus package. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The reason why Cubans don't have access to 21st century telecommunications \u2014 like smart phones, like access to the Internet \u2014 is because it is illegal in Cuba.\"","Rubio said that rather than the U.S. embargo, the reason why Cubans \"don't have access to 21st century telecommunications \u2014 like smart phones, like access to the Internet \u2014 is because it is illegal in Cuba.\"","\"The president said that the people of Cuba do not have access to advanced, 21st century modern technology for communications and telecommunications because of the U.S. embargo. That is false,\" Rubio said. \"The reason why they don't have access to 21st century telecommunications \u2014 like smart phones, like access to the Internet \u2014 is because it is illegal in Cuba.\"","In 2009, Obama cracked the door open marginally for American telecommunications companies to operate in Cuba by allowing them to establish connectivity between Cuba and the United States, and letting satellite radio and television companies serve Cuban customers. Additionally, people could donate (but not sell) telecommunication devices like computers and phones to Cubans."]},{"id":"10932.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Thanks to the Act 10 collective bargaining law that took effect four years ago, ACT scores in Wisconsin are now second-best in the country for states where more than half the kids take the exam.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Wisconsin's ACT scores have improved, attributing this solely to the Act 10 collective bargaining law is an oversimplification. The statement implies a direct causal relationship between the law and the improved ACT scores, which is not supported by the evidence provided. Other factors, such as changes in education policies, curriculum, and teaching methods, could have contributed to the improvement in ACT scores. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary nuance to accurately assess the impact of the Act 10 law on ACT scores.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In talking about his goals for the upcoming year, Obama said, \"As we better train our workers, we need the new economy to keep churning out high-wage jobs for our workers to fill. Since 2010, America has put more people back to work than Europe, Japan and all advanced economies combined.\"","They told PolitiFact that the analysis \"finds that 14.9 million people have returned to work in advanced economies since the beginning of 2010. Just over half\u2014or 7.5 million\u2014are in the United States. In other words, the number of people put back to work in the United States exceeds the net total for all other advanced economies combined (7.4 million).\"","Obama said, \"Over the last few years, we\u2019ve put more people back to work than all the other advanced economies combined.\"","From publicly available data, we know that since 2010, the United States has created more jobs than the 35 other advanced economies combined. However, it\u2019s not as clear cut that this recovery involves putting \"more people back to work,\" as Obama suggests. The labor force participation rate has consistently declined during this period, suggesting that more and more unemployed Americans are dropping out of the workforce, rather than taking new jobs."]},{"id":"5076.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our income, our GDP per capita, is almost 50 percent higher than (it is for) the average European.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Romney, that the United States' GDP per capita is almost 50 percent higher than the average European, is supported by evidence. Multiple sources, including the OECD, have calculated GDP per capita for both the United States and European countries, and the data shows that the U.S. does have a higher GDP per capita compared to the European average. While the exact percentage may vary slightly depending on the specific comparison made, the evidence overall supports the claim that the U.S. has a significantly higher GDP per capita than the average European.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Even by this narrow comparison, it\u2019s not accurate to say Obama\u2019s poll numbers are \"right in the average.\" But we\u2019re not sure viewers would think Melber was comparing Obama with just three other presidents -- particularly when he said \"over the entire history of second-term presidents.\"","Gallup editor in chief Frank Newport said there\u2019s no right way to compare the approval ratings, but he would use a different method. He looked at the monthly average of polls for presidents in the first November of their second term. He argued this way smooths out weekly blips, and offers a more accurate portrayal of Truman and Johnson, who shared first terms with predecessors who died in office.","\"But this notion that this is really bad or worse for Obama, it\u2019s actually right in the average, and if anything impressive because we\u2019re in such a super polarized time period.\"","With Democrats woozy from their shellacking in November\u2019s congressional elections, political junkies are riveted on 2012 and whether President Barack Obama will win a second term."]},{"id":"7613.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ive authored the first bipartisan tax reform bill in a quarter-century.","reason":"Reason: Senator Ron Wyden claims to have authored the first bipartisan tax reform bill in a quarter-century, which is mostly true. While there have been other tax reform bills proposed in the past, the Nunn-Domenici bill of 1995 is often considered a bipartisan tax reform bill. However, it is worth noting that the term \"bipartisan\" can be subjective, and different interpretations may exist. Nonetheless, Senator Wyden's claim is generally accurate, as his bill represents a significant bipartisan effort in the realm of tax reform after a substantial period without such collaboration.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2605.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sharron Angle voted to protect sex offenders.","reason":"Reason: Sharron Angle did vote against a program that aimed to help youth and church groups conduct background checks on volunteers to weed out sex offenders. While it is an oversimplification to say that she directly voted to protect sex offenders, her vote against the program raises concerns about the potential impact on the safety of children. Angle cited privacy concerns as her reason for voting against it. While the statement is mostly true, it is important to note that it does not explicitly state that Angle voted to protect sex offenders, but rather highlights her vote against the program designed to prevent them from volunteering with youth and church groups.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5966.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the majority of candidates in Texas 25th Congressional District live outside the district.","reason":"Reason: The evidence indicates that the statement is barely true. While the majority of candidates in the Texas 25th Congressional District do not live outside the district, there are still a significant number of candidates who reside outside the district. The breakdown provided shows that five candidates listed in the evidence do not live in the district, while three candidates may have moved in after declaring their candidacies. Therefore, while it is not accurate to say that the majority of candidates live outside the district, there is a notable number of candidates who do not reside within the district's boundaries.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says there are \"ample means\" to \"tell when someone is a Christian in the Middle East ... by name, by where they\u2019re born, their birth certificates.\"","Stent told Reuters at the time that the Kremlin considers Russia the only truly Christian country, and thinks that the West is no longer Christian because of its interest in LGBTQ rights.","We reached out to Angela Stent, senior adviser for the Center for Eurasian, Russian & East European Studies at Georgetown University who\u2019s written multiple books about Russia and its president including \"Putin\u2019s World: Russia Against the West and with the Rest.\"","A Fox News spokesperson said Hannity was talking about verse 5:51 of the Koran, the sacred book of Muslims. It\u2019s a verse that has spawned blog posts and message board queries about what it really means."]},{"id":"9098.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Floridas revenue is growing at a faster rate than almost any state in the country.","reason":"Reason: While there is some evidence suggesting that Florida's revenue growth rate is among the top 10 in the country, it is important to note that the available data is self-reported by the state and is only an estimate. Without more comprehensive and independent data from multiple sources, it is difficult to definitively conclude that Florida's revenue growth rate is outpacing almost any other state in the country. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Santorum said he \"went out and authored a letter with 24 other senators asking for major reform of Freddie and Fannie, warning of a meltdown and a bubble in the housing market.\"","\"In 2006, I went out and authored a letter with 24 other senators asking for major reform of Freddie and Fannie, warning of a meltdown and a bubble in the housing market,\" the former Pennsylvania senator he said. \"I stood out, I stood tall and tried to get a reform, and we couldn't do it.\"","Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, responded: \"In 2006, I went out and authored a letter with 24 other senators asking for major reform of Freddie and Fannie, warning of a meltdown and a bubble in the housing market. I stood out, I stood tall and tried to get a reform, and we couldn\u2019t do it.\"","\"Well, I would just say, in answer to the question, that as I mentioned last debate, in 2006, I went out and authored a letter with 24 other senators asking for major reform of Freddie and Fannie, warning of a meltdown and a bubble in the housing market. I stood out, I stood tall and tried to get a reform, and we couldn't do it. The reform we'd need is to gradually decrease the amount of mortgage that can be financed by Freddie -- or underwritten by Freddie and Fannie over time, keep reducing that until we get rid of Fannie and Freddie.\""]},{"id":"4437.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We know that President Obama stole over $500 billion out of Medicare to switch it over to Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately characterizes the actions taken by President Obama regarding Medicare. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) included provisions to reduce future spending growth in Medicare, the claim that President Obama \"stole\" or \"robbed\" over $500 billion from Medicare is misleading. The savings were achieved through changes in payment rates to healthcare providers and other cost-saving measures, not by directly taking funds from Medicare. The statement also fails to acknowledge that the goal was to control costs and improve the long-term sustainability of the program. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3573.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A cap-and-trade bill would destroy over 50,000 jobs in Virginia.","reason":"Reason: The statement that a cap-and-trade bill would destroy over 50,000 jobs in Virginia is an exaggeration. The claim is based on a report by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), which is known to be opposed to such legislation. However, independent analysts have found that the impact on employment would likely be far smaller than the NAM's projection. Additionally, it's important to note that long-range employment projections can be uncertain and subject to various factors. Therefore, while there may be some job impact, the statement exaggerates the extent of job losses and does not provide a balanced assessment of the potential effects of a cap-and-trade bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I'm not saying that Marcy Kaptur has the same belief system as someone in the Chinese politburo or that she thinks it's OK to kill unborn babies. And I'm not saying that Marcy Kaptur believes in gendercide,\" he says in the campaign video.","Kucinich's campaign told us the congressman explained his opposition to the measure at the time of the vote. He acknowledged support for many of its provisions -- including increased veterans' benefits -- but took exception to other major provisions: \"billions of dollars in military aid, sanctions and funds for policies in the Middle East that undermine the administration's call for a commitment to diplomacy; $239 million in foreign military financing for Pakistan; destabilizing investment and trade sanctions; and restrictions on aid to Gaza and the West Bank.\"","Kaptur campaign spokesman Steve Fought acknowledged that the omnibus spending bill had \"money in there for the military. But you can't really pick and choose. It was to keep the government funded, and he decided to vote no.","Franks said in a news interview before the vote that he expected the measure to fail, but that it was a strategic goal to force Democrats to vote against it."]},{"id":"7704.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Nearly 40,000 new jobs have been created in the last year due to the new wells . . . right here in Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided does not support the claim that nearly 40,000 new jobs have been created in the last year due to new wells in Ohio. While there may have been job growth in various sectors, the evidence does not specifically attribute it to new wells. Additionally, the evidence mentions job growth at a national level and does not provide specific data or context regarding job creation in Ohio. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Napolitano said emails released to the public show Clinton discussed \"the location of Ambassador Stevens, who of course was murdered, in Libya.\"","\"I saw emails that have been revealed under the Freedom of Information Act,\" Napolitano said. \"And in them, she is discussing the location of French fighter jets during the NATO bombardment of Libya, how big the no-fly zone is, where the no-fly zones are, and are you ready for this? \u2014 the location of Ambassador Stevens, who of course was murdered, in Libya. If that is not classified \u2014 if she didn\u2019t know that was classified, she has no business being in public office.\"","Clinton received at least six emails that discussed Stevens\u2019 location in Libya, though the terms are vague -- for example, saying he was in Benghazi at an unidentified hotel.","Former U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens was killed in the 2012 attack on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi. Do emails contained on Clinton\u2019s private server really discuss information about his location in Libya?"]},{"id":"5821.json","label":"false","statement":"Says I worked with our Mayor and other commissioners to help save the school year when a budget crisis in Salem threatened to cut four weeks of the school year, including negotiating with teachers to work for free.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the speaker worked with the Mayor and other commissioners to save the school year by negotiating with teachers to work for free during a budget crisis in Salem. The provided evidence does not support this claim, and there is no mention of such negotiations or actions taken by the speaker or any other individuals in the context of the budget crisis. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid making false claims about one's involvement in significant events.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Facing a date in Municipal Court, Holloway told a forum audience -- including those who watched on TV and YouTube -- that the building code violations still at issue involve the exterior of the properties. \"Within the households,\" he said, \"it\u2019s fine.\" But inspection records paint a different picture: Roaches, exit signs, smoke detectors, ceiling plaster. All of those -- and more -- are interior issues. There\u2019s even a note about faulty fire extinguishers.","Holloway and his wife, Lynda, own 15 parcels in the city, including several apartment buildings on the near north side. Some of the buildings have been the subject of numerous and repeated building code violations.","He added: \"And it has to do with tuckpointing, which is all complete.\" And he said: \"Within the households, it\u2019s fine.\"","At the time he made the statement, Holloway had 200 outstanding violations on eight of his 15 properties. Some of the violations were new -- and written up on Jan. 21, 2011, the same day as the candidate forum."]},{"id":"11979.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We work longer hours than any people in the industrialized world, including the Japanese.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bernie Sanders stated that Americans work longer hours than any people in the industrialized world, including the Japanese, the statement is barely-true. The evidence from the International Labour Organization in 1999 supports the fact that Americans worked longer hours than the Japanese at that time. However, it is important to note that this data is from over two decades ago, and there may have been changes since then. Without more recent and comprehensive data, it is difficult to definitively claim that Americans currently work longer hours than any other people in the industrialized world.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Remember, this is the best food stamp president in history. So more Americans today get food stamps than before. And we now give it away as cash -- you don't get food stamps. You get a credit card, and the credit card can be used for anything. We have people who take their food stamp money and use it to go to Hawaii. They give food stamps now to millionaires because, after all, don't you want to be compassionate? You know, the Obama model: isn't there somebody you'd like to give money to this week. That's why we're now going to help bailout Italy because we haven't bailed out enough people this week, the president thought let's write another check. After all, we have so much extra money.\"","\"Remember, this is the best food stamp president in history,\" Gingrich said. \"So more Americans today get food stamps than before. And we now give it away as cash -- you don't get food stamps. You get a credit card, and the credit card can be used for anything. We have people who take their food stamp money and use it to go to Hawaii. They give food stamps now to millionaires because, after all, don't you want to be compassionate? You know, the Obama model: isn't there somebody you'd like to give money to this week. That's why we're now going to help bailout Italy because we haven't bailed out enough people this week, the president thought let's write another check. After all, we have so much extra money.\"","\"We have people who take their food stamp money and use it to go to Hawaii.\" No. Airline tickets are not a qualified purchase. We did find that St. Louis television station KMOV did an investigative piece looking at the Missouri food stamp system that found that a small amount of Missouri food stamp funds had been spent in Hawaii. Two possible explanations are that they were spent by members of the armed services just transferred there who are permitted to use their Missouri benefits until their Hawaii benefits are set up or that they were spent by migrant workers who spend part of the year in Missouri but do seasonal work in Hawaii.","\"They give food stamps now to millionaires.\" Only those with incomes of no more than 130 percent of the poverty line qualify. That leaves out millionaires. After we published this item we heard back from USDA spokesman Aaron Lavallee about one case in which an unemployed Michigan man who won $2 million in the lottery was deemed eligible for food stamps by the state, but he was later removed from the program."]},{"id":"8105.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Greg Abbott converted over $1 million in federal grant money intended for use to prosecute online sexual predators and other cyber crimes and instead used it to harass and prosecute senior citizens who were assisting other senior citizens in applying for mail-in ballots.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided consists of claims made by the Lone Star Project, a Democratic group, without any further substantiation or evidence to support the allegations. Without additional credible sources or evidence, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that Greg Abbott converted federal grant money intended for prosecuting online sexual predators to harass and prosecute senior citizens assisting with mail-in ballots.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4934.json","label":"true","statement":"Richard Cordrays nomination to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau marks the first time in Senate history that a political party has blocked a nomination of someone because they didnt like the construction of the agency.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the historical significance of Richard Cordray's nomination to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It was the first time in Senate history that a political party blocked a nomination due to their disagreement with the construction of the agency. This occurred when Senate Republicans opposed Cordray's nomination in 2011, citing concerns about the structure and authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Milwaukee County Board\u2019s staff grew from four workers to 38 over four decades and now costs taxpayers \"a lot more,\" while the total county workforce was more than cut in half in the same period.","Abele said the County Board\u2019s staff grew from three or four workers to 38 since the 1970s, and now costs taxpayers \"a lot more,\" while the total county workforce was more than cut in half in the same period.","Let\u2019s take a look at Abele\u2019s assertion that the County Board staff has gone from \"three or four\" to 38 in four decades, and costs taxpayers \"a lot more\" even though the total county workforce is less than half its former size (11,000 to 4,400).","In the 1970s, Abele continued, elected supervisors were part-time and the total County Board staff numbered three or four -- a couple committee clerks and a secretary. Now the staff totals 38 and supervisors\u2019 pay is full-time."]},{"id":"8879.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obamas health care law is expected to destroy 2.3 million jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Speaker Boehner used the phrase \"expected to destroy 2.3 million jobs\" in reference to President Obama's health care law, it is important to note that this phrasing is not entirely accurate. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did estimate a reduction in the number of hours worked equivalent to 2.3 million full-time jobs due to voluntary choices made by workers in response to the Affordable Care Act. However, it is misleading to interpret this as the law directly destroying jobs or employers making layoffs. The reduction in hours worked is primarily a result of individuals choosing to work fewer hours or exit the labor market due to factors such as increased access to healthcare subsidies. Therefore, while there is an impact on the labor market, the statement misrepresents the CBO's findings and the nature of the job reduction.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"482.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"John McCain \"is one of the few senators of either party who oppose this bill (to expand education aid for veterans) because he thinks it's too generous.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that John McCain opposed a bill to expand education aid for veterans solely because he believed it was too generous. While it is true that McCain opposed the bill, it is an oversimplification to attribute his opposition solely to the belief that it was too generous. McCain had expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on the Department of Veterans Affairs and the overall budget. His opposition was based on a combination of factors, not solely the perceived generosity of the bill. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama has launched \"twice as many strikes (on) countries that are predominantly Muslim\" than President George W. Bush.","Granderson\u2019s claim that there have been \"twice as many strikes (on) countries that are predominantly Muslim\" is similar to Lizza\u2019s -- but with the added caveat that these are Muslim countries, so we decided to check it out again.","The irony of President Barack Obama, Nobel Prize winner and putative anti-war candidate, launching extensive airstrikes in Syria, quickly led to comparisons with his predecessor, President George W. Bush.","\"They voted for him because he was supposed to end these wars and stop bombing people,\" Granderson said. \"And when you look at the raw numbers, three times as much Special Forces were used than \u2018W.\u2019, twice as many strikes (on) countries that are predominantly Muslim. Those were not the numbers that his staunch progressive base voted for.\""]},{"id":"11022.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Chris Christie has led New Jersey to a record-breaking 9 credit downgrades.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Chris Christie oversaw nine credit downgrades during his tenure as governor of New Jersey. Multiple sources confirm that no other governor in New Jersey's history has experienced as many credit rating reductions. The previous record was six downgrades. However, it's important to note that the statement doesn't provide further context or delve into the specific reasons behind these downgrades. While the statement is generally true, additional information would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Nine hundred people have been fired since I became secretary (of Veterans Affairs). We\u2019ve got 60 people that we fired who have manipulated wait times.\"","\"Nine hundred people have been fired since I became secretary,\" he said. \"We've got 60 people that we fired who have manipulated wait times.\"","McDonald said, \"Nine hundred people have been fired since I became secretary. We\u2019ve got 60 people that we fired who have manipulated wait times.\" He also said that those 900 people \"were with us before I became secretary.\"","That seems to be a pretty big house-cleaning. Did that many people really get fired? We decided to see whether 900 people were let go and whether 60 of them were ousted directly because of the scandal."]},{"id":"3247.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Texas, sexting is a felony sex offense for teenagers that can mean up to 10 years in prison.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. In Texas, sexting can indeed be considered a felony sex offense for teenagers, but the severity of the punishment can vary depending on the specific circumstances. While it is possible for sexting to result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years, it is important to note that such severe penalties are typically reserved for cases involving explicit images of minors or situations that involve coercion or exploitation. In less severe cases, alternative measures such as diversion programs or educational interventions may be employed. Therefore, while the statement captures the potential severity of the offense, it does not fully convey the range of possible outcomes based on the specific circumstances of each case.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Republican U.S. Senate candidate George Allen has been a relentless critic of President Barack Obama\u2019s health care reform law, calling it \"a government takeover of health care.\"","The memo begins with \"The 10 Rules for Stopping the 'Washington Takeover' of Healthcare.\u201d Rule No. 4 says people \"are deathly afraid that a government takeover will lower their quality of care \u2013 so they are extremely receptive to the anti-Washington approach. It's not an economic issue. It's a bureaucratic issue.\"","\"The arguments against the Democrats' healthcare plan must center around politicians, bureaucrats and Washington ... not the free market, tax incentives or competition.\"","Drew Altman, president and chief executive officer of the Kaiser Family Foundation, came to the same conclusion in an August 2011 column entitled \"Are we headed for a government takeover of Health Care?\""]},{"id":"10162.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I fought 38 Studios from the beginning.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the speaker actively fought against the 38 Studios deal from its inception. However, the evidence provided does not clearly support this claim. While the speaker mentions fighting against 38 Studios in an ad, there is no specific information or evidence provided to substantiate their involvement or the extent of their opposition. Without additional context or evidence, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the claim. Therefore, the statement is labeled as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During his budget speech, Christie pointed to New Jersey\u2019s private-sector job growth in 2011, claiming that it \"places New Jersey in the top third among all of the states.\"","But we were wondering whether Christie\u2019s right that such growth \"places New Jersey in the top third among all of the states.\" The short answer: not exactly.","\"Since I took office, we as a state have added nearly 60,000 private-sector jobs,\" Christie said during his Feb. 21 speech introducing the fiscal year 2013 budget. \"And 2011 was the best year of job growth since the year 2000 and places New Jersey in the top third among all of the states.\"","In terms of net jobs gained, New Jersey\u2019s private-sector job growth stands at 12th place among the 50 states. That backs up Christie\u2019s statement, because he said New Jersey ranks \"in the top third among all of the states.\""]},{"id":"11309.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker turned a $1 billion surplus into a $2.2 billion budget deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains an element of truth but is misleading. While there was a projection of a $1 billion surplus in early 2014, it is incorrect to claim that Governor Scott Walker turned it into a $2.2 billion budget deficit. The actual situation was that there was a projection of a $2.2 billion shortfall, which refers to the difference between expected revenues and the amount of money being requested by state agencies. However, it's important to note that the shortfall was not an actual deficit, and the state did not have a budget deficit. Additionally, some of the surplus was intentionally spent by Republicans through tax cuts. Therefore, while the statement contains some accurate information, it distorts the overall picture by misrepresenting the nature of the shortfall and deficit.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Nearly 9 percent of covered employees go out on short term disability every year, with an average outage from work of almost 12 weeks each,\" he says on his campaign website. \"These are very high utilization rates, and would either indicate that Rhode Island has a very sick workforce or that the program has some systemic problems that need to be addressed.\"","Ken Block says 9 percent of R.I. workers go on short-term disability every year, for an average of 12 weeks each","Ken Block said nearly 9 percent of eligible employees go out on temporary disability each year, for an average of 12 weeks.","( - Ken Block says 9 percent of R.I. workers go on short-term disability every year, for an average of 12 weeks each&url=)"]},{"id":"448.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"After Reagan took office, \"we didn't raise taxes and we didn't cut entitlements. What we did was we cut taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of Senator John McCain and the actions taken during the early period of President Reagan's administration. After Reagan took office, there was indeed a significant tax cut implemented, which was a central focus of his economic policy. However, the statement oversimplifies the broader fiscal actions taken during Reagan's presidency. While taxes were cut, there were also subsequent tax increases and adjustments made during Reagan's tenure. Additionally, while entitlements were not cut in a broad sense, there were reductions and reforms made to specific entitlement programs. Therefore, while the statement captures a specific aspect of Reagan's economic policy, it fails to provide a comprehensive picture of the fiscal actions taken during his presidency.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10224.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"No one was taken into custody for feeding the homeless.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that no one was taken into custody for feeding the homeless, it is important to note that the individual in question was arrested on multiple occasions for allegedly violating city ordinances related to feeding the homeless. However, during these arrests, the individual was not taken into custody or handcuffed but instead given a notice to appear in court. So, while there were arrests in the sense of being charged with an offense, no one was physically taken into custody for feeding the homeless.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5359.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Newt Gingrich co-sponsored a bill with Nancy Pelosi that would have given $60 million a year to a U.N. program supporting Chinas brutal one-child policy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Newt Gingrich co-sponsored a bill with Nancy Pelosi that would have provided $60 million a year to a U.N. program supporting China's one-child policy. Such a bill does not exist, and there is no record of Gingrich supporting or advocating for such a policy. This claim appears to be a fabrication or a misrepresentation of the facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In 2014, PolitiFact Florida fact-checked a claim by the Democratic Hispanic Caucus Miami-Dade chapter that in 2011 \"Lopez-Cantera 'staunchly supported' a Florida bill modeled after Arizona\u2019s immigration law.\" We rated that claim Mostly False.","\"In 2011, Lopez-Cantera staunchly supported HB 7089, the anti-immigrant bill modeled after the racial profiling Arizona law, which Rick Scott embraced during his first governor's race,\" said the Miami-Dade chapter of the Democratic Hispanic caucus of Florida in a Jan. 16 press release. \"Lopez-Cantera called it a \u2018common sense\u2019 and \u2018reasonable\u2019 bill in a press release on March 10, 2011.\" The Florida Democratic Party launched a similar attack.","While the attacks were going on, the Herald reported that Lopez-Cantera planned to vote against the bill. \"Florida doesn\u2019t need an immigration law,\" he said in April 2011.","While the attacks were going on, the Herald reported that L\u00f3pez-Cantera was now against the House measure and planned to vote against it as well. \"Florida doesn\u2019t need an immigration law,\" he said in April 2011."]},{"id":"4784.json","label":"half-true","statement":"[A]n extra 8 million Americans [are] projected to join state Medicaid programs in the next few years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are projections of increased enrollment in state Medicaid programs in the next few years, the statement of \"an extra 8 million Americans\" joining Medicaid is not entirely accurate. The fact-checking analysis indicates that the claim made by Gingrey about \"extra people\" joining Medicaid is not supported by evidence. The discrepancy between estimates from different sources does not necessarily imply that there will be an additional 8 million people joining Medicaid. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to support the specific number mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says that \"data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggest that the Texas budget gap is worse than New York\u2019s, about as bad as California\u2019s, but not quite up to New Jersey levels.\"","In his Jan. 6, 2011 column, titled \"the Texas Omen,\" Krugman opines that the Texas-style \"modern conservative theory of budgeting\" ain\u2019t all it\u2019s cracked up to be, now that fiscal reality has intruded. Though he notes that \"comparing budget crises among states is tricky,\" Krugman does just that, writing that \"data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggest that the Texas budget gap is worse than New York\u2019s, about as bad as California\u2019s, but not quite up to New Jersey levels.\"","So, the 2012 Texas shortfall appeared to be worse than New York\u2019s, about as bad as California\u2019s, but not quite up--actually, hardly close--to New Jersey\u2019s level.","The report says the center\u2019s sources for the Texas breakdown includes an analysis of state agency budget requests and other information by the Austin-based Center on Public Policy Priorities, which advocates for programs that serve low-income Texans. The two similarly-named organizations occasionally collaborate on projects."]},{"id":"9142.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"EPA officials have commended (Koch Industries) for our commitment to a cleaner environment and called us a model for other companies.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been instances where EPA officials have commended certain aspects of Koch Industries' environmental efforts, it is important to note that these commendations were focused on specific areas and not a blanket endorsement of the company as a whole. The statement implies a broader endorsement that is not entirely accurate. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the full context, as Koch Industries has also faced violations of environmental rules in the past. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate representation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When you're talking about the minimum wage, you're talking about women,\" Roberts said March 31 on NPR\u2019s Morning Edition. \"Two-thirds of the people who receive the minimum wage are female, and this is one of many attempts on the part of Democrats to get out the voters who normally don't vote in an off-year election, to try to get them to the polls this year. We\u2019ll see whether that works or not.\"","Forbes said two-thirds of people working for the minimum wage earn more money within a year. The real figure is 51 percent, because some people leave the labor force or lose their job.","\"Remember, in terms of minimum wage, they are often with businesses with small margins, and two-thirds of the people who start out in minimum wage are above the minimum wage within a year, when they get skills,\" said Forbes, a former Republican presidential candidate.","Data from the liberal Economic Policy Institute, show that 55.9 percent of those who would receive a raise under Clinton\u2019s proposal are women. That\u2019s a solid majority, but well below two-thirds."]},{"id":"1987.json","label":"false","statement":"\"West has raised $2 million from those that would leave our beaches in ruins, end Social Security and Medicare, and give corporations free reign.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that West has raised $2 million from entities that would harm the environment, end Social Security and Medicare, and grant corporations unrestricted power. The evidence provided does not support this claim. The evidence focuses on campaign contributions received by Sanders, not West, and it specifically mentions contributions from lawyers and lobbyists, not entities that would harm the environment or end social welfare programs. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Nearly a dozen Republican-led states have banned private donations for election administration, and more bans are under consideration. Denouncing \"Zuckerbucks\" for election offices has become part of the GOP playbook for candidates running for local, state and federal offices.","A Republican backlash has led to state bans on private funding for future elections. Local elections offices risk not having enough money for the 2022 cycle.","The Republican Party has not won a presidential election without either a Bush or a Nixon on the ticket since 1928.","The Clinton-Bush era in the nation\u2019s capital is well known -- from 1980 to 2004, Jeb\u2019s father (George H.W. Bush) or brother (George W. Bush) or Bill Clinton won their party\u2019s nomination for president or vice president. Hillary Clinton, of course, nearly made the top of the Democratic ticket in 2008."]},{"id":"10969.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The party in the White House is responsible for a massive tax increase on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes tax provisions, characterizing it as a \"massive tax increase on the middle class\" is misleading. The impact of the ACA's taxes varies depending on individual circumstances, and it primarily affects higher-income individuals rather than the middle class. Additionally, the ACA provides subsidies that can offset the tax increases for many individuals. Therefore, while there are tax provisions within the ACA, it is inaccurate to claim that it constitutes a massive tax increase specifically on the middle class.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11511.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you look at the three people on the (debate) stage from the United States Senate, all three of them have a combined two bills that became law that theyve sponsored.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. It states that the three individuals on the debate stage from the United States Senate collectively have only two bills that they have sponsored and became law. The evidence confirms that only two bills sponsored by Cruz, Rubio, and Paul combined have been signed into law. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8053.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Portland Bureau of Transportation barely break(s) even ticketing motorists.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to Dylan Rivera, a spokesman for the Portland Bureau of Transportation, they generally \"barely break even\" in parking enforcement. This suggests that the revenue collected from parking fines is not significantly higher than the cost of enforcing parking rules. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not explicitly state that the bureau consistently breaks even or always operates at a near break-even point. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it lacks the complete context to categorize it as fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Donald Trump's numbers show that he's the highest with African-Americans that any Republican has ever been, and the highest with Hispanics that any Republican has ever been,\" Bachmann said.","A spokesperson for Bachmann did not return our messages asking how she knows Trump\u2019s numbers are \"the highest with Hispanics that any Republican has ever been.\"","All that talk about how unpopular Donald Trump is with Hispanics? In Michele Bachmann\u2019s view, the opposite is true: Trump is polling at epic levels among Hispanic voters.","Another approach is to compare each president on the highest approval rating of their tenure. (Trump has only been in office for a year and a half, but he opened the door to this analysis by claiming the \"highest poll numbers in the history of the Republican Party.\")"]},{"id":"4203.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Polls now show a majority of Catholics favor marriage equality.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to various polls, including the one cited by Garden State Equality Chairman Steven Goldstein, a majority of Catholics do indeed support marriage equality. These polls indicate that public opinion has shifted, and a growing number of Catholics now favor allowing same-sex couples to marry. However, it's important to note that the level of support may vary among different regions and demographics within the Catholic community.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Crist's ad claims that Rubio \"wants to raise the Social Security retirement age\" and \"cut benefits.\" Rubio, in his own words, says as much.","Two Democratic groups say Republican Sen. Marco Rubio wants to cut Social Security and Medicare -- programs that millions of Florida seniors rely on each year.","Rubio has repeatedly said since 2010 that those programs will bankrupt the United States. His plan to raise the retirement age would amount to a cut for those recipients. He supported the Ryan budgets that included reductions in future Medicare spending.","\"In his latest desperate attempt to say and do anything to win an election, Charlie Crist has launched a desperate false attack ad designed solely to mislead Florida voters and scare seniors about Marco Rubio's Social Security position,\" the press release starts. \"The ad falsely claims that Rubio wants to cut Social Security benefits to 'balance the budget on the backs of seniors.' This claim is demonstrably false.\""]},{"id":"6825.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ben Unger supported a 15 percent property tax increase on Oregon seniors.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While it is true that Ben Unger supported a property tax increase, it is incorrect to claim that it specifically targeted Oregon seniors. The tax increase was intended to fund school construction, renovation, and operations, and it would have affected all property owners within the district, not just seniors. Therefore, the statement misrepresents Unger's position and implies a false intention to single out seniors for additional taxes. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Discretionary spending has \"increased over 20-some percent in two years if you don\u2019t include the stimulus. If you put in the stimulus, it\u2019s over 80 percent.\"","Cantor said discretionary spending has \"increased over 20-some percent in two years if you don\u2019t include the stimulus. If you put in the stimulus, it\u2019s over 80 percent.\"","Cantor complained Obama\u2019s proposal would merely freeze discretionary spending. \"That\u2019s after it\u2019s increased by over 20-some percent over the last two years if you don\u2019t include the stimulus,\" he told host Greta Van Susteren. \"If you put the stimulus in, it\u2019s over 80 percent.\"","It would mean discretionary spending, if you include the stimulus, increased 44 percent during the first two years of the Obama administration -- far shy of the \"over 80 percent\" Cantor claimed."]},{"id":"6357.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says millions of dollars in tax breaks were paid for by busting unions, cutting BadgerCare, and raising taxes on the poor and the middle class, thanks to Elizabeth Coggs help.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that millions of dollars in tax breaks were paid for by busting unions, cutting BadgerCare, and raising taxes on the poor and the middle class with the help of Elizabeth Coggs. The evidence provided consists of political campaign materials and statements from a partisan group, which may not necessarily reflect accurate information. It is important to note that tax breaks are typically funded through various mechanisms, such as budget allocations, revenue adjustments, or economic policies, rather than directly through actions like cutting social programs or raising taxes on specific groups. Without credible evidence to support these claims, the statement is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Charging that the ratio of students to faculty at UW-Milwaukee is shrinking, Walker said the school has \"2.8 students per faculty\" member, \"tied for second-lowest in its history since 1994.\"","\"At 2.8 students per faculty,\" the release declared, \"average student enrollment per instructor is currently tied for second-lowest in its history since 1994.\"","As the chart itself explains, that is the ratio is for \"individualized instruction, such as independent study or thesis research.\" Indeed, you would expect a ratio of 2.8 students per faculty member for such one-on-one-style instruction.","But that is not a ratio of the total students per faculty member, as Walker says in the news release. It is a much narrower measure."]},{"id":"13470.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Thirty-one percent of school districts are still receiving less funding per pupil than they did prior to the dramatic budget cuts of 2011.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Donna Howard in her commentary that 31 percent of school districts in Texas are still receiving less funding per pupil than they did prior to the budget cuts of 2011. The evidence provided supports this claim, indicating that changes in school funding formulas and budget cuts resulted in a reduction of $5 billion in state aid to school districts through August 2013. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not specify the exact time frame for when these districts began receiving less funding per pupil. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the available evidence, additional information would be needed to provide a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11954.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Ohio, more than half the providers of safe and legal abortion have had to shut down since Gov. John Kasich took office in 2011.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that several abortion providers have closed in Ohio since Governor John Kasich took office in 2011, the statement exaggerates the extent of the closures. PolitiFact's investigation found that seven providers closed, and an eighth stopped performing surgical abortions, which is half of the previous 16 providers in the state, not more than half. Additionally, while some closures were associated with provisions in a law signed by Kasich, it cannot be directly attributed to the other closures. Therefore, while there has been a significant reduction in the number of abortion providers in Ohio, the statement overstates the extent of the closures.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Without the deal, Iran might be two to three months away from getting a nuclear bomb. With the deal, Iran commits to not pursuing nuclear weapons overall and faces obstacles if it seeks to break its commitment and pursue a nuclear weapon.","President Donald Trump announced on May 8, 2018 his decision to withdraw the United States from what is known as the Iran nuclear deal, which is aimed at preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb,","There was an element of truth in the House speaker\u2019s claim about the $8.6 million transaction. Heavy water, which can be used to make a nuclear weapon, clearly is part of Iran\u2019s nuclear program. But the fair-market-value purchase, for a material that the U.S. will use in nuclear research, was not a true subsidy. And by reducing Iran\u2019s heavy water stockpile, the purchase helped Iran comply with the Iran deal\u2019s aim of making it harder for the country to develop a nuclear weapon.","The 2015 deal restricts certain Iranian nuclear activities for periods of between 10 to 25 years, and allows for more intrusive, permanent monitoring. It also forbids Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons in the future. In exchange, Iran was relieved of crippling economic sanctions."]},{"id":"2659.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Fiorinas plan would mean slashing Social Security and Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Fiorina's plan would mean slashing Social Security and Medicare\" is an exaggeration and lacks context. While Fiorina has expressed the need for entitlement reform to address government spending, there is no concrete evidence or specific plan provided to support the claim that she would slash Social Security and Medicare. It is important to note that entitlement reform can encompass a range of policy proposals, and without further details, it is misleading to make such a definitive statement. Therefore, the claim is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3352.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says neither President Barack Obama nor Mexico President Felipe Calderon have been on the border to see whats happening to the citizens of Mexico, and for that matter the citizens of Texas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama has visited the U.S.-Mexico border once during his presidential campaign, the statement incorrectly claims that neither President Obama nor President Felipe Calderon have been on the border to witness the situation affecting the citizens of Mexico and Texas. President Calderon, in his capacity as the President of Mexico, has made multiple visits to the U.S.-Mexico border. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it inaccurately portrays the border visits of both presidents.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Board members of the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority discuss a proposal to continue tolls on Ga. 400 although they were set to expire in 2011 !Board members of the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority discuss a proposal to continue tolls on Ga. 400 although they were set to expire in 2011","Board members of the Georgia State Road and Tollway Authority discuss a proposal to continue tolls on Ga. 400 although they were set to expire in 2011","This new plan misses the original deadline by a full two years. That means Ga. 400 motorists will still be paying tolls much longer than they were originally promised.","The grinding traffic and NASCAR-like driving habits of Atlanta-area motorists are enough to infuriate any motorist who uses the toll road Ga. 400."]},{"id":"6567.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says our national debt is greater than our gross domestic product.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. As of the end of 2020, the United States' publicly held debt did exceed its gross domestic product (GDP), marking the first time since World War II. However, it's important to note that the statement focuses solely on one measure of government debt and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the nation's debt burden. Additionally, it does not directly associate President Biden's policies with the debt burden, which could be misleading. While the debt-to-GDP ratio is a significant indicator, it is essential to consider other factors and economic contexts when evaluating the overall impact of the national debt.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Today\u2019s example: A flier in the St. Petersburg mayor race that links incumbent Bill Foster, a $10 million fire fee and Republican Gov. Rick Scott.","\"Foster\u2019s $10 million fire fee would have charged you for services you already pay for. Sound familiar?\" the text continues. \"Instead of taking leadership by cutting fluff out of the budget, Bill Foster took a page out of Rick Scott\u2019s Tallahassee playbook and tried to charge us millions of dollars in \u2018fees\u2019 that taxed you for services the government should have already been providing -- $10 million of them!\"","The latest version of the proposal called for property owners to pay $50 a year per parcel and $.21 per $1,000 of its appraised structural value annually, according to Tampa Bay Times archives.","In Foster\u2019s first two years in office, the city made up for lost property tax revenues (a result of declining home values) by reducing positions and program spending. Foster criticized a potential fire fee as a \"backdoor tax increase\" in those years. But in 2012, he suggested that instead of more cuts, the City Council approve a new fire readiness fee that would total $9 million a year, which was about the amount needed to close its gap for 2013."]},{"id":"7251.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Members of Congress specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed, such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment ... (and) from the healthcare reform.","reason":"Reason: The claim that members of Congress have exempted themselves from laws they have passed, including laws related to sexual harassment and healthcare reform, is false. The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 ensures that various laws, including those pertaining to civil rights, labor, and workplace safety, apply to the legislative branch of government. Members of Congress are subject to the same laws as ordinary citizens and are not exempt from prosecution for sexual harassment. Additionally, under healthcare reform, lawmakers receive the same insurance coverage as most Americans. The claim in the statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["This survey seems to contain the claims\u2019 origin. Between 1997 and 2002, the national average growth rate for businesses was 10 percent, and the growth rate for Hispanic-owned business was 31 percent -- just over three times the national rate.","We found data that showed the number of Hispanic-owned businesses growing at three times the national rate between 1997 and 2002. However, more recent data shows a growth rate of Hispanic-owned businesses that\u2019s closer to twice the national rate. The overall trend -- that Hispanic-owned businesses are popping up faster than other demographics -- is correct, though.","\"According to the most recent Census data, Hispanics are opening businesses at a rate three times faster than the national average,\" it said.","That means the Hispanic growth rate for businesses from 2014 to 2015 was more than three times the growth rate for non-Hispanic white businesses opened by men and women."]},{"id":"127.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"First, he said he would take all of our troops out in six months, and now he acknowledges it would take a year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights a shift in the timeline for troop withdrawal mentioned by the individual in question. Initially, the person claimed that all troops would be withdrawn within six months, but later acknowledged that it would take a year. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the reasons for the change in timeline. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the significance or implications of this shift. Therefore, the statement is partially true but incomplete.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"He made time to go to the gym, but canceled a visit with wounded troops,\" an annoucer says. \"Seems the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras.\"","But the ad suggests Obama canceled the visit because he wasn't allowed to bring cameras. That's the part the Obama campaign vehemently denies.","That Obama visited a Berlin gym is not in dispute (though the McCain ad actually shows footage of Obama playing basketball with American troops at an airbase in Kuwait). Nor is it disputed that Obama canceled a scheduled visit with wounded troops.","On the other hand, this is a problem of Obama's own creation. The fact remains he canceled the visit after the Pentagon voiced concern about political overtones. The fact remains, too, that Obama could have done a private visit even after the Pentagon raised its objections. Obama had done such visits before."]},{"id":"7815.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A law that mandates fingerprinting for gun purchasers is a requirement thats reduced gun crimes in the five states where its the law.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that firearm homicide rates are lower in the five states that have laws mandating fingerprinting for gun purchasers, it is important to note that there are no conclusive before-and-after comparisons to prove that these laws directly caused a reduction in gun crimes. The statement in the ad is misleading because it refers to \"gun crimes\" in general, but the supporting data specifically focuses on firearm homicides. It does not consider other types of gun-related crimes such as robberies and assaults. Therefore, while there may be a correlation between fingerprinting laws and lower firearm homicide rates, it is inaccurate to claim that these laws have definitively \"reduced gun crimes\" overall.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5173.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One generation ago we led the world in college graduation. Were 16th today.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights a decline in the global ranking of college graduation rates for the United States. While it is not explicitly mentioned which specific generation is being referred to, the comparison suggests a significant drop in the country's position over time. The claim is supported by evidence indicating that the United States has fallen from a higher ranking in college graduation rates to 16th place. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the time frame and the exact metrics used for comparison. Nonetheless, the general sentiment of a decline in college graduation ranking holds true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12232.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ten times, no Republican candidate for president had enough delegates to claim the nomination before the partys convention, and seven of those times somebody who was not the leader of delegates was selected as the nominee of the party.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Kasich that there have been instances in Republican history where no candidate had enough delegates to secure the nomination before the party's convention. It also correctly states that in seven of those instances, someone other than the leader in delegates was chosen as the nominee. While the statement lacks specific details about each of the ten instances, the overall claim aligns with historical records and analysis. However, it's important to note that the statement could benefit from additional context and specific examples to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the historical context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Broward Republican Executive Committee \"had the liberal League of Women Voters Guide removed from the Broward Supervisor of Election's website.\"","The Broward Republican Executive Committee claimed on its website that in 2012, \"We had the liberal League of Women Voters Guide removed from the Broward Supervisor of Election's website.\"","Broward GOP activists claim \"we had the liberal League of Women Voters Guide removed from the Broward Supervisor of Election's website\"","We wanted to know, did the Broward GOP get the Broward Supervisor of Elections to remove a League of Women Voters guide from its website? And was that guide or is the League itself \"liberal\"?"]},{"id":"5768.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that when adjusted for inflation and population growth, state general revenue spending has decreased 10.7 percent on his watch.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Lt. Gov. Dewhurst's claim that state general revenue spending has decreased by 10.7 percent when adjusted for inflation and population growth. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided also mentions that the estimated reduction is actually 11.5 percent, which is slightly higher than Dewhurst's claim. Therefore, while the statement is mostly accurate, it could be considered slightly understated in terms of the actual reduction in general revenue spending.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8302.json","label":"true","statement":"One out of 10 minimum-wage workers in the U.S. live in Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by multiple sources, including an economist and government figures. According to these sources, approximately 18 percent of U.S. workers paid the minimum wage in 2012 were located in Texas. This percentage is higher than any other state, indicating that Texas has a significant number of minimum-wage workers compared to the rest of the country. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["!Nancy Grace said people on pot \"shoot each other ... stab each other ... strangle each other, drive under the influence, kill families.\" !Nancy Grace said people on pot \"shoot each other ... stab each other ... strangle each other, drive under the influence, kill families.\"","Grace said, people on pot \"shoot each other ... stab each other ... strangle each other, drive under the influence, kill families.\"","Nancy Grace said people on pot \"shoot each other ... stab each other ... strangle each other, drive under the influence, kill families.\"","People on pot \"shoot each other ... stab each other ... strangle each other, drive under the influence, kill families.\" Nancy Grace, Jan. 14, 2014."]},{"id":"6631.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republicans would give seniors a (Medicare) voucher that limits whats covered, costing seniors as much as $6,400 more a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks some important context. While it is accurate that the Republican plan mentioned by Kathleen Sebelius would provide seniors with a voucher that limits what's covered, it is misleading to claim that it would cost seniors as much as $6,400 more a year without specifying the specific circumstances or assumptions. The actual cost impact on seniors would depend on various factors, including the specific details of the plan and the choices made by individuals. Additionally, the coverage limitations and costs would vary depending on the private policies chosen by seniors. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies the complexities and potential cost impacts of the Republican plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11786.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Donald Trump is appealing as much to Democrats as he is to Republicans.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Donald Trump is appealing as much to Democrats as he is to Republicans is not supported by the evidence provided. Multiple sources, including polling data and statements from experts, contradict this claim. The data and expert opinions indicate that Trump's appeal is primarily among Republicans, and there is no substantial evidence to suggest that he has an equal level of appeal among Democrats. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says that as Providence\u2019s mayor, David Cicilline said the city had a \"world-class \u2026 school system. Not only did Providence not have a world-class school system but as measured, was amongst the last school system in the entire country.\"","\"When Mr. Cicilline was mayor of Providence -- we\u2019re going to stumble on the number one lie of Mr. Cicilline during his tenure as mayor --what he said is that the City of Providence during his eight years had a world-class -- and he used the word world-class -- school system. And not only did Providence not have a world-class school system but, as measured, was amongst the last school system sic in the entire country.\"","Anthony Gemma, who is challenging David Cicilline in the Democratic primary for Rhode Island\u2019s 1st District congressional seat, said the former Providence mayor had described the capital city\u2019s school system as world class when, in fact, \"not only did Providence not have a world-class school system but as measured, was amongst the last school system in the entire country.\"","Anthony Gemma says that when U.S. Rep. David Cicilline was mayor of Providence, the city had \"amongst the last school system in the entire country.\""]},{"id":"10183.json","label":"true","statement":"Ninety-five percent of Oregonians now have health insurance coverage, tens of thousands for the very first time.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources confirm that approximately 95 percent of Oregonians now have health insurance coverage. This increase in coverage is attributed to factors such as the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, expanded Medicaid eligibility, and the availability of private health insurance plans with tax credits. The statement accurately reflects the reported data and the significant increase in health insurance coverage among Oregon residents.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A Morris News Service article about the rally attributed to him a claim that the legislation cost farmers $400 million last year.","MARTA has one of the highest fare rates in the nation following a fare hike from $2 to $2.50 per ride last fall. Helped by a recent fare increase, the agency projects fare revenue this year of $130.3 million \u2013 31 percent of its operating costs. Last year, fares covered 29 percent of operating costs.","The report calculated both the direct (to the farmers) and indirect (to the rest of us) impacts of the labor shortage to be $391 million. That\u2019s the \"close to $400 million\" that Flemming got from the AJC article he scanned on his way to the rally.","On top of this, the federal government kicks in $37.8 million. A sore point for MARTA backers is that the state of Georgia makes no direct contribution to operate the city\u2019s transit service."]},{"id":"2285.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The sales tax increase, if approved, will cost taxpayers up to $300 million per year, in perpetuity, to finance a rail system for the City of Tampa.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it misrepresents the impact of the sales tax increase. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the tax increase will cost taxpayers up to $300 million per year indefinitely. The evidence discusses the potential impact of tax law changes on individual incomes and the indirect effects of corporate tax increases on individuals. It does not provide any specific information about a sales tax increase for financing a rail system in the City of Tampa. Without additional evidence or context, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Americans now spend 100 days out of the year working for government before we even start working for ourselves,\" she said.","Palin said, \"Americans now spend 100 days out of the year working for government before we even start working for ourselves.\" That's pretty close to what the Tax Foundation said in its own release -- \"Americans will work well over three months of the year \u2014 from Jan. 1 to April 9 \u2014 before they have earned enough money to pay this year's tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels.\" Both Palin and the Tax Foundation avoid saying that Tax Freedom Day represents the experience of \"a typical American,\" which would have been a more problematic phrasing. Our graduated tax system, which is weighted more heavily on the wealthy, means that the average amount paid is skewed upward by a smaller number of wealthy people who pay a lot. In other words, there are many, many more people who would fall under the 100-day threshold mentioned by Palin than over it.","Tax Freedom Day is the date when \"Americans . . . have earned enough money to pay this year's tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels,\" according to the Tax Foundation, the Washington, D.C.-based group that has calculated it for decades and also determined it retroactively back to 1900.","The foundation calculates Tax Freedom Day by taking the amount of tax revenue collected and dividing it by national income created, producing \"an average tax burden for the U.S. economy as a whole.\" That percentage is then multiplied by 365 to calculate the number of days over the course of a year it would take to pay off the entire tax burden. (The calculation counts every day of the year, not adjusting for weekends, holidays or leap years.)"]},{"id":"6741.json","label":"false","statement":"Bill Nelson voted for a ban on millions of commonly owned firearms, which included many popular hunting and target rifles.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Bill Nelson voted for a ban on millions of commonly owned firearms, including popular hunting and target rifles. The NRA made this claim, but they declined to provide documentation to support it. Without credible evidence to substantiate the claim, it cannot be considered true. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But the spokeswoman did point PolitiFact Florida to a 2008 case to make Bondi's point that she has shut down pill mills.","\"He was shut down. He reopened in a different way,\" Bondi said. \"This helps illustrate the tremendous problems we have with pill mills. The guy is on an ankle bracelet! Can you believe that? It's unreal the problem we have in our state with pill mills.\"","Bondi said that as a Hillsborough prosecutor she's shut down pill mills and offered the case of Dr. John Mubang as an example. But Mubang's story highlights how difficult it is to stop pill mills, and in fact, is an excellent example of the problem the next attorney general will face.","\"You've heard General McCollum talk about pill mills,\" Bondi said to a group of Republicans on April 28, 2010, in Clay County. \"(I) prosecuted them. Dealt with them. Shut them down.\""]},{"id":"4434.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that in his book, Rick Perry said that Social Security is unconstitutional.","reason":"Reason: While Rick Perry's book, \"Fed Up!\", does criticize Social Security and question its constitutionality, it is important to note that Perry himself does not explicitly state in the book that Social Security is unconstitutional. However, the book does contain passages that strongly suggest Perry's belief that Social Security goes against the principles of limited government and the Constitution. Therefore, while the statement is not entirely accurate in its wording, it does capture the essence of Perry's views on Social Security as expressed in his book.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["While promoting their bestselling book on the attack, at least three members of the six-person team have asserted that they defied \"stand-down\" orders to rush to stop the attack, which killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens.","During the first night of the Republican convention in Cleveland, one of them, Mark \"Oz\" Geist said that because of their actions, \"there were more than 30 American lives that were saved that night. And it\u2019s because Americans never give up. We refuse to lose. Benghazi has been a four-letter word for the left but is not about politics. Benghazi was about opportunities. Opportunities taken when we defied the stand-down orders.\"","Hannity said, \"During the (Benghazi) attack, a stand-down order was given, and our troops were told to change their clothes four times.\"","We talked about the stand-down issue when we gave Fox News' Sean Hannity a Mostly False for his assertion that \"during the (Benghazi) attack, a stand-down order was given, and our troops were told to change their clothes four times.\""]},{"id":"2523.json","label":"false","statement":"More lives have been lost because of the war with the drug cartels in Juarez alone, just a few blocks from the United States of America, than have been lost in the war in Afghanistan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that there has been significant violence and loss of life due to drug cartel wars in Juarez and Mexico, it is incorrect to claim that more lives have been lost in Juarez alone than in the war in Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan has resulted in a substantial number of casualties, including both military personnel and civilians, over an extended period of time. Comparing the two conflicts, the war in Afghanistan has had a significantly higher number of casualties than the drug cartel war in Juarez. Therefore, the statement is factually incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For this fact-check, we go to the record to assess whether in January 2002 Iran qualifies as \"more or less an American ally.\"","!On MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell said Iran was \"more or less\" a U.S. ally in 2002. !On MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell said Iran was \"more or less\" a U.S. ally in 2002.","How long has the United States had a tough relationship with Iran? MSNBC's chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell said that Iran was \"more or less an American ally\" in 2002, until then-President George W. Bush listed it as a member of the Axis of Evil. This isn\u2019t quite right.","Mitchell said that in 2002, Iran was almost an ally of the United States. While Iran provided critical assistance in the military defeat of the Taliban in Afghanistan and helped undermine al-Qaida, this cooperation did not reflect deeper ties. It was a moment when both countries sought similar goals in one country."]},{"id":"493.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A gas tax holiday is a gimmick that \"every economist says will just go into the pockets of the oil companies.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the argument that a gas tax holiday could potentially result in the savings being captured by the oil companies rather than being passed on to consumers. However, it is not entirely accurate to claim that \"every economist\" agrees on this point. While many economists do express concerns about the effectiveness of gas tax holidays and the potential for oil companies to benefit, there may be differing opinions among economists regarding the extent to which these savings would be captured by the oil industry. Therefore, the statement is partially true but should be qualified to acknowledge that there may be varying perspectives among economists.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We know for a fact that roughly 30 percent of those who have been released have re-entered the fight, and usually at a very high level, because it's a badge of honor to have been an inmate at Guantanamo Bay,\" McCain said. \"So instead we're going to continue to release batches of prisoners, according to this administration, with no plan, and the extreme likelihood that approximately one out of every three of them will re-enter the fight.\"","Others critical of Obama\u2019s policy on releasing Guantanamo detainees have recited the claim that 30 percent \"re-enter the fight\" -- including former Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla.","Determining how many released prisoners have \"re-entered the fight\" is not an exact science, and some dispute the numbers provided by the federal government, particularly because the government does not release the names of individuals on its list. How they arrive at their numbers is not transparent.","\"About 30 percent of terrorists at Guantanamo Bay went back into battle. We know that a dozen or so killed Americans.\""]},{"id":"1629.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Marco Rubio thinks that government shouldn't be in the health care business at all.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Marco Rubio's stance on government involvement in healthcare is more nuanced. While he has been critical of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and has advocated for repealing and replacing it, he has not expressed the belief that government should have no role in healthcare whatsoever. Rubio has proposed alternative healthcare policies, such as expanding access to private insurance through market-based solutions. Therefore, the statement inaccurately portrays Rubio's position on government involvement in healthcare.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4011.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Gov. Bob McDonnell launched a raid on public education to pay for roads.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Gov. Bob McDonnell proposed redirecting funds from public education to transportation, the statement that he \"launched a raid\" on public education may be slightly exaggerated. The evidence suggests that the proposed cut in public education funding was part of a broader effort to allocate more funds to transportation. However, it's important to note that the proposed cut of $50 million would have accounted for less than 1 percent of the total public education budget, which was around $6.6 billion. So, while there was an attempt to reallocate funds, the impact on public education would have been relatively small in comparison to the overall budget. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1949.json","label":"true","statement":"The national debt \"has gone up by $1,729,000,000 during the Isner v. Mahut match.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Buchanan's tweet claims that the national debt increased by $1,729,000,000 during the duration of the Isner v. Mahut tennis match, which lasted approximately 48 hours. While the tweet does not provide the exact source or methodology for calculating the increase, it is plausible that the national debt could have increased by that amount during that time frame, considering the ongoing economic activities and government spending during that period.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1963.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ninety-six percent of the last session, (U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar) voted with Nancy Pelosi.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voting pattern of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, indicating that he voted with Nancy Pelosi 96 percent of the time during the last session. This information is supported by evidence that shows Cuellar's high alignment with Pelosi and his party's voting record. However, it's important to note that the statement specifically refers to the last session, and it does not provide a comprehensive overview of Cuellar's voting history or his positions on other issues. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true for the specified timeframe, it should not be taken as a complete representation of Cuellar's overall voting record.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3602.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Multnomah County has faced 11 straight years of cuts","reason":"Reason: The statement that Multnomah County has faced 11 straight years of cuts is not entirely accurate. While the county has experienced budget deficits and financial challenges, it is important to consider the context and definition of \"cuts.\" The evidence suggests that the county has faced lean years and financial constraints, but it does not necessarily mean that there have been continuous reductions in funding or services for 11 consecutive years. The statement lacks clarity and nuance, leading to a somewhat misleading impression. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6862.json","label":"false","statement":"On sequestration","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the statement is false. While it is true that members of both parties in Congress voted for the legislation that set up the possibility of sequestration, the evidence does not support the claim that sequestration was an idea that originated from Obama's White House. In fact, the evidence suggests that Obama has stated that he did not propose sequestration and that it was a result of Congress's actions. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5987.json","label":"true","statement":"Says the city of Portland has one manager for every six front-line workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to the remarks made by a Portland mayoral candidate and House member, there is a goal of having 11 front-line staff for every 1 manager in Portland. The City Auditor's report confirms that the current ratio in Portland is 6 front-line workers to 1 manager. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We\u2019ve looked at this claim multiple times during Biden\u2019s presidency, but since time has passed, new jobs figures require us to make new calculations each time. So we\u2019ve done that here.","Also, the number of jobs in the United States has just this year returned to a point near pre-recession levels. The United States hemorrhaged jobs in the last months of 2008 and the first few months of 2009.","\"The economy has improved significantly. There's no doubt about it,\" Obama said. \"We had a jobs report for October that showed that once again over 200,000 jobs created. We've now created more than 10 million. The unemployment rate's come down faster than we could have anticipated. Just to give you some perspective, Bob, we've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\"","According to the foundation 7.9% of families with two full-time workers are uninsured, 11.2% of families with one full-time worker are uninsured and 15.5% of families with only part-time workers are uninsured."]},{"id":"10542.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We live in the most incarcerated country in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The United States does have one of the highest incarceration rates in the world. While it may not be accurate to definitively claim that the U.S. is the absolute most incarcerated country, it is widely recognized that the U.S. has a significantly high rate of incarceration compared to other nations. Multiple sources and studies support this fact, indicating that the U.S. has a disproportionately high number of individuals under correctional control.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Narrator: \"And a Florida judge ruled parts of Obamacare unconstitutional. Will Alan Grayson change his tune on Obamacare, or be the same broken record?\"","The U.S. Chamber's ad says, \"A Florida judge ruled parts of Obamacare unconstitutional.\" It\u2019s true that a Florida judge ruled parts of the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. But the chamber fails to acknowledge that other judges have upheld it, and that the Supreme Court will have the final say this summer.","Here, we\u2019re checking the ad\u2019s other claim that \"a Florida judge ruled parts of Obamacare unconstitutional.\" The Chamber includes this claim in another ad against Democrat Lois Frankel, running in Florida\u2019s 22nd District.","This brings us to the first misleading aspect of the claim. The tone and visuals of the commercial may lead viewers to think that because a Florida judge ruled it unconstitutional, the fate of Obamacare has been decided."]},{"id":"12274.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Studies have consistently failed to establish the existence of a link between the harshness of a countrys drug laws and its levels of drug use.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided. The email correspondence and the NIH report highlight that not all studies have reached the same conclusion regarding the link between marijuana use and a decline in IQ. The report emphasizes the difficulty in establishing a direct causal relationship due to various factors that can influence the results of such studies. Therefore, it is mostly true that studies have failed to consistently establish a link between the harshness of a country's drug laws and its levels of drug use.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7400.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsins Supreme Court justices are deciding fewer opinions in civil and criminal cases than they used to.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the Wisconsin Supreme Court has issued an average of 65 opinions in civil and criminal cases per year, which suggests a consistent level of productivity. While there may have been claims of incivility and reduced productivity, the data does not support the assertion that the justices are deciding fewer opinions in civil and criminal cases than they used to.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We do know that Romney personally approved over $70 million in fictional losses to the IRS as part of the notorious 'Son of Boss' tax scandal, one of the largest tax avoidance schemes in history.\"","Announcer: Did Romney pay 10 percent? 5 percent? Zero? We don\u2019t know. But we do know that Romney personally approved over $70 million in fictional losses to the IRS as part of the notorious \"Son of Boss\" tax scandal, one of the largest tax avoidance schemes in history. Isn\u2019t it time for Romney to come clean?","\"You and I purport to give each other, say $70 million. (But these cash flows are themselves largely fictional - e.g., I \u2018borrow\u2019 from you the money that I am \u2018paying\u2019 you). I then deduct the $70 million that I paid you, and don't include the $70 million that you paid me. End of story.\"","The central question is, did Romney know what was going on and did he sign off? The ad relies on the opinion of two tax attorneys, Edward Kleinbard and Peter Canellos, who wrote that \"Romney approved the firm's reporting of fictional tax losses.\" The authors go on to express their opinion that Romney had the expertise to understand the nature of the scheme and had the fiduciary responsibility to review it."]},{"id":"6259.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Obamas health care law says when you sell your house now you have to pay a 3.8 percent tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Obama's health care law, commonly known as Obamacare, does not impose a 3.8 percent tax on the sale of homes. This claim originated from unsigned chain emails and has been widely debunked. There is no provision in the Affordable Care Act that requires individuals to pay a 3.8 percent tax when selling their homes.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Even Ryan\u2019s out-of-date budget data offers no support for the notion that Obama \"has doubled the size of government since he took office.\"","However, even if that figure truly represented a doubling, using the 2021 figure is misleading. When Ryan said that Obama \"has doubled the size of government since he took office,\" it sounds like he\u2019s saying Obama has already doubled the size of government -- not that his spending blueprint will lead to doubled federal outlays at a point five years after Obama\u2019s theoretical second term in office will have come to an end.","On his congressional website, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., makes a striking claim that President Obama has doubled the size of goverment.","\"At a time when Wisconsinites are facing economic uncertainty, a high unemployment rate and a rise in the costs of living, the last thing our country needs are tax increases. President Obama, however, has proposed $1.6 trillion in new taxes on families, small businesses and job creators and tripling the debt since he was elected. At the same time, the president has doubled the size of government since he took office. Instead of chasing higher spending with ever-higher taxes, Congress needs to make our tax code fair, competitive and simple. Unfortunately, our current tax system fails on these three elements.\""]},{"id":"10006.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Judithanne McLauchlan was part of a group that supports imposing a state income tax on Floridians.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Judithanne McLauchlan was a member of the League of Women Voters of Florida, it is misleading to claim that the group supports imposing a state income tax on Floridians. The League of Women Voters of Florida conducted research on the issue and concluded that a state income tax could be a fairer way to collect revenue, but they do not actively lobby for or push for the implementation of a state income tax. Additionally, McLauchlan herself denies supporting such a tax. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it misrepresents the stance of the group and implies McLauchlan's support for a state income tax, which she denies.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The House of Representatives just voted 300-131 to remove \u2018country-of-origin labeling\u2019 on chicken, pork, and beef sold in the United States,\" according to a Facebook meme.","\"The House of Representatives just voted 300-131 to remove \u2018country-of-origin labeling\u2019 on chicken, pork, and beef sold in the United States,\" the meme says. \"Sorry but you don\u2019t deserve to know where your meat is coming from.\"","The bill in question seeks to repeal mandatory country-of-origin labeling or COOL from ground and muscle cuts of chicken, pork, and beef. The House passed it in June this year with a 300-131 vote, after Canada and Mexico said the consumer rights law was unfair to foreign hog farmers and cattle ranchers and threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs.","The Senate has yet to decide on the labeling law\u2019s fate and, at this early stage, there has been support for making COOL voluntary. While country-of-origin labeling isn\u2019t quite dead meat, the House voted for repeal."]},{"id":"8655.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Earth is not warming.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"The Earth is not warming\" is false. Multiple scientific studies and evidence, including research published in Earth System Dynamics and the consensus among climate scientists, confirm that the Earth is indeed warming. The Paris Climate Agreement, signed by nearly 200 countries, also acknowledges the need to prevent the Earth from warming by more than 2 degrees Celsius. Claims denying global warming are not supported by credible scientific evidence and are widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Obama said his administration has made \"progress\" on border enforcement by \"putting more boots on the southern border than at any time in our history and reducing illegal crossings to their lowest levels in 40 years.\"","\"We can build on the progress my administration has already made \u2013 putting more boots on the southern border than at any time in our history and reducing illegal crossings to their lowest levels in 40 years,\" Obama said.","Still, Obama framed his claim carefully. Are there more boots on the southern border than at any time in our history? The answer is yes.","PolitiFact, \"Obama says record number of boots on the ground near U.S.-Mexico border and illegal crossings down nearly 80 percent since 2000 peak,\" May 13, 2013"]},{"id":"4197.json","label":"true","statement":"When I served as City Commissioner, we made great strides we successfully fought for, and won, adding women and people of color to the Fire Bureau.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that during the individual's tenure as City Commissioner, progress was made in diversifying the Fire Bureau by adding women and people of color. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support this specific claim. Nonetheless, without further information, it is reasonable to accept the statement as true based on the individual's assertion of their accomplishments during their time as City Commissioner.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6226.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the federal government is spending $765,828 to subsidize pancakes for yuppies in Washington.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. A federal grant of $765,828 was indeed allocated to support the opening of an IHOP restaurant in Washington, D.C. However, it is important to note that the claim of subsidizing \"pancakes for yuppies\" is subjective and not explicitly stated in the evidence. While it is reasonable to assume that the restaurant's customers may include young urban professionals (yuppies), the evidence does not explicitly mention this. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but includes an additional subjective interpretation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13353.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The man who was in charge of the investigation of Hillary Clinton accepted essentially from Hillary Clinton $675,000 that went to his wife.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the wife of a top FBI official received campaign contributions totaling $675,000 from a political action committee affiliated with Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, who has ties to the Clintons, there is no evidence to support the claim that the official was in charge of the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email practices. The investigation was led by then-FBI Director James Comey, not the official in question. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks factual accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12173.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over 97 percent of the scientific community believe that humans are contributing to climate change.","reason":"Reason: While there is some debate and variation in the exact percentage, multiple studies and surveys have consistently shown that a significant majority of climate scientists agree that humans are contributing to climate change. While the specific figure of \"over 97 percent\" may be subject to slight variation, it is generally accurate to say that a vast majority of the scientific community supports the consensus that human activities are impacting the climate. It's important to note that the statement acknowledges the existence of a small dissenting group, but emphasizes the overwhelming consensus among scientists.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Burnam said for Perry to complain that the unit had one-sidedly pursued Republicans was an attempt at misdirection. \"When you have one-party rule for 20 years, most of the people who are going to be indicted for anything are going to be from that one party,\" Burnam said. \"Russia has more diversity in its governmental representation than we do in Texas,\" he said.","By email, Burnam said if he had time to further research his point, it might be a hard call \"on the question of diversity in the quality of the members of the respective legislative bodies as opposed to the obvious diversity in the numbers of people representing what party.\" There is more \"actual party diversity in Russia than there is in Texas,\" he said.","We see a thread of truth here in that four parties have seats in the State Duma; just two parties hold legislative seats in Texas. But there\u2019s little diversity permitted from the parties in the parliament, authorities advise.","But there's more to consider, we were told by Russia experts. The academics we reached said it\u2019s misleading to judge partisan representation just by counting parties."]},{"id":"9889.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Republican Party has the worst reputation in American polling of any political party in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to Gallup, CNN, and Pew polls from late 2013, the Republican Party did have historically low favorability ratings and high unfavorability ratings. However, it is important to note that this data reflects a specific point in time and does not encompass the entire history of American political parties. It is possible that other political parties in the past may have had lower favorability ratings. Therefore, while the Republican Party's reputation in those polls was indeed poor, it is not accurate to claim that it has the worst reputation in American polling history.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"His values decayed, his principles eroded and he lost touch with Wisconsin,\" the narrator says midway into the ad. \"He wanted to get money out of politics. Now he\u2019s profiting from that same dark money.\"","The National Republican Senatorial Committee said Feingold \"wanted to get money out of politics. Now he's profiting from that same dark money.\"","But is Feingold \"profiting\" from \"dark money\"? That is, money spent in election campaigns by groups that don\u2019t have to disclose their donors?","In the TV ad, when the claim about Feingold and dark money is made, footnotes alluding to two news articles appear on the screen."]},{"id":"2190.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are currently delays of up to six months in the processing of DNA evidence at the state run crime lab.","reason":"Reason: While there have been delays in the processing of DNA evidence at the state-run crime lab, it is not accurate to state that the delays are currently up to six months. The evidence suggests that there have been improvements in some areas, such as firearms processing, while other areas, like DNA samples, have experienced increased processing times. Therefore, it is a mixed situation, with delays varying across different categories of evidence. The statement overstates the current extent of the delays, hence the label of half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The video says that while in Congress, DeWine \"took $1.9 million from big banks. DeWine supported legislation that helped Bernie Madoff make millions. He protected predatory lenders while families lost their homes.\"","The $1.9 million figure isn\u2019t wholly accurate because it lumps in a broad range of financial service companies into \"big banks.\"","The Ohio Democratic Party uses this tactic in a web ad focused on former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, the Republican candidate for Ohio attorney general, even going so far as to call him a \"lap dog\" for Wall Street. The ODP attack rolls everything bad about Wall Street into one big ball evoking big banks, Wall Street villain and convicted swindler Bernie Madoff and predatory lenders.","Meanwhile, the ODP claim that DeWine \"helped Madoff make millions\" can be traced to three \"yes\" votes the Republican cast in 1995 for a bill known as the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act."]},{"id":"6569.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The health care law imposes a federal mandate requiring middle-class Americans to buy health insurance whether they can afford it or not.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. The health care law, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), does include a federal mandate requiring most Americans to have health insurance. However, the law also provides subsidies and exemptions for individuals who cannot afford coverage. The intention of the law is to make health insurance more accessible and affordable for middle-class Americans, rather than imposing an undue burden on them. While there are penalties for not having insurance, there are also provisions in place to ensure affordability and exemptions for certain individuals based on income and other factors. Therefore, the statement is partially true but oversimplifies the nuances of the law.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\" \u2018We have to end birthright citizenship to stop anchor babies,\u2019 says Republican Bobby Jindal whose noncitizen parents arrived in the U.S. four months before he was born and used his birthright citizenship to become Americans, making him an anchor baby.\"","Occupy Democrats said Bobby Jindal\u2019s parents used his birthright citizenship to become Americans. We reviewed the law and spoke to two experts in immigration law. The only way Jindal might have been able to help his parents become citizens is if he had been 21. He was 5 when his mother became a citizen and 15 when his father took the same step.","For one, his parents had healthy incomes when they arrived, and more to the point, Occupy Democrats focused on another meaning of anchor baby \u2014 a child through whom a noncitizen can craft a path to full citizenship.","People define \"anchor baby\" in different ways. Some use it when food assistance and medical care for a low-income child of undocumented immigrants produce indirect benefits for the parents. That doesn\u2019t apply in Jindal\u2019s case."]},{"id":"1667.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The most private question on this years form asks for an individuals race, and that question has been asked by every census since the 1790 census conducted under then-President George Washington.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The question about race has indeed been included in every census conducted since the 1790 census, which was carried out during the presidency of George Washington. The race question has been a consistent part of the census to gather demographic information and track changes in the population over time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9205.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says opposing the Paycheck Fairness Act is part of the Koch brothers agenda.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the Peters campaign and others have criticized the Koch brothers and accused them of opposing the Paycheck Fairness Act, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not definitively prove that opposing the act is solely part of the Koch brothers' agenda. The statement implies a direct and exclusive connection between the Koch brothers and opposition to the Paycheck Fairness Act, which may oversimplify the complex motivations and positions of various individuals and groups involved in the debate. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4499.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he never said he wanted to move Social Security back to the states.","reason":"Reason: While the evidence provided does not directly address the statement, it is important to note that the statement is a negation of a claim made by someone else. Without specific evidence or context, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the statement. However, based on the evidence provided, there is no clear indication that the person in question explicitly stated a desire to move Social Security back to the states. Therefore, the statement can be considered barely-true, as it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support or refute the claim made by the other person.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2432.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our tax rates are lower now than they were under Ronald Reagan. Theyre much lower than they were under Dwight Eisenhower.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. When comparing the tax rates under Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower, it is accurate to say that tax rates are lower now. The evidence provided supports this claim, showing that the tax burden during Eisenhower's presidency was generally higher than it is currently. However, it's important to note that the term \"tax rates\" can be interpreted in different ways, such as statutory tax rates or effective tax rates. Effective tax rates, which take into account deductions and exemptions, can vary significantly from statutory tax rates. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, the specific interpretation of \"tax rates\" could affect its complete accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Patrick Murphy is the only candidate to have voted against every measure to fund Zika,\" she said on Sept. 7, 2016. (By \"only,\" she meant the only general election Senate candidate, comparing Murphy to Rubio.)","House Republicans on May 18 passed a measure (HR 5243) that would have provided $622 million for Zika. With Obama threatening to veto the measure, Murphy voted no on that one with other Democrats. It was not taken up in the Senate.","Murphy, like most congressional Democrats, has opposed Republican-led efforts to conditionally fund anti-Zika efforts at less than what Obama has requested. But he has offered other solutions and voted against his party for two bills that would have allowed unspecified amounts of money to be repurposed for Zika programs.","While the Senate bickers over Zika funding, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio\u2019s campaign says Democratic challenger U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy has been playing partisan politics over the issue in the House."]},{"id":"4307.json","label":"false","statement":"Thirty-seven percent of Central Falls retired police officers and firefighters are out on disability pensions; in most municipalities, about 5 percent of retirees collect disability pensions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that 37 percent of retired police officers and firefighters in Central Falls are on disability pensions, the claim that \"in most municipalities, about 5 percent of retirees collect disability pensions\" is not accurate. The evidence does not support this comparison to a national average of 5 percent. It is important to note that disability pension rates can vary significantly across different municipalities, and there is no universally applicable percentage for disability pension collection among retirees.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We had a No Child Left Behind \u2014 a similar piece of legislation in our state a number of years ago, well before the federal law. And it's had a big impact here. It's improved schools.\"","Pasco County \"opened 22 new schools over six years to keep pace with growth in student population and implement the class size amendment.\"","Indeed, it was former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke who was nominated for a 1995 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring the war in Bosnia to a close. It was Senate Majority Leader Dole who in 1995 filed the bill that Biden co-sponsored ending the arms embargo against Bosnia. Passage of that bill helped pave the way for President Bill Clinton to change his Bosnia policy.","For educational testing, Florida \"has chosen a company that has a significant history of promoting identification of the GLBT lifestyle for children as young as seven years old.\""]},{"id":"8212.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obamacare-caused paperwork will annually absorb 190 million hours or more--and Mount Rushmore could be built 1,547 times over with the paperwork.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Cruz made the claim that the Affordable Care Act would add paperwork burdens totaling nearly 190 million hours or more every year, the comparison to building Mount Rushmore 1,547 times with the paperwork is misleading. The comparison is based on the assumption that the time spent on paperwork could be directly converted into construction time, which is not a valid or accurate comparison. Additionally, the claim does not provide sufficient context or evidence to support the assertion that the paperwork burdens are solely caused by Obamacare. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Classified material has a header which says \u2018top-secret, secret, confidential.\u2019 Nothing, and I will repeat this and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice, none of the emails sent or received by me had such a header.\"","Clinton said, \"Classified material has a header which says \u2018top secret, secret, confidential.\u2019 Nothing, and I will repeat this, and this is verified in the reports by the Department of Justice, none of the emails sent or received by me had such a header.\"","\"I have a lot of experience dealing with classified material, starting when I was on the Senate Armed Services Committee going into the four years as secretary of state,\" she said. \"Classified material has a header which says \u2018top secret, secret, confidential.\u2019 Nothing, and I will repeat this, and this is verified in the report by the Department of Justice, none of the emails sent or received by me had such a header.\"","Clinton, in her statement, said classified material has a header that says \"classified\" and that none her emails had that header. But that leaves out the possibility of what happened in this case \u2014 classified information is left unlabeled as a result of human error."]},{"id":"3542.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Fifty percent of our students who enter higher education need to take remedial courses because they are not prepared for college-level work.","reason":"Reason: While there is a significant portion of students who require remedial courses in higher education, the statement exaggerates the extent of the issue. The evidence suggests that nearly 40 percent of all students in Texas institutions of higher education require some form of remedial support. However, when considering only students who directly enter higher education from high school, the rate drops to 31 percent. Therefore, the claim of 50 percent is an overestimation and does not accurately reflect the data.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["That places the state in seventh for highest gas taxes. The state with the highest gas taxes -- California -- tacks on 39.5 cents per gallon to gas prices.","Jared Walczak, the Tax Foundation\u2019s vice president of state projects, pointed to his group\u2019s latest state and local tax burden report, from 2019. It shows that 14.1% of New Yorkers\u2019 incomes go directly to state and local government, by far the highest of any state.","In addition, New Yorkers pay $9,987 in state and local taxes per capita, which also ranks first in the nation. Connecticut is also second highest in this category, at $9,705.","Walker claims that Wisconsin is \"one of the highest taxed states.\" His campaign rounds the numbers up to put the state closer to the top 10 and it relies on a researcher\u2019s prediction that is informed but speculative. The campaign also cherry-picks a study by a conservative group that finds business taxes are high, but it does not account for other data that show Wisconsin\u2019s business taxes are middle or low."]},{"id":"11725.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Both Cruz andRubio are missing the vast majority of their votes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that both Cruz and Rubio are missing the vast majority of their votes is not entirely accurate. While it is true that both candidates have missed votes during their time in office, it is an exaggeration to claim that they are missing the vast majority of their votes. The evidence suggests that they have missed a significant number of votes, but not to the extent implied by the statement. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Wednesday was Punxsutawney\u2019s 125th groundhog celebration. German settlers brought the tradition, which is based on ancient myths that say hedgehogs, which resemble groundhogs, have the power to predict the weather.","But should you really trust Phil? Beau\u2019s website says our metro Atlanta celebrity is accurate 94 percent of the time. Phil\u2019s record is a measly 85 percent, it said. That stat has been picked up by various news outlets.","Since the keepers of Beau and Phil do not keep comparable statistics, we performed an independent analysis using the NCDC study and National Weather Service data for 2001 through 2010.","Or, more bluntly, \"you can\u2019t take any stock in a groundhog predicting the weather,\" said Tom Ross, a meteorologist who helped put together the NCDC\u2019s report. It showed that between 1988 and 2010, Phil gave accurate national weather predictions 10 times out of 23 for a rate of 43 percent."]},{"id":"9397.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The five Taliban detainees being released from Guantanamo in exchange for captured Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl are the hardest of the hard-core. These are the highest high-risk people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator McCain regarding the five Taliban detainees exchanged for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. McCain described them as \"the hardest of the hard-core\" and \"the highest high-risk people.\" This aligns with the characterization of the detainees as individuals who posed a significant risk due to their involvement with the Taliban. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is assigned because the statement does not provide additional context or evidence to support the claim. It relies solely on McCain's assertion without further verification or independent analysis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10640.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didnt change his position on a two-state solution.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Israel's ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not change his position on a two-state solution, it is important to consider the broader context. Netanyahu's campaign remarks during the Israeli elections did create tension with the White House, as they appeared to reject the possibility of a two-state solution. While Dermer argues that Netanyahu did not change his position, it is worth noting that his campaign rhetoric and subsequent statements have been subject to interpretation and debate. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context and complexity of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Allen West called Social Security a \"Ponzi scheme\" and said \"this country's got to get on sound footing by destroying it.\"","\"Has Allen ever called Social Security a Ponzi scheme? I don't know,\" Grodin said. \"Has he ever said we need to get on the right footing by destroying it? No. That's ridiculous.\"","\"Allen West has extreme politcal views,'' and then quotes West speaking to a crowd saying: \"I'm just honored to be here today with all of my fellow right wing extremists.\" (The ad doesn't state the location of that speech but the Klein campaign said it was from this July 2009 Broward County tea party event seen on YouTube.) The announcer then continues: \"Allen West called Social Security a Ponzi scheme. He said this country has got to get on sound footing by destroying it. And West said that Medicare can be cut. Those aren't our values. Allen West. Too extreme for South Florida.\"","In this Truth-O-Meter we wanted to explore: Did West call Social Security a \"Ponzi scheme\" and say \"this country has got to get on sound footing by destroying it?\" The district, which spans Broward and Palm Beach counties, has a heavy concentration of retirees so Social Security is a hot-button issue."]},{"id":"8515.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Alex Sink supported a $5.2 billion increase in Floridas debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Alex Sink oversaw an increase in Florida's debt during her tenure as CFO, the claim that she specifically supported a $5.2 billion increase in debt is not entirely accurate. PolitiFact Florida's fact-checking found that the debt increased by $3.4 billion, not $5.2 billion. Additionally, it is important to note that the responsibility for bond appropriations lies primarily with the Legislature, rather than the Cabinet. The claim oversimplifies the complex factors that contributed to the debt increase and does not provide the full context of the economic recession that impacted the state's finances. Therefore, the statement is considered to be barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Minor said problems could arise when moving the fee money to the Freedom From Influence Fund. \"This money would go to the Treasury\u2019s General Fund where it would be intermingled with all taxpayer money as public funds,\" he said. \"Later, an equal amount would be transferred from the Treasury\u2019s General Fund to the Freedom From Influence Fund.\"","But the bill explicitly states that no money would be drawn from outside the Freedom From Influence Fund, and that the payments used for vouchers and grants would be reduced if there was not enough money in the fund.","\"Washington Democrats love to spend your money,\" says a Freitas TV ad. \"They even voted to spend public public funds on their political campaigns; up to $5 million each for travel expenses, staffers, even TV ads. And Abigail Spanberger voted with them, not you.\"","\"From the release of a child rapist from the Dominican Republican to that of an Italian drug smuggler, Philadelphians have already been put in direct danger by Mayor Kenney\u2019s policy of blocking local law enforcement from participating with federal immigration authorities.\""]},{"id":"3126.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Of the topfive cities for staged automobile accidents, three are in Florida. We rank No. 1 in the country in staged auto accidents.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jeff Atwater that three out of the top five cities for staged automobile accidents are in Florida, and that Florida ranks number one in the country for staged auto accidents. However, it's important to note that the evidence clarifies that the numbers referred to are \"questionable claims\" and not confirmed cases of actual staged accidents. While the statement is mostly true in terms of the rankings, it should be understood that these numbers represent questionable claims rather than confirmed instances of staged accidents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6954.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Frank Guinta voted to make middle class taxpayers pay over a $1,000 more a year in taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Frank Guinta voted to make middle-class taxpayers pay over $1,000 more a year in taxes is misleading and barely true. While Frank Guinta did vote in favor of the House Republicans' 2013 budget, the impact on middle-class taxes is uncertain and remains a matter of debate. Different analyses and reports have provided conflicting information on the potential effects of the budget on middle-class taxes. Some studies suggest that middle-class families could see tax cuts under the proposed plan. Therefore, it is inaccurate to definitively state that Guinta's vote would result in middle-class taxpayers paying over $1,000 more in taxes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You know, I think that it\u2019s a problem that a bag of Cheetos costs less to buy than an apple,\" he said. \"You go around some neighborhoods in Milwaukee and, good luck trying to find an apple or a banana or some sort of healthy option.\"","Tate, the Democratic Party official, decried the lack of healthy and affordable food options in some Milwaukee neighborhoods. \"A bag of Cheetos costs less to buy than an apple,\" Tate said, and \"good luck trying to find an apple or a banana or some sort of healthy option\" at stores there.","But Cheetos can drop even lower, to as little as 24 cents cents a bag, in 50-bag packs in combination with other snack chips, we found at one supermarket in Milwaukee.","!The price, quality and availability of fresh produce became a debating point when the state Assembly considered requiring food stamp recipients to buy more healthy foods. Skeptics said snack items such as Cheetos are cheaper than apples in Milwaukee !The price, quality and availability of fresh produce became a debating point when the state Assembly considered requiring food stamp recipients to buy more healthy foods. Skeptics said snack items such as Cheetos are cheaper than apples in Milwaukee"]},{"id":"1602.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For years now, we have spent more money than we have taken in.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately acknowledges that the United States has been spending more money than it has been generating in revenue. However, it lacks context regarding the specific time frame and the factors contributing to the deficit. While it is true that the United States has faced budget deficits for several years, it is important to consider the broader economic and fiscal circumstances that have influenced this situation. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific information about the magnitude of the deficit or the reasons behind it. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks crucial details and context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["McAuliffe says, \"Under Virginia law, if you are a non-federally licensed (gun) dealer, you cannot get a background check even if you want one.\"","\"Under Virginia law, if you are a non-federally licensed dealer, you cannot get a background check even if you want one,\" McAuliffe said during a Feb. 3 interview with Mike Valerio of WWBT-TV in Richmond. \"We changed that law.\"","McAuliffe made a similar claim during a Feb. 1 interview on WJLA-TV in Washington. \"Even if the non-licensed dealer today wants to do a background check, he is prohibited by law,\" he said.","Virginia\u2019s law allows only federally licensed dealers to contact the state police for the check. \"The private seller, they can\u2019t even ask for a background check from the state police,\" Christina Nuckols, deputy press secretary for McAuliffe, told us on the phone."]},{"id":"3445.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Senate Democrats who left the state for weeks to delay a vote on union bargaining power exercised a Wisconsin filibuster provided by the states constitution.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senate Democrats in Wisconsin left the state to delay a vote, the statement incorrectly refers to their actions as a \"Wisconsin filibuster\" provided by the state's constitution. The Wisconsin constitution does not include a provision for filibustering, which is a tactic used to prolong debate and delay a vote. The Democrats' decision to leave the state was based on the quorum provision in the constitution, which allowed them to prevent the vote by denying the necessary number of lawmakers needed for a quorum. However, it is important to note that this is not the same as a filibuster. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately describe the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9611.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"North Korea is telling its people that their mens national team is in the World Cup final.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly states that the claim of North Korea telling its people that their national team is in the World Cup final is not true. The video mentioned in the evidence is satire and not from North Korea. Additionally, North Korea had been broadcasting the World Cup, and any soccer fan in the country would know that their team did not qualify for the final. Therefore, the statement is completely baseless and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8363.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says David Dewhurst went out for drinks during Senate debate on abortion bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst left the Senate debate on abortion legislation to go to a restaurant, there is no evidence to support the claim that he had drinks during that time. The statement lacks proof of Dewhurst consuming alcoholic beverages, and no confirmation of such an occurrence was found. Therefore, the claim is only partially true as it accurately states Dewhurst's departure from the debate but lacks evidence for the specific claim of him having drinks.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Republican Attorney General candidate Eric Toney is the only candidate in the race that\u2019s used Wisconsin Crime Lab resources as a front line prosecutor.","On Sept. 9, 2021, Toney issued a news release announcing the endorsement of La Crosse County Sheriff Jeff Wolf. The news release said this of Toney: \"He is the only candidate in the Wisconsin Attorney General race with experience as a prosecutor.\"","In a news release, Toney\u2019s campaign claimed: \"He is the only candidate in the Wisconsin Attorney General race with experience as a prosecutor.\"","The Fond du Lac County District Attorney bungled what\u2019s become a common talking point by saying he\u2019s the only prosecutor in the race for Attorney General."]},{"id":"8284.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The CDC issued a report commissioned by President Obama just earlier this year, and it found some very inconvenient facts. Armed citizens are less likely harmed by attackers. Effectiveness of gun control laws is mixed. Gun buybacks dont work.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the CDC report commissioned by President Obama. The report did find that armed citizens are less likely to be harmed by attackers and that the effectiveness of gun control laws is mixed. Additionally, the report cited evidence that gun buybacks do not work effectively. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some nuance. While the report does support these claims, it also acknowledges the limitations of available data and the need for further research. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cruz said that \"92 million Americans aren't working.\" Once you strip out senior citizens and school-age Americans, the number is less than half that. The statement contains some element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression, so we rate it Mostly False.","We\u2019ve previously checked a claim by Cruz that \"we\u2019ve got the lowest labor force participation in over three decades, since 1978.\" We rated that Mostly True at the time, and it\u2019s still an accurate claim today. But we wondered whether Cruz was right that \"92 million Americans aren't working.\" So we took a closer look.","But neither Cruz\u2019s 92 million figure nor the actual 101.7 million figure is especially meaningful -- because they lump in both the young and the old.","!Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, expressed concern about the number of Americans not working. But how accurate was his statistic? !Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, expressed concern about the number of Americans not working. But how accurate was his statistic?"]},{"id":"8290.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Cuccinelli wants to make all abortion illegal, even in cases of rape and incest, even to protect a womans health.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Cuccinelli wants to make all abortion illegal, even in cases of rape, incest, and to protect a woman's health is an oversimplification and lacks nuance. While Cuccinelli has expressed opposition to abortion, it is important to note that there may be exceptions in certain circumstances, such as when the life of the mother is at risk. However, the statement fails to acknowledge any potential exceptions or qualifications to Cuccinelli's stance on abortion. Therefore, it is an oversimplified representation of his position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12386.json","label":"half-true","statement":"By the time you drink your coffee, an elephant is killed for its ivory tusks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a rhetorical flourish intended to draw attention to the alarming rate at which elephants are being killed for their ivory tusks. While it is not meant to be taken literally, there is some truth to the underlying issue. The evidence suggests that, on average, an elephant is killed every 15 minutes for its ivory. However, the actual number of elephants killed during the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee would vary depending on the individual's drinking speed. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it conveys the urgency and severity of the situation but should not be interpreted as a precise measurement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton said Trump is \"the first person running for president, Republican or Democrat, who refused to say that he would respect the results of this election.\"","\"During that debate, Donald said something \u2014 well, he said a lot of things that were troubling. But he said something truly horrifying: He became the first person running for president, Republican or Democrat, who refused to say that he would respect the results of this election,\" Clinton said at an Oct. 24 rally in New Hampshire. \"Now that is a direct threat to our democracy.\"","A meme claims Donald Trump said in an interview 20 years ago that if he ever ran for president, he would do so as a Republican because they were \"the dumbest group of voters in the country\" and \"they believe anything on Fox News.\"","That Donald Trump said in 1998 if he were to run for president he would run as a Republican because \"They\u2019re the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could lie and they\u2019d still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific.\""]},{"id":"12250.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The overwhelming amount of the money that were raisingis not going to Hillary (Clinton) to run for president. ...Its going to the congressmen and senators to try to take back Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by George Clooney that the majority of the money being raised is not going to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign but rather to support congressmen and senators in their efforts to regain control of Congress. However, without specific data or evidence, it is challenging to determine the exact proportion of the funds allocated to each cause. Therefore, while the statement captures the essence of Clooney's claim, it lacks concrete evidence to fully support the assertion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The downsizing of Pinellas County government resulted in about 1,200 people being laid off in a 12 percent unemployment market. \u2026 I can tell you that every one of them was hired from the time that Ms. Latvala went into office in 2000.\"","Here we\u2019re checking two related statements from Hackworth: \"The downsizing of Pinellas County government resulted in about 1,200 people being laid off in a 12 percent unemployment market. \u2026 I can tell you that every one of them was hired from the time that Ms. Latvala went into office in 2000.\"","\"I\u2019m also struck by the irony that as we talk about jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs, that the downsizing of Pinellas County government resulted in about 1,200 people being laid off in a 12 percent unemployment market,\" Hackworth told a crowd at a Dunedin candidate forum Sept. 14, 2010.","\"And so I think we have to be a little sensitive and we also have to be fiscally responsible and acknowledge that as you downsize and cut the cost of government there is a cost that you as the taxpayers bear to deal with that high unemployment number. \u2026 I can tell you that every one of them was hired from the time that Ms. Latvala went into office in 2000.\""]},{"id":"676.json","label":"false","statement":"When Sarah Palin was in government, Barack Obama was a community organizer.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Sarah Palin was in government during a period when Barack Obama was a community organizer, the statement implies a false comparison between their levels of responsibility and experience. Sarah Palin served as the governor of Alaska, a position with significant executive responsibilities, while Barack Obama's role as a community organizer involved grassroots organizing and advocacy work. Comparing the two roles in terms of experience and judgment is misleading and does not accurately reflect the nature and scope of their respective positions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Did Lee Leffingwell, who won election to a second three-year term as mayor this weekend, vote to toll lanes on MoPac?","In a recent Austin mayoral debate, challenger Brigid Shea and incumbent Lee Leffingwell sparred over a plan to expand MoPac Boulevard, with Shea ultimately saying that Leffingwell voted to add a toll lane to the frequently congested north-south expressway.","Shea shot back: \"All the transportation experts that I\u2019ve spoken with have said you might call it an HOV lane, but it\u2019s really a toll lane. And the mayor has voted for it in the three-year TIP transportation plan.\"","!Austin mayoral candidates Clay Dafoe, Brigid Shea and Lee Leffingwell debate April 16, 2012. Jay Janner photo\/Austin American-Statesman !Austin mayoral candidates Clay Dafoe, Brigid Shea and Lee Leffingwell debate April 16, 2012. Jay Janner photo\/Austin American-Statesman"]},{"id":"4880.json","label":"false","statement":"Says his 9-9-9 tax reform plan is not regressive.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax reform plan has been widely criticized for being regressive. The plan proposes a 9 percent income tax, a 9 percent sales tax, and a 9 percent business tax. Critics argue that this structure places a heavier burden on lower-income individuals and families, as the sales tax component is considered regressive since it affects all individuals regardless of their income level. The plan has been analyzed by the Tax Policy Center, which concluded that it would result in a tax cut for high-income households and an increase for middle and lower-income households. Therefore, the 9-9-9 tax reform plan is indeed regressive.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In the last 10 years we've only had 7,000 barrels of oil spilled in the Gulf... not counting hurricanes,\" she told host John King. \"This well is spewing that amount every day and a half. So relatively speaking to the other wells that have been drilled, this is spilling a huge amount of oil.\"","So, Landrieu is correct that except for the hurricane numbers, about 7,000 barrels of oil were spilled in the Gulf in the past decade.","Landrieu's office pointed us to a document prepared for them by Minerals Management Service, the arm of the Department of Interior that oversees oil production. According to the report, a total of 31,122 barrels of crude oil, diesel, lube oil and gasoline were spilled in the Gulf between 2000 and 2009. That includes 24,069 barrels spilled during Hurricanes Lili, Ivan, Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. The difference between those two numbers is 7,053 -- roughly the amount cited by Landrieu.","Federal authorities have said it's difficult to estimate the amount of oil flowing into the Gulf. Initially, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that about 1,000 barrels of oil were leaking each day into the Gulf as a result of the accident. But NOAA then increased that estimate to about 5,000 barrels a day (which is about 210,000 gallons). But scientists say it could be far more than 5,000."]},{"id":"9017.json","label":"half-true","statement":"About half the people who would qualify for Medicaid expansion in Florida can buy a health care plan for $30 a month on the federal health care exchange.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Will Weatherford that approximately half of the individuals who would qualify for Medicaid expansion in Florida can purchase a health care plan for $30 a month on the federal health care exchange. However, it's important to note that this claim lacks some context. The statement does not consider the specific income levels and eligibility criteria for Medicaid expansion, nor does it account for variations in health care plan costs based on factors such as age, location, and coverage options. While there may be affordable options available on the exchange, the exact percentage of individuals who can obtain coverage for $30 a month may vary depending on these factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But blame Bush? Balderdash. Experts say it's unfair to pin the growing gap on the president, even if his policies \u2013 particularly more tax breaks for the rich \u2013 have contributed to economic inequality overall. In fact, the income gap has been growing since 1968 and really began to soar in the 1980s.","And it's true. Under Bush, the disparity between the very rich and the rest of us has risen to its highest level since the Great Depression, government and independent studies show.","And the last time the gap between rich and poor was this wide? Before the burst of the Internet stock market bubble back in 2000, when Sen. Clinton was living in the White House with her husband, President Bill Clinton.","\"The wealthiest 1 percent of Americans held 22 percent of America's income. That's an astonishing figure, and it is the highest level of income inequality since the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929.\""]},{"id":"11752.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Until the new Iran deal, China and Russia have never voted with us at the U.N. on any sanctions on Iran in the past.","reason":"Reason: The statement is categorically false. There is evidence to show that both China and Russia have voted with the United States on multiple occasions at the United Nations to impose sanctions on Iran prior to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. In fact, there were at least eight instances where Russia and China endorsed sanctions against Iran before the deal was reached. Therefore, the claim that they have never voted with the United States on Iran sanctions is completely inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Santorum voted to spend millions on the Bridge to Nowhere,\" the ad reads. \"Santorum also voted for a teapot museum in North Carolina.\"","The ad, launched Jan. 2, 2012, on Perry\u2019s Website, accuses Santorum, who had surged in Iowa polls, of voting to spend taxpayer money on a teapot museum in North Carolina, among other earmarked projects.","The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., included $450,000 in funding for the New River Community Partners Museum Development Project, which was responsible for the Sparta Teapot Museum of Craft & Design in North Carolina. Museum Managers started working in 2003 to raise funds for a new building to house a private collection of more than 6,000 teapots.","PolitiFact looked into Perry\u2019s claim about the \"Bridge to Nowhere\" earlier this week, ruling it Mostly True. But is Perry right that Santorum voted in favor of the teapot museum, as well?"]},{"id":"12753.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton supported North American Free Trade Agreement), and she supported Chinas entrance into the World Trade Organization. She supported the job-killing trade deal with South Korea. She supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Donald Trump's claims that Hillary Clinton supported the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), China's entrance into the World Trade Organization (WTO), the trade deal with South Korea, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). These claims have been made by Trump in various speeches and debates. However, it's important to note that this statement does not provide any evidence or context to verify the accuracy of these claims. While Clinton did initially support some of these trade agreements, her stance on them has evolved over time, and she ultimately opposed the TPP during her 2016 presidential campaign. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of reflecting Trump's claims, but it lacks the necessary nuance and context to fully evaluate the accuracy of those claims.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3248.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says there are Ohio Turnpike workers getting paid $66,000 a year to collect tolls that machines might collect.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that some toll collectors at the Ohio Turnpike made as much as $66,000 a year in 2010, it is important to note that this was not representative of the majority of toll collectors. Only a small percentage (about 4.5 percent) of the state's full-time collectors earned over $60,000 in that year. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that a recent agreement between the Teamsters Union Local 436 and the Ohio Turnpike Commission has frozen the hourly pay of toll collectors, with the top pay scale amounting to just under $51,000 for a toll collector working full-time. Therefore, while there were instances of toll collectors earning $66,000 a year, it is not the norm for all toll collectors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The polls indicate this, that white people think that black people are less intelligent,\" Williams said on the June 22, 2015, edition of The Five. \"They think they\u2019re less trustworthy, less patriotic. At some point you\u2019ve got to deal with these root issues.\"","Williams said polls show that white people think that black people are less intelligent, less trustworthy and less patriotic. The veracity of Williams' claim hinges on how you interpret his comments.","Or you could hear Williams' claim and think that within the white population, you\u2019re more likely to find people who think poorly of blacks. You could have that trend even if most whites don\u2019t think that way.","Intelligence. A group of researchers led by Harvard University sociologist Lawrence Bobo looked at recent trends in white attitudes about blacks. That research shows that since 1990, the fraction of whites who think that whites are more intelligent and more hardworking than blacks has declined."]},{"id":"11159.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Fox changed around their poll eligibility criteria on the day they announced who is in and out of their debate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Fox News made changes to their poll eligibility criteria for the GOP debate, the claim that they did so on the same day they announced the candidates is not supported by the evidence. The evidence suggests that the criteria were more detailed in August compared to May, indicating a shift from a broad to a more specific approach. However, the exact timing of when these changes were made is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship tackles that task to an extent, using a variety of datasets to gauge each state\u2019s rate of new entrepreneurs, number of new businesses starting due to opportunity (i.e. if the owner is coming from unemployment or another job), jobs created by new businesses and percentage of new businesses that survive their first year.","That\u2019s just one of many potential indicators of the state\u2019s business climate, based on surveys and data analysis. Some are more positive on Wisconsin, but most place Wisconsin at or below average.","\"Of course you've got a low unemployment rate when people've got to work two and three jobs just to make ends meet.\"","BLS researchers confirmed that their most recent statistics indicated that 75 percent of all new hires nationwide were made by small businesses in the second quarter of 2010. Over the past eight years, small businesses made 65 percent of all new hires in the United States, they said. And of small business job creation, nearly three out of four new workers were hired at companies with less than 20 employees."]},{"id":"2336.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since being elected, (Tom Barrett) has dumped 8.2 billion gallons of raw sewage into Lake Michigan.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tom Barrett, as mayor, made campaign promises to address the issue of sewage dumping and criticized the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), it is an exaggeration to directly attribute the dumping of 8.2 billion gallons of raw sewage into Lake Michigan solely to Barrett. The statement fails to consider the role of MMSD and the impact of extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, which can overwhelm the sewer system. Barrett's influence over the policies and procedures of MMSD does exist, but it is misleading to suggest that he personally dumped the raw sewage into the lake. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Groups like Congress and the White House, criminals and Muslims are listed as exempt, according to the graphic. Catholics, Jews and \"you\" are not. At the end, the list emphasizes, \"Christians In General NO Exemption.\"","!This Facebook post claims lots of groups are exempt from Obamacare. !This Facebook post claims lots of groups are exempt from Obamacare.","The meme targets a whole host of religious groups. The Amish, Scientologists, Christian Scientists and Muslims are categorized as exempt, but Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans and Jews are not. But that\u2019s not really accurate.","Incarcerated criminals are exempt from the penalty for not having insurance. That\u2019s because it\u2019s the prison\u2019s responsibility to provide health care to its inmates. The Affordable Care Act specifically indicates that \"incarcerated individuals excluded.\""]},{"id":"16.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Both China and Japan have surpassed us, with Japanese cars now getting an average of 45 miles to the gallon.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that both China and Japan have surpassed the United States in terms of average fuel efficiency, the claim that Japanese cars now get an average of 45 miles per gallon is not entirely supported by evidence. The average fuel efficiency of Japanese cars varies depending on the specific models and types of vehicles. However, it is worth noting that Japan has implemented stricter fuel efficiency standards and has made significant progress in promoting fuel-efficient vehicles.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"About 40 percent of workers don\u2019t even have a single paid sick day,\" Shabo said, \"much less the long-term leave that the FAMILY Act would provide.\"","Shabo accurately referenced 2013 federal data when she said, \"About 40 percent of workers don\u2019t even have a single paid sick day.\" Saltsman did offer one caveat, however, noting that some workers have a pool of days that can be used for illness or vacation.","The datashow 61 percent of all private-sector workers were offered paid sick leave, leaving about 40 percent without it. The BLS count for public and private workers, excluding those who are self-employed or work for the federal government, is a tad higher at 65 percent. State and local government workers have a much higher rate of getting paid sick leave compared to other sectors, at about 89 percent.","\"With the H1N1 flu outbreak, countless public health officials urged people to follow a simple guideline: If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them,\" DeLauro said in a statement when she introduced the bill on May 18, 2009. \"Yet for many Americans, following this sound advice is impossible. Almost half of all private sector workers, 57 million, do not have a single paid sick day. These workers put their jobs on the line every time they take a day off.\u201d"]},{"id":"9706.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"This administration is slashing the Navy to pay for more Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the Obama administration was slashing the Navy budget to fund Obamacare. The budget trends and allocations mentioned in the evidence do not establish a direct connection between Navy cuts and funding for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Furthermore, the evidence provided does not offer any information that substantiates the claim made by Gillespie. Without any concrete evidence linking Navy cuts to funding Obamacare, the statement is baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\u2022 Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist for JPMorgan Chase: \"Right now, anything that expands aggregate demand is not warranted, not advisable. \u2026 The economy seems to be operating pretty close to its capacity constraints.\"","The White House press office staff noted that support has come from top Democratic and Republican economists, and they pointed to statements from leading business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable. But while those statements push for strong action, they are not specific about a dollar figure.","She\u2019s wrong to say that no economist foresees inflation as a result of the bill\u2019s passage. Numerous economists, including some allies of the White House, have gone on the record saying there probably will be inflationary effects, especially in the near term, if the bill is passed.","\u2022 Psaki is wrong to say that no economist foresees inflation as a result of the bill\u2019s passage. Numerous economists, including some who are supportive of the White House\u2019s agenda, have gone on the record saying there probably will be inflationary effects, especially in the near term, if the bill is passed."]},{"id":"563.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"McCain will give more tax breaks to big oil.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"McCain will give more tax breaks to big oil\" is deemed barely true. While it is technically true that McCain's proposed tax plan includes provisions that could benefit big oil companies, it is misleading to suggest that McCain specifically targeted oil companies for tax breaks. The claim fails to provide the necessary context that McCain's tax plan includes broader tax cuts that would apply to various industries and individuals. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies McCain's tax policy and implies a more direct and exclusive focus on tax breaks for big oil companies than is accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"This is a terror state trying to construct a caliphate, cast off by al-Qaida because this group is considered too extreme,\" he said. \"This is a big, expansive terrorist threat that has amassed on (Obama\u2019s) watch.\"","\"The Muslim populace who love and support you will never find palatable ... the scenes of slaughtering the hostages,\" Zawahiri wrote. \"Is the opening of another front now in addition to the front against the Americans and the government a wise decision? Or does this conflict with Shia lift the burden from the Americans by diverting the mujahedeen to the Shia, while the Americans continue to control matters from afar?\"","The group in Afghanistan \"is seriously weakened, but it has proven to be a resilient organization, capable of surviving despite immense counterterrorism pressure and of recovering from setbacks,\" Bacon said.","\"It\u2019s true that ISIS is more brutal than al-Qaida would like, and al-Qaida had told them repeatedly to cool it with the killing of the shiites. But the problem really was that al-Qaida had been saying, \u2018Hey stop this,\u2019 and (ISIS) was not listening,\" Clarke said."]},{"id":"5446.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since President Obama took full control of Washington, every day, 13,000 more people have been put on food stamps.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that since President Obama took full control of Washington, an average of 13,000 more people have been added to the food stamp program each day. However, it's important to note that this number is an average rate over a three-year period and may not reflect the exact daily increase. Additionally, the statement should be understood in the context of economic and social factors that contribute to the increase in food stamp enrollment, rather than solely attributing it to President Obama's actions. Therefore, while the statement is based on average data, it may benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["According to the latest IRS figures, 97% of federal income taxes in 2018 were paid by half of the taxpayers \u2014 which includes taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of almost $44,000 and up.","We didn\u2019t hear back from the White House, but Biden\u2019s remarks make clear that he was referring to an April 2 study by the liberal-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. That study, which had received wide media coverage in recent days, found that \"at least 55 of the largest corporations in America paid no federal corporate income taxes in their most recent fiscal year despite enjoying substantial pretax profits in the United States.\"","Virginia is one of three states that fully tax military pensions. Twelve more states tax the pensions at reduced rates, which is what Youngkin wants to do in Virginia.","Virginia is among three states that fully tax military pensions, according to the web sites. It joins California and Vermont. Another 12 states tax the retirement pay, but at reduced levels."]},{"id":"11632.json","label":"true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama will not utter the words radical Islamic terrorism and as matter of policy, nobody in the administration will say the words radical Islamic terrorism.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Ted Cruz that President Obama and his administration refused to use the term \"radical Islamic terrorism.\" Multiple sources confirm that President Obama has been cautious in using this specific phrase, opting instead for terms like \"violent extremism\" or \"terrorism.\" While the reasons for this choice may vary, it is true that the Obama administration had a policy of avoiding the term \"radical Islamic terrorism\" in official statements and speeches.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Did you know that the ACLU has filed a suit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed and another suit to end prayer from the military completely? They're making great progress. The Navy Chaplains can no longer mention Jesus' name in prayer thanks to the wretched ACLU and our new administration.\"","There's a lot packed into that e-mail, but here, we're checking whether the American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed.","In 2009, rumors of an ACLU lawsuit to end prayer completely in the military began spreading through the Internet. That year, PolitiFact swatted down a claim that the ACLU filed a lawsuit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed. The one was rated Pants on Fire. The article mentioned the prayer claim.","An e-mail claims that the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit to have all military cross-shaped headstones removed( \"all military cross-shaped headstones removed\"). The problem is that not only did the ACLU deny it, but so did the presumed defendant, the National Cemetery Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We even tracked down the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission maintains overseas cemeteries, mostly in Europe, that are the final resting place for some of the American troops killed during World War I and World War II and feature cross-shaped headstones. There's no lawsuit from the ACLU or anyone else, the staff told us. We rated the chain e-mail's claim Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"7020.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Maggie Hassan pays zero property taxes on her $500,000 home.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Maggie Hassan does not pay property taxes on the home she resides in, it is important to provide context. The home is owned by Phillips Exeter Academy, where her husband works as the principal, and it is a tax-exempt property. If someone else were to own the property, they would be responsible for paying property taxes, which would amount to approximately $12,350 per year. Therefore, while the statement is technically accurate, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand the situation and may create a misleading impression.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"An overwhelming majority of Americans support passage of the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented youth willing to work for a college degree or serve in our armed forces\u2014individuals who are Americans in every way but their legal status,\" trumpets a Dec. 6 press release issued by Organizing for America - Texas. DREAM stands for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors. The Democratic-majority House approved the act this week, turning it over to the Senate.","\"Overwhelming\" public support? That's questionable. But polling consistently shows a majority of Americans favor giving undocumented immigrant children a way to gain legal residency.","We interpreted the second part of her claim to mean three-quarters of Americans support either a path to citizenship or legal status, particularly for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.","First introduced in 2001, the DREAM Act is a bipartisan bill that would offer protections for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children as long as they meet certain requirements. It would also include a path to citizenship for those who graduate from U.S. high schools and attend college, enter the workforce, or enlist in a military program."]},{"id":"7621.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Obama called Medicaid broken four years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. In a speech made four years ago, President Obama referred to the healthcare system as \"broken\" and mentioned rising healthcare costs as the issue. While he did not explicitly mention Medicaid in that specific speech, he did mention it in a letter, indicating that it was part of the larger healthcare system he was referring to. Therefore, it can be inferred that Obama included Medicaid as a component of the broken system he was addressing.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"First of all, John got lucky with a thing called fracking, okay?\" Trump retorted. \"He hit oil. He got lucky with fracking. Believe me, that is why Ohio is doing well.\"","Gov. John Kasich often laments how partisan Ohio politics have become. The Republican leader typically blames Democrats for not having an open mind to at least consider his ideas.","The Plain Dealer, \"Ohio Gov. John Kasich signs sentencing reform bill that favors rehab over prison for non-violent felons,\" June 29, 2011","\"Folks, we\u2019ve got to wake up. We cannot elect somebody who doesn\u2019t know how to do the job,\" Kasich said on Oct. 28."]},{"id":"10327.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the U.S. agreement with the Cuban government, no commitment was made to allowing the establishment of political parties or to even begin the semblance of a transition to a democracy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Rubio's claim that in the U.S. agreement with the Cuban government, there was no commitment made to allowing the establishment of political parties or to initiating a transition to a democracy. This claim is supported by Rubio's statements and the fact-checking analysis. However, it's important to note that the agreement did include some changes, such as the restoration of diplomatic relations, that were seen as significant by some but were not considered sufficient by Rubio to constitute a meaningful transition to democracy. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood in the context of Rubio's perspective and the specific terms of the agreement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["James Langevin \"has received almost $20 million from taxpayers and special interests to use at his own discretion to supposedly champion Rhode Island\u2019s needs.\"","Michael Riley\u2019s campaign ad says Rep. James Langevin \"has received almost $20 million from taxpayers and special interests to use at his own discretion to supposedly champion Rhode Island\u2019s needs.\"","The radio ad opens with the menacing music from the movie \"Jaws\" in the background, as the narrator says Langevin has \"received almost $20 million from taxpayers and special interests while in office to use at his own discretion to supposedly champion Rhode Island\u2019s needs. \"","Michael Riley says U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin has received $20 million from taxpayers and special interests while in office to use at his own discretion"]},{"id":"9245.json","label":"false","statement":"Ryan Sittons company accepted over $650,000 in Obama stimulus dollars.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Ryan Sitton's company accepted over $650,000 in Obama stimulus dollars. The evidence presented discusses President Obama's involvement with Solyndra and Governor Perry's acceptance of stimulus funds, but it does not provide any information or connection to Ryan Sitton or his company. Without any specific evidence linking Sitton's company to accepting stimulus funds, the statement is unsupported and should be considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"693.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"For four days in Denver, the Democrats were afraid to use the words 'Islamic terrorism.'\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Democrats did not use the specific phrase \"Islamic terrorism\" during their convention, it is an oversimplification to claim that they were \"afraid\" to use those words. The Democrats did discuss terrorism extensively during the convention, albeit without using the specific phrase mentioned. The decision to avoid using the term \"Islamic terrorism\" may have been influenced by a desire to avoid generalizing or stigmatizing the entire Islamic faith, as well as to prevent potential discrimination against Muslim-Americans. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it misrepresents the Democrats' intentions and motivations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We're the only major oil-producing nation in the world with a self-imposed ban on exporting our crude oil to other nations.\"","\"We\u2019re the only major oil-producing nation in the world with a self-imposed ban on exporting our crude oil to other nations,\" DuVal said in an Aug. 25 radio interview on \"The John Fredericks Show,\" a Hampton Roads-based broadcast.","American Petroleum Institute, which supports scrapping the export ban, released a report this month saying \"the U.S. and China are the only major oil producers in the world that don\u2019t export a significant amount of crude.\"","EIA officials told us they weren\u2019t aware of any other country with an export ban similar to the U.S. ban. But they stressed they couldn\u2019t provide a definitive answer on whether the U.S. is the only nation among major oil producers that has such a limitation."]},{"id":"2927.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Cities like Seattle have decided to ban food carts.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that cities like Seattle have decided to ban food carts. The evidence discusses laws related to distributing food and water to voters, which are rare and focus on organized giveaways near polling places. There is no mention of any ban on food carts in cities like Seattle. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12139.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Will (HB2)threaten federal funding for public schools under Title IX? No, according to a federal court which has looked at a similar issue.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Pat McCrory's claim that a federal court, in a similar issue, ruled that HB2 would not threaten federal funding for public schools under Title IX. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on a specific court ruling and may not necessarily apply universally. Other courts or legal interpretations may differ, and the issue of HB2's impact on Title IX funding is still a subject of debate and ongoing legal proceedings. Therefore, while the statement is partially true based on the specific court ruling mentioned, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the potential impact of HB2 on Title IX funding in all circumstances.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11179.json","label":"false","statement":"Some of the things that (Megyn Kelly) said, I didnt say.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that \"some of the things that (Megyn Kelly) said, I didn't say\" is false. There is evidence, including video footage and transcripts, showing that Trump did make controversial comments about Megyn Kelly, including referring to her having \"blood coming out of her wherever.\" These comments were widely reported and discussed in the media. Therefore, Trump's claim that he didn't say the things Kelly mentioned is not supported by the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"So, we need to balance the state budget, we need to make sure the money that we're spending is utilized well. I'm concerned that the state budget has actually grown by $4.6 billion under this administration, which makes it harder and harder to keep taxes lower.\"","Burke\u2019s phrasing could be taken to mean she was claiming the two-year state budget has grown $4.6 billion since Walker succeeded Democrat Jim Doyle in January 2011.","!Gov. Scott Walker signed his first state budget at a factory on June 26, 2011. !Gov. Scott Walker signed his first state budget at a factory on June 26, 2011.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is a bogus figure,\" Feb. 25, 2011"]},{"id":"3804.json","label":"true","statement":"Sometimes I was the only no vote on the entire board.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that the speaker was the sole dissenting vote on multiple occasions when voting on a board. It suggests that the speaker's position was consistently contrary to the majority, highlighting their tendency to vote differently from the rest of the board. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8836.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Monica Wehby and Jason Conger are causing devastating consequences for nearly 23,000 Oregonians looking for work.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely accuses Monica Wehby and Jason Conger of causing devastating consequences for unemployed Oregonians. The evidence provided clarifies that neither candidate is even in the Senate, and the statement acknowledges that fact. The claim is misleading and inaccurate, as it implies that the candidates' actions in their current positions are directly causing harm to unemployed individuals. Without evidence of their direct involvement or decision-making power, it is misleading to attribute negative consequences solely to them.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3655.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"After the U.S.-led military alliance ejected Saddam Husseins forces from Kuwait in 1991, the Kuwaitis never paid us.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. After the U.S.-led military alliance liberated Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's forces in 1991, Kuwait did contribute financially to the war effort. The United States received approximately $4.1 billion from Kuwait in the form of cash and in-kind contributions. This contradicts the claim that Kuwait \"never paid us.\" Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserves a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says that \"you can\u2019t destroy the guns purchased in a (gun) buyback program as the city (of Memphis) wants to do.\"","Nearly an hour later, Campfield posted a second item that sounded as if he had verified that the city\u2019s program could not destroy the guns as it intended. Under the headline \"Sorry Memphis,\" the senator wrote: \"I was right. The city of Memphis\/Memphis PD is wrong (I know, a real shocker). As I recalled, you can\u2019t destroy the guns purchased in a gun buy program as the city wants to do. They have to be re sold (sic) to a licensed gun dealer. Someone should alert them. I would hate to see our law enforcement in violation of the law.\"","It is PolitiFact policy to take into account when someone later acknowledges an original claim was somehow incorrect. Often, those statements are made during live interviews, but in this case Campfield took the time to write up and post not one but two items onto his blog declaring that it would be illegal for Memphis to destroy guns purchased in a buy-back program.","S o it was no real surprise when he took a reproachful tone in blog posts on Sept. 11 about the \"gas for guns\" program announced the day before by the City of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department. The city held a press conference on Sept. 10 to announce that on Sept. 15, it would conduct an event in which it would give people a $50 Mapco gas card plus two tickets to a Memphis Grizzlies basketball game for turning in a gun. The idea was to get guns off the streets, and 497 guns were exchanged for the cards and tickets at the event. The city said most of the guns would be \"destroyed.\""]},{"id":"9135.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the estate tax is a threat to family farms.","reason":"Reason: While there are concerns that the estate tax could potentially impact family farms, the statement does not provide sufficient evidence to support the claim that it is a significant threat. The ad and the sources mentioned highlight the potential difficulties and bureaucratic hurdles that farmers may face in navigating the estate tax, but they do not provide concrete data or examples to demonstrate the extent of the impact on family farms. Without specific statistics or evidence of widespread forced sales of family farms due to the estate tax, the claim remains unsubstantiated.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13433.json","label":"false","statement":"We can fix our roads without raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that we can fix our roads without raising taxes is false. Fixing and maintaining infrastructure, including roads, requires significant funding. While there may be alternative sources of funding or cost-saving measures that can be explored, it is unlikely that the necessary repairs and improvements can be achieved without some form of increased investment, which may include raising taxes or finding other revenue streams.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9144.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Michelle Obama waved red communist flags on her trip to China.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Michelle Obama waved red communist flags on her trip to China is false. The photographs and evidence clearly show that she was waving long red banners during a folk-dancing exhibition, not communist flags. The national flag of China features five gold stars on a solid red field, which is distinct from the banners Michelle Obama was holding. The claim is misleading and has been debunked by multiple sources.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12711.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump is against minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not offer a clear and definitive stance from Donald Trump on the minimum wage. While there are references to questions being asked about his stance on the minimum wage, there is no direct quote or statement from Trump himself indicating his position. Therefore, it is inaccurate to definitively state that Trump is against the minimum wage based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9134.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Less than 1 percent of 1 percent of the American population has given an amount over $200 to a federal political campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a small percentage of the American population has given over $200 to federal political campaigns, the correct percentage is closer to 0.12% (a tenth of 1 percent), as acknowledged by McGhee's staff. The actual figure, as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics, is about 0.52% (slightly over half a percent) of the U.S. population. While the statement conveys the general idea that a small fraction of the population contributes significant amounts to political campaigns, the specific percentage is exaggerated.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Cruz said Obama \"appointed Eric Holder as attorney general. Eric Holder said he viewed his mission as brainwashing the American people against guns.\"","\"The answer is simple,\" he said. \"You prosecute criminals. You target the bad guys. You know, a minute ago, (co-debate moderator Neil Cavuto) asked, \u2018What has President Obama done to illustrate that he wants to go after guns? Well, he appointed Eric Holder as attorney general. Eric Holder said he viewed his mission as brainwashing the American people against guns. He appointed Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, someone who has been a radical against the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.\"","During the Republican presidential debate in North Charleston, S.C., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, re-litigated the background of President Barack Obama\u2019s former attorney general, Eric Holder.","\"U.S. Attorney Eric H. Holder Jr. said yesterday he is completing the details of a massive law enforcement effort to get guns off Washington's streets,\" the article says. \"It will target people carrying and selling firearms in the city's most violent neighborhoods.\""]},{"id":"84.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Obama Skips Out On Condemning Left-Wing Attacks On Gen. Petraeus Despite Casting Other 'Important Votes' Earlier And Later In The Day.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Barack Obama did participate in important votes related to the future of America's presence in Iraq. The statement accurately highlights that Obama skipped a town hall meeting to stay in Washington for these votes. While it is true that he did not vote on the MoveOn resolution specifically, it is important to note that he participated in other significant votes related to Iraq on the same day. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Patrick Murphy is one of the least effective members of Congress, in part because he hasn't passed a single bill out of committee,\" Grayson said in the release.","Murphy did vote with six other Democrats to create the committee in May 2014 (four of those seven are no longer in the House). Grayson is trying to paint Murphy as a conservative in liberal\u2019s clothing. Murphy says his vote was to help clear Clinton\u2019s name.","This isn\u2019t the first time Grayson has attacked Murphy over the vote. On Oct. 2, 2015, he called the committee \"a partisan clown show\" that had been \"done with Patrick Murphy's permission.\"","First, the article sticks to a single measure: How many bills a member of Congress sponsored and passed out of committee (that is, having them sent to the House floor for debate) as a percentage of all the bills they introduced. Murphy is listed as having zero during his freshman term. Florida Republicans Richard Nugent and Daniel Webster are on the list, too. The list is stacked with rookies \u2014 21 of the politicians named have served four years or less. It\u2019s also overwhelmingly filled with Democrats, the minority party in the House since 2011."]},{"id":"8328.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Among the nations 51 largest metropolitan areas, Milwaukee is the only one where the poverty rate is more than four times greater in the city than it is in the suburbs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Barrett that among the nation's 51 largest metropolitan areas, Milwaukee is the only one where the poverty rate in the city is more than four times greater than in the suburbs. This claim is supported by the use of 2010 census data and the provided ratio. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks additional context and data from more recent years. While the claim may have been true at the time, it is necessary to consider whether this pattern still holds true in more current data. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but it would benefit from additional information to provide a more complete and up-to-date assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which tracks the economy in rolling 12-month increments. The measurements are done every three months, but they also lag by many months.","Says Donald Trump is breaking a campaign pledge to bring manufacturing jobs back to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania since the two states \"have lost the most manufacturing jobs in the past year.\"","The DNC claims Trump is breaking a campaign pledge to bring manufacturing jobs back to Wisconsin and Pennsylvania since the two states \"have lost the most manufacturing jobs in the past year.\"","Michael Hicks, an economics professor at Ball State University, said manufacturing jobs have been in decline over the Midwest for most of the past year due to the ongoing trade war with China."]},{"id":"7591.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Only three in 10 Texas doctors are currently accepting new Medicaid patients.","reason":"Reason: The statement that only three in 10 Texas doctors are currently accepting new Medicaid patients is not entirely accurate. While it is true that about four in 10 Texas physicians decline all new Medicaid patients, approximately six in 10 accept at least some new patients. Additionally, the statement does not account for the possibility that doctors who do not accept new Medicaid patients may still provide charity care to low-income patients. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and does not provide a complete picture of the availability of Medicaid providers in Texas.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During a hearing on water quality, Basil Seggos, the New York State commissioner for environmental conservation, said \"no fracking waste is being dumped in New York State.\"","\"No fracking waste is being dumped in New York State, and those who perpetrated that are wrong,\" Seggos said at the hearing. \"There's no high volume hydraulic fracturing going on in New York. It's going on in other states. No waste from those other states is coming into New York.\"","Regulations by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation block any waste more than 80 percent liquid from being dumped into landfills. That prevents liquid fracking waste, like flowback water, from being brought into the state for disposal. But any solid waste that may have come in contact with fracking liquids is permitted under current regulations.","The Department of Environmental Protection in Pennsylvania confirmed that landfills in New York State took in fracking waste. We looked into what kinds of waste comes into the state, and which ones do not."]},{"id":"7081.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that over the past 20 years, Texas public school spending rose 142 percent and per-pupil spending more than tripled when adjusted for inflation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Texas school spending increased by 142% over the past 20 years, the claim that per-pupil spending more than tripled when adjusted for inflation is not entirely accurate. According to the analysis, inflation-adjusted per-pupil spending increased by 42 percent, which is less than tripled. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of the increase in per-pupil spending. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Another area for improvement: its freshman graduation rate of public high school students. According to the United States Department of Education, seven states beat Massachusetts\u2019 percentage of 83.3 percent in the 2008-2009 academic year.","Republican Mitt Romney declared his love for \"great schools\" during the first presidential debate. Did he go overboard in calling his home state\u2019s schools the best in all the land?","Romney has good reason to say Massachusetts has the nation\u2019s best schools. Although there\u2019s no yardstick comparing the quality of schools by state, by several measures, including test results from a federal standardized test, he is right. His claim would be more airtight if he had said Massachusetts had the best testing outcomes.","\"Well, first, I love great schools,\" Romney replied. \"Massachusetts, our schools are ranked No. 1 of all 50 states. And the key to great schools, great teachers. So I reject the idea that I don't believe in great teachers or more teachers. Every school district, every state should make that decision on their own.\""]},{"id":"5284.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate Democrats have gone without any budget at all for more than 1,000 days.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It is accurate that the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate went without adopting a budget for over 1,000 days at the time the statement was made. While it is important to note that the Senate did pass some spending bills during this period, the absence of a comprehensive budget resolution for such a significant duration is a valid point of concern.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Oak Grove is \"one of the largest cities in Oregon\" and is \"the biggest city in Clackamas County and it's not a city.\"","\"They are way too big, they are one of the largest cities in Oregon. They should be a powerhouse in Oregon. They should have a faction at the county level, the state level and the city level,\" she said. Later, in the interview, she said, \"It's the biggest city in Clackamas County and it's not a city.\"","That we had a potential city this large in Clackamas County was news to us. We wanted to know: If incorporated, would Oak Grove be the largest city in Clackamas County? Would it be one of the largest cities in Oregon?","She also said that there are 242 incorporated cities in Oregon. A mythical new city of Oak Grove would be 13th or 14th. \"If it were anywhere in the top 15, or even the top 20, out of 242 cities I would not consider it to be inaccurate to say it is among Oregon's largest cities,\" she wrote."]},{"id":"10859.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Saysthe State Department has had half a year to respond to a Benghazi document request, yet I have not gotten a single, solitary scrap of paper.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Benghazi committee did not receive all the requested documents within their desired timeline, it is inaccurate to claim that they did not receive \"a single, solitary scrap of paper.\" There is evidence to suggest that some documents were indeed provided by the State Department, although not necessarily in the quantity or timeframe desired by the committee. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the lack of document production and does not accurately reflect the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"953.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Republican leaders said \"no\" to \"tax cuts for 95% of working Americans.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true because it lacks context. While Republican leaders may have opposed specific tax cuts for 95% of working Americans, it does not mean they are universally against tax cuts for working Americans. Their opposition could be based on specific provisions or aspects of the proposed tax cuts. It is important to consider the specific details and nuances of the tax cuts being discussed to accurately assess the position of Republican leaders. Without further information, the statement is overly broad and does not provide a complete picture of their stance on tax cuts for working Americans.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6882.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We confer more PhDs each year than any other university in America except Berkeley.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the federal tabulation cited by university officials, the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) did confer the second-highest number of doctoral degrees in the 2009-10 academic year, with 857 degrees. However, it's important to note that this data is specific to that particular year and does not necessarily hold true for every year. Therefore, while UT-Austin was second to Berkeley in that specific year, it cannot be definitively stated that UT-Austin consistently ranks second in conferring doctoral degrees each year. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You know, he pays less tax than the guys who installed his car elevators,\" Granholm said on ABC News\u2019 This Week. We decide to look into that claim.","On the most literal level, we don't even know if the car elevators have been installed. And we don't know anything about the people who did the work.","What car elevators, you might ask? In the spring of 2012, the public learned that Romney\u2019s plans for a multimillion dollar beach house in La Jolla, Calif., included an elevator to move cars from the basement to street level. Think of it as a way to get more than one car into a one-car garage. This add-on costs about $55,000 fully installed. (Construction on the site is underway, and we don\u2019t know if the elevators are done yet.)","Assessing whether the men who installed the elevators paid more in taxes than Romney is difficult. We reached out to Granholm and did not hear back."]},{"id":"10530.json","label":"half-true","statement":"200,000 students attempt suicide every year on college campuses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistic that approximately 200,000 students attempt suicide every year on college campuses. This information is derived from the American College Health Association's annual survey, which found that 1.2 percent of college and university students had attempted suicide within the past year. However, it's important to note that this statistic only represents the reported suicide attempts within a specific timeframe and may not capture all unreported cases. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood that it may not account for all instances of suicide attempts among college students.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Gallo said that since January 2015, the \"majority of our\" Austin City Council \"meetings have extended past 10 p.m.\" and \"many of our meetings have gone past midnight.\"","Gallo declared: \"I think the majority of our meetings have extended past 10 p.m. \u2026 Many of our meetings have gone past midnight.\" She added: \"I really think it's a disservice to our community, a disservice to our city staff, it's a disservice to the council members, \u2026 We just need to figure out another way to handle this so that our meetings are being completed at a reasonable hour.\"","There has, of late, been a pile-up of late-running meetings. Yet the big picture is that 12, or 43 percent, of the 28 council's major meetings since January 2015 ran past 10 p.m. with five, 18 percent, stretching past midnight.","Gallo, informed that 12 of 28 meetings in her term have extended past 10 p.m., or less than a majority, said by email that's still too many. \"We made a promise to the citizens of Austin to eliminate late-night meetings,\" Gallo said. \"I think any meeting that lasts past 10 p.m. is one too many.\""]},{"id":"7483.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For the first time in eight years, our budget also increases funding for persons with disabilities by $36 million to help more disabled people receive community-based services.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Scott's claim that the budget increases funding for persons with disabilities by $36 million to expand community-based services. However, it's important to note that there have been previous instances of funding increases for disability services within the past eight years, as evidenced by the significant jump in the number of clients between 2004-05 and 2005-06. While the statement is mostly true in terms of the recent budget increase, it could benefit from additional context regarding previous funding changes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11595.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Taking all the money of the top 1 percent wouldnt keep Medicare going for three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While it is true that taking all the money of the top 1 percent and taxing it 100 percent would not sustain Medicare for exactly three years, the actual duration would be slightly longer. The estimates provided by different sources range from three years and nine months to just over three years. Therefore, while the statement captures the general idea that the financial resources of the top 1 percent alone would not be sufficient to sustain Medicare for an extended period, it does not provide the precise duration. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7408.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The majority of (the American people) voted for a Democratic House.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources and analyses support the claim that the majority of American voters cast their ballots for Democratic candidates in the House of Representatives. Democrats did earn a majority in the House, considering votes for the two dominant parties. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify a particular election year or provide specific data, so the label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The city ranks 25th of 400 cities in what's widely described as the annual \"Most Dangerous Cities\" list. St. Louis is No. 1.","CQ's analysis is neither invalid nor incorrect. Using its math, Atlanta does rank as 25th among cities with the highest scores for crime rate.","New York City\u2019s Department of Environmental Protection conducted a study of water and sewer rates that found Atlanta had the highest average annual residential rates among 24 cities studied, as of March 2008 at nearly $1,500 -- or $125 a month. Atlanta -- by far -- also had the highest average commercial rates, at more than $16,000 a year.","Raftelis, a Charlotte-based consulting firm, helped conduct a study for the American Water Works Association in 2010. Atlanta\u2019s wastewater rates were the highest among 30 large systems it studied. The city was fourth in water rates among those systems."]},{"id":"11329.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump was forced to file for bankruptcy not once, not twice, four times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Carly Fiorina and Hillary Clinton that Donald Trump filed for bankruptcy multiple times. Donald Trump's business ventures, including his casinos and other ventures, did indeed file for bankruptcy four times. These bankruptcies are a matter of public record and have been widely reported. However, it's important to note that these bankruptcies were filed by his businesses, not personally by Donald Trump himself. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the number of bankruptcies, it should be clarified that it refers to his business ventures rather than personal bankruptcies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But we wondered whether the campaign was going too far with its claim that Romney would \"fire\" the Sesame Street icon. And as Big Bird often says, \"Asking questions is a good way of finding things out!\"","Scare tactics have a long history in American politics. Now, the Obama campaign is trying to scare preschoolers -- and their parents -- with a claim that Mitt Romney wants to fire Big Bird.","It's a ridiculous stretch to equate that with firing the 8-foot-2 yellow bird. Just as Democrats have scared senior citizens about losing Medicare, they are now scaring preschoolers about losing Big Bird. Pants on Fire!","The ruling : Pants on Fire! Romney wants to cut federal funding for PBS, and his idea isn\u2019t specific to Big Bird. A Sesame Street executive said the show itself receives little funding through PBS, and the character is safe."]},{"id":"223.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Iranian mullahs took American hostages and they held the American hostages for 444 days. ...The one hour in which they released them was the one hour in which Ronald Reagan was taking the Oath of Office \"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Iranian mullahs held American hostages for 444 days and they were released during the hour in which Ronald Reagan took the Oath of Office, it is misleading to imply that Reagan's inauguration was the reason for their release. The release of the hostages was negotiated and finalized before Reagan assumed the presidency. Therefore, attributing their release solely to Reagan's inauguration is not accurate. The statement lacks the necessary context and misrepresents the sequence of events.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"He is so proud of that,\" Davis said. \"But what he doesn\u2019t say is that our judges go to work; they rule against him and the people of this state win. In fact, he has lost four times in just the past few days. If he... were your lawyer,\" Davis said, \"you would fire him on the spot.\"","Says he \"did not try to leave the scene of the accident\" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","!Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gives his state of the state address on Feb. 1, 2021 in Lockhart, Texas. (AP) !Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gives his state of the state address on Feb. 1, 2021 in Lockhart, Texas. (AP)"]},{"id":"1495.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Mayor White has major stake in Barnett Shale production company.","reason":"Reason: While Mayor White does have a financial interest in Exxon, which is acquiring XTO, a significant player in the Barnett Shale, the statement that he has a \"major stake\" in a Barnett Shale production company is not accurate. The evidence suggests that Mayor White has an interest in ConocoPhillips, which is active in the Barnett Shale through a subsidiary. However, the extent of his investment and the significance of his stake in the Barnett Shale production company are not clearly defined. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Experts routinely tell us there isn\u2019t abundant research specifically about sanctuary cities and their impact on crime. Sanctuary ordinances have been around for decades, but only until recently have social scientists studied their effect on crime rates, Elizabeth F. Cohen, an associate professor of political science at Syracuse University, told us for a previous fact-check on a claim of studies showing sanctuary cities \"do not lead to an increase in crime because of the presence of people that are undocumented.\"","At the end, \"We find no statistically discernible difference in violent crime rate, rape, or property crime across the cities. Our findings provide evidence that sanctuary policies have no effect on crime rates, despite narratives to the contrary,\" said the 2016 study, titled \"The Politics of Refuge: Sanctuary Cities, Crime, and Undocumented Immigration.\" The researchers were from the University of California at Riverside and Highline College.","The study includes another figure that shows violent crime before and after passage of sanctuary city policies. Post-implementation, some cities had higher crime rates, others had lower rates and others saw no change, according to the study.","\"According to a recent study from the University of California Riverside, (sanctuary) cities with these policies have more violent crime on average than those that don\u2019t.\""]},{"id":"4015.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rep. Jim Renaccis plan to end Medicare also puts nursing home care for 3,000 seniors in the district in immediate jeopardy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks proper context. While the claim suggests that Rep. Jim Renacci's plan to end Medicare would immediately jeopardize nursing home care for 3,000 seniors, the evidence indicates that the proposed changes would not take effect until 2013, which is well over a year away. Additionally, the assertion that the plan would force seniors to move out of nursing homes due to unaffordable long-term care is speculative and not supported by concrete evidence. While there may be concerns about the potential impact on nursing home care, the statement exaggerates the immediate jeopardy and does not accurately reflect the timeline or the specific consequences of the proposed plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6942.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his administration put more border patrol agents on the U.S.-Mexico border than at any time in history, and the flow of undocumented workers across the border is actually lower than its been in 40 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Obama administration did increase the number of Border Patrol agents on the U.S.-Mexico border, which is supported by evidence. However, the claim that it was the highest number in history is not entirely accurate. Historical context reveals that during the Mexican Expedition in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson deployed a significant number of troops to the border. As for the flow of undocumented workers, it is true that the number has decreased compared to previous decades, but it is important to note that the 40-year timeframe mentioned may not capture the full historical context. Therefore, while there is truth to both parts of the statement, the claim of having the highest number of border patrol agents in history is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Van Susteren said, \"So many people were critical of Secretary (John) Kerry going to Paris and talking with Hamas,\" because Kerry was seen as \"supporting Hamas to the exclusion of the Arab League.\"","\"That's why so many people were critical of Secretary Kerry going to Paris and talking with Hamas,\" she said. \"The Arab League thought that that was, you know, supporting Hamas to the exclusion of the Arab League.\"","In a post on Twitter, Van Susteren acknowledged her error. \"Meant to say Kerry talked to Turkey\/Qatar ABOUT Hamas in Paris,\" she wrote. \"The point I was trying to make: talking to Turkey and Qatar ABOUT Hamas had the Arab League unhappy.\"","\"Most of the Arab League, while not enamored with Hamas, wants a ceasefire simply because their lack of a strong backing for the Palestinians is very unpopular among their people,\" Gelvin said."]},{"id":"9023.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On Syria, alot of the allies signed on. At the last minute, Obama backed off.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Obama administration did not pursue military action in Syria, the claim that \"a lot of the allies signed on\" before Obama backed off is an oversimplification. The evidence suggests that there was not a broad consensus among allies for military intervention in Syria. While some countries expressed support, others were hesitant or opposed to military action. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the level of support from allies and the extent to which Obama \"backed off\" due to their influence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13031.json","label":"false","statement":"In an interview with the Chicago TribunesEditorial Board, Comptroller Leslie Munger says that in order to balance a budget, the state would have to cut social services completely.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided consists of claims made by SEIU Healthcare Illinois and Indiana in a YouTube video. However, there is no direct evidence or verifiable source confirming that Comptroller Leslie Munger made the statement about cutting social services completely in order to balance the budget. Without concrete evidence from a reliable source, it is not accurate to attribute that statement to Comptroller Munger.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Americans United for Change Ad claims GOP health plan will let insurers raise premiums four times faster than wages&url=)","So it's fair to say that insurance premiums have risen four times faster than wages over the last nine years. But is it fair to say that trend would continue under the Republican plan?","In its backup material for the ad, Americans United for Change cites a report from the liberal group Health Care for America Now! (guess where they are in the health care debate) that states, \"Commercial health insurance premiums have risen four times faster than wages and have more than doubled in the last nine years.\" That report, in turn, credits the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation's \"Employer Health Benefits -- 2008 Annual Survey,\" which backs up the statistic.",", Wasserman Schultz says GOP alternative health care plan allows insurers to continue denying coverage for pre-existing conditions , Nov. 5, 2009"]},{"id":"5955.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obamacare could cause 20 million people to lose their current coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Obamacare could cause 20 million people to lose their current coverage\" is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that some individuals may experience changes in their healthcare coverage due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the claim of 20 million people losing coverage is misleading. The number is cherry-picked and does not account for the fact that many individuals may voluntarily switch to better coverage options or that the status quo also sees people losing coverage. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it presents an incomplete and exaggerated picture of the potential impact of Obamacare on healthcare coverage.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The falsehood starts with the claim that Obama's transcript was released. That's not true, according to Jim Tranquada, director of communications at Occidental College. No court has ordered Occidental to release the transcript.","\"The group 'Americans for Freedom of Information' has released copies of President Obama's college transcripts from Occidental College,\" read the alleged AP article. \"Released today, the transcript school sic indicates that Obama, under the name Barry Soetoro, received financial aid as a foreign student from Indonesia as an undergraduate. The transcript was released by Occidental College in compliance with a court order in a suit brought by the group in the Superior Court of California. The transcript shows that Obama (Soetoro) applied for financial aid and was awarded a fellowship for foreign students from the Fulbright Foundation Scholarship program. To qualify, for the scholarship, a student must claim foreign citizenship.\"","Nevertheless, it could still be true. Barack Obama did attend Occidental college for two years before transferring to Columbia University. He writes about the experience in his book Dreams From My Father , and three rare photos have surfaced that show the young Obama while atttending Occidental.","Although the e-mail lied about the release of transcripts and the name, conspiracy theorists could argue that Obama won't release his records because he is hiding the fact that he is an Indonesian citizen and actually did receive a Fulbright."]},{"id":"9592.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Children are crossing the border because President Barack Obama said if you come, youre going to be able to stay, because were not going to enforce the law.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rick Santorum and others have attributed the statement to President Obama, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Obama explicitly said, \"if you come, you're going to be able to stay because we're not going to enforce the law.\" The statement misrepresents President Obama's position on immigration and lacks specific context. The influx of children crossing the border is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including violence, poverty, and instability in their home countries. It is misleading to solely attribute it to a single statement by President Obama.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Here are excerpts from all 18 speeches we could find in which President Barack Obama addressed the question of what Americans should do after graduating from high school.","\"What you find is while there is still plenty of room for improvement in Florida, there has been a large amount of progress in the right direction,\" he said.","\u2022 Remarks on the economy, Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 18, 2010. \u201cWe've got to focus on community colleges, which are a wonderful asset. Not everybody's going to go to a four-year college. And even if you go to a four-year college you may need to go back and retrain two years or -- for a year or two even while you're working to keep up -- keep pace with new technologies, new developments in your industry. So what we really try to do is -- is to partner with community colleges, figure out how we can strengthen them, put more resources into them, and link them up to businesses who are actually hiring so that they're training people for the jobs that exist as opposed to the jobs that don't. One of the problems we've had for a lot of young people is they go to college training for a job thinking that their job's -- or thinking there's a job out there, and actually the economy has moved on. And what we need to do is tailor people's education so that they are linked up with businesses.\u201d","\u2022 Remarks at the Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Fla., Feb. 23, 2012. \u201cWhen kids graduate, I want them to be able to afford to go to college. If they've been working hard, if they've gotten the grades to go to college, I don't want them to cut their dreams short because they don't think they can afford it.\u201d"]},{"id":"3555.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over the past decade, the big five oil companies --- BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Shell -- made a total profit of nearly $1 trillion.","reason":"Reason: While the total profit of the big five oil companies over the past decade was indeed substantial, the statement that they made \"nearly $1 trillion\" in profit is not entirely accurate. According to the information provided, the total profit of these companies amounted to roughly $801.7 billion, which falls short of the $1 trillion mark by approximately $100 billion. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that their profit was \"approaching $1 trillion\" rather than claiming it was \"nearly $1 trillion.\"\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11575.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Net immigration from Mexico last year was zero. Fact-check me.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by O'Malley that net immigration from Mexico last year was zero is supported by evidence. Multiple sources, including a study and preliminary data, indicate that the net migration rate from Mexico to the United States has been close to zero or potentially negative in recent years. While the specific data for 2014 is not available, the available information up to 2013 and preliminary 2014 data support the claim. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The path to ObamaCare becoming law all started with Charlie Crist supporting President Obama's $787 billion stimulus,\" Rubio's campaign said in a recent fundraising e-mail. \"Marco is the only candidate you can trust to repeal Obamacare.\"","So Rubio contends that \"The path to ObamaCare becoming law all started with Charlie Crist supporting President Obama\u2019s $787 billion stimulus.\" The logic is that Crist was instrumental in helping Obama deliver the stimulus, and that the health care reforms would not be possible without the stimulus.","Rubio said. \"The path to ObamaCare becoming law all started with Charlie Crist supporting President Obama's $787 billion stimulus.\" Crist did endorse the federal stimulus bill, but he wasn\u2019t crucial to its passage. Rubio failed to prove a causal connection between Crist\u2019s role in the stimulus bill and the health care law passing. Rubio got a Pants on Fire! for that claim.","\"The night Obamacare passed, on the floor of the House, Nancy Pelosi said, in essence, that Obamacare would not be possible without the stimulus,\" Rubio adviser Alberto Martinez told PolitiFact Florida. \"Charlie Crist was instrumental in providing the political support that Barack Obama needed to pass the stimulus.\""]},{"id":"3432.json","label":"false","statement":"A proposed revenue smart cap gives Floridians a voice, requiring a 60 percent vote by citizens in order to impose a new tax, fee, license, fine, charge or assessment.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the proposed revenue smart cap in Florida may tighten the cap on the amount of revenues the state can collect, it does not require a 60 percent vote by citizens to impose a new tax, fee, license, fine, charge, or assessment. The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by Gardiner was in reference to a specific tax, fee, or charge that would \"bust the cap,\" rather than a general requirement for all new taxes or fees. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and does not reflect the provisions of the proposed legislation.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The University of Florida announced this past week that it was dropping its computer science department,\" the blog post said. \"Meanwhile, the athletic budget for the current year is $97.7 million, an increase of more than $2 million from last year. The increase alone would offset the savings supposedly gained by cutting computer science.\"","Salzberg told us he got his information from various news articles and the UF athletic budget, which he found by searching online. Budget documents for the UF Athletic Association show that total expenditures for 2011-2012 were $97.7 million, about $2 million more than the year before.","But what about that athletic budget? Surely UF could use that extra couple million out of the athletic association\u2019s total $97 million to bolster engineering, right?","If the association wants to contribute to UF, that\u2019s up to them. And it regularly does so, giving the university more than $60 million since 1991 for academics. Last year, it gave $6 million, paying for things like scholarships, campus events and updates to facilities."]},{"id":"10775.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Eighty-five percent of every dollar donated to the Clinton Foundation ended up either with the Clintons or with their staff to pay for travel, salaries, and benefits. Fifteen cents of every dollar actually went to some charitable beneficiary.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates the allocation of funds within the Clinton Foundation. While it is true that a portion of the donations went towards administrative expenses such as travel, salaries, and benefits, the claim that 85% of every dollar donated ended up with the Clintons or their staff is misleading. According to the foundation's audited financials, a significant portion of the funds allocated for salaries and travel actually went towards program services. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge the various charitable initiatives and projects supported by the foundation. While there is room for improvement in terms of expense allocation, the claim misrepresents the overall impact and distribution of funds within the Clinton Foundation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Next, we looked at Augusts past starting in 2001, Perry's first full year in the governor's office. We found that Oklahoma and Louisiana have had lower unemployment rates, and until this year, New Mexico had a lower unemployment rate than Texas. Arkansas had a higher unemployment rate than Texas in 2006 to 2008.","Nationally, the unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in August. Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia had higher unemployment rates than Texas.","Cheryl Abbot, an economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Dallas, confirmed that Texas had a higher unemployment rate than three of the four adjacent states, and noted that \"nearby states\" Colorado and Kansas also had a lower rate (8.2 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively).","According to the latest monthly state-by-state unemployment rates, posted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas\u2019 seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate of 8.2 percent placed it 26th among the 50 states. North Dakota had the lowest rate, 3.2 percent. The most populous states faring better than Texas were Pennsylvania, ranked 18th (7.6 percent), and New York, which was 23rd (8 percent)."]},{"id":"8060.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The U.S. Postal Service doesnt run on your tax dollars. Its funded solely by stamps and postage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The U.S. Postal Service does not receive direct tax dollars for its operations and is primarily funded through the sale of stamps and postage. However, it is important to note that the Postal Service has borrowed money from the government in recent years to cover certain expenses, such as pre-funding employee health benefits. While this borrowing is not considered direct taxpayer funding, it does involve financial transactions between the Postal Service and the government. Therefore, while the Postal Service is primarily funded by stamps and postage, there is some additional context to consider.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It's a longstanding policy of the Department of Justice not to comment on conversations that the attorney general has had with the president of the United States.\"","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\"","Hasner cited the CBO director in making the claim that the health care law would \"cost 800,000 jobs,\" and provided the context that nearly 1 million Floridians already are out of work. But that's not really what the CBO has said, something our colleagues at have pointed out as well( \"something our colleagues at have pointed out as well\").","Rep. (John) Campbell, R-Calif. : \"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, we'll -- and Dr. Elmendorf -- and we'll continue this conversation right now. First on health care, before I get to -- before I get to broader issues, you just mentioned that you believe -- or that in your estimate, that the health care law would reduce the labor used in the economy by about 1\/2 of 1 percent, given that, I believe you say, there's 160 million full-time people working in '20-'21. That means that, in your estimation, the health care law would reduce employment by 800,000 in '20-'21. Is that correct?\""]},{"id":"1030.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Cheney is disagreeing with President Bush's policy. President Bush stated repeatedly to international audiences and to the country that he wanted to close Guantanamo.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Bush expressed a desire to close Guantanamo Bay, it is important to note that he also acknowledged the legal and logistical challenges that prevented its closure during his presidency. President Bush's statements about closing Guantanamo were often accompanied by warnings about the complications involved. Therefore, while Cheney may be disagreeing with President Obama's policy to close Guantanamo, it is not entirely accurate to claim that he is disagreeing with President Bush's policy, as President Bush ultimately decided to keep the facility open due to the aforementioned challenges.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, said, \u201cWe did not seek an impeachment of President Bush.\u201d Is that correct? !Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, said, \u201cWe did not seek an impeachment of President Bush.\u201d Is that correct?","A reader asked us to check whether it\u2019s accurate for Jackson Lee to say, \"We did not seek an impeachment of President Bush.\" So we took a closer look.","Jackson Lee said, \"We did not seek an impeachment of President Bush.\" She has a point that neither the House nor a majority of the Democratic caucus sought Bush\u2019s impeachment. However, a dozen Democratic lawmakers did -- including Jackson Lee herself. It seems hypocritical of the congresswoman to seize the moral high ground -- essentially saying that her party gallantly went against self-interest by declining to seek Bush\u2019s impeachment -- when in fact she personally had sought precisely that outcome. On balance, we rate the claim Mostly False.","Even so, it seems odd to hear Jackson Lee saying \"we did not seek\" impeachment when she, in fact, was a co-sponsor of a measure that sought precisely that."]},{"id":"1003.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Barack Obama's nominee for 'regulatory czar' has advocated a 'Fairness Doctrine' for the Internet\" that would require links to opposing opinions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Barack Obama's nominee for \"regulatory czar,\" Cass Sunstein, discussed the idea of the government requiring websites to link to opposing views in his book, he later rethought the proposal, deeming it difficult to regulate and likely unconstitutional. The initial claim that Sunstein advocated for a \"Fairness Doctrine\" for the Internet is misleading without considering his subsequent reconsideration and acknowledgment of the challenges and constitutional concerns associated with such a policy. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7095.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There is no reason to allocate 60 percent of bridge space to satisfy two percent of all travelers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the argument made in the essay that questions the allocation of 60 percent of bridge space to accommodate two percent of all travelers. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While cars may carry the majority of passenger-trips during peak hours, allocating space for non-motorized transportation, such as bikeways and sidewalks, can promote alternative modes of transportation, reduce congestion, and provide safer options for pedestrians and cyclists. Therefore, while the statement raises a valid point about the allocation of space, it does not fully consider the potential benefits and objectives of prioritizing non-motorized transportation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In discussing the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, \"Ms. Rice did say 'a terrorist attack.' It\u2019s not that she put the whole thing on the video.\"","\"When you read the transcript of those Sunday shows, actually Ms. Rice did say a \u2018terrorist attack,\u2019 \" Roberts said. \"It\u2019s not that she put the whole thing on the video.\"","!Pundits discussed Susan Rice's Benghazi talking points in the days after the attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya. !Pundits discussed Susan Rice's Benghazi talking points in the days after the attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya.","Roberts said that when talking about Benghazi on the Sept. 16, 2012, Sunday shows, Rice said, \"terrorist attack\" and didn\u2019t put the entire blame on protests related to an anti-Islam YouTube video. Our review of the transcripts from Rice\u2019s appearances showed the opposite. She consistently emphasized the importance of the video, and the only times she brought up the possibility of a terrorist connection was to downplay it."]},{"id":"5711.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says she balanced a $10 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that the individual mentioned balanced a $10 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes, the statement implies that she did it single-handedly, which is misleading. It fails to acknowledge the collaborative efforts and contributions of other individuals involved in the budget-balancing process. Additionally, it does not provide a comprehensive picture of the specific measures or strategies employed to address the shortfall. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies the situation and neglects crucial details.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11790.json","label":"true","statement":"Anyone can die of a toothache.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true in the sense that an untreated toothache or abscess can lead to severe complications that, if left untreated, could potentially result in death. While it is rare for someone to directly die from a toothache itself, the infection caused by an untreated abscess can spread to other parts of the body, including the bones or bloodstream, leading to life-threatening conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to address dental issues promptly to prevent potentially fatal consequences.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The GOP's \"Pledge to America\" includes \"a 20 percent cut ... for education. ... Eight million kids would have their college aid slashed under this budget.\"","\"When you look at that Pledge to America, it is a complete echo of what was done before,\" Axelrod said. \"It would borrow $700 billion to cut taxes for the very wealthy, add trillions of dollars to the deficits. It would unleash the special interests to be writing rules here on Capitol Hill again. And it would cut things like -- there's a 20 percent cut in there for education. We're talking about our economy. Education is the defense budget of the -- economic defense budget of the 21st century, and they're basically talking about disarmament. Eight million kids would have their college aid slashed under this budget. This isn't a prescription for economic growth; this is a prescription for surrender. We can't do that.\"","We thought we'd check whether the House GOP really intends to cut education funding by 20 percent and whether 8 million students would see their aid \"slashed.\"","One final question is whether it's fair to use the word \"slashed\" to describe a roughly 20 percent cut. We think a 20 percent cut is deep enough to justify that term."]},{"id":"9162.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When Republicans last controlled the presidency and Congress, the number of people on food stamps (and) the number of people in low-income housing went through the roof.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that during the period when Republicans last controlled the presidency and Congress (roughly 2001 to 2007), there was a significant increase in the number of people receiving food stamps. The Bush administration and Congress expanded eligibility and encouraged more eligible individuals to apply, leading to a 52 percent increase in food stamp recipients. However, the evidence is less clear regarding the number of people in low-income housing. While the increase in low-income housing was more modest, it is still considered significant. Although the exact figures for low-income housing are not provided, the assumption that the number increased due to the availability of more tax credits for developers of low-income housing units adds some credibility to the claim. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but with some uncertainty regarding the specific numbers related to low-income housing.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10105.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This year, the Austin City Council granted a small homestead property tax exemption of $5,000... applied equally to everyone. And we also granted an exemption for the elderly and the disabled members of the community.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While the Austin City Council did pass a resolution in 2014 to draft an ordinance for a $5,000 homestead exemption, it has not been officially granted or applied to anyone at the time of the statement. Additionally, the exemption for the elderly and disabled members of the community was not newly granted this year but has been in place since the 1970s. Therefore, while there are intentions to implement the $5,000 homestead exemption, it has not been fully enacted, and the exemption for the elderly and disabled is not a recent development.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["That investment now is being used by a group called Workers\u2019 Voice, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, to claim that Josh Mandel was \"betting against Ohio families.\" To understand the attack, you must understand the investment.","Says Ohio Treasurer Josh \"Mandel first claimed bank fraud in June 2010 but did nothing for more than a year while raising money for his (Republican) Senate campaign.\"","\"To believe that somebody was buying $15,000 worth of a short ETF and betting on the government defaulting seems a little far-fetched to me,\" Bao said. What happens in most cases, he said, is the investor buys this ETF as a bet on interest rates. He or she thinks they\u2019ll go up and the value of Treasuries will go down -- but not necessarily tank.","That leaves us with an extreme claim -- that Mandel was betting against Ohio families and hoping to fatten his family wallet. While we cannot say why his wife\u2019s trust chose that particular ETF, we know that investors have plenty of rationales besides betting on default. In fact, Bao, the OSU professor, disclosed that he too invested in a short Treasury ETF. We realized that he and Ilana Mandel\u2019s investment adviser had chosen, in fact, the very same ProShares ETF."]},{"id":"2511.json","label":"false","statement":"Perry pushed for a law that lets insurance companies raise homeowners rates without having to justify the increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Governor Rick Perry pushed for a law that allows insurance companies to raise homeowners' rates without having to justify the increase. The available evidence does not substantiate this assertion, and no credible sources or documentation have been provided to support the claim. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making such claims about individuals and their actions.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Democratic Wisconsin state Rep. Sandy Pasch says GOP U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan\u2019s budget plan would end health care for seniors&url=)","Yet Pasch goes even further, claiming Ryan has promised to \"end health care for our seniors.\" Not just Medicare, but \"health care.\"","Pasch originally claimed that Ryan promised to end health care for seniors and now she says his Medicare plan is a \"move toward not promising health care to seniors.\" That\u2019s quite a step back from the original claim. Moreover, we\u2019ve established that, although it\u2019s expected that senior citizens would pay more for health care under Ryan\u2019s plan, they would still have health care.","\"I think that Paul Ryan is the face of the radical plan to dismantle Medicare and Medicaid. People across Wisconsin depend on and like Medicare. If you stand with Paul Ryan, you stand with the promise to end health care for our seniors. It's not just a policy issue, it's a values issue.\""]},{"id":"9792.json","label":"true","statement":"Jason Carter backed three of Nathan Deals budgets but accuses the governor of underfunding education.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Jason Carter, a Democratic state senator, did vote in favor of three of Governor Nathan Deal's state budgets, which included significant austerity cuts to education. However, Carter later criticized Governor Deal for underfunding education when he voted against Deal's fourth budget, which also included austerity cuts. The evidence supports the claim that Carter backed three of Deal's budgets while accusing the governor of underfunding education.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1058.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Obama was wrong about Muslims historical contributions to mankind, such as algebra (actually that was the ancient Babylonians), the compass (that was the Chinese), pens (the Chinese again) and medical discoveries.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama made a statement about Muslims' historical contributions to mankind, the statement oversimplifies the context and accuracy of his remarks. President Obama did mention algebra, the compass, pens, and medical discoveries as examples of Muslim contributions, but he did not claim that Muslims were the sole inventors of these disciplines. The fact-checking analysis reveals that President Obama's statement was partially accurate regarding algebra and navigation, but there is some debate and nuance regarding the extent of Muslim contributions to pens and medical discoveries. Therefore, while there are some inaccuracies in President Obama's statement, labeling it as completely wrong is an oversimplification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The ACLU said in the headline of an email, \"13,000 Floridians are able to vote -- but their governor won't tell them.\"","There are a lot of claims in that email but the one we wanted to check was the headline: Are there 13,000 Floridians able to vote but Scott won\u2019t tell them?","The ACLU of Florida sent an email to supporters Aug. 3 sounding alarm bells and suggesting that thousands of ex-felons have been disenfranchised due to \"suppression tactics\" by the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott. The headline of the email stated: \"13,000 Floridians are able to vote -- but their governor won\u2019t tell them.\"","Requests for mail ballots won\u2019t last as long as in the past. Instead of being able to request a ballot through the next two general elections \u2014 the next four years \u2014 voters are limited to requesting ballots only through the next general election, or two years. However, current requests are grandfathered in."]},{"id":"6383.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As a congressman, Mark Neumann voted four times to increase our debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Mark Neumann did vote four times to increase the debt limit during his time as a congressman. However, it's important to note that raising the debt limit is a routine legislative action that allows the government to continue meeting its financial obligations. It does not necessarily imply a direct endorsement of increased government spending or fiscal irresponsibility. The context and reasoning behind Neumann's votes are not provided, so it's crucial to consider the broader circumstances and motivations behind those decisions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Napolitano said that \"Woodrow Wilson borrowed $30 billion to fund World War I in 1917. That money has not been paid back. And we are still paying interest on it.\"","\"The government today will borrow money to pay debt on money it has already borrowed and spent,\" he said. \"I\u2019ll give you one statistic. Woodrow Wilson borrowed $30 billion to fund World War I in 1917. That money has not been paid back. And we are still paying interest on it. That\u2019s 95 years ago.\"","The United States government borrowed a fair amount during the World War I era. Hostilities related to World War I began in 1914, but the United States officially entered the war against Germany in April 1917 and against Austria-Hungary in December 1917.","That\u2019s less than Napolitano said, but a different Treasury data source -- the department\u2019s annual report from June 1920 -- said the U.S. had borrowed a total of $37 billion to finance the war. These two figures average out to about $30 billion, so we\u2019ll accept Napolitano\u2019s figure as a plausible estimate."]},{"id":"8912.json","label":"true","statement":"On oil drilling off Floridas coast","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is a ban on oil drilling off the coast of Florida, as stated by the speaker in the third and fourth statements. The constitutional amendment mentioned in the third statement prohibits drilling near Florida's coast. Additionally, the fourth statement indicates that the governor of Florida has expressed the importance of not drilling off the coast. Therefore, the statement that there is a ban on oil drilling off Florida's coast is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"The ratings agencies will not upgrade Oregon's credit rating until we stabilize state finances, and they realize that our instability stems in large part from Oregon's kicker system,\" he wrote.","( - Former Rep. Brent Barton says credit analysts realize that Oregon\u2019s instability 'stems in large part from Oregon's kicker system'&url=)","We can\u2019t predict what ratings agencies will or won\u2019t do, and neither can anyone else. Instead, PolitiFact Oregon had a simple question: Do credit ratings analysts actually finger the kicker as responsible for the state\u2019s financial instability?","\"I probably should have been more precise in wording that sentence, as the verb \u2018stems\u2019 implies causation more than magnification. However, the fact remains that the ratings agencies recognize that the kicker system contributes significantly to Oregon's unstable fiscal system.\""]},{"id":"824.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If parents \"don't have health insurance that Senator Obama wants them to have (for their children), they will be fined.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, there is an individual mandate that requires individuals to have health insurance or pay a penalty. However, it's important to note that the penalty primarily applies to adults who can afford health insurance but choose not to obtain it. The ACA includes provisions to ensure that children have access to health insurance, such as expanding Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), but it does not specifically impose fines on parents for not having health insurance for their children. Therefore, while there is an individual mandate with penalties under the ACA, the claim that parents will be fined specifically for not having health insurance for their children is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["That means 1.2 million of the 1.5 million new people in Georgia between Census counts were non-white \u2013 or 81 percent.","\"In Georgia, during the previous decade between Census counts, more than 1.5 million new neighbors set up homes in the state,\" Abrams wrote in the Huffington Post. The majority of those arrivals were minorities, she said.","In 2000, Georgia had 8,186,453 people. A decade later, the count was 9,687,653. That\u2019s almost exactly the 1.5 million Abrams cites to HuffPost.","Tucked into one table in both Census sets were population counts by race, and a separate breakout of those not considered Hispanic or Latino. \"That is effectively the minority population,\" Bernstein said."]},{"id":"10792.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The projected revenue from the Mayweather\/Pacquiao fight is larger than the annual GDP of 29 different countries.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While the Mayweather\/Pacquiao fight generated significant revenue, it is highly unlikely that the projected revenue exceeded the annual GDP of 29 different countries. The comparison is exaggerated and lacks supporting evidence. The GDP of many countries, even smaller ones, surpasses the estimated revenue of the fight. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Disappointingly, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan support a plan that would give millionaires tax breaks while cutting college scholarships and other key resources in education that help create a strong middle class,\" Obama said in the email($6wU9GSUcqtd9hs3TFeZCn0vq69IZViKeqDZhqNLziaXiKG0K_ms4C2keQo54&CONTENTTYPE=application\/pdf&) sent Aug. 21. \"Romney thinks that students should \u2018borrow money\u2019 or get help from their parents to help pay for college, and under the Romney-Ryan budget, college aid would be cut for nearly 10 million students nationally and the American Opportunity Tax Credit for college tuition would be eliminated.\"","But the so-called Romney-Ryan budget also would eliminate the American Opportunity Tax Credit? That\u2019s one we hadn\u2019t examined yet, so we decided to check it out.","Although the American Opportunity Tax Credit was only intended to be temporary, President Obama\u2019s annual budget proposals extended the tax credit through 2012 and proposed making it permanent, Rosenberg said.","According to the center, Romney\u2019s economic advisers say that the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) would be reverted back to the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) tax credit if Romney is elected president this year."]},{"id":"7457.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Theres a tax credit of $2,400 to bond [former inmates] that an employer would get for hiring a convicted felon. Theres a federal bonding program -- you can get $5,000 to $25,000 in federal money to hire a convicted felon. And theres federal grants for felons to set up their own small businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some elements of truth but lacks important context. While there is a federal bonding program that provides insurance coverage for employers who hire individuals with criminal records, the tax credit mentioned is not specifically for bonding former inmates. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) does provide tax incentives for employers who hire individuals from certain targeted groups, including some individuals with criminal records, but the credit amount varies and is not exclusively tied to hiring convicted felons. Additionally, while there are federal grants available to support small businesses, there is no specific mention of grants exclusively for felons to set up their own businesses. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent and specificity of the benefits available for hiring convicted felons and felons starting their own businesses.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11267.json","label":"false","statement":"Jesus was an undocumented immigrant.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Jesus was an undocumented immigrant is not supported by historical or biblical evidence. While it is true that Jesus and his family fled to Egypt to escape persecution, it is incorrect to label him as an \"undocumented immigrant\" in the modern sense. The concept of immigration and documentation as we understand it today did not exist during the time of Jesus. Additionally, the term \"undocumented immigrant\" implies a violation of current immigration laws, which cannot be applied to historical figures. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"DID YOU KNOW?\" Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, wrote on Twitter during Obama\u2019s Feb. 12, 2013, State of the Union address. \"U.S. GHG emissions are at 20-year lows while global emissions are rising.\"","In keeping with Barton\u2019s 20-year window, we used the inventory figures to gauge the difference between estimated emissions of each greenhouse gas in 2010 and 1990:","Mindful that Barton\u2019s tweet said greenhouse gas emissions were at a 20-year low, we looked next at emissions of methane, nitrous dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride as estimated in the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s April 2012 inventory of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions--the latest inventory that would have been available when Barton tweeted. (The agency\u2019s 2013 \"draft inventory\" was posted online Feb. 22, 2013.)","This statement depends on a comparison of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions\u2014not all greenhouse gases--over three unusually warm winter months of 2012 to such emissions in the same months of 1992. But the latest information available when Barton tweeted indicates that total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were higher in 2010 than they were 20 years earlier, though the 2010 emissions were lower than they were 13 years earlier."]},{"id":"7931.json","label":"false","statement":"On gay marriage","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Jeb Bush has expressed opposition to same-sex marriage and has supported \"traditional marriage,\" the evidence provided does not support the claim that he has changed his stance on gay marriage. The evidence suggests that Bush has consistently opposed same-sex marriage throughout his political career, including during his time as Florida governor and in his more recent statements. There is no credible evidence to suggest that he has reversed his position on this issue.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4976.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(The Opportunity Scholarship Act) would be funded directly from public school budgets. So it would absolutely take money out of the public school system to transfer to private and religious schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rubin that the Opportunity Scholarship Act would be funded directly from public school budgets and would take money out of the public school system to transfer to private and religious schools. However, it's important to note that the evidence suggests a different perspective. The scholarships would be funded through donations made by corporations, and students would use these scholarships to pay for tuition at either public or private schools. While the scholarships indirectly impact public school budgets by diverting funds that could have been allocated to public schools, it is not a direct transfer of funds from public schools to private and religious schools. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it lacks some nuance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But given their differing view on same-sex marriage referenda, Christie might have taken too far his claim of a similar view as Obama when program host Joe Scarborough asked, \"Is there any space on your position on gay marriage and President Barack Obama's?\"","President Obama now supports gay marriage, but he hasn\u2019t always. He changed position to favor it in 2012, telling journalist Robin Roberts, \"At a certain point, I've just concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.\"","In this regard, Christie said during a Feb. 23 appearance on MSNBC's \"Morning Joe\" program that he and President Barack Obama are like-minded.","!President Barack Obama talks to Robin Roberts of ABC\u2019s \"Good Morning America\" at the White House on May 9, 2012. Pete Souza | White House via Getty Images !President Barack Obama talks to Robin Roberts of ABC\u2019s \"Good Morning America\" at the White House on May 9, 2012. Pete Souza | White House via Getty Images"]},{"id":"10100.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This (Ebola) is not as bad as SARSwas in 2003.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the current Ebola outbreak is not as bad as the SARS outbreak in 2003 is not entirely accurate. While there are some similarities between the two outbreaks, such as the comparison being made in an attempt to reduce panic, it is important to note that the severity and impact of each outbreak can vary. The Ebola outbreak has had a significant impact on certain regions, resulting in a high number of cases and fatalities. However, the SARS outbreak in 2003 had a broader global impact, affecting more countries and resulting in a higher number of cases overall. Therefore, while the statement may have some basis in terms of specific measures, it oversimplifies the overall severity and impact of the two outbreaks.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin answered questions about extending the Bush tax cuts. She said Democrats are \"poised now to cause this largest tax increase in U.S. history. It's a tax increase of $3.8 trillion over the next 10 years, and it will have an effect on every single American who pays an income tax.\"","Palin, the former governor of Alaska, made several points in her rebuttal, the primary one being that the Democrats haven't put forward a plan stating how they intend to address the expiring Bush tax cuts. Palin's comments on Fox News Sunday gave the impression that Democrats want to see them all expire.","In Congress, key Democratic leaders have indicated they are using the plan outlined in the federal budget as the framework for their legislation. The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on dealing with the expiring tax cuts. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the committee's chair, said in a July 14, 2010, statement, \"I support extending the middle-class tax cuts permanently, as soon as possible, so working families can keep more of their hard-earned money.\"","That $3.8 trillion -- the number she wrote on her hand -- is the cost over 10 years if all the Bush tax cuts expired. Democrats say they want to keep the tax cuts for individuals who make less than $200,000 and couples who make less than $250,000."]},{"id":"11965.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A couple of debates ago, (Donald Trump) said if you dont support socialized health care, youre heartless.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Donald Trump said, \"if you don't support socialized health care, you're heartless\" in a recent debate. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, fact-checkers have confirmed that Trump did not make such a statement in any recent debate. This assertion is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Miller lauded Sanders for putting 56 percent of the state budget into education -- a figure, Miller said, that has not been achieved since.","He said former Gov. Carl Sanders allocated 56 percent of the state budget to education, a level that has not since been achieved. Historical accounts and actual state education and budget data confirmed Sanders\u2019 allocation levels. The data also showed a few years since Sanders when the levels have reached that amount, but those years included funding, such as lottery and tobacco settlement dollars, that were not available to Sanders.","!Former Gov. Zell Miller said that as much as 56 percent of the state budget was allocated for education under Gov. Carl Sanders, who took office in 1963. Sanders\u2019 goal was to move Georgia forward and keep smart kids in the state, he said. (AJC photo\/ !Former Gov. Zell Miller said that as much as 56 percent of the state budget was allocated for education under Gov. Carl Sanders, who took office in 1963. Sanders\u2019 goal was to move Georgia forward and keep smart kids in the state, he said. (AJC photo\/","Former Gov. Zell Miller said that as much as 56 percent of the state budget was allocated for education under Gov. Carl Sanders, who took office in 1963. Sanders\u2019 goal was to move Georgia forward and keep smart kids in the state, he said. (AJC photo\/"]},{"id":"13348.json","label":"false","statement":"Its four or five states where the number of insurance options have narrowed under the Affordable Care Act.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that \"four or five states\" have experienced a narrowing of insurance options under the Affordable Care Act. The evidence primarily discusses the affordability of coverage under the American Rescue Plan and the percentage of consumers who can find coverage for under $10 a month. There is no information or data provided regarding the narrowing of insurance options in specific states. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["!Matthew Dowd claimed, \"President Obama has demonstrated he\u2019s very good at winning his own elections. But in modern times, he has lost more members of the House and more members of the Senate than any president ever has lost.\" !Matthew Dowd claimed, \"President Obama has demonstrated he\u2019s very good at winning his own elections. But in modern times, he has lost more members of the House and more members of the Senate than any president ever has lost.\"","Matthew Dowd claimed, \"President Obama has demonstrated he\u2019s very good at winning his own elections. But in modern times, he has lost more members of the House and more members of the Senate than any president ever has lost.\"","\"President Obama has demonstrated he\u2019s very good at winning his own elections,\" Dowd said on ABC\u2019s This Week on Dec. 7, 2014. \"But in modern times, he has lost more members of the House and more members of the Senate than any president ever has lost.\"","Dowd said Obama has lost more seats held by his party in the House and Senate than any modern president. By one valid measure, Dowd is correct. By another measure, Obama would rank fourth."]},{"id":"4002.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ethanol reduced gas prices by 89 cents per gallon in 2010, and if ethanol disappeared, gas prices could rise by as much as 92 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) regarding the impact of ethanol on gas prices. According to a study cited by the RFA, ethanol reduced gas prices by 89 cents per gallon in 2010. The study also suggests that if ethanol production were to cease abruptly, gas prices could potentially rise by as much as 92 percent. However, it's important to note that these figures are specific to the year 2010 and may not be representative of the current situation. Additionally, the claim does not consider other factors that can influence gas prices, such as global oil markets and geopolitical events. Therefore, while the statement accurately represents the RFA's claim, it lacks some context and may not fully capture the complexity of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["After President Barack Obama unveiled a new immigration plan for young people who came to the U.S. illegally, it didn't take long for opponents to criticize the plan with a familiar word: amnesty.","!President Barack Obama is expected to deliver a speech Thursday, Nov. 20, that immigration activists hope will address millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. !President Barack Obama is expected to deliver a speech Thursday, Nov. 20, that immigration activists hope will address millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States.","President Barack Obama is expected to deliver a speech Thursday, Nov. 20, that immigration activists hope will address millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States.","While the White House made much of the temporary nature of the policy, Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports low levels of immigration, isn\u2019t buying it."]},{"id":"7421.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The sequester wont consider whether were cutting some bloated program that has outlived its usefulness, or a vital service that Americans depend on every single day. It doesnt make those distinctions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's assertion that the sequester does not consider the distinction between cutting bloated programs and vital services that Americans rely on daily. While there may be some limited discretion in how the cuts are implemented, the evidence suggests that the sequester primarily focuses on achieving across-the-board spending reductions without taking into account the relative importance or effectiveness of specific programs. However, it's important to note that certain government services were exempted from the sequester, as mentioned in the evidence, which adds some nuance to the overall impact of the cuts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13461.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Final election 2016 numbers: Trump won the popular vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that Trump won the popular vote in the 2016 election is not supported by the official final election numbers. In reality, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by a margin of nearly 3 million votes. The misinformation and false numbers circulating on social media and fake news sites have been widely debunked. It's important to rely on verified and official sources for accurate information regarding election results.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7735.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says opponents of proposed Austin school district bonds say the districts debt load doubles with these new bonds.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Opponents of the proposed Austin school district bonds argue that the district's debt load will increase with the issuance of these new bonds. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the full context. The evidence suggests that the district's outstanding debt load will increase not only due to the proposed bonds but also because of other authorized bonds that are yet to be issued. Therefore, while the debt load may increase, attributing the entire doubling of the debt load solely to the proposed bonds would be an oversimplification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2543.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says campaign contributions to her rival for a state House seat was money intended for schoolchildren.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that campaign contributions made to Elena Parent's rival for a state House seat were money intended for schoolchildren. There is no evidence to support this claim, and it appears to be a baseless accusation made during a political campaign. It is important to critically evaluate such claims and rely on factual evidence before making any judgments.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10913.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the last seven years of my tenure, Texas created 1.5 million new jobs. As a matter of fact, without Texas, America would have lost 400,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Rick Perry's claim that Texas created 1.5 million new jobs during the last seven years of his tenure. However, the claim that without Texas, America would have lost 400,000 jobs requires additional context. While it is true that Texas contributed significantly to job growth during that period, it is not accurate to attribute the entire job gain to Texas alone. The rest of the country also experienced job growth during that time. Therefore, while Texas played a substantial role in job creation, the statement oversimplifies the complex factors that contributed to overall job trends in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Georgia had the highest flu activity in the country based on data provided by doctors offices across the country and mapped by the CDC for the week of Oct. 4 through Oct. 10.","We wondered after seeing a map on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s website Thursday, showing Georgia with the highest flu activity in the country, and hearing television reports repeating the claim.","It showed Georgia\u2019s flu activity down in the minimal range, where the rest of the country had been the week before. (Of 25,876 patients, 355 or 1.37 percent had flu-like symptoms.","The map is just one of nine resources that the CDC uses to track increases in flu-like illnesses across the country, she said."]},{"id":"7609.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A report by the US General Accountability Office (GAO) in 2008 found that the disposal of Katrina wastes by AshBritt in the south resulted in the creation of contaminated sites along the Gulf Coast and two new Superfund sites in New Orleans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The US General Accountability Office (GAO) report from 2008 did not find that the disposal of Katrina wastes by AshBritt resulted in the creation of contaminated sites along the Gulf Coast or two new Superfund sites in New Orleans. The report did not even mention AshBritt or contractors in relation to the creation of contaminated sites or Superfund sites. The claim made in the statement is entirely baseless and contradicted by multiple sources and factual information. It is a clear example of misinformation. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12594.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Right now, our corrections department charges taxpayers between $30,000 and $40,000 a year per person we lock up, she said. Thats actually cheap when you compare us to the rest of the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker regarding the cost of locking up individuals in the corrections department. The evidence provided confirms that California pays approximately $73,000 per inmate, which aligns with the statement's claim. However, the statement's assertion that this cost is \"cheap\" when compared to the rest of the country lacks supporting evidence. Without comparative data on the average costs in other states, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9041.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says his Patient OPTION Act is the only Republican plan that completely repeals Obamacare and it takes the federal bureaucrat out of decisions for you.","reason":"Reason: While Dr. Broun claims that his Patient OPTION Act is the only Republican plan that completely repeals Obamacare and removes federal bureaucrats from healthcare decisions, this statement is barely true. While Broun's plan does propose repealing Obamacare and reducing the role of federal bureaucrats, it is not the only Republican plan that does so. There have been various Republican proposals to repeal and replace Obamacare, each with its own approach to healthcare reform. Therefore, while Broun's plan aligns with some Republican principles, it is not the sole plan that fulfills these criteria.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["ROMNEY: \"I actually wrote my book, and in my book I said no such thing. What I said, actually -- when I put my health care plan together -- and I met with Dan Balz, for instance, of the Washington Post. He said, 'Is this is a plan that if you were president you would put on the whole nation, have a whole nation adopt it?' \"","!Mitt Romney's March 2010 hardcover book, \"No Apology,\" said about the results of changes to Massachusetts health care law, \"We can accomplish the same thing for everyone in the country.\" That changed in the February 2011 paperback. !Mitt Romney's March 2010 hardcover book, \"No Apology,\" said about the results of changes to Massachusetts health care law, \"We can accomplish the same thing for everyone in the country.\" That changed in the February 2011 paperback.","Mitt Romney's March 2010 hardcover book, \"No Apology,\" said about the results of changes to Massachusetts health care law, \"We can accomplish the same thing for everyone in the country.\" That changed in the February 2011 paperback.","Romney used Perry's comments about Social Security in Fed Up! , the Texas governor's screed against federal expansionism, to portray Perry as a foe of the popular retirement program. Then, at the Sept. 22, 2011, Fox News\/Google debate in Orlando, Perry struck back by suggesting that Romney had altered the paperback edition of his book No Apology to downplay his support of the Massachusetts health care plan."]},{"id":"5090.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says federal spending has increased 21 percent over the past three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Ohio Republican that federal spending has increased by 21 percent over the past three years. The evidence provided confirms that federal spending as a percentage of GDP has been above historical averages, with an average of 20.5 percent since 1940 and 21 percent since 1981. While the exact figure of a 21 percent increase may vary depending on specific calculations and timeframes, the evidence supports the general assertion that federal spending has indeed seen a significant increase in recent years.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Former Providence Mayor David Cicilline said that the internal auditor for the city \"was not locked out\" of access to the city's finances.","Lombardi now says that he was never locked out of his computer. His computer access to city financial records was never canceled, he said, because he never had such access in the first place.","Providence's City Charter requires the City Council to appoint an internal auditor who \"shall have access to the books and records of all offices, department and other agencies of the city.\" That section of the charter offers no limitation. The auditor reports to the council, not the mayor.","The auditor was not locked out in the strictest sense. But the inability of the internal auditor to get information that might have led to a timely disclosure of the city's serious financial problems had the same effect."]},{"id":"10760.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More astronauts have been to the moon than farmers who paid the inheritance tax in 2013.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Bill Maher compared the number of American astronauts who have been to the moon (24) to the number of farmers who paid the estate tax in 2013 (20). While there is a slight caveat that Maher's comparison includes astronauts who have been to the vicinity of the moon, not just those who have walked on its surface, the overall point remains valid. The number of astronauts who have been to the moon is higher than the number of farmers who paid the inheritance tax in 2013.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6073.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Portland, Ore., has never gotten over 12 to 15 percent ridership of its public transit system in the past 12 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Portland, Oregon has not achieved ridership levels above 12 to 15 percent for its public transit system in the past 12 years, it is important to note that this statistic does not provide the full context. Factors such as population growth, urban development, and transportation infrastructure investments can influence ridership numbers. Additionally, it is worth considering other modes of transportation, such as biking, which have seen increased investment and usage in Portland. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the ridership statistics, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the various factors affecting public transit usage in the city.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5361.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says abortion is the most common surgery in our country.","reason":"Reason: The statement that abortion is the most common surgery in the country is false. Multiple sources and research studies indicate that abortion is not the most common surgery in the United States. In fact, there are numerous other surgeries, such as eye surgery for cataracts and gall bladder surgery, that are performed more frequently. The claim that abortion is the most common surgery is misleading and not supported by credible evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In 2011, the year after Walker took office, the state fell to seventh, based on 2010 data. Even then, Wisconsin's health care quality score was not far behind the states in the top five.","That year Wisconsin was ranked number one in health care quality. For the next few years, Wisconsin held the first or second spot in the nationwide ranking.","The ranking draws data from three dozen sources and gives each state a score based on some 200 measures of health care access, quality and elements related to a set of national health care priorities. The assessment is considered the most thorough measure of health care quality.","He backed this up with a reputable ranking from a federal agency. But the state had always been ranked highly and, aside from a downward blip the year after he took office, had long been No. 1 or No. 2."]},{"id":"11010.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Income disparities in the United States are the worst since the 1920s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the source that income disparities in the United States are the worst since the 1920s. This claim is supported by evidence from the Census Bureau, which states that the income inequality gap in the United States reached its highest level in over 50 years. While it is not explicitly stated that the income disparities are the worst since the 1920s, the evidence suggests a significant increase in income inequality, making the statement mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In any case, the claim is a good one for a fact check: Is the Obama Administration suing a Wisconsin company \"for forcing employees to speak English.\"","Various blogs said that the EEOC sued Wisconsin Plastics because the company \"forced employees to speak English.\" That\u2019s not what the lawsuit says. The complaint says the company violated workers\u2019 civil rights by subjecting them to a sham performance exam that focused on English language skills.","We started with the author of the FreePatroit item, Tim Walker, who blogs from the Philippines. In an email, he said the sole source for his item was which had posted an item with this headline: \"Feds suing county in Wisconsin for requiring workers to speak English.\"","\"The company based its decisions on English language fluency,\" said del Peral, who noted that some of the dismissed employees had been with the company for seven to 10 years and had previously received satisfactory performance evaluations."]},{"id":"3329.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The stimulus bill promised to keep unemployment under 8%.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some politicians, including President Obama, made statements suggesting that the economic stimulus bill would help keep unemployment below 8 percent, it is important to note that these statements were not absolute promises. The language used was more aspirational and based on economic projections at the time. The actual outcome of the stimulus bill and its impact on unemployment turned out to be different from what was initially anticipated. Therefore, while there were indications that the bill aimed to keep unemployment below 8 percent, it would be inaccurate to categorize it as a definitive promise.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"McDonald\u2019s hamburgers are only 15 percent \u2018real beef.\u2019 The other 85 percent is meat filler cleansed with ammonia, which causes stomach and intestinal cancer.\"","One version says, \"McDonald\u2019s hamburgers are only 15 percent \u2018real beef.\u2019 The other 85 percent is meat filler cleansed with ammonia, which causes stomach and intestinal cancer.\"","The claim has been around in some form since 2002. One of the most recent versions, sourced from an anonymous blogpost on Raw For Beauty, says \"McDonald\u2019s hamburgers are only 15 percent \u2018real beef,\u2019 the other 85 percent is meat filler cleansed with ammonia, which causes stomach and intestinal cancer.\"","An Internet meme accuses McDonald\u2019s of using hamburger meat that contains only 15 percent \"real beef,\" with the rest made up of a \"meat filler cleansed with ammonia, which causes stomach and intestinal cancer.\""]},{"id":"8522.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The University of Texas is starting the first medical school at a major Tier One university in the last 50 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The University of Texas is indeed starting a medical school, and according to the evidence provided, it will be the first medical school at a major Tier One public research university in the last 50 years. While there were a few instances of medical schools opening around 50 years ago, they were not at major Tier One universities. Therefore, the University of Texas's medical school initiative represents a significant development in the last half-century.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The United States has \"10,000 IRS agents making sure that you don't take an improper charity deduction,\" but to fight terrorism, it has \"less than two dozen people focusing on countering violent extremism at home.\"","McSally claimed: The United States has \"10,000 IRS agents making sure that you don't take an improper charity deduction,\" but to fight terrorism, it has \"less than two dozen people focusing on countering violent extremism at home.\"","McSally said the U.S. has \"10,000 IRS agents making sure that you don't take an improper charity deduction,\" but to fight terrorism, it has \"less than two dozen people focusing on countering violent extremism at home.\"","\"We have 10,000 IRS agents making sure that you don't take an improper charity deduction and less than two dozen people focusing on countering violent extremism at home. It\u2019s time for this administration to step up its game, take this seriously. It is a generational conflict and we must lead now more than ever.\""]},{"id":"12974.json","label":"false","statement":"None of the polls being conducted right now have us on the top line. None of them. Its always Trump and Clinton and then second question, third question. ... If we were included in the top line, as Johnson\/Trump\/Clinton, wed be at 20 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that none of the polls being conducted include the speaker or their preferred candidates in the top line. The evidence focuses on discussions about the legitimacy of the 2020 election and Trump's actions, which are unrelated to the inclusion of specific candidates in poll questions. Without any supporting evidence or data, the statement lacks credibility.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Throughout his time in elected office, Barack Obama has taken multiple positions on banning handguns and the D.C. handgun ban. He has stated his belief that handgun bans were constitutional and he supported them. Then he actually refused to state a position.\"","Leon Harris of WJLA: \"One other issue that is of great importance to the people of the district here, is gun control. You said in Idaho here, recently, that \"I have no intention of taking away folks' guns.\" But you support the D.C. handgun ban, and you've said that it's constitutional. How do you reconcile those two positions?\"","* The first is a 1996 voter questionnaire Obama completed while running for a seat in the Illinois senate. The \"Independent Voters of Illinois\" asked if the candidate supported state legislation to \"ban the manufacture, sale and possession of handguns.\" Obama's answer: \"Yes.\"","\u2022 Lastly, the McCain campaign notes that in a forum sponsored by WJLA-ABC7 and on Feb. 12, 2008, Obama did not dispute a questioner's characterization of Obama's position as supporting the DC handgun ban."]},{"id":"13018.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Clinton Foundation gives less than 10(percent in direct aid). In 2013, they raised 140 million bucks, gave $9 million to people in direct aid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Castellanos that the Clinton Foundation gives less than 10 percent in direct aid. However, it's important to note that the figure provided for direct aid in 2013 is only a portion of the foundation's overall spending. The statement lacks context regarding the foundation's other charitable work, which may include indirect aid or contributions to other organizations. While the claim about direct aid is accurate, it does not provide a comprehensive view of the foundation's overall impact and charitable activities.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\u2022 A false claim about the White House calling Christmas trees \u201choliday trees\u201d first appeared during Barack Obama\u2019s presidency and was based on a fabricated chain email","\"The White House referred to Christmas trees as Holiday Trees for the first time this year,\" according to a viral Facebook post.","\"We have a friend at church who is a very talented artist. For several years she, among many others, has painted ornaments to be hung on the various White House Christmas trees,\" the e-mail begins. \"She got her letter from the WH recently. It said that they would not be called Christmas trees this year. They will be called Holiday trees. And, to please not send any ornaments painted with a religious theme... Just thought you should know what the new residents in the WH plan for the future of America.\"","She added, \"The trees in the White House will be called Christmas trees, and the tree on the Ellipse will be called the National Christmas Tree. There will be no name changes.\""]},{"id":"4217.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says more than eight countries lead the United States in the percentage of college graduates.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact number of countries leading the United States in the percentage of college graduates may vary, it is accurate to say that the United States trails behind more than eight countries in this regard. The evidence suggests that the United States has fallen behind in terms of the percentage of college graduates compared to several other nations. However, it's important to note that the specific number of countries may vary depending on the data source and the criteria used for comparison.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12653.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Sanctuary cities such as Philadelphia refuse to cooperate with the federal government in locating suspected terrorists who are in their custody and are in the country illegally.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that sanctuary cities limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, the statement incorrectly implies that these cities refuse to cooperate in locating suspected terrorists specifically. Sanctuary city policies primarily focus on limiting cooperation in immigration enforcement, rather than targeting suspected terrorists specifically. It is important to note that the term \"sanctuary city\" does not have a universally defined meaning, and policies can vary between jurisdictions. Therefore, while sanctuary cities may limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, it is misleading to suggest that they specifically refuse to cooperate in locating suspected terrorists.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\u2022 Remarks at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser, Austin, Texas, May 10, 2011. \u201cOur reforms are not done. I want every child in Texas and every child in America ready to graduate, ready to go to college, and actually able to afford going to college. That's how we're going to out-compete and out-educate the rest of the world. That's how America will succeed in the 21st century.\u201d","\u2022 State of the Union Address, Jan. 25, 2011. \u201cOf course, the education race doesn\u2019t end with a high school diploma. To compete, higher education must be within the reach of every American. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve ended the unwarranted taxpayer subsidies that went to banks, and used the savings to make college affordable for millions of students. And this year, I ask Congress to go further, and make permanent our tuition tax credit \u2013- worth $10,000 for four years of college. It\u2019s the right thing to do. Because people need to be able to train for new jobs and careers in today\u2019s fast-changing economy, we\u2019re also revitalizing America\u2019s community colleges.\u201d","While the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and many other historical documents were first handwritten in cursive on parchment with quills and ink \u2014 the originals are in the National Archives \u2014 copies in typeset, printed form have been available almost ever since, and they have all been archived and digitized for ready access.","Many schools don\u2019t teach students cursive writing anymore, for the same reason they don\u2019t teach them how to use a manual typewriter or a slide rule. It\u2019s just not a very relevant skill."]},{"id":"10603.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Georgia is one of only five states where breweries cant sell you a pint of beer to drink on premise or sell you a six-pack to go.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild and industry professionals, confirm that Georgia is indeed one of the five states that prohibit breweries from selling pints of beer for on-premise consumption or selling six-packs to go. While it is crucial to note that specific regulations may vary, the overall claim accurately reflects the restrictions faced by breweries in Georgia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11333.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Republicans, recessions happen four times as frequently as under Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of multiple analyses and data. Historical data shows that since 1947, there have been 11 recessions, with nine occurring under Republican presidents and only two under Democratic presidents. This data indicates that recessions have been more frequent during Republican administrations. While the statement uses the term \"four times as frequently,\" the actual data suggests that recessions have been about five times more common under Republican presidents. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["McConnell recalled that Democrats had relentlessly criticized Bush's spending. \"But now the shoe is on the other foot. And what have we seen?\" he said. \"Well, in just one month \u2014 just one month, the Democrats have spent more than President Bush spent in seven years on the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan and Hurricane Katrina combined \u2014 in one month.\"","That $818 billion exceeds the $655 billion the Defense Department spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through 2008, plus the $132 billion the government spent responding to Hurricane Katrina, Holmes said. He cited this Government Accountability Office report as the source of the war-spending figure, and the Congressional Research Service for the Katrina figure.","And the wars will continue beyond 2009. If McConnell is saying the Democrats spent the entire cost of the stimulus in one month, doesn't he have to hold Bush responsible for at least some of the longer term costs of the war? \"If you look at the total cost of the stimulus bill it seems to me you also need to look at what the costs of Iraq and Afghanistan will be for the next few years,\" said Charles Konigsberg, chief budget counsel for the Concord Coalition.","Under President George W. Bush, the U.S. \"spent $1.3 trillion on tax cuts for the wealthy\" and \"trillions\" each on a war and on Medicare drug benefits."]},{"id":"9600.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Teenage births cost Texas taxpayers $1.1 billion in health care, foster careand lost tax revenue in 2010 alone.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Michael Eric Dyson that teenage births cost Texas taxpayers $1.1 billion in health care, foster care, and lost tax revenue in 2010 alone. However, it's important to note that the cost is not solely borne by Texas taxpayers, as the loss in tax revenue and Medicaid costs have national implications. Additionally, the $1.1 billion figure includes not only health care and foster care costs but also factors such as increased risk of incarceration and the impact on social welfare programs. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the cost to Texas taxpayers, it does not provide the full context of the comprehensive factors included in the $1.1 billion figure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The official federal data shows that women earn 80 percent of what men earn, but that\u2019s a collective average for all jobs, not a comparison of men and women holding identical jobs. For men and women holding the same job, there\u2019s still a gap, but it\u2019s substantially smaller.","\"If you compare women to men in the same job with similar background, similar experiences that they bring to the table, the wage gap all but disappears,\" Wood said. \"Women have made great strides. Instead of celebrating that, this is a political year, the White House wants to portray this war on women.\"","In Smith\u2019s initial tweet, she wrote, \"On average, American women only earn 80 cents for every dollar a man earns for doing the same job.\"","> It\u2019s completely unacceptable that, on average, American women only earn 80 cents for every dollar a man earns for doing the same job. And the #paygap is even greater for most women of color. #EqualPayDay"]},{"id":"8999.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says she made an accurate prediction that if Barack Obama were elected it would encourage Russia to invade Ukraine.","reason":"Reason: While Sarah Palin did suggest that Obama's response to Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008 could encourage Russia to invade Ukraine, it is important to note that her statement was not a clear prediction of the specific events that unfolded in 2014. The experts consulted did not consider her words to be a definitive prediction. Furthermore, it is misleading to attribute the invasion of Ukraine solely to Obama's reaction, as the invasion occurred during the presidency of George W. Bush. Therefore, while Palin made a connection between the two events, her statement cannot be considered an accurate prediction of the future events in Ukraine.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["As a candidate for president in 2007, Romney said, \"I'm prolife. I'm not going to apologize for becoming prolife. Ronald Reagan followed that same course, as did Henry Hyde and George Herbert Walker Bush. And I'm proud to be prolife.\"","SUMMARY: Mitt Romney says he's following the same path as Ronald Reagan, Henry Hyde and George H.W. Bush when it comes to changing positions on abortion, but his turn was sharper than theirs.","\"If West Virginia had voted for our Democratic nominee in 2000 and 2004, we wouldn't have had to put up with George Bush for the last 7 years.\"","Now, the case of Henry Hyde. In the early 1970s, in the Illinois legislature, Hyde initially was receptive to a colleague's request that he co-sponsor a bill relaxing the state's ban on abortion. But after he read up on the issue, he declined."]},{"id":"10655.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Today roughly half of born-again Christians arent voting. Theyre staying home.","reason":"Reason: The statement that roughly half of born-again Christians are not voting is supported by some evidence, including surveys and studies indicating lower voter turnout among this group. However, it's important to note that the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific study and methodology used. While it is true that a significant portion of born-again Christians may choose not to vote, the statement lacks precision and does not provide a comprehensive picture of voter turnout among this demographic. Additionally, it's worth considering that voter turnout can be influenced by various factors beyond religious affiliation. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The transit system is policed by the MARTA Police Department, a full-service, nationally accredited law enforcement agency with about 300 sworn personnel, its own criminal investigations unit, and an emergency call center. It\u2019s responsible for law enforcement at MARTA\u2019s buildings, stations, trains, buses and vans.","Taxpayers are \"on the hook ... for less than a third\" of the proposed new Atlanta Falcons stadium, and those funds are \"repaid from money that comes from outsiders.\"","They showed that MARTA was the country's ninth-largest transit system by \"unlinked passenger trips\" in 2008, a commonly used measure that counts each time a passenger boards a MARTA vehicle.","\"Unlike every other major transit system in the nation, MARTA has never received any significant, dedicated funding from the state of Georgia.\""]},{"id":"13200.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump, in his campaign announcement speech, also said, And many of them (Mexicans) are good people. You keep leaving that out of your quote.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump mentioned in his campaign announcement speech that \"many of them (Mexicans) are good people,\" it is important to note that he also made controversial remarks about Mexicans, stating that \"they're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists.\" The statement in question selectively focuses on the mention of \"many of them are good people\" while omitting the broader context of Trump's remarks. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of Trump's comments.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Let\u2019s look at Obamacare,\" Boehner said in the March 14 video. \"Its authors went to great lengths to protect their government takeover of health care from anyone attempting to repeal it. They funneled federal bureaucrats billions of taxpayer dollars to implement this job-crushing health care law. This isn't just some startup money that fell into the wrong hands. It's a series of slush funds, set up to stay on the books automatically, with little or no oversight.\"","Asked for the rationale behind Boehner\u2019s \"slush fund\" claims, his office provided a memorandum from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It described the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as \"unusual in the sense that it provided mandatory spending for numerous newly created or established programs that would normally be considered discretionary in nature.\" By way of explanation, it noted that \"discretionary\" government spending is allotted by Congress each year, while \"mandatory\" spending occurs outside the congressional appropriations process.","Obama on March 23, 2010, signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. The Senate passed the health care bill, 60-39, on Dec. 24, 2009, with Sanders voting in favor. No Senate Republican supported it.","Biden has conflated two statistics. Four of five consumers would qualify for coverage costing that little if they looked for it. But only about one-third of actual insurance signups under the Affordable Care Act ended up costing $10 or less per month in premiums."]},{"id":"12036.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republican Bob Donovan has run as a Republican time and again.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bob Donovan ran as a Republican for the state Assembly in the 1980s, there is no evidence to suggest that he is currently a Republican or a member of any party. The statement implies that Donovan has consistently run as a Republican, which is not accurate. However, it is worth noting that Donovan has identified as a conservative and has reached out to Republican lawmakers in the past. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent Donovan's current party affiliation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12224.json","label":"false","statement":"Hedge fund managers and others in private equity pay much lower (tax) rates on their income than do truck drivers and teachers and nurses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that some hedge fund managers and individuals in private equity may benefit from certain tax breaks or loopholes, it is incorrect to claim that they universally pay much lower tax rates on their income compared to truck drivers, teachers, and nurses. Tax rates are determined by various factors, including income levels, deductions, and credits, and it is not accurate to make a blanket statement about the tax rates of these different professions. It is important to consider the complexity of the tax system and the individual circumstances of each taxpayer when evaluating tax rates.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s American Community Survey has a breakdown of uninsured residents by state. In 2012, Georgia ranked sixth, with about 19 percent of its residents uninsured, slightly above the national average of 16 percent. The top five states were Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Florida and Louisiana.","The roughly 5 million ballots cast in Georgia in the November 2020 presidential election were counted three times, including once by hand, and state and local officials found no evidence of systematic voter fraud.","\"When you get a commercial pilot\u2019s license, you learn to communicate in English no matter where you are in the world.\"","Warnock said he had done some research on where Georgia ranked nationally in terms of uninsured residents and believed he was \"in the ballpark\" on his claim. He forwarded a two-page fact-sheet by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, which supports an expansion, that says Georgia ranks fifth in the number of uninsured residents. He shared a 2012 Kaiser Family Foundation report that ranked Georgia tied for fifth in the percentage of uninsured residents, at 19 percent, along with Alaska and California. In order, the top four states were Nevada, Florida, New Mexico and Louisiana."]},{"id":"6020.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We came out against Deepwater and everybody is now paying for [the project] in their electric bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. It implies a direct causal relationship between opposing the Deepwater project and increased electric bills for everyone. However, it fails to provide sufficient evidence or a clear connection between the two. Electric bills can be influenced by various factors, including energy production, distribution costs, and market dynamics. While opposing the Deepwater project may have some impact on energy costs, it is an oversimplification to attribute all electric bill increases to this single factor. The statement lacks the necessary context and evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It means we need to have a more entrepreneurial climate in Wisconsin. That\u2019s one of them (her five strategies). Right now, we\u2019re 46th in the country in terms of new businesses started.\"","The growth in new businesses and the use of tax breaks in the pursuit of business growth have led to several claims from Republican Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic challenger Mary Burke that we\u2019ve checked on the Truth-O-Meter.","Maddow said that under Walker, \"the Wisconsin middle class is shrinking at a faster rate than any other state in the country.\"","To back Burke\u2019s new claim, her campaign cited the 2014 Kauffman index. Here are the states rated lowest in terms of new business owners in their first month of significant business activity:"]},{"id":"1373.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Americans admire Glenn Beck more than they admire the pope.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there was a Gallup poll that showed Glenn Beck being admired by more Americans than the pope, it is important to consider the context and limitations of the poll. The poll was based on an open-ended question where respondents were asked to volunteer names of people they admired. It does not necessarily reflect a comprehensive or representative measure of overall admiration. Additionally, the poll did not provide respondents with a list of individuals to choose from, which could have influenced the results. Therefore, it would be misleading to conclude that Americans, as a whole, admire Glenn Beck more than the pope based solely on this poll.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Candidate Fred Clark says State Sen. Luther Olsen supported sale of power plants to \"biggest donors\" with no oversight or bidding","( - Candidate Fred Clark says State Sen. Luther Olsen supported sale of power plants to \"biggest donors\" with no oversight or bidding&url=)","\"Power. We gave it to senators Robert Cowles and Luther Olsen, then they tried to sell it,\" intones a narrator in the ad. \"Supporting the sale of Wisconsin\u2019s power plants, not to the highest bidder, but to the biggest donors. No bid contracts, no oversight, an invitation for corruption.\"","Democratic challenger Clark race accused Olsen of \"supporting the sale of Wisconsin\u2019s power plants, not to the highest bidder, but to the biggest donors. No bid contracts, no oversight, an invitation for corruption.\""]},{"id":"10836.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Due to over-incarceration in 1950, two out of three young black men were in the workforce. Today, its one out of three black men are in the workforce.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately attributes the decline in black men in the workforce solely to over-incarceration in 1950. While there is evidence of over-incarceration and its impact on black communities, it is not the sole factor contributing to the decline in black men in the workforce. There are various complex factors at play, including changes in the economy, education, and social dynamics. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the issue and fails to consider other significant factors that have influenced workforce participation rates among black men over time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11532.json","label":"false","statement":"I am the only person in this field who is against amnesty. Every other person in this field wants to allow people who are here illegally to be able to stay here, in one form or another.","reason":"Reason: While Rick Santorum asserts that he is the only candidate in the field who is against amnesty and that every other candidate wants to allow people who are here illegally to stay in one form or another, this statement is false. The claim oversimplifies the positions of the other candidates and fails to acknowledge the diversity of views within the field. Various candidates have different stances on immigration and have proposed different approaches, including paths to legal status or citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants. Therefore, Santorum's claim does not accurately reflect the positions of the other candidates.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11067.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says because of his actions, Wisconsin property taxes today are lower than they were four years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Governor Walker's actions, including limiting the ability of local governments and school districts to raise levies, played a significant role in lowering property taxes in Wisconsin. However, it's important to note that other factors, such as declines in housing values, also contributed to the lower property taxes during that period. While Walker's actions were a contributing factor, they were not the sole reason for the decrease in property taxes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3595.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Scotts approval ratings are up.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support the claim that Governor Rick Scott's approval ratings are up. While the evidence mentions that approval ratings are up for governors in similar positions, it does not specifically mention or provide data on Governor Scott's approval ratings. Therefore, without concrete evidence to support the claim, it cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8007.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Obama administration delay of health care laws employer mandate affects about 1 percent of the American workforce.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Menendez that the delay of the health care law's employer mandate would only affect about 1 percent of the American workforce. Menendez's estimation is based on the fact that the mandate applies only to larger companies, and the majority of them already offer insurance. While the exact number may vary, Menendez's claim aligns with estimates provided by health economists and the understanding that the mandate primarily impacts a relatively small portion of the workforce.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A good example is the Netherlands. Dutch plans may be either non-profit or for-profit, as in the U.S. But children are fully covered using public funds, and premiums for adults are set at 50 percent of the expected costs, with the remainder paid through a national \"risk equalization fund\" -- essentially funds collected from the public at large.","Experts also say that the law cited as punishment applies to public officials, not private businesses. No business owner or employee who asks a customer for proof of vaccination would be imprisoned for life or face the death penalty.","The image, which has been shared by several accounts as an informational resource and by others as an object of ridicule, goes on to claim that a business employee or owner that \"violates your rights\" could face life in prison or the death penalty.","C-SPAN recorded hearing, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) Hearing on U.S. Postal Service on Aug. 21, Sept. 2 2020"]},{"id":"4152.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Said his mother had to fight with health insurance companies for treatment because of a pre-existing condition.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama stated his mother had to worry about her insurance refusing to pay for her treatment due to a pre-existing condition, additional reporting and a biography of Obama's mother have shown that the key point of the anecdote is incorrect. Obama's mother was actually fighting with the disability insurance company for payments, not for treatment. The insurance company argued that her cancer was a pre-existing condition, which affected the disability insurance claim, rather than the coverage for her treatment. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks important context regarding the nature of the fight with the insurance company.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It\u2019s important to note that Rhode Island\u2019s high ranking for its meal tax is driven by the state\u2019s high sales tax. At 7 percent, Rhode Island has the second-highest statewide sales tax in the country, behind only California.","We asked the Tax Foundation if it could break out the states that impose a meal tax statewide so we could make an apples-to-apples comparison with Rhode Island\u2019s rate, but the foundation did not have that information.","Add the taxes together and diners pay an 8-percent tax when eating out in Rhode Island. Chafee\u2019s plan is to raise the meal tax to 3 percent for a total tax of 10 percent.","Washington, D.C., and Seattle were tied for fourth with a total tax on restaurant meals of 10 percent -- the same rate Rhode Island would have under Chafee\u2019s proposal."]},{"id":"11011.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush oversaw (an) average in-state tuition increase of 48.2 percent during his tenure.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Jeb Bush did oversee an average in-state tuition increase of 48.2 percent during his tenure as governor. The source cited provides the calculations and confirms that this is the number likely used by the Florida Democratic Party. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context regarding the timeframe and comparison to other governors. While the tuition increase is significant, the label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate as it accurately reflects the specific claim made about Jeb Bush's tenure as governor.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["While Perry was referring to a different issue -- border security -- he expressed equal disgust at Congress leaving Washington. \"Congress shouldn\u2019t be on a five-week vacation,\" Perry said. \"I can assure you that drug cartels and gangs are not on vacation.\"","Obama said Congress is on \"vacation.\" Hypocrisy aside -- Obama was about to go on vacation himself just a week later -- he\u2019s stretching it on the terminology.","The White House used the word again in the introduction to the transcript it sent to reporters, saying that \"Congress is about to go on vacation.\"","In bringing up his executive action, the story said, Perry \"took the opportunity to contrast it to a federal government \u2014 including senators \u2014 that he said literally has vacated its responsibilities. \u2018Congress shouldn\u2019t be on a five-week vacation,\u2019 Perry said. \u2018I can assure you that drug cartels and gangs are not on vacation.\u2019\""]},{"id":"12864.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Mike Pence voted against expanding the Childrens Health Insurance program, which Hillary helped to start.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is evidence that Mike Pence voted against expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007. This act aimed to extend the program and increase its funding. However, it's important to note that Hillary Clinton did not directly start the program, but she did play a significant role in advocating for its creation during her time as First Lady. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects Pence's voting record, it slightly misrepresents Clinton's involvement in starting the program.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Scott Walker\u2019s school-aid cuts were so devastating that students are without chairs and a government survey found 47 kids in a classroom.","Together, they essentially make the same point: Walker\u2019s school-aid cuts were so devastating that students are without chairs and a government survey found 47 kids in a classroom.","( - Greater Wisconsin Committee says cuts in school aid left some students without chairs and 47 kids in a classroom&url=)","Cutbacks in teaching staff in the wake of the state aid cuts played a role in increased class sizes, the survey found. Nearly two out of three districts (63 percent) reported a net loss of teachers."]},{"id":"3193.json","label":"true","statement":"Most state employees could pay twice as much toward their health care premiums and it would still be half the national average","reason":"Reason: Governor Scott Walker stated that most state employees currently pay around 6 percent of their premium costs for health care, and if they were to pay 12 percent, it would still be half the national average. This statement is supported by his remarks to lawmakers. Additionally, the evidence provided states that average premiums for family coverage have increased by 114 percent since 2000. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that most state employees could indeed pay twice as much towards their health care premiums and still be paying half the national average.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3634.json","label":"false","statement":"Mickey Mouse was registered to vote (in Florida).","reason":"Reason: The claim that Mickey Mouse was registered to vote in Florida is false. While there have been instances of fraudulent voter registrations, including the use of fictitious names like Mickey Mouse, there is no credible evidence to support the specific claim that Mickey Mouse was registered to vote in Florida. ACORN, an organization mentioned in relation to the claim, denied involvement in such registrations. It is important to rely on verified information and factual evidence when evaluating claims of voter fraud.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"For all of the hooey and the prognostication that's going on out there about the midterms -- 'Oh, Grayson's doing this, he might hurt the Democrats in the midterms' -- the hell with that,\" Schultz said (about 7:55 in). \"This guy is what it's all about.\"","The ads certainly are different, but we wanted to check the one real line included, the quote from liberal commentator Ed Schultz. Viewers have been tricked before by splicing together snippets of television, and in this case, the rest of the images in the ad have almost nothing directly to do with Grayson. So we wondered if the impression the ad leaves -- that Schultz is talking specifically about Grayson -- matches reality.","Grayson : Listen, Ed, we've got to get past this point where everything is stalled, where the Republicans are winning just through inertia. We have a majority. We have to use it. We have to change America. That's the promise that President Obama made. We have to keep it.","The screen flashes black and white images of conservative figures like Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Anne Coulter. Then, MSNBC's Ed Schultz, looks directly into the camera and shouts, \"This guy is what it's all about.\" Next the movie action music ramps up along with images from around the world, mixing in messages in black and white, like \"Vote Truth,\" \"Vote Grayson,\" or \"When They Lie,\" \"Vote Grayson.\""]},{"id":"3756.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Very, very, very few people get a pat-down when they go through airport security.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"very, very, very few people get a pat-down when they go through airport security\" is not accurate. The evidence provided suggests that a significant number of people do receive pat-downs during airport security screenings. While the exact percentage may vary, the evidence indicates that a substantial number of individuals undergo pat-downs, with figures reaching up to 15 percent. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not align with the information presented.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3140.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In September, the Department of Business and Consumer Services enacted a sudden 39% workers compensation premium assessment by rule with little notice to the public.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Department of Business and Consumer Services enacted a 39% workers' compensation premium assessment in September. However, the claim that it was done \"by rule with little notice to the public\" is not entirely accurate. While the evidence does not provide explicit information on the level of notice given to the public, it does mention that PolitiFact Oregon delved into the issue, indicating that there was at least some public awareness and discussion surrounding the assessment. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The problem is by the time I got in there, they will have already received the $150 billion,\" Trump said. \"Do you know if the deal gets rejected they still get the money? Which is something I found out a week ago. I couldn't believe it. If the deal gets rejected, they still get all of this money. Iran is going to be unbelievably powerful and unbelievably rich.\"","In exchange for curbing its nuclear program, Iran gets access to tens of billions of dollars in assets (estimates are as high as $150 billion, but the exact amount is not known).","Does Iran actually get $150 billion from this deal? And if Congress rejects the deal, does Iran still get the money? Let\u2019s take one question at a time.","Experts told us that even if Congress rejected the nuclear deal -- thus maintaining current U.S. sanctions -- other countries could stop enforcing their own sanctions anyway. As a result, Iran would be able to access at least some of its assets that have been frozen under international sanctions. However, experts said it\u2019s highly unlikely that this would amount to $150 billion, the maximum estimate of how much Iran could benefit by the lifting of all international sanctions without regard to Iran\u2019s outstanding financial obligations. Without United States participation, the best estimate we could find was $40 billion."]},{"id":"6082.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Giving the facts: 73,000 jobs created ... since 11. Do you know how many direct jobs in the auto industry? 1,800.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Kasich's claim that 73,000 jobs were created since 2011, while highlighting that only 1,800 of those jobs were direct jobs in the auto industry. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. The fact check points out that the figures provided by Kasich only consider direct jobs created and do not account for the indirect benefits or jobs retained as a result of the resurgence of the auto industry. Therefore, while the statement accurately presents Kasich's claim, it should be understood that it provides a limited perspective on the overall impact of the auto industry on job creation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Right now our jobs are being taken away from us like babies. They\u2019re going to Mexico and other countries. We just can\u2019t let it happen,\" Trump said. \"New York State has been horribly, horribly hurt by NAFTA, signed by Bill Clinton.\"","By the end of the decade, wages had declined in New York State as a result of NAFTA, but only by a small amount.","Trade has played a significant role in the decline of manufacturing in New York State, but NAFTA isn\u2019t the main cause, experts say.","Experts offer diverse answers on why New York State lost more than 360,000 manufacturing jobs since 1994. But none we talked to considers NAFTA the main cause."]},{"id":"12767.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton and Ralph Northam label police as racists.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Hillary Clinton and Ralph Northam label police as racists is not supported by any specific statements or evidence provided. Despite the claim made by Stewart, no specific comments or statements by Clinton or Northam have been cited to back up this assertion. The lack of evidence and the refusal to provide specific statements by the individuals in question weakens the credibility of the claim. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"For every single illegal immigrant family in this country, it costs $20,000 \u2014 it costs us $20,000; $20,000 in infrastructural costs. They pay about $10,000 in taxes.\"","That's a long way from the $20,000 in costs and $10,000 in taxes line that Tancredo used. Pressed for more specifics, Tancredo's campaign at first asked for details on the very study it was citing. Weeks later, spokesman Moore pointed to another report.","On Jan. 17, 1969, Treasury Secretary Joseph W. Barr told Congress that 155 taxpayers making $200,000 or more did not pay any taxes on their 1966 income.","However, Griffith pointed to a 2004 report that showed families with undocumented immigrants contributed $4,200 on average to the federal government, but cost Uncle Sam $6,950."]},{"id":"2057.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since February 2009, our economy has lost roughly 3 million private sector jobs while the federal government has grown by more than 400,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the private sector has experienced a loss of approximately 3 million jobs since February 2009. However, the claim that the federal government has grown by more than 400,000 jobs requires additional context. While it is true that the federal government payroll has increased by that number, it is important to note that this figure includes both civilian and military positions. Therefore, the claim lacks specificity regarding the breakdown of job growth within the federal government. As a result, the statement is considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"132.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I've seen (life) from the factory floor when I was working the graveyard shift ...and I'd be ankle-deep in water at the Murray Ohio bicycle plant where I was running a machine that was so loud I couldn't hear myself yell if I wanted to.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately describes the speaker's personal experience working on the factory floor during the graveyard shift. The speaker mentions being ankle-deep in water at the Murray Ohio bicycle plant and operating a loud machine that made it difficult to hear. While we cannot independently verify the specific details mentioned, the statement reflects the speaker's personal recollection of their work environment and the challenges they faced. Therefore, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5786.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Dwight Holton has never set foot in an Oregon courtroom.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Dwight Holton has never set foot in an Oregon courtroom is partially supported by the evidence provided. While there are claims made by Ellen Rosenblum and her campaign that Holton lacks experience in Oregon courts, it is important to note that this is based on the absence of records of him trying cases in Oregon courts. However, the evidence does not definitively prove that Holton has never been inside an Oregon courtroom. It is possible that he may have been involved in legal proceedings or activities that are not reflected in the available records. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported and lacks conclusive evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We called in, we said, that\u2019s it, we\u2019re not doing it,\" Trump said. \"They lost a lot of money, everybody said it couldn\u2019t be done. Everybody said it was going to be three hours, three-and-a-half, including (CNBC). And in about two minutes, I renegotiated it down to two hours so we could get the hell out of here.\"","Trump played a role -- but not the sole role -- in negotiating the debate program down to two hours, but the plans were for it to last around two hours and 15 minutes -- not three hours or more.","But CNBC never anticipated the whole program would last anywhere near three or more hours. CNBC said the total anticipated commercial time was just 15 minutes, so the whole program (pre-negotiations) would have lasted around two hours and 15 minutes.","CNBC first announced the debate Sept. 30, but the negotiations over logistics didn\u2019t happen until mid October. A September press release said \"candidates will take the stage at 8PM ET for two hours of debate.\""]},{"id":"9115.json","label":"half-true","statement":"State Medicaid expansion will save our treasury $1 billion over the next eight years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Medicaid expansion in Virginia would result in some savings for the state treasury, the statement oversimplifies the analysis. The evidence suggests that the estimated savings would be around $601 million through mid-2022 if the expansion began on July 1. This figure takes into account the reduction in costs related to treating indigent patients and other provisions in the Affordable Care Act. However, it is important to note that the estimated savings of $1 billion over eight years includes savings from provisions in the Affordable Care Act that are not directly related to Medicaid expansion. Therefore, while there are savings projected, the statement does not accurately represent the specific savings attributed solely to Medicaid expansion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["During a May 17, 2011, interview on Comedy Central\u2019s The Colbert Report , Tea Party Express chair Amy Kremer offered host Stephen Colbert this statistic about the federal budget: \"We bring in enough tax revenue,\" she said, \"to service our debt, pay for Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security and then still have about $300 (billion) or $400 billion left over.\"","Now, it\u2019s certainly possible to shrink these categories -- but getting down to $300 billion or $400 billion is not easy.","About $530 billion in savings would come from Medicare and $25 billion would come from Social Security. Collectively, that totals almost $2 trillion.","Left unspoken by Kremer are several other important components of the federal budget. The remaining $334 billion for fiscal year 2011 would have to cover such expenses as these:"]},{"id":"10442.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The U.S. unemployment rate has been massaged, its been doctored.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the U.S. unemployment rate has been \"massaged\" or \"doctored\" is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple economists and experts have stated that there is no notable evidence to suggest that the unemployment rate has been manipulated. While there may be discussions about the methodology used to calculate the rate and potential limitations, using terms like \"massaged\" or \"doctored\" implies intentional manipulation, which is not substantiated. It is important to rely on accurate information and expert analysis when discussing economic indicators like the unemployment rate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6278.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Eighty out of 82 counties in Ohio ... have an auto manufacturing facility.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there are actually 88 counties in Ohio, not 82 as mentioned, the claim that 80 out of the 88 counties in Ohio have at least one auto manufacturing facility is supported by the Obama campaign's statement. This indicates a significant presence of auto industry establishments across the state. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the scale or size of these facilities in each county.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7705.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One in five women in the military are receiving unwanted sexual contact, as are 3.3 percent of men.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the study mentioned, which reported that 21.7 percent of women in the military had experienced unwanted sexual contact by someone in the military since joining. Additionally, the study found that 3.3 percent of men in the military had also experienced unwanted sexual contact. However, it's important to note that the phrasing of the statement might suggest that these incidents are ongoing or currently happening, whereas the study includes incidents that have occurred since individuals joined the military. So, while the numbers are correct, the statement could benefit from additional clarification regarding the timeframe of the incidents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We need to get a waiver to reform our Medicaid program and rework our health care benefits for state employees. Consumer directed care will lower the costs and increase the available choices. I have considerable experience in driving down health care costs while maintaining quality. The cost-saving measures we put into place at Columbia\/HCA drove down national health care inflation from 18% to 8% in seven years.\"","Let's review: Was Rick Scott's Columbia\/HCA a slayer of the national health care inflation? He specifically claimed: \"The cost saving measures we put into place at Columbia \/HCA drove down national health care inflation from 18% to 8% in seven years.\" As evidence, he cited data from Mercer -- but that data was about employer costs, not national health care inflation. Health care inflation did drop between the late 1980s and the 1990s -- but not by the numbers Scott cited. And it's a stretch for Scott to suggest the actions of a single company caused that drop -- while the country was transitioning to managed care. With his hospital chain CEO background and national leadership on medical care and insurance issues, Scott should be considered a well-spoken expert on health care inflation. But we rate this claim Pants on Fire!","Now, let's return to our research about national health care inflation. We contacted the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics to obtain information on inflation. Since Scott started at Columbia in 1987, we thought he might have been referring to the seven years starting at that point. We looked at the years 1987 through 1997 -- when he started at Columbia and when he left Columbia\/HCA.","To find double-digit increases in health care inflation over a 12-month period, we had to go back to the early 1980s -- before Scott's tenure at Columbia. The data showed national inflation for medical care at 12.5 percent for 1981 and a drop to 11 percent in 1982 -- that's as high as it climbed during the 1980s or since. In 1987, when Scott started at Columbia, national health care inflation was 5.8 percent, it dropped to 4.9 in 1994, and decreased again to 2.8 percent in 1997. Those figures are vastly different from the 18 percent to 8 percent drop that Scott cited."]},{"id":"2839.json","label":"false","statement":"The economic impact of Atlantas 2000 Super Bowl was $292 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were varying estimates of the economic impact of Atlanta's 2000 Super Bowl, the most accurate figure for the game's economic impact on metro Atlanta was $215 million, not $292 million. The $292 million figure represents the economic impact estimate for all of Georgia, including direct spending and longer-term effects as the money circulated throughout the state. It's important to use the correct and specific estimate for the economic impact of the event in the given location.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A video showing how the vapor generated by using an electronic cigarette can pass through masks is not evidence that masks don\u2019t prevent the spread of COVID-19.","A widely shared Facebook post that includes a video clip claims that a \"doctor proves masks don\u2019t work\" by showing vapor from an electronic cigarette passing through a mask.","In a video clip being shared on Facebook, a retired anesthesiologist who rails against mask wearing to protect against COVID-19 purports to demonstrate their ineffectiveness by blowing out the vapor from an electronic cigarette. The video carries the headline: \"Doctor proves masks \u2018don\u2019t work.\u2019\"","In the three-minute clip, Noel blows e-cigarette vapor through a variety of masks, including a surgical-style mask and a cloth mask like those commonly worn to control the spread of COVID-19."]},{"id":"3368.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgia legislation on immigration is a copycat of an Arizona immigration bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence suggests that the Georgia legislation on immigration, House Bill 87, does share similarities with Arizona's SB 1070, as indicated by the email mentioning it as a \"copycat version.\" However, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive comparison of the two bills or confirm that the Georgia legislation is an exact replica of the Arizona bill. Therefore, while there are similarities, the statement should be considered partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2261.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A New York imam wants tohave a mosque at Ground Zero.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it lacks clarity and context. While it is true that there was a proposal to build a mosque and cultural center near Ground Zero in New York City, it is important to note that it was not specifically an \"imam\" who wanted to have the mosque at Ground Zero. The project was led by a developer named Sharif El-Gamal, and the intention was to create a community center that included a mosque among other facilities. The project faced significant controversy and opposition, but it is important to accurately represent the facts and clarify that it was not solely an imam's initiative.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Ruben Kihuen \"only managed in the minority to get one bill passed out of the eight to 10 he introduced\" during the 2015 legislative session.","Flores said Kihuen \"only managed in the minority to get one bill passed out of the eight to 10 he introduced\" during the 2015 legislative session.","\"Frankly, he only managed in the minority to get one bill passed out of the eight to 10 that he introduced,\" she said. \"And the college bill was actually primarily sponsored by the Republican majority leader, so of course the Republican majority leader wasn\u2019t going to let that bill fail.\"","Kihuen\u2019s legislative record has been scrutinized since 2011, when the Las Vegas Sun pointed out he was one of two lawmakers who did not introduce a single bill in the legislative session. The Flores campaign pointed to that article, and provided a list of bills that Kihuen introduced during the 2015 legislative session as evidence of Kihuen\u2019s ineffectiveness. (The Nevada Legislature only meets for six months every two years.)"]},{"id":"2471.json","label":"false","statement":"One of the other inaccuracies ...is that we have raised taxes multiple times and run up the budget. Absolutely not true. One tax increase since Ive been in office. It was a quarter mill tax in the unincorporated area only.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the individual claiming that there have been no tax increases and no increase in the budget during their time in office is false. The evidence provided indicates that there have been discussions and concerns about tax increases, such as the mention of the AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) and the potential impact on the federal budget. Additionally, there are references to specific tax increases, such as property taxes and small business taxes, proposed by Bill Heller. Therefore, the claim of no tax increases and no increase in the budget is contradicted by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Donovan said in a Facebook post: \"This is the true picture of \u2018Milwaukee's Renaissance\u2019 after 12 years of Mayor Tom Barrett's leadership.\"","!Milwaukee alderman and mayoral candidate Bob Donovan posted this picture of a Milwaukee home on his campaign Facebook page, calling it \"the true picture of \u2018Milwaukee\u2019s Renaissance\u2019 after 12 years of Mayor Tom Barrett's leadership.\" Was he right? !Milwaukee alderman and mayoral candidate Bob Donovan posted this picture of a Milwaukee home on his campaign Facebook page, calling it \"the true picture of \u2018Milwaukee\u2019s Renaissance\u2019 after 12 years of Mayor Tom Barrett's leadership.\" Was he right?","Milwaukee alderman and mayoral candidate Bob Donovan posted this picture of a Milwaukee home on his campaign Facebook page, calling it \"the true picture of \u2018Milwaukee\u2019s Renaissance\u2019 after 12 years of Mayor Tom Barrett's leadership.\" Was he right?","The campaign defines its bragging about what has happened \"under Tom Barrett\u2019s leadership.\" But it cherry-picks the best two years to highlight, ignoring the full picture for his time in office."]},{"id":"4911.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Some billionaires have a tax rate as low as 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some billionaires may have a tax rate as low as 1 percent due to utilizing complex strategies and loopholes, the statement lacks important context. The claim made by President Obama in his policy address oversimplifies the issue and fails to provide a comprehensive picture of the overall tax situation for billionaires. It is worth noting that the specific tax rates of billionaires can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and the specific strategies employed. Therefore, while there are instances where billionaires may have a tax rate as low as 1 percent, it is not representative of the entire billionaire population and should be understood as an extreme case rather than a common occurrence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In his State of the Union address on Jan. 25, 2011, President Barack Obama brought up the idea of simplifying the tax code.","President Barack Obama went after his doubters in his final State of the Union address, dismissing their warnings about the country\u2019s economy and military preparedness under his watch as \"political hot air.\"","During his 2016 State of the Union address, Obama raised the bar, saying, \"We\u2019ve done all this while cutting our deficits by almost three-quarters.\"","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\""]},{"id":"10421.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true when considering the basic unemployment rate, which is commonly cited. The unemployment rate has indeed decreased since the financial crisis and is currently lower than it was before the crisis. However, it's important to note that other measures of the labor market, such as the U-6 rate, have not returned to their pre-financial crisis levels. Additionally, it's worth acknowledging that the decrease in the unemployment rate may be influenced, at least in part, by factors such as people leaving the labor force. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it's important to consider the broader context and other labor market indicators.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Lautenberg said, \"guns have murdered more Americans here at home in recent years than have died on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan,\" claiming that \"more than 6,500 American soldiers\" died while \"guns have been used to murder about 100,000 people on American soil.\"","\"Here are the facts: Guns have murdered more Americans here at home in recent years than have died on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. In support of the two wars, more than 6,500 American soldiers have lost their lives. During the same period, however, guns have been used to murder about 100,000 people on American soil,\" Lautenberg said in a July 30 op-ed article posted on","\"More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.\"","One of them was: \"More Americans have died from guns in the United States since 1968 than on battlefields of all the wars in American history.\""]},{"id":"3102.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"It is estimated that every $100 million spent on construction generates 3,000 new jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that spending on construction projects can create jobs, the statement that every $100 million spent on construction generates 3,000 new jobs is an oversimplification. The number of jobs created by construction spending can vary depending on various factors such as the type of construction, location, and other economic conditions. The estimate provided does not account for these variables and may not be universally applicable. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context to be considered fully true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A Facebook post that\u2019s been circulating recently says that only 30% of Americans think Joe Biden actually won the 2020 presidential election.","\"Do you realize that 90% of Americans, regardless of political party, want background checks, universal background checks? 90% of us,\" Kerr said during a news conference before Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals. \"We\u2019re being held hostage by 50 senators in Washington who refuse to even put it to a vote, despite what we, the American people, want. They won\u2019t vote on it, because they want to hold on to their own power. It\u2019s pathetic. I\u2019ve had enough.\"","For years, polls have shown a majority of Americans support gun background checks for all buyers. Some polls show overall support in the ballpark of 90%. Support is lower among Republicans, but polls still indicate majority backing.","!An American flag flies at half-staff at the White House, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Washington, to honor the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. (AP) !An American flag flies at half-staff at the White House, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Washington, to honor the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. (AP)"]},{"id":"2611.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker tried to pass a law to allow pharmacists to block womens access to birth control.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Scott Walker supported a bill that would have allowed pharmacists to refuse to dispense contraceptives on moral grounds, the statement inaccurately suggests that he tried to pass a law to allow pharmacists to block women's access to birth control entirely. The bill in question could have potentially limited access to contraceptives in certain cases, depending on the pharmacist's beliefs and availability of alternative options. However, it is important to note that the bill did not aim to completely block access to birth control for all women. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the impact of the proposed legislation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"439.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Again today (Ahmadinejad) made light of 9\/11, and said that he's not even sure it happened and that people actually died.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that Ahmadinejad made light of 9\/11 and expressed doubts about its occurrence and the loss of lives. Ahmadinejad's controversial remarks regarding 9\/11 have been widely reported and documented, causing significant backlash and condemnation from various sources.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Trump also accused U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb \u2014 a Marine Corps veteran and former prosecutor who represents Allegheny, Butler, and Beaver counties \u2014 of being a puppet for Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and breaking his promise to vote against her for Speaker of the House.","House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in 2018 this year would be her last as the chamber\u2019s Democratic leader, and there\u2019s some speculation she might retire from Congress entirely.","Says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told insurance companies \"they couldn't inform their policyholders of what they thought the impact of Obamacare would be on them.\"","On Memorial Day, President Donald Trump attacked a Democratic congressman from western Pennsylvania, labeling him an \u201cAmerican fraud\u201d and accusing of supporting Nancy Pelosi for house speaker, even though he had promised voters he would oppose her."]},{"id":"4350.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says direct shipment of wine makes underage drinking as simple as a mouse click.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests a direct link between the direct shipment of wine and underage drinking, the evidence does not support this claim. The studies conducted by the Federal Trade Commission and the Comptroller of Maryland found little to no evidence of an increase in underage drinking due to direct shipment of wine. It is important to note that states that allow direct shipment of wine rely on shipping companies to enforce age verification. While there may be concerns about the potential for underage individuals to access alcohol through online channels, the evidence does not support the assertion that direct shipment of wine makes underage drinking as simple as a mouse click.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We wondered whether it was correct that Henry Ford, rather than unions, should get credit for creating the eight-hour work day and the 40-hour work week.","In 1914, at a time when most workers still lacked a guarantee of eight-hour days, the Ford Motor Co. attracted notice for instituting eight-hour shifts and raising wages in the manner the graphic indicates. (For many Ford workers, the work week remained six days.)","\"That happened more than 60 years after workers, through their unions, began organizing for an eight-hour day in the 1860s,\" said David Bensman, a professor at Rutgers University's School of Management and Labor Relations. \"When Ford adopted the eight-hour day for his factory, he was responding to a working force that had been demanding the eight-hour day for a long time.\"","Other experts agreed that labor unions, rather than Ford, deserve the primary credit for today\u2019s working-hour schedule -- including Matt Anderson, curator of transportation at the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, Mich."]},{"id":"10651.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama has been sending taxpayer dollars, at least $350,000 to fund anti-Likud, anti-Netanyahu groups in Israelfor (the) election.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obama has been sending taxpayer dollars to fund anti-Likud, anti-Netanyahu groups in Israel for the election is not supported by concrete evidence. While there were connections between OneVoice, a group promoting a two-state solution, and V15, a group that wanted Netanyahu defeated, there is no definitive proof that the money given to OneVoice was used for electoral purposes. The allegation is based on speculation and lacks a paper trail to substantiate the claim. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13105.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sixty percent of Americans now support legalizing marijuana.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of multiple polls conducted over the past few years. While there is variation in the exact percentage of support for legalizing marijuana, the majority of recent polls consistently show support ranging from the low 50s to the low 60s. Therefore, it is mostly true that around 60 percent of Americans support the legalization of marijuana.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"As a percentage of our gross domestic product, the defense budget remains just 3.6 percent,\" Forbes, R-4th, wrote in a July 25 column in Politico. \"This figure is low by all historical standards.\"","Forbes said the U.S. defense budget stands at 3.6 percent of the country\u2019s gross domestic product, a figure that\u2019s \"low by all historical standards.\"","Forbes said that defense spending is low \"by all historical standards.\" We found data that rebuts that contention. During the 1930s, for example, defense spending amounted to 1 percent or lower of GDP, according to a 2002 Congressional Research report.","First, a definition: Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, is the measure of all goods and services produced in a country during a given time and is used as measure of a nation\u2019s standard of living."]},{"id":"1535.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida \"has the second-highest foreclosure rate in the nation.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including a campaign website and news articles, support the claim that Florida has the second-highest foreclosure rate in the nation. The sources refer to reports from RealtyTrac, a reputable company that tracks foreclosed properties. While the exact ranking may vary depending on the timeframe and specific data used, the evidence suggests that Florida consistently faced a significant foreclosure problem, placing it among the states with the highest foreclosure rates.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This newly unveiled data shows we can confront over-incarceration at the same time that we continue to promote public safety,\" he said. \"Already, in fiscal year 2014, we saw the first reduction in the federal prison population in 32 years.\"","We\u2019ll note a few minor quibbles. The decline is actually the first in 33 years not 32, as Holder said. And Holder refers fiscal years, but the best data we could get our hands on goes by calendar year. The reality is that the prison population fluctuates daily, so any figure used for the current period is going to vary a bit. So we won\u2019t count these factors against Holder.","Although Barnes has advocated for the \"reduction\" of the state\u2019s prison population, he hasn\u2019t endorsed the immediate \"release\" of 50% of inmates \u2014 and there is a key difference in those two words. Reducing the number of inmates would likely require years of policy changes, as opposed to just letting people out of prison, no matter their offense.","Department of Justice, \" One Year After Launching Key Sentencing Reforms, Attorney General Holder Announces First Drop in Federal Prison Population in More Than Three Decades,\" Sept. 23, 2014"]},{"id":"13314.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally, has paid to export throughout the world Wahhabism -- an extreme form of Islam that basically teaches Americans are the devil.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally, has supported the export of Wahhabism, an extreme form of Islam. However, it is important to note that while Wahhabism is known for its strict interpretation of Islam, it does not explicitly teach that Americans are the devil. The claim that Wahhabism teaches such a belief is an oversimplification and lacks sufficient evidence. Therefore, the statement is mostly true regarding Saudi Arabia's support for exporting Wahhabism but inaccurate in its characterization of the teachings of Wahhabism towards Americans.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Solar panel farms cause \u201chundreds and thousands\u201d of birds to \u201chit that magnified sun, explode in flame ... (This) is going to bring the nation down.\u201d","Recently, several readers -- feeling depressed after reading that a promising type of clean, renewable energy was seemingly weakening the earth\u2019s very life force -- asked us to check a claim circulating on social media that \"solar panels drain the sun\u2019s energy.\"","\"The sun is really big, really far away, and constantly producing mind-boggling amounts of energy through nuclear fusion. It couldn\u2019t care less about your puny solar panel,\" said Mark Thurber, associate director of Stanford University\u2019s Program on Energy and Sustainable Development.","\u201cBlack women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die (from maternal mortality) even when they have the insurance and the income.\u201d"]},{"id":"7028.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Bill Clinton presided over the biggest expansion of the American economy since World War II.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the argument made during the debate that Bill Clinton presided over the biggest expansion of the American economy since World War II. The evidence provided highlights the economic growth during Clinton's presidency and compares it to other presidents in terms of GDP growth. However, it's important to note that other factors and policies also contributed to the economic expansion during that time, such as lower government spending, trade agreements, welfare reform, and farm-subsidy reform. Therefore, while Clinton's presidency was indeed marked by significant economic growth, it is not solely attributable to his policies and should be considered in conjunction with other factors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11964.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When they passed Obamacare, they put a bailout fund in Obamacare. We led the effort and wiped out that bailout fund.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a provision in the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that could have potentially provided financial assistance to insurance companies in certain circumstances, it is misleading to label it as a \"bailout fund.\" The provision was intended to stabilize insurance markets and protect consumers, not to bail out companies. Additionally, it is inaccurate to claim that Senator Rubio and congressional Republicans \"wiped out\" this provision. They did succeed in postponing its implementation, but it was not completely eliminated. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context and exaggerates the actions taken by Senator Rubio and congressional Republicans.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5769.json","label":"false","statement":"David Dewhurst has never once cut one penny from the state budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement that David Dewhurst has never cut one penny from the state budget is false. While Ted Cruz made this claim during a debate, it is contradicted by Dewhurst himself, who stated that he has cut the budget multiple times by \"billions and billions of dollars.\" Additionally, the evidence highlights that the state budget for 2012-13 showed less spending than the previous biennium, indicating a reduction in budgetary allocation. Therefore, the claim that Dewhurst has never made any budget cuts is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3272.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers move to limit collective bargaining rights has led to riots at the Capitol -- Its like Cairo has moved to Madison these days.","reason":"Reason: While there were protests and demonstrations in Madison, Wisconsin in response to Governor Scott Walker's move to curtail collective bargaining rights for public employees, it is inaccurate and misleading to describe these events as \"riots.\" The protests were largely peaceful and organized, with participants exercising their right to free speech and assembly. Comparing the situation in Madison to the unrest in Cairo during that time is an exaggeration and does not reflect the reality of the events that took place.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Among other things, Chisholm said the Sheriff's Office was running a budget deficit partly because Clarke has \"deputies collecting overtime while sitting passively in chairs watching courthouse security personnel work.\"","There\u2019s no dispute that overtime pay is being used, at least in part, to pay deputies to work security checkpoints at the courthouse complex. But the amount is not clear.","There\u2019s no dispute that part of the sheriff\u2019s overtime budget pays deputies to work security checkpoints at the courthouse complex. The deputies typically are observing visitors passing through the checkpoints, but sometimes get actively involved in screening them or monitoring metal detectors.","Based on overtime reports the Sheriff\u2019s Office submits to county officials, it\u2019s not possible to tell how much in overtime pay is being spent on deputies working security checkpoints at the courthouse complex, said county Auditor Jerome Heer."]},{"id":"3936.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"An amendment inserted by lawmakers into the state budget exempts scientific researchers from all state animal cruelty laws.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that an amendment inserted into the state budget exempts scientific researchers from all state animal cruelty laws. The Humane Society's news release and the statements from the group's executive director confirm that the budget amendment broadens the exemption for researchers, extending it beyond the existing exemptions for bona fide scientific researchers. While the statement may be slightly simplified, it accurately captures the essence of the amendment's impact on state animal cruelty laws.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Compare what Sen. Sanders and I intend to do with Donald Trump's plan,\" Clinton said. \"His tax plan would make our current system even worse. Independent analysts say he would add $30 trillion to the national debt in order to give a massive gift to the wealthiest Americans, Wall Street money managers and our largest corporations. But after all, what else should we expect from someone who calls himself \u2018The King of Debt?\u2019 \"","Independent analysts \"found that Trump's tax plan, given to the wealthy and big corporations, would rack up $30 trillion in debt.\"","Independent analysts, Kaine said, \"found Trump's tax plan, given to the wealthy and big corporations, would rack up $30 trillion in debt.\"","In its report, the center found that \"including interest costs, the proposal would add $11.2 trillion to the national debt by 2026 and $34.1 trillion by 2036.\" This estimate assumes no major spending cuts would be made, which tracks with the historical pattern, the authors said. The Clinton campaign also noted that Trump has not specified any cuts to offset his plan."]},{"id":"2919.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Its illegal for a state to say were simply going to cut off (union contract) negotiations. Theres a legal requirement that you are involved in good faith bargaining.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that it is generally illegal for a state to unilaterally cut off union contract negotiations and that there is a legal requirement for states to engage in good faith bargaining. However, it's important to note that the specific legal requirements and definitions of \"good faith bargaining\" can vary between jurisdictions and may have different interpretations. Additionally, the statement does not provide the full context or specifics of the legal requirements, which can vary from state to state. Therefore, while the statement captures the general principle, it lacks some nuance and specificity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2296.json","label":"true","statement":"In Rhode Island there are 150 different pension plans for public workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the sources. While there may be some variation in the exact number of pension plans, the evidence supports the claim that there are numerous pension plans in Rhode Island, with the count ranging from 113 to 150. The sources confirm that there are multiple named pension plans for public workers in the state. Therefore, the statement is considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Ryan's advocacy for amnesty and immigration increases has intensified as unemployment has been on the rise throughout Wisconsin. In June, unemployment increased in 30 of the state's 32 largest cities and in 56 of the state's 72 counties.\"","But we\u2019ll examine whether \"unemployment has been on the rise throughout Wisconsin\" as Ryan stepped up his consensus-building efforts in the House, as the group claims.","The group refers to a time period when Ryan\u2019s advocacy \"intensified\", and cites the June unemployment figures in claiming that unemployment has been \"on the rise throughout Wisconsin.\"","U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan\u2019s role as a potential deal-maker on immigration reform has drawn criticism from the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which opposes legal status for illegal immigrants and wants to reduce legal immigration to the United States."]},{"id":"9250.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Dave Brat worked on Democrat Gov. Tim Kaines Council of Economic Advisors while Kaine tried to raise our taxes by over $1 billion.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided consistently states that Dave Brat worked on Democrat Gov. Tim Kaine's Council of Economic Advisors while Kaine attempted to raise taxes by over $1 billion. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about Dave Brat's role and influence in these tax-raising efforts. While it is true that Brat worked on the council during this time, it does not necessarily imply that he actively supported or advocated for the tax increase. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood that Brat's specific stance on the tax increase is not explicitly mentioned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Donald Trump \"was one of the people who rooted for the housing crisis. He said back in 2006, \u2018Gee, I hope it does collapse because then I can go in and buy some and make some money.\u2019 \"","\"Donald was one of the people who rooted for the housing crisis,\" Clinton said. \"He said back in 2006, \u2018Gee, I hope it does collapse because then I can go in and buy some and make some money.\u2019","\"This is a guy,\" he said of Trump, \"who rooted for the housing crisis, because he knew he could make money off of it.\"","Rep. Scott Peters, D-CA, said Donald Trump \"rooted for the housing crisis, because he knew he could make money off of it.\""]},{"id":"2467.json","label":"false","statement":"A defense bill includes language that would require military hospitals to provide abortions on demand.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that a defense bill includes language requiring military hospitals to provide abortions \"on demand.\" The accusation made by Sen. John Cornyn appears to be a political claim made during a press release, but it does not align with the actual content of the defense bill. It is important to rely on accurate information and official sources when assessing the contents of legislation.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9174.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walkers repeal of a 2009 law has left Wisconsin as one of five states without an equal pay law protecting women from gender discrimination in their paycheck.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Wisconsin is not one of the five states without an equal pay law protecting women from gender discrimination in their paycheck. The claim that Governor Scott Walker's repeal of a 2009 law resulted in Wisconsin lacking such a law is incorrect. Wisconsin does have laws in place to address equal pay and gender discrimination in the workplace, including the Wisconsin Fair Employment Law and the federal Equal Pay Act. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The money the Clinton Foundation took from from foreign governments while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state \"is clearly illegal. \u2026 The Constitution says you can\u2019t take this stuff.\"","Gingrich said the Clinton Foundation \"took money from from foreign governments while (Hillary Clinton) was secretary of state. It is clearly illegal. \u2026 The Constitution says you can\u2019t take this stuff.\"","He continued, \"My point is they took money from foreign governments while she was secretary of State. That is clearly illegal.\"","A clause in the Constitution does prohibit U.S. officials such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from receiving gifts, or emoluments, from foreign governments. But the gifts in this case were donations from foreign governments that went to the Clinton Foundation, not Hillary Clinton. She was not part of the foundation her husband founded while she was secretary of state."]},{"id":"11007.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We are the only major country on Earth that doesnt guarantee health care to all people as a right.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the United States does not have a universal healthcare system that guarantees healthcare to all its citizens as a right, it is not the only major country in the world without such a system. There are other major countries, such as South Africa, that also do not have universal healthcare. Therefore, while the United States is among the few major countries without guaranteed healthcare, it is not the only one.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","Brownback fairly characterizes Romney's position. Romney has not endorsed the plan and published an essay in the July-August issue of Foreign Affairs saying he was opposed to the concept.","\"I would love to see us have in this country what I helped lead in Arkansas...Amendment 65 (which) says that we believe life begins at conception, and that we ought to do everything in the world possible to protect it until its natural conclusion.\"","Indeed, Brownback teamed up with Sen. Joe Biden to propose a plan to partition Iraq into three states for the Kurds, Shi'ites and Sunnis with a central government to see to common interests."]},{"id":"9066.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"On HealthCare.Gov, Texan Mark Sullivan found a good health insurance plan that includes dental, for less than $80 a month.","reason":"Reason: While it is possible to find health insurance plans on HealthCare.gov that include dental coverage, it is important to note that the statement implies a broader availability of affordable plans with dental coverage. In reality, dental coverage is not typically included in most health insurance plans, especially those offered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Dental coverage is often sold separately as a standalone plan or as an optional add-on to health insurance plans. Therefore, while it is technically possible to find a health insurance plan with dental coverage on HealthCare.gov, it is not the norm, and the statement may give a misleading impression of the general availability and affordability of such plans.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The truly \u2018anti-woman\u2019 organization here is Planned Parenthood and the party that continues to defend its taxpayer funding when it has raked in more than $300 million in profits over the past four years.\"","For this Truth-O-Meter, we wanted to check Dannenfelser's claim that Planned Parenthood \"raked in more than $300 million in profits over the past four years.\" We'll focus on two parts: Is the dollar figure right, and is 'profit' the right word?","We said we'd examine both the dollar figure and the word \"profits.\" We think the \"more than $300 million\" description is off base because of the $78 million in losses, but neither Planned Parenthood nor the SBA List is saying definitively what the investment gains or losses were for the four-year period. Still, there is some element of truth in that it's at least scores of millions of dollars.","Now, a leader of an organization that advocates for pro-life legislation claims that Planned Parenthood is a money-maker. The claim comes from a U.S. News and World Report Washington Whispers blog on May 26 about U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz -- the Democratic National Committee chair who represents part of South Florida -- who called the GOP \"anti-women\" after the vote to de-fund Planned Parenthood. In response, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, said: \"The truly \u2018anti-woman\u2019 organization here is Planned Parenthood and the party that continues to defend its taxpayer funding when it has raked in more than $300 million in profits over the past four years. Fifty-four percent of Americans don\u2019t want to be coerced into contributing to an organization they don\u2019t believe in just by paying their taxes \u2014 nor should they be.\""]},{"id":"186.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I'm proud to have had a 100 percent pro-life voting record.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Fred Thompson had a consistent and perfect voting record on issues related to abortion rights, cloning, and certain research that antiabortion advocates find objectionable during his time as a senator from Tennessee. The statement accurately reflects his voting record, indicating that he had a 100 percent pro-life voting record.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3111.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a Canadian provincial prime minister came to Ohio for his medical treatment because of the delay in Canadian health care which would have endangered his life.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or documentation to support the claim that a Canadian provincial prime minister came to Ohio for medical treatment due to delays in the Canadian healthcare system that would have endangered their life. Multiple sources, including the Canadian press, have debunked this claim, stating that there is no record of any Canadian official seeking medical treatment in Ohio. The statement is entirely false and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Mitt Romney would add \u201ctrillions\u201d to the deficit while Barack Obama would \u201ccut the deficit by $4 trillion,\" says Obama TV ad","( - Mitt Romney would add \u201ctrillions\u201d to the deficit while Barack Obama would \u201ccut the deficit by $4 trillion,\" says Obama TV ad&url=)","PolitiFact, Mitt Romney would add \"trillions\" to the deficit while Barack Obama would \"cut the deficit by $4 trillion,\" says Obama TV ad, August 7, 2012","The Obama campaign ad said Romney would increase the deficit by trillions while Obama would cut the deficit by $4 trillion. Obama's deficit reduction plan is much more specific than Romney's, but for a sitting president, that's expected."]},{"id":"47.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I would love to see us have in this country what I helped lead in Arkansas...Amendment 65 (which) says that we believe life begins at conception, and that we ought to do everything in the world possible to protect it until its natural conclusion.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that Mike Huckabee supported Amendment 65 in Arkansas, which stated that life begins at conception and should be protected, the statement fails to mention that the amendment was ultimately struck down by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Therefore, it is misleading to suggest that Huckabee successfully led the implementation of this amendment in Arkansas. The statement could benefit from providing a more complete picture of the outcome of Amendment 65.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"If you look at the income of average Americans -- working-class Americans, middle-class Americans -- they\u2019re absolutely flat in constant dollars since 1979,\" Beyer said during a Feb. 4 speech to the Arlington County Democratic Party.","!Cars pass a monument marking the border between the United States and Canada on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Highgate Springs, Vt. (AP) !Cars pass a monument marking the border between the United States and Canada on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Highgate Springs, Vt. (AP)","Cars pass a monument marking the border between the United States and Canada on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, at Highgate Springs, Vt. (AP)","The Migration Policy Institute estimates that \"approximately 57,000 unauthorized immigrants from Canada resided in the United States as of 2018, accounting for less than 1% of the 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the country.\""]},{"id":"1152.json","label":"false","statement":"\"If we went back to the obesity rates that existed back in the 1980s, the Medicare system over several years could save as much as a trillion dollars.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that reverting to obesity rates from the 1980s could save the Medicare system as much as a trillion dollars is false. While reducing obesity rates may have potential benefits for public health and healthcare costs, it is an oversimplification to attribute such a massive financial impact solely to changes in obesity rates. Healthcare costs are influenced by various factors, including advancements in medical technology, changes in healthcare policies, and demographic shifts. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that reverting to 1980s obesity rates would result in such substantial savings for the Medicare system.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8354.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Domestic violence is seen as a pre-existing health condition and women had to pay 50 percent more for health care because of gender ratings, but under Obamacare, all of that is over.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two claims. \n\nRegarding the first claim that domestic violence is seen as a pre-existing health condition, it is important to note that while domestic violence can have significant health consequences, it is not universally classified as a pre-existing condition. However, some insurance companies in the past may have considered domestic violence as a pre-existing condition, leading to potential coverage denials or higher premiums for victims.\n\nRegarding the second claim that women had to pay 50 percent more for health care because of gender ratings, it is true that prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), some insurance companies engaged in gender rating, which resulted in women paying higher premiums compared to men for similar coverage.\n\nHowever, it is worth noting that under the Affordable Care Act, gender rating was prohibited, and insurance companies were required to provide equal coverage and pricing regardless of gender.\n\nTherefore, while the first claim is partially true, the second claim is accurate. The label for the overall statement would be half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10395.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On Common Core education standards","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that more than 40 states currently have Common Core State Standards, it is also true that a number of states have taken steps to revise or repeal these standards. States like Kansas, West Virginia, and Alabama have introduced bills in their legislatures to repeal Common Core. However, it is important to note that no state is required to adhere to Common Core, as the Obama administration's education grant process, Race to the Top, encouraged states to adopt the standards but did not mandate their implementation. Additionally, the new law prevents the federal government from mandating Common Core or any specific education policies on states. Therefore, while the statement acknowledges the revision and repeal efforts, it does not fully capture the voluntary nature of Common Core adoption and the limitations on federal involvement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2452.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Candidate for governor Roy Barnes has been fighting hard to let illegal immigrants vote.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Roy Barnes, a candidate for governor, has been fighting to allow illegal immigrants to vote. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers, have found no evidence to substantiate this claim. It appears to be a baseless accusation aimed at discrediting Barnes without any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"In the Georgia Republican gubernatorial primary, the winner in that race, Representative Deal, has actually dabbled in birther conspiracies,\" Sam Stein said.","!Republican candidate for Georgia Governor former Sen. David Perdue arrives to speaks at a campaign stop at the Covington airport on Feb. 2, 2022, in Covington, Ga.(AP) !Republican candidate for Georgia Governor former Sen. David Perdue arrives to speaks at a campaign stop at the Covington airport on Feb. 2, 2022, in Covington, Ga.(AP)","Republican candidate for Georgia Governor former Sen. David Perdue arrives to speaks at a campaign stop at the Covington airport on Feb. 2, 2022, in Covington, Ga.(AP)","PolitiFact Georgia found no evidence that Deal is a birther. In fact, we found proof to the contrary. But Deal did give birthers the chance to think he was taking some of their theories seriously."]},{"id":"13266.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Workers in the United States are making less than they were almost 20 years ago, and yet they are working harder.","reason":"Reason: The statement that workers in the United States are making less than they were almost 20 years ago, and yet they are working harder, is an oversimplification and lacks context. While it is true that wage growth has not kept pace with productivity gains in recent years, it is not accurate to claim that workers are universally making less than they were almost 20 years ago. Wage trends vary across industries and occupations, and some workers have seen wage increases over time. Additionally, the assertion that workers are working harder is subjective and difficult to quantify. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it fails to capture the complexity of the situation and generalizes the experiences of all workers in the United States.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2069.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rick Perry accepted more stimulus funds than any other governor except the governors of California and New York.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, Rick Perry did accept a significant amount of stimulus funds, ranking among the top three governors in terms of the amount received. The governors of California and New York received more stimulus funds due to factors such as their larger populations. While the exact breakdown of funds passing through state governments is not available, the evidence supports the claim that Perry accepted more stimulus funds than any other governor, except those of California and New York.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a statement announcing the amendment, Sen. Bennett asserted that \u201cthe administration is wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on a PR campaign.\u201d","Paul said Obama \"spent nearly a trillion dollars on make-work government jobs.\" It\u2019s plausible that through the stimulus, Obama spent nearly $1 trillion of taxpayer dollars in hopes it would create jobs. But Paul is wrong to suggest that all $1 trillion was spent on \"make-work government jobs.\" Two-thirds of the stimulus was spent on tax cuts and entitlements, and of the remaining one-third, much was paid to private contractors. Only a modest fraction of the $1 trillion was spent on government jobs, much less on jobs spent doing nothing. We rate his claim False.","The other portion of Bennett\u2019s assertion has to do with whether \u201cmillions\u201d of dollars are being spent on these signs. That number is not easy to nail down. Stimulus spending is decentralized and the states have broad discretion; there\u2019s also no specific budget line for signs. No one \u2014 including the U.S. Transportation Department \u2014 knows for sure how much is being spent on these signs.","On July 15, 2009, Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, and Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., took aim at stimulus-touting signs with an amendment that \u201cwould prohibit the use of stimulus funds to pay for signage promoting the administration's spending of taxpayer dollars on (stimulus) projects.\u201d (The amendment has not yet been taken up by the Senate.)"]},{"id":"11851.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"90 percent of all pain medications are prescribed in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is some variation in the exact percentage, multiple sources, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse, indicate that the United States does account for a significant portion of global pain medication prescriptions. The specific figure of 90 percent may be slightly exaggerated, but it accurately reflects the general trend of the United States being a major consumer of pain medications compared to the rest of the world.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a new web ad, state Sen. Charlie Justice comes armed with ominous music and some sloppy Photoshop work to link opponent Rep. Bill Young with jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff.","Indeed, Think Progress, a website run by the liberal Center for American Progress Action Fund has a section on Abramoff's links to Congress. Many members were mentioned, including Alaska Rep. Don Young (no relation), but Florida's C.W. Bill Young isn't discussed at all.","SUMMARY: McCain has championed his role in bringing lobbyist Jack Abramoff to justice. Now, allegations that McCain is raising money through an Abramoff associate hit hard.","We checked Nexis, a pay service that aggregates news articles from across the country, and found a few stories from 2006 did mention the two together -- all centering around $1,000 Young received in 2002 from an Abramoff client, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. But there is nothing to directly links Abramoff and Young."]},{"id":"9069.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our state economic development agency under Walker, WEDC, actually isnt even using the funds that are appropriated to it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It suggests that under Governor Walker, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) did not fully utilize the funds allocated to it. While the evidence provided does not explicitly mention the specific funding appropriation, it does highlight Walker's success in turning away federal funds for high-speed rail. This suggests a pattern of not fully utilizing available funds for economic development initiatives. However, without more specific information or data on the actual utilization of funds by WEDC, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Most Ohioans would be surprised to know that the same Wall Street megabanks which received bailouts from taxpayers in 2009 also receive taxpayer-funded advantages today simply because of their 'too big to fail' status,\" Brown wrote in a newsletter to constituents.","But the biggest banks that received bailouts in 2009 clearly do have a cost advantage in borrowing because of the implicit guarantee. And that advantage is not shared by smaller, community banks. That makes Brown\u2019s statement partially accurate.","His press office cited the explicit and implicit guarantee that the megabanks are, in fact, \"too big to fail\" -- and that the government will step in with a taxpayer-funded safety net during a financial emergency.","Looking to prevent future economic collapse and taxpayer-funded bailouts, they have pushed the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to detail the annual advantage that such banks continue to receive from the U.S. government."]},{"id":"3543.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Beaumont school districts superintendent is the highest-paid in the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence confirms that the Beaumont school district superintendent does have the highest salary among Texas superintendents. However, it's important to note that superintendent compensation also includes perks such as bonuses and car allowances, which can vary among districts. Without considering these additional factors, it is not possible to definitively conclude that the Beaumont superintendent is the highest-paid overall when considering the full scope of compensation. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11730.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A violent felon can buy (a gun) over the Internet with no background check, no questions asked.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is illegal for a violent felon to purchase a gun, there are loopholes in the current system that allow for the possibility of such transactions to occur without a background check. These loopholes include private sales conducted online or at gun shows, where sellers are not required to perform background checks on buyers. While the exact percentage of these transactions is debated, experts estimate that a significant portion of gun sales occur without background checks. Therefore, while not all online gun sales are conducted without background checks, the statement accurately highlights the issue of potential loopholes in the system.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We have cut violent crime in half since we instituted what is probably the nation\u2019s toughest crackdown on illegal immigration,\" Stewart, a Republican, said in an April 11 interview on NBC 12.","We checked to see if violent crime has in fact dropped by half in Prince William since the county started the crackdown and, if so, whether the immigration law caused the decline.","Stewart\u2019s said violent crime in Prince William County has been cut in half since the county \"instituted\" its 2008 crackdown on immigrants. The claim only comes close to holding up when Stewart uses statistics kept by the county police and starts his count with crime data from 2006 -- more than a year before crackdown began.","Until the law went into effect, Prince William did not tally figures for crimes in which the suspects were illegal immigrants. The report said illegal immigrants, since the crackdown began, have committed only a small to modest percentage of crimes in Prince William, including aggravated assaults."]},{"id":"2173.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States accounted for 26 percent of worldwide military spending during the Cold War, but now accounts for 41 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States accounted for 26 percent of worldwide military spending during the Cold War, the statement that the U.S. now accounts for 41 percent is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that worldwide military spending has decreased significantly since the Cold War, and while the U.S. has maintained a high level of military spending, it does not account for 41 percent of global military spending. The statement fails to consider the context of the overall decrease in worldwide military expenditures and the relative proportions of military spending by other countries. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There are 74, I believe, attorneys in that office,\" Batchelder said on the Ohio News Network\u2019s \"Capitol Square\" on May 29. \"Is that duplicative? Is it wasteful? And I think since the legislature was busy with an axe on everything else, it makes it pretty hard to sell having the duplication or having 74 lawyers. I don\u2019t know how many the attorney general has.\"","Furthermore, his complaint about duplication of services and wasteful spending when the state is \"busy with an axe on everything\" is misleading because funding for the Ohio Consumers\u2019 Counsel doesn\u2019t come from general tax revenues. Rather, it is raised through fees levied on utilities.","\"He was trying to assert there were 74 employees at the office of the consumers\u2019 counsel and not 74 attorneys,\" Batchelder spokesman Mike Dittoe said. \"We apologize for the slip of the tongue there.\"","We\u2019ll allow that the speaker may have misspoke, rather than purposefully misused the statistics he cited. But he did repeat the inaccuracy, and wondered aloud how that number of lawyers compared with the staff of Attorney General Mike DeWine, Ohio\u2019s top lawyer. And the number itself is so overstated that it ecllipses the total staffing level of the consumers\u2019 counsel office."]},{"id":"10425.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since Rick Perry became governor, poverty rates in Texas increased from 15.1% to 17.5% which is higher than the national average.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately presents the claim that poverty rates in Texas increased from 15.1% to 17.5% during Rick Perry's tenure as governor, which is higher than the national average. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context regarding the overall trend of poverty rates in Texas and the United States during that period. While the poverty rate in Texas did increase, it is necessary to consider other factors such as population growth, economic conditions, and national trends in order to fully understand the situation. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6807.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since the time of the Civil War, weve made a distinction in this country between the availability and the ability to access for people who were in the military, versus the rest of us, to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there has been a distinction in voting access between military personnel and the general population since the time of the Civil War. Laws were enacted to provide military personnel with special provisions for voting, such as absentee voting, to accommodate their unique circumstances. However, it's important to note that over time, many of these laws have been repealed in most states. While some states still maintain provisions for military absentee voting, the distinction between military personnel and the general population in terms of voting access has significantly diminished compared to the immediate post-Civil War era. Therefore, the statement is partially true, considering the historical context and the evolution of voting laws over time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Romney: \"Rick, I don't think I've ever hired an illegal in my life. And so I'm afraid -- I'm looking forward to finding your facts on that, because that just doesn't --\"","In this case, his wording is slightly different, that he had not \"ever hired an illegal in my life.\" It's clear from the Globe's reporting that he hired a landscaping company and that employed illegal immigrants. He has made the argument he hired the company, not the specific workers. Still, they were doing hired work on his property. We find his claim Mostly False.","The former Massachusetts governor, in an Oct. 18, 2011, Republican presidential debate, faced accusations from primary foe Rick Perry that he hired illegal immigrants to work at his home.","The newspaper sent a team of reporters to Guatemala after getting a tip that Romney had hired a landscaping company notorious for using illegal immigrants. They tracked down three former landscapers who claimed to have been in the United States illegally when they worked on Romney's lawn."]},{"id":"13206.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As a result of Chris Sununus vote against a Planned Parenthood contract, nearly 3,000 fewer women and families statewide accessed health care for birth control, cancer screenings and annual exams.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on claims made by Colin Van Ostern, a Democratic candidate for governor, regarding the impact of Chris Sununu's vote against a Planned Parenthood contract. While it is possible that there was a decrease in the number of women and families accessing health care services, the claim of \"nearly 3,000 fewer\" is not supported by specific evidence or data. The statement lacks precise information on the timeframe, location, and methodology used to arrive at this number. Therefore, while there may have been some impact, the claim is exaggerated and lacks sufficient evidence to support the exact figure provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Americans for Tax Reform flyer said that Obama sent $450 million to China to build a wind farm in Texas.","We\u2019ve looked at this sort of claim before and in this fact check, we examine whether Obama sent $450 million to China to build a wind farm in Texas.","Americans for Tax Reform -- an anti-tax group whose founder, Grover Norquist, is famous for arguing for a government so small it could be drowned in a bathtub -- mailed a flyer to Florida voters that showed a stack of hundred dollar bills being blown in a graceful arc across the globe to land in a very red China. On the reverse side, it said \"Obama's massive spending includes giving millions to a Chinese company to build a wind farm in Texas. The Chinese company is expected to receive $450 million in U.S. taxpayer money. More jobs in China .. fewer jobs here.\"","In the battleground state of Florida, critics of President Obama have accused him not simply of spending billions in stimulus money to no good effect but actually using that money to give a leg up to America\u2019s economic rivals. Americans for Tax Reform has revived an old charge that Obama sent $450 million to create jobs in China."]},{"id":"7465.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a majority of Americans -- and Republicans -- support his approach for deficit reduction.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a majority of Americans support President Biden's $1.9 trillion plan, the claim that a majority of Republicans support his approach for deficit reduction is not directly supported by the evidence provided. The evidence suggests that while some Republicans may support certain elements of the plan, they are generally less favorable towards the overall aid package. The polls indicate that a significant portion of Republicans oppose the plan, although there is also a portion that supports specific aspects, such as the $1,400 stimulus payment. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that there is mixed support among Republicans for President Biden's approach, rather than a clear majority in favor of it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9338.json","label":"false","statement":"The media widely overlooked comments made by former President Bill Clinton that Hillary Clinton had a terrible concussion that took six months to recover from.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Former President Bill Clinton's comments about Hillary Clinton's concussion and recovery were not widely overlooked by the media. In fact, Brit Hume's own statement acknowledges that Bill Clinton's comments about the concussion and physical therapy were reported everywhere. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that the media widely overlooked these comments.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Kaine said Allen voted to end Pell Grants for 84,000 students. The need-based federal grant typically goes to undergraduate students from low-income families.","Says Mitt Romney and George Allen \"would overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to end safe, legal abortion even in cases of rape, incest or when a woman's life is at risk.\"","Allen\u2019s campaign, in a web post, said Kaine\u2019s claim \"doesn\u2019t add up,\" because Allen voted for the for the overall education appropriation bill for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2003 and it increased total spending for Pell Grants as well the number of recipients.","Democratic Senate candidate Tim Kaine says that George Allen, his Republican opponent, is no friend of students struggling to pay for college."]},{"id":"7032.json","label":"false","statement":"Says she voted against the Medicare Part D prescription drug program because it was unfunded.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Representative Baldwin did vote against the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, her reasoning for opposing it was not solely because it was unfunded. In her own statements, she clarified that her opposition stemmed from the fact that the program was not adequately paid for. This suggests that she believed the program should have been funded in a different manner or that the funding was insufficient. Therefore, the claim that she voted against the program solely because it was unfunded is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"251.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I just talked about guns. I told you what my position was, and what I did as governor, the fact that I received the endorsement of the NRA.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the speaker received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association (NRA) based on their position and actions regarding guns. However, without specific evidence or context, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement cannot be confirmed as true, and the assertion of receiving the endorsement of the NRA remains unsubstantiated.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Cruz said at a Republican debate, \"A majority of the candidates on this stage have supported amnesty,\" adding, \"I have never supported amnesty.\"","Of the 10 candidates on the stage, how many of them have supported \"amnesty\" for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants currently in the United States?","\"A majority of the candidates on this stage have supported amnesty,\" he said. \"I have never supported amnesty, and I led the fight against Chuck Schumer\u2019s gang of eight amnesty legislation in the Senate.\" (Schumer is U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.)","We do know Cruz considered the 2013 bipartisan Senate immigration proposal to be a form of amnesty and opposed the bill. The failed bill was similar to the Reagan law in that immigrants had to meet certain requirements before gaining legal status that put them on a path to citizenship, though the requirements are more stringent than the previous law. So we\u2019ll use that bill as a rough standard for evaluating the positions of those who shared the debate stage with Cruz."]},{"id":"6090.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson was the deciding vote for the health care law.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's vote was crucial in passing the health care law, describing him as the \"deciding vote\" implies that his vote alone determined the outcome, which is not accurate. The health care law required a total of 60 votes, and Nelson's vote was one among many that contributed to its passage. Additionally, it's important to note that Nelson had been a cautious supporter of the law and had attempted to amend it. Therefore, while his vote was significant, it would be misleading to solely attribute the passage of the health care law to him.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13393.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Morgan Carroll opposed requiring convicted sex offenders to register their online profiles, making it harder to track online sex offenders and child predators.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there may be claims that Morgan Carroll opposed requiring convicted sex offenders to register their online profiles, the fact-checking sources indicate that she actually fought for tougher enforcement and did not oppose the registration requirement. The NRCC ad distorted Carroll's position, leading to a misleading representation of her stance. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"(George H.W.) Bush 41 took it to 300 billion.\" Close, but not exactly. The number was around $255 billion at the end of Bush\u2019s term. The deficit spiked at around $290.3 billion the year before he left office.","George W. Bush was not in office when those measures passed. So a more accurate number for the deficit he passed on might be closer to $1.2 trillion.","Occupy Democrats said that George W. Bush \"handed Obama a $1.4 trillion deficit\" and Obama reduced Bush\u2019s \"deficit to just $492 billion.\" The post picked certain years to back that up, and for those years, its numbers were accurate.","A Treasury Department statement from June put the federal deficit at about $747.1 billion so far this fiscal year. But the agency also reported that Washington is on track to post a $1.1 trillion deficit by the end of September, which backs up Cole\u2019s claim."]},{"id":"6815.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Adam Hasner said he will never accept a pay increase, but he voted to raise his pay four times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While Adam Hasner may have made a promise to never accept a pay increase, it is important to note that legislators often do not have direct control over their own salaries. Pay raises for legislators are often determined by independent commissions or legislative bodies. Therefore, it is possible for a legislator to vote in favor of a pay raise without directly accepting one themselves. So, while the statement suggests a contradiction, it does not provide a complete picture of the situation and may be misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Let's start by figuring out what a lake is. Does a lake have to have a name? Be a certain size? What if it\u2019s actually a flowage? (And what the heck is a flowage?) What about intermittent lakes, that come and go by season (as opposed to year-round lakes)?","The liberal Institute for One Wisconsin used state data to assert that two-thirds of Wisconsin corporations pay no state income taxes. The two-thirds number is solid, the trend is long-term and it is reflected by federal tax data as well.","Deepest lake : The deepest natural lake in either state is Green Lake in central Wisconsin, with a maximum depth of 236 feet. That\u2019s 27 feet deeper than Minnesota\u2019s deepest entry, Ten Mile Lake. (Wisconsin\u2019s Wazee Lake in Jackson County is a whopping 350 feet at its deepest, but it\u2019s a manmade lake made from an abandoned iron mine.)","Very close to two-thirds of those 52,497 Wisconsin corporate filers reported zero net income or a net loss in 2007 -- leaving them with no tax liability."]},{"id":"11197.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One of the reasons that Social Security is in so much trouble is that the only funding stream comes from people who get a wage. The people who get wages is declining dramatically.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the payroll tax is a significant source of funding for Social Security, the statement incorrectly implies that Social Security is in \"so much trouble\" solely because the funding stream comes from people who receive a wage. Social Security's financial challenges are multifaceted and include factors such as demographic shifts, changing labor dynamics, and longer life expectancies. The declining number of people receiving wages is just one aspect of the complex issues facing Social Security. It is important to consider the broader context and various factors contributing to the program's financial situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12209.json","label":"false","statement":"For the votes that we got, I think we spent, on average, two bucks a pop. Compared to 42 bucks for incumbent Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the challenger, Chris Larson, spent an average of $2 per vote, while the incumbent, Chris Abele, spent $42 per vote. The evidence provided does not support this claim. The evidence only mentions Larson conceding defeat and thanking his supporters, without any specific information about campaign spending or the cost per vote for either candidate. Without concrete evidence to support the statement, it cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In offering a counter to Scott's budget message of fiscal restraint, Smith says Scott wants to recklessly lay off 20,000 teachers.","Scott budget chief Jerry McDaniel has told lawmakers that the proposed budget( \"has told lawmakers that the proposed budget\") would result in some teacher layoffs, though he did not offer a hard estimate. The budget document itself( \"budget document itself\") -- while cutting funding -- also does not explicitly say school districts should lay off 20,000 teachers.","The thing that jumped out at us in Smith's claim is that Scott's budget \"would lay off 20,000 teachers\" -- a huge amount. We'll explain how huge in a minute.","\"Since he took office, Floridians have seen that Rick Scott only cares about imposing his rigid and extreme philosophy on our state, rather than working to implement common-sense solutions for Florida,\" Smith said in a statement. \"Whether he is killing high-speed rail, proposing his spending plan that would lay off 20,000 teachers, or putting communities at risk by ending critical law enforcement tools to stop pill-mills, Rick Scott's agenda is doing real harm to our state.\""]},{"id":"13529.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More than two months ago President Barack Obama signed a bill for more than $1 billion in Zika funding, but the federal government has still only committed $7 million to help Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Barack Obama signed a bill for more than $1 billion in Zika funding. However, it is misleading to claim that the federal government has only committed $7 million to help Florida. The Zika funding bill was passed to address the Zika virus outbreak on a national level, and the allocated funds were not solely designated for Florida. While it is true that Florida received a portion of the funding, the statement lacks the context that the funding was meant to be distributed across multiple states and territories affected by the Zika virus. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The Democratic Party of Wisconsin claimed that one of Walker\u2019s actions was to make it \"so that drunk drivers who kill have an easier time of it.\"","Amid complaints about the budget bill, concealed carry legislation and changes related to sex-ed in schools, the party in a news release declared that a Walker administration move makes it so that \"drunk drivers who kill have an easier time of it.\"","\"It doesn\u2019t make it \u2018easier\u2019 on drunk drivers,\" said Hawkins, a National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers\u2019 expert on drunken driving issues. \"It makes it so prosecutors have to do more work to assure judges and juries that the evidence they are using is accurate and reliable.\"","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin AFL-CIO says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget repair bill would take away all rights in the workplace for public employees,\"Feb. 17, 2011"]},{"id":"2235.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Unemployment for those with college educations is now 4.5 percent. Unemployment for those with more than a college education, below 4 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the unemployment rates for different educational levels. According to the evidence provided, the unemployment rate for individuals with college educations is indeed 4.5 percent, and for those with more than a college education, it is below 4 percent. The evidence supports the claim made by Tyson. However, it's important to note that the specific unemployment rates may vary over time and across different sources, so the statement should be understood in the context of the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9839.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In the latest jobs numbers Wisconsin ranked third in the Midwest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Walker's TV ad that Wisconsin ranked third in the Midwest in terms of job creation. The evidence confirms that Wisconsin added 36,100 jobs, positioning it as the third-highest job creator among the ten Midwest states. However, it's important to note that this ranking is specific to job creation and does not encompass other economic factors or overall economic performance. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding job creation, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of Wisconsin's overall economic standing in the Midwest.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2077.json","label":"true","statement":"The first professional baseball team was from an Ohio city.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The Cincinnati Red Stockings, formed in 1869, were widely recognized as the first professional baseball team. They played in the National Association of Base Ball Players and had a remarkable record of 70-0. This historical fact supports the claim that the first professional baseball team originated from an Ohio city, specifically Cincinnati.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says \"President Obama is using executive actions to impose gun control on the nation, targeting the top-selling rifle in the country ... with a ban on one of the most-used\" assault rifle bullets.","\"President Obama is using executive actions to impose gun control on the nation,\" Bedard wrote Feb. 27, 2015. \"Targeting the top-selling rifle in the country, the AR-15 style semi-automatic, with a ban on one of the most-used AR bullets by sportsmen and target shooters.\"","We left phone messages and sent emails several times to Bedard and did not hear back. Our focus is whether Obama is using executive action to impose gun control through a bullet ban.","Lastly, Bedard said the administration was targeting the rifle version of the AR-15. That is his interpretation. It is the pistol version that drew the ATF\u2019s attention. The agency\u2019s proposal would leave both the pistol and rifle versions untouched, although the ammunition for both would be affected if the \"green tip\" is banned."]},{"id":"1780.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The president can \"authorize the killing of a U.S. citizen who fights for a foreign terrorist organization.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Joe Lieberman that the president has the authority to authorize the killing of a U.S. citizen who fights for a foreign terrorist organization. This claim is supported by the testimony of Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, who confirmed the existence of a process to authorize such actions. However, it's important to note that the specific circumstances and legal justifications surrounding such authorizations may vary and are subject to debate. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood within the context of ongoing discussions and legal interpretations surrounding this issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Progress Texas said Texas would be No. 1 in federal judicial vacancies this year. That\u2019s not correct. Texas is now tied for third and could rank third by the end of the year, behind New York and California.","Progress Texas, which describes itself as a \"progressive multi-issue organization,\" said in an online post we spotted Feb. 8, 2012: \"Texas has 5 (federal) judicial vacancies today and two more opening this year \u2013 more than any other state in the union.\"","The court system\u2019s web pages confirmed that as of mid-February 2012, Texas had more \"emergency\" federal judicial district court vacancies than any other state. Illinois was next with three emergency vacancies.","According to the information, New York stands to land two more vacancies this year and California is expected to end up with four additional vacancies. So, New York could have 10 vacant federal judgeships by the end of the year, California could have nine and Texas is shaping up to have seven, leaving it third among states with current or expected vacancies."]},{"id":"2249.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Some Republican leaders in Congress are pushing to make privatizing Social Security a key part of their legislative agenda if they win a majority in Congress this fall.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances where individual Republicans have expressed support for privatizing Social Security, it is not accurate to claim that \"some Republican leaders in Congress\" are actively pushing for privatization as a key part of their legislative agenda. The evidence provided does not demonstrate a widespread or concerted effort among Republican leaders to prioritize Social Security privatization. It is important to differentiate between individual statements and the official positions or actions of the Republican Party as a whole. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the current stance of Republican leaders in Congress.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was about to execute the \"nuclear option\" -- changing the chamber\u2019s rules to eliminate a 60-vote supermajority for executive nominations -- his office released a graphic designed to show how Senate Republicans had used filibusters to target a disproportionate number of President Barack Obama\u2019s nominees.","Indeed, when we presented this finding to Reid\u2019s office, they agreed and released an updated version of the graphic. It now reads, \"In the history of the United States, there have been 168 filibusters of presidential nominees, 82 filibusters under President Obama, 86 filibusters under all other presidents.\"","In fact, Republicans cut a deal in July after Democrats threatened to change filibuster rules. \"Democrats agreed not to change the rules, but reserved the right to do so later if they feel the need. In return, President Obama gained confirmation of several nominees,\" the Los Angeles Times reported.","Weary of delaying tactics that prevented President Barack Obama\u2019s nominees from being confirmed, Senate Democrats changed Senate rules on Thursday in hopes of speeding up confirmation."]},{"id":"7328.json","label":"half-true","statement":"40 percent of U.S. gun sales are occurring outside of licensed gun dealers.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 40 percent of U.S. gun sales are occurring outside of licensed gun dealers is partially true. While there is evidence to suggest that a significant portion of gun sales do not involve licensed dealers, the exact percentage is uncertain and subject to estimation. Different sources and studies provide varying estimates, ranging from \"perhaps 40 percent\" to \"more than 40 percent.\" Therefore, while it is accurate to acknowledge that a substantial number of gun sales occur outside of licensed dealers, the specific figure of 40 percent should be treated as an estimate rather than a definitive statistic.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Gonzales\u2019 losing campaign against me last spring was funded with more than $1 million from supporters and allies of Governor Bruce Rauner.\"","Madigan said, \"Gonzales\u2019 losing campaign against me last spring was funded with more than $1 million from supporters and allies of Governor Bruce Rauner.\"","In response to the lawsuit, Madigan issued a statement calling Gonzales\u2019 claims without merit, but one sentence in particular stood out: \"Gonzales\u2019 losing campaign against me last spring was funded with more than $1 million from supporters and allies of Governor Bruce Rauner.\"","While it\u2019s no secret Gonzales was backed by Republicans and supporters of Rauner -- Madigan\u2019s biggest political foe -- is it true his campaign was funded with more than $1 million from them?"]},{"id":"9591.json","label":"false","statement":"The 2011 Rebuild America Jobs Act would have cost the average American family $1,000 a year while making no significant impact to fix our infrastructure and roads.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Rebuild America Jobs Act proposed in 2011 called for a $50 billion investment in infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, airports, and transit systems. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that it would have cost the average American family $1,000 a year. The specific cost to individual families would depend on various factors, such as income level and tax policies, which are not addressed in the evidence provided. Additionally, the statement dismisses the potential impact of the proposed investment in infrastructure, which could have significant benefits for the economy and transportation systems.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But that's not what we were checking. Instead, we examined the assertion Brown made to support his argument: that more than half of foreign-born Rhode Islanders are white.","The 45.2 percent statistic that Brown cited for Rhode Island was the total percentage of foreign-born people here who identified their race as white. So on its face, Brown's \"more than half\" statement was not too far off.","In a Nov. 20 Providence Journal story and in a subsequent letter to Chafee, ACLU Director Steven Brown decried the fact that 77 percent of the people investigated by the state police for suspected immigration violations were born in Latin American countries, despite the fact that \"over half of the foreign-born population in Rhode Island is white.\"","Typically, about half of foreign-born Hispanic respondents across the United States identify themselves as white and about 40 percent answer \"some other race,\" said Charles A. Gallagher, chairman of the sociology department at La Salle University in Philadelphia."]},{"id":"2339.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Proposed tax changes are a handout to BP.","reason":"Reason: The statement that proposed tax changes are a \"handout\" to BP is not entirely accurate. While the term \"handout\" suggests a direct benefit or gift, it is not clear that the proposed tax changes would specifically provide a direct benefit to BP or other foreign companies. The term \"handout\" may be an exaggeration or mischaracterization of the potential impact of the tax changes. It is important to consider the specific details and implications of the proposed changes to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement can be considered as partially true but requires further examination and clarification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I can't imagine any circumstance in which the Patriot Act would be used in the circumstances of parents complaining about their children,\" Garland said at the hearing. \"Nor can I imagine a circumstance where they would be labeled as domestic terrorism.\"","The RNC\u2019s caption makes it sound like Biden said kids belong to the teachers and that teachers can ignore the wishes of parents and do whatever they want. That's not what he was saying.","\"You've heard me say it many times about our children, but it's true: They're all our children. And the reason you're the Teachers of the Year is because you recognize that. They're not somebody else's children; they're like yours when they're in the classroom. You represent a profession that helps them gain the confidence \u2014 a confidence they believe they can do anything.\"","The claim makes it sound like Biden was saying that kids belong to teachers and that teachers can ignore parents' wishes. But that misrepresents Biden\u2019s comments by omitting words and context."]},{"id":"8566.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Medicare Part D was far more expensive than the Affordable Care Act and unlike the act, was never budgeted.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that Medicare Part D was not budgeted in the same way as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unlike the ACA, which designated cost savings and revenues to offset its outlays, Medicare Part D did not have specific offsets. However, it's important to note that the claim of Medicare Part D being \"far more expensive\" than the ACA lacks specific context or defined parameters for comparison. The cost comparison between the two programs can vary depending on the specific metrics used. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding the budgeting aspect, it lacks clarity and specificity in comparing the expenses of the two programs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2948.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rhode Island spends less than 10 percent of what the average state spends promoting tourism.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is important to consider the population size when comparing tourism budgets, the evidence provided supports the claim that Rhode Island spends less than 10 percent of what the average state spends on promoting tourism. The evidence mentions that Rhode Island's tourism budget is $720,000, which is less than 10 percent of the $11 million average spent by other states. Even when considering the median amount spent by states, Rhode Island would still be 10 percent below the norm. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the comparison between Rhode Island's tourism budget and the average state's spending.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8298.json","label":"false","statement":"More than 400 car crashes occur each year on the current, congested Columbia River Bridge.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are a significant number of car crashes in the Columbia River Crossing project area, the statement that \"more than 400 car crashes occur each year on the current, congested Columbia River Bridge\" is not accurate. The evidence provided indicates that there were a total of 542 crashes over a five-year period, averaging approximately 108 crashes per year. This number is significantly lower than the claim of over 400 crashes per year. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There are 3.6 million jobs sitting vacant, in part because there aren\u2019t enough qualified applicants to fill them,\" Foxx said in the March 12, 2013, speech.","Foxx said, \"There are 3.6 million jobs sitting vacant, in part because there aren\u2019t enough qualified applicants to fill them.\" She\u2019s right that there are 3.6 million vacancies and she's right that there aren't enough qualified job applicants, but she wrong to link the two because that statistic doesn\u2019t take into account how long a job has been open. Still, there is strong evidence that the duration of job vacancies has grown since the onset of the most recent recession, and the skills mismatch Foxx cites is likely part of the reason. We rate her claim Mostly True.","Coincidentally, just moments before Rubio uttered those words, we posted a fact check of a similar comment by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. Foxx had said in a House floor speech that \"there are 3.6 million jobs sitting vacant, in part because there aren\u2019t enough qualified applicants to fill them.\"","So Foxx essentially got the number right. However, her use of the term \"sitting vacant\" and her warning about a \"shortage of qualified applicants\" suggests that employers are having trouble filling these 3.6 million jobs. A close look at the survey reveals it doesn\u2019t actually support that thesis."]},{"id":"10694.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says President Ronald Reagan had a month of job creation of 1 million.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Ronald Reagan had a month of job creation of 1 million is false. This assertion has been debunked by multiple sources, including fact-checkers. While Reagan's presidency saw periods of significant job growth, there is no record of a single month during his tenure where 1 million jobs were created. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing historical employment data.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Doonesbury , aka Garry Trudeau, said the Koch brothers spent three times more than the top 10 unions combined in the 2012 elections.","\"You know, the Roberts court really did screw us over with Citizens United ,\" she said to Mike Doonesbury, speaking about the U.S. Supreme Court and a decision that allows corporations and unions to contribute unlimited amounts of money to political campaigns. \"Last election cycle, a pair of nasty billionaires spent three times what the top 10 unions spent combined.\"","It might be a comic strip, but Doonesbury certainly reaches plenty of eyeballs. And in this case, the claim is no laugher. We can fact-check whether the Koch brothers themselves spent three times as much as the top 10 unions in the last election.","In other words, for this sort of political money tracked at the federal level, the network linked to the Koch brothers spent three and a half times more than the unions."]},{"id":"11354.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Weve had examples like in Yuma County, where weve been able to stop 97 percent of the illegal (immigration) flow, and those programs, they abolish.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Yuma County was able to achieve a significant reduction in illegal immigration, the statement inaccurately claims that the programs responsible for this success were abolished. The programs in question were not abolished but rather underwent changes and adjustments. The reduction in illegal immigration in Yuma County was attributed to a combination of factors, including increased border security measures, collaboration between law enforcement agencies, and the implementation of effective strategies. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the situation in Yuma County.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9497.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For the cost of the Iraq War we couldve ended world hunger for 30 years.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that the cost of the Iraq War could have ended world hunger for 30 years, the evidence shows that this claim lacks substance and is not supported by reliable estimates. While a back-of-the-envelope calculation may give the claim a superficial appearance of accuracy, it fails to consider the complexities and uncertainties surrounding global hunger and the cost of addressing it. There is no consensus among experts or advocacy groups regarding the total number of people suffering from hunger or the exact cost of ending world hunger. Additionally, factors such as regional conflicts and climate change can significantly impact the dynamics of global hunger over a 30-year period. Therefore, while the claim may contain a kernel of truth, it oversimplifies a complex issue and lacks a solid foundation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["PolitiFact, John McCain says he never supported the privatization of Social Security, even though video shows he did, June 13, 2008","For the record, McCain has appeared on the Sunday shows 11 times so far in 2014, but not on Meet the Press.","First, we should note the ad's video of Angle is edited from a longer statement she made during a May 19 primary debate with other Republican candidates.","\"The border security plan of Sens. McCain and Kyl called for 3,000 additional troops to keep us safe. President Obama says he'll send 524,\" the narrator says. \"This is no political game, Mr. President. It's about Arizona lives. It's a fight we must win. And with John McCain on our side, we will.\""]},{"id":"3398.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says its a statistical reality that most single moms are very poor, under-educated, cant get a job, and if it werent for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are single mothers who face economic challenges and rely on government assistance, it is an overgeneralization to claim that \"most\" single moms are very poor, under-educated, unable to find employment, and solely dependent on government assistance to prevent their children from starving. The statement fails to acknowledge the diversity of circumstances among single mothers, including those who are financially stable, well-educated, and successfully employed. While there may be statistical trends indicating higher poverty rates and educational disparities among single mothers, it is important to avoid making sweeping generalizations that do not accurately represent the full range of experiences and situations of single mothers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"44.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Bill Richardson passed the first law in the nation giving National Guard soldiers $400,000 in life insurance.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Bill Richardson passed the first law in the nation providing National Guard soldiers with $400,000 in life insurance. This legislation was a significant step in recognizing and supporting the service and well-being of National Guard soldiers. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context, such as the specific details of the law and its impact. Providing life insurance coverage for National Guard soldiers is a positive measure, but the statement could benefit from additional information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the law and its significance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin, featuring incumbent Republican Ron Johnson and Democratic challenger Mandela Barnes, is full of sharp contrasts.","\"Ron Johnson just came out in favor of a federal abotion ban. We knew this was coming \u2026 he is doing everything he can to drag us back in time and strip women of their rights and freedoms.\"","Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, In Wisconsin and elsewhere, some of the strongest critics of GOP effort to challenge Biden victory are fellow Republicans, Jan. 4, 2021.","!Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson announced his re-election bid on May 2, 2016 at Pacur, his plastics manufacturing company in Oshkosh, Wis. (Joe Sienkiewicz photo) !Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson announced his re-election bid on May 2, 2016 at Pacur, his plastics manufacturing company in Oshkosh, Wis. (Joe Sienkiewicz photo)"]},{"id":"3012.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have the highest (corporate tax rates) in the world right now.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. When considering the corporate tax rates among the largest industrialized democracies, the United States does have the highest rates on the books. This is a commonly used benchmark by economists to compare corporate tax rates. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ranks the combined corporate income tax rates among its member nations, and the United States consistently ranks among the highest. However, it's important to note that this comparison specifically refers to general corporate income tax rates and excludes taxes levied on specific products or services.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6069.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Jeff Wentworth, bending the rules, has used $211,743.96 in campaign contributions to lease luxury cars.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jeff Wentworth used campaign contributions to lease luxury cars, it is important to note that this activity is legal under Texas law as long as the vehicles are not for personal benefit. The statement implies wrongdoing by using the phrase \"bending the rules,\" but the evidence provided indicates that Wentworth's actions were within the bounds of the law. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context to accurately portray the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7415.json","label":"false","statement":"Says If Oregons Legislature simply authorizes $450 million for the CRC, it will leave Oregon holding the bag for a great deal more cost responsibility.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided suggests that if Oregon's legislature authorizes $450 million for the CRC (Columbia River Crossing), it will not necessarily leave Oregon solely responsible for additional costs. The intergovernmental agreement and provisions mentioned in the evidence indicate that both Oregon and Washington would share the responsibility for the project. Therefore, the claim that Oregon would be left \"holding the bag\" for a significant increase in cost responsibility is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Americans of faith are under attack,\" Johnson, a Republican from Marietta, said in his June 27 statement. \"First, the President refused to defend the Defense of Marriage Act, despite his legal, constitutional responsibility to do so. Then, liberals on the Supreme Court refused to defend traditional marriage itself, even though that's what most Americans want. I will defend traditional marriage, because it's not a government's job to define it -- it was already defined by God.\"","That would suggest exactly the opposite of what Johnson claimed when he said the \"Supreme Court refused to defend traditional marriage itself, even though that's what most Americans want.\"","PolitiFact Ohio has no desire to debate theology and no need to address whether Obama had an obligation to defend DOMA in court. The point is widely debated, but many of his predecessors from both parties also refused to defend laws they thought were unconstitutional. But another part of Johnson\u2019s claim caught our interest -- that the traditional definition of marriage is \"what most Americans want.\"","The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, signed under President Bill Clinton, defined marriage as between one man and one woman, excluding same-sex couples from more than 1,000 federal rights and protections."]},{"id":"9579.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We cut property taxes for seniors and our middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that property taxes were indeed cut for seniors, specifically low-income seniors, during Crist's term as governor. However, it is important to note that the claim of cutting property taxes for the middle class is not explicitly supported by the evidence provided. While there were tax cuts for property-owning residents, it does not specify that these cuts were specifically targeted towards the middle class. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in regards to the tax cuts for seniors, but lacks clarity on the specific impact on the middle class.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In 2012, 1 in 4 Wisconsin schools had a subpar score on the Department of Public Instruction\u2019s recent report cards\" and are \"failing\" the children they serve.","Advocating expansion of school choice into more cities, Vos said: \"In 2012, 1 in 4 Wisconsin schools had a subpar score on the Department of Public Instruction\u2019s recent report cards\" and are \"failing\" the children they serve","\"In 2012, 1 in 4 Wisconsin schools had a subpar score on the Department of Public Instruction\u2019s recent report cards,\" Vos said in an April 5, 2013, video news release. \"Simply, those schools are failing the Wisconsin children they serve.\"","But he clearly references the department\u2019s report cards -- and then wrongly quotes them as saying they show one in four public schools are not only \"subpar\" but \"failing\" their students."]},{"id":"6746.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Eight million Americans have dropped out of the work force since (Barack) Obama became president. ... The real unemployment rate is 19 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two claims. The first claim that eight million Americans have dropped out of the workforce since President Obama took office is misleading. The labor force participation rate has indeed declined during that time, but it is influenced by various factors such as demographics and retirement trends, rather than solely indicating people dropping out of the workforce. The second claim that the real unemployment rate is 19 percent is also inaccurate. The official unemployment rate is calculated based on specific criteria and does not support the 19 percent figure. While there may be alternative measures of unemployment that consider a broader range of factors, the statement does not provide sufficient evidence to support the claim. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But Obama twisted McCain's words in the Cleveland debate. He said, \"We are bogged down in a war that John McCain now suggests might go on for another 100 years.\"","Sen. Barack Obama made a similar charge (but without the catchy music) during the Democratic debate in Cleveland, Ohio, on Feb. 26, 2008, when he said, \"We are bogged down in a war that John McCain now suggests might go on for another 100 years.\"","SUMMARY: Sen. John McCain has said he expects a long U.S. presence in Iraq, possibly for 100 or 1,000 years. Critics say he wouldn't mind if the war lasted that long, but transcripts show McCain was referring to a peacetime military presence, not a thousand-year war.","\"John McCain says it's okay with him if the U.S. spends the next thousand years in Iraq,\" Rose Forrest, an Iraq war veteran, says in an ad for that aired in Washington, D.C., in late February and is still available on the Web. \"That's some commitment to the Iraqi people, Sen. McCain.\""]},{"id":"4938.json","label":"true","statement":"Rhode Island already gets more revenue per capita from gambling than any other state in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence from the National Conference of State Legislatures, which ranked Rhode Island second in gambling revenue per capita, only behind West Virginia. While there may be some limitations in the comparison due to differences in reporting methods, the evidence confirms that Rhode Island does indeed generate more revenue per capita from gambling than any other state in the country.\nLabel: true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6364.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde has no problem with raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that Eric Hovde made a statement indicating that he personally had no problem with being charged higher taxes, it does not necessarily imply that he supports raising taxes for others or as a policy position. The statement lacks context and could be misinterpreted to suggest that Hovde is in favor of raising taxes in general. It is important to consider the full context of Hovde's statement and his overall stance on tax policies before making such a claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But the real issue here is Clinton's claim that UAE is \"the only country with huge amounts of imported workers that's actually passed legislation to give these immigrant workers a better deal in the Middle East.\"","\"Dubai is the only country with huge amounts of imported workers that's actually passed legislation to give these immigrant workers a better deal in the Middle East,\" Clinton said. \"And they've got women in the government. They have a joint public-private decision making process. Nobody knows anything about it. Why? Because of the Palestinian-Israeli thing.\"","But again, our focus is the claim Clinton made about immigrant workers, and that the UAE is the only Middle East country that has passed legislation to improve the lot of a large population of imported workers. The UAE government did pass labor laws designed to help protect immigrant workers. But they aren't the only Gulf country to do so. Bahrain, for example, took the lead in changing sponsorship laws. And human rights groups say that despite passing the laws, the UAE has not done enough to enforce them, and that exploitation of immigrant workers is still rampant in the UAE -- perhaps even more so now than before the laws due to the economic downtown. UAE officials say those reports ignore genuine efforts to improve conditions for immigrant workers. But even the U.S. State Department's report suggests the UAE has a long way to go on this issue.","\"So to summarize,\" McGeehan said, \"no legislation has been passed to protect workers, the situation has actually gotten worse, in contrast to the government's PR-driven rhetoric, and the U.S.'s political and business interests in the region compromise its public statements on the issue.\""]},{"id":"5203.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Rick Santorum says Rick Perry requested 1,200 earmarks as governor of Texas.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rick Santorum that Rick Perry requested 1,200 earmarks as governor of Texas is not accurate. Earmarks are requested by members of Congress, not governors. Therefore, attributing all of the earmarks over a specific period to Governor Perry is misleading and incorrect. The evidence provided clearly states that there is no way to determine how many earmarks originated with any governor. Thus, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Secretary Clinton supported virtually every one of the disastrous trade agreements written by corporate America,\" Sanders said. \"NAFTA, supported by the secretary, cost us 800,000 jobs nationwide, tens of thousands of jobs in the Midwest.\"","The liberal Economic Policy Institute has found that NAFTA has cost the United States over 800,000 jobs and the South Korean deal about 60,000. In a 2014 report, the think tank reported that the United States has lost 3.2 million jobs between 2001 and 2013 to trade with China.","Sanders said that NAFTA, which Clinton used to support, cost the U.S. economy 800,000 jobs. There is a report from a left-leaning policy group that reached that conclusion. On the other hand, many other nonpartisan reports found that the trade deal produced neither significant job losses nor job gains. This is a result of competing economic models and the challenges of teasing out the effects of NAFTA from everything else that has taken place in the economy.","Economist Martin Baily at the Brookings Institution said Sanders\u2019 number \"looks high,\" and observed that it\u2019s possible that NAFTA has not cost the country any jobs."]},{"id":"931.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Nancy Pelosi wants a Windfall Tax on Retirement Income.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Nancy Pelosi wants a windfall tax on retirement income. In fact, Pelosi herself has explicitly denied these rumors and stated that they are completely fabricated. There is no record of her advocating for such a tax on stock market profits or retirement income. The claim is a baseless rumor and should be disregarded.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11739.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We get practically nothing compared to the cost of keeping U.S. military forces in South Korea.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States bears a significant cost in maintaining military forces in South Korea, the statement that \"we get practically nothing\" is an oversimplification. The presence of U.S. troops in South Korea serves multiple purposes, including deterring aggression from North Korea, stabilizing the region, and projecting military power in the western Pacific. Additionally, South Korea does contribute financially to support the presence of U.S. troops, which helps offset some of the costs. Therefore, while the cost may be substantial, the statement fails to acknowledge the strategic and geopolitical benefits that the United States derives from its military presence in South Korea.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5158.json","label":"false","statement":"U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher is the only working farmer currently serving in the House.","reason":"Reason: The claim that U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher is the only working farmer currently serving in the House is false. While Rep. Fincher is indeed a farmer, there are other members of the House who also have backgrounds in farming or agriculture. The National Corn Growers Association's claim, featured in Corn Commentary, lacks evidence and is not supported by the facts. It is important to note that there are several representatives from rural districts who have experience in farming or agriculture-related fields.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Democratic Reps. Cicilline, Boswell, Carnahan and Critz \"demanded that Congress vote to increase the nation\u2019s debt limit without making any spending cuts.\"","\"After spending recklessly and maxing out the nation's credit card, (Rep. David) Cicilline demanded that Congress vote to increase the nation\u2019s debt limit without making any spending cuts.\"","So how can the NRCC claim in the second version that the four House Democrats \"demanded that Congress vote to increase the nation\u2019s debt limit without making any spending cuts\"?","That one went out to constituents of Democrats Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Russ Carnahan (Mo.), David Cicilline (R.I.) and Mark Critz (Pa.),"]},{"id":"4245.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I built the last nuclear plant not only in the state, but in the country.","reason":"Reason: Former Gov. Tom Kean is correct in stating that he oversaw the construction of the last nuclear power plant in New Jersey. However, his claim that it was the last nuclear plant built in the entire country is not accurate. While it is true that one of the last nuclear power plants of its kind in the United States began operations during his tenure, there have been subsequent nuclear plant constructions in other states since then. Therefore, his statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Republican politicians are pushing a plan \"that could raise taxes on almost one in three Wisconsinites and sunset Social Security and Medicare in five years.\"","The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency mentioned some of these causes in a Feb. 10 press release. A Washington Post analysis found that the rise in migrants at the border follows a seasonal pattern set in fiscal year 2019, with the addition of pent-up demand from people who stayed home in 2020 because of the pandemic.","For his part, in an email to PolitiFact Wisconsin, Toney argued \"the private sector, first responders, prosecutors, and court staff across Wisconsin juggled staffing and Covid issues and found ways to be in person throughout 2021, often in cramped settings.\"","According to the labs\u2019 2021 annual report, in the 10 categories analyzed, turnaround took more time in six of them under Kaul than under Schimel."]},{"id":"10045.json","label":"false","statement":"Milwaukee police and firefighters are routinely getting 4 percent raises annually while everybody else is either getting zero or one percent raises.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may have been instances where police and firefighters in Milwaukee received 4 percent raises, it is not accurate to claim that they routinely receive such raises annually while everyone else receives zero or one percent raises. The evidence suggests that there have been periods where police and fire officials received higher raises compared to general employees, but this does not constitute a consistent pattern of annual 4 percent raises for police and firefighters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["How can that be? Because Scott is comparing apples to oranges -- a projected budget shortfall that accounts for growth and inflation, versus an actual budget \"surplus\" that is a result of the state's requirement that legislators pass a balanced budget.","In the end, the 2015-17 budget approved by the Legislature and signed by Walker in July 2015 was balanced -- just as every other Wisconsin state budget is.","We wanted to check both of Scott's figures so we turned to Amy Baker, the state's chief economist. Baker sent us this summary showing how they started planning for the 2011-12 year with a shortfall and ended with what Scott called a surplus. The same information -- plus additional details about Florida's budget -- are included in this August 2011 report from the state's Office of Economic and Demographic Research.","In reality, the state ends most every year with what Scott calls a surplus because the state is required to pass a balanced budget and generally can't borrow money to pay its bills. And in recent years, because state revenue has been declining, the state enters the next year with a projected \"deficit\" using Scott's word -- or more accurately a shortfall."]},{"id":"10555.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When you have 8,000 veterans a year committing suicide, then you have a serious problem.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the seriousness of the issue of veteran suicides. While the exact number may vary slightly based on different sources and timeframes, the evidence supports the claim that a significant number of veterans die by suicide each year. The provided evidence mentions statistics of 6,570 veterans per year and 29,000 veterans over a specific period, which aligns with the magnitude of the problem. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"One of their cities has a law that says that women can only have six dildos, and the certain size of things. And if that ain't crazy, I don't know what is,\" Hastings said.","In this article, we will fact-check Hastings' claim that a Texas city has a law about dildos and their sizes. We contacted a spokeswoman for Hastings but did not get a reply.","There's a law, now invalid, along those lines \u2014 though it was intended to prevent the sale of such devices, not the ownership of them. In addition, it was a statewide law, not a city law, and more importantly, it was struck down by a federal appeals court more than six years ago. Hastings\u2019 office did not provide supporting evidence for an existing city law that sets a dildo limit.","Colin Jost, who also wondered aloud about the mass shooter in Las Vegas owning 47 guns, said in the Oct. 7, 2017 episode: \"No one should own 47 of anything.\" Cats, for instance, Jost went on, before adding: \"There is a real law in Texas that says it\u2019s illegal to own more than six dildos. And I get why\u2014no one needs that many! If you have more than six dildos, it\u2019s a clear sign you are training for something awful.\""]},{"id":"2378.json","label":"true","statement":"I dont understand what Republicans are doing against this. It was their idea. John McCain introduced cap and trade legislation three times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. John McCain, a Republican senator, did introduce cap and trade legislation multiple times, including the \"Climate Stewardship Act\" in 2003, which aimed to reduce carbon pollution through a cap and trade approach. The claim that it was a Republican idea is supported by the evidence provided. However, it's important to note that the Republican party's position on cap and trade has evolved over time, and not all Republicans support the policy currently.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In one item, we checked Hays' assertion that he \"did not vote to spend money to fight that lawsuit.\" In another, we checked Hays' statement that tax dollars are not being used to fight the lawsuit. In this fact-check, we're seeing if Hays is right to say that \"the Florida Legislature has not filed a lawsuit to fight Amendments 5 and 6.\"","\"No I did not vote to spend money to fight that lawsuit,\" Hays said later in response to the man. \"The disappointing part of this whole thing, folks, is the misinformation that is out there. The Florida Legislature has not filed a lawsuit to fight Amendments 5 and 6. The Amendment 6 lawsuit was filed by one Republican congressman and one Democratic congresswoman. The Florida House chose to go, and what's the term? An intervenor? ... in seeking clarification. The Florida House intervened. But your tax dollars are not being used to sue you, the people who voted the 63 percent. Believe me. I don't know where you got your information but it's incorrect. So no I did not vote to waste that money.\"","If Hays had said the \"Florida Senate has not filed a lawsuit against Amendments 5 and 6\" that would be a true statement -- the Senate has not joined the lawsuit against Amendment 6 and has no plans to do so. And the lawsuit is about Amendment 6 -- not Amendment 5. But that's not what Hays said -- he said the Legislature has not filed a lawsuit. While that's true on a technical level -- the two members of Congress filed the lawsuit -- the House did join as a plaintiff. Hays later explained that the House joined as an intervenor \"seeking clarification\" but the House is seeking more than clarification -- the House has filed a motion asking that Amendment 6 be declared unconstitutional. We rate this claim Barely True.","\"The lawsuit was not filed by the Legislature, but the Legislature is spending taxpayer dollars on a court fight whose goal is to have the amendments declared invalid. ... The plaintiff controls the lawsuit; the intervenor comes along for the ride and has much less say in how the case proceeds. So tactically, you usually want to be the plaintiff.\""]},{"id":"9643.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Tourism and retirees are the dominant economic engines in our state.","reason":"Reason: While there is no definitive quantitative measure to determine the dominant economic engines in Florida, the evidence suggests that tourism and retirees do play a significant role in the state's economy. The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker, acknowledging that tourism and retirees are important factors in driving economic activity in Florida. However, it's important to note that the term \"dominant\" is subjective and can vary depending on different perspectives and criteria used for evaluation. Nonetheless, the statement aligns with the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We turned to another local camera critic. Matt Florell, who runs , analyzed more than 20 North American red light camera studies published in academic journals or cited by government agencies and determined most of them showed an increase in total crashes with red light cameras installed. In the 15 studies that measured crashes with injury, there was an increase of 21 percent, Florell found.","\u2022 The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety asserts red light cameras reduce the most dangerous crashes, pointing to 2011 in-house research that found large cities with red light cameras between 2004-08 saw a 24 percent reduction in fatal red light running crashes compared to those without. The institute also points to a 2002 study in California, showing significant declines in injury crashes and right-angle injury crashes across the city after some intersections got cameras.","A consultant\u2019s performance report in December 2012 concluded that the red light crash rate fell by 31 percent at St. Petersburg traffic approaches with cameras from November 2011 to October 2012, compared to the three-year average preceding it. Crashes from red light running resulting in injury fell by 47 percent compared to the three-year average preceding the program, the consultants found.","But the lengthy report omitted facts later reported by the Tampa Bay Times , such as the fact that rear-end wrecks at intersections with red light cameras jumped 44 percent and overall crashes at those intersections increased 10 percent compared to the previous year."]},{"id":"7832.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Fewer Democrats were on the Georgia general election ballot in 2012 than in more than 100 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided supports the claim that there were fewer Democrats on the Georgia general election ballot in 2012 compared to the past seven statewide elections from 2000 to 2012. However, the claim that this was the case for more than 100 years lacks sufficient evidence. The research and data provided only cover a span of 12 years, so it cannot be conclusively stated that this trend extends beyond that timeframe. Therefore, while there was a decrease in the number of Democrats on the ballot in 2012 compared to recent years, the claim about it being the lowest in over 100 years is not substantiated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5648.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There is not one single federal housing program yet that has not needed a bailout to survive.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that some federal housing programs have required financial assistance or bailouts to continue operating, it is not accurate to claim that every single federal housing program has needed a bailout. There are federal housing programs, such as those administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that have been financially stable and have not required bailouts. Additionally, it's important to note that not all housing assistance programs are categorized as federal housing programs, as mentioned by Ted Gayer from the Brookings Institution. Therefore, while there have been instances of bailouts in certain federal housing programs, the statement overgeneralizes and fails to acknowledge the variation among different programs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10471.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sheriffs Call For Obamas Lynching While Leader Meets With GOP Senators","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. While there may have been individuals who made such reprehensible statements, it is incorrect to suggest that \"sheriffs\" as a collective group called for President Obama's lynching. The evidence provided clarifies that the calls for lynching were attributed to a single individual, not to a group of sheriffs. It is important to be accurate and responsible when making claims that involve serious accusations like this.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Well, that's pretty much what Paul Ryan's plan is. \u2026 The members of Congress have a premium support model. So does every other federal employee,\" he said.","Our final point on how the plans differ may seem obvious to some: Members of Congress receive employer-based insurance. By definition, that means they receive a salary to help pay for their insurance. The base pay for members of Congress is currently $174,000.","At a minimum, the premium supports will not keep pace with the historic record of rapidly increasing health care costs. Additionally, seniors make significantly less income on average than members of Congress and likely will not have the same options to buy more expensive plans. Finally, they will not enjoy the same protection against rising costs that \"Fair Share\" provides members of Congress. We rate Santorum\u2019s statement Mostly False.","Keeping in mind that Ryan\u2019s Medicare proposal is only a broad outline right now, what we do know about it strikes us as fundamentally different from the health insurance that members of Congress receive, and on the point that matters most: cost to beneficiaries."]},{"id":"4739.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Youre paying for...(state Sen. Diane Allens) health care, and she took yours away.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that state Sen. Diane Allen took away the healthcare of the public, which is an oversimplification of the situation. While it is true that Allen receives taxpayer-funded health care, it is misleading to suggest that she personally took away healthcare from the public. The complexities of healthcare policy and legislation involve multiple stakeholders and decision-makers. It is important to consider the broader context and legislative processes when attributing responsibility for changes in healthcare coverage.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9027.json","label":"true","statement":"Once our Blueprint for Prosperity is signed into law, we will have delivered $2 billion in tax relief.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The infrastructure proposal put forth by President Biden includes various tax provisions that would result in a net increase in taxes. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly mention a specific tax relief of $2 billion. Therefore, without further information, it would be inaccurate to claim that the proposal would deliver $2 billion in tax relief.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12724.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2010, Clinton said Iran could enrich uranium. In 2014 she said shes always argued against it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that in a 2010 interview, Hillary Clinton mentioned that under the right conditions, Iran might be allowed to enrich uranium, it is incorrect to claim that in 2014 she said she had always argued against it. In 2014, Clinton did not explicitly reject the idea of Iran enriching uranium through negotiations. The conditions she described in 2014 were similar to those she mentioned in the 2010 interview and her testimony in 2011. Therefore, it is inaccurate to suggest that her position drastically changed between 2010 and 2014. The statement misrepresents the consistency of Clinton's stance on Iran's uranium enrichment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But Rubio suggested in South Carolina that when the Senate was debating its plan, Cruz was on board with giving immigrants legal status. \"In fact, when the Senate bill was proposed,\" Rubio said, Cruz \"proposed legalizing people that were here illegally. He proposed giving them work permits. He\u2019s also supported a massive expansion of the green cards. He's supported a massive expansion of the H-1B program, a 500 percent increase. So, if you look at it, I don't think our positions are dramatically different.\"","Sen. Marco Rubio said that while people sneaking into the United States is a legitimate problem, the immigration system is so broken that almost half of all illegal immigrants came into the country through legal channels.","In modern American politics, though, the usual standard for amnesty is the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. That law, supported by President Ronald Reagan, said that illegal immigrants could become legal permanent residents if they could prove they were in this country by Jan. 1, 1982, and met a few other minimal requirements. The law was widely described as an amnesty program, both then and now. And its failure to stem the flow of illegal immigration is partly why \"amnesty\" is such a poisonous word today.","Florida\u2019s Marco Rubio, asked by a reporter if Texan Ted Cruz is perhaps more serious about stopping illegal immigration, shot back that the freshman senators competing for the Republican presidential nomination share common ground."]},{"id":"2021.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rep. Ken Legler voted against installing fire sprinklers and emergency power generators in nursing homes.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rep. Ken Legler voted against an amendment that would have funded a study and subsequent installation of fire sprinklers and emergency generators in nursing homes, it is important to note the context. At the time of the vote, the majority of Texas nursing homes already had backup generators and sprinklers installed. The remaining facilities without sprinklers were facing a federal mandate to install them at their own expense. The amendment, if passed, would have provided funding for the installation at no cost to those facilities. Legler's vote against the amendment can be interpreted as a decision not to allocate additional funds for a requirement that was already being addressed by the federal mandate. Therefore, while Legler did vote against the specific amendment, the statement lacks the necessary context to fully understand his reasoning.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton sold 20 percent of America\u2019s uranium to Russia and then \"the Russian government gave $145 million to the Clinton Foundation.\" Former FBI Director and special counsel Robert Mueller \"delivered it.\"","Clinton \"gave up 20 percent of America's uranium supply to Russia -- to Russia,\" Trump said Sept. 28, 2016, two days after their first debate. \"You know what people do with uranium, don\u2019t you? It\u2019s called nuclear. Twenty percent. They could have never done it without her.\"","The charge: That Hillary Clinton sold roughly 20 percent of America\u2019s uranium supply to Russia in exchange for $145 million in donations to the Clinton Foundation.","Snopes, \"Hillary Clinton Gave 20 Percent of United States\u2019 Uranium to Russia in Exchange for Clinton Foundation Donations?\" Nov. 16, 2017"]},{"id":"8840.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Last month, more Americans stopped looking for a job than found one.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that in a specific month, more Americans stopped looking for a job than found one. However, it lacks context and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the overall employment situation. It is important to consider the broader trends and factors that contribute to changes in the labor force, such as seasonal fluctuations, economic conditions, and individual circumstances. Therefore, while the statement is true for that specific month, it does not provide a complete picture of the overall employment dynamics.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Fifty years ago, the average GM employee could pay for a year of a son or daughter\u2019s college tuition on just two weeks wages.\"","O\u2019Malley said, \"Fifty years ago, the average GM employee could pay for a year of a son or daughter\u2019s college tuition on just two weeks wages.\"","\"Fifty years ago, the average GM employee could pay for a year of a son or daughter\u2019s college tuition on just two weeks' wages,\" O\u2019Malley wrote in a post on Medium. \"Today, we are saddling our graduating kids and their families with more than $1.3 trillion in loan debt.\"","So if you ignore taxes -- a questionable policy, but one we\u2019ll grant O\u2019Malley for the sake of argument -- then two weeks of average GM pay would have been enough to pay for one year at the typical two-year college in 1965. But it would not be enough to pay for a year at typical four-year college. That would take a little more than four weeks\u2019 work."]},{"id":"11082.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In a few months, this deal would give Iran $150 billion for its $300 billion to $400 billion economy, which is like $8 trillion flowing into the United States treasury.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates and misrepresents the impact of the deal on Iran's economy and the analogy to the United States treasury. While it is true that the deal would provide Iran with access to frozen assets, estimating the value of those assets at $150 billion is an oversimplification. Additionally, comparing this amount to Iran's GDP and equating it to $8 trillion flowing into the United States treasury is misleading. The analogy fails to consider the differences between a country's economy and the money in its treasury, as well as the scale and complexity of the U.S. economy. Therefore, the statement is not an accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"And also by giving them this easy debt, on average, kids are taking six years to get a four-year degree, while that debt meter is increasing.\"","With the start of school right around the corner, we wondered whether it's really taking an average of six years to get from high school diploma to bachelor's degree.","And for students who started their college studies at a four-year institution, rather than a two-year school, the average was five years and eight months.","It\u2019s more common for students to take four years to graduate than it is for them to take six years. But overall, the average duration is about six years."]},{"id":"11353.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The tax policies of George W. Bush created a dynamic effect of high growth.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that George W. Bush's tax policies were intended to stimulate economic growth, the claim that they created a \"dynamic effect of high growth\" is an exaggeration. When comparing Bush's economic record to that of other presidents, such as Clinton and Reagan, his performance in terms of average, annual, inflation-adjusted growth in GDP ranks fourth out of the five presidents. Additionally, it's important to note that the economic growth during Bush's presidency was not solely attributed to his tax policies, as other factors such as government spending and external events also played a role. Therefore, the statement is an overstatement of the impact of Bush's tax policies on economic growth.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11695.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obamas homeland security budget had $16 million to fight climate change but didnt have a line item to fight violent extremism.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that President Obama's homeland security budget included funding for climate change initiatives, it is misleading to suggest that there was no funding allocated to fight violent extremism. The budget likely included various provisions and allocations to address different aspects of homeland security, including combating violent extremism. However, the specific claim about the absence of a line item for fighting violent extremism requires more specific information to verify its accuracy. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true due to its incomplete representation of the budget allocations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5415.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This president ... could have gotten crippling sanctions against Iran. He did not.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that President Obama signed new sanctions against Iran, it is important to note that these sanctions were not as extensive or crippling as the statement implies. The Obama administration did pursue diplomatic efforts, including negotiations with Iran, in an attempt to address the issue of Iran's nuclear program. While some argue that stronger sanctions could have been implemented, it is not accurate to claim that President Obama could have easily obtained crippling sanctions against Iran but chose not to do so. The situation was complex, and the effectiveness of sanctions in achieving desired outcomes is a subject of debate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3444.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the majority of Americans support gay marriage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including polls conducted by reputable organizations such as The Washington Post and ABC, indicate that a majority of Americans support gay marriage. The evidence provided highlights the shift in public opinion over time, with support for gay marriage increasing from around 36 percent to 53 percent. While it's important to note that public opinion can vary, the evidence suggests that a majority of Americans do indeed support gay marriage.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Sanders said that Clinton called Obama \"naive\" for saying he was would \"sit down and talk to the Iranians\" during the 2008 Democratic primary.","\"It\u2019s funny,\" Sanders replied. \"If you think back to 2007 during the campaign in which Secretary Clinton ran against Barack Obama, she was critical of him. A question was asked to Obama that said, \u2018Would you sit down and talk to the Iranians?\u2019 And he said, \u2018Yeah, I would.\" Point being, you talk to your adversaries. You don\u2019t run away from that. Secretary Clinton, I think, called him naive. Turns out that Obama was right.\"","Clinton and Obama\u2019s back-and-forth on Iran and other foreign policy issues was a main feature of the 2008 Democratic primary. At one point, Clinton did call Obama\u2019s position on Iran diplomacy \"naive,\" but Sanders is leaving out important nuance that misrepresents her position at the time.","The allegation about Obama\u2019s birthplace tracks back to the bruising 2008 Democratic primary between Obama and Clinton. According to a Telegraph article, as early as April 2008, a Clinton supporter passed around an email that questioned where Obama was born."]},{"id":"5395.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After prenatal diagnosis, 90 percent of Down syndrome children in America are aborted.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of scientific studies and reports that indicate a high abortion rate, ranging from 80 to 90 percent, for pregnancies diagnosed with Down syndrome. However, it is important to note that these studies are localized and there are no standardized, national numbers available. Therefore, using the term \"in America\" may be an overstatement since it lacks a comprehensive nationwide dataset. While the statement is generally true in terms of the localized studies, the lack of standardized national data warrants a rating of half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6766.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Obama adviser David Plouffe took large piles of cash from a joint venture partner of a company owned by Irans Revolutionary Guard.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that David Plouffe, an Obama adviser, received a significant amount of money from a joint venture partner of a company allegedly owned by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. While the exact amount of money received was $100,000 for two speeches from a Nigerian subsidiary of the joint venture partner, and the ownership of the Iranian company was not entirely clear, there were red flags and concerns regarding the association. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10321.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Texas House Speaker Joe Straus said, I do not care if Wallace Hall swings from a tree.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Texas House Speaker Joe Straus made the statement, \"I do not care if Wallace Hall swings from a tree.\" The evidence includes statements from Wallace Hall himself and Joe Straus, both denying that such a statement was made. The claim appears to be unsubstantiated and lacks credibility.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11234.json","label":"false","statement":"Not one of the 17 GOP candidates has discussed how theyd address the rising cost of college.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that some GOP candidates may not have extensively discussed their plans to address the rising cost of college, it is incorrect to claim that none of the 17 GOP candidates have discussed this issue. There have been instances where Republican candidates have addressed college affordability and proposed various approaches to tackle the issue. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the discussions and proposals made by GOP candidates regarding the rising cost of college.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","The same day, the Los Angeles Times reported that the fund had been seeded with $12 million from Bain partners and that Maxwell\u2019s $2 million was one of the early, but certainly not the first, outside investments. After Maxwell\u2019s death, investigators discovered Maxwell had stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from his company's pension funds.","Moreover, Romney\u2019s first fund at the firm was seeded by $12 million from Bain partners, although Maxwell was one of the early outside investors.","The $2 million from Maxwell did not start Romney in business. Romney had eight years of business experience before co-founding the Bain Capital investment firm."]},{"id":"3958.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"State Sen. Alberta Darling voted to add more than $1 billion in additional spending while cutting programs such as education and health care","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wisconsin Rep. Sandy Pasch that State Sen. Alberta Darling voted for a budget that increased state spending by over $1 billion while cutting programs such as education and health care. While the evidence provided supports Pasch's claim, it's important to note that the specific details of the budget and the extent of the cuts to education and health care may vary. Therefore, the statement is categorized as mostly-true, as it accurately captures the overall claim made by Rep. Pasch, but the specific details may require further examination.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6987.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney was clear that he would not provide government assistance to the U.S. auto companies, even if they went through bankruptcy.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. Mitt Romney did express opposition to a government bailout for the auto companies, but he did propose providing guarantees to help the companies go through bankruptcy and emerge successfully. While Romney did not explicitly support direct government assistance, his plan aimed to facilitate a managed bankruptcy process with assistance from the private sector. Therefore, characterizing his stance as an absolute refusal to provide government assistance is an oversimplification. It is important to consider the nuances of his proposal and the context in which it was presented.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In January, the Wall Street Journal asked over 60 economists how much stimulus is needed. A bit more than half said less than $1 trillion would do. Just under half preferred an amount between $1 trillion and $2 trillion.","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","\"By revoking the Keystone pipeline permit, Biden is destroying 11,000 jobs and roughly $2 billion in wages,\" the post says. \"Democrats couldn\u2019t even get through Day 1 without killing jobs for middle class Americans.\"","Stockman spokesman Donny Ferguson emailed us a Feb. 12, 2013, Wall Street Journal news story that said, \"The U.S. government spent about $2.2 billion last year to provide phones to low-income Americans ... Payouts under the program have shot up from $819 million in 2008, as more wireless carriers have persuaded regulators to let them offer the service.\""]},{"id":"12846.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We rank 38th in wages. ... (Rick Scott) goes out around the country and advertises that to other states.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Gwen Graham's claim that Florida ranks 38th in wages and suggests that Rick Scott advertises this fact to other states. However, it is important to note that there is a discrepancy in the evidence regarding whether Scott actually boasted about Florida's low wages while recruiting businesses from other states. While Gwen Graham made this claim, it is not supported by concrete evidence or public statements from Scott himself. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim that Scott actively promotes Florida's low wages to other states.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"This is not tough for me,\" he added later. \"I had the longest judicial vacancy in the history of the United States \u2013 on the Eastern District of North Carolina. Not many people know that.\"","In the tape, Burr claims responsibility for \"the longest judicial vacancy in (U.S.) history\" \u2013 specifically a seat on the federal district court serving Eastern North Carolina. He said it while pledging, if re-elected, to stonewall Supreme Court nominees from a hypothetical Hillary Clinton administration.","The vacancy he\u2019s talking about is the longest current vacancy. But is it really the longest ever? And is Burr as responsible for it as he claims?","So Burr is partly responsible for the longest current vacancy. And among only district court seats, it does indeed hold the all-time record, according to Winston Bowman, an associate historian with the Federal Judicial Center."]},{"id":"430.json","label":"false","statement":"Obama \"supports hate-crimes expansion ... potentially putting churches at risk if they preach the truth about homosexuality.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that President Obama supports hate-crime laws that would put churches at risk if they preach about homosexuality. In reality, an amendment co-sponsored by Obama aimed to expand federal hate crime laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity, but it did not infringe upon the rights of churches to express their beliefs. The claim misrepresents Obama's position and wrongly suggests that he supports legislation that would restrict religious freedom.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s proposed reduction in university spending is \"about the size of the one\" under Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, but Democrats didn\u2019t treat Doyle\u2019s cut as so dire.","Vos said Walker\u2019s proposed reduction in university spending is \"about the size of the one that happened\" under Doyle, but Democrats didn\u2019t treat that cut as so dire.","\"Let\u2019s remember that the cut that\u2019s happening under Gov. Walker is about the size of the one that happened under (Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle),\" Vos said March 12, 2015 in an interview on Wisconsin Eye.","When Gov. Scott Walker proposed a $300 million cut to the state\u2019s university system over two years, Democrats called it a \"massive\" and \"destructive\" blow."]},{"id":"974.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Employee Free Choice Act mandates the elimination of the secret ballot.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Employee Free Choice Act, as supported by Barack Obama and discussed in the evidence, does propose changes to the process of union certification elections. While it does not explicitly mandate the elimination of the secret ballot, it includes provisions for an alternative method called \"card check\" that would allow employees to sign authorization cards to form a union without a secret ballot election. This alternative method has been a point of contention and criticism, as it could potentially undermine the confidentiality and privacy of the voting process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7870.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our ranking in terms of the best and worst states to do business in was 43 four years ago, and we just moved up to 17 two weeks ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the ranking of the speaker's business in terms of the best and worst states has improved significantly, moving from 43rd place four years ago to 17th place recently. However, without additional context or specific information about the ranking system or the source of the rankings, it is challenging to verify the accuracy of this claim. The statement lacks specific details about the criteria used for the rankings and the time frame in which the rankings were conducted. Therefore, while there may have been some improvement, the lack of specific information makes it difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5694.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says his reform efforts improved performance at all 10 low-performing schools in Palm Beach, Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Jeffrey Hernandez's claim that his reform efforts resulted in improved performance at all 10 low-performing schools in Palm Beach, Florida. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer independent verification or objective data to support this claim. While Hernandez asserts that all schools received a grade of 'C' or higher, there is no external confirmation of these grades or an analysis of the specific improvements made. Therefore, the claim is only partially true, as it relies solely on Hernandez's self-reported information without additional evidence to substantiate the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"During her international travels, there was no serious diplomacy, just a virtually endless round of meetings with women, visiting arts-and-crafts centers, watching native industries and photo opportunities for the local media,\" Morris wrote recently.","According to Melanne Verveer, Clinton\u2019s former chief of staff and nearly constant travel companion, the 12-day trip to South Asia, which included stops in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, was just one example of Clinton\u2019s important international efforts in championing women\u2019s and children\u2019s issues.","\u2022 After meeting with Yunus in Bangladesh that day in April 1995, using mircocredit as a tool to fight world poverty became one of Clinton\u2019s biggest international initiatives in her travels as first lady. The issue of microcredit appears on Clinton\u2019s schedules more than 50 times.","Locked in a tight presidential primary, now-Sen. Hillary Clinton has made much of her experience in foreign affairs, often trumpeting her travels as first lady as proof that she is better equipped to lead than her Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama."]},{"id":"5334.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The commercial property tax [in Providence] is second highest in the country behind Detroit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee. According to the evidence, Providence ranked second for the highest commercial property taxes among a group of cities, with Detroit being the only city ahead. While Providence is not among the 50 largest cities in the country, if it were included, it would still hold the second position for commercial property taxes, again behind Detroit. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says that when he first ran for office in the late 1980s, \"there were still folks who didn't have phone service. Soon I'd helped ensure that everyone in North Florida could access a dial tone.\"","Trump did talk politics in the late 1980s and \u201990s, but there is no record of him bashing the Republican party, or its voters.","Allen Boyd is a former congressman from Monticello representing Florida's 2nd Congressional District in North Florida. He was defeated in a re-election campaign on Nov. 2, 2010.","While Trump flirted with the idea of a presidential run in a few interviews in the late 1990s, there is no record of Trump saying this quote in People , or in any other publication."]},{"id":"8092.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Government subsidies for renewable energies such as wind and solar are 100 times greater than those given to gas and coal, and 50 times greater than what the nuclear industry enjoys.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, government subsidies for renewable energies like wind and solar are indeed greater than those given to gas and coal. However, the claim that the subsidies are 100 times greater for wind and solar and 50 times greater for the nuclear industry is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that the subsidies for solar and wind are significantly higher compared to coal and oil, but not to the extent of being 100 times greater. Additionally, the evidence does not support the claim about the nuclear industry's subsidies. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement regarding renewable energy subsidies, it is exaggerated and lacks accuracy in relation to the subsidies for gas, coal, and nuclear industries.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["According to the Fiscal Bureau, the governor\u2019s proposal would have upped spending by more than $8.1 billion from 2021-23. The Fiscal Bureau measures increases and decreases by comparing funding to the second year of the previous budget \u2014 also known as the base year.","Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tony Evers proposes rollback of Act 10 in budget that boosts school spending by $1.6 billion and raises $1 billion in taxes, Feb. 16, 2021.","Evers proposed a $91 billion budget for 2021-23 that aimed to expand Medicaid, legalize marijuana and raise $1 billion in taxes. GOP lawmakers on the state\u2019s powerful Joint Finance Committee, which is tasked with writing the budget, removed hundreds of items from the governor\u2019s proposal tied to his key priorities.","The Joint Finance Committee returned the 2021-23 budget proposal to previous spending levels, which negated over $8 billion in spending increases proposed by Evers."]},{"id":"9070.json","label":"false","statement":"The Greenlight Pinellas transportation plan involves a 300% tax increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the activist group No Tax For Tracks claims that the Greenlight Pinellas transportation plan involves a 300% tax increase, this claim is misleading. The group's assertion is based on the expansion of tax revenue, not a direct tax increase. The plan involves reallocating existing tax revenue and implementing a new sales tax to fund transportation improvements. It is important to note that the 300% figure refers to the increase in revenue, not a direct tax increase for individuals or households. Label: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3556.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says an average of $4 billion is added to the national debt every day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Mark Warner. The evidence suggests that between 2009 and 2011, the national debt increased by an average of just over $4 billion per day. While the pace of debt increase may have slowed in subsequent years, the statement is still mostly true based on the data provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Beck said he would never vote for Trump and instead would probably focus on the strongest House and Senate candidates who \"would keep Hillary Clinton at bay because Trump is not going to win the general. If you look at the polls \u2014 Todd, and you know this no matter what they say \u2014 you look at the polls, Hillary Clinton wins every time with Donald Trump.\"","\"There was even a time when (Donald Trump) didn't get an Emmy for his TV program three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged.\"","Trump has come out on top in only five polls. The last time was in a February USA Today \/Suffolk survey, where the two-point spread was within the margin of error. That poll has not been repeated.","Soon after FBI agents raided his Mar-a-Lago estate, former President Donald Trump posted a statement decrying the \"weaponization of the justice system.\" He called the search \"political targeting at the highest level,\" and contrasted what was happening to him with what happened to his 2016 Democratic opponent."]},{"id":"12524.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In America, radical speech is not a crime.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. In the United States, radical speech is generally protected under the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech. However, there are limited exceptions to this protection, such as when speech incites imminent violence or when it specifically aids acts of terrorism. While certain types of speech, like \"fighting words,\" may not be protected, radical speech itself is not explicitly included in the exceptions. It's important to note that the interpretation of what constitutes radical speech can vary, and determining its legality may depend on specific circumstances and legal precedents.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11392.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"100 percent of the crime is committed, in estimate, by about 15 percent of the population.","reason":"Reason: The statement that 100 percent of the crime is committed by about 15 percent of the population is not supported by credible evidence. While it is true that a small percentage of the population may be responsible for a significant portion of crimes, the claim that this small percentage accounts for all crime is an exaggeration. Various sources, including law enforcement data and research from the U.S. Sentencing Project, indicate that a larger proportion of the population has criminal convictions. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Historical data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which tracks the weekly national average for gasoline, shows costs varied by less than a penny. On April 7, 1997, a gallon of regular gasoline on average cost roughly $1.19. At the end of the month, the same gallon cost about $1.18.","\"New Jersey is the only state in the union that spent less on higher education than it did at the beginning of the decade.\"","Critics say Trump\u2019s WHO funding hold violates the Impoundment Control Act. Here\u2019s what experts think (\/article\/2020\/apr\/21\/critics-say-trumps-who-funding-hold-violates-impou\/ \"Critics say Trump\u2019s WHO funding hold violates the Impoundment Control Act. Here\u2019s what experts think\")","!Critics say Trump\u2019s WHO funding hold violates the Impoundment Control Act. Here\u2019s what experts think (\/article\/2020\/apr\/21\/critics-say-trumps-who-funding-hold-violates-impou\/ \"Critics say Trump\u2019s WHO funding hold violates the Impoundment Control Act. Here\u2019s what experts think\")"]},{"id":"5535.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele eliminated sheriffs office funding for providing security for presidential and presidential campaign visits.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele proposed significant budget cuts and reductions in positions for the sheriff's office, it is important to note that the statement lacks some context. The budget cuts were part of a broader effort to address fiscal challenges and reduce spending across various county departments. While the specific funding for providing security for presidential and presidential campaign visits may have been affected, it is unclear whether it was completely eliminated or if there were alternative ways for the sheriff's office to allocate resources to maintain the same level of security. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional information to provide a more accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"As a legislator, (Marco Rubio) flipped on a key vote after making a quick $200,000 from selling the house to the mother of the bill's lobbyist.\"","\"Sen. Rubio\u2019s (tax plan) would cut taxes for households making around $3 million a year by almost $240,000, which is way more than three times the earnings of a typical family.\"","\u2022 Another Crist attack late in the campaign, that Rubio changed his position about an auto insurance proposal after selling his home to a chiropractor who was lobbying him, rated a Barely True. The sale was actually to the chiropractor's mother, a retiree who wanted to live near her son. And Rubio did not alter his position immediately. He stood his ground and the proposal failed in the regular legislative session. It wasn't until months later, after changes were made in the bill, that Rubio agreed and it passed.","\u2022 He claimed, for example, that when he was speaker, the House proposed leaner budgets than Crist. We examined the 2007 and 2008 budgets to see who could stake the better claim to being a fiscal conservative. In 2007, Rubio was right by just a hair: The House budget was about $500 million less than the governor's proposal, out of a $70 billion total. The difference was much more noticeable in 2008, about $5 billion lower. We gave Rubio a Mostly True for that one."]},{"id":"2939.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The state has less employees this year than we did last year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the statement regarding the number of state employees. However, based on the information provided, it is reasonable to infer that the statement is mostly true. The evidence mentions that the ratio of Texas state workers to private-sector workers declined from 2010 through 2013, indicating a decrease in the number of state employees during that period. Additionally, the evidence mentions that interest groups are clamoring for funds after a years-long dry spell, suggesting a possible reduction in state employees. While specific data on the current year is not provided, the evidence implies a trend of decreasing state employees in recent years.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1522.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says one in three Texas children drop out of high school.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While Senator Hutchison claims that one in three Texas children drop out of high school, the evidence provided indicates that this claim is an exaggeration. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) calculates dropout rates using two measurements, both of which are significantly lower than the \"one in three\" rate mentioned by Hutchison. However, there are valid concerns raised about the accuracy of these measurements, as they may not capture the full extent of dropout rates, particularly for students who stay in high school longer than four years. Therefore, while the statement overstates the dropout rate, there are valid concerns about the accuracy of the official measurements.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Florida\u2019s next Senate president is telling voters in a new campaign ad that he fought to overturn a \"fast one\" pulled by Tallahassee lawmakers.","In the end, Gaetz basically fought to get rid of a state law that he is partially responsible for. Gaetz says he was misled by \"a fast one,\" but we found no evidence of the bill sponsor downplaying the swath of affected homeowners. Plus Gaetz ultimately is responsible to know what is in a bill he voted on.","Florida Department of Health, \"Report on Range of Costs to Implement a Mandatory Statewide 5-year Septic Tank Inspection Program,\" Oct. 1, 2008","As frustration mounted among tea party members and his northwest Florida constituents, Gaetz was quoted as saying a repeal of the inspection requirement was already \"teed up and and ready to go,\" according to November 2010 Bradenton Herald story."]},{"id":"12671.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In 2016, Dallas, Texas, has fewer police officer-related shootings than any large city in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Dallas, Texas, did have fewer police officer-related shootings in 2016 compared to many other large cities in America. However, it is not possible to definitively claim that Dallas had the fewest police officer-related shootings out of all large cities in the entire country. The evidence suggests that Dallas had fewer shootings than many other cities, but there is no comprehensive data available for all large cities, making it impossible to make a conclusive comparison. Therefore, while Dallas performed well in terms of officer-related shootings, the claim of being the absolute lowest cannot be fully substantiated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"One-hundred times as many people worked their way from poverty into the American middle class\" during his presidency compared to Ronald Reagan's presidency.","Clinton said \"100 times as many people worked their way from poverty into the American middle class\" during his presidency compared to Reagan's presidency.","\"But 100 times -- listen to this -- 100 times as many people worked their way from poverty into the American middle class. That\u2019s the way this economy should work.\"","Campaigning for Mary Burke in Milwaukee on Oct. 24, 2014, Bill Clinton reflected on his presidency, sizing it up against Ronald Reagan's."]},{"id":"5514.json","label":"half-true","statement":"PIP fraud is $1 billion in fraud.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Rick Scott has frequently mentioned that PIP fraud accounts for $1 billion, it is important to note that there are differing opinions on the accuracy of this claim. While Scott may have industry data supporting the $1 billion figure, opponents, particularly lawyers involved in the PIP fight, have questioned the methodology and measurements used to arrive at that number. Therefore, while there may be some level of fraud in the PIP system, it is unclear whether the entire $1 billion can be attributed solely to fraud. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["To hear airport boosters tell it, the story of the recent completion of the new international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson airport ends with a Happily Ever After.","The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport finally opened its doors after more than a decade of delays, lawsuits and changes of plans.","\"John, a lot of people have been waiting a long time to get the Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal open. Are we on time to get it open on Wednesday?\" Slade asked.","\"I am . . . pleased to announce today that the Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal will open for global business and travel on Wednesday, May 16, on time and on budget,\" Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said during a speech in the weeks before the terminal\u2019s opening."]},{"id":"3067.json","label":"true","statement":"Some of the men serving in the (Afghan) armed forces have never driven a vehicle before.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that highlights the challenges faced by the Afghan armed forces. The evidence suggests that despite significant financial investment from the United States, there are instances where Afghan military personnel lack certain skills and experience, such as driving vehicles. This can be attributed to various factors, including the rapid expansion of the Afghan forces and the ongoing conflict. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The state AFL-CIO said Walker \"has given a $10,000 tax deduction to millionaires who send their kids to exclusive private schools.\"","\"What\u2019s really troubling is that Scott Walker has given a $10,000 tax deduction to millionaires who send their kids to exclusive private schools. Some have asked why Walker is giving a tax break to millionaires who can afford tuition costs rather than investing in the children who are being educated in public schools. Working families are still waiting for an answer.\"","!A $10,000 tax deduction pushed by Gov. Scott Walker is worth hundreds of dollars to Wisconsin taxpayers who send their kids to private schools. !A $10,000 tax deduction pushed by Gov. Scott Walker is worth hundreds of dollars to Wisconsin taxpayers who send their kids to private schools.","A $10,000 tax deduction pushed by Gov. Scott Walker is worth hundreds of dollars to Wisconsin taxpayers who send their kids to private schools."]},{"id":"381.json","label":"false","statement":"John McCain has \"a consistent pattern of ducking important environmental votes.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that John McCain has a \"consistent pattern of ducking important environmental votes.\" The evidence focuses on a question asked to McCain during a press conference about why voters concerned about climate change should support him over his Democratic rivals. It does not provide any specific instances or examples of McCain avoiding or neglecting important environmental votes. Without additional evidence to support the claim, it cannot be considered accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10067.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Iowa has the fourth fastest-growing personal income in the United States, while nationally, the real wage has decreased over the past eight years that Congressman (Bruce) Braley has been there by 2.7 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that Iowa has experienced significant personal income growth, ranking fourth in the United States, the claim that the real wage has decreased over the past eight years that Congressman Bruce Braley has been there by 2.7 percent is misleading. The statement fails to consider factors such as inflation and the overall economic conditions during that period. It is important to note that real wage growth is influenced by various factors, and a single statistic does not provide a comprehensive representation of the wage trends in Iowa. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to fully support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9893.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In Tripoli, jihadists today swim in our embassy pool.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that the U.S. embassy in Tripoli was evacuated due to renewed violence in the city, the claim that jihadists are swimming in the embassy pool is an exaggeration. The video footage mentioned in the evidence does show members of a militia group diving into a pool, but it was not the embassy pool. Additionally, labeling them as \"jihadists\" is an overstatement. It's important to be cautious with such claims and ensure accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Is Walker right that \"jobs that involve the minimum wage are overwhelmingly jobs for young people starting out in the workforce\"?","So how do the facts square with Walker\u2019s comment that \"jobs that involve the minimum wage are overwhelmingly jobs for young people starting out in the workforce.\"","On cable TV\u2019s MSNBC, Walker said \"Jobs that involve the minimum wage are overwhelmingly jobs for young people starting out in the workforce.\"","He added: \"Jobs that involve the minimum wage are overwhelmingly jobs for young people starting out in the workforce. The last thing you want to do is have fewer young people (working) at a time when unemployment rates are still way too high for teenagers going into their 20s.\""]},{"id":"5399.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney supports a plan to slowly and gradually raise the retirement age of Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's position on Social Security. Romney has expressed support for gradually raising the retirement age for Social Security as a means to address the program's long-term viability. He has also mentioned slowing the growth rate in benefits for higher-income retirees. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of Romney's position, which includes exemptions for those already retired or nearing retirement age. Nevertheless, the statement is mostly true in capturing the essence of Romney's stance on raising the retirement age for Social Security.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13091.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Latinos in Nevada support Educational Savings Accounts, helping more than 450,000 students access better schools. But Catherine Cortez Masto is against it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Catherine Cortez Masto is against Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Nevada. However, the claim that Latinos in Nevada support ESAs and that it helps over 450,000 students access better schools lacks specific evidence or sources to support it. While it is possible that some Latinos in Nevada may support ESAs, the statement does not provide sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim of widespread support or the number of students benefiting from ESAs. Therefore, the statement is mostly true regarding Cortez Masto's stance on ESAs, but lacks adequate evidence to support the claim about Latino support and the number of students impacted.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9981.json","label":"false","statement":"Scott Walker was elected governor on a promise not to take campaign contributions from the date of his inauguration until the signing of the state budget, but broke it by taking nearly $5.6 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were claims made by One Wisconsin Now that Scott Walker broke a promise not to take campaign contributions during the budget season, the evidence provided does not support the claim. The evidence states that Walker made the promise during his 2006 run for governor, not during his successful 2010 campaign. Therefore, the claim that he broke the promise by taking nearly $5.6 million in contributions is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4785.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The governor won this state with 49 percent. We had some of the closest races in the House in history. So youre not dealing with this 70-30, like they want to make it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the governor won the state with 49 percent of the vote, indicating a close race rather than a landslide victory. It also mentions that there were close races in the House. While the exact percentages may vary, the statement captures the essence that the races were competitive and not as one-sided as suggested by some. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details or context regarding the races in question, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Gov. Scott Walker says college tuition has risen at four times the rate of inflation. Is he right? (Mike De Sisti photo) !Gov. Scott Walker says college tuition has risen at four times the rate of inflation. Is he right? (Mike De Sisti photo)","Mounting costs have prompted Democrats such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders to introduce plans to forgive outstanding student loan debts, which now total $1.48 trillion.","From 1978 to 2014, the index increased about 246 percent. So, clearly, the rate of increase for tuition has surpassed inflation. And the percent increase in tuition is more than four times the increase in inflation, as Walker claimed.","Gov. Scott Walker says college tuition has risen at four times the rate of inflation. Is he right? (Mike De Sisti photo)"]},{"id":"2260.json","label":"half-true","statement":"U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) refuses to return $37,000 in dirty campaign contributions from U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)","reason":"Reason: While it is true that U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall received campaign contributions from U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, the claim that these contributions are \"dirty\" is subjective and lacks evidence. The statement also implies that Marshall refuses to return the full $37,000, which is not accurate. According to the investigation conducted by AJC PolitiFact Georgia, Marshall received $9,000 in campaign contributions from Rangel, not $37,000 as claimed. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as it misrepresents the amount of contributions and lacks evidence to support the characterization of the contributions as \"dirty.\"\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Did you get this e-mail? It says President Barack Obama said the troops \"whine about bearing the costs of their choice\" and that \"Nobody made these guys go to war.\"","Says that President Obama said, \"Nobody made these guys go to war. ... Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?\"","\"Look, it's an all volunteer force,\" Obama complained. \"Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to have known and accepted the risks. Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice? It doesn't compute..\"","\u2022 At a debate in Philadelphia on April 16, 2008, Obama said, \"Now, I will always listen to our commanders on the ground with respect to tactics. Once I've given them a new mission, that we are going to proceed deliberately in an orderly fashion out of Iraq and we are going to have our combat troops out, we will not have permanent bases there, once I've provided that mission, if they come to me and want to adjust tactics, then I will certainly take their recommendations into consideration; but ultimately the buck stops with me as the commander in chief.\""]},{"id":"9011.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Vladimir Putin once said, The breakup of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Vladimir Putin once made the statement, \"The breakup of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century.\" This quote has been attributed to Putin by multiple sources, including former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton. While the statement does not provide the full context or date of when Putin made this remark, the available evidence suggests that he did express this sentiment. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is used because the statement lacks specific details regarding the exact circumstances and context in which Putin made this statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2770.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Washingtons reach extends to even telling us what kind of light bulb we can use.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been government regulations aimed at promoting energy efficiency in light bulbs, it is an exaggeration to claim that Washington is telling individuals what kind of light bulb they can use. The regulations do not mandate a specific type of light bulb that consumers must purchase. Instead, they focus on gradually phasing out less energy-efficient incandescent bulbs and encouraging the use of more efficient alternatives, such as compact fluorescent bulbs and LED bulbs. Consumers still have a range of choices when it comes to selecting light bulbs that meet the energy efficiency requirements. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the extent of government control over light bulb choices.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Rep. Paul Ryan\u2019s budget \"roadmap \u2026 doesn't balance the budget until the 2060s and \u2026 adds an unthinkable $62 trillion to the national debt between now and then.\"","\"Thanks to House budget chief Paul Ryan, it's possible to measure the size of this fraud. And it's colossal,\" Miller wrote. \"As can never be said often enough, Ryan is absurdly hailed as a fiscal \u2018conservative\u2019 for a \u2018roadmap\u2019 that doesn't balance the budget until the 2060s and that adds an unthinkable $62 trillion to the national debt between now and then.\"","As Congressional leaders and the White House negotiate over the next federal budget, we thought we\u2019d check whether Miller fairly characterizes Ryan\u2019s proposal -- specifically whether it\u2019s true that Ryan\u2019s roadmap \"doesn't balance the budget until the 2060s and \u2026 adds an unthinkable $62 trillion to the national debt.\"","\"According to the Congressional Budget Office, Ryan's plan would result in annual deficits of between 3.5 and 4.5 percent of GDP between now and somewhere after 2040, with a balanced budget coming only around 2063,\" Miller wrote. \"This would add at least $62 trillion to the national debt over the period. (My estimate is conservative mostly because the independent Tax Policy Center says Ryan's tax reforms would produce far less revenue than Ryan required the CBO to assume.)\""]},{"id":"9274.json","label":"false","statement":"Health care premiums up 90 percent in New Hampshire.","reason":"Reason: While there have been claims that health care premiums in New Hampshire have increased by 90 percent due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare), the evidence suggests otherwise. The New Hampshire GOP's press release and a Morgan Stanley study mentioned in the evidence do not provide a comprehensive picture. The study actually states that individual plan premiums increased by 90 percent, while small group plans increased by 15 percent. Therefore, the statement that health care premiums in New Hampshire have increased by 90 percent is false, as it selectively focuses on one specific type of plan and ignores other relevant data.\nLabel: false","evidence":["So the comment is drastically different than the way it's portrayed in the Romney ad. Obama was actually saying that his opponent\u2019s campaign three years earlier had said, \"If we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose.\" That context is not included in the Romney ad -- and leaving it out sends a profoundly different message.","\"Even as we face the most serious economic crisis of our time, even as you are worried about keeping your jobs or paying your bills or staying in your homes, my opponent's campaign announced earlier this month that they want to \u2018turn the page\u2019 on the discussion about our economy so they can spend the final weeks of this election attacking me instead,\" Obama said in the speech. \"Sen. McCain's campaign actually said, and I quote, \u2018If we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose.\u2019\"","The Romney camp seems to have anticipated this complaint. In a blog post published around the time the ad was released, Romney spokeswoman Gail Gitcho acknowledged that, \"Three years ago, candidate Barack Obama mocked his opponent\u2019s campaign for saying, \u2018If we keep talking about the economy, we're going to lose.\u2019\" She went on to say Obama is trying to distract voters from his economic record.","The clear implication is that Obama believes that his economic record is so bad that he will lose in 2012 unless he can steer the conversation away from the economy."]},{"id":"1042.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There are billions of barrels of oil beneath our oceans and in Alaska, and there is ample oil shale in the Rocky Mountain West, but Democrats \"say all this American energy is off limits.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are significant oil reserves in the outer continental shelf, Alaska, and oil shale in the Rocky Mountain West, the statement that Democrats \"say all this American energy is off limits\" is an oversimplification. While some Democrats may have reservations or concerns about certain drilling practices, it is not accurate to claim that they universally oppose all forms of American energy production. In fact, there are Democrats who support offshore drilling, drilling in Alaska, and oil shale production. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the positions of Democrats on American energy production.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"And Wendy Davis\u2019s star is falling, not rising,\" Dewhurst said. \"She was just doing a fund-raiser in Chicago with the international socialists organization.\"","Davis appeared at a Chicago fund-raiser for Schakowsky, who may have once participated in the Chicago chapter of the DSA and has been saluted by it. Abbott didn\u2019t provide, nor did we find, evidence of Schakowsky being a current member of the group.","Davis appeared at a fund-raiser for a Democratic U.S. House member who may have participated in DSA chapter meetings in the 1980s. There\u2019s no sign Schakowsky is a current DSA member, nor is there evidence Davis raised money for a socialist group.","We asked Dewhurst\u2019s campaign spokeswoman, Eliza Vielma, for the basis of Dewhurst\u2019s claim, and, by email, she pointed to May 6, 2014, Abbott campaign press release. The Abbott release quoted a Chicago Sun-Times news blog post previewing Davis as a featured guest at a May 5, 2014, Chicago fund-raiser for U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill."]},{"id":"8150.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitch McConnell pushed the Wall Street bailout through the U.S. Senate and called it the Senate at its finest.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mitch McConnell actively supported and played a role in crafting the Wall Street bailout legislation, it is important to note that other political leaders, including the Republican president and the party's presidential nominee, also pushed for its passage. McConnell's statement that \"This has been the Senate at its finest\" can be interpreted as him expressing satisfaction with the Senate's ability to come together and address a critical issue, rather than solely taking credit for pushing the bill through. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that McConnell voted against a second bailout funding vote in January 2009. Therefore, while the statement captures some elements of truth, it could benefit from additional context and nuance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["When a reporter asked Scott how he can push tax cuts and still guarantee public schools the capital funding they need, Scott repeated a boast he\u2019s made before: \"We have the highest funding in (the) K-12 system in the history of the state.\"","Scott said his budget \"includes $10.7 billion in state funding for Florida K-12 schools, the highest state funding level in history.\"","\"This total includes $10.7 billion in state funding for Florida K-12 schools, the highest state funding level in history,\" Scott said in a Jan. 31, 2013, news conference about his 2013-14 budget recommendations.","Scott's office said the budget is at its highest level ever in terms of total dollars. But you would expect it to be, considering the K-12 school system also has its highest enrollment ever. There are about 100,000 more students today than when Scott took office, and about 140,000 more than when Crist oversaw the highest per-pupil spending in 2007-08."]},{"id":"5296.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Congressman Scott DesJarlais is spending his one year anniversary on vacation -- only working 6 days in all of January.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Congressman Scott DesJarlais is spending his one-year anniversary on vacation and only working six days in all of January is misleading and inaccurate. The evidence provided indicates that being a congressman is not a typical 9-to-5 job, and DesJarlais, like many other members of Congress, has a flexible schedule that includes work both in and out of Washington. The claim fails to consider the legislative calendar and the fact that it is set by congressional leadership, not individual members. Additionally, examples from DesJarlais' work schedule were provided to refute the claim. Therefore, the statement is false and deserving of the label \"pants-fire.\"\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"He said I was in favor in Libya,\" Trump said, sounding perplexed. \"I never discussed that subject. I was in favor of Libya? We would be so much better off if Gaddafi would be in charge right now.\"","At the GOP debate in Houston, Donald Trump pushed back at a claim from Texas Sen. Ted Cruz that Trump was in favor of the United States helping Libyans oust dictator Muammar Gaddafi.","!At the Republican debate in Miami, Ted Cruz said he has never supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Screenshot) !At the Republican debate in Miami, Ted Cruz said he has never supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership. (Screenshot)","Says Tim Tebow \u201ckneeled in protest of abortion during the National Anthem in 2012. He was praised by fans as being a \u2018model American.\u2019\u201d"]},{"id":"1605.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Democratic health care plan is a \"government takeover of nearly 20 percent of our economy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The claim that the Democratic health care plan is a \"government takeover of nearly 20 percent of our economy\" is not accurate. While it is true that health care accounts for a significant portion of the economy, the claim implies that the Democratic health care plan is responsible for this entire portion, which is not the case. The statement also misrepresents the nature of the health care plan by suggesting it is a complete government takeover, which is not supported by the evidence. The claim has been widely debunked and was even named the \"Lie of the Year\" in 2010.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Granholm said that \"with the auto rescue,\" Obama \"saved more than 1 million middle-class jobs all across America,\" including more than 28,000 in Wisconsin.","But to claim that all of the more 1 million jobs saved were middle class \"gets to be a stretch,\" he said.","Granholm then did some math, subtracting the best-case jobs number from the worst-case number. For example, for Wisconsin, she claimed the bailout saved more than 28,000 middle-class jobs (30,513 minus 1,765 equals 28,748).","For us, Granholm\u2019s claim really has three parts: the U.S. and Wisconsin jobs-saved figures; whether those jobs were \"middle-class\"; and whether Obama deserves full credit for saving the jobs."]},{"id":"4794.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"41 cents out of every dollar (the U.S. spends) is borrowed from places like China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including GOP Representative Paul Ryan and a budget review by the Congressional Budget Office, support the claim that a significant portion of the U.S. spending is borrowed. While the exact figure may vary slightly between 41 cents and 42 cents, the general assertion that a substantial portion of the U.S. spending is borrowed is accurate. Additionally, the mention of borrowing from countries like China is also supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On Dec. 2, 2014, Priebus said that President Barack Obama has \"the worst record of any president when it comes to putting America deeper in debt,\" according to an account in The Hill newspaper. He went on to call the growth in debt \"immoral\" and said voters had \"tired of Democrats\u2019 free-spending ways.\"","We wondered how accurate it was for Priebus to describe Obama as having \"the worst record of any president when it comes to putting America deeper in debt.\" (While the Obama administration has touted its success in helping shrink the annual federal deficit, Priebus was clearly referencing debt, not the deficit, even though the two are obviously related.)","\"What president has the worst record on female labor force participation?\" the website asks. \"Barack Obama.\" It adds, \"Turning the clock back 20 years on American women.\"","!Mitt Romney's campaign released this infographic to attack President Barack Obama's record on women and employment. !Mitt Romney's campaign released this infographic to attack President Barack Obama's record on women and employment."]},{"id":"7710.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"New Virginia regulations on abortion clinics provide the same sanitary environment we expect of dental offices.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clearly states that the regulations for abortion clinics in Virginia do not elevate their sanitary standards to the level expected of dental offices. The implication made in the ad that abortion clinics operated at lower sanitary standards than dental offices is also debunked. The evidence shows that abortion clinics were treated similarly to dental offices in terms of sanitary standards prior to the new regulations. Therefore, the statement is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We wondered whether it was really true that \"in June, jobless ranks were higher in nearly 90 percent of U.S. cities.\"","Jobless in the city. A Romney ad says, \"In June, jobless ranks were higher in nearly 90 percent of U.S. cities.\" We found Romney was doing some extreme cherry-picking with numbers that were skewed by college graduates. Mostly False.","The ad claims that \"in June, jobless ranks were higher in nearly 90 percent of U.S. cities.\" The Romney campaign has many grim employment statistics it can legitimately cite in an ad such as this, but using this particular statistic is misleading.","\"In June, jobless ranks were higher in nearly 90 percent of U.S. cities,\" the ad\u2019s narrator says. \"In July, unemployment went up again. And the president is running out of time. Under Obama\u2019s economy, it\u2019s just not getting better. Mitt Romney has a plan for a stronger middle class. Under the Romney plan, more jobs and more take-home pay. It\u2019s a plan that works for America.\""]},{"id":"9517.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Charlie Crist signed the nations harshest marijuana laws.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Charlie Crist signed the nation's harshest marijuana laws is misleading. While it is true that Charlie Crist signed legislation related to marijuana during his tenure as governor of Florida, it is important to note that the claim lacks context. The term \"harshest\" is subjective and does not provide a clear comparison to other states' marijuana laws. Additionally, the statement fails to acknowledge that marijuana laws vary significantly across the United States, with some states having more stringent laws than others. Therefore, labeling Florida's laws as the \"harshest\" is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the broader landscape of marijuana legislation in the country.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"There are things that you can do individually, though, to save energy,\" Obama said in the July 30, 2008, appearance. \"Making sure your tires are properly inflated \u2014 simple thing. But we could save all the oil that they're talking about getting off drilling, if everybody was just inflating their tires, and getting regular tune-ups. You could actually save just as much.\"","Sen. Barack Obama injected a startling claim into the debate on energy, asserting in a Missouri town hall meeting that the country could save more gas from inflating its tires and tuning up its cars than would be gained from drilling more off its coasts.","And finally, none of this takes into account the impact of tune-ups, which Obama mentioned as part of his claim. If Department of Energy estimates of 4 percent mileage improvement for better-tuned cars are true, that alone would push the total savings above the estimated drilling yield.","And we didn't even talk about tune-ups. (Repairing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test improves gas mileage by 4 percent on average, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Fixing a more serious problem, such as a bad oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by up to 40 percent, the agency says.)"]},{"id":"3639.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We are the most generous in New England and New England is known for its generosity toward its welfare recipients.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. New England is generally known for its relatively generous social welfare programs compared to other regions in the United States. However, the statement does not provide specific evidence or data to support the claim of being \"the most generous\" in New England. Without further information or comparison to specific welfare programs in other New England states, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim in its entirety.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Apparently, the Norfolk naval base has been taken over by NATO because China and Russia are occupying the waters in the Atlantic Ocean,\" the speaker in the video says. \"We all know Russia, Putin, he hates Biden. Well, listen up, Putin. We hate Biden too. He\u2019s not our president.\"","A TikTok video falsely claims that the \"Norfolk naval base has been taken by NATO,\" the alliance of countries primarily from Europe and North America.","\"Antifa was already inside the Capitol with floor plans dressed as Trump supporters\" on Jan. 6, 2021, proving the attack \u201cwas 100% a setup.\"","\"Such an agreement was never made,\" NATO says in a fact page on its website, one of multiple pages that addresses the Russian allegations. \"NATO\u2019s door has been open to new members since it was founded in 1949 \u2014 and that has never changed.\""]},{"id":"6293.json","label":"false","statement":"I used my line-item veto authority to veto $360 million dollars in special interest spending, so that our budget this year ... is still smaller than the fiscal year 2008 and 2009 budgets signed by my predecessor.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Christie is false. The evidence provided confirms that Christie claimed to have used his line-item veto authority to veto $360 million in special interest spending, resulting in a budget that is smaller than the fiscal year 2008 and 2009 budgets signed by his predecessor. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, the budgets for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 were smaller than the budget for the current year. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7528.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our debt is already bigger than our economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple individuals that the national debt is larger than the U.S. economy. However, it's important to note that this claim is not entirely accurate. While the national debt has indeed increased over time, it is not currently larger than the entire U.S. economy. As of now, the debt-to-GDP ratio is high, but the debt itself has not surpassed the size of the economy. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12538.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Were the only advanced democracy in the world that makes it harder for people to vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that the United States is an advanced democracy, it is also true that there are certain barriers and challenges that can make it more difficult for some individuals to vote. These barriers can include voter ID laws, restrictions on early voting, limited polling locations, and other factors that can disproportionately affect certain communities. However, it is important to note that the statement does not account for the fact that other advanced democracies may also have their own unique challenges and barriers to voting. Therefore, while there are valid concerns about voter access in the United States, it is not entirely accurate to claim that it is the only advanced democracy facing such issues.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A newspaper ad claimed that \"Barack Hussein Obama will \u2026 force doctors to assist homosexuals in buying surrogate babies.\" There\u2019s no evidence Obama is interested in such a requirement. But even if he were, surrogacy laws vary by state and there\u2019s no mechanism to force doctors to perform a procedure. Experts found this claim \"outrageous,\" \"imaginary,\" and a \"fevered dream.\" We find it Pants on Fire.","A full-page newspaper ad running in swing states purports to reveal \"the true agenda of Barack Hussein Obama.\" It says he will:","Michael Tanner, an expert in health care policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, pointed out that even if the Obama administration managed to require non-discriminatory coverage for artificial reproductive technology in its health care law, doctors don\u2019t have to accept insurance, and they don\u2019t have to perform procedures.","Under the 2010 health care law, Christian organizations won\u2019t be \"forced\" to hand over money for abortion procedures performed at clinics by doctors. But the law does expand coverage requirements for preventive care. And preventive care, as defined by the Obama administration, includes birth control, emergency contraceptives and sterilization -- and some people equate those services with abortion."]},{"id":"8349.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The shutdown is projected to result in $10 billion in costs to the economy per week.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the estimate provided by Wasserman Schultz, citing a report from Goldman Sachs, which projected a cost of $10 billion to the economy per week during the shutdown. Other estimates from financial firms were in the same range, further supporting the claim. However, it's important to note that different sources may provide slightly different figures, but they generally align with the $10 billion estimate. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"9609.json","label":"true","statement":"Black voter turnout in 2012 exceeded the rate of white voter turnout, even in the states with the strictest voter ID laws.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that black voter turnout in 2012 exceeded the rate of white voter turnout, even in states with strict voter ID laws. This information suggests that voter ID laws did not suppress black voter turnout during that particular election. However, it's important to note that experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions solely based on turnout rates, as voter ID laws may still have the potential to disproportionately affect minority communities. Nonetheless, the statement itself is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"One state even spent a million bucks to put up signs that advertise that they were spending on the federal stimulus projects,\" Palin said. \"Or as someone put it, this was a million-dollar effort using your money to tell you it's spending your money. And it didn't create a single job.\"","He called the signs \"self-congratulatory spin for the federal government and the Obama administration\" and said the money could be better spent on many other worthy highway projects in Ohio. \"It's a total waste of public dollars,\" he said.","One of the states that has opted against the signs is Vermont. In a blog posting, the state's chief recovery officer, Tom Evslin, said, \"Here in Vermont we decided that we'd rather spend the stimulus highway dollars on roads than signs.\" All of the state's stimulus projects are listed on a state Web site, he said. \"The Web is cheaper than signs.\"","The state in question here is clearly Ohio, which has been the subject of recent press reports on the subject. And the issue is over road signs along stimulus-funded highway projects that state: \"Putting America to Work. Project Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.\""]},{"id":"2739.json","label":"false","statement":"Paul Workman wants to raise the sales tax.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement that Paul Workman wants to raise the sales tax. Workman's campaign issued a press release stating that he did not advocate for raising the sales tax and that his position is to balance the budget by cutting spending, not by raising taxes. Additionally, the mailer that claims Workman wants to raise the sales tax is described as an \"intellectually dishonest attack\" by Workman's campaign. Therefore, based on the available evidence, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Supporters hailed the need for parents, and not teachers, to have control over such discussions, part of a broader push to control the content of classroom lessons. But critics nicknamed HB 1557 the \"don\u2019t say gay\" bill, warning it isn\u2019t necessary and makes some students feel unsafe by singling out LGBTQ material as dangerous and inappropriate.","In addition to barring instruction in elementary-age classrooms that touch on sexual orientation or gender identity, the bill will also prohibit schools from withholding information from parents regarding their child\u2019s mental, emotional or physical health. And the bill allows parents to file lawsuits against school districts they believe violated the legislation.","While Florida Republicans have said that children of LGBTQ parents would be able to discuss their familial structures in class, that language is not included in the bill.","The bill does not define what is considered appropriate. Critics have said that this may leave school districts susceptible to legal action from parents with varying definitions of what they consider appropriate for their children."]},{"id":"7979.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In New Hampshire, 93 percent of Democrats, 79 percent of Republicans, 82 percent of gun owners and 60 percent of NRA households support background checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings from the evidence provided, which indicate that in New Hampshire, a significant majority of Democrats, Republicans, gun owners, and even households associated with the NRA support background checks. The percentages mentioned for each group align with the data presented. However, it's important to note that the support for background checks among Republicans and gun owners drops when asked specifically about the Senate bill, suggesting that there may be some nuances and differences in opinion regarding the specific legislation being proposed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Senate Republican Conference video claimed that while Obama promised to \"work with your employer to lower your premiums by $2,500 per family per year,\" his health care law \"raises premiums in the individual market by $2,100 per family.\"","Using statistics for the individual market is a non-sequitur. The video airs a clip of Obama promising to \"work with your employer to lower your premiums by $2,500 per family per year.\" As we recently noted, we\u2019ve given Obama a rating of Stalled for his promise to lower employer-provided family premiums by $2,500, so noting that failure is a legitimate point.","When the Obama clip ends, the following text appears on the screen: \"Reality: The president's health care plan raises premiums in the individual market by $2,100 per family.\"","But video goes on to note that Obama law \"raises premiums in the individual market by $2,100 per family.\" The individual market is the only type of private insurance where the employer plays no role."]},{"id":"12970.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Prop 56 cheats schools out of at least $600 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Prop 56 cheats schools out of at least $600 million is misleading and lacks accuracy. The measure itself does not reduce school funding, and there is no direct provision in Prop 56 that takes money away from schools. The claim made by the No on 56 campaign, funded by tobacco companies, has been fact-checked and rated as mostly false. While the measure does allocate funds from the tobacco tax to various purposes, including healthcare and anti-smoking programs, it does not directly impact school funding. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["On November 18, 2010, Gingrich delivered a speech before the Republican Governors Association Conference in San Diego outlining 12 steps for what he called a \"Replacement of the Left\" strategy. In his speech, Gingrich said that the Republican election day victories of 2009 and 2010 should be followed by further victories over the next two years that would give the Republican party a large enough majority to replace what he called an increasingly leftist political system that has dominated American politics since 1932, largely through the influence of unelected bureaucracies. According to Gingrich, the strategy would be best pursued at the local level by lawmakers and activists in all 50 states rather than relying on leaders in Washington, D.C.(\/wiki\/Washington,_D.C. \"Washington, D.C.\")7","20. ^ a b c David G. Savage, Newt Gingrich says he'd defy Supreme Court rulings he opposed, Los Angeles Times (December 17, 2011).","154. ^ Conroy, Scott (February 1, 2011). \"Pawlenty, Gingrich Call for Firmer Line on Egypt\". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved February 16, 2011.","Expecting Newt Gingrich to work together with Democrats and Republicans to end the partisan deadlock in Washington is a bit like asking the fox to guard the chicken coop."]},{"id":"8455.json","label":"false","statement":"78702 is the second-most gentrified ZIP code in the entire country.","reason":"Reason: While there has been significant gentrification in the 78702 ZIP code in East Austin, the claim that it is the second-most gentrified ZIP code in the entire country is false. The evidence provided includes conflicting information, with one source suggesting that the increase in white residents in the area was second only to a Tennessee ZIP code, but other indicators and statistical breakdowns do not support the claim. Gentrification is a complex process that involves various factors beyond changes in the racial composition of a neighborhood. While there has been notable demographic change in the 78702 ZIP code, it does not rank as the second-most gentrified ZIP code in the country.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A new Democratic law \u201cwill make the IRS workforce larger than the Pentagon, FBI, State Department, and Customs and Border Patrol, combined.\u201d","The IRS is adding 87,000 new agents, making the IRS \u201clarger than (the) Pentagon, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Protection and the State Department combined.\u201d","Meanwhile, PhRMA, the powerful pharmaceutical industry trade group, announced Sept. 15 it would be launching a seven-figure ad campaign against the drug pricing proposals, according to The Hill.","Insurance companies and Washington bureaucrats \u201care working together to swipe $500 billion from Medicare to pay for Pelosi and Schumer\u2019s out-of-control spending spree.\u201d"]},{"id":"2103.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Marco Rubios economic proposals will add $3.5 trillion to the federal deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Rachel Maddow's claim that Marco Rubio's economic proposals would add $3.5 trillion to the federal deficit. This claim is supported by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which states that extending certain tax cuts and making adjustments to the Alternative Minimum Tax would indeed increase the federal deficit by $3.4 trillion within a specific timeframe. While the statement slightly misquotes the figure as billion instead of trillion, the overall claim remains mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"As Part of Efforts to Rein in Protesters, Republicans in Wisconsin have \"bolted windows inside the Capitol shut.\" March 4, 2011.","The party said Republicans have \"bolted shut\" windows at the state Capitol as part of the \"ugly games\" being used in response to protests. To be sure, tensions are running high in Madison. But the idea that windows are being bolted shut to somehow curtail protesters is off the mark.","Likewise the claim from state Democrats that officials bolted the windows of the building shut in order to rein in protesters. (The windows were re-secured after sustaining damage.)","\"If we can recall at least three Senators and regain control of the senate, we can end the ugly games Republicans in the legislature have played in the last few days -- unplugging phone lines, bolting windows inside the Capitol shut, and withholding the paychecks of Democratic legislators,\" wrote Democratic party chairman Mike Tate on March 2, 2011."]},{"id":"12731.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A million Democrats deserted (Howard Deans) party and joined my party because of Donald Trump in Ohio this year.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Hewitt that a million Democrats deserted Howard Dean's party and joined his party because of Donald Trump in Ohio is an exaggeration. While it is true that 1.8 million Ohio voters joined or changed parties during the primary, the data from the Ohio Secretary of State shows that Hewitt's claim of a million Democrats switching to Republican ballots is not accurate. The exact number of Democrats who switched parties is not specified in the evidence, but it is clear that Hewitt's statement is an overstatement of the actual data.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Officials within the Iraqi government told the \" Agence France-Presse that ISIL, the al Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, remained in control of parts of the two cities on Thursday,\" according to NBC.","Al Nusra was \"allied with many of the leaders that the U.S. did arm or assist,\" Landis said. And other rebel groups were overrun by al Nusra, he added, even having to surrender their U.S.-provided arms to the al-Qaida affiliate on occasion.","Specifically, the policy of arming and promoting Sunni rebel groups fighting the Assad regime ended up indirectly helping the al Nusra Front, an al-Qaida affiliate in Syria, Landis said.","Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, agreed. \"It has never been the policy or stated goal of the Obama administration to arm or assist al-Qaida,\" he said."]},{"id":"4824.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I have sent over $400 million to the border of Mexico in the form of Texas Ranger recon teams.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence shows that the total amount spent on Texas Ranger border security operations, including the creation of 10 Ranger recon team positions, was $2.6 million, with $1.8 million spent specifically in 2010-11. These figures are significantly lower than the claimed amount of over $400 million. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8276.json","label":"true","statement":"The very first meal on the surface of the moon was the Holy Communion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. During the Apollo 11 mission, Buzz Aldrin, an astronaut and devout Christian, privately observed the Holy Communion on the surface of the moon. He had brought a small communion kit with him, which included a wafer and a small vial of wine. Aldrin took the communion shortly after the lunar module landed, making it the first meal consumed on the moon's surface.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2177.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Harry Reid says he does more for Nevada. Hes done more for unemployment. We were at 4.4 percent. Now were at 14 percent. Hes done more for the foreclosure rate. We have the highest foreclosure rate in the nation. Hes done more for bankruptcy. We have the highest bankruptcy rate in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by Angle regarding the unemployment rate, foreclosure rate, and bankruptcy rate in Nevada. The evidence confirms that Nevada did experience a significant increase in unemployment, with the rate rising from 4.4 percent to 14 percent during the relevant period. Additionally, Nevada did have the highest foreclosure rate in the nation, with one out of 23 Nevadans being in foreclosure. Furthermore, Nevada also had the highest bankruptcy rate in the nation, with a per capita bankruptcy rate of 11.7 percent. However, it's important to note that attributing these statistics solely to Harry Reid's actions may oversimplify the complex factors contributing to these issues. Other economic and regional factors could have played a role as well.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Our businesses have created jobs every single month since it became law,\" Obama said on Capitol Hill on Jan. 12, 2016.","\"Our businesses have created nearly twice as many jobs in this recovery as they had at the same point in the last recovery, when there was no Obamacare.\"","Referring to his Republican critics, Obama said in the July 24, 2013, speech, \"They\u2019ll bring up Obamacare -- this is tried and true -- despite the fact that our businesses have created nearly twice as many jobs in this recovery as businesses had at the same point in the last recovery, when there was no Obamacare.\"","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush."]},{"id":"6729.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 2000, only 10 cases of in-person voter fraud have been proven nationally.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the NAACP and Representative Pocan, stating that only 10 cases of in-person voter fraud have been proven nationally since 2000. It is important to note that this statistic specifically refers to cases of in-person voter fraud and cases that have been proven. Experts widely agree that this type of voter fraud is extremely rare. While there may be some debate about the exact number of cases, the statement aligns with the available evidence and is considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton shot back, \"With all due respect, senator, you voted for regime change with respect to Libya. You joined the Senate in voting to get rid of Gaddafi, and you asked that there be a Security Council validation of that with a resolution.\"","In a March 28, 2011, interview, Sanders described his position toward regime change in Libya. He wanted Gaddafi gone, but not at all costs.","The resolution called for peaceful regime change, saying Gaddafi should \"desist from further violence, recognize the Libyan people\u2019s demand for democratic change, resign his position and permit a peaceful transition to democracy.\"","\"I think -- and I say this with due respect -- that I worry too much that Secretary Clinton is too much into regime change and a little bit too aggressive without knowing what the unintended consequences might be,\" he said Dec. 19. \"Yes, we could get rid of (former Iraqi leader) Saddam Hussein, but that destabilized the entire region. Yes, we could get rid of (former Libyan dictator Muammar) Gaddafi, a terrible dictator, but that created a vacuum for ISIS. Yes, we could get rid of (Syrian dictator Bashar) Assad tomorrow, but that would create another political vacuum that would benefit ISIS. So I think, yeah, regime change is easy, getting rid of dictators is easy. But before you do that, you've got to think about what happens the day after.\""]},{"id":"6327.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As we watch the news from Colorado with horror and sympathy for the families, we should remember that each day more than 80 Americans are killed by gunfire, unnecessary tragedies.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the issue of gun violence in the United States and the tragic loss of life it causes. It correctly states that more than 80 Americans are killed by gunfire each day. However, the statement does not provide additional context or specify the circumstances surrounding these deaths. While the number is accurate, it is important to note that not all of these deaths are considered unnecessary or avoidable tragedies. Some may be the result of self-defense, accidents, or other circumstances. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If you ask how many times did Ronald Reagan attend a fundraiser when he ran for re-election in 1984, the answer is eight times. If you say how many times did Barack Obama attend a fundraiser in 2012, the answer is 228 times,\" Lessig told the Monitor.","Reagan \"ran for re-election without holding a single campaign fundraiser,\" reported Washington Post national political editor Dan Eggen in a 2012 article, \" Post-Watergate campaign finance limits undercut by changes.\"","It\u2019s become a go-to line of Scott Brown\u2019s campaign to win a New Hampshire seat in the U.S. Senate -- so much so that he repeated it several times during an hour-long debate on Oct. 21, the first televised face-off of the campaign.","He continued, \"And you think, how does a man, as a person, run the nation when he's attending 228 fundraisers? And the answer is not very well. It's pretty terrible for your ability to do your job. It's pretty terrible for your ability to be responsive to the American people, because -- let me tell you -- the American people are not attending 228 fundraisers. Those people are different.\""]},{"id":"4853.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney flip-flopped on supporting the presidents Recovery Act.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made that Mitt Romney flip-flopped on supporting the president's Recovery Act, the evidence provided suggests that those claims are misleading. At the time of the CNN interview mentioned, no Obama stimulus bill had been introduced or enacted. Therefore, it is inaccurate to say that Romney flip-flopped on supporting a specific bill that did not exist at that time. It is important to consider the timing and context of statements when evaluating claims of flip-flopping. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin doesn\u2019t pretend that the recall elections on Aug. 9, 2011, were a big victory for Democrats, who narrowly lost their bid to flip partisan control of the Wisconsin state Senate.","( - U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin says the Wisconsin state Senate recalls played out on the \"deepest red districts in the state\"&url=)","All Democrats in the state Senate (along with two Republicans) did, in fact, vote against the Republican bill, which failed to pass.","\"Think about the districts that these battles were fought in,\" Baldwin said. \"These are Senate districts that were won by Republicans in 2008, which was a Democratic wave election. So we\u2019re talking about the deepest red districts in the state.\""]},{"id":"3077.json","label":"true","statement":"On whether the state should privatize the Ohio Turnpike.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is a discussion about privatizing the Ohio Turnpike, with Governor Kasich considering this option as a means to address the state's budget deficit. The mention of machines potentially collecting tolls instead of employees earning $66,000 a year further supports the possibility of privatization. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a definitive conclusion on whether the state should privatize the Ohio Turnpike. It simply indicates that the topic is being considered and discussed.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4186.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Tim Pawlenty said in 2006, The era of small government is over... the government has to be more proactive and more aggressive.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Tim Pawlenty from a 2006 interview where he stated, \"The era of small government is over... the government has to be more proactive and more aggressive.\" This indicates a shift in his stance towards a more interventionist approach. The fact-check confirms the accuracy of the statement and rates it as Mostly True. However, it's important to note that Pawlenty's views may have evolved since 2006, and it's necessary to consider his more recent positions and statements to have a comprehensive understanding of his current stance on government intervention.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Goodlatte says the proposed House budget would be \"the largest discretionary spending cut in history.\" The plan would pare $61 billion from last year\u2019s discretionary budget.","The 1946 cuts represented a 43 percent reduction in discretionary spending and 1947 brought another 41 percent cut. In contrast, this year\u2019s House plan proposes a 4.5 percent drop.","This is the same type of analysis we applied to Trump\u2019s claim that the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was the largest tax cut in American history, which we rated False.","\u2022 As a share of the economy, Biden\u2019s tax proposal would likely be the fifth largest tax increase since 1940, and not the largest in American history."]},{"id":"1311.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I signed the largest single tax cut in the history of Florida, a $25 billion tax cut over five years, directed at property tax cuts.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Crist signed a significant tax cut in Florida, the claim that it was the largest single tax cut in the history of the state is false. The Save Our Homes program, which has resulted in property tax cuts of $32 billion or more, is considered the largest tax cut in Florida's history. Additionally, in 1999, Governor Bush and the Legislature passed a tax cut plan worth $1.01 billion, which was also described as the largest tax cut in state history at that time. Therefore, Governor Crist's claim of signing the largest tax cut is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sadler said Cruz is unknown to the vast majority of Texans. He told us this was a reference to Cruz\u2019s lack of a legislative record, not his name recognition.","In his July 31, 2012, statement, former state Rep. Paul Sadler, who also won a runoff that night, said: \"Because of low turnout and outside money, a loud angry mob inside the Republican Party... nominated Ted Cruz who is untested, untried and unknown to the vast majority of Texans.\"","An alternative read of Sadler\u2019s statement is that he was saying that Cruz is unknown, in all ways, to most Texans.","So, a majority of voters may have then been unaware of Cruz, though a poll taken the next month, before Cruz finished second to Dewhurst in the May 29, 2012, primary, suggests Cruz\u2019s profile was on the rise."]},{"id":"7079.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Revenues are 15 percent of GDP its still in the range of the lowest its ever been.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that revenues as a percentage of GDP are currently around 15 percent, which is within the range of the lowest it has ever been. The evidence provided supports this claim by referencing the president's 2011 budget proposal and a report from the Center for Strategic & International Studies. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a specific comparison to previous years or administrations, so the exact historical context is not fully addressed. Nevertheless, based on the evidence provided, the statement can be considered mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, \"Prepare and Inspire: K-12 education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) for America's Future,\" September 2010","Most of the schools whose graduates go on to make big salaries focus on science, technology, engineering and math, according to a study by the compensation-data firm PayScale.","National Science Foundation -- Yes. The National Science Foundation considers anthropology a STEM field, according to Mark Fiegener, a National Science Foundation project officer. Fiegener said that NSF considers anthropology to be part of the \"S\", or science, in STEM. \"NSF considers anthropology to be a field of science \u2013 one of the social sciences, to be precise,\" Fiegener wrote in an e-mail. \"Consequently, when we report STEM fields in our statistical reports, the data from or about anthropology departments or students are always counted in the broad 'science' category.\"","Instead, Scott said, the state needs more graduates in science, technology, engineering and math fields -- shortened often as STEM. (To read more about Scott's spat with anthropologists read this blog item from the St. Petersburg Times.)"]},{"id":"189.json","label":"true","statement":"\"So what sort of services does Romney's health care plan provide? Per the state Web site: $50 co-pay for abortions.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that under Governor Romney's health care plan in Massachusetts, there was a provision that required a representative from Planned Parenthood to sit on the MassHealth advisory board. This provision was included in the legislation. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of the plan or the range of services it covered. Additionally, the mention of a $50 co-pay for abortions is not supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, while the statement is partially true regarding the representation of Planned Parenthood, it lacks accuracy and context in terms of the specific services covered by the plan.\nLabel: partially true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11901.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Sen. Bernie Sanders has called President Barack Obama weak. Hes called him a disappointment.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Bernie Sanders did express disappointment in President Obama's policies and criticized his approach to negotiations with Republicans, he did not explicitly call Obama \"weak\" or \"a disappointment\" as stated in the statement. Sanders' comments focused on policy disagreements and perceived inconsistencies between Obama's campaign promises and his actions as president. Therefore, the statement is partially true as it accurately reflects Sanders' critique of Obama's presidency but misrepresents the specific language used by Sanders.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["On his March 9, 2010, talk show, Rush Limbaugh claimed that, \"fishing is on the verge becoming a privilege controlled by Barack Obama.\" He went on to say that he's only had a few experiences with the sport, but that, \"I know a lot of people, former professional athletes, who go into shock after hearing they can't go fishing anymore because of Obama.\"","Media Matters, Beck pushes dubious fishing ban claim: \"Forget about the frickin' fish. People are losing their rights,\" accessed March 16, 2010","\"Obama will no longer listen to the public as he tries to prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing on some of the nation's oceans, coastal areas and Great Lakes and even some inland waters,\" he said. \"No more fishing. . . . Some environmentalists want to save the fish. Forget about the frickin' fish! People are losing their rights.\"","He wrote that the news organization should have made it clear that the story was an opinion column in a series of stories on the implications of Obama's new task force. \"While our series overall has examined several sides of the topic, this particular column was not properly balanced and failed to represent contrary points of view,\" Bowman wrote. \"We have reached out to people on every side of the issue and reported their points of view -- if they chose to respond -- throughout the series, but failed to do so in this specific column.\""]},{"id":"11936.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In New Hampshire, I spent $3 million. Jeb Bush spent $44 million. He came in five, and I came in number one.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects that Donald Trump spent around $3 million in New Hampshire and Jeb Bush spent a significant amount, there are some minor discrepancies. Jeb Bush actually came in fourth, not fifth, and his campaign and supporting PACs spent approximately $36 million, not $44 million. Additionally, Trump's spending was closer to $4 million, not exactly $3 million. However, the statement captures the general idea that Trump spent significantly less than Bush and still achieved a higher ranking in the New Hampshire primary.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"706.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Obama called Sarah Palin a pig.","reason":"Reason: The evidence clearly shows that Obama's \"lipstick on a pig\" remark was not directed at Sarah Palin. In the full context of his remarks, it is evident that Obama was referring to McCain's argument about representing change, not making a personal attack on Palin. The claim that Obama called Sarah Palin a pig is a misrepresentation and is not supported by the facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11190.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsins pension system is the only one fully funded in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Scott Walker that Wisconsin's pension system is the only one in the country that is fully funded. This claim has been verified by PolitiFact Wisconsin, which rated it as \"True.\" However, it's important to note that the statement should be interpreted in the context of the time it was made and the available information. Pension funding levels can fluctuate over time, and the claim may not remain true indefinitely. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the information available at the time, it is subject to potential changes in the future.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So let\u2019s get back to our statement. Summers said that \"things like \u2026. having Friday classes have been shown to be very effective on college campuses.\"","Most important, Summers acknowledges that the list she used as a source cited only \"theoretical and logical promise.\" We think she overstepped here. Saying that Friday classes have been \"shown to be very effective\" is an exaggeration.","His biggest caveat, however, was that while he was confident in the findings, a controlled experiment would be the only way to know with absolute certainty whether Friday classes were effective in reducing alcohol consumption. \"At the end of the day what you really need to do is a controlled experiment,\" he said.","Drinking seems to be a perennial issue for college campuses. With school starting up again, and alcohol-related tragedies in the news, Oregon Public Broadcasting\u2019s \"Think Out Loud\" decided it was time to see how campuses were dealing with student drinking."]},{"id":"756.json","label":"true","statement":"Says that under his tax plan, seniors making less than $50,000 per year won't pay any income taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's tax plan, which aimed to eliminate income taxation for seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This would result in tax savings of an average of $1,400 per year for 7 million seniors. Additionally, 27 million seniors would be exempt from filing an income tax return altogether. The evidence supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Walmart workers receive over $2 billion in government assistance each year,\" he said. \"This pencils out to over $1 million in public assistance per store. Easy to figure, isn't it? It\u2019s roughly $5,800 per Walmart employer, employee, those folks that work there, you know?\"","The Democrats then made another assumption: That there are likely more Walmart employees who are eligible for BadgerCare+ but choose not to enroll. That could expand the number of workers who receive public assistance. All totaled, Democrats say, a Wisconsin Walmart Supercenter store could cost taxpayers up to $1.745 million per year, or about $5,815 per employee.","In 2014, when the numbers were fairly fresh, MSNBC host Ed Schultz got a Mostly False from PolitiFact for citing the $5,800 in assistance per employee figure, which came from the same reports.","In Maine, Wal-Mart topped employers with the largest number of workers on MaineCare, food stamps and temporary cash assistance, according to a 2005 Lewiston Sun Journal report, but it did not break down how many employees receive each subsidy. The company was fourth in the percentage of employees on public assistance."]},{"id":"3060.json","label":"true","statement":"This kind of snowstorm happens every 10 or 15 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual that this specific kind of snowstorm occurs every 10 or 15 years. The evidence supports this assertion, with multiple sources confirming that this type of winter weather event is rare and does not occur frequently. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Israel said: \"When adjusted for inflation, per student spending has remained relatively flat over the past 16 years. Despite that trend, Texas schools in 2017 will receive $381 less per student than they did in 2003.\"","Israel went on: \"When adjusted for inflation, per-student spending has remained relatively flat over the past 16 years. Despite that trend, Texas schools in 2017 will receive $381 less per student than they did in 2003.\"","We turned to the report, \"The Texas School Finance Challenge and What to Do About It,\" which has a nearly identical spending claim, stating: \"When adjusted for inflation, per-student spending has remained relatively flat over the past 16 years. Despite that relatively flat spending trend per student, Texas schools in 2017 will receive $381 less per student than they did in 2003.\"","Over the years, a chart in the report indicates, total per-student spending was relatively flat, ranging from a 2013 inflation-adjusted low of $9,813 per student to a 2009 high of $11,621. From 2002 through 2017, the chart suggests annual average per-student spending of nearly $10,479 -- meaning $273 less than what was spent in 2003 and $108 more than expected spending in 2017."]},{"id":"10349.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Jeb Bush not only opposes marriage equality, hes said he personally believes gay couples should be banned from adopting children.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) that Jeb Bush opposes marriage equality and has expressed a personal belief that gay couples should be banned from adopting children. While the evidence provided consists of statements from the DNC without direct quotes or specific sources, the consistency of the claim across multiple sources suggests that there is a basis for this assertion. However, without additional direct evidence or specific quotes from Jeb Bush himself, the statement remains mostly true but could benefit from further substantiation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8490.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Natalyn Archibong skipped (Atlanta) City Council meetings or was late 90% of the time. Then she voted herself a pay raise.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains two claims. The first claim that Natalyn Archibong skipped City Council meetings or was late 90% of the time is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence states that Archibong was either absent or not listed as present for about 75% of the meetings, and her arrival time was typically listed about an hour after the meeting was convened. The second claim that she voted herself a pay raise is contradicted by the evidence, which states that Archibong was one of four council members who voted against a pay raise. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["When asked to explain why he suddenly feels he can use executive action to address immigration issues, Obama said, \"My position hasn\u2019t changed.\"","The \"Capital Tonight\" program from TWC News asked us about President Barack Obama's claim in a recent press conference that his position hadn't changed about his lack of executive authority to change immigration policies.","As Obama told Avila this week, his announcement will address, \"what\u2019s within our authority to do in reallocating resources and reprioritizing since we can\u2019t do everything.\"","Obama replied: \"Well, actually, my position hasn\u2019t changed. When I was talking to the advocates, their interest was in me, through executive action, duplicating the legislation that was stalled in Congress. And getting a comprehensive deal of the sort that is in the Senate legislation, for example, does extend beyond my legal authorities. There are certain things I cannot do. There are certain limits to what falls within the realm of prosecutorial discretion in terms of how we apply existing immigration laws.\""]},{"id":"7941.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under Republican-backed state budget, the state education agency estimates expansion of Wisconsins school voucher program could cost nearly $2 billion annually","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the expansion of Wisconsin's school voucher program under the Republican-backed state budget would cost nearly $2 billion annually. The evidence discusses different aspects of the budget, such as funding for broadband expansion, local road improvement programs, and increases in school spending. There is no mention or evidence to support the claim about the cost of the school voucher program. Therefore, the statement is unfounded and should be labeled as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10107.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says abill he vetoed to give driver licenses to certain immigrants known as Dreamers would havechanged nothing.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Governor Scott vetoed a bill in 2013 that would have allowed immigrants with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) approval to use that documentation to obtain driver's licenses, it is not entirely accurate to claim that the bill would have changed nothing. The bill would have granted certain immigrants, known as Dreamers, the right to use their DACA forms to obtain driver's licenses, even if their work permit had not yet arrived. Therefore, the bill would have provided a new avenue for obtaining driver's licenses for this specific group of immigrants. However, it is important to note that the bill did not grant driver's licenses to all immigrants, and it did not change the overall eligibility criteria for obtaining a driver's license in the state.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6611.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"U.S. military uniforms are manufactured in China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Federal law, specifically the Berry Amendment, prohibits the U.S. military from purchasing foreign-made uniforms without special authorization. The Defense Logistics Agency is responsible for procuring uniforms for all branches of the U.S. military and the Coast Guard, and there is no evidence to suggest that any U.S. military uniforms are currently being made outside of the United States. The claim that U.S. military uniforms are manufactured in China is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3663.json","label":"true","statement":"The Bush tax cuts helped to create a substantial part of the deficit.","reason":"Reason: Analysis and evidence support the statement that the Bush tax cuts played a significant role in contributing to the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office projected rising federal budget surpluses before the tax cuts were implemented, but the tax cuts dramatically altered the outlook and led to deficits. Additionally, tax cuts for high earners, which were a part of the Bush tax cuts, have been identified as a factor in increasing the deficit. Therefore, it is accurate to say that the Bush tax cuts helped create a substantial portion of the deficit.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10139.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"$2.4 million of the NIH dollars was spent on origami condoms.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence confirms that the NIH (National Institutes of Health) awarded grants totaling almost $2.5 million to a company named ORIGAMI for the development of \"origami\" condoms. The purpose of these condoms is to make them more appealing, less cumbersome, and safer to use, with the aim of increasing their usage among men. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of why the NIH allocated funding for this project, which could include factors such as public health initiatives, contraceptive research, or addressing specific needs in the field of sexual health.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2888.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Sen. Sherrod Brown voted to keep an extreme, job-killing Internal Revenue Service paperwork mandate.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Sherrod Brown voted on a provision related to paperwork requirements, labeling it as an \"extreme, job-killing Internal Revenue Service paperwork mandate\" is an exaggeration and lacks context. The evidence suggests that Democrats, including President Obama, acknowledged the concerns regarding the paperwork provision and expressed intentions to address them before implementation. The statement presented by the NRSC oversimplifies the issue and ignores the broader economic debate surrounding it. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["That brings us to Aronberg's use of the word \"could\" in his claim -- Dan Gelber's employment by BP\u2019s law firm \"could disqualify him from representing Florida against BP as Attorney General.\"","\"I'm not angry at my opponent. He and I served in the legislature together. The fact remains, however, that his employment by BP's law firm could disqualify him from representing Florida against BP as Attorney General.\"","So Gelber was a lawyer for a firm representing BP for about a month. Now the question is would that by itself disqualify him from handling a case against BP as attorney general?","Dan Gelber is a former Florida state Senator representing Miami Beach. He campaigned to be Florida Attorney General and was defeated on Nov. 2, 2010."]},{"id":"12380.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Half of illegal immigrants come on legal visas and then overstay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including statements from Republican politicians and reports, indicate that a significant portion of illegal immigrants enter the country legally on visas and then overstay their authorized period of stay. Estimates range from 27 percent to 58 percent of illegal immigrants who have overstayed their visas. While the exact percentage may vary, it is clear that a substantial number of illegal immigrants fall into this category.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8613.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since 1988, Congress has raised its own salary 15 times to reflect rising costs. But raised the minimum wage only three times.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Facebook group that Congress has raised its own salary 15 times since 1988, citing rising costs. However, it simplifies the comparison by stating that the minimum wage has only been raised three times during the same period. While the statement is technically true, it fails to provide the full context. The minimum wage is a complex issue that involves various factors such as economic conditions, political considerations, and debates surrounding its impact on businesses and employment. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the complexities of minimum wage legislation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The outcome of the decision, expected by June, could mean either that same-sex marriage will become legal in all states or that some states will institute new bans on same-sex marriage.","As polls showed that a majority of Americans supported same-sex marriage, Clinton\u2019s views changed, too. She announced her support for same-sex marriage in March 2013.","Maloney, who is openly gay and married, said Trump has opposed same-sex marriage and wants the Supreme Court to reverse its 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage throughout the United States.","Trump has consistently opposed same-sex marriage in interviews since 2000. He also said he would consider appointing justices to the Supreme Court who would favor reversing the decision and leave the issue of same-sex marriage to the states."]},{"id":"157.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The Alternative Minimum Tax was never intended to hit people in middle income, upper middle income. It was meant for people who are rich and evading taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the original intent behind the creation of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). The AMT was designed to prevent high-income individuals from utilizing deductions and legal shelters to significantly reduce their tax liability. It was specifically targeted at wealthy individuals who were evading taxes. However, over time, due to the way the law calculates who meets the threshold, more middle-income and upper-middle-income taxpayers have been affected by the AMT. This expansion of the AMT was not the original intention of the law. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["PolitiFact Wisconsin, \" Wisconsin Senator Dan Kapanke says protesters at the Capitol damaged the windshield of His Car,\" April 25, 2011","By now we're all familiar with the scene in Madison on the night of March 9, 2011. That's when Republican state senators -- with their Democratic colleagues still in hiding in Illinois -- approved Gov. Scott Walker's plan to strip most collective bargaining rights from public employees.","The Pants on Fire category included one from Kapanke, in which he claimed protesters damaged the windshield of his car. Madison police said it was likely due to a pebble on the highway.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says \"a mob\" broke down the door and took over the Capitol,\" March 11, 2011"]},{"id":"5290.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"AIDS was transmitted to humans because one guy had sex with a monkey and then started having sex with men.","reason":"Reason: The claim that AIDS was transmitted to humans because \"one guy\" had sex with a monkey and then started having sex with men is completely false and has been widely debunked. The transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is believed to have originated from the transfer of the virus from non-human primates to humans through the hunting and consumption of bushmeat. The exact circumstances of the initial transmission are still being researched, but it is not linked to an individual having sex with a monkey. This claim is baseless and lacks any scientific evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Since our goal is to keep guns from the hands of criminals, it doesn't make sense that if you go to a store to buy a gun you have to go through a background check,\" Donohue said, \"But if you buy the exact same gun on the Internet from a private seller, you don't have to go through a background check.\"","So a violent felon could buy a gun from a hobbyist over the Internet because he or she would not be subject to a background check. The purchase would still be illegal, because of the buyer\u2019s felon status, but it would not create an immediate red flag. The same thing can happen at a gun show.","\"The problem is some gun sellers have been operating under a different set of rules,\" he said Jan. 5. \"A violent felon can buy the exact same weapon over the Internet with no background check, no questions asked.\"","In its own 2013 review of Armslist and similar sites, the New York Times found that these sites \"function as unregulated bazaars, where the essential anonymity of the Internet allows unlicensed sellers to advertise scores of weapons and people legally barred from gun ownership to buy them.\""]},{"id":"2771.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 6 percent more Republicans across the state voted than Democrats.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tiernan that 6 percent more Republicans across the state voted than Democrats. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on the total number of registered Democrats and Republicans, rather than the total number of ballots returned. The evidence provided indicates that Democrats accounted for about 44 percent of returned ballots, while Republicans accounted for about 36 percent. Therefore, while more Republicans may have turned out to vote in proportion to their registered numbers, the statement does not provide a complete picture of the overall voter turnout. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Gunter would drain millions from local public schools, and give our tax dollars to private, for-profit schools run by out-of-state corporations,\" the ad says.","Additionally, there's little evidence to the Democrats' claim that earmarking state funds to charter schools would enrich \"for-profit schools run by out-of-state corporations.\" Most of the seven charter schools operating in Pasco are locally owned. The Imagine Charter School of Land O'Lakes is owned by a Virginia-based company.","The ad makes broad assumptions that district costs would swell by millions of dollars, leading to cuts, that local revenues wouldn't keep pace and that charter schools owned by out-of-state companies would get tax money. That's a lot of assuming. Still, history shows that education costs are consistently on the rise.","There's not $3 billion in funding that's being removed from a public schools budget and put into a voucher program budget. Instead, Rich was referring to the state\u2019s Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which gives corporations tax credits when they give money to allow poor students to attend private schools."]},{"id":"10108.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Blocking travel from countries with Ebola should be possible because President Barack Obama has sealed off Israel in the past.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it inaccurately suggests that President Obama has \"sealed off\" Israel in the past, implying a complete travel ban or closure of borders. While there have been instances of travel restrictions and security measures implemented by the U.S. government in relation to Israel, they were not equivalent to a complete sealing off or closure. It is important to note that the context and reasons for any travel restrictions can vary significantly between different situations, such as public health concerns versus security concerns. Therefore, drawing a direct comparison between travel restrictions related to Ebola and any measures taken regarding Israel is misleading and does not provide an accurate representation of the facts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Small businesses that have \"$250,000 in gross sales for the business. They're the ones that are looking at massive tax increases.\"","\"Well, remember again what this is. It's a massive tax increase, and it's on the people who are the job creators,\" Bachmann said. \"And people want to think that these are millionaires, sitting in leather chairs, lighting their cigars with $100 bills. That's not what we're talking about. These are people who, who are carpet layers who maybe employ two or three other guys, or a plumber, maybe himself and his brother, and it's $250,000 in gross sales for their business. They're the ones that are looking at massive tax increases.\"","Bachmann said that the tax increases kick in at \"$250,000 in gross sales,\" which traditionally means total sales at invoice values, or everything the plumbers billed. And, she said the plumbers would be looking at \"massive tax increases,\" when actually the top two rates would be increasing from 33 percent to 36 percent, and from 35 percent to 39.6 percent.","Finally, of all taxpayers who declare business income, about 2 percent declare enough income to see tax increases if the rates on the top brackets expire. Most small business owners would not see a tax increase, though the most profitable small businesses would."]},{"id":"4738.json","label":"true","statement":"The average homeowner spends more than $2,000 each year on energy costs more than on either real estate taxes or homeowners insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the average homeowner spends more on energy costs each year compared to real estate taxes or homeowners insurance. While the specific dollar amount may vary depending on factors such as location and energy usage, it is generally true that energy costs can surpass other expenses for homeowners. This is supported by the general understanding that energy costs, including electricity and heating, can be a significant portion of a homeowner's annual expenses.\nLabel: true","evidence":["And if that's wasn't enough, Perry said Romney's record was even worse than a Democrat's. \"Michael Dukakis created jobs three times faster than you did, Mitt,\" Perry jabbed.","In another exchange over job creation, Perry said Romney's record was even worse than a Democrat's. \"Michael Dukakis created jobs three times faster than you did, Mitt,\" Perry jabbed.","As we researched the item more, we found an analysis published a few days before the debate by Matt Lewis of The Daily Caller. Lewis looked at different job statistics and concluded that Dukakis created jobs faster than Romney did. Using numbers from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, Lewis found that Dukakis created an average of about 45,209 jobs per year, while Romney created an average of 12,850 jobs per year. So using those numbers, Dukakis' job creation was about three and half times Romney's.","Michael Dukakis was governor for three terms, while Romney was governor for one term. (Dukakis was governor from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991. Romney was governor from 2003 to 2007.) We could make a number of choices about how to calculate job growth by selecting different parameters, particularly whether we should look at growth on annual basis or whether we should look at when the governors took office and when they left. By some of our calculations, Dukakis created three times more jobs than Romney, and by other calculations, it was even more."]},{"id":"8139.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ohioans can expect to pay up to 41 percent more for their insurance premiums when Obamacare takes effect next year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The email accurately mentions a study by the Ohio Department of Insurance that found some Ohioans could expect to pay up to 41 percent more for their insurance premiums when the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) takes effect. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify the percentage of Ohioans who would experience this increase, implying that it applies to all Ohioans, which is not the case. The study found that some individuals could face this increase, but not everyone. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Americans have gone abroad and said these kids spend a lot more time on school and less on after-school jobs and sports. And kids from other countries say American kids don\u2019t spend nearly as much time on academic work,\" McCluskey said. \"So maybe what we\u2019re finding is the cultures are different.\"","Henry Braun, an education policy professor at Boston College, said that when you isolate school children with higher economic resources across countries, the United States does pretty well.","There is also the issue of educational diversity. U.S. states have far more control over what happens in schools than in many other countries.","Here we will fact-check Bush\u2019s claim about the national graduation rate and how much we spend per student compared to other countries."]},{"id":"10737.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgia has had the nations busiest Court of Appeals for a decade or more.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Georgia's Court of Appeals is indeed one of the busiest appellate courts in the United States. However, the claim lacks specific data or evidence to support the assertion that it has been the busiest for a decade or more. While it is possible that the Court of Appeals of Georgia has consistently had a high caseload, without concrete information on the caseloads of other appellate courts, it is difficult to definitively label it as the busiest for an extended period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says \"Hillary Clinton's rejection of efforts to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat not only defies logic, but the will of the majority of Americans.\"","Walker said, \"Hillary Clinton's rejection of efforts to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat not only defies logic, but the will of the majority of Americans.\"","Walker responded to Clinton\u2019s attack with a statement and then through a series of tweets. In his statement, Walker said, \"Hillary Clinton's rejection of efforts to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat not only defies logic, but the will of the majority of Americans.\"","Is Walker right that a strong majority of Americans support photo IDs to vote? And do those requirements make it \"easier to vote and harder to cheat\"?"]},{"id":"9983.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"94 percent of those that are employed by the Department of Education at the federal level were deemed by the department as nonessential employees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that the Department of Education classified 94 percent of its employees as nonessential during a government shutdown, it does not mean that they are permanently deemed nonessential. The classification is specific to the circumstances of a government shutdown and does not reflect their overall importance or value within the department. Once the government reopens, these employees resume their essential roles. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context and could create a false impression about the significance of these employees.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4645.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"With recent growth it is very clear that private-sector jobs have been doing fine.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"private-sector jobs have been doing fine\" is not entirely accurate. While there has been some growth in the private sector, many economists argue that the level of job growth is insufficient to fully support a robust economy. Current job growth rates are considered to be at best treading water, and the economy needs to create a significantly higher number of jobs per month to gain momentum. Additionally, the significant job losses experienced during the recession further highlight the limitations of claiming that private-sector jobs have been doing fine. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context to accurately reflect the overall state of private-sector job growth.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Republican Larry Gonzales of Round Rock, challenging first-term Democratic state Rep. Diana Maldonado, says his \"roadmap to victory\" includes plans for volunteers to visit voters house by house.","The Right Side of Austin, \"Democrat Maldonado Has No Grassroots: Seeking Paid Block Walkers,\" Sept. 1, 2010, accessed Sept. 2, 2010","The ad says applicants \"must be willing to work outdoors during irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.\" The location is listed as Round Rock, and the hourly pay is listed as $10.11. Neither Maldanado nor Gonzales is mentioned by name.","The subject line of the e-mail response from email protected was \"Paid Canvassers Needed for Highly Competitive State House Race (Round Rock).\" Her e-mail said, \"Thanks for responding to the ad, we are working really hard to win this race. If you are interested in a position send me your resume and 2-3 references and we will go from there.\""]},{"id":"2741.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"North Dakotas economy is reeling.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the claim that North Dakota's economy is \"reeling\" is inaccurate. Multiple sources, including Roll Call and fact-checkers, have challenged the description of North Dakota's economy as \"reeling\" during the given time period. The claim is deemed false and misleading, as North Dakota's economy was actually performing relatively well compared to other states at that time. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"We have zero responsibility, because let\u2019s remember what the president said,\" Rubio said. \"He said the attack that he was going to conduct was going to be a pinprick. Well, the United States military was not built to conduct pinprick attacks.\"","!President Barack Obama spoke about Syria, red lines and the international community at a press conference in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sept. 4, 2013. !President Barack Obama spoke about Syria, red lines and the international community at a press conference in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sept. 4, 2013.","With these words, President Barack Obama lit up the Twitterverse Sept. 4, 2013, referencing earlier statements he made about what would happen to Syria if it used chemical weapons.","President Barack Obama spoke about Syria, red lines and the international community at a press conference in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sept. 4, 2013."]},{"id":"8082.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says residents of Texas and San Antonio can be fired or denied jobs because they are gay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is true that there is currently no federal law in the United States that explicitly protects individuals from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, some states and cities, including San Antonio, have implemented their own laws prohibiting such discrimination. Therefore, in Texas and San Antonio specifically, there are legal protections in place to prevent individuals from being fired or denied jobs solely because they are gay. However, this protection does not extend to the entire state of Texas, as there is no statewide law providing comprehensive protection against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If you want further proof that raising taxes does not always produce the desired effect, look no further than the capital gains tax. ... history shows that raising taxes on investment income has actually lowered the revenue received from the tax, while cutting capital gains tax rates has increased revenue.\"","Renacci cited three sources in support of his statement that raising the tax rate on capital gains lowers tax receipts while cutting taxes raises money.","Raising revenue means a tax increase, which Pence said was a bad idea. And Pence further argued that a tax increase wouldn't help anyway: \"David believes that every tax increase equals a revenue increase, but that's not true. Anybody who is familiar with the historical data from the IRS knows that raising income tax rates will likely actually reduce federal revenues.\"","He continued: \"Prior to the fiscal cliff deal, the last time capital gains taxes were raised was in 1987, and in the three years that followed, revenues from the tax declined an average of 12 percent. In contrast, when the rates were cut in 1981, 1997 and 2003, revenues on investment income increased from 15 percent to 25 percent in the three years period following the cuts.\""]},{"id":"13312.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton is wrong to say he mocked a disabled reporter.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim made by Hillary Clinton that Donald Trump mocked a disabled reporter. Multiple sources, including Clinton herself and a super PAC supporting her campaign, have accused Trump of mocking the reporter. Trump's denial on Twitter does not provide substantial evidence to refute the claim, as it is a self-serving statement without any factual basis. Therefore, the statement that Hillary Clinton is wrong to say that Trump mocked a disabled reporter is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity tweeted that \"Common welfare programs give income of $43,330 or $20.83 an hour.\"","The conservative think tank reported: \"RI should make working more attractive than welfare! Common welfare programs give income of $43,330 or $20.83 an hour.\"","With more characters available, he said in an email, the statement would have been something like: \"Estimating the combined value of certain public assistance programs available in Rhode Island, common welfare programs can give recipients a pretax income equivalent of up to $43,330 or $20.83 an hour.\"","It could have added the caveats and still stayed within Twitter\u2019s 140-character limit. For example: \"RI should make working more attractive than welfare! Common welfare programs give income up to $43,330 or $20.83\/hr for single parent of 2.\""]},{"id":"3346.json","label":"false","statement":"Says many local governments in Wisconsin already require employees to pay 20 percent, 30 percent or even 40 percent of their health insurance premiums.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that some local governments in Wisconsin require employees to contribute a portion of their health insurance premiums, the claim that \"many\" local governments already require employees to pay 20 percent, 30 percent, or even 40 percent is not supported by evidence. The evidence provided does not offer any specific data or examples to substantiate this claim. It is important to note that health insurance premium contributions can vary widely across different local governments, and there is no blanket requirement that applies uniformly to all municipalities in Wisconsin.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Senate Bill 5 makes it harder for nurses to give the patients the quality care they need,\" a nurse identified as Shawna Turner says in the commercial.","When the nurse in the commercial says the new law will make it harder for nurses to provide care, the following text appears on the screen: \"Source: Senate Bill 5; p229, Section 4117.08 (B).\"","We Are Ohio, the main group trying to repeal Ohio Senate Bill 5, recently rolled out a TV commercial warning voters that upholding the law would compromise the health care nurses can provide.","In an email, We Are Ohio spokeswoman Melissa Fazekas said the restriction on bargaining staffing relates to patient care because \"it is more difficult for a nurse to provide quality care when he\/she is working short-staffed.\""]},{"id":"26.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The failings in our civil service are encouraged by a system that makes it very difficult to fire someone even for gross misconduct.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The civil service system often includes protections that make it challenging to terminate employees, even in cases of gross misconduct. These protections are in place to ensure fairness, prevent political interference, and maintain the independence of the civil service. However, it is important to note that while the system may make it difficult to fire someone, it does not mean that it is impossible to do so. There are still mechanisms in place to address cases of gross misconduct, but the process can be lengthy and complex.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9664.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(Mary) Burkes company, Trek Bicycles, makes 99% of their bikes overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Trek Bicycles makes 99% of their bikes overseas. The evidence provided includes multiple sources, including the ad itself and a cited news article. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any context or counterpoints regarding the reasons behind Trek's decision to manufacture overseas or the efforts they make to produce bikes in the United States. While the statement is factually correct, it could benefit from additional information to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Asked why by interviewer Chris Wallace, McConnell said, \"Because the private insurance people will not be able to compete with a government option.\"","McConnell is incorrect \u2014 the Democratic plan does not intend to do away with private insurance. His statement that private insurance \"will not be able to compete with a government option\" is challenged by nonpartisan health care experts who disagree.","McConnell flatly states that the public option would run private plans out business because they \"will not be able to compete with a government option.\" Even though we have limited details on how the plan would be implemented, there is enough in the administration proposal to conclude that McConnell's worst-case scenario is unlikely. That brings us to Barely True.","McConnell's view is that if the government offers a cheaper, public plan, people will dump their private insurance to get lower health care premiums. Over time, this would errode the private health care system. In theory, it makes sense that people would want the health plan that saves them the most money, and experts do say some private insurance companies might struggle to survive against a government competitor. In practice, however, researchers don't believe public options would destroy the private insurance industry."]},{"id":"13446.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Casey Weinstein: No faith in our military ... When some of our cadets wanted to watch a religious film, Casey Weinstein sued the U.S. military. Sued our soldiers?","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While the campaign flier accuses Casey Weinstein of having \"no faith in our military\" and suing the U.S. military over cadets wanting to watch a religious film, it misrepresents the nature of the lawsuit. The lawsuit was not targeting individual soldiers but rather the military institution itself, specifically the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force. The flier's claim of Weinstein suing \"our soldiers\" is inaccurate and misleading. Additionally, the Ohio GOP spokesperson clarified that the statement was not intended to imply that Weinstein has no faith in the service of men and women in uniform. Therefore, the statement is barely-true due to its misleading nature.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1376.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says she has quadrupled agents to secure our border.","reason":"Reason: The statement that she has quadrupled agents to secure the border is misleading. While there has been an increase in the number of Border Patrol agents since 2005, it has not quadrupled as claimed. The actual increase has been substantial, but not to the extent of four times the previous number. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and exaggerates the extent of the increase in Border Patrol agents.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says his deficit plan \"made some adjustments to (Simpson-Bowles), and we're putting it forward before Congress right now, a $4 trillion plan.\"","Obama said of his deficit plan that he \"made some adjustments to (Simpson-Bowles), and we're putting it forward before Congress right now, a $4 trillion plan.\"","Obama: \"That's what we've done, made some adjustments to it, and we're putting it forward before Congress right now, a $4 trillion plan...\"","The second part of Obama\u2019s claim about this deficit reduction plan was that: \"We're putting it forward before Congress right now.\""]},{"id":"2466.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Julie Parrish wants to add a sales tax to everything we need to buy including food, clothing, medicine and school supplies.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence suggesting that Julie Parrish has discussed the possibility of implementing a sales tax as part of a broader tax restructure, it is important to note that the statement in question exaggerates her position. The evidence provided does not explicitly state that Parrish wants to add a sales tax to everything we need to buy, including food, clothing, medicine, and school supplies. It is crucial to consider the context of her comments, which indicate a broader discussion on tax reform rather than a specific proposal to tax essential items. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent Parrish's stance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Ultraviolet, a women\u2019s rights group, posted an image on Facebook on June 15, 2015, with the title \"5 things you should know about Jeb Bush.\" The first item read, \"Appointed a guardian for the fetus of a rape survivor.\"","PolitiFact Florida, \"Jeb Bush did not appoint a guardian for a rape victim's fetus, but he fought for one,\" June 25, 2015","Cleveland Plain Dealer , \"That time he sought a guardian for the fetus of a disabled rape victim: Jeb Bush's Right Angle,\" March 25, 2015","\"I do think that a child that could be brought to term, as this child was, in the case where a mother has little or no capabilities in representing the child's interest, a legal guardian should be appointed,\" he said."]},{"id":"9276.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell hasnt spent a dime on advertising.","reason":"Reason: The statement that gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell hasn't spent any money on advertising is not accurate. There is evidence suggesting that Pell has indeed invested in advertising during his campaign for governor. The claim made by NEARI Executive Director Robert A. Walsh Jr. is contradicted by other sources, which deem it as misleading and ridiculous. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"If you live in the City of Milwaukee, the City of Milwaukee our largest municipality, the 1.4 percent that we increased taxes this year -- lower than inflation, like the city of Milwaukee, like Ozaukee County \u2013 in the city of Milwaukee on the average home, would be a $19 decrease. And I think that\u2019s a small price to pay for enhanced public safety.\"","In the 2012 reassessment, the average home in the city fell from $122,793 to $106,000. That means even though the tax rate went up, the bill for the county share of taxes went down on that home by about $19.","Dimitrijevic said the average city of Milwaukee homeowner would pay $19 less in county property taxes next year. She is correct on the bottom-line number. But by highlighting it as a piece of good news, she is leaving out critical information that would give a different impression. Namely, tax bills aren\u2019t down because spending was cut by the County Board.","When the Milwaukee County Board completed its work on the 2013 budget in November 2012, the property tax levy was about $4 million higher than it was for the current year."]},{"id":"4468.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Poverty among Americans 65 and over is statistically unchanged in recent years because of Social Security.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that poverty among Americans aged 65 and over has remained statistically unchanged in recent years due to the presence of Social Security. The Census Bureau report indicates that excluding Social Security payments would result in a significant increase in the number of elderly people in poverty. Additionally, the role of Social Security and Medicare in lowering elderly poverty is acknowledged as a legislative achievement. While the evidence does not provide specific data for recent years, the expert opinion suggests that the percentages are not expected to be significantly different. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Same old, same old. But then he said something that really caught our attention: \"Eighty percent of the health care dollars are spent by 20 percent of the population.\"","Debra Read, a senior evaluation associate with CareOregon, said the figure was fairly standard across the board when it comes to health care -- though she couldn\u2019t say whether it also applied to children. \"That\u2019s well supported, not just in our data.\"","But we hadn\u2019t heard the rule applied to health care -- and, honestly, we weren\u2019t even sure the \"rule\" held up to scrutiny.","Bernell said she was even more interested in whittling down that 20 percent, noting again that just 5 percent account for 49 percent of health care expenses. \"I think the stories are more interesting when you get into who\u2019s in that 20 percent, \" she said."]},{"id":"8154.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Many uninsured Americans are young.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It is accurate to say that a significant number of young people in the United States lack health insurance, and statistically, young people are more likely to be uninsured compared to children or middle-aged Americans. However, it is important to note that within the overall population of uninsured Americans, young people do not constitute a majority. Children and middle-aged individuals combined represent a larger share of the uninsured population. Therefore, while many uninsured Americans are indeed young, it is not the dominant demographic among the uninsured.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Washington Post, \"Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick campaign\u2019s misleading attack on Sen. John McCain\u2019s support for the Dream Act,\" May 4, 2016","\"He told dreamers that he\u2019ll support the Dream Act, then he voted against it,\" Kirkpatrick, D-Flagstaff, said in a May 8 interview with Al Sharpton on MSNBC.","Says Sen. John McCain spent the July 4 weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan, selling \"F-16s and advanced weapons to the folks who harbored Osama bin Laden.\"","U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, released a Spanish-language campaign advertisement in September that says the senator \"fights for all Texans,\" including immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, known as Dreamers."]},{"id":"7167.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"More than 50 percent of those people getting minimum wage in this state are high school students.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Singer, claiming that more than 50 percent of minimum wage earners in the state are high school students, is not entirely accurate. The available data does not specifically differentiate between high school students and other individuals in the age range of 16-21. Therefore, it is not possible to definitively determine the percentage of high school students among minimum wage earners in New Jersey. While Singer acknowledges the lack of precise data, he maintains that the specific percentage does not significantly impact the overall point he is making about the minimum wage issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["He said people objecting to a toll on the Sakonnet \"have a point. There would be the one bridge in the state other than the Pell Bridge, which is a tourism bridge essentially and not a commuter bridge (with a toll). There's a big difference between the two. So that would be the only commuter bridge in the state that would be tolled.\"","On that same day, WPRI-TV aired an interview with Mattiello in which he again characterized the Pell Bridge, which connects Jamestown to Newport, as \"a tourism bridge.\"","We'll let others debate the merits of tolling a bridge depending on whether residents or visitors use it. But, given all the Rhode Island license plates we see on the Pell Bridge, we wondered whether it was accurate to call it a tourism bridge.","We contacted Mattiello's office to ask whether he had any data to distinguish the two. His spokesman, Larry Berman, said Mattiello \"considers the Pell Bridge a 'tourist bridge' or a 'destination bridge' because Newport is a world-renowned attraction for tourists,\" including Rhode Islanders."]},{"id":"8581.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If you survey, most (North Carolina) Democrats also agree with our (election) laws and voter ID.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Governor Pat McCrory that most Democrats in North Carolina agree with the GOP-backed election bill and voter identification requirements is not entirely accurate. While there is conflicting polling data on this topic, it is important to note that the available data does not conclusively support the claim that a majority of Democrats in the state support these laws. The statement oversimplifies the complexity of public opinion on this issue and does not accurately represent the range of views among Democrats in North Carolina.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2677.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Tom Perriello voted to give tax breaks to foreign companies creating jobs in China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the ad claims that Tom Perriello voted to give tax breaks to foreign companies creating jobs in China, there is no evidence to support this claim. The ad references a story from the Washington Times, which states that some green programs directed funds to foreign firms employing workers primarily in countries like China, South Korea, and Spain. However, this does not specifically implicate Tom Perriello or suggest that he voted for tax breaks benefiting foreign companies creating jobs in China. The claim made in the statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1067.json","label":"true","statement":"During a town hall meeting on health care, \"ABC didn't even allow ads that opposed the president's health care plan to be aired.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that during a town hall meeting on health care, ABC did not allow ads opposing the president's health care plan to be aired. The evidence provided does not directly address this specific claim, but it establishes the context of a town hall meeting where health care was discussed. Therefore, based on the information given, we can conclude that the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["An Asheville Citizen-Times headline appears on the screen: \"Tillis: Restaurant workers shouldn't have to wash hands.\" That\u2019s a reference to the paper\u2019s article about Tillis\u2019 comments.","There\u2019s an important distinction that needs to be made here. Tillis never said restaurant employees shouldn\u2019t be required to wash their hands. Tillis said he would be fine if the government didn\u2019t require employees to wash their hands.","Story by HuffPost, \"This Republican senator is fighting for your freedom not to wash your hands in the bathroom,\" posted Feb. 3, 2015.","Story by the Associated Press, \"Tillis: Restaurant workers shouldn\u2019t be forced to wash hands after bathroom breaks,\" posted Feb. 3, 2015."]},{"id":"2504.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Peter DeFazio will sneak in a 1 percent tax on all banking transactions.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Peter DeFazio will sneak in a 1 percent tax on all banking transactions is false and misleading. The accusation originated from an unsourced email that circulated during a specific time period. There is no credible evidence or official proposal to support this claim. It is important to verify information from reliable sources rather than relying on unsubstantiated emails or rumors.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11600.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama did not invite a Republican senator to dine at the White House until his fifth year in office.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Barack Obama did invite Republican senators to dine at the White House before his fifth year in office. There is evidence of Republicans being invited to the White House for dinners and other events throughout Obama's presidency. The claim made by Jeb Bush is not supported by factual information and has been debunked.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6896.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Obama was in New York City the same day as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but went on a TV show instead of meeting with him.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that President Obama was in New York City on the same day as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and chose to appear on a TV show instead of meeting with him. The provided evidence does not mention any such incident or provide any substantiation for this claim. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making assertions about the actions and schedules of public figures.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This passage includes a lot of claims, but the one we\u2019ll focus on here is whether \"the typical American family saw their incomes fall by about six percent\" during the time when Republican economic policies were in force.","The White House did point us to two speeches in which Obama accurately described the time period for the 6 percent statistic. However, we\u2019re not sold on the idea that using the period 2000-2010 bolsters his argument that Republican economic policies caused a 6 percent decline in median incomes.","\"Ohio, we tested this theory,\" he continued. \"Take a look at what happened in Ohio between 2000 and 2008. It\u2019s not like we didn\u2019t try it. And instead of faster job growth, we had the slowest job growth in half a century. Instead of broad-based prosperity, the typical American family saw their incomes fall by about 6 percent. Outsourcing, rampant; phony financial profits all over the place. And instead of strengthening our economy, our entire financial system almost collapsed. We spent the last three and a half years cleaning up after that mess. So their theory did not work out so well. Maybe they haven\u2019t been paying attention, but it didn\u2019t work out so well.\"","The White House confirmed that it had used the same data set we did but said the 6 percent figure came by comparing the numbers between 2000 and 2010. Indeed, when we checked the math for those years, median family incomes declined by just under 6 percent."]},{"id":"2848.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The U.S. House rule barring members from wearing hats while in session dates back to the 1800s and can be waived by the speaker.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The House rule banning members from wearing hats during sessions does indeed date back to the 1800s, specifically September 14, 1837. However, the claim that the rule can be waived by the speaker is not entirely accurate. The speaker does have the authority to enforce or interpret the rules of the House, but waiving a rule typically requires a vote by the House itself. So, while the speaker may have some influence over the enforcement of the rule, they cannot unilaterally waive it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Hillary interned with Bob Treuhaft, the head of the California Communist Party,\" Morris wrote. \"She met Bob when he represented the (Black) Panthers and traveled all the way to San Francisco to take an internship with him.\"","Another Morris charge sent by chain e-mail said: \"Hillary interned with Bob Treuhaft, the head of the California Communist Party. She met Bob when he represented the Panthers and traveled all the way to San Francisco to take an internship with him.\"","There's not only no evidence Clinton was a communist sympathizer, Morris doesn't have his facts right (at least not in the version in the article that made its way into a chain e-mail). Treuhaft was not head of the California Communist Party, nor was he a member when Clinton worked for his law firm. But she did intern for Treuhaft's firm. And he was, at one time, a member of the American Communist Party. So we rate the claim Barely True.","But senior partner Treuhaft was not \"head of the California Communist Party\" as Morris claimed in his article. It is true that Treuhaft was once an active member of the American Communist Party. Investigated and harassed by McCarthyites in 1950s, Treuhaft was listed by the House Un-American Activities Committee as one of the most dangerously subversive lawyers in the country, according to his 2001 obituary in the Times of London. But he became disillusioned with the party and left it in 1958, before Clinton started her internship with the firm."]},{"id":"6261.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"America used to be the third easiest country to get established in a business. Its now number 17.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that America has dropped from being the third easiest country to start a business to 17th. However, no evidence is provided to support this claim. Without any specific data or sources, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this statement. It is important to rely on credible sources and concrete data when making claims about rankings or statistics. Without further evidence, the statement remains unsubstantiated and should be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Wayne LaPierre said that violent crime in jurisdictions that recognize the 'right to carry' is lower than in areas that prevent it.","( - Wayne LaPierre said that violent crime in jurisdictions that recognize the 'right to carry' is lower than in areas that prevent it.&url=)","PolitiFact, \"Wayne LaPierre said that violent crime in jurisdictions that recognize the 'right to carry' is lower than in areas that prevent it,\" Feb. 16, 2011","PolitiFact story,\"Wayne LaPierre said that violent crime in jurisdictions that recognize the 'right to carry' is lower than in areas that prevent it,\" Feb. 16, 2011"]},{"id":"11008.json","label":"false","statement":"Public support for abortion is actually going down a little bit, polls show.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that public support for abortion is decreasing. The evidence mentions nuances in public opinion regarding abortion, such as varying levels of support depending on specific circumstances, but it does not indicate a general decline in overall support for abortion. Without additional evidence or specific data indicating a decrease in public support, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Barrett said that using a surcharge on the cigarette tax to help pay for a new downtown sports arena \"is not feasible under state law.\" A spokeswoman said meant that the tax wasn\u2019t allowed under state law as it presently exists.","So we took notice when Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett seemed to rule out one funding option -- an expansion of the cigarette tax -- that has been used in other cities to help pay for new facilities.","A local cigarette tax is also in place in other areas, including Cook County, Ill. Smokers there pay $2 a pack in a county tax; the city of Chicago tacks on another 68 cents. In New York state, the tax is a whopping $4.35, tops in the country.","Indeed, state approval is likely going to be needed for any mix of higher taxes that could be used to fund an arena expansion or renovation. In that respect, there is nothing different about the approval required for a cigarette tax increase, a funding option that\u2019s used in other parts of the country."]},{"id":"10545.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Students In Fla. High School Forced To Recite Islamic Prayer, Make Prayer Rugs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the situation. While there were allegations made by a parent that students were required to recite an Islamic prayer and make prayer rugs as part of a world history class at Lyman High School in Florida, further investigation by PolitiFact Florida found that these claims were exaggerated. The school district clarified that the prayer recitation was voluntary and part of a lesson on world religions, not a requirement. Additionally, the assignment to make a prayer rug was an optional extra credit opportunity, not a mandatory task. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it misrepresents the actual events that took place.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Twenty-six years ago today, our nation won a hard-fought battle to end discrimination for over 50 million people when we signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA,\" Harkin stated. However, he continued, \"when, 26 years later, employers are still allowed to pay people with disabilities below the minimum wage, it is time to change that law. Hillary Clinton will fight to eliminate the subminimum wage, and ensure that a fair day\u2019s work earns a fair day\u2019s pay.\"","\"For over seventy years, Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act has allowed employers to obtain special wage certificates that permit them to pay their workers with disabilities wages far less than the federal minimum,\" said a news release from the organization.","In an online response to media reports and questions about its payroll practices, Goodwill Industries highlights the Special Minimum Wage Certificate, authorized under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This provision, Section 14(c) of the law, allows employers to pay people with disabilities below the federal minimum wage. The organization also produced a position paper on the issue.","\"I want us to take a hard look at raising the minimum wage and ending the tiered minimum wages, whether it's for people with disabilities or the tipped wage,\" Clinton said. (Another group of people who can be paid below the minimum wage are those, such as restaurant servers, whose income comes to a significant degree from customer tips.)"]},{"id":"12108.json","label":"false","statement":"SaysSenate Republicans are following a longstanding tradition of not filling vacancies on the Supreme Court in the middle of a presidential election year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and some Senate Republicans did argue against filling a Supreme Court vacancy during the 2016 presidential election year, claiming it was a longstanding tradition, historical evidence does not support this assertion. In fact, there have been instances in the past where Supreme Court vacancies were filled during election years. The claim of a longstanding tradition is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The claim that Meek was named \"one of the two most corrupt Democrats in Congress\" tracks back to the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.","\"Kendrick Meek was named one of the two most corrupt Democrats in Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington,\" the mailer states, highlighting most corrupt in red type.","In a new mailer, billionaire Jeff Greene says that \"Kendrick Meek was named one of the two most corrupt Democrats in Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.\"","So Meek isn't one of the \"two most corrupt Democrats in Congress,\" according to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington like Greene claims."]},{"id":"3446.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When I took office in 2003, we had very little reserves.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the former mayor of Providence, Cicilline, stated that they had \"very little reserves\" when taking office in 2003, the evidence suggests otherwise. In 2003, the reserve fund had $10.2 million, which was almost five times the amount in the reserve fund during Cicilline's last year in office. Additionally, $10.2 million represented just under 3 percent of the city's actual general operating spending for that year. Therefore, the statement that they had \"very little reserves\" is not entirely accurate based on the available evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["After Taveras took office as mayor in January 2011, Coyne-McCoy pointed out, Providence\u2019s credit rating was downgraded to \"two steps above junk-bond status\" by Fitch Ratings. When a government or business with questionable credit borrows money by selling a bond, the certificate is called a \"junk bond.\"","On Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, Standard & Poor\u2019s affirmed its BBB rating, two notches above junk bond status. But the agency also revised its outlook for Providence from \"negative\" to \"stable.\"","American LeadHERship is accurate in noting that one of three bond-rating agencies, Fitch Ratings, downgraded Providence\u2019s bond rating to two notches above junk-bond status in March 2011. Although not noted on the PAC\u2019s website, Moody\u2019s and Standard & Poor\u2019s ratings also were lowered, but at that point were less negative than Fitch.","In January 2001, barely three weeks into McKee\u2019s first term, Moody\u2019s cut the town\u2019s bond rating five steps, to Ba2. Ba rated bonds, in Moody\u2019s words, \"demonstrate below average creditworthiness.\" A Moody\u2019s-rated Ba bond is familiarly known as a \"junk bond.\""]},{"id":"3086.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The impact of the 2010 federal health care legislation will be huge on Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the experts note that the federal government has broad power to provide incentives and disincentives through the tax code, and there is uncertainty over the future of the federal health care law, it is acknowledged that the federal law supersedes state legislation. Bill Custer, director of Georgia State University's Center for Health Services Research, believes that the federal health care law overrides any state legislation. Additionally, the statement acknowledges that the impact will be huge, without specifying the exact nature of the impact. Therefore, considering the broad implications of the federal health care legislation, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A footnote in the report says that the investigation has also incurred $3.5 million in indirect costs, a category it says is \"neither legally required\" for disclosure nor reported in filings by previous special counsels.","Says Eric Trump said he \u201craised nearly $30 million for children dying of cancer at St. Jude before the age of 30.\u201d","The claim that $300 billion can halt global warming appears to be rooted in a 2019 Bloomberg column. The piece says that $300 billion is enough to lock millions of tons of carbon emissions back into the soil.","However, with the addition of indirect costs, the first year would be expected to cost a prorated $17.9 million, which is within shouting distance of the $20 million Trump cited."]},{"id":"3450.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Congressional Budget Office has this economic model where they measure the economy going forward, and they are now telling us that the entire economy crashes in the year 2037 because their computer simulation cant conceive of any way in which the U.S. economy can continue.","reason":"Reason: The statement misrepresents the findings of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) by suggesting that their economic model predicts a complete crash of the U.S. economy in the year 2037. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. The CBO's assessments typically provide projections and analysis based on various economic factors, but they do not predict a total collapse of the economy. It is important to accurately represent the findings and conclusions of the CBO to avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["There is some evidence that radiation from cellphones can cause cancer in rats, according to studies published in 2018 by the National Toxicology Program. However, the animals in those studies were exposed to radiofrequency radiation over their whole bodies at much higher levels than the limits set for human exposure, so extrapolating risks for humans is difficult, it said.","We found no evidence that scientists have declared AirPods health hazards. We also found that AirPods emit levels of radiation far below government-established limits and far less than cellphones.","The Federal Communications Commission said that all wireless devices sold in the U.S. must meet guidelines on radiofrequency radiation exposure in terms of specific absorption rate (SAR), defined as a measure of the rate that RF energy is absorbed by the body. The allowable limit from wireless devices, it says, is 1.6 watts per kilogram, averaged over 1 gram of body tissue.","Wireless earpieces emit far less radiation than the cellphones they\u2019re often used with, experts say. And there\u2019s no evidence that cellphone use can cause cancer in humans."]},{"id":"7383.json","label":"false","statement":"We have doubled the distance our cars will go on a gallon of gas.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While President Obama did make a claim about doubling the distance cars will go on a gallon of gas, it is important to note that he was referring to a future projection and not the current state of affairs. The claim is based on the implementation of fuel efficiency standards that were set to take effect in the future, aiming to double the average fuel efficiency of vehicles manufactured more than a decade from the time of the statement. Therefore, the claim does not accurately reflect the current fuel efficiency of cars on the road.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A wage gap exists in every part of the United States, PolitiFact Georgia found, ranging from a low of 66.6 cents in Wyoming to a high of 90 cents in Washington, D.C., in 2010. But if broken down by narrow groups, research shows single, childless women in their 20s in major metro areas outearned male peers, specifically in Atlanta by 21 percent and by 12 percent in Los Angeles.","But there\u2019s a problem: The statistics showing that women earn 80 percent of what men earn are overall comparisons and do not specifically compare men and women occupying the same jobs.","Among the 111 categories for which a comparison was possible, women in 45 jobs were paid less than 80 cents on the dollar and women in 35 positions were paid 80 to 90 cents for every dollar paid to men doing same task.","The official federal data shows that women earn 80 percent of what men earn, but that\u2019s a collective average for all jobs, not a comparison of men and women holding identical jobs. For men and women holding the same job, there\u2019s still a gap, but it\u2019s substantially smaller."]},{"id":"10955.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When was the last time you saw a Chevrolet in Japan? It doesnt exist, folks.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Chevrolet vehicles are not as common in Japan compared to domestic Japanese car brands, it is an exaggeration to claim that they do not exist in Japan. There have been instances where Chevrolet vehicles have been spotted in major cities in Japan, although they may be less prevalent compared to Japanese car brands. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the presence of Chevrolet vehicles in Japan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Walker said the state has created \"just under 100,000\" jobs since he took office. He arrived at that number by combining full and partial years of census data.","The census data showed there were 27,811 jobs created in Wisconsin in 2011. Adding to that the 9,200 created this year, the total is 37,011 jobs added since the governor took office.","There hasn't been a single month since Walker took office where the state has created that many jobs. And nine consecutive months of added jobs would be pretty unusual as well.","When we asked about the \"just under 100,000 figure,\" Walker spokeswoman Jocelyn Webster said the number was based on the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, considered the most reliable measure of employment. She said the data showed there were 86,490 jobs created from December 2010 (just before Walker took office) to June 2012 (the most recent quarter available)."]},{"id":"10441.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Documents released from the Soviet Union show the Soviet Union started treating President Ronald Reagan more seriously after Reagan fired the air traffic controllers.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or documentation from the Soviet Union to support the claim that they started treating President Ronald Reagan more seriously after he fired the air traffic controllers. The statement is entirely false and lacks any basis in historical fact. It is important to rely on accurate and verified sources when making claims about historical events and foreign policy actions.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["She singled out several Republican governors who are also potential presidential candidates. Among them was New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who \"vetoed legislation to extend early voting,\" according to Clinton.","As part of a message that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is hostile to women\u2019s issues, a political group claimed that he vetoed legislation that was intended to give women equal pay.","Christie has a point that voters in New Jersey could vote before Election Day. But Clinton is right that Christie nixed a plan to \"extend\" early voting. We\u2019ll explain.","In 2012, state legislators passed a bill that would have added early, in-person voting to New Jersey\u2019s existing absentee ballot mail-in system. While the legislation wouldn\u2019t have extended the time period for early voting, it would have given voters more ways to vote before Election Day. Christie rejected the bill, saying the existing system worked fine."]},{"id":"4724.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says tanking Rick Perrys federal tax plan has huge tax cuts for rich people and big tax hikes for everyone else.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an accurate representation of Rachel Maddow's claim that Rick Perry's federal tax plan includes significant tax cuts for wealthy individuals and substantial tax increases for others. However, it's important to note that the label \"barely-true\" is assigned because the statement lacks specific details and context about the tax plan itself. To provide a more comprehensive assessment, it would be necessary to analyze the specific provisions and impact of Perry's tax plan on different income groups.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2005.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Powerful Houston Democrats Sylvia Garcia (Democrat county commissioner in Harris County) and Elyse Lanie(r) (wife of the former liberal Democrat mayor Bob Lanier) sponsored a Democrat fundraiser for Speaker (Joe) Straus with numerous Democrat officials and high-ranking union officials.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a fundraiser for Speaker Joe Straus was held at the Laniers' home, the characterization of the event as a \"Democrat fundraiser\" is misleading. The event was described as a bipartisan fundraiser and was hosted by the entire Harris County House delegation, not just Democrats. Additionally, it is not accurate to claim that Sylvia Garcia, the Democrat county commissioner, sponsored the fundraiser as she did not attend. The statement also mentions \"high-ranking union officials,\" but there is no evidence provided to support this claim. Therefore, the statement contains inaccuracies and is misleading in its portrayal of the event.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The Virginia population increased by just 8 percent from 2005 to 2015, but the per capita spending in the budget increased by a whopping 38 percent.\"","The figure is actually the running tally of the number of pages of the register published so far in 2011. Each daily edition is a couple hundred pages. As each business day passes, the size of the annual Federal Register increases.","On Jan. 25, 2011, the House Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee heard regulation-related complaints from several pro-business representatives, including Allen Douglas, legislative affairs director for the National Federation of Independent Business\u2019 Florida branch. The NFIB is a national association of advocates for small businesses.","Kelley Blue Book found that the average transaction price for a new light vehicle hit a record in June 2021, at $42,258. \"In June, for the first time in a decade, vehicle buyers were essentially paying sticker price \u2013 the manufacturer's suggested retail price \u2013 for new vehicles,\" said Kayla Reynolds, an industry intelligence analyst at Cox Automotive, which owns Kelley Blue Book."]},{"id":"6043.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he cut the budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is true that setting the state budget is the responsibility of the governor and General Assembly, the statement implies that the person being referred to played a role in cutting the budget. However, without additional context or information, it is unclear whether the person actually had a direct role in the budget-cutting process. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks specific details to fully assess the extent of their involvement in the budget cuts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10217.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgia has the countrys second highest number of fraudulent tax refund claims.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Georgia does have a significant issue with fraudulent tax refund claims, but it is not accurate to claim that it has the country's second-highest number. While Georgia has experienced a notable problem with tax refund fraud, ranking it specifically as the second-highest in the country requires more specific data and context. It is important to consider the latest available statistics and compare them to other states to accurately determine Georgia's ranking in this regard.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Current law requires checks on purchases only from federally licensed gun dealers. So the Manchin-Toomey amendment attempted to find middle ground by expanding the checks to gun shows and Internet sales, but not requiring them of family members and friends giving or selling guns to each other.","\"As under current law, transfers between family, friends and neighbors do not require background checks. You can give or sell a gun to your brother, your neighbor, your co-worker without a background check. You can post a gun for sale on the cork bulletin board at your church or your job without a background check,\" a press release from the senators said.","The organization, founded in 1921, has received federal funds since 1970, when President Richard Nixon signed a law amending the Public Health Service Act. Title X of that law provides funding for family planning services, including contraception and family planning information.","Culhane analyzed the costs of 4,679 mentally ill homeless people in New York City who were placed in supportive housing that also provided social services. Those costs were compared to data on people who relied on public shelters, public and private hospitals and correctional facilities."]},{"id":"4392.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that 500,000 federal workers -- one-fourth of the federal workforce -- make more than $100,000 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Romney that 500,000 federal workers, which is nearly a quarter of the federal workforce, make more than $100,000 a year. The figures provided by the Office of Personnel Management and the Bureau of Labor Statistics support this claim. However, it's important to note that the statement could be more precise by stating that \"nearly\" a quarter of the federal workforce, rather than exactly one-fourth, make over $100,000 a year.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10344.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Weve caught Iran cheating on the interim (nuclear) deal.","reason":"Reason: While there have been allegations and concerns about potential violations of the interim nuclear deal with Iran, there is no definitive evidence to support the claim that Iran has been caught cheating on the agreement. While some may argue that there is some evidence or allegations suggesting cheating, it is important to note that no concrete proof of violations has been found. Therefore, the statement that \"we've caught Iran cheating on the interim deal\" is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3211.json","label":"true","statement":"Im the only candidate for Milwaukee County executive that has voted against increasing government pensions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Based on the provided evidence, it is clear that the candidate is claiming to be the only one who has voted against increasing government pensions. Since the evidence does not mention any other candidate voting against increasing government pensions, it supports the candidate's claim.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Harman said via a spokesman, \"The gun-walking program began in 2006 under the Bush Administration. It had a different name, but it was a similar program.\"","There is one mitigating factor, however: A program similar to Fast and Furious did go forward under the Bush administration in 2006 and 2007. That program, called Operation Wide Receiver, also attempted to track suspicious weapons. Allowing gun sales to go forward even when the ATF had probable cause to believe the sales were unlawful has come to be known as \"gun walking.\"","The Justice Department\u2019s inspector general noted that the gun-walking strategy originated in the ATF\u2019s Phoenix office under a 2006 program named \"Operation Wide Receiver.\"","Investigations launched by Congress and the Justice Department in the wake of Terry\u2019s death found many flaws with the \"gun-walking\" program designed by ATF\u2019s Phoenix Field Division to go after cartels."]},{"id":"9399.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were fifth in the world (in executions), behind China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Amnesty International, which states that the United States ranks fifth in the world in terms of executions, behind China, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. However, it's important to note that the Amnesty International report does not include North Korea due to difficulties in obtaining accurate data. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be acknowledged that there may be other countries with high execution rates that are not included in the specific report mentioned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says one of Austin City Council Member Randi Shade\u2019s biggest contributors is the lobbyist for the Formula 1 racetrack planned outside Austin.","Kathie Tovo, among challengers to Place 3 Austin City Council Member Randi Shade, says in at least two recent mailers sent to voters that despite a city budget crisis, the council might give $4 million a year for 10 years to subsidize a racetrack.","Here, we\u2019re not delving into whether such spending would be a subsidy. We\u2019re wondering about what Tovo adds in her mailers: \"And one of (Shade\u2019s) biggest contributors is the racetrack lobbyist.\"","That\u2019s referring to possible council action designating a portion of estimated city sales and use tax revenues to cover costs related to future Formula One races on the track planned southeast of Austin."]},{"id":"2352.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"By the year 2015 (Medicaid will) take up half our budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Pam Bondi that Medicaid would take up half of the budget by 2015 is not supported by the available evidence. The reports from the Select Policy Council on Strategic and Economic Planning do not show Medicaid consuming half of the state budget by 2015. Additionally, the quote from Bondi herself indicates that Medicaid currently makes up 26 percent of the budget, but it does not provide concrete evidence to support the claim that it would reach 50 percent by 2015. The outdated projection from January 2005 and the uncertain variables mentioned by Levine further undermine the accuracy of the statement. While Medicaid expenditures were increasing and federal health care reform would bring additional costs, the claim lacks sufficient evidence to be considered fully true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12282.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas has 600,000 registered voters who dont have the kind of photo ID needed to vote.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is a significant number of registered voters in Texas who lack the specific type of photo ID required to vote under Senate Bill 14. While the exact number is not explicitly stated, the evidence suggests that approximately 4.5% of all registered voters in Texas, which would be around 608,470 individuals, lack the qualified photo ID. Additionally, the evidence suggests that there is a statistically significant difference between the percentage of male and female registered voters who possess the required ID, indicating that a significant number of registered female voters may lack the necessary ID. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that there is a substantial number of registered voters in Texas who do not possess the required photo ID to vote.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10047.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Scott Brown co-sponsored legislationto let employers deny women coverage formammograms.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Scott Brown co-sponsored legislation to let employers deny women coverage for mammograms. The statements and fact-checking sources focus on the Blunt Amendment, which pertains to birth control coverage and not mammograms. While there may be a broader discussion about women's reproductive rights and economic security, the specific claim about coverage for mammograms is not substantiated by the evidence provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During the summer of 2011, the Republican-controlled state Legislature gave swift approval to the $66 billion 2011-\u201913 state budget, which was signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker.","In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the state\u2019s \"structural\" deficit, and how Republican Gov. Scott Walker and the GOP-controlled Legislature eliminated it in the 2011-13 budget.","One Wisconsin Now called $140 million in state tax breaks \"spending.\" It\u2019s estimated that the three bills in question would bring in $140 million less to state coffers. But that\u2019s not spending. You can\u2019t spend what you don\u2019t have.","We asked Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Now\u2019s executive director, how his organization could say the state would be spending $140 million when the effect of the three bills would be that the state would have $140 million less to spend."]},{"id":"9810.json","label":"false","statement":"Nazi imagery [was used] by the Block for Governor campaign to describe supporters of Allan Fung for Governor.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly shows that the statement is false. It was actually the Fung for Governor campaign that accused the Block for Governor campaign of using Nazi imagery to describe Fung supporters. The evidence includes statements from Fung's campaign manager and spokesman, as well as news releases from the Fung campaign calling on Ken Block to renounce the use of Nazi imagery. Therefore, the statement inaccurately attributes the use of Nazi imagery to the Block for Governor campaign.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6217.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the Congressional Budget Office said if youre going to buy your own policy with these (health care) exchanges youll be paying 10 percent more ... about $2,100 more for a family.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has projected that premiums for health insurance plans purchased through the exchanges could increase by an average of about 10 percent, it is important to note that this estimate varies depending on factors such as location and specific plan choices. The statement's claim of an additional $2,100 cost for a family is a generalization and may not apply uniformly to all families. It is crucial to consider individual circumstances and plan details when assessing potential premium increases. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but oversimplifies the complexity of premium changes under the health care exchanges.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["George Allen voted to add $3 trillion to the federal debt, voted to raise the debt ceiling four times and voted for the No Child Left Behind Act while he was a senator.","She also said Allen voted to increase the debt ceiling four times, and she\u2019s right. John Warner voted with Allen three of those times, and most of Virginia\u2019s House Republicans supported the the increases as well. Finally, Radtke is correct in noting that Allen supported the No Child Left Behind Act. Eighty-four other senators backed the bipartisan bill.","Kaine for Virginia, \"Fact Check: Kaine cut pay, Allen voted to raise own pay while racking up debt,\" July 21, 2012.","Allen spent one term in the Senate before being defeated by Democratic Sen. Jim Webb in 2006, who will not seek reelection next year. After Congress reached a late-night budget agreement April 8, avoiding a government shutdown, Radtke and Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate, called on Allen to state how he would have voted on the deal. Kaine said he favored the agreement; Radtke said she would have voted against it."]},{"id":"9064.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Russian annexation of Crimea removes a million residents of the Ukraine that have provided the margin of victory for (Viktor) Yanukovych, the pro-Moscow prime minister in his last election.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Karl Rove's claim that the annexation of Crimea removed a significant number of residents who had provided the margin of victory for Viktor Yanukovych in his last election. However, it's important to note that other regions, such as Donetsk and Luhansk, also provided substantial support to Yanukovych. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of Crimea's contribution to Yanukovych's victory, it does not provide the complete picture as there were other regions that played a significant role as well.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["NARAL said McDonnell\u2019s amendment banning an upcoming health care exchange from offering insurance plans that include abortion denies Virginians \"coverage that currently exists as a standard benefit in nearly 90 percent of private plans sold in the U.S.\"","\"McDonnell\u2019s amendment prohibits Virginians participating in the new health exchange from purchasing any insurance plan that includes coverage for abortion -- coverage that currently exists as a standard benefit in nearly 90 percent of private plans sold in the U.S.,\" NARAL said in a March 26 news release.","Twenty-six states restrict abortion coverage in ACA plans, while seven states require it as a plan benefit, according to KFF. Those states are California, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New York, Oregon, and Washington.","Although all state laws that currently restrict abortion include an exception to save the life of the mother, what constitutes a life-threatening scenario is not always clear. That means physicians in abortion-ban states may have to weigh the pregnant person\u2019s medical risk against possible legal ramifications."]},{"id":"8359.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a man opted out of Obamacare after the marketplace launched on Oct. 1, 2013, and was informed he owed a $4,000 fine.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The penalty for not having health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in 2014 was 1 percent of yearly income or $95 per person, whichever was higher. It is highly unlikely that a person would be informed of a $4,000 fine for opting out of Obamacare shortly after the marketplace launched. The claim made in the Facebook post is not supported by credible evidence and contradicts the actual penalty structure outlined in the law.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Raimondo said, \"Rhode Island has the second highest per enrollee Medicaid cost of any state in the country, which is 60 percent higher than the national average.\"","\"You have to remember,\" she said, \"Rhode Island has the second highest per enrollee Medicaid cost of any state in the country, which is 60 percent higher than the national average. So we have to do a better job. It's just not sustainable.\"","Paying, on average, 60 percent more for anything seems pretty scandalous. We decided to see if the typical cost of a Rhode Island Medicaid recipient was really that much higher than average, and whether per-patient costs were actually lower in 48 other states.","Nonetheless, on that list, Rhode Island, at $9,247 per enrollee, does indeed rank second. Only Alaska, at $9,474, spent more. In addition, per enrollee spending in Rhode Island was 60 percent higher than the $5,790 U.S. average."]},{"id":"3986.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Multnomah Countys food action plan clearly plans to disrupt the free market system in terms of food choices making it harder and more expensive for many residents to eat their food of choice.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and misrepresentation of Multnomah County's food action plan. The plan aims to address food insecurity, improve access to healthy food options, and promote sustainable and equitable food systems. It does not seek to disrupt the free market system or make it harder and more expensive for residents to eat their food of choice. The plan emphasizes collaboration among various stakeholders, including local government, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community members, to create positive changes in the food system. The claim that the plan intends to disrupt the free market system is unfounded and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Finally, Hovde\u2019s claim reminded us of a February 2012 item by PolitiFact National that rated Mostly False a claim by Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich. He said that by one estimate the United States may have \"three times as much oil in the United States as there is in Saudi Arabia.\"","Additionally, when it comes to the Saudi Arabia comparison, Hovde runs into a major apples-to-oranges problem when he says the 1.5 trillion \"barrels of oil\" in the Green River Formation is \"six times more\" than in Saudi Arabia.","The United States can immediately tap a domestic energy resource of \"more than 1.5 trillion barrels of oil, six times more than Saudi Arabia.\"","\"According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) the U.S. holds more than half of the world\u2019s oil shale resources,\" the site says. \"The most recent estimates (April, 2009) show the region may hold more than 1.5 trillion barrels of oil \u2013 six times Saudi Arabia\u2019s proven resources, and enough to provide the United States with energy for the next 200 years.\""]},{"id":"11088.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Four times, I said, he (John McCain)is a hero, but you know ... people choose selective pieces.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump claimed to have called John McCain a hero multiple times, it is important to note that his statements were often accompanied by caveats or qualifiers. Trump's remarks included phrases such as \"perhaps, I believe\" and \"because he was captured,\" which indicate a lack of unequivocal endorsement of McCain's heroism. Additionally, Trump's statements were sometimes interrupted or misquoted himself. Therefore, the claim that he called McCain a hero four times without any reservations or qualifications is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Hawley's campaign ads claim he \"fought Obama at the Supreme Court \u2014 and won.\" Even though he did not make oral arguments or even appear before the justices, all the key players involved in the Hobby Lobby and Hosanna-Tabor cases say he played important, even instrumental, roles in shaping legal arguments and strategy.","A television ad by Morrisey says, among other things, that Morrisey \"beat (President Barack) Obama at the Supreme Court, saving coal jobs.\" (An earlier ad made a similar claim as well.)","Says Donald Trump \"started his career back in 1973 being sued by the Justice Department for racial discrimination because he would not rent apartments in one of his developments to African-Americans.\"","Says Hillary Clinton called the Trans-Pacific Partnership \"the gold standard. You called it the gold standard of trade deals. You said it\u2019s the finest deal you\u2019ve ever seen.\""]},{"id":"3509.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"PolitiFact Wisconsin concluded that the charge that Justice Prosser prejudges matters that come before the court is True.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence or record of PolitiFact Wisconsin concluding that the charge that Justice Prosser prejudges matters that come before the court is true. The statement made in the claim is false and misleading. It is important to rely on accurate and verified sources when making claims about the conclusions of fact-checking organizations.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["On Nov. 27, 2016, Miller posted a fresh unattributed photo, this time of the muscled actor Dwayne \"The Rock\" Johnson, shown wearing a T-shirt with a message Miller endorsed. Johnson\u2019s shirt read: \"We stand for the flag, we kneel for the fallen,\" along with this Miller caption: \"Thanks to Dewayne Johnson AKA \"The Rock\" for standing up and defending our flag. There are a few good guys left in Hollywood and The Rock is one of them.\"","Miller posted a photo of \"The Rock\" wearing a T-shirt with a message calling for people to \"stand for the flag and kneel for the fallen.\"","On Sept. 27, an image of Dwayne \"The Rock\" Johnson appeared on Facebook. He looks relaxed in a chair on a beach, smiling with a book by Sen. Elizabeth Warren in hand. A domed building looms on a hill behind him.","Separately, a web search led us to a forensic photography expert at the Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute at Syracuse University. By email, Cathryn Lahm responded that what she looked at after downloading a copy of the photo we\u2019d shared from Miller\u2019s Facebook post and viewing the photo in her software program, \"the T-shirt The Rock is wearing is most likely \u2018plain\u2019 and the graphics were placed on the photo -- made to look -- like it was actually on his shirt,\" referring to the pro-flag message. She said the artist likely applied the graphic design onto an existing image, so Johnson would look like he was wearing the presented T-shirt."]},{"id":"9735.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Austin mayoral candidate Mike Martinez takes corporate money.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Austin mayoral candidate Mike Martinez takes corporate money. In fact, the evidence provided suggests that another candidate's supporter made a statement about corporate donations without specifying that Martinez accepts them. Without any concrete evidence or substantiation, the claim is baseless and should be considered false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3068.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that before health care reform, one of every three health care dollars spent -- more than $800 billion a year -- didnt go for health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Prior to the passage of health care reform, approximately one-third of every health care dollar spent did not go towards actual health care. The estimate of more than $800 billion a year is close to the actual figure of $775 billion, as calculated by independent fact-checkers. While the exact amount may not be \"over\" $800 billion, the statement accurately reflects the significant portion of health care spending that was allocated to corporate profits, executive salaries, administrative costs, and other non-health care expenses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["A television ad by the Chamber puts the viewer on the front of a train, roaring past billboards proclaiming Kaine\u2019s shortcomings. Among its claims: that Kaine, as governor, supported \"higher energy costs for families.\"","There is an element of truth and a great deal of hyperbole in the chamber\u2019s claim that Kaine supported higher energy bills for families. We rate it Mostly False.","So the assertion that cap and trade leads to higher energy prices is reasonable but depends on the specifics of a plan. The chamber cannot point to an instance where Kaine directly supported a particular measure that would raise energy bills, which is necessary context.","Kaine responded to the ad. \"The facts are that the tax burden on Virginia families was lower under Tim Kaine than under George Allen,\" his campaign said in a Sept. 25 news release."]},{"id":"5511.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Wisconsin Assembly Republicans voted to repeal a law that ensures that women cannot get paid less than a man for doing the same job.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that Wisconsin Assembly Republicans approved a bill, it is not accurate to claim that the bill specifically aimed to repeal a law ensuring equal pay for women. The evidence provided does not support the assertion that the bill directly targets equal pay protections. The bill's specific provisions and intentions need to be examined to determine its impact on equal pay laws. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it misrepresents the nature and purpose of the bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Moran said H.R. 1076, which would strip NPR of federal funding and set certain rules on how public radio stations nationwide could spend federal money, would put 9,000 jobs at risk. He based this on information from NPR, and a spokeswoman for public TV and radio said 8,400 people work in public radio.","\"Most people like their local NPR station; I like mine,\" Moran said. \"...But the funding restrictions put forward in this legislation strike at the heart of these great stations. It will cripple their ability to produce local programming. Eliminating funding for NPR would do little to rein in our national debt. It will not create jobs. In fact, 9,000 would be in jeopardy if this passes.\"","Moran could have easily attacked another GOP-sponsored bill that has a far greater potential to put public radio jobs at risk. The House\u2019s proposed budget for the rest of fiscal 2011 eliminated all federal funding for the CPB. The corporation received $420 million in fiscal 2010 fiscal is slated to receive $430 million for this fiscal year.","Local public radio stations, such as Richmond\u2019s WCVE, are endowed by a variety of sources, including funds from the CPB. The radio station shares $1.12 million in federal money with public TV stations in Richmond and Charlottesville, an amount that makes up 14 percent of the budget for the TV and radio stations. Other funds come from the state government, private donations and corporate sponsorships."]},{"id":"1112.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As many as 22,000 Americans die each year because they dont have health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"as many as 22,000 Americans die each year because they don't have health insurance\" is based on studies and estimates conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and other researchers. The IOM initially estimated that 18,000 Americans died in 2000 due to lack of insurance, and later research suggested that the number could be as high as 22,000. While these estimates provide valuable insights into the potential impact of lacking health insurance, it's important to note that calculating the exact number of deaths solely attributable to lack of insurance is challenging. Other factors, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare, can also contribute to these deaths. Therefore, while the statement is based on credible research, the precise number of deaths solely caused by lack of health insurance remains uncertain.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10987.json","label":"false","statement":"On Common Core.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence clearly indicates that the Every Student Succeeds Act does not eliminate Common Core. While the Act allows states the flexibility to decide whether to implement Common Core or create their own standards, it explicitly mentions Common Core and states that nothing in the Act prohibits a state from withdrawing from or revising the Common Core State Standards. Additionally, the evidence mentions that more than 40 states currently have Common Core, and while some states are revising their education standards, it does not imply the complete elimination of Common Core.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4559.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Christian Coalition gave (Adam) Hasner an F.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Christian Coalition did give Adam Hasner an \"F\" grade, as mentioned in the evidence. However, it's important to note that this grade was specifically related to his voting record on gambling measures, rather than his stances on stem cell research, abortion, and school vouchers. The statement could create the false impression that the grade was solely based on those issues, which is not the case. Therefore, while the Christian Coalition did give Hasner an \"F,\" the statement lacks the necessary context to provide a complete and accurate understanding of the grade.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Oregon is a gun-free zone. The state of Oregon allows each university the ability to decide for themselves whether it's a gun-free zone or not,\" Steube said. \"The community college where the shooting occurred was a gun-free zone. Don't believe me, look it up on your cell phones.\"","The two also disagree on how to characterize whether guns were allowed at certain locations. Lott says that the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon was in a gun-free zone and points to a school policy that bans possession of firearms \"except as expressly authorized by law or college regulations.\"","The sponsor of a bill that would allow concealed weapons on Florida\u2019s college campuses said his legislation would help prevent mass shootings like the attack at Oregon\u2019s Umpqua Community College, which he described as a gun-free zone.","Umpqua Community College spokeswoman Anne Marie Levis previously told PolitiFact Florida the school\u2019s gun-free policy didn\u2019t apply to students with a valid permit. \"UCC was never designated as a \u2018gun-free zone\u2019 by any signage or policy,\" she said. \"Umpqua Community College does comply with state law by allowing students with concealed carry licenses to bring firearms on campus.\""]},{"id":"4857.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Eighty-five percent . . . of Rhode Island tax returns that were filed for the year 2010 . . . were from individuals who earned $30,000 or less.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. The evidence provided indicates that the number of tax returns mentioned by the speaker is incorrect, as it refers to the number of returns filed in 2009, not 2010. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the number includes returns from individuals who do not reside in Rhode Island, further undermining the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement that 85 percent of Rhode Island tax returns filed in 2010 were from individuals earning $30,000 or less is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Teaching safe and responsible gun ownership works, and the NRA has a long and proud history of doing exactly that,\" LaPierre said. \"Our Eddie Eagle Child Safety Program has taught 25 million young people that if they see a gun, they should do four things: stop, don't touch it, leave the area, and call an adult. As a result of this and other private-sector programs, fatal firearms accidents are at the lowest level in 100 years.\"","The National Rifle Association claims that in Florida and nationally, you are far more likely to die at the hands of a medical professional or procedure -- by accident -- than you are as a result of an accidental firearm incident.","The NRA Carry Guard Expo, a National Rifle Association event for \"personal protection, concealed carry and defense tactics,\" is being held Aug. 25-27, 2017 in Milwaukee.","!National Rifle Association executive director Wayne LaPierre (left, shown with NRA president David Keene at right) testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 30, 2013. !National Rifle Association executive director Wayne LaPierre (left, shown with NRA president David Keene at right) testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 30, 2013."]},{"id":"2000.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John McCain \"began his career in Washington as a lobbyist when he was appointed in 1976 as the Navy's liaison to the United States Senate.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John McCain served as the Navy's liaison to the United States Senate in 1976, it is misleading to categorize this role as being a lobbyist. The position of a liaison typically involves facilitating communication and coordination between different entities, rather than engaging in lobbying activities. While there may be some overlap in responsibilities, it is not accurate to equate the role of a liaison with that of a lobbyist. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2942.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Eliminating the state tax on health savings accounts will make it easier for small business owners to provide health insurance to their employees.","reason":"Reason: While eliminating the state tax on health savings accounts may provide some benefits to individuals and potentially incentivize them to obtain health insurance, it is an overstatement to claim that it will directly make it easier for small business owners to provide health insurance to their employees. The tax break primarily affects individuals with health savings accounts, not employers. The decision to offer health insurance to employees involves various factors, including the cost of premiums and the overall financial stability of the business. While the tax change may indirectly impact small businesses, it is not a direct solution to the challenges they face in providing health insurance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Vance: \"Members of Congress get to take somebody to the State of the Union address. And a few years ago, Tim Ryan took somebody to the State of the Union address \u2026 he took an illegal alien.\"","In Pennsylvania an outage of the state voter database means \"they are stealing the election right in front of our faces.\"","\u201cThe boilermakers union has endorsed me because I sat down with them and went into great detail with leadership about exactly what I would do.\u201d","Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County."]},{"id":"3999.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama promised he would cut the deficit in half, but instead will at least double it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that President Obama made a promise to cut the deficit in half within a specific timeframe, it is incorrect to claim that he instead at least doubled it. The deficit has not more than doubled during his presidency. However, it is important to note that the deficit did not decrease as much as initially promised. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The House of Representatives is made up of 435 members. There are 221 Democrats and 209 Republicans. (There are five vacant seats due to deaths and resignations.)","\"The Democrats controlled the House of Representatives for much time since 1938 and uninterrupted between 1955 and 1994; and they controlled the Senate for much of those time periods (but not 1981-86),\" he wrote. \"There were many minimum wage increases between 1955 and 1980, all passed by Democratic congresses. Since 1980, there have only been 3 increases voted on by Congress: 1991, 1996 and 2007. Only the middle of these came out of a Republican congress.\"","Democrats currently control the House, Senate and White House. People on social media suggested this fact alone was enough for the passage of abortion legislation.","!House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democratic lawmakers hold a news conference just before a House vote on a bill aimed at guaranteeing the right to an abortion on Sept. 24, 2021. (AP) !House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other Democratic lawmakers hold a news conference just before a House vote on a bill aimed at guaranteeing the right to an abortion on Sept. 24, 2021. (AP)"]},{"id":"13416.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Russ Feingold formed his own political group to pay himself and his staff millions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Russ Feingold formed a political group called Progressives United, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that the primary purpose of forming the group was to pay himself and his staff millions. The ad implies that the sole intention of forming the group was to provide financial benefits to Feingold and his staff, which lacks substantiation. It is important to note that the group had separate fundraising and activities, and there is no conclusive proof to support the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13204.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rob Portman voted for the bipartisan bill to affirm climate change is real, humans significantly contribute to it and it needs to be addressed.","reason":"Reason: While Rob Portman did vote for a bipartisan bill recognizing climate change as a threat that needs to be addressed, it is important to note that the bill did not specifically include the word \"significantly\" when referring to human contributions to climate change. Although the ad from ClearPath Action uses the word \"significantly,\" it is not an accurate representation of the language used in the bill. Portman has voted against amendments that include the word \"significantly\" and has supported amendments that do not quantify the extent of human impact on climate change. Therefore, the statement is misleading and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8774.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today, our unemployment rate is 7.8 percent. That is the lowest in five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that the current unemployment rate is 7.8 percent, which is the lowest it has been in five years. However, it's important to note that this information might be outdated depending on the context in which it is being used. Unemployment rates can fluctuate over time, so it's essential to consider the timeframe and the specific data being referenced. While the statement is generally accurate, it would benefit from providing more recent information to ensure its continued validity.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Ryan said that Obama \"puts a board of 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats in charge of Medicare who are required to cut Medicare in ways that will lead to denied care for current seniors.\"","\"Here's what the president won't tell you about his Medicare plan, about Obamacare,\" he said. \"The president raids $716 billion from the Medicare program to pay for the Obamacare program. What's more, in addition to that, he puts a board of 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats in charge of Medicare, who are required to cut Medicare in ways that will lead to denied care for current seniors.\"","Vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan claims an \"unelected, unaccountable\" board created by the health care law \"will lead to denied care for current seniors.\"","Meanwhile, \"denied care\" is a strong way to phrase the board\u2019s possible effect. It\u2019s expected to recommend cutting provider payments, with an eye on cutting waste and inefficiency. That could restrict some seniors\u2019 access to care, depending on the what actions the board actually takes. Meanwhile, the board oversees only a small percentage of the Medicare savings in the health care law."]},{"id":"12426.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"California has the same water infrastructure from when we were 16 million people.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is not entirely accurate to say that California has the exact same water infrastructure from when the state had a population of 16 million, there is truth to the claim that a significant portion of California's core water conveyance and storage infrastructure was built when the state's population was around 16 million. The State Water Project and Central Valley Project, which are essential components of California's water system, were constructed in the 1960s when the state reached the 16 million population mark. However, it's important to note that there have been subsequent additions and improvements to the water infrastructure since then. Therefore, while the statement oversimplifies the complexity of California's water infrastructure, it does capture the general idea that a substantial portion of the infrastructure was developed during the period when the state's population was around 16 million.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I think the president has now spent three years proving that he kills jobs in energy, he kills jobs in manufacturing, he kills jobs in virtually every part of American life. I mean, notice -- the only reason the unemployment rate is going down is because \u2026 twice as many people dropped out of the employment pool as the number of jobs were created.\"","We\u2019re going to check this statement in two parts. In this item, we\u2019ll check the claim that President Barack Obama \"has now spent three years proving that he kills jobs in energy, he kills jobs in manufacturing.\" In a separate item, we\u2019ll check the claim that \"the only reason the unemployment rate is going down is because \u2026 twice as many people dropped out of the employment pool as the number of jobs were created.\"","Gingrich is free to argue that environmental regulations, tax policies and the like have prevented the energy and manufacturing sectors from creating as many jobs as they otherwise might. But in this case, Ginrgich said that Obama \"has now spent three years proving that he kills jobs in energy, he kills jobs in manufacturing.\" That\u2019s a different standard, one which means that Obama\u2019s policies have destroyed existing jobs on a net basis.","Combined, energy extraction jobs have increased in absolute numbers since Obama took office and have risen quite rapidly over the past two years. Meanwhile, manufacturing jobs are down over the course of Obama\u2019s presidency, but they are up during the past two years at the fastest pace in two decades. On balance, we rate Gingrich\u2019s statement Mostly False."]},{"id":"11933.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Why are Muslim armies so useless against ISIS? ... There are 20,000 or 30,000 (ISIS fighters). The countries surrounding ISIS have armies totaling 5 million people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the question posed by the speaker regarding the effectiveness of Muslim armies against ISIS. It also provides an estimate of the number of ISIS fighters, ranging from 20,000 to 30,000, which is supported by United States intelligence data and media reports. Additionally, it states that the countries surrounding ISIS have armies totaling 5 million people, which is a reasonable approximation. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of these armies against ISIS is influenced by various factors, including political complexities, internal conflicts, and the nature of the threat posed by ISIS. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood that the situation is multifaceted and cannot be solely attributed to the numerical strength of the surrounding armies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6093.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Joe Kyrillos voted to raid the states pension funds by $2.8 billion that is costing New Jersey taxpayers still today to the tune of nearly $15 billion dollars to repay that money.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Joe Kyrillos voted to raid the state's pension funds by $2.8 billion, resulting in a cost of nearly $15 billion to New Jersey taxpayers. However, the evidence provided does not include any specific voting records or reliable sources to support this claim. Without verifiable evidence, it is not accurate to attribute such actions and costs to Joe Kyrillos.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McDonnell made his statement on CNBC four days after the pay period ended in which longer-serving state workers made their first contributions to pensions. New state employees had contributed for as long as a year, depending on their start dates.","Virginia is among three states that fully tax military pensions, according to the web sites. It joins California and Vermont. Another 12 states tax the retirement pay, but at reduced levels.","Virginia is one of three states that fully tax military pensions. Twelve more states tax the pensions at reduced rates, which is what Youngkin wants to do in Virginia.","The change reversed a deal made in 1983 when Virginia agreed to pay for its employees\u2019 pension contributions instead of giving them a raise that year."]},{"id":"768.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"John McCain said \"he wouldn't even sit down with the government of Spain, a NATO ally that has troops in Afghanistan with us now.\"","reason":"Reason: While Joe Biden's statement implies that John McCain explicitly stated he wouldn't sit down with the government of Spain, the evidence suggests a different interpretation. McCain's response in the interview indicates a reluctance to commit in advance to meeting or not meeting with the Spanish government. It does not definitively confirm that he refused to sit down with them. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Sen. Richard Burr said that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are \"responsible for leading America into a deal that will arm Iran.\"","\"The administration, including President Obama and Secretary Clinton, is responsible for leading America into a deal that will arm Iran, the number one state sponsor of terrorism,\" Burr said in a press release Wednesday.","\"It was under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton that changed the rules of engagement that probably cost (Capt. Humayun Khan\u2019s) life.\"","Pierson said, \"It was under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton that changed the rules of engagement that probably cost (Capt. Khan\u2019s) life.\""]},{"id":"746.json","label":"true","statement":"John McCain wants to \"give oil companies another $4-billion\" in tax breaks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that John McCain supports providing oil companies with an additional $4 billion in tax breaks. The evidence provided does not directly mention John McCain, but it does provide examples of tax breaks and their distribution, indicating that such tax breaks are indeed being given to specific groups, including oil companies. Therefore, based on the available evidence, the statement can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"95 percent of the teachers and the principals are not implicated in the report at all,\" Franklin told reporter Jennifer Leslie on Saturday. \"There are 3,000 teachers and principals, and this report says that about 5 percent were involved in this.\"","The report implicated 178 educators, including 38 principals, in the cheating scandal. Investigators confirmed cheating in 44 of 56 schools they examined. Time magazine called it \"likely the largest cheating scandal in U.S. history to date.\"","The arithmetic behind the number Franklin uses in her claim that \"95 percent of teachers and principals are not implicated . . . at all\" is accurate.","The day after our ruling became public, Franklin told WXIA 11 Alive that she stands by her comments, and critics need to put the controversy in perspective. Cheating took place at some 40 schools, she said, but an investigative report on the scandal implicated only a small percentage of the district\u2019s educators."]},{"id":"9264.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Greg Abbott, Texas four-year-olds would be forced to undergo standardized tests.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Greg Abbott's pre-k plan includes assessments for four-year-olds, it is misleading to claim that they would be \"forced to undergo standardized tests.\" Abbott's proposal allows for alternate assessment methods and gives districts the flexibility to choose from different options provided by the state. While standardized tests are mentioned as one possible approach, it is not the only option. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent to which standardized tests would be required for four-year-olds under Abbott's plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s a new Florida, and this is not what we need to be remembered for, as the largest dog-racing state in the country,\" Sachs said. \"We are soon to be No. 3 in the country as the most populous state, and our culture does not look at mandated dog racing anymore.\"","The state\u2019s holdings in Russian-based investments include Sberbank of Russia, the country\u2019s largest lender; Rosneft, the Russian energy giant and the country\u2019s third-largest company; and Magnit, one of Russia\u2019s top grocery chains, among others.","We consulted the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, which lobbied in support of letting tracks keep gambling without dog-racing.","Animal-rights supporters and some lawmakers suggested as much during the 2012 legislative session. It cropped up in January, when Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, and Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, were garnering support for their proposal to allow dog tracks to stop racing dogs but keep their card rooms and slot machines."]},{"id":"11277.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I cut state spending more than anybody (in the 2016 GOP field).","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While Jeb Bush claimed to have cut state spending more than anybody in the 2016 GOP field, there is conflicting evidence regarding the accuracy of this claim. According to one chart presented by Bobby Jindal, Bush was the top spender among the eight governors in the race, with his budget increasing by an average of 6.08 percent every year. However, it's important to note that different charts and interpretations can lead to varying conclusions. Therefore, while Bush may have implemented spending cuts, the claim of cutting state spending more than anybody in the GOP field is not fully substantiated by the available evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["For all his success firing up the GOP base, Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump may be a Republican in name only when it comes to health care, says former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.","Says Donald Trump campaigned on not cutting Medicare and Social Security, but his nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, \"made his career on cutting Medicare and Medicaid.\"","Trump continues to praise single payer -- a health care system in which the government pays for care for all citizens -- at least as it used in other countries. But he has spoken a number of times, if vaguely, about a private system and at one point said he does not support single payer in the United States. Since then, his responses have been less clear.","\"While we work out details of a new single-payer plan, there are a number of ways to make the health care system now in place work more efficiently,\" Trump wrote."]},{"id":"11897.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In America, we pay, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made during the Democratic debate that the United States pays the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. Multiple sources, including experts and pharmaceutical industry discussions, support this claim. The high prices of prescription drugs in the United States have been a widely recognized issue, leading to ongoing debates and discussions on drug pricing reforms. However, it's important to note that the term \"by far\" may be subjective and could vary depending on specific comparisons and metrics used. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the extent of the price difference may vary in different contexts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Smoke is rising from this gubernatorial battleground, and it long ago obscured both camps' vows to run a \"civil\" and \"positive\" campaign. The race has been about as uncivil and negative as they come.","The 3-month-old race between former Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, and former Congressman Nathan Deal, a Republican, to determine who will become Georgia's next governor was to be a civil affair, hard-focused on the key issues. Or, so said both campaigns at the outset.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","We thought today -- four days before Election Day -- would be a good time to look back at those lofty campaign goals as the governor\u2019s race nears the finish line. Voters go to the polls on Tuesday to choose between Deal, Barnes or Libertarian John Monds."]},{"id":"10354.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Newly Elected Republican Senators Sign Pledge to Eliminate Food Stamp Program in 2015.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim originated from a satirical and parody website, and it was not based on any factual information. The story was widely shared on social media without proper fact-checking, leading many to believe it was true. However, reputable sources have debunked the claim, and it has been rated as \"Pants on Fire\" due to its complete lack of truthfulness.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1009.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Republican Party has 21 percent party ID and shrinking.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Gallup and Pew polls, which indicate a decline in Republican Party identification over the years. While the exact figures may vary slightly, the evidence suggests a downward trend in party identification for Republicans. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the most up-to-date data, and the current percentage may have changed since the information was last recorded. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it would benefit from more recent data for a more accurate assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2144.json","label":"false","statement":"Claims that Rep. Sanford Bishop votes similar to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are inaccurate.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that claims of Rep. Sanford Bishop voting similarly to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are inaccurate. The spokesman for Rep. Bishop explicitly stated that Rep. Mike Keown's suggestion is inaccurate. Additionally, the context provided explains that Keown attempted to link Rep. Bishop to Pelosi based on their voting records, but there is no substantial evidence or confirmation to support this claim. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz picked up their immigration battle at another presidential debate, with Rubio accusing his rival of flip-flopping on a laundry list of positions, including birthright citizenship.","\"You used to say that you were in favor of birthright citizenship. Now you say that you are against it,\" Rubio said as Cruz vigorously shook his head.","!Republican presidential candidates Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, participate in the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate on Jan. 14, 2016. (Getty) !Republican presidential candidates Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, participate in the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate on Jan. 14, 2016. (Getty)","Republican presidential candidates Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, participate in the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate on Jan. 14, 2016. (Getty)"]},{"id":"4379.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Barack Obama has virtually no one in his cabinet with private-sector experience.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that President Obama's Cabinet included individuals with private-sector experience, the claim that he had \"virtually no one\" with such experience is inaccurate. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, highlighting that a significant portion of Obama's Cabinet had private-sector experience, ranging from business executives to individuals with private-sector law and consulting backgrounds. Therefore, the statement is misleading and deserving of a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"(I)n the state of Texas, especially with Republicans, with Rick Perry refusing to accept the hundred billion dollars in expanded Medicaid, there's 40,000 veterans in the state of Texas that are not going to receive health care as a result of that decision,\" Hinojosa said in a Sept. 25, 2013, interview on the YNN cable news channel\u2019s \"Capital Tonight\" show.","Hinojosa said there are \"40,000 veterans in the state of Texas that are not going to receive health care as a result of\" the decision to reject expanding Medicaid.","Two calculations based on Census data suggest 42,771 or 48,900 uninsured Texas veterans earn less than what would be the poverty threshold for adults qualifying for Medicaid if Texas had embraced that part of the Obamacare law. That\u2019s not the same thing as saying they won\u2019t \"receive health care\"; in fact, some likely qualify now for Medicaid or VA care, but aren\u2019t signed up.","So it looks like more than 40,000 non-elderly veterans would be eligible, total, if Texas expanded Medicaid to all adults earning less than 138 percent of the poverty guideline."]},{"id":"11558.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obamacare isnt helping anyone.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Obamacare isn't helping anyone\" is a gross exaggeration and not supported by the evidence. There is overwhelming evidence to the contrary, with tens of millions of people benefiting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA has expanded healthcare coverage, protected individuals with pre-existing conditions, prevented bankruptcies due to medical expenses, and provided subsidies to make healthcare more affordable for many Americans. While there may be valid debates about the impact and effectiveness of the ACA, claiming that it isn't helping anyone is a false and misleading statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The May unemployment rate for blacks ages 16 to 24 was 18.7 percent. The rate for whites in the same age group was 9.1 percent.","A historic chart of the ratio shows that the percentage of blacks ages 16 to 24 who weren\u2019t working from 2003 to 2007 hovered at 60 percent, roughly the same as today. In between, the percentage rose to nearly 70 percent in late 2010, during the aftermath of the Great Recession, and then slowly subsided.","The unemployment rate is a widely used term with a specific definition: It refers to the percentage of jobless people in the workforce who are actively seeking employment. In May, the unemployment rate for blacks ages 16 to 24 was 18.7 percent, or less than one-third of Trump\u2019s claim.","In May, the bureau said the employment-population ratio for blacks ages 16 to 24 was 41.5 percent. Flipped over, that would mean that the unemployment ratio - although such a statistic is not published by the bureau - would be 58.5 percent. That\u2019s pretty close to the 59 percent figure Trump cited, Sinclair noted."]},{"id":"77.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Sixty-one percent of our active military are currently listed as overweight.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Sixty-one percent of our active military are currently listed as overweight\" is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly support this specific statistic, there have been reports and studies indicating a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among active military personnel. According to a 2018 report by the Department of Defense, approximately 61% of active-duty service members were classified as overweight or obese based on body mass index (BMI) measurements. However, it is important to note that BMI alone may not always accurately reflect an individual's overall health or physical fitness. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it should be interpreted with the understanding that BMI is just one measure of weight status and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of an individual's health or military readiness.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The League of Conservation Voters said Johnson voted to let oil and gas companies \"keep spewing unlimited carbon pollution into our air.\"","In the ad, the League of Conservation Voters alleges that Johnson \"has taken more than $100,000 from oil and gas and voted to let them keep spewing unlimited carbon pollution into our air.\"","Says U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson \"led the fight to let polluters release unlimited amounts of carbon pollution and took nearly $225,000 from polluters.\"","We checked a similar claim in 2013 when the League of Conservation Voters aired an ad that said Johnson had taken \"more than $100,000 from oil and gas and voted to let them keep spewing unlimited carbon pollution into our air.\""]},{"id":"3317.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under former President George W. Bushs administration while the population in that period grew by 10 percent, the number of jobs in the nation grew by 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Kaine that during the Bush administration, the U.S. population increased by 10 percent while the number of jobs grew by only 1 percent. While the evidence does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the economic factors and policies that influenced job growth during that period, it supports the general notion that the rate of job growth did not keep pace with population growth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The TV spot, which began airing Oct. 1, 2014, continues: \"It\u2019s why an overwhelming majority of Republican and Democrat law enforcement leaders have endorsed Brad Schimel.\"","Schimel defines \"law enforcement leaders\" as county sheriffs and district attorneys. A solid majority of them -- about 60 percent -- run as Republicans, so Schimel had a natural advantage vs. Happ.","The AG candidate has won 80 percent support from those who endorsed, and wooed 9 Democrats into the fold. He has won a clear majority overall, and from Republicans, but not from Democrats alone.","In a new TV ad just a month from his Nov. 4, 2014 face-off with Democrat and Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ, the ad\u2019s narrator says that as a \"decorated prosecutor and father of two girls, Brad Schimel puts public safety ahead of politics.\""]},{"id":"11463.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton couldnt bring herself to say we need to separate commercial banking and speculative banking, namely reinstating Glass-Steagall.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Martin O'Malley's claim that Hillary Clinton did not explicitly express support for separating commercial banking and speculative banking, specifically reinstating the Glass-Steagall Act. While it is true that Clinton did not explicitly mention Glass-Steagall during the debate, it is important to note that her position on banking regulations and the separation of commercial and investment banking has evolved over time. While she has expressed support for stronger regulations on Wall Street, her specific stance on Glass-Steagall has been less clear. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately represents O'Malley's claim, but it is important to acknowledge the nuances and evolution of Clinton's position on this issue.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Phone interview with William Gaudelli, associate professor of Social Studies and Education, and Social Studies program coordinator at Teachers College, Columbia University, Dec. 8, 2011","William Gaudelli, an associate professor of Social Studies and Education, and the Social Studies program coordinator at Teachers College, Columbia University, agreed that the work teachers do goes well beyond 180 work days.","In addition to instructing classes, teachers often work at home or outside the classroom preparing lessons, reviewing students\u2019 work and providing feedback, meeting with students outside class, staying abreast of educational technology, meeting continuing education requirements and much more, said Smith, who chaired the Department of Learning and Teaching at Rutgers University New Brunswick from 1992-2005.","Phone interview with Michael W. Smith, professor and chair of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology in Education at Temple University in Philadelphia, Dec. 8, 2011"]},{"id":"1118.json","label":"true","statement":"A loophole still exists which allows members of Congress and high-powered executive branch appointees to exploit 'insider' knowledge of the financial industry in order to turn personal profit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the content of the email, which claims that a loophole exists that allows members of Congress and high-powered executive branch appointees to exploit insider knowledge for personal profit in the financial industry. This claim is supported by the proposed Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, which aims to ban insider trading by lawmakers and members of the executive branch. The existence of this loophole and the potential for exploiting insider knowledge for personal gain have been subjects of discussion and debate. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12969.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Hollywood celebrities endorsing Hillary Clinton are in many cases celebrities that arent very hot anymore.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some of the celebrities endorsing Hillary Clinton may not be as prominent or \"hot\" in the current entertainment industry, it is an overgeneralization to claim that \"in many cases\" the endorsers fall into this category. Clinton has received endorsements from a wide range of celebrities, including both established and up-and-coming stars. Additionally, the statement does not provide sufficient evidence to support the claim that a significant portion of Clinton's celebrity endorsers are no longer popular. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The law is not going to collapse on its own weight, which seemed a real possibility when the launch was so botched, but I think it\u2019s still pretty grim,\" Lowry said on Meet the Press. \"If you believe the surveys of people who have signed up through these exchanges, most of them already had insurance, which suggests what you have basically done is a churn where you\u2019ve knocked people off their old insurance and then gotten them on the exchanges. There\u2019s not much upside to that.\"","When Lowry mentioned \"exchanges\" he was talking about the federal and state systems, from websites to hotlines, aimed at getting people covered. If most of those folks were just changing plans, that would raise a pretty fundamental problem. We are checking whether surveys show that most of the people signing up through the Obamacare exchanges, now called marketplaces, already had insurance.","Lowry said reports show that most of the people signing up through the Obamacare exchanges already had insurance. The McKinsey report he cited did not address his specific point. It examined the individual insurance market as a whole, regardless of how people found their insurance plans. While Lowry couched his claim with the caveat, \"if you believe the surveys,\" it doesn\u2019t matter if you believe the McKinsey survey. The survey did not describe the performance of Obamacare. An analyst cited by Lowry confirmed this point.","\"This week we found out 500,000 people have signed up for #Obamacare,\" the chair of the Democratic National Committee said. \"It's good news, but we have more work to do.\""]},{"id":"10445.json","label":"false","statement":"It will cost $50,000 per enrollee in Obamacare over the next 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that it will cost $50,000 per enrollee in Obamacare over the next 10 years is false. While there were claims made by Stuart Varney and reported in the Daily Mail regarding this cost, they were not accurate. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did not reveal that it would cost $50,000 per enrollee. The CBO provides cost estimates for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), but they do not support the claim of a $50,000 cost per enrollee. It is important to rely on accurate and verified sources when assessing the cost implications of healthcare policies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On Aug. 19, 2016, the nine-member Dallas Independent School Board voted on whether to ask Dallas County residents to consider a 13-cent property tax increase, which supporters said would raise about $104 million to fund early childhood education programs and other initiatives in the district.","So we sat up when state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, took credit for stopping such a Dallas tax hike. Bettencourt said in an Aug. 24, 2016, press release: \"Stopping a $100 million... tax increase will be a record that will stand for some time.\"","Also in August 2016, voters in Frisco rejected a similar 13-cent tax increase in a tax ratification election, but in that case, the school board had a super-majority to send the question to voters. According to a WFAA-TV news story, much of the new revenue would have covered an increase in teacher pay and helped address an estimated $30 million shortfall in the district\u2019s 2017-18 budget.","Todd Williams, executive director of Commit! Partnership, said the Dallas district is the only one in North Texas not to achieve the requisite supermajority vote needed under the revised law. He leads a consortium of area business, nonprofits, school districts and foundations who focus on local education issues and who supported the TRE."]},{"id":"7239.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Members of Congress can retire with the same pay after only one term in office","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Members of Congress cannot retire with the same pay after only one term in office. Retired lawmakers do not receive full pay as their pension, and in most cases, they are not vested after serving just one term. The claim that members of Congress can receive full pay retirement after serving one term is blatantly false. Additionally, it's important to note that only senators who have served one term may be eligible for any pension, not members of the House of Representatives.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10112.json","label":"false","statement":"The next state budget will begin with a surplus of over half a billion dollars -- $535 million to be exact.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to reports from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the projected surplus for the next state budget is not over half a billion dollars. Instead, there is a shortfall of $1.8 billion heading into the budget. The evidence contradicts the claim made by Walker, indicating that there is no surplus of $535 million as stated.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7789.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A 0.05 standard for drunken driving means having a glass of wine at dinner could make a person drunk.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Tavern League of Wisconsin that if the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) standard for drunken driving were changed to 0.05 from 0.08, having a glass of wine at dinner could potentially result in a person being considered drunk. However, it's important to note that the impact of alcohol consumption can vary depending on various factors such as body weight, metabolism, and tolerance. While it is possible for a glass of wine to raise a person's BAC to 0.05, it does not necessarily mean they would be impaired or intoxicated. The statement captures the concern raised by the Tavern League but should be understood in the context of individual differences in alcohol metabolism.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"She\u2019s under investigation with the FBI right now,\" Bush said Jan. 14. \"If she gets elected, her first 100 days \u2014 instead of setting an agenda, she might be going back and forth between the White House and the court house.\"","Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\"","Editor's note: Since this story published, more information has come to light about the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton's email setup. Read an updated article here.","While serving as secretary of state, Clinton sent and received emails hosted on a private server located in her New York home, outside the State Department\u2019s cyber security fence. Clinton says she did this out of convenience but that, in retrospect, it was a mistake."]},{"id":"9508.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Governor Crist, 3,000 teachers laid off.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that 3,000 teachers were laid off during Governor Crist's tenure, it is misleading to solely attribute the layoffs to him. The economic recession that occurred during that time played a significant role in the budget cuts that led to the layoffs. It is important to consider the broader context and factors beyond Governor Crist's control when assessing blame for the teacher layoffs. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6589.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Obama funneled $716 billion out of Medicare at the expense of the elderly.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama's healthcare law included $716 billion in spending reductions for Medicare, it is misleading to claim that this was done at the expense of the elderly. The reductions mainly targeted insurance companies and hospitals, not beneficiaries. The aim was to reduce overpayments to private insurers through Medicare Advantage plans, which have been costing the government more than traditional Medicare. The intention was to make Medicare more efficient and sustainable, rather than directly impacting the benefits received by the elderly. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the impact of the spending reductions and creates a misleading impression.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[", Christie proposes education reform bills that would eliminate current tenure system for teachers, April 14, 2011, accessed May 9, 2013","So far only Newark has merit pay, which the teachers union approved in November. The three-year pact awards bonuses to teachers earning the classification \"highly effective\" under a new rating system.","Further, in 17 of the 25 years analyzed, New Jersey came in last place, receiving 70 cents or less for every dollar it sent to the federal government. Kentucky, however, has climbed from about 23rd place among all states to 9th place.","In addition, four low-income districts -- Asbury Park, Hillside, Lakewood and North Plainfield -- would be eligible for merit pay through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s Teacher Innovation Fund. Rutgers University would administer the nearly $40 million grant over five years to improve educator recruitment, evaluation and rewards programs. The state Department of Education is expected to roll out a teacher evaluation system this fall."]},{"id":"6958.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"George Bush never suggested that we eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is no evidence to suggest that President George Bush explicitly advocated for the elimination of funding for Planned Parenthood during his time in office. Media reports and inquiries made to Planned Parenthood have not uncovered any instances of Bush targeting their federal funding. However, it's important to note that this statement specifically refers to Bush's suggestions, and it does not address any potential actions or policies that may have indirectly affected Planned Parenthood's funding during his presidency.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["During her speech, Kaptur said that \"states have cumultatively cut over $1.8 billion from their mental health services between 2009 and 2011. This is the largest reduction in state mental health services in half a century.\"","Her contention that the cuts mark the \"largest reduction in state mental health services in half a century,\" is harder to prove.","\"Between 2009 and 2011, states cumulatively cut more than $1.8 billion from their budgets for services for children and adults living with mental illness,\" it continued. The report said that cuts during that period kept thousands of Ohioans with serious mental illness from accessing care in their communities, resulting in their living on the streets, or ending up in more expensive settings like jails and hospitals.","\"The economic downturn has forced state budgets to cut approximately $4.35 billion in public mental health spending over the 2009-2012 period \u2013 the largest combined reduction since de-institutionalization,\" says a March 2012 report from the mental health program directors group."]},{"id":"9408.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"SaysMichele Bachmann said on Fox News, This country could use a president like Benjamin Franklin again.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or record of Michele Bachmann making the claim that \"This country could use a president like Benjamin Franklin again\" on Fox News or any other platform. The quote attributed to her is likely fabricated or taken out of context. It is important to verify the accuracy of quotes and information before attributing them to public figures.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3944.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The president came in and campaigned against me 12 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is possible that the president campaigned against the individual making the statement, the claim lacks specific details or evidence to support it. Without further context or information, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11176.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I was appointed U.S. attorney by President Bush on Sept. 10, 2001.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Chris Christie served as the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, the statement is misleading. While he did receive a phone call on September 10, 2001, regarding his potential appointment, he was not officially nominated until later, and he was not sworn into the position until the following year. Therefore, the claim that he was appointed as the U.S. attorney on September 10, 2001, is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The people of Kentucky deserve everyone\u2019s sympathy, or at least the one\u2019s with Internet access,\" Oliver said. \"Here\u2019s an interesting fact: 28 percent of Kentuckians don\u2019t have any online access, a commodity the U.N. had deemed a basic human right. Even Alaska has that number down to 18 percent and they had to lay cable through 1,300 miles of narwhal.\"","What Oliver would have been better off saying is that 28 percent of Kentucky\u2019s residents don\u2019t access (as a verb) the Internet, which is supported by Census Bureau data.","Smaller, urban states have an easier time getting their residents access to higher speeds. In New Jersey, for example, 97 percent of the population can access download speeds greater than 50 mbps. Only 58.4 percent of Kentuckians have that luxury.","Another 28 percent of people said the cost is too prohibitive, while 13 percent said they don\u2019t have a computer at all."]},{"id":"13465.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says there are probably 2 million, it could be even 3 million criminal immigrants in the country illegally.","reason":"Reason: While President Trump claimed that there are \"probably 2 million, it could be even 3 million\" criminal immigrants in the country illegally, this statement is not entirely supported by available evidence. Estimates from various sources suggest that the number of criminal immigrants in the country illegally is likely lower than the figures mentioned by President Trump. Additionally, the lack of specific data and confirmation from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the exact number of immigrants in the country illegally with criminal convictions further complicates the accuracy of this statement. Therefore, while there is some truth to the existence of criminal immigrants, the specific numbers mentioned by President Trump are not fully substantiated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We spent twice as much per capita for health care in this country as the next closest nation,\" he said during a 30-minute talk, which ranged from his own biography to entitlement and military spending.","\"His statement should have been, \u2018We spent twice as much per capita for health care in this country as the next closest nations.\u2019 \u2018Nations\u2019 should be plural,\" the spokesperson wrote in an email.","Working down from the United States, the \"next closest nation\" is Norway at $6,140 per capita. After that, it\u2019s Switzerland at $6,080 per capita.","The average spending for OECD nations is less than $3,500 per capita, according to 2013 OECD data. By comparison, the United States, at $8,745, is about 2.5 times the average. But Carson was referring to the \"next closest nation,\" not the average nation."]},{"id":"9822.json","label":"true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama released a statement on the death of brother Robin Williams before ... a statement on brother Michael Brown.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the criticism directed at President Obama regarding the timing of his statements on the deaths of Robin Williams and Michael Brown. It is true that President Obama released a statement on the death of Robin Williams before issuing a statement specifically addressing the death of Michael Brown. This sequence of events has been a subject of criticism and scrutiny from both the left and the right.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4389.json","label":"true","statement":"I became a Republican sooner in my life than Ronald Reagan did in his.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Rick Perry made the statement claiming to have become a Republican at an earlier age than Ronald Reagan. Perry specifically mentioned having a conversation with Michael Reagan, Ronald Reagan's son, about this topic. While Ronald Reagan was a registered Democrat until the age of 51, Perry's claim that he became a Republican at an earlier stage in his life than Reagan is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1688.json","label":"half-true","statement":"(Pete) Sessions has held at least two fundraisers at adult-themed clubs and made no apologies.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Pete Sessions held at least two fundraisers at adult-themed clubs is not entirely accurate. While there is evidence that Sessions held a fundraiser at a venue that has an adult-themed nightclub section, it is not accurate to categorize it as an \"adult-themed club\" in the traditional sense. The venue in question is primarily a restaurant and nightclub, and it does not feature burlesque or striptease performances. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the nature of the venue and misrepresents the events that took place. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Without question, Biden was among the earliest supporters of climate change action in Congress,\" Bledsoe said. \"His 1987 bill was focused on forcing the Reagan Administration to establish a wide-ranging White House Task Force on Climate Change, a critical action that in fact was not taken until the Clinton Administration, so it was both prescient and influential on long-term policy.\"","After initially being negotiated out of the House version of Biden's proposed Build Back Better spending bill framework, the provision made a comeback, though in a more limited form than Biden had envisioned. The version of the bill that passed the House included four weeks per year of family and medical leave.","In 1976 \u2014 decades before making the Academy Award-winning documentary \"An Inconvenient Truth\" \u2014 a 28-year old freshman congressman named Al Gore, D-Tenn., held House hearings on climate change.","\"There\u2019s been a lot of misinformation about the Inflation Reduction Act floating around,\" he tweeted from his official House account. \"Now that this historic legislation is now law, let\u2019s get to the bottom of what this bill really does \u2014 and doesn\u2019t!\""]},{"id":"8642.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The most popular name is no longer John or Steven. Its Jose, Camilo and Maria.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the names Jose, Camilo, and Maria have gained popularity in states with high Hispanic populations, it is not accurate to claim that they are the most popular names overall. In fact, none of these names are the most popular in any state. The evidence shows that while Jose has seen a decline in popularity nationally, it still ranks lower than John. Similarly, Camilo is not a widely popular name, and Maria, while more popular, does not surpass the rankings of other names in most states. Therefore, the statement that these names are the most popular is barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Beck said Hillary Clinton \"makes more at a speaking gig in an hour than the average CEO does in a year,\" in the context of Clinton criticizing \"out of control CEO salaries.\"","We\u2019ve seen conservatives go too far criticizing Hillary Clinton\u2019s hefty speaking fees, saying Clinton \"makes more per hour at a speaking gig than the average CEO does in a year.\" (Mostly False)","\"Let\u2019s remember one thing about this woman of the people,\" conservative radio host Glenn Beck said on his May 13 show. \"She knows a few things about making money. She makes more per hour at a speaking gig than the average CEO does in a year. Let me say that again: She makes more at a speaking gig in an hour than the average CEO does in a year. But let\u2019s have her lecture us about those out of control CEO salaries.\"","What\u2019s clear is Clinton earned north of $200,000 for a typical paid appearance. But what\u2019s complicated is comparing that one-off event to what a CEO makes in a year."]},{"id":"5538.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the governor took away a billion dollars of rebates, so in real dollars, our property taxes have gone up 20 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that property taxes in Texas increased by about $20 billion from 2015 to 2021, attributing this solely to the governor taking away rebates is an oversimplification. The increase in property taxes can be influenced by various factors, including changes in property values, local tax rates, and other economic factors. While the governor does have some influence over property tax policies, it is not accurate to solely attribute the increase to the governor taking away rebates. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to fully explain the reasons behind the increase in property taxes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says \"Every time the Legislature 'suspended' the kicker, most recently the corporate kicker in 2007, Salem spent every penny and failed to stabilize the state's revenues.\"","\"The nonpartisan CBO, Congressional Budget Office, has said that the No. 1 policy decision that brought us to the need to prevent the nation from defaulting on our debt for the first time in history were the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003.\"","Says she does the jobs of state auditor, secretary of state and lieutenant governor \"for less than the price of one of them\" in Washington state.","Says \"we got a chance to pass what I think is Oregon's first human trafficking bill which has increased by 66 percent the calls to the human trafficking hotline.\""]},{"id":"3992.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Randi Shade, Austin has had the highest cost of living of any large Texas city.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence that a political action committee claimed that under Randi Shade, Austin had the highest cost of living among large Texas cities, it is important to note that this claim is disputed and lacks comprehensive data to support it. The evidence provided does not include any concrete data or statistical analysis to substantiate the claim. Without more robust evidence, it is difficult to make a definitive determination about the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7096.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that under the new healthcare law, full- and part-time workers will be required to buy insurance costing $375 to $1,000 a month, starting in 2014.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence that under the new healthcare law, full- and part-time workers will be required to buy insurance. However, it should be noted that the cost range of $375 to $1,000 a month is specific to the County Line restaurant chain mentioned in the evidence. The actual cost of insurance can vary depending on various factors such as location, income, and the specific insurance plan chosen. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the requirement to buy insurance, it does not capture the full range of potential costs that individuals may face under the new healthcare law.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We\u2019ve seen plenty of claims in recent days about the unrest in Baltimore. One that caught our attention was a tweet from an account associated with the Nation of Islam. It read, \" #Baltimore police trained by Israel Mossad & Shin Bet. More planned.\"","The Nation of Islam Research group said that police in Baltimore had been trained by Mossad and Shin Bet. The source they cited referred to optional training in Krav Maga for the wrong police department and listed a trainer who gained experience in Los Angeles.","The instructor mentioned on the Baltimore County webpage was Jon Pascal, who had spent 15 years with the Los Angeles County Police Department. There is nothing to suggest that Pascal is a Mossad or Shin Bet agent.","The Mossad is Israel\u2019s foreign intelligence service and the Shin Bet is its internal counter-intelligence agency. They roughly correspond to the American CIA and FBI."]},{"id":"10680.json","label":"false","statement":"By allowing brewpubs to sell beer, Georgia could become like Mexico with only a couple of manufacturers controlling all aspects of market.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Martin Smith, a lobbyist for the Georgia Beer Wholesalers, suggested that allowing brewpubs to sell beer could lead to a market similar to Mexico, where a few manufacturers dominate, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, experts and research have found no indication that any state, including Georgia, would develop a market structure resembling Mexico's. The system in place restricts producers from controlling retail shelves or taps, ensuring equal market access for all brewers and preventing market domination by a few producers. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In recent weeks, Gov. Scott Walker -- and his allies -- began emphasizing an obscure measurement to argue that his policies were improving the state\u2019s economy: an index created by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.","For his part, Walker\u2019s office highlighted the Sept. 24, 2013 report in public appearances, social media, and with a news release. The headline: \"Wisconsin ranked #2 in economic growth.\"","While the state ranks next to last in the amount it received from the CDC, the picture is different when looking at state money. By that measure, Wisconsin ranks 42nd in the nation, according to the State Health Access Data Assistance Center.","So Wisconsin ranks higher in state dollars put toward public health than in what it receives from the federal government \u2014 though to be sure, it\u2019s still on the lower end by that measure, too."]},{"id":"11589.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says a car driving former University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe ran through the students, hit one of them at the MU Homecoming Parade.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Homecoming Parade at the University of Missouri was disrupted by protesters who surrounded the car carrying then-UM System President Tim Wolfe, there is no clear evidence to support the claim that the car actually ran through the students and hit one of them. The evidence provided only mentions that a car ran through the students, but it does not confirm any physical contact or injury. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of a student being hit by the car.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4247.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Today we stand as the highest-performing urban school district in America.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that the school district is the highest-performing urban district in America. However, without specific evidence or comparative data, it is difficult to verify this claim. While the district may have achieved notable success, it is important to consider other high-performing urban districts across the country before making such a definitive statement. Without additional context or supporting evidence, the claim appears to be exaggerated and lacks sufficient substantiation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1521.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The CBO found that the House Republican health care plan would lower premiums by \"up to about 10 percent\" and, for purchasers in the individual market, \"those cost savings could even be higher.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. Boustany regarding the findings of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on the House Republican health care plan. The CBO did indeed project that the plan would bring down the cost of premiums by \"up to about 10 percent.\" Additionally, the statement correctly acknowledges that for individuals purchasing insurance in the individual market, the cost savings \"could even be higher.\" This is supported by the analysis of the CBO. However, it's important to note that the exact extent of the cost savings in the individual market may vary and is not explicitly specified by the CBO. Hence, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["They acknowledged that the Atlanta region has made improvements in its water planning, but all thought that calling the area \"the\" national leader, or even \"a\" national leader, goes too far.","But we found no consensus that the region has a reputation as a national leader in water conservation, much less as \"the\" national leader.","\"The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District is now the national leader in conservation,\" Stevens told the crowd, according to a Jan. 24 story on","\"I wouldn\u2019t say that metro Atlanta is the leader in conservation efficiency by any means,\" said Jenny Hoffner, the director of the water supply program for American Rivers, a national group that advocates for clean water and conservation."]},{"id":"1134.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I just want to assure [you] were not talking about cutting Medicare benefits.","reason":"Reason: President Obama's statement accurately reflects his position at the time, where he emphasized that the proposed healthcare reform would not result in cutting Medicare benefits. However, it's important to note that while the basic benefits for all Medicare recipients would remain intact, there were potential changes and reductions in certain aspects of Medicare Advantage plans. These changes could have affected some enrollees in terms of losing certain extras or additional coverage. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it does not fully address the potential impact on specific Medicare Advantage plans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11408.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When we had a conservative Republican president we were losing 750,000 jobs a month.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Wasserman Schultz that during the term of President George W. Bush, the country was losing an average of about 750,000 jobs per month. This claim is supported by data from the end of Bush's term, which did indeed see significant monthly job losses. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of the timeline and does not specify that the job losses occurred towards the end of Bush's presidency. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the claim made, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6480.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"After one year, Tennessees students made their biggest single-year jump in achievement ever recorded in the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in stating that Tennessee's students made a significant improvement in achievement in a single year. However, it is important to note that the claim lacks specific details about the exact magnitude of the improvement and the specific metrics used to measure achievement. While it is true that Tennessee has seen notable progress in education, additional context is needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the achievement gains. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Under President Bush in eight years, we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama, we've added $5.3 trillion to the debt in the 3.5 years he's been in office.\"","\"Under President Bush in eight years, we added $4.9 trillion to the debt,\" Ayotte told the crowd Thursday, August 23, 2012, at Merrimack High School. \"Under President Obama, we've added $5.3 trillion ... in the 3 1\/2 years he's been in office.\"","Under President George W. Bush, \"we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama \u2026 we\u2019ve added $6.5 trillion to the debt.\"","\"It took two parties to get us into debt. It\u2019s going to take two parties to get us out of debt,\" she said. \"Under President (George W. Bush), we added $4.9 trillion to the debt. Under President Obama, since he\u2019s been in office, we\u2019ve added $6.5 trillion to the debt,\" she said."]},{"id":"2070.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Bill McCollum diverted a state plane to his home 53 times. A state auditor called it: likely a misuse of state resources.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the ad and the findings of the state auditor. It states that Bill McCollum diverted a state plane to his home 53 times, and a state auditor labeled those diversions as likely a misuse of state resources. However, it's important to note that the label \"barely-true\" is used because the statement does not provide additional context or information about the specific circumstances surrounding these flights. While the auditor did raise concerns about the diversions, it does not necessarily imply that McCollum intentionally misused state resources. Further investigation and clarification are needed to fully assess the extent and nature of the alleged misuse.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12218.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Poll after poll after poll shows me beating Hillary.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that multiple polls consistently show the speaker beating Hillary Clinton, the evidence provided does not support such a strong claim. The evidence mentions that in one poll, the speaker is still behind Clinton by 11 percentage points, and in another poll, a different candidate is actually ahead of Clinton. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of the speaker's lead over Clinton and does not accurately reflect the polling data.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Florida Gov. Rick Scott couldn't help but bring up the sale of the two state airplanes during his first State of the State speech on March 8, 2011.","Florida Gov. Rick Scott is at loggerheads with powerful Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander over whether Scott was allowed to sell the two state airplanes.","Gov. Rick Scott touted Florida's improving economy and his wish list for the upcoming legislative session during his third State of the State speech before the Florida Legislature on Tuesday.","The majority of the evidence and a legal expert side with Alexander in this argument about the sale of the state's two airplanes. Alexander said the sales were \"not proper,\" and cited specific state statutes. Most germane is a statute that requires the governor to spend the money allocated for a specific purpose in the state budget."]},{"id":"4793.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says 23 percent of ninth graders in Newark will graduate with a high school diploma in four years and we spend $100,000 on their education in those four years, more than is spent on any other set of students in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. The evidence provided states that 22 percent of children who enter ninth grade in Newark graduate with a \"HSPA degree in four years.\" This does not necessarily equate to a high school diploma, as it refers specifically to passing the High School Proficiency Assessment. Additionally, the evidence does not support the claim that $100,000 is spent on their education in those four years, as it states an average expenditure of $24,500 per pupil per year. While the graduation rate mentioned in the evidence is 29 percent, the statement incorrectly states it as 23 percent. Therefore, the statement contains inaccuracies and exaggerations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7859.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama is trying to pack the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Republican lawmakers accused President Obama of trying to \"pack\" the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, this accusation is not supported by evidence. President Obama nominated three individuals to fill vacancies on the court, which is a normal and legitimate process for a president to fulfill their constitutional duty of appointing judges. The accusation of \"packing\" the court implies an attempt to increase the number of judges for political gain, which is not the case here. The president's nominations were made to fill existing vacancies on the court, not to expand its size for partisan purposes.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We\u2019ve seen a remarkable reduction in the number of Americans being executed -- it\u2019s down nearly two-thirds over the past generation.\"","Frum said, \"We\u2019ve seen a remarkable reduction in the number of Americans being executed -- it\u2019s down nearly two-thirds over the past generation.\"","David Frum of The Atlantic tried to bring the conversation back toward seriousness, saying \"we\u2019ve seen a remarkable reduction in the number of Americans being executed -- it\u2019s down nearly two-thirds over the past generation.\"","A generation is most often defined as a period of time between 20 and 30 years. From 1993-2013, a period of about 20 years, the number of executions have increased by one (or up 2.6 percent)."]},{"id":"13452.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Anyone who knows you can just look it up to see if you voted.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that a person's voting history, indicating whether they voted or not, is generally considered public record, it is important to note that this information is not always easily accessible to just anyone. Access to voter records and the process of requesting such information can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific regulations in place. In some cases, individuals may need to submit a formal request or meet certain criteria to access this information. Therefore, while it is possible for someone to look up a person's voting history, it is not as simple as just anyone being able to do so without any restrictions or limitations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Without the deal, Iran might be two to three months away from getting a nuclear bomb. With the deal, Iran commits to not pursuing nuclear weapons overall and faces obstacles if it seeks to break its commitment and pursue a nuclear weapon.","President Donald Trump announced on May 8, 2018 his decision to withdraw the United States from what is known as the Iran nuclear deal, which is aimed at preventing Iran from getting a nuclear bomb,","There was an element of truth in the House speaker\u2019s claim about the $8.6 million transaction. Heavy water, which can be used to make a nuclear weapon, clearly is part of Iran\u2019s nuclear program. But the fair-market-value purchase, for a material that the U.S. will use in nuclear research, was not a true subsidy. And by reducing Iran\u2019s heavy water stockpile, the purchase helped Iran comply with the Iran deal\u2019s aim of making it harder for the country to develop a nuclear weapon.","The 2015 deal restricts certain Iranian nuclear activities for periods of between 10 to 25 years, and allows for more intrusive, permanent monitoring. It also forbids Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons in the future. In exchange, Iran was relieved of crippling economic sanctions."]},{"id":"7890.json","label":"false","statement":"Says less than half of 1 percent of all the Texas legislators who ever served draw a benefit from pensions tied to the salaries of state district judges.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to the evidence provided, it is stated that lawmakers tied legislator pensions to the salary of a state district judge in 1975. This suggests that a portion of Texas legislators would be eligible for pensions tied to their own salaries. While the exact percentage of legislators who have benefited from these pensions is not specified, the claim that less than half of 1 percent of all Texas legislators who have ever served draw a benefit is unsupported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Q: What do these \u2018Patriotic Americans\u2019 have in common? A: They are all Draft Dodgers,\" according to the meme received March 17 by PolitiFact New Jersey.","A Liberals Are Cool meme claims \"Q: What do these \u2018Patriotic Americans\u2019 have in common? A: They are all Draft Dodgers,\" referring to Romney, Trump, Cheney, Limbaugh, Nugent and O\u2019Reilly.","Liberals Are Cool may not like that these men didn\u2019t face combat, but calling them \u2018draft dodgers\u2019 is wrong \u2013 and ridiculous. As a result, we\u2019re cranking up the heat for this ruling: Pants on Fire!","Draft dodger \u2013 the term conjures up images of Americans unwilling to serve their country and sneaking off to Canada to avoid being drafted for military service."]},{"id":"5070.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Bob Menendez just voted to increase the governments debt ceiling to $1.9 TRILLION! In his 19 years in Congress, Menendez has helped overspend America over $15 TRILLION into debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bob Menendez supported a debt ceiling increase of $1.9 trillion at some point during his 19 years in Congress, the statement is misleading. The use of the phrase \"just voted\" implies that the vote is recent, when in fact, it may refer to a vote that occurred a couple of years ago. Additionally, attributing the entire $15 trillion increase in debt solely to Menendez is an oversimplification. The national debt is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, bipartisan decisions, and policies enacted by multiple lawmakers over many years. Therefore, the statement lacks context and exaggerates Menendez's individual responsibility for the debt increase.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Outside of recall elections, \"there's never been a public official removed from office\" in Wisconsin \"for anything but malfeasance in office.\"","The embattled Sheboygan mayor said no public official in Wisconsin has ever been removed from office \"for anything but malfeasance in office.\" Ryan\u2019s reference was not to recall elections or automatic removal, but removal by a governmental body such as a city council.","( - Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan says no public official in Wisconsin has been removed from office for reasons other than malfeasance &url=)","\"This whole thing stinks. If you want to take me out of office, by all means start your recall,\" he said. \"If you want to go down this path, it's not a threat, it's a fact, it's never been done. There's never been a public official removed from office in this state for anything but malfeasance in office. I'm here to do a job. I will continue to do that job. You should know by now, I never quit. Ever.\""]},{"id":"9726.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I havent really proposed (phasing out aid to Israel) in the past.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Paul, \"I haven't really proposed (phasing out aid to Israel) in the past,\" is contradicted by the evidence. In 2011, Paul's office released a budget proposal that included the elimination of foreign assistance, which would have affected aid to Israel. Additionally, Paul has made statements in interviews suggesting the phasing out of aid to Israel. Therefore, the claim that he hadn't proposed phasing out aid to Israel in the past is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Here\u2019s something not talked about, something that can make us all very, very nervous,\" Sen. Bernie Sanders said recently in Austin. \"Half of all Americans have less than $10,000 in their savings account.","And in his remarks at a South Austin union hall, the Vermont independent mulling a runfor the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination also warned about American failures to save money. \"Here\u2019s something not talked about, something that can make us all very, very nervous,\" Sanders said. \"Half of all Americans have less than $10,000 in their savings account.","We wondered if the Vermont Independent who might run for president was right that half of us have less than $10K in savings, ultimately finding clarification missing. Precisely, a 2014 survey indicated about half of American adults had less than $10,000 in savings and investments, such as a 401(k) or IRA, that could be used for retirement; the results encompassed more than savings accounts.","Some clarification went missing here: A 2014 survey indicated about half of American adults had less than $10,000 in savings and investments, such as a 401(k) or IRA, that could be used for retirement; those results encompassed more than savings accounts."]},{"id":"12738.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Rep. Tammy Duckworth has been a staunch supporter of expanding the spending, size and reach of the IRS.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Rep. Tammy Duckworth's position on expanding the spending, size, and reach of the IRS is not straightforward. While the Kirk campaign and some sources claim that Duckworth is a staunch supporter of such expansion, there are conflicting statements and evidence. Duckworth's votes and the analysis of bills suggest that her opposition to certain measures may have been motivated by concerns about overall IRS spending and budget containment. Therefore, it is inaccurate to categorize Duckworth as a staunch supporter of expanding the IRS without considering the nuances and complexities of her voting record and the broader context.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"13387.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"One of George Soros companies has provided some of the (voting) machines for some states.","reason":"Reason: The claim that one of George Soros' companies provided voting machines for certain states is false. Multiple sources, including fact-checking organizations, have debunked this claim. George Soros does not own any company that offers voting machines, and the company mentioned in the rumor, Smartmatic, has stated that it has no voting machines in the United States. This claim has been widely discredited, and there is no evidence to support it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Grayson claimed that the United States ranks 50th in the world for life expectancy. We found a few sources that show that we're actually a bit higher. The Population Reference Bureau put us at No. 41, while data from the World Health Organization indicate that we may be in the low 30's. Still, we think that Grayson's underlying point that the U.S. isn't as high in life expectancy as one would think is valid, so we rate this Mostly True.","\"It\u2018s sad. Look, we really are cheating ourselves. This can be a heaven on Earth. This could be an outstanding place to live, the very top in the entire world. Instead, we\u2018re 50th in the world -- 50th in life expectancy, just below Albania. We are dead last in math test scores. And believe me, the math is the same in Seoul, Korea, as it is in here. It\u2018s the same math,\" Grayson said.","The data for life expectancy appears to be mixed. According to both the CIA Factbook, the estimated life expectancy for both sexes in 2013 was 78.62 in the United States, compared to 78.05 years in Cuba. And according to the World Health Organization, life expectancy in 2011 was 79 years in the United States and 78 in Cuba.","Todd Jurkowski, Grayson's press secretary, directed us to the 2009 life expectancy estimates in the CIA World Factbook. The United States is, indeed, No. 50."]},{"id":"5544.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"And the revenue generated by drilling off Virginias coast? $40 million over 10 years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimated that the federal government would collect $40 million over the next 10 years from upfront bonus payments for the right to test and drill, this figure only represents a small portion of the potential revenue generated by drilling off Virginia's coast. The statement fails to mention that energy companies would also pay royalties on the oil and gas they produce, which typically make up a significant portion of government revenue. These royalties could amount to tens of millions in the early years and potentially hundreds of millions annually in the long term. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive picture of the potential revenue from offshore drilling.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Given the high mortality rate from the disease, if it was \"incredibly contagious\" and \"easy to catch,\" the United States would likely have more deaths already.","That seems to dispel, at least anecdotally, the idea that the disease is \"incredibly contagious\" and \"easy to catch,\" even from an infected person. But let\u2019s get into the nitty gritty.","\"This is an incredibly contagious disease,\" Paul said. \"People in full gloves and gowns are getting it. So really they need to be honest \u2014 this is a very transmissible disease.\"","Paul added: \"They\u2019re still learning about this. We\u2019re all still learning about this. But this is not something that is hard to catch, this is something that appears to be very easy to catch.\""]},{"id":"8181.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are only four countries in the world that ... legalize abortion after five months -- China, North Korea, Canada and the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, China, North Korea, Canada, and the United States are indeed countries that legalize abortion after five months of gestation. However, the statement fails to mention that there are additional countries beyond these four that also allow abortion after five months. The evidence states that there are 61 countries that legalize elective abortions with varying gestational period requirements, including the six countries mentioned. Therefore, while the statement accurately identifies four countries, it omits the fact that there are more countries with similar laws.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9042.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Cathy Jordan was arrested and dragged out of her home by a SWAT team of hooligans for using medical marijuana.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Cathy Jordan, a medical marijuana activist suffering from ALS, was indeed arrested for using medical marijuana. However, the statement's use of the phrase \"dragged out of her home by a SWAT team of hooligans\" may be an exaggeration or hyperbole. While it is true that law enforcement authorities conducted a raid on her home, the specific details of the arrest and the involvement of a SWAT team are not clearly established in the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient evidence to support the dramatic characterization of the arrest.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For this fact check, we asked Lehmberg if Travis County \"won\" against DeLay. She credited Cobb with winning at trial. But, she said by phone, \"ultimately, we didn\u2019t\" prevail.","Still, an adviser to one of Cobb\u2019s opponents in the March 2016 primary asked us to gauge a TV ad posted on Cobb\u2019s campaign website. In the spot, Cobb faces the camera and says: \"You trusted me to take on Tom DeLay \u2014 and we won.\" By email, Jeff Crosby, an adviser to candidate Margaret Moore, noted that while a local jury found DeLay guilty, his convictions were thrown out on appeal.","A May 2015 Austin American-Statesman news story summed up: \"Travis County prosecutor Gary Cobb persuaded jurors in 2010 that former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay had illegally channeled corporate funds to Texas candidates.\"","Cobb and the county won a jury verdict against DeLay. However, the convictions were tossed by an appeals court; its ruling was upheld by the state's highest criminal court of appeals."]},{"id":"4783.json","label":"false","statement":"Under energy efficiency legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, federal bureaucrats could take over the local building code enforcement in your city if so-called green mandates are not complied with quickly enough.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen does not grant federal bureaucrats the authority to take over local building code enforcement. The legislation explicitly states that any model building code or standard established under the legislation is not binding on a state, local government, or Indian tribe as a matter of federal law. Therefore, the claim that the legislation would allow federal bureaucrats to take over local building code enforcement is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Precisely, the turnout was 7.4 percent of registered Austin voters. Nothing to brag on, but was that the lowest in decades?","We checked the city\u2019s year-by-year election summaries covering the elections since 1965. By the percentage of registered voters casting ballots--a widely accepted way to gauge participation--turnout is listed as 7 percent in May 2000 when voters acted in races for mayor and some council seats. A closer look shows 38,166 of 513,072 registered voters participated, making the actual May 2000 turnout 7.4 percent--same as this May\u2019s turnout. We suspect the web post--7 percent--reflects a rounding down of the actual turnout percentage, which appears the case for about 20 of the election result summaries we reviewed.","So, voter turnout May 14 was about the same as in the Austin municipal general election 11 years ago. Then again, fewer voters participated in the election than in any general council election in decades. Shade\u2019s statement rates Mostly True.","Top on its list is Uzbekistan, a landlocked former member of the Soviet Union, where 98.4 percent of age-eligible people voted in its 2015 presidential election. At the bottom is Haiti, an impoverished Caribbean nation, had an 18.9 percent turnout."]},{"id":"10398.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Currently, Florida is one of only five states in the nation that prohibit citizens from buying electricity from companies that will put solar panels on your home or business.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Floridians for Solar Choice, stating that Florida is one of only five states in the nation that prohibit citizens from purchasing electricity from companies that install solar panels on their homes or businesses. However, it's important to note that there are some states where the issue is unclear or unknown due to the absence of specific statutory laws and lack of attempts by solar companies to sell electricity directly to customers. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true for the states where the issue is clear, there may be some exceptions or uncertainties in other states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Brat\u2019s says Cantor voted to \"fully fund Obamacare\" last October. He\u2019s referring to a temporary appropriations bill that Cantor supported and Congress passed to end a 16-day government shutdown. The measure guaranteed continued funding for discretionary programs that rely on annual congressional appropriations, including defense and education.","The Obamacare charge caught our attention because, as House majority leader, Cantor has been at the center of dozens of Republican attempts to repeal or gut the Affordable Care Act. So we took a look at Brat\u2019s claim Cantor voted to fully fund the law.","Does that mean Cantor\u2019s support for the appropriations bill was a vote to \"fully fund Obamacare\"? Budget analysts we spoke with were critical of Brat\u2019s claim.","The House was controlled by Democrats in March 2010 when it narrowly approved Obamacare. Cantor and his fellow Republicans unanimously voted against the bill."]},{"id":"11265.json","label":"false","statement":"The claim that 97 percent of scientists believe humans are causingclimate change has been debunked by the head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. That number was pulled out of thin air.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be some debate and variation in the exact percentage, the consensus among scientists that human activities contribute significantly to climate change is well-supported by scientific research. The claim that the head of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) debunked the 97 percent figure is not accurate. The IPCC has consistently acknowledged and supported the consensus view on human-caused climate change. The 97 percent figure is based on multiple studies and surveys conducted by reputable scientific organizations, and it is widely accepted within the scientific community.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6702.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The significant drop in Floridas unemployment rate is a good economic sign.","reason":"Reason: While a significant drop in the unemployment rate may initially seem like a positive economic sign, it is important to consider the underlying factors contributing to the decline. As mentioned by economist Sean Snaith, a rapid decline in the unemployment rate does not necessarily indicate strong economic growth. Factors such as a contraction in the labor pool or the exclusion of discouraged workers from the unemployment rolls can artificially lower the unemployment rate. Therefore, while the drop in Florida's unemployment rate may have occurred, it is necessary to analyze additional data and indicators to determine the true health of the state's economy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3428.json","label":"true","statement":"Federal spending is all discretionary, other than interest on the national debt. Social Security is discretionary. We have the discretion to change the law. Same is true with Medicare and Medicaid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by George Will that federal spending, with the exception of interest on the national debt, is discretionary. It further states that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are also discretionary and subject to potential changes in the law. This aligns with the fact-checking analysis, which confirms the accuracy of Will's statement. While there may be some additional details and nuances to consider, the overall statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"703.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"John McCain \"took on the drug industry.\"","reason":"Reason: John McCain has indeed taken positions and made statements that were critical of the pharmaceutical industry. He has criticized drugmakers for profiteering and referred to them as \"the big bad guys.\" While there may be some instances where his actions did not align with his rhetoric, such as favoring the industry in advertising regulations and pricing for government programs, overall, McCain's stance on issues like importation and generics did confront the drug companies and had an impact on their bottom line. Therefore, it is mostly true to say that McCain \"took on the drug industry.\"\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Romney said that \"Latin America\u2019s economy is almost as big as the economy of China.\" It's a stretch to characterize an economy that's about one-third bigger as \"almost as big,\" especially since China\u2019s lead over Latin America is actually increasing. On balance, we rate the claim Half True.","We won\u2019t judge whether Latin America is a \"huge opportunity\" for the U.S., but we were curious whether it\u2019s true that \"Latin America\u2019s economy is almost as big as the economy of China.\"","!During the third and final presidential debate in Boca Raton, Fla., Mitt Romney said that Latin America's economy is almost as big as China's. We checked to see whether that is true. !During the third and final presidential debate in Boca Raton, Fla., Mitt Romney said that Latin America's economy is almost as big as China's. We checked to see whether that is true.","During the third and final presidential debate in Boca Raton, Fla., Mitt Romney said that Latin America's economy is almost as big as China's. We checked to see whether that is true."]},{"id":"1620.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"War for the soul of the TxDems: 57% of Dem incumbents for Tx House LOST their primary.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely-true. While it is technically correct that 57% of the Democratic incumbents who faced primary challenges lost, it fails to provide the full context. When considering the total number of Democratic incumbents on the ballot, which was 72, the percentage of incumbents who lost their primary drops significantly to nearly 7%. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of incumbent losses and does not accurately represent the overall outcome of the primary elections.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7580.json","label":"true","statement":"On recusing herself from cases after receiving a campaign contribution","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Justice Abrahamson has a practice of not accepting donations from parties with cases before the court and returning any donations received from such parties. For donations from lawyers, she assesses each one individually, considering various factors. This suggests that she does not base her recusal decisions solely on the size of campaign contributions. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Marshall is largely rated in the middle by most political observers, based on his voting record. Some conservatives believe he's too far to the left. So where does that leave Marshall? We believe in the middle. The independent research shows Marshall votes more \"conservative\" than nearly every Democrat but more \"liberal\" than nearly every Republican. Therefore, we rate Scott's claim about Marshall as Barely True.","\"Marshall has one of the most conservative Democratic voting records in Congress,\" Bullock said. \"But most Republicans are further right. Would Austin Scott be more conservative than Jim Marshall? Absolutely!\"","Austin Scott has issued some fightin' words to his opponent, U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.), in the race for Georgia's 8th Congressional District.","Bullock believes the key for Scott will be whether he can convince voters the Marshall is a liberal. The professor remembers when Republicans labeled Democrat Zell Miller, a former U.S. senator and Georgia governor, a liberal. Miller, you may remember, endorsed George W. Bush for president in 2004 and gave the keynote address at that year's Republican National Convention."]},{"id":"10981.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Two weeks ago, a man entered the worlds busiest airport in Atlanta, Georgia, carrying a loaded AR-15 automatic weapon with an extended-capacity, 100-round magazine.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately describes an incident where a man entered the Atlanta airport carrying a loaded AR-15 automatic weapon with an extended-capacity magazine. However, it is important to note that the incident occurred years ago, and the timeframe mentioned in the statement, \"two weeks ago,\" is incorrect. Therefore, while the core information is true, the statement is misleading due to the incorrect timeframe provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Do you think that it is accidental that the name of the really vicious fire-breathing, four-eyed whatever it is villain in this movie is named Bane?\" Limbaugh suggested to his listeners.","\"This evil villain in the new Batman movie is named Bane. And there's now a discussion out there as to whether or not this is purposeful and whether or not it will influence voters. It's gonna have a lot of people. This movie, the audience is gonna be huge. A lot of people are gonna see the movie, and it's a lot of brain-dead people, entertainment, the pop culture crowd, and they're gonna hear Bane in the movie and they're gonna associate Bain. The thought is that when they start paying attention to the campaign later in the year, and Obama and the Democrats keep talking about Bain, Romney and Bain, that these people will think back to the Batman movie, \u2018Oh, yeah, I know who that is.\u2019 There are some people who think it'll work. Others think you're really underestimating the American people to think that will work.\"","!Bane, a super-strong prison escapee, is the villain in Dark Knight Rises. (AP photo) !Bane, a super-strong prison escapee, is the villain in Dark Knight Rises. (AP photo)","Limbaugh suggested it\u2019s no accident that in a movie coming out four months before the presidential election, the villain bears the same name as the company formerly run by Romney and now being attacked by Democrats."]},{"id":"7586.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A study by the University of Virginia pulls back the curtain on Medicaids tragically bad outcomes, including increased risk of adjusted mortality.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Governor Snyder regarding a study conducted by the University of Virginia on Medicaid outcomes. The study did find that Medicaid recipients had an increased risk of mortality during their hospital stays, specifically during or after surgery, compared to uninsured patients. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While the study highlights this specific aspect of Medicaid outcomes, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all outcomes or consider the potential benefits and access to healthcare that Medicaid provides to millions of individuals. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more balanced perspective on Medicaid outcomes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7745.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Scott allowed Republican legislators to cut his teacher pay raise proposal by 60 percent.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement is false. While it is true that there was a compromise on teacher pay raises between Governor Rick Scott and the Legislature, there is no evidence to support the claim that the pay raise proposal was cut by 60 percent. The fact-checking sources indicate that the specific figure of a 60 percent reduction is not accurate. The final outcome of the pay raises and the extent to which they were implemented varied across school districts, with some districts having the flexibility to determine their own merit plans. Therefore, the claim that Governor Scott allowed a 60 percent cut to his teacher pay raise proposal is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3356.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Oregon recyclers cant recycle plastic bags","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to Rick Winterhalter, chairman of the Oregon Recyclers Association, recyclers in Oregon are unable to recycle plastic bags. This aligns with the claim made by Senator Hass. However, it's important to note that while Oregon recyclers may not have the capability to recycle plastic bags, there are alternative methods of recycling, such as drop-off locations at grocery stores or specialized recycling facilities. So, while it is true that Oregon recyclers cannot recycle plastic bags, there are still options available for recycling these bags through other means.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10020.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mark Warner has supported restrictions on veterans second amendment rights.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The NRA flyer claims that Mark Warner has supported restrictions on veterans' Second Amendment rights. While the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm or deny this claim, it does mention an amendment introduced by Senators Richard Burr and Jim Webb aimed at ending the process through which the government can strip veterans of their Second Amendment rights. Although the specific details of Mark Warner's stance on this amendment are not mentioned, the evidence suggests that there is some basis for the claim made in the flyer. However, without further information, it is difficult to determine the extent of Warner's support for such restrictions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2610.json","label":"true","statement":"His biography says he was the top ROTC officer in the nation.","reason":"Reason: According to the evidence provided, Robitaille's biography states that he was recognized as the most outstanding second lieutenant commissioned in the US Army through the ROTC program nationally. While there may be some ambiguity and lack of documentation regarding the specific award, Robitaille's own account and recollection, as well as his campaign website, support the claim that he received recognition as the top ROTC officer in the nation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Ernest Almonte said, \"I was speaking out on pension reform almost 17 years ago.\" The comment was in the context of a question on the state's pension system.","\"First of all,\" Almonte said, \"I was speaking out on pension reform almost 17 years ago, warning elected officials that if you didn't take care of this problem, it would take draconian measures\" to fix it.","We wondered whether Almonte, who served as Rhode Island's Auditor General from 1994 to 2010, was prescient enough to be warning about problems with Rhode Island\u2019s public pension systems 17 years ago, and what kinds of reforms he was saying were needed.","The state withheld school aid and traffic fine payments to six municipalities until they paid up. That was 15 years ago."]},{"id":"6304.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he could be the first president in modern history to be outspent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. President Obama did claim that he could be the first president in modern history to be outspent in his re-election campaign. However, upon examination of historical data, it is evident that Obama's claim is not entirely accurate. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton both faced Republican challengers who outspent them in their re-election campaigns. Therefore, while Obama's claim may have been true at the time he made it, it is not accurate when considering the historical context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7808.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The IRS doesnt have to prove something against you ... youve got the burden of proof.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concept of the burden of proof when dealing with the IRS. Taxpayers are generally responsible for providing evidence and supporting documentation to substantiate their claims, deductions, and statements made on their tax returns. The IRS has the authority to request documentation and conduct audits to ensure compliance with tax laws. However, it's important to note that the burden of proof does not mean that the IRS can make arbitrary claims without any basis. Taxpayers still have rights and avenues for challenging the IRS if they believe they have been unfairly targeted or assessed. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Graham said, \"The labor participation rate is at an all-time low.\" Graham\u2019s office did not respond to multiple emails seeking comment.","\"I think that we do have stagnant middle-class wage growth, and I think the labor participation rate is at an all-time low,\" Graham said. \"So if your argument is that we\u2019re on the road to recovery, we had a sound economy under President Obama, no I don\u2019t agree with that at all.\"","Our one minor quibble is that the actual low point occurred in September 2015, when the labor participation rate fell to 62.4 percent. It\u2019s been slightly higher this year.","Pointing out that the labor participation rate has been on the decline is a typical retort among Republicans in response to arguments that the unemployment rate is shrinking. While low unemployment rate is generally a good thing, economists also say you want a high labor participation rate. That\u2019s because the higher the rate, the more members of the working-age population that are actively seeking employment."]},{"id":"11441.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"From 2014 to 2015, Austins murder rate is up a whopping 83 percent.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was an 83 percent increase in the number of murders in Austin from January through August 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, it is important to note that this statistic does not necessarily reflect the overall murder rate for the entire year. The statement fails to provide the full context and duration of the comparison. Additionally, the final murder rate for 2015 is not yet determined, and it is possible that the overall murder rate for the year could be lower than that of 2014. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["With Mike Huckabee surging in the polls in Iowa, Mitt Romney recently released an attack ad that turned on the issue of immigration. Among other things, the ad says that Mike Huckabee \"even supported taxpayer-funded scholarships for illegal aliens.\"","Rather than supporting a scholarship fund aimed at illegal aliens, Huckabee supported a measure that would have allowed the children of illegal aliens who graduated from Arkansas high schools to receive in-state tuition and apply for a state-funded scholarship program, the Academic Challenge Scholarship. Arkansas students can qualify for the scholarship if they achieve a specific grade-point average (3.0 out of 4.0 for a four-year college) and meet a few other basic criteria.","At a November 2007 debate in St. Petersburg, Huckabee said he supported the measure so that the children of illegal immigrants could have \"the same scholarship that their peers had, who had also gone to high school with them and sat in the same classrooms.\"","Even though Huckabee supported the measure in 2005, it never made it out of the Arkansas legislature, so it never became a law in Arkansas."]},{"id":"28.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Hillary Clinton was against setting a deadline for withdrawal, but now she wants a \"precipitous withdrawal\" regardless of \"conditions on the ground\" or \"consequences of a defeat for the United States,\" an RNC radio ad.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Hillary Clinton initially opposed setting a deadline for withdrawal from Iraq. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that she now advocates for a \"precipitous withdrawal\" regardless of conditions on the ground or the consequences for the United States. It is important to note that Clinton has consistently emphasized the need for a well-planned and responsible exit strategy from Iraq. Therefore, while the statement accurately captures her previous stance, it misrepresents her current position, making the claim half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2145.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 2009, Yost spent 2.5 times more money than it took to run the (prosecutors) office before he got there.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that in 2009, Yost spent approximately 2.6 times more money than the amount budgeted for the prosecutors' office in 2002. While the statement mentions 2.5 times more money, the evidence shows a slightly higher figure of 2.6 times. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the significant increase in spending during Yost's tenure compared to the previous years.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3612.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In this bill that Ive just signed, we dont cut anybodys salary. We dont take away their pension. And we dont destroy their health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided does not directly address the specific bill mentioned in the statement. However, based on the evidence, it is accurate to say that the bill does not cut anyone's salary, take away their pension, or destroy their healthcare. However, without further context or specific information about the bill being referred to, it is difficult to determine the complete accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8644.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"(U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston) voted to fund (Obamacare).","reason":"Reason: The statement that U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston voted to fund Obamacare is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that Kingston voted for a temporary appropriations bill that ended a government shutdown and provided funding for discretionary programs, including defense and education, it does not necessarily mean that he specifically voted to fund Obamacare. The bill provided funding for a range of government programs, and the claim that Kingston's vote was solely to fund Obamacare is an oversimplification. It is important to consider the broader context and the specific provisions of the bill when assessing the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The Widening Gap: The Great Recession\u2019s Impact on State Penion and Retiree Health Care Costs,\" The Pew Center On The States, accessed July 15, 2011","Pensions ideally should be fully funded, which means the pension has 100 percent of its required funds. Roughly, half the fund is financed by employee contributions, which come automatically from payroll deductions and the other half by employers, Pratt said.","The level of New Jersey\u2019s police and fire pension funding dropped from 100.8 percent in 2001 to 70.8 percent in 2009, according to the study.","Iris J. Lav, a senior adviser at the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, DC said public pensions should aim to be 100 percent funded, but noted that \"in a bad economic time, having 80 percent isn\u2019t a crisis."]},{"id":"8339.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The United States Senate Democrats and Republicans (voted) to keep our government open.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because while it is true that members of both the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States Senate voted to keep the government open, it does not accurately represent the full context. The votes were not unanimous, and there were members from both parties who did not support keeping the government open. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that there was bipartisan support for keeping the government open, but it was not a unanimous decision among all Democrats and Republicans in the Senate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Patrick said the 2014-15 state budget written by lawmakers and signed into law by Perry \"cut border security and funding to fight criminal gangs.\"","\"This year\u2019s budget, despite increasing nearly 9 percent, actually cut border security and funding to fight criminal gangs,\" the Houston Republican said. \"It was one of the reasons I voted against the budget.\"","As to budgeted money to battle criminal gangs, Barton told us DPS\u2019s \"organized crime\" category was not the only state money spent to fight gangs. However, he said, the budget board did not have an estimate of such a 2014-15 total.","Yet his cited figures drew from budget summaries that did not show all border spending. Budgeted border security funding in 2014-15 exceeds the total in the 2012-13 budget by about one third, while budgeted 2014-15 spending on battling gangs has yet to be fully calculated."]},{"id":"9783.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Ferguson, Mo.,youve got threeblack officers and 50 white officers with a town that is 67 percent African-American.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the demographic composition of the Ferguson police department as reported by multiple sources. According to the police chief, out of the 53 officers in the department, three are black, while the remaining 50 are white. Additionally, the statement correctly states that the town of Ferguson is approximately 67 percent African-American. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide further context or analysis regarding the reasons behind this demographic disparity, which could be relevant for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13285.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Dold continues to side with his Republican leadership and the NRA in blocking consideration of a bill that would keep firearms out of the hands of people on the terrorist watch list.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Brad Schneider's campaign that Bob Dold, a Republican U.S. Representative, has sided with his Republican leadership and the NRA in blocking consideration of a bill that would prevent people on the terrorist watch list from obtaining firearms. However, it's important to note that the claim lacks some context. While Dold may have taken actions that align with his party and the NRA, it does not necessarily mean he is actively blocking the bill. Without further information on Dold's specific stance and actions regarding the bill, it is difficult to determine the extent of his involvement in blocking its consideration. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4712.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says some Wisconsin state employee contracts gave some employees $4 for bringing in their own lunch.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the MacIver Institute, some Wisconsin state employee contracts did include a provision that provided a $4 reimbursement for bringing in their own lunch. However, it's important to note that this reimbursement was not applicable to all state employees but rather to specific cases where employees were required to eat while continuing to work through their lunch period, such as state dispatchers. So while the statement accurately reflects the existence of such a provision, it should be clarified that it was not a blanket reimbursement for all state employees.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1096.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The government is going to tell Americans they need to replace functioning stoves in their homes with government-certified stoves and use taxpayer dollars to do so.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or information to support the claim that the government is mandating the replacement of functioning stoves in American homes with government-certified stoves using taxpayer dollars. The statement appears to be a misrepresentation or fabrication. It is important to rely on verified and trustworthy sources when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We rank below Ethiopia, I'm told, in terms of our exports per capita, well below any of the other developed countries we trade with, and well below China and (South) Korea.\"","Not only behind trading partners, he said: \"We rank below Ethiopia, I'm told, in terms of our exports per capita, well below any of the other developed countries we trade with, and well below China and (South) Korea and countries we hope to trade with more, in the case of Korea through the Korean trade agreement.\"","When we substituted \"percentage of GDP\" for \"per capita\" -- a substitution only suggested by our checking with his office -- his statement on PBS is accurate about China and South Korea, but not about Ethiopia. By a slim margin, exports from Ethiopia are a smaller percentage of GDP (11 percent) than are U.S. exports (13 percent) on the World Bank list.","When Portman made a similar statement early this year, saying that U.S. trade lags behind other developed nations, PolitiFact Ohio rated it as True. We found that the United States trails only Germany and China in terms of merchandise shipped abroad, but that U.S. exports are a smaller portion of the overall economy. The value of U.S. exports in relation to the nation's gross domestic product ranks near the bottom of a list of more than 200 exporting countries compiled by the World Bank."]},{"id":"904.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Mr. Warren compared same-sex couples to incest.\"","reason":"Reason: While Rick Warren did mention incest as an example of a relationship that should not be eligible for marriage, it is important to note that he did not directly compare same-sex couples to incest. He cited examples of relationships that he believes fall outside his definition of marriage, but he also acknowledged that same-sex couples would be another example. Therefore, the statement that Warren compared same-sex couples to incest is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent his remarks.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"My opponent Bill Heller thinks government is the answer to everything. So he raises taxes. Property taxes. Small business taxes. He even wants to tax the Internet. That's just wrong.\"","Republican Jeff Brandes wants voters to believe two-term state Rep. Bill Heller will be trouble for their pocketbooks and kids' future.","So while Heller has supported tax increases, Brandes inaccurately describes the gravity and actual effect of Heller's votes on the federal budget. We rate Brandes' claims on taxes Mostly True.","However, Heller also voted for a 2007 measure that voters later approved to cut property taxes by doubling the $25,000 homestead exemption. It was estimated to drop the average tax bill $240 at the time, though savings depended on individual property assessments. (Heller earlier had voted against an initial version of the bill, and a judge later threw it out.)"]},{"id":"12048.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ted Cruzswife Heidi will be the very first pro-life first lady.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Cruz campaign ad claims that Heidi Cruz will be the first pro-life first lady, implying that no previous first lady has held a pro-life stance. While it is accurate that many first ladies since the Roe vs. Wade decision have supported a woman's right to choose on abortion, there have been exceptions. The Cruz campaign provided a report stating that Ann Romney would be the first pro-life first lady since Roe vs. Wade. Additionally, Jeanette Rubio, wife of Republican candidate Marco Rubio, is also described as \"unapologetically pro-life.\" Therefore, while not entirely unprecedented, the statement holds some truth in the context of recent first ladies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., said in a recent tweet that \"our country spends more on potato chips than we do on ALL energy R&D,\" or research and development.","As for research funding, the amount allocated to the U.S. Energy Department\u2019s Office of Science in fiscal year 2018 was $5.4 billion. And not all that amount was for energy research specifically; some went for nuclear physics and computing technology.","The report said, \"United States consumers spend significantly more on potato chips than the government devotes to energy R&D.\" It cited a 2009 U.S. potato chip sales figure of $7.1 billion and federal government spending on energy R&D totaling $5.1 billion.","> Research in fostering clean energy development is critical for America\u2019s national security and creates jobs. Our country spends more on potato chips than we do on ALL energy R&D; less than 1\/2% of energy expenditures compared to nearly 15% R&D with pharmaceuticals."]},{"id":"5610.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says we got a chance to pass what I think is Oregons first human trafficking bill which has increased by 66 percent the calls to the human trafficking hotline.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. The evidence provided indicates that the individual believes that passing Oregon's first human trafficking bill has led to a reported increase of 66 percent in calls to the human trafficking hotline. However, the evidence does not provide concrete data or a direct source to verify this claim. While it is possible that the bill had some impact on increasing calls to the hotline, without more specific and reliable information, it is difficult to fully assess the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Free college.\" We found no evidence of free college specifically for this group. Washington D.C. and 17 states offer in-state tuition to immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, and some offer state financial aid.","Overall, we found that immigrants in the country illegally are ineligible to receive most of the benefits mentioned in the post. They are eligible for emergency medical care, and some women and children may qualify for food assistance.","\"Free daycare.\" Ineligible in most cases. Victims of trafficking who are in the U.S. illegally may qualify for benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. In some cases, funds from that program can be used to pay for childcare.","In this fact check, we focused on the ad\u2019s eye-popping claim: the state auditor found Chiang, who is now state treasurer, \"lost track of $31 billion.\""]},{"id":"496.json","label":"false","statement":"Iran \"might not be a superpower, but the threat the government of Iran poses is anything but 'tiny,'\" as Obama says.","reason":"Reason: The statement contradicts the claim made by President Obama. While Iran may not be considered a superpower, President Obama did refer to the threat posed by the government of Iran as \"tiny\" in relation to the military capabilities of the United States. This statement is false as it misrepresents President Obama's position on the threat posed by Iran.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Saying the federal government\u2019s first obligation is to provide for national security, Cruz referred to President Barack Obama, saying: \"This is a president who began his presidency going on a worldwide apology tour.\"","We should note that these apologies came toward the end of Obama\u2019s first term, while Romney said Obama \"began\" his presidency with an apology tour.","The notion that President Barack Obama started his presidency with an \"apology tour\" is a persistent and false Republican talking point that we have debunked a number of times.","\"I will begin my presidency with a jobs tour. President Obama began with an apology tour. America, he said, had dictated to other nations. No, Mr. President, America has freed other nations from dictators,\" Romney said."]},{"id":"1735.json","label":"half-true","statement":"GM has \"repaid our government loan, in full, with interest, five years ahead of the original schedule.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by GM CEO Ed Whitacre in the TV ad that GM has repaid its government loan in full, with interest, and ahead of schedule. However, it's important to note that the context of the loan repayment is crucial. While GM did repay the loan it received from the U.S. government, it did so using funds from a separate escrow account that was established with government assistance. This means that the repayment was not solely from GM's own profits or operations. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the loan repayment itself, it could be misleading without the additional context regarding the source of the funds.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In fact, the CDC does describe vaccine equity in those terms: \"preferential access and administration to those who have been most affected by Covid-19.\"","\u201cThere's never been a president (before Joe Biden) that has made race and gender the defining factor\u201d for a Supreme Court nomination.","Oswald Garrison Villard, a contemporary liberal journalist, wrote that Wilson\u2019s administration \"has allied itself with the forces of reaction, and put itself on the side of every torturer, of every oppressor, of every perpetrator of racial injustice in the South or the North.\"","Most of these presidents were born in the slavery-era South. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, and John Tyler were born in and represented Virginia. Andrew Jackson was born in South Carolina and represented Tennessee; Zachary Taylor, who owned 100 people, was born in Virginia and resided in Louisiana; and James K. Polk was born in North Carolina and resided in Tennessee. Martin Van Buren was from New York, where slavery lingered after formal abolition."]},{"id":"9384.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"From the Do As I Say Not As I Do department: federal employees owe $3.3 billion in back taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that federal employees owe a significant amount of back taxes, totaling $3.3 billion. However, it's important to note that this does not apply to all federal employees, but rather a portion of them. While the statement may imply a broader generalization, the evidence supports the claim that there is a substantial amount of unpaid taxes owed by federal employees.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10324.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Two-thirds of the federal budget is permanent law ... its permanently appropriated.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that approximately two-thirds of the federal budget consists of mandatory spending, which is determined by laws and eligibility criteria rather than being subject to annual appropriations by Congress. However, it is important to note that mandatory spending is not entirely permanent or unchangeable. While it may be more challenging to make changes to mandatory spending programs compared to discretionary spending, Congress does have the ability to modify the laws that govern these programs and adjust the spending within them.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["President Obama campaign surrogate Maryland Gov. Martin O\u2019Malley \"acknowledged that we are not better off than we were four years ago.\"","Martin O'Malley is the former governor of Maryland who is running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016. He has also served as the mayor of Baltimore.","\"Fifty years ago, the average GM employee could pay for a year of a son or daughter\u2019s college tuition on just two weeks wages.\"","\"We haven\u2019t passed a budget in more than three years and not a single appropriations bill has been brought to the floor this year.\""]},{"id":"5982.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Obama broke his promise to help homeowners facing foreclosure.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Crossroads GPS ad that Obama broke his promise to help homeowners facing foreclosure. While it is true that Obama made promises to address the foreclosure crisis and implemented measures to assist struggling homeowners, the evidence suggests that these efforts fell short of expectations and did not fully address the magnitude of the crisis. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it aligns with the assessment that Obama's actions did not fully meet the promises he made regarding foreclosure assistance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce said: \"Site selectors who decide where businesses expand or relocate shun closed shop states like Wisconsin in favor of Right to Work states like Iowa, Indiana and Michigan.\"","He added: \"Beyond the personal freedom component to this debate is the economic development argument. It is well-known that site selectors who decide where businesses expand or relocate shun closed shop states like Wisconsin in favor of Right to Work states like Iowa, Indiana and Michigan.\"","There\u2019s anecdotal evidence that some firms screen out states without right to work laws when seeking to expand, and surveys of site selectors say this issue is important.","States will be eliminated at the first stage in \"about half\" of projects, one consultant told Site Selection. After Michigan passed right to work, another consultant told the publication that \"it will get Michigan a few more looks on site searches, mostly industrial ones. It\u2019s hard to know what percentage.\""]},{"id":"5309.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most women, including 98 percent of Catholic women, have used contraception.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the study by the Guttmacher Institute, 98 percent of sexually experienced women, not specifically Catholic women, have used contraception. It's important to note that the distinction of \"sexually experienced\" women was not mentioned in the original statement. While the majority of women, including Catholic women, have used contraception, it is not accurate to claim that 98 percent of Catholic women specifically have used contraception. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks the necessary specificity regarding Catholic women.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In Congress, both sides are addicted to deficits, so I\u2019ve opposed every budget Republican and Democrat,\" Marshall says in the ad.","Cruz : \"That's factually incorrect. It's a wonderful media narrative, but only one thing causes a shutdown: when you have senators vote to deny cloture on a funding bill. And when that bill comes up, you have a vote. A yes means fund the government, a no means don't fund the government. In 2013, virtually every single Republican voted to fund the government, including me multiple times. In fact, every single Democrat I believe in 2013 voted to shut the government down. The same thing is true here. Virtually every single Republican voted this week to fund the government. Virtually every single Democrat voted to shut it down.\"","Cruz said, \"I have consistently opposed shutdowns.\" Debunking this assertion doesn\u2019t even require leveraging the many Republican statements criticizing Cruz\u2019s legislative tactics for prompting the 2013 government shutdown. It only requires using the standard Cruz laid out in the same interview -- that \"only one thing causes a shutdown: when you have senators vote to deny cloture on a funding bill.\"","Cruz : \"We should not be shutting the government down. I have consistently opposed shutdowns. In 2013, I said we shouldn't shut the government down. Indeed, I went to the Senate floor repeatedly asking unanimous consent to reopen the government.\""]},{"id":"10804.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States is 65th out of 142 nations and other territories on equal pay.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is correct that the United States was ranked 65th out of 142 nations and territories on equal pay in a specific subcategory of the World Economic Forum's report, it is important to note that the primary yardstick ranking placed the United States at 20th out of 142 countries. The 65th place ranking specifically pertains to a survey asking executives about the extent to which wages for women are equal to those of men in their country. Therefore, while there are disparities in equal pay in the United States, the statement could benefit from clarifying that the 65th place ranking is based on a specific subcategory of the report.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8800.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since Barack Obama became president of the United States, 95 percent of economic gains have been made by the richest 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Joe Scarborough and supported by the economist Emmanuel Saez that the top 1 percent captured 95 percent of the income gains in the first three years of the economic recovery under President Barack Obama. This claim is further supported by PolitiFact's analysis. However, it's important to note that the statement specifically refers to the first three years of the recovery and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the entire Obama presidency. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true for that specific period, it does not capture the full economic picture of Obama's entire presidency.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The continental United States is divided into three grids: an eastern grid, a western grid, and the Texas grid. The Texas grid manages more than 90% of the state\u2019s electric load.","( - State Rep. Garnet Coleman says nearly 90 percent of the population growth in Texas during the last decade was non-Anglo&url=)","ERCOT has since championed its freedom from the rest of the United States in promotional videos. The state\u2019s energy \"independence has been jealously guarded, I think both by policy makers and the industry,\" said Bill Magness, CEO of ERCOT, in one of the videos.","Austin American-Statesman, Minorities drive population surge throughout Texas; Hispanics and Asians account for 71 percent of Austin\u2019s increase, Feb. 18 , 2011"]},{"id":"578.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Obama never held a single Senate hearing on Afghanistan.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama did not hold a Senate hearing specifically focused on Afghanistan during his time in the Senate, it is important to note that he did have involvement in discussions and hearings related to NATO and its role in Afghanistan. As the chair of the Subcommittee on Europe, Obama had jurisdiction over NATO, which is critical to the mission in Afghanistan. He did hold hearings related to Europe and NATO, which indirectly touched upon the topic of Afghanistan. However, it is accurate to say that he did not hold a dedicated hearing solely focused on Afghanistan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The CDC issued a report commissioned by President Obama just earlier this year, and it found some very inconvenient facts. Armed citizens are less likely harmed by attackers. Effectiveness of gun control laws is mixed. Gun buybacks don't work.\"","PolitiFact, \"Rep. Tom Cotton says more terrorists have 'reached their targets' under Barack Obama than under George W. Bush,\" April 26, 2013","We were particularly interested in this question because we recently rated a claim by Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., that \"in barely four years in office, five jihadists have reached their targets in the United States under Barack Obama,\" compared to zero \"in over seven years after 9\/11 under George W. Bush.\" We gave Cotton\u2019s claim a Mostly False, but that statement has important differences in wording that led us to take a look at Obama\u2019s claim as well.","Says that when President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rates to levels now proposed by Obama, the country experienced significant job growth."]},{"id":"4345.json","label":"false","statement":"On serving out his gubernatorial term","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is inconsistency regarding Governor McDonnell's commitment to serving out his full gubernatorial term. While initially, his chief of communications stated that McDonnell was fully committed to serving the full four years of his term, subsequent reports indicate that McDonnell expressed interest in being nominated for vice president, indicating a potential change in his plans. This inconsistency suggests that the statement regarding serving out his gubernatorial term is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In a post on his website, Alley examined government spending data and concluded that \"the State of Oregon Biennial Budget has grown from $41 billion in 2005-07 to $61 billion in 2009-11 - a more than 49% increase in just 4 years.\"","With those numbers, the percent increase is a scant 7.75 percent when compared to the 49 percent Alley had originally cited.","When you use those two numbers to calculate the percent increase, you find Alley actually underestimated. The total funds budget increased by about 50.2 percent over those four years.","Anyhow, you all are probably wondering, which number is right: Alley\u2019s 49 percent or our 7.75 percent. Both are accurate from a factual point of view. The number a given politician uses typically depends on which number will help better make his or her point."]},{"id":"2287.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Obama is a Muslim.","reason":"Reason: President Obama has consistently identified himself as a Christian and there is no credible evidence to suggest otherwise. Claims that he is a Muslim are based on rumors, misinformation, and conspiracy theories that have been widely debunked. Multiple sources, including family accounts and Obama's own statements, confirm his Christian faith. Labeling him as a Muslim is false and perpetuates baseless claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The next day at the White House, the president cited the CBO report again, saying, \"We've created or saved up to 1.6 million jobs, according to the CBO -- the Congressional Budget Office -- through the Recovery Act. Our economy is growing again. \"","Obama was more clear in his reference in a speech on job creation at the Brookings Institution on Dec. 8: \"Finally, we're no longer seeing the severe deterioration in the job market that we once were. In fact, we learned on Friday that the unemployment rate fell slightly last month. This is welcome news, and news made possible in part by the up to 1.6 million jobs that the Recovery Act has already created and saved according to the Congressional Budget Office.\"","Congressional Budget Office, Report: Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output as of September 2009 , November, 2009","So it was with some anticipation that both sides awaited a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which at the end of November weighed in with its analysis on the number of jobs the stimulus has saved or created. The agency calculates how much bills in Congress will cost the government, and political leaders on both sides of the aisle regularly turn to the CBO as the definitive source for budget projections."]},{"id":"8283.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says potential Democratic opponent Mary Burke implemented the policies of Jim Doyle. Those are the policies that, in his last term, saw the state lose more than 133,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mary Burke served as a member of Governor Jim Doyle's administration, attributing the loss of over 133,000 jobs solely to her implementation of Doyle's policies is an oversimplification. The job losses during Doyle's last term were influenced by a variety of factors, including the global economic recession. It is inaccurate to solely attribute the job losses to Burke's implementation of Doyle's policies. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["McConnell\u2019s latest ad is called \"Delinquent\" and it casts Bevin as a man who repeatedly fails to pay his taxes and then denies the habit. Here\u2019s the key text from the ad:","The ad\u2019s final assertion is that Bevin failed to pay taxes on his million-dollar home in Maine. That is accurate but incomplete. In 2007, Bevin did not pay $5,761.07 in property taxes on a home he bought for $1,250,000 in 2001.","The McConnell campaign ad paints a picture of Matt Bevin as a man with a track record of unpaid taxes. The claim is based on back taxes owed by a bell-making company in Connecticut that was owned by members of the Bevin family, and Bevin\u2019s failure to pay taxes on a vacation house in Maine.","With the bell maker, based on the paper trail and interviews, it\u2019s reasonable to conclude that the company was in financial trouble before Bevin was deeply involved. We don\u2019t know all the details of Bevin\u2019s management role, but the town credits him for helping the firm pay its tax bills and later, keeping the business afloat. McConnell\u2019s team says this was Bevin\u2019s business and he was responsible for its failure to pay taxes. But the weight of evidence says he inherited the tax liabilities; the town doesn\u2019t hold him responsible for the nonpayment of taxes, and in fact, regards him in exactly the opposite light. This makes it difficult to see where the McConnell claim holds up."]},{"id":"13225.json","label":"half-true","statement":"You (Hillary Clinton) get a subpoena, and after getting the subpoena you delete 33,000 emails.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton's staff received a subpoena for Benghazi-related emails, and approximately 33,000 emails were deleted from her server, the statement lacks important context. The FBI investigation found no evidence that the emails were deleted deliberately to avoid the subpoena or other requests. Clinton's team argued that the decision to delete the emails was made months before the subpoena, and they believed that all relevant emails had already been turned over to the State Department. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the sequence of events, it fails to acknowledge the FBI's findings and the context provided by Clinton's team.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6215.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Supreme Court said the individual mandate is a tax. So its a tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the Supreme Court's ruling that the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act is considered a tax. The court's decision to uphold the law was based on the argument that the individual mandate falls within Congress's power to tax. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the complete context. While the Supreme Court ruled it as a tax, it does not necessarily mean that President Obama explicitly referred to it as a tax during the passage of the law. The court's interpretation of the mandate as a tax was a legal determination. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the court's ruling, it lacks the complete context of President Obama's statements regarding the individual mandate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In 2013, Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, said a Justice Department memo \"directs that you must openly embrace gay marriage and homosexuality.\"","Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert said on Fox News in 2013 that Holder\u2019s Justice Department ordered people to accept gay marriage. \"There's a memo that directs that you must openly embrace gay marriage and homosexuality. And silence is considered to be disapproval,\" Gohmert said.","Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, went on to say the nation\u2019s top lawyers have been directed to embrace gay marriage, saying: \"It's also been true in the Department of Justice right now, directly under this president, his buddy, Eric Holder. There's a memo that directs that you must openly embrace gay marriage and homosexuality. And silence is considered to be disapproval,\" Gohmert said, according to CQ Transcriptions.","Barber said that while the brochure was authored by an employee group, not the department proper, \"it came under the auspices of the larger Department of Justice.\" He added that the agency \"knows it would be unconstitutional to expressly compel department employees to openly embrace homosexuality and gay marriage.\" The brochure, he said, delivers a compliance threat that is implied rather than explicit."]},{"id":"11054.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States ranks second worst in income inequality across developed countries, after taxes and transfers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the United States ranks among the highest in income inequality among developed countries after accounting for taxes and transfers. While the exact ranking may vary depending on the specific data and methodology used, multiple sources confirm that the United States consistently ranks near the top in terms of income inequality. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The ad says voting for NAFTA, which took effect in 1994 and eliminated most trade barriers between Canada, Mexico and the United States, cost the state 49,000 jobs to Mexico. It says 91,000 Ohio jobs were lost to China because of Kasich\u2019s vote in 2000 to normalize trade relations with China.","Gov. Ted Strickland's re-election campaign hasn't wavered from the message that his Republican opponent, John Kasich, cost Ohio jobs when he was a congressman by supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement and overseas trade deals, especially with China.","Kasich did vote for NAFTA in the House of Representatives in 1993 and for normalizing trade relations with China in 2000. Labeling them as \"Kasich\u2019s trade deals,\" as does the ad, is a stretch, though.","We wondered if the effect of the trade deals on jobs was so clear-cut - and if the numbers can be determined so specifically."]},{"id":"5664.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel first claimed bank fraud in June 2010 but did nothing for more than a year while raising money for his (Republican) Senate campaign.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided indicates that the claim made by the Ohio Democratic Party collapses under scrutiny. There is no credible information to support the assertion that Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel claimed bank fraud in June 2010 but did nothing for more than a year while raising money for his Senate campaign. The evidence suggests that this claim is baseless and lacks factual accuracy.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4863.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney has said different things about whether global warming is caused by humans","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Mitt Romney has indeed made different statements regarding whether global warming is caused by humans. While he previously acknowledged that humans contribute to climate change, he later made statements that were more ambiguous and suggested uncertainty about the human role in climate change. This inconsistency in his statements indicates a shift in his position on the issue. Therefore, the statement that Mitt Romney has said different things about whether global warming is caused by humans is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12539.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"@realDonaldTrump is coming to San Antonio, which is 60% Mexican-AMERICAN.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro's tweet, which claims that San Antonio is 60% Mexican-American. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support or refute this claim. The evidence discusses the percentage of noncitizens among Hispanics in San Antonio, but it does not provide specific data on the exact percentage of Mexican-Americans in the city. Therefore, while the statement is based on a claim made by a reliable source, the evidence does not provide conclusive support for the exact percentage mentioned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Liberals are Cool, a media organization, posted a meme on their Facebook page June 1. It reads, \"Tuition-free public universities and colleges are just a pipe dream. False. They were both free up until the Vietnam War.\"","Any claim or suggestion that the Vietnam War had an impact on college costs is not borne out by the facts.","Geiger says that is wrong. He said public funding for higher education remained strong until the 1970s, which was years after the Vietnam War ended. It wasn\u2019t until the 1979-81 recession when tuition began to increase and state appropriations were lowered.","\"Making public colleges and universities tuition-free, that exists in countries all over the world, used to exist in the United States.\""]},{"id":"7902.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This president spends 30 times as much money on global warming research as he does on weather forecasting and warning.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While Bridenstine claims that President Obama spends 30 times more on global warming research than on weather forecasting and warning, it fails to consider the distinction between research and operational expenses. The National Weather Service primarily allocates its budget to operational activities such as forecasting and warning, rather than research. Therefore, comparing the funding for global warming research to operational expenses is an inaccurate and misleading comparison. The statement exaggerates the disparity in funding and does not provide an accurate representation of the allocation of resources.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It is true that the vehicle belongs to Byrne. It is also true that Byrne used campaign funds to pay for repairs on the truck. Byrne does seem to be using the vehicle for campaign purposes, which the candidate said in his disclosure report. Lee did not mention that when he was quoted in the column.","The Federal Election Commission rules examine this through the lens of whether campaign funds have been put to personal use; the commission applies something called the Irrespective Test. The law says that something is personal if it\u2019s \"any commitment, obligation, or expense of a person that would exist irrespective of the candidate\u2019s election campaign.\"","For example, the county government\u2019s commission chairman, Tim Lee, seemed to have the scoop on Bill Byrne, the man who once had that job and wants it back.","In American politics, there is very little personal space. Anything in a candidate\u2019s life is fair game and so too the potential for an overlap of personal and campaign spending. This leads to debate over how the FEC rules might play out."]},{"id":"12247.json","label":"true","statement":"Says New Hampshires second congressional district includes two counties where almost 5 percent if not more of residents are enrolled in the states expanded Medicaid program.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. It claims that New Hampshire's second congressional district includes two counties where \"almost 5 percent if not more\" of residents are enrolled in the state's expanded Medicaid program. While the exact percentage may vary slightly, the evidence supports the fact that there are counties within the district where the enrollment rate in the expanded Medicaid program exceeds 5 percent. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Narrator: \"The middle class is struggling, but Toomey thinks it's oil companies and Wall Street banks who should pay no taxes. Zero. No wonder Toomey has been call Wall Street's congressman.\"","In a press release circulated Thursday, McGinty\u2019s campaign -- running on the \"working families\" platform -- wrote that \"Pat Toomey advocated for eliminating all corporate taxes.\" It cited a 2007 CNBC interview in which Toomey, a Republican, said he was in favor of eliminating the tax burden on corporations.","Decreasing or eliminating corporate taxes is a tough sell. A 2014 Gallup poll showed two thirds of Americans think corporations \"pay too little\" in taxes. Despite that, reducing the corporate tax rate has some bipartisan backing. In 2012, President Obama proposed reducing the rate to 28 percent.","A bit later, Toomey reiterates the point, saying about taxes, \"I\u2019d prefer none on corporations, but much lower would be better.\""]},{"id":"71.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.\"","reason":"Reason: While Ron Paul has often portrayed himself as strictly adhering to the U.S. Constitution and only voting for legislation that is expressly authorized by it, an examination of his voting record reveals that he has, in fact, voted for programs that are not explicitly authorized by the Constitution. Examples such as organ transplant law, naming rights for libraries, and flags on Father's Day are not expressly authorized by the Constitution. Therefore, the statement that \"Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution\" is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4244.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The deal to raise the federal debt limit created the largest debt ceiling increase in Americas history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided confirms that the deal to raise the federal debt limit resulted in one of the largest debt ceiling increases in American history. While there have been a few instances of larger increases in dollar amounts, the deal in question ranks among the highest in terms of the debt ceiling increase. Therefore, it is accurate to say that it created one of the largest debt ceiling increases in American history.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We have seized more currency, more drugs, more outbound arms in the past year than any year in our country\u2019s history.\"","\"We have seized more currency, more drugs, more outbound arms in the past year than any year in our country\u2019s history,\" Napolitano said.","The data DHS gave us is not enough to prove definitively that Napolitano\u2019s claim that the agency has \"seized more currency, more drugs, more outbound arms in the past year than any year in our country\u2019s history.\"","During the first year of that program, Customs and Border Protection seized about $34 million heading out of the country on land, overwhelmingly from the southwest border. The agency seized $16.8 million in the year leading up to it."]},{"id":"6203.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A company with 20 employees could go out of business because of health care law requirements to buy insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The health care law does not require companies with fewer than 50 employees to provide health insurance to their employees. In fact, some small businesses with fewer than 25 employees may even qualify for tax credits under the law. The claim that a company with 20 employees could go out of business due to health care law requirements is based on a misinterpretation of a study and is not supported by credible evidence. It is important to note that the health care law is complex, and while it may have implications for some businesses, the claim in question is misleading and exaggerated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"There's never been a direct Supreme Court case on people who were here illegally, whether or not their kids are citizens.\"","Paul said \"there's never been a direct Supreme Court case on people who were here illegally, whether or not their kids are citizens.\"","We wondered whether Paul is right that \"there's never been a direct Supreme Court case on people who were here illegally, whether or not their kids are citizens.\"","\"The case that was decided around 1900 was -- people had a green card, were here legally, and they said that their children were citizens,\" Paul said. \"There's never been a direct Supreme Court case on people who were here illegally, whether or not their kids are citizens. So it hasn't really been completely adjudicated.\""]},{"id":"10083.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"3,000 teachers lost their jobs when (Crist) was governor.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant number of teacher jobs were lost during Charlie Crist's tenure as governor of Florida, the specific claim of 3,000 teacher layoffs may be slightly inaccurate. The ad and the cited report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research indicate that the number of lost teacher jobs in Florida was approximately 3,700, not exactly 3,000. While the statement captures the essence of the situation, it is important to note the slight discrepancy in the number provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["That\u2019s a really big number. For a sense of scale, 3 million votes is more than were cast for any presidential candidate in 36 states plus the District of Columbia. And 3 million people is more than a quarter of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States \u2014 a group that InfoWars specifically singled out as the source of 3 million illegal votes.","\"We have at least 11 million people in this country that came in illegally. They will go out. They will come back \u2014 some will come back, the best, through a process,\" Trump said on February 2016.","The number of immigrants illegally in the country changes as they are deported or leave on their own and as new groups arrive. For about a decade, the number has been around 11 million. Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank, estimated that in 2017 there were around 10.5 million immigrants living here without legal authorization. Available evidence suggests that the current number of immigrants here illegally is about 10 million, Pew told PolitiFact.","About 10 million people are estimated to be in the United States illegally, despite President Donald Trump's promise to deport them all."]},{"id":"1001.json","label":"false","statement":"On switching parties.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the statement is false. It discusses the political history of Perry, highlighting his initial election as a Democrat and subsequent switch to the Republican Party. The evidence confirms that Perry did switch parties in 1989, as reported by multiple sources. Therefore, the statement suggesting that Perry did not switch parties is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12997.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Gov. Pat McCrory tried to cut education funding to its lowest budget share in over 30 years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Pat McCrory proposed a lower budget share for education funding in 2016 compared to the previous year, it is important to note that neither of his proposals were adopted by the legislature. Therefore, the statement that McCrory \"tried to cut\" education funding to its lowest budget share in over 30 years is not entirely accurate. The ad fails to mention that McCrory's 2016 proposal would have actually increased the education budget share compared to previous years. While there was a proposed decrease in funding, it did not reach the lowest budget share in over 30 years. Thus, the statement is partially true but lacks important context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3395.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas school districts are the fifth largest employers in the world.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a study referenced by State Sen. Dan Patrick and the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute claimed that Texas school districts were the fifth-largest employers in the world based on employee count, it's important to note that this statistic is based on data from 2008-2009. It is unclear whether this ranking still holds true with more recent data. Additionally, the ranking is based on the number of employees, not the size or revenue of the organizations. Therefore, while the statement was accurate at the time it was made, it may not necessarily hold true currently, and it lacks context regarding the criteria used for the ranking.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Christie said the United States is in the worst economic recovery from a recession since World War II. Christie\u2019s campaign did not respond to our request for comment.","\"There are tens of millions of Americans living that way after the worst recovery from an economic recession since World War II,\" Christie said.","Sinclair added that even in terms of GDP it\u2019s hard to call this the worst recovery because the country is emerging from what economists count as the deepest recession since World War II.","The following chart measures the jobs picture following every recession since World War II. The red line is the current recovery:"]},{"id":"9935.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott cut education by over a billion dollars, meaning thousands of teachers lost their jobs and class sizes went up.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were budget cuts to education during Rick Scott's tenure as governor, the statement exaggerates the impact by claiming that \"thousands\" of teachers lost their jobs and that class sizes universally increased. The evidence suggests that the number of teachers who left their positions due to the budget cuts was not in the thousands, but rather around 1,405 statewide, which includes departures for various reasons, not solely layoffs. Additionally, the claim that class sizes universally increased is not supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is an overstatement and lacks accuracy in portraying the extent of the impact on teachers and class sizes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The statistic that in 1940, only 7 percent of Germans were Nazis seems to rely on a very narrow definition of who was a Nazi. If it has any accuracy, it counts only Germans who formally joined the party, which excludes a much larger number who were supporters.","Schilling tweeted that in 1940 only 7 percent of Germans were Nazis. That figure is too low. It might be close for the more limited fraction of Nazi supporters who formally joined the party, but it ignores the Nazis\u2019 electoral domination in 1932 and the popularity that came after the first military victories in 1939. The vote results and the assessment of the experts we reached point to a much larger figure in the range of 35 percent. That\u2019s five times larger than the figure in the tweet.","Second, a lack of guns was not the issue. If the majority of Germans had wanted to use these guns to fight the Nazis, they could have. But they didn\u2019t. Carson ignores that the Nazis enjoyed significant popular support, or at least, broad acquiescence.","\"There is no reason to assume that this share decreased before, say, late 1944,\" Kuehne said. \"The 7 percent figure is totally misleading.\""]},{"id":"3937.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Protesters attacked the groups headquarters with graffiti on the sidewalk and stenciled images smeared on the building and statue.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that protesters engaged in some form of graffiti, the statement exaggerates the severity of the attack. The graffiti mentioned consisted of sidewalk chalk and easily removable stencils, which does not constitute a significant act of vandalism. Additionally, there was no permanent damage caused, and the group quickly cleaned off the messages. Therefore, the statement is misleading in its portrayal of the incident as an \"attack\" and implies a more severe form of vandalism than what actually occurred.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"These are not abstract theories; they are facts. The recidivism rate is nearly 29 percent and has been climbing steadily since detainees began being released from Guantanamo,\" the Georgia Republican said.","As part of our assessment of the senator\u2019s statement, we also considered whether the number of \"re-engaging\" ex-detainees is \"climbing steadily.\"","According to the latest ODNI report, which was released in September, 100 of 603 released detainees were \"confirmed of re-engaging,\" or about 16.6 percent.","Chambliss\u2019 assessment that the rate of recidivists is \"climbing steadily\" also has some weaknesses. The number of suspected or confirmed recidivists has grown by a half-dozen or so since Obama took office, but his percentage is lower than that of the Bush administration."]},{"id":"3642.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Paul Ryan voted for two wars that were unpaid for, voted for the Bush tax cuts that were unpaid for, voted for the prescription drug bill that cost as much as my health care bill -- but wasnt paid for.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Paul Ryan voted for two wars, the Bush tax cuts, and a prescription drug bill that were not paid for. While the statement is generally true, it's important to note that the term \"unpaid for\" can be subjective and open to interpretation. The wars, tax cuts, and prescription drug bill did contribute to the national debt, as they were not fully offset by corresponding revenue or spending cuts. However, the extent to which they were \"unpaid for\" can be debated based on differing perspectives on fiscal responsibility and the overall impact on the economy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Under Scott Walker's \"tax plan, the average Wisconsin taxpayer got just $11 a month. But corporations got $610 million in tax cuts. Millionaires got at least $1,400 per year.\"","Burke said that under Walker's \"tax plan, the average Wisconsin taxpayer got just $11 a month. But corporations got $610 million in tax cuts. Millionaires got at least $1,400 per year.\"","Under Walker's \"tax plan,\" the narrator continues, \"the average Wisconsin taxpayer got just $11 a month. But corporations got $610 million in tax cuts. Millionaires got at least $1,400 per year.\"","The $11 refers only to income tax cuts, when in fact the typical taxpayer has also enjoyed property tax reductions. The $610 million applies to small businesses as well as corporations. And it\u2019s correct that millionaires got at least $1,400 per year in tax reductions. In short, the claim uses different figures that when mashed together are misleading."]},{"id":"5700.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Its the first time in the nation this many members have been drawn (by a Legislature) into the same districts where it wasnt a court order.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that it is the first time in the nation where this many members have been drawn into the same districts by a Legislature without a court order. This suggests that the redistricting process in question was carried out by the Legislature itself, rather than being mandated by a court. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the context and scope of this redistricting, such as the state or specific districts involved. Providing more specific information would enhance the accuracy and clarity of the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"You can\u2019t raise taxes in Ohio. We are one of the highest taxed states in the country ... If you raise prices in the state you drive taxpayers away.\"","Ohio has the 16th highest total tax burden -- all state and local taxes -- as a percentage of personal income, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators\u2019 crunching of U.S. Census numbers. That ranking moves Ohio from the top quarter of highest taxed states to the top third, giving the state a bit more cover.","The Tax Foundation ranks Ohio\u2019s total tax burden seventh highest, according to its 2008 study, the most recent available. Among 50 states, seventh qualifies in our book as \"one of the highest.\"","\"By all means, let\u2019s cut the taxes of the companies that invest in our country,\" Vance says on his campaign website: \"But we\u2019re going to raise taxes on companies that ship jobs overseas and use their money to fund anti-American radical movements. If these companies are going to wage war on America, it\u2019s time America wages war on them.\""]},{"id":"3940.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Its just crazy that the government will ... make it illegal to use the old [incandescent] bulbs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. While there have been regulations aimed at phasing out inefficient incandescent light bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient alternatives, such as CFLs and LEDs, it is not illegal to use old incandescent bulbs. The regulations only pertain to the manufacturing and sale of certain types of incandescent bulbs that do not meet energy efficiency standards. Individuals are still free to use existing incandescent bulbs or choose from the available energy-efficient options.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6477.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama robbed Medicare (of) $716 billion to pay for ... Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) did include reductions in projected Medicare spending, amounting to $716 billion over a ten-year period. However, these reductions were not a \"robbery\" or a direct taking of funds from Medicare. The savings were achieved through various cost-cutting measures, such as reducing overpayments to private Medicare Advantage plans and implementing payment reforms. These savings were intended to extend the solvency of the Medicare program and improve its efficiency. It is important to note that the Affordable Care Act also introduced provisions to enhance Medicare benefits and close the prescription drug \"donut hole.\" Therefore, while there were reductions in projected Medicare spending, characterizing it as \"robbing\" Medicare is an exaggeration and misrepresentation of the intent and impact of the policy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Stockman said Obama\u2019s \"spending $2.2 billion to give away \u2018ObamaPhones.\u2019 \" That figure\u2019s about right for 2012 federal spending on the Lifeline program, but as PolitiFact has noted before, attributing it to Obama is incorrect.","On Feb. 22, he tweeted about one program he has suggested trimming: \"Obama claims a small cut to federal means losing local police and firefighters, but he's spending $2.2 billion to give away \u2018ObamaPhones.\u2019 \"","Both of those PolitiFact ratings cited the fact that the program existed years before Obama took office, so implying he created the program was incorrect. Stockman\u2019s tweet similarly linked the program to Obama but added a financial factor: \"He's spending $2.2 billion to give away \u2018ObamaPhones.\u2019 \"","ObamaPhones: U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, a Texas Republican, said Obama\u2019s \"spending $2.2 billion to give away 'ObamaPhones.' \" That's about how much the federal government spent in 2012 for a program called Lifeline, which helps low-income citizens pay for telephone service. But it's not correct to attribute it to Obama. Meanwhile, the money comes from phone fees, so it wouldn\u2019t be possible to prevent other cuts by halting the phone program. We rated his statement Mostly False."]},{"id":"11357.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The largest low-wage employer is not McDonalds or Walmart but the U.S. government.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Sanders' statement contains some truth, it oversimplifies the situation. If we consider the raw numbers, there are more federal contract workers making less than $12 an hour than the combined number of low-wage workers at Walmart and McDonald's. However, it is important to note that these contract workers are not directly employed by the U.S. government but rather by private companies. Therefore, it is not entirely accurate to claim that the U.S. government is the largest low-wage employer. The statement lacks the necessary nuance to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["There are a lot of accusations packed in there, but that last one -- that Obama failed to pass a budget -- piqued our interest most.","Ornstein also noted that during George W. Bush\u2019s presidency, there were years that Democrats in Congress failed to pass joint resolutions.","Romney\u2019s statement contains a grain of truth, in that two of Obama\u2019s budget requests failed to pass. But citing those votes leaves a wrong impression -- namely that the votes were anything more than political theater. Romney omitted the more critical information that passing a federal budget is the job of Congress. Given all that, we rate his statement Mostly False.","\"President Obama's answer to our economic crisis was more spending, more debt and larger government. And by the end of his term in office he will have added nearly as much public debt as all the prior presidents combined,\" Romney said in an April 4, 2012, speech to newspaper editors. \"No president has ever run a trillion-dollar deficit. The new normal the president would have us embrace is trillion-dollar deficits and 8 percent unemployment. Through all of this, President Obama has failed to even pass a budget.\""]},{"id":"2251.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Joe Sestak ... even wants to bring back the death tax, letting the IRS take half of your savings when you die.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates the impact of the estate tax by claiming that the IRS would take half of an individual's savings when they die. This is misleading because the estate tax applies to a portion of an estate's value above a certain threshold, and the tax rate is not as high as 50%. Additionally, the statement implies that the estate tax would affect a significant number of people, when in reality, only a small percentage of estates are subject to the tax. While it is true that the estate tax primarily targets the ultra-wealthy, the claim misrepresents the extent and impact of the tax.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Here in the Beaver State, Steve Buckstein of the Cascade Policy Institute, a think tank that promotes limited government, tweeted: \"Did you know Wisconsin's AFSCME union has lost 50%+ of its members since no longer requiring membership?\" The tweet links to a June 14 online post by Buckstein called \"End Forced Unionism Now,\" where he quotes from an opinion column by syndicated writer Charles Krauthammer, also published in The Oregonian:","\"Without the thumb of the state tilting the scale by coerced collection, union membership became truly voluntary. Result? Newly freed members rushed for the exits. In less than one year, AFSCME, the second largest public-sector union in Wisconsin, has lost more than 50 percent of its membership.\"","The reporters write that membership in the state\u2019s second-largest public-sector union \"fell to 28,745 in February from 62,818 in March 2011, according to a person who has viewed AFSCME's figures.\" That is indeed more than half its membership. Another story in the Wall Street Journal a few days later puts the drop at 45 percent.","But what the union really objects to is the underlying premise in the syndicated column, and by association, Buckstein\u2019s post: That premise is that union membership numbers dropped dramatically because people were given a choice between joining a union or not joining a union."]},{"id":"7091.json","label":"true","statement":"Budget analysts say the looming tax hikes and spending cuts would take us into a recession and kill jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concerns raised by budget analysts regarding the potential impact of looming tax hikes and spending cuts. These analysts argue that such measures could lead to a recession and job losses. While the evidence provided does not explicitly mention the specific tax hikes and spending cuts being referred to, it is reasonable to assume that the statement is discussing the potential consequences of the proposed measures mentioned in the previous evidence. Therefore, the statement is deemed true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In Pennsylvania, the Republican-controlled group Crossroads GPS attacked Democratic Senate candidate Joe Sestak, saying he \"voted to gut Medicare ... reducing benefits for 854,489 seniors.\"","The ad's narration begins, \"Over half a million Pennsylvanians unemployed, and what's Congressman Joe Sestak done? He voted to gut Medicare, slashing benefits for Pennsylvania seniors. The Obama-Sestak scheme could jeopardize access to care for millions.\" In the visuals, the ad says, \"Reducing benefits for 854,489 seniors,\" a statistic it attributes to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-partisan group that studies health care policy. The ad also says on screen that Sestak \"voted to cut Medicare by $500 billion,\" citing his vote in favor of the Democratic health care bill that was signed into law earlier this year by President Barack Obama.","So looking back at the ad's claims, do the Medicare Advantage changes \"gut Medicare\" or \"jeopardize access to care for millions\"?","Says Pat Toomey visited Joe Sestak and other veterans in 2002 \"and then came home and voted against every veterans appropriations bill.\""]},{"id":"9074.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Florida ranks first in the nation for access to free prekindergarten.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided indicates that Florida ranks first in the nation for access to free prekindergarten. The tweet from a Florida official boasts about this achievement, and it is supported by the fact that Florida's voluntary prekindergarten program provides free access to all of the state's 4-year-olds. However, it's important to note that this statement does not take into account other factors such as the quality or effectiveness of the prekindergarten program, which are not addressed in the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"That\u2019s departed wealth, not diminished wealth because of the financial crisis. Departed wealth and departed predominantly to four states \u2013 Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania,\" Christie continued. \"What do all four of those states have in common? They all have lower taxes than New Jersey. All of them.\"","The governor blamed Democratic tax hikes for chasing away $70 billion of wealth from 2004 to 2008. Christie was not completely accurate about the destination states for the departed wealth, leaving out New York and California.","When Democratic governors were raising taxes and fees between 2004 and 2008, New Jerseyans took $70 billion of their wealth to other states, Gov. Chris Christie said recently at Princeton University.","The $70 billion figure comes from a January 2010 report on migrating households by a research center at Boston College. From 2004 to 2008, about $117 billion of wealth came into New Jersey and about $187 billion left the state, causing a net reduction of about $70 billion. So that number is right."]},{"id":"11646.json","label":"half-true","statement":"You go down to Miami and when its flooding at high tide on a sunny day, fish are swimming through the middle of the streets.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama and others about the occurrence of flooding in Miami during high tide on sunny days. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While there have been instances of flooding in Miami during high tide, the presence of fish swimming through the streets is an exaggeration and not a common occurrence. The statement could benefit from additional clarification to provide a more accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2009.json","label":"false","statement":"\"In Rick Perry's Texas, the governor threatens to leave, to secede from the greatest country in the\" world.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Governor Rick Perry threatened to leave or secede from the United States. In reality, Governor Perry explicitly stated that he sees no reason for secession and that he believes in the greatness of the United States. The evidence provided confirms that Perry clarified his stance, emphasizing his commitment to the country and dismissing any notion of secession. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1371.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Florida, Sen. Bill Nelson ... got a $25 billion to $30 billion carve-out for Medicare Advantage patients in their state.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Senator Bill Nelson got a $25 billion to $30 billion carve-out for Medicare Advantage patients in Florida is not entirely accurate. While there were discussions and negotiations regarding funding for Medicare Advantage, the final amount allocated to protect current Medicare Advantage recipients in Florida was significantly lower, at $5 billion. The initial claim of a $25 billion to $30 billion carve-out is an overestimation and does not align with the final agreement. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"This program is available to almost any Floridian, offering basic coverage for about $150 a month, instead of the typical $600 a month,\" he said. \"As with any private sector plan, the more extensive coverage you want, the higher the premiums, but with so many lacking basic preventive care, Cover Florida remains a sound option for thousands of Floridians.\"","He said basic coverage is available for about $150 a month. But we find that he's chosen a low number from the wide menu of options to give himself a favorable comparison.","So Crist's overall point has some truth to it -- you can get basic coverage for $150. But he's doing some artful cherry-picking. He chose the lowest average rate for Cover Florida ($150, when the other plan costs $327) and a very high number for the private market ($600, when studies show it would cost more in the range of $160-$400.) That's such a significant difference that we find his claim Barely True.","The program's Web site says that the statewide individual plans can be purchased for as little as $23 a month, to as much as $500 a month, depending on age, gender and level of coverage. Patients pick and choose between various options offered through the insurers. So, for example, a woman who is between 19 and 29 years of age can pay $130 a month for a plan that includes no deductible, $10 copays for doctor visits, but no hospital inpatient coverage."]},{"id":"3456.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says taxpayer resources are being used to facilitate private political agendas through automatic payroll deduction of union dues.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that the automatic payroll deduction of union dues can involve government resources, implying that taxpayer resources are directly used to facilitate private political agendas is an oversimplification. The argument made by proponents of the measure is that by removing the government's involvement in collecting union dues, it prevents the potential use of those funds for political purposes. However, it is important to note that union members have the choice to join the union and pay dues, effectively supporting the union's agenda. Therefore, while there may be some indirect connection between taxpayer resources and political agendas, it is not a direct or intentional use of taxpayer funds for private political purposes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Throughout campaign season and beyond, candidates commonly refer to New Hampshire\u2019s unemployment rate as one of the country\u2019s lowest. But, was it really fourth best in the country during Hassan\u2019s time in office? We decided to check the books.","\"I served in the state Senate for six years with retiring Gov. John Lynch. During that time, we had the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the country,\" Hassan told Todd during the November 7 interview. \"Our economy works really well without an income or a sales tax.\"","So, the numbers show Hassan\u2019s claim to be in the ballpark. The state\u2019s unemployment rate ranked fourth lowest in both her first year in office and her last, and even when it rose, it remained among the country\u2019s lowest.","New Hampshire\u2019s unemployment rate fluctuated a little through Hassan\u2019s tenure. But, even as it reached No. 7 among states in 2006 and No. 8 in 2007, New Hampshire\u2019s rate remained among the country\u2019s lowest. And, by the time Hassan left office in 2010, New Hampshire\u2019s rate had returned to fourth, where it stood in her first year."]},{"id":"355.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"RNC version of a Hillary Clinton valentine: \"Roses are red, violets are blue, I'll raise your taxes and there is nothing you can do.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is a fictional version of a Valentine's Day card attributed to the RNC, claiming that Hillary Clinton would raise taxes without any recourse for the public. However, this claim is not supported by any credible evidence. Presidents do not have the authority to unilaterally raise taxes without the approval of Congress, and voters have the ability to voice their opposition to policies they disagree with. The statement is a misrepresentation and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Jan. 12: The Trump administration announces it will release the federal government\u2019s entire vaccine stockpile to the states, rather than holding supplies in reserve for second doses. Days later, the Washington Post reports that at the time of the announcement, all supplies had already been released, and no such stockpile existed.","!President Donald Trump delivers a prime-time address to the nation about the coronavirus from the Oval Office on March 11. (AP) !President Donald Trump delivers a prime-time address to the nation about the coronavirus from the Oval Office on March 11. (AP)","President Donald Trump delivers a prime-time address to the nation about the coronavirus from the Oval Office on March 11. (AP)","April 13 : Eager to restart the economy, Trump says as president he has \"total\" authority to decide when states lift quarantine rules and other restrictions."]},{"id":"9054.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 50 percent of millennials dont associate with any political party.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the survey, which shows that 50 percent of millennials describe themselves as political independents. However, it's important to note that this does not necessarily mean that they do not associate with any political party. A follow-up question reveals that among the 50 percent who identify as independents, a significant portion lean towards either the Democratic or Republican party. Therefore, while half of millennials may identify as independents, a substantial number still have some level of association with a political party.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2417.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ron Johnsons company got government loans and a grant to help expand his business","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ron Johnson's company, Pacur Inc., received a federal grant to build a rail line, it is important to note that this occurred before Johnson became part of the company. He did, however, play a role in getting the company off the ground after the grant was approved. Additionally, Johnson disputes the characterization of the funds received as \"government loans,\" as the money ultimately came from private funds and the local municipality would not be responsible for repayment if the company were to default. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks important context and may be misleading to label it as solely government loans and grants.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11706.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015 would not pause the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, as stated by U.S. Rep Annie Kuster, does not explicitly pause the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the United States. However, it does add additional layers of certification and security measures to the existing refugee screening process. These measures could potentially slow down or delay the resettlement process for Syrian refugees. Therefore, while the bill does not directly pause the resettlement, it could have an indirect impact on the speed of the process. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3224.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Travis County, home to Austin, is the most liberal county in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Travis County, home to Austin, is the most liberal county in the United States is not supported by credible evidence. While there may be subjective opinions about the political leanings of Travis County, the claim lacks substantial data or research to back it up. Political ideologies can vary significantly across different counties, and it is misleading to make a blanket statement declaring one county as the most liberal in the entire country. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10462.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Did you know under President Obama family health care premiums have increased $4,154 on the average?","reason":"Reason: While it is true that family health care premiums have increased during President Obama's tenure, the statement lacks important context. The figure of a $4,154 increase in family health care premiums is based on a specific survey conducted by the Kaiser Foundation in 2014. However, this figure does not represent the average increase for all years under President Obama. The statement fails to acknowledge that health care premium increases are influenced by various factors, including market trends, healthcare policies, and the overall state of the economy. Therefore, while there has been an increase in family health care premiums, attributing a specific dollar amount solely to President Obama is an oversimplification and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In Buffalo's SolarCity project, \"Andrew Cuomo will create maybe 500 jobs if it ever happens at all, at about $1.5 million per job.\"","\"I've been reading up on Pence. Pence created 2,000 jobs with an investment that cost about $5,000 per job. Andrew Cuomo will create maybe 500 jobs if it ever happens at all, at about $1.5 million per job,\" Paladino said, referring to Buffalo\u2019s SolarCity project. \"It's so obviously incompetent, if not corrupt.\"","Carl Paladino referred to Buffalo\u2019s SolarCity project when he said at the Republican National Convention that \"Cuomo will create maybe 500 jobs if it ever happens at all, at about $1.5 million per job. Paladino understated the number of jobs being created by SolarCity, which overstated the cost. The agreement between SolarCity and the state called for 1,460 total jobs to be created in Buffalo.","If you count only the 500 manufacturing jobs, Paladino's statement would be correct. Spending $750 million on a facility for 500 manufacturing jobs comes out to $1.5 million per job."]},{"id":"7936.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says the 2014-15 Texas budget increases spending by less than the rate of inflation and population growth.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the 2014-15 Texas budget increases spending at a rate below the combined rate of inflation and population growth. The legislators had embraced a rate of 9.85 percent, which aligns with recent average increases. However, there is a possibility that the spending could exceed other predictions for that rate. Overall, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The EPA predicted that fuel savings would end up cutting drivers' costs by over $1,000 over the life of a vehicle.","\"The final program represents the most ambitious light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas standards ever established,\" the agency said in its Dec. 20, 2021, press release.","In doing so, they are combining his longstanding support of an overhaul of the state\u2019s bail system with the horrific Waukesha Christmas parade attack, in which a man who had been released on $1,000 bail is charged with ramming an SUV into the parade, killing six and injuring dozens more.","Five days before the November 2021 parade attack, Brooks had been released on $1,000 bail in a 2021 domestic violence case, in which he was accused of punching and running over a woman with the same SUV he is accused of using to kill and injure people at the Waukesha parade."]},{"id":"1680.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Florida Statutes require (Attorney General Bill) McCollum to consult with members of Florida's Congressional delegation\" before filing a lawsuit against the health care reform law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to Florida Statutes, there is a requirement for the Attorney General to consult with members of Florida's Congressional delegation before filing a lawsuit. However, there is some debate about the extent to which this requirement is still applicable and binding. While the law is still on the books, it has been largely ignored and its current legal standing is a matter of interpretation. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it's important to note the ongoing debate surrounding the applicability of the law.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Technically, the ad isn\u2019t correct to say that Barack Obama \"has deported more people than any other president in this country's history,\" since George W. Bush cumulatively deported more over his full eight-year term -- and since Bush would remain ahead of Obama if Mitt Romney wins the presidency in November.","The ad first dismisses Obama\u2019s proposal in June to temporarily halt deportations of young people, saying it \"cheats them of legal status.\" It then says Obama \"has deported more people than any other president in this country's history.\"","\"Don\u2019t be fooled by President Obama\u2019s words,\" the narrator says. \"He\u2019s not committed to immigrants. He only wants our vote. With the election on the line, he offers our undocumented youth a temporary solution that cheats them of legal status. Why didn\u2019t he keep his promise to push immigration reform? Instead, Obama has deported more people than any other president in this country's history. With friends like these, who needs enemies?\"","We should also note that if Obama doesn't win a second term, he will almost certainly finish his term trailing George W. Bush in deportations, which would make inaccurate the claim that Obama has \"deported more people than any other president in this country's history.\""]},{"id":"8964.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Alex Sink supported higher property taxes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there are claims made by the Republican Party of Florida that Alex Sink supported higher property taxes. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a comprehensive analysis of Sink's stance on property taxes or whether she actively supported higher property taxes. The evidence mentions her lukewarm opposition to the Save Our Homes Amendment 1, which adjusted property taxes in a way that lowered them for most homeowners. This suggests that Sink's position may not necessarily be in favor of higher property taxes. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by the evidence and lacks sufficient context to make a definitive judgment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"For many years, Mexico\u2019s leaders have been taking advantage of the United States by using illegal immigration to export the crime and poverty in their own country,\" the position page on Trump\u2019s website reads. \"The costs for the United States have been extraordinary. ... Indeed, the annual cost of free tax credits alone paid to illegal immigrants quadrupled to $4.2 billion in 2011.\"","Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, \u2018Individuals Who Are Not Authorized to Work in the United States Were Paid $4.2 Billion in Refundable Credits,\u2019 July 7, 2011","In 2009 (not, as Trump says, in 2011), \"individuals who are not authorized to work in the United States were paid $4.2 billion in refundable credits, according to the report. That\u2019s indeed more than four times the amount in 2005 ($924 million).","Based on an audit by the Treasury Inspector General, the claim leaves out some context. Trump conflates \"illegal immigrants\" with \"unauthorized workers,\" a group composed largely of undocumented immigrants but also legal immigrants and others. The $4.2 billion refers to the amount given in tax credit refunds for children, the large majority of whom are U.S. citizens. And the actual year is 2009, not 2011 (that was the year the report was published)."]},{"id":"2666.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says John Kitzhaber wants a sales tax so people without jobs pay taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that John Kitzhaber wants a sales tax specifically so that people without jobs pay taxes. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Kitzhaber has advocated for a sales tax to diversify Oregon's tax base and reduce reliance on personal income taxes, but there is no indication that his intention is to target people without jobs. The statement misrepresents Kitzhaber's position and is therefore inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1072.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If the United States moves ahead by itself (on cap-and-trade)... after 30 or 40 years, were going to reduce CO2 by less than 1 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that implementing cap-and-trade alone in the United States may result in a relatively small reduction in CO2 emissions after several decades, it is important to consider the broader context. The effectiveness of cap-and-trade policies in reducing CO2 emissions depends on global participation and cooperation. If other countries also adopt similar measures, the cumulative impact can be significant. Additionally, the statement does not take into account the potential benefits of cap-and-trade programs, such as the potential decrease in energy costs and the allocation of revenue to offset higher rates for consumers. Therefore, while the statement highlights a valid concern, it lacks the full context and potential long-term impact of cap-and-trade policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In states where beer is unregulated, the per capita production is significantly higher,\" she wrote. \"Higher beer production and higher consumption go hand-in-hand. As a social conservative, this is why I believe we need to keep regulations on alcoholic beverages in place and not have unregulated beer widely available in the marketplace. Social issues greatly impact economic issues, and we must seek a balance on both.\"","Bart Watson, the staff economist with the group that wrote the analysis, says there\u2019s no such thing as a state where beer is unregulated. He suggested Stargel may have meant states where regulations are more favorable for large or small brewers. Even then, beer is highly regulated.","California, the highest-producing state by beer shipments, ranked a lowly 44th in per capita consumption (as measured in gallons per resident older than 21). In an ironic flipping of the numbers, North Dakota ranked 44th in total shipments, but was the highest per capita beer consumer. Florida ranked third in total shipments, but ranked only 34th in per capita consumption.","We\u2019ll deal with whether higher beer production increases consumption in another factcheck, but first we wanted to see if a lack of state regulations leads to higher beer production. We\u2019re going to tap the industry experts on this one."]},{"id":"6355.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says his patents in ultrasound have revolutionized modern medicine.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and deserving of a \"pants-fire\" label. The evidence shows that Flinn's claim of having patents in ultrasound technology that revolutionized modern medicine is deceptive. It is revealed that Flinn only applied for patents after his congressional campaign had already begun, and there is no substantial evidence to support the notion that his patents or innovations have had a revolutionary impact on modern medicine. The claim is misleading and deliberately deceives voters.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The average kid comes out of Virginia colleges with about $25,000 plus in debt, and that\u2019s just not acceptable long-term,\" he said during a Dec. 6 news conference.","According to the College Board, 55% of bachelor\u2019s degree recipients graduated with debt, holding an average debt level of more than $25,000. Though an undergraduate student, on average, borrows less money than their graduate school counterparts, the pool of people seeking a graduate education is far smaller.","The debt data comes from answers colleges provide to a survey by Peterson\u2019s, a college guide publishing company. Peterson\u2019s survey, which looks at students graduating from four-year public universities and private nonprofit colleges, was answered by 55 percent of colleges and universities that awarded bachelor\u2019s degrees in the 2010-2011 school year.","The study tallied the average student debt in each state for the 2010-2011 academic year. Among Virginia graduates who had taken out loans, the average debt was $24,717, ranking 23rd highest in the nation."]},{"id":"8681.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every dollar spent in the new Obamacare system ... goes to private-sector insurance companies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is accurate to say that a significant portion of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) involves private insurance companies, it is not true that every dollar spent in the system goes to these companies. Approximately half of the ACA's funding goes towards subsidies for private insurance plans purchased through marketplaces, while the other half is allocated to the government's Medicaid program. Medicaid is a public insurance program that provides coverage to low-income individuals and families. Therefore, not all funds in the Obamacare system go exclusively to private-sector insurance companies. It is important to consider the role of Medicaid and the government's involvement in providing healthcare coverage when evaluating the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6909.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under Maggie Hassans leadership, we increased state spending in the middle of the great recession by 24 percent leading up to and following it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that state spending increased during Maggie Hassan's leadership, the statement lacks some important context. The evidence suggests that total state spending increased by 20 percent during her time in office, not the stated 24 percent. However, when considering funds spent from state taxes and fees, spending actually went down due to budget cuts made by the Democrats. Therefore, while there was an overall increase in state spending, it is important to note that the increase was not solely due to Hassan's leadership, and there were efforts to reduce spending during that period as well.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["One piece of the Democrats\u2019 $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill \u2014 $3 billion for trees \u2014 is being ridiculed in a widely shared Facebook post.","While the budget resolution permits an increase of $1.75 trillion, House Democrats have been discussing a measure that includes up to $3.5 trillion in new outlays. The reason that figure is higher is that it would be partially paid for through tax increases that reduce the net cost to the $1.75 trillion cap set by the budget resolution.","The $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill backed by Democrats includes many parts of President Joe Biden\u2019s tax and spending proposals that have attracted little or no buy-in from Republicans, including expanded social programs and efforts to combat climate change.","The remaining billions are distributed through programs that target specific problems or communities. For example, $5 billion in grants is available to small and underserved communities, and the Department of Health and Human Services has $3.5 billion available for facilities overseen by the Indian Health Service."]},{"id":"12415.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The first tweet was sent from Austin.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the first tweet was sent from Austin is false. The first tweet was actually sent from California, where Twitter is based. While Austin may have played a significant role in the popularization of Twitter during the SXSW conference, it is not accurate to claim that the first tweet originated from Austin. The statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\"","Two days after telling CBS that he planned to be \"very restrained\" on social media going forward, President-elect Donald Trump lashed out at the New York Times on Twitter.","Throughout the Oct. 4 vice presidential debate, Democratic candidate Tim Kaine repeatedly baited his Republican opponent Mike Pence to defend Donald Trump\u2019s controversial remarks.","As part of a winding response, Trump said that he both opposes nuclear proliferation (\"No, no, not proliferation. I hate nuclear more than any;\" \"I don't want more nuclear weapons\") and supports some countries obtaining nuclear weapons for the first time."]},{"id":"11791.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texas has the sixth-highest property taxes in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to calculations based on home property taxes as a share of home values, Texas did have the sixth-highest property taxes in the nation in 2013. However, it's important to note that the actual taxpayer burden can vary significantly depending on the locality within Texas. Different counties may have different property tax rates, exemptions, and assessment methods, which can impact the actual amount paid by residents. Therefore, while the average property taxes in Texas may be the sixth-highest, the individual taxpayer burden can vary greatly.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6388.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the largest tax increase in American history is set to occur on January 1st unless President Obama and Congress can come to an agreement.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that a significant tax increase was set to occur on January 1st, the claim that it would be the largest tax increase in American history is not entirely accurate. The largest tax increase, when adjusted for inflation, occurred in 1982 under President Ronald Reagan. However, it is important to note that the context of the statement is unclear, as it does not specify which tax increase it is referring to. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The former Milwaukee County executive promised to pass and sign concealed-carry legislation (Kept). He pledged to adopt a strong \"Castle Doctrine\" law (Kept). He came through on a promise to remove enrollment caps for the Milwaukee private school choice program and for virtual charter schools on removing residency requirements for teachers.","Twenty-five years later, the state Democratic Party\u2019s website alleges that \"Scott Walker was kicked out of student elections at Marquette University after masterminding a scheme that destroyed newspapers critical of him.\"","He may still finish, thanks to a new program he helped establish, as governor, in the University of Wisconsin System. It awards adults credits for work experience in certain fields, though not yet one that fits his background.","Several of Walker\u2019s top aides past and present urged him for years to follow through on his stated intent to go back to school."]},{"id":"3960.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The tax on job creating businesses is 35 percent in the United States, second worst in the entire world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the United States has a corporate tax rate of 35 percent, which is one of the highest among countries worldwide. However, it is important to note that the statement refers specifically to the statutory tax rate and not the effective tax rate. The effective tax rate, which takes into account deductions and other factors, may vary for individual businesses. Additionally, while the statement claims that the United States has the second-worst tax rate in the entire world, it does not provide specific evidence to support this ranking. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks comprehensive evidence to confirm the exact ranking.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5027.json","label":"false","statement":"Our tax code is . . . 80,000 pages.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the tax code is 80,000 pages is false. While it is true that the tax code is complex and lengthy, it does not extend to 80,000 pages. The claim made by U.S. Senate candidate Barry Hinckley is not supported by credible evidence or official sources. The math calculation provided in the evidence also demonstrates that such a page count would result in an impractical and inefficient tax code. It is important to note that the length of the tax code can vary depending on how it is measured, but it is not accurate to claim that it spans 80,000 pages.\nLabel: false","evidence":["McCaskill said Clinton \"laid the groundwork\" to remove Syria\u2019s chemical weapons. The connection to the eventual deal seems to be Clinton\u2019s ongoing discussions with Russia, who eventually helped broker the agreement, and the administration\u2019s red line on chemical weapons, which eventually led to the threat of military action that forced Assad\u2019s hand.","The October 11 email said, \"Have you seen the recent news about Hillary? All signs seem to point to Hillary laying the groundwork to run for president again...GOOD! We welcome her to lose again next November, especially here in Missouri.\"","Kay Hoflander said, \"All signs seem to point to Hillary laying the groundwork to run for president again,\" in a Missouri GOP fundraising email.","Says Hillary Clinton called the Trans-Pacific Partnership \"the gold standard. You called it the gold standard of trade deals. You said it\u2019s the finest deal you\u2019ve ever seen.\""]},{"id":"2030.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Blue Cross headquarters has \"a $30,000 granite table.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the claim that Blue Cross headquarters has a \"$30,000 granite table.\" The company spokesperson confirmed that there is no granite table in the boardroom and provided a photo showing a wooden table instead. This directly refutes the statement made about the presence of a granite table. Therefore, the claim is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5542.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Barack Obama is ending Medicare as we know it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party have not proposed ending Medicare as we know it. While there have been discussions and proposals for reforms and improvements to the Medicare system, such as introducing more regulations and incentives, there is no evidence to support the claim that Obama intended to end Medicare. The accusation of \"ending Medicare as we know it\" is a political attack without factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The Senate immigration bill \"unleashes a massive increase in overall immigration. \u2026 We're talking about a population increase under the Senate bill of over 70 million people in 20 years.\"","Stein said the Senate immigration bill \"unleashes a massive increase in overall immigration. \u2026 We're talking about a population increase under the Senate bill of over 70 million people in 20 years.\"","The reader wondered whether the bill really \"unleashes a massive increase in overall immigration\" of \"over 70 million people in 20 years.\" In asking us to check the item, the reader noted that such an increase in the immigrant population would amount to a 22 percent increase over the current U.S. population estimate of 316.3 million, an increase the reader said \"sounds implausibly high.\"","The \"so-called path to citizenship amnesty program is a fraction of what the deal bills with,\" said Dan Stein, who heads a group that opposes the bill, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, on July 7, 2013. \"Ultimately, it unleashes a massive increase in overall immigration ... . Essentially, it gives up on the American worker by simply suggesting that at every level of the labor market employers should be able to bring in foreign workers. We're talking about a population increase under the Senate bill of over 70 million people in 20 years -- 70 million people.\""]},{"id":"4158.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We jumped 11 places since beginning this year in terms of being job-friendly.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided suggests that the United States experienced significant job growth under President Biden, with over 6.5 million new jobs created in one year. While the evidence does not explicitly mention a specific ranking or the exact number of places jumped, it indicates a positive trend in terms of job-friendliness. However, without specific data or a clear reference to the ranking system, it is challenging to provide a precise label. Nevertheless, the evidence supports the general notion that the United States has seen notable improvements in job creation under President Biden.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says a federal judge in San Antonio \"issued a ruling that \u2026 not only could the students not pray at their graduation, if they used the word \u2018benediction,\u2019 the word \u2018invocation,\u2019 the word \u2018God,\u2019 asked the audience to stand or asked for a moment of silence, he would put the superintendent in jail.\"","To recap, Gingrich\u2019s claim is that Biery \"issued a ruling that \u2026 not only could the students not pray at their graduation, if they used the word \u2018benediction,\u2019 the word \u2018invocation,\u2019 the word \u2018God,\u2019 asked the audience to stand or asked for a moment of silence, he would put the superintendent in jail.\"","On Jan. 21, 2012, after winning the South Carolina Republican presidential primary, Gingrich again referenced Biery, urging voters to check out a position paper on his campaign website about \"the balance of power, putting the judiciary back in its proper role and eliminating dictatorial religious bigots such as Judge Biery in San Antonio, who issued a ruling that \u2026 not only could the students not pray at their graduation, if they used the word \u2018benediction,\u2019 the word \u2018invocation,\u2019 the word \u2018God,\u2019 asked the audience to stand or asked for a moment of silence, he would put the superintendent in jail.\"","The rest of Gingrich\u2019s claim, including its crescendo reference to putting the superintendent in jail, has weaknesses. The order did not bar \"God\" from any mention during the ceremony, only ruling out the phrase \"in God\u2019s name we pray.\" The judge\u2019s order barred students from asking the audience to stand, presumably in preparation for organized prayer, but it did not forbid a moment of silence."]},{"id":"6782.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Hussein Obama will ... force local authorities to allow Occupy protesters to live in parks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that President Obama intended to force local authorities to allow Occupy protesters to live in parks. The ad's assertion lacks any credible basis and is purely speculative. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading unfounded claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Walker said he will pursue change in federal law to protect employees from \"extortion from a union\" because \"the Supreme Court has ruled that federal prohibitions outlawing extortion usually do not apply to unions.\"","\"As it stands,\" Walker claims in the plan, \"the Supreme Court has ruled that federal prohibitions outlawing extortion usually do not apply to unions. I will ensure that employee rights are protected.\"","So -- in the context of workers being extorted by a union -- has the nation\u2019s highest court ruled that federal prohibitions against extortion usually don\u2019t apply?","His plan also calls for changing federal law, saying it does not protect employees from \"threats, violence and extortion from a union.\""]},{"id":"10007.json","label":"false","statement":"Ive been involved in prosecuting a terrorist member of ISIS.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Greg Abbott claiming that he had been involved in prosecuting a terrorist member of ISIS is false. There is no credible evidence or record of Abbott being directly involved in the prosecution of a terrorist member of ISIS. While there have been cases related to terrorism in Texas, there is no specific evidence linking Abbott to the prosecution of an ISIS member. It is important to ensure accuracy when making claims about involvement in significant legal cases.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3888.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I did not say that I would not have them [Muslims] in my Cabinet.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence or credible sources suggesting that the speaker made such a statement. It is important to ensure accuracy when attributing statements to individuals, especially when they involve sensitive topics such as religious discrimination.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"And while (Ted) Strickland proposed cuts for services for children, he wasted over $250,000 remodeling his bathrooms at the governor\u2019s mansion.\"","\"And while Strickland proposed cuts for services for children,\" the voice-over claims, \"he wasted over $250,000 remodeling his bathrooms at the governor\u2019s mansion.\"","An ad by the National Republican Senatorial Committee says that while governor, Strickland \"proposed cuts for services for children\" and \"wasted over $250,000 remodeling his bathrooms at the governor\u2019s mansion.\"","The \"Flush\" ad states that Strickland wasted a quarter of a million dollars remodeling his bathrooms at the governor\u2019s mansion in suburban Bexley, Ohio, outside Columbus."]},{"id":"8478.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If I have affordable coverage in my workplace, Im not eligible to go into the marketplace. ... Its illegal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. It is not illegal for individuals with affordable coverage in their workplace to go into the marketplace. The Affordable Care Act allows individuals to choose marketplace coverage even if they have access to affordable coverage through their workplace. There is no legal restriction preventing individuals from exploring marketplace options, regardless of their workplace coverage. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Now in Rhode Island specifically, only 5 percent of ozone pollution is from local or in-state sources. Five percent. Ninety-five percent comes from outside of our borders, particularly the Midwest,\" Reed said.","Jack Reed said 95 percent of Rhode Island's ozone pollution comes from outside the state, and most of it is imported from the Midwest.","Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed says 95 percent of the state's ozone pollution comes from out of state, particularly the Midwest","( - Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed says 95 percent of the state's ozone pollution comes from out of state, particularly the Midwest&url=)"]},{"id":"11112.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has supported a Canadian-style universal health care system.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Donald Trump has expressed support for a Canadian-style universal health care system in the past. This is evident in his book \"The America We Deserve\" published in 2000, where he made a strong pitch for universal health care and specifically mentioned a Canadian-style, single-payer plan as a potential approach. However, it's important to note that Trump's position on this issue has evolved over time, and he no longer supports a Canadian-style system as of recent years.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A Baird leaflet we spotted in early March says: \"\"We've had the same leadership in the Travis County DA's office for 30 years.\"","The Travis County DA\u2019s office had two elected leaders over 35 years, from 1977 through 2011. Earle was the district attorney for 32 of those years, leaving office after voters elected Lehmberg, who earlier held several leadership roles under Earle and, significantly, was his first assistant for a dozen years.","Montford earlier had told us she reached her total for Travis County jury trials by estimating trials she had worked on while in the Travis County DA's office, from October 1999 through the end of her tenure there in May 2008. Montford said she averaged 10 jury trials a year. \"Some years there were fewer than 10 and some years there were more than 10,\" she said.","Austin lawyer Mindy Montford, seeking the Democratic nomination for a state district judgeship, says she\u2019s got vast courthouse experience, much of that from eight-plus years as a Travis County assistant district attorney, which followed her job as a Harris County prosecutor."]},{"id":"6157.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a lip-reading instructor at the River School, a Washington, D.C., school for the deaf has determined that during 9\/11 ceremonies, Michelle Obama said, All this for a damn flag.","reason":"Reason: The claim that a lip-reading instructor at the River School confirmed that Michelle Obama said \"All this for a damn flag\" during 9\/11 ceremonies is false. There is no credible evidence or reliable source to support this claim. The chain email and its assertions lack verifiable information and have been widely debunked. It is important to rely on accurate and trustworthy sources when evaluating such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8729.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"US: Change in Income, 2009-13. Top 1%: +31.4%. Bottom 99%: +0.4%.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data on income changes in the United States from 2009 to 2013. According to the evidence provided, the top 1% experienced a significant increase in income of 31.4%, while the bottom 99% saw a much smaller increase of only 0.4%. This data highlights the growing income inequality in the country during that period. However, it's important to note that this statement only focuses on income changes and does not provide a comprehensive picture of wealth inequality, which takes into account assets and debts. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of income changes but does not address wealth inequality.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Many parents have long believed that small class sizes translate into a better education for kids. School districts often boast about having low ratios, which presumably gives teachers more time to focus on each student.","\"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what,\" Romney said in the video. \"All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what.","He mentioned work by the consulting firm McKinsey Global Institute comparing class size and student performance among several countries. Romney said the study found that \"in schools that are the highest-performing in the world, their classroom sizes are about the same as in the United States. So it\u2019s not the classroom size that\u2019s driving the success of those school systems.\" He said factors such as parent involvement, motivated teachers and quality administrators were better drivers of success.","Republican Mitt Romney declared his love for \"great schools\" during the first presidential debate. Did he go overboard in calling his home state\u2019s schools the best in all the land?"]},{"id":"12314.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ann Kirkpatrick votes with her party nearly 90 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided by CQ Roll Call, which indicates that Ann Kirkpatrick voted with her party approximately 88 percent of the time in 2014 and 84 percent in 2013. While the statement is generally true, it's important to note that there were instances where Kirkpatrick crossed party lines on certain votes. However, the data supports the claim that she aligns with her party's positions for a significant majority of the time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Indeed, the law's constitutionality was not a sure thing in 1995, but if you agree with Robinson, it doesn't necessarily follow that Barnes opposed a bill that would have made it easier to convict child abusers.","The release, \"Barnes ads tell despicable lies,\" said \"Barnes voted against a bill in the state Senate that would have made it easier to gain convictions in child abuse cases.\"","In response, Deal fired off a press release that said in 1995,Barnes opposed a bill that would have helped put child abusers behind bars.","State Legislature records confirm Barnes voted against SB 124. Versions passed both the House and Senate, but it died after the two chambers failed to agree on its final language."]},{"id":"11240.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our companies are moving into Mexico more than almost any other place right now.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some U.S. companies have been relocating to Mexico, the statement that \"our companies are moving into Mexico more than almost any other place right now\" is only partially accurate. According to trade experts, more companies are actually moving to China than Mexico. Therefore, while there is a notable trend of companies moving to Mexico, it is not accurate to claim that it is happening more than in any other place. Additional context and clarification would be necessary to provide a more accurate representation of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Many just call him 'Lyin' Ted.' ... His TV ad about John Kasich? Lie! Stations had to pull it off the air.\"","\"Many just call him 'Lyin' Ted,' \" the ad begins, as Cruz's nose begins to grow, curving around his head and neck. \"His TV ad about John Kasich? Lie! Stations had to pull it off the air. If Ted Cruz's mouth is moving, he's lying.\"","Businessman Donald Trump may have called Sen. Ted Cruz \"Lyin' Ted,\" but a political action committee supporting Ohio Gov. John Kasich has picked up the moniker in an attack ad against Cruz.","New Day complained about the Trusted Leadership commercial to the Wisconsin television stations that aired it, saying that unlike ads from the candidates themselves, stations have no obligation to run false or misleading super PAC ads. At least four stations pulled it, according to New Day, which provided supporting correspondence."]},{"id":"2192.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Allowing all Bush income tax cuts to expire on Dec. 31 will amount to the largest tax increase in the history of America.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that allowing all the Bush income tax cuts to expire would result in a significant increase in tax revenue, the statement exaggerates by claiming it would be the largest tax increase in American history. There have been other instances in history, such as the tax increases during World War II, that resulted in larger increases in tax revenue as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP). While the expiration of the tax cuts would lead to a substantial increase, it is not accurate to claim it would be the largest in history. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12616.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clintons State Department approved the transfer of 20 percent of Americas uranium holdings to Russia, while nine investors in the deal funneled $145 million to the Clinton Foundation.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the State Department, during Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State, was involved in a decision related to the transfer of uranium, the statement misrepresents the facts. The claim that the State Department \"approved the transfer of 20 percent of America's uranium holdings to Russia\" is misleading. The decision in question involved the sale of a Canadian mining company with uranium mining assets in the United States to a Russian company. The State Department was one of several government agencies that had to review and approve the transaction, but it did not have the authority to unilaterally approve or disapprove the transfer of uranium holdings. Additionally, the claim that \"nine investors in the deal funneled $145 million to the Clinton Foundation\" is an exaggeration. While some individuals associated with the Canadian mining company did make donations to the Clinton Foundation, there is no evidence to suggest that these donations were directly linked to the uranium deal. Therefore, the statement contains elements of truth but is presented in a misleading and exaggerated manner.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Since Huntsman didn\u2019t repeat the claim that this tax changes had \"cut income taxes by 30 percent,\" we will only rate him now on the question of whether his administration \"created a flat tax in the state of Utah.\"","During the Republican presidential debate in Ames, Iowa, on Aug. 11, 2011, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman touted his record on taxes. When he was governor, he said, Utah had \"historic tax cuts. We created a flat tax in the state of Utah, exactly what needs to happen in this country.\"","Says that when he was governor of Utah, he worked with the state Legislature to create a flat tax that \"cut income taxes by 30 percent.\"","Every Republican candidate claims to be a tax-cutter, but former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman says he's done something that few other Republicans can claim: he simplified the state's income taxes and passed a flat tax."]},{"id":"10247.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the past four or five presidential elections, people who poll high at the beginning are not the people who end up being the nominees.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that in some past presidential elections, candidates who initially polled high did not end up becoming the nominees, the statement lacks specificity and context. The claim does not provide specific examples or data to support the assertion. While there have been instances where early frontrunners did not secure the nomination, it is not a consistent trend across all elections. The statement is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the complexities and variations in the nomination process throughout different election cycles.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But let's treat this as if Giuliani meant to say there were no domestic attacks under Bush post-Sept. 11, 2001, and run that past the Truth-O-Meter.","\"What he (Obama) should be doing is following the right things that Bush did -- one of the right things he did was treat this as a war on terror. We had no domestic attacks under Bush. We've had one under Obama,\" Giuliani said. \"Number two, he should correct the things that Bush didn't do right. Sending people to Yemen was wrong, not getting this whole intelligence thing corrected was both Bush's responsibility and Obama's.\"","Unfortunately, interviewer George Stephanopoulos never sought clarification on Giuliani's statement. After the interview, Stephanopoulos updated his blog( \"his blog\") to say Giuliani was wrong to say there were no domestic attacks under Bush, and then later apologized for not pressing him on the misstatement.","Here's how Giuliani tried to clarify the issue during an interview later that day with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. \"This is so silly,\" Giuliani said. \"What I usually say when I say that, I usually say we had no major domestic attacks under President Bush since Sept. 11. I did omit the words 'since Sept. 11.' I apologize for that.\" Giuliani went on to say it's not clear if the anthrax attacks were perpetuated by Islamic fundamentalists."]},{"id":"2883.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A ban on earmarks greatly weakens the authority Congress has over spending, to the benefit of the executive branch.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a ban on earmarks could potentially shift some power to the executive branch, the statement overstates the extent to which it weakens Congress' authority over spending. Congress still retains its lead role in appropriations and has various mechanisms to hold the executive branch accountable for spending decisions. While the absence of earmarks may require Congress to find alternative ways to exercise its spending oversight, it does not completely strip Congress of its authority. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to be fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"State Department reports today 17 countries have offered 21 times to send aid, including skimmers,\" LeMieux wrote on June 15, 2010. \"Why has the White House refused help?\"","Washington Post, \"After delays, U.S. begins to tap foreign aid for gulf oil spill( \"After delays, U.S. begins to tap foreign aid for gulf oil spill\"),\" June 14, 2010","Florida Sen. George LeMieux continues to be a leading critic of President Barack Obama's handling of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.","\"The decision on what to accept is being done for the U.S. Government by the Coast Guard,\" Duguid said. \"They are the authoritative agency to make those decisions. BP, being a private company, can accept the help that is offered to it directly. We don\u2019t control that. However, the expertise that is there in the Gulf is working very hard to try and contain this spill and to cap that \u2013 cap the well.\""]},{"id":"3722.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obamas debt commission recommended converting Medicare to a system where Medicare participants are given a voucher to purchase insurance in the private market.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Barack Obama's debt commission, also known as the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, did not recommend converting Medicare to a system where participants are given a voucher to purchase insurance in the private market. The commission's final report, released in December 2010, proposed various reforms to reduce the federal deficit but did not include a voucher system for Medicare. It is important to ensure accurate information is used when discussing policy recommendations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Sylvester further wrote: \"Personal-injury trial lawyers not only have provided over 80 percent of the funding for the Texas Democratic Party for over a decade, trial lawyers provided virtually all the funding for the Bexar County Democratic Party in this election.\"","Sherry Sylvester says personal-injury trial lawyers have accounted for over 80 percent of Texas Democratic Party's contributions for over a decade","Sylvester wrote that for over a decade, personal-injury trial lawyers have accounted for over 80 percent of the Texas Democratic Party\u2019s contributions.","( - Sherry Sylvester says personal-injury trial lawyers have accounted for over 80 percent of Texas Democratic Party's contributions for over a decade&url=)"]},{"id":"791.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On the economic troubles of 2008, \"really the match that lit this fire was Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac did play a significant role in the economic troubles of 2008. As major players in the mortgage market, their financial instability and involvement in risky loans contributed to the housing market collapse and subsequent financial crisis. However, it is an oversimplification to solely attribute the entire economic crisis to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. There were multiple factors at play, including the subprime mortgage crisis, lax lending practices, and the failure of regulatory oversight. Therefore, while Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were a contributing factor, they were not the sole cause of the economic troubles in 2008.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The day after the 2016 Republican National Convention, Trump said his vanquished Republican rival, Sen. Ted Cruz, had never denied that his father was in a 1963 photo with Lee Harvey Oswald, who went on to assassinate President John F. Kennedy that November.","News video, Fox News Insider, \"Trump: Cruz never denied his father was in photo with Lee Harvey Oswald,\" July 22, 2016","Trump said: \"All I did is point out the fact that on the cover of the National Enquirer there was a picture of him and crazy Lee Harvey Oswald having breakfast. Now, Ted never denied that it was his father. Instead he said, \u2018Donald Trump.\u2019 I had nothing to do with it. This was a magazine that frankly, in many respects, should be very respected.\"","The 1963 photo at left shows Lee Harvey Oswald (left) and an unidentified man who the National Enquirer claims is Rafael Cruz, the father of Ted Cruz. A verified image of Cruz (in 1959 wearing glasses) is at right."]},{"id":"351.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Senator Obama has, in fact, never had a serious Republican challenger.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Senator Obama has never had a serious Republican challenger during his political career. This is supported by the evidence provided, which focuses on his electoral success in New York and his ability to secure a significant lead in the polls during his campaign. The absence of a serious Republican challenger is a testament to his strong political standing and the lack of formidable opposition from the Republican Party.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Plante said Chafee couldn't do that. \"The governor does not have any power to veto a referendum that would be a constitutional amendment,\" he said.","Christopher Plante said Gov. Lincoln Chafee \"does not have any power to veto a referendum that would be a constitutional amendment\" on the issue of same-sex marriage.","If a referendum on same-sex marriage were drafted as a constitutional amendment, Plante would be correct. Although Chapter IX, Section 14 gives the governor the ability to veto any legislation passed by the General Assembly, it specifically excludes proposed constitutional amendments, which must always go before the voters. (The governor also gets no veto over General Assembly votes that involve in-house matters such as the decision to adjourn.)","Plante, in e-mails, acknowledged that Chafee would have veto power if same-sex marriage was put to the voters as a non-constitutional question."]},{"id":"10235.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Kochs stand to make around $100 billion if the government approves the Keystone XL pipeline.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the Koch brothers stand to make around $100 billion if the government approves the Keystone XL pipeline is not supported by credible evidence. There is no substantial basis or reliable source to substantiate this claim. It appears to be a speculative and exaggerated assertion that has been circulated primarily through liberal news organizations and progressive commentators. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Our most important work has been creating and retaining almost 55,000 Ohio jobs,\" he told supporters in an Aug. 19 e-mail.","When Ohio voters, some of whom are out of work, hear a candidate like Boyce take credit for bringing in new jobs and keeping existing jobs in their state, we doubt the concepts of indirect jobs and \"person-years\" enter their mind. His calculations give voters the wrong impression.","Last August, Kasich took credit for his administration creating an increase of 45,000 jobs since the beginning of the year. The number was accurate, but we rated that claim as Mostly False for the part of the statement where the governor said \"we\u2019ve created\" the jobs.","Further, the significance of Boyce\u2019s role in many of the job-creating state programs is questionable. While the bonds his office sells help fund the program, Boyce has no say in how those programs are run. He is more of a rubber stamp."]},{"id":"11702.json","label":"true","statement":"Here in Wisconsin, weve put in previous budgets more money into mental health services than any governor has in the last 25 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by multiple sources, including Governor Scott Walker himself. He claims that Wisconsin has allocated more funding for mental health services in previous budgets than any governor has in the last 25 years. While the evidence provided does not explicitly verify the claim, the consistent repetition of this statement by Governor Walker and its absence of contradiction suggests that it is likely true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Roy Barnes is part of the team that has run up trillions of dollars in debt that Americans will spend years paying off, and they've done it without creating one job.\"","\"Roy Barnes is part of the team that has run up trillions of dollars in debt that Americans will spend years paying off, and they've done it without creating one job,\" Robinson told the Athens Banner-Herald.","\"If Nathan is a part of the team of Republicans, then Roy is part of the Democratic team that passed the stimulus bill, bailed out General Motors and passed ObamaCare,\" Robinson said.","Democratic Party gubernatorial nominee Roy Barnes pointed his finger at his GOP challenger, Nathan Deal, and fellow Republicans during the Democrats' state convention on Aug. 14 in Athens. The Republicans have cut education funding and raised property taxes during their eight years in control of the Governor's Mansion, Barnes charged."]},{"id":"10328.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Surveys of teens in high school reveal that knowing a classmate who sells cannabis is 90 times more common than knowing a classmate who sells alcohol.","reason":"Reason: The statement lacks direct evidence or specific sources to support the claim about the prevalence of knowing a classmate who sells cannabis compared to knowing a classmate who sells alcohol. Without proper citation or reference to reliable surveys, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement cannot be deemed fully true. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12564.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For every extra year that a girl stays in secondary school, her chance of getting infected with HIV\/AIDS decreases by half.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that studies have shown a correlation between increased education and a reduced risk of HIV infection, the statement exaggerates the extent of the risk reduction. The research cited in the evidence indicates that the decline in risk is significant but not as high as \"half\" for each additional year of secondary school. The studies suggest a reduction of around one-third or 21 percent, depending on the specific context and level of education. Therefore, the statement goes beyond what the research actually shows and overstates the magnitude of the risk reduction.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Over a million people apprehended at the border this year, \"meaning probably another 2 or 3 million have come in illegally.\"","Patrick said, \"And right now, we are looking at over a million people apprehended this year, meaning probably another 2 or 3 million have come in illegally.\"","Patrick described the number of migrants crossing the border under Biden's presidency as \"out of control.\" Patrick said, \"And right now, we are looking at over a million people apprehended this year, meaning probably another 2 or 3 million have come in illegally.\"","Patrick's spokesperson wrote in an email, \"we are clearly on pace for well over 2 million encounters\" and that the number of people who crossed the border between ports of entry but were not apprehended are from ratio estimates by \"various law enforcements.\" His office did not answer follow-up questions from PolitiFact Texas on which law enforcement entities made those estimates."]},{"id":"12909.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Washington, Congressman Joe Heck supports privatizing (Social Security), turning our savings over to Wall Street and risking it on the stock market.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely-true. While there have been claims made in an ad that Congressman Joe Heck supports privatizing Social Security, there is no concrete evidence or proposal from Heck himself to support this claim. Heck has not suggested mandatory privatization or turning savings over to Wall Street. The ad's assertion is based on speculation and does not accurately represent Heck's stance on Social Security privatization.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Trump said Obama\u2019s recent New York fundraising trip cost between $25 million and $50 million. Trump provided no evidence, likely because all the available information points to a total that would be way, way lower than $25 million, let alone $50 million.","We reached out to Trump to learn where he got his numbers and didn\u2019t hear back. But we wondered, would a one-day New York trip cost between \"$25 million and $50 million\"?","\"He raises a million dollars and it costs between $25 million and $50 million, and they close up the entire city of New York,\" Trump said Oct. 13 on Fox News\u2019 Fox and Friends.","With President Barack Obama\u2019s low approval ratings already weighing down Democrats in the mid-term elections, his Republican critics like nothing better than giving voters more reasons to think less of him. Accordingly, billionaire and occasional presidential aspirant Donald Trump called out Obama for the cost of his recent New York fundraising trip."]},{"id":"6315.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Texas proved in court that more than 200 dead people voted in the latest Texas election.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made by Greg Abbott that the state proved in court that more than 200 dead people voted in the latest Texas election, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not confirm the veracity of this claim. The evidence only mentions Abbott's statement without providing any conclusive information or independent verification. Without further evidence or information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this claim. Therefore, the statement is labeled as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But let's return to Paul's assertion. Paul said that the \"average federal employee makes $120,000 a year. The average private employee makes $60,000 a year.\" Most people hearing that would assume he was talking about salary alone, but he was talking about total compensation, including benefits such as retirement pay and paid holidays. Although studies show federal employees typically earn more than their private-sector counterparts, the difference is nowhere near as much as the doubling Paul says. So we rate his statement False.","That said, there's still a gap between federal and private-sector pay if you strip out the portion that's in the form of benefits. BEA found that federal civilian employees earned $81,258 in salary, compared to $50,464 for private-sector workers. That cuts the federal pay advantage almost exactly in half, to nearly $31,000.","So we spoke to Linda Blumberg, an institute fellow at Urban\u2019s Health Policy Center, who arrived at the $34 trillion estimate. She ran the CBO\u2019s numbers: The next 10 years of on-budget outlay, the government office projects, add up to $44.8 trillion.","Sanders has said publicly that economists estimate Medicare for All would cost somewhere between $30 trillion and $40 trillion over 10 years. Research by the nonpartisan Urban Institute, a Washington D.C. think tank, puts the figure in the $32 trillion to $34 trillion range."]},{"id":"2853.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Regulations are an endemic weakness in government -- so old that Thomas Jefferson listed this problem among his charges against the King of England in the Declaration of Independence.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Thomas Jefferson mentioned the issue of government overreach and excessive regulations in the Declaration of Independence, it is important to note that the statement in question may be misleading. Jefferson's reference to \"swarms of officers\" in the Declaration of Independence was specifically directed towards the actions of King George III and the British government at that time. It is not a direct statement about regulations being an endemic weakness in all forms of government. Therefore, while there is a historical basis for concerns about excessive regulations, attributing this viewpoint directly to Jefferson and applying it universally to all governments is an oversimplification.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We don\u2019t read Perry\u2019s remark as a claim that Aggies never even entered a governor\u2019s office -- say, to visit. Still, we were hooked: Is Perry truly the first Aggie governor of Texas since statehood in 1845?","Says he \"did not try to leave the scene of the accident\" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated.","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic."]},{"id":"3884.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gov. Chris Christie caused a 4.1 percent increase in property taxes in 2010, marking the highest increase since 2007.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that property taxes in New Jersey increased by 4.1 percent in 2010, attributing this increase solely to Governor Chris Christie is an oversimplification. Property tax rates and increases are influenced by various factors, including local government decisions, economic conditions, and state policies. While the governor's policies and actions can have an impact on property taxes, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the 4.1 percent increase to Governor Christie. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12765.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Unemployment numbers are artificial numbers. These are numbers that are massaged to make the existing economy look good, to make this administration look good when, in fact, its a total disaster.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that unemployment numbers are artificially manipulated to make the economy and the administration look good. Unemployment numbers are calculated based on established methodologies and data collected by government agencies. While there may be debates about the accuracy or limitations of certain measurements, there is no evidence to support the claim that unemployment numbers are intentionally manipulated for political purposes. Such a claim is misleading and not grounded in reality.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The idea that a minor can go get a tattoo,\" he said, before quickly correcting himself to say \"cannot get a tattoo without parental consent -- but can get an abortion without parental consent -- is just mind-shattering for the vast majority of Americans. ... People who believe that a young child, a minor, should be able to get an abortion easier than a tattoo -- they are the extremists.\"","According to data through March 2015 compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least 45 states have laws prohibiting minors from getting tattoos, with the majority of those states allowing it if there\u2019s parental consent. For example, Florida law requires written, notarized consent of a minor's parent or legal guardian in order to tattoo a minor.","Use of judicial bypass could increase the number of states where Rubio\u2019s scenario would be valid. A spokeswoman for Americans United for Life, told PolitiFact that \"even in states with the most stringent parental consent requirements, a minor who can demonstrate (with the assistance of free counsel) to a court that she is either mature enough to make an abortion decision, or that obtaining parental consent is not in her best interest, can bypass the parental consent requirement.\"","There are some states that require only parental notification for abortion but do require consent for tattoos -- for example Florida. So that means that a Florida teenager doesn\u2019t need her parents\u2019 permission to get an abortion -- but does for a tattoo."]},{"id":"3921.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"An iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin could operate for 100 years and generate billion of dollars in economic activity.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made regarding the potential operation of an iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin for 100 years and its potential economic impact. However, it's important to note that the 100-year estimate is based on certain assumptions, such as the rate of ore extraction. The actual duration of the mine's operation may vary depending on various factors, including market conditions and technological advancements. Additionally, the statement acknowledges that there are significant environmental concerns associated with the project, which adds complexity to the overall assessment. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be considered with the understanding that the 100-year estimate is not guaranteed and that environmental concerns are a significant aspect of the discussion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2799.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says over 25 percent of the Texas budget funds services to non-U.S. citizens.","reason":"Reason: The statement that over 25 percent of the Texas budget funds services to non-U.S. citizens is not supported by credible evidence. The highest estimate provided by the evidence suggests that services to illegal immigrants accounted for about 7 percent of the 2010-11 state budget. Furthermore, the evidence indicates that the estimated net gain from payments made by illegal immigrants to the state was $500 million, suggesting that the cost of services to illegal immigrants is significantly lower than the claimed 25 percent. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and can be categorized as pants-fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12297.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has promised to raise taxes by $1 trillion dollars.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton's plan includes proposals to raise taxes, the statement that she has specifically promised to raise taxes by $1 trillion dollars is not entirely accurate. Clinton's plan aims to raise revenue through various measures, but the total amount and the timeline over which it would be raised are not explicitly stated as a $1 trillion increase. The evidence suggests that her plan would generate revenue over a 10-year period, and it is unlikely that the full $1 trillion would be achieved within a single presidential term. Therefore, the statement contains an element of exaggeration and lacks precise details regarding the specific promise made by Hillary Clinton.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The city\u2019s 30 percent set aside for affordable housing in urban renewal areas is calculated citywide -- not district by district","That resolution, in part, committed the council to establishing \"a policy to dedicate a percentage of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues from all Urban Renewal Districts citywide to an affordable housing set aside fund.\"","The evidence at the time seems to clearly indicate that the goal and the aspiration of both the City Council and the Development Commission was to set aside 30 percent in each district and 26 percent specifically in the Coliseum area. It\u2019s also clear that the city officials knew there could be certain cases when that might be easier said than done and, as a result, gave themselves the cushion of 30 percent averaged across all districts.","It would also drive down the amount of money being spent on affordable housing in the Oregon Convention Center urban renewal district, which includes the Coliseum, to 16 percent -- 10 percentage points short of the city\u2019s previously planned 26 percent."]},{"id":"10636.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"According to the state of Florida, you are almost twice as likely to be attacked by an alligator than by someone who happens to carry a conceal-and-carry permit.","reason":"Reason: The statement comparing the likelihood of being attacked by an alligator to being attacked by someone with a concealed carry permit is misleading and lacks proper context. While it is true that the state of Florida has a higher population of alligators and a lower population of individuals with concealed carry permits, it is not a direct or accurate comparison to suggest that one is almost twice as likely to be attacked by an alligator than by someone with a concealed carry permit. The factors involved in these two scenarios are different, and the statement oversimplifies the complexities involved in assessing the likelihood of such incidents. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Fraud, Waste and Mismanagement Hotline (877-372-8317) was created in 2007 and began ringing in the office of the Legislative Audit Bureau in April 2008. A secure e-mail system was added a year later. In 2009, the hotline received 79 reports -- 53 of which came over the phone. In all, the hotline fielded 154 calls between the time it was established and the end of 2009, according to the audit bureau.","Julie Lassa did lead the effort to create the hotline, which has generated calls that led to changes. For Lassa\u2019s second statement to be accurate, the hotline needs to have saved taxpayers at least $200,000. There\u2019s no accounting of the actual savings, so we\u2019re left to connect the dots.","A video on Facebook suggests that the Wisconsin voter rolls are padded with tens of thousands of voters who registered to vote more than a century ago.","\"This has got to be a major initiative for Democrats; we don\u2019t talk enough about waste in the government,\" Ryan replied. \"If you look at the Medicare program, for example, there is $50 billion a year wasted in the Medicare program. That\u2019s a billion dollars a week.\""]},{"id":"3770.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Arab and the Muslim nations get twice as much money as Israel.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"the Arab and the Muslim nations get twice as much money as Israel\" is mostly true when considering the period from 1990 through 1999. During that decade, Israel received $44.2 billion in U.S. aid, while the combined aid to seven Arab or Muslim nations amounted to $35.2 billion. However, it's important to note that this comparison does not include all Arab and Muslim nations, as other countries like Turkey and Bangladesh also received U.S. assistance during that period. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate for the specified timeframe, it may not hold true when considering all Arab and Muslim nations in a broader context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Saslaw says that if Northern Virginia were to receive $60 million to $65 million it wouldn\u2019t be enough to cover the cost of an overpass in Tysons Corner.","Virginia Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw hasn\u2019t hidden his opposition to ABC privatization, scoffing at predictions that auctioning off retail liquor licenses will generate major money for state roads.","Based on the officials we spoke with, it\u2019s possible that a major interchange in Tysons Corner could cost that much or more, especially when the cost of land acquisition is included. But our interviews and most of the examples cited by the officials indicate that Saslaw\u2019s estimate is on the high end.","According to a Washington Post report, Saslaw recently told the Alexandria City Council that if auctioning off the retail licenses generated $300 million (close to the original plan\u2019s estimate), Northern Virginia could see between $60 million to $65 million."]},{"id":"11610.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"@Jorge_Elorza still think your plan is safe? Rescue Captain Kenyon just worked 96 hours straight. 96 hours.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Doughty that Rescue Captain Kenyon worked 96 hours straight, it is important to note that this claim can be misleading without further clarification. The evidence provided indicates that Captain Kenyon did sleep during this period, so he was not continuously working for the entire 96 hours. However, it is true that he worked for a total of 96 hours, which implies a significant workload and potential concerns about fatigue. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood that Captain Kenyon did have periods of rest during the 96-hour timeframe.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6180.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If youre one of the more than 250 million Americans who already have health insurance, you will keep your health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. President Obama did make the claim that if you already had health insurance, you would keep it under the Affordable Care Act. However, it is important to note that there were cases where some individuals did lose their existing health insurance plans due to changes in the requirements and standards set by the law. While the majority of Americans with health insurance were able to keep their plans, a significant number did experience changes or cancellations. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4253.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says state Sen. Alberta Darling is allowing mercury to harm our children because she voted against an electronics recycling bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that State Sen. Alberta Darling voted against an electronics recycling bill, the claim that she is allowing mercury to harm children is an exaggeration. The Sierra Club mailers make a connection between Darling's vote and the potential harm from mercury and other toxins seeping into the water supply. However, the direct link between Darling's vote and the specific harm to children is not supported by the evidence provided. The claim oversimplifies a complex issue and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential environmental impacts of the bill. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12263.json","label":"false","statement":"The Colorado caucus system for selecting Republican delegates is rigged.","reason":"Reason: While there were criticisms and controversies surrounding the Colorado Republican caucus system during the 2016 election, it is inaccurate to label the system as \"rigged.\" The process involved multiple steps, including precinct caucuses and district assemblies, where delegates were selected. While some criticized the system for being less representative, it does not meet the criteria of being rigged. The term \"rigged\" implies intentional manipulation or unfairness, which is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We face a crushing burden of debt,\" Ryan said. \"The debt will soon eclipse our entire economy and grow to catastrophic levels in years ahead.\"","The most recent of those statements, which came during a speech in the House of Representatives on Jan. 5, 2011, was that \"our spending has caught up with us, and our debt soon will eclipse the entire size of our national economy.\"","Even if the smaller number -- public debt -- were to approach a total eclipse in a decade, \"to me, that counts as 'soon,'\" said Brian Riedl, a research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation. That\u2019s because it can take five to 10 years for congressional decisions \"to turn the budget ship around,\" he said.","So, if we just consider debt held by the public -- which is what most affects the economy -- it totals about 75 percent of GDP -- which is not larger than the entire economy, as Ryan and Jordan stated."]},{"id":"5592.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"This bill allows Virginia to join about 23 other states that have an ultrasound procedure before an abortion.","reason":"Reason: While it is technically correct that 23 states have passed legislation related to ultrasounds before abortions, the statement is somewhat misleading. Only nine states actually require the procedure, which means that Virginia would be joining a smaller group of states with mandatory ultrasound bills. Additionally, it's important to note that the enforcement of these laws in two of those states has been delayed due to legal challenges. Therefore, while the statement contains some truth, it lacks important context and could create a misleading impression about the prevalence of mandatory ultrasound laws.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In this story, Aronberg is accusing Gelber of distorting his legal experience. Gelber, Aronberg says, is distributing a flier that sums up Aronberg's legal experience this way: \"Less than two years as Asst. AG\/private attorney.\"","But we find the wording and format pretty misleading. A less-deceptive way to say it, for instance, would be to reverse the lines: \"private attorney\/less than two years as Asst AG.\" Or how about: \"Less than two years as assistant attorney general,\" period.","What is, is how you interpret the line in Gelber's flier: \"Less than two years as Asst. AG\/private attorney.\" Without an explanation, we asked four veteran St. Petersburg Times reporters to look at the flier and interpret the line about Aronberg.","By our math, that's three years at Steel, Hector and Davis, about two years in two stints at the attorney general's office, and then seven years at Greenspoon Marder -- 12 years of legal experience all together."]},{"id":"159.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Here's a man who brags about how he made the city safe. It was the Biden crime bill that became the Clinton crime bill that allowed him to do that.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Joe Biden's involvement in the crime bill directly led to making the city safe. While it is true that Biden was a lead sponsor of the 1994 crime bill, which aimed to increase the number of police officers on the streets, it is an oversimplification to attribute the safety of a city solely to this legislation. The reduction in crime rates is influenced by various factors, including community efforts, socioeconomic conditions, and law enforcement strategies. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it fails to acknowledge the multifaceted nature of crime reduction and oversimplifies the impact of the crime bill.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Wasserman Schultz mentioned on CNN a \"100-year-old international norm not to use chemical weapons.\" An international peace conference at The Hague before World War I did take up the use of chemical weapons, limiting their use between world powers more than 100 years ago. But disagreement about whether their use was humane led the American representative to hold out.","Instead, she said, congressional authorization for a targeted strike would help Syrian leader Bashar Assad understand that \"his violation of a 100-year-old international norm not to use chemical weapons against either your own people or as a legitimate weapon of war will have a certain and severe response. And that he has to be held accountable for atrocities like that.\"","World powers did reach some international agreement against chemical weapons more than 100 years ago, though the context requires some clarification. We rate Wasserman Schultz\u2019s claim Mostly True.","But the Hague Declaration marked the start of international consensus on the topic, says Richard Price, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia who wrote a book called The Chemical Weapons Taboo."]},{"id":"1064.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the Constitution only requires her to tell the census how many people are in our home.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Bachmann that the Constitution only requires individuals to disclose the number of people in their household is false. The Constitution does not specifically dictate the specific questions that should be asked during the census. However, federal laws passed by Congress, including the Census Act, require individuals to provide accurate and complete information as requested by the U.S. Census Bureau. This includes answering all questions on the census forms, not just the number of people in the household. Bachmann's claim is baseless and contradicts the legal requirements established by Congress.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The results of the standardized tests administered in 2010 and 2011 under this enhanced security have not been questioned -- and most important of all the dramatic improvement in test scores has remained. That improvement has also been confirmed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, which is independently administered,\" Hall wrote.","Ever since Atlanta Public Schools\u2019 cheating scandal began, then-Superintendent Beverly Hall has repeatedly pointed to a national test as proof that the changes she made produced real results: the National Assessment of Educational Progress.","\"Dramatic\" improvement in scores on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests has been \"confirmed\" by the NAEP? We decided to take a look.","Even if we take the NAEP gains at face value, it\u2019s not accurate to say they support CRCT gains. Though student achievement rose according to both measures, NAEP gains don\u2019t quite match up to CRCT increases, and demographic shifts might account for a portion of the increase."]},{"id":"4240.json","label":"false","statement":"You might be surprised to know that 137 billion gallons flows (into Lake Erie) every day. You might be surprised to know that only 86.3 billion gallons flow out. ... Leaving us a net surplus of approximately 50 billion gallons a day.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that 137 billion gallons of water flow into Lake Erie every day, with only 86.3 billion gallons flowing out, resulting in a net surplus of approximately 50 billion gallons per day. However, the evidence provided contradicts this claim. The calculations mentioned in the evidence indicate that the actual amount of water flowing out of Lake Erie is around 86 billion gallons, which is significantly less than the amount claimed. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["On behalf of Williams, campaign spokesman Colby Hale told us Williams has twice signed no-tax pledges from Americans for Tax Reform, has signed the American Family Business Institute no \"death tax\" pledge and, Hale said he believes, a \"few different Tea Party (no-tax) pledges at various rallies.\" Hale said he thinks Williams also signed a \"No Climate Tax\" pledge for Americans for Prosperity.","By email, Patrick Gleason of Washington-based Americans for Tax Reform said Williams signed its pledge Feb. 9 and once before then. The pledge says the individual will \"oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and\/or businesses\" and also will \"oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.\"","Later, Williams\u2019 campaign forwarded a copy of the no-climate tax pledge -- avowing opposition to any climate-change legislation that includes a net increase in government revenue -- signed by Williams on Feb. 14.","The web site also posts a Norquist letter from the same date to Gillespie, lauding him for taking a position \"above and beyond the letter of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.\" Norquist said he wrote the letter in recognition of Gillespie\u2019s verbal promises to voters not to support tax hikes."]},{"id":"11651.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"From 2010-2014, median household income in Wisconsin has actually gone up 7.4 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that median household income in Wisconsin increased from 2010 to 2013, the claim of a 7.4 percent increase from 2010 to 2014 is misleading. The evidence provided only supports a 2.7 percent increase in median household income during that period. It's important to note that the claim does not account for the entire period mentioned and may give a false impression of the overall trend. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["He said Homeland Security developed a methodology for estimating visa overstayers among people traveling by air and sea, but doesn\u2019t have an official way to count people entering by land. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman confirmed to us that they have not recently released statistics on the number of overstays.","Cruz said that 40 percent of illegal immigrants in the U.S. are \"people coming legally on visas and overstaying their visas.\"","\"Forty percent of illegal immigration doesn\u2019t come across the border; it\u2019s people coming legally on visas and overstaying their visas,\" the presidential candidate said during a recent interview on \"The John Fredericks Show,\" broadcast from Portsmouth.","There have been other estimates of overstays: In January 2003, INS released an updated report that said 33 percent of the illegal immigrant population in 2000 had entered the country legally. A 2004 report from the General Accounting Office, based on 2000 data, gave estimates on visa overstays ranging from 27 percent to 31 percent to 57 percent."]},{"id":"10528.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgia lawmaker pushes bill banning creation of glow in the dark human-jellyfish hybrids.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the headline may exaggerate the bill itself, the intent of the proposal is to ban the creation of human embryos that have been injected with non-human cells, including jellyfish cells, to create glow-in-the-dark humans. The bill also aims to prohibit the creation of any human-animal hybrids. However, it is important to note that the term \"glow in the dark human-jellyfish hybrids\" is not an accurate scientific description but rather a sensationalized representation of the bill's objective.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama said that he will not push for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in 2009, so we rate this promise Stalled.","He took steps on his own to give temporary status to certain illegal immigrants, but he has not gone as far as providing a path to citizenship.","President Barack Obama's promise to create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants has faced a major roadblock due to resistance in Congress.","The November elections mean the House will have a Republican majority in 2011, making passage of the DREAM Act significantly more difficult, not to mention passage of a path to citizenship for all illegal immigrants."]},{"id":"11613.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"This incident of supposed feces depicting a swastika on the wall of a bathrooms in one of the halls ... has been supported by zero fact.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Kinder that the incident of a swastika drawn with feces on a bathroom wall has been supported by zero facts is incorrect. Multiple sources, including the MUPD report and various media outlets, have reported on the incident, describing the presence of a swastika drawn with feces in a campus residence hall. The incident has been documented and reported by credible sources, providing evidence to support its occurrence. Therefore, the statement claiming zero factual support is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Georgia is one of the 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees,\" , publishers of personal finance advice and business forecasts, said in a press release on Monday, October 26th.",", publishers of personal finance advice and business forecasts, said Georgia is one of the 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees. Georgia actually placed 5th on its list, although the ranking doesn\u2019t appear to take into account local sales taxes.","Perdue and supporters hoped the move would attract well-to-do retirees to Georgia and away from states, such as Florida, where there is no state income tax.","actually says Georgia ranks as the fifth most-friendly tax state behind Alaska, Wyoming, Nevada and Mississippi and immediately ahead of Delaware, Arizona, Louisiana, South Dakota and Florida."]},{"id":"8784.json","label":"false","statement":"San Antonio has seen 67% growth in water customers in the last 25 years, 0% more water used.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that San Antonio has seen a 67% growth in water customers in the last 25 years with no increase in water usage. The evidence discusses the various water sources in San Antonio and the percentage of water provided by the Edwards Aquifer, but it does not provide any data or information about the growth in water customers or water usage over the specified time period. Without supporting evidence, the claim cannot be verified and is therefore false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5147.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says up to a quarter of African Americans dont have government photo ID.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of recent studies, which indicate that a significant percentage of African Americans lack government-issued photo IDs. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific study and methodology, the evidence suggests that a substantial portion of African Americans do face challenges in obtaining government-issued photo IDs. It is important to note that this statistic does not imply that every African American lacks an ID, but rather highlights a higher proportion compared to other racial groups.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8229.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Obamaexempted Congress and their staff from the full effect of the (health care) law.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were certain provisions in the Affordable Care Act that affected members of Congress and their staff, the statement exaggerates the extent to which they were exempted from the law. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) ruling did provide a different arrangement for their health care coverage, but it did not exempt them from the full effect of the law. The language of the law itself does not specifically address the copay issue for Congress members and employees. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11065.json","label":"true","statement":"Despite what Donald Trump claims, there werent 15,000 people who turned out in Phoenix to see Trump speak.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources, including Rachel Maddow, have disputed Donald Trump's claim that there were 15,000 people in attendance at his speech in Phoenix. While the exact number is not specified, it is clear that the actual turnout was lower than what Trump claimed. The evidence suggests that there were a few thousand people present, which, while significant, does not reach the number stated by Trump. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the discrepancy between Trump's claim and the observed attendance.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But as we stated in our analysis of the earlier e-mail, this process occurs without any intervention by Congress. So it's incorrect to say, as the current e-mail does, that Congress \"voted to not give you a Social Security cost of living raise in 2010 and 2011.\"","For two out of the past four years, lawmakers have voted to decline their cost-of-living increase. In votes taken in 2006 and 2009 -- affecting their pay during 2007 and 2010, respectively -- lawmakers turned down the pay raise. In 2007 and 2008, however, lawmakers didn't act to reject their pay raise, so their salaries increased -- by $4,100 for 2008 and by $4,700 for 2009. That boosted the rank-and-file congressional salary to its current level of $174,000. (Leaders in both chambers get more.)","Under a law in force for two decades, members of Congress are entitled to a pay raise every year unless they vote to reject it.","The bill that passed \"continues a provision to freeze the pay of members of Congress, preventing any pay increases in (fiscal year 2022),\" according to a bill summary by Republican members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. \"A freeze on members\u2019 salaries has been in place since 2009.\""]},{"id":"12170.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"North Carolina spent almost as much as it spends on government rape crisis programs in a year to convene a special session for HB2.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that North Carolina spent $42,000 on the special session for HB2, the statement that this amount is \"almost as much as it spends on government rape crisis programs in a year\" is misleading. The state does spend approximately $45,000 annually on government-run rape crisis programs. However, the majority of rape crisis work in North Carolina is carried out by charities, which receive nearly $3 million in funding from the state government. Therefore, the $42,000 spent on the special session is a small fraction of the overall funding allocated to address rape crisis programs in the state. The comparison made in the statement lacks proper context and exaggerates the financial impact of the special session.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2202.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"[U]nlike every other major transit system in the nation, MARTA has never received any significant, dedicated funding from the state of Georgia.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that MARTA, the transit system in Georgia, has not received significant, dedicated funding from the state of Georgia, the statement is not entirely accurate when comparing it to every other major transit system in the nation. MARTA does receive some funding from the state, but it is not considered significant or dedicated. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent the funding situation of MARTA in comparison to all other major transit systems in the nation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"59.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"John Kerry was at 4 percent in the polls in December of 2003...and he ended up becoming the nominee of the party.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions that John Kerry was at 4 percent in the polls in December of 2003. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the full context. While Kerry did experience a significant increase in popularity and eventually became the Democratic Party's nominee for the 2004 presidential election, it is misleading to attribute his nomination solely to his rise in the polls. There were various factors, including his performance in the Iowa caucuses and subsequent primary elections, that contributed to his nomination. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I would probably phrase (the statement) more correctly as 'the unemployment rate has increased at a faster rate in Texas,' but saying that it's grown more, there's probably nothing wrong with putting it that way,\" Abbot said.","The ad then lists some economic changes that have occurred since the governor wrote President Barack Obama in February 2009 assuring him that the state would accept the federal dollars. Punch line: \"Perry won't tell you that the Texas unemployment rate has even grown more than the nation\u2019s as a whole.\"","Next, we looked at Augusts past starting in 2001, Perry's first full year in the governor's office. We found that Oklahoma and Louisiana have had lower unemployment rates, and until this year, New Mexico had a lower unemployment rate than Texas. Arkansas had a higher unemployment rate than Texas in 2006 to 2008.","Nationally, the unemployment rate was 9.6 percent in August. Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia had higher unemployment rates than Texas."]},{"id":"10582.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A federal judge said President Barack Obamas executive action on immigration is unconstitutional.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab, ruled that President Obama's executive action on immigration was unconstitutional, it's important to note that this ruling was specific to a case in Pennsylvania and not a broad declaration of the overall constitutionality of the executive action. Other experts in immigration policy and constitutional law have disagreed with this assessment. Therefore, while there was a federal judge who made this determination in a specific context, it does not represent a definitive ruling on the constitutionality of the executive action as a whole.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12939.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"At $587 apiece, USA would need to bring home about 33.1 BILLION gold medals to pay off our national debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the calculation made by Congressman Rigell, which is supported by the figures provided by the U.S. Treasury Department. Dividing the total national debt of $19.4 trillion by the estimated cost of $587 per gold medal does indeed result in approximately 33.1 billion gold medals needed to pay off the national debt. However, it's important to note that this calculation is purely hypothetical and doesn't take into account the practicality or feasibility of such an endeavor. It serves as a creative way to illustrate the magnitude of the national debt but should not be interpreted as a literal solution or recommendation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"13202.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In other states (where illegal immigrants have been allowed to get drivers licenses) their insurance premiums for everybody have gone down.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. In states where undocumented immigrants have been allowed to obtain driver's licenses, there is evidence to suggest that insurance premiums for everyone have gone down. This is because when undocumented immigrants can obtain driver's licenses, they are more likely to purchase auto insurance, which leads to a larger pool of insured drivers. A larger insured pool can help distribute the risk and potentially lower insurance premiums for all drivers in the state. However, it's important to note that the impact on insurance premiums can vary depending on various factors, including the specific state and its insurance market dynamics.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The U.S. Constitution doesn\u2019t contain an exhaustive list of federal crimes. It does mention three of them: counterfeiting federal coins and securities, piracy and felonies committed on the high seas, and treason -- the ones that Broun mentioned.","Taxpayers are \"on the hook ... for less than a third\" of the proposed new Atlanta Falcons stadium, and those funds are \"repaid from money that comes from outsiders.\"","A recent discussion about federal laws concerning online fetish videos somehow turned into a debate over the size of the U.S. Department of Justice.","U.S. Rep. Paul Broun of Athens voted in 2010 against making the production of \"crush videos\" a federal crime. These horrific videos -- all sides agreed with that assessment -- show animals such as kittens and baby rabbits being killed."]},{"id":"4265.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Two elections in a row (Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus) has screwed up counting the vote","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus has \"screwed up counting the vote\" in two consecutive elections. While Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Mike Tate made this accusation, it is important to note that it is a subjective claim and lacks substantial evidence to support it. It is misleading and unfair to make such a definitive statement without concrete proof of any wrongdoing. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\"If you look at our tax mix, the share of corporate revenues as a percentage of our overall revenue mix has declined by about half over the last 30 years,\" Warner said.","Mark Warner says corporate taxes, as a share of total government revenue, have fallen by half in 30 years. He has focused on 2009, which creates the biggest gap, but Warner\u2019s statement holds true for three other years in the last decade compared with 30 years earlier.","So in the three years before 2009, the share of corporate tax revenue was barely changed from the levels of 30 years ago. The gap in 2010 shrunk substantially from the gap in 2009, and this year\u2019s gap is projected to be even smaller.","But if you go further back, from 2001 through 2003 the corporate revenue was half of that 30 years before. In 2004, payments were about 33 percent lower then 1974, and in 2005 the decrease was about 13 percent."]},{"id":"6927.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Georgia Department of Economic Development assisted with the creation of 28,776 jobs, an increase of 29 percent from last fiscal year, and $5.97 billion in investments, a 32 percent increase.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) assisted in the creation of 28,776 jobs, representing a 29 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. However, it is important to note that the claim of $5.97 billion in investments, a 32 percent increase, lacks specific evidence or a direct citation. Without further information, it is challenging to verify the exact figure. Therefore, while the job creation aspect is supported, the claim regarding investments is not fully substantiated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"547.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Obama opposes innovation, the electric car and \"clean, safe, nuclear energy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. Obama's energy plan supports innovation, the development of electric cars, and includes provisions for clean and safe nuclear energy. There is evidence to support Obama's advocacy for these initiatives, including his statements and policy proposals. Therefore, the claim that Obama opposes these elements is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In this item, we're checking the claim that \"women (are) paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men.\"","( - Barack Obama ad says women are paid \"77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men\"&url=)","PolitiFact, \" Barack Obama ad says women are paid \"77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men,\" June 21, 2012","Here\u2019s the narration: \"The son of a single mom, proud father of two daughters, President Obama knows that women being paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men isn't just unfair, it hurts families. So the first law he signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help ensure that women are paid the same as men for doing the exact same work. Because President Obama knows that fairness for women means a stronger middle class for America.\""]},{"id":"11918.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the one person (Donald Trump)has suggested that would make a good justice is his sister, who is a court of appeals judge appointed by Bill Clinton. She is a hardcore pro-abortion liberal judge.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump's sister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, was appointed by Bill Clinton and served as a court of appeals judge, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that she is a \"hardcore pro-abortion liberal judge.\" While Judge Barry did join in ruling a New Jersey ban on partial-birth abortions as unconstitutional, it is important to note that Justice Alito, who is not considered a \"hardcore pro-abortion liberal judge,\" also joined in that opinion. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Judge Barry's stance on abortion and mischaracterizes her as a \"hardcore pro-abortion liberal judge.\"\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The caucus later sent us a report by the fiscally conservative Georgia Public Policy Foundation that said Georgia ranks 49th in per capita transportation spending. The report did not have a chart showing Georgia in comparison to the other states.","\"Georgia has under-invested in our transportation network for years, and we rank near the bottom in per capita transportation spending,\" House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, an Atlanta Democrat, said in a press release.","Says under her leadership, \"Democrats fought to ... make sure the (2011 HOPE) bill ... prevented the use of ACT\/SAT testing standards.\"","Says Democratic candidate for state school superintendent Alisha Thomas Morgan voted to slash funding for the preschool programs for disabled and special needs students."]},{"id":"11419.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today in America, we have more people in jail than any other country on Earth.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of PolitiFact National, which rated Bernie Sanders' claim as \"Mostly True.\" The United States does indeed have the highest incarcerated population in the world. While the exact number may vary slightly depending on the source and methodology, the evidence supports the assertion that the United States has more people in jail than any other country on Earth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances on a female sheriff\u2019s deputy \"were found by two separate judges to not have merit.\"","Republican congressional candidate Scott Jones recently claimed that allegations he made unwanted sexual advances on a young, female sheriff\u2019s deputy \"were found by two separate judges to not have merit.\"","\"These allegations that supposedly happened 13 years ago, but were never brought up until in this lawsuit a year or so ago, were found by two separate judges to not have merit,\" Jones said.","Republican congressional candidate and Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones continues to face questions about his personal conduct following allegations he made unwanted sexual advances on a 26-year-old female subordinate more than a decade ago."]},{"id":"1662.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"On financial reform, there is \"a million dollars being spent, per congressman, in lobbying expenses on this issue. (The) industry has four lobbyists per member of the House and Senate working on this.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the significant lobbying efforts and financial influence of the pharmaceutical industry on financial reform. While the exact figure of \"a million dollars being spent, per congressman\" may vary, there is substantial evidence to support the claim that the pharmaceutical industry invests significant resources in lobbying and has a considerable number of lobbyists working on financial reform issues. The statement provides a reasonable approximation of the industry's lobbying expenses and the number of lobbyists per member of Congress, making it mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Alan Grayson, a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing central Florida, is a prolific fundraiser. He recently trumpeted his success in an e-mail to supporters on April 26, 2010. Grayson wrote: \"Our Grayson for Congress campaign raised over $800,000 last quarter, from almost 25,000 contributors. That was #1 among all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.\"","But back to the claim we're checking: Grayson said in an e-mail to his supporters that he was \"#1 among all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives.\"","Grayson said, \"I\u2019m the only member of the House of Representatives who raised most of his campaign funds in the last election from small contributions of less than $200.\"","\"I\u2019m the only member of the House of Representatives who raised most of his campaign funds in the last election from small contributions of less than $200.\""]},{"id":"10904.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sixty million Americans depend on Social Security, and one-third of all the seniors in America depend on Social Security for 90 percent of their income.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the statistics provided by the Social Security Administration. Approximately 64 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, and around 36 percent of seniors rely on Social Security for 90 percent of their income. While the statement slightly underestimates the number of Americans receiving Social Security benefits, it is generally true and aligns with official data.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"993.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Already we've identified $2 trillion in deficit reductions over the next decade.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"$2 trillion in deficit reductions over the next decade\" has been identified is partially accurate but lacks context. While it is true that various deficit reduction measures have been proposed or implemented, it is important to note that the effectiveness and realization of these measures are subject to future economic conditions, policy changes, and other factors. Additionally, the statement does not specify the specific time frame or provide details on how these deficit reductions will be achieved. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context and specificity to be considered fully true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["First, we contacted Kottkamp's campaign to ask about the source of their claim. A press representative told us that because water heating makes up anywhere from 17 to 20 percent of the utility bill, a solar water system would reduce our consumption by up to 20 percent.","But there's a flaw in Kottkamp's conclusion because he's assuming a solar heater would eliminate energy consumption. Kottkamp didn't note that most solar water heaters also require a back-up system, usually in the form of an electric or gas heater. And it takes energy to power them.","That's why the Department of Energy says the reduction for water heating energy costs is more along the lines of 50 to 80 percent of the current cost. That means rather than the 17 percent savings Kottkamp cites, it could be as low as 8.5 percent.","According to the U.S. Department of Energy, solar water heaters are indeed a cost-effective way to generate hot water. Although they are generally more expensive to install than conventional systems, the cost is offset through long-term savings: On average, water heating bills drop by 50 to 80 percent. That also reduces carbon dioxide emissions."]},{"id":"1647.json","label":"true","statement":"On oil drilling","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that oil drilling has expanded under President Biden's administration. Experts have noted that drilling domestically is more costly than drilling overseas, which could discourage oil companies in the U.S. from increasing production. Additionally, an energy finance analyst from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis stated that the idea that Biden has reduced oil drilling or production is incorrect. Furthermore, Biden himself acknowledged that there are thousands of permits for oil drilling currently in existence. Overall, the evidence indicates that oil drilling has not been reduced but has instead expanded during Biden's presidency.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The Koch brothers are \"the richest people in the world. Individually, they're only fifth. Put them together they're the richest in the world.\"","\"Is $80 billion of personal wealth for the Koch brothers enough?\" Reid asked. \"I think most everyone would say yes, it's enough. But not the Koch brothers. They want more. They're the richest people in the world. Individually they're only fifth. Put them together they're the richest in the world.\"","Reid said the Koch brothers are \"the richest people in the world. Individually they're only fifth. Put them together they're the richest in the world.\" If you look at families -- which is what Reid is essentially doing -- then Charles and David Koch rank second internationally to six members of the Walton family, at least according to Forbes. That\u2019s still pretty close to the top of the list. We rate his statement Mostly True.","It\u2019s tricky to say definitively who is richer than who, because of privacy issues and fluctuations in market values. But the longstanding yardstick for measuring the world\u2019s richest people comes from Forbes magazine, which publishes both the Forbes 400 (a list of the 400 richest Americans) and the World\u2019s Billionaires (which tracks more than 1,600 billionaires across the globe)."]},{"id":"12310.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Today President Obama said there will NOT be a National Day of Prayer in May.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Obama stated there would not be a National Day of Prayer in May. In fact, the White House has confirmed that President Obama has recognized and participated in the National Day of Prayer during his time in office. The claim circulating on Facebook is a baseless rumor and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Shows in a television ad that police took evidence from Solantic, Rick Scott's new health care company, after allegations emerged that the company was engaging in fraud.","\"In 2008, new allegations emerged that Solantic was also engaging in multiple forms of fraud,\" the narrator says over visuals of flapping yellow sheriff's police tape, a detective in a suit taking notes and men in police T-shirts carrying boxes out of a building.","The Florida Democratic Party launched its first TV ad this year in the governor\u2019s race and the subject is a familiar one: the investigation into Republican Gov. Rick Scott\u2019s former health care company.","The Florida Democratic Party\u2019s TV ad states that when Rick Scott \"was deposed in lawsuits about his company, he took the Fifth 75 times.\""]},{"id":"1078.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"We were promised. The president said we would keep unemployment under 8.5 percent (if the stimulus passed).\"","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made by critics that the White House promised to keep unemployment under 8 percent if the stimulus passed, these claims have been fact-checked and found to be mostly false. The statement in question, attributed to House Republican Whip Eric Cantor, suggests that President Obama made a specific promise regarding unemployment rates. However, fact-checkers have determined that President Obama did not make such a direct promise. The claim is an oversimplification and misrepresentation of statements made by the President. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"They hand out brochures showing individuals how they can avoid our Border Patrol, how they can get into our country,\" Smith said May 20, referring to the Mexican government. His statement came to our attention from Lainey Melnick of Austin, the Democratic nominee challenging Smith in November.","Let's recap. Smith first said that the Mexican government is currently handing out leaflets telling people how to avoid the U.S. Border Patrol and \"get into the country.\" He amended that to say that Mexico has handed out such leaflets in the past and that they included information on how to \"be safe.\" And the Mexican government acknowledged a few years ago that it was distributing information about safely crossing the border.","There is no information on where to cross the border or how to avoid the Border Patrol or U.S. authorities when doing so.","Smith was right when he told Fox News that the Mexican government handed out brochures offering advice to people planning to immigrate to the United States without authorization. And there is an element of truth in Smith\u2019s statement that the information in the pamphlet shows people, as Smith says, \"how they can get into our country,\" but the part of the publication that deals with crossing the border focuses on safety."]},{"id":"6994.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Elizabeth Townsend runs the elections office that omitted a school board race on a ballot and gave a School Board candidate faulty advice.","reason":"Reason: While the evidence provided does highlight incidents involving the elections office, it does not directly establish Elizabeth Townsend's personal involvement in the specific incidents mentioned. The statement implies that Townsend was directly responsible for omitting a school board race on a ballot and giving faulty advice to a School Board candidate, but the evidence does not explicitly support this claim. It is important to differentiate between the actions of the elections office as a whole and the individual responsibility of Elizabeth Townsend. Without more specific information or evidence linking Townsend directly to these incidents, the statement is only partially supported.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["All told, where does that leave Richie's statement that Perry failed to involve border sheriffs in developing plans to prevent violence in their communities?","Boyd Richie, chair of the Texas Democratic Party, also disagrees with the Arizona law, though Richie doesn't think much of Perry. \"For 10 years as governor, Rick Perry has played politics when leadership was needed on border and immigration issues,\" Richie said in a press release issued April 30, \"from wasteful border cameras that cost $153,800 per arrest to his failure to involve border sheriffs in developing plans to prevent violence in their communities.\"","We're focusing on whether Perry has failed to involve sheriffs in border security plans \u2014 especially the \"spillover violence contingency plan\" developed last year. Perry's office earlier spearheaded two other law enforcement initatives on the border, Operation Linebacker in 2006 and Operation Border Star in 2007.","Valdez writes: \"Along with my elected colleagues on the border, I have watched with interest the announcement that you are activating the first phase of your Spillover Violence Contingency Plan. We live on the border and have responsibility for our communities and our citizens. However, at this point we are learning about your plans along with everyone else.\""]},{"id":"9758.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Islamic State, or ISIS, was cast off by al-Qaida because it was considered too extreme.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the general consensus that the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, was indeed cast off by al-Qaida due to its extreme ideology and actions. While it is true that the relationship between the two groups is complex and involves other factors, such as power struggles and ideological differences, the notion that ISIS was considered too extreme by al-Qaida is widely accepted. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"When Social Security started, age expectancy for the average man was 58. It was 62 for women,\" said Beck. \"Wait a minute, when did benefits come in? At 65.\"","Indeed, he was correct. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal agency that tracks birth and death data, says that a man born in 1935, on average, lived until he was 60; a woman typically lived until she was 64. So Beck's claims of 58 and 62 were just off slightly. And Beck was correct that an average person would die before Social Security took effect.","U.S. life expectancy for a person born in 1935 was just under 62 years, according to records from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, girls were expected to live to 64 and boys to 60.","Berkowitz told us that life expectancy at birth - then and now - \"is not a good measure of how many people who are working and paying into Social Security will die before age 65.\" That\u2019s because the life expectancy average is skewed by infant deaths. After infancy is survived, life expectancy goes up."]},{"id":"8744.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Foundation for Government Accountability, which supported a Florida law requiring drug testing of welfare recipients, is a Koch brothers affiliated group.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rachel Maddow referred to the Foundation for Government Accountability as a \"Koch brothers affiliated group,\" it is important to note that the level of affiliation between the organization and the Koch brothers is not clearly defined. While the Foundation for Government Accountability has received funding from various sources, including individuals associated with the Koch brothers, it is not exclusively or directly controlled by the Koch brothers. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately represent the relationship between the organization and the Koch brothers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A Facebook meme suggests she also took to the airwaves to sort of blame Obama for the shootings by an Iraq War veteran at Fort Hood, Texas, that resulted in four deaths and 16 injuries.","!Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., said President Barack Obama can use an executive order to allow illegal immigrants to vote. Is she correct? !Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., said President Barack Obama can use an executive order to allow illegal immigrants to vote. Is she correct?","Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., said President Barack Obama can use an executive order to allow illegal immigrants to vote. Is she correct?","We\u2019ve twice debunked wild posts claiming Bachmann said Jesus wrote the Bible in English and that she said President Barack Obama might be responsible for the April Fort Hood, Texas, shooting spree. Both quotes were made up, so they got our Pants on Fire rating."]},{"id":"8073.json","label":"true","statement":"The Senate immigration bill is filled with things like rewards for au pair agencies, Alaskan seafood processors and Vegas casinos.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the provisions within the Senate immigration bill. The bill does include provisions that could be seen as providing benefits or incentives for au pair agencies, Alaskan seafood processors, and Vegas casinos, among other industries. These provisions have been identified and acknowledged within the legislation itself and have been discussed in various sources. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5976.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"For every one mile of light-rail track that will be built, 16 miles of new road capacity will be built.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that for every one mile of light-rail track built, 16 miles of new road capacity will also be built. This suggests a significant disparity in the allocation of resources towards road infrastructure compared to light-rail projects. While the statement lacks specific evidence or sources, it aligns with the broader understanding that road construction and expansion receive more attention and funding compared to public transportation projects like light-rail. Therefore, the statement is considered mostly true, but additional supporting evidence would further strengthen its credibility.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1750.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"The governor switched his position once again on offshore oil drilling.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the governor changed his position on offshore oil drilling. However, it lacks the context of the specific time frame or the governor's previous positions on the issue. While it suggests a pattern of frequent changes, it does not provide enough information to determine the frequency or extent of the governor's position changes. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The e-mail asserts that Clinton and Obama want to raise capital gains taxes and dividends taxes, as well as raise tax rates for all income levels . We'll look at the capital gains taxes claim here.","But there's another problem with the e-mail's statements, specifically the implication that all home sales are subject to the capital gains tax. Many home sales are exempt from the capital gains tax. As long as they meet rules requiring that they've lived in their home, homeowers don't have to pay the capital gains tax if the profits on their home are less than $250,000 for a single person or $500,000 for a married couple. The rule applies to workers and retirees alike, said Eric Toder, a tax policy expert with the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C.","After promising to raise taxes on capital gains and dividends, President Barack Obama can say he accomplished it ... kind of.","Says Hillary Clinton \"wants to raise taxes on African-American owned businesses to as much as nearly 50 percent more than they're paying now.\""]},{"id":"4363.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States is the No. 1 country in the world for energy resources. We are the king daddy dogs when it comes to energy.","reason":"Reason: While the United States is indeed a significant player in the global energy market and has abundant energy resources, the statement exaggerates the country's position. The United States ranks highly in terms of coal reserves and is a major producer of oil and natural gas. However, when considering overall energy resources, including oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sources, the United States does not hold the top spot. Countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia have larger oil reserves, and other nations have substantial renewable energy resources. Therefore, while the United States is a significant energy producer, it is not accurate to claim that it is the number one country in the world for energy resources.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"During Scott\u2019s tenure, premiums rose while the amount of coverage declined,\" Crist\u2019s plan read. \"In other words, under Rick Scott, homeowners are paying higher premiums for less coverage.\"","The insurance market has been on a rollercoaster ride the past decade, with consumers reeling from the highest costs for homeowner\u2019s insurance in the nation. Are homeowners paying more for less coverage under the current Republican governor? It\u2019s PolitiFact Florida\u2019s policy to check the paper trail very carefully.","We took a look at average premiums for all private homeowners insurance policies over the last eight years. (Crist\u2019s plan referred to all these years except 2014\u2019s first quarter totals, as well, which the state\u2019s Office of Insurance Regulation said were accurate).","It didn\u2019t take long for Charlie Crist to fire a major volley in the battle for the governor\u2019s mansion, taking aim at incumbent Rick Scott\u2019s record on homeowner\u2019s insurance."]},{"id":"6053.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama is a socialist.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama is a socialist is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple sources, including scholars on fiscal policy, have stated that while there may be other terms to describe Obama's policies, labeling them as socialism is inaccurate. The accusation of socialism is often used as a political attack without a basis in fact. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading unfounded claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"No, I remind you that 39 voted for this resolution the other day. The number has been in the 30s when it was to agree with them on the mandate for businesses, the mandate for individuals,\" Pelosi said, \"so this is approximately the same number.\"","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d","The New York Times , \" Seeing opening, House GOP pushes delay on individual mandate in health law,\" July 10, 2013","As Politico noted shortly after Obama made the claim, Obama is incorrect, at least by the most literal reading. The final measure passed by a 54-42 margin, with two Republicans not voting. All 54 who voted for the measure were either Democrats or independents who caucus with the Democrats. All 42 who voted against the measure were Republicans. Not a single member of the Senate crossed party lines on that vote."]},{"id":"8176.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under a new law regulating abortions, Even if youre raped, if you dont report it in the first 30 days, the Republicans will force you to have an ultrasound.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is accurate that some states have implemented laws regulating abortions and requiring ultrasounds, the claim that Republicans will force individuals to have an ultrasound if they don't report a rape within 30 days is misleading. The specific requirement mentioned in the statement does not apply universally across all states or to all Republicans. It is crucial to consider the specific provisions and variations of abortion laws in different states rather than making a blanket statement about Republicans as a whole. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Social Security. It means independence, a secure income,\" the ad's narrator says. \"But shockingly, Sharron Angle wants to wipe out Social Security.\"","We addressed the Scientology angle in a separate report. Here, we're looking at whether Angle \"wants to wipe out Social Security.\"","The most on-point story was one from the Associated Press, dated June 1, 2010, that began, \"Sharron Angle wants to wipe out Social Security, shutter the Education Department and return to the days almost a century ago when the federal income tax was unconstitutional. ...","\"She'd cut benefits for everyone coming into the system,\" the narrator says. \"That's Sharron Angle. First, a Scientology plan to give massages to prisoners. Now she wants to get rid of Medicare and Social Security. What's next?\""]},{"id":"7611.json","label":"false","statement":"Assertions that it makes no difference whether children are raised by heterosexual or homosexual parents have been shattered by the latest and best social science and research.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that assertions regarding the impact of heterosexual or homosexual parents on children have been shattered by the latest social science and research. While there may be differing opinions and studies on this topic, the evidence presented does not conclusively demonstrate that there is a consensus or that all claims have been refuted. It is important to acknowledge that research in this area is ongoing and complex, and it is not accurate to make a blanket statement that all assertions have been shattered.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Goldberg said Thor \"is no longer worthy to hold that damn hammer of his. And for the first time in history that hammer is being held by a woman.\"","While this is the first time a woman will be Thor, it\u2019s not the first time a woman has held Thor\u2019s hammer. Storm, Rogue, DC\u2019s Wonder Woman and Jane Foster are among the female characters who have held Thor\u2019s hammer, mostly in alternate storylines.","\"Thor, the God of Thunder, he messed up,\" Goldberg said in the July 15, 2014, segment. \"He is no longer worthy to hold that damn hammer of his. And for the first time in history that hammer is being held by a woman.\"","Still, Storm is one example of a woman who held the hammer in a story within regular continuity \"if people are worried about it,\" Johnson said. Storm uses Thor\u2019s hammer in the 2011 comic X-Men: To Serve and Protect #3 to destroy an imitation hammer called Stormcaster given to her by Loki (again, bad intentions) in a 1985 comic."]},{"id":"2193.json","label":"half-true","statement":"In my attorney generals office, weve cut the budget 18 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the budget has been cut by 18 percent in the attorney general's office is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided does not support this specific claim. While the evidence mentions projections of deficits as a percentage of GDP, it does not provide any information directly related to budget cuts in the attorney general's office. Without further evidence or clarification, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement can be considered half-true as it lacks sufficient evidence to support the specific percentage mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We decided to look at whether Rubio is correct that only \"three or four countries\" out of more than 60 in the anti-ISIS coalition \"are providing military force.\"","Such data is consistent with Rubio\u2019s statement, though determining the exact number of U.S. allies taking a significant role in \"providing military force\" is tricky due to a lack of transparency among some of the countries that belong to the coalition. The Pentagon only publicly breaks down the data into U.S. and non-U.S. strikes in Syria and Iraq \u2014 not further by individual nation.","\"I don\u2019t have concrete data, but I\u2019d say that the number nine is roughly correct if one is talking about military action,\" O\u2019Hanlon wrote in an email.","\"Listen, I mean, there's three or four countries that are providing military force. And the rest are signed on on paper but are not contributing significantly to the cause,\" Rubio said in a Dec. 12 interview for NBC\u2019s Meet the Press. \"The truth is the most important countries that need to be contributing, including men on the ground to fight, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, other Gulf kingdoms, are not.\""]},{"id":"8923.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamacare includes a $700 billion cut from Medicare for seniors.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) includes reductions in Medicare spending, the statement lacks important context. The $700 billion figure refers to projected savings over a ten-year period, achieved through various cost-saving measures such as reducing overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans and implementing payment reforms. These savings are not direct cuts to benefits for seniors, but rather reductions in spending growth. It is important to note that Medicare spending still increases over time, and the savings primarily come from insurers and hospitals rather than beneficiaries. Additionally, the $700 billion figure is outdated, as it has been updated to approximately $800 billion. Therefore, the statement is partially true but requires additional context to provide a more accurate understanding of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The company is among the worst in toxic air pollution in the entire United States,\" he said during a July 11 floor speech. \"Koch Industries churns out more climate-changing greenhouse gases than oil giants Chevron, Shell and Valero.\"","Reached by email, a Reid spokesperson cited a 2014 Rolling Stone article detailing the history behind the Koch family\u2019s \"Toxic Empire,\" particularly a line stating \"Koch's climate pollution ... outpaces oil giants including Valero, Chevron and Shell.\"","The corporation is ranked 13th on the \"Toxic 100 Air Polluters\" list due to the roughly 31 million pounds of toxic air releases reported by the facilities owned by the Kochs. But Koch Industries does have many more facilities than Shell, Chevron and Valero.","The survey puts them ahead of the oil companies mentioned by Reid \u2014 Chevron (32nd), Royal Dutch Shell (27th) and Valero (26th) all produced fewer emissions in 2014 than Koch Industries, according to the report."]},{"id":"12064.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The rate of U.S. female homicide victimsoutnumbers 24 other developed countries by more than 2 to 1.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Everytown for Gun Safety, which states that the rate of U.S. female homicide victims is more than 2\u00bd times higher than the rates in 24 other developed countries combined. However, it's important to note that the latest estimates indicate that the difference is not as extreme as initially claimed. While the United States does have a significantly higher rate of female homicides compared to other developed countries, it is not precisely 2 to 1. The statement captures the general trend but lacks the precise accuracy of the actual ratio.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["From 2000 to 2008, we averaged \"about five mass shootings a year. We're now averaging 15. So that's a three-fold increase.\"","\"The problem is, it's even bigger than that,\" Thomas said. \"Between 2008 and 2000 roughly, we were averaging about five mass shootings a year. We're now averaging 15. So that's a three-fold increase.\"","Thomas said that mass shootings have tripled since the 2000 to 2008 period and the country now sees about 15 episodes a year. The study that matches those figures looked at a different form of violence and included instances where no one was murdered. The study\u2019s author told us that mass murders, as defined by the FBI, have not increased.","Using its approach, Mother Jones found that the rate of these killings has gone up over time. During the period 2000 to 2008, there were 1.8 mass murders a year. From 2009 to 2013, the rate doubled to 3.6 events per year. This shows an increase, but not as large as Thomas suggested."]},{"id":"11342.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Ronald Reagan reversed his worlds largest tax cut and raised taxes when revenues did not match the expectations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the actions taken by Ronald Reagan regarding taxes. While Reagan did sign a significant tax cut into law, he later implemented tax increases when the expected revenues did not align with the budget expectations. This demonstrates a willingness to adjust tax policies based on changing economic conditions and fiscal needs. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some nuance, as it does not provide specific details about the magnitude or timing of the tax increases. Nevertheless, the overall claim that Reagan reversed his tax cut and raised taxes when revenues did not meet expectations is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["( - Sylvia Romo says Lloyd Doggett made millions off companies like Bank of America while they took taxpayer bailout money&url=)","The mailer from Romo, the Bexar County tax assessor-collector, says: \"While in Congress, Lloyd Doggett made millions. He made millions off companies like Bank of America while they took taxpayer bailout money and foreclosed on our homes.\"","We are focusing this review on Romo\u2019s statement that Doggett made millions off companies like Bank of America while they fielded bailout money.","That may be. Then again, Romo\u2019s mailer says Doggett made millions off companies like Bank of America \"while\" those companies took the bailout aid. Why consider Doggett\u2019s investment earnings over his House career?"]},{"id":"8452.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wendy Davis is threatening to raise taxes up to $35 billion.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Greg Abbott claimed Wendy Davis is threatening to raise taxes up to $35 billion, fact-checkers have found this claim to be mostly false. Wendy Davis did not explicitly call for a $35 billion tax increase. She expressed support for a study involving legislative and public input to evaluate tax exemptions, without specifying any particular exemption that she believed should be repealed. Therefore, the statement that Wendy Davis is threatening to raise taxes up to $35 billion is an exaggeration and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas, who is running for re-election, was targeted in a recent flier from the Tigard-based Freedom and Responsibility PAC. The flier, among other things, said Savas helped table a motion under which \"Residents could have received nearly $48M for Local Schools, Fire District, Sheriff\u2019s Dept. and Social Services.\"","On the other point, Savas said his vote actually saved Clackamas County residents nearly $20 million. Why? Because the $20 million claimed on the flier as destined for the North Clackamas School District actually would have gone to the State School Fund.","Savas took issue with two of the flier\u2019s key points: that the money could have been returned to \"residents\" and that $48 million was eligible for return.","The districts temporarily freeze the amount of property taxes collected for public services such as police, fire protection and schools, then redirect the money to improvement projects inside the district. The tax base is unfrozen when the district ends, allowing public service providers to begin collecting taxes on the new, higher property values."]},{"id":"13441.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Roy Blunt voted to raise his own pay 12 times while in Congress.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Roy Blunt voted in favor of measures that could have blocked or limited automatic cost-of-living increases, it is misleading to claim that he directly voted to raise his own pay 12 times. The statement fails to provide the necessary context that these votes were related to cost-of-living adjustments rather than explicit pay raises. Blunt's votes were not specifically targeted at increasing his own salary but rather involved broader legislation that impacted the salaries of all members of Congress. Therefore, the claim that Blunt voted to raise his own pay 12 times is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the nature of his votes.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"318.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Mitt Romney wants \"to set a date for withdrawal\" from Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Mitt Romney wants \"to set a date for withdrawal\" from Iraq is not entirely accurate. Romney has not explicitly advocated for setting a specific date for withdrawal. When discussing timetables for troop withdrawal, Romney has emphasized the importance of meeting benchmarks or goals for progress in Iraq. While there may be differing interpretations of his statements, it is misleading to claim that Romney wants to set a specific date for withdrawal. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Sheldon Whitehouse said that \"61 percent of non-tea party Republicans actually agree . . . there is 'solid evidence the earth is warming,' . . . but 70 percent of tea partiers, contrarily, say there is 'no solid evidence' the earth is warming.\"","\"61 percent of non-tea party Republicans actually is 'solid evidence the earth is warming,' ...but 70 percent of tea partiers, contrarily, say there is 'no solid evidence' the earth is warming.\"","\"Another national survey, this one by the Pew Research Center, found that most -- 61 percent of non-tea party Republicans -- actually agree, actually agree there is 'solid evidence the earth is warming,' with a plurality saying it is 'mostly because of humans,'\" Whitehouse said.","\"But the tea partiers are different,\" he added. \"Seventy percent of tea partiers, contrarily, say there is 'No solid evidence' the earth is warming. And 41 percent of tea partiers assert that warming is 'Just not happening.'\""]},{"id":"12823.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump claimed our armed forces are a disaster.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Hillary Clinton's claim that Donald Trump referred to the armed forces as \"a disaster.\" Trump has criticized the state of the military and made statements about the reduction in military spending and the shrinking size of the armed forces. While he did not explicitly use the term \"disaster,\" his comments imply a negative assessment of the military's condition. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Romney wants to \"take away early childhood education, slash K-12 funding, and cut college aid \u2026 to pay for a $250,000 tax break for multi-millionaires.\"","Says Mitt Romney\u2019s tax plans would \"give an additional $250,000 tax cut to millionaires and billionaires\" while raising taxes on the middle class.","\"I'm not going to cut education funding. I don't have any plan to cut education funding and grants that go to people going to college. I'm planning on continuing to grow, so I'm not planning on making changes there,\" Romney said.","\"So think about this: Mitt Romney\u2019s plan rolls back regulations on the banks that crashed our economy. Medicare: voucherized. Catastrophic cuts to education. Millionaires will get one of the largest tax cuts ever, while middle class families pay more."]},{"id":"3421.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In fighting collective bargaining changes, Democrats are trying to protect a system that pays unionized government workers 42 percent more than non-union workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it fails to provide important context. While the ad claims that unionized government workers are paid 42 percent more than non-union workers, this figure is not adjusted for important factors such as differences between states and the inclusion of benefits. The study cited in the ad does not account for these variations either. Additionally, the ad's wording might lead viewers to believe that it is comparing government workers to private employees, when in fact it is comparing public union workers with public non-union workers. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it lacks crucial context and can be misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama \"came into office very concerned about\" wiretappings but \"then he became president of the United States, he got all the briefings \u2026 (and) he decided \u2026 the balance is probably pretty appropriately struck.\"","Kristol said Obama \"came into office very concerned about\" wiretappings but \"then he became president of the United States, he got all the briefings \u2026 (and) he decided \u2026 the balance is probably pretty appropriately struck.\"","\"I\u2019m sorry, then he became president of the United States,\" Kristol replied. \"He got all the briefings, he saw seriously what was going on, and basically he decided, I think, correctly, that you know what, the balance is probably pretty appropriately struck. Now he\u2019s shifting ... entirely because of optics.\"","\"I don\u2019t agree with all the stuff, \u2018Thank God for Edward Snowden, we wouldn\u2019t be having this debate.\u2019 We had a big debate in Congress on this in 2006, 2007, and in fact we passed legislation in 2007. We had a big debate about this, President (Barack) Obama discussed this. President Obama is a constitutional law professor, he came into office very concerned about the terrible ...\""]},{"id":"10550.json","label":"true","statement":"The potential Iran nuclear agreement would limit Iran to the number of centrifuges needed for a weapon but too few for a nuclear power program.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the analysis provided by former CIA deputy director Michael Morell. Morell explains that limiting Iran to a small number of centrifuges, such as around 5,000, would be sufficient for a nuclear weapon but inadequate for a nuclear power program. This analysis highlights the importance of limiting centrifuge capacity as a negotiating point in the potential Iran nuclear agreement.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In 2015, Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. While on trial for Lloyd\u2019s murder, he was also indicted for a 2012 double-homicide. In 2017, he was acquitted of most of the charges in that case, days before he was found dead in his prison cell.","The newspaper said that while the situation was unprecedented (Hernandez was the first player in NFL history to be convicted of first-degree murder during his playing days and the first to die under such circumstances) he was \"almost certainly\" in breach of his contract:","After Netflix released its docuseries, \"Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez,\" claims about the former NFL player\u2019s contract and infamous murder case have resurfaced on social media.","Hernandez was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2010. He played for the team until the 2013 offseason, when he was arrested and charged in the murder of Odin Lloyd, a semi-professional player who had been found shot to death on June 17, 2013. The Patriots released Hernandez immediately after the arrest."]},{"id":"12836.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Liberia, a girl is more likely to be married by 18 than to know how to read.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on outdated data from a 2007 survey, which has since been updated by a more recent 2013 Demographic and Health Survey. According to the newer survey, it shows that 35.9 percent of Liberian women aged 20 to 24 reported being married by the time they were 18. While this data suggests a significant number of early marriages, it does not support the claim that a girl in Liberia is more likely to be married by 18 than to know how to read. In fact, the more recent data indicates that young Liberian women are more likely to know how to read than to be married. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the current situation in Liberia.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Barack Obama likes Republicans. And Republicans appreciate Barack Obama. He has worked closely with GOP members in the Illinois state Senate and in the U.S. Senate, pushing legislation ranging from expanding children's health insurance to political reforms.","In a TV ad, Barack Obama is praised by Kirk Dillard, a Republican state senator in Illinois. \"Sen. Obama worked on some of the deepest issues we had and was successful in a bipartisan way,\" Dillard says.","He's had more success on energy and political reform issues, working with Republican Sens. Richard Lugar of Indiana and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. Senate-watchers say Obama hasn't been around Washington long enough to gain much of a reputation as a legislator.","But one former top Senate aide, a Republican, said Obama has not been in Washington long enough to earn the bipartisan credentials he claims."]},{"id":"9461.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"It would be illegal for the Fulton County Commission to raise the county tax rate.","reason":"Reason: Based on the evidence provided, it is accurate to say that it would be illegal for the Fulton County Commission to raise the county tax rate. House Bill 604 prohibits Fulton County from raising taxes until 2015, and any tax increase above the rollback rate would violate that law. State lawmakers, including Senator John Albers, have stated that the commission's actions to increase property taxes are both illegal and immoral. However, it's important to note that the final decision on the tax rate will be made by the commission, and they have the authority to adjust the rate from the one advertised. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it should be understood that the commission has the power to make adjustments within legal boundaries.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This year President Obama canceled the 21st annual National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House under the ruse of \u2018not wanting to offend anyone.' BUT \u2026 on September 25, 2009 from 4 AM until 7 PM, a National Day of Prayer FOR THE MUSLIM RELIGION was HELD on Capitol Hill, Beside the White House.\"","\"This year President Obama canceled the 21st annual National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House under the ruse of \u2018not wanting to offend anyone,\u2019\" the email reads. \"BUT \u2026 on September 25, 2009 from 4 AM until 7 PM, a National Day of Prayer FOR THE MUSLIM RELIGION was HELD on Capitol Hill, Beside the White House.\"","A chain email circulating in New Jersey that Obama canceled the 21st annual National Day of Prayer ceremony in 2009 but a National Day of Prayer for Muslims was held later that year on Capitol Hill is full of inaccuracies. While it\u2019s true that Obama did not hold a public ceremony at the White House that President George W. Bush did, it\u2019s untrue that the ceremony would have been the 21st annual event. But wait \u2013 there\u2019s more: the email\u2019s author incorrectly located Capitol Hill as \"beside\" the White House and identified Muslim as a religion. Despite the numerous errors in the email, it does contain an element of truth -- and that fits the Truth-O-Meter\u2019s definition for Mostly False.","Next, let\u2019s review the claim about \"a National Day of Prayer FOR THE MUSLIM RELIGION\" being held \"on Capitol Hill, Beside the White House.\""]},{"id":"10776.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"SaidPresident Barack Obama said he was going to stop (signature strikes).","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence that President Obama expressed concerns about the risks associated with signature strikes, there is no clear instance where he explicitly stated that he was going to stop using them. The sources indicate that President Obama's statements and actions regarding signature strikes were more nuanced, focusing on the need for caution and minimizing civilian casualties. Therefore, the statement that President Obama said he was going to stop signature strikes is not entirely accurate and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The Tax Foundation figures Rhode Island as the 10th highest state for state and local tax burden per capita in the country. We're the 6th worst in the country for the business tax index. We're the 3rd highest per capita in the country for all taxes.\"","\"The Tax Foundation figures Rhode Island as the 10th highest state for state and local tax burden per capita in the country,\" Palumbo told the crowd of about 500. \"We're the sixth worst in the country for the business tax index. We're the third highest per capita in the country for all taxes.\"","However we couldn't find any indication, even in the older report, that \"we're the third highest per capita in the country for all taxes.\" In the 2010 report it says we ranked 10th. The only measure by which Rhode Island ranked third was in state debt per capita.","State and local tax burden : The latest study, compiled from 2009 data and released in February 2011, ranks Rhode Island as the fifth worst in the country, not the 10th, as Palumbo told the crowd. By the Foundation's assessment, things are even worse than he asserted."]},{"id":"4355.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the national debt and President Barack Obamas refusal to control spending led to our nations credit rating being downgraded for the first time in history.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The credit rating of the United States was indeed downgraded for the first time in history during President Obama's tenure. However, attributing the downgrade solely to the national debt and President Obama's refusal to control spending is an oversimplification. The downgrade by Standard & Poor's in 2011 was influenced by various factors, including concerns about the political climate and the ability of the government to address long-term fiscal challenges. While the national debt and spending decisions played a role, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the downgrade to President Obama's actions or inaction.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6537.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2008, candidate Barack Obama attacked John McCain for proposing cuts to Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that in 2008, candidate Barack Obama criticized his opponent, John McCain, for proposing cuts to Medicare. This was a notable point of contention during the presidential campaign. \nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4224.json","label":"false","statement":"One of the biggest polluters in our country is the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.","reason":"Reason: While the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District has been criticized for its handling of untreated waste water, there is no evidence to support the claim that it is one of the biggest polluters in the country. The statement lacks factual basis and fails to provide any comparative data or reliable sources to support the claim. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing environmental issues and the ranking of polluters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Haley was born in South Carolina, and is no more an immigrant than Coulter, who describes herself of Scottish descent. We rate Coulter\u2019s claim Pants on Fire.","\"Born in Bamberg, the daughter of Indian immigrants, Gov. Haley\u2019s first job was keeping the books for her family\u2019s clothing store -- at the age of 13,\" reads the website of the South Carolina office of the governor. Bamberg, S.C., is a small city with a population of less than 4,000 people. You may not have heard of it. But it is definitely in the United States.","Nikki Haley was the governor of South Carolina 2011-2017 and then served as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the UN in 2017 and 2018.","A screenshot of a Twitter reply to Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina, accuses her of hiding her heritage in a post that\u2019s spreading widely on social media."]},{"id":"12501.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the United States has treaties with apparently 69 countries where we are obligated to defend their borders. And these were treaties that were executive treaties, not authorized by Congress.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States has treaties with multiple countries, the statement exaggerates the extent of the obligations. The treaties mentioned do exist, but the level of commitment and the specific actions required vary significantly. The United States is not obligated to defend the borders of all 69 countries mentioned in the statement. Additionally, the claim that these treaties were solely executive treaties, without congressional authorization, is incorrect. The Senate, as part of its constitutional powers, considered most of these treaties. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks important nuance and overstates the extent of the obligations and the role of Congress.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Tim Kaine doubled down in his support of devastating defense cuts, saying the \u2018the deal was the right thing to do.\u2019\"","\"Tim Kaine doubled down in his support of devastating defense cuts, saying the \u2018the deal was the right thing to do,\u2019\" the webpage proclaims.","There\u2019s no doubt Kaine backed the debt-limit agreement at the time and does not second-guess his support. He said, during a debate this summer, \"the deal was the right thing to do.\" So Kaine cannot divorce himself from the consequences of the deal.","So we took a look at Allen\u2019s claim that Kaine not only backed the automatic defense cuts, but has \"doubled down\" in his support of them."]},{"id":"93.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Social Security ... is solid through about 2040 without any changes whatsoever.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Social Security actuaries' report, which indicates that the Social Security system is projected to remain financially stable until around 2041 without any changes. However, it's important to note that beyond that point, the system would face challenges as the annual cost of paying out benefits would exceed the payroll tax revenue. Therefore, while the system is considered \"solid\" until around 2040, it would require attention and potential adjustments to ensure its long-term sustainability.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In an interview on CNN's American Morning on March 5, 2008, Clinton said, \"I've been standing up against . . . the Chinese government over women's rights and standing up for human rights.\"","Pointing to her experience confronting a foreign giant on a diplomatically sensitive matter, Sen. Hillary Clinton takes credit for pressuring the Chinese government to recognize women's rights, and for taking the Beijing government to task for its overall human rights record.","Clinton has made similar claims in campaign speeches. In a foreign policy address at George Washington University in Washington on Feb. 25, she said, \"I went to Beijing in 1995 and spoke out for women's rights and human rights. The Chinese government wasn't happy; they pulled the plug on the broadcast of my speech. But I took that as a compliment. Because it was important for the United States both to be represented and to make absolutely clear that human rights is an integral part of our foreign policy and that women's rights is key to that. What we have learned is that where women are oppressed and denied their basic rights we are more likely to have regimes that are more adversarial to American interests and values.\"","\"It is time for us to say here in Beijing, and the world to hear, that it is no longer acceptable to discuss women's rights as separate from human rights,\" Clinton said. \"It is a violation of human rights when babies are denied food, or drowned, or suffocated, or their spines broken, simply because they are born girls.\""]},{"id":"7679.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says under his utility rate plan, An estimated 50 percent of our residential households will see a decrease in their water and wastewater bills.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that under the utility rate plan, an estimated 50 percent of residential households will see a decrease in their water and wastewater bills. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific details about the utility rate plan, such as the timeframe and specific conditions under which these decreases would occur. Without further information, it is difficult to fully assess the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is categorized as mostly-true, as it accurately conveys the claim made but lacks some necessary context for a comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Twenty five percent of all drug-related fatal vehicle accidents in the U.S. involve marijuana,\" the group says under the header \" Statistics\" (the number is repeated on an infographic on the site).","First of all, we have to note this check began when we noticed on Aug. 4, 2014, that the Statistics page actually had the sentence, \"25 percent of all fatal vehicle accidents in the U.S. involve marijuana.\" That certainly sounded like too much to us, so we asked the group about it.","That 25-percent figure seems to track with other studies of drug-related fatal crashes, however. One 2011 study from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton, Md., examined fatal single-vehicle accidents between 1998 and 2009 that involved speeding, failure to obey or yield, inattention and failure to use a seat belt.","Alcohol still remains the most abused substance involved in fatal drug-related accidents -- as high as 60 percent, depending on the year and study."]},{"id":"6894.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan would eliminate the guarantee of Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan proposed changes to Medicare, it is important to note that their plan did not completely eliminate the guarantee of Medicare. Instead, their proposal involved transitioning Medicare into a system that included a combination of traditional fee-for-service and private insurance options. This would have introduced more choice and competition into the Medicare program. However, the guarantee of Medicare coverage for eligible individuals would still have remained in place. Therefore, while the statement correctly highlights proposed changes to Medicare, it exaggerates the extent of the impact by suggesting the complete elimination of the guarantee.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Messy reality: It also shows up in our fact-checking of the law\u2019s supporters. We\u2019ve noticed that politicians who support the Affordable Care Act tend to paint an overly rosy picture of the health care law -- even when evidence contradicts their optimistic statements.","\"A small majority of Americans don\u2019t think they like the Affordable Care Act, but a large majority of Americans don\u2019t want to do away with the protections that are in the Affordable Care Act.\"","Although the poll results are consistent with each other, they produce lower favorability ratings than polls about health care reform that refer to the \"Affordable Care Act\" as opposed to \"Obamacare,\" according to CNBC.","Another caveat to the poll results Gingrich references is the fact that a sizable segment of the public is misinformed or uninformed about the details of Obamacare. In fact, four in 10 polled by the Kaiser Family Foundation in April were unaware that the Affordable Care Act is still law. So many people indicate that they don\u2019t favor Obamacare not because they don\u2019t agree with the policy, but because they don\u2019t understand the policy."]},{"id":"12852.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We have a fire marshal that said, Oh we cant allow more people ... And the reason they wont let them in is because they dont know what the hell theyre doing.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump regarding the fire marshal is not supported by credible evidence. There is no indication that the fire marshal's decision to limit the number of people was based on incompetence or lack of knowledge. Fire marshals are responsible for ensuring public safety and adhering to occupancy limits set by building codes. Their decisions are made to prevent overcrowding and potential hazards in case of emergencies. Accusing the fire marshal of incompetence without any substantiated evidence is misleading and unfounded.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9106.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have been teaching these (Common Core) standards in Florida schools since 2010.","reason":"Reason: While Representative Adkins claimed that Common Core standards have been taught in Florida schools since 2010, there is no concrete evidence to support this statement. The state Education Department acknowledged that districts could have started teaching the standards as early as 2010, but there is no available data to confirm that any districts actually did so. Therefore, the claim is not entirely accurate and lacks substantial evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Among the statistics cited was this one: \"The total unemployment rate for Hispanic or Latino workers has increased from 10% to 10.3%.\" The time frame was between January 2009 and March 2012.","The Romney campaign said that \"the total unemployment rate for Hispanic or Latino workers has increased from 10% to 10.3%\" between January 2009 and March 2012. The numbers the Romney team cites are accurate, but they may not be statistically significant, and if you use equally plausible time frames, the numbers tell a dramatically different story. These amount to missing critical facts that would have given a different impression. That's our definition of Mostly False.","So in reality, the January 2009 figure might have been as high as 10.3 percent instead of 10 and the March 2012 figure could have been as low as 10 percent instead of 10.3. (Or it could have risen from 9.7 percent to 10.6 percent over the same period -- we just don\u2019t know.)","We turned to unemployment data produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the federal government\u2019s official agency for such numbers. We found that the Hispanic unemployment rate in January 2009 was indeed 10.0 percent, and the rate in March 2012 -- the most recent month available -- was 10.3 percent."]},{"id":"6403.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed the Quiones Plan because it was taxation without representation on a large scale.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Governor Jeb Bush vetoed the \"Qui\u00f1ones Plan\" because he believed it would result in taxation without representation on a large scale. The evidence provided includes a quote from Bush's veto message that supports this claim. However, it is important to note that the evidence lacks context about the specific details of the \"Qui\u00f1ones Plan\" and why it was considered taxation without representation. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the full extent of the accuracy of the statement. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11618.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says crime statistics show blacks kill 81 percent of white homicide victims.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that crime statistics show blacks kill 81 percent of white homicide victims is not supported by accurate data. In fact, the opposite is true. Overwhelmingly, white homicide victims are killed by other white individuals, while black homicide victims are predominantly killed by other black individuals. Multiple sources, including the FBI and the Justice Department, have consistently reported these trends. The claim made in the statement is misleading and does not align with the available data.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The reference bureau said much of this net increase can be attributed to the proposed increase in capital gains taxes as well as the proposed reduction in manufacturer tax breaks.","\u201cTitle 42 has fueled the border crisis. In 2019, 7 percent of illegal border crossings were repeated crossings. Today the rate is 27 percent.\u201d","Says Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson \u201ccalled climate change \u2018bull----\u2019 during a record heatwave\u201d and \u201craked in over $700k in fossil fuel cash.\u201d","Says Gov. Tony Evers \"wanted to increase your taxes by $1 billion just for heating your homes. Instead, Republicans cut your taxes by more than $2 billion.\""]},{"id":"4176.json","label":"false","statement":"If youre from Guatemala and you are found illegally in Mexico, you are automatically jailed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Mexico does have immigration laws and enforcement measures, it does not automatically jail individuals from Guatemala or any other country if they are found to be in the country illegally. Mexico, like many other countries, has its own immigration policies and procedures, which may include detention or deportation for individuals found to be in violation of those policies. However, it is incorrect to claim that individuals from Guatemala are automatically jailed if found illegally in Mexico.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7852.json","label":"false","statement":"On oil drilling off Virginias coast.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, has expressed opposition to drilling for oil off Virginia's coast. He explicitly stated that he does not support drilling for oil in an online interview with The Washington Post. Additionally, the bill that would have allowed drilling off Virginia's coast did not pass in the House of Representatives. Therefore, the claim that McAuliffe supports oil drilling off Virginia's coast is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6886.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When Congress voted to condemn Iran for sentencing a Christian pastor to death, (U.S. Rep. Lois) Capps was the only member who voted no.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that U.S. Rep. Lois Capps voted against H. Res. 556, which condemned Iran for the sentencing of Youcef Nadarkhani, it is important to note that the bill was a non-binding resolution and did not have any direct impact on the situation. Capps' vote against the resolution does not necessarily indicate a lack of concern for religious freedom or support for Iran's actions. It is crucial to consider the broader context and motivations behind the vote before drawing conclusions about Capps' stance on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Washington Post, \"\u2018The worst economic recovery America has ever had\u2019: Scott Pelley\u2019s soon-to-be starring 2012 election role,\" Aug. 3, 2012","The blog item discusses political ads by Republicans that use a snippet from a July 17, 2012 CBS newscast in which anchor Scott Pelley says: \"This is the worst economic recovery America has ever seen.\"","In the opening passage of his new book, Walker cites the slow pace of the economic recovery as one of the woes facing Wisconsin. He says it\u2019s the worst economic recovery the U.S. has ever had.","\"There are tens of millions of Americans living that way after the worst recovery from an economic recession since World War II,\" Christie said."]},{"id":"770.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"As mayor, every year I was in office I did reduce taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"As mayor, every year I was in office I did reduce taxes\" is difficult to verify without specific evidence or context. It is possible that the speaker did reduce taxes during their time as mayor, but without further information, it is challenging to determine the frequency or extent of those tax reductions. To provide a more accurate assessment, additional details or data regarding the specific tax reductions implemented during the speaker's tenure would be necessary.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3128.json","label":"false","statement":"Six institutions in our country now control two thirds of the capital.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that six financial institutions in the United States have significant assets, the claim that they control two-thirds of the capital in the country is not accurate. The evidence provided states that these institutions have assets equivalent to 60 percent of the GDP, which is not the same as controlling two-thirds of the capital. Additionally, the evidence refers to a study that lists international banks, not specifically U.S. banks. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not reflect the true state of capital control in the United States.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Rising health care costs have handicapped consumers and choked family budgets,\" Moran, D-8th, saidin a Sept. 12 statement. \"Thankfully, that growth has been reined in through the Affordable Care Act.\"","Of course, this is a comparison between two scenarios that both take into account the Affordable Care Act. So some of these changes might have to do with costs associated with the Affordable Care Act, but those costs wouldn\u2019t have existed if the law hadn\u2019t been enacted in the first place.","Of course, we should note that the aging population would have happened independent of the Affordable Care Act, and health care costs were rising for years before the law was signed.","That said, there is debate among health economists over how much of the downward trend is specifically attributable to the Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"12886.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Bruce Rauner is of record that he will fully support the Trump candidacy. Its documented. Its available.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which confirms that Bruce Rauner, a Republican politician, has stated that he would fully support the Republican presidential nominee, including Donald Trump. Rauner's statement was made in March, where he explicitly mentioned supporting the nominee of the Republican Party. While the evidence does not provide specific articles or sources, the statement is supported by the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2454.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"State pension fund staffers lost billions. Then Sink gave them bonuses.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the state pension fund experienced losses, it is misleading to directly attribute those losses to the actions of state pension fund staffers and imply that Alex Sink personally gave them bonuses. The bonuses were given to staffers prior to the fund's loss in value, and Sink did not have direct control over the risky investments made. The statement oversimplifies the situation and misleads viewers by suggesting a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the losses and the bonuses. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5726.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Austin school district calendar lists 64 different dates for either a state-mandated test or make-up test.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there are multiple state-mandated tests and make-up opportunities listed on the Austin school district calendar, the correct number is closer to 34, not 64. Additionally, many of the state tests are scheduled for the same dates, and it is important to note that no students are taking tests on all 34 dates or even close to that number. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the number of testing dates listed on the calendar.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2716.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most of the newspapers that endorsed Alex Sink also endorsed Barack Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the fact-checking analysis, nine out of the 16 newspapers that endorsed Alex Sink also endorsed Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign. While this does not constitute an overwhelming majority, it does indicate that a significant portion of the newspapers that supported Sink also supported Obama. Therefore, the statement is generally accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3015.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Were worse than a Third World country in terms of water quality and the way we treat our sewage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is not accurate to claim that the United States is worse than a Third World country in terms of water quality and sewage treatment, there are still areas where improvements can be made. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is a reliable source for assessing environmental quality, and it provides insights into the United States' performance in terms of drinking water and sanitation. While the United States performs relatively well in absolute terms, there are still risks and challenges associated with unsafe drinking water and sanitation. Therefore, while the statement exaggerates the situation, it does highlight the need for continued efforts to improve water quality and sewage treatment in certain areas.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["So now PolitiFact is making it our cause. We\u2019ll fact-check the Twitter chatter stating that the federal government is funding a study about duck penises amid the austere cuts of sequestration.","Yet even in this budget climate, your federal government still has the money to pay for -- please disregard our blushing -- a study examining duck penises.","Folks in the twitterverse said the federal government is cutting services, furloughing employees and cancelling White House tours, but it still has the money to pay for a study examining duck penises.","Sequestration has led to spats about funding everything from air traffic controllers to preschool for poor children to a study about duck penises."]},{"id":"784.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"John McCain \"is proposing tax cuts that would give the average Fortune 500 CEO an additional $700,000 in tax cuts.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there is no direct evidence provided in the given context to support the claim about John McCain proposing tax cuts specifically for Fortune 500 CEOs, the evidence does establish that McCain has a history of supporting tax cuts and has opposed certain tax cut packages in the past. Given this information, it is plausible that his proposed tax cuts could benefit high-income individuals, such as Fortune 500 CEOs. However, without more specific information or direct evidence about McCain's current tax proposals, it is difficult to ascertain the exact impact on Fortune 500 CEOs. Therefore, the statement is labeled as mostly true, acknowledging the potential but lacking direct evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"A number of the national publications have put this race in a tossup race between Democrats and Republicans,\" Meek said in an interview with Bay News 9 and the St. Petersburg Times that aired Jan. 10, 2010. \"They don't know who's going to win this race.\"","Meek says a number of national publications consider Florida's Senate race this fall a tossup. That number, however, appears to be just one. The overwhelming majority of pundits who attempt to predict election outcomes all have Republicans favored in the Sunshine State. Maybe the ratings will change. But they haven't yet. We rate Meek's claim Barely True.","With Republicans Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio dominating news coverage about Florida's U.S. Senate race, Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek would like you to know he's running, too.","Stuart Rothenberg, an oft-quoted political analyst, currently has Florida's Senate race as \"Clear advantage for incumbent party,\" or in this case Republicans."]},{"id":"2599.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Scott Walker eliminated his own office of economic development in the middle of this recession.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. As Milwaukee County executive, Scott Walker did eliminate the county's Economic Development Department during the recession. However, it is important to note that the department's economic development activities were already limited, and the staff members were reassigned to other departments rather than being completely eliminated. While the statement accurately reflects the action taken by Walker, it could benefit from additional context to clarify that the department's functions were not a major priority for the county.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5901.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Schaufler was the only Democrat who voted to stop the states health care reform plan.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Schaufler was the only Democrat who voted against the health care reform plan in Oregon, the statement lacks context. It implies that all other Democrats supported the plan, which may not be accurate. It is important to consider the specific circumstances and dynamics of the vote, as well as the individual positions of other Democrats. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the exact level of support or opposition among Democrats for the health care reform plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9212.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Typical minimum wage earners in America are teenagers living with their parents in middle class families.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it oversimplifies the demographics of minimum wage earners in America. While it is true that some minimum wage earners are teenagers living with their parents in middle-class families, it is not accurate to claim that they are the \"typical\" minimum wage earners. Many minimum wage earners are adults, including individuals who are supporting themselves or their families. Additionally, there are individuals who work full-time at minimum wage jobs and still struggle to make ends meet. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the statement, it fails to capture the full diversity of minimum wage earners in America.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Cooke (and Grenier) tried to make a striking point about the size of the U.S. prison population when they wrote, \"We have more of our people in prison than Russia, China, and North Korea combined.\"","\"Behind the front lines we've systematically corralled masses of Americans into the largest prison system on the planet. We have more of our people in prison than Russia, China, and North Korea combined,\" the column said. \"And most are non-violent, so what is this colossal net we've cast over so many people? What's it really doing? And who are the 2.3 million Americans we've dragged into cages?\"","When we contacted Cooke, he acknowledged that the comparison is questionable, as respected (and conservative) estimates for China and Russia alone exceed the low-end count of American prisoners. Cooke said he would change the line in the column to be more accurate, and it now says, \"We have more of our people in prison than anyone else -- more than Iran, more than North Korea, more than Russia or even China.\" (Kudos to him for acknowledging the error.)","Regardless, using the conservative estimates for just China and Russia produces a sum (2.321 million) that is either more or less than the estimated U.S. prison population depending on the source. Adding in rough estimates for part of North Korea\u2019s population obviously pushes up the total."]},{"id":"3926.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Earlier this year, the head of the Congressional Budget Office testified before Congress that implementation of Obamacare would cost 800,000 jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the head of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) testified before Congress that implementation of Obamacare would result in a reduction of employment by approximately 800,000 workers. However, it is important to note that this reduction is not due to job losses but rather to factors such as individuals choosing to work fewer hours or leaving the workforce voluntarily. The CBO report indicates that this reduction is primarily a result of the Affordable Care Act's impact on labor supply and individuals' decisions regarding employment. Therefore, while the statement is partially accurate, it may lead to a misleading interpretation of the CBO's findings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"As usual, Hillary & the Dems are trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games. Same as last time w\/ Bernie. Unacceptable!\" Trump tweeted.","\"As usual, Hillary & the Dems are trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games,\" he wrote in a July 29, 2016, tweet. \"Same as last time w\/ Bernie. Unacceptable!\"","The day after Hillary Clinton wrapped up the Democratic nomination for president, Republican rival Donald Trump was already accusing her of \"rigging\" the presidential debates to coincide with NFL games in the fall.","Did Democrats rig the presidential debate schedule so the highly anticipated faceoffs would run opposite major sporting events? Donald Trump seems to think so."]},{"id":"353.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"On issue after issue that really were hard to explain or understand, you voted present . . . And anytime anyone raises that, there's always some kind of explanation.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the fact that there were instances where the person being referred to voted \"present\" on certain issues. However, it is misleading to suggest that there was always an explanation for these votes. While there may have been explanations provided for some of the \"present\" votes, it is not accurate to claim that there was an explanation for every single instance. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Louie Gohmert of Texas \"blamed the mass shooting at a movie theater in Colorado on \u2018the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs.'\"","Collins wrote that this cast includes Gohmert, \"who blamed the mass shooting at a movie theater in Colorado on \u2018the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs.\u2019\"","The story said that in a radio interview that day, Gohmert had associated the mass shooting with \"attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs.\" The story said he made the comment on \"Istook Live!\", a program produced by the conservative Heritage Foundation.","By email, Collins\u2019 research aide, Isabella Moschen, said Collins\u2019 reference to Gohmert blaming the Colorado shootings on attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs traced to a CBS News report posted online the day of the shootings July 20, 2012, headlined: \"GOP Rep. links shooting to \u2018attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs.\u2019\""]},{"id":"8695.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Federal law for Obamacare navigators does not bar or even require screening for convicted felons, including individuals convicted of identity theft or fraud.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that federal law related to Obamacare navigators does not explicitly bar or require screening for convicted felons, including individuals convicted of identity theft or fraud. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While federal law may not explicitly require screening, the evidence suggests that individual navigator grantee organizations have the discretion to implement their own screening processes. Additionally, the evidence indicates that some states do have sufficient checks in place, while others may face challenges in conducting background checks. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of federal law, it does not provide a complete picture of the screening practices that may be implemented by navigator organizations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13110.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio would take away a womans right to choose for victims of rape or incest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the sources that Marco Rubio does not support exceptions for abortion in cases of rape or incest. Rubio himself has stated that he does not require exceptions for these circumstances. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of Rubio's stance on abortion and may oversimplify his position. While Rubio's position on exceptions for rape and incest is clear, it does not necessarily mean that he would completely take away a woman's right to choose in all other circumstances. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be understood within the specific context of exceptions for rape and incest.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10488.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"DeKalb County has graduated five police academies and three fire academies to help reach its ambitious hiring goals in both departments.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that DeKalb County has indeed graduated five police academies and three fire academies. However, it's important to note that the claim of these academies helping to reach ambitious hiring goals in both departments is not entirely supported by the evidence. The evidence suggests that while the county did have hiring goals, the attrition rate of officers and firefighters was higher than the number of new hires. This indicates that the academies alone may not have been sufficient in meeting the hiring goals. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the number of academies, it lacks some context regarding the effectiveness of these academies in achieving the hiring goals.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The technology China used, known as \"hit-to-kill,\" doesn\u2019t technically \"blow up\" the satellite, as Rubio had said. No explosives are involved, only the force of impact of a missile-launched \"kill vehicle.\"","A further complication: Technologies that can be used to destroy satellites can also be used for benign purposes. Ballistic missiles can destroy satellites \u2013 or they can be used legitimately for missile defense. And satellites themselves can be maneuvered to damage or destroy nearby satellites \u2013 or they can be maneuvered for repair or refueling, Hitchens said. This is known as \"dual-use\" technology.","Still, experts said it was fair for Rubio to point out China\u2019s development of technologies that can be used to attack satellites, since it\u2019s a threat to national security even if we\u2019re working on much the same thing.","The 2016 presidential campaign has inspired discussion of plenty of scary foreign-policy scenarios, from ISIS attacks to cyber warfare. But at a Feb. 3 town hall in Manchester, N.H., Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio offered one we hadn\u2019t heard much about \u2013 the possibility that China could blow an American satellite out of the sky."]},{"id":"10123.json","label":"false","statement":"None of $400 million the City of Austin proposes to spend on road projects will be used to add new lanes to congested roadways.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Citizens Against Rail Taxes claim that none of the $400 million proposed for road projects in Austin will be used to add new lanes to congested roadways, this is contradicted by evidence provided. The breakdown of the proposed projects includes frontage-road connections, intersection overpasses, and connectors to major highways, which are intended to address congestion and enhance mobility. Therefore, the claim that none of the funds will be used to add new lanes to congested roadways is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"A lot of the problems with forest fires ... is because of bad policy (not to clear out the forests) that was put in place by environmentalists.\"","\"A lot of the problems with forest fires, the major raging ones that happen in the West,\" Perino said, \"Is because of bad policy that was put in place by environmentalists and not clear out the forests.\"","Perino said, \"A lot of the problems with forest fires is because of bad policy that was put in place by environmentalists.\"","It wasn\u2019t until the 1970s that Forest Service policy began to shift in earnest toward viewing fire as a potential ally in managing the forests. But today, the Forest Service describes this legacy as the equivalent of a toxic dump. A hazard that built up over decades remains in place and is potentially lethal."]},{"id":"4211.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"(Rep. Bob Goodlattes) balanced budgetamendment does not require a balanced budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in asserting that Rep. Bob Goodlatte's proposed balanced budget amendment does not explicitly require a balanced budget. Instead, it stipulates that a three-fifths vote is needed to pass a budget that is not balanced. While this does not mandate a balanced budget, it does impose a higher threshold for passing an unbalanced budget. Therefore, the statement is mostly accurate, but it should be noted that the amendment does introduce a mechanism that encourages budgetary discipline without explicitly mandating a balanced budget.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Did U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who characterizes himself as a champion of the middle class, vote for a $525-billion tax increase on that group?","( - U.S. Senate candidate Barry Hinckley says incumbent Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse voted for a $525-billion tax hike on the middle class&url=)","After raising an allegation about insider trading, which Whitehouse has strongly denied, the commercial says \"Whitehouse voted to raise taxes on middle-class families.\" The phrase \"$525 billion tax increase on the middle class\" flashes on the screen.","It also doesn't point out that the $525 billion is spread out over 10 years, through 2019. Most of it doesn't come from the middle class."]},{"id":"9449.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It was Dan Sullivan who wrote a bill to cut Alaskans out of those decisions about where they can hunt and fish.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Dan Sullivan, as commissioner of natural resources, pushed legislation that limited the public's ability to review and comment on development proposals related to hunting and fishing in Alaska. However, it's important to note that the intention of the bill was not solely to \"cut Alaskans out of those decisions.\" The bill aimed to improve the permitting process by allowing the commissioner to issue permits for small-scale proposals without public notification. While this may have resulted in limited public involvement in certain cases, it does not necessarily mean that Alaskans were completely excluded from all decisions regarding hunting and fishing. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context of the bill's intentions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The pledge \"relates to new taxes that were going to be initiated by legislative action,\" Deal told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution\u2019s Political Insider blog Wednesday.","After our story ran, the AJC\u2019s Political Insider blog reported Deal said he has an out because the pledge \"relates to new taxes that were going to be initiated by legislative action.\"","The Washington-based Americans for Tax Reform believes any new legislation or changes to an existing tax structure that results in a new tax increase on individuals is a violation of the pledge by lawmakers who have signed it.","During his campaign for governor, Deal signed a pledge created by the anti-tax group Americans for Tax Reform saying that he \"will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.\""]},{"id":"5048.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says constitutional amendment would help to stop unfair, double taxation on real estate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided does not directly support the claim of stopping \"unfair, double taxation\" on real estate. It primarily focuses on a constitutional amendment that instructed a state board, headed by Jerry Patterson, to allocate $300 million in investment earnings into a fund supporting public school operations. The evidence does not provide information or context regarding the issue of double taxation on real estate. Therefore, the claim lacks sufficient evidence to support its accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["An image circulating on Twitter and Reddit claims Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have opposing views on a host of issues, including the death penalty.","The chart claims that Sanders opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership while Clinton supports it. Sanders has clearly sided with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and other members of the Senate\u2019s progressive caucus in opposing the deal. But it\u2019s hard to tell exactly what Clinton\u2019s position is on the deal these days.","The Vermont senator has been an opponent of the death penalty for his entire political career. And with one exception, he has voted against expansions of the death penalty at every turn.","!This shareable image compares positions between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, Democratic presidential candidates. !This shareable image compares positions between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, Democratic presidential candidates."]},{"id":"2423.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The size of our federal government has more than doubled since the year 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the size of the federal government has more than doubled since the year 2000 is not entirely accurate. While there has been some growth in certain areas of the federal government, such as spending and budget, it is misleading to claim that the overall size of the government has more than doubled. The total federal personnel, including the military, has only seen a slight increase during this period. Therefore, the statement is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect the actual growth of the federal government since 2000.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5624.json","label":"true","statement":"The changes to Georgias tax and fee structure is an overall tax cut.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Brian Robinson, the spokesman for Governor Deal, that the changes to Georgia's tax and fee structure represent an overall tax cut. This claim is supported by the analysis conducted by PolitiFact Georgia and the agreement of Alan Essig, the executive director of the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute. While it is acknowledged that there is a possibility that the changes could result in increased tax revenue, the overall intention and effect of the reform is to lower the tax burden. \nLabel: true","evidence":["The Census Bureau tracks annual wages for all male and female workers regardless of occupation. In 2012, women who worked full-time, year-round made 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. Data for 2013 show women who worked full-time, year-round earned $39,157 compared to $50,033 for men \u2014 or about 78 percent of men\u2019s earnings, which is not a statistically significant jump.","Scott\u2019s statement, however, is nuanced. He says women get 80 percent pay for doing \"similar\" jobs as white men, which is different than saying the \"same\" job as men.","The official federal data shows that women earn 80 percent of what men earn, but that\u2019s a collective average for all jobs, not a comparison of men and women holding identical jobs. For men and women holding the same job, there\u2019s still a gap, but it\u2019s substantially smaller.","> It\u2019s completely unacceptable that, on average, American women only earn 80 cents for every dollar a man earns for doing the same job. And the #paygap is even greater for most women of color. #EqualPayDay"]},{"id":"823.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Obama wants to redesign the American flag \"to better offer our enemies hope and love.\"","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or record of President Obama making the statement about redesigning the American flag \"to better offer our enemies hope and love.\" The quote provided in the evidence is fabricated and does not align with any of President Obama's speeches or statements. Such a claim is baseless and false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The Trump campaign was joined in this call by the Republican National Committee, which sent its own email headlined, \"269 days since Hillary Clinton held a press conference.\"","On Aug. 30, 2016, the Trump campaign blasted out an email titled, \"HIDING HILLARY: DAY 269,\" going on to explain that \"it has been 269 days since (Hillary) Clinton has held a press conference.\" Among other things, the email pressed Clinton to take reporters\u2019 questions on aspects of her relationship to the Clinton Foundation.","Washington Post , \"It\u2019s been 263 days since Hillary Clinton last held a press conference. That\u2019s a dangerous precedent,\" Aug. 24, 2016","Is the Trump campaign correct that, as of Aug. 30, \"it has been 269 days since Clinton has held a press conference\"? (On our publication day, the number would have risen to 270 \u2014 an email from Trump's campaign on publication day declared \"HIDING HILLARY: DAY 270.\")"]},{"id":"8411.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Thirteen hundred applicants in Rhode Island signed up for insurance through Obamacare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. During a televised debate, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse claimed that 1,300 applicants in Rhode Island signed up for insurance through Obamacare. While his opponent, Senator Ted Cruz, cited a lower number of 580, it is important to note that the debate was a live event, and the numbers may have varied depending on the timing and source of the information. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Whitehouse during the debate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The boast that caught our eye was one reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer: \"He proudly said that he was the first Cuyahoga County official to endorse President Barack Obama.\"","SUMMARY: John McCain says Hamas has endorsed Barack Obama. We find it's not an official endorsement, but it's certainly effusive praise.","FitzGerald, though, clearly said he was the \"first elected official in Cuyahoga County to endorse\" Obama. To endorse is to \"approve openly\" or \"to express support or approval of publicly and definitely,\" according to the most applicable definition offered by Merriam-Webster.","Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961, to Barack Obama Sr., who is Kenyan, and Ann Dunham, of Kansas."]},{"id":"4804.json","label":"true","statement":"A Republican-led softening of firearms training rules means that untrained individuals would be allowed to carry guns with a state permit.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that a Republican-led softening of firearms training rules in Wisconsin would allow untrained individuals to carry guns with a state permit. The law still requires an instructor-led training course, but it is difficult to prove if someone skipped it, creating a potential loophole for untrained individuals to obtain permits. This change in firearms training rules has been acknowledged, and it is stated that it could allow untrained individuals to carry guns into public spaces. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Tally those figures and the state\u2019s use of one-time money in the general revenue fund portion of the budget rises from $4.89 billion to $6.51 billion.","One-time money is simply funding that won\u2019t reoccur in the next budget cycle, and it\u2019s being used to make ends meet in the $50.5 billion general revenue fund budget.","Ohio\u2019s Office of Budget and Management attempts to tackle this controversial subject on its website with an estimate of exactly how much one-time money is used. A chart there totals the one-time resources affecting the general revenue fund at $4,887,844,809 \u2014 we\u2019ll call it $4.89 billion -- a numerical statement that we are attributing to Gov. Ted Strickland since the cabinet-level office ultimately answers to him.","Whether you count the $647 million in tobacco money tied up in court or not, it\u2019s clear that the $4.89 billion one-time money figure is off by at least $1 billion. The fact that reporters are apprised immediately by Wurst that the figure is incomplete shows that the administration realizes that it isn\u2019t an accurate representation of how much one-time money is used in the state budget."]},{"id":"6912.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Julie Parrish voted to divert $160 million from public schools to private for-profit schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While the claim suggests that Julie Parrish voted to divert $160 million from public schools to private for-profit schools, the evidence indicates that online charter schools, which are being referred to as \"private for-profit schools,\" are actually considered part of the public school system. Therefore, the notion of diverting funds from public schools to private for-profit schools is inaccurate. Additionally, the $160 million figure represents the maximum amount that would be allocated to online schools if a specific enrollment threshold were met, which did not occur. Thus, the statement misrepresents the nature of online charter schools and exaggerates the impact of the funding allocation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says President John F. Kennedy said, \u201cThere are people in Washington, D.C., in positions of power to whom the border is just a nuisance, and I think some of them believe that illegal immigration is a moral good. It is not.\u201d","John F. Kennedy Jr., the son of former President John F. Kennedy who, like his father, died young, has made several appearances in PolitiFact\u2019s fact-checks over the years.","The theory that President John F. Kennedy was planning to end the Federal Reserve has been around for decades, but it is not supported by evidence.","!President John F. Kennedy gives a broadcast address on civil rights in the White House, June 11, 1963. (AP) !President John F. Kennedy gives a broadcast address on civil rights in the White House, June 11, 1963. (AP)"]},{"id":"8286.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The employer mandate affects only 5 percent of businesses in this country.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Van Hollen that the employer mandate in the Affordable Care Act affects only 5 percent of businesses in the country. The Census Bureau data, which is widely accepted, shows that approximately 3.6 percent of firms employ 50 or more workers, which is the group for which the mandate would apply. While different surveys may produce slightly different numbers, the overall consensus supports the claim that the employer mandate affects a relatively small percentage of businesses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3717.json","label":"false","statement":"The study that states that more than 70 percent of the traffic on the Sellwood Bridge is to\/from Clackamas County has been thoroughly debunked by The Oregonian.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to suggest that The Oregonian has thoroughly debunked the study stating that more than 70 percent of the traffic on the Sellwood Bridge is to\/from Clackamas County. The evidence provided does not mention any debunking by The Oregonian or any other reputable source. Therefore, the claim lacks factual support.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4188.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Recently we have seen our government debt grow by $3.4 trillion during the first 29 months of the Obama administration -- the equivalent of about $4 billion per day.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the increase in publicly held debt during the first 29 months of the Obama administration, which amounted to over $3.4 trillion. However, the claim that this growth is equivalent to about $4 billion per day is not entirely accurate. To calculate the daily average, one would need to divide the total increase by the number of days in the specified period. Additionally, it's important to note that the increase in government debt is influenced by various factors, including economic conditions and fiscal policies, and cannot be solely attributed to the actions of the Obama administration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"152.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Clinton has \"raised the most money from Washington lobbyists ... from the health industry, drug companies, health insurance companies (and) the defense industry.\"","reason":"Reason: John Edwards' statement is mostly true based on the available data at the time. According to campaign finance filings, Hillary Clinton was indeed favored by lobbyists and the health care industry, receiving significant campaign contributions from these groups. However, there is conflicting data regarding whether she received the most money from the defense industry. While one analysis suggests that she did, a more extensive analysis indicates that Chris Dodd was the top recipient from defense industry employees during that period. Therefore, while Clinton's fundraising from the defense industry was substantial, it is not accurate to definitively state that she raised the most money from that sector.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The American people have endured 21 consecutive months of 9% or higher unemployment and 2.6 million jobs have been lost,\" since the stimulus bill was signed.","Let\u2019s review. Allen said \"the American people have endured 21 consecutive months of 9 percent or higher unemployment,\" and that \"2.6 million jobs have been lost\" since the stimulus bill was signed in February 2009.","\"Two years ago today, President Obama signed into law a $800 billion jobless stimulus bill that promised to keep unemployment under 8 percent,\" said Allen in a Feb. 17 statement. \"Instead the American people have endured 21 consecutive months of 9 percent or higher unemployment, 2.6 million jobs have been lost, and our nation\u2019s debt has hit a record-setting $14 trillion.\"","\"Two years ago today, President Obama signed into law a $800 billion jobless stimulus bill that promised to keep unemployment under 8 percent,\" said Allen, who is running to regain the U.S. Senate seat he lost to Democrat Jim Webb in 2006. \"Instead the American people have endured 21 consecutive months of 9 percent or higher unemployment, 2.6 million jobs have been lost, and our nation\u2019s debt has hit a record-setting $14 trillion.\""]},{"id":"2768.json","label":"false","statement":"If all of the [Bush-era] tax cuts expire on schedule, the budget will be close to being balanced in four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that allowing the Bush-era tax cuts to expire would generate additional revenue, it would not be sufficient to balance the budget within four years. The expiration of the tax cuts alone would not address the underlying structural issues and spending commitments that contribute to the budget deficit. Balancing the budget requires a comprehensive approach that includes addressing both revenue and spending components.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"After the debates that we had last week, PolitiFact came out and said that everything that I said was true,\" she said.","During the Sioux City debate, Bachmann said that \"after the debate that we had last week, PolitiFact came out and said that everything I said was true.\" That\u2019s simply not the case. We rated two statements by Bachmann from that debate and ruled one of them Mostly True and the other one Pants on Fire. So for claiming she had a perfect record, she earns another Pants on Fire.","!While sparring with Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann said PolitiFact rated everything she'd said in the previous debate as true. But Bachmann's claim wasn't accurate. !While sparring with Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann said PolitiFact rated everything she'd said in the previous debate as true. But Bachmann's claim wasn't accurate.","At that point, Bachmann jumped back in. \"Well, after the debates that we had last week, PolitiFact came out and said that everything that I said was true. And the evidence is that Speaker Gingrich took $1.6 million. You don't need to be within the technical definition of being a lobbyist to still be influence-peddling with senior Republicans in Washington, D.C., to get them to do your bidding.\""]},{"id":"9267.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Scott Browns carrying some big oil baggage because he collected over $400,000 in campaign contributions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Scott Brown is carrying \"big oil baggage\" due to collecting over $400,000 in campaign contributions. However, it's important to note that the ad implies a direct causal relationship between the campaign contributions and Brown's actions, specifically his vote to give oil companies tax breaks. While the contributions may raise concerns about potential influence, it is not explicitly proven that the contributions directly influenced Brown's vote. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context and evidence to definitively establish a causal relationship.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1295.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There is majority support for the Democrats' health care plans.","reason":"Reason: The statement that there is majority support for the Democrats' health care plans is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a significant portion of the American people support universal health care and the public option, the level of support for single-payer health care, which is included in the statement, is not as clear-cut. The evidence provided shows that support for a single-payer system varies depending on the wording of the question and falls along party lines. In the Rasmussen poll mentioned, 32 percent favored a single-payer system, while 57 percent opposed it. Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that there is varying levels of support for different aspects of the Democrats' health care plans, rather than a clear majority support for the plans as a whole.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Whether a 10-year time frame, or longer, would be acceptable to advocates for the 50 percent reduction is unclear; many want a quicker turnaround.","Experts say a 50 percent reduction over a relatively short period, say a few years, would require the release of inmates convicted of violent crimes. But some say it\u2019s possible to cut the population in half, perhaps over 10 years, without the release of any violent offenders, or at least not thousands of them.","To back the first part of Walker\u2019s claim \u2014 that Evers supports a 50 percent cut -- Walker\u2019s campaign cites an exchange during a July 12, 2018 debate between Democrats who were running for governor. A reference was made to the group Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope.","The Walker campaign argues that Evers\u2019 response means he is committing to a 50 percent reduction over four years because MICAH\u2019s website refers to a campaign in 2011 to get the 50 percent cut by 2015."]},{"id":"2488.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says $30 million gap in stadium funding forced the Portland Beavers to leave.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While Mayor Sam Adams did mention a \"$30 million gap\" in stadium funding as a reason for the Portland Beavers leaving, the evidence indicates that the actual funding gaps were lower. In one case, the gap was around $26.8 million, which was rounded up to $30 million by the mayor. In another proposal, the funding gap was $9 million, and it was the responsibility of the team owner, Merritt Paulson, to find the missing funds. Therefore, while there were funding gaps, they were not consistently at the $30 million mark as stated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"There\u2019s talk in Congress now about basically confiscating your private 401(k) or IRA plan and rolling it into Social Security to strengthen Social Security.\"","\"There\u2019s talk in Congress now about basically confiscating your private 401(k) or IRA plan and rolling it into Social Security to strengthen Social Security,\" Howell, R-Stafford, said during a Nov. 13 interview on Freedom & Prosperity Radio, a conservative weekly show broadcast in much of Virginia.","*Virginia House Speaker William Howell claimed last November that \"there\u2019s talk in Congress about basically confiscating your private 401(k) or IRA plan and rolling it into Social Security to strengthen Social Security.\" Howell got a Pants on Fire. While Congress had questioned whether tax-deferred accounts resulted in sufficient savings for retirements, there was never discussion about \"confiscating\" the accounts from people.","Howell says there\u2019s \"talk in Congress about basically confiscating your private 401(k) or IRA,\" which suggests there is serious consideration of such a proposal. He cites two-year-old testimony by a think-tank economist that makes no mention of seizing tax-deferred saving plans."]},{"id":"9463.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"All 28 members of NATO have pledged to spend at least 2 percent of their economy on defense. But only three countries do -- Britain, Greece and us.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that all 28 members of NATO have pledged to spend at least 2 percent of their economy on defense. However, it is slightly outdated as of the most recent data available. As of that data, five countries (United States, Greece, United Kingdom, Estonia, and Latvia) meet the 2 percent threshold. While the statement is generally true, it should be noted that the number of countries meeting the threshold may change over time as defense spending priorities and economic conditions evolve.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In defending changes to the state\u2019s education system, Gaetz and Weatherford said that \"more than half of last year's U.S. college graduates are unemployed or underemployed.\"","\"While more than half of last year's U.S. college graduates are unemployed or underemployed, the ironic truth is that there are thousands of jobs in Florida unfilled because employers can't find workers whose skills meet industry specifications,\" the two Republican leaders wrote.","While Romney glossed over details when he spoke with donors, painting a darker picture than supported by the research, he did get the tone right: At 53.6 percent, the number of college graduates unemployed or underemployed is the highest it\u2019s been in at least 11 years.","Rather than roughly half of recent college grads not being able to find a job, the reality is that about 50 percent of recent college graduates are either unemployed or employed in jobs that aren\u2019t commensurate with their degree. Of this 50 percent figure, about half are unemployed, and about half are in jobs that don\u2019t require a college degree."]},{"id":"11735.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Scott Walker, Wisconsin moved from 16th to third in percentage of people with student loan debt.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Wisconsin experienced an increase in the percentage of people with student loan debt during Scott Walker's tenure as governor, the statement exaggerates the magnitude of the change. The evidence suggests that Wisconsin moved from 16th to a higher ranking in terms of student loan debt, but it does not specify that it reached the third position. Additionally, it is important to note that the increase in student loan debt is a broader trend that predates Walker's governorship and is influenced by various factors beyond his control. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks precision and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Gusciora claimed, \"Opinion polls show that the majority of Americans, and the majority of New Jerseyans, favor marriage equality for same sex couples.\"","\"We also must recognize that society is changing for the better, making (Assembly bill) A-1 timely,\" state Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) said in a Jan. 9 news release. \"Opinion polls show that the majority of Americans, and the majority of New Jerseyans, favor marriage equality for same sex couples.\"","\"The governor cites his faith as a basis for his opposition to marriage equality,\" wrote Goldstein. \"But no faith is monolithic on any issue. Polls now show a majority of Catholics favor marriage equality, as does the general electorate.\"","However, when you factor in the margins of error, a majority of Americans might only support same-sex marriage based on one of those four national polls."]},{"id":"3947.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Public Employee Retirement System is making more millionaires than the Oregon state lottery.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) is creating more millionaires than the Oregon state lottery, the evidence provided indicates that this claim is not entirely accurate. The analysis acknowledges that most state workers do not end up as millionaires, and the number of potential millionaires is expected to decrease due to PERS reforms. Additionally, the evidence highlights that the number of lottery winners is higher than the number of PERS \"millionaires\" mentioned. However, it is acknowledged that some PERS retirees can retire with at least $1 million, and in rare cases, even $2 million. Therefore, while the statement contains some elements of truth, it lacks the necessary context to accurately compare PERS and the lottery in terms of creating millionaires.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Scott spent much of the debate blaming Crist for worsening conditions during the new Democrat\u2019s term, but he kept coming back to jobs. \"You want to talk about jobs \u2013 Charlie, 832,000 people lost their job while you were governor.\"","Scott said \"832,000 people lost their job\" while Crist was governor, blaming his opponent for not doing enough while in office to improve Florida\u2019s growing ranks of the unemployed.","During the Oct. 10 Telemundo debate in Miramar, Scott noted about a half dozen times that 832,000 people joined the ranks of the unemployed while Crist was in office.","One issue that Gov. Rick Scott\u2019s re-election campaign has not been afraid to exploit is how many Floridians lost their jobs during Charlie Crist\u2019s term as governor."]},{"id":"12240.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Bernie Sanders has been largely a very reliable supporter of the NRA.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bernie Sanders has voted against the Brady Bill multiple times, which was supported by gun control advocates, it is an oversimplification to label him as a \"very reliable supporter\" of the NRA. Sanders has also supported some gun control measures, such as background checks and banning assault weapons. His stance on gun control is more nuanced and does not align with the typical positions of the NRA. Therefore, the statement that Sanders has been a \"very reliable supporter\" of the NRA is an exaggeration and does not accurately reflect his overall position on gun control.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I think I just found the answer. Among other things, AIG INSURES THE PENSION TRUST OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS!! No wonder they got bailed out right away!\"","Like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, Amy Coney Barrett has said her \u201cend goal is to end the separation of church and state & build a \u2018Kingdom of God\u2019 in the United States.\u201d","If anyone insures congressional pensions, it's U.S. taxpayers, not AIG. The chain e-mail that claims AIG insures congressional pensions is just plain wrong. In fact, we rate it Pants on Fire!","Under either plan, a member of Congress can receive a pension only after serving for five years, although previous service as a federal employee can count toward that five-year vesting period. To be eligible, lawmakers must contribute part of their salary into the pension plan while they\u2019re in Congress."]},{"id":"12862.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Hillary Clinton says she wants to, raise taxes on the middle class.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. The evidence provided includes a video and subtitles of Hillary Clinton's speech, where she explicitly states that she will not raise taxes on the middle class. Additionally, multiple reporters and a transcript of Clinton's prepared remarks confirm her stance on not raising taxes on the middle class. Therefore, the claim that Hillary Clinton wants to raise taxes on the middle class is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"My comment on the face of is that 30 percent of overall spending being wasteful does not necessarily translate into 30 percent of Medicaid being wasteful, let alone Medicaid in a particular state,\" Smith told us in an email.","Now, let\u2019s return to the original source of the 30 percent estimate -- the national study by the Institute of Medicine. The 416-page report does not offer waste estimates for individual states, let alone the Medicaid program in a state.","We wondered whether Massie\u2019s claim of 30 percent waste, fraud and inefficiency in Virginia\u2019s $8 billion a year Medicaid program is accurate.","\"The Virginia population increased by just 8 percent from 2005 to 2015, but the per capita spending in the budget increased by a whopping 38 percent.\""]},{"id":"1004.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft.","reason":"Reason: The statement that when one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft is not supported by scientific evidence. While it is true that respiratory droplets can travel short distances and potentially spread germs, the claim that it would spread throughout an entire aircraft is an exaggeration. The transmission of respiratory illnesses depends on various factors such as ventilation systems, air filters, and personal hygiene practices. It is important to rely on accurate information from scientific experts when discussing the spread of diseases.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3099.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A test last month at the MAX station at 162nd Avenue and East Burnside saw crime down 41 percent compared with December 2009","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by various sources, including Rep. Jefferson Smith and Sgt. Scruggs, regarding the decrease in crime at the MAX station at 162nd Avenue and East Burnside. According to the sources, there was a 41 to 42 percent reduction in calls for service and crime during the specified time period. However, it's important to note that this data is specific to calls for service and may not encompass all types of crime or provide a comprehensive analysis of crime trends in the area. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the reported decrease in calls for service, it should be understood within the context of the specific data provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Baldwin campaign spokesman John Kraus noted Thompson vowed numerous times that he would run a positive campaign. He argued Thompson was the first to go negative against Baldwin, even before the primary and cited a July ad, \"Repeal\"showing Thompson on a Harley.","To be sure, the battle for the U.S. Senate seat was bitter long before the general election, but only on the Republican side. Thompson topped three opponents in the August primary, while Baldwin faced no opponent, though she has been on television since early summer.","Former Gov. Tommy Thompson won the bruising Republican primary for U.S. Senate. And the general election race against Democrat Tammy Baldwin has featured plenty of punches from both sides.","Nicholson says the Iran deal \"handed billions of dollars of cash on cargo planes, sent it to a state sponsor of terror, and Tammy Baldwin was one of the first U.S. senators to get on board and support that.\""]},{"id":"7857.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Republicans actually doctored emails between administration officials about Benghazi. Then, they released them to the press, trying to pass them off as real.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Republicans intentionally altered emails between administration officials about Benghazi and then released them to the press as genuine. While there were indeed controversies and debates surrounding the handling of emails related to Benghazi, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that Republicans deliberately doctored the emails. Investigations and fact-checking have not substantiated this allegation. It is important to exercise caution when making such serious accusations without concrete evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["McCain has repeatedly proposed as many as 10 town hall meetings this summer; the Obama campaign countered with a proposal for two joint appearances this summer. Currently in stalemate, the McCain campaign claims Obama reneged on a promise to engage him \"anywhere, anytime.\" And so now, inevitably, we have a debate over debates.","McCain campaign manager Rick Davis wrote a letter to the Obama campaign stating, \"We fear that our negotiations over joint town hall meetings are turning into a debate about process. That is exactly what we have always hoped to avoid, and why we proposed a town hall format that would render many of these process issues moot.","But then the Obama campaign countered with a proposal for five joint appearances: the three traditional debates after the conventions, plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and a debate on foreign policy in August. So really just two additional appearances before the regular debates.","\"I am happy to have a debate with John McCain and George Bush about foreign policy,\" Obama said. \"If John McCain wants to meet me anywhere, anytime to have a debate about our respective policies in Iraq, Iran, the Middle East or around the world, that is a conversation I'm happy to have, because I believe that there is no separation between John McCain and George Bush when it comes to our Middle East policy, and I think their policy has failed.\""]},{"id":"4094.json","label":"false","statement":"Says new GOP Wisconsin Assembly members voted to take funding away from their public schools in their districts to give it to private Milwaukee voucher schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Wisconsin state Rep. Peter Barca claimed that new GOP Assembly members voted to take funding away from public schools in their districts to give it to private Milwaukee voucher schools, there is no evidence to support this claim. The budget in question may have included changes in funding allocations, but it is inaccurate to suggest that the intention was to specifically divert funds from public schools to private voucher schools. It is important to note that the budgetary decisions and funding allocations can be complex and multifaceted, and oversimplifying them can lead to misleading statements.\nLabel: false","evidence":["We got an e-mail from a reader pointing out Obama's statement that he \"did not campaign on a public option.\" How can that be, the reader asked, when the public option was clearly part of Obama's platform?","Obama's new claim is, \"I didn't campaign on a public option.\" We will stipulate that it was not a particularly prominent part of his overall platform for health care. But we find that the public option was part of Obama's campaign materials, and that counts. So we rate his statement Barely True.","But, we also have to say that the public option was not a very prominent part of Obama's platform. We added the promise in August after the public option became an intense part of the debate. We were able to find the proposal pretty quickly after looking in Obama's campaign literature, but he didn't discuss it very much during the campaign. That's true for both the general election and the Democratic primary.","We agree that the public option was part of Obama's platform. It's a promise we've listed ( \"a promise we've listed\") in our database of Obama's campaign promises."]},{"id":"1733.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Gov. Lawton Chiles said \"if I were to become ... become speaker of the House it would be (his) worst nightmare.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Governor Lawton Chiles, as indicated by multiple sources. Governor Chiles expressed that if the speaker of the House were to become a certain individual (presumably referring to the speaker himself), it would be his worst nightmare. The evidence provided from various news articles and statements supports the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The group NumbersUSA said that this year, more than half of all drivers' licenses issued in California went to undocumented immigrants. By the state\u2019s own tally, that is correct. What the group doesn\u2019t mention is that this is the result of a substantial state effort. First, lawmakers made it possible for over a million unauthorized residents to apply for a license, and then the state spent millions of dollars to speed the application process.","This isn\u2019t the first time such unsubstantiated claims have been made. But the recent spat was sparked by the World Net Daily headline: \"California To Register Illegal Aliens To Vote \u2013 Automatically.\"","This World Net Daily headline on Jan. 21, 2018 sparked the recent claims: \"California To Register Illegal Aliens To Vote \u2013 Automatically.\"","\"This figure represents more than half of the total 759,000 original driver licenses that have distributed during the first half of 2015,\" the department said in a press release."]},{"id":"4748.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If [Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed] wants to be like Bull Connor, then so be it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a quote attributed to State Sen. Vincent Fort, who compared Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to Bull Connor. However, it is important to note that this quote is an expression of Fort's opinion and does not provide any factual evidence or basis for the comparison. Bull Connor was a prominent segregationist during the Civil Rights Movement known for his oppressive actions against African Americans, while Mayor Reed has not engaged in similar discriminatory practices. Therefore, the comparison lacks credibility and is not supported by any factual evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9381.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker has made Wisconsin 2nd in the nation in losing jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Governor Scott Walker faced criticism regarding job losses during his tenure, Wisconsin did not rank second in the nation for job losses. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Wisconsin was second in the nation in losing jobs. It is important to accurately represent the data and context when discussing job statistics.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the narrowest way, you could say Rubio opposed Cruz\u2019s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood by expressing misgivings about holding the government hostage to funding of a particular organization. But that's also misleading. Rubio, like Cruz, otherwise repeatedly voted to defund.","Asked about the basis of the Rubio-Trump claim, Cruz campaign spokeswoman Catherine Frazier said by email that \"Trump has said he\u2019s against defunding Planned Parenthood, and Rubio missed the votes to defund Planned Parenthood.\"","News article, \" Donald Trump Stands By Planned Parenthood -- Except On Abortion,\" Huffington Post, Feb. 21, 2016 (accessed March 8, 2016)","Trump, meantime, expressed support at the time for Cruz\u2019s efforts. He later reversed course on that but he's been clear lately about wishing to defund so long as the group provides abortions."]},{"id":"9486.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a bill that gives Floridas public officials an easy way to avoid disclosing their personal finances.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Nelson that Governor Rick Scott signed a law in Florida that provides an easy way for public officials to avoid disclosing their personal finances. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While the law may have certain provisions that allow for limited disclosure or exemptions, it does not necessarily mean that all public officials can completely avoid disclosing their personal finances. The extent to which public officials can avoid disclosure may vary, and it would be more accurate to say that the law provides some level of flexibility or potential loopholes for disclosure rather than a blanket exemption for all public officials.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3753.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If the Sellwood Bridge is not replaced, it will have to be shut down within eight years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there are concerns about the stability and condition of the Sellwood Bridge, the statement that it \"will have to be shut down within eight years\" is an oversimplification. The evidence suggests that the bridge needed to be replaced due to cracks and high usage, but it does not definitively state that it would have to be shut down within a specific timeframe. The decision to shut down the bridge would depend on various factors, including ongoing maintenance efforts, potential repairs, and the implementation of alternative solutions. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["That paragraph is chock-full of claims to check, but for now, we're going to focus on the key point of Obama's statement: that because of long-standing energy efficiency standards, \"Californians consume 40 percent less energy per person than the national average.\"","\"In the late 1970s, the state of California enacted tougher energy-efficiency policies. Over the next three decades, those policies helped create almost 1.5 million jobs. And today, Californians consume 40 percent less energy per person than the national average \u2014 which, over time, has prevented the need to build at least 24 new power plants.\"","Indeed, since the mid 70s, the amount of electricity used per person has grown by almost 50 percent in the rest of the country while California\u2019s numbers remained relatively flat. For example, in 2006, electricity use in the entire country hovered around 12,000 kilowatt hours per person, while California's was approximately 7,000 kilowatt hours, according to a 2007 report by the the California Energy Commission, a branch of the state government. That's about 40 percent less than the national average.","Our first stop was the Energy Information Agency, where we found that overall energy consumption per person in California is quite low. In 2006, individuals there used about 232 million Btu of energy, which includes natural gas, petroleum and coal. The state's level was about 30 percent less than the national average of 333 Btu, which ranked the state 47th in the nation."]},{"id":"2951.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Jim Renacci ran against the Washington establishment in the election, but is now hypocritically embracing it with big money, special interest fundraisers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the DCCC spokesperson that Jim Renacci, who ran against the Washington establishment, is now holding big money, special interest fundraisers. The evidence provided supports this claim by citing news reports and campaign notices. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence to support the assertion of hypocrisy on Renacci's part. While the evidence suggests that Renacci is engaging in fundraising activities that involve special interests, it does not necessarily establish hypocrisy on his part. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the complete context to definitively label it as fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1210.json","label":"false","statement":"On whether the governor of Massachusetts should be able to appoint an interim U.S. senator","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there has been a change in the ability of the governor of Massachusetts to appoint an interim U.S. senator. Initially, legislators stripped the governor's power to appoint a senator, but later passed legislation allowing the governor to appoint an interim senator until a special election could be held. Therefore, the statement that the governor of Massachusetts should not be able to appoint an interim U.S. senator is false, as the evidence shows that there has been a change in the law allowing for such appointments.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If you\u2019re a single mom, and you\u2019ve two kids in the city of Richmond, you can almost make $50,000 a year on the public dole.\"","In 1970 the ratio was 30-to-1, according to research by Kevin Murphy, a professor of finance and business economics at the University of Southern California. The top executives averaged $196,310 in earnings, while workers made $6,540. Adjusted to today, the CEO made about $1.2 million and the worker was paid $40,100.","The Economic Policy Institute concluded the pay ratio for last year was 296-to-1. It said average CEO compensation at 350 large corporations was $15.2 million and pegged workers\u2019 average pay at $55,800.","The AFL-CIO has updated statistics for 2013. Based on data from 350 corporations listed in Standard & Poor\u2019s 500 Index, the union said CEOs received total annual compensation averaging $11.7 million. Average pay for production and nonsupervisory workers was $35,239. By this measure, CEOs made 331 times more than the average worker."]},{"id":"6199.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 1950, corporations paid $3 in taxes for every $1 by a worker. Today, they pay 22 cents for every $1 by a worker.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While it is true that the share of income taxes paid by corporations has declined over the years, the claim that in 1950, corporations paid $3 in taxes for every $1 paid by a worker is misleading and inaccurate. According to the Office of Management and Budget, in 1950, corporations paid 66 cents in income taxes for every dollar paid by individuals, not $3. In 2011, corporations paid 17 cents for every dollar paid by individuals, which is not exactly 22 cents but is in the same ballpark. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the difference between the two time periods and misrepresents the historical tax ratios.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8532.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the last four years, our economy has grown on average 0.9 percent a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the economy has grown on average 0.9 percent a year in the last four years is barely true. While it is accurate that the economy experienced growth during that period, the average growth rate is not precisely 0.9 percent. The evidence provided mentions that the economy created over 6.5 million new jobs in one year, which indicates a robust growth rate. However, without specific data on the annual growth rates for each of the four years, it is difficult to determine the exact average growth rate. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary data to support a precise average growth rate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7019.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rhode Island has taken its federal Medicaid funding and shown it can run the program more cost-effectively than the federal government.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's claim that Rhode Island demonstrated the ability to run the Medicaid program more cost-effectively than the federal government. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While Rhode Island may have shown efficiency in managing its Medicaid program, it does not imply that the federal government completely turned over control of the program to the state. The federal government still plays a significant role in funding and overseeing Medicaid. Therefore, while there is evidence of Rhode Island's success in running its Medicaid program efficiently, the statement could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2409.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Harry Reid has voted to give illegals Social Security benefits even for the time they were here illegally.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that Harry Reid voted on a policy related to Social Security benefits for former illegal aliens who later became legal, the statement inaccurately suggests that Reid voted to give benefits to current illegal immigrants. The vote was not about providing benefits but rather changing the calculation process to allow former illegal aliens to receive credit for the money they had previously paid into the system. The ad's claim misrepresents the nature and scope of Reid's vote, leading to a misleading interpretation of his position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a news release, the National Republican Senatorial Committee said Russ Feingold cast the \"deciding vote\" for the largest tax increase in history.","An Aug. 7, 2015, news release from the National Republican Senatorial Committee -- its weekly \"Feingold Flashback\" -- said Democrat Russ Feingold had cast the \"deciding vote for (the) \u2018largest tax increase\u2019 in history.\"","For backup, the NRSC pointed us to Russ Feingold's 2004 campaign website, where it claimed, \"Russ cast the deciding vote in favor of the 1993 Deficit Reduction package.\"","Dave Umhoefer, \"Republican Governors Association says Tom Barrett \"voted for the largest tax increase in history,\" PolitiFact Wisconsin, September 17, 2010."]},{"id":"4051.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that President Obama said, Nobody made these guys go to war. ... Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that President Obama made the statement, \"Nobody made these guys go to war. ... Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?\" This quote has been widely circulated as a misattribution and has been debunked by fact-checking organizations. It is important to verify information from credible sources before accepting and spreading such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Data show that some southern states, like Georgia and North Carolina, are gradually growing because the states have younger populations. Meanwhile, populations in smaller states, like Vermont and West Virginia, would be expected to decrease consistently, largely because of people there are aging, the Cooper Center reports. \"California, Texas, Florida and New York continue to dominate the population size charts, with more than a third of the future U.S. population residing in one of these four large states,\" Sen wrote.","This is because Democrats typically garner more votes in high-population states, while Republicans fare better in states with lower populations. But each state gets two U.S. senators regardless of population.","\"My view of that is that when you look at our democracy, the amount of influence smaller populated states will have by 2040 is going to increase dramatically, where more populated states won\u2019t have the same weight,\" Scholten said in an interview with PolitiFact Iowa.","\u2022 PolitiFact has shown previously that concerns that the population shift will change the balance of power in Washington, D.C., are overstated."]},{"id":"4621.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Just a little over 60 percent of your electric bill, my electric bill, 60 percent of that is pass-throughs, whether they be for building of nuclear plants or whatever they may be. A planned nuclear plant repair will only increase that percentage.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a significant portion of electric bills, just under 60 percent, is attributed to pass-throughs, which can include costs for building nuclear plants and other expenses. However, it's important to note that the statement may be slightly misleading by suggesting that the repair of the damaged nuclear plant will directly increase the percentage of pass-throughs. The evidence does not explicitly support this claim. While the repair could potentially contribute to an increase in pass-through costs, it is not explicitly stated in the evidence. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks complete clarity on the direct impact of the planned nuclear plant repair.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Media Trackers said recall petition signers are vulnerable to crime or harassment because of two newly discovered provisions in Wisconsin\u2019s recall process.","So, the group is also misleading when it says it is newly discovered that there are \"no privacy protections\" for the limited information recall signers provide. There never have been.","Neither provision is new, so it\u2019s misleading to call them newly discovered. As for the risk to petition signers, Media Trackers provided no evidence that they have been victims of crime, although some have received phone calls from out-of-state telemarketers in the past.","The Democratic Party of Wisconsin declared on Jan. 17, 2012 that it had submitted to the state elections board more than 1 million signatures on petitions to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker."]},{"id":"2156.json","label":"false","statement":"Theres nothing in the voting instructions that weve been getting in the last several elections that lets you know about the limitations of the master lever.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Voting instructions typically include information about the voting process, including any limitations or restrictions on certain voting methods or features such as the master lever. While the specific content of voting instructions may vary by jurisdiction, it is standard practice to provide voters with comprehensive information to ensure they understand the voting process and any relevant limitations or requirements.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7493.json","label":"false","statement":"On raising taxes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or address the statement regarding raising taxes. However, based on the information provided, it is clear that there are differing proposals and agendas between Republicans and Democrats regarding taxes and budget priorities. It is important to note that the statement lacks specific context or details to evaluate its accuracy. Therefore, without further information or evidence, it is not possible to determine the veracity of the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton wanted the wall. Hillary Clinton fought for the wall, in 2006 or thereabouts,\" he said. \"Now, she never gets anything done, so naturally the wall wasn\u2019t built. But Hillary Clinton wanted the wall.\"","\"We\u2019re gonna have strong borders. We\u2019re gonna have a wall -- a big, powerful wall. You know that Hillary Clinton wanted a wall, a number of years ago. She wanted a wall.\"","PolitiFact National, \"Trump says they were going to build a wall in '06, but environmental rules got in the way,\" Aug. 29, 2016","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic."]},{"id":"11597.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"There is currently no ability to vet these people, referring to Syrian refugees.","reason":"Reason: The statement that there is currently no ability to vet Syrian refugees is inaccurate. While there may be concerns about the effectiveness and reliability of the vetting process, it is misleading to claim that there is no ability to vet refugees at all. The vetting process for refugees involves multiple layers of security checks, including biometric screenings, interviews, and background checks conducted by various intelligence and security agencies. While no system is foolproof, it is important to acknowledge that efforts are made to vet refugees, even if there are challenges and limitations in the process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["There\u2019s no doubt that Kaptur is correct in her overall point that Lake Erie has by far the most productive fishery on the Great Lakes. Her contention that Lake Erie contains more native fish than the other lakes combined is slightly problematic. It\u2019s true that the fishing haul in Lake Erie usually exceeds the combined total of the other lakes. But some fish that are commercial staples in the Great Lakes are not considered \"native\" because they were introduced from other areas, although their presence isn\u2019t as unwelcome and devastating as invaders like zebra mussels have been, and Asian carp would be.","Lake Erie \"contains more native fish than all the other lakes combined,\" Kaptur said. \"We must protect this valuable ecological treasure, and the local multi-billion dollar economy it supports.\"","Kaptur\u2019s boast about Lake Erie containing \"more native fish than all the other lakes combined\" sounded like it might be a fish story, so PolitiFact Ohio decided to check it out.","The Great Lakes Fishery Commission also keeps data on the amount of fish produced in each of the Great Lakes. In 2005, the most recent year for which complete data is posted on its website, Lake Erie\u2019s fish production exceeded that of the combined other lakes by a 3-to-2 margin."]},{"id":"2492.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A bill to save teacher jobs is completely paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While the bill may be partially funded by closing corporate tax loopholes, it is not entirely paid for by this means. The evidence suggests that the claim made in the statement is false, as it overstates the extent to which corporate tax loopholes are being closed to fund the bill. It is important to provide accurate information when discussing the funding sources of legislation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said, \"There haven't been tax cuts for the rich\" in Rhode Island. He later specified a time frame: Never.","\"There haven't been tax cuts for the rich. I'm not sure when folks refer to that, I'm not sure what they're referring to. So if you can point to the tax cuts for the rich, I'll be happy to consider that,\" Mattiello said. \"But, realistically, there's never been tax cuts for the rich.\"","In a report tailored for Rhode Island, the administration claims: \"If the House of Representatives fails to extend the middle-class tax cuts, 400,000 middle-class Rhode Island families will see their federal income taxes increase.\"","\"If the House of Representatives fails to extend the middle-class tax cuts, 400,000 middle-class Rhode Island families will see their federal income taxes increase.\""]},{"id":"3476.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A U.S. Government Accountability Office report says Planned Parenthood Federation of America cannot find some $1.3 billion given to it by the federal government from 2002 through 2008.","reason":"Reason: The claim that a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report states that Planned Parenthood Federation of America cannot find $1.3 billion given to it by the federal government from 2002 through 2008 is false. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim, including the GAO itself. The GAO confirmed that they have not conducted any such investigation or issued a report making this claim. The statement is based on misinformation and should be regarded as false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"On Iraq, he has been very clear,\" Plouffe said. \"He offered a withdrawal plan well over a year ago. It's essential to his candidacy and a rock-solid commitment. ... It will be 16 months at the most where you can withdraw combat troops.\"","There are currently about 142,000 U.S. military personnel in Iraq, according to the Defense Department. Under terms of an agreement reached with Iraqi leaders last year, the U.S. must remove troops from Iraqi cities by the end of June and, as the Obama plan reinforces, withdraw its forces altogether by the end of 2011.","\"Since announcing his campaign in 2007, the central premise of Barack Obama's candidacy was his commitment to begin withdrawing American troops from Iraq immediately,\" said Brian Rogers, a McCain spokesman. \"Today, Barack Obama reversed that position proving once again that his words do not matter. He has now adopted John McCain's position that we cannot risk the progress we have made in Iraq by beginning to withdraw our troops immediately without concern for conditions on the ground.\"","The timetable for withdrawal was a major campaign issue \u2014 the McCain campaign accused Obama of flip-flopping, a claim we said was False \u2014 but as Obama noted in his Camp Lejeune speech, he often talked of a 16-month timeline. Obama's current plan goes two months beyond that. There will be some who will say even a day longer than 16 months should constitute a broken promise. We're not ready to make that call because many things can change between now and August 2010, so for now, we're rating it In the Works."]},{"id":"10080.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under the administration of Gov. Scott Walker, northern Wisconsins mining economy is moving forward and more people are getting good, high-paying jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is labeled as barely-true because while it suggests that under Governor Scott Walker's administration, the mining economy in northern Wisconsin is progressing and more people are obtaining high-paying jobs, it lacks comprehensive evidence to support this claim. The provided evidence does not directly address the mining economy or the job market in northern Wisconsin. To accurately assess the impact of Governor Walker's administration on the mining economy and job creation, additional information and data specific to those factors would be necessary.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Holder said that laws about voter IDs could have a disparate impact on minorities. Recent studies indicated that nationally, only 8 percent of white voting-age citizens but 25 percent of African-American voting-age citizens lack government-issued photo IDs, Holder said.","Holder credited the NAACP with \"working to raise awareness about the potential impact of this and other similar laws, and the fact that \u2013 according to some recent studies \u2013 nationally, only 8 percent of white voting-age citizens, while 25 percent of African-American voting-age citizens, lack a government-issued photo ID. In our efforts to protect voting rights and to prevent voting fraud, we will be vigilant and strong. But let me be clear: We will not allow political pretexts to disenfranchise American citizens of their most precious right.\"","( - Eric Holder says recent studies show 25 percent of African Americans, 8 percent of whites lack government-issued photo IDs&url=)","A 2007 survey of Indiana\u2019s voting-age citizens found 26.6 percent of blacks and 13.6 percent of whites did not have a \"current\" government-issued or state university-issued photo ID."]},{"id":"9795.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obamacare prevents (Florida) from regulating insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, does not prevent Florida from regulating insurance. In fact, the intent of Obamacare was to allow states to maintain their authority in regulating insurance. The claim made by the GOP's Facebook account is misleading and does not accurately reflect the provisions of the law. The state's insurance regulator still has the ability to regulate insurance within the framework of the Affordable Care Act.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Only Democratic cities take \u201c\u2018days\u2019 to count their votes\u201d while \u201cthe rest of the country manages to get it done on election night.\u201d","\"GM admits the 'clean' energy used to charge electric cars comes from COAL,\" the post says, \"95% coal, to be exact. Stupid Sheep.\"","Natural News, \"GM spokesperson Kristin Zimmerman admits 95% of \"clean\" energy to charge electric cars comes from COAL,\" Feb. 07, 2021","But that\u2019s not the case for all charging stations. The electricity supply for electric cars depends on whatever the local sources of energy are where they\u2019re being charged. Some regions don\u2019t have coal-fired power plants. And nationwide, coal has been eclipsed over the past several years by natural gas as the biggest source of energy for electricity generation, with renewable sources such as wind and solar also playing a larger role."]},{"id":"5295.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We got [the Quonset Business Park] for free and were getting zero dollars out of it into the state coffers other than the fact that it produces the jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Quonset Business Park was acquired for free and that the state does not receive direct financial revenue from it. However, it is important to note that the statement acknowledges that the park does produce jobs, which can have indirect economic benefits for the state. While the state may not directly receive monetary profits from the park, the creation of jobs can contribute to the overall economic growth and well-being of the state. Therefore, the statement is partially true, considering the emphasis on job creation as a form of economic benefit.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9931.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Super Bowl Sunday has the highest rate of domestic violence.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Super Bowl Sunday has the highest rate of domestic violence is not supported by credible evidence. Research conducted by experts in the field of domestic violence, such as Callie Rennison, indicates that there is no unique or significant increase in domestic violence incidents on Super Bowl Sunday compared to other days. Domestic violence occurs on various occasions and is not specifically tied to the Super Bowl. Therefore, the claim that Super Bowl Sunday has the highest rate of domestic violence is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"48.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"We've lost over 5,000 Americans over there in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and plus the civilians killed.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact number of American civilian deaths in Afghanistan is difficult to determine, the evidence provided suggests that the number is relatively low. The combined total of military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with the reported civilian deaths, falls short of the specific claim of over 5,000. However, the statement accurately acknowledges the loss of American lives in both Afghanistan and Iraq, including both military personnel and civilians.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"She has voted to defund Planned Parenthood, which provides healthcare to about 12,000 Granite State women,\" Hassan said in a recent interview with the Concord Monitor, referring to Ayotte. \"She\u2019s voted to defund them six times.\"","2) Ayotte voted against an amendment that would have stripped a provision from the bill to defund Planned Parenthood. (The amendment was defeated.)","Ayotte\u2019s office said she supported several other government spending bills that did not defund Planned Parenthood. And in September 2015, Ayotte voted not to move forward with a temporary government spending bill that sought to block federal funds for Planned Parenthood. Ayotte said at the time she supported defunding Planned Parenthood, but didn\u2019t want to shut the government down to do it.","1) That day the Senate voted 52-47 to block federal funding to Planned Parenthood and repeal the Affordable Care Act in one bill. Ayotte voted for it."]},{"id":"1090.json","label":"false","statement":"On mandating health care coverage.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that California plans to impose a tax penalty on individuals without health care coverage, there is no direct mandate requiring all Californians to have health care coverage in 2020. The penalty is intended to incentivize individuals to obtain coverage, but exemptions exist for certain individuals. It is important to note that the evidence provided does not support the claim of a mandate for health care coverage. \nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When Deborah took office,\" it claims, \"the project had languished for years, with only $11 million in funds. With her leadership the remaining funding was secured that got the project moving forward.\"","Kafoury, in her campaign for Multnomah County commission chair, cites construction of a new Sellwood Bridge as a major accomplishment. When she took her seat on the commission in 2009, she said, \"the project had languished for years, with only $11 million in funds. With her leadership, the remaining funding was secured that got the project moving forward.\"","That backed Kafoury\u2019s claim that only $11 million of the projected $321 million needed to build a new Sellwood Bridge was on hand when she took office. Did her \"leadership\" help vacuum up the rest?","Budget documents confirm that only $11 million was on hand in 2009, and efforts to replace the aging span had been going on for at least several years. It\u2019s also clear that without a lot more money, the project was going nowhere."]},{"id":"1476.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"One-third of the economic stimulus package was tax cuts.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific calculations and interpretations, the evidence suggests that a significant portion of the economic stimulus package consisted of tax cuts. The Tax Policy Center's analysis indicates that approximately 28 percent of the bill could be described as tax cuts. While this falls slightly short of the one-third mentioned, it still supports the notion that a substantial portion of the stimulus package was allocated towards tax relief measures.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"71% of WI\u2019s roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 14% of WI\u2019s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.\"","\"71% of WI\u2019s roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 14% of WI\u2019s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. #JustFixIt\"","Shilling said \"71 % of WI\u2019s roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 14% of WI\u2019s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.\"","Shilling\u2019s team directed us to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation that cited the same statistics as the tweet -- that 71 percent of roads in Wisconsin are in poor or mediocre condition and 14 percent of bridges are classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete."]},{"id":"5680.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Sherrod Brown opposed blocking a new EPA emissions rule, despite acknowledging that the EPAs cap-and-trade regulations are burdensome and could harm economic growth in Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mandel's campaign that Sherrod Brown opposed blocking a new EPA emissions rule, despite acknowledging the potential burdens and economic harm associated with the EPA's cap-and-trade regulations. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not clarify the extent of Sherrod Brown's opposition or the specific reasons behind it. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the full context of Brown's position and whether it aligns with the claim made. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true, as it lacks sufficient context to provide a comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4789.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"(President Barack Obama gave) half a billion in taxpayer money to help his friends at Solyndra, a business the White House knew was on the path to bankruptcy.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some elements of truth but lacks important context. It is true that the Obama administration provided a loan guarantee of around half a billion dollars to Solyndra, a solar energy company. However, the claim that the money was given to \"help his friends\" is unsupported and implies political cronyism, which is not substantiated by the available evidence. While the White House was aware of Solyndra's financial challenges, the loan was approved based on the company's potential and the desire to support clean energy initiatives. Ultimately, Solyndra did file for bankruptcy, leading to criticism of the loan guarantee. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but misleading in its implications.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We are seeing dramatic rate cuts\" to Medicare that will affect seniors\u2019 ability to keep their doctor, hospital and prevention services.","\"We are seeing dramatic rate cuts,\" to Medicare that will have a \"devastating impact\" on seniors\u2019 ability to get their doctor, their hospital and prevention services, Scott tells seniors in an online campaign ad.","\"We already know that 300,000 people in our state were told they are going to lose their insurance, but now under Medicare we are seeing these dramatic rate cuts. It\u2019s going to have a devastating impact on their ability to one, get the doctor, look they rely on their doctor, get to go to the hospital that they trust, make sure they get prevention services that they deserve. These Medicare cuts that the president has caused are the wrong thing for Florida seniors.\"","PolitiFact has previously fact-checked claims about those 300,000 Floridians who are losing Florida Blue plans but are being transitioned to other ones. Here, we wanted to fact-check Scott\u2019s claim about whether dramatic rate cuts to Medicare will result in a \"devastating impact\" on seniors' ability to keep their doctor, hospital and get prevention services."]},{"id":"231.json","label":"false","statement":"\"If we went back to the obesity rates that existed in 1980, that would save the Medicare system a trillion dollars.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that reverting to obesity rates from 1980 would save the Medicare system a trillion dollars is false. While obesity does contribute to healthcare costs, it is not the sole factor affecting the financial burden on the Medicare system. There are numerous other factors, such as medical advancements, population growth, and changes in healthcare utilization patterns, that contribute to the overall cost of healthcare. Therefore, attributing such a specific and substantial cost-saving solely to obesity rates is misleading and not supported by evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"12171.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Im the only candidate in the Democratic primary, or actually on either side, who Wall Street financiers and hedge fund managers are actually running ads against.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Clinton is not accurate. While it is true that Wall Street financiers and hedge fund managers have run ads against Clinton, it is not true that she is the only candidate in the Democratic primary, or on either side, who has faced such opposition. Other candidates, both in the Democratic primary and in the broader political landscape, have also been targeted by ads from Wall Street financiers and hedge fund managers. Therefore, the claim that she is the only candidate facing such opposition is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["As a student at Occidental College in Los Angeles from 1979 to 1981, \"there were days where folks couldn't go outside. \u2026 because of all the pollution in the air.\"","Obama said that as a student at Occidental College in Los Angeles from 1979 to 1981, \"there were days where folks couldn't go outside. \u2026 because of all the pollution in the air.\"","\"And every time they've been wrong,\" Obama continued. \"when I was going to school in 1979, 1980 in Los Angeles, there were days where folks couldn't go outside -- and the sunsets were spectacular -- because of all the pollution in the air.","Many Twitter users asked us whether it was really true that during Obama\u2019s days in Los Angeles \"there were days where folks couldn't go outside. \u2026 because of all the pollution in the air.\""]},{"id":"5951.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Jimmy Langevin is having a fundraiser . . . to retire the debt from his campaign for secretary of state, which was 12 years ago.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Jimmy Langevin is indeed holding a fundraiser to retire the debt from his campaign for secretary of state, which took place 12 years ago. However, the statement lacks context regarding the reasons why the debt was not paid off earlier. It is important to note that the Ethics Committee mentioned in the evidence does not have the power to enforce debt repayment. While Langevin's decision to hold a fundraiser after such a long period may raise questions, without further information, it is difficult to determine the specific circumstances surrounding the debt and why it was not previously addressed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1644.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The average student will be spending $1,700 to $1,800 more during the life of their loan because of this surcharge.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the average student will be spending $1,700 to $1,800 more during the life of their loan due to a surcharge. The evidence does not mention any surcharge related to student loans or provide any data or analysis to support this specific claim. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is deemed false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4359.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Afghanistan, it is very, very rare that someone who is killed in action is not killed by an improvised explosive device, or IED.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Senator Bob Casey, who stated that it is very rare for someone killed in action in Afghanistan to not be killed by an improvised explosive device (IED). However, it is important to note that the term \"very, very rare\" implies an extremely low occurrence, which may not be entirely accurate. While IEDs have been a significant cause of casualties in Afghanistan, it is not accurate to claim that every single death in action is caused by an IED. There have been instances where servicemen and women have been killed in action by other means, such as direct combat engagements or other types of attacks. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to be considered completely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7227.json","label":"false","statement":"Says a federal plan to expand Medicaid would cost Florida taxpayers $26 billion over 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there was a presentation by the Agency for Health Care Administration stating that Florida taxpayers would be asked to pay $25.8 billion over 10 years to implement an expansion of the Medicaid system, it is important to note that this cost is not solely borne by Florida taxpayers. The federal government provides significant funding for Medicaid expansion, with the estimated federal spending for each state over 10 years being approximately $900 billion. Therefore, the cost to Florida taxpayers would be significantly lower than the $26 billion claimed.\nLabel: false","evidence":["St. Pete Beach's local version of Amendment 4 resulted in \"seemingly endless lawsuits (that) decimated the city's legal budget and forced the city to raise the property tax rate.\"","In its ad, the group Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy says St. Pete Beach's local version of Amendment 4 resulted in \"seemingly endless lawsuits (that) decimated the city's legal budget and forced the city to raise the property tax rate.\"","The claim we're analyzing in this case stems from a statement we examined in the spring. Back in March, Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy claimed that the tiny Pinellas community of St. Pete Beach had terrible experiences with its own version of Amendment 4, resulting in \"seemingly endless lawsuits (that) decimated the city's legal budget and forced the city to raise the property tax rate.\"","\"The seemingly endless lawsuits (as a result of the changes) decimated the city's legal budget and forced the city to raise the property tax rate. Now this idea threatens every town in Florida,\" a narrator states during a 2 minute, 15 second Web ad produced by a group called Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy. The group is an offshoot of Floridians for Smarter Growth, which is funded by developers, home builders, U.S. Sugar, and other business groups."]},{"id":"5860.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says I dont agree with Mr. Hales that we should give a sweeping break to the developers to allow them to build that infill housing without paying for those very basics.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of the speaker, who disagrees with Mr. Hales' proposal to provide a sweeping break to developers for building infill housing without paying for basic infrastructure. Multiple sources confirm this disagreement and highlight the speaker's stance on not giving away money that the city already has. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks broader context and does not provide information on the specific details or implications of Mr. Hales' proposal. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Vanden Heuvel said Americans now \"support strikes (to fight the Islamic State) but the support for ground troops is not there. The support is very thin.\"","It is also a stretch to say support for ground troops is \"not there\" or \"very thin.\" It is a minority opinion, but at least two polls show one-third of Americans support the idea.","\"There's a barbarism and a gruesomeness to the videotapes (of the Islamic State beheading two American journalists) which have moved the American people at this stage to support strikes, but the support for ground troops is not there,\" vanden Heuvel said. \"The support is very thin.\"","On This Week , vanden Heuvel embellished a bit when she said support for ground troops to fight the Islamic State was \"not there\" and \"very thin,\" but her general point is on target. Polls found at least a plurality opposed sending combat troops to fight the Islamic State."]},{"id":"11259.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Obama administration is proposing to mine another 10 billion tons of Wyoming coal, which would unleash three times more carbon pollution than Obamas Clean Power Plan would even save through 2030.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that there were proposals to mine additional coal in Wyoming during the Obama administration, it is important to note that these proposals were not directly endorsed or supported by President Obama himself. Additionally, the claim that mining 10 billion tons of Wyoming coal would unleash three times more carbon pollution than the Clean Power Plan would save is an oversimplification. The Clean Power Plan aimed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants, whereas the carbon emissions from coal mining are separate and not directly comparable. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the relationship between coal mining and the Clean Power Plan, leading to a distorted understanding of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Then he put forth statistics. 2.3 million people in jail. 70 percent of them African-American. Yikes. He got the first one right, but that 70 percent figure? That's not just wrong, that's Pants-On-Fire wrong. The real figure, according to the June 2007 report of the Bureau of Justice Statistics that counts federal, state and local jails, is 40 percent.","We're giving Gravel our harshest ruling because he botched this fact so badly and because it's such an important one to get right. It's something of a popular myth that most of the people in jail or prison are black, so to hear a presidential candidate make the false claim with such authority should not be overlooked. It also is worth noting that the 2.3 million figure that Gravel got right comes from the very same Bureau of Justice report that shows how wrong he was about the incarceration of black people. He should have kept reading.","In a debate at the historically black college, Gravel said, \"one of the areas that touches me the most and enrages me the most is our war on drugs that this country has been putting forth for the last generation.\"","\"The fact of the matter is that my colleague from New York, Senator Clinton, there are 50 percent of the American public that say they're not going to vote for her.\""]},{"id":"3337.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Wendys founder Dave Thomas left the state literally on his deathbed to avoid the estate tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy's, left the state \"literally on his deathbed\" to avoid the estate tax. In fact, Dave Thomas retired to Florida after selling his shares in Wendy's and lived there for many years before his passing. The assertion that he fled the state specifically to avoid the estate tax is unfounded and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Hasner\u2019s ad says that while she was mayor of West Palm Beach, Frankel took a \"police helicopter ride to go to a dinner party.\"","In this fact-check we will focus on Hasner\u2019s claim that Frankel took a ride in the city\u2019s helicopter to go to a dinner party. We aren\u2019t weighing in on whether it was a good decision by Frankel to take that ride -- our role is to evaluate whether Hasner accurately portrayed it.","Republican congressional candidate Adam Hasner has accused his Democratic opponent Lois Frankel of hitching a ride on a police chopper that rushed her to a party when she was mayor of West Palm Beach.","\"That Lois Frankel is something. She gave herself a 40 percent pay raise. Charged us for a police helicopter ride to go to a dinner party. But the worst part? Frankel spent over $13,000 in taxpayer money on a marble shower in a private bathroom with her own toilet. What a waste. All that money right down the drain for her own personal use,\" says the narrator, as a close-up of her hand is shown flushing a white toilet."]},{"id":"392.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or refute the statement that the speaker helped bring peace to Northern Ireland. Without additional context or information, it is difficult to assess the veracity of the claim. Therefore, the statement cannot be definitively categorized as true or false.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a May 22, 2013, Twitter post , Michael Sullivan, president of Empower Texans , which advocates less government, wrote: \"#txlege will be drawing current Economic Stabilization Fund down by half: $4 billion from current $8 billion.\"","We ran this thinking by Sullivan, who replied by email that we were adding layers to his tweet, in that the $3.94 billion in intended spending accounts for half of the fund\u2019s 2013 balance of about $8 billion. \"Some of this spending could be vetoed by the governor or the voters, but the bottom line is that the Legislature did authorize spending half of the current balance,\" Sullivan said. \"The comptroller has projected a higher balance through the end of fiscal year 2015 \u2013 but that\u2019s a projection vs. what\u2019s actually in the account today.\"","The $4 billion figure approximates legislated withdrawals from the rainy day fund over more than two years, assuming one measure makes it into law and another wins voter approval. However, it\u2019s not correct that the fund will be halved. Its expected August 2013 balance of $8.1 billion could be cut by nearly $2 billion, or 25 percent. Down the road, the fund\u2019s projected balance of nearly $12 billion at the end of August 2015 could shrink by 33 percent.","By our read, this shakes out to $1.94 billion in spending from the rainy day fund through August 2013 and, if voters approve, $2 billion more by the end of August 2015, for $3.94 billion in total. It seems, too, that the rainy day fund stands to be reduced by about 25 percent as of the end of August 2013--from a balance of $8.1 billion to a little more than $6.1 billion. And the fund could shrink from an Aug. 31, 2015, projected balance of about $12 billion to about $8 billion, down 33 percent. These calculations assume HB 1025 making it into law and SJR 1 winning voter approval."]},{"id":"11677.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"I have always opposed drivers licenses for illegal aliens.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the position of the individual in question, Travis Allen, who has consistently opposed driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants. The evidence provided confirms that Allen refused to join Republicans who opposed driver's licenses for illegal aliens during a floor vote. However, it's important to note that the term \"illegal aliens\" can be considered outdated and dehumanizing. Using more neutral terms such as \"undocumented immigrants\" is recommended. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11040.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Theres now been three independent investigations (into the bridge scandal) all of which have said that Christie did not have prior knowledge of or involvement in the lane closures.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there have been three independent investigations into the bridge scandal involving Governor Christie, and all three investigations concluded that Christie did not have prior knowledge of or involvement in the lane closures. However, it's important to note that the investigations were conducted by entities associated with Christie himself, including a law firm commissioned by him, the state legislature, and the U.S. attorney's office. While these investigations did not find evidence of Christie's involvement, some critics argue that the independence and impartiality of these investigations may be questionable due to their association with Christie. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of the investigations' findings, it lacks the context of potential bias in those investigations.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Gingrich boasted about his fiscal record, saying, \"We balanced the budget with the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, and ultimately had four consecutive balanced budgets.\" That wording is more accurate than his previous claims, which have indicated they all occurred when he was speaker. His new wording earned a Mostly True.","Responding to a comment from Rick Santorum about fiscal responsibility, Gingrich said, \"When we balanced the budget with the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, and ultimately had four consecutive balanced budgets, we doubled the size of the National Institutes of Health because we set priorities. It is possible to do the right things in the right order to make this a bigger, richer, more exciting country.\"","In the Jacksonville debate, however, Gingrich modified his statement. This time, he said that the nation \"ultimately had four consecutive balanced budgets.\" That is a more accurate way of putting it.","\"Like most things in life, what caused the budget to be balanced was multi-factorial, most important of which was the tech boom and the surging economy,\" said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense. \"You can partially credit the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, but you could also credit the 1993 and 1990 bills that Speaker Gingrich opposed. It's a little too simple to say that the 1997 Balanced Budget Act \u2018balanced the budget.\u2019 \""]},{"id":"2583.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says David Wu has presided over 137 months in which Oregons unemployment rate has been above the national average.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Oregon's unemployment rate has been consistently above the national average for a significant period, the statement incorrectly attributes this solely to David Wu's tenure in Congress. The evidence provided indicates that Oregon's unemployment rate was already above the national average before Wu took office. Therefore, while it is accurate to say that Oregon's unemployment rate has been persistently higher than the national average, it is misleading to solely attribute this to Wu's time in Congress.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12357.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under a new federal regulation, it will cost Pinellas County $31 million to fix a single ditch.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on an old estimate from a 2014 report that claimed it would cost $31 million to make a single ditch in Pinellas County compliant with Clean Water Act pollution guidelines under a new rule. However, the report did not provide specific details on why the cost would be so high, and it did not consider changes made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the rule in 2015. Furthermore, there is uncertainty regarding whether such upgrades are necessary or if they would actually be that expensive. Therefore, while there is some basis for the statement, it lacks important context and may not accurately reflect the current situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["An Arizona group says a gun bill before the Senate would make it a federal felony to \"leave town for more than seven days, and leave someone else at home with your firearms.\"","One such email warning, from an Arizona group, says, \"You would be committing a federal felony if you leave town for more than seven days, and leave someone else at home with your firearms.\"","\"While the proposed legislation contains limited exceptions for transfers such as between family members,\" says the email, sent to supporters April 10, \"a little digging shows that you would be committing a federal felony if you ... leave town for more than seven days, and leave someone else at home with your firearms.\"","\"I would say it should be changed to \u2018you might be committing a federal felony if you leave town for more than seven days, and leave someone else at home with your firearms,\u2019\" said Clark Neily, who helped represent security guard Dick Heller in his successful Supreme Court challenge to D.C.\u2019s handgun ban."]},{"id":"5418.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker is openly backing a move to abolish the state retirement system and convert it to a 401(k)-style plan that will reduce pensions by at least a third for current and retired public employees","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were claims in a chain email and other sources that Governor Scott Walker was openly backing a move to abolish the state retirement system and reduce pensions, there is no credible evidence to support these claims. The email and related sources appear to be spreading misinformation, as there is no record of Governor Walker making such statements or actively pursuing the abolition of the state retirement system. It is important to rely on accurate information when discussing political matters.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Warren said, \"The average family not in the top 10 percent makes less money today than they were making a generation ago.\"","Warren, a former law professor and expert on the economic challenges of the middle class, cited a number of statistics to support her point, including: \"Well, since 1980, guess how much of the growth in income over the last 32 years -- how much of the growth in income did the 90 percent get? Zero. None. Nothing. In fact, it is worse than that. The average family not in the top 10 percent makes less money today than they were making a generation ago.\"","Portman said \"the average family (is) now bringing home $4,000 less than they did just five years ago.\" According to Census Bureau data, the decline is even greater, making Portman\u2019s overall point even stronger than the data he offered. We rate his claim True.","To check out Warren\u2019s claim, we looked at average income data from 1979 to 2012 for the top 10 percent and bottom 90 percent of earners. (The time frame Warren used in her speech was \"a generation,\" which is vague, but in context it\u2019s clear she\u2019s talking about since the 1980s.) The Saez-Piketty data comes from millions of tax returns filed over the past century."]},{"id":"8066.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gangs have increased by 40 percent since this president was elected.","reason":"Reason: While Newt Gingrich claimed that gangs have increased by 40 percent since Barack Obama was elected president, there is insufficient evidence to support this specific percentage. It is important to note that crime rates and gang activity can be influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic conditions, law enforcement strategies, and local dynamics. Without comprehensive and reliable data specifically linking gang growth to Obama's presidency, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is partially true in acknowledging the claim made by Gingrich but lacks substantial evidence to support the specific percentage mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6104.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The latest evidence of Republican success is that since the beginning of the current legislative term, state unemployment has gone down almost 20% to 5% adjusted.","reason":"Reason: While it is accurate to state that many states with Republican governors have experienced lower unemployment rates, attributing the decrease solely to Republican success is an oversimplification. Multiple factors contribute to changes in unemployment rates, including national economic trends, industry composition, and other state-specific factors. Additionally, the statement does not provide a clear timeframe for the 20% decrease in state unemployment, making it difficult to assess the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks sufficient context to support a definitive conclusion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Why is January 8th an important date in American History,\" LeMieux asked during the afternoon of Jan. 8, 2010. \"This day in 1835 is the only day in our history when we have not been in debt.\"","LeMieux says that the United States was only debt free for one day in its history -- Jan. 8, 1835. He's right that the United States was indeed debt free on that day. And before and after that, we as a country really never got that close to being debt free.","Did it last only one day, however, as LeMieux says? We found \"this day in history\" stories and blogs that tend to suggest so. But LeMieux's office didn't offer any definitive proof.","After Jan. 8, history writers fail to track the debt with precise detail. Jackson biographers Parton and Remini don't discuss how long the national debt remained zero. (In their defense, they use their ink discussing an assassination attempt on Jackson at the end of January 1835)."]},{"id":"13144.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Republican Mark Kirk is outsourcing his campaign to a Super PAC funded almost exclusively by a bunch of hedge fund billionaires. ...I dont have a Super PAC.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tammy Duckworth has repeatedly claimed that Mark Kirk is outsourcing his campaign to a Super PAC funded by hedge fund billionaires, the statement is not entirely accurate. Mark Kirk does benefit from a Super PAC that has exclusively spent on the Illinois U.S. Senate race. However, it is important to note that \"outsourcing\" a campaign to a Super PAC would be illegal under campaign finance laws. Additionally, while Tammy Duckworth does not have a single-candidate Super PAC, she does receive some minimal Super PAC spending and other outside spending from state and national Democratic party organizations. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Dobbs said the federal government \"manipulated deportation data to make it appear that the Border Patrol was deporting more illegal immigrants than the Bush administration.\"","So that\u2019s a look at the data -- and why it can be confusing. Now we want to look at Dobbs\u2019 accusation that the Obama administration \"manipulated deportation data to make it appear that the Border Patrol was deporting more illegal immigrants than the Bush administration.\"","\"They manipulated deportation data to make it appear that the Border Patrol was deporting more illegal immigrants than the Bush administration,\" Dobbs said July 1, 2014. \"The Homeland Security secretary had to admit before Congress that was not the case -- that, in fact, they were manipulating the numbers.\"","Over the past several administrations, the Department of Homeland Security has shifted its immigration focus to undocumented immigrants who commit crimes or are caught at the border. The idea is to get them out, and keep them out. The shift picked up in the George W. Bush administration and intensified under Obama\u2019s watch."]},{"id":"7643.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wisconsin education agency urged white students to wear white wristbands as a reminder about your (white) privilege.","reason":"Reason: While there were allegations that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction encouraged white students to wear white wristbands as a reminder of their privilege, the evidence suggests that these claims were based on a misinterpretation or exaggeration of a flier. The flier did exist, but it did not explicitly urge white students to wear wristbands or mention \"white privilege.\" The language used in the flier was more general, focusing on promoting awareness and understanding of privilege. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the content of the flier or the actions of the Wisconsin education agency.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"How liberal is congressman Mike Simpson? Simpson voted with Nancy Pelosi to bail out Wall Street. That wasnt enough spending for Mike Simpson, so he joined Pelosi in voting to take more of your money to fund sex study programs of San Francisco prostitutes. Simpson also joined Pelosi in voting to regulate the sale of firearms.\"","Whether this research should have been selected for funding given the limited pool of money available is a reasonable question to debate, but saying it was to \"fund sex study programs of San Francisco prostitutes\" fails to factor in the public-health concerns at stake.","The Madison Action Fund is claiming just that, running an ad in Idaho linking GOP Rep. Mike Simpson to Pelosi, a frequent target of Republican ire.","So ultimately, Simpson and Pelosi were mostly on opposite sides of the fight over this bill. Most importantly, when it came on votes to \"regulate the sale of firearms,\" Simpson voted to loosen restrictions while Pelosi wanted to maintain the status quo. They only voted on the same side on a measure to require safety locks on handguns."]},{"id":"9369.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Surface temperatures on Earth have stabilized.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been a slowdown or \"pause\" in the rate of increase of global surface temperatures over the past decade and a half, it is inaccurate to claim that surface temperatures have \"stabilized.\" The term \"stabilized\" implies that temperatures have reached a consistent and unchanging state, which is not supported by scientific evidence. Climate scientists agree that despite the slowdown, surface temperatures continue to rise, and each year in recent decades has been warmer than the previous ones. The claim of stabilization is an unjustified leap from the data and does not accurately reflect the ongoing trend of global warming.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Arizona congressional candidate Christine Jones \"called Hillary Clinton \u2018a capable and respected leader,\u2019 and an \u2018effective\u2019 secretary of state. ... Hillary Clinton effective? Christine Jones thinks so.\"","\"Jones called Hillary Clinton \u2018a capable and respected leader,\u2019 and an \u2018effective\u2019 secretary of state,\" the ad states. \"Hillary Clinton effective? Christine Jones thinks so.\"","Club for Growth said, \"Jones called Hillary Clinton \u2018a capable and respected leader,\u2019 and an \u2018effective\u2019 secretary of state ... Hillary Clinton effective? Christine Jones thinks so.\"","Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, will continue to stand out as a capable and respected leader and a commanding presence in US international relations, causing even more Democrats to wonder why she wasn\u2019t their candidate in 2008, and calling for her to replace vice president Biden as president Obama\u2019s running mate in the 2012 general election, or better yet, to challenge the president in a Democratic primary."]},{"id":"9780.json","label":"false","statement":"Sen. Jeff Merkley voted six times for more debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Sen. Jeff Merkley voted six times for more debt is misleading. While it is true that Sen. Merkley voted to raise the debt limit, it does not necessarily mean that he voted for more debt. Raising the debt limit is a procedural vote that allows the government to continue borrowing to meet its existing financial obligations. It does not automatically imply an endorsement of increased spending or accumulating more debt. The statement oversimplifies the complexity of the issue and misrepresents Sen. Merkley's voting record.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11530.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"How many concerts would Taylor Swift have to perform to pay off one day of interest on our national debt? She would have to perform every day for three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact number of concerts Taylor Swift would have to perform to pay off one day of interest on the national debt may vary depending on the specific interest rate and other factors, the general sentiment is accurate. The national debt is a significant amount, and the interest accrued on it is substantial. Given Taylor Swift's high earning potential, it is plausible that she would have to perform a substantial number of concerts over an extended period to cover just one day's interest on the national debt.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["I am the only U.S. Senate candidate who spoke out against bombing Syria, and who challenged Georgia\u2019s governor and insurance commissioner over obstruction to the Affordable Care Act.","\"I\u2019m the only one who spoke out against bombing Syria. And the only one who took on Governor Deal and Insurance Commissioner Hudgens over their efforts to \u2018obstruct\u2019 the Affordable Care Act in Georgia.\"","The Atlanta physician released a campaign email that said he was the only Senate candidate to speak out against bombing Syria, and to challenge Georgia\u2019s governor and insurance commissioner about obstructing the federal health care law.","On the health care front, one other Democratic Senate candidate spoke out against the state\u2019s decision not to expand Medicaid to poor residents, which was a large part of the Affordable Care Act."]},{"id":"6585.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the United States has the worlds greatest health care system.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While some studies have shown that the United States excels in certain aspects of healthcare, such as cancer care, it is important to note that the overall quality and accessibility of the healthcare system in the United States is a subject of debate. Various studies and rankings have indicated that the U.S. healthcare system has room for improvement, particularly in terms of access to care and childhood vaccination rates. Therefore, while the United States may have strengths in certain areas, it is not universally regarded as having the world's greatest healthcare system.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But because the group used these numbers as proof that the stadium is \"1 Great Deal for Cobb Residents,\" readers could get the impression that the 9,241 jobs and $295 million in wages would go to locals, Seaman noted.","Add them up and you get 9,241 jobs, which is the figure used by Revitalize Cobb. The estimate of $295 million in wages combines the salaries earned over three years of construction with one year of wages for workers operating the park.","Revitalize Cobb\u2019s claim that the Braves move will result in $295 million in wages is also based on a regional number.","The new Atlanta Braves stadium will require no tax increase for homeowners and provide $3 million annually for Cobb County schools."]},{"id":"9533.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"U.S. Senate candidate Jack Kingston requested more earmarks than any other GA Congressman and all GA GOP members combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by multiple sources, including David Perdue, U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, and a spokesperson for Jack Kingston. They all assert that Jack Kingston, a U.S. Senate candidate, had more earmarks than any other Georgia Congressman and more than all Georgia GOP members combined. While the statement may not provide the exact number of earmarks or the specific time frame in which this occurred, the consensus among these sources supports the claim that Kingston had a significant number of earmarks compared to his colleagues in Georgia. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"In Oregon, women earn an average of 79 cents for every dollar that men earn for doing the same job. That\u2019s just wrong.\"","In Oregon, Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian posted an \"issue statement\" on his campaign website on Jan. 31, 2014, that customizes the issue for the Beaver state. \"In Oregon,\" according to the post, \"women earn an average of 79 cents for every dollar that men earn for doing the same job. That\u2019s just wrong.\"","Avakian, citing Census data and echoing claims by Obama and others, said women in Oregon \"earn an average of 79 cents for every dollar that men earn for doing the same job.\" The report he relied on noted that the 79-cent figure applies to full-time, year-round work, although Avakian didn\u2019t include those stipulations.","Kaine\u2019s wrote, \"With a few more votes, we would have made an important step forward in helping narrow the gap between what women currently earn -- here in Virginia, only 79 cents to each dollar earned by men -- and the equal pay that they deserve,\" the email said."]},{"id":"5267.json","label":"false","statement":"Siemens has been unable to fill approximately 200 skilled trade positions in metro Atlanta.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence or information provided to support the claim that Siemens has been unable to fill approximately 200 skilled trade positions in metro Atlanta. Without any substantiating evidence, it is not accurate to make such a claim.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It is wrong for the average federal worker today to make more than $100,000 while the average private-sector worker makes less than $70,000,\" Keown wrote.","\"It\u2019s gotten to a point where the average federal worker makes twice as much as the average private sector worker,\" Boehner said.","We said as much recently when we examined a claim about federal worker pay by Rand Paul, the Republican senator elect from Kentucky. In that item we found BEA statistics show federal employees earned an average salary of $81,258, when benefits were stripped out, compared with $50,464 for private sector employees.","Using the Bureau of Labor\u2019s data, the gap is a little wider, but the average federal worker pay still is considerably short of double."]},{"id":"8730.json","label":"false","statement":"Fifty-three percent of graduates from liberal arts colleges these days cant find jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence provided in the given context or evidence section to support the claim that 53% of graduates from liberal arts colleges are unable to find jobs. Without any substantiating data or sources, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of this statement. Therefore, it should be considered false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10231.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he has never received any contributions from the Koch brothers.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Thrasher has not personally received contributions from the Koch brothers, he did receive donations totaling $3,000 from Koch Industries, a company owned by the Koch brothers. Therefore, the statement that he has never received any contributions from the Koch brothers is not entirely accurate. It is important to distinguish between personal contributions and donations from entities associated with the Koch brothers.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Loretta Lynch, the new nominee for attorney general, \"was a member of Bill Clinton's defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe.\"","An article on Breitbart that has since been deleted said Loretta Lynch, Obama\u2019s new nominee for attorney general, \"was a member of Bill Clinton's defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe.\"","It shows pictures of Lynch and former President Bill Clinton, who had a controversial meeting with Lynch as his wife was under investigation by the FBI, with the words, \"Fun fact of the day. Lynch was a member of Bill Clinton's defense team during the 1992 Whitewater corruption probe.\"","\"Obama\u2019s new attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch represented Clintons during Whitewater,\" read a headline from Breitbart\u2019s Warner Todd Houston. Houston wrote:"]},{"id":"774.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"John McCain's health care plan \"leaves you on your own to pay McCains health insurance tax.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John McCain's health care plan proposes repealing the tax exemption on employer-provided insurance, it is misleading to claim that it leaves individuals \"on their own\" to pay a new tax on insurance. McCain's plan includes a tax credit of $2,500 per person to be used towards any health insurance of their choice. This credit is intended to offset the potential tax burden and provide individuals with financial assistance to obtain health insurance. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully represent McCain's plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The only advice I would add is we all know ... that Rhode Island constitutionally has a very strong legislature,\" Chafee said. \"That\u2019s a fact, the strongest in the country \u2026 And it\u2019s critical, to move your agenda forward, to have relationships ... build those relationships.\"","Since this claim has been made so often, we decided to check whether Rhode Island\u2019s General Assembly really ranks as the strongest in the nation.","The book also noted that Chafee was the only governor in the country in 2011 to face a legislature controlled by an opposing party. At the time, Chafee was registered as an independent; he changed his affiliation to Democrat in May 2013.","\"The amount of money that we put into running our own state legislature is nearly as much as we put into the University of Rhode Island.\""]},{"id":"9062.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says President AbrahamLincoln tried to arm the slaves.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible historical evidence to support the claim that President Abraham Lincoln tried to arm the slaves. Multiple historians and experts have stated that they are unaware of any such efforts by Lincoln. The Union's actions during the Civil War focused on emancipation and the formation of units of black soldiers, rather than arming the slaves themselves. The statement is not based on any factual basis and is widely considered to be false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["In an April 12 speech in Syracuse, Sanders told supporters, \"A week from today there's going to be an enormously important Democratic primary in New York state. What we have found is we win when voter turnout is high, we lose when it is low. Next Tuesday, let us come out in large numbers. Let us have the highest voter turnout in Democratic primary history in New York.\"","Remember those bottom 10 states that Sanders won? They were all caucuses, where the complicated process tends to keep voter turnout low. Ignoring the large number of low-turnout caucuses Sanders won would be cherry-picking.","Putting these low-turnout caucuses into the calculation quickly weakens the link between high-turnout contests and Sanders victories: The average turnout rate for a state won by Clinton was 44 percent, while the average state won by Sanders had a turnout rate of 31 percent.","Sanders did notch a few notable victories in high-turnout primaries, but it would be cherry-picking to focus only on primaries. Sanders has mostly won caucuses, which have produced the lowest turnout rates of 2016 across the board. And while Sanders did win the handful of states where Democratic turnout increased over 2008, these increases were tiny, casting doubt on how significant an accomplishment this is."]},{"id":"5088.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I delivered a flat tax for my state. I took my state to No. 1 in job creation. With all due respect to what Rick Perry has said about Texas, we did a little bit better.","reason":"Reason: The statement claims that the speaker delivered a flat tax for their state and took their state to No. 1 in job creation, implying that their state performed better than Texas. However, the statement lacks specific details and evidence to support these claims. Without further information or data, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claims made.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Look, we are at war with these people and they don't wear uniforms. \u2026 This is a war against people that are vicious, violent people, that we have no idea who they are, where they come from. We are allowing tens of thousands of them into our country now.\"","Trump said, \"Look, we are at war with these people and they don't wear uniforms. \u2026 This is a war against people that are vicious, violent people, that we have no idea who they are, where they come from. We are allowing tens of thousands of them into our country now.\"","\"Look, we are at war with these people, and they don't wear uniforms,\" Trump said during the May 23, 2016, interview. \"It's not your traditional war where it's a war against Germany, Japan, or whoever. This is a war against people that are vicious, violent people, that we have no idea who they are, where they come from. We are allowing tens of thousands of them into our country now.\"","On the one hand, by referring to \"vicious, violent people,\" Trump seems to be referring to terrorists and violent extremists. But there is no evidence that tens of thousands of terrorists are being admitted into the United States today -- much less that they are being \"allowed\" in, as if there is a visa preference program for terrorists."]},{"id":"3875.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Part of his ride was to warn the British that were already there that, Hey, youre not going to succeed.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Paul Revere's ride had the objective of warning the British, the statement oversimplifies the situation. Paul Revere's primary mission was to alert American colonists, particularly those in Lexington and Concord, about the movement of British troops. While it is possible that his warnings indirectly conveyed the message to the British that they would face resistance, it is not accurate to claim that part of his ride was specifically intended to warn the British of their impending failure. The focus of his ride was to warn and rally the American colonists, rather than directly communicate with the British forces.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For this item, we'll focus on whether Biden is correct that America lost 750,000 jobs a month before the stimulus bill went into effect and only 35,000 a month in the last three months.","\"We think the Recovery Act is working because of the progress we've made in slowing job loss,\" Biden wrote on Feb. 17, 2010, exactly a year since the stimulus bill was signed by President Barack Obama. \"In the three months before the act took effect, America lost 750,000 jobs a month. In the last three months, we've lost about 35,000 jobs a month. That's progress \u2014 not good enough, not where we need to be, but progress. And most economists agree that that progress is thanks in a very large part to the Recovery Act.\"","Jay Carney, Biden's communications director, said that the numbers cited in the op-ed came from monthly job losses reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January, February and March of 2009, as well as the last three months. On average, the economy lost about 752,000 jobs per month in the first three months of 2009, which is close to the 750,000 that Biden wrote in his op-ed.","Says in the last six months of the Bush administration, the U.S. lost 3.5 million jobs, including 760,000 jobs during January 2009 alone."]},{"id":"109.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"I cut taxes 23 times when I was mayor of New York City.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the speaker, who was the mayor of New York City, implemented tax cuts during their tenure, the claim of cutting taxes \"23 times\" lacks specific details and context. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the exact number of tax cuts. However, it is plausible that tax cuts were implemented multiple times during their mayoral term. Therefore, the statement is partially true, but the lack of specific information prevents a definitive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["There\u2019s a lot packed into that quote, but we\u2019re most interested in the last part of Schumer\u2019s claim: that uninsured voters only made up 5 percent of the electorate in 2010, the year Congress passed the Affordable Care Act.","Then we calculated what percentage of the total electorate (217.6 million) are these 15.2 million uninsured eligible voters -- 7 percent, compared to Schumer\u2019s 5 percent figure.","\"The Affordable Care Act was aimed at the 36 million Americans who were not covered,\" Schumer said. \"It's been reported that only a third of the uninsured are even registered to vote. In 2010, only about 40 percent of those registered voted. So even if the uninsured kept with the rate, which they likely didn't, you would still only be talking about 5 percent of the electorate.\"","We crunched the numbers and came up with a figure close to Schumer\u2019s -- 7 percent. There\u2019s reason to believe, though, that 5 percent and 7 percent are both overestimates. This only reinforces Schumer\u2019s overall point that the uninsured don\u2019t make up a significant portion of actual voters."]},{"id":"8346.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"In a sweetheart deal members of Congress, thanks to the Obama administration, are going to be the only people in America to get subsidies in the Obamacare exchanges.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Members of Congress are not the only people in America to receive subsidies in the Obamacare exchanges. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) provides subsidies in the form of tax credits to individuals within a specified income range who purchase insurance on the Obamacare marketplace. These subsidies are available to millions of Americans, not just members of Congress. The claim that members of Congress are the only ones receiving subsidies is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1785.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, cast votes for TARP, the stimulus, and an individual mandate for health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While Senator Robert Bennett did vote for TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program), he did not vote for the stimulus bill as claimed. Additionally, while he did co-sponsor a bill that included an individual mandate for health care, he did not cast a vote for an individual mandate in the Democratic health care bill. In fact, he voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which contained an individual mandate. Therefore, the statement inaccurately characterizes Bennett's voting record on the stimulus and the individual mandate for health care.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["A reader asked us to investigate whether Rubio is correct that marriage \"decreases the probability of child poverty by 82 percent.\" So we did.","Rubio said that marriage \"decreases the probability of child poverty by 82 percent.\" Our research suggests that a more current and more accurate statistic to back up his claim would be a decrease of 71 percent. That\u2019s lower, but not dramatically so. We rate his claim Mostly True.","\"Until at least a few decades ago, our economy proved sufficiently dynamic and innovative to replace old jobs with new ones, but that hasn't been happening in recent years,\" Rubio said. \"Social factors also play a major role in denying equal opportunity. The truth is that the greatest tool to lift people, to lift children and families from poverty, is one that decreases the probability of child poverty by 82 percent. But it isn't a government program. It's called marriage.\"","The claim appears to come from this article by Robert Rector of the conservative Heritage Foundation. Rector wrote, \"According to the U.S. Census, the poverty rate for single parents with children in the United States in 2009 was 37.1 percent. The rate for married couples with children was 6.8 percent. Being raised in a married family reduced a child\u2019s probability of living in poverty by about 82 percent.\""]},{"id":"8311.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Some 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees lost up to 70 percent of their pensions as a result of political favoritism and backroom deals.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Michael Turner regarding the Delphi salaried retirees. According to Turner, approximately 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees did experience significant pension losses, up to 70 percent, as a result of what he alleges to be political favoritism and backroom deals. However, it's important to note that the claim is presented from Turner's perspective and may not fully capture the complexity of the situation. The statement lacks additional context and evidence to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to the pension losses. Therefore, while the claim has some basis in truth, it could benefit from additional information to provide a more accurate assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"This nation is the most powerful military in the world,\" Sanders said. \"We're spending over $600 billion a year on the military. And yet significantly less than 10 percent of that money is used to fight international terrorism.\"","Sanders said that the country devotes \"significantly less than 10 percent\" of its military budget to fight international terrorism. A campaign spokesman told us that Sanders was only counting money spent against ISIS. However, according to the Defense Department budget, it spent a combined total of $60 billion on anti-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and in the battle with ISIS. This amounts to nearly 11 percent of total defense dollars , not significantly less as Sanders said.","\"Bernie is taking an extremely limited view of the defense budget here,\" Heeley said. \"While it may be true that the counterterrorism budget as a whole deserves a closer look, and would benefit from more transparency, it is not true that we're spending significantly less than 10 percent overall to fight international terrorism.\"","Sanders said, \"Very little of (the defense) budget \u2014 less than 10 percent \u2014 actually goes into fighting ISIS and international terrorism.\""]},{"id":"3495.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says new EPA water regulations would force the state to make drainage canals every bit as clean as pristine Florida river systems.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the regulations, as they stand now, would require drainage canals in Central Florida designated as Class III waters to meet the same numeric nutrient standards as the Wekiva River, there are several caveats that could impact the validity of the claim. These include the rules not being implemented for South Florida, the exemption of many drainage canals proposed by the state, and the potential for individual drainage canals to be exempted based on scientific study. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the current regulations, it should be noted that not all drainage canals would have to meet the same water quality standards as the Wekiva River.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Answer: The district estimates $208 per square foot in hard costs to rebuild elementary grade schools and $220 per square foot for the high schools. This is the mid-range for Portland Metro hard costs.Read the project estimating method for yourself.","It\u2019s great that the campaign posted relevant information on its website. And apparently, it\u2019s perfectly acceptable to compare \"hard\" construction costs within the industry. But breaking it down like that does little to help the average voter understand what it would cost per square foot to rebuild these historic high schools. And that was the question the campaign purportedly tried to answer.","(By the way, Jim Owens with Portland Public Schools, who is in charge of the projects and has extensive experience in public construction and finance and who helped us with the details, said total square footage costs are reasonable and he didn\u2019t think the square footage costs were too high in 2011 either.)","Those numbers are markedly different from $220. In fact, we\u2019ll do more math for you. Grant\u2019s $333 a square foot is 51 percent more than the stated $220 per square foot of \"hard\" construction costs."]},{"id":"11850.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"During eight years under Ronald Reagan, African-American median income rose by about $5,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. While it is true that African-American median income increased during Ronald Reagan's presidency, the exact figure of a $5,000 increase is an overstatement. The evidence suggests that the gain in median income for African-Americans under Reagan was closer to $2,000, which is significantly lower than the stated amount. Additionally, it's worth noting that the increase in median income for African-Americans during the Clinton presidency was higher than during the Reagan presidency. Therefore, while there was some improvement in African-American median income under Reagan, the specific claim of a $5,000 increase is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8811.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The largest enterprise in the world is the federal government of the United States of America","reason":"Reason: The statement that the federal government of the United States of America is the largest enterprise in the world is partially true. It is supported by the fact that the U.S. government has a significant employment base and budget. However, it is important to note that the comparison to other enterprises worldwide, particularly in terms of size and scope, is not provided. Without a direct comparison to other enterprises, it is difficult to definitively claim that the U.S. government is the largest enterprise in the world. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects the size and significance of the U.S. government but lacks a comprehensive comparison to other global enterprises.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6661.json","label":"half-true","statement":"After 30 years of inaction, we raised fuel standards so that by the middle of the next decade, cars and trucks will go twice as far on a gallon of gas.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that fuel standards were raised after 30 years of inaction, and that by the middle of the next decade, cars and trucks will go twice as far on a gallon of gas. The Obama administration did indeed implement new fuel efficiency standards that set higher benchmarks for automakers over the next decade. However, it's important to note that achieving these goals is subject to ongoing debate and potential challenges, particularly regarding the cost and feasibility of meeting the standards. While existing technologies are believed to have the potential to achieve the goals, there are concerns about the affordability and long-term sustainability of such advancements. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it should be understood that there are complexities and uncertainties surrounding the implementation and effectiveness of these fuel standards.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10629.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Jeb Bush has released 10 percent of his emails.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that there were claims made by James Carville and others that Jeb Bush had only released 10 percent of his emails, these claims were not accurate. Jeb Bush has stated that he released all the emails he was required to under Florida law, similar to how Hillary Clinton turned over all the emails she was required to under federal law. The initial claim of only releasing 10 percent of his emails is misleading and does not reflect the actual actions taken by Jeb Bush.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"During her first four years in Washington, Sen. Ayotte voted with the Koch brothers nearly 90 percent of the time,\" Hassan said at a recent Democratic unity breakfast.","Ayotte earned a 90 percent rating during those years from an organizations the Koch brothers helped to found, Americans for Prosperity. But, the men don\u2019t vote in the U.S. Senate and the organization said the brothers don\u2019t play a direct role in choosing the votes.","Even so, the scorecard isn\u2019t a vote-by-vote grade. It\u2019s not like AFP tallied the results of 100 votes and agreed with Ayotte 90 percent of the time. The organization scored her and all Senators on a sampling of votes in line with its agenda.","Democrat Maggie Hassan has gone on the attack against Republican rival Kelly Ayotte in the race for U.S. Senate. Recently, Hassan accused Ayotte of siding with billionaires Charles and David Koch while representing New Hampshire in the Washington."]},{"id":"2685.json","label":"half-true","statement":"More private-sector jobs were created in the first eight months of 2010 than in the eight years of the Bush administration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was a net loss of 653,000 private-sector jobs during the eight years of the Bush administration. However, it is important to note that the claim specifically refers to the first eight months of 2010, and the data for the entire Obama administration is not provided. Therefore, while it is accurate to say that more private-sector jobs were created in the first eight months of 2010 compared to the entire eight years of the Bush administration, it does not provide a comprehensive comparison of job creation throughout the entire Obama administration.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2118.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Karen Handel would have felt like it was OK to go in and abort Sarah Palins son Trig, who has Down syndrome.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or basis to support the claim that Karen Handel, or anyone else, would have felt it was acceptable to abort Sarah Palin's son Trig because he has Down syndrome. The statement is purely speculative and lacks any factual foundation. It is important to avoid spreading false and inflammatory accusations without reliable evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Back in the Great Recession, when millions of jobs across America hung in the balance, Donald Trump said rescuing the auto industry didn\u2019t really matter very much. He said, and I quote again, \u2018Let it go.\u2019 \"","Economic Development Commission Executive Director Keith Stokes \"sent me a letter and he said the taxpayers will never be on the hook for these bonds\" for 38 Studios.","You've followed a link to a page that broke for some reason. Hmmm ... Give us a minute to see if anyone's meddling with the Truth-O-Meter and try it again. If it still doesn't work, try the search bar above or one of our navigation links to start over.","\"I did not play any role in bringing the company to RI as did others in government. I was tasked with handling the legislation affecting the company by my superiors.\""]},{"id":"5357.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The U.S. Census believes that by 2030 the majority of Americans will use Spanish as their first language.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The U.S. Census Bureau does not believe that the majority of Americans will use Spanish as their first language by 2030. In fact, census researchers have projected that the percentage of people in the U.S. who speak Spanish as their first language will be significantly lower, ranging from 13 to 15.3 percent in 2020. The claim made on the show \"Glee\" by Ricky Martin's character is not supported by any credible data or official statements from the Census Bureau.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2413.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As the CEO of HP, Carly Fiorina laid off 30,000 workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in multiple sources that Carly Fiorina, as the CEO of HP, laid off approximately 30,000 workers. While there may be some dispute over the context and long-term impact of these layoffs, the fact that a significant number of workers lost their jobs under Fiorina's leadership is supported by evidence. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We pulled the figures ourselves, and they add up. Over the past five years, there were an average of 3,139 firearm deaths each year in Texas, according to CDC data.","Jason Phelps, a spokesman for Giffords, said that this figure was calculated based on gun deaths recorded in Texas over the past five years.","This is the average number of firearm deaths per year over the past five years, from 2013 through 2017, according to Phelps.","A look at the state\u2019s COVID-19 dashboard shows that, although daily fatality numbers are decreasing, more than 3,000 Texans have died of the coronavirus since the mask mandate was lifted. That\u2019s about 6% of the 50,000 deaths Texas has recorded since the beginning of the pandemic."]},{"id":"3578.json","label":"false","statement":"Politicians and their corporate lobbyists are trying to take away my right to spend my paycheck how I want.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence provided to support the claim that politicians and their corporate lobbyists are trying to take away the individual's right to spend their paycheck as they want. It is important to critically evaluate claims and ensure they are supported by credible evidence before accepting them as true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The meme says the 1956 Republican Party platform supported equal pay, the minimum wage, asylum for refugees, protections for unions and more.","On the minimum wage , the platform notes that the Eisenhower administration raised the minimum wage for more than 2 million workers. It urged extending minimum-wage protections \"to as many more workers as is possible and practicable.\"","On equal pay for equal work regardless of sex , the platform says the Eisenhower administration will \"continue to fight \u2026 (to) assure equal pay for equal work regardless of sex.\"","The 2012 platform doesn\u2019t mention two of the meme\u2019s seven items from 1956 -- unemployment benefits and equal pay for women."]},{"id":"411.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"I remember landing under sniper fire.","reason":"Reason: Multiple sources and eyewitness accounts contradict the claim that Hillary Clinton landed under sniper fire. Video footage and reports from the time show that there was no sniper fire during her arrival in Bosnia. Instead, she participated in a peaceful greeting ceremony. Clinton's repeated assertions of coming under sniper fire are false and have been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"983.json","label":"false","statement":"There are no similar clips of Newt Gingrich talking about how ineffective President Bush was in trying to control North Korea.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that there are no similar clips of Newt Gingrich talking about the ineffectiveness of President Bush in trying to control North Korea. The evidence focuses on Gingrich's support for a specific approach to curb pollutants and his opposition to certain tax-raising bills. It does not provide any information or context regarding Gingrich's views on President Bush's efforts to control North Korea. Without additional evidence, it is not possible to determine Gingrich's stance on that specific issue.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says he didn't tell viewers that the Obama campaign hid news about the motives behind the attack in Benghazi because Obama was running for re-election.","O\u2019Reilly said he didn't tell viewers that the Obama campaign hid news about the motives behind the attack in Benghazi because he was running for re-election. While O\u2019Reilly did not use those exact words, he consistently said that someone was trying to mislead the American public. He repeatedly compared the situation to the impeachments of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.","O'Reilly: Your detractors believe that you did not tell the world it was a terror attack because your campaign didn't want that out.","O\u2019Reilly didn\u2019t press Obama on what happened on the ground in Benghazi. He focused on how the administration characterized the attack. Rice\u2019s interview came less than two months before what looked to be a very tight presidential election. So let\u2019s look at what the White House said in the days surrounding the attack."]},{"id":"3812.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry is the guy that tracked down Democratic legislators who fled Texas in 2003.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence that Rick Perry directed a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) official regarding the search for missing Democratic legislators, it is important to note that this does not necessarily mean he personally tracked them down. The evidence suggests that Perry was involved in the search efforts, but it does not conclusively establish that he was the sole or primary person responsible for tracking down the Democrats who fled Texas in 2003. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to support a definitive claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Mitchell claimed that the state of Illinois spent $320 million on health care for illegal immigrants over the past six years.","\"The latest (All Kids) audit said, over the last six years, the state of Illinois spent about $320 million on illegal immigrants,\" he said in April.","Illinois state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, repeatedly slammed a three-year extension of the state\u2019s Expanded All Kids program that was passed in the Illinois House in April. While arguing against the bill, Mitchell claimed that All Kids has spent a fortune on covering illegal immigrants with taxpayer dollars.","The foundation\u2019s profile on shows that it received approximately $72.6 million in grants between fiscal years 2009 and 2013. Trump gets to his $55.2 million figure by summing the grant money received between 2010 and 2012."]},{"id":"7518.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Eighty-five percent of Floridians who will benefit from expanding Medicaid are single, childless adults.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that a significant percentage of adults who would benefit from expanding Medicaid in Florida are single and childless, the specific figure of 85 percent is not entirely accurate. The actual estimate provided by the House is 82 percent. Additionally, it is crucial to note that the expansion of Medicaid would also benefit other populations, such as low-income parents and individuals with disabilities. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies the demographics of those who would benefit from the Medicaid expansion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"There are more people killed with baseball bats and hammers than are killed with guns,\" said Broun, who believes in limited government and is running for the U.S. Senate in 2014.","Broun\u2019s claim that there are more people killed with baseball bats and hammers than are killed with guns was less specific. Broun\u2019s general use of \"guns\" by its nature includes handguns. That makes his statement way off.","Broun\u2019s statement is not as specific as Jackson, whose claim we rated True, and the others. FBI data shows that 6,220 Americans were murdered by handguns in 2011. That\u2019s more than 12 times the number of people killed with clubs or hammers, not including how many people were killed by other types of guns.","( - Greg Abbott says that according to FBI, more people are killed each year with clubs, hammers than with rifles&url=)"]},{"id":"7218.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Switzerland (where the government) issues every household a gun . . . has the lowest gun related crime rate of any civilized country in the world!!!","reason":"Reason: The claim that Switzerland has the lowest gun-related crime rate of any civilized country in the world is completely false. Multiple sources and experts have debunked this claim, stating that it is absurd and fabricated. Switzerland does have a high rate of gun homicides compared to other countries in western Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Only Greece, Ireland, and the United States have higher rates. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["During the second governor\u2019s debate, which was held on Oct. 15, 2014, at Broward College, Crist said of Medicaid expansion, \"In addition to the $51 billion it would bring to the state over the next 10 years, some studies indicate it would create about 120,000 jobs. That's the right thing to do.\"","\"I hesitate to say it will create no new jobs, but I\u2019m suspicious of studies that say it will create x new jobs on other side,\" he said. \"There are so many moving parts, and we don\u2019t know how it will play out.\"","Crist was referring to one study done for the Florida Hospital Association, a supporter of Medicaid expansion. That study predicted about 120,000 new jobs.","And another estimated $516 million will pay for people who are eligible for Medicaid under its current provisions but have not enrolled. They would remain eligible whether or not the program is expanded in Florida."]},{"id":"8299.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ninety-five percent of all the wages in Texas are above minimum wage.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Ninety-five percent of all the wages in Texas are above minimum wage\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that a significant number of workers in Texas earn above the minimum wage, the evidence provided suggests that a substantial portion of workers in the state, specifically 550,000 individuals, earned no more than the minimum wage in 2010. This indicates that a significant number of wages in Texas are indeed at or near the minimum wage level. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true, as it overstates the proportion of wages above the minimum wage in Texas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"One extra year of schooling for girls reduces infant mortality rates among their children by up to 10 percent,\" Cousin said.","The head of the World Food Programme said that one extra year of schooling for girls reduces the infant mortality rates among their children by up to 10 percent.","And by 2015, the same 1993 chapter was cited as saying \"an extra year of girls\u2019 education cuts infant mortality by 5 to 10 percent.\"","In 1993(,+Elizabeth+M.,+and+M.+Anne+Hill.+Women%27s+education+in+developing+countries+barriers,+benefits,+and+policies+69&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjuxL7UjIPPAhXJqB4KHXN9BagQ6AEIHjAA#v=onepage&q=King%2C%20Elizabeth%20M.%2C%20and%20M.%20Anne%20Hill.%20Women%27s%20education%20in%20developing%20countries%20barriers%2C%20benefits%2C%20and%20policies%2069&f=false), a Yale economist wrote \"An added year of maternal education tends to be associated with a fairly constant percentage decline in child mortality rates .. between 5 and 10 percent. By 2004 researchers cited that work as \"An extra year of girls\u2019 education can reduce infant mortality by 5\u201310 percent.\""]},{"id":"11223.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Saystheres 400,000 anchor babies born in the United States a year, which areindividuals coming to our country and having their children so their children can be U.S. citizens.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that there are 400,000 anchor babies born in the United States each year, the fact-checking evidence indicates that the figure is actually around 300,000. Additionally, it is important to note that the motivations behind mothers coming to the United States to give birth can vary, and it is not possible to draw a single conclusion about why they choose to do so. While the practice of having children in the United States to secure citizenship does occur, it is not accurate to assume that all mothers who engage in this practice have the same intentions. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the complexity of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["One of the critics at the debate was Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. \"Now, on the floor of the Congress, the Washington establishment from both parties puts forward a bill that will explode the deficit,\" Paul said. \"It allows President Obama to borrow unlimited amounts of money.\"","The measure in question is the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. (Here\u2019s a summary.) The part of the bill that Paul is referring to -- section 901 -- would temporarily lift the limit on how much money the federal government is permitted to borrow. If the debt limit had not been lifted, the government wouldn\u2019t have been able to pay its outstanding debts, with potentially serious economic consequences and negative reactions from equity and other markets.","A bipartisan, bicameral deal to stave off a possible government shutdown and a breaching of the federal debt limit is now on its way to President Barack Obama\u2019s desk. But as it was moving toward congressional approval, some Republican presidential candidates spoke out against it during the GOP debate in Boulder, Colo., arguing that it represented an abdication of fiscal responsibility.","And Paul exaggerates in attributing this spending to Obama. \"Unlimited\" mandatory spending would continue regardless of Obama\u2019s actions. Without a bill to change the formulas driving mandatory spending, passed by Congress and signed by the president, this spending would continue. One big example of mandatory spending is Medicare, the popular government-run health insurance program for those over age 65."]},{"id":"3383.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers budget okays disposing of unclaimed pound dogs to university research facilities.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were interpretations and claims made in the blogosphere about Governor Scott Walker's budget allowing the disposal of unclaimed pound dogs to university research facilities, the evidence provided indicates that this is not the case. The University of Wisconsin System and the Medical College of Wisconsin have confirmed that they do not obtain dogs from shelters for research purposes. Additionally, the data from the American Humane Association shows that Wisconsin is not unique in allowing shelters to make decisions regarding unclaimed dogs, and there are other states with similar policies. Therefore, the statement that Walker's budget allows for the disposal of unclaimed pound dogs to research facilities is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["This order was far more limited than stopping all domestic drilling. It would not have blocked any drilling on private land, and it would not have stopped any drilling that stemmed from federal leases already in force.","Within six months, a federal judge in Louisiana blocked Biden\u2019s order on federal leases, saying that Congress alone has the authority to pause oil and gas leasing. This put those leases back on track.","From a federal regulatory standpoint, once a permit is approved, industry can proceed. But companies don\u2019t have to immediately begin drilling, since their leases last 10 years and can be extended beyond that.","1. Biden never acted to end domestic drilling; he sought the more limited goal of pausing new leases to drill specifically on federal lands."]},{"id":"5823.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Before the HOPE scholarship, 70 percent of the high school students who made 1400 or above on their SAT left the state of Georgia. Now, 70 percent of those stay in the state of Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. Before the implementation of the HOPE scholarship in Georgia, a significant number of high school students who scored 1400 or above on their SATs left the state. After the introduction of the scholarship, a higher percentage of those high-scoring students chose to stay in Georgia for their college education. However, the statement does not provide specific data or the timeframe for these statistics, which makes it difficult to fully assess the accuracy of the claim. Additionally, it is important to note that the HOPE scholarship has undergone changes over time, including adjustments to eligibility criteria and funding levels. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the statement, the lack of specific information and the omission of relevant details make it difficult to determine the full accuracy.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12470.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has spoken such lies about my foreign policy. They said I want Japan to get nuclear weapons. Give me a break.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Donald Trump claiming that Hillary Clinton has spoken lies about his foreign policy, specifically regarding the assertion that he wants Japan to obtain nuclear weapons. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide any evidence or context to support or refute the claim made by Trump. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the veracity of the specific allegations made by either candidate. Therefore, the statement is labeled as barely-true, as it presents an unsubstantiated claim without providing evidence or context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The only precincts that missed the 11:30 p.m. cutoff kept their doors open late because of high turnout. Garner's promise was that he'd be finished by then if polls closed as scheduled, so it's fair to say he met his goal.","That's why his confidence piqued our curiosity. Could Fulton really make its self-imposed 11:30 p.m. deadline? Was Garner capable of a turnaround?","The four precincts that didn't make it experienced unusually high turnout. They remained open until the last voter in line by 7 p.m. finished. That happened at 9 p.m.","He clarified that he promised if the polls closed as scheduled at 7 p.m., his office would post results online by 11:30 p.m. He didn't tell poll managers about the goal."]},{"id":"7117.json","label":"false","statement":"The error rates for the Fulton County elections department are well below the average.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the error rates for the Fulton County elections department are well below the average is false. While Commissioner Emma Darnell made this claim, she did not provide any specific details or evidence to support it. Research indicates that Fulton County was in the middle among U.S. counties of comparable size when it came to the rejection of provisional ballots in the 2008 presidential election. This suggests that there were significant errors or issues with the election process in Fulton County, making the claim of well-below-average error rates inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[", Jeff Fitzgerald \"SCOTUS has revealed what #Obamacare really is, the largest middle class tax increase in history!\" tweet, June 28, 2012","Fitzgerald, the Wisconsin Assembly speaker and a candidate for U.S. Senate in the August 2012 primary, fired away on the Twitter social networking site. He said the Supreme Court \"has revealed what Obamacare really is, the largest middle-class tax increase in history!\"","But one problem for Fitzgerald is that Matthews claims the reform law is the largest tax increase in history, not the largest on the middle class. He argues that not only is the law\u2019s penalty for not having health insurance a tax, but also that the requirement itself is a tax.","Fitzgerald said Obama\u2019s federal health reform law is \"the largest middle class tax increase in history,\" but the two ways he measures it are deeply flawed."]},{"id":"3480.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Oregon concealed gun applications include home phone numbers, home address, Social Security numbers, what kinds of guns you have in the house whether you were dishonorably discharged from the military, what controlled substances you are taking and were you ever accused of -- accused, mind you -- of stalking.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence does not explicitly mention the specific details mentioned in the statement, it does indicate that the Oregon Citizens Lobby's website includes a contact for \"Law Enforcement, Military, and Firearms.\" This suggests that the organization may be involved in matters related to firearms. However, the evidence does not provide direct confirmation of the specific information requested in concealed gun applications, such as home phone numbers, home address, Social Security numbers, etc. Therefore, while the statement may be based on assumptions or speculation, it lacks concrete evidence to fully support its claims.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Republican Greg Abbott says Wendy Davis raised money far from Texas for a U.S. House Democrat who doubles as a member of a socialist group.","Davis appeared at a fund-raiser for a Democratic U.S. House member who may have participated in DSA chapter meetings in the 1980s. There\u2019s no sign Schakowsky is a current DSA member, nor is there evidence Davis raised money for a socialist group.","But similar claims lofted separately by Greg Abbott and David Dewhurst that the House member, Jan Schakowsky, is also a member of a socialist group or was raising money for a socialist group didn\u2019t hold up.","\"And Wendy Davis\u2019s star is falling, not rising,\" Dewhurst said. \"She was just doing a fund-raiser in Chicago with the international socialists organization.\""]},{"id":"11628.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While the smoking rate nationally has fallen, more than 18 percent of Georgians still light up.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the smoking rate in Georgia remains relatively high at over 18 percent, despite a national decline in smoking rates. However, it's important to note that the specific percentage may vary depending on the source and the timeframe of the data. Nonetheless, the statement provides a generally accurate assessment of the smoking prevalence in Georgia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"666.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John McCain's tax plan will give no reduction \"for 100-million American families.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that John McCain's tax plan would not provide a reduction for all 100 million American families, it is important to note that his proposals would reduce the tax exposure for a significant portion of American households. The Tax Policy Center states that McCain's policy proposals would reduce the tax exposure for 60 percent of all American households. However, it is also mentioned that fewer than half of those making between $18,981 and $37,595 would receive a tax reduction under McCain's plan. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights that not all American families would receive a tax reduction, it does not provide the complete context of the percentage of households that would benefit from McCain's tax plan.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The failed economic policies\" of President Barack Obama, the Democrats and the Federal Reserve \"are making gas prices higher while America\u2019s economy is running on fumes.\"","\"So the United States dollar is being devalued resulting in the prices for our basic necessities like food and oil to rise,\" Hovde says. \"These failed economic policies are making gas prices higher while America\u2019s economy is running on fumes.\"","Hovde said others have written extensively about the same link he is making, between the budget and monetary policies and gas prices. He did not point us to anything in particular.","In the hotly contested presidential campaign between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney there is one undisputed point: the central issue is the state of the American economy."]},{"id":"2937.json","label":"true","statement":"I think [a little] less than half of the people in our prisons are in there for less than a year. ... We have people who are check kiters and dont pay child support and we are locking them up in the state pen.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that a significant portion of the prison population consists of individuals serving sentences of less than a year. While the exact percentage may vary, it is true that a substantial number of people in prisons are incarcerated for non-violent offenses such as check kiting or failure to pay child support. This contributes to the overcrowding of state prisons. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2134.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rob Portmans plan to tax, slash and privatize Social Security would devastate Ohioans.","reason":"Reason: While Rob Portman has expressed support for partial privatization of Social Security in the past, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that he currently has a specific plan to tax, slash, and privatize Social Security. The statement made by the Fisher campaign is an exaggeration and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claims. It is important to accurately represent a candidate's positions and plans based on verified information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Analyzing flashpoints of debate concerning the flagship University of Texas, Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak credited UT\u2019s president with greatly driving up student graduation rates.","Bill Powers, who has faced public questioning from members of the UT System Board of Regents, \"has instituted reforms on his own,\" Mackowiak wrote in an opinion column published by the Austin American-Statesman on April 1, 2013. He added that UT System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa had recently said Powers raised UT-Austin\u2019s \"four-year graduation rate from 53 percent to 75 percent.\"","Even earlier, Julian Vasquez Heilig, a professor at California State University Sacramento who has been critical of how Texas achieves its reported graduation rates, told us enrollment drop-offs that show up in calculations of attrition amount to a soft spot in the state\u2019s calculation of graduation rates. In 2015, Heilig told us that\u2019s probably because the rates are rooted in each school district reporting the progress of each student, making it at least possible for administrators to record dropouts as students who left for legitimate reasons \u2014 such as moving to another state. In May 2014, Heilig laid out his own look at how Texas schools apply student \"leaver\" codes here.","As we gathered this information, Mackowiak said by email that he picked up the graduation statistic from remarks by Cigarroa during a public interview by the Texas Tribune. In the March 28, 2013, interview, Cigarroa credited Powers for saying \"we will increase the four-year graduation rate from 53 percent to 75 percent. And he put his neck out on the line and he\u2019s going to do it.\""]},{"id":"138.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The founders advised non-interventionism.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that many of the founding fathers of the United States expressed a preference for non-interventionism and avoiding foreign entanglements, it is important to consider the context in which they gave this advice. The founders' concerns primarily revolved around the young nation's limited resources and the desire to avoid being dragged into European conflicts. However, it is a subject of ongoing debate among historians whether this advice should be applied directly to contemporary circumstances. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it should be understood that the founders' advice was specific to their time and may not necessarily be universally applicable in all situations.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I'm 59. In either Canada or Great Britain, if I broke my hip, I couldn't get it replaced,\" he told them, asserting that he was too old to be eligible for the expensive surgery.","Critics of President Barack Obama's health care plan have often cited problems with government-run health care in Canada and Britain to make a point that there could be long lines or inadequate care under the Democratic plan.","In an Aug. 16 editorial challenging Blunt's assertion, the newspaper wrote that \"at least 63 percent of hip replacements performed in Canada last year and two-thirds of those done in England were on patients age 65 or older. More than 1,200 in Canada were done on people older than 85.\"","For Britain, the Post-Dispatch got its figures from a 2000 report by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, a group that determines whether particular treatments are covered by the British National Health Service. The report said that \"the over 65-year age group accounts for two in every three\" hip replacements."]},{"id":"1484.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Bush administration prosecuted 190 suspected terrorists in federal courts.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Bush administration prosecuted a significant number of suspected terrorists in federal courts, the statement lacks some nuance. The evidence suggests that the number of cases cited by President Obama (190) includes a broader range of terrorism-related convictions, not solely those related to Guantanamo detainees. The comparison made between the Guantanamo detainees and the 190 cases is not an apples-to-apples comparison. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it oversimplifies the situation and fails to provide the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4642.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We buy 35 percent of all Chinese exports.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While Senator Brown initially stated that the U.S. buys 35 percent of all Chinese exports, it was later clarified by his communications director that he misspoke and the correct figure is closer to 25 percent. Multiple sources, including the U.S.-China Business Council, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the U.S. Trade Representative, support the claim that the U.S. accounts for approximately 25 percent of Chinese exports. Therefore, the statement is partially true but requires the correction that the correct figure is around 25 percent, not 35 percent.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1111.json","label":"half-true","statement":"53 percent of Americans cut back on their health care in the last year because of costs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant number of Americans have cut back on their healthcare due to costs, the statement exaggerates the extent of this phenomenon. The survey mentioned in the evidence indicates that 27 percent of respondents had put off or postponed getting healthcare they needed due to costs, which is significantly lower than the 53 percent mentioned by Rep. Bill Pascrell. While there is a valid concern about the financial burden of healthcare on individuals, the statement overstates the proportion of Americans who have cut back on healthcare due to costs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered whether Obama has justification for saying that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court \"is transparent.\" So we decided to investigate.","!Is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court \"transparent\"? President Barack Obama said so during an interview with Charlie Rose. We check whether that's a supportable claim. !Is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court \"transparent\"? President Barack Obama said so during an interview with Charlie Rose. We check whether that's a supportable claim.","Is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court \"transparent\"? President Barack Obama said so during an interview with Charlie Rose. We check whether that's a supportable claim.","Obama said that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court \"is transparent.\" We don\u2019t doubt that there are good reasons for secrecy at the court, but if you\u2019re going to operate a mostly secret court, you also don\u2019t get to crow about how \"transparent\" it is. The president can\u2019t have his cake and eat it, too. We rate his claim Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"9110.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wisconsin now ranks among the top 10 states for out-migration.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While it is mentioned that Wisconsin ranks 15th in terms of losing 1.4 people per 1,000 to state-to-state moves, it does not rank among the top 10 states for out-migration. In fact, it is specifically stated that Wisconsin was labeled as a \"high outbound\" state, indicating that a significant percentage of moves handled by United Van Lines were for people leaving Wisconsin. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of Wisconsin's out-migration issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Governor-elect Scott Walker\u2019s choice as transition team leader \"killed the release of a damaging report on Walker\u2019s record in the days leading up to the election.\"","The release claimed \"Grebe killed the release of a damaging report on Walker\u2019s record in the days leading up to the election.\" It went on to quote party chairman Mike Tate saying Walker had driven the county to the point of bankruptcy and Grebe \"did a good job keeping a report that detailed these facts from the public.\"","And now in the transition: When Walker named Grebe as a co-chair of his transition team on Nov. 5, 2010, the state Democratic Party fired off a biting two paragraph news release with the headline: \"Walker rewards his \u2018Cleaner.\u2019\"","After weeks of discussion, maneuvering and protests, Governor-elect Scott Walker is taking a sharp new tack on the proposed Madison-Milwaukee high-speed rail link."]},{"id":"5830.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsin women are paid 81 cents to the dollar of a man doing the same job.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Wisconsin women are paid 81 cents to the dollar of a man doing the same job is false. While it is true that, on average, women in Wisconsin earn less than men, the claim that this pay gap is solely due to gender discrimination in the same job is misleading. The gender pay gap is influenced by various factors, including differences in occupation, education, experience, and work hours. When these factors are taken into account, the wage gap narrows significantly. Therefore, it is inaccurate to attribute the entire pay disparity to gender discrimination within the same job.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4273.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the states pension and health benefits reform includes the destruction of public sector collective bargaining rights.","reason":"Reason: While the pension and health benefits reform legislation does impact collective bargaining rights in relation to health care contributions, it does not completely destroy public sector collective bargaining rights as claimed. The legislation temporarily eliminates negotiations over health care contributions for a four-year period, which could make bargaining over other issues more challenging. However, it does not eliminate all collective bargaining rights for public sector workers. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to accurately reflect the impact of the reform on collective bargaining rights.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5975.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Paul Workman authored legislation providing amnesty for illegal immigrants.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Paul Workman authored legislation that allowed illegal immigrants to work legally in Texas for a specified period of time, it is important to note that this proposal did not provide amnesty in the sense of granting citizenship or permanent legal status. The legislation aimed to identify and regulate the employment of undocumented immigrants, with the intention of enhancing border security and ensuring tax compliance. However, it did not address the broader issue of immigration status or provide a pathway to citizenship. Therefore, while the statement accurately highlights Workman's legislation, it should be clarified that it does not constitute full amnesty for illegal immigrants.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8166.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"60 percent of Texas 8th graders are not proficient in math. Only 26% have a teacher with a undergraduate major in math.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by George P. Bush regarding the proficiency of Texas 8th graders in math and the percentage of teachers with an undergraduate major in math. According to the provided evidence, approximately 60 percent of Texas 8th graders were not proficient in math, and only around 26 percent had a teacher with an undergraduate major in math. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not specify the time frame for these statistics, so the statement should be understood as referring to the data available at that particular time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8679.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Goodwill Industries International pays workers with disabilities wages as low as pennies per hour.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. There have been reports and claims, including from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), that Goodwill Industries International pays wages as low as pennies per hour to workers with disabilities. These claims have been supported by media coverage and an online petition with a significant number of signatures. However, it's important to note that not all workers with disabilities at Goodwill are paid such low wages, and the extent of this practice may vary across different locations and affiliates. Therefore, while there is evidence to support the claim, it does not apply universally to all workers with disabilities at Goodwill Industries International.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1900.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"John McCain \"voted against the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, wrongly claiming they helped only the rich.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that John McCain did vote against the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 proposed by President George W. Bush. Additionally, it is accurate to state that McCain argued these tax cuts primarily benefited the wealthy. While the statement may be slightly oversimplified by implying that McCain claimed the tax cuts helped only the rich, it is mostly true as he did express concerns about the distribution of benefits. McCain's position on these tax cuts was rooted in his belief in fiscal responsibility and a desire for a more equitable distribution of tax relief.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"This is a problem. I did a little bit of research. More whites believe in ghosts than believe in racism,\" he said. \"That\u2019s why we have shows like Ghostbusters and don\u2019t have shows like \u2018Racistbusters.\u2019 \"","Abdul-Jabbar\u2019s polling claim is flimsy largely because pollsters don\u2019t ask if whites \"believe in racism,\" and the percentage of people who say they believe in ghosts depends on the poll.","\"The problem with the comparison is how do we measure racism? Racism takes a lot of forms. It\u2019s much, much harder to say, \u2018do you believe in racism?\u2019 than \u2018do you believe in ghosts?\u2019 \" said Kevin Dougherty, Baylor University associate sociology professor.","\"The problem with the comparison is how do we measure racism? Racism takes a lot of forms. It\u2019s much, much harder to say, \u2018Do you believe in racism?\u2019 than \u2018Do you believe in ghosts?\u2019 \" said Kevin Dougherty, a Baylor University associate sociology professor."]},{"id":"11874.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Virginia, people are going and getting marriage licenses who are 12 and 13, and 14 and 15 years old.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is evidence to support the claim that in Virginia, individuals as young as 12 and 13, and 14 and 15 years old, have obtained marriage licenses. Data provided by the Department of Health confirms that there have been marriages involving children as young as 12 to 14 years old. However, it is important to note that the frequency of such marriages is not explicitly mentioned in the evidence provided. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the existence of these marriages, it does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence or frequency of such cases.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4502.json","label":"true","statement":"The federal government is spending $46,000 a year per family (or group of four) and could balance its budget by dropping that to $30,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Neumann that the federal government is currently spending $46,000 per year per family (or group of four) and suggests that the budget could be balanced by reducing that amount to $30,000. The evidence provided supports this claim, as Neumann explicitly states these figures in his statement. However, it's important to note that this claim does not take into account the complexities and nuances of the federal budget, including various expenditures and revenue sources. Label: true","evidence":["\"Look, the simple fact is that my plan actually gives the middle class the greatest break: $2,000 per family,\" Bush said during the Oct. 28, 2015, CNBC debate. He added that simplifying the tax code will boost economic growth.","Middle-class families could potentially realize a higher percentage tax break, based on Bush\u2019s plan. But that\u2019s only counting those who would file their tax returns using the standard deduction, something the wealthy aren\u2019t likely to do.","There are myriad ways to define \"middle class,\" but several experts told us a good rule of thumb is a family of four making the median family income, which was $53,657 in 2014. When we asked the Bush campaign for specifics, they referred us to the plan online, which includes a table showing their calculations for how the changes would affect certain levels of income.","So while the association\u2019s high-end \"middle class\" figure looked pretty solid, its low-end $20,000 looked dubious. Someone earning that much a year is actually near the bottom of the state\u2019s income scale."]},{"id":"9411.json","label":"false","statement":"The Pentagon made up the since-debunked heroics of POW Jessica Lynch as she tried to avoid capture in Iraq.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were initial reports and claims about the heroics of POW Jessica Lynch, subsequent investigations and reports have debunked the exaggerated narrative that was initially presented. The Washington Post, in particular, acknowledged that the initial reports were based on rumors and had no confirmation from Pentagon officials. It is important to rely on the updated and verified information rather than perpetuating false claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9442.json","label":"true","statement":"The U.S. military footprint in Africa is nearly nonexistent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton regarding the limited presence of the U.S. military in Africa. While there is a military presence in Africa, it is relatively small and lacks significant combat infrastructure. The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) operates from a location outside of Africa and focuses on preventive and collaborative efforts rather than maintaining a heavily armed force. Experts support the overall impression conveyed by Clinton's statement, highlighting the challenges the U.S. faces in responding to crises in North Africa.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2468.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On campaign donations from Texas Capitol lobbyists.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that it is not uncommon for politicians to accept campaign contributions from interest groups and lobbyists who hold influence in the Capitol. The statement accurately reflects the reality that such contributions routinely occur. However, it does not provide specific information about campaign donations from Texas Capitol lobbyists, so it lacks the necessary context to make a definitive assessment. Without more specific information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement in relation to Texas Capitol lobbyists specifically.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9754.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are only about 10 people in the United States Senate who have any real business experience.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly address the number of people in the United States Senate with business experience, it does mention a bipartisan group of 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans in the Senate who outlined a gun legislation proposal. This suggests that there are only about 10 people in the Senate who were involved in this particular bipartisan agreement. Although it does not explicitly state that these individuals have business experience, the statement implies that the number of senators with business experience is limited, which aligns with the evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12693.json","label":"half-true","statement":"95 percent of the worlds customers are beyond our shores.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"95 percent of the world's customers are beyond our shores\" is an exaggeration and not supported by the evidence provided. While there are studies suggesting an increase in food and crop demand between 2005 and 2050, the evidence does not specifically support the claim that 95 percent of customers are outside of the United States. The evidence provided discusses the potential increase in demand but does not provide a breakdown of where these customers are located. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6962.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he is the reason we do not pay a toll every time we pass over the bridge at MoPac and William Cannon.","reason":"Reason: While Gerald Daugherty played a role in opposing the proposal to charge a toll on MoPac Boulevard at William Cannon Drive, it is an exaggeration to claim that he is solely responsible for preventing tolls on that bridge. There were likely multiple factors and individuals involved in the decision-making process. While Daugherty may have contributed to the effort, attributing the entire outcome to him is an oversimplification.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"444.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Barack Obama is \"the only candidate who doesn't take a dime from oil company PACs or lobbyists.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Barack Obama, during his presidential campaigns, made a commitment to not accept donations from oil company PACs (Political Action Committees) or lobbyists. This commitment was in line with his broader stance on campaign finance reform and reducing the influence of special interest groups. However, it's important to note that this statement specifically refers to his candidacy and does not necessarily extend to other candidates or political activities outside of his campaigns.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13086.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"SaysPatrick Murphys Pay More energy agenda means you could pay another $500 a year for your utility bills!","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim. While there may be some potential impact on utility bills due to Patrick Murphy's energy agenda, it is highly unlikely that it would result in an additional $500 per year for every individual. The evidence provided suggests that the claim is primarily made by Americans for Prosperity Florida, which is a partisan organization with a vested interest in opposing Murphy. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the potential impact of Murphy's energy agenda on utility bills.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In other jurisdictions where this has been enacted, we have seen that fewer people enter into marriage,\" Sheedy said. \"They take it less seriously, it has less value in the minds of some.\"","In opposing a bill that would allow for domestic partnerships statewide, Sheedy of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops said, \"In other jurisdictions where this has been enacted, we have seen that fewer people enter into marriage.\"","A statewide domestic-partnership registry law was approved by a state legislative committee in 2013 but later died. Supporters of the amendment fought the registry proposal.","She has criticized Kurtz\u2019s analyses of marriage in Scandinavian countries, writing that marriage rates, divorce rates, and non-marital birth rates were already changing since the 1970s, in all post-industrial countries, regardless of whether they adopted same-sex partnership laws. In an interview, she said analyses like his don\u2019t account for the number of people who are getting domestic partnerships and otherwise would not have gotten married."]},{"id":"11426.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Paul Ryan is one of less than a dozen Republican congressmen to have voted for every bailout to come before Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and barely-true. While it is true that Paul Ryan has voted in favor of some bailout measures, it is incorrect to claim that he has voted for every bailout to come before Congress. There have been multiple bailout measures over the years, and Ryan's voting record does not indicate support for every single one of them. Therefore, the statement exaggerates Ryan's voting history and does not accurately reflect his stance on bailouts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"He hired from Poland, and he had to pay a million dollars or so in a judgment,\" Rubio said. \"That\u2019s a fact. People can look it up. I\u2019m sure people are Googling it right now, \u2018Trump Polish workers.\u2019 You\u2019ll see $1 million for hiring illegal workers on one of his projects. He did.\"","It was Trump\u2019s contractor, not Trump himself, who hired 200 undocumented Polish workers to demolish a building to make room for Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump said he didn\u2019t know. The lawsuit sought $1 million in damages, and a judge ruled that Trump had to pay $325,000 plus interest.","If the case was retried and Trump lost again, he would have had to pay about $4 million, the Times calculated.","Sometime between 1979 and 1980, Trump hired a contractor to demolish an old building in midtown Manhattan to make way for Trump Tower. The contractor signed on workers from a local union and, to meet Trump\u2019s tight deadline, also brought on 200 undocumented laborers from Poland dubbed the \"Polish Brigade.\""]},{"id":"6854.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says 50 million people would lose their health insurance if Obamacare is repealed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate. According to research and studies, if Obamacare were repealed, the estimated number of people who would lose health coverage by 2022 is around 30 million to 32.9 million. An additional 18 million people might lose coverage if Medicaid is converted to a block grant, as proposed by some plans. However, it's important to note that these estimates include individuals who are currently uninsured. Therefore, the claim that 50 million people would lose their health insurance if Obamacare is repealed is exaggerated and does not align with the available evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The narrator says: \"Steve Ogden was the driving force behind a new business income tax that hurt small business. He crafted the Robin Hood school finance scheme that made our property taxes skyrocket. And Steve Ogden wrote a budget that will result in a $14 billion deficit for Texas \u2026 Ogden even voted against our Second Amendment freedoms on right-to-carry legislation.\"","Challenger Ben Bius casts Sen. Ogden as force behind plans driving up property taxes and hurting small businesses\u2014and he says Ogden is against gun freedoms","( - Challenger Ben Bius casts Sen. Ogden as force behind plans driving up property taxes and hurting small businesses\u2014and he says Ogden is against gun freedoms&url=)","Bius\u2019s third claim\u2014that Ogden wrote a budget that will result in a $14 billion deficit\u2014reflects Ogden\u2019s longstanding role as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee."]},{"id":"9879.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Virginia Democrats recently enforced voter ID rules that were considerably more stringent than those contained in the state law they denounce.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Virginia Democrats implemented voter ID rules in the 16th Senate District firehouse primary that were more stringent than the state law they criticize. While the state law does not require voters to produce a photo ID, the Democratic Party in this instance required an ID with an address that matched the one listed in the voter rolls. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a complete comparison of all aspects of the state law and the party's requirements. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it lacks the full context necessary to make a comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"You know, of course we ought to be raising the cap in order to protect Social Security, which is solid through about 2040 without any changes whatsoever,\" he said. U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton also referred to that date.","\"Using a low-flying plane, they kill in winter, when there is no way to escape. Riddled with gunshots, biting at their backs in agony, they die a brutal death. And Palin even encouraged the cruelty by proposing a $150 bounty for the severed foreleg of each killed wolf. And then introduced a bill to make the killing easier,\" the narrator says. \"Do we really want a vice president who champions such savagery?\"","It\u2019s tougher to assess the ad\u2019s subjective assessment that such practices are \u201cbrutal and unethical,\u201d though many wildlife groups would agree. Defenders of Wildlife has filed lawsuits challenging Alaska\u2019s wildlife management practices. President Rodger Schlickeisen said his group takes the view that any killing of animals, outside of a biological emergency, is unwarranted. In September 2007, more than 120 scientists signed a letter to Palin that questioned the biological basis for the state\u2019s intensive predator management.","\u201cI have said many times that my administration is committed to management of game for abundance, and to a proactive, science-based predator management program where appropriate,\u201d the governor said in a news release at the time."]},{"id":"9186.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Federal money for Medicaid expansion is guaranteed for a few years and then goes away.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that federal funding for Medicaid expansion is initially guaranteed for a few years under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it does not necessarily mean that the funding will completely disappear afterward. The federal government typically continues to provide funding for Medicaid expansion, albeit at a reduced rate. The burden of funding may shift to the states to some extent, but it is not accurate to claim that the federal funding entirely goes away after a few years. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks clarity on the long-term funding arrangement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Want a claim about the election being rigged? Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt is accusing his Democratic opponent Jason Kander of trying to manipulate elections while Kander served as Missouri\u2019s secretary of state.","\"Manipulating\" is a strong word, especially when it is used to characterize the nuances and brevity of language the Missouri secretary of state must use to summarize lengthy legislation and constitutional amendments for voters.","The court determined Kander\u2019s ballot language to be insufficient because Kander did not reference MO HealthNet by name. The court also said Kander erred because he categorized \"personal care attendants\" as \"employees\" in his language.","Both the NRA and incumbent Sen. Roy Blunt, Kander\u2019s opponent, have released ads in response to Kander\u2019s ad, denouncing his claim that he supports the Second Amendment."]},{"id":"819.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama will \"raise Social Security taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While Barack Obama did not explicitly raise Social Security taxes during his presidency, it is important to note that the payroll tax rate, which funds Social Security, was temporarily reduced during his tenure as part of an economic stimulus package. This reduction in the payroll tax rate effectively lowered the amount of Social Security taxes paid by individuals. However, it is worth mentioning that this reduction was intended to be temporary and was not a permanent increase in Social Security taxes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Nobody knows about it, nobody talks about it, but under Obama, millions of people have been moved out of this country, they've been deported.\"","Trump said \"Nobody knows about it, nobody talks about it, but under Obama, millions of people have been moved out of this country, they've been deported.\"","\"President Obama has moved millions of people out. Nobody knows about it. Nobody talks about it. But under Obama, millions of people have been moved out of this country. They've been deported,\" Trump said.","There\u2019s no doubt many people have been deported under Obama\u2019s presidency --- but we were curious about Trump\u2019s claim of \"millions\" and on lack of information about it, \"nobody knows about it, nobody talks about it.\""]},{"id":"3827.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obesity kills 34 children per hour.","reason":"Reason: The statement that obesity kills 34 children per hour is not supported by credible evidence. The statistic provided in the evidence refers to obesity-related deaths in adults, not children. According to experts and the latest data, the number of children dying every hour due to obesity is significantly lower. While childhood obesity is a serious issue with health consequences, it is important to rely on accurate information to address the problem effectively.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6434.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sherrod Brown sent billions of our tax dollars to foreign countries.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Sherrod Brown sent billions of tax dollars to foreign countries is false. The evidence provided indicates that the claim is based on misleading information. While Brown did vote for the stimulus bill, he did not have control over how the money was allocated, and he was among the senators who called for its suspension after the issue of foreign grants came to light. The claim in the statement is an exaggeration and misrepresentation of the facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6040.json","label":"false","statement":"Says PolitiFact listed Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin as the Governor who told the most lies and our own untruthful Governor Chris Christie made it into Politifacts top five of Lie - en Governors.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that PolitiFact listed Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin as the governor who told the most lies or that Governor Chris Christie made it into PolitiFact's top five of \"Lie-en Governors.\" The provided evidence consists of statements made by individuals referencing these claims, but it does not provide any direct evidence or citation from PolitiFact itself. Without verifiable information from PolitiFact, it is not accurate to assert that these governors were listed as such.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In the past year alone, Ohio businesses have created more jobs than almost every other state in the country,\" an unseen narrator says, his words scored to an inspirational piano melody. \"And it\u2019s only the beginning.\"","For its Thrive in Ohio campaign, JobsOhio said businesses here \"have created more jobs than almost every other state in the country\" over the last year. A second later, the ad\u2019s narrator added: \"And it\u2019s only the beginning.\" That qualifier is appropriate given the perspective Zeller supplied. Considering Ohio\u2019s size, a statement about the state\u2019s comparatively high level of job creation is not the ultimate benchmark of success.","\"There\u2019s nothing untrue about what JobsOhio said,\" Zeller continued via telephone. \"Now does that mean that we are outstripping the rest of the country? No. First of all, because we lost more jobs than the rest of the country did \u2026 we have to do a lot more to make them up.\"","Laura Jones, communications director for JobsOhio, cited employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Via email, Jones said the numbers showed that from October 2011 through October 2012, only California, Texas and New York created more jobs than Ohio."]},{"id":"2971.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Already, the mayor of Green Bay is having ribbon-cutting after ribbon-cutting for economic development around the new VA center.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by any evidence provided. The evidence provided discusses topics such as electricity costs in Texas, economic impact payments, and additional funding for border security, but none of it is relevant to the claim that the mayor of Green Bay is having ribbon-cutting ceremonies for economic development around a new VA center. Without any evidence or context to support this claim, it is deemed false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["McEachin, speaking on behalf of Democrats in the General Assembly, said McDonnell\u2019s proposed budget would take \"money out of our classrooms to pave roads.\"","The General Assembly will vote on the measure this winter and Democrats -- who are a minority in the House and, arguably, in the Senate -- are vowing stiff opposition. The governor\u2019s proposal amounts to \"taking money out of our classrooms to pave roads,\" Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, said Jan. 11 in the Democratic response to McDonnell\u2019s State of the Commonwealth address.","Gov. Bob McDonnell\u2019s remarks to the Joint Meeting of the Senate Finance, House Appropriations and House Finance Committees(,), December 19, 2011.","Gov. Bob McDonnell has proposed spending an additional $2.2 billion on state employee and teacher pensions during a two-year budget period that will begin July 1."]},{"id":"7934.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"People want the minimum wage, they want marriage equality, they want womens health care. Theres issues that actually that really do matter, social issues that matter to the people of this state. So I know Barbara would support those issues, I know the governor hasnt. Youve seen the actions hes taken on them.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that most people in New Hampshire want to raise the minimum wage, support marriage equality, and desire women's healthcare. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not directly support the claim. While the ad implies that Marilinda Garcia opposes these issues, it does not provide specific evidence or sources to substantiate those claims. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in reflecting the content of the ad, the accuracy of the specific claims made about Marilinda Garcia's positions requires further evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["U.S. Rep. Jody Hice is running to be Georgia Secretary of State on a platform of false claims about the 2020 election.","!A political ad by the Women Vote Project says Rep. Ted Budd, North Carolina's Republican U.S. Senate candidate, helped write a proposal for tighter federal abortion regulations. (Screenshot) !A political ad by the Women Vote Project says Rep. Ted Budd, North Carolina's Republican U.S. Senate candidate, helped write a proposal for tighter federal abortion regulations. (Screenshot)","A political ad by the Women Vote Project says Rep. Ted Budd, North Carolina's Republican U.S. Senate candidate, helped write a proposal for tighter federal abortion regulations. (Screenshot)","During the debate, Walker cited his support for a law in Georgia that has exceptions for those situations. But Walker has offered a more stringent position in the past."]},{"id":"4151.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Dubious taxpayer-funded stimulus spending -- Part II.","reason":"Reason: The statement lacks specific information or evidence to support the claim of \"dubious taxpayer-funded stimulus spending.\" Without any specific examples or details provided, it is not possible to evaluate the accuracy of the claim. Additionally, the statement does not provide any context or reference to support the assertion. Therefore, it is not accurate to label the statement as dubious or make any judgments about taxpayer-funded stimulus spending based on the given information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Headlines and tweets all said just about the same eyebrow-raising thing: \" Poll: 71% of Obama supporters 'regret' voting for his reelection.\" (Those all link to different websites.)","\"Over seven in 10 Obama voters, and 55 percent of Democrats, regret voting for President Obama\u2019s reelection in 2012, according to a new Economist\/ poll,\" he wrote. ( The Economist has collaborated with YouGov in past polls, but not this one.)","!A claim that 71 percent of Obama voters regretted their vote quickly spread on social media. !A claim that 71 percent of Obama voters regretted their vote quickly spread on social media.","\"The 71 percent who regretted voting for Obama, which was picked up by various media outlets, is of the 3.5 percent (35 of 999 respondents) of the sample who said they voted for Obama in 2012 and would not vote for him today,\" Jordan said."]},{"id":"3994.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Phil Puckett voted no on sending the EPA a message that theyve gone too far not once, but twice.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Phil Puckett did not vote against sending a message to the EPA regarding their regulations on the coal industry. In fact, he did not vote on the repeal amendment at all. The claim made by the state GOP is based on a misrepresentation of Puckett's actions and the purpose of the amendment. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserves a pants-fire rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["To get to Obama\u2019s claim that the \"auto companies have now repaid taxpayers every dime and more of what my administration invested in,\" the White House is taking credit for all of the money recovered from the auto companies in the last six years.","\"Last month, the rescue of the auto industry officially came to an end,\" Obama said Jan. 7 in Detroit. \"The auto companies have now repaid taxpayers every dime and more of what my administration invested in.\"","This is somewhat problematic. Why? Obama is essentially saying ignore the money Bush invested and only look at what my administration spent on the bailout when calculating the \"expenses\" side of the ledger. But for Obama to make the claim he has recovered everything he invested \"and more,\" he\u2019s including money paid back on loans also given out under Bush.","Back in 2012, we looked at Obama\u2019s campaign claim that GM and Chrysler \"repaid their loans.\" We said it was Half True, partially because the government still owned stock in both automakers and it was too soon to say if taxpayers would recoup their investment."]},{"id":"614.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Obama voted to raise taxes on people making just $42,000.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Obama voted for budget resolutions expressing the desire to roll back the Bush tax cuts, it is important to note that these resolutions are non-binding and do not have the force of law. The ad's claim that Obama voted to raise taxes on people making just $42,000 is misleading because the resolutions did not include precise details on taxes or specify income thresholds. In reality, Obama's tax proposals during his presidency targeted individuals and couples with higher incomes, specifically those making $200,000 or more for singles and $250,000 or more for couples. Therefore, the statement in the ad misrepresents Obama's tax policies and creates a false impression.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7208.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"AIG has fully repaid the federal government plus a profit of more than $22 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. AIG did repay the $182 billion loan it received from the federal government, along with an additional $22.7 billion. However, it's important to note that the \"profit\" mentioned in the statement is partially offset by a special tax provision granted to AIG as part of the bailout. While the repayment of the loan is accurate, the overall profitability of the bailout, considering the tax provision, is subject to interpretation. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but with the caveat that the profitability is influenced by the tax provision.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Violent attacks increased even as MARTA ridership dipped by 6 percent to less than 157 million unlinked trips, or passenger boardings, according to federal statistics.","According to the FBI data, Missouri\u2019s violent crime rate has risen sharply over the past five years. The national rate has risen, but not by much. For property crime, the state and nation have seen decreases since 2013.","Crime on the transit system is rare, according to FBI statistics on \"Part I\" crime, a category of serious offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, larceny and burglary that are more commonly reported to police.","People on MARTA are less likely to be victims of crime than they were 10 years ago. This is especially true for property crimes. Riders are much less likely to have their wallets swiped."]},{"id":"3084.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The financial regulatory bill will kill jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the financial regulatory bill will \"kill jobs\" is an oversimplification. While there are differing opinions on the impact of the bill on job creation, it is important to consider the broader context and complexities involved. The financial and insurance industry did experience job losses during the economic crisis, but attributing those losses solely to the Dodd-Frank bill is not accurate. Additionally, there are arguments that the bill's regulations could potentially prevent future financial crises, which could have their own negative impact on jobs. Therefore, labeling the statement as \"kill jobs\" is an oversimplification of a complex issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Look, is this an embarrassment for him? Yes,\" Obama told reporters. \"He said so himself. But it was an innocent mistake. It is a mistake that is commonly made for people who are working internationally or for international institutions. It has been corrected. He paid the penalties.\u201d","The question here is whether Geithner's failure to pay self-employment taxes related to his employment at the IMF was a common problem.","It's extremely rare for the IRS to garnish an IMF employee's wages due to failure to pay taxes, Murray said. But other than those being garnished, the IMF has no way of knowing how many others are misreporting their taxes. Geithner's audit, for example, would not have triggered any notification to the IMF, he said.","Geithner's audit came before that settlement, but since the deal specifically includes employees of international organizations (like the IMF) failing to pay self-employment taxes (as was the case with Geithner), Obama would seem to be on firm footing."]},{"id":"12166.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The 2016 federal omnibus spending bill funds illegal immigrants coming in and through your border, right through Phoenix.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The 2016 federal omnibus spending bill, signed by President Obama, did not specifically allocate funds for illegal immigrants coming into the country or passing through the border, particularly through Phoenix. The omnibus bill primarily focused on funding various government programs and operations, without any specific provisions related to illegal immigration. Therefore, the claim that the bill funded illegal immigrants entering the country through Phoenix is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6793.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Measures 82 and 83 authorize just one more casino.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Measure 83 does indeed set the parameters for a casino in Wood Village, including the authorization for up to 3,500 slot machines. However, the claim that Measure 82 authorizes just one more casino is not entirely accurate. Measure 82 allows for the establishment of privately-owned casinos in Oregon, but it does not specifically limit the number of additional casinos that can be authorized. Therefore, while Measure 82 does enable the possibility of more casinos, the exact number is not explicitly stated in the measure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5333.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says as of November, we were ranked 45th in the nation in terms of job creation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of November, New Jersey was indeed ranked 45th in terms of job creation. However, it's important to note that job creation rankings can fluctuate over time, and a single month's ranking may not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall job creation performance. To assess the state's job creation accurately, it is necessary to consider long-term trends and multiple data points. Therefore, while the statement is based on a specific ranking, it lacks the broader context needed to fully evaluate New Jersey's job creation performance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2577.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"John Kitzhaber is the only pro-choice candidate in the race for governor.","reason":"Reason: While John Kitzhaber is indeed a pro-choice candidate and has received endorsements from organizations like Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, it is not accurate to claim that he is the only pro-choice candidate in the race for governor. The evidence suggests that Chris Dudley, the Republican candidate, also holds a pro-choice stance as he believes abortion should be legal. However, there may be differing interpretations of what it means to be \"pro-choice,\" and there is not universal agreement on the definition. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1287.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When it comes to aid, \"the United States is still about half as what European countries give as a percentage.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. When considering the percentage of gross national income (GNI) allocated to development assistance, the United States does give significantly less than many European countries. The evidence provided shows that the United States contributed 0.18 percent of GNI, while countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, and France gave around 0.38-0.43 percent. This indicates that the United States provides approximately half the amount of development assistance as European countries, as a percentage of GNI. However, it's important to note that the United States has also made substantial contributions in specific areas, such as global AIDS relief. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of overall development assistance, it doesn't capture the full picture of the United States' involvement in aid efforts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["This statement includes a lot of charges by Christie. But for this fact-check, we\u2019ll zero in on Christie\u2019s claim that the Obama administration invited Russia into Syria.","A House Republican plan says that if the GOP wins the majority, \u201cRetirees who have a pension, IRAs, 401k, disabled veteran benefits will be ineligible for Social Security benefits.\u201d","Obama \"invited Putin in to broker an agreement with Assad to give up his chemical weapons, which Assad has not done,\" Christie told Tapper. \"Once you invite Putin in for that part of it, you can't then pick and choose given the Obama approach what you do. So he did invite him in, Jake. And it was wrong.\"","\"I don\u2019t think Christie meant it to be taken literally,\" said Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. \"Obviously we did not invite Russia in. But what I think he\u2019s very clearly referring to is a weakness that led to Russia coming in. The fact that the administration has had an awful Syria policy has moved beyond a matter of opinion.\""]},{"id":"8732.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"You dont see Norway losing population, and its taxes are astronomical.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Norway's population has indeed been growing steadily, as confirmed by Eurostat, the census bureau of the European Union. The population increased by 11 percent between 2003 and 2013, reaching a record high of 5.05 million people. However, when it comes to the claim about \"astronomical\" taxes, it's important to note that tax systems can vary significantly between countries, making direct comparisons challenging. While Norway does have relatively high tax rates compared to some other countries, whether they can be described as \"astronomical\" is subjective and depends on individual perspectives.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"On the politics of this, if you look at the polling, it turns out that the average Republican voter thinks there should be some revenue as part of this deal, right? So the president has agreed to -- not just to an agreement that's way to the right of the average American voter. It's actually to the right of what the average Republican voter wants.\"","As the debate over the nation's budget intensified over the weekend, liberal commentator Paul Krugman lamented that increases in tax revenue were being left out of the overall deal.","Barack Obama said a \"clear majority\" of Republican voters think tax revenues should be included as part of a budget deal.","PolitiFact, Barack Obama said a \"clear majority\" of Republican voters think tax revenues should be included as part of a budget deal, July 15, 2011"]},{"id":"13199.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says marijuana use among Colorado high school students has not increased since legalization.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, there was no statistically significant increase in 30-day or lifetime marijuana use among high school students between 2013 and 2015. However, it's important to note that the survey data shows a slight increase in marijuana use from 36.9 percent in 2013 to 38 percent in 2015, although this increase is not considered statistically significant. Therefore, while there has been a small increase in marijuana use among Colorado high school students, it is not substantial enough to be deemed statistically significant.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9565.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Expanding Medicaid would create 63k jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a study conducted by the White House Council of Economic Advisers, which estimates that expanding Medicaid in Florida would create 63,800 jobs between 2014 and 2017. However, it's important to note that there are other studies with different estimates. The Florida Hospital Association's analysis predicted 120,000 jobs each year over a decade, while Moody's predicted 10,000 to 30,000 jobs. Therefore, while the statement is partially true based on one study, it does not encompass the full range of estimates from other sources.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9116.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Manufacturing wages today in America on a per-hour basis are actually a bit lower than average wages in the economy as a whole.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence confirms that manufacturing wages in America, on a per-hour basis, are indeed slightly lower than the average wages in the overall economy. The average hourly wage for the manufacturing industry is stated to be $19.43, which is slightly lower than the average wages in other sectors. However, it's important to note that this comparison does not consider the potential benefits and compensation packages that may be associated with manufacturing jobs. Taking into account the overall compensation, including benefits, could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relative attractiveness of manufacturing jobs compared to other sectors.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5034.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Florida is considered the fourth-largest gambling state in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, as it accurately reflects Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff's claim that Florida is considered the fourth-largest gambling state in the nation. However, it's important to note that determining the ranking of states in terms of gambling is not a straightforward process, as there is no universally accepted measure or standard. Different factors and criteria can be used to assess the size and impact of the gambling industry in each state. Therefore, while Florida may be considered one of the largest gambling states, the specific ranking may vary depending on the criteria used for comparison.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3490.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Georgia public sector employees do not have a say in the conditions of their employment, do not have bargaining rights or a say in their working conditions.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Georgia public sector employees have limited bargaining rights and may not have the same level of influence over their working conditions as employees in other states, it is an oversimplification to claim that they do not have a say at all. Public sector employees in Georgia can still raise concerns about working conditions and have the ability to file complaints regarding issues such as discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, their ability to negotiate salaries, benefits, and class sizes may be more restricted compared to employees in states with stronger collective bargaining rights. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7583.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that Secretary of State Jon Husted and former secretary Jennifer Brunner both have supported a provision in Senate Bill 47 that would limit the days organizers have to collect signatures for initiative and referendum petitions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions that Senate Bill 47 includes a provision that would limit the days organizers have to collect signatures for initiative and referendum petitions. However, there is no evidence provided to support the claim that Secretary of State Jon Husted and former secretary Jennifer Brunner both supported this specific provision in Senate Bill 47. Without further evidence, it is not possible to determine the accuracy of this claim. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8350.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ken Cuccinelli tried to shut down state government.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ken Cuccinelli tried to shut down state government is inaccurate and misleading. While Cuccinelli introduced a budget amendment in the state senate to defund Planned Parenthood, this action does not equate to an attempt to shut down the government. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers, have debunked this claim and rated it as false. It is important to accurately represent the actions and intentions of political candidates to maintain an informed and truthful discourse.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6087.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When Mitt Romney was governor, Massachusetts ... (had) more debt per person than any other state in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Massachusetts had more debt per person than any other state in the country during Mitt Romney's governorship is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Massachusetts did have a significant amount of debt during that time, it is important to provide context. Massachusetts did have higher debt per person compared to the national average, but it did not have the highest debt per person among all states. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately reflect the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton has been given tens of millions of dollars by countries that \"treat women horribly ... and countries that kill gays.\"","Hillary Clinton has been given tens of millions of dollars by countries that \"treat women horribly ... and countries that kill gays.\"","Trump said that Hillary Clinton has \"been given tens of millions of dollars by countries that treat women countries that kill gays.\"","The former chairman of the Wisconsin GOP appeared on the program after U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who declared for president several days before Clinton did. Paul told host Bob Schieffer that Clinton will have a problem with women voters because \"she has taken money from countries that abuse the rights of women,\" and he referred to Saudi Arabia."]},{"id":"6518.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that as Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney condemned coal-fired plants, saying they kill people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that as governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney made a statement linking coal-fired plants to causing harm to people. While it is true that Romney specifically mentioned a single plant, his broader remarks indicated concerns about the impact of coal and oil-fired plants on air pollution, acid rain, and global warming. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it captures the essence of Romney's stance on coal-fired plants and their potential negative effects on public health.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["For this analysis, we'll look at the claim: \"When Kaptur helped get $15 billion more for veterans care, Kucinich voted no.\"","\"The principal provisions of that bill included $127.3 billion in additional defense spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,\" he said.","The $447 billion measure, one of eight for fiscal 2010, included spending bills for numerous departments and agencies including the departments of State, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education. It also included funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs.","Kucinich opened their recent City Club debate objecting that the ad misrepresented his voting record on job creation, veterans' care and prescription drug benefits for seniors."]},{"id":"10446.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"College tuition rates in Texas jumped by 55% since 2003.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Dallas Morning News analysis, which stated that Texas college tuition rates increased by 55% since 2003. However, it's important to note that the figure mentioned is outdated, and the actual increase through fall 2014 was 64%. Additionally, while the governor didn't directly control tuition rates, the statement clarifies that he approved the 2003 law deregulating rates and appointed governing boards for public colleges and universities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11061.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We know from ... the federal data, that they only stop or apprehend one out of four illegal people crossing our border.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately represents the federal data. While it is challenging to obtain precise numbers on illegal border crossings, the available data does not support the claim that border patrols only stop or apprehend one out of four illegal individuals crossing the border. The evidence suggests that a significant number of illegal border crossings are detected and prevented by border patrols, although the exact percentage cannot be determined with certainty. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not align with the available federal data.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We forced them through stupidity into an alliance with China, you know why? Because China needs oil. We were driving them both crazy, they formed -- and from the time I was a young guy I always learned, don\u2019t ever let China and Russia get together,\" Trump said. \"We forced them together, Obama forced them together ... because you didn\u2019t get along with either and then eventually China came in and said, \u2018Let\u2019s make a deal on oil.\u2019 They\u2019re together. In fact they\u2019re doing naval exercises together someplace.\"","For this fact-check, we\u2019re evaluating Trump\u2019s claim that Russia and China are \"doing naval exercises together,\" and that Obama \"forced them together.\"","Joint naval exercises following the sanctions have \"a new level of seriousness,\" according to Lyle J. Goldstein, associate professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I.. A 2014 exercise in the East China Sea choreographed two submarines and 14 surface ships. A year later in the Black Sea, nine ships practiced anti-submarine warfare.","In July, a tribunal in the Hague issued a rebuke of China, siding with the Philippines in the country\u2019s dispute over territory in the South China Sea. China is salty over the ruling, and diplomatic leaders anticipated some response. But China\u2019s naval drills with Russia are nothing more than fist-shaking, said Heeley."]},{"id":"566.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"John McCain has given erratic and inconsistent answers on when troops should return from Iraq.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John McCain's position on timelines for troop withdrawal from Iraq has been subject to scrutiny and criticism, the statement exaggerates by characterizing his answers as \"erratic and inconsistent.\" McCain's stance on the issue has been nuanced, acknowledging the need to consider conditions on the ground and not outright opposing a timeline in all cases. While some may argue that his position has evolved or shifted, it is not accurate to label his answers as erratic or inconsistent. It is important to provide a fair and balanced assessment of his position without overstating the extent of any inconsistencies.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Ron Oakley's \"conservative leadership protected local taxpayers over government bureaucrats\" as the Water Management District\u2019s budget decreased by \"58 percent in the four years he served on the board.\"","The mailer continues: \"Ron Oakley voted to reduce the Water Management District\u2019s budget by 58 percent in the four years he served on the board. His conservative leadership protected local taxpayers over government bureaucrats.\"","Ron Oakley acknowledges that in election years, a lot of candidates talk like conservatives. But if you believe a recent mailer from his campaign, he is a proven conservative with a record of reining in government.","Gov. Rick Scott was elected November 2010. His initial budget proposal \u2014 released in February 2011 \u2014 called for a 25 percent cut to Swiftmud\u2019s property taxes. Then lawmakers sharpened their knives and ordered a 36 percent cut for Swiftmud, the largest cut of Florida\u2019s five water districts. Scott signed the legislation requiring that cut."]},{"id":"5340.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he signed legislation leading to 12 Texas abortion clinics being closed.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Perry did sign legislation that resulted in the closure of several Planned Parenthood clinics in Texas, the statement exaggerates the number of clinics closed. According to the information provided, 11 clinics closed, not 12 as claimed. Additionally, it's important to note that not all of these clinics provided abortion services. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks precision in the number of clinics closed and does not provide the full context regarding the range of services offered by Planned Parenthood.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Pocan said that under the federal \"cromnibus\" law, taxpayers must guarantee \"incredibly risky\" derivatives deals made by the nation's largest banks.","Only a small number of the derivatives deals could be considered \"incredibly risky,\" he told us, noting that because of other Dodd-Frank provisions, derivatives have become considerably less risky.","\"Our taxpayer money will back them up on these incredibly risky ventures for the biggest banks out there that do these,\" Pocan said Dec. 17, 2014 on a Madison-area liberal talk show.","Similarly, the Fiscal Times concluded that the cromnibus provision does not mean \"that when banks lose money on swaps and derivatives trades, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will have to make them whole. It also doesn\u2019t suggest that, when a bank fails, the taxpayers have to bail out depositors."]},{"id":"12434.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"It is Hillary Clintons agenda to release the violent criminals from jail. She wants them all released.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that releasing violent criminals from jail is Hillary Clinton's agenda. In fact, Clinton has not advocated for the release of all violent criminals. Her position on criminal justice reform focuses on addressing issues such as mass incarceration, sentencing disparities, and improving rehabilitation programs. Additionally, during the debate, Clinton specifically stated that she wants to limit deportations to \"violent criminals, terrorists, and anyone who threatens our safety.\" Therefore, the statement is not based on factual information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6877.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says economists Harvey Rosen and Martin Feldstein have said that paying for (Mitt) Romneys tax cuts would require large tax increases on families making between $100,000 and $200,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because it misrepresents the views of economists Harvey Rosen and Martin Feldstein. While it is true that both economists have discussed the potential need for tax increases to offset the cost of tax cuts, there is no specific mention of \"large tax increases on families making between $100,000 and $200,000\" in relation to Mitt Romney's tax cuts. The statement exaggerates and misattributes the economists' views, leading to a distorted representation of their positions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3535.json","label":"true","statement":"Three courts have found the new health care law constitutional and two have found it unconstitutional.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of different courts regarding the constitutionality of the new health care law. It states that three courts have found the law constitutional, which aligns with the cases upheld by Chief Justice John Roberts and the left-leaning justices. It also mentions that two courts have found it unconstitutional, which corresponds to the dissenting opinion of Justice Scalia. Therefore, the statement is true based on the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4058.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Housing prices dropped for the 30 months prior to Barack Obama taking office, and they have stabilized, theyve been about flat since the president came in.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that housing prices experienced a downward trend for the 30 months preceding Barack Obama's presidency. However, it simplifies the situation by stating that housing prices have \"stabilized\" and have been \"about flat\" since Obama took office. While there may have been some stabilization in certain areas, it is important to note that the housing market's recovery varied across different regions and timeframes during Obama's presidency. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the nuance of the complex and varied nature of the housing market during that period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"History shows, actually, that in Nazi Germany, one of the first things that they did was add fluoride to the water in the ghettos where the Jews stayed,\" Matt Leffler of Clearwater said.","Meanwhile, in the concentration camp system, as in the ghettos, it would have been surprising if fluoride delivery was a focus \u2014 in the final few days before liberation, water lines scarcely delivered water. So, water treated just for the Jews?","The Nazis put fluoride in water to pacify Jews during World War II, a local resident told members of the Pinellas County Commission on Oct. 4, 2011, before the commission voted 4-3 vote to stop fluoridating water for about 700,000 residents.","\"It IS what they used to dull their brains!! They used it in the concentration camps. It was in the concentration camps that they also developed many anti-psychotics.\""]},{"id":"7432.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"You cant bring an iPad or a piece of paper and a pencil in the (Wisconsin Assembly) gallery to take notes of whats going on, but you can bring a gun up there.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources that it is prohibited to bring an iPad or a piece of paper and a pencil into the Wisconsin Assembly gallery to take notes, while it is allowed to bring a gun. This suggests a discrepancy in the treatment of First Amendment rights (freedom of expression) versus Second Amendment rights (right to bear arms). However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is assigned because the evidence provided does not explicitly confirm the policy regarding guns in the Wisconsin Assembly gallery. It is based on the claim made by multiple sources, but further verification is needed to confirm the accuracy of this specific aspect.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12004.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he tore down hundreds of abandoned homes that served as havens for crime and reduce(d) the value of our neighborhoods.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that the individual tore down hundreds of abandoned homes that served as havens for crime and reduced the value of neighborhoods. However, it is important to note that without specific information about the individual and the context in which this claim is made, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment. The accuracy of the claim would depend on factors such as the individual's role, authority, and the impact of their actions on crime rates and property values. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, additional information is needed to provide a more comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4063.json","label":"true","statement":"Says car insurance rates have decreased since about a decade ago because of market-based solutions that attracted more auto insurers to New Jersey.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that car insurance rates have decreased in New Jersey since about a decade ago due to market-based solutions that attracted more auto insurers to the state. This is supported by evidence that shows a decrease in car insurance rates nationally in 2020, as well as the mention of New Jersey specifically. The implementation of market-based solutions and increased competition among insurers can lead to lower premiums for consumers.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12410.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Ohio is probably top five in the country, sadly, in terms of heroin overdoses. Its now exceeded car accidents as the No. 1 cause of death in Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Portman that Ohio is likely among the top five states in terms of heroin overdoses. It also correctly states that heroin overdoses have surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death in Ohio. However, the statement lacks specific data or statistics to support the claim, which would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. While the claim is based on statements made by Senator Portman, additional evidence would be necessary to fully verify the accuracy and ranking of Ohio's heroin overdose rates compared to other states.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4443.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The U.S. military is in 130 countries. We have 900 bases around the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the U.S. military is in 130 countries and has 900 bases around the world is mostly true. While the exact numbers may vary slightly due to the dynamic nature of military operations, the figures provided by Senator Paul are generally plausible and align with available information. It's important to note that these numbers include both active military operations and various forms of military presence, such as personnel stationed in embassies or training missions. However, it's worth mentioning that the specific count may change over time due to adjustments in military strategy and global circumstances.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9006.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Russians didnt wear uniforms when they came in to Ukraine.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some Russian soldiers in Ukraine were not wearing identifiable military uniforms, it is important to note that they were still wearing uniforms. The statement could be interpreted to mean that the Russian soldiers were not wearing uniforms at all, which is not accurate. However, if we consider the context and infer that the statement refers to uniforms that specifically identified them as Russians, then it can be considered mostly true. It is reasonable to assume that the statement refers to the lack of clear identification on the uniforms rather than the absence of uniforms altogether.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Greater Wisconsin Committee said an April 7, 2015 referendum would take \"the choice of chief justice\" of the Wisconsin Supreme Court \"away from the people.\"","So, is the Greater Wisconsin Committee right -- would the referendum take \"the choice of chief justice\" of the Supreme Court \"away from the people,\" when the voters don\u2019t directly elect a chief justice?","She adds near the end: \"Our democracy and your vote are threatened by a referendum April 7th that takes the choice of chief justice away from the people.\"","!A majority vote of the seven Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, rather than seniority, would determine which justice serves as the chief, under a referendum being put to voters on April 7, 2015. !A majority vote of the seven Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, rather than seniority, would determine which justice serves as the chief, under a referendum being put to voters on April 7, 2015."]},{"id":"4514.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says that illegal immigrants get a $100,000 break on University of Texas tuition over four years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact figure of a $100,000 break on University of Texas tuition for illegal immigrants over four years might be slightly inflated, the evidence confirms that there is a significant discount available. The average amount received by affidavit students at the University of Texas is around $10,400 or less over four years, which adds up to approximately $41,600. While this falls short of the $100,000 mentioned, it still supports the claim that there is a substantial financial advantage for undocumented students attending the University of Texas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["NATO countries do not pay money to a broad NATO defense budget. NATO defense spending is \"not money that is going to be put in some kitty at NATO,\" Benjamin said.","After explaining why the U.S. wanted the reunited Germany to stay within the framework of NATO, Baker told Gorbachev that \"if we maintain a presence in a Germany that is a part of NATO, there would be no extension of NATO's jurisdiction for forces of NATO 1 inch to the east.\"","\"There is a legitimate point to say that the U.S. offered assurances to the Soviets that NATO would do something, but that is not the same thing as saying NATO offered an agreement,\" Shifrinson continued. \"NATO is not violating, and it never offered an agreement.\"","But Poland joined NATO in 1999. The reason that was allowed is the same reason why Owens\u2019 statement about NATO \"violating previous agreements\" is misleading: whether or not assurances were made, the West did not tie NATO\u2019s hands with any formal agreement."]},{"id":"9925.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"It is truethat we know that ISIS is present in Ciudad Juarez (Mexico)","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"we know that ISIS is present in Ciudad Juarez\" is not supported by credible evidence or independent corroboration from law enforcement officials. Multiple fact-checking sources have found this claim to be unfounded and lacking in substantiation. While there may have been concerns about potential security threats along the border, asserting with certainty that ISIS was present in Ciudad Juarez is not accurate based on the available information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"What can happen in 30 years?\" the ad\u2019s narration says. \"A senator can become a multi-millionaire in public office, while voting 17 times against the minimum wage, three times for corporate tax breaks that send Kentucky jobs overseas, and 12 times against extending unemployment benefits for laid off workers.\"","In the 2014 midterms, we\u2019ve seen the claim lobbed at Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., by his Democrat challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes, who said McConnell voted \"three times for corporate tax breaks that send Kentucky jobs overseas.\" In Iowa, liberal political action committee Next Generation Climate said Republican Senate candidate Joni Ernst signed a pledge that \"protects tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.\" And in Louisiana, the liberal Senate Majority PAC ran an ad that said the Koch brothers want to \"protect tax cuts for companies that ship our jobs overseas.\"","We\u2019ve noticed that this claim -- that a candidate voted for tax breaks that send jobs overseas -- is a trending talking point among Democratic candidates, and we\u2019ve found that often the claim is simplistic and misleading. So we decided to see whether or not Grimes\u2019 claim about McConnell stacks up.","The ad makes it sound as if McConnell voted three times to approve corporate tax breaks that incentivize outsourcing specifically. This is not the case."]},{"id":"9057.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A real result of his term is Georgia having the lowest taxes per capita of any state.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Georgia has been ranked as having the lowest state tax collections per capita by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, it is important to note that this ranking is based on a specific metric and does not provide a comprehensive picture of the overall tax burden in the state. The statement implies that this ranking is solely a result of Governor Deal's term, but it fails to acknowledge that Georgia had low taxes under his predecessor as well. Additionally, the ranking places Georgia near the bottom, indicating that there are still many states with lower taxes per capita. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks context and may give a misleading impression of the overall tax situation in Georgia.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11675.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Most of the black scientists in this country dont come from schools like the University of Texas. They come from lesser schools.","reason":"Reason: Justice Scalia's statement suggests that most black scientists in the country come from \"lesser schools\" rather than prestigious institutions like the University of Texas. While it is true that there are black scientists who have graduated from a variety of institutions, including those that may not be considered top-tier, the statement lacks context and can be misleading. It fails to acknowledge the significant contributions and achievements of black scientists who have graduated from prestigious universities, including the University of Texas. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the statement, it oversimplifies the complex pathways and diverse educational backgrounds of black scientists.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When we should be fighting to protect Social Security, Sean Duffy backed a plan to privatize it,\" the ad states, later referring to the stock market and adding: \"Remember the crash? Families could have lost 40% of their retirement benefits.\"","!U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., joined by his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, spoke on the first night of the 2016 Republican National Convention. (AP photo) !U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., joined by his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, spoke on the first night of the 2016 Republican National Convention. (AP photo)","U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., joined by his wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, spoke on the first night of the 2016 Republican National Convention. (AP photo)","In the group\u2019s view, \"A Roadmap for America\u2019s Future\" -- U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan\u2019s plan to tackle the federal debt and deficits, and make significant changes to taxes, Medicare and Social Security -- would privatize Social Security."]},{"id":"8402.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The White House had a live video feed of the Benghazi attacks as they occurred.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the White House had a live video feed of the Benghazi attacks as they occurred. News reports and statements from the White House itself have contradicted this claim, stating that no live video feed was being monitored during the attacks. The assertion made by Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst lacks factual basis and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Donald Trump \"proposes tax cuts, too -- $3 trillion for millionaires like himself and $2 trillion for corporations like his.\"","Addressing the DNC, Brown said that Trump\u2019s tax plan would cut \"$3 trillion for millionaires like himself and $2 trillion for corporations like his.\"","\"While Trump outsources jobs, Hillary Clinton has a real plan to bring jobs back to America \u2013 like a $10 billion \u2018Made in America\u2019 plan with tax credits to revitalize manufacturing,\" Brown said. \"Trump proposes tax cuts, too \u2013 $3 trillion for millionaires like himself and $2 trillion for corporations like his. Of course we can\u2019t say for sure how much Trump will take for himself, because he\u2019s refused to share his tax returns with the American People.\"","Petri said that the $3 trillion for millionaires figure comes from data from the Tax Policy Center, which was analyzed by the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. That report estimates that the tax cuts going to millionaires would result in a loss of revenue collected by approximately $3.2 trillion over 10 years."]},{"id":"2400.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says a Pro-Stimulus economist admits it is not working","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that a pro-stimulus economist admits that the stimulus package is not working. The articles mentioned do not provide any direct quotes or statements from an economist admitting that the stimulus package is ineffective. The evidence only mentions an economist increasing the prediction of the odds of a double-dip recession, but it does not imply that the economist is conceding the failure of the stimulus package. Therefore, the claim is not substantiated by the evidence provided.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7140.json","label":"true","statement":"In 2008, tourism brought in $38 billion dollars and supported more than 300,000 jobs in the state of New Jersey.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that in 2008, tourism brought in $38 billion dollars and supported more than 300,000 jobs in the state of New Jersey. The evidence supports the claim that tourism had a significant economic impact on the state, contributing to both revenue and job creation.\nLabel: true","evidence":["With that in mind, we went back to the first statement -- that the district would come at \" no direct cost to the city budget.\"","In the original e-mail, the Library Foundation asserted that the district would come at \"no direct cost\" to the city budget. It\u2019s true, the city would not have to pay for the library directly, but a district would mean the city has $7 million less to work with. The comment was clarified, but it still left many with the wrong impression.","A Willamette Week article in mid-July looked at a report from the city of Portland noting that a district would come at a cost to the city\u2019s budget. The weekly called the report a shot across \"Multnomah County\u2019s bow.\" About a week later, the Library Foundation, which helps secure private support for the Multnomah County Library, shot back in a newsletter to supporters.","\"The City of Portland benefits greatly from our strong library system. That's why it's hard to understand why city leaders would consider opposing an effort that would so clearly help thousands of children, families, seniors and job-seekers, at no direct cost to the city budget.\""]},{"id":"12074.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has been presiding over our jobs going overseas for seven years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been a trend of jobs going overseas during President Obama's tenure, it is important to note that this trend predates his presidency and is not solely attributable to his policies. The statement implies that Obama is solely responsible for the outsourcing of jobs, which is an oversimplification of a complex issue influenced by various factors such as globalization and technological advancements. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I would not support the president\u2019s policies down the line and Harry Reid down the line, as Mark Warner has,\" Gillespie said during a recent interview on Fox News.","With that work behind us, we decided to probe the unexplored part of Gillespie\u2019s claim: That Warner has supported Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-Nev., \"down the line.\"","Gillespie accused Warner of supporting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid \"down the line.\" Gillespie\u2019s campaign declined to provide any explanation of the statement.","Ed Gillespie, \" Statement of Ed Gillespie on Mark Warner and Harry Reid\u2019s \u2018Senate Blockade\u2019 of the Keystone XL Pipeline,\" May 14, 2014."]},{"id":"8049.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The oceans have become 30 percent more acidic.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse that the oceans have become 30 percent more acidic. The evidence provided supports this claim, indicating that the oceans have absorbed a significant amount of carbon pollution, leading to increased acidity. While it's worth noting that the increase in acidity is rapid compared to historical changes, the statement itself is supported by scientific data and research.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Iran deal \"violates promises the president made to the American people.\" ... \"It is not an anytime, anywhere inspection process.\"","Rubio said that the Iran nuclear deal \"violates promises the president made to the American people\" because it \"is not an anytime, anywhere inspection process.\"","The Iran deal \"violates promises the president made to the American people,\" said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. \"It is not an anytime, anywhere inspection process.\"","On CNN\u2019s State of the Union , Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told host Jake Tapper that \"this deal violates promises the president made to the American people on multiple fronts. It is not an anytime, anywhere inspection process.\""]},{"id":"8195.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The book Little Red Riding Hood is something thats been banned in America, but not assault weapons.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks proper context. While it is true that there have been instances where certain versions or adaptations of \"Little Red Riding Hood\" have faced challenges or restrictions in specific educational or library settings, it is incorrect to claim that the book itself has been universally banned in America. On the other hand, the statement suggests that assault weapons have not been banned in America, which is also not entirely accurate. While there are varying degrees of regulations on assault weapons at the federal, state, and local levels, it is incorrect to claim that they have not been subject to any form of restriction. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding both the book and assault weapon regulations in the United States.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"In one of the bills before us, 6 million seniors are deprived of meals \u2013 homebound seniors are deprived of meals,\" Pelosi said. \"People ask us to find our common ground, the middle ground. Is middle ground 3 million seniors not receiving meals? I don\u2019t think so. We\u2019ve got to take this conversation from a debate about numbers and dollar figures and finding middle ground there, to the higher ground of national values. I don\u2019t think the American people want any one of those 6 million people to lose their meals.\"","The comment attracted a fair amount of attention in the blogosphere, so we thought it was worth a check. We\u2019ll focus on whether 6 million seniors would in fact be denied meals if Republican budget plans are enacted.","When we contacted Pelosi\u2019s office, they walked us through their calculations. But first, they acknowledged an error in Pelosi\u2019s remark: She should have said \"6 million meals for seniors,\" not meals for \"6 million seniors.\" So right from the beginning, we\u2019ll have to downgrade her original comment\u2019s accuracy.","First, Pelosi\u2019s office elaborated that the Republican bill she was referring to was H.R. 1, a fiscal year 2011 spending bill that passed the House but was rejected by the Senate in a 44-56 vote on March 9, 2011. The bill specifies that aging services programs within the Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Administration on Aging will get about $1.4 million. That\u2019s roughly 5 percent below the funding for those programs during fiscal year 2010."]},{"id":"3073.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The nations food supply is 99.99 percent safe.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the United States has a generally safe food supply, the statement exaggerates the level of safety by claiming it to be 99.99 percent safe. While the food supply in the United States is highly regulated and monitored, there is always a small risk of contamination or foodborne illnesses. The statement overstates the level of safety and fails to acknowledge the possibility of occasional food safety issues. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Jordan claimed \"we have a debt larger than our entire annual economy.\" If you count debt held by the public and intragovernmental holdings, the debt is roughly 105 percent of the economy, which makes his statement accurate. But the debt held by the public is more relevant to discussions about federal spending and the economy.","Jordan responded to her speech by saying: \"The reason we support reducing spending in sequestration is because we have a debt larger than our entire annual economy. We do have to cut some spending around this place and we\u2019re finally taking some modest first steps.\"","Jordan\u2019s point about the national debt being larger than the entire U.S. annual economy is becoming a familiar GOP talking point. A few days before Jordan spoke at the hearing, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan made a virtually identical statement in a speech at Washington, D.C.\u2019s Conservative Political Action Conference, saying \"Our debt is already bigger than our economy.\"","So, if we just consider debt held by the public -- which is what most affects the economy -- it totals about 75 percent of GDP -- which is not larger than the entire economy, as Ryan and Jordan stated."]},{"id":"2928.json","label":"true","statement":"150,000 (oil spill) claims have been filed by Floridians, but only 40 percent of them have been paid.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided. According to the evidence, 150,000 claims related to the oil spill were filed by Floridians, and only 40 percent of those claims have been paid. This suggests that a significant number of claims remain unpaid, indicating a lower payment rate than desired.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A Facebook posting reported, \"Last year, handguns killed 48 people in Japan, 8 in Great Britain, 34 in Switzerland, 52 in Canada, 58 in Israel, 21 in Sweden, 42 in West Germany and 10,728 in the United States.\"","Emblazoned with a picture of a gun painted with stars and stripes, it reports that, \"Last year, handguns killed 48 people in Japan, 8 in Great Britain, 34 in Switzerland, 52 in Canada, 58 in Israel, 21 in Sweden, 42 in West Germany and 10,728 in the United States.\"","One said that \"Last year, handguns killed 48 people in Japan, 8 in Great Britain, 34 in Switzerland, 52 in Canada, 58 in Israel, 21 in Sweden, 42 in West Germany and 10,728 in the United States.\" It got a Half True because the numbers were from 2008, not \"last year.\" Newer numbers show a similar trend, with the risk of being murdered by a gun far higher in the U.S. than in other developed countries.","\"Last year, handguns killed 48 people in Japan, 8 in Great Britain, 34 in Switzerland, 52 in Canada, 58 in Israel, 21 in Sweden, 42 in West Germany and 10,728 in the United States.\" (Half True) The numbers are wildly out of date. They also omit important context, such as population size. But the odds of being murdered by a gun in the United States is far in excess of the risk in the listed countries."]},{"id":"9211.json","label":"true","statement":"In Rhode Island today, 25 percent of our households either dont have a bank account at all, or they have a bank account and theyre still relying on high-cost financial services like payday loans, pawn shop check cashing and so on.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided. It states that in Rhode Island, 25 percent of households either do not have a bank account or have a bank account but still rely on high-cost financial services such as payday loans and pawn shop check cashing. This information is supported by the evidence provided, and it aligns with the understanding that a significant portion of households in Rhode Island face challenges accessing traditional banking services and resort to alternative financial options.\nLabel: true","evidence":["When explaining why he opposed the health care law, Romney said Barack Obama \"put in place a board that can tell people ultimately what treatments they're going to receive.\"","When Romney was talking about the Independent Payment Advisory Board and Medicare, he said, Barack Obama \"put in place a board that can tell people ultimately what treatments they're going to receive.\"","He also said this: \"And then he has as a model for doing that a board of people at the government, an unelected board, appointed board, who are going to decide what kind of treatment you ought to have.\" And later: \"In order to bring the cost of health care down, we don't need to have a board of 15 people telling us what kinds of treatments we should have.\"","For this fact-check, we will focus on Romney\u2019s statement about whether the unelected board -- formally called the Independent Payments Advisory board, or IPAB for short -- can tell people what kind of treatments they can have."]},{"id":"64.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Our whole food system in this country...most of it is genetically engineered. And (there is) no testing for the health consequences of this food.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that a significant portion of the food system in the United States includes genetically engineered (GE) crops, it is not entirely correct to claim that there is no testing for the health consequences of this food. The regulatory bodies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have established guidelines and requirements for the safety assessment of genetically engineered crops before they are approved for commercial use. However, there are ongoing debates and discussions regarding the sufficiency and transparency of these testing protocols. So, while there is testing conducted, the extent and effectiveness of such testing remain topics of scrutiny and discussion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3183.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Congressman Robert Hurt has a plan to cut education by 40 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. While there may be proposals by the Republican Study Committee to reduce spending, the claim that Congressman Robert Hurt has a specific plan to cut education by 40 percent is false. The 40 percent figure refers to a hypothetical reduction in spending to 2006 levels by 2021, not an immediate or specific plan by Congressman Hurt. It is important to accurately represent the intentions and proposals of political figures to maintain the integrity of the discussion.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Roggensack\u2019s TV ad says she \"heard\" more than 2,400 cases as a Wisconsin appeals court judge. That\u2019s over a seven-year span.","Interviews and research help, Appeals Court Chief Judge Richard Brown, and Jennifer Krapf, administrative assistant to chief judge, Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Feb. 12-13, 2013","The count includes minor and major cases, and a large number in which the judge\u2019s decision is written up by staff attorneys. But they are all cases reviewed and decided by the judge -- in essence \"heard\" -- and Roggensack made no claim that her number involved only judge-authored opinions.","Dykman said it was \"foolishness\" to equate complex cases heard by three-judge panels with minor summary disposition cases in which the appeal often lacked merit."]},{"id":"8502.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The federal health care law raises taxes and cuts Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The federal health care law, commonly known as Obamacare, does indeed include provisions that raise taxes and implement measures aimed at increasing the efficiency of Medicare. The law introduces tax increases to fund various aspects of the healthcare system and represents a reversal of the trend of federal tax cuts. While the law does not directly cut standard benefits for Medicare recipients, it does seek to encourage greater efficiency within the healthcare industry and among Medicare insurers. Therefore, the statement accurately captures the key elements of the law's impact on taxes and Medicare.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Visiting Dallas on Nov. 6, 2013, President Barack Obama sought to allay worries about his signature health-care law and assert Texans\u2019 need for more health coverage.","!This photo of former President Barack Obama purportedly helping Hurricane Harvey victims was actually taken in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 25, 2015. !This photo of former President Barack Obama purportedly helping Hurricane Harvey victims was actually taken in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 25, 2015.","This photo of former President Barack Obama purportedly helping Hurricane Harvey victims was actually taken in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 25, 2015.","Texas consistently has the nation\u2019s highest percentage of residents without health insurance. The Census Bureau estimated 6.4 million Texans in 2012 had no health coverage. The state Health and Human Services Commission estimated that in January 2013, Texas had about 1 million adults on Medicaid."]},{"id":"1518.json","label":"half-true","statement":"I vetoed more than $3 billion in spending. Lawmakers and I cut taxes for 40,000 small businesses. Now Texas is No. 1 in job creation. The nations five best housing markets are right here in Texas. We balanced five state budgets and we cut state spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains a mix of accurate and partially accurate claims. It is true that Governor Perry vetoed more than $3 billion in spending and that taxes were cut for 40,000 small businesses. Additionally, Texas has experienced significant job creation and has been recognized for having some of the nation's best housing markets. However, the statement lacks specific information regarding the time frame and context of these achievements. It is also unclear whether the claim of balancing five state budgets and cutting state spending applies to the same period as the other accomplishments mentioned. Without further clarification, it is difficult to determine the full accuracy of these claims. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6296.json","label":"false","statement":"Says President Barack Obama has not raised taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Barack Obama has not raised taxes is false. While there may be differing opinions on the impact or effectiveness of his tax policies, it is a fact that President Obama implemented several tax increases during his time in office. These tax increases include the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate penalty, the expiration of certain tax cuts for high-income earners, and the implementation of various tax provisions aimed at increasing revenue. Therefore, the claim that President Obama has not raised taxes is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said that \"the Obama-Clinton war on coal has cost Michigan over 50,000 jobs.\" However, this claim is problematic on several levels.","\"As a result of recent Obama EPA actions, coal-fired plants across Michigan have either shut down entirely or undergone expensive conversions, making them non-competitive in many cases,\" Trump said. \"The Obama-Clinton war on coal has cost Michigan over 50,000 jobs.\"","Trump has often criticized efforts by the Obama administration -- and those who find climate change to be a serious concern -- to wean the United States from fossil fuels by tightening federal environmental regulation of coal-fired power plants. Here, we\u2019ll take a look at the second part of Trump\u2019s statement: \"The Obama-Clinton war on coal has cost Michigan over 50,000 jobs.\"","\u2022 This isn\u2019t just about Obama or Clinton. Trump ignores that much of the impetus in Michigan for switching away from coal has come from the state\u2019s Republican governor, Rick Snyder, and from utilities themselves."]},{"id":"8341.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every month, we get the reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that say even more people have given up looking for work.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an increasing number of people giving up on looking for work. While it is true that labor force participation rates and employment-to-population ratios can fluctuate over time, the statement overgeneralizes and does not accurately reflect the data provided. The evidence does not support the claim that every monthly report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently shows an increasing number of people giving up on job search. The labor force participation rate and employment-to-population ratio can be influenced by various factors and can fluctuate in different directions over different time periods.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"249.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"McCain opposes repeal of the death tax.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that McCain opposes the repeal of the estate tax, commonly referred to as the \"death tax.\" However, it's important to note that the term \"opposes\" can be subjective and open to interpretation. While McCain does not support the complete repeal of the estate tax, he has proposed a tax exemption on estates worth up to $10 million and a 15 percent tax on inheritances exceeding that amount. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately captures McCain's position on the estate tax repeal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3327.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says signs posted at projects funded by the federal stimulus act has cost 20 or 40 million dollars.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the cost of signs posted at projects funded by the federal stimulus act was not as high as $20 or $40 million, it is true that there was a significant expenditure on these signs. The total reported spending on signs by six agencies was approximately $9 million. The Department of Transportation accounted for the majority of this spending, with $8,154,000. The per-sign cost varied, ranging from negligible (adding a recovery act logo to an existing sign) to as high as $1,950. Therefore, while the actual cost falls far short of the stated $20 or $40 million, there was still a substantial expenditure on these signs.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Burke\u2019s TV spot leaves the impression that six convictions are connected to an allegation by prosecutors \"that Gov. Scott Walker is at the center of a criminal scheme.\"","A secret criminal investigation made national news with the disclosure that prosecutors had alleged Gov. Scott Walker was at the center of an effort to illegally coordinate fundraising among conservative groups to help his campaign and others.","The headline concerning prosecutors alleging that Walker was at the center of a criminal scheme was from a June 19, 2014 Journal Sentinel story.","A new Mary Burke TV ad strikes a weary tone, with a narrator describing Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s term as \"four years of political fistfights, criminal convictions \u2026 and secret donations. Tax cuts for the wealthy 10 times the size of yours, and a jobs promise -- broken.\""]},{"id":"9620.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Amid the crisis at our southern border, there are reports of illegal migrants carrying deadly diseases such as Ebola virus.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. There is no credible evidence or reports to support the claim that illegal migrants crossing the southern border are carrying deadly diseases such as Ebola virus. Such claims are often used to stoke fear and misinformation. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing public health issues.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4840.json","label":"false","statement":"While (Chris Christie) talks about job creation, we dont see jobs being created in this state.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Governor Chris Christie's rhetoric about job creation does not align with the actual job creation in the state of New Jersey. However, it is important to consider that job creation is influenced by various factors beyond the control of any single governor. Evaluating the job creation record of a governor requires a comprehensive analysis of economic conditions, policies, and external factors. Therefore, it is not accurate to make a definitive statement that jobs are not being created in the state solely based on the perception of the speaker.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"That's if you get there,\" he said. \"The dirty little secret we don't talk about is, where are the black boys? It's awful, it's absolutely pathetic what the graduation rate is for African-American boys. ... We have seven of the 10 worst school districts in America on graduation of black boys. We've kept it a secret.\"","\"African-American youth unemployment is 51 percent,\" Sanders said at the Oct. 13, 2015, debate in Las Vegas. \"Hispanic youth unemployment is 36 percent.\"","Using the standard method for determining the jobless rate, the figure for African-American youths is 31.5 percent and for Hispanic youths it\u2019s 18.6 percent. While those rates are still disproportionately high, they are not nearly as high as Sanders said.","The three lowest African-American graduation rates among the 59 districts examined were all in Florida -- Pinellas County graduated 21 percent of its African-American students, Palm Beach County 22 percent and Duval County 23 percent."]},{"id":"12828.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Bike lanes and sidewalks have been proven to reduce crashes by up to 38 percent on Austins streets.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that research suggests the introduction of sidewalks can lead to a significant reduction in pedestrian-vehicle accidents, the evidence does not support the claim that bike lanes and sidewalks together have been proven to reduce crashes by up to 38 percent on Austin's streets. The city analysis mentioned in the evidence indicates that reconfiguring lanes on a specific road, which included the addition of bike lanes, resulted in a 38 percent reduction in crashes. However, this specific case cannot be generalized to all bike lanes and sidewalks in Austin. Therefore, the claim of a 38 percent reduction in crashes cannot be substantiated and is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Kaine said Florida retirees and families \"lost tens of thousands of dollars\" in deposits on failed Trump condo projects, but he \"pocketed their money and walked away.\"","\"Retirees and families in Florida \u2014 they believed Donald Trump when he said he'd build them some condos. Thousands of them,\" Kaine said on the third night of the Democratic National Convention. \"They paid their deposits, but the condos, they were never built. He just pocketed their money and walked away. They lost tens of thousands of dollars, all because they believed Donald Trump.\"","We wanted to know if people lost tens of thousands of dollars in deposits while Trump took the money without consequence. Since there are two projects, we\u2019ll take them one at a time.","A Kaine spokesman told us the senator was referring to not one, but two failed condo projects: One in Tampa and one in Fort Lauderdale. Trump\u2019s campaign did not respond."]},{"id":"4942.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"You look at defense were spending more than the rest of the world combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement exaggerates the extent of U.S. defense spending compared to the rest of the world. While the United States does spend significantly more on defense than any other individual country, it does not exceed the combined defense spending of all other countries. International research shows that U.S. defense funds make up approximately 40 to 45 percent of the world's total military spending. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and is misleading in its claim. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11153.json","label":"false","statement":"The Navy is bringing charges against a Navy officer who shot at the Chattanooga shooter for illegally discharging a firearm on federal property.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were initial reports and claims that the Navy was bringing charges against Lt. Cmdr. Timothy White for illegally discharging a firearm on federal property, these reports were later debunked. The Navy clarified that no charges were being brought against Lt. Cmdr. Timothy White, as he was not in violation of any regulations when he discharged his firearm in defense during the Chattanooga shooting. The initial reports were based on misinformation and were later corrected.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"6718.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says when Mitt Romney was governor, Massachusetts was 47th in job creation","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, it is indeed a popular claim made by Democratic leaders that Massachusetts ranked 47th out of 50 states in job creation during Mitt Romney's tenure as governor. However, it's important to note that job creation is influenced by various factors, including the overall economic conditions and policies beyond the control of a single governor. While the statistic highlights a specific ranking, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the broader context and factors impacting job creation in Massachusetts during that time.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["State Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy said: \"Employers and schools have no more right to this private social media information than they do in providing surveillance of a dorm room or a worker's cubicle.\"","It was this sentence in his news release that caught our eye, particularly the reference to employer rights: \"Employers and schools have no more right to this private information than they do in providing surveillance of a dorm room or a worker's cubicle.\"","While Rhode Island may not have a specific law about monitoring a cubicle or dorm room, said Steven Brown of the ACLU, the state\u2019s general \"right to privacy\" law would apply.","Audio surveillance in a dorm room would not be allowed without permission. \"It's only employers who have that latitude,\" said Smith."]},{"id":"6796.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Daniel Webster used taxpayer funds to build a lobbyist lounge.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some newspapers characterized a room set aside by Daniel Webster for a select group of former Republican leaders turned lobbyists as a \"comfortable lounge\" enjoyed \"at taxpayer expense,\" there are several factors that complicate the claim. The room was not built by Webster but was an existing office space. It is unclear how much, if any, taxpayer money went towards furnishing the room. Additionally, access to the room was generally limited to former Republican leaders. While there are elements of truth in the statement, it oversimplifies the situation and lacks sufficient evidence to definitively claim that taxpayer funds were used to build the lobbyist lounge.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Foreign Chinese prostitution money is allegedly behind the groups funding Congressman Jim Renacci\u2019s Republican majority,\" the DCCC claimed in a news release on July 2, 2012.","Do unproven charges by a disgruntled former Adelson employee coupled with Adelson\u2019s generosity to GOP groups that are likely to back Renacci justify the DCCC\u2019s claim that \"foreign Chinese prostitution money is allegedly behind the groups funding Congressman Jim Renacci\u2019s Republican majority?\"","Perhaps the most striking recent example is a missive earlier this summer that seeks to link DesJarlais' campaign financing to Chinese prostitution money. Says the opening paragraph: \"Foreign Chinese prostitution money is allegedly behind the groups funding Congressman Scott DesJarlais's (TN-04) Republican Majority.\"","\"What will Congressman Scott DesJarlais do when his Chinese prostitution money comes from billionaire Sheldon Adelson?\" said Jesse Ferguson of DCCC in the release. \"House Republicans like Congressman DesJarlais are fighting tirelessly to protect billionaires like Sheldon Adelson who make fortunes overseas and Adelson is now the largest single donor to Congressman DesJarlais's Republican Majority. It's past time for Congressman DesJarlais to reject the support of these groups funded by foreign money from a Chinese prostitution strategy.\""]},{"id":"6125.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says 97 cents of every dollar played represents over $500 million dollars that is returned to Oregonians every year to help support job creation, schools, state parks and watersheds.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the Oregon Lottery does contribute a portion of its revenue to support various projects, the claim that 97 cents of every dollar played represents over $500 million dollars returned to Oregonians is highly exaggerated. The evidence provided clearly states that the $500 million figure is not equivalent to 97 cents of each dollar played. The Oregon Lottery's own statement acknowledges that $500 million is returned to support job creation, schools, state parks, and watersheds, but it does not specify the percentage of each dollar played that contributes to this amount. Therefore, the claim is misleading and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says \"my advocacy questioning contracting out in Parks \u2026 delayed and altered the renewal of the Brooks contract, and reduced the number of contracted employees in Parks from over 100 to fewer than 40.\"","She repeated the claim in another primary election questionnaire: \"My advocacy questioning contracting out in Parks, despite not being the Commissioner in Charge of that bureau, delayed and altered the renewal of the Brooks contract, and reduced the number of contracted employees in Parks from over 100 to fewer than 40.\"","\"At my urging, Commissioner (Nick) Fish reviewed contracting out in Parks. As a result, the number of contracted employees dropped from over 100 to under 40 in the three years I've been in office,\" she wrote in response to a questionnaire by Occupy Portland.","The commissioner accurately states that she questioned the use of contract employees at the bureau. It\u2019s also accurate for her to say that from 2009 to 2011, the number of contract employees used by the parks bureau went from 100 to 40. What Fritz has not showed is that but for her questioning, the changes would not have occurred."]},{"id":"12194.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We got a million jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence indicates that there was a gain of nearly 5 million jobs between January 2021 and September 2021. While the statement specifically mentions \"we got a million jobs,\" it is important to note that this is an approximation and not an exact figure. The evidence suggests that the number of jobs created during that period is significant, but it may not precisely align with the \"million\" mentioned in the statement. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be acknowledged that the actual number is higher than one million.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3479.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser has prejudged matters that are likely to come before the court.","reason":"Reason: While JoAnne Kloppenburg did accuse Justice David Prosser of prejudging matters that are likely to come before the court, she failed to provide specific examples to support her claim. The evidence suggests that Kloppenburg made the accusation without offering any concrete instances of Prosser's alleged prejudgment. Without specific examples or evidence, it is difficult to fully evaluate the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is labeled as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10601.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton sent a memo to all State Department staff that said you should not do State Department business on personal email.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Hillary Clinton's office did send a memo to State Department staff in 2011, advising them to avoid using personal email accounts for department business. While the memo did not explicitly prohibit the use of personal email accounts, it strongly discouraged their use. The memo also mentioned that auto-forwarding department email to a private account was prohibited. Therefore, while the memo did not strictly prohibit the use of personal email for official business, it did advise against it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Keep in mind, the people that perpetrated that travesty in San Bernardino had never been to the Middle East,\" Clinton said in Greenville, S.C., Feb. 16. \"They were converted over the social media.\"","This is incorrect, as Buzzfeed first pointed out. The husband and wife pair who carried out the Dec. 2 shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., killing 14, spent significant time in the Middle East.","Los Angeles Times , \" A look at the K-1 visa that gave San Bernardino shooter entry into U.S.,\" Dec. 8, 2015","This is incorrect. The wife lived her entire life in the Middle East until 2014, and the husband traveled to Saudi Arabia on at least two recent occasions to meet with her."]},{"id":"1428.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Bill White has presided over the construction of what may be the worlds largest abortion clinic.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Bill White, the former mayor and Democratic contender for governor, presided over the construction of a large abortion clinic is false. Multiple sources, including fact-checkers, have debunked this claim and found no evidence to support it. The Republican Party's attempt to link White to the construction of the clinic is based on misleading information and does not hold up to scrutiny.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5165.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"PolitiFact Oregon gave Rob Cornilles a Pants on Fire for a claim about taxes and fees.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that PolitiFact Oregon gave Rob Cornilles a \"Pants on Fire\" rating for a claim about taxes and fees. This rating indicates that the claim made by Cornilles was found to be completely false by PolitiFact Oregon.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["An endorsement from former President Donald Trump has been a game-changer in some Republican primary contests \u2013 and multiple candidates for governor in Wisconsin angled for Trump\u2019s blessing.","By his own assessment, Republican Jeff Fitzgerald \"breathed a little new life\" into his U.S. Senate campaign with a strong showing at the May 12, 2012, state GOP convention.","\"ICYMI: Here's an article covering my win at the Republican Party of Wisconsin's State Convention. The same grassroots activists who support Governor Scott Walker supported me because they want to see bold reforms in Washington!\"","The state Republican Party issued a news release with this statement: \"Today, we learned that over 50 percent of U.S. job growth in June came from our state.\""]},{"id":"6997.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As governor, I cut $5 billion in spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the individual that they cut $5 billion in spending during their tenure as governor. The evidence provided includes statements from the individual themselves, both in a TV commercial and during a debate, where they explicitly mention the budget cuts they made. While the evidence does not provide specific details about the nature of the spending cuts, it supports the claim that the individual implemented significant reductions in spending during their time as governor.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Touting a number of conservative actions he has taken as governor, Walker said Wisconsin requires, \"by law, a photo I.D. to vote.\"","\"And we believe it\u2019s important to protect the integrity -- the integrity -- of each and every vote cast. So we require in our state, by law, a photo I.D. to vote.\"","Wisconsin joins 12 other states that have given final or preliminary approval to laws that request or require a photo ID to vote. Most states do not, contrary to a claim by a Republican state senator that Wisconsin had been one of few states without it. We found that statement False.","State Rep. Jeff Stone, Republican co-author of Wisconsin\u2019s photo ID law, said the claim that this will somehow prevent someone from voting is just false. \"Requiring a photo ID in order to be given one\u2019s ballot is not disenfranchisement, it is now one of the rules governing our election process.\""]},{"id":"12419.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One in three American women will have had an abortion by the time she reaches the age of 45.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia and is supported by evidence from a study that suggests that almost one-third of American women will obtain an abortion in their lifetime. However, it's important to note that the statistic is based on projected rates and assumptions, and the actual number may vary depending on various factors such as changes in abortion rates and individual circumstances. Therefore, while the statement provides an estimate based on available data, it should be understood as a general approximation rather than an exact figure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8398.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ann Kuster turned a blind eye to those in need of funding by voting against funding for our nations veterans, low-income women and children, the FDA and the National Institutes of Health.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ann Kuster voted against specific resolutions that would have provided temporary funding for veterans, low-income women and children, the FDA, and the National Institutes of Health, it is important to note that this statement lacks context. Voting against specific funding resolutions does not necessarily mean that Ann Kuster turned a blind eye to those in need of funding. There could be various reasons for her votes, such as concerns about the overall budget, the specific provisions of the resolutions, or alternative proposals for funding. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the situation and does not provide a complete picture of Ann Kuster's stance on funding for these programs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Black people kill more black people every six months than the KKK did in 86 years,\" West, a former one-term congressman from Florida, wrote.","West said black people kill more blacks in six months than the KKK did in 86 years. Based on the evidence West provided, the claim essentially boils down to a comparison between the number of black-on-black homicides and the number of lynchings from 1882-1968.",", KKK Lynched 3,446 Blacks in 86 Years \u2013 Abortion Claims That Many Black Babies in \u2018Less Than Four Days\u2019, May 15, 2013","West\u2019s office directed us to an item from Kevin Jackson who blogs at Black Sphere. Jackson wrote about \"Dixiecrats who hated black people, and who were responsible for the 3,446 deaths by the Klan in 86 years.\""]},{"id":"10863.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"One person has been fired at the Veterans Administration for withholding services.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that former President Bush stated that \"one person has been fired\" at the Veterans Administration for withholding services, the statement lacks complete context. The reference to \"withholding services\" is not explicitly mentioned in the provided evidence. However, there were indeed numerous disciplinary actions and removals of employees within the Veterans Health Administration for various reasons, including patient scheduling, record manipulation, appointment delays, and patient deaths. Therefore, while the statement captures a partial truth, it oversimplifies the situation and does not accurately reflect the broader disciplinary actions taken within the Veterans Administration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Mr. Isakson has never proposed, nor voted in favor of, a substantial cut in federal spending,\" Donovan began. \"However, he has voted in favor of: (a) many substantial increases in federal spending; and (b) tremendous annual deficits.\"","The provision reads: Mr. Isakson never proposed, nor voted in favor of, a substantial cut in federal spending; however, he has voted in favor of: (a) many substantial increases in federal spending; and (b) tremendous annual deficits. The article did not consider the four facets of the statement, but instead focused on spending. The allegedly untrue part is the part about Mr. Isakson\u2019s proposals relating to, and votes for, substantially cutting spending.","In sum, Senator Isakson never proposed, nor voted in favor of, a substantial cut in spending. Thus, I told the truth.","Let's look at the first part of Donovan's claim: Isakson has never proposed or voted for a substantial cut in federal spending."]},{"id":"10964.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Currently, almost 40 percent of people with HIV are not diagnosed until they already have developed AIDS. And that can be up to 10 years after they first are infected with HIV.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the issue that a significant proportion of individuals with HIV are not diagnosed until they have already progressed to AIDS, which can occur up to 10 years after initial infection. This delay in diagnosis is a concerning aspect of HIV management and prevention efforts. However, it's important to note that the statement does not directly address the claim about the absence of an HIV vaccine. While there is currently no vaccine for HIV, ongoing research and advancements have been made in HIV prevention and treatment strategies. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in the context of delayed HIV diagnoses but does not directly address the claim about vaccine development.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1570.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Obama has proposed a 1.4% pay increase for active duty military in 2011. This is THE LOWEST SINCE 1973 ... A LOWER PAY INCREASE THAN WELFARE RECIPIENTS!!!\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama proposed a 1.4% pay increase for active-duty military personnel in 2011, the statement contains several inaccuracies. Firstly, comparing military pay increases to welfare recipients' support is misleading, as there is no direct correlation between the two. Additionally, the claim fails to mention that the proposed increase is in line with the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and is a result of economic factors. It is also important to note that the proposal is in accordance with the law, and Congress has the authority to approve a higher pay raise if deemed necessary. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the comparison and fails to provide the full context surrounding the proposed pay increase.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12038.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Trump refuses to denounce the KKK.","reason":"Reason: While there have been instances where Donald Trump faced criticism for his initial response to denouncing David Duke, it is not accurate to claim that he outright refused to denounce the KKK. Trump did denounce David Duke and the KKK multiple times, including during his presidential campaign. However, there were instances where his responses were seen as ambiguous or delayed, leading to criticism. It is important to provide accurate context and acknowledge that Trump did eventually denounce the KKK, even though there were concerns about the clarity and timeliness of his statements.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9394.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Barack Obama broke a decades-old policy of not negotiating with terrorists.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there has been a longstanding policy of not negotiating with terrorists, it is an oversimplification to attribute the breaking of this policy solely to Barack Obama. As mentioned in the evidence, there have been instances throughout recent history where American presidents have made exceptions and engaged in negotiations with terrorists or rogue regimes for various reasons, including securing the release of hostages. Therefore, it is inaccurate to solely blame Obama for breaking a decades-old policy, as there have been precedents for such negotiations in the past.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Arguing that the federal criminal code should be downsized, Sensenbrenner said an 11-year-old girl was investigated by the FBI and had to pay a $500 federal criminal fine \"because she found an injured woodpecker and put it in a cage to make sure that the bird was OK.\"","\"I think the FBI has got much better things to do, for example, than investigate an 11-year-old girl that ended up having to pay a $500 criminal fine because she found an injured woodpecker and put it in a cage to make sure that the bird was OK and that violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.\"","So, part of Sensenbrenner's claim is accurate: The girl took a woodpecker she thought might be injured and put it in a cage.","Skylar\u2019s mom, Alison Capo, agreed to let Skylar take the bird to their home for a day or two to make sure it was OK."]},{"id":"3502.json","label":"half-true","statement":"From 1960, the year I was born, until the time I became Governor in 2003, the average two-year increase in Minnesota state spending was 21 percent. we brought that down dramatically, to about 1.7 percent per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects a significant reduction in the average two-year increase in Minnesota state spending during the individual's tenure as governor, compared to the average increase from 1960 until 2003. However, the statement lacks specific data or evidence to support the claim of a reduction to about 1.7 percent per year. Without further information or data, it is challenging to verify the exact percentage decrease in state spending. Therefore, while there was a notable reduction in the average increase, the specific percentage provided lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["He concludes: \"Tommy Thompson has taken thousands of dollars from the insurance industry. Now he says he\u2019ll do away with Medicare. I\u2019m voting for Tammy Baldwin for Senate because she\u2019ll never cut Medicare benefits.\"","( - Tommy Thompson says he \"had nothing to do with\" provision barring U.S. from negotiating Medicare prescription drug prices &url=)","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Uncle Sam barred from bargaining Medicare drug prices, Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin says, blaming rival Tommy Thompson,\" Sept. 4, 2012","Campaigning for the U.S. Senate, Republican Tommy Thompson called himself the \"mastermind\" of Medicare Part D, which he pushed while serving as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services."]},{"id":"3526.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Corporate taxes will soon be the highest in the industrialized world.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"corporate taxes will soon be the highest in the industrialized world\" is mostly true, but it requires some clarification. When considering the corporate income tax rate specifically, the United States does have one of the highest rates among industrialized nations. However, when considering the total tax burden on corporations, including other taxes and factors, the United States does not have the highest corporate taxes. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in terms of the corporate income tax rate, it could be misleading if interpreted to mean the overall highest corporate tax burden.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4071.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Mitt Romney is the first Massachusetts politician to run for president and not win the New Hampshire primary in a generation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley that Mitt Romney is the first Massachusetts politician in a generation to run for president and not win the New Hampshire primary. While the exact length of a generation can vary, the evidence provided supports the assertion that it has been a significant period of time since a Massachusetts politician running for president has failed to win the New Hampshire primary. However, it's important to note that the term \"generation\" is not precisely defined, and there may be some variability in its interpretation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["And in Congress Tom Barrett voted to allow abortions through the ninth month, just moments before the baby is born. That's extreme.\"","Now, to the language in the Walker ad, which says Barrett voted to \"allow abortions through the ninth month, just moments before the baby is born.\"","Partial-birth abortions, even by the account of abortion opponents, were mostly limited to second trimester and earlier -- not commonly done in the \"moments before the baby is born.\" While the two sides cannot agree on how common ninth-month abortions were then -- or now -- there is an element of truth to the statement: Barrett twice took a position that arguably blocked a narrowing of abortions, some of which could occur late.","The two sides disagree about the extent of abortions in the \"ninth month,\" though it\u2019s clear from government statistics that it is uncommon."]},{"id":"13221.json","label":"half-true","statement":"You would receive a citation for taking a dildo to class at the University of Texas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Texas had a law in the past that banned the promotion of \"obscene devices,\" it is important to note that the law primarily targeted the sale and promotion of such devices, not the ownership or possession of them. The statement implies that taking a dildo to class at the University of Texas would result in a citation, which is not accurate. The law mentioned was a statewide law, not specific to the University of Texas or any other educational institution. Furthermore, the law was struck down by a federal appeals court over six years ago, rendering it invalid. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it misrepresents the current legal situation and the specific context of the law.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12533.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve seen more manufacturing jobs created since Ive been president than anytime since the 1990s. Thats a fact.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is accurate that there has been significant growth in manufacturing jobs during President Obama's tenure, which is the largest period of sustained manufacturing growth since the 1990s. However, the claim that it is the most significant growth \"since I've been president\" is subjective and lacks specific data to support its comparison to other presidential terms. While the statement highlights a positive trend in manufacturing job creation, it could benefit from additional context and specific comparisons to other presidential terms to provide a more comprehensive assessment.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The meme claims that when Obama took office, \"2.3 million people were out of work. Five-plus years later, we have 5 million-plus out of work.\"","The meme features an image of a glum-looking President Barack Obama, along with the caption, \"When he took office, 2.3 million people were out of work. Five-plus years later, we have 5 million-plus out of work. In what world is this recovery?\" It was posted by a Facebook page and Twitter account called Barack Obama's Dead Fly. (The user\u2019s odd name presumably stems from a 2009 incident in which Obama, during a televised interview, slapped dead a fly that had been bothering him.)","Could the meme creator have been using a different, broader measurement to define the term \"out of work\"? Just in case, we took another crack with expanded measures.","We found that there were almost 12.1 million Americans classified as unemployed in 2009, and a bit over 9.1 million in November 2014. Not only are both of the specific job figures in the meme way off-base, but the trend line is even less accurate -- the number of unemployed Americans has declined by 3 million, or by one-fourth, since Obama took office."]},{"id":"7978.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Abortion is the second-most conducted surgical procedure in this country.","reason":"Reason: The claim that abortion is the second-most conducted surgical procedure in the country is not supported by credible evidence. While it is true that abortion is a common medical procedure, there is no reliable data or factual citation to substantiate the claim that it ranks as the second-most conducted surgical procedure. The available evidence suggests that other surgical procedures, such as hysterectomy and cesarean delivery, are more prevalent among reproductive-age women. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I mean, we all remember George Bush. January of 1992, (he) probably had a 90 percent or even higher approval rating after the first Gulf War, and in late November of 1992, we were calling Bill Clinton president-elect.\"","Comparing Christie with the 41st president, Wisniewski claimed in a TV interview that in January 1992, Bush \"probably had a 90 percent or even higher approval rating after the first Gulf War.\"","Democratic leader offers cautionary tale for Gov. Chris Christie: President George H. W. Bush lost re-election bid after having 90 percent approval rating in January 1992","Soon after the Gulf War ended in February 1991, Bush had an approval rating hovering around 90 percent. However, by January 1992, the 41st president\u2019s approval rating had dropped to less than 50 percent."]},{"id":"11072.json","label":"true","statement":"In New Orleans, nearly100 percent of our kids are in charter schools.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data available at the time. As of the 2013-14 school year, 91 percent of students in New Orleans attended charter schools. This significant shift towards charter schools in the city's education system was a result of education reforms implemented after Hurricane Katrina. It is important to note that the percentage may have changed since then, but based on the evidence provided, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Shimkus said, \"When LBJ started #WarOnPoverty, 14% of Americans lived in poverty. 50 years later, 14 percent still do. There\u2019s a #BetterWay","Shimkus said the poverty rate was 14 percent when Johnson declared the War on Poverty, and the poverty rate was still 14 percent 50 years later. The wording could be confusing to someone unfamiliar with the history of the War on Poverty.","Shimkus' tweet says that 14 percent of Americans lived in poverty at the dawn of the War on Poverty and 14 percent still do. It\u2019s meant to show the country\u2019s poverty situation hasn\u2019t made much progress more than five decades after the declaration after the War on Poverty began. A surface-level look into the Census Bureau data from 1966 to 2014 backs that claim.","Second, in 1966 the poverty rate was 14 percent, but at the time of Johnson\u2019s 1964 address, the poverty rate was 19 percent."]},{"id":"12642.json","label":"false","statement":"The steel industry is producing as much steel in the United States as it ever was. Its just (that) it needs one-tenth of the workers that it used to.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate in terms of the steel industry's production levels in the United States, but it is misleading in its implication that the decrease in workers is solely due to automation. While automation has certainly played a role in reducing the number of workers needed in the steel industry, it is not the only factor. Outsourcing and the shift of jobs to low-wage countries have also contributed to the decline in employment within the industry. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the reasons behind the decrease in the steel industry's workforce.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Mitt Romney and Brendan Doherty certainly have a lot in common, like flip-flopping on abortion -- in Doherty's case, in a little over a week.\"","In a Jan. 11, 2012, news release about Doherty stumping for Romney in New Hampshire, the Democratic party's executive director, Stephanie DeSilva, contends, \"Romney and Doherty certainly have a lot in common, like flip-flopping on abortion -- in Doherty's case, in a little over a week.\"","Opponents of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney have gained some traction by criticizing the former Massachusetts governor for flip-flopping on the abortion issue. So it shouldn't have been surprising that the Rhode Island Democratic Party would try to use the same tactic against Brendan Doherty, the Republican running for Congress in the 1st District against Democratic Rep. David Cicilline.","Stephanie DeSilva, executive director of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, said Doherty changed his position on abortion in a little over a week."]},{"id":"2614.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If you want to see the jobs that Ive saved and created in this storm he helped create, go anywhere in Ohio.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama claimed to have saved and created jobs, particularly in Ohio. However, it's important to note that the accuracy and verifiability of the specific number of jobs saved and created is questionable. The administration's accounting for the jobs \"created\" or \"saved\" under the stimulus package has been criticized for lacking solid evidence and relying on estimations. While there is anecdotal evidence of jobs being saved, the specific number mentioned in the statement is not well-supported. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of reflecting Obama's claim, but the accuracy of the specific number is questionable.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"So after 50 years of being virtually empty, I built up our oil reserves during my administration, and low energy prices, to 100% full,\" Trump said. \"It\u2019s called the Strategic National Reserves, and it hasn\u2019t been full for many decades. In fact, it\u2019s been mostly empty.\"","Facebook posts said, \"In case you forgot. Two years ago today, we were experiencing the greatest economy in the history of the world.\"","The text-only post says, \"In case you forgot. Two years ago today, we were experiencing the greatest economy in the history of the world.\"","\u201cTim Ryan when he ran for president two years ago \u2026 supported banning fracking both on public lands and generally speaking.\u201d"]},{"id":"115.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"She stood by our National Guard and Reserve and kept standing till they received health care they deserved.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that the person being referred to consistently supported the National Guard and Reserve until they received the healthcare they deserved. While the evidence provided does not explicitly mention the person or their actions, if there is credible information indicating that the person in question consistently advocated for and supported the National Guard and Reserve in their pursuit of healthcare, then the statement can be considered mostly true. However, without specific evidence or context, it is challenging to provide a definitive assessment.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["( - Seguin resident says Austin the only city of its size or smaller broken into four or five U.S. House districts&url=)","We typically scrutinize statements by officeholders, candidates and individuals and groups in the public square, so to speak. But we were intrigued by Rodriguez's claim: \"No city of comparable size (or smaller) has as many congressional representatives as does Austin, due to the Republican-made 2012 districts for the city.\" His email says Austin was left with four or five U.S. House members, each one representing only part of Austin.","Among 11 cities of comparable size to Austin or smaller, only Fort Worth -- with five House districts -- comes close to experiencing the slice-up of the Texas capital, whose residents are spread among six districts.","Finally, we asked Levitt, the law professor who tracks redistricting, if it's possible that a smaller city somewhere ended up, like Austin, being inked into six congressional districts -- or more. Possible, but unlikely, Levitt replied by email, adding that he is unaware of any researchers who have broken down how every little city was affected by congressional redistricting."]},{"id":"11479.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 40 years, 23,000 chemicals came on the market and only four were regulated.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the statement highlights a significant disparity between the number of chemicals on the market and the number that have been regulated, it is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that, in fact, more than four chemicals have been regulated or restricted in some way. The statement fails to acknowledge that there have been instances where chemicals have faced regulatory measures or negotiated requirements, which can be considered as forms of regulation. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the regulatory actions taken on chemicals over the past 40 years.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"312.json","label":"true","statement":"\"We have more coal reserves in the United States than they have oil reserves in Saudi Arabia.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. The United States indeed has more coal reserves than Saudi Arabia has oil reserves. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States has the largest coal reserves in the world, estimated at over 250 billion short tons. In comparison, Saudi Arabia has significant oil reserves, but they are not as extensive as the coal reserves in the United States.\nLabel: true","evidence":["James said responding to a major snow event in Atlanta would be like Kansas City responding to a major earthquake. He was coming to the defense of another mayor, Atlanta\u2019s Kasim Reed, whom he saw as unfairly castigated for events beyond the mayor\u2019s control.","\"A major snow event in Atlanta, for them to respond to that, is kind of equivalent to us responding to a major earthquake,\" James said. \"It just doesn\u2019t happen that often.\"","Secondly, just how often does Kansas City have a major earthquake? And how\u2019s that compare with the frequency of crippling snowstorms in Atlanta? We decided James\u2019 statement merited further scrutiny.","The last major earthquake affecting Kansas City was about 200 years ago in the New Madrid Fault Zone, although there was a magnitude 5.6 quake that shook the city in 2011, Deocampo said."]},{"id":"8571.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked the Senate over 400 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked the Senate over 400 times is partially true. According to a report by WFPL, McConnell used the filibuster 413 times as the minority leader from 2007 to 2013. However, it's important to note that the use of the filibuster does not necessarily equate to blocking the Senate. The filibuster is a procedural tool that can be used by any senator to delay or prevent a vote on a particular bill or nomination. While McConnell's use of the filibuster was significant during that period, it does not capture the full context of his legislative record or the reasons behind his actions. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks some nuance.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Russian President Vladimir Putin recently called Donald Trump \"brilliant\" and \"talented,\" and Trump wears those compliments as a badge of honor.","!Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting of the Federal Security Service board Feb. 24, 2021, in Moscow. (AP) !Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting of the Federal Security Service board Feb. 24, 2021, in Moscow. (AP)","\"Well, I think when he calls me brilliant, I\u2019ll take the compliment, OK?\" Trump said, \"The fact is, look, it\u2019s not going to get him anywhere. I\u2019m a negotiator.\"","Donald Trump defended his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin during NBC\u2019s Commander-in-Chief Forum, claiming he was only returning the favor."]},{"id":"8144.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Virginia saved $300 million by rebidding a Metrorail construction project to exclude guaranteed union contracts.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Virginia saved $300 million by rebidding a Metrorail construction project to exclude guaranteed union contracts. While there is evidence that Virginia did rebid the project and exclude guaranteed union contracts, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that it resulted in $300 million in savings. Without further information or data to substantiate the specific amount of savings, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to be considered fully true. However, the fact that the project was rebid and excluded guaranteed union contracts can be considered partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A $5-a-night hotel\/motel tax that\u2019s part of the transportation bill will hurt Georgia\u2019s convention business by adding extra costs for large groups coming to the state.","First, remember we already checked a claim that the fee will hurt Georgia\u2019s convention business by adding extra costs for large groups coming to the state.","But there is a part of Owens\u2019 comments that calls out for a ride on the Truth-O-Meter: claims that the fee would hurt convention business by adding tens of thousands of dollars in costs for large groups.","And if Gov, Nathan Deal signs the measure as expected, it also will add a $5-a-night fee on hotel and motel stays starting July 1."]},{"id":"2649.json","label":"half-true","statement":"You worked hard for your money and you paid your taxes when you earned it. Now, (Indiana Republican congressional candidate) Todd Young wants to tax it again when you spend it.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that Todd Young wants to implement a tax on spending that would result in double taxation. However, there is no specific evidence provided to support this claim. Without further context or specific policy proposals from Todd Young, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to be labeled as completely true. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3848.json","label":"false","statement":"No one thought we could get a bipartisan bill (Medicaid) passed. We did in the Florida Senate.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that a bipartisan bill related to Medicaid was passed in the Florida Senate. The evidence primarily discusses the infrastructure bill at the federal level and the passage of bipartisan bills in the House of Representatives. There is no mention of a bipartisan Medicaid bill in the Florida Senate. Therefore, the statement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u201cIn April 1997, there was a \u2018gas out\u2019 conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.\u201d","\"In April 1997, there was a \u2018gas out\u2019 conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.\"","\"In April 1997, there was a \u2018gas out\u2019 conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices,\" or so the long-repeated story goes. \"Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.\"","A post claimed there was a \u2018gas out\u2019 conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.\""]},{"id":"6102.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Romneycare covers abortion, illegal immigrants and has a public option. Obamacare does not.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. Romneycare, the healthcare reform implemented in Massachusetts, does cover abortion and provides access to abortion services. However, it does not specifically have a public option. On the other hand, while Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) does not explicitly cover abortion, it does provide some access to abortion services through certain provisions. Additionally, neither Romneycare nor Obamacare provides insurance coverage to undocumented immigrants. Therefore, while there are elements of truth in the statement, it oversimplifies the complexities of both healthcare reforms and does not provide a complete and accurate comparison.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10810.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Not a single Republican candidate, announced or potential, is clearly and consistently supporting a path to citizenship. Not one.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton made the statement that no Republican candidate, announced or potential, is clearly and consistently supporting a path to citizenship, the statement is an overgeneralization. There have been Republican candidates who have expressed support for a path to citizenship, although their positions may not align with Clinton's definition of being \"clearly and consistently\" supportive. It is important to note that positions on immigration can vary among Republican candidates, and some have advocated for alternative approaches such as legal status without a direct path to citizenship. Therefore, while Clinton's statement captures her perspective, it does not accurately represent the full range of Republican candidates' positions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In TV and radio ads, the Georgia Lottery Corp. claims that it paid out $2.3 billion in prizes during the last fiscal year. The figure appears to be true but is padded to include amounts paid out for Georgia winners of the multistate games, Powerball and Mega Millions.","Spokeswoman Tandi Reddick told us that the $2.3 billion paid out in prizes for the last fiscal year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012) includes prizes paid to Georgia winners of games played in multiple states, such as Mega Millions and Powerball. For Mega Millions, the prizes won in Georgia reached $79.5 million; the total was $55.5 million for Powerball.","So how does the lottery pay for all those prizes? On the income side, the Georgia Lottery recorded total ticket sales for fiscal 2012 of $3.835 billion, according to the lottery\u2019s 2012 financial statements.","!The Georgia Lottery\u2019s income from ticket sales the last fiscal year reached $3.8 billion. The lottery corporation recorded its highest week of sales ever last March in advance of a $646 million Mega Millions jackpot drawing. (AJC photo\/John Spink) !The Georgia Lottery\u2019s income from ticket sales the last fiscal year reached $3.8 billion. The lottery corporation recorded its highest week of sales ever last March in advance of a $646 million Mega Millions jackpot drawing. (AJC photo\/John Spink)"]},{"id":"8126.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obamacare carries on even under a government shutdown.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While a government shutdown may impact certain aspects of the implementation and administration of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), key parts of the law, such as the insurance marketplace, premium subsidies, and taxes and regulations, are designed to continue functioning even during a government shutdown. However, it's important to note that the impact of a shutdown on the implementation of the law can vary, and there may be some potential for disruptions or delays in certain areas. Overall, the statement accurately reflects the general resilience of Obamacare during a government shutdown.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8749.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When I was Mayor of South Pasadena, we actually reduced the property taxes we collected.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that property taxes were reduced during the mayoral tenure of the individual in question, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The financial reports of South Pasadena indicate that the amount of property taxes collected during that period remained consistent, rather than being reduced. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6646.json","label":"true","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan attacked the president for the same amount of Medicare savings that (Ryan) had in his own budget.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Clinton that Paul Ryan attacked President Obama for the same amount of Medicare savings that Ryan had included in his own budget. This claim is supported by evidence that Ryan's budget plan did include similar cost savings that were part of the health care law. The Romney campaign initially defended these savings but later stated their intention to repeal the law, including the Medicare savings. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, recently urged colleagues to move quickly because Congress had \"only three days left until student loan interest rates double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1st.\"","The government pays billions to keep its interest rates on federal loans low. According to the Department of Education\u2019s student aid website, rates range from 5 percent to 7.8 percent on non-Stafford types of federal loans taken out from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.","Unsubsidized Stafford loans in the same timeframe have an interest rate of 6.8 percent and aren\u2019t scheduled to change, so subsidized Staffords will match the unsubsidized kind if their rate reverts July 1, 2013.","Green\u2019s statement further describes the loans as Stafford loans. A spokeswoman for Green, Veronica Custer, emailed us details including a June 18, 2013, report from the Democratic staff of the Joint Economic Committee (Congress\u2019 economic advisory committee) that said, \"Unless Congress acts, the interest rate on subsidized federal Stafford loans is set to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1st.\""]},{"id":"4079.json","label":"true","statement":"Were losing almost 6,000 state jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez that almost 6,000 state jobs are being lost. While the evidence does not provide specific details about the context or timeframe of these job losses, it supports the general assertion that there are significant cuts in state government employment.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8234.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"About 40 percent of U.S. illegal immigrants came in on an airplane, with a legal visa, and just overstayed their visa and have never gone home.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. John Carter that approximately 40 percent of illegal immigrants in the United States entered the country legally on a visa but overstayed their visa. This claim is supported by previous studies and research, as cited by PolitiFact. While the exact percentage may vary slightly depending on the study, the evidence suggests that a significant portion of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. entered legally and overstayed their visas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1578.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Obama administration \"spent more money on the Cash for Clunkers program than the space program.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. If the comparison is specifically between the Cash for Clunkers program and the Constellation program, then it is true that the Obama administration spent more on Cash for Clunkers ($3 billion) than on the Constellation program ($2.5 billion). However, if the comparison is between the overall NASA budget and the Cash for Clunkers program, then the statement is false. The overall NASA budget was significantly higher (roughly $19 billion) compared to the $3 billion spent on Cash for Clunkers. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks clarity in specifying the scope of the comparison.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13349.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wikileaks also shows how John Podesta rigged the polls by oversampling Democrats, a voter suppression technique.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided clarifies that the email referenced by Trump was from Clinton's 2008 campaign, not the 2016 campaign. The email discusses internal polling and the technique of oversampling, which is a common practice used by pollsters to analyze specific demographic groups. It does not indicate rigging of polls or a voter suppression technique. The claim that John Podesta rigged the polls by oversampling Democrats is not supported by the evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"But the reality,\" Moore stated Nov. 11, 2014 on Wisconsin Public Radio, \"is that Obamacare has lowered health care costs by $36 billion just this year. We've had the lowest health care inflation in history because of Obamacare.\"","The bolder claim about Obamacare -- that health care inflation in the United States is the lowest ever because of the law -- is one we want to check.","Anyone who has taken Logic 101 knows of the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy. The mere fact that health inflation is now at one of its lowest points on record and that this has occurred 4+ years after Obamacare was enacted is certainly no proof that Obamacare \"caused\" this. Put another way, correlation is not the same as causation. And in fact the very data Mr. Phillips uses to make his case tend to undercut it. If Obamacare is the cause of this remarkable slowdown in health inflation, then how does Mr. Phillips explain that this slowdown clearly began in 2003-2004, before President Obama had even been elected to the Senate? The fallacy becomes clearer when we examine the pattern of general inflation.","Moore\u2019s office cited data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis that shows health care inflation, as of the end of 2013, at about 1 percent per year -- the lowest since the early 1960s."]},{"id":"11556.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton told her daughter and a government official that Benghazi was a terrorist attack, and then tells everybody else that it was a video.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton privately acknowledged to her daughter and a government official that the Benghazi attack was a terrorist attack, it is an oversimplification to claim that she told \"everybody else\" that it was a video. Her public statements regarding the attack were more nuanced and did not explicitly attribute it solely to a video. The evidence suggests that Carson's statement exaggerates the extent of Clinton's public messaging on the nature of the attack.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It's no longer just a regional market. It's attracting business from overseas. And New Jersey, for the past decade, hasn't had any offices overseas. Compare that to Pennsylvania (that) has 23. Now we just opened in the last six months, two offices. One in Shanghai and one in London. And we actually saw an increase in our exports of 18 percent.\"","But she's wrong on two other key points: that the state lacked foreign trade offices for the past decade and that the two new ones led to the 18 percent increase in exports.","Guadagno said New Jersey has opened foreign trade offices in Shanghai and London, marking the first in at least a decade. She\u2019s right about those two offices, but she\u2019s wrong to say such international efforts haven\u2019t been done before. In fact, New Jersey had 10 offices at various times during the past decade.","That may have been what she meant, but listeners who heard her would clearly be under the impression there was a link. She said, \"Now we just opened in the last six months, two offices. One in Shanghai and one in London. And we actually saw an increase in our exports of 18 percent.\""]},{"id":"12630.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Google search spike suggests many people dont know why they voted for Brexit.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a spike in Google searches related to the reasons for voting for Brexit suggests that some people may not fully understand or remember their motivations, it is an overgeneralization to claim that \"many people\" don't know why they voted for Brexit based solely on a search spike. The search spike could be attributed to a variety of factors, including curiosity, seeking clarification, or wanting to revisit the reasons after the fact. It does not provide conclusive evidence that a significant portion of Brexit voters are unsure of their motivations. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Debt held by the public\" is the the amount the federal government has actually borrowed to finance deficits. And the amount added to the public debt since Obama took office averages about $3.7 billion a day, not $4 billion.","In an ad from American Crossroads, Clint Eastwood tells the country it \"just couldn\u2019t survive\" another four years of President Barack Obama: \"We borrow $4 billion every single day, much of it from China,\" he says.","If we assume Eastwood\u2019s talking about what\u2019s been added to the entire federal debt since Obama took office \u2014 the amount that averages $4 billion a day \u2014 here\u2019s how much as of August China owns: 7.7 percent.","Says President Barack Obama \"added\" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined."]},{"id":"1795.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I got a letter from 20 people who said they wanted their money back, 14 never gave me a penny.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the speaker received a letter from 20 people who claimed they wanted their money back. However, it's important to note that out of those 20 people, only 6 (20 - 14) actually contributed financially. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately represents the number of people who requested a refund and the number who had made a financial contribution.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8768.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Scott Walkers income tax plan is a tax hike. It increases taxes for nearly 80% of the people in the state.","reason":"Reason: The statement is inaccurate and misleading. There is no evidence to support the claim that Scott Walker's income tax plan increases taxes for nearly 80% of the people in the state. The evidence provided does not substantiate this assertion and lacks any credible sources or data to support the claim. It is important to rely on accurate information and factual evidence when evaluating tax policies and their impact on the population.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Jordan's statement originates with a credible source -- Rand McNally. And the cited data backs his claim that \"80 percent of all U.S. communities depend solely on trucks to deliver and supply the products sold in stores or ordered online.\"","The committee chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio's 4th District, stressed how widely the regulations would be felt: \"The vast majority of all retailers, and 80 percent of all U.S. communities, depend solely on trucks to deliver and supply the products sold in stores or ordered on-line,\" he said.","It had the 18.3 percent figure. It also showed a slightly smaller percentage for Ohio, where 627 communities of a total 3,516 (or 17.8 percent) were shown having rail service.","\"Just about everyone everywhere is spending more hours on the job, less time with their families, bringing home smaller and smaller paychecks, while they're paying more and more at the gas pump and the grocery stores.\""]},{"id":"9760.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gov. Kitzhaber oversaw creation of the Oregon driver card law behind closed doors without allowing any input from citizens who represent the public interest.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims that the creation of the Oregon driver card law, SB 833, was done \"behind closed doors without allowing any input from citizens who represent the public interest,\" the evidence suggests otherwise. Governor Kitzhaber convened a 15-member work group to make policy recommendations around the driver card, which included input from various stakeholders. These recommendations, along with information from Driver and Motor Vehicles Services and bipartisan legislators, informed the drafting of Senate Bill 833. While there may be differing opinions on the level of citizen input, it is inaccurate to claim that there was no input from citizens representing the public interest. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"With her solution, terrorists can still today \u2014 and by the way ISIS knows it, they have been advertising it \u2014 buy guns online and at gun shows in the United States of America.\"","\"With her solution, terrorists can still today \u2014 and by the way ISIS knows it, they have been advertising it \u2014 buy guns online and at gun shows in the United States of America,\" Hassan said on the debate stage at New England College.","Gadahn was with al-Qaeda, not ISIS. Still, he urged terrorists to buy guns in the United States and use them against Western governments.","An interview in the New York Times with a former Islamic State recruit shows group members acknowledge American recruits can buy guns, so long as they don\u2019t have a record. And a 2011 video from an al Qaeda spokesman urges terrorists to buy guns in the United States and use them against Western governments."]},{"id":"8256.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are 500 registered Republicans moving to Texas every day.","reason":"Reason: While the statement made by Steve Munisteri suggests that there are 500 registered Republicans moving to Texas every day, there is some uncertainty and variation in the evidence provided. Munisteri himself acknowledged that the 500 figure might be overly high, and he later clarified that several hundred Republicans per day were moving to Texas. While there is evidence to suggest a significant influx of registered Republicans moving to the state, the exact number of 500 per day is not definitively supported by the evidence. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks precise accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6972.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says an arts tax would provide funding for certified arts and music teachers for every elementary school serving Portland residents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The pro-tax group, Schools and Arts Together, claims that the arts tax would provide funding for certified arts and music teachers for every elementary school serving Portland residents. While this is a goal of the tax, it is important to note that there are some details missing. Critics have pointed out that certain districts may need to contribute additional funds to ensure that each school has a full-time art or music teacher. Therefore, while the tax aims to provide funding for teachers in every elementary school, the reality may require additional financial support from certain districts to fully achieve this goal.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10052.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Every year the average woman loses around $11,000 to the wage gap, which amounts to a $500,000 vagina tax over her working career.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is a gender wage gap and that women, on average, earn less than men, the specific figures mentioned in the statement are not entirely accurate. The claim that the average woman loses around $11,000 per year to the wage gap and that it amounts to a $500,000 \"vagina tax\" over her working career is an exaggeration. The economists consulted in the evidence express skepticism about these specific figures, as there are numerous variables that affect individual earning potential. While the gender wage gap is a significant issue, it is important to rely on accurate data and avoid sensationalized claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7368.json","label":"true","statement":"Says abortions are decreasing.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that abortions have been decreasing. According to the CDC and earlier reports, the number of abortions increased after the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision but reached its highest levels in the 1980s before gradually decreasing. The evidence also suggests that there has been a sustained pattern of decrease, although there may be variations across different demographic subpopulations. Therefore, the statement is supported by the evidence and can be considered true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A Facebook post quotes Mark Cuban as saying, \"I worry that millions of millennials are voting Democrat this year because they fact-check everything.\"","!A Feb. 10 Facebook post incorrectly quotes \"Shark Tank\" investor Mark Cuban as saying, \u201cI worry that millions of millennials are voting Democrat this year because they fact-check everything.\u201d !A Feb. 10 Facebook post incorrectly quotes \"Shark Tank\" investor Mark Cuban as saying, \u201cI worry that millions of millennials are voting Democrat this year because they fact-check everything.\u201d","A Feb. 10 Facebook post incorrectly quotes \"Shark Tank\" investor Mark Cuban as saying, \u201cI worry that millions of millennials are voting Democrat this year because they fact-check everything.\u201d","Readers shared with us this picture that features Mark Cuban, a self-described libertarian and Sharknado 3 president of the United States, saying, \"I worry that millions of millennials are voting Democrat this year because they fact-check everything and they know Republicans are completely out of touch and are running a campaign of hatred and lies.\""]},{"id":"2984.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Those who fail to buy health insurance under Obamacare face the threat of jail time.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), individuals who fail to buy health insurance are subject to a financial penalty known as the individual mandate. However, this penalty does not include the threat of jail time. The penalty is enforced through the tax system, and individuals who choose not to purchase health insurance may face a monetary penalty when filing their taxes. The claim that individuals face the threat of jail time for not buying health insurance under Obamacare is not supported by factual evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"A Cornell University research study concludes that ethanol generates a 29 percent energy loss, meaning it takes more than a gallon of gasoline to produce a gallon of ethanol,\" he wrote in a recent Pensacola News Journal op-ed.","This fact-check doesn't attempt to evaluate the science itself, but whether Gaetz accurately characterized a scientific study when he wrote, \"a Cornell University research study concludes that ethanol generates a 29 percent energy loss, meaning it takes more than a gallon of gasoline to produce a gallon of ethanol.\"","That's a little more nuanced than Gaetz's claim that a study said it takes \"gasoline\" to produce ethanol. But it's close.","So does the study itself, which said \"to produce a liter of (corn) ethanol requires 29 percent more fossil energy than is produced as ethanol.\" Researchers included all kinds of \"energy inputs\" required to produce fuel from corn \u2014 more than a dozen just to grow the corn in the first place, from production of pesticides and nitrogen fertilizer to construction of farm equipment to food for farmworkers. (The authors argue that government and industry studies don't take enough \"energy inputs\" into account, which is why they get a different result.) All the fossil energy, from natural gas to liquid fuel to coal, got totaled up and explained as \"gasoline equivalents.\""]},{"id":"9128.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since December 2010 Florida has created 540,000 new jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence confirms that Florida did create approximately 540,000 new jobs between December 2010 and February 2014. However, it's important to note that this number includes both private-sector job creation and the loss of government jobs during the same period. If we consider only the net increase in jobs, the number would be slightly lower. Nonetheless, the overall claim that Florida created 540,000 new jobs since December 2010 is accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Half of all adults have a pre-existing condition that will go away in terms of insurance coverage on January 1st,\" Schakowsky said. \"I mean, what a blessing that is for sick Americans, for people who are walking around uninsured or underinsured.\"","Schakowsky said that half of all adults suffer from a pre-existing condition. Studies reflect a range of estimates and Schakowsky\u2019s figure falls at the high end. A government analysis points to a mid-range estimate of 32 percent, a significant fraction of the adult population.","The health care law tackled this problem in two steps. Starting with children, as of September 2010, insurers could not deny coverage, charge significantly higher premiums, require an extended waiting period or curtail benefits due to a pre-existing condition. The second step takes place Jan. 1, 2014, when the same protections kick in for adults.","Under the Affordable Care Act, no insurer will be allowed to turn someone down due to a pre-existing condition. This, Obama said, will make a big difference."]},{"id":"6183.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"People who wash cars at home will use approximately 80 percent more water than they do in a car wash.","reason":"Reason: The statement that people who wash cars at home will use approximately 80 percent more water than they do in a car wash is not supported by credible evidence. The evidence provided does not substantiate this claim, and there is no reliable source or study cited to back up the statement. Additionally, the evidence suggests that the water usage for home car washing is significantly lower than the exaggerated figures claimed by the car wash industry representatives. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9651.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit compared the health care law to buying a pepperoni and ham pizza from Dominos or Pizza Hut.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comparison made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, where they used the analogy of ordering a pizza with specific toppings from one restaurant but receiving a similar pizza from a different restaurant. The court used this analogy to explain the concept of implied intent in relation to the health care law. However, it's important to note that this analogy was used as a rhetorical device to illustrate a legal point and should not be taken as a direct comparison between the health care law and ordering pizza. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["She said research undermines the idea that LGBTQ people working in school settings pose a significant threat to children. School employees who perpetrate child sexual abuse are most likely to be white, heterosexual, male adults, her work shows.","But evidence shows that for LGBTQ youth, a positive, inclusive school environment is beneficial and can mitigate the negative impact of less accepting environments at home or elsewhere, she said.","\"(A missing women estimate) does not count those women and girls who died from discrimination decades ago and would have, by now, died from other causes,\" Klasen said.","Gay, lesbian bisexual and trans people are less likely than people who do not claim those labels to commit child sexual abuse in school settings, she said. (Shakeshaft also said research has shown that most of the adults who target children of their same gender identified as heterosexual or were married or living with someone of the opposite gender.)"]},{"id":"3032.json","label":"false","statement":"On choosing a Texas House speaker","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly support or address the statement regarding choosing a Texas House speaker. The evidence discusses various topics such as Rep. Warren Chisum's change in stance on choosing a speaker, The Daily Show's segment on Texas conservatives, and a claim about Speaker Joe Straus coauthoring a bill related to sex education. Without more specific information or evidence related to the statement, it is not possible to determine its veracity. \nLabel: false","evidence":["And while we're fact-checking the change in the cost of the census from 2000 to 2010, Census Bureau spokeswoman Shelly Lowe couldn't let Beck's comment about \"spending $14.5 billion on temp census workers\" go unchallenged. In fact, she said, the cost of the temporary workforce was slightly more than $2 billion.","But Beck is off on the cost of the 2000 Census. Adjusted for inflation (the only fair way to compare costs over time), the life cycle cost of the 2000 census was $8.2 billion.","But there's more to the story than just adjusting for inflation and growth in the population that needs to be accounted for. The budget report notes that the cost of conducting a census has historically gone up over time. Even adjusted for inflation, the cost per housing unit went from $14 in 1970; to $29 in 1980; to $40 in 1990; and to $70 in 2000. The estimated cost per household in 2010 was $111.","Beck was accurate about the cost of the 2010 census. But that's not a one-year expense. It's the accumulation of 10 years worth of census work. At the U.S. Census, they talk about the \"life cycle\" cost of their decennial census counts, because each is the product of years and years of work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's budget estimates presented to Congress in February, 2010 -- after factoring in appropriations from 2002 through 2009 plus the president's budget request for 2010 -- the estimated life cycle cost of the 2010 Census program is $14.8 billion. That includes census funds in the economic stimulus package passed in 2009."]},{"id":"1649.json","label":"true","statement":"Farouk is on fire.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided consists of lyrics and statements that use the phrase \"Farouk is on fire\" in a figurative sense. It is not meant to be taken literally but rather as an expression of enthusiasm or passion for serving the community. Therefore, the statement \"Farouk is on fire\" is not a factual claim but rather a metaphorical expression and should not be interpreted as a literal event.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Many studies also don\u2019t account for what the United States classifies as S-corporations, meaning businesses that pay tax through the individual income-tax system rather than the corporate income-tax system, Viard said. This represents about 30 percent of American companies, he said.","\"We have a high corporate tax rate,\" said Beckel, but \"we also have the most number of deductions available to corporations. They pay lower taxes than an awful lot of European countries do.\"","America has \"the most number of deductions available to corporations,\" Beckel said. \"They pay lower taxes than a lot of European countries do, and under Obama, I have not seen corporate taxes go up all that much.\"","Since tax experts can\u2019t even really count the number of deductions in the United States, an international comparison is more or less impossible."]},{"id":"13042.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy was named one of Americas least effective congressmen.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While there was a claim made that Patrick Murphy was named one of America's least effective congressmen, it was based on a mistaken identity. The claim was later acknowledged to be incorrect, as it confused Patrick Murphy with another similarly named Democratic member of Congress. Therefore, there is no credible evidence or ranking to support the assertion that Patrick Murphy was named one of America's least effective congressmen.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12326.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Frankly, (Hillary Clinton) doesnt do very well with women.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Hillary Clinton doesn't do well with women is false. In the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton won the majority of the female vote, with various sources reporting that she received around 54% to 56% of the women's vote. These figures contradict the claim that she doesn't do well with women. Additionally, exit polls and election data consistently show that Clinton had a significant lead among female voters. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserving of the \"pants-fire\" label.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"When George Bush became president of the United States, 17 million people were in poverty. When he left, 30 million people were in poverty.\"","A widely circulated CBO report from last summer said the \"ACA, in comparison with prior law before the enactment of the ACA, will reduce the number of nonelderly people without health insurance coverage by 14 million in 2014 and by 29 million or 30 million in the latter part of the coming decade, leaving 30 million nonelderly residents uninsured by the end of the period.\"","The next day, Gibbs used his Twitter account to decry the law further. \"If #Obamacare is fully implemented, 30 million people will still be without health insurance,\" Gibbs tweeted.","(\/\/ Down the Affordable Care Act | The National Law Review&urlref=&rec=1) (\/\/ Down the Affordable Care Act | The National Law Review&urlref=&rec=1)"]},{"id":"2691.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Peter DeFazio votes with Nancy Pelosi 86 percent of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Peter DeFazio votes with Nancy Pelosi 86 percent of the time is not entirely accurate. According to PolitiFact Oregon's analysis, DeFazio disagreed with Pelosi on six out of 70 substantive votes, resulting in a 91 percent agreement rate, not 86 percent. Therefore, the statement overstates the level of agreement between DeFazio and Pelosi. While DeFazio does align with Pelosi on a majority of votes, the correct percentage is slightly higher than what is claimed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3702.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The only people in this town that have voted to cut Medicare spending are the people who voted in favor of Obamacare. Thats a fact.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) included reductions in projected Medicare spending, it is misleading to claim that only those who voted for the law voted to cut Medicare spending. The statement fails to acknowledge that various proposals and budget plans, including those from both Democrats and Republicans, have included provisions to reduce Medicare spending. Therefore, the claim that only those who supported Obamacare voted to cut Medicare spending is an oversimplification and does not accurately represent the broader context of discussions and decisions regarding Medicare funding.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["But Shapiro\u2019s claim is based on outdated numbers. Quintanar of the Daily Wire pointed us to two articles to support Shapiro\u2019s claim, but they were each written in January, and also used numbers before revisions were made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Revisions in both directions for the prior two months have been common this year.)","Florida emergency management director Kevin Guthrie on Jan. 6 said the state had between 800,000 and 1 million rapid-test kits manufactured by Abbott in a warehouse \"that did expire\" earlier in 2021.","Economist Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, former director of the CBO and chief economic policy adviser to John McCain\u2019s presidential campaign in 2008, agrees that there\u2019s no way to know for sure.","She said it will be a long time before we can measure the effects the stimulus plan had on job creation, but \"it just doesn't make any sense that it would be zero.\""]},{"id":"4585.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In the early 1960s, all levels of government were consuming about 27 percent of the U.S. economy, a number that has risen to 37 percent today. With that trendline, we cease at some point to be a free economy.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that government consumption as a percentage of the U.S. economy has increased from around 27 percent in the early 1960s to approximately 37 percent today. However, the statement's implication that this trend will inevitably lead to the cessation of a free economy is an overgeneralization and lacks context. The label \"barely-true\" is appropriate because while the increase in government consumption is a valid point, it does not necessarily mean that a higher level of government involvement will automatically result in the loss of a free economy. The impact of government involvement on economic freedom is a complex and nuanced topic that requires a more comprehensive analysis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["There is not \"one of the Muslim nations\" that doesn't have \"discrimination against women, discrimination against gays, subjugation of other religious beliefs.\"","Ben Carson said there is not \"one of the Muslim nations\" that doesn't have \"discrimination against women, discrimination against gays, subjugation of other religious beliefs.\"","\"If you look throughout the world at Muslim government, I see discrimination against women, discrimination against gays, subjugation of other religious beliefs,\" said Carson, a resident of West Palm Beach, Fla. \"And I would be very interested in somebody showing me one of the Muslim nations where that is not occurring. I haven't seen it.\"","While there are many majority-Muslim nations that do have a record of institutional discrimination against women, members of the LGBT community and religious groups, there are plenty of exceptions."]},{"id":"329.json","label":"true","statement":"Hillary Clinton \"actually differed with (John McCain) by arguing for exceptions for torture before changing positions.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Hillary Clinton initially argued for exceptions to a no-torture policy before changing her position. In October 2006, Clinton mentioned a \"ticking time bomb\" scenario where she discussed the possibility of exceptions to a no-torture policy. This aligns with Obama's statement that Clinton differed from McCain on the issue of torture. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide details on when exactly Clinton changed her position or the specific circumstances surrounding her shift in stance.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1098.json","label":"false","statement":"Health insurance companies are making record profits, right now.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement claiming health insurance companies are making \"record profits, right now\" is false. While there were indeed periods of increased profits for some health insurance companies, such as in 2007 and 2006, before the economic recession, the term \"record profits\" implies an ongoing and continuous trend of unprecedented profits, which is not supported by the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3990.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every 10th dollar spent by the Social Security Administration on its program for the poor is waste, or fraud, they cant validate that the people should have gotten it, totaling about $8 billion a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a significant portion of the Social Security Administration's spending on its program for the poor is considered waste or fraud, totaling around $8 billion annually. However, it's important to note that this figure represents an estimate and may not be an exact measurement of waste or fraud. Additionally, the statement does not provide specific evidence or sources to support the claim, which could affect its credibility. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it lacks some context and supporting evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10944.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Bill Clinton gave a speech in 1996 about Iraq having WMDs and said we needed a regime change, even though everyone blamed those things on George W. Bush.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Bill Clinton gave a speech in 1996 addressing the threat posed by Iraq and the need for a regime change, it is misleading to claim that \"everyone\" blamed these things on George W. Bush. The attribution of blame for the Iraq War and the issue of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) is a complex and multifaceted topic. While President Bush did lead the United States into the Iraq War in 2003, it is inaccurate to suggest that Clinton's statements and actions were solely responsible for the blame being shifted to Bush. The meme oversimplifies a complex historical context and misrepresents the general consensus on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We have intergenerational poverty for the first time in America. If you're born poor, you're more likely to stay poor than any time in American history,\" he said at a town hall event in Concord, N.H., on Oct. 14.","We decided to explore the second part of Bush\u2019s claim: that people who are born poor are more likely to stay poor than ever before. We\u2019re not examining the first half \u2013 that the country is experiencing intergenerational poverty for the first time \u2013 since the experts we spoke with rejected that idea out of hand.","( - Paul Ryan says 'if you were raised poor, you\u2019re just as likely to stay poor' as 50 years ago&url=)","Here, we\u2019ll check Ryan\u2019s statement that \"today, if you were raised poor, you\u2019re just as likely to stay poor as you were 50 years ago.\""]},{"id":"9875.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Federal investigators found a company that (David Perdue) ran discriminated against women -- paid them less than men for the same work.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that federal investigators found a company that David Perdue ran discriminated against women by paying them less than men for the same work. The ad refers to a 2006 lawsuit that was expanded to cover thousands of female store managers at Dollar General. Sworn statements from female managers supported the claim that the company had a pay system perpetuating gender-based stereotypes. However, it's important to note that the court did not find reliable scientific evidence of implicit bias against women in the retail workplace. While the statement is mostly true, it should be acknowledged that the court did not specifically support the claim of implicit bias.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!This GOP mailer, which compares David Jolly and Alex Sink on the issues, says she supported higher taxes on several items. !This GOP mailer, which compares David Jolly and Alex Sink on the issues, says she supported higher taxes on several items.","This GOP mailer, which compares David Jolly and Alex Sink on the issues, says she supported higher taxes on several items.","The Republican Party of Florida says Sink supported \"higher property taxes,\" referring to her somewhat lukewarm opposition to 2008\u2019s Save Our Homes Amendment 1, which adjusted property taxes in a way that lowered them for most homeowners.","One such claim is rooted in Sink\u2019s record as the state\u2019s chief financial officer. A Republican Party of Florida campaign mailer that reached Pinellas County homes by Feb. 10 accused her of leaving out \"some key facts\" in one of her TV ads. The flier read, \"Alex Sink supported higher taxes. She has a long record of supporting higher taxes -- higher property taxes, higher sales taxes, even higher taxes on water and TV.\""]},{"id":"8715.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"(The farm bill) has aprovision that would in many ways reduce the deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Brazile that the farm bill contains a provision that would, in many ways, reduce the deficit. This claim is supported by estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, which found that both the House and Senate versions of the bill would be deficit-reducing in the long term. However, it's important to note that the extent of deficit reduction and the specific provisions contributing to it may vary between the different versions of the bill. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2150.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Nobodys invited us to the Obama events in Atlanta.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement is false. The third piece of evidence clarifies that the president's speech to the veterans convention is an official White House event, and while Democratic candidates are usually invited to fundraisers, they may not necessarily be invited to events like the president's speech. Therefore, it is unlikely that the claim of not being invited to the Obama events in Atlanta is accurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["It\u2019s insult time. Let\u2019s start with this one -- that U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown\u2019s actions were \"un-American.\" That leads to another -- that Brown, the Democratic senator from Ohio, has stooped so outrageously, desperately low that he attacked the military service of his opponent, Marine Corps and Iraq War veteran Josh Mandel.","The claim we are examining today is that Brown\u2019s campaign attacked the service of Mandel, a Republican who is currently Ohio\u2019s treasurer -- and a Marine Corps reservist who served two tours in Iraq.","\"Did you see what fellow Marine Mark DePhillips wrote below about Sherrod Brown's campaign attacking Josh's Marine Corps service? Take a look, and I bet you will be as disgusted as I was.\"","\"It is outrageous for Sherrod Brown\u2019s campaign to say that enlisted military service with infantry battalions in Iraq doesn\u2019t prepare you for leadership\u2026 that risking your life in defense of your country somehow disqualifies you from serving your country back home,\" the email said."]},{"id":"11829.json","label":"false","statement":"A (state) trooper with 10 years on the force is getting $500 a year more than a trooper with 10 minutes on the force.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. It falsely equates the salary difference between a state trooper with 10 years of experience and one with 10 minutes of experience to a $500 per year difference. The salary difference between troopers is typically based on rank, experience, and other factors, and it is not a fixed amount per year. The actual salary difference can vary significantly depending on various factors, such as promotions, performance evaluations, and pay scales. Therefore, the claim that there is a $500 per year difference is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Pembroke Pines did vote to provide fire, water and sewer to the detention center, Ortis said, adding that the city already provides services to a nearby women's prison.","Ortis said he doesn't think the detention facility belongs at that site, but that the decision rested with Southwest Ranches -- not Pines.","While Southwest Ranches has been in the driver's seat here -- the town was responsible for approving the agreement with CCA, for example -- Pembroke Pines has played a role. Let's look at the votes that Pines has taken related to the prison project while Ortis has been mayor. For a list of the votes by the Pembroke Pines Commission, we turned to an email sent by Pembroke Pines City Manager Charlie Dodge to commissioners Oct. 5, and we then we turned to the city's minutes when available to verify the votes. Here is a summary of some of the key votes:","Now the rural-suburban oasis has become embroiled in controversy because of a longtime plan to build a jail. The town's plan to have a jail on the site had been publicly discussed for many years. But an uproar erupted in 2011, when U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement announced that it had tentatively selected the Southwest Ranches site for an immigration detention facility. The Miami-based Florida Immigrant Coalition, a pro-immigration group that opposes the jail, robo-called nearby residents."]},{"id":"986.json","label":"true","statement":"Congress shoveled $700 billion into the Troubled Assets Relief Program, $325 billion of which has been spent without purchasing any toxic assets.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Congress did allocate $700 billion to the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), and a significant portion of that amount, $325 billion, was indeed spent without purchasing any toxic assets. This information aligns with the initial purpose of TARP, which was to buy toxic assets to stabilize the financial system. However, the program evolved over time, and the funds were utilized for various other purposes beyond purchasing toxic assets.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Pawlenty : \"There's no scientific conclusion that it's genetic. We don't know that. So we don't know to what extent, you know, it's behavioral, and that's something that's been debated by scientists for a long time. But as I understand the science, there's no current conclusion that it's genetic.\"","We decided to rate two of Pawlenty\u2019s statements separately. In another item, we\u2019ll look at whether scientists are \"in dispute\" about whether being gay is a choice. In this item, we\u2019ll look at Pawlenty\u2019s claim that \"there's no scientific conclusion that it's genetic.\"","Pawlenty\u2019s word choice -- \"genetic\" -- is pivotal for rating the accuracy of his claim. The way he phrased it, he\u2019s pretty close to accurate. But if he\u2019d said instead that \"there's no scientific conclusion that (being gay) is biological,\" he would have been incorrect.","We decided to rate two of Pawlenty\u2019s statements separately. In another item, we\u2019ll look at his claim that \"there's no scientific conclusion that it's genetic.\" In this item, we\u2019ll look at the first part of the exchange. We're not fact checking whether being gay is a choice, but whether scientists are \"in dispute\" over whether it is or is not."]},{"id":"6875.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Bill Nelson cast the deciding vote for Obamacare cutting Medicare spending by $700 billion and letting an unelected board decide what gets covered here.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Bill Nelson cast the deciding vote for Obamacare cutting Medicare spending by $700 billion and allowing an unelected board to determine coverage is misleading. While Nelson did vote in favor of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), attributing the entire responsibility for the bill's passage and its specific provisions to him is inaccurate. The claim fails to acknowledge the collective effort of multiple senators and the complex legislative process involved. Additionally, the assertion that the law cuts Medicare spending by $700 billion is misleading, as the Affordable Care Act aimed to reduce the growth rate of Medicare spending, not cut benefits for seniors. The claim also misrepresents the role of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which was established to make recommendations for cost-saving measures in Medicare, but its decisions are subject to congressional approval. Therefore, while there are elements of truth in the statement, it distorts the overall context and assigns an exaggerated level of responsibility to Bill Nelson.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Roadside bombs now account for an estimated 70 percent of all combat deaths among U.S. troops. In 2004, it was about 26 percent.","While U.S. military engineers and contractors grapple with the problems posed by evolving insurgent technology and tactics, commanders in Iraq are relying on several different methods to try to reduce IED casualties.","But with casualties still mounting from near-daily IED attacks, the U.S. military is aware that much more must be done to stay ahead of its adaptive and determined opponents.","When roadside bombings began to rise last year, the Pentagon began rushing armored Humvees to most of its units in Iraq. Insurgents responded by building much bigger bombs."]},{"id":"5030.json","label":"true","statement":"Christmas trees are grown in all 50 States.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Christmas trees are indeed grown in all 50 states. While there may be some uncertainty about the presence of tree farms in certain states, the resolution specifically states that Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states, not that there are commercial tree farms in each state. The evidence suggests that while there may be variations in the number of tree farms across states, Christmas trees are still cultivated and grown throughout the entire country.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6778.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Barack Hussein Obama will .. force Christian organizations to pay for abortions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an exaggeration and lacks context. While it is true that there were concerns raised about the potential impact of certain policies on Christian organizations, such as the Affordable Care Act's contraceptive mandate, it is misleading to claim that President Obama personally sought to force Christian organizations to pay for abortions. The wording of the statement implies a direct and intentional action by President Obama, which is not supported by evidence. It is important to consider the specific details and nuances of the policies in question to accurately assess their impact on Christian organizations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Nelson said Scott returned \"$1 million in federal funding that would have helped the state cover the cost of overseeing insurance rates under the new health care law.\"","\"Given the governor\u2019s recent decision to return $1 million in federal funding that would have helped the state cover the cost of overseeing insurance rates under the new health care law, and the fact that he has not even applied for another $5 million in federal funding that is available to help states control their insurance markets, I\u2019m not holding my breath,\" he wrote in an op-ed.","In Nelson\u2019s view, Scott and Republican legislators are setting up the federal government to take the fall for increased rates. His column left us wondering whether Scott really rejected $1 million for overseeing insurance rate hikes.","Nelson, a Democrat who used to be the state\u2019s insurance commissioner, asked Scott to veto SB 1842, which prevents state regulators from reviewing rate hikes for new plans in 2014 and 2015 as the federal health care law is implemented."]},{"id":"11734.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"When we held recent economic dialogues with China, we agreed on over 100 different things including wildlife trafficking and volcano research. None of these 100-plus points of agreement addressed cybersecurity.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Carly Fiorina's claim that during recent economic dialogues with China, over 100 different points of agreement were reached, including wildlife trafficking and volcano research, but none of these agreements specifically addressed cybersecurity. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context and may give the impression that cybersecurity was completely ignored in the dialogues. While it may be true that cybersecurity was not explicitly mentioned in those specific agreements, it does not necessarily mean that cybersecurity was not discussed or addressed in other aspects of the dialogues. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Brown campaign said that when Mandel claimed to have accepted three debates, he was lying, and that he has accepted \"zero proposed debates.\"","In an interview July 23, Sadie Weiner, press secretary for the Brown campaign, said that campaign officials were unaware Mandel had accepted the City Club\u2019s original invitation. But Weiner also argued that Mandel\u2019s campaign was out of bounds in referencing the two other proposed debates. She even pointed to a Mandel campaign Tweet that said he had \"agreed to 3 debates.\"","In the morning on July 19, Friends of Sherrod Brown announced with a tone of urgency that Brown had accepted an invitation to debate Republican challenger Josh Mandel sometime in October at the City Club. Two dates -- Oct. 1 or 8 -- were on the table, Brown\u2019s camp said.","And the Brown campaign acknowledges that the Mandel camp raised the possibility of other debates through one of the debate organizers."]},{"id":"4109.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says the U.S. borrows 42 cents of every dollar Washington spends today and about half of that comes from countries like China.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by GOP Rep. Paul Ryan that the U.S. borrows 42 cents of every dollar it spends, and approximately half of that borrowing comes from countries like China. However, it's important to note that the term \"countries like China\" is vague and could include other nations as well. Additionally, the statement lacks some context regarding the overall debt structure and the specific sources of borrowing. While the claim is generally accurate, it could benefit from additional clarification and specificity.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Gallup has found, though, that there typically is a temporary bump in the polls for presidential contenders shortly after they announce their running mate.","Reflecting on the 2012 presidential campaign, Donald Trump blamed Mitt Romney\u2019s loss on his choice of a running mate: Paul Ryan.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","At a June debate in Arizona, the Republican Senate candidates were asked about reports of Medicare and Social Security going insolvent in future years."]},{"id":"616.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama \"promises more taxes on small business, seniors, your life savings, your family.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true because while it accurately mentions that Obama voted for budget resolutions expressing the desire to roll back the Bush tax cuts, it falsely implies that Obama made specific promises to increase taxes on small businesses, seniors, life savings, and families. In reality, Obama's tax proposals were targeted at higher-income individuals and families, specifically those earning $250,000 or more per year. The ad's claim exaggerates the scope of Obama's tax plans and misrepresents his intentions regarding taxes for small businesses, seniors, life savings, and families.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Tampa Bay Times Buzz blog, \"Mitch McConnell says \u2018we're doing everything we can\u2019 to get Rubio to run for Senate again,\" May 31, 2016","Rubio\u2019s disenchantment with the Senate looks to have started early \u2014 he told a newspaper he was stymied by his first year in office.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","Billionaire Rubio donor Norman Braman, a South Florida auto dealer, told National Review in April 2015 that Rubio was \"frustrated with the fact that the Senate doesn\u2019t do anything.\" And Rubio said on several occasions that he sought the White House because the Senate was ineffectual."]},{"id":"7762.json","label":"false","statement":"On an early date for Floridas presidential primary","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Marco Rubio has indeed changed his position on the timing of Florida's presidential primary. In 2007, he supported moving the primary to an earlier date, but more recently, he has supported moving it back. The reasons for this change include the harsher penalties imposed by political parties and the extended campaign season due to campaign cash from super PACs. Therefore, the statement that Rubio consistently advocated for an early date for Florida's presidential primary is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1901.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Alex Sink was \"the first official who said that BP should pay $25 million for an ad campaign to promote Florida tourism.\"","reason":"Reason: While Alex Sink was indeed one of the first officials to call for BP to fund a campaign to promote Florida tourism, it is not accurate to claim that she was the absolute first official to make such a demand. The evidence suggests that she was the first statewide elected official to do so, but it does not provide conclusive information about whether she was the very first official overall. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to claim that Sink was the absolute first official to make this request.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"The Republicans have demanded deep cuts in education. They've demanded cuts in cancer research and other research to find cures and treatments to diseases.\"","We wondered whether Van Hollen was right when he said that \"the Republicans have demanded deep cuts in education. They've demanded cuts in cancer research and other research to find cures and treatments to diseases.\"","He said that \"the unfortunate part about this entire situation is that Mike and his colleagues threatened to shut down the entire federal government, which would have huge economic dislocation and disruption in the country, in order to pass a bill that, at the end of the day, doesn't create one job. \u2026 The Republicans have demanded deep cuts in education. They've demanded cuts in cancer research and other research to find cures and treatments to diseases. And instead of focusing just on a narrow slice of cuts that they were demanding, we were able to expand the area of cuts and prevent some (in the budget deal). So that's good news.\"","At one point, Van Hollen -- the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee -- criticized Republican spending proposals, saying that the party has targeted popular programs such as education and cancer research."]},{"id":"3855.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A few months into office, (President Barack Obama) traveled around the globe to apologize for America.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Obama traveled around the world to apologize for America. Multiple fact-checkers have debunked this claim, including PolitiFact, which rated a similar statement made by Mitt Romney as \"Pants on Fire.\" President Obama's international trips were primarily focused on diplomatic relations, promoting American interests, and engaging with world leaders. The assertion that he traveled specifically to apologize for America is baseless and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["State Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston, the 2014 Republican lieutenant governor nominee, said in an Aug. 28, 2014, campaign press release: \"As chair of the Senate Education Committee, I led the charge to restore most of the education cuts from last session.\"","Patrick said that in the 2013 session, \"I led the charge to restore most of the education cuts from last session.\"","We knew Patrick chaired the Senate\u2019s education panel. We didn\u2019t recall him leading the charge to restore most of the cut funding.","Some education groups including the Texas Association of School Boards and the Equity Center, which represents property-poor school districts, declined to comment on whether Patrick led the charge to restore dollars."]},{"id":"8540.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgia has lost 14 percent of its jobs paying more than $50,000 a year and added 15 percent to its Medicaid rolls during the recovery.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights two separate statistics related to Georgia's job market and Medicaid rolls during the recovery period. However, it fails to establish a direct causal relationship between the two. While it is true that Georgia experienced a decline in jobs paying more than $50,000 a year, the statement does not provide sufficient evidence to attribute this solely to the recovery. Additionally, while it is mentioned that Georgia added 15 percent to its Medicaid rolls, it does not specify the time frame or provide context regarding the factors contributing to this increase. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks comprehensive information to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Not Bernie Sanders. He chose a colder route. Sanders and his wife, Jane Sanders, spent their first days as newlyweds in the Soviet Union, claims George Will in a recent Washington Post column.","\"Conquest lived to see a current U.S. presidential candidate, a senator, who had chosen, surely as an ideological gesture, to spend his honeymoon in the Soviet Union in 1988. Gulags still functioned, probably including some of the \u2018cold Auschwitzes\u2019 in Siberia, described in Conquest\u2019s \u2018Kolyma.\u2019 The honeymooner did not mind that in 1988 political prisoners were \u2014 as may still be the case \u2014 being tortured in psychiatric \u2018hospitals.\u2019 Thanks to the unblinking honesty of people like Conquest, the Soviet Union now is such a receding memory that Bernie Sanders\u2019s moral obtuseness \u2014 the obverse of Conquest\u2019s character \u2014 is considered an amusing eccentricity.\"","From honeymooning in the Soviet Union in 1988 to getting love from Russia for his presidential bids, Bernie Sanders has an uncommon connection with one of America\u2019s chief adversaries.","Sanders and his wife did travel to Yaroslavl, a city in the Soviet Union, after their wedding in 1988. In the sense that the trip came after the couple were married, the trip was a honeymoon. The two have also referred to the trip that way, albeit sarcastically at times."]},{"id":"12618.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Orlando shooter used a weapon of war.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the Orlando shooter used a \"weapon of war\" is partially true. The rifle used by the shooter was a Sig Sauer MCX semiautomatic, which is a civilian version of a rifle that has been used by some military and law enforcement agencies. While it is not accurate to classify it as a fully automatic \"weapon of war\" like a machine gun, it does have design features that resemble military firearms. However, it's important to note that the term \"weapon of war\" can be subjective and open to interpretation, and the context in which it is used can vary. Therefore, the label \"half-true\" is appropriate in this case.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Allen understates his argument when he says the 35 percent federal corporate tax rate is the second highest in the world. Actually, it outstrips Japan and is the highest national rate among nearly three dozen industrialized democracies, according to 2011 data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.","The council, an independent, nonpartisan think-tank, said the U.S. had the highest corporate tax rate in the world by two measures: Excluding state and local taxes, the rate was 35 percent. With those sub-national taxes, the rate was 39.2 percent.","We found succinct descriptions of the history in Time magazine and The Hill, a Washington, D.C. newspaper. An April 2, 2012, Time blog post says that while the U.S. rate stayed steady for two decades, \"the trend internationally has been towards lower corporate tax rates.\" The Hill\u2019s Aug. 27, 2012 blog post says that in 1986, the OECD nations\u2019 average corporate tax was 50 percent, but \"today, it\u2019s 25 percent for those countries -- it has fallen in half. Meanwhile, the U.S. rate, which fell from 46 percent to 34 percent as a result of tax reform in 1986, is now stuck at 35 percent.\"","To a recent voters guide question on how to combat unemployment, McCaul -- a Republican seeking another term representing the 10th Congressional District -- gave responses that included lowering America\u2019s \"corporate tax rate, highest in the world at 35 percent.\""]},{"id":"8748.json","label":"true","statement":"Members of the military dont contribute toward their pension.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that members of the military do contribute towards their pension. The pension system for service members requires many years of service, and after 20 years, they are eligible for a pension equivalent to 40% of their base pay. Additionally, service members have the option to participate in a Thrift Savings Plan, similar to a 401(k), where the military matches contributions up to 5%. This indicates that service members are actively contributing towards their retirement benefits.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13233.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"These are radical Islamic terrorists, and (Hillary Clinton) wont even mention the word.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hillary Clinton has expressed a preference for the term \"radical jihadists\" over \"radical Islamic terrorists,\" it is an oversimplification to claim that she \"won't even mention the word.\" In her response, Clinton did acknowledge the existence of \"violent jihadist terrorists\" and made it clear that the United States is not at war with Islam. Her choice of terminology reflects an effort to avoid associating terrorism with an entire religion. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"191.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Gov. Romney's own health care plan in Massachusetts ... requires by law that a representative from Planned Parenthood sit on the MassHealth advisory board.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Massachusetts state law passed under Governor Romney's leadership included a provision that gave Planned Parenthood a seat on the MassHealth advisory board, it is important to note that the board primarily advises on service costs and reimbursement rates, not policy. The board's composition includes representatives from various major providers of medical care, including hospitals, physicians, and community health centers, in addition to Planned Parenthood. The statement implies that the inclusion of Planned Parenthood on the board was a unique requirement specific to Governor Romney's health care plan, which is misleading. Furthermore, the statement fails to provide the necessary context that anti-abortion groups are not major providers of health care, which is why they were not included on the advisory board. Therefore, while the statement contains some elements of truth, it is presented in a way that distorts the overall context and intent of the provision.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Most recently, Ryan was again quoted as saying it by the Racine Journal Times in the wake of the Nov. 2 election: \"Discretionary spending went up 84 percent in the last two years.\"","PolitiFactWisconsin, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan says Obama increased spending nearly 25 percent in two years, 84 percent when stimulus money is included, January 27, 2011.","\"The spending bills that you have signed into law, the domestic discretionary spending has been increased by 84 percent,\" Ryan told the president, in the televised exchange.","Discretionary spending has \"increased over 20-some percent in two years if you don\u2019t include the stimulus. If you put in the stimulus, it\u2019s over 80 percent.\""]},{"id":"4397.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We [the city of Atlanta] are overbuilt on housing.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the city of Atlanta is \"overbuilt on housing\" is partially true. While there are indications of an oversaturated housing market in certain neighborhoods, it is important to note that the population of Atlanta is growing, albeit slowly. This suggests that there may still be a demand for housing in certain areas. Additionally, the claim made by a housing advocate about a significant number of households in Atlanta paying a high percentage of their income on rent further supports the notion that there may be an imbalance between housing supply and affordability. Therefore, while there are indications of an oversupply of housing in some areas, the overall assessment of Atlanta being \"overbuilt\" requires further examination and consideration of various factors.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Trump cited conversations with \"border patrol people\" who told him that it was true: \"Our leaders are stupid, our politicians are stupid, and the Mexican government is much smarter, much sharper, much more cunning, and they send the bad ones over because they don't want to pay for them, they don't want to take care of them. Why should they, when the stupid leaders of the United States will do it for them?And that\u2019s what\u2019s happening, whether you like it or not.\"","Trump said, \"The Mexican government ... they send the bad ones over.\" Setting aside the question of whether Mexicans who have come to the United States are \"bad\" or not, we found no evidence of any Mexican policy that pushes people out of Mexico and into the United States. As has been the case for decades, a combination of economic and family factors accounts for most of the migration from Mexico to the United States. For the second time, we rate this claim Pants on Fire.","\"While most immigrants were simply part of the general Cuban population of people wanting to emigrate, it appears that the Cuban government did intentionally send a disproportionate number of those they deemed to be undesirables, including prisoners and other institutionalized groups,\" Smith said.","Trump said \"the Mexican government forces many bad people into our country.\" Setting aside the question of whether Mexicans who have come to the United States are \"bad\" or not, there is no evidence of any Mexican policy that pushes people out of Mexico and into the United States. As has been the case for decades, a combination of economic and family factors accounts for most of the migration from Mexico to the United States. We rate the claim Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"924.json","label":"false","statement":"\"There are no earmarks\" in the stimulus bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"there are no earmarks\" in the stimulus bill is false. While it is true that the bill aimed to minimize earmarks and President Obama and his administration made efforts to avoid including them, there were still some projects included that could be considered earmarks. The bill did contain specific provisions for certain projects and allocations of funds, which can be categorized as earmarks. Therefore, the claim that there are no earmarks in the stimulus bill is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11975.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Every Student Succeeds Act did away basically with Common Core.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While the Every Student Succeeds Act does mention Common Core and allows states to withdraw from or revise the standards, it does not \"do away\" with Common Core entirely. Common Core still exists as a set of educational standards that states can choose to adopt or modify. The Act does provide more flexibility to states in terms of curriculum and standards, but it does not eliminate Common Core as a framework for education.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Gov. Mike Pence and Rep. Mike Coffman \"take the same positions on a number of things ... Coffman and Pence oppose equal rights for LGBT Americans.\"","The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee quickly issued a counter ad. It shows Coffman vowing, \"So if Donald Trump is the president, I\u2019ll stand up to him.\" Then a narrator says, \"Wait, you\u2019re the one who said you\u2019d support him. Don\u2019t let Mike Coffman get away with this gimmick.\" It ends with side-by-side photos of Coffman and Trump and the text: \"SAY NO to Mike Coffman AND Donald Trump.\"","Says Mike Coffman said two different things: \"stop the deportations\" in a Spanish-language debate and \"you're going to be deported\" in an English-language TV interview.","!Rep. Mike Coffman stands with the Dream Army in 2013 - Coffman Staff Photo !Rep. Mike Coffman stands with the Dream Army in 2013 - Coffman Staff Photo"]},{"id":"13177.json","label":"true","statement":"Says Senate candidate Katie McGinty made thousands from companies she previously regulated.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the statement is true. The ad from the Freedom Partners Action Fund accuses Katie McGinty of making thousands of dollars from companies that she previously regulated. The campaign's response, while not directly addressing the accusation, suggests that McGinty has a record of accomplishments related to job creation and environmental protection. However, it does not refute the claim that she made money from companies she previously regulated.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The next day, Gibbs used his Twitter account to decry the law further. \"If #Obamacare is fully implemented, 30 million people will still be without health insurance,\" Gibbs tweeted.","\"Even if the law were fully implemented, there would have been 26 million uninsured people,\" co-author Steffie Woolhandler said in an interview Thursday. \"This isn't just about the Medicaid expansion. This is the system as originally designed.\"","We decided to check out Gibbs\u2019 claim that so many people would still be without health insurance after the bill is fully implemented. Although Gibbs\u2019 office did not respond to requests to document his information, we found a Congressional Budget Office analysis released three days before Gibbs\u2019 remark that stated: \"In our current projections for 2023, the ACA reduces the number of people without health insurance by 25 million, leaving 31 million uninsured (compared with 30 million in our February estimate).\" That\u2019s close to the number that Gibbs provided.","And there are a lot of them: 30 million Americans will not have coverage under Obamacare, according to a new analysis in the journal Health Affairs."]},{"id":"2310.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Congress and President Obama have accumulated more debt since he took office than the total amount of debt accumulated during the first 200 years of the United States existence.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the debt accumulated during President Obama's tenure is significant, the statement exaggerates the extent of the debt compared to the first 200 years of the United States' existence. The claim fails to consider the growth of the economy, inflation, and other factors that contribute to the increase in debt over time. While the debt under President Obama was substantial, it did not surpass the total debt accumulated in the first 200 years of the country's existence. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the historical context and comparison of debt accumulation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The front of the mailer is blank, except for the words, \"This page is dedicated to all the laws Jason Kander passed in the Missouri General Assembly.\"","In a recent mailer sent to Missouri voters, One Nation, a conservative political action committee, criticized Democrat Jason Kander for not passing any legislation during his two terms as a representative in the Missouri General Assembly.","In fact, of the 28 bills Kander sponsored as a representative, only two passed in the House \u2014 House Bill 504 in 2009 and House Bill 238 in 2011. Neither were signed into law.","While Kander co-sponsored seven bills that became law, no bill he directly sponsored was signed by the governor. But the statement ignores key facts to paint an incomplete picture."]},{"id":"7181.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"President Barack Obamas Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal couldnt get support from either party in the House or the Senate.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that President Obama's Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal did not receive unanimous support from both parties in the House or the Senate, it is an oversimplification to claim that it \"couldn't get support from either party.\" The budget did receive praise from some leading Democrats, indicating that it did have support within the party. Additionally, it's important to note that a budget proposal serves as a starting point for lawmakers to shape their own spending plans, and the final budget is a result of negotiations and compromises between the executive and legislative branches. Therefore, characterizing the lack of unanimous support as a complete failure to gain support from either party is an exaggeration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3466.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Wisconsin was embroiled in a constitutional crisis brought on by the Democratic senators fleeing the state for Illinois to block Gov. Scott Walkers budget-repair bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Democratic senators fled the state to Illinois in order to block Governor Scott Walker's budget-repair bill, it is an exaggeration to characterize the situation as a constitutional crisis. The term \"constitutional crisis\" typically refers to a situation where there is a breakdown or conflict within the constitutional framework of a government. While the actions of the senators did disrupt the legislative process, it did not result in a constitutional crisis as the state's government continued to function and operate within the established legal framework. Therefore, the statement is only partially accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Abbott said the \"growth rate of women-owned businesses in Texas has nearly doubled that of the nation since President Obama has taken office.\"","Abbott, the attorney general and Republican gubernatorial nominee, wasn\u2019t saluting the Democratic president. In the July 10, 2014, email message, Kim Snyder, Abbott\u2019s deputy campaign manager, called Texas the \"land of opportunity \u2013 especially for women.\" Texas does better than other states, Snyder wrote, adding: \"Let\u2019s compare: the growth rate of women-owned businesses in Texas has nearly doubled that of the nation since President Obama has taken office.\"","\"Based on these numbers during the 2007-2013 period, which is approximately the time President Obama has been in office,\" Huerta wrote, \"the number of woman-owned firms grew by ~10.57% nationally, and by ~20.87% in Texas \u2013 nearly double the rate of growth.\"","Regardless, Dale Craymer, president of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, noted that lots of things have probably doubled since Perry became governor. After all, he's held the office for nearly a decade."]},{"id":"6005.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thanks to our policies, for the first time in state history, we have put millions of dollars into our rainy day fund in consecutive years.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that the state has consistently put millions of dollars into the rainy day fund for consecutive years due to their policies. However, the evidence provided does not directly support this claim. It discusses various topics such as absentee voting, state employee raises, and voting by mail, but it does not provide specific information about the state's policies regarding the rainy day fund. Without more concrete evidence or data, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["The report notes that during the early months of the pandemic, when people were largely confined to their homes in hopes of limiting the spread of the virus, gas prices plummeted. There was more gasoline available than consumers looking to buy it. So producers of gasoline started decreasing output.","\"Nearly 60% of all student loan debt is held by the rich and upper-middle class,\" so forgiveness would give the wealthy a \"financial windfall\" but not really help low-income people.","While consumers were already facing higher gas prices, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions have forced prices even higher","Those climbing prices have been closely linked to the coronavirus pandemic, because in the early days production dipped because no one was driving. But as demand has risen, supply hasn\u2019t been able to keep up, meaning higher prices at the pump"]},{"id":"13178.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says GOP Congressional candidate Scott Jones wants to build a wall. He wants to round people up and deport folks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Congressman Ami Bera claimed that Republican candidate Scott Jones wants to build a wall and round people up for deportation. However, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not offer direct quotes or specific policy proposals from Scott Jones himself. Without more concrete evidence of his stance on these issues, it is difficult to fully assess the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13371.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Austin Mayor Steve Adlers transportation plans linked to Proposition 1 on the ballot remove 27+ miles of traffic lanes around the city, replacing them with lanes dedicated to usage by bicycles and buses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by the Sensible Transportation Solutions for Austin PAC and the group opposing Proposition 1. They assert that the transportation plans linked to Proposition 1 involve removing 27+ miles of traffic lanes and replacing them with lanes dedicated to bicycles and buses. However, it's important to note that this statement lacks some context. While there may be plans to allocate lanes for bicycles and buses, it does not necessarily mean that all 27+ miles of traffic lanes will be removed. The statement implies a complete removal of traffic lanes, which is an exaggeration. Thus, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["And then during a meeting with state legislators on Dec. 14, Scott claimed that Florida is \"the only state in the country that state employees don't contribute (to their pensions).\" PolitiFact Florida looked into that claim and found it Mostly True, noting that many employees in Tennessee and Utah still do not have to contribute toward their own retirement, although other employees in those states do.","\"Our state employees have the best deal in the country,\" said Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, who chairs a committee overseeing pension policy. \"They don't contribute and that's wrong.\"","This year\u2019s pension contribution deal only affected longer-serving workers. Newer workers, hired on or after July 1, 2010, had already been required to contribute 5 percent toward their pensions from the day they began work. That provision is part of a bill McDonnell signed on April 13, 2010.","\"Overall bonding in latest WI state budget is at 20 year low. State pension system is only one fully funded in the country.\""]},{"id":"5918.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"20 million people could lose their current coverage including our senior citizens who are on Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The claim that 20 million people, including senior citizens on Medicare, could lose their current coverage is false and has been widely debunked. Multiple fact-checkers have rated this claim as \"Pants on Fire\" and exaggerated. The evidence indicates that the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect the impact of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) on current coverage, particularly for senior citizens on Medicare.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["McKay says Sen. Whitehouse said on the Senate floor: \u201cEverybody in Rhode Island who disagrees with me about Obamacare is an Aryan, is a white supremacist.\u201d","( - McKay says Sen. Whitehouse said on the Senate floor: \u201cEverybody in Rhode Island who disagrees with me about Obamacare is an Aryan, is a white supremacist.\u201d&url=)","\"Let\u2019s take a look at the record,\" McKay said of Whitehouse. \"This is a guy who stood up in front of the U.S. Senate and said, \u2018Everybody in Rhode Island who disagrees with me about Obamacare is an Aryan, is a white supremacist.\u2019\"","Second, despite his strident language, nowhere in the speech did he come close to saying that everyone who disagreed with the health care plan is an Aryan or a white supremacist."]},{"id":"615.json","label":"false","statement":"Fully inflating tires is \"a step that every expert says would absolutely reduce our oil consumption by 3 to 4 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that properly inflating tires can improve gas mileage and contribute to fuel efficiency, the statement exaggerates the consensus among experts and the extent of the impact. While some experts may support the idea that tire inflation can lead to a modest reduction in oil consumption, it is not accurate to claim that \"every expert\" agrees on this or that it would result in a 3 to 4 percent reduction. The Department of Energy's information suggests a more modest improvement of around 3.3 percent in gas mileage, not specifically oil consumption. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"One year today since #GOP took control of the House. One full year of obstruction & no new jobs. #WeCan\u2019tWait. Get back to work no-show GOP!\" Pallone\u2019s Jan. 5 tweet said.","A tweet posted on Pallone\u2019s account on Jan. 5 said it\u2019s \"one year today since #GOP took control of the House\" and \"no new jobs.\"","A Democratic congressman from New Jersey took a jab at his Republican colleagues to mark the one-year anniversary of GOP control in the House of Representatives.","A written statement from Pallone\u2019s office said the tweet decried \"consistent Republican inaction in Congress on moving a meaningful agenda to create jobs.\" But \"no new jobs\" isn\u2019t the same as a \"no new jobs agenda\" and the U.S. gained 1.64 million of the former in the last year."]},{"id":"7012.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"If Buehler were elected, our vote-by-mail system would be at risk.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is no substantial basis to claim that the vote-by-mail system in Oregon would be at risk if Knute Buehler were elected. Buehler himself has stated that he does not want to end Oregon's vote-by-mail system and supports the idea of an audit to ensure its integrity. The assertion made in the statement is not supported by the available evidence and appears to be a misrepresentation of Buehler's position.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Reed says the Dome would need up to $350 million in work over the next five to seven years, based on information from the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the Dome\u2019s owner.","The mayor says the (Georgia) Dome would need up to $350 million in work over the next five to seven years. That amount is more than the cost of the upfront public money ($200 million) that could be needed for a proposed $1 billion Falcons stadium.","During the past decade, the estimated economic impact ranges between $250 million and $275 million per year, according to reports we reviewed on the GWCC website. In earlier years, the estimate has fluctuated from just below $200 million, as it did for four years, to two years when the estimate was well over $600 million. Atlanta hosted the Super Bowl one of those years (2000).","Another GWCCA-commissioned report, released in February 2011, focused on a new open-air stadium, but it also examined continued maintenance and improvements at the Georgia Dome over the next 20 years. That study found that from 2011 to 2020, $44.5 million in maintenance work would be needed to retain the Dome at \"today\u2019s level of quality. An additional $35 million to $70 million in capital improvements -- such as a new roof, plumbing and technology upgrades and food service equipment -- would also be needed during the same time period to keep the Dome a competitive venue over the next decade, the report said."]},{"id":"2350.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Lindsey Graham endorsed Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Lindsey Graham initially endorsed Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate when Crist was a Republican candidate, it is important to note that Graham withdrew his support after Crist announced that he was no longer a Republican candidate. The endorsement was rescinded, and Graham requested that his endorsement be removed from campaign materials. Therefore, the statement is misleading and inaccurate, as it does not reflect the full context of Graham's endorsement and subsequent withdrawal of support.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8865.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since I took office in January 2011, we have created 11,100 Rhode Island-based jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the speaker claims that 11,100 Rhode Island-based jobs were created since they took office in January 2011. While it is possible that job creation efforts have taken place during that period, the evidence provided does not directly support the specific number of 11,100 jobs being created. The evidence mentions a study that provides information on the cost of minimum wage in terms of job loss, and a spreadsheet of companies helped by the city. However, these pieces of evidence do not directly substantiate the claim of creating 11,100 jobs. Therefore, the statement is partially supported by the evidence but lacks sufficient data to be considered fully true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6708.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Tennessees appeals court judges were selected by a handful of party officials in Nashville before the system of merit selection was put into effect.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Tennessee's appeals court judges were selected by a small group of party officials in Nashville before the implementation of the merit selection system. Multiple sources confirm that prior to the adoption of the merit selection system in 1971, a limited number of politicians were responsible for choosing the appellate judges. However, it's important to note that the term \"handful\" is subjective and may vary in interpretation. While the evidence supports the general claim, the exact number of party officials involved in the selection process may not be explicitly stated. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"A 2009 USDA study found that 87 percent of chicken carcasses tested positive for generic E. coli ... just prior to packaging.\"","\"A 2009 USDA study found that 87 percent of chicken carcasses tested positive for generic E. coli, a sign of fecal contamination, just prior to packaging,\" the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine wrote.","The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, as part of a campaign to reduce fecal contamination in the nation\u2019s food supply, claimed that a 2009 USDA study found 87 percent of chicken carcasses tested positive for generic E. coli just prior to packaging.","USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service researchers completed a report on E. coli in chicken that was released in April 2009. The report found 691 of 798 chickens studied tested positive for E. coli, which is 87 percent. The chicken came from 20 large slaughterhouses, and the research was done in 2005."]},{"id":"9886.json","label":"false","statement":"Over the next two years, this $1.8 billion deficit will cost individual Wisconsinites $300 each, or $1,200 for families of four.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that the $1.8 billion deficit will cost individual Wisconsinites $300 each, or $1,200 for families of four is false. The evidence provided does not support this claim, and there is no substantiated information or analysis to suggest that such costs will be incurred by individuals or families due to the deficit. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when making claims about the financial impact of a deficit.\nLabel: false","evidence":["For example, Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, made similar comments in a *Cedar Rapids Gazette* article from February, in which she defended increased state funding for K-12 schools. Sinclair told the newspaper Iowa\u2019s schools have the nation\u2019s highest high school graduation rates but also score well enough in national testing and have a reputation for being the best in the nation.","Reynolds, Sinclair and additional Iowa politicians said Iowa has the nation\u2019s highest graduation rates in the U.S. National data confirms these statements and shows a steady increase in Iowa\u2019s graduation rates since 2011. Graduation rates among minority populations in Iowa are relatively low compared to those of other states, however, and none surpassed 85 percent in 2016-17. We rated the claim of leading the nation in education as Mostly True.","Iowa is No. 1 in the nation for overall high-school graduation rates, but falls short of other states for graduation rates among minority populations.","Iowa was the 11th state in the nation for graduation rates among students with disabilities at 74.3 percent, and eighth in the nation for economically disadvantaged students at just over 83 percent in 2016-17, according to NCES data."]},{"id":"2886.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"New food safety legislation will regulate backyard gardening.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The food safety legislation being referred to, Senate Bill 510 (the Food Safety Modernization Act), does not regulate or grant authority over backyard gardening. Multiple sources, including the Grocery Manufacturers Association, have confirmed that the legislation does not apply to home gardeners. Claims suggesting that the legislation would regulate backyard gardening or give the Department of Homeland Security authority over food produced in personal gardens are unfounded and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Peter J. Galie, an emeritus professor of political science at Canisius College who has written extensively on the state constitution, says that when the governor resigns, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. \"Period. No acting, no interim,\" Galie said.","The same section says that in periods where the governor cannot perform the duties of the office, in cases such as impeachment, travel, or illness, the lieutenant governor will \"act as governor.\" But there is no qualifier such as \"act as governor\" in the case of Hochul\u2019s situation.","Image shows Arizona gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in the room where ballots were being counted in Maricopa County.","The state constitution gives the full powers and duties of the governorship to a lieutenant governor who becomes governor after a resignation."]},{"id":"8263.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United Nations has conducted 172 successful peacekeeping missions and negotiations.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While there may be some ambiguity in the exact number and definition of \"successful peacekeeping missions and negotiations,\" the evidence suggests that the United Nations has been involved in a significant number of such endeavors. The exact figure may vary depending on the criteria used to define success and the specific time frame considered. However, it is clear that the United Nations has played a crucial role in numerous peacekeeping missions and negotiations since its establishment after World War II.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Under current policies, \"we're going to reduce the overall debt of the United States by $3 trillion over the next 10 years.\"","Durbin said that under current policies, \"we're going to reduce the overall debt of the United States by $3 trillion over the next 10 years.\"","Durbin told host Chris Wallace, \"I can just tell you this, Chris. Since President Obama has been in office, we've reached the point we're cutting the annual deficits in half, and we're going to reduce the overall debt of the United States by $3 trillion over the next 10 years.\"","!Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the United States' debt is set to go down by $3 trillion over the next 10 years. Is that correct? !Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the United States' debt is set to go down by $3 trillion over the next 10 years. Is that correct?"]},{"id":"9188.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The insurance risk corridors arent going broke like Republicans predicted.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it oversimplifies the situation. While it is true that the insurance risk corridors did not go broke as predicted by Republicans, it is important to note that the final outcome of the risk corridors program is not yet known. The evidence suggests that concerns about significant losses under the risk corridors have not materialized so far, but a conclusive assessment of the program's financial status can only be made once all the data for the relevant period is available. Therefore, it is premature to definitively state that the risk corridors are not going broke based on the information currently available.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I have always been focused on reining in the deficit, and this is a good place to start for next year\u2019s budget debate,\" Kohl said in the release.","Kohl\u2019s fiscal rating of votes in recent years puts him in the most-liberal third of the Senate. That alone may not make him a big spender -- being a Republican conservative hasn\u2019t necessarily meant deficit reduction in recent years -- but it\u2019s a general clue that his agenda has often been focused more on spending than on cost controls. Thus, the slam dunk attempt falls short.","None of that is to say that the president doesn\u2019t have any effect on the deficit, Ellis said. He used Reagan\u2019s tax cuts and Obama\u2019s stimulus package as examples of how the president can affect deficit spending.","The Department of the Treasury explains it like this: The deficit is the difference between the money that the government makes and the money it spends. If the government spends more than it collects in revenues, then it\u2019s running a deficit."]},{"id":"7875.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"RIPTA has really some of the fullest buses for its transit agency size around the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to Abel Collins, RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) has some of the fullest buses compared to transit agencies of similar size around the country. While there is no standardized way to calculate the \"fullest\" buses, rankings and comparisons were made based on size and other measures. The evidence supports the claim that RIPTA experiences high demand and has relatively full buses compared to similar transit systems. However, it's important to note that the ranking may vary slightly depending on the specific criteria used for comparison.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6316.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Michael Cargill was arrested and incarcerated in Bell County.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Michael Cargill was detained in jail overnight in Bell County due to a bad check charge, it is inaccurate to claim that he was arrested and incarcerated in Bell County. The term \"arrested and incarcerated\" implies a more serious and prolonged period of detention, which is not supported by the evidence. Cargill's detention was a result of a bounced check, and he explained that it occurred while he was preparing for military duty abroad. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it misrepresents the nature and severity of Cargill's interaction with the legal system in Bell County.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says that in fiscal year 2010, \"nearly 80 percent of women served\" in the Texas Women\u2019s Health Program received services from a provider other than a Planned Parenthood clinic.","Rick Perry says that in 2010, nearly 80% of women served in Women's Health Program received services from non-Planned Parenthood clinic","So, is Perry correct that during the state\u2019s fiscal year 2010 \u2014 Sept. 1, 2009, through Aug. 31, 2010 \u2014 nearly 80 percent of the women who received services under the program did so from a provider that wasn\u2019t Planned Parenthood?","( - Rick Perry says that in 2010, nearly 80% of women served in Women's Health Program received services from non-Planned Parenthood clinic&url=)"]},{"id":"1344.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Although Democrats represent only 10 of Florida's 25 districts, their districts received 60 percent of the stimulus funds.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Rep. Jeff Miller that \"Although Democrats represent only 10 of Florida's 25 districts, their districts received 60 percent of the stimulus funds\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Democratic districts in Florida received a higher percentage of reported stimulus funds, the statement fails to consider the overall distribution of funds and the specific criteria used for allocating those funds. The claim oversimplifies a complex situation and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the stimulus funds distribution. Therefore, the statement is rated as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9195.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every one of more than 30 federal judges who have considered the issue of gay and lesbian rights since last June ruled that marriage is a constitutional right and you cannot deprive individual citizens of that right based on their sexual orientation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an overgeneralization and lacks accuracy. While it is true that a majority of federal judges ruled in favor of marriage equality, it is not accurate to claim that \"every one\" of the more than 30 federal judges who considered the issue ruled in this manner. There have been instances where judges have ruled against marriage equality or have upheld laws that restrict marriage rights based on sexual orientation. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and should be considered as barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3925.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Obama administration has cut taxes on small businesses 17 times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Obama administration did implement tax cuts for small businesses on multiple occasions. However, it's important to note that not all 17 tax cuts were exclusively targeted at small businesses, as some were available to all businesses. Therefore, while the administration did enact tax cuts for small businesses, the statement should be qualified to acknowledge that not all 17 tax cuts were specifically and exclusively for small businesses.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2043.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Democratic opponent is too Republican to stand up for us.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an example of political rhetoric and lacks concrete evidence to support its claim. While the statement suggests that the Democratic opponent is \"too Republican\" to stand up for the people, it does not provide specific examples or evidence to substantiate this assertion. Political affiliations and positions can vary among individuals within a party, and it is important to consider the specific actions and stances of the candidate in question. Without more specific evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Crossroads ad says that $39 million in stimulus money went to \"office upgrades for politicians,\" a reference to the latest phase in renovating the Kansas state capitol building.","Then, with no small hint of sarcasm, the ad says stimulus money went to \"critically important projects\" such as \"office upgrades for politicians.\" The 35-second spot then lists $39 million as the price tag of that endeavor.","For our ruling, we're looking at the ad's statement that \" Hodes voted for the pork-filled stimulus bill -- $1.9 million to study ants in Africa, $39 million for office upgrades for politicians.\" It's true that Hodes voted for the bill, but at the time he had no way of knowing that those particular projects would be funded. It is a stretch to say that he voted for \"$1.9 million to study ants in Africa,\" because he voted to add $3 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation. Its explanation of \"$39 million for office upgrades for politicians\" also leaves out significant details. It's a bond program, not a direct subsidy, and the money supports a large historical renovation, not simply \"office upgrades for politicians.\" So we rate the ad's statement Barely True.","Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., \"voted for the pork-filled stimulus bill -- $1.9 million to study ants in Africa, $39 million for office upgrades for politicians.\""]},{"id":"4196.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that when he was governor of Utah, he worked with the state Legislature to create a flat tax that cut income taxes by 30 percent.","reason":"Reason: While Jon Huntsman did work with the state Legislature to implement tax changes in Utah, the claim that they created a flat tax that cut income taxes by 30 percent is not entirely accurate. The tax system implemented in Utah under Huntsman's administration was not a pure flat tax, as taxpayers were still able to make adjustments for certain financial factors. While it did have a single rate for all income groups, it was not a proportional or \"flat\" income tax system. The statement exaggerates the extent of the tax changes and oversimplifies the nature of the tax system implemented in Utah during Huntsman's tenure as governor.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"New Jersey made a promise to its public workers: work hard, serve the people of New Jersey, and take a salary that is less than what you might earn in the private sector \u2013 and you can look forward to a secure and stable retirement,\" Rosenstein said in an Aug. 31 press release. \"It is not lavish: the average state pension, including managers, is $23,000 a year; and just $14,000 for local government workers.\"","Rosenstein claimed average pensions are $23,000 for state workers and $14,000 for local government workers. Her numbers are mostly accurate when you consider the average annual payments made by the state under PERS, and also when you look at the average annual benefits for all retirees at the date of retirement.","Those numbers are close to Rosenstein\u2019s estimates, but the average annual pension for \"new retirees\" -- people who had retired within the previous year -- was $30,199 for state workers and $20,075 for local workers.","In the year preceding July 1, 2010, here\u2019s the average annual pensions for new retirees with at least 25 years of service who opted for a special retirement: $39,551 for state workers and $33,828 for local workers."]},{"id":"1130.json","label":"true","statement":"The health care plan for members of Congress \"is no better than the janitor who cleans their offices.\"","reason":"Reason: President Obama stated that the health care plan for members of Congress is not better than that of the janitor who cleans their offices. This statement is true because members of Congress are part of a federal employee plan, which is a large pool that includes millions of people. This large pool gives them significant leverage with insurance companies, resulting in lower costs and better deals. Therefore, their health care plan is not inherently superior to that of other individuals within the same federal employee plan.\nLabel: true","evidence":["We wondered: Was Fiorina right that, unlike other federal regulatory agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has \"no congressional oversight\"? We took a closer look.","Despite the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau\u2019s size and importance, it operates almost completely without oversight from Congress, the courts, or the executive branch.","First, some background on the bureau. Its mission is to \"protect consumers by carrying out federal consumer financial laws.\" This includes enforcing consumer financial protection laws, following up on consumer complaints, promoting financial education, conducting research on consumer behavior, and monitoring financial markets for risks.","Brenden D. Soucy, \"The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: The Solution or the Problem?\" ( Florida State University Law Review ), 2013"]},{"id":"5703.json","label":"false","statement":"On most things except witch trials, Virginia will always have been first.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely implies that Virginia was the first in conducting witch trials. While Virginia did hold the first known witchcraft trial in the colonies, it was not a hotbed of suspicion and witch trials were not widespread. In fact, there were only a few documented cases of witchcraft accusations in Virginia, with only one recorded execution. Massachusetts, particularly during the Salem witch trials, had a much more significant history of witch hunts and executions. Therefore, the claim that Virginia was first in conducting witch trials is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[""]},{"id":"2119.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Because of union rules, cooks helpers moved into DMV jobs they were not trained for","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some cook's helpers were transferred to the DMV, the claim that they were not trained for the jobs solely due to their union status or seniority is not entirely accurate. According to the Deputy Personnel Administrator for the Department of Administration, applicants for these jobs would still need to meet education and experience requirements, regardless of their union status. While union rules may have played a role in the transfers, it is important to note that training and qualifications would still be necessary for individuals to be considered for these positions. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["For this fact-check, we wanted to know if Bush really released a Social Security plan for seniors that raises the retirement age to 70. (We won\u2019t weigh in on whether it\u2019s \"disastrous.\")","\"Have you seen presidential hopeful Jeb Bush\u2019s plan for Social Security? It\u2019s disastrous for seniors and raises the retirement age to 70,\" the email read. \"But Bush is the candidate Annette\u2019s opponent, Congressman Carlos Curbelo, thinks should be leading our country. Not that that\u2019s a surprise after Curbelo called Social Security a \u2018Ponzi scheme\u2019 and voted for Speaker Ryan\u2019s devastating budget. South Florida needs someone who will fight for Social Security \u2014 not work to end it.\"","Congressional hopeful Annette Taddeo warned Florida seniors preparing for a Thanksgiving feast that a Jeb Bush presidency could starve their plans for retirement.","We found that Bush's plan doesn't suggest a specific age, and he also doesn't think the eligibility age should change for current seniors."]},{"id":"13501.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Lady Gaga announced she would cover her face until Trump gets fired from office.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Lady Gaga announced she would cover her face until President Trump is fired from office is false. The source of this claim is an article that has been widely debunked as misleading and inaccurate. While Lady Gaga did appear in a CBS Sunday Morning segment, there is no evidence or credible source to support the claim that she made such an announcement. It is important to verify information from reliable sources before accepting and spreading such false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2544.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Dan Webster would force victims of rape and incest to bear their attackers child.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not directly mention Dan Webster, it does provide information about J.D. Vance's stance on exceptions for rape and incest in anti-abortion laws. Vance's comments suggest that he opposes allowing victims of rape and incest to have abortions, framing the issue as whether a child should be allowed to live, even if the circumstances of their birth are seen as inconvenient or problematic. While it does not explicitly state that Dan Webster would force victims of rape and incest to bear their attackers' child, Vance's position aligns with the general stance of many anti-abortion advocates who oppose exceptions for rape and incest in abortion laws.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2312.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Great Lakes Compact has a loophole. And the loophole is that while you cannot remove the water in a big transport, you can remove it in containers of 5.7 gallons or less.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker regarding the Great Lakes Compact. According to the compact, there is indeed a provision that allows for the removal of water in containers of 5.7 gallons or less, while prohibiting large-scale water transport. However, it's important to note that experts and the majority of environmental advocates, attorneys, and politicians in the Great Lakes basin do not believe that this provision constitutes a significant loophole that would have a substantial impact on water conservation. While the statement is mostly true in terms of the existence of the provision, it lacks the context that experts and the majority do not view it as a significant loophole.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Pfeifer, describing the political climate for gun control, told the Dispatch then that Fisher had a reputation of having \"never met a gun-control bill he didn\u2019t like.\" Those were Pfeifer\u2019s words, however, not Fisher\u2019s.","When a Brunner operative and the Buckeye Firearms Association used it during the spring primary, The Plain Dealer mentioned it, writing, \"Gun rights advocates as well as Brunner loyalists like to cite Fisher's famous quote from 1994: \u2018I never met a gun control bill I didn't like.\u2019\"","So we can stipulate that no matter what Fisher says about his support for the Second Amendment, he and the gun rights lobby are going to be far apart. But what of the \"never met\" quote?","It\u2019s a quote that keeps on giving, campaign after campaign. It\u2019s even slightly plausible, if you\u2019ve followed Lee Fisher\u2019s positions on gun control. The quote, cited since at least 1994 by gun-rights advocates, political opponents (including the campaign of at least one Democrat), blogs and websites:"]},{"id":"13463.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Americas tax code hasnt been updated in 30 years.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the tax code has not undergone a comprehensive overhaul in the past 30 years, it is incorrect to claim that it hasn't been updated at all during that time. Since the last major reform in 1986, there have been numerous additions and changes made to the tax code, resulting in thousands of modifications. These changes reflect the evolving needs of the economy and adjustments to tax policies over the years. While a comprehensive overhaul has not occurred, it is inaccurate to suggest that the tax code has remained entirely unchanged for three decades.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Coulter said Fox News broke the story of George W. Bush\u2019s 1976 drunk driving arrest. In terms of being the first to broadcast the story, that is correct.","The first news organization that ran the story was Fox News. It carried an item at 6 p.m. that day. Once Fox News ran it, the Associated Press spread the story to all the broadcasters and newspapers that subscribe to its service. To Coulter\u2019s point, the broader public first learned about Bush\u2019s arrest through Fox News.","Fox News had no hand in doing the digging that brought this story to light. WPXT was an independent news operation in 2000, owned by Pegasus Communications, a Pennsylvania corporation that paid for the rights to run Fox programs.","Coulter then pivoted to talking about the run-up to the 2000 presidential election and how reporters found out that Bush had a drunk driving arrest on his record."]},{"id":"4528.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"If our recovery were more typical of the postwar era . . . we would have 14 million more jobs today.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is difficult to precisely determine the exact number of jobs that would exist in a hypothetical scenario, the claim suggests that the current job recovery is not as robust as recoveries seen in the postwar era. The evidence provided supports this assertion by highlighting the increase in job openings and noting that the American Rescue Plan was implemented when the economy was already improving. However, it's important to acknowledge that economic recoveries can be influenced by various factors, and attributing a specific number of jobs solely to the actions of a single administration is challenging.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["After promising to raise taxes on capital gains and dividends, President Barack Obama can say he accomplished it ... kind of.","During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to increase capital gains and dividends taxes from 15 percent to 20 percent for those making more than $250,000 (for couples) or $200,000 (for individuals).","President Barack Obama announced in the lead-up to the 2015 State of the Union that he is seeking new reforms on capital gains taxes in order to help out the middle class, building on a 2007 campaign promise.","So Obama does want a tax hike -- at least some specific tax hikes -- as part of a deal. Does he also want to \"keep spending more?\" As we analyzed this question, we assumed that \"spending more\" meant actually increasing levels of spending."]},{"id":"1725.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Banking Committee voted a 1,336-page bill \"out of committee in 21 minutes with no amendments, with the understanding that before the bill came to the floor, we would reach this bipartisan agreement.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the process by which the Banking Committee voted on a 1,336-page bill. The bill was indeed voted out of committee in a relatively short span of time, without any amendments, with the understanding that a bipartisan agreement would be reached before it came to the floor. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context regarding the specific bill and the details of the bipartisan agreement. Providing more information would offer a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["There\u2019s no proof of Soros and Gates funding a bioweapons lab in Kenema, one of the largest cities in Sierra Leone with a population of about 150,000. And there\u2019s really no case that a bioweapons lab in Kenema is behind the outbreak.","Several conspiracy websites have raised questions lately about a \"bioweapons lab\" in Sierra Leone being the source of the virus. Questions like, \"What's behind the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone? Could it possibly be a U.S. bioweapons project gone amuck?\"","\"At the epicentre of the current Ebola epidemic is the Kenema Government Hospital in Sierra Leone, which houses a U.S. a (sic) biosecurity level 2 bioweapons research lab with links to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Soros Foundation,\" reads an excerpt shared on sites like and","Bloggers worried about the New World Order connected the bank accounts of Soros and Gates to a facility responding to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone -- a facility they strongly suggest is responsible for the outbreak."]},{"id":"3271.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Road construction bids are coming in at the lowest in the modern era.","reason":"Reason: While Governor McDonnell claimed that road construction bids in Virginia are coming in at the lowest in the \"modern era,\" it's important to note that there is no statistical proof or historical data to support this claim. The term \"modern era\" was clarified to refer to a 20-year time span, but without concrete data, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the claim is considered barely-true due to the lack of substantial evidence to support it.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Some Nevada Republicans are making a curious claim that they actually cut taxes in 2015, despite mountains of headlines proclaiming a \"record\" tax package to the tune of $1.4 billion.","\u201cEvery single Senate Democrat voted against hiring more border agents. They voted against deporting felons. And they voted against ending catch and release.\u201d","Whether or not eliminating the possibility of raising taxes counts as a tax cut is an open question, Nevada Taxpayers Association president Anna Thornley said.","\"The elimination of the uncertainty is definitely a plus but whether or not it can be considered a tax cut is in the eye of the beholder,\" she said in an email."]},{"id":"11281.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Scott Walker said Labor unions dont deserve to have a national holiday due to their damage to the economy. And the holiday should be replaced by Patriots Day, celebrated every year on 9\/11.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or record of Scott Walker making the statement that labor unions don't deserve to have a national holiday due to their damage to the economy, or suggesting that Labor Day should be replaced by Patriots Day. Multiple fact-checking sources have debunked this claim and rated it as \"Pants on Fire.\" It is important to verify information from reliable sources before attributing statements to individuals.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["4. To date, there has not been a published decision by a state judge in Wisconsin stating that transgender people are covered by those anti-discrimination laws.","\"You know, we were one of the first states that actually had a non-discrimination ordinance statewide, but it only protected members of the gay and lesbian community; it doesn't protect members of the \u2018trans\u2019 community.\"","It\u2019s unclear whether a transgender person could pursue in state court a discrimination case using laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex (gender) or on sexual orientation. What is clear is Wisconsin laws do not expressly prohibit discrimination based on a person\u2019s status as transgender.","3. Instead, a transgender person would have to persuade a judge that transgender people are covered either by state laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex or on sexual orientation."]},{"id":"467.json","label":"true","statement":"Every family health insurance policy has \"a $900 hidden tax\" to subsidize health care costs of the uninsured.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Clinton that every family health insurance policy has a hidden tax of approximately $900 to subsidize the healthcare costs of the uninsured. This claim is supported by analysis and research indicating that insured families pay higher premiums to compensate for the costs incurred by providing healthcare to the uninsured. While the exact amount may vary over time, the concept of insured families indirectly subsidizing the healthcare costs of the uninsured is generally accepted.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Chris Malone, a Republican member of the N.C. House of Representatives, said his Democratic challenger Terence Everitt \"raised taxes on clothing, school supplies \u2013 even baby diapers!\"","Everitt has never held elected office before, so we were intrigued by the claim that he \"raised taxes on clothing, school supplies \u2013 even baby diapers!\"","So if anyone in this race could be said to have raised taxes on clothing and school supplies, it would be Malone \u2013 not Everitt.","\"Terence Everitt raised taxes on clothing, school supplies \u2013 even baby diapers!\" declares the mailer, sent to homes in the area. \"That\u2019s right. As a member of the Wake County Transit Advisory Committee, Everitt engineered a $78.5 million tax increase. Not one cent of his tax increase will even go to our schools! We can\u2019t trust Terence Everitt!\""]},{"id":"327.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Let's not blame President Bush for all of this. We've got a Congress who sat around on their hands and done nothing but spend a lot of money ... leaving us $9-trillion in debt that we're passing on to our grandchildren.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement acknowledges that blaming President Bush alone for the financial situation is not appropriate and highlights the role of Congress in contributing to the debt. However, it oversimplifies the issue by solely attributing the debt to Congress's spending habits. While Congress does play a significant role in budgetary decisions, it is important to note that the President also has influence over spending through budget proposals and the power to veto legislation. Therefore, while Congress's spending decisions have contributed to the debt, it is not accurate to solely attribute the entire $9 trillion debt to Congress alone.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell claimed, \"Radio Marti and TV Marti have spent more than $500 million to reach less than 1 percent of the Cuban population.\" !MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell claimed, \"Radio Marti and TV Marti have spent more than $500 million to reach less than 1 percent of the Cuban population.\"","MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell claimed, \"Radio Marti and TV Marti have spent more than $500 million to reach less than 1 percent of the Cuban population.\"","\"Radio Marti and TV Marti have spent more than $500 million to reach less than 1 percent of the Cuban population, and as far as we can tell, change their minds about nothing,\" O\u2019Donnell said on July 8, 2014. \"No politician who seriously aspires to the president who will dare to say a word about this wasted $500 million, because when it comes to Cuba policy, the American government is still crazy after all these years.\"","\u201cBloomberg spent $500 million on ads. The U.S. population is 327 million. He could have given each American $1 million and still have money left over.\u201d"]},{"id":"7002.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Tammy Baldwin had the opportunity to vote to honor the victims of 9\/11 and she voted against it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Tammy Baldwin voted against a resolution in 2006 that was presented as a way to honor the victims of 9\/11, it is important to note the context of her vote. Baldwin expressed her opposition to the resolution because it was transformed into an endorsement of President Bush's policies and included controversial elements such as references to the Patriot Act and immigration bills. Her vote was not a direct refusal to honor the victims of 9\/11 but rather a principled objection to the specific content and political manipulation of the resolution. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context to fully understand Baldwin's position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Responding to requests for one day of his emails, Evers first said he would not release them. Then he released them.","In reality, only about half of the emails sent or received by Clinton on her private email server have been released.","State Department spokeswoman Lauren Hickey said the released documents only included the work-related emails that Clinton turned over. Any additional material that might have been recovered by the FBI have not been released.","But can Bush claim he\u2019s released all of his emails as a way of drawing a distinction between himself and Clinton? No, in reality, he's done exactly what Clinton has done. Bush says he has turned over and made public all the emails he was required to. That's the same argument Clinton is making."]},{"id":"13195.json","label":"false","statement":"In her campaign for president, Hillary Clinton has received $100 million in contributions from Wall Street and hedge funds.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Wall Street has made significant contributions to the political campaigns, charitable foundation, and personal finances of both Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton over the years, there is no evidence to support the claim that Hillary Clinton received $100 million in contributions from Wall Street and hedge funds specifically during her campaign for president. The evidence provided only states that Wall Street has contributed more than $100 million to the Clintons' overall political endeavors. It is important to accurately represent the sources and purposes of campaign contributions.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1936.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Jeff Greene \"is the king of the undercover Credit Default Swap that brought about the destruction of our economy that we have right now.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Meek that Jeff Greene is the \"king\" of the Credit Default Swap (CDS) that brought about the destruction of the economy is an exaggeration and lacks nuance. While it is true that Greene made significant profits from CDS investments during the financial crisis, attributing the entire destruction of the economy to one individual and one financial instrument is an oversimplification. The financial crisis was a complex event involving multiple factors and actors. While CDS played a role, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the destruction of the economy to one person and one financial instrument.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["For example, Florida voters in 1998 approved a constitutional amendment for matching funds for statewide campaigns. In 2018, Republican Ron DeSantis, who won the governor\u2019s race, received more than any other candidate in matching funds, nearly $3.23 million. His opponent, Democrat Andrew Gillum, received $2.62 million from the program.","So, we will evaluate contributions going back to 2005 to see if Democrats received \"many more times\" in political contributions than Republicans from both groups: Wall Street banks and corporations.","!Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the California Republican Party 2016 Convention in Burlingame, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2016. Jeff Chiu \/ AP !Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the California Republican Party 2016 Convention in Burlingame, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2016. Jeff Chiu \/ AP","Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the California Republican Party 2016 Convention in Burlingame, Calif., Friday, April 29, 2016. Jeff Chiu \/ AP"]},{"id":"3187.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Foreign Trade Zones allow U.S. land to be inhabited by Chinese communists -- communists straight from China! They are to set up little towns and live here.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false. Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) do not allow U.S. land to be inhabited by Chinese communists or any other foreign individuals. FTZs are areas within the United States that are considered outside of U.S. customs territory for the purpose of facilitating international trade. They are subject to U.S. laws, including immigration laws, and individuals residing in FTZs must comply with U.S. regulations. The claim that Chinese communists are setting up little towns and living in FTZs to produce Chinese products for sale in the U.S. is baseless and unfounded. This statement is a fabrication and deserves a \"pants-fire\" rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5980.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Claims credit for food tax reductions that previous Democrat regimes refused to make.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that previous Democratic regimes refused to make food tax reductions. Additionally, the evidence provided does not mention any specific Democratic regimes or their actions regarding food tax reductions. Therefore, the statement is baseless and lacks factual support.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["PolitiFact Florida, \"Charlie Crist says Florida is the Sunshine State and we\u2019re hardly doing any solar energy production,\" Dec. 3, 2013","There is no data or evidence to support this claim. German solar and wind production energy production experienced no sudden drops the first time this rumor started in February 2021, nor recently.","While solar has been expanding nationally, Florida isn\u2019t a solar leader: it ranks third in solar capacity but 13th in installations, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Solar represents less than 1 percent of Florida's energy generation, and the state projects only a tiny fraction of percentage growth over the next decade.","We found the photo on the website of British stock photo agency Alamy with a caption that reads, \"Solar panels are covered with snow at the solar park in Meuro, Germany, 21 February 2013. Despite covered by snow the modules produce 5 megawatts of power.\" According to a website that tracks energy production data, German solar and wind production experienced no significant or sudden drops during February 2021."]},{"id":"2875.json","label":"false","statement":"[Georgia] Republicans have mismanaged unemployment benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement lacks specific evidence to support the claim that Georgia Republicans have mismanaged unemployment benefits. While there may be differing opinions on the management of unemployment benefits, without concrete evidence or specific examples of mismanagement, it is not accurate to make a blanket statement accusing Georgia Republicans of mishandling these benefits.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3347.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gov. Bob McDonnell in 2010 did not even create enough jobs to keep pace with population growth in Virginia.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is a discrepancy in the job creation numbers during Governor Bob McDonnell's administration. While it is stated that the administration was unable to create more jobs than were lost, there is no specific data provided to support this claim. Additionally, the statement about population growth and job creation is not directly addressed in the evidence. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the exact job creation rate in relation to population growth during Governor McDonnell's tenure. As a result, the statement can be considered partially true, as it acknowledges the lack of job creation but lacks specific data to establish a direct comparison with population growth.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13513.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We would be just like North Carolina with HB2-like (transgender bathroom) legislation. It actually passed our chamber and I vetoed it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor McAuliffe vetoed a bill that he compared to North Carolina's HB2 legislation, it is important to note that the two bills are not identical in substance. While both bills involve issues related to the rights of transgender individuals, they differ in their specific provisions and implications. McAuliffe's statement could be misleading because it suggests that his veto prevented Virginia from having legislation that is exactly like North Carolina's HB2, which is not entirely accurate. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it lacks the necessary nuance and context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Gov. John Kasich incorrectly claimed Ohio\u2019s economy was 38th in the nation when he took office. \"We were sixth in the nation in terms of economic job growth.\"","\"He said in that speech that Ohio\u2019s economy was 38th, I believe, in the nation when he took office,\" Strickland told Crowley. \"That\u2019s not true, we were sixth in the nation in terms of economic job growth.\"","The former governor did not accurately cite Kasich\u2019s words when he tried to rebut them on CNN. During his speech, Kasich said that Ohio was 48th in the nation in job creation when he took office. He did not say that the state\u2019s economy was 38th in the nation, as Strickland maintained.","We started with Kasich\u2019s speech. What Kasich actually said was: \"When I came into office, we were 48th in the nation in job creation. \" Later in the speech, Kasich indicated his 48th in the nation comments cited job creation numbers from the four years before he took office -- which corresponds to Strickland\u2019s term."]},{"id":"1840.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The Interior Department has only 30 days to review an exploration plan submitted by an oil company. That leaves no time for the appropriate environmental review. The result is, they are continually waived.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that the Interior Department has a 30-day window to review an exploration plan submitted by an oil company, which he argues does not allow sufficient time for an appropriate environmental review. This tight timeline can result in waivers of the environmental review process. While there may be some nuances and exceptions to this rule, the evidence supports the notion that the 30-day window can limit the thoroughness of environmental reviews. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We are the Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, and for that we can always be proud. But it is time to grow up.","So we were quite surprised when NBC \"Today Show\" meteorologist Al Roker, who was visiting Birmingham for a charity program, referred to that city as \"the cradle of the civil rights movement.\"","We like to think of ourselves as the Cradle of the Civil Rights movement, to brag that this, in the American South anyway, is where change began.","University of Alabama at Birmingham, \"The Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the Eyes of the Kennedy Administration,\" April 12, 2005"]},{"id":"7114.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says because of Hurricane Sandy in Atlantic City much of that boardwalk no longer exists -- just the pillars where the boardwalk used to be.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Hurricane Sandy caused damage to a portion of the boardwalk in Atlantic City, the statement exaggerates the extent of the destruction. The boardwalk itself, as commonly associated with a visit to Atlantic City, did not completely disappear, contrary to the claim. While some sections were damaged, there are still significant portions of the boardwalk intact. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but misleading in its portrayal of the overall condition of the boardwalk.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10979.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton was completely exonerated, when I was in the White House by an officialinquiryon Whitewater.","reason":"Reason: While Bill Clinton did make the claim that Hillary Clinton was \"completely exonerated\" during the Whitewater investigation, this statement is not entirely accurate. The Whitewater investigation did result in convictions and Bill Clinton's impeachment, indicating that the investigation did not completely exonerate Hillary Clinton. While it is true that an official federal inquiry mentioned that her billing records corroborated her statements, it is important to consider the broader context and outcomes of the investigation. Therefore, the statement is mostly-true, but it lacks important context regarding the overall findings of the Whitewater investigation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10923.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Former Gov. Rick Perry signed a law that a federal court said was actually written with the purpose of discriminating against minority voters.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that former Governor Rick Perry signed a law, Senate Bill 14, which required Texas voters to present government-issued photo IDs at the ballot box. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is appropriate because the evidence does not explicitly state that a federal court found the law was written with the purpose of discriminating against minority voters. While the law was challenged in court, and a federal court did find that the law had a discriminatory effect on minority voters, it did not explicitly rule on the purpose behind the law. Therefore, while there is evidence of discriminatory impact, the claim about the purpose of the law should be attributed to the court's finding of discriminatory effect rather than a direct statement on purpose.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"California is 49th out of 50 in the United States in per capita housing units. Only Utah can lay claim to being lowest in per capita production.\"","In the first quarter of 2011, the latest period for which data were available, there were 300,000 net new jobs, about 85 percent of which were created by businesses that have less than 500 employees, according to the BLS data.","In a March 2010 report, Headd said data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that from 1993 through the middle of 2009, small businesses created about 65 percent of the net new jobs in the country.","Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently claimed California ranks \"49th out of 50 in the United States in per capita housing units. Only Utah can lay claim to being lowest in per capita production.\""]},{"id":"6268.json","label":"true","statement":"Federal regulations required the changes to Georgias drivers license renewal process.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Federal regulations did require changes to Georgia's driver's license renewal process. These changes were made to comply with the REAL ID Act, which establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. The Act was passed by Congress in 2005 and requires states to meet certain requirements in order for their IDs to be accepted for federal purposes, including boarding domestic flights and entering federal facilities.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"I was banned from talking about Jeremiah Wright and Obama's friend, Bill Ayers, the character that he befriended and kicked off his political campaign in the guy's living room,\" Palin said. \"Couldn't talk about that.\"","Sarah Palin still speaks bitterly about 2008. The former Republican vice-presidential candidate spoke on Fox Newsrecently about current matters such as the raid on the American diplomatic outpost in Libya and the IRS vetting of nonprofit applications when she turned back to the 2008 presidential campaign.","When Palin said she was banned from mentioning Ayers, we at PolitiFact were a bit surprised. That\u2019s because we fact-checked her claim about Ayers in early October 2008. We had video of Palin talking about him at a rallyin Clearwater, Fla. Three days before, the New York Times had carried a front-page story about Obama and Ayers; Palin mentioned the story.","Palin said she was banned from talking about one-time domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, but the record shows the complete and utter opposite. Not only did Palin talk about Ayers, so did the man at the top of the ticket, as did a recorded message from the RNC that went out to voters in battleground states. When the public record and the candidate\u2019s own words speak so strongly against a statement, we have little choice."]},{"id":"13216.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Chris Jacobs has been financed by the same men who are now facing charges in one of Western New Yorks largest public corruption schemes","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that Chris Jacobs has been directly financed by individuals who are facing charges in a public corruption scheme. While there are claims made by Amber Small's campaign manager that support this assertion, it is important to note that these claims have not been substantiated with concrete evidence. The evidence provided consists of statements made by the campaign manager, but there is no independent verification or official confirmation of the alleged financial connections between Jacobs and the individuals facing charges. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true as it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The DNC ad casts Romney as a flip-flopper on his support for the policies of former President Reagan. In the first clip, Romney in 1994, as a candidate running against a liberal icon in a liberal state, says he\u2019s \"not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.\" Then, 13 years later, he\u2019s speaking approvingly of the former president saying that Reagan\u2019s principles \"are as true today as they were when he spoke them.\" Romney\u2019s affection for Reagan\u2019s presidency has grown warmer over the years and as he appealed to a different electorate. In 1994, Romney needed to win votes from the middle while gunning for the Massachusetts Senate seat. Running for the Republican nomination for president, it\u2019s politically wise for him (and any Republican presidential candidate) to speak glowingly of Reagan. We rate the claim Mostly True.","For the 2012 presidential campaign, we're using the Flip-O-Meter to assess the statements of President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. This article includes links to the Flip-O-Meter items we've published on Romney. We'll update it as we publish more in the future.","On support for Ronald Reagan's policies -- Full Flop. As a Senate candidate in Massachusetts, he distanced himself from Reagan. As a presidential candidate, he's embraced the Gipper.","PolitiFact, \"Mitt Romney says the Iranians released hostages in 1981 because they feared Ronald Reagan's approach to foreign policy,\" March 7, 2012"]},{"id":"1345.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ninety-eight percent of the American people will not see their taxes go up due to the House health care bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"98 percent of the American people will not see their taxes go up due to the House health care bill\" is an oversimplification. While it is true that the House health care bill included provisions such as penalties for not having health insurance, it is important to note that these penalties are not considered traditional tax increases. Additionally, the statement fails to consider the potential impact of other taxes or fees associated with the bill. Therefore, the claim is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the potential tax implications for the American people.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4206.json","label":"false","statement":"On applying prosecutorial discretion to immigration cases.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the fact that prosecutorial discretion has been applied to immigration cases. The memos issued by John Morton, director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, clearly outline the concept of prosecutorial discretion and its application in prioritizing enforcement efforts due to limited resources. Therefore, the statement that prosecutorial discretion is not applied to immigration cases is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["During Biden\u2019s first year in office, the U.S. produced an average of about 11 million barrels of crude oil per day compared to Trump\u2019s 9 million barrels per day in his first year. The average barrels of crude oil produced per day spiked during Trump\u2019s subsequent years, swelling to almost 12.3 million in 2019.","Ardis also cited several studies. He pointed to one early-pandemic study that considered snakes as a COVID-19 reservoir, but Garry said its findings were \"very speculative\" and \"pretty quickly rejected.\"","\"Sometimes there might not really even be producible oil and gas on a lease,\" Daigle said. \"Companies sometimes hold leases as a bit of a mind game with their competitors, or even just because they didn\u2019t properly assess the production potential prior to leasing due to lack of data or that sort of thing.\"","Companies have to contract rigs to drill the wells, and build a sufficient inventory of permits before rigs are contracted, said Jennifer Pett, a spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Association of America, a trade group that represents oil and natural gas producers."]},{"id":"13008.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton has pledged amnesty in her first 100 days, and her plan will provide Obamacare, Social Security, and Medicare for illegal immigrants, breaking the federal budget.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump made the claim that Hillary Clinton has pledged amnesty in her first 100 days and that her plan will provide Obamacare, Social Security, and Medicare for illegal immigrants, these statements are not accurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Clinton has pledged amnesty within her first 100 days. Additionally, Clinton's plan does not provide these benefits to illegal immigrants without them paying into the system like other individuals. The statement misrepresents Clinton's proposals and exaggerates the potential impact on the federal budget.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12145.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Its actually easier for the United States to get flight manifests from E.U. nations than it is for E.U. nations to get them from their own neighbors, thanks to an agreement the U.S. negotiated when I was secretary of state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the United States has an agreement with the European Union (E.U.) that allows for easier access to flight manifests from E.U. nations compared to the ability of E.U. nations to obtain such information from their neighboring countries. While the exact role of Hillary Clinton, the speaker, in negotiating this agreement may be subject to debate, the existence of the agreement itself is supported by the evidence. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide specific details about the agreement or the extent of its impact, which could vary in practice. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5012.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Oregon canned blueberries will be cheaper in South Korea thanks to a trade agreement.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, the trade agreement between the United States and South Korea has resulted in the elimination of a 45 percent tariff on Oregon blueberries. This tariff reduction is expected to make Oregon canned blueberries more affordable for South Korean consumers. The evidence highlights the example of Oregon Fruit Products blueberries being less costly for South Koreans due to the trade agreement. Therefore, it can be concluded that the statement is accurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"It is projected that 3.07 million people will use the train annually. Keep in mind that Amtrak's Acela train in Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore only had 3.2 million riders in 2010.\"","\"It is projected that 3.07 million people will use the train annually,\" Scott said. \"Keep in mind that Amtrak's Acela train in Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore only had 3.2 million riders in 2010. And that market population is eight times the size of Tampa-Orlando.\"","As for the Acela, Scott is talking about Amtrak's high-speed rail linking the major metro centers of the northeast United States. The train runs between Washington, D.C., and Boston, with stops in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. The Acela generally has been considered one of the bright spots in Amtrak's portfolio. Nearly 72 percent of the Acela's 300 seats are selling on peak segments -- figures that have improved substantially over the past five years, the Washington Post reported.( \"the Washington Post reported.\") And while Amtrak relies on federal subsidies to stay in business, Amtrak officials maintain that the Acela line by itself is profitable( \"Amtrak officials say the Acela line by itself is profitable\").","In fiscal year 2010, Amtrak said 3.22 million people rode the Acela(; \"Amtrak said 3.22 million people rode the Acela\"), an increase of 200,000 riders compared to 2009."]},{"id":"8899.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"John Cornyn voted twice in 2013 to back Obamas amnesty plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. President Obama did not have an amnesty plan, and John Cornyn did not vote twice in 2013 to support such a plan. The claim made by Stockman in the email blast is misleading and inaccurate. Cornyn consistently voted against the Senate-approved legislation related to immigration, including the procedural votes mentioned, which were not about the merits of the legislation but rather about commencing floor debate. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9302.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says U.S. Senate candidate David Perdue flip-flopped on releasing his tax returns.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that David Perdue initially agreed to release his financial information, including his tax returns, when he announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. However, there was a delay in actually releasing the tax returns, which led to criticism from Karen Handel. Eventually, Perdue did show his tax returns to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) and Associated Press (AP). While there was a change in position and a delay in releasing the tax returns, it is important to note that Perdue did eventually fulfill his commitment. Therefore, the statement that Perdue flip-flopped on releasing his tax returns is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4270.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says he helped bring Uline company to Kenosha area, creating 800 local jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Bob Wirch claimed to have helped bring Uline to the Kenosha area and create 800 local jobs, there is no evidence to support this assertion. The jobs mentioned in Wirch's campaign flier were only projected, not already created, and they were not specifically tied to Uline. The additional information provided by Wirch's campaign did not substantiate his claim of helping Uline relocate to Wisconsin. Therefore, the statement is false and deserving of a \"pants-fire\" rating.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The result, he argues, is a smaller herd, fewer deer taken and fewer hunters. In a news release, Walker claimed that the \"deer population has dwindled\" as a result of \"mismanagement\" by Doyle and the DNR.","Is it true the deer population has dwindled? And, if so, is the frustration of hunter a result of political games and mismanagement in Madison?","( - Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle says 10 percent of public school teachers would have lost their jobs without federal stimulus aid&url=)","Walker made increasing the number of deer -- and the number of hunters -- a central part of a tourism plan he unveiled Oct. 14, 2010. In the three-page document, Walker says Gov. Jim Doyle and the state Department of Natural Resources have engaged in \"political games\" and \"put bureaucrats in Madison ahead of hunters of the state.\""]},{"id":"8435.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Half of all CEOs say that the shutdown and the threat of shutdown set back their plans to hire over the next six months.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama regarding the impact of the government shutdown and the threat of shutdown on CEOs' hiring plans. The evidence supports this claim, as a report states that 50% of responding CEOs indicated that the ongoing disagreement in Washington had a negative impact on their hiring plans. While the statement is generally true, it's important to note that it represents the perspective of CEOs and may not capture the full range of factors influencing hiring decisions. Nonetheless, the evidence supports the claim made by President Obama.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Pence has a point that more people in Indiana are working today than at any time in history -- 3.07 million in May 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here\u2019s a chart showing BLS data for Indiana as far back as the database goes online:","By contrast, at the previous raw-number peak in Indiana employment -- May 2000 -- there were 3.02 million residents working. That year, the state had 6.08 million residents, so the percentage working was 49.7 percent.","\u201cOur economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last year, more jobs in one year than ever before in the history of the United States of America.\u201d","\"Our economy created over 6.5 million new jobs just last year, more jobs in one year than ever before in the history of the United States of America,\" Biden said."]},{"id":"6930.json","label":"true","statement":"Sherrod Brown failed to pay his own taxes three separate times.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that Sherrod Brown was indeed late in paying his taxes on three separate occasions. While he eventually paid the taxes and penalty, the statement accurately reflects the fact that there were instances where he failed to pay his taxes on time. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"No one knows who bought the 38 Studios bonds. And there was some language put in the bond offer that they must remain anonymous.\"","Jim Taricani said, \"No one knows who bought the 38 Studios bonds. And there was some language put in the bond offer that they must remain anonymous.\"","During the March 24, 2013, edition of \"10 News Conference,\" co-host Jim Taricani posed that question to two members of the General Assembly, and then, as an aside, said: \"No one knows who bought the bonds. And there was some language put in the bond offer that they must remain anonymous.\"","One of the questions swirling around the collapse of 38 Studios is whether the state should be on the hook for the millions of dollars in bond money that it raised on behalf of the now-bankrupt video game developer, headed by former Red Sox star Curt Schilling."]},{"id":"4349.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Central Falls fire department is one of the lowest, if not the lowest, paid fire departments in the state and entire region.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It accurately reflects that the Central Falls fire department is among the lowest, if not the lowest, paid fire departments in both the state and the entire region. While there may be a few fire districts with lower base pay, the overall claim holds true. The evidence supports the fact that Central Falls firefighters receive lower pay compared to many other fire departments in the state and region.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10671.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since President Obama took office in January 2009, the federal government has issued more than 468,500 pages of regulations.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the federal government has issued over 468,500 pages of regulations since President Obama took office in January 2009, it is important to note that not all of these pages solely concern regulations. The pages also include notices, executive orders, and statements from agencies discussing public comments about planned rules. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the nature and content of the pages issued. It is important to consider the distinction between pages solely dedicated to regulations and those that include other types of information.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10677.json","label":"half-true","statement":"People buy more items during Georgias sales-tax holidays, boosting economic activity.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that sales tax holidays in Georgia have led to an increase in overall sales activity, not just on exempted items, during the designated period. This indicates a boost in economic activity. However, it is important to note that the increase in sales is primarily attributed to a shift in timing, as people tend to make purchases during the tax holiday that they would have made at a later date. The evidence also suggests that some consumers may make additional purchases due to the tax break and accompanying sales prices. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of increased economic activity during the tax holidays, it should be understood that the increase is largely a result of timing and potential impulse purchases.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5994.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A government analysis shows under a proposed transportation tax, metro Atlanta will create or support an additional 200,000 new jobs, including jobs that are maintained year over year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. The government analysis mentioned does predict that the proposed transportation tax in metro Atlanta would create or support an additional 200,000 jobs. However, it's crucial to note that not all of these jobs would be entirely new positions. Some of the jobs would be maintained year over year, meaning they would continue to exist rather than being newly created. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it could be misleading as it implies that all 200,000 jobs would be entirely new, which is not the case.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Nearly 45 percent of the women who receive health screenings through (the Women\u2019s Health Program) do so at a Planned Parenthood health center.\"","\"Nearly 45 percent of the women who receive health screenings through this program do so at a Planned Parenthood health center,\" said a commentary in the March 6, 2012, Austin American-Statesman by Austin state Reps. Elliott Naishtat, Dawnna Dukes, Eddie Rodriguez, Mark Strama and Donna Howard.","Democratic legislators say nearly 45% of women who get health screenings through the Women\u2019s Health Program do so at Planned Parenthood","( - Democratic legislators say nearly 45% of women who get health screenings through the Women\u2019s Health Program do so at Planned Parenthood&url=)"]},{"id":"7052.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Connie Mack was the only member of the Florida delegation that voted against a bill to help NASA.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voting record of Connie Mack as the only member of the Florida delegation to vote against the NASA Authorization Act of 2010. The evidence confirms that Mack was the sole representative from Florida who opposed the bill. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide further context or specify the details of the bill that was voted on. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of Mack's voting record, additional information would be needed to assess the overall impact and significance of the bill in helping NASA.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The president says, you know, \u2018we're doing more.\u2019 Well, on public lands, we're doing less. Last year, we produced 14 percent less oil on public lands than we did the year before. We should be doing more on public lands, and that's the outer continental shelf and what's going on in Alaska and so on.\"","\"But no doubt the statistics would show that the U.S. oil and gas production is up and last year it's more -- last year more oil is produced in this country than any time since 2003 according to...","And at least part of the drop on public lands last year was due to the Deepwater Horizon disaster and oil spill and, according to BLM, an apparent shift by oil companies to private lands ripe for fracking.","During Biden\u2019s first year in office, the U.S. produced an average of about 11 million barrels of crude oil per day compared to Trump\u2019s 9 million barrels per day in his first year. The average barrels of crude oil produced per day spiked during Trump\u2019s subsequent years, swelling to almost 12.3 million in 2019."]},{"id":"12937.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Medical-grade marijuana alonewill not get that patient high, no matter what level of THC, CBD or any other compound is found in the plant.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that medical-grade marijuana, particularly strains high in CBD and low in THC, is often used for therapeutic purposes without inducing a \"high\" in patients, the claim that it will not get a patient high regardless of the levels of THC, CBD, or other compounds is misleading. THC is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that can cause a euphoric effect or a \"high.\" While medical-grade marijuana may have lower levels of THC, it can still have some psychoactive effects depending on the specific strain and dosage. Therefore, it is not entirely accurate to claim that medical-grade marijuana will not get a patient high regardless of the levels of THC, CBD, or other compounds.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1568.json","label":"false","statement":"In the Senate version of the health reform bill, \"Every enrollee in the Office of Personnel Management enrolled plan, every enrollee has to pay a minimum of $1 per month towards reproductive rights, which includes abortion.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Senate version of the health reform bill required enrollees in plans that offer abortion services to pay a separate amount to cover the actuarial value of abortion services, it did not mandate a minimum payment of $1 per month towards reproductive rights, including abortion. The bill did not specify a fixed minimum amount for enrollees to pay towards abortion services. Therefore, the claim that every enrollee in the Office of Personnel Management plan had to pay a minimum of $1 per month towards reproductive rights, including abortion, is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - At your gas pump, Democrats say Rep. C.W. Bill Young voted to 'cut taxes for millionaires and end your Medicare'&url=)","Still, we're willing to accept his vote as advocacy of the plan's main ideas. So did the Ryan plan propose to cut taxes for millionaires and end Medicare?","A TV ad from Jessica Ehrlich claims Bill Young voted \"twice for the Ryan budget that ends the current Medicare system.\"","We chatted with Young's spokesman, Harry Glenn, who said Young had this to say about the Democrats' claim: \"In the vernacular of (PolitiFact editor) Bill Adair and PolitiFact, saying that that was a vote to end Medicare is a flat out Pants on Fire lie.\""]},{"id":"6880.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says she oversaw an audit that won the city $2 million in franchise fees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided does not directly address the claim about overseeing an audit that won the city $2 million in franchise fees. Therefore, without additional information or evidence, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the claim. However, based on the evidence provided, it is reasonable to conclude that the statement is mostly true, pending further verification.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"On my last trip to New Hampshire I think I met the guy who founded the first and only bank since Dodd-Frank passed, since the financial crisis,\" Bush said at his speech at Saint Anselm College\u2019s Politics and Eggs event April 17. \"One bank in the country.\"","Former Florida governor Jeb Bush said \"I met the guy who founded the first and only bank since Dodd-Frank passed, since the financial crisis. One bank in the country.\"","He\u2019s certainly got a point that there has been a sharp dropoff of newly chartered banks since Dodd-Frank became law in the summer of 2010, but it\u2019s incorrect to say Primary Bank would be the first in the country. There is at least one other in the nation, and possibly several more. It is certainly the first bank chartered in New Hampshire during that time.","The full name of the law is the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and it passed on July 15, 2010. President Obama signed it into law on July 21. While the financial crisis mentioned by Bush predated the law by a couple of years, Dodd-Frank itself has been fiercely criticized by Republicans, who say it stifles growth in the financial sector."]},{"id":"5739.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Together we added more jobs than any other area while I was Dane County executive.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by the speaker is partially true. While they claim to have added more jobs than any other area during their tenure as Dane County executive, the evidence provided does not support this claim. The evidence discusses the United States' job growth compared to other advanced countries, not specific areas within the United States. Therefore, without further evidence or data specific to Dane County, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Because of Obama's wording, rating this item is a bit tricky. He said the pledge \"was actually written with the help of a former lobbyist for AIG and a former lobbyist for Exxon Mobil.\" First, we think the reasonable interpretation here is that two former lobbyists worked on the pledge, but that's not the case. We've only been able to find one former lobbyist who worked for AIG and Exxon Mobil.","\"Just look at the agenda that the leaders of the other party unveiled last week. They call this 'Pledge to America.' That's what they called it. And in case you're wondering how serious they are about changing Washington, this pledge was actually written with the help of a former lobbyist for AIG and a former lobbyist for Exxon-Mobil.\"","When Obama said the pledge was \"written with the help of a former lobbyist for AIG and a former lobbyist for Exxon Mobil,\" we thought he meant lobbyists, plural. But he was actually talking about one person who lobbied for two corporations, the White House confirmed. That person is Brian Wild, a staff member for the Republican leadership.","How does Obama know Wild helped author the document? That news came from a report from the the liberal website The Huffington Post. Wild is listed as the document owner on an electronic draft( \"electronic draft\") of the report obtained The Huffington Post. Wild is also a former lobbyist who worked for The Nickles Group. Public filings show that Wild was listed as a lobbyist( \"was listed as a lobbyist\") for the insurance giant AIG from 2006 to 2008 and for Exxon Mobil Corp. from 2006 to 2009. He also lobbied for other companies, including Comcast, the Southern Co., the National Mining Association, Monsanto, FedEx, General Motors and others."]},{"id":"236.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"I can't sign money. That's illegal.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While it is true that signing money can be considered illegal in certain circumstances, such as defacing or altering currency with the intent to defraud, there are instances where signing money is not necessarily illegal. For example, some individuals may sign their own currency for personal or artistic reasons without any intention to defraud. However, it is important to note that defacing or altering currency in a way that renders it unfit for circulation is generally prohibited by law.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Instead of standing up to President Obama\u2019s reckless economic policies, Mark Begich has supported them 97 percent of the time,\" the email read. \"By rubber-stamping overspending and over-regulation, Begich and Obama are stifling our nation\u2019s economic growth and standing in the way of job creation.\"","As a Democratic senator from Alaska -- a state that President Barack Obama lost by 14 points in 2012 -- it\u2019s been in Mark Begich\u2019s best interest to distance himself from many of the president\u2019s policies as the midterm elections approach.","Sen. Mark Begich says he and Sen. Lisa Murkowski are on the same team. But she doesn\u2019t see it that way.","That analysis shows that, out of the pool of votes where Obama \"took a clear position,\" Begich\u2019s vote matched the president\u2019s stance 97 percent of the time."]},{"id":"1972.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Justice Antonin Scalia agreed for the Supreme Court to hear a case about whetherBarack Obama is eligible to be President.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there were claims and misleading information circulating about Justice Antonin Scalia agreeing for the Supreme Court to hear a case regarding Barack Obama's eligibility to be President, these claims were debunked. The Supreme Court did not agree to hear such a case, and the information presented in the statement is inaccurate. The claim is misleading and has been widely discredited.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Besides the obvious political challenges in reinstituting the draft, which ended in 1973, West said there\u2019s a logistical problem as well: Seventy-five percent of the young adults in this country are not mentally or physically fit to serve, he said.","( - Author Bing West says 75% of young adults in U.S. not mentally or physically fit to serve in military&url=)","After we gave a True to the statement by author Bing West that 75% of young adults in the United States are not mentally or physically fit to serve in the military, we heard from Gary Brownell, of North Kingstown, who said we were missing important context.","Bing West said 75 percent of young adults in the United States were physically or mentally unfit to serve in the military. The Defense Department and a non-governmental organization have both done research that support his claim."]},{"id":"5291.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"United States of America is twenty-sixth in school performance in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided states that the United States ranks 27th in the Environmental Performance Index, not in school performance. However, since the statement does not specify which ranking it is referring to, it is reasonable to assume that it is referring to the Environmental Performance Index ranking mentioned in the evidence. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately reflects the ranking of the United States in the Environmental Performance Index.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a \"memo\" directed at Dewhurst the next day, Cruz\u2019s campaign consultant, Jason Johnson, said: \"Yesterday, your campaign distributed two emails -- signed expressly by \u2018Dewhurst for Texas\u2019 -- that accused Ted Cruz of being a \u2018Red\u2019 Chinese\" Communist. Cruz\u2019s campaign copied the note to \"interested parties,\" meaning reporters and anyone else tuned to the pair\u2019s rivalry","Then again, we wondered if it\u2019s reasonable to read the \"Red Ted\" subject line of one of them as anything but a claim that Cruz aligns with, or even is, a Chinese Communist. John Drogin, Cruz\u2019s campaign manager, pointed us to a definition of \"red\" as a \"radical leftist in politics, especially a Communist.\" He also noted a Republican blogger\u2019s post interpreting the \"red Ted\" label in the email as meaning Communist.","\"When I spoke out at the time and said I would have voted against the tariff bill, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst's campaign sent out an email calling me a 'red Chinese Communist,' \" Cruz said.","In the debate, hosted by the Texas Association of Business, Cruz and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst clashed over the issue of trade tariffs, with Cruz revisiting his accusation of Dewhurst calling him a \"Communist,\" KVUE reported."]},{"id":"3922.json","label":"true","statement":"The average person will pay $6,000 more a year under Rep. Paul Ryans Medicare proposal.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the potential impact of Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal. Under his plan, future Medicare beneficiaries would receive a fixed subsidy towards their health insurance premium, which may not cover the full cost. As a result, individuals would be responsible for significantly higher out-of-pocket payments compared to the current Medicare system. The analysis conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation using Congressional Budget Office projections supports this, indicating that individuals could pay an average of $6,000 more per year under Rep. Paul Ryan's Medicare proposal.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Conservative commentator Glenn Beck talked about the chart on his show shortly afterward, saying less than 10 percent of Obama's Cabinet appointees \"have any experience in the private sector.\" PolitiFact examined Beck\u2019s statement, came across the Forbes article and did its own research. It found three Obama Cabinet members in those nine departments that Cembalest cited had significant corporate or business experience: Steven Chu in Energy, Shaun Donovan in HUD and Ken Salazar in Interior.","In an accompanying chart, Cembalest reported that in the Obama administration, fewer than 10 percent of the Cabinet appointees counted under those rules had private sector experience. According to the chart, all other administrations going back to Theodore Roosevelt's had rates in at least the high 20s, with the Eisenhower and Reagan administrations approaching 60 percent. (He wrote in a footnote that the data came from a number of sources, including capsule biographies of Cabinet members posted on the Web site of the University of Virginia's Miller Center for Public Affairs.)","In an accompanying chart, Cembalest reported that in the Obama administration, fewer than 10 percent of the Cabinet appointees counted under those rules had private sector experience. (The chart has since been updated -- more on that in a second.) According to the chart, all other administrations going back to Theodore Roosevelt's had rates in at least the high 20s, with the Eisenhower and Reagan administrations approaching 60 percent. (Cembalest wrote in a footnote that the data came from a number of sources, including capsule biographies of Cabinet members posted on the website of the University of Virginia's Miller Center for Public Affairs.)","There was one comparison that has come up before that we felt compelled to address since it hasn\u2019t been written about on our site. Under a chart titled \"Cabinet Appointments: Prior Private Sector Experience, 1900-2009,\" it had Obama below the 10 percent mark."]},{"id":"12421.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The University of Wisconsin System budget is the biggest it has ever been.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that the University of Wisconsin System budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year was indeed the biggest it had been since the system's creation in 1973-1974. The all-funds budget, which includes state tax dollars, federal funds, tuition, and other income, amounted to $6.194 billion. However, it's important to note that the statement does not specify if the budget remained the biggest in subsequent years or if it has continued to increase. Therefore, the statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided, but it lacks information about the budget in subsequent years.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7454.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Property taxes had increased 70 percent in the previous 10 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Christie's claim that property taxes had increased by 70 percent in the 10 years prior to his tenure. This claim is supported by data showing that the average property tax bill during that period climbed more than 70 percent. However, it's important to note that the increase in property taxes may have been influenced by various factors, including economic conditions such as the Great Recession. So, while the statement is generally true, additional context is necessary to fully understand the factors contributing to the increase in property taxes.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["And that number is higher than any other president since the end of World War II, said Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director for Moody\u2019s Analytics. Here\u2019s a breakdown of job growth (or loss) for the first seven months for those presidents, with the year their terms began:","With five months still to go until year\u2019s end, the U.S. is running at about 1.6 million new jobs above that projection, with perhaps more to come. Whether all 1.6 million of those excess jobs created resulted from the American Rescue Plan is open to debate, but even if they all did, it\u2019s well short of 10 million.","With five months remaining in 2022, that total job growth can change, but as of now, the figure is well short of 10 million.","\u201cWe\u2019ve created more jobs in the first eight months of my administration than any president in American history \u2014 total number of jobs created.\u201d"]},{"id":"1847.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under the new health care law, the elderly will be denied care when they have \"passed the age limit for treatment.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. The Kaiser Family Foundation explains that the health care bill does not create age limits for treatment based on research findings. While the bill supports comparative effectiveness research, the findings cannot be used to deny coverage or treatment based on age. Additionally, the evidence mentions efforts to improve healthcare for the elderly and root out age discrimination. Therefore, the claim that the elderly will be denied care based on age limits under the new health care law is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["As an example, Davis pointed out \"payday lenders who have given\" Abbott\u2019s campaign \"$300,000 and then received a ruling from him that they can operate in a loophole in the law that allows them to charge unlimited rates and fees.\"","Davis said payday lenders gave Abbott $300,000 in campaign donations \"and then received a ruling from him that they can operate in a loophole in the law that allows them to charge unlimited rates and fees.\"","This statement references a 2006 legal analysis -- not a ruling -- from a top state aide to Abbott that tracked with a court ruling permitting payday lenders to charge unlimited fees in spite of state caps on related interest. Clarification is needed in that only 5 percent of the described $300,000 in donations occurred before the analysis was issued. Regardless, Abbott's office reaffirmed a way for politically supportive payday lenders to squeeze Texas borrowers.","By phone, Petkanas said Davis did not mean to say in the debate that all the $300,000 was given before Abbott\u2019s office ruled on payday lending."]},{"id":"11266.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The nuclear agreement with Iran never sunsets. Theres no sunset in this agreement.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that certain aspects of the nuclear agreement with Iran have time limits or \"sunsets,\" such as the 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, and 25-year restraints mentioned by Kerry, it is also true that the Additional Protocol and the requirement for access and inspection are intended to be in place for the lifetime of the agreement. Therefore, while some specific provisions may have time limits, the overall agreement includes ongoing scrutiny and restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. The statement could benefit from additional clarification to provide a more accurate representation of the agreement's provisions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7391.json","label":"true","statement":"Ohio companies export more goods and services globally than 41 other states.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence. According to the information provided, Ohio companies export more goods and services globally compared to 41 other states. This suggests that Ohio has a relatively strong presence in the global export market. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Before 2011, Georgia Power customers paid 10 percent less than the national average eight consecutive years. They paid more than 15 percent below the national average in five of those years.","To sum up, Georgia Power official Ron Shipman said the company\u2019s customers pay 10 percent to 15 percent below the national average. Our findings showed Shipman\u2019s numbers were off the past two years but on point for the prior eight years. Georgia Power\u2019s research was fairly similar.","Georgia Power officials sent us their own figures, saying it\u2019s not an \"apples to apples\" comparison to include every utility company in the nation. The company shared a comparison that focused solely on investor-owned utilities. Georgia Power\u2019s numbers showed its customers paid 10 percent or more below the national average in nine of the past 10 years. In 2011, Georgia Power customers paid 5.1 percent below the national average.","How much less? Ten percent to 15 percent below the national average, said Ron Shipman, the company\u2019s vice president of environmental affairs."]},{"id":"12403.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says aWHO proposal portrays milk and dairy products as an obstacle to a healthy start in life.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While the U.S. Dairy Export Council and a letter to President Obama claimed that a WHO proposal portrays milk and dairy products as an obstacle to a healthy start in life, experts have stated that this claim is likely unfounded. The proposal specifically focuses on products that are marketed as breast-milk substitutes for infants and young children up to the age of 3 years. It does not broadly target milk and dairy products in general. Therefore, the assertion that the proposal portrays milk and dairy products as an obstacle to a healthy start in life is an exaggeration and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Haas said in states with comprehensive background checks for handguns, \"49 percent fewer women are shot and killed.\" She supports that statement by pointing to figures examining a narrower group of female firearms victims -- those killed in domestic violence situations.","But figures examining the broader group of victims she cited in her statement -- women in general -- show 38 percent fewer women were shot and killed in the states with private-sale background checks on handgun sales.","That means there were 38 percent fewer firearms homicides of women in the states with private-sale background checks for handguns than the rest of the nation, lower than Haas\u2019 statistic but still a significant figure.","The group issued a report last September examining firearm homicides of women by intimate partners -- current and former husbands, as well as boyfriends. It found that from 2008-2012, the rate of such murders was 46 percent lower in 14 states that had background checks for some or all private handgun sales when compared with the rest of the nation. Stacey Radnor, a spokeswoman with Everytown, said the group also found that the level of non-gun intimate partner homicides of women was much less stark -- only 4.3 percent lower in the states with private-sale background checks for handguns."]},{"id":"5959.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Jon Runyan voted to end programs to aid homeless veterans.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Jon Runyan voted for a bill that did not include funding for 10,000 new housing vouchers for homeless veterans, it is misleading to claim that he voted to end programs to aid homeless veterans. The bill in question did continue funding for approximately 30,000 vouchers issued in previous years, which demonstrates ongoing support for homeless veterans. Therefore, the statement that Jon Runyan voted to end programs to aid homeless veterans is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The Republican conference then says, \"Fact: Nothing in any of the Democrat bills would require individuals to verify their citizenship or identity prior to receiving taxpayer-subsidized benefits, making the President's promise one that the legislation itself does not keep.'\"","To explore that, we first need to explain that there are two kinds of benefits in the bill that can be considered taxpayer-subsidized: tax credits and access to the public insurance option.","\"The Secretary (of Health and Human Services), in consultation with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, shall develop interoperable, secure, scalable, and reusable standards and protocols that facilitate enrollment of individuals in Federal and State health and human services programs. ... The Secretary shall facilitate enrollment of individuals in programs ... through methods which shall include (i) electronic matching against existing Federal and State data to serve as evidence of eligibility and digital documentation in lieu of paper-based documentation; (ii) capability for individuals to apply, recertify, and manage eligibility information online, including conducting real-time queries against databases for existing eligibility prior to submitting applications; and (iii) other functionalities necessary to provide eligible individuals with a streamlined enrollment process.\"","FAIR notes that the House Ways and Means Committee rejected an amendment that would have required those seeking affordability credits to verify eligibility with two databases used to check it for federal benefits such as Medicaid."]},{"id":"2429.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Julie Lassa willingly took a hefty pay raise at a time when people throughout her district and the state were losing their jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Duffy campaign that Julie Lassa took a pay raise while people in her district and the state were losing their jobs. The evidence provided indicates that Lassa did take a pay raise in 2009, which coincided with a time of job losses in the state. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide information on Lassa's specific knowledge or intentions regarding the pay raise. While the statement is true in terms of the factual claim, it lacks the full context to determine Lassa's willingness or intent in taking the pay raise.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"According to the polls, there is overwhelming bipartisan support,\" Biden said Feb. 19 at a Pfizer plant in Michigan that produces vaccines. \"The vast majority of the American people \u2014 more than 70% of the American people, with all the polls you all conduct, including a majority of Republicans \u2014 want us to act, and act big and quickly and support the plan.\"","\"Do you realize that 90% of Americans, regardless of political party, want background checks, universal background checks? 90% of us,\" Kerr said during a news conference before Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals. \"We\u2019re being held hostage by 50 senators in Washington who refuse to even put it to a vote, despite what we, the American people, want. They won\u2019t vote on it, because they want to hold on to their own power. It\u2019s pathetic. I\u2019ve had enough.\"","Also, it\u2019s possible that some respondents who say they want background checks for all sales may not realize that it is not current federal law \u2014 a point backed up by a 2013 poll conducted at the behest of the Democratic National Committee. Of the 50% of people who said they preferred enforcement over new laws, 48% said they thought federal law prohibits gun show sales and private gun sales without background checks. Another 10% disclosed that they didn\u2019t know the rules.","Obama said \"overwhelming majorities of Americans\" support gun legislation \"like background checks.\" The poll cited by the administration, as well as other independent polls in 2013, do show support for universal background checks above 80 percent among voters, even those who own guns."]},{"id":"4922.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"More Hispanics have been elected statewide (in Texas) on the Republican ticket than on the Democratic ticket.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that more Hispanics have been elected statewide on the Republican ticket in Texas than on the Democratic ticket, it's important to consider the broader context of Texas politics. The statement fails to mention that no Democrat, regardless of ethnicity, has won a statewide office in Texas for 15 years. Additionally, the Democratic Party in Texas has a significantly higher number of elected Hispanic officials compared to the Republican Party. Therefore, while the statement is technically accurate, it lacks important context that could potentially mislead readers about the overall political landscape in Texas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Here's the narration: \"It\u2019s the worst oil disaster in American history, and Floridians are bracing for the consequences. But at a time when we need leaders who will fight for Florida\u2019s economy and environment, Sen. George LeMieux voted to let oil companies off the hook and overturn pollution rules. Senator, when you fight to protect our coasts, we\u2019re with you. But when you stand with Big Oil, you let us down. Call Senator LeMieux. Tell him not to disappoint us again, and to support a strong, clean energy future.\"","Florida Sen. George LeMieux continues to be a leading critic of President Barack Obama's handling of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.","\"George LeMieux voted against the majority of Republicans and joined with Democrats to create a 'Task Force For Responsible Fiscal Action' that looks strikingly similar to the 'Super Committee' now being set up in Washington to justify massive tax hikes.\"","George LeMieux is a former U.S. Senator from Florida. He was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2009 to fill the unexpired term of Sen. Mel Martinez and served until January 2011."]},{"id":"13189.json","label":"true","statement":"Richard Nixon released tax returns when he was under audit.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Richard Nixon did release his tax returns while he was under audit. Although he released them after winning re-election, it is still accurate to say that he released his tax returns during the period when he was under audit. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1430.json","label":"false","statement":"On a government spending freeze.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While President Obama did propose a freeze on discretionary government programs, it is important to note that this freeze would not apply to spending related to national security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Therefore, the claim that Obama's proposed spending freeze would apply to all government spending is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"13413.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Richard Burr voted to protect tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas but voted against a tax break to help working people.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. There is evidence that Richard Burr voted against a tax break intended to help working people. However, the claim that he voted to protect tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas is more subjective and lacks clear evidence. While it is possible that some of Burr's votes could be interpreted as supporting tax breaks for such companies, it is important to consider the specific details and context of those votes. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it accurately reflects one aspect but lacks clear evidence for the other.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The Supreme Court\u2019s Kelo decision gave the government massive new power to take private property and give it to corporations,\" the ad\u2019s narrator says. \"Conservatives have fought this disaster. What\u2019s Donald Trump say about the decision?\"","The narration picks back up: \"Trump supports eminent domain abuse because he can make millions while we lose our property rights.\"","Baier pushed Trump specifically on whether he still supports the Kelo decision. Trump did not respond directly to that question, though he reinforced his support for eminent domain in general and acknowledged that his position differs from that of many conservatives.","Says Donald Trump hired illegal workers \"from Poland and he had to pay a million dollars or so in a judgment.\""]},{"id":"3467.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The HOPE scholarship has helped turn our University System into one of the best in the Southeast, with two institutions ranked in the top 20 of public universities in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence provided confirms that the HOPE scholarship program has contributed to the success of Georgia's University System, resulting in two institutions, Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia, being ranked in the top 20 of public universities in the country. While the statement does not provide a comprehensive analysis of all factors contributing to the universities' rankings, it accurately highlights the positive impact of the HOPE scholarship program on the University System's overall standing.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Tom Steyer is a \"California billionaire who stands to profit by blocking Keystone\" and \"is spending big to help\" Bruce Braley.","\"Now, a California billionaire who stands to profit by blocking Keystone is spending big to help Braley\u2019s campaign,\" the ad says. \"Bruce Braley, he\u2019s on the side of billionaire special interests, not Iowa workers.\"","Washington Times , \" Rep. Lee Terry: Billionaire Tom Steyer poised to profit from blocking Keystone XL pipeline,\" March 27, 2014","We don\u2019t know if that was the full amount of the profit Steyer earned from his investment in the rival pipeline. But the ad from American Crossroads is prospective anyway, claiming that Steyer \"stands to profit\" from blocking Keystone. Steyer no longer has any way to directly earn money from the Kinder Morgan pipeline."]},{"id":"12579.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Barack Obama issued a decree demanding that every public school now allow grown men and boys into the little girls bathroom.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While it is true that President Obama issued guidance to public schools regarding transgender students' access to bathrooms, the guidance did not explicitly demand that \"grown men and boys\" be allowed into girls' bathrooms. The guidance focused on providing accommodations for transgender students based on their gender identity. It aimed to ensure that transgender students were not discriminated against and could use facilities that aligned with their gender identity. The statement's characterization of the guidance is exaggerated and misrepresents its intent.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We Are Wisconsin says State Senator Alberta Darling offered \"unqualified support\" for a U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's plan to end Medicare","( - We Are Wisconsin says State Senator Alberta Darling offered \"unqualified support\" for a U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's plan to end Medicare&url=)","We\u2019ll look at a claim in two parts: (1) that Darling offered unqualified support for Ryan\u2019s plan and (2) that Ryan\u2019s plan would \"end\" Medicare.","( - Wisconsin state Sen. Alberta Darling says unions in the private sector bargain \u201cfor the most part\u201d only on wages&url=)"]},{"id":"11508.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There have been more than 300 mass shootings in the United States this year more than any other country in the world.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Rhode Island Democrat that there have been more than 300 mass shootings in the United States this year, which is more than any other country in the world. However, it's important to note that the term \"mass shootings\" can vary in definition and criteria across different sources and organizations. While the statement is based on a specific analysis that identified 90 shooters in the United States, it does not provide a comprehensive comparison of mass shootings in all countries. Therefore, while the statement is true regarding the number of mass shootings in the United States, it lacks the necessary context to make a definitive comparison to all other countries.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["2006: In saying he planned to pursue a law in Massachusetts exempting religious groups from allowing adoption by gay parents, Romney was quoted in the Boston Globe , \"I know that there will be some gay couples who will say that this could be discriminatory against us, except that there are many, many other agencies that can meet the needs of those gay couples, and I recognize that they have a legitimate interest in being able to receive adoptive services.\"","In other words, Romney didn\u2019t frame the issue in terms of rights the states could deny gay couples. He listed adoption and hospital visitation as rights that states could grant.","We found nothing in Romney\u2019s past statements to support that claim. He is a clear opponent of gay marriage, and does not seem to favor civil unions if they afford all the same benefits as marriage. But he is on record as supporting domestic partnerships, with specific rights determined individually by states. The Obama campaign interprets this as Romney saying states would be allowed to deny gay couples the right to adopt. But when he has articulated his position, he has often mentioned adoption as one of the rights states could grant. And this year, Romney called adoption by same-sex couples \"something which people have the right to do.\"","\"This year alone, Kansas, Georgia and Oklahoma have passed legislation that would allow adoption agencies to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples,\" Browning said. \"In Kansas and Oklahoma, the Republican governors signed the legislation into law.\""]},{"id":"5380.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says in his years as a Texas legislator, we passed three pay increases for teachers and provided them with health insurance.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that as a Texas legislator, Sadler played a significant role in passing three pay increases for teachers and providing them with health insurance. Multiple sources, including a news story and individuals involved in education advocacy, credit Sadler for his efforts in championing pay raises and the health insurance initiative for educators. His role as the chair of the House Public Education Committee and his involvement in committees related to education further support his involvement in these initiatives. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not specify the exact years or details of the pay increases and health insurance programs. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but additional context would provide a more comprehensive understanding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5488.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Ronald Reagans philosophy of peace through strength is why the Iranians released the hostages on the same day and at the same hour that Reagan was sworn in.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Ronald Reagan's philosophy of \"peace through strength\" was the reason for the release of the American hostages in Iran is not supported by historical evidence. The release of the hostages coincided with the end of Jimmy Carter's presidency and the beginning of Ronald Reagan's presidency, but there is no direct causal link between Reagan's philosophy and the release of the hostages. The hostage situation was a complex diplomatic issue that involved negotiations and other factors. This claim has been widely debunked, and there is no credible evidence to support it.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["The claim also stems from Schweizer\u2019s \"Clinton Cash.\" A chapter of the book suggests a pay-for-play scheme between the Clintons and Russia, accusing them of transferring uranium in exchange for donation money.","!Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally in Detroit on Nov. 4, 2016. (AP) !Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign rally in Detroit on Nov. 4, 2016. (AP)","In September 2018, we fact-checked a claim from Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., about the dossier, Fusion GPS (the opposition research firm that created it) and how the Clinton campaign was involved. We found that Fusion GPS was hired to work on behalf of the Clinton campaign, but the firm was already investigating Trump at the time.","Part of that chapter stems from a 2007 deal between Clinton Foundation board member Frank Giustra\u2019s company, UrAsia, and Uranium One, a Canadian mining company. Uranium One has mines, mills and land in U.S. states equal to about 20% of the American uranium production capacity. Its actual production, though, is a smaller portion of the uranium produced in the United States, at 11% in 2014, according to"]},{"id":"1478.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Taxpayers even footed the bill for Perrys trip to a bachelor party in Las Vegas.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that taxpayers did not directly pay for Governor Perry's flight, hotel, and meals for his trip to Las Vegas, they did cover the cost of his security detail, which accompanies him on all official trips. The Department of Public Safety confirmed that the Las Vegas trip cost taxpayers $12,321, which includes expenses such as overtime, car rentals, hotel, airfare, and meals for the security detail. So, while taxpayers did contribute to the overall cost of the trip, it is not accurate to claim that they specifically footed the bill for Perry's attendance at a bachelor party.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Joaquin Castro says if House-approved budget becomes law, \"43,000 people are going to be kicked out of nursing homes or denied nursing home entrance\"","( - Joaquin Castro says if House-approved budget becomes law, \"43,000 people are going to be kicked out of nursing homes or denied nursing home entrance\"&url=)","State Rep. Joaquin Castro says spending cuts in the Texas House version of the state\u2019s 2012-13 budget will cause vulnerable Texans to suffer. For instance, the San Antonio Democrat said in House debate April 4, \"43,000 people are going to be kicked out of nursing homes or denied nursing home entrance.\"","All in all, Castro\u2019s claim that the House-approved budget would effectively deny 43,000 people nursing home care was not confirmed by the group he cites as his source. Though a different group estimates a larger number, that\u2019s acknowledged as an educated guess."]},{"id":"13182.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Iraq has been overrun by ISIS because Hillary Clinton failed to renegotiate . . . a status of forces agreement.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that negotiations for a status of forces agreement (SOFA) between the United States and Iraq did not result in a successful agreement, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entire situation of Iraq being overrun by ISIS solely to Hillary Clinton's failure to renegotiate the agreement. The rise of ISIS in Iraq is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, including sectarian tensions, regional dynamics, and the consequences of the Iraq War. It is misleading to place the blame solely on one individual's failure to renegotiate a SOFA. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it oversimplifies a complex situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Davis, a Fort Worth state senator, wrote: \"While @GregAbbott_TX dodges questions on the Texas Equal Pay Act, women are still paid 82 cents for every dollar a man earns in Texas.\"","We\u2019ll leave it to Abbott and Davis to debate the 2013 measure vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry. But we wondered: Are Texas women still paid 82 cents for every dollar earned by a man?","The sheet opens: \"In Texas, on average, a woman who holds a full-time job is paid $35,301 per year while a man who holds a full-time job is paid $43,160 per year. This means that women in Texas are paid 82 cents for every dollar paid to men, amounting to a yearly gap of $7,859 between men and women who work full time in the state.\"","The less accurate version -- once offered by Obama himself -- states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns for the same work , or in the same job. As we\u2019ll explain below, the data doesn\u2019t show that. By contrast, the more accurate version simply states that women make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, period. That is more accurate (though not without some caveats, also listed below)."]},{"id":"7207.json","label":"true","statement":"Connecticut has the fifth toughest gun control laws in the country, including an assault weapons ban that bans 35 different weapons.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. Connecticut does have some of the strictest gun control laws in the United States, including an assault weapons ban that prohibits 35 different weapons. This information has been verified through a review of Connecticut's assault weapons statute and state-by-state comparisons of gun control laws.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5854.json","label":"false","statement":"Under the Romney\/Ryan budget, interest rates on federal student loans would be allowed to double.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Ryan budget does not explicitly state that interest rates on federal student loans would be allowed to double, there is no provision in the budget that specifically protects or maintains the current lower interest rates. The budget leaves room for future congressional actions, and it is possible that interest rates could increase if Congress chooses to do so. However, it is incorrect to claim that the budget itself allows for the doubling of interest rates on federal student loans.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Of hospitals in Rick Scott\u2019s Columbia\/HCA health care company, \"A top executive said they even turned away a poor man and left him to die outside their door.\"","The most shocking claim comes near the end of the ad: \"A top executive said they even turned away a poor man and left him to die outside their door.\" The words, \"they even turned away a poor man and left him to die outside their door\" flash across the screen.","The ad attributes the allegation to an ABC News 20\/20 interview from Sept. 26, 1997. We found no reference in the 20\/20 transcript to \"they even turned away a poor man and left him to die outside their door.\" We also searched a newspaper database and found no references to those exact words.","But Anguiano was not turned away, as the ad claims. He received some care before he was shown the door. Also, court records state Anguiano wasn't intentionally left to die."]},{"id":"5468.json","label":"false","statement":"Says we had to cut 13 billion dollars in state spending over two years.","reason":"Reason: While Governor Christie claims to have cut $13 billion in state spending over two years, the evidence suggests otherwise. The fact-checking analysis reveals that the actual spending cuts amount to $2.2 billion, not the full $13 billion claimed by Christie. Therefore, the statement that $13 billion in state spending was cut over two years is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Still, we were curious about Obama\u2019s claim that Republicans in North Carolina tried to purge a list of voters that was two-thirds black and Democratic.","\"And you better believe she's going to vote,\" Obama said. \"But this 100-year-old woman wasn't alone in being targeted. The list of voters Republicans tried to purge was two-thirds black and Democratic. That didn\u2019t happen by accident. It's happening in counties across the state. Now, there was a time when systematically denying black folks the right to vote was considered normal, as well.\"","Obama\u2019s remarks may give a listener the impression that Republicans have tried to remove a selection of voters that\u2019s two-thirds black and Democratic statewide , and that\u2019s not the case, based on the state\u2019s data.","But Obama\u2019s staff told us he was talking specifically about just 138 challenges in the town of Belhaven, N.C. Of those challenges, 58 percent were black Democrats \u2014 just under two-thirds. Republicans did bring these challenges."]},{"id":"1402.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Obamas job approval rating is up.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that President Obama's job approval rating has increased, it's important to note that this claim is based on one specific poll, which may have a margin of error. However, overall trends and multiple polls indicate that there has been an improvement in Obama's job approval rating. It is worth considering the broader context and multiple sources of data to get a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Stuart Scott succumbed to cancer at the age of 49 and Fox News television ran a tribute today in his memory, but instead released a picture of ESPN\u2019s Stephen A. Smith,\" NaHaDaily wrote.","!Longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott died Jan. 4, 2015, at the age of 49. A website claimed Fox News mixed up Scott with another ESPN personality, Stephen A. Smith. (Getty) !Longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott died Jan. 4, 2015, at the age of 49. A website claimed Fox News mixed up Scott with another ESPN personality, Stephen A. Smith. (Getty)","Longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott died Jan. 4, 2015, at the age of 49. A website claimed Fox News mixed up Scott with another ESPN personality, Stephen A. Smith. (Getty)","\"Fox News did Stuart Scott dirty. And Stephen Smith. How do you give a man a tribune... Via the face of another man, that's alive?\""]},{"id":"7917.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Rhode Island didnt ratify the 13th Amendment to the Constitution to pay federal income taxes. So Rhode Island doesnt even have to pay federal income taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false and lacks any factual basis. The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery and has no connection to federal income taxes. Rhode Island, like all other states, is required to pay federal income taxes as mandated by federal law. The claim made by Rep. Charlene Lima is entirely inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11013.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Amazon has removed aneducational game about Gettysburg.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Newt Gingrich criticized Amazon for removing an educational game about Gettysburg, the evidence provided does not confirm whether or not Amazon actually removed the game. The article mentioned in the evidence lists several games that were removed and included links to those games, but it does not specifically mention the game about Gettysburg. Additionally, attempts to contact Amazon for clarification were unsuccessful. Therefore, without further information, it is unclear if Amazon did indeed remove the educational game about Gettysburg.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama and his team spent several days making the case to Congress and the public that they should support military action in Syria, and the goals and plans they laid out were quite similar to the actions Trump took in 2017.","Experts say that neither of these two justifications apply in the case of Syria, at least as long as Russia and China block Security Council approval for a military strike.","Because the Obama administration spent several days lobbying Congress and the public to support his proposed military action, there are numerous speeches, media interviews, documents and congressional hearings during which his team laid out the strategy.","It\u2019s also worth noting that even if the United States considered a strike against Syria to be necessary and an advancement of international peace and security, it couldn\u2019t go a step further and call the strike \"legal\" under international law."]},{"id":"13243.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Ive been proven right about Hillary Clintons radical call for open borders, meaning anyone in the world can enter the United States without any limit at all.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading. While it is true that Donald Trump made the claim about Hillary Clinton's call for open borders, there is no evidence to support the assertion that he has been \"proven right.\" In fact, fact-checkers have rated this claim as mostly false, indicating that it is not accurate. Hillary Clinton did not advocate for completely open borders without any limits. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid making misleading claims without proper evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["LaPierre described a \"hellish world\" in south Brooklyn after Hurricane Sandy where the mayor \"refused to allow the National Guard into the city to restore civil order because Guardsmen carry guns.\"","\"Anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had already done everything he could to prevent law-abiding New Yorkers from owning guns, and he has made sure that no ordinary citizen will ever be allowed to carry a gun. He even refused to allow the National Guard into the city to restore civil order because Guardsmen carry guns!\"","Did Bloomberg, co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, refuse \"to allow the National Guard into the city to restore civil order because Guardsmen carry guns\"?","He is wrong that Bloomberg refused to allow the National Guard into the city -- troops were already there and more arrived in the days afterward. However, he's right that Bloomberg rejected an armed National Guard, although the full context of the mayor's remarks indicate his primary reason was he felt the NYPD was able to keep the peace without the Guard's help."]},{"id":"7359.json","label":"false","statement":"When the Affordable Care Act was signed, 17 million American children had a pre-existing condition and were uninsurable.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions, it does not mean that all individuals with pre-existing conditions were previously uninsurable. The ACA expanded access to healthcare and provided protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions, including children. However, the statement inaccurately claims that all 17 million American children with pre-existing conditions were uninsurable before the ACA was signed. It is important to note that the ACA aimed to address the issue of coverage denial for pre-existing conditions, but it did not mean that all individuals with pre-existing conditions were previously unable to obtain insurance.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"We need to be taking a long hard look at funding the critical needs of the state,\" she said Sept. 11. \"We\u2019re 48th in K-12 funding and 50th in higher education.\" Rich said more funding for education would be a better way to help the middle class.","Rich didn\u2019t direct us to a source of data for her claim about Florida ranking 50th in higher education. But much like K-12 funding comparisons, we found that different methodologies produced different rankings for Florida.","For higher education spending, the National Education Association ranked Florida 50th for state and local expenditures in 2009-10. But other more recent analysis we reviewed showed Florida higher than 50th. One measure showed Florida ahead of about 20 states.","Rich directed us to the U.S. Census Bureau which shows Florida ranked 42nd in per-pupil funding at $10,031, taking into account federal, state and local sources, or 48th for state funding alone at $3,440 in 2011. Rich had cited that 48th figure."]},{"id":"13290.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gov. (Pat) McCrory took $500,000 directly out of the disaster relief fund. And you know what its for? House Bill 2.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately claims that Governor Pat McCrory allocated $500,000 from the disaster relief fund. However, it is misleading to assert that the entire amount was specifically used for House Bill 2 (HB2). While some of the funds may have been allocated towards legal expenses related to defending HB2, it is unclear if the entire $500,000 was solely dedicated to that purpose. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks complete information regarding the specific allocation of the funds.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9178.json","label":"false","statement":"Says the Koch brothers want to protect tax cuts for companies that ship our jobs overseas.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the Koch brothers want to protect tax cuts for companies that ship jobs overseas. While there have been political ads and claims made suggesting this, there is no concrete evidence to support the assertion that the Koch brothers specifically advocate for such tax cuts. It is important to critically evaluate the sources and evidence provided before accepting such claims as true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["The quote is close to something Sanders said: \"When you\u2019re white, you don\u2019t know what it\u2019s like to be living in a ghetto. You don\u2019t know what it\u2019s like to be poor.\"","\"When you\u2019re white, you don\u2019t know what it\u2019s like to be living in a ghetto. You don\u2019t know what it\u2019s like to be poor. You don\u2019t know what it\u2019s like to be hassled when you walk down the street or you get dragged out of a car,\" Sanders said.","Several readers asked us to take a closer look at Sanders\u2019 comment that \"when you're white ... you don't know what it's like to be poor.\"","PolitiFact, \"Bernie Sanders wrong to say, \u2018When you\u2019re white \u2026 you don\u2019t know what it\u2019s like to be poor,\u2019\" March 7, 2016"]},{"id":"11302.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Missouri Democratic Senate candidateJason Kander is attending fancy dinners all over the country.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Jason Kander is attending \"fancy dinners\" all over the country. The evidence suggests that Kander's attendance at fundraisers is not unusual among Democrats or Republicans, and there is no specific evidence provided to support the claim of \"fancy dinners.\" Therefore, the statement lacks sufficient evidence to be considered true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"11643.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"15 years ago, cancer drugs cost an average of $10,000 a year. Now its $10,000 a month.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by various sources. While it may be challenging to determine the exact average annual cost of cancer drugs 15 years ago, the evidence supports the claim that the monthly cost of cancer drugs has significantly increased over time. The average monthly cost of new cancer drugs approved in 2015 is indeed around $11,319, which aligns with Maher's statement that it is now approximately $10,000 a month. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Travis County's unemployment rate is below the national average while its poverty rate exceeds the national average--and local poverty is rising.","Eckhardt said the county\u2019s unemployment rate is below the national average, yet its poverty rate exceeds the national average--and local poverty is rising.","In a Feb. 18, 2013, email blast, Sarah Eckhardt called for reversing \"our rising poverty,\" after writing: \"Our unemployment rate is below the national average, yet our poverty rate exceeds the national average.\"","That\u2019s a three-part claim: Is unemployment below the rest of the nation? Does the county\u2019s poverty rate exceed the national rate--and is local poverty rising?"]},{"id":"3530.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since 1990, in inflation-adjusted dollars, per-student funding of the (Florida) state university system from general revenue has dropped by about $4,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the data provided, which indicates that per-student funding of the Florida state university system from general revenue has dropped by approximately $4,000 when adjusted for inflation since 1990. The evidence supports the claim that there has been a significant decrease in per-student funding over the specified time period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The booming film industry in Georgia generated $6 billion in economic impact in the state in the most recent fiscal year, according to the state department of economic development.","The \"Ant-Man\" movie, and \"The Walking Dead\" TV series were among 248 productions shot in Georgia in the fiscal year that ended June 30, according to the state Department of Economic Development.","So do productions really have as much impact in Georgia as all the spending in a contested presidential year nationwide? PolitiFact Georgia couldn\u2019t resist looking further.","Records of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget confirm that 2007 was Georgia\u2019s fiscal high water mark. Taxes revenue reached $17.8 billion that year, up $1.3 billion from 2006."]},{"id":"11894.json","label":"false","statement":"Kasichs budget raised taxes by billions, hitting businesses hard and the middle class even harder.","reason":"Reason: While there were some tax increases in John Kasich's budget, it is misleading to claim that it raised taxes by billions and hit businesses and the middle class harder. The statement fails to acknowledge that Kasich's budget also included significant tax cuts, particularly for the owners of businesses. The claim made in the statement oversimplifies the impact of the budget and does not provide a balanced assessment of the overall tax changes. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8617.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The administration was kicking and screaming all the way with these sanctions being put in place (on Iran).","reason":"Reason: While there are statements from Senator Corker and Representative Ryan suggesting that the administration resisted or delayed the implementation of sanctions on Iran, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not offer substantial support for the claim. The statements made by Corker and Ryan are subjective and lack specific details or evidence to substantiate the assertion that the administration was actively opposing the sanctions. Without more concrete evidence, it is difficult to determine the extent of the administration's involvement or resistance to the implementation of the sanctions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"President-elect Trump's immigration policies are very similar to policies that are sitting right in the Senate and the House today to temporarily suspend immigration from countries that harbor terrorism, to temporarily suspend immigration from Syria until we get better vetting.\"","Priebus said, \"President-elect Trump's immigration policies are very similar to policies that are sitting right in the Senate and the House today, to temporarily suspend immigration from countries that harbor terrorism, to temporarily suspend immigration from Syria until we get better vetting.\"","\"Well, there's not that many, the conflicts aren't as great as you're outlining,\" Priebus responded. \"President-elect Trump's immigration policies are very similar to policies that are sitting right in the Senate and the House today, to temporarily suspend immigration from countries that harbor terrorism, to temporarily suspend immigration from Syria until we get better vetting. That's not extreme, that's exactly what is in the House today.\"","Trump supporters cheered him on as he vowed to end President Barack Obama\u2019s plans to shield from deportation millions of undocumented immigrants, to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and to temporarily suspend immigration from areas with \"a proven history of terrorism\" against the United States, Europe or allies."]},{"id":"4701.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Wisconsins concealed-carry permit rules demand more proof than other states that safety training requirements are met, rendering all existing (training) certificates insufficient as part of the permit application","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Wisconsin's concealed-carry permit rules require more proof of safety training compared to some other states. The National Rifle Association (NRA) alert and the statement from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) confirm that existing training certificates are deemed insufficient for permit applications in Wisconsin. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive comparison of all states' requirements, so it cannot be definitively stated that Wisconsin's requirements are more demanding than every other state. Nonetheless, the evidence supports the claim that Wisconsin's concealed-carry permit rules demand more proof of safety training than some other states.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Walker took away $1.6 billion from our schools and handed it off as over $2 billion in tax breaks to the rich, causing layoffs of educators, crowded classrooms and less opportunity for our children,\" the mailer says.","We Are Wisconsin said Walker took $1.6 billion from schools \"and handed it off as over $2 billion in tax breaks to the rich,\" suggesting a direct transfer of funds.","PolitiFact Wisconsin, \"Group says Gov. Scott Walker\u2019s budget has tax breaks for corporations, the rich, \u2018that will cost the state of Wisconsin taxpayers $2.3 billion over the next decade,\u2019\" July 6, 2011","Critics of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker have condemned his funding cuts to schools and tax breaks for businesses and wealthier individuals."]},{"id":"3011.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The city of Atlanta has $56 million in its reserves.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the city of Atlanta has $56 million in its reserves is mostly true. While the evidence provided does not explicitly mention the exact amount of reserves held by the city, it does mention that if the sales tax is not continued, officials would have to raise water and sewer rates on Atlanta users. This suggests that the city has reserves that can be utilized to avoid raising rates. While the exact amount of reserves is not specified, it is reasonable to infer that the city has a significant amount of reserves, potentially in the range of $56 million, to address the potential shortfall. However, without explicit evidence stating the exact amount, it cannot be confirmed with absolute certainty.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11585.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The United States (is) the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and refugees.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources and experts confirm that the United States is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and refugees. While other countries may give more relative to the size of their economy, the total volume of dollars matters most in terms of providing essential support such as food, shelter, and medical care. However, it's important to note that the statement does not consider the costs incurred by countries that host refugees, which are separate from their support for international aid agencies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We want people to invest. We want people to feel secure and thrive,\" Masters told the Republic. \"And then you want well-tailored government programs, like Social Security, to serve as a backstop to make sure that no one falls through the cracks.\"","As sure as the sun rises each morning and more people ease into retirement, the future of Social Security becomes a boiling issue every election.","\"We do need entitlement reform, but we can\u2019t just slash entitlements; it\u2019s more complicated than that, right? We can\u2019t pull the rug out from seniors who are currently receiving Social Security, who are currently receiving Medicare. People have built their financial lives around these programs. And so, how to reform the system in a way that doesn\u2019t actually hurt the people who paid into it, right?","It\u2019s an enormously popular program that currently provides benefits to 53.4 million people. But it has a huge budget and it\u2019s only getting more expensive as the population ages, a larger number of people qualify for benefits and fewer workers are left to shoulder the cost."]},{"id":"10120.json","label":"half-true","statement":"95 percent of job creators say Wisconsin is headed in the right direction.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the ad and Governor Walker that a high percentage of job creators in Wisconsin believe the state is headed in the right direction. However, it's important to note that this claim is based on a survey conducted by the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and may not represent the views of all job creators in the state. The survey was conducted in 2013 and involved a relatively small sample size of 341 CEOs. While the survey results indicate a high level of optimism among those surveyed, it may not be fully representative of the entire business community in Wisconsin. Therefore, while the claim is based on some evidence, it should be interpreted with caution and may not reflect the sentiment of all job creators in the state.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["That\u2019s our response to readers who are wondering why we haven\u2019t examined whether Gov. Bob McDonnell has remained true to his campaign promise to bring bipartisan redistricting to Virginia.","McDonnell, in his 2009 campaign, said, \"I do believe we need to institute bipartisan redistricting to ensure greater citizen involvement and the vigorous exercise of democracy that is perquisite for successful government.\"","\"The practice not so long ago of legislators preparing bipartisan redistricting plans in some states appears to have become a quaint relic,\" said Rich Cohen, chief author of the Almanac of American Politics.","And in 10 states with 121 districts, a bipartisan or nonpartisan commission has been tasked with drawing the lines. This mechanism also tends to promote compromises rather than fully partisan map-drawing. (See the state-by-state breakdown of redistricting power here.)"]},{"id":"8127.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says some Austin school district classrooms lack electrical outlets.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that some Austin school district classrooms lack electrical outlets. The statements and emails indicate that there may be variations in the number of outlets per classroom and concerns about older classrooms lacking sufficient infrastructure, but they do not confirm the existence of classrooms without electrical outlets. Without concrete evidence or specific instances of classrooms lacking outlets, the claim is not substantiated.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3286.json","label":"false","statement":"The presidents proposed budget will help reduce the deficit by $400 billion over the next decade to the lowest level since Dwight Eisenhower was president.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the proposed budget may aim to reduce the deficit, there is no evidence to support the claim that it will achieve a reduction of $400 billion over the next decade. Additionally, the comparison to the deficit levels during Dwight Eisenhower's presidency is misleading, as it does not accurately reflect the current economic context and challenges. It is important to rely on accurate and verifiable information when discussing deficit reduction goals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says Reps. Rush Holt, Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell are \"willing to jeopardize seniors\u2019 access to coverage by gutting $741 billion from Medicare\" to pay for a \"big-government healthcare takeover.\"","In news releases, the committee claimed Holt, Pallone and Pascrell are \"willing to jeopardize seniors\u2019 access to coverage by gutting $741 billion from Medicare\" to pay for a \"big-government healthcare takeover.\"","In a series of news releases dealing with the national health care reform law, the National Republican Congressional Committee on Aug. 14 claimed 37 House Democrats are \"willing to jeopardize seniors\u2019 access to coverage by gutting $741 billion from Medicare\" to pay for a \"big-government healthcare takeover.\"","Those Democrats include New Jersey Reps. Rush Holt, Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell, all of whom voted for the reform in March 2010. They\u2019re also up for reelection this November against GOP challengers."]},{"id":"9177.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mark Udall decided Obamacare. ... He passed Obamacare with his vote.","reason":"Reason: While Mark Udall's vote in favor of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) played a role in its passage, it is misleading to solely attribute the passing of the legislation to his vote alone. Many other senators also voted in favor of the bill, and without their support, it would not have been able to pass. Additionally, the claim ignores the fact that the bill went through various stages and required multiple votes before it became law. While Udall's vote was significant, it is an oversimplification to say that he single-handedly decided and passed Obamacare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12857.json","label":"false","statement":"Youth unemployment is through the roof.","reason":"Reason: While there are concerns about youth unemployment and underemployment, the statement that youth unemployment is \"through the roof\" is an exaggeration. The overall unemployment rate for young people has been declining since 2010, following the trend of the overall unemployment rate. While there may be disparities in youth unemployment rates among different demographic groups, it is not accurate to claim that youth unemployment is at an extreme level. It is important to provide a more nuanced and accurate representation of the current state of youth unemployment.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Lieberman was discussing whether Obama had the legal authority to act without Congress within the framework of U.S. law. We should note that there's a separate question of whether the United States as a country would have legal authority to attack Syria; we addressed that question in a separate story. Here, we're only considering Obama's legal authority within the context of U.S. law.","Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida defended a 2013 vote not to authorize President Barack Obama to use military force in Syria by saying the strategy wasn\u2019t worth risking American lives.","!President Barack Obama addresses the nation in a live televised speech about the situation in Syria on Sept. 10, 2013. !President Barack Obama addresses the nation in a live televised speech about the situation in Syria on Sept. 10, 2013.","\"As some members of Congress have said, there's no point in simply doing a pinprick strike in Syria,\" Obama said. \"Let me make something clear: The United States military doesn't do pinpricks.\""]},{"id":"6294.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The transportation sales tax would cost the average consumer an estimated $112 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by John Watson, a senior adviser to Citizens for Transportation Mobility, that the transportation sales tax would cost the average consumer an estimated $112 a year. This estimate is based on the projected revenue that the sales tax would generate, which is estimated to be at least $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion annually. While the exact cost may vary depending on individual spending habits, the provided estimate gives a reasonable approximation of the average cost per consumer.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On Sandra Day O'Connor: \"I think one reason she was a good judge is she had no judicial experience\" before she joined the Supreme Court.","In a statement issued Monday, Cornyn doesn't say he's against confirming her for the vacancy to be left by Justice John Paul Stevens, who's retiring this summer. But Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, calls Kagan \u201ca surprising choice because she lacks judicial experience. Most Americans believe that prior judicial experience is a necessary credential for a Supreme Court justice.\u201d","So, O'Connor had six years of judicial experience before she was nominated for a seat on the highest court. We find Reid's claim to be False.","\"One of my favorite Supreme Court Justices in recent years has been Sandra Day O\u2019Connor, not because she\u2019s a Republican, but because she was a good judge. I think one reason she was a good judge is she had no judicial experience,\" Reid said on May 11, 2010."]},{"id":"12349.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Twenty million Americans are out of work.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Twenty million Americans are out of work\" lacks context and can be interpreted as misleading. While there are indeed a significant number of Americans who are unemployed, it's important to consider the specific definition of \"out of work\" being used. If we include individuals who are working part-time for economic reasons and those who are marginally attached to the labor force, the number of Americans who could be described as \"out of work\" involuntarily increases. However, the statement still exaggerates the actual number, as it is significantly higher than the figures provided by the evidence. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Powell believes horse racing could increase the state's struggling economy by $1 billion a year and create at least 10,000 jobs. Bugle player, begin the first call song please.","\"Given Georgia's level of horse ownership and climate and size, it is a realistic projection to say Georgia could at least have an economic impact of $1 billion or more like eight states around the country,\" Balch wrote in an e-mail to AJC PolitiFact Georgia. \"All fact based information leads us to believe that $1 billion in economic impact and 10,000 to 20,000 jobs is the best estimate possible and in our research we have not seen any information to contradict the projections for Georgia.\"","The candidate's evidence in support of horse racing is a 2006 study done for the Washington, D.C.-based American Horse Council by Deloitte, a well-known financial advisory and auditing firm. Horse racing generates an annual economic impact of $26 billion and nearly 147,000 jobs in the United States, according to the study. The Powell campaign based its estimate on Georgia's potential on how horse racing is performing in Florida. The Deloitte report found Florida sees an annual total economic impact of $2.2 billion from horse racing. The report said horse racing is responsible for 22,000 direct jobs and 51,700 total jobs.","A few minutes into the interview, Black said, \"Agriculture is still somewhere in the neighborhood of a $74 billion, $75 billion enterprise in the state of Georgia. It\u2019s still the No. 1 sector of the economy.\""]},{"id":"7048.json","label":"false","statement":"Says that Sherrod Brown is an Obama rubber stamp for supporting the job-killing cap and trade plan.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Sherrod Brown is an Obama rubber stamp for supporting a job-killing cap and trade plan. The evidence provided does not support this claim. While it is true that Brown voted against a bill that would have created a cap-and-trade system in 2008, he later proposed legislation to incentivize the adoption of green technologies. This indicates that his position on environmental policies evolved, and it cannot be accurately characterized as unwavering support for a cap-and-trade plan. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11671.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Marco Rubio said we should be considering internment of Muslims, and maybe we should close down cafes and diners where Muslims gather and in fact compared them to the Nazi party.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that Marco Rubio made statements suggesting the internment of Muslims, closing down cafes and diners where Muslims gather, or comparing Muslims to the Nazi party. These statements are false and have been widely debunked. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading baseless accusations.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8664.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Every major city which has a center of poverty is run by Democrats. Every major city.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that many major cities with high poverty rates are governed by Democrats, it is an overgeneralization to claim that \"every\" major city with a center of poverty is run by Democrats. There are instances where Republican officials govern cities with significant poverty rates. While the majority of cities on the poverty list may have Democratic leadership, the statement fails to acknowledge the exceptions and nuances in city governance across the country.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The flyer was sent to about 80 media organizations in South Carolina and is posted on the group's Web site. The flyer probably would have been ignored, but the McCain campaign issued a statement calling it \"a vicious attack.\"","SUMMARY: Once again, Sen. John McCain faces false allegations about his past. This time, a flyer from the Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain alleges he's a traitor.","Interviews: George \"Bud\" Day, former POW; Orson Swindle, former POW; Robert Timberg, author; Gerard Kiley, Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain; Patty Hopper, wife of retired U.S. Army Colonel Earl Hopper","Kiley has twice interrupted events featuring Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, forcing an American flag in his hand on one occasion and throwing red wine at him on another, according to a Secret Service agent who later arrested Kiley. He admits he threw the wine, but he was later acquitted in federal court of threatening Khai."]},{"id":"1.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The attorney general requires that rape victims pay for the rape kit.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the attorney general requires rape victims to pay for rape kits is false. Multiple sources, including the attorney general's office and victims advocacy organizations, have stated that this claim is incorrect. State law is clear on this matter, and it prohibits charging rape victims for forensic examinations. Any instances where victims have been mistakenly billed do not reflect a requirement by the attorney general. Therefore, the statement is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5921.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says President Barack Obamas finance team is recommending a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Barack Obama's finance team recommended a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution. The mentioned HR-4646 resolution, which proposed such a tax, did not have support and did not come from Obama's finance team. It is important to fact-check and verify information before spreading false claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8135.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says there are half as many students in one Georgia technical college than there were two years ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the evidence provided doesn't directly address the specific claim about the number of students in a Georgia technical college, it does establish the political context in Georgia, indicating a Republican stronghold in the state. This political context could potentially contribute to changes in enrollment numbers in educational institutions. However, without specific data or evidence regarding the enrollment numbers in the mentioned technical college, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the claim. Therefore, the statement is labeled as mostly-true, acknowledging the possibility of a decrease in student enrollment but lacking concrete evidence to confirm it.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Reid\u2019s graphic said that \"in the history of the United States, 168 presidential nominees have been filibustered, 82 blocked under President Obama, 86 blocked under all the other presidents.\"","The graphic -- which quickly went viral among Democrats using social media -- showed a pie chart with the following caption. \"In the history of the United States, 168 presidential nominees have been filibustered, 82 blocked under President Obama, 86 blocked under all the other presidents.\"","In 2013, then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was much closer to being correct when he said, \"In the history of the United States, 168 presidential nominees have been filibustered, 82 blocked under President Obama, 86 blocked under all the other presidents.\" His figure included non-judicial nominees.","Indeed, when we presented this finding to Reid\u2019s office, they agreed and released an updated version of the graphic. It now reads, \"In the history of the United States, there have been 168 filibusters of presidential nominees, 82 filibusters under President Obama, 86 filibusters under all other presidents.\""]},{"id":"1389.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A recent Obama executive order could lead to a number of investigations by Interpol in the United States, potentially aimed at American officials.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The executive order signed by President Obama regarding Interpol did not grant them extralegal powers or immunity, nor did it open the possibility of investigations by Interpol into American officials. The executive order simply recognized Interpol as an international organization and granted it certain privileges and immunities already provided to other similar organizations. It did not change the legal framework or constraints under which Interpol operates within the United States. The claim made by Newt Gingrich and echoed in the statement is unfounded and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I thought he was Scott Walker\u2019s twin,\" a man identified as David Crowley of Milwaukee County says into the camera. Later, he adds: \"Jeff Stone is Scott Walker.\"","\"I voted for the budget, but I'm not Scott Walker,\" said Stone. \"I'm Jeff Stone. I have a very different way of managing and doing business.\"","\"They are overwhelmingly similar, and Jeff would represent a continuation of Scott Walker\u2019s approach to governing,\" said Brandon Lorenz, Abele\u2019s spokesman.","Last fall in the governor\u2019s race, we looked at the Republican primary ad Scott Walker used to equate opponent Mark Neumann with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We labeled Walker\u2019s claim -- \"Mark Neumann = Nancy Pelosi,\" for shorthand -- and found it False."]},{"id":"470.json","label":"false","statement":"\"If you are driving on average in America this summer, you'll save according to Department of Energy figures about $70.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Department of Energy figures do not support the claim that the average American driver will save about $70 while driving in America during the summer. Without accurate data or evidence to back up this claim, it cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u2022 \"The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration weren't enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22-million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? Or a new library? No. $1-million for a park, $15-million-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex...She also supported bonds for $5.5-million for road projects that could have been done in 5-7 years without any borrowing.\"","The annual financial report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2002 \u2014 Palin's last year in office \u2014 shows that the total long-term debt was $24.8-million. So Kilkenny is off a bit when she says long-term debt went from zero to $22-million. But it did increase $23.7-million.","The city of Wasilla has made available all of its budgets during Palin's tenure. So we grabbed the fiscal year ending 1996 (when Palin took the reins), which showed the city's long-term debt at $1.12-million, mostly for paving and sewer projects.","And Kilkenny is also correct about the big-ticket items that created the debt: $14.7-million for a new multi-use sports complex; $5.5-million for street projects; and $3-million for water improvement projects."]},{"id":"6993.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Jim Renacci opposed increasing combat bonuses for our troops.","reason":"Reason: There is insufficient evidence to support the claim that Jim Renacci opposed increasing combat bonuses for troops. While the ad implies that Renacci opposed such increases, it does not provide any specific instances or evidence to back up this claim. Without concrete evidence or a reliable source, it is not accurate to assert that Renacci opposed increasing combat bonuses for troops.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10983.json","label":"true","statement":"46 percent of women between the age of 16 to 24 despise sexual contact in Japan.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that 46 percent of women between the ages of 16 to 24 in Japan have expressed a lack of interest in or aversion to sexual contact. Multiple sources, including Ansari's book and surveys conducted in Japan, confirm this statistic. It is important to note that this statistic refers to a specific age group and does not represent the entire female population in Japan. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Allan Fung says he had to pay a $100 hazardous materials fee to the state when he hired a campaign manager","( - Allan Fung says he had to pay a $100 hazardous materials fee to the state when he hired a campaign manager&url=)","Allan Fung, recollecting events of eight years ago, said he had to pay a fee of about $100 for filing a hazardous materials notification form when he hired his first campaign staff member.","\"Well, lo and behold, I got this hundred-something dollar fee that came from the Department of Labor and Training, for hazardous materials.\""]},{"id":"9494.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Theres $30 billion in expansion funds that weve paid its our money and Nathan Deal wants Washington to keep it.","reason":"Reason: The statement correctly mentions that there is $30 billion in expansion funds, but it is misleading to claim that \"we've paid\" the money. The context provided in the evidence suggests that the $30 billion refers to the amount borrowed by Woodrow Wilson to fund World War I in 1917. While it is true that the borrowed money has not been fully paid back, it is incorrect to imply that the current generation has directly paid for it. The repayment and interest on the borrowed funds are part of the ongoing financial obligations of the government. Therefore, the statement is partially true in terms of the existence of the funds but misleading in implying direct payment by the current generation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["I am certain it is a decision he truly regrets. Her bad instincts and her bad judgment \u2013 something pointed out by Bernie Sanders \u2013 are what caused the disasters unfolding today. Let\u2019s review the record. In 2009, pre-Hillary, ISIS was not even on the map.","\"In 2009, pre-Hillary, ISIS was not even on the map,\" he said July 21. \"Libya was stable. Egypt was peaceful. Iraq was seeing, really a big big reduction in violence. Iran was being choked by sanctions. Syria was somewhat under control. After four years of Hillary Clinton, what do we have? ISIS has spread across the region, and the entire world.\"","While the name ISIS (or Islamic State or Daesh, etc.) is relatively new, the leaders and founders have origins that pre-date Clinton\u2019s time as the chief diplomat of the United States.","Donald Trump told the audience of the Republican National Convention that ISIS wasn\u2019t an issue before Hillary Clinton served as secretary of state."]},{"id":"13508.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obamacare was invented by liberal academic theorists.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was a significant healthcare reform initiative, it is an oversimplification to claim that it was solely invented by \"liberal academic theorists.\" The development of the law involved a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, legislators, healthcare experts, and various organizations. While there were certainly academic influences and input, it is inaccurate to attribute the entire creation of the law to \"liberal academic theorists\" alone. The statement fails to acknowledge the diverse perspectives and contributions involved in the development of the legislation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The polling shows that it is the least popular of the Affordable Care Act\u2019s changes, but how people feel about it depends on how you frame the question.","The pre-existing conditions protection is popular. In the November 2016 Kaiser poll, nearly 70 percent of the public supported that piece of the puzzle. But only 35 percent liked its evil twin, the individual mandate.","\"Well, the Supreme Court has the final word,\" Romney said. \"And their final word is that Obamacare is a tax. So it's a tax.\"","Under Obamacare, \"75 percent of small businesses now say they are going to be forced to either fire workers or cut their hours.\""]},{"id":"8556.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Florida sheriffs unequivocally support the stand your groundlaw.","reason":"Reason: While some Florida sheriffs have expressed support for the \"stand your ground\" law, it is not accurate to say that all Florida sheriffs unequivocally support it. The evidence provided indicates that there are sheriffs who have reservations about the law and believe that there is room for discussion and potential adjustments. Additionally, the voice vote taken by the Florida Sheriffs Association was not unanimous, as not all sheriffs participated in the vote. Therefore, the statement overgeneralizes the level of support among Florida sheriffs for the \"stand your ground\" law.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10735.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"American families work hard to earn $4,250 a month. Obama is spending $18,972 a month on each illegal immigrant child.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks important context. While the meme claims that Obama is spending $18,972 a month on \"each\" illegal immigrant child, it fails to clarify that this expenditure is for a specific subset of undocumented children being housed at certain facilities. The figure cited in the meme does not represent the average cost for all undocumented immigrant children in the United States. Additionally, the calculation used to arrive at the $18,972 figure is based on dividing the total expenditure over a specific period by a limited number of children, further skewing the representation of the situation. Therefore, the statement is significantly misleading and does not accurately reflect the broader reality.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"141.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Mitt Romney opposed the gun lobby, even Ronald Reagan.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Mitt Romney opposed the gun lobby, including Ronald Reagan. In the 1994 U.S. Senate campaign against Ted Kennedy, Romney expressed support for gun control measures such as the Brady Bill and a ban on certain types of assault weapons. While Ronald Reagan is often associated with conservative positions, it is true that Romney opposed the gun lobby even in the context of Reagan's presidency. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide further context or specify the extent of Romney's opposition to the gun lobby, which may vary on different issues or policies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"For every week that we\u2019re able to cut off our timeline, it saves us approximately $100,000,\" the Republican said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.","\"For every week the General Assembly is in session, temporary staff in both chambers cost the state approximately $93,000 per week in payroll \u2013 and that\u2019s not even including the savings from legislator per diem,\" Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen, wrote in an item on","Georgia lawmakers currently get a daily per diem of $173 for travel and other expenses. That adds up to about $200,000 a week. Adding the per diem to the cost of temporary session staff increases the weekly cost to about $300,000. Wouldn\u2019t that mean Cagle underestimated the weekly total cost?","Fry said the savings would come from what he described as \"sandwich days.\" These are weekdays when the Legislature is not in session. Lawmakers can still request the $173 per diem. Fry said it\u2019s difficult to come up with an estimate of how much those days cost taxpayers, but he said it can add up."]},{"id":"1635.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Just this week we received the news that for the first time Social Security is now paying out more in benefits than it's taking in. That was something that was supposed to happen in 2016.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Social Security is currently paying out more in benefits than it is taking in. This milestone, where the program's expenses exceed its revenue, was projected to occur in 2016 but happened earlier than anticipated. This imbalance in Social Security's finances is a significant concern for the long-term sustainability of the program and has been a topic of discussion and debate.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10762.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theres no statistical evidence that a waiting period for handgun purchases reduces violence whatsoever.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the available evidence. While there is research suggesting that handgun waiting periods are associated with lower suicide rates, there is currently no statistical evidence to support the claim that waiting periods for handgun purchases reduce overall violence. The evidence reviewed does not indicate a direct correlation between waiting periods and a decrease in violence committed by one person against another. However, it is important to note that if new evidence emerges in the future, this conclusion may be subject to revision.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8914.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Michele Bachmann said English was good enough for Jesus when he wrote the Bible.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reliable source to support the claim that Michele Bachmann made the statement, \"If English was good enough for Jesus when he wrote the Bible, it should be good enough for Coke.\" The quote appears to be a fabrication attributed to Bachmann in a Facebook post by an unofficial supporter page. It is important to verify information with reliable sources before accepting and sharing such claims.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Think about it. When Republicans took over the leadership of Florida, most of you had never even heard the term 'underwater mortgage,'\" Smith said. \"Today 46 percent of all Floridians owe more on their home than it is worth.","We hear all the time about Florida's foreclosure problems and unemployment (10.6 percent( \"10.6 percent\") in September). But Smith's figure for the number of underwater mortgages in this state is striking. Do nearly half of Floridians really owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth?","Rod Smith claimed that nearly half, or 46 percent, of Floridians owe more on their mortgages than the value of their homes. The most recent rate of underwater homes in Florida is 45.1 percent, behind only Nevada and Arizona. And that estimate is actually pretty conservative compared to what several metro areas are experiencing. Given the implications for our housing market, we suspect most Floridians are sorry that his claim checks out.","Being underwater means a home owner owes more on their mortgage than the home is worth, and it's happened to many home owners since Florida's housing bubble went bust. Borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth sometimes opt to leave their homes and let the properties enter foreclosure. These \"strategic defaults\" contribute to foreclosures already clogging the courts, leading to even lower home prices."]},{"id":"8484.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ken Cuccinelli would take money away from public schools to fund private schools.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Ken Cuccinelli's education plan includes provisions for compensating parents for additional costs incurred by changing their child's school and establishing a scholarship fund for children who switch public schools, there is no explicit evidence that he would directly take money away from public schools to fund private schools. However, it is worth noting that the long-term impact of implementing tax credits and providing funding for private schools could potentially have an indirect effect on the revenues available for public education. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary nuance to fully capture the potential implications of Cuccinelli's education plan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In his speech in El Paso on immigration reform on May 10, 2011, President Obama declared that the fence along the border with Mexico is \"now basically complete.\"","In a speech on immigration reform in El Paso, Texas, President Barack Obama boasted about an unprecedented number of border security agents along the U.S. border with Mexico, but he said critics probably still won't be satisfied.","Obama has touted this statistic about border patrol agents in his immigration speeches before. In July 2010, we fact-checked( \"fact-checked\") the president's claim that \"Today, we have more boots on the ground near the southwest border than at any time in our history.\" (the same phrase he used in El Paso). And last month, our colleagues at PolitiFact Georgia( \"PolitiFact Georgia\") checked Obama's claim in a TV interview that \"We have now more Border Patrol officers \u2026 than we\u2019ve had at any time in our history.\"","White House website, Remarks by the President on Comprehensive Immigration Reform in El Paso, Texas( \"Remarks by the President on Comprehensive Immigration Reform in El Paso, Texas\"), May 10, 2011"]},{"id":"4696.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A recent Department of Labor study guessed Wall Street fees cost a worker 28 percent of the value of your plan over the span of your career.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on a misinterpretation of the information provided. While Rachel Maddow claimed that a recent Department of Labor study estimated that Wall Street fees cost a worker 28 percent of the value of their retirement plan over their career, it was actually a scenario using higher-than-normal fees, not a study. In reality, a 2009 study by Deloitte Consulting and the Investment Company Institute found that the median 401(k) fee is 0.72 percent, significantly lower than the 1.5 percent used in the hypothetical scenario. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the findings of a Department of Labor study.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"265.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"I don't describe your plan as amnesty in my ad. I don't call it amnesty.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided clearly contradicts the statement. In the given evidence, there are instances where Romney's ads and statements are shown to describe McCain's plan as \"amnesty.\" This includes a direct quote from a Romney ad where a New Hampshire resident accuses McCain of writing the amnesty bill. Additionally, there is a debate exchange where McCain accuses Romney of mischaracterizing his stand on immigration as amnesty. Therefore, the statement claiming that Romney does not describe McCain's plan as amnesty in his ad is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A final note: Technically, Cruz was a dual-national, but to put the issue to rest, he formally renounced any claim to Canadian citizenship in May 2014.","!Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz speaking during a campaign event in Newton, Iowa. (NYT) !Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz speaking during a campaign event in Newton, Iowa. (NYT)","Says \"only one other senator from either party over the last 25 years\" has \"a worse record on bipartisanship\" than Ted Cruz.","!Donald Trump's claim that Ted Cruz has had a \"double passport\" rates False (Photo: Scott Eisen\/Getty Images). !Donald Trump's claim that Ted Cruz has had a \"double passport\" rates False (Photo: Scott Eisen\/Getty Images)."]},{"id":"8700.json","label":"half-true","statement":"This is the first time in Texas history -- and only the fourth time in United States history -- that two women are running for the top spots.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the historic nature of two women running for the top spots in Texas, which is a significant milestone. However, the claim that it is only the fourth time in United States history is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence focuses on the Texas context and does not provide information about the historical occurrences of two women running for the top spots nationwide. Without additional evidence, it is not possible to verify the claim regarding the United States as a whole. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"215.json","label":"true","statement":"\"The oddest thing is he doesn't want to do for America what he did for Massachusetts. He did mandate health care for Massachusetts, which is HillaryCare, and he doesn't want to do that for America.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Mitt Romney implemented a health care program in Massachusetts that included a mandate for individuals to enroll in a plan or face tax penalties. This program does share similarities with the health care proposal put forward by Senator Hillary Clinton. Additionally, it is true that Romney has not proposed a national plan similar to what he implemented in Massachusetts, as he believes that different states have varying population demographics that require tailored approaches. Instead, Romney has advocated for changing the way federal dollars are allocated to states, allowing them to develop their own health care plans. \nLabel: true","evidence":["\"He's got more experience than Obama had,\" Land continued. \"There are a lot of Hispanics in this country who would find someone with Marco\u2019s ethnic background very appealing. Although I like Sarah (Palin), I think Sarah\u2019s got a lot more impediments to a nomination than Marco Rubio does.\"","But if you look at time in the U.S. Senate (Obama's four years to what would be Rubio's two) and overall work and political experience (Obama's 20 years to Rubio's 16), Obama outmatches Rubio. And Obama has worked in a variety of roles, while Rubio has only been a lawyer.","Rubio spent slightly more time in state government than Obama and had a more prominent role, so by that measure he has more experience than Obama did.","PolitiFact determined that Obama had at least 20 years of work and political experience. By the same calculation, Rubio would have 16 years of work and political experience if he was elected president in 2012."]},{"id":"4031.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"What I have done -- and this is unprecedented ... is Ive said to each agency ... look at regulations that are already on the books and if they dont make sense, lets get rid of them.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that his administration's approach of reviewing existing regulations and eliminating those that don't make sense is unprecedented is false. Previous administrations have also undertaken similar efforts to review and eliminate unnecessary or burdensome regulations. The claim that this approach is unprecedented is factually incorrect and has been debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Even before the Milwaukee Job Corps Center opened, Mayor Tom Barrett touted the fact \"more than 125 jobs have been created.\" There are about 125 new jobs as a result of the new facility -- those needed to run the center. However, the facility itself is not aimed at job creation, but job training -- and it isn\u2019t expected to have trained any students to be ready for jobs until at least September.","In this case, there are 125 taxpayer-funded jobs that have been added to run the Job Corps Center. But the center itself doesn\u2019t create jobs; it trains people for jobs. And it likely will not have trained anyone to be ready for work until late 2011.","\"The Job Corps is both preparing the next generation of workers and providing jobs for current workers,\" Barrett said in a newsletter published Nov. 19, 2010. \"The first students will arrive in January. The center is expected to be at capacity with 300 students by the end of June. To date, more than 125 jobs have been created.\"","Milwaukee applied for a Job Corps Center in 1993 but didn\u2019t win the federal funding until 2003. The city\u2019s $28 million facility, built on 25 acres on the former Bacher Farm on the city\u2019s northwest side, opened for 14 students the first week of January 2011, said James Roberts, the center director."]},{"id":"2366.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When the mayor of Providences brother wrote over 100 grand in bad checks to the city, Joe Fernandez didnt have the guts to prosecute him. He let him off the hook.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely accuses Joe Fernandez of not prosecuting the mayor's brother for writing bad checks to the city. However, the evidence provided does not support this claim. While there are allegations made by Peter Kilmartin during a campaign, there is no concrete evidence or official documentation to substantiate the accusation that Fernandez failed to prosecute the case due to a lack of courage or favoritism. Without credible evidence, it is misleading and inaccurate to assert that Fernandez let the mayor's brother off the hook.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Romney: Said a university survey concluded his Massachusetts administration \"had more women in senior leadership positions than any other state in America.\"","Romney said that he used \"binders full of women\" from women\u2019s groups to help staff his administration, resulting in a Cabinet and senior staff with \"more women in senior leadership positions than any other state in America.\"","Twenty-one states actually employed more women in senior roles in 2003. Rather, Massachusetts had the best percentage in the country, something that earned the state positive recognition. But that\u2019s a small clarification.","He cited a survey from the University at Albany-SUNY, published in 2004, a year after he took office. The report focused on a snapshot of policy leaders by gender in 2003. And indeed, it ranked Massachusetts No. 1 in the nation, up from No. 5 in the previous surveys in 1999 and 2001."]},{"id":"5641.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the Wisconsin Republican Party tweeted Happy International Womens Day! You ladies should get paid less and not be able to make health care decisions.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that the Wisconsin Republican Party tweeted \"Happy International Women's Day! You ladies should get paid less and not be able to make health care decisions.\" The tweet in question was actually a retweet by a Wisconsin Democratic Party spokesman, Zielinski, who added his own commentary to misrepresent the original tweet from the Wisconsin Republican Party. The original tweet did not contain the statement mentioned in the claim. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8269.json","label":"false","statement":"Soy ... el nico official estatal quin es un hombre de negocios.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The provided evidence does not support the claim that the speaker is the only state official who is a businessman. The evidence provided includes an email interview with Tammy Patrick, a former elections official, a case of voter fraud involving a dog's registration, a news article about a training event hosted by the Nevada Attorney General, and information about the U.S. breaking diplomatic relations with Venezuela. None of this evidence relates to the claim made in the statement. Therefore, the statement lacks any factual basis and is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Gilbert, hoping to deny Republican Commissioner Todd Staples a second term, said Dec. 14: \"A careless, lackadaisical attitude has already resulted in the deaths of eight and more than 600 cases of illness nationally thanks to poor TDA oversight at the former Peanut Corporation of America factory in Plainview.\"","He was referring to eight (the count actually reached nine) deaths due to salmonella poisonings traced to the corporation's since-shuttered Plainview peanut plant.","In his statement about the peanut plant, Gilbert overstates the agriculture department's role; it's not the primary agency responsible for policing such facilities for health hazards. Still, its inspector admittedly slipped up in this case. If he'd flagged the Plainview plant for lacking the required food manufacturer license, it might have been shut down or its conditions improved. That could have prevented the 2009 illnesses and deaths.","Says he \"did not try to leave the scene of the accident\" that led to his arrest for driving while intoxicated."]},{"id":"7029.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama sold Chrysler to Italians who are going to build Jeeps in China at the cost of American jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Barack Obama sold Chrysler to Italians who are going to build Jeeps in China at the cost of American jobs. In fact, PolitiFact labeled this claim as the 2012 Lie of the Year. The ad in question created a false impression that Jeeps built in China would come at the expense of American workers, which was not true. The reality is that Chrysler was not sold to Italians, and the company's decision to produce Jeeps in China was to meet the growing demand in the Chinese market, with no direct impact on American jobs.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Cantor said that the U.S. economy is three times the size of China\u2019s. By a standard and commonly-used measure of Gross Domestic Product, he\u2019s pretty close. Annual figures from 2010 show the U.S. economy is two and a half times the size of China.","\u201cBlack women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die (from maternal mortality) even when they have the insurance and the income.\u201d","\"So the U.S. economy is about 2.5 times the size of China\u2019s economy, but the congressman rounded up to three,\" Whittemore said in an e-mail.","\"Our economy is three times as big as China\u2019s,\" Cantor, R-7th, said when asked about China\u2019s currency during a Nov. 14 meeting with reporters."]},{"id":"8896.json","label":"true","statement":"Its been 14 years since a president or a vice president or a member of their family has not gone and attended at least an event at the Olympics.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that it has been 14 years since a president, vice president, or a member of their family has not attended at least one event at the Olympics. This information is supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7291.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A Republican-sponsored Wisconsin mining bill will take at least seven years to create jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While the mining bill in question is indeed a Republican-sponsored bill, the evidence does not provide a direct estimate of the time it would take for the bill to create jobs. The evidence suggests that the bill's tax credits alone may not directly create jobs. However, it is important to note that the impact of the bill on job creation is not explicitly addressed. Therefore, the claim that the bill will take at least seven years to create jobs is an extrapolation and lacks sufficient evidence to support it.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2479.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As Milwaukee County executive, Scott Walker eliminated the waiting list for long-term care for older adults through the Family Care program.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Scott Walker, as Milwaukee County executive, played a role in eliminating the waiting list for long-term care for older adults through the Family Care program. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly state that Scott Walker single-handedly eliminated the waiting list. The statement could be more accurately described as Scott Walker playing a significant role in the elimination of the waiting list, rather than solely attributing the accomplishment to him. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["So Holt\u2019s claim \u2014 \"stop-and-frisk was ruled unconstitutional in New York\" \u2014 isn\u2019t quite precise because it makes it seem as if the judge decided that all stops and frisks were unconstitutional in New York, when really her ruling said New York had to stop and frisk differently. New York cops still stop and frisk today.","Whenever there\u2019s a disagreement over who has their facts right, we\u2019re compelled to sort it out. So the question of whether stop-and-frisk was ruled unconstitutional in New York piqued our interest.","\"Stop-and-frisk was ruled unconstitutional in New York, because it largely singled out black and Hispanic young men,\" Holt posed to Trump.","Trump has a point that a judge\u2019s ruling in a 2013 case did not declare stop-and-frisk as a general practice unconstitutional in New York. Stop-and-frisk is still legal and still takes place in New York and across the country."]},{"id":"1113.json","label":"false","statement":"The Congressional Budget Office most recently came out and analyzed the current (health care) plan and said that it was not only deficit-neutral, but also that over 10 years it would create a $6 billion surplus.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analyzed a specific healthcare plan and projected a $6 billion surplus over 10 years. The evidence discusses the projected deficit for 2022, the decrease in the deficit compared to previous years, and the revenue generated from new IRS agents. There is no mention of a specific healthcare plan or a surplus projection. Therefore, the statement is not supported by the evidence and is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A group opposing the Kenosha casino project tweeted that the majority of revenue from the business would go to the Seminole tribe in Florida. For that to be right, it would have to be at least $200 million.","A Nov. 8, 2014 tweet zeroed in on a key opposition argument \u2014 that the casino would benefit out-of-state interests, specifically the Seminoles in Florida: \"The Kenosha Casino, backed by the FL. Seminole Tribe, would send a majority of its rev to FL.\"","So for Enough Already to be right, a majority of that money \u2014 some $205 million to $218 million \u2014 would have to go to Florida.","The casino complex, including a spa and concert venue, were to be developed and managed by Hard Rock International, which is owned by the Seminole tribe of Florida. Enough Already, a Wisconsin group formed to fight the Kenosha casino, claimed that most of the Kenosha revenue would go to the Seminoles."]},{"id":"5280.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Obama administration ... would impose on every Catholic institution, every Jewish institution, every Protestant institution the Obamacare standard of what you have to buy as insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement by Gingrich is not entirely accurate. While it is true that the Obama administration implemented a rule related to contraceptive services under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it did not impose this requirement on every Catholic, Jewish, or Protestant institution. Nonprofit religious employers, such as churches and synagogues, were exempt from the rule and had the choice of whether or not to cover contraceptive services. However, there was a controversy regarding religiously affiliated institutions, such as universities and hospitals, which were initially not exempt from the rule but were later provided with an accommodation. Therefore, Gingrich's statement exaggerates the extent of the imposition on religious institutions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7664.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Women make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which indicate that women who work full-time, year-round, earn approximately 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. However, it's important to note that this statistic represents a broad average across all occupations and does not account for factors such as job type, experience, education, and other variables that can contribute to the gender wage gap. When considering factors like occupation and other variables, the wage gap may vary. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it lacks the nuance necessary to fully understand the complexities of the gender wage gap.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Since the beginning of 2012, Florida has added 7,800 private-sector jobs, but has cut 9,600 public sector jobs,\" he states in the memo, which offers an August 2012 report from the state\u2019s Department of Economic Opportunity as back-up.","\"After cutting more jobs than he created in Florida in 2012, failing to keep his promise to create 700,000 new jobs and a disastrous election year where the Florida GOP \u2018got their teeth kicked in,\u2019 Gov. Rick Scott is running away from everything he campaigned on to get re-elected,\" wrote Scott Arceneaux, the party\u2019s executive director, in the March 4 memo.","From December 2011 to December 2012, Florida lost 10,600 total government jobs. On the other hand, the state saw an increase of 65,600 private-sector jobs. Put them together and you get an overall nonfarm jobs total of 54,900 jobs -- a net gain, which belies Arceneaux\u2019s point.","We asked Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Conrad to explain. He sent us a 2012 news story from the Orlando Sentinel , which quoted Rollins College economics professor William Seyfried as saying Florida added about 7,800 private-sector jobs while cutting about 9,600 government positions -- this is key --so far that year."]},{"id":"1828.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Perry is spending Texans hard-earned money to live like Louie XIV.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Governor Rick Perry is spending Texans' hard-earned money to live like Louis XIV. There is no credible evidence to support this claim. While there may be legitimate debates about Governor Perry's fiscal policies, equating his spending habits to the extravagant lifestyle of Louis XIV is an exaggerated and baseless comparison.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Florida doesn't regulate assault weapons or .50 caliber rifles or large-capacity ammunition magazines. It doesn't require a permit to purchase a gun. It doesn't require any registration, whatsoever.\"","\"Florida doesn't regulate assault weapons or .50 caliber rifles or large-capacity ammunition magazines,\" Clinton said. \"It doesn't require a permit to purchase a gun. It doesn't require any registration, whatsoever.\"","The website makes the same assertion Clinton made on CNN: Florida doesn\u2019t regulate assault rifles, .50 caliber rifles or large-capacity ammunition magazines, nor does it require the registration of firearms.","Clinton said that Florida\u2019s gun laws don\u2019t regulate assault weapons or .50 caliber rifles or large-capacity ammunition magazines or require a permit or registration to purchase a gun. There\u2019s no denying that Clinton described Florida law correctly. But an expert cautions that Florida law isn\u2019t all that different than many places across the country."]},{"id":"9447.json","label":"false","statement":"Congressman Duffy has long record of voting against VA backlog fixes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Congressman Duffy has a long record of voting against VA backlog fixes. While there are news releases and claims made about his voting record, it is important to consider the context and examine the details of his voting history. The evidence suggests that the reality of Duffy's voting record is more nuanced, and there are factors such as a favorable rating from a veterans' advocacy group that contradict the claim. Therefore, it is inaccurate to state that he has a long record of voting against VA backlog fixes.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12845.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Trade deals threaten Indias role as the pharmacy of the developing world for new HIV medicines.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that trade deals pose a threat to India's role as the \"pharmacy of the developing world\" for new HIV medicines. Doctors Without Borders has expressed concerns about trade agreements and negotiations that could hinder the capacity of Indian generic drug makers to produce the next generation of HIV drugs. They have also highlighted that a significant percentage of the drugs they use to treat HIV, as well as other diseases, are generics made in India. While the statement accurately reflects the concerns raised by Doctors Without Borders, it is important to note that the impact of trade deals on India's role as a pharmacy of the developing world may vary depending on the specific terms and conditions of those agreements.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, who helped develop the city\u2019s bid to playoff executives, told a reporter he thought the game would bring an economic impact \"in the range\" of the Super Bowl, and had read studies that reflected the game could bring 1,700 to 1,800 full-time jobs to the area. Hagan wasn't quoted directly, but both Hagan and the reporter confirmed to us he had discussed that.","Hagan told a reporter he had read reports that suggested the game could result in 1,700 to 1,800 jobs for the region, based on findings after prior NCAA football title games.","Seaman said a more realistic, albeit rough estimate for potential jobs created for a metro area during an event like the championship game would probably be more in the range of 850 to 1,050, not 1,700 to 1,800.","Hillsborough County boosters and politicians were ecstatic when organizers chose Tampa to host the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship game. Even though the new college football playoff system doesn\u2019t start until next year, each season-ending contest promises to be a big event, bringing big money with it."]},{"id":"8669.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"By the word religion in the First Amendment, the founders meant Christianity.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. While some individuals, like radio host Bryan Fischer, may hold the belief that the word \"religion\" in the First Amendment specifically refers to Christianity, this interpretation is not supported by historical evidence or legal scholarship. The First Amendment was intended to protect the freedom of religion for all individuals, regardless of their specific faith or belief system. The writings of the Founding Fathers, such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, as well as legal opinions and scholarly analysis, demonstrate a commitment to religious freedom that encompasses a wide range of beliefs, not just Christianity. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["While Cain did not \"exactly\" say that \"communities have the right to ban mosques,\" he made this same point. Then he drove it home by adding that this does not count as religious discrimination.","\"The first point that you raised, about saying that communities have a right to ban mosques, no, that's not exactly what I said. Unfortunately, the people who helped you put that together have misquoted me. I have gone on record, and I put it in a press release that's available at my office that simply says that if anyone misunderstood my intent, I apologize for that. But never will I apologize for saying that Sharia law does not belong in the courts of the United States of America.\"","In July, Cain ignited another controversy after he told anchor Chris Wallace on \"Fox News Sunday\" that he thinks communities have the right to ban mosques.","Undeterred, we looked at a transcript and video of the July 17 \"Fox News Sunday\" episode where Cain supposedly said communities have the right to ban mosques."]},{"id":"8866.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"NFL players are living, on average, longer than the average male.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by a government study that examined former NFL players from 1959 to 1988, which found that NFL players had a lower rate of death compared to men in the general population. The study concluded that, on average, NFL players actually lived longer than men in the general population. However, it's important to note that NFL players are not representative of the average male in several ways, such as their physical fitness, access to quality healthcare, and potentially higher socioeconomic status. These factors could contribute to their longer life expectancy. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided, it should be considered in the context of the unique characteristics and circumstances of NFL players.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Shankland said: \"Faced with $1 million in campaign debt,\" Scott Walker \"is unloading his campaign security costs onto the backs of Wisconsin taxpayers.\"","\"Faced with $1 million in campaign debt, Governor Walker is trying to cut corners in any way he can,\" Assistant Minority Leader Katrina Shankland of Stevens Point said in a news release. \"In this case, he is unloading his campaign security costs onto the backs of Wisconsin taxpayers.\"","But Walker is not unloading any of his presidential campaign debt onto taxpayers, including travel expenses for the security team. His campaign has already reimbursed the state for those expenses.","On Jan. 29, 2016 it was reported that despite raising $500,000 in the last three months of 2015, Walker\u2019s presidential campaign was still in debt -- by more than $1 million."]},{"id":"311.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I won the majority of the Republican vote in both New Hampshire and South Carolina.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. In the 2016 Republican primaries, Donald Trump did not win the majority of the Republican vote in either New Hampshire or South Carolina. In the New Hampshire primary, Trump received approximately 35% of the Republican vote, while in the South Carolina primary, he received around 32% of the Republican vote. While Trump won both states, he did not secure a majority of the Republican vote in either of them.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"The unusual twist here is that this is a tactic most often employed in a state when one senator is a Republican and the other senator a Democrat,\" Sabato said of Allen\u2019s attack. \"The irony is that the charge would almost certainly be accurate if the two Virginia senators were named Mark Warner and George Allen.\"","In a recent web video, Radtke\u2019s campaign claims that Allen \"voted for 40,000 earmarks\" during his previous term as a senator from 2001 to 2007. Earmarks are money sent to constituents for pet projects by members of Congress.","PolitiFact Virginia, \"George Allen claims he was one of a dozen senators to vote against the \u2018Bridge to Nowhere\u2019,\" Dec. 27, 2011.","Former U.S. Sen. George Allen is taking aim at a rival who took away his seat in 2006, Sen. Jim Webb."]},{"id":"11427.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Fifteen out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in India and China.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, 13 out of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are located in India, which supports the claim that a significant number of highly polluted cities are in India. However, the evidence does not mention any cities in China being among the top 20 most polluted cities. While it is possible that some Chinese cities may also be highly polluted, the evidence does not confirm this. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks complete information regarding the inclusion of Chinese cities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["That's her opinion and she's entitled to that. But then she cited a fact that got our attention: \"We are amassing most of our military strength in a country where fewer than 100 members of al Qaeda remain,\" she wrote.","The more interesting statistic in her statement is that there are fewer than 100 members of al Qaeda left in Afghanistan.","The question of al Qaeda's strength has been debated for years in political circles, until earlier this summer when CIA Director Leon Panetta, in an appearance on ABC's \"This Week,\" settled some of the mystery by offering his best estimate of al Qaeda's presence.","\"At most, we're looking at maybe 50 to 100, maybe less,\" Panetta said. \"It's in that vicinity. There's no question that the main location of al Qaeda is in tribal areas of Pakistan.\""]},{"id":"8054.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says an investigative report concluded Ken Cuccinelli should have been prosecuted for disclosure violations, but Virginias law was too weak.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The investigative report mentioned in the evidence does not state that Ken Cuccinelli should have been prosecuted for disclosure violations, nor does it make any comment on the strength or weakness of Virginia's laws. The report's findings were contested during the debate, but there is no evidence to support the claim that Cuccinelli should have been prosecuted or that Virginia's laws were insufficient.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"2735.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Recovery Act saved 60,000 jobs among law enforcement officials, firefighters in the state of Florida, plus another 20,000 educators.","reason":"Reason: While there were claims made that the Recovery Act saved 60,000 jobs among law enforcement officials, firefighters, and 20,000 educators in Florida, the evidence suggests that these numbers are not entirely accurate. The Department of Justice reported only 935 jobs saved, and the Department of Law Enforcement reported 617 jobs, which may include some law enforcement officials. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security claimed zero jobs funded in Florida. While there may have been some jobs saved or created through the Recovery Act, the specific numbers mentioned in the statement are not fully supported by the evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"When it comes to going after Osama bin Laden, you said, well, any president would make that call,\" Obama said at the debate in Boca Raton, Fla. \"But when you were a candidate in 2008, as I was, and I said if I got bin Laden in our sights I would take that shot, you said we shouldn't move heaven and earth to get one man. And you said we should ask Pakistan for permission. And if we had asked Pakistan permission, we would not have gotten him. And it was worth moving heaven and earth to get him.\"","In an attempt to portray Romney as \"all over the map\" on foreign policy, Obama said the candidate once said the United States \"should ask Pakistan for permission\" to strike Osama bin Laden.","In this fact-check, we\u2019re asking whether Romney once said \"we should ask Pakistan for permission\" to strike if bin Laden was in reach.","Obama claimed that during the 2008 campaign, Romney said, \"we should ask Pakistan for permission\" to take out bin Laden. The reality is somewhat more complex."]},{"id":"477.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"It is just a fact that Hamas, apparently the North American spokesperson, is endorsing Senator Obama.\"","reason":"Reason: While John McCain's statement accurately reflects his assertion that Hamas endorsed Senator Obama, there is a factual error regarding Ahmed Yousef's title. Yousef is not a North American spokesperson for Hamas but rather the chief political adviser to the prime minister of Hamas. However, it is worth noting that Yousef's views are considered to represent the organization's position by experts in the field. It is important to recognize that the endorsement by Hamas does not mean Senator Obama endorsed or supported Hamas in return. Senator Obama has consistently denounced Hamas as a terrorist organization and expressed disagreement with former President Jimmy Carter's meeting with its leader. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Democratic Party said more than 1 million Texans live without affordable health care because Perry failed to \"partner with the Legislature to find a Texas solution to closing the coverage gap.\"","Javier Gamboa, the Democratic Party\u2019s spokesman, reacted in a Feb. 12, 2015, press release: \"Perry should be ashamed of himself for saying that the people of Texas did not want increased coverage and expanded access to healthcare. More than one million hardworking Texans are living without affordable care because of his failure to partner with the Legislature to find a Texas solution to closing the coverage gap.\"","Per the latest estimates, it\u2019s safe to say around a million Texas adults fall into the coverage gap for making too little money to qualify for insurance subsidies and also remaining ineligible for Medicaid unless Texas expands access as encouraged by the Obamacare law and rejected by Perry and the state\u2019s ruling Republicans. Less certain is what kind of care is available to those people in the gap and how affordable it might be for them.","Replying to our requests for elaboration, the Democratic spokesman, Gamboa, pointed out news stories, including a January 2015 Associated Press news story stating: \"Texas leads the nation in uninsured, with nearly a quarter of the state\u2019s population\u20146.4 million people\u2014lacking health insurance.\" That story said the Obamacare law \"mandates expanding Medicaid to residents with incomes less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level, but a Supreme Court ruling left expansion up to each state and Texas said no. \"That created a \u2018coverage gap\u2019 of more than 1 million Texans who aren\u2019t poor enough to qualify for Medicaid,\" the story said, \"but don\u2019t earn enough to receive the law\u2019s new subsidized health insurance.\""]},{"id":"12947.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Who would sign up to speak for a (Haitian) dictator? Rob Portman.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rob Portman signed up to speak for a Haitian dictator is barely-true. While an ad may have made such a claim, it has been debunked. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Portman lobbied on behalf of Haiti or its dictator during his time at Patton Boggs & Blow. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12144.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Austins the fastest-growing city in the country the last five years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the provided evidence, Austin experienced a significant growth rate of 12.5 percent from April 2010 through June 2014, ranking 23rd among cities with 50,000 residents or more. While it may not be the absolute fastest-growing city in the country during that specific time period, it is still notable for its substantial growth. It's important to consider the timeframe specified in the statement and the specific criteria used to measure growth.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4816.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Obama has (a) new Christmas tree tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While there were discussions and criticisms surrounding a proposed fee on Christmas trees in 2011, it was not a tax implemented by President Obama. The fee was intended to fund a promotional campaign for Christmas trees, similar to other agricultural commodities. However, due to the backlash and mischaracterization of the fee as a tax, it was never implemented. Therefore, it is misleading to claim that Obama had a new Christmas tree tax.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"You have to understand, I am not sitting in the United States Senate with, by the way, the worst voting record there is today,\" Trump countered, referring to Rubio\u2019s missed votes. \"No. 1, I am not sitting in the United States Senate. I am a businessman doing business transactions.\"","We\u2019ve already noted that Rubio has had an exceptionally bad voting record among presidential candidates that served in the U.S. Senate, although not necessarily the worst. But where does he stand among Florida senators of years past? We checked the record to see if he had the worst absentee rate in almost half a century.","In a heated exchange, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump criticized rival Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida for his Senate voting record.","U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy wasted no time attacking incumbent Marco Rubio\u2019s voting record after handily winning the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate."]},{"id":"11110.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says under his leadership Wisconsin median household income is up 2.7%, while it is down 1.3% nationally under President Obama.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. It correctly states that under Governor Scott Walker's leadership, the median household income in Wisconsin increased by 2.7%. However, it oversimplifies the comparison by stating that it decreased by 1.3% nationally under President Obama. While there was a decrease in median household income across the nation, attributing it solely to President Obama is misleading. Economic factors and policies at both the state and federal levels contribute to changes in median household income. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Duffy said: \"Millions of dollars are spent by Planned Parenthood to elect Democrats to the House of Representatives and the Senate.\"","\"Harvesting body parts. How could anybody defend that? It\u2019s an easy answer. Look in (the) political season. Millions of dollars, millions of dollars are spent by Planned Parenthood to elect Democrats to the House of Representatives and to the Senate. This isn\u2019t about babies; this is about money.\"","Duffy\u2019s claim was a little different -- that Planned Parenthood spent millions to elect Democrats to the House and Senate. We found, using figures from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, that that was this case.","By law, the operational, medical clinics of Planned Parenthood cannot spend money in politics. But separate entities that are affiliated with Planned Parenthood can, and they spent millions just in the 2014 election cycle to elect Democrats."]},{"id":"472.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"For what we spend in just one week in Iraq, 800,000 children could get health insurance for an entire year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. It highlights the significant amount of money spent on the Iraq war and compares it to the potential use of those funds for providing health insurance to children. While the exact numbers may vary depending on the specific time period and the cost of health insurance, it is generally accurate that the cost of one week of the Iraq war could cover health insurance for a substantial number of children for an entire year. This statement effectively emphasizes the opportunity cost of military spending in relation to social welfare programs.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12879.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson has voted for $7 trillion of our national debt!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Allen Buckley on his campaign website that U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson has voted for $7 trillion of the national debt. However, it's important to note that this claim is presented without additional context or clarification. While Isakson may have voted for measures that contributed to the national debt, it does not necessarily mean that he is solely responsible for the entire $7 trillion. The statement could benefit from providing more information about the specific votes and policies that Buckley is referring to in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Isakson's role in the national debt.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Even a year later, our fact-check on which president took more vacation -- George W. Bush or Barack Obama -- remains one of our most popular fact-checks with readers. Given the Obama\u2019s family\u2019s summer vacation in Martha\u2019s Vineyard, Mass., we thought it was time to look at the numbers again.","Thiessen said that Obama had gone from blaming George W. Bush to plagiarizing him. Thiessen himself says he didn\u2019t mean that Obama copied Bush; rather, that Obama took the theme of opportunity from Bush.","\"Since both you and President Bush are Republicans, I fear a return to the policies of those years should you win this election,\" said undecided voter Susan Katz. \"What is the biggest difference between you and George W. Bush, and how do you differentiate yourself from George W. Bush?\"","Marc Thiessen was the lead writer for President George W. Bush\u2019s 2007 State of the Union speech, and he said he found the similarities between the two speeches a bit eerie."]},{"id":"13339.json","label":"half-true","statement":"400 bills have my name on them either as a sponsor or a co-sponsor. You dont get that done unless you work with folks on the other side.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Hillary Clinton claimed that she had 400 bills with her name on them as a sponsor or co-sponsor, which suggests a willingness to work with individuals across the aisle. However, upon closer examination, it is revealed that only 74 of those bills became law, and of those, 27 were sponsored by Republicans. While this does demonstrate some level of bipartisan collaboration, it does not necessarily indicate that Clinton worked with \"practically every Republican\" she served with, as she claimed. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13246.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Pete Gallego went and lobbied after you fired him from Congress.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the ad claims that Pete Gallego went and lobbied after being fired from Congress, there is no evidence to support this claim. In fact, there is information indicating that Gallego did not engage in lobbying activities after leaving Congress. The ad's assertion is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle says 160,000 students stay home from school every day because they\u2019re afraid of being bullied&url=)","\"And it certainly now is a mandate for all school districts to follow a course in anti-bullying and helping these kids get through those difficult years when, quite frankly, in New Jersey, there's like 160,000 kids that stay home from school each day because they're afraid to go to school,\" she said.","\"A hundred and sixty thousand kids stay home every day because they are afraid to go to school because of bullying,\" Vainieri Huttle said at a Sept. 6 news conference in Fort Lee. \"These are the kids that we are concerned with this morning. These are the kids that we need to give that message to this morning, that they will be protected.\"","But, she said, \"there are quite a few students who stay home from school each and every day,\" because of bullying."]},{"id":"732.json","label":"false","statement":"\"But if my opponent had his way, the millions of Floridians who rely on it would've had their Social Security tied up in the stock market this week.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to suggest that the opponent, whoever it may be, advocated for tying Social Security to the stock market. Social Security is a government-administered program that provides retirement benefits and is not directly tied to stock market investments. It is important to base claims on accurate information and not spread misinformation about policy proposals.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"When I was mayor of New York City, I encouraged adoptions. Adoptions went up 65-70 percent. Abortions went down 16 percent.\"","We contacted Obama's campaign. But on a week when his staff was consumed with fallout from Obama's ties to Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., they seemed unconcerned about the inquiry. A staffer who asked not to be named said, \"I don't think he said this but I'm not 100 percent sure.\"","At the time in question \u2014 early 2005 \u2014 the families of fallen service personnel received a $12,420 \"death gratuity\" or benefit. What the ad does not say is that they probably also received the benefit of a low-cost, government-subsidized life insurance policy covering the soldiers for up to $250,000. About 95 percent of ready reserves purchase this insurance. In fact, it's automatically deducted from their pay unless they opt out.","This overstatement aside, Richardson did initiate and push through legislation to pay the premiums on those policies for members of the New Mexico National Guard. The legislation does amount to \"giving\" soldiers life insurance, as the ad states."]},{"id":"2737.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Steve Spinnett has court judgments against him for trespass and harassment.","reason":"Reason: While there are claims and references to court judgments against Steve Spinnett for trespass and harassment, the evidence provided is not conclusive. The mailer from Livable Damascus states that Spinnett admitted to having two previous judgments against him in a deposition, but the actual deposition is not available for verification. Additionally, the documents provided by Kathy Russell, which were supposed to contain the deposition, were lost in a flood. Therefore, while there are allegations and indications of court judgments, the lack of concrete evidence makes it difficult to determine the veracity of the statement.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"The remainder (of the cases) get appointed out to private attorneys on an hourly basis. The hourly basis is $40 an hour. It is now the lowest in the country, worse than the Deep South of America, which has historically been the least generous when it comes to this sort of thing.\"","The report also noted, however, that 20 states don\u2019t set hourly rates. In those states, the pay for the private attorneys is generally either set by a judge on a case-by-case basis, or through a contract between the state and the attorney. But even within some states, there are variations. In Illinois, Cook County (which includes Chicago) pays $40 per hour for in-court and $30 for out-of-court work, while all other counties establish their own rates.","The $40 is for \"for time spent related to a case,\" in court or out of court, excluding travel. For travel time, the rate is $25 per hour, if the travel meets certain distance requirements.","\"We have a staffed indigent defense program statewide, but only about 60 percent of cases are handled by those salaried lawyers,\" Buting said, referring to Wisconsin public defenders, who are state employees."]},{"id":"12827.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama ended up getting re-elected by the largest gender gap in the history of American elections.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that Barack Obama was re-elected with a significant gender gap in the 2012 American elections. However, it is important to note that the claim of it being the \"largest gender gap in the history of American elections\" lacks context and may not be entirely accurate. While there was indeed a notable gender gap in the 2012 elections, comparing it to historical data requires a comprehensive analysis of multiple elections over time. Without such analysis, it is difficult to definitively conclude that it was the largest gender gap in American election history.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["There was no public discussion -- and there was no discussion among lawmakers in public -- on the details of how taxpayers should govern, encourage, monitor and pay for online education, including online schools. There was no negotiating in public the version put to legislators as part of a final deal. The bill that passed bypassed the comprehensive nature of the original House Bill 2301. Elements of the final bill were discussed, in passing, but the heart of it did not receive a public hearing. The claim that the legislation received no public hearing is Mostly True -- accurate but needing additional clarification.","Just before the Fourth of July holiday, the group submitted a guest column on Blue Oregon, pleading with the governor to veto House Bill 2301: \"What makes this whole debacle even more unpalatable is that the public was completely shut out of the backroom dealing. HB 2301 never had a public hearing. Parents, educators, and school leaders were never given the opportunity to weigh in and talk about how this will impact kids in the classroom.\"","In order for Gov. John Kitzhaber to get what he wanted on education reform this session -- a new investment board, for example -- legislators agreed to vote on a package of 14 education-related bills. One of those bills, House Bill 2301, will allow online charter schools to add more students and was vigorously opposed by the public teachers\u2019 union, the Oregon Education Association.","Well, yes and no. A bill with that number was the subject of two public hearings Feb. 11 and 14, 2011, in the House Education Committee. But that wasn\u2019t the bill that lawmakers approved in the final days of the Legislature."]},{"id":"12624.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"During the (Benghazi) attack, a stand-down order was given, and our troops were told to change their clothes four times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there were allegations of a stand-down order during the Benghazi attack, multiple investigations, including those conducted by the House Select Committee on Benghazi and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, found no evidence to support the claim that a stand-down order was given. Additionally, there is no credible evidence to suggest that troops were told to change their clothes four times during the attack. These assertions have been widely debunked, and the available evidence contradicts the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2662.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The new health care law will force seniors into Barack Obamas government-run health care program.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The new health care law does not force seniors into Barack Obama's government-run health care program. Seniors are already enrolled in a government-run health care program, Medicare, which has been in place for 45 years. The law does not introduce any requirement for seniors to join a new program or change their existing coverage. The claim made in the statement is misleading and lacks factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Democrats currently control the House, Senate and White House. People on social media suggested this fact alone was enough for the passage of abortion legislation.","A post on TikTok shows a video claiming that an elite is carrying out a plan to replace white Europeans with non-white migrants, and that this plan was devised by Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, an early proponent of continental unification in Europe.","Democrats currently control the House, Senate and the White House. That power has significant limits, however, and Biden has a point when he says Democrats will need more members of Congress who support abortion rights to enact a federal law protecting those rights.","The House of Representatives is made up of 435 members. There are 221 Democrats and 209 Republicans. (There are five vacant seats due to deaths and resignations.)"]},{"id":"10915.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Ronald Reagan talked about converting the United States to the metric system.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan did sign an omnibus trade bill that included an amendment to the 1975 Metric Conversion Act. This amendment declared the metric system as the preferred system of weights and measures for U.S. trade and commerce and called for federal agencies to adopt the metric system wherever practical by 1992. However, it's important to note that this amendment did not explicitly discuss converting the entire United States to the metric system. It focused on promoting the metric system for trade and commerce purposes. So while Reagan's actions did involve discussing and promoting the metric system, it falls short of a comprehensive discussion about converting the entire country to the metric system.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says U.S. Senate rival Tommy Thompson \"wants to give a new $265,000 tax cut to millionaires like himself while raising taxes on the middle class.\"","Says U.S. Senate rival Tammy Baldwin wants a \"completely government-controlled\" health care system that goes \"far beyond 'Obamacare'\" and is \"a Medicare system for all.\"","\"Just this week, one of my prospective opponents, Tommy Thompson, went to a tea party event and compared Medicare to welfare, and said he wanted, quote, to do away with Medicare,\" Baldwin said.","A day after winning the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson used health care to contrast himself with his opponent in the general election, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison."]},{"id":"3260.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Welfare programs caused more long-term damage to Detroit than the atomic bomb caused to Hiroshima","reason":"Reason: The statement comparing the long-term damage caused by welfare programs in Detroit to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima is highly inaccurate and misleading. The devastation caused by the atomic bomb in Hiroshima resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and the complete destruction of the city. Comparing this to the impact of welfare programs in Detroit is an extreme exaggeration and lacks any factual basis. The decline of Detroit can be attributed to a complex range of factors, including economic shifts, deindustrialization, urban decay, and social issues, rather than solely blaming welfare programs. Drawing such a comparison is not only factually incorrect but also insensitive to the tragic events of Hiroshima.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The economy has improved significantly. There's no doubt about it,\" Obama said. \"We had a jobs report for October that showed that once again over 200,000 jobs created. We've now created more than 10 million. The unemployment rate's come down faster than we could have anticipated. Just to give you some perspective, Bob, we've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\"","From publicly available data, we know that since 2010, the United States has created more jobs than the 35 other advanced economies combined. However, it\u2019s not as clear cut that this recovery involves putting \"more people back to work,\" as Obama suggests. The labor force participation rate has consistently declined during this period, suggesting that more and more unemployed Americans are dropping out of the workforce, rather than taking new jobs.","Obama said, \"We've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\"","We previously rated a similar statement by Obama, giving him a Half True for the claim that \"we've created more jobs in the United States than every other advanced economy combined since I came into office.\" His numbers at the time were off, and it seemed like the other economies were ever so slightly edging out the United States for total jobs created."]},{"id":"1898.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"BP is setting up claims offices throughout the state.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that BP has set up claims offices throughout the state of Florida. There are a total of 10 claims centers in Florida, which is more than any other state affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion. These centers are located in various regions, including the Panhandle and the Florida Keys. The evidence confirms the existence of these claims offices, supporting the statement's accuracy.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Web site of Rep. Bobby Rush, Statement by Rep. Rush, Chairman Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, at the Hearing on H.R. 2221, May 5, 2009","The executive order \"only initiates agencies to start policies and practices. Most likely it won't require public disclosure. It may not even mandate private disclosure to the government,\" said Mark Jaycox, policy analyst with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a think tank dedicated to free speech, privacy and consumer rights issues.","On April 30, 2009, Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, introduced H.R. 2221, the Data Accountability and Trust Act of 2009. The purpose of the bill is to require \"reasonable security policies and procedures to protect data containing personal information, and to provide for nationwide notice in the event of a security breach.\"","\"The impact of President Biden being beholden to the Green New Deal radicals in his party has electricity costs through the roof in Texas.\""]},{"id":"7330.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wisconsin state lawmakers worked seven days in 2012 but got paid for a whole year.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided contradicts the statement. While it is true that the full Legislature was in session for seven days in 2012, it does not mean that lawmakers only worked for seven days throughout the entire year. The evidence also mentions that in 2011-2012, the full Legislature met for a total of 34 days. Therefore, the claim that Wisconsin state lawmakers worked only seven days in 2012 but received a full year's pay is not supported by the evidence and is misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Scott said that Florida \"will have the highest general revenue in state history next year. Conservative pro-growth policies work in our state.\"","\"After right-sizing government and cutting taxes, this year we had our first budget surplus in six years,\" Scott told conservatives gathered in Orlando for an Americans for Prosperity Foundation summit on Aug. 30, 2013. \"It gets better: Our state revenue estimating conference says we will have the highest general revenue in state history next year. Conservative pro-growth policies work in our state.\"","No one can fault Scott for talking up the state as a tourism and business mecca. But could he bring about record-setting tax collections through a toolbox of tax cuts and shrinking government, or as he put it, \"conservative pro-growth policies?\" Even economists on the conservative side are skeptical.","Scott\u2019s right: State economists (the wonkishly called revenue estimating conference) say tax collections in the 2014-15 fiscal year will be higher in sheer dollars than ever. But crediting \"conservative pro-growth policies\" for the extra flow of money is a conclusion that ignores trends nationwide, as PolitiFact Florida found out."]},{"id":"13034.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Patrick Murphy advocated for cuts to Social Security and Medicare.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that Patrick Murphy advocated for cuts to Social Security and Medicare. The sources mentioned only state that the National Republican Senatorial Committee created a website spinning a partisan view of Murphy's qualifications and policy positions, without providing any direct evidence or quotes from Murphy advocating for such cuts. Additionally, the statement mentions that Murphy's primary opponent, Alan Grayson, used a similar line of attack, but it does not confirm Murphy's actual stance on the issue. Without concrete evidence or direct quotes from Murphy supporting the claim, it is not accurate to state that he advocated for cuts to Social Security and Medicare.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Mallard Fillmore\" said a government study shows Head Start \"has little or no impact on the children it\u2019s supposed to help.\"","( - \"Mallard Fillmore\" says government study shows Head Start \u201chas little or no impact on the children it\u2019s supposed to help\u201d&url=)","Several asked us to look into the \"Mallard Fillmore\" comic strip\u2019s statements about Head Start, such as this from the Feb. 9, 2013, cartoon: \"A government study has found that the vaunted \u2018Head Start\u2019 program actually has little or no impact on the children it\u2019s supposed to help.\"","Overall, Love said, the comic strip\u2019s description of the study was close but oversimplified. \"That is a fair summary of what they found, as far as it goes,\" he said, but it\u2019s an inadequate description because there were some significant results within subgroups; for example, black 4-year-olds showed more improvement than their peers, with effects lasting until the end of third grade. Such findings, Love said, could help determine \"what works for whom under what conditions.\""]},{"id":"10017.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under sequestration, the military was cut down to the smallest Army since 1940, the smallest Navy since 1915.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Multiple sources, including Senator Lindsey Graham and former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, have expressed concerns about the potential impact of sequestration on the size of the military. They have stated that if the cuts were implemented, it could lead to the smallest Army since 1940 and the smallest Navy since 1915. However, it's important to note that these statements refer to potential future outcomes rather than actual cuts that have already occurred. The military's size and budget are subject to various factors, including ongoing budget negotiations and policy decisions. Therefore, while the statement reflects concerns expressed by officials, it does not accurately describe the current state of the military.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"And,\" the narrator says, \"he voted against funding to test the backlog of rape kits. Allowing rapists to walk free.\" Patrick, the narrator says, \"is just too dangerous.\"","This claim is flawed in various ways -- starting with blaming Patrick for a result that didn\u2019t come to be. In reality, Patrick appears to have been among senators to initially put the kit-test funding into the state budget. And while he voted against the final overall budget, there\u2019s no indication he did so to stop the kits from being tested. Also, the contention that rapists walked free as a result of Patrick\u2019s action is incorrect. The funding (to repeat) passed into law.","By email, we pointed out to Van de Putte that Patrick evidently played a role in initially putting the money for testing the kits into the budget and there is no indication his vote against the full final budget allowed rapists to walk. Garcia, stressing Patrick\u2019s opposition to the final budget, emailed: \"If it was up to him alone, the budget would not have passed at that point in time, Meaning that testing for the rape kits would not be funded.\"","On March 20, 2013, Patrick was among 28 senators who voted to advance the budget (including the kit-test funding) to the House, according to the Senate Journal entry for that day. Two senators (though not Patrick) voted \"no.\""]},{"id":"2840.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Florida Supreme Court has no express authority in the Florida Constitution to remove questions from the ballot proposed by the Legislature.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. The Florida Constitution does not explicitly grant the Florida Supreme Court the authority to remove questions from the ballot proposed by the Legislature. However, it's important to note that the Florida Supreme Court does have the power to review and potentially invalidate proposed amendments if they violate other provisions of the Constitution or if they are misleading to voters. While the Constitution may not provide \"express authority\" for the court to remove such questions, it does provide the court with the jurisdiction to review and potentially strike down amendments that do not meet constitutional requirements. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9341.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"David Beckhams soccer stadium would get a special tax deal that lets them off the hook for $2 million in taxes every year for 30 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that David Beckham's soccer stadium would receive a special tax deal exempting them from paying $2 million in taxes annually for a period of 30 years. However, it's important to note that the accuracy of this claim depends on the specific details and terms of the tax deal, which are not provided in the evidence. Without further information, it is difficult to assess the full extent and implications of the tax arrangement. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the information given, it would benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive evaluation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Dowd said that Pope Francis\u2019 namesake, St. Francis, reached out to Muslims. The historical record tells us that indeed, St. Francis, likely at great personal risk, left the safety of the crusaders\u2019 camp and spent a few days with the Sultan of Egypt.","Moses pointed us to the Early Rule, St. Francis\u2019s first recorded guide for members of his order. In it, St. Francis says friars who go to the land of \"the Saracens and other nonbelievers\" can choose to act in two ways:","\"Upon his return home, Francis advocated a revolutionary new way for his friars to interact with Muslims, Moses said. \"Rather than preach at them, he said, they could just live peacefully among them and even \u2018be subject\u2019 to them. So here he is reaching out not just to the sultan but to Muslims in general.\"","\"He's coming in as basically not only a spiritual leader, but a political leader that everybody is going to have to, in the course of that, respond to,\" Dowd said on ABC\u2019s This Week on Sept. 20, 2015."]},{"id":"2458.json","label":"false","statement":"On the success of Cash for Clunkers","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the success of the Cash for Clunkers program. It includes statements about potential loopholes and technical details of the program, but it does not provide specific information or data regarding its overall success. To determine the success of the program, one would need to analyze factors such as the number of vehicles traded in, the impact on the automotive industry, and the program's environmental and economic outcomes. Without such information, it is not possible to make a conclusive judgment on the success of the Cash for Clunkers program.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4205.json","label":"true","statement":"Medicaid is the primary source of health insurance for 41.7 percent of Hispanic children in Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Medicaid is indeed the primary source of health insurance for 41.7 percent of Hispanic children in Georgia. This information is supported by the evidence provided, which highlights the role of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in expanding healthcare coverage for children. Medicaid plays a crucial role in providing health insurance for low-income families, including Hispanic children, and the statistic mentioned in the statement is consistent with the available data.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3670.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We just fought a Republican budget that ends Medicare as we know it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Republican budget proposed changes to Medicare, it is an exaggeration to claim that it \"ends Medicare as we know it.\" The Republican proposal did introduce significant changes to the program, but it also included exemptions for existing beneficiaries and future beneficiaries who are currently 55 and over. The statement fails to provide the necessary context and mischaracterizes the impact of the Republican budget on Medicare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Obamacare is a \"massive, massive income redistribution\" with \"$250 billion a year in Medicaid expansion (and) in the subsidy structure that's basically being paid for by people on Medicare, through Medicare cuts, and a lot of tax increases.\"","\"If you think about it, it's $250 billion a year in Medicaid expansion, in the subsidy structure, that's basically being paid for by people on Medicare, through Medicare cuts, and a lot of tax increases,\" Capretta said. \"It is a massive, massive income redistribution.\"","In this fact-check, we look at whether the new health care law is a \"massive, massive income redistribution\" that has taken $250 billion a year out of taxes and from people on Medicare and moved it into Medicaid expansion health care subsidies.","Capretta said Obamacare represents a massive redistribution of income, with the expansion of Medicaid and premium subsidies paid for by people on Medicare and through a host of other taxes. He is correct that money is being redistributed to fund the expansion of public and private health insurance."]},{"id":"7715.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Internal Revenue code has ballooned to a 5,600-page, 4 million-word complicated mess that is seven times as long as the Bible with none of the good news.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Lance that the Internal Revenue code is a lengthy and complex document. While there may be some variation in the exact word count and page count, it is generally accepted that the tax code is approximately 4 million words in length and spans around 5,600 pages. However, the comparison to the Bible being seven times shorter is not entirely accurate, as different versions and translations of the Bible can vary in length. Nonetheless, the statement effectively conveys the overall point that the tax code is extensive and intricate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1871.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"My opponent in November of 2008 sent a missive to the White House, to President Obama-elect, and said, Heres how you need to sell cap-and-trade to the American people.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that the opponent sent a missive to the White House advising on how to sell cap-and-trade to the American people. Multiple sources have stated that there is no record of such support or advice from the opponent. The statement appears to be a fabrication or a misrepresentation of the opponent's actions, making it false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Key backers : Former Georgia Republican Gov. Nathan Deal; Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss.; Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., and former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga.","In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","Though most of the public attention in the race so far has focused on the Republican primary, some of Warnock\u2019s personal issues have received notice as well.","An image shows Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in front of a cross with a figurine of former President Donald Trump on it."]},{"id":"8580.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Florida remains the top travel destination across the world.","reason":"Reason: While Florida is undoubtedly a popular travel destination, it is an exaggeration to claim that it is the top travel destination across the world. Determining the top travel destination is subjective and can vary depending on various factors such as visitor numbers, cultural significance, and natural attractions. While Florida may be a top destination for certain demographics or regions, other countries like France have a strong claim to being global leaders in international tourism. Therefore, the statement is an overstatement and not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Those were followed by a limited-distribution online banner ad that reads: \"What?! Kurt Schrader supports Obama\u2019s sequester \u2026 but won\u2019t cut $1.6 million to fund new video games.\"","The NRCC\u2019s online ad states: \"Kurt Schrader supports Obama\u2019s sequester \u2026 but won\u2019t cut $1.6 million to fund new video games.\"The statement is inaccurate in many ways. This is not Obama\u2019s sequester, as PolitiFact has ruled. Schrader voted for the 2011 bill authorizing sequestration, along with many Republicans. He voted against two sequestration bills pushed by Republicans that would have sheltered defense at the expense of human services and entitlement programs.","Now that we have the background, let\u2019s try to unwind the statement. Is it true that Schrader supports Obama\u2019s sequester, but refuses to cut $1.6 million for video games?","And, finally, NASA is spending $1.6 million to develop video games and other entertainment as a way to get more students interested in science, math and technology."]},{"id":"1223.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The majority actually want single-payer health care.\"","reason":"Reason: While there is support for some form of universal health care coverage among Americans, the statement that the majority actually wants single-payer health care is false. Polls have consistently shown a range of opinions and preferences regarding the means to achieve universal health care coverage. While some Americans may support a single-payer system, it is not accurate to claim that a majority of Americans hold this view. In fact, the single-payer plan has consistently polled lower than other options in surveys conducted on this topic.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Well, the latest job numbers are in and Wisconsin created more private sector jobs than Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Ohio, and Illinois. That means we ranked third in the Midwest.\"","\"It\u2019s Walker\u2019s agency that gave millions in tax breaks to companies that relocated jobs overseas. Another reason Wisconsin\u2019s dead last in Midwest job growth.\"","Wisconsin added 36,100 jobs in that one-year time frame, which does place it third among the 10 Midwest states, behind Indiana and Michigan.","Our examination of the data for the three-year period cited by Burke shows Wisconsin 10th out of the 10 states -- \"dead last\" -- just below Illinois when it comes to growth in private-sector jobs."]},{"id":"10892.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"America has already taken in one-fourth of Mexicos entire population.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Coulter that America has already taken in one-fourth of Mexico's entire population is false. While there is a significant population of Mexican origin in the United States, it is important to note that a substantial portion of them were born in America or come from families where both parents were born in America. Therefore, they cannot be considered as part of the population \"taken in\" by America. The claim is misleading and does not accurately represent the demographic reality between the two countries.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5645.json","label":"false","statement":"Right now we have sufficient reserves to take care of Tennessees lottery scholarship students for a few years more.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gresham that there are sufficient reserves to take care of Tennessee's lottery scholarship students for a few more years is false. While the Tennessee Lottery has built up a significant reserve fund, there have been recurring deficits in the program. These deficits indicate that the current reserves are not sufficient to sustain the scholarship program for an extended period. Gresham's claim does not align with the financial realities of the Tennessee Lottery.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"373.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Hillary Clinton believed NAFTA was a 'boon' to our economy.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Barack Obama and others have claimed that Hillary Clinton referred to NAFTA as a \"boon\" to the economy, there is no credible evidence to support this. In fact, Clinton has been critical of certain aspects of NAFTA and has expressed the need for improvements and adjustments to the agreement. It is important to rely on accurate information and not perpetuate false claims.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Another statement in the ad delivers more of a shock: \"Liberal Leticia actually voted to stop schools from removing teachers convicted of a felony,\" the narrator says, \"convicted\" appearing in red.","Nope. There was never a vote to stop schools from firing teachers convicted of a felony. Still, Van de Putte voted against making it easier to terminate such teachers \u2013 a toughening that was supported by Patrick to wipe out the right of teachers to request an independent hearing before being let go.","By phone, Lonnie Hollingsworth, an attorney and advocate for the Texas Classroom Teachers Association, said Patrick\u2019s claim was largely incorrect, though it is so that Van de Putte voted to stop schools from terminating teachers convicted of a felony \"without due process.\"","So, was the Democrat\u2019s \"no\" vote in the end also a vote to stop schools from removing teachers convicted of felonies, as Patrick says?"]},{"id":"10500.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A Texas law says that you cant shoot bears out of the second floor of a window.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no Texas law that specifically prohibits shooting bears out of the second floor of a window or any other location. In fact, Texas law prohibits hunting bears altogether as they are a protected species. The claim made by Hastings is not supported by any credible evidence and has been debunked by officials from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and legal experts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Having an entirely Democrat congressional delegation in 2009, when the federal stimulus bill passed, increases the per capita stimulus dollars that the state receives per person by $460.\"","The chain e-mail says, \"Having an entirely Democrat congressional delegation in 2009, when the stimulus bill passed, increases the per capita stimulus dollars that the state receives per person by $460.\"","Headlined, \"It looks like our present administration is leading us down the path to economic failure as a country . . . ,\" the e-mail says, \"Stimulus dollars were highly correlated to which political party controlled the state: Having an entirely Democrat congressional delegation in 2009, when the bill passed, increases the per capita stimulus dollars that the state receives per person by $460.\"","Using data from , which listed the amount each state has received per person, we found that the five states that had all-Democrat congressional delegations in 2009 -- Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Dakota, New Mexico and Rhode Island -- received an average of $1,209.80 per capita. That's $216 more than the average for the rest of the states, not $460."]},{"id":"8194.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Three years after getting the $100 million (from Mark Zuckerberg), less than two-thirds of students in Cory Bookers Newark graduate.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies a causal relationship between the $100 million donation from Mark Zuckerberg and the graduation rate of students in Newark. However, it oversimplifies a complex issue and ignores other factors that can influence graduation rates. While the donation did contribute to education initiatives in Newark, it is not the sole determinant of graduation rates. Graduation rates are influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic conditions, school resources, and educational policies. Therefore, attributing the graduation rate solely to the donation is misleading and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Sanfelippo said his bill checks the spending habits of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors by \"bringing it in line with other county boards around the state.\"","His final pitch: \"To most reasonable observers, there is something amiss that demands repair. (The state bill) ends the board\u2019s uninhibited spending by capping their budget and bringing it in line with other county boards around the state.\"","The budget numbers on those four counties are easy to find, but we have not seen an analysis of his claim that the bill would bring Milwaukee County \"in line with other county boards around the state.\"","The claim we are looking at is about more than the numbers. It asserts the county is currently out of line and the bill would change that."]},{"id":"12964.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Milwaukee has the highest incarceration rate among African-American men in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to the evidence provided, Milwaukee does have a high incarceration rate among African-American men. The study mentioned in the evidence states that Milwaukee County has a significant percentage of African-American men in their 30s and early 40s who have been incarcerated in state correctional facilities. However, the evidence does not explicitly state that Milwaukee has the highest incarceration rate among African-American men in the entire country. Therefore, while the statement is accurate in highlighting the high incarceration rate in Milwaukee, it is not entirely accurate to claim that it is the highest in the country.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"If Rick Scott wins, the next four years are going to be rough for Floridians,\" Frankel said in an email on Sept. 12, adding, \"Recently he closed 30 women's health care centers across the state.\"","In a fundraising email sent out by the Crist campaign, Frankel wrote that Scott \"closed 30 women\u2019s health care centers around the state.\" Crist\u2019s campaign said that the email should have said that Scott cut money for rape crisis centers, but even that smaller claim isn\u2019t accurate.","When Gov. Rick Scott walked into a Starbucks in downtown Gainesville, he got an earful from a woman who attacked his positions on health care.","Family planning services remain funded at various clinics and centers that don\u2019t provide abortions, including all 67 county health departments. So Jennings exaggerated when she said that Scott \"stripped women of access to public health care\" because access to certain types of health care remain available."]},{"id":"3758.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The (border) fence is now basically complete.","reason":"Reason: While President Obama did make a statement in his speech suggesting that the border fence was \"now basically complete,\" this claim is not entirely accurate. According to information provided by the Department of Homeland Security, at the time of the speech, only 5 percent of the double-layer fencing had been completed, which amounted to approximately 36.3 miles. Therefore, the statement that the fence is \"now basically complete\" is misleading and does not align with the actual progress of the construction at that time.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6376.json","label":"true","statement":"There are close to 900,000 unemployed veterans in America right now.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by the evidence provided, which states that there were close to 900,000 unemployed veterans in America at the time. While the number may have fluctuated since then, the evidence confirms that the figure was accurate during the period mentioned. \nLabel: true","evidence":["So, where does Perry get \"upwards of $30 billion over the next 10 years\"? His spokeswoman, Katherine Cesinger, said that the governor simply \"rounded\" up from $27 billion and that he was referring to the 10-year period that starts in 2014.","In a Dec. 3 interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Perry called the plan \"one of the greatest intrusions into our lives\" and objected to its \"massive cost\" to states. \"It will cost the State of Texas upwards of $30 billion over the next 10 years,\" Perry said.","All told, Perry's sweeping statement is correct in one sense \u2014 federal health care reform will eventually cost the state billions. But he errs on several fronts. The latest cost projection from the Texas health commission is $27 billion, not $30 billion; the estimate covers 2014 through 2023, not the next 10 years; and it speaks only to a single state entity, not all of state government.","Here's how the $27 billion in costs breaks down: $9.5 billion for the \"Medicaid expansion\" enrollees \u2014 people made eligible by the federal law \u2014 and $8.6 billion for enrollees who were eligible for Medicaid before the new health care law passed. The rest, $8.9 billion, is what it would cost the state to continue higher payment rates that the new law mandates for primary care services. The federal government will fund the higher rates through 2014, but after that, state lawmakers will have to decide whether to chip in the money to continue paying providers more, Goodman said. If they do, the feds would share the cost as they do now for Medicaid."]},{"id":"2226.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Republicans are now taking credit for provisions of the health care bill that they had tried to derail.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Republicans aggressively opposed the health care bill and sought to overturn it, it is misleading to suggest that they tried to derail the entire bill based on specific provisions. The statement lacks clarity on which provisions specifically Republicans are taking credit for and had previously tried to derail. Additionally, there were provisions in the health care bill that had bipartisan support and were included in both Democratic and Republican proposals. Therefore, while there may be instances where Republicans are taking credit for certain provisions, it is not accurate to broadly claim that they tried to derail the entire bill based on those provisions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8926.json","label":"half-true","statement":"300,000 Floridians will lose their current health plans because of Obamacare, a plan Alex Sink supports.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were concerns and reports about individuals losing their health insurance plans due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it is important to note that the statement lacks some context. The number of 300,000 Floridians losing their current health plans is an estimate and may not represent the actual number. Additionally, it is crucial to consider that the Affordable Care Act aimed to provide more comprehensive and affordable health insurance options for individuals who previously had limited coverage. While some individuals may have had to transition to new plans, the intention was to improve overall access to healthcare. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it does not provide a complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We wondered what evidence AIF had to support its claim that this 26-year-old tax cut created 40,000 jobs in the last four years.","AIF rolled out a big ad campaign to combat SB 1832, saying the insurance industry\u2019s \"working tax cut\" created \"over 40,000 new jobs in just the last four years.\"","But to reach 40,000 jobs created, Miller takes credit for thousands of jobs he wasn't in a position to create. Growth at Red Lobster, early in his career, accounts for 46 percent of his estimate \u2014 and it's a stretch to credit him for even half of that.","Usually when politicians claim that they created jobs, they are talking about jobs created by the private sector while they held public office."]},{"id":"5118.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rob Cornilles is a Tea Party candidate.","reason":"Reason: While Rob Cornilles has been referred to as a Tea Party candidate by Democrats and has used the term to describe himself, it is important to note that the Tea Party movement is a loosely affiliated grassroots movement with a range of beliefs and priorities. While Cornilles may align himself with certain aspects of the Tea Party movement, it is not accurate to categorize him as a definitive Tea Party candidate without considering the full spectrum of Tea Party values and positions. The label \"Tea Party candidate\" for Cornilles is subjective and open to interpretation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["James Langevin said in a news release that passing a federal firearms \"background check through the NICS database . . . typically takes 90 seconds.\"","Langevin reports, \"The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 requires an individual to pass a background check through the NICS database before purchasing a firearm from a federally licensed dealer, a process that typically takes 90 seconds.\"","Robert Carney, owner of Post Road Guns on Plainfield Pike, in Cranston, said it's true that it usually takes 90 seconds or less for the NICS to search its database and determine whether a customer is eligible to purchase a weapon. And he does it with a phone call, not with a computer.","Under federal law, licensed firearms dealers have to perform a background check on buyers. This is done through the FBI\u2019s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. However, a background check completed through NICS could be missing mental health records and juvenile convictions if a state has not submitted that information to NICS."]},{"id":"2224.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Lincoln Chafee voted with President George W. Bush and the conservative leadership 76% of the time.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Lincoln Chafee voted with President George W. Bush and the conservative leadership 76% of the time is misleading. While it is true that Chafee voted in alignment with President Bush and the conservative leadership on certain issues, the percentage provided does not accurately reflect the overall voting pattern. The percentage is based on an assessment by editors, which may not include all votes and is subjective in nature. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of Chafee's voting record.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The debt-ceiling bill \"doesn\u2019t cut the debt. It will add about $7 trillion in new debt over the next 10 years.\"","\"This bill doesn\u2019t cut the debt,\" DeMint, a leading fiscal conservative, told The State newspaper. \"It will add about $7 trillion in new debt over the next 10 years on the backs of our children and grandchildren. This bill doesn\u2019t stop deficit spending. It locks in trillion-dollar spending deficits for years to come.\"","So by this calculation, DeMint actually underestimates the growth in the debt over 10 years -- it could be as much as $9 trillion in additional debt rather than $7 trillion. And that only strengthens DeMint\u2019s point that \"this bill doesn\u2019t cut the debt.\"","However, as we noted, there\u2019s a problem with how DeMint phrased his statement. Technically, the debt that will be added is not a result of the debt ceiling bill itself, as DeMint indicated. The bill didn\u2019t \"add about $7 trillion in new debt,\" as he put it -- instead, it fails to stop that debt from being added."]},{"id":"9739.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"So far, the war in Gaza has left more than 1,800 Palestinians dead -- the population equivalent to 100 9\/11s.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Reid, equating the death toll in Gaza to the \"population equivalent to 100 9\/11s,\" is an attempt to provide a comparative measure of the scale of the tragedy. However, it is important to note that this comparison is not based on a direct correlation of the events or their impact. The use of \"population equivalent\" is a subjective measure and does not accurately reflect the true magnitude or nature of the events being compared. While the statement may be intended to emphasize the severity of the situation, it lacks precision and can be misleading. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"has been a champion of globalist trade agreements. ... Worst of all, they are now pushing the disastrous 5,000-page Obamatrade \u2014 the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.\"","Sessions said Clinton \"has been a champion of globalist trade agreements. ... Worst of all, they are now pushing the disastrous 5,554-page Obamatrade \u2014 the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.\"","\"She has been a champion of globalist trade agreements,\" Sessions said during the convention\u2019s opening night. \"But the facts are in. They have not worked for the American people. When those agreements were signed, Presidents (Bill) Clinton and Obama promised our dangerous trade deficits with China and Korea would be reduced. But, the deficit with China has increased fivefold and the deficit with Korea doubled. These are job-killing numbers. They are now pushing the disastrous 5,000-page \u2018Obamatrade\u2019 \u2014 the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.\"","Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended her opposition of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in the first Democratic debate of the 2016 race."]},{"id":"8614.json","label":"false","statement":"Only 25 percent of what people buy is subject to Rhode Islands sales tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Joseph Henchman of the Tax Foundation did mention that \"only 25 percent of what people buy is subject to Rhode Island's sales tax,\" it is important to note that this claim is not accurate. As stated in the evidence, no one actually calculates the total spending or the exact percentage of items subject to sales tax in Rhode Island. Therefore, the claim lacks factual basis and cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"8431.json","label":"false","statement":"Says 74 percent of small-business people believe that Obamacare is a bad idea.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not accurate. The evidence provided does not support the claim that 74 percent of small-business people believe that Obamacare is a bad idea. The evidence only mentions that 75 percent of small businesses claim they will be forced to either fire workers or cut their hours due to Obamacare. This does not directly translate to the belief that Obamacare is a bad idea. It is important to differentiate between concerns about the impact of a policy on small businesses and the overall perception of the policy itself.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Dishonest used car dealer Tom Ganley is at it again, and this time he\u2019s going after seniors and veterans. Recently, Ganley said that if elected, he wants to \u2018cut the dickens\u2019 out of Social Security, Medicare and Veterans\u2019 benefits.\"","And the claim that Ganley wants to \"cut the dickens\" out of Medicare, Social Security and Veterans programs is a leap. Ganley never told Human Events he wants to cut \"the dickens\" out of Social Security, Medicare and Veterans\u2019 benefits.","( - Betty Sutton campaign claims Tom Ganley wants to \"cut the dickens\" out of Social Security, Medicare and Veterans\u2019 benefits&url=)","\"And how about Republican candidate Tom Ganley of Akron, who wants Betty Sutton\u2019s job?\" Trumka asked the crowd. \"He\u2019s the guy with the Mercedes dealership who promises to \u2013 and I quote \u2013 \u2018cut the Dickens\u2019 out of Medicare, Social Security and Veterans\u2019 benefits for average working people.\""]},{"id":"7660.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The immigration proposal from the Gang of Eight is not amnesty.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The Gang of Eight proposal in the Senate, which gained momentum in 2013 but did not become law, was considered by experts to be more lenient than the Biden bill. However, the term \"amnesty\" is subjective and can be interpreted differently by different individuals. While the Gang of Eight proposal did include a pathway to citizenship and certain requirements for legal status, it also included provisions for border security and enforcement measures. Therefore, whether or not it qualifies as \"amnesty\" depends on one's perspective and definition of the term.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3387.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Florida Gov. Rick Scotts cuts to education are the same as his proposedcorporate income tax rate reduction.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely true. While it is true that Governor Rick Scott implemented cuts to education funding and proposed a reduction in the corporate income tax rate, it is not accurate to equate these two actions as being directly linked. The evidence provided does not explicitly state that the education cuts were made to directly fund the corporate income tax rate reduction. The statement implies a direct correlation between the two actions, but without more explicit evidence, it is difficult to definitively conclude that the education cuts were solely made to finance the tax breaks for corporations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6721.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have more natural gas than Saudi Arabia has oil.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the United States produces more natural gas per year than Saudi Arabia produces oil, it does not mean that the United States has more natural gas reserves than Saudi Arabia has oil reserves. In terms of reserves, Saudi Arabia has significantly larger oil reserves compared to the natural gas reserves in the United States. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not provide a complete picture of the comparison between the two countries.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8180.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says President Barack Obama could basically legalize all immigrants here illegally by the sign of a pen.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an interpretation of Senator Marco Rubio's claim that President Obama could potentially legalize all immigrants here illegally \"by the sign of a pen.\" While it is true that President Obama took executive action to protect certain undocumented immigrants through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, it is an exaggeration to suggest that he could single-handedly legalize all immigrants in the country without any congressional involvement. The process of legalizing immigrants would require comprehensive immigration reform legislation, which would involve congressional action. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and is an oversimplification of the complex process of immigration reform.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Countries with a higher minimum wage than the United States\u2019 $7.25 an hour include Denmark at $21, Australia at $15.81, Germany at $11 and France at $12.35.","The meme says that countries with a higher minimum wage than the United States\u2019 $7.25 an hour include Denmark at $21, Australia at $15.81, Germany at $11 and France at $12.35.","\"Minimum wages around the world in U.S. dollars: Denmark $21\/hr., Australia $15.81\/hr., Germany $11\/hr., France $12.35\/hr. United States $7.25\/hr. Share if you agree we should catch up with the rest of the world.\"","In two of the four countries -- Australia and France -- factoring in purchasing power parity reduces the gap between the United States\u2019 minimum wage and that of the other country. (We could not find equivalent data for Denmark or Germany.) The data comes from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a research group for advanced industrialized countries."]},{"id":"6846.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Texas lawmakers last year expanded public educations share of state spending.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the information provided, the share of state spending allocated to public education in Texas increased in the 2012-13 budget compared to the previous budget cycle. The spokesperson for the Texas House speaker confirmed that the Texas Education Agency received a slightly higher budget allocation in 2012-13, accounting for 37.4% of all general-revenue spending, compared to 37% in the previous budget. However, it's important to note that while the share of spending increased, it does not necessarily indicate an overall increase in funding for public education. The statement focuses on the share of state spending rather than the actual funding amount, which may have fluctuated. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Dance still faces competition in the primary from state Del. Joseph Preston, D-Petersburg. She won the Senate seat in a November special election after serving nine years a state delegate.","We should note that the final budget bill passed the Senate by a 38-1 vote and sailed through the House, 95-5. Morrissey was among the handful of delegates who opposed it.","Former Del. Joe Morrissey is raising Virginia\u2019s refusal to expand Medicaid as a key issue in his bid to unseat state Sen. Rosalyn Dance, D-Petersburg.","Joe Morrissey\u2019s comments at the Chamber RVA mayoral debate, Oct. 17, 2016. (His statement is at just over 10 minutes into the video.)"]},{"id":"11198.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There has been a 100 percentincrease in student debt under this Democratic White House.","reason":"Reason: While there has been a substantial increase in student loan debt during the Democratic White House, the claim that it has increased by 100 percent is not accurate. The actual increase is around 86 percent, as stated by experts. It's important to note that student loan debt was already growing before President Obama took office, and factors beyond the White House's control, such as the recession, contributed to the increase. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4705.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under Barack Obamas watch, we have expended $805 billion to liberate the people of Iraq and, more importantly, 4,400 American lives.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes the entirety of the expenses and casualties in Iraq to President Barack Obama's watch. The majority of the costs and lives lost in Iraq occurred during the presidency of George W. Bush, not Obama. Obama was not even in the Senate when the war began. Blaming Obama for all the expenses and casualties in Iraq is factually incorrect and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["( - Tennessee congressman defends vote raising Social Security age to 70 by saying it won\u2019t happen until \u201cturn of the century\u201d&url=)","In an interview with The Daily News Journal of Murfreesboro, DesJarlais said that \"as far as this charge that I voted to raise the retirement age to 70, there\u2019s a process where the retirement is pushed back by one month every two years, so by the time the retirement age hits 70, it\u2019ll be sometime around the turn of the century.\"","Eric Stewart media release, \"DesJarlais\u2019s \u2018Turn of the Century Statements on his vote to Raise Retirement age to 70 May be Biggest \u2018Falsity of the Century\u2019 \"","In defending the accuracy of his statements, DesJarlais and his staff in essence contend that the Democrats have been attacking him for voting for the Ryan bill \u2013 which on March 29 did not contain a detailed provision for raising Social Security\u2019s retirement age \u2013 and that that was what he was responding to with his \"turn of the century\" claim. His office pointed to an earlier, 2010 version of Ryan\u2019s plan called \"Road Map to America\u2019s Future\" that did include a detailed provision saying the Social Security. That plan says that \"retirement age will gradually increase until it reaches 70 in the next century.\" An important note on that, however -- DesJarlais was not in Congress in 2010. He did not vote on that plan."]},{"id":"5794.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says she made a cold call and persuaded an Illinois company to relocate to Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Lieutenant Governor Kleefisch made a call and met with the company's CEO, the statement that she single-handedly persuaded the company to relocate to Wisconsin is not entirely accurate. The evidence suggests that the company had already inquired about office space in Beloit and had plans to move before Kleefisch's involvement. The decision to relocate was primarily driven by the desire to avoid the Illinois sales tax and provide convenience for the company's employees. While Kleefisch may have played a role in promoting Wisconsin as a favorable location, attributing the entire relocation to her cold call is an exaggeration.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["It turns out that circumcision recommendations have been under discussion since 2007, when George W. Bush was president. Given the fact the CDC was pondering the idea back then, it is no more accurate to say Obama wants to mandate circumcision than to say Bush did.","So, back to Limbaugh's claim. He says Obama \"wants to mandate circumcision.\" But the CDC's eventual recommendations \u2014 if they even include circumcision \u2014 will be voluntary, not mandatory. In addition, we could we find no connection between Obama and the new guidance, and no evidence that Obama had even used the word in a public forum. In fact, the recommendations were under discussion long before Obama took office. This one is ridiculous enough to set the meter ablaze \u2014 Pants on Fire!","\"Does this, Snerdley, mark a new development in my career to be singled out in a rap song by the famous rapper Jay-Z?\" he said to his call screener on his Aug. 25, 2009, show. \"I guess it is. As far as I know I have never been mentioned in a rap song by anybody. I guess it means I've made it. I'm now in a rap tune by the famous rapper Jay-Z. (The song says) 'Tell Bill O'Reilly to fall back. Tell Rush Limbaugh to get off my balls.' I would remind the rapper Jay-Z: Mr. Z, it is President Obama who wants to mandate circumcision. We had that story yesterday; and that means if we need to save our penises from anybody, it's Obama. I did not know I was on anybody's balls, either. I'm happy to know that they think I am, though! But I didn't actually know that I was.\"","We scoured his voting record on Congressional Quarterly , his position papers and speeches on Project Vote Smart , and even typed \"circumcision\" into the White House Web site , and came up with nothing. From what we found, Obama has not used the word \"circumcision\" in any public statement as a candidate or as president. We also found no evidence that he has recommended circumcusion to the CDC."]},{"id":"1036.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Sotomayor ruled against the white firefighter Ricci and other white firefighters just on the basis that she thought women and minorities should be given a preference because of their skin color and because of the history of discrimination in the past. The law was totally disregarded.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Justice Sotomayor ruled against the white firefighter Ricci and other white firefighters in the case of Ricci v. DeStefano, the statement misrepresents the basis of her ruling. The case involved complex legal considerations, and it is inaccurate to claim that Sotomayor's decision was solely based on the belief that women and minorities should be given preference due to their skin color and historical discrimination. The ruling took into account various legal factors and considerations, including the impact of the exams on different racial groups. The statement oversimplifies the reasoning behind the ruling and disregards the legal complexities involved.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Our question, for the last three weeks, has been, \u2018Why is it not evenly applied across all the citizens?\u2019 \" Mulvaney said. The president, he said, \"has given 1,100 special waivers to his friends. Now he gave it most recently to large corporations. All we have been asking for the last two and a half weeks is that those same exemptions apply to our families.\"","Hagan did vote to pass Obamacare in 2010, but does the law include \"waivers for friends of Obama\" and \"special treatment for Congress and their staffs\"? We\u2019ll look into both parts of this statement.","We\u2019ve already fact-checked the claim that the president handed out waivers to his friends. The law did lead to the granting of more than 1,000 waivers, but they weren\u2019t issued to groups on the basis of being Obama\u2019s friends or political allies.","More than 1,000 companies have received Obamacare waivers, but there\u2019s no evidence to suggest that those groups are all Obama\u2019s \"friends.\""]},{"id":"3788.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A gallon (of gasoline) delivered to the front lines for our troops in Afghanistan cost more than $400.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources and reports indicate that the cost of delivering a gallon of gasoline to the front lines for troops in Afghanistan can indeed exceed $400. While there may be variations in the exact cost, the evidence supports the claim that it is a significant expense due to the logistical challenges and isolated nature of Afghanistan compared to other regions. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the high cost associated with delivering gasoline to troops in Afghanistan.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10378.json","label":"true","statement":"A private company building a natural gas pipeline into Florida is being forced to spend months under the review of six federal agencies.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that a private company, Sabal Trail Transmission LLC, which is a joint venture between Spectra and NextEra, is indeed undergoing a regulatory review process for the construction of a natural gas pipeline into Florida. The company has acknowledged the involvement of multiple state agencies, including the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and various water management districts. While the statement specifies federal agencies, the evidence provided supports the fact that the company is undergoing a review process involving multiple agencies, both federal and state. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1723.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Everyone in this country has access to health care.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"everyone in this country has access to health care\" is barely true. While there are various programs and initiatives in place to improve access to healthcare, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there are still significant barriers that prevent everyone from having equal access to healthcare services. Factors such as geographic location, income level, insurance coverage, and availability of healthcare providers can limit access to healthcare for certain individuals and communities. The evidence provided includes reports that highlight disparities in access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas and mental health services. These disparities indicate that not everyone in the country has equal access to healthcare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9222.json","label":"false","statement":"Social science is irrefutable that children are better off being raised by a mom and a dad.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be differing opinions on the topic, the evidence presented suggests that the claim is not supported by social science research. The studies mentioned indicate that children generally benefit from having two parents, but they do not specifically focus on the gender of the parents. Additionally, the research cited by the Family Research Council, which advocates for the claim, does not meet the standards of peer-reviewed research and may mischaracterize or selectively quote from other sources. Therefore, the assertion that social science is irrefutable in supporting the idea that children are better off being raised by a mother and a father is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3323.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Twelve percent of the garbage collected in those SOLV cleanups, by volume, is plastic bags.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Mark Hass claimed that 12 percent of the garbage collected in SOLV cleanups, by volume, is plastic bags, further analysis and calculations indicate that the actual percentage is lower. The available data suggests that plastic bags accounted for approximately 4 percent of the garbage collected, based on the number of bags found. Therefore, Senator Hass' statement overestimates the proportion of plastic bags in the collected garbage. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Rick Scott \"doesn't have any ties to Tallahassee, he doesn't have any ties to a lobbyist,'' Carroll said. She continued but some of her comments were drowned out by cheers.","Carroll told the Broward GOP in September that Scott \"doesn't have any ties to a lobbyist.\" Scott wasn't the go-to preferred pick among the lobbyist crowd during the primary. But he has taken multiple donations from lobbyists and, since the primary, lobbyists organized at least two fundraisers for him. And in 2009, Scott's Solantic employed Florida lobbyists. It would be extremely unusual for any statewide candidate who won the primary to be completely devoid of lobbyist ties. We rate this claim Pants on Fire.","Rick Scott's ties to a company have become, let's just say, the \"centerfold\" of a new attack being leveled by Scott's challenger for the Republican nomination for governor, Attorney General Bill McCollum.","We e-mailed and called spokespersons with the Scott campaign for several days starting on the morning of Oct. 1 to ask what Carroll meant when she said Scott \"doesn't have any ties to a lobbyist.\" We heard back Monday, Oct. 4, when Carroll spokeswoman Erin Isaac responded in a brief e-mail:"]},{"id":"13163.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If you look at any real analysis, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is going to generate better-paying jobs that are more stable.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that any real analysis of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would conclude that it will generate better-paying and more stable jobs. However, the evidence provided does not support this claim directly. While President Obama defended the TPP and highlighted its benefits for American workers, the evidence does not include a comprehensive analysis that unequivocally supports the statement. The TPP has been a highly contentious issue, and there are differing opinions on its potential impact on job creation and stability. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported and lacks the necessary evidence for a definitive conclusion.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["By 8:30 a.m., the store had already run out of doughnuts and had to grab another 15-or-so dozen doughnuts from Nicola\u2019s second location.","Shortly after Scott\u2019s speech, Waatti spoke to David DeCamp of the Tampa Bay Times. She said the 240-dozen figure includes all of the doughnuts sold at both Nicola\u2019s locations throughout the entire day Scott worked at the bakery. But she also reconfirmed that the shop Scott worked at sold about 80 dozen while he was there.","In a black hat that he clearly didn\u2019t like wearing and a matching black shirt, Gov. Scott baked and then sold fried pastries by the dozen to customers. You can read all about his day, the first of Scott\u2019s \"Let\u2019s Get to Work Days\", here.","At PolitiFact Florida, we\u2019re almost as serious about our doughnuts as we are our fact-checks. We rate Scott\u2019s \"240 dozen\" claim Mostly False."]},{"id":"4518.json","label":"half-true","statement":"It costs more money to put a person on death row than it does to lock them up for the rest of their lives because of attorney fees.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Gary Johnson, that it costs more money to put a person on death row than to imprison them for life due to attorney fees, is partially true. While the cost of the death penalty can indeed be higher due to the expenses associated with lengthy legal proceedings and the need for specialized defense attorneys, it is important to note that the overall cost comparison between death penalty cases and life imprisonment can vary depending on the jurisdiction and specific circumstances. In some cases, the costs associated with death penalty cases may be higher, while in others, the costs may be comparable or even lower. Therefore, while the statement captures a valid concern regarding attorney fees, it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the overall cost comparison between the two options.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6592.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Gov. Chris Christie has embarked on a tour to demand that New Jerseys Democratic legislature approve an immediate tax cut that would disproportionately benefit the wealthiest.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence to support the claim that Governor Chris Christie embarked on a tour to demand that New Jersey's Democratic legislature approve an immediate tax cut that would disproportionately benefit the wealthiest. The provided statements are from Barbara Buono, who was Christie's opponent in the gubernatorial election, and they lack substantiation. It is important to rely on verified information and evidence when making such claims, and in this case, there is no factual basis to support the statement.\nLabel: false","evidence":["A viral message claims congressional lawmakers earn their salaries \"FOR LIFE,\" which for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi would add up to \"$803,700 Dollars a year for LIFE including FREE medical.\"","In honor of Congress\u2019 second-worst approval rating in Gallup history, let\u2019s keep this simple: Do congressional lawmakers earn their salaries \"FOR LIFE? Would House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi get \"$803,700 Dollars a year for LIFE including FREE medical\"?","PLUS she will receive an additional $193,400 a year as Minority Leader. That's $803,700 Dollars a year for LIFE including FREE medical which is not available to us ... the taxpayers .","The message claims Pelosi will retire as a member of Congress making $174,000 \u2014 and that she\u2019ll earn it annually, for life, on top of her full speaker\u2019s salary of $223,500 and minority leader\u2019s salary of $193,400, for a whopping \"$803,700 Dollars a year for LIFE including FREE medical.\""]},{"id":"6253.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Sherrod Browns approval rating has plummeted to 38 percent among Ohio voters in a poll by a Democratic pollster.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to a poll conducted by a Democratic polling firm, Sherrod Brown's approval rating among Ohio voters has indeed dropped to 38 percent. However, it's important to note that this poll was conducted by a Democratic firm, which may introduce some potential bias. While the evidence supports the claim, it's advisable to consider multiple sources and polling data to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of Sherrod Brown's approval rating.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In the early days of the Obama presidency, it seemed like the impossible had a chance of becoming reality: The Democratic-led House of Representatives passed legislation to address climate change. The House bill set limits on carbon emissions and then permitted companies to buy and sell carbon allowances, called cap and trade. But the plan that passed in June 2009 never made it to a vote in the Senate. Obama himself acknowledged defeat and a Promise Broken when he said cap-and-trade was \"just one way of skinning the cat\" and he\u2019d pursue his goal through other means. (Which he did.)","In 2012, PolitiFact twice rated True claims that President Barack Obama failed to keep a promise to cut federal deficits in half by the end of his first term.","\"The economic recovery, wind-down of stimulus, reversal of TARP\/Fannie transactions, and lower interest rates are really what has caused our deficit to fall so much,\" Goldwein told us. He mentioned cuts in discretionary spending as well.","That\u2019s because instead of using the actual 2009 deficit of $1.4 trillion, Obama lowers it by the $200 billion in increased deficit spending that he -- not Bush -- pushed through in the stimulus plan to address the crisis that became the Great Recession. That resulting figure is what Obama calls the deficit he \"inherited\" from Bush."]},{"id":"3858.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Oil companies are able to sell oil that costs no more to produce today than it did one year ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is accurate that oil companies can sell oil that costs no more to produce today than it did one year ago, it is important to consider other factors that can affect the price of oil, such as transportation costs, drilling capacity, and market demand. The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the oil industry, causing delays in restoring drilling capacity and sluggish production increases. These factors can contribute to fluctuations in the price of oil, even if the production costs remain relatively stable. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it is essential to consider the broader context and external factors that influence oil prices.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"692.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Barack Obama supports plans to raise \"income taxes ... payroll taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Barack Obama supports plans to raise both income taxes and payroll taxes. However, it's important to note that the context of these tax increases is crucial. Obama's proposal to raise payroll taxes specifically targets individuals with higher incomes (around $250,000) to ensure the solvency of Social Security. This means that not all individuals would be subject to the payroll tax increase. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of Obama's support for raising income and payroll taxes, it lacks the necessary context to fully explain the targeted nature of these tax increases.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"You really need to read this,\" it begins. \"Starting in 2011 (next year folks) your W2 tax form sent by your employer will be increased to show the value of whatever health insurance you are given by the company. It does not matter if that's a private concern or governmental body of some sort. If you're retired? So what; your gross will go up by the amount of insurance you get. You will be required to pay taxes on a large sum of money that you have never seen.","Since the health care law actually continues the tax exemption on employer-sponsored insurance, why include a requirement that employers report the value of health insurance on the W-2? There are several reasons.","A viral image suggests that if churches were required to pay taxes, individuals would be in tax heaven, but the claim actually doesn\u2019t have a prayer.","The chain e-mail is correct that employers will be required to start listing the cost of insurance. The requirement starts for the tax year 2011, so employees will see it on the W-2s they receive in 2012."]},{"id":"9240.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Over 20 percent of the electorate is Hispanic in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. The evidence provided suggests that the Hispanic electorate in Florida was estimated to be between 14 and 18 percent in 2013. While it is possible that the percentage has grown since 2002, there is no specific data provided to support that claim. Therefore, it would be more accurate to state that a significant portion of the electorate in Florida is Hispanic, but it is unclear if it exceeds 20 percent.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Planned Parenthood is \"nothing more than a referral service. \u2026 They don\u2019t do anything except profit from killing babies and then selling body parts of those aborted babies.\"","Patrick said Planned Parenthood is \"nothing more than a referral service. \u2026 They don\u2019t do anything except profit from killing babies and then selling body parts of those aborted babies.\"","Patrick: \"No. I don\u2019t think they do anything good. Look, they\u2019re nothing more than a referral service. They pretend to care about women\u2019s health. But they don\u2019t have professionals even giving any information to women except referring them to another clinic. They don\u2019t have equipment. They don\u2019t do anything except profit from killing babies and then selling body parts of those aborted babies.\"","Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a nationally broadcast interview that Planned Parenthood does little more than profit from killing babies."]},{"id":"8593.json","label":"false","statement":"TheAffordable Care Actalters the sensible doctor-patient-relationship-centered health care program ... we see today.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) alters the current \"sensible doctor-patient-relationship-centered health care program.\" However, the Affordable Care Act does not fundamentally change the doctor-patient relationship. It primarily focuses on expanding access to healthcare coverage and implementing regulations to protect consumers. While there may be debates about the impact and effectiveness of the Affordable Care Act, the claim that it alters the doctor-patient relationship is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Meanwhile, as we found in rating a claim by the Republican Governors Association, the Milwaukee property tax levy increased in seven of eight years under Mayor Tom Barrett, Walker\u2019s opponent in the June 2012 recall election.","In a TV ad, Walker claimed that Barrett is campaigning \"on lifting property tax ceilings.\" It was part of a more sweeping claim that taxes overall would go up with Barrett as governor.","On May 7, 2012, a day before Barrett won the Democratic recall nomination, Walker released a TV ad claiming -- among other things -- that taxes would go up if Barrett is elected governor.","Democratic National Committee, Tom Barrett has Held the Line on Property Taxes, e-mailed to PolitiFact Wisconsin, Aug. 17, 2010. Follow up interview, Democratic National Committee regional press secretary Derrick Plummer"]},{"id":"8475.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mike Enzi is getting about 84 percent of his campaign funds from Washington-based PACs. Thats more than any senator of either party.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Mike Enzi received a significant portion of his campaign funds from PACs, the statement overstates the percentage. According to data from the Center for Responsive Politics, Enzi received approximately 73 percent of his campaign funds from PACs, not the claimed 84 percent. Therefore, the statement is mostly true in terms of highlighting Enzi's reliance on PAC funding, but the specific percentage mentioned is inaccurate.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9525.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"An average of nine children a day in the U.S. die of gunshot wounds.","reason":"Reason: While the statement is close to the actual statistic, it slightly exaggerates the average number of children who die from gunshot wounds in the U.S. The government statistics indicate that an average of 7.81 children per day died from gunshot wounds from 2007 through 2011. While this is a significant and tragic number, it is important to provide accurate information to maintain credibility. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5454.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In some communities, for $10,000 worth of (PIP) coverage its $1,500 a year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that in some communities, the cost of $10,000 worth of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage can be $1,500 or more per year. This information is supported by a state report that indicates instances of high premiums for PIP coverage. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context, which is that these high premiums are often associated with areas where fraud allegations are highest. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the cost of PIP coverage, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to these high premiums.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5386.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Theyre saying that 40 percent of the traffic that goes over [the Sakonnet River Bridge is from] out of state.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rep. John Edwards that 40 percent of the traffic crossing the Sakonnet River Bridge is from out of state. This claim is supported by a memorandum from Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants, which conducted a study on the bridge and its traffic. However, it's important to note that this information is based on a specific study and may not represent the most up-to-date data. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the available evidence, it should be understood within the context of the study conducted at that time.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Asked by Morgan about the challenges facing President Barack Obama, Carter said in the Feb. 21, 2013, interview that the presidency has \"changed dramatically. As a matter of fact, when I ran against incumbent President Gerald Ford, you know how much money we raised? None.\"","During a recent interview with CNN\u2019s Piers Morgan, former President Jimmy Carter made a striking claim about how presidential campaigns had changed since Carter first ran against President Gerald Ford in 1976.","!CNN's Piers Morgan interviewed former President Jimmy Carter on Feb. 21, 2013. We checked a claim by Carter that he didn't raise any money for his 1976 campaign against President Gerald Ford. !CNN's Piers Morgan interviewed former President Jimmy Carter on Feb. 21, 2013. We checked a claim by Carter that he didn't raise any money for his 1976 campaign against President Gerald Ford.","CNN's Piers Morgan interviewed former President Jimmy Carter on Feb. 21, 2013. We checked a claim by Carter that he didn't raise any money for his 1976 campaign against President Gerald Ford."]},{"id":"12388.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are more than twice as many (crisis pregnancy centers) as there are legitimate abortion providers in the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that there are more crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) than legitimate abortion providers in the United States, it's important to note that CPCs do not offer abortion services. CPCs are typically focused on providing alternatives to abortion and may offer pregnancy-related services, counseling, and support. However, it is crucial to clarify that these centers do not provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including abortion services. Therefore, while the numerical comparison is accurate, it is essential to highlight the difference in the services provided by CPCs compared to legitimate abortion providers.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In a column headlined, \"The President Is No B+,\" Rove wrote that \"Barack Obama has won a place in history with the worst ratings of any president at the end of his first year: 49 percent approve and 46 percent disapprove of his job performance in the latest USA Today\/Gallup Poll.\"","Second, Rove misspoke when he referred to measuring Obama's ratings at the end of his first year. By definition, those numbers won't be available until late January. But in assessing his statement, we've sidestepped that problem by asking Gallup to provide us the approval ratings for December of the first year in office of the postwar presidents, so that the ratings for each can be compared more directly with the figures we have for Obama.","At the end of fiscal year 2008, around the time Obama took office, gross federal debt accounted for 67.7 percent of GDP. The estimate for fiscal year 2014 is 103.2 percent. That\u2019s a 35.5 percentage-point increase over six years -- far higher than any prior president we looked at, even those who served for a full eight years. (The end of fiscal 2008 was a few months before Obama took office -- a fact that has caused us headaches in the past -- but in this case, the gap is so wide that the discrepancy doesn\u2019t make a significant difference.)","It's no secret that President Barack Obama has had a rough first year in office. His approval ratings in the major polls hover just below 50 percent -- a decline from earlier levels that has cheered Republicans and conservative commentators."]},{"id":"12264.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Washington politicians are paid over $200,000 an hour for speeches.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While some Washington politicians may receive high fees for speeches, it is inaccurate to claim that they are paid over $200,000 an hour for speeches. The ad's claim oversimplifies the payment structure for speeches and fails to consider the time spent on preparation, research, and travel. Additionally, not all Washington politicians receive such high fees, and it is not representative of their typical compensation. Therefore, the statement is exaggerated and does not accurately reflect the reality of politicians' earnings from speeches.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1751.json","label":"false","statement":"\"Klein did not hold a single town hall meeting (on health care) where the general public was invited to ask questions or present their views.\"","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not conclusively support the claim that Klein did not hold a single town hall meeting open to the general public. While there are allegations and criticisms made by West's campaign, they failed to provide any concrete proof to support their claim. Additionally, Klein's spokesperson maintains that he did hold town hall meetings, although the specifics of their accessibility to the general public are disputed. Without substantial evidence to support the statement, it cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Scott said that Crist wants felons who commit \"a heinous crime\" such as \"intentional permanent disfigurement of a child\" to walk out of jail and immediately get the right to vote.","Scott: \"Here's Charlie's plan. You commit a heinous crime, as soon as you get out of jail, you get to vote. Stalk, you get to vote as soon as you walk out. You have intentional permanent disfigurement of a child, you walk out of jail, you immediately get to vote. That's wrong, Charlie.\"","Scott told the debate audience that felons who committed these \"heinous\" crimes could walk out of jail and immediately get to vote.","\"The CBO says if we raise the minimum wage the way Charlie (Crist) wants to do it, it would lose 500,000 jobs.\""]},{"id":"11052.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsins economy has tanked under Gov. Scott Walker andso far in 2015 over 6,685 people have been laid off, already more than in all of 2014.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that over 6,685 people were laid off in Wisconsin in 2015, the claim that the state's economy has \"tanked\" under Gov. Scott Walker is an exaggeration. The number of layoffs alone does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the state's overall economic performance. It is important to consider other economic indicators such as job growth, unemployment rates, and GDP growth to evaluate the health of an economy. Additionally, attributing the layoffs solely to the actions of one individual, in this case, Gov. Scott Walker, oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to job market fluctuations.\nLabel: false","evidence":["In the ad, the National Republican Congressional Committee says \"700 jobs\" were lost because Allen Boyd voted for the federal health care bill.","\"Our economy is hurting, but Allen Boyd sides with Nancy Pelosi and he's killing our jobs,\" the ad begins. \"When Allen Boyd voted for Obamacare, he voted to shut down a local facility that employs 700 people. 700 jobs lost because Allen Boyd sided with Nancy Pelosi.\"","The ad is called \"Allen Boyd sides with Nancy Pelosi,( \"Allen Boyd sides with Nancy Pelosi,\")\" and says that the passage of the federal health care bill will cost Boyd's district 700 jobs.","It's much more accurate, for instance, to say that the 700 jobs were lost because the health care bill passed. Boyd's vote didn't change the outcome of the legislation, it would have passed either way. And if you believe Sallie Mae, that means he wouldn't have been able to stop what's happening to Sallie Mae's Panama City-area employees. We rate the claim Barely True."]},{"id":"9083.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Virginias Medicaid program, approximately 30 percent, or $2.7 billion a year, is lost to waste, fraud and inefficiencies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on an extrapolation made by Delegate Jimmie Massie, who estimated the amount of waste in all U.S. healthcare spending and applied it to Virginia's Medicaid program. While it is possible that there may be waste, fraud, and inefficiencies in the Medicaid program, the claim of exactly 30 percent, or $2.7 billion a year, being lost to such factors is an estimation and lacks concrete evidence. Without more specific data and a comprehensive analysis, it is difficult to determine the exact extent of waste, fraud, and inefficiencies in Virginia's Medicaid program. Therefore, the statement is only partially supported by evidence and should be approached with caution.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In a heated exchange with protesters in Philadelphia, Bill Clinton defended his 1994 crime bill saying \"because of that bill, we had a 25-year low in crime, a 33-year low in the murder rate, and listen to this, because of that and the background check law, a 46-year low in the deaths of people of gun violence.\"","\"Because of that bill, we had a 25-year low in crime, a 33-year low in the murder rate, and listen to this,\" Clinton responded Thursday, \"because of that and the background check law, a 46-year low in the deaths of people of gun violence. And how do you think those lives were, that mattered? Whose lives were saved, that mattered?\"","Bill Clinton\u2019s defense of the crime bill comes less than a year after he appeared at a national convention for the NAACP when he issued a mea culpa of sorts over his own bill.","Raphael, Steven and Michael A. Stoll. \"A New Approach to Reducing Incarceration While Maintaining Low Rates of Crime.\" Hamilton Project. May 2014."]},{"id":"10320.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 3,000 Americans died of gunfire between the time of the Ebola scare in Dallas and the midterm elections.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Garry Trudeau, through his characters in Doonesbury, claimed that approximately 3,000 Americans died from gunfire between the time of the Ebola scare in Dallas and the midterm elections. While the word \"statistically\" suggests that this number is an estimate based on statistical data, it aligns with the broader issue of gun violence in the United States. While the exact number may vary depending on the specific time frame and data source, it is well-documented that thousands of Americans die from gunfire each year. Therefore, the statement is generally accurate in highlighting the ongoing issue of gun-related deaths during that period.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11653.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Last year, I stopped an Obamacare bailout and saved taxpayers $2.5 billion.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Marco Rubio that he stopped an Obamacare bailout and saved taxpayers $2.5 billion is misleading. While it is true that there was a shortfall of $2.5 billion in the risk corridors program, which was designed to help stabilize insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act, it is inaccurate to solely attribute the savings to Rubio's actions. The shortfall occurred due to the program's structure and the financial difficulties faced by some insurers. Rubio's role in limiting the program's funding contributed to the shortfall, but it is an oversimplification to claim that he single-handedly saved taxpayers $2.5 billion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Dallas Morning-News, Op-ed by John Cornyn: Wisdom of a balanced budget amendment,( \"Op-ed by John Cornyn: Wisdom of a balanced budget amendment,\") Dec. 1, 2010","Advocating for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require Congress to balance the budget, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, calls the proposal a \"good idea, but certainly not a new one.\"","Former federal prosecutor Sidney Powell has been waging a war against the legitimacy of the 2020 election, appearing on several conservative TV programs with unsubstantiated claims of nefarious activity that she says unfairly threw the election for President-elect Joe Biden.","The fact that many voters voted for Biden but not for candidates in other races, Powell argued, was problematic and indicative of fraud."]},{"id":"776.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Obama held one of the first meetings of his political career in Bill Ayers's home. And they've worked together on various projects in Chicago.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Obama held a meeting early in his political career in Bill Ayers's home and that they worked together on various projects in Chicago, it is important to note that their association does not imply any wrongdoing or nefarious intentions. The statement accurately highlights their connection but lacks context. It is worth mentioning that Ayers, a former member of the Weather Underground, is now a professor and educational reformer. Their collaboration primarily focused on education-related initiatives in Chicago, such as the Annenberg Challenge. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of their association, it should not be misconstrued as evidence of any improper or inappropriate activities.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10306.json","label":"half-true","statement":"When Colorado eased its medical marijuana laws, fatal accidents involving pot-using drivers soared while overall traffic fatalities decreased.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks important context. While it is accurate that Colorado saw an increase in the number of drivers who tested positive for marijuana in fatal accidents after easing its medical marijuana laws, it is misleading to claim that this resulted in a significant increase in fatal accidents involving pot-using drivers. The evidence suggests that while instances of drugged driving did increase, the overall number of traffic fatalities actually decreased. Therefore, it is important to consider the broader context and not draw a direct causal link between the increase in marijuana use and fatal accidents.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11804.json","label":"false","statement":"A lot of student loans are already refinanced by the federal government.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While the federal government does provide student loan refinancing options through programs like income-driven repayment plans, it does not refinance \"a lot\" of student loans. The majority of student loans, approximately $1.6 trillion, are held by the federal government, but this does not indicate that they have been refinanced. Refinancing typically refers to the process of obtaining a new loan to replace an existing loan, often with better terms. The federal government's role in student loans is primarily as the lender or guarantor, rather than as a refinancer.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1749.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were making more than ever off oil and gas right now, but its no secret that oil production in Texas peaked in the 1970s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately acknowledges that oil production in Texas peaked in the 1970s. While it is true that the oil and gas industry is currently experiencing high levels of production and profitability, it is important to recognize that the peak production in Texas occurred several decades ago. This context provides a more comprehensive understanding of the statement. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Lake Oswego City Councilwoman Mary Olson is one of them. In her testimony before the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, she said: \"This is not about the Sellwood Bridge. This is about a new revenue stream for Clackamas County by means of what is essentially a new tax without a vote. There is a plan formulated by (County) Chair (Lynn) Peterson and the cities in Clackamas County to further increase this fee in three years and split it up on projects between the county and cities.\"","But what about a so-called plan to increase the registration fee and split the goods among cities and the county? Did people at the Sept. 20 meeting agree to such a thing more or less?","The Clackamas County branch of the state Republican Party has also posted an opinion on its site warning against the fee: \"In an earlier meeting held on September 20th, 2010, between the cities and the county, it was stated that the Sellwood Bridge was only a part of the county\u2019s vehicle registration fee plan, and that the fee could be as high as $40 per vehicle per year.\"","People opposed to the new $5 vehicle registration fee in Clackamas County are buzzing over an under-the-radar plan that would increase the fee to $40 to fund more than the Sellwood Bridge in a few years."]},{"id":"4037.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says $6 billion projected to accumulate in the states rainy day fund is already used.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that there were expectations that the $6 billion in the state's rainy day fund would be used to cover unpaid expenses, the evidence suggests that the money had not yet been used at the time of the statement. The projected accumulation in the fund had not yet been utilized, but there were plans to tap into it in the future. Therefore, the statement inaccurately implies that the $6 billion had already been used.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2668.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Julie Parrish is one of Sarah Palins mama grizzlies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Julie Parrish was indeed referred to as one of Sarah Palin's \"Mama Grizzlies\" by Fox News, indicating her alignment with a group of conservative moms involved in politics. However, it's important to note that being referred to as a \"Mama Grizzly\" does not necessarily mean a direct endorsement or affiliation with Sarah Palin herself. The term is used to describe a broader trend of conservative moms engaging in politics. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth, it lacks the necessary context to fully convey the nature of the association.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We have 93 million people out of work. They look for jobs, they give up, and all of a sudden, statistically, they're considered employed.\"","Trump said, \"We have 93 million people out of work. They look for jobs, they give up, and all of a sudden, statistically, they're considered employed.\"","\u2022 The 6.4 million people who haven\u2019t looked for work recently enough to qualify as being \"in the labor force,\" but who say they \"currently want a job.\"","There actually is an official statistical category for a person in this situation: If someone wants and looks for a job but then gives up, they are called \"discouraged workers.\" Specifically, these people \"want and are available for a job and who have looked for work sometime in the past 12 months\" but are \"not currently looking because they believe there are no jobs available or there are none for which they would qualify.\""]},{"id":"12030.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Almost every poll has shown that Sanders vs. Trump does a lot better than Clinton vs. Trump and, thats true nationally.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Sanders that in many polls, he performed better against Donald Trump compared to Hillary Clinton. While the evidence provided does not explicitly mention the specific polls or provide detailed data, the consistent repetition of this claim by Senator Sanders suggests that there is a basis for this assertion. However, without specific poll references or comprehensive data, it is challenging to ascertain the precise extent to which Sanders outperformed Clinton in national polls. Therefore, the statement is labeled as mostly-true, acknowledging the claim's general accuracy but noting the lack of specific evidence provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\" Education Week says Obama 'hasn't made a significant mark on education,' that he's 'elusive' on accountability, a 'staunch defender of the existing public school monopoly.'\" As the announcer mentions those last two phrases, \"elusive\" and \"a staunch defender of the existing public school monopoly,\" logos appear of the Washington Post for the first phrase and the Chicago Tribune for the second.","The audio portion of the ad is misleading because Education Week did not say Obama was \"elusive\" or a \"staunch defender of the existing public school monopoly.\" People who only hear the audio portion of the ad will not know that those two phrases are attributed to other publications. And, more significantly, those last two quotes come from opinion columns not news stories, which isn't made clear in the audio or video.","The charge that Obama is a \"staunch defender of the existing public school monopoly\" comes from a Chicago Tribune opinion piece by Steve Chapman. That brief quote does accurately capture the substance of Chapman's piece, which criticizes Obama for not embracing school vouchers.","So Education Week did write the words \"hasn't made a significant mark on education,\" but it was not as disparaging a remark as the ad makes it out to be."]},{"id":"9262.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Greenlight Pinellas wont take existing lanes from other vehicles.","reason":"Reason: While the intention of the Greenlight Pinellas plan is not to take away existing traffic lanes, it is important to note that the implementation of the plan involves input from local municipalities and the state, which means outcomes can vary. The plan aims to build bus lanes from existing medians and shoulders on major roads, with the exception of certain streets in St. Petersburg. However, the statement lacks certainty because it acknowledges that there is no guarantee that traffic lanes won't be affected. Therefore, while the intention is to minimize lane reductions, the possibility of lane alterations or reductions cannot be completely ruled out.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4097.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There are 30,000 people that have been killed with seat belts.","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"there are 30,000 people that have been killed with seat belts\" is not supported by any credible evidence. Multiple sources, including federal agencies and law enforcement agencies, have found no evidence to substantiate this claim. The context of the statement suggests that it is referring to seat belts contributing to deaths, but there is no data to support the assertion that seat belts have caused 30,000 deaths. This claim is false and lacks any factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["--When the homicides occurred and whether, for instance, they took place in recent years and in connection with border security weaknesses;","\"We\u2019ve had women and children in the state of Texas who have been sexually assaulted by the people who have come across the border. We\u2019ve had about 3,000 murders,\" Abbott said in the July 22, 2014 interview. \"It is a responsibility of a government to keep their people safe. The federal government has the responsibility of securing our border; they\u2019re not doing it, so the state of Texas will do it.\"","His mention of 3,000 murders, brought to our attention by a reader, aligned with a more specific Perry claim we recently found factually unsupported and ridiculous.","On July 22, Abbott told Greta Van Susteren of Fox News that some of the \"worst of the worst\" criminals are sneaking across the Rio Grande. \"We\u2019ve had women and children in the state of Texas who have been sexually assaulted by the people who have come across the border. We\u2019ve had about 3,000 murders,\" Abbott said. \"It is a responsibility of a government to keep their people safe. The federal government has the responsibility of securing our border; they\u2019re not doing it, so the state of Texas will do it.\" (See that interview in the video to the right.)"]},{"id":"10346.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Regarding sexual assault against women, Its actually safer not to be in college than it is to be in college.","reason":"Reason: The statement is an oversimplification and lacks nuance. While there are studies that suggest college women may be at a higher risk of sexual assault compared to their non-college peers, there are also studies that contradict this claim. The evidence is mixed, and it is not accurate to make a blanket statement that it is safer not to be in college than to be in college regarding sexual assault. The issue of sexual assault is complex and multifaceted, and it is important to consider various factors such as reporting rates, campus safety measures, and individual circumstances. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9601.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Perdue mismanaged Pillowtex, and nearly 8,000 people got laid off.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant number of people lost their jobs at Pillowtex, attributing the entire layoff to Perdue's mismanagement is an oversimplification. The evidence suggests that Pillowtex was already facing financial difficulties and had laid off workers before Perdue joined the company. Perdue's role was to try to turn around the struggling company, which often involves making difficult decisions, including job losses. Therefore, while Perdue's management decisions may have contributed to the layoffs, it is not accurate to solely blame him for the entire layoff of nearly 8,000 people.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Interesting, but we were more curious about the latter part of his quote. Could this sales tax actually be the largest tax increase in state history?","The people trying to switch the date of the vote, Pennington said, are \"obviously trying to get the Obama Democrats to help pass what could be the largest tax increase in Georgia history: $1.6 billion a year.\"","It is possible, if all 12 regions pass the tax, that it could collect more than $1 billion a year, which would be the largest tax increase that we could find. The key will be whether voters in the Atlanta region approve it. Since Pennington said it \"could\" be the largest tax increase, we believe he gets to drive through the safe lane on his claim. Our rating is True.","David Sjoquist, who frequently does research for state lawmakers as director of the Fiscal Research Center at Georgia State University, had several questions about Pennington\u2019s claim, including these: What did the mayor mean by largest increase? In one year? Over the span of several years?"]},{"id":"12503.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Austin ISD has the highest graduation rate of every major city in Texas.","reason":"Reason: While Austin ISD has achieved a commendable graduation rate, it is not accurate to claim that it has the highest graduation rate of every major city in Texas. The evidence provided indicates that other districts, such as the North East and Northside districts in San Antonio, as well as the Socorro district in El Paso, have higher graduation rates. Additionally, Texas as a whole has one of the highest high school graduation rates in the nation. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true and lacks the necessary context to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11570.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We now know these firms areunwilling to put up any private money, for Californias high-speed rail project.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the firms that submitted financial advice to the rail authority did not offer any funding, it is premature to conclude that all firms are unwilling to provide private money for California's high-speed rail project. The evidence suggests that it is too early to make such a definitive statement, as rail authority leaders, members of the private sector, and the project's oversight panel have indicated that it is premature to conclude that the private sector has completely given up on the project. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary nuance.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\u201cWhile Karen Handel was busy preparing her resume to run for Secretary of State or Governor, Nathan Deal was leading in Congress to protect our borders.\"","\"In Congress, Nathan Deal Voted for Henry Waxman sponsored legislation to give $500 million to Planned Parenthood to pay for actual abortions,\" he wrote in identical items on and PeachPundit posted after 8 p.m.","And when fellow Republican Karen Handel challenged him to prove he was a leader on the issue during his 17-year tenure, he reiterated the point in a news release.","\"There\u2019s $30 billion in expansion funds that we\u2019ve paid \u2013 it\u2019s our money and Nathan Deal wants Washington to keep it.\""]},{"id":"3142.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The economy we preside over today is better than the one we inherited.","reason":"Reason: The statement is subjective and lacks specific evidence or context to support its claim. While there may be certain indicators that suggest improvements in the economy, such as job growth or stock market performance, it is important to consider the broader economic factors and perspectives. Different experts and individuals may have varying opinions on the state of the economy, and it is not accurate to make a definitive statement without providing more concrete evidence and analysis. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11481.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Marco Rubio opposes abortioneven in the case of rape and incest.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Marco Rubio opposes abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, based on his personal beliefs. However, it's important to note that Rubio has supported abortion legislation that includes exceptions for cases of rape and incest. While he personally opposes these exceptions, his stance on granting exceptions is more nuanced than the statement suggests. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be clarified that Rubio's position on exceptions for rape and incest is not absolute.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts said in February 2010 that the stimulus bill \"didn't create one new job.\" He earned a Pants on Fire.","PolitiFact, \"Obama says Congressional Budget Office found the economic stimulus has created up to 1.6 million jobs,\" Dec. 14, 2009 (Half True)","PolitiFact has regularly checked job claims about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, so this one caught our ears.","Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott said in September 2010 during his successful campaign for governor that the stimulus bill had \"not created one private sector job.\" We smelled smoke. (We even found Billy Weston, a Florida Republican who personally credited the stimulus for his new job with a private Riviera Beach pharmaceutical manufacturer.)"]},{"id":"12663.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump has bankrupt four separate businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. Multiple sources, including Senator Mark Warner, have claimed that Donald Trump has had four separate businesses that went bankrupt. The evidence supports this claim, as it is well-documented that three of Trump's Atlantic City casinos and The Plaza hotel went bankrupt in the 1990s, and his overall casino and resort company went bankrupt twice in the 2000s under different names. While the exact number may vary depending on how one defines \"separate businesses,\" the evidence confirms that Trump has experienced multiple business bankruptcies.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The top 400 earners in this country are worth more \u2026 than half of the American people,\" Boxer said. \"And since 1995, the top 400 wealthiest families have seen their incomes go up 400 percent and their tax rates go down 40 percent.\"","More broadly, even the smaller, 276 percent increase supports her underlying point -- that for the richest of the rich, incomes have grown by leaps and bounds while average tax rates have declined for the same group by 40 percent.","From the same IRS document, we can see that the average tax rate for the top 400 returns was 29.93 percent in 1995 and 18.11 percent in 2008. That\u2019s a decline of 39 percent -- for our purposes, close enough to Boxer\u2019s claim to be accurate.","As we\u2019ve noted, extrapolating tax-burden patterns from the super-rich (like these 400 tax-paying units) to the merely very rich, the rich or the plain old affluent should be done with care. As the Congressional Budget Office has determined, the tax system is generally progressive, despite the lower tax rates for Buffett and his peers. The poorest one-fifth has an effective tax rate of 4.3 percent, the next fifth has a rate of 10.2 percent, the middle fifth has a rate of 14.2 percent, the second-highest has a rate of 17.6 percent, and the top fifth has a rate of 25.8 percent. And the rates keep going up the higher you climb. The top 10 percent of earners had an effective tax rate of 27.5 percent, the top 5 percent had a rate of 29 percent, and the top 1 percent had a rate of 31.2 percent."]},{"id":"532.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We must deal with the here and now and assure affordable fuel for America by increasing domestic production.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that increasing domestic production of fuel will assure affordable fuel for America. However, this claim is false. The price of fuel is influenced by various factors, including global market dynamics, geopolitical events, and supply and demand. Increasing domestic production alone does not guarantee affordable fuel prices, as the cost of production, refining, and distribution can still be subject to fluctuations. Additionally, other factors such as taxes and regulations also play a role in determining fuel prices. Therefore, the statement's assertion that increasing domestic production will assure affordable fuel is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"There have been instances in New Jersey -- there was an instance in Oklahoma where Muslims did try to influence court decisions with Sharia law. I was simply saying very emphatically, \u2018American laws in American courts,\u2019 \" Cain replied.","Cain was wrong on Oklahoma. Voters did pass an amendment to the state constitution that would prevent the use of Sharia law in state courts, but supporters found no instance where \"Muslims did try to influence court decisions with Sharia law,\" as Cain said.","However, since the issue of Islamic law arose only when the New Jersey judge questioned the couple\u2019s imam, it is unfair to accuse Muslims of trying to \"influence court decisions with Sharia law.\" The judge raised the subject.","A brief filed in federal court in support of the Oklahoma amendment did not assert that Sharia law had been used in Oklahoma courts. Instead, it listed one example from New Jersey."]},{"id":"8810.json","label":"false","statement":"For the past year, I was censored and muzzled.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there were limitations on Ron Paul's ability to speak about certain matters during his first year after retirement from Congress. However, it is important to note that these limitations were imposed by federal rules and House Ethics Rules, rather than an intentional act of censorship or muzzling. While there may have been restrictions on specific topics or activities, it does not imply a complete and deliberate silencing of Ron Paul. Therefore, the statement that he was \"censored and muzzled\" is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9088.json","label":"half-true","statement":"For educational testing, Florida has chosen a company that has a significant history of promoting identification of the GLBT lifestyle for children as young as seven years old.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While there were claims made by the Florida Stop Common Core Coalition that the chosen company, the American Institutes for Research (AIR), promotes the identification of the GLBT lifestyle in young children, these claims have been debunked. There is no evidence to support the assertion that AIR promotes a GLBT lifestyle for children. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading misleading claims.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5842.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley reduces 36 percent of felonies to misdemeanors and hands them off to her.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While Jana Duty did claim that John Bradley reduces 36 percent of felony cases to misdemeanors and passes them on to her office, it was later clarified that the 36 percent figure refers to cases that start as felonies in the district attorney's office but are either dismissed or reduced to misdemeanors and then prosecuted by the county attorney's office. Therefore, the statement does not accurately reflect the full context of the situation and is misleading.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The 2015-\u201916 academic year ended with pomp, circumstance -- and skirmishes between Gov. Scott Walker and professors in the University of Wisconsin System.","\"In fact, by the way,\" Walker continued, \"the University of Wisconsin System budget is the biggest it has ever been. The amount of money they get from state government is only a fraction of what they have overall. So, for all this hysteria out there, they have never had more money to spend in the UW System.\"","Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, \"Outrage grows as University of Wisconsin System admits it \u2018did not draw attention\u2019 to cash,\" April 22, 2013","!Students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee protested tuition hikes in June 2012. UWM is part of the UW System, which is being criticized for accumulating cash reserves while raising tuition rates. !Students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee protested tuition hikes in June 2012. UWM is part of the UW System, which is being criticized for accumulating cash reserves while raising tuition rates."]},{"id":"12878.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Rep.Mike Coffman istheone who said he would support Trump.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks important context. While it is true that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) accused Rep. Mike Coffman of saying he would support Trump, it fails to mention that Coffman has since criticized Trump's campaign and stated that Trump has not earned his support. Coffman's position has evolved, and he has made it clear that he does not fully support Trump. Therefore, the statement is misleading as it does not accurately reflect Coffman's current stance on supporting Trump.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Gail Collins says Perry used $3.2 billion in stimulus money for schools to plug other holes in his budget&url=)","In her Feb. 16 column, Collins notes that U.S. House Democrats from Texas set special conditions that the state must meet to get its share of about $10 billion approved last summer for states to help school districts hire and retain teachers. The Democrats, Collins writes, were \"ticked off because Perry used $3.2 billion in stimulus dollars for schools to plug other holes in his budget\" in 2009.","\"Gov. (Rick) Perry helped balance his budget with about $6 billion worth of federal help, which he happily took, and then started blaming the members of Congress who had offered that help.\"","Doggett spokeswoman Sarah Dohl told us by e-mail that the federal assistance enabled the state to free up some of its own funds to plug other holes in the budget."]},{"id":"8315.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"According to the Congressional Budget Office, repealing Obamacare would increase the budget deficit.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately cites the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) as the source for the claim that repealing Obamacare would increase the budget deficit. The CBO is a nonpartisan organization that provides analysis and estimates on the budgetary impact of legislative proposals. However, it's important to note that the accuracy of this claim may depend on the specific context and details of the proposed repeal. While the CBO has projected that repealing certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act could increase the budget deficit, the overall impact can vary depending on the specific legislation and accompanying factors. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but additional context is necessary to fully assess the potential impact on the budget deficit.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Almost every Hispanic supports reform: Former Democratic cabinet member and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said in a May interview that, \"almost every Hispanic in the country wants to see immigration reform.\"","The Federation for American Immigration Reform is an organization whose mission statement is to educate Americans about the costs of immigration, particularly illegal immigration.","Reliable polls show strong and consistent majority support for a variety of policies that might be characterized as \"immigration reform.\" In some cases, the level of support reached 90 percent. But while the level of dissent among Hispanics is small, it's not as infinitesimal as Richardson\u2019s comment suggests. We rated his claim Mostly True.","Immigrants are \u2018more fertile\u2019: Jeb Bush, former Republican governor of Florida, recently claimed immigration reform would help aging America\u2019s \"demographic pyramid.\" \"Immigrants are more fertile,\" he said. \"And they love families and they have more intact families, and they bring a younger population. Immigrants create an engine of economic prosperity.\""]},{"id":"11816.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A third of the budget for the city of Ferguson (Missouri) was being reaped by civil fines.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that civil fines were a significant source of revenue for the city of Ferguson, the statement that \"a third of the budget\" was derived from civil fines is an exaggeration. According to the evidence provided, fines and public safety revenue were projected to reach $2.7 million in a budget of $26.4 million for the 2014 fiscal year. This accounts for approximately 10% of the city's revenue, not a third. While civil fines did contribute significantly to the city's finances, the statement misrepresents the extent of their impact on the budget.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3163.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 25 percent of Austins public school buildings are underutilized.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to Janet Mitchell, a source cited in the Austin American-Statesman, 25 percent of Austin's public school buildings are underutilized. However, it is important to note that the term \"underutilized\" can be subjective and may vary depending on the criteria used to determine utilization. The evidence does not provide specific details about how the underutilization is measured or what factors contribute to it. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the claim made by the source, it lacks some context and specificity regarding the criteria used to determine underutilization.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It took us four years to balance the budget,\" Clinton told the crowd at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. \"Then I gave you four surplus budgets for the first time in more than 70 years, paid $600 billion down on the national debt.\"","At a June 1 campaign event, Clinton touted his fiscal record in the final years of his presidency. \"Then I gave you four surplus budgets for the first time in more than 70 years, paid $600 billion down on the national debt,\" Clinton told the crowd.","It\u2019s accurate that Clinton delivered the first four consecutive surplus budgets in more than 70 years, but his claim about reducing the national debt is off. One form of debt dropped by nearly $453 billion over those four fiscal years, but the total debt increased by roughly $400 billion.","From fiscal years 1998 to 2001, the nation achieved a surplus each time for a combined total of about $559 billion. The last surplus budget year ended under President George W. Bush, but it began while Clinton was still in office."]},{"id":"10742.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"SaysLoretta Lynchs nomination has been now sitting there longer than the previous seven attorney general nominees combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that Loretta Lynch's nomination had been pending for a longer duration than the previous seven attorney general nominees combined. According to the evidence provided, Lynch's nomination had been pending for 155 days, which is longer than the 119 days combined for the previous seven nominees. However, it's important to note that the context of the confirmation process and the involvement of GOP leaders in delaying Lynch's confirmation contributed to the prolonged duration. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Jon Corzine \"gave away 14 percent raises over 4 years and he stood on the front steps of the Capitol at a public-sector union rally and said, 'I will fight to get you a great contract.\u2019\"","At a campaign event in Bellevue, Wash., Christie said Corzine \"gave away 14 percent raises over 4 years and he stood on the front steps of the Capitol at a public-sector union rally and said, 'I will fight to get you a great contract.\u2019\"","\"My predecessor's first negotiation with the public-sector unions, he gave away 14 percent raises over 4 years and he stood on the front steps of the Capitol at a public-sector union rally and said, 'I will fight to get you a great contract,\u2019\" said Christie, according to a video posted on YouTube.","Chris Christie blasts Jon Corzine for giving away 14 percent raises and saying, \u2018I will fight to get you a great contract\u2019 at a union rally"]},{"id":"12916.json","label":"false","statement":"I had previously said that NATO was obsolete because it failed to deal adequately with terrorism. Since my comments, they have changed their policy and now have a new division focused on terror threats.","reason":"Reason: While President Trump did express his belief that NATO was obsolete due to its perceived failure in addressing terrorism, there is no evidence to support his claim that NATO changed its policy and established a new division focused on terror threats as a direct result of his comments. NATO has been actively engaged in counterterrorism efforts for many years, including supporting missions in Afghanistan and implementing measures to address the evolving threat landscape. President Trump's statement regarding NATO changing its policy and creating a new division is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Walsh answered, \"In the '80s, government revenues went up. We didn't cut spending. Revenues went up in the '80s. Every time we've cut taxes, revenues have gone up, the economy has grown.\"","We decided to check out Walsh\u2019s claim that \"Every time we've cut taxes, revenues have gone up, the economy has grown.\"","We\u2019re examining Walsh\u2019s statement, \"Every time we've cut taxes, revenues have gone up, the economy has grown.\" He said \"every time,\" and that\u2019s not the case. Revenues did not go up in 2001, 2002 or 2003, after tax rates were lowered. We also find it problematic to make hard claims about tax cuts growing the economy enough to increase tax revenues and helping balance the budget. Overall, we rate Walsh\u2019s statement False.","\"We\u2019ve cut taxes 75 times, cut $7.5 billion worth in taxes, and as a result we\u2019ve added over 1.3 million jobs.\""]},{"id":"2273.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Taxpayer money will provide iPod Touch devices to high school students in Utah, BlackBerry smart phones to smokers who kick the habit and funding for a study of exotic ants in East Africa.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that taxpayer money was used to provide iPod Touch devices to high school students in Utah and funding for a study of exotic ants in East Africa. However, it is important to note that the BlackBerry smartphones were not provided to smokers who kicked the habit as suggested. The phones were part of a study and were provided for free by Sprint, not taxpayer money. Additionally, the iPod Touch devices were intended to assist students with school work rather than being solely for recreational use. Overall, while there are some inaccuracies in the statement, it does capture the essence of the funding allocations mentioned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6109.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney has said we dont need more firemen, more policemen, more teachers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's remarks where he expressed disagreement with President Obama's goal of adding more firemen, policemen, and teachers through increased government spending. However, it's important to note that Romney did not explicitly say that we don't need more of these professionals. The full context of the quote suggests that Romney was criticizing the approach of using government stimulus to address the need for more public sector jobs. Therefore, a more accurate characterization would be that Romney disagreed with President Obama's goal of adding more firemen, policemen, and teachers through increased government hiring.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The chain email said that Barack Obama is the only American president who has not visited the D-Day Monument in Normandy on D-Day.","There are actually only four American presidents who have visited the D-Day Monument on D-Day. While Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Carter and George H.W. Bush all visited France after 1944, they were never there on D-Day. Presidents Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson never went to France at all, according to the State Department. Here are the four who did visit Normandy on D-Day anniversaries:","Off and on for several years, readers have been sending us a chain email that claims, among other things, that President Barack Obama is the only American president in the last 69 years who has failed to visit France\u2019s D-Day Monument on D-Day.","This long-circulating email was always wrong -- presidents Reagan, Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama himself had indeed visited the monument in Normandy on D-Day -- but it\u2019s especially wrong now, with Obama scheduled to visit the monument again on D-Day 2014, making him the only president to visit it twice on D-Day. We rate the claim Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"3374.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says union bosses bused protesters to aCentral Florida education protest.","reason":"Reason: The claim that union bosses bused protesters to a Central Florida education protest is false. Multiple sources, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce, have confirmed that there is no evidence to support this claim. The statement is misleading and attempts to demonize union workers by perpetuating stereotypes. The Truth-O-Meter rates this claim as Pants on Fire due to its complete lack of factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13442.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that at a campaign rally President Barack Obama spent so much time screaming at a protester, and frankly it was a disgrace.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that President Barack Obama spent a significant amount of time screaming at a protester during a campaign rally. The available sources do not provide any specific instances or footage of such an incident occurring. This claim appears to be a fabrication or a misrepresentation of events, and there is no basis to label it as anything other than false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"First of all, we have seen now in six years of Obamacare that it has been a disaster,\" Cruz said. \"It is the biggest job-killer in this country. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, have been forced into part-time work, have lost their health insurance, have lost their doctors, have seen their premiums skyrocket.\"","The government\u2019s employment surveys show no sign of that occurring. By every measure, millions more people are working and millions fewer are stuck unwillingly in part-time work since the time the Affordable Care Act became law. The law might have affected part-time work for certain kinds of people, but that didn\u2019t change the improvement in the overall numbers.","In the wake of the order, several Wisconsin politicians criticized the move as a job-killer for, yes, Wisconsin. That\u2019s because two state-based companies had a contract to work on the project. (House Republicans introduced a bill to bring back the pipeline on Feb. 2, 2021).","The government\u2019s labor surveys give us a pretty good window into the number of people working in any given month. They also count the number of people who are working part-time but would rather have full-time work. We looked at those tallies at several points in the life of Obamacare: When it passed, when its earliest changes took effect, when people first got insured under the law, and today."]},{"id":"1756.json","label":"false","statement":"On transparency in dealing with the Republican Party of Florida's financial issues.","reason":"Reason: The statement is vague and lacks specific details or context. It is not clear what specific financial issues or transparency concerns are being referred to. Without more information or evidence, it is not possible to evaluate the accuracy of the statement. \nLabel: false","evidence":["Brown said Trump made a lot of money from outsourcing jobs thanks to NAFTA \"but never, ever raised his voice against it when Congress was considering it.\"","\"A couple of things -- first of all,\" Brown went on, \"all I\u2019ve heard with Donald Trump, the guy who made a lot of money from outsourcing jobs to China, to Mexico, to Turkey, to Slovenia, to other countries I\u2019m forgetting right now -- the guy that made a lot of money from that is now against this trade policy, but never, ever raised his voice against it when Congress was considering it.\"","On Aug. 10, 2016, NowThis posted a video on Facebook headlined \"Fact Check: Everything Donald J. Trump says about NAFTA is wrong,\" and on YouTube titled \"Donald Trump Can't Get The Facts Right About NAFTA.\".","NowThis repeatedly says in its video that Trump's statements accusing Clinton of signing NAFTA are \"False: Bill Clinton didn't sign NAFTA.\""]},{"id":"5136.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says a drug test can be performed for just $4 or $5.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The provided evidence does not directly address the cost of a drug test, but it does mention that the state paid out over $100,000 in reimbursements to applicants who passed the screenings. While this information does not provide an exact cost per drug test, it suggests that the cost per test is relatively low since a high pass rate resulted in a significant reimbursement amount. Therefore, it is plausible that a drug test can be performed for a cost of $4 or $5, although the exact cost may vary depending on the specific circumstances and location.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"4303.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that before Rick Perry became governor, only 4 percent of our total labor force was a minimum wage job ... Today, that number has more than doubled (to) 9.5 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate, but it lacks some important context. Before Rick Perry became governor, the percentage of hourly workers paid at or below the minimum wage in Texas was 5.8 percent, not 4 percent as stated. However, it is true that during Perry's tenure as governor, the percentage increased to 9.5 percent. It's important to note that this statistic refers specifically to hourly workers and not the entire labor force. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the increase in the percentage of hourly workers earning at or below the minimum wage, it misrepresents the initial percentage and fails to clarify that it applies to hourly workers only.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We went to Peterson's campaign website. In a bio via the link \"Meet Dale,\" it says, \"He joined the Marine Corps in 1963, returning to Birmingham in 1967, where he became a police officer.\"","\"That means exactly what it says, 'during Vietnam,' \" Peterson said. \"I say what I mean and I mean what I say.\"","Says a quote at the top of the redesigned website for the Department of Justice comes from a socialist who wanted to impose global common law.","In 2003, the Connecticut Post referred to Blumenthal as \"a former Marine sergeant who served in Vietnam.\" The paper repeated that in a 2008 article, but in 2009, called him \"a Marine sergeant during the Vietnam era.\" The New Haven Register wrote in 2007 of him as, \"Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who served with the Marines in Vietnam.\""]},{"id":"13309.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"When Hillary Clinton ran the State Department, $6 billion was missing. How do you miss $6 billion? You ran the State Department, $6 billion was either stolen they dont know.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The $6 billion figure mentioned refers to a misinterpretation of a State Department inspector general report. The report did not state that $6 billion was missing or stolen. Rather, it highlighted issues with the management of paperwork for various contracts. The funds were accounted for and had been allocated in various contracts, but the paperwork was not properly documented. Therefore, the claim that $6 billion was missing or stolen is inaccurate and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["And later, in response to a question about whether the health care plan would reduce the availability of medications through Medicare, Obama said, \"Well, first of all, another myth that we've been hearing about is this notion that somehow we're going to be cutting your Medicare benefits. We are not. AARP would not be endorsing a bill if it was undermining Medicare, okay?\"","In November 2009, when AARP endorsed the Affordable Health Care for America Act \u2014 the House\u2019s version of the health care reform legislation \u2014 Barry Rand, then AARP\u2019s CEO, said in a statement, that the bill contained \"critical components AARP has been fighting for on behalf of its members and all older Americans to improve health care for them and their families.\"","Just a few weeks ago, on July 14, the AARP issued a press release gushing about the introduction of the House health care reform bill saying, \"This bill would make great strides for all of our members and their families.\" The group said it was pleased with the legislation for giving \"every American has access to affordable, quality health care choices.\"","Specifically, the release said the bill would make prescription drugs less expensive for seniors, would block insurance companies from denying coverage based on age, and for capping out-of-pocket expenses for some insurance plans. AARP did not explicitly say it was endorsing the bill, but there was not a single negative comment in the statement."]},{"id":"10099.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Prayer rugs have recently been found on the Texas side of the border in the brush.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or reliable sources to support the claim that prayer rugs have been recently found on the Texas side of the border in the brush. The statement appears to be a baseless and unfounded assertion. It is important to rely on factual information and verified sources when making claims, and in this case, there is no evidence to substantiate the existence of such prayer rugs.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!An ad from the union-backed Workers' Voice PAC says Romney's investments created zero jobs. !An ad from the union-backed Workers' Voice PAC says Romney's investments created zero jobs.","Workers\u2019 Voice says the \"number of jobs that Romney\u2019s investments created\" is zero. That ignores Bain\u2019s role as a venture capital firm that helped build companies that hired tens of thousands of workers.","Mitt Romney says he helped create 100,000 jobs. Critics say he's been a job destroyer. One pro-Newt Gingrich super PAC says it's ready to invest $1 million in that message.","The PAC, unable to provide data to back up its claim, said the goal of Romney\u2019s investments wasn\u2019t jobs, but profits. That doesn\u2019t prove Bain\u2019s job creation was zero. Nor do examples of Romney investments that lost jobs. This catchy claim comes up empty. We rate it Pants on Fire."]},{"id":"6179.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The transportation tax is regressive, and Emory University is literally getting its own transit line at virtually no cost to itself.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Georgia Green Party that the transportation tax is regressive and that Emory University is benefiting from its own transit line without directly contributing to its cost. The evidence suggests that sales taxes, which fund the transportation tax, can be regressive, impacting low-income consumers more heavily than higher-income individuals and corporations. However, it's important to note that while Emory University may not directly contribute to the construction of the transit line through sales tax, it is possible that the university indirectly supports the project through other means or through its role as a major institution in the area. Therefore, while the statement is partially true, it could benefit from additional context regarding the potential indirect contributions of Emory University.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4047.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that in 2009, Jon Huntsman said that the Recovery Act wasnt large enough and as governor he asked for $14.4 billion in federal stimulus funds. Now hes saying that he never supported it.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights the inconsistency in Jon Huntsman's stance on the Recovery Act. As governor, Huntsman did request federal stimulus funds amounting to $14.4 billion, indicating some level of support for the stimulus. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide evidence of Huntsman explicitly stating that the Recovery Act was not large enough. Therefore, while there is an element of inconsistency in Huntsman's position, the statement lacks complete evidence to support the claim that he explicitly denied supporting the Recovery Act.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"It starts with a broad-based, middle-class tax cut \u2014 $1,000 per family \u2014 to help offset the rising cost of gas and food,\" Obama said. \"A foreclosure prevention fund, to help stabilize the housing market and keep people in their homes. A health care plan that lowers costs and gives those without health insurance the same kind of coverage that members of Congress have. A commitment to retirement security that stabilizes Social Security, and provides workers a means to increase savings. And a plan to crack down on unfair and sometimes deceptive lending in the credit card and housing markets, to help families climb out of crippling debt, and stay out of debt in the first place.\"","Here's where it gets tricky. Some of the foreclosure-prevention fund would come from penalties on irresponsible lenders, the campaign's Web site says . The Social Security fix might be funded by more payroll taxes on high-earners, Obama has said.","The \"foreclosure prevention fund\" would be a one-time cost of $10-billion, the campaign said. The health care plan, under which all Americans would be able to buy coverage similar to what members of Congress get, will cost some $50-billion to $65-billion per year, the campaign said. His aides said it's not clear how much stabilizing Social Security would cost, because both parties would have to hash out a plan to do so. His plan to help workers save is about a $20-billion-a-year program of employer mandates and tax credits.","Let's start by looking at the specific programs Obama referred to. The \"broad-based, middle-class tax cut\" he spoke about referred to his \"Making Work Pay\" tax credit, plus a new income-tax exemption for seniors making under $50,000, his campaign said. Those together would cost about $80-billion a year, according to both the Obama campaign and the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center."]},{"id":"8589.json","label":"false","statement":"On changing the rules for filibusters on presidential nominees","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the claim that Senate Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, changed Senate rules to address delaying tactics that prevented President Obama's nominees from being confirmed. The evidence also includes a graphic released by Reid's office, which initially mischaracterized the number of filibusters of presidential nominees. After clarification, the graphic was updated to reflect a more accurate count. Therefore, the statement that the rules were changed due to an increase in filibusters during the Obama administration is false, as the evidence suggests that the rules were changed to address delaying tactics in general, rather than specifically targeting the Obama administration.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"If anybody in this room has not been following this, the United States, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are negotiating with the United Nations about doing a treaty that will ban the use of firearms,\" James said. \"I want you to know that the Second Amendment is about to be busted and if we don\u2019t stand up and stop this and scream and make sure that Washington, D.C. hears us, then we\u2019re in trouble with the Second Amendment.","We found no evidence of Obama or Clinton indicating they want the UN conference on an arms trade treaty to ban the use of firearms; the recent speech by an administration underling states the government will not back a treaty that infringes on the Second Amendment.","We followed up with Turney by asking if James had evidence of Obama and Clinton pushing to ban the use of firearms. She replied by email that James is \"very concerned that citizens need to keep pressure on the administration to defend the Second Amendment, especially heading into UN treaty negotiations.\"","Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Craig James of Texas drew a standing ovation this week after warning that President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seek an international agreement banning the use of guns on U.S. soil."]},{"id":"5668.json","label":"true","statement":"More children die in agricultural jobs than in any other industry.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. According to available evidence, agricultural jobs have a higher fatality rate for children compared to other industries. Children working in agriculture face various hazards, such as exposure to pesticides, heavy machinery accidents, and other risks associated with farm work. This makes agricultural work more dangerous for children compared to other industries.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11106.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States isfighting with Iraqis to defeat ISIS along with Iran. But in Yemen were fighting Iran with Iraqis and Saudis.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some inaccuracies and lacks important context. While the United States has cooperated with Iraq and Iran in the fight against ISIS, it is not accurate to say that the United States is directly fighting alongside Iran in Iraq. Additionally, the statement implies that the United States is directly fighting Iran in Yemen, which is not the case. The conflict in Yemen involves a complex web of regional actors, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, but the United States' involvement is primarily in supporting Saudi Arabia's efforts. Therefore, while there are elements of truth in the statement, it oversimplifies the dynamics of the conflicts in Iraq and Yemen and misrepresents the United States' role.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5289.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Gov. Romney cut off kosher meals for Jewish senior citizens who were on Medicaid to save $5 a day.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there was a debate regarding funding for kosher meals for Jewish senior citizens on Medicaid during Mitt Romney's tenure as governor of Massachusetts, the statement oversimplifies the situation. The decision to discontinue funding for kosher meals was not solely made by Romney but was a result of budgetary considerations and a broader effort to address funding gaps in Medicaid. The decision was not specifically targeted at Jewish senior citizens, and it did not completely eliminate kosher meals but rather reduced the funding for them. Therefore, the statement lacks important context and is misleading in its portrayal of Romney's actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Included on a list of \"some of the more dubious taxpayer-funded stimulus projects\" is \"$250,000 to provide digital television to the state\u2019s inmate population.\"","( - Watchdog group says R.I. used stimulus funds for $250,000 project to \u201cprovide digital television to the state\u2019s inmate population.\u201d&url=)","The item in the report is footnoted and includes the first in a series of links that bring you to an OSPRI Web page with what appears to be a list of Department of Corrections projects. It includes $250,000 \"to convert digital television signal.\"","The first thing we learned is that nearly half of the states -- including Rhode Island -- only require voters to provide a signature at the polls."]},{"id":"2275.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since February 2009, the private sector has lost millions of jobs while the federal government has grown by hundreds of thousands of workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the private sector has experienced a significant loss of jobs since February 2009, while the federal government has seen an increase in employment by over 400,000 jobs. However, it's important to note that the statement could benefit from additional context. The timeframe chosen, starting from February 2009, is somewhat arbitrary and doesn't provide a comprehensive view of the entire economic situation. Additionally, the number of private sector job losses mentioned in the evidence is slightly different from the statement. Therefore, while the statement captures a partial truth, it could be improved by providing a more comprehensive and accurate representation of the employment trends during the specified period.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["He repeated the point about military installations less than a minute later: \"The Pentagon itself says that we could eliminate 20 percent of U.S. bases.\"","Then Johnson turned to military spending, saying, \"The Pentagon itself says that we could reduce U.S. bases by 20 percent, and yet there's not the political will to do that. Our heads are in the sand over all of this, while there's a fiscal crisis out there looming if we don't cut spending to go along with the equation.\"","What the Pentagon actually said was that the Defense Department has 22 percent more installation space and infrastructure than it's going to need in 2019. That's not the same as reducing the number of bases by 20 percent, as Johnson said. Past experience shows that closing bases involves upfront expenses, with savings taking some time to accrue.","When we asked the Johnson campaign about it, they sent us links to two articles, one from Defense News, the other from Military Times. Both detail the results of a Pentagon report which looked at 251 military installations but did not recommend cutting 20 percent of them."]},{"id":"1383.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Most of the people that work in finance make $70,000, $80,000 a year.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is technically accurate, as it is supported by a credible federal statistic that includes lower-paid employees in the finance industry. However, the statement can be misleading because it may lead a reasonable person to believe that professionals such as bond traders and brokers earn $70,000 to $80,000 per year. The average salary in the finance industry is influenced by a wide range of positions, including lower-paying roles. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the overall average, it lacks clarity and context regarding the earnings of specific finance professionals.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9184.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A grant for $5,000 [from the Governors Workforce Board] went to teach an employee at a company that makes ornamental business card holders how to use Facebook and Twitter.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a grant of $5,000 was allocated for training an employee at a company that makes ornamental business card holders, the statement oversimplifies the purpose of the grant. The training involved more than just teaching the employee how to use Facebook and Twitter. It also included other forms of social media and a significant portion of traditional sales training. Therefore, the statement lacks the necessary context and implies a narrower focus on social media training than what was actually provided.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"Studies have revealed how unbalanced America's humanities departments are,\" Koons writes. \"In the history department at the University of Texas, out of 50 registered voters, only one is a Republican. Moderate and conservative Democrats are also rare.\"","If Koons presents compelling evidence that indeed, as he says, one in 50 registered voters in the department is a Republican, we'll re-plumb this topic.","Next, we made a run at gauging the voting history of the remaining 50 faculty members whose addresses aren't in the UT directory. We tried to be as accurate as possible, using middle initials and comparing each professor's birth date to their photograph on the history department website, but we acknowledge these results are less certain.","His 1-in-50 figure from dated research doesn't jibe with what we found in our review of local voting histories. Of 48 history department faculty members registered to vote in Travis County (save three registered in Williamson and Montgomery counties), five have participated in Republican primaries, four of whom voted in the March GOP primary."]},{"id":"7602.json","label":"false","statement":"Says rabid animals from other states carry different strains of rabies that Florida vaccines and serums dont affect.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there are different strains of rabies based on the animal species that tend to contract it, vaccines and serums used in Florida are effective against these different strains. The claim that Florida's vaccines and serums do not affect rabies strains carried by animals from other states is incorrect. Rabies vaccines are designed to provide protection against various strains of the virus, regardless of their origin. It is important to ensure that pets are properly vaccinated to prevent the spread of rabies, regardless of their geographic location.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3891.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Assaults on Wisconsin law enforcement officers are up 224 percent statewide since 2005","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, which reported a 224 percent increase in assaults against law enforcement officers in Wisconsin from 2005 to 2010. However, it's important to note that the increase is primarily centered in the city of Milwaukee, while in many other parts of the state, assaults on law enforcement officers have actually decreased. Therefore, while the overall statistic is true, it is crucial to provide the context that the increase is not uniform across the entire state.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"We got the highest vote count in the history of the Republican Party,\" he continued. \"It was such a big thing for me. We won 37 states. We got stronger and stronger and stronger.\"","\"We got the highest vote count in the history of the Republican Party,\" he said, speaking just of the primary elections \u2013 since, of course, the general election hasn\u2019t happened yet.","\"In the history of Republican primaries, I\u2019ve gotten the most votes in the history of the Republican party,\" Trump said during his speech on Friday, April 29 at the California Republican Party Convention south of San Francisco.","Blunt said, \"The president got the highest percentage of minority votes of any Republican candidate for president in over 100 years.\""]},{"id":"7987.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Were already seeing bakers and florists and photographers forced to participate in same-sex marriages under the threat of law and in some cases even jail.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, as there have been instances where bakers, florists, and photographers have faced legal challenges for refusing to provide services for same-sex weddings based on their religious beliefs. However, it is important to note that these cases are not representative of a widespread phenomenon. They are specific instances that have been widely publicized, but they do not reflect the overall reality for bakers, florists, and photographers across the country. The majority of businesses are able to operate in accordance with anti-discrimination laws and provide services to same-sex couples without legal repercussions. Therefore, while there have been isolated cases, it is misleading to suggest that bakers, florists, and photographers are universally being forced to participate in same-sex marriages under the threat of law and jail.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Metro Atlanta, we have a problem,\" it says. \"One of the longest average commutes in America. Over an hour every day, five hours a week you don\u2019t spend with your family -- 260 hours a year.\"","If each commute is about 30 minutes, that means the average worker in metro Atlanta spends one hour commuting each day. If you work five days a week, 52 weeks a year, that equals 260 hours, the number cited in the commercial.","It was a bigger leap for them to conclude that since the year is 52 weeks long, workers therefore spend \"260 hours a year\" commuting. Workers often get a week or so of vacation or sick leave.","It was a bit of a leap for MAVEN to conclude that based on morning commute data, metro Atlantans spend \"over an hour every day\" traveling to and from work."]},{"id":"117.json","label":"false","statement":"\"We spent $223-million on a bridge in Alaska to an island with 50 people on it.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The claim that $223 million was spent on a bridge in Alaska to an island with only 50 people is inaccurate. The reference is likely to the proposed Gravina Island Bridge, also known as the \"Bridge to Nowhere,\" which was a controversial project that was ultimately canceled. However, the actual cost of the project was significantly lower than the stated amount, and it was intended to serve a larger population than just 50 people. The claim exaggerates the cost and misrepresents the purpose of the project.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3475.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Withheld union dues fund half of Dem (Democratic) campaigns in Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement that withheld union dues fund half of Democratic campaigns in Florida is false. According to research from the National Institute on Money in State Politics, union contributions, including dues, accounted for approximately 11 percent of all contributions to state-level Democrats in Florida. This figure includes not only direct contributions made by unions through dues but also individual contributions made by union members and voluntary political action committee contributions. There is no evidence to support the claim that withheld union dues fund anywhere close to half of Democratic campaigns in Florida.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["!The Cathedral of Christ King, located in Buckhead, opened in 1937. Archbishop Wilton Gregory has said it is one of our largest, most vibrant and fastest-growing parishes. Photo credit: Christ The King. !The Cathedral of Christ King, located in Buckhead, opened in 1937. Archbishop Wilton Gregory has said it is one of our largest, most vibrant and fastest-growing parishes. Photo credit: Christ The King.","\"However, the Cathedral parish has a problem, albeit a happy one,\" he said. \"The Cathedral of Christ the King is one of our largest, most vibrant and fastest-growing parishes \u2014 but it is landlocked.\"","The Cathedral of Christ King, located in Buckhead, opened in 1937. Archbishop Wilton Gregory has said it is one of our largest, most vibrant and fastest-growing parishes. Photo credit: Christ The King.","In summary: We decided to fact-check the archbishop\u2019s statement largely on two points: Is the Cathedral of Christ the King one of the archdiocese\u2019s largest churches? And is it one of the diocese\u2019s fastest-growing churches."]},{"id":"7560.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Rhode Island is the last state still using the Optech III P voting machines and they dont meet suggested federal standards.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Head of Rhode Island's Elections Board, who stated that Rhode Island is the last state using the Optech III P voting machines and that they do not meet suggested federal standards. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide additional context or evidence to support the claim that the machines do not meet federal standards. Without further information, it is unclear whether the machines are non-compliant with federal standards or if they simply do not meet suggested standards. Therefore, the statement is considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"New Jersey's citizens are working at the highest rate in three years. That's good news,\" she said in her June 25 speech on the state Senate floor. \"We have more businesses expanding their footprint in this state. We've seen almost $8 billion in public-private investment over the last two and a half years. All of those are good signs and today in delivering this budget without a tax cut I think we\u2019re giving a kick in the shins to our citizens because we have the revenue now to be able to deliver that relief and it should be our foremost and top priority.\"","Joseph Seneca, a professor at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, agreed that the number of New Jerseyans working is the highest in three years, but said \"the confusion would be the word rate.\"","\"What is unassailably true is that the employment level is the highest in 3 years. It is my belief that New Jersey is moving in the right direction,\" Beck said.","To support her claim, Beck pointed to the number of employed residents, which is at the highest level since more than three years ago."]},{"id":"3909.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Obamacare cuts $500 billion in future Medicare funding in order to fund the new constitutionally questionable government mandate, even going so far as to scuttle Medicares most popular (and successful) part, Medicare Advantage.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) includes provisions to reduce future Medicare spending by approximately $500 billion. However, it is important to note that these reductions are aimed at curbing the growth of future Medicare spending, not cutting current funding. The claim that Obamacare scuttles Medicare Advantage, the popular part of Medicare, is misleading. While there were adjustments made to Medicare Advantage payments, the program still exists and continues to provide coverage to beneficiaries. Additionally, the statement's assertion that the new government mandate is constitutionally questionable is subjective and not supported by evidence. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We were intrigued by his claim that the \"money supply has doubled in the last year,\" a statement Paul has made before in editorials and speeches on the House floor.","To review. Paul said that the money supply has doubled over the past year. But that's not the case if we rely on M1 and M2, the measurements economists generally use when they talk about the supply. Paul's claim is based on the M0 -- the monetary base and bank reserves -- which did increase significantly due to explosive growth in the reserves. But most economists do not rely on it as much as they do on the other two.","\"We have been on a disastrous course for a long time. The money supply has doubled in the last year, our debt is unsustainable, the value of the dollar is going to continue its drop, and those Americans who understand where we are headed feel helpless and held hostage by foolish policymakers in Washington,\" wrote Paul, a Texas Republican who ran for president in 2008.","George Selgin, a professor of economics at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, also agreed that M1 and M2 are more useful measurements of the money supply than M0. He added that although a doubling of the monetary base \"is, in fact, very significant,\" it does not mean that the money supply has doubled."]},{"id":"7729.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Broward County was one of three counties in the nation pivotal to an Obama victory in 2012.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that while Broward County may have played a significant role in President Obama's victory in 2012, it is not accurate to claim that Broward County was one of only three pivotal counties in the nation. The Broward County Democratic Party cited a news article to support their claim, but when experts were asked about the notion of pivotal counties, none of them specifically identified Broward County as pivotal. The idea of singling out three specific counties as pivotal is also questioned by some experts. Therefore, while Broward County may have had an impact on the election, it is an exaggeration to claim that it was one of only three pivotal counties nationwide.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Oregon\u2019s high minimum wage is the reason why \"by 2011, Oregon's restaurants employed an average of only 13.8 workers, or 2.6 fewer employees than they did before the state's minimum wage began rising above the federal level in 1997.\"","\"By 2011, Oregon's restaurants employed an average of only 13.8 workers, or 2.6 fewer employees than they did before the state's minimum wage began rising above the federal level in 1997,\" he said.","To find the \"employees per establishment\" throughout the U.S., we took the average number of employees in the food service industry in 2011 and divided it by the average number of \"establishments.\" Bingo. Oregon\u2019s number in 2011 was 13.8. That\u2019s lower than the national average of 16.4.","Washington had 1.54 fewer employees per establishment than the national average. But California was basically at the national average. Oh, and in Nevada, where you either get the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour if your employer provides health coverage or you get $1 more if they don\u2019t, the average number of employees per establishment was 18.75, 1.8 ahead of the average."]},{"id":"13360.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says an election clerk in Green Bay refused to allow early voting on the UW-Green Bay campus because she was afraid it would help Democrats, showing outrageous partisan bias.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Our Democracy 2020 and The Nation that the election clerk in Green Bay refused to allow early voting on the UW-Green Bay campus because she believed it would benefit Democrats. This suggests partisan bias in the decision-making process. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a comprehensive view of the clerk's motivations or the full context surrounding the decision. Without additional information, it is difficult to determine the extent of the partisan bias involved. Therefore, the statement is considered half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10074.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour will destroy between half a million and one million jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator McConnell's claim that raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would result in the destruction of between half a million and one million jobs, as stated in a Congressional Budget Office report. However, it's important to note that this claim is a projection and subject to debate. While some studies and economists support this claim, others argue that the impact on employment would be minimal or even positive. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of accurately representing Senator McConnell's claim, the actual impact on job loss is a topic of ongoing discussion and analysis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We received a number of requests to check Obama\u2019s claim that the debt ceiling deal will result in \"the lowest level of annual domestic spending since Dwight Eisenhower was president.\" So we are checking it.","Second, Obama implied that the debt deal deserves credit for achieving \"the lowest level of annual domestic spending since Dwight Eisenhower was president.\" In fact, the federal budget was already on a course to do this before the debt ceiling deal was struck.","\"The first part of this agreement will cut about $1 trillion in spending over the next 10 years -- cuts that both parties had agreed to early on in this process,\" Obama said. \"The result would be the lowest level of annual domestic spending since Dwight Eisenhower was president -- but at a level that still allows us to make job-creating investments in things like education and research. We also made sure that these cuts wouldn\u2019t happen so abruptly that they\u2019d be a drag on a fragile economy.\"","But that\u2019s not what Obama said. He said that the deal would bring \"the lowest level of annual domestic spending since Dwight Eisenhower.\" By not specifying that he was referring to \"discretionary\" spending, Obama is wrong, since the expenses for mandatory domestic programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will remain high in the years ahead."]},{"id":"499.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Ten years ago, John McCain offered a bill that said he would ban a candidate from paying registered lobbyists.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that John McCain introduced a bill, known as the Lobbying Conflict of Interest Elimination Act, which aimed to ban candidates from paying registered lobbyists for their services. This bill was introduced in 1996 and 1997, and McCain himself acknowledged the conflict of interest that arises when a campaign employs lobbyists. The evidence supports the claim made by Barack Obama regarding McCain's stance on banning the payment of registered lobbyists by candidates.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11216.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Zero Planned Parenthood facilities are licensed to do mammograms. Planned Parenthood, women dont need you!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that Planned Parenthood facilities do not perform mammograms themselves. While Planned Parenthood does provide breast exams and refers patients to outside clinics for mammograms, it is important to note that not having a license to perform mammograms does not imply that the organization is not providing valuable services to women. Planned Parenthood offers various preventive care services, including breast exams, which play a crucial role in early detection and prevention of breast cancer. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is true, the second part, which suggests that women do not need Planned Parenthood, is subjective and not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In an effort to relate the federal budget to a typical family\u2019s budget, the Mitt Romney presidential campaign posted an explanatory graphic on April 17, 2012. It concludes with this claim \"President Obama's suggested reduction in spending for next year: $0.\"","Romney claims that the president\u2019s \"suggested reduction in spending for next year\" is zero. Romney's claim ignores the detail that Obama proposed cuts in the discretionary portion of the budget, which he has more control over. The increases come from mandatory spending and net interest. Still, Obama could propose cuts in mandatory spending if he wanted.","Still, as a summary of the president\u2019s fiscal priorities, it\u2019s reasonable for Romney to use it in the way it did. The question is whether Obama did propose no net reduction in spending for 2013 compared to 2012.","Under the president\u2019s budget, mandatory spending plus net interest -- the costs that are largely set by formula and debt commitments -- are poised to rise from $2.477 trillion to $2.541 trillion between 2012 and 2013, an increase of about 2.5 percent. But discretionary spending -- again, the part he has more control over -- would actually decline from $1.319 trillion to $1.261 trillion, a drop of 4.3 percent. So by this measure, Obama is suggesting cuts in his budget proposal."]},{"id":"6375.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under the Obama administrations bailout of General Motors, Ohio dealerships were forced to close.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It is accurate to say that under the Obama administration's bailout of General Motors, some Ohio dealerships were forced to close. The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association confirmed that several GM and Chrysler dealerships closed in Northeast Ohio alone. However, it's important to note that the closures were not solely a result of the bailouts. GM needed to reconfigure its sales markets, and even profitable dealerships were affected. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the Obama administration's efforts resulted in an overall increase in employment in Ohio auto dealerships. Therefore, while the statement acknowledges the closures, it lacks the full context of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We asked Day whether the elimination of the Early Start grants \"ended full-day pre-K for 100,000 Texas children,\" as Progress Texas says. Day said it would be more accurate to say the move ended state support for full-day pre-K.","In the 2011-12 school year, she said, the district plans to use federal and local money to keep full-day classes. Also, the district for the first time will allow children who don\u2019t qualify for free pre-K to pay tuition to attend, and that money will help finance full-day pre-K, Porter said.","First, the loss of Early Start funding doesn't mean districts that previously received grants are eliminating pre-K. The state is continuing its funding of half-day programs for eligible students. Second, the end of the grants \u2014 which helped about 100,000 kids attend a full day of pre-K last school year \u2014 doesn't mean all grant recipients are cutting back to half a day. Some are, and some are not.","We circled back to Progress Texas, explaining our findings. Its executive director, Matt Glazer, stressed that to craft the statements for the group\u2019s anti-Perry site, complex ideas had to be boiled down into 140 characters or less so they could be sent out via Twitter. He said the pre-K statement was written to show that Perry\u2019s decision to sign the budget legislation would have an effect on children who normally benefit from the state grant support and that budget cuts like the loss of the pre-K grants \"pass the buck\" to local districts."]},{"id":"7897.json","label":"false","statement":"On the coal industry","reason":"Reason: While President Trump made promises to support and revitalize the coal industry during his campaign, the statement that his efforts have been successful in saving the industry is false. The coal industry has faced challenges due to global trends and market forces that have put it at a disadvantage. While some representatives and supporters may argue that Trump's presidency has had a positive impact on the industry, there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that his efforts have successfully saved or reinvigorated the coal industry as a whole.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4987.json","label":"half-true","statement":"If Congress does not pass the renewal of the payroll tax cut before the end of the year, nearly 160 million working families will see their taxes go up by roughly $1,000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the San Antonio Democrat that if Congress does not renew the payroll tax cut, nearly 160 million working families could see their taxes go up by approximately $1,000. However, it's important to note that the actual tax increase may vary depending on individual circumstances, such as income level and filing status. While the statement provides a general estimate, it does not account for the specific tax situations of each family, resulting in a lack of precision. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks complete accuracy in terms of individual tax impacts.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["A few days before he announced his executive action, Obama was asked why he suddenly felt he could use executive action to address immigration issues. Obama said, \"My position hasn\u2019t changed.\" But it had.","We confirmed that every president since Eisenhower has taken executive action on immigration. However, on several levels, Obama\u2019s action was more sweeping than those taken earlier. We rated his claim Half True.","The council cited 39 instances in which a president used executive authority to defer deportation of certain immigrants. The list starts with an action by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 and does indeed include actions taken by every president since then. Many of the actions were designed to keep families together or to shield illegal immigrants from returning to repressive nations where they might face punishment.","Kaine, in a news release on the night of the president\u2019s announcement, said Obama\u2019s action was necessary because the House of Representatives has failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Kaine, a Democrat, made a fleeting reference to Republican claims that the president\u2019s executive action is unconstitutional."]},{"id":"3378.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Secretly, unbeknownst to members of Congress, over $105 billion was hidden in the Obamacare legislation.","reason":"Reason: While there was approximately $105 billion of already approved spending in the Obamacare legislation, it is inaccurate to claim that this was hidden or passed secretly, unbeknownst to members of Congress. The provisions were included in the plain language of the bill, and while they may not have received significant media attention, they were publicly available for review before the vote. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the secrecy and lack of awareness surrounding the provisions. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["How Scott interprets it: Lawmakers spend about $12.5 billion in general revenues on education. If the state increases spending levels as Sink describes, to 61 percent of general revenue, the new cost would be about $14.5 billion.","\"My opponent talks about how she can save $700 million. That's Obama math,\" Scott said during the debate, which was sponsored by Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association. \"Because on the other side of that ... how are you are going to pay for the $12.5 billion in new spending your proposals are going to cost us?\"","With less than two weeks until the Nov. 2 election, we're not going to spend time tracking down Sink's Calculus II grades -- though if someone has a transcript, feel free to send us a fax. Instead, we're going to take a look at Scott's claim that Sink is proposing $12.5 billion in new state spending programs.","\"Florida's current budget estimates reveal a shortfall of approximately $2.5 billion to $3 billion,\" Haridopolos wrote. \"Instead of spending less to stem the tide, it appears that you would propose a staggering $12.5 billion in additional spending on everything from higher pay for state workers to high-speed rail and other areas of government spending. The consequences of these proposed increases in spending would yield nothing short of a crippling $14 billion to $15 billion budget shortfall.\""]},{"id":"5003.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 77 percent of Portlands students finish elementary school without taking even one art class.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The Creative Advocacy Network tweeted that 77% of Portland's students finish elementary school without taking even one art class. While the exact percentage may vary depending on the specific criteria used to define an \"art class,\" the evidence suggests that a significant majority of Portland's elementary school students do not have access to formal art education. The count was based on the number of students who attended schools with an art teacher, and it was found that only 23% of students had that opportunity. However, it's important to note that this statistic does not include charter schools. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the lack of art education for a majority of Portland's elementary school students, it should be understood in the context of the specific criteria used for measurement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Any child born prematurely, according to the president, in his own words, can be killed,\" Santorum said. \"Now who\u2019s the extremist in the abortion debate?\"","Opposition to abortion is particularly important, he said. \"Any child born prematurely, according to the president, in his own words, can be killed,\" Santorum said, according to a column by Dana Milbank in the Washington Post.","Santorum may feel that abortion is tantamount to infanticide, but that does not give him the license to put words in Obama's mouth that he never uttered. Santorum said, \"Any child born prematurely, according to the president, in his own words, can be killed.\" Obama didn\u2019t say that. In fact, he said that abortion should be legal, but that children that are born should receive medical care. Obama never said that any child born prematurely can be killed or anything like that. Santorum crosses a line with his rhetoric in distinguishing the difference between his position and Obama\u2019s. We rate Santorum\u2019s statement Pants on Fire.","With Santorum reviving the issue of \"born alive\" legislation, we went back again to check the transcripts from the Illinois legislature. Obama did say he opposed the bill because it wouldn\u2019t pass constitutional muster under Roe v. Wade. But he never said that \"any child prior to nine months of gestation would be able to be killed\" or that \"any child born prematurely \u2026 can be killed,\" as Santorum said."]},{"id":"9126.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Charlie Crist signed into law an automatic 15 percent annual tuition increase that put college further out of reach for many Floridians.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Charlie Crist signed a law that allowed for tuition increases in Florida, the statement inaccurately portrays these increases as automatic and always set at 15 percent annually. The legislation actually granted the Board of Governors the authority to supplement the state budget's tuition increase by up to a total of 15 percent. This means that the actual tuition increase could vary and was not necessarily a fixed 15 percent every year. Therefore, while the statement highlights Crist's role in allowing tuition increases, it exaggerates the extent and consistency of those increases.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7955.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Seventy-four percent of Rhode Islanders support [a] national popular vote [for president] because they, as I, believe in one person-one vote.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that 74 percent of Rhode Islanders support a national popular vote for president. However, the claim that they support it because they, like the speaker, believe in \"one person-one vote\" is an assumption that may not be universally true for all individuals within that 74 percent. While many may indeed support a national popular vote for reasons related to equal representation and the principle of one person-one vote, it is important to acknowledge that there may be other factors influencing their support as well. Therefore, while the statement is partially true in terms of the level of support, it oversimplifies the motivations behind that support.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"940.json","label":"false","statement":"\"The Congressional Budget Office has found that (the stimulus) bill will lead to a real 0.1 to 0.3 percent reduction in gross domestic product by 2019.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected a potential reduction in GDP by 0.1 to 0.3 percent as a result of the stimulus bill, it is important to note that this reduction is relative to the baseline level of GDP growth. The economy would still be growing, albeit at a slightly slower pace. The statement inaccurately implies that the stimulus bill would cause a decline in GDP, which is not supported by the evidence provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5534.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says David Rivera allowed House Republican leaders to strip key provisions from the STOCK Act that would crack down on insider trading by members of Congress.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Joe Garcia claimed that David Rivera allowed House Republican leaders to remove key provisions from the STOCK Act, the evidence provided does not offer specific details or direct evidence to support this claim. The evidence only mentions that Garcia made this claim, but it does not provide any concrete actions or instances where Rivera actively allowed the removal of provisions. Without more specific evidence, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["There are a lot of facts in that sentence, but many readers zeroed in on the claim that \"nearly half of all persons under 30 did not go to work today.\" So we\u2019ll take a look at it.","We suppose in a narrow sense, Daniels has a point that \"nearly half of all persons under 30 did not go to work today.\" But that\u2019s because the number includes many people who have no desire to work -- for instance, full-time high school or college students, stay-at-home parents or others who are unable to work.","\"The president did not cause the economic and fiscal crises that continue in America tonight, but he was elected on a promise to fix them, and he cannot claim that the last three years have made things anything but worse,\" Daniels said in the nationally televised address. \"The percentage of Americans with a job is at the lowest in decades. One in five men of prime working age and nearly half of all persons under 30 did not go to work today.\"","Raimondo said the pandemic was particularly hard on women. At the trough of the pandemic downturn, the unemployment rate for women was 16.1%, nearly three points higher than men. The virus cratered the hospitality industry, a sector where many women work, and it upended day care and schooling, making it harder for them to return to work."]},{"id":"12035.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When John Kasich became governor of Ohio, there was an $8 billion budget deficit and now theres a $2 billion surplus.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by multiple sources, including former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and PolitiFact, that when John Kasich became governor of Ohio, there was an $8 billion budget deficit, and now there is a $2 billion surplus. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. The timeline and specific actions taken by Kasich to address the deficit and achieve the surplus are not mentioned. Nonetheless, the overall claim about the improvement in Ohio's budget situation under Kasich's leadership is supported by the evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Hillary Clinton campaign website, \"Ted Cruz says no one's trying to ban contraception. Here are 5 times Ted Cruz tried to ban contraception,\" Dec. 1, 2015","The Clinton campaign didn\u2019t think much of his comment, challenging Cruz with a post on its website headlined, \"Ted Cruz says no one's trying to ban contraception. Here are 5 times Ted Cruz tried to ban contraception.\" It added, \"Cruz has personally tried to make it harder for women to get birth control.\"","The details in the softened (and more accurate) statements are lost in the blaring headline that Cruz \"tried to ban contraception\" five times.\"","The post\u2019s fine print includes more nuanced language than the headline lets on -- that Cruz is \"trying to limit access to contraception,\" \"tried to make it harder for women to get birth control,\" and is pursuing policies that \"could ban some forms of birth control.\""]},{"id":"8951.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The medical marijuana ballot initiative doesnt require a physician writing a prescription and can be for conditions like having a back that needs to be scratched.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Gaetz regarding the medical marijuana ballot initiative. He stated that the initiative does not require a physician writing a prescription and can be for conditions as specious as having a back that needs to be scratched. However, it's important to note that Gaetz's example of a back that needs to be scratched is an exaggeration and not an accurate representation of the qualifying conditions outlined in the ballot language. The ballot language specifies that the condition must be \"debilitating,\" indicating a higher threshold than a simple itch. Therefore, while the statement captures Gaetz's claim, it lacks the necessary context to provide an accurate representation of the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I don't own a single stock or bond ... I have no savings accounts. But I got a great pension, and I got a good salary,\" he said.","According to the disclosure documents, the Bidens have five savings accounts, which fall into a larger range. Some amounted to less than $1,001, while others fell into the $50,001 - $100,000 category.","\"Thus, it is inescapable that Mr. Biden\u2019s wealth is both directly and indirectly linked to stock and bond investments,\" Pennacchi said.","She also had between $1,001 and $15,000 each in a utilities fund, MFS VIT Utilities, which includes electric, natural gas and telephone service providers; and in a bond fund, Western Asset Variable Global High Yield. A bond fund is a company that invests primarily in bonds. When you buy a bond, you are lending to the issuer, which may be a government, municipality, or corporation."]},{"id":"5508.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Texas, there are 668 Democratic Hispanic elected officials to the 60 in the Republican Party.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by Rebecca Acu\u00f1a, the spokeswoman for the Texas Democratic Party. According to the data she presented, there were 668 Democratic Hispanic elected officials compared to 60 in the Republican Party in Texas. The evidence supports the claim that there is a significant difference in the number of Hispanic elected officials between the two parties in Texas.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["PolitiFact researchers previously found substance to similar claims. In 2012, PolitiFact New Jersey said that according to most studies, visitors who overstayed visas ranged from about one-third to roughly half of all the country\u2019s illegal immigrants. And relying largely on a 2006 study, PolitiFact in July 2010 rated as Mostly Truea claim that 40 percent of the \"undocumented workers in this country\" entered the U.S. legally and \"overstayed their visa.\"","At one point, Gutierrez said, \"Here's the problem, and here's the fact that Mr. Bilbray leaves out of this debate. The fact is that 40 percent of the undocumented workers in this country didn't cross that border. They came here legally to the United States. They came on a tourist visa. They came on a student visa. They came on a temporary worker visa, and they overstayed their visa.\"","About 40 percent of U.S. illegal immigrants \"came in on an airplane, with a legal visa, and just overstayed their visa and have never gone home.\"","Carter said about 40 percent of U.S. illegal immigrants \"came in on an airplane, with a legal visa, and just overstayed their visa and have never gone home.\""]},{"id":"9581.json","label":"false","statement":"Without the financial resources provided by hunters to protect habitat and stop poachers, there would be no infrastructure for wildlife management.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that hunters can contribute financially to wildlife management efforts, the statement oversimplifies the situation. Wildlife management and conservation rely on a combination of approaches, including sustainable hunting, photo-safari tourism, government initiatives, and private management. The claim that there would be no infrastructure for wildlife management without the financial resources provided by hunters is false. Other sources of funding, such as photo-safari tourism and government support, also play significant roles in protecting habitats and combating poaching. It is important to recognize the diverse range of approaches and stakeholders involved in wildlife management.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3382.json","label":"true","statement":"Hitler didnt want unions. Stalin didnt want unions. Mubarak didnt want independent unions. These autocrats in history dont want independent unions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects historical facts. Hitler, Stalin, and Mubarak were indeed autocratic leaders who opposed independent unions. They sought to suppress unions and limit workers' rights as part of their authoritarian regimes. The intent of the statement is to highlight a pattern observed in history where autocrats have shown hostility towards independent unions. \nLabel: true","evidence":["Here\u2019s what\u2019s missing from Cheney\u2019s claim that Obama \"keeps talking about getting rid of all nuclear weapons\" and is \"significantly\" reducing the country\u2019s nuclear capabilities.","\"For one thing, we haven\u2019t kept our word to them in the past,\" Cheney said. \"Secondly, we\u2019re dramatically reducing our own capabilities. Obama keeps talking about getting rid of all nuclear weapons. He\u2019s already significantly reduced our capabilities there. This last week, he announced a 40,000-man reduction in the United States Army. He\u2019s not a man of his word.\"","Cheney\u2019s second point \u2014 that the country\u2019s nuclear weapons arsenal has been \"significantly reduced\" under Obama \u2014 drew more scorn from the experts.","\"Those are modest reductions that in no way are \u2018dramatically reducing our own capabilities,\u2019 \" Kristensen said, adding that the policies Obama is pursuing on nuclear weapons have been approved by the United States Strategic Command and the Pentagon."]},{"id":"10949.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The United States still ranks 20th in the world in access to broadband -- over 50 percent below the best nations.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the United States ranks 20th in the world in terms of access to broadband. However, the claim that the United States is \"over 50 percent below the best nations\" lacks clarity and may be misleading. The evidence provided suggests that Monaco ranks at the top with 44.7 percent fixed broadband access, which is 57 percent higher than the United States. While this does indicate a significant difference, it does not necessarily translate to the United States being \"over 50 percent below the best nations\" in a comprehensive sense. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to fully support the claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clarke said Milwaukee has seen \"an uptick in violence\" since 2010, and \"the only period of calm we get is when winter sets in.\"","\"This uptick in violence is not new. It has been going on since 2010. The only period of calm we get is when winter sets in,\" the statement said. \"The reason crime and violence rise in the summer is NOT due to the hot weather, leading to short tempers, like so many think. It rises in summer months because you have more human interaction due to more people being on the streets enjoying what little summer we have.\"","Violent crime rates have roller-coastered in recent years, but Clarke\u2019s observations about the trend since 2010 is on target. His observation about a winter \"calm\" period is a bit of a stretch, but it\u2019s certainly calmer than the hot days of summer.","And for the most part, the upward trend has been consistent since 2010, though the uptick in overall violent crime began more recently, in 2012."]},{"id":"1717.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Obama did not open new lands to offshore drilling all of these areas were already open for drilling once Congress and President Bush lifted the moratorium in 2008. Instead, President Obama yesterday announced what areas he would CLOSE to offshore drilling.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. It correctly states that the areas where President Obama proposed new drilling were already open for drilling once the moratorium was lifted in 2008 by Congress and President Bush. However, it is misleading to claim that President Obama did not open new lands to offshore drilling. While he did propose opening new coastal areas to oil production, it is important to note that he also announced the closure of certain areas to offshore drilling. Therefore, the statement lacks complete context and is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1865.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Our school test scores are right at the bottom.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While the evidence provided discusses the limitations of using test scores as the sole measure of school quality and emphasizes the importance of considering factors beyond test scores, it does not specifically address the claim that \"our school test scores are right at the bottom.\" Without further context or evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this statement. It is important to consider a comprehensive range of factors when evaluating school performance, including student demographics, resources, teaching quality, and student growth over time, rather than relying solely on test scores.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Experts say California\u2019s power grid can comfortably support up to 5 million electric cars on the road. Currently, there are about 635,000 electric vehicles registered in the state, according to the California Energy Commission.","In a speech at the White House on Labor Day, Trump said North Carolina is getting one of \"many auto plants\" being built.","But the posts spread quickly online and migrated from Facebook to other platforms, including Twitter. They also sparked discussion about whether California has the resources to continue to move toward electric vehicles in pursuit of a greener future.","Gov. Gavin Newsom has \u201cno power or authority\u201d to extend the state of emergency in California because it expired \u201cautomatically\u201d on May 6, 2020."]},{"id":"174.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"There was a report that came out from the FBI a warning, not a report ... saying that, in fact, al-Qaida was planning to attack malls during the Christmas holidays.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately mentions that there was a warning from the FBI about potential attacks on malls during the Christmas holidays. However, it is important to note that the warning did not specifically mention al-Qaida planning the attacks. The warning was a general advisory about potential threats, and the specific details about the source or affiliation of the threat were not provided. Therefore, while the warning about potential attacks on malls during the Christmas holidays is true, the claim that it specifically involved al-Qaida is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["But the thesis did not say that the United States was founded on \"crime and hatred\" and that whites in America are \"ineradicably racist.\" This appears to be a complete fabrication.","\"In her senior thesis at Princeton, Michele Obama, the wife of Barack Obama stated that America was a nation founded on 'crime and hatred.' Moreover, she stated that whites in America were 'ineradicably racist.' The 1985 thesis, titled 'Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community' was written under her maiden name, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson.\"","But nowhere in the thesis does Michelle Obama write the words \"crime and hatred\" or that whites are \"ineradicably racist.\" The e-mail does get the thesis title, her maiden name and the year correct. It also uses real quotations from the thesis, though a few are taken out of context.","We took the additional step of scanning the document through optical character recognition software so we could search its text electronically. An automated search did not find the words \"crime,\" \"hatred,\" \"hate,\" \"ineradicably,\" or \"racist\" in the document."]},{"id":"11537.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Our state has no major rivers to produce big hydropower.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols that Georgia does not have major rivers capable of producing significant hydropower. While there may be some disagreement or nuance regarding the definition of \"major rivers\" and their potential for hydropower generation, the evidence supports the notion that Georgia's rivers are not suitable for large-scale hydropower production. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9583.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"SaysCongressman Jack Kingston voted to raise his pay seven times.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading because it implies that Congressman Jack Kingston directly voted seven times to raise his own pay. However, the evidence clarifies that Kingston did not cast direct votes to raise his pay. The automatic pay raises were established in 1989, and Kingston's tenure in Congress began in 1993. The raises are automatic unless Congress votes to turn them down, which has happened in some years. Therefore, while Kingston did not directly vote to raise his own pay, he did cast procedural votes that allowed the automatic pay raises to stand. The statement lacks this nuance and misrepresents the nature of Kingston's involvement in the pay raise process.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["!A group says Gov. Rick Scott has lost 331,247 jobs since taking office. !A group says Gov. Rick Scott has lost 331,247 jobs since taking office.","Florida Democrats are countering Gov. Rick Scott's claims about creating jobs, by saying the first-term governor is in fact killing them.","Randolph, reached by phone, says she isn\u2019t just counting jobs already cut by Scott, as the signs claim, but jobs lost or stalled by his refusal of federal money and review of contracts, she said.","Hundreds wielded \"Pink Slip Rick\" picket signs and booed. Their posters were hard to ignore, and not just for an eye-catching splash of hot pink. The signs accuse Scott of losing 331,247 jobs."]},{"id":"8422.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Common Core means there are over 300 data elements the government is going to be collecting about your children and about you.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been concerns raised about data collection related to Common Core, the statement exaggerates the extent of the data elements being collected. The claim that there are \"over 300 data elements\" is not entirely accurate. While there are data collection efforts related to education, they are typically focused on academic performance and educational outcomes rather than personal information about individuals and their families. It is important to note that privacy protections and regulations are in place to safeguard student data. Therefore, while there are legitimate concerns about data collection, the statement overstates the extent of the data elements being collected.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["( - Democratic group says N.C. GOP Senate hopeful Thom Tillis supports a plan that would 'end Medicare as we know it'&url=)","\"In North Carolina, we put families first. But Senate candidate Thom Tillis sides with health insurance companies. He'd let them deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and raise rates for women needing mammograms. Tillis supports a plan that would end Medicare as we know it, and force seniors to spend up to $1,700 more for prescriptions. He's with the special interests; hurting North Carolina families.\"","In the North Carolina race for U.S. Senate, much of the debate has focused on Republican candidate Thom Tillis\u2019 actions as a state leader.","Even introducing the option of premium support would be a significant change to Medicare, but since beneficiaries would be able to remain on traditional Medicare without being penalized, it seems doubtful that, as the ad says, the Ryan plan \"would end Medicare as we know it.\""]},{"id":"1081.json","label":"false","statement":"Obamas Justice-designate Sotomayor threw out (the New Haven firefighters) lawsuit in a sneaky, unsigned opinion -- the judicial equivalent of talk to the hand.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Justice Sotomayor threw out the lawsuit filed by the New Haven firefighters in a \"sneaky, unsigned opinion.\" In reality, Justice Sotomayor was part of a panel of judges that ruled on the case, known as Ricci v. DeStefano. The panel's decision was not sneaky or unsigned; it was a published opinion that went through the standard judicial process. The ruling was later reviewed and affirmed by the Supreme Court. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["But throughout the 1950s and 1960s, in most years, the minimum wage couldn\u2019t lift a family of three out of poverty and was never enough for a family of four.","Sen. Jack Reed, lobbying for an increase in the minimum wage, said that in the 1950s and 1960s, \"the minimum wage was such that it would lift you out of poverty.\"","According to our calculations, throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the minimum wage was high enough to keep an individual above the poverty level","For this fact check, we are going to examine whether the minimum wage was really high enough in the 1950s and 1960s to pull people out of poverty."]},{"id":"9488.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says of flood of non-Mexicans being apprehended at the border: These are people that are coming from states like Syria that have substantial connections back to terrorist regimes and terrorist operations.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that individuals apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border, who are not from Mexico, come from states like Syria with substantial connections to terrorist regimes and operations. This statement is misleading and lacks factual basis. It is important to rely on accurate and verified information when discussing matters of national security and immigration.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["So we ask, was that a fair comparison? Are electric co-ops and credit unions the same as government sponsored enterprises, GSE\u2019s, like Freddie Mac?","Often criticized for his lucrative work for Freddie Mac, Newt Gingrich has compared the mortgage giant to government-sponsored enterprises such as credit unions and electric co-ops.","Gingrich defended his position, much the same way in that debate, saying \"when you look for example at electric membership co-ops, and you look at credit unions, there are a lot of government-sponsored enterprises that are awfully important and do an awfully good job.\"","Gingrich took the broad view to defend his position, saying \"when you look for example at electric membership co-ops, and you look at credit unions, there are a lot of government sponsored enterprises that are awfully important and do an awfully good job.\""]},{"id":"11619.json","label":"half-true","statement":"29 mass shootings have been committed by concealed carriers since 2007, while during this period only one (1) licensed civilian meaningfully intervened in a mass shooting.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately cites the Violence Policy Center's count of 37 mass shootings committed by concealed carry permit holders since 2007. However, it is important to note that the claim about only one licensed civilian meaningfully intervening in a mass shooting is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not provide specific data on the number of licensed civilians who have intervened in mass shootings. Therefore, while the first part of the statement is supported by evidence, the second part lacks sufficient evidence and is speculative in nature.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7841.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The UK has an unarmed police force and a firearm fatality rate that is 40 times lower per capita than in the U.S.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the comparison made between the UK and the US. The UK does have an unarmed police force, and various sources confirm that the firearm fatality rate in the UK is significantly lower per capita compared to the US. While the exact ratio may vary slightly depending on the specific data and time period analyzed, the general consensus is that the UK's firearm fatality rate is substantially lower than that of the US. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8512.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama knew half of the population of the United States would lose their health insurance.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Barack Obama knew that half of the population of the United States would lose their health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The statement made by Glenn Beck is an exaggeration and lacks factual basis. While there were changes in health insurance coverage under the ACA, the claim that Obama knowingly anticipated such a significant loss of coverage for half of the population is unfounded and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"6429.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Mitt Romney and Bain Capital are to blame in a womans premature death when they closed the plant where her husband worked.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely attributes blame to Mitt Romney and Bain Capital for a woman's premature death when they closed the plant where her husband worked. While the ad may create an emotional impression that suggests a connection between the plant closure and the woman's death, there is no direct evidence or causal link presented to support this claim. It is important to separate emotional appeals from factual claims, and in this case, the statement lacks factual basis.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3498.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Public sentiment in favor of collective bargaining and in favor of the unions has actually gone up as these governors, I think, have overreached and gone too far and tried to destroy the labor movement.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that public sentiment in favor of collective bargaining and unions has increased in response to actions taken by certain governors, the statement implies that these governors have actively tried to destroy the labor movement. This claim is an overgeneralization and lacks specificity. While some governors have implemented policies that limit the power of unions, it is inaccurate to suggest that their intention is to completely destroy the labor movement. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and could benefit from more nuanced language.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The lack of an automatic braking system that could have prevented the Philadelphia Amtrak crash \"wasn't driven by a lack of funding. It just takes a while. They (Congress) just passed it in the recent past.\"","Kelly said that the lack of a working fail-safe braking system at the site of the Philadelphia Amtrak crash, \"wasn't driven by a lack of funding. It just takes a while. They (Congress) just passed it in the recent past.\"","\"Congress had already mandated that it be installed, and it's being installed on all these tracks,\" Kelly said. \"They hadn't gotten to this particular track yet. And according to our information, that wasn't driven by a lack of funding. It just takes a while. They just passed it in the recent past. So they were working on it. So it's not a failure of infrastructure. It's a failure of an engineer to obey the speed limit.\"","Clearly, Amtrak had internal problems managing its capital projects, including the system that could have prevented the fatal crash near Philadelphia."]},{"id":"9570.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Another great endorsement! Barrow Journal explains the difference between me and Jody Hice.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies that Mike Collins received an endorsement from the Barrow Journal, but the evidence provided contradicts this claim. The editor of the Barrow Journal stated that the newspaper has not endorsed any candidate since its launch in 2008. Therefore, the statement is not entirely true as there is no evidence of an endorsement from the Barrow Journal.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1534.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Charlie Crist was the only prominent Republican in the country to campaign with Barack Obama before the stimulus passed, on behalf of the stimulus.\"","reason":"Reason: While Charlie Crist was indeed a prominent Republican who campaigned with Barack Obama before the stimulus passed, it is not entirely accurate to claim that he was the only one. There were other prominent Republicans, such as Vermont's Republican governor, who met with Obama and promoted the stimulus in nationally televised remarks. Additionally, Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine announced their support for the stimulus before it was passed. Therefore, while Crist's involvement was notable, the statement overlooks other Republicans who expressed support for the stimulus before its passage.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Huffington said, \"It is really stunning that only 15 percent of the total drug population \u2014 drug offending population is African-American. And yet you have 74 percent of them who wind up in jail.\" A staffer for Huffington clarified her point: African-Americans make up 15 percent of drug users, but 74 percent of drug offenders sentenced to prison. Her comment echoed longstanding calls by critics of U.S. drug policy and criminal sentencing guidelines. These critics have argued that blacks are unfairly targeted by U.S. drug laws as well as the ways those laws are enforced. So we decided to dig into Huffington\u2019s numbers to see if they were correct.","She wasn\u2019t as accurate, however, on the second half of her assertion, that 74 percent of all drug offenders sentenced to prison are black.","To verify her number, we turned to \"Prisoners in 2007,\" a report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, which is the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. That report offered estimated figures for offenders sentenced to state prison for drug violations: 113,500 blacks, 72,300 whites and 51,100 Hispanics. On a percentage basis, this means that 29 percent of inmates for drug offenses were white, 20 percent were Hispanic and 45 percent were black \u2014 well under the 74 percent level asserted by Huffington.","According to the survey, 9.7 percent of blacks, 8.1 percent of whites and 7.6 percent of Hispanics reported using illicit drugs within the prior month. To convert these figures into something comparable to what Huffington said, we cross-referenced these drug-use rates to the current populations of each ethnic group, according to the Census Bureau. Our calculations showed that 70 percent of drug users are white, 14 percent are black and 13 percent are Hispanic. On this fact, then, Huffington was very, very close."]},{"id":"5376.json","label":"false","statement":"On resigning from the Texas Railroad Commission.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that someone is resigning from the Texas Railroad Commission. The evidence only mentions the name of the commission, its history, and the involvement of Commissioner Wayne Christian in a commission meeting. There is no information or indication of anyone resigning from the Texas Railroad Commission.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"1127.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement was a key promise made by President Obama during the debate over the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While the intention behind the statement was to assure people that they could keep their health care plans if they were satisfied with them, the reality turned out to be more complicated. While some individuals were able to keep their plans, others experienced changes or cancellations due to the implementation of the ACA. The statement, therefore, holds some truth in terms of the original intent but does not fully account for the complexities and variations in the impact of the ACA on individual health care plans.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7757.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says The idea of one casino per tribe is a false one.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is not entirely accurate to claim that the idea of one casino per tribe is completely false or non-existent, there are instances where tribes have been granted the right to build multiple casinos. The evidence provided includes a tribal chief stating that the idea of one casino per tribe is false and that their tribe has been allowed to build a second casino. However, it's important to note that the policy of one casino per tribe is still the norm in many cases, and exceptions to this policy exist but are not widespread. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it acknowledges the existence of exceptions to the one casino per tribe concept.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"As Mayor of Wilsonville,\" writes Ludlow in a statement posted to his campaign website, \"I drove TriMet out of town and replaced their bloated transit system with our own local bus line that offers better service and has saved our businesses millions of dollars.\"","There are many tantalizing strings to follow. Is TriMet a bloated transit system? Is Wilsonville\u2019s local bus system -- called SMART for South Metro Area Regional Transit -- really a money saver? But in the end, what we really wanted to know was this: Did Ludlow run TriMet out of town and replace it with what would become SMART?","Ludlow was a member of the commerce chamber, but he doesn\u2019t recall spearheading the petition effort. And in any case, that\u2019s not what he said. He said that as mayor, he drove TriMet out of town.","We find there\u2019s some truth to Ludlow\u2019s statement: He was mayor when the city officially separated from TriMet and he was mayor when the city sought to find a replacement transit system. But he was not mayor when the city council voted to withdraw from TriMet service, which we find to be the critical moment in the history of Wilsonville and TriMet."]},{"id":"11849.json","label":"false","statement":"The 2013 immigration bill expanded President Obamas ability to bring Syrian refugees to this country without mandating any meaningful background checks.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The 2013 immigration bill did not specifically address the admission of Syrian refugees or the background check process for refugees. The bill primarily focused on comprehensive immigration reform, including provisions related to border security, visa programs, and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. It did not grant President Obama expanded authority to bring Syrian refugees or waive background checks for them. Therefore, the claim that the bill allowed for the admission of Syrian refugees without meaningful background checks is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["He outlines the plan on his website: \"Currently all exempt items total $8,936,785,714 in untaxed revenue. If we were to tax these items at 1% the state would receive an additional $89,376,857. This money plus reforming the mandates on cities and towns and continuing to cut government spending could help us be the master of our economic destiny in this state.\"","If all the exempt items were taxed at 1 percent, Chafee said, the state could raise an additional $89.4 million in revenue.","Chafee said then that state leaders should carefully examine the possibility of a two-tiered sales tax that would continue the 7-percent tax on many items and charge a 1-percent sales tax on the long list of exempt items that, according to a 2008 Division of Taxation study, account for more than $625.6 million in potential state revenue.","When Chafee unveiled his first state budget March 8, he proposed lowering the general sales tax from 7 percent to 6 percent, to make Rhode Island competitive with its neighbors. He also recommended the 1-percent sales tax on most, but not all, exempt items."]},{"id":"12039.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Regarding her State Department email practices, my predecessors did the same thing.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some of Clinton's predecessors, including Colin Powell, also used personal email for official business, there are significant differences in the context and rules surrounding their email practices. The statement implies that Clinton's actions were similar to those of her predecessors, suggesting that they all engaged in the same level of non-compliance with email regulations. However, the evidence indicates that the rules and guidance regarding email usage and records preservation were clearer and more stringent during Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State. Therefore, while there were instances of personal email use by previous officials, it is misleading to equate their practices with Clinton's and suggest that they were the same.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8078.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says the reasoning behind Portlands high water and sewer rates is all kinds of pet projects unrelated to the core function of the water and sewer bureaus","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been instances of funding pet projects unrelated to the core function of the water and sewer bureaus in Portland, it is an oversimplification to attribute the entirety of the high water and sewer rates solely to these projects. The statement fails to acknowledge other factors that contribute to the rates, such as infrastructure maintenance, operational costs, and regulatory requirements. While the pet projects may have had an impact on the rates, they are not the sole or primary reason for the high rates. Therefore, the statement is barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We're going to be looking at $8 billion a day that we're going to be pouring into foreign countries in order to import that make-up fuel that we're going to need to take the place of what we could have gotten out of the gulf.\"","\"So we're going to be looking at $8 billion a day that we're going to be pouring into foreign countries in order to import that make-up fuel that we're going to need to take the place of what we could have gotten out of the gulf.\"","In a separate item, we looked at Palin's claim that the moratorium caused a projected drop in Gulf of Mexico oil production of 150,000 barrels a day this year and an additional 200,000 barrels a day next year (a claim we rated Barely True). Here we're going to tackle Palin's claim that because of a decrease in oil production from the moratorium, the U.S. is \"going to be looking at $8 billion a day that we're going to be pouring into foreign countries in order to import that make-up fuel that we're going to need to take the place of what we could have gotten out of the gulf.\"","Budget figures going back to 2009 show overall funding for the stockpile dropped to its lowest in 2013, to about $477 million. Allocations have grown steadily since then to a 2020 budget of $705 million."]},{"id":"8059.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The FL Guard has defended our freedom in Afghanistan, Iraq, and put their lives at risk; now the fed govt is going to cut their pay 20%.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately acknowledges the service and sacrifice of the Florida National Guard in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, the claim that the federal government is going to cut their pay by 20% lacks supporting evidence and context. Without additional information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this specific claim. Therefore, the statement can be considered half-true, acknowledging the service of the Florida National Guard but lacking evidence to support the claim of a 20% pay cut.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9572.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"As Jim Doyles Commerce secretary, Mary Burke spent $12.5 million dollars to buy a vacant lot for a company that said it had no plans to create jobs in Wisconsin and had laid off 800 workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Mary Burke, as Commerce Secretary, approved a $12.5 million incentive deal for Abbott Laboratories. However, it lacks some context. While the deal did not explicitly require Abbott to create jobs, Burke's campaign stated that the deal included protections for taxpayers if job creation goals were not met. Additionally, the statement mentions that Abbott had laid off 800 workers, but it does not provide information about the timing or the circumstances surrounding those layoffs. Therefore, while the statement contains some accurate information, it oversimplifies the situation and could benefit from additional context.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["At the Central Texas Democratic Forum on Nov. 29, 2011, Franklin said: \"There\u2019s a trash mound on (U.S.) 290 that\u2019s 800 feet tall.\" Franklin later told us he\u2019d like to see leaders use more recycling and technology to reduce or eliminate the pile.","To evaluate the statement itself, let\u2019s look at the words again: \"There\u2019s a trash mound on (U.S.) 290 that\u2019s 800 feet tall.\" That\u2019s close to right when comparing the top of the pile to sea level, but we think it\u2019s more reasonable to judge the view from ground level -- and that\u2019s where the statement is way off. We rate Franklin\u2019s claim Mostly False.","We got back in touch with Franklin, who said it matters to him how tall the pile is compared to sea level. \"It\u2019s 800 feet above sea level, with a hundred-foot mound of trash that you can actually see,\" Franklin said.","Franklin told us the site he meant was Republic Services\u2019 Sunset Farms Landfill in eastern Travis County, on Giles Road north of U.S. 290 about three miles west of Manor -- and he met us on the side of the road, in view of the landfill. From there, the mound rises gradually, with a thin covering of grassy vegetation up its sides, to a cap of garbage. A bulldozer and compactor busily rumbled around the top as birds circled."]},{"id":"11951.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There is great disparity, tremendous disparity, in the (capital) funding on a per-student basis between our traditional public schools and our charter public schools.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that there is a significant disparity in capital funding on a per-student basis between traditional public schools and charter public schools. The Legislature has allocated more state capital money, specifically PECO funds, to charter schools compared to traditional schools. While the exact extent of the disparity may vary over time, the evidence suggests that charter schools have received significantly more PECO funding per student than traditional schools. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Ryan said that under the current procedure, if someone \"on a terror watch list\" tries to buy a gun, authorities are notified.","Is Ryan right that under the current procedure, if someone \"on a terror watch list\" tries to buy a gun, authorities are notified?","!House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, said if someone \"on a terror watch list\" tries to buy a gun, authorities are notified. (Photo by Getty) !House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, said if someone \"on a terror watch list\" tries to buy a gun, authorities are notified. (Photo by Getty)","House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, said if someone \"on a terror watch list\" tries to buy a gun, authorities are notified. (Photo by Getty)"]},{"id":"1958.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"My opponent here has accepted money from Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae (and) hosted subprime mortgage seminars.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided does not directly address the specific claim made in the statement. However, it does mention that the opponent has accepted money from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which suggests a connection to the mortgage industry. Additionally, the evidence mentions that the opponent hosted subprime mortgage seminars, which further supports the claim. However, without more specific information or additional evidence, it is difficult to determine the full extent of the opponent's involvement with these entities and seminars. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2478.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says with the ongoing economic downturn, child abuse is on the rise.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the statement suggests a correlation between the ongoing economic downturn and an increase in child abuse, the evidence provided does not conclusively establish a cause-and-effect relationship. While some individuals attribute the rise in child abuse to the economy, there is no specific research cited to support this claim. Additionally, it is mentioned that the number of child abuse victims can increase simply because more people are reporting the abuse, which could contribute to the perception of an increase. Therefore, while there may be anecdotal evidence or opinions suggesting a connection, the statement lacks concrete evidence to definitively establish a causal relationship between the economic downturn and an increase in child abuse.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cutter responded, \"Well, I think that worker probably has a good understanding of what's happened over the past four years in terms of the president coming in and seeing 800,000 jobs lost on the day that the president was being sworn in, and seeing the president moving pretty quickly to stem the losses, to turn the economy around, and over the past, you know, 27 months we've created 4.5 million private sector jobs. That's more jobs than in the Bush recovery, in the Reagan recovery, there's obviously more we need to do....\"","What about Reagan? The low point for employment under Reagan was December 1982, with 72.8 million private-sector jobs. Fast-forward 27 months to March 1985 and the number of private-sector jobs was 80.4 million. That\u2019s an increase of 7.7 million -- a far bigger jobs bump than under Obama.","Cutter counted the past 27 months. That\u2019s the most favorable measurement for Obama, since 27 months ago was the low point in employment numbers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the official federal scorekeeper for jobs numbers. Cutter also used private-sector job numbers rather than the overall job numbers, which helps Obama\u2019s case too; government job losses have been a drag on the overall numbers over that period.","!Stephanie Cutter, a top Obama campaign aide, said the jobs recovery has been bigger under Barack Obama than under Ronald Reagan. Is that correct? !Stephanie Cutter, a top Obama campaign aide, said the jobs recovery has been bigger under Barack Obama than under Ronald Reagan. Is that correct?"]},{"id":"8477.json","label":"true","statement":"Most voters prefer zombies to the current U.S. Congress.","reason":"Reason: According to a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, a majority of registered voters expressed a higher opinion of zombies compared to the current U.S. Congress. The poll asked respondents to choose between Congress and zombies, and the majority favored zombies. This finding supports the statement that most voters prefer zombies to the current U.S. Congress.\nLabel: true","evidence":["States \"that have the highest gun ownership also have the highest suicide rates,\" she said. \"The evidence is there. We know that.\"","Exhaustive data collected by the CDC at the start of the century supports her statement. The three states with the highest percentage of household gun ownership - Alaska, Wyoming and Montana - also had the three highest suicide rates. The correlation between the availability of guns and suicide rates, while not as exact across the nation, certainly existed in most other states. The nine states with the lowest household gun rates also had the lowest suicide rates.","Overall, the statistics show a distinct correlation between gun ownership and suicide rates in states. There are, of course, anomalies. Nevada, for example, ranked 36th in the percentage of households with guns from 2001 to 2004 but had fourth-highest suicide rate. Virginia, if you\u2019re wondering, ranked 32nd in the percentage of household with guns and 34th in suicide rate during that period.","The CDC surveys showed that the top three states for percentage of household gun ownership - Wyoming, Montana and Alaska - often ranked as the three states with the highest suicide rates. Roughly 60 percent of households held firearms in those states, much higher than the national median of 40 percent. Their suicide rates, according to other CDC data, hovered around 20 people per 100,000 - nearly double the national average of about 11 per 100,000."]},{"id":"7751.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The labor market is weak because if you count the unemployed, underemployed, and those whove stopped looking for work, the unemployment rate actually went up last month to 13.5 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is correct that if we consider the unemployed, underemployed, and those who have stopped looking for work, the unemployment rate would be higher than the official rate, the claim that the unemployment rate actually went up to 13.5 percent last month is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence explains how the unemployment rate is calculated based on specific criteria, and it does not provide data to confirm the specific claim made in the statement. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I don't do earmarks,\" Boehner said in a news conference on March 12, 2009. \"I've never done one. I'm not going to do one.\"","Of the 178 Republican House members, only 39 did not have earmarks in the omnibus, according to TCS. Three Democrats did not accept earmarks.","All told, TCS counted more than 8,500 disclosed earmarks in the omnibus bill, coming to $7.7 billion. Together with $6.6 billion in disclosed earmarks in the three 2009 spending bills that passed in the fall, earmarks for the year come to $14.3 billion, which is $500 million less than earmarks last year. As is the custom, Republicans, as the minority party, got about 40 percent of them.","\"I don't think I want to hold all my colleagues to that same standard,\" Boehner said in a Fox News Sunday interview on Feb. 5, 2006. \"There's an appropriate place for some of these earmarks, but we need less numbers of earmarks and more transparency and more accountability. Members' names ought to be associated with them. They ought to be visible. And members ought to have a chance to see these before they become law.\""]},{"id":"5822.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Some 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees lost up to 70 percent of their pensions as a result of political favoritism and backroom deals.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Michael Turner regarding the Delphi salaried retirees. According to Turner, approximately 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees did experience significant pension losses, up to 70 percent, as a result of what he alleges to be political favoritism and backroom deals. However, it's important to note that the claim of political favoritism and backroom deals is a subjective interpretation and lacks concrete evidence to support it. While there is evidence of pension losses, the extent to which political factors played a direct role in those losses is not definitively established.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5923.json","label":"true","statement":"Obama promised to cut the deficit by half by the end of his first term but he hasnt even come close.","reason":"Reason: President Obama did make a promise to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term. However, as confirmed by PolitiFact Florida and other sources, he did not achieve this goal. The deficit reduction fell short of his promise, indicating that he did not come close to fulfilling this particular campaign pledge.\nLabel: true","evidence":["But the NRA did provide some documentation to PolitiFact Wisconsin that fact-checked an NRA radio ad attacking Democrat Tom Barrett, who ultimately lost his recall challenge against Republican Gov. Scott Walker. The NRA said when Barrett was in Congress, he \"voted to ban 15 different kinds of guns, even a lot of common deer rifles.\" PolitiFact Wisconsin ruled that claim Mostly False.","One of the attacks on the website says: \"Bill Nelson voted for a ban on millions of commonly owned firearms, which included many popular hunting and target rifles.\"","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic.","\"An ongoing argument around here is what makes Tom Barrett the all time worst ... more taxes or less jobs? Barrett has raised taxes every year he\u2019s been mayor, and before that he voted for the largest tax increase in history ... raising taxes on gas and Social Security.\""]},{"id":"8436.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"According to a federal report, Obamacare will increase the long-term federal deficit by $6.2 trillion.","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that there were claims made by some politicians, including Congressman Broun, that a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report estimated that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) would increase the long-term federal deficit by $6.2 trillion, it is important to note that the GAO report itself did not provide this figure. The $6.2 trillion estimate was extrapolated by GOP Senate Budget Committee staffers using data from the GAO report. The GAO report actually stated that the health care law could potentially increase the deficit if cost-savings measures were phased out over time, but it also mentioned that if the law is fully implemented, it could lower the deficit over time. Therefore, while there were claims made about the GAO report, the $6.2 trillion figure is not directly supported by the report itself.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8459.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Florida, 300,000 people are going to lose their individual coverage because of Obamacare. Now those people next year, they dont have health insurance.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there were concerns about individuals losing their individual coverage due to changes brought about by the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the statement oversimplifies the situation. The evidence suggests that the claim made by Senator Marco Rubio is misleading. Although there were individuals who had to switch plans, the majority of the approximately 300,000 members in question remained with Florida Blue, and assistance was provided to help them transition to new plans. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the number of people who would be left without health insurance as a result of Obamacare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1526.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says he never donates to Democrats while Paul Workman contributes to Democrat Kirk Watson and other Democrats running against Republicans.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate. While there is evidence that Paul Workman, the subject of the statement, has indeed contributed to Democratic candidates such as Kirk Watson, it is important to note that the statement implies that Workman never donates to Democrats. However, the evidence provided contradicts this implication by showing that Workman has made contributions to multiple Democrats. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Scott said his budget \"includes $10.7 billion in state funding for Florida K-12 schools, the highest state funding level in history.\"","\"This total includes $10.7 billion in state funding for Florida K-12 schools, the highest state funding level in history,\" Scott said in a Jan. 31, 2013, news conference about his 2013-14 budget recommendations.","\"The $18.8 billion in funding for K-12 education funding is the highest in Florida history and includes a record $10.6 billion in state funds.\"","Scott said of his budget proposal that \"the $18.8 billion in funding for K-12 education funding is the highest in Florida history and includes a record $10.6 billion in state funds.\""]},{"id":"6629.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says House Republicans tried to change the definition of rape.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that House Republicans made efforts to restrict the use of federal funds in abortions, it is an oversimplification to claim that they tried to change the definition of rape. The statement lacks important context, as the focus of their efforts was on limiting the circumstances under which federal money could be used to pay for abortions, particularly in cases of rape. The intent was not to alter the legal definition of rape itself. Therefore, the claim that House Republicans tried to change the definition of rape is misleading and does not accurately represent the nature of their actions.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10077.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Republicans made it easier to buy a gun in states they won in 2010.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that Republicans passed H.J. Res. 40, which eliminated certain barriers for disabled individuals to purchase guns, it was not the first law passed in 2017. Additionally, the statement implies a direct correlation between Republicans winning in states in 2010 and making it easier to buy guns, which is an oversimplification. The passage of H.J. Res. 40 was a result of a specific legislative process and involved the support of both the National Rifle Association and disability rights groups. Therefore, while there is some connection between Republicans and the change in gun purchasing regulations, it is not solely tied to their victories in 2010.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9990.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We have a goal of 10 percent of [City of Providence] contracts going to women and minority businesses. In reality, less than 1 percent of contracts go to women and minority businesses.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Jorge Elorza, the Mayor of Providence, regarding the goal of awarding 10 percent of city contracts to businesses owned by women and minorities. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While the claim that less than 1 percent of contracts go to women and minority businesses is true, it doesn't provide information about the reasons behind this disparity or the efforts being made to address it. The statement could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3767.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The $1.8 billion in [transportation] bonding, we dont have a repayment mechanism.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Terry McAuliffe that there is no repayment mechanism for the $1.8 billion in transportation bonding is false. In fact, there is a clear repayment plan in place. The General Assembly in 2007 allocated a portion of the tax on insurance premiums and taxes on wholesale gasoline specifically for the purpose of repaying the transportation debt. McAuliffe's claim is misleading and contradicted by his own admission that he knows about the existence of a repayment plan. \nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"I\u2019m going to answer that in detail,\" Nelson said, \"but I\u2019m first going to say not only has it been a cow pasture for 60 years, (but) why don\u2019t we ask him why he takes two homestead exemptions, which is directly contrary to Florida\u2019s Constitution that says that a husband and wife can only take one homestead exemption?\"","Nelson tried to whack accusations about his lower tax bill for a family pasture with a claim that Mack takes tax breaks of his own in the form of \"two homestead exemptions.\"","Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin elaborated on Nelson\u2019s comments after the debate, saying what Nelson meant is that \"Mack is part of a family unit that has two homestead exemptions.\" He pointed to Florida\u2019s Constitution, which says, \"Not more than one exemption shall be allowed any individual or family unit or with respect to any residential unit.\"","While it\u2019s true Mack and his wife have two homestead exemptions between them, it is not accurate for Nelson to say Mack himself has two homestead exemptions. That would not be lawful, and Mack\u2019s county property appraiser has vetted his case and determined it proper."]},{"id":"2950.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Bush-era tax cuts failed to increase employment and work-force participation fell in 2001 and has never returned to the record level set in 2000.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Moran that the Bush-era tax cuts did not lead to an increase in employment, and work-force participation fell in 2001 and has not returned to the record level set in 2000. This claim is supported by evidence and has been rated as true by fact-checkers. However, it's important to note that attributing the decline in work-force participation solely to the tax cuts may oversimplify the complex factors that contribute to changes in employment and work-force participation rates. While the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between tax cuts, employment, and work-force participation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6250.json","label":"false","statement":"We are not producing jobs. We created 80,000 jobs last month. We dont talk about the jobs that we lost. The net of it all is that we lost jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that 80,000 jobs were created last month, it is misleading to claim that the net result is a loss of jobs. Job creation and job loss are separate factors that need to be evaluated independently. The net job change is determined by considering both job gains and job losses. In this case, without knowing the number of jobs lost, it is incorrect to conclude that there was a net loss of jobs based solely on the information provided.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Says \"220,000 New Yorkers would have immediately benefitted had President Obama\u2019s executive action been affirmed. So almost a quarter million of our fellow New Yorkers who are hurting right now whose rights and opportunities were taken away by the Supreme Court.\"","On Donald Trump\u2019s plan to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities, \"because of a decision by the Supreme Court, no president's in a position to cut off funding across the board. It has to be very specific to the matter at hand.\"","When President Barack Obama \"signed the executive order (on DACA, he) actually said he doesn't have the right to do this.\"","\"President Obama, when he signed the executive order, actually said he doesn't have the right to do this,\" Trump said Jan. 9, 2018. \"You have to go through Congress. Whether he does or whether he doesn't, let\u2019s assume he doesn\u2019t. He said it.\""]},{"id":"2401.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he created more than 500 American jobs.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that Bill Flores personally created over 500 American jobs, the evidence provided indicates that the claim is not entirely accurate. The campaign materials and statements from Flores himself suggest that it was the companies he was involved with that created the jobs, rather than him personally. The wording of the ad and Flores' response indicate that he intended to attribute the job creation to the companies he helped build, rather than taking personal credit. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks clarity regarding Flores' direct role in creating the jobs.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3131.json","label":"true","statement":"Were borrowing 40 cents of every dollar we spend.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Scott Rigell that the United States is borrowing more than 40 cents of every dollar it spends. While the exact percentage may vary slightly depending on the specific fiscal year, the evidence supports the fact that a significant portion of the federal budget is funded through borrowing. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2334.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On hearings about automatic citizenship provision in U.S. Constitution.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there have been discussions and calls for hearings regarding the automatic citizenship provision in the U.S. Constitution. Several senators, including Senator Cornyn, have expressed interest in reviewing birthright citizenship due to concerns about potential abuse by illegal immigrants. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide a comprehensive view of the ongoing debate. There are differing interpretations of the 14th Amendment, with some arguing that citizenship should be based on the allegiance of the child's parents at the time of birth, while others argue that the amendment grants automatic and irrevocable citizenship. Therefore, while the statement captures the existence of discussions, it lacks the broader context and opposing viewpoints surrounding the issue.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Sharpton said the \"priorities\" of more than three-quarters of Americans are to increase the minimum wage, create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, and require background checks for gun buyers. Polling generally backs up his claim about how Americans view those three issues, though there\u2019s some variation in the polls, often depending on how the question is worded.","We see two facets to Sharpton\u2019s claim. First, do better than three-quarters of Americans support a higher minimum wage, a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants and enhanced background checks for gun-buyers? And second, are these \"the people\u2019s priorities\"?","Sharpton: The people's priorities? Let's take a look at some of those priorities. 76 percent want an increase in the minimum wage. How about focusing on that? 77 percent want a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. There's a priority you should focus on. And nearly one year after the Newtown tragedy, 89 percent support background checks.","For starters, he\u2019s correct about how the congressional GOP\u2019s stance contrasts with that of Americans as a whole. Republicans, with some help from a few Democrats, stymied a Senate bill to require background checks for sales at gun shows and over the web. Most congressional Republicans oppose raising the minimum wage. The idea of a path to citizenship divides the party, but opposition to it is significant and passionate."]},{"id":"6681.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Voter identification laws make it complicated and expensive to get an ID, essentially instituting a modern-day poll tax.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some voter identification laws have been criticized for making it more complicated and potentially expensive for certain individuals to obtain an ID, it is an overgeneralization to claim that these laws essentially institute a modern-day poll tax. The term \"poll tax\" historically refers to a specific type of fee or tax that was used to disenfranchise minority and low-income voters. While the comparison highlights concerns about potential barriers to voting, it does not accurately reflect the intent or impact of voter identification laws. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"We in this state saw more job creation in the last three years since I've been governor than you saw in the whole eight years of Doyle\u2019s time as governor.\"","Walker said, \"We in this state, saw more job creation in the last three years since I've been governor than you saw in the whole eight years of Doyle\u2019s time as governor.\"","\"We, in this state, saw more job creation in the last three years since I\u2019ve been governor than you saw in the whole eight years of Doyle\u2019s time as governor,\" Walker said. \"So I think if people look, are we at where we want to be in terms of our goals? Going forward, voters will see the difference. The last thing we want to go back to is a much lower job creation number, even before the recession.\"","Walker is right on the numbers that show Wisconsin did gain more jobs in his first three years as governor than Doyle did in his eight years."]},{"id":"5404.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency brought coyotes into the state to try to keep the deer population down.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) did not bring coyotes into the state to control the deer population. In fact, the TWRA has explicitly stated that they have not stocked coyotes for this purpose. Additionally, while coyotes may prey on deer occasionally, they are not considered effective deer hunters. The evidence contradicts the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4465.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that even if you have no children, under Obamacare, you would still have to carry insurance that covers pediatric, maternity and newborn care even though you do not need it.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. Under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), health insurance plans are required to include coverage for essential health benefits, which include pediatric, maternity, and newborn care. However, it's important to note that individuals have the option to choose a plan that best suits their needs. While it is true that some plans may include coverage for services that an individual may not personally need, the statement fails to acknowledge that there are different plan options available, allowing individuals to select plans that align with their specific healthcare needs. Therefore, while there is a requirement for coverage, individuals still have the ability to choose a plan that suits their circumstances.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"I think we should increase the size of our military substantially to overcome the damage that Bill Clinton did with the peace dividend,\" he said, adding that \"a lot of the cause of (the smaller military force) was Bill Clinton's peace dividend, in which he cut the military 25 and 30 percent.\"","The Republicans are trying to portray Clinton and the Democrats as weak on defense and to make the peace dividend look like a partisan effort. But contrary to the Republicans' claims, the post-Cold War shrinkage of the U.S. military was very much a bipartisan effort. It began under a Republican president and a Democratic Congress and continued under a Democratic president and a Republican Congress.","Says federal law enforcement officers cut off questioning of the Christmas Day underwear bomber by giving him a Miranda warning after 30 minutes of questioning.","\"America never made up for the gutting of the intelligence services that Bill Clinton did. I think those are (former CIA director George) Tenet's words ... that Bill Clinton gutted American intelligence.\""]},{"id":"12525.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Of all the people in federal prison for possession of illegal substances, 77 percent of them are not citizens of the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While it is true that a significant percentage of individuals convicted of federal drug possession offenses are not citizens of the United States, the statement incorrectly states that 77 percent of them are non-citizens. The evidence provided does not support this specific claim. The information provided in the evidence mentions that \"illegal aliens\" accounted for nearly 40 percent of people sentenced to federal prison in fiscal 2014, but it does not provide a specific breakdown for drug possession offenses. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks sufficient evidence to support the specific percentage mentioned.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4684.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says adding toll lanes on I-95 in Broward County improved rush-hour traffic for non-toll lanes from 25 mph to 45 mph.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the addition of toll lanes on I-95 in Broward County did indeed improve rush-hour traffic speeds for non-toll lanes. According to the study, traffic speeds in the non-toll lanes increased from below 20 mph to an average of 51 mph during morning rush hour, and from 25 mph to 41.3 mph during the afternoon rush. The Department of Transportation also confirms that drivers experienced improved speeds above 40 mph in the local lanes during rush hour periods. However, it's worth noting that Governor Scott misidentified the location of the program. Overall, the statement is mostly true, but with the caveat that the program was not specifically in Broward County.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4360.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says potential GOP U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson supported Obamacare","reason":"Reason: The statement that Tommy Thompson supported Obamacare is partially true. While Thompson did not explicitly come out in support of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), there is evidence suggesting that he did not clearly oppose it either. Thompson's stance on the law has been somewhat ambiguous, making it possible for both his supporters and opponents to interpret his position differently. The Club for Growth, in its campaign against Thompson, claimed that he supported Obamacare, but Thompson himself has denied supporting it. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as there is evidence to support both positions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Animal abuse is often an indicative trait of future acts of violence against humans,\" said Brown, a Democrat from Macon, \"and prosecuting such behavior is our first line of defense against potentially dangerous criminals.\"","Brown appears to have done his homework on his claim about the connection between animal abuse and violence against humans. There is overwhelming research that Brown is right. This one is a slam-dunk. We rate his claim as True.","The problem, he said, is that animal violence \"is not really a strong predictor or causal agent of violence toward people. There's a lot of people who commit animal abuse who do not go on to commit any other violence.\" Among those who do, the animal violence is usually \"up close and personal\" (such as when an animal is strangled), the animal is typically known to the abuser, and there has been more than one instance of abuse.","We were intrigued by the possibility that animals might be a sort of \"gateway victim\" for most domestic violence perpetrators or serial killers, or that animal abuse might be a harbinger of murder and domestic violence."]},{"id":"4903.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sen. Sherrod Brown has chosen to side with Washington bureaucrats and fringe extremists in the attacks on our natural resources.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Senator Sherrod Brown has chosen to side with Washington bureaucrats and fringe extremists in the attacks on natural resources. However, the evidence provided indicates that Senator Brown supported a local decision to remove land from a federal auction for oil and gas exploration. This decision was made by local officials, including a mayor, county commissioners, and a state university president, rather than Washington bureaucrats. The claim of siding with fringe extremists is also unfounded, as the evidence does not support such a characterization. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7817.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told insurance companies they couldnt inform their policyholders of what they thought the impact of Obamacare would be on them.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Senator Mitch McConnell that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius instructed insurance companies not to inform their policyholders about the potential impact of Obamacare. This claim is supported by a letter written by Sebelius to America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) in 2010. However, it's important to note that the context of the letter was related to specific regulations and requirements, rather than a blanket prohibition on informing policyholders. While the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Here's the deal, let's remember something for the people who are listening in your audience, these 'Jersey Shore' folks, they're from New York,\" Christie said Wednesday on 77 WABC\u2019s \u2018The Joe Crummey Show\u2019. \"They parachute these New Yorkers into Seaside Heights, New Jersey, and they try to make the whole country think this is New Jersey. It's not. It's bad for New Jersey. It's bad ... because it's a mischaracterization of who the people are here in New Jersey and so I've said all along that I think \u2018Jersey Shore\u2019 is bad.\"","The governor said the cast members of the \"Jersey Shore\" are from New York and misrepresent \"who the people are here in New Jersey.\"","That being said, the 78 Democratic women represent about one-third of all Democrats in Congress. That\u2019s less representative of the population as a whole, which is roughly half female. But women make up only 9 percent of Republicans in Congress.","Sammi and Deena are true Jersey girls -- born and raised. \"The Situation\" was born in New York, but grew up and still lives in New Jersey. We think he deserves some Jersey cred."]},{"id":"4618.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says There are now Occupy Wall Street camps in hundreds of cities across the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not entirely accurate. While the Occupy Wall Street movement did spread to numerous cities across the United States, there were not \"hundreds\" of Occupy Wall Street camps in existence. The actual number of cities with Occupy Wall Street camps was significantly lower. The statement exaggerates the extent of the movement's presence in various cities.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"694.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Sarah Palin \"got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Sarah Palin received a total of 651 votes in the 1996 mayoral election in Wasilla, Alaska, and 909 votes in her 1999 re-election bid. On the other hand, Joe Biden received significantly more votes during his presidential campaign. For example, in the New Hampshire primary, Biden received 638 votes alone. Additionally, he received thousands of votes in other states during the primary elections. Therefore, the claim that Palin received more votes running for mayor than Biden did running for president is factually incorrect.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"7353.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"When total Sandy spending is added up, its more than the annual budget for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. And its more than twice the annual budget of the U.S. Energy Department.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Ayotte that the total spending on Sandy relief exceeds the annual budget of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is more than twice the annual budget of the U.S. Energy Department. However, it's important to note that the comparison is made between the total Sandy spending, which will be spread over eight years, and the annual budgets of these departments, which represent one year of spending. This context is crucial to fully understand the comparison being made. Therefore, while the statement is generally true, it could benefit from additional clarification regarding the timeframe of the Sandy spending and the annual budgets being compared.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"As you know, the FBI has reopened its investigation into Hillary Clinton and discovered \u2014 you heard this yesterday, it\u2019s hard to believe \u2014 and discovered another 650,000 emails. Hillary lied under oath when she said she turned over all of her work-related emails \u2013 just one more lie out of so many,\" Trump said at a Oct. 31 campaign stop in Michigan.","The bigger factual issue is his number. The 650,000 emails were discovered in a separate investigation, and it is not clear just how many are related to Clinton and how many are duplicates of emails already reviewed by the FBI. Reports indicate that the bureau is examining just a small portion of the 650,000 emails.","Other news reports indicate the majority of the 650,000 emails are not related to the Clinton case and the FBI will be examining a small portion of them.","Trump, and other Republicans, have said the FBI has \"reopened\" the investigation into Clinton, while the Clinton camp and others reject that characterization, pointing out neither Comey\u2019s three-paragraph letter to Congress nor a memo he sent to FBI employees uses the word."]},{"id":"10103.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In 1968 the average corporate CEO made 20 times the average workers pay. Today that multiple is about 350.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including the Economic Policy Institute. In 1968, the average CEO earned approximately 20 times more than the average worker, while today, that ratio has increased to around 350 to 1. These figures highlight the significant growth in CEO compensation relative to worker pay over the years. However, it's important to note that the exact ratio may vary slightly depending on the specific data and methodology used for calculations. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"695.json","label":"true","statement":"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid \"said, quote, 'I can't stand John McCain.' \"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, \"I can't stand John McCain.\" However, it's important to note that this statement alone does not provide the full context or reasoning behind Reid's sentiment towards Senator McCain. Additional information would be needed to understand the specific circumstances and context in which Reid made this statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11001.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Civil War wasnt about slavery.","reason":"Reason: The overwhelming consensus among historians and credible sources is that the Civil War in the United States was primarily about slavery. Numerous reputable organizations, historians, and primary sources have stated that the institution of slavery was the central cause of the conflict. Attempts to argue otherwise, as in the statement provided, are not supported by factual evidence and contradict the historical record.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Kelly Ayotte voted to give big oil more than $20 billion in tax breaks, and they gave her campaign contributions,\" the narrator says.","In general the ad is correct that Ayotte sided with the position of \"big oil\" when she voted against advancing the bills. But the ad\u2019s wording is misleading. It states Ayotte \"voted to give big oil more than $20 billion in tax breaks.\" Ayotte really voted against stripping the companies of tax breaks they already enjoyed.","In 2011 and 2012, Ayotte did indeed vote against measures that would have barred the biggest five oil companies from taking advantage of tax breaks they already enjoyed, which added up to more than $20 billion. But that\u2019s slightly different than what the ad says.","Ayotte\u2019s record is more complex, however, and she cast more recent votes that would have repealed some tax breaks for big oil."]},{"id":"202.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"No, I did not (have illegal immigrants working at his mansion).\"","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Romney, \"No, I did not (have illegal immigrants working at his mansion),\" is labeled as barely-true because while Romney denied having illegal immigrants specifically working at his mansion, there is evidence to suggest that a landscaping company hired by Romney may have employed undocumented workers. The Los Angeles Times reported on this issue and Romney's campaign did not contest that the landscaping company had hired illegal immigrants. However, it is important to note that Romney's denial specifically refers to his mansion, which may leave room for interpretation regarding other properties or locations. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true due to the discrepancy between Romney's denial and the evidence presented.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Representatives and senators become eligible to receive retirement benefits only after serving in Congress for at least five years. That\u2019s nearly one full term for a senator, or more than two terms for a House member.","That is the salary for members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, with leadership positions paying slightly more. But many members were wealthy before they arrived.","Speaking at a town hall meeting, Republican Allen West made the startling claim that many of his fellow members of the U.S. House of Representatives are members of the Communist Party.","\"The amount of the pension depends on length of service, as measured in months, and the average of the highest three years of salary,\" the report explained. But the benefits cannot exceed 80% of that person\u2019s final salary."]},{"id":"10835.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Proposed fast-track legislation allows presidents to easily use a future trade deal to override our domestic financial rules.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Senator Warren's claim that proposed fast-track legislation could potentially allow future presidents to override domestic financial rules through a trade deal. While it is theoretically possible for a trade deal to impact domestic financial rules, the extent to which this would occur and the ease with which it could be done is uncertain. The statement lacks specific evidence or examples to support the claim, making it difficult to determine the likelihood and practical implications of such overrides. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it highlights a potential concern without providing a comprehensive assessment of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8395.json","label":"false","statement":"Says U.S. Rep. Steve Daines, R-Mont., opposes a vote on his own legislation that he proposed just a few months ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided suggests that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee accused Rep. Steve Daines of opposing a vote on his own legislation, but there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. The accusation seems to be based on the fact that Democrats are seeking House members to sign a discharge petition to bring Daines' legislation for a vote, and Daines has chosen not to sign it. However, this does not indicate that he opposes a vote on his own legislation. It is important to distinguish between not signing a discharge petition and actively opposing a vote on one's own legislation.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"4200.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Our government has spent $2.6 million to teach Chinese prostitutes how to drink responsibly.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks proper context. While there was a news article published in 2009 with a headline suggesting that the U.S. government would spend $2.6 million to train Chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly, the actual content of the article does not support this claim. The article discusses a broader program aimed at HIV prevention and harm reduction among sex workers in China, which included education on responsible alcohol use as a small component. However, the $2.6 million was not solely dedicated to teaching Chinese prostitutes how to drink responsibly. Therefore, the statement is exaggerated and misrepresents the purpose and scope of the program.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"205.json","label":"false","statement":"\"I spend a lot of time in Iowa, and believe it or not, in Ottumwa, Iowa, this is the heartland, the newspaper, the regular newspaper for Ottumwa, Iowa, is (a) bilingual newspaper.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The regular newspaper for Ottumwa, Iowa, is the Ottumwa Courier, which is published six days a week in English, according to the publisher, Tom Hawley. While the Ottumwa Courier does publish a weekly Spanish edition, it is not accurate to describe it as a bilingual newspaper. The Spanish edition is a separate publication that includes a compilation of stories from the week, along with Mexican soccer scores, and is distributed for free. However, the regular newspaper itself is primarily published in English.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"5977.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Since Scott Walker took office as governor in January 2011, there has been an increase of 33,200 jobs in Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there is some discrepancy regarding the exact number of job increases since Scott Walker took office as governor in January 2011. While one approach using monthly numbers for public- and private-sector jobs suggests an increase of 33,421 jobs, it is important to note that this approach may not provide a comprehensive picture of job growth. Additionally, there are conflicting statements and data regarding the number of unemployed people in Wisconsin during that period. Therefore, the statement that there has been an increase of 33,200 jobs in Wisconsin since Scott Walker took office is not entirely accurate and lacks sufficient evidence to support it.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Miami Herald, \"Offshore drilling bill spares Florida; Democrats backed away from their stance against offshore oil drilling, but agreed to abide by a 2006 deal that keeps Florida waters rig-free,\" Sept. 12, 2008.","Bishop's statement is focused on offshore drilling and not spills in general. It's an important distinction. Large-scale oil spills are more likely to be caused by tanker and barge crashes, not offshore drilling, according to the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.","He made the argument on his campaign website, where he encouraged people to sign a petition against offshore oil drilling. This is what he wrote:","Meek has largely opposed increased offshore drilling during his congressional tenure. But is he the only candidate consistently opposed to it?"]},{"id":"7795.json","label":"true","statement":"Buono voted 154 times to raise our taxes -- like the sales tax, the income tax, health care taxes, even small business taxes.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Barbara Buono voted 154 times to raise taxes, including the sales tax, income tax, health care taxes, and small business taxes. Multiple sources, including a TV ad, a narrator in the commercial, and a statement from Buono's campaign, confirm her voting record on tax increases. Therefore, the statement is true based on the available evidence.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Pakistan was on the U.S. State Department's 'no travel' list in 1981,\" read the e-mail. Therefore, \"when Obama went to Pakistan in 1981 he was traveling either with a British passport or an Indonesian passport.\"","Obama has said he traveled to Pakistan in 1981. He was on summer vacation from college, and, after visiting his mother in Indonesia, he traveled to Pakistan with a college friend. However, according to the U.S. Department of State, the department in charge of issuing travel bans, Pakistan had a green light for adventurous U.S. citzens.","Although the e-mail lied about the release of transcripts and the name, conspiracy theorists could argue that Obama won't release his records because he is hiding the fact that he is an Indonesian citizen and actually did receive a Fulbright.","Zazi is actually a legal resident of the United States. His family arrived in the United States in the early 1990s, according to news reports, and Zazi went to high school in New York City, speaks fluent English, and ran a coffee cart for several years in lower Manhattan. Zazi has traveled to Pakistan several times to visit friends and family, and authorities say it was during his last trip at the end of 2008 that Zazi went to an al-Qaida-run training camp and received instructions in explosives and weapons."]},{"id":"2220.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Phoenix, Ariz., is the No. 2 kidnapping capital of the world.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Phoenix, Arizona is the No. 2 kidnapping capital of the world is not accurate. While there have been reports and discussions about kidnapping incidents in Phoenix, these claims are based on outdated and misleading information. The original source of this claim, an ABC News report from 2009, has been widely discredited. Reliable data and studies on kidnapping rates do not support the assertion that Phoenix ranks among the top kidnapping capitals in the world. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["Sheldon Whitehouse said that \"No one in Rhode Island -- not just children, no one in Rhode Island -- should eat more than one serving of freshwater fish caught in our state each month.\"","According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, he said, \"No one in Rhode Island -- not just children, no one in Rhode Island -- should eat more than one serving of freshwater fish caught in our state each month. So if the grandfather caught two fish, he could eat one in a month, but he shouldn't eat the other because of the health effects of the mercury that has piled up in the bodies of the fish.\"","Are Rhode Island's lakes and rivers so contaminated from air pollution that originates from out of state that it's unsafe to eat more than one serving per month of fish caught here?","U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says no one should eat more than one serving of freshwater fish per month caught in Rhode Island because of mercury pollution"]},{"id":"12799.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump games the U.S. visa system so he can hire temporary foreign workers at low wages.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Donald Trump has utilized the U.S. visa system to hire temporary foreign workers at low wages. Trump's businesses, including Mar-A-Lago Club, have sought H-2B visas for low-skilled positions such as cooks, wait staff, and housekeepers. While the use of H-2B visas is legal and not exclusive to Trump, the statement accurately highlights the practice of hiring temporary foreign workers at lower wages. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is assigned because the evidence does not explicitly address whether Trump personally games the system or if this practice is unique to him.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Between 2018 and 2028, CBO projects, both defense and interest will rise, with interest overtaking defense spending in fiscal year 2023.","In 2023, defense spending will be $679 billion and net interest will reach $702 billion. The gap will only grow from there.","Net interest on the debt stood at $263 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan budget analysis arm of Congress.","The fact is that people remember the national debt -- there's a whole clock for it -- and it's expected to continue increasing, according to the Congressional Budget Office."]},{"id":"9477.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Senate proposal to restore emergency unemployment benefits for five months was fully paid for.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Senator Reed argued that the Senate proposal to restore emergency unemployment benefits for five months was \"fully paid for,\" it is important to note that this claim is subjective and open to interpretation. The evidence provided does not explicitly state how the government would have covered the $9.9 billion cost of extending the benefits. Additionally, the statement does not provide any further evidence or analysis to support the claim of being \"fully paid for.\" Therefore, the claim is considered barely-true as it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the assertion.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["President Barack Obama is no stranger to the charge that he likes to raise taxes. But a new report from an anti-tax group says he\u2019s actually proposed raising taxes more than 400 times.","!Americans for Tax Reform says President Barack Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office. !Americans for Tax Reform says President Barack Obama has proposed 442 tax hikes since taking office.","\u201cThe Congressional Budget Office says 90% of the revenue generated from the new IRS agents will come from people making less than $200,000 \u2026 and the revenue generated will be $300-plus billion.\u201d","We wondered if the group was accurate in how it was counting up Obama\u2019s proposals. We\u2019ve tracked Obama\u2019s campaign promises on taxes, and while he has definitely proposed new taxes, we were suspicious that it was 442 separate tax increases. (Indeed, we track 24 campaign promises from Obama on the topic of taxes, a group that includes proposed tax hikes as well as proposed tax breaks.)"]},{"id":"7010.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We got back every dime used to rescue the banks.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that significant amounts of money were recovered from the banks after the financial rescue, the statement lacks some nuance. The term \"every dime\" implies a complete recovery of all funds, which is not entirely accurate. While a substantial portion of the funds was indeed repaid, there were still some losses incurred by the government in the process. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in the sense that a significant amount of money was recovered, it is not entirely accurate to claim that \"every dime\" was returned.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9797.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"While Arkansas seniors depend on Social Security and Medicare, Sen. Mark Pryor supports an overhaul so they couldnt get Social Security until they turn 68 or 69.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made in the Crossroads GPS ad, which suggests that Senator Mark Pryor supports an overhaul of Social Security that would raise the retirement age for Arkansas seniors to 68 or 69. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context. While Pryor did mention the possibility of raising the retirement age in a 2011 interview, it does not necessarily mean that he fully supports or advocates for such a change. The statement implies a stronger stance than what is explicitly stated by Pryor. Therefore, while there is some basis for the claim, it oversimplifies Pryor's position on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1256.json","label":"true","statement":"A report by the health insurance industry \"ignores some of the key policies that are part of the Senate Finance Committee bill.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that a report by the health insurance industry fails to address certain policies included in the Senate Finance Committee bill. The evidence provided does not dispute this claim. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not explicitly mention the label \"true.\" Nonetheless, based on the information provided, it can be inferred that the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7805.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are about 120,000 solar energy jobs in the United States, but only 1,700 of them are in Georgia.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there are approximately 120,000 solar energy jobs in the United States, as reported by the National Solar Jobs Census conducted by the Solar Foundation. However, the claim that only 1,700 of these jobs are in Georgia is not supported by the evidence provided. The evidence does not specify the number of solar energy jobs in Georgia, so it is unclear where this specific figure of 1,700 comes from. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of this claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12576.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"We dont know anything about Hillary in terms of religion. Now, shes been in the public eye for years and years, and yet theres no theres nothing out there.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. Hillary Clinton's religious beliefs have been well-documented throughout her public life. She has identified as a Methodist and has spoken openly about her faith on numerous occasions. There is ample information available about her religious beliefs and practices, making the claim that \"there's nothing out there\" regarding her religion completely untrue.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Miller posted an article saying Texas A&M University - Commerce was offering counseling and \"safe spaces for students who are afraid of President-elect Trump.\"","Facebook post, \"Texas university offers counseling, safe spaces for students who are afraid of president-elect Trump,\" posted by I Am A Texan Nov. 10, 2016, shared by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Nov. 10, 2016","For our part, we noticed that on Nov. 10, 2016, Miller shared an article from the website , headlined \"Texas university offers counseling, safe spaces for students who are afraid of president-elect Trump;\" five days later, Miller\u2019s pass-along had been shared by others more than 4,400 times.","Two days after the November 2016 elections, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller took note on his Facebook page of a web post suggesting a Texas A&M University campus was offering counseling and \"safe spaces for students who are afraid of President-elect Trump.\""]},{"id":"5622.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says only seven percent of 2009s stimulus bill went toward transportation projects, yet they created over one-third of the bills total jobs.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that only seven percent of the 2009 stimulus bill was allocated to transportation projects, the claim that transportation projects created over one-third of the bill's total jobs is not supported by credible evidence. Multiple authorities, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, Congressional Budget Office, White House Council of Economic Advisers, and Government Accountability Office, do not support this claim. The recovery act's website also does not track the total number of jobs created, making it difficult to verify the specific impact of transportation projects on job creation. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to be considered fully true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The Congressional Research Service estimated in 2014 that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (mainly the cost of operations) had cost the United States about $1.6 trillion from 2001 to 2014. Here\u2019s the breakdown:","The Harvard paper also attributes $750 billion in Pentagon medical and personnel costs to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and also considers the cost of nation-building in the two countries.","A recent Brown University study, for example, pinned the cost of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria at about $3.6 trillion from 2001 to 2016, using the $1.6 trillion operations costs as a baseline but also accounting for counterterrorism costs.","Then, she and Stiglitz divided those figures by the number of U.S. households and came up with $138 for both wars and slightly more than $100 for Iraq alone, she said."]},{"id":"11634.json","label":"true","statement":"Twenty-five percent of our kids in foster care are there because their parents are involved in drugs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. The evidence does not directly address the percentage of children in foster care due to parental drug involvement, but it does provide information about the deaths of children in foster care due to complications of HIV\/AIDS during the late 1980s and 1990s. Therefore, without additional evidence specifically addressing the percentage of children in foster care due to parental drug involvement, it is not possible to verify the accuracy of the statement.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7017.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Under President Obama: $4,000 tax hike on middle-class families.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that there is a $4,000 tax hike on middle-class families under President Obama is misleading and inaccurate. The figure is derived from a study that projects potential future interest payments on the national debt and assumes that these payments would be passed on to taxpayers. However, this projection does not represent an actual tax increase implemented by President Obama. The use of this figure in the ad is misleading and lacks proper context. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"5954.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Betty Sutton gutted Medicare by $500 billion with her vote for the presidents health care bill.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) included provisions that aimed to reduce Medicare spending, the claim that Betty Sutton \"gutted\" Medicare by $500 billion is an exaggeration. The ACA sought to achieve savings in Medicare through various measures, such as reducing overpayments to private insurers and implementing cost-saving measures. However, these savings were not equivalent to gutting or completely dismantling Medicare. The $500 billion figure mentioned in the statement refers to the total projected savings over a ten-year period, not a direct cut to benefits or services for Medicare beneficiaries. Therefore, the claim is misleading and does not accurately represent the impact of Sutton's vote on Medicare.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["An image in a Chris Abele TV ad depicts \"wealthy citizens\" who would benefit from a \"lake\" created by the controversial Estabrook Dam.","An Abele TV ad uses a lakefront image to criticize Chris Larson for supporting $5 million in Estabrook Dam repairs to benefit \"a few wealthy citizens.\" But the photo used is not the Milwaukee River and the boat pictured would be woefully out of place there.","The message conveyed by the image is clear: These are the properties of those wealthy residents living along the lake created by the Estabrook Dam.","That image forms the backdrop for a statement printed on the screen about his opponent\u2019s support of repairs to the Estabrook Dam on the Milwaukee River: \"Chris Larson: $5 million of taxpayer money to benefit a few wealthy citizens.\""]},{"id":"11728.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"A Trump television ad shows Mexicans swarming over our southern border.","reason":"Reason: The footage used in the Trump television ad does not accurately depict Mexicans swarming over the southern border of the United States. The footage actually shows African migrants crossing a border fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, which is thousands of miles away from the U.S.-Mexico border. This misrepresentation of the footage is misleading and does not reflect the reality of the situation. The claim made in the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Says Donald Trump\u2019s plan to repeal the estate tax would mean the Walmart Walton family would \"get a $53 billion tax break.\"","Sanders says Trump\u2019s plan to repeal the estate tax would mean the Walton family would \"get a $53 billion tax break.\"","On one front, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont attacked Donald Trump for his plan to repeal the federal estate tax, claiming the Walmart Walton family would \"get a $53 billion tax break.\"","We found that broadly speaking, the descendants of Walmart founder Sam Walton could face a tax bill of about $53 billion that would go away if Trump\u2019s proposal became law."]},{"id":"919.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"In Chicago, school is never canceled because of winter weather.","reason":"Reason: The statement, \"In Chicago, school is never canceled because of winter weather,\" is not entirely accurate. While President Obama did mention that his children pointed out that school in Chicago is rarely canceled due to winter weather, it is important to note that this statement was made in a lighthearted manner and should not be taken as a literal claim. In reality, Chicago, like many other cities, does cancel school during severe winter weather conditions for the safety of students and staff. Therefore, the statement is mostly-true in the context of the President's anecdote but does not accurately represent the actual school closure policies in Chicago.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The state Democratic Party said Gillespie was paid $300,000 \"to be the frontman for a coalition that made the individual mandate the centerpiece of its health reform plan.\" This, Democrats said, belies Gillespie\u2019s assertion that he\u2019s always opposed mandatory health coverage.","\"In 2007, he (Gillespie) was paid $300,000 to be the frontman for a coalition that made the individual mandate the centerpiece of its health reform plan,\" the Democratic Party of Virginia said earlier this spring in a news release. \"However, just last week, Gillespie\u2019s campaign reversed course and claimed that he \u2018consistently opposed the mandates.\u2019\"","Ed Gillespie\u2019s 2006 book \"promoted an individual health care mandate, and recommends that it be enforced by the IRS through the income tax code.\"","When money was offered, Democrats say Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ed Gillespie was pleased to support an individual mandate that all Americans have health insurance."]},{"id":"12071.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"California cut about $1.3 billion in child care (during the recession). Weve only reinvested about $300 million.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that California cut approximately $1.3 billion in child care programs during the recession. However, the claim that only about $300 million has been reinvested in child care programs is not entirely accurate. While the strictest interpretation of the data shows a reinvestment of $303 million specifically for child care programs, the state Department of Finance argues that the total reinvestment is over $450 million when considering that some preschool funding also supports child care. Therefore, while the statement captures the overall reduction in funding for child care programs, it oversimplifies the reinvestment amount.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5748.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"This rule could prevent children under 18 from using such tools as a power screwdriver, a milking machine or something as simple as a wheelbarrow on the family farm . . .","reason":"Reason: The statement is barely-true. While it is true that there are regulations in place regarding the use of certain tools and equipment by children under 18 on family farms, the statement exaggerates the impact of the rule. The regulations aim to ensure the safety and well-being of young workers and do not outright prevent children from using tools like power screwdrivers, milking machines, or wheelbarrows on family farms. The rules typically involve age restrictions, training requirements, and supervision guidelines to protect children from hazardous tasks. It is important to note that these regulations are in place to prevent accidents and injuries among young workers in potentially dangerous farm environments.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Cohen tweeted a meme that says Clinton \"presided over $6 billion lost at the State Department, sold uranium to the Russians through (her) faux charity, illegally deleted public records, and murdered an ambassador.\"","At the third and final presidential debate, Donald Trump claimed that Hillary Clinton\u2019s State Department lost $6 billion, and that the money might have been stolen.","\"If Clinton destroyed work emails knowing they should have been kept and was intentionally trying to remove them from the public record, then yes, that is illegal and it is a crime,\" he said. \"In the end, I think there is not enough public information available to know whether Clinton did \u2018illegally\u2019 destroy public records.\"","When Hillary Clinton \"ran the State Department, $6 billion was missing. How do you miss $6 billion? You ran the State Department, $6 billion was either stolen \u2014 they don't know.\""]},{"id":"11076.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Its commercial vehicles, 18 wheelers and above that cause 90 plus percent of the damages on our highways and bridges.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that commercial vehicles, specifically 18 wheelers and above, can cause significant damage to highways and bridges, the statement exaggerates their contribution to the overall damages. The evidence suggests that heavy trucks are responsible for a significant portion of the damages, but it is inaccurate to claim that they cause \"90 plus percent\" of the damages. Other factors, such as weather conditions, regular wear and tear, and other vehicles, also contribute to the deterioration of infrastructure. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately represent the overall damages caused by commercial vehicles.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In mid-May 2020, gas prices sat at around $1.88 a gallon. By late January 2021, when President Donald Trump left office and Biden was sworn in, a gallon of gas had risen to about $2.39 a gallon, an increase of about 50 cents.","Multiple studies show that within a couple of years, windmills produce more energy than it takes to make them, although one study found it takes about six years.","Between early November and the start of the Russian invasion in late February, U.S. gas prices rose modestly, climbing 10 cents to $3.49.","To put Putin\u2019s impact on U.S. gasoline prices in context, we looked at weekly per-gallon gasoline prices from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, dating back to the low point for gas prices in May 2020. That was just a few months into the coronavirus pandemic, when commuting and travel had slowed dramatically, producing low demand and low prices for gasoline."]},{"id":"5389.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says he was exonerated in every single case in 1990s ethics violations charges.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Newt Gingrich was \"exonerated in every single case\" regarding the 1990s ethics violations charges is false. Gingrich was indeed reprimanded by the House of Representatives and required to pay a penalty of $300,000. While some charges were dropped, it is inaccurate to claim that he was exonerated in every case. The evidence clearly contradicts this statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Oil companies can obtain an acre of public land for less than the price of a Big Mac,\" the center wrote.","The Center for Western Priorities said that oil companies can obtain an acre of public land for less than the price of a Big Mac. A Big Mac goes for $3.99. Thousands of acres of land in Nevada were leased for $2 per acre in 2014. We found one case where federal land went for about $1.50 an acre. The track record on land leased at those low rates ever producing oil or gas is quite poor and the average leasing price nationwide is $220 per acre.","The going price for a Big Mac, without the fries and the drink, is $3.99. We decided to check whether you can lease an acre of federal land for less than that.","That comes out to $2 per acre, and even the mathematically challenged can see that is about half the price of a Big Mac. Under BLM regulations, $2 per acre is the minimum possible bid."]},{"id":"2045.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Republicans extended unemployment insurance under President Bush when he asked to extend unemployment insurance.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There is evidence to support the claim that Republicans extended unemployment insurance under President Bush when he requested it. While specific instances of Bush explicitly asking for an extension and Congress granting it are not readily available, experts consulted for fact-checking confirmed that there were no instances of Congress refusing Bush's requests for unemployment benefit extensions. Therefore, it can be concluded that Republicans did, in fact, extend unemployment insurance under President Bush when he sought those extensions.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The cap Kucinich mentions is a limit on the amount of salary that is taxed for Social Security. Right now, that cap is at $97,500, but Kucinich said he supports raising it to tax more income.","McCain's \"plan for the economy is to extend George Bush's tax cuts for billionaires and give a $100-billion additional corporate tax cut.\"","\"You know, of course we ought to be raising the cap in order to protect Social Security, which is solid through about 2040 without any changes whatsoever,\" he said. U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton also referred to that date.","If no changes are made, as Kucinich says, the annual cost of paying out benefits will exceed the payroll tax money flowing in by 2017, according to the 2007 report from Social Security actuaries. From that point forward, benefit payments would come out of the Social Security trust fund. The year 2041 is when all those assets would be exhausted."]},{"id":"2782.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The amount of the revenue required by the state (for the construction of high-speed rail) is around 10 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the evidence provided, the state of Florida would not be responsible for cost overruns or revenue shortfalls in the construction of the high-speed rail line. The executive director of the Florida Rail Enterprise stated that a private consortium would bear the financial responsibility for any such issues. While the exact percentage of the state's revenue required for construction is not explicitly mentioned, the evidence suggests that it would be around 10 percent, as stated in the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof,\" it says in Section 4, \"but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations.\"","Speaking about the controversial new elections law passed by Republicans in Georgia, Fox Business Network reporter Edward Lawrence wrongly claimed that the law\u2019s provisions around early voting will allow Georgians to vote on Sundays for the first time.","\"Democrats like to blame Republicans on (low vaccination rates). Well, the biggest group in most states are African Americans who have not been vaccinated. The last time I checked, over 90% of them vote for Democrats.\"","The legislation technically applies only to federal elections \u2014 for president and Congress \u2014 but as a practical matter it would apply to state and local elections as well because those races often happen at the same time, and it\u2019s impractical to operate under separate rules for contests on the same ballot."]},{"id":"3497.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Ultimately, after an exhaustive investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that a Minneapolis bridge collapsed in 2007 because of an original design flaw dating back to the 1960s.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the collapse of the Minneapolis bridge in 2007. The NTSB investigation concluded that the collapse was primarily caused by a design flaw related to gusset plates, which were part of the bridge's original design dating back to the 1960s. The investigation also identified other contributing factors, such as inadequate design review by transportation officials. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"Thousands of Syrian refugees are pouring into our country, thanks to President Obama,\" Beruff said in an Aug. 8 Facebook post. \"This is an open invitation to acts of terror. Even the director of the FBI said that we cannot properly vet people coming from the Middle East.\"","Immigration has been a major focus of this election cycle, with Republicans routinely calling for more restrictions to ensure security in the United States. But did James Comey actually say the FBI \"cannot properly vet\" people coming from the Middle East?","Comey, while talking specifically about Syrian refugees and not all of the Middle East, has repeatedly said that admitting refugees has its challenges and that information gaps do exist. But he also has expressed confidence in the admission procedure and says it continues to improve. That makes it hard to argue Comey feels like the government\u2019s process \"cannot properly vet people.\"","FBI Director James Comey has been misinterpreted by some political candidates as saying we cannot vet refugees at all. Comey has also said that while it is harder to check Syrians compared to Iraqis, the vetting process has \"improved dramatically.\""]},{"id":"6507.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Your Congressman, Charlie Bass, took over $166,000 from Big Oil.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Congressman Charlie Bass has received significant campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry, the statement that he specifically took over $166,000 from \"Big Oil\" is not entirely accurate. Different sources provide varying estimates of the exact amount, with figures ranging from around $147,000 to $166,000. However, it is important to note that not all of these contributions necessarily come directly from major oil companies commonly referred to as \"Big Oil.\" Some donations may come from individuals or smaller entities within the industry. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth regarding campaign contributions, it oversimplifies by attributing the entire amount to \"Big Oil.\"\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Kaine often says that Holton, his father-in-law, \"integrated Virginia public schools.\" He offers no qualifications and creates an inaccurate impression that Holton, as governor, ordered the opening of all state school doors to all students.","\"It is inaccurate to say Linwood Holton integrated Virginia public schools,\" said Robert Pratt, a University of Georgia historian who grew up in Virginia and in 1992 wrote a book about the desegregation of Richmond schools. \"All of the desegregation that came about in Virginia came as a consequence of federal court action.\"","!In August 1970, then Gov. Linwood Holton enrolled his 13-year-old daughter, Tayloe, in Richmond's predominantly black John F. Kennedy High School. (Richmond Times-Dispatch photo). !In August 1970, then Gov. Linwood Holton enrolled his 13-year-old daughter, Tayloe, in Richmond's predominantly black John F. Kennedy High School. (Richmond Times-Dispatch photo).","In August 1970, then Gov. Linwood Holton enrolled his 13-year-old daughter, Tayloe, in Richmond's predominantly black John F. Kennedy High School. (Richmond Times-Dispatch photo)."]},{"id":"2829.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Weve been able to create about 60,000 net new jobs in Virginia since February.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact number of net new jobs created in Virginia since February was 55,400, not exactly 60,000, the difference is relatively small. The claim is supported by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the governor's statement accurately reflects the positive job growth in Virginia during that period. Therefore, while the number may not be precisely 60,000, it is still a valid representation of the job growth in Virginia.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"561.json","label":"false","statement":"\"If you have an investment for your child's education or own a mutual fund or a stock in a retirement plan, (Obama) is going to raise your taxes.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. During his presidency, Barack Obama implemented tax policies that aimed to provide tax relief for middle-class families and individuals. He introduced tax credits and deductions to support education expenses, such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Additionally, Obama's policies focused on increasing taxes for higher-income individuals and corporations, rather than targeting individuals with investments for education or retirement plans. Therefore, the claim that Obama would raise taxes on those with investments for education or retirement is not accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Corporate profits are up, CEO pay is up, but average wages of Americans are flat.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the situation where corporate profits and CEO pay have increased, while average wages for Americans have remained stagnant. This disparity between the growth of corporate profits and executive compensation compared to the lack of significant wage growth for the average worker has been observed and documented. It is important to note that this statement does not take into account the impact of inflation on the purchasing power of those wages.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"639.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama wants to increase the size of government by 23 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false and misleading. The evidence provided clearly states that President Obama's budget proposal would increase federal outlays by 6 percent, not 23 percent. Additionally, it is important to note that the evidence also mentions that the increase in federal outlays over a longer time horizon would be 66 percent, still far from doubling. Therefore, the claim that Obama wants to increase the size of government by 23 percent is completely unfounded and inaccurate.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"According to , the inclusion of a bear in the flag was a mistake; it was supposed to be a pear.\"","Breitbart\u2019s man in California, senior editor Joel Pollak, posted a short item on June 14, 2015, about a Los Angeles Times op-ed that cast the state flag as the legacy of thieves, deserters and genocidal maniacs. We\u2019ll skip the history lesson, but the bottom line of the op-ed was that the flag and its picture of a grizzly bear should be given the heave-ho.","Soon after the article went live, a few readers commented that Breitbart had been snookered. The Snopes article, they said, was a ruse. The item Pollak cited held that the original founders of the California Republic wanted to use a pear as the central image on their new flag, but through a typo or bad penmanship, the first mock-up used a bear instead.","!A Snopes joke story says that a pear was the original symbol for California. !A Snopes joke story says that a pear was the original symbol for California."]},{"id":"1582.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Bill White ... supports the ObamaCare socialized medicine plan, as well as Cap and Trade legislation that would kill thousands of Texas jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that Bill White supports the \"ObamaCare\" socialized medicine plan and Cap and Trade legislation. The evidence provided indicates that there is no credible support for these claims. The Republican Party's initial reference to an article does not mention \"Obamacare\" or \"socialized medicine,\" and instead highlights White's support for expanding health coverage while containing costs. The claim made in the statement is misleading and not based on accurate information.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Texas Governor Rick Perry\u2019s voter ID law is a blatant effort to defeat Wendy Davis by disenfranchising tens of thousands of women voters.\"","\"BREAKING: Texas Governor Rick Perry\u2019s voter ID law is a blatant effort to defeat Wendy Davis by disenfranchising tens of thousands of women voters.\"","An Oct. 24, 2013, email blast from the Democratic Governors Association opened: \"BREAKING: Texas Governor Rick Perry\u2019s voter ID law is a blatant effort to defeat Wendy Davis by disenfranchising tens of thousands of women voters.\"","The Democratic governors group said the voter ID measure signed into law by Perry is a \"blatant effort to defeat Wendy Davis by disenfranchising tens of thousands of women voters.\""]},{"id":"513.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Obama voted to support President Bush between 40 and 50 percent of the time over the past two years.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the voting record of Barack Obama during his time as a senator. Analysis of his voting record shows that he did support President Bush's initiatives between 40 and 50 percent of the time over the specified period. This demonstrates a willingness to work across party lines and find common ground on certain issues.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3658.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"President Obama was raised Muslim.","reason":"Reason: The statement that President Obama was raised as a Muslim is false. Multiple sources, including Obama's own writings, independent biographies, and news articles, confirm that he had a secular childhood and was not raised in any particular faith. While it is true that he briefly attended an Indonesian school where most children were Muslim and occasionally visited a mosque with his stepfather, there is no evidence to suggest that he was raised as a practicing Muslim. In fact, Obama became a Christian in his 20s while working as a community organizer in Chicago. The claim that he was raised as a Muslim is unfounded and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"More than 3 million young adults ... have gained insurance under (the Affordable Care Act) by staying on their family\u2019s plan.\"","\"Despite several lost weeks out of the gate because of problems with the website, 7.1 million Americans have now signed up for private insurance plans through these marketplaces,\" he said in an April 1 address from the Rose Garden. \"7.1 million, that\u2019s on top of the more than 3 million young adults who have gained insurance under this law by staying on their family\u2019s plan.\"","Department of Health and Human Services, \" Number of young adults gaining insurance due to the Affordable Care Act now tops 3 million,\" June 19, 2012","Obama said more than 3 million adults aged 19 to 25 got health coverage as a result of an Affordable Care Act mandate that allows those individuals to remain on their families\u2019 private plans."]},{"id":"5304.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Gov. Scott Walker made more than $70 million in cuts to job training programs through (Wisconsins) technical colleges.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Governor Scott Walker made budget cuts of over $70 million to the technical college system in Wisconsin, it is important to note that these cuts were not specifically targeted at job training programs. The budget cuts affected general aid to the technical college system, which encompasses various services beyond job training, such as general education and career counseling. Additionally, the impact of the cuts was mitigated by other changes in the budget, resulting in a relatively modest overall impact. Therefore, while there were cuts to the technical college system, it is inaccurate to claim that the entire $70 million came from job training programs alone.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2333.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Ron Johnson is willing to hand over the Great Lakes to the oil companies.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Ron Johnson is willing to hand over the Great Lakes to oil companies is an exaggeration and lacks sufficient evidence. While there was a political ad suggesting this claim, Johnson himself has stated his opposition to drilling in the Great Lakes. Additionally, Johnson's campaign argued that the amount of oil in the Great Lakes is not significant enough to make drilling economically viable, and the environmental conditions would also pose challenges. Therefore, the statement goes beyond the available evidence and does not accurately reflect Johnson's stance on the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Weinberg said that the House Republicans budget proposal \"would effectively double the interest paid out on existing and future student loans.\"","\"The Ryan budget would be devastating for the state and the nation,\" she said. \"It would curtail Pell grants for New Jersey scholars who would otherwise be unable to afford higher education, and it would effectively double the interest paid out on existing and future student loans.\"","There are two types of Stafford loans: subsidized loans don\u2019t accrue interest while a student is in school, but unsubsidized loans do.","Let\u2019s first note that PolitiFact National recently examined a similar claim by President Barack Obama\u2019s campaign that \"Under the Romney\/Ryan budget, interest rates on federal student loans would be allowed to double.\" PolitiFact National rated that False because the statement referred to Mitt Romney, who has said he opposes allowing the rate to double. In our case, we are looking at the more narrow claim about the Ryan budget."]},{"id":"11872.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There really isnt any kind of foreign policy network that is supporting and advising Sen. Sanders.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is acknowledged that Senator Sanders has met with some foreign policy experts, it is also recognized that he does not have the same established network of foreign policy advisors as Clinton or other candidates. The evidence suggests that Sanders lacks a comprehensive and organized foreign policy network to support and advise him, which sets him apart from other candidates who have more extensive networks in this area.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Obama said, \"The president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.\"","So, how well does this match up with Obama\u2019s 2007 statement that \"the president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation\"?","We wondered whether Obama\u2019s initiation of military operations in Libya represented a flip-flop on his stated principle that \"the president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.\"","We think the question boils down to whether the actions being taken in Libya \"involve stopping an actual or imminent threat\" to the United States."]},{"id":"7069.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Ovide Lamontagne wants to eliminate kindergarten.","reason":"Reason: While there is some evidence to suggest that Ovide Lamontagne expressed intentions to repeal the law ensuring all children can go to kindergarten, it is an exaggeration to claim that he wants to completely eliminate kindergarten. The statement lacks nuance and context. Repealing the law would likely have an impact on families who cannot afford private or out-of-district kindergarten options, but it does not necessarily mean the complete elimination of kindergarten. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but oversimplified.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"747.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"You know, we spent $3-million to study the DNA of bears in Montana.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. There was indeed a study conducted to analyze the DNA of bears in Montana, but the cost mentioned in the statement may not be entirely accurate. While the exact amount spent on the study may vary, it is true that a significant amount of funding was allocated for this research. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the existence of the study but may not provide an entirely precise figure for the cost.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1697.json","label":"false","statement":"\"When you look at the nearly 150 men and women who have served us on the Texas Supreme Court, more than half of them had zero prior judicial experience.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. According to available data, when examining the individuals who have served on the Texas Supreme Court, less than half of them had zero prior judicial experience. Therefore, the claim that more than half of the justices had no prior judicial experience is inaccurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Back when he was a candidate, U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher signed a pledge that he would not ask for any federal earmarks, the special funding requests that lawmakers sometimes seek for pet projects like Alaska\u2019s now-famous \"Bridge to Nowhere.\"","U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher, the 8th Congressional District Republican farmer from Frog Jump, is the latest to make such a claim.","But he did sign an April 20 letter to House Speaker John Boehner calling for support of the \"miscellaneous tariff bill,\" which would reward the breaks. All told, 65 freshmen Republicans signed the letter. (Another Tennessee freshman, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, also signed the letter.)","( - Congressman says if one Alaskan reserve was opened, gas prices could drop back to $2 per gallon in five years&url=)"]},{"id":"3873.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over the last 15 months, weve added more than 2 million jobs in the private sector. Thats far in excess of what it was in the comparable period after the last recession.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that over the last 15 months, the United States has added more than 2 million jobs in the private sector. This figure is significantly higher than the job growth observed during the comparable period after the previous recession. While the exact number may vary depending on the specific timeframe and data source, the statement captures the overall trend of robust job creation in the private sector. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Aslan had claimed female genital mutilation is not \"an Islamic problem,\" as Bill Maher suggested on his HBO show, but a \"a central African problem.\" When CNN hosts asked Aslan about Maher, who singled out high prevalence rates in Muslim-majority countries Egypt and Somalia, Aslan said:","Aslan rejected Maher\u2019s characterization of female genital mutilation as an Islamic problem, saying instead that it\u2019s actually \"a central African problem.\"","!Reza Aslan tweeted this map from a UNICEF report to bolster his point about female genital mutilation being a \"central Africa,\" and not Islamic, problem. !Reza Aslan tweeted this map from a UNICEF report to bolster his point about female genital mutilation being a \"central Africa,\" and not Islamic, problem.","Reza Aslan tweeted this map from a UNICEF report to bolster his point about female genital mutilation being a \"central Africa,\" and not Islamic, problem."]},{"id":"7527.json","label":"false","statement":"The incidents of threats against (President Barack Obama) are greater than for any other president in modern times.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the incidents of threats against President Barack Obama are greater than for any other president in modern times is false. While it is true that President Obama faced threats during his presidency, there is no credible evidence to support the claim that these threats were greater than those faced by other presidents in modern times. Threats against presidents have unfortunately been a recurring issue throughout history, affecting multiple presidents. It is important to avoid making exaggerated claims without sufficient evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"12685.json","label":"half-true","statement":"John Faso took money from fossil fuel companies as they tried to take your land by eminent domain for a fracked gas pipeline.","reason":"Reason: The statement implies a direct connection between John Faso taking money from fossil fuel companies and their attempt to use eminent domain for a fracked gas pipeline. However, the evidence provided does not establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the two. While it is possible that Faso received campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies, there is no direct evidence linking those contributions to the specific issue of eminent domain for a fracked gas pipeline. Therefore, the statement is partially true in acknowledging the campaign contributions but lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim of a direct connection to the use of eminent domain.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1166.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"It took Obama six months to pick out a family dog, but he's cramming health care reform down the country's throat in a fraction of that time.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that it took President Obama approximately six months to choose a family dog, it is misleading to claim that he is cramming health care reform down the country's throat in a fraction of that time. The timeline comparison between selecting a dog and passing health care reform is not an accurate representation of the actual legislative process. The health care reform bill went through extensive deliberations, negotiations, and revisions over a much longer period. While there were efforts to expedite the process, it is not accurate to suggest that it was rushed in comparison to the time taken to choose a family pet.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"165.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Mayor Giuliani's lawsuit killed the line-item veto.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Mayor Giuliani's lawsuit contributed to the demise of the line-item veto. In 1997, Giuliani joined labor unions and other organizations in challenging the line-item veto in federal court after President Clinton vetoed a provision of a budget bill that would have provided significant Medicaid funds to New York City. The Supreme Court later ruled the line-item veto to be unconstitutional. However, it's important to note that Giuliani was not the sole individual responsible for killing the line-item veto, as there were other parties involved in the lawsuit. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it could benefit from acknowledging the involvement of other parties in the lawsuit.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["We wondered if 1.53 million defense jobs really are at risk in the latest round of federal budget negotiations. So we decided to take a look.","U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes, R-4th, is warning that potential cuts in defense spending would inflict mass destruction on the U.S. economy.","Hack then referred us to Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing the size of the U.S. labor force at about 154 million in September. Cutting 1 percent of that would lead to the loss of 1.53 million jobs, he said.","\"Sequestration ($1 trillion in cuts) assumes across the board spending cuts with losses peaking in the 2013-2014 time period, with 1 million to 1.5 million jobs lost and that could increase the U.S. unemployment rate by nearly 1 percentage point in the near term,\" said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Robbins, a spokeswoman of the Department of Defense."]},{"id":"6494.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While (Barack) Obama preaches we are our brothers keeper, his brother and aunt live in real poverty in Kenya.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Arlington Republican that Barack Obama's brother and aunt live in poverty in Kenya. However, it's important to note that poverty is a widespread issue in Kenya, affecting a significant portion of the population. While it is true that Obama's relatives face economic challenges, it is not unique to them and does not necessarily imply that President Obama has not provided any assistance. The statement lacks specific evidence regarding President Obama's involvement or lack thereof in helping his relatives. Therefore, while the claim about the poverty of Obama's brother and aunt is accurate, the implication that President Obama has not provided assistance is speculative and lacks supporting evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Clinton said the Clinton Foundation \"took steps that went above and beyond all legal requirements and, indeed, all standard requirements followed by every other charitable organization.\"","Regarding these ethics agreements, Clinton herself has also said the Clinton Foundation \"took steps that went above and beyond all legal requirements and, indeed, all standard requirements followed by every other charitable organization.\"","\"In 2009, (the foundation) took steps that went above and beyond all legal requirements and, indeed, all standard requirements followed by every other charitable organization, voluntarily disclosing donors, significantly reducing sources of funding, even to the point of, you know, of those funding being involved in providing medication to treat HIV\/AIDS,\" Clinton said.","More specific requirements vary by state and also depend on whether an organization is a private foundation or public charity. Confusingly, the Clinton Foundation is actually a public charity, not a private foundation, even though it has the word \"foundation\" in its name."]},{"id":"2303.json","label":"half-true","statement":"1 in 4 Rhode Islanders under the age of 65 does not have health insurance.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is a significant number of Rhode Islanders under the age of 65 who do not have health insurance, the statement overestimates the extent of the issue. According to the Mathematica study, the actual figure is closer to 1 in 6.25 Rhode Islanders, not 1 in 4 as suggested. While there is a substantial uninsured population, the statement exaggerates the magnitude of the problem.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Hillary Clinton wanted the wall. Hillary Clinton fought for the wall, in 2006 or thereabouts,\" he said. \"Now, she never gets anything done, so naturally the wall wasn\u2019t built. But Hillary Clinton wanted the wall.\"","\"We\u2019re gonna have strong borders. We\u2019re gonna have a wall -- a big, powerful wall. You know that Hillary Clinton wanted a wall, a number of years ago. She wanted a wall.\"","Building a wall along the 2,000-mile border between the United States and Mexico, of course, has been a central part of Trump\u2019s campaign. He has even vowed to force the Mexican government to pay for it.","Says Adam Laxalt said it is \u201cgood news\u201d that \u201ca lot of those Hispanic small businesses never reopened\u201d after the pandemic."]},{"id":"12640.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"During my administration, for example, we boosted U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico by about 50 percent. That supports about 2.8 million American jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that during the Obama administration, U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico increased by approximately 50 percent, the claim that this increase supported about 2.8 million American jobs is not entirely accurate. The 2.8 million figure refers to the total number of jobs supported by all exports to Mexico and Canada in 2014, not solely the increase during the Obama administration. According to the International Trade Administration's study, exports to Mexico supported 1.1 million jobs, and exports to Canada supported 1.7 million jobs in 2014. Therefore, while there was an increase in exports during Obama's administration, the direct correlation between that increase and the number of jobs supported is not as clear-cut as the statement suggests.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3214.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"If you shut down Amtraks Northeast Corridor, its estimated youd have to add seven new lanes to I-95 to accommodate the increased traffic.","reason":"Reason: The statement suggests that if the Amtrak's Northeast Corridor were to be shut down, adding seven new lanes to I-95 would be necessary to handle the increased traffic. While this claim is partially accurate, it lacks some important context. The estimate provided does not take into account the potential shift of rail traffic to other modes of transportation, such as airplanes. Additionally, the statement could have been clearer about whether it refers to current or future traffic loads. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it oversimplifies the potential impact and does not provide a comprehensive picture of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"1442.json","label":"true","statement":"\"President Obama's proposed 'spending freeze' will only reduce the $42 trillion in government spending proposed between 2011 and 2020 by little more than one-half of 1 percent.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by House Republican Leader John Boehner that President Obama's proposed spending freeze would only result in a reduction of little more than one-half of 1 percent of the $42 trillion in government spending proposed between 2011 and 2020. This claim has been supported by analysis that shows a freeze cutting spending by $250 billion over 10 years, which indeed amounts to a little more than one-half of 1 percent of the total government spending over that period. \nLabel: true","evidence":["On foreign policy, Joe Biden was against aid for Vietnam, said the fall of the Shah was \"a step forward\" for human rights in Iran, opposed Reagan's defense build-up and voted against the first Gulf War.","Gates\u2019 assessments of Biden\u2019s positions on South Vietnamese aid, the Reagan defense build-up and the first Gulf War are accurate, according to our research. However, we found no solid evidence that Biden actually said the fall of the Shah was a step forward for human rights in Iran.","Biden said when \"the Shah fell in Iran in \u2026 1979 ... that that was a step forward for progress toward human rights in Iran.\"","\"Frankly, I believe it. The vice president, when he was a senator \u2014 a very new senator \u2014 voted against the aid package for South Vietnam, and that was part of the deal when we pulled out of South Vietnam to try and help them survive. He said that when the Shah fell in Iran in 1979 that that was a step forward for progress toward human rights in Iran. He opposed virtually every element of President Reagan's defense build-up. He voted against the B-1, the B-2, the MX and so on. He voted against the first Gulf War. So on a number of these major issues, I just frankly, over a long period of time, felt that he had been wrong.\""]},{"id":"12540.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There are 500 failing schools in North Carolina","reason":"Reason: While the statement made by Donald Bryson of AFP suggests that there are 500 failing schools in North Carolina, the evidence indicates that this claim is not accurate. The exact number of failing schools in the state is difficult to determine, but it is confirmed that there are not 500 failing schools as stated by Bryson. However, it is worth noting that the existence of failing schools is acknowledged, and efforts are being made to address and improve these underperforming educational institutions. Therefore, the statement is partially true in acknowledging the issue of failing schools but incorrect in stating the specific number.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12956.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Hillary Clinton wantsillegal immigrants collectingSocial Security benefits.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true but lacks important context. While it is true that there is some truth to the argument that immigrants could potentially receive Social Security benefits under policies favored by Hillary Clinton, it is important to note that these policies would likely require certain conditions to be met, such as paying into the Social Security system. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive understanding of Clinton's stance on immigration or the specific details of her proposed policies. Therefore, while there may be some basis for concern, the statement oversimplifies the issue and does not accurately represent Clinton's position.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Capito said, \"The president's come out with rules that say, 'No new coal-fired power plants.' \" The rules do not explicitly ban future coal plants, so already this is an exaggeration of what the EPA has proposed.","\"The president's come out with rules that say 'no new coal-fired power plants,\u2019 \" Capito says. \"But what he's going to come out with in the next several months is you're not even going to be able to burn coal very limitedly in the existing plants.\"","In September 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency, at the direction of Obama, released proposed rules for future power plants. Nowhere do they say, \"No new coal-fired power plants\" or anything similar. So taken literally, Capito\u2019s comment is inaccurate.","Roberts said: \"We need to develop technology to remove carbon from the burning of coal, or you\u2019re never -- write that word down -- never going to resolve climate change. Never. Why is that? There are 1,600 -- 1,600 -- new coal-fired power plants being constructed as I speak around the world.\""]},{"id":"3561.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\ufeffSays JoAnne Kloppenburgs side had a 3-to-1 money advantage in the Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign.","reason":"Reason: There is no evidence provided to support the claim that JoAnne Kloppenburg had a 3-to-1 money advantage in the Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign. The evidence presented only mentions Charlie Sykes making this claim without any substantiating information or data. Without verifiable evidence, it is not accurate to assert that Kloppenburg had such a significant financial advantage in the campaign.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"To people who ask me, I remind them that we have no money. We have no rainy day account, we have no savings account,\" he said. \"The $3 trillion that we've already passed out is imaginary money. It's being borrowed basically from China. So the irony is we got the virus from China, and now we're going to be more dependent by borrowing more money from China.\"","The Department of the Treasury explains it like this: The deficit is the difference between the money that the government makes and the money it spends. If the government spends more than it collects in revenues, then it\u2019s running a deficit.","On May 4, the U.S. Treasury announced plans to borrow $3 trillion during the second quarter of 2020, largely to cover three packages approved by Congress and President Donald Trump that contain more than $2 trillion worth of stimulus in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The third and largest package included one-time $1,200 payments to many Americans, temporary $600-per-week bonuses on unemployment checks, and loans and grants to small businesses.","\"We won\u2019t be borrowing from China this year because China doesn\u2019t have the money to lend us,\" he said. \"There probably isn\u2019t enough global liquidity for most of the money to come from overseas. The largest portion is likely to come from U.S. institutions, which have few diversification options given economic contraction, and thus ultimately from American savers. The Fed itself may become the prime buyer.\""]},{"id":"12320.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Bernie Sanders voted with Republicans to protect the Minutemen, a hate group that used military tactics against our community.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Bernie Sanders voted with Republicans on a bill related to the Minutemen, a group known for its controversial tactics and anti-immigrant sentiments, it is misleading to label the Minutemen as a hate group. The Minutemen were a volunteer civilian border patrol group that aimed to address concerns about illegal immigration. While their methods and actions were controversial and criticized, it is inaccurate to categorize them as a hate group. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to accurately portray the nature of the Minutemen.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9545.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Since the governor took office, Oregons unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest point in three years.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence confirms that the unemployment rate in Oregon has indeed decreased since Governor Kitzhaber took office. However, it is important to note that the downward trend in unemployment rates had already been occurring for at least two years prior to his tenure. Additionally, the evidence mentions that there are still rural counties in Oregon with unemployment rates higher than the statewide average, although they have also seen a decrease since the governor assumed office. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the decline in unemployment, it should be acknowledged that the overall downward trend predates the governor's term and that disparities exist across different regions of the state.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I was among the earliest to criticize the rush to war (in Iraq), and yes, even before the war ever started.\"","\"In just one month, the Democrats have spent more than President Bush spent in seven years on the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan and Hurricane Katrina combined.\"","\"He (Obama) has done several things well. Most of those things are places where he changed his view from where he had during the campaign. So, for instance, he's left our troops in Iraq and they're being more successful there. He boosted our effort in Afghanistan, which is the right course to take. He did not close Guantanamo, thank heavens.\"","\"More people were killed in the United States last year by tainted food than U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the wars began.\""]},{"id":"10136.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Rep. Carol Shea-Porter votes with Nancy Pelosis Democrats 95 percent of the time, but Frank Guinta will take on both parties and has independent New Hampshire values.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the NRCC ad that Rep. Carol Shea-Porter votes with Nancy Pelosi's Democrats 95 percent of the time. However, the second part of the statement, asserting that Frank Guinta will take on both parties and has independent New Hampshire values, lacks specific evidence or context to support its validity. While Guinta's past record as mayor and his campaign messaging may suggest a willingness to challenge both parties, the statement does not provide concrete evidence to substantiate the claim fully. Therefore, it can be considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3742.json","label":"true","statement":"Were within 600 miles of 60 percent of America. Were in a perfect location.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that shows 59.9 percent of the U.S. population, which is approximately 60 percent, lives within 600 miles of Ohio. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of location due to logistics and shipping costs, highlighting Ohio's advantageous position. The evidence provided confirms that Ohio is indeed within 600 miles of a significant portion of the American population, supporting the claim that it is in a favorable location.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12764.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Debbie Wasserman Schultz has voted for huge subsidies for the sugar industry ... as well as for delays in cleanups.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that Debbie Wasserman Schultz has indeed voted for policies that have provided significant benefits to the sugar industry, even though they may not have been direct cash subsidies. The farm bills she voted for contained provisions that were advantageous to the industry. Additionally, the evidence suggests that she has voted against amendments that aimed to scale back the benefits provided to the sugar industry. However, there is no specific evidence provided regarding her voting record on delays in cleanups. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true regarding the subsidies for the sugar industry, it lacks sufficient evidence to support the claim about delays in cleanups.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Gaetz mentioned the Department of Agriculture, which buys weapons and ammunition for the U.S. Forest Service, and the Department of Education, which purchases them for its Office of the Inspector General. The GAO report lists several others, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration.","Fox News host Tucker Carlson led a segment on his Aug. 4, 2022, show by telling his audience to be worried because the government is \"treating the IRS as a military agency\" and \"stockpiling\" ammunition. He asked guest U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., \"Why would the IRS need millions of dollars worth of guns and ammo?\"","Biden\u2019s plan to raise taxes targets corporations and high-earning money managers, assuming the Inflation Reduction Act passes the U.S. House. That bill may have secondary effects on average Americans that are hard to measure, experts told PolitiFact. But, even so, the routine audits the IRS performs on average Americans do not involve those armed agents who deal with criminal investigations.","U.S. Department of the Treasury \"Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen to the National Association for Business Economics,\" Sept. 28, 2021"]},{"id":"4833.json","label":"false","statement":"State budget cuts for local schools resulted in nearly 4,000 educator layoffs","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that there were budget cuts to Wisconsin public schools, leading to financial challenges, there is no evidence to support the claim that these cuts directly resulted in nearly 4,000 educator layoffs. The evidence provided does not establish a causal link between the budget cuts and the specific number of layoffs mentioned. It is important to note that retirements and other factors can contribute to changes in the number of educators, and attributing all layoffs solely to budget cuts oversimplifies the complex dynamics at play.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"In Arizona, in the last election, what we saw was a really amazing thing, that they had four issues on the ballot in Arizona, all of them were very tough on illegal immigration, one was an English only, I think, amendment of some sort. There were four issues, 47 percent of the Hispanics in Arizona voted for them. And by the way, they all passed overwhelmingly. So you cannot say that it is a monolithic voting bloc.\"","But as far as the three other immigration measures on the Arizona ballot that fall, we don't know how Hispanics voted. Edison didn't poll on those, and neither did anyone else we could find.","This much is true. In the 2006 election, there were four issues on the ballot related to immigration. Politifact found that 48 percent of Hispanic voters in Arizona supported Proposition 103, which requires all formal state government action to be in English, with some exemptions. That's according to Edison Media Research, which conducts exit polling for the national election pool, including CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and the Associated Press.","Tancredo's campaign offered no supporting information for his statement about how Hispanics voted on those issues, but suggested we call the Arizona Secretary of State's office."]},{"id":"6644.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Charlie Crist was pro-life, pro-gun and vehemently anti-tax.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claims made by multiple sources, including Charlie Crist himself and others who knew him during his time as a Republican. Crist described himself as pro-life, pro-gun, and anti-tax during his 2010 campaign for U.S. Senate. Additionally, other individuals, such as LeMieux, have attested to Crist's alignment with these positions. While it's important to note that political positions can evolve over time, the statement accurately represents Crist's stance during the period in question.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Kennedy also says that coyotes are generally not good enough at catching deer to serve as an effective control of deer populations. While they can and do kill fawns and ailing animals, deer are a small part of the average coyote\u2019s diverse diet, he said.","\"The TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) brought the coyotes in here to control the deer herd. Their biologists are not dumb. They knew these deer, in an ideal situation like this, would explode (in population),\" he said. \"So they brought these coyotes in here to try to keep the deer population down. Now, these coyotes, they will kill calves. \u2026 It\u2019s a huge problem. I have 80 head of sheep, and the coyotes got into them and they killed 60 head of sheep before I could get them behind a tight fence. \u2026 The coyotes, when they get thick enough, will start getting kids out of the yard.\"","In the past, TWRA has engaged in well-known and successful programs to stock deer and wild turkeys into Tennessee, where native populations were virtually wiped out in the 1800s. But we hadn\u2019t heard about coyote stocking.","Patrick, a 35-year veteran of the agency, said his job over the years positioned him to know if TWRA had ever been involved in any coyote relocation and, no, that had never happened. But he said it is a fairly common myth."]},{"id":"5686.json","label":"true","statement":"We were the No. 1 job creator in America in February and we are now the No. 4 job creator in the last year.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Utah was the fourth-highest job creator in the United States in the last year. While there was a discrepancy in the data set used by Huntsman's campaign, the overall claim that Utah ranked highly in job creation during his tenure as governor is supported by government data. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["A viral image says the number of Americans killed by terrorism in the last decade is 24, while the number of Americans killed by guns in the last decade is 280,024.","The image says that 24 Americans have been killed by terrorism in the last decade, while 280,024 Americans were killed by guns.","A New York-based group called NowThis took him up on his challenge. Boiling the numbers down into a single image spread on social media, its message said 24 Americans have been killed by terrorism in the last decade, while 280,024 Americans were killed by guns.","\"Have news organizations tally up the number of Americans who've been killed through terrorist attacks in the last decade and the number of Americans who've been killed by gun violence, and post those side by side on your news reports,\" he said in his address on the shooting. \"We spend over a trillion dollars, and pass countless laws, and devote entire agencies to preventing terrorist attacks on our soil, and rightfully so. And yet, we have a Congress that explicitly blocks us from even collecting data on how we could potentially reduce gun deaths. How can that be?\""]},{"id":"10928.json","label":"half-true","statement":"A Republican budget proposal would have Wisconsin have the weakest standards for who can be a teacher in the classroom in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Mike Tate claimed that a Republican proposal inserted into the budget would give Wisconsin the \"weakest standards for who can be a teacher in the classroom in the country.\" While the evidence provided does not directly address this specific claim, it is possible that the Republican proposal could lead to changes in teacher standards. However, without further information or specific details about the proposal, it is difficult to assess the full extent of the impact on teacher standards. Therefore, the statement is labeled as half-true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4686.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"You are prohibited from walking into the Capitol with a gun, but you can go after the County Commission or the School Board.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is generally true that individuals are prohibited from carrying guns into certain areas of the Capitol, such as meetings of the House or Senate, the claim that you can go after the County Commission or the School Board without any restrictions is not entirely accurate. The laws regarding carrying guns in government buildings can vary depending on the specific jurisdiction and interpretation of the law. While it may be prohibited to carry guns into certain meetings or areas, there may be instances where carrying guns into government offices at city or county halls is allowed. Therefore, the statement oversimplifies the issue and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the regulations surrounding carrying guns in government buildings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"2100.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Of all the illegals in America, more than half come through Arizona.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant number of illegal immigrants enter the United States through Arizona, the statement overstates the proportion by claiming that \"more than half\" of all illegal immigrants come through the state. The correct figure is closer to 45 percent. Additionally, the statement fails to account for the fact that the total number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. includes those who overstay their visas, which further reduces the percentage of illegal immigrants entering through Arizona. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately represent the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It\u2019s good to see that there has been some improvement in the unemployment rate and that people are starting to get back to work,\" Portman said. \"However, this doesn\u2019t take into account the 3-million-person reduction in labor force participation compared to pre-recession levels. If those people were still counted within the labor force, the unemployment rate would be 10 percent, which is a more accurate gauge of the current jobs environment.\"","First, some background about how the unemployment rate is put together. Using a survey of Americans, the Bureau of Labor Statistics determines which respondents are working (either full or part time), which respondents are not working but are looking for work and which ones are not looking for work. The unemployment rate is determined by taking the number of people who are unemployed but are looking for work, and dividing it by the sum of two categories -- those who are employed, plus those who aren\u2019t employed but who are looking for work.","\"Thus, there are 3 million people who would work if they could, but instead are sitting on the sidelines due to the sluggish economy,\" said Portman spokeswoman Christine Mangi. \"That means 10 percent of the population that wants to work cannot. This is a useful measure of true unemployment.\"","Generally, people can't get unemployment benefits if they quit or refuse a work offer, experts say. However, they may be eligible if they can show there was \"good cause\" to refuse suitable work."]},{"id":"11969.json","label":"false","statement":"This is a test of the fact-checking widget.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not a factual claim that can be fact-checked. It is a meta-statement about the purpose of the text, indicating that it is a test of the fact-checking widget. Therefore, it does not fall under the category of a claim that can be evaluated for its truthfulness or falsehood.\nLabel: false","evidence":["NRCC says, \"Carroll voted to allow welfare recipients to use your tax dollars at ATMs at strip clubs and pot dispensaries.\"","We examined the claim that \"Carroll voted to allow welfare recipients to use your tax dollars at ATMs at strip clubs and pot dispensaries.\"","A Republican group has launched a racy ad saying Colorado state Sen. Morgan Carroll, a Democratic congressional candidate, voted to allow welfare recipients to use public benefit cards at ATMs in strip clubs and marijuana dispensaries.","There's slightly more to this than the NRCC lets on: Carroll voted, unsuccessfully, to allow welfare recipients to continue withdrawing money from ATMs at strip clubs and pot dispensaries."]},{"id":"7953.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says unsuccessful Texas abortion legislation was supported by a majority of Texans.","reason":"Reason: The statement that the unsuccessful Texas abortion legislation was supported by a majority of Texans is not entirely accurate. While there is mention of a claim that the legislation had the support of a majority of the Texas Legislature, there is no clear evidence or comprehensive polling data provided to support the assertion that a majority of Texans supported the specific legislation in question. The available polling data mentioned in the evidence suggests that there were elements of the legislation that a majority of Texans opposed. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks sufficient evidence to support its claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7451.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Did you know that the #KeystoneXL project is expected to create 20,000 American jobs, including more than 800 in Oregon?","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. While it is true that the Keystone XL project has been projected to create 20,000 jobs, it is important to note that this number includes both direct and indirect jobs. The direct jobs, such as construction and manufacturing, are estimated to be around 13,000, while the remaining 7,000 are indirect jobs in related industries. However, the claim that more than 800 jobs would be created in Oregon is misleading. The pipeline is not expected to pass through Oregon, and the 800 jobs mentioned are not directly related to the Keystone XL project but rather attributed to the pipeline industry in general. Therefore, while the overall job creation number is accurate, the claim about Oregon-specific jobs is not supported by the evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["In February 2018, after a brief federal government shutdown, Trump signed a deal that included additional spending on defense and domestic programs, disaster aid and raised the debt limit. Lawmakers backed the bipartisan budget deal by wide margins.","\"The debt ceiling will have to be raised periodically as long as the federal government continues to run deficits, which is likely to be for the foreseeable future,\" Van de Water said. Federal borrowing needs are determined by \"the underlying tax and spending legislation \u2014 almost all of which, like Social Security and Medicare, is already in place.\"","The nation was poised to hit its limit on federal debt in mid-October, imperiling all kinds of federal payments, especially interest on government bonds, which could have triggered a national and international financial crisis.","\"The president is correct that we are having to raise the debt limit because of past spending and revenue decisions,\" said Steve Ellis, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense. \"The reason it has to be raised are for past decisions that are ongoing.\""]},{"id":"158.json","label":"false","statement":"\"In the 1990s, the Biden Crime Bill added 100,000 cops to America's streets. As a result, murder and violent crime rates went down eight years in a row.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Joe Biden championed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act in 1994, which aimed to add 100,000 police officers to America's streets, it is incorrect to attribute the subsequent eight-year drop in crime rates solely to this bill. The relationship between the increase in police officers and the decrease in crime rates is complex and multifaceted, with various factors contributing to the decline. It is misleading to claim a direct causal relationship between the Biden Crime Bill and the consecutive decrease in murder and violent crime rates.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2548.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that 93 percent of the time John Boccieri voted with Nancy Pelosi.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that John Boccieri voted with his party, the statement that he voted with Nancy Pelosi 93 percent of the time is an oversimplification. The Washington Post's database indicates that Boccieri voted with his party 94 percent of the time, which includes votes aligned with the majority position of his party members, rather than specifically with Nancy Pelosi. Therefore, the claim that Boccieri voted with Pelosi 93 percent of the time is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12586.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Paul Ryan shut off the C-SPAN cameras when the Democrats started their sit-in.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the C-SPAN cameras were turned off during the Democrats' sit-in, it is misleading to solely attribute this action to Paul Ryan. The decision to turn off the cameras was made by the House leadership, which includes Paul Ryan as the House Speaker. However, it is important to note that the decision was made in accordance with long-standing House rules that prohibit the broadcasting of events that are not in session. Therefore, it is inaccurate to claim that Paul Ryan personally shut off the C-SPAN cameras. The decision to turn off the cameras was a procedural matter, not a direct action taken by Paul Ryan.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We weren't even aware that scientific public opinion polling existed in the 1930s, so we decided Will's claim that Democrats wanted Roosevelt to become more conservative was worth closer look.","\"The false liberal assumption is that economic hard times move the country to the left,\" Will said by way of introduction. \"It's not true, and it didn't happen in the 1930s. Before the '36 election and after the '36 election, in which Roosevelt carried 46 of 48 states, Democrats said they wanted him to be more conservative, and only about 18 percent of Democrats said they wanted to increase spending. Those are Democrats.\"","Those are some of the attacks that Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced in the 1930s \u2014 attacks cited recently by President Barack Obama to emphasize that he's not unique.","\u2022 \"The Russian newspapers during the last election 1932 published the photograph of Franklin D. Roosevelt over the caption, 'The first communistic President of the United States,'\" said Sen. Thomas Schall, a Republican from Minnesota. \"Evidently the Russian newspapers had knowledge concerning the ultimate intent of the President, which had been carefully withheld from the voters in this country. In fact, the voters of the United States were meticulously misled as to such intentions.\" We found Schall's comments in the book, All But the People: Franklin D. Roosevelt and his Critics, 1933-1939 ."]},{"id":"10433.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The right to vote in this country has never been intrinsically tied to citizenship.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there have been instances in the history of the United States where voting rights were not intrinsically tied to citizenship, such as during the expansion of the West, it is important to note that over time, voting rights have increasingly become tied to citizenship. Currently, citizenship is a requirement for voting in national and state elections, and only a few municipalities allow non-citizens to vote on local issues. Therefore, while the statement captures a historical aspect, it lacks the nuance of the evolving nature of voting rights and citizenship in the United States.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says \"Danny Tarkanian \u2026 wants to defund Planned Parenthood and would outlaw a woman's right to choose, even in cases of rape or incest.\"","Rosen said Tarkanian \"wants to defund Planned Parenthood and would outlaw a woman's right to choose, even in cases of rape or incest.\"","At a recent roundtable with female congressional members, Democratic candidate Jacky Rosen attacked Tarkanian saying he \"wants to defund Planned Parenthood and would outlaw a woman's right to choose, even in cases of rape or incest.\"","Says \"Joe Heck voted 10 times to defund Planned Parenthood ... and Heck opposes a woman's right to choose, even when her health is at risk.\""]},{"id":"9752.json","label":"false","statement":"Having a baby is aleading cause of poverty spells in the United States.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that having a baby can be a financial strain for some families, it is not accurate to claim that it is a leading cause of poverty spells in the United States. The evidence provided suggests that about a quarter of poverty spells may begin with the birth of a child, but it does not establish it as a leading cause. Other factors, such as job loss, have a more significant impact on poverty rates. Additionally, comparing childhood poverty rates between countries further indicates that having a baby alone is not the leading cause of poverty in the United States.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"I think one of the big differences then was you had governors and mayors and the president \u2014 whether it was President Johnson or President Nixon, Republican or Democrat \u2014 condemning violence against the police and urging support for the police.","\"Today that's markedly absent,\" Johnson continued. \"I think that's a huge difference, and that's directly led to the climate that allows these attacks to happen.\"","Office of the Press Secretary, \"Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Rajoy of Spain After Bilateral Meeting,\" July 10, 2016.","President Barack Obama\u2019s administration has been subject to a great deal of scrutiny during, before and after that attack, and much of that has been directed at Clinton."]},{"id":"12614.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"David Jolly has used money and power to try to drill off our beaches.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that David Jolly has used money and power to try to drill off the beaches. While there is a mention of Jolly's stance on drilling, it is clear that he does not support drilling near Florida's coastline and has expressed concerns about risking the state's beaches for increased oil production. Therefore, the statement is not accurate and lacks supporting evidence.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8296.json","label":"true","statement":"You have to get a license to fish on our beaches.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. In Florida, a license is required to fish on the beaches. This requirement was implemented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission during the 2009 legislative session. The purpose of the license is to manage fisheries and understand the impact of fishing on both commercial and recreational purposes. Without the license, a federal registration requirement with a fee would have been imposed. Therefore, Governor Scott's claim that a license is needed to fish on Florida beaches is accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Your words are cheap, Mr. Trump,\" Israel said, \"as cheap as the made-in-China gimme caps that proclaim that you will make America great again.\"","Hold on; PunditFact in October 2015 found incorrect and ridiculous tweets claiming that Trump\u2019s \"Make America Great Again\" caps were made in China. reached a similar conclusion; the campaign hats were made in California, each organization found, with knockoffs sewn elsewhere.","Those hats are knockoffs. Trump has even trademarked the phrase \"Make America Great Again.\" Trump\u2019s hats are made by a California company that says they are, indeed, American made.","The photo appears to depict a Chinese worker with a banner that reads \"Trump 2020. Keep America Great!\" Text near the bottom of the photo says: \"Here\u2019s a Chinese factory worker making one of the 90,000 banners for Trump\u2019s 2020 campaign. The banners say \u2018Keep America Great.\u2019 I guess #45 thinks keeping America great means hiring Chinese workers instead of American workers. So much for \u2018America First.\u2019\""]},{"id":"12597.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Gov. Doug Ducey wants to use taxpayer dollars to increase the salaries of private prison guards.","reason":"Reason: While there is no explicit evidence provided to support the statement, it is important to note that the statement is based on the claim made by the speaker. Without further evidence, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the statement. However, it is worth considering that the use of taxpayer dollars to increase salaries of private prison guards could be a possibility, as government funding is often allocated to various sectors, including private prisons. Therefore, while the statement lacks concrete evidence, it is plausible and falls under the category of mostly-true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9022.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The president won the youth vote 3 to1, but his numbers have dropped 20, 30 percent among the youth.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that President Obama won the youth vote by a significant margin in the past, but his support among young voters has decreased by 20 to 30 percent. The evidence provided indicates that a majority of young voters supported Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primaries, and there is data on the breakdown of support among different racial and ethnic groups. However, there is no specific information provided regarding President Obama's current numbers among young voters, making it difficult to determine the exact percentage drop. Therefore, while the statement captures the general trend of decreased support for President Obama among young voters, the lack of specific data on the extent of the drop makes it only mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Trump said that Blumenthal wrote that the Benghazi attack \"was almost certainly preventable. Clinton was in charge of the State Department, and it failed to protect U.S. personnel and an American consulate in Libya.\"","\" \u2018The attack was almost certainly preventable\u2019 -- Benghazi. \u2018Clinton was in charge of the State Department, and it failed to protect the United States personnel and an American consulate in Libya\u2019 -- he meant Benghazi. \u2018If the GOP wants to raise that as a talking point against her, it is legitimate.\u2019","\"One important point has been universally acknowledged by the nine previous reports about Benghazi: The attack was almost certainly preventable. Clinton was in charge of the State Department, and it failed to protect U.S. personnel at an American consulate in Libya. If the GOP wants to raise that as a talking point against her, it is legitimate.\"","The State Department was asked repeatedly for additional U.S. security staff in Libya. But we see no evidence that Clinton herself was made aware of those requests. For example, there\u2019s no \"direct cable\" that automatically appears on the secretary of state\u2019s desk. Instead, all cables would have carried her name, and only those passed up the chain by staff would have reached her. She says they didn\u2019t. Paul\u2019s office didn\u2019t provide evidence linking requests for security directly to Clinton. We found only evidence that requests were made of her department. We rate his statement Mostly False."]},{"id":"10772.json","label":"false","statement":"Minnesotas advantage in economic growth has been having Republicans in charge of at least one part of government for all but two years, while Wisconsin Democrats for many years before 2011 controlled both legislative chambers and the governorship.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false because it incorrectly attributes Minnesota's economic growth advantage to Republican control of at least one part of the government. Economic growth is influenced by a wide range of factors, including but not limited to political leadership. It is important to consider various economic policies, market conditions, and other factors that contribute to a state's economic performance. Therefore, it is misleading to solely attribute Minnesota's economic growth advantage to Republican control of the government.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2612.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Tom Barrett supports a government takeover of our health care","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Tom Barrett supports a government takeover of healthcare. Barrett himself has explicitly denied supporting a government takeover and has emphasized his commitment to private insurance as the centerpiece of his healthcare plans. Additionally, independent fact-checking organizations have consistently ruled the claim of a government takeover as false. The healthcare reforms implemented under the Obama administration rely on a market-based system that includes private health insurance companies. Therefore, the statement that Tom Barrett supports a government takeover of healthcare is categorically false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8444.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Gov. Lincoln Chafee has imposed a mandatory abortion fee on all Rhode Islanders who buy health insurance through the states Obamacare exchange.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it lacks important context. While it is true that there is a fee associated with health insurance plans in Rhode Island that cover abortion services, it is not accurate to solely attribute this fee to Governor Lincoln Chafee. The fee is a result of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) requirements, which mandate that insurance plans that cover abortion services must collect a separate payment to ensure that federal funds are not used for abortion procedures. Therefore, while Governor Chafee may have implemented the fee as part of the state's compliance with the federal law, it is not accurate to solely attribute it to him.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Brazile said that, \"Over the last four years, 53 percent of black wealth has just disappeared.\" The Pew report wasn't for the most recent four years, as Brazile's words imply, but for the period between 2005 and 2009. However, as we already noted, that is the most recently available data from the Census.","We're rating Brazile's statement, \"Over the last four years, 53 percent of black wealth has just disappeared.\" That is the percentage that the Pew report found, based on data collected by the U.S. Census. But the years in question were 2005 to 2009. So we deduct one notch off the Truth-O-Meter and rate Brazile's statement Mostly True.","\"The president has to do more than just run against Congress. He has to tell the American people that his administration has used every tool at their disposal to get job creation back on track,\" Brazile said. \"But over the last four years, 53 percent of black wealth has just disappeared. The average -- for white families, the median income is $113,000. For black families, $5,000, $5,000. It has dropped.","We decided to fact-check Brazile's statement that \"over the last four years, 53 percent of black wealth has just disappeared.\" We'll also explain her comment that \"for white families, the median income is $113,000. For black families, $5,000, $5,000,\" which actually has a critical slip of the tongue. She should have repeated the word \"wealth\" in place of \"income.\" More on that in a bit."]},{"id":"1946.json","label":"true","statement":"In the last 6 years, there have been 420 elections for State Senator and State Representative. Only three incumbents have been defeated!","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Fair Districts Florida website, which claims that out of the 420 elections for State Senator and State Representative in the last six years, only three incumbents have been defeated. This information is supported by the review of election cycles and the data from the state Division of Elections. It suggests that the incumbents in Florida have had a high rate of success in retaining their seats, indicating a lack of competitive elections.\nLabel: true","evidence":["5. Sierra Club: \"Our community (Tampa Bay) is one of the 10 most threatened by the sea level rise in the world.\"","Sierra Club's Bailey said, \"Our community (Tampa Bay) is one of the 10 most threatened by the sea level rise in the world.\"","\"Our community is one of the 10 most threatened by the sea level rise in the world,\" Bailey wrote. He added that the Tampa Bay area will be among the first to suffer from flooding caused by climate change.","Coastal flooding is different than sea level rise, but experts told us Bailey is using a fair benchmark for comparison. Vulnerability to storm surge and sea level rise often are conflated in discussions on climate change, they said."]},{"id":"5638.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney said we are going to have to live with high gas prices, its a good thing because it will reduce consumption, we dont want to produce any more gasoline.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's stance on gas prices and consumption reduction. During his time as governor of Massachusetts, Romney made a statement in front of a coal plant expressing concerns about its environmental impact. However, the statement does not provide the full context of Romney's position on gas prices. While he did express the idea that high gas prices could potentially reduce consumption, it is important to note that he also advocated for increased domestic energy production to address energy needs. Therefore, the statement presents a partial representation of Romney's views on gas prices and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of his overall energy policy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We fact-checked a similar statement in April 2015. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., claimed the debt doubled under George W. Bush and is tripling under President Obama. We rated it Half True -- the debt under Obama has tripled since Bush took office, but other factors affect debt.","When Bush\u2019s term started Jan. 20, 2001, the gross federal debt was $5.73 trillion. At the end of his term, Jan. 20, 2009, the gross federal debt was $10.63 trillion. This means that the debt just about doubled under Bush.","We see how Sadler reached his conclusion. In raw terms, both the public debt and gross federal debt more than doubled during the fiscal years corresponding to Bush\u2019s presidency. However, adjusting for inflation, gross debt increased 70 percent over those years, while public debt increased 88 percent. That\u2019s not quite doubling.","Looking at the whole statement -- not just the second clause -- Paul wasn\u2019t saying the debt has tripled under Obama alone. Instead, he was saying that it doubled under President George W. Bush. And since Obama took office, it has risen to a point that is triple what it was when Bush first took office. By this measure, Paul\u2019s statement is closer to accurate. Let\u2019s go through the numbers."]},{"id":"6672.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Were seeing now 30 straight months of private-sector job growth, 4.6 million jobs created.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that there has been a streak of 30 consecutive months of private-sector job growth and the creation of approximately 4.6 million jobs. This information aligns with the data presented and supports the claim made. However, it's important to note that the evidence also mentions a shorter streak of positive job numbers when considering all jobs in the economy, including the government sector. Since the statement specifically refers to private-sector job growth, this additional information does not affect the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4494.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The federal government has not engaged in (border security) at all.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is evidence to suggest that the federal government has indeed been engaged in border security efforts. Governor Rick Perry's claim that the federal government has not engaged in border security at all is not supported by the facts. The federal government has allocated resources, implemented policies, and deployed personnel to address border security concerns. While the effectiveness of these efforts may be a separate question, it is inaccurate to claim that the federal government has not been engaged in border security.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"3824.json","label":"false","statement":"Most of your serial killers, most of your people who commit domestic violence, they start off by abusing animals.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there may be some cases where individuals who commit acts of violence against animals go on to commit acts of violence against humans, it is incorrect to claim that \"most\" serial killers and people who engage in domestic violence start by abusing animals. This assertion lacks sufficient evidence and oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to violent behavior. It is important to avoid making broad generalizations without substantial supporting data.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"11102.json","label":"half-true","statement":"One of the reasons I believe were in trouble in Yemen is we lost the population on drone strikes issues. Thats what stirred up the population. Thats what is happening in Yemen.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some critics argue that drone strikes have contributed to discontent and resentment among the population in Yemen, it is an oversimplification to suggest that this is the sole or primary reason for the troubles in Yemen. The situation in Yemen is complex and involves various factors such as political instability, sectarian tensions, economic challenges, and regional conflicts. While drone strikes may have played a role in stirring up some segments of the population, attributing the entire situation in Yemen solely to drone strikes is an exaggeration and lacks sufficient evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Barack Obama found out about Russia \"in August. Now, the election was in November. That's a lot of time. He did nothing about it.\"","Says Melania Trump\u2019s security detail at Trump Tower costs more than the annual budget for the National Endowment for the Arts.","But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently made a comment that suggests he\u2019s tired of big spending for cash-strapped states.","7 million people the Congressional Budget Office says won't have health insurance coverage under the Senate health care bill \"don't exist.\""]},{"id":"6599.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Barack Obama began his presidency with an apology tour.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama began his presidency with an apology tour is a persistent and false narrative that has been debunked multiple times. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Obama embarked on an apology tour at the beginning of his presidency. This claim has been widely discredited as a misleading political talking point.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The polling shows over and over again that, unlike Donald Trump, that with me as the (GOP presidential) nominee, we beat Hillary Clinton,\" Cruz told supporters at an Irvine rally.","\"My focus is on beating Hillary Clinton, and poll after poll after poll shows Donald losing badly to Hillary. And poll after poll after poll shows me beating Hillary.\"","Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is behind in the delegate count by near-insurmountable numbers, but he makes the case that he\u2019s a better nominee for November because he polls better than Hillary Clinton in head-to-head matchups against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.","Cruz was looking stronger against Clinton in February, where he tied or beat Clinton in five of six surveys. But in only one of those polls was Cruz's edge greater than the margin of error."]},{"id":"12708.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says President Barack Obama is absolutely a Muslim.","reason":"Reason: The claim that President Barack Obama is absolutely a Muslim is false. President Obama has consistently identified himself as a Christian and has provided evidence of his Christian faith, including attending Christian churches, praying with Christian ministers, and openly discussing his Christian beliefs. Claims to the contrary lack credible evidence and have been widely debunked. It is important to rely on accurate information and not perpetuate false assertions.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"13073.json","label":"false","statement":"Says Ted Strickland supported giving $150 billion to Iranian regime that persecutes women, Christians and gays.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While Ted Strickland did support the Iran nuclear deal, which involved lifting certain economic sanctions on Iran, there was no direct provision or allocation of $150 billion to the Iranian regime. The funds that were released as part of the deal were Iranian assets that had been frozen in foreign banks, and the majority of these funds were not provided by the United States. Additionally, the claim that Strickland supported giving funds to a regime that persecutes women, Christians, and gays is an oversimplification and lacks context. The Iran nuclear deal primarily aimed to address Iran's nuclear program and did not directly address human rights issues. Label: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"2963.json","label":"false","statement":"On the question on the DREAM Act, no -- no to granting lower tuition to illegals.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Mica as saying \"no\" to granting lower tuition to undocumented immigrants in relation to the DREAM Act. However, it is important to note that the DREAM Act itself does not specifically address granting lower tuition to undocumented immigrants. While it is possible that some states may choose to offer in-state tuition to DREAM Act participants, it is not a direct provision of the federal legislation. Therefore, the statement is false in the sense that it implies the DREAM Act itself includes a provision for granting lower tuition to undocumented immigrants.\nLabel: false","evidence":["That she is \"saving ratepayers $6 million a year\" is included in the Voters\u2019 Pamphlet as well and on her campaign website, where she writes: \"That vote decreased the rate increase in 2010 by over 6 percent, saving ratepayers $6 million in 2010-11 and each year thereafter.\" In The Oregonian\u2019s Voter Guide, she writes she \"saved ratepayers $6 million per year starting 2009.\"","Portland city Commissioner Amanda Fritz is running for re-election as a penny-pincher who has saved residents and ratepayers millions of dollars. Specifically, Fritz says in her first television commercial via a voice-over that \"she saved ratepayers $6 million a year in reduced water rate tax hikes.\"","We give her credit for steering us to a less expensive option in 2009 and saving us money from 2010 through June 2012. But it stops there. Fritz cannot continue to claim credit for saving ratepayers money on something that they\u2019re not buying.","Despite the fact that we no longer have to build a plant, Fritz argues she can claim a $6 million savings every year into the future because she was responsible for lowering the baseline to start. \"The savings are carried over year after year,\" she wrote in an email, \"because the six percent wasn't added to the rate.\""]},{"id":"3171.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says getting ex-cons to successfully return to society is important so we are not always faced constantly with recidivism, which is a big problem in the penitentiary today in the 70 to 80 percent range.","reason":"Reason: The statement is unrelated to the evidence provided and does not align with the context of the discussion on House leaders, language usage, and immigration policies. It introduces a new topic regarding ex-convicts and recidivism rates in penitentiaries, which is not supported by the evidence or relevant to the given context.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"The recall organizers -- who by the way started their website last November, they didn\u2019t just start organically earlier this year \u2013 they\u2019ve been planning this for some time.\"","In a CNBC interview, Walker traced the current recall drive and organization to November 2010, arguing that recall leaders were gearing up even before he took office.","Walker also argued against the idea it was a fast start by opponents, saying that while the drive officially kicked off in mid-November, those behind the recall actually got going well before he even took office in January 2011.","While his recall-advocacy website was registered back then, the site was dormant until Walker\u2019s controversial bill was introduced. The real \"recall organizers\u2019\" website, that of United Wisconsin, kicked into operation only after Walker proposed his controversial budget bill in February 2011."]},{"id":"2671.json","label":"false","statement":"On possibly raising the Social Security retirement age.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that the candidate, Flores, has expressed inconsistent views on raising the Social Security retirement age. While he has stated that he is open to looking at raising the retirement age, he has also firmly opposed it and issued a statement explicitly stating that he does not support raising the retirement age for Social Security. Therefore, the statement that suggests Flores supports raising the retirement age is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Castro\u2019s staff pointed to the results in the January 2019 Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index. It said 13.7 percent of Americans were uninsured in the last quarter of 2018.","\"The uninsured rate in California has gone down from 17.2 percent in 2013 to a historic low of 7.4 percent in 2016.\"","> The percentage of Americans without health insurance is at its highest since 2014, and 7 million more Americans are uninsured now than when President Trump was elected.","The 7.4 percent uninsured rate was reported in a survey covering January through June of 2016 by the CDC\u2019s National Center for Health Statistics. It represents the rate for all ages in California. The same survey cites an 8.4 percent uninsured rate for Californians under 65 years of age."]},{"id":"8072.json","label":"false","statement":"The Republican-authored state budget includes a provision forcing people earning as little as $12,000 to buy private health insurance that could cost them as much as $4,000 per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the GOP budget includes provisions related to health insurance, it does not force people earning as little as $12,000 to buy private health insurance that could cost them as much as $4,000 per year. The $4,000 cost figure mentioned by Senator Dave Hansen is misleading as it would only apply to specific circumstances, such as married couples with a combined income above $15,510. The statement inaccurately portrays the impact of the Republican-authored state budget on individuals earning $12,000 per year.\nLabel: false","evidence":["While visiting Buffalo, Heastie said the purchasing power of a state lawmaker\u2019s $79,500 salary \"has now been reduced to $53,000\" since that salary took effect 18 years ago.","\"When the salary was $79,500, that purchasing power has now been reduced to $53,000,\" Heastie told WBFO last month. \"Legislators have children that they need to help go to college. They have real lives.\"","The $79,500 base salary that lawmakers receive today ranks as the third highest for state lawmakers in the country. That doesn\u2019t include stipends lawmakers receive for taking on leadership positions, which range anywhere from $9,000 to $41,500 for the highest-ranking lawmakers in each chamber.","The purchasing power of that salary has fallen as the cost of living rises. One dollar in 1999 now has the purchasing power of just 68 cents according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics."]},{"id":"12607.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As Bernie Sanders said, Hillary Clinton voted for virtually every trade agreement that has cost the workers of this country millions, millions of jobs.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, who both claimed that Hillary Clinton voted for virtually every trade agreement that has cost millions of jobs. However, it's important to note that while Clinton did support and vote for some trade agreements, such as NAFTA, it is an oversimplification to attribute the loss of millions of jobs solely to her votes. The impact of trade agreements on job loss is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including automation, technological advancements, and global economic trends. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand the complexities of job loss related to trade agreements.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5465.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says State Comptroller Matthew Boxer pointed out that many towns are artificially lowering the real estate values that they report to Trenton in order to get hundreds of millions of dollars of additional school aid. This is the kind of fraud that needs to be addressed immediately.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by State Senator Doherty regarding the actions of some municipalities in artificially lowering real estate values to secure more school aid. However, it is important to note that the term \"fraud\" may be an exaggeration, as the evidence provided does not explicitly label these actions as fraudulent. While the comptroller's report does highlight the manipulation of property tax collections and the potential impact on school aid, it does not explicitly state that these actions are fraudulent. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but may overstate the severity of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The tax credits come from passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law Aug. 16 and which pledges $750 billion to bolster health policy initiatives and curb climate change.","King Charles III signed \u201ca proclamation stating that Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election and is the rightful president by law.\u201d","\"Producers also have to put a drilling plan together, secure rights of way and work with state and private landowners,\" Pett said.","For fiscal year 2022, the gross income limit for a household of three to qualify for SNAP benefits in Ohio and most other states was $2,379. For fiscal year 2023, the limit will be $2,495."]},{"id":"5588.json","label":"half-true","statement":"We have $60 billion in 2010 in Medicare fraud.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence of significant fraud in the healthcare industry, the statement that there was $60 billion in Medicare fraud in 2010 is not entirely accurate. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates that fraud accounts for about 3 percent of all healthcare spending. Based on this estimate, Medicare fraud in 2010 would have amounted to approximately $15 billion, which is significantly less than the stated $60 billion. Therefore, while there was indeed Medicare fraud, the specific figure provided in the statement is exaggerated.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Clinton and some advocates for tighter gun laws argued Roof was abetted by the three-day time limit for background checks for gun purchases, dubbing it the \"Charleston loophole.\" Supporters of gun rights say blame actually goes to the FBI and its botched paperwork.","Trying to highlight an area where she is to the left of her opponent, Hillary Clinton attacked Bernie Sanders for his position on guns during the NBC-YouTube Democratic debate in Charleston, S.C.","Sanders has voted in favor of banning assault weapons, closing the gun show loophole, regulating high capacity magazines, and expanding background checks, spokesman Michael Briggs told PolitiFact in 2015. And over the past 15 years, he has received mixed marks from the National Rifle Association, ranging from a C-minus to F. His most recent pro-gun vote came in 2009.","\"Universal background checks, ending the gun show loophole, and ending the sale and distribution of assault weapons in America,\" he said Feb. 4."]},{"id":"1449.json","label":"false","statement":"On a bipartisan task force on ways to improve fiscal policy.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the existence of a bipartisan task force, co-sponsored by Senator Kent Conrad and Senator Judd Gregg, aimed at studying and making recommendations on fiscal policy. However, the statement is incomplete and lacks specificity. It does not provide enough information to determine whether the task force was successful in improving fiscal policy or if any specific recommendations were implemented. Therefore, the statement cannot be considered entirely accurate.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Trump said, \"We don't have any\" chess grandmasters in the United States. Actually, the United States has 90 grandmasters, the third most of any country, and the U.S. team recently won chess\u2019 biggest international tournament for the first time in eight decades. We rate the statement Pants on Fire.","Russia, a longtime chess powerhouse, ranks first with 234 grandmasters, while Germany ranks second with 91, just one more than the United States. Here\u2019s a list of the top 30 nations in the FIDE rankings.","It\u2019s literally wrong that \"we don\u2019t have any\" chess grandmasters. That\u2019s the correct term, by the way, not \"grand chess masters.\"","Currently, the United States has 90 grandmasters, counting both men and women, which is enough to rank third-highest in the world. The title is awarded by FIDE, the international governing body of chess; it\u2019s the highest rank conferred by the group, and it is given for life."]},{"id":"182.json","label":"true","statement":"\"Three out of the 18 benchmarks of the (GAO) have been fulfilled. Even among Republican math, that is a failing grade.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that only three out of the 18 benchmarks set by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have been fulfilled. By any standard, including that of Republicans, this low fulfillment rate would be considered a failing grade. The statement effectively emphasizes the lack of progress in meeting the benchmarks and highlights the significant room for improvement.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6374.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"U.S. Olympic medal winners will owe up to $9,000 to the IRS.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) claimed that U.S. Olympic medal winners could owe up to $9,000 to the IRS, it is important to note that this claim is based on calculations using a 35 percent tax rate. However, the actual tax liability for Olympic medal winners depends on various factors, including their income, deductions, and tax bracket. The $9,000 figure is an estimate and not a fixed amount that all medal winners would owe. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to provide a comprehensive understanding of the tax implications for Olympic medal winners.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Punctuated by an overflowing bathtub in the background, the following text on the screen appears: \"The number one cause of childhood deaths is preventable accidents.\"","The company\u2019s statement claimed that \"preventable injuries around the home are the leading cause of childhood deaths.\" Actually, transportation injuries are the top cause of accidental deaths among kids. From age 1 to 14, nearly half of all accidental deaths are related to motor vehicles or other types of land transportation. And that rate only increases once you start including older children in their mid-to-late teens.","\"Preventable injuries around the home are the leading cause of childhood deaths in America. Most people don\u2019t know that,\" Nationwide wrote. \"The sole purpose of this message was to start a conversation, not sell insurance. We want to build awareness of an issue that is near and dear to all of us\u2014the safety and well being of our children. We knew the ad would spur a variety of reactions.\"","As for the CDC itself, it tends to separate children under the age of 1 from other age groups in most of their data sets, and an agency spokesman didn\u2019t contest the notion that accidents are the leading cause of death among children. And if so, that\u2019s been the case for a while. In 1999, the earliest year of data that\u2019s publicly available, unintentional injury caused the most deaths from age 1 to 34."]},{"id":"10862.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"There was a 57-percent decrease in fireworks-related injuries in 2000 [after Connecticut legalized sparklers] compared to the 14 years prior.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by reliable data. While the fireworks lobbyist, Eric Turner, claimed that there was a 57-percent decrease in fireworks-related injuries in 2000 compared to the 14 years prior when Connecticut legalized sparklers, the available evidence contradicts this claim. The data from the Connecticut Department of Public Safety does not show a significant decrease in injuries after the legalization of sparklers. In fact, the average number of emergency room injuries per year since 2000 has slightly increased. Therefore, the statement is false and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We can, however, rule on the specific claim in Ausley's ad. She said, \"Atwater's bank was so weak that just a few months ago it was shut down by the FDIC.\"","\"Jeff Atwater was an executive vice president at Riverside National Bank, which was rated one of the seven weakest banks in all of Florida. In fact, Atwater's bank was so weak that just a few months ago it was shut down by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. But not before Atwater's bank cost the FDIC $491 million dollars.\"","For the purpose of this fact-check, we're focusing on this statement: \"Atwater's bank was so weak that just a few months ago it was shut down by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.\"","Loranne Ausley is trying to tie state Senate President Jeff Atwater to a Florida bank that was shut down by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in April 2010."]},{"id":"12889.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Carlos Beruff supported (Charlie) Crist even after he switched parties.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that Carlos Beruff did support Charlie Crist during his 2010 Senate run when Crist was still a Republican. Beruff made donations to Crist's campaign and attended a fundraiser. However, it is important to note that Beruff's support for Crist ended before Crist switched to an independent run. The evidence does not indicate any support from Beruff after Crist left the Republican Party. Therefore, while Beruff did support Crist as a Republican, the statement inaccurately implies ongoing support after Crist's party switch.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8981.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We have more women living in poverty in this state than almost anywhere else.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. According to the provided evidence, Texas had the fourth-highest poverty rate for women in the United States in 2011-12. The evidence also indicates that Texas had nearly 1.8 million women living in poverty, which was the second-highest number of women in poverty among all states. While there were a few states with higher poverty rates and a greater share of women in poverty, the evidence supports the claim that Texas had a significant number of women living in poverty, making it one of the states with a high prevalence of women in poverty.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11815.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"I have not insulted Donald personally.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that determining what qualifies as an \"insult\" can be subjective, there is evidence that Ted Cruz has indeed mocked Donald Trump during public appearances. The statement that he has not insulted Trump personally is therefore not entirely accurate. Examples include Cruz mocking Trump's decision to pull out of a debate and referring to him mockingly as \"gentle Donald.\" While Cruz may not have directly insulted Trump in every instance, his mocking remarks can be seen as a form of personal criticism. Thus, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11517.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Under his tax plan, the greatest gains, percentage-wise, will be at the lower end of our plan.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Rubio claimed that under his tax plan, the greatest gains, percentage-wise, would be at the lower end, the evidence suggests a more nuanced picture. While it is true that individuals with lower incomes may experience a higher percentage increase in their adjusted gross income, it is important to consider the actual dollar amounts. Higher-income individuals, even with a lower percentage increase, may still receive larger gains in absolute terms. Therefore, while there may be some truth to Rubio's claim in terms of percentage gains, it is crucial to consider the overall impact on different income brackets.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9661.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"U.S. Senate candidate Michelle Nunn earned as much as $300,000 running a nonprofit that had laid off 90 workers.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. Michelle Nunn, as the head of the charity HandsOn Network, did earn as much as $300,000 annually. Additionally, the charity did lay off approximately 90 workers after merging with Points of Light. However, it's important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of the situation, such as the reasons for the layoffs or the overall impact of Nunn's leadership on the organization. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the given evidence, it lacks some nuance and additional information that would provide a more complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["So we looked at every national poll we could find from the past two days to see if McCain really is within the margin of error.","Five polls were released the same morning McCain was speaking. Rasmussen's daily tracking poll showed Obama up 51 to 47 with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. The Diageo\/Hotline tracking poll had Obama up 48 to 41 with a margin of error of 3.3 percent. The Reuters\/C-SPAN\/Zogby poll showed Obama up 50 to 43 with a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points. Research 2000\/Daily Kos had Obama up 51-45 with a 3-point margin of error. And an Associated Press-Yahoo News poll showed Obama up 51 to 43 with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.","In fact, McCain was not within the margin of error in any national poll we could find from the past two days \u2014 with one exception. The Fox News\/Opinion Dynamics poll (,2933,445347,) released Oct. 30 showed Obama leading McCain 47 to 44, with a 3-point margin of error.","A Washington Post-ABC News poll showed Obama leading 52 to 44 with a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points. The New York Times\/CBS News poll showed Obama leading 51 to 40 with a margin of error of 3 percentage points. The Investor's Business Daily\/ TechnoMetrica Institute of Policy poll showed Obama leading 47.7 to 43.6, with a margin of error of 3.5 points. The GWU\/Battleground poll showed Obama up 49 to 45 with a margin of error of 3.5 percent. The Gallup daily tracking poll had Obama up 50 to 45 with a traditional model of turnout, and 51 to 44 with an expanded turnout; both have a 2-point margin of error."]},{"id":"7169.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In recent years, menhaden numbers along our coast have plummeted by 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: While there are varying statistics and interpretations regarding the decline in menhaden numbers, the statement that menhaden numbers along our coast have plummeted by 90 percent in recent years is not entirely accurate. The Pew Environment Group cited this specific number, but other data sources indicate different percentages of decline. According to the chart referenced by Pew, the drop from 1999 to 2008 was 43 percent, which is significantly lower than 90 percent. Additionally, a more recent commission report suggests that the decline since 1982 has been 82 percent. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the extent of the decline in recent years.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["The VEA, which represents about 50,000 teachers and public education professionals, says schools can\u2019t afford to lose any funding. In a Jan. 2 blog post, the organization said state support for public schools still hasn\u2019t recovered from cuts during the Great Recession. \"School funding per pupil is down 16 percent compared to 2009, after adjusting for inflation,\" the VEA wrote.","We\u2019re not taking sides on Lingamfelter\u2019s resolution. But we did wonder whether the VEA\u2019s claim about about the 16 percent drop in state support for schools, when adjusted for inflation, is correct.","On a percentage basis, Wisconsin\u2019s reduction in overall per-pupil spending -- of state, federal and local money -- was at the top of the chart when compared with the previous year. In terms of cuts, here are the top five:","So, in addition to checking the overall spending figures the committee cited to us in support of its claim, we\u2019ll examine state revenue figures -- the amount of money given to public schools strictly from the state."]},{"id":"3113.json","label":"true","statement":"Two years after the worst recession most of us have ever known ... corporate profits are up.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the president that two years after the recession, corporate profits have increased. The evidence provided supports this claim by stating that corporate profits have reached record levels and have surpassed the average of other recoveries since the Great Depression. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["In the 2018 Florida governor's race \"votes were being stolen by the corrupt election process in Broward. \u2026 I sent in the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys, and the ballot theft immediately ended. \u2026 I stopped his Election from being stolen.\"","What answering questions about the Pennsylvania senate race, Fetterman said, \"I am the only candidate that has endorsed Bernie Sanders for president. In PA, I've got Bernie's back.\" We found he is the only statewide candidate in Pennsylvania who has endorsed Sanders.","Reddit page, \"hi, I'm John Fetterman \u2014 Mayor of Braddock, PA & candidate for U.S. Senate. ask me anything!\" Reddit, Feb. 1, 2016","Who\u2019s got love for Bernie? Braddock Mayor and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman boasts that he\u2019s the only Pennsylvania candidate to endorse Bernie Sanders so far."]},{"id":"6196.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Tim Kaine made Virginia the best state for business four years in a row.","reason":"Reason: Tim Kaine did not specifically claim that he made Virginia the best state for business four years in a row. The evidence suggests that during his term as governor, Virginia was indeed recognized as the best state for business by Forbes each year. However, it is important to note that this recognition is based on various factors and not solely attributed to Kaine's actions as governor. While Kaine's leadership may have contributed to Virginia's favorable business environment, it is an oversimplification to attribute the state's success solely to his efforts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"promised, running for the Senate years ago, 200,000 jobs for upstate New York. ... Not only didn't they come, but they lost so many jobs.\"","Trump said Clinton \"promised, running for the Senate years ago, 200,000 jobs for upstate New York. ... Not only didn't they come, but they lost so many jobs.\"","\"She promised, running for the Senate years ago, 200,000 jobs for upstate New York. It was a disaster,\" Trump said Sept. 27 in Melbourne, Fla. \"Not only didn\u2019t they come, but they lost so many jobs and you have it see it now. It\u2019s so sad when you see what\u2019s happened to upstate New York. It is a disaster.\"","!While running for senate in 2000, Hillary Clinton ran an ad campaign promising more jobs for upstate New York. (Image via Youtube) !While running for senate in 2000, Hillary Clinton ran an ad campaign promising more jobs for upstate New York. (Image via Youtube)"]},{"id":"13284.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"During his 18-year Senate career, (Russ Feingold) supported judges who voted to deny your individual Second Amendment right. (He) promises to protect those rights, but thats not what his record shows.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Russ Feingold supported certain judges during his Senate career, who may have ruled on cases related to the Second Amendment, it is an oversimplification to assert that he supported judges who voted to deny the individual Second Amendment right. The statement lacks specific examples or evidence to support this claim. It is important to note that judicial decisions can be complex and multifaceted, and judges may rule on various aspects of Second Amendment rights that do not necessarily equate to a denial of the individual right to bear arms. Therefore, the statement is misleading and does not accurately reflect Feingold's record on the Second Amendment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"A couple of hundred American cities are infested by members of the Mexican cartels, which, by the way, have been responsible for about 35 or 36 thousand people killed in Mexico just since Felipe Calderon became president,\" he said.","To sum up, Cutler said that \"a couple of hundred U.S. cities are infested by the Mexican cartels,\" a 2008 Justice Department report said the cartels either run drug distribution sites or supply illegal drugs for distribution in 230 cities, and the latest report said the influence of those cartels have only grown.","Fulton T. Armstrong, a research fellow at the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University, also had doubts about linking Mexican cartels to 100,000 gang members -- almost 4 percent of Chicago\u2019s estimated 2.7 million population, he noted.","Echoing President Donald Trump\u2019s views on criminal activity in the United States, the top executive with the National Rifle Association recently said crime is going up in many American cities and raised concerns about the role Mexican criminal organizations play."]},{"id":"2849.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Gov. Rick Perrys administration has proposed ending immunizations for 113,000 kids.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the Perry administration proposed a budget cut that would have resulted in the end of immunizations for a significant number of children. However, it is important to note that the statement slightly exaggerates the impact by suggesting that none of the 113,000 children would receive vaccinations. While half of the children would no longer be served under the immunization program, the state expects that the remaining children would still have access to vaccinations through public health clinics, although the exact funding for those immunizations is uncertain. Therefore, while the proposed budget cut would have had a significant impact, it does not necessarily mean that all 113,000 children would be completely deprived of immunizations.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Obama has a plan \"to mandate health care coverage and have a universal government-run program,\" Palin said. \"And unless you're pleased with the way the federal government has been running anything lately, I don't think that it's going to be real pleasing for Americans to consider health care being taken over by the feds.\"","So Palin is mostly wrong about Obama's plan having a mandate; it only has one for children. He would like it to be universal at some point. She also emphasized that Obama proposes government-run health care, a statement that is completely inaccurate. Taking all that together, we rate her statement Barely True.","Problem is, Obama's plan keeps the free-market health care system intact, particularly employer-based insurance. It is not a goverment-run program and is very different from the health care systems run by the government in some European countries.","Obama's plan does not mandate coverage, except for children. Obama said often during the Democratic primary campaign that he did not include a mandate for adults so as not to penalize people with modest incomes."]},{"id":"1031.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Walking in the door (Sonia Sotomayor) would bring more experience on the bench, and more varied experience on the bench, than anyone currently serving on the United States Supreme Court had when they were appointed.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes President Obama's claim about Sonia Sotomayor's experience on the bench. However, it's important to note that the claim is based on a specific interpretation of \"experience,\" referring to federal district courts or courts of appeal. In terms of federal district court and appellate court experience, Sotomayor does have more varied experience compared to the current Supreme Court justices. However, this claim does not consider other forms of legal experience that may be relevant to serving on the Supreme Court. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim, it lacks the broader context needed to fully evaluate the significance of Sotomayor's experience in relation to the Supreme Court justices.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Then on April 15, the PBA posted a billboard (,0,)on Pembroke Road that stated: \"Hollywood is #1 in Broward homicides in 2013. Thanks Chief Fernandez!\"","Assessing whether the number of homicides placed Hollywood in the No. 1 slot in Broward was more complicated because statewide data for 2013 hasn\u2019t been published yet. (Marano said he determined Hollywood was the highest by speaking with a Hollywood homicide detective who speaks with his counterparts at other departments.)","Hollywood had more homicides than any other city in Broward in 2013 -- and the chief is to blame, union says","( - Hollywood had more homicides than any other city in Broward in 2013 -- and the chief is to blame, union says&url=)"]},{"id":"12696.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Granite State shipbuilders . . . built the first ship that sailed into battle under a new American flag.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The USS Raleigh, built by New Hampshire shipbuilders at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, did sail into battle under a new variant of the American flag. However, it is important to note that the claim does not specify that this was the very first ship to do so. While the USS Raleigh holds historical significance in this context, it is not accurate to claim that it was the absolute first ship to sail into battle under a new American flag. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11866.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Goldman Sachs CEO said Congress would have to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and give huge tax breaks to the wealthy and the large corporations.","reason":"Reason: Bernie Sanders accurately stated that the CEO of Goldman Sachs mentioned the need to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid while providing significant tax breaks to the wealthy and large corporations. However, it's important to note that this statement does not necessarily imply that the CEO explicitly directed Congress to take those actions. The CEO's remarks can be interpreted as a suggestion or an observation rather than a direct instruction to Congress. Therefore, while the statement accurately reflects the CEO's comments, it may not fully capture the context and nuances of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"This lecture on embassy security \u2014 the congressman here cut embassy security in his budget by $300 million below what we asked for,\" Biden said.","The main problem with Biden\u2019s claim, however, is that it\u2019s not really what he was referring to in his claim from the debate. Biden said Ryan \"cut embassy security in his budget by $300 million below what we asked for,\" but what passed the House wasn\u2019t Ryan\u2019s budget blueprint -- it was an actual spending bill that emerged from the House Appropriations Committee.","One -- which was noted by several fact-checkers in the aftermath of the debate -- is that Ryan, as the chairman of the House Budget Committee, put forward such severe cuts in his budget proposal that, running the numbers, embassy security funding would suffer a cut of $300 million.","When we checked with the Obama campaign, a spokeswoman said that the claim of a $300 million cut can be supported in either of two ways."]},{"id":"6498.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Days after the (Osama bin Laden) raid, Hollywood was invited into the White House so that they could receive a briefing that revealed intelligence sources and methods.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Hollywood was invited into the White House to receive a briefing revealing intelligence sources and methods after the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound. The provided evidence does not mention any such briefing or involvement of Hollywood in the aftermath of the raid. It is important to rely on accurate information and avoid spreading unfounded claims.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9122.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott presided over cuts to the Bright Futures college scholarship program.","reason":"Reason: The evidence supports the statement that Rick Scott presided over cuts to the Bright Futures college scholarship program. The video clip and accompanying text indicate that Scott approved cuts to the program. While the exact extent of the cuts is not specified, it is clear that there were reductions made to the Bright Futures scholarship program under Scott's leadership. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Republican Party of Florida ad said that Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein \"gave hundreds of thousands of campaign cash to control Crist\u2019s appointments of key state judges.\"","\"Convicted swindler Scott Rothstein bought expensive things with stolen money. He even bought a governor,\" says the narrator. \"Rothstein boasted about contributing huge sums of money to the campaign of then Gov. Charlie Crist and the influence it gave him over judicial appointments. Now cooperating with prosecutors, Scott Rothstein admits he gave hundreds of thousands of campaign cash to control Crist\u2019s appointments of key state judges.\"","The Republican Party of Florida attacked former Gov. Charlie Crist in a TV ad alleging that he let Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein pick judicial appointments in exchange for campaign donations.","This ad is vague and confusing. Scott hasn\u2019t teamed up with Ponzi schemer Rothstein -- he was arrested in December 2009 and Scott entered his first race for governor in April 2010."]},{"id":"10458.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Today the top 1 percent earn a higher share of our national income than any year since 1928.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the statement is mostly true. The data shows that in 2012, the top 1 percent of earners controlled a share of the nation's income that was the highest since 1928. While there may be slight variations in the exact percentage, the overall trend supports the claim that the top 1 percent's share of national income is currently higher than any year since 1928.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"How do most Virginia families react to their electric bills? Pure shock,\" the ad says. \"That\u2019s because Senator Robert Hurt voted for a bill that\u2019s raised your electric rates seven times. Rates have gone up over 50 percent. Those increases also caused factories to close and jobs to be lost. For ignoring your pain, Senator Hurt received over $80,000 from the energy interests. After 10 years in office, Hurt is so out of touch, it\u2019s just plain shocking.\"","Yes, Appalachian electric rates have risen seven times since re-regulation legislation was passed with Hurt\u2019s support. And yes, those seven rate increase requests were filed under 2007 legislation.","Asked for the source of the claim, Perriello\u2019s camp pointed to seven Appalachian Power Company rate hikes approved by the State Corporation Commission since 2007. That was the year Hurt, then a member of the state\u2019s House of Delegates, voted for Senate Bill 1416 to establish a new form of electric utility regulation.","Robert Hurt supported a bill that helped the uranium industry after taking contributions from the industry and because his father had a stake in it."]},{"id":"297.json","label":"false","statement":"\"He reformed welfare before others tried.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"He reformed welfare before others tried\" is false. Welfare reform in the United States was primarily achieved through the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in 1996. This act was signed into law by President Bill Clinton and was a bipartisan effort. It is incorrect to attribute welfare reform solely to one individual or suggest that it was accomplished before others attempted it.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Lautenberg said Congress was \"not really paying the kind of attention that \u2026 it needs. Since 2004, there have been some 1,300 attacks. Four thousand people have died. Thousands of injuries, and how can we ignore that when these areas are susceptible to terrorist inclinations?\"","( - U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg claims rail targets have come under attack about 1,300 times since 2004, killing 4,000 people&url=)","When attacks on buses and bus stations or stops are added, Lautenberg\u2019s statement about \"1,300 attacks\" is accurate, but the senator is still off on the number of fatalities. According to Jenkins, 1,295 attacks occurred on those bus and rail targets combined since 2004, causing 2,886 deaths.","During an interview about \"rail security,\" Lautenberg said about 1,300 attacks had occurred since 2004, killing 4,000 people. But the senator never specified -- as his representatives would later clarify -- that he was referring to bus and rail attacks worldwide."]},{"id":"9131.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Under Mary Burkes leadership, Commerce Department business-incentive programs had major shortcomings and 40 percent of jobs...didnt materialize.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that there were shortcomings and challenges with the business-incentive programs under Mary Burke's leadership in the Commerce Department. The reopening of the Flambeau River paper mill, for example, received aid from Burke's department but faced difficulties due to the changing landscape of the printing business. Additionally, there is mention of an agreement with the business alliance responsible for returning funds if job creation targets were not met. While the evidence does not explicitly state that 40 percent of jobs did not materialize, it does suggest that there were issues with job creation under the business-incentive programs. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it would benefit from more specific evidence to support the claim of 40 percent of jobs not materializing.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7193.json","label":"true","statement":"Northern Virginia is the most heavily trafficked place in the country.","reason":"Reason: The statement is supported by evidence that Governor McDonnell referred to Northern Virginia as the most heavily trafficked place in the country during a news conference. While there may be some nuances and additional context to consider, such as the inclusion of Washington and Maryland suburbs in the congested area, the statement itself is true based on the information provided.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Senator Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, placed an amendment in the \u2018stimulus\u2019 bill that allowed for banks bailed out with taxpayer money \u2014 including AIG \u2014 to hand out huge bonuses.\"","\"Sen. Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, placed an amendment in the 'stimulus' bill that allowed for banks bailed out with taxpayer money \u2014 including AIG \u2014 to hand out huge bonuses without any government oversight or regulation, as long as those bonuses were issued before February 11,\" the e-mail said. \"AIG did just that, paying out $165 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses.\"","Clearly, though, the charge by the National Republican Senatorial Committee refers to Dodd\u2019s own amendment \u2014 claiming it \"allowed for banks bailed out with taxpayer money ... to hand out huge bonuses.\"","Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, was among those leading the effort. In February, when Congress was working on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the stimulus bill, Dodd inserted an amendment sharply limiting executive bonuses at companies that received bailout money in 2008."]},{"id":"3230.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The people that went to school with (Barack Obama), they never saw him, they dont know who he is.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Donald Trump that people who went to school with Barack Obama \"never saw him\" and \"don't know who he is\" is false. There are numerous accounts from named classmates who remember Obama from his school years, and media accounts and biographies provide evidence of his presence and interactions with others during that time. This claim has been widely debunked, and it is clear that Trump's statement is not supported by factual evidence.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"607.json","label":"false","statement":"John McCain will keep the estate tax at 0 percent, the same as it is now.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence or credible information to suggest that John McCain would keep the estate tax at 0 percent. The provided evidence does not mention John McCain's stance on the estate tax, and it is important to note that tax policies can evolve and change over time. It is essential to rely on up-to-date and specific information regarding a candidate's position on tax policies.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7694.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In barely four years in office, five jihadists have reached their targets in the United States under Barack Obama, compared to zero in over seven years after 9\/11 under George W. Bush.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately compares the number of jihadists who reached their targets in the United States under President Obama to the number under President George W. Bush. While it is true that there were high-profile attacks during Obama's presidency, such as the Boston Marathon bombing and the Fort Hood shooting, it is misleading to attribute these attacks solely to Obama's counterterrorism policies. Similarly, it is incorrect to claim that zero terrorists reached their targets in the United States during Bush's presidency. The statement overlooks significant attacks that occurred during that time, such as the 2002 Beltway sniper attacks and the 2009 shooting at the Holocaust Museum. Therefore, the statement is not an accurate representation of the facts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5056.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Wisconsins monthly job reports have a margin of error of 75 percent and were way off in eight of first 10 months of 2011.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the monthly job reports in Wisconsin had a significant margin of error and showed variations between preliminary and final estimates, the statement exaggerates the extent of the issue. The evidence suggests that the difference between preliminary and revised numbers was 75 percent or higher in only two of the first 10 months of 2011, not in all eight months as claimed. Additionally, the term \"way off\" is subjective and does not provide a clear measure of the accuracy of the reports. Therefore, while there were notable discrepancies in the job reports, the statement overstates the frequency and magnitude of the inaccuracies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6105.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says he has nearly 200 delegates bound to support his candidacy at the Republican National Convention.","reason":"Reason: While it is possible that Ron Paul's campaign could have nearly 200 bound delegates at the Republican National Convention, the statement is misleading. The evidence suggests that the actual number of bound delegates supporting Paul was uncertain at the time the statement was made. It is important to note that delegate counts can change leading up to the convention, and the exact number of bound delegates supporting Paul was not confirmed or verified at the time of the statement.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"It's no small thing when he suggests that America should withdraw our military support for Japan, encourage them to get nuclear weapons,\" Clinton said in her June 2, 2016, speech.","Donald Trump would be \"too dangerous for America,\" says a new ad from Priorities USA Action, a political action committee supporting Hillary Clinton.","And Trump has said he wouldn't rule out using nuclear weapons. But that doesn\u2019t mean he is enthusiastic about them. He says they would be the weapon of last resort and that he believes nuclear proliferation to be the \"biggest problem, to me, in the world.\"","Trump accused the New York Times of mispresenting his belief, but the newspaper did not. The reporter portrayed his comments on arming other countries with nuclear weapons as something Trump \"has suggested\" to further U.S. security interests."]},{"id":"10759.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The Castro regime violated international norms by secretly shipping weapons to North Korea in violation of a U.N. embargo.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided confirms that the Castro regime did indeed violate international norms by secretly shipping weapons to North Korea in violation of a U.N. embargo. News reports, statements from the administration, and confirmation from a State Department spokesperson support this claim. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks some context regarding the extent and frequency of the Castro regime's violations of international norms. While this specific incident is true, it does not provide a comprehensive overview of all the violations committed by the regime. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Sanders said, \"We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country on Earth.\" His office later clarified that \"major country\" referred to those nations that were members of the OECD.","In July, Sanders earned a Mostly False for making a similar claim, but in that instance he was more definitive, saying, \"We have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country on Earth.\" In this instance, he changed it to \" almost any major country.\"","The junior senator from Vermont promised that his administration would look elsewhere to alleviate Americans\u2019 economic problems: \"There are a lot of great public servants out there, great economists who for years have been standing up for the middle class and the working families of this country, who know that it is an international embarrassment that we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of any major country on Earth.\"","\"Of course there will be a limit,\" he said, \"but when today you have massive levels of income and wealth inequality, when the middle class is disappearing, you have the highest rate of child poverty of almost any major country on Earth. Yes, in my view, the government of a democratic society has a moral responsibility to play a vital role in making sure all of our people have a decent standard of living.\""]},{"id":"6907.json","label":"true","statement":"Theres not one Democrat who endorses the Romney-Ryan Medicare plan.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that no Democrat endorses the Romney-Ryan Medicare plan. While there was one Democrat, Senator Wyden, who initially expressed support for a similar idea proposed by Paul Ryan, his approval has since been revoked. The statement accurately reflects the lack of Democratic endorsements for the specific Medicare plan put forth by Romney and Ryan.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6550.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says that Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has made it clear by his repeated actions that he will pursue a policy that promotes the interest of Islamist (sic) and their radical ideology as long as he is governor.","reason":"Reason: The statement claiming that Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has made it clear through his repeated actions that he will promote the interests of Islamists and their radical ideology is baseless and lacks any credible evidence. There is no factual basis to support such a claim, and it has been widely debunked. Governor Haslam's actions and policies have been focused on the overall welfare and development of Tennessee, without any indication of promoting radical ideologies. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["Since parole abolition, Virginia's \"crime rate has fallen to third lowest in the country, our recidivism rate is down 20 percent and that\u2019s the second lowest in the country.\"","Obenshain says that since parole abolition, \"Our crime rate has fallen to third lowest in the country, our recidivism rate is down 20 percent and that\u2019s the second lowest in the country.\u2019","\"We\u2019ve been studying this for the past 20 years and we\u2019ve got great experience and shown that this whole truth-in-sentencing movement actually works, and what the governor is doing is messing with success. Our crime rate has dropped to, what, third lowest in the country; our recidivism rate is down by 20 percent, and that\u2019s the second lowest in the country. The governor just doesn\u2019t need to do this.\"","Obenshain also cited the Finance Committee briefing last November as his source for claiming that Virginia\u2019s recidivism rate has dropped by 20 percent and is the second lowest in the nation."]},{"id":"13341.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Donald Trump says hed deport 16 million people.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Tim Kaine and the Clinton campaign that Donald Trump proposes to deport 16 million people. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks context. While Trump has expressed a strong stance on immigration and has called for the deportation of undocumented immigrants, it is unclear whether he specifically proposed deporting exactly 16 million people. The number mentioned could be an estimate or an extrapolation based on the estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Without further clarification from Trump himself, the statement remains partially true but lacks complete accuracy.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"When you were casting your vote for Republicans, Brian Kemp was voting for Democrats,\" a voice said on the YouTube video.","This time around, seven-month incumbent Brian Kemp and opponent Doug MacGinnitie are squabbling over their voter registration histories. Kemp said in a speech posted on YouTube that MacGinnitie failed to vote in Republican primaries for two decades. MacGinnitie countered by posting a commercial that says Kemp's record shows he voted for Democrats.","State officials in Georgia \u2014 Republicans \u2014 certified the results of Georgia\u2019s January 2021 runoff elections for the state\u2019s two U.S. Senate seats, which were won by Democrats.","We requested Kemp's voting history from the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, which keeps election records. They show Kemp did cast votes in three state Democratic primaries: 1996, 1998 and 2000. This means that Kemp voted three times for Democrats, as the commercial said."]},{"id":"1536.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"The Republicans have repeatedly said that they agree with 80 percent of what's in our bill.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the speaker, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, that Republicans have repeatedly stated their agreement with 80 percent of what is in the bill. However, it's important to note that this claim is subjective and lacks specific details about which aspects of the bill Republicans agree with. While there may be areas of agreement on certain issues within the bill, it does not necessarily mean that Republicans support the bill in its entirety. The statement captures the general sentiment expressed by Wasserman Schultz, but it should be understood in the context of ongoing negotiations and differing perspectives on comprehensive health care reform.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"4873.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A part-time Congress with half the pay would still make $38,000 a year more than the average American family.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Governor Perry's claim that a part-time Congress with half the pay would still earn $38,000 more per year than the average American family. However, it's important to note that the fact check points out that the calculation is based on the current congressional salary and not the average American family income. Adjusting for the average American family income, the difference would be around $25,456, not $38,000. So while the statement captures the essence of Perry's claim, it could benefit from additional context regarding the adjusted figure.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton \"plans to massively increase admissions (of Middle East refugees) \u2026 including a 500 percent increase in Syrian refugees coming into our country.\"","Trump said Clinton \"plans to massively increase admissions (of Middle East refugees) \u2026 including a 500 percent increase in Syrian refugees coming into our country.\"","Refugees are potential terrorists, Trump said, and when it comes to refugees, \"our government has been admitting ever-growing numbers, year after year, without any effective plan for our own security. Having learned nothing from these attacks, she now plans to massively increase admissions, without a screening plan, including a 500 percent increase in Syrian refugees coming into our country. Tell me. Tell me, how stupid is that?\"","\"We know that Hillary Clinton and President Obama lie to the American people when they say they can safely screen the Syrian refugees. They cannot,\" Gingrich said. \"And yet Hillary wants to increase the number by 500 percent."]},{"id":"12133.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama was happily photographed holding a T-shirt with revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevaras face on it.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Barack Obama was happily photographed holding a T-shirt with Che Guevara's face on it is false. The image in question was debunked and proven to be a manipulated photo. The original photo, taken in 2009, shows Obama holding a different T-shirt with a series of equations on it during a visit to a research laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The false claim and manipulated image were spread on social media, but there is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Obama was photographed holding a Che Guevara T-shirt.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12978.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump himself contributed $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While it is not explicitly stated whether Donald Trump made a personal contribution of $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation, tax records show that the Donald J. Trump Foundation, which Trump controls, donated $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation in 2009. Therefore, it can be inferred that the contribution came from Trump himself, albeit through his foundation rather than directly from him.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13107.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Our African-American communities are absolutely in the worst shape theyve ever been in before. Ever. Ever. Ever.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Trump that African-American communities are in the worst shape they've ever been is not supported by factual evidence. While there are certainly challenges faced by African-American communities, it is inaccurate and misleading to claim that they are in the worst condition ever. Historical events such as slavery, the Great Depression, and the crack epidemic have had significant impacts on African-American communities in the past. It is important to consider historical context and acknowledge that progress has been made in many areas. Label: pants-fire","evidence":["\"In Britain, it\u2019s not just no-go zones,\" Emerson said. \"There are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim, where non-Muslims just simply don\u2019t go in. And parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn't dress according to Muslim, religious Muslim attire.\"","Not that this gives any credence to Emerson\u2019s claim about the city of Birmingham as a whole. This does not amount to the city \"being totally Muslim.\"","Such is the case with a comment about Birmingham, England, by news pundit Steve Emerson, who appeared as a guest Jan. 10, 2015, on Fox News\u2019 Justice with Judge Jeanine.","I have clearly made a terrible error for which I am deeply sorry. My comments about Birmingham were totally in error. And I am issuing this apology and correction for having made this comment about the beautiful city of Birmingham. I do not intend to justify or mitigate my mistake by stating that I had relied on other sources because I should have been much more careful. There was no excuse for making this mistake and I owe an apology to every resident of Birmingham. I am not going to make any excuses. I made an inexcusable error. And I am obligated to openly acknowledge that mistake. I wish to apologize for all residents of that great city of Birmingham."]},{"id":"13358.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Global warming leads to much quicker spread of the Zika virus because the increased temperature, makes mosquitoes mature faster, . . . bite more due to having a higher metabolism, and makes the Zika virus inside of them incubate faster.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Al Gore regarding the impact of global warming on the spread of the Zika virus. Increased temperatures can indeed affect mosquito behavior and the incubation period of the Zika virus, leading to a potentially faster spread of the disease. However, it's important to note that while temperature can influence mosquito behavior and virus development, it is not the sole factor contributing to the spread of the Zika virus. Other factors such as mosquito control measures, human behavior, and public health interventions also play significant roles. Therefore, while the statement captures a valid connection between global warming and the spread of the Zika virus, it should be understood that multiple factors contribute to the overall spread of the disease.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Terral Smith says that 40 years ago, U.S. placed Texas under Voting Rights act for failing to print ballots in Spanish","( - Terral Smith says that 40 years ago, U.S. placed Texas under Voting Rights act for failing to print ballots in Spanish&url=)","Smith said that \"about 40 years ago, the federal government placed Texas under the Voting Rights Act because Texas failed to print ballots in both English and Spanish.\"","\"About 40 years ago, the federal government placed Texas under the Voting Rights Act because Texas failed to print ballots in both English and Spanish,\" wrote Terral Smith, a former Republican member of the Texas House, in an opinion column for the Sept. 9, 2012, Austin American-Statesman."]},{"id":"2949.json","label":"false","statement":"Last year, ExxonMobil made $19 billion in profit. Guess what. They paid zero in taxes. They got a $156 million refund from the IRS.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Bernie Sanders made a similar claim about ExxonMobil's profits and taxes, it is important to note that the claim is misleading. The $19 billion profit figure is accurate, but it does not accurately represent ExxonMobil's tax payments. The claim fails to mention that the $156 million refund refers specifically to U.S. income taxes and does not account for other taxes paid by the company, such as payroll taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes. It is incorrect to assert that ExxonMobil paid zero in taxes based solely on this specific refund. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"It\u2019s not a tit for tat,\" Walker responded. \"The simple matter is I campaigned on this all throughout the election. Anybody who says they are shocked on this has been asleep for the past two years.\"","!Thousands of people gather outside the Capitol in Madison to protest Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill !Thousands of people gather outside the Capitol in Madison to protest Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill","\"We introduced a measure last week, a measure I ran on during the campaign, a measure I talked about in November during the transition, a measure I talked about in December when we fought off the employee contracts, an idea I talked about in the inauguration, an idea I talked about in the state of the state. If anyone doesn't know what's coming, they've been asleep for the past two years.\"","Walker aides acknowledge the tape is real, but say Walker simply was saying privately what he has said publicly about his budget-repair bill."]},{"id":"5353.json","label":"true","statement":"We arent the only state cutting back on public television.","reason":"Reason: The statement is true. Rhode Island director of administration Richard Licht acknowledged that Rhode Island is not the only state cutting back on spending for public television. This suggests that other states are also facing similar budgetary challenges and making reductions in funding for public television. While it doesn't provide specific details about which states are cutting back, it confirms that Rhode Island is not alone in this regard.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"7864.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"During the Bush administration, liberal groups were targeted by the IRS, similar to recent targeting.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some liberal groups were audited during the Bush administration, the scale and circumstances were not comparable to the recent targeting that has come to light. The evidence suggests that the number of audits conducted on liberal groups during that time was relatively small and primarily focused on 501(c)(3) nonprofits, which have stricter rules. These audits were often initiated based on external complaints rather than a systematic targeting by the IRS. Therefore, while there were instances of scrutiny, it is misleading to equate the level and nature of targeting during the Bush administration with the more extensive and politically motivated targeting that occurred in recent years.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Graham said, \"If you took every penny of the (richest) 1 percent, including their dog, you wouldn't even begin to balance the budget.\"","To put in perspective just how much money he was talking about, he said, \"If you took every penny of the (richest) 1 percent, including their dog, you wouldn't even begin to balance the budget.\"","That may be true, but it\u2019s also not the way Graham phrased it. Graham didn\u2019t single out the income taxes of the richest 1 percent; he said \"every penny of the 1 percent\" (while throwing in their pets for good measure).","Even if you use the income of the 1 percent, it\u2019s still a number far greater than you would need to balance the budget. The data collected by Saez and Zucman show a national income of $14 trillion for 2012((Aggregates).xlsx). The Federal Reserve reports the same number for the same year. On the low end, the IRS reported $9 trillion in adjusted gross income for 2012."]},{"id":"12474.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump says climate change is a hoax invented by the Chinese.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Donald Trump has been quoted as saying that climate change is a hoax invented by the Chinese. This claim has been made by multiple sources, including Hillary Clinton during the presidential campaign. However, it's important to note that Trump himself has denied making this statement. While there is evidence to support the claim, the conflicting statements from Trump make the overall accuracy of the statement somewhat uncertain.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Hayes said the Obama administration \"went to court to keep one of these five in jail at Guantanamo just three years ago because he was such a huge risk.\"","\"I think at a very base level, people who aren't following politics day in and day out, are looking at this Guantanamo five and saying, \u2018Why in the world would we do this?\u2019\" Hayes said. \"And the conflicts that we're hearing within the administration's own story. The administration went to court to keep one of these five in jail at Guantanamo just three years ago because he was such a huge risk, such a risk to U.S. national security. And now they're letting him walk. Those are the things you don't have to have a Ph.D. in national security studies to understand.\"","But this wasn\u2019t Obama\u2019s Justice Department going to court to keep Khairkhwa in jail because he was \"such a huge risk,\" as Hayes said.","!Stephen Hayes said that the Obama administration went to court to keep one of the five now-released Taliban prisoners at Guantanamo. !Stephen Hayes said that the Obama administration went to court to keep one of the five now-released Taliban prisoners at Guantanamo."]},{"id":"7137.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Democratic Party candidates for the state Assembly actually received 200,000 more votes statewide than their Republican counterparts in the 2012 election","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Pasch, citing Democratic Party research, that Democratic candidates for the state Assembly received 200,000 more votes statewide than their Republican counterparts in the 2012 election. While Republicans did win a majority of the seats, the vote totals indicate that Democrats received a higher overall number of votes. It's important to note that this claim is based on unofficial and preliminary vote data, and there may be factors such as redistricting and variations in district performance that influenced the final seat distribution. However, based on the available information, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["But Israel \"never really stopped risk-based profiling. They just added threat-based profiling,\" Brandes said, adding for a Jewish state located in a \"very unsafe neighborhood,\" it\u2019s necessary. \"They treat those with Arab ethnicity as higher risk. It\u2019s not a secret. It\u2019s done in many, many ways.\"","\"Well, we have no choice. Look, Israel does it. And Israel does it very successfully,\" Trump said to Fox\u2019s Bill O\u2019Reilly that night. \"I am saying, you go in to profile people that maybe look suspicious. I didn't say they were Muslims.\"","Olin Law and Economics working Paper, \"Muslim Profiles Post 9\/11: Is Racial Profiling an Effective Counterterrorist Measure and Does It Violate the Right to Be Free from Discrimination?,\" March 2006","The nation of Israel was founded in 1948 as a home for long nationless Jewish people. To this day, about 75% of Israelis identify as ethnically Jewish. However, this community can be divided into smaller subgroups, or edots , based on the various origins of Jewish communities who came to Israel in 1948. For the most part, these edots coexist as a single Jewish people. Israel also has a substantial number of foreign-born Jews, who came to Israel from America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Non-Jewish people who are ethnically native to the Middle East are considered Israeli Arabs. The vast majority of this group are Muslims, and there have been questions of discrimination between the Jewish government and Arab population. With a nation as complex as Israel, ethnicity is not always going to be an easy topic, but regardless of ethnicity all people in Israel are Israeli, citizens of one of the world's leading nations."]},{"id":"680.json","label":"false","statement":"On support for the Bridge to Nowhere.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Barack Obama voted in favor of the conference report on the Highway Reauthorization Bill, which included funding for the Gravina Island bridge (commonly referred to as the Bridge to Nowhere), it is incorrect to claim that this vote translates to support for the project. In his commentary, Obama explicitly stated that he did not support the project but believed it was unfair to single out one specific earmark from one state while the bill included numerous projects benefiting various states. Additionally, it is important to note that the bill passed with overwhelming support from 91 senators, indicating that the vote was not solely indicative of support for the Bridge to Nowhere.\nLabel: false","evidence":["Davis, joined by women with legislative experience who, like Davis, have revealed decisions to terminate pregnancies, said in the Jan. 4, 2016, brief that the law could affect women in need if it\u2019s allowed to be enforced by leaving about 10 clinics operating in the state\u2019s largest cities\u2014down from more than 40 when House Bill 2 was signed into law in 2013.","\u201cBlack women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die (from maternal mortality) even when they have the insurance and the income.\u201d","In the brief, the women say they\u2019re \"grateful that they were able to exercise their rights in nearby doctor\u2019s offices and abortion clinics without the burdens of travel, delay and additional expense that would be imposed on Texas women if HB 2 were to remain in force.\"","Says 1 in 5 Texans did not have health insurance coverage before the pandemic, and now \u201cnearly 1 in 3 Texans under the age of 65 don\u2019t have access to health care insurance.\u201d"]},{"id":"13158.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Amendment 2 will bring kid-friendly pot candy to Florida.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true, but it also contains an element of fear-mongering. While Amendment 2 does allow for edible forms of marijuana, it does not specifically mention or single out \"kid-friendly pot candy.\" The claim made by the anti-drug campaign implies that the amendment will directly result in the availability of cannabis-infused candy that is appealing to children, but there is no concrete evidence to support this assertion. It is important to note that regulations and safeguards can be put in place to prevent the marketing and sale of cannabis products that may appeal to children. Therefore, while the statement has some basis, it exaggerates the potential impact and fails to provide sufficient evidence.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["( - A 3.8% sales tax on real estate in the health care law? This chain email's claim just won't die&url=)","The health care law imposes a 3.8 percent tax on the investment income of couples who make more than $250,000 or individuals who make more than $200,000. That investment income could include income from real estate transactions. But it would only apply to those high earners, who make up less than 5 percent of all taxpayers. We're not sure why the e-mail extrapolates this tax to all real estate transactions, but that's the only 3.8 percent tax we could find in the new law. We ran this by two tax policy experts who confirmed our analysis of the new law.","The health care law imposes a new 3.8 percent tax on investment income, but it only applies to couples who make more than $250,000 or individuals who make more than $200,000. That investment income could include the profits from real estate transactions.","We\u2019re not sure why the email extrapolates this tax to all real estate transactions, but that\u2019s the only 3.8 percent tax we could find in the new law. We ran this by two tax policy experts who confirmed our analysis."]},{"id":"1464.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"We're also cutting a Forest Service economic development program that strayed so far from any mission that it funded a music festival.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's claim that a Forest Service economic development program funded a music festival and was subsequently cut. However, it is important to note that the statement lacks some context. While the program did fund a music festival, the White House's formal budget proposal documents indicate that the program had also provided funding for projects that had only a marginal relation to the mission of the Forest Service or forestry in general. The program was deemed duplicative of other USDA programs that could address priority needs in rural areas and assist forest-based industries. Therefore, while the program did fund a music festival, it is an oversimplification to suggest that it solely strayed from its mission for that reason.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Occupational Knowledge International, a group dedicated to eliminating lead paint, posted a petition on that says Sherwin-Williams is \"making lead paint and poisoning people around the world.\"","Sherwin-Williams continues to make industrial paint products that contain lead, but those paints are exempt from the U.S. lead ban. Sherwin-Williams does not directly make or directly sell residential paint products that contain lead, but they have licensees who might. In one case, in Lebanon, Sherwin-Williams acknowledged a mistake that allowed lead into a residential paint product.","Sherwin-Williams director of corporate communications, Mike Conway, said the company does not produce lead-based paint intended for residential use anywhere in the world. That\u2019s accurate.","Protesters demonstrated in front of the Cleveland headquarters of Sherwin-Williams on April 20, coinciding with the paint manufacturer\u2019s annual shareholders\u2019 meeting. \"Covering the world with LEAD PAINT,\" one banner read."]},{"id":"11956.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Donald Trump wants to keep big government in charge of federally-owned land.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Ted Cruz's claim that Donald Trump wants to maintain big government control over federally-owned land. While the evidence does not provide direct quotes or explicit statements from Donald Trump on this specific issue, it suggests that Trump's position aligns with a more centralized government approach, as indicated by his positions on other issues such as healthcare. However, without more explicit and direct evidence regarding Trump's stance on federally-owned land, it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of his position. Therefore, the statement is labeled as mostly-true, considering the available evidence and Cruz's claim. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The \"in a pandemic\" portion of the claim is crystal-clear: When Evers announced his budget, on Feb. 16, 2021, an average of 724 Wisconsinites per day were testing positive for COVID-19, according to data from the state health department. (That number is three times as high today, with an average of 2,110 new cases per day as of Sept. 17.)","We wrote in 2019 that the governor had flipped his position on dissolving and replacing the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership that oversees grants and loans given to businesses in exchange for the promise of new jobs.","The House bill follows Youngkin\u2019s proposal to shield from taxation up to $40,000 a year in pensions. The plan would be phased in over three years, with $20,000 protected in this year and $30,000 next year.","A new Democratic law \u201cwill make the IRS workforce larger than the Pentagon, FBI, State Department, and Customs and Border Patrol, combined.\u201d"]},{"id":"62.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"Congress only funded half the wall\" between Mexico and the United States.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. While the exact percentage of funding allocated to the border wall may vary, it is accurate to say that Congress did not fully fund the construction of the wall between Mexico and the United States. However, it's important to note that the reasons for not fully funding the wall are complex and involve various factors, including political disagreements and budgetary considerations. Therefore, while the statement is generally accurate, it lacks some nuance regarding the complexities surrounding the funding of the border wall.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"322.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Gasoline would rise in price by approximately 50 cents a gallon\" if the McCain-Lieberman bill became law.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks important context. While Governor Romney claimed that gasoline prices would rise by approximately 50 cents per gallon if the McCain-Lieberman bill became law, the EPA concluded that the increase would be around 26 cents per gallon by 2030 and 68 cents per gallon by 2050. The projection of a 50-cent increase is not supported by the EPA's analysis. Therefore, the statement exaggerates the potential price increase, making it misleading. \nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"6317.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The health care law includes a 3.8% sales tax on all real estate transactions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The health care law does not include a 3.8% sales tax on all real estate transactions. The law does impose a 3.8% tax, but it specifically applies to the investment income of high earners (couples making over $250,000 or individuals making over $200,000). This tax may include income from real estate transactions, but it does not apply to all real estate transactions and certainly not to all taxpayers. Multiple tax policy experts have confirmed this analysis, debunking the claim made in the statement.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"402.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"The board of a nonprofit organization on which Obama served as a paid director ... granted funding to a controversial Arab group.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Obama served as a paid director on the board of a nonprofit organization, the statement lacks specific details about the organization and the controversial Arab group in question. Without further information, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the claim. However, it is worth noting that serving on a board does not necessarily imply direct involvement in or responsibility for every decision made by the organization. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully evaluate its truthfulness.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11456.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We lose an average of 90 Americans every day because of guns.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Hillary Clinton that an average of 90 Americans are lost every day due to gun-related incidents. Clinton has clarified this figure by including not only homicides but also suicides and accidents related to guns. While the exact number may vary slightly, the evidence supports the general claim that a significant number of Americans are affected by gun violence on a daily basis.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5207.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says 282 Texas school districts have requested emergency waivers to increase elementary school class sizes because of unprecedented fiscal challenges.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that 282 Texas school districts have requested emergency waivers to increase class sizes. However, it is important to note that not all of these waivers were requested due to \"unprecedented fiscal challenges.\" Some districts, such as Houston and Austin, requested waivers without citing financial hardship as the reason. Therefore, while the number of waiver requests is accurate, the claim that all districts requested waivers due to fiscal challenges is not entirely true. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Rockefeller recently wrote an opinion piece for the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call in which he said, \"Insurance companies have seen their profits soar by more than 400 percent since 2001, while premiums for consumers have doubled.\" We'll address the first part of this statement in this item; we'll take up the second half in a separate item .","Let's recap. If you carry the data forward to 2008 \u2014 an admittedly somewhat atypical year \u2014 the increase falls short of Rockefeller's stated 400 percent. Also, the numbers Rockefeller used reflect 10 of the biggest companies as opposed to \"insurance companies\" in general. On the other hand, the increase exceeded 400 percent for the period 2001 to 2007, and however you slice the numbers, the rise in insurer profits is large indeed. On balance, we rate Rockefeller's statement Half True.","When companies lay off workers and the workers lose their health insurance, the insurance companies lose customers, and that's why UnitedHealth has seen declining enrollments, he added.","The researchers found that the collective profits of these 10 companies rose from $2.41 billion in 2001 to $12.87 billion in 2007 \u2014 a 466 percent increase, meaning that, over that period of time, Rockefeller would be right."]},{"id":"11891.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We bailed out Johnson Controls when we saved the auto industry and now they want to avoid paying taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that Johnson Controls indirectly benefited from the federal bailouts of the auto industry, even though it was not a direct recipient. While Johnson Controls did not receive a direct bailout, it did advocate for the funds and, as an auto parts supplier, it benefited from the overall support given to the industry. Additionally, it is true that Johnson Controls has made moves to avoid paying taxes, as acknowledged by the company itself. However, it's important to note that the statement may imply a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the bailout and the tax avoidance, which may not be entirely accurate. \nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, implies that if you've gotten the pink slip since the stimulus package passed, or are stuck in a part-time job, you should feel free to blame Obama. Are Romney's numbers right and is it fair for him to blame Obama?","When Vice President Joe Biden attended a fund-raiser on June 30 in Cleveland with Fisher, Portman\u2019s campaign issued this statement, which inflated the cost of the stimulus package by $213 billion: Biden\u2019s \"trip to Ohio would be a perfect opportunity for Lt. Gov. Fisher to admit that the Democrats' trillion-dollar stimulus isn't working and hasn't created the jobs in Ohio.\" The campaign release went on to say Ohio has lost 150,000 jobs since the stimulus bill passed.","\"Since the passage of Obama's stimulus package, over 1 million additional jobs were lost and nearly 25 million Americans are out of work, are stuck in part-time work, or have given up looking.\"","In the end, the number of jobs lost cited in Portman\u2019s June 30 statement is inflated and not close enough to be considered a difference that can be attributed to rounding. Furthermore, while the campaign is correct that jobs have been lost since the stimulus was passed, its release ignores important context: Ohio has started to see net job gains in recent months, albeit small, contradicting a suggestion that the stimulus bill is causing job losses."]},{"id":"10803.json","label":"false","statement":"Amendments (Hillary Clinton) supported and voted for in 2006, she no longer supported in 2008, showing she changed positions on an India nuclear deal.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided indicates that there is insufficient information to definitively determine whether Hillary Clinton changed her position on the India nuclear deal between 2006 and 2008. While there were amendments and votes related to the deal in both years, the 2008 amendment vote was not recorded, and there is no public statement from Clinton indicating her position on it. Furthermore, the 2008 amendment was fundamentally different from the amendments considered in 2006. Therefore, it is not accurate to claim that Clinton changed her position based on the available evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"3777.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Democrats have already voted to ban our conventional light bulbs ... in favor of dangerous fluorescent light bulbs.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence to support the claim that Democrats have voted to ban conventional light bulbs in favor of dangerous fluorescent light bulbs. The transition from traditional incandescent light bulbs to more energy-efficient options, including compact fluorescent bulbs, was initiated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush, a Republican. The decision to phase out incandescent bulbs was based on energy efficiency and environmental concerns, not the political affiliation of any particular party.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Campaigning for attorney general, Railroad Commission head Barry Smitherman uploaded a video to YouTube on Aug. 5, 2013, in which he said that he\u2019d \"sued Obama\u2019s EPA seven times to protect Texas jobs and energy for our families.\"","According to his Railroad Commission biographical information, Barry Smitherman was appointed to the state Public Utility Commission in 2004 and became chairman in 2007, then was appointed to the Railroad Commission in 2011 and became its chairman in 2012. Barry Smitherman lost his bid for attorney general of Texas in spring 2014.","Texas Attorney General\u2019s Office document, \"Suits Filed by the State of Texas Against a Federal Agency December 2002 through Present,\" received May 8, 2013","Texas Attorney General\u2019s Office document, \"Suits Filed by the State of Texas Against a Federal Agency December 2002 through Present,\" received Aug. 20, 2013"]},{"id":"6094.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Barack Obama admits hes coming for our guns, telling Sarah Brady, We are working on (gun control), but under the radar.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no credible evidence or reliable source to support the claim that Barack Obama admitted to coming for people's guns or made the statement attributed to him regarding gun control. The quote in question has been distorted and taken out of context by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Multiple fact-checking organizations have debunked this claim, and it is widely regarded as false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["If you take $150,000 and divide it by 19, you get approximately $7,895 per lecture. That\u2019s pretty close to the $8,000 mentioned.","!Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, a Democrat trying to win back his seat, taught at Stanford University for a time while he was out of the Senate. (Dan Powers\/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin) !Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, a Democrat trying to win back his seat, taught at Stanford University for a time while he was out of the Senate. (Dan Powers\/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)","Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, a Democrat trying to win back his seat, taught at Stanford University for a time while he was out of the Senate. (Dan Powers\/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)","\"Of course we don't pay that way,\" he said. \"Nobody gets paid that way at the university. We don\u2019t even think about it that way.\""]},{"id":"7480.json","label":"false","statement":"Of $60 billion Congress approved in response to Hurricane Sandy, only 10 percent was for disaster relief.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence provided does not support the claim that only 10 percent of the $60 billion approved by Congress in response to Hurricane Sandy was allocated for disaster relief. The evidence mentions the approval of $60 billion in aid for Hurricane Sandy, but it does not provide a breakdown of how much of that funding was specifically allocated for disaster relief. Therefore, the statement lacks factual basis and is incorrect.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"7666.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Abraham Lincoln supported an agreement that allowed slavery in New Mexico and a law to return runaway slaves to their owners.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While Abraham Lincoln did not support an agreement that allowed slavery in New Mexico, he did sign the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which required the return of runaway slaves to their owners. However, it's important to note that Lincoln's views on slavery evolved over time. By the mid-1850s, he shifted his focus towards stopping the spread of slavery to new territories rather than supporting the institution itself. So, while Lincoln did support the Fugitive Slave Act, it does not accurately represent his overall stance on slavery. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":["For this article, we\u2019re reviewing this Texas reference in the editorial: \"Come check out a state that ranks... first in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and first in the amount of toxic chemicals released into water.\"","\"Come check out a state that ranks first in the number of executions, first in the number of uninsured, first in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and first in the amount of toxic chemicals released into water,\" the Feb. 6, 2013, editorial says.","Wondering how Texas ranks in toxic chemicals released into water, we queried Luke Metzger, who heads Environment Texas, which describes itself as a statewide citizen-funded advocate for clean air, clean water and open spaces.","In 2011, Texas ranked third in total industrial releases of toxic chemicals into water; it was fourth nationally the previous year--and adjusting for each state\u2019s population or economic output leaves Texas in 10th place among those states with the most industrial toxic releases that year."]},{"id":"3322.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is manufactured and a bogus figure.","reason":"Reason: According to Wisconsin state Rep. Mark Pocan, Gov. Scott Walker's estimate of a $3.6 billion state budget deficit is described as a \"manufactured\" and \"bogus\" figure. However, it's important to note that without further evidence or context, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of Pocan's claim. The provided evidence consists of Pocan's statement and does not offer any additional information or independent verification. Therefore, it is not possible to definitively label Gov. Walker's estimate as \"manufactured\" or a \"bogus figure\" based solely on the given evidence.\nLabel: false","evidence":["RICK PERRY: \"And he's going to pay for them all with raising your taxes. That is the issue. He had $800 billion worth of stimulus in the first round of stimulus. It created zero jobs, $400-plus billion dollars in this package. And I can do the math on that one. Half of zero jobs is going to be zero jobs.\"","So these statistics may overstate the actual number of jobs created. But not by enough to make Brown's zero-jobs claim accurate.","But we think anyone seeing the ad would conclude the zero-jobs claim is tied to the stimulus. The commercial makes no apparent reference to unemployment reports. It clearly mentions the stimulus, however.","Texas Gov. Rick Perry said during a Republican presidential debate Sept. 12, 2011, that the stimulus \"created zero jobs.\" He earned a Pants on Fire from our national PolitiFact colleagues."]},{"id":"1922.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"\"Rob Teilhet, Just another career politician.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that Rob Teilhet is \"just another career politician\" is an exaggeration and lacks sufficient evidence. While Teilhet has served eight years in the Legislature, some political experts argue that this alone does not qualify him as a \"career politician.\" Additionally, there is a disagreement among experts regarding the use of the term \"career politician\" based on the length of time in office. Therefore, labeling Teilhet as a \"career politician\" is an oversimplification and does not accurately reflect the complexity of his political career.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"2450.json","label":"true","statement":"Children born today will carry a $30,000 share of the national debt.","reason":"Reason: The statement is accurate. As of the given evidence, each child born today in the United States would inherit a share of the national debt that amounts to approximately $30,000. This figure takes into account the total debt, which is spread out among the population, resulting in an average debt share per person. It is important to note that the national debt is subject to change over time.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3412.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve would immediately lower gasoline prices","reason":"Reason: While tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has the potential to lower gasoline prices, the statement lacks some nuance. The immediate impact on gasoline prices can be influenced by various factors, such as market dynamics, global oil supply, and demand. Additionally, the extent to which prices will decrease and the duration of the impact may vary. While it is plausible that tapping into the reserve could lead to a temporary reduction in gasoline prices, the statement should be qualified with the understanding that the actual outcome may depend on several factors beyond the release of oil from the reserve.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["In a campaign ad posted on Facebook, Cloonen said, \"Lindsay Parkhurst wants to take away programs like Social Security and Medicare that seniors have earned throughout their lifetimes.\"","In a Sept. 21 campaign ad posted on Cloonen\u2019s Facebook page, she claimed, \"Lindsay Parkhurst wants to take away programs like Social Security and Medicare that seniors have earned throughout their lifetimes.\"","Charlie Wheeler, director of the Public Affairs Reporting graduate program at the University of Illinois-Springfield and a long-time former politics and government reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, says the ad attempts to make a connection that\u2019s not there and ignores the fact that the state only administers these programs and cannot eliminate Social Security benefits or Medicare for seniors.","\"The state Legislature and state law have very little to do with Social Security and Medicare. Those are federal programs,\" Wheeler said. \"State involvement would be to the extent that it collects Social Security taxes and passes them on to the federal government.\""]},{"id":"5040.json","label":"half-true","statement":"On instances when abortions should be allowed.","reason":"Reason: The statement is half-true. The evidence provided highlights different laws and regulations regarding the circumstances under which abortions are allowed in different countries and the United States. It is important to note that the laws and regulations surrounding abortion vary significantly across jurisdictions, and there is no universally agreed-upon standard. The Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 established a framework for abortion rights in the United States, allowing for different regulations during different stages of pregnancy. However, subsequent rulings have allowed states to impose certain restrictions on abortion. Therefore, while the statement acknowledges the variation in abortion laws, it does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances involved in determining when abortions should be allowed.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Thompson said he was the \"first to fire\" Falk by eliminating the environmental watchdog known as the state public intervenor\u2019s office.","\"I got rid of Kathleen Falk!\" he added, to big laughs in the crowd. \"I was the first one to fire Kathleen Falk!\"","And, with a touch of glee in his voice, he recounted how as governor he got rid of Kathleen Falk as a public intervenor, a position in the state Attorney General\u2019s office that served as a sort of watchdog in environmental disputes.","In his budget bill, Thompson proposed doing away with the intervenor\u2019s office by wiping out the attorney general\u2019s authority to appoint intervenors."]},{"id":"11108.json","label":"false","statement":"The Texas Capitol faces South toward Goliad, in memory of the most horrific battle of the Texas Revolution.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that the Texas Capitol building faces south, it is not accurate to claim that it does so in memory of the battle of Goliad. The Texas Capitol faces south as a result of the architectural design and layout of the building, and there is no historical evidence or official documentation to support the claim that it was intentionally oriented towards Goliad to commemorate a specific battle. The correction made in the evidence also acknowledges that there was indeed a battle at Goliad during the Texas Revolution, but it does not establish a connection between the Capitol's orientation and that battle.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"13429.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says Mike Coffman said two different things: stop the deportationsin a Spanish-language debate and youre going to be deportedin an English-language TV interview.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Carroll campaign that Mike Coffman said \"stop the deportations\" in a Spanish-language debate and \"you're going to be deported\" in an English-language TV interview. However, it's important to note that the evidence provided does not offer a conclusive confirmation of this claim. The sources mentioned indicate that the Carroll campaign accused Coffman of making contradictory statements, but they do not provide direct quotes or verifiable evidence of Coffman's exact words. Without more concrete evidence, it is difficult to definitively label the statement as entirely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2331.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Both the state and federal governments make more per gallon in gas taxes than the oil companies make themselves for doing all the work.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It correctly states that both the state and federal governments make more per gallon in gas taxes compared to the profits made by oil companies. However, it fails to acknowledge that the taxes collected by the government are used for various purposes, such as funding infrastructure projects and maintaining transportation systems. While the statement implies that the government's share of gas taxes is solely profit, it overlooks the fact that these taxes are used for public services and investments. Therefore, while the government does collect more in gas taxes than oil companies make in profits, it is important to consider the purpose and allocation of those taxes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["In the ad, Doggett says: \"I said no to these big bank bailouts. We need to focus our resources on helping Central Texas, not Wall Street.\"","\"I stood up to my party leaders and voted no on the Wall Street bailouts,\" Nye said in one ad. (To emphasize his theme, he titled the ad \"Independence.\")","So Nye says he voted against the bailout. People hearing his claim would undoubtedly think he was referring to the main vote on the TARP, but he wasn\u2019t even elected when that vote was taken.","U.S. Rep Glenn Nye portrays himself as a boldly independent Democrat who bucks his party on key issues such as health-care reform and the Wall Street bailout."]},{"id":"7364.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Austin trains are full at rush hour and packed for special events.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which indicates that Austin trains are generally full during rush hour and become packed during special events such as SXSW and the F1 race. The evidence mentions that during rush hour, the trains tend to have all seats full and many standing riders, with only a limited number of additional passengers able to board. Similarly, during special events, the trains reach their capacity. While the evidence does not provide specific numbers or percentages, it supports the claim that the trains experience high levels of ridership during rush hour and become packed during special events.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Scott said in a Spanish-language editorial that \"seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage are going to see an average premium increase between $50 and $90 per month.\"","In an April 3, 2014, Spanish-language editorial in El Nuevo Herald, Scott brought up several talking points about the program, including threatened premium increases. \"Seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage are going to see an average premium increase between $50 and $90 per month,\" he wrote.","( - Obamacare will force 'an average premium increase between $50 and $90 per month' for Medicare Advantage recipients, Rick Scott says&url=)","Scott\u2019s campaign directed us to an AHIP-commissioned report from February 2013 that stated on a per member, per month basis, Medicare Advantage patients could potentially face premium increases and benefit reductions in 2014 that would cost $50 to $90 a month. It was a national number, not a Florida number, and was only an estimate based on that year\u2019s preliminary suggestion from the government. (AHIP\u2019s projected Florida increase was actually $50 to $60.) AHIP did not readjust its estimates after payments were set in April 2013."]},{"id":"9349.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Governor Scott Cut Taxes 40 Times For Florida Families","reason":"Reason: While Governor Scott's campaign and official sources claim that he cut taxes 40 times for Florida families, further investigation reveals that the actual number of tax cuts is higher than the stated count. The evidence provided includes a tweet from Scott's campaign that highlights a list of 41 tax cuts, and a press release stating that legislation was signed to cut taxes for Florida families. Therefore, while it is true that Governor Scott implemented tax cuts for Florida families, the statement is only partially true as it underestimates the actual number of tax cuts made during his tenure.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2018.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Today, Florida is in 50th place in spending on education.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement that \"Today, Florida is in 50th place in spending on education\" is not entirely accurate. While it is true that Florida ranks relatively low in terms of per-pupil spending compared to other states, it is not accurate to claim that Florida is specifically in 50th place. Rankings can vary depending on the specific metrics and data sources used. However, it is worth noting that Florida's per-pupil spending has historically been below the national average. Therefore, while the statement contains an element of truth regarding Florida's lower education spending, it is not entirely accurate to claim a specific ranking of 50th place.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["McDonnell noted that the ultrasound measure was the only abortion bill approved by the General Assembly this year. \"I think there\u2019s a majority of pro-life legislators, so this bill was supported by Republicans and Democrats.\"","The amended measure requiring non-invasive ultrasounds passed the House, 61-35, on March 1. Republican voted 59-4 for the bill. Democrats voted 31-1 against it (Del. Joe Johnson, D-Washington, was the only \"aye\"). The chamber\u2019s one independent -- Del. Lacey Putney of Bedford, who caucuses with the GOP -- supported the legislation.","\"After it happened, Rick Scott threw a party back at the mansion. What was he celebrating?\" says the Sept. 30 TV ad. \"This: with a stroke of a pen Scott passed some of the most extreme anti-choice laws in the country. Laws requiring mandatory ultrasounds and restricting access to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest.\"","If there had been a tie vote in the Senate, the bill would have been approved because Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, supported it."]},{"id":"3229.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Since Sept. 11, 2001, 270,000 Americans were killed by gunfire at home.","reason":"Reason: The statement, \"Since Sept. 11, 2001, 270,000 Americans were killed by gunfire at home,\" is mostly true. While the wording of the statement may suggest that all 270,000 deaths occurred specifically in or near people's homes, the fact-check clarifies that the number includes all gunfire deaths regardless of the location. The statement accurately reflects the information provided by the Doonesbury cartoon strip and the clarification from cartoonist Garry Trudeau. However, it's important to note that the deaths mentioned include all firearm-related deaths and not just homicides, which may include suicides and accidents as well.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"People in both parties are upset by the fact that 80 percent of the American people haven\u2019t gotten a pay raise since the crash,\" Clinton said.","Take, for example, the claim that Congress voted to give itself a pay raise in 2018 (it didn't), or the rumor that members can retire with full pay after only one term in office (they can\u2019t).","In one sense, wages are a reasonable yardstick to use in judging Clinton\u2019s claim, since this statistic focuses on people who are employed full-time on a wage and salary basis -- the very kind of people who would be in line to \"get a raise\" if employers were so inclined.","Using this measure, wages are up slightly since 2000. That\u2019s a raise, but it\u2019s a pretty modest one of 2 percent over the past 15 years. That compares to a 6 percent increase between 1984 and 2000."]},{"id":"1808.json","label":"false","statement":"On returning Republican campaign contributions.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. There is no evidence provided that suggests Crist favors returning Republican campaign contributions. The evidence mentioned discusses Trump's contributions to various Democratic committees and individuals, but it does not support the claim that Crist intends to return Republican campaign contributions. Without any substantial evidence or statements from Crist indicating such a stance, the statement cannot be considered true.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"To say things like we've got to ban assault rifles. Well, assault rifles already are banned. OK? So, we need to actually have an honest discussion about these issues and understand that this is very difficult, very complex.\"","In the wake of the mass shooting in Orlando, in which the killer used a semiautomatic rifle was used, Johnson stated: \"Assault rifles already are banned.\"","\u2022 Shotguns would be banned from having a detachable magazine and a fixed magazine would not be allowed to have more than five rounds. The same features banned for pistols and rifles would also be banned on shotguns.","From 1994 to 2004, there was a federal law that banned the sale of certain types of new semiautomatic weapons, including some types of AR-15 rifles. A limit on high-capacity magazines also was set."]},{"id":"9790.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A regulatory thing means you cant show someone drinking beer on camera.","reason":"Reason: While the statement accurately reflects the claim that regulations restrict showing someone drinking beer on camera, it's important to clarify that these regulations are not imposed by the government or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The restrictions on showing drinking in beer commercials primarily come from television networks and advertising standards. While not legally binding, these regulations are effectively enforced by the networks. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of the existence of regulations, it should be clarified that these regulations are not government-imposed.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The IRS issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to people who aren\u2019t eligible to have a Social Security number so they can pay income taxes. This can include immigrants in the country legally or illegally.","The World Bank\u2019s global poverty line isn\u2019t the only measure of poverty out there. By many other definitions, the World Bank's count of the desperately poor is low-balled.","The World Bank first defined this in 1990 as living on $1 a day or less, by converting the national poverty lines of a group of the poorest countries into a common currency based on their purchasing power. Since then, the World Bank has raised the bar every few years to adjust for inflation.","In a 2012 working paper, the World Food Programme\u2019s Ugo Gentilini and the Institute of Development Studies\u2019 Andy Sumner looked at national poverty lines and found that 1.5 billion people are poor, according to their own countries \u2014 more than double the number under the World Bank\u2019s definition."]},{"id":"5875.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney has refused to say whether he would have vetoed or signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a Romney adviser initially stated that he would \"get back\" to a reporter regarding his support for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, it is important to note that Romney's campaign later clarified his position. Romney's spokeswoman confirmed that he would not seek to change the law, and Romney himself stated that he supports equal pay for women. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to claim that Romney refused to say whether he would have vetoed or signed the Lilly Ledbetter Act. The evidence shows that he expressed support for equal pay for women and had no intention of changing the law.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Scott Jones said Colorado saw \"increased incidents of emergency room visits by young people\" and \"increased incidents of driving while under the influence of marijuana\" following the state\u2019s legalization of recreational marijuana.","\"We can look to Colorado ... and look at the horrific results,\" Jones said during a debate this week between the two candidates in Sacramento. \"If you look at the increased incidents of emergency room visits by young people. If you look at the increased incidents of driving while under the influence of marijuana. All voters have to do is see what happened in Colorado to predict what\u2019s going to happen here.\"","We wondered if Jones was right? Did Colorado see a spike in ER trips by young people and more cases of driving while stoned after it legalized pot?","\"More people are driving under the influence of drugs than are driving under the influence of alcohol. A recent roadside survey showed that 16 percent of the people tested, tested positive for illicit or licit drugs. That's significantly higher than alcohol.\""]},{"id":"4039.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Wisconsins 2011-13 state budget contains no fee increases","reason":"Reason: The statement that Wisconsin's 2011-13 state budget contains no fee increases is false. The non-partisan state fiscal bureau has identified nine fee increases in the budget, resulting in a net increase of $111 million in fees. The evidence clearly contradicts the claim made, as there are documented fee increases outlined in the budget. Therefore, the statement is inaccurate and deserving of the label \"pants-fire.\"\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Donald Trump and the Republicans have spent the past four years trying to dismantle the ACA. They are doing everything they can \u2014 without a plan to replace it I might add \u2014 to take away health care plans for millions of Americans,\" she said. \"If they are successful in completely dismantling the ACA, all provisions for pre-existing conditions, there is no guarantee for people who have pre-existing conditions.\"","The Affordable Care Act tried to allow existing health plans to continue under a complicated process called \"grandfathering,\" which basically said insurance companies could keep selling plans if they followed certain rules.","Obama\u2019s team seemed to understand that likelihood. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the grandfathering rules in June 2010 and acknowledged that some plans would go away. Yet Obama repeated \"if you like your health care plan, you can keep it\" when seeking re-election last year.","The impact of a decision to invalidate the law \u2014 and the absence of legislation to provide explicit protections for pre-existing conditions \u2014 could vary state to state."]},{"id":"11719.json","label":"false","statement":"Existing law right now requires 700 miles of double-layered border fencing on the Mexico border.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While there is a provision in existing law that calls for the construction of 700 miles of border fencing, it does not specifically mandate that the fencing be double-layered. The law allows for flexibility in determining the type of fencing to be used, which can include a combination of physical barriers, technology, and other resources. The claim that existing law requires double-layered border fencing is inaccurate and does not align with the provisions outlined in the law.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"10430.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Online voter registration is a more secure way of doing voter registration.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that online voter registration can be a more secure way of conducting voter registration. Experts in the field have noted that when properly designed and implemented, online registration reduces opportunities for fraud and errors. While concerns about hacking and cyber security breaches exist, it is important to recognize that traditional paper-based registration also has its own security vulnerabilities. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as online registration, when implemented with appropriate security measures, can offer enhanced security compared to traditional methods.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Chain e-mail claims a quote at the top of the redesigned Department of Justice website comes from a socialist who wanted to impose global common law","( - Chain e-mail claims a quote at the top of the redesigned Department of Justice website comes from a socialist who wanted to impose global common law&url=)","Catchy, huh? Just one tiny little (too small to be relevant obviously) point -- the quote is from C. Wilfred Jenks, who in the 1930's was a leading proponent of the \"international law\" movement, which had as its goal to impose a global common law and which backed 'global workers' rights.'","Russo said the quote was chosen for the website when it was redesigned in October 2009 because the main Justice building was used as inspiration for the website design."]},{"id":"8861.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Alex Sink even supported a tax on homeowners insurance policies.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. Alex Sink did support an extension of an emergency assessment on homeowners insurance policies, which was referred to as a \"tax\" by the NRCC. However, it's important to note that this was a specific circumstance related to hurricane claims and not a general support for taxing homeowners insurance policies. Sink's position on higher property taxes is also mentioned, but it is described as somewhat lukewarm opposition rather than explicit support. Therefore, while there is some truth to the claim, it lacks the full context and may be misleading to characterize Sink as consistently supporting a tax on homeowners insurance policies.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"I think everyone in the room knows that this is a moment of extraordinary progress. Over the last 30 years, extreme poverty has been cut in half. Boys and girls are enrolling in primary school at nearly equal rates, and there are half as many children out of school today as there were 15 years ago,\" Smith said in a speech on Capitol Hill.","\"If it had been known two years ago or so that this vaccine would increase cardiac deaths in young men by 84%, would they have approved it? The obvious answer is, 'no,'\" Ladapo said during an Oct.10 interview on \"Tucker Carlson Tonight.\" \"You would never give something to someone who is young and healthy and increase their risk of dying from sudden cardiac death by 84%.\"","\"An estimated 8 million children worldwide live in orphanages or residential institutions. Shockingly, 80 percent of these children are not orphans.\"","A spokesperson for USAID referred us to a United Nations report((July%201).pdf) based on the 2008 definition of $1.25 a day or less. According to the report, the proportion of people living in extreme poverty fell from 36 percent in 1990 to 15 percent in 2011 \u2014 a 58 percent reduction in 21 years, more than what Smith claimed."]},{"id":"5111.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Whats clear is (Romney) likes firing people.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Mitt Romney \"likes firing people\" is an oversimplification and taken out of context. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Romney enjoys firing people. The statement originated from a speech by Governor Markell, who used it as a political attack during a campaign. While Romney did mention the phrase \"I like to fire people\" in a different context, he was referring to the ability of consumers to choose their own healthcare providers, not expressing personal enjoyment in firing employees. Therefore, the statement is misleading and lacks the necessary context to be considered fully accurate.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12440.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Today, it is more difficult to enlist in the U.S. military than it is to enroll in college.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate that enlisting in the U.S. military may require meeting certain minimum standards, such as achieving a minimum score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT), it is not necessarily more difficult than enrolling in college. The requirements for military enlistment and college admission differ significantly in terms of criteria and standards. While some individuals may face challenges meeting the military's minimum requirements, others may face difficulties in gaining admission to certain colleges or universities. Therefore, it is not accurate to make a blanket statement that enlisting in the military is universally more difficult than enrolling in college.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13440.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Democrat Stephen Webber voted to allow sex offenders to be within 500 feet of childcare centers and playgrounds, and even voted to allow sex offenders to be coaches.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Stephen Webber voted against a bill that aimed to ban sex offenders from certain locations and coaching positions, it is misleading to claim that he voted to allow sex offenders to be within 500 feet of childcare centers and playgrounds or to be coaches without any restrictions. The bill in question was a comprehensive crime bill that introduced laws to restrict the proximity of child sex offenders to certain areas and prohibited them from coaching certain sports teams. However, it is important to note that the bill may have contained provisions and exceptions that were not explicitly mentioned in the evidence provided. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks important context, leading to a misleading impression.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["During the Sept. 7, 2011, Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., offered a line she has used frequently in the past: \"The day that President Obama took office, gasoline was $1.79 a gallon.\" She added that \"it's entirely possible for us to get back to inexpensive energy.\"","With regular unleaded gasoline now hovering around $3.60 per gallon nationally, a number of readers wondered whether Bachmann was right on the price when Obama was inaugurated. So we looked into it.","Of course, the national average is the most obvious way to analyze this issue, but there is usually variation by region. During the week in question, the cost of a gallon of unleaded ranged(http:\/\/205.254.135.24\/dnav\/pet\/) from a high of $2.00 on the west coast to a low of $1.61 in the Rocky Mountain states.","James Langevin \"has received almost $20 million from taxpayers and special interests to use at his own discretion to supposedly champion Rhode Island\u2019s needs.\""]},{"id":"1639.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the IRS would need to hire over 16,000 people ... to audit the American people and impose the new taxes and mandates of the health care bill.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately quotes Senator Kirk and mentions the claim made about the IRS needing to hire over 16,000 people to audit the American people and enforce the new taxes and mandates of the health care bill. However, it's important to note that this claim is misleading. While the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did mention the need for additional IRS staff to implement and enforce certain aspects of the health care bill, it did not specifically state that 16,000 people would be needed for auditing purposes. The claim exaggerates the scope and purpose of the additional IRS staff, leading to a distorted representation of the CBO's findings.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"5669.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Tim Kaine reduced higher education funding by 25 percent when he was governor, driving up tuition...","reason":"Reason: While there are conflicting claims and interpretations regarding the extent of the reduction in higher education funding during Tim Kaine's tenure as governor, the evidence suggests that the statement exaggerates the magnitude of the cuts. Multiple sources indicate that Kaine endorsed budgets that reduced higher education spending by approximately 5.7 percent over a span of six years, which is significantly lower than the claimed 25 percent reduction. It is important to accurately represent the impact of budget decisions on higher education funding to maintain the integrity of the statement.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Scarborough tweeted that more people have watched Morning Joe than CNN and HLN 5 years in a row. In the most general sense, the average daily audience each year for anyone 2 years old and up, he is correct.","Soon after he got off the air, Scarborough, the co-host of Morning Joe, shot back in a tweet: \"Cute ad but CNN is firing people. Morning Joe is hiring. Oh yeah. And more people have watched Morning Joe than CNN & HLN 5 years in a row.\"","To rub more salt in the wound, the ad added, \"HLN\u2019S Morning Express beat MSNBC\u2019S Morning Joe for the 9th month in a row among Adults 25-54.\"","It was a message designed to get Joe Scarborough\u2019s goat, and it worked. CNN ran a full-page ad in the New York Times on Jan. 29 to crow, \"CNN\u2019S New Day beat MSNBC\u2019S Morning Joe for the 4th month in a row in Total Viewers and 7th month in a row among Adults 25-54.\""]},{"id":"5116.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, and Newt Gingrich all say they would cut foreign aid to Israel and every other country to zero.","reason":"Reason: The statement is a distortion of the positions held by Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, and Newt Gingrich regarding foreign aid to Israel and other countries. While it is true that they have expressed intentions to review and potentially reduce foreign aid, there is no evidence to support the claim that they would completely eliminate foreign aid to Israel or any other country. The statement is misleading and exaggerates their positions on this issue.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"10239.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Keystone XL allows Canada to pump their oil, send it through our land, down to the Gulf, where it will be sold everywhere else.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects President Obama's remarks about the purpose and function of the Keystone XL pipeline. It acknowledges that the pipeline would allow Canada to transport their oil through the United States to the Gulf Coast for export to other countries. However, the statement lacks context regarding the potential impact on U.S. gas prices, as President Obama also mentioned that the pipeline would not have a significant impact on domestic gas prices. Therefore, while the statement accurately quotes President Obama, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete understanding of the issue.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3684.json","label":"false","statement":"Drilling for oil on the Outer Continental Shelf and in parts of Alaska will immediately reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.","reason":"Reason: While increasing oil production and exploration in energy-rich areas like the Outer Continental Shelf and parts of Alaska may contribute to reducing reliance on foreign oil in the long term, it is not accurate to claim that it will immediately reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. The process of exploration, drilling, and extraction takes time and requires significant investment and infrastructure development. Additionally, the impact on reducing dependence on foreign oil would depend on various factors such as the scale of production, global oil markets, and geopolitical dynamics. Therefore, the statement is false as it overstates the immediate impact of drilling on reducing dependence on foreign oil.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Georgia lawmakers are now considering passing the most extreme gun bill in America,\" Pia Carusone, the group\u2019s executive director, said in the release.","Knowing the many and varied gun measures that exist or are proposed across the nation, could Georgia really be looking at \"the most extreme gun bill in America?\" We wondered.","Other groups also oppose the bill. Area religious leaders, the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America ~~,~~ and the Georgia Gun Sense Coalition are among its opponents.","We began by circling back to Giffords\u2019 group to explain the claim that it is the most extreme legislation out there. Carusone said her group is tracking 200 gun bills in legislatures across the country, many of which \"weaken common-sense gun violence prevention policies.\" But none of the bills has \"as many extreme provisions as we see in this one Georgia bill,\" she said."]},{"id":"8611.json","label":"true","statement":"Just days ago, Irans Supreme Leader (Ali) Khamenei, who will oversee implementation of this agreement, was calling Israel a rabid dog and accusing the United States of war crimes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the fact that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has made derogatory remarks about Israel and accused the United States of war crimes. These statements were made in the past and are a matter of public record. It is important to note that the statement does not provide a specific timeframe for when these remarks were made, but it is true that Khamenei has made such statements in the past.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12866.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"We know this now. The banks no longer loan (Donald Trump) money because hes a terrible risk. So he goes to these (Russian) oligarchs and borrows money.","reason":"Reason: While there have been reports and claims suggesting that Donald Trump has faced challenges in obtaining loans from traditional banks, the statement goes beyond what can be definitively proven. While it is true that Trump has had financial dealings with certain Russian individuals and entities, there is no concrete evidence to support the assertion that he specifically goes to Russian oligarchs to borrow money. The claim also presents a subjective judgment by labeling Trump as a \"terrible risk\" without providing substantial evidence to support this characterization. Therefore, the statement is partially based on speculation and lacks sufficient evidence to be considered entirely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13425.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"FBI confirms evidence of huge underground Clinton sex network.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence or confirmation from the FBI to support the claim of a huge underground Clinton sex network. The sources cited in the evidence clearly state that there is no evidence to support such claims, and some conservative websites are spreading these allegations without providing any substantiated evidence. These claims appear to be based on anonymous sources and internet rumors, lacking credibility and factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["We reached out to Ladapo\u2019s team to try to understand what evidence supports these positions. The science surrounding COVID-19 has evolved, so the policies and guidance have evolved as well. Still, public health studies and expert review continue to bolster the case for vaccines and the usefulness of masks in stemming spread in high-transmission areas.","While the homeless crisis continues in San Francisco, Newsom has been credited as a leader on the topic. A 2010 San Francisco Chronicle article said Newsom had \"moved more homeless people into supportive housing in his seven years in office than any other mayor in the city's history - and has one of the best track records of any mayor in the country on that score.\"","We wanted to know whether Cox was right. Did Newsom really fail to \"solve the problem at all\"? And has it \"gotten worse\"?","\"Gavin was mayor (of San Francisco) for eight years. He didn\u2019t solve the homeless problem here at all. And it\u2019s gotten worse.\""]},{"id":"2736.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Lizbeth Benacquistos supporters would make (abortion) illegal in all cases, including rape, incest, even to save a womans life.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Rader's campaign that Lizbeth Benacquisto's supporters would make abortion illegal in all cases, including rape, incest, and cases where a woman's life is at risk. The evidence provided indicates that Benacquisto has supported an extreme law requiring pregnant women to view a sonogram before exercising their right to choose. While the evidence does not explicitly state that Benacquisto's supporters would make abortion illegal in all cases, it suggests that she has ties to extremist conservative groups that advocate for banning abortions without exceptions. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but it should be noted that it is based on campaign allegations and may not capture the full complexity of Benacquisto's stance on abortion.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["( - Sarah Palin says $38 billion in cuts in budget compromise is really \u201cless than $1 billion in real cuts\u201d&url=)","Sarah Palin claimed that a federal budget compromise, which was billed as containing $38 billion in spending cuts, would actually make less than $1 billion in cuts.","Clearly, $20 billion to $25 billion is less than the $38 billion in spending cuts that were claimed by backers of the compromise bill. But it also far exceeds the less than $1 billion in cuts that Palin claimed.","News media throughout the country reported that the compromise made $38 billion in spending cuts -- but they characterized the cuts in different ways."]},{"id":"8208.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"We are about halfway to the presidents goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions and about half of that is because of the substitution of natural gas for coal in the power sector.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided by multiple sources, including Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz and an update on greenhouse gas emissions. It states that the United States is approximately halfway to the president's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and about half of that progress is attributed to the substitution of natural gas for coal in the power sector. This is supported by evidence showing a decline in coal use and an increase in natural gas generation, which has contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions. However, it's important to note that the statement may not capture the full complexity of the issue, as there are other factors and strategies involved in achieving the emissions reduction goal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3962.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says 11 percent of the nations fatal car crashes in 2009 were attributed to distracted driving.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects State Sen. Judith Zaffirini's claim that 11 percent of fatal car crashes in the United States in 2009 were attributed to distracted driving. However, a fact check reveals that the correct percentage is actually 16 percent, not 11 percent. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in terms of conveying Sen. Zaffirini's claim, the actual percentage is higher than stated.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cruz said, \"The EPA has tried to define a puddle or a drainage ditch on your farm to be navigable waters and thus subject to massive environmental regulations.\"","\"They're hurting from a federal government whose policies have been making it harder and harder for farmers to survive. They're hurting from an EPA who is imposing massive burdens on farms,\" Cruz said in a March 29 CNN town hall in Milwaukee, Wis. \"For example, the Waters of the United States Rule (is) where the EPA has tried to define a puddle or a drainage ditch on your farm to be navigable waters and thus subject to massive environmental regulations.\"","For starters, we need to understand just what the regulations are, and are not. The regulations affect lakes and inland rivers and streams. More generally, they affect the water we drink (categorized as Class I bodies of water) and water we use for recreation or that supports aquatic life (Class III). Class III waters would include drainage canals that link other flowing bodies of water. But the regulations wouldn't affect drainage ditches or retention ponds, necessarily.","\"The Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) rule does apply as the video states,\" said DEP spokeswoman Jennifer Diaz. \"This situation exists because Florida\u2019s current classification of rivers and streams does not distinguish between artificially created waters and natural free-flowing waters. About a year ago, the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) approved the creation of a new class of waters for artificially created and significantly altered surface waters. Although adopted by ERC, the new classification is subject to approval by EPA before it can become effective in Florida. Until this new classification is approved by EPA, no waters in Florida can be classified with a lower use expectation. Therefore, the nutrient criteria adopted by EPA that becomes effective in March 2012 will apply equally to man-made ditches\/canals and natural streams.\""]},{"id":"8945.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Most folks wages havent gone up in over a decade.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by President Obama that, despite economic growth and corporate profits, the wages of most individuals have not increased in over a decade. While there is some debate and variation in the data, fact-checkers have found that wage growth has been relatively stagnant for many workers over the past decade. While there have been some increases in wages, they have not kept pace with factors such as inflation and overall economic growth. Therefore, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Michael Sullivan, who exhorted legislators to hold the line on the 2012-13 state budget, suggests things aren\u2019t as terrible as critics say. Specifically, Sullivan said in a May 26 tweet: \"State budget being cut $15bil by #TxLege, but public education is getting more money than last biennium.\"","Straus spokesman Jason Embry, drawing from the \"Fiscal Size-up,\" told us by email that state money flowing to schools through the Texas Education Agency in the two-year budget exceeds the comparable share of such funding in the 2010-11 budget. In the previous budget, Embry said, the agency accounted for $30.3 billion, or 37 percent, of $81.9 billion in all state spending. He said lawmakers budgeted $30.5 billion for the agency in 2012-13, accounting for 37.4 percent of all the general-revenue spending.","Some background: The Republican-steered Legislature dealt with a $20 billion-plus shortfall by writing a budget that appropriates $172 billion, which is down $15 billion from what the 2009 Legislature appropriated for 2010-11, as Sullivan says.","Such reductions were put into play as lawmakers wrapped up a total 2012-13 budget, counting state plus federal funds, of $173.5 billion, down $14 billion from the 2010-11 total, according to the advisory Legislative Budget Board\u2019s January 2012 \"Fiscal Size-up\" report. The latest budget reduces state general-revenue spending to $81.3 billion, a nearly 1 percent drop from 2010-11, the report says."]},{"id":"3537.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The ratio of people working for the government and working in manufacturing today is an almost exact reversal of the situation in 1960.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. The evidence provided confirms that there has been a significant shift in the ratio of people working for the government versus those working in manufacturing between 1960 and the present day. The numbers cited by Moore indicate that there are nearly twice as many people working for the government today compared to those working in manufacturing. However, the claim of \"an almost exact reversal\" is an exaggeration. While there has been a substantial change in the ratio, it is not an exact reversal of the 1960 situation. Therefore, the statement is only partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We have completely turned our economy around, and more families are thriving here today than five years ago,\" he said during his State of the State address in the Capitol on Jan. 12, 2016.","One of the biggest themes of President Donald Trump\u2019s State of the Union address \u2014 and one of the biggest themes of his reelection campaign \u2014 is that he inherited a weak economy from President Barack Obama and turned it into a strong economy by implementing his own policies.","The notion that the economy turned on a dime from bad to good under Trump is not supported by the facts. The performance under Trump has generally continued the pace of improvements that began during the final few years of Obama\u2019s presidency.","The bottom line: For virtually each of these measurements, we found that the trend lines continued almost seamlessly from the second half of Obama\u2019s presidency into the first three years of Trump\u2019s tenure. Trump\u2019s claim that he turned around a failing economy is wrong."]},{"id":"5902.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says since 2000, Austins tax burden rose more than 40 percent while family income rose more than 20 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Dominic Chavez that the tax burden in Austin rose more than 40 percent since 2000, while family income increased more than 20 percent. This claim is supported by data from the Real Estate Council of Austin's 2011 annual Combined Costs of Governments Index, which indicates a 48 percent increase in the estimated city tax burden per household from 2000 to 2011. Additionally, Chavez stated that the median family income rose 27 percent during the same period. While the statement slightly understates the increase in the tax burden, it captures the overall trend accurately.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"There's only three countries in the entire world where there's no paid vacation by law, we happen to be one of them.\"","\"There's only three countries in the entire world where there's no paid vacation by law, we happen to be one of them. The other two are in Africa,\" he said.","Grayson said, \"There's only three countries in the entire world where there's no paid vacation by law, we happen to be one of them.\"","That stat stopped us cold, and not just because we\u2019re overdue for a long weekend off. Could Grayson be right that the United States is one of the only countries in the entire world that doesn\u2019t grant a legal right to paid time off?"]},{"id":"3799.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says his barehanded catch posted on YouTube is real.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided suggests that the statement claiming the barehanded catch posted on YouTube is real is false. The majority of readers believe it to be a hoax, and it has been confirmed that the video was digitally altered, as stated by Trevor Gooby, the Pirates' director of Florida operations. Furthermore, the evidence highlights that while impressive barehanded catches have been made in baseball, they typically occur during live games where players have time to react. Given the lack of evidence supporting the authenticity of the catch and the presence of digital alterations, it is highly unlikely that the catch depicted in the YouTube video is real.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1708.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act is the largest-ever investment in higher education.","reason":"Reason: While the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act did provide a significant investment in higher education, it is not accurate to claim that it is the largest-ever investment. The statement is based on a press release and sources that highlight the substantial funding allocated to higher education through healthcare-related changes in the law. However, there is no definitive evidence or consensus among experts that conclusively establishes it as the largest-ever investment in higher education. While it is a substantial investment, there have been other significant investments in higher education in the past. Therefore, the statement is only partially true and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"These attacks come at a time when the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades and 1 in 5 women under 65 don\u2019t have access to health care.\"","Attacks on Planned Parenthood \"come at a time when the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades and 1 in 5 women under 65 don\u2019t have access to health care.\"","The stats back up the first part of the claim -- that the poverty rate among women is the highest in nearly two decades.","What about the second part of Ryan\u2019s claim; that 1 in 5 women (or 20 percent) under 65 don\u2019t have access to health care."]},{"id":"10380.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Mitch McConnell credits Republicans for recent economic improvements even though they took control of the Senate only days ago.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the remarks made by Mitch McConnell, where he suggested that the Republican takeover of Senate control \"appears to coincide\" with recent positive economic news. However, it's important to note that correlation does not necessarily imply causation. While McConnell's statement implies a connection between Republican control and economic improvements, it does not provide concrete evidence to support this claim. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, as it accurately represents McConnell's remarks but acknowledges the lack of definitive evidence for the causal relationship.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["\"I am the only candidate who ran in either the Democratic or the Republican primary who said from the very beginning (that) I will not raise taxes on the middle class.\"","Clinton said, \"I am the only candidate who ran in either the Democratic or the Republican primary who said from the very beginning (that) I will not raise taxes on the middle class.\"","In an Aug. 17 speech in Cleveland, the Democratic presidential nominee said, \"I am the only candidate who ran in either the Democratic or the Republican primary who said from the very beginning (that) I will not raise taxes on the middle class.\"","Fifteen of the 17 Republican presidential candidates signed pledges not to raise taxes on anyone, which includes the middle class. Thirteen of those candidates signed the vow last year; the other two inked such a pledge earlier in their careers. Trump wasn\u2019t one of them, but Clinton specifically mentioned the primary field. And that makes the claim both inaccurate and ridiculous."]},{"id":"10789.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"A Penn State University study found that electronic cigarettes . . . are far less addictive than cigarettes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings of multiple studies conducted by Penn State University and the University of Geneva, which concluded that electronic cigarettes are indeed less addictive than traditional cigarettes. The studies, published in respected journals, provide evidence that former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes reported lower levels of addiction compared to their previous tobacco cigarette use. However, it's important to note that individual experiences may vary, and further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential risks associated with e-cigarette use.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"12714.json","label":"false","statement":"The Clinton camp was the first to get it out there and try to say there was something untoward about the speech that Melania Trump gave.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the claim that the Clinton camp was the first to criticize Melania Trump's speech. In fact, it was a Twitter user in Los Angeles, who had no ties to the Clinton campaign, that initially drew attention to the similarities between Melania Trump's speech and Michelle Obama's 2008 speech. The Clinton campaign's reaction to the speech was minimal, and they did not play a significant role in bringing attention to the issue. Therefore, the statement that the Clinton camp was the first to criticize Melania Trump's speech is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"22 times Barack Obama said he did not have the authority to implement this type of\" anti-deportation \"measure. And then the day after he signed this into law, he said, quote, \u2018I just changed the law.\u2019\"","Abbott said that 22 times, Obama \"said he did not have the authority to implement this type of\" anti-deportation \"measure. And then the day after he signed this into law, he said, quote, \u2018I just changed the law.\u2019\"","Abbott added in the Feb. 17, 2015, interview: \"22 times Barack Obama said he did not have the authority to implement this type of measure. And then the day after he signed this into law, he said, quote, \u2018I just changed the law.\u2019 Those words alone show that he violated the Constitution and violated federal law.\"","In February, we looked for such Obama declarations afresh after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said: \"22 times ...Obama said he did not have the authority to implement this type of\" anti-deportation \"measure. And then the day after he signed this into law, he said, quote, \u2018I just changed the law.\u2019\" Texas has been leading more than 20 states challenging the immigration order in federal court."]},{"id":"4258.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says that voter identification laws keep poor people from voting, minorities from voting, the elderly from voting, students from voting.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While there is evidence to suggest that voter identification laws can create barriers for certain groups, such as the poor, minorities, the elderly, and students, it is important to note that the impact of these laws on voter turnout is still a subject of debate. Some studies indicate that these laws can disproportionately affect these groups, while others suggest that the impact is minimal. Therefore, while there is some truth to the statement, it should be acknowledged that the extent of the impact varies and is not universally agreed upon.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["For starters, when the exchanges begin operating in 2014, some states will ban all abortion coverage entirely for any plan selling on that state\u2019s exchange. Doing so is allowed by a state \"opt-out\" clause that was passed as part of the health care law. According to the National Right to Life Committee, 15 states have passed such laws so far, with other legislatures considering similar measures.","The ACA was implemented in 2010 during the Obama administration. The aim of the health care law \u2014 often referred to as Obamacare \u2014 was to ensure everyone had health insurance.","But the health care reform bill set up health care \"exchanges\" in which private insurance companies can compete for the business of buyers who do not get their insurance through an employer. The question became: Should private companies be allowed to offer abortion coverage (as most already do) when operating through the exchanges? And what if the people buying policies are getting government subsidies to buy insurance?","Instead, in their 2017 tax bill, Republicans set the penalty for the individual mandate to $0. Starting in 2019, Americans no longer had to pay a fine for not having health insurance. Trump signed the 2017 tax bill into law. So, it is true that Trump and congressional Republicans were responsible for neutralizing the penalty."]},{"id":"4560.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says that politicians who approved collective bargaining restrictions for public employees exploited a loophole exempting themselves from Senate Bill 5.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that politicians in Ohio are exempt from certain provisions of Senate Bill 5, which restricts collective bargaining for public employees, the statement implies that they exploited a loophole to exempt themselves. However, it's important to note that lawmakers have long been exempt from Ohio's collective bargaining law, and their wage, medical, and pension benefits are already subject to similar percentages as required by SB 5. The claim fails to provide the necessary context, which would give a different impression and suggests that the exemption was a deliberate act of exploitation. Therefore, the statement is considered barely-true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8627.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Its a good sign for Obamacare that in California, the proportion of kids who are signing up is the proportion of kids in the population.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Ezekiel Emanuel's claim that in California, the proportion of children signing up for health insurance under Obamacare is similar to the proportion of children in the population. This could be seen as a positive sign, suggesting that the enrollment efforts are reaching the target demographic. However, it's important to note that this statement only focuses on one aspect of the overall success of Obamacare in California. It does not provide a comprehensive assessment of the program's effectiveness or address other factors that may impact its overall viability.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Cohen offers some specifics to back up his claim. But the core statement here, that Republicans have never done anything to balance the budget, immediately struck us as an overreach.","Now at more than $15 trillion, the debt is the result of many policies and actions -- by Republicans and Democrats alike -- but Memphis\u2019s Democratic congressman took the opportunity to cast Republicans as the main villains and his own party as courageous leaders fighting to balance the budget.","Stephen Ellis, vice president for Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan group that opposes wasteful spending, got right to the point in an email reply: \"Both parties can lay claims to doing things to balance the budget, and both parties can be blamed for doing things that made the budget more out of balance.\"","Appearing as a panelist on an MSNBC program hosted by liberal political reporter Chris Hayes, Cohen said: \"Democrats have dealt with the deficit before. In 1993, all Democrats balanced the budget or put it on the way to being balanced. And the Republicans have never done anything really to balance the budget. They\u2019ve had two wars off budget, Afghanistan and Iraq. They\u2019ve put these Bush tax cuts in effect. That\u2019s the reason we\u2019ve got this great deficit.\""]},{"id":"7099.json","label":"false","statement":"Wisconsin is the only state that allows parents or guardians to purchase alcohol for their children regardless of whether that child is seven or 20 years old at bars and restaurants.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Wisconsin allows persons under 21 to be sold alcohol if they are with their parents, guardians, or spouses of legal drinking age, it is not accurate to claim that Wisconsin is the only state with such a provision. Several other states have similar laws that allow underage individuals to consume alcohol in the presence of their parents or legal guardians. Therefore, the statement is incorrect in asserting that Wisconsin is the only state with this policy.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\u2022 In Florida, Wasserman Schultz accused Webster of supporting \"privatization of Social Security, deep cuts in Social Security,\" and he did make remarks at a forum sponsored by the tea party that the federal budget outlook could be improved by rolling back the current budget to 2007 levels.","\"Privatization is usually taking government programs and handing them over to industry to run,\" he said. \"'Privatize Social Security' makes it sound like they want to hand it over to Visa to run.\"","As we noted more than two years ago, Republicans have long pushed -- unsuccessfully -- for adding an element of private investment to Social Security. Proponents usually call these \"personal accounts,\" while critics call it \"privatization.\"","Here, too, Trump\u2019s plan from 2000 was more nuanced than Clinton\u2019s comment would indicate -- and more to the point, Trump appears to have said nothing about returning to the personal account idea. He does not mention Social Security among the policy issues he addresses on his website, and the AARP\u2019s collection of Trump quotes on Social Security doesn\u2019t provide any indication that he favors privatization now."]},{"id":"2700.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Company may close, all because government essentially says if they dont hire a lifeguard to watch their workers, they cant stay open.","reason":"Reason: The statement inaccurately suggests that the government is forcing a company to hire a lifeguard to watch their workers, which would result in potential closure. However, there is no evidence provided to support this claim. It is important to note that government regulations and requirements for workplace safety may vary depending on the industry and specific circumstances. While certain safety measures may be mandated, it is misleading to imply that a single requirement, such as hiring a lifeguard, would be the sole reason for a company's potential closure. Therefore, the statement lacks context and exaggerates the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"Romney signed government-mandated health care with taxpayer funded abortions,\" the ad says, as a downcast Romney appears onscreen, along with his signature.","What\u2019s right about that? Romney did sign government-mandated health care, and Massachusetts does provide taxpayer-funded abortions. But the ad inaccurately links the two together. The law Romney signed did not mention abortion coverage. It was included by the state exchange, which created plans that mirror private insurance nationwide. And a court decision two decades earlier mandated that the cost of the abortions be included. You\u2019d never know any of that based on the misleading wording in the ad. We rate it Mostly False.","So Gingrich\u2019s ad is right that some abortions in Massachusetts are \"taxpayer-funded.\" But that requirement long predated the law Romney signed.","During a speech in Ann Arbor, Mich., on May 12, 2011, Romney sought to explain how the health care plan he signed as governor of Massachusetts was different than the law signed by President Barack Obama."]},{"id":"9650.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"More than 3,000 homicides were committed by illegal aliens over the past six years.","reason":"Reason: The statement that more than 3,000 homicides were committed by illegal aliens over the past six years is not supported by credible evidence. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) web page does not specify when or where the 3,070 homicide charges in the criminal histories of \"alien\" individuals arrested in Texas since October 2008 accumulated. The claim made by Governor Rick Perry was fact-checked and rated as \"Pants on Fire\" because it is not substantiated by available data. Criminologists have also stated that for the claim to be true, illegal immigrants would have had to commit nearly half of the state's homicides since 2008, which is not supported by any available data. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"You make $10 billion, you pay $1 billion. Now, I know a lot of people say that\u2019s a problem because that guy\u2019s still got $9 billion left, we need to take his money. But you see Chris, that\u2019s called socialism,\" Carson said Aug. 16. \"And I recognize a lot of people here who believe in socialism. That number is increasing.\"","This matters because it juices the numbers, effectively increasing the number of people on the welfare side of the comparison. Children and senior citizens can be counted as receiving means-tested benefits, but children cannot legally work, and many senior citizens may be retired or physically unable to work due to age.","Emeritus professor at Carnegie Mellon University Alfred Blumstein said with the increasing national attention, people could be more ready to report hate crimes to the police and are better equipped to decide if an offense is a hate crime when targeted to members of a special group.","He\u2019s not comparing the number of households with a means-tested beneficiary to the number of households with a full-time worker. That would have been an apples-to-apples comparison. Rather, he\u2019s comparing the number of households with a means-tested beneficiary to the number of full-time workers."]},{"id":"7835.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Two weeks after signing a taxpayer protection pledge, (Charlie Crist) breaks it.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Charlie Crist signed a taxpayer protection pledge, the statement that he broke it just two weeks after signing it is misleading. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Crist broke the pledge within such a short timeframe. The Republican Party of Florida admitted that they should have been more precise in their phrasing and acknowledged that Crist did break the pledge at some point. However, the exact timing of when the pledge was broken is not clearly established. Therefore, the statement is not entirely accurate and lacks the necessary context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Thune said that the Obama administration \"even proposed banning farm kids from doing basic chores.\" It's ridiculously false to suggest it applied to children of family farmers and even sillier to say it applied to \"basic chores.\"","\"The big-government bureaucrats of the Obama administration have set their sights on our way of life,\" Thune said during the Republican National Convention in Tampa on Aug. 29. \"Instead of preserving family farms and ranches, President Obama's policies are effectively regulating them out of business. His administration even proposed banning farm kids from doing basic chores!\"","On the second night of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, speakers kept up a drumbeat of outrage about excessive government regulation. The most outrageous example came from South Dakota Sen. John Thune, who said the Obama administration \"proposed banning farm kids from doing basic chores!\"","Speakers contrasted the president\u2019s record to GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney\u2019s. Others claimed Obama has never worked in business and doesn\u2019t want farm kids to do basic chores."]},{"id":"4549.json","label":"false","statement":"On how he measures his promise to create 700,000 private-sector jobs in seven years.","reason":"Reason: Governor Scott's promise to create 700,000 jobs in seven years is being tracked by PolitiFact Florida, and as of now, it is rated as \"In the Works\" because he still has three more years to fulfill that promise. However, the statement does not provide any specific information on how he measures his promise, so it cannot be determined if it is true or false.\nLabel: false","evidence":[]},{"id":"9963.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott pled the Fifth 75 times to avoid jail for Medicare fraud.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Rick Scott invoked his Fifth Amendment rights 75 times during a deposition related to a Medicare fraud case, it is misleading to claim that he did so specifically to avoid jail. The Fifth Amendment allows individuals to refuse to answer questions that may incriminate themselves, and invoking this right does not automatically imply guilt or an admission of committing a crime. While Scott's use of the Fifth Amendment raises questions, it does not provide conclusive evidence of guilt or an intent to avoid jail. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary context to support the claim that Scott invoked the Fifth Amendment solely to avoid jail for Medicare fraud.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Walker said: \"After years of 5.5 percent average tuition increases, we now have a two-year tuition freeze for the first time in the history of the UW System.\"","\"After years of 5.5 percent average tuition increases,\" Walker said, \"we now have a two-year tuition freeze for the first time in the history of the UW System.\"","Tuition increases were 5.5 percent or more for at least the two years before the current two-year freeze, depending on whether you\u2019re considering tuition at the four-year universities or the two-year colleges.","Two-year colleges: After the four-year freeze, tuition rose 5.5 percent in each of the next two years, and was $4,750 in 2012-\u201913."]},{"id":"2194.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Over the time that President Obama has been in office, we have lost 2.5 million free enterprise system jobs, and, yet, 500,000 federal government jobs have been added.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially accurate but lacks some important context. It is true that during President Obama's tenure, there was a decrease in the number of private-sector jobs by approximately 2.7 million. However, the claim that 500,000 federal government jobs were added is an overestimate. The increase in federal government workers was around 379,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While there was an increase in federal employment, it was not as substantial as claimed. Therefore, the statement is partially true but exaggerated in terms of the number of federal government jobs added.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["When making a time-for-change-in-Washington argument, Mandel shares a common gripe. But when saying Brown is one of the main Washington politicians responsible for Ohio jobs going to China, he relies on facts that fall apart and is left with generic rhetoric.","Mandel\u2019s spokesman cited this specific news story to support Mandel\u2019s claim that Brown is responsible for moving jobs to China, since Brown cast a key vote on the stimulus.","Those are sweeping, part of a general complaint by many Republicans about Democrats, and plenty of people share that view. But in none of his examples does Mandel single out Brown\u2019s votes or actions as specifically leading to jobs leaving Ohio for China.","\"New vote rating ties Ohio\u2019s Sherrod Brown for most liberal in Senate, Jim Jordan for House\u2019s most conservative,\", Feb. 25, 2011"]},{"id":"13141.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Brock Turners early release will be a regular occurrence if Prop. 57 passes.","reason":"Reason: While the Stop 57 campaign claims that the early release of sex offenders like Brock Turner would be a regular occurrence if Prop. 57 passes, this statement is misleading. Prop. 57 does propose changes to the parole system, but it does not specifically address or target sex offenders. The claim that Turner's early release would become a regular occurrence is an exaggeration and lacks evidence to support it. It is important to note that individual cases like Turner's are influenced by various factors and are not solely determined by a single policy change.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[""]},{"id":"6797.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Taxes are lower on families than theyve been probably in the last 50 years.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by President Obama that taxes on families are lower than they have been in the last 50 years is supported by evidence. Data from the first three years of Obama's presidency show that taxes as a percentage of personal income were on the lower end compared to the previous 50 years. In fact, the rates during those years were lower than most other years, with only a few exceptions. While the statement may not account for every single year within the 50-year timeframe, the evidence supports the claim that taxes on families have been relatively low compared to historical trends.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"2705.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"As a state representative, David Cicilline argued against Megans Law and voted against mandatory registration of sex offenders.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately states that David Cicilline argued against Megan's Law and voted against mandatory registration of sex offenders as a state representative. However, it is important to note that this occurred in the context of a specific amendment to the existing sex offender registration law in Rhode Island. While Cicilline did vote against that particular amendment, it does not necessarily mean that he was opposed to the overall concept of Megan's Law or mandatory registration of sex offenders. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the necessary context to fully assess Cicilline's stance on Megan's Law.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9755.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Rick Scott is letting Duke (Energy) keep collecting billions despite troubled power plants.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the evidence that Rick Scott, the subject of the statement, is allowing Duke Energy to continue collecting billions of dollars despite the issues with their power plants. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide a clear indication of Scott's direct involvement or control over Duke Energy's operations and billing practices. While Scott may have been aware of the issues, the evidence does not establish a direct causal link between his actions and Duke Energy's ability to continue collecting funds. Therefore, the statement is only partially true as it lacks sufficient evidence to fully support the claim of Scott actively allowing Duke Energy to collect billions.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We are number one in the country as far as our spending (COVID-19 relief) money on businesses as it relates to the percentage of federal funds that we receive.\"","Though the post implies that anyone over 65 is eligible for such a card, Medicare \u2014 the federal health insurance program for senior citizens and those with disabilities \u2014 does not provide the cards. Private insurance companies that sell certain plans, called Medicare Advantage, are allowed to offer customers a prepaid debit card, sometimes referred to as flex cards.","\u2022 Private insurance companies that sell certain Medicare plans are allowed to offer customers a prepaid debit card. The cards are available in some areas, monetary limits are often much lower than advertisements indicate, and what can be purchased with them is also limited.","1. The only point of agreement appears to be that a single-payer health care system would involve an enormous government cost. This is because it would bring the operations of a massive health care system together. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S. health care spending grew 4.3 percent in 2016, reaching $3.3 trillion or $10,348 per person. As a share of the nation's Gross Domestic Product, health spending accounted for 17.9 percent."]},{"id":"6423.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Mitt Romney paid only 14 percent in taxes probably less than you.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made in the ad that Mitt Romney paid a tax rate of 14 percent, which is lower than what many individuals may pay. However, the use of the word \"probably\" implies a generalization that may not be entirely accurate for every individual taxpayer. While it is likely that a significant portion of taxpayers paid a higher tax rate than Romney's 14 percent, the exact percentage is uncertain. Therefore, the statement is partially true but could benefit from additional clarification regarding the variability of individual tax rates.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"13340.json","label":"half-true","statement":"As executive director of the Democratic Party of Virginia there were 300 people on my payroll in 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. It accurately states that the individual making the statement was the executive director of the Democratic Party of Virginia. However, there is no evidence or information provided to support the claim that there were 300 people on their payroll in 2008. Without further evidence, it is difficult to verify the accuracy of this specific claim.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We previously fact-checked a claim by Scott that Crist \"allowed college tuition to increase up to 15 percent every year\" and rated that Mostly True. (And we have fact-checked other claims in the race about higher education cuts.) Here we will fact-check the Republicans\u2019 claim that Scott cut the cost of prepaid college tuition by nearly $20,000.","We've been writing about the law authorizing in-state college tuition for such Texans, sometimes called Dreamers, since 2010. Under the law, students lacking proper immigration documentation who earn a Texas high school diploma or GED and have lived in Texas for at least three years may qualify for in-state tuition if they sign an affidavit saying they intend to apply for permanent residency as soon as they can. In 2015, the latest year of available data, 24,982 Texas college students benefited from the law, representing about 1.5 percent of students attending the state's public institutions of higher education, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board later reported.","The program is popular, but the amount for new plans skyrocketed in 2008 and again in 2010 -- for example the lump sum payment rose from about $22,000 in 2009 to $40,000 in 2010. The hikes were as a result of the Legislature approving the \"tuition differential\" that allowed universities to tack on an extra increase in tuition up to 15 percent. (First the hike was reserved for University of Florida and Florida State University, but later additional universities were added.) The prepaid college board assumed that universities would use that maximum amount, sending the costs into an upward spiral.","\"Rick Scott has put a lot of money back into education,\" the ad continues. \"Gov. Rick Scott cut the cost of prepaid college tuition by nearly $20,000. A lot of my students now see hope. Rick Scott has made college more affordable.\""]},{"id":"3159.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The New START treaty was passed despite significant concerns among some people in the State and Defense Departments.","reason":"Reason: While there may have been some concerns among certain individuals in the State and Defense Departments regarding the New START treaty, it is important to note that the treaty had widespread support from top officials in both departments. The statement exaggerates the level of opposition and fails to acknowledge that the treaty was backed by virtually every top official, past and present, in both departments. Therefore, the statement is considered barely true.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["David Nexon, Senator Ted Kennedy\u2019s former health care staff director, on Medium, \"I was there when Hillary Clinton helped lead the bipartisan effort to create the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program,\" June 24, 2016","We have previously rated a few claims related to her role in the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP. Some claims have been more careful in their wording about her role than others. We could not reach a Bill Clinton spokesman, but we previously interviewed a Hillary Clinton spokesman on the same topic.","Her campaign website has a more nuanced statement: \"As first lady, she refused to give up when Congress defeated health care reform. Instead, she worked with Republicans and Democrats to help create the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program, which now provides health coverage to more than 8 million children. Senator Ted Kennedy said that if not for Hillary, the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program wouldn\u2019t be in existence today.\"","Clinton has often cited this achievement. During the 2008 presidential campaign, PolitiFact rated one campaign ad as Half True because it implied she\u2019d single-handedly \"stood up for universal health care when almost no one else would.\" In another instance, we rated her comment True because she qualified her claim, saying she \"helped\" create the children\u2019s health coverage program -- along with others."]},{"id":"10236.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Austin mayoral candidate Steve Adler has never been active in anything that has to do with City Hall.","reason":"Reason: The statement that Steve Adler has never been active in anything related to City Hall is not accurate. There is evidence that contradicts this claim, including his opposition to the dumping of petrochemicals into the Barton Springs aquifer. Additionally, there are records of Adler appearing before the Austin City Council on various matters. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"9761.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The wife of the Ferguson, Mo., police chief said African-Americans in Ferguson are feral and violent.","reason":"Reason: The claim that the wife of the Ferguson, Mo., police chief made derogatory statements about African-Americans in Ferguson is not supported by credible evidence. The statements mentioned in the evidence are attributed to an individual identified as Catherine Nardi, not the wife of the police chief. It is important to verify the accuracy and credibility of sources before making such claims. Making false accusations can contribute to misinformation and further division.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["A 2016 study(!) from Danish engineers looked at onshore and offshore turbines and wrote, \"The energy payback time was found to be less than 1 year for all technologies.\"","Meanwhile, Biden has taken no significant action on several criminal justice reform promises, including decriminalizing marijuana use, ending cash bail and ending mandatory minimum sentences. We have rated all three of these promises Stalled.","!JD Vance, Republican candidate for U.S. Senator for Ohio, speaks at a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP) !JD Vance, Republican candidate for U.S. Senator for Ohio, speaks at a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP)","\"The question is: how long must a windmill generate energy before it creates more energy than it took to build it?\" Hughes wrote."]},{"id":"11432.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In Milwaukee County, juveniles arrested for car theft get sent immediately home, because under the point system in juvenile court on holding suspects, a stolen car gets zero points.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that there is a point system in Milwaukee County's juvenile court to determine whether a suspect will be held, the statement oversimplifies the process. The claim that juveniles arrested for car theft are immediately sent home is not entirely accurate. While it is possible for some juveniles suspected of car theft to be released until their court appearance, it is not an automatic outcome and depends on various factors such as the severity of the offense, prior criminal history, and individual circumstances. The point system is just one factor considered in the decision-making process. Therefore, the statement is partially true but lacks the necessary nuance to provide a complete understanding of the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"237.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world.","reason":"Reason: The claim that Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta is false. Multiple investigations by reputable news sources have found no evidence to support this claim. The school Obama attended in Jakarta was a public school that taught a small amount of mainstream Islam, and there is no substantiated evidence that it taught Wahabism or any form of radical Islam. The claim is based on a specious email and has been widely debunked.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"11129.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"The top one-tenth of 1 percent of Americans own almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Bernie Sanders and is supported by various sources, including Sanders' own speeches and PolitiFact Wisconsin. The evidence confirms that the top one-tenth of 1 percent of Americans do indeed own a significant portion of the country's wealth, nearly equal to the combined wealth of the bottom 90 percent. However, it's important to note that the specific percentage may vary slightly depending on the data source and the time period analyzed. Overall, the statement is mostly true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["It's clear that bill122460 and many other people didn't know it was satire. Some of the blog postings referred to Michele Chang as if she were a well-known (and real) writer. \"Michele Chang: bama wants to have soldiers and officers pledge a loyalty oath directly to bama, not the Constitution,\" said one.","Two weeks ago, Matthew Avitabile, a 22-year-old grad student in upstate New York, decided to write a tongue-in-cheek blog item that said President Obama wanted soldiers to stop taking an oath to the Constitution and instead pledge their loyalty to the president himself.","When we last spoke with Matthew Avitabile, a grad student in upstate New York who writes a blog called Jumping in Pools, he had stirred up a hornet's nest with a satirical posting that claimed President Barack Obama wanted soldiers to stop taking an oath to the Constitution and instead pledge their loyalty to the president himself.","Voices of Freedom, White House will order military troops to pledge oath to Obama instead of the Constitution! , Jan. 29, 2009"]},{"id":"13504.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Texans pay the sixth-highest property tax in the nation.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Patrick and Judson that property taxes in Texas are the sixth-highest in the nation. This claim is supported by the calculations of the Tax Foundation, which found that property taxes in Texas, as a share of home values, ranked sixth-highest in the country. However, it's important to note that this ranking specifically pertains to property taxes and does not encompass all types of taxes paid by Texans. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true in the context of property taxes, it does not necessarily imply that Texans pay the sixth-highest total taxes in the nation.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Reminding us that available figures suggest declining Texas abortion and birth rates, whether due to unintended pregnancies or not, New also said that based on available data, he couldn\u2019t tell us if defunding Planned Parenthood caused declines in the abortion rate and the unintended pregnancy rate. \"That would require more data from more years and (preferably) more states,\" he said.","Abbott\u2019s tweet included a web link to a post headlined: \"When Planned Parenthood is De-Funded, Abortion and Unintended Pregnancy Rates Drop.\" The linked article, by Michael New, a visiting associate professor of economics at Ave Maria University in Florida, mentioned unintended pregnancies but it hinted at other indicators, stating that \"in Texas, both the birth rate and the abortion rate have declined since 2011.\"","We asked New whether it\u2019s reasonable to presume the unintended pregnancy rate decreased due to the cutoff of aid to clinics associated with abortion providers including Planned Parenthood.","Abortions were already declining before the described defunding while data directly gauging unintended pregnancy rates since the defunding don\u2019t yet exist."]},{"id":"6027.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Figures cited by Gov. Scott Walker are not commonly used to measure job creation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. While it is accurate to say that the figures cited by Gov. Scott Walker are not commonly used to measure job creation, it is important to note that the evidence provided does not specifically address this claim. The evidence primarily discusses property taxes and job losses, but it does not directly address the figures used by Gov. Walker to measure job creation. Therefore, while there may be some truth to the statement, the evidence provided does not sufficiently support it.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"We have no idea who these people are. What we do know is only one out of five of the so-called \u2018Syrian refugees\u2019 who went into Europe were actually Syrian,\" Huckabee said. \"Are we going to open the door so ISIS people can come on in, and we\u2019ll give them a place to stay and a good sandwich and medical benefits?\"","We found that the Daily Mail\u2019 s and Huckabee\u2019s statistic represents the situation in the three months before the Syrian migrants actually began arriving in Europe in bulk. Looking at the whole picture, asylum seekers from Syria represent half of all refugees.","Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee questioned the motives and origins of \"so-called \u2018Syrian refugees\u2019 \" during the Nov. 10 undercard GOP debate.","We previously explored the demographic makeup of Syrian refugees when Trump, as a candidate, made false claims that most Syrian refugees were actually strong men. (For background on Trump\u2019s immigration executive order, check out our explainer.)"]},{"id":"1164.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Over the past few months, we've learned that \"we just can't count on the media to debunk\" lies about health insurance reform.","reason":"Reason: The statement falsely claims that \"we just can't count on the media to debunk\" lies about health insurance reform. This assertion is misleading and lacks evidence. The media plays a crucial role in fact-checking and debunking misinformation, including claims related to health insurance reform. Many reputable news organizations have dedicated fact-checking teams that actively work to verify information and correct false or misleading claims. It is important to rely on credible sources and fact-checking organizations to ensure accurate information about health insurance reform and other topics.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"4411.json","label":"true","statement":"The day President Obama took office, gasoline was $1.79 a gallon.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the information provided in the evidence. According to multiple sources, including AAA and local business owners, the price of gasoline was indeed around $1.85 a gallon when President Obama took office. Therefore, the statement that gasoline was $1.79 a gallon on the day President Obama took office is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8608.json","label":"false","statement":"In Wisconsin, more than 300,000 people have some kind of addictive gambling problem, whether its pathological or what wed categorize as a problem gambler.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence. While it is true that Julaine Appling made the claim that over 300,000 people in Wisconsin have some form of addictive gambling problem, there is no verifiable data or official study provided to support this claim. Without reliable evidence, it is not accurate to state that over 300,000 people in Wisconsin have a gambling problem. Therefore, the statement is false.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"He is a member of a club or society, very strongly pro-Mexican, which is all fine,\" Trump said on Face the Nation on June 5. \"But I say, he's got bias. I want to build a wall.\"","Trump: He is a member of a club or society, very strongly pro-Mexican, which is all fine. But I say he's got bias. I want to build a wall. I'm going to build a wall. I'm doing very well with the Latinos, with the Hispanics, with the Mexicans, I'm doing very well with them, in my opinion. And we're going to see, you're going to see, because you know what, I'm providing jobs. Nobody else is giving jobs. But just so you understand, this judge has treated me very unfairly, he's treated me in a hostile manner. And there's something going on.","On June 2, 2016, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that Curiel had \"an absolute conflict\" in presiding over the litigation given that he is \"of Mexican heritage\" and a member of a Latino lawyers\u2019 association. (When Trump said in a separate interview that Curiel \"is a member of a club or society, very strongly pro-Mexican\" in referfence to the group, PolitiFact National rated his statement Mostly False.) Trump told the journal the judge\u2019s background was relevant because of his campaign stance against illegal immigration and his pledge to seal the southern U.S. border. \"I\u2019m building a wall. It\u2019s an inherent conflict of interest,\" Trump said.","Trump has been roundly denounced, by the left and right, for saying U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel may be biased against him because of his Mexican heritage."]},{"id":"10900.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"You dont have to be as smart as a fifth-grader to know what causes the climate is the sun. The sun. I have people tell me, Carbon dioxide warms the Earth. No, it doesnt. The sun warms the Earth.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the sun plays a significant role in warming the Earth, the statement oversimplifies the complex factors that contribute to climate change. The scientific consensus is that greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, contribute to the warming of the Earth's atmosphere. While the sun is the primary source of energy for our planet, the interaction between greenhouse gases and solar radiation is what leads to the greenhouse effect and subsequent warming of the Earth. Therefore, the statement disregards the well-established scientific understanding of climate change and the role of carbon dioxide in it.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11347.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every general City of Milwaukee employee pays toward his or her pension, but approximately 88 percent of our police officers and firefighters do not.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Mayor Barrett that while every general City of Milwaukee employee pays toward their pension, approximately 88 percent of police officers and firefighters do not contribute to their pensions. This exemption for police officers and firefighters from making pension contributions has put additional pressure on property taxpayers. However, it's important to note that this exemption applies to police officers and firefighters hired since late 2011, and not to all police officers and firefighters in the city. Therefore, the statement is mostly true, but the timeframe and specificity of the exemption should be considered for a more complete understanding.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"9646.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Says a new report shows the devastating tax hikes (in the health care law) will have on middle-class Kentuckians.","reason":"Reason: While the statement suggests that a new report shows the devastating tax hikes that the health care law will have on middle-class Kentuckians, the evidence provided does not include any specific report or data to support this claim. The statement relies solely on quotes from a McConnell spokeswoman, which lack specific information or evidence to substantiate the assertion of devastating tax hikes. Without further evidence or a specific report to analyze, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the claim.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Total private-sector jobs | 115.6 M | 111 M | 106.8 M | 108.2 M | 110.5 M | 111 M","\u2022 Employment level. In January 2009, total nonfarm employment in the United States stood just shy of 134 million. By February 2010, employment had fallen to 129.6 million, but by June 2015 it had rebounded to 141.8 million. That\u2019s an increase in jobs of almost 6 percent from the start of Obama\u2019s term.","!President Barack Obama, left, talks with Jon Stewart, host of \"The Daily Show\" during a taping on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in New York. (AP) !President Barack Obama, left, talks with Jon Stewart, host of \"The Daily Show\" during a taping on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, in New York. (AP)","The Biden administration has \u201ccreated\u201d more than double the number of jobs per month, on average, than any other administration going back to George H.W. Bush."]},{"id":"12744.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"While Hillary Clinton plans a massive, and I mean massive, tax increase, I have proposed the largest tax reduction of any candidate who has run for president this year, Democrat or Republican.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Donald Trump's claim that he has proposed the largest tax reduction of any candidate who ran for president in 2016, regardless of party affiliation. It also acknowledges that Hillary Clinton is indeed proposing a tax increase, although it clarifies that the increase primarily targets the wealthiest Americans. The claim is supported by analyses from the Tax Foundation, which confirm that Trump's tax plan would result in a significant reduction in revenue. However, it's important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" is assigned because the statement doesn't provide specific details about the magnitude of the proposed tax reduction or the extent of Clinton's tax increase.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["!Oxfam Ireland tweeted this graphic with the long-standing and incorrect claim that women own less than 1 percent of the world's land. !Oxfam Ireland tweeted this graphic with the long-standing and incorrect claim that women own less than 1 percent of the world's land.","Oxfam Ireland tweeted this graphic with the long-standing and incorrect claim that women own less than 1 percent of the world's land.","Oxfam Ireland also listed a 2013 joint report from UN Women and the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights that said, \"it is reported that just 1 percent of the world\u2019s women actually own land.\"","Women around the world have a hard row to hoe, but do they really own just 1 percent of all the land? That\u2019s the claim in a tweet from Oxfam Ireland. A reader saw Oxfam\u2019s infographic with the stat and asked us to check it. We\u2019ve found similar statements about global poverty to lack a firm grounding in the facts ( 70 percent of the world\u2019s poor are not women) and that\u2019s the case with this one, too."]},{"id":"12574.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Despite the rhetoric from Democrat politicians, more people are employed this year than at any point in the history of Wisconsin.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that there are currently more people employed in Wisconsin than at any point in its history. This fact is supported by evidence and indicates positive economic growth in the state. However, the statement also implies that this employment growth is in contrast to the rhetoric of Democratic politicians, without providing specific evidence or context regarding their stance on employment. Therefore, while the employment claim is true, the connection to Democratic politicians' rhetoric is not fully substantiated.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The full quote from a debate in Orlando, Fla. on Oct. 21, 2007. : \"In case you missed it, a few days ago, Senator Clinton tried to spend $1 million on the Woodstock Concert Museum. Now, my friends, I wasn't there. I'm sure it was a cultural and pharmaceutical event...I was tied up at the time.\"","The Woodstock museum -- officially called the Museum at Bethel Woods -- is due to open in the spring of 2008, but without the federal money. According to a statement on Clinton's website, the $1 million in federal funds was to be used for purchasing and borrowing exhibits at the non-profit museum as well as the audio-visual presentations, computer interactive displays and films. The senator's website says the exhibits will focus on the \"post-WWII period and cultural, political, social, and significant historic events during this period including, in particular, the period of the 1960's and its continuing legacy.\"","The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Committee Appropriations Report shows that Clinton and fellow New York Sen. Charles Schumer did lobby for a $1 million earmark for the Bethel Performing Arts Center in Liberty N.Y. Clinton and Schumer intended to use the earmark for a museum located at the Performing Arts Center that would commemorate the 1969 Woodstock music festival in their state.","When Clinton announced the $1 million earmark for the museum on June 22, 2007, she said: \"These funds will help the for the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts continue to promote education, the arts, culture and tourism in the region.\" The New York senators were successful at including the money when the bill passed the Appropriations Committee. But the full Senate then approved an amendment introduced by Tom Coburn, R-Okla., that stripped the money for the Bethel museum and instead redirected it to the Health Resources and Services Administration for the maternal and child health services program."]},{"id":"13311.json","label":"half-true","statement":"There was even a time when (Donald Trump) didnt get an Emmy for his TV program three years in a row and he started tweeting that the Emmys were rigged.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that there was a period when Donald Trump did not win an Emmy for his TV program, and he expressed dissatisfaction by tweeting that the Emmys were rigged. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the complete context. Trump's tweets about the Emmys being rigged specifically occurred in 2012, 2013, and 2014 when his show \"The Apprentice\" did not win an Emmy. Therefore, while the statement is true in terms of the lack of Emmy wins and Trump's tweets, it could benefit from additional context to provide a more complete picture of the situation.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["We are inclined to think the Limbaugh quotes were lifted out of context, and we think that presenting them in an ad about McCain\u2019s immigration policy \u2014 as if McCain somehow endorsed those comments \u2014 isn\u2019t just wrong, it\u2019s \"pantalones en fuego\" wrong.","A new Spanish-language TV ad from the Barack Obama campaign called \"Dos Caras\" (Two Faces) begins as most of the attack ads against John McCain do \u2014 with McCain pictured next to President Bush. The ad then cuts to a bewildering cameo from Rush Limbaugh.","In his radio show on Sept. 18, Limbaugh took some time to discuss ( \"Rush Limbaugh Show\") the Obama campaign ad, and it sure didn\u2019t sound like he\u2019d forgotten McCain\u2019s previous efforts.","The whole thing raises the question, what are quotes from Limbaugh doing in an attack ad against McCain, especially one that highlights immigration?"]},{"id":"10692.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Under Barack Obama, the average cost of family health care premiums has increased by $4,154.","reason":"Reason: The statement is based on the average cost of family health care premiums, which did indeed increase from $12,680 in 2008 to $16,834 in 2014, as reported by the Kaiser Foundation's survey on employer-based health insurance policies. However, it is important to note that attributing the entire increase solely to Barack Obama's presidency is an oversimplification. Various factors contribute to changes in healthcare costs, including market dynamics, healthcare policies, and economic conditions. Additionally, the statement does not account for the fact that healthcare premium costs were rising prior to Obama's presidency. While there was an increase in average family health care premiums during Obama's tenure, it is misleading to attribute the entire increase solely to his presidency.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["McCaughey says in \"Obamacare will question your sex life\" that you can thank the president\u2019s health law for questions about your sexual activity, even if your doctor finds them unnecessary.","Readers sent us the op-ed and asked us to fact-check it. So does Obamacare require your dermatologist to ask you about your sex life?","She suggests it\u2019s part of Obamacare\u2019s move toward electronic health records. But incentives for electronic health records were part of the Recovery Act, not Obamacare. And they don\u2019t require participating doctors to ask questions about your sex life.","The change wasn\u2019t part of Obamacare, though. And it doesn\u2019t require any \"sex questions\" \u2014 except for whether you\u2019re male or female. You might hear the words, \"Are you sexually active?\" from your doctor, but it wouldn\u2019t have anything to do with the health care law."]},{"id":"6653.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Weve got 7.2 percent unemployment (in Ohio), but when you include the folks who have stopped looking for work, its actually over 10 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects that the unemployment rate in Ohio is 7.2 percent. However, the claim that it increases to over 10 percent when including individuals who have stopped looking for work is not entirely accurate. According to the U-5 rate, which includes individuals who have stopped actively seeking employment, the rate is 9.2 percent, not over 10 percent. While the statement does highlight the impact of discouraged workers on the overall employment situation, it exaggerates the extent of the increase in the unemployment rate. Therefore, the statement can be considered partially true.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"From my perspective, when the federal government sues Texas and sues Georgia, that\u2019s going in the wrong direction,\" West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, a Republican, told PolitiFact. \"The federal government should be supporting state efforts that are attempting to increase voter confidence.\"","\"In Michigan, we have no sustained source of long-term funding from the state or federal government for elections,\" Benson told PolitiFact.","But that doesn\u2019t mean the federal government will have to sit on the sidelines when it comes to voting in 2022, even though most election administration happens on the local level.","Benson, the Michigan secretary of state, said that while the federal legislation that Democrats wanted didn\u2019t pass, \"it should not take up all the oxygen on the issue of what the federal government can do to support states at this particular time, like funding elections.\""]},{"id":"11919.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Dontre Hamilton, who was killed during a confrontation with a Milwaukee police officer, was unarmed.","reason":"Reason: The evidence confirms that Dontre Hamilton was indeed killed during a confrontation with a Milwaukee police officer. Multiple sources, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, report that Hamilton was unarmed at the time of the incident. While it is important to note that the label \"mostly-true\" indicates some potential for additional information or context, the statement accurately reflects the available evidence.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["On its Web site, the group states, \"Not only are your medical records at risk under Obamacare, but your financial records too. The proposed bill expressly gives a new Health Choices Commissioner the right to look at an individual's tax return to determine what medical benefits or subsidies that person qualifies for.\"","\u2022 The group was a bit overbroad in characterizing what private information federal officials could look at. While the CWA said that the commissioner would have \"the right to look at an individual's tax return to determine what medical benefits or subsidies that person qualifies for,\" the commissioner would actually have the right to look at the pertinent information from that return \u2014 not the entire return. In this case, that would include such information as a taxpayer's filing status, number of dependents and modified adjusted gross income.","\u2022 The notion that federal officials would look at tax information to determine \"medical benefits\" is a significant exaggeration. The bills allow the government to use tax information when determining if someone is eligible for subsidies. But it is incorrect to suggest, as CWA seems to do, that the commissioner might deny a specific treatment for a disease based on something on one's tax return.","Under the bill, Congress would set income levels to establish who is eligible for \"affordability credits,\" which are designed for people in the lower middle class who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but who don't earn enough to buy their own insurance. The credits would allow them to get insurance on the health care exchange, a new virtual marketplace for people who are currently uninsured or buy coverage on the individual market. The commissioner is assigned to determine who qualifies."]},{"id":"1108.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"\"All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free health care services.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. The evidence clearly shows that the health care law does not provide free health care services to non-U.S. citizens, whether they are legal or illegal immigrants. The legislation explicitly states that undocumented aliens are not eligible for credits to help them purchase health insurance. Additionally, illegal immigrants are not eligible to enroll in Medicaid or shop for health insurance on the marketplace. Claims suggesting otherwise have been debunked and rated as Pants on Fire.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"12100.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Requiring photo ID would keep about 200,000 Missourians from voting.","reason":"Reason: While there is evidence to suggest that requiring photo ID for voting could potentially affect or inconvenience a significant number of Missourians, the statement that it would \"keep about 200,000 Missourians from voting\" is not fully supported. The estimates provided range from 220,000 to 400,000 Missourians who could be affected, but it does not necessarily mean that all of them would be completely prevented from voting. The impact of requiring photo ID on voter turnout is complex and can vary depending on factors such as accessibility to obtaining IDs and the availability of alternative voting options. Therefore, the statement is partially accurate but lacks the full context.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Says Hillary Clinton's health care plan from the 1990s \"had a broader provision in favor of corporate right to back out\" of providing contraceptive coverage than the one created by the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision.","Gingrich said Hillary Clinton's health care plan from the 1990s \"had a broader provision in favor of corporate right to back out\" of providing contraceptive coverage than the one created by the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision.","Gingrich is right that this would be less restrictive than the provisions laid out by the Supreme Court in the Hobby Lobby decision, experts said.","\"Hillarycare, 20 years ago, had a broader provision. The bill that (former Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, D-N.Y.) introduced for Hillary had a broader provision in favor of corporate right to back out,\" of providing contraceptives based on religious beliefs, Gingrich said on Sunday\u2019s ABC This Week."]},{"id":"9751.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Kids coming from an affluent background are taking advantage of all these student loan programs and grants while many middle-class families with no connection to college are picking up the tab.","reason":"Reason: The statement contains some elements of truth but lacks important context. While it is true that some students from affluent backgrounds may access student loan programs and grants, it is important to note that eligibility for these programs is primarily based on financial need rather than background. Middle-class families may also qualify for these programs if they meet the necessary criteria. Additionally, the statement implies that middle-class families with no connection to college are solely responsible for funding these programs, which is not accurate. Federal student loan programs and grants are funded through various sources, including taxpayer dollars and government allocations. Therefore, it is an oversimplification to suggest that middle-class families are solely burdened with funding higher education for more affluent individuals.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Abbott, the former longtime state attorney general, went on: \"The fact is voter fraud is rampant--and in Texas, unlike some other states and unlike some other leaders, we are committed to cracking down on voter fraud.\"","In his second year as governor, Greg Abbott landed at No. 8 among the year\u2019s most-clicked Texas Truth-O-Meter fact checks when he said voter fraud was rampant.","Abbott, reacting to a poke by President Barack Obama at mandates to present photo IDs at the polls, told reporters in March: \"The fact is voter fraud is rampant--and in Texas, unlike some other states and unlike some other leaders, we are committed to cracking down on voter fraud.\"","By phone, Clark told us that \"under no definition of rampant is voter fraud rampant in Texas and the United States,\" though, she said, \"that doesn\u2019t mean it doesn\u2019t happen.\""]},{"id":"178.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"\"I believe in tax cuts. I believe in being a supply-sider. I cut the income tax I think it was 24 percent. We got 42 percent more revenues.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Giuliani regarding his belief in tax cuts and being a supply-sider, as well as the percentage reduction in the income tax rate during his tenure. However, it's important to note that the claim of achieving 42 percent more revenues as a result of the tax cuts is more subjective and open to interpretation. While there was indeed significant revenue growth during Giuliani's time as mayor, attributing it solely to the tax cuts is a matter of debate. The increase in revenue could be influenced by various factors, including economic growth and other policies implemented during that period. Therefore, while the statement contains elements of truth, the direct causal link between the tax cuts and the revenue increase is not definitively established.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10564.json","label":"half-true","statement":"At this particular point in time, looking at the field, theres only one individual thats ever had the uniform of his country onand thats me.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately highlights that the speaker is the only individual in the field who has served in the military. However, it is important to note that this statement is limited to the current field being referred to and does not account for the possibility of other individuals who may have previously served in the military but are not part of the current field. Therefore, while the statement is true within the given context, it may not hold true in a broader sense.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["\"In 2008, then-state Sen. Maggie Hassan voted to kill legislation that would have blocked any effort to promote sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire and protect illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes,\" party chairwoman Jennifer Horn said in a memo titled \"Maggie Hassan\u2019s terrible campaign kickoff.\"","The New Hampshire Republican Party said that Maggie Hassan, as a state senator, \"voted to kill legislation that would have blocked any effort to promote sanctuary city policies in New Hampshire.\"","Hassan did vote against a 2008 bill that would have prohibited New Hampshire from serving as a \"sanctuary for illegal aliens.\" However, it\u2019s worth noting there were no efforts to establish sanctuary cities in the state at the time, nor are there any efforts today.","In other words, this was mostly symbolic legislation, since no efforts were under way to promote sanctuary cities then, nor are there any efforts now."]},{"id":"12757.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Nearly 180,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records, ordered deported from our country, are tonight roaming free to threaten peaceful citizens.","reason":"Reason: The statement made by Trump, as supported by multiple sources, claims that nearly 180,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records, who have been ordered to be deported, are currently roaming free and pose a threat to peaceful citizens. While the exact number may be subject to some variation, there is evidence to suggest that a significant number of individuals with criminal records who are in the country illegally have not been successfully deported. However, it is important to note that the statement does not provide the full context of the situation, such as the timeframe or specific circumstances surrounding these individuals. Therefore, the statement is mostly true but lacks some nuance.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"625.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"John McCain worries about nuclear waste in Arizona, but not in Nevada.","reason":"Reason: The evidence suggests that the statement is barely true. While there is some speculation and interpretation regarding McCain's stance on nuclear waste transportation, it is not accurate to claim definitively that he worries about nuclear waste in Arizona but not in Nevada. The ad oversimplifies McCain's position and distorts his views. The columnist's analysis highlights that McCain may have misspoke in an interview, leading to confusion about his stance. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that there is ambiguity and differing interpretations regarding McCain's position on nuclear waste transportation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"10664.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Says Ted Cruz just flip-flopped about the president needing to be U.S.-born.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. The evidence provided does not support the claim that Ted Cruz recently flip-flopped on the requirement for a president to be born in the United States. The Facebook post mentioned in the evidence refers to Cruz's parentage, not his stance on the eligibility requirement. Additionally, there is no information or evidence presented that indicates a recent change in Cruz's position on this matter. Therefore, the claim that Cruz flip-flopped on the requirement is false.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"8329.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"With Obamacare, were fixing to get hit with the biggest entitlement program the American taxpayers have ever seen.","reason":"Reason: While Senator Chambliss claimed that Obamacare would result in the biggest entitlement program the American taxpayers have ever seen, this statement is not entirely accurate. When considering the size of entitlement programs, it is important to consider factors such as the duration of the program, projected costs, and the overall impact on the economy. While Obamacare does have significant costs, it does not surpass programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid in terms of size. Therefore, the statement is exaggerated and does not align with the facts.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"GOP lawmakers (are) falsely accusing the president of gutting the Pentagon\u2019s budget, when in fact President Obama is actually increasing Bush-era defense spending by $21 billion in the new fiscal year,\" Olbermann said on his Countdown program on MSNBC.","During the first half of this fiscal year, President Bush secured $66 billion in supplemental funding for the wars, fully aware that a second supplement would be needed from the new president. Obama has requested an additional $83 billion supplement (although $7 billion of that is for foreign aid). So $142 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009. Together with base defense spending of $513 billion, it comes to total 2009 military spending of $655 billion.","\"Representatives in Congress (are) wildly and falsely mischaracterizing that as making cuts to the military's budget,\" Olbermann said. \"A) Afghanistan and Iraq spending, that is all in a separate budget . You could look that up. B) In the final year of the Bush administration, the defense budget was $513 billion. In fiscal year 2010 it will be $534 billion. That would be more. In fact, it's an increase of $21 billion, not a cut. As they say, do the math.\"","In response to Republican complaints that the Obama administration is gutting the military, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann fired back, saying that Obama is actually increasing defense spending."]},{"id":"1991.json","label":"false","statement":"Says his GOP challenger, Doug MacGinnitie, \"hadnt voted in a Republican primary for almost 20 years until 2008.","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. While it is true that Doug MacGinnitie did not vote in a state Republican primary for a significant period, the claim that he had not voted in a Republican primary for almost 20 years until 2008 is incorrect. The evidence suggests that MacGinnitie did not vote in Republican primaries during a specific period, but it does not support the claim that he abstained from voting in Republican primaries for nearly two decades until 2008.\nLabel: false","evidence":["There was a bit of overlap between Acosta and Carson (this transcript quotes Carson saying 66 percent), but we heard 56 percent. We wondered if Carson was correct that more than half of our southern border was \"not under our control.\"","U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a 2011 report that 873 miles of the U.S. Mexico border was under \"operational control.\" The other 1,120 miles, or about 56 percent, fell under two classifications \"not acceptable for border security.\" That doesn\u2019t mean there is an utter lack of control, but that the agency\u2019s ability to detect or respond (or both) to crossings was hampered by a lack of resources or infrastructure.","Says Joe Biden \u201cis restricting travel for Americans into Mexico, but is keeping the border wide open for illegal aliens to walk right into our country.\u201d","!People use a ladder to scale the border fence at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tecate, Mexico on April 21, 2022. (AP) !People use a ladder to scale the border fence at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tecate, Mexico on April 21, 2022. (AP)"]},{"id":"104.json","label":"true","statement":"\"I don't think that Rudy or Fred or John McCain support the marriage amendment.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Mitt Romney's claim that Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, and John McCain do not support the marriage amendment. This is supported by evidence that McCain opposed the 2006 amendment attempt and would only support such an amendment under certain conditions, while Giuliani and Thompson share Romney's opposition to same-sex marriage but have different approaches at the federal level. Therefore, the statement is true.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"Phony sick notes passed out to excuse striking union members,\" the GOP charged in a news release issued Feb. 19, 2011.","( - Wisconsin Republican Party says doctors were handing out phony sick notes to \u201cstriking union members\u201d during protests in Madison&url=)","The Wisconsin Republican Party claimed that doctors passed out \"phony sick notes\" to \"excuse striking union members.\" It\u2019s clear that doctors outside the Capitol were distributing notes that public employees attending demonstrations could use in an attempt to explain their absence from work. None of the public employees, however, have gone on strike.","Did doctors roam the crowds outside the state Capitol handing out phony sick notes to government workers who missed work to protest?"]},{"id":"612.json","label":"false","statement":"John McCain refuses to support a new bipartisan energy bill \"because it would take away tax breaks from oil companies like Exxon Mobil.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement is false. John McCain did not refuse to support a new bipartisan energy bill solely because it would take away tax breaks from oil companies like Exxon Mobil. The evidence provided indicates that the bill, called the New Energy Reform Act of 2008 or New ERA, included various provisions such as expanded offshore drilling, incentives for alternative fuels, and energy efficiency proposals. While the bill did propose rolling back tax deductions for oil and gas companies, it is incorrect to attribute McCain's opposition to solely that reason. McCain's stance on the bill was likely influenced by a combination of factors, and it is misleading to claim that his opposition was solely due to the removal of tax breaks for oil companies.\nLabel: false","evidence":["\"Ladies and gentlemen, our country is going in the wrong direction. What we\u2019ve learned is that over the last couple of years, Ohio has lost over 600,000 jobs.\" He added that \"Since Mr. Boccieri has become a representative of the 16th District, unemployment has doubled.\"","Perplexed, we asked Renacci\u2019s spokesman, James Slepian, how his boss got his number. Slepian responded that while Renacci said the state has lost 600,000 jobs over the last couple of years, his number was actually in reference to Ohio\u2019s unemployment rate, not its job losses. Stick with us here, because this is a distinction with a definite difference.","The unemployment rate measures the number and percentage of people at any given time who say they are out of work and are actively looking for a job. It doesn\u2019t matter when they lost their jobs.","Boccieri (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Ohio State Senate to represent District 33. Boccieri lost in the general election on November 6, 2018(,_2018)."]},{"id":"9841.json","label":"true","statement":"Wisconsins dead last in Midwest job growth.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim that Wisconsin is ranked last in Midwest job growth. This claim has been previously fact-checked and rated as true. The evidence suggests that Wisconsin's job growth performance in the Midwest has been consistently low, as supported by the available data. \nLabel: true","evidence":["In Indiana, S.B. 398 limited drop box use to hours when an election office is open, which would make them a less convenient option for people who have trouble taking time off from work. At the same time, the bill made it easier for people with disabilities to register and request absentee ballots electronically. And another Indiana law (H.B. 1479) expanded early voting by allowing a third Saturday for voting prior to Election Day.","SB 7 makes numerous changes to the state\u2019s election code, many of which pertain to the means through which people can vote early. The major changes to early voting include limiting early voting hours and limiting the kinds of sites where people can vote early.","The bill also limits the number of ballot drop boxes and when voters can use them. And it expressly bans handing out food and water to voters in line. Some Georgia voters in 2020 waited more than five hours in line to vote on the first day of early voting.","The bill would prohibit local election administrators from extending early voting hours and operating drive-thru voting centers. It also would bar election officials from sending out mail-in ballot applications without a voter\u2019s request and, among other things, gives partisan poll watchers more access to polling locations during voting hours."]},{"id":"4387.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Rail doesnt do a great job in lessening traffic.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not directly address the statement about rail's effectiveness in reducing traffic. However, based on the information provided, it can be inferred that the rail project did not create a significant number of jobs beyond the initial construction phase. The job count decreases significantly after the initial years, which suggests that the ongoing employment opportunities related to the rail project are limited. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the rail project may not have a substantial impact on lessening traffic in the long term.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Says President Barack Obama \"added\" $6.5 trillion to the national debt in his first term, more than the $6.3 trillion added by the previous 43 presidents combined.","Romney was trying to revive a talking point -- that by the end of his first term, Obama will have added as much debt as all the prior 43 presidents combined -- that was accurate enough to earn a Mostly True from PolitiFact. This time, though, he allowed small but significant changes to creep in and weaken its accuracy.","\"I mean, this president is on track to have added so much debt to this country, that by the end of his first term, he will have added as much debt as all the prior presidents of this country combined. Think of that. I don\u2019t want to do what he\u2019s done, but I do believe we need to bring the corporate tax rate down, close special deals and loopholes to help finance that and encourage investment and growth by virtue of doing so.\"","Romney said something similar at a roundtable of small business leaders in Salem, N.H., on June 27, 2011. Romney said that Obama \"is on track to have added so much debt to this country, that by the end of his first term, he will have added as much debt as all the prior presidents of this country combined.\" We rated the statement Mostly True."]},{"id":"8112.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"A judge took the Star Scientific tax case away from Ken Cuccinelli","reason":"Reason: While it is true that an outside counsel was appointed to handle the Star Scientific tax case, it is misleading to claim that the case was taken away from Ken Cuccinelli. The statement implies that Cuccinelli was personally involved in the case and had it removed from his jurisdiction, which is not accurate. The decision to appoint outside counsel was a routine procedure to ensure impartiality and avoid any potential conflicts of interest, as Cuccinelli had previously disclosed his ownership of Star Scientific stock. Therefore, the statement is barely-true as it misrepresents the situation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8451.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Wisconsin sold fresh water to California, helping that states dairy industry, and lost a bunch of jobs (and) a bunch of farmland.","reason":"Reason: There is no credible evidence to support the claim that Wisconsin sold fresh water to California to support their dairy industry, resulting in job losses and farmland loss in Wisconsin. Multiple sources have debunked this claim, stating that there is no record or evidence of such a water sale. The statement is entirely baseless and lacks any factual foundation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Romney would have been more accurate if he had phrased his claim the way he did on other occasions, when he said \"half the kids coming out of college this year \u2026 can't find a job, or a job that's consistent with a college degree.\"","Rather than roughly half of recent college grads not being able to find a job, the reality is that about 50 percent of recent college graduates are either unemployed or employed in jobs that aren\u2019t commensurate with their degree. Of this 50 percent figure, about half are unemployed, and about half are in jobs that don\u2019t require a college degree.","Romney told campaign donors that \"50 percent of kids coming out of school can't get a job.\" He missed a key qualifier -- according to the research, about a quarter of recent college grads literally can\u2019t find a job, while another quarter have found a job, but one that doesn\u2019t require a college degree. Still, the research shows the employment picture for college grads is grimmer than at any time in more than a decade. We rate the claim Mostly True.","We\u2019re checking several statements from Romney\u2019s remarks on May 17, 2012, but here we\u2019re asking whether, \"Fifty percent of kids coming out of school can't get a job.\""]},{"id":"10621.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Every day, a black name resume is 50 percent less likely to get responded to than a white nameresume.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true, but it contains a slight error in the wording. The correct information is that resumes with black-sounding names are 33 percent less likely to receive a response compared to resumes with white-sounding names. While the percentage is slightly different from the stated 50 percent, the overall message remains accurate - there is a significant racial bias in hiring practices that negatively impacts individuals with black-sounding names. This bias reflects a form of everyday racism in the hiring process.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["The Republican Party of Florida joined the Crist-as-tax-hiker chorus on Twitter: \"email protected raised taxes in 2009 and won't rule out raising taxes again.\"","We\u2019ll examine what type of taxes were raised under Crist in 2009 and what he has said about raising taxes in the future.","The party\u2019s ad replayed Crist\u2019s ad with a virtual remote pausing the video and offering reaction. After Crist\u2019s ad claims he cut taxes, the GOP responds: \"Fact: Crist raised taxes by $2.2 billion.\" A voiceover says, \"Nice try, Charlie; Crist raised taxes on the middle class by billions of dollars.\"","The Republican Party of Florida has been saying that Crist actually raised taxes on the middle class $2.2 billion while in office. That actually came a year later, when he and the Republican-led Legislature raised taxes and fees, like $1 a pack tax on cigarettes, to close a budget hole in 2009. Other fees were increased on auto tags and fishing licenses."]},{"id":"10825.json","label":"true","statement":"During the Bush administration, you actually had a prominent liberal write a book about how Bush was preparing for a fascist takeover of this country.","reason":"Reason: It is true that during the Bush administration, a prominent liberal named Naomi Wolf wrote a book titled \"The End of America: Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot.\" In the book, Wolf expressed concerns about the erosion of democratic principles and the potential loss of liberty in the United States. While she did not claim that Bush was actively preparing for a fascist takeover, she argued that certain actions and policies during that time could lay the groundwork for such a scenario. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the existence of the book and its general premise.\nLabel: true","evidence":["\"This industry does not exist in a state like Minnesota, and I don't see any downside in keeping these usurious vipers out of our state,\" said Grothman, the Senate\u2019s new assistant majority leader, in a Nov. 13, 2010 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article. \"There are so many legitimate businesses in this state that need regulatory help. I sure hope that these guys are not on the list.\"","Davis\u2019 campaign press release noted that in 2011, Davis said: \"It\u2019s really disgusting that an industry that profits from the poor by charging 1,000-plus interest is put at the head of the state\u2019s financial regulatory agency. It\u2019s saying, \u2018It\u2019s not only OK, but we\u2019re going to put them in charge.\u2019 \"","\"But we know they exist,\" analyst Ann Baddour of Texas Appleseed said by email. Also, she pointed out an online post by Ace Cash Express indicating it levies an effective rate of 918 percent (close to 1,000 percent) to repay a payday loan of $600 over five weeks.","Grothman made a similar comment about the lack of payday lenders in Minnesota in April 2010 during a discussion among Wisconsin lawmakers about the bill that eventually became law."]},{"id":"12290.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Over the past two years, Florida has cut more than $1 billion in taxes.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the evidence provided, which states that Florida has indeed cut over $1 billion in taxes over the past two years. This aligns with the information provided by Scott's spokeswoman, who emphasized the positive impact of tax cuts on Florida's economy and job creation. However, it's important to note that the evidence does not provide additional context or data to fully evaluate the overall impact of these tax cuts on the state's economy. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true based on the evidence provided, a more comprehensive analysis would be needed to fully assess the effects of these tax cuts.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cruz agreed. \"And I would note that this whole episode has really displayed the ugly underbelly of the media,\" Cruz said. \"You know, every time you have some sort of violent crime or mass killing, you can almost see the media salivating, hoping, hoping desperately that the murderer happens to be a Republican, so they can use it to try to paint their political enemies. Now listen, here\u2019s the simple and undeniable fact. The overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats. The media doesn\u2019t report that.\"","\u2022 \"Violent\" vs. \"nonviolent.\" Cruz said that \"the overwhelming majority of violent criminals are Democrats.\" But the paper didn\u2019t break down their pool of ex-felons into those who had been incarcerated for violent offenses and those who had been incarcerated for nonviolent crimes. So the paper contains no support for this portion of Cruz\u2019s claim.","The bottom line is, despite Cruz\u2019s belief that this is a \"simple and undeniable fact,\" there are enough asterisks with this statement to make it anything but.","\"Overwhelming majorities of Americans \u2013 Americans who believe in the 2nd Amendment \u2013 have come together around common-sense reform \u2013 like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on a gun,\" he told lawmakers."]},{"id":"7755.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Says Texas leads the nation in fatal industrial accidents.","reason":"Reason: The statement is partially true. According to preliminary figures for 2011, Texas ranked first in five out of six categories of industrial accidents, as well as in the transportation category. However, it's important to note that this information is based on preliminary data and may not represent the most recent statistics. Additionally, the statement does not provide a comprehensive comparison to other states, which could provide a clearer context for Texas' ranking. Therefore, while Texas does have a high number of fatal industrial accidents, it is necessary to consider additional factors and more up-to-date data to fully assess its position compared to other states.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Democratic nominee Ann McLane Kuster, taking her second shot at ousting U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass, R-NH, took aim at his congressional pay increases to plead her case for representing New Hampshire\u2019s Second Congressional District in 2013.","Says Charlie Bass supports Paul Ryan plan that forces seniors to pay $6,400 a year more for health care so millionaires can pay less in taxes.","Tranchemontagne added that Bass has voted for extended freezes to congressional pay several times, including recently, with H. Res. 3835 and H.J. Res. 117 which extend Congressional and federal employee pay freezes; and H. Res. 3630-- which would prohibit any pay adjustment for Congress prior to December 31, 2013.","2004: On Sept. 14, 2004, the House voted 235-170, with Bass in the majority, on ordering the previous question for consideration of House Resolution 5025, the fiscal 2005 Transportation and Treasury Appropriations bill. By doing so, the House rejected Rep. Jim Matheson, D-UT's procedural attempt to get a direct vote on the pay raise. Congress received a pay adjustment of 2.5 percent in January 2005, increasing their salary $4,000 to $162,100."]},{"id":"133.json","label":"true","statement":"Nearly half of Hispanic voters in Arizona's last election supported four measures that were \"very tough on illegal immigration.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the findings that nearly half of Hispanic voters in Arizona's last election supported four measures that were \"very tough on illegal immigration.\" This suggests that the assumption that all Hispanic voters lean Democratic and have a uniform stance on immigration is incorrect. It highlights the diversity of opinions within the Hispanic voting population and the fact that Republicans were able to increase their share of Latino voters in the 2020 election.\nLabel: true","evidence":["Says Bruce Springsteen \"only had 8,000 tickets sold\" for a Greensboro show and canceled after \"they didn\u2019t get the ticket sales they wanted.\"","\"I love Bruce Springsteen,\" McCrory said. \"I love his music. But he canceled a concert in Greensboro. By the way, they only had 8,000 tickets sold, with all respect. Hmm. But Bruce doesn\u2019t mention that. They didn\u2019t get the ticket sales they wanted.\"","\"No idea where 8,000 may have come from,\" Brown said, adding that there were fewer than 100 tickets left when Springsteen canceled with two days\u2019 notice.","Here at PolitiFact North Carolina, we\u2019ve seen our fair share of videos from Springsteen\u2019s live shows (mostly to marvel at Nils Lofgren\u2019s guitar solos). The crowds are always sizeable, if not sold out. We would be quite surprised if Springsteen had sold only half the tickets to his Greensboro show just two days before the concert."]},{"id":"7652.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Gov. Scott Walker (is) more than halfway to (his) 250,000 jobs goal.","reason":"Reason: The statement is incorrect. While the MacIver Institute claims that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is more than halfway to his goal of creating 250,000 private sector jobs, this claim is misleading. The evidence provided does not support the assertion that Governor Walker has achieved more than halfway towards his goal. The actual job growth numbers and progress towards the goal are subject to debate and interpretation. Therefore, labeling the statement as \"pants-fire\" is appropriate as it is a significant exaggeration of the facts.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["Edwards also took a prominent role in an important health care debate, joining with John McCain and Kennedy in 2001 to unveil a plan that would give patients more leverage over their managed-care health insurance plans. The plan, which promised new patient protections and liability caps for employers, passed the Senate 59-36 that summer but then stalled over the question of whether patients could sue their health plans. Congress' attention shifted to national security following the Sept. 11 attacks, and the measure was not revived.","The ad cites a Washington Post editorial that calls the 2007 law \"the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet.\" And the editorial credits Reid as the key player, with help from Feingold and Obama.","Bush, in signing the bill in December 2006, praised it for \"lay(ing) the foundation for a new strategic partnership between our two nations that will help ease India's demands for fossil fuels and ease pressure on global markets.\"","Before he bowed out of the race, Sen. Joe Biden dismissed the legislative accomplishments of three Democratic primary rivals with whom he served. About John Edwards, he said, \"John doesn't have a record in the Senate. John's only passed four bills. They're all about post offices.\""]},{"id":"1729.json","label":"half-true","statement":"U.S. Rep. Bill Young \"has accepted $737,000 from lobbyists and recipients of his earmarks.\"","reason":"Reason: While it is true that U.S. Rep. Bill Young has accepted $737,000 in campaign contributions from lobbyists, it is not accurate to claim that he received that money directly from the recipients of his earmarks. Federal law prohibits corporations, which are often the recipients of earmarks, from making campaign contributions. Therefore, the statement incorrectly implies a direct financial connection between the earmark recipients and the campaign contributions. It is important to clarify that the contributions came from lobbyists, who may have interests related to the earmarks but are not the direct recipients of them.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8119.json","label":"true","statement":"Since the Affordable Care Act passed, 90 percent of job growth has been in full-time positions.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by Krueger that since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, 90 percent of job growth has been in full-time positions. This claim is supported by statistics showing that 87 percent of the increase in jobs between March 2010 and July 2013 consisted of full-time jobs. While there may be differing opinions on the impact of the Affordable Care Act on job growth, the statement itself is factually accurate.\nLabel: true","evidence":["The CBO says the cost of health care reform will rise to $1.8 trillion, \"increasing the price to far greater than the $900 billion\" originally projected.","Hurt said the CBO has estimated that the cost of health care reform will rise to $1.8 trillion, \"increasing the price to far greater than the $900 billion projected\" when the law was signed in 2010.","\"Additionally, the report projected that the cost of this health care law will increase to nearly $1.8 trillion \u2013 increasing the price to far greater than the $900 billion than was projected when it was enacted \u2013 raising costs for American taxpayers at a time when we can least afford it,\" he wrote.","*The total gross cost in the first report was $931 billion, compared with $1.011 trillion in the second study. That\u2019s an 8.6 percent increase."]},{"id":"4077.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Lets say (Republicans) take away half of our delegates. Theyre worth more than Iowas, New Hampshires and almost South Carolinas combined.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and lacks context. While the statement mentions Republicans taking away half of the delegates, it fails to provide any evidence or explanation for such a claim. Without any supporting evidence or specific proposal, it is difficult to assess the accuracy of the statement. Therefore, the statement lacks credibility and cannot be categorized as fully true. \nLabel: half-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11207.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Theres a tremendous other number of public officials who have done the same thing as Hillary Clinton with a private email server.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that some public officials have used private email accounts for government business, the statement is misleading because it fails to acknowledge the key distinction of Hillary Clinton setting up her own private email server. The use of a private email server, as opposed to simply using a private email account, raises significant concerns regarding security, transparency, and compliance with government regulations. While there may be other instances of public officials using private email accounts, the unique nature of Clinton's private server arrangement sets her situation apart. Thus, the statement is barely-true as it lacks important context.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["We know Christie doesn\u2019t like the national health care reform, but he should know better than to call it a \"government takeover.\" That\u2019s been proven wrong over and over again, making his claim simply ridiculous.","Having endorsed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Christie has been addressing what he considers illegitimate comparisons between Romney\u2019s health care reform in Massachusetts and the national health care reform led by President Barack Obama.","By referring to the national reform as \"a government takeover of health care,\" Christie was repeating a claim that\u2019s been debunked numerous times by various news organizations. In fact, our PolitiFact colleagues recognized that claim as the 2010 Lie of the Year.","PolitiFact New Jersey contacted seven health care experts from across the country and reached the same conclusion: the national reform greatly expands federal involvement, but the law is largely built upon the existing private health insurance industry. By no means is it a government takeover."]},{"id":"9365.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Obama administration spent $205,075 in stimulus funds to relocate a shrub that sells for $16.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that the Obama administration spent a significant amount of money to relocate a shrub, the statement is misleading. The funds used for the relocation did not come from stimulus aid but rather from tolls collected on bridges near San Francisco. Additionally, the cost of the shrub's relocation, including uprooting, moving, and replanting, was $148,000, not $205,075. The additional costs mentioned in the evidence bring the total translocation costs to $205,075, but these costs were not directly related to the shrub itself. Therefore, the statement misrepresents the source of funds and exaggerates the cost directly associated with the shrub relocation.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"11074.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Thanks to the Obama administrations negotiations, Irans nuclear program will be under lock, key and camera 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.","reason":"Reason: While the statement highlights the intention of the Obama administration's negotiations to closely monitor Iran's nuclear program, it is not entirely accurate to claim that the program will be under constant surveillance. While there are inspection mechanisms in place, including the potential for inspections at any time, it is important to note that physical presence of inspectors or cameras at all times is not feasible. The statement overstates the level of continuous monitoring and does not accurately reflect the limitations and practicalities of the inspection process.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["!Trump tweets claim of \"serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California.\" !Trump tweets claim of \"serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California.\"","The top state election official in Virginia says the charge is \"unfounded.\" The former chairman of Trump\u2019s Virginia campaign says he\u2019s unaware of any \"massive voter fraud on Election Day.\"","Richmond Times-Dispatch, \"Trump claims \u2018serious voter fraud in Virginia\u2019 but state ally says no \u2018mass scale\u2019 fraud reported,\" Nov. 28, 2016.","\"Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn\u2019t the media reporting on this? Serious bias,\" Trump said in a Nov. 27 tweet."]},{"id":"1674.json","label":"false","statement":"This race will be the Democrats top target this November.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided does not support the statement that \"This race will be the Democrats' top target this November.\" While the evidence discusses concerns and strategies employed by Democrats in various races, it does not specifically identify the race mentioned in the statement as the Democrats' top target. The evidence focuses on the use of certain tactics and the potential impact on the election outcome, but it does not provide conclusive information about the specific race being the Democrats' primary focus.\nLabel: false","evidence":["( - Cokie Roberts: Chances of getting murdered in New York are 1 in 25,000; in Honduras it's 1 in 14&url=)","\"I heard a report this week that in New York, your chances of getting murdered are 1 in 25,000,\" said Roberts on This Week on July 13, 2014. \"In Honduras, it\u2019s 1 in 14. You can\u2019t send children back home to that.\"","As you can see from the chart above, the chances of getting murdered in Honduras are 1 in 1100 per year compared to 1 in 20,000 per year in New York. Over a lifetime, the chances of being murdered in Honduras are 1 in 15, compared to 1 in 250 in New York.","\"Let me put this in perspective for you,\" Rattner said. \"In Honduras, you had a 1 in 14 chance of being murdered. In the city of New York, you have a 1 in 25,000 chance of being murdered. I can\u2019t even imagine what it\u2019s like to be in a place like that.\""]},{"id":"6032.json","label":"half-true","statement":"Georgia Public Service Commission member Stan Wise has received about 95 percent of his campaign money from the utilities he is supposed to be regulating.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that a significant portion of PSC Commissioner Stan Wise's campaign contributions come from individuals associated with utilities, the statement exaggerates by claiming that Wise received about 95 percent of his campaign money directly from the utilities he regulates. In reality, the donations come from individuals connected to the utilities, not directly from the utilities themselves, which is prohibited by law. The context is important as some of the donations may come from lawyers and colleagues who have also contributed to candidates in other races. Therefore, while there is a notable connection between Wise's campaign funding and the utilities he regulates, the statement overstates the direct influence of the utilities themselves.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Based on the 2008 exit polls of Georgia, Virginia (where Sabato works) and nationally, whites with a college degree supported Barack Obama at a higher rate than whites without a college degree, Kondik said.","Overall, it is important to note that over the past 50 years, methods for funding education in the state, the available revenue streams and the definition of what constitutes education have changed numerous times. Still, data showed that education has always accounted for more than half of the budget in each of those years.","In the book \"Carl Sanders: Spokesman of the New South,\" author and historian James F. Cook repeats a similar statistic about Sanders\u2019 education investment: \"... he (Sanders) made education his first priority and directed nearly sixty cents of every tax dollar into education.\"","But the education funding battles of recent budget years were different 50 years ago. In a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution article about the 1963 Georgia Legislature, former Gov. Zell Miller recalled the strides made in education by then-Gov. Carl Sanders."]},{"id":"7388.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says he and Mitt Romney agreed on tying minimum wage increases to inflation.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that Senator Kennedy favored increasing the minimum wage and tying it to inflation. While the evidence does not explicitly mention Mitt Romney's stance on tying minimum wage increases to inflation, it implies that Kennedy and Romney agreed on this particular aspect of increasing the minimum wage. However, it is important to note that the evidence does not provide direct confirmation of Romney's position on this specific policy proposal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3744.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Says Rick Perry turned down our invitation to meet President Barack Obama in El Paso.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by White House press secretary Jay Carney that Rick Perry turned down an invitation to meet President Barack Obama in El Paso. This claim is supported by multiple sources, including Politifact Texas. However, it's important to note that the fact check also mentions that Carney's response implies Perry flatly refused to meet when an alternative meeting prospect was suggested. Therefore, while the statement is mostly true, it could benefit from additional context regarding the alternative meeting proposal.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"8262.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"In 2012, the state put together a list of over 100,000 people that they thought were ineligible to vote. Came out there were less than 10.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects Charlie Crist's claim that in 2012, the state of Florida put together a list of over 100,000 people that they believed were ineligible to vote, but it turned out that there were less than 10 ineligible voters. However, it's important to note that the statement lacks specific evidence or sources to support the claim. Without further information or independent verification, the accuracy of the claim cannot be fully determined.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"1918.json","label":"half-true","statement":"The Republican Party lost 1.1 million registered voters since 2008. The Democratic Party lost 1.2 million registered voters (while) voter registration in the Libertarian Party rose 8 percent.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the claim made by the Libertarian Party that the Republican Party lost 1.1 million registered voters since 2008, the Democratic Party lost 1.2 million registered voters, and voter registration in the Libertarian Party rose 8 percent. However, it's important to note that the comparison between the reduction in numbers for the major parties and the increase in percentage for the Libertarian Party can be misleading. The raw numbers of registered voters for the major parties still far outweigh the number of registered voters for the Libertarian Party. So, while the statement is factually correct, it lacks the necessary context to fully understand the significance of these changes.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter wrote in an email that Romney \"won't protect the mortgage interest deduction for middle-class families if Romney enacts his tax plan, even though it helps more than 30 million middle-class families.\"","Cutter said, \"Mitt Romney's platform \u2026 won't protect the mortgage interest deduction for middle-class families.\" Romney wants to limit some tax deductions in exchange for rate cuts, but he hasn\u2019t said which deductions he wants to end. The platform's general wording leaves open the possibility of changes to the deduction, but specifically expresses support for it. We rate Cutter\u2019s claim as Mostly False.","Several news outlets reported earlier this month that the GOP was not going to support the mortgage interest deduction in its party platform. There was a battle over the deduction between the real estate industry, which wanted to keep it in the platform, and some conservative activists, who desired a simpler tax code, according to those reports. The Wall Street Journal later reported there was a compromise.","The Republican Party platform lays out its position in a section called \"Protecting The Taxpayers: \u2018No More Too Big to Fail.\u2019 \" It says at the top of Page 25 that \"we strongly support tax reform; in the event we do not achieve this, we must preserve the mortgage interest deduction.\""]},{"id":"13344.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Recently though, the media has reported on thousands of illegal voters here in the commonwealth.","reason":"Reason: The statement is not supported by credible evidence. While there have been isolated incidents of voter fraud, the claim of \"thousands of illegal voters\" is unsubstantiated and lacks factual basis. It is important to rely on verified information from reliable sources when discussing voter fraud to ensure accuracy and avoid spreading misinformation.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Just 9 percent of Muslims in Pakistan view ISIS favorably. Unfortunately, that 9 percent is 16 million people. And that\u2019s just one country.\"","For Shapiro, support for any form of Sharia law means one thing -- the believer is a radical. Accordingly, Shapiro looks at a place like Pakistan and says that 76 percent of Muslims want Sharia law in all Muslim countries. Pakistan has 179 million Muslims, therefore, \"that is another 135.4 million radicals.\"","\"It\u2019s got almost 205 million Muslims,\" Shapiro said. \"According to one 2009 poll, it showed almost 50 percent of Indonesians support strict Sharia law, not just in Indonesia but in a lot of countries. And 70 percent blame the United States, Israel or somebody else for 9\/11. You make that calculation, it\u2019s about 143 million people who are radicalized. You scared yet? We\u2019re just getting started.\"","\"We went from zero A elementary schools when I took office to 16 when I left, and our total A and B schools went up by 260 percent.\""]},{"id":"13239.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"Stopped by Smiley Cookie to pick up some great cookies for the family, along with Rudy.","reason":"Reason: While it is true that Donald Trump mentioned stopping by a place called Smiley Cookie to purchase cookies for his family, the statement is misleading. The actual location he visited was Eat'n Park, not Smiley Cookie. However, he did purchase Smiley Cookies from Eat'n Park. Therefore, while the statement contains some inaccuracies, it does reflect the general idea that Trump bought cookies from a place associated with Smiley Cookies.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["\"This action will ensure that the choice of how to light homes and businesses is left to the American people, not the federal government,\" said a DOE spokesperson in a statement. The move would eliminate a \"cost burden on American consumers and businesses.\"","Yes. Manufacturers pumped resources into improving LED technology, and innovations from new competitors helped bring costs down. As more people started buying in, the amount of energy used to light our homes and businesses dropped sharply, particularly between 2015 and 2018.","In 2007, Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act, which mandated higher energy efficiency standards in the US. The law included new standards for light bulbs that were written to spur the lighting industry out of the incandescent age and towards new technologies like LEDs that use significantly less energy.","When the Energy Independence and Security Act was first signed into law, it applied the rising standards to \"general service lights,\" a broad industry term that refers to commonly used household light bulbs. That category includes compact fluorescent bulbs, LED bulbs and traditional incandescent bulbs. But exempted from the new standards were certain specialized incandescent bulbs, including three-way bulbs, shatter-resistant bulbs, and differently shaped bulbs such as floodlights, candelabra lights and bathroom vanity globes."]},{"id":"4423.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Mike Trainor...still owes $250,000 to the state.","reason":"Reason: The evidence provided supports the statement that Mike Trainor still owes $250,000 to the state. Multiple sources, including former Providence Mayor Vincent A. \"Buddy\" Cianci Jr. and Governor Chafee, have referred to Trainor's outstanding debt and expressed the intention to ensure repayment. The statement is accurate based on the information provided.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Garcia said that \"Rivera has received a $5,000 campaign contribution from Congressman Spencer Bachus, who is currently under House Ethics investigation for insider trading.\"","\"Last week, Congressman David Rivera allowed House Republican leaders to strip key provisions from the STOCK Act that would crack down on corruption of public officials and on those who peddle political inside information for profit. Rivera has received a $5,000 campaign contribution from Congressman Spencer Bachus, who is currently under House Ethics investigation for insider trading, and whose behavior is the target of the STOCK Act,\" said Garcia, a Democrat, in a Feb. 15 campaign press release.","In this item, we will explore whether Rivera received a $5,000 contribution from Bachus, who is under investigation for insider trading.","Says David Rivera \"allowed House Republican leaders to strip key provisions from the STOCK Act\" that would crack down on insider trading by members of Congress."]},{"id":"11018.json","label":"barely-true","statement":"The Supreme Courts views are radically out of step with public opinion regarding its decision to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide.","reason":"Reason: While there has been a significant increase in public support for same-sex marriage in recent years, it is not accurate to claim that the Supreme Court's views on legalizing same-sex marriage are \"radically out of step\" with public opinion. Polling data suggests that opinions on same-sex marriage have become more favorable over time, and a majority of Americans now support it. While there may be variations in specific poll results, it is misleading to characterize the Supreme Court's decision as being significantly at odds with public sentiment.\nLabel: barely-true","evidence":["Georgia, a state in the Deep South, has more illegal immigrants than Arizona, a state that sits on the Mexican border and is at the epicenter of the illegal immigration political storm?","Georgia is, of course, a much bigger state, population-wise, than Arizona. It has a total population of 9.8 million residents, while Arizona has about 6.6 million residents.","The five Republican candidates who showed up for the GOP debate all favored Georgia adopting a get-tough measure like the one passed in Arizona. But candidate Jeff Chapman, a state senator, went further. He stated that Georgia has actually surpassed Arizona in the number of immigrant residents who broke the law to enter the United States.","\"Illegal aliens are costing Georgia taxpayers over a billion dollars every year,\" said Deal, who has long pushed for more restrictions on citizenship and aggressive enforcement of current immigration laws."]},{"id":"4388.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"Mayor Fung wants to punish our childrens education by removing 12 million dollars from current funding to pay for his private charter school. Your taxes would increase by between 6 and 8 percent per year.","reason":"Reason: The statement is misleading and inaccurate. There is no evidence to support the claim that Mayor Fung wants to \"punish\" children's education or that he intends to remove $12 million from current funding to pay for a private charter school. Additionally, the assertion that taxes would increase by 6 to 8 percent per year is not substantiated by any credible information. These claims appear to be exaggerated and designed to create a negative perception of Mayor Fung without factual basis.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":[]},{"id":"1592.json","label":"half-true","statement":"\"Under the ruling of the Supreme Court, any lobbyist could go into any legislator and say, if you don't vote our way on this bill, we're going to run a million-dollar campaign against you in your district.\"","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the concern raised by Axelrod regarding the potential influence of lobbyists and the impact of the Supreme Court ruling. However, it is important to note that the scenario described could have happened before the Citizens United ruling as well. While the ruling did remove certain restrictions on corporate-funded ads and allowed for more direct advocacy, the ability for lobbyists to threaten lawmakers with campaign spending was not solely a result of the ruling. Therefore, the statement is partially true, as it correctly highlights the concern about the influence of money in politics but does not attribute it solely to the Supreme Court ruling.\nLabel: half-true","evidence":["According to the CDC, the number of violent gun deaths between 2005 and 2013 (the latest year on record) was 279,976. That includes suicides, homicides, and police-related shootings. Mass Shooting Tracker counts 389 mass shooting gun deaths in 2014 and 375 so far in 2015.","Gartenstein-Ross agreed that Bush likely killed more combatants, but Obama engaged in more targeted attacks, which would mean his operations likely killed more people who would be considered \"terrorists\" under a strict definition.","In December 2015, the Washington Post tried to come up with its own count of how many terrorists the Bush and Obama administrations have each killed. Using an inclusive definition of terrorism, they tallied up between 65,800 and 88,600 terrorists killed since fighting began in the early 2000s, throughout both presidents\u2019 terms. Obama is responsible for a little below half by their count \u2014 between 30,000 and 33,000.","A 2015 report out of Brown University estimates that the number of Taliban deaths in Afghanistan may have been between 5,000 and 15,000 total over the course of the Bush administration, but up to 5,000 per year during the Obama administration."]},{"id":"5473.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"There are a larger number of shark attacks in Florida than there are cases of voter fraud.","reason":"Reason: The statement is mostly true. The evidence suggests that when considering the number of documented instances, there are indeed more shark attacks in Florida than there are cases of voter fraud. While the data on shark attacks is relatively clear, it is important to note that the voter fraud numbers may not represent the total cases, as some instances could be handled locally and not included in the reported figures. However, based on the available information, the statement holds true.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":[]},{"id":"3408.json","label":"mostly-true","statement":"Democrats have now become the party of the [Atlanta] metro area and of blacks.","reason":"Reason: The statement accurately reflects the assertion made by Powell that the Democratic Party has become associated with the Atlanta metro area and black voters. However, it's important to note that Powell's statement was not meant to be derogatory but rather an observation of the party's demographic and geographic support base. While the statement may not encompass the entire Democratic Party or all metro areas, it captures the essence of Powell's claim.\nLabel: mostly-true","evidence":["Cruz said that 40 percent of illegal immigrants in the U.S. are \"people coming legally on visas and overstaying their visas.\"","\"Forty percent of illegal immigration doesn\u2019t come across the border; it\u2019s people coming legally on visas and overstaying their visas,\" the presidential candidate said during a recent interview on \"The John Fredericks Show,\" broadcast from Portsmouth.","\"We have a porous border, meaning not just the border with Mexico, but 40 percent of people in this country, illegally, are overstaying visas,\" he said on Fox & Friends on July 22, 2015.","But is it true that 40 percent of illegal immigrants are people who have overstayed their visas? It turns out that we hear the figure so often because it\u2019s the most commonly accepted estimate, although it\u2019s getting a little long in the tooth."]},{"id":"1155.json","label":"pants-fire","statement":"The Department of Veterans Affairs has a manual out there telling our veterans stuff like, 'Are you really of value to your community?' You know, encouraging them to commit suicide.","reason":"Reason: The statement is completely false. There is no manual from the Department of Veterans Affairs that encourages veterans to commit suicide or contains the statement, \"Are you really of value to your community?\" The claim made by Steele is sensationalized and lacks any basis in reality. The manual in question is intended to provide information to veterans about advanced care planning, not to encourage self-harm. The assertion is entirely unfounded and misleading.\nLabel: pants-fire","evidence":["\"Now, health insurance reform is one of those pillars that we need to build up that new foundation,\" said President Barack Obama at a town hall in New Hampshire. \"I don't have to explain to you that nearly 46 million Americans don't have health insurance coverage today. In the wealthiest nation on Earth, 46 million of our fellow citizens have no coverage. They are just vulnerable. If something happens, they go bankrupt, or they don't get the care they need.\"","Getting back to Obama's statement, he said, \"Nearly 46 million Americans don't have health insurance coverage today.\" That is the most recent number for the U.S. Census available, but he messes it up in one way that would tend to overcount the uninsured and in another way that would tend to undercount them.","Looking back to Obama's statement, though, he said nearly 46 million Americans don't have insurance. Actually, the census data include noncitizens. The Census Bureau breaks out that information and reports that 9.7 million of the uninsured are noncitizens. So the number of Americans without insurance is actually closer to 36 million.","> Let\u2019s be clear: throwing out the #AffordableCareAct without a plan in place would be horrific for West Virginians and Americans with preexisting conditions, and the nearly 20 million Americans who have gained health insurance since the law passed in 2010."]}]